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msmk11 · 11 months ago

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The Hufflepuff Code

James Potter x gn!Hufflepuff!reader (no use of y/n)

Word count: 3.6k

CW: Use and discussion of weed, mentions of alcohol, light kissing, reader under the influence of weed, mentions of food and eating

Summary: You have a secret.... Or, at least, your Hogwarts house, Hufflepuff, does, and you can't tell your Gryffindor boyfriend James. Only problem is, your boyfriend is very charming and has an inclination for mischief. What could go wrong?

A/n: Hiiiii, I hope you enjoy! This work is vaguely based off the Harry Potter discourse on TikTok a few months ago, about what parties would be like in each Hogwarts house! Please don't take offense if you're a Gryffindor lol, I love them. Also, until I find a fancast for James Potter that I like (I imagine him as desi), I will be using ATJ.

Going to Hogwarts requires a lot of studying….something you are trying to do but failing, because a pair of hazel eyes can’t help but bore into your face. You double down into your books to avoid your boyfriend’s gaze, but his intensity only increases. He shifts from mute staring to pokes and silent whispers of your name.

Finally, you snap your head up and look at him, “what?!” You whisper.

“Just missed you s’all,” James says sheepishly.

Your heart can’t help but melt a little, “sweetheart, I’m right here.”

“Yeah but you’re studying and not paying attention to me.” He whines.

“Well, I did invite you to the library to study, not snog or make small-talk.”

James eyes light up, “oh that sounds like so much more fun. We should do that instead.”

“Sorry Jamie, as much as I’d love to, I can’t. Gotta study.”

He huffs and rolls his eyes dramatically, “fine. But I expect your full, undivided attention later.”

You cringe a little and guiltily avoid his sweet, beautiful face. “I-I’m sorry I can’t hang out later.”

“Baby,” he says rather loudly.

You shush him a little and grab his hands in apology, “I’m sorry, I made plans earlier this week.”

The brunette pouts at you and shakes his head, his mop of curls falling into his eyes as he does so, “with who?”

“My friends-“

“Friends? What friends?!” Your boyfriends protests.

You glare at him a little.

“Sorry, sorry,” he whispers, “I just mean, what friends could you possibly be hanging out with instead of me? I mean, I’m the bestest friend.”

You kiss one of his hands intertwined with yours, “I know, sweetheart, you are. But I need a little non-boyfriend-friend-time sometimes, you know?”

“Well-uh I can pretend to not be your boyfriend for a night,” he disagrees, “I can gossip and, do whatever your friends do.”

You chuckle a little, “I know you can, and honestly, I’m sure they will be happy to have you in the future. But that’s not the type of hangout we’re having.”

“Okay, so then what are you doing?”

“Burying bodies, holding seances, the likes,” you tease, trying to avoid a serious answer.

James just glares at you, not impressed by your jokes.

“Sweetheart, don’t be mad,” you plead, bringing out your puppy dog eyes, “promise I’ll make it up to you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he answers, dismissively waving his hand. “That I’m not concerned about anymore. What I really wanna know is what you’re getting up to tonight,” he says, quirking an eyebrow.

You’re pretty sure his eyes peer into your soul, trying to unleash all your secrets. It makes you shiver and look down at your paper.

“Oh you know, typical Hufflepuff things.”

“Hmmm?” He asks, shifting closer to you. “Like what?”

“Uhhh eating food, potting plants, being loyal.” You mumble out.

He gets closer and lifts your chin to make you look at him. James, the bastard, knows the effect he has on you. Teasing you with your closeness, knowing his cologne drives you crazy, his eyes make you melt, and his lips leave you defenseless. He licks his lip a little and you slightly groan.

“So you’d rather pot plants than spend time with me?” James asks quietly.

Words leave you at this moment and you only stutter a little. You try to lean in for a kiss, the tension unbearable, but he pulls back. “Nuh-uh.”

“You don’t get a kiss for lying.”

You whine a little. “I’m not lying, I’m just concealing some of the truth.”

“Why, love? Do you not trust me?”

Your face softens, noticing the slight sadness in his voice. You grab his face and brush his dark curls away from his eyes.

“No Jamie. It’s not that, it’s just- well it really is sort of a Hufflepuff thing. A code of conduct, you know?”

He furrows his brows, “uhh, not really, no.”

“Well, I’m sure Gryffindor has some traditions, right?”

James shakes his head, “well it’s sorta the same thing for Hufflepuff, just more secret.”

“But I won’t tell anyone” your boyfriend says softly, kissing your hand, “promise.”

“I know, sweetheart. It’s not that I can’t tell you, it’s well, I can’t tell-“ you hesitate.

“Who?”

“Gryffindors,” you say, quietly.

Confusion clouds his pretty face, “what d’you mean you can’t tell Gryffindors?”

You cringe and pull away, “I’ve said too much already, sweetheart. Sorry, house loyalty.”

He scoffs, “what about loyalty to me?”

“Don’t do that,” you tsk, “it’s really not that serious. Just silly house traditions, a little bit of rivalry, yeah?”

“Well then if it’s not that serious, just tell me,” he counters.

You groan. He’s really not gonna give this up.

“Fine,” you mumble. “Come on, let’s go somewhere more private.”

You gather your books and motion for him to follow. He stands up obediently and packs up his things before taking yours from you. As you walk down the halls, you find an empty classroom and push the two of you inside.

“You know if you wanted to get me alone, you could’ve just asked,” he teases.

You roll your eyes and slap his shoulder playfully, “pervert…just wanting to get in my pants.”

“Can’t help it when you’re so beautiful,” he mumbles, pressing a kiss to your lips.

You hum in content and lean into the kiss, holding onto his arms gently.

“Could keep you here all night,” he sighs against your lips, as his warm hands wrap around your waist.

You huff in disappointment and pull away a little, “you know you can’t Jamie baby.”

“Worth a shot.” He sits down on a desk and spreads his legs a little, letting you stand between them, “so if I can’t convince you to skip this tradition, then tell me what it is at least. And why can’t Gryffindors know?”

You sigh a little, “okay, don’t get mad, because I didn’t decide this, remember, it’s tradition.”

James pauses and then shakes his head for you to continue.

“So, basically, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, and Ravenclaw have this arrangement to have three annual parties. One hosted by Hufflepuff, one by Slytherin, and one by Ravenclaw.”

“And why not Gryffindors?”

You wrinkle your nose in awkwardness, “well…cause the other houses don’t really like Gryffindor all that much.” Before James can protest you add, “it’s not that we don’t like Gryffindors at all, it’s just, we don’t like when you’re all together. On your own or in small groups you’re fine. But in large party settings you guys get loud, and stupid, and well…..annoying. And, the other three houses got sick of it, so they decided to start hosting a few no-Gryffindor-allowed parties every year.”

James simply stares at you in silence. “And this has been going on for how long?”

“Uh, 20 years at least,” you say.

The boy’s mouth drops, “and no Gryffindor has ever found out?!”

“Not really, no. We keep it super secret.”

James scoffs, “I mean, well that’s sort of ridiculous don’t you think? Hosting secret parties just to keep us out?”

“Look,” you say gently, grabbing his knee, “I didn’t say I agree or disagree. It’s just tradition. And well, I’m not gonna be the one to break it.”

“So what do you even do at these ‘parties’?” he asks with a huff.

“Well Ravenclaw hosts the first, in the Fall, a sort of poker, gambling game night, but with lots of booze. Very classy actually, typical Ravenclaw. And Slytherin hosts next, right before Christmas. It’s a sort of Christmas, bougie, boozie party. Very swanky and jazzy. And Hufflepuff, well, that’s the crowd favorite. Held in second term.”

The brunette raises his eyebrows in curiosity.

“Basically we get a shit load of weed from our secret plant stash, and everyone gets high and eats food. We like, raid the kitchens before hand.”

“WHAT?!” James almost shouts.

You put your hand over his mouth to quiet him. “Shhh, people could hear.”

He takes your hand off. “Hufflepuff has a secret drug stash?! And you hide it from us?!”

“I mean, why do you think we’re so happy all the time?” you say, laughing a little.

“So you-but.”

Your boyfriend’s brain seems to malfunction, “damn, Hufflepuffs are druggies? My partner is a druggie?”

You let out a laugh, “I wouldn’t say druggie…just…plant-positive.”

“So…there. That’s my secret. But you can’t tell anyone. I have my dignity to uphold.” You warn.

“Can I at least come?!”

“No! I’m not even supposed to tell you. Let alone bring you!”

“But-“

“No. Im sorry James, I don’t make the rules.”

“But I wanna get high…and see you high.”

“Well, another time.”

Your tone was final, but James did not take it as such. Instead, he became more determined to find his way in to this mysterious party.

*****

After making James promise to not impose, you left him behind in the classroom with a kiss and a lot of regret. On one hand, you had just broken so many Hufflepuff rules… if anyone were to find out, you’d be shunned for sure. On the other hand, you also felt incredibly guilty for leaving James out. Your sweet boy with his soft eyes and kind smile… but also his loud personality and pranks. You knew he’d never mean any harm, but the likes of him at this sort of party would not be welcome. He’s the definition of Gryffindor. And of course you love him for it, but you’re not sure your peers would.

Back in your dorm, you throw your books down on your desk and then plop onto your bed.

“Long day?” Your friend Emmeline asks.

You groan, “terribly.”

“Good thing we have a chill night ahead of us,” she reminds you, plopping down next to you on your bed.

“Touché Emmy. I’m very ready for an edible and a bag of flaming hot Cheetos.”

“Mhmmm, and those chocolate chip cookies from the kitchens?”

We both sigh in content.

I can feel her staring at me. “Something’s wrong…”

You turn on your side and look at her, “yeah… I just, well, told James I couldn’t hang with him tonight because I had plans and I feel sorta bad… being all secretive you know? We don’t keep secrets.”

She hums in acknowledgement, “hmmm yeah, I get that. But I mean, it’s not like a bad secret y’know? Just tradition.”

“Which is what I told him but still..”

“You didn’t tell him, did you?” She asks, slight mortification on her face.

“No, course not,” you lie, turning back on your back. “Hufflepuff code n’all. Just hard having a Gryffindor boyfriend.”

“Yeah, babe, I know. But you only gotta lie a few times a year, he’ll never know the difference, yeah?”

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m overthinking this, I know.”

“Indeed,” the brunette answers, shoving your shoulders lightly. “Now come on, lighten up, we’ve got a fun night ahead of us.”

You smile and sit up, “yes you’re right.”

“Now, I know the vibe is obviously cozy, but I still wanna look cute y’know? What should I wear?”

You hop up and walk over to her closet. “Oh babe, you gotta do your yellow Hufflepuff sweatshirt. With your brown curls and pale skin, you look like freaking Belle from that muggle movie.”

She gasps, “a whole princess?! Wow, I’m flattered. And what about pants?”

“Leggings maybe? Something that makes your ass look good?”

“Take me to dinner first!” She squeals.

You laugh a little and wink, “sorry baby can’t help it.”

Her shoulder length curls bounce a little as she shakes her head at you.

You go into your own trunk as you strip off your school uniform and instead opt for black pajama pants and one of James’ t-shirts that has some muggle band on it. It still smells faintly of him and your heart aches a little at leaving him behind. You brush it off, though, when your other two roommates come in the room, grocery bags in hand.

“We’ve got the goods!” Amelia and Trinity cheer.

“My hot Cheetos?” You ask.

“Course,” Trinity answers, rolling their brown eyes, “this isn’t our first rodeo.”

You squeal and peck them on the cheek before giving Amelia a hug too.

“You guys are my favorite, you know that?”

“Better be,” Amelia huffs. “Otherwise we’d have words.”

You all excitedly chatter as you go through the groceries and get ready for the party.

Trinity ends up in Ravenclaw blue, which looks fantastic against their dark brown skin.

“Trying to impress anyone?” Emmy asks, quirking an eyebrow.

“Hmmm, maybe a certain Pandora Lovegood?” Amelia quips.

Trinity tries to hide a smile but can’t, “duh! She’s just so cute, especially when she’s high.”

“And Amelia? Trying to impress anyone?” You ask, scanning her dark gray sweater and black leggings.

“Nope!” She says, popping the p, “only here for me, myself, and I.”

You force everyone to gather on your bed and hold up your disposable camera, “smile everyone!”

You take a few photos, cute and silly, and then wander down to the common space.

The common room remains mostly the same, besides a few added bean bags and blankets for comfort.

A low, quiet base thumps in the background as people from all three houses lounge around. Amos Diggory, a seventh year, sits at the contraband table.

“What can I do for you folks tonight?” He asks.

Emmeline asks for a blunt, Trinity and I take an edible and Amelia shakes her head, motioning to her pen instead. We crash on the carpet, waiting for the weed to kick in. Everyone around us is laughing, chatting, and snacking, at different levels of gone.

When Pandora walks in, Trinity waves and motions her over. She’s followed by a few of her friends, including Regulus, Rosier, and Crouch.

“Baby Black?!” You cheer.

He rolls his eyes as he sits down next to you. “I thought I told you not to call me that?”

You shrug your shoulders and pat his cheek, “yeah, but I chose to ignore you. I love how cute you get when you pout.”

He can’t help but blush a little and he softens. You have a way with that boy, and he with you. Surprisingly, you are very close friends.

You turn and nod in acknowledgment to the other two, “Rosier, Junior. How’s it going?”

“Better once I’m high” Barty answers. He turns to his friends, “what do you want?”

They tell him and he stalks over, giving Amos a glare while he’s at it.

“Always the delight he is,” Amelia teases. Her eyes are a little heavy, telling me the pen is already working.

“So, Black? What brooding have you been up to recently?” Emmeline jokes.

You swat her arm and can’t help but giggle, maybe a little too hard. “Be nice.”

“Oh you know, just planning your demise” he answers with a smirk.

“I’m the subject of your brooding?” Emmy fake swoons, “I feel honored.”

You laugh again and hug Regulus around the neck, “am I ever the subject of your broodings?”

He looks at you with a small smile, “course. I think about killing you once a week.”

You gasp in fake offense and stick out your tongue. Barty, who’s back with the weed, hands Regulus a blunt. He takes it between his fingers and inhales. Then he looks at you and rolls his eyes again.

*****

James Potter is usually good at keeping promises. However, he’s even better at making mischief. So despite his promise to you to not come to the party, he finds himself a little while later outside the Hufflepuff dorms, albeit hidden under the invisibility cloak. From outside, the hallway is quiet. Any passerby would be oblivious to the party going on within- must be a silencing charm. Unsure how to get into the common room, realizing you hadn’t told him before, he waits outside for someone to, unknowingly, open it for him. He, luckily, doesn’t have to wait long, as two unsuspecting Slytherins stroll past him and up to the barrels sitting outside. In quick succession one pulls out their wand and quickly taps it across the barrels. The brown barrels jump apart, revealing a door. As the two walk in, James closely follows behind, assuring he doesn’t remain locked out.

Though you briefly explained the parties to James, his imagination far underestimated the reality. When you said all three houses went to these parties, you weren’t kidding. The place was packed, with every 4th year up from all three houses lounging around the badger den. The room was thick with smoke and reeked of marijuana. Students were everywhere, standing, lounging, laughing, eating, and even sleeping. Music played in the background, but no one was dancing, seemingly too high to really notice it. He scanned the room and found you in the thick of it all, seated on the carpet by the fireplace. You were with your dorm mates, Emmeline Vance, Amelia Bones, and Trinity Taylor, and also a few Slytherins. He recognized them all actually, one being Sirius’ little brother, who he knew you were actually good friends with. Also Rosier and Crouch, who he wasn’t as fond of, and Pandora, the one Ravenclaw he sorta knew.

Still hidden under his cloak, he weaves through the crowd, careful not to bump into anyone, afraid of getting caught. He throws himself into a corner by the fireplace, listening in on your conversation.

“But Reggie, you’d look so cute with dyed hair!”

The Black boy scoffs at you, “yeah right. What should I go for, bright pink?!”

Your eyes light up as you giggle, “yes! And I’d start calling you baby…. pink? Instead of baby black, cuz you know-“ you giggle again, “your hair would be pink!”

Your words sort of slur together, not that you realize it, and so Regulus only nods, himself also struggling to comprehend what’s happening.

“Wait, I think I have some dye, let me go get it!”

“Wait-“ Regulus calls out but you’ve already gotten up.

James’ heart jumps as you come closer to him, weaving through the crowd on the carpet…

*****

As you stumble towards the stairs of your dorm you freeze. You could’ve sworn you smelt... James’ cologne…..

You shift backwards a little and sniff again. Sure enough, his fancy cologne, one you love but always tease him about, permeates the air. Either you’re really high or….

You suddenly fling your hand outwards to the left. Though there is nothing next to you, you make hard contact with something in the air, and hear a small “oof” from next to you.

A chill runs down your spine and out of the corner of your mouth you mumble, “James. My. Room. Now.”

You don’t bother to hear an answer, knowing he’ll follow you like a lost puppy.

When you’re in your room you shut the door firmly behind you and whip around “James- what the hell.”

Your boyfriend appears before you, taking off the invisibility cloak sheepishly. “Hey, baby.”

“Don’t fucking hey baby me. What are you doing here?” You slur together.

“Uh, missed you?” He says hesitantly.

Your nose flares and you stalk towards him. “You. Fucking. Missed. Me?!” Each word is punctuated with a smack to his chest.

You don’t realize in your unsober state how hard you’re hitting him or how loud you’re talking. He tries to minimize his flinches as he grabs your hands and holds them together.

“Love I-“

“What? Wanted to risk me getting shunned?! Jamie I asked you not to come! I trusted you!!”

“I know lovie. I’m sorry, I just got jealous… and curious. It’s no excuse I know but…”

You huff and throw your head in your hands. It’s spinning for more than one reason, and the weed keeps you from thinking clearly.

“We’ll talk later. You, just stay here with your cloak, yeah?”

He sighs and nods.

His sad puppy dog eyes get to you and you soften a little, pressing a small kiss to his cheek.

You then walk towards the door and open it, only to find the whole of Hufflepuff standing outside your door, staring in shock.

“You, you broke tradition!” Amos Diggory yells, pointing at James.

“I- well- shit” you mutter.

“This is like, breaking the law,” another Hufflepuff argues.

You feel tears prick at your eyes, “I’m sorry guys I- uh.”

“Wait,” your boyfriend says.

Everyone goes quiet.

“It’s not their fault, honest.”

No one seems to believe him.

“Look, I got suspicious of what they’re up to, so I followed them, with my invisibility cloak on. Swear!” He even holds up the cloak, demonstrating its invisibility.

Everyone gasps, “no way, that’s fucking sick.”

“Please don’t punish them because I’m stupid and nosy! Please!” He pleads.

Diggory turns to the head prefects of the other two houses and quietly confer. After a few minutes of quiet whispers, Diggory turns back.

“Fine, fine, you’re off the hook,” he says to you.

“And as to you Potter, well, I guess you’re officially inducted into our little secret now. We can’t have you going around spilling. And I swear, if you tell any one of your little Gryffindor friends, all three houses will rain hell. Understood?”

Even you turn to James and raise your eyebrows. He really does feel a little threatened and nods. “Uh, yeah. Course.”

Diggory claps his hands together, “great! Well then, get Potter some weed.”

As everyone files out, James turns and looks at you nervously.

“Well?”

“You heard the man, let’s go get you some weed.”

“Okay, just- wait.” He grabs your wrist and pulls you flush into his chest.

He kisses you deeply, “love you, baby.”

“Love you too, sweetheart.”

#james potter x reader #james potter x you #james potter fanfiction #james potter fluff #james potter fic #marauders fanfiction #marauders era #the maruaders

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d34dbvn · 1 month ago

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"I know that you love me, you don't need to remind me…

I should put it all behind me… shouldn't I…?

Wildflower by Billie Eilish

It's prime time to post a vent thinly disguised as sonadow angst as to not disclose my intimacy issues bc no one seems to understand ah yes

Lmk if the colors are ass bc I drew this at like 4am with night light on idk it's been rough dawg ┻⁠━⁠┻⁠ミ⁠＼⁠(⁠≧⁠ﾛ⁠≦⁠＼⁠)

Follow the story on read more *wink*

No shinies if u prefer the muted look more o_< •.°·*

Uhhh okay so make up a story for this uhh sonic thought on taking shadow out on a stargazing date and while they both enjoyed it very much it was only until sonic fell asleep that shadow started thinking of Maria again, he loves sonic but regularly makes sure to keep him at a distance as to not be vulnerable enough to another possible loss, he also felt guilty for only remembering her now and not during the stargazing. This is the first time he's been so intimate with anyone since Maria's death and he's unsure if he can keep up with Sonic on this one... As someone who's fought for so long through the grief and for self discovery even, he feels paralyzed, he can't bear the idea of his love hurting Sonic on the long run but he doesn't wanna let go either.

#d34dart #sonadow #sonic x shadow fanart #sonadow fanart #sonic the hedgehog #sonic the hedghog fanart #shadow the hedgehog #shadow the hedghog fanart #sonic the hedghog fandom #sonic fandom #maria robotnik #(←in the back of Shadow's mind)#(ref to the song too lmao)

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iloveundertaesooomuch · 8 months ago

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!!THIS IS NOT CALEB!!

This is my version of the FTF Grimwalker that got possessed by Belos and then was resurected on GrimIsles!

His name is Cheese! ...Bear with me here-

His grimwalker siblings let him to choose his own name, because they didn't want to force something so important onto him. Especially when this "newcomer" was lucky enough to not be named by Belos. So the freedom of choice felt pretty important to consider for his ability to built his own identity and carve his own destiny.

But.. Cheese was litteraly "born yesterday" and he didnt understand the language yet. At all. So, of course, when he started to learn some words, he chose to identify himself with something he really really likes. And.. this thing he related to happened to be a block of yellow dairy product with holes in it and a funny taste. He is too much of a cheese lover.

Later on he often "changed his name" from Cheese to Onion to Gerald to Boot to Nike... Uhhh..., it was difficult to say the least. But the name Cheese stuck with others, so now it is how he is called. Although many end up pronouncing it as "Chez", which is valid too.

As you can see on my art, Cheese doesn't have his legs rotting like the body in the s3 ep2. Thats because it was part of his "mortal wound". In otherwords, Chez wouldn't be able to live with parts damaged like that. Usually all that left after the person's "mortal wound" after the resurection in the temple is a small light scar. But, even if Cheese got his body fully in tact now, the bottom part of his body nonetheless seems to be paralised. Thats why he requires a wheelchair to move around the Isles. (I wont deny the possibility of him getting a jetpack or something like that so he could move thought the air on his "loyal carriage". Imagine that vine video but with Cheese. He would be very enthusiastic about creating and building shit like that.) Chez also happens to be mute due to his damaged throat and vocal chords also from Belos'es possession. Thats why he has that little oracle stone on his hair-clip that helps him speak his thoughts out loud! He wasn't always able to use it, so he was also taught how to use sign language. His siblings were glad to learn it along with Cheese so they could finally chat.

I was initially imagining Cheese to be enthusiastic about sports. Especially since the grimwalker body in FTF looked quite buff weirdly enough XD. But he slowly grows to be much more than "CHEESE IS SPEED". Perharps our discovery of him as a character reflects his own journey of getting to know himself. Chez came to be as a blank slate. I guess he is technocally the happiest grimwalker in this AU, since he never experience any kind of abuse and has a loving family that treats him with respect even if he doesn't understand everything yet.

It was my first time drawing a wheelchair I think. So I really heavily referenced just to get its structure right. Maybe when I draw Chez again I will decorate it to his liking. He would probably enjoy some stickers on it. Especially of space and ships. Or Cheese could have a Starwars (or however that franchise is called in TOH universe) merch on it! He likes spaces, because it is full of infinite possibilities.

Thank you, @crypticpara and @talisman975 for inspiration!

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paishoeyeroh · 1 month ago

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Bearer And The Bound

☰ Pairings: Sukuna x Reader, Slight Megumi x Reader

✧ Summary: When you stumble upon an ancient ring in an abandoned house, you unknowingly bind yourself to a cruel, powerful demon who thrives on torment. Trapped in a reluctant bond and forced to navigate a shared existence, Sukuna plots your downfall while you fight to survive his sadistic games. But as your fates entwine and secrets of Sukuna’s dark past begin to unravel, the lines between enemy and ally start to blur.

✧ Tags: True form Sukuna, Enemies to Lovers, Dark Romance, Demonic Bonds, Heavy Angst, Slow Burn, Sukuna is Bad at Feelings, Possessive Sukuna, Tension, Forced Proximity, Eventual Smut, College/University AU, More Tags To Be Added Later

✧ Status: Ongoing

✧ You can also read it on AO3

☰ CHAPTER FIVE: Truth Beneath the Surface

Chapter Summary: An unexpected encounter brings secrets to life.

☰ Masterlist | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

You wake slowly to your alarm, the muffled sounds of city life humming quietly just outside your window. Stretching, you pull yourself out of bed, half expecting to feel the familiar prickle of Sukuna’s energy looming nearby. But when you step into the hallway, there’s nothing.

He’s in the living room, as usual, sitting in the spot at the bay window. He’s only half facing you, his posture uncharacteristically relaxed. The morning light casts soft shadows across his broad frame, and for a moment, your steps falter. You don’t feel that usual spike of tension in the air, that oppressive weight that always seems to accompany him.

Instead, it feels… muted. Quiet. Almost peaceful.

Then again, it’s been days of this. Days of strange, tentative peace, ever since your ‘Movie Night with Sukuna’, as you have deemed it. Since then, for the first time in what feels like forever, things are quiet. Sukuna hasn’t acted out—not a single flicker of lights, no cryptic taunts, no petty displays of power. It’s almost unsettling, how normal it’s been.

You make your way into the kitchen, trying to move as silently as possible. He doesn’t look at you, doesn’t acknowledge you at all. You start the coffee maker, the familiar hum and gurgle filling the silence.

As you lean against the counter, waiting for the pot to fill, you glance over at him again. He hasn’t moved. You wonder if he’s lost in thought, and what he could possibly be thinking about. Could he still be thinking about his past, his transformation, the woman who wordlessly witnessed his demise? The thought stirs an unease in you, and you shake your head, pushing it away.

Not your problem.

You pour yourself a cup of coffee, the strong liquid warming your insides as it slides down your throat, grounding you. Could it be that maybe, just maybe, this peace is a sign that things are starting to settle? That Sukuna, for all his cruelty and chaos, has finally decided to stop making your life hell?

No, a small voice in your head reminds you. You should know better than to think it will last. Sukuna is unpredictable, a storm waiting to break.

And yet, you still find yourself enjoying the stillness while you have it.

You begin to pull ingredients from the fridge as you prepare breakfast in silence. As you sit down to eat, your phone vibrates with a text from Yuji.

Yuji: I’m thinking game night tonight at my place fellas! Who’s in?!

It’s in the groupchat you share with Yuji, Nobara and Megumi. Nobaras response comes almost immediately.

Nobara: Uhhh who’s fellas? I’m a girl. Moron

Yuji: I’m obviously using it as a gender neutral term? Also who cares? Are you coming or not?

You smile at the texts, warmth blooming in your chest at the thought of seeing Yuji and Nobara again. It’s been too long since you all went to the abandoned house together, and though you’ve kept in touch, it’s not the same as being with them in person. The decision is an easy one. How could it not be?

Still, there’s a flicker of anxiety in the back of your mind as your gaze shifts toward Sukuna. He hasn’t caused trouble in days, but that doesn’t erase the memory of how he acted the last time Megumi was here. You don’t understand what set him off then, and the thought of him doing something similar in front of all your friends makes your stomach twist.

But even that worry isn’t enough to dampen your excitement. You miss them too much to let Sukuna’s unpredictability hold you back. Resolute, you type out your reply to the group chat, already mentally preparing yourself for whatever the night may bring.

You: I’m coming!! What time?

Yuji: Let’s go!!! Come at 7. Anyone want snacks? Drinks?

Nobara: If I’m coming, there better be some alcohol there

You: I can get some on my way there!

Nobara: Megumi, don’t think you can get out of this. I know you’re reading.

Nobara: I’m picking you up on the way.

Megumi disliked “I’m picking you up on the way.”

Nobara: You’re coming. Even if I have to drag you out of the house.

Yuji: LMAO no way he hit you with the thumbs down

Yuji: See you guys at 7!

You heart Yuji’s message, the tension loosening in your chest as you think about your new plans for the evening. After you finish your breakfast, you stand up to clean your plate, and head into the bathroom to start getting ready for school.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

By the time you show up at Yuji’s place for the evening, a couple packs of seltzers tucked under both of your arms, you’re feeling more like your old self again. Yuji’s apartment is as cozy and chaotic as ever, cluttered with chip bags, gaming accessories, and random comic books scattered across the coffee table. Yuji brings you into a tight embrace as you enter his apartment, mock-crying as he says something about the “gang being back together.”

You plop yourself down onto the couch between Nobara and Megumi, while Yuji sprawls out on the floor in front of the TV, a controller already in hand as he navigates the game menu for Super Smash Bros.

“Alright! Let’s get this party started,” he exclaims as he hands each of you a controller. Megumi reluctantly takes it out of his hand as he pops open a can of seltzer.

“I’m already regretting this,” he mumbles under his breath.

Yuji hears him anyway. “Don’t lie! I know you love it. Here, I’ll even let you pick your character first. My favorite is Zero Suit Samus. And not just because she’s hot, but because she’s got some serious moves. Have you seen her smash attack? She’s bad ass.”

The light-hearted teasing between your friends puts you at ease. You relax into the couch with a sigh as everyone chooses their characters and the game starts, any previous tension from your earlier anxiety fading into the background as you immerse yourself in the familiar comfort of your friend group. It almost feels normal again, like it did before Sukuna entered your life.

But, surely enough, as if on cue, he catches your eye. You turn your head fully to look at him. He’s perched silently on top of the counter, legs crossed, his lower set of arms resting lightly on his knees while the upper set is folded casually across his chest. His piercing red eyes are fixed on you, but once he sees you turn to him, he quickly looks away, glancing at the TV screen instead.

You watch him for a little while longer, curious by the fact that he’s avoided your gaze. He normally stares back unapologetically with a grin until you get too uncomfortable and look away. But this time, it’s like the roles are reversed. Eventually, you have to turn your attention back to the game as the next round starts.

As the night progresses, Yuji, as predicted, gets the most into the game, shouting at the screen whenever things don’t go his way.

“NOOOOO! Come on, Nobara! That’s so cheap,” he cries out as he loses to her once again.

She throws an empty seltzer can at his head in response. “Cry harder, loser.”

The can bounces off his head as he turns to look at her, pouting with wide puppy dog eyes. “Hey! That’s unsportsmanlike conduct!”

“If you would just shut up and play the game, maybe you’d actually win.” Megumi adds dryly.

You burst out laughing as Yuji whips around dramatically to face the TV, grumbling under his breath as he goes to start another round. As you pat the top of his fluffy head in comfort, a wave of warmth washes over you, mingled with a tinge of guilt. You hadn’t realized how much you’d missed this. You’d been so caught up in your own chaotic situation, so focused on keeping your distance to protect them and yourself, that you hadn’t stopped to consider how isolating it had been. Now, sitting here surrounded by laughter and the bickering that only comes from the kind of closeness you share with your friends, you realize how much you’d needed this, a glimpse of normalcy amidst all the madness. You feel a small ache in your chest, both comforting and bittersweet, as you resolve to not let yourself drift so far from them again.

After the night winds down and everyone begins gathering their things to leave, you step out onto the balcony for a moment of fresh air. The cool breeze feels like a balm against your skin, and you lean against the railing, taking in the quiet of the night. The laughter and noise from inside the apartment feel distant now, replaced by the soft hum of cars passing by below.

For the first time in what feels like forever, you let yourself appreciate the simplicity of this moment. You’re grateful for your friends, their normalcy, their laughter, their care. It’s a nice reminder that not everything in your life has been consumed by Sukuna.

But just as the thought forms, you feel the familiar weight that accompanies his presence, settling heavily onto your chest. You open your eyes to find the aforementioned demon stepping out onto the balcony behind you.

He doesn’t say anything at first, just moves to stand beside you, using his four arms to brace himself against the railing. To your surprise, he’s closer than usual, his sleeve brushing yours as he leans down to look over the railing. His scarlet eyes stay fixed on the city below, unreadable and distant.

“Human bonds are so fragile,” he says finally, his voice low and quiet, carrying none of its usual sharpness.

You glance at him, startled by the shift in his tone. For once, his words don’t feel like an attack or an insult, rather, they feel like an observation. It catches you a bit off guard.

“Are you saying that because you’ve seen it happen, or because you’ve caused it?” The question slips out before you can stop yourself.

Sukuna turns his head slightly, enough that you can see the corner of his mouth twitch into a faint smirk, though there’s no real humor in it. “Both.”

You don’t know how to respond to that. There’s something about the way he says it, the weight behind the word, that makes you hesitate.

The silence stretches between you, heavy but not uncomfortable. For a brief moment, you wonder what’s going on in his head—what memories, what regrets, what darkness he’s wading through as he stands here beside you.

But instead of asking, you let the moment linger, letting his words sink into the night air. Eventually, you sigh, and offer a quiet response.

“Maybe. But sometimes, the fragile things are the ones worth holding onto.”

You don’t wait for his reply, if he even has one. Turning away, you step back inside, leaving him alone on the balcony. As you slide the glass door shut, you glance back once, catching the way he stands there, unmoving, his broad silhouette softened by the glowing city lights.

As you say your goodbyes to your friends and head home, you find yourself thinking about Sukuna’s presence the entire night. There was something about the way he watched you, the way he averted his gaze when you caught him, his cryptic comment on the balcony. You already know there’s more to him than you originally thought, but tonight felt different. Hell, these past couple of days have felt different with him. It’s the way he seems caught in a quiet struggle, his guarded demeanor cracking in moments when he thinks no one is looking. There’s something behind those cold, unblinking eyes, something he’s not showing you.

And that thought equally intrigues and terrifies you.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

After getting home from Yuji’s place, you collapse into bed, expecting the exhaustion from the night to pull you under immediately. But as you lie there, staring up at the ceiling, sleep refuses to come. The warmth and laughter of the evening linger in your mind, replaying the moments with your friends, the sound of Yuji’s shouts at the game, Nobara’s teasing.

You shift onto your side, fluffing your pillow in frustration, but it doesn’t help. The stillness of the apartment feels quiet. Too quiet, compared to the liveliness of earlier. After several long minutes of tossing and turning, you finally give up, reaching for the book on your nightstand. If sleep won’t come, maybe reading will coax it along.

You make it a couple of lines in when suddenly, you feel Sukuna’s energy. It’s strong, cold, and unmistakable, hovering just outside your bedroom door.

For a moment, you consider ignoring him, pretending you don’t notice. But there’s something about him lingering just beyond the door instead of barging in as he usually does, it’s an unusual stillness that feels impossible to overlook. With a resigned sigh, you lower the book to your lap, glancing toward the door.

“You might as well just come in,” you call out softly.

Your words hold no real bite, more out of habit than anything else. The door creaks open slowly, revealing him in the doorway.

He stands there for a moment, still as stone, his four eyes meeting yours for just a moment before he looks away, shifting his weight ever so slightly, like he’s not quite sure how to proceed, like something is holding him back. The confidence that always radiates off him seems to falter, if only slightly.

“You can sit if you want, I don’t bite,” you say, taking pity on him. You almost expect the usual eye roll, maybe a sarcastic quip about how you can’t make him do anything, but it doesn’t come. Instead, Sukuna stands there, his gaze flitting briefly to the bed, as though he’s considering your offer. There’s a brief pause before he steps further into the room, his steps slow and hesitant. He chooses not to sit, leaning against the wall by your bed, arms crossed over his chest.

For a moment, neither of you speak. It feels like there’s something unspoken in the air, something fragile that neither of you wants to break. Sukuna looks at you then, finally meets your eyes, but not in his usual calculating way. His gaze is softer, more curious than you’ve ever seen before.

“You’re not as afraid of me as you used to be.”

His tone lacks the usual amusement or sarcasm, instead, he almost sounds… thoughtful.

“Maybe I’ve just gotten used to you,” you reply just as softly.

You try to keep the mood light, not wanting to delve too deep into the truth of that statement. In a way, you have gotten used to him—his constant aura, his attitude, the strange power dynamic that’s slowly become your new normal.

Sukuna doesn’t respond to your light quip, but his stance shifts. His arms uncross, his posture relaxing, and for a moment, you think his expression softens. His gaze shifts to the book in your hands, narrowing his eyes slightly.

“You read those things often.”

You glance down at the book, and it takes you a moment to realize he’s trying to change the subject, an unusual move for him. It’s like he’s extending the conversation, as if he doesn’t want the silence to return.

“Yeah. It’s an escape, helps me forget about… everything.”

Sukuna’s eyes linger on you, his expression unreadable. For a moment, you see something deeper in his gaze, something almost human buried beneath the cold, demonic exterior.

You find yourself again wanting to ask about the dream—about the memory—and the raw, painful emotions it seemed to dredge up for him. You so badly want to know more, to understand the weight of what you saw, but you hesitate. The moment between you feels fragile, and you know all too well how one wrong word could shatter the peace you’ve somehow found these past few days.

So instead, you bury the questions deep inside, willing yourself not to push too far.

“You don’t have to stay out there, you know. You can… come in, whenever you want.”

You internally cringe at your words as soon as they leave your mouth. You don’t even know why you say it, Sukuna knows he doesn’t need an invitation anywhere. Maybe it’s the quiet atmosphere, or maybe it’s because in this moment, Sukuna is different. But the words come out before you can really think about them.

Sukuna pauses, looking like he’s weighing his response, considering his next move carefully. He opens his mouth, closes it, then opens it once more to speak.

“You’ll regret saying that.”

His voice isn’t sharp, there’s no threat in his words. It’s almost soft, as though he’s not used to this kind of offer and doesn’t know what else to say. He doesn’t stay long after that. With one last glance in your direction, he steps out of the room, the door clicking shut softly behind him.

You find yourself smiling slightly, wondering if this time you’ve finally made some real progress with the entity that’s taken up residence in your life.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

The week leading up to your exam was spent in relative peace, your head buried in textbooks, and to your relief, Sukuna has hardly bothered you at all. It’s allowed you to focus on school, and the quiet has left you with a relative sense of calm. And yet, you can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. Like everything is going too good.

That weekend, following your exam, Nobara arrives for a much needed girls night. She greets you at the door with a grin, holding up a bottle of wine in one hand.

“I brought reinforcements! Time to de-stress,” she says as she strolls inside.

You laugh in response, taking the bottle from her and heading to the kitchen to grab some glasses. As you drink the wine, the atmosphere brightens, and you find yourself venting to Nobara about the stresses of school.

“Honestly, I feel like I’ve been living in a bubble of exams and anxiety all week,” you sigh, relaxing your shoulders as you take another sip.

“Tell me about it. But that’s what tonight is for! Wine, venting, and relaxing,” she takes a sip of her own drink, leaning in closer to you. “That reminds me, I’ve been meaning to ask you. What’s been going on with you and Megumi?”

The question catches you off guard, and you nearly choke on your wine. You cough, eyes widening, as you look to Nobara.

“Me and Megumi? What are you talking about?”

She raises a brow, clearly unconvinced, her lips curling into a smirk as she leans back on the couch.

“Uh huh, sure. Lie all you want, but I see the way he looks at you.”

You feel your cheeks heat at her interrogation. “There’s really nothing going on. Honestly, we’re just friends.”

She gives you a playful nudge, downing the rest of her wine before letting out a contented sigh.

“Whatever you say. But I’ve got my eye on you two. Don’t think you can sneak around without me noticing,” she grins.

The heat in your cheeks intensifies, and you find yourself scrambling to change the subject. The wine loosens the tension, though, and before long, you and Nobara are laughing about other things.

At some point in the conversation, Sukuna enters the room. He saunters in, posture tense, his face still as stone as he takes the spot now deemed his at the bay window. As he sits, he glances briefly at you, a strange intensity in his eyes that hadn’t been there all week. You assume it may have something to do with Nobara being over, maybe she has disturbed him somehow. But before you can think too much of it, Nobara turns to you, phone in hand.

“I just sent a text to Yuji, he’s coming over with more alcohol. And Megumi’s coming too,” she sing-songs the last part with a wink. You laugh awkwardly in response, not really having the energy to object, not that she’s given you much say in the matter.

By the time the boys arrive, you and Nobara are long-settled on the couch. The door swings open, and Yuji bounds in, arms full of alcohol, chips, and candy. He throws them all down on the table before throwing his arms out excitedly.

“Party time!! I call choosing the music,” he exclaims as he grabs the remote, turning the TV on and loading up Spotify.

Nobara rolls her eyes, but a smile tugs at her lips. Megumi strolls in behind Yuji, hands in his pockets, looking unamused, though his eyes brighten when you offer him a drink.

As they settle in, the living room fills with soft music and light chatter. Yuji and Megumi take seats on the floor near the coffee table, opposite you and Nobara.

As the conversations flow, so do the drinks, and eventually Megumi stands, heading to the kitchen to refill his cup. When he returns, he sits on the couch between you and Nobara, and you notice with a mild curiosity that he’s sitting closer to you than her. She leans back and catches your gaze from behind him, waggling her eyebrows at you slightly. You narrow your eyes at her in response, taking another sip of your drink.

Sukuna, who hasn’t moved from his spot since the boys arrived, has only grown more tense. His fingers curl slightly into his thighs, his shoulders rigid, and his eyes lock onto Megumi. You feel the weight of his gaze and glance over at him, and as his eyes flick to you, his jaw tightens. It’s nearly imperceptible, and if you hadn’t spent so much time around him, you wouldn’t have picked it up.

When Sukuna notices you staring, his expression shifts. He looks away in disinterest, turning his attention to the TV, though it’s obvious to you he’s not paying attention to what’s on the screen.

Suddenly, Yuji waves his hand in front of your face. You flinch slightly, pulling yourself from your thoughts and turning to face him.

“How did your exam go?” He asks, in a way that suggests he’s asked you more than a couple of times now.

“Oh, um, I haven’t gotten the results back yet. But I feel like I did alright,” you answer sheepishly, ashamed that you’d been caught spacing.

Megumi shoots you a look, clearly noticing your distracted behavior, but you give him a soft smile in response to let him know you’re okay. He responds with a small smile of his own.

The night continues with laughter and conversation, and with the help of the alcohol, you find yourself relaxing, forgetting about Sukuna and his odd behavior. What you can’t forget about, though, is how Megumi leans more into you as he continues to drink. You tell yourself it’s nothing, he’s your closest friend in the group, after all. Maybe he feels most comfortable with you as well. But Nobara’s earlier comment lingers in your mind, making you question it. Has Megumi always done this, and you’re just now noticing? Or is Nobara’s comment making you paranoid, seeing things that aren’t there?

Eventually, Yuji glances at the clock, letting out a groan. “Man, it’s late. I didn’t realize how long we’ve been hanging out.”

Nobara yawns dramatically, stretching her arms above her head. “Agreed, I’m beat. Come on Yuji, you’re giving me a ride home.”

“What? But you live, like, 30 minutes away from me!”

“Did I ask?”

Yuji groans at Nobaras response, but starts gathering his things nonetheless. Megumi stands up to leave as well, but as he puts on his jacket, you notice him sway slightly, his eyes glassy and drooping.

“Megumi, you should stay. It’s raining, and you’ve had a few. I don’t think you should be driving,” you tell him, gently.

“It’s alright, I’m fine. Really,” he replies, grabbing his keys from his pocket. But his words slur just enough for you to know he’s not. You insist, offering him the couch and your fluffiest blanket, and after a bit more back and forth, he finally agrees.

As you’re saying your goodbyes to Yuji and Nobara, you catch Sukuna’s eye again. He’s no longer lounging. Now, he’s standing by the far wall, watching the scene unfold with unsettling silence. He’s watching Megumi again, though his expression remains blank.

You shoot him a look, a silent plea for him not to interfere. Sukuna’s lips twist into a slight grin, though he stays silent. Still, something about his behavior tonight makes your skin prickle with unease.

After setting up the couch for Megumi and saying your goodnights, you head to your bedroom. Just before you close the door, you glance back at Sukuna. His eyes meet yours, and for a brief second, something passes between you. It’s not anger, but it’s not indifference either. It’s something you can’t quite name.

With a sigh, you close the door, leaving the demon and his cryptic presence behind for the night. As you lay down, you feel a small twinge of guilt at leaving Megumi out there alone with him. But you know Sukuna won’t do anything. Even if he wanted to, he’s bound by your command. You close your eyes as the liquor from the night, as well as the incoming storm, pulls you into a quick, deep sleep.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

Megumi jolts awake, his heart racing in his chest as a deafening clap of thunder shakes the windows, wrenching him from sleep. He opens his eyes, trying to adjust them to the darkness of the unfamiliar room. He blinks rapidly to reorient himself. The faint outline of the living room begins to come into focus, but something feels… off.

There’s a strange sensation prickling over his skin, like someone’s eyes are on him. Watching. Instinctively, his eyes scan across the room, looking toward the kitchen.

Two glowing red eyes pierce through the darkness, staring straight at him.

Wait, no, not two. Four eyes?

In his tired state, he tries to process what he’s seeing. He rubs his eyes to clear the sleep from them, half-thinking it may have been a delusion from the alcohol he drank earlier. Or maybe he’s still dreaming. When he opens them again, the eyes are gone.

A couple seconds pass, and another flash of lightning slices through the room, illuminating it for a split second. And when it does, there’s a figure standing before him with those same blood-red eyes. Much closer than before.

Sudden panic seizes his chest as the figure looms just feet away from him. It’s unmistakable now—tall, broad, and utterly inhuman. The creature’s skin is pale, almost sickly, with strange markings tracing down its face. Its eyes stare down at him with a terrifying intensity, its face twisted into a look of pure hatred. Its extra pair of arms hang loosely at its sides, the fingers tipped with sharp black claws that look like they could slice through skin effortlessly.

Megumi’s stomach clenches in fear, every instinct in his body telling him to move, scream, throw something at it, do something. But his muscles are frozen as he stares wide-eyed at the monster before him, an overwhelming sense of menace radiating from its form.

The creature's deep voice rumbles through the air, vibrating through Megumi’s bones. It’s like the voice of the storm itself: dark, menacing, and cold.

“I’ve been watching you.”

The voice drips with malevolence, every word calculated to send shivers down Megumi’s spine. His mouth is dry, his throat constricted, and he can’t speak. Can’t even breathe properly. His mind races—how long has this thing been here? Watching him? What does it want?

Megumi’s heart slams against his rib cage as the words sink into his mind. It takes a step closer, towering over him like a dark cloud ready to consume him whole.

The creature’s eyes glint with malice, a slow, deliberate smile creeping across its face. It leans forward slightly, its imposing figure towering over Megumi even without moving from its spot.

“Worried, are you?” Its voice is low, almost mocking, each word laced with venom. “Yeah. You should be.”

Megumi’s breath catches in his throat, his stomach churning. The words twist in his mind like a cruel joke, planting a seed of fear that blooms rapidly. He swallows hard, trying to push down the rising panic, but his thoughts betray him. His mind flashes to you—your odd behavior lately, the way you’ve been pulling away from everyone. It suddenly all makes sense.

Has this thing been tormenting you the whole time without you realizing it? Feeding off of you? Controlling you?

The demon lets out a soft laugh, but there’s not an ounce of humor in it. It sounds so dark and cold, it feels like ice has pierced through Megumi’s chest.

“You don’t belong here,” it growls.

Another step closer. Megumi can barely process what’s happening as the creature gets so close to him, their noses are almost touching. Its eyes glow with a deep, terrible loathing.

It’s then that Megumi’s throat breaks free from its paralysis. The adrenaline floods through his veins as a scream tears its way up his throat, raw and petrified.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

You wake with a start as a sharp, panicked yell shatters the silence of your room. You bolt upright, and for a second, you’re disoriented, blinking into the darkness, unsure of what’s happening. At first you think it may have just been the storm. But, no… that was definitely a scream.

Another clap of thunder shakes the apartment, and then, in the quiet aftermath, you hear something else. It takes a moment for you to work it out. Sukuna’s low, rumbling laugh, coming from the living room. Dread seizes your limbs as your mind races.

No. No, no, no… I told him to leave my friends alone! What is he doing?

Your feet hit the floor before you can even process your movements, stumbling toward your door as you fling it open with such force it slams against the wall. The sight that greets you in the living room makes your flesh crawl.

Megumi is sitting frozen, shoved up against the back of the couch, wide-eyed and pale. Sukuna is standing directly over him, a grin plastered across his face, his eyes glowing with sinister gleam.

“Megumi! Are you alright? What—what’s going on?”

Your voice cracks with fear as you look between them. Megumi looks like he’s just seen a ghost, or something far worse. He looks absolutely horrified, like he may pass out or throw up at any given minute. And then you realize something.

Megumi is staring directly at Sukuna.

“Wait,” you pause, debating if you should say the next words. “You… you can see him?”

Megumi’s voice trembles as he responds, laced with confusion and terror. “Him?! What do you mean, him?! That thing—that thing’s not even human! What the fuck is going on?!” He’s full on panicking now, his chest heaving as he pants.

His words send a ripple of guilt through you. You’ve been hiding this, living with it for months, and now… this is it. There’s no going back. Megumi knows. He’s seen Sukuna, the demon you’ve been keeping a secret, and the look in his eyes makes your chest ache.

Before you can even begin to explain, Sukuna interjects, his low, rumbling voice filled with sarcasm.

“Not human, hm? Seems your friend has more sense than I gave him credit for.”

His tone makes your blood boil. You’re already pissed at him for causing a scene, letting your little secret out, and how is Megumi able to see him, anyway? Why now, after all this time? The fact that this is all clearly a joke to him is making your blood boil.

“Sukuna, leave him alone.” you command through gritted teeth.

Sukuna’s grin falters, his eyes locking onto yours as he recognizes the command. For a brief moment, there’s a flicker of something more real in his stare, but then it’s gone, replaced with nonchalance. He sighs as he takes a step back, away from Megumi.

“Touchy, touchy. Don’t worry, princess. I’m just playing.”

You don’t miss the way his gaze darkens as it flicks back to Megumi. But he stays silent, unmoving from his spot.

Megumi is still shaken, running a trembling hand through his hair as his gaze remains on the demon, as if he’s too afraid to look away. His voice is strained, barely above a whisper.

“What… is that thing? Why is it here?”

You take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside you. There’s no hiding, no talking your way out of this one. You have to tell him the truth, here and now.

“Megumi… it’s a long story,” you sigh, looking down at your feet.

He turns to you fully, his eyes widening as he looks at you, incredulous.

“A long story? You’ve got this fucking monster in your apartment, for god knows how long, and you’re telling me it’s a long story?! This… this is insane. How long has that thing been here? How are you just okay with this?!”

You wince at his words, feeling the panic and frustration in them. He’s scared. Scared for you, scared of Sukuna, and you don’t blame him. How could you? You swallow hard, your own guilt settling like lead at the bottom of your stomach.

“It’s complicated, Megumi,” you start, “It… basically started the night I put on that ring. From the abandoned house, remember?” you hold your hand up, flashing him the ruby stone sitting atop your finger.

Megumi sits upright then, his brow furrowing as he takes in what you’ve just said. “You’re—you’re telling me that this has been going on for months? And you didn’t say anything? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Your lip trembles slightly, the remorse basically eating you alive at this point.

“It’s… look, Megumi. I didn’t mean for this to happen… I’m sorry,” you say softly, trying to keep your voice steady.

Megumi’s expression softens at your tone, but the confusion and worry are still there, etched into every line in his face. He stands up, walking over to you and looking you dead in the eye.

“We need to get rid of it. I can help.”

The temperature in the room instantly drops. You look over at Sukuna. His eyes are narrowed, his lips are turned into a scowl, his voice deadly.

“You think you can get rid of me? How naive. I’d love to see you try.”

His fists clench at his sides, the menace in his voice clear and true. You step between them.

“Enough. You’ve done enough for tonight, Sukuna.”

For a moment, Sukuna’s eyes burn bright with rage, as if he’s on the verge of defying you. But then, suddenly, all the tension in his body eases, his face growing cold and distant. He wordlessly walks past the two of you, heading down the hall and disappearing around the corner.

Megumi’s eyes remain locked on the spot where Sukuna walked off, his own body tense and on edge.

“So, what, you call that thing by its name? Like you’re friends? You can’t be serious.”

You can see the protective look in his eyes, the way his mind is racing to process everything. Sukuna can’t hurt anyone, you know that. But how can you explain the bond, the control, in a way that makes sense? You still feel like you don’t even fully understand it yourself.

“He… he can’t hurt you. Or me, or anyone. I sort of have… control over him.”

Megumi scoffs, shaking his head. “Control? You call that control? It was just standing over me like it was going to kill me!”

You take a step back at his response. His voice lowers as he takes a breath, calming himself. “I’m sorry. But this isn’t safe. You can’t just live with that thing. There’s got to be a way to get rid of it, right? Exorcize it, or whatever.”

You hesitate, biting your lip. You’re ashamed to admit you’ve never really looked into it, never tried to find a way out. And now, the thought of exorcizing Sukuna makes your chest tighten.

What is this feeling?

“Yeah… yes. We’ll figure it out. Thanks, Megumi.”

The words feel wrong leaving your lips, like they belong to someone else. You glance at him, and he’s looking back at you with that same steadfast concern, the kind that makes you feel both comforted and exposed. He’s ready to help, ready to fight for you, and while you’re grateful for him, you can’t ignore the flicker of hesitation deep inside. It leaves you unsettled, unable to explain why the thought of moving forward feels like walking into uncharted territory.

Megumi must mistake the look in your eyes for fear, because he blurts out, “Don’t worry, I’ll stay here. I won’t leave you alone, I can stay in your room tonight, I won’t let it get near you. I’ll-“

“No, it’s okay,” you interrupt him.

“Well, I can’t just leave you here. I know it’s still here. You need someone-“

“Seriously, Megumi, I’ll be fine. I’ve handled this for a while now, remember? He can’t do anything to me, I promise. You don’t need to worry.” You force a smile, trying your best to reassure him.

Megumi hesitates, “But-“

“Go home. Get some rest. We’ll figure it out tomorrow, okay?” you offer him a hand, leading him to the door.

“Okay… but I’m coming back tomorrow. First thing in the morning,” he pauses as he reaches the doorway, turning to look at you, his eyes filled with worry and care. “Just�� please be careful.”

After seeing Megumi out, you turn around and nearly jump out of your skin when you see Sukuna standing in the hallway leading to your bedroom.

As you walk closer to him, you almost think you see a flash of guilt in his eyes. Whatever it was, it’s quickly replaced by a lazy, knowing grin. You sigh, pressing a hand to your temple as you squeeze your eyes shut, trying to will away the headache that’s suddenly formed.

“You really know how to make things complicated, don’t you?” You mutter, half to yourself, your voice heavy with exhaustion.

You don’t wait for him to respond, turning to head for your bedroom, far too drained to deal with whatever game he’s decided to play tonight. Making your way into your room, you slip under the covers, pulling the blankets up to your chin. At this point, sleep seems impossible. You have so many questions, the most prominent one echoing in your brain: why was Megumi able to see him? Why now, after all this time?

You keep circling back to Megumi’s words: exorcize him. That’s what you should want, right? To be free. To get your life back. You press a hand to your chest, feeling your heart beat beneath your rib cage. For some reason, the idea of Sukuna disappearing, being gone from your life forever, sends a feeling of something close to fear through you. You bite your lip, struggling to make sense of your own swirling confusion. The quiet echoes of Megumi’s concern replay in your mind. He’s right. It should be simple. But nothing about this feels simple.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

The next morning, Megumi arrives at your apartment earlier than expected, his knocking at your door firm and urgent. You open it to see him standing there looking more disheveled than you’ve ever seen him, his dark hair sticking up at odd angles, his eyes red-rimmed and heavy with exhaustion. He doesn’t wait for an invitation before stepping past you to get inside, his laptop in hand, along with some papers and a backpack slung over his shoulder. He looks like he hasn’t slept at all.

“Megumi?” you ask, giving him a concerned look.

“I’ve been up all night researching,” he says, rubbing his tired eyes with the heel of his hand before setting everything down on your coffee table. “There are a few things we can try.” His voice sounds strained but determined, and the weight of his dedication settles uncomfortably in your stomach. He doesn’t wait for your response before he starts pulling up various tabs on his laptop, and spreading the papers out which contain diagrams of salt circles, ancient looking symbols, and step-by-step instructions for rituals.

You sit next to him, glancing at his screen. “What is all this?”

Megumi’s fingers scroll quickly through the pages, landing on an intricate diagram of symbols. “This one is a protective seal,” he says, tapping the screen. “If we draw these around the apartment, it should weaken his hold on you. It might not get rid of him completely, but it could at least buy us some time.”

“And then there’s this,” he continues, clicking on another tab, “it’s an incantation. It’s supposed to bind or repel demonic entities. It’s an old language, so it’ll be difficult to pronounce, but we should be able to manage.” He hesitates before pulling out a small cloth bundle from his bag. “And I got this.”

He unwraps the cloth, revealing a bundle of sage. “If we burn it while we recite the incantation, it’s supposed to cleanse the space.”

You stare at the sage, feeling a knot form in your throat. Everything about this just feels wrong. But Megumi is so determined, so sure that this will help, I mean, he stayed up all night for you. You can’t bring yourself to crush that hope. So you nod, and say, “Okay, let’s try it.”

Megumi moves quickly, getting to work drawing the protective seals with chalk on your floor, carefully pouring salt on the windowsills and doorframes. Sukuna chooses this moment to appear, walking into the living room, his gaze stone-cold as he leans against the wall, watching Megumi.

When everything is set up, Megumi lights the sage. Its earthy scent fills the room, mingling with the stale weight of the growing tension. He begins to read the chant from the page, his voice steady and clear. You sit there as he does, feeling like a spectator in your own life.

Sukuna doesn't speak, but the irritation radiating off of him is palpable. Half way through Megumi’s incantation, he switches his attention over to you. His gaze feels like a challenge, daring you to stop this whole charade. But you don’t, afraid of what will happen if you voice your feelings aloud to Megumi, especially with Sukuna around.

Megumi’s voice grows louder as he continues the chant, more urgent. Sukuna remains unmoved, still leaning against the wall, a mocking grin tugging at the corners of his lips. You can almost hear the laughter he’s holding back, the smugness radiating from him like heat.

Nothing happens.

Megumi pauses, looking at you, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Why isn’t it working?”

Sukuna finally speaks then, sounding amused, albeit a bit irritated. “So this is your grand plan? Some salt and chalk mixed with a few old words? How original.”

“I… I don’t know,” you answer Megumi, feeling small. “I don’t know how this stuff works.”

He stares at you for a long moment, searching your face for answers. You shift under his scrutinous gaze, feeling the unease building in your gut. You don’t know why this feels wrong, why the failure of the exorcism doesn’t fill you with relief, or even disappointment. Instead, it leaves a strange hollow ache that you can’t quite explain.

As if sensing your uncertainty, Megumi lets out a long breath, running his hands through his tangled hair. His frustration is palpable, but so is his confusion, and it mirrors your own.

“I just don’t get it. This should have worked.”

Suddenly, Megumi walks back to the couch, sitting down and looking at his laptop, his frustration evident in every movement.

“Megumi,” you say softly, but he ignores you, typing away and clicking on various articles. “Megumi.”

He looks up at you, his red eyes frantic. You rest a hand on his shoulder, trying your best to calm him with your touch. “You need some rest. You look terrible.”

He scoffs at you, as if it’s the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard, looking back to his laptop to continue his search. You look at Sukuna nervously, who’s watching Megumi, his irritation becoming more obvious by the second.

You lean down, pulling his hands away and closing his laptop gently. “Please.” You’re not even sure what you’re asking him for at this point, but you’ve got a strong feeling nothing good will happen if he stays any longer.

Megumi stares at you with narrowed eyes, before he gives in and begins packing his things. “Fine. But I’m coming back tomorrow,” he says firmly. “We’re going to keep trying. There’s got to be a way-“

“Dont,” you interrupt, your voice soft but firm. “Let's take a break for now. You’re exhausted, and I… I need some time to process everything. Okay?”

He pauses for a moment, studying you like he’s trying to read your thoughts before he nods, tight-lipped, and heads for the door. After stepping out, he turns around, glancing back at you with concern. “Call me if you need anything,” he says, his tone softer now. “Promise me.”

You give him a small smile. “I will. Promise.”

You click the door shut behind him, the silence in the room now deafening. Sukuna remains where he is, and you brace yourself for the incoming sarcastic comment.

“Well, well, well. Wasn’t that entertaining,” he drawls, pushing off the wall and crossing his arms, “Your little friend is such a brave man, isn’t he? So eager to save you from the big, bad demon.”

Yep. There it is. You clench your fist, turning to look at him, your cheeks burning with annoyance. “Don’t,” you snap, your voice sharper than you intended, “Just… don’t, Sukuna. I didn’t ask for any of this.”

He leans back against the wall again, eyes still fixed on you, but the smirk on his face doesn’t seem as smug as before. A muscle in his jaw twitches as if he’s trying to find the right response.

“And yet, here we are,” he says, looking away as though he’s talking to himself.

You shake your head, rubbing your hands over your face, too exhausted to argue with him further. “I don’t even know what’s going on with me anymore,” you admit, your voice tight with emotion.

Sukuna’s gaze sharpens, but his tone remains cool as he responds, “Then stop whining and figure it out. Or don’t. Either way, it’s not my concern.”

“Right…” you trail off, unsure of what else to say.

He watches you for a moment longer before walking over to the window, looking out with his back to you. The conversation, it seems, is over.

You retreat to your room, fully intending on taking a nap for the next couple of hours. As always, Sukuna’s energy lingers in the air, but it feels different than it did when Megumi was there. Not as heavy, not as threatening. For the first time, you wonder if Sukuna is just as confused about this bond as you are.

You climb into bed, sighing as you pull the covers over your head. It’s been an exhausting day already and it’s not even lunchtime. As your eyes drift shut, you think to yourself that once, just once, you’d like to know what’s going on inside that demonic head of his.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

You wake up well into the afternoon, your body heavy with exhaustion from the past two days’ events. You spend as much time as you can in the comfort of your bed, wrapped into a cocoon in the blankets with your eyes closed, not wanting to face the world just yet. But after a while, you can’t take it anymore. The walls of your room are starting to feel suffocating. You need to go out to clear your head. So you step out of bed, flinging the blankets aside. You put on some comfortable clothes and head out into the living room.

Once you step into the common space, you spot Sukuna. Once again, he’s staring outside, but he’s sitting on the couch this time, not in his usual spot at the bay window. It’s surprising, seeing him sitting like that, slightly slouched, relaxing into the couch. You’re so used to seeing him in a dominant, more predatory stance, that this new version of him catches you off guard.

He doesn’t see you come out at first, but as you walk closer, his gaze flits over to you. He looks like he may be about to say something, opening his mouth slightly for just the briefest of seconds, but nothing comes. His expression remains stoic, and you don’t know what to say either. So you say nothing. You walk past him to put your shoes on, and head outside.

As you step out into the crisp afternoon air, you briefly wonder what he was about to say. If he was planning on saying anything at all. You wrap your arms around yourself as you walk to the nearby cafe. As you walk, it doesn’t take long for your mind to drift back to the events of today and the previous day. Megumi’s terrified expression, the way Sukuna looked at him, the failed attempt to exorcize him—it all replays through your mind like a broken record.

It’s a short walk to the cafe, and you settle into a chair in the back, Sukuna standing beside you silently. He’s watching the other customers come in and out with an air of boredom. You don’t spare him any attention, much too lost in your own thoughts.

You think about Megumi, wondering if you two could ever go back to normal now, after what happened. You doubt he’d want to just hang out again, now knowing that it wouldn’t be just you two alone. You wonder if he’s told Yuji and Nobara about the situation, and the thought makes your heart sink. What if they all hate you now, what if they think you’re some kind of freak? The weird girl who’s bonded to a demon. The girl who’s developed a strange attachment to the very thing that haunts her. How could they possibly understand?

You sigh, resting your chin in your hand as you gaze out the window. You notice a couple walking into the cafe, holding hands and smiling at each other as they give their order to the cashier behind the counter. The sight tugs at your chest. For a fleeting moment, you can’t help but think of your own past relationship, years ago now. The life you had before all of this, long before Sukuna. Things were so different back then. Happier.

What if—

You stop your thought in its tracks. You can’t afford to think about that, not now. Not on top of everything else. You jump out of your seat, your chair scraping against the floor as you suddenly realize it was a bad idea to come here. Feeling overwhelmed, you make a beeline for the door, Sukuna trailing behind you.

You step outside and cross the street in a hurry, still lost in your own racing thoughts, when suddenly, you trip over the curb as you’re about to step back onto the sidewalk. You let out a small gasp, your hands flailing in front of you to brace for impact.

But it never comes.

Sukuna’s hand catches your arm, his grip firm but not painful, steadying you. His hand is surprisingly warm and steady, a stark contrast to how cold his presence usually is. You both freeze, your heart racing not only from the almost-fall, but also from the contact.

“Careful,” Sukuna drawls, “you’d better watch where you’re going.”

You look at where Sukuna’s still holding onto your arm, then up to his face, and you can feel your cheeks heating from the attention.

He holds your eye contact for a second, peering down at you, and there it is again—that look in his eyes, that flicker of indefinable… something beneath his usual indifference. But then, just as quickly as it came, it’s gone again, the nonchalance back in place, as he quickly lets go of your arm and looks ahead toward your apartment.

“Quickly, now,” he says, his voice a little sharper, “you wouldn’t want people to start staring,” he reminds you and oh, right, you’re in public, there’s people around. You quickly finish your walk back to your apartment.

Once inside, you decide on a nice, long shower. You make a beeline for the bathroom, completely disregarding Sukuna’s existence, not wanting to risk a glance at him after the whole debacle outside. You strip out of your clothes as you wait for the water to heat up, and as you step into the shower, the warmth of the water relaxes your tense muscles, washing away all of your stress for the moment.

Sukuna doesn’t follow you in here. He never does, and though you don’t fully understand why, you’re grateful for the solitude. You feel a tinge of nervousness at the thought, though, knowing the sense of solitude isn’t really true. Sukuna certainly could come in, if he wanted to, but he doesn’t. You find yourself wondering why. Does it even really mean something? Is it because he’s giving you privacy, or is it just convenience for him? The new thought only serves to confuse you further as you finish your shower.

As you step out of the steamy bathroom wrapped in a towel, scrubbed clean and pink-cheeked from the hot water, you make your way across the hall and into your bedroom. The sun has set, now, the soft light from the streetlight outside shining through your window. You put on your pajamas, climbing into bed, pulling your sheets tight over your chest.

You stare up at the ceiling, still lost in thought. You try to close your eyes and will sleep to come, but you know it’s no use. You just can’t find it in yourself to quiet your mind.

After what feels like hours, you start to get frustrated. You throw the sheets off of yourself with a huff, marching over to your closet and pulling out your picnic blanket. If you’re going to spend yet another night awake, it might as well be whilst lying outside, gazing at the stars.

You step out into the living room, throw your shoes on, and step outside once again. It’s times like these you wish you had a balcony, one like Yuji’s, but the courtyard will have to do for tonight. You make your way down there, blanket in tow.

You find the perfect spot, spreading the blanket out and plopping down onto your back, staring up at the night sky. Just then, Sukuna plops down beside you, and your heart nearly jumps out of your chest. God, you’ve been so out of it, you nearly forgot. The bond. Of course he’s followed you out here. He has to. Although, he normally chooses to stand creepily behind you, or at least some distance away from you, always just out of reach, so it surprises you to see him sitting so close. His presence doesn’t feel threatening though, this time. A calm settles over you once more.

You turn your head slightly to glance at him. Sukuna is staring out into the night, his expression blank. He’s sitting with his legs sprawled out in front of him, his lower set of arms resting in his lap, while the higher are sprawled out behind him, holding him up. The silence between you stretches, and you find a question lingering in your mind from yesterday, nagging at you once again.

“Sukuna?”

He glances down at you. “Yes?”

“The other night, when Megumi saw you… how? He shouldn’t have been able to see you, right?”

Sukuna’s eyes return to the sky as he leans back even more on the blanket.

“The storm,” he says, his voice laced with mystery. “Certain circumstances allow people to see things they otherwise wouldn’t.”

You frown, confused by the vagueness of his answer. “So, it was just because of the thunderstorm?”

“To put it simply, yes,” he answers.

You’re not surprised by his cryptic response, although you’re still curious as to just how the storm could affect Sukuna’s presence. You decide to let it go for the moment.

Minutes pass, with neither of you saying anything. You feel compelled to speak further, maybe because of the silence around you at this hour, the only sound being the soft wind that blows between you.

“Sometimes,” you start, unsure, but you continue anyway, “sometimes I wish I could just… escape. From all this.”

Sukuna keeps his gaze steady out to the distance as he replies, “Escape? From me, you mean?”

You pause, but shake your head, “From everything. You, school, my friends… myself. Most of the time, it’s fine, but other times, I feel like I just want to disappear into some dark, quiet forest, sink into the earth, and let it swallow me whole.”

Upon hearing your words, Sukuna finally turns his attention back towards you. He says nothing, but he raises an inquisitive brow, as though urging you to continue.

There’s another pause, and you sigh, deciding to let your guard down even more and fully tell him what’s on your mind. You don’t care anymore if he knows. Maybe you want him to know. “There was someone I loved, years ago. He,” you start quietly, chewing your lip, before you press on, “he died in a car accident. Ever since then, it’s like I’ve been stuck. Sometimes, it feels like no matter what I do, I can’t move on.”

You don’t even know why you’re telling him this. You don’t expect Sukuna to care, but speaking the words aloud feels like a release nonetheless. You wait for his mockery to come, bracing yourself, but Sukuna just continues to watch you. It pushes you to continue, your voice wavering only slightly.

“After it happened, I tried to keep going, to pretend like everything was normal, but it wasn’t. It hasn’t been, not since that night. And now, with you here… I don’t know what to feel anymore.” There’s a long pause, and you wonder if Sukuna is even going to grant you a reply. But he does, to your surprise, his voice much softer than usual.

“He was weak.”

You stiffen, feeling anger rise inside you at his words. Sukunas voice cuts through again, this time with more weight behind it.

“I don’t say that to mock him. I say it because he was human. Humans are weak. They break. They die. You’re not stuck because of him, you’re stuck because you haven’t accepted that.”

You turn your body to fully look at him, shocked by his words, his raw honesty. “What are you saying? That I should just forget him?”

Sukunas gaze sharpens, his eyes narrowing slightly, “No. I’m saying that holding onto ghosts will only destroy you. If you’re going to survive, you need to stop living in the past.”

The weight of his words hangs in the air. There’s a sort of harsh wisdom in them, there’s no denying that. But there’s also a strange comfort in them, a sense that Sukuna understands loss, something you’d never thought to expect. It didn’t make sense. How could you find solace in a creature that thrives on chaos and destruction?

“How did you get so good at survival?” you whisper to him.

Sukuna smirks softly at that, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’ve had centuries of practice.”

You look at him then, really look at him, and as he looks back at you, you feel as if you’re seeing beyond the demon, at a glimpse of something more. Something real.

“Close your eyes,” he says suddenly, his voice eerily gentle. You hesitate for a moment, unsure, but the sincerity in his expression is enough to make you comply. As your eyelids lower, the darkness wraps around you like a long-lost comfort.

“Breathe in deeply through your nose, and let it out slowly through your mouth,” he continues, his tone steady, grounding. “Let your thoughts drift, and if one interrupts, don’t hold onto it, just let it go.” With each word, his voice becomes a guide, pulling you further into the calm. You focus on the rhythm of your breathing, each inhale and exhale becoming a quiet tide that carries away the weight of the night—its sadness, its confusion, all dissolving into the stillness behind your eyes.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Steady.

Peaceful.

You feel as though you’re surfacing from a deep, tranquil pool as your eyes slowly flutter open, letting the soft glow of moonlight filter back into your vision.

“The next time you feel like crawling into some dirt, do that instead,” Sukuna murmurs.

Your gaze drifts upward, drawn to the endless expanse of the night sky. The stars shimmer faintly, scattered across the velvet blackness, and the moon hangs silently, casting its soft glow over the world below. It’s surreal, almost absurd, you think, sharing such an intimate moment with a demon, the very creature you’re bound to for life. The thought pulls a small, wry smile to your lips. What would your lover think, if he could see you now? If he were somewhere up there, looking down on this? You can almost hear the disbelief in his voice, the humor edged with concern. It’s ridiculous, really. Absolutely ridiculous.

And yet, here you are.

You glance over at Sukuna, half expecting to meet his gaze, but he’s not looking at you. His eyes are fixed on some distant point, far beyond the horizon, unfocused and unreachable. His profile is illuminated by the faint moonlight, and for a moment, you take him in. His broad shoulders are impossibly strong, his jaw sharp and angled, his features striking in a way that commands attention. Under entirely different circumstances, you might even call him beautiful.

The thought startles you, and you push it away as quickly as it surfaces, as if rejecting it will somehow undo the moment altogether.

“I’m heading in,” you say, sitting up and folding your blanket.

Sukuna nods, also standing to join you, and you head back to your apartment.

Once inside your bedroom, you crawl back underneath your sheets, your eyelids finally starting to droop. You find yourself feeling a strange sense of gratitude toward Sukuna for the first time. You realize that where Sukuna’s presence used to scare you, make you feel uneasy, it now brings a strange sense of comfort, something you never would’ve imagined just weeks ago.

While you still don’t fully understand Sukuna or his motives, there’s a growing sense of trust in him that you’re not sure if you’re willing to admit to yourself just yet. You decide not to dwell too much on what it might mean, and your thoughts drift away as sleep finally embraces you.

☰ Masterlist | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

☰ Taglist: @nerdybouquetofkittens-blog

#sukuna x reader #sukuna ryomen x reader #sukuna x you #ryomen sukuna x reader #jjk #jujutsu kaisen #jjk angst #dark romance #slow burn #enemies to lovers #jjk fics #sukuna fic #sukuna angst #ryomen sukuna #bearer and the bound #true form sukuna #jjk x reader #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jujutsu kaisen x you

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knific · 1 year ago

Text

hi im john! or zero. i'm a LEESBO and i draw stuff : also im multifandom and i switch interests almost monthly. if you follow me for one thing you might not get that.

i'm fifteen and from the southeast of asia. i can speak different languages but i only prefer being spoken to in english lol!

also we MIGHT be mutuals. this isn't my main blog and that was actually a mistake because i didn't know how to use tumblr by the time. if you see you're being followed by some user called epicflowpow then I guess we're mutuals :') that's my main blog that im inactive on! lol! it's hard to explain

byf:

i have bad memory don't expect me to remember anything personal like ur birthday,

i make sex jokes sometimes ok if ur not comfortable lmk and ill stop,

i post what i want, i might post blood, gore, etc. anything i post may be triggering, if you don't like it block me! the only form of censoring you'll get is the tags so get ready to mute a few (ex: cw blood, cw knife, cw suicide)

my social skills suck.. you can try to talk to me but i get very nervous when talking privately and i might say things i don't mean

i am sometimes rude but it's just for fun lol i don't actually mean it,

i don't reaalyyy use tonetags but ill use them when my wording starts to sound a little serious

uhhh i make homophobic jokes because it's FUNNY. im actually a person of the bacon community though so yeah.

i like to cuss my faves out. i will say very very mean stuff about them and I won't state whether it's positive or negative. if you don't like that then you should probably not read the tags sometimes

i ironically use emojis like 😂🥺🥹😜 etc

dni: i don't have a dni because people are gonna interacr with me anyways. ill block whoever makes me feel uncomfortable and who not (pr/shipp*rs are not exceptions lol ALL will be blocked)

also i do requests! here are like. rules for my requests n stuff:

i think im most likely to do EVERY request you guys give me, so go crazy! i just won't do it quickly. because im not an art machine

i do any reqs, but i will less likely do/will put for last the oc requests lol :)

okay when I said any reqs i lied: just don't request me taco x pickle loll it's for the sake of some of my mutuals :) i can still draw them hanging out but it won't be tagged as ship or implied ship

i also do any fandom but again i will less likely do fandoms im not in lol

uhh. if im uncomfortable with a ship in particular ill just ignore your req don't bother sending it again or im gonna give you a beating

complicated styled characters are ok but if you wanna give me a first good impression don't send them or you're literally breaking my fingers physically

also comics scare me if you request those too you're also breaking my fingers (it's not prohibited though you can send them but ill cry)

tags

0 art: for my art

0 ask: for asks

0 req: art requests!

0 s req: things people draw for me :)

0 reblogs: for reblogs (best muted)

0 txt: me talking

0 talk: me talking w other ppl

0 fave: favourites/saving for later

0 other: other

#0 art #0 ask #0 req #0 reblog #0 txt #0 s req #0 other #pinned #for context: the bacon community is the LESBIAN community. i cant say bc my sister knows my tumblr #0 talk

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simplhee · 1 year ago

Text

be my +1

synopsis: when streamer heeplays needs to find a plus one to go with him to the Streamer Awards, what does he do? he makes a google form of course! and what happens when up-and-coming streamer y/n jokingly fills out the form, catching heeseung's attention? stream starting soon: be my +1 !!!

lvl 5. - maidenless [smau + written 367 words]

========= stream starting soon =========

The bright gleam of the ring light blinds heeseung as his stream starts up. his light is on, mic is muted, and food is on its way as chat begins to flood onto his “starting soon” page. checking the countdown timer, he has two minutes all to himself before officially going live. heeseung smiles to himself as he watches chat talking amongst themselves.

otvfan07: hello !!!

🜲 nightwingsbooty: hi chat

yunjinlover: :wave:

pikachuus: hihi

looking at the countdown one last time, heeseung moves a strand of hair before the clock finally reaches zero. switching the scene on his stream deck, his face suddenly fills up his second monitor as he moves to unmute his mic. “yo, hi, welcome everyone!...hihi, oh what song is playing?, uhhh it is, ‘give me your forever’ by zack tabudlo…yea i like that song haha”

🜲 jayparks: w

shimkongzz: hee’s taste *chefs kiss*

lunelles: what’s the plan for today ?

“ah, ‘what’s the plan for today?’, well,” clapping his hands together, “today we are going to be playing a little bit of valo but we’re going to have our usual thirty minutes of just chatting first” as heeseung’s eyes scan through chat he notices a particular question, “‘did i see somi’s new tweet?’ mm not yet let me pull it up now…ah okay we can bring plus ones to the streamer awards...oh am i going to bring anyone? hmm i don’t know chat, we’ll see, we’ll see”

eumppappaz: BOOO THIS MEANS YOURE MAIDENLESS

02zlvr: hee confessing he’s single KEKW

kkurawons: BITCHLESS BEHAVIOR

“hey hey i could pull…it’s just no one has piqued my interest rn”

heyluv: I CAN BE YOUR DATE HEE

🜲 babyricky: you looking for a date ???

☑️💎ikeutv: ayo you looking for a date bbg ;)

mochimoshi: POG I could be your date

“woah woah woah idk guys, you really think you can handle all of this…” heeseung begins to regret everything as his chat is filled with nothing but silence in the form of three small dots, finally loosing his cool when all he can see is the flush emote times ten “haha anyways imma start warming up now, i just saw jake in chat, and i CANNOT let him rank higher than me”

extra:

previous ✿ masterlist ✿ next

note: writing the written part was so cringe inducing

also ! this is the flush emote

pairing: streamer!heeseung x fem!reader content/genre: strangers to lovers, college au, streamer au, fluff, crack, (potential) angst, smau warning(s): swearing, ignore timestamps taglist is still open !!!

©️ simplhee 2023

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c-u-c-koo-4-40k · 2 months ago

Text

12 Angry Space Marines or Lullaby's No Good Very Bad Only a Little Good Day - Part 3

(AKA Can we Skip to the Good Part?)

First! A big thanks to @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan for helping write this beast of a piece. And to @sleepyfan-blog , @kit-williams and @egrets-not-regrets for use of their various characters!

Warning: Not much besides descriptions of various spa and self care procedures. We finally get to have FLUFF!

Previous Here

Next One (Under Construction)

The First of the Horde

Tags! I Hope you all enjoy!: @kit-williams @sleepyfan-blog @egrets-not-regrets @felinisnoctis @bispecsual

@passionofthesith @beckyninja @bleedingichorhearts @barn-anon @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan

@jaghatai-khock @virozero @angronsjewelbeetle

Summary

Now at the end of a long day our charming gaggle of characters Finally! Get to eat and relax and enjoy some mutual bonding time. Lullaby shows some of the Primaris the wonders of bubble tea and the ultimate relaxation tool, Warm Towels.

…

“Uhhh…11 Boba Teas for…Lullaby?” The delivery person stammers a bit nervously as they hold out bags laden with sweet drinks of various flavors. They seem a bit nervous with the company you have looming behind you.

They also might be nervous because there is another individual making a delivery for your group. He is far more taciturn, and his packages are full of food.

And big, as he's an Astarte, and not one from a group you immediately recognize given he's not in armor. But he's got a rather grisly warped looking face, possibly Chaos inclined. “Food Delivery, Order name's Khopesh.” He grunts.

You smile, and nod. “Yep, that's me-well Us.” Khopesh carefully (but a bit swiftly) takes the bags as you dig out your wallet and produce two twenties. The payments had been handled digitally as you were placing the order. This was for something else. “Your tips.”

The Astarte accepts the money with a muted. “Thanks.”

The courier's face immediately lights up. “Oh! Ah…thank you. Have a nice day?”

“Same to you.” You smile, and nudge Khopesh with a. “Let's get these back to the spa room.”

But as you two begin to leave the lobby,, you notice something…interesting.

The Astarte courier is eyeing the Boba courier, who seems a bit taken by social anxiety at the moment, but they're also not making any attempt to distance themselves from the Astarte. And you in turn feel this odd…compulsion.

Without even fully thinking about it, you push your mycelium out through your feet, letting the shimmering creepers reach across the floor to both parties. You make sure they barely touch each.

“Eep!”

You come back to lucidity, only to see the Chaos Astarte now wrapping a gnarled clawed hand around the trembling Boba delivery person's shoulder.

Oh dear. Shit shit shit shit! Why did you Do That!?

“Lullaby?” Khopesh asks, probably hearing the sudden thundering of your panicking heart.

“Oh ah…wow…” Okay they're more flushed than panicking, that's a good sign right?

“You, I, bonded.” The Chaos Astarte grunts.

“Oh…OH! That's…”

You feel your teeth on edge.

“Nice! Actually it's ah…Wow. I never thought I'd be- But it's a good thing! You ah, you seem nice.” They say nervously but, with a far more positive tone. Dare you dream to say, they seem even just a little bit…smitten?

The Chaos Astarte responds by actually cracking a small smile.

You let yourself breathe again with a Phew, as the newly bonded pair start conversing.

“Lullaby…what was that about?” Khopesh asks pointedly.

Okaaaaay, you will have A Lot to report to Anrir. “I'll tell you later.” You respond and shake your head. You also mildly pick up your pace to get back to the soothing room.

Now in much more comfortable (and not alcohol sodden) clothes you feel so much more at ease. In fact everyone in your group had taken a moment to change into more comfy civilian wear. Combined with your clothes technically being the pajamas you kept at the base it makes your gathering feel almost like a sleep over.

“We return bearing gifts!” You say proudly, but still quietly with your damaged voice.

“And make sure you each grab a drink too. I grabbed a few different flavors and types. They're listed on the cups and they all have Boba pearls added.”

You grab the Honeydew tea you'd bought for yourself, and the Whole Fruits Tropical sweet tea you knew was Khopesh's favorite. Then you pass the Boba bag along so the Scouts could have their picks.

While they debate the drink flavors you start rifling through the bags of Astarte sized food. “Okay, so we've got two bloody rare tar-tar sandwiches, one with a fruit cup the other with onion rings.” You pass the bags to Jophiel and Nanael.

“Ah yes,” “Thank you dear.” The Blood Angels respond as they take their items.

“Grilled chicken sandwiches plain with curly fries for Rami, and with Ketchup and Onion Rings for Ced.”

“Thank you.” “Many thanks.” The Black Templars accept their packages carefully.

“Thressl's Venison burger, extra sauce and pepperjack cheese, with seasoned steak fries.”

“Ah Yes!” The Space Wolf snatches up the food and immediately starts tucking in.

“Then we've got two crispy fish sandwiches, one with malt vinegar and the other plain. Both with regular salty fries.”

Claude accepts his sandwich with a kind “Thank You Lullaby.” Kerubiel's acceptance is much more brief with a “Thanks.”

“And finally three double cheeseburgers, one with ketchup and a fruit cup, one with mustard and curlies, the last plain with regular fries.”

“The ketchup one is mine Lullaby.” Khopesh chirps, happily grabbing his meal.

“Mustard for me Kiddo, pass it here.” Karlsor pipes up which you do.

“And the last is for me right?” Olly asks politely to which you nod and pass him his food.

And truly last is yours. A human sized spicy chicken sandwich with ketchup and curly fries. Soon you're all sitting and tucking into the food graciously bought by Khopesh using his kitchen duty pay.

Honestly a chicken sandwich has Never tasted so amazing. You also stab your straw into your Boba and have to hold yourself back from downing it in one gulp.

Thressl eyes you curiously. “Is that how we're meant to drink this thing?” He swishes the sealed Mango Milk Tea he'd chosen, almost like a child watching a snow globe.

You nod. “Yep, you drink the tea and suck up the pearls at the bottom. Watch.” You demonstrate, vacuuming up a few pearls and eating them.

Thressl copies your example, he seems unsure until the drink hits his tongue and-

“MM! Tha's good! Real good!” He howls. “But's a bit inefficient. I think I'll just-”

“Thressl wait it's not meant to-”

Too late. The space wolf rips through the plastic lid before dumping the remainder of the drink into his waiting mouth all at once. Chewing and slobbering like a mastiff as he devours the whole thing in less than a minute.

“Mmm! Got any more?” Thressl asks eagerly bouncing on his heels, wiping his face with the back of his hand as looks around, he scrunches the cup and tosses it into the trash can easily.

You…didn't know how to respond to that. “Ah…you're really supposed to Sip it…but I'm glad you liked it? And no other full ones.” You explain, as you'd bought exactly 11 and tried to get two of most flavors. “Maybe someone else would share…as long as you don't do that to their drink.”

Thressl turns his eyes to Kerubiel, who had grabbed a brown sugar flavor called Tiger Stripe Tea. “Don't Even Think About it!” He hisses.

Claude sips his Taro tea, pointedly avoiding the begging space wolf's eyes. And Karlsor goes as far as to snarl over his own Honeydew milk tea. “Not a fuckin chance pup!”

Thressl looks at Cedric and Ramiel. Cedric had grabbed the other Taro, while Ramiel grabbed the other Mango. “I am afraid I don't want to part with this brother.” Ramiel explains.

“Mm-it is quite good though. Perhaps next time you should try and savor the flavor given to you, instead of downing it all in one gulp.” Cedric posits with juuuuust a hint of sass.

Thressl huffs, before turning to the other Primaris blood angels; both sipping on Clear Dragon Fruit teas, and clearly enjoying the deep pink drinks with pink fruit chunks.

Nanael responds politely, but his is another denial. “Cedric is right Thressl, you've brought this on yourself.”

Jophiel takes a Little more pity, but is also firm. “You may have A Sip.”

If Thressl'd had an actual tail it'd be wagging as he bounds over for his promised sip.

Khopesh, as one of two older brothers in the room, finds the exchange cute. But he is grateful because if Thressl had asked for his drink…he'd probably have had the same response as Karlsor.

Meanwhile Olly mulls over his, it's the other Tiger Stripe tea and he seems to be enjoying it. Though he's having to adjust to both drinking and chewing the pearls. It's such an odd combination of sensations, not bad, truly just…strange. Marvelously sweet and milky, but almost too much so, given how little of such delights he'd had access to in his life.

He certainly didn't think he could finish it all at once like Thressl had, but he enjoys the idea of being able to take a few sips here and there till the drink is depleted. The flavors and textures are nice- he’d almost been caught off guard by the texture of the boba pearls, but they tasted good he had decided.

“I'm glad you all like the flavors.” You say, genuinely.

“The drinks are sweet and good. Astarte may not be picky eaters, but we do still appreciate good tastes.” Cedric assures you.

“And it would be sacrilege to snuff food offered in kindness.” Ramiel adds, sipping his own tea with a smile.

“Speaking of offering…” Thressl gives you a cheeky smile and points to Your Honeydew Tea now.

You in turn raise an eyebrow, but Thressl counters with….puppy eyes.

“Puppy eyes didn't work on my mother, they're not going to work on me.” You respond matter of fact.

Thressl Actually turns his lip down and juts it out a little more, he's pouting. Full on sad pouting to try and get a bit of your drink.

You almost feel like giving in just because of the effort.

“Thressl…” Khopesh warns, firm but not mean…yet. He places a claw-like hand on your shoulder. The Scouts may be Cute but you're his mate, and even cute loyal little brother Scouts don't get to steal food from You.

“Pleeeeeease?” No matter How Cute they are.

You decide to avoid the possible incoming conflict, and Thressl did ask nicely. “Go ahead and take a sip.” You peel back the plastic so he doesn't have to use your straw.

“Ah thank ya Lullab-Y!” Thressl is suddenly yanked back by none other than Kerubiel, your shock alleviates when you hear the Dark Angel growl at his brother.

“Idiot! Your mouth is probably still full of acid! If it back washes into their drink it could make them ill!”

Kerubiel isn't wrong, all Astarte have some amount of acidic saliva they could produce, namely while eating. Hence why they could kiss without melting off their partner's faces. But it does surprise you to see him…care?

“D-don't look at me like that! I just don't want to deal with you getting sick! You'd be more annoying if you're belly aching.” Kerubiel hisses.

“Awwww! My sour puss brother is learn'n to be nice!” Thressl cheers.

“I am Not a Sour Puss!” Kerubiel hisses now looking like he wants to strangle Thressl. Instead he huffs and turns away from his Wolf brother.

“Awwww, come on Keru, I'll rub your back and shoulders the way you like?” Thressl offers.

This seems to make Kerubiel perk up a bit, but he quickly goes back to scowling. “Fine.”

The exchange makes you smile. And you decide to set your drink to the side. Maybe you could cross the aisle, so to speak.

“What's going through your Wicked little mind, my love?” Khopesh purrs, bringing his lips down to your cheek.

You don't respond with words, instead giving your love a nuzzle and a wink before getting up.

When you'd first come to the soothing room, you'd marveled at the coziness and amenities. It really feels like a weird combo of a small cosmetic store, and a personal spa, but with comfy floors. The chairs are low and similarly shaped for Maximum comfort. Around the perimeter are shelves and drawers (some even temperature controlled!) with a number of travel sized products; individually packaged and ready for use.

The list includes lotions, cloth face masks, clay masks, sliced cucumbers, massage oils, mineral water, brushes, combs, body and hair spray, and several dozen more things you had no Clear idea how to use, but given the days you've had you want to try it all!

There's even a wall of nail polish colors, which is one of the first things you'd all picked out while waiting for the food.

You approached the Dark Angel currently having his shoulders massaged…kinda violently if the cracks and pops were anything to go by but he doesn't seem bothered.

Keru notices your presence, and cracks open an eye. “What do you want?” He growls.

You tamp down on your first instinct to flinch. But before you can respond Claude pipes up, as he's tending to Khopesh's nails.

“Be nice, Keru. They want to participate in preening you.” He growls. “So you better appreciate that, and Do Not make them upset.” You kinda have to marvel at how astute Claude is.

Kerubiel doesn't seem to believe him, and snorts. “Really?”

You smile and nod, Yes, Yes you do. And you point to the dark green nail polish he'd picked out.

Kerubiel bites his lip, before he responds. “Fine! I will allow you to paint my nails! Will you stop looking at me like that!?”

You smile, and quickly get up to gather some other items. A bowl of warm water, some cuticle oil, and some lotion.

You motion for him to place his hand in the warm water for a little bit. While that hand sits, you turn to the other, slather some lotion on your hands and begin massaging the hand and forearm.

As you work, the Dark Angel chews on his lip. As if he's trying to chew his words into shape. “Uh.. I.. should not..Have gone after. Khopesh…that day.”

That- That does surprise you. And apparently Thressl too as he's staring harder at Kerubiel, rather than continuing his massage.

Kerubiel continues stiltedly “I... aaaa-pologizze for being an. Ass. hole.” He grits out.

You actually feel a sincere warmth spread in your chest, and you respond in your still raspy voice. “You're right...and I believe you. But I'm not the only one you hurt. How do you feel sweetness?”

Khopesh hums as he's now painting Claude's nails a dark but shimmery blue, dare you say it looks very much like Nightlord blue. “...Hmm I rate it a 3 out of 5. An effort was made.”

Keru's face takes on an embarrassed red tint as he scowls.

But Khopesh follows up with. “And I will accept it. But growl at my Lullaby again like you did that day, and I will rip your vocal cords out and string a cello with them.” He snarls, and emphasizes with a threatening point of the nail polish brush.

Kerubiel's eyes go wide, he can tell the Night lord isn't kidding. “...noted.” He agrees

Despite the rocky start at this point…you can't find it in yourself to hold a grudge. You and the boys toppled a real bastard together so as long as he doesn't go after your Khopesh with real malice again, you're happy to treat him like a friend.

Which naturally includes pulling his soaking hand from the bowl, drying it with a towel, and proceeding to gently push back his cuticles with an appropriate tool so you can start painting his nails.

Delicately you apply the shiny heather green nail polish, to each finger on each hand while Thressl continues massaging his brothers back and shoulders.

By the end Kerubiel looks distinctly more relaxed, and his nails are glistening green. Dare you say you've done a good job. But you await his judgment.

Kerubiel looks over his painted nails with an unreadable expression, though honestly his neutral really did always have a grumpy edge. Claude is also looking over, seemingly waiting on his response.

“It is, acceptable. Thank You for your time.” He says.

Awwwww! That really does make you feel happy, and it must be showing on your face because he turns away with a hint of blush on his cheeks.

“Oi! Me next. Move Keru!” Thressl huffs, sitting down with a thump, which causes Keru to hiss a little. But he does oblige.

Only to snag one of Thressl's braids in one hand, his arm in the other, and haul him up to start giving him the mutual massage by…wrestling him. You suddenly feel the need to move.

“This is what you get for being pushy!” Keru hisses.

“Ack! Git offa me I want my nails done ya Git!” Thressl growls back.

“I'M GONNA SKIN BOTH YOU IDIOTS IF YOU DAMAGE ANYTHING!” Karlsor snarls, jumping up from his massage, and moving to separate the bickering Astarte.

You clamber back only to feel yourself getting swooped back out of the fray. And swooped is the right word and you land near a pair of large wings. Actually two pairs, you're not sure which Blood Angel grabbed you but you're grateful.

“Thank You.” You rasp, righting yourself.

“I'm so sorry Lullaby.” Jophiel fusses, looking you over.

“It seems Keru and Thressl haven't learned how to mind humans in their trampling range.” Nanael comments dryly as he watches Karlsor and now Khopesh get involved.

You'll have to get back to Thressl it seems. For now there's no reason you can't do something nice for Jophiel and Nanael.

But…it seems their nails are already done. And Jophiel is currently getting back to running a brush through Nanael’s blond and red streaked hair. Hmm..

You pick up a nearby brush, and point to Jophiel's hair.

“You…want to brush my hair?” Jophiel asks, to which you nod eagerly. And you also remember something.

You run over to a nearby drawer and root around, pulling out a few “flavors” of hair cologne, which you then present to Jophie.

“Hmm…I think I would like…the Strawberry scent.” You smile and nod. You also grab some massage oil for his neck and shoulders.

It takes a moment for Jophiel to adjust himself so he's sitting behind Nanael, and you can reach his short hair.

First you take your hands, and massage the scalp from which you hear a light trilling. Jophiel even flutters his wings a little, and you hold yourself back from touching them. You had not been given permission and you're not going to assume.

Then you apply the hair cologne to the brush and begin running it through the short strands. The trilling becomes a little louder, and you…remember the conversation you'd wanted to have.

“I ah…I wanted to say sorry too.” You mumble, as you continue brushing.

You see Jophiel's wings twitch a bit, and he glances back at you. “For what?”

You take a moment to gather your thoughts. Things had calmed down, and Thressl and Kerubiel had now properly swapped places, and Khopesh was handling the slightly pouty Space Wolf's nails.

“For yesterday,” You reply, now grabbing the massage oil, and beginning to press on the Blood Angel's shoulders. “I didn't help soon enough and when I did…I ended up…I'm so sorry you had to do that. With the…scream.”

Jophiel doesn't know how to respond for a moment. “...I don't regret helping you. If I hadn't you might've…” He trails off.

“But that's not all.” You say. “Given what happened…I'm clearly not your first experience with…someone who has…” Now you trail off, you decide to not risk going into detail, instead you wiggle your fingers to imply magic. “I should have realized. But I just…kinda wrote you off. I could've reached out or talked or done…something to help you feel more at ease around me but I-”

Jophiel interrupts with insistence.“But I shouldn't have been so cold to y-”

“Lullaby, Jophiel…”

You both perk up, at Nanael saying your names. “Rest assured you are Nothing like that…individual.”

I mean, that's obvious but still your power conceivably came from a similar place. And if you put your hand in front of a dog and got bitten would you stick your hand in front of a different dog?

And did the different dog have Any right to feel offended when the bitten was shy from them? No that dog would seem like an ass. Which you kind of felt like.

“And Jophiel you said yourself that you would not make the mistake of coldness to Lullaby again.” Nanael continued. “Your actions saved us yesterday. And Jophiel's actions saved you. We cannot change the past…but we can forge our future. And I think you've both demonstrated a Desire to make it a better future together.”

“Let us leave blame to the past. Now is the time to focus on reaffirming connections. And move forward with better communication. Do you think you can both do that?”

Wow that was…really profound. You glance at Jophiel, who locks eyes with you. You smile. And he does the same. “I'd like that.” You say, quiet but genuine.

Jophiel nods. “I would like that as well.” He affirms, and goes back to brushing and styling Nanael's hair.

Communication, with that in mind you look to the area where his wings meet his back. “Jophie, are you alright with me massaging the base of your wings?”

Jophiel hums. “You may, just be careful not to bend the larger feathers back too much.”

You smile and do as Jophiel asks. The trilling comes back as you carefully work your hands to the muscles that split from his back.

“What about you Nanael? Are you okay with wing touching?”

Nanael thinks for a moment. Normally he'd only feel secure letting other Primaris touch his wings. Karlsor and Khopesh are trusted by Claude, but they are also firstborn, and some scars from those kinds of older Brothers are still too Fresh in his mind but you…

A slew of memories drift to the front of his mind. He recalls times on the battlefield and in conflict, when he would swoop down and fly human civilians to safety.

They would often marvel at his wings with a mix of wonder and reverence. Especially the children, the children of the imperium loved his wings, he remembers the way they'd burrow their faces and hands in as he spirited them away from danger.

How they'd plead for him to pick them up again, and hold them in his wings even after they'd been rescued. He’d occasionally given them loose feathers as a gift, the awe and joy on their faces. How some of his kinder older brothers would preen his wings gently after those little children and rescue missions had ruffled and even sometimes bent those feathers out of place.

He…he almost feels tears come to his eyes. He didn't realize…how much he misses those times.

“I would like you to groom my wings,” Nanael says blinking his eyes rapidly, “It would be very kind of you if you did, don’t tug on them too harshly. Please.”

You nod. “Of course.” But while you could fumble through massaging the muscles at the base, you felt less confident tackling the larger structure. “Jophie can you show me how to preen properly on his right wing, and I'll try to mimic it on the left.”

“Of course,” The younger Blood Angel affirms, soon you're both resettled behind Nanael.

Jophiels points out pin feathers that need to be handled gently on his side and you mimic it on yours. He shows you how to run your fingers through the feathers like you might run them through hair to make them more neat, and he shows you how to stretch, scratch and massage the tissue underneath.

Nanael trills, and you take extra care to not tug too harshly.

As you and Jophiel work for a while, another approaches. It's Olly and he seems like he needs something.

“What's up Olly?” You ask, pausing your literal preening for a moment.

The Ultramarine grins sheepishly. “I wanted to ask for your aid with the machine in the corner. I'm uncertain how to make it work, or what it is supposed to dispense.”

You glance curiously in the direction Olly mentions and indeed there is a small metal…box? It has buttons and dials and you'd also admit you hadn't really paid much attention to it when you'd come in.

“One sec. Jophiel, are you okay taking over?”

The Blood Angel nods. “I can handle this from here.” And Nanael encourages you to “Go ahead and help Olly.”

You get up and approach the machine, which Cedric and Ramiel are also looking over.

“This is not a device I am familiar with.” Cedric hums.

Ramiel chimes in as well “I am still rusty with the written symbols and language from this instance of Terra. And I do not wish to break anything. Do you know what they say?”

You don't immediately recognize the use for the dials though one seems to be temperature related, but you know an open switch when you see it. So you press it and the lid pops open revealing.

“Towels?” You ponder, pulling one out to inspect it. It's actually a little warm to the touch. Then it hits. “OOh! Warm Towels!”

You place the towel back in, set the temperature dial, and press what you assume is the start button. The machine clicks on, and you hear a sound similar to a microwave.

“In just a few minutes we'll have warm towels!” You clap happily.

“Oh alright…what shall we do until then?” Olly asks.

You motion for Olly, Cedric and Rami to sit down and they do. You then retrieve a few other items. Another hairbrush, the hair colognes, a few cloth face masks, and a small pot full of exfoliating clay mask paste.

“I have a feeling y'all might like one of these.” You offer the mask items to the Astartes, who seem a little lost on what to do.

“Oh here. One sec.” You rip open the cloth mask packaging, and hold up the item so he can see the eye and mouth holes. “You place it over your face. It's good for your skin.”

Cedric and Ramiel take their own cloth masks and apply them. Olly doesn't seem convinced. Or maybe something else is turning him off of it. Of course Lullaby doesn't need to nor will he tell you of the…things he's seen done with human face skin back in his time. He suppresses a shudder and reaches for the mask.

The texture on his fingers makes a visible shudder get through. He…he does Not want this on his face. You do pick up his discomfort.

“Is something wrong?” Cedric asks, beating you to asking.

Olly shakes his head. He is Stronger than this. He's not going to let the disgusting, slimy, thin, wet ugly thing-

“Olly, if you don't like it, you don't have to use it.” You assure him.

“But…you offered it- It would be b-bad manners.” You take the mask from his trembling hand and toss it into the trash.

“I'm honestly not the biggest fan of them either.” You shrug. “But some like them, see?” You gesture over to where Khopesh has placed a cloth mask on his face and is making a show of getting into other's peripheral visions. Which is causing some merry annoyance. Thressl is peeling out his own face mask to have a face off.

“But,” You say, bringing Olly's attention back to you. “It's perfectly okay to not like something, even if it's offered to you.” You pop open the small pot of clay exfoliating mask with the small gritty beads and hold it out to Olly. “See if you like this kind better.”

Oleanderos does like this one's scent and appearance better already. He dips in a finger, and the grit reminds him of Tiiiiny pieces of gravel.

And now in a moment of a completely different kind of weakness-

“Homf.” He places his fingers in his mouth. The soapy taste is Not the best to his pallette, even with the nice earthy clay beneath. “Bleh…”

“Olly! You're not supposed to do that!” Ramiel says frantically.

“Hmm? Oh right…how am I meant to apply this?” He asks honestly.

You smile, and scoop up some of the mask onto your hand. “Here, like this.” You gently paint the Ultramarine's face with the gritty mask, until the surface is green save for his eyelids and mouth.

Ramiel watches and then remarks. “I think I would like to try that as well.” You nod and help Rami apply the mask after you finish with Olly and he removes the cloth one he'd tried.

He hums as you go about your work. Him and Olly have the same thoughts that indeed the cool, rough, sweet smelling mask is a blissful combo of sensations. Just as you finish his face, the timer on the towel machine dings.

You hop up and pull out the several towels that had been heated, and the heat is a bit much on your fingers, just for the moment though.

Olly feels his eyes drifting closed and purrs rumble in his chest as the warm but not wet cloth is placed gently over the back of his neck.

“Ah thank You Lullaby.” “Indeed, thank you.” The two Black Templars sigh happily, and you can actually hear their slight purring in response.

Next is Karlsor who lets out an equally relaxed sound. “Ah thanks Kiddo. That feels amazing.”

Khopesh follows, which you give an additional kiss to the cheek as you lay the towel over his shoulders. “Rrrrrrr, lovely my lovely.”

Then Claude, who chirps. “Thank you Lullaby.” And gives you a quick squeeze. And on you go until you make it back to Olly, Cedric and Rami.

Then you pick up some massage oil, rub it over your hands, and begin working the Ultramarine's neck and shoulders.

Your strength wasn't exceptional so your attempts to massage felt more like a kitten pushing its paws in, but he still appreciates the gesture.

It was more for affirmation. All this. Did Astarte need oils and lotions and warm towels (oh throne the warm towels were amazing...he was so glad he asked for your help with the machine) no...

But they did need to collaborate and reaffirm bonds when there was conflict. It made their lives of constant battle even Slightly easier. Cedric and Ramiel clearly have their own rhythm established from years spent together. Even the popping and stretching of the mutual massage currently taking place seems well practiced.

Olleanderos realizes in that moment he'd become...complacent. This world- Terra (throne he still couldn't fully believe he was here) is so peaceful. So wonderful, despite the presence of annoyances like Algeret.

But there is Still Danger. He cannot let himself become even less vigilant. Especially not now. His eyes shift back towards you, now picking up a brush and a nice smelling hair cologne he'd picked out.

He would not be Complacent again.

You brush Olly's short hair, and spritz a bit of the blueberry cologne he'd picked. A warm pride fills your heart as Olly purrs quietly.

You're about to reach for more massage oil when-

"Hold on you."

"OOop!" You're suddenly snatched at the waist and hauled into a familiar lap. You glance up to see your cheeky Khopesh grinning down at you with his mirthful black eyes.

"You are also meant to be getting soothed, my Lullaby. But you've buzzed around caring for each of us and not held a spot of time for yourself." He purrs, petting you softly. "Claudy please get my Lullaby's preferred nail polish. And younger cousin Olly please fetch another warm towel."

"On it." "Yes brother,"

"But I want to - ulp!" Your unfinished Boba tea was placed to your mouth by none other than Nanael.

"You should relax and focus on finishing your drink. You've been running around all day and only just properly nourished yourself."

I mean you couldn't argue but you Liked caring for others. Khopesh takes the drink, and angles it so you can still sip.

"Here is a hairbrush Brother Cousin Khopesh, and they mentioned enjoying the hair cologne." Jophiel said bringing those items as well. "Which scent would you prefer?"

"...Mango sounds good." You say reaching for the hairbrush on habit.

Only for Khopesh to gently take your arm and direct it back to Claude who's grabbed the massage oil and the nail polish you picked out earlier.

"Ah ah ah. Soothing time Lullaby. Why don't you let Brother Cousin Jophiel brush your hair instead? I am sure he'd like to return the favor you did for him."

You feel a bit like pouting but...if letting Jophie care for you would make him happy you'd oblige. "Alright." You accept your fate of being cared for.

Soon a warm towel is placed over your shoulders, and it's now, finally sitting down without a task that you realize.

You are So Damn Tired.

And lying against Khopesh like this, like you've done so many times before but also not…because you're part of an even bigger family now then you ever could've hoped for…

You feel yourself beginning to drift. Even while Jophiel gently brushes your hair on one side while Nanael handles the other. Claude does one hand of nails, while Thressl massages the other arm. Olly uses his height and reach to carefully apply the clay mask to your face. Once that's done you let yourself completely slump against Khopesh, laying your head on his collarbone more or less. As you doze you hear Kerubiel, Cedric, Ramiel and Karlsor tidying up and putting things away.

Then the room dims, and the urge to rest pulls you even further down. You feel…

Warm…

Cared for…

Safe…

“I love you as well my sweet little Lullaby.” You feel Khopesh's lips pressing gently to the bridge of your nose, you feel his body shift to lay back, effectively serving as a mattress. While the others get into their own sleeping positions in the pile.

You snuggle in closer, mumbling a similar message back before finally giving yourself permission to rest.

You've never felt more loved.

…

The door to the soothing room creaks open and from the hallway silently steps an ancient creature of darkness, a proprietor of fear and terror and..

“Mmm? Father?” Claude mumbles, waking slightly.

Ah yes, his most prized title. “Shhhh, it is alright Claude.” He hushes. “Go back to sleep, my son. I merely need to converse with Khopesh and Karlsor.”

The latter of which responds with a growl under his breath. “I was having a Damn good sleep so make it quick old man.” He grouses quietly, carefully getting up so as not to disturb the Scouts piled around him.

Khopesh almost considers feigning deep sleep, but…

“Khopesh…”

Yeah, better to handle this now. Khopesh lets out a long huff, but carefully shifts you, and indeed you must be very knocked out because you barely twitch as he lays you down in the spot he was just in.

“Mrmfm…hmm…” You mumble, shifting in your sleep.

Khopesh's mind almost short circuits. You're so damn Cute so So So fucking Cuuuute arghgkstjebrhr! He takes a deep breath and Forces himself to turn to Anrir.

Anrir motions for them to move to the hallway which they do. “What is it you need from us?” He asks his father.

“In all the excitement, we neglected to properly count your vote, my son.”Anrir clarifies. “Despite your original statement on the matter I did not want to assume.”

Ah right…the vote. If he's to be fully honest. The preening and mutual care session had been so relaxing he'd actually forgotten about the Silver Bastard rotting in chains somewhere. He'd immersed himself so completely in the affirmation of his found family of Battle Brothers, and the tender affection given by you.

He glances back to the room where you're still sleeping, through the tinted glass door. He might have continued if not for Claude suddenly twitching in his sleep.

“Ah shit, that looks like a vision coming.” Karlsor spits quietly. “I'll get-”

“No,” Anrir says, putting an arm on Karlsor's shoulder. “Examine, but do not interfere.”

“Seriously!?” Karlsor hisses, in response. Only to balk when Anrir gives him the ‘don't argue’ look. “Fine! Geez.”

As instructed Karlsor pulls on his warp sight. He sees the Scouts auras, as well as yours as he's become accustomed to seeing and…

“Mmr-mph!” He bites his lip as he sees Claude shiver and twitch in his sleep. His Aura is flaring brighter, tell tale signs of a vision coming on hard and fast. He wants to help his Scout younger brother, but Anrir's hand on his shoulder holds him back.

But what happens next does surprise him.

“Mm…hrf…” He sees your brows furrow, and you turn on your side, almost like…you can sense Claude's distress. Your arm and your mycelium actually reach toward the Ravenguard Primaris and when your hand makes contact with Claude's…

“Mmph!…hrm…mmmm…zZz…” His twitching calms, his aura fades back to its usual brightness, and he turns toward your still sleeping form. Your mycelium grow brighter as they usually do when absorbing power.

“Well shit…” Karlsor swears. “No wonder I've been sleeping so well…speaking of which…” Before he can be stopped Karlsor swiftly steps back into the soothing room and retakes his place in the sleeping arrangement.

Anrir is not pleased with the display. “Karlsor! I require your findings.” He hisses

The shade wearing Night lord promptly ignores his father and mouths “Report Later. Fuck you it's nap time.” Before laying back amidst the comfy pile.

He Knows he's gonna get scolded later for that, but being that he's very cozy, comfortable and Not in massive amounts of warp pain he doesn't really care. He’ll take his lumps from Anrir later, but nap time now.

Khopesh suppresses a chuckle at his father's misfortune, and his brother's antics.

He…he loves them all so much. And he especially loves you of course. And of course…that means his answer is simple.

“Live” …But not easy.

Anrir raises an eyebrow, and seems legitimately surprised. “Are you certain?”

“If the fool decides to cross us we can always kill him later.” Khopesh says with a shrug. “And right now…I have more important things to care for than dealing with his transgressions.”

“I am…impressed, my son.” Anrir says and he Does mean it. In the field Khopesh was like a living avatar of vengeance, his proclivity for hunts proved time and again his devotions.

But love…it does change devotions. Anrir knew this himself. He'd burn down entire star systems for his Draga, but he also understood that to have her and her love forever as his, the opposite may also need to be true.

It was a sincere act of maturity from his son, and for that… “Then I shall alter my vote as well.” Anrir says proudly. “The half point I put towards death will be moved to life. This way we need not worry about finding a tie breaker.” The old Nightlord explains.

Khopesh smiles, and feels a warmth in his chest. Vada and Muti are his bonded, his adopted parents, you are his love and mate. But part of him will Never abandon his original father. The Night lord who first cut and stitched him back into being.

Anrir gently gestures back to the room. “Go, enjoy your rest.” He says kindly. “You'll no doubt need it for what comes next.”

“Will you not join us?” Khopesh asks.

Anrir smiles, beneath the blood and viscera truly is a sweet child in Khopesh. “Perhaps another time, there is work to be done and not all the Primaris trust me as they do you and Karlsor.”

Khopesh nods in understanding. Then he silently creeps back into the dimmed room, and lays himself next to you again, enfolding you into his embrace from behind while still letting you comfort Claude.

He purrs as he feels your heartbeat, he hears your breath rise and fall, he listens to the similar sounds of his Battle Brothers and cousins around him. He thinks of his Vada and Muti, and feels in the comforting warmth of his bond that they are safe and sound at his other nest. Out of sight, but never out of mind.

He is home.

#c u c koo anon #oc: khopesh #oc: Anrir #oc: Karlsor #oc: claude #oc: Olleanderos #oc: olly #oc: jophiel #oc: nanael #oc: thressl #oc: kerubiel #space marine husbandry #space marine husbandry sentience

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runner5ive · 2 months ago

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Hello hello hello I LOVE your art it is so gorgeous and constantly in my queue. Your Five is adorable and I love them. And I have questions for them!

Do they have a daily routine? What’s it like?

What traits do you and Five share?

Which ones are purely Fives?

What color(s) do they wear the most?

When’s their birthday? How do they celebrate it?

What’s their ‘default’ state?

Do they have a survival mode they put on? Or are they think about that kind of stuff all the time? If they ‘put on’ a survival mode, what sets that off?

Favorite place to be?

Do they have a pre and post run routine? What’s that like?

What do other characters associate them with and why?

How would they describe themselves? Whether it’s true or not.

Which characters are they really close to and why?

How would these characters describe them and why? Whether it’s true or not

What’s a precious object they have? Why is it special?

Who will they take advice from, no matter what it is? Who won’t they take advice from, no matter what it is?

Hello! Apologies about the wait! I cant even form the words to explain how intense work has been recently lmao.

Long post is long! So I answered everything under the cut below!

Do they have a daily routine?

Uhhh yes? But its mainly the runners routine. Get up early - earlier than most in Abel. Breakfast. Pick up running rota from Sam. Depending on when theyre needed they either spend the day running or fixing up Abel/dealing with repairs/training in the runners areas. Then the evenings are mostly to themselves, but they tend to help Janine out a lot and have an early night.

What traits do you and Five share? Which ones are purely Fives?

Oh my gosh I have no idea? Five isn’t a self-insert so they differ from me in lots of ways. Uhhh. I asked a few friends for their opinion on this and they they said the following:

I would also add that we’d both walk into a horde of zombs for a coffee

What color(s) do they wear the most?

Honestly? Probably a dark red. Mostly because I headcanon that Abel’s uniform is any red/maroon shirt they can find.

When’s their birthday?

Nobody knows (: They’re rather forget everything about their life before the apocalypse and do not want to reveal anything that can trace them back to the person they once were. Sam figures it out of course (but he’ll take that information to the grave)

How do they celebrate it?

They dont (: although their friends throw them an annual ‘adoption day’ party, to celebrate the day they joined Abel

What’s their ‘default’ state?

They’re actually quite quiet (I mean, theyre mute, but you know). They’re a bit of a wall flower. They like to listen, which is what makes they a perfect match for Sam, who likes to talk.

Do they have a survival mode they put on? Or are they think about that kind of stuff all the time?

Childhood trauma means theyre always in survival mode :D Although they can relax more nowadays thanks to feeling safe with their pals.

If they ‘put on’ a survival mode, what sets that off?

New people, or people of authority. They are very affectionate in general, but people tend to have to prove themselves to them. They find it easier to trust new people as the seasons go on.

Favorite place to be?

Janine’s farmhouse

Do they have a pre and post run routine? What’s that like?

Theyre quite good at being mindful of warm ups/cool-downs and stretching. Other than the things expected of them, such as a decontamination shower, the only real post run routine is that they never really say goodbye to Sam before a run, and he doesnt say bye either. Feels too much like inviting bad luck to do so.

What do other characters associate them with and why?

Sunshine and big smiles. Sunflowers. But also like... Garbage lmao.

How would they describe themselves? Whether it’s true or not.

Expendable (:

Which characters are they really close to and why?

They’re closest with Sam, as the two of them tend to understand each other better than anyone else in Abel. But Simon is a close second. Simon and Five have a ride together or die together kinda friendship. I cant remember specific episodes, but there are specific moments where everyone is like ‘lets throw Five into this severely dangerous situation because they are Runner Five and theyre most likely be okay’ and he is like ‘???? Lets not ???? That’s ??? Actually fucked up???’ He’s the easiest for them to be goofy with too.

How would these characters describe them and why? Whether it’s true or not

Brave to the point of idiocy. Self-sabotaging. Goofy and silly. Loyal. Dependable. Tragic.

What’s a precious object they have? Why is it special?

They arrive at Abel with nothing except the mullin’s uniform (which gets burnt they decide theyre not going back) so they dont really have anything from the before. Most objects are like massive spoilers so imma not mention them. But the thing they cherish more than anything - which is not really an object - is when they get their own room. Theyve never really had a proper home before.

Who will they take advice from, no matter what it is?

Janine. Janine says jump they dont even ask how high before theyre launching themself off a burning building!

Who won’t they take advice from, no matter what it is?

At first I was going to say there isn’t really anyone they wouldnt hear out, but then I remembered a fic I’ll never actually write and my answer to this is their biological parents who are alive and well during the apocalypse (:

#zr #zombies run #runner five #runner 5 #zr5k #sam yao #abel township #simon lauchlan #janine de luca #runner 3 #zr asks #asks

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deathbxnny · 2 years ago

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Hi there! Can i request Stellaron Hunters (Kafka, Silver Wolf, and Blade) x Neopolitan s/o from RWBY?

If you dont know who Neo is, She is a short mute gurl who can and will beat you up elegantly with her beautiful parasol like the QUEEN she is. She has powers to make illusions that is so real, it fools literally everyone and she has beautiful heterochromia eyes (different color eyes). Here are some vids that will show you how amazing she is:

https://youtu.be/nXdtjWZg4ms

https://youtu.be/b-3f2p53Bp0

https://youtu.be/catRiBUvj24

Uhhh so i might have gone on a bit off of a rant. Neo is my favourite character in RWBY and the only reason why i watch the show, so sorry for the rant. Hope you have a great day though!

- Flower Anon 🌸

-----♡

A/N: Hello, Flower Anon! I unfortunately can't look at the links for some reason, but I looked her up and she seems super cute! Thank you for the request!<33

Content: Fluff, established relationship, mentions of hsr typical violence/battle, sfw

Reader has no set pronouns!

((Not fully proofread))

-----♡

》Silverwolf

Silverwolf is impressed by everything about you, even if she comes off as disinterested at times. She therefore shows her affections for you, by either speaking for you when needed or spending most of her time with you. Your muteness is no issue for her, as she isn't too keen on talking herself most of the time.

She doesn't care for your looks much, but still finds you very cute. She especially likes your eyes, which she comments on often. Your height is also perfect for her, as she isn't very tall either and can steal kisses better this way.

Silverwolf loves watching you fight with your parasol. Your abilities surrounding it and your illusions always leave in her in a near trance. She's just so proud of having an s/o like you and feels flattered, when you protect her whilst she works.

-----♡

》Kafka

Kafka adores absolutely everything about you. She doesn't mind that you're mute and often helps you out by either talking to you or giving you a notebook to write on, so you can tell her things. She enjoys talking more anyways, so you listening to her intently is always great for her.

She finds how short you are super cute and often teases you for it. She also compliments your eyes alot and likes to therefore stare into them as much as she can. That usually turns into a friendly staring match, that she finds quite adorable.

Kafka also loves watching you on the battlefield. She finds your abilities beautiful and enjoys seeing you plow through your enemies with ease. She also likes playing around with your illusions, wondering just what else you could do with them.

-----♡

》Blade

He doesn't treat you any differently for your muteness and just somehow knows what you want to tell him at all times. He doesn't mind the silence anyways, as he is a man of few words and doesn't like talking much.

He never comments on your looks much either, but he secretly finds your height difference quite adorable. It takes alot in him to not just pat the top of your head all the time. And your eyes are also something he admittedly loved about you. The different colours fascinated him, making him wonder how they were even possible to exist.

He underestimated your skills on the battlefield at first, until he saw you truly fight. After that, he became even more impressed by you. He enjoys fighting alongside you and can admit to himself, that you're a good team together. But he'll still attempt to protect you anyways, even if you don't need it.

-----♡

A/N: I hope this was okay! Thank you again for the request, Flower Anon!<33

#honkai star rail fanfic #honkai star rail x reader #honkai star rail x you #honkai star rail #hsr x reader #hsr blade #hsr blade x reader #hsr kafka #hsr kafka x reader #hsr silver wolf #hsr silver wolf x reader #hsr

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b00m-b0mb · 4 months ago

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Disharmonized Heaven basis if any of yall want,,, i want to draw more of this AU im just ironing out things....

Harmony (Tibby's Mom) is one of the main antagonists, but doesn't want to be / is doing what she believes is necessary (while also being in a type of delerium)

She is known for acting without thought, and harsh punishment/judgement (ex, my OC Lost Girl was banished)

^^^ neat detail about Harmony, she cries gold. A semblance of her true self leaking from the rare instances we see her emotion!!!

Heaven World is a broken place, and it is not what it used to be. The vibrance and rhythms have muted with time. (Broken Record is responsible)

Heaven World in this AU is a home to "idols", basically our Rhythm Game characters such as Wandering Samurai, Clappy Trio, Stomp Farmer, Pop Singer, Chorus Kids, etc.

HOWEVER: Mass duplicates like, the Hue Birds or Monkeys for ex: are magical entities who simply live in heaven world.

A lot of the Space Characters qualify as this too, but sometimes there's instances of an idol sprouting among them like, "Player" Space Kicker!

^^^ "Playa" SK is a bit of a people pleaser, and, occasionally runs errands for Harmony.

The Karate Family were the guardians of the world's flow meter back on earth.

Karate Joe was in line to be the next guardian, but Senior kept him in the dark and it made an attachment to this responsibility, outside of his father, difficult.

^^^ Senior actually, NEVER, told his children about Heaven World, either.

So you can imagine: The day he was murdered, and that treasure was stolen by Broken Record; Joe and Maccie sort of had their entire world caved in.

Joe became the idol to replace his father. All of a sudden, he has a murder mystery, and a quest to retrieve their family jewel thrown upon him. Informed he's some "god", that, what, did dad have powers? I have powers? I, have, to become the Karate Man???

And, who, all informs him of this? Why a wise little dog! Barista is not a resident of Heaven World, but sniffs around. He's a friend, of a friend, of a friend, here to help Joe, and fill him in.

Maccie feels lost and left out. (Especially bc, if you remember, she is Senior's golden child) so she doesn't like this talking dog trying to take her brother away very much.

^^^ and even more that she's "not special", and can't help. She eventually runs off on her own, and tries to find the flow meter herself. (AND actually is the one who gets closer, meeting Tap Girl who accompanies a fallen Tibby)

AND UHHH yeah this the bare bones basics. I have a lot of ideas and trying to figure out dynamics and roles amongst the cast in this context. Like \\\ Some characters are new idols (SK, Pop Singer), some are very old (Samurai, Stomp Farmer), and others are simply just guys hanging around!!!! (Barista, Space/Cosmic Dancers) and... waaaaa..... also RIP Senior and uhhgmmmm Goddess Divorce Yuri 😔

If you got this far uhh,,,, feel free to ask me anything / give ideas,,, aaa...

#disharmonized heaven au #rh hc #rhythm heaven #qlso i plan to do pkt for this au.. kinda like existential solidarity

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themouthwasher · 4 months ago

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sighhh, this is my selfship sideblog, for jimmy, i selfship with him

i guess you can call me LP, kinda like lp records lol, thatll be my nickname here, he/it pronouns, 18 years of age

taken by my beloved @swansuke (and jimmy too of course)

pleaseeeee check hidden theres some clarifications in there cause i know an account like this needs clarifications (plus a bit more random info bout me)

PLEASE READ THIS!!!

yes i know hes a horrible piece of shit, i dont support his actions, i hate him, but my brain says fuck all to morals when it comes to stuff thats fictional and decided "hey this guy seems silly, im gonna fall in love now!" whenever i think of lovey dovey stuff i try to place it in a sort of au where he didnt do... all of that. but yeah, theres really no "good" way to do it is there? i get most people will see it as wrong no matter which way i try to spin it so just please block and move on if you have a problem with it

not particularly proud of the fact i selfship with him (if you couldnt tell by how ive been talking about it so far) which is reason i made this blog, im not gonna admit this to anyone else so i might as well make an account where i can love him anonymously, honestly i have quite a bit of internal turmoil over loving him but thats to be expected when its... him. expect random bouts of "i fucking hate this man he makes me so mad /srs" immediately followed by doting on him cause my brain hates me being happy

tldr; i dont support his actions and lowkey hate the fact that i selfship with him, but hey i didnt chose to fall in love (if i could chose this would be a daisuke blog just sayin)

a bit about me

uhmm ive got autism, adhd, and bpd, and i feel like that definitely all shows itself in the way i act, i guess i act pretty unstable?? im also a very paranoid person, over like, everything, idk what causes it but its basically the stereotype of what people think of when they think of paranoia, i dunno i think that pmuch sums up whats wrong with me

i draw sometimes, though i doubt ill post anything, and i like music a lot, its my spintrest (but ill try to keep music talk to a minimum lest anyone manages to figure out who i am by my music taste) other than that uhhh i guess i like horror and bugs, and i bet youll never be able to guess what my favorite game is

no dni, if i have a problem with you ill block you and thats that, i guess im neutralship but really i do not careeeee, doubles can interact too! in fact please interact!! lets gush over jimmy together

tag list!!! woohoo!!! this post is also tagged with all of em so you (or more likely i) can easily click on them and get scrolling

"💚 i can fix this" is my rambling tag, check that out to see me talk about how much i unreasonably love that man

"💚 tuplars copilot" is for fanart reblogs

"💚 kills 99.9%" is my misc reblogs tag, whether it be non fanart posts about jimmy or completely unrelated posts that i reblogged with him in mind

"💚 polle says" is my ask tag, just any posts where im answering any asks i get

"💚 lp draws" is any of my art that i post, couldnt think of anything creative for this one

"💚 chatterbox" is me either talking to other people or posting stuff that doesnt really have anything to do with jimmy (and the tags not a reference, how revolutionary!)

"💚 i hope this hurts" is things reblogged/posted with hatred or anguish in my heart, i mightve actually got seething mad at jimmy seeing/making those posts but bleh whatever its jimmy so on the account it goes

"💚 not safe for tuplar" i think im so funny, i wont be rebloging anything too extreme and ill try to keep post like these to a minimum, but thats just there if you wanna mute it i guess

"💚 favorite posts" is self explanatory

#💚 i can fix this #💚 tulpars copilot #💚 kills 99.9%#💚 polle says #💚 lp draws #💚 chatterbox #💚 i hope this hurts #💚 not safe for tulpar #💚 favorite posts

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nerves-nebula · 1 year ago

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The loose stitches voiceboxes are infecting my brain. There is a massive breach of bodily autonomy, a forced on "cure" of being mute, all in the effort of enforcing a single method of communication

Thats why I hate the concept of a "common language" in fantasy stories- it implies that all these cultures and creatures just *happen* to speak a shared language. Like English is widely spoken but we don't fucking call it common. English only spread this far due to imperialism- so when I see one language being called common I wanna bite

Which is also why I like loose stitches take on it, there is one "common" language spoken but its not cause people just happen to speak it, its enforced- and its not just the spawnlings housed by the organisation who are forces into this, its the workers aswell- implying to me that this is enforced by some greater state

Thats not even getting into how these voiceboxes could be tamperd with, or even monitored- for all we know this voicebox could be keeping a record of what people are saying- but that's getting into conspiracy theory territory and implies that the state is more competent than it actually probably is

Tldr dotty is being gaslight into believing that these voiceboxes are just there to help and I'm getting so pissed on its behalf

HEHEEHEHEHEHEE <<33 im SOOO glad you've noticed this. when i first conceived of loose stitches i was like 14 and the world was supposed to kinda be utopian, i wanted it to be a story about being born into the best possible world that cares about you from day 1 and STILL not fitting in, and then y'know, finding your place in it or whatever.

but as i learned more about SOCIETIES and HISTORY and OPPRESSION i started picking at the threads of the world I built and realized there was a lot of room for discussions of other stuff that was important to me, like ableism, colonialism, and how my desire to find people "just like me" might be more counter productive and divisive than I'd originally thought.

under the cut for things that i don't consider spoilers but ARE world building facts that haven't been brought up in the comic yet, so if you dont wanna read that uhhh yea

funfact that im not sure i'll get around to addressing in canon but is relevant to you mentioning a "common" language: people spawn knowing an accumulation of various languages spoken near their spawn point, often times they lean heavily towards one language/culture or another. if someone spawned in an area an spoke a different language than the people who found them, or was more familiar with different customs, it was customary to just go "oh this one's not for us ok lets send them to the people nearby that they are clearly influenced by"

since spawnlings are basically this worlds children, it was seen as kind of EVIL to just... remove them from the culture they've been spawned into. that's basically like stealing a baby.

spawnlings speaking different languages doesn't happen nearly as much anymore as there are way fewer spoken languages now :)

it should also be noted that language in loose stitches is an expression of communication via magic. not everyone who can speak aloud has a functioning mouth and vice versa, so there aren't as many languages as there are in our world in the first place. regardless, there's way less of them now!

#nnstuff #ask #loose stitches related

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the-art-block · 8 months ago

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Hi,

I remember your nosferatu thinblood, Lamb.

May I ask some questions on them, as the thinblood pregnancy is a rarely done topic?-

Do we know who the father is to the baby, did she get pregnant before or after the Embrace?

Is the child a dhamphir or just human? Do they know the name or gender?

I wonder if she will have to teach her child ASL as she's mostly mute herself. But still, this is really interesting. Also will they be raised by her? I just hope they can keep them out of the danse macabre.

Sorry for 20 questions and rambling on :)

Hey again! Thanks for the questions, I'm glad everyone else likes Lamb as much as I do!!

Parentage The father of her child is Jeff Solomon, a skilled occultist and former Tremere Ghoul - now liberated and working for Victor Collins as a respected retainer!

Jeff and Victor are both OCs belonging to @syntheticmortal! (you can see the only time I've drawn Jeff here in a wedding pic for Victor and Gloria 🥰 he's the white blond guy on the far right)

Jeff and Lamb uhhh conceived the child after she was Embraced and came out a Thinblood the freaks and were totally fucking shocked to discover that Lamb got pregnant as a result. Obviously this outcome is so rare that no one in the vicinity of the couple knew it was possible.

Jeff and Lamb are in a committed relationship and have plans to raise the child together after it's born! They have no idea what to expect from a child born from a Thinblood and a Ghoul but rest assured they'll be keeping their child away from the dangers of Kindred life as much as possible.

The Child's Nature The child will be born a dhamphir, for intents and purposes! The Nosferatu curse will not be present!

They know the child is male, and once he's born he'll be given the name of Jeff's grandfather and also Lamb will want to give him the middle name "Florent" as that is the name of the Elder in the Warren that took her in as a refugee when she fled execution. (Florent © @syntheticmortal)

ASL She definitely will be teaching her son ASL so they can communicate! Worth it to mention she won't be hiding her Nos Face from him either!

#vtm ocs #Thinblood #Lamb

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chaotic-on-main · 2 years ago

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Chapter 8: June - Part 4 [NSFW]

☾ Pairings ➼ Levi Ackerman x fem!mute!Reader (she/her pronouns), set in a modern semi-fictional world

☾ Summary ➼ Due to childhood trauma, you find yourself an adult without the ability to speak. After years of working on it, you have found ways to live without a voice. Now here in your late 20s, you are 5 months in getting used to a new town. On a fateful day in late November, you and your adopted sister visit a local bookstore-café, unaware of the friendships about to blossom. Throughout the months, one friendship in particular develops into something more.

☾ Content/Warnings ➼ fluff, slowburn, oblivious feelings, romance, angst, mention of minor character deaths, trauma, illness, adoption, mentions of fire, disabilities, alcohol use, very light nsfw mentions, references to child abuse, smoking and alcohol abuse mentions, domestic violence, light assault, uhhh- sex? idk how to tag this kind of stuff. SPEAKING OF...

☾ Author's note ➼ Hehe, hi! I bet y'all never thought you'd see this tag OR BANNER on here ever. Tbh, I thought I would never see this tag or banner on any of my writings. But uhhhh- here we are! If it isn't obvious, this is my first time EVER writing smut. I've never even written self-indulgent smut before because it is REALLY HARD FOR ME TO DO. That's mainly why this chapter took so long (I'M SORRY); I wanted to make sure it was perfect. If you're a minor and read the smut I will find you and cut you! Hehe. Anyways. Again, I am so sorry this chapter took so long!! I've hit quite a rut in my life and I'm just really glad to have gotten it done in the first place. Let me know what y'all think!! ALSO CAN Y'ALL BELIEVE THERE'S ONLY ONE MORE PART LEFT HOLD ME I'M CRYING

☾ Word Count ➼ ~10.9k

The visual of Levi’s bewilderment haunts you just as much as the feeling of his lips on yours does. You’re not sure why you thought kissing your friend would be a good idea at all. Regret gnaws at you as you find yourself in a vicious cycle of rumination.

But it wasn’t all regret, was it? You wanted to kiss him. And you liked it.

Maybe it wasn’t regret at all, actually. What you really felt in your core was disappointment. At yourself for not thinking before acting and at him for not responding the way you inwardly hoped he would. If Levi’s cold shoulder this morning wasn’t proof enough, you don’t know what was.

“Love?” Hange’s voice cuts through the white noise reverberating through your skull. Slowly, you turn to where your sister currently sits with light green paste smeared all over their face. You blink the glassiness away and raise an eyebrow at them – which is a little hard to do as you have the same paste smudged on your face that is in the process of drying.

“Were you listening at all?” Concerned eyes bore into yours. You’d say you were thankful for the green tea facial that covers the dark circles under your lashes, but you knew Hange had noticed the moment they laid eyes on you today. They click their tongue and sit upright in your direction.

“What’s going on in that head of yours?”

‘What do you mean?’

“You look like you didn’t sleep a wink last night and you have been out of it all day. What are you thinking about?”

‘It’s nothing. Just had trouble sleeping.’

“You’re only restless when you have something on your mind.”

You stick your bottom lip out. In truth, you really did want to talk about it, but you weren’t sure what you wanted to say. Hange wasn’t the type to let things go when it came to you though, especially when you’re distressed. You’d need to say something now whether you liked it or not.

‘I like Levi.’ You sign quickly, averting your gaze from the piercing light-brown eyed stare burning holes in your face. You sigh softly and tuck your chin in the white fluffy robe that wraps around your body, ignoring the fact that you’re wiping the face mask off into the fabric as you do. It takes them a moment to realize you’re not planning on saying anything else.

“And that’s upsetting?” They laugh and relax back into the plush cushions. “That’s nothing new. I’ve known for a long time.”

Your eyes cut over to Hange again at that, wide in shock.

‘You knew? How? Since when?’

“I know when someone’s smitten. And you my darling? You are smitten like a kitten.” They roll their head in your direction as they speak, eyes sparkling. “Probably since February.”

Was it that early?

‘Can you be specific?’ You feel your face heat up from under the thick mask.

“If only you had a mirror. You should see the way you look at Levi. It’s so obvious, even Nanaba picked up on it.” They smirk as they twist in your direction, resting their chin on a hand that sits propped up on the armrest. A wide smile carved up and into their eyes.

“What happened last night anyways that made you discover this known secret?” Hange already knew, they had to have. Their demeanor changed from worried to curious in the blink of an eye.

‘Nothing.’ You sit back in a huff, closing your eyes.

You hear Hange sigh softly but doesn’t press for the next half hour. Your body sinks deeper into the plush massage chair as your head sits back on the head rest. Off to the side, you hear the soft babbling of the fountain piece that pairs wells with the gentle spa music that floats from the ceiling speakers down to your ears. Your brain wanders and you feel the heaviness that comes with sleep about to settle in.

“Excuse me?” A sudden voice startles you. You pop an eye open to see a spa employee in mint robes standing in front of the chairs you and Hange were relaxing in. “It’s time to move on to the hot pools, are you both ready?”

“Oh yes!! I’ve been looking forward to this part.” Hange exclaims, practically throwing themselves out of the chair.

The steamy mineral water stings your skin upon first contact. It wasn't uncomfortably hot, but it was close. It takes you a few seconds to get used to it and before you know it, you’re sinking low until your nose is submerged. Only your eyes and up show, like a crocodile floating as it hunts. You had put your hair up so that it wouldn’t get wet, but a few loose strands decide they want to get wet anyways as they float around your face.

Your sister, on the other hand, does not take the gentle approach. Before you know it, they’re running down the ramp ass naked. They throw themselves into the water when they get deep enough, throwing water straight in your face. Luckily, the pools are slotted out by appointments so it’s just the two of you in the small, enclosed room. They disappear for a second, submerged in the water leaving only ripples behind that float across the top.

“Are you going to tell me what happened now?” Hange’s low voice comes from right next to you, causing your heart to skip a beat. Despite the unnerving crawl of your skin, you side eye them and shake your head.

Their words bounce around in your skull. If even Nanaba picked it up, that would mean Levi knew too, right? Is that why he brushed you off this morning? This wouldn’t be the first time that he’s held things back from you, but you hoped that had changed in the last handful of months. A fleeting thought of going to him first zooms through your mind and disappears just as quickly.

“Did he kiss you?” Hange’s voice is so close that you feel the heat of their breath blowing right against your ear. You push back from instinct, swatting the water and subsequently splashing them in the face.

“Oh my, he definitely did. Look at your face!” Hange muses as they tread up closer to your face and there’s half a foot between noses. You shove at the tops of their shoulders and blow them a raspberry. They were ever persistent.

‘If you must know, he didn’t kiss me.’ You’re suddenly focused on the waterspout sitting opposite of you on the wall.

“Damn. I was rea-“

‘I kissed him.’

“Wha-?! You?!”

Without another word, you turn your back on their open-mouthed stare and head for the sitting ledge in the back corner. Steam rises off your warm skin as you do, merging easily with the rest of the hot air. Hange follows, mumbling under their breath as they process the news. When you twist to sit down, you’re face to face with Hange as they squat into the water across from you.

“I’m guessing by your reactions, it didn’t go well?”

‘He pulled away and gave me a weird look.’

“What did he say after?”

You don’t answer that, instead you slide into the water until you’re halfway submerged again. The hot water tingles against your raw face, making you wince until the uncomfortable feeling subsides. A few bubbles burst on the surface from your released huff.

“You didn’t give him a chance to, did you?” They raise an eyebrow at you. The amusement that tugged at their features melted away to reveal concern. You raise your hands out of the water, water droplets falling back in with little splashes.

‘He pulled away quickly and gave me a look that didn’t really scream “yay”. What was I supposed to do?’

“Sit and talk to him like the adult you are?” More bubbles pop at the surface as your eyes narrow at them.

‘What if he doesn’t want to talk? Or even see me? Or be my friend anymore?’

“Well, did he kiss back?”

‘I don’t know. I can’t remember. A lot was happening.’

“I imagine he did. He likes you too, you know.”

You roll your eyes at that. Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t. But that doesn’t change the shocked expression that he stared at you with before you ran off for the night. You feel the pressure of his lips on your mouth again and it makes your heart skip a beat. How confusing this all was.

“Want me to make him talk to you?” Hange says with a smirk on their lips.

‘Don’t even think about it. He’ll just kill both of us.’ You flick water in their direction at which they chuckle at it.

“Just give it some time, you’ll figure it out. But probably not too much time because this was a friend group before you both decided to catch feelings and I will not have this group break apart because you both want to be teenagers about it all.” They shrug their shoulders at that.

‘What happens if we never talk again?’

“Not allowed. I’ll lock you two in a room if I have to. Oh wait, maybe I should do that? Then you’ll either talk, fight, or kiss again.” They ramble on, tapping a forefinger on their chin as they think. Their eyes shoot over to yours, wide and full of excitement.

“If you both start dating, it’s for the long run by the way. Marriage or nothing. I can’t risk the friend group falling apart.” They joke. Part of you thinks there’s a bit of truth in their words but you let it slide. The prospect of marriage though? Was it your face heating up at the thought or the hot water?

You give them an exasperated look despite it all, offering them a thumbs down as well.

“I’m only half joking. You and him will figure something out eventually. Who knows, maybe it’s all a misunderstanding! You’re shy and he’s… well. Him. Maybe you just need to make the first move.” They offer you a small smile, their eyes softening again.

That fleeting thought from earlier comes back. Again, Hange’s words held some truth as they always do. You already made the first move and that didn’t work out the way you planned. But If Levi didn’t know to come to you, maybe you would have to open that door for him, granted he doesn’t slam it in your face. You decide you’ll do what you can to pull him aside tonight.

Much to your dismay, the appointment ends too quickly. Fortunately, Hange kept up with their promise of taking you shopping since there were a few hours until it was time to meet up with the boys who were no doubt still out golfing. You laugh at the idea of Levi standing on the greens with a signature bored expression, but then you remember you were supposed to be anxious. You don’t know what you’re going to say to him.

After a while, you forget your worries for a time. Hange finds a really nice pantsuit that frames their tall body well. You found a simple sundress that frills out on your waist in a color that your sister exclaimed matched your eyes so well. And it was nice being able to chat, that feeling of dread that coursed through your veins like ice forgotten.

That is until you’re standing in front of Levi with your hands twisting in each other – a nervous habit you picked up just recently. The fabric of your dress feels like it’s digging into your skin as you stand awkwardly, your heart feeling as if it might explode. He doesn’t even look your way, eyes glued to his phone as he mindlessly scrolls. The idea of getting him to talk to you falters.

He's wearing a slate gray dress shirt in a complementary shade for his eyes. The sleeves are rolled up to his elbows neatly. The rest of his outfit is clean yet casual and perfect for the place Erwin had reserved. Some of his hair falls in his face as he continues to look down, ignoring the fact that Erwin was calling everyone to attention.

“Are we ready to go? The taxi is here.” Erwin gives you and Hange a once over when he looks up from his phone. “Wow, you both look like you had a good day - practically glowing.” He gives you a beaming smile and you force one back in return, feeling the quivering of your muscles as your lips pull back.

Levi glances up finally and his dark eyes scan the room. When they land on you, they linger for a second longer before he looks away as he pulls himself up from the barstool. You did not miss the subtle surprise that flashed across his face as well as his eyes flickering down to the sakura necklace you put back on for this evening. You had taken it off the last few days to keep it safe, something you were not used to doing before. You almost sighed in relief when you felt the familiar and subtle weight around your neck again.

The car ride to the restaurant was fortunately short but to you, it was agonizing the whole time. Erwin opted for the front seat to help direct the driver so that left you, Hange, and Levi in the back. Your sister forced you in the middle and they claimed it was for safety reasons but you knew better.

Your almost bare thigh sits against Levi’s after you all piled in, snug as can be. You pull your arms together so that you’re not squishing into Levi any more than you have to. He’s facing the window, arm propped up and leaning against it as he looks out. You spend the whole ride rehearsing what you wanted to say to him.

When the taxi parks in front of the restaurant, you take a deep breath. It was now or never, you tell yourself. You force yourself out of Levi’s side after he slides out, having to push the door as he almost shuts it in your face.

You’re able to reach far enough to grab his wrist to make him stop and he spins on you quickly, eyes flaring with annoyance – barely softening when he notices it’s you. It takes all of your strength to keep your fingers latched on to him despite the look on his face. After a moment, he helps you out of the car with that same hand, making sure to keep you steady as you almost trip on the curb.

‘Can we talk?’ You sign quickly.

He considers you, eyebrows pinched the way they do.

“Tch. We don’t have time, Hange and Erwin are waiting for us.” He finally grumbles back, eyes aimed at the retreating figures now walking through the double glass doors. He turns on his heels and leaps up the stairs, leaving you and your hurt feelings at the bottom.

So much for trying.

Even in your sour mood, you still appreciate how beautiful the restaurant is from the outside. It’s very high end with a large crystal chandelier peeping out of the tall windows that make up the majority of the front wall. The railings of both sides of the stairs are adorned with growing vines and colorful flowers. A simple sign in neat cursive hangs above the front doors, reading ‘La Crevette’. You raise an eyebrow at that but say nothing before making your way into the air-conditioned interior alone.

The inside is even better. The gold inlay that decorates the white marble adds a delicate and elegant tone. On the walls sit ceiling high mirrors that you can’t help but stare in as your eyes scan the new surroundings. You catch Levi’s eyes in the reflection before he turns away to follow the hostess who is now leading you all to your designated table.

To say that the atmosphere at the table was so tense you could cut it with a knife would have been an understatement. You find yourself sitting across from Levi - at least 5 feet away. The chill emanating from him makes you shiver and you wish you had brought a jacket with you.

Orders were already taken so now you sit in silence as Hange and Erwin compare the activities they both did today. Levi’s fingers drum against the clothed table as he stares out the window to the left of you. It looks out into the ocean, the setting sun painting the sky, those beautiful oranges and pinks that you liked so much. You fidget with the napkin that sits across your lap in tight fingers as you stare. Erwin calls your name.

“So how did you like the spa? Did they take care of you as well?” His clear eyes stare into yours with interest.

You smile politely and nod, signing along saying ‘They did, it was quite luxurious. Thank you for setting it up for us.’ He smiles back and chuckles.

“Hange said the baths were really nice. We might have to stop by one before we leave town, huh Levi?” The attention is now diverted onto a very bored looking Levi. He only hums in response, shrugging his shoulders as well.

‘You look like you got quite a bit of sun today.’ Your smile wavers as you eye him. There’s a soft flush across his cheeks as well as his nose and forehead. His gaze flickers up to you and you think you spot conflict in his steely eyes.

“I forgot a hat.” He says back, his curt tone a little too sharp for you. You pretend to not hear it. Your eyes fall onto your water glass after that, Hange and Erwin going back to talking about the other things they did today.

By the time dinner comes and disappears, the tense atmosphere barely stagnates. You sense Erwin and Hange can feel it too, but they don’t say anything. The only things you’re given are looks, ranging from curiosity to what you imagine is understanding. You don’t blame them though, this is really something that you and Levi need to hash out. Anxiety gnaws at your chest as you continue to pull on the thin fabric of your dress.

Eventually, the waiter comes with the check and hands it over to Erwin per his request - you all knew better than to argue with him about it. When Erwin hands the black book back with his card of choice, the waiter takes it and leans over to start gathering dishes out of the way. As he reaches from behind you, the feeling of his sleeve brushing against the side of your neck makes you stiffen up. When he pulls away, a small pop resonates by your ear.

The lack of weight around your neck is instantaneous. You watch in silent horror at your favorite necklace plopping into your lap softly. Everything goes quiet as you pick up the chain in shaky fingers, almost losing the sakura pendant as you do. The sight of the delicate golden chain now broken in a place that would not be an easy fix makes you feel like someone is stepping on your chest - crushing you.

You feel hot tears rolling down your face and you blink hard a few times. You’re in too much shock to make a sound. The waiter’s incessant apologies come muffled as realization dawns on you. You should have kept it tucked away and safe. You shouldn’t have kissed Levi. This necklace is you and Levi right now. Broken necklace, broken friendship. Your fault. All of it is your fault.

Placing it on the table gently, you force another sweet smile, one that closes your eyes and you feel more tears pressing out as you do.

‘I’m going to get some air.’ You sign.

Before anyone can protest, you push your chair out and away from the table, bumping into the still apologizing waiter. You sign a few hard apologies yourself before running down the ramp to the host station and out the front doors. Your feet take off down the street in the direction of the condo, tears streaming still but not a single sob escaping your lips.

A hand closes around your wrist, the force of your speed almost knocking you back as someone holds you still. The firm grip is telling enough that you don’t have to look around to see who it is, but you do anyway. Levi is out of breath from running after you, chest heaving and hair windswept.

“Where are you going?” His voice is stern and laced with annoyance.

You only shake your head in response, still feeling the tears rolling down your cheeks and off your chin. You have no energy left for a fake smile and his subtle annoyance feels like another knife in the chest. You’re not sure if it was the exhaustion, the necklace, or Levi, but you feel inexplicable rage boiling over. Ripping your arm out of his grip, you start signing roughly.

‘Why are you here?’

“I’m worried about you. You’re upset.” His steely eyes cut into yours, narrowing.

‘You could have fooled me. It seems to me you want nothing to do with me, ignoring me the way you have all day. What do you want?’ He flinches at that, surprised by your less than normal aggression.

“I-I’m sorry. I just don’t…” He runs his fingers through his hair, pushing it back and out of his face. He stumbles through his words, something you’ve never seen him do. But you can’t think about that right now, your patience is thinning and you can’t face him if he still refuses to acknowledge the hurt he’s dealt to you even if he didn’t realize it.

‘‘I can’t fix it.’ You sign shakily, fingers fumbling over each other.

“I’ll take a look at it. And if it’s not fixable, I can just get you a new one.” It dawns on you that Levi doesn’t understand, and you’re not certain if he ever did.

‘I’m not talking about the necklace, Levi!’ You’re in the middle of the sidewalk slamming your hands together as people rush past you two. As always, it feels as if it’s just you and Levi and everyone else are blurring streaks in the background. This time, it doesn’t feel as pleasant.

He doesn’t say anything back, choosing to stare with his lips parted as if he wanted to.

‘Why won’t you just talk to me? I thought you trusted me with yourself.’

“I do. Trust you, I mean.”

‘Then talk to me!’

“It’s not that simple.”

‘Right.’ You don’t give Levi a chance to refute as you turn around swiftly and start off in the direction of the condo, head hung low as you do your best to sniffle quietly. Fortunately, no one looks your way as you shuffle down the sidewalk.

Different layers of pain pile on your shoulders and you’re not sure how you’re going to get out from under them. The worst of them all seems to seep into your heart in a heavy way, weighing you down so much that you’re surprised you make it back to the elevator of the condo without collapsing. When the doors shut in front of you, you allow yourself to finally fall apart like you’ve been wanting to all day, sobs racking from deep within your chest.

The moment you get into the bedroom, you slam the door behind you and prep for bed. The lingering sunlight filters through the room, painting the room gold. You didn’t care what time it was, you just knew you were ready to pass out from the day.

As you loosen your hair from the multitude of pins sticking in it, you stare at yourself in the bathroom mirror. Your eyes are bloodshot, the skin around them puffy. At least you don’t have to do much since your tears broke down most of the makeup already, only needing the gentle swipe of a cloth. The moment after you slip on your sleepwear, you toss yourself into the soft sheets of your temporary bed and curl in on yourself.

The hurt from last night comes back tenfold. Only this time, frustration burns under your skin. Before you know it, nightmares come to you in the form of dark slate grays.

The next time your eyes open, they’re met with darkness. You’re not sure if the moon decided to stay away or if the clouds had rolled in during your slumber, but regardless your vision is pitch-black. Soft snoring to your right indicates that Hange had made it back and is currently deep in sleep. You vaguely recall hearing them calling out to you when they came back shortly after you fell asleep.

Rolling onto your back, you are greeted with the dim red light from the alarm clock illuminating the ceiling. You imagine it’s quite late in the night considering how refreshed you feel despite the lingering melancholy from dinner.

With a huff, you sit up and swing your legs off the bed. Your bare feet hit the cool, hard floor and you make quick yet quiet work of sneaking out of the bedroom. You know Hange could sleep through anything, but you did not want to suffer on the off-chance they woke up – you were not prepared to face them right now.

After closing the bedroom door, you pad over to the fridge and pull it open. The only drink options were a couple of beers and a handful of caffeinated sodas. You wish you had a cup of Levi’s tea in your hands, but instead you opt for water from the filtered pitcher. After taking a tentative sip of it, you decide that going back to sleep was not an option for you. You kick yourself for potentially screwing up your sleep schedule for the rest of the trip but that was a problem for future you.

With a cold glass in hand, you step over to the plush couch and sink into it. Grabbing the remote in the other, you turn it on and flinch as you’re met with a loud commercial about an action movie coming out soon. Quickly, you turn the volume down to one and sit still as you listen for any sounds of your roommates – luckily it stays silent. You sigh softly.

You pull over a blanket from the other side of the couch and tuck yourself in. You let your mind wander for a bit as a random movie starts to play, the low volume buzzing in the background. Thankfully, your thoughts stay away from Levi. That is, until you watch as a teacup is placed down on the glass coffee table in front of you with a clink as well as delicate fingers pulling away from the handle.

Blinking the glassiness from your vision, your eyes trail up the muscular arm that belongs to a weary-eyed Levi. His gaze shifts away quickly as he lowers himself on the other side of the couch as far as possible from you. He lifts his own teacup to his lips and takes a small sip, eyes forward on the movie ahead.

He doesn’t say anything to you, which you’re not certain if you should be grateful for, or annoyed. You were thinking about wanting some of his tea earlier, but now that it’s here, you’re torn between indulging him or not. As your eyes narrow on the steam that rises off the amber liquid, Levi pipes up finally.

“I didn’t poison it, if that’s what you’re wondering.” He mumbles. You flicker your eyes over to him, but his gaze stays glued to the TV in front.

You let out a soft huff and reach for it, taking the handle in between two fingers and pulling it up to your mouth. Upon the first sip, you withhold a sigh of content. Levi always knew how to make a mean cup of tea. But you won’t say that to him right now. You’re still fuming, tea or no. With that thought, you down it the best you can despite the scorching heat of it as it burns itself down to the pit of your stomach.

You stand when you’ve finished, placing the cup back onto the saucer and then turning around to fold the blanket back up. The space is turning tense by the second and you don’t want to deal with this right now. After placing the blanket on the armrest, you reach down to grab your tea set as well as Levi’s, but his hand stops you as his fingers close around your wrist once again.

“Stay. Please? I want to talk.” You side eye him, noting the nervousness in his eyes. If it wasn’t for that, you would have stormed off. For once, it seems Levi is ready to talk, and whether you were ready or not, you needed to listen.

Setting the saucers back down, you sit on the other side of the couch again, facing him with your arms placed over your chest. Only now do you realize you’re still in a nightgown that barely covers your ass and no bra. Trying to be natural about it, you grab the pillow that sits in the middle of the cushion and pull it to your chest to cover up.

“Are you having trouble sleeping?” He rubs the back of his neck as he watches you. His anxiety looks like it’s about to overflow.

‘Is that really all you want to talk about? Small talk?’

“No! Of course not.” He grumbles. He mirrors you, folding his arms across his chest. He’s getting defensive again.

‘Then what do you want?’ You click your tongue in annoyance.

“I don’t know wha-…” He falters.

‘You do know what you want. You just won’t say it.’

“It’s not that simple.”

‘But you know, don’t you? What is holding you back? What is making this so difficult for you to talk to me?’ Your signs come out more forceful than you meant.

His arms fall into his lap as his focus darts to the tv off to the side. You eye him warily and purse your lips while you wait for him to continue, which he does after sighing heavily in frustration.

“I’m afraid, okay? I’ve never felt so conflicted about stuff like this before. But I’m sorry I’ve been ignoring you all day. It wasn’t my intention to hurt you, I just didn’t know how to face you. Or what to even say to you.”

“I’m sorry.” he says quietly, shifting his gaze back to your face.

The look in his eyes is chock-full of anxiety and panic. Your fingers are flying before you can stop them. The strong walls of anger you had put up for protection start crumbling away, making room for disappointment as well as regret for making him feel this way.

��I shouldn’t have kissed you, I’m sorry to have caused you so much strife.’ You bite the inside of your cheek.

Levi scoffs at that, his gray eyes cutting over to you, narrowing. He doesn’t say anything right away, instead using this moment to shift on the couch until his knees are against his chest as he faces you a couple feet away.

“Don’t be sorry.” He whispers finally, dark eyes piercing into yours.

‘You’ve been brushing me off all day. It’s because I kissed you when I shouldn’t have. You hate me. And you regret it even now.’ You feel the tears from earlier start to well again, but you refuse to let them spill in front of Levi.

“Why would I hate you?”

‘I just feel like I ruined our friendship with my actions, and you wouldn’t talk to me about it so I also feel like you want nothing to do with me because of it.’

“I don’t hate you.” He mutters, eyes shifting away before jumping back to yours. “I could never hate you.”

‘Then why won't you talk to me?’

Levi gets up abruptly and starts pacing back and forth in front of you with his shaky fingers raking through his hair. The anxiety radiating off him is palpable.

“It’s hard to put into words.” Levi says simply. A scowl appears as he pinches the bridge of his nose between fingers. He continues to pace, eyes half closed as he mutters to himself. You hear something about ‘not being used to this’ and ‘being blindsided’.

You lean forward and grab his pant leg with tight fingers. His sweatpants’ waistband slides down his hip from the sudden force of your grip, immobilizing him unless he wanted them pulled down any further. His steely eyes snap to your troubled expression and he softens immediately, hands dropping to his sides.

‘Just try.’ You give him your best pleading eyes, bottom lip jutting out as far as it can go.

Levi side eyes you as you hold him in place, his lips pinched into a thin line. He opens his mouth as he attempts to figure out what he wanted to say next. It takes a few tries but eventually, he settles on the last thing you’d expected him to say. It’s like his naturally stoic demeanor melts into something completely unrecognizable – not like you were complaining.

“When you kissed me, it was like I understood everything and nothing at the same time. I was so confused.” Levi mutters under his breath, sitting back down on the couch but this time on the cushion closest to you. His thigh brushes up against your knees, sending tingles up your spine from the sudden contact.

“Ever since you’ve stumbled back into my life, I couldn’t understand why you were always on my mind. I think I do now.” He continues without missing a beat. “I think I’ve always cherished you in some capacity, just in different stages.” Levi places his face in his hands that were propped up against his knees. After a few seconds, his head turns to you with a familiar expression. The way he looks at you reminds you of the little boy next door all those years ago.

“Leeeeeviii!!” You yell as you bound down the front steps without a care in the world. Your brother and Levi currently sit on the lawn, messing around with their action figures who were currently in a heated battle. In your excitement, you completely miss the bottom step and stumble down onto your hands and knees, rough concrete digging into your skin.

The wails that come out of you are loud enough that the dogs across the street start barking. A pair of hands are on you in an instant, helping to pull you up and onto the bottom step that had caused you so much trouble in the first place.

“I’ll go get some bandages.” Your brother says in a panic, running up the stairs and back in the house you had just come out of.

“You’re okay, it’s just some scratches.” You look up through blurry lashes to see Levi staring at your bleeding knees. You’re not going to bleed out, but crimson is trickling down your legs and it’s enough to make you cry harder.

Levi takes your little hands into his slightly bigger ones and inspects them. He brushes off the small gravel that had embedded itself into your skin, his tongue stuck between his teeth in focus. You observe him as best as you can despite the salty water obscuring your vision. Levi’s eyelashes flutter across his cheeks as he turns your hands over to get a better look at them.

“Not cut, just a little dirty. Nothing that can’t be fixed.” He says softly to you. Blue-gray eyes look up into yours and you realize you stopped crying. He offers you a lopsided grin as he squeezes your hand a few times.

“See? Not broken. You’ll be okay.”

He was always so calm with you. You shoot him a toothy grin while squeezing his hand back a few times. So calm. So safe.

“Levi, I’m never letting you go.”

You laugh at the sudden memory that flashes before your vision. You’re grateful for Levi in many ways, despite the fact he made you mad sometimes. Memory recovery was one of the reasons why. Levi’s eyes widen at your sudden outburst.

“What?”

‘Remember when I ate shit outside of my house when we were kids?’

He hesitates as he thinks.

“Which time?” His lips twitch at his comment and you realize it probably wasn’t the first time you had fallen. You appreciate your resilient nature as a kid, taking note of the small scars that probably decorated your knees even to this day.

‘Levi, I think there’s always been a part of me that’s always felt safe with you. And, I think having a future without you in it, no matter what that means, isn’t something I want to see. So, I think that’s why I was so torn up about this. The idea of you leaving just tears me apart.’

Levi sits up at your confession, staring at you in curiosity. There’s a new look of assurance on his face as he eyes you. A pink flush creeps up his neck and into his cheekbones as he focuses back on the colorful screen ahead.

“I don’t have any plans to leave.” He mutters.

There’s more silence, only cut up by the voices on the television and distant crashing of waves from down below. You watch him closely as he blinks slowly, propping his chin up in both arms that sit against his thighs. Before you can sign again, he speaks softly.

“I don’t regret it.” He side-eyes you, as if he were afraid to face you for such a statement.

‘What do you mean you don’t regret it?’

“It means I don’t regret that you kissed me.”

‘Did you want me to kiss you?’

Silence.

“You should probably get some sleep. I’m sure tomorrow will be just as exhausting. We can talk more then.” Levi says quietly, changing the subject.

You narrow your eyes at him, annoyed he would close up after so much progress. But then a yawn so big escapes your mouth and you shove your face into the pillow you were still hugging until it’s done. When you look back up, you see Levi watching you in amusement before his expression changes into indifference quickly. Maybe this would be best saved for the next day when you were both awake.

‘What about you?’

“I don’t sleep much, you know that. I’ll be okay.” He shrugs his shoulders as he gets up from the sofa. He reaches for the remote and turns off the tv then carefully places it back on the coffee table. Then he turns around to offer you a hand which you take, still hugging the pillow to your chest. He raises an eyebrow at that but turns on his heel to head to his bedroom. With a soft sigh, you place the pillow back and follow him down the hallway to your room.

The need to figure out what was going through his mind was strong, but your exhaustion hits harder. As you pass the kitchen, you note the time was about to hit five in the morning which means you have been up for a while. Despite the amount of sleep from earlier, you feel your body giving in to the heaviness of fatigue – no doubt a consequence of having such a taxing day.

You watch as Levi stops outside of his door, right hand gripping the doorknob in white knuckles. As you pass him, you reach over and place your hand on top of his. When his eyes fall on you, you offer a small smile.

‘What’s wrong?’

Before you can pull away, Levi says your name and stares over at you with longing.

“What am I to you?”

With shaky hands, you sign back, ‘What would you like to be, Levi?’ Adrenaline courses through your veins like lava at the sudden question.

“Yours.” It’s so soft, barely audible. And yet so full of conviction.

Levi looks down at your lips quickly before jumping back up to your eyes. In a swift motion, he releases the doorknob and grabs your hand, pulling you in closer to him with sudden force. His gaze is as firm as the grip on you, holding you in place. When he speaks again, his words come out measured.

“You’re right, I do know what I want. My answer is yours. I want to be yours.”

Your eyes widen at the sudden confession, and you stare at him with your lips parted in surprise. As if time slowed down, just like in the elevator, Levi tilts your chin in his direction - pinching it gently between his thumb and index finger. He leans in slowly, his eyes staring into yours as he wavers inches away. Levi is so close to you that his hot breath hits your face, and you smell hints of his black tea and traces of pine.

“And I want to kiss you. Is that okay?” You nod, dazed by his proximity.

Carefully, his mouth meets yours and you instantly distinguish the difference between this kiss and the one in the elevator. This one is hesitant, nervous. But traces of ravenous hunger linger as an aftertaste.

That same heat blazes from your face all the way down to your toes. Levi’s fingers move from your chin to right under your jaw, tilting your face into him even more. After a moment, he breaks away granting you a moment to catch your breath. His face is still inches from yours, gray eyes fluttering closed as your forehead rests against his. Your name tumbles out of his mouth, almost like a beg.

“I need to know.” He pulls away from you, the air around you instantly turning cold from the lack of his presence. “Will you let me?”

‘Let you what, Levi?’ You know what he wants, but you just want to hear him say it again. And again and again and again.

“Let me be yours.” Your smile would have blinded the whole world.

‘Mine.’

He leans in again, cupping your whole face in his calloused hand and locking his lips back over yours. The hunger intensifies just like the buzzing throughout your whole system. You open your mouth slightly to let his tongue in to explore and it does, eliciting a quiet moan from you. You swear you hear Levi growl in response. Oh, how touch starved you two were for each other.

As if in sync, Levi opens the bedroom door and you both stumble still lip-locked into his room. He pushes you up against the door, shutting it behind you. If you weren’t so lost in the kiss, you would have been worried by how loud the slam must have been. Levi presses up against you more, sandwiching you between the heat of his body and the cool wooden door behind you. You already feel how hard he is under his sweatpants.

You’re more inexperienced than most so there’s hesitation in your kiss – something Levi picks up on quickly. He pulls away but leaves his hands on your face as he looks at you with apprehension.

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to tonight.” He whispers to you. His voice is as sincere as it always is, albeit husky. You place a hand over his that sits on your face, leaning into it as you do before signing back.

‘I want all of you.’ You offer a loving smile, wide and full of adoration for the man in front of you. Levi’s eyes bounce back and forth between yours as if searching for something. He finds nothing but pure truth.

Levi’s lips crash back onto yours, careful but just as heated. As his marred lips leave and make their way down your neck, one of your hands slides up his chest to his undercut until your fingers find what they were looking for, tangling in his raven hair.

The moment you feel his teeth pinch your soft skin, another moan comes out louder than before. Having him pressed up against you like that, the outline of his cock pressing into your stomach, you start to feel your patience slowly unraveling.

Your nervousness flies out the window. This was Levi, you had no reason to worry. Levi is safe to you. He would take care of you as he always does. And you would do the same. The thought makes you smile up at the ceiling. Before you know it, your hands push against Levi’s soft skin, and he pulls away quickly. Worry pools into his dark eyes as he watches you carefully.

“Is everything okay?” He murmurs hoarsely.

Instead of signing back, you force him to step back towards the bed with your palm pressed against his chest until the back of his knees hit the edges of the mattress. The force alone makes him lurch back so that he falls back onto the soft duvet, catching himself on his hands so that he’s sitting up.

In a swift motion, you straddle his hips, and your lips find solace on his mouth yet again. You don’t hesitate to push your tongue through to taste him again, wrapping your arms around his neck and pressing yourself into him more.

You don’t mean to, but you find your hips grinding on to him, the only barriers between your already soaked self and Levi being the clothes you wish were off. The pressure and friction against your very sensitive core make you pull away for breath. Levi’s soft grunts are music to your ears and his lips start trailing back down your neck, his teeth finding purchase in your soft skin yet again. His fingers slide up your back, pulling your night dress up with it.

Then a groan comes out of his clenched teeth, full of frustration.

Levi pulls away again and stares up at you with heavy-lidded eyes full of impatience. You note that pink flush of his that you love so much, deeper in color and painting across his cheeks. As you stare down at him, you come to love this version of Levi and you want nothing but to see his face contort at the way you grinded into him. But he places his hands on your hips to keep you still, much to your dismay. You watch him carefully as he speaks, his voice husky.

“I-uh. I want this, I do. But we need to be safe. And I didn’t bri-“ He averts his gaze, staring at the corner of the bed. You were so lost in the exhilaration of it all, you didn’t think about it. A thick appreciation for him crashes over you because his cautious nature, even if it did slightly kill the heat of the moment.

‘Give me a second. I can help with this. Stay here.’ You give him a chaste kiss before sliding off his lap and out the door quickly. You tiptoe your way back to your room, making sure the only sounds that can be heard are the clock ticking on the wall and the muffled continuous crashing of waves just outside.

When you slip into your room, you see Hange flat on their back with their hair tousled everywhere. Soft snores escape their lips, a telltale sign they are out like a light. Hange wasn’t promiscuous in the slightest, but they weren’t closed minded either. And with that, it meant they stayed prepared.

You creep over to their unorganized suitcase where clothes were strewn all over the place. Reaching into the top compartment, your fingers feel the sharp edges of a foil package and slip it out. You blush to yourself as you think back to Levi’s outline as you make sure it’s the right size.

A snort from behind you makes you freeze in place, breath hitched as you sit crouching in silence. A moment passes. Another minute. Hange’s snores fill the room again and you let loose your held breath, shoulders sagging. You’re sure this conversation would come up again later, but you didn’t want to deal with it right now. Especially with Levi waiting for you.

It takes you next to no time to slip out of your room and back into Levi’s, closing his door with a soft click. Turning around, you show him the condom in between pinched fingers and smile widely to Levi who was still sitting on the edge of the bed for you.

“Did you come prepared?” He raises an eyebrow at the glittering foil.

‘No, but Hange do-‘

“I don’t need to know any more.” Levi blurts out, hands up in defeat. A silent laugh shakes your shoulders as you make your way back over to him. You fling the package onto the bed before straddling him again, noting how hard he was underneath you still.

‘Now where were we?’ You sign with a small smile. Levi smirks and places his hand against your cheek, his thumb tracing your bottom lip gently. You playfully nip at him, and he huffs in amusement.

“You’re breathtakingly beautiful, you know that?” He asks you softly before pulling your face into his and locking his lips on yours. It’s a saccharine-laced kiss. His hands find your hips again, lowering until they are fully on your ass, and they squeeze. A squeak escapes into his mouth as he does, and it just makes his grip on your skin tighter.

Pulling away, you grip his t-shirt from the bottom and start tugging it up. Levi leans back so you can pull it up and over his head, discarding it on the bed next to him. Your hands trail down his toned chest and abs, his skin burning under your touch. It’s soft despite the hard muscles underneath them. Your mouth finds his again as your hands explore, not hesitating to slip your tongue into Levi’s already parted lips.

Your hands find their way back in his hair, fingers entwining through the fine strands. You can’t help it – you tug gently, and a small whine comes out of his pouty lips as he’s pulled away from your mouth. Something inside you burns and again you feel your razor thin patience cutting at you.

As if Levi reads your mind, he wraps an arm around your back while leaving his other hand cupping your ass and stands up effortlessly. In a mere moment, he turns around with you in his strong arms and then gently tosses you on to the bed. A soft laugh escapes you as you land. Everything around you smells like Levi.

Levi stands at the foot of the bed and stares down at you ravenously, a look you don’t think you’ve ever seen on anyone outside of the movies on your television screen. You sit up on your elbows and watch as he gets on the bed and slowly makes his way on top of you. He meets your lips with his own as his body hovers over yours, his fingers lightly trailing up your arms resulting in goosebumps following in their wake.

Slowly, you lie back down flush to the mattress, his knees digging into the sheets on either side of your thighs. Levi’s lips start to slide down your jaw which gives you some space to breathe but your breaths quickly turn into soft whimpers as his fingers lightly trace across your lower abdomen. His other hand snakes around the back of your neck, supporting it as he starts planting more soft kisses down it.

“You can stop me at any time, okay?” Levi whispers, his hot breath tickling your neck. You nod, only wishing you had your voice to say his name and tell him you wanted him. As long as he was with you, you would always want him.

Levi’s hand that was teasing your waist makes its way back up to the lacy lining that adorns the edge of your nightdress, long fingers tugging down the thin fabric that holds your breasts in place. You’re glad Levi isn’t watching your face because you are multiple shades of embarrassment.

But Levi doesn’t say anything, instead he takes a breast in hand and massages it gently as his kisses start trailing down past your collarbone. Before you know it, his soft lips clamp around your already very sensitive nipple, eliciting a loud moan from you. You can’t help but dig your nails into the firm muscles of his back in response, dragging them down as Levi bites down gently. An exhale of hot air blows out of Levi’s mouth against your skin when you do that, a small grunt escaping with it.

You feel the absence of his lips immediately as his lips leave and the wetness left behind leaves your skin defenseless against the cool air. Levi softly kisses back up your sternum then pulls away, leaning forward on both hands that now sit on each side of your face. His tousled hair falls forward, creating shadows across his face as he stares down with that same hungry look, only this time it’s tinted with pure amazement.

“Still okay?” He whispers down to you.

You blink up at him and swallow hard. You were more than okay but as always, your words fail you. Instead, you nod and the hands that once dragged down his back are now trailing down his chest again. The feeling of his skin against yours sends electricity through your whole body, and you want more. You need more. Your hands flatten against right above his rapidly beating heart as you do your best to give him a look that conveys ‘more’.

“I’ve got you.” Those were the words he had muttered down to you the day before as you fell asleep in his arms on the beach. It wasn’t just cherishment that he held for you; it was deeper than that. Hange’s words from earlier flit through your mind, only briefly. How could you not have fully noticed until now?

He leans down and places his lips back on yours, soft and sweet. As your lips lock on to his, you feel his feather light touch trace back down to the elastic band of your underwear. But instead of teasing you like he had before, you feel his fingers dip under the cloth and further down to…

Any other thoughts racing through your mind cease to exist as his delicate fingers slide down your slick folds. You don’t mean to moan as loud as you do and fortunately Levi’s mouth muffles it for you. He hums in response to your reactions, smiling into the kiss.

Levi’s lips graze back down to just under your ear as his fingers rub small circles around your clit eliciting more moans from you. Your labored breaths fill the space as the white-hot heat from his touch reverberates throughout your whole body, tingling down to the tips of your toes. He whispers your name under a heavy breath, mutterings of how beautiful you are to him floating up to your ear. All sweet words mirror the moans you made.

You reach down to Levi’s hardened bulge that currently fights against the stretched fabric of his joggers. Your fingers close around him as much as they can through the thick cloth. Upon contact, Levi’s breath hitches. You give him a gentle squeeze resulting in a guttural groan that comes through his clenched teeth.

In response, his touch burns deep into your core as he carefully pushes a digit into your warm entrance, the palm of his hand applying pressure onto your swollen clit as he does. His movements are gentle as he pumps it in and out slowly, and you feel his finger curving up into a spot so good your toes curl. The euphoria turns into building heat, and you know what’s about to happen - but you wanted more. You wanted him now more than ever and this was not enough. More, more, more.

A soft whine comes out of you as your fingers tighten around him. A light huff tickles against your skin – Levi’s way of chuckling.

“Are you sure you’re ready?” He mumbles, his lips finding your earlobe and nipping at it gently. Reaching over with your other hand, you place your hand against his cheek and pull him up to you, planting your lips right onto his. It’s a hungry kiss, one conveying you were ready for him. You love him, you want him. You need him.

With that, Levi withdraws his hand and slides himself off you and the bed. You sit up and watch as he tugs down his pants along with his boxers. You knew what was coming and yet you couldn’t stop the blood rushing to your cheeks in shy embarrassment. You look away, staring at the ceiling as you hear Levi pick his clothes up including the shirt you threw on the bed, and then place them neatly on the dresser behind him. Your name quietly tumbles out his lips for your attention.

When you look up at him, you see him offering a hand to you. Your eyes flicker down for a mere second before going back up to Levi’s soft gaze. You feel as if you could faint on the spot.

Instead, you push yourself closer to the edge of the bed and take Levi’s hand. In a delicate flourish, you’re in his arms again and he pulls you in for another deep, lingering kiss. His fingers bunch at the bottom of your night dress and start lifting it up. You let him, pulling away enough so he can get the soft fabric up and over your head. He folds it and turns to place it next to his pants. When he circles back on you, he takes a moment to observe your half-naked self.

Being in your thin bathing suit was one thing, but to be standing there as the cool air conditioning drifted across your unprotected self was in a whole other universe. You shift your weight awkwardly and twist your arms together as you avert your gaze to the piled-on dresser.

Levi steps closer to you and takes both of your arms in a gentle grip and pulls them away from each other so that you’re exposed to him. You force your gaze on him despite how nervous you were to be in front of him. Levi’s dark eyes trail down your body but not in an ogling kind of way – he watches you with wonder.

“You’re just so beautiful. Every part of you.” He releases your arms, and his hands are back on you, sliding down your waist and landing on your hips. His fingers leave a trail of tingles. “I want you, all of you. If you’ll have me. Is that okay?” He whispers to you, pulling you by the hips into him. The length of his hardened self presses against your bare stomach as he does.

You sign that same simple word, ‘Mine’.

With that, Levi gently pushes you down into the bed with a hard kiss, leaning into you until your back is pressed against the mattress. He loops his fingers into the sides of your panties and tugs them down your legs, pulling away from you yet again to place them next to the rest of the discarded clothes. At that moment, he takes the time to rip a corner off the metallic package with his teeth, the foil discarded onto the dresser once done.

He grabs your hips again, this time pulling you flush to the edge of the bed as he stands at the foot of it. His hand makes its way to your thigh and his perfectly trimmed nails press into your soft skin as he holds you close. The tip of his cock teases your entrance and if you had a voice, you would have begged for it. As usual, you didn’t have to.

Levi leans down to you and kisses you slowly, teeth brushing against your swollen bottom lip. He places his other hand on the bed next to your head, using it to keep himself propped up. His hair hangs low as he hovers, already moist with sweat from the proximity and building body heat between the two of you. You use one hand to grip his forearm while the other hand slides up the back of his head and into his sweaty hair, fingers digging into his scalp. As the kiss deepens, so do his movements into you.

Levi slides himself in gently, using his hold on your thigh to control his speed. He lifts your leg up against his hip for a better angle but the sharp gasp from you stops Levi in his tracks. He stays there, feeling your warm walls hugging tightly around him.

He pulls away from the kiss and hovers over you again, looking down into your eyes with worry. It's been a while since you have been touched like this, let alone this intimate. You don’t think you’ve ever felt this loved. Levi makes this all so easy despite the anxious knot in your chest. You realize it isn’t just this that he makes easy, though. It’s everything around you. Every issue, every solution.

You imagine you’re looking at him just the same, a small smile etching into your flushed and hot face. Before he can ask again, you move your hand up and under his fingers that digs into the bed next to you. Lacing your fingers in with his, you squeeze his hand a few times.

A way to say you were okay and that you trusted him. And always would.

He looks down at you curiously but then realization dawns on him. His concern washes away to reveal his own version of adoration for you. It’s one of your favorite expressions on him by far.

In a breathless moan, Levi pushes himself all the way in. He presses his lips onto yours, muffling your moans that rise in volume as he slowly rocks into you. The hand he had on your thigh tightens as he pulls you into him more, quickening his pace slightly. The new angle hits a spot that almost puts you at the brink of finishing right then and there.

Levi lets go of your hand and moves his arm under your neck again, giving him the opportunity to trail his now sloppy kisses and teeth down it. Those razor-sharp teeth sink into your skin as one of his thrusts hit simultaneously. You bite into the back of your hand to keep yourself from wailing out and waking the rest of your roommates. The other hand that now sits against his sweaty chest digs into his skin, burying deeper with every thrust. It feels as if every part of your body burns like wildfire from his touch. Your name comes out in a groan this time, husky and deep.

“God, you’re fucking beautiful. You feel so good.” He buries his face into your collarbone as he moans your name again, shakily.

Levi thrusts soon become clumsy, feeling him slam into you inconsistently and with every hit comes more pressure against your clit. Heat builds into your core, the same as before. You’re pulling at his hair, in an attempt to warn him you were close. Throaty curses leave his lips as you both feel each other tense up.

In an instant, it’s like the world crumbles around you as you hit your limit. The walls surrounding Levi clenches as each wave of pleasure rolls through your whole system. Your orgasm sends Levi over the edge and in one deep thrust of his hips, you feel his body shudder as his moan almost turns into a whine. His teeth bite into you again as he rides through his own climax, filling up the condom within you.

Levi releases your leg and lets it fall gently against the bed before collapsing on top of you. He uses an arm to keep himself propped up enough to not suffocate you with his body weight. You focus on the heavy panting emanating from the both of you as you come down from your high. His heart beats in sync with your own against as he lays on top of you, digging his face into the crook of your neck.

You wrap your arms around his head and hold him close, despite the heat and sticky sweat between your bodies. Levi nuzzles his nose into sweaty soft skin and chuckles, low and hoarse. You both continue to lay like that until the breathing slows down to a normal pace. The next time he speaks, his voice is so soft and barely audible that you almost miss it.

“I love you too.”

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