#tumblr can like. never be normal about these discussions. sigh

[to-thelakes]

sick day (well... sick month)

pairing; frank castle x fem!reader

summary; after yet another doctor's appointment, frank takes care of his sick - and frustrated - girlfriend

warnings; fluffy as hell, mentions of medication, discussions of eczema and being sick with the flu, brief mention of guns

notes; this is my first time posting my one-shots on tumblr so hello! i've done a little bit of posting on ao3 but i've always been a little scared to post here but here i am! now, this fic, it is a purely self-indulgent fluffy fic and it's the first in my fluffbruray fics. i'm hoping to do a fic every day of this month but i'm in uni and about to start a new job so whether that will happen is anyone's guess! but this fic is just some frank fluff because i've been going through a bunch of health issues and i needed the comfort from my favourite big bad punisher <3 i did proof-read it but it's not beta-read or anything so apologies for any grammar mistakes! i hope you enjoy <3

ao3

When you trudged back into the apartment after your appointment at the clinic, Frank could tell something was wrong. He had been cleaning up his guns at the table when he heard the door close. There was no call of his name or any sort of greeting; only a quiet shuffle of shoes being discarded and your coat being hung up. A frown was quick to spread across his face as he pushed the chair back, walking to meet you in the hallway.

“Everythin’ alright, sweetheart?” He asked. You looked up at him, tears welling in your eyes as you shook your head. He frowned but was quick to wrap you up into a hug. Your face buried in his strong chest as you sniffled.

“Apparently it’s normal and there’s nothing they can do to help me,” You mumbled against the fabric of his shirt. It smelt like him and that seemed to make it all so much better. Frank sighed and he used one of his hands to cradle the back of your head. He pressed a kiss to your forehead, holding you somehow closer.

“We’ll figure something out, yeah?” He said. You sniffled before nodding your head. You didn’t know what you were going to do. It had been over a month and you didn’t feel any better. It was exhausting. When you had gotten the flu, you hadn’t expected to still feel the effects now. You’d never had it before and you were at the point where you wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Your health had plummeted and it was infuriating. 

It also didn’t help that your new-found eczema had spread to your nose. You had done everything that the doctor had told you yet he still seemed out to punish you. You had never felt more disgusting and your nose hurt constantly. The constant dripping and blocking from when you had the flu would go away with time - apparently - but you didn’t really believe that at this point.

“I’m so tired,” You mumbled. Frank sighed and he pressed a kiss to your hair before pulling back. He cupped your face with his hands, looking into your eyes.

“You put the cream on yet?” He asked, his voice was gruff but soft. You shook your head and he nodded, glancing back at the table. The gun was still in parts but you were more important to him right now so he slipped his hand into yours, “Let me help ya put it on.” You nodded and he led you over to the bathroom. You stripped your jeans off and he grabbed the cream from where you had left it the night before.

“At least my leg is getting better,” You muttered, attempting to be optimistic. Frank smiled at you, glad to see some of your normal self coming back to the surface. He couldn’t pretend that it hadn’t broken his heart seeing how crushed you had been recently. Getting out of bed for work had been a struggle every day but you had managed to do it and he was proud of you.

“Attagirl.” That familiar grin had spread across his face and you couldn’t help but smile back; though that made your nose hurt. 

The cold winter air had made the eczema on your nose sting on your walk back to the apartment but you knew that it would be okay as soon as the cream was on.

“Put your leg up,” He said once he had gotten down on one knee. He patted his thigh and you lifted your foot up, resting it there. He squeezed a fingertip of cream onto his finger before spreading it across the marks on the side of your thighs. It didn’t tingle as much as it had the first few times you put it on but there was still an uncomfortable feeling that lingered.

“He said that the flu probably caused the eczema, not my medication,” You said after a beat of silence. Frank had switched out to the moisturiser now and was spreading it across the underside of your thigh as you spoke. Frank scoffed and lifted his hand away from your leg, tapping your calf. You put your leg down.

“Course,” He commented. You could tell by the look on his face as he clambered back to his feet that he didn’t believe that. You didn’t really either. Frank cleaned his hands off before reaching for the steroid cream again.

“He still dropped the dosage but I dunno,” You mumbled, not entirely sure what you were trying to say. You just felt frustrated and it felt like nobody was really taking you seriously. You knew something was wrong and maybe it was just your medication but it still felt frustrating that nobody seemed to care enough to talk through everything with you.

“One step at a time,” He mumbled and you nodded. He sat down on the edge of the bathtub and you moved to stand between his thighs as he angled your face towards him. He then spread the small dot of cream onto your nostril where the eczema had begun to spread.

“Thank you,” You said after a moment. Frank switched out for the moisturiser again and began to dab across your nose. He was being careful. He knew how sensitive your face was at the moment and he didn’t want to cause you any more pain.

“Anytime, sweetheart,” He responded before letting go of your face. The cream would take a few minutes to soak in but then there would at least be some relief from the aching pain. He leant forward and pressed a kiss to your forehead before you stepped out of the way.

“I’ll make us lunch,” You suggested. Frank switched the taps on and nodded, washing his hands off, “Pasta?” A grin spread across Frank’s face - replacing the previously stoic look - and you knew that it was a yes. You chuckled, stepping towards him to press a kiss to his cheek before you disappeared out of the bathroom. 

Frank had always been a pasta lover and it was the reason you had met him.

The first time you met the Big Bad Punisher, Frank had stumbled through your window - half-dead - while you were cooking one of your mum’s pasta dishes. It had been famous in your home town for how good it was and it seemed to have drawn Frank Castle in just like it had your dad to your mum all those years ago. Looking back, the scenario was amusing. But at the time, not so much.

Frankly, you had been terrified considering that the Punisher was standing in your living room demanding pasta while he was bleeding on your carpet. Initially, you had stood there frozen but then Frank nearly collapsed and you spent the night feeding him pasta and tending to his wounds. You remembered the next morning that Frank was gone and so were the leftovers. You had tried to be mad but it was somehow endearing.

You hadn’t expected to see him again but you did when you were cooking that pasta again. He had come knocking on your window and part of you wanted to berate him for stealing the leftovers but you didn’t have the heart to. The fact that you were now dating Frank still confused you sometimes. He was meant to be a terrifying, menacing murderer and yet when he was around you, he was nothing but attentive, loving and devoted. 

Maybe it was the pasta is something you often mused but Frank assured you that he loved you for a lot more than your pasta. There was a sense of safety with him and just as you were finished collecting all your ingredients for the meal, he appeared, wrapping his arms around you.

“Feelin’ better, sweetheart?” He asked. You nodded and leant back into hold.

“Much.” He grinned and kissed your face once more before he let you return back to your cooking. He loved to watch you work.

<3

[anavatazes]

Decisions 2

Summary: Magneto is called away from Utopia to help care for an injured Rogue. Set just after the Schism, when Mags is still in Utopia, and Rogue is with Wolverine at the Jean Grey School for Gifted Youngsters back in Westchester County, NY. 

Pairing: Rogue/Magneto

Warnings: Trigger Warning: I am ruining the plot for my own story here by choice. There is a discussion of and partial scene of a character having a miscarriage. Because this can be a very sensitive topic and triggering for some, please proceed with caution. I did not go with anything graphic, but to each their own on what they can and cannot handle. You have been warned. 

Author’s Notes: This is part two of my Decisions fic. Looks like this might be turning into a series. I am not sure when parts will be added. The title will most likely be changing, and a series title created. Not sure yet. Plans are still planning. Keep an eye on my Tumblr to see updates!

*****

It had been roughly a week since Rogue's stay in the Infirmary, and just about as long since Magneto glued himself to her. Gambit had tried to see her before now, to apologize for his part in her injuries during the battle with the renegade mutant. He just didn't want to do it with her constant shadow. 

“You're being a big baby, Gambit,” Frenzy called him out. They were sitting outside, on a picnic table, enjoying the sun.

“It musta been tèrib if'n he come all de way from Utopia. I don’ wan none o'dat wit him,” Gambit didn't really have a problem with Magneto. Normally. But the way he was barely leaving Rogue's side told Remy that something serious happened and he didn't want to tread where he wouldn't be welcomed. 

“Idiot, it was an accident. Magneto told me he sees it that way. He knows you'd never do anything to intentionally hurt her,” Frenzy rolled her eyes at the Cajun. 

“Don' you have class?” He glared.

“Nope. I have a free period, so I can sit here and tell you what a fucking idiot you're being.” Frenzy was enjoying getting a rise out of the Cajun. 

“I just wan’ ta talk ta her alone.”

“Admit it! You're afraid of Big Daddy Magneto!” Frenzy laughed.

Gambit shook his head in disgust. “Remy not afraid o’ him. I jus’...” 

“Uh uh, LeBeau! You're not getting out of this one.” Frenzy held her hand up to quiet Gambit's protests. “You're afraid of what the old man is gonna say or do to you, even though I can tell you without a doubt, he holds nothing against you.” 

“Den why he here? Any time she get hurt, he let her deal wit it on her own.” It was something Gambit didn't like about their relationship. In his mind, Rogue needed someone there for her all the time. But it rose warning bells in him that something else may have happened to Rogue that caused Magneto to show up.

Frenzy sighed, “That's for him to know and us to find out.”

Gambit's eyebrow shot up at that. Turning to look at her, “He not tell you?”

Cargill cracked her knuckles, “Nope. Whatever happened, I'll tell you, has him upset. Not at you, and not at her. Just in general. I've never seen him like this. Even with Wanda.” 

At the mention of the Scarlet Witch, Gambit shudders. Being reminded of M Day and the catastrophic times that followed… it was not a time he wanted to remember too well. “Whatever it is, he barely lef’ her side. He also got Wolverine on a short leash…”

“Pryde's lovin’ it. He upgraded the security system within his first two days here. Currently, he's finding some basic education teachers for the school. He was furious when he saw the curriculum,” Frenzy laughed, again. 

“Logan jus gonna let him take over?” Not that what Magneto was doing was bad, but this was Logan and Kitty's school. 

“Pryde is ok with it. It's benefiting the students. And gonna help make us accredited or some shit. So we'll be official and the kids can get actual diplomas and go on after that. She says it'll bring more students in. More paying students.” She had to admit, that did sound great for the kids. Teaching them mutant things was good, but they also needed the basics of the world. Leave it to Erik to think of things like that. 

“If it helps the youngsters,” Gambit shrugged.

*******

Rogue lay in bed in her room. Magnus was in the shower, not aware that she was awake. Her head was still bandaged, the wound healing nicely. Wolverine actually offered her his powers. She declined, much to his surprise. She told him she had her reasons, and Magnus backed her up. Wolverine backed off and said the offer was still on the table. 

As she lay there in the bed, Rogue rested a hand on her lower abdomen. Part of the reason she didn't want to use Logan's powers was because she wasn't ready to let go yet. Magnus had guessed that was her reason. He supported her, telling her that unless her life was in danger, whatever she decided was fine by him. Rogue, honestly, hadn't ever felt more loved than she did in this last week. He doted, and made sure her needs were met, and even some of her wants. She wished she were in better shape to return the favor because she knew he was mourning just as much as she was. The pregnancy was unexpected and unknown, but once they'd had the opportunity to discuss things, they discovered it had been very much wanted by them both. 

Rogue had a complicated relationship with kids. She loved them dearly, but never really thought of herself as a mother type. Not to bring them into the world. It was something that scared her when she was with Remy. They'd had a scare once. He'd gotten so excited and wanted to start picking names immediately, not even considering her feelings. They'd gotten into a huge fight and Rogue came close to leaving him then. He finally apologized, but she still wasn't settled. 

Magnus on the other hand, during this whole ordeal, let her take the lead. Made sure what she wanted was done. That she was comfortable. When she was in pain, he and Rachel ganged up on Beast saying he was using antiquated books and information. Beast finally gave in, admitting that yes, not much study had been done on the female body at all, and he would follow the lead of his patient, but would also take care not to overdose her. That satisfied everyone. She hadn’t cramped in days, and Beast performed an exam to make sure everything was gone, and it was. She and Magnus clung to each other and cried for hours after that.

That was when they talked about deciding the baby had been wanted. They still haven't talked about any kids in the future. But Rogue could see herself having kids with Magnus. Unlike Remy, Magnus listened and paid attention. He even had when they first got together and birth control came up. They had an actual discussion, instead of him saying it was going to be his way or the highway. She guessed with his age and having been married and in other long-term relationships before, Magnus had picked up on listening to his partner. 

Cradling her lower abdomen, Rogue thought about what if the baby had stayed. Would Magnus be by her side? Would he be helping her? Be there for her. What would it be like to be pregnant and know it? Beast determined she had been about 12 weeks along. That was their last night in Utopia when he told her he wasn't afraid of a little distance. Sure, they'd had quick visits in between here and there, but both had been busy. And she'd been so stressed. When would she have noticed? While she was giving birth?! 

Then her thoughts trailed over to holding the baby. A little girl, maybe? The same beautiful blue eyes as her father. Maybe her hair, just minus the white streak. She would have been the most precious and loved baby ever. Joining her sisters and brother. But now… the tears flowed freely, again.

Magneto exited the bathroom, fully dressed, minus his shoes. He was going to meet Kitty in an hour to go over the applications for the new faculty. He noticed Rogue was lying on her side, cradling her stomach. She looked beautiful like that. Then he noticed the sob she just heaved. Padding quickly over to the bed, climbing in behind her, gathering her up in his arms, he held her while she cried. 

“It's muh fault she's not here!” She cried.

“Shshsh, no, no, no. We talked about this, my love. You are not at fault. You didn't know,” kissing her head, it alarmed him that she had gendered the baby. That wasn't anything they'd discussed. 

“It is! She's gone and it's all my fault!” She clung to her lover. He was her source of comfort and solace. When the world dropped out from under her last week, he had been there, and he was still there. Holding her, while she came to terms with this loss. 

Kissing her temple, Magneto takes a breath, “Liebchen, just breathe for me. Please.”

They lay there, holding each other, crying, letting out their emotions. 

******

“I apologize for my tardiness,” Magneto sat across from Headmistress Pryde in her office. 

“Erik, it's all right. You and Rogue are going through a difficult time right now. Rachel informed me that you both were resting, and we put two and two together. We don’t even need to do this right now.” She gave him a sympathetic smile. When they’d told her about the miscarriage, she told Rogue to take as much time as she needed. Next thing she knew, Erik was handing her the schematics and passcodes for the updated security system, and he was making suggestions on improvements for the school. He'd also asked her if it would be ok, that if Rogue decided to stay, that he could stay on as a physics teacher. It surprised her, to say the least. 

“Rogue needs proper rest without me fretting over her like a nursemaid. This should not take long, so I can go and check on her. It is also the least I can do for you, allowing me to stay here, offering me room and board.” Magneto took a folder from the desk labeled applicants.

Kitty sighed, chuckling. “Always working, Erik?” 

“Not as much as I could be right now. This is more of a distraction, and will serve as one for Rogue when we talk later.”

“You know you don't have to worry about room and board, right? With me in charge, you're covered for life. I still owe you for giving me my life back,” Kitty reaches a hand across the desk and places it over his. “As far as I'm concerned, regardless if you and Rogue are together, there will be a place for you here, always.”

He considered her words for a minute. “You're serious? You think you owe me for bringing you home?” He watches as she nods her head. “Dear child, you owe me nothing. I am appreciative of the gratitude, but you owe me nothing. You are a mutant, and one of my sisters, in more ways than one.”

“We'll agree to disagree, ok.” He seemed satisfied with that. “Now, the Language Arts teachers are all mutants, and pretty qualified…”

*****

Gambit stood outside Rogue's door, flowers in hand. He was still nervous about seeing her, feeling the guilt in his part of her injuries. Finally finding the courage, he knocks on the door gently. After a minute it opens, revealing Magneto on the other side. 

“Ah, LeBeau. We wondered when you would make an appearance. She is resting, but please, come in,” the older mutant opened the door all the way, making way for Gambit.

“If she be sleepin’ I come back later. No need ta disturb her,” he wasn't looking forward to talking to Magneto by himself. 

“No, I insist. Please, the flowers, place them on the nightstand,” he indicated the one near where Rogue lay. 

“Ok,” he walked in quietly, seeing Rogue sleeping peacefully, her head bandaged still. He did take note that she looked like she'd been crying. Going to the nightstand, he rests the flowers down on a space, near other flowers and a notepad, as Magneto closes the door. Gambit couldn't help but notice Rogue's beautiful handwriting on the pad, listing… baby names?

“Uh…?” Gambit stumbled over his words a bit. He couldn't help but stare at the notepad. 

Magneto sighed deeply. McCoy had suggested that maybe it would help Rogue if she went through some names for the baby, and named it. It had been too early to determine the gender, but Rogue insisted it had been a girl. The evidence of that exercise was there on the nightstand. This was a conversation he did not want with Gambit.

“Rogue is pregnant?” Gambit finally looked over at Magneto. The look on his face was confusing. It was a blend of sorrow and something else. 

Might as well get it out of the way, “She was.”

Was? She was? Meaning she wasn't anymore. That meant… “Non!” Came out in a harsh whisper. “Non! Dat woul' mean she lost it when… non!” Remy LeBeau gave Magneto a mournful look. 

“Neither of us were aware,” Magneto spoke carefully. He didn't want to cry or give in to his anger. Honestly, he did not blame Gambit for what happened. But it would be so easy to use him as a scapegoat. “Had we been, things would have been approached much differently.” 

“Je suis tellement désolé. De Gambit did not know. Tings ben differrent had I known,” Remy started crying. 

Magneto shocked Gambit with his next action. He put a hand on his shoulder, “LeBeau, I know. You have been steadfast in your friendship with Rogue. I know you helped her when Logan decided to be difficult with her. I know you have been there when I could not. I do not doubt that any part you took in her injuries last week were all accidental. So does she.”

“But de bébé? Dat is no so unforgivable, non?” 

“Whatever we do or say is not going to bring the child back. All we can do now is be there for Rogue. She is taking this especially hard. I am… beginning to worry. McCoy believes it may have to do with her head injury. That may be so.” He peers over at the sleeping form of his lover. The medicine that Rachel had brought up was doing its job. Rogue was sleeping through their conversation. “Come sit.”

Magneto led him over to the sitting area Rogue had set up, where she and Rachel usually spent time. The two men sat down in the plush chairs, collecting themselves. 

“Wha’ she nee’ from me? Remy do what he can ta help Rogue.”

“Be her friend, as you have been. Be here for her especially when I cannot. I do not know if this is where we will stay, I have left that up to her after she is healed. If we do, and I am called elsewhere, it will be a comfort to know that she has you at her back.” Magneto knew full well that Rogue could take care of herself. But he began reevaluating a few things about her and their relationship. Things he hadn’t considered before. Like emotional support. Rachel read him the proverbial riot act about that. Noticing that she was indeed thriving with it, even considering her reactions to the miscarriage, this was something he considered talking to Gambit about.

“O'course. Gambit a'ways has Rogue's back. I be dere fer her. No matter where she be.” 

“Good. We are appreciative of this.” Magneto looked like he had a weight lifted off of him. “It should also go without saying that the news of the baby is mine and Rogue's to share.”

“Gambit gotcha. No’ a word from him ‘bout it.” He pretended to zip his lips, causing Magneto to roll his eyes. 

*****

A few weeks later Rogue was given a clean bill of health. She and Magneto found themselves in Headmistress Pryde's office, ready to discuss the future. 

“I wish I could convince you both to stay,” Kitty was genuine in her sentiment. Rogue is an old friend, and Magneto makes himself indispensable around the school. It seemed once word got around that he was present on the campus, very few wanted to actually mess with the school. 

“Ah'm sorry Kitty, really. But, we need this. Muh body is healed, but muh mind and soul ain't. Some time away from ev'rybody will do me some good,” Rogue smiled, but it was empty. She felt normal, but it was almost robotic in how she responded and reacted to everyone. Everyone, but Magnus that is. 

“As I've stated before, where Rogue goes, so do I,” Clutching her hand tightly, Magnus hoped that Rogue felt the encouragement he was sending her. Felt how proud he was of her. She needed time. Yes, their people needed them. However, after hard lessons learned, he knew she needed a respite or things would not end well for her. And that would not do. 

“Is it a secret where you two are going?” Kitty asked.

“No. Ah thought maybe we oughta go back to where it started for us. We're headin’ for the Savage Land.” 

Magneto had kept up with his Citadel base, even made some improvements on it, and offered it up when Rogue had mentioned wanting to go back to the Savage Land. The light in her eyes when he told her gave him hope that it was the right decision. 

“Oh. Ok. You both will keep in touch, right?”

“That is the plan, Katherine. I have already talked to Scott, that if an emergency arises and we are needed, do not hesitate to call us. We will not be completely out of contact,” Magneto assured her.

“Good. Because I will miss you guys. Rogue, you are indispensable when it comes to the kids. We can't afford to lose you. But, I completely understand you needing time,” turning to Magnus, Kitty continues, “I know you will make sure you both are well rested and cared for while you are away. And the offer still stands for you to come back here. As long as I am Headmistress, it's an open invitation, Erik.” 

“Kitty, you have no idea how much that means,” Rogue is teary-eyed, unable to finish her sentence. 

“Just because my counterpart is a hardheaded idiot, it doesn't mean I am,” She winks. 

[fyonahmacnally]

Hands On Experience (Kara's First Job)

Based on a tumblr post - read here.

It’s been a long week for all of them, even longer since they’ve all had a chance to unwind and relax in general, much less as a group. Between their regular jobs, their vigilante shifts, and just life in general, months have passed since their last girl’s night. Fortunately, tonight is the remedy to that problem. 

They’re all sitting around Lena’s living room, snacks, wine, and other spirits spread across the coffee table in front of them. Kelly, Alex, Nia, Sam, Andrea, Lena, and Kara are regaling each other with stories of their youth and the trouble they managed to get into. Hearing some of the stories from Andrea about a teenage Lena has everyone laughing and somewhat surprised. The normally straight-laced and stoic CEO was quite rebellious in her teen years. Who knew? Kara sure as hell didn’t. 

As the night continues, the alcohol flows freely and the conversations ebb and flow into different topics. Kara thinks they’ve finally ventured away from the stories of their younger years and she breathes a sigh of relief. She never really did anything rebellious, she has always been more of a good girl, a rule follower. She couldn’t really get into trouble while trying to hide her identity. The two weren’t compatible.

But…not many people know about her first job. The one she got right after graduating college to pay for her first apartment in National City. It’s not something she tells many people. Especially since it came about by accident. She’s not ashamed of it, she’s just not sure how people will react to it. The times it has come out in conversations, reactions have been mixed. Plus, she sighs internally, if Alex is around, she always pushes her to tell The Story™ about the break-in. It isn’t something she likes to share.

Again, not because she is ashamed, it’s just that the way she got the job comes up and okay, that part is embarrassing. People usually laugh, tease her about it. And okay, she can see how it might be objectively funny, but she just…whatever. She’s a grown ass woman now. 

Still, she doesn’t want to tell The Story™ in front of Sam, Andrea, and Lena. She already gets teased by Alex about it and she knows Sam and Andrea won’t let her live it down. And Lena, Rao. They’ve been dating for a few months now and have had sex so they’ve discussed things. Kara knows Lena was a little surprised when she brought so much knowledge to those conversations, but she’s never asked about it.

In fact, of all the people currently sitting in this room, Alex is the only one who knows The Story™. Maybe Kelly because they talk about everything, but yeah. It’s not a story anyone else in the room knows and Kara wants to keep it that way. She’s managed it for years, maybe her luck will continue.

Just as she begins to relax, thinking she has managed to dodge the story and keep her secret for another day, she hears her name. When she shakes herself from her inner dialogue, six pairs of eyes are on her. 

“What?” Kara asks, looking from face to face before her eyes land on her sister. Her shoulders sink. She knows that look, that’s The Story™ look. Fuck. She is not going to be able to escape it, but she has to try. “Did I miss something?” 

Alex grins, a mischievous glint in her brown eyes. “We were just talking about our first full-time jobs. Andrea was under the impression that working for CatCo is the only full-time job you’ve ever had.” She tilts her head and smirks at her now nervous sister. “I corrected her, but that story is so much better when it comes from you. Care to share, Kara?” 

She sighs and drops her chin to her chest, this isn’t what she had in mind when she requested a Girl’s Night with her friends. Not even close. To be fair, she’s a little shocked Alex hasn’t somehow forced this story out before now. She is also definitely not drunk enough for this conversation either, so she makes a decision.

Kara bolts up from her seat, glass in hand. “If I am telling The Story™ I need more alcohol.” She sends pleading eyes to her girlfriend before turning to make a quick exit to the kitchen, Lena following close behind.

“Hey.” Lena’s soft voice, full of concern, breaks the silence. She walks around the island to stand next to her unusually quiet girlfriend. “Are you okay, Darling? If you want me to kick everyone out for the evening, I will. I can have Frank take everyone home.” She smoothes the now prominent crinkle between the blonde’s eyes, waiting for a response.

“No, it’s fine. This was bound to come up in conversation eventually. Honestly, I just hoped it wouldn’t be tonight.” She lets out a long sigh before burying her head into Lena’s neck, breathing in her comforting lavender scent.

Lena wraps her arms around her favorite person, placing a soft kiss to her temple before pulling her close. “You know, I always assumed CatCo was your first job too. We’ve never really talked about it.” She feels Kara pull away with a slight grimace on her face. Their eyes meet and Lena raises a brow at the Kryptonian.

Kara shrugs. “It’s what most people assume. I just don’t correct them.” She chuckles as she pulls the Aldebaran rum from the cabinet and pours a very full glass. Taking a big gulp, she winces at the slow burn moving down her throat. “I suppose I should get this over with, huh? Let everyone get their laughter and teasing quota in for the evening.”

Green eyes watch her curiously, taking in this peculiar behavior from the blonde. She’s seen Kara wary of things, but she’s not sure she’s ever seen her like this. It isn’t apprehension, it seems to be more like resignation, but she’s not sure what to make of it. 

“Kara, you don’t have to tell anyone anything. If this makes you uncomfortable, we can put a stop to it. Just say the word.” Lena says, a fiery determination on her face. 

A warm bubble of affection bursts in Kara’s chest before genuine laughter escapes her mouth. She smiles and kisses the dark-haired woman right on the enticing pout in front of her. “No, no. It’s fine. It’s an objectively funny story, just a little embarrassing. Besides, I’m also curious as to how you will react.” She waggles her brows and places one more soft kiss to Lena’s lips before dragging them both back to the rest of their friends.

The blonde takes a deep breath and reclaims her seat on the couch, Lena’s warm presence next to her and the warmth of the alien liquor in her system finally giving her the courage to expose her current biggest secret.

“My first job was at a sex shop called Cherry Poppins Toys & Trinkets.” She pauses for what she knows will be gasps of disbelief, glancing around the room at the faces of some of her closest friends. True to her assumptions, most of the eyes staring back at her are wide and disbelieving. The only exceptions are Alex, Kelly, and surprisingly, Nia.

Nia tilts her head to the side and takes a sip of her drink before she leans forward, a knowing smile on her face. “Well, there are several things that make a lot more sense now.” The brunette giggles. “When I came to you about that article I wrote a couple of years ago about spicing up things in the bedroom, you knew way more than I expected you to. Now I know why!”

Kara sighs in exasperation. “I’m not nearly as innocent as everyone seems to think I am!” She scoffs, cutting her eyes at her sister in anticipation of what’s coming.

Alex lets out a really loud guffaw, her laughter jostling Kelly and making the rest of the group snap their eyes toward the redhead. “Oh Kara…my dear sweet sister. We all know you aren’t so innocent now, especially since dating Lena, I’m sure.” She smirks at the raven haired woman next to her, chuckling at the middle finger flipped in her direction. “But, please enlighten our friends on how you got that job.” She sips her scotch before leaning back into the cushion, snuggling into her wife’s side.

If looks could kill, Alex would be dead. She’s sure of it. The look she’s getting from Kara is filled with malice and daggers. She just smiles and winks at the blonde. Her mind is at peace, watching Lena absorb this story is worth every bit of ire from her sister. So, she relaxes and waits. Her part of the story will be here soon enough. 

After looking around the room at her friends one more time and get a reassuring squeeze from her girlfriend, Kara begins her tale:

“I was looking online for jobs. I had just graduated from NCU and gotten my first apartment. At that point, I was applying for almost anything because I just needed something to pay rent. I came across this ad for retail sales at Cherry Poppins Toys & Trinkets and thought, why not? How hard can it be to sell toys and trinkets?”

She pauses her story to take a drink of liquid courage, noticing the half smirk on her girlfriend’s face. Shaking her head, she continues:

“A few days later, I got a call from the manager of the store to come in for an interview. The instructions were to go to the back door of the building so I didn’t know what kind of things were being sold until later. I genuinely thought it was toys and trinkets…you know, like a Schwartz toy store.”

The uproarious laughter at that statement yanked her out of her story and she covered her face with a grumble. Lifting her face, she glares at her sister before turning to the rest of the group. “Look, if you guys want the rest of the story, you’re going to have to stop interrupting me. This is serious!” She harumphs and crosses her arms, making the group laugh even harder.  She rolls her eyes and sits silently, waiting.

“Okay, okay. Settle down, let her finish.” Sam chimes in, wiping the tears of laughter from her face before settling back in next to Andrea. The couple share a soft smile before returning their attention to Kara.

“Are you sure you’re done?” She flicks her eyes between everyone before dropping them back onto her hands actively twisting in her lap. “Anyway, I went in for the interview…”

“I opened the back door and stepped inside to what seemed to be a storeroom. It looked pretty normal. Boxes, shelves, labels, nothing to indicate anything outside of the toy store I imagined. The manager, John, came out to greet me and took me into his office for the interview. 

Now, what happens next was a little odd to me at the time and looking back it was obvious, but I was 21 and still not used to Earth’s customs so I just rolled with it. John brought out this…apparatus that was a very lifelike replica of a bare bottom.”

Kara growls as another round of belly laughs interrupts her telling of The Story™. This time she doesn’t say anything. She sits, silently waiting for the laughter to subside. Once it is quiet again, she makes eye contact with each of them trying to convey her frustration.

“Alright. Let’s get ourselves together and listen.” Lena clears her throat, quickly wiping away her own tears of laughter before she continues. “Go ahead, Darling. Finish your story, we’ll do our best not to interrupt you again.” Green eyes glare at the rest of the group before gently squeezing Kara’s leg in encouragement.

She sighs, throws her head back and stares at the ceiling before finally continuing, hopefully finishing this time.

“John had me…spank the bare bottom several times. I wasn’t sure what he was looking for at first, but later he told me that I kept my composure better than anyone else before me. I realize now it was because people probably laugh their asses off. For me it was pretty confusing because I assumed it was for some lifelike doll…which, looking back, I suppose it was.”

She laughs at her younger self. In hindsight, this story is pretty damn funny. If it were one of her friends, she’d probably be laughing hysterically as well. This line of thought seems to release something inside her and she smiles. The rest of the story should be easy.

“At this point, I still didn’t realize that it was a sex shop. I hadn’t seen the store and nothing about the storeroom indicated otherwise. Granted, I should have realized that spanking a prosthetic ass was a dead giveaway, but I’m an alien for Rao’s sake. I’d never seen anything like that in my entire life!

So, you can imagine, on my first day when I walked into the store, I was shocked. It was wall-to-wall dicks, vibrators, and all sorts of contraptions I didn’t know existed. Most of the day was spent with some shade of rosy embarrassment from head to toe. As much as I wanted to turn tail and run right out of there, I needed the job so I stuck it out. I learned a lot about sex and people in those two years I worked there.”

She grins at her friends, pausing briefly to wink at Lena. “Now, the really crazy part of my time working there happens about six months before I started working at CatCo…” Kara briefly glances at Alex before continuing her story.

“It was a Friday morning. We didn’t typically open until noon because the weekends were our busiest days with the latest hours. By this time, I was the assistant manager at the store so it wasn’t uncommon for me to open the store or close up at night. John and I had become friends at this point too so work was actually a lot of fun. Anyway, he had to drive up to our distribution center to sort out a shipment that had gotten delayed and left me in charge. 

Since we opened at noon, I would usually get there around 10:45 to get things ready. However, on this particular day, one of our alarms was triggered. I got a call from the security company that an internal motion sensor was activated. It was shocking because we had very good security and had never had an issue. After telling them to call the police, I headed to the store.

Now, in order to understand the story, I need to tell you the layout of the store. Upstairs was where most of the really risque, more fetish and BDSM stuff was kept. No one was allowed up there without a member of the staff accompanying them. The bottom floor was where most customers stayed.

The layout of the first floor consisted of five zones. Imagine it from left to right. Zone 1 was all the porn DVD’s. Zone 2 was all of our lower end sex toys, all the more tame offerings in the lower price ranges. Zone 3 was the higher end sex toys and more…advanced offerings. It was where the realistic asses were kept.”

She smiles and looks around at her friends, once again winking at her girlfriend. They are all grinning and seem to be amused by her story. Taking a sip of her rum, she sits her glass down, presses a soft kiss to Lena’s cheek and keeps going.

“Zone 4 was the checkout where we spent most of our shift. And finally, Zone 5 was all the wearables - we called it the ‘lingerie, leather, and lace’ section. Each section had a camera directly focused on it as well as various other cameras throughout the store. There were motion sensors that were active when the store was armed and alarms on all the doors. Another bonus is that we weren’t far from one of the local police precincts.

To say that John and I were shocked about the break-in is an understatement. In the 18 months I had been there, we hadn’t had any issues and John said he’d never had any in the 3 years he’d been there before me. This thief was very savvy. They broke one of the windows on the lower level close to the lower end toys in Zone 2. For some reason, the alarms were only set to go off if the upper windows were breached and not these. 

When the thief got in, they pretty much had the run of the store as long as they stayed clear of the motion sensors. Based on what I saw when I got there to meet the cops, the thief was initially after the DVD’s. Unfortunately for them, we keep the discs in a locked cabinet behind the checkout so the cases on the display are all empty.”

Kara chuckles and glances over at Alex, both of them have an amused twinkle in their eyes. She smiles at her sister and proceeds.

“The crook was clever, they were wearing a full bodysuit to cover their face and all their skin so their identity was well masked. When we watched the security footage back, it was evident that when the thief couldn’t get the DVD’s they decided to randomly grab whatever they could. However, instead of going for the high end toys and wearables, the sports car equivalent of goods for sexual pleasure, they stuffed as many of the cheapest, flimsiest dildos, foulest bottles of lube, and random edible things into their backpack. They did all that without triggering any alarms too. It wasn’t until they were climbing out of the broken window that they nicked one of the motion sensors on some of the more expensive products and kicked off the alarms. 

Once that alarm was triggered, I got the phone call and dispatched the police. By the time I got to the store, the woman my sister was dating at the time, who was a detective at the precinct up the street, was there waiting for me. Maggie and I were working through what was taken and documenting all the goods stolen. I still laugh about how many times Maggie had to write the words dildo, edible underwear, and lube in that report. 

What I didn’t know at the time was Maggie texted Alex to let her know the store had been broken into and Alex was making her way there to check on me. Maggie and I had been there for about 30 minutes before we heard a commotion outside the door.” 

She grins widely and nods her head at Alex, giving her permission to take over the telling of the story.

“I love telling this part of the story.” Alex beams, placing her empty tumbler on the table in front of her and leaning forward on the couch. The redhead claps her hands together as she dives into her part of the story. 

“I parked at a restaurant a block or so away. We went there a lot so I knew the owner and I figured we could grab some lunch once everything was squared away. As I was walking toward the scene, I saw this guy running toward me like a madman. There are things flying out of his backpack and he seems like he’s running from something. I pause for a minute and step to the side, not wanting to get taken out by the guy. 

That’s when I realized he was leaving a trail of dildos, lube, and edible underwear in his wake. It was like a tsunami of cheap sex aids covering the sidewalk around us. I had already grabbed my badge so I just called out for him to stop and flashed it up at him. Within seconds, the guy was on his knees in front of me, his palms up and sobbing out ‘It was MeEeEnnE!!! I stole the diLDoS!!!’”

The entire room erupts into laughter. There isn’t a dry eye in the entire place. It’s how this story always ends…lots of laughter and disbelief. When it all eventually dies down, Kara notices that Lena has gotten very quiet and she has a contemplative look on her face. Her plump bottom lip is trapped between her pristine white teeth and there is a faraway look in her malachite eyes.

Nia is the first to speak, pulling them all out of their brief silence. “Okay, I can’t believe you didn’t tell us that you worked at a sex shop before, Kara. This is pertinent information that you’ve been holding back!” She scoffs at her friend. “Also, that was the dumbest thief I’ve ever heard of. He took all the cheapest shit you had instead of the good shit. And…there’s a 24 hour coffee shop right next door to Cherry Poppins! He could have stayed there until the coast was clear and made off with his stash. What. An. Idiot.”

“Seriously! That’s where Drea and I usually go after our Poppins shopping trips.” Sam chimes in, shaking her head in disbelief before catching what she just revealed. She quickly clears her throat and changes the subject. “You’ve been holding out, Kara. You could have given us recommendations! You probably know more about this stuff than Lena does.” She smirks at her friend before looking at Andrea with a wink.

Andrea grins. “Yeah, Lena has been our go-to all this time and you’re the actual hidden expert sitting right in front of us.” The brunette looks over to her childhood friend and laughs. She nudges Sam and whispers, “She’s having some thoughts right now, connecting some things.”

They both giggle and watch as Lena’s hand drifts up to her still captured bottom lip, brushing lightly back and forth against the soft skin. Her green eyes are still glassy and staring past the room currently occupied. Right as they are about to say something, Lena speaks.

“So, this whole time, you’ve been holding out on me?!” Lena’s voice comes out far more breathy and deeper than she wanted. Her eyes suddenly focus intently on Kara’s. “Wait! This makes so much more sense now. This is why you know so much about the…”

“NO!!!” Alex screeches. “Do. Not. Finish. That. Sentence. Lena. Luthor.” She points a menacing finger in the direction of her friend, her sister’s girlfriend. 

The rest of the room laughs, but all of them notice the look of wanton desire on the CEO’s face, the way she is not so subtly devouring Kara with her eyes. It slowly becomes evident that they need to get out of this apartment before they see something they can’t ever forget. 

Lena slowly moves her gaze from Kara over to Alex before a devilish smirk plays across her lips. “Then I suggest you say your goodbyes, Agent Danvers.” She languidly licks her lips and lets her eyes track down Kara’s body again before looking back at the rest of their friends. “All of you should probably call it a night. I have some things to talk to my girlfriend about and we don’t need an audience.”

She pauses for a moment, quirks her brow, and looks directly into cerulean eyes with a smirk. “Unless you’re into that? Seems there’s quite a few things I don’t know about you…yet.”

“Yep, Yes! Okay.” Alex says, bolting up from the couch. “I think it’s definitely time to go.” She grabs Kelly’s hand to pull her off the couch and is quickly followed by Nia. The three of them grab their belongings and dash toward the door.

“Just leave everything, we will clean up tomorrow. Frank is waiting downstairs to see you home.” Lena smiles, her eyes drifting over to the remaining two people occupying the adjacent oversized chair. “That’s your queue to make your way down to the guest apartment. Don’t worry, the penthouse is sound proof so you won’t hear anything.” 

Andrea and Sam both laugh. Having known Lena the longest, they are familiar with her antics. They both roll their eyes as they stand and gather their things to head to the floor below and the apartment they are staying in while visiting National City. 

“I would say have fun tonight, but I don’t think that’ll be an issue.” Sam winks, pulling her girlfriend toward the door. “We’ll see you guys for brunch tomorrow.”

As the door closes behind them, Lena turns and straddles Kara’s lap. As her lips hover just above the blonde’s, she rubs her nose against her girlfriends and takes a deep breath. “I think we have some things to discuss, Miss Danvers.” Kara grins and lifts them from the couch, drifting toward the bedroom. “You’ve certainly been holding out on me and surely you have things to show me.”

And that’s how Lena found out Kara once worked at Cherry Poppins Toys & Trinkets.

[commanderdazzle]

Unordinary Type

I was originally going to watch more Pedro Pascal stuff before getting attached to any character enough to write for them, but I watched Prospect first and Ezra stole my heart.

This is my first "x Reader" style story! So bear with me while I get used to the finer aspects such as which tense to use.

I know nothing about how nursing or emergency rooms work, everything about this is informed by my experience on morphine for the removal of an ovary that had necrotized due to a mega-cyst.

And credit to @morallyinept for the one stop shop for Ezra! I haven't used it too much yet but I wanted to acknowledge it anyway.

This is chapter one because I can't resist writing long, sweeping epics, and I might post it to Ao3 as well.

(Warning! Not only did Tumblr force me to break this in half to fit the character limit, it's also refusing to let me post the second half! Funsies!! I'll most definitely be posting this to Ao3 now, but it might take a day or two.)

You arrived to your late shift at the space stations medical bay to find it absolutely crawling with people. The place had never been packed like this before, wall-to-wall bodies in every direction, doctors and nurses scrambling to do their jobs amongst the throng. Curiosity getting the better of you, you flagged down your superior, but before the question could pass your lips, he preempted you, "evacuees from a gas leak on the lowest level. No one is severely injured, but we've been instructed to keep them here until the leak is patched." "We'll be out of beds in no time, most likely," you point out, and the man commiserates before assigning you to the team checking people in and guiding them to their rooms, a task you normally enjoyed. But the people displaced by the leak were heavily agitated, and you had to bite back many a scathing comment as you received unearned attitude about inconsequential things such as whether the room had windows. Who wants a window out into the vast coldness of space, anyway? As hours pass, the crowd begins to thin, but before you could finally breath a sigh of relief, a wave from a not-very-well-lit dead end hallway gets your attention. You've complained to maintenance about that light often, and you huff a little before brushing down the front of your pale gray scrubs and putting on your best nurturing smile. The smile falters slightly when you walk down the hall and see who it was that waved. You couldn't even hazard a guess as to the blonde girls age, but she had to have been in her teens. Based on the suit, you guessed she had just come back from a trip to the Green Moon, since this space station was the last stop on the way to the nearest urbanized planet. Behind the girl, a man in a similar yet somewhat more ragged suit was leaning against the wall, and you were momentarily shaken to find that he was missing his right arm, the left clutching at an injury to his side. Pretty sure this should have qualified as an emergency as soon as they arrived and wondering how long they had been waiting, you turn and signal one of your coworkers to find you a room with two beds before giving the duo your undivided attention. Less chipper than you would have liked, you give them your name before saying, "and I'm going to get you taken care of. Can I get your names, please?" The girl clearly didn't care for what she saw as fake comforting, and she looked to her companion before responding in a voice far more level than you expected, "we can't pay." "You can discuss that with our financial department later," you tried to be realistic and soothing at the same time, "for now, let me get your names so I can get you into a room." Still skeptical, the girl nods and says, "I'm Cee. He's Ezra." You start writing before she asks seriously, "can we get separate rooms?" Her companion laughs out loud at her request, and you try your best not to laugh back. "I'm sorry, we're down to two-person rooms at this point, but I can get you the really thick private dividers?" Nodding slowly and taking her struggling companion by the elbow, the girl follows you as you ask your coworker for the room number and fill out their paperwork with as much information as they're willing to give you. Which isn't a whole lot, justifying your suspicions that they must have come back from prospecting. It's dangerous business, to be sure, you remember your own father saying the last time you saw him, before going on a prospecting venture himself. A venture he never returned from, leaving you and your mother alone to pick up the pieces. Burying that back in your mind where it belonged, you keep asking questions, but your two patients aren't very forthcoming about their ages, places of birth, or how they got off the Green Moon in such terrible conditions.

(This turned out to be too long, so I'm splitting it up!)

[studentinpursuitofclouds]

*bursts door open* Mousyyyyyy- I got the Farmer Thoughts™ again. So you know how the Farmer can do magic in the vanilla game, and SVE expands on this concept even further. They can see Junimos, they can transmute metals, they can teleport to another continent. And with the Magic mod, they can blast their enemies with a meteorite or standard Fireballs.

But unlike Morgan, the Farmer was never taken away from their family to train under a more experienced wizard or witch. They lead a regular life prior to Stardew Valley, minus the skeleton in the neighboring cubicle at their job.

I got an idea as to why they could lead a normal life, and I'm sure as hell incorporating that into my Farmer's bio. The Farmer's a late bloomer in terms of magic. They did not show signs of magical talent when they were Morgan's age, which came with a sigh of relief from their Parent. The Parent, after witnessing the tragic death of their mother (RSV Granny) due to a magical curse, wanted their kid safe AT. ALL. COST. and away from anything magic. They most likely never developed any magical skills themselves, or they too are a late bloomer (I like the second option). And they were thinking they were in the clear, finally. ...Until their kid, the Farmer, came to Pelican Town and got involved with Magnus and the Junimos within the first week of them living there. Shit. Bonus:

The Parent got a major grudge against the Cult of the Lady with the Red Tail and said Lady with the Red Tail for being the cause of their mother's untimely death.

While they don't necessarily feel any hatred towards the Wizards of Stardew Valley, Magnus and Mr. Aguar, they still don't trust them fully because of magic. Definitely not a huge fan of Magnus after the Parent learns of the forest magic potion the Farmer drinks.

*Yawn* ♪Ah♪, time to go to sleep in a cosy bed, get ready for tomorrow's work day and- *saw a notification on Tumblr*

Oh! *kicking the blanket away* Fuck sleep - time for thoughts and theories! :D

_________________________________________

I have to say, your thoughts on headcanon almost perfectly describes my Farmer Julian's lore.

As you said earlier, in theory, everyone can manifest magic at different ages: some from early childhood (like Morgan), some a little later or after forty etc. (Julian and the other Farmers), and some will have magic "no awaked" (Julian's father, Abraham, who inherited magic from his father, the Farmer's Grandpa). Given that Julian's parents are aware of the existence of magic, but not in detail, it raises a lot of questions. And Granny's death, according to the RSV lore, could put an end to trust in all things magical, you're right.

Also thoughts about Magnus and Mr. Aguar is so funny 🤣

Farmer's Parent to Magnus: What do you mean my kid drank "tea" made of fly agaric?!

Farmer: Mum/Dad, don't kill Magnus...

Magnus: *praying for his life*

There is also speculation that it was after they moved away that the magic manifested in Farmer because of the Stardew Valley itself. This place full of forest spirits, magic, and monsters can't help but affect residents and visitors alike. Especially those with an innate magical gift, or those who haven't yet developed one.

I still don't quite understand, however - how exactly Morgan was taken from their family and given to Magnus for training. Does the Ministry discuss it with the parents of the gifted child, is the child "persuaded" by promises of teaching interesting magic and tricks, or is the child taken away almost by force and without any compromise? If by force, I can see why Farmer wasn't taken away for training - after all, a child can be persuaded or intimidated, but try to pull that off with a young adult who can still kick your ass. But that's just a theory, I wanted to provide the Ministry not as a completely evil and corrupt society of mages and witches.

[unabashed-lover-of-fictional-men]

Pairing: Demon Lloyd Hansen/ Reader

Summary: Going to hang out with your friends on Halloween but what ends up happening is anything but normal.

Word Count: 3,448

Warnings: Smut,rough sex, sex with a demon, dub con (reader consents but is initially wary) use of pet names, Dom/sub vibes,P in V, Oral Sex (female receiving), swearing,blood,gore, violence, Demon Lloyd Hansen (he’s a warning ok)

Thank you to @jessybarnes my Tumblr bestie for the wonderful bingo card,@firefly-graphics for the consent divider and @saradika for the wonderful dividers and reblog dividers.

(Sorry this is WAY after October but I plan to upload more from this bingo board for Do It Up December. Also all mistakes are mine and mine alone google docs can only fix so much lol)

After working you wanted nothing more than to get home, put on your softest pj's and watch something and crash, hard. But your friends had planned a sort of Halloween thing and you were practically forced to go, sighing you sent your friends a text letting them know you wanted to change and grab some snacks before heading over. Putting down your phone you made your way to the bedroom and changed into what you called “lazy” clothes, a simple pair of leggings and a t-shirt. Heading back out you grab the snacks you purchased a few days ago and bagged them before grabbing your phone and purse just in case and locking the door behind you. Walking the short distance to your friends house you had no idea it would be the last time things would ever be the same.

Walking up to your friend's house you frowned seeing no lights on “The hell?” taking out your phone you notice your original message was never opened, banging on the door you sigh “Hey this isn’t funny! Open the damn door! Bunch of morons….” Sighing, you slide your phone into your back pocket and glance around, finding the “special” rock you slide a key out from under it and open the front door. Walking in you glance around “Guys? If you're planning on scaring me I’m going to leave!”

Mumbling to yourself you walk further into the room, frowning you trip over something and stumble falling to the floor “What the hell” Your pants feel wet and your frown increases, moving to stand your hand slips on something. Turning on a nearby lamp a scream slides out of your mouth as you finally take in the scene around you, all your friends are dead laying lifeless and mutilated on the floor. Scrambling to get up all you end up doing is covering yourself in their blood and some vicera, fighting the urge to gag you manage to press into a corner.

Standing shakily you realize you were in a giant pentagram “The fuck happened here?!?!” Suddenly you hear a low chuckle and a voice “Well you see Sunshine you fuck around with things you don’t understand and well shit happens” Eyes wide you turn towards where the voice came from seeing nothing but darkness, swallowing hard you look at your hand seeing it covered in blood. “Aww first time seeing this much blood Sunshine? Good thing you weren’t here for the real fun….it got even messier”

Shaking your head you eye the door and hear someone clicking their tongue “I wouldn’t recommend that Sunshine, would really hate to kill you for something silly” Swallowing you shiver slightly “Well I would rather not stay uh here…pretty sure I’m going to puke” You hear velvety laughing making you shiver again “How about we talk about things somewhere less likely to make you throw up? Because we have a lot to discuss Sunshine” Mutely nodding you close your eyes and feel a hot breeze.

“Go on Sunshine, open those pretty eyes, you're safe for now” Slowly you open your eyes and see your back at your place frowning,you glance around seeing nobody “Uh thanks? Where are you?” More laughter this time much closer, turning quickly you see nobody. “Now the question Sunshine is, do you want to see the real me or the form I use the most?” Swallowing you, think for a second “Can I see your real form?” You can almost feel him smirk as he answers “Sure Sunshine if you think your pretty little head can handle it”

Nodding knowing he will see it you clear your throat before answering slightly annoyed “I wouldn’t have asked if I couldn’t handle it” This time the laugh sounds darker and almost sinister “You always such a spitfire Sunshine? Most of the times when people act like that with me it doesn’t go well, kind of like your friends, but you I don’t mind it. Does that mean I’ll keep liking it? Who knows” Again you can almost feel him at you neck smirking, goosebumps form on your skin as you wait for whatever is going to come next.

Suddenly the air feels charged, almost electric and it makes you want to close your eyes again and huddle into the corner. But you don’t do either, keeping your eyes focused to where you think the voice is coming from you slowly see a figure moving. The darkness manages to keep him well hidden until he steps out, the first thing you notice is the legs. Long and lean but muscular you frown slightly until you see the hooves, your eyes widen and he grins stepping out more. His torso is the same as his legs lean but muscular, thick arms and even larger hands draw your attention.

You’re both fascinated and horrified at the same time, you hear him chuckle drawing your attention back to his face. You would have gasped if you had any air in your lungs, his chest was broad and wide but not comically so. His face is what had you speechless, he was handsome and it made you imagine some sort of greek statue of one of the gods. His short black hair was meticulously groomed along with the mustache, taking another look you realized there were horns on the top of his head.

“Well this has got to be a first Sunshine, normally this is the point where people beg, plead, and offer whatever they have for me to leave and right now you're eyeing me like I’m the last piece of pie” You swallow and notice a tail moving behind him, sitting up you lean to get a better look making him laugh again “All you have to do is ask Sunshine, I don’t bite well not yet at least” He winks at you and you find yourself blushing at it, turning his tail flicks out almost annoyed. Then you notice the wings and you find yourself suddenly up and moving closer to him.

“Well aren’t you just a fascinating person Sunshine, well go on and get a good look if it will sate your curiosity” Licking your lips you are almost touching him, the heat radiating off of him is almost too much and yet not enough, reaching your hand out you gently touch his arm. The skin is soft, softer than it looks and your hands move to touch his horns. They feel just like how horns should, frowning as you move to his wings touching them almost cautiously. “Don’t be getting shy on me now Sunshine”

You nod slightly and gently stroke the wing, you hear him make a noise and you look at him with a blush creeping up on your face. He winks at you and you quickly turn away from him and lightly touch where his tail connects to him, and you swear you hear him groan “Sunshine I get your curious but better what what your touching” Pulling your hand away quickly you find yourself apologizing “Uh sorry….I don’t know how to ask this nicely so I’m just going to ask, what are you?”

He smiles and gently takes your hand kissing the top of it. “Some call me Lloyd, well the ones I like do” You nod “And the ones you don’t like?” He grins and you see the sharp canine teeth “Oh they don’t get to talk Sunshine and trust me when I say you would rather have me like you” You nod knowing he’s right “And for what I am, well I’m a demon. Your little friends were playing with a Ouija board thinking they were having a good time, well they did until they didn’t. See, messing with something like that is already stupid but messing with one and thinking you know what you’re doing well it gets you killed.”

You nod knowing that it was a dumb idea to play with anything that “opened” doors “That explains you but what happened to my friends?” Lloyd grins again “Oh they thought they could control me, guess they figured out real fast that wasn’t happening. And I don’t take too well to being controlled so I killed them” You should feel upset, mad, hell even sad but they got what they deserved. Who in the hell thinks they can control an ACTUAL demon? You look at him suddenly “Uh why haven’t you killed me then?”

Lloyd moves closer to you, almost touching but not quite, you could smell what smelled like a very expensive cologne and it made you want to press closer to him, nuzzle into his neck. Shaking your head slightly you look at him and see his smug smirk “Well you see Sunshine I came here because of you, these idiots happened to just be here.” You look up at him confused “Me? I don’t understand” Again Lloyd moved closer now touching you ever so slightly “Oh Sunshine have you forgotten already?”

“You’ve played with a Ouija board yourself a time or two haven’t you? But unlike these idiots you actually know what you're doing with one, and I have been watching you for such a very long time and I figured it was time to pay you a proper visit. And what a better time than Halloween when the veil is at its most thin, so here I am and here you are.” Suddenly you remember playing on a Ouija board as a little girl having the best time, and then once again as a party trick in college. 

“Ahh she finally remembers! Little did you know you summoned me Sunshine and now that I’m here I have some ideas about what we can do” The last part makes you shiver, your body reacting and you close your eyes to try and collect yourself. “And what are your ideas?” You cringe slightly hearing how breathy your voice sounds, there was no way you were getting turned on by a demon who had literally just murdered your friends. Lloyd laughs this time a full laugh and if it doesn’t make you clench and your pretty sure he knows it “See I knew you would be receptive to this Sunshine”

“And for the record my ideas are exactly what you think they are, I have  been waiting for this moment for years and after the long wait I can’t find myself wanting to be patient any more” You should move away from him but you instead move closer “Stop making me do this!” You feel Lloyds hand move through your hair “Oh Sunshine I’m not doing anything to you … well not yet at least, this is all you for the moment and I suggest just enjoying it. Now let’s take this somewhere more comfortable” You close your eyes and feel a thumb tracing your lips opening your mouth slightly. You take the thumb into your mouth and suck on it gently.

“So eager aren’t you Sunshine, but I need a taste first, it's only fair after such a long time waiting for you” You have no time to react,and suddenly you're thrown onto your bed and staring up at the ceiling and a hand pulling off your pants and panties. You can feel him looking at you and you feel the urge to squirm, your shirt is suddenly off and you're now totally bare. Grinning Lloyd looks you over and licks his lips “Well so far this has been worth the wait Sunshine, now I suggest you stay still wouldn’t want to accidentally hit something. Would hate for you to bleed out or die”

You nod and it seems like an eternity until you feel him touching you, he runs his hands up your legs and you feel one his claws gently tracing a pattern. Moving higher up he spreads your legs open and you let out a soft whimper but he hears it smirking “Well look at this, someone is excited to have a demon defile her, I knew you were worth the wait Sunshine” You feel his mouth suddenly at your core and you tense before you feel the first lick at your folds,almost hesitant as if testing you, gasping you realize his tongue is forked and you have the urge to want to feel it deep inside of you.

“Oh I intend to Sunshine no worries just lay there and behave like a good girl and maybe we can both enjoy this'' Giving you no warning he begins to eat you out like a starving man at a buffet, you try your hardest to no succeed in enjoying it but it's been too long and it feels too good and soon enough you find yourself moaning and grinding into his needy mouth. Lloyd smirks and takes your clit into his mouth sucking hard as his forked tongue licks and laps at every spot it can. You try your hardest to stay and not enjoy this but your body is telling a different story “Mmm Sunshine I can feel you clenching around me”

You blush trying to shake your head but you know he’s right, a low needy whimper slides out of your throat making him chuckle his tongue moving deeper. Your eyes close and you arch again sweat pools on your forehead as you're ravished by his sinful tongue and mouth, his mustache rubs against your walls sends a jolt into your very core. You feel the coil tightening and soon you hear yourself begging him to let you cum “Please….” the word tumbles out of your mouth, shaky and hoarse. One of his clawed hands grip your hips harder, puncturing the skin but you're too far gone to notice or care.

“Oh Sunshine you taste divine and the begging well I’m almost tempted to let you cum just because it was so good, but we have lots of time and I want to explore you fully” Letting his tongue continue to lap at your juices he looks up at you, and you moan seeing his mustache wet with your arousal. Large fat tears roll down your face as all the sensations become too much “Need to cum! Please!” Lloyd looks at you and strokes your cheek smirking “Aww Sunshine is it too much for you? Let me help you” Your gaze moves down to see his thick hard cock nudging your core, your eyes widen and a sliver of panic sets in “That will not fit!” Lloyd laughs and smirks “I appreciate the compliment but it will I’ll make sure of it Sunshine”

You feel him thick and hot pushing harder and you find yourself opening your legs wider for him, your hand moving to your clit rubbing it as you moan loudly “Fuck Sunshine look at you going to make  you mine, well you were already mine this seals the deal” Gripping your hips you feel him slam into you fully taking the breath from your lungs, the stretch brings tears to your eyes but that soon give way to unrivaled pleasure. As he thrusts into you, your eyes close and your hips grind into him pushing him deeper “Oh god, I’m so close!” Leaning down to look at you he smirks but there is another look within his eyes but your too far gone to appreciate it “I’m going to fill you up Sunshine and you’ll never be alone again I swear it”

His thrusts become more and more erratic as he slams into you, your body bouncing as his hand continues to grip your hips, his free hand rubs your clit and you almost scream his name “Can I cum please? Please please please!” Lloyd grunts with each thrust and chuckles “How can I deny you when you ask you pretty Sunshine, go on and coat my cock and I’ll fill you up nice and full. You nod and feel him thrusting faster and harder, his hand rubs your clit faster and the coil inside of you snaps, with a loud moan you shout his name as your orgasm crashes into you. You can vaguely feel him throb and twitch as he buries himself deep, pulling you up he kisses you hard and you can taste yourself in his mouth. He smirks and his voice is low, almost a growl as whispers into your ear “You’re mine Sunshine forever” You feel his claw like nails moving along your skin leaving hot angry scratches behind making you whimper softly.

Lloyd grins and bites down on your lower lip as you hear him growl, his cock jerks hard and he explodes and ropes of his thick seed pump into you. You can feel every bit of it being pumped into you and you find yourself moaning loudly, black spots fill your vision as you finally accept this. Wrapping your legs around him, he smirks and holds you close to him as he continues to thrust and fill you. Your eyes drift close and you hear him laugh “Aww wore you out Sunshine? Get some sleep I’ll make sure you're nice and full” You sag into him feeling him continuing to pound into you.

Waking after what seems like hours, you feel someone stroking your hair.. Groaning softly you press into a warm body and your eyes shoot open and you glance around trying to get your bearings, hearing a soft chuckle you look at the man stroking your hair “About time you woke up Sunshine, I thought maybe I had actually broken you” You glance at him and talk but your voice is raspy and hoarse from moaning “Lloyd?” He smirks and nods “The one and only Sunshine, and now you’ve seen both my forms. This one is less fun but also less likely to have a mob on my hands” Looking him over he looked almost the same, minus the horns,tail and cloven hooves you almost liked this form better.

“I’m wounded Sunshine and here I thought you loved my horns and tail, now shall we discuss things?” You nod slowly, your body feels like a semi ran over it then backed over it about a hundred times “Alright uh what things are we discussing?” Lloyd smirks and you catch the faintest glimpse of fang “Your marriage arrangement to myself of course” Your eyes widen and you're suddenly very much awake “My whatnow?!” Laughing Lloyd looks at you and the room feels suddenly smaller and darker a chill moving through your body “Aww Sunshine you’re breaking my demonic heart here, see little did you know that when you played with those Ouija boards you had actually made a vow to me that one day you would be mine, and well here we are.”

You look at him shocked. “What?” Lloyd strokes your cheek and smiles “See should have been paying better attention Sunshine, see when you were graciously giving me orgasm after orgasm I was reciting what comes down to a marriage pact and when you were moaning my name and calling me god that is what sealed the literal deal. Don’t deny that you wanted this Sunshine, some darker part of you did, your life was nothing and at least now you have me. Besides, the only way out of this is if I break the contract but we both know we don’t want that.” You stare at him before realizing his words are true, you did want this well not this exactly but you wanted more.

“So what happens now?” Lloyd grins and places a kiss on your bare shoulder trailing a long jagged scratch with a smirk. “Well Sunshine I stay here with you, and after 3 months when the wedding happens you get to come with me forever” You swallow hard and he kisses your cheek whispering softly “I can feel your tension from here Sunshine but you’ll fit into your role, I have no doubt about that. Now you relax and let me take care of you” You nod slowly letting everything sink in, realizing that things were definitely different … and you hoped that you could handle it.

[sillybabybear]

𝔥𝔞𝔲𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔡

🍓 tw // eensie weensie slight death mention

💐 ChuckleTrio // tagged with 🥪༘ ChuckleWriting

🍧 reader details // gn minor reader, child of 🥪!Ted

You were the child of the once infamous Ted Nivison, and despite his violent reputation, you had no qualms with this. Your father and mother treated you well and gave you a good life. Your childhood was fairly normal and honestly idyllic. You knew of your father's past being a dark one which he didn't discuss, and that was fine by you. All you knew was that once he was bad, but now? He was a fantasic father. And you loved him all the same. As far back as your memory would allow, though, you'd never been alone. In dreams and in daily life, an unfamiliar face would show itself, seemingly accompanying you constantly. Your father, at your young age, wrote this off as an imaginary friend.

"Why, kids your age have imaginary friends all the time, kiddo! It's nothing to worry about! Does he have a name?" Your response, sounding more lighthearted now that you'd been assured of your normalcy, was "Charlie! He says his name is Charlie!!"

The familiar name sent a subtle shiver down Ted's spine, but he hid it from you. That night, he texted Schlatt, who was on a similar, reformed path.

"Hey Schlatt..?" he quickly typed, requesting to call, slightly frantic. He'd been keeping this down all day, yet he had a sneaking suspicion there was more to this. Schlatt disagreed, reassuring him, "Ted, it's nothin'. Yer just paranoid. Charlie's been gone for years now. 's a common name, yeah? Its not like he's hauntin' yer kid or somethin'!" Ted heard this comforting rationalization and agreed, and the two mostly never spoke of the ordeal beyond a passing mention as an in-joke.

Charlie, though? He had other plans. All of a sudden, the imaginary friend went from primary school, to elementary. Then, Middle. And...high school. You were also painfully aware of how unusual such a thing was. And so you never mentioned it to you parents, or friends, or...anybody.

"Y/N!" Charlie exclaimed, turning to face you. The light of your laptop was bright against his face. Your eyes shifted from the heavy textbook in front of you to look and see what had him calling for you, and you questioned if he had found anything useful. Hey, this may be odd, but he helped you with homework, so you're not complaining!

"Yeah, check it out." He said, highlighting a specific paragraph. You thanked him and took notes, marking the website for future reference. "No problem, kid! What can I say, im the best in the business."

"Sweetie, Dinner's ready!" Called a blissfully unaware Ted from the kitchen, prompting you to stand up.

"Sorry Charlie, I gotta go." you said, and he responded with a begrudging sigh. "Okay, okay...I'll see you in a bit, then."

"See you, Charles!" And with that, you were off to Dinner, leaving Charlie to think over his current dilemma which he always found his mind wandering to when he was left unattended.

Would he ever be able to pass on..?

Hey, if you read this far, thanks bunches! I dont really write on tumblr, this is my first time! I hope it turned out okay, and sorry for the length, i dunno how to do them fancy cut off things i see other folks doin!! If you have any (polite) tips on writing or formatting, please let me know!! have a nice day/night, ya'll! (also i may do a sequel if i feel the need/its requested)

[nmbr1nessfan]

realization.

collegeau!satosugu x reader. you just wanted to relax after exams, but ended up cuddled between your two best friends.

total wc. 2.3k

warnings. nsfw, afab!reader, unprotected sex, degradation, praise, orgasm denial (only once), threesome, unprotected sex, fingering (m→f), dumbification if you squint, oral sex (m→f, f→m), use of pet names, not proofread. MDNI

a/n. eeekkk!!! first tumblr post!!! pls give feedback i'd really realllyyyyyy appreciate it 🙏🏽🙏🏽 also thanks to my bae @vxqyz for listening to me complain about writing this 😕😕🫶🏽

satoru was standing at the entrance of your room, leaning on the door frame. "you ok? i've heard you tossing and turning for the past two hours. and suguru has been complaining about it to me for what feels like a hundred years!" his tone shifted to a slightly annoyed one, although his annoyance was mainly shifted to suguru.

and he was right about you being restless. you attempted to go to sleep early to make up for the loss of sleep due to your previous all nighters. you had spent the last few nights studying for exams non stop. after finally taking the exams and putting your studying to use, you decided to reward yourself with some much needed sleep.

but there was only one problem. recently, you had been plagued by sudden feelings for both satoru and suguru. you had known the two since you three were children, practically growing up together. so how could you just now start developing these feelings? or more accurately, how could you just now start acknowledging these feelings? since you didn't have the courage to tell them, or anyone else for that matter, you had been suffering in silence. forced to endure and examine the hardship by yourself.

although you never verbally confessed or even discussed these feelings, the boys noticed a sudden shift in your behavior. previously you were clingy to the two of them, calling them little nicknames like "'toru" or "sugu" or constantly laying on them or being close in general. as of recent, you had been spending more time in your room or out of the apartment you three shared. you stopped calling them their respective nicknames, and were less touchy."mm, yeah, i'm fine. just having a hard time sleeping," you mumbled into your pillow. you laid on your stomach, face down into your pillow. you wore your simple pajama attire, an oversized shirt and shorts. satoru raised an eyebrow, very clearly not believing you. he sighed, walking into the room, kicking the door shut and sitting on the bed. he laid down onto the bed, you being crushed under his back. if it was anyone else, you might've pushed them off. but it was satoru, so it was relatively normal.

"c'mon, i can very obviously tell you aren't 'fine.' speak." he spoke in a soft yet firm tone, twirling your hair around one of his fingers while he awaited an answer. you sighed, turning your head so your cheek laid on the pillow. "it's just.. stuff. nothing to be worried about."

satoru let out a chuckle. "stuff. do you really think i'm gonna accept stuff as an answer?" you let out an annoyed huff, shooting him a quick glare. "look, it's.. complicated." you were glad you weren't making eye contact with the white haired boy, you would probably flush on the spot. "complicated enough not to tell one of your two best friends?" another annoyed groan left your lips.

"don't pry into it." you said harshly, instantly regretting your tone. "woah, what happened with you?" satoru asked with a slightly shocked expression. he wasn't expecting you to just snap at him like that. you sighed once more. "look, i'm sorry. just.. promise not to laugh at me, mk..?" you had pushed him off so you could sit up in your bed, back against the headboard.

"promise." satoru said with his signature smirk. you took a deep breath, preparing yourself for your own humiliation. you began your confession. "so.. umm.. the reason why i've been so on edge lately is because.. i realized i like two of my friends..." satoru raises an eyebrow in faux confusion, fighting the smirk wanting to spread on his face. "go on.."

you took another deep breath. "and.. we've been best friends since we were kids.." you paused, giving up on being secretive. "ugh, whatever.. look, i think i might have feelings for the two of you.. you and suguru.." your face feels embarrassingly hot, gaze shifting down to the side. the room is deadly quiet, the only things heard being your heart beating rapidly and your heavy breathing.

"you hear that suguru?" he calls out to the door. you sat there dumbfounded. "huh?" just then, suguru carefully opens the door, walking inside and closing in behind him. "i heard everything." he told you with a smirk. your face becomes impossibly hotter. "you.. d-did?"

suguru laughs, sitting on the bed next to satoru. "honestly, i don't think we needed your confession. it was kinda obvious." you decided it would be safest to look down at your bed instead of meeting their gazes. "h-how..?" suguru and satoru share a knowing look. suguru starts listing off many obvious giveaways. "well, for starters, you look at us like some kind of lovesick puppy. it's honestly kind of adorable."

"actually, matter of fact, we both came up with a plan to make you confess. it was painfully hilarious seeing you try to hide from us." although it went unnoticed by you, the two boys were slowly starting to inch closer to you.

satoru chimed up, wanting to join in on the fun. "you practically have hearts in your eyes when you see us. and your sudden change in style. always walking around in those slutty little shirts." he placed his hand on your thigh, causing you to let out a nervous squeak. "and the skirts. they do no justice in covering you up."

suguru leans in closer. "it's adorable. seeing you get all dolled up just for us." satoru leans against your headboard, pulling you onto his lap. your back was flush against his chest, his hands resting on your waist. you squirmed in his grip, causing you to grind down on him. satoru sucked in a sharp breath.

"look at you. all hot and bothered for someone you call your best friend. it's pathetic." suguru's hands begin to wander your body as he speaks. satoru's hand travels under your shirt, pawing at your soft breasts. a faint whimper escaped your lips. was this actually happening? are you dreaming? because you had always imagined this scenario late at night when you were alone in your bed, desperately touching yourself for some kind of relief.

satoru lifted your shirt off your body, discarding it somewhere in the room. he pressed hot, open mouth kisses on your neck while suguru leaned down towards your chest. he opened his mouth, taking one breast into his mouth, kneading the other with his hand. you let out a whiny moan, rolling your hips onto satoru's thigh. you gasped softly as you felt suguru's mouth trail lower on your body.

he positioned himself between your thighs, already pulling down your shorts. he blew cold air onto your sensitive clit, causing you to jolt and whine his name. "suguu…" he gently shushed you, rubbing his thumb into your thigh. satoru moved to messily kiss you as suguru pressed one of his fingers into your needy hole. another one joined the first finger, curling against your spongey insides.

you squirmed and moaned in satoru's lap, body jolting whenever suguru would press a soft kiss to your clit. he would begin to use his mouth on you, moaning desperately into satoru's mouth. he pulled away from the kiss, biting on your shoulder as he told you to shut up and take it. as suguru brought you closer to the edge, you whined and pulled on his hair, bringing him closer to your sensitive clit. he would pull away, glaring up at you.

"didn't say you were allowed to cum pretty girl." you whined in disappointment as his fingers left you, insides feeling empty. he sat up and made eye contact with satoru, quietly signaling each other. satoru would pick you up by your waist and position you on all fours. you heard shuffling behind you, excited for what was to come. suguru was also discarding his pajama pants, pulling on your hair so you could look up at him. your eyes drifted down, taking him in. he looked what seemed about 8 inches, cut and glowing an impatient red, leaking pre cum, along with veins pulsing underneath his skin.

"open your mouth." you did as he asked, tongue lolling out your mouth. you swiped little kitten licks to his tip, eventually taking him in your mouth. meanwhile, satoru was positioned behind you, teasing you with his tip. "you want this? you're gonna have to beg princess." you whined around suguru's dick, causing him to let out a soft hiss. you attempted to press your hips back to take him in, only for satoru to hold you in place, giant hands cupping around your waist. his thumbs rubbed your soft skin as he pressed his length inside you, moaning around suguru. you begged pathetically, whining like a little bitch in heat. "p-please toru-! need you-!" you choked out.

suguru grabbed a handful of your hair, pulling you off his dick. "fuck, won't last long if you keep sucking me off like that." a mixture of drool and precum leaks down your chin as you look up at him. suguru rubs a thumb on your cheek as satoru begins to plow you from behind. you cry out in a broken mixture of his name along with whines. "sator- toruu..! mhngh!" you cried out, eyes glossing over in pleasure.

his grip on your waist was surely enough to leave bruises, fucking you back onto his cock. you whined and sputtered out into the quiet night air, the only sounds being the filthy actions the three of you had going on. satoru pulled your hair into a ponytail, lifting your body so you were sitting in his lap as he fucked into you. your thighs were spread, giving suguru a perfect view of how you were being manhandled.

as your orgasm neared, you laid your head back onto satoru's shoulder, drool coming out the corner of your mouth. your moans were reduced to incomprehensible babbles. the only thing understood in your jumbled speech being his name. with your eyes rolling back, you came with a loud cry as your walls suffocated satoru's dick. he groaned into your neck, thrusting upwards and spilling his cum deep inside you.

suguru chuckled at how fucked stupid you looked. satoru lifted you off his lap, laying you down on your bed so your head was barely dangling off the edge. suguru gently locked his hands around your waist, pulling you closer to him. you looked up at him with lovey cock-drunk eyes, a stupid little smile on your face.

suguru lifted one of your legs over his shoulder, slowly pressing himself into your already cum stuffed pussy. you whined weakly, squirming beneath him. satoru gently lifted your head to press himself in your mouth, fucking your face. they set a pace where you were never empty. one pressed to the hilt, one pulled out to the tip. you laid there, moaning weakly as the two friends used your body to their liking.

satoru held both sides of your head while suguru had one hand on your waist, the other on one of your breasts. he brushed his thumb over your sensitive nipple, making your body jolt. you tried to speak, only coming out as muffled mumbling with the way satoru was using your mouth.

"look at her, taking her two best friends like a slut. didn't know you were so dirty. pretty little pussy is sucking me in." your eyes rolled back at suguru's words, whining around satoru. the vibrations on his sensitive dick caused him to hiss out. satoru decided to join in on the teasing, giving you a smirk.

"you're enjoying this, aren't you? touched yourself at night thinking about it while your friends were in the other rooms, didn't you? we noticed. your little whimpers are so adorable." you were so out of it you didn't even notice the embarrassing information he had just told you. all you could think about was the way suguru abused your sensitive g spot, and the way satoru messily used your mouth.

"'m gonna cum," you whined out pathetically. both suguru and satoru sped up their thrusts. you came with a strangled cry, the two friends spilling their cum inside you. after coming down from their highs, helping you along yours, they pulled away from your body. you laid limp on the bed, breathing heavily. satoru went to get you some water, suguru grabbing a few damp washcloths to clean you up.

after the bedsheets were changed and everyone was cleaned up, you laid down, cuddled up with the two boys. you were thinking about the recent experience when satoru's words finally clicked in your head. you instantly sat up, face burning hot. "u-um, satoru..? is what you said.. true?" you glanced down at the bed, not wanting to make eye contact. he chuckled softly, tilting your head up with his index finger and thumb. "of course. i wouldn't need to lie to my pretty baby."

he pressed a gentle kiss to your lips, suguru stealing one too as satoru pulled away. you sputtered in embarrassment. "w-well, u-um-" suguru cut you off by placing a finger on your lips. "shhh. don't worry about it. you need to rest." he pulled you so you were laying down once more, back pressed against his chest. satoru buried his head in your breasts, pressing innocent kisses to the soft skin.

you fell asleep peacefully, cuddled between your two best friends, knowing that the relationship between the three of you would be together now. and not just as friends.

[the-sprog]

Tumblr really didn't want me to have a good time writing this post.

Sigh. Anyway..

I am actually insane about my own AU so I don't mind whatever you want to add to this. Go for it. I love you.

My Pokémon knowledge is not as detailed as it once was, which is why I linked to so many sources, because I had to look up to be sure I wasn't pulling this out of my ass, so I really appreciate you adding your much more extensive knowledge of the lore! And don't worry about taking long to respond, especially to semething like this! It took me 3 days to write what I did!

So anyways here's more :3

(Same TWs apply: discussions of Drowning, bullying, major character death (about Danny though. So.))

Ok, starting with: when you mentioned Dialga teleporting Danny to wherever Ash is, this is the conversation I imagined would follow:

"Palkia." "What do you want?" "Dear sibling of mine-" "Don't you dare play me for a fool. What do you want, Dialga?" *Eyes narrow* "There's this kid-" "I swear to our progenitor-!" "-he died! He's been reborn a Zorua! A peculiar one, first of its kind-" "So? This used to happen all the time in -oh, what did the humans call it?- Husui." "... Zorua are extinct???" "No, not all- just get on with it." "Right, ok. He's going to do great things, my sibling." "... You got attached." "I-" "Arceus isn't going to be happy about you choosing a human for yourself-" "It's not like that! I merely wish to see this story to its end." *sigh* "Alright. But you owe me. What do you need me to do?" "He's been on the run for a while now, but between discovering his new abilities and trying to keep hidden, he hasn't been fairing well. If he's to be there for the portals-" "Wait, what portals?" "-he ought to get somewhere safe. And where would be safer than with Arceus' Chosen One?" "... You want to involve The Child into this? Do you desire for Arceus to cease your existence?" "Our progenitor would never-" "JUST-" *inhale* "Whatever. I'll help you. Although I don't understand why not ask that sprog of yours." "I do not wish to put Celebi at risk, Palkia." "But you have no qualms putting me at risk, I see." "I do not think you so weak, sibling, that you couldn't be able to handle it." *sigh* "I will not be blamed were Arceus to get involved, understand?" *chuckle* "Sure."

ANYWAYS me thinking I'm finny aside let's go for more!!

Thank you again for connecting my vaguely canon compliant rambles Imao.

Ash is absolytely Arceus' favourite, but you're so right that all the other legendaries have a special place in their heart for him. Maybe not the Birds[1], though...

I wanted to keep the spirit of the original way Danny died in all of this, as in keeping Tucker and Sam present for it all and having it be, yes, an accident, but also somehow related to a dare or something similar and careless Sam did. To keep that element of guilt for her.

I love your idea of what happens and of the "Ultimate Anti-Ghost-Type-Juice"! I'm trying to imagine what kind of container something like that would be kept in, and if it's enough for Danny to drown in, I'm thinking it could be like those tubes Mewtwo gets created in[2]. Maybe they also wanted to create an artificial Pokémon with it, to have a Dark-type immune to Ghost-types somehow. I think Obastagoon[3] is the only Dark-Normal dual type.

So maybe it's one of those pods and the three teens are fucking around in the Fenton's lab. Artifical Pokémon[4] aren't that uncommon actually, so the possibility of the Fentons succeding isn't that out there.

Also, writing my Dialga-Palkia conversatin I realized that Vlad would've had gone through the same. He's just a Zoroark[5] instead, and he's regular Husuian one (sidenote: I was convinced Zorua and Zoroark talked for some reason? Not like Meowth, but like Mewtwo. Or the Swords of Justice[6]. I'm wrong, btw. But whatever, let's just say Danny and Vlad can sorta do the mental communication thing like other Mythicals because they're half-human). Maybe instead of drowning like Danny, he got zapped in the face like in canon (and is the reason why the Fentons decided to keep it all under lock in a strong container. It just wasn't strong enough).

So, this is what I imagine happens (am I actually writing a snippet? Yeah. I am. Fuck I've got real strong brainworms):

"So," Tucker said. "This is where crazy happens." He looked around the laboratory, at the Pokéball shells thrown around the tables, and the scraps of metal and beekers of liquid balancing on shelves. "Yeah, well. We're not really supposed to be down here. So." Danny pointed to the laboratory's door, glancing at his friends. Sam rolled her eyes. "It's going to be fine! We're just looking around." They kepts glancing around until their attention is finally grabbed by a human sized cilinder of metal. "What's with that?" Sam asked. "It's just full of some Anti-Ghost types fluid," Danny pulled on a lever, making the metal receed, revealing the vat hidden inside it fulled almost to the brim with a neon green, almost glowing, fluid. It was mesmerizing, in the same way a HyperBeam[7] was. "Woah..." "I dare you to open it and take a good look inside." "What? Sam!" "Relax, Tucker. It's just another of the Fenton's experiments. Whatever it's supposed to do, it's not going to." She roller her eyes. Danny looked at the pod. He hesitated. On one hand: his parents had taught him and Jazz about lab safety. They weren't allowed in the lab alone, and when they were let in, they weren't allowed to touch anything their parents didn't tell them to. On the other: Sam was right. His parents' inventions never really did what they were intended to. They were yet to actually hurt humans, as Pokémon -specifically Ghost types- were their primary targets. "C'mon!" Sam gave Danny a little shove. "Don't tell me you're too Wimpod[8]," she smirked. Danny bristled. "What? No way!" He made his way towards the pod and started climbing the ladder to the top opening of it. The airlock took a while to twist open. It was heavy and Danny was only 14 and he wasn't supposed to open it and- He kneeled at the edge of the pod to fully open the hatch and his hand slipped. Sam and Tucker yelled something, but Danny was too busy falling to really pay attention. He tried grabbing onto the hatch, which turned out to be the wrong course of action as it slammed shut and its hinges bent out of shape. Tucker immediately ran towards the ladder, climbing it, going for the hatch. "TUCKER!" "I'M TRYING, SAM!" His voice cracked. "THE HATCH IS STUCK, YOU GOTTA DO SOMETHING!" With tears in her eyes she pulled at the Pokéballs on her belt. "SCRAGGY! HEADBUTT THAT- THAT THING!" "Scraggy!" The Pokémon squared up as soon as it appeared and charged head first onto the pod. The glass didn't even crack. Danny tried holding his breathe. He could see Sam panicking and Tucker's legs holding onto the ladder. His vision was tinted in green and his eyes and lungs are starting to burn. As Scraggy kept using Headbutt against the glass, Danny started panicking as his oxygen started depleting. He opened his mouth, trying to inhale some fresh air. Instead, he got a lungfull of mystery green liquid. Sam yelled again, but with the lack of oxygen, his brain struggled to put meaning to the sounds. Meawhile, Sam watched. Horrified. As the whole thing started glowing. She didn't take her eyes away from where Scraggy was, slowly but surely, creating a crack in the glass. "SCRAGGY! KEEP GOING!" Tucker didn't stop pulling, even as he looked at Sam's Scraggy making real progress. Even as the first tinkle of neon, glowing liquid started to exit from the cracks. Even as the pod finally gave way and Sam jumped to get her and Scraggy onto a surface and out of the way of the flood. All three of them stared, tears still rolling down their eyes, as a small bundle of black, green, and white fur appeared dragged with the liquid, Danny no where in sight. "...what?" Sam was the first one to break the silence. Tucker slowly got down from the ladder, flintching a little as his shoes touched the wet ground. He got cloeser to the... Pokémon? and squatted down to take a better look at it. "It... looks like a Zorua, somewhat." Suddently, it whimpered, and Tucker jumped back. It opened its eyes and groaned, closing them immediately after. "Guys?" Danny's voice startled them out of their stupor.

"...Danny?" Tucker asked.

The Zorua slowly sat up. "Yeah- what- this- something's off..." He looked around, making eye contact with his friends. "What... What's happened to me?"

ANYWAYS pt2

Tumblr is being a bitch so I'm gonna try saving this on app or posting it directly and I'll respond to the rest of what you said and add the links later.

Sorry.

I think if Danny existed in the same universe as Ash Ketchum, he'd be a fan.

This got really long so I'm just gonna

I'm a believer in "Ash is God[1]'s favorite idiot (positive...?) and so is eternally 10" and also anti the level reset propaganda. I think tales of the kid who went head-to-head with several legendaries[2] and won would probably get around. Maybe they wouldn't know his name, but a general description would make the rounds. A black-haired, dark-eyed kid who is always, always accompanied by a Pikachu. Often seen with some kind of red hat.

I think Danny "God's favorite idiot (Time God[3] edition)" would start looking for this elusive child who seems to be under a similar predicament to him (Hisuian Zorua[4]!Danny anyone? C'mon, this is the Pokédex entry "A once-departed soul, returned to life in Hisui. Derives power from resentment, which rises as energy atop its head and takes on the forms of foes. In this way, Zorua vents lingering malice[5]". He would be the specialest one, though. Because he'd be a green shiny instead of blue. Maybe that would be because he's half dead, not completely so? Or maybe because he'd be artificial, kinda like Type: Null[6]? (I know it isn't the first artificial Pokémon, but he's the first I thought of because of the design being like it's a Frankenstein of other Pokémon). Imagine though. Hisuian Zorua is extinct, right? Because it's from before Sinnoh was called Sinnoh[7]. So he's already a rare Pokémon, but he's not even shiny. He's truly a one of a kind.), though Ash, contrary to popular belief, isn't a Pokémon. Just un-aging.

Here, Danny's parents would be science-y people -maybe even some lower importance Pokémon professors- who don't believe in psychics even though the Pokémon world has people that can do telekinesis, and don't believe that Ghost types were once human, as most of them are said to be, anyway. They therefore believe that all Ghost types are malicious because they prey on people's grief and loss. They'd be the people to find out that Dark types are supereffective against Ghost types[8]. They'd have mostly Dark types with some Normal types as well.

Jazz would be a scholar probably, researching the myths and history around all the legendaries, but especially around Ghost types. She'd become an expert in behaviors from Pokémon like Litwick[9].

Sam would be on the front line, protecting the Ghost types from them. Hiding, harboring, etc all that she can think of. For her own Pokémon that she catches or at least takes care of (maybe she'd be more of an N type of trainer) she'd go more for the aesthetic or for rescued Pokémon (like Ash does quite often) more than their type or their abilities, but I also think she'd vibe with Fighting types a lot. I can see her wanting to be a Pokémon Ranger[10].

Tucker would be your classic inventor wannabe Electric type gym leader, but he'd be one of those hardcore competitive trainers. He'd be excellent at type advantages and IVs grinding, but I also think he'd struggle like Ash did with Charizard and some others. He would sometimes over level them and they'd stop listening to him, get an attitude when they evolve. Stuff like that. He's gotta learn that there's more to Pokémon battles than statistics and the theoretical. I think Ash is gonna end up being the one to teach him this. Also imagining his mom as a Nurse Joy.

However, when the Fentons find a... shiny? Zorua? In their house, posing as their son? They freak out a bit. They know it's not their son because the eyes are the wrong color, even if it speaks with Danny's voice and makes expressions with Danny's face. But they're in Unova. They recognize the Pokémon once it transforms.

Zoruas are known to play tricks on parents. They're Dark types with a mischievous side. They just gotta look for its mama and hope that it has taken Danny by mistake. They decide to take care of it in the meantime, even consider keeping it in case it doesn't have a mama and was using Danny's disappearance to keep itself safe.

Danny doesn't know what to do. At first he thinks about coming clean, but he knows. He knows that whatever invention of theirs blew up in his face didn't just turn him into a Zorua. People don't just turn into any kind of Pokémon. So he doesn't say anything, and plays along. He practices his illusions to try and get his looks as close as he can to before the accident, but it doesn't work for his eyes. No matter what he does, they're green, just like his fur markings when he's tranformed.

But then... Then they realize that it's not an Unovan Zorua.

This Zorus is a Ghost type.

A Ghost type taking Danny's form.

Their baby is dead. It killed him and this… this monster had the audacity to try and, what, replace him?

They start calling him Phantom.

Danny has to run.

It's easier to fake being a kid on a Pokémon journey than a rare version of a rare version of an extinct Pokémon. The only problem is that he's lacking the documents for it. Sam helps out with funding and supplies for the journey, enough to get to Professor Juniper and get a Pokédex, and with that a trainer license. At least until she and Tucker can join him.

They convince their parents to let them go on a journey, somehow. Sam's parents aren't thrilled by their daughter wanting to take part in the fights, they'd much prefer it if she joined Pokémon Contests, but perhaps her grannie Ida used to be a Gym leader of some kind and manages to turn them in Sam's favor. Meanwhile, Tucker's parents knew he wanted to become a Gym leader, so they were prepared and aware he'd one day go and leave the nest, but they'd always assumed Danny would be the one accompanying him, not Sam. They aren't surprised, however, that the kids want to get out after what -supposedly- happened to their friend.

The first few months are absolutely miserable all around. Danny is all alone, he has no Pokémon to defend himself, and he's still figuring out how his own powers work. What's his move set? His ability? And Sam and Tucker aren't fairing much better. They're like Misty and Ash at the very start, or even Iris and Ash. They're making good progress in terms of getting to Danny quickly, but they're not doing good on the Pokémon training part of their Pokémon journey.

Professor Juniper sends the Starters in the mail in the first Gen V game, while in the second Belle is the one to give them to you. I still think Prof. Juniper just. Shipped the Pokéballs over, and I imagine Sam wouldn't be too happy about it. I think she'd choose Tepig (as I said, I think Fighting types and her would vibe), and Tucker for Snivy (his first struggle. Snivys are snarky and a little self centered. if it doesn't want to listen to Tucker, it won't. Tucker gotta earn its respect). They leave Oshawott with Jazz, who promises to help them derail her parents whenver possible and uses Oshawott to sabotage them.

They end up in a kind of "Ash and Team Rocket"-like situation, where Team Phantom gets chased through Unova -and then Alola or whichever other region they decide to escape to- while the Fentons try to catch the Pokémon they're convinced killed their son.

Danny-as-Phantom would get a reputation because of his looks and the general mayhem his parents cause with their chase. Some people would get very curious about this Pokémon, especially Team Rocket. so maybe that's how meeting Ash happens.

Phantom gets separated from Sam and Tucker, maybe they got captured, or are busy distracting the Fentons. Ash ends up trying to console a scared little Zorua, one he's never seen anything like before, before Team Rocket shows up. He puts the little Zorua down behind him and goes:

"When are you going to give up?! I won't let you have Pikachu!"

"Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No, twerp. We're not here for Pikachu this time. We're here for that little Zorua behind you."

"Oh. Well, we're not letting you get it, either!"

Cue Pokémon battle.

At this point I imagine Team Phantom got to Alola, so we can also have a Tucker+Sophocles meeting. I'm still not over that kid's name btw.

Ash would be starry-eyed at Tucker. Boy liked tech. Maybe Tuck gets himself a particularly stubborn Pichu during their travels and causes Ash to get flashbacks.

He'd be Phantom's rights n1 protector. Starts batting away all the pokeballs people try to throw at him, like physically getting in the way.

Ooh what if the Thermos is a Ghost type specific MasterBall? It has a 100% catch rate but only with Ghost types. It didn't used to work, but then Danny charged it with one of his moves and -since Ghost moves are supereffective on Ghost types- it charged it perfectly. Danny uses it to catch rowdy Ghost types, of whom he's slowly becoming the King without realizing. Arceus started this whole thing that he couldn't stand Danny, but Dialga really liked the guy so he let him meet Ash to see how it would go and damn. Ash likes him. I mean, it's hard for Ash to hate truly hate someone, so it's not that surprising, but now Arceus finds Itself incapable of taking Danny away from Dialga. Sure! It can keep the kid! Whatever! They all want to be like It nowadays >:( copycats.

Danny is close to becoming a mystical pokémon due to all he does and the myths he's causing during his journey, but Arceus isn't convinced it's a good idea for him to have that status. First of all, because Darkrai might riot, second of all because it hasn't been that long and Danny is still, at the very least partially, a human child.

Shut up, It's not being hypocritical >:( it's fine when It does it.

But also Danny can now communicate with all pokémon with ease. He's not a Ditto, so he still can't fully comprehend some specific pokémon languages, like Electric types communicating via electric currents, but he gets around.

He doesn't like playing translator, though, and Pikachu learns that pretty quickly when pi starts to try and pester him to convince him to tell pi's trainer all about their journey from the beginning from pi's perspective. Danny makes it to the bike stealing before he uses an illusion to vanish.

Pikachu just has a lot of feelings about it all, ok? Pi loves Ash so much and pi wants him to know! Wants to talk about Ash-Greninja, about the Kalos Crisis, about Latias, about Delia, about N, about all the pokémon they left behind, about the pokeballs, about evolution.

Pi also wants more ketchup, but it's low on pi's list of priorities.

Danny isn't up for playing mediator, however. Though he might mention the ketchup stuff. Just to piss pi off.

@jadenoryuu hope you don't mind the tag, I thought you might have ideas or just like this one lol no pressure.

Husuian Zorua can learn some Ice type moves, I'm imagining Lillie's Alola Vulpix learning with him.

[spnfanficpond]

April 2023 Angel Fish Awards

(Angel Fish design by @slytherkins!!)

WELCOME TO THIS MONTH’S ANGEL FISH AWARDS!

Every month all of you fantastic writers work your asses off to post some truly incredible stories. Our Angel Fish Awards are the way for all of us, as a community of writers and readers, to lift each other up and give praise to those who have captured our attention and deserve a few kind words.

The monthly Angel Fish Awards are peer-nominated, meaning ANYONE (you don’t have to be a member) CAN NOMINATE ANY POND MEMBER’S FIC. Everyone in this community deserves to be showered with love and feedback, and we hope that this fun, thoughtful award will do just that. (Click here to learn more about how to nominate a fic for an award!)

Be sure to read through this whole post as people who were nominated more than once only had one tag activated for Tumblr tagging purposes!

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, HERE ARE THIS MONTH’S ANGEL FISH AWARDS!

Nominated by @katbratsupernaturalwhore

Natural Woman by @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior

Floofy, sexy, fun, and hot!

~*~*~

Nominated by @glygriffe

What Goes Around Don't Come Around (or Maybe It Does) by @rauko-creates

I always appreciate Rauko's way with words and it was probably the best way to introduce myself to Drowley fanfic. "Crowley deserved to be loved" is the summary and I agree.

Plain sigh by @luci-in-trenchcoats

This fic has a lot of fun twists and turns and fluff, even dealing with a serious matter like kidnapping. I had a lot of fun reading this!

Apple of My Eye (series) by@bamby0304

This series has been nominated before (and not that long ago) but I just discovered it and I love the way the Reader and her daughter are interwoven in the arcs of two very different seasons of the show.

Pure by @deanwinchesterswitch

This short piece feels real and raw, primeval, which fits the Purgatory setting beautifully.

Being Human by @thoughtslikeaminefield

Dean needing a break between cases and Castiel allowing him to take that break, to just... be human for once is heartwarming.

Part-time soulmate by @princessmisery666

Dean will never allow his relationship with the [unnamed female character] to be a 'normal' picket-fence one, even if he wants it so much. So... a lot of angst, just the way I like it!

~*~*~

Nominated by @thoughtslikeaminefield

The Hero, The Myth, The Legend by @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior

I have so many feelings about this fic. Some of my favorite Dean traits are lovingly explored here: empathy, compassion, protective nature, enthusiastic embrace of healthy casual sex between consenting adults, open discussion of trauma. The Reader is a bold and well-developed character herself, and the descriptions of each of their behaviors and feelings are so vivid and engaging. This is a fic I will read and re-read in the coming years.

Buttons by @wingedcatninja

The build-up and anticipation is delightful and so sexy in this short little ficlet!

~*~*~

Nominated by @mariekoukie6661

Forbidden Fruit (series) by @crashdevlin

It's a really interesting dynamic, it's a great first chapter and I love the relationship between them!

~*~*~

Nominated by @mrswhozeewhatsis

Pure by @deanwinchesterswitch

This made me feel TOO MANY THINGS TOO FAST and it hurt so now y'all gotta read it, too and feel my pain!!

~*~*~

Nominated by @princessmisery666

He Is The Storm by @deanwinchesterswitch

So much emotion in so few words. Brilliant and so proud of Kym for writing a drabble!

Tattered (series) by @stusbunker

I don't usually read AU's but this one has drew me in and now I'm here for it!! The emotions are palpable and I can't see where it all leads.

Book of Revelations (And A Side of Coffee) by @cockslutpadalecki

Dean playing matchmaker and the fluffiness is too much. I love it so much!

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE AWESOME WORK AND GREAT FEEDBACK!

These are not actual awards, as in, there is no competition! This system is set up so everyone has a chance to share the love and promote a fic/author in the Pond that has grabbed your attention. The more people that participate, the better this will be :D

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN, KEEP UP THE AMAZING WORK, AND AS ALWAYS, HAPPY WRITING!

[mooum]

In the Shadows of Our Disoriented Love - Chapter Two

A Sebastian x Ominis x Reader story originally published on my AO3 under the same pseudonym. If found elsewhere, it’s not posted by me. This work will only be found on my Tumblr and AO3. Do not repost, but reblogging is welcomed.

“Most people are lucky to have even one great love in their life. You have found two.” -Clockwork Princess

one || two

After getting nagged by the Head Wizard for surpassing curfew, Sebastian finally enters his dormitory and silently shuts the door. He crumples the small detention slip and tosses it in the waste bin on his way to his bed. 

“Where were you this time?” A stern voice questions. 

Ominis is sitting on his bed while having a book in hand. His fingers trace the words on the pages while a voice in his head speaks whatever text he was touching. It was a simple spell he was taught when he could first yield a wand; having a voice in his head read out the page for him. It reminded him of the times when his Aunt Nocua would secretly read him fairy-tales from The Brothers Grimm. It was something his parents disapprove of since it tainted him with false stories from the Muggle world. 

“Don’t worry about it.” Sebastian responds as he slips into his night attire. 

Ominis sighs and he closes his book. “Look, you can’t break curfew every time. The Head Wizard is starting to get pissed off.”

Sebastian tends to disappear a couple times during the room inspection that ensures everyone is in bed on time. Ominis would make an excuses for Sebastian’s absence every time, saying he either was in the restroom or was running late from a study group.

Sebastian lays in bed and pulls the covers over himself. He turns his back to Ominis, not wanting to take the discussion any further. To that, Ominis shakes his head and places his book on his nightstand before laying down as well.

Normally, Sebastian wouldn’t mind sharing his whereabouts, so it was odd that he was being quiet about it now. It worried him at times when Sebastian would be secretive with him especially since they share everything with each other. He hopes Sebastian will come back to his senses tomorrow.

-----

Ominis Gaunt never exactly met you. Most of his knowledge about you were from whispers and rumors from his classmates and Sebastian. Especially from Sebastian.

Sebastian could not stop talking about “the new student who single handedly took him down” and he opted to keep a close eye on you. Ominis couldn’t bother with the new student, but he was starting to get annoyed with hearing about you and that dragon attack as he passed the halls. The incident with the troll made it worse.

Bloody hell, Sebastian could not stop talking about that event. Giant trolls tearing down Hogsmeade and both of you took it down without the assistance of an Auror. You were too good. You threw barrels and spells Sebastian had never even seen. 

The blonde is starting to get rather annoyed with hearing about you constantly and needs to clear his head. He makes his way towards the Undercroft and hears the familiar sound of the clock clicking. 

“Hello, Sebastian.” He greets, but immediately pauses. “Wait.”

The footsteps were nothing of Sebastian’s. His is quieter when exiting the Undercroft since he doesn’t want to alert anyone nearby. These were heavier and careless. 

“You there! I can hear!” Ominis calls out as his blinking wand is directed at the intruder.

“Oh, hello Ominis.” You greet as you try to keep your voice to sound like a casual manner. “I think we have Potions together…and Herbology?”

“I recognize that voice.” Ominis mutters in a low grumble. “You’re that new fifth year. Did you just come from the Undercroft? How did you get in there?!”

You slightly jump at the sudden demanding outburst. The Ominis you’ve observed in your classes was quiet and collected. Your mind scrambles to come up with a reasonable excuse. 

“That room’s called the Undercroft? Ah, well. I was exploring- a-and I suddenly found myself in a strange passageway-”

“Don’t lie to me!” Ominis interrupts as he grips his wand tighter in anger. You can see his knuckles turn paler. “No one just stumbles upon that room. You breathe a word about this place to anyone, not even your precious Professor Fig would be able to help you.”

Even if Ominis’s eyes didn’t meet your own, you can still feel the frustration lace in voice.

“My father is friends with the Headmaster. I’m not afraid to exploit that connection if I need to.” 

Ominis hated using his Pureblood status in order to get his way of things, but at times like this, it was necessary. The Undercroft was his place of security. A place where he holds fond memories and having it threatened by someone he doesn’t know frustrates him to no end. 

“Sebastian is going to get an earful about this.” Ominis mumbles as he passes right by you, but not before his shoulders hit yours (an indication that you must tread carefully around him now).

-----

Sebastian hears the elevator dig and his head pops out from his book. He was sitting on the floor while his back was rested on a pillar. He smiles upon seeing his Slytherin friend.

“Ah, Ominis! How lovely-”

“We need to talk.” 

“I assume you ran into my new friend.” Sebastian nervously laughs when he notices the serious tone in Ominis’s voice. His breathing is a bit more heavy and his shoulders are tense. 

Ominis stomps over to Sebastian as the brunette stands up from the floor. “Look, I know it seems bad, but we can trust t-”

“You promised you wouldn’t tell anyone!” Ominis cries out. His voice cracks slightly from hurt. “You swore that this place stays between me, you, and Anne!”

Sebastian’s composure remains calm. “I know I did, and I’m sorry.”

Ominis paces back and forth, a small habit of his when he’s overwhelmed with emotion. His hands are buried in his face in order to hide the tears swelling his eyes.

“First, you wouldn’t stop talking about that new student. Then, you wouldn’t tell me why you were out late that one time and now, you show them the Undercroft.” He wipes the tears from his eyes. “What is going on between you two?”

“Nothing!” Sebastian responds almost too quickly and defensively.

Ominis says calmly, “I’m worried about you. I’m worried that your new friend is causing you to be more reckless.”

“I can assure you, I'm staying safe.” Sebastian reassures. 

“Anyways, that’s not what I’m here for. My father sent me this.” Ominis hands a folded piece of parchment over to Sebastian.

I manage to open its doors, but I hesitate to enter. The corridors are dark, so I couldn’t see anything beyond the stairs. I need a moment to rest, so I’ll continue my journey tomorrow. 

Slytherin won’t make it easy for just anyone to access his scriptorium, so I expect some sort of challenge ahead. I’ll leave notes for you as I progress through the corridors. In case something happens, I can at least leave a little something behind.

Yours truly, 

Noctua Gaunt

P.S. Please continue to reassure Ominis that I’m doing well. I’m sure my sudden disappearance has caused him great worry. Tell him I’ll return soon.

“That was the last letter Father received from Aunt Noctua.” Ominis explains. “He finally sent it to me after I kept pestering him about what happened to her.”

For weeks, Ominis wrote letter after letter demanding his father to tell him what had happened to his aunt. He refuses to believe the tale of her leaving the Gaunt family like his ancestor Rionach Gaunt did. He knew his aunt and she would never leave Ominis, at least not without a proper explanation. 

He receives the letter, but not without a threat from his father; Do not enter that scriptorium. I will not hesitate to withdraw you from the school if I find you doing so.

“So, what this letter is saying is that Salazar Slytherin has some sort of secret scriptorium?” It wasn’t a question, but rather clearance to see if he read the words on the paper correctly. 

“Yes and it’s here within Hogwarts.” Ominis responds with a nod. “It’s no secret among the Gaunts, however, no one has ever venture there. That was until my aunt did.”

“And now us!” Sebastian perks up excitedly. 

“Absolutely not.” Ominis says. “We are not going anywhere near that scriptorium.”

Sebastian’s smile dies. “Why not?”

Ominis’s expression turns serious. “Slytherin plays around with dark magic. Anything to do with the Dart Arts should be avoided. It’s too risky”

Sebastian was well aware of Ominis’s distaste for the Dark Arts. His past has caused him to fear dark magic. He could never forget the physical pain of the Cruciatus Curse along with the mental pain of inflicting that kind of torture on a Muggle.

“But what if that scriptoruim holds the answers we need?” Sebastian pleds. Ominis was still pacing back and forth. “What if we can find a cure for Anne-”

“I lost my aunt, because of that place. What would I do if I lost you too?”

Sebastian pauses. Ominis stops moving and is now silent, processing what he just said. The thought of losing one of his only friends pained him. Aunt Noctua was nowhere to be heard and the curse might take Anne eventually. 

Ominis clears his throat as his cheeks are slightly flushed in embarrassment. “I-I don’t want you getting hurt. Let’s just drop this whole scriptorium talk.”

“Fine.” Sebastian reluctantly agreed.

Sebastian’s eyes are fixed on Ominis as pulls out his wand. The tip pulses red and it guides him towards the elevator. Sebastian hears the heavy door close in and his friend disappearing behind it.

End Note: when i have writer's block, i read other books to get inspiration. it doesn't help when i'm in a reading slump :,))

[demiclar]

Home

Home - Ao3

Crow returns to his apartment after a harrowing mission, but everything is going wrong. Saint brings him home.

(On Ao3 I have this as two chapters, but it only fits into one #destcember2022 prompt, so you get both chapters in one here on tumblr. Enjoy!)

Crow lets himself into his apartment with an exhausted sigh. His whole body trembles with the effort of just standing, staying upright and making basic, normally undemanding movements after three grueling days in the field. It’s rare that his scouting work becomes so physically abrasive, but he’s spent the last three days in a game of cat and mouse with what felt like an entire legion of Wrathborn. He’d hit them hard only to be ambushed by more when he least expected it. He’d had to send out a distress call to local Guardians to even repel their forces, and had retreated back to a sniper’s perch while the other Guardians pursued Xivu Arath’s minions. He’d had to lay prone to even shoot, his body too shaky for him to even aim his gun standing.

He’d climbed into his ship, wished it to take him to take them to the Tower and let the paracausal forces take over. He’d tossed off his armor and passed out on his bunk for the short ride back. He felt like a dead man walking for the entire trip back to his apartment. He still feels ready to collapse as he pushes the door shut behind him, locking it with trembling fingers.

The silence that meets him isn’t the balm he’s expecting it to be. For the past few weeks, Crow has been spending much of his time at Saint and Osiris’ apartment. Initially, it was to help out. When Osiris was unconscious, Crow would come by to keep Saint company, to take his mind off Osiris for a while. He’d bring food, or help Saint cook or clean. After Osiris woke, it was much of the same. He’d bring food, or offer to help with little chores or errands while Osiris and Saint were loaded down with work.

Now, however, his relationship with Saint and Osiris has grown to something warm and pleasant. That isn’t to say Saint didn’t care for him before, but now when Crow goes over to their apartment, it’s because they’ve invited him over, which they seem to do every other day, if not more often. They teach him to cook meals he’s never eaten before. He and Osiris discuss the Hive, and Crow’s scouting work. With Saint, he talks about the Eliksni, and how they might better help them adjust to life in the city. Saint and Osiris have invited him into their Dawning traditions, sharing meals, exchanging gifts, watching movies, baking cookies. They’re eager to share the festivities with him. One night, after Osiris had been introducing him to a series of city-made wines and Crow had drank a bit too much, Saint had coaxed him into taking the guest room bed for the night. After that, Saint adopted a way of offering the room up for the night, and Crow has begun to feel at home with Saint and Osiris’ roof over his head, their warmth and care surrounding him.

His apartment is so silent compared to theirs. It’s so dark, so cold. As a relatively young Guardian, his salary isn’t great. The best apartment he can afford that’s close enough to the Tower to be manageable is a tiny studio apartment. To the right of the door that leads in and out are the only two rooms enclosed in the apartment, his bathroom, with a rickety old sink that probably hasn’t been tended to since before the Red War, and a shower with shitty water pressure and hot water that only works half the time. The single lightbulb overhead flickers and goes out when he’s trying to shower, and the toilet has a clogging problem. Beside the bathroom is his storage closet, where he keeps all his weapons and armor. To the left of the door is his kitchen, mostly functional given that the most he uses it for is meals that only get about as extravagant as macaroni and cheese, or maybe a quesadilla if he has the time to make it. His bedroom is a loft that sits over the kitchen. The one dazzling feature of the apartment being the massive windows at the end of the space that look out on the city below. Unfortunately, he’s sure the view he doesn’t often have time to appreciate hikes up his rent considerably, and in the winter months, cold seeps through glass, so chilling he has to go to bed under every blanket he owns, and still he shivers.

The cold hits him as soon as he enters. The city outside is covered in a blanket of snow, but Crow can’t find the beauty in it, not when he’s so worn down by stress and exhaustion. He feels like he’s going to snap, or burst into tears. He lets Glint transmat his guns and armor away, grabbing a loaf of bread from the kitchen and checking over it only long enough to confirm it isn’t moldy before he tears a hunk of it off with his teeth. He grabs the half gallon of milk from the fridge and drinks straight from the carton, hoping the minimal sustenance will be enough to get him through his shower and to bed without passing out.

“Crow.” Glint’s voice is gentle when he appears beside Crow. He turns on the light in the loft, adding a layer of illumination where the only light previously had been the dim light in the fridge. Crow caps the milk and shoves it back inside.

“I’m tired, Glint. I just want to shower and go to bed.” He’s covered in dirt and grime. He’ll need to clean his armor before he wears it again, but even with it off his body, his underlayers are matted down by the mess too. Old blood from injuries since healed clings to his skin. The evidence of fighting had marred him so badly the doorman in the lobby had yelped in surprise when they’d spotted him entering. Had Glint not been hovering at his shoulder, they probably would’ve mistaken him for an ax murderer, rather than a Guardian covered in his own blood.

“Okay.” Glint agrees quietly, his voice hesitant. “I’m just worried about you.” Crow can feel it down the bond, but he brushes it aside rather than acknowledging his Ghost and the complex feelings bound up inside him. He’s too exhausted to even consider them.

He heads to the bathroom, stripping off his shirt as he goes. When he leans into the shower to start it, nothing happens when he turns the tap. Crow feels his body stiffen. He cannot deal with this right now. He leans back, looking up towards the showerhead. Just as he moves in front of it, a burst of icy water spurts from the tap, drenching his hair and his face before it stops completely.

“No fucking way.”

He tries the other taps in the apartment. The bathroom sink sputters for a moment but only a few drops come out of it. The same happens in the kitchen, and by the time he returns to the shower to check it again, the icy cold water in his hair has seemed to seep into his scalp. The apartment has never felt so cold around him, and he feels himself shudder. Tears prickle the backs of his eyes.

“Crow.” Glint’s voice sounds again, and he drifts into Crow’s view, his voice pinched in sympathy.

“What?” Crow snaps, unable to fight the vitriol in his tone.

This is just his fucking luck. He should have just stayed in the field, or in his ship. He could have taken a bath in some half frozen lake and slept it off in his sleeping bag, or in his bunk. He wants to crawl up to his bed and pass out but there’s still blood all over his skin and he’s not willing to make a mess that big, not when things are already going this badly.

Faintly, the sound of music reaches his ears, pounding bass followed by cheers and shouts. Stomping feet sound from above the loft, and Crow presses his back to the wall and sinks down to sit on the bathroom floor. He presses the heels of his palms into his eyes, but can’t hold back his tears.

“I’m going to call Saint.” Glint tells him.

“No, Glint, don’t–” His voice is choked with tears. He reaches out to stop his Ghost but Glint flits out of his reach. Within seconds, Crow’s faced with a projection of Saint, smiling towards him.

Saint’s smile disintegrates as soon as he lays eyes on Crow, his mouth falling open with clear concern.

“Crow, are you alright? I thought you’d be asleep by now.” The Titan’s voice is filled with worry. Distantly, Crow can make out Osiris’ voice, but he doesn’t catch his words.

“I’m–” He breaks off, rubbing hard at his eyes as he fights to stop crying. He gasps in a shaking breath against his will, and Saint visibly softens, his whole face pure sympathy and concern. “I just got back from the field and I haven’t slept in days. The water’s not working and it’s freezing in my apartment–”

The bathroom light overhead goes out, plunging Crow into darkness. A sob tears itself from Crow’s throat.

“Crow,” Saint’s voice is honey sweet, filled with warmth so opposite to the cold apartment around him, the tile floor biting into his bare feet and the wall against his back, the icy water still in his hair.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be bothering you with this, I didn’t mean for Glint to call you I just–”

He breaks off into hiccuping sobs. He has to close his eyes against the image of Saint in front of him.

“Stay there, Crow. I will come and get you.” Saint is already standing by the time Crow opens his eyes.

“No, Saint, you don’t have to–”

“I will. I’m coming, Crow. I’m going to take you home.”

Crow hasn’t managed to stop crying by the time Saint makes it to his apartment. In fact, he hasn’t really managed to do much of anything. The first bit of tears he let slip opened the floodgates to devastating sobs, and in the time that he’s been alone with Glint, Crow has collapsed onto his side on the bathroom floor and cried harder than he has since Spider beat him to death on a regular basis.

He feels like an idiot. He shouldn’t be crying, not over something as little as being deprived of a shower, some broken lights, and loud neighbors. But deep down he gets why he’s crying. He knows it’s about much more than the apartment, and the weight he’s feeling is as much in his control as it is beyond it. He’s exhausted, malnourished and dehydrated from being on the run from Hive for three days. He’s covered in blood and dirt, his adrenaline is crashing, and he’s still hung up on the fear of being stalked like prey. He can’t help that he’s crying. It makes sense that he’s crying.

Still, he hates himself for it. He hates himself for curling up on the bathroom floor, laying shivering on the cold tiles, bare from the waist up. The cold drives into his skin until he’s numb, and he sobs and gasps even as he hears Saint knock on the front door.

“Crow? It’s me. May I come in?”

He sends Glint, because he can’t manage to form words. He peels himself off the floor as his Ghost lets Saint into the apartment, even though Saint has his own key, given to him for emergencies. He’s managed to sit up by the time Saint crouches in the bathroom doorway—the room is so small the two of them would hardly fit together—but the soft look on Saint’s face sends him spiraling straight back into sobs.

“It’s alright, Crow.” Saint reaches out to him and Crow practically throws himself into the Titan’s arms. It says a great deal about how far their trust has come over the months they’ve known each other. Crow can’t think of anyone he’d really embrace without second thought, but Saint’s very being is comfort to Crow, and right now he needs all the comfort he can get.

Saint whispers soothing words to him, gathering Crow into his arms. He lifts him up, off the tile floor, slipping him into his arms like he weighs nothing, and he carries them from the tiny bathroom. Saint carries him up the staircase to the loft. He holds Crow with one arm while he sets a towel on Crow’s bed, no doubt having noticed the blood and dirt covering Crow like a second skin, then he sets Crow down on top of it. He cradles Crow’s face in his hands, his palms heavenly warm against Crow’s skin.

“I will help you into some new clothes, then I will take you home with me, yes?” Saint tells him gently, and Crow nods his assent. “You will wash up once we get there, but I do not want you to be so uncomfortable until then.”

Crow swallows hard, but he nods again. For as long as he’s known Saint, it’s still hard not to be blindsided by his generosity. He takes care of Crow as if he were a member of Saint’s own family, embraced and looked after without condition or expectation. Saint’s thumbs wipe away some of the tears on Crow’s cheeks.

A small stack of clothes appears beside Crow, Glint’s doing, and Saint thanks him even though Crow knows he should be the one thanking him, but Saint is ever patient, and constant with his care. He helps Crow out of his old, dirty layers, steadying him when his body shakes and shudders. He helps Crow dress in the new clothes, sliding thick socks onto his feet, helping him into pants and a sweater. There’s still grime underneath, but while they work, Glint transmats a bag onto the floor and fills it with more clean clothes, pajamas and regular clothes, wool socks and the sweater Saint had gifted to him as a Dawning present.

Once he’s dressed, Saint grabs the bag from the floor before Crow can pick it up, and he offers out a hand to steady Crow as he guides him out of the loft. When Crow tries to thank him, or to tell him that he’s alright, really—though he’s still teary eyed and breathing rough—Saint just holds him a little tighter, and shushes him quietly.

The walk to Saint and Osiris’s apartment isn’t long, but it feels like an eternity to Crow. Normally, Crow can walk over in less than ten  minutes. Their apartment buildings aren’t far apart, though Saint and Osiris’ is worlds nicer than Crow’s. They walk for five minutes at a slow pace before Saint lifts Crow into his arms again, and Crow must’ve started to doze off, because the next thing he knows, he’s enveloped in warm air, and the scent of home, Osiris and Saint’s voices in his ears.

“Crow?” Saint’s voice speaks softly in his ear. “I’m going to put you down now, alright?”

Crow manages a noise of understanding, peeling open his eyes to look around. He’s in Saint and Osiris’ bathroom, the tub already mostly full with steamy water. Osiris sits on the tub’s edge, using his hand to test the water’s temperature. Saint lowers him down, setting him on the bathroom counter. He pushes Crow’s hair from his eyes with a fond, sympathetic smile, and Crow can’t help the way he leans slightly into his hand.

“How are you feeling?” Osiris asks him, just as Crow feels his eyes slip closed. The effort to drag them back open is monumental.

“I’m tired.” He mumbles. “And my head hurts. I feel shaky.”

“You haven’t eaten anything in several hours.” Glint reminds him, and before Crow can bring up his little snack from when he first made it back to the apartment, he goes on. “The bread doesn’t count. You also haven’t slept more than six hours in the past three days, and I can’t correct for something like that without reviving you.”

“You will have a bath, you will eat something, and then you will sleep.” Saint tells him.

“I might fall asleep in the bath.”

Saint laughs quietly. “That’s quite alright.” He says, cradling Crow’s cheek with a hand. “I will look after you.”

He unties one of Crow’s shoes and pulls it off his foot. Crow reaches down to help, but he’s hardly untied the laces of his other shoe before Saint gently guides his hand away to do the rest himself. He pulls off Crow’s other shoe, then his socks, and pulls his sweater up, over his head.

“I will go heat up some food. Would you like soup? I believe we have some leftovers.” Osiris turns off the faucet once the tub is full, rising to his feet.

“Soup sounds great.” Crow lifts his head, offering both Saint and Osiris a weak smile. “Thank you for doing this.”

Osiris sets a hand on Crow’s knee, while Saint reaches out to hold his shoulder.

“You will always have a home here, Crow.” Osiris tells him, then gives him a smile. “Try one of the bath bombs, I believe you’ll find them enjoyable.”

A genuine smile crosses Crow’s face despite his exhaustion. A few days ago, Saint and Osiris fell into a debate of whether or not bath bombs were enjoyable, with Osiris for and Saint against, both eager to have Crow serve as a tiebreaker.

“I will.” Crow agrees.

“I will leave you to undress. I will come back to help you once you are ready, if that’s alright?” Saint asks him.

“I can–” Crow breaks off. Part of him wants to refuse, the part of him that needs to take care of himself and not show weakness, but his exhaustion is clinging to his bones, pressing down on him like lead weights. He’s not sure if he could even manage a whole bath on his own. He’s not sure he trusts himself not to fall asleep and drown. “Okay.” He agrees, giving Saint a small nod. “Thank you.”

Saint and Osiris leave the bathroom and Crow eases himself off the counter. He picks out a bath bomb from Osiris’ collection and sets it beside the tub, then slips out of the rest of his clothes. When he eases himself into the tub, the water is hot at first, but as he gets his aching limbs under the heat of the water, a sigh melts out of him, and he lays back against the end of the tub, his eyes slipping closed.

He luxuriates in the heat for a few moments before he retrieves his bath bomb and sets it in the water. It fizzes to life, filling the air with a citrusy scent, and Crow watches it dissolve. It clouds the water until it's opaque, but it makes his skin feel smooth and soft, and it might be the comfort in the face if his stress and exhaustion, but he’s pretty sure he agrees with Osiris on the subject.

Crow’s eyes are nearly closing when a gentle knock sounds on the door.

“Come in,” he calls, and Saint pokes his head in. Crow gives him a tired smile. “I’m so ready to fall asleep right now.”

Saint smiles back, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. “Baths often have that effect.”

Crow’s whole body feels relaxed. His head still aches slightly, and his body still feels weak from hunger, but the utter anguish and stress that had driven him to tears earlier has faded in the face of Saint and Osiris’ care. His headache already seems to be subsiding when Saint sits on the edge of the tub beside him, tilting his head back to use a bowl to pour warm water over his hair.

Saint washes his hair, running his fingers over Crow’s scalp until Crow practically melts from the touch. He scrubs the blood from Crow’s face and neck, his arms, and his back, and Crow tends to the rest. By the time he’s clean, he feels ready to collapse, but Saint slips out and Crow forces himself to stay awake. He drains the tub and rinses himself off under the shower before he dresses in the pajamas Glint had packed him. When he makes it out to the kitchen, Osiris has a steaming bowl of soup ready for him, and Crow feels more loved than he’s ever been in his entire life.

“Thank you.” He tells Osiris as he sits down at the breakfast bar in front of the bowl of soup. He imagines he will have to tell them the whole story later, not on their insistence but on his own desire to explain, but neither Osiris or Saint ask him about it. They need no explanation, no reason for the warmth and comfort they provide. They offer it without question and Crow drinks it in.

Osiris smiles at him, and Saint wraps a blanket around Crow’s shoulders, hugging him through it.

Saint repeats Osiris’ words as he holds Crow close. “You will always have a home here.”

[willowpenguinwritting]

A random Narlie short story I felt like writing.

TW//////// Self Harm and Eating disorder.

Do you ever fear that something really bad has to happen before it actually gets any attention? - By Me!!!! Not like the Taylor Swift song though. This is from Tori's perspective as I fancied a change in perspective.

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I thought it would be a normal lunchtime. It was not one. I thought that I would eat my lunch, drink some lemonade and then go on a short walk with Micheal around the grounds and for him to comment on the bees whilst I read some Tumblr blogs.

That is not what happened.

I was sitting on a bench with Micheal next to me eating my sandwich when one of my brother Charles's friends came running over to me. It was Tara Jones. She was a very pretty girl whose first kiss happened to be my brother-in-law. I firmly believe it is not too early to say Nichalos Nelson is one day going to be my brother-in-law.

"Tori, Nick's spamming my phone with calls trying to get to you," Tara explained handing me her phone. Her girlfriend wrapped her arms around her and rocked her backwards and forwards whispering in her ear that it would all be ok.

I picked up and the first thing I heard was Nick "Tori, I need to talk to you and uh as soon as possible."

"Breathe Nick, It's all ok," I told him despite the fact my gut was screaming about Charlie at me.

I heard him inhaling and exhaling "I think Charlie is meeting Ben at Higgs right now, I don't know why but he won't answer me."

"Benjamin fucking Cornelius Hope, right Micheal and I will go have a look where he usually is and investigate."

Nick sighed "Why do you know his middle name?"

"Why don't you?" I asked.

Nick responded, "Not everyone stalks Facebook as diligently as you do Victoria."

"Micheal does."

He sighed "You too are an exception to average society."

"I am giving Tara back her phone but we will go work out what is going on.

Nick took another deep breath "Ok, let me know how it goes.I am really worried about him."

"No shit Sherlock, Bye for now Nick."

Nick breathes a Bye as I hang up.

I hand Tara her phone and death glare Micheal. "Come with me, We have some investigating to do."

"The Spoldren Spy Society is back."

I laugh "We never were official before but this is serious." I tell him as he follows me around to the front of the school. Ben is not there.

Micheal raises his eyebrows and leads me to the library. Ben's favourite meeting spot with Charlie when he was at Truham.

There they are the two boys we are looking for.

"Charlie, I just wanted to apologise." Ben stammered looking at Charlie who was glaring at him with his arms crossed.

Charlie snarled at him"Apologise for what?"

"For hurting you, I shouldn't have done it." Ben admitted. Progress in a really shitty way?

Charlie shook his head "Are you talking about the sexual assault, eating disorder or scars?"

"What eating disorder, what scars?"

Charlie laughed "Wow, you really don't seem to notice that you made me hate myself so much that this all happened," He rolled up his sleeves all of his scars clearly showing. "These ones, and the anorexia, you should have come with a disclaimer."

I find myself smiling with pride. Micheal is on facetime with Nick so he can see Charlie too.

Ben's mouth moves but no words come out. I take this as my chance.

I walk out from behind the bookshelf I was leaning against. "Wow,great job Benjamin. Now leave my brother the fuck alone." I smile at him that instantly sets him backing out of the library. Micheal comes out from his spot and hugs Charlie.

Micheal whispers to Charlie how proud he is of him whilst I sit with Micheal's phone and talk to Nick.

"Why is it always before something significantly bad happens before anyone actually pays attention?" Nick asks me.

I glance over to Micheal and Charlie who are discussing my older sister magic and then tell Nick "I don't know, why is my brother-in-law actually a golden retriever?"

Nick had taken a sip of Fanta and instantly starts spluttering, "Who said we were getting married?"

"Does it matter?" I ask

Nick looks at me still spluttering "I was not invited to my own wedding with the love of my life?"

"The love of your life? He can't actually hear you, you know." I informed him.

Nick checked his watch "Tell Char that he needs to start walking back soon as I miss him."

I told him and he instantly hugged me and Micheal and headed out of the school with us and went walking along the toad.

Micheal looked at me "Another case solved by Spoldren Spy Society?"

"If it will shut you up about it I suppose it is," I told him to which he faked elbowing me.

I heard the bell and headed inside with Micheal at my tail and started walking to the common room.

I made eye contact with Ben when we sat down and didn't break it until he pretended to talk to someone next to him.

Micheal who was next to me said "That's just creepy Tori."

"Creepy is the entire point," I told him staring at Ben some more before Micheal handed me an earphone and he started singing along to dancing queen.

That was my lunchtime. Not the same as a normal lunchtime as it was not one. I suppose that on occasion change can be a good thing. That good thing was Charlie standing up for himself. But for now until next time I will be sitting here with Micheal listening to Abba.

Spoldren Spy Society out.

Don't tell Micheal I said that.

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[robininthelabyrinth]

Polyphonic 

Chapter 3 ao3  (alt: tumblr pt 1, pt 2)

-

Lan Qiren wanted to speak to Wei Wuxian about everything they needed to do, but it would have to wait: the moment they arrived, they were immediately swept up into the political mess that Jin Zixun’s ill-fated ambush had caused.

Jin Guangshan was there in the blink of an eye, despite normally taking his time in seeing anyone, and Lan Qiren didn’t like the way he started making excuses for his nephew’s behavior from the very start. It was to a certain degree understandable, as everyone would first incline towards defending their family, but the haste with which Jin Guangshan sought to sweep it all under the rug was disconcerting, and Lan Qiren thought it was almost suggestive of some level of premeditation. Even more distasteful, however, was how he sought to twist the entire event into being yet another reason Wei Wuxian ought to surrender the Stygian Tiger Seal to the Jin sect: for his own good, of course, in order to avoid being made into a target on account of the disdain of the cultivation world –

“Sect Leader Jin, your words are in poor taste,” Lan Qiren said sharply.

He could hear Jiang Cheng, who ought to be defending Wei Wuxian and was trying his stuttering best to do so, starting to waver; the boy had a pleasant rippling melody by nature, forced into a fierce allegro by his parents’ endless disputes and his later tragedies, and the weak foundation meant that he was too easily buffeted by uncertainty and doubt, as Jin Guangshan undoubtedly knew.

“Let us not speak in abstraction,” he continued. “It was your sect, your nephew, who launched this particular ambush. You ought to be making a formal apology to Wei Wuxian and thinking of reparations to repair the injury to your sect’s reputation, not acting like a thief complaining to the magistrate that his victim failed to hand over his property quickly enough to prevent violence!”

Jin Guangshan’s eyes narrowed in irritation, though he fought to keep the expression off his face as if it could disguise the swell of bitter rotten music that accompanied him wherever he went. “Teacher Lan,” he said, striving for composed and charming but mostly coming off as stiff and wooden. “Come now, I must be misunderstanding you. Surely you are not accusing me of being a thief.”

Historically, as Jin Guangshan well knew, this was when Lan Qiren backed down, mindful of his position as interim sect leader – his sect granted him much of the responsibility but not the full measure of power that typically accorded with the title, and he was conscious, always, that his role was to ensure there was something preserved for his nephews to inherit.

Perhaps Jin Guangshan had forgotten that Lan Qiren was no longer interim sect leader.

“I am describing the facts as I see them,” he said icily, straightening his back and levelling his best teacher’s glare, refined by years of troublesome students. “And they are this: by the agreement of the cultivation world and through his own powers, Wei Wuxian was inviolate and unbothered as long as he remained in the Burial Mounds. Despite this, he willingly chose to emerge in response to an invitation issued by your sect, only to be attacked by your sect – and when he comes to you for justice, rather than grant it to him, you suggest that he hand over his most prized possession to prevent any similar attacks in the future. Unfamiliarity may require me to consult my sect’s texts to be sure, Sect Leader Jin, but only to determine if I should be calling it extortion, blackmail, or outright thievery!”

“Teacher Lan!” one of the smaller sect leaders gasped, even as Jin Guangshan went utterly florid with rage. “You’re not suggesting that Jin-gongzi was involved in the ambush!”

Lan Qiren had been Jin Zixuan’s teacher and knew him well – he had been a shy, introverted boy whose awkwardness came off as aloofness, and would never have done anything like this. Even less so would Lan Qiren suspect such a thing of the man who had been steadied by war and responsibility into an adult with a firm moral foundation.

“No,” he said, and met Jin Guangshan’s eyes directly. “I believe Jin-gongzi’s invitation to have been wholly sincere.”

For a moment, Lan Qiren thought Jin Guangshan was actually going to strike him, his aura lashing out violently like a clash of cymbals, discordant and biting, and he braced himself, but in the last moment etiquette prevailed and Jin Guangshan refrained, although his fists were clenched so tightly that his veins stood out from the backs of his hands.

That was when Wei Wuxian opened his mouth.

Lan Qiren silenced him with the muting spell before he could get out a single syllable.

Jiang Cheng sent him a thankful glance and cleared his throat. “This is a serious matter,” he said. “It requires a full investigation; we won’t be able to solve it all talking now. Both Wei Wuxian and Teacher Lan have traveled a long way – I have no doubt that they need some time to rest and refresh themselves.”

A convenient way to stop anyone from starting a fight, and implicitly excusing Lan Qiren’s rudeness as a mere symptom of exhaustion, resolving the whole thing without losing any more face for anyone. The Jiang sect’s boy was picking up this whole politics business quite well, the poor child.

“I concur,” Jin Guangshan said, recovering a little of his poise. “There are rooms ready for you both.”

Lan Qiren inclined his head as well. “An excellent idea,” he said, and then, because he could now, added, “We can discuss reparations for the ambush later.”

“And what about the curse?” Jin Zixun hissed, clearly done with holding his tongue the way everyone had been so obviously instructing him with their eyes. “Am I to simply suffer while that criminal walks free and unharmed?”

“When I said there would be an investigation, I meant it!” Jiang Cheng snapped. “I doubt your curse is so advanced that it can’t wait another day, and if it is, then you should have brought it up earlier!”

“Why you –“

“Sect Leader Jiang has spoken,” Jin Zixuan interrupted, his voice hard. “Zixun, don’t forget that you must also answer to me as to what you did to my guest in my name without my permission. I think it might benefit you to ‘rest and refresh’ as well. One of the servants can take you to see a doctor.”

Jin Guangshan seemed on the verge of objecting, but Jin Zixuan seemed not to get the hint, already turning his face away.

“In the meantime,” he said, saluting politely, “Sect Leader Jiang, Wei-gongzi, would you come with me? A-Li is waiting to see you both.”

Lan Qiren allowed himself to be whisked off in a different direction to settle down, which in all honesty he did need to do. He hadn’t flown such a distance in years, had been in better health when he’d done so, and he had been tired even before all this excitement; some rest would do wonders for him, even if it did make him feel a bit like he’d become a doddering old man or an invalid. Before he could settle down, though, he heard a sound approaching – a little uneven, sometimes too fast, sometimes too slow – and despite the fact that Jin Guangyao had never been anything but polite to him, he felt his back tense up at the reminder of why he was here in the first place.

“Honored teacher,” Jin Guangyao said, smiling and saluting deeply – more than he should, really, given that Lan Qiren was neither a sect leader nor had ever been his teacher. “Welcome to Jinlin Tower. I regret that your arrival was marred by such unpleasantness, and hope that the remainder of your visit is calmer.”

It’s not Jin Guangyao’s fault that Lan Xichen likes him, Lan Qiren reminded himself. Your suspicions, and your family’s terrible luck at love, are your own burdens to bear. They should not be put onto others.

He nodded to Jin Guangyao.

“It would be good to see a peaceable resolution to today’s events,” he said neutrally. “I appreciate that you have come to check on me personally. It is truly going above and beyond the call of duty.”

“Your nephew is my sworn brother, Teacher Lan. How could I fail to honor you as my elder?” Jin Guangyao said smoothly. “Let me know if there’s anything we can do to make you more comfortable.”

“A bath before dinner would be nice. Has my nephew arrived yet?” Lan Qiren privately hoped that he hadn’t, and was relieved when Jin Guangyao shook his head, confirming it. “Let me know when he does.”

“Of course,” Jin Guangyao said, and saluted again. “I’ll inform the servants; a bath will be made ready for you by afternoon.”

The moment Jin Guangyao left the room, Lan Qiren traced the pattern along the hem of his robes that shook off the dust of the road, returning them to being as clean and pristine as always – not a long-term solution to laundry, but very effective in the short-run, and one that he’d only refrained from doing earlier in order to drive home the point regarding how he had also been victimized by Jin Zixun’s ambush.

It was a profound relief to be clean again.

Once he could no longer hear Jin Guangyao’s familiar chords, he relaxed, which unfortunately these days meant coughing. He rubbed his chest when he was done, sighing, and settled down with his guqin to start playing a little, hoping to ease his nerves. Lan Xichen would be on his way already, he knew, and would probably move even faster once he got word regarding Lan Qiren’s presence. He’d made rather a lot of trouble for his nephew…

The door slammed open, and only years of experience with troublesome children, along with the warning echo of a song free and clear, full of shining righteousness, allowed Lan Qiren to remain unmoved by the cacophonous crash.

“So I have questions,” Wei Wuxian said. “Many, many questions, and I’m going to want answers to…uh, are you all right?”

Lan Qiren ignored Wei Wuxian’s rush, finishing the stanza he was playing and letting his hands still over the guqin. “Sit, and I will answer your questions to the best of my ability.”

Wei Wuxian closed the door behind him and put up a talisman for privacy, like the ones they used to use during the war, before coming to sit across the table from Lan Qiren. He was frowning. “Honored Teacher Lan, your lips are red,” he said cautiously. “Were you coughing up blood just now?”

“An old injury from the war,” Lan Qiren said, unable to resist recalling the memory of Wen Xu’s wild smirk as he’d deliberately smashed his ribs into pieces, grinding his palm against Lan Qiren’s chest to force the broken pieces to pierce his lungs. Nie Mingjue had executed Wen Xu only a few months later, a matter that had greatly eased his nightmares…truly Lan Qiren had to get to the bottom of this mystery as soon as possible; once Lan Xichen’s name was cleared, he could focus on trying to devise a solution to cleanse Nie Mingjue of the spiritual poison. “It can be aggravated by excess choler. Do not concern yourself about it.”

Wei Wuxian looked like he was concerning himself about it. “But you nearly –” Lan Qiren glared until he dropped the volume of his voice significantly. “You nearly got into a fight with dozens of cultivators back at the Qiongqi Path on my behalf! Wouldn’t that have aggravated it even worse than just getting angry?”

“Much worse,” Lan Qiren agreed peaceably. “My talents in battle are not especially notable, although better with the guqin than the sword. Regardless, the effort expended would almost certainly result in a severe backlash later.”

Wei Wuxian gaped at him. “Then why did you do it?”

“Was there an alternative?”

Wei Wuxian’s mouth opened and closed a few more times.

“How are your shijie and shizi?” Lan Qiren asked when it appeared that Wei Wuxian was not going to force any words out of his mouth any time soon. He folded his hands together in an appropriate manner – he, at least, knew his etiquette, and would continue to model it in the hope that Wei Wuxian might one day catch a hint. “Well, I trust?”

“Uh, yeah, they’re great. Jin Ling is perfect, shijie is wonderful, the peacock doesn’t deserve either of them, though he’s gotten better, I guess,” Wei Wuxian said, then shook his head as if to clear it. “And I wouldn’t have been able to see either of them if not for you.”

Personally, Lan Qiren didn’t think one Jin Zixun and any number of his friends would actually be able to stop Wei Wuxian, preplanned ambush or no, so he just hummed noncommittally. “You said you had questions?”

“Yeah, and now I have even more,” Wei Wuxian grumbled, but he seemed to settle down a little. “Let’s start with the fact that you said you needed help on a musical issue, but that it is also somehow an attempted murder. What’s that about?”

Lan Qiren grimaced. “Serve tea,” he instructed Wei Wuxian, and waited until he was midway through the process – and thus not staring straight at Lan Qiren – to start talking. “I have reason to believe that Nie Mingjue has been poisoned with spiritual poison.”

Wei Wuxian nearly spilled the tea, but managed to stop himself in time. “Chifeng-zun? Impossible!” Then he frowned. “I’d heard his temper was getting far worse, of late. Just mentions of it in passing…you think it’s because of that?”

“It may be. The Nie sect is prone to encountering qi deviations; a spiritual poison, especially one that specifically targets choleric feelings such as irritation and rage, would be particularly insidious when aimed against them. Should he die, everyone might be inclined to assume that the cause was hereditary rather than external.”

“A perfect murder. What type of poison?” Wei Wuxian’s eyebrows went up. “Wait – you think – musical poison?”

“My sect is renowned for using musical cultivation as healing techniques,” Lan Qiren pointed out, not sure why it seemed to come as such a shock to Wei Wuxian. “Antidotes grow alongside poisons, and all that can heal can also hurt – anyway, isn’t what you do a type of musical cultivation as well?”

“Good point,” Wei Wuxian said ruefully. “All right, that makes sense. That definitely seems like a real problem…but why do you need my help?”

“My health is poor, and I do not know what such an investigation will require,” Lan Qiren said. “And I cannot ask anyone in my sect to assist me.”

“Why not?”

“Because the primary suspect,” Lan Qiren said heavily, “is Xichen.”

Wei Wuxian stared.

“I’m sorry,” he said after a few long moments of blank gawping. “Please forgive me, honored teacher, but I think I misheard you. Are you saying that you think Zewu-jun is poisoning Chifeng-zun?”

“I hope dearly that he is not, of course,” Lan Qiren said. “In fact, part of the reason for my desire to investigate privately is to assist in clearing him of suspicion –”

“No, no, hold on, don’t move on just yet,” Wei Wuxian said, holding up his hands. “You think Zewu-jun – Lan Xichen! – might be capable of poisoning his sworn brother and, as far as I know, best friend? Your nephew?”

“Yes.”

“You really think he’s capable of something like that?”

“I have done my best to raise him to be the sort of man who would not be,” Lan Qiren said, and thought suddenly of his own brother – their father had treasured him, cared for him, valued him above all else. Would he have ever imagined that he would do what he had done and end up living out his life in seclusion, only to die pointlessly at the hands of the Wen sect? “And yet, who’s to say?”

“Uh, me? All the cultivation world? It’s Zewu-jun! He’s one of the most upright people I’ve ever met! You might as well suspect Lan Zhan – you don’t, do you?”

“No,” Lan Qiren said. He appreciated the righteous crescendo in Wei Wuxian’s voice, particularly when Lan Wangji was mentioned – unfortunate as it might be to find that Lan Wangji’s seemingly hopeless affection might actually be requited, since it remained a terrible idea – but it was a little inconvenient at the moment. “But equally I cannot burden him with the duty to suspect his brother. It would only hurt him.”

Wei Wuxian quieted down at that. “I can see that,” he said, grimacing. “But…why would you suspect Zewu-jun?”

“The evidence is – suggestive.” Lan Qiren shook his head. “To be clear, while I will of course value the truth above all else, I am not looking for evidence of Lan Xichen’s guilt. I am hoping to exculpate him.”

Wei Wuxian leaned forward, now frowning in earnest. “All right,” he said. “I still don’t really believe it, but other people might, and that’s bad enough. Even unfounded rumors can make for real trouble. Tell me what you know about it.”

“My nephew has been helping Nie Mingjue to ease the symptoms of his familial tendency towards qi deviations by playing him one of the strongest and most secret Lan sect healing songs,” Lan Qiren explained. “The spiritual poison I have observed in Nie Mingjue’s body is precisely a variation on that healing song – only instead of the pure version, which is designed to calm and heal disrupted qi, it is intermixed with another song that deliberately encourages spiritual turmoil.”

“All right. I suppose playing for Chifeng-zun gives Zewu-jun opportunity, but that doesn’t mean he’s the only one who could’ve applied the poison song.”

“The Song of Turmoil is a rare import, hidden away in one of sect’s forbidden books. Only very few people have access to that part of our collection.”

Wei Wuxian arched his eyebrows. “And yet you can immediately recognize it?”

“I enjoy studying obscure musical texts as an aid in composition,” Lan Qiren said, mild censure in his voice. “Would you dare claim you do not do the same?”

“…fine, fine, good point.” Wei Wuxian waved his hand. “Okay, fine…still, I’m not convinced. Even if the only source of the song is the Lan sect’s library, there was a lot of chaos these past few years. Someone else could have picked it up, couldn’t they?”

“It’s possible,” Lan Qiren admitted. “Unfortunately, the tune had the same starts and stops that are characteristic of Xichen’s playing.”

As a musical cultivator, even Wei Wuxian had to concede that the unique quirks of playing style were difficult, although not impossible, to replicate, and moreover that one would have to wonder why anyone else would bother doing so, especially in a spiritual poison they presumably hoped would go entirely undetected. He rubbed his forehead, clearly thinking it over. “So, wait, are you saying you heard this musical poison getting played? Were you affected by it? Why didn’t you interrupt in order to stop it or to find out who was responsible?”

Lan Qiren shook his head. “I did not hear the playing, only the effects.”

Wei Wuxian frowned. “I don’t understand. If you didn’t hear it get played, how do you know that the playing had Zewu-jun’s idiosyncratic characteristics?”

“I’m very familiar with how Xichen plays. How would I not notice it? Even if I only heard it intermixed with Nie Mingjue’s own base tone, the sound is distinctive enough to recognize.”

Wei Wuxian was staring at him, looking blank again. A moment later his brow furrowed as if he’d just had a thought that seemed strange to him. He said, “Honored teacher, a question. When I said I wasn’t the one who cast the curse on Jin Zixun, you said that the person who cast it played the guqin, not the flute. I’d been wondering…how did you know that?”

“The curse has the sound of a breaking guqin string, which does not accord with Jin Zixun’s own music,” Lan Qiren explained. “The person who cast it was moderately powerful and very well-trained, although this represents an overreach on their part. I think it is likely that they incurred a backlash due to the casting –”

“You just heard it?” Wei Wuxian interrupted. It was rather rude, but Lan Qiren supposed he’d signed up for that. “You just looked at him and heard the curse that had been placed on him?”

Lan Qiren nodded.

“You can hear what people’s spiritual energy sounds like?” Wei Wuxian was growing pale.

“Not spiritual energy directly,” Lan Qiren said, a little puzzled by what seemed like an outsized reaction. Not only was Wei Wuxian’s face pale, his fists clenched, but his song, normally so free and clear, had become suppressed, tense, tightly strung. “More in the nature of the sound of a person’s spirit itself. Your Ghost General, for instance; he has a very gentle melody, very soft, but the underlying base is harsh, jagged, thick with resentment, less playing than dying – he needs to learn to marry those two parts of his spirit together, or else he’ll have trouble finding peace. That’s why I offered to take him as a student.”

“What about me?” Wei Wuxian asked. He was almost vibrating with the need to know. “What about my music? Has it – changed?”

“It’s gotten a little more sober, which is not uncommon with tragedy,” Lan Qiren said, and felt as though he were on the edge of some terrible revelation. “But no, fundamentally you remain the same person you always were.”

Wei Wuxian exhaled, hard. A trill of relief.

“Something happened that made you think it would change,” Lan Qiren deduced, reaching up to stroke his beard thoughtfully. He watched as Wei Wuxian’s eyes flickered one way, then another. “Wei Wuxian.”

Wei Wuxian looked at him.

“Are you unwilling to return to orthodox cultivation – or unable?”

There was a world of difference between the two: one was arrogance, relentless and unrestrained, looking down at the truths the cultivators of the world and their ancestors had worked so hard to unearth, the other merely a depressing practicality – who wouldn’t choose to cultivate something if the alternative was nothing at all?

And yet…how could it be?

And why would Wei Wuxian be so terrified of letting others discover it?

“That’s none of your business,” Wei Wuxian said, teeth set in a bitter smile that was more of a grimace than anything else. “I agreed to help you, Honored Teacher, but my business is my own.”

“But –”

“Another question,” Wei Wuxian said. “Different subject: I know you don’t lie, and earlier you said…what you said. So tell me, what Lan sect girl has her heart so set on me that you decided to come tell me in person that I wasn’t allowed marry her?”

Lan Qiren blinked. “I only meant to advise you that it was a poor match for you both; it was not meant as an insult to you,” he objected, a little offended. “If you and Wangji insist, I will not stand in your way.”

He shook his head and sighed a little, regretful; he would not pursue the matter Wei Wuxian was hiding any further. He wanted to help, curiosity itching at him, but Wei Wuxian was right – it was none of his business.

“As long as your reliance on demonic cultivation does not impede your assistance in my investigation, I will not bring it up again,” he concluded. “How do you propose we begin?”

“…Lan Zhan?”

Lan Qiren frowned. “I already explained to you why I do not wish to involve Wangji, and that I do not suspect him. Why would we start with him?”

“Not for the investigation,” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, his face bright red. “About the – marriage!”

[selfawarejester]

So, someone requested a fic where Blue Team rescues a Child!Reader from a war zone, but unfortunately Tumblr ate the ask. If you’re the one who requested it, please enjoy!

EDIT: found a screenshot! @simp-for-fictional-men-only, hope you like this!

Blue Team x Child!Reader (Halo)

It’s been a long “day”, even by Spartan standards.

Blue Team had been trying to repel Covenant forces on an Outer Colonies planet for over a week… but it hadn’t been enough. Command had called an evacuation, and after destroying a base to help the efforts, Blue Team had been ordered to help with final evacuation calls in the nearest town.

On the Pelican ride to town, there was a brief moment where they thought it was a waste of resources to send Spartans for an evacuation op, especially because the other Spartan teams were still doing the best they could to strike back at the Covenant; not necessarily to stop them anymore, just to hold them back long enough for the civilians to escape and maybe a little revenge. The events of the week, coupled with the guilt of their brothers and sisters still risking their lives, weighed on them heavily.

But at the end of the day, they’re glad they did: they found a group in the Rec center, a dozen people in the boroughs, twenty in an apartment complex — the Marines wouldn’t have been able to lift most of the wreckage that blocked them from escaping.

By the time they’d gotten to the outskirts of town, Blue Team had been left alone to sweep through the dead town. Chief considered just going to meet up with the Marines — surely, they could match the pace of the overloaded Troop Transports — and this area was just dilapidated factories and shady looking establishments that had long since been stampeded.

But a need to fulfil his task to completion stayed his hand… and thank god it did.

At first, it was just soft sniffles that sounded from the inside of the rundown factory. Chief and Kelly, who’d partnered up to search this side of the district, thought it was one of the many Jackals that had been posted in the previous sector wandering, or a Grunt that had been left behind after the Jackals had entertained themselves (in which case, they should probably put the thing out of its misery), so they go inside.

Chief goes first, moving carefully through the debris so as to not dislodge the wreckage, or disturb the corpses of the few soldiers and more civilians. He retrieves their dog tags, securing them in one of the compartments of the MJOLNIR, and Kelly follows, stepping where he does.

Slowly, the sound becomes louder and louder, wheezing and snotty sobbing. Definitely an injured Grunt, he thinks. It’s coming from under a slab of concrete propped up against a wall. Kelly flanks to the right, while Chief goes to the left. He signals that he’ll lift it on the count of three, and grips the edge of the slab. When the slab gets tossed aside, Kelly raises her shotgun, pointing directly at the small figure.

You shriek and bury your head in your knees, pulled up to your chest. You couldn’t believe that after all the gross, awful things you’d had to sit through, holed up in this corner, you were just going to die.

But when nothing happens for a solid five seconds, you chance a peek over your knees and gasp. S-117 and S-087 are emblazoned across the chests of the armored giants… Spartans.

Kelly and Chief exchange confused gazes, having no idea how to deal with children. The last ones they’d had any interaction with was the Castoffs on Netherop, but they were more feral gremlins than they had been children.

(Kelly and Fred still aren’t entirely sure that the whole incident wasn’t a heat-induced hallucination.)

John really doesn’t want to go through another episode like it, but on the other hand, it would be easier if you were pelting rocks at them.

Kelly, being the more personable of the two, kneels to your height (or as close as a Spartan could get) and softly calls. “You don’t have to be scared. We’re here to help.”

You knew that — they were Spartans! The greatest heroes Humanity ever possessed! You were just shocked that you were getting rescued by them.

“Y-you’re Spartans.” You whisper dumbly, but you couldn’t help it! How are you supposed to be cool when you grew up with Master Chief’s action figure on your nightstand. “Like Master Chief.”

You can’t see it, but John can sense Kelly’s smirk as she looks over at him and points. “Well, that’s the man himself.”

* Oh no. By the way your wet, moved eyes stare up at him, it seems you’re a fan.

OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD!!! You hope your pterodactyl screeching wasn’t external.

“Whoa.” This couldn’t be real. You’d passed out from exhaustion, and were dreaming all of this. That could be the only possibility!

John knows that this is the part where he says something witty or inspiring… but he really doesn’t know what to say, so he just awkwardly clears his throat. “Are you hurt?”

You shake your head violently, a burning need to not disappoint your childhood hero, and clamber up to your feet… only to wince and lean against the wall, something sticky on your leg.

Now that you’re standing, he can see the dried blood around your ankle. “Hold still!” All the softness is gone from Kelly’s tone as she works on bandaging you up, but you don’t mind, appreciating how careful she’s being.

Co-ordinating with Linda, who informs him that there are patrols scouting the areas — probably only to get any survivors, and not to catch them, but they should still move — and Fred, who tells him that the convoy is flying off-planet via Pelicans in half an hour, John makes some quick calculations.

With the pace you’d set, hobbling alongside Kelly, whimpering every time you put your weight on your left foot, it would take them at least an hour. Too long.

“Whoa…” The sound comes unbidden from Fred when Kelly emerges, with you clutching at her hip, all bloody and dirty. A pang of sympathy strikes as he looks around and realizes all that you must have seen. He was well aware that normal children weren’t nearly as resilient as he and his siblings had been.

“….” He stays silent as you arrive in front of him, staring up at him with slight apprehension, heart racing as he tries to think of something to say — and for some reason, he lands on an awkward, weirdly Southern-sounding. “Hey champ!”

John and Kelly both shoot him weird looks, and he wants to dig a hole and die, when they hear it.

A small giggle falls from your lips, tiny hands covering your mouth as you try not to laugh. Fred sighs in relief, but his anxiety returns when Kelly’s joking voice comes over the comms saying “Well, I guess we know who’s taking care of them.”

Linda drops out of nowhere, and nearly scares you to death as you shriek and bump into John, holding his leg tightly. You don’t really notice how he freezes, confused again.

“…sorry.” She doesn’t sound sorry, you think with a pout and drop from Chief’s leg, careful of your own busted ankle.

“That’s Linda, that’s Fred and I’m Kelly. You can just call him Chief. What’s your name?”

“Y-Y/N.”

“Alright. We won’t be able to make it if you’re walking, so you need to get on one of our backs.” Chief tells you, straight to business. “Which one of us do you feel comfortable with?”

He’s really hoping you pick Kelly or Fred. It wouldn’t exactly be a burden, you’re much tinier than the full grown people he’s had to carry out of a war zone, and you’re handling it much better as well, even though you’re barely ten years old.

“Um…” You look shyly up at Fred. “If you don’t really mind…”

*Aw. That’s… actually kind of sweet. Fred beckons you over, and hoists you up between his shoulders, giving you the rundown on what to do if people start shooting, and to hold on tight when he tells you to.

*You’re much more considerate than the freaked out VIPs he’s had to extract. But he still feels you twitch every time the wind causes something to clatter, so he decides to strike up conversation.

“So how did you wind up there?” It’s not until afterwards that he realizes that, unlike soldiers, civilians aren’t comfortable discussing stuff like that. But you answer that it was your dad’s factory, explaining that it was Bring Your Kid To Work Day.

The Spartans, specifically Kelly, asked you questions about it, having never heard of it themselves. After all, military settings rarely allowed such breaches of protocol.

You only trailed off as you got to the part where he told you to hide, and Fred lets it be.

When you finally get to the convoy, a nurse hurriedly tries to pull you away from the Spartans to help out, apologizing for not doing it sooner when Fred tells her it’s fine and that you can stay. After all, Kelly had fixed you up well, and you seemed terrified at the prospect of being left alone.

All that was left to do was fly up to the ship in outer orbit, with the rest of the survivors. Since there were such few Pelicans, everyone had been crammed into them, military and civilians alike. You’d simply wandered onto the one they’d been on, sandwiched between Chief and Fred.

Chief watches you picking at your shorts, and suddenly remembers the chocolate bar Sgt. Johnson keeps giving him - “you’re not yourself when you’re hungry, Chief” He’d snicker and then leave, Chief just standing there, not understanding the reference - but hey, chocolate was chocolate.

“Here. You did well.” Your eyes go wide, and for a second he thinks you’re going to refuse, but then you snatch it out of his hand and snarf it down. This is how it must feel to watch him eat.

“You’re going to like it up there.” Fred chimes in when your gaze starts getting distant again. “Space is really cool.”

In a twist of fate, you find one of your best friends when you arrive on the ship. Their parents promise to take care of you, and thank the Spartans.

When they start directing the survivors to their quarters, you hug every Spartan, even Linda… or their legs, since you couldn’t reach anything else. (Thankfully, you telegraph it pretty well, so they don’t accidentally smack you or something.)

John just stiffens and then nods, Fred pats you on the head awkwardly and shuffles away (he was very shocked by the affection), Kelly laughs and claps you on the shoulder, and Linda just hums and pets you on the head like a dog, walking away afterwards.

You go on to be a Marine yourself, finding yourself on the Halo campaign, where Chief and Cortana save you once more. You’re surprised he still remembers you.

You leave a bar of the same brand he gave you at his shrine, giving a heartfelt eulogy and catching up momentarily with the other members of Blue Team before you all leave again.

You almost faint when he shows up at Requiem, though. Don’t feel bad, as Lasky fanboys behind Chief for the whole campaign.

Palmer corrals you and Lasky into a break room to make fun of your behavior after it’s all over.

[jimlingss]

(sorry my tumblr app glitched so im not sure if this was sent twice) taking a chance for the requests! how about a seokjin or namjoon arranged marriage au with this: “Am I your lockscreen?” “You weren’t supposed to see that.” 🎄 happy holidays!!

↳ Playground Promises

1.9k || 100% Light Fluff || Kim Seokjin

The bell rings.

Moments later, children are sprinting from the doors and flooding the playground. You watch in fondness as some climb the monkey bars while others sit and dig into the sandbox. All of them were forging their first friendships they’ll remember forever and you were their witness.

This is one of your favourite times of day. You enjoy seeing the kids have their fun, listening to their laughter and giggles, watching their games of tag to play pretend. But today, your enjoyment is interrupted by a certain male teacher that comes to stand behind you.

Tall. Dark. And handsome. His broad shoulders carry the weight of the third-grade class and practically the entire elementary school. But you’d never admit that out loud.

“It’s a bit chilly out today. You should’ve brought your coat with you.”

You hum.

Every staff member, married and single, swoons over Kim Seokjin. It’s hard not to. But if others knew what your relationship was with him, you’re sure you’d never hear the end of it. The kids would make a big fuss and so would all the staff and faculty, and you’d rather avoid that.

“I didn’t know you were on playground duty today.”

“I switched with Sana,” he says and leans over to smile. “Thought you could use some company.”

You scoff. “She’s perfectly fine company.”

The corner of his plump lip pulls. “If you want to talk about the mathletes program. And I’m pretty sure you don’t.”

Before you can respond, a boy approaches the two of you with pink cheeks and wind-swept hair. “Mr. Kim, can I go to the bathroom?” the third-grader asks in the midst of catching his breath and the older man nods.

“Go ahead. But don’t run in the hallway, Lucas.” 

Said boy grins and dashes off.

Seokjin turns to you and lowers his voice. “My mom’s been asking about the kids.”

Your brows furrow. “Why? They’re a good bunch.”

“No.” He shakes his head. “I don’t mean your class’ kids, I mean our kids.”

You blink owlishly. “There are no our kids.”

“That’s the problem.”

You sigh and roll your eyes. “Wasn’t getting married enough for them?”

Seokjin shrugs with a faint, mischievous smile. “They want to go out for brunch with your parents this Sunday. Are you free?”

“When am I not free?” you retort lightly, but slip your phone out of your pocket to check your calendar anyhow. Seokjin glances over to your screen and once you finish, you slip it back into your pocket. “I have some marking to do, but I’ll probably finish by then.”

“Okay.” The pair of you turn back to continue monitoring the children playing and you’re glad to revel in the silence that’s been created between you. But after a beat, Kim Seokjin pipes up again. You don’t know why you’re surprised. He’s quite the talkative guy. “Hey, Y/N.”

You look over and he meets your eye.

He asks, “Am I your lock screen?”

Your face heats. If you were once cold, now you were warm from head to toe. “You weren’t supposed to see that,” you mumble. It was just a picture from the other day and you wanted to change things up on your phone. You had nothing else to use. It was convenient. That’s it.

Your entire relationship with him is built on convenience. At least...on his side it is.

Still, Seokjin grins and fortunately, he doesn’t tease.

You rush to change the subject. “A-Anyway, yeah, Sunday works for me. But we should probably talk about this after work.”

“Why? No one’s around.” His smile is spread from ear to ear and he leans in, whispering, “Are you that scared of people finding out we’re married?”

Immediately, you whip your head in all directions. Luckily, there’s no kid or nosy faculty member. You turn back to him, glaring. “I already said, I like to keep my private life under wraps.”

“I remember. But if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were embarrassed of me.”

You scoff and a murmur unintentionally spills out of you, “That’s impossible.”

You don’t notice Seokjin’s smile.

It’s been three months since you got married. It was a summer wedding. More importantly, it was an arranged marriage. And not because you were both wealthy and needed to be wedded to get the inheritance under some arbitrary contract rule or because it was your grandmother’s dying wish. No. You live a much more mundane, normal life than the dramas, movies and books.

It was your mom who threw a fuss. She was scared you’d be alone and unmarried, an old maid like your aunt — you didn’t say it, she just heavily implied it. But following her practically senile meltdown, you agreed. Partly to appease her worries and partly just out of curiosity.

You always wanted to get married. And deep down, you always wanted your own kids. But at the rate you were going, you had a feeling you wouldn’t be able to meet someone on your own.

What you didn’t expect on that blind date was for the other person to be Kim Seokjin, third grade teacher. Down the hall from you at the school. Someone across the room every lunchtime. Your dads were apparently long time colleagues, but Jin was still as equally shocked as you were during that first meeting. Yet, he easily agreed to getting married when you brought it up. Even when it was only after two months of occasionally seeing one another outside of your workplaces.

You still don’t know why he said yes.

“Ms. L/N!”

You’re torn out of your trance by a little girl at your knees. 

She pouts. “Jennie won’t let me play on the slide!”

“Did you ask her to share?”

“Yes!”

Before any more can be said, she drags you over and Seokjin trails after you. There’s another girl with brown braided hair climbing on the slide, and she swivels her head over as the two of you approach, eyes the size of saucers. 

“Are you taking turns, Jennie?” you ask her, and she vigorously nods.

“I am!”

“Well, you’ve been on it for a while. How about Lisa takes a turn next.”

“Okay,” she draws out and gets off of the slide before turning to her friend. “Here you go.”

It’s always little problems you have to solve — from sharing to knee scrapes and monkey bar accidents. Sometimes it’s difficult for the children to compromise, difficult for them to apologize and difficult for you to find a good solution. But you undoubtedly wish your own issues were this simple.

While you’re stuck in your thoughts, you miss Jin watching you fondly. 

“You’re good with kids,” he says as you move out of the way of running children and walk back to the perimeter.

“I wouldn’t be doing this job if I wasn’t. But I deal with older kids much better.” There’s a reason you teach fifth graders and not any lower than that. Seokjin knows it too.

“Remember when we had to supervise that kindergarten class together?”

You shudder. “It was a nightmare.”

“You weren’t that bad,” he tries to say but then laughs. You feign a glare, and he adds on, “Okay. I’m sorry, but I still mean it. It’s not as terrible as you thought. You’d make a good mom.” 

At that, your glare vanishes in favour of furrowing brows. You really shouldn’t, but you can’t help it when curiosity pries — so you break your own rule against discussing private matters at work. 

“Do you want my kids?”

Seokjin is wide-eyed and he turns to you. “Why not? We’re married.”

“Yeah….but…”

“But? Do you not want kids?” 

“No! I definitely want them,” you declare, almost a bit too boldly. He nods and you explain, “It’s just...I don’t know if you’re serious.”

Seokjin blinks. “I’m being perfectly serious.”

“I mean I don’t know if we’re serious.” You add, “Enough to have kids.”

“What’s more serious than being married?” Jin has a genuinely inquisitive and amused expression, head quirked to the side. 

You inhale a sharp breath and his gaze coaxes you to go on, so you do. “It’s just that you agreed so quickly to be married to me. It doesn’t….feel real. I don’t know if you wanted to marry me, if you did it on a whim, if this is some kind of joke—”

He frowns. “This isn’t a joke, Y/N. I wanted to marry you.”

Your mouth hangs open. Your eyes are rounded.

“Wh—”

“Mrs. L/N!” You’re interrupted by your fifth-grader, Park Jimin. He sprints to you, huffing and puffing, before leaning his hands onto his knees to catch his breath. “Have you seen Taehyung?! We’re playing tag!”

“No, I haven’t.”

Jin suddenly points to the left. “He went that way.”

Jimin books it.

Silence fills the spaces between you and Seokjin again, but it isn’t like normal. It’s filled with unanswered questions and the suspenseful cliffhanger of an unfinished conversation. The laughter of kids on the playground and field resound around you, but for the first time, you don’t listen to it. 

It fades into the background as you turn to Seokjin, wanting to know more. “What did you just say?”

The man smiles softly. “You have to know.”

“I don’t,” you assert. “So tell me.”

“I’ve always liked you.”

You blink and he continues, “Since you substituted for the art teacher and I saw you squirt red paint all over yourself. It’s something I couldn’t forget. Plus, the way you draw those stick people.” Seokjin laughs heartily and you’re trapped in your spot, unsure of how to react or what to say. He reads your expression and softens. “Did you really think I would rush into a marriage if I didn’t have feelings for you?”

“I…” Your mouth is agape. “I don’t know. Why did we never talk about this?”

Seokjin shrugs. “You never asked and I didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable if you didn’t feel the same way. I knew you married me for convenience.”

“That’s not true,” you retort within a beat. This whole time, you thought he married you for convenience sake. But it wasn’t entirely like that for you.

Seokjin’s eyes are big and you swallow down your embarrassment. “Isn’t it obvious every single breathing person loves you? It’s hard not to.”

Slowly but surely, a grin spreads into Seokjin’s puffy cheeks and he’s smiling from ear to ear again. “Well, you’re very good at hiding it then.”

Suddenly, the bell rings.

All the children reluctantly climb off the equipment, some dusting their hands while others grabbing their friends, and they rush into their lineups. There’s a few stranglers lugging their legs while groaning. But busy in their small playground worlds, no one turns around to notice you leaning in and pressing a chaste kiss to Seokjin’s mouth. It’s shy and brief, like the first peck exchanged between two for the first time. And you pull away just as fast, lips left tingling.

“We can continue this later, Mr. Kim.”

You stride off while Seokjin’s left smiling. After a breathless moment, he chases after you like children who have just made promises of their first love on the playground.