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sparklingchim · 2 years ago

Note

lwh oc distracting jungkook while he’s working out or boxing 😋😗😉

word count: 1.1k

warnings: jelly n possessive koo 😋, spit !!, blowjob, titty fuck, dirty talk, boob-obsessed jk obv, cum play, cum eating, the initial necklace makes a comback !

⭒☆━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━☆⭒

"20 minutes ago, you said you'd be done in five minutes."

Your huffed complaint barely reaches Jungkook's ears as he continues to throw punches at the heavy bag in front of him.

You're sitting cross-legged next to him, pulling at his shorts to pull his attention towards you.

"Just five more minutes, baby." He casts a quick glance at you before focusing on his training again.

"I'm boored."

Your fingers trail to his drawstrings. You pull at them without Jungkook noticing. His black Calvin's peek out and your inital idea to just annoy him morphs into something more impish.

Your fingertips slowly brush over the front of his joggers.

Jungkook’s little grunts from above come to a halt when he peers down at you, brows pulled together in confusion. He tilts his head to the side when you meet his gaze with a mischievous smile.

“Baby.” Jungkook’s chest rises with every heavy breath, his skin shimmering with sweat. “What are you doing?”

“Relax for a bit, Koo,” you say softly. Hand cupping him through the fabric. “This is only making you angrier.” Batting your eyelashes you ask, “What’s got you so mad, hm?”

“Nothin’,” he mumbles, eyes closed as you squeeze him.

You can’t shake the feeling that Jungkook is still holding onto some tension from last night’s Christmas gathering. While having dinner with friends and hitting up a bar, you couldn’t ignore Jungkook’s upset pout on his face, the lingering glances with his doe eyes and his subtly possessive hands always reaching for you.

And all that just because he was jealous of Taehyung. It’s been ages since you last saw Taehyung, your former high school boyfriend, and there was a lot to catch up on. Jungkook pretended it didn’t bother him, but his façade crumbled easily – just like now, with his tense jaw and clenched hands in white wraps, still staunchly denying any reason for his anger.

“I’m a much better distraction than punching a stupid bag, don’t you think?” You pull his joggers and briefs down in one motion and crawl on your knees in front of him. Your mouth closes around his tip and Jungkook shudders.

“Fuck,” he hisses. “You sure no one will come here?” you ask, stroking his cock with your hand.

“It’s been closed for hours.” Jungkook gathers your hair in his fist. “I wouldn’t let anyone see you like this. But we can go to the office if you don’t feel comfortable here.”

“I’m fine,” you mutter around his cock. You take him deeper into your mouth, swirling your tongue around his hard dick. Your eyes sting with tears when his tip reaches the back of your throat. Jungkook curses, holding your head in that position.

“So cute,” he mutters. His thumb brushes over the little tear in the corner of your eye. He moves his hips back a little before he pushes his cock further down your throat again. “Damn, baby. Taking my cock so well.”

You heave for air once he’s all the way out, hands unconsciously squeezing his muscular thighs. Jungkook strokes his cock in leisurely movements. You dip your head and gently suck on his balls. His head falls back, plush mouth parted to utter soft moans.

You feel Jungkook tugging on your pullover. “Lemme see your tits,” he urges.

Your tongue sweeps from his balls across his cock till you give him a little kiss on the tip. A lovestruck smile settles on his face, growing even bigger when he sees your naked tits.

He bends forward to squeeze the supple flesh in his hands, rolling them around in his palms. His tongue pokes his cheek, a hungry look creeping into his eyes.

“Wanna fuck them,” he says.

“Yeah?” You bite your lip, raising a little on your knees.

Jungkook spits down on his cock, rubbing it all over himself. He teases your puckered nipples with his tip, pulling a couple whines from you. You let a droplet of spit trail down on the valley between your tits and he catches it with his cock, rubbing spreading the bit of lubrication on your skin.

You press your boobs against his cock. A shaky breath slips Jungkook’s mouth and moves his hips in needy motions.

“Fuck, I love fucking your tits,” he rasps. His eyes travel over the dainty necklace around your throat, a sparkly J moving along his thrusts. “All mine.” He cups your face, tracing your bottom lip with his thumb.

“You always want me, right? Always gonna be mine.”

“Uh-huh. Always.”

“Good girl.”

Your tummy tingles and you smile up at him.

Jungkook lubricates his cock with more saliva “Tits are so soft,” he whispers. “Gonna cum all over them.” His grunts turn louder as he gets closer to cumming.

He looks so pretty above you with his chiselled chest glistening, cheeks tinted in a rosy colour and his doe eyes looking down at you with lust and adoration.

“’m so close.” His hips stagger and you feel his cum shooting over your chest. Jungkook slows down, watching his cum paint over your boobs with drowsy eyes. “Fuck,” he moans, palming his cock and squeezing out the last bits.

“Feeling better now?” you ask, blinking up at him.

“So much better.” He runs the tip of his cock over his cum, smearing it across your tits. Gathering a bit of cum on his cock, he holds it in front of your mouth. You lick the cum off his tip and swallow it.

“Next time when we’re hanging out with Taehyung you don’t have to get jealous,” you tell Jungkook as you stand up.

His gaze is fixed on your cum-covered boobs before he casts his eyes up, an offended frown contorting his face.

“I wasn’t jealous!”

“No?” You raise your brows. “Your hands just naturally were all over me when I talked to Tae?”

He shrugs. “Maybe.”

You giggle. “Stop being silly.” You throw your arms around his neck, standing on your tip toes. “You’re the only one I want,” you whisper and give him a soft kiss.

“I know.” Jungkook’s fingers skim over your back. “Just need to hear it more often.” He plants another sweet kiss on your lips.

Jungkook’s phone starts ringing.

“Time to pick up Nabi!” you exclaim, eyes sparkling.

Jungkook grins, pulling up his sweatpants and briefs.

“Lemme get some tissues for you first.”

“You think Nabi was a bit mean to Namjoon again?” you ask.

“Oh, she loves annoying him.”

#darly asks #anon #fic: long way home #jungkook smut #jungkook drabble #jungkook dilf #jungkook fanfic #jungkook imagine #jungkook scenario

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darkficsyouneveraskedfor · 9 months ago

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Sweet Like Candy 2

Warnings: non/dubcon, power dynamic, age gap and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Characters: Thor, Bucky Barnes (Professor AU)

Summary: the new school year proves to be hectic. (short!chubby! reader)

Part of the Bad Professors AU

Note: Please leave some feedback and reblog <3 As always, I love to chat with you all.

Professor Odinson ends his first lesson. You’re still copying down the nouns he wrote on the whiteboard as the rest of the class packs up, already chattering about their next lecture or what kind of drink they’ll get from the campus cafe. You scribble quickly, resigning yourself to deciphering the scratchy print later.

You just have a few more lines... gosh, you can hardly make out whether that’s a j or a g.

The rows continue to empty and Professor Odinson’s low drawl wafts up as he speaks with a few students about the weekly quizzes. You’re especially nervous about those yourself. As you get to the last set of nouns, he blocks your view with his large body and picks up the eraser.

“No, wait--” you call out and pop your head up.

It’s too late, he swipes right through his own writing. You groan and drop your pen in defeat. You cringe as he turns to look up at you. You roll the pen to the middle of the book and shut it. You stand and start to pack up.

“I didn’t see you up there,” he calls up. “Apologies.”

“It’s okay, professor,” you throw it all in your plush bag. The soft fabric is nice to cuddle and calming. “I’ll just use the textbook to finish.”

You had a look at the textbook. The print is smaller than any book you’ve ever seen. Maybe that’s why it was the cheapest. You hide your dismay as you come to the center aisle and slowly descends.

“Cherry, was it?” He says, “no, no, Cerise.”

“Yeah, that’s me. You remember,” you stop on the bottom step and grin.

“How could I forget? Oh, so lucky you’re here. I meant to inquire, those strawberry candies, what was the brand? I’ve not been able to find any with that particular wrapping.” He says.

“Oh, er, I have some more,” you reach into your bag. “I get them down at the K-Store. They sell all sorts of Korean imports,” you take out you little sack of candy and loose the ribbon drawstring. Primrose sewed you it over the summer. She said it would keep the chocolates from melting into your laptop fan. Again.

“You are too kind. I’ll just have the brand and treat myself--”

“It’s fine! Lots to go around,” you pick out a handful of the strawberry candies. “Here.”

“Thank you,” he holds out his large hand to catch the candy. “You are too kind.”

“No problem,” you grin. “I’ll see you on Thursday.”

“Thursday,” he agrees. You have class twice a week since it’s a language course, and you’re sure you’ll need both periods to get it down.

“Have a good one! Gotta go.”

“You have a class?” He wonders, and you stop before you can skip off.

“Not exactly. My friends are meeting me at the library.”

“Friends, mm. Well, have fun.”

“Enjoy the candy,” you chirp and spin away, “buh bye.”

You rush out and sweep into the hallway. For once, you’re not running behind. Heck, you might even beat Primrose to the library, although you might pick a table she doesn’t like.

As you reach the front doors, you stop short at the odd breeze along your bum. You reach back and groan. No! Your skirt is rumbled up above your but, tucked into the underside of your panties from squirming in your seat. Gosh, you must’ve put on quite the display as your thigh highs do little to cover your ass. Literally.

You just hope Professor Odinson didn’t notice.

You fix your skirt and shake your head at yourself. You shouldn’t have worn the cropped denim jacket, you should’ve brought a shacket. Ugh, you always choose wrong!

Your phone vibrates as you come down the steps onto even ground. You unlock it with one hand as your bag bounces over your hip. You have the font set to a size bigger than before. It's helping.

Sigh. Primrose beat you to it. She’s always such a stickler. You reply that you’ll be there shortly and Olive echoes the sentiment, warning that she might be a few minutes late at her studio class. Good, it’ll take some heat off of you if you’re a bit behind the clock.

You stop at the library cafe. They have a smaller selection than the campus cafe but you get an apple cinnamon muffin and a cider to match. You’re living your best life.

As you come up the library entrance, you tuck your muffin into your bag, angling your arm awkwardly to do so. Your elbow hits something behind you and a grunt startles you. You drop the muffin and it misses your bag, the paper bag crinkling as it hits your foot.

You bring your arm down as you look to your feet. The paper bag is scooped up by a large hand and you follow the arm up as the man stands straight. You gulp as you recognise him. You think. You squint.

“Professor... Barkley?” You utter.

“Barnes,” he growls and holds out the muffins.

“Oop, I’m sorry,” you say as you take the bag, “thanks.”

“You should be careful,” he says.

“I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t mean to--”

“And watch where you’re going,” he growls and sidesteps you, giving you no opportunity for a response.

He struts into the library and you turn to stare after him. Well, you weren’t exactly paying attention. You’d been more concerned about balancing your treats. You head in after him but are sure to turn in the other direction.

You get your muffin safely in your bag and take out your phone. You ask Primrose where she is and she tells you she’s up on the second floor. You do your best to follow the other directions but you don’t get there before Olive.

You sigh as you come up to them and set your paper cup down, “sorry, guys. I got a bit lost.”

“And you got cider,” Primrose remarks.

“I did,” you shrug as you sit.

“It’s fine, Prim,” Olive tuts. “We’re just studying.”

“Just studying,” Primrose shakes her head. “Not me. This professor. He gave me less than a day for my first lesson and now he’s sent back a grocery list of revisions, all while saying no more than a full sentence to me.”

“Sounds like a butt!” You blow a raspberry. “My professors are pretty chill.”

“That’s good,” Olive smiles, “mine too. But physics... I think it’s going to do me in. I haven’t taken it since Grade 12.”

That’s not—oh,” you catch yourself.

“Been a while,” Olive chuckles. “No worries, I know I’m old.”

“Sorry,” you grab your cup and sip.

“Cerise,” Primrose interrupts. “I can help with your Norse homework. I took that class last year. It’s a lot of work.”

“Oh, thank you! Do you still have your notes? I kinda... didn’t get it all.”

“Brought my binder,” she reaches for her bag. “I’ll hand it over if you go grab me one of those.” She taps your cup lid with her other hand.

“Deal,” you agree. Thank god! This might not be as big a disaster as you feared.

#thor #dark thor #dark!thor #bucky barnes #dark bucky barnes #dark!bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #thor x reader #series #drabble #au #sweet like candy #professor au #avengers #captain america #mcu #marvel

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ahollowgrave · 10 months ago

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-pokes you gently- so what's it like getting a reading from Selenite and how likely is she to tell you outright when you'll die? For reasons :)

(Mentions of: Bones, Animal Sacrifice below the cut.)

The reading room is small and cramped -- Nite prefers the word ‘close.’ Scarfs dyed hues of blue are draped over the light sources, casting a watery mosaic onto the low ceiling. The smell of incense hangs in the air, hazy. There are no windows and only two doorways; the one you just came through has a fall of fabric serving as its door. As it drapes shut behind you it muffles the waiting room and the city beyond, making the sounds distant and otherworldly.

The center of the room hosts a small, round table with a lip around the edge. Two equally plush chairs face each other over it. Shelves line the walls, each one filled to bursting. Jars of buttons, of coins, of metal shavings, bags of varied materials and sizes, some with drawstrings open and their contents spilling out: dried seeds, teeth, bits of bone. Locks of hair carefully glued and pinned into intricate knots or frames or braids. Bits of rock and brightly gleaming crystals in wide-ranging hues. Feathers and scales and claws of beasts. Not to mention the trinkets; Lockets, charms and their bracelets, rings, keychains, and necklaces fill the empty spots, or their own jars, or hang precariously from the corner of shelves. It is hard to take it all in, truly. As your eyes adjust they find that Nite is already waiting for you. A low, pastel light emits from her hair and in the quiet room, barely audible, you can make out the whirring of her eyes as they focus on you, take you in.

(I talk about bones and animal sacrifice from this point on!!) What happens from here depends so much on the customer and their question! Nite uses bones in her reading in the forms of Osteomancy and Scapulimancy. The former is when one is ‘casting’ with bones and other objects and diving things from the way the objects fall. The latter is divining the future from the markings on the shoulder blade of an animal; often an animal sacrificed in the name of the question asker.

Her strongest, clearest readings are done via Scapulimancy. However, because this involves venturing outside of the safety of S9 most of Selenite’s customers don’t reach for this method. Mostly, hunters or fighters of The Arcadion. Thankfully, if a client truly wants a reading done this way, Obsidian (@iron-sparrow's S9 beauty) is happy to do the perilous part for them. For a fee, of course! Maintenance isn’t cheap, even if being done by your best friend.

So, most of Selenite’s readings are done via Osteomancy.

For reference, Osteomancy heavily features bones (of animals) hence the name! However, a practitioner will mix items of importance in with the bones. Hence all those trinkets! Depending on the client, depending on the question, depending on recent events, and the vibes of the day, Selenite will change out the items in her basket.

Selenite does not wear a regulator anymore and when she realizes a client will meet with death soon she makes a promise -- often just to herself but sometimes directly -- to remember and mourn them. Sometimes she asks for something of theirs on that last meeting and often this gets added to her collection and used when she feels moved too.

Not all her clients are seeking answers related to their death! In fact, few are. But that doesn’t mean Selenite doesn’t know, doesn’t learn. If they haven’t asked directly she won’t tell them directly! S9 already fears death and grief too much for her taste and she won’t add to it. Truly, this knowledge is a burden and it is not one Selenite seeks to give to lay on her client’s shoulders. Mostly she wants them not to be scared when Death comes.

When asked directly she answers directly.

Thank you for the ask! And your patience in my answering!

#Answered #Pigeon Writing #Dawntrail #Dawntrail Spoilers #Solution Nine #sorry not sorry you get a weird drabble/ooc ask but i've been thinking about her shop for a while #also i wrote this instead of FFXIV write and that's ok :wistful:#also I very very barely hardly talk about animal sacrifice but like the warning still felt #important #Selenite of S9

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harveyguilleniconodelamoda · 13 days ago

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GLAAD Pride Party - June 11, 2025

Harvey attended a pride event hosted by GLAAD and The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday in a 100% silk turquoise Louis Vuitton shirt over a black tank, paired with black tie-waist trousers and platform combat boots. The outfit was accessorized with a matching turquoise Labubu keychain and a pearl pendant necklace.

Art & Fashion

The shirt is from a 2011 collaboration between American fashion designer Marc Jacobs and Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama for Louis Vuitton. Its features include a spread collar, two side welt pockets, a drawstring hem, the signature LV logo monogram jacquard pattern, and colorful faces designed by Kusama.

Yayoi Kusama has been active in the art world for three quarters of a century. She was part of the avant-garde and pop art movements in New York City in the 50s and 60s, and has continued to create art all over the world well into her 90s. Her art is colorful and often features vast fields of polka dots, which she calls infinity nets. Kusama is often photographed with her work or incorporated into it in some way, making many of her pieces both visual and performance art. She has spoken openly about her struggles with mental health and how those struggles inform her art, as well as how her art helps her to express and cope with them.

Photo Source

The Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama collection was relaunched in 2023 but is no longer available on their site. However, some pieces can still sometimes be found on sites such as eBay, The RealReal, Grailed, and Farfetch. The shirts sell secondhand for anywhere between $1,300 and $1,700.

This isn't the first time Harvey has chosen clothing that features original art or collaborations between artists and designer brands. He has previously worn a windbreaker jacket from Gucci's collaboration with Freya Hartas. More recently, Harvey has been spotted in a sweater from Mameko Maeda's collaboration with TXA (that's a post that's been in my drafts forever...someday I'll actually finish it).

Labubu

Labubu is a furry little monster with bunny ears and sharp teeth. The character was created by artist Kasing Lung as part of a story series called The Monsters based on the Nordic folklore he enjoyed during childhood. The figurines are made of a combination of plush and vinyl, and come in many styles and colors.

The character was first introduced in 2015, but only recently became part of a global collectible craze due to several celebrities being spotted with the dolls attached to designer handbags. We first spotted Harvey with one in January, attached to his orange camera bag on his trip to Peru (at last, the mystery of what the heck is on his bag is solved!).

This trend is reminiscent of the Trolls doll craze of the 80s and 90s. I remember having a Troll doll with bright pink hair and a gemstone belly button. I was obsessed with it, and my parents had no idea why. They thought it was weird-looking, but let's be honest: that's part of the appeal! Labubu's design melds cute with creepy perfectly, and the dolls have many iterations of varying rarities. That combo is always going to appeal to kids and collectors alike.

The monsters' design also brings to mind the cuddly but creepy monsters of beloved children's book Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.

The blue Labubu 3rd generation keychain is available on eBay for between $12 and $20. Other Labubu and The Monsters merchandise can be found on PopMart.

#harvey guillén #plus size fashion #wwdits cast #fashion #menswear #media event looks #louis vuitton #yayoi kusama #labubu

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voids-colourful-creations · 10 months ago

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Ring Around an Iris - A Splatoon 2 Marie Fic

[Read on Ao3!]

Rated: T Splatoon 2 Story Mode Words: 5.6k

In the corner of Inkpolis Square is a grate, with a woman standing over it. Twirling a parasol in her hands, scanning the crowd for just the right Inkling to pass by. And above her head, every two hours, the same new bulletin plays. The same two voices laugh together like clockwork, and Marie continues to stand, alone. (Or, another one of Marie's days before she finds Agent 4, standing across the street from Inkopolis News)

It had been a warm and restless summer night. The chirps of nocturnal insects echoed out into the countryside composing a natural lullaby, a tune for Marie to drift asleep to. Slowly, she could feel her thoughts blurring, mind sinking into her dreams. She’d almost made it, almost, but not before hearing tapping at the window.

It’s always the same rhythm when it’s Callie; one knock, then two knocks in quick succession against the glass. Before Marie had even fully pulled herself out of bed, Callie had already slid the window open, sticking her head inside.

“Mar…” Her voice was audibly damp with tears, “Are you awake?”

Marie, even as young as she was, just rolled her eyes. “Mghhn... Am now.” She replied, crawling out from the covers and heading to the window.

They were up late that night, or at least late for their ages. Still blobby at the edges, not quite mastering the art of permanent physicality.

Callie climbed in through the window, as she had many times before, lugging a large backpack behind her. Despite the size, it hung loosely on her shoulders. The canvas was deflated with hardly anything inside to keep its form.

“What are ya doin’ here, I was sleepin’.” Somewhere in the back of Marie’s mind is a little voice that tells her to be more cautious with what she says. It goes ignored.

“I…” Callie said, pausing for dramatic effect, “--Am running away. I’m going to Inkopolis to become a star.”

“Got in a fight with your mom again ?”

Callie whimpered quietly in response, which Marie took as a yes.

 “Well, what’re you taking with you?” Marie asked, flopping down to sit next to Callie on the edge of her futon.

“Important stuff,” Callie replied, still sniffling slightly.

Marie, unimpressed, took the bag from her cousin and turned it out on the floor.

A few things spilled out, but only a few. Some colourful ribbons to tie her tentacles back, a pair of pyjamas and a spare outfit, some flip flops, and a bright pink plush shaped like a little squid.

“You’re going to need more than this,” Marie said matter-of-factly. “You can’t get on the train without money.”

Callie pouted.

“I already spent all of my allowance.”

Marie sighed and stood up, stretching out as she went. She tiptoed across the room to her dresser. Carefully, Marie pulled open the top drawer, rummaging around for a moment before fishing out a small drawstring bag. Blindly, she reached in, feeling for the coins by their shape. The bag jingled as it swung around.

They’d been on the train to Inkopolis a dozen times together with the rest of their family, so Marie knew the fare by heart. Just nine of the biggest coins.

Marie pulled them out one by one, willing her fingers to stay solid instead of melting down into ink.

One, two, three.

It’d be so easy to forget a coin. The little voice in her head whined. Leave one behind.

Four, five, six.

It would be easy to keep her from leaving.

Marie tiptoed back over to the futon, sitting down with one big flop backwards.

“Here ya go,” Marie said, dropping nine coins into Callie’s lap, “For the train.”

Callie, somewhat surprised, began scooping the coins up and tucking them into the bag.

“Is that everything?” She asked.

Marie shrugged.

“I dunno. Maybe?” She said, while the voice in her mind protested louder. A growing feeling of dread welled up in her chest, ignored by her lips.

Callie squinted, but Marie made no move to fetch any other items, or speak any further on the subject. Her heart protested more and more, and yet her mouth still remained shut.

“Then I guess I’m leaving now. Next time you see me, I’ll be in a big stadium with thousands of adoring fans.”

Marie just scoffed, despite the voice in her mind protesting louder than ever.

“Sure.”

Callie stuck out her tongue.

“You should be nicer to me! I’m leaving! What if you never see me again?”

It really makes Marie sick to her stomach, but the only reply she gives is a little laugh, a giggle she tries to cover with her lime green tipped fingers.

Callie whipped around, tentacles flying outwards with her twirl. Standing up and moving back over towards the window, she sighed.

“Well… thanks anyway.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Marie replied, “Good night.”

Callie simply rippled in place there, for a moment. As she sat out on the windowsill with her legs dangling off the ledge, she looked over her shoulder. A final glance towards Marie. When their eyes meet, Callie’s mouth jarringly warps into an otherworldly smile, with teeth far too sharp and teary eyes that Marie doesn’t recognize.

“Goodbye.” Callie replied. Before Marie can do anything else, Callie is diving backwards. Falling, falling, tumbling over and over into inky darkness with no end, to an unseen underworld– Marie lurches– beyond reach– Marie falls– beyond help– and finally Marie wakes up as her body collides with the ground.

A steady stream of sunlight falls across her face. Morning has arrived in Inkopolis yet again.

It doesn’t take Marie long to collect herself from last night’s dream. Nightmares aren’t new to her, by this point she’s more annoyed than disturbed. This is what she gets for sleeping at the apartment for once.

That memory mangled into dream was something Marie already remembered quite well. For one, she hadn’t had enough money to give Callie for the train anyway. She’d given her… half the price? Maybe? It was ages ago now, but Marie still remembers that part at least.

She drags herself into the bathroom, pulling the green toothbrush out of the holder. The pink one still lays abandoned at the edge of the sink and Marie makes no effort to move it. She stares blankly in the mirror as she goes through the motions of brushing her teeth, not particularly registering her appearance. It didn’t matter much, she wasn’t going to work anyway.

Despite herself, the dream and memories remain at the forefront of Marie’s mind.

Mainly, she remembers snippets. Callie’s knock at the window, the chill of the breeze as she climbed in. Callie’s face, the tear tracks that sparkled in the glow of Marie’s tiny lamp. How she’d looked so determined.

And Marie remembers how she wasn’t scared.

No matter what Callie had said, she wouldn’t just disappear like that. Marie knew, so Marie had nothing to be afraid of. They had dance practice tomorrow, and the festival was next weekend. There was nothing to worry about, and so Marie didn’t.

She leaves the bathroom, ducking back into her room to put on her clothes for the day. The motions are near mechanical now, habit enough that her mind wanders as she pulls the layers on.

Back then… When she’d woken up that next morning, Callie’s mother had already come over to bother them. Sure as Marie had been, Callie was back home again. Safe and sound and grounded for the rest of the week.

Marie hadn’t batted an eye as Callie’s mother recounted the whole story to her own mother. As both women chatted profusely at the kitchen table, Marie paid them no mind. Preparing breakfast as if they weren’t there.

Marie muses about her breakfast for today as she closes the bedroom door behind her. It’s already quite late, she’ll just grab something on her way to the square. With that set, Marie headed towards the entryway to grab her sandals.

That whole dream, that whole “incident”... It had all been so silly. There wasn’t really anything to worry about. They had gotten all worked up but everything had been fine. Like Marie knew it would be.

Silently, Marie slips out the door to the apartment, locking it behind her.

What a stupid childhood memory. Back then, Callie had only been “missing” for about 3 hours.

***

It’s been 3 weeks since the announcement of Callie’s disappearance hit Inkopolis News. That doesn’t mean it’s been 3 weeks she’s been missing necessarily, just how long people have been talking about it. Talking about her as if they understood anything that was going on.

Marie herself isn’t sure exactly how long it’s been. It scratches at her. The precise moment, the specific location and the exact method are all a mystery. Callie had been here and now she’s not. That’s all Marie had to go off of.

…That, and a bit more, of course. More that the rest of Inkopolis had no idea about, and hopefully never would. It’s not substantial really. It’s not enough to bring her back, to make this any easier. Everything she knows is just enough weight to bother her, watching people try to solve the puzzle of Callie’s disappearance knowing she’s got half the pieces shoved deep into her pockets.

It still bugs her, everyone talking like they understand, but there’s no room for those kinds of feelings, so Marie tries to push them aside.

Another scorching hot day in Inkopolis Square, and Marie’s starting to hate the place. Not that she’d been all too fond of it to begin with, more so that it hadn’t been on her radar.

Nevertheless, spending her free time lingering in the square was certainly not endearing it to Marie any faster. If it helps bring Callie home though, Marie supposes she’ll forgive it. With every day that goes by, that forgiveness grows a little harder to earn. Case in point, those new girls who’d taken over as news casters.

In all honesty, Marie had barely registered the new duo taking over when she and Callie left. One of them was short, the other was tall, and that was about as much as she’d cared at the time. A whole myriad of projects were lining up, both her and Callie’s schedules becoming more and more crowded by the day. They’d outgrown Inkopolis News. Marie didn’t have the time to feel sentimental about it, even if she’d wanted to, not with the kind of scheduling management had her under at the time.

Right now she almost wishes for that back.

She gets the feeling her whole production team’s on some kind of order to treat her like glass. They all look at her like she’ll burst into tears any moment, all the interns speaking in hushed tones every time she’s near like they think she doesn’t realise.

For the first time in months, Marie’s gotten some of the free time she’d been wanting. All it took was losing the person she’d actually wanted to spend it with.

But it’s more time to stand here, to keep waiting and watching, until the right someone falls into her lap. Scanning the crowd while maintaining every air of mystery she’s managed to cultivate, gaze brushing against strangers to find one with that “look” she’s supposed to find. Whatever that was meant to mean.

Lately Marie’s taken to lingering at this one corner. It’s a good spot, not in the dead centre of everything, not too far into the shadier back streets. Deca Tower’s shadow loomed over her for much of the hour, but most of the turf hungry squid kids passed her by. Good, Marie thought, because the last thing she wanted was just some random splat happy teen.

The only real drawback is the current Inkopolis News building. It sits across the street from her; massive window proudly displaying the new hosts inside as they air their reports.

Sure enough, every other hour like clockwork, the cacophony of advertisements above her head shifts to the live broadcast, displayed proudly on several of Deca Towers' many screens.

Overlapping audios all harmonise for a brief window, and the trill of a pair of voices Marie’s come to recognise.

Today the news starts as it always does, 2pm on the dot.

“Y’all know what time it is!”

“It's Off the Hook, coming at you live from Inkopolis Square!”

The two voices don’t blend together like hers and Callie’s used to. One is shrill almost, rough slang tumbling out of a high pitch. The other is even toned, polite and calming. There was a lilt of an accent there, almost unnoticeable.

Marie notices.

The rotations are the same as always, and Marie begins to tune them out automatically. Sorry as she was to disappoint; it was just… a tad difficult to care about turf war right now.

As the transition music plays for the 3rd time this broadcast, the first speaker's tone changes. Pearl, her name was, if Marie remembered right.

“Callie Cuttlefish, beloved Inkopolis idol, is still missing. If you have any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact the number down below.”

Which is the same thing they’ve been saying every other day for two weeks now. Marie stares blankly ahead and doesn’t let her gaze turn towards the screens or the news building.

“Oh, uh~!” The younger idol– her name slipping Marie’s mind at the moment– stumbles over her line.

“We’ve got a statement here to share as well,” She says, regaining her composure. Marie knows that kind of cadence from experience, her words coming straight from the teleprompters mouth. “So here’s a message from Callie’s fellow Squid Sister, Marie.”

Oh, right.

That.

Marie begins echoing throughout the square, or something like her. She never sounds quite the same in recording as she does in real life. Part of that she blames as persona, her voice changing cadence every time a camera’s trained on her regardless of whether she intends to or not.

So then her own voice saying everything expected of her right now. Half the statement was written by management anyway. What was she supposed to say? Help us find Callie? Call the number on screen if you have any leads?

That, yes, and she had said it all. The futility of it grates at her.

Marie knows where Callie is. She knows why she’s disappeared. It’s the how that eludes her. How it happened, how she’ll find her. How she can fix all of this.

“For the time being, I will be withdrawing from public appearances,” Her voice continues, “Such as live performances, meet and greets, or award shows. No new projects or music will begin production. I’ll be continuing some activities in limited capacity, following a short hiatus. Thank you for your support, I hope we will both be able to thank you all soon.”

And then finally , it’s over.

First time they’d shared that little piece on the news, but Marie knows it won’t be the last. Reprieve for now, but in 2 hours time it’d return just the same.

“So keep an eye out, y’all! The sooner she’s found the sooner Inkopolis’s best idol gets back to making music!”

Marie feels herself tense ever slightly on that line. It doesn’t matter, but something about the barb of competition never seems to let them free.

It doesn’t bother Marie so much, but maybe that was just because she won? There she was, getting full of herself again.

Marie bites her tongue and focuses back on the newscasters banter.

The younger idol's voice lilts upwards, shyness fading away.

“Best idol, hmm~? Are you so sure about that?”

Pearl laughs, loud and rough.

“Aw, ‘Rina, have you finally come around after your pick in last year’s Splatfest?”

‘Rina’ gasps loudly.

“Absolutely not! And dear viewers I hope you know Pearlie is a little sneak because she knows full well I was a proud Marie queen.”

“Weeeere you?” Pearl says, stretching out her words in mock confusion. “It was soooo long ago, I can’t seem to remember…”

“You were so shocked to lose you've completely forgotten?! But never fear Pearlie, I’ve still got my shirt to prove it!”

“Pretty sure Squidforce makes ya return those things at the end of the festival, Marina you didn’t—“

Marina hastily cuts Pearl off, “Oh, lookit that, we’re short on time. Well, keep an eye out everyone! Now, speaking of Splatfests–!”

And the transition music sweeps over their words once more. As the girls debate the pros and cons of movie genres for the 8th time this week, Marie lets her gaze drift over to the recording studio.

A cluster of excited Inklings crowd around the massive window, patterned with Off the Hook logos across its entire expanse. It’s awfully gaudy, or at least so says Marie.

With the mass of fans plastering themselves against the glass, Marie can’t get a good look at the idols inside. There’s the tips of Pearl’s crown she thinks, but the girl’s height certainly isn’t doing her any favours here.

Marina is a good head taller, but one awfully persistent Inkling keeps hopping up to get a better look over his taller friend, so Marie can’t make out her face. Just the edges of her tentacles, seafoam green and curling at the edges as she speaks.

Enough. There’s no point in standing around if all she’s going to do is make the most basic possible observations of their replacements. That’s not why Marie’s spent what feels like years lingering in the Square.

She’s supposed to be trying to find… someone.

Some look.

Gramps had tried to explain it to her once, a late night at the Cabin over in Octo Canyon.

A long day of setting up a new outpost, though a sizable portion of junk, Octavio included, remained over in the valley.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, light fell across the uneven stone in odd shapes, obscured by floating stones.

Marie sat carefully, watching the shadows shift while trying to move as little as possible.

Three had, as they were prone to doing, pushed themself to frankly unnecessary levels and wound up exhausted. Again. Callie at least had some form of excuse, a long morning of shooting refusing to deter her from coming by in the afternoon to help out. But regardless, the both of them had wound up drifting off only a few moments after sitting down for a “short break”. Marie, having made the unfortunate mistake of sitting beside them, now remained stock still.

Three’s head lulled to their right, ear poking Marie’s neck slightly and one of their longer tentacles spilling over into her lap. Callie was worse, but at least she was spilling onto Three. Her tentacles, taken down from their typical bow for the sake of the role, had never gotten tied back up again. Instead they were tangled in Three’s left arm, and pinned under the weight of Callie’s shoulder as she slid slightly forward in her sleep. Her head landed somewhere between Three’s shoulder and chest, a precarious position from which she could fall at any second.

And hyper aware of all of it, Marie. Wide awake.

Cuttlefish’s voice echoed over the canyon, just finishing rigging up some cord or another he’d been fiddling with on the other side of the cabin.

“How’s it going over there, kiddo?” He asked, taking a glance over at Marie and the others.

“Great,” She replied, deadpan, “Getting a ton done.”

Cuttlefish had laughed at that— laughed at her! — turning to rummage around in his pile of junk.

He wobbled over, towing along a couple paper lanterns Marie vaguely recognized, if not from where.

Shakily balancing on his wooden sandals, Cuttlefish strung the edge of the lantern on the handle of his cane and painfully slowly, reached up to hang it on a hook above Marie’s head.

“Gramps,” She pleaded, “You cannot be serious.”

Cuttlefish, the absolute bastard, just looked down and giggled. At his age too, the nerve.

“I’m hanging the lanterns.” He said, like it wasn’t extremely obvious what he was doing. The yellow strings hanging from the bottom of the lantern skimmed across Marie’s face and she worked very hard to keep a blank expression. Thank goodness for media training.

“I can see that. Do you have to do that now? ”

The lantern successfully slid into place and Cuttlefish, slowly , pulled his cane back, leaving the lantern’s tail hanging right in front of Marie’s face.

“Well, it’s got to get done, don’t it? I can’t be waiting around for the right moment at my age!”

Marie rolled her eyes.

“You better not hang that other one. If you wake up Three I won’t be responsible for what they do to you.”

In the few years Marie had known Three she’d only learned a handful of information, a drop in the ocean compared to her lifetime of knowledge on Callie. One of the things she’d learned right away was that waking up Three before they were damn well ready to wake up was not how you got on their good side.

“ Pwahh, I wouldn’t worry, kid loves me.” Cuttlefish said, but he put the second lantern down on the bench anyway.

Marie stuck her tongue out, one of the few things she could do without risking waking anyone.

“I can’t believe this. Giving Three special treatment over your own granddaughter. Next you’ll tell us Three’s your favourite agent.”

Cuttlefish smirked.

“Three is my favourite.”

“How could you do this.” Marie replied, zero hint of any real upset in her voice.  Carefully, Cuttlefish lowered himself down to sit on the stone, leaning back against the edge of the bench.

“Now don’t you start with me. Besides, I have it on good authority you’re pretty fond of them yourself.”

Marie looks away from Cuttlefish and over towards an odd plant, poking up out of the cracks in the rock.

“No idea what you’re talking about.”

“Ha, says the squid with them curled up against her right now!”

“This means nothing to me.”

Cuttlefish just smiled, looking over at the trio.

“Mar’, you can lie to your parents, your cousin and friends and coworkers, but you can’t lie to your old gramps. I see right through you. Always have.”

Marie sighed, turning her head to look over.

“I was only joking. No need to make things all serious.”

Cuttlefish isn’t looking at her anymore, letting his gaze wander out towards the training dummies they’d started setting up. The leftmost one is deflating slightly and the one in the centre hasn’t been filled at all. There’s still a lot of work to do.

“I suppose I don’t. You do a pretty good job of that all on your own.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Marie spat back, frustration bubbling out, “I get you’ve got the whole cryptic old man shtick going on, but keep this up and I’ll think you really have lost it.”

“Ha! Ya’ always were set like a hair trigger. Part of why I recruited you. Makes for a good sniper.”

Marie didn’t have any reply to that, so she let them both sit with the silence.

“I always knew you’d be good at it, you’ve got that look to ya.”

“Look?” Marie asked.

Cuttlefish tapped the edge of his cane against the stone as he spoke.

“There’s a look about ya, all of ya. It’s in you, and Cal, and Three too. S’How I knew they’d be the right one for the job.”

Marie scoffed.

“I thought you chose Three because they were the first kid who didn’t think you were completely off your rocker.”

“Joke all you like, kiddo, but there’s a trick to these things. You can tell the sort of squid someone is in their eyes. What they’d be willing to do, how far they’d go. Whether ya’ can trust them to do what’s right when it comes down to it.”

Now who’s making things too serious, Marie thought, but she didn’t say it. What she would’ve said now given the chance to talk to him again. Scour for a little more info on this supposed look , this way of reading people just right. A way to tell who to rely on when you need them.

But then, Marie had just rolled her eyes like always.

“Whatever you say, Gramps.”

Cuttlefish chuckled as Marie’s gaze wandered back over to Three and Callie as they continued to sleep.

“You’ll get it someday, when the time’s right.”

But if there’s ever a time isn’t it now? Nothing suddenly makes sense. Marie just grips onto an old parasol and lingers between an alley and a trash can, waiting for something to click into place.

Just like how to be a good sister, how to smile for cameras so they don’t know you’re faking, and how to fire a charger without having your hands shake. Another thing Marie’s just going to have to figure out, because no one will be able to explain it to her.

If Cuttlefish were here, things would be easier. She could balance the media a bit more, let him take the reins on finding another new recruit. They’d train the newbie together maybe, but Marie doesn’t let herself daydream anymore than that.

Because he’s off somewhere and won’t respond to any of her messages.

If Three were here things would be so much easier. She wouldn’t even have to say anything, they’d be halfway to the bottom of Octo Canyon already. They’ve always liked Callie better, most people do, and they’d jumped at any chance to patrol or train or whatever , if it was for the NSS. Marie’s pretty sure she could get them to clean her bathroom if she claimed it was some kind of training, but she won’t get the chance to test that, because Three isn’t here.

They’re off somewhere, with Cuttlefish, and won’t pick up their phone.

If Callie were here…

Well.

If Callie were here, right? If Callie were here.

Marie tightens the grip on her parasol, rolling it clockwise and back again. It won’t be much longer. She won’t let it be much longer.

Definitively pulling herself away from the memories, Marie forces herself to focus on the square, on the crowds. She can’t be getting caught in her own head now , not when any passerby could be the person she’s looking for.

She sweeps her gaze along the crowd, turning with a swath of teens heading towards Deca Tower. Laughing with each other they all head inside the open elevator doors, disappearing from Marie’s view in a split second.

She stays staring, left alone with just her reflection in the glass dividers outside the entrance.

It’s odd to say even she doesn’t recognise herself, but then that’s the point. She doesn’t need someone who’s here for Marie from the Squid Sisters . She needs…

Marie squints, looking over herself. What is it about her that has this so-called look? Where is she supposed to find all those little things that make a person right for this?

The only look she sees in her eyes is a lack of sleep and a bitter after taste.

Sunlight fades into the skyline, dipping just low enough to reflect off the glass and bounce back towards Marie’s face.

She looks away, casting another glance into the crowd.

Nothing.

She’s spent so long in a reverie that the sun’s starting to set. Even the Inkopolis News reports on the screens above were over now, just non stop ads until morning came.

Frustration bubbles up in the back of Marie’s throat. It’s another day nearly gone and she’s no closer to getting Callie back. How long of this? How long of waiting, of searching for something she doesn’t even know how to look for?

Marie bites the edge of her lip, hard, enough to know it’ll split. Makeup department would throw a fit, but then she’d have to be actively performing for that.

She’ll have to leave soon. There’s not much point to sticking around as the nights go on. Crowds thin out, most people who come out late at night wouldn’t have the time to devote to something of this scale anyway. Much as she’s loath to admit it, Marie does need to sleep at some point, so she can’t just stand here forever. During a festival, maybe, when the crowds make up for the sleep deprivation, but tonight she has no excuse.

Marie drags her sandal across the manhole, trying to find any reason to idle a bit longer. She’d have to make up her mind on where to go tonight at least, before she left.

Back to the apartment again, practically untouched since she’d first returned home? It’s a bit of a mess, but Marie can’t bring herself to move anything that wasn’t in danger of actively rotting. Callie’s comfortable shoes are still thrown across the living room from where she’d kicked them off last time she was home. Her laundry is still in the dryer, a bowl of dry cereal Marie can’t stand just sitting on the kitchen table.

The other option is the cabin, the old sofa with the out of place spring. At nights Marie spends in the cabin she keeps her radio on, trying to get any hint of where to even start looking in the crackling static that drones endlessly on. She doesn’t sleep much those nights, ears straining for anything hidden in the white noise.

She’s spent most nights at the cabin.

With the clouds over the (now empty) Inkopolis News building growing an ever more vibrant magenta, there’s not much daylight left.

Marie takes a breath. It’s time to go.

But as she lifts her foot her gaze sweeps out into the crowd one last time.

...There’s someone. Frozen in place, staring Marie dead in the eye.

A moment passes, Marie unable to tear herself away. A breath, and then she’s moving , the woman in the distance is approaching Marie. It’s only a few steps, just enough for them to be within earshot of each other, but it’s the closest anyone’s been to Marie in weeks. She feels like she’s suffocating.

“Excuse me…” The woman says, toned, polite and calming. The slightest lilt of an accent. The voice that Marie’s heard every few hours, ringing out above her head like clockwork.

Marina from Off the Hook looks towards Marie and says nothing, words seemingly caught in her throat.

She’s so much closer now. Marie’s eyes flick downwards, to her beat up sneakers, then upwards, to her tied back tentacles, cups facing the sky.

Heavy headphones tuck her ears away, and a snug teal and cream coloured hoodie hides much of Marina’s body. Not enough for her to be unrecognisable. Not enough for Marie to not take one look and know.

Marie’s breath gets caught in her throat.

“Yes?” Marie hears herself ask, voice more distant than every recording she’s ever made.

However she speaks must have some kind of effect , because she watches Marina’s gentle smile chip in real time, media training washing away to an anxious expression. Marina clutches her pointed teal fingertips to her chest.

“I’ve… um… I see you hanging around here a lot! F-from the news building. On my break,” Marina’s head whips around, pointing at the obvious glass room behind her. “I- I recognise you.”

That’s my line, Marie thinks. What’s that supposed to mean? She’s without the charger, sure, but if she’s already been recognised she’s more than happy to provide. It would be nice, even, to do a bit of agent work. Relieve a bit of stress.

“Do you now?” Marie says in reply. She can’t meet Marina’s eye, so she settles for looking at the small tentacle curling out above her forehead.

Marina nods profusely, practically bowing over.

“I- I just… If… If there was anything I could help you with—“ Marina says, and before she’s even finished Marie is already caught entirely off guard. “I’d be happy to. If there’s anything I can do for you. Either of you.”

Somewhere in that sentence she’d screwed her eyes shut, now peeking one open to look over at Marie for her response.

Marie just stares. Deep into pale seafoam and pastel pink. The shape of a figure eight, watery and waiting. She feels a bit sick.

“…No.” Marie answers finally, voice thick and heavy. “There isn’t.”

Marina seems almost surprised for a moment, but she hides it well.

“W-Well then! I… I wish you the best of luck.”

And Marie just breathes, because if she says another word she’s not sure what they would be anymore. A moment to collect her thoughts, but by now she can’t think of anything but how much she wishes nothing had happened to get her this far deep in the first place.

More than a minute, silence between them and Marina’s awaiting face, until Marie finally replies the only thing that feels right.

“You as well.”

Then melts away, lets herself dissolve into ink right then and there down into the grate and away from any eyes. Only about a metre down she drops before shifting back, sticking her arms out to brace herself against the inside of the drain. There’s just barely enough space for her here. She stares upwards, the small beams of light filtering in through the grate. There’s a clanging, shadows flickering as Marina steps over. Marie holds her breath for a moment, but Marina doesn’t move to follow her.

Another bang, then a high pitched voice echoing downward, filtered through the metal.

“Hey, ‘Rina! Sorry, the fans got me, yada yada, whatever— who was that you were talking to? Someone you know?”

Even from this distance, Marie can hear the sharp inhale Marina takes. That small moment of hesitation.

Marie doesn’t need to hear this. Pulling herself away from the sides of the drain slowly, she lets herself spill downwards again, back towards the cabin. To radio static and waiting, a sleepless night until daybreak, when she’ll try all this again.

So she only hears this last bit as she’s already leaving, Marina’s ever-so-slightly shaky voice as it’s swept away.

“No,” Marina says, “I guess not.”

[end]

#splatoon #splatoon 2 #marie cuttlefish #marina ida #marie splatoon #marina splatoon #squid sisters #callie cuttlefish #splatoon fanfiction #splatoon fic #voids fic

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