#// *trying to power through these asks and threads i owe

[dotster001]

Protective Charms

Summary: Malleus x gn!reader. After a fight with Malleus, both of you are employing the dirty tricks you know to get the other to talk to you/leave you alone.

CW:Minor angst in the middle,but mostly just silliness with fae lore.

A/N: My folklore major ass couldn't help but think about fae lore, so I wrote this 😂

Malleus had a habit of silently walking next to you, and threading his fingers through yours, without bothering to look.

But you were still mad at him, so….

"Ow! Child of Man!" He whined, pulling his hand away, and rubbing his fingers, a pouty expression taking over his face.

You playfully waved your fingers at him, displaying your lovely new IRON rings.

He halted his walking, and crossed his arms over his chest, his bottom lip protruding a little.

"You are being childish."

"You are being childish," you parroted back in a high pitched voice. "That's what you sound like."

"I do not!"

"I do not!"

"Lilia!!!!" He whined, turning over his shoulders to complain to his retainers and guardian, the latter of which wasn't even trying to hold back his glee.

"Ah, your first fight with your beloved. It's so nice to see you living like a regular student!"

You began to walk away again, and Malleus, once again, attempted to grab your hand, immediately forgetting your iron rings.

"Ow!" He gave you a dark glare, and boomed out, "Y/N L/N, I demand you remove those rings and talk to me."

Now you were pouting, as you found yourself removing your rings against your will. 

But the command was also to talk to him, and by God, if he wanted to talk, you'd talk.

"Alright, Lord Malleus. Let's talk," you growled, startling your boyfriend.

Sebek was about to jump at you for your attitude, but Lilia held him back.

"You promised when we started dating that you would help find a way for me to go back and forth between the worlds, then I find out, that was too hard for you so you just gave up, and never planned to tell me. Then when I bring it up you lash out at me! So yeah! Let's talk!"

The crowd that was gathering around the argument was letting out oohs and gasps.

You expected Malleus to fight back like he did the first time you had this conversation. Instead, he looked to the floor and whispered,

"I'm scared, Y/N. I'm scared of losing you."

You froze. This…was not the answer you were expecting. 

"Mal…"

"The only ways I've seen so far would take you away forever, and I thought if you knew…you'd leave me," his eyes looked uncertain for maybe the first time since you'd known him.

"Mal," you repeated, going to grab his hands. "My boyfriend is one of the most powerful mages in existence. If anyone is able to pull it off, it's him. And I'm willing to wait patiently for that. But you have to communicate with me."

You pressed a kiss to his cheek, and his cheeks turned a shade of pastel pink. 

"I understand. I will discuss my feelings and findings with you from henceforth, my treasure." He said.

"Good," you smiled.

"Will you return the iron ring from whence they came?" He asked hopefully.

"Mmm, I think I'll hold onto them, just in case," you giggled. 

He sighed, and kisses you deeply, before turning you around and holding your arms behind you back.

"Silver! Quick, the rings are in their right pocket! Take them and run!" 

"Mal!"

Silver looked conflicted, while Lilia giggled, and Sebek struggled in his grip.

"That's an order from your king, Silver," Malleus boomed authoritatively, and a shiver went down your spine.

Silver sighed, and gave you an apologetic look as you struggled.

"Sorry, Y/N," he muttered, taking the rings from your pocket, and running away.

"There, all better,"Malleus hummed in your ear. Then he turned you back around and threaded his fingers through yours, and began walking down the hallway.

"I can always buy more," you muttered.

"Y/N L/N, you will never buy anything iron ever again." 

....

Tag list- @stygianoir @shytastemakerthing

[cuubism]

Enchantment

"Hob," Death greets, and Hob has never heard her voice go tentative like that - though it is, as always, still friendly and kind. "You called for me?"

"Hey, hon," Hob says, or croaks, throat dry and overused. "Yeah, I did, but I meant it in more of a do you think you could help me get out of this situation sort of way, not like, you know." He makes a slicing motion across his throat with his free hand. "Off me."

Death chuckles, crouching before him. "Yes, I see that now. I admit I was concerned, for a moment."

"To be fair, this is not exactly not concerning," Hob says, gesturing to his bound wrist, the frankly alarming amount of blood all over his body, and the situation more generally. "But what's one more dungeon rescue among friends?"

Death touches the binding on his wrist with light fingers, considering. Try as he might, despite having one hand and both legs free and considerable experience in picking locks, Hob has not been able to get it off. It must be magical in some way. "You did not call for Dream?"

Hob sighs. "Listen--" he starts, and Death snorts.

"Didn't want to be responsible for the leveling of the entire street?"

"Dream has not exactly--" Hob shifts and winces, that cuff is starting to burn under Death's touch-- "proven himself capable of moderation."

"And he won't, if the past billions of years are anything to go by," Death agrees, with the fond exasperation of an older sister.

She leans in close, studying the metal chaining his arm to the wall. "You couldn't have known, but I think you've prevented more than that in calling me instead."

"What's that thing say?" Hob asks. "I couldn't make out the language. Looked old."

Death runs her finger along the runes encircling the cuff. Hob winces again as the burning sensation flares. "It's a spell. A trap for Dream. Drawing on your connection to him."

"What?"

"I don't think it would've been powerful enough to work as intended." Death's lips purse in displeasure. "But that doesn't mean it would have no effect."

"What effect?" Hob asks, sick at the thought of Dream snared in another trap.

"As soon as he touched the binding with the intent to free you, it would have hooked into his power; the more power he used to pull away, the tighter it would have wound, like a finger trap. It is an enchantment that..." Death hesitates, "draws on emotion."

"Oh." Hob scrubs a hand through his ruined, greasy hair. "Fuck."

"It is fortunate that you called me," Death says grimly.

"It's not going to hurt you, is it?"

"No. But I doubt this will be comfortable."

Hob braces himself. "How will you break it?"

"All things have an end," Death tells him, pressing her fingertips to the runes. Hob feels each touch through the metal like a brand. "Even non-living things die. I've found the loose thread of that end, and now I will unravel it."

She twists the cuff around his wrist counterclockwise, and Hob yelps, cringing back against the wall, not entirely sure she hasn't burned his hand right off. The enchantment flares brighter than the sun, then disappears, leaving smoke behind.

She undoes the cuff easily after that.

Hob's wrist is intact, though terribly burned. That'll take a while to feel any better, unfortunately. He holds it against his chest. "Thanks, hon. I owe you a pint."

Death laughs. "No, you don't, but I won't turn it down. Do you want a ride home? I'm heading that way anyway."

"That's disturbing to think about," Hob tells her. "But sure."

He's going to have to do some cleanup here later. But for now, he'd just like to get out of this blasted place.

~~~~

"Hob Gadling."

Dream appears in his living room a few hours later, when Hob is ensconced on the couch with his laptop, trying to figure out how he's going to clean up this whole mess without alerting the authorities. Dream looks stricken, and Hob feels abruptly bad about not calling for him, even though that had been a fortunate bit of foresight, in the end.

"Hey, love." Hob sets the computer aside, and Dream comes over to him, sitting lightly on the couch at his side. He takes Hob's bandaged wrist in his hands. "Sorry about all that."

"Sorry?" Dream echoes, voice tipping up a note in what Hob can only read as the infliction of a wound. "I would have come for you."

"I know you would." Hob lays his hand over Dream's. It adds uncomfortable pressure to the burns but he doesn't let go. "I just didn't want--"

But it wasn't really about maintaining the peace at all, was it? It wasn't about Dream's overreaction, not deep down. It was only about Dream.

"Didn't want you hurt," Hob says quietly. "Not again."

Dream's jaw tightens. "Do not decide what risks I should take."

"They wanted you, did Death tell you that part, too?"

"She did. Do you think so low of me as to expect that would change my decision?"

I don't think low of you at all, Hob thinks. "That's not what I meant. Death just seemed the more... practical... choice at the time," he says, which is a weak argument, but Hob stands by his decision. Dream is safe, not trapped, and that's what matters. Outcome over intent, he's learned.

"Practical," Dream repeats. "Yes. I see my presence is unneeded. I will--"

Hob catches him by the wrist before he can stand. "Don't. Please."

"Considering you are no longer in peril, and do not wish for my help besides, I fail to see what purpose I am serving here," Dream says, still tensed like he means to jump up.

"No purpose needed," Hob says. "I just don't want to leave it like that. I know you're upset. And I know, I know, I would have been upset too if you were in trouble and didn't ask for my help, so don't even bother saying that--"

"You would?" says Dream.

Hob looks at him, both eyebrows raised. Yeah, obviously.

Dream raises a single eyebrow in return as if this is not, indeed, obvious.

Funny, Hob thinks, that silent communication. Hob is a talkative person by nature -- too talkative, more often than not -- but Dream is not and so Hob has learned to read him like this. The confusion in the way his brow pinches tighter, the way his body settles just so back into the couch, listening again, no longer on the verge of flight.

Surely he knows. Surely there's no way he doesn't know.

"I'd want you to call for me," Hob says. "I wouldn't want to leave you trapped."

"This was a trap," Dream says.

Exactly. "Did Death describe the enchantment?"

"Try to escape and tangle yourself further," Dream says. "Yes. I understand."

Do you? Hob thinks. Do you know why it would have worked on you?

They haven't actually gotten there yet. Hob can feel it approaching, though, with the inevitability of the moon reaching its perigee above the earth. He hasn't felt the need to rush it. Each careful step Dream takes towards him is a gift.

"There are many such traps in this world," Dream says, studying Hob.

Each careful step is a gift, and Hob hates the thought of that progress being used against Dream, those painstakingly untied feelings employed to trap him all over again. He can picture Dream tangled and bound and trying to pull away from him, and he hates it so much that he makes probably the exact opposite decision he should make, takes Dream's face lightly between his hands, tosses their careful timeline out the window and kisses him, right there and then.

Dream makes a surprised sound against his mouth, which means he really must be telling the truth about not looking in on Hob’s dreams because Hob has not been subtle in his dreaming. Dream wraps careful hands around Hob’s wrists, once again bracketing where the cuff had burned him. Holding Hob to him. His kiss is sweet with just a nip of fire, which is what all moments with Dream have felt like since his return, really.

Dream leans against his cheek when they part, hair brushing Hob’s temple. “When my sister told me you had called for her, it— I believe you would phrase it as ‘gave me a heart attack.’”

“I’m sorry, love.” Hob runs a hand through his hair, and Dream leans into the touch. “I would never do that to you, okay? Even if I did choose Death – which I won’t, but – I wouldn’t just disappear on you without saying anything. Alright?”

“Very well,” Dream agrees, though Hob doesn’t think he really believes it. Truly believing in Hob’s relentless commitment to life is a tall ask for Dream at the moment, but it’s okay, Hob has plenty of time to convince him.

“Believe it,” he says, and kisses Dream again.

[celestiall0tus]

Amaranthine - Chapter 20 - Amaranthine

Beginning || Previous

            Luka stood with Juleka, Chloe, Zoe, and Alya near the building where the Diamond Dance was being hosted. They watched the rich and elite enter in mass until it dwindled to nothing.

            “The dance should be beginning soon, right?” Luka asked.

            “Yes. I discussed things with Min and Adonis will make his move when all have situated and are indulging in revelries. Meaning our window is open now,” Chloe answered.

            “And Psyche and Terra are ready?”

            Chloe nodded.

            “Then what are we waiting for? Suit up everyone. Moirai, cut the thread,” Zoe commanded.

            “Min, open my eyes,” Chloe said.

            “Trixx, shroud,” Alya whispered.

            “Sass, scales slither,” Juleka declared.

            “Mullo, get squeaky,” Luka announced.

            Everyone transformed. Luka and Juleka wore matching black corsets, leather jackets, pants, and knee-high boots with both their dyed hair a deep purple. Zoe was dressed in a gray tank top with her stomach exposed, leather jacket, gray ripped jeans, black boots, and a pair of black dove wings with her hair shortened and dyed black with white roots. Chloe had on a vintage white ruffled shirt, brown pants, and tan high-heeled boots with her hair tied back and had brown and tan dyed streaks. Alya was unchanged in her appearance.

            Atropa used his power and became imperceivable as he entered the building. He made his way through it into the ballroom. He glanced around until he saw Marinette and Adrien sitting at a table with Kagami sitting on Adrien’s other side. He moved into position as he saw the others move into their spots. He kept his eyes on Marinette but darted over to Adrien when he saw Adrien tense up. He didn’t break his gaze as mist rolled in.

            “Good evening, my esteemed colleagues! What a glorious night for a return to tradition, no?” Minerva announced.

            Atropa glanced over as Minerva strolled out in the middle of the floor. Everyone cleared away from her and whispered amongst themselves.

            Adrien stood and addressed Minerva. “Who are you? Why are you here disturbing our party?”

            “You don’t recognize me? I’m hurt, Adrien. We were once the best of friends, though that was before your parents died. Then you shut me out. You shut the world out.”

            Adrien tsked. “Enough. Remove yourself before I have you removed myself.”

            “What’s the matter, Adrien? Don’t you want our colleagues to hear what I have to say? Don’t you think they deserve to know they’ve walked into a trap?”

            Shocked gasps rippled through the crowd. Adrien snapped his fingers as Kagami rose and headed for Minerva.

            Minerva smiled. “Yes, try and stop me, Adonis! It’s finally over. We couldn’t stop you as Carmine and Midnight, but we will as Minerva and Atropos!”

            Atropos descended from the ceiling and landed in front of Adrien. “What’s up, motherfucker? I think I owe you for playing us all as fools!”

            Atropos grabbed Adrien’s arm and flung him to the other side of the room. He staggered to his feet as Atropa reappeared, flipped him off, and stole away Marinette.

            “No! I won’t let you take her! Nooroo, wings rise!”

            Adrien transformed into Adonis, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Atropa darted out of the room and out to the garden. He placed Marinette on a bench near a fountain as Psyche and Terra materialized.

            “Thank you, Atropa. We’ll take it from here,” Psyche said.

            Psyche and Terra worked on restoring Marinette’s body and soul. They made quick work as Marinette was fully human once again. Marinette sighed as a tear slid down her face.

            “Thank you. All of you,” Marinette whispered.

            Psyche opened her mouth when a draconic roar shattered the air. They glanced around as Longg materialized and tackled Marinette.

            “Dragonling! You’re alright!”

            “I am, and I’m back. Now, let’s kick some butt together.”

            Longg nodded and put her necklace on Marinette.

            “Longg, ascension.”

            Longg disappeared into the necklace as it flashed red. Marinette’s dress transformed into a black leotard with golden armor on her chest, neck, and hips. A red draconic tail cape lined with gold inside extended from the hip armor to her ankles. Black armored gloves and boots adorned her as red scales covered her thighs and upper arms. Her face covered with a golden dragon mask, four white horns jutted out from her head, and a pair of large red and gold dragon wings sprouted from her back.

            “Go get the would be god. Draw him out to nature so punishment may be delivered,” Marinette and Longg said together.

            Psyche and Terra nodded and vanished.

            “What are you going to do to him, uh-,” Atropa started.

            “Mordred. And he will receive his due punishment.”

            “But not just from us,” Marinette said.

            “What? What do you mean?” Longg demanded.

            “There is another that demanded the final blow. If we deliver it, I’ll die instead. She was clear on that front,” Marinette explained.

            Mordred glanced back at the fountain and nodded.

            “As is her right,” Longg stated.

            “Who’s right? I don’t understand,” Atropa said.

            “You’ll see soon. You all will,” Mordred whispered.

            Atropa tilted his head and wondered until Belladona, Atropos, Minerva, and Rena joined them. Not far behind them was Adonis. Mordred stepped forward and commanded the earth to rise. Vines sprouted and ensnared Adonis. They tossed and pummeled him before they grappled onto each of his limbs and his wings. He cried out in pain as he was slowly pulled apart.

            “Why isn’t he trying to change the vines?” Mordred asked.

            “You can thank me. He tried to change the partygoers inside, but I stopped him,” Atropos boasted.

            Mordred smirked. “Then, by all means, have at him, just don’t kill him.”

            The girls grinned and attacked Adonis. Atropa hung back and stood with Mordred as they watched the beating.

            “Are you ok with this? Letting them at him. Not that I’m saying you should be violent, but both of you and you’re ok?”

            “I didn’t lose as much as the others. Even after everything, I don’t hate him,” Marinette said.

            “Why’s that?” Atropa asked.

            “Because no matter what he did, it brought me to you. He’s a piece of shit, make no mistake, but I have my soulmate because of him. That makes this whole thing worth it.”

            Atropa smiled and hugged Mordred, then stepped back. “What about Longg though?”

            “He will get what’s coming to him. As is her right,” Longg answered.

            “Who’s right? You still haven’t answered that.”

            Mordred glanced at Adonis, then behind her at the fountain. “It’s long been your right. An ancient contract violated with punishment due. Is that not so, Lethe?”

            The water in the fountain gurgled and turned a washed-out murky color. Atropa stepped back as a hand shot out and grabbed the side of the fountain. His stomach churned as a woman with murky, knotted mess of hair with her skin covered in a white opaque film peeked over the rim. Her eyes darted from them over to Adonis and she smirked.

            “Bring him here,” Lethe ordered.

            Mordred snapped her fingers as the vines brought Adonis over to them. Lethe crawled out of the fountain and flopped on the ground. Mordred pursed her lips when Lethe summoned her weapon, a bident, and used it to stand.

            “Are you ok?” Atropa asked.

            “I’m fine, young mortal. Just forgetful. As is my nature. Now, let’s see here.”

            Lethe approached Adonis and inspected him. She nodded a few times before she stabbed her bident through his head, freezing him.

            “What are you doing?” Atropos asked.

            Lethe looked over at the others as they rejoined them.

            “Delivering punishment, as is due,” Lethe answered.

            “So, you’re going to kill him, right?” Belladona asked.

            Lethe tsked. “So narrow-minded, you mortals. But, yes, I am going to kill him.”

            “Then why does he still look alive?” Minerva retorted.

            Lethe smiled as she swung her bident up and tore into Adonis’s soul. They all watched as Adonis’s memories spilled out and lingered in the air. Lethe slammed her bident on the ground as the memories vanished into it. She spun her bident again before she jabbed his heart, then tore another wound in his soul. The memories that poured from his heart were all the previous lives to the very first. Mordred and Atropa gasped as those memories vanished into the bident. They all stepped back as she grabbed the brooch from his waist, returning him to normal and releasing Nooroo, who cowered before Lethe.

            “Lethe, please, I-!”

            Lethe held her bident in Nooroo’s face. “You knew what you were doing. I don’t care if it is your nature to usher in change, you don’t mess with the laws set by him. He may be gone, but the rest of us are still here and we will enforce his laws.”

            “Yup, got it. Understood completely.”

            “Good. Just in case, Plagg and Tikki want a word with you.”

            Nooroo tensed up as a pair of hands materialized and dragged Nooroo out of existence.

            “Good riddance. Psyche? Terra?”

            Psyche materialized while Terra ran in with an unconscious Kagami flung over his shoulder.

            “The deed is done?” Psyched asked.

            “Indeed. Return him to being human.”

            “We will. Thank you.”

            Lethe bowed her head and she turned to Mordred and Atropa. “You kept your word, as will I. You will never have to worry about this man in your next lives. Any bind and memory of it has been sent to the depths of my waters. A place only I or a fool would dare dive.”

            “Thank you, Lethe. For everything.”

            Lethe waved her hand dismissingly as she rolled back into the fountain waters and disappeared. The murkiness vanished as the water returned to its crystal blue.

            “So, it’s over, yeah?” Atropos asked.

            “Yes. Let’s tie up our loose ends. Kwamis, present yourselves to me.”

            Minerva, Belladona, Rena, Atropos, and Atropa all de-transformed as their kwamis approached Psyche. Mordred shook her head and stepped back.

            “You will not break what we have, Psyche,” Mordred warned.

            “Don’t worry, I won’t. You’ll haunt me if I do. As for the others, the choice is yours, as promised. You may remain soulbound to these mortals or I can release you. If you wish to stay, take your place at your soulbound’s side.”

            Trixx, Min, and Sass returned to their respective soulbound’s sides. Mullo and Moirai remained with Psyche. Psyche held out her hands for Mullo and Moirai, freeing them of their soulbound bonds. They bowed their heads and vanished along with their jewels.

            “With that done, what’ll happen to Adrien?” Chloe demanded.

            “You leave him to us. We’ll return his body and soul to being human. After that, I’m not sure. He has no memories, no identity. Where he goes once he’s human again, I cannot say,” Psyche said.

            “Would I be allowed to take him under my wing? Teach him and reclaim some semblance of his family’s legacy?” Chloe asked.

            “If you ask me, I say do as you wish. As for your fellow heroes, I cannot say. Well, I can, but let them speak.”

            “Do what you will, Chloe. I trust you,” Alya said.

            “We don’t care so long as you keep him away from us,” Mordred stated.

            “I second that,” Luka added.

            “I don’t care,” Juleka muttered.

            “Well, I mean, if he’s not the same Adrien, I say why not. But, uh, could I put in a request, Terra?” Zoe asked.

            “I don’t normally take requests, but I think I can make an exception. Sure, what would you like?”

            “Do you think you could keep Adrien, well, a big beefy snack? I mean, we need to keep some things under the radar, right? And it’ll be strange if he goes back to being a twig out of nowhere, yeah?”

            Chloe pinched the bridge her nose. “Zoe, you aren’t serious right now, are you?”

            “What? A little eye candy isn’t the worse thing. Besides, I know I’m right.”

            “For the wrong reasons,” Min pointed out.

            “Thank you. There’s no way-,” Chloe started.

            “Technically, Terra already made a deal without knowing the full terms, so he’s bound to fulfill it anyway. And I do agree that it would reduce suspicion around this. There will still be suspicion after that display, but we can mitigate the damages and better control the situation,” Min explained.

            “Very well. Drop Adrien off at Le Grand Paris once you are finished returning him to being human.”

            Psyche and Terra nodded as they vanished with Adrien and Kagami. Chloe transformed and headed off with Zoe. Mordred and Luka watched them leave as Alya and Juleka approached them.

            “So, anyone want to celebrate? Luka and Mari get to be together, no one is dying young, and we don’t have a crazy butterfly man terrorizing the city. I think that calls for drinks,” Alya commented.

            “Sorry, Alya. I do have to work in the morning. And pretty sure there’ll be a private concert put on tonight,” Juleka remarked.

            Alya smirked. “Oh, ho! The famous Luka does give private concerts. My, oh my, I wonder what the admission fee is for that.”

            “Quite cheap, actually. It just takes-,” Longg started.

            “Longg! Quiet! Don’t you start,” Marinette yelled.

            “I don’t see what the big deal is. Your bard doesn’t need much to stoke that fire to regale you with the songs of your heroism.”

            “Longg! Enough!”

            “Never! I am free! Never again will I be stuck in your head. Now the whole world will know what I have to say!”

            “As if the whole world didn’t already,” Alya commented.

            “Right! Anyway, I’m going to head home. With Luka. Bye,” Marinette said.

            Mordred scooped up Luka and flew back to Marinette’s herb shop. She landed in the back alley then de-transformed. Marinette leaned against Luka while Longg pranced into the shop.

            “You ok?” Luka asked.

            “Yeah, just glad that everything is over. We’re finally free. No more early deaths. No more jealous Adonis. Just you and me,” Marinette whispered.

            “And me!” Longg called.

            Marinette sighed. “And Longg.”

            “I’m glad. Longg is an unfortunate plus one, but I’d rather her over Adonis any day of the week.”

            “Careful what you say. She is notorious for holding grudges with very colorful punishments.”

            “Oh, I think I’m very familiar with that. All too familiar.”

            Marinette giggled. “At least things will return to normal. Just you, me, Longg, and our friends and family.”

            Luka smiled and took Marinette’s hand. “I hope it stays that way. An unending, unfading dream of highs and lows with you by my side. If you’ll have me.”

            Marinette squeezed Luka’s hand. “With you and only you, my amaranthine.”

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[waterdeep-weavemoss]

The sound of the water stirs him, but it’s Doe’s presence that wakes the captain. Pushing himself up from the chaise, he takes a few slow steps towards the bathing chamber door, her voice only slightly muffled from the other side. 

“Here, at home…” 

A corner of his mouth can’t help but twitch upward at the thought of Doe considering his ship to be her home. He waits a moment longer, both to continue to wake himself up and to settle the nerves beginning to tingle in his palms. 

“Hello, my darling,” Astarion says, just loud enough for her to hear from within. His fingers rest on the handle, ready to open the door at her command.

'Hey, baby boy,' says Doe softly. 'C'mere.' She stands and steps out of the clouded water, emptying the tub and filling it afresh. 'Smoke and cherries are a little too strong for me,' she says with a lopsided smile. 'Did you rest?'

She crosses to him, kisses him softly on the mouth. 'Sorry to wake you my love. Though now that you're here…' she takes his hand, guides it into her hair. 'Would you mind terribly washing that devil out of my hair?'

She gives him a cheeky smile, bright and sweet despite her tiredness. 'Pretty please?'

The softness in her face threatens to melt him to ash right there. Astarion's hand tightens into a gentle fist, fingers threaded within the dark strands of her hair. He admires her for a moment before pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Of course, my sweet."

'I am,' she says, face breaking into a full grin. Stepping out of his grasp, she settles back into the water, dunking her head and re-emerging with the near-black tendrils of it clinging to her back. 'Now I really do look like a siren.' As Astarion settles in to washing her hair, she purrs at his gentle touch, leaning into it.

'Now, don't be too mad at me,' she says quietly. 'But Gale told me what happened to him, with the marid. So… I made a decision. Faust arrived with a note from Raphael. It said, if I ever needed him, to send the bird and he would find him.' She turns to meet his eye, almost comically upside down. 'I sent him to set up a meeting. My thought process was as follows.' She has a slightly formal lilt to her voice now, as though putting forward a legal case; she's thought this through, and won't be interrupted until she's done.

'As far as he knows, we're friends. And a powerful friend is better than a powerful enemy. He's done nothing to hurt me, in fact quite the opposite. He healed me, and he took a dance and only a dance as payment. Faust was a gift, though he may feel I owe him for that, as well. I suppose you never know with devils. In any case, he is someone who understands pacts, and how they are made and broken. If we can get some information out of him it may be of use. And if I have to keep him sweet to do that, well…' she shrugs. 'I'm prepared to. I'll discuss terms before I ask for anything. If the price is too steep, then we find other avenues. But you should know… he tried to manipulate me beyond my being inebriated. He called me 'captain', deliberately put the thought in my head that Karlach and Shadowheart were my crew, because he could tell I was upset and angry. In the moment he seemed harmless enough. Of course now I can see that it's a touch less harmless. He's trying to use me. For what, I don't know yet. But,' she says seriously, 'maybe we should take advantage of his good graces. It might be mutually beneficial.'

Astarion's fingers work a bar of shampoo throughout Doe's hair, listening. Though the idea slightly unsettles him, the confidence in her words is reassuring. He lathers her hair from root to ends, then slowly begins to rinse her hair with handfuls of water.

"I've heard rumors of a Raphael who lies in wait, palm outstretched to those in need," Astarion says quietly. "I don't want you to meet with him on your own."

She laughs softly. 'I was going to ask you if you'd go with me. I don't want to be alone with him either. Contrary to what some on this ship believe, captain,' she shakes her head playfully, drenching him in water, 'I'm not some silly little songbird. I could play him. He thinks I'm naïve, vulnerable. He's dead wrong.'

Astarion smiles, his playful tone returning now that he's fully awake. "Oh I know this," he says. "Which is precisely why I've been considering your position on board. I was thinking something along the lines of a spymaster -- how does that sound?"

'What?' Doe's jaw falls open, her stomach flipping at his words. 'You're serious?' When he nods, she grabs him by the shirt collar in a surge of water, kissing him hard. Where with Gale she was soft and yielding, this kiss is slightly possessive, a little dominant; the emotions she might've conveyed are drowned out by the sudden need to leave a mark. She even growls- unlike her, despite her tempestuous nature. She finally lets him go, eyes burning with passion, gratitude, and- ambition?

'Yes.' She takes in the sight of him then; curls dripping wet, shirt gone sheer, mouth in a little 'o' of shock. She smirks, satisfied. 'Pretty boy. Lost for words for once, hmm?'

Astarion’s moment of shock quickly turns devilishly wicked. “My my,” he tuts, leaning to lean in over the edge of the bath. “If that’s the thanks I’ll get for promoting you, you may reach captain status sooner than I’d thought.” He gets close enough to share breath, his lips hovering just above hers. “Ambition looks quite extraordinary on you, my dear.” He thinks for a moment, withholding the kiss. “Just like that red gown, which I noticed had been tossed in the fire — care to enlighten me?”

Doe whines softly, trying to press closer so he'll kiss her. 'I'm not going to usurp you, Astarion, don't you worry,' she says, a little gentler now. 'I'm not sure I'm built for leadership.' She shrugs; it's a clear insecurity. Booping his nose, she gets out of the bath, wrapping a towel around her head.

'You must have noticed the smell,' she says. 'I don't want to smell like him. So apologies, my captain, for acting out of turn. But I'm sure you will find time to mourn.' She pouts. 'But I need sleep. It's been a long night, and I am but a small defenceless little songbird who requires protection.' Her eyes gleam; she's not tired, just playing. 'I've told Gale to find me here in the morning. We have a lot of things to discuss and plans to make. Unless…' She tilts her head. 'You would rather do something else now, captain? I'll defer to your command, of course.'

“I think you’d make a fine captain, Doe,” Astarion says, rising to stand and prowling towards her. “And you know as well as I, you’re far from defenseless.” He admires Doe for a moment when he reaches her, lifting his hand to brush a finger along her jaw. That wicked smirk still graces his lips. “As far as the dress goes, I don’t mind at all — it just gives me an excuse to put something new together for you.” Taking her face in his hands, he finally presses a kiss to her lips. “I wouldn’t want to keep you awake after such a long night…” he tilts his head in thought, “but I could think of a few ideas. Though, I think I’d rather be at your command tonight.”

'Oh?' Doe's eyes glitter. 'I see…' She walks back into the main cabin and sits by the fire. 'Will you braid my hair for me? And, when you're done…' she smirks. 'I have a surprise for you to find. You'll have to play a game for it, though.'

Gazing up at him as he prowls after her, she admires the feral, wolflike way in which he moves, the peek of sharp white fang as he gives her that devastating lopsided smile. Mine she thinks. And Gale's… but for now…

'I love you,' she says simply. 'And I want you to memorise me with your hands.'

A low whine escapes Astarion as he walks to Doe, kneeling behind her before the fire. He begins sectioning her damp hair. “I love you too, Doe,” he says, taut restraint filling his voice. He begins neatly weaving the strands together. “What is it exactly that I’m looking for?”

'Good boy,' she says, leaning into his touch, reaching up to cup his jaw gently in her hand. 'You'll know it when you find it. But you'll have to be very thorough. I know you can do that, Astarion. You're a clever creature.'

Satisfied with the state of her hair when he's done, she takes his hand, guiding it over her throat, down her chest where the tendrils of her tattoo curl across it. 'Like this. Gentle, and slow, and deliberate.' Her voice drops to a sultry purr. 'Don't miss any spots. When you find it, and only then, you can have a taste, hmm? And,' she says, her mouth turning up into a small, impish smile, 'you have to close your eyes. You'll feel it when you get there. You must trust me. Okay?'

At his nod, she smiles, indulgent. 'Not enough, baby boy. Use your words. Tell me you understand what I want you to do, and that you'll obey like a good little pup.'

Astarion's mouth first parts in protest, but he's quick to playing the game. "As you wish," he whispers, closing his eyes but keeping his smirk. "I shall obey your every command."

His hands begin to rove just as she'd instructed: gentle, his fingertips softly grazing along her skin as they travel along the curve of her breasts. Slow, as if he'd needed to capture every minute of sensation as his hands travel further down towards her waist. Deliberate, because he'd needed to find whatever it was she was hiding from him, carefully traversing the plane of her stomach before making it to her hips.

Astarion lets out a satisfied purr when his hands roam over her rear, settling into a kneeling position before her. Eyes still closed, he reaches up a hand.

"Care to join me down here, my love?"

Doe lets out a soft sigh, focusing entirely on the sensation of his hands, cool against her skin. At his question, she strokes his curls gently, smiling.

'You're doing so good, sweet boy,' she says, taking in the sight before her. She runs a thumb gently over his cheek, soothing and soft, and then over his mouth, her thumb pushing between his lips to slide over his tongue. 'I rather like how I have you just now. Keep going, you're so close…'

She relishes the sight; the captain of this ship on his knees, eyes closed, trusting her with his body. 'I can't wait to see when you find it. When you do, you can open your eyes, and feast. But don't get distracted now, my love.' She removes her hand from his mouth, resists the urge to guide his head where it needs to go, and waits patiently. 'I promise it's worth it.'

Astarion's bones groan at the loss, but he remains determined and straightens his shoulders. His palms slide down the backs of her thighs, carefully wandering to the backs of her knees and around her calves. Gods, this was torture -- but whatever it was that she had waiting for him was within reach. And then…

He pauses at her ankles, rocking back to sit on his heels for a moment before he decides to put his hands on the insides of Doe's legs and making their way up and up and up at a painfully slow pace. His heartbeat picks up as his hands get closer and closer to the top of her thighs. "Please, darling -- tell me I'm getting closer," he whines playfully, his intrigue with the game and his desire for her battling within him.

'You certainly are,' she says in a hoarse whisper, losing her composure a little. His touch burns through her, even tickles a little. 'Up a little more, on the left.' Her breath hitches, hands moving to his shoulders to brace herself. 'Astarion you're so close now. A little further…'

Astarion follows her instructions once more, his desperation seeping through. His chest thrums at the feeling of her hands on him, reveling in her closeness as his fingers brush against a patch of skin with a peculiar raised outline that he can't quite make out. He hesitates there for a moment, as if awaiting her command.

'Clever boy,' she gasps. 'Now you can open your eyes. And if you want to drink… I'm all yours.' The heat from the tattoo burns almost uncomfortably hot, but his cool fingers soothe as they trace it. 'What did you find?' she asks, watching his face. 'And do you like it?'

Astarion's eyes open, and he's taken aback for a moment. There, etched into her skin, is the outline of a dagger. "It's beautiful," he breathes, eyes fixated on the dark ink. "Of course I like it, I--" Astarion searches for the words. It had been one thing, to see the skin of her shoulders marred with inky swirling tentacles in homage to Gale. Though he'd been jealous at first, the understanding had come. But this -- this secret nod to him, something shared only between the captain and his love…

The words did not make their way to his tongue. Instead, Astarion moved to stand, pressing his lips against Doe's in a claiming kiss, one hand at her jaw and the other at her back. He pulls her body close and plants needy kisses along her cheek, below her ear and down her neck - right until his fangs are lined up with precision. As the hunger stirs once more, he sinks his teeth into the soft bend of her neck, and drinks.

Having fed earlier, Astarion doesn't take much, though when he pulls his head back the warmth of her blood fills and warms him. He takes a few long, deep breaths before folding Doe within his arms. They stay like that for a moment, breathing her in and trying to match the pace of his heart to her own.

"I love you," he tells her. "And the dagger -- it's beautiful. It's everything."

'I love you.' Doe whispers, laying her head against his chest. She feels a little lightheaded, having been fed from earlier as well, and sleepy. Her body sags against him, heavy and pliant. 'My beloved boy. Nothing will ever take you from me. Ever.' She closes her eyes, breathing softly in his embrace. 'I think that's enough excitement for one day. I am feeling like a fragile little songbird just now.'

She gratefully accepts when he guides her to their bed, curling into his arms and falling straight to sleep; it is dreamless, deep, and safe. When she wakes to sunlight, she opens her eyes blearily. 'Mornin'. You're beautiful.' Kissing the tip of his nose, she cat-stretches. 'I think we missed breakfast. Oops.' She attempts to move, earning a soft growl in response. 'Astarion… we have a lot of work to do today. Things to discuss. Gale will be here any minute… you horrid little beast,' she says jokingly. 'You can't keep me all to yourself. Come on.'

Though truth be told, she found his growling protests warmed her, a blush creeping into her cheeks. The day ahead was daunting; not only training of the martial and magical kind, but Faust's return was imminent; they would have to face the devil at some point. Still, she had to at least try to be a voice of reason, however weak-willed that voice was.

[oftelltalehearts]

[ colin ford, cismale, he/him ] whatever you think you know about OLIVER WILSON, the 25/190 year old, DEMISEXUAL, LOCAL, it is likely time for you to start reconsidering. the rumored LIGHT FAYE is often described as DUTIFUL + KNOWLEDGEABLE, but don’t let them fool you; they can also be STUBBORN + ABRASIVE, which often has them regarded as THE HISTORIAN. they are a CASHIER at GEEKS&FREAKS, but it’s also said they are a NOBLE within the LIGHT FAYE COURT. whatever you hear, you can’t deny there’s more to them that meets the eye, and it’s time we start uncovering the truth. 

» 𝖙𝖍𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉 𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖈𝖐𝖊𝖗 . ( updated 10/21 ) starters owed ; 00 . threads owed ; 00

» 𝖖𝖚𝖎𝖈𝖐 𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖐𝖘 . visage . musings . soundtrack . answered . memes . tasks . all threads . events ( 1 , ) . headcanons . all things oliver .

» 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞 𝖘𝖔 𝖋𝖆𝖗 .

second born and to a higher than average noble family that had ties to the queen , isn't necessarily something to sneeze at . even from a young age oliver understood what was expected of him and what his role was meant to be in life . he was meant to be the day to his older brother's night .

oliver was all too eager to play a part that had been written for him before birth just to avoid being disregarded or tossed to the side . he threw himself head first into studying everything he could and proving his worth to both his parents and the court . proving he wasn't going to be like his brother but his own person , he held his breath at the idea of possibly having an arranged marriage like marshall but his fears have almost been put to bed for that idea .

while marshall is marshall and oliver is oliver , he adores his brother (he's his brother after all!) though he'd never outwardly show or say it . he belives his brother is so much more than what the rest of the court writes him off to be and when brought up in conversation he refuses to speak down on him .

while his parents were relieved when marshall had given up his rights to being the heir oliver didn't feel the same sentiment . he was holding out that his brother would be whacked by some cosmic force to take up the mantle so he was less than thrilled to be named heir after his father .

following the same footsteps as the rest of his family in claiming to be his own descendant , finding relief in the ability to use his own name again . oliver is known to be a job collector and he figured he'd try yet another new task and see where it grows to .

» 𝖖𝖚𝖎𝖈𝖐 𝖋𝖆𝖈𝖙𝖘 .

i . knows an unhealthy amount about human history (having lived through short part of it) and faye history alike and is like a walking history textbook . his last time around he was in school to be a teacher but - for once - gave up on it because of claims the teachers were incompetent and getting things wrong .

ii . vegetarian , he once made himself sick on strawberries and cheese . he can easily be won over with dark chocolate and maybe a stroke to his ego .

iii . oliver seems to be something strictly for his parents to say , he prefers to be called oli .

iv . either acts like an old man or a bratty teenager . he let's his pride get in the way and sometimes finds it difficult to ask for help .

v . he's growing to slowly resent his parents for shaping how he is , he feels like he doesn't have a voice of his own just a perfectly response formed by them and their set of ideologies . is also slightly envious of his own brother because of how he just enjoys life .

vi . doesn't believe in marrying for power , and hasn't been in any stage of courtship for a hundred years .

[cloudbattrolls]

It’s Over, Isn’t It

Some Perigees Prior | Priori Poster | Clover Park

Priori looked up at the tall indigo, who’d texted her a few nights ago demanding to meet, and she shook her head.

“Erikaa.” She said, almost gently. “Why are you here?”

“Don’t you know?” Spat the highblood. “I thought you knew everything.”

The olive shrugged. They both knew that wasn’t how her power worked - especially if she didn’t want to know something. The whole point of Cherie’s meddling had been to make it controllable. More than it had been, anyway.

She did know it was best to let her former conspirator have a moment of resentment, especially when it wasn’t really Priori the indigo was angry at. A warm wind blew through the park, ruffling each woman’s hair.

“Tabula’s dead.” Erikaa finally said, after they’d both watched several trolls go by, searching for a free picnic table. The park was meant for midbloods - a troll as tall as Erikaa, with her caste and white hair, drew some attention - but no one wanted to bother an indigo in a nice suit, even one without paint.

Priori’s shoulders hunched, and her breath caught for a moment.

The white-haired woman gave her a sardonic look. “Thought that’d get your attention. Looks like she and that ghost hag did each other in. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to see it.”

The wyvern troll made no noise, only stared straight ahead. Hm. Well. This made things less complicated, didn’t it?

She came back to herself, tapping her fingers against the aged and cracked wood, not really caring if she got splinters. If it were someone else, they might be lying to her…but that wasn’t Erikaa’s style. Unlike the purpleblood’s former moirail, she’d always been blunt.

“So where have you been instead?” The greenblood asked softly. “You’re a writer, aren’t you?”

The lanky troll stared at her in disbelief and disdain. “That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say? You clung to that maroon like she was life itself, not that she ever seemed to care. I don’t know why I bothered telling you.” She sniffed, dismissive.

“You want something.” Priori stated simply.

She didn’t mind, she only wanted to know what it was. She could tell it was something desperate, for Erikaa loathed her own needs, loathed coming to a mere oliveblood about them.

“That clinic.” said Erikaa scornfully. “Are they any good?”

The indigo didn’t have to say which one.

“For many things, yes.” Answered the wyvern troll.

“Could they fix me?” She said, deathly intent, leaning forward slightly, her pale eyes narrowed. “Could they take away this curse? I’m tired of it, Priori. I didn’t get suppression tech like you did because I was too ‘useful’. Because I could find everyone they wanted without even trying - I wish I’d had to try.”

Her pale, bony fists clenched. “I saw that medic in charge of it the other night, drawn by my power. She thinks I don’t remember her - she’s wrong. As if I’d ever forget someone like Wistim. She could have helped me. I would’ve paid her anything.”

“She was frightened of you.” Offered the olive softly. “When she was young.”

“Me?” Snorted the indigo, waving a dismissive hand. “It’s Sfinct she should’ve been scared of, back in that godawful place.”

“Mm.” Hummed the other woman, nodding in agreement. Lexius Sfinct had been a threat of many hues, all the more so because she meant well.

Erikaa looked at Priori again, really looked at her, threading her slim fingers together as she stared the much shorter troll down.

“Why aren’t you upset about Tabula? You owe me that.”

Priori Poster had never owed anyone anything, and didn’t plan on starting.

“Why aren’t you upset about Cherie?” She countered, even and mellow.

Her former conspirator’s mouth twisted. Erikaa bit her lip.

“Because they’re not fucking worth it.” She said after a moment, with a quiet spite and disdain that could have shriveled the leaves off any plant.

Priori nodded; she very much agreed.

“Your breakup doesn’t deserve to be mourned; Tabula doesn’t need to be. She should have died long ago.”

“What about you, girl who bargained with gods?” Said Erikaa mockingly. “If you’ve let your lover go, why didn’t you leave like Naeyrn did? What’s even here for you anymore?”

The mechanic gave the highblood her usual smile.

“I want to see what happens.”

The indigo rolled her eyes.

[twistedwonderlandimaginesblog]

yay! requests are open! i do really enjoy your writing! may i please request idia + orchid, and please have a lovely day

Idia Shroud: 

Orchid - an innocent moment devolving into something that’s not.

Idia’s seduced meter was going to hit its max soon.

You were being so sexy completely unintentionally which was working him up further, biting his thumb as he worried you knew the exact type of effect you had on him. No one person should hold that much power and yet here you were, smiling brightly at him without a care in the world for the mental torture you were putting him through. Despite the fact he was at least a head taller than you he still felt like he was on his knees whenever you approached.

You had just asked to try his jacket on.

You had shed your own dorm uniform, which Idia had whipped around in embarrassment to give you some privacy despite the fact you had clothes on under it, and had started to zip up the jacket ripped from Idia’s own shoulders. Well, you had asked politely but he was so wide-eyed and startled he couldn’t offer a proper answer, so you had just started to remove it yourself. That did nothing for helping Idia find his voice but since he didn’t technically say no, which the isolated man would surely do if he didn’t want to be touched, you figured it was just fine.

You knew he was a little socially challenged, he probably just didn’t know how to agree to such a request.

You think you looked great with it on, modeling in Idia’s monitors that were turned off. You’re too busy looking at the details of his jacket, only noticing the flickering of blue and pink in his monitor when he was right behind you. You opened your mouth to teasingly ask if he liked how you looked but you’re not given the chance, your body suddenly pulled back as Idia wrapped his arms around you. His face was buried in your back, his grip tightening when he felt you try to turn to get a better look at him.

“Why do you…do this to me…?” Idia mumbled, “Why do you have to be the character all the players lust after?!”

“You think that highly of me?” Again, with your incessant teasing, you damn well knew how Idia felt about you! How he worshipped the ground you walked on! How seeing you in his jacket was a memory that would forever live at the forefront of his brain! And yet you were still like those characters who knew how attractive they were and they toyed with the nerdy characters feelings and…! “If you want your jacket back…”

Idia is on the edge of his seat, breath catching in his throat.

“Why don’t you take it off me?”

That’s all he needed to hear.

Idia had never been forward before, not like this, but you’re suddenly finding yourself unceremoniously tossed onto his bed. You let out a squeak as Idia landed on top of you a bit awkwardly, failing his skill check but at least it was a forgivable one. You smiled as you took a lock of his fiery hair between your fingers, twirling it around lovingly.

“I was waiting for you to make a move. I can’t be the only one choosing all the flirty options, you know~ If you want to get all the romance CG’s, sometimes you have to take a chance…” You released the strand and carefully threaded your fingers through the hair on the back of his head, the warmth spreading all through your body; it was such a pleasant feeling, like petting a soft, fluffy cat that happened to be on fire. “What’s your next option?”

“I-I take… the jacket off…” Idia hovered over you, looking down at the jacket with a stressed expression on his face, like he forgot how it even works. You reached out to grab the hand that wasn’t holding him up, placing it flat against your chest to break the first awkwardness barrier; you appreciate the way his hair is slowly turning from blue to pink, the pink now even more prominent than it was before.

“Anything else you’d like to take off~?” Idia can’t stand it, can’t stand the way you’re so cool and calm and beautiful even when he was stripping you!

His lips crashed against your own in a surprising kiss, this time hitting that QTE right on the money; he caught you off-guard but you were always game for surprises when it came to Idia. You wrapped your arms around his neck as his kisses continue, sharp teeth scraping against your lip and leading Idia to look back with a fearful look. Would you be done kissing him now that he might’ve hurt you? But the look on your face is one he’d only seen in ero manga, the face of someone begging for more.

With renewed confidence he steals another few kisses, this time purposely dragging his teeth along your lips before moving to your neck. You almost considered calling him a vampire but Idia continued to surprise you with his bold moves, choosing to attack a weak spot just under your ear. His kisses are relentless as he trailed them down your neck, giving an experimental nip and carefully listening for a response; he felt like could be choosing the wrong option at any time, wishing there was at least a target to direct him to the right areas. A drop-down list of potential actions would be awful useful too…

“Don’t stop, Idia…” You urged him on, hands cupping his face. “You’ve reached a save point. There’s nothing you could do that could ruin this scene so… keep your attention on me.”

This would be one game he certainly couldn’t tear his attention from.

[faeryarchives]

can i request headcanons for pomefiore with a fischl like g/n reader? i honestly feel like them and rook would be bestfriends

hi hi ok it's been a very long while since i got this request and write for a headcanon so fingers crossed that i am not rusty in writing again and i hope you guys enjoy !!

italicized = oz

pomefiore with a fischl like gender neutral reader!

a daring adventurer with seemingly outlandish theories that happen to turn out to be true, they claims to hail from another world and travels with a night raven named oz. through their unique abilities, eccentric character, and hard work, they has become a rising star among the adventurers' guild's investigators, earning the recognition of all

: ̗̀➛ vil schoenheit

"the threads of my fate lie in your hands!"

"no rest for the wicked..."

“stay still potato, are you nervous? you haven’t seen anything yet if you’re still getting nervous at school assemblies.”

"who said my henchmen are nervous? we are not!"

at first vil was somewhat surprised at how you present yourself - so elegant and poised even your distinctive manner of speech makes you stand out in his point of view

as someone who values beauty, vil almost took you as another younger sibling stating that "you potatoes don't know how to value true beauty i am taking this one under my wing."

there would be times when the three of you including oz would act out some of vil's part in the script given by the one in charge of the play or the manager.

“hah. as thy enemy you really had proved your worth! at this point, i’d even let you stand at my side.” 

"hmph! doth thou wish to witness my true power?"

"eure majestät that line was supposed to be after your first battle."

"oh your royal majesty oz is complaining!"

"silence the two of you!"

"no, i think the line is perfect as it is. let us leave it that way."

you are the first one except for vil to try out the makeup products the dorm leader made and it would turn out pretty amazing that leads the two of you taking pictures together while posting it on magicam

whenever you got free time, you accompany vil to the film research club - it turns out you are doing pretty good in the club and even helped the other student having troubles in staying in role while grim and oz help out in doing the props

curiosity winning over, some of the students asked how you are so talented in such things and that is when vil saw you break in character - seeing the true you

"some may say i am just running away from reality by having this kind of persona and it became my safe space. and recently i realized that running away from my past is not a good thing at all so i came to accept it and it made me a better person that i am right now. for i am "

"so you can't talk without putting tongue twisters in my head!"

ever since then , he would let you and oz come to him anytime whether be it the most simple or a big problem - vil will be always open to hear you talk about your day

"try pushing yourself as hard as you can while keeping your experience level in mind and you can always come to me whenever you like."

: ̗̀➛ rook hunt

"i, (name), have roamed the galaxy and traversed countless worlds. I have learned the fate of ten thousand universes and have had revealed unto me the destiny of every living soul."

"oh how magnifique! do tell me more of thy tales, votre majesté de condamnation."

if everyone didn't know that you are that student who didn't get sorted into any dorm and hailed from another world, they would've thought that you and rook are very much related 😭

like even just meeting each other for like 30 minutes you, oz and rook are already on the same wavelength!

indulges himself in your stories by presenting that he is also from a faraway place known to be a hunter protecting his queen

"you've known eure majestät so now to whom do I owe the pleasure?"

"marvelous! i, on the other hand, am quite known to be the loyal hunter who hailed from a faraway land - ought to do his duty to protect his queen."

you have nicknames for each other such as votre majesté de condamnation and ritter des jägers despite it being different in language but hey you can still understand each other through feelings because it knows no bounds

unlike vil, rook will openly dote on you like an older brother - brings things that you definitely won't really need but still makes you happy + shower you in hugs and praises + gifts you novels after knowing you spend your time in the library

what shocked him the most is how terrifying you could be in gathering information, as if you are on level with him in this field.

"sir oz! what a wonderful day to grace me with your presence."

"eure majestät would like you to try the dish they made to congratulate you on your win during the archery contest."

"liver pâté? how did they-"

"oh no they did not stalk you, it's just that they notice how your mood seems to lighten up talking about this specific dish."

it warms his heart to know that you consider him as one of your closest friend and he could really feel you caring for everyone you met in your journey. while you are in this world- he will make sure you will enjoy every moment in twisted wonderland

: ̗̀➛ epel felmier

"dusk and dawn but fleeting shadows are. once more, the twists of fate have led you into my everlasting night."

"fleeting everlasting what?"

at first it would be a mess just leaving you alone with epel without the help of oz's translation because to the first year it seems like you are talking riddles

but after getting to know each other for a while, epel realizes that you are not so bad at all! in fact you are like one of the people he admire the most

"such an exquisite delicacy is worthy of being served in the garten sanssouci."

"yes, yes apple pies are delicious i know."

even oz is fond of the first year due to him being spoiled by epel in grim dismay because now he is having a competition over epel's free apples

"(naaaaaaame)! oz stole my apple again!"

"i certainly wouldn't do such horrendous action eure majestät!"

"oh (nickname) is with deuce and ace right now. did you finish all their apple again?"

saw your strength first hand and not going to lie - your fighting style and strength really surpassed all the other people he admire and very proud to be called as your best friend

always grateful because you never seem to view him as someone who is weak or mistook him as a girl but recognized him for the things he had accomplished

"you can be who you really are regardless of the dorm you are in. as said before, the magic mirror house you to the dorm that reflects your true self the most."

"i may be in pomefiore, but… i’m still me!"

after that, you became more inseparable, even vil and rook thinks that you are like twins at this point. you always got each others back no matter what 🫂

[edenmemes]

skyward sword sentence starters

more to be added !

❝ you promised to meet me before it starts, remember? ❞ ❝ you seem pretty...relaxed about the whole thing. ❞ ❝ is something wrong? what’s the hurry? ❞ ❝ sometimes i just don’t know what’s going on in your head. ❞ ❝ i'm not like you. i fail at everything i try. ❞ ❝ a shrimpy boy like you hardly looks the part of a hero. ❞ ❝ swatting a few monsters will be no trouble for you. ❞ ❝ run and play this time. get in my way again, though, and you’re dead. ❞ ❝ don’t even pretend that was an accident! ❞ ❝ do you doubt these eyes? i look upon your shirt and i see a single thread loose on your sleeve stitching. ❞ ❝ this is no place for one such as you. and yet here you stand. ❞ ❝ i need to vent all this unhealthy anger,     and your agony is such a great stress reliever. ❞ ❝ remember what we discussed. restrain yourself. focus on the task at hand. ❞ ❝ do my words anger you? do my words sting? let them. ❞ ❝ you don’t come by here just to see me, do you? ❞ ❝ what’s wrong? you just made a face like you wanted to say something. ❞ ❝ oh, i get it. you’re trying to weasel out of having to practice. ❞ ❝ i guess it’s not all bad. at least i’m getting paid. ❞ ❝ there’s something i’ve been meaning to talk to you about.... ❞ ❝ would you wake up, straighten up, and grow a backbone already? ❞ ❝ nice try, but you’re not fooling me. ❞ ❝ i...i have to go. i’m sorry. ❞ ❝ folks were always cheering me on like it was a parade. but as you know, time passes. ❞ ❝ you keep some very strange company, friend. ❞ ❝ i don’t know if it’s safe yet...i’m going to stay here awhile longer. ❞ ❝ oh no. you’ve done it now! there’s no escaping this one! ❞ ❝ so, what now? are you going to cry? ❞ ❝ i can’t begin to tell you how sorry i am for pulling you into all of this. ❞ ❝ what is wrong with you? just look at what you’ve done! ❞ ❝ what we’ve seen here today defies explanation. ❞ ❝ you put up more of a fight than i would have thought possible out of such a soft person. ❞ ❝ did you really just draw your sword? foolish. ❞ ❝ should you heed the call of destiny,     i don’t know what dangers you may have to face. ❞ ❝ i can’t help being such a coward...i’m really sorry. ❞ ❝ i fear i spent far too long teasing and toying with you. ❞ ❝ you do your people proud. ❞ ❝ how long do we have to live in constant fear? ❞ ❝ i'll just beat you within an inch of your life! ❞ ❝ dawn is drawing near. it has been a long night for the both of us, hasn’t it? ❞ ❝ you were limp and unconscious. i feared the worst. ❞ ❝ what do you think you’re doing sneaking out with that? ❞ ❝ such a beautiful day, but we’re too busy to enjoy it. some things never change. ❞ ❝ i guess you’ll never learn unless you run into trouble one day. ❞ ❝ look at my face. if that’s your idea of a joke, i’m not laughing. ❞ ❝ you appeared to be relishing that snooze, so i declined to wake you. ❞ ❝ huh? oh, uh, nothing. really, i was, uh...talking to myself. ❞ ❝ you’re looking a little pale... ❞ ❝ i imagine you and i will cross paths again. until then, do not lower your guard. ❞ ❝ you certainly are persistent... ❞ ❝ all that may be well intentioned and true, but it doesn’t mean it’s right. ❞ ❝ i’m prepared to pay the price for what i’ve done. ❞ ❝ i had no idea we were fated to carry such a heavy destiny. ❞ ❝ i need your strength to tip the scales in our favor. ❞ ❝ all this training, and no results! ❞ ❝ all i’ve hears so far is a bunch of babbling about destiny,     but that’s a load of garbage. ❞ ❝ when night draws her tenebrous curtain across the sky, i come here. ❞ ❝ what in the world just happened? did you use some kind of magic? ❞ ❝ please, see it through and prove the legends true. ❞ ❝ i was happy just spending my days hanging around with you. i wanted that feeling to last forever. ❞ ❝ you are vital to a mission of great importance. ❞ ❝ the chances of that happening are just about less than zero. ❞ ❝ i hate to break it to you, but today’s the day i bust up this adorable little fantasyland you’re living in. ❞ ❝ this is a war, and the fate of the land hangs in the balance. ❞ ❝ i know you, and you’re no hero. ❞ ❝ you’re messing with me. say it again, i dare you. ❞ ❝ you float through life with your head in the clouds. ❞ ❝ i don’t do charity for wimps. ❞ ❝ what’s this...? what is it that my eyes behold? ❞ ❝ don’t even think about it! are we clear? ❞ ❝ the point is your work here is done. i got it covered from here. ❞ ❝ my eyes foresee a hazardous, thorny road ahead for you... ❞ ❝ you...this is your fault, you know. ❞ ❝ my heart is bursting with thoughts of you. ❞ ❝ i have a serious dilemma on my mind right now, and you’re distracting me. ❞ ❝ i’ll make you proud. you’ll see! ❞ ❝ feels dangerous. something could jump out at us at any moment. ❞ ❝ we’re talking about a tale that’s been passed down over a lot of years, so i wouldn’t put much stock in it. ❞ ❝ i have the right to experience an unfettered and passionate love, don’t i? ❞ ❝ i’ll tell you, it gives even a big guy like me the creeps. ❞ ❝ oh...how can i get you to notice me? ❞ ❝ i get the feeling nothing i can say will talk you out of it. ❞ ❝ my love for you is wider than the horizon and deeper than the clouds. ❞ ❝ trust my piercing eyes...listen to my pure and innocent voice. ❞ ❝ i feel so excited, so cheerful, so full of life. ❞ ❝ i sense a silent power dwelling somewhere in your frame. ❞ ❝ this turn of events has left me with a strong appetite for bloodshed. ❞ ❝ there’s no doubting it. the gears of fate have begun to turn. ❞ ❝ i'm sorry. i was lost in thought there for a moment. ❞ ❝ don’t men open doors for a lady anymore? how long am i supposed to stand here waiting for a little chivalry? ❞ ❝ i hate even saying this, but i guess you got it all figured out. ❞ ❝ you must not push yourself. you’re still recovering. ❞ ❝ you think you’re pretty suave, don’t you? ❞ ❝ i know you’re in a hurry, so i really appreciate you taking the time to help. ❞ ❝ i saw it, but i was able to escape by the seat of my pants. ❞ ❝ do you have any idea how that made me feel inside? furious! outraged! sick with anger! ❞ ❝ you’re really something else. i could never imagine myself doing what you’re about to do. ❞ ❝ i must aid you in fulfilling the great destiny that is your burden to carry. ❞ ❝ i should have believed you...i’m sorry. ❞ ❝ lately, when i think about you, my head gets all fuzzy, my heart races, i get short of breath, and i feel all dizzy... ❞ ❝ you should know better than that to fret about me. ❞ ❝ thanks for jumping in there to rescue me. ❞ ❝ hey, hold on there! what are you trying to pull all of a sudden? ❞ ❝ your face cries out in earnest wonder, and that cry is: ‘what’s this?!’ ❞ ❝ i promise up front not to murder you. ❞ ❝ you...didn’t hear any of that, did you? there’s no way you heard, right? ❞ ❝ i tell you, all sorts of weird things are going on lately. ❞ ❝ calamitous visions appear before me... ❞ ❝ you...make me so happy...i think i’m going to keel over... ❞ ❝ i wanted you to be the first to see me like this. ❞ ❝ i can’t imagine a more fitting color for you. it’s as though you were born to wear it. ❞ ❝ i bet you can’t even decide what to have for lunch on your own, huh? ❞ ❝ amazing, right? wrong! it is beyond amazing! ❞ ❝ it can’t be easy for you, can it? ❞ ❝ you’ll see in time that you have your own role to play in all this. ❞ ❝ trust in fate to guide your feet. ❞ ❝ i bet you’re here just to check me out, right? ❞ ❝ i just hope nothing has happened. i’m worried sick thinking about it. ❞ ❝ whoa...you’re kind of imploding my mind right now. ❞ ❝ if you wanna live again one day, you should head for home. ❞ ❝ you have a great journey before you, and those clothes...they don’t look up to the task. ❞ ❝ did you manage to get even a wink of sleep last night? ❞ ❝ ever heard of banging your knuckles against the door? it’s called knocking. ❞ ❝ so, uh...yeah. just how long have you been standing there? ❞ ❝ honestly, it’s almost as though you become a completely different person when you worry about me. ❞ ❝ you showing up here must mean we’re connected somehow. like fate. ❞ ❝ sorry to put you through that. i guess i owe you one now. ❞ ❝ to tell you the truth, i’m feeling a little frustrated, and right now i just need someone to vent to. ❞ ❝ what’s with you? leave me alone if you don’t want anything. ❞ ❝ hearing that is such a...huge weight off my mind. ❞ ❝ though your journey will put you in harms way, you must endure. ❞ ❝ i'm just deadweight. what kinda use is that to anyone... ❞ ❝ seriously, what is that thing over there?! ❞ ❝ before i say another word, i feel like i owe you an apology. ❞ ❝ during your long journey, you’ve grown so much. ❞ ❝ from the moment i laid my eyes on you, i could tell you had a gentle and generous heart. ❞ ❝ oh dear...i don’t know what’s come over me all of a sudden... ❞ ❝ you don’t appear to have any serious injuries. for that much we can be grateful. ❞ ❝ i can see into those dopey eyes of yours. ❞ ❝ i can finally smile and laugh again! thank you ever so much. ❞ ❝ i think i might of broke something. ❞ ❝ is that it? i thought it was going to put up more of a fight. ❞ ❝ i thought we were goners this time. sort of glad i was wrong about that. ❞ ❝ what? i don’t seem like my usual self? ❞ ❝ this place needs a name. a name fitting for this rugged, adventurous wilderness. ❞ ❝ what were you thinking? you scared a year off my life! ❞ ❝ care to explain just what you meant by ‘our special moment alone’? ❞ ❝ my advice? work hard and wish with all your heart. ❞ ❝ say, you look all flustered. ❞ ❝ i fear we can’t dwell on our success. ❞ ❝ the world is bursting with undiscovered surprises, isn’t it? ❞ ❝ you're not exactly mr/mrs.perfect either, are you? ❞ ❝ this is easily as scary as i thought it would be. ❞ ❝ i swear this neighborhood’s getting crummier every day. ❞ ❝ you ain’t as dumb as you look. ❞ ❝ i was going to ask if you wanted me to take care of you forever... ❞ ❝ i need to learn how to keep these delirious dreams in check. ❞ ❝ maybe you should forget about everything that happened here tonight. ❞ ❝ can you imagine a more gruesome fate? ❞ ❝ there are more monsters about than before, so be careful. ❞ ❝ human desire is an insatiable, fearsome thing. ❞ ❝ i sense an evil presence on the other side of this door. ❞ ❝ you understand, don’t you? i’m not wrong about this, am i? ❞ ❝ i never wanted to lay eyes on you again. ❞ ❝ i would have gotten discouraged if you hadn’t come by to cheer me on. you gave me motivation. ❞ ❝ who do you think you are, getting involved in my business like that? ❞ ❝ i just wish there was more i could do for you... ❞ ❝ i don’t even understand how you could make such a wild accusation! ❞ ❝ it was at that moment i finally realized. i realized that...i love you. ❞ ❝ make sure you come home every now and then. nothing like a good sleep in your own bed. ❞ ❝ you’d better not keep me waiting. ❞ ❝ make sure you put your heart into it! i won’t stand for anything but your best. ❞ ❝ how could you be swayed by the temptation of material gain?     do you have no honor? ❞ ❝ you really want to hear about all my troubles? that’s kind of you. ❞ ❝ you...weren’t supposed to see that whole spectacle. how embarrassing... ❞ ❝ you have only succeeded in buying us a little more time. ❞ ❝ watch it! that’s no way to talk to someone who just saved your life! ❞ ❝ you look like you need to get something off your chest. ❞ ❝ know that all the questions you have now will be answered in time. ❞ ❝ there is nothing natural about these tremors. ❞ ❝ you might just be the person i need! you seem pretty good with the ladies. ❞ ❝ it’s great to hear you’re so confident in me. ❞ ❝ ideal love is unfettered and passionate. anything less than that can’t really be called love at all. ❞ ❝ you're incessant buzzing around my head like some irksome gadfly when i’m this busy is...making me very disagreeable. ❞ ❝ you may not have noticed, but i’m trying to hide here.     could you please scoot along? ❞ ❝ you'd better keep your eyes to yourself, if you know what i mean. ❞ ❝ have you come to laugh at me in my miserable state? ❞ ❝ you...you came to see me! i’m so happy. ❞ ❝ your job is simple! you make sure none of these monsters lays a claw on me. not...one...claw. ❞ ❝ now is not the time to be picky about who will help you. ❞ ❝ watch carefully while i demonstrate what a real hero looks like. ❞ ❝ you are something else! there is nothing you cannot do. ❞ ❝ if you think about how often we meet, you have to admit that our relationship has gone beyond friendship, you know? ❞ ❝ i’ll make the affair so excruciating, you’ll deafen yourself with the shrill sound of your own screams. ❞ ❝ i was right, then. there is something special about you. ❞ ❝ i should have reprimanded you the last time we met, but instead i was...soft. ❞ ❝ ha-ha! you didn’t see that coming, did you? ❞ ❝ you really are a snake in the grass. ❞ ❝ you are indeed worthy of being called a hero. ❞ ❝ i’m not used to getting stared at like this. it’s making me blush. ❞ ❝ i can’t hide anything from you, can i? ❞ ❝ the longer i train, the more i realize i’ll never measure up to you. ❞ ❝ whoa...you took out every last one of them. ❞ ❝ i know how bad this must look to you right now, but i assure you i mean no harm. ❞ ❝ it’s all very strange, but i doubt there’s much of a connection between these things. ❞ ❝ you're a weird one, climbing all the way up here. ❞ ❝ don’t cry --- it’s perfectly, mostly safe! ❞ ❝ you and i, we’re bound by that thread of fate. destined to fight. ❞ ❝ meet me in battle, and the thread of fate that binds us will be soaked crimson with your blood. ❞ ❝ i do not wish to dwell on what may have happened if you hadn’t been here. ❞ ❝ you have awakened a wrath that will burn for eons! ❞ ❝ you really like those fantasy stories, eh? ❞ ❝ there is one teensy, tiny thing i lack...namely, mercy. ❞ ❝ i must warn you, i won’t go easy on you this time. ❞ ❝ i might be willing to forgive and forget if you’ll strike a deal. ❞ ❝ since i know i can be honest with you, i’ll admit i got a little sulky. it was frowns all around. ❞ ❝ i see you’re still among the living. ❞ ❝ i saw them dragging you off unconscious, so i tailed them. ❞ ❝ i want you to visit me at my house tonight. ❞ ❝ you don’t have to say a word. i can see how you feel by the spark in your eye. ❞ ❝ you’ll see. i’ll be as tough as you in no time. ❞ ❝ it’s not like ‘oh, hey, that person’s back! i’m so happy!’ or anything like that... ❞ ❝ whoa...that’s some really terrible handwriting. ❞ ❝ i would very much like it if you would go out with me. ❞ ❝ truly? you choose me? ❞ ❝ i swear to you, whatever it takes, i will drag you into an eternity of torment. ❞ ❝ you and i, we’re bound by a thread of fate. ❞ ❝ i’ll watch over you, protecting you from afar. ❞ ❝ until then, we’ll keep our love secret. ❞ ❝ this news has just filled my heart with rainbows! ❞ ❝ this place seems strangely familiar... ❞ ❝ don’t you gotta take care of your own business first? ❞ ❝ they’re not going to do anything nice if they catch you. ❞ ❝ it’s not humane to tease someone this bored. ❞ ❝ i’m not some sideshow for you to gawk at. ❞ ❝ it’s weird to say out loud, but that’s just how i feel right now. ❞ ❝ you can’t break me with interrogation. you’ll never make me talk. ❞ ❝ word is there’s a huge treasure hidden in these here ruins... ❞ ❝ what? that’s not weird to say! ❞ ❝ ...i understand your true feelings. better than you know. ❞ ❝ all the fairytales that we heard growing up...they appear all too real. ❞ ❝ do i look sad? no, i’m doing what i want to do! ❞ ❝ i don’t know what came over me! i had no clue i had the talent to make something like this. ❞ ❝ you shouldn’t be out here in the open with no way to defend yourself. ❞ ❝ you do have the tendency to cause trouble for those you ‘help’. ❞ ❝ as far as i’m concerned, i got nothing but time. ❞ ❝ don’t you play coy with me. i know that you know, so why not let me in on the fun? ❞ ❝ so you really think a sob story like that is going to work on me? what a joke. ❞ ❝ i’d take pleasure in punishing you, but i have no time for recreation. ❞ ❝ sorry to leave you on your own, but you look like you can handle it. ❞ ❝ remember --- it’s a secret to everybody. ❞ ❝ it isn’t as action packed as what you’re doing, but maybe this is my destiny. ❞ ❝ don’t you just love the way it smells down here? ❞ ❝ defending the land...it’s my purpose, i think. it’s why i’m here. ❞ ❝ what do i know...you might just surprise me. ❞ ❝ fibber! you’re a fibbity fibber! ❞ ❝ you needn’t even say it. i can tell from the look of sheer astonishment on your face. ❞ ❝ you have had this destiny thrust upon you without warning...    or choice, for that matter. ❞ ❝ don’t do anything heroic and get yourself caught. ❞ ❝ ...you want to tell me but you can’t? ❞ ❝ you know, i really worry about you. it’s a weakness of mine. ❞ ❝ try not to get in the way of my shots, ok? ❞ ❝ i haven’t slept a wink in...ahhh...i don’t even know how long. ❞ ❝ i had my suspicions, but until now i wasn’t sure. ❞ ❝ you seem a good deal stronger than the last time we met. ❞ ❝ i would be remiss if i didn’t let you know of the weight on my heart. ❞ ❝ i have a reputation to protect, you know. ❞ ❝ listen closely. do you hear that? ❞

[nevertheless-moving]

Quinlan's hands had dropped to his face sometime ago. Obi-Wan wasn't quite sure how to comfort him. He had asked, and quite frankly, Obi-Wan could really use the help of another shadow for the final Kamino infiltration.

"I know it's a lot to take in—" he began softly, only to be cut of by a hoarse chuckle.

"You really don't see it, do you?" Quinlan asked, looking up at him incredulously.

"See what?" the time traveler asked nervously, twisting to stare at the holoboard mapping Sidious' master plan, a carefully constructed counter at the end of every twisting vine strangling the republic.

"What this looks like!" Quinlan replied, gesturing broadly.

"I'd say it looks terrifying," Obi-Wan answered dryly. "And you can see why, given Palpatine's position, I've had to respond secretly."

"Respond!" Quinlan ran a hand through his hair, barking out another laugh. "Respond. For fuck’s sake, if it were anyone but you telling me this—and if you were telling anyone but me—Obi-Wan you haven't just responded, you've won."

"Well—" Obi-Wan hedged, edges of his lips curling up. "I admit, it would be very difficult for the Sith to win at this point, even should I die, I've got deadman's messages prepared for the Council and relevant Senate members. Still, my current defense against the clone army is hardly acceptable, so you see why I need your help infiltrating the Kamino command center when I make my move—"

"Obi-Wan." Vos pressed his hands together, thumbs digging into his chin and inhaling sharply. "That's not what I mean. I mean that you, Obi-Wan Kenobi, have won the galaxy. You could literally declare yourself Emperor today."

Obi-Wan scoffed. "Don't be absurd. What, just because I've got the command codes to disable the droid army and the bombs under the Senate and Temple?"

"Or activate them," Quinlan said gently.

Obi-Wan scowled. "Don't joke about that—I would never—"

"I know," the psychometric interrupted, tone careful. "I know you wouldn't. But you could."

Obi-Wan shifted uneasily, staring at his plans again. It...had occurred to him of course, that an unscrupulous actor could do tremendous damage with the information he had painstakingly acquired. It had been difficult, to thread the line of giving Sidious and his allies the rope they needed to hang themselves, while still making sure he could pull it taught at the critical juncture. He had been proud of how he had managed, but the end result was...an awful lot of power. Consolidated in his hands, instead of Palpatine’s. 

“I still couldn’t—this still isn’t enough to actually control the galaxy, that’s the point. Sidious needs war to break out first, and he needs to be seen as the one whose ending it, first—it’s the only way to get the more influential  democratic systems to give up their powers. Anyway, back to the point, I obviously would rather not take away the clone’s freewill, even with something as innocuous as Order 6, which is why I need you to disable the orders at the command center.”

“Yes, Obi-Wan, I’m on board with the plan, I just—” Knight Vos pressed his hands to his eyes, leaning back in his chair. “I can’t believe I have to explain this to you—you already have the power that Sidious would need a war to achieve.”

“What are you talking about? No I—”

“You’re rich!” Vos burst into motion, flipping frantically through glowing screens to pull up the distribution of BK’s funding. “You’re funding the non-partisan corruption watchdog movement, and providing social services—if that was public knowledge—if any of this was public knowledge—you would instantly be a shoo in for Supreme Chancellor.”

"That’s...an exaggeration,” Obi-Wan protested.

“Is it?” Quinlan asked manically. “You are in the top 10,000 wealthiest people in the galaxy. And, unlike the other 9,999, your funds are clean. No trade federation, no blanking clans, no mining guilds. Just incredibly popular music and ridiculously smart and/or lucky investments in value neutral to actively humanitarian businesses. Can you imagine how much the good leaders would respect you, if they found out all this? How much the gold-diggers would try to cozy up to you, when they find out that you’re just giving away your multiple fortunes, try to encourage you to invest in infrastructure projects on their homeworlds—”

"I—”

“And that’s not even the whole picture! That’s just where the money is coming from, and how it’s being used. BK already has a cult. People adore him. The clones already feel like the owe him, since it’s public knowledge that he’s a major supporter for the resettlement program—when they learn about the anti-chip stuff—Obi-Wan Kenobi is going to have statues put up once you uncover Sidious’s plots—”

“I don’t want people to know about the vode’s chips—integration is difficult enough already,” Obi-Wan said lowly.

“Yes, fine,” Quinlan said, pulling up the alarming schematics of the droid foundries. “The trade federation’s still on thin ice after the documentation of their maneuvers of Naboo—When the galaxy sees these—learns you're blowing them all up before they pull a Naboo on the entire galaxy—they’re going lose their minds. Obi-Wan, it would be so easy for you to control the galaxy right now. I know the Sith did the groundwork and you were just ripping away the reins from the guy who actually did want that, but you were scarily successful. You actually have the narrative that Palpatine is trying to fake.”

Quinlan paused, smirking. “And you’re way hotter. Pretty sure if you came out in all black and said you want to grind the galaxy to dust beneath your heel, people would line up to get stepped on.”

“Oh,” Obi-Wan said, falling back into a chair. “...I don’t...I didn’t...see it that way.”

The Kiffar Knight sighed. “Like I said if it was anyone else—but you’re you, and I’m me, and I 100% believe you when you say you successfully plotted total galactic domination accidentally. Just...let’s pull the rug out from this guy’s feet before we tell the council, or I think they’ll have to arrest you.”

(rest of this au here)

[lavendermin]

if all stars fell at once (2) | xiao

pairing | xiao/reader

word count | 2.5k

genre | fluff, light angst, developing relationship, overall domestic

warnings | eventual smut

The moon was high behind the peaks of mountains; a deep navy sky clear in display of its many twinkling stars. Though the land was asleep, the crickets softly hummed their conversation and a few fireflies speckled the dark.

Perhaps it’s your high spirits at the change of routine and tender moment under falling stars, but the scenery around you has never looked more magical.

“If you continue to stare up at the sky while you walk, you’ll lose your footing and fall.”

You turned around at Xiao’s comment, face still alight with a grin you were sure made you look like a giddy child. The faint smile on his lips gave away his amusement.

“And if I do, will you be there to catch me?”

“Anywhere, anytime,” Xiao reassured, arms crossed over his chest.

Though it was a rhetorical question, the power his aura exuded as an adeptus solidified his words as not only a confirmation, but a promise.

Approaching the steps that lead further up the village to where your house was tucked away, you paused. Noticing this, Xiao looked up at you and was met with your outstretched hand— patient and waiting. His lips slightly parted in brief confusion, and the innocence his eyes held reminded you of a kitten curiously approaching something new.

Endearment. It pulled your heartstrings in the honeyed melody that had you in its audience.

There was brief hesitation. His gloved hand slowly settled into yours and he quietly allowed you to lead him up the stone steps of the winding hills. The warmth rose high on his cheeks, unnoticed by you as you led the way in your sleep-driven haze.

The exhaustion of the day seeped into your bones as you hobbled tiredly over to the familiar front door. Xiao watched attentively as you sluggishly fumbled around for a vase to hold your glaze lilies while getting ready for bed. Mortals were undeniably limited in their energy— always dependent on slumber and moments of rest to replenish and recharge their energy. However bothersome it seemed to Xiao before, seemed to have a change of heart upon seeing your switch in demeanor. It was… cute, and such thoughts filled him with the overwhelming need to just— hold you safely in his arms.

Gods… he was so touch starved and didn’t even know it. Such strange urges only served to further vex & confuse him.

Kneeling by your bedside, he pushed some hair out of your face. You were comfortably under a sea of blankets, the warmth of them quickly promising to have your wish come true. Through heavy lids, you gave him a goofy grin; mind aloof with lulls of sleep.

“Thank you for watching the stars with me.”

There you go again. Thanking him for such trivial and insignificant things. It flustered him. No— it made the fearsome Conqueror of Demons bashful.

“It’s nothing to thank me for,” Xiao uttered softly, fingers absentmindedly combing through your hair. You only hummed and relaxed into his touch in response, too tired to chide him.

“Did you mean it?” you groggily muttered from under your covers. “Wanting to get to know me more.”

Xiao nodded. “Rest now. We can talk later.”

The yaksha froze in his advances to leave, feeling the faintest tug on his sleeve.

“Stay… please, Xiao,” you begged weakly. “Just until I fall asleep.”

There was an uncharacteristic mix of fear and defeat in those words alone. It made his chest twinge with hurt. The wish you made earlier… Was sleep truly that difficult for you? He wondered what would impede your nights with restlessness. With a defeated sigh, the yaksha settled back next to you.

“Thank y–“ Xiao cut you off with a breathy chuckle, placing his hand over your eyes.

“Just sleep. I’ll stay.”

Not even two minutes had passed, yet you were already fast asleep. So, you were only keeping awake out of stubbornness… Somehow it no longer surprised him. Xiao watched as your breathing became steadier, face relaxed into your tranquil state of sleep.

Though the promise was only to stay until you were fast asleep, Xiao found himself unable to leave— unwilling to leave. To wish for enough sleep… it only left him wondering what the issue there was.

Perhaps a year ago he would have scoffed at the idea of trying to solve a human’s sleeping problem. My, how you've gotten him wrapped around your finger. Still, he sat in the dark room washed over by pale moonlight and stared absentmindedly at the ceiling, lost in his own thoughts. Were you a light sleeper? Or perhaps it was insomnia, though it would contradict how fast you fell asleep. The only other possibility he could consider was an external force that came to make a ruckus at night.

Part of him was fighting to just leave. It was none of his business to be a sleep therapist.

I wish to get to know you better.

The wish he made— though he didn’t believe in mortals’ naive, wishful thinking, he truly did want to know you better. That single want was the thread that bound him to his current disposition.

Before he knew it, he had already stayed an hour. Muffled whimpering pulled him out of his thoughts as he glanced back over to you. There was a thin sheen of sweat on your forehead as you shifted around. Your brows were furrowed in discomfort and face in a frown that shifted from fear to stress.

Ah. Nightmares.

Somehow the thought had escaped him, and now he was reminded of the unpredictability of mortal dreams.

Dream eater. That’s what he once was. The memories of his past, the dreams he painfully consumed, were enough to raise bile in his throat in a suffocating feeling. He wasn’t sure how to help you. Comforting others was never his strong suit and the thought of eating your dream… It made his hand tremble. In anticipation or fear, he couldn’t say.

The hesitation was clear, seeping into his movements as his hand slowly drew closer over your head.

“It’s… okay,” he quietly reassured, awkwardly patting your head in what he attempted to be a comforting motion. “I’m right here.”

Slowly, your face eased into a more relaxed state. Your breathing returned to a steady rhythm as you settled back into a restful sleep. Perhaps the nightmare had already subsided for the time being.

Xiao hadn’t realized until now how his shoulders stiffened with lingering worry, nor how he had held his breath to see your expression change. He scoffed inwardly at himself, rising from the bed and descending back into the night to continue his eternal back-and-forth with the karmic debt that hung over his shoulders.

“I’ve long gone past the point of no return.”

——

“Emissary Ganyu, what a pleasant surprise running into you today.” You warmly greeted the busy-bee secretary of Yuehai Pavilion. Her entrance to Bubu Pharmacy was graceful, and she warmly reciprocated the greeting.

Slight embarrassment dusted her cheeks as she privately added, “P-Please, the formality is a little… You don’t have to use the titles. I’m content with just being Ganyu when we meet.” She waved a hand dismissively at herself. “But I digress, what brings you here today?”

With a tired sigh and halfhearted smile, you gestured toward the box of medicine herbalist Gui was packing for you. “Nothing severe. I just ran out of medicine for headaches and remedies for stress.”

Ganyu’s expression softened with knowing concern. “Has sleep become an issue once again?”

You nodded, handing the herbalist what you owed with a grateful ‘thank you’. “Slept rather well last night at least. I feel fine today,” you reassure with a smile.

Being alive as long as she has, Ganyu has known your family for generations and witnessed all that has traversed them for as long as she can remember. The stresses that ail you— the sources of your sleeplessness— Ganyu knew them well.

The sole remaining descendant of your family. Perhaps she saw herself in you, and that’s why she kept her promise to your grandmother of being someone you could rely on.

“That’s a relief to hear,” Ganyu sighed, expression relaxing from its worry. “I came here to drop off licensing renewals and paperwork for Baizhu. If you’re feeling up to it, we can catch up with a quick lunch.”

Ever the busy-body, you mused fondly.

“I’d like that.”

Never a dull moment with her, Ganyu was quick to get you in step with her schedule flow. Luckily, you were rested enough to keep up with her today.

You anxiously fiddled with the napkin on your lap. “Isn't this a bit… much?”

Seated within the highly-regarded Liuli Pavilion, you couldn’t help but feel a little out of place. Such enticing dishes laid out before you… smelled expensive. It wasn’t the first time you’d been brought to eat here with her, and though it was a rarity you were still never one to indulge too much in lavish luxury from the city.

“Not at all,” Ganyu wholeheartedly reassured. “It's my treat for such a rare occasion.”

“You spoil me, Gan…”

As you both idly chatted over delicately prepared meals, you couldn’t help but notice the not-so-subtle glances Ganyu would take toward your lap every now and then. With a half-hearted sigh and a growing smile that betrayed your feigned exasperation, you set down your utensils.

“Okay. Alright.” Ganyu’s eyes sparkled, already knowing you caved. “Just ask what you want.”

“The charm,” she started, eyes intently observing the small charm that dangled securely from your hip. Never one to miss something new about you. The attentiveness from the adeptal blood that flowed within her, presumably. “Where did you get it? Ah! Pardon my prying— I don’t mean to be nosy...”

With delicate fingers, you picked it up, eyes glossing over it. The beat of your heart picked up ever so slightly.

“It was a gift.”

Left next to the vase of glaze lilies, the glint of the charm catching the morning light drew your attention toward it. You delicately picked up the item, tracing the butterfly engraved on the wooden diamond with your fingertip. The piece of amber that dangled from it with an ornate tassel was warm on your palm.

A single note on a small piece of parchment laid next to it.

‘An adepti amulet to stave off evil. Should you need me, call my name.’

“Xiao…” Ganyu started, clasping your hand in hers. “He must truly consider you someone special. It’s not often he gives gifts— despite how surprisingly skilled he is in intricate crafts.”

Warm and fuzzy, your chest pounded with overwhelming emotion. A handmade amulet… It was beautiful in its simplicity, and carried meaning in its subtle details you had yet to decipher. You had to remember to thank him for it later.

“He’s a very gentle person. I’d also… like to get to know him better,” you absentmindedly mused, recalling that mysterious masked boy caught in the thundering rain all those months ago. Though reserved and self-guarded, Xiao was never anything but polite albeit a bit distanced for a while.

It seems they get along well together, Ganyu noted, gaze holding a tender fondness like one would with a sibling. Maybe this was the new walk of life you needed when all other roads were erased.

——

“Can’t I just-”

“No.”

You huffed through your nose, exasperated. “You’re being unfair.” Xiao only raised a brow in response.

“An adeptus prolonging your lifespan would be considered a divine blessing to any other mortal out there,” he countered, pushing you back into bed with a gentle nudge that you didn’t fight back. “Rest.”

Making me go to bed early is some divine blessing... Such sarcasm you would keep between yourself and your thoughts alone.

“Xiao, it’s only nine o’clock! The moon just barely appeared in the sky. And with the Lantern Rite just around the corner, I want to get as much of my part finished.” But your protests fell on deaf ears as he continued to diligently pile on any blankets he could get his hands on. With a defeated sigh, you allowed your body to sink more comfortably into the mattress. “Is something wrong?”

Your voice came quiet, the question lingering with worry as Xiao sat on the edge of the bed— his back facing you. Oftentimes it was still hard to tell what he was thinking, for there was a lot about his past that was unknown to you and it seemed to weigh heavily on his mind recently. He didn’t need to tell you for you to know there were things he wasn’t voicing— not without your encouragement and patient reassurance.

“Can I ask?” Xiao started, his voice rather quiet like he was afraid of overstepping a boundary. “Your nightmares— how often do they haunt you?”

You were taken aback. “A-Ah, you saw…?”

With a silent nod, the bed creaked as he readjusted himself to finally face you. “That night you told me to stay… You looked distressed in your sleep.”

“They only happen sometimes,” you reassured half-heartedly with a dismissive wave of your hand. The subtle, sharpened squint of his eyes told you he saw right through your downplay.

“Lies will do you no good. But in regards to them, I...”

Xiao paused, looking away briefly. The way he avoided your gaze, the jaded look in his amber eyes— there was something he was fighting with himself to say.

“I can get rid of them, if you wish it.”

You blinked, eyes widening slightly in confused curiosity. “You can… do that?”

At this point, you would take any method to end some of your daily exhaustion. But the way his hands balled into fists at his lap suggested he didn’t have a good history with it. Still, he nodded, his eyes closed as he concentrated on grounding himself— convincing himself to tell you. Now that he had propositioned it, there was no turning back. He had to explain it but the memories—the screams— they stopped the words at his throat.

His mind was going a mile a minute in a constant war, the resolve to see through what he had started diminishing. Yet all at once, it stopped and his eyes shifted down to your quiet reassurance— your hand placed atop his fist. He took a steadying breath.

“I’ve eaten dreams before,” Xiao started, eyes closed as he reminisced. “There exist several methods developed over centuries to perform it. Many are painless and safe. A nightmare or a dream—either can be eaten and it would be as if you had no recollection of it afterwards.”

“So… it wipes it from my memory?”

“In a similar concept, yes.”

You nodded slowly, brows scrunched in thought as you processed the idea.

“Do you trust me with doing this, should you have nightmares?”

All it took was a moment. You were quick to melt away his doubts with the warmth that radiated from your softening gaze. And with a gentle squeeze to his hand, you replied.

“I trust you.”

[sichengtual]

baby, i'm yours | jh. s

— summary: johnny might still not know much about life on earth, but he knows one thing: you're what makes it worth it.

— pairing: johnny suh x reader.

— genre: fluff; demon!johnny, wizard!reader, magic café, part of the love potion universe!

— word count: 1,439 (1.4k)

— warnings: none.

— song: just like heaven — the cure.

— a/n: a gift for the bestest bestie ever, @svtxsoju! i'm proud of you today, tomorrow, and every single day for the rest of time! 💞

There are a million things that Johnny loves about life on earth. They’re so many, he can’t even begin to count them with his fingers.

Sometimes, when it’s late at night and he’s tired after a long day of work, he looks up at his ceiling and tries to think of them as bullet points inside his mind: the way the sunlight seeps in through the big windows of the café every morning, breaking past the curtains and reflecting upon the delicate leaves of the hundreds of plants he’s set to tend to day by day. Your laugh whenever Lucas tells a dumb joke, traveling through the space and into his ears, coming inside his head as the most beautiful song he’s ever heard. The calmness and steadiness of a Sunday morning spent in bed. Your voice on the other side of the phone. The foam that collects at the top of his freshly-brewed morning coffee. The warmth of your body on his skin when you accidentally bump into him while walking past.

Johnny has known, from the very first time he saw you, that he’s in love with you. He had been brought down by accident, a failed spell from Kunhang’s book summoning him right as he was about a chess match against Jaehyun, one of his best friends. In the days he had arrived on earth, he still couldn’t believe such a clueless wizard could have summoned him, a powerful demon, without even meaning to, but once he met you, he started wondering if maybe fate had played a part.

He’d always found it funny — a demon, believing in fate? He’d believe in anything as long as anything meant you.

“It’s good the weather kind of picked up,” you say as you walk up the steps that lead to the rooftop. “If you had planned on taking me out there in the rain, I think I would have asked Kunhang to brew you a duck transformation potion.”

Johnny gasps, (harshly and loudly) slapping a hand to his chest. He’s walking right behind you, and you can almost feel the warmth of his breath against your neck.

“Quack,” Johnny breathes out, giggling.

It had been completely unexpected; Friday night, you had been drinking a cup of peach-infused tea as Lucas and Johnny set to clean up the kitchen after a long day, when the latter had held your hand and walked off with you following behind. He kept saying he had a surprise prepared for you, something to celebrate the news you had just received a little earlier, and although he wouldn’t budge in telling you what it was, his freshly ironed black button-up gave you an important clue.

“You should have told me I had to dress up nice,” you say, breathing out a little more relaxed once you’re able to see the door leading to the rooftop up ahead. “I’m in jeans!”

“I’m also in jeans, baby,” Johnny laughs. He reaches up, placing a palm on the small of your back, fishing the keys from his pocket with his free hand. “And anyway, you look as beautiful as ever.”

You don’t answer, too focused on the fact that the closer you get to the door, the more you can hear music playing faintly — except the more you walk, the louder the sound becomes. Is Johnny playing Baekhyun’s Candy?

“Now, close your eyes,” Johnny whispers as soon as you reach the last step. He leans against you to open the door, and you catch a wisp of his cologne when you hear the keys dangle loudly. “Don’t peek! It’s a surprise!”

“Johnny, we’re here already!” You say, but you oblige, closing your eyes just as Johnny twists the doorknob so you can walk outside. “Okay, just tell me when you can open them. I don’t want to bump against a wall or something.”

“I wouldn’t let you,” he whispers against your ear as he helps guide your steps. “Ivy would never forgive me… which means Kunhang would probably bewitch me when I’m showering or something.”

A gust of air meets your face as soon as you step outside. Senses are immediately overwhelmed, and you try to make sense of everything you’re feeling, but it all comes together to simply send your heart on a frenzy before Johnny can even give you the green light to finally see what his surprise is all about.

You try to piece everything together; the music playing from a speaker nearby, the sweet smell that resembles freshly-baked pastries, the city sounds rising from the back and mixing in with the music, the feeling of Johnny’s hand on your back.

“You can open your eyes now.”

And you’re not completely sure what you’re seeing is real. It’s like a scene that has just come out of a movie, or a dream, because the more you see, the more you’re convinced that what you’re seeing is romanticism brought to life. The rooftop, deeper than it is wider, is covered in multiple series of fairy lights that hang from side to side, completely illuminating the entire space. There’s a table and a couple of chairs set near one of the furthest corners, and every single centimeter next to the edges of the rooftop are all traced with tall, colorful bougainvillea bushes. Next to the table stands a bar that’s decked with food and drinks; you can’t quite make out all of the dishes and concoctions that await you, but the mix of smells that reach you don’t fail to make your mouth water.

“Johnny,” you whisper, spinning slowly to make sure you catch every single detail. A rose bouquet rests in the middle of the table, and you can feel your voice threatening to break when you begin to speak. “You did all of this?”

“Had to celebrate my baby,” he says, quickly pecking your cheek as he moves to walk in front of you. “It’s not everyday you get offered to co-own the café, is it?”

Taking your hand in his, he guides you over to the table, and the song changes to a soft Ariana Grande tune when you finally reach it.

“Still, I can’t believe you actually pulled this together, I’m just ​​— when did you even have the time?”

“The boys helped earlier today,” Johnny winks, moving so he can pull the chair back for you to sit. He’s decided to top the surprise by being the textbook definition of a gentleman, and you don’t miss the slight smile on his face when he sits down in front of you. “You would have thought I paid them, with how excited they were setting the lights up and everything.”

“What, you didn’t pay them? Kunhang helped you for free?”

“Yeah, something about loving love, or whatever,” he waves a hand in the air. “Lucas though, he still owed me for last week’s pizza.”

“You owe me for last week’s pizza, you punk!”

“I thought the kisses made up for it!”

The world stops when you begin laughing, time hanging from your mouth in a delicate thread that threatens to break if only disturbed ever so slightly. It’s almost like earth spins solely for and because of you, its rhythm finding and matching yours. He knows his world does, at least, and that’s all he cares about.

“I’m really grateful for this, you know?” You say. “For everything. For this, for you being there, for you feeling proud of me when I don’t even know what I’m doing half of the time. All I know is you’re there, next to me, and that’s anchoring enough… even when you join Kunhang’s TikTok recordings instead of actually helping me manage the café.”

“Baby, there will never be a day where I’m not feeling proud of you. Of everything you do and everything you are. I love my life here simply because I love you being in it.”

In that moment, standing on the colorful rooftop of the café, Johnny can’t help but notice everything around him, and remember some of the things that are not. Everything that make you and him, you and him. Your smile as you look up to the sky. The sound of water bubbling up inside the kettle. The feeling of your hand on his. The smell of freshly baked raspberry pastries. The weight of your head coming to rest over his shoulder.

The sound of his beating heart, thumping loudly against his chest the moment a smile breaks upon his face.

“And come on, deep down, you know you also want to join Kunhang’s TikTok recordings.”

There are a million things that Johnny loves about life on earth. On that list, you’re always number one.

[dachis-demon]

Truth or Dare | Tsukishima

(Read the Start to have it make sense) Tsukishima Route. Other routes in 

truth or dare m.list

warnings: NSFW,  FEM!Reader, Hard degradation, spanking, choking, brat taming, light dumbification, Light humiliation kink, possession kink, unprotected sex, creampie, hair pulling

Word Count: 1.6k

Feeling like an idiot, you flush in embarrassment. "You have to tell us, it's what the rules say." Kiyoko speaks. "Fine, you guys suck. I like Tsukki. But don't tell him okay! I know he doesn't feel the same" You sigh, feeling self-pity for your anonymous feelings for the tall blonde. "Ha! Kiyoko you owe me lunch!" Yachi cheers, but then quickly quiets herself. "Okay, we won't tell him. Your turn." You could easily tell that they were up to something, but once again going against you better judgement, you ignore it. "Kiyoko, truth or dare?" A few rounds later, you could feel their eyes boring into you as they ask you the dreaded question. "Y/n. Truth or Dare?" you were unsure of what to pick, since they could get you either way. If you were to say truth, they would ask you something about him, like 'what your biggest fantasy was' and such, and if you chose dare, you were almost certain they would have you ask him out. Not wanting to be humiliated any more than you already were, you choose with your instincts instead of your brain. "Dare." looking you straight in the eye, Kiyoko picks the lewdest thing she could think of. "Show up to Tsukishima's house in lingerie." You jolt in shock, but you could already feel yourself getting aroused at the thought. "W-What?!" Not responding to your question, both girls walk into the secondary bedroom, and pull out a form fitting, lacey red one piece. They ushered you into the room and somehow got you into the exposing clothing, then you were suddenly shoved in front of a mirror to be examined. You were stunned to silence, eyes scanning anxiously over the lingerie. The see through material held your underwear up by having it connect from the sides of your stomach, and it left a hole everywhere in between, leaving little for the imagination. "I-I can't show up to Tsukki's in t-this!" You gesture to your body, which was seemingly getting sweatier by the second. "You have to, it was the dare." Squeezing your eyelids closed, you try to come up with a reason not to do this, something that would make the dare un-doable. "B-But, it's cold, and other people will see on the way there?" You stated, almost questioned. Yachi tossed a coat your way, watching as you become impossibly paler. Kiyoko helped you slide the coat over yourself, because you were clearly frozen in place from the fear of being seen in something as obscene as this. Your feet were walking now, without your permission, and you could feel more of your slick leak into the crotch of the panties from the slight possibility of something enjoyable happening.

The walk was still pretty chilly, even with the jacket you had draped over yourself. After all, your legs were still completely exposed to the wind, and the coat was thin. Your nipples were hardened when you arrived at his doorstep, the lace rubbing against them snugly. Yachi swiftly removed the item keeping your body concealed, while Kiyoko quickly rung the doorbell. While both ran off you felt ashamed, dirty, lewd, but that only enhanced whatever sick pleasure you were feeling in your core. The door swung open, making any color that had gone back into your face, drain once again. Keeping your eyes shut tightly, you prepared for yelling, using you hands to try and salvage what little dignity you had left. You could practically feel his searing hot gaze roam your body, and the touch of his large, warm hands settling on you waist make your eyes shoot wide open. Looking up at him, you could feel the blood finally return to your face, creating an evident blush that you knew he could notice. He leaned down right next to your ear and let his breath fan over your neck, before speaking. "What if it had been my brother to answer, huh? You want to take the risk of someone else seeing what's mine?" Tsukishima lets his hands travel down towards your ass, where they lift you up and spin you inside. His scent was hypnotizing, making the panties of your lingerie damper while he carried you to his bedroom. "Such a whore for showing up at my house like this. You're so damn lucky that my family aren't gonna be home tonight, we wouldn't want them hearing my cockslut moaning for me, would we now?" Setting you on his bed, He raised your legs to his shoulders, while he lifted one of his hands up his palm ran over every inch of your body, grazing over your nipples to draw a small squeal out of your lips, gliding down the bareness of your stomach, before sliding down into the crevices of your inner thigh. The mere thought of him touching your cunt made you hot all over, and even more desperate for his touch. Tsukki brought his fingers up your clothed heat, swiping to test the dampness of the underwear. "Already so wet, such a dirty little bitch for me." Finally speaking up, you decide to spice things up. "Who said it was for you?" You fire back, watching as he sharpens his glare. Flipping you over, you could tell that you had somewhat pissed him off with your remark, because seconds after he turned you over, his hand was slapping your ass relentlessly. "Okay, bratty whore, tell me who made you this turned on and I'll drop you off over there, ass sore and drenched in my cum. You can show him who you really belong to." He said through his teeth. You didn't know if you could keep up the disobedient act for long, but you were sure as hell going to try. You let out a fake laugh and looked back to face him. "You don't have the balls." Growling, he manhandled you into a new position, one that nearly had you folded in half. Kei gripped your throat, making it harder to breathe, but still possible. "What would you do if I just, put you back outside? All horny and dejected, wishing you had my cock splitting you open." His words sent a new wave of heat rushing throughout your body, your clit twitching in desire. But, you held your ground and came up with a comeback quickly. “I’d go to Kuroo’s house.” you croaked out, words slightly strained from his strong hold on your throat. “You think bad girl’s like you will get to cum? No, I’ll use you as my personal fucktoy, then I’ll leave you here, unsatisfied.” Smirking at him, you look down at his huge bulge and almost drool at the size, but you won’t let him know that. “You’d probably leave me unsatisfied either way.” Grunting, Tsukishima releases his hand from your throat to slide down his shorts and boxers, and you mentally panic at the length, knowing a dick like that could destroy you, but you keep up the calm façade. “We’ll see.” He slides your soaked panties to the side, eyeing the slick that moved with it, then strokes his cock a few times before lining up at your entrance. “Filthy whore, you don’t even need to be prepped with how wet you are.” Tsukki moves inside of your tight cunt, your pussy struggling to adjust to his long dick and your walls fluttering in pleasure. Once his tip pressed against your cervix, he gave you no time to enjoy the fulfilling feeling and started a harsh pace that made your eyes roll back into your head, and your tongue loll out in complete and utter bliss. 

“Apologize, bitchy brat.”  Kei groans, one hand placed under you on your ass, and the other spanking your thigh to reprimand you. “W-What?” You stammer, getting to lost in the pressure building in your abdomen. “I said, apologize, you dumb cockwhore. And maybe I’ll let you cum.” You whine. You could almost touch your release, but you knew if you came without his permission, a greater punishment would await you, and you didn’t know if you were ready to tackle that yet. “Please! I’m sorry! So so so sorry! Please let me cum Tsukki, I’m yours, only yours-ah!” Your speech was constantly broken up from all of Tsukishima’s powerful thrusts, his cock becoming to much for you to handle. “That isn’t my name, stupid brat.” You were slightly confused, because maybe you had been fucked so dumb that you didn’t remember to say his name correctly? “T-Tsukki?” Threading his fingers through your hair, he gave it a small yank. “First name.” He commands, your pussy throbbing at his demand. “Y-Yes Kei.” His hand slipped out from under you, pressing his thumb on your swollen and neglected clit as a reward. “Pretty please, I wanna cum! Kei please!” You plead, hips bucking into his with every delicious ram of his cock he granted you. Your cervix was perfectly battered from Tsukki’s excessive pounding, and you were so desperate to orgasm that you would do anything at this point. “Cum.” Letting the knot in your belly untie itself, you cum all over his cock, and the new slick leaking down his balls set him off as he came inside you a few short thrusts later. You felt his cock go soft inside of you slowly but surely, so he pulled out, taking one last look at your cunt, which was dripping with his seed and your cum, before falling beside you and pulling you into his chest. “Wear green next time, and we might have a problem.” 

[newtonsheffield]

Cause we talked about it.. I now have to ask 😂

Anthony’s Kate in a hockey skirt incident and recreation? Could we see that for a spicy Sunday please 🥺

Thank you

Oh Boyyy

This seems like a good follow up to today's chapter because Anthony fondly remembered his first ever wank (bless him) aided by the visual provided to him in PE class, of Kate Sharma, in a hockey skirt, her Shirt tied in a little knot at her waist, the poor kid didn't know what to do.

And he certainly didn't like the look his Mum gave him the next day when he stood in the laundry hastily shoving his bedsheets into the washing machine, as if she new exactly why a teenage boy would be washing his sheets at 6am on a saturday morning

"Oh God!" Anthony's breath left his body as he looked across that the other PE class on the other half of the field, and spied something he'd probably never wanted to see. Kate Sharma, in a very short skirt, laughing with her friend, their lesson not yet begun, a hockey stick firmly in hand.

Anthony had been watching Kate since she'd arrived at school last year. No, he didn't like how that sounded, that made him sound like a stalker. But... maybe it was possible that he might have a little crush on Kate. And who could blame him. She was smart, far smarter than he was actually, already the top of their class, she was funny: every single time she walked past him she tossed a little quip his way her lips quirking in a smirk, and she was beautiful. So beautiful, it made his chest ache.

And now here she was, wearing an even shorter skirt than usual, her long legs shining in the sun, , a tiny bit of her midriff on display from her shirt, tied at her waist, and Anthony felt something deep inside him tighten, panic rising in his chest, Oh god, please no, not here. Oh christ, she was bending over. He was about to embarrass himself in front of the entire year, his shorts tightening and-

"Ow! Fuck!" A hockey ball collided with the side of his head, knocking him to the floor. And honestly he should have been furious at Simon who was grinning at him unashamedly, but as he went off to the nurses office he could only feel just a little thankful, even as Kate called out

"So I suppose we can rule you out of hockey tryouts next week hey Bridgerton?" As he passed.

Of course as he lay in bed that night, desperately trying to get to sleep, her face had flashed through his mind again, and then his eyes had slipped downwards, to the fact the buttons on her polo shirt hadn't been done up, and her midriff had been on display and her legs were so long and before he knew what was happening he was aching, his hand hesitantly touching at first and then bolder and bolder until he'd made an absolute mess of himself and his bedsheets, and he was certain he'd croaked out her name as it had happened.

This wasn't something Anthony was necessarily proud of, it also was definitely not the last time we'd wanked himself off thinking of Kate Sharma, both before and after they were together. But he'd never told Kate that she'd been the first, it just seemed embarrassing that it had happened so innocuously, she'd just been standing there, going on his her life and he'd practically been humping her leg like a randy dog.

So no, he didn't exactly want to tell her. But of course like everything he did.

"Tell meeeee." Kate said, straddling his chest one sunday morning, her eyes shining with amusement. "Oh my god, is it because it's really embarrassing?" She gasped, "Was it mrs. Danbury?"

Anthony nearly choked, he certainly wasn't going to let her think that! He sighed. "Do you happen to remember that day I got hit in the head with a hockey ball?"

Kate shook her head.

Anthony sighed, "Well when I was 14, I got hit in the head with a hockey ball, and i was distracted because you were further down the field... And I got a hard on."

Kate guffawed, her eyes widening with joy. "Oh my god."

Anthony sighed, "The night I couldn't stop thinking about the fact you hadn't done up the buttons on your polo shirt, and I could see your cleavage like a tiny bit, and you'd tied it up so I could see your midriff and your legs are really long okay? I couldn't help myself. And that was the first time I ever got off." He could feel his ears burning.

Kate was laughing brightly, "So I was standing still at School and that got you off?"

Anthony felt a little indignant, "You bent over actually as well, and you said you wouldn't laugh!"

Kate laughed.

He had almost forgotten about it, weeks later, when he walked through the front door, a little weary from his work day, and stopped dead. Because his very hot girlfriend was sitting at the breakfast bar in their small kitchen, her legs crossed, her eyebrow raised expectantly, and what she was wearing made him swallow convulsively. Kate was wearing a hockey uniform, her poloshirt tied at her waist, the skirt barely hitting her mid thigh and Anthony felt heat pool in his stomach as her dropped his backpack at his feet his hand moving up to run through his hair, nervously.

"Hey." It came out as a little huff as he stared at his teenage fantasy come to life. He felt like all the air had been sucked from the room, as Kate stood, her hips swishing towards him, Anthony swallowed again.

"Welcome home, Honey. " There was a smirk in her voice that told Anthony, as always, she knew exactly the power she wielded over him. "You've been working so hard recently, I thought you deserved a little treat."

Her lips were sucking at his neck before he could even respond, whatever he'd been planning to say cut off with a sharp whine, her hands tugging at his jacket, pushing it from his shoulders before tugging him by the belt towards their bedroom.

Anthony's feet felt clumsy as he followed, stumbling over himself, to get to her just like always. Kate let go when they reached the room, making a little show of settling herself on her side of the bed, the word Princess carved just above her head in his hand writing branding her, and he couldn't help but feel a sharp streak of smug possession that she was his in a way she'd never been anyone else's. That everyone had thought her so prim and proper at school... frigid Baz had said, and here she was, wearing a costume for him, putting on a show.

Anthony tore his shoes off, stripping down to his underwear in a flash, moving to straddle her, his hands already on her, wherever he could reach, aching to slither up her skirt and-

"Anthony, you can't touch there yet. You said you touched yourself. Show me."

Anthony let out a choked noise his head falling to her shoulder, nuzzling against her hair for a moment, his boxers already so tight, his hips bucking towards her.

"Where can i touch?" his voice was cracking, wrenched from his chest as he forced his head off her shoulder, groaning a little as he took in the mischievous look in her eyes.

She tugged his left hand from between her knees, sliding it up her shirt, his hand tightening instinctively. "Here seems nice, no?"

Anthony nodded, his shoulders already heaving as her lips went back to his neck, her teeth nipping, her tongue soothing her finger tips running along his stomach before threading in his hair, and it was too much. She was everywhere, all around him, and he needed some relief, his hand slipped into his boxers, groaning at his own touch, as his hips started thrusting into his hand, his eyes fluttering closed.

Kate tilted his chin towards her lightly, "Don't forget to look, Anthony."

He nodded eagerly, his breath coming in sharp gasps her voice hot in his ear.

"Was it this good the first time?"

Anthony shook his head, "Feeling you there is definitely better."

Kate's eyes had darkened, but her smirk was still in place. "How long did it take you?"

Anthony groaned, his hand tightening as her tongue brushed his ear. "Like... 35 seconds."

Kate chuckled, "Good to see you've improved your stamina. But Honey, the quicker you cum, the quicker i'll let you under the skirt."

Anthony could have died, he really could have, his hips moving even more quickly, Kate all around him, her name falling in a garbled mess from his lips, Kate Kate Kate Kate, you're so fucking hot, oh my god, I'm gonna- He exploded, his vision blinding white for a moment, covering them both in himself, his head dropping back against her shoulder. Her hands running soothingly through his hair as his breathing fought to even out.

And then his brain caught up to him. "Wait, where'd you get this?" He tugged at the skirt.

Kate looked a little guilty, "I stole Eddie's."

Anthony's mouth fell open, horrified. "Kate! I just came on your sister's school uniform."

Kate chuckled, "It's okay, she doesn't want it back. She seemed to realise I wanted it for nefarious purposes and told Mary she lost hers." her tongue clicked, "Are you too upset to crawl under the skirt?"

Anthony groaned sliding down her body, nudging her legs apart, "I don't think I could ever be too upset for that."

[doctorstethoscope]

The Right Chapter 3 || Aaron Hotchner x Fem!Reader

Hey gang, I wanted to give y’all another update this week because I know there wasn’t a lot of hotch in the last chapter. This is a long one! 

Read previous chapters here!

wordcount: 3.6k

warnings: canon-typical harassment and violence, swearing

tagging: @the-modernmary @greeneyedblondie44 @angelic-kisses13 @wanniiieeee

It’s closer to the afternoon than the morning when you finally get out of bed the next day. Aaron had set you up in his guest room before going to bed himself, and had dutifully woken you up every two hours. You emerged into the kitchen to see him sitting at the table with his laptop open, surely working even though he was technically out on sick leave. 

“Good morning” he says when he sees you appear in the doorway. “The coffee’s still hot, if you want some. I don’t have any RedBull, though.” 

You rolled your eyes as you crossed the kitchen to make yourself a cup. “Is it still morning? It feels like I must have slept through the whole day.”

“Well, you needed it. Long night.” He tells you, and you let out a little hum in response. “Hey, uh. Your cell phone is on the counter. It was making a lot of noise and I didn’t want it to wake you.” he admits sheepishly. “I didn’t read anything, but Josh’s name popped up a lot.”

You pouted a little. “I guess I did kind of just disappear. I probably owe him an explanation,” you said, crossing the kitchen and picking your phone up.

“You don’t owe him a god damned thing.” Hotch said a little harshly, but you knew his tone wasn’t aimed towards you. 

You powered your phone on-- Hotch must have turned it on after he took it. 13 missed calls and 27 texts, sheesh. Not all of them are from Josh, thankfully. You shoot a quick text back to JJ, Garcia and Emily, who had all individually checked in when you didn’t show up at the office. With a little more trepidation, you opened up your thread with Josh. 

“Where are you?”

“You never came to bed last night.”

“Off fucking the boss man?”

 “Did I catch you before you got down to anything good?”

“Fucking slut.”

“Couldn’t even finish cleaning the carpet before you left.”

“Fucking answer me.”

“Did I bash your skull so hard that you forgot to pack my lunch before you left?”

“This is ridiculous.’

“So you’re just running away?”

“Don’t be such a baby.” 

“You are so in for it when you get home.”

“I should have killed you.”

There’s more, but you’re not sure you can stomach it. You drop your phone to the counter, swallowing back a bit of bile that has risen up from your stomach. Aaron is at your side in an instant. 

“Can I look?” He asked quietly. He’s looking you right in the eye but you feel like you can’t see him at all, like he’s not really there. You must have nodded your head, because he picked up your phone and started scrolling, but you have no way of knowing how you even told your body to do that. After a moment, he sets your phone face down on the counter, and turns to face you, placing a gentle hand on each of your upper arms. “We are going to figure it out, okay? You’re not in this alone, and I’m not going to let you get hurt again. You did the right thing. You got out. And now you have help.” 

 He’s staring into your eyes as he promises to keep you safe, and the dam breaks. All of the emotions that you’ve bottled up for the last ten hours are flooding through you, and you’re sobbing uncontrollably before you have even recognized how upset you really are. Aaron gathers you up in his arms in an instant, and you wrap your arms around him, crying into his old sweatshirt. 

“It’s okay. I’ve got you. Let it all out,” he whispers in a mantra, rubbing your back.

You realize in this moment that Aaron is truly your best friend-- you’d always known that you were closer to him than anyone else in the office, and the same was true for him, with the possible exception of Dave. What you hadn’t realized, is that somewhere along the way, your college friendships, your academy friendships, your girlfriends, had all faded into the background, and Aaron became the person you wanted to tell good news to, the person you drew comfort from, and the person you called when you realized you couldn’t get the blood out of the carpet. The realization surprises you, enough to let you get a few deep breaths in and calm yourself down, untucking from Aaron’s shoulder and dabbing at your eyes with your shirt sleeve.

 “Thank you,” you say through your choked voice, even though it could never be enough.

“How’s your head?” He asked, looking over the top of your head to the clock on the stove to see if it was time for you to have more pain meds.  

“Ah, well, I don’t think the crying really helped.” You shrugged, attempting to bring some levity back to the situation as you picked your phone back up. 

“What are you doing?” Hotch asked, eyeing you and the phone. 

“I’m calling Josh back.” You said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. 

“Okay, now I’m sure you hit your head,” he said, swiping the phone out of your hand before you could place a call.

“Hotch--” 

 “Can you at least tell me why you want to do this?” He said, and you can see the concern etched into his face. 

“I’ve got to go back at some point. I’m sure it’ll be easier for him to cool off if I’m not completely ignoring him in the meantime.”

“Go back? What are you talking about?” Aaron asked

“I live there, Hotchner. I can’t avoid him forever. Even if I move--”

“You’ll stay here. For as long as necessary. It’s not safe for you to go back there.” He says, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Do I get a say in this at all?” 

“Not if your only defense is that you don’t want someone else to take care of you. Because right now you need caring for, and I’m not letting you talk your way out of it.” Hotch said resolutely, and you sighed. The silence lingers for a moment before you speak up again, quietly. 

“I could use some more pain meds.” You admitted. 

“You shouldn’t take these on an empty stomach. Let’s get you some toast, drink your coffee to clear up your sinuses and then you can take your next dose and go back to bed.” 

“Hotch, the day’s half over. I can’t go back to bed.” You argued, with significantly less heat behind it, lifting the steaming mug of coffee up to your face at his suggestion. 

“It’s a sick day. You’re injured. You’re supposed to rest all day and let your body heal. You won’t be arguing with me once you’ve taken the pills.”

Hotch had tried to get you to take the rest of the week off, but you couldn’t stand the thought of sitting around in his apartment doing nothing. You also knew that an extended absence would catch the attention of your teammates-- and you weren’t sure if you were ready to share all of this with them yet. That was why you were perched in front of the mirror in Hotch’s guest room, liberally applying concealer and powder to your healing black eye. Aaron had made you promise to take it easy, and you already know he’d have eyes on you all day to make sure you weren’t overdoing it. No need to attract any more attention. There’s a soft knock from the hall. 

“Come in,” you called.

“Hey,” Hotch said, swinging open the door. “We’ve got to leave in a few minutes.” 

“I’ll be ready,” you assured him, dipping your brush into the powder before brushing it over your nose and cheekbone, wincing a little. 

“When did you learn to do that?” Hotch asked softly.

“Hotch…” You responded softly. 

“Sorry, I don’t mean to pry. You don’t need to answer that.” He apologized, averting his gaze to the floor.

“If I answer, are you going to stop blaming yourself for not noticing?”

“I can’t promise you that.” He shakes his head. 

“I wasn’t… I’m not a battered woman, Hotch.” 

“Of course you aren’t.” He’s quick to affirm you, to make sure you know he doesn’t see you as a victim.

“No, I mean, this was excessive. Was he rough? Sure. Did he leave marks? Yeah, he did. But I wasn’t getting tossed around and beaten like that. He’s not really like that, normally. He was just drunk, I think.” 

“You’re not seriously making excuses for him, are you?” Hotch asked, and suddenly you’re indignant, even though you know he’s right.

“He had a bad night.” You protest weakly. 

“He almost killed you!” Aaron raised his voice, just a tad.

“He was just trying to scare me.” You countered. 

“He was escalating. I know that you know that,” Hotch said, searching your face, looking for something to profile. You didn’t blame him, you knew your behavior was erratic. You draw a deep breath, your chin quivering as your eyes welled up. 

“It worked. I’m scared.” You squeaked out, trying not to let the tears fall and ruin the makeup you’ve worked so hard on. Hotch wrapped you in his arms again and you breathed in deeply, letting his cologne fill your lungs and lull you into a calm.

“You don’t need to be scared. I’ve got your six. I’ve got you.” He reminded you, and you pulled away from him. 

“I don’t think I’m ready to share this with the team yet.” You told him, and he nodded. 

“Like I said, your pace. When you’re ready, you’ll tell them, and if you want my support, I’ll be there. I’m gonna go make us some coffee, meet me in the kitchen when you’re ready.”

You were silly to think that you could hide anything from a group of profilers-- none of them have guessed it, yet, or if they have, they’re too polite to say anything about it, but they’ve certainly noticed something. They surrounded you with concern and peppered you with questions the second you walked into the office, and Hotch’s devotion to making sure you weren’t pushing yourself too hard certainly wasn’t going unnoticed. It was during one of your Unit-Chief-Mandated-Breaks that you snuck into the kitchen to refill your water bottle. Almost silently, JJ slipped in behind you. 

“You know, you can just say the word, and we’ll all stop pestering you.” She says, and you can hear her gentle smile.

“That’s okay. If I call you off, I lose the right to fuss over whoever’s next.” You tried to crack a joke. 

“Good point.” She chuckled. 

“I really am okay, Jayje.” You assured her. 

“No, honey, you aren’t.” She shook her head. “But you’ll tell us when you’re ready, and we’ll support you even if the secret dies with you.” She laughs, wrapping an arm around your shoulders as you walked out of the kitchen together, sharing a small conspiratorial laugh, your heads thrown back as you pass through the doorway. When the ping of the elevator doors opening grabs your attention, you drop your water bottle in shock. 

“You okay?” JJ asks, bending over to pick up your water bottle as he storms through the glass doors of the BAU. 

“You whore!” Josh spat out, catching the attention of the whole bullpen. So much for keeping them out of it.

“Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?” Morgan asked, rising from his desk immediately. 

“Josh?” Emily says, the first one to recognize him. Your eyes dart around the bullpen, and you spot Reid at his desk phone, no doubt calling security.  

“You fucking bitch!” Josh says, still advancing towards you. Your brain is screaming at you to run but you can’t get your legs to move. It’s a literal childhood nightmare, playing out in the flesh.

“Come on, let’s go back into the kitchen” JJ says softly, her tone betraying none of her fear as she practically shoves you back into the kitchen. You stumble into a chair, and the sound is muted because of the door, but you can still see and hear everything through the glass. Josh takes another step into the bullpen, but Morgan’s in front of him. 

“Turn around and walk out of here, man, because there’s no other way this ends well for you.” Morgan puffs out his chest, trying to stop Josh from looking over his shoulder and seeing you. 

“Not until that slut gives me some fucking answers,” He spits out, and you feel JJ squeeze your hand, but you’re too laser-focused on the scene in front of you to acknowledge her.

“I’m going to give you one more chance to walk away.” Morgan hisses through his teeth, advancing closer to Josh. 

“I’d listen to him if I were you.” Hotch said, suddenly appearing on the other side of Josh. You hadn’t seen him come down the stairs. 

“Ah, good old boss man.’ Josh jeered. “How’s my sloppy seconds? I hope she’s treating you real good seeing as how you stole her right out from under me in the night.”

Without warning, you watch Hotch’s fist connect with Josh’s face. Josh stumbles away, holding his nose, when security comes in through the elevators. 

“I’m leaving, I’m leaving.” He says, raising his hands in surrender. He turns around to face Hotch once more. “This isn’t over.” He says, bringing his hands back to his nose and following the security officer into the elevator.

There’s a stunned sort of silence that hangs over the unit for a few moments before you hear someone break out into a sob. When you feel JJ’s hand start rubbing across your back, you realize that it came from you. The door flies open and you startle, but when you look up, you see a clouded figure of Hotch through your tear-saturated eyes. 

You hear JJ and Aaron whisper to each other, but you can’t focus enough to hear what they’re saying. Whatever it is, the conversation ends with JJ slipping out of the kitchen just as quietly as she came, and Aaron sliding into the chair across from you.

“Can I touch you?” He asked, his voice only just loud enough for you to hear over the sound of your own labored breathing. You nodded, unable to verbally respond. He smoothed his hands over your shoulders, down your arms, taking your hands into his own. “You’re okay, he’s gone. Security knows who he is now, he won’t be allowed back in the building.” He tells you, and you nod again. 

“I’m okay.” You manage to choke out. 

“I need you to take some deep breaths for me, okay? You’re going to make yourself sick.” He asked of you, disarmingly calm, as he modeled the deep cleansing breaths for you. You take a deep, shaky breath in, trying to force the oxygen all the way down into your lungs before letting it back out in a huff. “Good,” he told you. “Good job, sweetheart, keep going.” he encouraged you, tucking a piece of hair that had gotten stuck to your tear-stained cheek behind your ear. When you were finally calm enough to look up at him, you did so. “There you are,” he smiled at you. “You’re okay.” 

“I’m okay. Your hand--”

“I’m okay--” He assured you, but you flipped his hand over in your own anyways. It’s swollen. 

“You need ice.” You said, standing up and crossing to the freezer. 

“You need to sit down before you fall.” Aaron stood up to follow you, shaking his head. 

“I took my deep breaths, Hotch. I’m not an eighty year old woman.” You chastised him as you pulled a few ice cubes out of the freezer, putting them in a plastic bag and wrapping a paper towel around it. 

“My hand is fine.” He argued with you as you pressed the ice pack to his knuckles. 

“You are in absolutely no position to argue with me about letting someone else take care of you, hypocrite.” You fought back, with nothing but concern behind it. 

“Okay, fine, but can you sit down, please.” He begged of you. 

“Don’t I owe the rest of the team an explanation for all of that?” 

“They can wait. Sit down.” He said, and it was no longer a request. You sat down in the seat across from him. “How’s your head?” 

‘It’s been better.” You tell him honestly. 

“Take a few more deep breaths, please.” He tells you, and you roll your eyes. 

“Hotch, I’m--”

“You’re holding your breath. Your shoulders are practically touching your ears. Plus, it would make my hand feel better.” He says, shooting you a grin that would be wholly inappropriate for the situation if it didn’t make you feel so at ease.

You roll your eyes at him in mock-contempt, taking the breaths to appease him and dropping your shoulders. “How is your hand, seriously?” 

“I’m fine. I’ve thrown my fair share of punches.” He smirked at you, still trying to distract you, to lighten the mood. “We can just leave. You must need more pain meds, if not a nap. We don’t have to get into all of it today.” 

“Well, they all basically know now. We should probably just go to clear the air that I’m not sleeping with you for a promotion.”

“If you’re not up to it, we can--”

“No, Hotch.” You stand up, shaking your head at him through a smile. “Let’s go get it over with.” 

 The team, of course, didn’t need you to explain that all of what Josh had said was false. Your integrity and the trust shared between all of you was louder than any stupid asshole that could bluster in through those glass doors. You’d cried all of your makeup off, so your black eye was now fully exposed to the team. Aaron left a protective hand on the small of your back the whole time you spoke, never once speaking over you or interrupting. As soon as you finished, you felt silly for ever thinking you needed to hide this from them-- they were supportive without being pitying, and JJ, Emily and Garcia had wrapped you up in hugs just as soon as you finally got it all off your chest. 

“We’re going to head out, obviously call us if there’s an urgent case notification.” Aaron explained to the team. “You all should feel free to leave as soon as your paperwork is done.”

“Hotch, I’m really fine,” you tried to insist. 

“Are you gonna tell the team they have to keep working?” Aaron quirked an eyebrow at you and you scowled, knowing there was no going back now. “I’m just going to pack some of my stuff up.” He told you, turning back to his office. You followed suit, going to your desk and tidying up. 

“Hey, cupcake.” Morgan whistled to get your attention before crossing the bullpen to get to you. “If I had known--if I had seen that bruise on your face before he walked in here -- I would have taken him down myself. Hotchner showed an... impressive amount of restraint.” He told you with a humorless chuckle. 

“Thank you, Derek. But he’s not worth it, seriously.” You told him with a smile. 

“No, he’s not.” He agreed. “But you are. Don’t you forget that, okay? If you need anything, I’m here.” 

Instead of responding verbally, you pushed yourself up onto your tiptoes to wrap your arms around his neck in a hug. He wrapped his arms around you snugly, crushing you into his chest. It hurt, a little, but the overwhelming security you found with him holding you was far stronger than any pain.

You pulled away and bid your goodnights to the team, following Aaron out to the car taking off towards his apartment. 

“You were really brave back there. I’m proud of you. As your friend, not your boss. Or, I guess as your friend and your boss.” He tells you, taking one hand off the steering wheel to squeeze yours briefly. 

“I didn’t really have much of a choice,” you rolled your eyes with a small smirk. 

“There’s always a choice. You chose to get out, and you chose to let your team in. That’s not nothing.” He told you as he parked the car in front of his place.

 “Thank you,” you said, choosing to accept the compliment even though you didn’t believe him. Aaron saw it in your eyes, but he let it slide. You’d see, eventually.  At her pace, he reminded himself. 

“I was thinking I’d cook tonight. Do you have anything particular in mind?” He asked as you settled into the apartment, hanging up your coats. 

“Aaron Hotchner, you can cook?” You laughed, turning around and beaming at him. He couldn’t help but return your smile. 

“I’m not Dave, but I manage.” He said coyly. 

“I’m sure whatever you make will be delicious.” You told him graciously. “And I’m very excited to try it.”

He tossed you an orange from the bowl of fruit on his counter, and then your pain meds. “Go take a nap.”

“Hotch, I’m---”

“Nope, I don’t want to hear it. I let you spend six hours squinting at screens and paperwork under fluorescents. None of that was good for your head. Go.” 

You rolled your eyes at him goodnaturedly before going to the guest room, stripping your work clothes off in favor of a pair of sweats and an FBI Academy t-shirt. Truth be told, everything that had gone down at work had been exhausting, and it wasn’t long before you fell asleep. 

[monmuses]

😰- They get scolded

How Does Your Muse React/Feel When…

> She thinks you’re an idiot. Naomi doesn’t enjoy being scolded and, depending on the situation, she’ll think she’s in the right and you’re in the wrong. If she is wrong, she will be very, very stubborn about it. She won’t appreciate how you talk to her if you’re a stranger. If you’re an acquaintance or a friend? Maybe... just maybe, she’ll be soft to you.