#*shaking my ocs* why do you all have to be so complicated who made you like that | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

arcade-writing · 1 year

Note

Hello!! I wanted to possibly request a ghost x trans male reader smut? Possibly w knifeplay and breeding?

Also hope you are doing amazing!! 🫶

Long overdue

🍋 nsfw

Pairing: Simon "ghost" Riley x transmasc! reader

Warning: fem & masc ways to describe readers body, implied T-dick, mating press, sir kink, breeding kink, some talk of pregnancy and family, overstimulation, minor knife play, teasing, creampie, dirty talk, unprotected sex, reader is made semi flexible for these positions to work, stomach bulge, pussy slapping, edging, sadistic! Simon, masochist! Reader, manhandling, slight pregnancy kink, possessive sex, he's harsh yet sweet

Ngl when it comes to breeding kinks I'm abit out of my element. I'm not exactly sure what people wanna hear. So I hope this wasn't too bad 🙏 it's one of those kinks that's pretty new to me as a concept I get and isn't one I usually read

Normalize trans men discussing these kind of things without judgement in a dominantly cis male environment. Men can be fathers and "mothers" (if they'd like to use that term) and I don't think that's a bad thing. People want what they want and things like this shouldn't be so strict with gender.

I wanna apologize for taking so long to getting back into writing, I'm sure if you're following me you'll know I've been pretty inactive and focusing a lot of my oc's at the moment. I got deep brainrot and got some other personal stuff that's really sapping me of my motivation. I kept getting a lot of burn out and it's honestly annoying because I still have things I'd like to write. I like to make jokes that it's asexual burn out; just too much sex stuff but low-key starting to feel like that may be it.

I hope this can make up for it or atleast, show I'm still interested in writing for y'all

It wasn't often you were allowed to breathe. Able to just walk the streets without firing your gun at the enemy. You let out a sigh as you and the team patrolled the city streets, people clearing out of your way. Avoiding your eyes as you watched them roam. It wasn't often you let yourself think; it was risky in a profession like this. Letting your mind wonder could be the fatal mistake that finally gets you killed.

But here you were. Longing gaze at a couple across the way. A baby gurgling and squealing in their hands. You use to think baby fever was a myth; you weren't, what you considered, parent material. Besides, the chances of you having one after taking hormones for so long were slim. You doubted you could anyway.

Was it because you were in a relationship? Well - could you call it that? It was complicated but you did find Simon more than attractive even if there were times his personality could be less than ideal. But you were no sunshine and rainbows either. War changes you.

You never had much of a instinct for those type of things but yet. You couldn't look away. Couldn't stop the somber twist of envy in your gut, placing your hand on your stomach. You just wanted to pinch it's cheeks. It was almost aggravating how cute that baby was. Smiling and laughing. Their soft chubby cheeks still marked with the food they were eating. Blonde Stray wisps of hair.

"something the matter?"

"ah-! Oh, no, just - isn't that baby so cute?" You cooed. Shoulders slumping as you smiled up at your fellow solider.

Soap shook his head, an airy laugh leaving him. "That's what gotten you so distracted?"

"what! I can't help it! It's like seeing a kitten, so cute and so- AUGH-!"

You wanted to slap yourself. What was coming over you? This was really getting embarrassing.

"Why don't you say hi to the wee bugga?" Soap suggested. "We can take a short moment to say hello, can't we lieutenant?"

"alright." He sighed, shaking his head sound more thant reluctant at the question. "But no more distractions, after that." He gave you a pointed look as he jabbed his finger at you. You hastily nodded.

You, Soap and Ghost, who insisted on lurking behind you, all marched closer.

"hello." The couple greeted. Nervous smiles struck on their faces. Eyeing the guns strapped to all of you.

"Greetings, who's this?" You asked, raising a brow as you waved at the baby. You almost let out a gasp as the babies fat finger wrapped around yours. Pulling your hand closer to it's face.

"Ah, this is our son, Gabriel."

You hummed, laughing as the baby refused to let go of your hand. For a being so small, they had such a strong grip. You tried to gently pry yourself but the baby just let out an "Augh" in defiance.

"Strong grip, no doubt he'll be a real fighter when he's older - maybe we'll have the honour of meeting again, protecting families like yours."

The couple nodded. Cooing at their baby as it tried to take a bite of your finger.

"looks just like ya, twins you are." Soap huffed out a laugh, jabbing Simon in his chest, his voice soft. It was a surprise you even heard it. You heard Ghost let out a grunt, no doubt rolling his eyes. Your eyes wandered from Ghost back to the baby. You could see the resemblance. It was really in the eyes, same shade of blue.

You wonder.....would Simon be a good father...? You know he has family issues so you doubt he had any desire to have this own. But maybe he did? Somtimes he'd make small comments that left your heart racing; the implication was there but you never really took the chance to think about it too deeply.

You shook your head. Finally, little Gabriel let go of your hand and you sent the family a wave goodbye. As you walked you kept letting those thoughts pile. "I wouldn't mind having a kid...." The words suddenly blurted out of your mouth. You could hear a choke from one of the other men.

"Oh? Wouldn't think you'd be interested, considering-" Soap said as he gestured to you up and down. Cringing a little at his own words.

"usually I wouldn't really be jumping to the idea but- who knows, besides I can adopt If I felt like it."

Your eyes locked With Simon's. He was staring at you. His emotions were completely hidden. You couldn't tell what he was thinking at all. Just staring. Digging holes into your very being. He remained mostly silent for the rest of the patrol. Making a few snarky comments here and there usually prompted by Soaps endless chatter and jokes.

When you met up with the rest of the team they were all laughing. The enjoyment of a more relaxed day getting to all of you, leaning on the table as they chatted amongst themselves.

"This trouble maker here, made us stop for to say hi to a baby, already trying to enlist the new forces."

You groaned as you shook your head, the team chuckling as they watched your frustration. "I thought it would be a nice comment to make!"

You let out a sigh. "it's just- I don't know, I'm thinking about my life after this, ya know? When we finally get back home, I can't be the only one who's wanted to start a family."

"you ain't." Gaz shrugged. "Plenty of men here think about it - some more than others." He scowled a little in slight disgust. Remembering the horrendous locker talk he's heard from other Soldiers.

"I've never considered getting pregnant but hey, I also didn't think I'd be enlisted in the army for this long."

The team let out another bark of laughter. "You're telling me." Price teased.

Simon grabbed your shoulder, you snapped your gaze up to him immediately, lips parting as he glared down at you. "I need to have a word with you." He looked at the rest d the team. "In private."

There was a chorus "oooooh" from Soap and Gaz as price told them to pipe down. You nodded and followed Ghost out of the hall, trying to keep up your confidence as he lead you to his room. You looked side to side to make sure you wouldn't be spotted before following him In.

You couldn't deny the fire that burnt at your veins. Anticipation slowly boiling you from the inside as you waited for his next words.

"Pants, off."

The door slammed behind you. A loud twist of the lock confirming your privacy. You tried not to grin as you began to undo your trousers. Slipping free from the heavy material as you stepped towards him.

"jacket aswell." He sat on the bed, arms folded as he watched you. You could just see the peak of outline of his cock through his pants. It made your head spin as you began to shrug off your jacket. Leaving you in your boxers and undershirt.

"Someone's desperate." He teased.

A small noise of confusion left you as he curled a finger towards himself, motioning you towards him. You shuffled over as he grabbed at your thighs, parting your legs.

"Written all over your face, begging to get fucked like the slut you are."

You gasped, breath hitching at his words. Chewing at your lip as he pulled you towards him. His hands trailing between your legs, parting your sex with his thumbs through the fabric of your underwear. Shivering at the sensation.

"Just want this needy cunt of yours used, don't you?"

You nodded. He let out a laugh, enjoying how shy you're getting under his attention. He patted the bed and you immediately climbed on, he settled himself behind you. Keeping your legs wide for him.

"let's get it nice and wet for me, so I can fuck you properly."

His fingers reached between your legs. Immediately finding your dick, considering how often he fucks you there was no doubt he could do it blindfolded, beginning to rub and tweak as he felt your dick throb under his touch. Easing you into the pleasure before he gave it a small pinch. You cried out at the sudden explosion in your nerves. His fingers suddenly speeding up. Your eyes fluttering as you leaned into him.

"Simon-!" You sobbed out. His fingers continued to mercilessly rub at your dick through your boxers. A prominent wet patch forming as you squirmed. His legs locked around yours, making it impossible as you tried to wiggle away from his touch. Your head threatening to fall into the mattress as you used one hand to keep you propped up. Your nails digging into the sheet.

A sudden smack made you squeal. His gloved fingers smoothed over your clit. Gently rubbing it as you bucked your hips. Returning to his fast pace as soon as he could see you unstiffen. Rushing you back over that edge as the cord in your stomach tightened- oh god- SMACK-! you cried out as you throbbed. You were so close....

"Look at you - so desperate." Another smack.

"Please Simon- I've been good-" he rubbed slow tight circles, letting out a hum. "Please let me cum." SMACK. you mewled at the sting as your eyes rolled back. "I've been so good sir-"

Choking on your gasp his fingers suddenly sped up. Your hips kept bucking into his touch as he lightly pressed down. TOO MUCH- OH - FUCK- your orgasm crashed over you. You didn't even realize how loudly you screamed. Hips stuttering in the air as your back arched violently. Stars in your vision never fading as he only continued. Letting out a sob as your second orgasm was forced out of you.

"p-please-! Too much-!"

"I'm giving you what you want."

You gripped his hand as you whimpered. Grinding into his ruthless touch. Your third orgasm speeding towards you. Stars filling your vision once again before it was ripped from you. His hand stilling completely as he rubbed your hips. Soothing your twitching muscles. You couldn't stop yourself from letting out a whine.

"you're soaked through." He stated. Sliding the knife from his thigh strap. Trailing the full edge up your shaky thighs. With ease he twirled it between his fingers, pointing the dull side of the blade to your clothed cunt. Dragging it slowly along the wet patch, moving the knife to the bed.

"You're desperate for a cock you can't even handle."

He guided your hips back, your sexes pressing together as he harshly thrusted forward. You rolled your hips back, looking back at him with your lip between your teeth. Pleading eyes staring into his own.

"I will - I'll take it-" you whined out as you keir grinding against him. "Please.... fuck me."

You stumbled as he suddenly pushed you forward. Standing up, holding the knife with a firm grip. He circled around, now before you, grabbing hold your leg as he yanked you towards him. Snatching both of your ankles in his hand as he positioned you to his liking. You whimpered as your back hit the mattress, staring up at him through glossy vision. Trying to restrain the smile threatening to appear on your lips.

You loved it when he was like this. Manhandling you. Ruining you. You could see that fire in his eyes shine everytime he left another mark on your skin. Everytime he made you drool and sob from overstimulation. You knew he'd only give you what you can handle; he'd never push you further unless you begged.

"You wanna get fucked, huh? Ain't you cute, begging for me." He scoffed out a laugh. The knife in his hand tugging the fabric of your boxers. Marveling at how the material was practically glued to you. Completely soaked from your previous Orgasms.

The dull side merely grazed you; leaving you whimpering. Breath hitching as the cold metal stung at your heat. "Hold still."

And you did. Holding back every urge to flinch as he slashes and dragged the knife through your cloths. Barely hitting a snag from how sharp it was. Completely exposing you; his eyes were trained on the glistening sheen sticking to your thighs. Clenching at air as you clutched the bed.

He shoved the knife back into it's holder. Tugging at the belt of his pants. You couldn't stop the small trail of drool escaping past your lips as you watched him take out his cock from his boxers. Giving himself a few slow jerks, smearing his precum along the thick head.

"please.....Sir... please....." Your legs already felt strained as he kept your ankles locked tight in his grasp. Threatening to push them over your head as he rubbed his cock against your weeping folds. The tear in your boxers keeping him flushed against you as he grinded. You mewled as it peaked out. Your hand shakily reaching out, rubbing the head of his cock as more pre-cum began to ooze. Biting your lip as you pushed it back down to your hole. Guiding him inside, letting out a whine each time it came out. Smacking against your clit.

"seems I need to prep you more, still so tight." He let out a breathy chuckle. Taking joy from your desperation but you weren't gonna quit. You shifted your hips up more, Aligning yourself up to him. Practically pulling his cock deeper inside with each clench. "atta boy -" He let out a groan as he finally snapped his hips against your ass.

Adjusting himself more as he crawled onto the rigid mattress. Putting you into a mating press. Your hands clawed at his arms as he thrusted into you. Each smack of skin echoing through the room. Only getting drowned out by the sounds of your moans.

"fuck- feel that?" His fingers pressed into your stomach. You could feel the bulge twitch everytime he fucked into you. "Like how that feels? Stuffed and feeling that pretty tummy of yours get bigger - bet a slut like you would want more."

"how about this big?" His hand hovered just above you're stomach, you could hear the grinning in his voice as you whined. "Or...this Much?" He kept raising his hand, "You'll get a nice belly after I'm done, won't stop until I know you're stuffed, you want to keep being bred? Tell me, use your words."

you finally broke, letting out a pathetic sob as you nodded. "PLEASE-! breed me- take me- I want it- I want you-!"

"That's it, good boy."

He let go of your ankles, knees digging down into the mattress as your clutched your thighs, holding them in the air as his hands planted either side of your head. Angling his thrusts into that perfect spot that had you clutching and shaking around him. His pace brutal as he slammed down into you. you could barely catch your own breath from how fast he was fucking into you.

"Who do you belong to? Say it." He grabbed your chin, holding you in place as your eyes fluttered. Drool pooling out as you tried to let out the words form a knot in your throat.

"You sir-!"

"and who's the one fucking you like this? Making you feel good." His voice was deep. Practically growling. His face was still covered by his mask but you could see that spark in his eyes. glaring down at you, challenging you.

"you sir-!"

He leaned down, you let out a loud squeak as he was about to hit even deeper inside. Eyes locking as he spoke once more. His breathing growing more heavy.

"and who the fuck am I?"

"Simon-!!" He rolled back his lips and slammed into your hole. Letting out a deep growl from his throat as he tried to regain his energy. Settling for hard deep thrusts.

"Louder."

"Fuck- SIMON!"

As soon as he was able to get his pace back he was fucking you like it was a end of the world. Wasting no time; the head of his cock kissing that pleasure spot over and over. His pelvis grinding against your puffy clit as you tried to meet his thrusts.

"That's right, scream it for everyone to hear, let them. Know who's taking you." He was panting, eyes rolling back as he felt how tightly you were hugging his cock. You were so close already. He could feel it. Feel how you gushed. Could listen to wet slap of your pussy for hours knowing it was him that was doing this. Knowing he was the one ruining you for any other man. He practically built you to be his perfect toy to fuck.

"Stuff you full - want me stay inside you? Keep you nice and plugged up or would you rather I put a thick toy in that desperate cunt of yours? Have you walk around and act like my cum isn't trickling down your thighs."

"I know they want a piece of you, I can see how they look at you, I wonder how they'd like watching you spread those nice legs of yours and show off how much I stuffed you - watch it drip out and all over the floor."

He couldn't help but let out a mocking laugh. "Bet they'd beg for a taste."

You couldn't even bring yourself to speak. Far too flustered to even think. You could see it in your mind so clearly. Shivering as you could feel the phantom sensation of lips between you legs; hungrily sucking as they taste you and Simon's cum.

"clenching so hard - that got to you, didn't it?"

"Simon- I'm gonna-"

You squealed as he pinched your dick. Legs clamping down onto his waist as you tried to jumped away from the sting.

"Not until you admit it."

Your mouth open and closed. Grasping at words that melted immediately on your tongue.

"You want to be everyone's little whore, spent up toy for the team, get bred by so many men, hell- pass you around one by one - is that why you were so insistent on acting up this morning? Trying to get them thinking about how much they'd want they to knock you up."

You cursed as he began to rub your clit. Tapping it with his thumb before moving it into tight circles. "YES-! FUCK-! SIMON-!"

He let out a shaky groan as his hips slapped into your ass. Burying himself inside completely as you came, ricocheting his own release. Thick ropes of cum coating your cunt as he fucked it inside you. You went limp as he kept filling you up. Revealing just how pent up he was. Completely stuffing you with his one load already.

You panted as you laid there. He rubbed up and down your trembling thighs. The ache soothing under his firm touch as he rolled onto his back. Keeping himself flushed to you, helping you ride out your orgasm as he moved your hips for you. Slowly fucking you up and down his cock as he spilled every last drop inside.

"Fuck...." He sighed. Hips stuttering as he slowly grew limp. "That's it, take it all, good boy."

You whimpered as he locked his arms around your middle. Keeping you pressed against him as you both panted. Completely wiped out. You nuzzled into his shoulder as you felt your eyes begin to close. Needing a few minutes to regain your energy. With how lively that look in his eyes still were, you'd need it - especially feeling how his cock was now semi hard again.

He was going to make good on his words.

#nsft #call of duty mwii #cod mw22 #cod modern warfare #ghost x you #ghost x male reader #ghost mw2 #ghost x reader #simon ghost riley #simon riley smut #ghost x y/n #trans male #trans reader

320 notes · View notes

ao719 · 1 year

Text

Vancross

Vancross - Real As A Dream (Chapter 14)

Most of the characters belong to Pixelberry.

Summary: A group of friends embark on their final year at Vancross Institute with the hopes of making it their best year yet. When a new face with a complicated family plagued by secrets and rumors arrives on campus, new friendships are formed, a new relationship blossoms, and threatening challenges arise.

Title inspiration: Infinitely Falling - Fly By Midnight

Main Pairing: Liam x F!OC

A/N: Multiple crossover series. There will be random sprinkles of canon throughout this story, but for the most part, it’s pretty much out the window. Thank you to @burnsoslow for prereading! Please excuse any errors.

Rating: M • Warnings: This series will contain nsfw material, language, some alcohol and drug use, and is not suitable for minors. If you read, you acknowledge you are 18+

Catch up here

After arriving back to their suite and quickly packing their bags for their impromptu weekend trip, Croía and Alia walked out of their building, flanked by their guards who were carrying their bags. Liam had told them not to worry about finding something to bring for the ball because the palace had a boutique with an array of gowns for them to choose from.

“Ready?”

Croía heard his voice and looked up, seeing Liam, grinning as he walked toward her. “Yeah,” she smiled.

They walked to the waiting SUV that was parked at the back entrance of campus and loaded their bags before slipping inside. Anthony, Liam’s guard, promised updates to the others before driving off and heading for the airport.

Liam leaned over to Croía. “I’m really glad you’re coming,” he said before kissing the top of her head.

“Me too,” Croía smiled as she looked at him.

Blaine’s head suddenly poked between them from the back seat. “What about me?” he asked, tapping his cheek to Liam.

Laughing, Liam palmed his face and shoved him back. “I think you have enough to worry about once Lena gets wind you’re there.”

“Why does he need to worry about that?” Croía asked.

Blaine, Alia, and Liam all chuckled. “My sister is absolutely smitten with Blaine, and she makes no attempts to hide it, either.”

Croía stared at him; she found herself a little nervous about meeting the rest of his family. “What are your brother and sister like?”

“Lena is your average, obnoxious little sister,” Liam chuckled. “But she’s a good kid. Leo … Leo is …”

“Awesome,” Blaine laughed.

Liam chuckled. “He’s very carefree and laid back, a bit of a jokester, says what he means and means what he says. And I’m sure he’ll try to embarrass the fuck out of me in front of you.”

“Yeah, he will,” Alia laughed as she and Blaine nodded in agreement.

“So, what are the plans, anyway?” Blaine asked.

“Nothing until the ball tomorrow evening,” Liam subtly rolled his eyes, shaking his head with a small smile. “And then coming back sometime Sunday. So tonight and most of the day tomorrow we can do whatever.”

After a short drive, the SUV pulled up to the tarmac alongside the waiting jet. When Liam exited the vehicle, he was approached by Jackson. “Hello, sir,” Liam chuckled.

Jackson shook his head with a good-natured grin as he shook his hand, then looked at the others that gathered around him. “Rashad and Olivia are already on board with your parents, I just need to add these guys to the manifest. I already know you two,” he nodded with a smile toward Blaine and gave a bow of his head to Alia before gesturing to the jet; they grinned before heading for the stairs.

Liam slid his arm around Croía’s waist. “Croía, this is Jackson Walker, my parent’s head guard. Jackson, this is my girlfriend Croía.”

Jackson bowed his head, already having been made aware of Croía’s title. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You as well,” Croía smiled.

“Jackson here is like my second father,” Liam chuckled as he looked at her. “You remember my best friend Drake that I told you about, the one that lives in New York with our other friend?” She nodded in reply; he had talked about them on several occasions since she’d first met him. “This is his dad.”

Croía smiled with a nod of understanding as she glanced back at the guard. She already knew her upbringing was different, but hearing that truly solidified it. Liam’s childhood best friend — a man he spoke so highly of, a man he made sound more like a brother than a friend — was a commoner, the son of a guard. Her parents would never. She was barely allowed to associate with their court of nobles let alone anyone her parents deemed beneath them.

“Yes, yes. I can tell you loads of stories about this one growing up,” Jackson tilted his chin toward the Prince.

“Whatever do you mean? I was a saint,” Liam grinned. “Still am.”

Jackson arched a brow and looked at Croía. “You’re not really buying this illusion of perfection, are you?” She laughed as he glanced back at Liam and dropped his voice. “I could write a book.”

Liam smirked. “But you won’t.”

“Can’t,” Jackson corrected him. “It’s in my contract,” he winked as he clapped him on the shoulder before gesturing to the aircraft.

Liam laughed as he and Croía walked toward the jet and climbed the stairs. When they turned the corner into the cabin, he smiled at his parents in the front; Blaine, Alia, Rashad, and Olivia were all in the back.

“Hello, again,” Eleanor smiled. Liam kissed her cheek before shaking his father’s hand. “I’m glad you could make it, Croía.”

“Me too,” Croía smiled. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“We’re glad to have you,” Constantine nodded. “The flight is a couple of hours. Why don’t you two go get settled?”

Liam nodded before he and Croía headed toward the back of the cabin, and after greeting Olivia and Rashad, they settled in their seats. Several minutes later, the aircraft was turning onto the runway. Croía looked out the window as they started to lift into the air; she felt Liam’s hand slip into hers, and she looked at him. “Are you excited?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Croía grinned. “I’ve only ever been to two places outside of Drakovia — New York once, and then school.”

Liam leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “We won’t have time to really explore and show you the sights, but I promise to make it worth your while,” he smiled.

****

A couple of hours later, Liam glanced up at the cabin light above upon hearing the soft chime, signaling the passengers to fasten their seatbelts for landing. He smiled as he looked beside him and gestured to the window. “Welcome to Cordonia.”

Croía looked out the window as Liam leaned forward to peer over her shoulder; the jet dropped from the clouds and the island below came into view. A wide grin spread across her face as she took it in.

Sandy beaches and a bustling city boarded the seaside below, and far off in the distance toward the other side of the island, Croía could just make out the silhouettes of mountain peaks against the dusky sky. As they circled toward the airport, Liam pointed out the palace, perched atop a massive hill above the rest of the city.

“It’s beautiful,” Croía smiled. It truly was. It looked like something out of a dream and not a place she would have expected to visit just a mere few months ago. At that moment, she only wished she had more time to be able to explore it.

When the jet landed, everyone was escorted off to the waiting vehicles. Rashad and Olivia said their goodbyes; they were heading back to their duchies just for the night. The others climbed into the three-row SUV and took off for the palace.

After a short drive, they pulled through the gilded gates at the bottom of the hill; Croía looked out the window, taking in the pristine grounds as they drove up the long drive. When the palace came into view, her eyes slightly widened. No, it wasn’t the first palace she’d seen — she grew up in one — but the welcoming bright colors and Baroque architecture of the Cordonian palace were vastly different in contrast to the dreariness and isolation of the one she grew up in.

The SUV came to a stop outside of the doors and everyone climbed out; they were greeted by staff as they came to retrieve their bags from the motorcade. Croía stared up at the structure in awe.

“Welcome to our home,” Eleanor said as she came beside her.

Croía looked at her. “It’s beautiful,” she smiled.

“Wait until you see the inside,” Blaine chuckled from behind her.

“Come on,” Liam grinned, taking her hand and leading her inside.

Croía didn’t think the place could surprise her anymore, but when they stepped into the foyer, it blew her away. A panoply of historical paintings lined the walls, and two massive staircases curved around from either side of the foyer, leading up to the second level. To her left was a great room and what appeared to be a few small offices. To her right, two opulent white and gold doors were opened, leading into an enormous ballroom.

“Li!”

At the sound of the voice, Croía glanced over to see a man walking down one side of the staircase; he had the same height and build as Liam as well as the same blonde hair and blue eyes, and he wore a smile as he approached. There was no doubt who he was, but she waited for the introduction. She looked up at Liam who was grinning as he took a step forward; the two shook hands before pulling one another into a hug, but a moment later, their feet shifted, and in that hug, they began to playfully grapple.

“I can still kick your ass,” the man grumbled through a laugh.

“Bet,” Liam chuckled before swinging his arm up and wrapping it around him in a headlock.

“Whenever you two are done acting like children, there are introductions to be made,” Constantine said.

Liam and the man stood upright with smiles, both combing their hands through their now-disheveled hair. “Missed you, little brother,” the man laughed.

“Missed you, too,” Liam snorted. He glanced over, gesturing with his hand. “You know Blaine and Alia.”

“Alia, you look lovely as always,” Leo crooned, kissing her on the cheek. He then looked at Blaine. “You’re still ugly.”

“Still better looking than you,” Blaine quipped.

“That’s not what your mom—” The man paused, sliding his eyes to Eleanor who was arching a warning brow as Blaine coughed to cover up his laugh. “Heh.”

Liam silently laughed, shaking his head as the man turned back to him; his eyes fell on Croía with a broad grin. “Croía, this is my brother, Leo. Leo, this is Croía.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Leo said as he stepped up and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.

“You as well,” Croia smiled.

“Liam here hasn’t shut up about you since the start of the school year when you two got paired up on that project together,” Leo smirked.

Liam’s brows shot up. “That’s not—”

“It’s true,” Leo interrupted. “He talked about you non-stop like a schoolgirl with a crush.”

Blaine and Alia laughed as Liam furrowed his brows; he shook his head, looking at Croía. “I-I didn’t—”

“And he went on and on and on about how beautiful you were,” Leo interrupted again, “but his words didn’t do you justice.” Croía’s cheeks flushed, and beside her, Liam shook his head with a smile, not bothering to try to correct his brother’s exaggeration that time. “So, Trystan Thorne’s baby sister …” He grinned, crossing his arms over his chest. “How is your brother?”

“He’s doing ok,” Croía smiled. “I heard you two were suitemates the year he attended Vancross.”

“We were,” Leo nodded with a grin. “We certainly had our fair share of fun. I’ll have to get his number from you so I can call him and catch up … and to badmouth Liam, of course,” he smirked before dodging a punch from Liam.

“You’re here!” another voice sounded from the top of the stairs. Croía glanced up to see a girl with blonde hair coming down the stairs. When her eyes fell on Blaine, they widened along with her smile as she picked up her pace. She went to Liam and wrapped her arms around him. “Hi.”

“Hey, yourself,” Liam replied as he hugged her back. When she stepped back, she looked at Croía and tilted her head to the side. “Lena, you know Blaine and his girlfriend Alia.” She gave him a sideways glance at his extra emphasis on Alia’s label before smiling at the pair. “And this is Croía. Croía, this is my sister, Lena.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Croía smiled.

“You too,” Lena grinned. “I’m glad to see you’re still with us after Liam cooked you dinner.”

Constantine, Leo, Blaine, and Alia barked out a laugh as Eleanor shook her head with a faint smile. Liam narrowed his eyes. “Don’t you have a tea party or something to go to?”

Lena’s eyes slid to Blaine with a smile. “Nope.”

“Alright,” Eleanor said. “It’s been quite a long day and we have yet to eat. Liam, why don’t you take everyone to your wing to get settled, and you can call down to the kitchens to have something brought up for all of you.” Liam nodded before kissing Eleanor’s cheek. “Lena, have you eaten, sweetheart?”

“No,” Lena replied. “I’ll just go with Liam.”

“No, you won’t,” Liam shook his head.

“Come on! Let me come hang out with you!”

“No, because you’re not coming to hang out with me. Go with Mom and Dad and eat with them.” Liam looked at Leo as they started toward the stairs. “You wanna eat with us?”

“Liam!” Lena bemoaned.

“Don’t worry, little sis,” Leo smirked. “I’ll flirt with Blaine for you,” he laughed. Lena’s cheeks burned as she narrowed her eyes while the others started up the stairs.

When they reached the landing, Leo said he needed to stop in his wing but would meet them at Liam’s before disappearing down a corridor. Blaine and Alia turned one way while Liam, who was holding Croía’s hand, turned another. “Where are you going?” Blaine asked when he realized.

Liam glanced over his shoulder. “I’m not in the east wing anymore,” he replied, gesturing his head for them to follow. As they walked and turned down a few corridors, Croía took in her surroundings; the entire place was luxurious.

“Why did they move you?” Alia asked.

They finally neared the backside of the palace and Liam pushed open a door that led into an antechamber and a set of double doors. “After the abdication, they said I should have a bigger space, so they put me in the south wing.”

Liam pushed open the doors and they stepped inside the sprawling wing. Blaine grinned as he looked around. “Hell yeah, they did!” It was much grander than Liam’s old space.

The first level housed the kitchen, living, and dining areas spread out through an open-concept floor plan; it was painted a deep black, and the floor was a combination of marble and black wood. Near the massive chandelier that hung by the entryway was a staircase leading up to the second floor.

“Ok, Crown Prince,” Blaine rocked his head before feigning a hair flip.

Liam laughed, shaking his head. “They had it remodeled. It didn’t always look like this.” They grabbed their bags that sat at the bottom of the stairs before heading up. He turned to Blaine and Alia once they reached the top. “Guest rooms are down there. Pick whatever one you want.”

“Where’s yours?” Blaine asked, and Liam pointed to a lone door that stood at the end of a small hall at the opposite end of the other longer one in response. “A master suite. Noooice,” he shook his fist.

Liam chuckled. “What did you guys want to do for dinner? I’ll call down to the kitchens while you get situated.”

“I’m good with whatever,” Alia answered.

“Pizza and wings?” Blaine suggested. “Something easy and greasy.”

Liam looked at Croía, who nodded in agreement. “I’ll make the call and meet you guys back down in the living area.”

Blaine and Alia turned to find a room while Liam, still holding Croía’s hand, led her down the other hall. He pushed open the door, and she looked around as they stepped inside the massive bedroom. Like downstairs, it was painted in a deep, rich color. A door leading to a master bath and another leading into a walk-in closet was on one side. A king-sized bed was against the back wall, covered in stone-gray bedding. And along the other side was a set of double doors that led onto a balcony.

“This whole wing is yours?” Croía asked as she moved to look out the balcony door window.

Liam smiled sheepishly as he came up behind her. “When Leo and I turned 18, we got our own wings. Lena will get her own next year. It’s just to give us our own space within the palace. No one comes unannounced … except my mom, only on birthdays, though,” he chuckled. “She lets herself in every year to make a birthday breakfast, and the rest of the family comes to eat. So Sunday, she and the others will let themselves in. But other than that …” He wrapped his arms around her. “It’s my place.”

“It’s amazing. This whole place … I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Your room at your palace isn’t like this?” Liam quipped with a chuckle.

“No,” Croía shook her head. “I have a room. Not a wing. And it looks nothing like this …” She turned in his arms and peered around his broad shoulder. “And I don’t have a king-sized bed.” Liam bit his lip through a smile as he pulled her back until they collapsed on the mattress. “And mine isn’t this soft.”

Liam propped himself up at her side, looking down at her as he smiled. “I know I already said it, but I really am glad that you came.” She smiled up at him as he leaned down, capturing her lips in his. His hand settled on her bare waist where the hem of her shirt had risen as the kiss deepened.

Croía slightly arched into him when his thumb brushed against her stomach. “You have to call down for dinner,” she whispered against his lips before kissing him again.

“Mmm,” Liam hummed with a smile before pulling back. “We can pick this back up later.”

****

A short while later, Liam, Croía, Blaine, Alia, and Leo sat around the living room with various pizzas and flavors of wings set out on the large coffee table. The others caught Leo up on life at Vancross, and Leo asked Croía more about Trystan and his life in New York; he kept his questions as casual as possible, careful not to ask about his banishment from their country or the rumors that went along with it as for the reason why.

A knock on Liam’s door caused them to fall silent for a moment. “It’s probably Lena,” Liam chuckled. “Wanting to hang out.”

“I’ll run her off,” Leo smirked as he stood from his seat. As he rounded the corner to answer the door, the other four continued talking. A moment later, he came back. “Hey, Li …”

Liam looked over his shoulder, and a broad grin spread across his lips. “No fucking way.” He stood, and Croía looked behind her to see two men standing on either side of Leo, both with grins of their own as Liam approached them.

“Hey, brother,” the one man said as Liam shook his hand and pulled him into a tight embrace.

“What the hell are you guys doing here?” Liam asked as he stepped back and moved to the other man, greeting him the same.

“Like we’d miss your birthday weekend,” the second man chuckled.

“You didn’t have to come all the way home for this,” Liam shook his head as he stepped back. Despite his words, Croía could hear a happiness in his tone that said he was glad they were there. “You guys hungry?” He asked, gesturing to the pizza and wings.

“Starving!” the second man said as he walked by Liam, rubbing his hands together. “Hey, Blaine. Alia,” he smiled as he greeted them. He then looked at Croía. “I don’t think I know you …”

Liam chuckled as he, Leo, and the other man approached. “You know Blaine and Alia,” Liam said, gesturing to the pair on the loveseat; the first man tipped his chin toward them in silent greeting. “And this,” he said, taking Croía’s hand, helping her to stand to bring her beside him; he slipped an arm around her waist. “Is Croía. Croía, that’s Maxwell,” he pointed to the one now shoving a slice of pizza into his mouth; she chuckled with a wave before looking at the other man. “And this is Drake.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Drake said, tilting his chin toward Liam with a grin. “Nice to meet ya.”

“You as well,” Croía smiled. “And Liam’s talked a lot about you, too.”

“I told her how Liam hasn’t shut up about her,” Leo chimed in. “Isn’t that right, Drake?”

“Oh, yeah.” Drake knitted his brows, nodding as he sucked in a breath; he knew what Leo was doing, and what kind of guy would he be if he didn’t give his best friend a hard time every once in a while? “He’s had it real bad for you from day one.”

“Really?” Liam scoffed, cutting his eyes to Drake. “You too?”

Drake shrugged, clapping Liam’s shoulder. “Honestly, Croía, this poor little prince has been a walking hard-on for you,” he snorted as he dodged out of the way of Liam’s fist. Blaine choked, spraying beer from his nose from the sip he’d just taken as Leo threw his head back with a bark of laughter.

Liam looked at Croía, shaking his head as he stifled a laugh. “Please ignore these assholes that I call my friends and family.”

****

After visiting with Drake and Maxwell for a few hours, the two-headed home for the night; they made plans to meet up with the others at the private beach the next morning to relax and hang out before Liam’s birthday ball. Leo went back to his wing and the other four called it a night.

Once changed, Liam sprawled out on the bed and closed his eyes; it was much larger and more comfortable than the one in his suite back at Vancross.

Croía stepped out of the bathroom after changing and brushing her teeth, walking around to the other side of the bed. She clicked off the light on the nightstand and slipped beneath the comforter, letting out a content sigh a moment later. “I think this bed is the softest thing I’ve ever laid on.”

Liam looked over at her and began scooting closer. “I’m glad, but you’re too far away.” She giggled when he draped his arm over her waist, pulling her back flush against his bare chest and molding her body to his. “That’s better,” he whispered into the crook of her neck. Croía tilted her head back; a stream of moonlight coming through the balcony door illuminated his face, allowing her to make out his smile. He leaned down, capturing her lips in a slow kiss. When he drew back, he brushed the tip of his nose against hers. “Where were we earlier?”

Croía quietly chuckled as his lips found her neck and his fingers grazed her thigh beneath the hem of the shorts she was wearing.

*******

Croía felt the bed shift and her eyes fluttered open to see Liam sitting on the edge beside her. “Good morning, beautiful,” he smiled, leaning down to smother a kiss against her cheek.

“Morning,” Croía smiled. When he drew back, she saw a sparkle in his eye as he grinned. “What?”

“I like waking up with you in my bed,” Liam chuckled before kissing her lips.

Croía smiled. “You’ve woken up with me in your bed before.”

“Yeah, but not here … in my home … in Cordonia. It feels different,” Liam grinned.

“You’re so cute,” Croía giggled.

Liam smiled, leaning down to trail his lips up her neck before finding hers again. When he drew back, he brushed his hand across her cheek. “We’re going to eat breakfast then head down to the private beach to meet the others. Leo and Lena are both tagging along.”

“Ok,” Croía nodded as she sat up in bed.

****

At the beach, Croía lounged beside Alia in a chair; on her other side was Olivia, and next to her was Lena. On the sand, the guys were playing a three-on-three game of volleyball — Liam, Blaine, and Drake against Rashad, Leo, and Maxwell.

When they first arrived, Croía sat and talked with Drake and Maxwell, getting to know Liam’s two oldest friends a little more. They told her about school and life in New York, and Drake talked about Riley, who had been unable to make the trip due to work she couldn’t get out of. They told her stories about them growing up while playfully poking fun at Liam a bit more, but also telling her about what a great person he was.

Croía smiled to herself as she watched Liam laughing and joking with his friends and brother. She’d never met anyone so well-liked by so many people. He was the golden boy at Vancross but here in Cordonia as well; the people’s Prince and future King, a bright spot in the lives of his friends and family. It wasn’t like she couldn’t see why, though. From the moment she had met him, he treated her with nothing but respect and kindness, two things she hadn’t exactly been used to. And he continued to treat her in ways she wasn’t used to … to make her feel things she wasn’t used to.

The way Croía felt about Liam was something she had never felt before; not too long ago, it wasn’t something she’d even thought possible for herself with the way she had been isolated in Drakovia. And her feelings seemed to grow stronger every day, but as someone treading in very unfamiliar territory, she wasn’t sure exactly what to call it. Sure, she’d heard about love, she’d read about it in stories and watched it play out on television screens, but she’d never experienced it. Maybe it wasn’t yet something that she could call love, but it was, at the least, heady infatuation.

“Hey,” Liam’s voice pulled Croía from her musings and she glanced up as he approached her, shading her eyes from the sun. He leaned down, kissing her cheek. “Want to go for a walk with me? There’s something I want to show you.”

“Sure,” Croía smiled.

“We’ll be back,” Liam called out to the others as he helped her to stand from the lounge chair.

As the pair walked down the beach hand-in-hand, Drake watched as he stood next to Blaine. “If he’s going where I think he’s going … that’s a pretty big deal.”

Blaine furrowed his brows. “What do you mean?”

“Let’s just say he’s never taken anyone else there before … ever.”

“Not even Kennedy?” Blaine questioned, not sure of the ‘where’ he was even referring to. “All those times she came to visit?”

Drake shook his head. “Not even her.”

“Well shit,” Blaine chuckled, looking back as Liam and Croía disappeared into a pathway between the trees. “Our boy’s in lurve.”

****

Liam silently led Croía along the path deep into the trees that bordered the beach. “Where are we going?” she finally asked.

“It’s just up here,” Liam replied.

A few moments later, Croía could make out a burble of water; it continued to grow louder the deeper they walked into the path until the sound surrounded them. She glanced around but saw nothing of its source until he veered off the pathway.

Liam led her to a clearing, and glanced down, watching her face light up at the sight. “This is the Forgotten Falls.”

Croía grinned as they walked toward the edge of the plunge pool, looking up at the massive waterfall. “Liam, this is amazing!”

“There’s a folklore behind it,” Liam said. “The story goes that hundreds of years ago there were two lovers from warring clans. They were forbidden from being together, but they would meet here, at this hidden cove, and make their plans to run away together. When the day came for them to leave, they vowed to meet here at dawn. When dawn came, the woman waited and waited, but her lover never appeared. It’s said that he was caught by her people and killed. But she never had the heart to leave this spot. So she knelt on the cliffs and wept, and her tears became the waterfall … until that’s all that was left of her.”

“That’s beautiful. Heartbreaking … but beautiful,” Croía smiled sadly.

“Well, there’s a little silver lining,” Liam smiled. Croía could hear a hint of mischief in his tone and looked over at him. “It’s said that if two lovers climb to the top of the waterfall—” he pointed up to it “—and jump in together, they’ll get the blessing of the lady of the waterfall.”

Croía chuckled as she looked back at the falls; her gaze abruptly snapped back to him once she realized what he was saying. “You want to jump?”

Liam nodded with a grin. “If you’re up for it, that is.”

Croía looked back at the falls again, glancing up at the high cliff above. “And we have to climb? There’s no other way up?”

“We have to climb,” Liam nodded, taking her hand and leading her toward the wall of rocks and vines; she glanced at him, mirroring his smile as she gave a nod. “You go first, and I’ll be right behind you.”

Liam helped Croía get situated on the first few notches on the wall, pointing out a clear path for her to go up; she scaled, and he followed right behind, watching her carefully to make sure she didn’t slip. After several long minutes, she disappeared over the ledge; Liam’s head popped up, and he smiled at her as he hoisted himself onto the edge of the cliff.

“How was that?”

“Not bad,” Croía chuckled. They both stood and she peered over the edge. “I didn’t realize how high up we were.”

“If you can do the skycoaster at the amusement park, this will be a piece of cake,” Liam smiled, reaching out his hand.

Croía took it, and he laced their fingers together as they took several steps back. “Are you sure the water is deep enough down there? How many times have you jumped off this?”

“It’s deep enough, I promise,” Liam chuckled. “And by myself, I’ve jumped loads of times.”

“And with someone else?”

Liam glanced at her, his blue eyes sparkling against the sun. “Never,” he smiled. No, she might not pick up on the significance of that, but he knew. “Ready?” She nodded and they looked straight ahead. “Three … two … one!”

They took off in a run and flung themselves over the edge; Croía let out a scream as they fell, and Liam laughed beside her before they hit the plunge pool with a splash.

When they surfaced above the water, Liam wiped the water from his face and looked at her with a grin. “Verdict?”

“Amazing,” Croía chuckled.

****

After several more jumps off the cliff, Liam and Croía stood in the plunge pool; his feet were anchored in the sand with her legs and arms wrapped around him as he held her tightly. She glanced up at the falls above them. “Do you believe it?” she asked as she glanced back at him. “The folklore behind it?”

“I’m sure along the way any truth became stretched and fabricated to sell the tale.” Liam chuckled when she gave him a look. “I believe in the message about love behind it.” He smiled sheepishly.

Croía held his gaze as that question she’d been asking herself floated in her mind. “Have … have you ever been …”

“In love?” Liam questioned, and she nodded. He smiled, scanning over the details of her face before meeting her gaze again. “I thought I had been … but I’m not sure that’s exactly what it was.”

Liam wasn’t sure because what he felt before didn’t feel like this. It didn’t make him feel the way he felt when he was with Croía. His feelings for her had grown into something he never saw coming, and it happened rather quickly. If what he felt before was love, this was a vastly different kind of it, so different that there wasn’t even a comparison to make between his past and present.

Leaning in, Liam captured her lips in his; when he drew back, she rested her forehead against his. “We should probably head back. We’ll be leaving soon to go get ready for the ball.” Croía nodded, kissing him once more as he lowered her to stand in the water, feeling him smile against her lips.

****

That evening, Liam and Blaine stood in the living area of the wing, waiting for Alia and Croía. When they returned from the beach, the two had gone into the palace boutique with Lena to pick out their gowns.

“They’re probably doing each other’s hair,” Blaine chuckled.

Liam laughed, glancing down at his watch. “We have plenty of time. It’s not a typical ball anyway; there’s no receiving line or announcing anyone in. I asked them to keep it as casual as possible.”

“A casual ball,” Blaine snorted. “Sounds like a bit of an oxymoron to me.”

“Look at you using your big words,” Liam teased, laughing when Blaine flipped him off.

Just then, Alia rounded the corner from the stairwell; Blaine grinned as he took in the sight of her wearing a champagne-colored fitted twist front halter top gown. “Baby,” he crooned as he approached her. “You look damn good.” Liam nodded his agreement as he offered her a smile.

“Thanks,” Alia giggled before kissing him.

A moment later, Croía came into view and Liam’s heart stuttered. She wore a one-shoulder A-line gown with a thigh-high slit in a dusty shade of mauve. Her hair was loosely swept back in an effortless low-twisted bun with a few curled tendrils falling to frame her face. It was the first time he’d seen her this way, the simple yet elegant dolled-up version of the Princess of Drakovia. “You look …” Liam trailed off, his smile growing with each sweep of his eyes. “Wow.”

Blaine laughed. “I think the word he’s looking for is—”

“Incredible,” Liam interrupted with a sheepish smile. “You look incredible.” He approached her, leaning down to place a tender kiss on her lips.

Croía’s cheeks blushed. “Thank you.”

“Shall we?” Liam smiled, holding out his arm. Croía chuckled as she switched her clutch into her other hand and linked her arm through his.

****

More than halfway through the ball, Croía headed to the bar to get a refill. Despite it being a ball, the evening was as Liam promised: casual and laid back. It wasn’t something she was used to seeing. When balls were held in Drakovia, which wasn’t very often, the atmosphere was entirely different.

For starters, everything had to be perfect and grandeur beyond reason. The timing for every moment of the ball was planned down to the wire; nothing was to go a second more or less. Her parents would sit predatorily in their thrones on the dais the entire evening, eyeing the guests as if they were prey. They greeted no one until they came to them, and even then their conversations were no more than a mere nod of acknowledgment to their subjects, perhaps a hummed hello if they liked them enough. The few dances they allowed were all traditional choreographed numbers. And Croía was expected to be barely seen and never heard; it’s what had made sneaking out so easy … until it wasn’t. After the incident where her sister caught her and the son of her mother’s guard, she was not allowed to leave the dais beside her mother unless she was asked to dance in one of those choreographed numbers, which was a rare occurrence.

This ball, however, was unlike one she’d ever seen. The King and Queen of Cordonia wandered around the room, greeting every guest with smiles, taking time to speak with each of them as if they were all old friends. There had been only one choreographed number — The Cordonian Waltz — at the beginning of the evening to officially commemorate the start of the ball. After that, Liam stayed with Croía and his friends, laughing, drinking, and dancing, but spoke with the guests in attendance, introducing her to each of them, and thanking them for coming to celebrate his birthday.

As she waited for her drink, Croía’s eyes fell on the table that housed the multi-tiered birthday cake that was now cut into; the crowd had gathered around it not too long ago to sing happy birthday to Liam. It was beside another table that was piled with gifts, despite Liam’s request that in lieu of gifts, a donation be made to one of his charities instead. It was another reminder of how much his court adored him.

Just as Croía grabbed her drink, she felt a pair of hands curl around her waist, and she smiled when Liam nuzzled into her neck. “Enjoying yourself?” he asked.

“I am,” Croía chuckled.

“Want to go get some fresh air with me before the fireworks?”

“Sure,” Croía nodded. She followed Liam toward a set of doors, setting her clutch and drink down on one of the tables before taking his offered hand. He led her out onto the balcony, nodding to a few others who were out there as he headed toward the stairs. “Where are we going?”

“I want to show you one of my favorite places,” Liam smiled. He guided her away from the palace toward an entrance between a row of hedges that arched to create a canopy above a pathway. “My mother designed this maze,” he said as they started down the path; it was lined with lights, as was the canopy above them. “I used to come in here and stay for hours … and Drake and I would play maze-tag,” he chuckled.

“Maze-tag?” Croía giggled.

Liam looked at her with a lopsided grin. “Yeah,” he nodded. “We’d run through to the large tree at the center of the maze.” His grin grew. “Wanna play?”

“I don’t know where I’m going,” Croía chuckled as she looked up at him. “You would already have an advantage.”

“I’ll give you a head start,” Liam smiled. “I’ll even turn around so I don’t see which way you go.”

The playful spark in his eyes caused Croía to laugh; she turned to face him, walking backward as he bit his lip through a grin. “Turn around then.”

A low rumble of mischievous laughter escaped Liam as he rubbed his hands together and turned his back to her. Croía slipped off her heels to quiet her steps before turning and sprinting down the pathway to the first split. She veered left and kept running, to where she didn’t know. The center. A large tree. That’s all she knew.

Croía took a right, another right, and then a left, glancing over her shoulder; she could hear his footsteps, but couldn’t tell which direction they were coming from.

“Oh, Croía,” Liam loudly singsonged, causing a giggle to erupt from her as she continued to run. When she took another right, she halted to a stop when Liam came around the opposite bend. “Fancy running into you here,” he smirked. She eyed the entrance to the next path and she knew it had to be the one to the center just by the way he was also eyeing it. She took off toward it as he did the same, both laughing. “No, you don’t!” He lunged for her but she dodged his grasp with a melodious laugh, and he swore he could listen to that sound all night … for the rest of his life … and never tire of it.

With Liam hot on her heels, Croía raced toward a large tree she could see beyond the pathway. She turned as she exited the hedges into the clearing and he swept her into his arms as she laughed again; he swung her around before placing her back on her feet.

Croía turned and a soft breath fell from her lips; the center of the maze was covered in dim twinkling lights and flowers. A large-flowered rope swing hung from the tree, which was also wrapped in lights. “This is beautiful.”

“Do you have mazes at your palace?” Liam asked.

“Yeah,” Croía nodded. “But they look nothing like this … they have more of a horror film vibe.” Liam laughed as he slipped an arm around her waist. Just then, a whistling sound pulled their attention to the sky; the first of the midnight fireworks went off, exploding in the air and sending streams of gold down. She turned in his arms as they wrapped around her and she looped hers around his neck. “Happy birthday, Liam.”

Liam smiled. “Thank you.”

Leaning down, Liam captured her lips in his. Sure, he had been surrounded by family and friends celebrating him that night, but that particular moment with Croía was what made his heart feel so full he thought it might burst. And that feeling further solidified what he knew was happening.

Drawing back, Liam met her gaze when her eyes fluttered open; he smiled as he brushed his lips against hers. “Come on,” he said, taking her hand in his. “We don’t want to miss the whole show.”

****

That evening, after the ball had ended, Croía and Liam headed back to his wing with the others; Drake and Maxwell were staying the night to have breakfast with everyone in the morning before they headed back to New York.

After changing out of her gown, Croía had realized she’d left her clutch down in the ballroom; Liam had offered to go get it for her, but she told him she’d run down.

Once she had retrieved her clutch from the table she’d left it on, Croía headed up the grand staircase, back toward Liam’s wing. “Croía?” She glanced up upon hearing her name to see Eleanor standing at the end of the main corridor, holding two full bags in her hands. “Is everything alright?”

“Oh … yes,” Croía nodded. “I just left my clutch in the ballroom.”

Eleanor nodded as Croía fell into step beside her. “Did you enjoy yourself this evening?”

“I did,” Croía smiled before she glanced down curiously at the heavy bags in her hands.

“I had to raid the big kitchen for some ingredients,” Eleanor chuckled.

“For breakfast?” Croía asked, and Eleanor nodded. “Liam told me you make him breakfast every year,” she smiled.

“Well these—” Eleanor struggled to raise the bags “—are for one dish in particular. Liam has quite an affinity for baklava, so while it’s a dessert, I’ve always made some for him for his breakfast every year,” she chuckled.

“Let me help you with those,” Croía offered to take one of the bags. “They look heavy.”

“Thank you,” Eleanor smiled appreciatively, handing one to her. “I know it’s late … but if you’re up for it, would you like to help me with the baklava? I can show you how to make it for him should you feel like spoiling him one day,” she chuckled.

Croía met her gaze and smiled. “I’d like that.”

Eleanor led her to the west wing of the palace and into the King and Queen’s quarters, and Croía looked around as she followed behind her. She was surprised to find it a little smaller than Liam’s; it had a similar layout and was just as grand but in a simpler, more homey way. She glanced over to the open living area as they walked to the kitchen; the first things she noticed were the walls and fireplace mantle decorated with family photographs. Again, her parents would never; they didn’t have a single photograph of any of their children on display.

Croía set the bag on the counter next to the one Eleanor had set down and placed her clutch on an empty stool. “We’re not going to wake His Majesty, are we?”

Eleanor laughed as she began to empty the bags. “No. That man can sleep through a bomb.” Croía laughed before looking over at the edge of another counter where a trio of framed photographs sat; they were all of Eleanor, each photo with one of her children when they were younger, helping her in the kitchen. She giggled when she saw Liam’s; he was covered in a deep red substance. “I was teaching him how to make jam,” she chuckled. “He made quite the mess as you can see.”

Croía glanced back at her. “You’re very close with all of them,” she smiled. Even Leo, who Croía knew wasn’t biologically hers, seemed to have such a strong bond with her. She wondered what that felt like … to have that close of a relationship with a parent.

“They drive me up the wall sometimes,” Eleanor chuckled. “But I wouldn’t trade them for anything.”

“Liam’s always spoken very fondly of you and about how close you two are.”

Eleanor smiled at her. “And he speaks just as fondly about you.” She noticed the blush that crept up Croía’s cheeks as she smiled sheepishly … and she also noticed the look in her eyes. She knew that look and what it meant, and she felt her heart swell a bit for her son. “Alright,” she smiled, stepping away to grab two aprons from a hook; she handed one to Croía. “First thing … the phyllo dough …”

*******

The following morning, Liam awoke to Croía nestled in the crook of his arm, sound asleep. Not remembering her coming to bed, he winced, realizing he had fallen asleep before she’d gotten back from grabbing her clutch; he hoped she hadn’t gotten lost. He softly kissed her forehead before slowly slipping from the bed, careful not to wake her. After throwing on a shirt, he crept out of his room, quietly shutting the door behind him.

Liam quietly padded down the hall from his bedroom and down the stairs, smelling the aroma that wafted in the air; he knew exactly what to expect once he rounded the corner. As he suspected, he chuckled when he saw Eleanor in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. “Good morning.”

Eleanor turned with a grin. “Good morning,” she replied as he greeted her with a kiss on her cheek. “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you,” Liam smiled as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He inhaled the scent of the French toast she was making as he turned back to the counter; his eyes scanned the food already prepared for what he knew was there. When he spotted it, he grinned and grabbed a small plate, layering two slices of baklava onto it before taking a seat on the stool.

“You can’t even wait for the others?” Eleanor chuckled when she turned, watching him take his first bite.

Liam covered his mouth as he chewed, hiding his grin behind a fist. “It’s my birthday,” he laughed.

Eleanor shook her head with a good-natured grin. “And how is it?”

“Amazing, as always,” Liam chuckled. “Thank you.”

“Well, you’ll have to thank Croía, too,” Eleanor smiled, and Liam gave her a curious look. She turned back, checking the food on the stove. “I saw her last night on her way back from the ballroom after she retrieved her clutch. I asked her if she’d like to help me. We talked a little while we made it.”

Liam looked down at the plate as a warm smile curled on his lips. “Thank you … for being so welcoming to her.” When Eleanor turned back, she gave him a look, and he chuckled. “I know it’s how you treat everyone, but to her … I can almost guarantee it means so much more than you just simply being nice.”

Eleanor studied him thoughtfully as the thoughts she had the night before crept back into her mind. “You really care about her … more than I’ve seen before. Not that you didn’t care about others in the past, but this … seems different for you.”

Liam let out a breathy laugh as he glanced back down at his plate; he stayed quiet for a moment before the words came tumbling out. “I think … I think I’m in love with her …” When he looked back at his mother, she was smiling. “I know it might sound crazy—”

“Why would it sound crazy?” Eleanor questioned.

“Because I know it probably seems soon … we’ve only been seeing each other for a few months, but …” Liam shook his head. “I don’t know. I thought I’d been in love before … but it wasn’t … it didn’t feel like this.”

“Perhaps you should talk to her …”

“I don’t want to say anything yet,” Liam shook his head. “I don’t know how she feels. And I know this is all new for her, so I don’t want to … spook her or make her feel like I’m trying to rush things to a place she might not be ready for.”

Eleanor was fairly certain she knew how Croía felt for him, but she didn’t want to insert her opinion. This was something Liam needed to figure out on his own. “Well … just be patient with her then,” she smiled.

Just then, the door to Liam’s wing burst open; Constantine, Leo, and Lena trailed inside. “There he is!” Leo grinned. He came behind Liam and wrapped his arm around him in a chokehold. “Happy birthday.”

Liam chuckled, receiving more birthday wishes from his father and sister. “Thank you.”

“I smell bacon,” a voice came from the archway. Liam glanced over to see Blaine with a sleepy grin standing next to Alia.

“I smell it too,” Drake mumbled as he strode into the room. He, Blaine, and Alia greeted the royal family and wished their friend a happy birthday before moving to the coffee pot.

“Happy birthday!” Maxwell grinned as he rounded the corner.

“Thank you,” Liam chuckled. A moment later, Croía walked around the corner, and he grinned when her eyes fell on him. She greeted everyone else as she made her way towards where he sat on the stool at the counter; his arm curled around her waist as hers went around his shoulders, and he pulled her to him. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” Croía smiled. “Happy birthday.”

Liam placed a soft kiss on her lips. “Thank you.” He turned toward the counter a moment later, watching as the others began to load their plates. “And I hear I also have you to thank for this,” he said as he grabbed another slice of baklava.

Croía glanced at Eleanor, sharing a smile with her before looking back at Liam. “You’re welcome, but your mom did most of the work. But she did show me how to make it.”

Liam grinned as he kissed her cheek. “Do you want coffee?”

“I can get it.”

“I’ll get it for you.”

“It’s your birthday. Get your breakfast,” Croía chuckled. She moved to the coffee pot while Liam filled a plate; she made herself a plate a moment later and joined him and the others.

Eleanor smiled as she looked at the crowded table, her heart feeling full.

****

The staff loaded bags into a waiting SUV as Blaine, Alia, Croía, Rashad, and Olivia said their goodbyes to Liam’s family; Drake and Maxwell had left an hour beforehand, catching their flight back to New York.

Liam made his rounds to his father, Leo, and Lena before stopping in front of his mother. “Thank you,” he said as he hugged her.

“You’re welcome,” Eleanor smiled. “I’m glad you had a decent birthday.”

“It was perfect,” Liam grinned as he stepped back. “I’ll see you guys soon.”

“Break, right?” Eleanor said.

Liam nodded. “We have the ski trip in a few weeks followed by a long weekend the week after, those last four days for exams, then break.”

Eleanor smiled. “Well, I’m sure I’ll talk to you beforehand, but just in case, be careful on your ski trip.”

“It’s just a weekend ski trip,” Liam chuckled. “What could go wrong?”

152 notes · View notes

vanfleeter · 9 months

Text

Doesn't Stay In Vegas (9) // JTK

Characters: Jake x Catie (oc) Warnings: No smut, but still 18+. Angst. Mentions of childbirth and complications, language, tons of fluff, DAD!JAKE. I think I'm missing something, so let me know!

Author's Note: Second to last chapter! Thank you so much for coming on this journey with me and our lovely couple!

“Stop. Stop.. Stop it!” Danny shouts as he steps in between Jake and Josh. “Can’t we just get through this fucking rehearsal and then you two can throw punches at each other?”

“Can’t rehearse when that shit head won’t stop barking fucking orders.” Jake says as he throws his hand in the air in Josh’s direction. “I’m so over this.” He adds before shoving his guitar into the tech’s hand and storming out of the rehearsal space. Stepping into the office, he collapses onto the couch and lays his arms over his eyes.

“What is happening with you?” Josh says as he storms into the room.

“Josh, let it go.” Danny warns.

Jake stands up from the couch and marches over to Josh. “You try having a pregnant wife at home who keeps you awake,” He says as he shoves him. “I’m tired, Josh. I’m exhausted. I’ve been working myself day in and day out for this goddamn tour and I am tired and it’s only going to get worse when the baby is born.”

“This goddamn tour is for you, Jacob.” Josh retorts as he shoves Jake back. “All of this is for you.”

Hearing something vibrate, Danny looks around the room. He spots Jake’s phone vibrating on the table. Going over to it, he scoops it up to see Catie’s contact disappearing from the screen and being replaced by notification boxes.

7 Missed Calls - Catie

26 Text Messages - Catie

Her contact pops up, the phone vibrating in his hand. “Hello?” He answers.

“Danny! Thank god!” Catie exclaims. “Where’s Jake?! I’ve been calling and texting and he won’t answer!”

“Whoa, slow down.” He says. “What’s going on?”

“My water broke!”

“Oh shit..”

“Daniel! I need Jake!”

“I-I’ll tell him!” He says before hanging up. “Guys..” He says, trying to step in between the twins. “Guys! Guys! Stop!”

“What?!” They both shout.

“We have bigger issues right now.” Danny says. He grabs hold of Jake’s shoulders. “You need to get to the hospital.”

“What? Why?”

“Catie’s in labor, she said she’s been calling you.”

Jake lets go of Josh and takes his phone from Danny. Retrieving his things from the couch, he makes haste out of the building and to his truck. Zipping in and out of traffic, he manages to get to the hospital without acquiring a speeding ticket. Out of breath and sweating, Jake makes it up to the counter of the labor and delivery wing. The nurse smiles when she sees him.

“I take it you have a baby on the way?” She says.

He nods his head. “Kiszka..” He says, still out of breath. “Catherine.”

The nurse types on her computer, her eyes darting back and forth. “She just came in just a little bit ago, they’re getting her prepped for delivery. Third floor, room 309.”

“Thank you.” Jake says before he rushes off to the elevator.

Catie lays her head back against the pillows, her cries echoing throughout the room. The door to the floor is pushed open and Jake rushes inside. “Jake,” She sighs in relief. “You made it.”

“I’m so sorry that I wasn’t here sooner,” He says. “I didn’t even know that my phone was on vibrate.”

“You’re just in time, Father.” A nurse says. “She’s ready to push.”

It had only been thirty minutes into pushing when Jake began to notice was off with Catie. He brushes her hair out from in front of her face. “I can’t do this..” She whines. Laying her head back against the pillows, she looks at him and he can see the change in eyes. Something’s not right.

“Hey hey, look at me.” He says as he holds the side of her face in his hand. “What’s going on? Talk to me.”

Catie shakes her head. “Something’s not right Jake..” She says. “I don’t feel alright.”

Suddenly the monitors begin to beep erratically and Jake’s head snaps up to look at them. He can see her heart rate dropping as well as the baby’s. Looking back down at Catie, he finds her eyes closed as her grip on his hand loosens.

“Catie? Catie, wake up.”

“She’s crashing!” A nurse shouts.

“We have to move her to the OR, immediately.” The doctor says as she pulls away and stands up.

A nurse comes over to Jake and tries to pull him away. “No, I can’t leave her.” He says as he tries to fight against the nurse. “Please, I-”

“Sir, I’m sorry but we have to take her out.”

“Catie!” He cries out. “Catie, baby please!”

The doctor approaches Jake as the other nurses rush to take Catie out of the room. “Mr. Kiszka, in the event that we can save one–”

Jake’s head snaps around to the doctor. “You save them both!” He shouts, tears beginning to roll down his cheeks. “I can’t lose either of them! You save them both!”

“Of course.” The doctor says before she exits the room.

Now he’s alone in the room, unable to move. His legs feel like jelly and his hands shake at his sides.

Josh.

He needs to call Josh.

–

“Sam, you idiot!” Danny laughs as he pushes Sam. “That was the wrong net!”

Sam laughs and shrugs his shoulders. “I was on a roll.”

Josh’s phone lights up on the table and he drops his marker down. He smiles when he sees Jake’s name flashing on the screen. “Hey Jake!” He greets him. “Any baby yet?”

“Josh…” Jake’s voice sounds as it shakes.

Josh stands to his feet. “Jake, what’s wrong?” Danny pauses the video game as he and Sam turn their attention to Josh. “Okay.. Alright. We’re coming–” He says as he grabs his car keys and tosses them to Danny. “We’re coming.” He quickly hangs up and runs for the door. “Let’s go!”

“What’s going on?” Sam says as he and Danny quickly follow after Josh.

“Something’s wrong with Catie and the baby.. I don’t know what, he could barely talk.” Josh explains as he pushes through the exit doors and heads for his jeep.

–

Jake stares at the cup of water in his hands. Little ripples flow inside the cup from the shaking of his hands. “Kiszka?” He slowly lifts his head. “Kiszka?” He raises his hand and stands from the chair. A nurse walks over and motions for him to sit down.

“My wife, is she okay? What about my baby?”

“Your baby is perfectly okay–we have her in the NICU but she’s doing wonderfully.”

“And my wife?”

“There were some complications, but I promise you she is in the best hands.”

Jake nods his head. “Thanks..”

“Of course, Mr. Kiszka. I’ll be out again as soon as there are more updates.”

He doesn’t respond. Instead he trains his eyes back on the cup of water. He isn’t even aware of his brothers showing up until he feels a hand grasping his wrist. He picks up his head again. Josh sits beside him.

“Hey, we just saw the nurse talking to you.” He says. “What’s going on?”

“The baby’s okay…” Jake says as he refocuses back on the cup of water. “But there were complications with Catie… They’re still..” His voice trails off and he sniffles. “I can’t.. I can’t lose her, Josh–I can’t.”

“Listen to me,” Josh says as he takes the water from Jake and sets it on the table. “She is going to be okay.”

“You don’t know that..”

“Yes, I do. This is Catie that we’re talking about.” Josh shifts his position in the chair. “She’s a fighter, we all know that.”

“Some more than most…” Sam grumbles, earning a smack to the arm from Danny. “Ow! What? It’s true! She beat the shit out of me in high school!”

Slowly the four of them drift into silence as they await any more news on Catie. But all Jake can think about now is their baby. Suddenly he stands up from his chair and heads over to the nurses’ station. He asks to see his baby and the woman at the desk kindly smiles and nods her head.

Leading him up to the NICU, she gets him prepped in a yellow gown and mask. “Just precaution.” She explains. A different doctor walks over and introduces herself as the baby’s main doctor.

“Your baby girl is thriving. She passed all of her tests and she’s very healthy.”

She brings him over to the back corner where his baby lays inside of a plastic case. She’s attached to a monitor that keeps track of her breathing and heart rate. She isn’t swaddled in a blanket, but instead she’s stretched out. Her legs occasionally move as her toes wiggle and stretch. Her arms stretch out as she yawns before they retract back towards her head and her hands close into fists. The pacifier moves in her mouth as she sucks on it.

She has his chestnut hair and he can already tell she might have Catie’s nose. It’s when her eyes flutter open and she looks around that he sees that she has dark eyes.

Jake smiles and leans down closer to the case. “Hello Stevie..” He pokes his finger through the hole far enough inside for her to grasp with her hand.

“Stevie, that’s a pretty name.” The doctor says. “Would you like to hold her?”

“Can I?”

“Of course you can.” The doctor says as she unlatches the case and pushes open the door. She unhooks Stevie from the monitors and gently lifts her out and cradles her. “You’re welcome to do skin-to-skin with her. It’s a good bonding technique for parents.”

She brings him over to a rocking chair. Once he’s comfortable and his shirt unbuttoned and pushes to the sides of his torso, she hands over to the baby, gently placing her in his arms.

Stevie’s head rests on his chest. He can feel her tiny breaths as she breathes. Already he knows that he’s gonna be wound so tightly around that little girl’s finger.

He sees a nurse walk in, the same he spoke to a little bit ago. She whispers something to the doctor before leaving the room. The doctor walks over and pulls a chair over.

“There’s been an update about your wife,” She says. “They have her stable and will be transporting her to a recovery room before they bring her to the ICU.”

“So she’s okay?” Jake asks.

“She is okay.” He breathes a sigh of relief and lays his head back against the chair. “And more good news, because Stevie passed all her tests and she’s healthy, you can take her home tomorrow.”

Jake lifts his head to look at the doctor. “Can my brothers come in here? I’d love for them to meet their niece.”

The doctor nods her head. “Yes but they have to wash their hands and wear a mask. We have other tiny friends here.”

Jake chuckles. “Of course.”

Careful not to jostle Stevie, he digs into his back pocket and pulls out his phone and sends a text to Josh before stuffing it down between his thigh and the chair. He turns his attention back down to Stevie and softly rubs her back with the pads of his fingers. He adjusts the blanket to cover her body to keep her warm on both sides.

A few minutes go by and Jake sees Josh first as he steps into the room and adjusts his mask. He didn’t have to see the rest of his face, only his eyes were enough for Jake to know how he felt.

“This is such a beautiful sight.” Josh says. “And she’s so small.”

“I think I saw that she’s six pounds and ten ounces.” Jake recalls. “Or whatever that card says with her name on it.”

Danny, who’s the last to come in, leans over to look at the name card. “Off by one,” He chuckles. “Six pounds and nine ounces.”

“Oh well..” Jake shrugs as he laughs. “Close enough.”

“And you named her Stevie?” Danny says. “As in Stevie Nicks?”

Jake chuckles. “Catie begged to name her Stevie.”

Sam steps a little closer with his hands resting behind his back. “Can I..” He clears his throat. “Can I hold her?”

Jake nods his head. Gently he moves Stevie off of his chest and wraps the blanket around her body. He carefully hands her over to Sam and he cradles her.

“Oh sweet Stevie. Rosie has been waiting patiently to meet you.” Sam softly speaks. “She’s so sweet and very gentle. Oh I bet when you grow older and bigger you can play with her and run around with her. Oh she’ll be so protective of you like she is with me.”

“My turn, please?” Josh says as he holds out his hands.

Sam gently hands her over and Josh tucks her into his arms. “Stevie.. I could write a song about you.”

“Oh here we go.” Sam grumbles.

“Now I’m really going to write a song.” Josh says before looking up and sticking his tongue out at Sam.

“Okay, my turn.” Danny says as he holds his hand and wiggles his fingers. Josh huffs but reluctantly hands over the baby to Danny. “Well hello little one, I promise I will be there to balance out the crazy of your uncles and your father.”

“Hey–” Sam begins to protest. “No, you’re right.”

Danny chuckles. “I’m also going to teach you how to golf and play the drums and we’re gonna have so much fun.”

“Look out, Daniel’s soft side is showing.” Sam jokes.

“How is Catie? Have you heard anything?” Josh asks.

Jake nods his head. “She’s okay–they have her in recovery right now before they move her to ICU.”

“Didn’t I tell you that she’d be okay?” Josh says as he pats Jake’s back.

–2 Days Later–

Awoken by the cries of Stevie, he rolls over into his back and looks at the ceiling. As he starts to sit up to push himself out of bed, he hears her cries begin to soften until they eventually stop, but then he hears his mother’s voice as she hums a tune.

His phone buzzed on the nightstand and he picked it up to see the hospital calling. He planned on going back this afternoon to visit with Catie again. “Hello?” He answers.

“Mr. Kiszka, I do apologize if I woke you,” He hears the doctor speak over the line. “But I do have good news. Catie is awake now, completely alert and asking for you.”

“Oh, that’s great.” Jake says. “Let her know I’m coming in.”

“Of course, Mr. Kiszka. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to see you.”

Climbing out of bed and quickly getting dressed, he goes downstairs to find his brothers already crowded around Stevie on the living room floor and his mother in the kitchen preparing another bottle.

“Good morning honey,” She smiles. “Any word on Catie?”

He nods his head and pours coffee into a travel mug. “The doctor just called, she’s awake, so I’m gonna go in. Do you mind watching Stevie?”

“I’d love to. Although, I’m sure your brothers have the actual watching part down. They’ve been bickering with each other over who gets to hold her or play with her.”

Jake chuckles and shakes his head. “Thanks, Mama. I’ll call you later.”

Getting to the hospital, he heads to Catie’s room. He sees her through the glass windows, sitting up in bed and giggling with the nurse. Oh how he’s missed seeing her smile and hearing her laugh. He slides open the door and her attention turns to him.

“Mmm, you were right. He is cute.” The nurse says. “You are a lucky one.” Catie giggles as she watches Jake’s cheeks grow pink. The nurse smiles and pulls off her gloves. “I’ll give you two some time together, I’ll be back in an hour to check your vitals again.”

Once the nurse is gone and Jake is settled into the chair, Catie perks up and turns to face him. A wide smile spreads across her face. “You’re very chipper right now,” Jake chuckles. “I figured you’d be a little tired.”

“No, I feel great.” Catie smiles. “I guess I’m just excited to see my baby, is she still here?”

Jake shakes his head. “No, I brought her home.” He says.

Catie’s smile falls. “Oh..”

“But don’t worry, I can ask Mom to bring her here.” Jake says. “She was healthy and passed all her tests so the doctor’s let her go home a day early.”

“Please ask your mom to bring her.” Catie pleads.

Jake smiles and nods his head as he reaches for his phone to text his mother.

–

“No, I want to take her!” Sam argues.

“You can fit shit in that Tesla!” Josh retorts. “I’m taking her!”

“Maybe I should,” Danny chimes in.

“No!” Josh and Sam shout simultaneously. “Just because you’re the safer driver, doesn’t mean you get to take her.” Sam says.

“Hey! At least she’d be safer with me! Your Tesla has shitty airbags!”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Sam shouts, throwing his hands in the air. “She’ll be in the backseat!”

Danny rolls his eyes and folds his arms over his chest. As his eyes scan over the room, he stops when he sees Josh trying to sneak out of the room with Stevie in her carrier. “Hey!” He shouts. “Where are you going?!”

“To the hospital, duh.” Josh says. “I’m safer than Daniel.”

“That’s a load of bullshit.” Danny scoffs.

“Language!” Karen snaps as she steps into the room. “And stop fighting over who’s bringing Stevie back to the hospital.”

“Mama, please can I take her?” Josh begs as he gives her the puppy dog eyed look.

“Don’t give her that look!” Sam shouts. “Mom!”

“In all fairness, Josh is the safest.” Karen says. “Eh!” She snaps, stopping Danny before he could utter a word. “And Sam, your car is by the far not the safest to drive a baby in.”

“Come on, that’s so not fair!” Sam whines as he stomps his foot into the carpet.

“What are you four?” Josh laughs.

“Oh why you–” Sam begins to lunge at Josh but Danny holds him back.

“He has the baby, don’t make him drop her.”

Sam juts out his index finger towards Josh. “She can’t protect you forever.” He says. “I will fight you when you get back.”

Josh sticks out of his tongue and swipes his keys off the entry table and leaves the house.

–

“Mom said they’re already fighting over Stevie,” Jake says with a chuckle. “She ultimately told Josh he could bring her here.”

“Is she cute?” Catie asks as she sips on her water.

“She’s fucking beautiful, Catie.” Jake beams. “She’s got my hair, your nose, and my eyes.”

“Just my nose?”

Jake chuckles. “Maybe your mouth, I don’t know, I haven’t quite figured that one out yet.”

Catie giggles and sets her water on the table before snuggling into Jake’s body. “Jakey, I’m so sorry..”

“For what?” He asks, drawing soft circles on her arm with his index finger.

“For scaring you.. I could see it in your eyes when you looked at me. Jake, I tried so hard to stay awake. I wanted to see our baby girl be born.”

Jake hugs her a little closer and rests his head against hers. “It’s alright.. Sure I was scared then, but right now I’m just happy that both of my girls are alive and healthy.” He shrugs. “So we didn’t get to see Stevie be born, but that’s okay because we have her whole life to make memories.”

A soft knock comes on the door and Josh pokes his head. He smiles upon seeing Catie and he steps into the room and slides in the carrier. “Good afternoon, you are looking radiant today.” He says as he pecks her forehead. “I brought a little visitor, she might be hungry. Just about cried the entire way here. Luckily for her, I have the voice of an angel so I sang to her and she fell back asleep.”

Jake rolls his eyes and sits up on the bed. Josh sets the carrier on the floor and unbuckles Stevie before lifting her out. He hands her off to Catie and stuffs his hands into his pockets. “Mom tossed clothes into an extra bag for the both of you and tossed them in the trunk.” Jake narrows his eyes at his brother as he sways back and forth on his feet and looks around the room. “Nice room you’ve got here. I see you’ve got a cool view too.”

“You’re stalling,” Jake says as he continues to eye Josh. “Don’t want to go back, do you?”

“And get pummeled by Sam? No, thank you. I’d like to save this beautiful face of mine.” Josh says as he waves his hand in front of his face. “She really is beautiful.” Josh says as he looks down at Stevie. “Although she’s really got a set of lungs on her. Who needs an alarm clock when you have her?”

Catie giggles and softly pokes Stevie’s nose. “Did you keep Uncle Joshy awake all night?” Stevie’s lips curl into a small smile. Jake chuckles and softly pokes her nose.

“I have to say that in the beginning I was pissed that ya’ll got drunk and wound up married but honestly? I wouldn’t have the most adorable niece, even if she did keep me awake all night.” Josh says as he leans on the edge of the bed. “I think we should change the phrase from ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’ to ‘What happens in Vegas, doesn’t stay in Vegas.”

Catie gently rocks the baby. “Vegas is an interesting place.” “And we are never going back.” Josh says as he shakes his head. “We got one brother hitched, we don’t need another one.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

tag list: @losfacedevil @lightmylove-gvf @ignite-my-fire @ohgodthefeeling-gvf @writingcold @jaketlover @mackalah @lexii-nv-c @thetroublegetssoloud71 @em-gvf01 @katiegvf @joshkiszkaenthusiast @takenbythemadness @sinarainbows @gvfpal @killerqueengvf

(if I missed anyone, I apologize, I beg you to remind me in the replies)

If you want to be added to the tag list, feel free to reach out! :)

#jake kiszka #greta van fleet fic #jake kiszka fanfic #greta van fleet fanfic #jake kiszka fic #greta van fleet #jake kiszka smut #doesn't stay in vegas

52 notes · View notes

gojicorps · 2 months

Note

Ok I don't know much about your OCs, so it's time to learn!! Watermelon - what are your ocs biggest pet peeves? Grapes - what is your favorite trope you've used in your WIPs

Apple - Which of your ocs do you think you can take in a fight

Orange - what is your ocs ultimate goal in life? What do they do to get there and how does this contribute to the story?

Ohhhh shit prepare yourself cz this will take a while! I'll make just about the 5 protagonists of my main story.

🍉

Ettore: Despises everyone who has bad manners, he had a pretty strict mother who made him a really gentleman. He like to keep the tables clean.

Sadako: She can't stand nosey people. Arrogant one's are even worse

Helis: He vibes with anyone! But please be clean, no one can handle smelly people.

Steffany: She doesn't like when people start to shake their legs, chew loudly or people who wears gold pieces. FOR REAL SHE FINDS THEM SO WEIRD AND UGLY.

Valentine: Everyone who he finds odd, like not the good type of odd. The one's who are an absolute menace and are WEIRD, he hates loud noises too, specially if they aren't harmonious and people who tries to outshine him.

🍇

Hmmmm, probably Man vs God, since GOD I LOVE THIS TROPE, a bunch of my villain's are "gods" who're jerks and need to be beaten by a bunch of misfits. And mad scientist, all my stories have at least one.

🍎

Annie: "Don't you dare answering that."

Stefany: "You can't beat any of us"

Valentine: "Please don't embarrass yourself"

Sadako: "Hold' on let him cook, I'm curious"

Ettore: "I definitely can train him, just give me the time and I'm sure he can beat at least one of us."

Helis: "God I wish I had your self confidence, wait why is Annie here?"

Annie: "I just wanted to say hi, bye!"

All of them: Ohhhh, Bye!

Well, since they all shattered my hopes, dreams and stuff like that I'm pretty sure I can at least beat... Any of them? Like all my characters are superhuman in some degree, yeah I can ride over them with my car but they definitely can survive that. But if I'm becoming my versions on the universe (Merle or Lazarus) I still can't do much shit against the main cast, I definitely can fight some early villain's as Merle and some really strong folks as Lazarus but fighting against my main cast specially if they are all together? Impossible, I'll be beaten easily.

🍊

Shit that's really complicated, I want to tell about everyone but it's already getting too big, well my story is called Live this Way, and well... Sometimes we can't live this way forever, it's about changing, choosing who you want to be after everything you have lived. That's the moving force of Sadako and Valentine, they both wear mask as heroes but for different reasons. We all wear masks, but one day we'll have to choose which better suits you, and if You're ready to live this way

#oc #my ocs #oc sadako #oc ettore #oc valentine #oc Annie #oc helis #oc Steffany #ask ocs #thanks a lot for that!#thanks moot #thanks for the ask!#art repost

17 notes · View notes

noteguk · 1 year

Text

how things have been and where do we go from here: a very needed and overdue update

Hello, everyone! A few hours ago I made my first post in a little over a year on this blog. The way I left was very abrupt and I pretty much ghosted everyone, so this is a post explaining why that happened and what are my plans moving forward. I’ll be as honest as I can and, before the cut, there is a shortened version of events and a quick Q&A of the things most people care about. If you don’t wanna read any more than that, it’s totally fine!

So, to keep things simple: a lot of things happened at once and, combining with a growing dissatisfaction with my writing, I just… deleted tumblr off my phone and decided to give myself a few months off. But one thing led to another, I had a few too many personal tragedies, med school got the best of me (which I finished last month, yay!) and I didn’t come back. Simple as that: life got in the way.

I tried to write here and there, but I was completely burned out and nothing came out properly. What was once an escape to me turned into something I was forcing myself to do and, along with my distancing from the fandom and BTS as a whole, I just didn’t have any inspiration. Hopefully that cloud has passed now. So here are my plans for this blog as of now.

Bad Influence Series: as previously stated, bad karma is the last part of the ongoing series timeline. I promised a final epilogue and that’s something that I’ll try my best to deliver, since so many people have devoted themselves to this couple. Being very frank, it’s not amongst my plans to post any more drabbles after that. And I’ll try to post a new work before I come back to BI.

Other stories: I came back with the prime intention to write again, but I must say it will not be as frequent as it used to be — not only for time management reasons, but because I don’t wanna burn myself out. I’ll take things slowly and try to focus more on shorter stories (so no more series for now), intercalating that with bigger ones. By the time I left I was pretty much posting 5k+ fics every week, which will not happen again (I don’t even have the brain for that honestly lmao)

Is this a definite return? Well… I don’t know. This is a risky attempt at most, honestly. I’ll try my best and I’ll start writing again, but there’s always a chance that this phase has passed for me and nothing will come out of this. Regardless, even if that is the case, I won’t vanish like last time, and I’ll make a proper goodbye post. I miss and love this community very much and I admit I’m shameful of the way I left. This blog has been a home to me and you guys have turned into such good friends, I really miss it all!

For those who want to know the details, read below the cut. For those who don’t, thank you for coming this far and thank you for still caring about my silly little blog. You guys have supported me through it all and I’m extremely thankful for it.

If I were to make a list of everything that happened this last year, we’d stay here for a very long time. Around the time that I left, things have started getting really complicated on my personal sphere: I started working on my closing thesis for med school, started my last year of it, had a huge falling out with my best friend and lost someone I loved very much. All that combined with my previously stated frustration with writing, plus my decaying mental health, it wasn’t surprising looking back that I freaked out and left the way I did.

My main issue with writing was something that hasn’t really changed, that’s why I’m hesitant to claim this as a comeback: I started feeling really weird about writing about real people. That has never been an issue before, and it’s not a moral attack against writers here or anything like that. I just started feeling strange about it, and I couldn’t shake that feeling off. Maybe it was just a side effect of being burned out, because it wasn’t as if OCs or anime stories were coming out any easier. So I gave myself time. And I hope that is enough.

The plan was to come back around July 2022, but I had a very traumatic death in my nuclear family and I stopped functioning completely. Luckily I have very amazing people in my life who helped me through the hardest parts of it, but, still, I guess it’s easy to see why writing wasn’t in the forefront of my mind.

Other than that — gurl u have no idea about the shit I’ve done lmaooo. I worked six months delivering babies??? Which was crazy??? I also studied under amazing professionals in a neonatal ICU, participated in so many surgeries and even published two papers. Your girl has been BUSY, I’ll tell you that. This past year has been one of immense personal and academic growth and, overall, I’m really happy about it. I also met the love of my life but that’s a story for another day.

So, again: my plans moving forward. Simply and objectively: try my best and hope to succeed. Once again, I miss you guys so much, and I admit I sneakily came back once or twice to see how things have been and all the messages I’ve gotten in the meantime. I’m flabbergasted and grateful at the continuous support you’ve thrown my way and it’s one of the main reasons why I decided to give this blog another go. So, yeah. Let’s see how this goes!

#also shout out to that girl on Twitter who randomly dragged me for vanishing and made me come back yesterday lmaoooo #not all heroes wear capes #anywhoooooo let’s see how this pans out #update

80 notes · View notes

song-writer-melo-wrath · 5 days

Text

~durge aus~

Behemoth: the one who was already a durge, so let's reverse it

gold-seeking flirtatious adventurer who is revealed to actually prefer being quiet and truthful

outlander background???

Takes one look at Karlach and immediately starts an arc from "I have to act confident in what I'm doing since she's new to this" to "[internal sobbing] what if we,,,kissed,,,and hellldd,hahandsds,,,"

Athmoth:

all the previous trauma still exists. it's just now combined with durge trauma.

It's not exactly gonna be fic material (most likely [except for that one time]) so I'll go into it here ig: the thing I considered for them was that the amnesia removes the durge memories...but not what happened before durge things

a certain archfey avatar is very. very worried.

they have huge Orpheus from Hades energy

Quietly clings to people sometimes when it gets to be Too Much

Sir that is their emotional support vampire

Harper:

WHY.

My man is plagued with murderous urges and fucking sobbing the entire time

[SAD ACCORDION NOISES]

Oh god what do you think happened to the rats. Oh no. The rats.

The world is empty and meaningless place- omg Wyll hi!!!

yeah I imagine pre-amnesia this guy just kinda dissociated from every murder to remain cheerful

post amnesia he doesn't exactly know how to do that anymore

Lemming:

WHY. X2

Plagued with murderous urges and fucking sobbing the entire time, the sequel

Lemming, clinging to Lae'zel like a lifeline "is this normal for gith BECAUSE I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT BEING A GITH IS LIKE-"

SELUNE. SEND HELP. SEND ALL THE HELP.

their romance with Shadowheart now has the tragedy of "whether you hate me for things out of my control or love me at least you're looking at me. please look at me so I can know who I am."

pre-amnesia murder was probably somewhat scientific for them. they're efficient, so they don't think about it too much.

Mythos:

[MANIACAL LAUGHTER]

Oh they will not hesitate, bitch

"you feel an urge to murder" "alright murder it is" "wait wh-"

[A MAN HAS FALLEN INTO THE RIVER IN BALDUR'S GATE]

they don't remember they had the title of nightmare bard but once they learn they're probably just like "yeah sounds about right"

karmyth remains tragic as hell but less because mythos is haunted by their actions and more because WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE DOOMED BY THE NARRATIVE. I WOULD KILL ANYONE WHO TRIED TO TOUCH YOU.

gortash: [misses them] mythos, local aro: [lol]

[shaking them] please get therapy we are all begging you PLEASE GET THERAPY-

raph can you like keep them behind bars. it's for the greater good trust me.

Noon (already a durge, haven't developed them much so this'll be interesting):

Noon's path in a non-durge au would probably depend on who gets to them first. Big peer pressure person.

Once it gets to the point where they have contradicting sides to this it'll get…complicated.

ace attorney style debate would need to happen

hey Noon, maybe you'll actually get to develop a personality (not just out of character. in character they're very passive until directed, down to emotions and wants)

[looks at their relationship with Minthara] ... oh, this'll be interesting.

yeah, Noon remains uh. not the best person.

the rest of the gang were already non-dnd OCs that I just made bg3 tavs, so they probably wouldn't fit this v well, but ye

3 notes · View notes

comingyourlugubriousness · 9 months

Note

⭐ For Yume! ⭐

1- 4- and 20!

🌙🌙🌙🌙

Do you have a song that represents your OC, if so why?

I have SEVERAL songs that represent Yume. Last time I answered a song in this post, that made me think of Yume's overall time in Twisted Wonderland. (It's a sorta long post with analysis.) And @bunnwich has said that "Waiting on a Miracle" from Encanto reminds them of Yume. Most recently the song that represents Yume for me is. Camera's by Matt and Kim.

youtube

"No time for cameras We'll use our eyes instead No time for cameras We'll be gone when we're dead No time for cameras We'll use our eyes instead I see flashes of gold."

I love the idea of Yume slowly coming out of their shell and learning that they need to be more than just a spectator in life if they wanna be happy not only in the future but now as well! 0v0

Honestly, I should just drop and Yume Ume Playlist. (And my cheez whiz Yume x Idia playlist too)

Who is your OC’s closest platonic friend?

I know I KNOW I DONT TALK ABOUT IT MUCH!

But Ruggie and Yume are besties y'all! They don't really know how it happened either considering Yume disliked his smug aura and hates when people steal from them specifically. And Ruggie can smell a goodie too shoes a mile away. Of course, that's just the surface-level projection of both of them.

Once they get to know each other in and after chapter 2 they both see past that and realize they have things in common and of course a dumb similar taste in humor.

Add that to the fact that Yuuta and Leona "hang out" and also Jack and Yuuhi "hang out", and it leaves Yume and Ruggie as the platonic 3rd wheels. So they kinda just gravitate toward each other during those times too. Don't get them wrong, Grim, Deuce, and Ace were their first friends and hold a special place in their heart. But I think they get along with Ruggie on a very visceral level that they didn't expect lol. Reminds me of this OLD but still good meme:

Tell us about a complicated relationship your OC has with another character?

Last time with this question I talked about Yume's relationship with Jamil! So this time let me talk about Yume's relationship with KALIM!

Oh boy where to start. Yume didn't officially meet Kalim until chapter 4 and was very skeptical meet a genuinely kind person at NRC, especially after getting betrayed by Azul. So when Kalim is just genuinely nice and kind it kinda threw them for a loop. And then he started talking and saying nice things ABOUT Yume. Compliments they've never heard from anyone before! Plus the fact that he was so touchy (in a good way! Yume enjoys casual affection)

And the whole flying carpet under the stars didn't help (even with their brothers with them the whole time.)

So yeah it kinda developed into a big time crush, unfortunately. Though after going through the events of chapter 4 they realize that Jamil and Kalim have their own things to work through and that maybe trying to get into a relationship with Kalim...isn't right at the moment. (Plus all their fear of rejection/vulnerability/ and inexperience when it comes to dating in general. Oh, and not to mention the feelings they're definitely not catching from some shut-in gamer boy too.) Still they don't really shake their crush completely until I'd say the near end of my fic The Diamond in the Rough and the Boy without a Fairy. (Which takes place between chapters 4 and 5 in game)

Though they still find things awkward around Kalim so that leads to them just kind of...avoiding him for a while. It's a lil shitty on their part but eventually Kalim notices and they both officially have a talk of sorts that clears the air in Chapter 5 (during the VDC training camp.) I do plan on writing it one day but right now I'm in the middle of writing other lore!

What are your OC’s minor fears?

SPIDERS, TALKING TO STRANGERS, TALKING ON THE PHONE. HEIGHTS, ADVANCED DARKNESS! FLOYD LURKING IN THE CORNER WITH THAT LOOK ON HIS FACE! (the usual) 20. What chapter does your OC get the most personal character development? @cyn-write asked this question too!

Definitely Chapter 3! I feel like in me and @bunnwich timeline so many things happen around that time.

The Ramshackle gang getting to know their respective love interests, Yuuta/Yuuhi getting their respective weapons, Yume snapping and going a little insane on how to plan and get back at Azul and showing that they're not just a shy goody goody. It just is a time when the brothers are starting to really feel like they understand and belong in Twisted Wonderland to a degree y'know?

ANYWAY SORRY THIS GOT SONG LONG! The muses possessed me.

#pumpkin talk #long post #whoops #twisted wonderland #twst oc #yume ume #disney twisted wonderland #mention: oc x canon #yume and friends #twst mc #yuusona #ask game #thanks for the ask #I have so much hidden lore it shakes around in my like peas in a can

11 notes · View notes

moonah-rose · 9 days

Text

All That Remains

Taking a page out of @idiotwithanipad book, I'm suffering so my oc Silver must suffer to. This is the way.

What year is it now, she wonders. She'd long since stopped trying to keep track with her cycles. Wake up, three nights, sleep, wake a month later. Rinse and repeat. One would think just going a month at a time would be easy to keep up with how long it had been since she heard another human voice. But it's amazing how little the mind cares to keep records on when it makes so sparse a difference.

Perhaps if she had a piece of flint and a cave wall, she could keep a tally. That would be a nice tribute to the first friend she'd made in this new realm. Her phone still worked, to a limited point, but lacked even as basic an 'app' to keep notes. Had app even been a noun when she'd died?

It's something to occupy her time with. She plays Snake but purposefully never beats the high score. It's all she has left of the Tory MP who, if they weren't enjoying her retro games, he was shrinking into his chair as she hurled a tirade of abuse at him for his misogynistic banter. They had a....complicated relationship.

But, fuck, did she miss him. She missed them all.

Even Fanny. Gods, what she would give to hear the old bat berate her for how her piercings made her look like some Parisian concubine, not to mention her sinful heathen religion. She'd offer her phone to Hekate if it meant just hearing Cap call her 'young lady' in that mostly patronising but somewhat affectionate tone of his.

As for some of the others...She'd be willing to risk never ascending at all and facing annihilation, if it meant one more day with her friends.

Kitty had been the first to go, long, long ago, back when the house was standing firm and rebuilt to surpass its former glory. They'd suspected she wouldn't be too long after Alison, who had managed to pass away in the Usual Room as they'd always hoped. The fates had allowed the briefest of moments for them all to reach and touch her hands for the first and last time - before that light whisked her up into the beyond.

Then went Pat, a few decades later, still riding the high of seeing his home team win the cup. Then Julian, who funny enough outlived the Tory party itself, in a sense.

And then the war started.

Cap, who had been bouncing on his toes as they'd watched the announcement on the floating TV screen in the lobby, had put himself into Prep mode, readying everyone for what to do in the event of nuclear war - which they were all familiar with as it was hardly a new topic on the news. They'd all stood and listened, nodding along, Amy asking her in a whisper why any of this mattered as they were already dead. Silver just smirked. Anything to make old Cap feel useful.

And yet he'd gone up before the first one fell. Then Thomas, who had never got to finish his apolocalyptic epic that he'd been rehearsing to a partly comatosed Silver. Thank Hades.

London got hit and they felt the earth shake, the house crumbling in the older brickwork.

Even though they may not be at risk, it was no fun to watch the panic unfold for the livings around them. Alison's children may not have come to the hotel since their mum passed, but they all hoped they were safe and away from the blast. All around them were sobs and screams and hysteria.

"Seen happen before. Earth do big shake, dust cover sun, water dry and crop fall. No food, children cry, mum's smother them to make easier de-"

"Thank you, Robin, we get the idea." Fanny cut him off before he could help traumatise them further.

Silver spotted Amy huddled beneath a table, hoodie up over her head, clutching Humphrey in her lap.

"Hey," She smiled, sitting beside her, "I'm sure we'll be fine. Like those stories of the war hundred years before us, when they just targeted the major cities but the countryside was safe." She tried to console her friend.

"She's right, Poppet." Humphrey mumbled against the thick black fleece.

But she knew it wasn't the danger that was getting to Amy. It was the noise. The distress. The loss of hope. She felt it too and wondered why she wasn't going into a panic attack. Many nights she'd look at Robin and wondering how he was keeping his sanity.

But the answer came to her as she watched him cradle his wolf pup and whisper to her. It came as she listened to Humphrey reassure his adopted daughter. Looking after the ones you love takes priority over letting yourself shatter.

When Silver is proven wrong and the house is hit - not by a bomb but a crashed plane that had its signal scrambled - it's the first time she ever sees Fanny Button sob. Sure, she'd shed a tear or two as they'd gathered at Alison's bedside. But there hadn't been this harrowing wail. This grief.

Robin had hugged the older woman and, to everyone's greater surprise, she hadn't pushed his 'smelly ape paws' off. Instead she'd clung on for dear life as she mourned her home, the memories of her husband and descendants. Of Alison.

The next morning, when she'd been due to fall out of a window that no longer existed, at the strike of a clock that no longer functioned, she looked up to the sky and smiled as the light enveloped her.

That was it.

Survivors stuck around the remains of the hotel for shelter, many of whose homes had already been destroyed by previous bombs. Silver had lost track of how this stupid war had begun or who was winning. Robin was convinced it was aliens. Maybe he was right, the reports over the wireless - back to old school tech, Cap would be proud, were patchy and incoherent at best.

People were sick. Radiation poisoning. They wait for new ghosts to join them but none come. It reminds Silver to check on the plague ghosts and Jemima but they've all gone. She feels sad she has no idea when it happened.

It's tragic and a nightmare. And Silver only sees a fraction at a time. She asks Robin not to take her to her bed. She wants to sleep in the house, close to all of them. It's not as if anymore bombs will wake her.

One time she wakes and there's a deafening silence. All around her are bodies in what was once the drawing room.

"Big sick. Many die. Others leave to find family." Robin explains, at her side.

"Where's Humphrey and Amy?" She asks.

All he does is give her a look.

Her stomach drops. He catches her in his arms before the first sob leaves her.

"'Doption paper magic. Link their souls up. Family leave together." Robin tells her, rubbing her back.

Silver clings to his fur. She holds onto him tighter than she's ever held on to anything in her life or death. Because he's all she has now. Just like the night that she died, and the first time she awoke. Her mysterious god. Her guardian.

He senses her fear and chuckles, pulling back to press his forehead to hers.

"Moonah girl no worry. Me stay ten thousand years already. Will stay another to keep company. Me always stay." He reminded her with content acceptance.

And she'd smiled, not because she wanted him to be trapped with her. But because the fear of waking up without his wild mane and bumpy brow looking over her was more horrifying than all the death and decay around her.

On the night she'd died, when her brain had bled and her head felt ready to explode, she'd begged him to stay. And he had. Always there. He kept his promise.

Right up until he couldn't.

She'd awoken one night and was back on her bed. Not much of it remained, the not having been tended to in decades, the plague on the tree nearly illegible. The dirt kept its shape and there was the moon above. Artemis. Moonah.

And no Robin.

For days she walked. She called his name. Screamed his name. She waited for him to jump out from behind a tree or one of the crumbling walls of the old house and yell Boo. She waited ready to smack him for scaring her. She waited to run into his arms and bury herself in his furs once more.

She waited. And waited.

When dawn broke, she searched the hotel. Withered corpses still decaying littered the floors. Vines and shrubbery twirled their way up the walls. There were no birds. She wondered where the birds had gone. And the mice. Was the land poisoned now? There were still insects, beautiful spiders that she watched grow their glistening webs in the vast gaps.

She names one Kitty.

And in what was once the suite named after the bubbly Georgian, she finds her friend's little wolf cub, mewling and wriggling on the floor. Looking for her dad.

He would never have left her alone. Not his cub. Not her.

It's just the two of them now. She walks the grounds, round and round, until its time to sleep again. She takes herself to her bed before the sun rises and tucks Kya into her pocket. She wishes there was someone to watch the pup properly while she sleeps for a month, but she hopes she will just sleep with her until then and be comfy.

The cub is gone when she wakes and Silver searches frantically to make sure she's not lost somewhere. She prays and begs to her gods that they took the cub up. Took her up to be with her dad. But she keeps an eye out all the same.

Often times she sits on the tallest part of the decaying mansion and wishes she had asked Robin how he did it. How did he keep himself sane in the silence all those years. How did he amuse himself with nothing. Snake and Tetris can only save ones mind for so long.

Until then, she talks to the spiders. And the cockroaches. She visits the fish in the lake and lays at the bottom for hours watching them.

And of course, there is Moonah.

She wonders if the humans who left here are still alive. What if her people are dead just as Robin's own tribe had gone to be replaced with humans who looked similar but different.

When they come, which they will, one will eventually die. She's almost certain of that. And that's why she remains, she tells herself. Someone has to be here so no one dies alone. Never leave. Never leave. She hadn't agreed to take up that mantle of her old friend, but if it's what the Goddess intends, so mote it be.

All she can do until then is walk. And wait. And sleep.

#bbc ghosts #ghosts oc #oc: silver #bleak #tw: lots of character 'deaths'#bbc ghosts fanfic

2 notes · View notes

the-demon-of-a-thousand-eyes · 20 days

Text

𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝑒𝓂𝑜𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝒶 𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓈𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐸𝓎𝑒𝓈 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 31

Chasing After Seeing Family, Learning What’s in the Look

Pairing: Alastor x F!OC (Theia, The Demon of a Thousand Eyes)

Chapter Summary: You chase after the strange hooded figure only to discover a family member you haven't seen in over a decade and a half. More chaos unfolds not long after.

Word Count: 2.8k

Warnings: Cannibalism

As the strange hooded man approaches from behind you, you hear Rosie say, “That’s why I’m surprised you made the trip all the way here from the hotel.” Your eyes lock onto him, and while you can’t see his face, you feel like you might know it if he removed his hood. “You may have manifested here, Theia, but I could have met Alastor, Rana, and yourself there instead of making your way here, darling.”

Despite their protests, you stand and coax Ombre off your shoulders. As the hooded man runs out of the shop, you race after him, chasing him out into the street. You pull on the collar of your dress and it changes into something easier to maneuver in, something you can run in, and run you do, but even still, you’re not fast enough. There are plenty of eye images in Cannibal Town, but you don’t want to make too much of a scene here. You love Rosie’s little home; it had almost become your home within the last fifteen years.

So instead, you barely keep up with him, calling out, “Wait! Stop, whoever you are! If you want to talk to me, I’m right here! Why would you run? You have to find where I live? Who does that to your own family?!”

When you corner him in an alley, the figure stops and turns. Instead of backing up against the wall in fear, he takes easy strides towards you. You recognize him immediately. “Uncle—”

“Shh, little nebula, things are more complicated than you think and we have little time. I can’t talk now; I’m afraid this was supposed to be a reconnaissance mission and nothing more. I’m glad to see you well, Iris.” You can’t see his face, but you know he’s smiling. “I will visit your hotel in three days. There are many things we must discuss.”

“My name is Theia now. I’d prefer you call me that.” You tell him, and he shakes his head.

“While it’s a beautiful name, as I’m the one who told you about her; I’m afraid you’ll always be ‘Iris’ to me, my little nebula.” He shakes his head, and you know he has that silly sentimental look in his eyes.

You sigh. “You’re one of the few I’ve ever wanted to hear that name from ever again, so…I guess you can call me that.” You smile, and he smiles back, pulling you into a hug.

“You’ve grown so big!” He exclaims as you hug him back. “I remember when you were just a tiny little thing. You remind me so much of my daughter! She misses you very much, you know. I hope you’ll be able to see her again in the near future.” He says teary-eyed, and you chuckle. “I must go now, little nebula. I’ll see you soon.”

He ends the hug and steps away, opens a portal of silver, purple and blue, and as he steps through it, he waves. You wave back. “I’ll see you in three days, Uncle Noctua. May your journey be filled with safe travels.”

Despite having run after him, you’d been worried it was your brother, or worse your father. Instead, you realize now that of course it would be your uncle. He’s the only family you’ve ever really liked besides your own sisters. Of course they’d send him.

You pull on your collar and reshape it into how you had it before your little run on foot, then return to the Emporium as your phone buzzes, ringing in your pocket. You pick it up on the first ring. “I’m alright. I thought I saw someone.” You reply immediately, not even reading the number on the display. “I’m okay now.”

“Are you though?” The voice says from the other end of the phone, and your blood goes cold in your veins. “Are you sure about that?”

“Who is this?” You hiss back, even as you recognize its owner.

“Let’s just call myself…an old friend.” The voice mocks. “You’ll remember who I am. Just give it time. In the meanwhile, remember this: your family can’t save you from your future. No one can, and when it all comes crumbling apart, I’ll take everything and everyone you’ve ever loved from you while you watch helplessly.” You strain your ears to listen and you swear you hear another fainter voice in the background, but you can’t make out what the other person is saying. Despite this, you can tell they are insistent and frustrated.

Before you can retort, she hangs up wordlessly. Rude. You had quite a few choice words for her. Damn, you think to yourself, I had hoped that was Rana calling me, not her. Never her.

You continue making your way back to the Emporium. Your phone buzzes again. This time, you check the number. It’s Rosie’s personal one; the one neither of you ever use. “Hi, Auntie Rosie. Sorry I left so abruptly like that. I realize how rude that was, and I’m on my way back now. I had to deal with an unexpected guest who’d arrived in your Emporium.”

“An unexpected guest? Are they returning with you, darling? I can have another cup of tea arranged.” You can hear Alastor and Rana talking in the background, but it’s too muffled to make out what they’re saying in the distance from the candlestick phone.

“I’m afraid not, Rosie. Perhaps another time. I’m about to walk in now. I’ll explain when I get there.” You say as you open the front door to the Emporium.

Alastor and Ombre are on you in half a breath. Ombre is floating around you, checking you for damage, while Alastor just wraps you in a fierce hug and places a mind-melting kiss on your lips. “Don’t ever leave me again, nostre reine.” He says, and you see a desperation, a fear in his eyes.

You kiss him back, with just as much fervor. “Never, mes rois.” When Ombre finishes circling to float next to him, you kiss them as well.

“Your absence frightened us, our majesty.” Ombre informs you, and you kiss them both again.

“I’m sorry I left you so abruptly.” You tell them both, then turn to Rosie and Rana, who are each giving you a combination of intrigued, confused, and on Rana’s part, furious expressions. “None of you noticed the man who entered the Emporium before I left, I assume?”

“I’m afraid not, darling.” Rosie replies, “I’ll pour us some fresh tea, hmm?”

As she starts to pour more tea for everyone, Rana replies, “Pardon my language as we’re in proper company, but my time with I.M.P. has made me a bit vulgar and I’m afraid now is as good a time as any for such language.”

“Oh, Rana, stop prefacing and just fucking swear already.” You laugh as Alastor wraps his arms around you. Ombre drapes around you like a cape again. The fit is noticeably tighter to your skin. You walk with the both of them back to the table.

“What in the ever-loving fuck were you thinking, Theia?! You can’t just run off like that!” Rana berates you, “Are you goddamn, mother-fucking insane?! You could be dead right now! Who knows who that bastard could have been, what he could have done to you?!” She exclaims, her tail thrashing so violently it nearly knocks over a lamp next to the table.

“It was my uncle.” You say quietly, and she stops swishing her tail wildly and looks at you with shock.

“You saw him?” She says in surprise, and you shake your head.

“I never saw his face, but I’d know his voice and mannerisms anywhere, and he’s the only one who calls me his little nebula.” You say with a smile. “Uncle Noctua will always be my favorite family member. It’s no wonder they sent him.”

Alastor, ever the gentleman, pulls your chair out for you and you sit down at the table as Rosie passes you a freshly made cup of tea with eyeballs. You take a sip. “Thank you, Auntie Rosie.” You say with a soft smile. “Once again, I apologize for leaving in such a hurry and without an explanation. I was afraid that if I stopped to explain that I wouldn’t be able to catch him.”

“I’ll forgive you just this once, dear, as it appears you were reunited with some of your family. I’m a proponent of that, especially if it’s someone you are eager to see again. It’s a shame he couldn’t stay for tea, however.” She replies as she pours three more cups, passes one to Alastor, who sits on your left, adds the brown sugar to one and passes it to Rana on your right, and then, after adding another finger to the final cup, sits between them both and across from you. “Now, Alastor, would you care to explain the eye on your chin? I see Theia’s got a new one but that’s normal for her. You on the other hand, not so much, dearie.” She sips her tea with a smirk on her face.

You chuckle as Alastor bristles again. He really ought to get used to people asking about it, as pretty of a mark as it is, you think with an amused smile and sip your tea. “We made a deal. You explain as your hand takes Alastor’s to intertwine your fingers and the gold of the chain between you glistens. “He’s promised to keep my secret, I have his shadow, Ombre, as my companion, and we are devoted to each other for all the time I have left.”

Rana’s eyes widen and she switches from the red cat eye frames to the blue butterfly ones. “You made a deal to spend the rest of your life with him?” She squeals and rushes towards you, brushing against Ombre in the process as she slams into you with a back-breaking hug. “That’s so incredibly romantic!” As she does so, your hand slips from Alastor’s. You wrap her in a hug, then a few moments later you break apart, and Rana goes back to sit in her seat. Still smiling, she sips her tea.

Rosie raises an eyebrow. “So he knows the reason why you grow an eye every year then?”

“You knew?” Alastor looks scandalized, irritated she kept this information from him.

“Not why, of course; she never would tell me that. Of course I noticed it happening, though, darling; it happened every year at about the same time.” Rosie says with a shrug as she takes a sip. You sip your own and smirk at her as she continues. “I didn’t need to tell you. You were intrigued by her enough that I had no need to hint at her secrets, and it was quite funny to imagine your surprise when you found out.”

“It was my birthday yesterday.” You tell her simply. “An eye for every year, Rosie. I turned thirty yesterday. No presents, of course, besides the one these two gave me last night.” You squeeze Alastor’s hand and use your other to scritch behind Ombre’s ears, not unlike a cat. They purr not unlike one as well. Rana flushes at the notion.

Rosie just smirks, amused. “Consider the jar of eyeballs you take home today free of charge then. It’s the least I can do for a last minute gift. I’ll have to think of something truly splendid for next year, however. I have a whole fifteen years of birthdays to catch up on!” She says excitedly, and you’re surprised.

“You’re not mad?” You raise an eyebrow, sip your tea.

“That you were pretending to be a sinner to stay away from your hellborn family? Of course not dearie.” She reaches across the table to place her hand over yours and squeezes it gently. “You’re my family now. No matter what your background, I will always be here for you. I’ll have some choice words to say if you ever hurt my Al, but otherwise you’ll always be square in my book, Theia.”

Feeling a little teary-eyed, you turn to Rana. “You’re not upset I told her?”

Rana shrugs, changes the butterfly shades out for the purple cat eye frames in her hair, then shakes her head. “No, of course not.” She says with a gentle swish of her tail, “She is your family, Theia. It’s not surprising you want to tell her about you.” She shrugs. “I’m surprised you waited as long as you have, given you’ve known her for fifteen years.”

“I mean I couldn’t even tell Al everything.” You admit as you bite your lip then sip your tea, “The only reason he knows is because of the book we found in Boring Closet Stuff.”

“Boring closet stuff?” Rana echoes, and you raise an eyebrow at Alastor, amused.

Alastor, understanding your lead, sips his tea, then echoes, “Boring Closet Stuff.”

“Boring closet stuff?” Rosie raises an eyebrow as she sips her own.

You nod, a smirk on your face, “Boring Closet Stuff.”

“What is boring closet stuff?” Rosie asks, the bit broken.

You chuckle. “Boring Closet Stuff is the secret room in the hotel that Niffty discovered.” You explain as you take another sip. “The book Alastor found fell out of the trapdoor when we opened it.”

“What was in this book, then?” Rosie asks as she sips her tea, curious.

As Alastor explains, you sip your tea, let one of the eyeballs fall into your mouth, chew, and swallow. “Hellborn High Society: A Complete History, includes everyone from the six Sins and their families to all of the families of the Ars Goetia. Mostly it’s full of uninteresting nonsense to most individuals outside of said status: who wore what to what ball, proper table arrangements, and the most expensive choices for party favors, to name a few. However, in between the idle entertainment chapters, there are some quite useful sections. The chapter on the family trees is fascinating, for instance. In the passage regarding your own family, Theia, there is an asterisk near your grandmother’s name. This connects to a footnote that leads to a spot in the back—nearly the last page—which discusses the nature of the curse.”

“So,” Rana interjects, her tail swishing irritably, “what did it say about the curse, then?” She asks as she switches her purple cat eye frames for a pair of deep blue round ones. “You drop a tease on the phone that you found that it even is a curse and now you’re bothering with prefacing? Get to the point!”

Alastor raises an eyebrow and sips his tea. “For someone raised to be the perfect companion for a high-society hellborn you certainly lack patience.”

“I haven’t been a servant for over fifteen years, bucko. Now, out with it, already!” Rana snipes, and you chuckle.

“Rana, relax. Al was explaining it for my benefit. I haven’t read it yet, after all.” You say easily as you sip your tea.

Rana huffs but sips her own and allows him to continue. “It appears, in the short of it, that an angel put a curse on your grandmother as a reaction to a dispute she’d had with your grandfather.”

“An angel?” Rosie asks curiously as she takes a sip. “Why would an angel be in a dispute with your grandfather?”

“Angels act eyeballing all the time. Do they need a reason?” You countered easily. “From what I understand they’d attack a hellborn family just for the entertainment of it. Especially a family as influential in Hell as my own.”

“It doesn’t state what the argument was,” Alastor continues, “but it does state the angel’s name: Habuhiah, the guardian angel of health, prosperity, and…fertility.”

You rest your face in your hands as Alastor’s arm wraps around your shoulders to bring you closer to him. “Of course it would be, wouldn’t it? My grandpa goes and pisses off the angel of fertility and now every woman in my family will fucking eye after a thousand years and can only get pregnant on her birthday.”

“Well it’s a good thing that Sinners can’t can’t cause pregnancies,” Rana pipes up as she takes a sip, “or you two could be in hot water.” She smirks with a swish of her tail.

“According to this book,” Alastor says as he takes your hand in his, still holding you close, “while quite rare, sinners and hellborns have been known to ‘interbreed’. A foul and frankly racist term to be sure, but it evidently stems from the reality that sinners themselves can’t reproduce with each other due to being dead, yet there have been several documented instances of hellborns and sinners having offspring together.”

“So view’re saying I could be pregnant right now, Al? How can view be so calm?!” You panic for a moment. “I blink I’m gonna be sick.”

A/N: So many new developments that leave so many questions, and we still don't know who Theia's family is!

Chapter 32 will be Theia's reaction to what Alastor just so casually explained. He'd had a full day to panic over it already, to be fair. So what does Theia do when she finds this out? Kills Valentino in cold blood and then fucks Al while they're both in demon form of course. Gal has fuckin' problems, and one of them is coping with her own reality. Smh. Theia, get therapy I fuckin' swear.

First || Chapter 30 || Chapter 32 (soon)

#the demon of a thousand eyes #theia #hazbin hotel fanfiction #demon of a thousand eyes #hazbin hotel oc #alastor x reader #eye #eyes #eye puns #eye puns as a coping mechanism

4 notes · View notes

lake-archive · 4 months

Text

Track 12 - Bittersweet Break

Content Warning!

Gender Dysphoria

If this makes you uncomfortable, I advise you to skip this one.

AO3 Link

Fandom: Hypnosis Mic

Character: Ann Wolff (OC)

Synposis: It is unbearable. All of it. And yet, ‘she’ is there. So it will all be fine in the end. Yeah, as long as ‘she’ is around.

Track 11 - Track List - Track 13

Back to everyday life, back into the crowd. And the feeling became even more apparent. No incident had left Ann’s mind since then, she thought more and more about it. This has been one of the most unusual experiences she ever had. It was a one time thing to be honest, never had she experienced this again. The days had passed on as always – Her doing her work, talking about the usual with her friends and making sure to report back to her mother. It was the same thing over and over, no doubt about it. All while that time was drawing nearer…

She had talked about it with her boyfriend over the phone. “You sure you can do it that day?” He had asked, annoyed yet desperate. His voice had become even more ear piercing to listen to and the sound of it alone made her want to hang up and run to the bathroom. Her face had made a grimace ever since. Luckily he didn’t see her so he would not be able to tell, not with the usual voice she was putting on, all to keep the illusion up. All to act accordingly.

“Yes. I made sure to talk about it with my boss as well.” She assured him ever so softly yet there was nothing soft about it. This was just disgusting to her ears. In fact, his words and tone turned into noises. Annoying, ear bleeding noises. Nothing more, and nothing less. She felt guilty about it… Because why would she think that about her own boyfriend? This was wrong! Right? Something was up with her… Something… Ugh, why does this have to be so complicated? “I should be free and recharged for the weekend.”

“Really? No tricks or lies?”

“Yeah. No tricks whatsoever.”

She had promised. Well, she had never literally promised nor said it out loud. But it may as well be the equivalent to a promise. Yeah, that night… It made her swallow, right at the thought of it. The image flashed in her head all the same. Inside a dark room, she has to be all vulnerable as he touches all over… Wanting to devour… How she would tremble and he would think it was a sign of excitement. His voice whispered into her ears, making her shake even more, and even more when feeling his breath. It was a night how any woman would imagine it, right? Being treated like a woman… No, turning into a ‘true woman’... This is what this night is… It should be… But becoming a ‘woman’... A woman… A… wo… man…

“ You're a woman. Your boobs are saying it all. And last time I checked beneath that dress… Well, you know. ” – No… That’s what he sees. That’s what he thinks. Only he believes such a thing.

This guy she has to call her boyfriend. This pervert… This literal pig. This piece of trash who just keeps on going and going… As long as he gets what he wants it’s fine. As long as he is satisfied. As long as he gets to touch… ‘Her’. Yeah, this pervert of perverts who—

“Ann? Are you alright?” One of the brunette’s friends asked, the tone of this friend’s voice bringing her out of her thoughts, feeling dizzy. What was she thinking? What had she just gone through in her mind? This is not how Ann is supposed to think, at least that was what she had been taught. And yet, getting into this tangent– No, this made no sense. And yet, these thoughts had increased over time.

Alright? No, she wasn’t. Of course she was not. Who would be alright in her position? Always playing a game, day by day pretending to be ‘her’. ‘She’ was nothing but a facade, a role Ann had to take on. ‘She’ is only here as a mask-. Yeah, ‘she’. Ann has to be ‘her’. Or else things might get ugly. But Ann… Ann has to accept it. Embrace ‘her’. It’s the only way… But Ann should be numb to all of this- ‘She’ has been there all life. Yeah, it’s fine. It’s alright. It will all be fine. It’s ok. It will all be ok. Ann will be ‘her’. ‘Her’. ‘She’. Yes. As it should be…

“Y… Yeah, I am.” She responded, smiling, even if nervously. “Work is just a little tiring sometimes.”

“Haha, busy? I’ve heard~” Her friend chuckled, the laughter and smile ever so innocent. “It’s ok though. Take it easy, alright? And if you got any worries, just say so. I’ll help you.”

“Thanks. I’ll keep it in mind.” She said, nodding. She is fine, there is nothing to worry about. She is always ok after all. Although… “I’m just a little excited about tonight.”

“Tonight? Why’s that?”

“Ah, my boyfriend and I have… Plans.”

“Plans? What do— Ooooh~ Is it finally time~?” Her friend asked with a smirk.

She only nodded softly, her cheeks turning a little red. “Yeah… I don’t want to mess it up you know… After all—”

“Haha, you got this! Don’t worry! If you keep thinking about it, it’ll only get more tense. Just relax for now, ok?”

“R… Right… Sorry…”

“Hehe, no problem. How about I help you relax while we still can? I’ve heard a new shop opened down the street! Let’s check it out together! The clothes are super cute too~ Maybe we will even have luck meeting the designer. Heard he’s a cutie!”

“A new shop? A designer? Would he—”

“He’s always scouting! Maybe he’ll hire me as one of his models! Or you! You look super cute! In fact, you could throw your job away and become a model! You totally should!”

“I–” She said at first, a little surprised yet only chuckled at the end, softly. “Maybe. I… Might consider it. If we even meet him.”

“Great! But don’t be too charmed! You already got a boyfriend!”

“I wouldn’t think of it.”

Yeah, ’she’ spoke. And ‘she’ has to keep speaking. Or Ann is going to drive insane.

Track 11 - Track List - Track 13

#Deep Waters #fanfiction #fanfic #fic #hypnosis mic #hypmic #hypnosis microphone #hypnosis mic oc #hypmic oc #original male character #tw gender dysphoria #cw gender dysphoria

3 notes · View notes

darknights04 · 2 years

Text

Complications (teaser)

Cyrano de Bergerac x fem!OC

A small chapter from my upcoming story “Complications”. Based on the classic love triangle Cyrano de Bergerac and adapted to the 2021 film featuring Peter Dinklage. We all know the classic story of Cyrano, but what happens if there was another woman in the mix?

Takes place right after Christian meets Cyrano.

(For context) Julia is Roxanne’s sister, she knows Cyrano is in love with Roxanne, but she also knows that she herself is in love with Cyrano.)

Word Count: 1818

----

Cyrano was quick to throw his sword down and push Christian away. He didn’t want anyone to see what was about to happen, his pride couldn’t stand it.

“Embrace me,” he commanded once the two men were alone.

“Sir?” He said simply, confused as anyone would be. Cyrano, however, disregarded his confusion and wrapped his arms around the taller man’s torso.

“I’m her brother.”

“Whose?”

“Who do you think?”

“The girl from the theatre last night?” Cyrano nodded. “You don’t look like her brother.”

“We’re old friends. Like siblings but not. We’re very close.”

“And… what?”

Cyrano sighed. This man was quickly approaching rabbit status. “She’s told me everything. The theatre, ‘love at first sight,’ all that.”

Christian’s eyes went wide as he suddenly was paying much more attention to the man standing before him. “She loves me?”

“She believes so.”

Christian’s face of shock quickly turned to an elated grin as he forcefully grabbed Cyrano’s hand. “Sir I am so glad to know you!”

“That’s enough now,” Cyrano sighed, pulling his hand from Christian’s grasp as the shaking went on for a little too long.

“Forgive me, please, for insulting you earlier, I-”

“Yes, yes, yes.”

“She loves me!” he shouted again, barely able to contain his excitement.

“Now, listen!” Cyrano interrupted begging his attention.

“She loves me,” he said once more under his breath.

“Roxanne wants a letter from you.”

“Roxanne?” He repeated. “Julia’s sister? Why would she want a letter from me?”

Cyrano began to panic. They weren’t talking about Roxanne, they were talking about Julia. If he still wanted to pull this off, to make Roxanne happy, he would have to think and quickly.

“Yes… Roxanne.” he was stalling at this point as he thought of an excuse. “Roxanne wants a letter from you.. For Julia. She asked on Julia’s behalf. She knows how much of a romantic her sister is but she would never ask herself.”

“Impossible. If I write to her she won’t want me.”

“Really? Why?”

“I can’t write love letters.”

“Rabbit,” Cyrano concluded under his breath. He was right after all.

“Sorry?”

“You just say what you feel. As long as it’s true you can’t go wrong.”

“A woman like Julia wants wit, romance, maybe even poetry.”

“You’re right,” Cyrano chuckled, still thinking about Roxanne rather than the girl in question. “You’d better leave town… I didn’t mean it,” he added after a moment, seeing Christian’s woeful expression.

“I’m very confused. Are you here to help me or hinder me?”

“Help.”

“You see, in battle I have inordinate courage. I can do anything. But with women, my whole life I’ve been useless, silent, I’m… what’s that word for when you’re bad at expressing yourself?”

“Inarticulate.”

“That’s it!”

Cyrano rolled his eyes at the irony of his statement. A connection not made by the young man himself.

“I can’t express what I feel.. On paper and not on paper. I don’t know how to speak romantically. Julia will be extremely disappointed.”

“She must not be.”

“But I have no wit!”

“Borrow mine,” Cyrano responds without thinking.

“What?”

“My words on your lips.”

“I can’t. It’s a lie. I’d be deceiving the woman I love.”

You have no idea. Cyrano thought. “Well it’s better than losing her. Call it a fantasy, a dream, call it pretend. A dream might be a lie but it is also true.”

“Wait.. what?”

“Sometimes illusion is kind.”

“Is it?”

“Often! Read a book or two and you’ll find out.”

“There’s no need to be patronizing.”

“Sorry,” Cyrano replied, quickly rescinding his comment.

“Accepted, but will the deceit work?”

“Is the prize not worth the risk?”

“Yes,” Christian said swooningly. “Ohh Julia.”

“Ohh Roxanne,” Christian looked over at him, confused. “Will.. be.. So pleased to hear that you’ll write to her sister.”

“May I ask,” Christian began after a moment. “Why are you helping me? What can you gain?”

“I am a poet,” he replied simply. “My words go to waste unless spoken aloud. I’ll make you eloquent while you make me handsome.” Cyrano pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Christian. The letter he had most recently written for Roxanne. “Use this. Simply sign at the bottom.”

“Great! When did you write it?”

“A while ago.”

“But…”

“I always have a letter in my pocket for… some imaginary woman. It’s the romantic custom here.” The lie came easily.

“But don’t we need to make it specific to her?”

“Count on vanity to make Rox- Julia think it was only for her.”

“But the letter itself is applicable to all women?”

“Not all, but most.”

“What a brilliant scam! You should make thousands of copies and sell them to every man in the city. You’d make a fortune!”

With that, Christian hurled himself towards Cyrano and gave him a hug.

“I’m convinced we’re destined to be friends for life!”

“You think?”

“The very best of friends!” Christian began to turn away to deliver “his” letter to “Julia” but Cyrano quickly stopped him.

“Wait!”

“What?”

“Perhaps I should deliver this first one?” He suggested with a nervous chuckle. “You know, women. Julia’s nerves would probably get the better of her with a sudden delivery such as this but may be more open coming from a friend.”

“Good idea,” Christian nodded. “Ever the wise man.”

Christian handed the letter back to Cyrano and gave him one last smile before nearly skipping away in glee. Looking forward to what the future would bring.

“Cyrano?” Julia asked, surprised seeing the man standing at her doorstep breathless. She dare not let herself believe it was any more than a social call. “What are you doing here?”

“I need your help,” he replied simply, stepping past the girl into her home. “Roxanne is in love.”

“With Christian,” Julia finished with a nod and a slight chuckle. “I know, I was there.”

“But he does not love her back.”

“What? That’s impossible.”

“Weirder things have happened.”

“But I was there that night. I saw the connection between them. The spark in their eyes. I watched their love blossom.”

“He was looking at you,” Cyrano groaned.

Julia froze. Her eyes went wide as she stared off into nothing, not able to believe what was being said to her.

“Me?”

“You.”

“But I-”

“Yeah.”

“And he..”

“I agree.”

“But Roxanne-”

“I know.”

“It’s impossible!”

“It is true.”

“But I am not the desirable one out of my sister and I. Roxanne gets the attention, I get to judge the young men pursuing her from afar.”

“That practice seems to be over.”

Julia huffed her breath and sat plopped down onto her faint count.

“If I didn’t know any better I’d think you a child who just got put in time out,” Cyrano chuckled, watching the pout on her lips grow as he mad his way to sit next to her. “Don’t fret, I have a plan.”

“A plan?” she repeated with a scoff. “A plan for what? How I can break the news to Roxanne and completely rip out her heart?”

“No, a-” Julia interrupted before he could continue.

“A plan on how to tell my sister ‘Surprise! I’m the one your man wants, not you.’”

“If you’d j-”

“A plan to break her heart telling her that the only man she’s ever loved doesn’t love her?”

“No need to rub it in,” Cyrano chuckled at the reminder that Roxanne didn’t love him.

“Sorry.”

“It’s alright, I need to accept my losses. Move on.”

“Tell me about your plan. What it entails.”

“A way to make Roxanne and Christian both happy.”

“You mean I act like a fool until Christian decides he doesn’t actually love me all the while pushing him in her direction to divert his attentions?”

“Not quite.”

“What then?” Cyrano held up the letter to Roxanne. “What’s this?”

“A letter. Christian wrote it for Roxanne.”

“But why would he-?”

“He didn’t. I did.”

“You?”

“Yes. Christian and I have arranged for me to write him letters to give to… well… you. But rather than give them to you we pass them forward to Roxanne.”

“So we’re lying to her?”

“No more lying than would be done if I had simply delivered this letter to you.”

“Well that’s not the same thing.”

“And why not?”

“Because he does not love her! We’re filling her with false hope. What happens when they want to see one another in person?”

“We will figure that out together when it comes to that.”

Julia sighed as she threw her head back, laying down onto her couch as she thought. On the one hand, this was wrong. Lying to both her own sister and the man who she loves. The man that loves Julia herself. No matter how ridiculous it sounded. On the other hand… Roxanne would be happy. If she remain none the wiser, she would be believing the man she loves loves her back. That he was indeed an intelligent man and could provide the most beautiful of love letters. It was Cyrano’s writing afterall. That in itself was another positive aspect. Julia got to read love letters from the man himself. Sure they’d be about Roxanne, but her imagination would be enough to get her through.

“Okay,” she sighed after a few moments of silence.

Cyrano couldn’t believe his ears. He thought surely it would take more convincing. “Okay?” he repeated.

“Okay. I will help you fool my sister. It’s for her greater good afterall.”

“Really?”

Julia smile at the way his face lit up in excitement. It was similar to the way she saw his eyes sparkle when Roxanne told him of being in love. One she used to only dream of being responsible for putting on his face.

“Really,” she laughed.

Not a moment passed before Cyrano pulled he girl into an embrace, Julia quickly began trying to will her face to turn back from the many shades of scarlet it became. “Thank you!” he elated. “You will not regret this, I promise. It’s the best course of action for us all.”

And with that, he got up and began o get up, setting the ready letter onto the end table besides them.

“If this goes sideways I’m telling Roxanne you threatened me into compliance,” Julia called behind him.

Cyrano turned around as he continued backing to the door. “And I will disclose to her the way that you were indeed the mastermind behind the whole thing,” he finished with a small smirk, standing in the doorframe.

“And who do you think she’ll believe?”

“The one who didn’t steal her favorite knitted sweater as children.”

Julia gasped as she grabbed a pillow from her sofa and threw it as hard as she could in his direction.

“Until tomorrow, Julia,” Cyrano said with a laugh and a slight mocked bow, retreating through the door and closing it behind him.

“Until tomorrow.”

#cyrano #cyrano de bergerac #love triangle #love square #2021cyrano #peter dinklage #poetry #love letters #period drama #soldier

11 notes · View notes

cherryeol04 · 1 year

Text

Action! | Ch. 12

Genre: Humor, Romance, Slice of life?, Crackheadedness

Pairings: BaekRen, MinRon

Work Count: 1.8K

Summary: From the moment he was casted, Ren wasn't sure if he had what it would take to be a pop idol. Losing faith in himself, he was going to give up the future he had always wanted, but one person stood by his side and renewed his faith. After a hot debut and rapid growth of stardom, Ren started to notice that maybe this person, his close friend, was something more. But how could a straight man even remotely think of a homosexual relationship?

Warnings: Homophobia, some smut (chapters will be marked)

A/N: I wrote this series back in 2012 and used OCs and over the top writing style for arguments. Whoops. Lmao it’s pretty decent though, so I hope you enjoy!

↶Previous Next↷

Baekho’s POV

This was the fifth time we got to this verse, the fifth time the song went off without a hitch until now, and the fifth time that Ren and I had to pick JR off the floor. It was a complicated dance move. Well not so much as complicated as much as it had everything to do with trusting the members behind him. And JR trusted everyone in the group, but for some reason, when it came to this, he just didn’t have faith.

“We can’t keep doing this.” Ren said. “If you keep falling, we’ll never get through this song. And if that happens, our dance will have to be re-worked and I don’t want to change half the steps when I’ve just got them down.” He scolded our leader lightly, pouting.

“It’s not my fault!” JR said and turned to the other two. “Why can’t you two catch me?”

“We do!” Minhyun said. “But then you get all nervous, you buckle and fall on your own.”

“Yeah, we can only do so much before we have to let you go. You try to take us down with you.” Aron said, shaking his head.

“Well that wouldn’t be an issue if-“

“Alright!” I called and sighed. I felt a headache coming on. I usually go to them when we all get into arguments. I hate arguing with the others. It destroys a little bit of the foundation of friendship our group is based upon each time. “Look, let’s just all take a break.” I suggested. “We’ll re-group and try again.”

“Who made you the leader?” JR growled, glaring at me. Damn, what was up with that? Why was he acting so strange? Ever since that night talking with Minhyun, it seemed no one had been the same, but at the same time, everyone acted as if nothing happened. It was confusing the hell out of me. The only person who acted normal was Ren, thankfully.

“No one! But when you’re so upset like this, someone has to take charge until you can calm down.” I said, staring him down. Our eyes locked for a long while before he finally broke away and turned, leaving the room.

“Wow.” Minhyun whispered, shaking his head. “I mean, there have been times where I’ve forgotten to hold out my arms.” He said gently.

“And sometimes I’m a little slow too.” Aron admitted.

“Look everyone is at fault.” I said.

“How are we at fault?” Ren asked.

“Well, remember the second attempt. We did our part a little too long, so JR hit us as he went forward.”

“Oh yeah.” Ren said and nodded.

“So let’s not fight about this anymore alright? This is a hard song, with a powerful message. We need to get the steps right before we come back. We can do this.” They all smiled, agreeing with me. Ren often shared with me how much he thought I should be the leader. Though I often thought I could make a good leader, I didn’t want to be. JR was an awesome leader as it was; he just sometimes forgot his role when he got worked up.

“Alright, break time!” Ren cheered, rushing from the room to do god knows what. He was cute, I would give him that. But I’m pretty sure someone slipped him sugar and I gave Minhyun that knowing look.

“It wasn’t me. I swear!” Minhyun said and grinned.

“Right.” I said and shook my head, making my way over to my bag, digging out the water bottle I had brought with me. It was going to be another long day.

~*~*~

~A Few Hours Later~

“One, two, three, four.” JR counted. There was no music playing. After several more attempts, it was clear to all of us that we would need to do more than just practice with the music. Something was going wrong with the choreography. So we were back to square, counting the steps as we moved.

“Five, six, seven, eight. And one, two, three” His counting died down when, for the first time, we finally got him thrown back and forward correctly. We broke out in cheers and moved into a group hug. It was such a huge accomplishment on our part. Now how come we couldn’t get it done with the music?

“Great job everyone.” Manager-hyung called as he moved from his spot in the corner. “You did an excellent job working this out.” He told us. Pulling apart, we bowed to him, giving our thanks for his praise and stood at attention, ready to take any advice he had to give us.

“You’re still having issues with the dance put with music correct?” he asked. We looked at each other before nodding.

“Alright, well, I thought I would bring in someone who could help you with that.”

“Our dance instructor?” Aron asked.

“No. Well not your dance instructor, a different one.” Manager-hyung said. He moved back to the door and opened it. We all leaned to the right, eager to see who our hyung had brought in to help us. There was nothing for a moment, building up the anticipation.

“Hello.” Voices greeted as a small group of five walked in and bowed to us. It took a moment for me to recognize the men. I had only seen them once, and that was when they were doing their goodbye stage, and we had done our comeback stage for Face. It was Love Defenders sunbae. They stood before us and bowed, and we returned the bow.

“Protecting innocent hearts, we’re Love Defenders.” They greeted, each making a heart with their hands.

“Show Time Nu’est Time! We are Urban Electro Band Nu’est!” We greeted each other with a bow.

“Boys, I actually was bringing in only one member, but when I got in contact with their manager, they had been in the middle of shooting, so they all came together.” Manager-hyung said before turning to the other members. “Please introduce yourself.” They nodded and grinned.

“Hello, my name is JaeMin and I’m lead rapper.” The tallest boy spoke, bowing.

“Hello, my name is Kai and I’m leader and main dancer.” Kai looked a bit mean, especially wearing those black glasses.

“Hello, my name is Chiko and I’m the maknae and vocals.” The shortest greeted, giving us his cutest smile. He was adorable, but not as adorable as my Ren. ‘My Ren? When has Ren become mine? You’re losing it Baekho.’

“Hello, my name is Kouji and I’m responsible for visual and sub vocal.” The older looking male responded, bowing to us. He was odd looking, but he seemed nice.

“Hello, my name is Adrian and I'm the main vocalist and visual.” The last greeted and bowed to us, smiling. “Oh, and I’m in charge of international conversations.” He said, speaking perfect English, like Aron did.

“Alright! Another foreigner!” Aron cheered happily. He was a silly hyung. I could picture him and Minhyun together. Two goofy people together. It would be interesting to say the least, because Aron was interesting.

We looked to our manager, wondering if we should do our own introductions, but he shook his head and continued on.

“Love Defenders is a big fan of yours.” He said and smiled. “And they have offered to help you with your dance steps.”

“Actually, Adrian-hyung is going to help you.” Chiko said and smiled at us. “He creates all of our dances and has even worked with other groups.”

“It’s nothing special.” Adrian said and waved his hand. “I like dancing.” He answered. “So, let’s not waste any time alright? I want to see you practice.” He told us.

“Alright.” JR agreed. He nodded to the rest of us and we moved into position as the group moved to the side, taking seats on the floor. Our manager manned the stereo, starting our song. I wasn’t nervous. The first half always went well. It was the second half I was nervous about. We were half way through the second chorus, nearing the part we all dreaded when the music suddenly stopped. We turned and watched as Adrian approached.

“We actually were watching you practice without the music.” He admitted. “And you all did well from what I could tell. But your practice is actually at a slower rate than with music.” He explained. “I think that’s what’s wrong. The tempo of the counting isn’t fast enough.”

“That really has an effect on our dancing?” Minhyun asked. He was so intent on learning, and I was too. Adrian-hyung seemed so versed in the art of dance. It made me wonder how long he had been training.

“Yes it does. Because if you’re used to a slow tempo, suddenly adding a faster pace will mess you up. And I noticed that JR actually stumbled a bit through the chorus.” He said before smiling. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve noticed all of you stumble slightly, but this is the part you’re having trouble on right?” he asked. We nodded. This was the bad part, but now we knew, we all were having trouble.

“Alright then. I can help, but please understand that I mean no ill harm.” He said and bowed to us. We bowed back and smiled.

“Of course hyung. We’re eager to get this right.” I said and nodded.

“Great. So first, I’ll do the slow count JR had earlier, then I’ll pick up the tempo. Afterwards, I think individual help would be beneficial.” He said and glanced at our manager who nodded.

“Whatever needs to be done.” Manager-hyung said. Adrian nodded and looked back at us.

“Alright, starting from the second chorus.” He said as he moved around us to stand in front of the mirrors. “One, two, three, four.” He started counting. We started dancing easily, encountering not a single glitch. He stopped and we paused, staring at him.

“Taking it from the top of the second chorus, I’m going to do it at a faster pace. Ready, here we go.” He said and started. “One and two and three and four.” He counted. “Five and six and seven and eight.” He said, even snapping along. I had to admit, this was a much faster pace he was counting to than what JR had been doing. It was almost in sync with the music of our song too. And like what happened with the music, we stumbled and Ren tripped, falling.

“Are you alright?” Adrian asked, moving to him. He stared down at Ren and the other looked up at him. They shared this look and I couldn’t help the low growl that left my lips. I don’t know why I did that, but it felt like Adrian was moving in on my territory.

‘What? Ren wasn’t a piece of property? Why would I think that? Not like he was like that anyway. Get a grip Baekho!’

“I’m fine.” Ren said as he took Adrian’s outstretched hand and stood. Adrian nodded and smiled at him before looking back at the others.

“And this is exactly why you need more practice with the faster pace before adding the music.” He said.

“Hyung.” Minhyun said. “Please teach us. We have so much to learn.”

“Please, help us be our best.” JR added.

“It’ll be my pleasure! But please, call me Adrian. I hate feeling old.” Adrian teased and smiled.

0 notes

bailey-writes · 4 years

Text

So You Want Your OC to be Jewish

So you’re writing a story and you want to make a Jewish character—great! I’m here to help. I always want more Jewish representation but I want good Jewish representation, so this is my attempt to make a guide to making a Jewish character. What are my credentials? I’m Jewish and have been my whole life. Obligatory disclaimer that this is by no means comprehensive, I don’t know everything, all Jews are different, and this is based on my experiences as an American Jew so I have no idea, what, if any, of this applies to non-American Jews.

If there’s anything you want me to make a post going more into detail about or if there’s anything I didn’t mention but you want to know please ask me! I hope this is helpful :) Warning, this is long.

Jew PSA

If you are Jewish you can use the word Jew(s), e.g. “She’s dating a Jew.” If you are not Jewish you cannot use the word Jew(s). This is not up for debate. Non-Jews calling us Jews has a negative connotation at best. Don’t do it and don’t have your characters do it.

Basics, Plus My Random Thoughts that Didn’t Fit Anywhere Else

A confusing enduring issue is, what is Judaism? It’s a religion, but some Jews aren’t religious; is it a race? A nationality? A culture? A heritage? The only constant is that we are seen as “other.” There’s a lot of debate, which makes it confusing to be Jewish and as such it’s common for Jews to struggle with their Jewish Identity. However many people agree that Jews are an ethnoreligious group, aka Judaism is a religion and an ethnicity.

Temple/Synagogue/Shul = Jewish place of worship. Shul is usually used for Orthodox synagogues.

Keeping kosher = following Jewish dietary rules: meat and dairy can’t be eaten together and you can’t eat pork or shellfish. Fish and eggs are pareve (aka neutral) and can be eaten with meat or dairy (but again not both at the same time.) When eating meat it has to be kosher meat (e.g. kosher Jews are allowed to eat chicken, but not all chicken is kosher. I know it’s kinda confusing I’m sorry.) Kosher products in stores will have symbols on them to identify them as kosher. If someone is kosher they’ll probably have separate sets of utensils/plates/cookware/etc. for meat and dairy

Shabbat/Shabbos/Sabbath = holy day of the week, day of rest, lasts from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Depending on observance Jews might have Shabbat dinner, attend Shabbat services, or observe the day of rest in its entirety (making them shomer Shabbat)

Someone who is shomer Shabbat will refrain from any of the prohibited activities. These can easily be looked up but include: working, writing, handling money, cooking, and using technology.

Bat/Bar/B’nai Mitvzah = tradition where a Jewish boy/girl becomes a man/woman. Celebrated at 13-years-old for boys, 12- or 13-years-old for girls. Girls have Bat Mitzvahs (bat means daughter in Hebrew), boys have Bar Mitzvahs (bar means son in Hebrew) and twins or two or more people having one together have a B’nai Mitzvah. They will study for this for months and then help lead services and, depending on observance level, read from the Torah. The ceremony is often attended by family and friends and followed with a celebration of sorts (in America usually this means a brunch and/or party.)

Goy/gentile = non-Jew. These words are not slurs, they are literally just words. Plural of goy is goyim and is a Yiddish word, plural of gentile is gentiles.

Jewish holidays follow the Hebrew calendar, meaning that according to the current solar/Gregorian calendar the dates of our holidays are different each year.

Jewish law recognizes matrilineal inheritance. This means that Jewish law states your mother has to be Jewish for you to be Jewish. This is because of reasons from biblical times that I can explain if you wanna come ask, but as you can imagine is a bit outdated. While Orthodox Jews might embrace this idea and only consider someone Jewish if their mom is Jewish, many Jews are more flexible on the idea (and yes, this does cause tension between Orthodox Jews and other Jews at times.)

Judaism =/= Christianity

Some people think Judaism is just Christianity without Jesus (some people don’t even realize we don’t believe in/celebrate Jesus so newsflash, we don’t) and that’s just wrong. Yes both religions share the Old Testament, so they also share some history and beliefs, but the entire ideologies of the religions are different. In brief, they are similar in some ways but are not the same.

What seems to me to be the biggest difference is that Christianity (from what I understand) has a heavy focus on sins, more specifically repenting for/gaining forgiveness for your sins. In Christianity you are born tainted by original sin. In Judaism we believe everyone is born pure and free from sin and everyone is made in God’s image. Judaism has some concept of sin, but doesn’t focus on them and instead focuses on performing Mitzvot (plural, singular form is mitzvah. Direct translation is “commandment” but basically means good deed or act of kindness. It also relates to the commandments, so following the commandments is also performing mitzvot.) Examples of mitzvot include anything from saying a prayer or lighting Shabbat candles to helping a stranger or donating to charity (called tzedakah). One of the main tenets of Judaism is tikkun olam, which directly translates to “repair the world” and means exactly what it says on the tin. Instead of focusing on being forgiven for doing bad Judaism focuses on doing good. The only day we focus on past wrongdoings is Yom Kippur, one of our most holy holidays, discussed below.

Holidays

Rosh Hashanah – The Jewish New Year, occurs around September and lasts for two days, though Reform Jews often only celebrate the first day. Day of happiness and joy, celebrated by eating sweet things for a “sweet new year” (often apples dipped in honey) and circular challah to represent the end of one year and beginning of another. Also celebrated with services and blowing the shofar (rams horn.) Some spend the day in prayer and/or silent meditation. Possible greetings: chag sameach (happy holiday; can be said on almost any holiday), Shana Tovah, or happy new year (which is what Shana Tovah means, some people just say it in English.)

Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement. Occurs ten days after the start of Rosh Hashanah. One of if not the most solemn day for Jews, but also the most holy. The day is spent reflecting on yourself and any past wrongdoings and atoning. The day (sundown the night before to sundown the day of) is spent fasting, a physical way of atoning. We do this in hopes of being “written in the Book of Life” and starting the year with a clean slate. The shofar is blown at the end of the holiday. Most Jews will end the fast with a grand meal with family and friends. Most common greeting is “have an easy fast,” but happy new year is still appropriate.

Sukkot – Celebrates the harvest, occurs on the fifth day after Yom Kippur and lasts seven days. Celebrated by building a temporary hut outdoors called a sukkah and having meals inside it, as well as shaking palm fronds tied together (called a lulav) and holding a citrus called an etrog. Very fun and festive holiday. Possible greetings include chag sameach or Happy Sukkot.

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah – Some Jews (mostly Reform Jews and Jews living in Israel) combine both holidays into one day while some celebrate them as two separate days. Either way they occur immediately after Sukkot. Shemini Atzeret is similar but separate from Sukkot and features a prayer for rain; Sukkot is not mentioned in prayers and the lulav isn’t shaken but you do eat in the sukkah. Simchat Torah celebrates finishing reading the Torah, which we will then begin again the next day. It’s a festive holiday with dancing and fun. Some Temples will roll the entire Torah out and the children will run under it. Appropriate greeting for both would be chag sameach.

Rosh Hashanah through Simchat Torah are referred to as the High Holidays.

Chanukah – We all know about Chanukah, celebrating the reclaiming of the Second Temple and the miracle of the oil lasting eight days. The most represented Jewish Holiday there is. Unfortunately it’s one of the least significant holidays for us. Occurs around November or December and lasts eight days and nights. Celebrated by lighting candles in the Menorah each night with a prayer and kids usually get gifts each night. Also celebrated with spinning tops called dreidels, fried foods like doughnuts (sufganiyot in Hebrew; usually the jelly filled ones) and potato pancakes called latkes. Greetings: happy Chanukah or chag sameach.

Tu B’Shevat – Birthday of the trees, basically Jewish Arbor Day. Minor but fun holiday, sometimes celebrated by planting trees. Occurs around January or February.

Purim – Celebrates how Queen Esther of Persia defeated Haman and saved her people, the Jews. Occurs in Spring. Festive holiday traditionally celebrated by dressing in costumes, eating sweets, and giving tzedakah (it’s also technically commanded you get drunk so woohoo!) Whenever Haman’s name is mentioned you make a lot of noise, booing and using noisemakers called groggers. Greetings: happy Purim, chag Purim, or chag sameach.

Passover/Pesach – Celebrates the Jews being freed from slavery in Egypt. Occurs in Spring and lasts eight days. The first two nights (some only celebrate the first night) are celebrated with seder, a ritual meal with certain foods, practices, prayers, and readings from a book called the Haggadah and often attended by family and friends. Most famous prayer/song of the holiday is the four questions, which ask why that night is different from all other nights and is traditionally sung by the youngest child at the seder. The entire holiday is spent not eating certain foods, mostly grain or flour (the food restrictions are complicated and differ based on denomination so look it up or ask a Jew.) We eat a lot of matzah during Pesach, which is like a cracker kinda. I personally hate it but some people actually like it. Greetings: happy Passover, chag pesach, or chag sameach.

Tisha B’Av – Anniversary of the destruction of the Temple. Occurs in Summer. Very sad, solemn day. Some celebrate by fasting from sunrise to sunset. Not the most widely celebrated holiday. Some also commemorate the Holocaust (also called the Shoah) on this day as it was the destruction of a figurative temple.

Denominations

There are a bunch of denominations in Judaism, we’ll go into it briefly.

Religious denominations:

Reform/Reformed: This is the least religiously observant level. Often Reform Jews don’t keep kosher or observe Shabbat, their services on Shabbat will use instruments. Reform Jews probably attend services for the high holidays at the very least and probably had a Bat/Bar Mitzvah. Might say they consider themselves more culturally Jewish. Their Temple/Synagogue will be the most “liberal”—aka have more female/diverse Rabbis and a more diverse congregation. I’m Reform and my Temple’s lead Rabbi is a woman and we used to have a Rabbi who’s a queer single mother.

Conservative: More religiously observant and more generally traditional. Might keep kosher or observe Shabbat, but not necessarily. Services likely won’t use instruments (not supposed to play instruments on Shabbat). Most likely had a Bat/Bar Mitzvah, but girls might not read from the Torah, though this depends on the congregation. They do allow female Rabbis, but in my experience it’s less common.

Modern Orthodox: Very religiously observant but also embrace modern society. Will keep kosher and observe Shabbat. Men will wear kippot (singular=kippah) and tzitzit under their shirts. Women will cover their hair (if they’re married), most likely with a wig, and wear modest clothing (only wear skirts that are at least past their knees and long sleeves). Emphasis on continued study of Torah/Talmud. Parents will likely have jobs. Might have larger families (aka more children) but might not. Services will be segregated by gender, girls won’t read from the Torah publicly, and female Rabbis are very rare. Children will most likely attend a religious school. Will attend shul services every Shabbat and for holidays.

note: there are some people who fall somewhere between modern Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox, or between any two denominations really. as you can imagine people don’t all practice the exact same way.

Ultra-Orthodox: Very religiously observant and not necessarily modern. Will keep kosher and observe Shabbat. Men will wear kippot or other head coverings and tzitzit under their shirts, and are also often seen wearing suits. Women will cover their hair (if they’re married) with a wig or scarf and wear modest clothing (only wear skirts that are at least past their knees and long sleeves). Emphasis on continued study of Torah/Talmud. Men might have jobs but might instead focus on Jewish studies, while women most often focus on housework and child-rearing. Don’t believe in contraception (but this is kinda nuanced and depends). Will often have very large families because having children is a commandment and helps continue the Jewish people. Might be shomer negiah which means not touching members of the opposite sex aside from their spouse and some close family members. Services will be segregated by gender, girls won’t read from the Torah publicly, and there won’t be female Rabbis. Children will attend a religious school. Will attend shul services every Shabbat and for holidays.

Ethnic denominations (the different denominations do have some differences in practices and such but tbh I don’t know much about that so this is just the basics):

Ashkenazi: Jews that originate from Central/Eastern Europe. Yiddish, a combination of Hebrew and German, originated from and was spoken by Ashkenazim and while it’s a dying language it’s spoken among many Orthodox Jews and many Jews of all levels know/speak some Yiddish words and phrases. Majority of Jews worldwide are Ashkenazi.

Sephardi/Sephardic: Jews that originate from the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, and southeastern Europe. Ladino, a combination of Old Spanish and Hebrew, originated from and was spoken by Sephardim. It is also a dying language but is still spoken by some Sephardim. After Ashkenazi most of the world’s Jews are Sephardic.

Mizrahi: Jews that originate from the Middle East and North Africa.

Ethiopian Jews: Community of Jews that lived in Ethiopia for over 1,000 years, though most have immigrated to Israel by now.

Stereotypes/Tropes/Controversies/Etc.

There are so many Jewish stereotypes and shit and I ask you to please be mindful of them. Stereotypes do exist for a reason, so some people will fit stereotypes. This means your character might fit one or two; don’t make them fit all of them. Please. Stereotypes to keep in mind (and steer away from) include:

All Jews are rich.

All Jews are greedy.

All Jews are cheap/frugal.

All Jews are [insert job here]. We’ll go into this more below.

All Jews hate Christians/Muslims/etc.

All Jews are white.

First of all Ethiopian and Mizrahi Jews exist, many Sephardi are Hispanic, and today with intermarriage and everything this just isn’t true.

All Jews have the same physical features: large and/or hooked nose, beady eyes, droopy eyelids, red hair (this is an old stereotype I didn’t really know existed), curly hair.

Many Jews do have somewhat large noses and curly hair. I’m not saying you can’t give these features to your characters, but I am saying to be careful and don’t go overboard. And don’t give all of your Jewish characters these features. As a side note, it is common at least among American Jews that girls get nose jobs. Not all, but some.

Jews are secretly world elite/control the world/are lizard people/new world order/ any of this stuff.

STAY AWAY FROM. DO NOT DO THIS OR ANYTHING LIKE THIS. If you have a character that’s part lizard, do not make them Jewish. If you have a character that’s part of a secret group that controls the entire world, do not make them Jewish.

Jews have horns. If you have characters with horns please don’t make them Jewish.

Jews killed Jesus.

The blood libel. Ew. No.

The blood libel is an antisemitic accusation/idea/concept that back in the day Jews would murder Christian children to use their blood in religious rituals and sometimes even for consumption (did I mention gross?) Not only did this just not happen, but it’s actually against Jewish law to murder, sacrifice, or consume blood. Yes these accusations really happened and it became a main reason for persecution of Jews. And some people still believe this shit.

Jews caused The Plague.

The reason this conspiracy exists is because many Jews didn’t get The Plague and the goyim thought that meant it was because the Jews caused it/cursed them. The real reason Jews didn’t get it is because ritual hand-washing and good hygiene kept them from getting it. Sorry that we bathe.

Jewish mother stereotype.

Ok, listen. I know stereotypes are mostly a bad thing but I have to admit the Jewish mother stereotype is not far off. Jewish moms do tend to be chatty and a little nagging, are often very involved in their children’s lives, and they are often trying to feed everyone (although they don’t all cook, my mom hates cooking.) They also tend to be big worriers, mostly worrying about their family/loved ones. They also tend to know everyone somehow. A twenty minute trip to the grocery store can turn into an hour or two long trip because she’ll chat with all the people she runs into.

Jewish-American Princess (JAP) ((I know calling Japanese people Japs is offensive. Jews will call girls JAPs, but with a completely different meaning. If that’s still offensive I am sorry, but just know it happens.))

This is the stereotype that portrays Jewish girls/women as spoiled brats basically. They will be pampered and materialistic. Do these girls exist? Definitely. I still recommend steering away from this stereotype.

Names

Listen. Listen. There are some names that Jews just won’t have. I won’t speak in definites because there are always exceptions but you’ll rarely find a Jew named Trinity or Grace or Faith or any form of Chris/Christopher/Christina etc. Biblical names from the Old Testament? Absolutely Jews will have those names they’re actually very common.

I’m in a Jewish Sorority. My pledge class of ~70 girls had five Rebeccas and four Sarahs. Surprisingly only one Rachel though.

When it comes to last names I have two thoughts that might seem contradictory but hear me out: a) give your Jewish OC’s Jewish surnames, b) don’t give your Jewish OC’s the most Jewish surname to ever exist.

By this I mean I would much rather see a character named Sarah Cohen or Aaron Levine than Rachel Smith. Just that little bit of recognition makes a happy exclamation point appear over my head, plus it can be a good way to hint to readers that your OC is Jewish.

On the other hand, please don’t use the most stereotypical Jewish names you’ve ever heard. If you have five Jewish OCs and one of them is Isaac Goldstein then fine. If Isaac Goldstein is your only Jewish OC I might get a little peeved. There are tons of common Jewish surnames that are recognizable and easy to look up, so don’t revert to the first three that come to mind. Maybe it’s just me, but I find it yucky, for lack of a better word.

Jobs

We all know there are certain jobs that are stereotypical for Jews to have. We’re talking lawyer, dentist, doctor, banker type stuff. To an extent these stereotypes exist for a reason, many Jews go into those careers. Do not make these the only careers your Jewish OCs have. Stereotypes might have reasoning behind them but it doesn’t mean they aren’t harmful. If you have multiple Jewish OCs some of them can have these careers, but not all of them. I do know a lot of Jewish lawyers, dentists, and doctors. I also know accountants, people involved in businesses (“mom, what does Brad do?” “he’s a businessman” sometimes there just aren’t more specific words), people involved in real estate. I don’t actually know any bankers personally, and with money and stuff being one of the most common and harmful Jewish stereotypes I would suggest steering away from that.

These are common fields for Jews, but Jews can have literally any job. Please feel free to get creative. And if you have more than one Jewish OC you can think about making one of them a Rabbi, but DON’T do this if they’re the only Jewish OC. Please.

Yiddish

So I mentioned Yiddish earlier. Like I already said, it’s not a very widely used language anymore but there are some words and phrases that are still used by a lot of Jews (in America at least.) Here’s a list that is absolutely not comprehensive:

Oy vey = oh no

Shvitzing = sweating (but not just a little bit. Shvitzing is like SWEATING)

Kvetch/kvetching = whine/whining or complain/complaining

Mazel tov = congratulations; this is the same in Yiddish and Hebrew

Chutzpah = nerve or gall (e.g. “He’s got a lot of chutzpah for breaking up over text like that”)

Kismet = fate; I just learned this is Yiddish

Bubbe and Zayde = grandma and grandpa

Schelp/schlepping = drag/dragging, can also mean carry or move (e.g. “I had to schlep the bag all around town” doesn’t mean they literally dragged it)

Schmutz = dirt or something dirty (e.g. “you have schmutz on your face”)

Schmatta = literally means rag but can be used to refer to ratty blankets or clothes

Plotz = collapse (usually used in the sense of “I’m so tired I might plotz” or “she’s gonna be so excited she’s gonna plotz”)

Schmuck/shmendrick = both mean more or less the same, a jerk or obnoxious person

Shtick = gimmick, routine, or act (can be used like (“I don’t like that comedian’s shtick” or “he always makes himself the center of attention it’s his shtick”)

Spiel = long speech, story, or rant

There’s so many more so look them up and think about using them, but don’t overdo it. A Jewish person isn’t gonna use a Yiddish word in every sentence (or even every day or every few days.)

Israel

In my community at least it’s very common that by the time your college-aged that you’ll have been to Israel at least once.

Israel is a controversial topic within the Jewish community and in the world. It’s sensitive and complex. I really, really suggest not getting into it. Just don’t bring it up because no matter what you say someone will be unhappy. Just don’t do it.

Ashkenazi Disorders

Ashkenazi Jews have some sucky genes (I’m Ashkenazi so I can say this, you cannot.) These sucky genes cause certain disorders to be more prevalent for us. Children only get the disorder if both parents are carriers of the disorder, so Jews usually get genetic testing done before having children. If both parents are carriers the risk of the child getting the disorder is high, so parents might reconsider or have some indecisiveness/fear. Some of these are:

Tay-Sachs

Cystic Fibrosis

Canavan Disease

Familial Dysautonomia

Gaucher Disease

Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Fanconi Anemia

Mucolipidosis IV

Niemann-Pick Disease

Torsion Dystonia

Bloom Syndrome

Ashkenazi Jews also have a high prevalence of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in women and increase the risk of breast and prostate cancer in men.

Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Lactose Intolerance are also very prevalent

In a dorm of like 40 Jews, six of them had Crohn’s.

Ways to Show Your OC is Jewish

Wears Jewish jewelry, e.g. Star of David (also called Jewish Star and Magen David), Chai symbol (means life), jewelry with Sh’ma prayer, or hamsa (but beware this symbol is used outside of Judaism).

Mentions their temple, their Rabbi, having a Bat/Bar Mitzvah, going to Hebrew School, Shabbat, or a holiday coming up.

Have someone ask them a question about Judaism.

Have someone notice they have a mezuzah on their door.

Most Jews will have a mezuzah on the doorframe of the front door of their house/apartment, but they could even have one for their dorm room or whatever. It’s traditional to kiss your hand then touch the mezuzah when walking through the door, but most Jews don’t do this every time, at least not most Reform or Conservative Jews.

Have them call out antisemitism if you’re feeling spicy

The end! I hope this helped and if you have any questions my ask box is always open!

#writing advice #writing tips #writing help #jewish characters #judaism #writing resources #writeblr community #wtwcommunity #i said i would make this post literally months ago but i finally did it!

13K notes · View notes

multifandomfanfiction · 2 years

Text

Meeting Marc

TITLE: Meeting Marc PAIRING: Steven/OC/Marc RATING: T CHAPTER: One-shot SUMMARY: After Steven's failed date, a certain mercenary makes an appearance.

[A/N - So I mixed the lore from the comics and the show since we don't know what Marc's backstory is completely.]

Jessi was on her way up to her flat when she came across Steven. “Hey Steven! How was your date?”

He was holding a box of chocolate in his hand and he looked like he had been crying.

“Ah, not good then?”

Steven didn’t say anything and brushed past her to get to his flat. He opened the door and flicked the light on, before flicking it off again.

“Okay, you know what?” Jessi snapped. She grabbed the box of chocolates and stormed into Steven’s flat. “We are gonna turn on some crappy action flick and stuff our faces with this, okay?”

She threw herself on Steven’s bed and opened the box of chocolates. Jessi’s eyes fell on the ankle restraints. She gasped and set the chocolates down.

“Jessi, wait!”

“Steven! You kinky little bastard!” She giggled and fastened the restraint around her own ankle. When she looked up, Steven was smirking at her.

“Would you like to find out, babe?”

Jessi chuckled nervously. “Wha…what happened to your accent? Why do you sound all American?”

Jessi reached down and tried to undo the ankle restraint, but her hands were shaking too badly.

Steven’s hands covered hers and she shot up towards the headboard.

“Don’t touch me! Don’t come near me!” She picked up the box of chocolates and Steven laughed.

“You gonna hit me with some chocolate?”

Jessi thought about it and set the box down.

“Steven. What is going on?”

Steven sighed. “Okay, first off, my name isn’t Steven. It’s Marc. Marc Spector.”

“So, you’re just pretending to be someone else? What the fuck?”

“It’s complicated,” Steven, well Marc, said, “I’m Marc, but I’m also Steven.”

“Are you in witness protection or something?”

“Something like that.”

Marc stepped towards her and gestured to the ankle restraint. “Can I…?”

Jessi nodded and he gently undid the restraint. Jessi pulled her leg back quickly.

“I’m not gonna hurt you.”

“Well I don’t know that, do I?”

“Has Steven ever hurt you? Ever?”

Jessi shook her head. “No. No, Steven’s a sweetheart.” Jessi’s heart stopped. “If you’re Steven, why are you referring to yourself in the third person?”

Marc sighed. He sat down at the end of the bed and started to explain. How he was a mercenary named Marc Spector, who stole a sacred scarab and was now being hunted down by a religious cult, how he encountered an Egyptian God named Khonshu who saved his life and made him his Moon Knight, which gave him supernatural powers.

Steven had emerged as a way to go about a normal life, without having to worry about being hunted down and killed, except now everything was coming apart at the seams. “I wanted to keep you out of this. I don’t need people to start dying for me.”

Jessi placed her hand on Marc’s cheek and he leaned into the touch. “I’ll be here for you. In any way I can.”

Marc smiled. “I can see why Steven likes you.”

Jessi’s eyes flicked down to Marc’s lips.

Marc decided to take the initiative and kiss her.

The kiss started out slow and quickly turned passionate.

Marc pushed Jessi down on the bed and situated himself between her legs. Jessi whimpered at the feeling of his body pressing into hers.

Marc broke the kiss and kissed down to her neck.

Her hands buried themselves into Steven’s curls. Wait…Steven! “Marc! Marc stop!”

His eyes met hers. “What’s wrong, baby? Did I hurt you?”

Jessi cupped his face in her hands and shook her head. “No. It’s just…can I have Steven back?”

Marc tried not to feel offended. Of course she’d want Steven. Steven was the one she was in love with.

Marc nodded. “Yeah. Yeah.” He pressed his lips to hers as his eyes rolled back.

When Steven came to, Jessi was underneath him. “Oh my god. Oh my god! I’m so sorry!” He tried to move off of her, but Jessi wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Steven, Steven, it’s okay.” She pulled him into a kiss and he relaxed, kissing her back.

He didn’t know how he had gotten into this situation, but for once he wasn’t going to question it. He was finally kissing the girl who he had been crushing on since he moved in.

#steven grant #steven/oc #steven grant imagines #marc spector #marc spector imagines #moon knight #moon knight imagines #marvel #marvel imagines #marvel cinematic universe #marvel cinematic universe imagines #mcu #mcu imagines #oscar isaac #oscar isaac imagines

101 notes · View notes

sugamamacustard · 3 years

Text

Let Me Help You (Part. 2)

Pairing: Alpha! Toru Oikawa x Omega! Reader, Alpha! Issei Matsukawa x Omega! Reader, Alpha! Takahiro Hanamaki x Omega! Reader

Genre: Angst, fluff, Hurt/comfort.

Request: Oh boy, here we go!

Anon: hi!! can we get more of the omega depression drabbles/one shots? i would really like to see mattsun’s version and other characters you can think of!! the more angsty the better ;)p.s. luv your writing <3 also stay healthy, safe, and drink water !!

Anon: Can you make part 2 of let me help you please. if not it’s fine with Mattsun and Makki

Anon: Could you do part 2 for the let me help you with makki and mattsun please if not that’s fine this is also my first time requesting something so i’m kinda nervous💕

(Don’t be nervous at all, you did amazing!)

Anon: Mamas, can I order a continuation of let me help you?? Please?? I need some fluff after that hurt 💕💕💕🥺🥺🥺

(Mamas anon! :DDD)

Anon: omg i love the omega depression!! please continue with the rest of the third years or a pt 2 with oikawa’s !! i love your writing!!

@bohica160: Could we possibly get a part 2 with Oikawa please? 👉 👈 🥺

And I think that was all? You guys just really wanted this, and who am I to deny you?

Summary: Because of unseen circumstances, you drop, and you drop hard. How does your alpha help you/redeem himself?

Author’s Note: I kinda wanna post some self-indulgent OC stuff on here, but idk. It’s kinda crack-y and stupid. Also, we love to see a healthy relationship. Like Hanamaki’s and Matsukawa’s are so soft. Also, also, please note Hanamaki’s is heavily based off of my own experience with depression and the events after with my best friend, whom I will love and cherish forever.

Requests: Open!

Part 1: Here!

➵ You drop was actually out of anyone’s control.

➵ Omega drops rely heavily on hormone balances, much like depression, and it seemed like this month just wasn’t your month.

➵It was hard to exactly pin point when it got bad, or when you started experiencing symptoms, as they were slow and not necessarily noticeable.

➵A missed lunch here, a small scent shift there.

➵Small things that neither you nor Takahiro would notice.

➵It was much like a rollercoaster, inching higher and higher until the drop would come.

➵ Honestly, both of you thought you were fine, and since you were around both of your mutual friends (The Seijoh Team) enough no one could really point it out.

➵ It truly was a bad situation all around.

➵ You only really began noticing after a few days of ignoring lunch in a row.

➵ It hit you when you were sitting in the library, stomach clutching with hunger as you scanned through a textbook.

➵ You attempted to get up and go find Takahiro to go get something to eat, but you just...didn’t.

➵ You couldn’t find the energy to stand, much less walk, and just stayed seated

➵ You just couldn’t move.

➵Like a million bags of sand were tied to your hips weighing you to the chair.

➵ You swallowed tightly, rolling your shoulders before stuffing your text book into your bag, trying to breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.

➵Deep breaths. Thats what you needed to focus on right now.

➵ But then you couldn’t. You were hyperventilating, and white-knuckling the edge of the table as your vision turned blurry and watery.

➵ The cramping from your hunger combined with the sudden rush of emotions made you want to vomit.

➵ Before you could, you slung your backpack over your shoulder, bolting out of the library.

___

Laughter and chuckles were heavy as Takahiro gave a hearty chuckle at something Matsukawa said, shaking his head before taking a swig from his energy drink. His eyes darted to his phone every now and again, just checking to make sure you didn’t need him.

You would always come first to him.

When his screen lit up with your beaming face shining up at him, he quickly swiped to accept holding it to his ear, watching while the team laughed at Oikawa, who was shielding himself from Iwaizumi.

“Hiro?”

“Shooting star?” His brows furrowed as he slowly began cleaning his stuff, straightening himself up so he could leave as soon as possible if you needed him; which, guessing by your home, you did.

“I-I think something’s wrong.” You paused, making his heart drop. “I don’t know, but I think I need to go to the doctor, but, I know this is a lot so feel free to say no, can you-”

He didn’t let you finish. “Tell me where you are and I’ll come pick you up and drive you. Do you need me to call and book an appointment?”

A few of his packmates turned with worried eyes, trying to send a non-verbal question. Well, for most of them. Oikawa was trying to whisper-yell his questions, Iwaizumi trying to shut him up.

“I’m at the front of the school. I’ll just meet you at your car.”

“I’ll be right there, shooting star. Stay safe, okay? I love you, and I’ll see you soon Omega.” Takahiro waited for your reciprocation and own farewell before hanging up, quickly standing and swinging his leg over the bench and grabbing his bag.

“Makki-kun, is Y/N-chan okay?!” Oikawa screeched after him, actively crawling onto Iwaizumi, who looked like he was ready to commit first-degree murder.

Makki threw up a thumbs up behind him, waiting till he was out of the cafeteria before sprinting towards the parking lot.

He hoped, with every inch of his body, he didn’t lie to his captain.

___

“Take your pills.”

“Alpha, they taste horrid-”

“I don’t care, they make you feel better.”

Takahiro watched you carefully, handing you two of the teal and white pills. The alpha was strict on very few things with you, but your health he did not fuck with.

The appointment with your doctor went fine, with minimal blood work done, and you were sent off with a prescription for hormone balancing pills. You and Takahiro (Who was absolutely divine during the entire thing) were explained how the pills worked and why you dropped, all of which was simple enough to understand. Since then, Takahiro was insistent on you taking the pills in front of him.

“Open.” Takahiro demanded, watching as you stuck your tongue out. He moved your head by your chin, checking the very corners of your mouth. “Lift your tongue.”

You did so, showing nothing. He hummed in approval, letting go of your chin before pausing, pulling you close so you could hear his heartbeat.

“Thank you for caring, Hiro.” You whispered, wrapping your arms around his neck and nuzzling into your alpha’s neck, taking in his scent.

“Thank you for telling me about this and letting me help you.” He responded, pressing a sweet peck to your temple and reminding himself you were still here in his arms. And would be with him for a long, long time.

➵ Your drop was a mix between miscommunication and little whispers in your ear.

➵ Honestly, there was a reason you were in a pack with minimal other omegas.

➵ They grew catty and mean and vindictive if there was something they didn’t like.

➵It was one of their many flaws and strengths.

➵You yourself had caught yourself bad-mouthing another omega to your alpha every now and again.

➵ Though you hated doing it, at some point it was just second nature.

➵ You and Issei had good communication though, and very rarely did something as silly as jealousy come between you two.

➵ whenever something was bothering you or your alpha you would talk it out.

➵ You both trusted each other completely.

➵ If something felt off about another person, you were quick to mention it to the other.

➵ However, sometimes things got complicated.

➵ Insecurities seeped through your walls that Issei kept strong for you.

➵And sometimes, small little whispers became hurdles and boulders pounding against your defenses and breaking them down.

➵Leaving you open and stumbling.

➵ And sometimes, because of this you forgot that you had back-up, an artillery that would fight for you at the drop of a hat.

➵ And those moments, that ones were you were caught with your tail between your legs and ass in the air waiting to be fucked over, were when you truly crumbled.

➵And though it broke you down and made you hurt, your artillery had your back.

___

“Issei, I was-”

You bit your tongue as you were roughly shoved to the side by Akina Harakashi, the omega throwing herself at your alpha. His face remained unmoved and his arms by his side.

She was his science partner for the semester, and though Issei reassured you she was nothing more, you couldn’t help but internally whine at how she acted with him. It was no secret that she liked him, but since you and Issei kept you relationship on the down low, rumors were bound to pop up.

And though you didn’t let it show, they poked and prodded at you. Make your skin crawl as you ventured deep into your own mindset. Thoughts that would plague your every move and drive your omega into overdrive as they tried fixing whatever you picked on in your own reflection.

You shivered as she looked up to Matsukawa, who was busy focusing on entering his locker combo.

“Mattsunnnn~ I’ve missed you!” Her voice was literal nails on a chalkboard to you.

“I saw you twenty minutes ago.” Matsukawa hissed as his locker popped open. “I haven’t seen you recently though, pretty thing.”

Your omega purred as Issei grabbed his textbook, closing his locker and pushing past Akina. He smirked down at you, intertwining your pinkies in the most discreet way possible before walking you to class.

You glossed over his question when he asked you how lunch went.

___

“Do you think Harakashi and Matsukawa are dating?”

“It wouldn’t surprise me, have you seen how she hangs off of him?”

“I think they’d make such a cute couple!”

“If Matsukawa doesn’t ask her out soon, he’ll loose her.”

You kept your head down and scent blocking collar tight as you slowly crept through the hallway, exit in front of you. Honestly, you didn’t have the energy to continue on with the day, so you were leaving it the midst of lunch, where you could loose yourself in the crowd and disappear.

You wanted nothing more than your alpha, but his last message had your eyes stinging.

‘Harakashi asked me to meet her at lunch, so I won’t be able to see you. Eat something. At this point, I’ll even take junk food. Just get some food. I’ll see you after school.’

It shouldn’t hurt as much as it did, but it stung you deeply. This was it. This was the downfall of your and your alpha’s relationship. You were blown off for Akina Harakashi at long last.

The rational part of you wanted to defend Matsukawa, but every time you tried, the insecurities that had been bubbling within you spit towards the rational part of you and your omega, throwing any redeeming thought into the corner to rot.

A part of you was angry. Angry with Matsukawa for letting this happen. Angry with yourself for not speaking up. Angry with your fucking stomach which groaned for food of any sort. Livid with Akina for trying to steal Mattsun.

Angry at the world.

You couldn’t really remember the last time you ate anything besides...air. The days all blurred together in one miserable run.

“What did I say?”

You glanced over at Matsukawa, heart leaping at the jump he gave you appearing out of nowhere, leaning on the wall beside you. You huffed, turning away from him and leaving him to follow after you. He did so, jogging a bit to catch up.

“You said I’d see you after school. This is not after school.” You snapped, growling at the alpha. He raised a brow, either in disbelief at your attitude or amusement.

“Omega. I said eat. This doesn’t look like eating.” His longer legs gave him the chance to cut in front of you, face now set in anger.

“You also said you had to meet with Harakashi. So scurry along to your new play thing.” You shoved past Matsukawa, trying to ignore the stinging in your eyes.

“What are you talking about?!” Issei smartened up, grabbing your wrist when you tried leaving him behind yet again, now visibly irritated. Truth be told, he was meeting up with Harakashi to put an end to her insistent clinginess. To put her in her place, beneath you.

She tried confessing to him before he even looked up, coming into the room with her arms outstretched already, yelling about ‘I knew you felt the same’ or something . He dodged her, sneering down at her and snapping at her to leave him alone or he’d go through the semester alone (Which he already talked to the teacher about, but she didn’t need to know about that).

Hanamaki had been his eyes when he wasn’t there, reporting back to Matsukawa with updates on you. His latest? You had been missing from lunch for the better part of the week, and last he saw you were ditching the last half of this day.

Which Matsukawa wasn’t letting happen, because if you went home right now, you wouldn’t come back. And he couldn’t live with himself if he let you drop.

“I was meeting with Harakashi to tell her to piss off. You’re my omega. Why in the hell would I even want someone like her when I already have you? You are mine, and I fought for you. I don’t need a corner worker.”

Any fight you had in you disappeared when you saw the small tears glazing your alphas eyes, making your own break free as you ran into his chest. His arms locked around you, holding as if you would slip away if his grip loosened.

Which you just might’ve. Good thing he wasn’t planning on letting you slip.

“Wanna go get food?”

“...Yea. Can we get nuggets?”

“Anything for my pretty omega.”

➵ Okay this one is super short, and I’m sorry! I just wanted to get this out for you guys!

➵ And I think you guys wanted a follow up of sorts for Oikawa.

➵So here it is!

➵ Things didn’t improve over night.

➵It took awhile, but it was worth it.

➵ In time you and Oikawa reached a nice equilibrium.

➵ He wore his bond mark loud and proud and you made sure to tell him when you were uncomfortable with his fangirls and how close they were getting.

➵ In turn, you learned to slowly let go of any reservations you had on his loyalty.

➵He wouldn’t have marked you if he didn’t want to devote his entire being to you.

➵ This showed up when a girl, who you despised (With no hard feelings, since she hated you just as much) tried confessing to Oikawa.

➵Toru, baby boy, shut her down the minute she opened her mouth.

➵ He didn’t even look her way, instead searching for you and quickly brightening up when he saw you.

➵ If he had a tail it would’ve been wagging.

➵ Things improved and everyone was all the better for it.

➵ And Toru made sure to, not only apologize to Iwaizumi, but gift him a voucher for a free movie for him and his omega (who was having a hard time as well).

➵Things were looking up and you both were sure to keep it that way!

___

“Kentaro, please don’t hurt Kindaichi!” Your pleas fell on deaf ears as you tried to stop the alphas from snapping on each other.

It wasn’t that Kyoutani didn’t like or respect you, because he did-- you were like a second mom, but Kindaichi just got on every single one of his nerves. And then tried dragging you into it! Like, the audacity of this bitch.

“Kyoutani!” Your alpha’s bark had both the blond and raven pausing, a careful glance making both back down as Oikawa heading towards you guys (Throwing a pile of confession letters into the trash on his way by without even looking; some point they would get the hint if he left the blatantly in the open).

The blond growled lowly, sending you a quick glance before returning to practice. Oikawa let him, turning his glare to the instigator of the whole thing. The onion-headed pup hid behind your smaller frame, making your laugh.

It was almost like that moment when dad’s pulled out their ‘behave or else’ voice. And in a way it was.

“One of these days my pretty dove won’t be there to save you, Kindaichi.”

“I know.”

You and Oikawa sent a look to each before you laughed, moving so Oikawa and Kindaichi could have a ‘man to man’ talk.

The pack was dysfunctional, and you almost let it go.

You were thankful you didn’t and still had this family to come back home too. All thanks to your alpha.

“STOP MAKING GOO-GOO EYES AT YOUR OMEGA SHITTY-KAWA.”

“I can’t help it, Iwa- IWA STOP HITTING ME- Y/N HELP-”

You shook your head laughing, jogging to save said alpha.

He was childish and arrogant, and sometimes got too far up his own ass, but he was yours. And you wouldn’t have it any other way.

866 notes · View notes