#while simultaneously feeling like a monster when he gets cursed | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

skyward-floored · 1 year ago

Note

Finished, Peg! ❤️❤️❤️

Please be careful with the merchandise (auction, Hyrule POV) - 3400 words

Warnings same as the original: stabbing, blood mentioned, torture, a bit of dehumanization

Hyrule felt uneasy.

He knew, better than most, what powerful magic in the wrong hands was capable of – trying to keep his cursed blood out of the hands of his era's monsters had repeatedly taught him that – so when the Chain landed in Legend's Hyrule and received Zelda's letter concerning the black market that dealt in rare and dangerous magics, he was more than happy to join Legend in working to root it out.

The uneasiness only increased as the Chain split up to look for information, and he stuck very close to Twilight's side as they wandered the crowded streets. Never comfortable with crowds, he let Twilight do the talking, simply trying to listen and observe while simultaneously trying to quell the itch that something wasn’t right. Shortly after they'd stopped for lunch, they'd found a man – fairly well dressed, with enough jewelry to put Legend to shame – who claimed to have information about the market. He'd asked them to follow him through an alley so they could, “discuss this in a more private location,” but before they could make it to the other side they found themselves closely surrounded by large, heavily-armed men.

Hyrule's senses went haywire, magic gathering at his fingertips, and he felt Twilight bristling beside him. Somehow, the men seemed to draw even closer at the faint glow around his hands.

“You boys look a bit lost,” one of the men sneered, looking directly at Hyrule. “Anything we can help you with?”

Hyrule tried to project confidence, despite how he continued to press close to Twilight's side. “We don’t want any trouble.”

The man's sneer turned to a smirk, and he laughed softly. “Fairies never do.”

Hyrule froze, feeling as if one of Wild's bombs had gone off too close, ice instead of shrapnel in his veins. How did they know?!

The men lunged for him, tearing him from Twilight's side before either hero could react. Twi shouted and tried to get him back, only to collapse in a heap as one of the men clubbed him roughly over the head.

“No! Twi!” Hyrule struggled to free himself, magic sparking frantically, but all he got was a hit to his own head for his trouble, knocking him down to the cold stone of the alleyway. He felt manacles clamp firmly around his wrists, then rough hands lifting him to his feet.

His magic fizzled out as his consciousness wavered. The last thing he heard before fading entirely was from one of the men holding his arms. “He's a strong one. He’ll fetch quite a pretty sum, once we break him a bit.”

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

It was very dark when Hyrule finally woke, head aching, though a faint light flickered in the distance. For just a moment, he wondered if he was back in one of the caves in his own era. However, when he moved to rub the ache out of his head, the chains shifting around his wrists brought everything back into sharp, terrifying focus. A chill settled over him like a shroud as he remembered the words spoken by what must have been some of the black market dealers. Somehow, they knew about his fairy blood, and they intended to sell him off, like he was no more than a fancy pot, to be used at will. The imagery of a pot made his stomach flip and his head spin as he recalled they’d mentioned breaking him.

He had to get out of here, wherever here was.

With a burst of energy born of fear, Hyrule tried to get to his feet, only to stumble dizzily back to the ground as his vision turned fuzzy and he tripped over the chain around his ankle. Placing his head between his knees, Hyrule tried to breathe through the wind rushing in his ears.

Once he felt settled again, Hyrule took a moment to take stock of where he was. By the barely visible torchlight he looked around, finding himself inside a small, barred cell, more like a cage than anything. With his ankle chained to a ring in the center of the cage floor, he could reach out and touch all four sides of the cage, and the ceiling looked a little low. Probably would have bumped my head again if I’d managed to stand up. He couldn’t see much besides open hallway to either side, and the mustiness in his nose could have belonged to any dungeon.

With a general idea of his surroundings, dismal as they were, Hyrule turned his attention to himself. The mercenaries appeared to have taken all of his adventuring gear, leaving him with little more than his clothing and his magic. Aside from the bump on his head, he also had several bruises forming on his arms where the mercenaries hadn’t bothered to be gentle when kidnapping him, as well as a few small cuts that were slowly weeping blood. He reached up to heal those out of habit, an ingrained defense after years of being hunted by the monsters of his era. His magic was a little lower than he would have liked in a situation like this, but by no means was it depleted. He still had enough to make an escape attempt.

As Hyrule began to contemplate how he could escape – the Fairy spell uses a lot of magic, but it would certainly get me out of this cage – he heard a door open in the distance, and the torchlight steadily grew brighter.

Weaponless, but not helpless, Hyrule again gathered his magic to his fingertips and rose to his knees as several sets of footsteps drew closer, prepared to cast any spell that might give him a winning chance of escaping alive. When the footsteps stopped outside his cell, however, all thoughts and intents fled his mind.

The well-dressed man with the jewelry they had been following through the alley stood in front of him, mouth leering and eyes bright with greed. The armed guards from the alley stood behind him.

“You!” he gaped, desperately trying to jump-start his brain. “You're-"

“The ringleader of this little operation, yes.” The man's voice oozed, and Hyrule shuddered as the man's greedy eyes looked him over, stopping intently on the places that still showed remnants of his blood. “You certainly made it easier on us, following me into that alley. I honestly thought we’d have to work harder to capture you.”

Hyrule shuddered again, but through the fear and discomfort his mind was starting to move once more. He rallied his magic but didn’t make a move just yet, hoping to gain some insight as to what was going on. “Where am I? Where’s Twilight?!”

“Your friend?” The man waved a bejeweled hand, dismissing the question entirely. “He doesn’t matter. What does matter,” at this, the man's predatory smile grew even wider, “is you, and the magic you possess.”

Hyrule's heart dropped into his boots, his fears confirmed. They knew he was half fairy, they knew about his magic, and they had absolutely every intention of keeping him here until their opportunity to sell him in the black market.

Determination welled within him, his gathered magic begging to be used, but before he could so much as snap his fingers for the Thunder spell a spear was shoved through the bars of the cage, ripping through tunic and flesh alike. A near-silent scream left him as he clutched at his wounded side, offensive magic forgotten. A second and third spear were thrust through the bars in his distraction, one making painful purchase against his upper arm while the other came to rest, gleaming in the torchlight, at his throat.

Pink healing light leaked from Hyrule's fingertips, habit again surfacing as he tried to stem the flow of blood from his wounds. He knew he needed to conserve his magic, but he also needed to stay alive if he was to have any chance at escaping. Through it all, the man watched him intently. Soon enough, he pulled a ring of keys from his pocket, inserting one into the lock as the light of healing magic faded. Hyrule gasped in left-over shock, spear still at his throat.

“Try anything,” the man warned, turning the key in the lock, “and we’ll hunt down the men you were with. A few of them had rather promising magics as well.”

Outrage flared in Hyrule’s heart alongside concern for his brothers. He didn’t want to do as the man asked, wanted to let the Thunder out and escape with magic blazing, but he couldn’t risk his brothers' safety. He remained still as the man crouched in front of him, seething as his bloody tunic and freshly-healed wounds were scrutinized.

“Fascinating,” the man murmured delightedly. “This is powerful magic indeed.” He withdrew just a bit from Hyrule's space, but remained close due to the size of the cage.

A knife appeared in the man's hands, spinning mindlessly as calculating eyes narrowed, clearly weighing options, risks, costs, and statistics. At some unknown signal, the spear was withdrawn from the cage. Hyrule’s small sigh of relief collapsed into a shout of agony as the knife was suddenly thrust into his stomach. The man left it there for a few moments, gauging Hyrule’s reaction, before pulling it out again, blood dripping on the floor between them.

“Do it again,” he commanded as Hyrule curled protectively around the wound. He shook his head frantically, but screamed anew as the knife again found a place inside his body.

“Do. It. Again,” the man demanded, but Hyrule again refused. The man's eyes narrowed in anger. “Potion!” he barked, and a bottle of red potion exchanged hands. The man reached out and forced Hyrule to drink the potion, struggling weakly and trying not to choke.

The moment the bottle was empty, the knife streaked forward again. Faster than Hyrule's dazed mind could track, several cuts bloomed across his arms and torso before the blasted knife again found purchase in his abdomen. The knife was mercilessly twisted as it was removed, and Hyrule collapsed to the floor with a broken cry, shivering weakly, blood dripping though his fingers and staining his tunic, the potion he’d been given effectively made useless.

“Heal yourself.” The man sounded bored, as if he was talking about the weather, not actively torturing a teenager. This time, shaky hands welled with pink magic, rapidly decreasing reserves straining to heal the grievous wounds. By the time he finished, Hyrule knew his magic was dangerously low. He would not have enough to heal himself again, never mind attempt to escape.

The man seemed to realize this as well, for he stood, unconcerned, and locked the cage behind him, leaving Hyrule to his trembling exhaustion and the overwhelming scent of his own blood. He and his goons left without a backwards glance, taking the light with them.

Hyrule was left to the dark and the cold, curling weakly around his still-aching stomach, a plea to the goddesses on his lips. He hoped his brothers found him soon. He wasn’t sure how much more of this he could take.

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

Hyrule’s time in the cage – he had no idea how long they kept him there – progressed in distressingly similar fashion. Sometimes it was the man and his knife, others it was a pack of the goons with nothing more than their fists. Every interaction left him bruised and bleeding, ears ringing with the taunts and jeers of the men as they loudly wondered exactly how much they could get for him.

Every attempt to regain a semblance of magic naturally was interrupted and drained by another cut, another beating. They never brought him food, and only twice brought him water. He tried again to refuse to heal himself maybe two days in, only to be force-fed another red potion and stabbed again, and again, and again, until every scrap of magic he possessed was wrung dry and they had to give him a bit of green potion – carefully measured out to be exactly just enough – before he passed out from blood loss.

They left Hyrule alone for a while after that, and he gratefully fell into fitful slumber, too exhausted to dream. He was woken what felt like mere hours later by another beating, and the stubborn hope he’d held onto that his brothers would find him began to wane as he tried to protect his head. Where were they? Wolfie, if he was around, should have been able to find him, right? He knew now that he’d never regain enough magic to escape on his own, so he placed his faith and hope in his brothers, desperate for rescue.

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

An indeterminate amount of time and pain later, Hyrule was roused from semi-consciousness by a none-too-gentle boot in his ribs and a key in the lock of the chains around his ankle. He found himself roughly dragged out of the cage and upright, feet stumbling and head spinning at the change in elevation. The mercenaries dragged him up several flights of stairs and into dull moonlight.

For the first time in an age, fresh air graced Hyrule’s nose and lungs, and he sucked it in greedily. Somewhere he found the strength to try and break free, but he only made it a few steps before the mercenaries caught him again. Still, he struggled with everything he possessed, aching for freedom. The men kicked his unsteady legs out from under him, and he crashed to the ground, dazed. One of the biggest men bundled him into a tarp, then picked him up as if he were no more than a misbehaving child.

Hyrule felt himself carried up some steps, then heard the detestable voice of the ringleader – auctioneer, he realized with a jolt – as he was set down on a hard surface, the chain still around his ankle secured tight once again. “A truly one-of-a-kind rarity, our most valuable piece this evening, I give you...” The tarp was ripped away from his body, and he winced at the harsh light suddenly surrounding him, “a half-hylian, half-fairy!”

Murmurs of awe erupted through the crowd of auction-goers as he tried to blink the room into focus. Hoping against hope that his brothers had learned about the auction and were somewhere in the crowd, Hyrule started scanning faces. He felt his heart lift as he saw Sky standing close to the stage, and it absolutely soared when he saw Legend next to him. He fought hard to keep the elation and relief off his face, ears ringing with the single thought whirling through his mind. They’re here. They came!

A horribly familiar pain suddenly ripped through his stomach, and Hyrule though he heard Legend cry out as he curled instinctively around the newest stab wound, weakly trying to keep from bleeding out, not a drop of magic left in his body. The auctioneer let him cringe for a few moments, then thrust a ridiculously small amount of green potion at him. “Now heal,” he said, face calm but voice laced with warning.

Hyrule spat out a now familiar glob of blood, then glared at the auctioneer with every bit of fire, determination, and courage he could muster. He didn’t care that he could feel himself paling from blood loss. He didn’t care that the auctioneer was beginning to anger. His brothers were here, and he would not perform for the sake of the crowd.

The auctioneer drew closer, growling just loud enough for Hyrule to hear. “Heal or I’ll shove a red potion into you and stab you as many times as it takes for you to use your magic. I honestly thought you’d have learned by now.”

Hyrule's determination blazed for a minute or two longer, but at the thought of his brothers watching him be stabbed again, his resolve crumbled. He took the bottle of potion, closing his eyes as he swallowed the single sip.

Pressing his hands back to his wound, he gathered his weak magic to pool in his gut, closing the wound. The magic faded to nothing again as the wound sealed itself shut. Weak from blood loss and exhausted by his ordeal, he slumped forward, barely even twitching as the auctioneer grabbed his tunic and yanked, exposing the bloody but completely healed skin underneath.

“That proof enough?” the auctioneer crowed, and a roar of assent rose from the crowd. A smile bloomed in his voice, “Bidding starts at 30,000 rupees.”

Awareness faded as Hyrule collapsed to the floor, head floating and semi-conscious. He vaguely heard the buzz of numbers being called out, but he couldn’t bring himself to listen. He was just so tired.

One number, or rather, one voice, pierced through the haze of his mind. “60,000 rupees!” Was that…Wind? The white noise of the crowd died immediately.

One voice gasped loudly, dramatically, then a voice declared, “63,000!” Warriors?

The crowd as a whole gasped as Wind and Warriors continued their bidding war. Hyrule suddenly felt something moving near his ankle, twitching the chain around. Confused, he pried his eyes open. “…Four?” he mumbled, disbelieving.

“Hey, traveler. I’ve almost got this chain free, just give me a minute,” Four murmured, fiddling with the lock, eyes seeming an odd mix of blue and red to his hazy vision.

Screams of shock and pain suddenly rang though the crowd, sounding like they originated from the auctioneer and his goons. Four finished with the chain on his ankle and moved to the handcuffs on his wrists as the rest of the crowd erupted in panic, no doubt caused by the rest of his brothers.

Sky was suddenly at Hyrule's side, raising him to a sitting position and brushing his hair out of his face. “Hey ‘rule,” he said gently, eyes ablaze with concern as he took in the leftover cuts and bruises littering Hyrule's body. “We’re getting you out of here, okay?”

Relief and exhaustion fought within him, and it’s was all Hyrule could do to give Sky a weak smile and nod. A small, triumphant noise from Four heralded the release of the cuffs from his wrists, then Hyrule found himself bundled carefully into Sky's warm, safe arms.

Four in the lead, they started to run down the stage, but they found themselves surrounded by mercenaries as the auctioneer shrieked after them. Fighting broke out between the guards and the heroes, and Sky shifted Hyrule to one arm, determination shining clearly from his eyes.

Sky jerked and swayed as he balanced Hyrule in one arm and the Master Sword in the other, taking blows himself to keep Hyrule safe. Through the queasiness fogging his brain, Hyrule saw a sword aimed for Sky's head, and he yelped a warning, Sky ducking just in time.

The move jostled Hyrule even further, and suddenly there was a guard grasping his arm, trying to rip him from the safety of Sky's arms. He and Sky both struggled against the man, until a winged boot entered Hyrule's vision, kicking the guard in the jaw and sending him reeling.

With Legend's arrival, the remaining guards fled, giving the heroes some room to breathe.

“That scum-of-the-earth that stabbed Hyrule escaped,” Legend growled, glancing back at Sky. Hyrule shot him a weak grin at the familiar and so, so welcome ire, and he watched as the vet’s face softened, worry pinching at the corners of his eyes.

“I’m so sorry we didn’t get you sooner.” Legend said, guilt heavy in his voice. “Are you okay?”

Hyrule nodded. “Yeah...” he murmured, exhaustion and relief finally beginning to overwhelm him. “‘been using a lot of magic. Tired.”

Legend nodded, and ruffled his hair. “Probably the blood-loss too. You can sleep all you want once we get out of here, okay?”

Hyrule hummed in contentment and rested his head against Sky's arm, consciousness fading as the heroes rushed from the building.

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

Hyrule awoke a short time later as he was gently lowered to the ground, still resting against Sky's side, the other heroes gathering around them. Sky gently helped him sip a red potion until the bruises and cuts he’d sustained had healed some and the fog began to clear from his head. Hyrule took the potion bottle in his own hands and finished it, gratefully accepting the bottle of green potion – a FULL bottle, thank Hylia! – Four handed to him.

Vitality and magic finally rising inside him, Hyrule took Legend at his word, leaning into Sky's lap and quickly falling asleep, surrounded at last by safety and his brothers' care.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA *zooms around in circles and rereads this a dozen times*

THIS IS AMAZING OH MY GOSH I DON’T EVEN HAVE THE WORDS

THANK YOU SO MUCH SILV 💚💖💚💖💚💖💚💖💚💖💚💖💚💖💚💖💚💖

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mothgardens · 10 months ago

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it is 2am and i am feeling so much sam winchester love rn so here is a list of taylor swift songs i think resonate with him:

1. Anti-Hero

I feel as tho all the lyrics work towards his character.

Mr. Samuel “It’s me, Hi, I’m the problem it’s me… everybody agrees,” Winchester

I should not be left to my own devices -> Dean constantly implies that Sam shouldn’t be left to figure things out on his own. He does this so much that Sam actually confronts him about it, multiple times.

I wake up screaming from dreaming -> Sam used to wake up from his visions freaked the hell out.

The second verse is also very fitting; he always felt like a freak or monster compared to everyone else.

2. Clean

DEMON BLOOD !!!!!!

I think it works really well for his addiction arc because the song is about toxic relationships (aka RUBY).

The drought being the worst -> Being locked in Bobby’s panic room.

The flowers that we grown together died of thirst -> The powers that grew and developed during his addiction and slowly disappeared when he was sobering.

I screamed so loud but no one heard a thing -> Sam was shouting and banging for hours down in the panic room and no one came to check on him until he was quiet.

Ten months older, I wont give in. Now that i’m clean, I’m never gonna risk it -> He never went back

3. Nothing New

Honestly, the whole reason this song is on the list is because of the lyric:

How can a person know everything at 18, but nothing at 22 -> Sam left for Stanford at 18. That was his first taste of freedom; it was his first time deciding something for himself. He was his own person. He had finally escaped. But, then at 22, Dean came and brought him back in. Jess dies. Everything feels lost again.

In general, I think Sam has lost of teenage girl vibes to him tho. This is probably self projection, but I think its true and this is MY analysis so <3.

4. My Tears Ricochet

This song is about Sam and John’s Stanford fight, and general dynamics that they share.

This one is going to get it’s own in depth, dedicated post <3 but some highlights are:

Even on my worst day, did i deserve, all the hell you gave me -> Sam was a child. No matter how arrogant or frustrating he could be, John should have never been so harsh on him. Telling your kid to never come back just because he wants to go to college is INSANE.

And I can go anywhere I want, just not home -> THIS LINE IS SO AHHHHHHH SAMMY.

Cursing my name, wishing i stayed -> John. John. John. Cursing Sam to never return, while simultaneously wishing he had never left.

Cause when I’d fight you used to tell me I was brave -> Parallel, John telling Sam he being brave on a hunt VS John condescendingly saying Sam was being brave for standing up to him.

You had to kill me, but it killed you just the same -> John realizing that Sam might have to die if nothing changes. John giving that responsibility to Dean by giving his life for Dean’s; selfless selfishness.

5. Mirrorball

Mr. Samuel “And when I break, it’s in a million pieces” Winchester

I’m still on that tightrope, I’m still trying everything to get you laughing at me -> Sam continuously tries to do his best under every circumstance. Even though most of the people around him have such little faith in him. He won’t stop trying.

And I’m still a believer, but I don’t know why -> His faith is God and the stereotypical Christian religion in general throughout the series fascinates me. He has very little reason to keep his faith, but he does. Even in later seasons, I think it was s11, when he prays and believes that Lucifer’s visions are actually messages from God.

I’ve never been a natural, all I do is try try try -> Sam doesn’t actually know what he is doing. He uses his training, but that only can get you so far in mental battles with Lucifer or physical battles with God. He does what he thinks is right. He just wants to help.

6. This Is Me Trying

This is also in the works of developing its own post. Highlights include:

I didn’t know if you’d care if i came back, i have a lot of regrets about that -> Sam never got to know if Dean wanted him back. All that time spent at Stanford he had to wonder if his father and brother actually missed him or not.

Could’ve followed my fears all the way down -> This just screams Lucifer trauma to me

THEY TOLD ME ALL MY CAGES WERE MENTAL, SO I GOT WASTED LIKE ALL MY POTENTIAL -> *violently screams and shakes* The visions, Demon blood, Hallucifer, literally anytime Sam is struggling it is brushed off as him being too worked up about it. Dean literally COMPLAINED to Bobby about how much work it was that Sam was mentally ill. LIKE DUDE.

AND MY WORDS SHOOT TO KILL WHEN IM MAD, I HAVE A LOT OF REGRETS ABOUT THAT -> Sam does say shit that is hurtful. He does shit that is bad. It’s usually out of frustration from someone else’s actions towards him. AKA it’s usually towards Dean, when Dean belittles him.

pouring out my heart to a stranger, BUT I DIDNT POUR THE WHISKEY -> Sam vs Dean (this is NOT me belittling Dean’s alcoholism bc i get he has an issue)

That this is me trying, AT LEAST IM TRYING -> Again, Sam is just doing his best.

And it’s hard to be at a party when I when i feel like an open wound -> Sam has to just behave and go through his life normally even when he is struggling with abandonment, addiction, 180 years of every abuse imaginable and unimaginable, guilt, and just so much suffering.

It ’s hard to be anywhere when all i want is you, you’re a flashback -> Sam’s feelings about Jess. I constantly think about that scene in the impala when he tells Dean that he still thinks about her. It had been like twelve or more years. Its so painful.

—

please excuse my typos

i am yet but just a girl

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cipheress-to-k-pop · 2 years ago

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Love, I was so happy to get a response from you about the ask I had sent in. I was hoping you would like it! Now I can send in the first of my ideas.... which also has to do with a musical...

So YJR is paired with Jason and we all know the tragedy that is Jason Peter Todds life. But I was thinking what if Jason coming back wasn’t just the Lazarus Pit? What is YJR had something to do with it? What if she just started casting spells desperately trying to save the one person who has supported her more than anyone else?

There’s a song from Wicked called No Good Deed where Elphaba finally turns into the Wicked Witch of the West. The love of her life (that she doesn’t get much time with) is pulled away to be killed and she grabs her spell book and started casting spells. One of the lines is “what good is this chanting, I don’t even even know what I’m reading, I don’t even know what trick I ought to try.” As the amazing ballad plays she finally can’t handle what has happened and stops trying to be good. It is the definition of “if you want a monster I will give you a monster”. That part is not the part I’m focusing on though it’s the spell casting part.

Without revealing too much of the plot to Wicked Elphaba does something with the spells she is able to keep him alive but not the same. In the show he shifts physically but what if Jason shifts into something else (Red Hood). Yes YJR kept Jason alive but he is not right, something went wrong along the way.

Also Monster from Frozen just describes the transition from part 2 to part 3 of WHWD. Actually I can name multiple songs from musicals that fit different themes from WHWD.

Get ready for more of my ideas Love.

okay firstly, I'm so so sorry it took me so long to respond to this, really honey. Please keep sending me ideas<3

I heard the song and even tho that wasn't the part you wanted me to focus on, the ending was just sooooo good omg where Elphaba promises not to do a good deed again since she couldn't save him. Loved loved loved it.

I totally see what you're trying to say, like YJR just sees the news report of Jason's death and it feels like she's gone into a haze. She doesn't even know what's going on anymore. All she knows is that for a second everything went white and words were slipping from her lips.

Like she can't even comprehend what she's saying, she doesn't know what spells she's casting. She's calling onto that charm that she placed on the necklace that Jason always wore. Healing charms, shielding spells, protection charms, random curses hurtled at his killer. But everything is so hazy, everything is so confusing that they all just mix together and blur out the lines.

They're simultaneously breaking his soul but keeping it tethered to the Earth but she doesn't know it.

She honestly just thinks it's not working, that her magic isn't strong enough, that she can't save him but all her tries to do something melded into something that ended up hurting him more than death ever could without her even knowing it.

He trains under the League of Shadows for a while, his broken soul a shadow of who he really was.

And then a couple years later, when YJR has finally pulled herself together enough to pretend that she's gotten over him, Red Hood makes an appearance.

And she feels it.

The charm she placed on the necklace he still has.

She feels him.

But he's not the same.

He's not the Jason she knows.

He's rough and angry and red.

And when she finds out that it's her magic that's splitting apart his soul like water threatening to break apart an already cracked vase, it feels like her heart is cracking all over again.

#thanks for the ask!#dc #whwd #what have we done #reader insert #yjr and jason todd #jason todd drabble #young justice x reader #young justice oneshot #young justice imagine #young justice headcanons #young justice imagines #jason todd headcanon #iason todd x reader #jason todd x you #jason todd imagine #jason todd one shot

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seeds-and-sins · 2 years ago

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The Only Truth Series - There is No Truth

Pairing: Oz “The Penguin” Cobblepot x F!Reader

Rating: T (Curse words, adult themes, mutual pining)

Description: In the beginning, barely months into your undercover gig at the Iceberg Lounge, Oz and you have already grown so close. You are conflicted.

Author’s Note: I promised I would post little one-shots here and there as they came to me. As I post more, I will present everything in one big timeline so that the story is a bit more comprehensive. Anyways, if you haven’t read into the future, the link is posted below under ‘First’. This part takes place in the past, but I suppose it can be read and considered separately.

First

Third

Your shift was almost over when Oz called you up to his office. It was not unusual for him to call upon you. After dropping the former floor manager like a sack of potatoes, and placing you in their stead, Oz and you had gotten much closer. You were glad for it-at first-because it brought you that much closer to your goals in figuring out Intel about the Iceberg Lounge and the going ons of Falcone and Cobblepot and the crime syndicate.

Now, it made you uncomfortable.

Oz, not knowing you were a cop to begin with, was so sweet to you and he treated you with such respect and fondness. Once he placed his trust in you, he was sold on all of you. You figured he didn't do that often with others, asking for your advice and constantly giving you quite major tasks to complete. You worked your butt off to keep that trust intact. It was just overwhelming, because you really enjoyed the praise and the admiration, and you knew you shouldn't. Oz liked you. Oz liked you A LOT. He confided you in over everything and anything and he never relented.

He bought you flowers, took you out to candlelit dinners, you had never seen him treat anyone else the same, and you were starting to wonder what exactly his intentions were.

If he asked you to have sex with him, if he tried to turn you into one of his sugar babies, or trophy girlfriends, what would happen if you denied him? You would never get this close again, and you scarcely thought anyone else would.

So, you put on a happy face, because you thought it was the only choice you had at the moment. You didn't want to disrupt this entire investigation, all because you had flown a little too close to the sun. You tried to keep it friendly and professional, without leading him on, while simultaneously battling with your inner desire to give into all that he was offering.

You should be disgusted by him. You should hate him. He was a criminal. How many of your fellow cops had died by his hands? Or rather, his demands? Or the demands of his boss? He was a monster.

If he knew who you truly were, all of this kindness and sweetness would mean nothing. He didn't care about the real you, he didn't know the real you.

But you couldn't help but start to miss him, he was so warm and jovial and truly a testament in opposition of all the horrible stories you had heard about the man. When you were away from him, you thought about him. You often wondered what he was doing, or if he was thinking about you. These were feelings that did not fit well with the objective of your mission. You weren’t there to have feelings. you shouldn’t. But it was becoming more and more difficult with each passing day.

When you proceeded through the curtain of beads that created some semblance of privacy into his office, you were being bombarded by brooding limbs and a massive build.

"OZ!" You gasped in surprise, his arms locked around you, holding you in place and his scarred lips laid purchase upon your supple cheeks. You hated how much you actually liked it, how the first thing that came into your mind was that this was pleasant. His lips smacked again and again and you feigned a laugh, pressing your hands to his chest and lightly pushing him away. "My goodness, what's gotten you so happy?" He didn't release you, and so you were stuck in his embrace as he grinned down at you and there was a certain charm to that smile that spread a contagious happiness unto you, as much as you tried to contain it.

"It's cause for celebration, honey." He spun you around and it was comical, paired with his little waddle, from his injured knee, but you held on for dear life. Don't let his looks deceive, Oz had a very muscled figure. There was the soft over layer of fat and flesh, but beneath it all he could surely show some strength. "Since I hired you, you've saved me twenty big ones alone."

"Oh," You shrugged, his hands reluctantly rubbing down the length of your arms as he withdrew, clinging to your fingers in a last chance to keep you connected. "Are you sure it was me?"

"Ahh, such a humble little thing. Look at this. Look." He hurried you to the couch, plopping you unceremoniously down beside him. He procured his big book, of accounting and profits and all sort of things involving the money that fluctuated through the Iceberg Lounge. Surprisingly, he was willing to let you look into something so exclusive and vital to his business. More proof that Oz Cobblepot trusted you dearly. It struck a pang of guilt straight through you that you quickly had to stamp down. In your collective laps, he opened the book and flipped through the various pages, till he landed on what he was looking for and pointed at an excel table detailing profit margins for the entire club. "You see, baby. You did this. You should be proud of yourself." You bit your bottom lip shyly, not particularly keen on all of the attention, but the praise did make you light up. You shouldn't be so happy, you were fueling a criminal empire by simply keeping undercover. "I'll have to admit, all the changes you made after I promoted you..." He shrugged, cocking his head down at you. "I was a little skeptical, but you proved me wrong, didn't ya?" You ran your fingers over the page, now wasn't the time to stare too long-it was suspicious. You really don't even know how this was possible. Since you started working at the club, everything you did was just, 'fuck around and find out'. You didn’t know the slightest bit about the night life industry aside from the cheesy videos you had watched on YouTube in preparation of your role at the club. To think that you had made such an influence, in such a short time, despite your lack of experience, was startling.

You couldn’t risk looking too surprise, you were supposed to be a confident businesswoman.

"Well, if you didn't let me make those changes, then none of this would have been possible." You smiled up at him, he tutted under your chin, returning the book to the table and closing it.

"I'm taking you out tonight, hmm? I already made reservations, we're going to the Ocelot." He rose, buttoning up his suit as he did, name dropping a place so extravagant and then slowly walking away as if it was by any means normal.

"The Ocelot?!" You exclaimed, following not far behind as he moved to his vanity and began to put on some of his jewelry. You grabbed his shoulder and squeezed his arm to get his attention. Not that you didn't have it already, but he was very caught up in the excitement of it all. "You can't be serious, Oz. You're going to spend the same amount of money that you were just celebrating, over dinner?!"

"Big Whoop. Let me treat ya'." He smirked down at you, then faced you again, cupping your cheek. "You deserve the best, you know that." You softened, unable to shake the feelings that he incited in you, especially when he was staring at you like that. Like you were the only thing he cared about. It was too much all at once, all the time, with him.

"Oz..." You held his hand. "I-I-I just-"

"Please." If you said 'no', you knew he would be crushed. You were certain someone who carried himself with so much confidence, the slightest bit of rejection would damage his self esteem instantly.

"Okay." You chuckled, he didn't stop himself when he ducked down to your height and pecked your lips. You froze up immediately and he made no time to gage your reaction before he was rushing past you, grabbing his coat off the nearby rack, and bellowing that he had a few things to finish.

"I'll meet you outside, 'kay. I have to go tie a few loose ends and then we'll be free to go."

You were left behind to think about all of the implications that came with that chaste, thoughtless kiss. It was soft and sweet, part of you craved for more and the other part of you screamed that you were too close to the sun. You should ditch Oz altogether and head straight to the station, you had enough information; a few name drops and witnessed drug transactions. That would be enough, right? Why proceed further into the darkness, further into danger?

No.

Something else was going on here. With Maroni gone, the criminal underworld should be struggling, but it wasn't. Business flourished here, at the center of it all, the Iceberg Lounge. So many people had died because of this world, because of their fortunes. You had come so close, closer than anyone had ever come, and probably closer than anyone would ever be.

This entire investigation sat on your shoulders and you couldn't give up now. Not after everything you had done.

Begrudgingly, you gathered up your things in the dressing room and headed to the outside of the club. Oz was most likely going to settle some things with Falcone first before heading out for the night, so you expected you would be waiting for a little bit.

Before spilling outside into the chilly Gotham air, you picked up a short conversation with Max, one of the twins. Considering Max and Charlie were two of Oswald's most trusted henchmen, you often went to them to covertly pry for information. Sometimes you would hit a home run, be it a new location for where Oz would sell his drops, or a new drug route for Falcone. Without offense, Max and Charlie weren't the brightest bulbs in the bunch and they talked all too easily.

You bid Max a farewell, explaining that you would be leaving with Oz for the night. Luckily, he didn't comment or send you any sort of expression that jolted tension through you. You couldn't handle the idea of rumors traveling through the club, rumors could damage your reputation and they could also damage your success thus far in this operation. By name dropping Oz, maybe you guaranteed that Max wouldn't say anything. Oz and you had gone out many times in the past, but this felt different. You knew you weren’t the only one who could see that.

You wrapped your jacket around you tight to ward off the harsh winds. Gotham could get really cold at night, even in the summer, and it was absolutely freezing outside. You weren't in the right attire for a trip to the Ocelot, one of the most prestigious restaurants in all of Gotham. It was owned by the Wayne family, or rather the younger living heir Bruce Wayne. You had only ever seen it's expensive décor and lavish dining experience from the outside, but you had one day dreamed of being able to have that experience for yourself. You never thought you would, considering everything was worth an arm and a leg and a kidney and maybe an eye or a heart transplant. In fact, being undercover had opened you up to experiencing a lot more of the lavish things in life. On a cop’s salary you could barely afford what you needed, under the Penguin’s wing you could have anything you wanted. Needless to say, you'd thought you needed to give up your entire life in order to eat at the Ocelot. Now you were going to go there with the same man you were trying to put behind bars.

Ironic, you supposed. If Oz knew who you really were? Well, you probably would be dead by now.

"Hey, you!" You swear you saw your life flash before your eyes when you spotted him, approaching you, outside the Iceberg Lounge, like an old friend. "My goodness! Is that really you?! It's been what? Eight months? Nine, maybe."

"Kenzie! Oh, gosh!" Your eyes kept nervously flitting back to the metal door leading into the Iceberg Lounge. You felt a heavy weight on your chest, it was as if you couldn't breathe. Could this job get anymore stress inducing? "I must admit..." You feigned a laugh, "I have been very busy."

"With what exactly? Huh?" Kenzie had a cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth, crossing his arms with an arrogance and proudness about him. It aggravated you even further. It was the reason you took this job to begin with. To prove them all wrong. To be better.

You were a nobody. You walked the beat, kept your badge on your chest, you weren't looked at twice, you were looked down on. When the Chief asked for a volunteer for a secretive undercover operation, you felt like you needed to be the first one with your hand up. To prove them all wrong. To be better.

Clearly, you had made the right choice. No one had made it nearly this far. You were doing so good at this point, that the Chief was determined to keep you in as long as possible. What lengths could you go with the success you had? This little interaction could ruin it all.

"Don't think I really need to be telling you 'bout my business..." You gritted your teeth, adjusting your dress down as far as it would go out of discomfort. The dress you wore often in this line of work, short and tight-fitting, made you feel all too exposed in front of this asshole. "Hey? What are you doing here?" The immediate shift in his posture told you everything, and to some extent it lessened your worries. He was a double agent, a crooked cop, a pig paid to dig holes by the man himself. You should have known. It disgusted you, knowing his betrayal, but also, in realizing that your own betrayal was just as bad. The difference being, it was coming from the other side.

You had it a lot worse than he did in this moment. You were on the wrong turf, this wasn't your playground. If you were found out here, you could get killed. Who was to find him out here? No one. This was his home base. If you were both at the GCPD, this would be a completely different story.

"Haha, very funny, toots. You can't tell me your business, I can't tell you mine." You knew it was a risk: at any point in time, Oz could come through that door and your cover would be broken. Kenzie would lay it all out, calling you by your real name, reminiscing over stupid one sided interactions, half of which you don't even think happened. And in Oz knowing that Kenzie was a cop on his payroll, he would put the pieces together and realize you were one too. You acted fast and snatched Kenzie up by the lapels of his brown leather jacket, with a gasp his cigarette dropped from his lips. The momentary surprise was killed with a mischievous smirk and he gave you a once over. "You want a piece of this. Don't make me force you to ask nicely, honey." Your eyes rolled hard and you gripped tighter.

"You think I'm an idiot, don't you? You got bought out by Cobblepot, hmm? That's it, right?" His mustached lip twitched into a scowl, he struggled slightly from your vice grip. The height difference proved difficult, but you were confident you could still knock him on his ass if you needed to. Even in this dress.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" You raised an eyebrow at him and he squeezed his eyes shut in aggravation. His larger and stronger hands lifted to grab your forearms. "What are ya' gonna'do 'bout it? I've got more years on you than you could know."

"I'm undercover, you dipshit. One wrong move and I'll relay the message."

"Undercover?" He spat, glaring down at you. "For fucking-"

Creak!

The both of them flinched, immediately releasing each other as if they had been burned. Hobbling from the metal door appeared Oz, his eyes immediately narrowed on the both of you. Your heart jumped into your throat when you thought he might have heard what Kenzie said. You probably should have taken the stealthier approach, but if Kenzie was smart he would understand the situation here. If he ratted to Oz, then you would rat to the GCPD and he could say goodbye to that pension and that job and that stability. While he played goon well into the night, his day job would be gone and Oz would probably give him up knowing that the cops were already so close to home. You wouldn't be surprised if he served some time for his betrayal too: bribery was a criminal offense, for sure.

"Ey, sweetheart..." He greeted softly, narrowed eyes flitting between Kenzie and you. From the corner of your eye, you watched Kenzie awkwardly shift his feet. "Did I-uh-interrupt something?" He asked cautiously, you glanced at Kenzie and shrugged, sending him your harshest glare with your eyes alone.

"Not at all! We were just talking." You crossed your arms and anxiously sidestepped backward, so you weren't so close. "This is Harry-Or..." You pretended not to know his name, shooting him an expectant look.

"O-Oh, yeah!" He blurted out, "Just Kenzie."

"Yeah-Yeah-Yeah, I know Kenzie." Oz took the empty space beside you, almost assertive and dominant right off the bat. You gulped as he gave Kenzie a sideways glance. "What were you talking about, huh?"

"Uh~"

"The weather!" You practically screeched, forcing an all too bright smile up at Oz. He didn't seem all that convinced, or pleased. Your stomach twisted into knots.

"Kenzie..." Oz's voice was low and rough, commanding respect and authority.

"Yeah, boss?"

"Get back to fucking work. I don't pay you to slack." He grumbled, Kenzie nodded vigorously and responded with a choppy, "Yes, Sir." He scurried back inside without sending you a second glance.

You felt a second of relief before you realized how quiet it was all of a sudden, Oz was frigid and still and he wasn't uttering a single word. He was giving you the side eye, the sort of glare he might give when he was absolutely pissed.

Fuck. You fucked up.

"If you want to go join him, feel free. I can go have dinner by myself." Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion and you cocked your head at him. You hated how your hand instinctively raised to rest on his forearm.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I'm not stupid. You two know each other, s'no point in lying about it." Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. You were fucked beyond imagine. You swore sweat was pooling off the edge of your brow.

"What do you mean?" You repeated again, because you honestly had no idea what to say. You were a deer in headlights. Oz stood taller and frowned, shaking his head.

"Look, honey, if you're taken, then tell me. Don't lead me the fuck on." He pushed past you, your touch drifting from his the further away he went. He procured a chain of keys from his coat pocket, disappearing around the corner just as you rushed after him.

"Oz! Please! I don't understand. I just met him!"

"Baby, now you're really angering me..." He stopped and turned to face you, you didn't halt your hurried footing in time and you were bumping into his broad chest. For someone with a waddle to his step, handicapped knee, the man could move when he wanted to. The expression on his face was dark and the little lighting on this stretch of street, out beside the entrance to the Lounge, it didn't help much in emphasizing the deep lines that scoured his face. It only made him look more menacing, but you refused to fear him. Not now. Your biggest fright was in thinking that perhaps your cover had been blown. "You were clinging to him. When I left the club, I saw it all." You gobbed like a fish, "What? Is this some game to you?" Hushed. Crackly. These were the words that described an uncertain Oz. In this moment, he was very uncertain, and brutally beaten inside.

He would have killed you right away if he knew the truth, but now you were starting to see that it was only rejection that filled his beating heart. He was oblivious to your true nature.

He thought you were with Kenzie. He thought you were dating someone. He thought you were taken.

This was your chance to set the record straight. To let Oz know that you couldn't pursue a relationship with him. It would certainly make this operation easier for you, but was that really what you wanted? You shouldn't want to do the opposite: tell him how strongly you feel for him. And using your job as an excuse? Being caught frolicking with the boss? Wouldn't do much good for your cover. Saying no to your boss?? It wouldn't end well.

Again. This was a difficult situation no matter what choice you made.

But you needed to make a choice.

You put rational thought aside, and you made it.

You stepped closer into him, the rebound of your accidental bump into him didn't leave much space between you both already.

"He was coming onto me." You lied through your teeth, "So, I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt..." You snatched up the collar of his coat and yanked him down to your level. "And I told him I wasn't interested, and I probably would have kneed him between the legs if you hadn't shown up..." You turned your head down slightly, Oz's beady eyes were trained on you like a hawk to their prey. "And I didn't want you to know because I thought you'd be upset." Wrong bird. Hawks weren’t so soft. Hawks weren’t so forgiving.

There was a stark silence that followed. It was agonizing to say the least.

"Oz..." You continued, slowly releasing him. "I'm not with anyone. I'm not leading you on. I'm just-" I'm not who you think I am. I'm afraid. I'm falling for someone I shouldn't be. "You're my boss. We shouldn't."

You awaited a response, a movement, a noise of approval, a noise of disapproval, something.

"Well?!" You snapped, "Can't you just please say-" He grabbed you and yanked you into a searing kiss. The ridges in his lips, healed scar tissue, were surprising soft and smooth. Your hands cupped his cheeks, one thumb subconsciously caressing in circles on the thicker edges of his scar line. The kiss deepened, tongues intermingling. His taste was bold bourbon and Cuban cigars, paired with the smell of sharp cologne that flooded your senses. He was turning you, closing you in against the nearest concrete wall and you were trapped when he pressed you taut to the surface. He locked you in with his hulking figure, broad and big and although plump, firm and sturdy.

He pulled back first, pressing his forehead down to yours and you could feel the breath of his smile off his lips. You exchanged a wave of heated exhales, one of your hands held his shoulder as an anchor and the other continued to brush along the contours of his lesser scarred cheek.

"I'm sorry..." He huffed out, sounding genuinely ashamed for his outburst. "I can't stand it anymore."

"St-St-" You gulped, that kiss literally took the breath out of you. Your heart was beating a million times per second and it felt like your entire insides were melted. "Stand what?" His pointed, jagged nose brushed yours and he sighed.

"I know I ain't much, but I'd give ya' everything you ever wanted. You would never wish for nothin'." The husky pit of his voice was doing something to you, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to your cheek so gentle and so tender that you must had been in an alternate reality. "Seeing the way other guys look at you, seeing you-" He swallowed, "Seeing you away from me. It doesn't feel right." Now it was your turn to be quiet, taking in those words as he intermittently placed kisses along your cheeks and jawline, up to the slope of your jaw that fit in junction with your ear. You closed your eyes, hands sliding up and wrapping around his neck. "Tell me to stop and I'll look the other way. Tell. Me. To. Stay..." He grunted each word into your ear, hands fisting into the hips of your coat and you pressed your cheek into his. "And I'll be yours forever."

"Are you sure?" You didn't realize the tears streaming down your cheeks. You wanted it so badly. After all these months, trying so hard to do your job, you just wanted to give in and take a break.

When you both first met each other, it was almost like, neither of you were really interested. There were plenty of fish in the sea-Or why even fish at all? On your end, it went much deeper. You shouldn't be falling for the same person you were trying to incriminate. On his end, he was determined to not date any of the women that worked under him. But it was Oz's vulnerable side that reeled you, it was your ferocity that made Oz intrigued.

You didn't even know how to manage a club, but somehow, within a two months you had taken the spot of the former manager and you had gained the respect of your fellow employees. Pretty soon, Oz was paying attention. And it was the sweet things that he did for you that made it so hard to hate him otherwise. You would forget what he had done and put your own desires ahead of you. That was how you ended up here:

Maybe you spent too much time with him.

Maybe you laughed too much when he cracked a joke.

And when he spoke, you listened a little too closely.

What was more important to you now? Oz? Or your entire career? Gotham City? Or Love?

Was it worth it?

"Am I sure?" He asked, a lilt to his voice of disbelief, "Course I'm sure. Not a single hint of doubt," He pulled back enough to pinch your chin and draw you back into his gaze, that flickered in the little light. "You sure?" You smiled, genuinely, and nodded your head.

"Let's go eat. I'm starving." You were the first one to say it.

And the searing kiss continued once more.

The happiness didn't last too long, when you realized what all of this meant.

There was no honor to the things you did.

#oswald copplepot #oz cobblepot #oz cobblepot x reader #the batman 2022 #batman 2022 #the penguin #carmine falcone #female reader

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marveldiaries · 1 year ago

Text

🥀 angst | ☁️ fluff | ✨ faves | 🔥 smut

🪐 already on notes | 🍂 to be read

Loki 1

By lokiprompts

Burning words 🥀☁️ - Loki is terrified to tell you that he loves you, but a whispered confession in the dark throws him for a loop.

Appropriate 🍂 one | two - Loki is banished to Midgard and he has to live an average life as penance...and you, a social worker, is there to help him along the way.

By darkserenity24

Freedom and Forgiveness 🍂 - When the infamous God of Mischief escapes his cell in the basement of the Avengers Tower, he accidentally comes across you while looking for revenge.

By teamatsumu

I Think He Knows ☁️ - You’re suspicious that Loki can read your mind so you decide to test that theory.

Lessons Learned 🍂 - In order to learn magic, Thor invites you to stay in Asgard for a while, offering his brother Loki to be your teacher.

See Him Again ☁️ - The reader goes back in time to 2012 and sees Loki for the first time since his death. Alternative ending.

Confused 🍂 - You’re oblivious to how Loki feels. He does nothing to help the situation.

Trust Me ☁️ - The reader has to trust Loki during a mission when he turns out to be the only man who can save them both.

Dance With Me ☁️ - The reader needs to learn how to dance, and quick. Loki offers to help.

Deserving ☁️🥀✨ - To him, he’s a monster. To her, he’s her everything.

Nightmares 🍂 - You have nightmares about him in the night. And you daydream about him in the day.

Seven Days, Seven Books ☁✨ - Someone is leaving books on your table, with love confessions highlighted in them for you to find.

I’ll Be Human ☁️ - It’s the reader’s job to teach Loki to be nice. She falls in love with him along the way.

Dreams of You ☁️ - he has nightmares and he wakes up one night and the reader helps him get back to sleep.

By thelovelylolly

Comfort 🥀☁️ - you go comfort Loki in the dungeons after Frigga's funeral.

By maple-seed

Thrown 🍂 - After the timelines have broken free, Loki decides that all he wants is to join Thor in New Asgard. Now Loki helps his brother in rebuilding a home for the displaced people of Asgard while simultaneously learning to live a universe where it feels like this is the last place he should be. He wants nothing to do with the humans living nearby, but one in particular is not getting the message.

By spicyhiddles

Wounded 🥀✨ - The reader checks on Loki in his chambers following a heated argument between Loki and Thor.

By lokiandbuckysdoll

Cockwarming Loki 🔥

Gimme little sign 🍂 - When you’re invited to the annual ball in Asgard things get revealed between yours and Loki’s close friendship.

By writingliv

Love you again 🥀 - Loki comes into your universe after destroying the TVA, hoping to live what he had watched the other Loki experience. You, however, have been grieving the death of your Loki for years and cannot seem to accept him.

A lucky god 🥀☁️ - A classic wounded realization of mutual affection.

By mochie85

Midsummer pining 🍂 - It's summer in Asgard and you and your brother, Hogun, have come to stay with the royal family for the season before you are presented to society.

Pheromones 🔥

By michelleleewise

Chocolate and promises 🍂 - your friendship with Loki and grown over the last two years, until something threatened to take it away.

Bewitched 🔥

Close to you 🍂 - you work in stark tower and have fallen hard for a certain god, but he would never feel the same....would he.....

I hate you 🍂 - y/n and Loki have "hated eachother almost since he arrived back on earth....but are things as they seem.....

By last-herondale

You belong here, with me ☁️ - reader is hidden on Asgard while the Avengers fight a threat for her back on Earth. Loki is stuck being the host, but he really doesn’t mind.

By earlgreydream

Anxious ☁️ - being really anxious at one of tony's parties and finding comfort slow dancing with loki to get ur mind off it.

By lokisninerealms

Memories to bake 🍂 - Loki never used to celebrate his birthday until you came along to give him new experiences.

By lady-rose-moon

Library meet cute 🍂

By anonymousfiction211

Cuddles 🍂

By chickenfics

Security blanket ☁️ - The reader can’t sleep thanks to a true crime podcast. In their anxiety, they seek out comfort from a certain God of Mischief.

By fluffyfantasticducky

Focus on the good 🍂 - Loki is overwhelmed dealing with being accused as a traitor, although this time he's innocent. But this time, he is not the man he used to be, and he has you by his side.

By tripleyeeet

Sorry for dying 🍂 - After going through the motions of his death, Loki decides to pay you an unexpected visit.

By mischievzx

Lose you twice 🍂 epilogue | one | two | three | four - After losing the love of your life to the mad titan, it seemed like there was no hope for the future. That is, until a rather interesting idea flashes your mind.

By acciotherapists

Protective 🍂 - Abusive relationship dynamics, reader's boyfriend is toxic, abuse is implied, Loki being an adorable bean.

By st4rymoon

Cockwarming Loki 🔥

By ladychota

Come home 🍂 - Y/n left Loki to keep him safe and prevent him from getting hurt, but her actions had the opposite effect.

I missed you 🍂 - The Avengers leave for a mission, leaving you and Loki alone in the compound to do whatever you want... but something unexpected happens.

Terrified 🥀☁✨ - Loki wakes up after one of his nightmares distraught.

All good things 🍂 - Loki invites Y/n to his place for a date.

I'm fine 🍂 - Loki's been avoiding Y/n after a mission and she wants to know why.

By heliads

Empath 🍂 - a super kind empath Avenger and comforts Loki, who also has been recruited as an Avenger (very reluctantly) but is still a bit ostracized from everyone else on the team.

By lokidokieokie

When silence speaks 🍂 - When the compound gets attacked, Loki's mind is on one person only: you.

#mine

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narrators-journal · 1 year ago

Note

haiii could u do a smut scenario with narukami and izanagi or izanagi no okami maybe with size difference and cum inflation if thats okay >//w\\<! thankie!!

Depression is a bitch, I've still got some big asks closing down my ask box, but I'm pushing through <3 Now, granted, I could not somehow use this down time to study what it's like to be full of a dick my own height, so this might not be the best trade in time versus content. But I did my best, and I hope it's still plenty hot for you!

CW: Size kink, Narukami bottoms, cum inflation too. Oh yeah, and persona's banging their users lol

"Ah, careful." Narukami panted, his voice nearly a whisper under the weight of the white-and-gold persona. "I-I can't take it all if you just...shove it in."

This wasn't the first time the grey-haired male had been in this position. Laid on the floor, on his belly amongst a collection of soft pillows, with his hips raised, caged between Izanagi no okami's powerful arms, slowly stuffed full of a god's over-sized cock like a too-small sex toy. Which, naturally, squished the breath from the persona user and brought tears to his eyes. Yet, at the same time, the smaller male had no choice but be flooded with hot bolts of pleasure. He was just too full for his g-spot to be left neglected or wanting.

Really, how he didn't split in two was a mystery. Or, maybe it was simple. Izanagi no okami simply enjoyed the feeling of his chosen human twitching and clenching desperately around his member too much to let the difference in size or realistic boundaries of the human bodies stop him. Either way, the god was intent on drawing out as many weak moans and breathy whines as he could from his user before he finally deemed the persona user full enough and moved on to slowly pulling his length out of him to just push it back in.

And, on one hand, the tall, white-clad monster was mindful to be gentle with his champion. Moving one of his big hands to his user's hip to make sure the blissed-out teenager squirming and twitching beneath him under the onslaught of muscle-melting pleasure didn't hurt himself in some desperate drive to get off. On the other, the sheer size of Izanagi's throbbing dick was as sure to bruise as it was to flood the boy's senses with lust. It was addicting.

That was the entire reason Narukami allowed the large persona to use him as a cocksleeve. The sensation of being so full, the way his prostate was inescapably stimulated with each cautious thrust, feeling his persona throb and twitch even the slightest amount. It was maddening in all of the best ways, and being treated like he were spun glass at the same time just pulled whatever sense Narukami could conjure up in the waves of muscle-tensing euphoria was enough to shove him over the edge.

Not that the wildcard's orgasm stopped Izanagi no okami. He did pull out of the persona user, gently running his thumb down the moaning, whimpering man's back to help him relax again, but when his user was less sensitive, he slid his cock back in to return to his careful activities.

Just as he always did in these situations, Izanagi kept his thrusts careful and affectionately slow, with breaks each time Narukami splattered his pillow-bed with cum. Not stopping until he'd worked himself up to the point that he could pour molten cum into his favorite champion. And, while Narukami had gotten used to being filled with so much warm liquid that he could simultaneously combust and taste the slight saltiness in the back of his throat, it still made him yelp out a string of curses and claw into the fabrics of his pillows. The sensation was dizzying, but Izanagi did his best to soothe the pain from his skin suddenly feeling too tight.

Was it a particularly fun feeling? No. But did the contradictory mix of gentle compassion and lack of sympathy from a god seeking his own pleasure make the days of aching a worthy trade-off? Yes. Very much so.

#Persona 4 #Persona #ask #Yu Narukami #Yu Narukami x Izanagi no okami #spicy #not sfw #lemon #Izanagi no okami

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scary-senpai · 2 years ago

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Cursed Christmas Decoration Saga continues. Maybe I will finish this by march, lol.

In which Saitama steals Garou's Christmas decorations, and through a series of unfortunate events, coerces Reigen into getting them back.

In Garou's defense, it's not his fault that his Christmas decorations have turned into monsters. They were not demonic when he bought them. That's all Saitama's fault.

Undoubtedly weird and definitely in need of some editing. Sorry not sorry, I am in a strange mood because I'm sleep deprived, and I'm just gonna lean into it. I would apologize but who am I kidding, I am always like this.

“Come to think of it,” Reigen said, wiping his face, “maybe I ought to use them as collateral in case Weird Hair Guy doesn’t hold up his end of the bargain.”

“I don’t think that’s a very good idea, Reigen-san.” Serizawa said, rummaging around for a makeshift weapon, eyeing the elves all the while.

The elves simply smiled their wide, fearsome and formidable smiles. Nobody blinked; the whole thing was a gruesome, Yuletide-inspired staring contest.

Reigen blithely finished the pastry and wiped his hands with the napkin.

“Look,” he continued, “we’ve got a busy morning ahead of us. Forget about the elves. Let’s just throw a blanket over them for now and work out the details later—“

“But we did get rid of them,” Serizawa insisted. “We got rid of them yesterday, and the day before that.”

Reigen arched a brow at him. “I think I’d remember if that were the case. That’s not the kind of thing you just forget.” With a flourish, he unfolded a spare massage blanket and obscured the offending elves. As the fabric fluttered towards the floor, Reigen found himself struck by a strange sensation… deja vu, or possibly a dream? Or was it a memory?

“On second thought, maybe they’re better off here,” Reigen murmured. “Their owner is eager to have them back. Maybe I ought to use them as collateral—“

“—in case Weird Hair Guy doesn’t hold up his end of the bargain,” Serizawa said, finishing the sentence in unison.

“Great minds think alike!” Reigen smiled, raising his coffee cup as if proposing a toast.

“No, that’s not it.” Serizawa said, taking hold of a chair and lifting it from the floor. “We’ve had this conversation before.”

“When?”

“Just now.”

“I think I’d remember if that were the case. That’s not the kind of thing you just forget,” Reigen and Serizawa said—once again, speaking in unison.

“It’s like I told you, something’s off—“

Reigen watched Serizawa, wielding the office hair like some sort of anguished lion tamer subduing an exceptionally petulant cub.

“Calm down,” Reigen said. “There’s no need to panic—“

“—this is clearly an inventory issue,” Serizawa said simultaneously, once again anticipating Reigen perfectly.

Frowning, Reigen paused for a moment. He studied his assistant, glanced at the elves—as expected, Garou’s decorations appeared to be at a standstill. Lying motionless under the blanket. Utterly devoid of bloodlust, as inanimate as you’d anticipate, they appeared to be perfectly normal, perfectly innocent Christmas trinkets. There was absolutely nothing demonic or murderous about them… probably.

Reigen took a deep breath, as if to speak. Serizawa did the same, sighing with him in perfect parallel.

“There are so many decorations we can’t keep track of them all,” they both said.

Reigen raised his finger, opened his mouth, and then stopped. Serizawa moved in perfect parallel—not once taking his eyes off the elves.

“We delivered some, but we missed a few.”

“Will you cut it out?” Reigen protested. “Now you’re just being rude. So there are a few more elves than we expected. We’ll just do a thorough sweep this time to make sure we got them all.”

“It’s no use,” Serizawa said darkly. “There are always more elves.” At this point, he had swapped out the office chair for an umbrella and he was feeling much more comfortable. He was now a man on a mission.

Reigen, on the other hand, had yet to break a sweat.

“Garou is a weird guy with weird taste in Christmas decorations, that’s all,” Reigen said. “He has a mischievous aura and the overall strangeness of his energy is what’s impacting things. But that’s no reason to be intimidated. The key thing here is to be…” Reigen’s voice trailed off as he noticed something missing from his desk. “...Oi, Serizawa. Did you take my letter opener?”

#my writing #wilf #(work i’d like to finish)#holiday hijinks #i wrote this for xmas and maybe it will be done by st patrick's day lol #serizawa katsuya #reigen arakata #serizawa's powers are crazy strong but unfortunately #so are these f*cking elves.#they almost kiss!#but they don't.#because elves.

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wanderingwolfwitcher · 9 months ago

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"I can agree to those terms, for the preliminary stage of the contract. We can iron out the remaining details when we get there and I assess the situation. If the price is an issue, I can accept discounts, goods and valuables for selling as well as coins. Alternatives. Open to bartering. Good to head to the docks any time, arrange a voyage to the islands. Can leave those details to you, your home, and you're liable to be on better terms with local sailors than I tend to be. Might take some convincing for them to let one of my kind aboard... unless they are smart enough to know how useful we are against the inevitable sea monsters attacking their ship. Never know, with how superstitious you seafaring types can be."

Eskel's deep, calm, faintly amused voice allowed at last with a slight nod and a chuckle to the dark haired young woman, after some consideration. Already the prospective job was looking up... which of course meant it had to complicate itself further in no time at all. Then the door to the inn opened before more could be said, two pairs of boots entering, and the atmosphere of the place suddenly shifted, as it had when he himself had arrived earlier. His viper eyes looked up from the bar, noting them... two arrivals that made her curse at his side... and at first sight the pair of men were unmistakable, even before their accented voices spoke, clearly to his enhanced senses, even with their distance. More island folk, this far inland. No possible way it was just a matter of coincidence, especially given her reaction. He looked between them talking to some of the nervous inn customers, then to her concentrating hard on the counter before them. He didn't need to be an occult detective, which he was, to put two and two together. At her question, he answered her quietly, scratching his itching cheek scars absently, speaking for her alone to hear him... an idea coming to mind simultaneously.

"Glancing around the tavern. Asking around about a fellow islander. Friends of yours, I take it. Here, if you want to eavesdrop on them with nobody the wiser. Feeling generous, so this one's on the house. Lean in close to this Supirre Sign, and you'll hear it all as if you were standing next to them."

The Witcher arranged their drinks and dishes in a way that concealed his actions... he lowered his hand to the surface of the counter, arranging his fingers properly and concentrating... beginning to draw the small glowing yellow magical Sign upon it with his fingertips. When the basic Sign was cast, appeared, remaining on the surface, the sounds of the visitors accented voices became audible to just the two of them clearly over the din and music of the place. While they listened to the new arrivals, he idly reached for his ale and took another drink, keeping his senses sharp and the pair of warriors positions marked, for if the islanders tried turning the evening bloody. He had no particular desire for trouble... but when had that ever stopped destiny and the Path from delivering it to him? In this case, it was in his best interests to get involved instead of stepping back and looking the other way, given it involved a contract and his livelihood. He wasn't about to look the other way... his guild and the Path meant more to him than one of the countless, endless blood feuds among the islanders. If need be, if they forced his hand, he would resolve the conflict for the Skelligers by speaking the language of violence they understood and respected most. Sipping from his drink, he murmured to her quietly between them.

"If you can resolve this matter with your brethren without bloodshed, by all means. I might be able to, with one of my Signs... but it may go south, if these people see me using magic. Just as likely to turn this tavern into a bloodbath as to scare everyone away. They could be looking for an excuse to try lynching a mutant. How do you want to play this?"

@wolfsbarbaren

"Got plenty of those sorts of stories, rest assured. That trouble of yours sounds familiar. The political squabbling and infighting of most folk for you. On the Continent or on the islands, makes no difference the place or race involved. Seen it everywhere I've roamed. Wars, court intrigue, usurpations, manipulations. Makes me all the more glad I needn't be apart of it. Difficult as my profession may be, it is one of true freedom, a luxury even the Emperor of Nilfgaard cannot afford for himself. Golden shackles are still shackles. There's no freedom without danger."

Eskel's deep, calm voice observed with a grim chuckle under his breath, taking another drink of his ale as he contemplated the matter and her. Raising a hand to his cheek to absently stroke along the deep scarring there. It made sense, at least, she had been exiled most likely, one of the only reasons Skellige folk would be on the mainland, besides raiding its shores. She was clearly holding more back, but he could at least read between the lines, from what she did tell him. The Witcher took up his utensils again and resumed digging into his delicious meal, working away at his appetite, before the conversation turned to the matter of the monster she had been talking about. His viper eyes returned to the dark haired islander after a few moments... the prospect of doing business with her was welcome, the contracts had been drying up in the last few villages and towns, including this one, and he would need plenty of gold for Kaer Morhen's renovations. The same problem with recent poor prospects could not be said of Skellige, despite how far he would have to travel to get there. Winter was still a fair ways off, so if he was to head out there, he could probably make it back to the Blue Mountains in time. And if not, he could winter on the islands or make his way to Upper Aedirn for it, as he had done before. After some consideration of the potential contract, he gave the young island woman named Breina a professional Witcher's answer on the subject.

"I would likely charge the islanders somewhere in the hundreds of golden ducats range for a Draconid, given the threat. Still, without having seen it, knowing what it was exactly, and other factors involved, I couldn't give a more specific amount. Would need to assess the thing and situation for myself before determining my guild rates for the contract. Fair warning, Witcher's work ain't cheap or pleasant. Take it you're keen on bringing me back to Skellige with you. Introducing me to the folk back home. If it is a contract you are offering me, sure would be difficult to say no. Wouldn't be adverse to taking you on as my client. Take the time you need to decide. I'll be in town awhile."

@wolfsbarbaren

#wolfsbarbaren

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sagewritings · 2 years ago

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Staying Alive - Steve Harrington x Fem!Reader

pairing: steve harrington x female reader

synopsis: the fight is still not over. you and max are still cursed, eddie is wanted, and vecna is gaining strength rapidly. time is ticking, and your group needs to act fast to save hawkins. in the midst of all chaos and trouble, you need to find fortitude in yourself, your friends, and steve.

word count: 7.6k

warnings: season 4 volume 2 spoilers, angst, one mention of [tw: su1cid3] and death of a family member, trauma, violence, guns and knives, curse words

a/n: hello everyone! here’s part 2 to more than a woman :) i’m sorry that it took so long to post because the fight scene is hard to write, especially with the shifts in scenes and settings. i initially planned to follow the main plot of volume 2, but i’m a sucker for happy endings so i changed the story a bit. also, similar to the first part, the title doesn’t have a connection to the story. i just named it after another bee gees song lol :3 [connor davidson is a character that i made up on my own. feel free to imagine him in any way you like]

if you’d like to check out my other works, you can check the pinned post in my blog :>

part 3 (night fever) is also posted!

i hope you’ll like this fic! happy reading!

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ꕥ

If you close your eyes and forget what has happened in the past days, you could pretend that this is just a normal get-together between your group.

After leaving the upside down and your escape from Vecna last night, Max directed all of you to her house, saying that her mom won’t be home until late afternoon. It wasn’t safe to stay at Eddie’s trailer, not when there were still some police and detectives going in every once in a while.

Despite all of you being desperate for some rest, no one could fall asleep. You spot the bruises, dried blood, and dirt that covered your bodies as you sat around Max’s living room, and it was enough to remind you that the fight isn't over yet.

“Henry, One, Vecna….” Nancy muttered to herself, replaying what you told them as she paced in front of the couch where you sat between Steve and Eddie.

You stared ahead, leaning against Steve while you repeatedly listened to More Than A Woman. You had been trying to piece everything together for the past minutes, remembering every scene and expression that Vecna has shown you. Then you recalled what Dustin told you, how a gate is opened every time Vecna attacks, and something sparked in your mind.

“What if he, somehow, intended to let me go?” You spoke quietly, lifting your head from Steve’s shoulder and pushing away one side of your headphones so you can simultaneously listen to the song and your friends. “I mean, he looked mad when I ran away from him, but I don’t think that he’ll show me those flashbacks just because he knows we’re looking for him.”

“What do you mean?” Dustin asked, not catching up to what you were saying.

“You said that he’s trying to open as many gates as he could by killing, right?” You asked him, continuing after he nodded. “But I was in the upside down when he tried to kill me. It would be pointless. And if he knew that we’re after him, then he must also know that I know how to escape him.”

“I’m not getting it,” Steve said from beside you.

You sighed. “He was warning me. Us.”

“Warning us of what?” Lucas asked.

“His takeover on Hawkins,” Nancy spoke up, her brilliant mind immediately comprehending what you’re saying.

“How will he do that exactly?” Eddie questioned.

“The gates. He’ll send creatures… monsters across our town through the gates.” Nancy replied slowly.

The moment after she said those words were silent, all of your minds running through what it would look like if Vecna succeeds. The images of your friends and families who had no idea what is going on at this moment made you fearful.

“Even if that’s the case, we don’t know how many more gates he needs to open,” Dustin said.

“Maybe we do.” Your eyes widened, mind snapping to where Vecna had you stuck. “He brought me to the same place he tried to kill Max. And there were pillars for his victims… four pillars.”

Max’s head shot up, remembering the figures of Chrissy and Fred before she spoke. “Four chimes.”

“I’m confused,” Erica said after a while.

“The visions. Vecna’s clock, it always chimes four times.” Max explained. “He’s been telling us his plan this whole time.”

“Four kills. Four gates.” Lucas gasped.

“If that’s true, he’s only one kill away.” Dustin pointed out.

“No. Try them again.” Steve shook his head, pointing to the telephone beside where Max stood.

Max followed him, disappointedly sighing as she put the phone down after a few seconds. “Same shit.”

“How is that possible?” Lucas disbelievingly wondered.

“I told you, Joyce has this telemarketer job. She’s always on the phone.” Dustin explained.

“Okay, yeah, but this phone's been busy for, what, three days now? That’s not Joyce.” Max said. “No way, something’s wrong.”

“She’s right. It can’t be just a coincidence.” Nancy spoke again. “Whatever’s happening in Lenora is connected to all of this. But Vecna can’t hurt them. Not if he’s dead.”

You gulped at the girl’s last sentence. “Nance…”

“We have to go back in there. Back to the upside down.” Nancy confirmed your thoughts.

A series of disagreements from your other friends filled the air, and Steve stood up from his place beside you protectively.

“Let’s think this through,” Steve said.

“What is there to think through?” Nancy persisted.

“We barely made it out there in one piece,” Steve exclaimed.

“Yeah, because we weren’t prepared.” Nancy continued, obviously not taking no as an answer. “But this time, we will be. We’ll get weapons and protection. We’ll go through the gate, we’ll find his lair, and we’ll kill him.”

“Or he’ll kill us.” You said unsurely. “He’s not scared of us.”

“And for good reason.” You all turned your attention to Robin as she stood up, speaking for the first time since she sat on the floor. “We were wrong about Vecna slash Henry slash One. But we learned something new about him. He’s like Eleven, only a sick, evil, male, child-murdering version of her with really bad skin. But my point is, he’s super powerful. He can turn us inside out with a snap of his fingers. It’s not a fair fight.”

“So then why fight fair?” Dustin remarked, realization drawing on his face. “You’re right, he’s like Eleven. But that gives us an upper hand. We know Eleven’s strengths, and weaknesses.”

“Weaknesses?” Erica asked.

“When El remote-travels, she goes into this sort of trance-like state. I bet the same is true for Vecna.”

Lucas’ eyes widened. ”That would explain what he was doing in that attic.”

“Exactly,” Dustin replied happily. “When he attacks his next victim, I’ll bet you he’s back in that attic, physical body defenseless.”

“Defenseless, yeah? What about the army of bats?” Steve added, pointing at the bruise marks on his neck.

“Then we’ll have to find a way past them. Distract them, somehow.” Dustin suggested.

“And, uh, how do we do that, exactly?” Eddie sighed, putting his face in his hands.

“No idea. But once they’re gone, he doesn't stand a chance.” Dustin shrugged. “It’ll be like slaying a sleeping Dracula in his coffin.”

“That all sounds good in theory but there is no pattern in Vecna’s killings.” Robin cut them off. “At least, not one that I can decipher. We don’t know when he’s going to attack next. We don’t even know who he’s going to attack.”

“Yeah, we do,” Max said anxiously, looking at you. “I can still feel him. I’m still marked. We’re still marked.”

Your heartbeat quickened. “She’s right. Once we ditch these music players, we’ll draw his attention back.”

Steve sat back down beside you, quickly shaking his head. “No, Y/n. Whatever you’re thinking, absolutely not.”

Lucas worriedly looked at Max. “He’ll kill you both.”

“Not us both.” You started, looking back and forth between Max and Steve. “I’ll do it.”

“Y/n–” Max uttered, but Steve’s voice was louder than hers.

“Nope, absolutely not. We can go to the counselor's office again–” He started, but you quickly dismissed him.

“And then what? Go through each file to see who’s experiencing trauma?” Steve stopped talking, his body filled with worry but even he knew that his idea wasn't promising. “We don’t have the time. Besides, we can’t just risk a stranger’s life, not when they don’t know who they’re up against.”

“So you’ll risk yours?” He clashed back, not caring that your other friends can clearly hear and see the two of you.

“Yes!” You grumbled in your seat. “I’m not trying to be a hero, Steve. But you do realize that I only got my visions after Max escaped him. And now that I’ve escaped him too, he’ll just torment another person. I survived, okay? I know what to do.”

Steve massaged his forehead, having a headache from both the night’s events and your stubbornness. He tried to think of another way, but he couldn’t. And he knew that it would be nonsense to argue with you.

You grabbed his hand and squeezed it softly. You exhaled when he met your eyes, seeing the sadness behind them. Your attention was ripped from him when Nancy spoke gently.

“Let’s start with the plan.”

===================

Eddie slammed a magazine on a table as you all surrounded him, pointing to one of the pages where the words ‘War Zone’ is imprinted. While he was explaining what you could find in the shop, Max silently pulled your hand and led you to the kitchen.

“Look, Y/n, if you’re having second thoughts, I could do it.” She said, keeping her voice low.

You sighed as you looked at the younger girl. “I’m not having second thoughts, Max. I’d rather have you safe.”

“But who’s going to keep you safe?” Max pointed out.

“You will. All of you will.” You patted a hand on her shoulder, eyes softening when you saw her genuine concern. “He won’t take me.”

Max wanted to say something, to keep on arguing until you agree to switch places. She already lost her brother, and she didn’t want to think about losing the person she treated as her sister.

“Fine, but I’ll have Nancy put us in the same group.”

“Deal.”

“Hey, Red.” Eddie’s voice captured both of your attention, his eyes looking at Max. “You got a ski mask or a bandana, or something like that?”

===================

You never thought that you would be an accomplice in stealing a car and a house at the same time. After your chaotic escape from the owners of this mobile home, you wouldn’t be surprised if all of you are on the wanted list tomorrow.

Steve was in charge of driving, with you sitting quietly in the passenger seat with your headphones on as you looked at the road. Nancy was seated with Robin, Eddie, and Dustin, whispering, and writing occasionally to complete their plan. Lucas, Erica, and Max were having their own conversation at the back.

“How is it?” You turned to look at Steve, eyeing the van.

“Not half bad, considering that this is a house.” He laughed. “I thought that by the time I drive something like this, I’ll be with my own family.”

You smiled, not saying anything to let him continue.

“It’s silly, but I always had this dream that I’d have this really, really big family. I’m talking, like, uh, full brood of Harringtons. Like five, six kids.”

“Six?!” You exclaimed with wide eyes.

“Yeah, six little nuggets. Three girls, three boys.” Steve continued. “And every summer, I figured all of us Harringtons would pack into something like this and just see the country. You know, the Rockies, Grand Canyon, California beach.”

You tilted your head back to relax as you listened to him, imagining all the places he just listed. After the upsetting events in the past few days, you were grateful to have a conversation that doesn’t involve the upside down. “That sounds nice.”

“Yeah?” Steve took a quick glance at you, admiring your relaxed state.

“Yeah.” You said when you met his eyes, smiling playfully. “Well, uh, except for the six-kids part. That sounds like a total nightmare.”

“If I only had some practice.” He dramatically sighed, and you realized that he was pertaining to Dustin’s friend group.

You shifted sideways in your seat, giving you the chance to fully face Steve. You take in his tired and bruised image before looking at the rest of your friends, eyes landing on Max who was whispering silently with Lucas.

Steve followed your sight through the rear-view mirror. “She admires you so much.” He said softly.

“Hm?” You faced him again.

“Max.” Steve looked at you. “Ever since what happened to Billy, I’ve only seen her smile around you and Sinclair.”

You smiled to yourself, but it quickly disappeared before you spoke again. “I just figured that, if I was the bait and things go wrong, at least she’ll still be able to live. After everything, she deserves to be happy again.”

“Hey,” Steve grabbed your hand, leaving the other on the steering wheel. “Things won’t go wrong.”

You didn’t reply, knowing that you don’t fully believe it.

Steve noticed the doubt on your face and tried to lighten the mood. “Besides, I’m not letting you leave without going on a date with me.”

You laughed. “Is that your way of asking me out, Harrington?”

“Maybe,” Steve answered cheekily, but he took a brief glimpse at your entwined hands and his tone became softer. “If you’ll allow me, I’d like to take you out on a date after all of this. We could go anywhere, it’s up to you.”

You didn’t hesitate to answer. Hell, you didn’t even think. It seemed the most unlikely scenario to get asked out, but it gave you something to look forward to.

“I’d love that.”

===================

“Alright, get what you need as fast as possible.” Nancy reminded all of you as you stepped inside the crowded War Zone. “Let’s meet at the teller in ten minutes.”

The rest of you nodded, separating into groups to work faster. You grabbed a cart and walked with Steve and Robin, going over to the clothing section first. Steve picked up a jacket and you reached for some vests.

“These are flammable right?” Robin asked as she pointed to the gallons of kerosine oil.

“Yeah.” You answered, transferring the vests and jackets from your arms to the cart.

She immediately grabbed a few, but you noticed her hand faltering in movement.

“Robin?” You called her, your confusion turning into realization as you followed her eyesight. “Oh.”

You spot a familiar girl standing in front of a keychain rack ahead of you. You know her for two reasons: you two were in the same grade, and Robin wouldn’t stop talking about her for the past three weeks. Vickie’s hair was almost as red as Max’s, and her light aura stood out among the weapons in her background.

You gazed back at your friend, amused at her awed expression.

“What’s going on?” Steve walked closer to you as he put on the jacket he picked up, wondering why you were smirking at Robin. When you turned to him and pointed at Vickie, he smiled too.

“Go.” You urged your friend who looked like she just got out of a trance.

“What?” Robin asked with squinting eyes.

“Go talk to her.” You said.

“N-no, no. Not now.” She dismissed you, turning around to pick up more kerosine oil.

“Robin, our town is currently on the verge of an attack from a supernatural villain. You never know when you’ll get to see her again.” You explained to her, sounding more like a scolding mother than a friend.

“I don’t even know what to say.” She groaned.

“You are the most talkative person I know. I’m pretty sure you can come up with something.” Steve joined, smiling innocently when Robin glared at him.

“Go. Just don’t take too long, okay?” You placed your hands on Robin’s lower back, lightly pushing her away.

Robin was cursing under her breath as she took small steps towards the girl, both annoyed and grateful for your encouragement.

You and Steve were smiling while you watched Robin call out Vickie’s name. The latter turned around, her expression was initially shocked but it turned into a soft smile when she recognized your friend.

“Cute.” You whispered to yourself.

“I know I am, thanks,” Steve answered, and you let out a snort.

“I’m gonna go there quickly.” You said, pointing towards the display of daggers.

“I’ll go with you.” He suggested but you already shook your head.

“We only have ten minutes, remember? Grab more oil and bottles. Oh, and ropes too.” You ordered him.

“So bossy,” Steve whispered under his breath but he was smiling warmly as he watched you walk away.

You, on the other hand, had your eyes dead set on the daggers. There were so many variations in length and material, but every tip shines with sharpness and threat.

A particular one caught your attention. It looked magical, with its green leather handle and gold engravings, and the blade was the perfect shade of silver. You pulled it out of its leather case, and your eyes widened when you saw the price. Still, you admired the dagger, memorizing how it feels in your hand.

“Y/l/n?”

You flinched when you heard an unfamiliar voice from your left, making you look up. You gulped when you recognize the person. You didn’t even need to look at his jersey jacket to know that it was Connor Davidson, a senior in Hawkins High and co-captain of the basketball team.

“Y/n Y/l/n, right?” Connor looked just as shocked as you were, but his face formed a smirk when he saw the dagger in your hand.

“Uh, yeah, that’s me.” You replied coolly. “And you’re Connor Davidson.”

He nodded. “What are you doing here?”

If you didn’t know the boy, you would say that he is polite. But you’ve seen him around school, observed how he acted as if he’s above everyone else. Everyone on the team acts the same, besides Lucas.

“Oh, you know, it’s pretty alarming in Hawkins right now.” You faked a chuckle, turning back to the display.

“Ah, I understand.” Connor moved closer to you, pretending to inspect the daggers as well. “Have you seen Henderson anywhere?”

His question made your breath hitch, though you tried not to release any reaction. It was only then that you realize that if Connor was here, then so must be the rest of the team. And from what you’ve heard from Lucas, every member of Hellfire Club is being hunted.

You couldn’t help but feel worried for Dustin and Eddie back at the trailer, and quickly put on a confused face. “Henderson? The freshman kid? No.”

Connor nodded, but you noticed the swift twitch in his upper lip. “Well, I just thought that you’d know where he is because you two are neighbors.”

You suddenly turned to look at him, maintaining a calm face despite feeling irritated on the inside. “You know where I live?”

“Yep.” He shrugged, turning to face you as well. His smirk and taunting expression made you uncomfortable. “And I also know that you two are friends.”

Before you could reply, Steve appeared beside you with his cart. If he was being honest, he wasn’t able to get the things you told him to pick up. Instead, he observed the entirety of your interaction with Connor. Even while watching from afar, he knew your expressions very well, and he didn’t hesitate to come near when he saw your first sign of discomfort.

“Hey, is everything fine?” Steve casually asked, placing a hand on your back as he looked at Connor.

“Steve Harrington.” The boy greeted, immediately recognizing Steve from being popular in school years prior. “I’m Connor Davidson.”

“Yeah, okay,” Steve replied uninterestedly which made Connor annoyed. The high school senior huffed before his brows furrowed after looking at Steve’s dirty and injured form.

“What the hell happened to you?”

“It’s none of your business.” He answered, and you let out a small laugh. The sound caught Steve’s attention, and his eyes brightened as he put all his attention on you. “Are you done choosing?”

You nodded your head, grabbing one of the plain daggers and returning the green one with a heavy heart.

“Are you two together?” Connor spoke again, and you heard Steve grumble from beside you.

“None of your business.” He grumbled, thumb moving up and down from its place on your back for some comfort. He was becoming annoyed with the boy, too. Mostly because of how close he stood to you, but also since he could see through his facade and knew what kind of a person he is.

You wanted to laugh aloud from the angered expression on Connor’s face, but you didn’t want to push his buttons too far, not when you had already spotted his fellow teammates around the store.

“Sorry.” You said with a flat tone, showing an insincere smile. “We have to get going.”

“Right. Oh, and Y/n,” Connor’s displeased look returned to a smirk. “Careful with that dagger, you might hurt yourself.”

Steve scoffed at his sarcastic and obnoxious tone, ready to respond but you’ve had enough of the boy’s egotistic face and it was your turn to answer.

“Don’t worry.” You shrugged carelessly, rotating the dagger effortlessly in your hand while you watched his smile drop slowly. “I’ve had more than enough practice with people.”

You smiled, pulling out two more daggers from the display before you walked past him, taking the cart from Steve’s hand. Connor glared at your moving figure.

Steve followed you, his hands falling from your back as he stared at you. “Uh, Y/n?”

“Hm?” You replied, walking towards the shelves of baseball bats.

“What do you mean you’ve had practice with other people?” Steve asked nervously, feeling amused yet scared at the same time. “Have you stabbed anyone?”

You laughed at his bewildered face. “No. I just said that to get rid of him.”

“Oh.” He said, relieved.

“But I can use this very well.” You continued, and you chuckled when his eyes widened again. “Relax. I haven’t used this on people. My dad taught me how to strike and aim from distances when I was younger so I could protect myself. You know, since I’m his only daughter.”

“And I’m only finding out about this now?” Steve said, picking up one of the bats. “Why did you get three?”

“I’m sharing them with others.” You stated, but when your eyes accidentally landed on Nancy and Jason at the gun section, your eyes widened. “Shit. We need to go.”

“What? Why?” He picked up on your panicked tone and helped you push the cart.

“The entire basketball team is here. Go to the counter now. I’ll find Robin.”

Steve followed your instructions and took off until he reached Erica, the younger girl already looking concerned and tense.

You walk towards where you last saw Robin, finding her still talking with Vickie.

“Hi!” You awkwardly said and the two looked at you.

“Y/n, right?” Vickie warmly asked you.

You nodded, sending her a kind smile. “I’m so sorry to interrupt but Robin and I need to leave.”

“What’s going on?” Robin was confused, eyes scanning the store for your friends.

“The basketball team knows we’re here.” You whispered to her.

“Oh, shit.” Robin’s eyes widened, nervously chuckling as she face Vickie. “Uh, w-well I’ll see you around?”

“Of course.” Vickie nodded, shooting her one more smile.

You waved at her as you pulled Robin behind you. “Come on. And tell me everything later.”

===================

After leaving War Zone, Dustin initiated that you make a stop at a field, the same field that used to be the location of his radio tower a few months ago. It was a perfect choice if you admit. The area was open and windy and covered with enough trees to hide your group from the rest of the town.

You look around as you observe your friends. Dustin and Eddie were piercing garbage can covers with nails. Robin was helping Nancy trim the tip of her shotgun. Max, Erica, and Lucas were tying knives at the edges of several rods.

You and Steve stayed near the trailer, filling empty glass bottles with kerosine oil and covering it with a cloth.

“We’re crazy,” Steve said lowly.

“What?”

“This. Us. What we’re doing. It’s crazy.” He spoke.

You sighed as different emotions flooded your brain. “I know. But if we don’t do this, then who will?”

Steve’s eyes softened when he looked at you directly. He was terrified of what was about to happen, and if he could take you away from here and lock you up in your room, he would. But he knew that you were right. No matter how tiring it is to fight monsters, he would do anything to keep everyone safe, especially you.

“How about you?” He asked. “Are you still okay with this?”

You nodded, knowing that you are willing to go through whatever danger for your friends and family.

“Guys! Come!” You heard Nancy call for all of you.

You and Steve carefully placed the bottles down and steadily aligned them before huddling with your friends.

“Alright, so this is the plan. We’ll go in three groups. Max, Y/n, Lucas, and Erica, you’ll cover the Creel House here. Dustin and Eddie, you take care of Eddie’s trailer in the upside down. Steve, Robin, and I will take care of Vecna. Is everyone okay with that?”

“Wait, no. I’ll go with Y/n.” Steve said suddenly. He knew that you would disagree when you abruptly looked at him with warning eyes. “I’m not leaving your side.”

Nancy waited for you to nod before she continued, grouping Steve with you. While the girl was talking, Steve grabbed your hand and squeezed it, both in comfort and in fear.

It is only a matter of hours before you find out the fate of your lives.

===================

Steve pulled up the trailer in front of the Creel’s house, Eddie preparing to take his place as the driver.

Your group was wearing your usual clothes, but everyone else wore the jackets and vests that you picked up from the store earlier.

“You guys ready?” Nancy nervously asked, eyeing the house.

“Of course.” You smiled at her. “Hey, Nance?”

“Yeah?”

“Go for his head, alright?” You smirked at your friend.

“Will do.” Nancy’s nervousness was replaced with a proud smile, clutching her gun closer.

Steve opened the door, letting you and the kids go out before him. You took a deep breath when the air around you turned colder.

“Are you okay?” Steve placed a comforting hand on your back.

“No.” You honestly answered.

All of you went inside the house, and you heard the car take off behind you.

You observed the house, remembering the last time you were here. It was just as eerie and quiet, but you still showcased a brave face for the sake of your friends. You led them into the living room, gesturing for all of them to sit down. None of you can’t really speak, or else Vecna might sense your presence.

Meanwhile, Eddie drove away with a nervous feeling, barely hearing Nancy when she relayed the plan. All he wanted was to finish everything.

Their group entered Eddie’s trailer, plunging through the gate one by one. Immediately after Nancy and Robin took off towards Vecna’s lair, Eddie and Dustin began to strengthen the walls of the trailer, gathering every steel they could find.

Ten minutes after your arrival, Erica stood up and grabbed her flashlight, remembering Nancy’s order for her to stand guard at the playground. You were still sitting comfortably, quietly listening to your song with your head leaned against Steve’s shoulder to avoid interfering with Max and Lucas’ conversation.

You played with your dagger, and you couldn’t help but admire how the blade glistens despite being in a dark area. You kept one for yourself, of course, but gave the other two to Max and Dustin.

Cinema. Friday? Steve wrote on one of the notepads he brought.

You took both pad and pen from him, writing your response. Can I bring Robin?

You placed a hand on your mouth to let out a silent laugh when he looked at you incredulously.

Sorry. Friday it is.

He nudged your shoulder playfully, but a flickering light through the window caught your attention, heart hammering nervously in your chest when realization drew on you.

The signal. Nancy and Robin arrived at the Creel House in the upside down.

Max looked at you when she saw the lights too, and Lucas grabbed his flashlight to send another signal to Erica.

“You ready?” Max mouthed to you.

You nodded your head as Steve helped you stand up while you picked up one of the lamps and slowly walked upstairs, careful not to make too much noise. He didn’t let go of your hand all the way to the attic. Your other hand was clutching your cassette, not wanting to let go of the object.

Gathering up as much strength as you can, you stopped the music. If your life wasn’t in danger, you would be thankful for the first moment of silence that you have experienced in the last twenty-four hours.

Steve slowly let you go. He, Max, and Lucas walked towards the side of the attic while you crossed your legs to sit on the floor, placing your music player on one of the boxes. Sighing, you began to speak.

“I thought about what you said, about how I killed my mom. It was an accident, but I know I’m still to blame. My dad tried to convince me too. But sometimes I’ll catch him looking at me sadly and I knew he was thinking about her,” You paused, trying your best to keep your voice steady. “I couldn’t blame him. She was the smartest and kindest person I knew. And everywhere I look, I remember her. And then we moved, but the nightmares still followed. It took almost a year before they stopped... I wanted to end it so badly. Then I met my friends and I felt the most genuine happiness again after a long time.”

Steve and the kids were staring at you while you confess, wanting to engulf you in a hug after hearing all of these for the first time. But you weren’t done. You needed Vecna to see how wrecked you are.

“But it wasn’t constant. There were times when I thought of ending it all because at least I’ll get to tell her how sorry I am. So if you want to take me, then take me. We’ll both get what we want.”

“You killed your mother?” You heard Lucas, and your eyes snapped to him in a warning. It was clear that only you would speak until you got hold of Vecna, so you ignored the jab in his question to stop her.

“We weren’t enough to make you happy?” Max spoke too as the three of them walked towards you slowly.

You were panicking, triggered by their questions but also wondering why they were talking. “What? Guys, no—“

“You don’t trust us, don’t you? That’s why you kept all of these from us.” You stood up when your friends tauntingly looked at you, and you didn’t miss Steve’s sneer when he spoke.

You realized what was happening when you saw their eyes change in color, both flashing red.

“Stay the hell away from me.” You spoke as you kicked Steve’s leg and pushed Max with as much force as you can, making her stumble backward and hit Lucas. It pained you a little when you did that, but you knew that these weren’t your friends.

You took the opportunity to run away downstairs to the main door, but what you saw made you stop in fear. The scene in front of you was the same as your third vision. The wet road, flashing blue and red lights, a destroyed car.

“Y/n, do you think I don’t know what you’re doing?” Vecna’s voice echoed.

You slammed the door closed, realizing that the house has more spaces to hide. You turned around and ran to the living room, but when you heard heavy steps on the stairs, you knew you couldn’t hide there.

You were aware that Vecna holds his victim’s mind, but that’s a hole in his plan. He might be able to show you your darkest memories, but the upper hand is not his. It’s yours. And so you closed your eyes tightly, recalling every happy moment in your life until you finally decided on one.

You let out a huge sigh of relief when you opened your eyes, immediately recognizing the scene in front of you.

Your most recent birthday. It was simple because you insisted on celebrating at home instead of somewhere grand. You remembered how your kitchen was decorated with balloons, with Max and Dustin fighting over the banner design, your father pulling out the cake that he baked from the fridge. Even El and the Byers visited that day.

But as you took in the surroundings, there was no one else with you. That was the least of your concern though, preferring to be alone rather than being in the same room as Vecna.

You sat on one of the chairs and placed your arms on top of the dining table, silently praying that your friends are safe and already halfway in killing Vecna.

Unfortunately, your friends were having trouble.

Max and Lucas were watchful of you. They weren’t able to hear your last sentence, and Max gasped in fear when she looked at your glazed eyes. She immediately gestured at Lucas to let Erica know, who then forwarded a signal to Nancy’s group.

Robin and Nancy waited for a while, making sure that there was no sign of any creature before entering the Creel house. But the vines had secretly made their way around their feet, and trapped them against the wall before they could free each other.

Eddie and Dustin were desperately trying to hide from the demobats. They were certain that their reinforcements on the trailer were enough, but when they saw the sharp teeth of the creatures piercing through the steel, they began doubting.

The arrival of Jason’s group wasn’t helping either. Connor was outside, running after Erica and grasping her arms tightly when he caught her. But the girl’s small figure allowed her to slip away easily, throwing a kick and a slap at Connor.

Jason found the rest of you in the attic, eyes wide when he saw your unmoving state.

“What the hell is going on here?” He gritted.

“Man, just stay away alright?” Steve stood in front of Max and Lucas, trying to keep his voice kind after spotting Jason’s bloodshot eyes.

“You’re in this too, Harrington?” Jason slowly walked toward the group. “Wake her up, now!”

“We can’t do that,” Max said from behind Steve.

“If we wake her up too soon, we’re all gonna die,” Lucas explained, and Jason’s head snapped towards the familiar voice.

“Well, well, well. Lucas Sinclair. Don’t think I haven’t forgotten your little trick at the cabin.”

“Just leave, dude, alright?” Steve tried to reason out.

“I am not going to leave!” They all gasped when Jason pulled out a gun, only standing several inches away from them. “Wake her up right now or I’ll shoot all of you.”

“What the fuck!” Steve exclaimed as he raised his hands on instinct. Catching Jason off guard, he lunged at him, gripping the gun away from Jason.

Max and Lucas took it as a sign to move away, positioning themselves beside you. Jason threw a punch at Steve, but the other had too much adrenaline on his body as well and shook it off easily.

He punched Jason harder, making him stumble over the boxes. He immediately regretted his action when your cassette player fell on the floor and Jason stepped directly over it.

“Shit,” Steve whispered to himself, eyes glued to your destroyed player and unaware that Jason is leaping towards him again.

Jason was more rapid in movement, but Steve’s fist was heavier.

Max, who was growing angry with the situation, took the dagger that you gave her from her pocket and slashed Jason’s leg. It wasn’t deep, but it was enough to make the boy tumble down. Steve took advantage of his moment of weakness and punched Jason across his left cheek, making him pass out.

“Are you two okay?” Steve asked Max and Lucas, panting. After the two nodded, he whispered a quick ‘thank you’ to the girl.

Steve scrambled to the floor towards your broken player, feeling relieved when he noticed that the tape inside is still fine.

“Isn’t she out long enough?” Lucas asked worriedly as they surrounded you.

Steve reached a hand out to your cheeks to assess your face. He wanted to borrow Max’s player and make you come back, but he knew that it would ruin the plan.

Meanwhile, your few minutes of peace were disturbed when the balloons exploded one by one, making you flinch from the noise. You stood up in a panic, noticing the banner falling down from the wall and the cake melting. The aura changed too, from the bright yellow and white light to a red hue.

You walked towards the front door to lock it, but as soon as you turned around, you came face to face with Vecna. He threw an arm out, and you were lifted with your back against the door.

“You are braver than your friends, Y/n. But like them, you are weak.” He taunts, moving forward until his face is right in front of yours.

He noticed as you struggled to speak against the invisible force that was holding you up, raising his fingers over your face.

You gasped, eyes turning at the back of your head until Vecna was suddenly pulled away from you, making you drop to the floor. You took a few moments to catch your breath before looking up. You noticed him floating in the air, the top of his head almost touching the ceiling of your house.

“El?” You whispered under your breath, eyes wide at the sight of Eleven in your living room. She was barefoot, her clothes stained lightly and her hair was shaved. Her right arm was aimed at Vecna before she threw him aggressively to the other side of the room.

“Y/n!” Eleven ran towards you.

“El, what are you doing here? D-did I make you?” You stuttered as you touched her face, confused whether she was part of the image you projected with your mind.

“I’m here. I piggybacked from a pizza dough freezer.” She smiled at you when she held your hand.

“What?” You looked at her as if she had two heads, your brain too fuzzy to even grasp what she just said.

Before she could explain further, Vecna appeared from behind her. You watched as they threw glares at each other, communicating about something you couldn’t really understand. But you knew that this wasn’t their first interaction. They were in the lab together.

Vecna eventually gained more control, tearing down the image of your house until you were back to a familiar place. The environment was filled with dark red clouds, with pieces of the Creel house floating in the air. Your eyes landed on the pillars once again, a chill running down your spine when you saw the corpses of your schoolmates.

Eleven shrieked when she was lifted and pressed against the front door. You tried to help her, but a vine wrapped around your foot and positioned you on one of the pillars.

Vecna walked towards Eleven, and you felt sorry for her when you saw that she was breathing heavily with tears. He whispered something to her, making her cry even harder.

You shuddered when he returned his focus on you, his eyes angrier than ever.

“You think you and your little friends can defeat me?” He said roughly. “I see everything.”

“Go to hell.” You managed to croak out despite the tightening grip of the vines around your body.

Vecna smiled evilly, dragging his hand over your face. You started to choke, feeling air escape from your lungs as your vision started to fade. You’ve never felt so much fear until that moment. This wasn’t how everything was supposed to end.

You didn’t have time to be confused when Vecna fell back, seemingly in pain when Eleven regained strength. You weren’t aware that Mike communicated with her through her mind, giving her enough amount of determination.

You laid motionless on the ground after the vines loosened their grip, still breathing but your vision was still spotted.

On the other end, Steve, Max, and Lucas were all panicking.

“Shit, shit, shit–” Steve was fumbling with the tape in his hands, inserting it inside Max’s player.

“She’s too far up!” Max screamed when your body floated while Lucas went off to call Erica.

Everything seems going against the plan, but Nancy and Robin successfully arrive at Vecna’s lair, weapons in hand.

“Go for it,” Nancy whispered to Robin as they observed Vecna’s steady body, held up by his vines.

Robin nodded and took her lighter from her pocket, lighting the edge of the cloth that was attached to the kerosine-filled bottle. Without hesitation, she threw the bottle towards Vecna, making him conscious again.

The impact on his physical body discontinued his connection between you and Eleven, and you were suddenly gasping and falling back into the attic.

“Fuck!” Steve yelled in surprise when he heard you take a breath, immediately positioning himself near your body to catch you. You fell onto him, and he stroked the stray hair away from your face. “Holy shit. You’re fine. You’re okay. You’re here.”

He seems to be assuring himself more than you as he whispered, but you were too relieved as you wrapped your arms around him. “Oh, Steve.”

Steve held you close to him, one hand at the back of your head while the other rubs your back. “Never do that again, you hear me? No more sacrificing.”

You pulled away slightly. “El was there, in my head, she saved me.”

“Eleven?”

You nodded, eyes roaming over his bruised face. “What happened?”

He eyed Jason’s unconscious body near the stairs, and your face scrunched up when you grasp what might have happened.

Max went near the two of you, and you reached out to hold her hand. “Is it done?” She asked quietly.

“I-I don’t know.” You stuttered, realizing that only Nancy and Robin could truthfully answer her question.

But your two friends in the upside down were still battling Vecna.

Robin threw another flamed bottle at him, making the vines break off his body. Nancy raised her shotgun and shot at Vecna’s chest, but the villain just stumbled backward. As if her brain knew the motivation she needed, she started to remember the words you told her before you parted ways earlier tonight.

Go for his head.

With one swift move, Nancy raised her aim from Vecna’s chest to his head, eyeing the spot between his eyebrows. And as she pulled the trigger, making the monster drop in an instant on his back, she smiled. Nancy Wheeler’s aim is always perfect.

===================

Eleven, Mike, and the Byers went back to Hawkins with Murray and Hopper yesterday. You engulfed El in a big hug when your eyes landed on her, thanking her profusely. It was a bittersweet reunion for all of you after the events from three days ago.

After Nancy shot Vecna, she and Robin made sure that he was dead before regrouping with Eddie and Dustin. They initially feared the lives of the boys after seeing the ruined state of Eddie’s trailer, and even more when they saw some dead bats in the living room. But they were filled with relief when they found them hiding in Eddie’s bathroom safely. The thick steel door was able to protect them just in time before the bats could successfully pierce the material.

They stopped over to the Creel house to pick up your group, collectively agreeing to spend the night at Steve’s house to freshen up. Otherwise, your parents would have an attack for seeing the state of your face and clothes.

The day after that, Eddie came forward to the police, but not without Hopper’s advice. Hopper had successfully contacted Dr. Sam Owens beforehand, who said that he would send agents to clear Eddie’s name. No matter how Eddie feared the public’s judgments, he knew that it would be better than to hide forever. He knew he was innocent, and Hopper trusted Dr. Owens’ connections.

Jason and his teammates are under investigation after the police found out that their weapons are unregistered. The Sinclairs were also preparing to file a report against Connor after finding the bruises on Erica.

Your dad was more than relieved when you came home, and you almost cried when you greeted him with a hug. He was ecstatic when you asked for his permission to go out with Steve tonight, after which he revealed that he already knew how you and Steve felt for each other.

Steve was true to his word. At exactly seven o’clock this Friday, he picked you up in a very gentlemanly manner. Of course, your father secretly shot him a warning look before letting you leave.

“I can’t believe Robin asked her out already,” Steve said as he drove, one hand on the steering wheel and the other interlocked with yours.

“Right?” You laughed when you remembered yesterday.

You accompanied Robin and Steve as they attended to their shifts at Family Video when Vickie made an appearance. You and Steve pretended to go over the ‘New Release’ section, forcing Robin to check out her orders. You two were confused why they talked for a long time. It wasn’t until Vickie left that Robin squealed, stating that she managed to ask the girl out for a milkshake next week.

“I’m proud of her, though. I’ve never seen her so happy.” You said, leaning against the window to feel the night breeze better.

Steve nodded, squeezing your fingers every once in a while.

Moments like this sometimes make you forget all the dangers and troubles that you have faced in the other dimension under Hawkins. Still, you knew that you’d go through it over and over again if that meant keeping your loved ones safe.

You don’t know what tomorrow holds for you. But with Steve’s hand around yours, you know everything is well.

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington #stranger things #stranger things season 4 #stranger things season 4 volume 2 #st4 volume 2 #steve harrington imagines #steve harrington fic #steve harrington one shot #stranger things fic #steve harrington fanfiction #steve harrington season 4 #steve harrington x y/n

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hafanforever · 3 years ago

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Man vs. Monster

As I said in my essay “Through a Mirror Darkly”, Gaston is an evil counterpart to the Beast. In fact, he is virtually the first Disney Villain to be a well-rounded character and have many similarities, and some simultaneous distinct differences, with his protagonist enemy.

Both are blue-eyed males who are selfish, impatient, disrespectful, rude, irritable, spoiled, quick-tempered, stubborn, aggressive, and entitled in personality.

Both are or regarded as the leaders of a location in which they have a group of followers. The Beast is the prince of his castle and lives there with his servants, while Gaston is more-or-less the leader of the village where he lives alongside many other villagers.

Both are approached by elderly people who ask for their help, but they kick out those people instead of helping them.

Both want to use Belle for their own selfish interests. The Beast wants her to help him break his curse and Gaston wants to make her his trophy wife and personal slave.

Both face rejection from Belle after they treat her poorly, and become furious afterwards. She refuses Gaston’s marriage proposal and later refuses to eat dinner with the Beast.

However, Gaston and the Beast show noteworthy differences in terms of character development as the movie unfolds.

The Beast starts off as a monster in not just looks, but in personality and behavior. Like a feral animal, he walks (and even runs) on all four limbs, leaps across large spaces, growls, roars, and shouts at the top of his lungs when angered, and has a very short temper that constantly gets the best of him when he is impatient, frustrated, and annoyed. Even his incomplete wardrobe, with his lack of a shirt, raggedy breeches, and torn cape, shows just how far he has descended from human to monster since being cursed. Although he wants to break his curse by falling in love and being loved in return, the Beast's dual nature makes him truly uncertain that he can ever become human again. He is greatly ashamed of the monstrous aspect of himself, as it serves as a reminder of both what he had done and what he had become. Thus, he believes no woman would ever love him or see him as anything but a monster due to his appearance and temper. In his first attempt to charm Belle to break the spell, the Beast comes on too strongly when he harshly orders her to have dinner with him, saying it’s not a request. After she refuses, he furiously makes threats of breaking down her door and weakly tries to use good manners until he ultimately declares that she can’t eat at all if she doesn’t eat with him. However, after he saves Belle from the wolves and she heals his wounded arm, the Beast begins to change into a more civilized, mature individual, which shows how he gradually regains his humanity. He starts walking upright more regularly and relearns table manners after initially trying to eat very sloppily and without cutlery. He gives Belle his library, encourages her to read since it’s what she loves, and delights in listening to her read stories. Even his wardrobe undergoes a significant change, as he discards his tattered cape and pants for a greater variety of formal attire, including collared shirts, a blue cape (instead of the red one), and jackets and vests with gold trimmings that show his princely rank. The Beast’s changes are most prominently shown in his personality, as he becomes a more disciplined, gentle, kind, selfless being. He learns to respect Belle, treats her as equal, and much better than he previously did, and genuinely falls in love with her for her intelligence and independence. The Beast’s love for Belle is conclusively proven when he allows her to leave so she can help her lost father, since he takes her feelings and needs into account before his own, even though time is running out for him to break the spell.

Likewise, Gaston starts off as a man, albeit a very flawed one. He prides himself on his good looks, great strength, and skills as a hunter that he believes he is the best man around. His traits have made him think that he can never do any wrong or be refused by anyone for anything, especially by beautiful women. Gaston’s love for himself borders on an incredibly toxic degree of vanity, narcissism, and egotism. Everyone in town likes and respects him, especially all of the young, single women who love him just for his good looks. As a result, Gaston believes that no woman could ever NOT love him...but the only woman on whom he has his sights is also the only one who is completely disinterested in him: Belle. He lusts after Belle and wants to marry her purely for her beauty, since he believes her being the most beautiful woman in town alone makes her the best, and so he believes he alone deserves her for being “the best”. However, Gaston’s attempts to charm and seduce Belle always fail due to his sexist, conceited, crass behavior. He always comes on too strongly by using force towards her and shows zero respect for her personal space, since he believes that women are inferior to men, and therefore he treats Belle as if he is her superior and tries to make her to do everything he wants her to do. Simultaneously, Gaston insults her love of literature and her gender when he makes misogynistic remarks about it being wrong for women to read since they shouldn’t be smart or get ideas. He further disrespects her space and also her personal property when he forcefully takes her book out of her hands, dirties it (on two separate occasions), and attempts to body block her every time she tries to move away from him and get it back, just to make her stop reading. Following Belle’s rejection of his marriage proposal, out of his own arrogance and pride, Gaston refuses to change his toxic masculine ways to properly win her love. Instead, he decides to force her to marry him using deception and manipulation. Though Gaston does wear a formal suit once, which is when he makes his preposterous proposal (because he foolishly believes he is going to marry Belle on the spot), he does not act like a well-mannered gentleman at all while wearing it. In his prior scene and all of his succeeding scenes, he always wears his bright red tunic, which hints at his refusal to change. Gaston’s growing obsession with Belle and jealousy over her love for the Beast consumes him that he becomes a deranged, barbaric, murderous monster by the film’s third act.

Similarly, the people around them act as the antithesis of each other.

Although the servants are objects based on the fact that the Beast has always treated them as such, they act like people because they have their own different, separate personalities and are capable of thinking and acting independently. Though they fear the Beast’s ferocious temper, they do not let their fear make them mindlessly obey every command he gives them. The servants frequently give him advice and tell him what he needs to hear, especially how he can improve himself to win Belle’s heart and break the spell. Even though they want Belle’s help to lift the curse, the servants never force her to do anything. Instead, they take a true shine to her after she gives up her freedom for that of her father. They make her feel welcome in the castle as much as they can, accepting her and treating her as one of them. After ten years of being enchanted, the servants are eager for and embrace change (though not just to regain their human forms by breaking the spell), which is another reason why they accept Belle.

On the other hand, the villagers, especially LeFou and the Bimbettes, are people, but act like objects (which is exactly how Gaston views them) because they all have the exact same personalities and absolutely no ability to act or think independently. It is also because they blindly admire and respect Gaston purely for his handsome appearance, brute physical strength, and hunting skills that they are completely oblivious (or just don’t care) to how flawed he really is in personality. Their admiration of him is so preposterously great that the villagers only ever tell Gaston things that he wants to hear rather than what he needs to hear. A perfect example is when they sing “Gaston” regarding how great and perfect he is, praising him for his flaws and bad habits instead of correcting them and suggesting how he can improve himself in order to win Belle’s heart following his proposal rejection. The villagers also shun Belle and treat her as an outcast for being so unconventional and different from the rest of them, including with her love of literature and lack of admiration for Gaston. Since they are content with the status quo of all of them and their lives being exactly the same every single day, the townspeople fear and reject change, which is another reason why they don’t accept Belle and only deem her as “odd”.

Fittingly, during the climax, when Gaston and the Beast battle on the castle tower, it’s a man vs. monster fight, but not the kind one may think. The Beast looks like a monster, but fights with patience and manly wits, while Gaston looks like a man, but fights like a savage, bloodthirsty beast. In fact, the two are further shown to be mirror images of one another by wearing clothes of the opposite colors (showing who is good and who is evil): the Beast wears a blue shirt and his red cape, while Gaston wears his red shirt and a blue cape.

As the two fight, Gaston continuously taunts the Beast over his appearance, but pushes the final button when he declares that Belle belongs to him and could never love a monster like the Beast. Enraged at this, the Beast overpowers Gaston and holds him by the throat as he prepares to drop him. But when Gaston drops his pride and pathetically begs for mercy, the Beast realizes that Gaston is the very monster he would have become if it wasn’t for Belle. Wanting to be better than Gaston for the sake of himself and for Belle, especially because by now he has come so close to breaking his curse, the Beast reluctantly spares Gaston and angrily yet calmly tells him to get out of his castle.

And in the end, true love finally prevails. Gaston dies as the monster he truly is, while the Beast’s curse finally breaks, and he and Belle get their happy ending. 😁😊❤️

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