#back to answer more of the asks in my inbox!!

[4barbatos]

✦ toxic!scaramouche x fem!reader

i love you in the worst way

cw: dead dove: do not eat. abuse (emotional, verbal, physical, sexual), toxic relationship, manipulation, gaslighting, dubcon content, rough sex, self harm mentioned, power imbalance, unaddressed mental illness, severe codependency, trauma bonding, victim blaming & internalized guilt. modern au.

a/n: this one’s for anon that went absolutely feral in my inbox begging for more toxic scara 🙏 here u go babygirl. i hope ur okay. i think something is deeply wrong with u (said with love & concern)

you should’ve left when he first called you clingy.

but it was early then — early enough that it still felt like flirting. the kind of teasing that made your cheeks warm, made you nudge his shoulder and roll your eyes. he said it when you reached for his hand in public. when you kissed his cheek one too many times. when you sent him two texts in a row.

“you’re so clingy.”

he smirked. leaned in. kissed your jaw after.

and you smiled, because it was gentle.

he was sweet back then. or at least he could be. soft in ways that made you ache. he’d tuck your hair behind your ear, run his fingers along your thigh under the table, give you this small little look like he was seeing something no one else ever had. he’d let you trace the veins on his hands when you laid in bed together, and he never pulled away.

he was quiet, closed-off, like something wild trying to act tame. you thought it meant he had depth. that there were layers under his cold exterior. that his distance wasn’t cruelty — it was pain. you wanted to be the one he unraveled for. the one he let in.

and he did. slowly.

you started seeing him more. he didn’t text much — and when he did, it was short, half-thought replies. but he’d show up at your apartment with bruised knuckles and tired eyes, drop his keys on the counter, and fall into your bed like he belonged there. he never said thank you. never said i missed you. but he’d rest his head on your chest. kiss your wrist absentmindedly. wrap an arm around your waist while you slept.

and that was enough. back then, it was enough.

you let him pull you into his world.

you’d sit cross-legged on his unmade bed while he chain-smoked out the window, hoodie halfway off his shoulder, his jaw tense and eyes half-lidded. the room always smelled like smoke and sweat. his desk was a mess of ash and receipts and bent-up cigarette packs. vodka bottles lined his shelves like decoration. he never had food in his fridge. he lived like he didn’t plan on being around long.

but he let you in. that had to mean something.

he let you talk while he said nothing. let you trace the scars on his arms and didn’t flinch. let you cry after a bad day and only sometimes told you to stop. you’d pour your heart out in texts and he’d reply hours later with “that sucks” or “you’ll be fine.”

and you told yourself it was enough.

because he let you see him when no one else did.

because he didn’t push you away — not really.

he just didn’t pull you closer.

you laughed at his mean comments. thought they were cute. he’d say, “you talk too much,” or “why are you always so emotional?” and you’d laugh, nervously, and try to stop talking. try to shrink a little smaller. try to be easier to love.

he never said he loved you.

but he stayed. he kept coming back.

you mistook presence for affection.

it started slowly. so slow you didn’t realize you were drowning until your mouth was already full of water.

you missed his call once, and he didn’t text you for two days. you told him you were seeing an old friend, and he got cold. said, “funny how you always have time for everyone but me.”

you asked if he was okay and he said, “don’t start.”

you touched him wrong and he flinched away.

you said something he didn’t like and he left without a word.

he stopped calling you pretty. stopped answering when you said i miss you. stopped sleeping over unless he was drunk or high or angry at someone else.

and you apologized. for everything. for nothing. for things that weren’t your fault.

he’d ghost you for days, then show up at your door like nothing happened. collapse into your bed, kiss your neck, press his knee between your legs like he hadn’t left you crying four nights ago.

you let him. every time.

you said, “where were you?”

he said, “don’t start.”

you asked if he loved you, and he rolled his eyes.

said, “what does that even mean?”

you started keeping your feelings small, your voice softer, your words careful. you stopped crying in front of him. stopped asking him to stay. you’d beg silently, in the way you kissed him. the way you let him touch you even when it hurt. the way you said i love you like a prayer he never answered.

the shift was so slow you barely noticed it.

but then you did.

you noticed that you didn’t laugh around him anymore. that he never kissed you after sex. that he called you dramatic when you cried and said “you’re lucky i even deal with this.” that he didn’t ask about your day. didn’t say goodnight. didn’t care if you were okay.

you noticed how you flinched when he raised his voice.

how you waited for him to reply like your worth depended on it.

how his silence made you sick and his attention made you sicker.

you noticed you weren’t you anymore.

you were his. only his. always his.

you knew what kind of night it was going to be the second he walked in.

he didn’t say hi. didn’t ask how you were. didn’t even look at you at first — just dropped his bag by the door, ran a hand through his hair like he was already annoyed, and asked, “did you miss me?”

you nodded. said yeah. said a lot.

he didn’t answer. didn’t smile.

he just stared.

his eyes were sharp like he was waiting for you to say the wrong thing. his hands were cold when they touched your waist. his grip was tighter than it needed to be. he kissed you like he wanted to shut you up.

and you let him.

because this was the only time he touched you anymore. the only time he looked at you. the only time you felt like you existed to him. even if it hurt. especially when it hurt.

he spat cruel things against your skin. called you names you didn’t recognize yourself in. slapped you when you said i love you like it offended him. pressed his hand around your throat like he wanted to crush the part of you that still hoped.

you cried.

he didn’t care.

you touched him gently once — just once — and he pushed your hand away. told you to stop acting pathetic. to open your mouth and make yourself useful. said he didn’t want to hear a sound out of you unless it was you begging.

you begged.

you begged like you meant it.

not because you were desperate for him — but because if you didn’t give him everything, he might leave. and if he left, you didn’t know what you were without him.

you let him use you until your body ached. until you couldn’t tell the difference between pain and pleasure anymore. until you were sore and stretched and shaking and empty. until it was over.

and he just got up. didn’t speak. didn’t touch you again. didn’t even look at you as he pulled on his shirt and grabbed his phone. like you were nothing. like you were never anything.

the door slammed shut behind him.

you laid there on the sheets you’d just washed, legs sticky, throat bruised, stomach twisting. the room was quiet. you could still smell him on your skin. and it made you feel like you were rotting.

you didn’t cry. you just stared at the ceiling. blinking slowly. feeling like something had been carved out of you. like there was less of you now than there was before.

you touched your own wrist. lightly. the only tenderness you’d felt all night.

and you wondered if this is what love was supposed to feel like.

if maybe you’d just gotten it wrong.

if maybe this was the best you were ever going to get.

you didn’t text him the next morning.

you didn’t check if he got home. didn’t ask if he was okay. didn’t say i miss you, even though the words clawed at the back of your throat like they wanted to be let out.

you told yourself: if he wants me, he’ll reach out.

he didn’t.

you left him on read the next time he messaged you. just once. it was stupid. petty. small. but it felt like control. like a single breath of air after being underwater too long.

you started taking longer to respond. started saying i’m busy more. started turning your phone face-down on the table when you were out.

and it only took three days for him to notice.

you stared at the screen for a long time.

he was doing it again. twisting it. making it seem like it was your fault. like you were the inconsistent one. like he hadn’t been the one who disappeared for three days just last week.

and then:

and there it was. the push.

you felt your stomach drop. like you were the one who’d done something wrong. like you owed him more of yourself, even though he never gave you anything in return.

you didn’t respond.

that night, you turned your phone off. didn’t check. didn’t break.

and in the morning, he was at your door.

flowers in one hand.

coffee in the other.

that soft look on his face — the one he only wears when he knows you’re slipping.

he kissed your temple like he used to. held your face in his hands. said, “i’ve been thinking about you all week.” and “i miss how we used to be.”

you wanted to scream. wanted to slam the door in his face.

but instead, you let him in.

you cried reading it.

because he’d said the exact same thing two months ago. and again a month before that. and again last week.

he always says i’m trying like it’s supposed to fix the blood in your mouth. like the bruises on your hips are just growing pains. like the silence and the absence and the backhanded words were all part of the process.

and every time, you believed it a little less.

but not enough to leave.

because part of you still wanted to be the one he changed for. still believed in the boy who kissed your shoulder that first night and whispered that he didn’t know how to be good but wanted to learn. still held onto the way he looked at you like he needed you more than air.

you were addicted to the potential of him.

you were starving, and he kept feeding you crumbs.

and it was never enough.

but it was always just enough to keep you there.

you let him crawl back into your bed. you let him hold you again like he hadn’t made you feel disgusting the night before. you let him kiss your throat — right over the spot he pressed too hard — and you sighed like it was forgiveness.

you told yourself: this time will be different.

but it wasn’t.

he was sweet for three days. he bought you your favorite snacks. he played with your hair while you fell asleep. he sent you texts in the middle of the day that said “miss you” and “thinking about you.” and it was everything you’d ever wanted to hear.

you started to feel warm again. started to hope.

and then it cracked. just like it always did.

you told him you were going out with a friend — just dinner, nothing special — and he went cold instantly.

you stared at your reflection in the bathroom mirror. red lipstick. flushed cheeks. trembling hands.

you weren’t even sure who you were dressing up for anymore — yourself? your friend? the girl you used to be?

and suddenly, you didn’t want to go out at all.

you canceled.

he came over later that night like he hadn’t ruined it. curled up behind you in bed. whispered, “thank you for listening.”

and you hated that it made your chest feel warm.

you hated that you needed his approval like oxygen.

you hated him.

you hated yourself more.

you didn’t even recognize your own voice when you said, “do you even love me?”

he didn’t answer for a long time.

just ran his fingers down your back. slow. quiet.

then, finally:

“don’t ask me shit like that.”

you nodded.

of course.

you watched the ceiling while he fell asleep beside you. watched the shadows shift with the headlights outside. your phone lit up once — a message from the friend you never saw — and you didn’t open it.

you were tired.

not the kind that sleep fixed.

the kind that settled in your bones.

the kind that made you wonder if you were even real anymore.

or just something he built to need him.

you didn’t reply.

you just stared at the message until your eyes burned.

and wondered if maybe he was right.

maybe you were hard to love.

you wake up before him.

his arm’s draped over your waist, heavy like a shackle. your phone’s on the floor, your body aches, and your throat is raw — you don’t remember crying, but you must’ve. your cheeks are sticky. your eyes sting.

he’s still asleep.

and you just lie there.

it’s not peaceful. not gentle. you’re not watching him with love in your chest. you’re watching him like a stranger you’re too scared to run from. like you’re cataloging the details so you can remember how you got here.

his breath tickles your neck.

he shifts and murmurs your name like he means it.

and still — you feel nothing.

nothing except that gnawing pull in your chest that says i should go.

but you won’t.

you think about leaving a lot lately.

not in the dramatic way. not with a suitcase or slammed doors.

more like: what if i just didn’t text him back one day?

what if i just… stopped answering?

but you know better.

he’d show up.

he always does.

when he thinks he’s losing you, he becomes everything you ever wanted.

just long enough for you to forget what he is the rest of the time.

you used to fall for it.

you still do.

but now it feels different.

you’re not hoping he’ll change anymore.

you’re just too tired to try again.

you finally get up.

your body’s stiff. sore. you wince when you walk to the bathroom. there’s a bruise blooming on your hip — from his grip or the wall or maybe both. you don’t look at your face in the mirror. you don’t want to see it.

you brush your teeth in silence.

rinse your mouth out twice.

it still tastes like him.

and there it is again.

the subtle coldness. the way he makes you feel like the problem for anticipating the pain.

you put your phone down.

you stare out the window for a long time, until the light gets too sharp and your head starts to hurt. you sit back on the edge of the bed and he’s still asleep, like none of this matters.

you think, he’s never going to love me right.

and then, i’m never going to leave.

not because you don’t want to.

but because some part of you — the part that’s still cracked open and bleeding — needs him to stay.

even if he’s killing you.

maybe it’s not about love anymore.

maybe it’s just about surviving each other.

you don’t pack a bag.

you don’t write a note.

you crawl back into bed, curl against him, and let yourself disappear.

just a little more.

just enough to make it through the day.

a/n: if u think ur messed up for liking this, dont worry — im probably worse 🧐

[yan-randomfandom]

I know I can't get to every ask, so if I sadly don't answer yours—please know i've definitely read it!!

LIKE HELL YEAH tell me more about BOTH groups yandere-ing over you, and how you have the brilliant idea of being a reincarnated lover, and how obsessed you are with Mystery Saja or that you're a big BABYMETAL fan whahaha!!!

omg, you translated my writing so you could understand?! you read every single one of my work?? the compliments?? I'm swelling up with love, thank you!!! 💕

— remember there are other great writers who may take up your request! i'm sure they'd be happy to write it ♪

— 😋

welcome to read more!

now i'll show you my Saja Boys concept draft personality thingy (very simplistic)

abby - narcissistic, shows off abs, confident

romance - stares, romantic, cheesy

baby - arrogant-ish, likes to have smth in mouth, chill with spicy

mystery - nonchalant, barks, ominous, growls, host-like, he listens obediently, tears up at limit

jinu - silly leader for sure

ALL - gets tired IMMEDIATELY, demon form except jinu is twitchy, lifeless

wrote this while watching the movie or scrolling through tiktok — this lowkey is outdated tho. i kinda ignore it now when i write, i also read other fics to help me characterize them :)

gonna be writing Huntrix girls next, will def have smth like this for them soon, guess i'll just edit it!!

[strawbairicake]

hallo Lia, before i say anything else i think i should apologize for taking so long to submit a request for your event—i kept either forgetting or endlessly second-guessing any draft of an ask i came up with because i didn’t want to end up annoying you, i hope you can forgive me :((

since it’s so late i completely understand if you don’t want to write this (especially if you aren’t interested in the idea), but would it be ok for me to request aventurine and a merman/merfolk au? i think it would be interesting to see him attempt (keyword: attempt) to court a human reader, but feel free to change the concept however you like ! thank you in advance, have a great day ♡

part of your world -aventurine x reader (mermaid/merfolk au!)

synopsis: the cute guy that mysteriously came ashore the beach is really intriguing, isn’t he?

warnings: none, it’s pure fluff! might be ooc though, apologies for that!

word count: 498

author’s note: yes the title was from the song from the little mermaid. no, i don’t have any regrets or better title names. anyway, thank you for requesting, Ruu! please don’t hesitate to come say hello or drop a request in my inbox! no beta, we die like my hopes n’ dreams /lh! would love to hear more from you! hopefully this idea fits (and maybe exceeds) your expectations; hope you enjoy! <3

book n’ dash event

tagging: @cmiru

acquiring human legs after having a mermaid tail all your life is quite the flex. that’s what Aventurine thought anyway. he had just washed up to shore when you came running over to him, in quite the panic.

“oh my gosh, are you okay? where did you come from?” you asked as you approached him. and Aventurine felt like he had come down with an ailment: he couldn’t speak, think, move (not that he tried any of these things). he was just frozen. god you were so pretty, did you know that?

“washed… up,” Aventurine replies, somewhat stunned at his lack of being able to form words. you nod, seemingly understanding what he said (you didn’t understand) and trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. you don’t want to overwhelm him, either.

“where are you from?” you asked after a few minutes of silence.

“the ocean. why?”

“okay… how did you get here, friend?” you asked.

friend… such a safe and comforting word. he knows you didn’t slip the word out intentionally. it was a speaking before thinking moment but you didn’t seem to regret or take back the word. 

“i… don’t know. i’m just… here.” he replies. you nod again. 

“i’m (name), nice to meet you. come with me, I’ll help you get on your feet. two more questions, can you understand what i’m saying? and what's your name?” 

“I’m Aventurine, and i can understand you well.”

satisfied with his answer, you help him off the sandy beach, giving him a towel you were carrying earlier. you help him wrap it around his waist and start walking to your apartment, not far from the beach luckily. you both make the short trek back to your home and you let him settle in before overwhelming him with more questions and activities for you to do.

“once you’re comfortable and dressed, we’re going to go to the mall and get you some clothes, okay?” 

“sure, thank you.” 

And so you were off. you headed to the mall, and got to the clothing store for your new friend. you let him pick out whatever he wanted. but before you both left the store, a small pearl bracelet caught his eye. 

“(Name), look,” Aventurine points to the bracelet.

“what’s wrong?” you ask as you see where his finger’s pointing, “oh, the bracelet? we can get it!” and as the nice clerk gets it out of the display and grabs it for you. you check out and head back to your apartment.

“what’s with the interest in the bracelet?” you asked him after he sat down on your couch.

“it’s a sign of loyalty and love in the mermaid language. you’ve also been kind to me.”

your breath hitched, and you gulp a bit nervously, “and?” 

“and even though we’ve just met, i want you to have it.” he says as he pushes the box to you. you think this cute mermaid-turned human is sticking around for a while longer.

©2025 strawbairicake. do not repost, copy, translate, modify, or use for AI.

[darkfictionjude]

Ummm... Honestly, I'm not sure if my input is helpful or not, or if it's fine (I seriously don't know why I can't just *throws hands up in the air bc idk what else to do but gesture*) (I fear I might get backlash from the other anons but what the hell?)

Umm, tbh, I don't see why Imre and Nia can't go do that. The sex thing. I mean, from what I've read in your answers to the asks so far, they aren't in any relationships yet. It's a situationship with Crowny. Perhaps it's because I'm also demi + I'm going platonic route with all of them that I'm not so easily attached (?)/possessive of the characters (omg Lorcan being a demi is so cool actually! Twinning :DD). Idk I'm just rambling atp. But seriously, I can literally read the exhaustion with when you answer asks like that. It's a WIP, there's bound to be changes or unplanned things likes that. I like that you write for the characters and not for the audience. Like, to the audience, it's not that hard to stop reading because you don't like it (or like where it's headed).

Honestly, for me, I'm here for whatever you're planning for the story. I can't wait to see how it progresses. I just like the fact that I can gush(?) about the story because I've never been able to do that much. And yeah...

Okay, maybe I just derailed from the subject. Maybe this might turn into a whole argument or debate in your inbox. But like, you do you, Jude, because I love the story that you're writing :))

-Ryn

I like how you call it the sex thing for some reason I find it cute

Recently I’ve seen on the night market authors blog that people get very hung up on topics like this (I actually feel really bad for that author like damn people can literal become crazy like damn a gun isn’t to your head you don’t have to play). It’s nice to feel like from the get go your MC is #1. Many people play IFs for wish fulfilment but I don’t write wish fulfilment

The ROs no longer are fucking other people but I like how they didn’t stop doing that when Crowny came back to town or when they started to reconnect/connect with them because this isn’t insta-lust or insta-love. They don’t owe sexual loyalty to crowny unless it’s promised and vice versa

It seems like a simple concept but I have seen authors go through it for suggesting that MC isn’t the centre of an ROs world always. It might have to do with how IFs have changed in the way they’re written in the last few years. There’s been a push more towards ROs that are characters first foremost and ROs second

[ifindus]

what do you think the nordics would wear if they where to get married?🕊️

This! 👇

Norway - the western suit is probably the most common wedding attire in Norway, but many people choose to get married in bunads as they are very expensive clothes reserved for special occasions anyway. Norway would definitely wear a bunad to get married in.

Iceland - breaks more with tradition and chooses more modern options instead of the western suit and tie. A nice pair of trousers and a west with earthy tones to tie in with his outdoorsy life.

Denmark - "the most continental nordic" goes for the classic black suit but spices it up with a bow-tie instead of a tie.

Sweden - the western suit and tie for Sweden as it's the most common there as well, but he strays from the black and chooses blue colours for his wedding outfit.

Finland - a more modern suit and bow-tie situation with a dark green shirt, improved for a winter wedding with a thicker coat over. According to @/nordickies there are some instances where Finns will wear their traditional clothing for weddings, however I could not find many photos of this, but many photos of winter weddings, so that's what inspired his look.

[halfusek]

should i reply to asks from 2019 or is that insane behavior

[abyssal-ilk]

is anyone going to write a tragic, homoerotic vivienne fic where she recruits a bard who was sent to kill her and said bard falls in love with her but forever yearns silently because she knows they can never be together. is anyone going to do it or do i have to do everything in this house

[sylviaknightingale]

Does your oc have a love interest?

*Coughs* Well… ? It’s possible, and perhaps mutual ☺️

[batsplat]

Please feed the starving nasses the vale/jlo lore

they were made 2 be teammates

[valhallavalgrace]

How have your interactions with your floormates been? Do any of them seem particularly friendly?

I think this might be your guy to talk to, Leo, just a hunch...

prev ask

[empresskaze]

Could we possibly see a ficlet of V trying to hide a horrible cold from J because he caught it from J? Like it's early on in their partnership and J had a small cold but is over it and suddenly V is. So sick. But he's embarrassed to tell J because he is already this frail wisp of a man and he doesn't want his partner to feel guilty for getting him this sick...

Ok so when I did the little poll for what people wanted next was Viktor trying to hide he's sick from Jayce. These two prompts I decided to combine since theyre very close and I can take parts from both. Hope you guys like it! (this is not beta'd and Im half asleep right now so Ill fix mistakes later)

~~~~

Any other day of the week, month, year, century, Viktor wouldn't have minded listening to Jayce yap about anything. Altough they hadn't been working together long, one thing Viktor learned fairly quickly was Jayce talked. A lot.

If it was about their work or science in general, Viktor would engage. But he realized Jayce would chat on basically any subject. Unless both were concentrating, Jayce always filled any silence with chatter. Viktor wondered if Jayce had a personal issue with quiet.

But today...

Maybe Jayce was making up for the past few days where he'd had a slight case of laryngitis, keeping his voice whisper quiet or simply writing notes to his partner.

Or maybe it was because Viktor now suffered from a head cold which he was positive he'd caught from Jayce (not that he'd told him) but his patience for listening to Jayce rattle on about anything other than their work was a thread.

"Jayce!" Viktor finally smacked his hand on the table interrupting whatever Jayce had been talking about as it had all become buzzing in his head, "What does this have..." His voice gave out forcing Viktor to clear it, "To do with your hypothesis?"

Jayce pivoted in his seat, "What do you mean, V? I explained that a few minutes ago. Hence why I changed the blueprints. See?" Getting he stood over Viktor pushing a set of papers in front of him. "I thought you looked at these?"

Viktor blinked then rubbed his head, "Yea right I did." He then dipped, stifling silently. As Jayce was pointing at a particular figure, Viktor doubted he'd noticed which was fine with him.

The day trudged on. Viktor desperately trying to keep his brain from filling with fog as he and Jayce worked on the next phase of hextech. He stifled quietly, left the talking to Jayce only give a hum or grunt in response, and hoped if he got home before midnight he'd get a few hours of sleep.

That part he should have known was impossible. Both of them left the lab late, Jayce walking with him until their paths diverged.

Inside, Viktor made it to the couch before collapsing, his cane falling to the floor. Sleep came fast but did not last. By roughly 4am Viktor was up due to the pressure in his head and the pain in his back. He could just return to the lab, he'd arrived early before but he lacked the strength to move farther then to the bed. Wrapped in a thin blanket, Viktor's breath hitched as volley of itchy sneezes followed. He was too exhausted to stifle them fully.

So much for sleeping off this cold.

****

Viktor stared at the clock, it was after 7am. Normally he was up and getting ready to head back to the lab. Jayce would usually follow closely behind, but Viktor was always there first. His heavy lidded eyes blinked slowly. How his head ached as did his throat, Viktor was sure he wouldn't be able to speak today.

Jayce couldn't know. More so Viktor didn't want him to know. What would his new partner think about him if a simple cold knocked him down this hard? No he'd get up, go in. There was work to do.

Getting up was easier said then done. Cold firmly in his head, his nose itched like mad so if he wasn't rubbing it, he was covering sneezes.

The cold walk to the lab aggravated his leg and made him sniffle constantly, putting him in an even worse mood.

It was almost 9am by the time he reached the lab, ready to diffuse any questions from Jayce on why he was late. However the door remained locked. Had he still arrived first. Unlocking it with one hand, cane hooked over his arm as he pinched a sneeze, Viktor pushed it open, peeking in.

Empty.

Viktor's shoulders unclenched as he exhaled a relieved sigh, that morphed into a small cough. Good no explanation needed.

However when Viktor removed his coat the chill of the empty lab hit him causing shivers to run through him. He didn't want to keep it on, it was too cumbersome for delicate mechanical work. Viktor hoped the building heat would click on soon as he pulled his stool over and began looking over the semantics he and Jayce drew up. It was difficult as his vision kept blurring or the persistent tickle made him sneeze again. But he kept at it if only out of spite to his cold.

Roughly an hour later he heard the door behind him open. Quickly he pocketed the handkerchief he'd been using to tend to his increasingly bothersome nose.

"Morning!" Jayce called, the hint of the after effects of his laryngitis showing in the higher pitch.

Viktor wanted to reply but the burning in his throat only allowed him to respond with a nod. He was engrossed in his work, Jayce wouldn't question it.

"You didn't make coffee?" Jayce raised an eyebrow as he looked at the empty pot.

Internally Viktor cursed. He was dead tired but the idea of the hot bitter liquid on his tender throat hadn't been what he'd wanted that morning.

Clearing his throat, Viktor summed all the voice he could, "Slipped my mind." He managed out while keeping his eyes on his work. Sniffling again, he glanced after to to see if Jayce had noticed but he was focused on the coffee pot.

"Here." A cup was set down next to him a few minutes later.

Viktor hummed a thanks as Jayce sat down in his chair.

Work began as they fell into their rhythm. Needing to keep rubbing his nose discreetly became difficult as the morning progressed. Anytime Jayce went out of his line of sight, Viktor brought out his handkerchief hoping with each rub the sensation of wanting to sneeze would lessen. Sadly it didn't.

Finally he couldn't hide it anymore. During a testing phase, Viktor's breath hitched too hard to ignore, his elbow coming up to cover it. The force surprised Viktor, knocking him back a bit. Without his cane which leaned against the table, his leg twinged, Viktor mistepped but managed to right his balance.

"V?" Immediately Jayce was beside him, hand on his shoulder giving it a squeeze. "You feeling alright?"

"Yes, fine. Just drafty in here." He lied, limping back over to the table.

"Oh here." Jayce two stepped over to his chair, removing his jacket off the back. "Put this on, it'll be big...sorry." A small blush crossed his face. "But it's not as heavy as our winter coats. It should help."

Viktor looked at the coat, then at his smiling partner who held it out. Shaking his head, he grabbed it, throwing it over his shoulders so his arms would still be free.

As the day continued on, Viktor became aware Jayce was watching him more often. So the effort to hide how awful he felt also ramped up. Viktor wanted to shed the coat to show he didn't need it but knew he'd begin shivering which would alert Jayce.

He wanted to work late again but his voice now shot which wasn't something he could hide easily. So when Jayce suggested they call it a night well before the sun had set, for once, he didn't argue.

Again Jayce walked with him until they're paths went different ways, though Viktor noticed he did not start down the walk to his own place until Viktor had once left his vision.

It wasn't until Viktor walked into his front room, throwing off his own coat that he realized he was still wearing Jayce's jacket from earlier. Clutching it in his hand, Viktor sighed, which made him cough. His head ached, his nose buzzed from congestion and the chilly air.

Before he could fully take in his situation, he inhaled sharply, the sneeze bending him at the waist. Giving his head a shake and his nose a thick sniffle, Viktor headed down to his bedroom. Exhaustion was too much, Viktor simple laid on the bed, not bothering to remove his uniform. Staring unfocused until he saw nothing, his breath rattling in his throat, he thought of how Jayce hadn't even mentioned the jacket when they walked.

****

His alarming ringing did nothing to help the pounding in his head and sinuses. Rolling onto his side as his back felt stiff, Viktor massaged his forehead. Everything hurt. Every muscle. Every joint. He was used to pain, it was part of his daily life. This pain was different. This was exhaustive pain. One he knew wouldn't go away by ignoring it.

His thoughts interrupted as he sneezed twice, covering his mouth with this blanket.

He could lay here. Not force himself up and to the lab. But then Jayce would wonder, why wasn't he there. Then Jayce might think he's not as interested, he's not a worthy partner, find someone new. The last thing Viktor wanted was to be an assistant again. No he'd make it. Whether it took all day, he'd make it to the lab. No reason to worry Jayce.

The wind whipped around him, blowing his hair in his eyes, chapping his nose and making the walk even worse then normal.

Viktor was relieved when he finally entered the doors of the main building, at least it was warmer in here. He'd barely taken two steps when his arm shot up against his nose as he stifled. Another followed, this one feel could feel in the back of his throat. Removing his handkerchief he blew his nose before entering, this time he knew Jayce was there as he could hear tinkering going on.

"Viktor!" Jayce immediately turned around when he heard the door open. "I thought you weren't going to come in today. It's nasty cold out. Trust me I even thought of staying home." He continued as Viktor hung up his coat and attempted a soft throat clear.

"Too much work." He rasped, as he sat on his stool. He brushed his hand across his nose trying to itch it as Jayce rambled on. Two silent stifles followed which shot pain through his skull. It was hard to concentrate on his work.

"V?" Jayce said a few minutes later.

"Mm?"

Viktor heard the sound of chair feet across the floor, "I gave you my jacket for a reason."

Viktor felt his face flush so he was determined to keep his eyes fixed on the papers in front of him. "Oh?"

He then felt the jacket over his frame again, keeping a bit of the draft at bay. "I...um..." Words couldn't form as he felt Jayce's warm hands on his shoulders.

"Why didn't you tell me you were sick?" His partner asked sitting back down on the chair. Jayce leaned forward trying to catch Viktor's gaze.

Sniffling, Viktor finally shed the facade. "It wasn't bad...until yesterday afterno..no..." He turned finally letting a half stifle out as he couldn't bare more pain rocking his head.

"Bless you." Jayce's tone was so soft. "Why did you come in?"

Tucking his hands between his legs, Viktor glanced at Jayce then back down. He didn't want to admit his insecurity about Jayce finding a new, healthier, more able bodied, partner. Deep down he knew Jayce would never.

"We have work to do..." His voice gave out forcing a throat clear.

"No we don't, not today and not until you're better." Jayce stood up, walking over to where Viktor's coat hung. "You head on home. I'll go talk to Heimerdinger about an extension."

Viktor's head shot up which wasn't the best for him but his eyes were wide, "No Jayce, it's fine...I..." Viktor pushed himself up.

"You, my partner, will go home." Jayce smiled down at Viktor, putting the coat over his own jacket. "If you want, later on I'll come by. We can discuss some theories if you're up for it?" He patted Viktor's shoulder then walked past him to the door.

Opening it, he gave a gesture. "Let’s go, V."

Dumbfounded but moreso oddly impressed, Viktor stuck his arm through his coat, grabbed his cane and followed Jayce out.

[smokbeast]

[dailyhtfboards]

Day 109

Today’s board is:

Ya know Handy looks really weird in this board, I don’t know why they drew him like that /silly

(From TV episode 12C Junk in the Trunk)

[askthehedgehogs]

How about some nice, easy to eat comfort food for when you get home to go with that hot chocolate? Here’s some chilli soup (trust me!) and some warm, soft bread rolls to go with it.

Can I interest you in a blanket fort? Always helps me when I’ve had a rubbish day!

✨

Thank you. The second I can get Sonic to eat, I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.

He’ll be fine. He just needs some time. A blanket fort is a good idea… I’ll move him to it.

[askchuuyanakahara]

Dazai does Chuuya know how you’re only ever nice to him when he’s asleep/unconscious

@megaroniandcheez

Dazai: "I'm not going to do anything to him."

Dazai: "I don't have a pen to draw on his face."

Dazai: "I doubt Chuuya would want me here in the morning."

Dazai: "I should probably feed her. Chuuya'd probably get annoyed if he finds out he fell asleep instead of waking up to feed her in time."

Dazai: "About this much, right? Ah well, I guess a bit of under or over feeding wouldn't hurt.."

Dazai: "Now then.."

Dazai: "Bye bye, Chuuya."

[dasketcherz]

Thoughts on Hugo & Varian as Odysseus + Penelope from Epic The Musical? (Not directly, but like, their songs at least. Especially "Would you fall in love with me again?") I APOLOGIZE FOR LONG INFODUMP </3 Like, which ones do you think would fit who? Imo, I believe both fit either side really well. Varian as Ody is basically him doing all the bad things he did in Corona and asking Hugo if he'll forgive him and love him, because at the time, he thought he had no choice but to do those things. Hugo never cared about what Varian did that deeply because he had his own qualms too, he was fine with waiting for him because he wasn't a monster, he was just a boy who was hurt. He was, and is, just Varian. They're both beautiful yet broken and Hugo's gonna help pick up those pieces. The "bow" that people would use for suitors is actually just a giant machine that one of them broke and if they're gonna get married to someone other than each other, then at least they can find a mechanically competent partner LOL (This goes both ways, no matter who is Ody or Penelope, thought I think it'd be fun if Hugo was Penelope, the bow would be switched out for a gun he made that nobody knew how it worked) Yet, imagine Varian as Penelope in a way. He's already gone through all of that pain before, he's just been waiting for love to find him. Waiting for Hugo. Hugo in "Would you fall in love with me again?" asking Varian if he'd still love him even if he made mistakes, did horrible things, things that he thought nobody would accept him doing even though he had no choice. Like growing up on the streets or doing dirty work for Donella. There was an inherent pyramid and where he stood was not high enough. I think Varian in Penelope's position would be exhausted (lovingly) waiting for Hugo for so long only for him to go "Would u still love me if I maybe did these bad things and there's POSSIBLYYY blood on my hands?? :c" to THE ALCHEMIST WHO RAMPAGED ACROSS CORONA FOR HIS DAD'S SAFETY!! Like... he knows what it's like to do that Hugo. Probs worse. You'll be okay.. <3 It would also be a fun parallel for Varian & Cass tbh. If he was Penelope he'd be waiting in a similar fashion to Cass. They're tired of waiting for something they want, they want it now, but it's just not possible unless something magICAL happens. Either way, they'll do what they need to do to keep it in their favor. For love or not. And finally, mildly unrelated topic, if we're taking the whole storyline out of context for Epic & just picking a song that fits them- Ofc "Would you fall in love with me again?" would be the Varigo song, but I ALSO PROPOSEEEE Varian & Cassandra's song to be "We'll Be Fine" with Cass as Athena talking about Raps & Varian as Telemachus. THAT IS ALL TY FOR READING!!

OH MY GOSH PLEASE DONT APOLOGIZE FOR THE LONG POST, THIS IS STELLAR OMG IT'S SUCH A PEAK DEEP DIVE AAAA THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE SCRUMPTIOUS FOOD AND SHARING IT WITH ME!!

Both alternate takes on the odysseus/penelope: varigo roles is so good!! And the talking points on why the roles can really work both ways is spot on!!

I think what's so fascinating about varigo's dynamic when it came to their misdeeds is how Hugo had stopped thinking too much about the crimes he committed because he grew up in an environment where everyone does it (to survive) hence it comes off like it's just a normal activity (that prbbly is not anywhere else) among ingvarrians (who are less fortunate) meanwhile Varian thinks about his a lot, like a constant shadow of his past that never left him and will constantly follow him no matter what path he takes in life.

So when Hugo begun to care for Varian... when Varian's opinions and how he sees him begun to matter to him—that's when he suddenly starts to genuinely reflect on his own past actions—because he wants to be good for Varian, wants to be someone worthy of his love, wants to be someone Varian deserves, wants to do better for Varian. But to Varian, he is good enough as he is, as just Hugo.

And when Varian confesses about his past, he still expects a shift to their relationship because he's afraid, afraid that he wont be accepted fully for both the good and the bad sides of himself. But Hugo doesn't let that change the way he thinks of him—because its all in the past, and he understands, like truly he gets it. And he is set on making sure Varian knows that, that he'll still love him all the same. Cuz like you said, he never saw him as a monster, he's just Varian—the silly, clumsy-prone, passionate, brilliant and kind person he came to know.

And they'll embrace each other wholeheartedly for who they are and it's just aghhh, god gay ppl man !! i cant stand them!! /VPOS

ALSO ouuughh the challenge being "figure out how this complicated mechanism that I created works" is just genius!! Like PLEEEASE they fucking would !! Its smart, its sneaky, its such a subtle way to say "fuck you im waiting for the love of my life to come back and thats not yall" and its so them-coded behavior, eating it up so hard

(and the We'll Be Fine as a Cass/Varian song is pretty fitting as well yeh! I can totally see that, I see the vision!)