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sp0o0kylights · 1 year ago

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Part One / Part Two--you are here/ Part Three

Hellfire did in fact, have cookies to sell.

More than cookies, which Dustin practically preened over when Eddie dragged himself back to their table.

The ornaments they had made were still there, but now the centerpiece was an array of baked goods. Spread out in a spiral, it started from the large cake in the center and spun out into miniature cookies held in tiny decorated bags, all while Harrington stood over them like a proud parent.

It smelled mockingly delicious.

Eddie glared at the display, resisting the urge to upend the whole thing onto the floor.

Cookies and cakes and (--was that frickin bread pudding?) whatever other treats Harrington had shown up with might look good, but Eddie didn’t trust it.

Didn’t trust Harrington, even if the bastard had never really done anything himself--but then, he never had to, had he?

That was the point of all that money, after all. So he could pay other people to do his dirty work while he kept his hands squeaky clean.

“Inch a bit to the left--there, stop!” Harrington was saying, like the bossy asshole he was.

Like he thought he could just come in and expect everyone to follow his lead.

“Perfect! Now don’t touch it.”

God, Eddie had to nip this in the butt, now. Before King Horrorton harassed his sheep all day, and cemented the club's undeserved bad name in the minds of Hawkins.

“Dustin what did I just say--”

Eddie stepped up to the front of their table, preparing himself for war.

Looked over to his friends knowing they'd likely need a nod of reassurance. A show from him that said he had this handled.

There was no cowering.

No pleading, helpless, 'What do we do Eddie!?' gazes aimed his direction.

Hellfire wasn’t even looking at him, and not because they were all avoiding Harrington's line of sight.

No, the fucking traiters were flanking the King. Like they were buddies with the bastard instead of mortal enemies.

“Hey, Ed’s, Harrington brought pies. Cakes too!” Gareth said around a mouthful of cookie when he noticed Eddie standing before him.

It came out a garbled mess, but years of experience had Eddie understanding him anyway.

Jeff was busy playing what sounded like twenty fucking questions regarding the setup, and even Grant appeared comfortable, happily letting Harrington order him around as they finished setting up.

Like this was some kind of cutesy Disney movie where they all held hands and sang songs instead of a hostile takeover situation.

Eddie’s eye twitched.

Sensing a disturbance in the force, Jeff looked up and immediately interrupted himself to point to a series of red and green cookies placed dead center, delighted.

“Check it out man, Steve made some shaped like dice!”

(And he did say ‘Steve.’

Not Harrington, or This Asshole, or The Invading Evil Forces of Darkness.

Just Steve, like Steve was someone Jeff hung out with everyday.

Jeff’s cleric was a dead elf walking.)

Eddie took note of what was in fact, dice cookies.

He hated how good they looked.

“There’s four flavors.” Steve told him, cocky little grin on his face as he observed his work. “Chocolate chip, peanut butter, snickerdoodle--and the dice ones are sugar cookies.”

He licked his lips before finally turning to look at Eddie, hair curling over his face and making him wave a hand to brush them out of his eyes.

Eddie hated how good he looked too.

‘Hate, hate, hate, absolutely loathe-’

“Great, sure, wonderful.” Eddie managed, though given the look Grant and Jeff both shot him it might have come out as more of a growl.

Dustin rolled his eyes, and Eddie couldn’t help but notice that Hellfire’s other two youngest hadn’t dared to show their faces yet.

Likely they knew Eddie was having an absolute meltdown over Steve’s presence and were waiting for his reaction to blow over.

(Their characters were dead too.)

“I have two full cakes--one chocolate, on vanilla--and a few individual slices we can sell.” Steve was continuing, as if Eddie wasn’t glaring a hole in his forehead. “Those did really well last year when I made them for the basketball team.”

Insults fought for space on Eddie’s tongue, but he managed to roll a 20 to pick the best one, opening his mouth to let it fly.

"Harr-" is as far as he got before he was rudely interrupted.

“Steve? Is that you?” A woman Eddie didn’t recognize but was clearly someone's mom came up cautiously to the table, side eyeing the Hellfire banner like a nervous horse. “That can’t be your famous tiramisu, is it?”

Steve beamed at her. “Well hi Miss Carpenter. It is!”

Eddie was bumped aside by a massive purse, the woman not even glancing in his direction as she stepped up to the table.

With a sneer, he finally slumped to the back of their little spot as Miss Carpenter looked over all Steve’s (not Hellfire’s and absolutely not Eddie’s) offerings.

Didn’t care to wipe it off right then, even if he knew he needed to if he wanted to make sales.

Jeff sent him a look.

The same one he usually aimed Eddie’s way when he thought Eddie’s antics were going to cause problems.

He ignored it, on grounds that traitors don’t get to be judgy.

“Oh,” Miss Caprtender tittered, the draw of Harrington’s baked goods clearly overcoming whatever fear she had about Hellfire. “Well I just can’t pass that up. The swim team meets aren’t the same without you!”

Eddie pretended to gag.

Waited for her to comment on Hellfire--their clothes, their music, hell even the length of Eddie’s hair--and found he was almost disappointed when there wasn't even a single question about why Hawkins precious golden child was slumming it with the weirdos.

Instead, Miss Carpenter's hand went fishing in her purse for her wallet as she loudly called out over her shoulder, to, presumably another annoying woman;

“Terry, Steve’s here! He’s been baking!”

For two terrifying seconds, there was a notable dip in the conversations around them.

Grant’s eyes went wide as several women responded to the announcement like dogs hearing food hit the floor, and within seconds their table was absolutely swarmed by the mothers of Hawkins.

Even Eddie was taken aback at the sheer number of them.

“Hold, men, hold.” Dustin cautioned as Jeff and Grant both flinched. “Come on, we need to get our gold!”

“They’re scary though.” Gareth whispered in horror as four women tried to talk at once, jostling each other so hard they shook the table menacingly.

“Ladies, ladies there’s enough here for everyone!” Steve laughed, showing off his disgustingly cute dimples as he did, getting several of the mom’s to blush at their own behavior in the process.

The sheer amount of attention of course, drew in even more people, and Dustin quickly took up directing, planting Jeff and Grant at either end of their table while he and Steve fended off the hoard from the front.

(Given the way he and Steve were equally ordering Hellfire around, Eddie finally knew where the little shit had picked that attitude up from. He was going to have to cure Dustin of it, ASAP. )

“Here you go Miss Harper.” Steve said sweetly, handing over yet another stack of baked goods.

Without turning his head, and in the tone of voice one used to warn a misbehaving dog, he added; “Gareth don’t think I can’t fucking see you, get back up here.”

Caught trying to sink under the table with another cookie in his mouth, Gareth found himself hauled back to his feet by his collar, putting a snarl on Eddie’s face immediately.

“Hey--” He started, defensive and more than ready to intercede, except Gareth wasn’t flinching or cursing or doing that thing he did with his mouth when he was desperately trying to hold in his temper.

Instead he was giving a sheepish grin and a half-assed apology while he hung in Harrington’s grasp, before doing what the guy told him to do.

(It did not help that Steve patted him on the shoulder when he released him, before handing Gareth a third fucking cookie.)

Eddie’s eye twitched a second time.

(He told it to knock it off.

It didn’t listen.)

No one acknowledged Eddie or his outburst, which meant he was just skulking behind the boys while they all worked.

Arms crossed, rings tapping a rhythm on his forearm, far too keyed up to do anything other than glare at the back of Harrington's skull.

The King seemed perfectly happy to ignore him.

Likewise, Gareth and Grant knew better than to bother him when he was in a snit.

Henderson made the occasional snappy little comment, but the brat had mostly left him alone now that they were well into the swing of selling, chortling over the increasing stack of cash Steve kept trying to get him to put into a “safe place.”

Eddie was seconds away from walking up and snatching the cash himself when Jeff decided it was on him to attempt the impossible.

Get him to help Harrington.

“More hands would be nice, Eddie!” Jeff called, looking more than a little harassed as the mom he was helping changed her order a second time, snaking out the last single slice of chocolate cake from another mom who was eyeing it. “Steve and I could really use your assistance over here!”

Eddie’s glare, which had been doing its level best to try and vaporize the King’s brain, switched targets instantly.

“I’m supervising.”

Jeff made a face like he was about to argue, but the King beat him to it.

“It must be tough,” Harrington said, tilting his head to look back towards Eddie, “to supervise people who are working so much harder than you.”

Which promptly set the mood for the next full hour.

xXx

Harrington was matching him tit for tat.

Every shitty, sneered word out of Eddie’s mouth was met with an equally mean toned barb, though given the repeated looks everyone kept shooting him, Eddie was very much considered the aggressor here.

A fact he cannot believe is coming from his own friends.

What happened to comradery? To Eddie stepping in and protecting them, from the likes of people just like Harrington?

But no, Eddie makes one fucking comment about how the cookies are probably half hair-spray and suddenly he’s the bad guy.

(Nevermind that Steve had fired right back, telling Eddie that any hair-spray taste was probably from all the drugs he did.)

Was somewhat, halfway--okay maybe amazing, Eddie might have snuck a cookie himself--food really all it took to get them all to turn on him like this?

Erase the years of Eddie being their shield?

Act like Harrington wasn’t just as bitchy and awful as he had been in high school (even if he was, admittedly, being nicer about it all right now? Almost--aloof, like he couldn’t figure out why Eddie hated him so much, but likewise wasn’t going to take even one eye roll sitting down--and no, no, Eddie wasn't derailing this by thinking about Harrington's stupid eyes, he wasn't!)

Frankly he would have flipped them all the bird and stormed off, if it weren’t for the increasingly weird little comments people were making.

‘Oh Steve, it's a shock to see you here.’

‘Are you doing someone a favor?’

‘You know Pastor Jim said something about this game…’

The last one had put Eddie’s teeth on edge, even if Dustin had brushed it off. It hadn’t been aimed at Steve directly but the women saying it had absolutely been looking at the King, as if waiting for his reaction.

Not that Harrington would take the bait this soon, though.

There were too many people buying fricken…cupcakes and shit, while Horrorton enjoyed the attention of the masses.

Eventually this tiny crowd would die down though, and that’s when Steve would change his tune. Start answering some of the questions he seemed to be dodging as more and more people got braver about coming up to the table.

This whole thing was a ticking time bomb, and Eddie would be ready when it inevitably blew.

To defend his table, his club, his friends.

Even Henderson, who absolutely didn’t deserve it just then.

“Dude perk up would you? You look like you’re going to stab somebody.” Jeff hissed at him ten minutes later, when there was finally a break in the flood.

Eddie ignored him in place of taking stock of the table. (And maybe, sneaking another cookie.)

“Hope you brought more than this, Harrington.” He said, knowing he sounded like a stuck up ass and not feeling an iota of guilt about it. “Unless you plan to run home and bake more like a good little housewife.”

“Dude.” Grant said, casting him a look like King Dick might leave and take the cookies with him.

“Oh I brought more.” Harrington dismissed, with a small flick of his fingers. “And I’ll have you know you’d never find a housewife more perfect than I am, Munson.”

Then he turned to nail Eddie with the most shit eating grin he’d ever seen the King wear.

Facing flaming a brilliant red, Eddie sputtered for a second before finally getting ahold of himself and spitting;

“How delightful. I--”

“Okay.” Jeff cut in, forever the mediator. “Gary, Dustin can you help Steve pull the extra stuff out from under the tables? While I go talk to Eddie?”

“Can I try the tiramisu?” Gareth asked, inching hopefully towards the treat while keeping an eye on Harrington’s hands, lest he get smacked again.

“Only if you’re a good boy.” Harrington told him sarcastically and goddammit why did that make Eddie blush harder!?

Jeff sighed, before grabbing his arm and hauling Eddie back, away from the table, right as a younger man in some stupid sport’s jacket asked questions about one of the dice cookies.

“Look I get it man, I do,” Jeff started, voice talking in the sort of wheelding, pleading tone it did when he really wanted something and knew Eddie was opposed. “but Steve’s been super cool. We might actually make money off this, and he’s giving us all of it. Can you just… not antagonize him for five minutes?”

Eddie stared at his best friend in abject horror.

“You couldn’t have talked to him for more than twenty minutes total. Half of which he spent bitching that you were bagging a cake wrong! At what point was Harrington "being cool!?"

The asterisks were made by his fingers, which Eddie mockingly framed his face with.

He got a flat, unimpressed stare in return.

“It was a very informative twenty minutes and he was right about the cake. Now are you going to help or are you going to glower in the corner?”

Eddie gaped.

“I cannot believe you right now--”

Jeff didn’t even wait to hear him out.

“You’ve chosen to glower. I can’t help you man, but we’d all have a much better day if you weren’t at Harrington’s throat every five seconds.” Jeff turned smoothly on his heel.

Over his shoulder he added; “Seriously, don’t come back until you’ve worked your way out of your snit.”

Shocked, Eddie watched Jeff float back to the front, inserting himself easily between Grant and Steve and immediately striking up a conversation.

With the enemy.

“I didn’t know you baked.” Jeff told Steve loudly (and very obviously, for Eddie to see.)

Steve gave a bashful little smile, then shrugged. “It’s a hobby. Got into it back when the basketball team needed to fundraise a few years ago and Tommy’s mom got it in her head we should sell home baked goods. Turns out its kinda fun.”

“Please never get out of it.” Gareth insisted, a piece of God knows what crammed in his mouth.

“Dude, how many of those have you gotten into!? Stop eating the merchandise!” Dustin commanded, smacking at Gareth’s shoulder.

“I physically cannot stop man.” Gareth dodged, reaching out for another cookie. “I’m not sorry.”

Steve just laughed. All charming and buddy-buddy, like it was natural for him to be here.

Wearing a Hellfire shirt. Making jokes and teasing the guys.

In Eddie’s fucking place.

He seethed, fingers twitching, and envisioned the very unsexy murder of one Steve Harrington.

Cartoon X’s for eyes and all.

xXx

Trouble didn't hit the table.

It in fact, seemed to stay away as if on purpose, to shove in Eddie's face that he was the one in the wrong here.

Even the questions toned done as the second wave of moms showed up, this round prompted by some former teammate of Steve’s Eddie didn’t recognize yelling about his apple pie.

Instead, Eddie’s wayward sheep finally made their appearance Mike and Lucas trying to sneak in as if Eddie wouldn’t notice during the new rush.

(Eddie himself almost caused trouble when he realized Lucas was wearing a Not-A-Hellfire shirt, which solved the mystery of where Harrington had gotten his.

He was inching his way towards them, a snarky word on his tongue when he saw Sinclair said something about how he was “already on Eddie’s shitlist for joining the basketball team,” in relation to what must have been a question about his Hellfire shirt, that caused Eddie to freeze.

With the air of a sad, wet kitten, Lucas followed it with; “I’m sure it won’t be long before he kicks me out of Hellfire anyway.”

Like he'd been punched in the gut, all the air left Eddie’s lungs.

Because before Lucas had said that, Eddie had been thinking it.

Not really--he’d never kick anyone out of Hellfire.

It was more that he'd thought about it in the way one does when you know you're in the right, and are having to resort to underhanded tactics to force the other party to come to their senses.

Like a sort of shitty, angry “I should kick you out, let you see what happens when you don’t have us!” kind of intervention.

The same kind he had heard the jocks sling before, when they were mad at each other and--God he wasn’t--he couldn’t be, like them...could he?

Like fucking Harrington, who oh fuck, was patting Lucas sympathetically on the shoulder and giving him some kind of whispered advice.

Sonovabitch.

“I’m going for a smoke.” Eddie bit out, vision tunneling.

He knew he needed to go sit down somewhere, before he fucking lost it in front of Hawkins, Harrington and everyone.

And wouldn’t that just be a treat for King Steve?

To watch Eddie realize he had turned into the very thing he hated, preached against, even?

That Steve was, maybe, possibly, doing a better job of following Eddie’s own Munson Doctrine than he was?

Eddie barely saw the room anymore--waived off whatever Grant was trying to say to him as flew past, shaking hands fishing for a desperately needed cigarette.

Maybe a hope and a prayer too, because apparently he needed it.

How long had he been like this?

Been a douchebag asshole?

Was it the whole year? More than? Or was it just now, with stupid Steve involved? Could he trace this back to that stupidly cute--no, no, annoying, asshole?

Was this some fucked up way of coping with his growing crush!?

Lost in thought and growing self hatred he nearly careened right into Robin Buckley.

Her slightly bent paper reindeer ears marked her as a memeber of the high school band, who had been absolutely butchering ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ a few minutes earlier.

Vaguely heard her yell Steve’s name as he ran off (because that’s what Eddie was doing. What he always did.

Run--from himself and his own fucking feelings, like a total cliche.)

--but didn’t take in that she was doing more than saying hi to, oh fuck him sideways--her friend.

Because she and Steve were friends now.

Good ones, if the freshmen were to be believed.

Rather than go outside and catastrophize in the cold, Eddie threw himself threw the doors at the end of the hall, then up the stairwell, to the second floor.

Tucked himself into a corner, right there by the stairs.

Sank down into a crouch, hands scrubbing up his face before tangling in his hair, head dropping between his knees, cigarette shoved into his mouth.

Somehow, Eddie decided, this was Steve’s fault.

He'd have come up with a reason for that, he was sure. A good one even, except he forgot one of the key features of his life.

He was a Munson, and as a general rule of life, nice neat things did not happen to Munson's--but they did get kicked while they were down.

“Okay, what happened?” Steve fucking Harrington asked, voice loudly echoing up the stairwell from down below, and Eddie threw his head back, nearly slamming it against the wall.

(Maybe he’d pissed off a witch. His life would make a lot more sense if someone had cursed it.)

“She gave me her number!”

That was Buckley, the shrill timber identifiable even as she whispered the words.

Eddie can’t really see them without giving himself away--could probably make his escape if he got down and army-crawled past the railing he’s huddled by, but figured this is their fault anyway.

Not his problem if he overhears a private conversation because they’re both too stupid to check to see if someone was seated literally right up above them.

“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?" Steve was saying. "That’s what we wanted!”

“Is it!? What if she’s just, you know, giving it to me?”

“...I’m not following.”

“Like in a friend way. Not a--”

“Romantic way?”

Harrington has the smarts to say the words quietly. So quietly in fact, that had Eddie not been in the exact right position he wouldn’t have heard--but he almost swallowed his unlit (he should have lit it, maybe they'd have smelled the smoke and fucked off) cigarette anyway.

“Sssshh!” Robin hissed, and Eddie can’t see either of them but he imagined her jamming her hand over Harrington’s big fat mouth.

“Not so loud, Steve!”

“Sorry, God.” Sure enough, Harrington’s voice is muffled. “How did she give it to you? Did she say anything?”

“She asked if I want to hang out after band, but because I have that stupid family thing, I told her I couldn’t today, but I can literally any other day, and she said she’d call me, and I said--”

“Robs, breathe.”

“Don’t interrupt me, Dingus!” Robin said, voice shrill again, before she clearly listened to Harrington and took a breath.

It was big, and deep, and she blasted it back out loud enough for the fucking birds on the roof to hear.

In a calmer voice, Robin continued; “I said we never traded phone numbers so I didn’t have hers. She grabbed my arm and wrote her number on it. Look, she added a heart!”

“Okay, here you go! A hearts a good sign!"

And Harrington sounded--sounds happy for her, practically ecstatic, which doesn’t make much sense given Robin is talking about a ‘her’ and-

And-and-and--

Eddie’s always been quick to connect the dots.

It’s something he inherited from his old man. A Munson trait he’s tried to make his own through being an excellent DM (and not by robbing people blind or boosting cars.)

Here, the dots clearly screamed that Robin Buckley was trying to ask a woman out.

You know, in a gay way.

Which Harrington not only knew, but was supportive of.

Steve Harrington, who famously called Jonathan Byers' a queer before smashing the guy's beloved camera into the ground.

Eddie’s head exploded.

Or was in the process of exploding--he’s not entirely sure given the tunnel vision was back and his soul felt like it had exited his body entirely.

Just knew that his world was being remade for a second time in five minutes, and that he was dealing with it pretty damn poorly.

(Maybe God would be nice for once, and just give him the aneurism he clearly deserved.)

Which was of course, when trouble finally did decide to show face, in the form of Dustin Henderson barging through the doors and into Steve and Robin's little meeting.

Eddie knew, because Eddie could hear him.

“Steve! Steve we have a problem!”

“I’m busy Dustin--”

“Be busy later, we have an emergency on our hands!”

“And what, pray tell, do you think is an emergency?”

Eddie, who had instantly latched onto the conversation by the sheer need to have something distract him from his own thoughts, wondered the very same.

“Jason Carver showed up at the table, with a priest. They’re trying to do some whole kind of crazy sermon--is that a good enough emergency for you!?”

“Oh shit. ” Steve spat, at the same time Eddie yelled it from up high.

He sprang up, all thoughts of Robin and Steve knowing he’d eavesdropped vanishing entirely from his head as he lunged for the stairs.

Flew down them, because the thing he'd been waiting all fucking day for had finally happened.

He nearly crashed into Robin once again as he blew through the barely closed doors, Steve and Dustin already far ahead of him.

“Eddie?” Robin asked, voice noticeably nervous. "Were you--"

"Not now Starbuck, but we can talk later." Eddie told her, flying right past.

After he saved Hellfire.

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lets-try-some-writing · 4 months ago

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ya know when a person see something cute and in the back of their head they just wanna squeeze it a little (Unless this just a me thing lmao)

Do you think any cybertronian would react like that or just kinda find humans as weird flesh cousins they don't know what to do with.

My personal headcanon when it comes to humans and Cybertronians is simple:

We are so frickin fugly that we are either too gross to look at or oddly fascinating and sometimes even considered cute by the weirder or more out there Cybertronians. We are the blob fish of the Cybertronian internet. Some love us in our natural habitat and screech at those who make fun of humans outside of their habitat looking miserable. Others are there specifically to mess with us and watch videos of our misfortunes or mishaps when interacting with Cybertronians. A small niche group think we are adorable in the way one thinks a crusty white dog, hairless cat, or cockroach is cute. We are small, we are squishy, and we can literally keel over from Not Getting Enough Hugs.

Some might want to squish us because we are cute. Others would probably want to put us in a tank and observe us for Science and Exotic Pet reasons. We are that one strange animal that everyone has a differing opinion on and are likely the cause of at least one fandom civil war somewhere on Cybertron's datanet.

Petitions have been made from commentary from Optimus and Megatron specifically. Both are firmly somewhere in a weird gray area on opposite ends of the spectrum. Nothing has ever been resolved.

#transformers #maccadam #optimus prime #megatron #cybertronian culture #cybertronian worldbuilding

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aluraveil · 2 years ago

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yandere ex pm dazai x reader

im imagining a scenario where it turns out that pm dazai doesnt really love you and that you were just a toy for him to play around with..

you're angry and rightfully upset and you're in tears and sobbing. you thought dazai loved you and it turns out that he didnt? what a sick joke.

buuuut then dazai sort of realizes that he's alone without you. there's a sick feeling of regret crawling up his spine.

and once he starts to regret, it hits him hard. he went from not caring and then did a whole 180 and started to miss you a lot.

once hes in the phase where regret eats up at him, he's quite literally scary as fuck. all of a sudden he becomes more agitated, more selfish, and has less patience.

all of his subordinates and people working under him can tell that dazai is a time ticking bomb about to explode. when he regrets, dazai becomes more aggressive and downright scary. if his men fail a mission they are all getting severely punished. dazai just doesn't have the patience anymore.

it doesn't get any better when he becomes the port mafia's boss. if anything, he becomes even worse. if you thought mafia executive 'Demon Prodigy' dazai was scary, you haven't seen anything.

as the boss of the port mafia, dazai is naturally in charge of everything that happens as he quite literally is the highest ranking member of the mafia because he's the leader. during the time period he takes over as the boss, nobody even wants to mess with him.dazai has much more influence over everything during this time and you can bet that he has been watching over you for quite some time.

it doesn't take long for dazai to snatch you back up. he quite literally was 'suffering' and in so much 'pain' without you even when it was clearly his fault. you cant blame yourself for leaving him. who wants to be with someone who doesnt love you? nobody right?

during this time, he tries to run into you by coincidence. at this point he sometimes runs into you if you worked at a restaurant or something. he tries to play it cool but you both know what his true intentions are and it doesn't need to be said out loud.

you however, are downright terrified. this is literally the same guy who committed 625 counts of fraud. 625. not to mention he is the literal boss of the port mafia. the boss. the frickin boss.

you're scared because you dont believe he will show any mercy towards you. this is because the two of you arent 'lovers' (you don't know if the both of you ever were because dazai didnt hold any feelings for you) and he probably sees you as nothing more than a stupid idiot. this is not the same dazai you loved. this is the dazai that doesnt love you meaning that he doesnt care about you which in turn means that if something happened to you, he just straight up doesnt care.

he starts calling you 'belladonna' and 'darling' again which feels awkward and disgusting. whenever he calls you that you straight up wince and cringe and you don't even try to hide it. there's a whole wave of awkwardness that lingers in the air when you just reply back with a "..hi?.." dazai senses that the tension in the air is so thick that you could slice through it but him being him he just straight up dgaf.

you're not thrilled to see him whatsoever. when he comes here he doesn't even order any food and just tries to talk to you. he always leaves you a huge tip when he does leave though. you never take it though. you dont want his money. the next time he does come you give the money back to him and but he refuses to take it back saying "you've been working so hard belladonna, you deserve to treat yourself." again with the belladonna thing. it doesnt feel right for him to call you that at all.

dazai knows that youre refusing his advances but it doesnt stop him from trying. afterall you loved him once. thats all that matters. its only the results that matter in the end right?

right?

...

maybe.

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damnfandomproblems · 9 months ago

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Fandom Problem #5548:

Which one says more "groomer"?

"NSFW - Trigger warnings: age gap, noncon 18+ only, dead dove do not eat, minors keep out" "What you enjoy in fiction is mot necessarily what you think is acceptable or good in real life, and that's okay. Just be courteous and respect people's boundaries, tags, filters, and content warnings are useful tools. Fiction is a safe way of exploring unsafe concepts. Many people use fiction as a method to work through their traumas, but its okay even if that's not the reason they like it, some people are just drawn to taboo subjects, that's completely natural. Regardless we're not going to try to force people to open up about their past traumas, nor any other personal information. No story should be banned from being told just because it makes some people uncomfortable. Art is meant to provoke intense emotions, afterall. Even if I don't like something, it's not my business to tell someone else what they should or should not create. I'm an adult and its MY responsibility to manage my emotional responses, not anyone else's. If you find yourself unable to manage please remove yourself from this space and find somewhere more suitable.

"EVERY OTHER ADULT BUT ME is out to get you!! I'M the only one I can trust!! I only like WHOLESOME ships and WHOLESOME content!! Look at this GROSS NASTY PORN someone made!! They tried to hide it because they don't want anyone to know what a GROSS FUCK they are!! That's why I'm showing it to all of you!! I can't trust anyone unless you detail ALL of your privileges and your traumas! And if anyone steps one toe out of line by enjoying a problematic cartoon ship I'll publicly shame them and tell all my other 14 year old friends to bully harass cyberstalk and socially ostracize them as well and if they don't I'll make sure the same thing happens to them!! This is for the SAFETY of other minors and NOT because of any petty personal vendetta!! ALSO I think its a good idea to send specifically minors to mess with people who - I claim to truly believe are - ACTUAL REAL PEDOPHILES-- to totally frickin own them online!! Anyone who disagrees with me is a pdo and gromer!!! So ONLY LISTEN TO ME!!! NO opposing or outside perspectives allowed!! I'm a good, SAFE, HEALTHY, NORMAL ADULT!! PROSHITTERS KYS!!!!!!"

#ask box submission #fandom problem 5548

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topthreedetectives · 7 days ago

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been thinking about what instruments ace attorney characters would've played as band kids, and i've reached a few conclusions:

original trilogy characters:

miles edgeworth: we already know he used to play the flute so obviously that, i think he would also have learned how to play piano and violin at home. maybe he'd even be in color guard at some point!! then later on, maybe junior year and onwards, he'd be the drum major

phoenix wright: this one was tricky at first but then it hit me - he wanted to sit next to edgeworth in class so he based his decision entirely on miles' (sound familiar?) however, they never actually end up sitting next to each other because phoenix usually gets close to last chair and miles always gets first chair. maybe he joins edgeworth in color guard and ends up really good at it, becoming the captain after a year or two! the idea of him being a drum major with edgeworth is frickin adorable, i'm still unsure about it though. maybe he could help out color guard in his free time? very conflicted about this as i think he would really love being in color guard but also. they would be AMAZING drum majors together. so i'm leaning towards yes on drum major in senior year

larry butz: despite wanting to sit with edgeworth and phoenix, he thought flutes were too "girly" so he tried to learn the saxophone because he thought it would be cool and he'd have girls falling for him (i've witnessed this phenomenon many times). he could NOT make a sound on one without squeaking horrendously, though, so he ended up playing trombone instead after playing trumpet for a bit and being forced to switch because he was WAY. TOO. LOUD. (he was miserable for awhile after being switched each time, he thought he was doing amazing.....) let's be honest, he's a band drop out and switches to art once it becomes an alternative for an art credit. he still watches the band play for nick and edgey at games, though!

maya fey: this was another hard one, but i think she would play saxophone. it just fits!!! some other contenders were percussion (in the pit for marching season) and trombone or baritone

pearl fey: my initial gut reaction was flute, and while i didn't wanna choose something so blatantly obvious, i also can't ignore WHY it's so blatantly obvious. so, flute player it is (occasionally playing the piccolo for concert season)

mia fey: this one was TOUGH my goodness. i landed on bari sax but im still not completely sold, so feel free to suggest something better lol

godot: now THIS is a saxophone player if i've ever seen one. i think he knows tenor and bari, but only plays tenor for band stuff. he's usually the one who gets the solos because of course he does. he and mia play killer sax duets together for solo and ensemble :3

franziska von karma: at first i was thinking flute because she would wanna have that rivalry with edgeworth, but i think she'd actually play french horn!! she'd know piano and violin along with him anyway, so that's where the rivalry can be. maybe color guard for marching season? i think she'd like "accidentally" dropping rifles on miles during practice, hehe

dick gumshoe: TUBA. omg tuba. it's perfect. at first he wouldn't be sure what to play, so it's recommended to him because he'd be able to carry it easily and have the lungs for it. he'd fall in love with it pretty fast!

apollo justice characters:

apollo justice: trumpet. need i even say more.

trucy wright: clarinet OBVIOUSLY like this isn't even up for discussion. you could make an argument for french horn, but it's not even close. she also ends up in color guard, they basically make magic happen on the field so she'd love it! i could see her being captain of the color guard, too. when phoenix finds out, he gets all emotional and trucy gets stoked that she's following in her father's footsteps. i think she would become drum major at some point, and miles upon learning this would also become an emotional mess

kristoph gavin: this is the french horniest french horn that's ever french horned. i'm sorry i don't make the rules.

klavier gavin: he might play guitar, but not in band. he'd be a percussionist HANDS DOWN. i think he'd wanna be in drumline during marching season so he could be on the field or he'd be in color guard. in fact, scratch that first part- he's DEFINITELY doing color guard. i was also considering him being a trumpet player since he's kind of the trumpet to kristoph's french horn (god i hope that makes sense that's just so them to me), so maybe he'd play both! he's very musically inclined, after all, so him playing multiple instruments just makes sense!

investigations characters:

shi-long lang: another saxophone! i REALLY wanted to give him trumpet because he's one of my favs and i'm biased, but. c'mon. i mean, have you HEARD his theme.

raymond shields/eddie fender: don't give him saxophone don't give him saxophone don't give him saxophone WAIT. trombone. it was so obvious!!! i'm sure he learns sax at some point, but his main instrument is trombone. i could also see him playing percussion (pit for marching season) or trumpet

if you're here, ty for listening to me nerd out about this!!! more characters may be band-geek-ified in the future :>

if anyone has any ideas of their own, i'd love to hear them!!!

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marmarmiya · 2 years ago

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mumbo frickin jumbo!!!! yeah!!!!!!! For 'Early', I saw someone headcanon that in earlier seasons the lag that messed with elytras was actually his homemade wings malfunctioning since it's an earlier design and I thought that was so cute so I gave him a steampunk inventor vibe to match Mumbo was the first hermit I watched, starting season 6, what a slippery slope

#mumbo jumbo #hermitcraft #last life #mumbo fanart #mumbojumbo fanart #hermitcraft fanart #mumbo #my art #mcyt

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mercurial-chuckles · 10 days ago

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Don't Flip Your Wig is so cute!!! Do you have any ideas about what else Old Steve does to "poke fun" at his future self before they go back to the future? Seems like his little shit persona's about to come out in full force.

A/N: Sorry for how embarrassingly long it took me to get to your ask--life's been a mess galore! Anyhoo, thank you for indulging, and it makes me so frickin' happy that you enjoyed reading this 🩷✨🥹🫂 Can I just say how happy I am to see Don't Flip Your Wig, Steve receiving so much love? Fun fact: this was actually the first-ever Steve fic I wrote! It wasn't the first one I published, but it's the one that started my descent into full-on feral for this burly supersoldier less than a year ago. Honestly, I didn't expect any engagement at all! It was a most random fic, which, mind you, I feared people would stamp it lame, what with all the mumbo jumbo of time-travel I portrayed in there. Also, for convenience, I referred to the 40's Steve as 'Steve' and the other as 'your husband'/'your Steve'

Indulge Away!

He's going to great lengths, alright. 🤭

I think Steve's having a field day poking fun at his future self. He's kind of warmly enticed by the mere fact that you exist in his future, and there's something so content about seeing his older self happy and in love, and that he's restraining jealousy by a small string of decorum, which is totally ready to snap. Plus, he's kinda itching to see if he can fight and win against the seasoned version of himself. Maybe? 😏

Steve brings you flowers. Since you both have to put up an act--pretending to be dating to keep things smoother while Howard fixes the machine--Steve is "acting the part" a little too well, much to the annoyance of your husband.

To avoid spotting both Steve(s) at once, one walks with you while the other follows closely behind. And it's usually your husband who's forced to trail after, because, more often than not, past-era Steve knows the best routes and faces around.

Steve gets you a stash of Hershey's chocolate--the kind they send to soldiers. You glance curiously from a grinning Steve to the huge chocolate bars in his hands, then toward your fuming husband.

"You wanna see where your husband grew up?" Steve exclaims rhetorically one evening while you're sorting through some papers in the temporary accommodation Steve and Howard set up for you. Your husband stands up so suddenly that the chair squeaks against the floorboards before he drags you away.

Steve asks if you want to tour the city. As tempting as it sounds, your husband looks like he's about to pull a nerve or a muscle judging by how tense he's getting. You're careful to say no, but Steve insists. Your husband quietly plans to take you later, when the streets are quieter and the risk of running into his younger self is lower.

At some point, Steve definitely runs into a couple of his friends (your husband suspects it's on purpose) and naturally, they demand that you join them for a party. "You should come to the pub! Drinks, pie, dancing!" they cheer, insisting. You smile genuinely, all while feeling the sharp gaze of your husband, who looks one second away from bursting. You politely decline, saying you already have plans with your family, which isn't entirely a lie. You do have a husband to keep from going feral with jealousy.

And honestly, amidst all the let's see what ticks him off antics that his younger self is indulging in, your husband--your Steve--comes to a realization. If he had met you in the '40s, he'd have been just as smitten. And that thought sticks out as a silver lining in the dark cloud of let's not punch my younger self silly.

Do anyone wanna add anything to the list? 😏

Wanna be added or removed from my taglist? You can do so here. ❤️

@nekoannie-chan @salvatoreitmeanssaviour @bitchy-bi-trash @theallknown213 @tripletstephaniescp

@greatenthusiasttidalwave @zaraomarrogers @shadowrose13-blog1 @king814318 @yiiiikesmish

@ohmylovewhereartthou-blog @rogerscut @steviebbboi @stellar-solar-flare @looking1016

@bernelflo @shadyloveobjects @navyhua23 @mimisweetz @buck-star

@saiyanprincessswanie @whiskeytangofoxtrot555 @blushingrn @alexxavicry @soelstress

@bval-1 @astheskycries @8crazy-freak8 @avengersfan25 @stuckysgal

@rogersbarber @slowlyshycomputer @disneyprincessbuffyannesummers @thiquefunlover63 @notsostrangerthing

@iamtamera @blackhawkfanatic @10bucksnpete

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archaospetryx · 2 months ago

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you (and me) over Harley

*sighs*

*opens tumblr*

*sighs again*

👇👇👇CW NSFW MINORS DNI👇👇👇

*sighs* I hate it bc it’s true except it’s HARLEY when he’s stuck with me😔 or Arthur… or anyone u ship him with… yep😔

Oh… og god do I see an nsfw headcanon from a mile away for the first frickin time bc my mind is all over the place for this seriously devious man AND bc of the countless nsfw hc I see so far? If Harley’s a bad person, may I be veeerrryyyy shallow w/him🫶

NSFW HC CONTENT last chance

What have u done…/pos

👇

Hello tho? Harley whimpering at the slightest touch? Begging for just the slightest brush of your fingers against his body

His whimpers are so foreign to one’s ears that if you were in the dark and he started making noises and someone told you it was Harley, you’d call them crazy

I can see him as verrrryyy touch starved bc considering how distant he usually is w/ppl i can tell that if he had a significant other *glances at Harleith and Harthur discreetly* he would beg for their touch after hours/work

He’d reach out to your hand just slipping it under his shirt/coat just to feel your touch

Dude’s definitely cold(or slightly warm w/my Harley) so your touch would practically melt you or Harley

✨sensory™️✨: Harley would probably do that in dark/least visible environments if he’s that needy bc he wants the full experience of blocking all his senses except for touch😔

Kiss his neck, hold his waist, touch his thighs<<THOSE are his weak spots if ur lucky enough to spot them… *explodes*

Digging his face into your neck as he would whimper ever so slightly as you touch him

Tbh my Harley’s most sensitive spots are his shoulders, stomach, and legs so go crazy ppl I know I am i say as I am dragged into the infirmary/ref…

Touch him anywhere and you’ll get the Harley Sawyer experience no one has ever seen before aka a whimpering crying mess of constantly begging you to never stop and continue touching him until you both wind up in bed drained bc yuh boombayaahh🫠

What have I done😔

THIS WAS GONNA BE A SIMPLE ANSWER BUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED

#this was just gonna be a shitpost ask but god damn #Chat im oogly goooo #HAUGHh HAUEUGHh HAEUEUGHhh #harley sawyer #dr harley sawyer #poppy playtime the doctor #poppy playtime harley sawyer #doctor harley sawyer #harley sawyer poppy playtime #the doctor #harley sawyer ppt #harley sawyer x oc #harley sawyer x reader #the doctor poppy playtime #harley sawyer x leith pierre #remembering Baldwin saying he knows abt the thirst even here in tumblr #uwaaaaaAAAAAAUUUGGHHHH

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admiral-mason · 5 months ago

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Hear me out... SAGAU! Genshin x Gn! Reader that also plays Sky: Children of Light...

Hi it's you again! I still need to remember to write that Forest Island thing you sent me

Also I'm addicted to it too lmfao

Anyways this is my reaction to learning about Sky: Children of Light

Why is the lore so frickin confusing

THEREFORE, I will probably screw up one thing or another when it comes to the game while writing this (you are not getting me addicted to any more mobile games*).

*games that I downloaded on my tablet and check in often with

To fix that, the reader will simply have similar powers akin to those from Sky: Children of the Light because understanding the lore of the actual game will kill me

Reader is Gender Neutral

Warning: Dead people everywhere

You're confused.

One moment you were messing around on Genshin Impact and Sky: Children of the Light...

And now, you're in Teyvat.

With the fricking cape you used in that latter game.

Based on your current position, you're likely near Mondstadt, which you later confirmed when you saw the city in the distance.

You initially wanted to try flying to the nation of freedom, but you stopped after realizing that flying in Sky: CotL is likely not flying in real life.

So before doing so, you decided to try attempting to fly with your cape. Making your way to an elevated hill, you jumped and leaned forward...

Then your cape automatically puts you in flying mode, allowing you to land safely at the bottom. Cool! You don't need to worry about any controls or whatever.

So you began flying to Mondstadt! But then you ran out of energy... so you had to walk the rest of the way there.

You decided to pull a trick on Swan and Lawrence at Mondstadt's front gates by flying right in front of them, and their jaws dropped.

"...Uh, are you two gonna respond-"

"YOUR GRACE!"

And then the two kneeled before rambling about how you had 'descended' and a bunch of other words you'd hear from a cult-like setting. And then you're just standing there wondering, "what the frick is going on"

And you're led to Jean, and this event attracts everyone in the city, and hoo-boy, now there's a massive party and festival.

Looking past the introductions, Amber is ecstatic about your gliding capabilities! She takes you on gliding trips and is slightly jealous that you can glide without a wind glider.

You tend to glide right into trees more often though.

Then there's Venti, who will hog your time spend his time with you propelling you up into the air. Sometimes, he'll use the wind to let you do various tricks you likely wouldn't be capable of performing in either Genshin Impact or Sky: CotL when you used to play them.

Most of your time in Mondstadt is you getting snatched away by Amber and/or Venti when no one is looking.

This creates clear-cut competition between your harem everyone. Different characters will utilize different strategies to get you to spend more time with them (i.e. Lisa offers rest, Kaeya seduces you whether it's effective or not you decide, etc).

Oh and for the more cheeky individuals, you sometimes decide to glide to lose... and then your acquaintances catch up quickly because of their training, much to your disappointment and your day is ruined.

After a while, you get adjusted to your life. Hostile animals and monsters don't even attack you, how nice!

And then, something happens.

You're on your way to Windrise, alone, to take a little walk. However, out of nowhere, a lyre begins to play.

Unlike Venti's music, what you're hearing right now is sorrowful and poignant, bearing a feeling of distant memories lost to time.

Attempting to find the source of the song, you finally stop in front of a translucent blue figure... a figure with a familiar look to a certain present-day Anemo archon.

"...I never knew you would descend so soon," he said, with a voice slightly deeper compared to Venti's. "Are you here to see me play?"

You didn't know how to respond, and he simply chuckled before his ghostly form approached you.

...Hang on. The Nameless Bard appears to bear qualities akin to a spirit in Sky: CotL, so can you view his memories??

And then you realized that you needed a flame to do so. Then, you felt something lay in your right hand. When you looked at it, you were somehow gripping a red candle.

And it turns out that when you held it to the Nameless Bard, it automatically lit up, and his spiritual form compressed into a spark, sending you on a goose chase after it throughout Mondstadt and leaving the locals wondering why the heck you're chasing after some strange light.

Unlike how Venti told his tale of his friend, most of these memories held a more personal tone to them. One of them detailed the bard sneezing in wisp Venti's face, while another one depicted him eating an apple.

Unlike the spirits in the original Sky: CotL, there were a lot more memories. You both ran and flew around everywhere in Mondstadt.

After the final memory, the spark took you to black figure in front of the statue of Barbatos, in a kneeling position. Holding your candle for it, it slowly cracked apart, revealing a golden spirit that everyone around, including Venti, could see.

"I'm... back. Thank you, your grace," the Nameless Bard said, and everyone just stared in silence much to the awkward tension you just created.

@floofeh-purpi Alright since I'm too tired to understand the rest of Sky: CotL lore have this schizophrenic version instead lmfao

And now I need to work on that Forest Island post

#sagau #genshin impact #genshin sagau #genshin x reader #crossover #sagau venti #sagau amber #sagau nameless bard

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onceupre · 4 months ago

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Chapter 3: With Poise and Grace! Cure Pirouette!

(Author's note: Thanks for your patience! I hope y'all enjoy! ^^)

The morning was very tranquil in the little village of Meruhen. The birds chirped a lovely little tune. The morning dewdrops left trails of water as they trickled down the tree leaves, creating a warm shimmer as the morning sun showered the trees with its light.

Akane was lying in her bed on the second floor of the bakery. She slept peacefully in her loose tee and shorts, her go-to for sleepwear. As she snoozed on, she dreamt of various sweet nothings. As the crisp morning air met the warmth of her fuzzy red blankets and fluffy polka-dotted pillows, she found herself lulled into an even deeper sleep with each passing minute.

And then her dad burst through her door.

“AKANE! Wake up! We have a deeeeelivery!” he said, feeling chipper.

Akane was startled and jolted up, her hair a mess. She then became angered

“WHY do you need to wake me up like that??” she angrily responded.

“Because as our one and only delivery girl, you must deliver this order of blueberry muffins! Plus it’s time for you to be up anyway.” he said with a hint of reprimand.

Akane looked at a clock on her wall with the time reading 8:45, and she made a face of disgust.

“Eugh, it’s not even double digits yet man….” she exclaimed, putting her pillow back over her head to try and lull herself back into the dark void that is sleep. Her father walked over and took the pillow from her, much to her dismay.

“Well our patrons don’t dilly dally, they're up and going about their days, and so should you!”

Akane rolled her eyes, clarely disinterested in what her father had to say. Why should she when he can’t be bothered to kindly wake her up to begin with?

“What-EVER!” She stretched her arms out and sat upright on her bed so she wouldn’t be tempted to fall back asleep.

“Where’s this delivery headed anyway, huh?” She said while properly getting up to stretch her legs.

“The Izumi Ballet Hall.”

Lebed, who lay lifelessly on Akane’s bed still acting like a plushie, overheard those words. Her eyes grew wide with wonder at the mention of a ballet hall.

Akane, however, froze when her father uttered those words. The ballet hall? That ballet hall?! She couldn’t even believe what she’d just heard. The old ballet hall was constructed early into the village’s founding. It was practically ancient! From its pillars to the faded wooden window frames–not to mention the musty smell– Many villagers questioned how it still stands today. Akane wouldn’t be caught dead near there! She’d never hear the end of it from her guy friends if she steps near there. They’d probably say she ‘Wanted to play ballerina with all the other girlies at the hall.’ BLEH!

…

“No frickin’ way-”

“LANGUAGE, AKANE!” Her father scolded.

“C’mon, Pops! You can’t be serious! The ballet hall? Might as well put me in a tutu!” Akane complained.

“Now, Akane, business is business! If some lovely girl wants to treat her ballerina girlfriends to our steaming hot blueberry muffins, who are we, as the ones to make profit, to complain?”her father preached.

“Okay, first, don’t ever say ‘ballerina girlfriends’ again,” stated Akane, shuddering at her dad’s attempt to be hip. “Second, why me? Can’t Ma go? She’d be a much better fit for that crowd!”

“Well, she’s busy helping me prepare another, quite large order. And, you are our shop’s ‘delivery girl’! You gotta live up to your title, hon!” he gleamed, knowing he’d won the battle.

Akane sighed in defeat, and her father gleefully smiled as he left her room. Akane had to shut the door after he left, a bad habit he keeps doing that slightly annoys her. Once the door was closed, Akane’s “plushies” all rose up, after hearing the conversation.

“A BALLET HALL AAAAAA!! ~LELE” Lebed squealed, as Akane made a pose in reaction to the sudden outburst, shushing the bird.

“Be QUIET! You don’t wanna alert anyone about your existence or anything right!??”

“I do apologize but, a ballet hall is the LAST place I’d expect from a….rustic village like this. I’m simply overjoyed! ~lele” Akane pretended not to notice the bird’s jab at her home village with that comment.

“Why do you care so much about ballet?” Akane questioned.

Lebed turned towards the brunette almost instantly, as if she was severely insulted at her mere comment. “Seriously? Have you not heard of Swan Lake?~lele”

“Vaguely? It's that one ballet dance thing, yeah?”

“Well… that's a simpleton’s way of phrasing it yes. ~lele But it’s also revered as one of the more sophisticated fairy tales known to man! ~lele”

Akane rolled her eyes at Lebed’s once again uncalled for comment.

As they conversed, Akane got ready for the day: a white tank top with red detailing around the arm areas, paired with a black sports bra underneath for coverage. She also wore her white shorts with a red stripe and black trim, paired with her black leggings with laced details near her ankles, near her red laced up sneakers. She tied the look together with her signature red hoodie around her waist…in case it gets chilly outside!

“Ain’t that a bit stereotypical? A swan fairy likin’ ballet?” She jabbed in response to the swan’s rude remarks made earlier.

“Well I’d never!~lele” Lebed puffed her feathers in defense to Akane’s amusement.

“We fairies come from a place known as Everafter Garden ~lulu We’re…uhh..”

Lupo thought of a way to carefully phrase his next statement, not wanting to reveal too much info until a proper Precure team is formed.

“...essentially we’re born from well known fairy tales ~lulu”

“Mine’s Goldilocks!~ lili!” Lionceau chipped in.

“Mine is the ever so extravagant avant-garde Swan Lake! ~lele!” Lebed posed rather dramatically at her own announcment.

“And mine is Little Red Riding Hood ~lulu!”

Akane smiled. She may have her reservations, but these animals have been growing on her. Lupo’s last sentence made her brighten up a bit.

“Hey Lupo, that’s my favorite fairytale y’know?” She grinned

“Really?~ lulu. I knew you had good taste hehehe ~lulu” he blushed with a sense of pride at their shared appreciation of the fairy tale.

------

Akane stuffed the fairies inside a conveniently large basket she found to hold not only them but the delivery as well. Once she was situated she set off towards…the ballet hall. She huffed at the thought of having to be there.

She followed the path she frequented through the little village she called home. It wasn’t terribly busy here, it was very quiet and peaceful. The only noises that could be heard were the chirps of the birds soaring overhead and the occasional buzzing from the cicadas. Only the shopkeepers were out this early, setting up shop for today’s easy day of business. A shop for fruits and veggies, one for books and quills–even a tailor that took your measurements and sewed for you as you conversed with them!

Akane swung by the fruit clerk and got her daily apple from them, and at a fair price too!

“Out on another delivery dear?” The elderly woman happily asked her usual patron.

“Yeah, some muffins today. I have to take them to the ballet hall…” Akane grimaced in reply.

The woman took notice and wanted to pry a bit.

“Why the long face dear? It’s truly not so bad, when I was a little girl I wanted to train at that same hall. The sight of it is truly one to behold, alas it wasn’t in my family’s budget for me to go…” the woman trailed off a tad bit upset.

Akane took notice and patted the woman’s shoulder in condolence.

“Sorry to hear that,is that why you became a fruit vendor then?”

The woman closed her eyes gently. “Yes, after all my family was known for their tasty affordable fruits, tradition is important in a town like this y’know.”

Akane flinched a bit at that comment.

“But” the woman continued “There’s no such thing asa ‘bad’ change. After all, now there’s scholarships for the Izumi Ballet Hall, so it’s more accessible for us non-rich folk!” She chuckled. “Just try not to be too discouraged dear, things happen for a reason, and you never know what’s waiting for you along the path you take.”

Akane smiled and nodded. She thanked the woman and headed back on route, taking a bite from the juicy apple with a mighty crunch, though she may have bitten off a bit too much, as she found herself wiping juices from the corners of her mouth. Once finished, she threw the browned fruit core into a trash bin as she continued to her destination.

-----

Within a desolate dark land, a singular open clam lay dormant on the ground. Operetta was inside, fixing her appearance at a vanity within the crustacean. She was brushing her hair with a fish’s skeleton as a brush of sorts.

“Damned girl….Damned Cure Hoodie….” She muttered to herself.

A cackle was heard from behind. Operetta didn’t bother to turn as only one woman with a laugh so sickly could only be-

“Castella. Could you please go be hideous elsewhere? I’m busy fuming.” Operetta jabbed, not even bothering to face the old woman who approached her.

The stout woman could only sneer at her acquaintance. She wore a leather dress, with a pumpkin shaped skirt. She also had two toned striped leggings in two different shades of green, to compliment her pale green skin. She had a rather large nose with some warts adorning her face, and a prominent snaggle tooth. Her big witch’s hat seemed a bit stereotypical, but is a classic detail nonetheless.

“Oh? I’m hideous? Well considerin’ you’re using a corpse for a brush I must be at least smarter than you.” She snickered as Operetta turned around, glaring daggers at her.

“Don’t you have a cauldron to fall into you hag??”

Catsella smirked. “Precure. I hear ya yappin’ about that to yourself. You DO know losing to them will only anger our lord more? Or is all that caked on makeup clouding your memory?”

Operetta practically growled at Castella’s taunts.

“I ALMOST HAD HER!”

“And that right there, almost! And ya still lost! You young people give up so easily, never wanting to put in hard work even with all your technical advancements. Failure isn’t an option you know~”

Castella cackled as Operetta’s face grew red with anger. Normally she’d brush the woman’s remarks off with a thought of reassurance, usually about her looks being far better. But the guilt Operetta felt from losing against her foe was like gasoline igniting the flames of Castella’s scorching jabs.

“You’re RIGHT! I don’t wanna work too hard, otherwise I'd have more wrinkles than you!” Operetta said instinctively, to no avail of easing her emotions though.

Castella glared at the serpent, knowing she struck a nerve, but at the cost of being insulted in terms of beauty once again.

“Besides! I never said I was giving up! I just needed my beauty rest-”

“Clearly.” Castella snapped in.

“...and THEN. I was going to get my revenge!”

Castella shrugged “Whatever you say deary, just don’t lose again. Otherwise you’d look ridiculous… Well, moreso than you usually do~! KEHEHEHE!”

Castella laughed as Operetta shook with anger. She needed an outlet, and teleported within an instant back to earth. She was furious all right, and ready to take out her frustrations on the girl who did her wrong; Cure Hoodie.

------

Akane stood in front of the ballet hall, a look of displeasure painted her face. Lebed peeked out of the bag, and marveled at the glorious structure. Such fine pine flooring shone as it may have been freshly polished, the structures marble pillars framing the entrance glistened, as light greenery grew out, giving the building an even more earthy feel.

“This. Is. Magnificent ~lele!” Lebed whispered from within the basket.

“I betcha one of my guy friends put me up to this as a joke. I HATE places like this.” Akane muttered, a thought of her friends hopping out with a camera to catch her in such a girly place flashed into her mind.

She grimaced and took some steps to the entrance. Akane knocked on the large doors of the structure.

“An uncultured swine knows no difference from a jewel to a rock.~ lele”

“ Say one more thing you bird, I dare you-”

Akane was cut off as the door opened, and a docile looking girl was facing her. Akane stopped in her tracks, a little taken back by how prim and proper the girl was.

The girl was fair skinned. Her hair, a neatly put together bun with side swept bangs, was a deep navy blue in color, practically black almost. The color matched her grayish bluebelle eyes. She wore a typical ballerina outfit, one in a pastel baby blue color with white tights and matching pastel baby blue laced up slippers.

Akane was stunned, and her face felt a bit flushed…

“Yes? Oh! Hello, are you the blueberry muffin delivery?” asked the girl in a quiet yet smooth sounding voice.

“M-Mhm…. Uh I mean, yeah! For uhhh… what uh, who are you?” Akane stuttered a bit. Must be the nerves of being in an unwanted and unfamiliar place.

“Hmm? Oh!” The girl giggled with her hand on her mouth as Akane smirked goofily, feeling a bit out of place at the moment once again.

“My apologies, I forgot myself. I am Hakuchou Junko, one of the ballerinas of the Izumi Ballet Hall!” She smiled softly at the brunette.

“Junko? Yup! These muffins are definitely for you then missy!” Akane held out the basket and Hakuchou took it and inspected it. She looked puzzled to Akane’s worry.

“Are these… plush dolls?” The girl questioned as Akane comedically froze, forgetting the fairies were also in said basket.

“Y-YEAH OH AHAHA! Sorry! I totally forgot about those in there, they're my uh, lucky plushies, yeah! Gives me luck on my deliveries ahaha…” Akane’s faux laugh trailed off as she realized how lame she must’ve sounded then.

Hakuchou stared at the brunette, and then giggled. She gestured for Akane to enter the hall.

“OH! I uh… don’t really fit in well here-”

“Nonsense. All are welcome at the Izumi Ballet Hall. Besides, I have to retrieve the payment, no?” Hakuchou questioned.

Akane gulped, and nervously followed the girl inside. The halls were pleasantly kept clean, with little to no dust in sight. Akane took notice of rooms the pair passed by, with hardworking ballerinas seemingly warming up along poles attached to the walls.

She also took note of the hanging photos that adorned the walls they walked by, showcasing various things from assumed alumni to celebratory photos taken of prizes the dancers won.

Hakuchou led Akane to a room with the label ‘4B’ plastered on a plate on the wall adjacent to the door of the room. When the door was opened, Akane could see it was filled with about 6 ballerinas, each practicing a different technique.

“Group 4B, Muffins are here!” Hakuchou declared, and the girls excitedly hurried over to grab a muffin from the box she took out from the basket. Lebed peeked out and marveled at the ballerinas adorned in their usual attire. It filled her with a familiar sense of belonging.

As Hakuchou handed out the muffins Akane started up a small conversation.

“S-so… these your friends or..?”

“Ah, this is my group I regularly train and perform with! I wanted to treat them to some food for all their hard work we’ve accomplished recently.”

“Hard work?” Akane questioned and quickly realized how condescending she must’ve sounded.

“I-I MEAN-”

“It’s ok.”

Akane was taken aback by the nonchalant response.

“I believe all hard work should be eventually rewarded, is all.” Hakuchou smiled and Akane couldn’t help but return one back at her earnest response.

A short bit later, Hakuchou led Akane outside the room, and handed her payment for the goods. She took note of how soft Hakuchou’s hands felt, she must use some nice skin care products.

“I assume you’ll be on your way now?” Hakuchou asked straightforwardly.

“Ah yeah! This scene isn’t really my…I mean! My job is done so yeah I am haha” Akane rubbed the back of her head, a bit embarrassed of how uncool she was probably coming off.

Lebed rustled from inside Akane’s basket., Hakuchou took notice of the it, and looked concerned.

“Did your basket….move?”

“AH! LEMME SEE HERE AHAHA!” Akane replied as she turned and shoved her head in the basket comically, Hakuchou looked on in concern…

Akane whispered within the basket to the fairies inside.

��What are ya DOIN??”

“We can’t leave yet!~ lele! The sights are amazing! I must see more. ~lele”

“No way, nuh uh! I hate places like this! We are leavin’!” Akane snapped back, not even entertaining the thought.

“But ~lele! I sense a Precure also! ~lele!”

“REALLY??” Akane said a bit more loudly than she would’ve liked.

“I-Is everything ok?” Hakuchou questioned, a tad more concerned that the girl was seemingly talking to herself within her basket.

Akane jolted up in embarrassment at the sudden realization.

“HAHA YEP! Just my uh, phone!”

“Oh…I don’t recall seeing a phone in the bag…” Hakuchou said looking up, placing a closed fist to her chin trying to recall correctly what was inside.

“It was uh hidden in the plushies! They double as phone cases haha! ANYWAYS! I don’t really have anywhere to be, mind givin’ me a tour of the place?” Akane pleaded.

Hakuchou looked surprised and blinked.

“Really? Didn’t you say this wasn’t ‘your scene’? Hehe” The docile girl giggled, to Akane’s burning face. She feels a bit humiliated, but it’s for the greater good! Hopefully…

“I meant uhh, my SEEIN’ of a ballet hall in forever! In fact at all!” She hoped Hakuchou hadn’t realized her changing her words to make the offer more genuine.

Hakuchou giggled, knowing fully well Akane was lying.

“Well, let’s be ‘seein’’ the hall then!” Hakuchou led the way as Akane followed. Akane felt she was thrown off her usual game of coming up with smooth lies in this situation…

They entered many places in the hall, and Lebed was living for all of it, marveling at the various ballet related things they would come across. She felt like she found a diamond amongst the unfamiliar sights of earth that she and the other fairies have been exposed to thus far.

They took a break at the back garden of the hall, there was a stone bench on a fenced in porch outlooking a small pond, hosting a few graceful looking swans gliding by along the water.

“So how is the tour?” Hakuchou asked inquisitively.

“Really good! This place is pretty cool, lots of space, must be good for stretchin’ your legs and whatnot!” Akane replied happily.

Hakuchou smiled. “Yes, this place is like a home to me, I’ve attended this hall’s ballet program for about 9 years now…”

Akane was stunned, for some reason the thought of someone seriously committing to a dance technique never crossed her mind before today.

“That is commitment. Ya really like all this twirlin’ n stuff huh?” She playfully teased the blunette who giggled in response.

Hakuchou closed her eyes “It’s a bit more complicated than that, but yes. Being able to hone my skill has been very fun for me. The poses and exercise helps clear my mind of any worries I may have. Once I’m in the zone, I feel it’s just me and the stage floor..”

Akane couldn’t help but smile.

“Your parents must love watchin’ ya huh?” She grinned as Hakuchou could only smile in response.

“...You wanna know why I love ballet?”

Akane looked puzzled at the sudden question.

“It’s because I'm not just dancing. I’m telling a tale. Being able to fully immerse myself with the movements of the dance, it truly is a tranquil feeling I absolutely adore… It’s as if I am one with the story I wanna portray.”

Before Akane could speak, sniffling came from the basket, Akane froze in fear as Lebed leapt out onto Hakuchou’s lap, catching the girl off guard.

“BEAUTIFUL ~LELE! THAT WAS AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING EXPRESSION OF THE TRUEST FORM OF EXQUISITE ARTISTRY KNOWN AS BALLET ~LELE!”

… KYAAAAAAAAA!!!!

Hakuchou got up and stepped back, leaving Lebed flapping in the air. She was unsure of what was going on.

“T-The plushie!! THE BIRD TALKED!” Hakuchou pointed at the small swan accusingly.

Akane pinched her brow in frustration and grunted.

After a short explanation, Hakuchou seemed a bit more composed, albeit still uneasy at all this newfound information of things that sounded out of this world to her.

“Precure? Magical Vigilante’s who protect earth from….?”

“The Grimm Empire ~lele!” Lebed chirped with precision in her voice.

“R-right…sorry this is just all so much out of nowhere…”

Akane held her head in her hands, full of shame of how things rolled out.

“And you are the next Precure ~lele! I can feel it!” Akane looked up a bit more excitedly than she would’ve liked to lead on at that statement.

“....I beg your finest pardon? I don’t think I’d be a good fit for that at all!”

“Aww it’s not so bad! You get super cool powers and a new look ‘n everything!” Akane sheepishly added, trying to smooth over the ridiculous request.

“Well… ok, but fighting? That's not really me at all… I’m sorry, but I think I should go-”

“PRECURE”

The group looked across the pond to a devilishly smiling Operetta, who had seemingly conjured up a swan like monstrous Poisonink. Hakuchou trembled, as Akane lept in front of her instinctively.

“Don’t worry! I’ll keep us safe!” Eclaimed the brunette as she made a cool pose showing off her Precure Storybook.

“Precure! Curetime Everafter!"

"Hooded in red, journeying towards victory! Cure Hoodie!”

Hoodie lept into action and Hakuchou stood there, stunned at what’s unfolding in front of her. Hoodie ran up and jumped, aiming to land a sharp kick to the beast, when it started to flap it’s wings erratically, sending a huge gust of wind blowing Hoodie away into the hall’s walls with a giant crash!

“NO!” Hakuchou screeched with fear and anger seeing the hall take such a toll. Hoodie stood up slowly, trembling a bit at her knees.

“A-are you alright??” Hakuchou asked with concern, as Hoodie nodded and ran back out into the fray.

Hakuchou could only stare as she trembled, she heard screams from inside and footsteps of girls exiting the building. The place that was a home to her got damaged, the battle in front of her playing out dramatically until Hakuchou couldn’t contain herself anymore.

“P-PLEASE STOP THIS OBSTRUCTION AT ONCE!” Everyone within the battle froze comedically, and then Operetta slithered up quickly to Hakuchou, pointing her scythe at the girl.

“Such a frail girl trying to act tough hmmm~?”

“Leave her ALONE!” Hoodie jumped at Operetta, only for the Poisonink to tackle her, once again hitting the hall.

“N-NO! PLEASE STOP!” Hakuchou begged with desperation while reaching out towards Hoodie.

“I can make this nightmare end for you little girl. After all, such a beauty as yourself doesn't deserve to exist when someone like me is here!” She raised her scythe, and Hakuchou froze. Was this her final moment of being alive!?

“LELEEEEEEE~!!!!” Lebed flew in front of Hakucchou, to protect her. And in the process a huge beam of light shot down on the two instantaneously.

“WHAT?! NO!’ Operetta screeched with hatred, well knowing what’s occurring in front of her.

Hakuchou blinked and came to the realization she was surrounded in a warm feeling light. Lebed flapped her wings happily in front of her. She felt safe here.

“Where….am I….?”

“We’re safe now. ~lele My name is Lebed, and I feel like we can help each other Hakuchou! ~lele!”

“By making me a Precure right? I just… I don’t know…”

“Those monsters are ruining the structural integrity and antique beauty that is the Izumi Ballet Hall! ~lele We cannot allow them to continue. If they wreck that hall, how else will you continue to dance?! ~ lele?”

Hakuchou looked discouraged, not totally believing she could be of assistance.

“It’s scary ~lele. But you CAN be strong, true strength comes from wanting to protect those you hold dear, no? ~lele.”

Hakuchou looked surprised.

“That…is true….” she thought “The ballet hall… I don’t want to see it being damaged anymore. I want to help protect it, and everyone else, too!”

Suddenly a Precure Storybook materialized, and Lebed smiled as she pulled a swan themed charm out of her mirror shaped broach, extending it to Hakuchou.

“All you need to do is use this charm and say ‘Precure Curetime Everafter ~lele! I’ve felt this potential since laying my eyes on you! I have faith in you, Hakuchou ~lele!”

Faith…..in her…..

Hakuchou smiled and grabbed the charm and the book.

“Precure! Curetime Everafter!”

She gracefully transforms, her leaps and twirls enveloping her body as more pieces of clothing appear, and she finishes with a soft landing, water rippling as her heel touches the ground.

“Gliding upon blue waters of tranquility! Cure Pirouette!”

The light dispersed, and everyone in the scene stared in amazement as the newest Precure stood tall.

Hoodie smiled. “Cure Pirouette….”

Meanwhile, Operetta growled. “NO NO NO! NOT ANOTHER ONE! Poisonink, DESTROY HER!”

“POI-POISONINKKKKK!” the large bird began to flap its wings when suddenly Pirouette zipped around behind the bird, and gave it a swift kick to the back of the head, stopping it from continuing its gusts.

“So fast!” Hoodie marveled in awe.

Pirouette got a look at herself quickly, astounded by her speed. She noticed small water droplets glistening in the sunlight around her like gems.

“I felt like I was…gliding on air!” she said to herself in amazement.

The monster flapped its wings again, catching Pirouette off guard and blowing her into the nearby pond. Hoodie gasped out Pirouette’s name as Operetta laughed, feeling they were gaining the upper hand.

“Not so fast now are….you?”

The crash of water from the impact subsided, and Pirouette was still standing, in fact she was gracefully gliding…atop the water’s surface! She gracefully leapt off the waters, treading a small wave behind her leave, and aimed it at the Poisonink, soaking it in water!

“P-POI! POI! POI!” The beast cried out, preening its feathers in retaliation of the wave’s crash.

“No! Stop preening at ONCE!” Operetta screeched in frustration.

Hoodie jumped to Pirouette’s side, a huge smile adorning her face.

“You are AMAZING Pirouette!” she beamed with pride.

Pirouette smiled. “Thank you, Hoodie. I just needed a little more faith in myself I suppose” she said, while looking at Lebed warmly,

Lebed smiled back “Now ~lele! Use the storybook to purify the monster ~lele!”

Pirouette nodded, and faced the preening beast.The slot where the charm was inserted was glowing, and she pressed it down lightly twice, activating a symbol to trace on the left side’s mirror. She took the quill pen and traced. As she did, simultaneously the emblem was drawn out in front of her with raw energy. Once finished, the swan shaped emblem glowed, and she touched it with her quill pen, absorbing the core of the emblem within her pen.

“Precure!” She did a graceful motion, charging up “Graceful Resolution!”

She pulled back, and pierced the glowing outline with a resounding HA, releasing the energy at the Posionink in the form of an elegant swan. Once it made contact, the beast was purified with a relaxing “Happily ever after~!” as Pirouette closed her Storybook into itself in triumph.

The red jewel from the beast shattered, returning the now purified nostalight back to a ballerina who was knocked unconscious just outside the ballet hall

“Dammit… my hair is soaking wet, and after I just brushed it too! YOU’LL PAY, PRECURE!!” Operetta swore, vanishing and returning the setting to its prior form.

-----

“So that’s what being a Precure is…how exciting!” Hakuchou giggled, Lebed joining in as she flaps beside her gleefully.

“You were amazing ~lele! Truly a fine specimen of a girl, do I know how to pick ‘em or what ~lele?!”

Akane extended a hand towards Hakuchou a bit awkwardly “G-guess this means we’re p-partners?” Why was she stuttering at that word?

Hakuchou smiled, and took her hand. “Yes, but I would also love to get to know you more, and be your friend, too!”

Akane eagerly nodded in response. “Yeah! I’d love that!”

The group laughed merrily to themselves, now assembling a small reliable group to fight this long lasting battle.

-----

Behind a nearby building, a brunette girl in a lolita dress with orange and yellow colors hides herself from the group’s sight. On her cutely decorated phone displays photos of the Precure and their battle.

“P…precure?.... What in the world is going on here…?”

-End Chapter 3-

#once upon precure #onceupre #precure #precure fandom #precure fanseries #fancure series #fancure #long text #chapter 3

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billionstarsandhereweare · 2 days ago

Text

a/n: hi fellow DD friends, I may or not may not have posted the first chapter of my jump into the DD fanfic world. hope you enjoy!!! also on ao3

summary: Struggling musician meets struggling-slightly-less lawyer. Inspiration is sparked. Chp 1/?

word count: 7k

pairings/notes: Matt Murdock x fem!Reader, no use of y/n though reader has a nickname, post netflix DD s3 but pre-DD:BA

“Oi! Barkeep! You in there?”

Startled by the noise, you jolted awake. As you rubbed the sleepy haze from your eyes, the front door of the bar slowly came into focus, along with the digital clock above it. 4:10PM. Shit. How long had you dozed off?

“Seriously girl, let me in! It’s frickin’ freezing out here!”

You rose from the metal stool you had been resting on and made your way towards the tiny foyer. Still drowsy, you fumbled with the old brass deadlock before managing to slide it open. As you swung the door open, you were greeted by a bearded grin and wet work boots.

“Dang Josie Jr., you’re not used to these late nights are you?”

“Shut it, Jackson. And I told you not to call me that.”

Jackson gave you a smirk. “Pardon me, ma’am.”

Rolling your eyes, you shuffled your way back to your regular position behind the bar. You’d be worried that Josie would be disappointed for opening 10 minutes late, but none of the regulars were waiting, and Jackson wasn’t the type to complain. Especially since Tuesdays were usually the slowest afternoons of the week.

Josie had been running this bar since you were a kid, and every Tuesday was the same. For most of your school years, you could be found doing homework in the back, stealing peanuts from the bar and stashing leftovers in the walk-in while your mom finished up her shift at the hospital in Uptown. Your apartment up on the fourth floor always felt too quiet, and as long as you stayed out the way, Josie didn’t mind you hanging around. The sound of beer bottles clinking, electronic dings from the dart boards, and clacking of billiard balls was better for your concentration than any white noise machine anyway. Mom had moved to Florida about ten years ago, but you stayed behind in the apartment while in college. You still studied in the back corner of Josie’s, the only change being that you added rum to your sodas. After graduation, she offered you a job to help stay afloat while you job-hunted. She was practically family and was much happier to bring on someone she already knew and trusted. You’d always had it as a fallback plan between jobs at music shops, private lessons, and your never-ending auditions for a consistent spot in an orchestra. Years had gone by since your first night there, and though your frustration grew more and more each day without a performance gig, you appreciated the steady income nonetheless.

“How long did Josie say she’d be out?” Jackson’s voice floated out from the back room, thuds following as he grabbed cases of beer and rearranged kegs.

“Couple of weeks, most likely. I told her to take whatever time she needed, it’s not like she’s had a vacation in the last however many years. I was starting to think she was literally chained to this place.” You really wouldn’t have been surprised if you found an actual shackle underneath the counter, with how much Josie worked.

He chuckled as he headed your way to check the canned beer fridge under the counter. An impressed smile crossed his face once he realized that not only was that full, but so was everything on the rail and the shelves.

“You’re making my job too easy, friend. Paula and I left everything a mess last night. What time did you even come in today to get this all taken care of?” Jackson asked.

“Around one or so. Eastern was here for a liquor delivery, so I popped down after my lessons.” Grabbing a rag from the ‘clean’ bucket under the sink, you squeezed behind him to start wiping up the rain he tracked in.

“For real though, if you needed help getting things set up, you could’ve called. I’m less than half a mile from here.”

You didn’t look up from the water on the floor you were trying to sop up.

“Does it look like I needed any help?”

Jackson faltered, voice falling. “I mean, no, I just…”

Now you glanced up at his six-foot-something frame. He seemed so much taller at this angle, yet he was almost shrinking back. It would have been almost amusing, him being afraid of you, but guilt immediately crept up in your chest instead.

“I’m sorry, Jackson. I’m just stressed out,” you admitted, “and I do appreciate the offer. Rough auditions this week, and I’m not used to working every night at the bar. Josie might never take another vacation if she finds out I asked you to help open, though.”

“Hah! Ain’t that the truth. Well, lemme know if anyone gives you trouble tonight, and I’m there,” clapping you on the back before he took his seat at the stool by the bar’s entrance.

You pulled yourself up off the floor, stretching and rolling your shoulders before tossing the wet rags into the ‘dirty’ bin. The bell on the front door jingled as the tension in your back released a little, settling into the normal weeknight routine as patrons filtered in for their usual drinks and games of pool.

Before you could even register time moving, nine-thirty rolled around and the bar was bustling. A couple of bikers by the pool tables loudly challenged their buddies to another round while a few others took turns at the dart boards, chatter and conversation filling the air. You were in your normal flow of handing out drinks, refilling the ice bin, and hollering at Jackson to grab yet another case of beer from the back when you heard a cheerful voice say,

“Well, it’s certainly nice to see you back instead of our usual wicked witch of a bartender!”

You turned around to be greeted by two men around your age, leaning on the bar. They stuck out in your memories of the usual Tuesday regulars, mainly because they were both in suits, a stark contrast to the usual biker vests and dirty canvas construction jackets usually seen. The blond one grinned at you, while his dark-haired friend had turned his head off to his left, eyes hidden behind maroon-colored lenses.

You gave the stocky blond a bit of a glare, crossing your arms across your chest.

“Ah, Foggy Nelson.”

“The one and only!”

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten your incident with the popcorn machine last fall.”

He threw his arms out in exasperation and sighed, “Aw come on! It was a one-time occurrence, and I promise I made it up to Josie.”

“I don’t think calling her a wicked witch is a great way of making it up to her. Besides, I was the one sweeping up popcorn for hours, not her.”

“Alright fine, I guess I owe you for that. Why don’t you throw a drink for you on the firm’s tab with ours, I’ll take-“

You were already pouring a tall draft and a whiskey before he finished the sentence.

“Whatever beer is on special. Whiskey on the rocks for Matt,” nodding in his friend’s direction. “And no, Foggy Nelson, this is not going on your firm’s supposed tab. It’ll be $6 each.”

“What if I wanted something different?” frowned Foggy, picking up the frosty mug you slid in front of him.

“It may have been three months since I worked a Tuesday, but you’re pretty predictable. You only order something different if you’re trying to impress a woman and I’m pretty sure Matt’s not one,” you replied, barely managing to keep a straight face as Matt held back a chuckle.

“That’s… creepy, but impressive. I’ll give you that one, Z.”

Their nickname, well Foggy’s really, finally made you crack a smile. He had drunkenly bestowed it on you last summer when you and Josie were both behind the bar, as apparently “Jo and Z” was the funniest thing to him at the time.

“Hah! I knew I could break that scowl!” he said before turning around to head to him and Matt’s usual booth in the corner, stopping between to strike up conversation with one of the bikers.

“Truly is a golden retriever type, isn’t he?” you said, chuckling as you exchange a glass for Matt’s card.

“The enthusiasm never ends. Been like that since I met him.” Matt replied warmly, taking a sip of his drink. “I think he’s just excited to see you’re back, you’ve always been a little easier than him on Josie.”

“Eh, to be fair, Josie’s had to put up with him for longer.”

“That’s true. Speaking of, I’m assuming you’re here on a Tuesday because she’s out? Everything okay?”

You nodded and said, “Very astute of you. She’s out in Michigan for a couple of weeks, so it’s just me and Jackson running the place tonight. Finally convinced her to take a vacation.”

Matt raised an eyebrow. “Josie? Vacation? Never thought I’d hear those words together.”

“Trust me, it was no small feat.”

“Well, I’m glad she’s taking the time off. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her leave the bar. Go ahead and leave the card open, we’ll be here awhile. It’s good to see you again, Z.” Matt said, emphasizing your nickname with a small, amused smile.

“Good to see you guys too. I’ll come and check on your drinks in a bit.” He gave you a quick nod and flashed you a bigger grin, one that stopped you for just a couple seconds longer than it should.

It took you just a beat, but you managed to snap out of it, tossed your towel over your shoulder, and got back to work. You really need to get some proper rest girlfriend, thinking to yourself while shaking your head. Banter is half of what a bartender’s job is. Can’t be letting some dark-haired regular throw you out of your groove.

The night continued to rush by, a few rounds of draft specials for the mechanics up front, fives in exchange for quarters for the bikers at the pool table, vodka crans for the out-of-place college girls trying and failing to flirt with Jackson up front. He was effective as a bouncer, but there was something about the long, dirty blond hair tied back in a man-bun that college girls were drawn right to. They never made it far enough to realize Jackson’s type was guitar-playing hipster guys. As you started to head to Foggy and Matt’s table a little before midnight to grab their empties and hand out another round, you were still on autopilot.

“I’m just saying, this could bring in a lot of money. You remember what that is right? That green stuff that lets us pay rent and buy food?”

You probably shouldn’t have listened in, but you couldn’t help but eavesdrop. Comes with the territory, you thought to yourself.

“Foggy, I get that, but we started our firm to help people who need it. Not some sketchy guy working for a construction company that we can’t find any sort of information on.”

“How do you know he’s sketchy? What, did you use your ESP or something?”

“Knock it off. You know what I-”

Distracted, you stumbled over the uneven floor and the empty bottles in your left hand clattered to the ground in front of their booth. At least you managed to keep the tray in your right hand somewhat balanced. So much for staying in a groove.

“Look, it’s the wicked witch’s assistant!” an inebriated Foggy exclaimed, grinning and throwing his hands out in your direction.

After setting their drinks down on the table behind you, you crouched down to grab the empties rolling away. “Not doing super great at that, seeing as I’m throwing empty bottles at my regulars.”

“I think Josie would approve,” Matt said with amusement in his voice.

“Speak for yourself Matt, but I don’t much appreciate having things thrown at me,” Foggy shot in mock offense, his nose in the air.

“My sincerest apologies, Mr. Nelson. I’ll make sure I only throw things at the blind man,” you fired back without thinking. Right after the words left your mouth, Foggy choked on his beer, sputtering and shaking with laughter. As you realized what you said, your cheeks immediately flushed red and you stuttered out, “God, sorry Matt, I swear it was a joke – I didn’t-“

Matt let out a sympathetic laugh as he elbowed Foggy in the ribs, saying, “You only need to be sorry if Foggy drowns in his beer.”

You winced. “God no, seriously, I’m so sorry, I didn’t even think about-“

“Really, it’s fine. He makes worse jokes on an hourly basis at this point,” Matt said waving his hand, giving you a reassuring look that made the heat in your face fade just a little.

“Well, either way, I feel bad. Either for the joke or for making Foggy inhale his beer. Next round’s on me, just don’t tell Josie,” you offered, smiling at them both before sliding their drinks over.

Foggy flashed a smile back about as bright as a spotlight while Matt gave a thumbs-up before you walked back to the bar.

Twelve forty-five came around as you flipped on the overhead lights.

“Last call! Wrap it up everyone!”

You started pulling out receipts and ringing out orders. The biker guys were finishing up their last round of pool, and Foggy and Matt still sat at their booth at the opposite end, half arguing, half laughing about something you couldn’t quite hear. As Jackson started refilling the beer fridge for the final time, you realized you forgot the key to the safe at Josie’s place after dropping off the monthly invoices earlier in the morning.

“Hey, Jackson, can you mind the bar for five minutes? I need to run upstairs and grab the safe key.”

“Aye aye, cap’n.”

“Don’t be a smartass, Jacks.”

As you walked past the walk-in fridge towards the back staircase, you heard him retort, “But that’s what I’m good at, boss!”

“Five minutes! Don’t burn the place down!”

You trotted up the four flights of stairs to the hallway connecting your side of the floor to Josie’s. After punching in the code to her apartment, you entered the dark living room, immediately seeing the safe key on the end table where you left it. Stuffing it in the pocket of your sweatshirt, you decided to pop over to your place to grab your headphones, knowing it would be a welcome distraction as you needed to deep clean the back bar later on. Just as you crossed into your bedroom to grab them off the desk, a strange sound from the bathroom reached your ears. As you padded closer to the door, you felt your stomach drop as you recognized what it was.

Water fell in a steady stream down from a hole in the ceiling right above the showerhead, and out into the room. Your eyes darted over to the built-in armoire that held all your clothes to see that it was soaked, too. There was a single step down between the bedroom and bathroom, and as you looked down, you saw water covering every inch of the floor.

“Fuck!”

Racing back through the bedroom, through the living room, and into the kitchen, you reached the main water shutoff for the fourth floor in the utility closet. After grabbing and cranking it shut, you ran back to the bathroom to make sure that the water stopped, and breathed a sigh of relief when you saw it did. You fumbled for your phone, managing to dial the bar’s number with shaky hands. Pick up, pick up, pick up.

“Hey girl, what’s the hold up?”

Phew. “Oh thank god.”

Jackson picked up the concern in your voice near immediately. “What’s the matter?”

“Water line in my shower bust open. Not sure how. Gonna be cleaning this up for hours. Can you finish closing the bar down?”

“Shit. Uh, I can, but I need your register card first. Your lawyer friends are here trying to close out, looks like you comped some of their drinks. Need your card for that. Did you leave it by the bar?”

You frantically patted down the pockets in your jeans, felt the plastic card in your back pocket, and sighed. “No, I have it. I guess the water’s not going anywhere for right now. I’ll be down in a sec.”

You looked around at your bathroom and took in the damage. With this amount of water, you’d be cleaning it up until the morning. It’d be a small miracle if the whole room wouldn’t need to be gutted. A sinking feeling started to fill your stomach, but before you could let it settle too far, you shook it off, heading out the door and locking it before jogging back downstairs.

Once behind the bar again, you let out a sigh, realizing it had been only ten minutes, though it felt like much longer than that. All of the bikers were tugging on their jackets, and a very drunk Foggy was teasing Jackson about something.

“Sorry about the wait, guys. Apartment trouble.”

“It’s about time, Glinda!” Foggy slurred.

That got a chuckle out of you. “Foggy, I’m pretty sure Glinda was the Wicked Witch’s sister, not her assistant.” You swiped your card at the register and got their final bills printed out. As you handed them the checks and a couple of pens, you hurriedly said “I have to head back upstairs, but I’m sure I’ll see you two next week.”

“Is everything alright?” Matt inquired with furrowed brows while handing back his signed receipt and pen.

You ran your hands over your face, groaning. “Water line burst in my bathroom. Entire room is flooded. Gonna be in there with a shop-vac all night getting the water out.”

He paused. “Well, if you want some help...” Matt trailed off, though the look of concern on his face held fast.

You stopped for a second, considering. Nice of him to offer, I guess even a blind second set of hands is better than one. You scowled at yourself for that thought. Don’t be rude, you jerk. Not really in the habit of inviting men I hardly know into my apartment, but Josie has said they’re good guys, so…

“You know what, yeah, I could use it,” you admitted to Matt with a sigh. “You sure the one-and-only Foggy Nelson is going to be much assistance, though?” you asked, thumbing over at his drunken counterpart, using Jackson as support as he tried to put on his coat.

Matt tilted his head towards Foggy, pausing before he replied. “Hah, yeah, he definitely drank more than his fair share tonight. I’ll call him a cab and get him on his way home, and then I can help out.”

“Thanks, I owe you one.”

“Just helping a friend. Don’t worry about it.” He gave you that wide smile again, and you briefly forget about the mess waiting upstairs. “Do you want me to wait here in the bar until you’re finished up?”

You nodded, and then felt heat rise to your cheeks, slightly embarrassed once you realized that wasn’t something he could notice. “Um, yes – well, Jackson’s gonna take care of closing the bar, so he can show you upstairs and through my place once you get Foggy situated. I want to get a jump on it. Just uh, knock or something when you get to my bathroom so I don’t jump out of my skin when I see you standing there.”

Matt nodded. “Sure thing. I’ll be up soon,” he said before turning to assist a stumbling Foggy. You turned to make your way to the back stairs to start cleaning up the small pond waiting for you. Just as you passed Jackson, he grabbed your arm and in a hushed voice singsonged “Matt and Josie Jr., sittin’ in tree…”

You punched him in the stomach with your free hand before he got much farther. “Seriously, man?”

He let go and rubbed where you hit him, chuckling. “I’m just saying, I’ve never seen you invite a guy upstairs to your place.”

“Ah yes, because mopping up gallons and gallons of water in a cold bathroom just screams ‘romantic.’ Don’t know why I didn’t think of this pick-up before.”

“Every time he smiles at you, you stop for a second. I’ve never seen someone snap you out of your rhythm like that.”

You hated it, but he was right. Too observant for his own good sometimes. Crossing your arms, you glared at him and replied “Can you just let him in when he’s done and bring him upstairs? I’ve got a mini Hudson in my apartment and I’d really like to get started on cleaning it up.”

“Yeah yeah yeah, I’ll escort him,” Jackson said while rolling his eyes at you.

“Thank you,” you replied, then softened as you continued, “And thank you for helping to close things down tonight. You can go once you get Matt upstairs, I’m sure Carter’s waiting for you. We’ll worry about deep cleaning the back bar later this week.”

“Anytime. You know I’ve got your back.”

You gave him a tired but thankful smile and headed upstairs.

Even after cuffing your jeans to almost the knee, your legs were still soaked by the time Matt got up to your apartment. You’d managed to get the wet clothes out of the built in, wrung out, and tossed in a bag to take to the laundromat. You were just dumping the latest pass with the shop-vac down the drain of the tub when you heard a clicking in your bedroom. Wiping the sweaty strands of hair that had fallen from your braid out of your eyes, you looked up to see Matt knocking one hand against the frame of the door, cane resting in the other.

“Hey again. Jackson let me in. I told him I could find my way back to you,” Matt said before setting his coat and cane down to join you in the bathroom.

You felt a pang of embarrassment in your chest. “Oh, I told him to walk you back here. Didn’t want you to have to find your way around this maze of doors alone.”

He smiled gently at you. “It’s not a big deal, it’s pretty easy to hear where you are, what with the vacuum running and all.”

Another pang, then you started to stutter. “Oh, I didn’t mean it like- I mean, I meant-”

“Hey, it’s okay, really. Don’t worry about me, I get around fine,” Matt said through a quiet laugh. “Happens all the time.”

“What, the walking on eggshells-like attitude, or making women stutter in your presence?” Oh my god, shut up.

“Well, the first one more than the second, usually.” Matt grinned, shrugging his shoulders. As he started rolling up his sleeves he continued, “but enough about my problems, what do you need help with?”

Your eyes had drifted towards the now-bare skin of his forearms. He looked stronger than you expected for a lawyer, muscles flexing as the long fingers of his hand deftly cuffed his shirt at the elbow. You involuntarily licked your lips, admiring how the tendons in his broad hands rolled as he loosened the button on his other sleeve. Shaking it off, you tapped the corner of the bathroom and showed Matt where to start vacuuming up water.

“We can just dump the water in the tub, it’s a little over two feet to your left. Luckily none of the drains have an issue, it’s just the water line. I’m gonna go move this bag of clothes out of the way, I need to take them to the laundromat in the morning.”

“You’re welcome to use my washer & dryer, if you want. Probably about the same distance, but I won’t charge you a week’s worth of pay.”

Josie was right, these were good guys. “I may have to take you up on that. Don’t get too much in cash tips, mainly cards now. Even with the older biker guys, you’d be surprised at how many of them have points cards.”

You could hear Matt laugh as you dragged your laundry bag to the front door. Cleaning this unexpected mess up was certainly a little easier with good company. You made quick work of the remaining water as you swept the water towards Matt while he held the vacuum, and once the pond was reduced to small puddles, you tasked Matt with wiping out the built-in so the water didn’t seep into the wood more than it already had. You were moving out to the hallway to grab the mop out of the utility closet when you heard Matt speak.

“So, how do you know Josie? Other than working at the bar? I can’t imagine her hiring someone she didn’t already know.”

You couldn’t imagine it either. “I’ve actually known her for most of my life. My mom and I moved into this apartment when I was ten. Josie actually owns the first five floors of this building.”

Matt paused in disbelief for a moment and said, “No way, Josie, a landlord?”

“Seriously. Apparently her family’s owned the building, including the bar, for over a century. The bar was actually a speakeasy back in the 20s.”

A chuckle. “Just when you think you know your barkeep…”

“Don’t tell her I said anything, we don’t want to ruin her mystique, after all.”

“Not a word I ever would have used to describe Josie, but yes, secret is safe with me.”

“Thanks. Anyway, yeah, she’s been my landlord for 20-something years now. My mom moved to Florida years ago, but I was still in college so I stuck around. Josie covered the rent until I graduated and got a ‘real’ job,” you continued.

“What did you go to school for?”

You scoffed a little, and replied, “Music performance. Piano, specifically.” Not wanting to elaborate on your distinct lack of a full-time gig, you turned the question around. “Obviously you have a degree, considering your lawyer-ing. Where’d you go?”

“Columbia. Foggy and I both. We decided to start our own firm after working for corporations at our internship. Got sick of defending faceless businesses,” Matt frowned a little.

“Oh so you’re standing up for the little guy? We need more of that.”

“I’d like to think so. Eating rice for every meal is getting a little old, though. Law isn’t all glitz.”

You chuckled as you replied, “I feel that. The supply shop I worked for closed three months ago. Until I managed to start doing private lessons, I was pretty much eating bar peanuts and $2 frozen pizzas. Now I’ve upgraded to cheap Chinese.”

“That’s glamorous,” Matt laughed.

“Very,” you confirmed as you turned back to the task at hand. “So, now that we’ve got the water mostly cleaned up, I think I’m going to cut into this drywall. Gotta see what the damage is. If you need to take off I understand,” glancing at your phone, “I imagine law starts early and it’s past two AM.”

“I don’t mind staying and helping. I don’t sleep much anyway,” he quietly admitted as he leaned against the wall behind you.

You pulled your utility knife from your back pocket and started cutting into the drywall two feet off the floor. Once you got to the wall shared with the bedroom, your stomach sank.

“Shit,” you muttered. “Not what I wanted to find.”

“Seeped through to the other walls?”

“Yeah. Which means the restoration process is going to be more intense than I was hoping.”

Behind you, Matt paused, and then you heard him sniff. “Might be worse than that.” He walked up, close enough you could feel the heat of his body against your back. He gently set his hands on your shoulders, thumbs grazing the back of your neck, making you shiver just the slightest amount at the unexpected, but not unwelcome touch. He leaned over you and sniffed again. “Smells like mildew… maybe mold.”

He must have sensed the pause before you started to speak and answered your question before it could leave your mouth. “When you can’t see, you tend to be able to hear and smell things before others. Lack of one sense heightens the others.”

“Gotcha. Well, if it’s mold, I might be able to see it, now that the wall is open.” Grabbing your phone, you turned on the flashlight and directed it at the wall you cut open. After your eyes adjusted to the light, you could see some kind of discoloration on the inside of your bedroom wall. As you squatted down and leaned in closer to inspect it, you were suddenly hit with the musty odor that confirmed it. Definitely mold or mildew. You looked over your shoulder to see Matt’s figure back in the doorway.

“Yeah, there’s definitely something in there. Gonna have to have the entire floor looked at, probably. So much for my plan of sleeping on Josie’s couch.”

“I take it this isn’t your first water leak.”

“I’ve seen enough to know how this goes. The water damage was going to put me out of a bathroom for at least a month, but mold...” You pulled your braid loose and ran your hands through your hair, unease settling in your chest like a boulder.

Matt cleared his throat. “Do you need a place to stay?”

Your brain short-circuited. “Wh-What?”

He paused before he repeated the question, though out of apprehension or concern, you weren’t sure. “Do you need a place to stay? I’ve got a spare room. If that is actually mold, you probably shouldn’t be around it any more than you have to be.” You were pretty sure he could tell you were staring at him, mouth agape, as he continued, voice quieting as he softly said, “Josie acts like a real hardass, but she’s always been kind to me. I’ve known her for a long time, too. Helping you out would be helping her so…” He rubbed the back of his neck, unease in his voice as he trailed off.

You were still staring. You swore he could hear your heart, it was beating so loud, banging against your ribcage as you tried to process what exactly he had offered. Finally managing to break your mental block and work through the situation, you stuttered out, “I uh-, I-I could use a place for tonight. I think I’ll probably end up with a hotel or rental through my insurance, but I won’t know until tomorrow.”

He relaxed a bit, shoulders dropping. “Well, pack up what you need.” He took a few steps, closing the distance between you before reaching a hand down to help you up. Taking it, you stood and replied, “Thanks. Shouldn’t take me too long to throw together a bag.”

“Can’t resist helping a damsel in distress,” Matt replied with a playful grin. “I have a moral code to uphold.”

You rolled your eyes but replied gratefully, “You’re gonna end up drinking for free with how much you’re helping me out, Mr. Murdock.”

He just smirked and repeated your remark from the bar earlier. “Don’t tell Josie.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. If you wanna wait out in the living room, I shouldn’t be more than a couple of minutes.”

Matt nodded before turning and leaving you alone in the bathroom. After taking a few deep breaths, you quickly ran through a mental checklist of what you needed to grab. Shower stuff, meds, charger, backpack... As you started opening the drawers in your vanity, you caught your reflection in the mirror above the sink. The circles under your eyes, ones that had seemingly been getting darker over the last few weeks, were accompanied by mascara smudged from sweat, your irises rimmed with red from tiredness. You hastily pulled your hair up into a bun and tried to wipe the marks under your eyes with the sleeve of your sweatshirt. A few strands of hair made their way loose, and if you weren’t so exhausted, you knew you’d be feeling self conscious about what a mess you were.

You made your way into the living room once you had everything packed up to see Matt waiting calmly by the front door. He lifted his head as he heard you enter the room.

“Have everything you need?”

“I think so. You really okay with me using your washer? I’ve got probably half my closet stuffed into this laundry bag. May double your water bill for the month.”

Chuckling, Matt replied, “I’m sure you’ll find a way to pay me back.”

“You’re quickly approaching ‘free whiskey for life’ status here.”

“Maybe that was my plan all along.”

“Can’t believe I fell for the good Samaritan act!” you laughed as you laced up your boots. You moved past him, reaching for the front door. “Go ahead in front of me so I can lock up.”

He stepped out into the hallway as you slipped into your jacket and tossed your backpack over your shoulder, quickly following him out the door.

“We’ll take the stairs over to the right, it’ll let us out the back of the building,” you said as you gathered up your laundry bag. A hand brushed against your elbow, causing you to jump a little, not expecting the gentle grip of his fingers.

“Sorry,” Matt said softly. “Do you mind guiding? It’s a little easier than using the cane inside.”

“Oh, yeah - sorry, it’s not you, I just get kinda jumpy when I’m tired,” you said as you let Matt move his hand into the crook of your arm. Truthfully, you were thankful for the warm weight of his fingers as they landed on your bicep, as it helped balance out the load of laundry you carried in your other hand. As you exited the building into chilled, damp February air, you found yourself drawing closer to Matt’s side, involuntarily seeking the warmth that seemed to radiate from him. A cold breeze blew across you, carrying the faint scent of leather and wood from him to you. You turned the corner, following his directions as you made your way to his apartment, and an impulsive question tumbled from you.

“Have you always been blind?”

You felt Matt stiffen next to you, tension running up his broad frame.

“I guess you get asked that a lot. Stupid unfiltered thought, sorry.”

“It’s a pretty common question, yeah. Not stupid though. And your answer is no, I haven’t. Happened when I was a kid,” Matt responded, though you could still feel what felt like discomfort at your questions.

You walked a few steps without speaking, unsure of how to continue the conversation. You finally managed to answer with, “I can’t imagine how hard it would be to adapt to that.”

“I still struggle with it sometimes,” he admitted softly, “but there’s beauty in how I see the world now.”

“That seems like a very healthy way to look at it. No pun intended.”

You got a quiet chuckle from that. “Took me awhile to get there. Might be resilience, or maybe I’m just stubborn.”

“We’ll call it resilience. Sounds better,” you smiled, nudging him.

“Fair enough. My turn for an invasive question,” he countered, nudging you back. “What’s a classically trained musician doing at a dive bar?”

You groaned in response. “Guess you deserve a question since you answered mine. Currently ah, between gigs. And by between gigs I mean I haven’t gotten a call back from an audition in over four months.”

“Wow. Competitive field?”

“It is, but I’m not sure if I’ve hit a bad string of luck or if I’m just terrible at this point.”

“I haven’t heard you play, but I highly doubt it’s the last one.”

“Ever a gentleman. I’ve got a couple more lined up in the next few weeks, and at least I’ve been able to use my degree in the meantime. Got a handful of kids I teach during the day.”

“Sounds like you might be as resilient as me,” Matt replied pointedly with a smirk on his face.

“Touché.”

The two of you walked in a comfortable silence for the remainder of the way. Once you reached his building, he unlocked the front door and held it open for you, and you entered a generic-looking lobby with beige tile floors and off-white paneled walls. Gesturing to the stairs on the left, he explained, “I’m on the sixth floor, but we can take the service elevator.”

Just looking at the metal stairs had your legs feeling weak, the weight of your laundry bag seemingly growing heavier. “Thanks,” you replied tiredly, “not sure I’d be able to haul all this up tonight.”

You followed Matt past the stairs down a short hallway that led to the service elevator. He entered first, hitting the ‘6’ button while you followed behind. Once inside, you leaned against the cool metal of the walls, eyes closing as your exhaustion began to settle in. You didn’t notice the elevator car opening on the sixth floor, though you did feel Matt’s hand gently press on your lower back.

“C’mon, let’s get you inside so you can get some actual rest,” he said. You stepped out of the elevator into a brightly lit landing, letting Matt move in front of you to unlock his front door.

It took a second for your eyes to adjust to the dark entryway. Compared to your apartment, which you’d always described as “cozy,” Matt’s seemed almost cavernous. It appeared to be an old warehouse that was turned into a living space, with exposed brick all the way up to the top of the easily 20 foot ceiling. Across from the entry where you were standing, there were twelve-foot tall windows that filtered the light from the street lamps outside, giving the room an eerie yellow glow. On the left, a large, frosted glass door separated what you assumed was a bedroom area from the living room. Your eyes swept over the oversized leather sofa & chairs to the right side of the space that held a simple galley-style kitchen. Dark, espresso-stained cabinetry spanned most of the length of the back wall, flanked on one side by a stainless steel fridge, and a pocket door on the other.

You managed to pull your dropped jaw shut after muttering, “Jesus. This is your idea of law not being glitzy?”

Matt didn’t move from the entry where he was hanging his coat. “Wait for it.”

A flash of light lit the apartment up, startling you. You walked over towards the bank of windows, searching for the source. Peering through the fogged panes, you could make out a billboard with what looked like spotlights dancing behind it.

You let out a low whistle. “Good lord.”

“Been there for years. It’s a little distracting, apparently. Got a good deal on the place though.”

“Why on earth is that across from an apartment? That’s gotta be against… some sort of building code.”

“This floor is all apartments now, but it was warehouse space up until five or six years ago. This is the only one that faces it, so it isn’t really an issue for anyone else. They don’t get the cheap rent, though.” Matt shrugged before walking over and to the kitchen island where he dropped his keys. He waited, tracking your footsteps as you slowly walked through the living room, taking in the space before you made your way to lean against the island.

“Bathroom and laundry are behind you to the left,” he said once you had settled at the island in front of him. He motioned behind him, “Spare room is through that pocket door. There’s a murphy bed in there, just pull down on the handle on the wall and it’ll come down. Should already be made, except for the pillows. Those are in the dresser. I’ll go put your laundry in the bathroom.”

You walked past him, inspecting your new room for the night. The ceiling was a lot lower here, and it couldn’t have been more than seven feet deep total. The wall across from the doorway you stood in housed the murphy bed Matt had mentioned, flanked on either side by tall shelves filled with books. A red metal dresser sat in the corner of the small room.

“All good?” Matt asked from the kitchen.

“Yeah. I hate to ask, but you wouldn’t happen to have a pair of sweatpants or something I could borrow would you?” you asked, picking at the damp denim against your thighs. “I think all of mine ended up getting wet.”

“Sure, I’ll be right back.”

As Matt left the room, you reached up for the metal handle of the bed, pulling it down smoothly away from the wall. You were fluffing the pillows from the dresser as he returned, sweatpants in hand.

“Here you go. Brought a shirt too, just in case. You get the bed set up alright?”

“I did. Gotta say, it looks way more comfortable than Josie’s couch.”

“Good. I’ll let you get some sleep then. I have to be at the office in the morning, but you can stay as long as you need to. I’ll leave a spare key on the counter.”

“Okay. Thanks for the sweatpants. And the bed. And the help. And everything else.”

Matt gave you a soft smile. “You can thank me by getting some rest, you need it.”

No way you were arguing with that. “Good night, Matt.”

“Good night,” he replied, sliding the door shut.

You peeled off your damp jeans and slipped into the borrowed sweats before crawling into bed. Exhaustion quickly washed over you as you pulled the sheets up and around your shoulders, inhaling the faint scent of detergent, cotton, and oak before sighing and shutting your eyes. Sleep claimed you almost immediately, your worn-out body finally at rest.

Somewhere above you, a door creaked open.

#daredevil #matt murdock x reader #fanfic #matt murdock #it’s also my birthday BUT you get a gift instead! the gift of a matt murdock fic!

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amiderpsva · 2 months ago

Text

Trying to figure out how to draw the reptiles of the Chaotix.. Charmy's easiest to draw, his body shape is simple like a Classic character...Makes since for Charmy.

What messes me up most with Espio is his freakin' HEAD SHAPE and horn, one wrong move and bro's face becomes a lopsided banana split.

As for Vector?

EVERYTHING ABOUT VECTOR'S BODY SHAPE AND S N O U T IS SO FRICKIN' HARD FOR NO REASONRAAGGHSJJAGJAGH—

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writtenbyan-aries · 11 months ago

Note

literally anything that’s dom!colby or sam please !!! love ur work !!

Enjoy!

Prompt: “Do I look like I’m messing around? Do I look like I won’t punish you?”

Warnings: SMUT18+, strong language, Vampire!Solby, NewbornVampire!Reader, blood sharing, blood drinking, animal hunting, reader and Sam argue, dominant!Solby, thruple acts, rough actions, kissing, biting, unprotected threesome sex, choking, hair pulling, oral (give and receive) , creampie, absolute filth

NewbornVamp!Reader doesn’t know how to control everything yet, so the vampy powers are through the roof. Sam also goes kind of nuts because of how much he cares but reader puts him in his place 🤭 Katrina is also mentioned as a witch in this! Enjoy!

Word count: 3.3k | not edited

You pace back and fourth over the hardwood floor of Sam’s room, letting out a huff when you finally hear the front door open, “Thank god.”

“I heard that.” Colby says as he walks in, smirk plastered on his face.

You roll your eyes, not really in the mood for jokes. Since you turned, you’ve been locked in the house, or when people come over, ones of the human race to be more specific, Sam or Colby’s room.

“Still not in the mood I see..” Colby presses his lips together in a thin line as you shoot him a glare, “I haven’t felt sunlight in days, Colby.” You pace some more and run your hands up your arms, “I need out. I need blood.”

Your eyes meet his, “Fresh blood.”

He pulls his bottom lip between his teeth as he gets what you’re hinting towards. He tilts his head at the idea, knowing Sam wouldn’t like it and go on a rant about how it’s not a good idea.

But, Colby loved going up against Sam. They’ve always had a brotherly competition - With just about everything they did.

“I see.” He nods towards the window, “The sun is almost down, yeah? I’ll take you out when it fully sets.”

Your eyes light up and you race over to him, tightly gripping his bicep, “You mean that?” He smirks at the desperation seeping from your words, “Yes, sweetheart. You don’t need to be cooped up in here all night, too.”

You sigh, “Thank you, Colby.” You smile up at him, your ears perking up when you feel Sam enter the room, “Hi Sam.” Your voice is a whisper but you know he hears you.

“Hi, baby.” He says as he walks out around Colby, “Sorry for keeping you hostage.” His hands pull you into his body as his lips press to your forehead, “It’s for your safety, baby. We don’t want anything happening to you, you know that, right?”

You sigh, nodding against his chest, “I just want that frickin’ daylight ring already.”

“Kat’s coming by tomorrow.” Sam fills you in and you smirk, “Well, I guess it’s a good thing I don’t have anywhere to be, tomorrow, yesterday.”

You feel Sam’s chest heave and Colby chuckles at your slight joke, “There’s our girl.”

——

You slowly walk around the open doorway of Colby’s room and lean against the frame, “Colbs.” You whisper, biting your lip when his eyes lock onto yours, “It’s night time. Which means..” you speed over, jumping onto the bed with a smile, “It’s our time.”

“Damn right it is.” He leans in, “Gimme a kiss first.”

Your eyes move to his lips and back to his eyes as a smirk creeps across your face, “You know you’re not as mean and scary as you portray yourself to be.”

He tilts his head, “Do you want to go outside?”

You pout, nodding your head, “Yes please.” He smirks and gently grips your chin, “Good, now shut up and give me a kiss, so we can get your ass outside.”

You laugh slightly and lean in to close the space.

As soon as your lips land on Colby’s, it unlocks a whole new feeling for you, and along with your other senses, it’s heightened to the max.

You whimper against his lips, “I need..” You grip his shirt and pull him towards you, “More.”

Colby pulls you into his lap, your legs on either side of his body, “More.. what, princess?” He stares at you while he brushes hair from your face.

You sigh, leaning in to mumble against his neck, “Blood, good blood.. and you..” your lips press kisses against his skin, “And Sam..”

Colby’s grip tightens on your waist, your words enticing him, “Oh, fuck.”

This was the first time any of you have thought about sex, especially with you being, not just a vampire, but a newborn vampire.

The newly gained stamina.

The heightened senses and emotions.

Fuck, if you felt this needy just thinking about them, you were nervous to think about how you’re going to feel when it’s actually taking place.

“Tell you what.” Colby lets out a shaky breath and leans in, “Since Sam, was really-“ he furrows his brows and shakes his head, “-dumb enough to let you alone with me..”

He grips your chin, “I’ll take you out for an evening hunting session if-” He raises his brows and smirks, “-you promise me you’ll be a good little bloodsucker.”

You nod your head, “I’ll be good, I need blood, Colby. Please, come on.” You get up, pulling his arm to try and get him to move faster.

He chuckles at your attempt and shakes his head, standing up as you take a step back. He cups your cheeks, “You’re so cute when you’re flustered.”

You roll your eyes, turning to watch him walk over to where his sweatshirt lays thrown over the arm of his chair.

Your eyes move down over his torso and the way his muscles flex as he pulls the fabric down over his body has your pussy walls clenching around nothing.

You and Colby look at each other when you hear the front door open, “We’re still going.” You nod and Colby smirks, “I’ll follow your lead.”

You walk down the steps and Sam’s gaze meets yours, “Why are you so-“ his eyes move to Colby as his hands snake around your waist, “What do you two have planned?”

“Oh, not me. This is all her idea.” Colby motions to you and your mouth drops, “What happened to I’ll follow your lead?”

“What’s going on?” Sam shakes his head and looks down at you. You sigh, “Damon is ta-“

“No.” Sam shakes his head, “Not happening.”

“C’mon, brother. She’s been caged in here for the last few days, at least let her take a lap around the house.” Colby takes your side and Sam sighs, “One lap.”

You lean against Sam, your voice whiny, “I need blood.”

“Don’t worry, Sam. I told her I’d take her hunting for a rabbit or two if she was a good little bloodsucker for us.” Colby smirks as Sam looks down at you, “Mm, did you agree?”

You turn, laying your hands on his chest, “I promise I’ll be a good girl for you and Colby. I won’t run off, I’ll stay with you the whole time.”

And you did.

For first hour or so.

You listened to what Sam wanted you to do, succeeding with two rabbits, which wasn’t at all enough to make you full, but it was enough to cure the craving - for now.

As you’re walking through the woods, your mood lighter from this little hunting lesson you just had, you start to smell something - the thing you really want.

“Y/n No!”

Too late.

You’re gone, realizing what you’re doing as you come to a stop right on the edge of a path. You take a deep breath, looking down that dirt road that leads down to a popular hangout spot.

You hear people chattering, girls giggling.

You lick your lips, looking the other way and you see bodies appear on the path. You squint your eyes as the dark purple veins under them appear and disappear quickly, the smell of blood growing closer.

Sam and Colby were close, you could hear them bitching back and forth to each other.

For a second, you really thought you were finally gaining control over yourself. But, it wasn’t until you had your teeth sunk into the neck of the innocent woman walking by, that you realized you were so wrong.

“Fuck, fuck.” Sam groans, grabbing the one woman while Colby grabs the man. They compel each person and they slowly make their way back to their party, instructed to tell them that their friend went home and they don’t remember the freak from the woods who practically beheaded their friend.

Well, they didn’t say it like that, of course.

They got their point across before they both turned towards you. You drop the limp body on the ground and lick your lips, “I thought I could co-“

You groan as your back is slammed up against the nearest tree, “Wh- uh. Ow?” You look up at Colby and he glares down at you, “what happened to I’ll be a good little blood sucker, huh?”

You sigh, “if you would have let me finish speaking before throwing me up against a tree.” You raise your brows, “I was trying to tell you that I had a second where I thought I could control it, but she was hurt and then next thing I know, I’m attached to her neck.”

“It’s our fault.” Sam says walking up. He glances back, “We should probably get out of here. I’ll take care of the body, I’ll catch up with you.”

Before you can protest, Colby grabs your wrist and you take off in the opposite direction of Sam.

Coming to a stop, Colby turns around, hands on your waist, “How’d it taste?” You bite your lip, shrugging your shoulders, “Try it and tell me.”

You tilt your chin up a little bit and you smirk as you see Colby’s eyes shift before he leans in, licking over the semi-dried blood that ran down your chin and neck.

You grip his shoulders, stifling back a moan as you feel him kiss and nip his way back up to your lips, “I can’t wait to get you back home.”

Colby steps back and you look over as Sam, and before you can speak, he beats you to it, “That cannot happen again, y/n. Do you understand me?”

Yep, even as a vampire you still hate when Sam gets all stern with you.

You roll your eyes, letting out a quick sigh, “Yeah, yeah. Wont happen again, sorry.”

Sam reaches up, gripping your neck as he backs you up into another tree, “Do I look like I’m messing around?”

He raises his brows and you look at him confused, “Um, no?” You laugh slightly and Sam’s grip tightens, “Do I look like I won’t punish you?”

You clench your jaw, voice becoming a low whispers as he squeezes harder, “Sam.” You push his arm away and he shakes his head, putting his hand right back to where it was, “I just don’t really think you actually get it.”

You scoff, “Oh my god, Sam. Really? You’re acting like you didn’t have any slip ups like this when you were a new vampire.”

“I didn’t have two vampires trying to help me.” He argues back.

You glance at Colby who is standing there watching, waiting to see how this is going to unfold.

You all know how it’s going to unfold.

“Colby.” Sam says, eyes still on yours. Colby walks up next to Sam, head tilted as his gaze falls on your, “What’s up?”

Sam nods towards you, his hand moving to cup your jaw, “I think our bad little bloodsucker here, needs to be taught a lesson.” Sam leans in slightly, his thumb runs over your bottom lip, “Given a punishment.”

The wall of your empty cunt spasms around nothing as you let a whimper fall out.

Colby nods his head, dragging his fingers against your scalp to get a better grip on your hair, “Right before we left, she was telling me how much she needed us.”

Sam nods, biting down on his lip, “Is that so?” He tilts his head as you nod and he licks his lips, “Should be good for a few hours, yeah? Since you like to not listen, we’re going to fuck some sense into you.”

You whimper from both excitement and fear, nodding your head, “Please.”

Colby chuckles, reaching out to grip your chin to make you look at him, “Oh baby girl. We’re going to ruin you.”

——

“You’ve driven me insane these last few days.” Sam mumbles before crashing his lips onto yours. He back you up to the bed and pushes you down, his body moving to hover over yours.

His eyes move to the dried blood that’s on your chin and neck, smudged from when Colby tasted it for himself.

His vampire look flashing through and you can’t help but smirk - and keep running your mouth, “All you want me to do is hunt animals. I don’t want to hunt fucking animals.”

“Then what do you want to do, baby?” Sam asks, his thumb trailing down your red soaked skin.

You swallow when you feel his hand slide against the side of your neck, “All I really want to do-“ your voice is quiet as you look up, eyes meeting his now darker blue ones, “-Is fuck both of you like an animal.”

Colby speeds over and he sits down next you, “You really are just a perverted little demon, aren’t ya?”

He rubs his thumb over your lips and you quickly part them, taking his thumb between. You let out a low hums as your tongue swirls around it.

“Fuck.” He curses quietly, “Our little bloodsucking slut.”

You moan at his words, nodding as he pulls his thumb out of your mouth, “Please.” You whimper out, “I promise I’ll be good.”

“Promising to be good, is way out the window, sweetheart.” Sam grips your neck and slams you back onto the bed, his body over yours as his face is an inch from yours, “Look at you, all bloody and turned on.”

You whimper, arching your back to get him closer to you, “p-le-“

Sam crashes his lips into yours, “Not another fucking word.”

You bite your lip, looking over at Colby and Sam turns your head back towards him, “mm. No. He ain’t saving you this time.”

You pout, reaching up to grab Sam as he moves off the bed, but Colby stops you. His fingers interlocking his fingers with yours before pinning it to the bed, “Let him blow off steam, baby.”

Sam returns, his clothes gone and he doesn’t give you any warning about him pushing your legs back and slipping his cock into you.

You let out a loud moan, gripping the sheets below you as you squeeze Colby’s hand. Colby leans in, kisses down your neck as Sam holds his stare on you.

Slowly pulling out and thrusting back in, quickly getting into a rough, punishing pace that has you ready to rip Colby’s arm from his body.

You wanted to scream out his name, beg him to stop, but he was already mad at you, you didn’t want to push him over the edge completely.

You turn your head, moaning against Colby’s cheek. He tilts his head up, sliding his free hand up your arm before moving it to your neck, gaining a whimper from you before his lips are on yours.

“If you’re not going to have her mouth on your dick, then get out, Colby.” Sam groans , his grip on your thighs is definitely hard enough to leave bruises, but sadly, with your super healing ability, you wouldn’t get to admire them.

“Fine.” Colby sits up, removing any grip he has on you has you whimpering. Your eyes roll shut, your body tensing up in an arch as his cock repetitively hits your cervix, earning yelps and moans.

You feel the bed dip down by your head, Colby reaches down to brush hair from your face, “Open.”

You comply, looking up at him as he strokes his cock a few times before slipping the tip between your lips, “That’s it.” He breathes out, his hand resting on the top of your head as you work your way into a bobbing rhythm.

All of your senses are HIGH.

Sam is using that against you, mainly to try and teach you a lesson, but you sure has he’ll aren’t taking it as that.

“Gonna cum on my cock?” Sam asks, “I’m sure you’re all ready there.”

You pop off of Colby’s cock, your walls squeezing Sam like your life depends on it.

Until he pulls out.

Before you can say anything, you’re flipped over and pulled down the bed by your ankles.

Sam is now by your head, and Colby is now behind you.

Colby’s hands rib over your hips before he grips, lifting them up off the bed so your ass is pointed up, “i think this vampiness has made you hotter.”

“Hence why you need to learn how to control yourself, baby.” Sam runs a hand over your hair, moving it down to grip your chin, “Open wide.”

Colby slides in, causing your mouth to drop open which Sam takes to his advantage and pushed your head down onto him, earning a gag at the sudden feeling.

“Fuck, take it. I know you can.” Sam’s chest jolts out with each bob of your head. You moan around him, sending shivers of pleasure through his body.

Colby’s hand comes down to leave a welted red handprint on your ass cheek. Your long moan from him is muffled by Sam keeping his cock in your mouth,

“Fuck, fuck. C’mon baby.” Colby groans, hands squeezing your hips harder as he tries to get you right where you want to be.

“Fuck.” Sam throws his head back, quickly returning to the sight between his legs. He lifts your head, watching as the tears spill over the edge, painting your cheeks with glossy lines.

“Are you going to listen?” Sam asks and you nod, moans falling from your lips as Colby leans down, his arm wrapping around your waist so his hand can massage your clit.

“Words baby, time for words.” Sam cups your cheek and you lose it.

“Yes! Yes! Yesyesyes.” You whine loudly, pushing your hips back to meet Colby’s thrusts, “Fuckfuckfuck.”

Sam watches your face, studying how its twists and turns with the pleasure you feel.

“Are you going to try and control yourself?” Sam again and you groan, “I said fucking yes, Sam.”

Colby’s quick to move and before you know it, you’re against the wall, Sam inches from your face, “I’m sorry, did I ask for the fucking attitude?”

You stay silent as Sam continues, “I’m sorry that me actually fucking giving a shit about you is so annoying that you feel like it’s okay to ju-“

Sam was on the bed.

His back against the mattress as your hand is around his neck, “I never fucking said that it was annoying and that I didn’t like it. I’m fucking losing it, Sam.”

He stares up at you, pursing his lips as he tries to hide his smirk.

You tighten your grip, “I swear to god Sam. I promise, I’ll work on controlling my impulses.. just..” you whine, “Just let me cum.”

He looks over at Colby and back to you, “If that’s what you want.“

You nod, not really knowing what you’re signing up for.

“Let me up and we can give that to you.”

Your grip loosens, but it wasn’t long before your back was against Colby’s chest, legs pushed up by Sam and your cunt is taking both of them beautifully.

“Just gotta be a good girl.” Colby groans in your ear, “Maybe if you’re good, we can reward you like this in the future.”

You whimper, “Y-yes. yes.”

Your eyes roll back, unable to process what either of them are saying to you anymore.

Colby’s arm goes to lay across your body, holding you tight as you feel his thrusts grow sloppy, same with Sam, “Cum for us, y/n.”

You look up at him, moaning as his name rolls off your tongue with such grace.

Your body was twitching, tensing up as your orgasm rolled through you, taking your energy with it.

You continue to lay against Colby’s shaking, your vision was blurred and you honestly felt weak.

“Here.” Colby bites his wrist, bringing it level to your eyes and you’re quick to look. You eyes turn red and veiny eyes, “Drink.”

You don’t hesitate, leaning forward you push his palm to your mouth and he gasps as your fangs sink into his skin, sucking away at his blood.

“That’s it, baby.” Colby whispers as he runs his free hand up and down your bare back, “Good girl.”

You were so lost in the bloodlust of Colby that you didn’t realize Sam made sure you were cleaned up.

You pull off of Colby, letting your head fall against his shoulder with a relieved sigh.

“You gonna listen to us now?” Sam chuckles as he brushes your cheek. You open your eyes, smiling as you see him through your blurred vision.

“Yes.” You say quietly, “I promise I’ll be a good little bloodsucker.”

“We just want you safe, okay?” Colby kisses your head and you nod, “I know.”

“We love you.”

——

Okay okay okay, I kinda rushed this at the end but it still alright to me! Let me know how you liked it and as always, I love ya!

Likes and reblogs are majorly appreciated!

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