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emeritusemeritus · 1 year ago

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Vulnera Sanentur [Weasley Twins x Reader]

Part 6

Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Title: Vulnera Sanentur

Pairing: Fred Weasley x Reader x George Weasley {established relationship}

Timeline: DH1&2- Initially set during the battle of the seven potters. Canon and certain plot points have been altered for the needs of the story.

Summary: The battle of the seven Potters throws your world into chaos when one of your boyfriend’s is cursed. As Snape’s ex-potions assistant and previous protégée, you recognise the inflicted curse immediately and demand answers from your mentor.

Warnings: Angst, mentions of war and Voldy, descriptions of injury and blood, descriptive smut, p in v sex, shower sex, tension. Outside sex. Semi public sex. None sexual nudity. Crying. Snape has a soft spot for reader. Arguments. Probably some cursing. Mentions of nightmares. Reader is part of the Order of the Phoenix. Mentions of death (Dumbledore). Mentions of Tonks’ pregnancy. On it got a angsty. So much angst I can’t tag it all. Not spellchecked nor beta read, we die like Madeye.

Everything happened so fast.

One minute you were sat with Fred at Bill and Fleur's wedding reception, laughing and joking as you caught your breath after being twirled around on the dance floor for what seemed like hours and the next, you were running down Tottenham Court Road and fighting off death eaters in a grubby little café. Then came your long hideout at Grimmauld Place, the dangerous infiltration of the Ministry of Magic, Ron's splinching, his rest period and then eventual, rather dramatic departure, leaving you, Harry and Hermione to search for the remaining horcruxes alone.

The trio had told you all about the Horcruxes and the larger plan, leaving no detail left out as soon as you arrived back at Grimmauld Place, watching as you slipped through the protective enchantments unphased. So far you'd found very little except for Salazar Slytherin's real locket which had been a curse to you all, most notably you and Ron, who it seemed to effect the most.

Ron had become jealous and volatile as the months grew on, each and every time he would wear the repugnant locket. He obsessed over the radio he carried, listening with rapt attention to see if anyone of his family was listed amongst the missing or dead and would watch Harry and Hermione interact with a compulsive need, his jealousy and all consuming anger only creating a further rift amongst you all.

You had taken to the locket poorly, or rather the locket had taken poorly to you, finding that it seemed to attack the raw emotions inside of you, the grief and the longing, the doubts, like a dementor continually pulling at your bare soul. To pass the time, you had begun researching curses and the ability to heal after one had been stricken. Cursed limbs could not be restored, but there must have been something you could do, something that would make George return to normal again, so that he would love you once more. Restoring his ear in any way you could would make George love you again, it had to. It slowly sank into a desperate need for answers and accompanied by the locket's cruel effects, became an obsession that forced you to look into sheer darkness, dark magic and ancient methods that were outlawed for their questionable morality suddenly became interesting evidence that something could be done, no matter the price. There were two pieces of compelling evidence which led you to believe that you were on to something; one, that Severus had invented the curse and it had not been sanctioned nor recognised officially, therefore it could not be classified along with the other known curses and may be exempt from the rules. Secondly, that Voldemort had potentially been hit by the rebounded killing curse, if not the ancient magic of Lily's protection and he had managed to restore himself to strength. Harry had told you in great detail exactly what happened in the graveyard that night for Voldemort to restore himself and this only furthered your obsession, though you hid it well from the others, researching as you sat on watch, guarding you all from the ever-present threat.

The months you'd been gone had been filled with camping out in the cold wilderness, flitting from place to place, foraging for food and water, hiding from the ever present threat of death eaters and learning to live without the two men you loved most in the world.

Then came the haunting memory of Christmas Eve in Godric's Hollow and the events that followed with Nagini inhabiting the deceased Bathilda Bagshot's body, the memories of that night still giving you night terrors and leaving lingering effects on your mind, the trauma imprinted upon you. The day had been one of absolutely agony for you already, feeling the full effect of being away from your boyfriends, missing them with a devastating desperation, feeling near the end of your nerve, towing the line between doing the right thing and persevering or returning home to them. Seeing the twinkling Christmas lights, hearing the carols being sung by a choir only hurt you more, knowing this would be the first Christmas you would be away from almost everyone you loved.

During the attack, you'd been severely injured in the skirmish, bitten by Nagini on the shoulder as you leapt to Harry's defence upstairs having discovered the blood and decay in the room downstairs, the sickening sight and the smell of the room still lingering in your mind months on, turning your stomach at the very thought. Nagini had kept it's fangs lodged deep into your shoulder as you were dragged down the hole in the stairs during the skirmish, wrapped tightly in the giant trunk of their body, the fangs ripping at your skin and tail thrashing onto you as you fell. You'd only just broken free from Nagini's hold when Hermione cast the Blasting curse which had no doubt saved your life and had managed to co-apparate with you to safety just before Voldemort arrived.

Antidotes and dittany had done nothing as you writhed in sheer agony, your pale, sweat covered skin burning from the inside out. The skin around the bite was quickly turning black and burned with an intensity even fiendfyre couldn't replicate. After numerous hours of Hermione frantically trying to rid you of your torment did you make the decision to manually extract the venom, an archaic method of healing that was dangerous in the best of circumstances, something you'd only read about in restricted apothecary books.

Using one of the empty vials you kept in your bag, you instructed Harry to manually smash it so that it was only half the length, sharp sharps of glass where it had broken creating a serrated edge. The glass tube was inserted into the enflamed wound to create a vacuum, making you scream in complete agony. An incantation like charm needed to be performed repeatedly with precision, demanding intense concentration and a steady hand. Hermione had tried over and over, as had Harry, but nothing happened.

"Think of Fred and George, they need you," Harry had said through misted eyes, rubbing tears away with his sleeve, trying desperately to place your wand into your trembling, blood soaked hand.

Hermione was crying both out of desperation to heal you and devastation that she was unable to perform the extraction herself as you closed your eyes to focus, trying your hardest to ignore the pain and centre yourself, just as you had that night with George.

You thought of Fred, his boisterous laugh and wicked grin, his passionate kisses and his lingering touches. You thought of George and his slow, sweet kisses that could calm you and rile you up all with one meaningful peck, his shy smile and his sweet, autumny smell that comforted you like no other. Only when you'd centered yourself did you move your wand to point at the ruptured, nausea-inducing wound and began to carry out the incantation. You repeated it over and over, each time getting stronger as you forced yourself to think of your boyfriends, of the good times and the memories. Your thoughts surrounded you like fog, taking over everyone of your senses until it was all you could think of, the pain either lessening or just becoming less prominent as you watched the wound drain.

Black, almost iridescent liquid flowed into the vial slowly, gathering together in a move that defied gravity as it permeated out of your skin in droplets. The skin around the wound was slowly turning back to its usual hue, if not just more aggressively sore looking as every bit of venom drained out from your shoulder. When no more venom came out, you stopped the incantation and almost immediately collapsed onto the floor, losing consciousness out of sheer exhaustion and pain. When you came to a little while later, Hermione had wrapped up your wound and had cast a myriad of pain relieving spells in the hope that your excruciating discomfort would come to an end.

"Well it's safe to assume that the snake is definitely a Horcrux too," you'd muttered weakly, accepting a drink of water into your trembling hands from Harry who also looked rather traumatised by the whole ordeal. You'd have a gnarly scar, even with the use of dittany. The healing only went so far and nothing you did would make it close up completely, the jagged, prominent scars still red and painful, a fluctuating mixture between aching and burning under the wound on the worser days. You'd kept the venom in a fresh vial, storing it for purposes you couldn't explain, perhaps it could be used to restore George. This little fact, you kept hidden from the others.

Ron had returned not too long after that, finding his way back to you all using the deluminator that Dumbledore had gifted him, making you realise that your own gift must be his way of telling you something, though you could never work out what he intended for it.

You'd studied your gift countless times, repeating the curious words that magically engraved themselves across the black device, the very words that didn't make any sense to you no matter how long you studied them. You'd not even noticed the words in the beginning but had found out later that the words only appeared when you thought of a happy memory. Purely by coincidence, you'd noticed a pattern in when they would appear, experimenting on the others to test your theory and eventually received the same results.

"Maybe Dumbledore expected you to be unhappy if you joined us, knowing you'd be away from Fred and George. Maybe it's his way of telling you to stay positive," Ron said late one night, both of you sat outside the tent on watch. "I reckon he knew I'd leave and need to find my way back." You sighed, not finding his excuse plausible. Surely it had to be more than that. You closed your eyes and thought of the Yule ball, dancing with Fred and George, both of them intercepting the other trying to steal you back and forth as you were dragged and lifted like a rag doll between the boisterous pair. You opened your eyes, keeping the memory alive in your mind as you watched the words appear on the lebetum.

Expecto Dominum Meum

"Hermione," you called out, into the tent, hearing her rustle towards you. "Do you have anything about Latin in your books?"

"Oh, um, no I don't think I have," she says with a frown, cataloging her inventory in her mind as if she could mentally picture each book and it's contents.

"Is it a spell?" Ron says, looking at the words.

You shook your head, "I tried that. Maybe if we could translate it?"

The night drew on and you kept watch, feeling far too frustrated by the complex device in your mind that you couldn't sleep even if you wanted to, the answer so close it was niggling at you. Everyone else had gone to sleep and the night was still in a calming way, leaving you completely to your thoughts.

You pulled out your wand, trying something new and closed your eyes, conjuring up a strong memory of Fred and George. The first time they told you they loved you. Opening your eyes you fixed your gaze upon the lebetum and spoke the words clearly.

"Expecto Dominum Meum!"

Nothing happened. Until you looked at the lebetum.

Inside the frosted glass was a moving spirit like image, like a ghost moving through mist or fog, slowly becoming clearer with each second. A doe. Was it a patronus? Trapped inside the lebetum? It wasn't yours, your patronus was a Weasel, an ironic twist you'd discovered in your later years of education with Dumbledore's Army.

The doe turned to look directly towards you, as if it was really seeing you, looking expectantly at your face.

You repeated the words in a spell like manner but nothing happened.

"Expecto Patronum!" You called, still thinking of Fred and George, trying everything you could.

Immediately a blinding white light lit up out of your wand and brandished itself into a weasel, running around and illuminating the dark sky. Your eyes widened when the doe deer appeared beside your Weasel, dancing around eachother. But then the deer began to slowly walk away, casting a singular glance back towards you as if gesturing for you to follow. You immediately called out for Ron and Harry and that is exactly how you discovered the sword of Gryffindor trapped in the ice, which in turn, allowed Ron to finally destroy the locket.

After that came the Lovegood house and the outlandish mess that lead you straight into the arms of a pack of snatchers, including Fenrir Greyback, who took you to Malfoy Manor, the house of horrors as it turned out. Bellatrix had held nothing back as she tortured you and Hermione, trying to drag information out of you both, though Hermione endured more and worse punishment than you due to her blood status. You'd been beaten, sliced with a dagger and forced to endure the cruciatus curse as Fenrir prowled around you menacingly, waiting for his chance to take a bite out of you any chance he could. Only when you were thrown back into the dungeon below with Ron, Harry, Luna, Ollivander and Griphook, did you begin to cry, not allowing your abusers to see you break down.

You wanted Fred and George, you needed them desperately. You pulled out your lebetum, having concealed it in your jacket pocket upon your arrival at Malfoy Manor and tried your hardest to focus on something happy, though it was hard to focus through the pain and anguish. You thought of the three of you at the lake beside the Burrow; the first summer you were officially together, a summer full of kisses, pranks and laughter.

A thought occurred to you and you weakly walked over to Mr Ollivander, hoping he might have an answer, knowing he was a well studied man. He was weak and frail, looking older than ever through his torment.

"Mr Ollivander, do you speak Latin?" Talking was hard as blood filled your mouth, the evidence of Bellatrix's abuse so clearly displayed across your face. He gives a little weak nod, his eyes filled with sorrow as he looks at your bruised and swollen lip. "Could you translate this for me, please?"

You hold out the lebetum for him to take and sense Harry and Ron moving closer, trying to listen in to the quiet conversation.

"You were professor Snape's potions assistant were you not? I recognise you from Diagon Alley," he says with a squint. You nod, trying not to wince at the sudden pain shooting through your head at the movement.

"Yes sir," you confirm, suddenly feeling very conflicted by the information, "my boyfriends own the joke shop there." He makes a noise of understanding, as if he pieces all the information together before looking down at the Lebetum.

"What is this?" He asks curiously, rolling the item in his hand as he inspects it.

"A lebetum, Dumbledore bequeathed it to me in his will," you explain, sounding not so sure yourself. He lets out a chuckle at your words and you frown, consfused by his reaction.

"Expecto Dominum Meum," he says wistfully, "I await my master."

You stood in silence, more confused than ever.

"Are you sure?" Harry asks from behind you, evidently as confused by the translation. Ollivander thankfully takes no offence to Harry's question and simply nods, his eyes glancing over the words once more.

Later, you and Harry whisper amongst yourselves, trying to figure out what it meant as Ron clings to the bars, desperately looking up the stairs to catch sight of Hermione after everything had gone quiet, her screams ceasing.

"Your master is a doe?" He asks, thinking of the patronus that had burst out of the lebetum that night.

"Yes but my patronus is a Weasel, it doesn't make sense."

"It's risky but we could summon the patronus doe again, of course they'd see the light though."

"You're Kreacher's master, do you think it would summon him if you did it?" You ask quietly, taking the words written on the device literally, though you fear you already know the answer. Harry shakes his head, knowing it was too dangerous. Kreacher may have come around to you all eventually but he was still loyal to the Black family so it was a risk you couldn't take.

"It led us to the sword, it might lead us out, like a guide," he whispers and you nod along, thinking the same thing.

You close your eyes and dive deep into your mind, thinking of your happiest memories of the twins and recite the words. Sure enough, the doe's face appears in the frosted glass.

"Expecto patronum!" You say, trying to remain quiet but speak clearly.

Any hope you had crashes down around you the second no light shines from the lebetum, the spirit like image of the doe seeming to walk away into the distance. You turn to Harry and sigh in defeat, sinking lower into the cold ground as despair overcomes you.

You'd managed to escape Malfoy Manor by the skin of your teeth when Dobby had arrived only minutes later in a heroic and spectacular manner. As you all disapparated away to the safe house, Dobby was fatally wounded and died in Harry's arms from the blade that Bellatrix had thrown. Just before his death, Dobby had informed you in a weak voice that his boss was right, Harry Potter and his friends needed Dobby's help. He died amongst friends in Harry's arms and you'd all laid him to rest in the beautiful beach at Shell Cottage and planned to make him a fitting gravestone out of the large rocks.

Seeing Bill was like finding a freshwater stream in the desert. You supposed it was the familiarity of him, or maybe his familiar red hair that set you off but the moment you saw him, you flung yourself into his arms heaving out a sob. He seemed to immediately understand, and pulled you in to him, holding you tight until you were ready to pull away. His face contorted in displeasure as he looked at your beaten, swollen face and the cut across your cheek and then turned to the rest of the group with equally sorrowful glances. Fleur embraced you delicately but with a conviction that you'd never felt before, which you assumed was deep rooted.

Ollivander and Griphook had been immediately tended to as Bill prepared a hot meal for you all, delicious vegetable soup and warm bread, a far cry away from the pitiful meals you'd been eating on the run. You and Fleur had helped tend to Hermione's wounds, most notably the 'mudblood' script that had been carved into her arm. It would undoubtedly scar but with the help of dittany and a mixture of potions you had left, the pain would stop and there'd be no chance of infection. Fleur had then turned to you but you refused any help, preferring instead to go lay down for a while.

The room was simply decorated with nautical flares and the large springy mattress and soft sheets felt like heaven on earth as you rested your head, months of exhaustion and pain seeping out of you as you finally allowed yourself to let your guard down and relax.

You'd been awake for a few minutes, staring mindlessly out of the window from the bed and clutching hold of the jumper you'd stolen from the twins which you'd taken to using as a makeshift blanket. The jumper had long since stopped smelling like them but the soft woolly texture was familiar and comforting all the same as you picked at the stitching, feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed, especially now you were safe. A gentle knock sounded out, alerting you to someone at the door and after a few moments of silence, the door crept open to reveal Bill. He'd brought a small tin bowl filled with water which looked like a muggle shaving accessory and placed it on the bed beside you, armed with cotton balls.

"I know, I was the same," he says, taking a seat upon the bed beside you, gesturing to his own facial scars. "Didn't want anyone to see them, thought I could do it myself." You understood why he was saying this, and the meaning behind it and reluctantly nodded, allowing him to help you as you sat up a little straighter in bed.

The elephant in the room was all consuming and it felt like you both knew exactly what was causing the tension but neither of you knowing how to stop it or what to say, the common denominators between you not yet mentioned. Bill takes one look at the jumper in your hands, then to you and smiles softly, dipping the cotton ball in water before bringing it to your left eyebrow.

"They're okay," he says quietly, concentrating on removing the dried blood from your face. "They understand why you had to go." Your eyes flick down to look at your lap, guilt consuming you anew. "They're lost without you but they keep themselves busy with Potterwatch, Fred mostly."

You remembered connecting to the Wizarding Wireless Network some months ago and finding enormous comfort in hearing Lee's familiar voice through the crackling signal. When Fred's voice rang through the speaker after Lee announcing the next segment of news of the chief death eater, you thought you were hallucinating. You'd checked to see that you weren't holding the locket, like it would play a cruel trick on you like that but it was real, not just in your mind. You'd laughed and cried in utter joy at hearing his smooth voice again and as soon as it disappeared and moved on to the next segment announced by Lee, you'd sobbed in utter misery right through the night. Your obsession with the radio after that matched Ron's, desperate to hear Fred's voice again but by the time you'd moved on, you could never connect to it again.

"They're worried about you, we all have been. Mum's a wreck most days, dad acts strong for everyone but you can see it in his eyes. Ginny's reckless, though I'd wager she's more worried for Harry than Ron," he says with a huff, reaching fir a new cotton ball, "and the twins, they just want you back."

"Even George?" You ask timidly, voice cracking a little as you think of how you left things between you.

"Especially George," he says with a determine shake of his head, "they don't tell me much but you can see it in him, especially when you first left, he looked devastated, guilty even." You wince at Bill's word and he suddenly realises he might have said too much.

"Sorry, older brother, tendency to overstep," he jokes with a smile.

"They can't know I'm here, not yet," you say, though it pains you to do so. He nods in understanding. That was something you admired about Bill, he was a man of his word and didn't question things further when it was unnecessary, a stark contrast to his mother.

He then pulls out his wand and mutters a spell that causes you to gasp, feeling your swollen lip contracting though the pain only lasts a second.

"That's probably going to scar," Bill says hesitantly, looking at the slash across your cheekbone. You nod, already accepting your fate. "Is there anything else?"

You quickly shake your head, not quite feeling strong enough to talk yet. He looks at you for a moment and you can tell he's not convinced, causing you to sigh.

"Can you numb something for me?" You ask reluctantly, trying to avoid eye contact as you sit embarrassed by what he was going to see. He nods and his gaze flicks across you like he's trying to work out what you're asking of him.

You bring your arm up delicately, the wound still tender even so far on, the broken skin and muscles never healing right. It caused you pain daily, especially when it was cold and as hard as you tried you could never complete a numbing spell on the right area. Slipping out of your jumper, you winced as your arm bent a little too far for comfort. You unbuttoned one of the front buttons on your long sleeve T-shirt and began to peel the collar away from your neck, slowly exposing your disgusting shoulder to him.

You watched as his face contorted into something you couldn't register, expecting disgust or revulsion but instead his look was tender and tormented. You slid your bra strap down, careful not to expose anything you didn't want your boyfriends' brother to see and allowed him to look at the raised, jagged marks on your shoulder that hadn't healed nearly as much as it should have.

"How?" Bill asks quietly, his eyes fixated on the wound.

"Voldemort's snake," you said, trying not to relieve the memory of that night, knowing you wouldn't sleep that night if you did. He doesn't say anything else but simply points his wand at your shoulder and completes a strong numbing spell, right on the spot that burns the most.

"You're the toughest witch I know," he says with a prideful chuckle, replacing his wand back into his pocket. You huff out a laugh with a shake of your head, covering yourself back up. Bill helps you put your jumper back on and remains standing as he incinerates the blood soaked cotton balls. "I'll bring you some tea, get some more rest tough girl."

"Bill," you say, stopping him from walking out. He turns to you in question and you quickly add, "thank you."

"You're family," he says, as if he's staying an obvious fact before giving you a tight lipped smile and walking out the door.

After resting up at Shell Cottage for quite some time, giving Hermione plenty of time to work through her trauma, a plan had been made to break into Bellatrix's vault at Gringotts after she'd unwittingly stated to Griphook that there was a prized possession in her vault, which you all knew was most likely a Horcrux.

The Gringotts plan was dangerous to another level, more so than infiltrating the ministry as the world seemed to have changed in the space you'd been gone, the threat and danger increasing tenfold as the death eaters claimed more and more supporters out of fear. You'd painstakingly brewed a batch of Polyjuice Potion during your time at Shell Cottage, along with a few other potions you might need to replace your inventory that had been used whilst you'd been away. The plan had been doomed from the very beginning, with Griphook being an unreliable ally, Polyjuice, Imperius curses, Flagrante and Gemino protection curses and a previously unknown and unplanned for Dragon guarding the lower vaults.

Thanks to Hermione's quick but insane thinking, you'd all managed to escape on the back of the half blind and antagonised dragon with Hufflepuff's cursed cup in your possession.

Your new destination was secured the moment you all dragged yourselves out of the freezing cold water after dismounting the dragon. Harry'd had a vision about the location of the next Horcrux, a suspicion we'd had all along that Voldemort had hidden a part of his soul in the castle.

You were going back to Hogwarts.

#emeritusemeritus #emeritusemerituswrites #harry potter #fred weasley #fred weasley x you #fred weasley x reader #fred weasley imagine #fred weasley masterlist #george weasley #george weasley x you #weasley twins x reader #george weasley x reader x fred weasley #george weasley smut #george weasley x reader #weasley twins masterlist #weasley twins x you

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cher-rei · 9 months ago

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afterglow- pt 7 [ T.A.A ]

pairings: trent alexander arnold x fem!reader

summary: young and aspiring marketing and business major jamie carter is privileged with working alongside the liverpool fc marketing and public relations team, while also getting entangled with their star player and right back, trent alexander arnold.

genre(s): friends to lovers, workplace romance, fluff

[wc: 4.6k] [part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4] [part 5] [part 6] [part 8] [part 9] [part 10] [part 11] [part 12]

notes: it's the way that I've hinted at another fic in this chapter and then another one in chapter 8... I love interconnecting my series' ughhh

spamjam._. added to their story!

"here's one for you," jude spoke from his position on the hotel suite couch to gain your attention as you unpacked your things. "bro went from liking her posts to flying her over just for some moral support."

you rolled your eyes as he read out the tweets which he had been enjoying for the past ten minutes now. the way that twitter was rioting over the situation was utterly amusing— from your post on Instagram to jude stating that you were sharing a hotel room. they were having a blast by coming up with theories as to how this even came about.

yes, jude only happened to follow you on instragram at the beginning of the year but that was not the reason you knew each other at all. if it were then this situation would be very awkward. as he would say, "luckily for you, you had the privilege of knowing me before I became the equivalent to ryan gosling."

you wouldn't exactly call it a privilege but whatever made him sleep at night. funny enough, you two met at a football match when you were still in high school. it was strange to see a 17-year-old actively engage in conversation with some random 14-year-old just because he said she was screaming too much.

that wasn't the last of your accidental meetings, however, the next was a few weeks later when your parents invited some friends over from birmingham— and lo and behold who just happened to be the son of those friends.

so here you were at 20 and 23, closer than ever but keeping it as low-key as possible.

you proceeded to listen to jude comment on each tweet, each one funnier than the last. "I swear some of these people have got to be fbi trained." he shook his head and you hummed in response, nearly jumping up when jude yelled out in shock.

"listen to this one," he turned from his position on the couch to look at you in front of the bed. "in early 2023, jude followed jamie back on Instagram and 6 months later she got her job as liverpool's p.r manager. hours later after the announcement the entire squad followed her back, the first of them being trent. jamie and trent have been seen together a lot from then on and she's even tagged him in multiple of her Instagram stories. now what do we know about trent? he plays for england. who else plays for england? jude. where is jamie right now? in barcelona with jude."

you were left dumbfounded, jude staring at you with his eyes wide and obviously impressed. "well that's one way to connect the dots I guess." you shrugged your shoulders, "they're not wrong but they're not quite right either."

a scoff left jude's mouth and he got up from the couch to look out the ceiling-to-floor window looking out at the city. "trent's not the middleman here though. like dude you and I aren't dating so there's no need."

he was right, there was no need for a middleman. it was just pure coincidence but obviously people wouldn't think of it like that. "and I thank the lord for that every single day."

he pulled a face, "stop being dramatic. I'm not that bad and you know it."

you hummed out in debate, getting your things so you could go and shower. "I mean judging by your lack of female interaction--"

before you could finish a pillow was hurled straight at you causing you to yelp out, getting ready to days for the bathroom before he could throw another.

"I talk to woman!" he yelled out after you and you laughed a little louder than intended which prompted him to get another pillow.

"female reporters don't count jude!"

you slammed the bathroom door shut just as he threw the pillow again, a loud thud echoing through the room before it dropped to the floor along with jude's hands. he huffed out in frustration, complaining for a good few minutes before he came to a conclusion that made you double over in laughter.

"just for that, I'll be keeping my eye out for interns from now on! if I marry a reporter one day I'll make sure not to invite you just out spite!"

your first morning in barcelona consisted of nothing but peace. the view you woke up to was breathtaking, definitely the most beautiful sunrise you had ever seen. you took your time getting ready before breakfast and made sure to put together the best outfit you could manage seeing as it was rare that you got to wear summer attire.

jude shot you the most confused look to date when he saw your top. he hit you with the "woman stopped wearing corsets decades ago so I'm a bit confused as to why you're torturing yourself right now."

it took a bit to explain to him that you weren't suffering at all, but he still didn't understand and left it at that so the two of you could head to a restaurant for breakfast. every step you took your eye was caught by something more beautiful than the last, your heart strings tugging in the summer heat.

"I've made up my mind. I'm coming to visit you every three months."

jude didn't oppose the idea and instead encouraged it, saying that he needed a bit more company. everything was recorded, you had your phone out and your camera for double the footage, talking to the camera as you carried on with your day.

"do you really have to film everything?" jude asked from across your table at the outdoor seating area of the restaurant as you waited for your breakfast.

you made a sound at the back of your throat and continued to go through the footage you had so far. "unlike you, I have a social media presence and people enjoy the content that I put out okay?"

"uh huh." his eyes wandered over you silently until he was told to check your instagram story, and of course he reposted it being the absolutely amazing friend he was and not because he was in any way forced to do it...

spamjam._. added to their story!

"I don't think anyone understands how crazy it is to hear jude speak in spanish so casually." you turned your camera to look at jude opposite you, adorning an expression of offence.

you suppressed a smile. "this is the same boy who asked me if 'lethargic' was an actual word or if I made it up by the way."

that hit a nerve for him and he put down his fork, and pointed a finger at you while explaining the pointlessness of the word and just how stupid it was. "who uses the word lethargic jamie?" he raised his hands waiting for an answer.

your laugh could be heard behind the camera, obvious judgement in your tone as you teased him. "people who have a vocabulary level that exceeds year 6."

jude shot you an 'oh really look' clearly not buying your reasoning. "just say that you're tired," he grew a bit more defensive and you tried to speak over him but he continued on. "it's never that deep."

you laughed again, telling him that he literally just proved your point. you could feel the stares that you were getting from people passing by— just trying to enjoy their peaceful thursday morning without two idiots arguing about words.

the banter went on for a bit, the camera now set on the edge of the table so that both you and jude were in the frame, tension heightened as you debated. he shrugged his shoulders eventually, "lethargic is not that big of a word either. it's just unnecessary--"

your eyebrows raised, "--oh really?"

he nodded in confirmation, as to say that it was obvious and that he wasn't an idiot. so you did the only correct thing at the moment which brought a wave of nostalgia to wash over jude who couldn't help but laugh.

"spell lethargic then."

he hesitated for a moment, wondering if you were being serious. "go on then, prove me wrong." you urged him, and obviously, he took up the challenge because jude bellingham was not a quitter.

"L I--"

you cut him off with a proud smile, "wrong!"

"L A--"

"wrong!"

by now jude was dumbfounded, immediately reaching out for his cellphone to google the absurd word only to find out that it was spelt with an E. you hummed happily as he complained once again, saying that spelling it with an E didn't make any sense.

"jude victor william bellingham," you began with a smile and he shook his head. "one of real madrid and england's star players at the age of 20 yet he can't spell 'lethargic'."

the rest of the day played out smoothly— sightseeing, shopping till jude's entire backseat was covered in bags, a trip to the beach and using jude as your personal photographer and videographer. now that was what you called a vacation.

the last stop the two of you were going to make would be a small picnic to wrap up the evening seeing as jude would be at practice all-day tomorrow before the match later that evening. either way you wouldn't be alone because jobe would be flying down the morning, so you were more than excited to pick him up at the airport.

your picnic blanket was set down on the grass at a park, and once again the scenery had you gawking. the sunset was to die for, the atmosphere was chirpy yet peaceful and in all honesty if this was your last moment alive you wouldn't have any regrets.

you let out a content sigh, "if this is what being a wag is like then I might have to hit up victoria beckham for some pointers."

jude let out a laugh from beside you, watching silently as you pointed your vlog camera to the sky— moving it from side to side as you took in the scenery.

"I mean you have some good candidates, and you're already in the industry so it's just up to you." he nudged you on the shoulder. "make the move jamie."

a sigh escaped your lips at the fact that he was right. everything was played out in your favour and you needed to use it to your advantage. "I'll dm colwill when we get back to the hotel."

jude doubled over in laughter at your comment but you kept your attention on your camera, settling it down in front of the both of you. "he's younger than you."

you shrugged your shoulders to dismiss his note. "age is just a number or something."

that made you both smile but for two completely different reasons. jude found it funny whereas you were washed with an unfamiliar feeling, your mind flashing back to yours and trent's midnight mcdonald's run when he said the exact same thing.

that remembrance made you keep a mental note to call him later, just to see how things were holding up on that side.

the conversation picked up again when you shut off your camera. and of course, it took the emotional route at the hour of vulnerability. it hopped from family to work to comfortability in your respective situations in a matter of seconds.

it was nice for jude to have this time to talk about stuff like this, you knew he appreciated moments like this where he could express himself more freely without a language barrier or slight anxiety.

when he first left for madrid you remembered the five-hour conversation you had over the phone because he couldn't fall asleep, too unsure and unfamiliar with his surroundings to be able to settle in. with that, you made sure to check up on him daily before bed.

time zones didn't stop you and never would, especially with someone you considered family. jude and jobe were easily younger brothers to you— jude being the irritating younger brother who acted as if he were older than you and jobe being the sweet younger brother that needed constant affection.

you cared for them both dearly, making time to see each other whenever you could when you schedules were free.

"so you found the apartment?" jude asked and popped a grape into his mouth while he listened to you talk about your move out of your sister's house.

maya and noah were moving to london at the beginning of next year, which just so happened to be two months from now. which honestly was a great idea and you were super excited for them, but it was the househunting the was an issue for you because you were so picky.

you weren't too worried about the rent, the main issue was the interior so you took it upon yourself to do some drastic redecorating when you found one. and in four months it was ready, the only thing it was missing was you.

you nodded happily, "I can move in whenever I'm ready."

your answer made jude smile. be knew just how excited you were to finally move into a place of your own because all you'd been doing was saving up. "which is..."

"which is before christmas. and I have a little surprise on the way as well," you retorted in excitement but jude's thoughts immediately went to pregnancy and you could see it on his face, judging by how quickly his eyes dropped to your stomache.

the sun had fully set now, the air beginning to chill but not in a way that had you shivering, but in a way that made you feel relieved. basking in the atmosphere took your mind elsewhere, a glimmer of something in the back of your mind flashing.

your stomach dropped at the memory. one of the many that you've recently.

"we have to go to spain." the glee in your voice bounced off the walls of the bedroom, back to the bed where you and your boyfriend were lying.

he chuckled at your antics and the way that your grip tightened on his torso, his fingers lightly tracing your shoulder. "we'll go anywhere you like baby." he kissed the top of your head.

you looked up at him with doe eyes. "really?"

michael flashed an adoring smile, the same one that showed just how smitten he was for you. you felt a chill run down your spine at the touch of his fingers on your cheeks. "I'd do anything for you."

your throat stung at the memory, something that weighed so heavily on your chest. moments where you two promised to build a family together resurfaced, where you promised to always be there for each other, but this time accompanied by a bitter taste.

you'd accomplished so much these past few months and he wasn't there to witness it like he said he would. there weren't any flowers or handwritten cards with a hug that made you melt. you could still hear his voice sometimes and the way he would speak to you so gently.

at your graduation you could barely enjoy the moment because while being onstage you saw his face in the crowd, an unreadable expression and the words "I'm so proud of you, love" floating aimlessly through the air.

everything he ever said to you was now floating aimlessly through the air.

judebellingham

jobebellingham and 4 245 223 others liked this post

judebellingham had to go back to the hotel like thrice for her to get changed [tagged: spamjam._.]

see all comments below

jobebellingham please never take selfies again

→ spamjam._. agreed

→ judebellingham you're both walking to the stadium I don't care

vinijr ❤️🔥 [liked by judebellingham]

spamjam._.

liked by liverpoolfc and 2 345 234 others

spamjam._. 🌼

see all comments below

jobebellingham it's like you couldn't have waited for me before doing all this 😃

→ spamjam._. we're going to be together all week bro chill 🙄

liverpoolfc jamie come back, the kids miss you 🥲

→ spamjam._. they're lying

trentarnold66 you owe me a mcdonalds run when you get back [liked by spamjam._.]

→ spamjam._. yes sir 🫡

Ibrahimakonate 🙊❤️ [liked by spamjam._.]

curtisjr my gf says you're beautiful 🙄

→ spamjam._. gf?? curtis call me right now istg!!

levicolwill okay supermodel🙄❤️ [liked by spamjam._.]

→ spamjam._. check your dm's

"there's my favourite boy!"

you had your arms spread for a hug as you watched jobe walk up to you with a sheepish smile. you could tell that he was a slight bit embarrassed, but gave in anyway and dropped his bags to embrace you.

he had grown a freakishly large amount since the last time you saw him— towering over you would be an understatement and it took every bit of you not to feel overwhelmed, but how could you when he was so freaken cute??

a shy chuckle came from jobe as you continued to hug him, your arms tightly wrapped around in torso. "you can carry on when we get back to the hotel, people have places to be."

that wasn't good enough of an excuse for you. "they can let me have my moment."

when you got back to the hotel, jude wasn't there as suspected but all your bags were already packed for tomorrow morning's early flight back to madrid. the rest of the day was spent just relaxing in the hotel room and catching up as usual because you didn't want to waste your energy and fall asleep half way into the first half of the match.

"I can't believe I'm about to watch barça and madrid play," jobe commented as he scrolled through his twitter feed.

you two were settled comfortably on the couch set with snacks and the t.v playing as background noise. when you didn't reply he looked up from his phone, only to see you glued to your own with a lopsided smile.

it was unlike you to ignore him, even if it were by accident so it raised some suspicion. he kicked your thigh in an attempt to gain your attention but it didn't work, your fingers typing away at the keyboard for whatever reason. he didn't want to be one of those brothers and take your phone right out of hand and see what had you so interested— that was jude's job.

so instead he resorted to kicking you over and over until you eventually got irritated and yelped out in pain. "jobe my leg," you groaned and began to rub your thigh that he'd been taking hits at.

when you looked at him again his expression had changed, his lips slightly parted in shock. you asked him what the issue was and all he could manage was a scoff of disbelief. there'd only been one other instance where he'd seen you act like this before, and he tried to forget it at most.

"who are you talking to?"

jobe wasn't one to pry and you knew that, and when he did it was out of genuine concern. you cleared your throat awkwardly. "just a friend."

his eyes narrowed at your answer, knowing he caught you. "you don't have friends." in no way did he mean to offend you by saying that, because it was true and as clear as day. he knew you too well, maybe you could hide things from jude for a bit but with jobe it was different because everything came out unintentionally.

a sigh of defeat escaped your mouth and you set your phone down on your lap. "this is a situation my friend is in right now. you're not going to ask any questions okay?"

jobe nodded his head eagerly and sat upright so he could pay more attention. and just like that, you found yourself lost in the explanation and you were sure you nearly namedropped at least thrice but jobe remained attentive and gave his word when needed.

"I mean if they aren't dating then there should be nothing wrong with you--"

you gave jobe a look and he immediately retracted his last word.

"your friend. your friend, not you," he corrected sheepishly and you nodded.

he thought the idea was dumb. you could've just said that you were talking about yourself and he wouldn't have bugged you... that much. "your friend isn't overstepping any boundaries by the sound of it. so she should just go with the flow--"

you couldn't believe that you were taking relationship advice from an 18-year-old right now. this was your lowest. "--whatever happens, happens."

whatever happens, happens.

his advice genuinely seemed to shift some gears in your mind, and you wanted nothing more than to wrap him up in a bear hug. so that's exactly what you did. "have I ever told you how much I love you?"

the question made him stifle a laugh, the boy tightening his grip around your shoulders as you lay on top of him. "I want to say yes but no."

you slapped his arm jokingly. "you're my favourite brother too. but don't tell jude."

"how can I not??"

#footballer imagine #fanfic #footballer x reader #trent alexander arnold fluff #footballer x you #liverpool fc #trent alexander arnold x reader #football imagine #liverpool x reader #trent alexander arnold fanfic #afterglow trent alexander arnold #jude bellingham #jobe bellingham #cherrei rambles #cherrei writes #writers on tumblr #trent alexander arnold imagine #trent alexander arnold

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onebizarrekai · 3 months ago

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Fic Author Interview

I've been tagged by @unmaskedcardinal! been a while since I talked about any of this stuff, particularly as a very inconsistent fic poster haha

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

the visible number linked to my account is currently 60, no idea if this is counting the bizarre saga from my archive account or not. technically I've posted more, but they aren't part of that number.

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

567,314.

3. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

ibvs season 1 & season 2 are (thankfully) the top two on my account, considering they're… well. ibvs.

number 3 is formal humiliation, a utmv fic back in 2019 where I wrote 3 oneshots all with different pairs surrounding the same idea. it's uh, it's something.

4 is behave, a saiouma despair disease fic I wrote sort of ironically in 2020. I did not realize this weird oneshot would be the thing that jumpstarted my kage obsession.

5, for some reason, is glow, a ds fic I wrote in 2019. I do not know why this is the ds fic with the most kudos. I am just really glad that it's not one of the ones I wrote in 2018.

4. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

lately I have been trying to respond to more comments, if they're on a recent enough story and I can think of a way to answer.

5. What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

most of the fics I've written right now have been Random Spot In Time fics with no articulate ending, but game over is pretty edgy. I think. I've written a similarly edgy ending but it's in an anonymous fic. it occurs to me that edgy doesn't necessarily mean angst, but it can.

6. What’s the fic you’ve written with the happiest ending?

somehow everyone lived happily ever after in the bizarre saga, no f'ing idea how they managed that

7. Do you write crossovers?

I have. I have as comedies. I tend to take a bunch of guys and put them in a new setting that they definitely shouldn't be in. poopenster high is an example of this, but none of that has ever touched the internet and I haven't touched it in like 2 years.

8. Have you ever received hate on a fic?

oh my god like. maybe once? maybe? I don't even think it counted as hate. I think like several years ago some rando complained that season 2 of ibvs was trying too hard to be funny. I barely remember what it actually said, I just remember it being annoying.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

when I was in my v3 phase I wrote some, I think "feelings with smut" describes most of it decently. the nature of the kcu meant it was like, almost all trippy.

10. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

I dunno. I hope not. I think I've had people repost stuff without permission.

11. Have you ever had a fic translated?

probably?? when I was a teen I had people say they wanted to translate my utmv fics, I don't know which ones actually followed through anymore.

12. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

(sigh) yes.

13. What’s your all-time favorite ship?

oh god, I think I honestly just phase around stuff. I don't think I've ever permanently latched onto a pair, it's just that I've had fandoms and I have pairs that I've ended up liking in them and they just sort of stay that way even if stop paying attention to the fandom. I like most ships that happens to fit into my favorite criteria (that being protagonist/morally ambiguous deuteragonist or antagonist). if you asked me what my favorite series is, it would be an easier question. it's zelda. but I don't really have any permanent favorite ships in zelda.

14. What’s a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

this is a scary question because I have a number of major wips that I want to get back into once I get back into writing and I refuse to accept that they may not get finished. I don't know. moose hill? for a little while I wanted to see if I could come up with a whole side story, but it is extremely unlikely that will happen. maybe a better example is a continuation of shuichi and kage's blackout adventure, which is pretty low on the priority list for if my brain every gets infected by danganronpa again.

15. What are your writing strengths?

the jokes are very important. I put my heart and soul into them. I hope that people can see my vision when I tell them.

16. What are your writing weaknesses?

actually doing the writing getting from point A to point B. I come up with this whole outline and realize there's 2000 words of empty space that needs to happen. and it's like dull shit, too. just plain old events. like look at them, it's the lunching hours again. because lunch is a thing that happens every day. is it redundant to have lunch too many times? it can't possibly! it's the only time they can talk to each other! do I need to pan the camera again because this 3 sentence exchange has dragged on for too long? help

17. What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

makes sense to me. or like, depends on the context. if the POV is a character who can speak the language, the reader should probably get to know what they're saying (think like, subtitled sections of a movie), unless it's really easy to decipher. but if the POV can't understand it, the reader shouldn't necessarily know. it gets more complicated if it takes place in a setting where they should logically be speaking a language that is not english for example. like, if they're in a country where they are not speaking english but the fic is in english. it wouldn't really make sense to insert interjections in their home language because they're not speaking english in the first place. I guess it all depends on what you're trying to convey.

18. What was the first fandom you wrote for?

sonic. does it count. I started writing once I was old enough to type. but I think the first story I ever put online was zelda.

19. What’s a fandom/ship you haven’t written for yet but want to?

on occasion I entertain the idea of writing for corpse party, but that's probably not going to happen.

20. What’s your favorite fic you’ve written?

I'm going to not include that one anonymous fic and my pile of unfinished longfic wips that I've been proud of in past years is way too big so… maybe game over?? it's complicated. I have a ton of comedy pieces that I love but they're just… not completed!!

[ feel free to fill this out yourself if you're a fic writer! ]

#random stuff #I've gotta locate some kind of motivational groove at some point. I guess #I have a lot of unfinished projects that I haven't finalized or posted any chapters of #because I'm always thinking 'something's going to need to change later' especially if there's an inconsistency down the line #or I just want to see if I can finish an entire thing before thinking about posting it #and I'm usually like 'ok but working on ibvs more important anyway'

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kakyoinmonth · 6 months ago

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Introducing Kakyoin Month 2024!

Welcome to Kakyoin Month 2024! A month dedicated to Kakyoin Noriaki from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, focusing on his character, evolution, and interactions with others. This also doubles as a birthday celebration, since all we have for his birthday date is his zodiac sign (Leo). The month has been broken up into four different weeks and a finale. Please feel free to pick and choose what days/weeks/etc you wish to participate in – you don’t have to do it all!

The prompts are as follows:

Week 1: Variation

Day 1: Part 3

Day 2: Part 4 au

Day 3: Part 5 au

Day 4: Part 6 au

Day 5: OVA

Day 6: Irene-verse

Day 7: SBR-verse

Week 2: Friends and Family

Day 8: Jotaro

Day 9: Joseph

Day 10: Avdol

Day 11: Polnareff

Day 12: Iggy

Day 13: Family

Day 14: Hierophant Green

Week 3: Character

Day 15: Screenshot redraw/alternate palette/missing scene

Day 16: Hair noodle/scarf/wide mouth

Day 17: Sand/water/blood

Day 18: Sunglasses/fashion/gems

Day 19: Dreams/knives/dogs

Day 20: Art/anthropology/video games

Day 21: Water tower/clocks/night

Week 4: Headcanons/Favorites

Day 22: Favorite romantic or platonic pairing

Day 23: Pride (sexuality/gender headcanons)

Day 24: Favorite color

Day 25: Favorite music

Day 26: Favorite animal

Day 27: Job/career/hobby

Day 28: Favorite fashion/aesthetic

Finale:

Day 29: Scars/disabilities/blood

Day 30: Message/pride/flaw

Day 31: Knowledge/love/triumph

Current rules are as follows:

No NSFW for this project! Dirty jokes are allowed, so long as they aren’t too graphic, but limited nudity and no sex!

Do NOT participate if you are “proship”/“anti-anti”/"profiction"/etc. Beyond the given moral complications, the moderator has experienced personal issues in their life that make it so they don’t want to work creatively with proshippers — so if nothing else, respect that.

No EARLY submissions please, but LATE submissions are 100 percent allowed! Hell, if you see this two years after it’s over and still want to participate, or if it takes you two years to finish a submission, please do still submit and tag!

Submissions must be related to prompts, but for days with multiple prompts, such as days 15-21/27-31, you do not need to incorporate every prompt listed! For example, if you have an idea for "sunglasses" but not "fashion" or "gems" on day 18, please feel free to only focus on the "sunglasses" prompt! There is no need to include everything. There are multiple prompts listed just so there are plenty of options to draw inspiration from.

That's it! Please feel free to reply, send an ask, DM, etc if you have a question! More information and all the answers to any questions that may arise can be found on this Google doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19ySJ9Xnjc0Um7I3NHYZIeCuh_Rjkc_PuCNB4PrGSLts/edit?usp=sharing

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy Kakyoin Month 2024!

#info #kakyoin month 2024 #kakyoin #kakyoin noriaki #noriaki kakyoin #tenmei kakyoin #kakyoin tenmei #jjba #jojo's bizarre adventure #jojos bizarre adventure #jojo #stardust crusaders

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kuro-morale-events · 1 year ago

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Now announcing KME's Kinkmas event!

When is it? December 1-30th! Days will have their own prompts, check the list below. We also accept late work, so if you miss posting on the prompt's day, we'd love to see what you made!

We accept all types of transformative works (fic, art, edits, gifs, mood boards, etc) as long as it fits the prompts!

What ships are accepted? Everything!

What type of content is allowed? You can submit anything you want, just make sure it follows the prompts and tagged properly! You can also combine prompts.

How do I submit something? Tag us @kuro-morale-events or use the tag #kuro morale events, or send us an ask with a link to your work!

This event is hate free and 18+.

Please respect your fellow fans. Real people matter more than fictional characters.

Prompts:

December 1-2: D&S

December 3-4: Blood play

December 5-6: Incest

December 7-8: Daddybastian and the other DILFs of Kuroshitsuji

December 9-10: Size kink

December 11-12: Cannibalism

December 13-14: Loss of virginity/first time

December 15-16: Scarification

December 17-18: Priest kink/religious imagery

December 19-20: Weapons play

December 21-22: Breeding/omegaverse

December 23-24: Height difference

December 25-26: Bondage

December 27-28: Dub/noncon

December 29-30: Monster fucking

An explanation of each kink below the cut!

D&S:

Dominant and submissive dynamics. A power exchange where the sub gives their power to the dom and trusts them to lead.

Blood Play

Can be blood drinking, causing a character to bleed, or blood just being a point of (sexual/romantic) interest. Does not have to be the pairing's blood, such as Character A kills a character and gets their blood on them and Character B is really into that, or drawing blood with a bite. (Hint hint towards a way to cross this with omegaverse ;) )

Incest

Can be whatever familial relation, including adoptive or step family!

Daddybastian and the other DILFs of Kuroshitsuji

Daddy kink! It can be any Kuroshitsuji character, not just Sebastian.

Size Kink

Focuses on penis size. Can have overlap with height difference and focusing on the general body size of a partner.

Cannibalism

One character eating another character of their species or close enough to their species, such as a demon, vampire, werewolf eating a human.

Loss of Virginity/First Time

A character having sex for the first time ever or the first time with a specific partner. We're pretty lax with this one, ie loss of virginity can still count for Ciel if it's his consensual first time, and it also works for dub/noncon depending on what you want to go with!

Scarification

Burning, biting, cutting, or scratching in order to leave a scar and manipulate the wound to make a specific design.

Priest Kink/Religious Imagery

A character can be a priest or it could just be about religious imagery, such as fucking in a church or Character A getting plowed while Character B wears a crucifix that swings between them.

Weapons Play

Incorporating weapons as part of the scene. Can be a knife, gun, or whatever else you come up with!

Breeding/Omegaverse

Does not have to include both, and breeding does not have to include pregnancy, it can just be about the act of breeding/mating.

Height Difference

One character is taller/larger than the other. Often focuses on one character being smaller or larger. Overlaps with but does not have to include size kink.

Bondage

It can be as handcuffs, tying a character to a head board, one character being tied up while kidnapped, or even shibari!

Dub/Noncon

Dubious consent or non consensual. Dubious consent can including drugging/high/drunk, acting on instinct, curses, fuck or die, coercion, or mating cycles/heat. You can also choose CNC (consensual non consent or rape roleplay) here if you want!

Monster Fucking

A character is a monster of your choosing.

You can use multiple prompts for the same entry! We know a lot of these have overlap (daddy kink/ D&S, size kink/height difference/monster fucking, monster fucking/omegaverse, omegaverse/D&S/scarification/blood play, weapons play/scarification for some examples) and we encourage y’all to fill the prompt as you see fit!

This is about taking inspiration, and if you're inspired to write a werewolf omegaverse D&S fic with blood play and cannibalism, be my guest! If you only want to do one prompt, that's perfectly fine as well.

We look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with!

#black butler #Kuroshitsuji #kuro-morale-events #sebaciel #sebard #sebagni #Sebastian Michaelis #ciel phantomhive #bardroy

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meitantei-shitpost · 8 months ago

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Detco m27 spoilers under the cut!!! ⚠️

So. I figured I would rant a little about the big reveal that’s been going around as I’ve already been spoiled. I’m not a huge kaishin shipper although I did do a big bang event a while back. But to anyone who does ship kaishin, I’m begging you, please don’t delete your works.

Please don’t delete your fics, art, or blogs!!! They are precious works of art that you’ve worked so hard on. I don’t want to see any of it lost.

Detective Conan canon is ridiculous! If we cared about canon we wouldn’t be making all of this stuff in the first place. It’s been over 20 years and we’re suddenly supposed to accept this reveal? Hell nah. Make an AU where that shit did not happen and keep shipping it. It doesn’t matter and I imagine the fandom will already have some sort of AU tag ready that excludes movie 27 from canon (if movie 27 even ends up becoming canon).

Also, don’t bully anyone for still shipping kaishin! It doesn’t make you morally superior and it’s okay if people ship something you don’t like. Akemi and Akai dated and were cousins in canon so tbh it’s kinda par for the course in the franchise. Also in hannin no hanzawa hanzawa has a huge crush on his cousin. Idk what’s going on in this series anymore 💀

I’ve been on dcmk tumblr for about 7 years now and the fandom is honestly such a small, wholesome group. This is the first time we’ve had any real “drama” and I don’t want it to tear us apart. I hope that kaishin shippers keep doing what they’re doing regardless of whatever Gosho is cooking up.

(I also just think the whole situation is super funny. This truly is the fandom’s 9/11 I have been cackling at the absurdity. He really dropped that bomb after decades 😭😭)

#m27 spoilers #the million dollar pentagram #detective Conan movie 27 #movie 27 spoilers #detco spoilers #dcmk

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nerdieforpedro · 3 months ago

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Summer Fanfics - Nerdie’s Fanfic Picks Volume 8

All fanfics on this list are for readers age 18 and up, please respect the author's tags, warnings and notes as they're there so you know what's in them. YOU are in charge of your own reading experience!

Fics I read from June through the beginning of August, I tried to capture as many of them as I could, but my memory is like Swiss cheese. I usually tag them with (#nerdie fic rec) though.

1. Farris Wheel - @ghotifishreads (Joel Miller)

2. finger paint - @sin-djarin (Dieter Bravo)

3. Columbia - @wheresarizona (Marcus Acacius)

4. Make Me - @magpiepills (Lucian Flores)

5. Trick or Treat - @morallyinept (Frankie/Dave York/Joel Miller - Dark fic)

6. Wild and Unruly - @clawdeewritesfanfic (Joel Miller)

7. I wish that I was good enough - @iamasaddie (Javier Peña)

8. Stitch me where it bleeds - @megamindsecretlair (Choso -JJK)

9. A Glimpse of Eternity - @gasolinerainbowpuddles (Marcus Acacius)

10. love’s a weed: Frankie is the centerfold @tinytinymenace (Frankie Morales)

11. Soar - @morallyinept (Javier Gutierrez)

12. Tempered in the Fire Series - @ladamedusoif (Din Djarin)

13. Pistachio Pea - @morallyinept (Javier Peña)

14. Writing Club - @soft-persephone (Jake Johnson)

15. In Another Lifetime - @inept-the-magnificent (Marcus Acacius)

16. Sweet Tooth - @magpiepills (Javier Peña)

17. Twinkle - @morallyinept (Frankie Morales)

18. Chasing Fall - @inept-the-magnificent (Frankie Morales)

19. The Sound of His Voice - @lis-likes-fics (Spencer Reid)

20. Mini Skirt - @pedroshotwifey (Javier Peña)

21. The guest room - @milla-frenchy (Tim Rockford)

22. be cruel to me, ‘cause I’m a fool for you - @joelsgreenflannel (Frankie Morales)

23. No Solo Riders - @missredherring (Dieter Bravo)

24. Guiding Light - @mermaidgirl30 (Marcus Acacius)

25. Punto De Perder Part 2 - @fhatbhabiee (Frankie Morales)

26. Winston’s Sister - @soft-persephone (Jake Johnson)

27. Sweet Taste of Revenge - @frenchiereading (Oberyn Martell)

28. A Guide to Proper Communication/Best He Could Do (Totally Intentional) - @soft-persephone (Jake Johnson)

29. Pink Interface - @milkypompon (Nathan Bateman)

30. So Much Goddam Talkin’ - @stargirlfics (Joel Miller)

31. Punto De Perder - @fhatbhabiee (Frankie Morales)

Please check out the fics and their author’s masterlists. 🥰 Don’t forget to reblog and comment if you really enjoy their work. 💜

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divinekangaroo · 1 year ago

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Thanks @palmviolet for tagging me!

How many works do you have on AO3? 154

2. What’s your total AO3 word count? 900k

3. What fandoms do you write for? Peaky Blinders, Final Fantasy XII, Final Fantasy VII, Dragon Age II, The Professionals.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos? Interesting and not straightforward question: I've been writing since 2007 and only rebooted my fics to AO3 in 2023. I backdated them to time of writing rather than posting live into the current update stream. I was vaguely curious to see what *actually* attracts readers through the AO3 search engine. So, my current top five are all Peaky Blinders Tommy/Lizzie fics, and given my small followers list, everyone following me will probably already have read them!

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? I do, and it’s my vain (both senses of the term) struggle with how to do it appropriately. I am conscious of how comments, particularly on an AO3 "archival" fic, can weight a reader's further interpretation/engagement of or with fic by that author, and that I'll never put so much time into comments as I do into fic.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? 7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? The fics I thought of picking for these two pretty much overlapped. Perhaps this shows just how I approach happiness – it’s moments, it’s never an ending.

8. Do you get hate on fics? Only old Dragon Age fics. Interesting period of time where any fic author that didn't unequivocally support the moral rightness of one particular character's opinions was targeted. Like: ok to write torture/rape fics of this character, but only if it was clear the author thought this character was morally right. Such a destructive troll.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? I'll write sex, mostly as part of a larger arc rather than standalone smut; often it is a partial scenario rather than linear start-to-end event written in a rhythm to support a coherent wanking rise-to-climax read. I'm pleased if people find it pushes their buttons, but I'm also not bothered if it doesn't. I do approach smut as one of many possible lenses or frames for a character, however, so smut that detaches from character confuses me.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? Sometimes but they have to feel really right. I think I tend more to fusion or pastiche (I think those are the terms?) rather than crossover: I take a particular character concept/theme and port them into a particular environmental context which is not possible in the canon to see what happens. The only one I still have up is a FFXII/Dragonriders of Pern fic (incomplete) which was going to be all about the horrible knowledge of socially accepted and endorsed ritualised rape and forced feminisation of a character.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? I'm not that popular to notice.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? I have a memory of one in FFXII but can't recall.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? Yes! Taught me a lot, including the kind of writer I am - difficult to collaborate as my push to complete within a motivational urge period will always be greater than a long-haul effort, and I struggle to be available for other people. I’m either good at the front end ideas-generation, or a micro detail ‘write this particular thing/scene and fill it with goodness’, and not very good at the middle bit – the long slot of planning and plotting and aiming for consistency etc. I am so grateful fandom exists to support non-traditional prose formats which let me play with writing and thinking and engagement without needing to produce to book-style production standards.

14. What’s your all time favourite ship? I usually fixate on a character, and pairings allow means to explore that character rather than being an end game.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? Oh they all carry this potential. *cries* The issue for me is loss of motivational drive/thinking; because I rarely have good structural notes etc if I lose my immediate thread of 'thinking of everything all at once' I find it hard to pick up again later. I also stop some fics because I realise how ambitious the scope really is, and I feel like I can’t do them justice.

16. What are your writing strengths? Speed-sketcher? Completionist? Tests multiple ideas rapidly and freely and never worries about something 'being wrong' because there's always another fic to try? Intuitive gut level hits on characterisation here and there?

17. What are your writing weaknesses? Editing, pacing, I can't sustain long fic, I frequently move characters around like paper dolls for the sake of the cool and forget they need their own internal motivation.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? I prefer the kind of cant-based/dialect-based approach which splices non-English terms fluidly into English dialogue, mostly because as a child of many migrants this has been my world experience. I do suck at writing this, hence my frequent use of cop-outs to say 'language shift here, meanwhile still writing in English'. But when it’s done well it hits so many of my sweet spots.

19. First fandom you wrote for? FFVII.

20. Favourite fic you’ve written? Anything in my Personal Favourites list: https://archiveofourown.org/series/3728710. (I'm still too close to Peaky Blinders to pick a fav, it'll take about five years of distance!)

#my writing

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kyndredravenstories · 2 months ago

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Eyes of Infinity: Chapter 15

Hello, I have been posting my work on AO3 and recently decided to venture here to Tumblr. Please note: This story is 18+. No minors. Please read tags carefully. Link to AO3 below but I will also be posting the chapters here.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/53564641/chapters/151406866

Pairing: Sylus/Female MC with some elements of Xavier/Female MC

Genre: Romance, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Angst, Adventure, Smut, Porn with Big Plot and Big Feelings

Content Warning (For the entire fic): Explicit sexual content, spoilers and alterations to existing lore and cards/memories/tender moments/secret times, size kink, size difference, vaginal sex, cunnilingus, anal sex, fingering, all kinds of fingering, elements of consensual somno, dom!Sylus, jealousy, possessive!Sylus, Mephisto stalking, typical game violence, battle and combat

Summary: To love him meant stepping over the threshold and crossing into darkness. To be with him meant accepting the lure of the shadows. And to protect him from betrayal meant sacrifice. I knew not how, only that I would not let time sever our paths ever again.

Previous Chapters: Ch 1 / Ch 2 / Ch 3 / Ch 4 / Ch 5 / Ch 6 / Ch 7 / Ch 8 / Ch 9 / Ch 10 / Ch 11 / Ch 12 / Ch 13 / Ch 14

Sylus sits on the throne-like armchair in his receiving room reading a report about a recent Onychinus raid when the twins walk in. They push open the room's massive metal double doors and strut in with an air of confidence and excitement. Luke has a bounce in his step as he leads a small child no older than six years of age behind him. Kieran is noticeably more subdued as he holds a man by the scruff of his shirt, dragging his limp body on the floor as he walks.

Sylus frowns at the trail of blood Kieran leaves in his wake. He rubs at his temple, hoping that the twins followed his instructions and weren't too enthusiastic in softening this guy up before interrogation. Judging by how the man is whimpering and the tears and snot running down his face, they've definitely given him enough motivation to start talking at least. Overkill, really. A few minutes one on one with this man will give Sylus all the information he needs. Such a show of force wasn't necessary, but he can't expect his bloodhounds to show strategic restraint when it comes to violence.

He glances at the sniffling coward on the ground.

Felix Blaze, a scientist that likely knows more about the Aether Core and its potential than the majority of humans alive in this day and age. During his rise to fame amongst the ranks of Onychinus, he'd championed the creation of fake Protocores using the living as a sacrifice among a series of other morally questionable techniques. Well. To each his own. It was a mad scientist's prerogative to experiment and toy with life like a child with blocks, was it not? Sylus held nothing personally against him for following his deranged nature.

What was personal was Sylus's destruction of the man's life some years ago. When he razed Felix's first laboratory to the ground, it hadn't been a crusade to champion the innocents his research targeted. He'd done it because the man had dared to set his gaze on the Aether Core and the one possessing it. At the time, Sylus still wasn't certain if he'd be able to find Ellara in this world. But, he wasn't about to take any chances.

Despite the heavy financial cost to Onychinus, Sylus leveled the six block compound in a single evening of explosions and napalm, ensuring there would be nothing left to salvage. He'd saved the information needed to start over in another lab for other sources of research and income, safeguarding the scientists of his choosing. Felix wasn't one of them, and Sylus was certain that the mad scientist had perished in the flames. A recent discovery, however, suggested that the scientist hadn't died in the inferno after all. Instead, he'd escaped to Noxis to start his work all over again.

Honestly. Humans really are just like roaches.

Standing from his chair, Sylus rises to greet the twins and their charges. The pair had completed their mission in record time. He'd allotted at least two weeks for the infiltration of the lab and the capture of the notorious Felix Blaze. Yet, they'd returned in just a few days. Sylus isn't sure whether that means he's overestimating Malakai and the security at his compound or if the twins are just that good.

Or, perhaps they'd found an unexpected advantage.

His eyes flit to the boy trailing after Luke. He's got a shoulder length mop of fiery red hair. Streaks of random grey hair litter the cloud of frizzy and matted waves. His eyes are silver. Watching him walk timidly behind the twins gives Sylus some nostalgic flashbacks of the time when he first met his faithful bloodhounds. It's not just the boy's appearance that triggers the memories; it's everything from the signs of abuse all over his body, his greying hair, and the glint of madness so alien to a child's typical features.

Later, perhaps, he will ask Luke and Kieran what their intentions are for this boy. Though, now that he's gotten a good look at him, said intentions are clear as day.

"You've done well," Sylus drawls to his loyal servants, greeting them with his hands in his pockets.

"As you directed, Boss-man," Kieran announces, picking up the rather heavyset scientist with one hand and tossing him across the room towards Sylus with a relaxed motion. He doesn't check his strength, and the man goes rolling, stopping only when Sylus puts his heel against his body to halt his momentum. The bloodied man shakes and cries, particularly when he finally looks up and meets his enemy's eyes.

"S-Sylus..."

"I see you remember me. Then I won't bother with introductions. I'll also assume you already know what I want from you."

Felix cries out and curls into a shaking ball. Impatient with his sputtering, Sylus uses his Evol to lift his body into the air. Red and black mist surrounds him. Felix screams in fright, and it's all the opportunity Sylus needs to seize hold of his vision and his mind. More screams fill the room, echoing off the marble. Piece by piece, Sylus syphons knowledge from the man's memories. Unfortunately, most of it is information he's already privy to. Though, there is one gem tucked away in his head.

"The Progenitor," Sylus smiles. "Quite the lofty name for the clone of a dead man."

He continues his work, rummaging around in Felix's mind unconcerned about the consequences. As his brain begins to turn to mush, the man's screams start to die down. Soon, he'll be a vegetable. But, no matter. Killing him weakens Malakai. The man will be hard pressed to replace the leader of the Re-Birth project. Now that he's intimately familiar with this man's thoughts, Sylus can see where it's meant to lead.

The search for immortality? False Protocores? A drug meant to suppress Evol and an antidote giving a "miraculous" cure? It's all so familiar that it's borderline boring. Just as Sylus suspected, A.R.C.A.N.E is simply one tiny branch of EVER. And the Progenitor? Well. Malakai certainly has some grand ambitions. Taking Felix won't stop him; he's too well funded and too far along in the project. EVER will likely provide a replacement quickly, especially since Felix's memories suggest that he was on the verge of a breakthrough.

What's not so expected is EVER's awareness of Ellara's hidden ability to devour Evol. It seems they're poised to take advantage of this, and the first guinea pig is to be her favored partner, Xavier. By breaking his collar, Sylus sought to give him the strength to protect her while he was chasing Malakai. But, he sees now that this might have been a mistake. He's sped up their timeline, which means he's now forced to escalate his own.

It means there's even less room for error.

If he's cornered EVER in any way, there's no telling how far they will go to obtain what they want. Sylus turns on his heel to face the twins, his eyes settling on the child cowering behind Luke's leg. He walks forward until he's standing right in front of his follower. Sylus raises his hand, and the man obediently steps aside. Left unprotected, the child's palpable fear intensifies. His bright silver eyes are huge in his small face, though there is no visible emotion in them. Other things hint at his trepidation. He doesn't make eye contact, staring at his bare feet. His pallor grows more pronounced, giving his skin a sickly green hue. His hands wring together in front of him.

"Look at me," Sylus commands. "You have nothing to fear if you have nothing to hide."

Sylus reaches out to find the child's motivations. He refrains from using the same technique that he used on Felix. There's no need. A child's mind is easier to mold and easier to search. Their desires are more shallow and lie just below the surface of their awareness. After a minute, it's clear that this boy has no connection with Sylus's enemies. Thus, he releases him and steps away.

"What's the verdict, Boss?" Kieran asks to his left.

How interesting. He sounds almost invested in this boy's fate. Amusing to think the twins might have found something to consider valuable, though it would be better if the only thing they saw as such was their work in his service. The last thing Sylus needs is for this child to put a chink in his bloodhounds' armor. He prefers their heartlessness, for it guarantees loyalty.

"He has some knowledge that might be useful," Sylus says, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "I trust whatever you have planned for him won't be a thorn in my side."

"Of course not, Boss," Luke assures him. "You won't even see him unless you command us to bring him to you."

"See to that. Your first priority is Malakai," Sylus reminds the twins, his tone firm.

"Understood," they say in unison.

Sylus gestures to Felix's comatose body. "Clean this up."

"Yes, Boss," the twins bow their heads.

Having dealt with this, Sylus lets all thought of his followers slip to the back of his mind. He exits the receiving room and makes his way upstairs to take a shower. It's been a rather long night, yet there is still much to be decided. Many pieces must still be moved into position on the chess board. Regrettably, the plans he'd made for himself and Ellara must be put off. Rather than simply taking her sailing on his yacht for a few days, he needs to find a way to help her trigger more of her power.

She's shut herself away so tightly. If what happened at their first meeting is any indication, triggering her Evol's full strength isn't just about physical power or training. Something is stopping her mentally, perhaps emotionally. Deep in thought, Sylus takes the elevator down to his basement armory. His feet lead him to a vault hidden behind a panel in the wall, his eyes settling on an ornate dagger with a bright red gem in its hilt. It sits inside a case made of triple-paned glass and tungsten. As soon as Sylus steps close to it, his Evol reacts to the gem inside. Dark black and red mist swirls around his body.

The weapon is one of his most valuable possessions, but there is nothing more valuable to him than Ellara and her safety. This dagger can offer her something priceless: an experience without the cost of time. An adventure where Ellara might be able to learn more of herself and find the key to the missing pieces of her power. Naturally, there is risk involved, but that's why she won't be going alone.

Sylus places his hand on the glass case, his lips curving into a bitter smile. If only Sorocan could see him now. What would she say? Sylus never believed that he would want to return to the steppe where he'd once lost so much. Yet here he is, ready to face it once again. The boundaries of time and space had blurred much since he'd first been there; as a human, it's very likely Sorocan is no longer in this world. Yet, he's certain that the monsters there have survived the stretch of eternity, as have Sorocan's people. Would the rest of them welcome another monster with open arms as she had once? There is only one way to find out.

Sylus checks his phone.

He types a quick message to Ellara. To his supreme satisfaction, she answers with almost no delay. Did his little Hunter miss him so much that she was looking out for his texts?

S: What's the soonest you can come on a trip with me?

K: Is this the trip you were talking about before?

S: It's not what I originally had in mind, but it's good to be spontaneous sometimes, isn't it?

K: I don't think there's ever been a time when you weren't, though.

S: I haven't heard you complain yet.

K: I have. You just don't listen.

Sylus chuckles at that. Though he can't hear her voice or sense her presence, imagining her curled up on her couch with a steaming cup of tea while she types to him makes him feel...different. His heart isn't racing, but a pleasant warmth spreads through it.

S: So, what's your answer, kitten? How soon can I sweep you away from your cozy little apartment?

K: Can you give me a day or two? What do I pack?

S: No packing necessary. I'll send a car to pick you up.

K: How long will we be gone?

Sylus rubs at his chin, choosing his words carefully.

S: That's up to you, sweetie.

Winter cradles Linkon in a cocoon of ice and falling snow as I leave it behind me. Autumn with its vibrancy and playful evening breezes is long gone, giving way to wool scarves, thick boots, mufflers, and hats. In the wake of its departure, the city is transformed. Couples walk the streets hand in hand, marveling at the multicolored lights and decorations hanging from seemingly every major store front. Wreaths of all shapes and sizes accent light poles, doors, and windows. The entire city is celebrating the coming holidays with bright signs, gaudy and adorable balloon characters, and rows upon rows of newly established market stalls.

Yet, as I enter it, I see that the N109 Zone remains stubbornly detached from all such celebrations and cheer. It's dark, damp, and gloomy as always, untouched by the holiday spirit. Even the falling snow lacks any kind of luster; it's more like ash than ice. In the obscure moonlight, the city looks as cold and aloof as I remember it. It's a beast of its own making, and I sigh as Sylus's car takes me deep into the heart of it. I understand Sylus's hatred for sunlight, but what exactly about this frigid darkness appeals to him? How can he stand to live here, locked so far away from anything that feels even remotely...alive?

Once, Sylus expressed a fondness for Linkon's blossoms in the spring and even the vibrant shedding leaves of fall. What, then, does he think about winter? And, has he really seen how Linkon celebrates the season? If the gloom of the N109 is all he's experienced when it comes to this time of year, I hope that one day I could show him how those who live in the light like to welcome the new year. We might even be like those strolling couples on the street, holding hands and sharing a pouch of roasted chestnuts while we admire the scenery. Such a thought makes me giddy. After all, it implies that we will stay by each others side at least that long.

Yet, I have no surety of that. Sylus and I are so very far apart in terms of lifestyle. I'm a Deepspace Hunter, and he is the undisputed King of N109. Not only does physical distance separate us, but moral obligations do as well. Not to mention, so many things are about to change. How will my coming transfer affect things between Sylus and myself? I have no way of knowing. Our bond seems so delicate, so fragile. What if it breaks? Will I be able to pick up the pieces? To pick up my pieces? Saying it that way is more accurate because I'm well aware now that if I lose him, I'll break. Maybe forever.

When I exit the car in front of Sylus's home, I'm full of these mixed feelings and unanswered questions. On my shoulder, Mephisto ruffles his feathers and makes a contented noise. He's likely glad to be close to his master again, though its only been a few days since we both saw him last. In too many ways, I can empathize with Mephisto's relief. Maybe I'm even projecting my own longing onto the mechanical creature. Since it's just in my head, I'll go ahead and admit that the two days after I initially received Sylus's mysterious invitation dragged about as badly as an unwelcome multi-day safety seminar at work.

I glance at the double doors at the front of the estate, and it takes quite a bit of willpower not to rush through them. Bundling myself tighter in my puffy jacket to keep out the chill, I'm feeling a little empty-handed. Though I brought along my trusted blasters and a few essentials, I followed Sylus's direction not to bother packing. With me not really being a purse kind of girl, I walk up and ring the doorbell then stand in place, not quite knowing what to do with my hands. I've got nothing to fidget with aside from the buttons on my winter coat, but I resist the mighty temptation in favor of not looking like a nervous schoolgirl about to go on her first date.

I have no clue why Sylus invited me or what his intentions are. He said we might be gone a few days, but he's given me no idea what to expect. Knowing him, his plans could be as romantic as a boat ride to some remote island he happens to own in the middle of nowhere or as thrilling as chasing down some powerful Wanderer or artifact in a corner of the world I've never even heard of. He'd mentioned that this trip would help prepare me for my transfer into the emergency quarantine zone in Goldwood City. Somehow, I doubt that this trip will have anything to do with romance.

At that thought, I find myself frowning. I can't let Sylus force me to march at his pace this time around. After what happened with Xavier, I made the decision to corner him and get him to explain exactly where he saw all this going. No matter where he takes me or what the plan is, my personal goal is to confirm the status of our relationship from his own mouth. No more implications. No more vague promises. Is this just a temporary fling? Or does he see us as something serious in his life? One way or another, I am going to force the answer out of him.

The doors open before me, but there's no indication of who did the opening. As I walk inside the mansion, I once again get the eerie feeling that ghosts and not actual people are servicing this place. Everything is meticulous and tidy; not a spec of dust on any shelves. The dining room table is covered to the brim with fresh food as always, but there's no sign of servants, staff, or anyone that could be responsible for keeping all of this in order. With the size of this place, it likely takes a full group of people to maintain it. So, why have I never seen anyone here aside from Sylus and the twins?

I help myself to a plate of chicken and salad, feeling rather hungry after neglecting lunch and dinner. I'd been too nervous about seeing Sylus again, and it had put me off of eating for most of the day. However, as was always the case when I was in this room, I'm suddenly starving. The food tastes incredible. What lottery do I have to win to hire this chef to come cook for me? I don't care if he just meal preps and freezes boxes for the week. With food of this caliber, even frozen meals would trump the convenience store packages and ramen that make up my normal regimen.

Just as I start looking around for a place to leave my dirty plate, a dark mist gathers all around my body. I get a spark of déjà vu as Sylus appears from within, stepping out of the chaotic swirl of Evol to stand directly in front of me. Black ghostly feathers fall around us like snow. His shoes click on the pristine marble floor as he stalks towards me. Chin raised. Sensual lips curved into a smile. And his eyes...oh, those eyes.

I steady myself against a rush of desire.

He's wearing his trademark black and red shirt with his armored jacket hanging from his shoulders. I'm determined not to notice the way his clothes hug his lithe form, so I end up staring down at my plate. He thwarts me immediately. Before I can even summon a coherent thought, his elegant long fingered hand reaches out for me. Calloused fingers slip beneath my chin, forcing me to meet his heart-stopping red gaze.

I stop breathing when the corners of his slanted eyes crinkle in response to his gentle smile. "You're early," he says, and I'm still struggling to remember how to process air in and out of my lungs. "Were you so anxious for my company?"

He really has no idea what an understatement that is.

Or maybe he does.

I wouldn't put it past him.

"The food is always so good here," I ramble. "I thought I might grab a bite before we left."

The corner of his mouth twitches a little. He knows very well I'm full of shit, but he doesn't call me out on it. He's perfectly willing to let me operate with my pride in tact for now, and I greatly appreciate the show of mercy.

"So the next time I want to see you, I should tempt you with some delicacies?" He smirks, and I step back. I trust him implicitly. But, I don't think I'll ever be able to get over that predatory glint in his eyes. I honestly don't want to. I might be dense, but I can be honest with myself and admit how much I love it when he makes me feel like he's about to pounce on me.

"Or you could just send your chef over to my place," I smile.

With a wave of Sylus's hand, his mist erodes the plate and fork in my hands. They vanish in a cloud of white dust. I'm about to make some snarky comment about dishwashing when Sylus pulls me close. One hand settles on my waist while the other caresses up my back. I'm forced to look at him now, and the way my heart pounds in my ears is disorienting.

As soon as I'm in his arms, I feel a kind of relief. All my worries and fears dissipate. My hand comes up to touch his cheek. Then, his silky white hair. His eyes speak everything I want to say while his fingertips trace my spine. Those sublime fingers tell the story I would want to tell if not for my stubborn pride. The story of how I'd longed for him. Of how I'd been waiting for this moment. For his touch, for his arms around me, for his heat to envelop me.

A few days.

It's just been a couple of days since he held me in his arms.

How could I have missed him this much?

How is it possible that his touch can have this kind of effect on me?

I clear my throat, letting my hands rest on his broad chest. I pick at one of his buttons.

"So, where are we going for this trip?" I ask.

"It's not something that can be explained," he says. "Let me show you." He helps me out of my coat then slides his hand down my arm until he threads his fingers with mine. It's such an intimate thing, yet with Sylus it's completely natural.

He leads me to his armory, and as we take the elevator several floors below ground, the surrounding cold has me shivering. I've only been here a few times, yet the breadth and size of this place continues to amaze me. I can't imagine that Sylus really needs any of these weapons to win any encounter. Most look functional, though, while others do seem more like collectibles. We weave through the labyrinthine corridors of this place until we arrive at a half empty room. Sylus reaches behind a beautiful kwan dao adorned with a coiling golden dragon.

A click echoes around us before one of the side walls hisses open to reveal a hidden passage.

I follow Sylus inside to find several rows of glass and tungsten display cases. There are various kinds of weapons here including blasters, swords, daggers, and even an enormous claymore. He stops in front of one particular display case which contains a wicked looking onyx knife. It's blade is etched with patterns that look like dunes while the hilt is inset with a hypnotic red gem.

"What a beautiful stone," I gasp, truly mesmerized.

"The locals call it 'Daybreak'," Sylus explains.

I frown as a familiar burning tickles at my senses. Reaching out, I touch my hand to the display case. "I sense Metaflux," I frown. "Is this gem a Protocore?"

Sylus pushes a combination on the number pad attached to the display case. It beeps then buzzes open. With care, Sylus removes the dagger from its resting place then hands it to me.

"This has been part of my antique collection for some time. A treasure from the steppe."

I hold the weapon gingerly. "What part of the world?"

Sylus seems to hesitate. "There is a place," he says, resting his thumbs in his pockets, "where the grassland meets the desert. I spent some time there once, and the tribe's leader gifted me this dagger."

I tilt my head as I search his face.

"What's that look for, sweetie?" Sylus teases. "Seems like you're dying to ask me something."

I purse my lips. "The more I learn about you, the less I really know about you."

Sylus chuckles. "Doesn't a good mystery make things more interesting?"

If by mystery he means himself, then yes - he certainly does. Ever since I'd met Sylus, there is absolutely no trace of normality left in my life. Poking him playfully, I grip the dagger's handle with both hands and attempt to resonate with it. Yet, I don't feel the familiar surge of energy flow into me. I try several more times, but nothing happens.

"How strange. I can definitely feel Metaflux coming from this, but I just can't seem to--" I almost bite my tongue as something yanks on my wrist. In a split second, I'm squished up against Sylus's chest. A familiar pressure encircles my wrist, and I glance down to see that the Linkage has been triggered again. Its trapped the hand holding the dagger. The curse that flies from my mouth isn't meant for gentle ears. When I look up at Sylus, my anger flares at the obvious amusement on his face.

"This isn't funny," I bite out.

"It actually is," he counters.

"Aren't we supposed to leave soon? How are we supposed to go anywhere in this state?"

"We could break it," Sylus suggests as though it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"This isn't the time for joking around." I try to elbow him in the ribs, but he catches my wrist. His free arm wraps around me, pulling me so tight against him that my cheeks grow hot.

"Why do you think I'm joking?" he teases.

"Because you know full well this thing can't be broken."

"We managed it once."

"When?" I try to remember what he means, but I'm so aware of him that I'm having trouble thinking of much past how good he feels against me. When he leans in closer to speak, I can smell his masculine shampoo.

"Your visit to the symposium," he reminds me, his voice softening into a seductive rumble. "We just need to recreate the scenario from last time. Though, there isn't a closet here that can accommodate such vigorous pursuits."

I have absolutely nothing intelligent to contribute to this discussion anymore, especially with how close his mouth is to mine. My hand clenches against his chest, pulling in a wad of his silken shirt. His deep vermillion gaze turns to velvet burgundy, his pupils widening as his attention snags on my lips. He leans in even closer, and just as our lips are about to touch, I breathe -

"Wait..."

He pauses, and I work to gather up my courage.

"There's something I need to know...before any of this goes any further..."

He watches me patiently, his eyes focused and intense.

"What are we to each other, Sylus?" He doesn't answer right away, so I keep going. "You said you love me. What does that mean to you?"

He looks at me long and hard. I can't read him at all, and I start to flounder in my insecurity. Finally, he speaks.

"I believe, kitten, that I'm not the one you should be asking all this." The back of his hand strokes my cheek. "Did you not also tell me you loved me?"

"I do," I say without a trace of hesitation.

The corner of his mouth turns upward, but his smile is strained. There's a faint line between the wings of his eyebrows. It's an expression I've only seen on his face once before when I was injured. There's a sudden bitterness buried deep within his eyes.

"Then, what are we to each other?" he asks.

I scramble to answer him as he throws my own question right back at me. Hang on just a darn minute. How did the tables turn so quickly? He's the one that's supposed to answer that, not me. I know what I want out of this --

The realization hits me like a thunderbolt, and I flinch away from the pain and confusion of it.

I don't know. I have no idea. I'm asking him right now because I want him to bear the burden of that decision. I can hear the excuses in my mind now, things I might have said if our forbidden relationship was suddenly discovered.

He led and I followed.

He seduced me.

I just went with it.

All of those are a weakling's way out. Yet, up until a moment ago, I was using them to justify my own indecision all this time.

Oh, God. Am I that much of a coward?

"It...It isn't up to me..." I say, trailing off at the last part.

He looks right through me, right into my heart. It's like he can see every hidden corner. Every doubt. Every insecurity.

"And why not? I think of the two of us, you are the one most bothered by labels and identities. It doesn't matter to me who you work for or even the form you choose to take. To me, you are simply Ellara." The pad of his thumb traces my lower lip. If it's possible, his voice softens even further. "It has always been and will always be so."

I love him.

I adore him.

There's absolutely no doubt of that.

He's everything.

But, he's also the leader of Onychinus. Can I...am I allowed to be that selfish?

The Linkage tightens mercilessly at that thought.

"Sylus, I...I..."

A sudden violent wind picks up around us, forcing me to squeeze my eyes shut against its intensity. My Evol stirs to life, seeking out a nearby font of Metaflux. The dagger in my Linked hand begins to burn at my skin. I try to drop it, but my fingers won't listen. The strong smell of fresh grass and wilderness fills my lungs. It's a stark contrast to the N109 Zone's terminally stale air.

I can't see anything except a blinding whiteness.

Strong arms hold me steady and familiar lips press against my cheek.

"If this is the question you must answer for yourself, then we will find the truth together."

#love and deepspace #sylus love and deepspace #sylus x mc #sylusposting #sylus/mc #sylus #eyes of infinity delirium #love and deepspace fanfic #lnds #lnds sylus

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