#and she had a motivation within herself to be better

[cabinetofquriosities]

Just finished watching Legion

I put off watching the final few episodes after one of them shook me up a bit with the fate of one of them characters. The ending was actually so perfect, though. It’s so rare to see a great show nail the landing. It’s one of the best if not THE best superhero/villain(in this case) shows I’ve ever seen. It’s ridiculously creative and experimental.

Now, I just want to go back to episode one and start it over again.

[brailsthesmolgurl]

VISAGE

PREVIEW: She thought she had it all within her grasp, with Sylus by her side, she is practically untouchable. However, there had always been a thought lurking in the back of her mind ever since Sylus had gotten himself acquainted with a deepspace hunter. For someone who is as mundane as y/n, with no skills and power, what would happen if she were to allow those fears to manifest? It burrows, it festers, rots her from inside out and perhaps, just perhaps, Sylus will no longer be her safe haven anymore.

WARNINGS: Heavy angst that makes your blood curdle, reader is not mc!, suggestive themes, heavy gore.

P.S: Yes I know darlings, it has been a long time since I have been updating my works on here. Work and a lack of motivation got to me T-T. Introducing the debutante for this piece, the daddy himself Sylus! This piece is heavily inspired by those storylines that involves romance and also somewhat slightly related to Howl's Moving Castle vibes? I dunno heh I have some weird ideas cooking in my brain sometimes, hence the lack of frontal lobe growth I guess :,) And yes, there shall be a part two to this but I needed to get this spat out first!

Part two

Dividers sourced from here!

There is always a saying that whenever one wakes up to the sound of birds chirping in the morning, thus marks the start of a beautiful, sunny day ahead. However, that is not the case for y/n when she wakes up to Mephisto trying his best to do 'chirpings' but ends up cawing like a dying bird. Y/n sighed, pushing herself off of the plush bed to invite whatever the weather has to offer to her. Mephisto is not a bird and it cannot sing, so it sure as hell cannot predict the weather. The curtains are drawn close, a reminder of her intimate sessions with her lover in the bed last night, privacy shielded behind two drapes of heavy fabric.

Yawning, she waved her hand in the air and Mephisto leaves the room as if on cue, not wanting to be punished by his master for having a peek at what belongs to him. Y/n pulled on her silk nightgown, the material cooling to her skin and touch and she waddled out of the room. The smell of breakfast immediately wafts into her nose, it smells like buttermilk pancakes and she is sure that he is the one that is preparing the breakfast as there are times when Sylus would cook himself rather than having the chef prep the meals.

The man himself owns a big kitchen, but his sheer height and built makes the kitchen feel mid to his size. Y/n quietly sneaks up behind him, watching him humming while manhandling the pan, flipping the pancakes with ease. As she was about to attack him with her hands, the man had already beaten her to it, his evol stopping her hands from touching the sides of his torso and he turned, hair messy from waking up but still as good looking as ever. "Good morning, y/n." Voice still raspy, he retreats his evol and leans down to peck her lips softly. "Your sneak attacks are too predictable."

"How did you even heard me coming? I made sure I am extra secretive this time." She pouted, bottom lips jutting out and arms crossed over her chest. She watched as the man turned from the stove to the counter, serving the slices of pancakes onto the plain white plates. The image of soft, jiggly pancakes set onto the dark marble countertop, framed within the kitchen of mostly dark colours made it stood out awkwardly. But given the opulent kitchen exhales nothing less of elegance, perhaps, a plate of pancakes is all that it needs to breath a sense of life and humanity within this nearly aphotic abode of Sylus'.

"The moment you stopped snoring is the moment I knew you were going to wake up soon enough." His taunt got her gasping in return, embarassment littered all over her face. Offended, she slapped his taut arm and he chuckled in return. "I admire your effort, but next time, it would just be better if you were to greet me normally and lessen your failure rates." He swiftly wrapped his arms around her small waist and carefully guided her towards the dining table, with a plate in his other free hand. "Here, have some of your favourite."

He walked back towards the kitchen to grab his plate and seated himself next to her. "Did you taught Mephistos on how to chirp?" She asked him as she was cutting into the pancake. Then, that marks the start for their seemingly mundane daily conversations. Chuckles and teasing jokes filled the atmosphere of the once sterile looking kitchen.

Back in the days, this man would never be the type to say yes to making meals of any kind for nary, let alone waking up at the crack of dawn to make breakfast, Sylus yields to nobody. One might also wonder how did she even got associated with him in the first place? As she is only a mundane and the furious leader of the N109 zone was never the type to lay eyes on someone who poses no utility to him. Or so that was what he had once strongly believed in.

Since the day he had laid eyes upon her, in the basement of another clan, tied up against a pole in a mangled fashion, his aether core ached, a cord so tight that it tugged against every fibre of his being. He had never felt this way about anyone, let alone a hostage like y/n. She looked frail, sick and is scared of everything and anything except for the darkness. Sylus recalled the time when he grabbed her arm and she started kicking with all of her might, her wails coming out in low moans, kicks that barely does any damage to insects. She is dying, but Sylus felt like he could not leave her alone. The undulating thumps of his aether core in his eye, was a rare occurence that it overthrew his logic of killing her to ease her of her pain.

The initial idea of bringing her back to nourish her back to health was perished when Sylus realised that he had slowly started to be smitten with her. Within the hollow and scrawny shell of hers, she still possesses a fighting spirit and it is only applicable when she thinks that her life is hanging off of the balance. Although at first Sylus had detested her, warning her multiple times that he only took her in out of pity. However, she had only thanked him, either it would be via verbally or physically, no snap backs, no retaliation, she is just plainly grateful to be alive even if she were to be held up in another unfamiliar place. She would prefer anything else than to be tortured back in that dank basement.

With a little digging, Sylus had only retrieved information about her lineage and everything about it seemed all too mundane for him to be suspicious of anything. On the day he had fished her out of that hell hole, he brought her straight to his handyman to get her checked out for any core abnormalities. There must be a reason why she would be held hostage, kept alive only to be tortured. Sylus likes a challenge, but this challenge holds a mystery that remains unraveled when the handyman came back with a reading that denotes her to be nothing special. When asked about how she was kidnapped, her pallor suggested that she probably had her memory wiped clean amidst the torture or due to extreme post traumatic stress disorder.

After a couple of weeks being around his abode, she had found out a method to thank him and it involves cooking. However, her cooking is absolutely horrible, but Sylus still eats it to uphold his sense of politesse. It took some courage and serious toilet trips for him to finally decide that it is time to get an in-house chef for meal preps. The chef's first day to work was met with a confused y/n, standing at the front of the door with a big kitchen knife aimed towards him.

After explanations were given from the threatened chef, she realised that Sylus did not enjoyed her cooking and that led her to sulk. It went on for days, masked behind her dull appearance and it forced Sylus to use his evol on her only then he realised that this girl had already gotten a grip on him. The leader of the N109 zone had softened up a lot, wanting to know what she has to think, what was going on behind her blank expressions.

The pity for her faltered day by day, and it was slowly replenished with infatuation towards this mundane that he had stayed with for months. Luke and Kieran also teased him sometimes, stating that the unwavering leader of theirs now has a soft spot. Sylus had stopped denying it to a certain extent, it was like the man had lost all sense of rationale when it comes to discussing about her. "Boss, you do like her don't you?" One of the twins would urge, Sylus can clearly imagine their wriggling eyebrows underneath those masks.

"That is none of your business." The leader would scoff, feigning ignorance towards his underlings when they would boo him for not being truthful to himself. As much as he enjoyed their curiosity, he does not feel the need to continue this conversation, as he is a man of few words. "I suggest you both find something to do before I lose my patience." And that sent the both of them careening out of his room in full speed.

"You said you have something to tend to tonight, so I suppose I will not be expecting you for dinner?" Cocking her head aside, a small, curious smile hung on her curved lips. Sylus catches her gaze, the woman he is looking at now being a whole different person than who she was when he first brought her back. Her eyes now gleamed with excitement whenever she sees him, her smile and laughter both contagious, and her heart only directs towards him and only him.

The man nodded. "Yes, I will be out with the hunter tonight." He laid down his fork and fetched a napkin from across the table. Afterwards, he leaned towards his lover slightly and rubbed the napkin across her lips, muttering under his breath about the slight brown tint of maple syrup she had left sitting on the corners of her upturned lips. "Is there something the matter?"

Y/n hesitated, not sure if she should be telling him about her opinion. Ever since she had gotten here, she had learned that voicing out opinions are allowed here and that she could have a say in anything she is unhappy about. With enough courage, it started out with rejection, then it went on to providing her own opinions and now it's time for her to be honest with her feelings. These are values that Sylus had taught her about, and being the stubborn man he is, he does not expect himself to be repeating his words.

"It's just, you had been spending a lot of time with her, Sylus." She blurted out, lips becoming numb after the sentence when she expected vituperation from the crimson-orbed lover of hers. Not that he had ever cursed at her, or had been abusive with her, but it was the probability of him doing so is what scares her. Furthermore, it is clear that she still harbors malicious memories of her past. Just the mere thought of being stuck in that basement had gotten her wincing uncomfortably.

"You mean that hunter?" His eyebrow curved upwards, head slightly tilted as he tried to get a better look at her. He could sense her hesitation, her regret after the end of her sentence. Swiftly, Sylus traced a finger down her temples, trailing downwards and leaving goosebumps in its trail till it stopped beneath her chin. He tilted her head upwards so that her gaze would be aligned with his, yet she was staring at the walls right behind him. "The hunter and I are tending to a ruckus that had happened downtown and she is helping me with the investigation."

His explanation although was to soothe her, it only got her feeling on edge, teeth chattered as she struggled to think logically. She had never felt this sort of emotion; one closely related to jealousy, possessiveness and envy. "Why her?" Her fists tightened, hidden beneath the table cloth. "I can be of use to your investigations too." Couple of blinks to push back the tears, she looked into his gaze, to search for an answer she was expecting. "Why does it have to be her?"

The man sighed, not being the type to want to overexplain issues and he stood up from his seat, collecting his plate at the same moment. "You are not exactly useful when it comes to an actual battlefield." Voice although calm, but words of his pierced through her, reminding her of the reality she is really in. Sylus finds no use in her other than her existing as a pretty little thing next to him. Like an eccentric jewel on display on a pedestal but could never get off of it because she is not 'useful'. An angered y/n stood up, her chair screeched against the hardwood flooring and she angrily stomped off, her usually hushed footsteps resonated through the ornated hallways and leaving Sylus sat alone in the kitchen.

If one were to wonder over what the man thinks, he also spoke of facts. He sees her not being an object to aid in his investigation, but he only views her as someone that he wants to protect, and wants to come home to. A prized possession of his, if one dares to admit. Sylus too got up from his seat and started to tail behind her, watching her outline from behind, disappearing into their shared chambers. He watched her plopped face down onto the pillow, her actions almost comical. "Y/n." He called out her name but received no response. As expected. "I do not find any means to utilise you." He approached her, finding his seat next to her outstretched legs. He then places his hand onto the back of her thigh, thumb drawing aimless circles. "In fact, I do not want to use you at all."

"Just get out." Her voice was muffled but her tone seethed with anger. "Just go and do whatever it is that you wanted to do with the hunter if she is much more worthy on the battlefield with you." Her voice cracked unintentionally at the end and Sylus sighed, hand leaving her thigh. He could tell that he had messed up, said something that he had failed to filter and caused her to be so upset. As much as Sylus would like to stay behind and to comfort her, the hunter and his mission awaits. A mission that he is dwelling into for the sake of y/n. A mission that would ensure her safety once and for all.

“I have to go now, but I promise that I will make it up to you later.” With a quick kiss to the back of her neck, she could only hear the heavy footsteps of his disappearing after the clicking shut of the door. A part of her did not want to be jealous just because he is doing business with another female counterpart. Another part of her however, shaped like a devil, whispered sinful nothings into her ear, coaxing her to be jealous, to practice distrust upon her relationship with Sylus just like how she never had the courage to trust anyone. Dissolving into her pillow, her tears blended into the mix of polyester and cotton, her sobs quiet but reverberated within the four walls of their shared room. Mephisto landed on a branch directly outside of her window, guarding her but quietly and patiently stayed outside whilst accompanying her with the whistling winds.

Sylus’ meet up with the deepspace hunter was supposedly to be nothing more than just business. After the raid where Sylus had rescued —much like kidnapped— y/n, deepspace hunters were on a hunt for y/n and a particular deepspace hunter stumbled upon a lead on Sylus being the raid leader and without fear, she confronted him only to land a deal between the both of them. Sylus did weighed on the deal, whether was it worth his effort to involve someone from the government but he knew that her database would come in handy for him to continue conducting raids on the gangs that had any connections to the capturing of his lover. You see, there is one thing that still bothers the white haired man from the day he got her back. Now, with the deepspace hunters on the hunt for her, it only further proved his suspicion and he is planning to utilise the deepspace hunter’s database to get to what he is actually seeking for.

So far, is Sylus impressed? No, because he knew that he could easily do that with the amount of moles he has in this undercity but he needed something to give the deepspace hunter a sense of purpose, to trail for a sense of achievement before he gets what he needs from her and then he shall disappear within the bat of an eye. To Sylus, it just makes the chase more interesting, especially with a deepspace hunter right within his grasp. A mere deepspace hunter like her poses no threat to him afterall. “Still nothing?” His voice rumbled through his chest as he stepped onto bits of broken glass, to get to the entryway that leads to the basement. They are currently at an abandoned motel, in search of the supposed gang members. But Sylus is here for another reason. A reply came from below and he hastened his steps to make it to the bottom.

“I found a safe here, but there are only some sketches, and maybe some formulations or reports for something technological?” The deepspace hunter’s voice hesitated, standing up and showing him the papers that she had found. “Why would these be in a safe? It seemed to be something out of a nightmare.” Sylus took the papers from her hand and studied them. The creature sketched onto the papers with charcoal resembled somewhat of an uncanny human being. Messy, seemingly rushed handwritings were etched onto the side to form notes. ‘DANGEROUS, UNSTABLE AND UNCONTAINABLE’ were the words that he was able to make out while the rest of it are scribbled formulations for who knows what. The creature was drawn out roughly, with hollow dark eyes that bled with tar black substance, elongated and bony body proportions, alongside with a forced smile to make up its final look. The ends of Sylus’ lips twitched as he stared at the drawing. It seemed almost…familiar to him but he just could not quite catch what it resembled.

“Have you ever thought maybe because it is nightmarish hence they would keep it in a safe?” He retorted, a sigh leaving his lips when he realised that common sense may not be equipped within the brains of some deepspace hunters. He folded the papers and shoved them into the pockets of his leather jacket, the deepspace hunter however, held out her hand and beckoned her palm at him, wanting the papers to be within her grasp. “It is better for me to hold onto it as it may not impose any usage for you deepspace hunters.” Seeing her unyielding palm, he continued. “If I received news about this creature you will be the first to know so you may report it back to your HQ.” Her pupils lit up at his suggestion, a sign of agreement.

Stepping out of the abandoned motel, they headed towards their respective vehicles. As they were about to hitch onto their rides, shots were fired. “Duck! We are getting ambushed!” The deepspace hunter shouted and then they both ducked behind their motorbikes, trying to cover themselves from bullets and to sought out the shooters amidst the dark. “There, behind the trees!” Right when she said that, another bullet ricochet and then followed a searing sizzle. Sylus took the opportunity to jump onto his bike and he roared the engine to life, twisting the handle and throttling the bike towards the deepspace hunter.

The wheels screeched in rejection against the tar road and he angled the bike towards the road. The fizzling sound of the broken exhaust notes a ticking time bomb for the bike. Sylus fuelled the bike of his and it started lurching forward, propagating him towards the road. Along the way, he grabbed the deepspace hunter by the neckline of her leather jacket and he heaved her onto his bike with the strength of only an arm. The female squeaked in surprise but quickly reacted by grabbing hold of his bike’s seat and hoisted herself up onto the back seat. Securing her arms around his waist, they both faded into the covers of the darkness as the bike they left behind went off with a deafening explosion.

“Where are we going?!” The deepspace hunter called out from behind, the wind beating against her rubicund cheeks as he shifted the gears to turn a sharp corner. Home. That was all the man could think of. Leaving his lover behind in shreds, with tears depicting strokes of her loneliness, rolled up in bundles of borrowed warmth from satin sheets is not the last scene he would want to encounter upon departing onto a mission. He felt like he had somewhat betrayed her, perhaps even, made her felt unwanted. This man now reeks of self guilt, silently cursing at himself only within the confines of his own mind. There, he left the woman behind him in obsolete silence. Yet, the direction of his motorbike suggested another location he had in his mind.

Y/n's chest felt tight, an unbearable weight pressed against her small body as she struggled to break free from the grasp of an unknown force. A voice travelled through the void, calling out for her. "You're sinking in the mire of your own twisted fate." The voice panned onto her, and her restrained wrists started burning, making her wince in response. "Love was never an option for you, bereft suits you better." An amorphous outline formed, bulky and large, symbolising nary of a man but more of a beast. Two orbs formed at the top of the silhouette and y/n recognised those eyes anywhere, the bright crimson orbs are hard to miss. "If you do not remember, fate always reminds." And a jaw snapped opened, darting straight towards her and she screamed.

Snapping herself awake in bed, y/n could feel her heart slamming against the walls of her chest cavity, begging to be set free. Her wrists still scorched, a memory she had never really freed herself from that dank dungeon. Her tears pierced the back of her eyes, vision blurring in the progress. There were no signs of Sylus in the room and the deep maroon walls swallowed her plangent cries. She could hear the voice echoed in her mind, muttering imprecations repetitively to put her under a trance. Y/n grabbed the roots of her hair and started to tug brutally, aching to pull off her scalp if she was given the chance to.

Luke and Kieran dashed in, horrified at her actions and they both did not hesitate, for they knew if Sylus comes back to this, they are both as good as cadavers. "Y/n!" They both shouted in sync, jumping onto the bed to restrain her but it only agonised her, her body hunched forward and tears spilled onto her clothes. None of the twins knew of her nightmares, how Sylus would sometimes wake up to her crying in the middle of the night, how the word 'somnambulist' was not just another fancy nickname their boss picked up from the lexicon to address her in a teasing manner, and how sometimes she would showcase uncontrolled enmity towards herself in the covers of the night by holding herself at gunpoint. It was also at times Sylus thought that bringing her out of the dungeon may just be the worst decision he has ever made but that did not stop him from wanting to pursue her, to put on the veil of a saint not just to quench his ego for a hero complex, but to hold love for someone who he used to love. The man may have been hurled at life multiple times, reincarnated into different lives and different statuses in different times, but one thing he knew for sure, is that in this life, he met a gaze that he could never forget even if his memories were wiped. For she, held that gaze. The linger that made him see himself, the linger that reminded him of every lifetime, that there is that someone that gave him the warmth that he could never quite grasp, a feel that he has to seek for in every parallel life of his.

"We have to call boss!" Kieran exclaimed, his hand kept rubbing her back in hopes of soothing her as she wailed into her palms. None of the twins knew what to do and Kieran had decided that patting her back could be the best way. Luke careened out of the room hastily, in search of his phone. His hands trembled with every press of a button and he pressed the phone to his ear when the dial tone goes through. However, the call did not manage to get through and Luke stumbled back into the room, his footsteps the only sounds heard throughout the empty manor and it made him wondered if Kieran had done some sort of voodoo magic to calm her cries down. "Luke, no!" Kieran's voice echoed from the room and there goes a deafening blast, sending Luke flying through the air and landing onto the floor like a cordless puppet.

Sylus wasted no time in arriving at the location of a secret auction. One where he knows that he would be able to find the man whom would bear the fair description of non compos mentis, a mad scientist who owns adulations for his 'creations' that shall be witnessed at this auction tonight. The hunter beside him craned her neck upwards, her mouth moving, hushed whispers followed. "Is this where we can find that crazy guy you mentioned just now?" She had been forced to change into an exquisite attire and was given a last minute identity to fit the occasion.

"No more questions from now on." Sylus' brusqueness tied the hunter's lips and she could sense his irritation radiating off of him. He offered his arm to her and she wrap one of her arms around it as they approached the grand entrance of the manor. The manor is gigantic, spanning probably a few acres of land, with patterned bonzai tress and manicured bushes lining the front yard and two large golden statues signifying a nude man and woman guarding the main door. The manor seemed to be a casting location straight out of a cult movie. A footman stood at the entryway, a clipboard in hand.

"Hello, welcome to the Prescott Manor." The footman probably around in his twenties spoke, his voice a welcoming baritone. "May I get your names please as this is an invitation ONLY party."

"Sylus," He replied swiftly and his gaze followed the footman's, landing on the female counterpart next to him. "This is my partner for the night." The footman nodded and trailed his pen on the piece of paper on the clipboard, reading through names before stopping at the alphabetical S and he ticked a small check box next to it.

Smiling, he greeted the both of them and ushered them towards a row of safes located next to the coat room. "Welcome Mr. Sylus and Miss MC to the Prescott Manor. Before you head in, we would like you to kindly surrender your electronic devices and any sort of weapons into any of the locker of your choice here." Seeing the slightly raised eyebrow of Sylus', the footman swallowed and quickly followed up with an inept explanation. "This is a charitable night and we have children around. It is to ensure the utmost safety of all of the guests tonight."

Both Sylus and the hunter started shedding themselves of their electronic devices and weapons. The locker slowly piling up with all of their belongings. "Miss, that includes that claymore tucked in your thigh holster." One of the footman's eye gleamed an unusual cerulean, indicating he is equipped with X-Ray vision to conduct body scans. The hunter scoffed and grabbed the claymore out of her thigh holster and chucked it into the locker, the clang of metals made the footman grinned in satisfaction.

The huge doorway welcomes guests into the expansive hall, chandeliers crafted out of translucent protocores hung high above the ceiling, shimmering and refracting patterned lights across the polished marble floors. One may be in awe at this view but Sylus is too used to this, not to mention he himself is an owner of a manor himself. The hunter however, was in a state of shock, her throat tightened as she struggled to not vomit. Glass cabinets arranged all over the hall displayed preserved creatures, not human nor beasts alike. It closely resembled a sick combination of genes from humans and wanderers.

"I am going to excuse myself." Hand slapped against her mouth, the hunter scampered off to the nearest toilet available while Sylus just rubs his nose bridge and sighed in disappointment. He certainly did not expect a hunter to have a weak stomach given the nature of their work.

A shadow loomed beside him and he was quick to snap his neck over. "Fancy seeing you here." The man of the hour, Dr. Prescott stood next to Sylus, height on par with the Onychinus leader. His piercing grey eyes, hidden behind a pair of sleek glasses pranced with curiosity as he wondered why the leader of Onychinus would appear at this auction for illegal hybrids. "What brings the most feared individual in the N109 zone to my humble abode?" His voice, smooth and commanding makes one hard to discern his true intentions.

The enigmatic doctor has always been one to operate in the shadows, always conducting experiments that makes life and death a blurred maze. In the zone full of villainy, Dr. Prescott stands out not just for his freaky science experiments, but also for his twisted advocation for 'bio-weapons' that shall reform warfares in the future. And that, makes even the nefarious Sylus look like a novice. However, it is his perilious experiments that grants him the trademark, and makes him an easy target.

Sylus adjusted his cufflinks then finally meet the eyes of the man standing next to him. "I came here for answers." His eyes narrowed. "Answers that you would be able to provide." Dr. Prescott, bemused with the demand, tilted his head upwards and started weaving through the crowd. Sylus followed in suit, his senses are heightened when he started noticing the crowd had their glances set on him. "However, I'd like to say, it's very daunting of you to step into my territory with that deepspace hunter."

Part two here!

[evermarch]

people often use snow’s experiences with lucy gray as an explanation for how he engages with katniss, but i think that the true story of his downfall lies not in how lucy gray and katniss are similar, but rather in how they are different.

snow knew that it was never him that made the games what they are. it was lucy gray, with her scrappy, passionate artistry, that put on the show that kept people watching. more importantly, it was lucy gray that put on the show that kept HIM watching. all he ever did was give her the stage.

ergo, snow recognizes that the person with the power to usurp him is his natural counterpart, someone like lucy gray, who possessed both the charisma and humanity that he sorely lacks. however, in his mind, those traits are not real; they’re performed in order to obtain power. how could he know better, when he’s never experienced them himself, and the only person he ever truly believed possessed them betrayed him?

so snow keeps his eye out for performers, people with gravitas who could capture the heart of the nation, and squashes their spark as soon as he can. people like haymitch. people like finnick.

and that’s where snow goes wrong. he doesn’t see katniss’ similarities to lucy gray from the start, because while they both demonstrate astonishing, intriguing bravery at their reapings, their actions and motivations are completely different. lucy gray is motivated to perform by anger for herself, and katniss is motivated to sacrifice herself by fear for her sister.

but then katniss starts to put on a show for the audience, kissing peeta and being willing to die with the berries at the end of the 74th games. snow starts to see an entirely different side of katniss that resembles lucy gray to a concerning degree. he sees how, with peeta at her side, she could beguile the nation the same way lucy gray had. and, even worse, she was using the poor, helpless boy who had the misfortune of falling in love with her to survive. the moment katniss started performing, he finally sees lucy gray within her. but it’s already too late.

by catching fire, katniss is the spark fanning the flames of the resistance, but snow fails to understand why. as far as he’s concerned, katniss’ star power comes from her connection to peeta. he tries to weaponize their “love” for his own gain, but it doesn’t work, not because people don’t believe that she loves peeta, but because, for the first time, a victor offers their winnings to the family of a fallen tribute.

snow is caught in a catch 22 of seneca crane’s making—if he kills katniss, she becomes a martyr. but if he lets her live, she’ll be a revolutionary icon. either way, she’s the spark. so he has no choice but to allow the spark to flicker, just for a little while. enter the 75th games. snow knows he needs katniss to die a tragic death in the games. more specifically, he needs it to be a brutal death at the hands of a tribute, not the gamemakers, because he understands that as long as the districts see the capitol as the one who ended the life of katniss everdeen, she’ll still be a martyr.

but snow still doesn’t get it. in the quarter quell, the prey does not become predator. katniss’ allies protect her, ensuring she survives until district 13 rescues her. why would they protect this girl, assuming such a steep personal risk? why would they put everything on the line for a revolution they personally stand to benefit little from? he doesn’t know. but he does know that lucy gray katniss is at the center of it all, so he tries to eliminate what makes her look best: peeta.

and that is snow’s fatal mistake. what he, coin, and everyone but haymitch fail to understand is that it was never peeta that made katniss look good—it was katniss, who befriended and put faith in rue. katniss, who recruited mags, wiress, and beetee as allies. she is the source of revolutionary inspiration. it isn’t her charisma or even her compassion, and it certainly isn’t how well she performed those virtues.

katniss becomes the mockingjay because of her solidarity.

lucy gray was charismatic, like peeta, and compassionate, like both peeta and katniss, but she did not demonstrate solidarity. she was never truly “district” in the way katniss is. she showed kindness to jessup, not because he was from 12, but because he showed kindness to her. lucy gray left behind everything and everyone she loved when she left coriolanus, because she was first and foremost a survivor.

katniss was a survivor her whole life, but she survives exclusively to ensure the people she loves are protected. she always does what she can for people more vulnerable than herself. lucy gray couldn’t have sparked a revolution on her own because she lacked the solidarity that makes a hope for a better future authentic to others. katniss is the human manifestation of solidarity, and to a people divided by a common enemy, that’s the most inspiring thing a person can be.

only in the end, when katniss shoots coin, does snow realize none of it was a performance. choking on the blood of his countless adversaries, snow’s final moments are consumed by what he got wrong. what made lucy gray and katniss different ends his reign, but ironically, the final nail in his coffin is an act that both lucy gray and katniss share in their last moments with snow. they both prove, unequivocally, that he is not the center of their worlds like they are his. lucy gray put her own survival before her love for him, and katniss puts the future of her nation before her hate for him. in the end, he simply doesn’t matter. and that’s greater justice than could have ever been achieved if katniss had fired her arrow into his heart.

the greatest enemy to coriolanus snow could only be the person who reignited the embers of a dying revolutionary fire, who demonstrated to a broken people that while one spark alone might not be enough, thousands of sparks uniting in solidarity is an unbeatable force.

and really, he should have known better. after all, even when snow lands on top, fire melts snow.

[hexhomos]

Dropping into the Mel convo to add that I don't see how the stans that erase/ignore the Things She Actually Does And Says and claim she was just helping Jayce out of the goodness of her heart can claim that anyone pointing out that she's a billionaire imperialist who manipulated him for her own gain is racist when THEY'RE the ones claiming she spent all of season 1 helping a nonblack man for. idk. reasons. Why is it "better" for her to be a Black woman who supported a man and asked for nothing in return...?

That reading of her makes everything with her mother make no sense. Is she like, just mad her mom is interfering with her ability to Support and Love Jayce? Lmao.

The reading that the text and the inherent set up of the politics of Piltover/Zaun supports is a complex woman with her own personal motivations, wanting to live up to the image of the family she believes shunned her on her own (nonviolent) terms, using the craft of social engineering (manipulation, etc) within the political and economic sphere rather than through weaponry and warfare. She starts to shift due to growing some actual attachment to Jayce, but it's not a perfect switch flip, and then her mother arriving forces Mel to contend with what she had actually been doing by "preparing" the city for her family.

That's infinitely more interesting than "oh she just helped this guy out of the kindness of her pure heart and because he's hot" and also has canonical basis that can be pointed to In The Text. That's a complicated, multifaceted character. The fanon Mel who just helped Jayce because she's a good person is a flat, tired trope.

And personally, I find people who "love" characters but have completely inaccurate readings of them to be far more annoying than people who "hate" characters but understand them perfectly. Love/hate is just a matter of taste. If someone can spend time honestly analyzing a character, that's more important than ten thousand blandly positive comments or tweeted out fanfictions dressed up as appreciation.

Paragraph #2 on this actually blindsided me like I could kiss you on the cheek (consensually) rn I've never been able to properly articulate WHY the take rankled me so much even when I tried to see it from a completely best-possible-intentions perspective. And this gets it. It's like you're not even flattening her into a girlboss caricature, it's worse, you're actually making her a 2D saccharine pastry servant with no will of her own except furthering some man's narrative as his mommy and denying the one massive, defining character conflict Mel has in the entire show: she is her mother's daughter! She IS a wolf in sheepskin!

When you have all this power, all this privilege and resources at your disposal from day 1, and you choose to look the other way - what happens then? Is this really being kinder than her mother? Is this being merciful, or just prolonging a sort of system-wide torture? It's absolutely relevant to how we see kid-Mel in that flashback from s1 too. Her idea of mercy and salvation from her mother's more violent ends is to enslave someone. She puts it in gentle terms and dresses it up fancily as a beneficial thing to both parties, but that is what she is proposing, in the context of the Noxus' hostile invasion of Ionia; they'd chain that princess and mold her in training until she became an useful asset in their service. Is that kindness? Is that good? I don't think Mel is able to answer to this even in her big age during season 1.

She certainly thinks it could be, when compared to death, but it's also a lie she tells herself while she ignores the rest of the world and the place she holds within it. Mel hates getting her hands dirty, because she's never /had/ to do that to enjoy the brilliant spoils of success; her mother loves her enough to make sure she could avoid the bloodshed. She carries the strategist's fallacy of thinking whole wars and countries can be managed from the privileged seats up top, out of touch with the blood and gristle. From up there, when people die you don't see it. You can mark the numbers off as necessary collateral damage in the path to Exponential Growth.

The core assumption that has always bothered me is defining this as 'kindness' without actually examining what it says about her character and the story. She was created that way for a reason. She was clothed in this way for a reason. The first fact we learn about Mel in the first episode she appears in is that she is the richest person in the entire city, and then there is a 10 year timeskip, and she hasn't truly done anything to address or prop up the undercity at all (they are ONE city too, under her own philosophy; Zaun is only a separate entity in the mouths of the zaunites who want freedom.) In that context, when her goal of statecraft clearly is to continue advancing Piltover as much as it can be advanced and do nothing about the screaming bleeding diseased dying hordes below the bowels of her capital - is that goodness? Is that really better than mother? I think Mel's arc is about finding out really quickly and really horrifically that it isn't, and that she played a big part in making a lot of things worse.

It's not that she failed at her job, it's quite the opposite. She succeeded in her mission so incredibly well her mother could swoop into power in a single day and then put another hundred necks to the blade, no sweat, and Mel has to reckon with what that says about her, and what she thought of herself. The power she has obviously always had and never sought to use as it Should have been used.

The idealistic future-path here is that now in full control of her Mother's armies, she's returning to Noxus to challenge the predatory system it perpetuates on a world scale, but only god knows what we'll see come January. And all of this is infinitely more interesting to me than docile fandomized ship accessory n.9999

[bluemoonscape]

I’m overanalyzing Melissa as a character, but listen, the toxic yuri is calling.

Obviously Melissa and Shauna as a ship is pretty surprising, seeing as Mel hasn’t had very much screen time at all—even Shauna was shocked and appalled to find out she has a personality—but I do like it. A lot. It provides a catalyst for Shauna finally confronting her sexuality in a direct manner on screen and is presumably going to have some lasting effects on the adult timeline too. It’s a Jackieshauna win, at that, because this all but confirms Shauna had feelings for Jackie, and I’m relatively (cautiously) confident that it will be delved into more throughout the season to make it clear? Either way the implication is there.

Melissa herself has a chance to be so interesting in this season now. In S2, we learned very little about her as an individual at all. She was with Gen a lot, we know that. She was one of Lottie’s followers like many of the girls. Now in S3, she’s incredibly drawn to Shauna. Shauna is a powerful figure among the girls��while Nat is their group leader and Lottie is their spiritual leader, Shauna is the girl that you do not fuck with.

Her being surprised by Melissa expressing her opinions and joking around is a funny sort of fourth-wall breaker, but if you’re really delusional like me then there can be more layers to that! Melissa is one of the lesser known girls. She’s quiet and has pretty shy/anxious tendencies these first 2 eps of S3. Of course, most of what we see of her is her with Shauna, so that’s probably amplified by Shauna’s presence in those scenes—but bottom line, Melissa isn’t a powerful figure in the group. She doesn’t have an important role. She’s not one of the big dogs.

But Shauna is.

And notably, Melissa acts on her feelings for her the moment Shauna holds a knife to her throat:

She’s not just drawn to that power, but she actually physically lusts after it. Mari seems somewhat similar based on how she’s seemed to rise in the ranks and butt heads with Shauna between S2 and S3, except Melissa doesn’t push against Shauna to gain that power, but pulls her in with the allure of acceptance.

And Shauna, wow. A major facet of her character and character arc as a whole is her strong tendency towards envy. She had it for Jackie and now she has it for Nat in Jackie’s absence. She always feels inferior to someone and has to exert herself over them in some way to make herself feel better. Equal. Important. Her strategy has thus far been alienation, what with her telling Jackie she might as well leave the cabin, and now trying to oust Nat as the leader and turn the other girls against her.

But now here’s Melissa who subconsciously desires the force of Shauna’s will, is seduced by all the things that make others see her as frightening. Shauna suddenly has control over someone like (or so she perceives) Jackie had control over her. And, like Sophie Nelisse said in this interview, she has complicated feelings for Melissa because she yearns for the acceptance, but also has motive to manipulate Melissa and use her to help her turn the girls against Nat:

So Melissa makes Shauna stronger against Nat and as an individual within the group by backing her as she is in all of these photos, and Shauna makes Melissa feel more empowered, i.e. her telling Melissa “don’t” when Mari tells her to bring her a drink. Telling her “you don’t have to do that, don’t listen to her.” Except Melissa needs somebody to listen to at all times, so it’s not that she’s becoming independent, it’s that she’s turning away from serving others and choosing to serve Shauna instead.

And there’s the fact that Shauna is very likely going to project Jackie onto Melissa whether she realizes it or not BUT that remains to be seen I won’t talk don’t let me talk

Point is, I really like the unhealthy power dynamics that have already been established in Shauna x Melissa (shaulissa? shaunalissa? or just. shaunahat) and I think it’ll be a hell of a toxic yuri ride. Melissa, get behind me, I’ll protect you from the haters

[thesharktanksdriver]

Devils may love?: resolution of the heart, return of the mother, and revenge of the son

The briefcase is a reference to re4 since the original dmc was the scrapped version of re4….also Dante being lowkey jealous of lady and vice versa. You’ll be seeing more of that in this series lol, both are pining so hard

Links for: masterlist, part 1, part 2, part 4

Tag list:@galaxylibella @dragon-lord-lysander @idleviewer @rosvaline @superbfuryfest @localeggdealer @mellophoned

Ten years had passed since the Temen-ni-Gru incident that would change your life as you knew it

And so much yet so little had changed and happened

You healed, that’s one thing for sure even if it took a long ass time

All the while Dante and lady took turns taking care of you within the slowly fixed up devil may cry

It was surprising but your healing was longer than Dante getting off his ass and fixing the place

Though that was done through your considerate effort of telling him that if It still wasn’t mostly presentable by the time you could walk then you’d spritz him with water again

That and maybe guilt worked well enough as a motivation factor and he got to work

And soon enough that place was slowly fixed

First the doors and smaller things like the pool table

But then eventually the desk, jukebox and various other amenities were replaced

You’d even spruced the place up a bit with a new coat of paint plus some plants and a nice old Persian rug you’d thrifted

In all honesty you were somewhat glad to have the chance in helping Dante rebuild

Because it made rebuilding yourself a bit more easier as well

With your apartment destroyed and several ribs broken you had become a roommate to Dante in devil may cry

He’d always lived on the second floor of the building which was thankfully not destroyed compared to the first

So you had been set up in a extra room beside his own during your recovery period and rebuilding

In that time of him and lady both taking Jobs, making money and ensuring you didn’t cough up a lung you’d taken to fining a new space for yourself

A hopefully better apartment maybe a bit closer to work

And also one you’d hopefully make into a proper home unlike your last

With the destruction of your pervious estate you actually got something out of it

A fresh start and some sweet sweet compensation money

So with that and your savings you eventually found a place much to Dante’s whining about you leaving him

Yeah, he made it sound like you were divorcing him and taking the kids with how he practically grovelled at your feet

Fucker was probably just upset you weren’t making him pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream anymore

lady didn’t find much amusement in his whining considering how she’d smack him on the head whenever he brought it up

Speaking of her, though lady wasn’t technically apart of devil may cry besides a few missions here and there that she or Dante needed help, but she frequently showed up at the office

Sometimes it was a quick swing by in which she’d poke her head in and give you a smile

Something you’d respond in vigour with

Even if Dante pouted that you seemed more happy to see her than him

Other times she’d give you company while Dante was out on a mission

Sitting down with you to talk about all the things you’d missed when you dropped out

Like Mrs Smith and Mr Johnson being caught together in a storage closet despite both being married

Or how Chris from math ended up confessing to the entire class that he was into feet

Wild times that made you the slightest bit relieved you missed it all

At some point lady has also sold her family home

Staying there brought too many bad memories

Especially considering her moms blood had still stained the floorboards

So she sold it

Moved on and used the money to get herself a cozier place compared to the large but silent home she once lived in

Then burning her dads old books and journals of ramblings in a bonfire that you and Dante helped her with

You think It was cathartic for her

She’d cried into your shoulder that night as the fire crackled and roared

Dante patting her back silently as she gripped onto you as her only lifeline

A few days later she finally buried her mom

A small funeral taking place between her, you and a few others

The entire time she clung to you once more

All you could do was try and console her as best you could

But that was enough for her

Mary was dead and you were the last piece remaining

You’d keep that small part of her alive with each smile and giggle at inside jokes you’d both once had

In 10 years you’d like to think that you’d grown a bit more as a person

It was natural, especially considering you’d gone from an 18 year old dropped into the wanted and told to sink or swim

And then a year later nearly died in a demon tower

That changed a person both physically and mentally

And you were no exception

For one you began pursing your passions in the form of hobbies on the side

The things your parents never let you indulge in

Never let you explore or even try in favour of pushing whatever extracurricular they wanted on you

The funny thing was that you probably weren’t even good at what you indulged in

But you didn’t care

You just found it fun

And sure, you might’ve sucked

But at the end of the day when you looked at the the fruits of your effort it was all worth it

Worth every cent or penny you’d spent

Worth every part of your savings not used on sprucing up your new home

Worth the way in which you get your “kidnapcation bonus” as Dante had put it oh so nicely at the time

For as broke as Dante perpetually was, he’d always paid you well and the “bonus” was no exception

If anything it was way too much for what you expected or really wanted

Jobs that he was given by Morrison or by customers with the password always came with fat cash

But despite that you quickly learned the money didn’t last long with him

Not on the fact he spent it quick on himself (well…beside maybe his pizza or sundae tab and his collection of red leather coats) but rather because he spent it on others

He spent it on anonymous donations to those affected by the temen-ni-Gru tower

The non profits that popped up to help survivors of the surrounding chaos and shelters that took in people who were displaced

Spent it on a place called “grue’s cellar”, seemingly for a debt he thought he needed to repay to who it was named after

A man who was a former friend and died, leaving his two remaining daughters to take up the mantle for the seedy bar used as a hub for mercenaries and brokers

Tiki and Nesty

That’s not even mentioning the other generous donations to the Goldstein family

He’d told you about it once, you had asked why he sent so much to those two in particular when he could sometimes barely afford to keep the lights on

Not in an accusatory manner but rather out of a simple curiosity

Especially since those two cases were much more specific compared to the regular charity work

Not to mention how much he sent to both

So he explained

And after hearing about the loss of Nell and Grue you’d made it a habit to also send flowers to both of their graves each year

A small thing you’d done as a silent gesture yet something Dante caught onto

He never said anything about it

Just hugged you when he’d caught you placing yet another order for yellow roses to be placed at Miss Goldstein’s grave

Though you didn’t know her or Grue you’d felt a need to honour them

Not only for Dante’s sake but also as a thank you to both of them

A thank you for Nell for creating the weapons that kept your dumbass of a boss alive each mission

For Grue it was for the fact he’d looked out for Dante and welcomed him during a time Dante had been lost with no direction

All this to say you got extra compensated from Dante to pursue what you wanted and have a lot more than you’d initially thought

Not a bad thing per say

But you most definitely don’t save the rest for when the dumbass urgently needed it…definitely not

……ok maybe you did but you also saved it for the fact that you’d also started gun courses with Dante

After the tower incident you realized that maybe some firearm lessons could do you a favour in the future

And Dante couldn’t disagree with the statement

And neither could Lady either

So Dante had took over in showing you the basics of gun safety and how to properly use a handgun

Lady seemed a bit sour she couldn’t be the main instructor

But Dante had brought up a good point of him mainly working with pistols whilst she used a literal canon half the time

And maybe that was also her slight competitiveness showing

She was always like that in school as well

Showing off and one upping others playfully

Sometimes it was with things like sports other times it was through verbal exchange

A playfully snide smile as she curled an arm around your shoulders

And though those times had passed she still kept that edge

Especially against Dante

When he would help your line up a shot at a target he set up she’d occasionally slide in

Much to his chagrin

You didn’t mind much unless they were tugging you from the other

Like kids fighting over a toy

Though maybe the three of you were all emotionally stunted in your own ways

Which was probably true even if you didn’t want to admit that

Through months of missing your shots and not even hitting the target you’d eventually say you had decent enough Handle of a gun now

Not the best

And certainly not to either of their levels

But both of them seem proud of you

Not to mention somewhat relived that you now at least knew some sort of self defence

and once more that was enough

“Now here’s how you do it honeypie, you just gotta-“ Dante stands to your side helping shift your aim ever so slightly. He’s interrupted by lady who jabs him with her elbow, moving him out the way

She places a hand on your hip and uses her leg to shift your stance a bit. She presses against your back ever so slightly, bringing her hand to lower your aim as Dante once did. “Don’t listen to him hon, he’s off slightly”

“Hey! I wasn’t off lady!”

“Yeah you were! And you didn’t notice it nor did you notice their stance”

“Making mistakes are apart of the process”

“Your just saying that because you were too distracted looking at their a-“

“Guys can we please focus on the fact that we’re in a public shooting range right now and your quarreling like your divorced“

Like you Dante had changed in the 10 years since the Temen-ni-Gru

Though that’s not much of a surprise

Especially considering Vergils descent into hell and the subsequent feelings that would follow

Your not exempt from it either

Even now you still feel pangs of guilt pierce your heart

You replay the scene in dreams

Never able to get to him in time

Yet always there to see him fall

His eyes staring out from the abyss of hell

Blue and burning with a motivation that you can’t excuse but can understand

In his honour you’d reread William Blake when you could

Thought over his interpretations

His words

Wrote them down and your own in a little book

Debated with what you remember him saying

His words in blue, yours in black

Ink settling on a page

For as little time you’d known him, and for as bad as the situation and he was

He still kept a small bit of your heart

Because you know he couldn’t have had it any better than Dante after that night

Not to mention he believed his mom abandoned him

You can’t hate him

You can hate his actions and his pride but you can’t quite hate Vergil

And it’s because of that in your own way you mourn

Similar to Dante but in different ways as well

Meanwhile You know Dante has his fare share of nightmares

Even before loosing Vergil you’d occasionally find him slumped over at his desk

Face scrunching up and fingers twitching as small pleas escaped him

“I’m sorry” and “please don’t leave me” repeated in murmured tongue as he slumped over unconscious

For awhile you didn’t know what the proper course to take was

Wake him up or let him continue to dream of all the demons haunting his mind

After a few times more of it happening you asked him what he’d prefer you to do

He opted for you waking him up

Something that came surprisingly easy

He’d always wake with a startle when you’d place a hand on his shoulder

The gentlest of touches doing so to stir him

Probably from all the years he’d spent having to keep his guard up even when unconscious

But when the dreams of Vergil come it’s something a bit different

You have to fully shake him awake

Almost as if he doesn’t want to be woken up because he wanted to save Vergil

Even if it was impossible

Even if it was for nothing since he’d slip away into the depths of his mind when he woke up

The ending would never chance and even if it had it wouldn’t change the truth of the situation

Before Vergil he’d wake up and wipe away any tears with a smile

Brushing off your concerns

“I had the most terrible dream of the last pizza slice being taken”

But his mumbles beforehand were evident that a slice of food wasn’t his source of distress

Not when he’d call for his mom

For his dad

For his brother

For Nell

For Grue

And perhaps weirdly enough for you

However after the tower he wakes with a jolt and each time nearly falls from his chair

Tears still pouring down his eyes

There’s no lightly brushing off your worries

Instead he simply cries

Looking down at the hand that hadn’t been able to grab Vergil

Tears dripping down onto it and on a cut that had already healed

And yet to him in his mind it seemed to remain

Still bleeding as tears added salt to it all

He shakes

A man you’d seen as a pillar of strength wavers and crumbles before your eyes

And like all those times before your there for him

Sometimes sitting at his side silently, your hand gripping his

His fingers digging into yours, hoping not to let you slip away

Other times you hold him close as you did after all those times he come back from a hard mission

But now no blood soaks you

Just his tears

Just the guilt you both feel

Sometimes he’ll talk

Sometimes you’ll talk

Sometimes he’ll listen

And sometimes you’ll listen

But occasionally you’ll both hum under each others breath

Joining in harmony through tears and suffering

In other ways he changes as well

He’s still Dante for better or for worse but he’s a bit more reigned in

He still jokes around when coming back from a hunt, playfully kicking open the doors with a “honey I’m home!”

Still calls you that infuriating nickname that lady had unfortunately joined in on

Still orders pizza or strawberry sundaes even though he has a growing tab

Not to mention the way he still avoids doing work that isn’t hunting demons

But there’s a sort of quietness to him now

At least when others are there in the haven you’d call DMC

He’s still light hearted and Sauvé but you can tell he’s being more calculated

He’s more careful

More guarded

You can’t blame him though, not after the tower

Not after Vergil or god forbid Arkham

But with you at least he’s his usual self

When those doors close and it’s just the two of you in devil may cry he’s the Dante you know

And come to begrudgingly appreciate

He puts on the jukebox to goad you into dancing with him

Pulling your from the desk to drag you into doing some moves to some cheesy 80’s love ballad

A few chuckles escaping you when he does some cringey move and fake singing the lyrics as he spins you around

Or the other times in which he’d once again plant the paper work far out your reach when he noticed you were getting tired

Or how he’d insist to walk you back to your new apartment, his arm around your shoulder then entire walk there even if it was 10 minutes

At the end of the day when all things mattered he was still your Dante

Even if now he didn’t act like a complete idiot when clients were around

….Oh and he got a tan-

The sound of echo and the bunnymens “lips like sugar” wafts through devil may cry as the owner to this quaint demon hunting store spun you around in a mock waltz. “Dante I swear to god!-“

“She floats like a swan, Grace on the water. Lips like sugar, Lips like sugar~” for a guy who probably never learned calculus he somehow knew how to dance “Just when you think you've caught her, She glides across the water. She calls for you tonight To share this moonlight”

“Dante the bills are due-“

“You'll flow down her river, She'll ask and you'll give her.” He spins you around, then hitching his leg out to swipe out one of your legs to dip you down “Lips like sugar, Sugar kisses, Lips like sugar, Sugar kisses~”

Despite your initial annoyance you can’t help but laugh at his goofy dance moves and singing

You once thought the Temen-ni-Gru would probably be the pinnacle of your work experience for Dante

To be fair, not many would say that their boss’s evil twin would kidnap them and summon a demon tower their dad used to seal off both the human and demon world

Not that many situations could top that

So you can’t exactly be blamed for the fact that besides that and the demon raccoons would be your worst work experience

Unfortunately you’s proven wrong once more

But hey, it took 10 years to get there

And it all started when a clone of Dante’s mom had appeared

J

It had initially been a rather slow week for DMC

No good jobs popping up quite yet

No customers with the password phoning in

In all honesty it was kinda nice minus the fact that in that boredom Dante decided to impale the cut off heads of various demons to the wall

Like a macabre set of paintings fit for the Adam’s family mansion

Paintings that you’d have to inevitably have to clean up after once the blood settled and stained the floor (thankfully not on the Persian carpet, you’d been adamant on that and Dante had thankfully been mindful of it)

And thrown away said heads once they begun to rot and stink up the place

But that was an activity and something to fret over later

A familiar sound of the phone ringing makes you perk up as Dante picks up the receiver

You scoot a bit closer to listen in on the conversation, gliding across the desk as you sat on its edge

“Devil may cry” you both await for the recipients next word, only for a small bit of disappointment to swell up in both yours and Dante’s chest, no password “sorry we closed at 9…again no password. Can’t seem to get any real business”

“Well look on the bright side, at least there’s less things going bump in the night for regular people” you say sliding off the desk, shoes making a clink on the hardwood.

“Yeah i guess…but that does mean less is going on your paycheck to settle my tab Honeypie”

“First of all for the thousandth time do not call me that, secondly if you do that I’ll-“

Before you can finish your threat Dante suddenly pulls you close

Tugging you into his arms and into his chest that feels more like a brick wall

You can’t help but audibly omph when your head smacks against pecs of solid steel

Though it’s not heard over the fact that the door was busted down into pieces by a motercycle that skids into the shop

Tires grating against the floors that days earlier you polished

Internally you scream at your hardwork being tarnished yet again

But by now that’s routine

The perpetrator sitting atop the red bike was a woman, long blond hair and in a combo of leather pants and leather lace up bodice with sunglasses

A woman who looks familiar in a way you can’t put your finger on

“Woah, slow down babe! I’m a taken man already” he’s far too lax for someone who literally had someone break down the doors to his shop, not to mention his protective reaction earlier.

With a snack to his chest you break free from his hold mumbling a “The hell you are!” Before getting up and moving to the side away from the blond who took a look around the shop. Circling the desk like a shark and occasionally looking to you.

“Well, well, what do we have here? Natures call? It’s in the back” he motions to the back of the shop, if this was his way of trying to get you out of here it wasn’t working. Not when you’d have a bone to pick with with woman for scuffing the floor when he was done probably fighting her later.

“So…you must be the handyman who will take any dirty job? Am I correct?” She props a hand on her waist, you’d give her this, she’s certainly hot enough to pull off the sexy and mysterious look and vibe. Wouldn’t save her from your wrath.

“I only take special jobs. If you know what I mean.” Dante pulls his sword out from the wall, uncovering the chest of a busty woman on a poster. God knows why he decided to put that thing up in the first place. “If you came to ask that, my lovely assistant could’ve answered you instead of barging in”

“You’re the man who lost a mother and brother to evil twenty years ago” at that you go a bit more still than you’d like to admit. That wants public knowledge nor did Dante go telling people that all Willy nilly. She did research. Dante’s grip on his sword tightens as she adds “the son of the legendary dark knight, Sparda. Mr. Dante.”

“Well the way I figure it, in this business a lot of your kind comes around” he twirls the sword walking forward as you walks a bit more back “and if I kill each one that comes, eventually I should hit the jackpot sooner or later.”

Not threatened by the sword now pointed at her the woman simply replies “in that case, you should be used to this sort of thing.”. Suddenly her arm crackles with electricity which surged through the sword she grabbed with her bare hand. She then kicks Dante back sending him through the desk making it crack in two before grabbing and impaling the sword through his chest by throwing it at him.

“God damn it” it’s grunted with a small breath of defeat as you pick up a gun tapped under a table, taking a shot they do literally nothing to the woman since she fries them bullets mid air. With one hand extended to you while the other electrocuted Dante. Thankfully though that’s where the electricity stops, it doesn’t shoot out to attempt kill you as it did him .

“Good try but if he can’t beat me neither can you” She doesn’t turn to say this to you but she seemed glance at you with the corner of her covered eyes before turning her attention back to Dante “but are you really the son of the legendary dark knight, Sparda? Didn’t your daddy teach you how to use a sword?”. You can’t do much to try and stop her as she bare handed picks up the motercycle and throws it at Dante. You were qualified for targets not this shit.

Thankfully though this is when Dante decided to actually respond, twirling his guns as if a piece of machinery wasn’t currently headed his way. “A sword? Hah, time to go to work guys” ebony and ivory are fired in rapid succession, the machine is stoped mid air and flung back in an array of bullets and fire. The woman dives away from the machine as it’s sent back like a boomerang, while you’re left to wonder why Dante had to be this dramatic. “Even as a child, I had powers. There’s a demonic blood in me…”he says this still impaled.

“What strength…”

“What a pain” you grumble looking at the flames crackling, already going to grab a fire extinguisher.

“You’re only one outside Honeypie over there to know about my avengance. And I know for fact that they didn’t spill” he pulls the sword out from his chest to stab it into the ground, then pointing a gun at the woman “it looks like I’m getting closer.”

There’s a beat of silence in which the woman sizes him up and then gets up. “It seems that way. But I’m not your enemy. My name is Trish” you’re calling bullshit on that “I came to seek for your help… to put an end to the underworld.”

“What?” Wow, you and Dante were in sync

She takes of the sunglasses, turning to the two of you dramatically. A familiar face you’d never seen truly in person stares back, that of Dante’s deceased mother Eva. Her photo on the ground reflects the flames yet to be put out in an ironic twist of fate.

Dante has never really gone out of his way to hide stuff from you before…well besides the dirty mags he would stuff into the bottom drawer of the desk you’d now once more have to replace again

He was usually honest with you

He made it a point to be honest with you on most subjects unless it was too personal

But even then after around 11 years of working with him there wasn’t much that you didn’t know by now

You knew how he preferred the sweet scents of strawberries for his laundry down to the flavour of cake he and Vergil had on their birthday

Most of which he told you because he trusted you

Yet now your left in the dark as the white haired hunter busied himself in preparation

Besides the aftermath of the incident 10 years ago you’d never seen him so shaken

as you swept away debris and ash it’s easy to see how he’s breaking a bit internally

The photo of Eva out of its broken frame held by his shaking hands

He looks damn near a panic attack and no matter how much you try to talk to him he won’t listen

You know how his mothers death has eaten at him

Seen it in how he looks to that photo

Pressing a kiss to his fingertips that he then pressed against the cold glass of the frame sometimes on days he was particularly down in the dumps

Sometimes you find him holding it close on what you assume to be her some sort of anniversary for her

Perhaps it’s her birthday or maybe her death day

Your not sure

But either way it resonates in him down to his very core

And now is no exception when seeing the doppelgänger that was Trish

He’s rattled and you can’t blame him

But you can get a bit annoyed when he doesn’t tell you anything

Doesn’t tell you where he’s going

Nor what exactly the blond woman had technically “hired” him for besides her whole “put an end to the underworld” thing

At least before he’s always told you what the mission was and where he’d be

But now he refuses staunchly

Shooting down all questions as he loaded up ebony and ivory

Avoided looking you in the eyes when you said you were worried for him

Could only hold you closely and tightly for a few minutes before he left

His hands gripping you as if he was afraid to let go

As if he was expecting that he wouldn’t possibly hold you again

“stay safe while I’m gone ok? Don’t know how I’d run this place without you Honeypie” escapes him as he seems to try to memorize your touch against his own.

All the while you want to say “and I don’t know how I’d live without your presence in my life” yet you hold back for his sake. In his eyes you can see how he wants to say more yet holds back for different reasons compared to you.

It kills you

Absolutely destroys you when he leaves with something he wants to say but shakes the thought away

Swallowing down whatever words he meant to speak aloud

Only for them to die in his throat before walking away

The doors remains shattered on the floor yet it feels as if he’d slammed them in your face

And your left to pick up the pieces of the office

All the while Lady was meant to arrive in a day or so

To “keep you company while I’m gone” but was likely a bluff by Dante for her to be your bodyguard

You weren’t adverse to her company by any means but it was annoying to you that it feels like he can’t trust you on your own

Because whatever had gotten to him left him afraid for you

So Terrified that he had to run off without telling you where he was off to

Not even caring to think of how if he’d never come back how much it would crush you that you wouldn’t at least be able to bury him

Though, if it’s as serious as he’s treating it then you’d probably be dead not long after

…even then though, you could have only a day left on earth and you’d spend it trying to give him a proper burial if you could

Sighing you pick up the dreaded broom and look at the destroyed DMC

The wood from both the desk and door scattered across the burnt flooring with skid marks. Chunks of metal from the motorcycle scattered around with a healthy share of bullet casings mixed in

This was gonna take awhile….

Starting with sweeping you drag the bristles across the floor

Already mentally adding up how many things could be fixed whilst how many needed to be replaced

All before you find something

A small piece of Paper?

Pausing in your actions you knelt down to pick it up

Unfolding the small note so see something written on it

“Mallet island?” You mumble it aloud looking at the fancy cursive that definitely wasn’t Dante’s along with the fact that a lipstick mark of crimson red stained the fibres. Seems like Trish had left you a clue.

This was a shit idea

So plainly stupid that you’d be idiotic to go

But maybe Dante’s antics had been slowly making you more and more dumb over the years

All the stupid jokes and pranks finally catching up and decreasing your brains cells by the minute

Or maybe you cant stand the thought of him bleeding out reaching for someone

Anyone

But dying alone in some forgotten place never to be found

Yet mourned by you and the few others he let close into his tender heart

it’s perhaps selfish but you don’t want him to think he’s in this by himself anymore

The look in his eyes before he left spoke volumes

He thought he might not come back from this

Thought he’d potentially never get to see you again

You’d felt it in his touch

In his eyes as they attempted to burn your face into his memory as if to remember while he laid dead and alone

He looked like that boy you’d met at dmc all those years ago

Hiding the hurt with jokes

Storing the loneliness away with smiles

Resolute in believing that he had no one left in this world

But that wasn’t true anymore

He had Lady

He had Morrison

He had you

And you couldn’t let him do this on his own

It’s selfish and it’s stupid and You’d be practically signing your own death certificate

But for Dante you’d do it in a heartbeat, same for Lady as well

Because both have done so much for you

Dante especially

He made you feel alive

Wanted

Cared for and appreciated

So even if he didn’t want you to go

Begged you not to, you wouldn’t let him face this alone

Not when he’d be facing something that had him scared down to the very depths of his heart

Gripping the small note that Trish left, you set off whilst silently asking for both Dante and Lady to forgive you

And also mentally thanking them for teaching you how to defend yourself

Getting to mallet island is no easy task

It’s in the middle of buttfuck nowhere in the ocean

Which was saying allot because most places in the ocean were the middle of nowhere as well

So this particular place was a pain in the ass to get to

But thankfully Trish had seemed to predict this since after apparently dropping off Dante she came to pick you up while you were in the middle of bartering with a fisherman to drop you off at the island for a cut of your pay

Safe to say your paycheck was thankfully not cut in two and the fisherman gave her a particularly nasty death glare

Not that she cared though

She just guided you to an old plane in a small hanger

Admittedly following a woman who you knew had lightning powers and had previously fried Dante like one of those mosquito electric tennis rackets was perhaps another stupid idea

But at this point you were allowed to make all the bad decisions you wanted because you’d never experienced making them in collage

Sitting in the small aircraft you can’t help but look at Trish

Because sure, she looks like Eva but you don’t know Eva

Not truly anyways

So to you she’s someone who’s face you’d seen

Heard about in stories

But had no personal connection to in the way Dante had besides knowing that she was important to Dante

But because of that you could separate her from the woman in front of you

This wasn’t Eva, you and Dante both knew that but even still Dante couldn’t let go of the visage of his mom overtop of the stranger in front of him

You knew that well when before he left he kept staring at the photo of his mom

Nearing a panic attack as you did your best to help him through it

Acting as his anchor in the moment

The rock he could lean on just as he’d been for you on hard days

You couldn’t possibly know a fraction of what he felt

But you could at least attempt to help him through it

Which was why you began talking to the blond

Trying to get whatever answer you could out of her through small talk

She’s guarded

Mysterious to a near maddening degree

But there’s something to Trish that’s equally telling as her obscurity

She’s not human, or at least not fully human

That evident with her wielding of electricity and the visage of a dead woman down to the smallest details

But what’s more telling his her mannerisms

Trish doesn’t act human

When she blinks it’s after too long intervals

Sometimes her pupils dilate to slits when she thinks you aren’t looking

Nails a bit too pointed for acrylics

But what’s most telling his how she interacts with you

It’s awkward but not in the way of an awkward conversation

Moreso like she wasn’t sure how to act with you because your human or some extra additive in an equation

She could pull on Dante’s strings because of her resemblance but she didn’t have that advantage with you

Thus leaving you at a slight advantage when it came to her

Your not blinded by the past

So you ask her about things

“How did you track down Dante?”

“Word of mouth and some connections”

Though a decent answer at first it doesn’t give you much to work with and it’s too unspecific which makes it all too suspicious

Neither you nor Dante have heard of her before

Sure, she could be new to the mercenary/hunter scene

But even then word spread fast amongst the area because of how it was a niche job

And something especially would have spread with someone like her joining it

That’s not even accounting for the fact that if she’d been asking around most others would’ve alerted Dante

The select cluster of hunters in a certain area you learnt looked out for one another even if they competed for jobs

It was a weird honour code thing

Dante knew about it as did Lady

In fact it was Dante who helped her establish herself once she joined the scene officially as well

This honour code somehow also extended to you since through the grapevine Dante was able to warn you of a PI your parents tried to hire to find you

Something a sort of colleague/connection gave the heads up to weeks in advance

Safe to say that PI was scared off via both Dante and lady’s combined efforts

And if a rando was asking around it would’ve raised eyebrows and you would’ve gotten a call before she even entered the shop

So while that answer is good at first glance you know better to look behind the curtain which raises more questions

“What dragged you into this?”

“Personal reasons, same as you in a sense. Unlike you though I have to do this”

Was she implying she was doing this for someone else?

It’s hard to tell with how her expression doesn’t break but stays impassively neutral

Though her fingers tap on the yoke of the plane

Nervous?

No maybe not, but maybe something else like guilt?

She’s implying that you could back out

That you didn’t have to be here unlike her

But something or someone is making her do this

Maybe whether she wants to or not

Was she also trying to subtly warn you? Tell you to turn back when you could?

It makes you raise an eyebrow and mentally store that for later

Hopefully once she probably betrays you she’d tell you her reason

And you’d be able to tell Dante

But with that question after question comes and goes

“How old are you?”

“Aren’t you not supposed to ask a woman her age”

“What do you do for work?”

“Hunting”

“The specific kind?”

“What else would I be going to Dante for?”

“How’d you know about Dante’s family?”

“Connections and some digging”

“Did you also dig up stuff on me?”

“Some….though that was moreso due to your association with Dante, otherwise I would’ve left you alone”

“Well that’s reassuring”

“If it’s any consolation, I just know your work history and that you didn’t finish schooling”

The back and forth is exhausting in how vague and cryptic she is

She’s definitely practiced these answers and how to evade or dodge answering things

Give a response that would typically satisfy others into not realizing they’d never gotten a resolution to the question

But after years of Dante you’d become a pro at recognizing that

Especially when the bastard tried to skirt around admitting he didn’t fill out a report

Or when he tried to not tell you that the raccoons in the back somehow got into his gun stash and that the very clear sounds of gunshots in the back were instead nothing to worry about

She’s slick but but slick enough

Though on the subject of her being slick you can’t help but look at her outfit

Dante would probably kill you for saying this but you had to admit that she looked pretty god damn good

The leather was sleek and had an air of confidence that she exuded

Not to mention it was stylish as all hell

A stark contrast to the white button up and jeans you’d wore

Maybe it was lady’s fashion magazines and constant hounding for you to step out of your comfort zone with fashion but you can’t help but ask

“So uh…maybe a weird question but” you pause for a minute looking at her through a reflection “where’d you get the leather? I’ve been looking for a place that sold good quality stuff since forever now and-“

Ok maybe retrospect that was a bit out of nowhere considering the situation and all the other questions before hand but you had to admit the leather was a good fucking look

Not only was it durable but it was just cool as hell

And maybe a nice leather piece added to your ensemble like a fitted leather vest would be nice-

Shit, maybe Dante had been rubbing off on you more than you thought

His collection of red leather you’d have to wash on a near constant basis

And his new look of red leather coat over red leather vest combo

Damn him for looking good in the fashion department when he’s on job

At dmc despite having a great closet he opted for

somehow this is the question cracks at her Stoney answers

Getting a genuine laugh coming from her painted lips

Cherry red glistening from dying sunlight as she began the process to land

Something you hadn’t noticed over admiring her clothes

“From a place I forgot the name of” she replies before adding after a moment “but I’ll tell you if I remember its name”

The plane lands skidding against a half hazardly cleared runway near the edge of the island

From above and in person mallet island radiated loneliness

Something you come to feel from both yourself and Trish once she lands

The smile of your previous comments fading as she hardened once more

Seemingly remembering what her object was, whatever it is

She opens the door to your side of the plane, offering you a hand to get down from the small drop

Her touch feels electric

Like the feeling of static electricity before it shocked you

Yet it doesn’t

Just a lingering feeling of a threat

She explains that she’ll meet you later on the island

Had to ensure the plane ended up somewhere it wouldn’t be tampered with

A convenient excuse yet something you don’t dare question aloud

You just nod as she twirls the keys around her pointer finger

She turns to go

But you feel as if you need to say one more thing

“Hey! Thank you for the lift! Maybe once this is all over you can take me to that store and we can go shopping together”

you can’t help but thank her

Perhaps it’s stupid, but their entire idea was the stupidest thing known to man

But you thank her because at least for now, she was helping you

Even if she had ulterior motives

Even if she’d backstab you later and kick your body in a ditch to rot

Even if she led you to walk into the lions den knowingly

At least for this small moment she was an ally and you felt the need to thank her for her help

Even if for a minute she was on your side

At that she paused

Going completely still as if processing your simple words

‘Thank you’ two words that can convey so much

Words your repeated so much in your childhood yet never revived from anyone but Mary and eventually Dante

They could mean so little and yet also convey the world

And you have a feeling that if for a moment just like her allyship that your words meant the latter

A simple thank you meant something to her

Makes her pause

Maybe even makes her feel a semblance of guilt as she looks over her shoulder at you and nods

“Sounds like a plan” the edges of her lips quiver and you’re unsure if it’s from keeping down a smile or guilt seeping into her.

The island looms before you as you look down at the pistol in your hand and briefcase of goodies in your other

Truthfully you just kinda grabbed any weapons you could alongside ammo and some medical supplies and threw it in there

That’s not even mentioning the stuff that was previously in the case that was quickly overlooked and you shoved shit in and closed it in a hurry

Only gods of organization knew how you were able to cram so much In a 8 by 12 square grid system but you’d done it

Whats perhaps even more miraculous was the fact that you could even carry the military grade briefcase

Maybe it was magic?

All you know is that lady gave it to you “in case you need it one day” with a wink and pat on your shoulder

She then left it at that, not answering any of your questions of what prompted this as she shoved the case into your hands and walked off to do a mission or something

A sly look in her mismatched eyes and a kiss blown your way that Dante pretended to catch and shove into a blender

Which earned him a reminder of his increasing debt with that somehow tacted onto it

Knowing her there was probably some sort of canon in there that you overlooked as you packed in some handguns and a pair of swords that looked cool

You sigh, your grip on the case and the gun tightening as you began to make your way up to the mansion?

Your not exactly sure what else to call it besides maybe a castle villa

Immaculate stone walls curling up into the sky as you walked pathways carved into the islands side

Stone on the left whilst a steep fall into the ocean on the right

A safety hazard in every meaning of the word not even mentioning the living safety hazard that was Dante ripping and tearing through this place already

You will admit though, this place was beautiful

A solemn sort of beautiful with its gothic peaks and intricate stone masonry

Yet the place screams and cries of an unspoken tragedy

Whether it happened or was yet to come was undetermined until you began the trek to walk its halls

To selfishly help your begrudgen friend and idiot of a boss

Your not the best at fighting still, just barely started being able to hit the bullseye of targets set up

But this wasn’t something you’d let him do alone

Not when the ghost of his mother haunted him in a form of blood and flesh

So shaking away your worries you enter the castle

But not before also shaking away the distinct feeling of being watched

A pair of Golden Eyes peering into the back of your head and disappearing just as your turned to look over your shoulders

Lingering for just a moment longer staring out trying to search

Before making your way to your mission

Entering the eeriest place known to man the entrance? Which was a crack in the wall closed behind you

Sealing you off from walking out of this nightmare and waiting outside

Something that your mind screamed at your dumb tender bleeding heart

But what’s done has been done

The door to safety has closed

This leaving you to voluntarily walk towards the nightmare

And boy was this place creepy as fuck

Walls of stone surround you as you walked around this decrepit place

A crumbled stairway lit by dull candlelight

Distant echoing of footsteps and the occasional ticking of a grandfather clock

Greek pillars tower over you in an imposing manner as a statue of a man atop a horse rides into a mock battle in front of carpeted stairs

The fact you swear you feel eyes follow you yet again

Everything here makes your grip tighter than before

Fingers clamping up so damn hard it hurt

But perhaps tighter than your grasp is your resolve

So you press onwards

Heading onwards through an unlocked blue door

It seems you found where Trish seemingly took the plane? It was hung up

But that didn’t make any-

You know what your worry about that later

What you needed to worry about were the weird ass puppet corpses scattered in the ground

A clear sign Dante or something else had already been through here

And what you should expect to potentially fight

The puppets themselves are half hazardly stitched together

With crude weapons in their wooden hands

Strings cut leaving the marionettes dead on the ground in their colourful Italian garbs

Despite them being on the ground already defeated you don’t risk it

Instead giving each a shot to the head as an extra measure

Some twitch and flail but then fall stiff like their wooden limbs

And you enter through a twin spur of red doors

Finding a long hallway and a room you quickly enter with yet another red door

Maybe specifics the door colour was unneeded but helping catalogue it could be beneficial later on

Especially since your already starting to think this place was a maze

There you find a small library’s worth of books scattered across tables with scrolls tucked away in boxes

And then a statue on a pedestal

The watcher of time

Distantly in the temen-ni-Gru you remember walking past a few of these

It was seemingly something connected to the demon world

Vergil mentioned Something about lesser demons offering the blood of their own kind to be blessed with the lioness woman’s grace

She stares impassively at you through band carved marble

The hours glass atop her back making her strain and yet she offers grace

A kindness in feline eyes

Though you don’t have much to give her you decide to make a small cut on your finger for her

Letting a few droplets of blood drip down onto her mantle as an offering

Even if your not Dante who can benefit from this you’d at least like to think you’ll get some luck from this

You’d need it

You hate this place

It’s claustrophobic and cold

Hallways twisting like snakes within a labyrinth

Filled to the brim with various variations of demons

And now almost more than anything you hate puppets (you still hate Arkham’s jester ass more but soon it might be second place)

Your been following Dante’s trail of destruction through the various hallways and a courtyard

Not to mention climbing up a tower

All the while more puppet parts trailed ahead of you

You knew Dante was skilled and quick but damn did he make it through this place in a record time

It was impressive even fro him

Especially considering his tendencies to fool around and show off in combat

Instead of going for quick and easy kills as you had he metaphorically played with his food

Making showy finishers and changing between weapons and fighting styles

Making combos in quick succession

Here though it’s clean cuts

Methodical with how their sliced in half or how the head is cut off

You guess it does make sense that maybe he was particularly upset

This was about revenge or something

With a sigh you slip into yet another room

A pair of wooden doors open to reveal a bedroom you basically deflate at the sight of

Your sure as hell you’d hadn’t aged the worst of the worst that this villa had to offer but those puppets sure as hell drained you

Because sure, Dante and Lady trained you

But that still didn’t mean you were necessarily a pro nor enjoyed this

You just cared too much about Dante to go against your own discomfort to do this

Blood drips down and stains the once pristine white of your button up

Dirt and gunpowder mixed in as well

The room itself is pretty nice

A big canopy bed likely covered in dust

A statue of a woman that looks like it needed to have something implied in the chest to release a glowing gem

An ominous mirror that has the reflection of some weird demon knight in it

A desk of old tomes-

Wait what was that part with the mirror

You whip your head back to the mirror just in time to see a figure walk its way out the reflection

Imposing was one way to describe it? Him? Her?

Well whatever the demon knight was exactly

curled horns pointed downward

Well used looking armour

An ominous purple glow

And most wields though the eyes

Golden glowing eyes that bore into you to a degree you didn’t know possible

As if the demon was trying to stare directly into your very soul for whatever reason

Shit bullets definitely aren’t going to work on it, not with that armour

And you definitely don’t have time to rummage through your briefcase hoping for something to get the upper hand

Not with the giant ass sword on its back dripping demon blood…

A realization hits you

Perhaps along the way the trail of bodies was at some point was Dante’s

But it seems at some point this knight was the one making the bread crumb trail knowing you’d follow

Purposefully leading you to here

A trap

You knew walking into this place was a trap in the first place

Like walking into the labyrinth as Theseus did

But you hadn’t expected something quite like this

Intentionally leading you to here

To this dusty ass bedroom

Wait, why’d he’d lead you to a god damn bedroom of all places to ambush you?

Was it the dramatic mirror entrance? If so literally popping out of nowhere would’ve been just as creepy

This is so weird even beyond the whole demon shit happening that it’s kinda ridiculous-

Your snapped from your racing thoughts as the knight outstretched a hand towards you

Gloved yet with pointed claws

Despite aiming at it there’s no reaction

Not like it had much to worry about anyways when you’d bullets probably would do nothing but still

You had to do something

Protect yourself at least a little before you died

So you’d at least say you died trying to

Or died in battle to end up in Valhalla or something

“Hey stop!” The knight doesn’t heed your words, its gloved claw still getting closer “I’ll shoot asshole!”. It’s a bluff, you can’t not when for some reason your body freezes in some sort of doe response. Never thought you’d become one of the horror move protagonist with the survival instincts of an apple you’d used to complain with Dante about, but here you were.

Its gaze is piercing, making your body feel as if it’s frozen under the weight of its power and its weird motivation to stare at you. Its face, or what you had initially assumed to be its face doesn’t move even as you begin to hear it speak in a quiet and strained voice that broke at every word uttered “hold…infinity…palm…han-“.

Whatever it strained to say is interrupted when the door opens revealing the familiar red of a certain demon hunter. Blue eyes widening when seeing you and then the approaching hand of the demon knight. He doesn’t think, Dante just moves to action whipping out ebony and ivory. “Hands off pal” his tone lacks the usual joking edge and it’s instead sharp and cold, he pulls the triggers shooting at the gauntlet making its movement stop inches from you. The face you now realized to potentially be a mask whipping around to the intruder with a huff only you can hear it exude. “This stinkin hole was the last place I’d thought I’d find anyone with guts, especially someone with the guts to try and harm my assistant” though less cold than what he’d said earlier there’s still a tense anger to his words, a bitting edge to his mocking.

The knight doesn’t respond to him or attempt to talk as he did for you, instead keeping its gaze on you a moment longer before snapping its fingers and making the balcony doors open. It pauses and then motions for Dante and you to follow before jumping down into the courtyard below, the doors closing behind it.

Immediately afterwards Dante turns to you and you tense up perhaps even moreso than with the knight.

You were so screwed.

Even if you survived Dante, Lady was sooooo gonna kill you

[wandasaura]

GODDAMN BLAZE IN THE DARK

summary — when the ultimate arises of being allowed to orgasm or being allowed to relieve your bladder, the only thing you can do is hope to god that you can be the good girl she expects you to be

warning(s) — established relationship, dom/sub dynamics, alcohol consumption, piss kink, holding/control kink, fingering, teasing, begging, orgasm delay, degradation, praise kink, eventual orgasm, condescending tones/elements, domestic banter, men/minors dni

kinktober

The weather was finally beginning to turn as October earned its keep in the festive beach town you resided within the borders of, no longer blisteringly hot, but rather soft and quaint as a breeze ruffled leaves and blew discarded litter down the streets of Westview. The aesthetic of the world had begun to shift with the incoming breeze of cool air as well, replacing vibrant pinks and muted blues with burnt orange shades and deep charcoal hues. Wanda herself had fallen into the fall frenzy, adding decorative pillows to the couch and styrofoam pumpkins to the mantle despite her mentality that decorating for single day holidays was pointless and a waste of hard earned money. You knew she adored the whimsical magic of Halloween, even if she rolled her eyes each time you suggested watching a film inspired by the spookiest month of the year. That’s just how she was. Pointedly difficult merely to get a rise out of you, and it worked each time you begged to watch Hocus Pocus only to receive an eye roll and an exaggerated huff of faux exasperation. She always caved, always cuddled up on the couch or in bed, but it was never easy to get her there, nor was it easy to keep her interest as her hands began to wander down your tantalizing body and mark its claim on your most sensitive areas. 

Tonight, as you cuddled up close, beneath a thin throw blanket printed with jack-o-lanterns and the silhouettes of cartoon bats, it had been painfully easy. She hadn’t protested when you suggested a movie night, hadn’t rolled her eyes when you turned on a film from your childhood that was admittedly horrible at best and downright insulting at worst, and she hadn’t even huffed in overdramatic defeat when you’d turned the subtitles on because that made any viewing experience ten times better. In fact, she’d been nothing but pleasant and willing. She’d collected your drinks from the kitchen, gathered your chosen snacks from the pantry, and lit a candle on the coffee table that had the entire house smelling like sweet notes of subtle maple and addictive vanilla. 

Cautiously, you peaked over your shoulder at her side profile illuminated by flickering auburn light from the three wick candle providing a gentle ambience of mood lighting around you, the dancing flame with the slightest twinges of blue and yellow embedded within its fiery existence reflected off of her emerald stare so peacefully that you nearly accepted the gentle nature of the night ahead of you without question, but you knew better. You’d been with Wanda for years, seen her through some of the most trying and difficult periods of her life, and subsequently some of the best and softest. You knew that whenever something was easy with her, then there was something else up her sleeve just waiting to be pulled. She kept things interesting, always had and always would, but you’d become rather perceptive to her motives after such a long game of cat and mouse. 

She had you pinned against her chest as you lounged on the couch she’d affectionately decorated with throw blankets and decorative pillows, one arm looped around your waist while the other held onto her glass of chilled white wine, the stem carefully weaved between her fingers in intricate delicacy that you hadn’t quite mastered no matter the years you spent attempting to copy her mannerisms. She dripped with class and exquisite wealth, despite being brought up in a country suffering with poverty. There was an intoxicating energy to her, one that compelled even her most passionate haters to surrender to her spell and seek to know her personally. You’d never quite gotten over that alluring charm about her, but she’d made it painfully obvious that you were the only one she wanted to bring home and into bed each time you left the house, so you didn’t dwell much on the simple fact that Wanda Maximoff could have any man or woman she desired without so much as lifting a finger to flirtatiously wave. 

As you reached for your glass of wine that had been thoughtlessly left abandoned on the coffee table besides the slowly burning candle, her arm pressed against your bladder just enough to make an uncomfortable feeling travel through your nerves. Willing to ignore it for a while longer, not wanting to leave her soothing company or risk your film being turning off due to her unrelenting boredom, you stayed against her chest, now gripping your own glass with delicacy, although you didn’t quite have the placement of your fingers right enough to have replicated her eloquence. You’d thought that Wanda was unaware of your subtle wince, however, she’d so easily detected the shift in your body language and the way you maneuvered within her hold to alleviate some of the pressure she was intentionally pressing into your bladder. 

When her hand fell to your thigh, her wine glass set to the side as she had only a couple of sips left and didn’t particularly enjoy being drunk without your lighthearted energy to match her pace, you shivered with anticipation, knowing all too well where her soft touch would lead if you played your cards right. Well, you had thought you knew all the moves she was going to make, but when she dug her fingertips into the crevice of your thigh without warning or prior teasing, tickling the sensitive skin that she knew was a no-go zone on your best day, let alone your worst, you truly began to realize what you were in for. A soft whine slipped off of your lips as you wriggled against her, but all she did was tighten her hold on you and coax your whines with sweet kisses against the shell of your ear, her fingers still teasing and tickling your sensitive skin with passion. 

“Wanda.” You gasped when one hand splayed firmly against your sensitive belly, and the other moved beneath your soft gingham print sleep shorts to cup your core beneath the frilly underwear you’d picked out that morning. Your attire was nothing special, nothing sexy nor new, but that’s what Wanda preferred. There were times when lingerie worked, where it brought a level of excitement and newness to your already exhilarating sexcapades, but Wanda was sweet, she preferred you as you were, with no reason to constantly be trying to change your comfortability and appearance. Her boldness had always been a turn on, and as you sat trapped between her chest and her possessive arms, you felt merely like a toy at her disposal. 

“What’s wrong, my angel?” She cooed against your earlobe, teeth taking claim over that sensitive inch of skin that always provoked your desire to rise to uncontrollable levels. She knows what’s wrong though, it’s not the first time you’ve walked into this trap, but it’s been months since she’s laid it out, months since she’s been so cruel and condescending that you don’t know whether to plead for leniency or for her fingers to claim the sweetest softest spaces of your intimacy. “Hm, be a good girl and tell me.”

“I have to pee.” The words burned your pride as they slipped into the air, your cheeks twinging a flush shade of pink more aligned for the pallet of summertime than fresh autumn. You wriggled in her grasp, attempting to set yourself free, but all you accomplished was adding more pressure against your already sensitive bladder, intensifying the sensation of urgency within your nerves. “Wands, I have to pee.” 

Your desperation did nothing to quell her cruelty, rather it feebly landed in the near silent room apart from the voices slipping out of the speakers in the ceiling. “Well that’s too bad, sweetheart. I like having you here. Surely you can wait a little while longer, can’t you? I’m not ready to let you go just yet.” 

Her fingers slid through your folds, collecting warm, sticky arousal that pooled at your entrance. You whimpered in need, desperate need that turned your nerves cold with pleasure but warmed your skin deliciously to the touch. You writhed in her lap, torn between staying still, ignoring the pressure being applied to your belly, and squirming against her hold until you could sink onto those tantalizing digits and claim your pleasure. You didn’t have the luxury of choosing, she was already deciding your fate before you could strategize a game plan to secure dominance. You never won when you attempted to overpower her, but it was fun to have those unrefined moments of vicious pleasure while they lasted. 

You gasped a broken whine of pleasure when her fingers dug themselves into your core with one finite movement, buried to the hilt if the chill of her rings laying heavily against your pulsating clit pebbled with anticipation was any indication. The pads of her fingers pressed against the softest section of your walls, sparkling sharp sparks of pleasure to shoot up your spine and reverberate off the lining of your sensitive bladder. You gasped again, a breathy, whiney sound that was entirely pathetic but lewdly sweet, as Wanda prodded and pressed against that spongy spot continuously, her fingers curling and scissoring apart within your slick velvety walls. 

You writhed in intense pleasure, squirming against her tight, near clinical hold as she kept you confined and at her mercy, only able to take whatever she gave you when she felt like it. The sensations sparking to life in your bladder and core were unimaginable fireworks of pleasure that drowned you in their intensity, covering you in pleasure derived from her; her touch, her words, her eloquently dominant energy. She covered you in her effortlessly, and you surrendered to the flames of passion without hesitation. 

“I can’t hold it! I can’t hold it! Wanda! I have to pee! Please let me cum!” As torn as your body was between remaining still and writhing in passionate movements, your mind was an even playing field of indecision. You had to pee, that was undeniable, it was steadily beneath the surface of pleasure, tethered to your orgasm in a terrifying way, but you need to cum, as her fingers scissors your pussy apart, massaged that spongy area within your walls, as her rings nudged and thumped against your clit, you were being driven closer and closer to that beautiful edge of vulnerability and pleasure. 

“One or the other.” Wanda’s voice was level, calculated. She wasn’t bothered by your desperation, nor was she feeling generous. Your bones grew cold with anticipation as you shook your head, but it did nothing to win you sympathy. Her fingers that had already been hammering into you at an unforgiving pace took an even harsher approach, and the squelching sounds of pleasure and arousal filled the room and joined the existing symphony of a crackling flame and animated characters. “You can either cum on my fingers like a good girl, or you can go pee and not receive anything. And, I know this slutty cunt never misses an opportunity to cum, so stop acting like you can’t handle what I decide to do to your body, and sit still.” 

Your body couldn’t help but oblige by her demand, and with muffled whimpers, your body stopped fighting against her hold. She laughed tauntingly, pressing harder against your bladder. You knew the moment you leaked even the slightest bit against her fingers, her touch would be withdrawn, whether you were in the middle of a blissful orgasm or just on the cusp of falling over the edge. She wouldn’t care. She wouldn’t show you even the slightest bit of moisture. She had made her ultimatum clear, there would be nothing that could change that. 

“I’m close! I’m close!” As your orgasm built, so did that pressure in your bladder that was slowly becoming unbearable. You could only will your body to allow you control, but before you could slip off the edge, fall into a sea of butterflies and pleasure, her fingers were slowing down, her palm pressing harder against your bladder in return for the loss of pleasure. 

“Hold it.” She demanded cruelly, voice level and dominating, only luring you further beneath her captivating spell that had you submitting unregretfully. You did as best as you could, your eyes pinched shut as you fought to fight off your orgasm, but eventually it all caught up to you, and your mindless babbling became indistinguishable pleas and desperate begging. “So pretty when you squirm for me.” 

“I-I can’t! Please! Please! I need to cum! I need to pee! Let me cum! Please, Wanda! Please!” Finally forcing the words off of your tongue, you only hoped they were enough to convince her to be kind. Minutes passed until they became a blur of sensations that ripped you apart from the inside, and when you thought you were going to break, just as you were on the cusp of deteriorating, everything started up again and instead of being denied, instead of loitering on the edge of bliss, Wanda granted you permission. You came with a high pitched moan, squirming and writhing against her hold and the second she worked you down from that blissful edge, you were bolting toward the bathroom, followed by her footsteps and taunting laughter. “Three glasses of wine and you decide to pull this shit! Wanda, I am going to kill you one day!” 

“That’s how you repay someone who just gave you the best orgasm of your life?! You threaten them?!” Wanda laughed menacingly, leaning against the doorframe of the bathroom as she watched you attempt to relieve your bladder, although that was slightly difficult in your post-orgasm state, which only made your frustration double. 

“Second best! Nothing will beat last Christmas.” You threw her a nasty glare, finally able to pee as your muscles began to loosen and return to normal, although every nerve in your body was still alight with blissful pleasure. 

“You’re only making me want to compete with myself here, darling.” She smirked, licking her fingers clean of your arousal in a tantalizing power move that had your cheeks flushing but your eyes rolling. 

“You’re impossible.”

[sorcerersandskillusers]

I want to talk about one of the most terrifying and interesting bsd characters who almost no fan remembers.

This character nearly tore down the ADA without ever getting involved herself, yet the entire fandom has ignored her because of her terrible anime adaptation.

Who am I talking about?

Nobuko Sasaki

If you haven't read Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, then you probably don't even know who this character is, in the anime she is watered down to the lovesick girlfriend of an actual villain, and you probably dismissed her immediately. But in the light novel, we get to see how dangerous and cunning she really is, to the point she nearly gets the better of Dazai and almost causes the ADA to be shut down. (Fukuzawa says he would have closed the agency if they hadn't caught her)

In terms of intelligence I'd put her on the same level as Mori, just slightly below the super human genius characters i.e. Dazai, Fyodor and Ranpo

The Azure Apostle

For those who don't remember, Sasaki was the Azure Apostle, a mysterious figure who challenged the agency with several horrifying cases, which would all lead to mass casualties if the agency failed to stop them. These were; uncovering an underground organ smuggling operation (which the agency failed to stop and which massively hurt their reputation) stopping a bombing of Yokohama port which could have killed hundreds of people, and preventing a commercial aeroplane from crashing into the city (this was not included in the anime)

Each of the people, who committed these crimes, had no Idea they were being manipulated and thought it was their own idea the whole time. There was no evidence that anyone else had been involved at all, and the agency had no way to connect her to any of the crimes. And she even makes the genius move of framing Dazai, the mysterious new member with suspicious knowledge of the underworld and a hidden past, as the true culprit.

In fact, she only made one mistake, challenging Dazai. If Dazai had been basically anyone else, they would have been cornered and arrested, but since Dazai's mind works on a level even master strategists can't imagine, he was able to turn the tables on her.

But even after Dazai sees through her plans, the ADA still has to act exactly the way she wants them too and stop the plane crash. Even when they know they're being manipulated, they still have to do exactly what she wanted.

Finally, after Dazai and Kunikida confront her and get her to admit to being behind all those crimes, even then they are powerless to stop her.

Even after being involved with so many massive crimes, Sasaki herself hadn't done anything illegal, so within the law the ADA is completely powerless to stop her.

They can't arrest her, and if they try then the agency will be put in even more danger as will many innocent lives. She has completely trapped the ADA, and even Dazai in a choice to follow the law and let her go or take justice into their own hands and prove they will stoop as low as she did.

In the end, there she has them in a perfect deadlock, let her continue her mission, or kill her themselves. Both are bad outcomes for the ADA.

In the end, Dazai has her killed by using a third party (Rokuzo) to shoot her, so the agency can't be blamed for her murder, though this ends her plans it deeply scars Kunikida and shakes his resolve in his ideals.

The trauma from this event still haunts Kunikida to this day, we see that when he is affected by Q's curse, Sasaki is who he sees.

So thats the Azure Apostle, a terrifying master mind who nearly brought down the Armed Detective Agency, but now lets look at the other side of this character.

Nobuko Sasaki Herself

We know several things about Sasaki as a character and her history from the light novel. That she was a brilliant criminal psychologist and was internationally recognised despite being so young

,that she was the ex-lover of the Azure King and the real mastermind behind his plans, and that she had very little motivation of her own.

That's not meant to be an insult to the character, she says herself that she never really had much direction in life, even with her incredible intelligence she never really had anything she wanted to achieve.

But the Azure King was the opposite, he had powerful drive and strong ideals, he wanted to punish criminals who couldn't be touched by the law and when he failed to change the law as a bureaucrat, she offered him an alternative.

A very important thing here is that neither of them were manipulating or forcing the other into this path, as far as we see they genuinely loved each other, each providing something the other couldn't, Sasaki her mind and the Azure King his drive.

When the Azure king died, Sasaki had no path of her own to follow, so she simply kept following his, even though she doesn't seem to have really cared about his cause.

All of this creates a very unique character, you can't say she was driven by revenge, because she wasn't really driven at all. It's more like she was running on momentum, she had chosen a path to follow and could not stop even though there was nothing pushing her down it any more.

She's a perfect antithesis of Kunikida and was the best possible villain a light novel about him could have had.

A man who brings his ideals into reality with his own hands against a woman who uses others to enforce ideals that were never hers to begin with.

Anyway, I made this because Sasaki is criminally underrated in this fandom, If you haven't read "Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam" I highly recommend it, I've only put a tiny fraction of the amazing story here.

[utilitycaster]

I think the fallacy that Downfall/Divergence lays bare is that again, Brennan is not simply a Capitalism And Power Bad guy (and indeed, it's fundamentally impossible to play D&D as Power Inherently Bad - it simply does not support that thesis and indeed actively works against it as a game system, regardless of how you feel about the nature of power in real life. It is also pretty much impossible to play as Violence and Murder Inherently Bad, and I think many analyses of actual play fail when people try to act like it could be played as such). The consistent message is that exploitation and failure to care for those less powerful, and a refusal to change, is the problem. And I think that Aeor and Marlath ultimately serve a similar purpose within these narratives.

The truth of the matter is that Aeor and Marlath are negatively affected by the greater powers within the context of the Calamity. While Aeor has consistently been described and portrayed as an isolationist, authoritarian, and warmongering city-state during the Age of Arcanum and early Calamity, presumably circumstances were more preferable to them during a time of terrestrial abundance, even if they were not themselves farming. Whether or not Aeor's response to the Calamity was justified is a matter of debate; but it is undeniable that they were genuinely scared of the gods. Similarly, Marlath was an opportunistic bureaucrat even before he sold others out (and was not rewarded), but he was still living under the tyranny of the Strife Emperor himself, serving as a cog in the machine because it was preferable to the alternative. Fear was the motivation for him as well, as it is for many who become part of an authoritarian regime.

The mageocracy of Aeor and Marlath's actions caused others concern; but both had opportunity to change for the better. Both failed. They may have again been acting from fear and trauma; but in doing so showed them as entities who would sell out the weakest in their community for their own benefit. Aeor focused not on medicine nor helping their fellow Exandrians, but on weaponry and persecution. Marlath's skills in inventory could have been a boon to a resource-limited community, but he chose exploitation. Selena could have kept her knowledge to herself and at least, in her last moments, tried to save her city if not her creation. She did not.

Within the context of the narrative, the destruction of Aeor and the cutting out of Marlath's tongue are not, in my opinion, joyful triumphs. I may cheer the latter - it is in many ways a victory, unlike Aeor which can only be framed as tragic, and also, crucially, it's pretend - but this is someone who was given multiple chances! Hell, maybe Fiedra didn't make the right choice - not that Marlath didn't need to be stopped (as much was said on Cooldown) but maybe there was, in this case, a nonviolent option. However, it's hard to condemn Fiedra either; she nearly died in the woods and was saved by this camp, and to see someone she stuck her neck out for and suffer with for over a week not just plan this exploitation, but assume she'd be in it on it, is a hard pill to swallow.

And so too in that way do Aeor and Marlath serve as turning points for the people who doomed them. The Prime Deities immediately decide to remove themselves from Exandria as soon as they can seal away the Betrayers again, taking no joy in what they've done. Fiedra tells Nez that she and her gang will be protectors, at risk to themselves, after a lifetime of being survivors at times at the expense of others. They change where others couldn't.

I think a lot of people like to assign D&D villains concepts and epithets, like Capitalism or Imperialism or Landlord or Religion, because it feels very good to destroy these things, and very bad to realize that to destroy them is to cut out the tongue of someone who may have escaped the same horrors as you and crossed the same wilderness. Most people do wish this change will come without "danger, fear, or risk on their part" and are dismayed to find there is not a bloodless option. The BBEG isn't just an avatar of capitalism: they are a person who keeps choosing it and won't listen to signs and speeches to change their ways. Similarly, the hero is not just the person who stops them; they are the person who realizes that they themselves are not without their own ways to change.

[thimbleandakiss]

How about a story about cowboy Sevika x y/n. Super soft one about Sevika finding the reader in their horse stables after a long day. >:3

Sorry this is kinda short, the motivation came and went so fast 😭

Pretty Little Lady

Cowgirl!Sevika x Rancher's Daughter!Reader

Summary: Sevika finds you in the stable, brushing your horse an hour before schedule.

Content: fluff, banter, could possibly be interpreted as a suggestive ending, possibly

Cross-posted on Ao3

Playlist used to write

Much to your parents’ frustration, you’ve always loved to spend time in the stables. 

The sweet smell of hay, the musk of horses, is strangely comforting. And that’s not even beginning on the beasts themselves. 

With large, kind, intelligent eyes, silky hides, and personalities more interesting than most members of high society, horses are by far your favorite thing about the ranch. 

Well, second favorite. 

While you’ve been preoccupied with brushing down your favorite painted mare, murmuring sweetly to her, Sevika, the head ranch hand, has been leaning against the entrance to the stables, just… watching you. Enjoying the sight of you in your pristine, pastel-colored dress, stockings, and straw hat tied beneath your chin with a delicate ribbon. 

“Well, now I’ve seen everythin’,” She drawls, pushing herself off the doorframe, boots crunching on the hay strewn about the floor. 

You whirl, breath catching in your chest, you hand gripped tight on the horse brush. After a moment, you clear your throat, smoothing out your skirts, trying to grasp at that air of superiority your mother seemed so skilled in. 

She tips her hat in greeting, but there’s a mocking gleam in her eyes, dark lips pulled into a smirk. The late afternoon sun cast her outline in an almost golden glow, making the sweat of the day on her skin gleam almost ethereally. 

“What’s daddy’s little girl doin’ in the stables all by her pretty little self?” She coos, coming within arm’s reach of you. 

“I am not ‘daddy’s little girl’,” You retort, crossing your arms in a very unladylike gesture. 

You look at each other for a heartbeat longer before breaking out into wide grins, and she barely opens her arms to you before you’re in them. 

“That’s right,” Sevika hums, lifting you up for a little spin, giving you a kiss on your forehead after setting you back on your feet, “‘Cause you’re mine, aren’t ya, doll?”

You smile up at her, eyes sparkling, and nod. 

“Whatcha doin’ here, anyway?” She asks, gently readjusting your hat. “Riding lessons aren’t for another hour.” 

“I know,” You sigh, taking a step back to admire her, “I just thought I’d get a head start, I suppose…”

You trail off, a little too lost in the sight of her. Sevika’s naturally darker complexion is tanned to a medium-dark brown from long days in the field, smudges of dirt on her hands and cheeks. Her leather hat sits low on her head, shielding her face from the glare of the sun, her short, silky brown hair tied back into a small ponytail at the base of her neck. 

Her clothes are… ragged, to put it kindly. The sleeves of her shirt are torn off to reveal the bulky muscles of her arms–not that you’re complaining–but with how much your father pays her, you’d think she’d be able to buy better clothes. 

You’d asked her about it, once, on one of your long trail rides. “Rich clothes, poor clothes, I’ll rip ‘em the same,” She’d said, “no point wastin’ my money on ‘em.”

Sevika gently flicks your nose with one of her large fingers, bringing you back to the present. 

“Starin’ pretty girl?” She teases, and you huff indignantly, ducking your head to hide your grin. 

“Well,” Sevika begins with a sigh, “Since we’re both here early, why don’t I saddle us up, and you can have an extra hour, hm?”

Your entire demeanor immediately brightens, biting your lip excitedly. That’s exactly what you’d been hoping for. You had a sneaking suspicion that Sevika knew that already. 

“Yes, please!” You exclaim, polite as ever. 

Sevika scoffs and shakes her head affectionately, moving over to the saddle stand, effortlessly lifting the hunk of leather off the stand and onto your mare. You watch her as subtly as you can manage, which isn’t much better than openly drooling at the way her muscles flex. 

“I know of a real nice spot by the river,” She grunts, leather groaning as she tightens the straps, “Covered in that soft, spongy kind of moss.” 

She turns to find you already leading her own roan mare forward with a hand on the horse’s strong neck. Sevika smirks appreciatively, haltering the animal and tying her next to yours. 

“If we ride at a reasonable pace, we can spend that whole extra hour there, how’s that sound?” Sevika suggests, eyes sparkling beneath the brim of her hat when she glances at you. 

You smile, lifting onto your toes to plant a kiss on her cheek. “That sounds lovely."

[uceyliyahh]

MIDNIGHT SIN

summary: her father sold her off, he didn’t care about her anymore he just wanted the money. Sold her off to bloodsucking vampires that can just kill her within seconds due to how sweet she smelt. Jimmy warned her to stay away, to mind her business while living with them giving her the cold shoulder, but she couldn’t help herself but not to stay away.

warnings contain: explicit sexual content, bloodplay, possessive, supernatural themes. (Reader discretion is advised), dark romance, sold off.

If you’re not into biting, obsession, and being absolutely devoured by a cold-hearted vampire…then you should go ahead n skip this.

word count: 6.6k

SO MDNI

Jimmy Uso x Soleia

AWFUL GRAMMAR IM GETTING BETTER I SWEAR LOL.

comments, likes, repost are appreciated I would love the constructive feedback in what area I need to approve in. 🤍

ALSO! I don’t not want nobody stealing my fanfics or take it as theirs that will be an issue fasho so keep it cute respectfully.

I only own my OC along with the make up scenarios

again mdni you have been warned.

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𝑂𝑛𝑒

𝑂𝑚𝑛𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡

She was in disbelief that her father could betray her in such a manner. Despite her desperate attempts to fend off him and his associates, it was futile; they possessed greater strength than she did—her screams echoed as she kicked her feet, pleading with him not to treat her as if she were merely a commodity to be sold at a market.

She found herself perplexed by his actions and the motives behind such behavior, yet it shattered her heart—the individual she had admired was betraying her trust for reasons unknown.

A needle had been inserted into her neck, introducing an unknown substance as her eyelids fluttered, fighting to remain open while she sensed someone lifting her towards the car, accompanied by the sound of their voices.

“You sure they aren’t going to eat her? These are vampires we are talking about Daniel.” The man said.

Daniel shook his head, “I’ve been knowing the Fatu’s for a while now, they aren’t gonna hurt her.” He said.

And that was the final sound she perceived before darkness enveloped her; the car door closed behind her as her father and his companion entered the vehicle, with him seated in the passenger's seat, both casting their gazes upon Soleia.

“You think she’ll forgive you?”

“She’ll be thanking me soon.”

—

Soleia awoke, feeling a dull ache in her neck as she gently massaged it with her hand. Rubbing her eyes to restore her vision, she surveyed her surroundings and realized she was not in her home, but in an unfamiliar place. The room was enveloped in a delightful aroma of coconut and honey, filling the entire bedroom.

She could perceive the enticing aroma of lunch being prepared, wafting into her bedroom, prompting her to reluctantly rise from the bed to uncover the source of the commotion. How long had she been in slumber? And what brought her to this place?

She gently opened the door, peering out to find the area devoid of anyone, yet the enticing aroma of food wafted from the kitchen. As she strolled down the hallway, she admired the mansion adorned with vibrant Samoan culture and colors. Suddenly, her gaze fell upon an individual standing before her, a warm smile gracing their face.

Soleia was taken aback by his presence, unable to identify the man who stood at an impressive 6'2", casting a shadow that made her feel diminutive in comparison.

“I see that you’re finally awake! I’m Joshua by the way.” Jey said as he introduced himself.

She shook his hand before speaking, “I’m S-soleia…” she said nervously while fiddling with her clothes which made him chuckle at her cuteness.

“You don’t have to be shy little mama, we are friendly fasho, c’mon you must be hungry.” She nodded her head as she followed him down the steps with his arm around her shoulders.

Upon doing so, she observed a multitude of individuals gathered in the kitchen or the living room, engrossed in either a captivating screen or a book. At that moment, all eyes shifted towards her, as if she were an exquisite feast.

Although it made her feel anxious and frightened, as she was unfamiliar with these individuals and believed they were equally unacquainted with her—that was when she noticed another gentleman approaching her, a smile gracing his lips.

“You must be Soleia, your father has told me so much about you hon.” Rikishi said.

How does he know her father?

“Welcome to the family, gon’ ahead and take a seat. We are just now finishing lunch for you.” Why were they being friendly to her? What was going on?

Jey graciously drew out a chair for her as she settled into it, eagerly anticipating her meal. The moment the aroma wafted through the air, she instantly recognized it as her beloved lunch dish, one that she and her father would lovingly prepare during her childhood.

How the fuck did they know all of this?

She perceived the stove's click as a petite woman set her meal directly before her, the aroma of the food striking her senses like a bolt of lightning. The short lady offered her a smile before gracefully exiting the kitchen.

Soleia elegantly secured her hair around her wrist as she gathered her naturally long locks into a refined bun. With a pair of chopsticks in hand, which rested beside her on the table, she commenced her meal. Although she sensed the eyes of those around her observing her as she enjoyed her lunch, she chose to disregard their presence, feigning that they were invisible.

It was her beloved Korean delicacy, prepared to perfection according to her preferences. As she began to slurp the noodles, a deep sigh escaped her lips, for her heart danced with delight, and her taste buds savored every exquisite flavor of the black bean noodles.

She elegantly took a napkin from beside her, delicately wiping her mouth before resuming her enjoyment of the black bean noodles. In her peripheral vision, she noticed a tall figure, standing at 6'3", with flowing hair and arms crossed over his chest, casually leaning against the wall as he observed her with keen interest.

Nearly indistinguishable from Jey, presuming they were twins without a single inquiry, she observed a girl approaching him, a radiant smile gracing her lips as she bestowed a kiss upon him, expressing her affection, which in turn elicited a smile from him.

Soleia minded her business as she had seen Jey sitting next to her.

“How is it?” Jey asked.

She took a slight pause for a moment before wiping her mouth again, “it’s good really good, my favorite Korean meal and was that your mother? She cooked it so well.” Soleia replied with a smile on her face.

“Yeah, that’s our mama for ya. She’s really sweet, oh I can show you around the crib if you like.” Soleia nodded her head as her and Jey continued to talk with each other.

Soleia began to sense a growing comfort in their presence, yet she remained vigilant, uncertain of their genuine motives and the reasons behind their kindness towards her—this unnerved her, compelling her to maintain her defenses for the time being.

She was not particularly forthcoming with someone she had yet to meet. Thus, she felt compelled to shield herself until she could obtain some clarity. Jey was graciously guiding her through the residence, sharing tales of their history and the duration of their family's ownership of the house.

He guided her through the exquisite bedrooms, showcased the serene pool nestled in the backyard, and revealed the elegant balcony, along with various other splendid features of the residence. Notably, he highlighted the exclusive private gym located in the basement, thoughtfully available should she wish to engage in a workout.

“Will I still be able to go to work?” She asked.

“Yeah, of course. We will just be watching over you for safety reasons.” He said.

Safety reasons?

“Watch over me? Why?”

"Our only concern is your well-being, and I sincerely hope this doesn’t cause you any discomfort." Jey was striving to ensure she felt at ease while residing with them, unaware that her father had bartered her to a group of vampires due to his dire financial situation stemming from a gambling addiction that had depleted his resources, compelling him to take such drastic measures.

She shook her head, “if that’s ya’ll jobs then I’m not trippin’ Jey.” A little protection wouldn’t hurt right?

As they proceeded with the house tour, she noticed the same individual strolling past her and Jey. Their eyes met briefly, sending a shiver of fear through her before she averted her gaze, concentrating instead on Jey's conversation as they moved further away.

—

Following the tour, Soleia managed to retrieve her phone along with several garments that had been neatly packed within a suitcase, presuming that her father was responsible for this, as she had noticed text messages from Jaida, her closest companion.

Jaida🩵: GIRL WYA? Jaida🩵: ARE YOU OKAY? Jaida🩵: PLEASE TEXT ME BACK

Soleia began texting her best friend back.

Leia🌺: I’m okay Jaida 

Jaida🩵: thank god! I thought something happened to you

Leia🌺: I think something did bc I literally woke up in a random house filled with ppl ion even know 

Jaida🩵: what? Where's your father?

She didn’t know.

Leia🌺: idk the last thing I remember was getting stick in the neck with a needle and being put in the backseat after that everything went black

Jaida🩵: omggg wya?

Leia🌺: girl I don’t know honestly but I already met one of the guys and their pops. Lemme tell you girl…

She found herself contemplating him, the towering man standing at 6’3”, who gazed at her as she enjoyed her lunch, following their shared glance during the house tour that Jey was providing.

Jaida🩵: what? Is one of them fine asf?

Leia🌺: YES FINE AS HELL I TELL U

Jaida🩵: ouuu girl what does he looked like

Leia🌺: he’s like 6’3 tall asf and had these tribal tattoos over his arms with his long curly hair out

Jaida🩵: 6’3? Did you get a name or something?

Upon reflection, it appears he never truly introduced himself to her. It almost gives the impression that he was acting indifferent, as if he were giving her the cold shoulder, suggesting she had done something wrong, despite the fact that they had yet to meet.

Leia🌺: nah I didn’t but I got the other guys name, name is Joshua but his ppl call him Josh or Jey

Jaida🩵: Joshua? As in Joshua fatu?

Leia🌺: yeah? You know them?

Jaida🩵: yeah I do actually, just be careful Leia. They seem friendly and kind but one wrong move your done

That filled her with trepidation, for what Jaida had just conveyed—what could she possibly mean by that? Now, she must tread with utmost caution and vigilance in their presence, especially after having seen that text message from her.

Leia🌺: wym??

Jaida🩵: you’ll find out sooner or later couldn’t believe your father would do something like that to his own daughter 

Leia🌺: I’m so confused here Jaida

Jaida🩵: look bestie you’ll find out soon enough okay?

She chose not to persist in inquiring about the circumstances, opting instead to let it be, which left her mind in a state of confusion and feeling excluded from the unfolding events.

Leia🌺: aight…but I’m going to go workout I’ll text you later 

Jaida🩵: okay girl be safe and ily

Leia🌺: I love you too 

With that, Soleia made her way to her suitcase in search of her workout attire, her thoughts drifting curiously to the events that transpired during her blackout in the backseat.

And what could her closest companion possibly mean by expressing disbelief that her father had committed such an act against her? What exactly had he done? She craved answers, yet she would have to be patient for the time being. As she was in the process of changing her attire, a sudden knock on the door interrupted her, causing her to halt mid-change as she invited the visitor to enter.

It was Jey coming in to check up on her.

“Hey, I was just checking in on you.” Jey said.

“Oh, I was just going to head to the gym down in the basement if that was okay?” Soleia replied.

“You good little mama, I think my brother will be down there just to give you a heads up.” She assumed right that was his brother as she nodded her head

She prayed in her mind that when she goes down there that it wouldn’t be awkward with him and her down there working out, “So Soleia where you from originally?”

“I’m originally from Atlanta but my dad got custody over me so we moved down there to Louisiana.”

“So an ATL girl I’m assuming.”

She chucked at him, “something like that but ion really go out as much since I’m always at work and tired after a long shift.” He nodded his head in agreement, understanding that feeling especially with being a wrestler doing matches and gambling most of the time.

“Yeah I feel you on that.” He replied.

“You wrestle or something it looks like it.” She says.

“Yeah, I am actually surprised you know something about it.”

Soleia shrugged her shoulders, “I mean I just only heard rumors that yall like to gamble for money and stuff.”

“Well those rumors are definitely true but we don’t do it often, only ever once in blue moon.” 

“Gotta have something in your pockets.” She effortlessly transformed into her workout attire within the confines of the bathroom, skillfully securing her hair into a casual bun with a hair clip. Upon exiting the bathroom, she found Jey comfortably seated on her bed.

She elegantly seized her wireless headphones along with her Stanley cup brimming with chilled water, and her phone, ensuring she could seamlessly connect her wireless headphones to it.

“Damn you came prepared.” Jey joked.

“It’s nothing really, probably just going to run on the treadmill and do some simple stretches before dinner.” Soleia replied as she had seen Jey opening up the door for her like a gentleman.

Soleia was about to walk out until she heard Jey say something to her.

“By the way don’t worry about my brother, he’s nonchalant and cold so I wouldn’t pay him any mind.” She nodded her head as she walked towards the basement where the gym was at.

As she engaged in her activity, she noticed Jey's twin brother diligently exercising on the bench, performing his bench press, completely absorbed in his workout with his wireless headphones on, oblivious to her presence as she mirrored his actions.

She gracefully approached the treadmill, carefully positioning it within the cup holder, alongside her phone resting on the opposite side. As she adorned her head with wireless headphones, she gently nudged them aside to reach for her phone, eager to launch her Apple Music and indulge in the melodies from her curated playlist.

In the meantime, Jimmy had detected her fragrance from a considerable distance, even before she descended to this place. He paused his bench press routine, carefully placing the metal bar back on the rack, as he observed her every single movement.

He observed how her workout attire accentuated her curves exquisitely, with her derrière appearing delightfully rounded in her leggings, which left him feeling constrained in his shorts. Nevertheless, he succeeded in pushing those thoughts aside as he watched her stride towards the treadmill, immersed in her music.

He rose from the bench, delicately wiping the perspiration from his brow as he savored a sip of water before making his way to the dumbbells. He seized one of the weights and commenced his sets, alternating arms while observing her reflection in the mirror—it was as if he were attempting to decipher her thoughts, yet her mind remained inscrutable.

‘She’s pretty as fuck’ As he concentrated on his workouts, those were the thoughts occupying his mind. He found it impossible to avert his gaze from her figure, particularly the way her curves moved enticingly in those leggings while she gracefully ran on the treadmill.

Until he heard his brother mind-linking with him.

“Damn staring as much twin?”

He rolled his eyes, “I wasn’t staring at nun you just trippin’”

“Twin, I saw you stare at her and literally called her pretty dawg, don't try to manipulate me.”

At present, he and Trinity find themselves entangled in a situationship. The ongoing tension and disputes between them escalated to such an extent that it became physical, leading to a relationship that has now devolved into mere physical intimacy.

“What’chu think of her twin?”

“She cool I guess.”

He heard his brother smacking his lips, “stop acting so nonchalant, I think little mama is a  cool girl who stays to herself and goes to work.”

“You already gave her a nickname?”

He was taken aback that his brother bestowed a nickname upon her so quickly, especially since they had only just met today. What was it about Soleia that inspired such familiarity?

“Yeah, she cool as fuck though. You need to holla at her for real.”

Jimmy shakes his head, “nah, I’m good besides I got Trin.”

“That’s toxic ass shit? Don’t you get tired of that cycle with her?”

“Yeah, but if the pussy good I’m staying.”

Jimmy observed Soleia halting the treadmill to take a refreshing sip from her Stanley cup before removing her hoodie, which was part of her workout attire. As she did so, Jimmy found himself pausing for a moment, captivated by her figure. The way her skin shimmered in the soft glow of the gym light made him instinctively lick his lips.

“She’s got your attention uce.”

“Fuck, she sure do.”

She gracefully approached the area where he was seated, carefully placing her hoodie and Stanley cup on one of the benches, along with her phone. As their eyes met once more, she offered him a gentle smile, then glided past him, leaving him captivated by her enchanting fragrance, which stirred a wild desire within him, making him acutely aware of his arousal, yearning to break free from the confines of his shorts.

Soleia seized a pair of dumbbells, gracefully positioning herself as she lowered her body, then lifted her chest while executing her dumbbell squats—Jimmy observed her technique, noting its perfection, a sight he had never encountered before as she maintained her steady pace.

“You gon’ keep staring at her or say something twin.”

“Nah, I’m good Trin will kill me if I do.”

“Maneee fuck her, you got a pretty ass girl right there in front of you that could probably treat you better than Trin. Maybe even let you get a taste.”

He could detect her fragrance wafting tantalizingly close, his senses yearning for a taste of her blood at this very moment; however, he had to maintain his poise, not wishing to frighten the young lady.

“She does smell good though, but doesn’t she know that her father sold her to us?”

“I don’t think she did. She was black out when they had dropped her off and gave us the money before leaving.”

“Damn poor baby doesn’t even know, she’ll find out eventually.”

Jimmy couldn't help but admire her figure in those leggings, captivated by the way she moved up and down during her sets. It stirred something within him—provoking tantalizing thoughts about how perfectly he would fit inside her.

He could tell that she was flexible.

“Twin, keep your nasty ass thought to yo’ self dawg.”

“How about you stay out of my head aight?”

Once he observed that she had completed her set, she elegantly returned the dumbbells to the rack alongside the others. Sweat cascaded down her forehead, prompting her to wipe it away as she indulged in another sip of water.

Soleia elegantly secured her hoodie around her waist, clutching her phone and Stanley cup in one hand. As she gracefully passed by Jimmy once more, she remained oblivious to his presence, acutely aware of his gaze following her. With poise, she ascended the stairs to indulge in a refreshing shower.

Jimmy glanced at the time on his phone, noticing it was nearly dinner, prompting him to conclude his set before the meal.

“Could’ve said something to her.”

“She wasn’t even paying me no mind twin, but her smile is pretty too fucking pretty can’t be around that.”

“Yeah, because you’re a horny fuck that’s why.”

He shook his head at his brother's comment while finishing up his set.

—

Soleia found herself in her room, engrossed in a show on the screen, when she noticed her mouth was parched. She resolved to fill her Stanley cup with water—pausing the show as she made her way downstairs to the kitchen. However, before she could reach her destination, she was startled by the faint sounds of moans emanating from somewhere nearby.

She cautiously peeked her head around the corner, having spotted Jey's brother lounging on the couch downstairs, his hand engaged in a rather intimate act—her eyes widened in astonishment at the impressive size before her. Not wishing to disturb him, she silently descended the steps, making her way toward the kitchen.

Yet, he could already perceive her presence, even as she feigned ignorance of him, delicately lifting the lid of her Stanley cup to pour water within. The sound of a deep, primal moan slipping from his lips sent delightful shivers coursing down her spine.

“Fuck, I’m finna cum.” That’s all she heard from his voice.

She found herself in a delicate charade, acting as if he were not in the living room, his hand moving rhythmically over his member while she was in attendance. After caressing her cup, she switched off the water and replaced the lid on the cup.

She entered one of the cabinets to retrieve a snack prior to ascending the stairs to enjoy her show. She took hold of her snack while gently shutting the cabinet door, then turned to exit. In that moment, she inadvertently collided with him, prompting her to gaze up at him with her cherubic expression.

He looked so imitating it scared her causing her to look down at her feet.

“I didn’t mean to bump into you, I-I’ll pay attention next time.” She was very soft spoken but also shy and nervous.

That’s when he spoke, “look at me babydoll.” She looked deeply into his brown eyes as he reciprocated the gaze, finally able to behold the beautiful face he had longed to see since her father had sold her. And indeed, she appeared absolutely breathtaking in person.

His voice resonated with a deep richness akin to luxurious honey as he spoke to her. Wasn't it Jey who described him as indifferent and aloof? She nervously bit her lower lip, nearly succumbing to her emotions, which elicited a smirk from him, amused by her bashfulness.

“Be careful next time doll, aight?” She inclined her head, not wishing to obstruct his path, while reminding herself of his cold demeanor, which indicated he was utterly insufferable, and she simply had no time for such nonsense.

She inclined her head, not wishing to obstruct his path, while reminding herself of his cold demeanor, which indicated he was utterly insufferable, and she simply had no time for such nonsense.

“Jesus fucking Christ.” Soleia said to herself while walking over towards her bed while placing her Stanley cup on the mini dresser next to her.

She inclined her head, not wishing to obstruct his path, while reminding herself of his cold demeanor, which indicated he was utterly insufferable, and she simply had no time for such nonsense.

She grabbed her phone and immediately texted Jaida.

Leia🌺: bitch 

Jaida🩵: what happened are you okay?

Leia🌺: yes I’m fine but I just caught Jey’s brother jerking off in the living room 

Jaida🩵: WHAT??? WAS IT BIG?

She couldn’t help herself but admit that it was big and it was pretty, especially his mushroom tip.

Leia🌺: yesss it was big and pretty Jaida 

Jaida🩵: ouuuu girl remember what I told you about them be careful ion need you to get hurt

Leia🌺: I’ll be okay bestie besides I’m staying out the way and just going to work 

Jaida🩵: period is there mansion like big or?

Leia🌺: it’s hella huge honestly when Jey showed me around the place and they have a pool too

Jaida🩵: that’s the Fatu’s for you but still wouldn’t trust them until you get some information about what happened so keep your guard up.

Leia🌺: oh I will 

Jaida🩵: so is Jimmy mean or what?

Jimmy? That was his name? Interesting.

Leia🌺: that’s his name?

Jaida🩵: he didn’t tell you?

Leia🌺: no he’s been giving me the cold shoulder especially when he’s around some girl 

Jaida🩵: oh that’s Trinity, don’t  worry about her she’s very he and her are like in a situationship rn

Leia🌺: oh like the toxic ones I suppose, yeah most definitely staying away from him

Jaida🩵: yeah once she sees him with someone else that’s not her she’ll lose her shit completely 

Leia🌺: ohhhh she one of them yeah I’ll rather hang out with Jey than him don’t want no problems 

Jaida🩵: most definitely but you tryna head to the club tmr night?

Leia🌺: omggg yes I need to be out anyways.

Jaida🩵: kk be ready around nine thirty okay?

Leia🌺: aight bestie I’ll see you tmr

Jaida🩵: see you tmr 🫶🏽

With that, Soleia set her phone on the charger beside her in bed, gracefully opening her snacks while she continued to indulge in her show on the screen until slumber overtook her.

In the meantime, Jimmy found himself restless in bed, sighing deeply as thoughts of Soleia consumed him. Her grace and poise captivated him, making him realize that this was the connection he truly desired, rather than his relationship with Trin.

Especially the way she was all nervous and shy around him made him feel some type of way but she was just someone who’s father had sold her off to some vampires. She wasn’t that special right?

“You thinking about her aren’t you?” Here he goes.

“Can you not be in my thoughts right now?”

“Nah, because yo’ ass can’t sleep without thinking about Soleia dawg.”

Jimmy found himself in a state of denial regarding his thoughts of Soleia while he was with Trin; she was all he ever required until Soleia's unexpected arrival began to deeply unsettle his mind. It was as if he craved something novel and invigorating.

“She’s not that important, she’s just pretty face that’s all.”

“You saying that while beating your meat just an hour ago thinking about her twin c’mon I know you.”

“I’ma have to start shutting off my mind whenever your near.” However, his twin brother was not mistaken; he found himself indulging in self-pleasure merely at the thought of Soleia, despite having uttered not a single word to her. Yet, she had already ensnared him into actions he typically reserves only for Trin.

The mere thought of Soleia sent a surge of desire through him, and the proximity they shared when she accidentally collided with him was intoxicating—she resembled a delicate doe, both in her beauty and in the graceful way she navigated her surroundings without disturbing a soul.

He could sense his rigid member pressing uncomfortably against his shorts as he gazed at Trin, who was resting serenely on his chest, prompting him to mutter curses under his breath.

“Finna go handle that.”

“Shut the fuck up.”

“Aye don’t get mad at me because you thinking about little mama, twin she got you hooked without even doing anything.”

Jimmy gently shifted Trin away from him as he entered their bathroom, quietly closing the door behind him. He flicked on the lights and approached the mirror, noticing his impressive arousal evident through his shorts. He then made his way to the toilet, sitting down and lowering his shorts along with his black boxers, feeling the weight of his long nine-inch cock resting against his stomach.

A glistening pre-cum trickled from the tip as he moistened his hand and began to caress his cock with a deliberate slowness. Trin was far from his thoughts; his mind was solely occupied with visions of Soleia and the way she appeared during her workout today.

The manner in which her derrière swayed in those pink leggings while she was jogging on the treadmill today left him pondering the possibilities of what she could accomplish with such a captivating figure.

He envisions her arching her back against him, as he observes her form bouncing against his hips while he gently tugs at her hair, bringing her to the brink, their tongues entwined, captivated by the sight of her beautiful face, all sultry and pouting as he immerses himself in her warmth.

He was acutely aware of her undeniable arousal and the allure of her exquisite femininity—Jimmy felt an overwhelming desire to indulge in her depths as he watched her descend the stairs, feigning ignorance to his lascivious act.

“Mhm, fuck mama. you don’t know what you doing to me.” Jimmy moaned softly while stroking his cock.

He yearned to indulge her to the point of utter surrender, desiring to savor her essence, to leave his mark upon her with his incisive fangs, claiming her as his exclusive possession. Yet, he felt no compulsion to act on these desires, for he had Trin, did he not?

He desired to possess her completely, pushing her to the brink of tears and pleading for him to cease, all while he held her tightly—her cries echoing his name, urging him to continue their passionate encounter.

He imagined delving into every conceivable aspect with her—tenderly grasping her hair, kissing her fervently as if he had never done so sufficiently, particularly encouraging her to arch her back solely for his pleasure.

He dampened his lips and drew them inward as he rushed forward, his hand gliding quickly, causing his legs to quiver with frailty.

Jimmy hastened his steps, tilting his head back in sheer delight, his eyes rolling as he playfully nibbled on his lower lip.

“Fuckkk.” 

Jimmy experienced his legs buckle beneath him, his muscles tightening as his arousal surged, gripping himself more firmly, fully conscious that he was teetering on the edge of ecstasy.

He yearned for her company at this very moment, wishing to embellish her stunning visage with his tender essence, crafting a creation that was truly magnificent.

He sensed his muscles contracting and his thighs firming as he maintained a deliberate rhythm around his member, leading him into a whirlwind of sensations.

As he hastened his steps, he sensed a strengthening grip, his thumb gliding effortlessly over the tip. A soft moan slipped from his lips, uttering her name, as his body quivered.

His eyes flew open as a surge of tension seized his abdomen, indicating that he was mere moments from attaining his climax.

“Oh fuck, fuckk.” He murmured gently as he hastened his stride, sensing his muscles tighten while remaining still.

In the recesses of his thoughts, her voice resonated, calling him daddy, her soft-spoken words lingering in the air. "Are you going to cum for me, daddy?" he replied in a deep, husky tone, "Y-yes, mamas, I’m about to release, baby. Daddy is about to release for you." A low moan escaped his lips, accompanied by a deep growl.

He envisioned her presence, delicately caressing him while he observed her actions, her innocent gaze fixed upon him, accompanied by that familiar gentle whisper in his mind, "make a mess on my hands daddy, I wanna lick all up." In that instant, his body responded with intense waves of warmth coursing through him, plunging him into a euphoric state of bliss. "Damn, I’m about to cum, oh damn, I’m about to cum." A soft moan slipped from his lips as he descended from his peak. Jimmy's breaths became heavy, his heart racing as he felt the heat radiating from his body.

Jimmy had observed his hand enveloped in his warm, thick essence as he reached for the toilet paper beside him to cleanse his hands—he rose from the toilet, discarding the paper into the bowl as he activated the flush.

He meticulously washed his hands afterward, ensuring cleanliness, before extinguishing the lights in the bathroom. However, he felt compelled to check on Soleia, curious about her activities. As Jimmy opened his bedroom door, he noticed that Soleia's television was still aglow while he made his way toward her door.

Jimmy gently twisted the doorknob, peering into her room where he found her peacefully asleep, her gaze lost in the flickering screen, snacks carelessly left open beside her. He paused, contemplating whether to retreat, yet an inexplicable force compelled him to step inside as he moved silently into the room.

He observed her engrossed in her beloved series, Bridgerton, on Netflix, which elicited a soft chuckle from him. With a graceful motion, he seized the remote control and switched off the television. He then took her chips, rolled them up, and placed them beside her on the petite dresser. As he gently repositioned her to the center of the bed, he ensured she wouldn’t tumble off the edge.

However, he found it impossible to resist the temptation to position himself between her legs, taking great care not to disturb her slumber as he inhaled her intoxicating fragrance—his nose gently grazing her neck while he planted a tender kiss upon it, causing her to stir in her dreams.

That’s when he snapped out of it.

What the fuck is he doing? All that occupied his mind was the thought of her as he stepped back, gently draping the blanket over her form, tenderly brushing her hair aside to admire her features more clearly.

He attempted to delve into her thoughts, yet he found himself unable to penetrate their depths, which left him profoundly frustrated.

“I can’t hear what you’re thinking doll, that frustrates me.” He whispered gently while placing a kiss on her forehead before getting off of the bed.

He was about to leave when he heard her softly murmur in her sleep, pleading not to go and to leave her be. He dismissed it as merely a reflection of her troubled dreams, nothing more.

“Papa..,don’t leave me…” She mumbled in her sleep.

Jimmy began to feel a sense of pity for her, as she was completely unaware of the circumstances surrounding her. Her father had merely sold her to them out of financial desperation. However, this was not Jimmy's concern as he exited her room, making his way towards his own.

He gently closed the door behind him as he nestled back into bed beside Trin, who was sleeping soundly. The sight of her peaceful slumber compelled him to draw her closer to his body, yet his mind was consumed with thoughts of Soleia and the tantalizing moment when he nearly tasted her blood upon his lips.

But he managed to control him until his twin brother said something.

“You’re attracted to her twin, literally almost got a taste of her.”

“It ain’t even like that, I just wasn’t in the right headspace.”

“If it wasn’t like that then why go in her room then? Seems like to me her scent is getting to you.”

He rolled his eyes, “nah you trippin’”

“Whatever dawg, I know she can treat you better than Trin I mean that’s the main reason why you’re so cold hearted and nonchalant it’s because of that toxic ass cycle yall got going on.”

Jimmy was not always this way until he encountered Trin during the formative phases of their careers—their bond was consistently harmonious and devoid of any toxic energy. However, that fateful night when he discovered Trin being unfaithful with one of his friends shattered his spirit.

For several months, they refrained from communicating after he ended their relationship. However, after a year or two, she reached out to him, inquiring if they could begin anew. He consented, sensing that she had transformed.

The experience was delightful the second time, until her self-absorption and jealousy surfaced whenever he conversed with another woman who was not her. She would unjustly accuse him of actions he would never consider. This led him to suspect that she might be unfaithful once more; however, he chose to remain and simply suggested that they could engage in a physical relationship from that point forward, as he felt a strong attachment to her.

And Trin had him completely ensnared, unlike anyone else, transforming their relationship into a complex situationship. He found himself battling inner demons, all while undergoing a profound change due to her influence.

But now seeing Soleia living with them it started to mess with his head now.

“What makes shawty different than Trin?”

“Like I told you, Little mama is pretty and stays to herself and has a good career. She could show you something different.”

Jimmy observed that Soleia tends to keep to herself, often retreating to her room, distancing herself from everyone, including him.

“I already saw Takecia visions, she even drew it on a blank sheet of paper, you and shawty gonna be together and she’s a lover twin.”

Takecia's visions were not consistently precise, as they had the tendency to fluctuate from time to time; however, it was possible for them to be accurate, though he remained uncertain.

“You know her visions aren’t always true twin.”

“Yeah,  but this one could be true. You just need to wait and see. I mean little mama already got you in a chokehold without even trying.”

Jimmy was acutely aware, deep within, that his twin was correct; however, he found himself in a state of denial. His attachment to Trinity was so profound that it felt as though he was compelled to remain by her side.

“Look I’m finna head to sleep we will talk about this later twin.”

“A’ight then Twin.”

—

Soleia stirred from her extended slumber, surveying her surroundings. She observed that the television was off and felt the soft blanket enveloping her. As she rose from the bed, she gracefully discarded the blanket and reached for her phone, which lay beside her, to check the time.

At the stroke of midnight, she let out a deep sigh while reaching for her snacks, intending to return them to the cabinets. She opened her door slightly, peering out to find everyone in slumber, before gracefully stepping out of her bedroom and making her way downstairs to the kitchen.

As she approached the kitchen, she rose onto her tippy toes to return her snacks, preparing to take them along for lunch when she heads to work later in the afternoon. She shut the cabinets, having heard footsteps entering the kitchen, which startled her. Swiftly, she turned around to find him standing there, arms crossed and hair tousled.

She experienced a sense of fear and intimidation as she pressed herself against the kitchen counter, deliberately avoiding eye contact with him, just as she often does.

“What’chu doing up?” Jimmy asked as his voice was raspy and deep when he spoke.

“Oh I was just putting up my snacks…I’m sorry if I woke you up.” Soleia replied while looking down at her feet as she was fiddling with the hem of her pajama pants.

He found it endearing that she appeared anxious in his presence as she prepared to ascend the steps. He gently pulled her by the waist, capturing her attention as she glanced at him for a brief moment.

“You good just don’t do that again aight? Don’t need you waking up nobody else.” She felt a sense of intimidation in his presence, his icy demeanor sending shivers down her spine as she nodded in acquiescence. He released his grip on her waist, allowing her to ascend the stairs, his gaze lingering on her as she made her way up.

He felt compelled to maintain this icy facade to avoid forming any emotional ties with her, as he had relocated Trinity and would go to any lengths for her. Meanwhile, Soleia quietly closed the door behind her as she nestled back into her bed.

Draping the blanket over her form, as the night promised to be brisk, her mind was consumed with thoughts of his gaze upon her and the chill that enveloped him. It unsettled her profoundly, wishing fervently that their paths would not cross again.

She recalls Jaida advising her to keep her distance, particularly when he is in the company of his girlfriend, and that is precisely what she intends to do—maintain her distance to avoid any unnecessary drama.

Soleia nestled into her bed, lying on her side, her eyes gently closing as she drifted back into slumber; tomorrow promised to be a lengthy day ahead.

Midnight Sin.

a/n: ngl I feel like midnight sin will help me with my writers block I had with moon bound 

but I hope yall enjoy this  chapter lmk in the comments.

STAY UCEY.

chapter two

introductions

[stayevildarling]

Agatha Harkness x Cordelia Goode x Reader-Undone by desire

A/N: I can‘t stop thinking about these two so here we are🤷🏻‍♀️

tags/tw: soft dom!cordelia, mean dom!agatha, sub!reader, corruption, praise kink, mommy kink, jealous cordelia, virgin reader, cordelia recieving (strap), reader recieving (oral, strap), agatha recieving (oral, strap) enchanted strap, choking

word count: 4.5k

taglist:

@lunaticwhittaker , @billiebeanhoward , @lanawinters-ily , @kenzbro , @minaslittleone , @httpfiftyshadesofgay @whitelotus00 , @ninaahelvar , @paulsonsratched , @vintagepaulson , @isle-of-earle , @grilledcheeseandguavajelly , @lucyintheskywithxanax , @fanfics4world , @mymiraclewitch , @hazard-to-myself , @awritersometimes , @wastdstime , @p1pecleanerwitheyes , @queen2234 , @ihartnat , @lifebyinez , @ahsatanizgay , @blu3dimples

The coven‘s halls had undeniably been more alive since Agatha Harkness arrived. Cordelia, ever the welcoming and open supreme allowed the covenless witch to join, offering her a place at Miss Robichaux‘s as after everything, the brunette just wanted to belong. Agatha accepted with grace but there was something mysterious about her, the way she carried herself and the atmosphere changed whenever she stepped into a room. Despite it being some weeks now, you noticed immediately, Agatha was the kind of woman who didn‘t need to raise her voice to make herself understood, her voice laced with something darker, there always seeming to be a deeper intention behind her words. And you couldn‘t deny that you felt drawn to her.

At first, your interactions had been harmless, a sly comment here, a lingering glance at the dinner table there. You brushed it off for her nature, usually the more quiet one around the academy, only really opening up yourself once you know someone a bit better. It had taken you years to warm up to Cordelia, to allow yourself to laugh around her and allow yourself to slowly fall for her, not able to hide the way she made you blush. But Cordelia had warned you about Agatha, telling you to be careful. „She‘s powerful“ she said one afternoon. „And power often comes with… complication“.

But days turned into weeks and Agatha‘s interest in you deepened, becoming harder and harder to ignore. She was suddenly always near, offering to help you with your magic, whispering low and suggestive things that made your cheeks burn. At first you enjoyed the game, unsure how to play it exactly but letting the witch pull you right under her spell, unaware of her ulterior motives. But as Agatha‘s influence grew, Cordelia noticed the shift in you as you began questioning things about the coven, your powers and mostly about Cordelia. The woman who you had been head over heels for for years, the woman who would make you blush, who was so gentle with her touch and the woman who made the others mumble about her attraction to you but Delia never voiced those, not in the way Agatha so bluntly would.

The supreme wasn‘t blind to what Agatha was doing, how she was slowly drawing you in, seeing how you slowly became alive under attention and it sparked something within the blonde. An overprotectiveness that came as a force, laced by her raging jealousy. You noticed it a while back when the three of you worked in the greenhouse, Agatha leaning closer and lowly murming in your ear „You‘ve got so much potential“ she praised, watching you work effortlessly on your magic. „If only someone helped you truly unlock it“ she whispered, voice dripping with something more than encouragement. And that was enough for Cordelia to snap. „That‘s enough Agatha“ she said sharply, her voice firm but the other witch simply smiled, leaning back as if nothing happend, getting exactly what she wanted out of this exchange.

The following days seemed to change everything, the tension in the academy heavy. Cordelia‘s overprotectiveness reached its peak point as she made sure to keep you safe. Her eyes lingered on you as she made sure not to leave you and Agatha alone, worried what would happen if she did. Meanwhile Agatha continued, knowing exactly what she is doing, she enjoyed winding the supreme up, being able to tell her little plan was working just fine, not only slowly corrupting you to be her perfect little pet but also get the side of Cordelia to show that she has seen since joining, something hidden deep.

„You‘ve been awfully quiet“ Agatha purred the other day, as you passed her in the hallway. Her hand brushed against your arm, halting your movements. „What‘s on that pretty little mind of yours?“ she asked, causing your cheeks to burn. Before you could answer though, Cordelia appeared out of nowhere, stepping between you two. Her expression was calm but her voice filled with something you had never seen in your supreme before. „Agatha don’t you have somewhere else to be?“ she questioned calmly.

Agatha smirked, unbothered by Cordelia‘s interruption. „Funny, I could ask you the same thing Ms Supreme“ her eyes flickered to you for a moment before she carried on „Or do you always hover so closely over your students?“. Cordelia stiffened, her compusure beginning to crack „I don‘t hover, I protect what‘s mine“ she snapped. „Yours?“ Agatha laughs, she leans closer to Cordelia, their faces inches apart and for a second you thought they may kiss under the tension of it all. „Funny, I didn‘t think posession extended to matters of the heart“ Agatha whispered. The tension between them felt suffocating snd despite their words seeming like they may want to kill each other, their body languages betrayed them both, the mutual attraction undeniable.

Her words lingered on your mind „I protect what‘s mine“ she said and you couldn‘t sleep that night, couldn‘t focus for the next few days, not understanding where this had came from. Cordelia had always been kind to you, maybe even putting you above other students but she had never made a step, not in all those years, despite the obvious signs of your mutual feelings for each other, despite the whispers of the other students, despite the deep conversations in the greenhouse at 3am, despite the times she looked at you like she wanted you but stopped herself just in time.

A day later you opted to retreat to the library, the tension in the academy almost suffocating you as you seek refuge. But not even the pages of the book you are reading can distract you from what has been going on. You couldn‘t stop thinking about Agatha‘s touch on your skin, the way it made you feel on fire, letting thoughts cross your mind that hadn‘t crossed your mind before. But then there was Cordelia, her words, her protectivenesse and the undeniable feelings you have had for her from the beginning.

You are startled when the sound of the library door pulls your attention from the book, Cordelia steps inside, her gaze locking onto you. She seems much less composed than usual, almost if she is holding something back. „I thought I might find you here“ she says softly, crossing the room to where you are sitting. „Delia“ you almost whisper as you set your book down. She pauses, looking into your eyes „Sweetie I need to talk to you“ she begins but before she can carry on, Agatha steps inside, wearing a purple suit that draws your eyes onto her, the rings, the way she carries herself captivated you. „Well isn‘t this cozy“ she says, her voice dripping with amusement as she steps closer. „I was hoping to find you alone dear but seems Ms Supreme beat me to it“ she chuckes, so unfazed at the way she just waltzed in and interrupted you both.

Cordelia turns „Agatha“ she says almost sharply „This isn‘t the time“ she warns, her voice filled with authority, which causes your eyes to land on her. But Agatha doesn‘t care, her attention entirely on you „You know, I‘m beginning to wonder whether Cordelia is as concerned about your wellbeing as she claims.. or if this is something“ she pauses, stepping closer „Deeper“. Her movements are slow and deliberate „Tell me darling, do you feel protected hm? or do you feel trapped?“ she asks, causing your heart to race.

„That‘s enough“ Cordelia snaps, stepping in between you both. Her calm composure is unraveling again and you are surprised, no one ever having pushed her buttons just like Agatha had. „I won‘t let you manipulate her“ the supreme warns. „‚Manipulate?“ Agatha repeats, amusement evident in her voice. „Darling, I don‘t need to manipulate, she is already curious, aren‘t you sweetheart?“ she purrs, looking right at you. „You have felt it haven‘t you? that pull? you‘re drawn to me just as much as she is to you“ the brunette claims which causes your heart to stop as your hands begin shaking.

„Leave her alone“ Cordelia demands, her voice shaking now with rage, she moves closer to Agatha, their faces inches apart. The tension between them was undeniable, air thick but there was something else as Agatha tilts her head, her smirk disappearing as she steps closer. And there it was again, their faces inches apart, their words not matching the ways their bodies spoke. „You‘re so quick to defend her“ she murmurs „But tell me Cordelia- are you really protecting her from me? or are you afraid she might choose me if you let her decide?“ the brunette questions. Cordelia glances at you and you see her faltering for a brief moment, her jaw tight.

This wasn‘t jealousy anymore, you could see the way Agatha almost leaned in as to test the supreme‘s boundaries and the supreme almost faltering. „She‘s not a game Agatha“ Cordelia warns, voice barely above a whisper. „Neither are you“ Agatha speaks softly, her smirk replaced by a sincerity that takes your breath away. It seems like the tension between them fleeds but Cordelia stiffens again before speaking. „Go to your room Y/N“ she demands, eyes darting to you. „Now“ she instructs her voice firm.

„Delia“ you tried but she cut you off with that look. And so you listened, leaving them, glancing at them one more time, hearing Agatha chuckling „So obedient“ before you leave, knees weak and breath trembling as you make it to your room, feeling like you are caught in a game that you didn‘t fully understand. The way they stood so close drove you crazy, a part of you yearned for the thought of them kissing but another part of you felt confused, Agatha‘s intensions almost clear but Cordelia‘s so confusing.

Something changed that night. You felt it when you stepped into the kitchen the next morning, hoping to find some coffee as you had been awake the entire night, unable to stop thinking about either of the older women. Agatha stepped inside, something softer about her demeanor as she greeted you „Hi darling“ she said before Cordelia joined, the supreme‘s demeanor seeming less protective, more composed and calm even with Agatha beaide you. „Good norning“ she greeted you, helping you to some coffee as your eyes darted between them. „How are you feeling darling?“ Cordelia asked gently, which caused you to shrug and mumble a quick „I‘m fine“ before you wrapped your hands around the coffee mug. „You seem distracted sweetheart, something on your mind?“ Agatha asked.

You glanced at Cordelia who remained silent, waiting for your answer but you stayed quiet. „She seems a little overwhelmed don‘t you think?“ Agatha asked which caused Cordelia to nod. „We‘re here for you sweetie“ she encouraged. „You don‘t have to be afraid“ she whispered as her hands brushed over your shoulder gently. „We aren‘t going anywhere“ she reassured before Agatha joined in again „We just want you to know you are wanted“ she exclaimed, the statement almost taking your breath away. And then you realized that whatever happened between them that night changed everything, they weren‘t fighting over you anymore, they were working together.

The following days went by in a haze, you barely managed to function under their gazes, Cordelia‘s lingering protetective presence, Agatha‘s hands on you and the way she was teasing you. It took everything within you not to give in to them, trying to think of a way to balance this but the more the days passed, it left you lonely in the nights, aching for their touch and presence. And tonight something within you snapped, the way they hovered around you by the dinner table, the way their eyes spoke lengths, their voices dripping with desire.

By the time the night came around you found yourself restless, abandoning the idea of sleep before wandering the hallways. And somehow you found yourself by Cordelia‘s office, the door slightly ajar, almost inviting you inside. Your hands trembled as you finally bring yourself to knock and the door opens immediately, exposing both Agatha and Cordelia, sitting opposite each other, murming words that you couldn‘t make out. You could see Delia leaning forward, her blonde hair falling over her shoulder‘s, Agatha‘s dark eyes glistening.

The brunette‘s gaze catches yours and her smirk widens „Well well“ she murmurs „Look who couldn‘t stay away“ she grins, leaning back into her chair. Cordelia turns, her soft eyes finding yours „What are you doing up sweetheart?“ she asks gently, though there was something knowing in her tone. „It‘s late“ she says which causes you to falter. „I..“ you stammer, feeling your cheeks burning under both of their gazes. The words get caught in your throat, the intensity of even being in the same room with them impossible.

Agatha stands slowly, her movements calculated as she approaches you. Your eyes immediately travel to her dark purple blazer, her white button upped shirt and her jewrely. „She looks like she has something on her mind“ she murmurs as she glances back at the supreme. She stops just a step away from you, her presence causing you to shiver „What is it darling? you can tell us“ she encourages and then Cordelia rises too, her approach much gentler than Agatha but no less commanding. Her hand brushes your arm, softly grounding you but her touch makes your breathing hitch nevertheless.

„You don‘t have to keep it in sweetie“ she says softly, her eyes searching yours. „We know“ she breathes, causing your heart to pound in your chest. They both stand so close now, Delia equally in an outfit that has been driving you crazy for years. They both seem to pull you in like a magnet, Agatha‘s dark knowing smirk and Cordelia‘s gentle gaze exactly what you have been yearning for.

And then you couldn‘t hide it anymore „I“ you begin, voice breaking as you hide your trembling hands „I want you. Both of you“ you whisper, barely audible but enough for both witches to hear. Agatha‘s smirk only deepends, her eyes glistening while Cordelia simply parts her lips in a soft gasp, cheeks flushing at your confession. „Well“ Agatha murmurs „Finally“ voice filled with satisfaction. The supreme‘s hand on you tightens a little, her eyes flickering to Agatha before returning to you. „Are you sure darling?“ she asks, her voice barwly above a whisper. You could tell she was in control, just the way Agatha was but there was something deeper behind her eyes, almost sparkling with love, wanting to make sure this was truly what you wanted.

All you can do is nod, unable to form words, your entire body trembling. Agatha takes the initative, her head tilting as she moves impossibly closer „You have no idea how long we have been waiting for this“ she says softly „For you to finally admit it“. And then she leans in, capturing your lips in a kiss that ignites a fire within you, one that has been fueled by their actions for weeks, one that takes your breath away as you cling to the woman, holding onto her for dear life as her mouth explores yours, thinking if you stopped holding on, you might pass out under the intensity of it all.

Agatha pulls away, moving to the side to give Cordelia the room, the supreme steps closer, her hand resting on your cheek as she speaks. „We‘ll take care of you“ she promises, her voice trembling with sincerity. „If you let us“ you nod weakly, causing the supreme to smile softly before stepping forward, hovering for a moment before she leans in. And her kiss is much softer, no less demanding or assuring who’s in control here but it was filled with something almost sweet, the desire to please you, to make sure you are okay and make you feel good and the kiss settles in your heart as this had been on your mind for years.

The brunette creeps up behind you as you both pull away after a while, your eyes locking with the supreme‘s for a moment. „Follow me dear“ she instructs and you do, letting the older woman lead you out of the room and into her bedroom, the supreme following as they lead you into the woman‘s sanctuary. You hadn‘t seen Agatha‘s room yet, much darker than the usual light academy, the place filled with candles, the atmosphere mysterious as she leads you to bed. She makes you sit there before she turns to the supreme, capturing her lips in a kiss that takes your breath away. You watch their mouth, the way they both fight for entrance, the way Agatha stands tall and the way Cordelia doesn‘t falter. The scene causes your breathing to hitch as you press your thighs together, the arousal already staining your underwear at this point.

They both turn to you with knowing glances, seeing your chest heave and hearing your breathing hitching. „Would you like to do the honours of undressing her Ms Supreme?“ Agatha teases which causes Cordelia to nod softly as she makes her way over. „Is that what you want sweet girl?“ she asks as she bites her lip and all you can do is nod, words having left you long ago by now. Her movements are gentle, painfully slow as she begins kissing down your neck, leaving gentle bruises that would become reminders of this night soon. She begins by taking your shirt off, deliberately slow as she exposes your red lingerie, causing her to smirk ever so slightly. When you watch her go on her knees, you think you might explode, watching as she begins taking off your socks, your trousers and leaving you in nothing but the red set you had chosen for tonight, a part of you knowing where this would lead.

„Lay down there darling“ she instructs, her voice filled with authority and desire as she makes you lay in the middle of the bed, Agatha‘s eyes darkening as she watches the scene unfold. Cordelia begins hovering above you, crawling on top of you as she begins kissing you, her tongue immediately entering your mouth as she begins exploring you in a way she had been meaning to forever. Agatha is quick to abandon her own clothing, leaving her in nothing but a purple bralette which causes your eyes to drift. The brunette goes on her knees as she hovers behind Cordelia, making sure to undress the supreme too. You notice her struggling with Cordelia‘s shirt and so you glance at the supreme, silently asking for permission as your fingers ghost over the buttons of her shirt. She nods and you help Agatha with ease to undress her. „Such a good attentive darling“ the brunette purrs which causes you to moan into Cordelia‘s mouth.

„What do you think we should do with her first?“ Agatha purrs as her hand travels over Cordelia‘s torso, reaching her neck as she grabs her and reaches for another hungry kiss. „Should we make her watch? fall apart while we make her wait?“ the brunette smirks. The supreme‘s eyes fall upon you, considering their options. „But she‘s been so patient already“ the blonde counters which causes Agatha to fake pout. „Have you little one? do you not wanna wait any longer?“ she mocks which causes you to shake your head desperately. „Well then I‘ll let you do the honors Ms Supreme“ she smiles which causes your heart to race. The blonde begins gently caressing your skin, her mouth exploring you as Agatha‘s hands cup your breasts. The supreme‘s breath hitches, seeing parts of you that she never had before, the tattoo covering your collarbone.

Her touch is featherlight until she reaches your center, chest heaving by now. She glances at you with so much care in the world, despite the hunger evident in her eyes. „May I?“ she asks as her fingers begin playing with the wasitband of your red panties and you nod eagerly before Agatha interupts „Words darling“ she corrects you and you force yourself to speak „Yes please“ you pant which causes her to grin. „Good girl“ the supreme praises which sends a shiver through you as her tongue begins exploring you. At first, she begins kissing the inside of your thighs, her eyes leaving yours as Agatha begins pleasuring the supreme from behind. By the time her tongue licks through your folds, collecting your sweet juices a gutteral moan escapes you. „Delia“ you whine, wiggling as you need to feel more.

It takes you a good minute to realize that Agatha is wearing a strap by now, holding onto Cordelia as she pounds into her from behind, all while the blonde dips her tongue inside you. A gutteral moan escapes you again as she brings you so close but she stops herself, letting Agatha devour her, sending pleasure through her body as she grips onto the sheets beside you. You watch in awe, body trembling as Agatha makes the supreme feel good, moans and curse words falling from the blonde‘s lips all at once. At some point, you feel like you can‘t take it anymore, letting your hand travel down to your clit to get at least some friction, watching the supreme orgasm on Agatha‘s strap.

„Nuh uh“ Agatha stops you, placing your hand away from your clit as you whine. „Do you want mommy to make you feel good too?“ she asks, her voice filled with sweetness as she hovers above you. „Yes please mo-mommy“ you moan, watching as Cordelia comes down from her high. Agatha wastes no time in alligning herself but the blonde stops her „Have you ever done this sweetie?“ the supreme asks as she locks eyes with you and you shake your head. She glances at Agatha who gives her a knowing look „Don‘t worry Ms Supreme, I‘ll be gentle with your precious girl“ she teases which causes the supreme to roll her eyes. „If it‘s too much or you want me to stop, you tell me okay? But I have a feeling you‘ll enjoy this sweet girl“ Agatha coos and you nod, not caring about any of this as the desperation gets the better of you.

The brunette remains on her knees, purple strap tugged against her hips as she slowly begins teasing you with the tip, pushing it in slowly to let you adjust. Your eyes force close at the strange sensation, whincing ever so slightly before something bursts and your eyes fly open. „More please“ you whisper, causing Agatha to smirk, having known there was this side of you as Cordelia‘s eyebrows raise in surprise. She sinks in completely, making you take her entire length as she begins filling you up, her hips thrusting into you slowly first but then fast, keeping up a steady pace of edging you, wanting nothing more than to make you a screaming, begging mess for them. You had never felt this way before, the attention of two beautiful and attractive women on you like that, their hands roaming your body, Agatha fucking into you so perfectly sending you into a bliss, barely able to function anymore, let alone breathe.

„Fuck“ you curse and even Cordelia barely manages to keep herself together, watching your tits bounce, back arching and mouth hanging open. Her hand finds yours and your grip on her tightens, feeling the pleasure rush through you. „You are such a perfect little slut, taking us so well“ Agatha purrs her hand finding your neck, neither of you aware that she had enchanted the strap and could feel every single thing herself. Your eyes find Cordelia‘s again, so overwhelmed by the intsity of this and feeling the coil in your stomach about to burst. „You‘re doing so well sweetie“ she praises, causing your cheeks to burn red again at her words. Agatha can feel how close you are, deliberately pulling out of you which causes you to whine „Taste yourself on mommys cock sweet girl“ she orders and you don‘t waste any time as she brings it to your mouth, wanting nothing more than to be good for her.

You take her into your mouth, trying not to gag but the size mixed with the fact you hadn‘t done this before cause tears to form in your eyes. Agatha‘s own pleasure takes over as she begins fucking your mouth, Cordelia watching in awe as she never once took you to be nearly this filfthy. After another while Agatha pulls out, wasting no time before she slams her cock into you again, leaving you breathless. „Please mommy“ you whine „I‘ve been good, I wanna be good. I - fuck please I wanna cum“ you almost scream, causing Agatha‘s smirk to widen as she takes your left leg, putting it against her shoulder as she begins fucking into you at another angle. Cordelia watches in awe seeing you fall apart like this, her fingers finding your mouth as you begin sucking. „Cum for me pretty pet“ Agatha whispers which makes you fall apart.

Your back arches as you clench around her cock, feeling your own cum mix with her own, making sure you ride out your high as your eyes are forced shut, chest heaving as stars form in your vision, causing you to close your eyes. Screams, moans and names fall from your lips all at once before Agatha eventually pulls out with a satisfied smirk. Cordelia lays beside you, gently stroking your cheeks before whispering „Breathe sweetie“ and her voice guides you away from the bliss and into reality as she guides you to find your breathing again. By the time your eyes open, you find both women look at you with both a proud and hungry expression, you having been so perfect for them. „You did so good baby“ Cordelia coos as she gently wipes your tears before Agatha pulls you in for another kiss „The perfect obedient little angel“.

There was something in the air after you finished, both women still eager and so were you but they could tell you needed a break, especially after your first time with them. Cordelia was gentle in how she touched you, cleaned you up and encouraged you to drink. Agatha‘s eyes never left yours as she lays beside you, admiring the view and the pretty marks she left on you. „Did you enjoy that?“ she asks after a while of the three of you laying in silence. You nod, feeling their eyes on you as a little smile creeps onto your features. Cordelia‘s eyebrows furrow, seeing something clearly on your mind. „When can we do it again?“ you whisper causing Agatha to chuckle lowly and Cordelia to gasp at your boldness. „Well I definitely underestimated you“ she jokes before pressing a kiss to your lips and if one thing was for sure, this night would be very long after all.

[the-fandom-abyss]

Broken Pieces

Shauna Shipman x Reader

Genre: Angst ❀

Word Count: 1,208 words

Request: here

Shauna's feet shuffled towards the meat shed, eyes cast down and blurred with tears. Her body moved with precision, like the path was etched into her muscle memory. The shed had become tethered to her, in a way that was rooted in her core. It was a metaphor for her love, her kindness, her vulnerability. It held more weight than the others could ever feel and yet her body seeks its comfort.

Her palm laid gently against the wood, applying enough pressure for the door to creak open. The familiar smell of decay and frost surrounded her like a warm blanket. It lowered her defences, encouraged softness that she has denied in previous weeks. She dropped to her knees, hands covering her eyes and sobs rattling her chest. The weight upon her shoulders solidified her position, rooting her to the soil below. Her body shook, grief finding an outlet, away from prying eyes.

The Yellowjackets were gathered inside the cabin, completely oblivious to the storm brewing inside Shauna. They soaked in the warmth of the fire and talked amongst themselves. A eerie parallel to the party that could have been their last. They clawed at any semblance of normalcy, anything that could feel like home. They tried their hardest to forget the snow that fell outside, the nights growing darker and the rumble in their stomachs.

But not you, not tonight, your thoughts drifted to Shauna and where she had escaped to. She had slipped out somewhere in between conversations, without warning. Concerned for the missing team member, you gathered your makeshift blanket and headed towards the door. The cold bite from the wind wrapped around your warm limbs, eating away any warmth they had secured. Eyes scanned the area around the cabin, the darkness of night and sheets of snow blurred together. Shauna was smart, she wouldn't risk her life to navigate the terrain in this weather. That was when a noise echoed through the breeze, gaining your attention. Curiosity moved your feet, trudging in the direction of the meat shed. Another sound floated in the air, clearer than the last. A sob, followed by a sniffle, closed the gap of distance. Shauna was hidden in the meat shed and that's all you needed to know.

The shed door creaked once more as you pushed it open. Shauna's wide eyes looked up, narrowing at the sight of you. She had come here to be alone, left to wrestle with her grief and guilt. She did not need to be viewed as weak, as nothing more than a broken girl. Something akin to a growl rumbled within her throat, it was deep enough for you to stop. Not in fear, but in understanding. Even if the team were blind, you were not. Shauna had lost more than her fair share, more than someone her age should ever endure. She has started to push at the fragile tethers of the team, chipping away at what she had left. Distancing herself from everything that could bring her pain. It was then that you decided that you would hold space for her. A small piece of you reserved for vulnerability, for hope, for the idea of something better.

It pulled you closer to her, despite her vocal protests. She shuffled deeper into the shed, her back bumping against the rotting wood. It had rattled her, the fact that you inched closer, with no fear or disgust. It's what she has grown accustomed to over time. When you had closed the gap, there was no hesitation as you wrapped her in the blanket, sitting down next to her. Her body grew stiff at the contact, eyes searching for a motive. When your arms wrapped around her, she started to protest. Her hands pushed at your shoulders, her body arching back away from the contact.

"I'm here" was whispered amongst the chaos, a lifeline thrown at sea. "I'm here for you". The words struck a chord in Shauna, who has given up completely. She began to thrash in your arms, wanting nothing more than to rid herself of your presence.

"No" she stated, through fresh tears. She won't allow herself to succumb to this, she does not need help. She doesn't deserve it. She pushed harder, nudged stronger, her mental battle becoming physical. Your arms wrapped tighter, showing no sign of weakness. "I don't deserve this" she whimpered, her movements slowing. With one final movement, Shauna's head rested on your chest, your arms fully secured around her. Her body rattled with sobs, tears coating your clothes.

"It's all my fault" she chanted, her inner demons becoming known. "I'm sorry" she said to no one in particular. She broke down for the hundredth time, except this time it was different. She had you by her side, grounding her, holding her like she's worth something, means something. A feeling that she has long since forgotten or believes she no longer deserves. Minutes go by, maybe hours, time is irrelevant in the woods. Enough time has passed that Shauna's sobs have calmed, her breathing slowly mimicking your own. A silence filled the space, it wasn't heavy, it was welcomed. It allowed time to think about what to say next.

"Choices were made, people were hurt but that was never your fault" your hand gently ran the length of her back, in hopes to calm her. "This doesn't define you, what happens out here will never change the way I look at you" Shauna's breath hitched, her head tilted to look up at you.

"And what do you see?" She questioned, curious to know what you thought. She watched intently for any chance of falsehood or lies.

"I see a girl, who has lost so much but cares so much more. Someone who is loyal to a fault, even when her intentions are muddled. I see someone trying their best and that's all we can ask for" Somehow, Shauna relaxed further with your words, a twinge of a smile pulling at the sides of her lips. It was the first time she has felt free, free of the burdens that she carries. To you, she wasn't the butcher or the reason for Jackie's death. She was just Shauna, the girl who is trying to survive and that's all she needed. She needed to know that someone, somewhere was understanding. That they could see past the trauma, the grief, the guilt and just see her. She lifted herself, gaining a height to match yours. She leaned forward, placing a chaste kiss to your cheek. The action caught both by surprise, unfamiliar with this nature. However it was what each other needed in that moment.

"Thank you" she stated, her arms wrapping around you, returning the hug you had given to her. The silence that followed was light, something that hasn't been felt in a while. It was nice as broken became the new normal. Old and new bleeding into one with no judgement. Shauna's mind wandered, worried about how long it would last before they all saw the monster she was becoming. One squeeze from you was enough to chase it away because for now, it was just the two of you against this fucked up new world.

[kilojulietsierra]

…Sam & co. (Em, yo-yo, Ellis, and nurse reader) Dress up as the spice girls for the Pitt Halloween party. Emory is obviously posh but Jack seeing Sam in a redhead wig as ginger spice does something to him.

Love getting this messages, more than y’all know!

In my head this is a year out from the events in the Save Me From Myself series.

- “two words: group costume” Ellis leans across the counter to whisper at Garcia before she runs away back upstairs. The surgeon shook her head, “yeah, good luck with that”

- Ellis was persistent though, motivated and dedicated and eventually the others caved.

- “Powerpuff girls?” “That’s only three.” “What if we just dressed up as minions?” “Oh my god Jack could be gru!” “It’s like you guys don’t want my marriage to last or something.” “Do you want me to answer that truthfully?” “Shut up” “mean girls?” A chorus of no followed that one.

- By the time Jack came back in from working out the girls were half lit and laughing hysterically. “Do I want to know?” He came up behind Sam and tipped her head back for a kiss. “We’re apparently doing a group costume for the party this year” “fuck” Jack dropped his head to Sam’s. While everyone else looked confused Ellis giggled to herself from the end of the couch “you have my Venmo”

- Because yeah, Ellis had most definitely bet her attending $100 she could convince Sam, Walsh and Garcia to dress up as a group for Halloween.

- “Spice girls!” “We need five” “Robby’s new lady friend off that night?”

- Walsh = Posh Spice

- Garcia = Scary Spice

- Ellis = Sporty Spice

- Sam = Ginger Spice

- Robby’s gf = Baby Spice

- The Pitt Halloween party wasn’t technically PTMC sanctioned, mostly it was Princess sanctioned.

- A tradition at this point

- Jack more often than not volunteered to work that night. He always said it was because he didn’t want to go. Sam, and a few others, knew that secretly he calls in a favor every year to fix the schedule because he knows Parker lives for Halloween.

- “Ok, tell me what you think” Sam’s voice carried out of the walk in closet. When she walked out in that tiny excuse for a dress Jack looked up ��absolutely the fuck not”

- Sam just laughs as she walks over to him. “Why not?” Jack looks her up and down. The platforms, the skimpy dress the red hair. “Baby, I don’t tell you no often, but you’re not wearing that dress”

- “Is it because it’s the wrong flag?” Sam teases and steps within arms reach and he grabs her immediately. He cracks a hint of a smirk, “its because every asshole sees you tonight is going to think the same thing I just did” his hands smoothed down her sides to the dangerously short hem of the bedazzled dress. “Which was?” He looked back up at her, took it all in as he pulled her to him “not something anyone but me is allowed to think about my wife”

- Was Jack late for work? Yes?

- Was it because he pulled Sam into the bathroom with him and fucked her in the skimpy little dress and heels in front of the mirror? Absolutely it was.

- “You look good as a redhead” he had panted against her ear, a wicked smirk on his face as he took in the sight of her reflection. “You like it?” “Mhmmm”

- After, when Jack was changing into scrubs that didn’t smell like sex, watched Sam as she changed into her ‘backup costume’ he laughed “never were going to actually wear that dress tonight were you” he wraps his arms around her from behind and sweeps the red wig aside to kiss her neck “just to get a rise out of you.” “You are trouble” he kissed her neck again “I like this one too, for what it’s worth”

- The skimpy shorts and tight matching top wasn’t much better but Jack allowed it. “If I was going I’d still probably end up fucking you in the backseat of the truck” he chuckled and gave her a kiss “have fun, be safe, love you “

- The five of them arrived together as planned and the group costume was a huge hit.

- “Wannabe” was blasted on the karaoke machine and the girls crushed it, with no preparation whatsoever

- The girls agreed to make the group costume a tradition much to Parker’s excitement. She was drunkenly planning for next year’s party before this year’s was even over.

- Walsh met a guy at the bar that apparently had quite the thing for Posh Spice when he was a kid

- Garcia spent an abnormal amount of time texting someone and taking several selfies

- Parker kept betting people she could do a backflip. $20. She can in fact do a backflip.

- Sam had texted Jack at one point to ask if he’d be mad if she dyed her hair, but darker red, like his used to be. When he eventually read the text his response was that they could talk about it later but there was a red heart emoji at the end of his sentence.

- Robby… Dr. Michael Robinavitch… well, let’s just say he and Baby Spice disappeared from the Halloween party much earlier than most.

- And the next time the five of them met up for girls night, Sam Abbot did in fact have a new hair color.

[yourstardarling]

Beauty Is Intimidating

I was thinking about this earlier, that beauty creates a lot of mixed reactions in people. There is no one way to define beauty and what is deemed beautiful is personal interpretation. What I have noticed though is that oftentimes people who look good can easily intimidate other people. Their beauty creates a barrier that makes it hard sometimes for them to be approached. Like in popular Highschool movies for example, beautiful people are often seen as untouchable. They hold a lot more power than others and only other beautiful people can easily be around them.

The reason I brought this up is because it made me wonder about the nature of beauty. What better planet to look at than beauty herself, Venus. Venus the planet of love, femininity and beauty rules over the way we view attraction in our lives. However, the nature of Venus is to face scrutiny and conflict for her beauty. Her signs are opposing forces that don’t like Venuses beauty.

Taurus & Scorpio: This first axis shows the point that beauty will often cause intimidation. People who are beautiful have a way of bringing up the shadows of other people. They are ideally secure within themselves and their appearance. This in turn creates an effect where they’ll face scrutiny for others insecurities. “I wish I had hair like hers” “Why aren’t my arms as muscular as his” This demonstrates how beauty, will bring about underlying feelings of others to light. It can garner jealousy and envy for your appearance. So the intimidation itself does not come from the attractive person, but from the insecurities others may have inside. It’s a feeling of unworthiness to even talk to someone they believe looks better than them. Oftentimes people make the assumption that a beautiful person won’t like to talk to them. Sometimes if these feelings are not evaluated, it can cause deep emotional resentment towards good looking people.

Libra & Aries: This next axis shows us how beauty can often cause conflictions within other people. Beautiful people are susceptible to face hatred for their appearance. A lot of aggression can be thrown towards them just for the fact they look good. With the Aries influence on Libra, people will want to physically fight them. Some have faced bullying and harassment growing up which motivated them to improve their appearance. At the same time beautiful people can easily get other people to fight for them. Like Helen of Troy, a whole war was waged in her name because she was considered the most beautiful women in her time. So beauty here becomes a form of protection, which intimidates others from messing with you. However, the air sign nature of Libra shows how conflict will instead arise in the form of gossip. A lot of rumors can be made about them, which are usually lower Aries quality traits, such as being a b*tch, explosive, mean and narcissistic. For example, my friend has been told multiple times that other people thought she looked mean so they did not approach her. When in reality, she's a goofball and is far from being mean. Beauty here creates intimidation, by people either wanting to fight you or stay away in fear of being attacked by you.

Pisces & Virgo: This axis is between Venus’s exaltation and fall placements. In Pisces, Venus love knows no bounds, they are able to find beauty in everything and everyone. Virgo though reminds us of what beauty means in our society. It signifies facing constant scrutiny. Instead of being loved for their whole being, beautiful people will often face a lot criticism on their looks. They will get shamed for any slight changes in their appearance such as their weight, face and complexion. Criticism on why they are wearing this outfit, why does their hair look like this and a need to bring them down for not being perfect. Pisces reminds us that this is a reflection of what you find imperfect within yourself. The beautiful person is just mirroring the insecurities in other people. That is why you can find something within them to always critique because it’s the criticism you have about yourself. The exaltation of Pisces teaches us to let go of trying to pay attention to every little detail about other’s appearance. Instead it's about appreciating the whole, which includes the fact that they are a regular person. There is so much more to them than just their physical looks. A reminder that before making all these assumptions about them, it is important to get to know who they are behind the mask.

______

This is just my theory and observation on beauty. So next time people think you’re unapproachable and scary, just know it’s probably because you’re so sexy 😏. Lmfao, hope yall enjoyed.

- Your Star Darling

[drvscarlett]

About You Pt 19

Sebastian Vettel x Webber!Reader

Summary: Everyone knows about the history of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber. But there's a well kept story within the paddock about Sebastian Vettel and another Webber. This is that story.

A/N: and i think its a good time to reread the series because we have some parts that is a hint to the previous chapters. its all connected! i hope you all enjoy!!!

About You Series

2015, Albert Park

Today marks the first race that he would do for Scuderia Ferrari, the dream team of most drivers. From the entrance, there were plenty of Tifosis with their banner and red ensemble waiting for him. Sebastian was used to having fans back in his Red Bull and Toro Rosso days but the energy of Ferrari fans is on a whole another level. People of all ages with different speaking languages calls out his name with something in hand for him to sign with.

“Bring the championship back to Ferrari”

“We are with you Sebastian!”

“Grazie Sebastian, have a good season!”

The words of encouragement being passed by people is something that brings a smile on his face. It was uplifting to hear that people still believed in him despite losing the championship last year. He feels extremely motivated to go to the car.

When he entered the garage, Kimi, his teammate was sitting there with his usual poker expression. Upon seeing Sebastian, he cracked one of his rare smiles and welcomed Sebastian to the team. The rest of the garage seems to be excited in welcoming Sebastian as well. They buzzed about how excited they all are about the build of the car and the opportunities that this season may grant. It was a good omen for Sebastian.

The practice session won’t start for a few minutes, so he opted to lounge in his driver’s room. The minute that Sebastian opened the room, his eyes zeroed in on the fruit basket of oranges placed on his desk.

An irony that a single fruit can bring back so many memories and could make all happy thoughts disappear from Sebastian. It suddenly reminded him that there was one person that he won’t be seeing around this year.

With a sigh, he picked up the card attached to the basket.

Congratulations Sebastian Vettel for being in Scuderia Ferrari. Have a great season ahead.

He smiles thoughtfully with the message. Flipping the card he tried to find who have sent it but it seems unsigned.

‘Can this be from her?’ he couldn’t help but think about it. He believed that he never mentioned it in any of his interviews that this was pre-race ritual goodluck for him. His thoughts couldn’t help but drift to her.

It has been months since he has seen her. There were also no news about her like she disappeared out of thin air, like she never even existed. He just wanted to know how is she doing. Is she doing better now? Can she walk now?

The heavy weight of his feelings had him sitting in silence.

“Seb..”Kimi knocked and entered the room “Free practice is starting in a few and they wanted me to call you”

The Finn was often referred as someone who doesn't care but he was secretly good at picking up emotions, “Are you okay?”

Sebastian looks up and tries to shrug it off“I’m good, don’t worry…Just the oranges”

“You allergic?”

“No”Sebastian’s voice falters “Just wondering who might have sent it”

“Probably a fan of yours”Kimi suggested.

“Yeah a fan”

2015, Sepang

Mark Webber’s book Aussie Grit, a chapter excerpt

Honestly, I never gave it much thinking that my sister sacrificed a lot of her time to be with me. She was merely 16 when she decided to accompany me to my racing and be my personal assistant. Instead of going out during the weekends, she spends it with me in strategy rooms or moping about a winless weekend. Now that I see it, I never saw her have time for herself. Everything that she does is because of me.

I wish I could tell you that I have been a good brother. There are several instances where I have been the cause of her heartache. If only I brought down my ego a notch then I wouldn’t miss several years with my baby sister. It was a great thing that she even gave me a chance. We were rekindling and everything. Then, last year was an eyeopener when she got into that accident. We were lucky to have her alive but it paralyzed her legs completely and it’s taking a while for her to recover. I respect my sister’s wishes to step back from anything motorsports related or from the media’s eyes. As her older brother, I do what I have to do to make sure she is getting the privacy that she needs.

She may or may not be reading this book but I hope you know Y/N how loved you are. We will always be waiting here for you. You take your time and your big brother will take care of everything.

2016, Lausitzring

The crowd was roaring as a Schumacher was once more placed on top of the podium. Glee was evident in Mick’s face as he made his way down from the podium. His eyes scanned the crowd and he couldn’t help but widen when he saw Sebastian’s face. He didn’t know that he would be joining to watch the race today.

“SEB!” Mick immediately made a beeline towards the F1 driver “What are you doing here?”

“Watching you race of course” Sebastian grins.

It was something that Sebastian has tried to do as much as he could. He can sense that Mick needed guidance and Michael would have done that if he was awake. So, whenever Sebastian could, he would drop by and watch Mick race. When he couldn’t, he rewatches them and messages him to commend him or recommend some improvements in his techniques.

“Very very proud of you Mick”he added the praise.

Sebastian hugged Mick proudly. Cameras immediately went off to capture the moment. Both of them have been used to the fanfares of the paddock and they could already see the articles that will be posted comparing young Seb and young Mick.

“Excuse me Seb but we have to get Mick for media duties” someone from the PR team interrupted the moment

“You can wait at the driver’s room”Mick instructed

“Look at you so bossy”Sebastian joked

“Viv, don’t let him go anywhere”Mick insisted “Seb, I still have to talk to you and update you about a lot”

Sebastian nodded and headed his way to the driver’s room. He greeted some of the staffs that were lounging there and proceeded to make himself feel at home in Mick’s driver’s room.

He couldn’t help but chuckle as soon as he enters. The driver’s room was pristine and clean. Sebastian was not the most organized driver on the grid when he was Mick’s age. Seeing how every paper has been neatly filed, clothes folded, and pillows arranged—Mick was far better from him than a mile.

There were two tables but his eyes lingered at the table where the drawer was slightly opened. He catches the glint of a photo frame. Curiosity got the best of him, and he opened the drawer a bit more to see the frame. It was a photo of the Schumacher family with him and Y/N.  The bright smile on each faces and the way Sebastian held Y/N with Mick in the middle. It was a reminder of the good old days.

“I hope you are okay”Sebastian’s hands hovered at the picture.

She never leaves his mind. He stopped talking about her but she is always in his mind. Sometimes when he takes photos of Mick, he wonders if she is watching his progress. What would she say? Sebastian could bet that if things were a little different then Y/N must have been there in every race that Mick participates in. She would have been there with Sebastian proudly cheering for Mick.

“Hey”Mick was right on time to interrupt him “Media is sometimes even more tiresome than the race”

“You think that’s bad, wait till Formula 1” Sebastian snickers.

He slipped the picture back to the drawer and shut it close to avoid anyone else from snooping. If this was hidden away then Mick might have wanted it private and away from prying eyes. Sebastian respects that. However, Mick didn’t miss it.

“You saw the picture, didn’t you?” Mick asked

“Yeah” a sad smile graced Sebastian’s face “It’s been a while since I saw her and its just a bit nostalgic”

Mick has tried to avoid talking about Y/N as per her wishes and of course because he was unsure about Sebastian’s thoughts. He didn’t have the full picture of what went down but he was not dumb to not know that the ending caused them a lot of pain.

As a witness to their pining, Mick can tell that Sebastian never stopped loving Y/N.

“You miss her” Mick softly says.

Miss was a simple word to use. Sebastian longs to be with her. He has all the connection, power, and money to find her but he always stops himself. She needed time and he is willing to give that to her. However, he really longs for her.

“I do kid, I really do miss her” Sebastian sighs.

“Even after all these years?” Mick wondered

The older driver could only nod. Mick gave Sebastian a comforting hug. Mick wished that he could say the things that he know but he made a promise and his Papa raised him to honor his words. The hug is the only thing he can do right now.

2016, Yas Marina Circuit

The party was on full swing. The drinks are flowing, and Jenson could not hear the endless cheers of congratulations for his retirement. As a former party boy, he used to enjoy these kinds of events but now that he is getting older he seems to be taking a step back. He found himself making his way out of the balcony to get some open air.

“Ditching your own party? That’s so unlike you Jenson”

It seems as if Jenson was not the only one who needed some fresh air as Sebastian was also out there with a beer. The Ferrari driver has a drink in hand as he leans by the balcony.

“I think I entered my party days too early so now I’ll be retiring” Jenson admits.

“Congrats to your retirement man”Sebastian hugs him "Retiring seems to be a trend"

The implication was subtle. For the past few years, people have been retiring. Starting from Mark to Y/N and now its Jenson. He has also heard Nico joking around earlier that maybe he could retire as well now that he has a world championship. Sebastian couldn't help but ask if this is a sign from the heavens that maybe he should as well

"You should try to, there is an appeal to it." Jenson voiced out his thoughts.

Taking a sip from his beer, Sebastian shakes his head in response. He can't retire yet. He still has a passion for racing, its the only thing he has ever known so it would be hard to quit it.

"I think I can still keep up with the young ones"Sebastian replied thoughtfully.

"Wanting to race or do you want Y/N to find you easily if she decides to come back?"

Bold statements from Jenson seems to take the conversation to a different turn. A sober him would have himself controlled with the information that he shares especially with Y/N. But his defenses are down and he knew Sebastian wanted to know how she is.

“She is doing okay, she is better now and healthier. But I don’t think she will return, she is happy with her life now. No media, no stress, just a simple life”

A wave of relief washed over Sebastian's face. It was a sense of comfort for him to know that she is okay. The distance is difficult but he is glad that she is alright and getting better.

"I'm glad to hear that." Sebastian stated "But I’m not asking for her to comeback. I want her to have her time to recover as she said"

Jenson's face contorted to what seems to be an irritation or maybe this was the alcohol making his emotions go haywire.

"Why are you like that?" he asked.

"Like what?"

"How can you keep waiting and holding on even though it has been years. You should have forgotten her, you should have chosen another one. Why do you stay?"

"Because I love her." Sebastian answer was immediate "I know it is naïve and simple but there is no other way to put it. I love Y/N. I think she tried to push me away before but its always her no matter what. I know I made mistakes and I hurt her and I tried to make it up. Everyday I am trying to do better because I wanted to be a better person that Y/N comes back to"

The air that Sebastian ended his speech with was crackling with tension. Jenson, who seems to be drunk a while ago, suddenly sobered up with the confession. He looks skeptically at Sebastian and he could see how much he means everything he just said.

"You really love her right seb?"

"I do."

"Okay then wait for her." a resignation in Jenson's part "You take care of her okay? She is one of the best person in the world and she deserves the best. I hope you don’t get tired waiting for her."

Jenson has always been careful to keep his feelings away. He knew that this was a losing battle to admit his emotions but maybe people were right to say that alcohol manages to bring out the deepest darkest truth that we have.

In this haze, Sebastian finally dawns a realization. Something that he should have realized years ago. It was so obvious now that Jenson is all drunk and open to read.

“You love her”

“Loved.” Jenson begrudgingly admits “I know at one point I tried shooting my shot because I wanna piss Mark off. But when I got to know her damn man, I was a puddle. I knew it was useless to tell her how I feel when a) I am a playboy that cannot be taken seriously b) you look at her like she hangs the whole universe in front of your eyes and c) because she loves you so so so damn much”

Plenty of times that Jenson wished that he played his cards right. He wished that maybe he could have sabotaged the relationship and show Y/N that he is a better option. However, he doesn't have the heart to do that knowing that it would end up with Y/N being hurt. He also knew that her happiness is with Sebastian and all he ever wanted was to make her happy.

“So you take care of her better now that you know that I’ll always be watching your back. You fail another time and I’m stealing her away” Jenson laughs jokingly

Sebastian nodded in agreement.

2017, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

"One, two, three, smile!"

Anyone passing by would have thought that its just another tourist family with the mother taking a photo of her daughter and husband. But they couldn't be more wrong.

Four time world champion Sebastian Vettel was hiding under the glasses and the cap. He looks like any other regular dad with his fanny pack and the simple get-up. Margarette was now 3 years old with a crooked smile that makes her a spitting image of her father.

"Papa, where we gonna go today" the little girl couldn't contain her excitement.

"You are so energetic huh" Sebastian picks her up with ease and placed her to sit comfortably on his shoulder "We are off to see this beautiful place"

"What is it?"

"It's a secret but its near" Sebastian assured.

It was one of those trips that Sebastian have planned to spend time time with Margarette. The Spanish Grand Prix was just right around the corner so Sebastian is maximizing his time to spend with his little girl. Hanna couldn't help but feel a sense of joy seeing the two together. Maybe the two of them didn't work out as a couple but she was glad that Sebastian never abandoned Margarette.

"Papa are we going to that big palace?"Margarette asked "Mama look we are going to that palace"

Margarette was pointing to the tall construction of the Sagrada Familia. It made Hanna let out a small wow because she have heard stories about this place before but this was really a breathtaking sight.

"It's not a palace darling, its a wonderful church made as a biggest apology for the city's sin"Hanna explained.

"But Hanna"Sebastian interjected "I think this is the grandest showcase of love because they keep on working on it for years and years for the city's forgiveness and-"

Sebastian stops halfway. The memory of the place from years ago seems to dawn him and why the whole conversation was flowing out as if it was recited for memory.

"You alright Papa?" Margarette wondered.

Sebastian was quick to shrug everything away, "Let's go inside"

The inside was even more beautiful than its facade. Margarette didn't know where to look and she seems to be awestruck anywhere she gaze upon. Sebastian chuckles to himself plagued once more by the memory of a certain someone that he once toured with in this place.

Once again, Sebastian was at the pews muttering a prayer. Even now he doesn't believe but he prays to any mighty Being out there to take care of Y/N. If its possible, make her walk again and help her heal from everything that she has been through. Sebastian was sure there were some stray tears that runs down his cheeks as he prayed.

A tug at his side reminded him that Margarette was there sitting next to him.

"What do you pray for?" she wondered.

"I'm praying for a friend"

"Is that why you cry?"she pressed on more "Is friend sick? Is friend sad?"

Sebastian honestly don't know what to answer with the following questions. How could he say so when he didn't have any form of communications with her.

"I don't know baby if she is okay but I pray she is okay" Sebastian sighs.

Her tiny hands reached for Sebastian as if a way to comfort him. Sebastian held Margarette's hands tightly. Hanna watched the two of them from a pew behind not wanting to interrupt the moment of the two.

"You know they say we can get three wishes when we visit a new church" Sebastian diverts the topic "You should go make your wishes"

"Like a birthday wish? It will come true?"

Sebastian nods and he immediately noticed how she brightened up. She was at that age that she has so many to wish for and she wanted to wish every best thing in the world. However, after a moment she seems to smile.

"I'll wish for your friend to be okay" Margarette declared "And I hope you see friend soon"

"That's very thoughtful of you baby"Sebastian couldn't help but hug his little girl.

Silently, Hanna prayed as well for that wish to come true. She hopes that maybe Y/N could come back for Sebastian. She has been a witness to how much Sebastian waits for her to return and its clear to her now how much he means to her.

2017, Suzuka Circuit

Sebastian Vettel asked about when is he going to settle down.

After being stuck in a panel in the Japanese Grand Prix media day with a group of drivers who have wives and girlfriends, Sebastian Vettel sticks out like a sore thumb in the bunch. He was pressed as to when would he introduce a girlfriend or if he has any plans on settling down. The Ferrari driver joked that the media is just like his mother asking him the same question.

“The thing is, I am happy as I am at the moment. I am not cynical about the idea of love, its just that lets say that love has already found me early. Maybe I am a sappy or romantic but I intend to wait for that love to return to me because it’s the love that I have promised to wait for. Nothing compares to her.” The person behind Sebastian’s definition of love has remained a mystery to the media. It has already been years but Sebastian has not been spotted to bring any partners to the paddock.

When asked about his rumored daughter, Sebastian has admitted that he has a daughter. He refused to deny his daughter but he wanted a quiet and simple life for her.  “She is someone I treasure greatly. I intend to keep her away from the media as much as possible, she is one of the best thing that life has given me without asking.” He also mentioned that she is co-parenting with the mom of his daughter as they are great friends and nothing more.

2018, Albert Park

“Exciting season yeah Kimi?” Sebastian was his usual enthusiastic self.

The Finnish driver just shrugged a small yeah as they pass through security. Sebastian was already used with Kimi’s responses and he decided that it balanced out their duo. If Sebastian is the hyperactive one then Kimi is the laidback quiet one.

“Did you hear Jules' godkid is coming to the grid this season?" Kimi wondered.

Sebastian remembered how Jules has been mentoring a young kid before. He has mentioned his name multiple times but Sebastian have forgotten it already.

“Charles?”Kimi offered.

“Charles? The one we saw in 2015?”Sebastian asked

“Yeah that one. He got a seat at Alfa Romeo”Kimi nodded in agreement.

It was crazy how quick time passed by. It was just yesterday that he was racing with Jules and now he will be racing with his godkid. Sebastian could feel his age catching up on him with the new rookies joining the grid.

“We better go check on him and welcome him” Sebastian suggested.

“You go ahead, I’ll catch up later”

Sebastian headed to the Alfa Romeo garage which is quite a walk from the Ferrari garage. He stopped by to greet some of the media and the people at the paddock. But he has his eyes set on to welcome the newest rookie to the Formula 1 community.

"I'm looking for Charles Leclerc" Sebastian announced upon reaching their sister team's garage.

The mechanics were quite busy with the preparation for the car so all hands were on deck. It was a good thing that Fred Vasseur immediately caught Sebastian's presence

"I think he is the driver's room with his family" Fred smiled

"Can I interrupt them?"

"Go ahead, I'm sure Charles would love to see you her" he encouraged.

Sebastian made his way towards the room and he could hear the overlapping voices of Charles' family. It brings him back to the first time that he joined Formula 1 and his whole family has also been supportive just like this.

"Charles, be careful. I don't want you hurting yourself in your first race"

"So I can do it in my second?"

"You are a little menace, how do we put up with you?"

The bantering between them seems to keep Sebastian from disturbing them. He knew that he shouldn't be eavesdropping on them and he started to think that maybe he should just greet Charles later during the drivers' parade.

"But Charles listen to Pascale, you come back safe to us"

The chills that went down his spine when he heard that voice was like no other. He knows that person very well but he can't help but think that he may be wrong because its been so long. His heart started to beat loudly, his clammy hands shaking to twist the door knob of the door open. He was out of his wits to even overhear that Charles was getting out of his driver's room.

"Yeah, I'm-" the shock was visible in Charles face and he immediately steps out of his driver's room "Sebastian, I didn't know you were there"

Sebastian wanted to mentally facepalm himself to be caught in such an embarrassing situation.

"I just wanted to welcome you to the grid, kid" Sebastian manages to say

Charles shifts from his spot, "Thanks I guess"

It was obvious that Charles seems uncomfortable with Sebastian around. A normal feeling that a rookie driver would feel in his first season. Sebastian wanted to ease his mind a little.

"Jitters?"

"You could say that" Charles agrees "Maybe I just need a little bit of time with the family before I go out and race"

"You do that. I'll see you later"

"Thanks Sebastian"

As Sebastian retreats, Charles could let out a sigh in relief before entering his driver's room again.

Pascale was there with eyes wide as if asking his son if that's who she think it was outside the door. Lorenzo and Arthur were by the door seemingly anxious with the interaction.

"He's gone now and I think I managed to hold him off" Charles assures everyone "But I still think its really a bad decision for you to be here"

"And miss your first race in Formula 1? Jules would kill me"

Sitting at the corner of the room, Y/N Webber was there. Her face seems to have matured over the years but she still carries the same tricks just like how she is fiddling with her necklace.

All eyes of the Leclerc family was on her because this was the closest call that she have encountered with Sebastian after all these years.

"I have been careful Charlie. I have been to several of Mick's races undetected with him at the attendance. I have been in some Formula 1 races undetected "Y/N soothes "Calm down, okay?"

Charles couldn't help but feel a little bit guilty. He didn't want his debut to be the reason for Y/N's pocket of peace to be disturbed. He certainly didn't know that Sebastian was coming to greet him.

"I travelled a long way to watch you race so you better focus, okay?"Y/N encourages.

"Thank you for being here Y/N" Charles softens to a smile.

"But Y/N, aren't you planning to ever meet Sebastian again?" Lorenzo couldn't help but wonder.

The girl in question could just smile.

Honestly speaking, there wasn't an answer in her head at the moment. Hearing his voice just a door away was taking all of her self control to not run outside and hug him. She is scared if he would still welcome her back or would he still love her as much as she loves him even after all these years?

Fiddling with her necklace, the pendant that he has given still sits on the chain together with the ring he once gave her.