#I want to reread chainsaw man but I have little time these days.....

[meownotgood]

working on a fic for a character besides aki has been extremely fun and rewarding, but in some backwards way, it has almost made my thoughts of aki even more insatiable. I miss him and I need him. saw a clip of his voice the other day and I was shaking. I need him to bend me over and show me who I really belong to

[girlfailure-smut-hour]

A Dinner Date with Aki

Nsfw content MDNI

CW: NSFW, Smut, GN!Reader, Aki X Reader, Oral (receiving and giving), Penetration (Receiving), Creampie, Overstimulation, Romantic, but kinda raunchy. Aki smokes.

A/N: Reread Chainsaw Man part 1 again and I was just thinking about Aki. Just, him, ya know? I wanted to write something a little more desperate and breathy. Something yearning. So here's a little dinner date with Aki where he makes curry and then rails you. ~1900 words.

Fic Masterlist <3

It took time, but he'd let you into his life. When you first met him he considered you a "frivolity" (which he was sure to tell you,) and Aki didn't have time for anything frivolous.

But eventually you worked your way in, as if you should have to work so hard for someone who so obviously needed just a little comfort. The vacant stare and bags under his eyes betrayed a world-weariness you wanted to ease, if only a little.

You knock on his door for a small date he'd planned. Nothing too special. A dinner and who knows what else. Aki didn't know how to have fun, but maybe one of these days you could teach him.

He answers the door in an apron and from inside the apartment you can smell his cooking. Delicious and hearty, if a little utilitarian. "I'm glad you could make it," he smiles, cocking his head to the side, his hair swishing as he does.

"I wouldn't miss it," you reply as he gestures you in.

"What's for dinner?" You ask.

"Curry. It's been simmering all day."

"I could smell it from out there," you say.

"Go ahead and sit," he replies. "I'll bring it out to you."

You take a seat and watch him as he scoops a bowl for each of you. You can admire his features from here. His thin fingers, handsome face, and strong but slender body.

He removes his apron before bringing the curry to the table. "I hope you like it."

"I'm sure it's delicious," you reply. "Thank you for cooking."

You take a bite and the warmth washes over you. Such a delicious and comforting meal. Seasoned perfectly, and not too spicy. You savor every bite. You cast little coy looks at each other. He looks away almost bashfully when your eyes lock.

When you finish eating, Aki stands and takes the dishes before brewing a pot of decaf coffee. After making each of you a mug, he heads to the patio for a smoke like usual.

He's not talkative, but that doesn't matter. You know what to expect by now. You set your chin on your hand and just watch as he puts the cigarette to his lips and stares quietly at the setting sun. The wind is blowing his hair gently as he takes a puff. You can admire his beautiful profile in the orange glow of the sunset. His lips slightly parting as his slender fingers bring the cigarette to his lips. If only you could be between his fingers, gently spreading his lips.

"You know," he begins. "I'm glad we met." He turns and beams a gentle smile at you. Enough to make your legs weak. You wonder if he caught you admiring him.

"Me too," you say and he just looks back out over the city, that vacant expression in his eyes again.

When he finishes his cigarette, he puts it out and opens the patio door for you.

"What now?" You ask. As you turn to him you can hardly react before he pulls you into a kiss. You tense up for a second from shock before giving into him. You breathe in deeply, getting that smell of cigarette smoke and aftershave. You put your arms around him and just melt.

He moves his hands downward toward your waist as you put yours on his face. The kiss grows more intense and passionate as it goes one, betraying how badly you crave him. You lose yourselves in the kiss for what feels like forever, feeling each other's bodies. Through his clothes you can appreciate his tight muscles.

After some time you pull away and look at each other. The two of you don't need words. Not right now. You both know what you want. He takes your hand and guides you to the bedroom. The sun paints thin orange lines through the cracks in the blinds. It's dim in here, but you can still easily see. Your heart is pounding as he guides you to the bed.

Slowly, he begins to remove your clothes. He starts with your top, pulling it over your head, then drifting his fingers gently across your skin until he reaches your pants. You can see him lusting over your body and you blush. He squats to undo the button and pull them down, rubbing his face along your thigh as he does. His face is surprisingly smooth against your leg. The sensation gives you a shiver.

After removing your underwear, he comes back up to kiss you. As your tongues wrap around each other again, you begin unbuttoning his shirt, getting sloppier and more frantic by the second. This boy needs to be naked now. You rip the unbuttoned shirt over his arms and move on to his pants. You start to unbutton them, but you notice his cock bulging against the fabric and take a moment to rub it through the fabric. He moans sweetly into your mouth.

You're fumbling with the button now and when you finally get it undone the zipper follows. You rip his pants away and then his boxers. His erection pops free of the fabric, bouncing a bit, and he pushes you to the bed.

As the backs of your legs hit the mattress your knees buckle and you fall, giggling as you land on the bed. Sitting up now as he stands, his cock is nearly eye-level. You lean forward and lick the tip and he tilts his head back in pleasure. You grin and thrust your head down onto his cock, pushing it all the way back to your throat and he moans out loudly.

"Fuck," he says. "You're good at that."

He thrusts his hips just a bit, as you choke on his hard length. You pull back for a second to catch your breath and twirl your tongue around the tip. You do this for a second before suddenly pushing your head all the way down again, feeling his cock fill your mouth. He moans so sweetly as you thrust his cock in and out of your mouth. He puts his hand gently on your head. He doesn't force your head down, but he pulls your hair away, and holds it tightly. The weight of his strong hands just makes you crave him even more.

You go to pull away, making a popping sound with your mouth as the suction breaks. He's looking down on you as he releases your hair and cups your cheek. After tying his hair up, he pushes you gently so your back is against the bed and starts to crawl up there himself. He's holding himself up over you now looking into your eyes. He leans back in for a kiss, but quickly moves from your lips to your neck where he licks and breathes heavily on you with a sort of animalistic desperation. Each kiss sends a little shiver down your spine.

He continues to place little kisses and licks down your body until he reaches your hips. He carefully licks around your groin without actually touching your genitals. Your breathing is getting rapid and erratic now and you're throbbing down there as he keeps teasing you. Every couple of licks, Acting like he's ready to move on before going to another spot. He looks up at you with a coy little smile. To show you that he knows what he’s doing.

When his lips finally touch down, it's heaven. All of that pressure he'd been building releases in one explosive moment. You writhe and squirm as he moves his tongue so effectively across you, breathy moans slipping past your lips, some of them surprising you with how loud you are.

With some of his saliva he slides a finger inside, then two, and starts to curl them up, hitting that particular spot that's going to get even louder moans out of you. He's looking up at you, moaning as he goes down on you. The added vibrations add a new intensity to the sensation, almost to the point of overstimulation. You can see a satisfaction in his eyes as you convulse underneath him. That, and his erection glistening between his legs, which you can tell he's eager to use.

Your moans are getting louder and louder as you feel an orgasm building. He puts a little more suction on and it pushes you over the edge. You grip the sheets, trying to muffle shrieks of pleasure as it washes over you. He pulls away and smiles, pulling his hair out of the topknot and letting it fall over his beautiful face.

In an instant he's leaning over you again. there's an almost intimidating look on his face. It would be scary if he weren't such a gentleman in bed. He quickly applies a little lube and presses his cock right up against you before it slips in. You gasp in pleasure as he grunts into your ear. You can feel his choppy breath in your ear and it sends shivers down your spine, elevating the sensation of his cock filling you.

You hold onto him as he fucks you, thrusting hard into you like his life depends on it. The sound of skin slapping echoes in his mostly empty room. The intensity of his thrusts reaches just the right spots, making you an incoherent, moaning wreck.

He's showing no signs of slowing down, even as sweat drips off of his nose and onto your face. Just when you think he might be getting tired, he braces his hands on your shoulders to hold you in place so he can rail you even harder. He breathes softly into your ear, panting and moaning in pleasure. His sweet voice fills your head.

"I'm going to come," you stutter between thrusts.

"Come," he says in his low, calm voice.

“Fuuuck,” You moan. Pleasure erupts in you once again, causing you to convulse as he continues to fuck you. You try to push him away, but it's no use. You can see it in his eyes; he has no intention of stopping. In fact, he likes the way you're squirming under him in overstimulation. He cracks a little grin as more sweat drips onto your face. You clutch him tightly, digging your nails into his back, but he won't stop.

You're getting close again, feeling him ram into you so hard, repeatedly.

"I'm going to come again," you say.

"Me too," he moans. He thrusts even harder a few more times and as you feel him throbbing inside of you, he looks into your eyes and says "Come for me."

You're gasping for breath as you come for the third time. You can feel his hot cum squirting inside of you, filling you even more. You clutch him tighter as he pumps into you. You're shaking and convulsing as he groans into your ear. He looks for a second like he might collapse, but he pushes a little further in, earning another gasp from you.

You push him away and laugh. "Aki stop, I can't take any more."

He smiles and slowly pulls out, causing you to gasp one last time. You're throbbing down there, and you can feel his cum slipping out. "Let's get you cleaned up," he says, offering you his hand. You take it and try to stand on your shaky legs. He smiles at you as he holds you up.

[captainaikus]

Oh ew the OF accounts and sex bots are completely getting out of hand. I haven’t been notified of any new followers but I don’t trust tumblr to do so. I’m have to gonna check on that soon 🙄🙄.

And seriously for what reason are people flagging down your works for like 😭😭?? It literally makes no sense??? Some people are so rude and mean and spiteful for no reason like. Do better or screw off unintentionally quoting Ego here I’m sorry that this happened to you, it really sucks.

Ever since break started I’ve been in a kind of limbo. It feels so surreal not having any work to do. I mean I do have basic chores to do today like the laundry and vacuuming and stuff but besides that it’s a free day. I am. Very very very. Temped to start reading the blue lock manga. I know I said I’d wait for the anime to finish but like I need something to do 😭😭. I was starting my first TR reread since the last chapter but I only got in 3 chapters before I started sobbing and I haven’t even gotten to Akkuns first death or met Mikey and Draken for the first time again yet. I’m gonna have to chunk my way through it while sobbing and taking so many breaks because I will seriously never recover from this manga. OH AND I LOVE CHIFUYUS BIRTHDAY ART. Wakui continuing to attest that yes takefuyu are still canon in the reset timeline. It’s such a relief for me because those two are my comfort duo 😭😭😭. I also want to finish Chainsaw Man soon. I stopped at around volume 9 because I’m broke and was reading it at the bookstore and all I can say is that this series is definitely getting a reread cause I love analyzing strange works and concepts. THE MAITAKE COVER ASJKGFJKHFFGGG. The way I screeched when I first saw it like. I love how you worded it, they literally look like royalty together UGH. Suffice to say that yes maitake fans has a field day with the cover of volume 31 😌😌. I cant wait for the inside cover to be revealed. My prediction/demand is that it’s gonna be then as children childhood-friends-to-lovers. But I guess we’ll see.

Anyways. How are you Belle? Doing better I hope? How’s uni? Oh and when does your winter break start? How’s life? Im so happy tumblr is being cooperative now and letting you see my tagged posts 😭😭. Sorry for the constant tagging tho, there’s just so much I wanna share and I see something and I’m like “oh I wanna show this to Belle” you know? Oh and im so glad you liked that Oliver drabble 🥹🥹. I’ve got another one in mind for him but this time it might be a little more ✨spicy✨ so stay tuned 👀👀😌. I hope you have a great day and that the caramel frappuccino tasted great!!! *sending many virtual hugs*

- ✨ anon

Istg- i got followed by accounts from Czechia and Carolina this morning. Alright, I made my pinned post of Gojo's OF account but this is a writing blog; not even an OF promotion blog (╥﹏╥) unless... i draw some stuff

Tumblr decided to not let me post my rant- so here’s what I had to say

I revisited my childhood with watching DBZ... (i knew i said i would start one piece but the gym bro-ness got the better of me and i started watching it) someone please explain why does Goku's voice sound... i don't know how to describe it. i was so shocked about his voice, i was planning on watching the dub instead cause of it *crying* Honestly, Wakui did a really good job with the cover. Even when I was reading mangas online - I was so awed by the covers of the manga and when TR was on its peak here, i saw a lot of spoilers for bonten mikey. I never liked mikey... but this made me change my mind. And they (like every cover character i saw up until the Brahman arc looked like royalty. Even hanma-) I'm doing well! Contemplating to change the blog theme for some reason. It's not gonna be aiku ofc- he gets 0 screen time cause he hasn't come back from italy and i am mad at him with part 1 to ocean hues I'm on my winter break actually and omw back home. Fifa knocked the wind out of me. I feel sad cause Mbappé played really well (and he was sad too when they lost), i literally went to go keep my plate and he scored in 97 seconds of the first goal T.T . But i'm also really happy for Argentina cause its the first time in 36 years since Maradona that they have won the Wc and i cried cause they were crying on the field not to mention the fact that Messi played in their team as well - so it was bittersweet ending but also very well deserved! And yes i am a football head I can't see you in my activity still (maybe your visibility switch is off? i'm not sure) but i do get the number on my activity and that's how ik that you're there (⑅ •͈ᴗ•͈ ) I actually don't mind being tagged! and I enjoy the things you have to show me as well ૮⸝⸝> ̫ <⸝⸝ ა (i saw some stuff where you tagged me- i'll be answering those soon, promise i'm not ignoring you ૮(˶˃ᆺ˂˶)ა ) I. absolutely. loved. the Oliver drabble ˃̵ᴗ˂̵. I still read it btw, cause it is absolutely precious. the deer headrest and the fact he wants to be a good boy made me go (๑✪ᆺ✪๑) did you say spicy 💀 *here lies Isabelle Aiku; beloved wife of Oliver Aiku who is unaware that he is married to her- * Starry you're gonna make me combust from the heat *sending back bear hugs*

*my man is so handsome (>﹏<) and yours is too*

[thetremblingroofbeam]

A Month of Watching Horror: Oct 2022

-Writing began in Nov but was never finished. presented here is an unfinished retelling of a period of severe dissociation.

It’s October second and i’m disassociating. the last year had entirely upended my life, and i was grasping for something to anchor myself around. the algorithm brought to me an idea, “31 Horror Films in October” and, determined to catch up, i embarked on a journey into a genre i don’t normally enjoy.

it starts in August. in the same week i get a new job, one that won’t be so hard on my recovering spine, and two days later my partner of 10.5 years breaks up with me while we’re walking our dogs. i go see Nope, my first movie in a theater alone in over 12 years. i think it has too many scenes, that they undercut each other, that they fail to fully coalesce. i really like it.

it’s Oct 2nd at 11pm. i put on Blade. she’s finally moving out, mostly, not really at all. i need something comforting and familiar to fill the empty space. i laugh my ass off at every fourth wall break, every wink, every exaggerated line. i love this movie, it’s one of my favorites.

i’m alternating between reorganizing what little hasn’t been taken and moving a new roommate in. i it’s all too expensive, and i’m exhausted. i’ve started a list of movies, comics, and games i think i want to check out. i see The Crow. i hadn’t watched that since i pivoted from hardcore to darkwave. it’s fine. i find it’s meditation on death/rebirth terribly ironic and crass.

one of the last shows we had started was The Sandman. i did not like it. i go back and reread the first volume. i read to 24 Hour Diner. what a brilliant and cruel piece of fiction. i empathize with the hurt, but find it’s shock fairly hollow. a theme i will discover.

i put on The Purge. my home, hollowed, emptied, a stark contrast to the invasion on screen. i eat orange chicken in bed and marvel at how weirdly accurate the political commentary is, how sharp it sees the rise of the fascist youth movement, and how it absolutely fumbles the way race is weaponized. a truly neoliberal film. i’m reminded of her recent descent into orientalism and how gross it is.

the house feels wrong. the dogs aren’t around. time is collapsing. Bruce Willis stews in a basement, unaware he’s a ghost, pining for his wife, two portraits of grief in tragedy, but also very campy and too focused on being witty. i don’t love The 6th Sense.

i need to move back in time. i need a classic. The Omen delivers. what a score. i’m fully distracted from my self for a few hours. reality hits like a brick when i go to text her how great it is.

hoping to find something with the spark of District 9 or Chappie, i put on Demonic. it’s bad.

it’s late 2021 i think. the pain in my back has caused time to dilate, i don’t remember it very well. i see a panel someone has posted from a manga called “Chainsaw Man.” i immediately read all of it. it’s September 2022, i start rereading it to prepare for the show airing. i love the journey of hard head Denji through this weird world of devils, hormones, and tragedy. i read it, and read it again. i love it.

i spent most of 2022 fighting the insurance company. they changed my team at the start of the year and suddenly i wasn’t getting any help. my back was slowly, finally getting better but they were closing the door on paying for the treatment. i didn’t have the energy to fight it and go back to work. Ilana spent most of the year inviting me to bars, knowing i couldn’t sit in the stools with my body in the shape it was in. it was the solidification of her neo-liberalism. a doomed solution offered is justification for failure. my new boss offers me one of her favorite Halloween classics, The Halloween tree. i watch it the same day as Chainsaw Man episode 1. it’s a very good day for animation. i start stretching on my own.

the list is almost solidified. i want to watch the “good stuff.” Rosemary’s Baby. i’m blown away. fuck you P*lanski, rot in hell. to the rest of that crew… you done damn did it. this movie lives rent free in my head.

i’m listening to a Stephen King podcast. i see Cronenberg did an adaptation of Dead Zone. i’m struck by how prescient it is, how it fears the radicalizing right, and the ways religion drives people to neurosis.

i’m inspired. Cronenberg Jr has a film about a scifi dystopian body jumping assassin. we have our first surprise banger, a movie that cuts straight into my grief and confusion and for a little while i watched something that helped me understand what was going on in my own head. i had put on a mask and fragmented myself and was fighting with every single breath to stay calm. the feeling of being fractured hasn’t left me.

we’re on fire, in a groove. i’m watching banger after banger and it’s so refreshing to experience. i briefly am feeling like there is a path forward. i move backwards in time and watch Vampyr. i am shocked at how much more experimental film was in its youth, and again reminded of how much i love a good camera.

this next one is hard. it’s a choke point. i’ve been fighting and fearing it for months now. how do i process this. how do i make this make sense. the last good memory.

we go to a double feature at a diy theater downtown. it’s my first time seeing Vampire Hunter D, which was an absolute mess of budget and writing. then we watch Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, one of the best animated films of all time and one of my all time favorites. everything is like it’s normal. we joke about how weird things have been. my back hurts and i feel estranged.

i spend the next day in severe pain. we’re keeping vampires rolling. i love vampires. A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night is not what i was expecting it to be. really was hoping it would have a little more bite.

[misterywaren]

My Chaotic Reread Of Cdth

I’m rereading Cdth and the emotional roller coaster I’m on has me going on Tumblr and ranting as a read, hopefully someone can relate.

SPOILERS!!!  MAJOR MAJOR SPOILERS!!  (Disclaimer: It’s long)

All quotes belong to Call Down The Hawk By Maggie Stiefvater!

Welcome to today’s session of “I’m a train wreck of a reading person”!

“Lock tapped the time of Nathan Farooq-Lane’s death into his phone.”   Pg 10

Dangerous dreamers, fun.  Killing your own sibling with an obsession with blades, so much fun.

“Ronan Lynch was about to end the world.”   Pg 11

Rereading this makes me laugh, it’s so funny that one POV is like “Oh no we have to find the Zed who wants to end the world asap” and meanwhile insert Ronan Lynch: I’m about to end the world.  Slow down Lynch, we’re only on chapter 2 and I haven’t had my sip of coffee yet.

“Ronan missed him like a lung” Pg 17

Idk man, this is what I call quality romance, if you don’t miss your lover like a lung you’re doing something wrong.

“Please.” Pg 32

If you know, you know.

“You smell like home.” Pg 35

My heart, awe

Okay, when RONAN DOESN’T MENTION NOAH, I HURT.  For real, I read those theories dhuiehuefhefuheui

““Don’t kill anyone.”  The words were only an excuse to breathe in Ronan’s ear; it made a marvel of his nerve endings.” Pg 39

ADAM YOU FLIRT-

*reads the fight-not a fight part* *closes book* *walks out the front door* we’re gonna buy Adam Parrish a cup of self-worth. (Pg 44)

“I want it too much.” Pg 46

....and murder crabs 

“Now who’s the little bitch?” Pg 73

Ah, yes, the moment I fell in love with Hennessy.

“Nightwash” Pg 76

Okay, ngl when I first read this my mind was like: mouthwash Now I’m like: The name is perfect 

“Is there any version of you that could come with me to Cambridge? No” Pg 76

jwhdjshsbhjfv 

“You are made of dreams and this world is not for you.” Pg 77

Oh you- ~ The text messages between Ronan and Gansey are wholesome

“DBAG LYNCH” Pg 87

*Cackles*

Chapter 12 really changed my perspective of Declan and let me tell you, I came out of this book wanting to hug the hell out of Declan- 

“Jordan imagined flinging herself from a roof and flying” Pg 101 

The moment I fell in love with Jordan ~ Parsifal- I- <3

“Bryde, they said” Pg 128

Meanwhile, my brain: Here comes the Bryde 

“The orphans Lynch.” Pg 135

*tears* ~ Declan and Jordan = Yes  (Pg. the whole book) ~ Tbh when Gasey asked if “Badass” was two words or one, I spent 15 minutes thinking about that- but that’s just Gansey, he says something, sends me to question mark nation and then monologues, love him. (Pg. 161) ~ OH MATTHEW YOU INNOCENT I’M SO SORRY FOR WHAT’S COMING FOR YOU- (Pg 160) ~ PARSIFAL T-T (Pg 166) Carmen...ah  (Pg 179) ~ Chapter 28: HOLD ON, HOLD ON ~ PARSIFAL T-T (Pg 195)

““I saved your life because I love you and I was scared [...]”  “I know you.”“ (Pg 204-206)

Yes, that’s all, yes ~ Tyrian purple (Pg 214) ~ YES DECLAN HAPPINESS, H A P P I N E S S (Pg 231) ~ *Insert Adam* *Insert Ronan* *Insert kisses* *Insert my happy tears* I’ll never tire of this scene, never, it’s so, you know? (Pg. 235-237) ~ *insert scrying* *insert scream* there has been a disturbance in the force *insert Ronan holding Adam* disturbance has been demolished (Chapter 39) ~ *insert Adam leaving* :( *insert Adam stalling* :D *insert Ronan feeling alone* :( *Insert kisses goodbye* :D  (Chapter 41)

“You are the most expensive thing I have ever saved” Pg 267

And this is the moment where I stared at the page for 5 minutes just loving this line ~ *Insert Ronan saving Hennessy* "THAT’S MY SON!” I yelled into the abyss/at my bedroom wall. (chapter 44) ~ *the matthew scene* You know the first time I read this I was in class and I was sobbing.  No matter how many times I read it, I die, can someone stop me from throwing myself out a window?  Please, it hurts. (Pg. 312) ~ *the matthew to ronan scene* Hahahaha haha ha *channels inner Neil Josten* I’m fine, totally fine, didn’t have my heart ripped out of my chest, NOPE (Pg. 316) ~ Chapter 56, I bow down to you, you’re amazing. ~ When Ronan said “my boyfriend” I screeched.  (Pg. 357) Ha..WERE GOING ON A TRIP TO OUR FAVOURITE MAGICAL FOREST, SOARING THROUGH DREAMS, IT’S GONNA BE FINE. (What am I doing?) ~ P A R S I F A L (pg. 364) ~ Declan “in case you don’t have internal organs” Lynch. (Pg. 371) Ouuu plot twist (Pg. 373) ~ Living for awkward Declan, you know? ~ Chainsaw and Opal, thank you for gracing me with your presence (Pg. 393) Give the girl some time Lynch, she’s scared (Chapter. 67) ~ (chapter 69) Sing it with me guys “Something good is happening, that can only mean we’re about to get our hearts broken! ay!”  THE PAINTINGS- Oh Declan, hun, you *hugs book* it’s okay, I’m sorry, I love you. ~ The dogs, yes Ronan, yess (pg. 428) ~

“Tamquam. It was marked unread.” -Pg. 458 

Ahahah, didn’t need my heart anyways ~ I reached the end and here I am again yelling at the book to give me answers and crying, it’s great to be alive. ~

Wow you’ve made it to the end (or you scrolled and scrolled and here you are, hello). Hope you enjoyed my rant and reread of this book, I’m a mess, I love this book so much. I loved The Raven Cycle as well and I can’t wait for the next book in this trilogy. Have a wonderful day and stay safe guys! *whisper hisses* MAY COME FASTER 

[treatian]

The Chronicles of the Dark One:  Breaking the Curse

Chapter 4:  And Your Enemies Closer

It turned out that whether Dove had wings or legs, he was still a remarkable asset. After his accomplice had left the shop, he had dutifully taken his bag of money into the back. He pulled out a thick black ledger off of one of the shelves and began to count the money. He worked on the books, just as he'd told Dove he would do, just as he always did. But this time, throughout the day, text message after text message came in. It began to paint a picture in his mind that made him smile with pride as he realized he was going to like this Emma Swan.

"Rumors are true," Dove wrote. "She was arrested earlier today for stealing Henry's file from Doctor Hopper's office. Mary Margaret Blanchard bailed her out. She cut down the tree branch after that. She's no longer welcome at Granny's, something about a 'no felon rule.'"

He'd barely had time to smirk at that convenient rule he was certain Regina had only just now decided to enforce when his phone buzzed with a picture notification. It was a picture of the apple tree outside the Mayor's office. Usually prim and elegant, it was obvious that one limb had clearly been hacked away by an ax or a chainsaw, perhaps. The branch lay on the ground along with a dozen or so apples scattered around it. The image nearly took his breath away. But this time, it wasn't because of Emma Swan, at least not entirely. It was because he'd seen that scene before, once a long time ago.

In the Enchanted Forest, in his original vision, he'd gotten a flash of Regina and the Swan, Emma, in clothes that were not of their land, facing off with one another. They'd stared one another down with hatred and determination in their eyes, two enemies, a villain, and a hero: the Cursemaker and the Cursebreaker. Behind them, in that vision, they'd been standing in front of a tree…an apple tree with a limb cut off.

As a chill swept through him, he crawled back through his messages and reread the part about Mary Margaret bailing Emma out of jail. Mary Margaret, Snow White. Mother and daughter had been reunited and maybe even formed some sort of bond somehow. He had no idea how or why, but he knew Mary Margaret. Here, the timid school teacher was shy and less than confident. She was a far cry from the queen and bandit she'd once been, no doubt by Regina's design. For Mary Margaret to want to do something like post bail for the woman who had stolen the files for the Mayor's son…that wasn't something she'd usually do. But it was interesting, so very, very interesting.

He knew what he had to do. He'd spend all day thinking about it. From the moment he'd gotten the picture from Dove, all the while he'd worked on the books and counted the money, even as he packed himself up to go home that evening and made a few adjustments to his shop. He'd come to the conclusion that he didn't need the Seer's help to break this Curse, that he didn't even need the voices of the other Dark Ones in his head. He could plan for the breaking of the Curse, he could navigate bringing magic to Storybrooke, but it was all going to start with one person: Emma Swan.

As if on cue, as he walked to his car that evening, he happened to spy Henry and Emma coming out of Archie's office, smiling together. The bug, Archie, personally saw them out, and they checked their watches. It was too early for Henry to be out of therapy, and as forgiving as Marco's friend the cricket was, he knew that Archie wouldn't have that look about someone who had really stolen the file. That meant that Emma and Henry spending time together was an action that was being sanctioned and encouraged by a man who always valued truth and honesty. And the fact that watches were checked…Archie wanted them back before Regina arrived and could find out.

That action alone was confirmation that he was about to make the right decision. In order for the Curse to be broken, sides would be taken, alliances would be formed, enemies made. He'd needed to choose his sides carefully in the Enchanted Forest, playing different sides to make sure the Curse was cast. Here, trying to break the Curse, it would be a lot easier. The vision he'd had in the Enchanted Forest made sense. Now, there was Regina's side, and there was Emma's side. Victory, this time around, would be found on Emma's side, and nowhere else.

As he watched the pair happily walk down the street, his eyes were drawn to the clocktower. Aside from the abandoned library, the sight of that still working clock lifted his spirits and his hopes. Whether she was currently capable of using magic or not, her arrival in Storybrooke had already worked some magic here. That magic was only going to grow. He wanted to be a part of it.

It was time for an allegiance change. That fact weighed heavier on him than he thought it would, but it was understandable. He'd trained Regina. He'd taught her everything she knew, relied on her, spent hundreds of years investing in her so that she'd cast the Curse and get him to where he was today. But now they were here; the Curse was cast. Now, his life had to be about breaking that Curse, or else he'd never be able to leave and find Bae. So yes, that meant it was time to change his allegiance. It was time to champion the Savior. It was time to start rooting for Emma Swan.

Once, he'd sought to ensure a terrible war between Snow White and the Evil Queen, and now he wanted to ensure one between the Mayor and the mother of her child. But this wasn't like crafting a war for Regina. This was creating a fight for Emma. He knew little about her, only having been in the room with her one time since she'd arrived, but the fact that she'd stayed and defaced the apple tree after Regina had her arrested and kicked out of her room at Granny's told him enough. She was fiery. She was strong and determined, and that was without whatever magical qualities she possessed. He'd known types like her before. The more support she had, the more she fought against Regina, the stronger she would get. So what was he to do?

Create support by creating unrest. Regina didn't have many friends here, he wasn't even convinced the Sheriff liked her, and he shared her bed, though he had no idea why he was sure. He had to foster hatred and fear of Emma in Regina. By doing that, Regina would push Emma. Emma would push back. The town would sense the war; they'd rally behind her, the Savior would grow stronger, the Curse would break. He could go find Baelfire.

And for that, he knew exactly what he had to do. He had to create instability for Regina. He didn't want Regina to know he had his memories, not yet…knowledge was power. But suspicion, on the other hand, was born of fear. And fear bred weakness. Weakness created instability.

With Regina assuming Henry was still at therapy, he knew right where to find her. He didn't make it into the Mayor's office at Town Hall; he didn't have to go that far. He smiled as he found her in the garden, tending to the tree that Miss Swan had defaced. The branch was gone, the apples picked up, the tree looking nearly perfect again. But the fact that Regina was the one tending to it…Emma had gotten under her skin. Beautiful.

"What a mess," he commented, alerting her to his presence.

"Not for long. What could I do for you, Mr. Gold?"

"I was just in the neighborhood. Thought I'd pop by. Lovely to see you in such high spirits," he stated before she could pick up on the fact that he never just "popped by," especially not to check on her, not unless he had something he needed or she needed of him.

As he circled her tree, Regina laughed. "Well, it's been a good day. I just rid the town of an unwanted nuisance."

He smiled. That was unlikely. In a way, he felt bad for Regina. If her wolf-spy was half as good as his bird-spy, then she might know that wasn't the case right now.

"Emma Swan. Really?" he paused, looking over the tree. Love her or hate her, that tree from their land did make the most delicious of apples. Probably second only to the apple that she'd fed her poor step-daughter once upon a time. He had an idea.

"Yes. I imagine she's half-way to Boston by now."

"Oh," he smiled, plucking one from the tree. "I wouldn't bet on that." Suddenly Regina turned, and the smile he'd heard in her voice gave way to darkness. "I just seen her strolling down the main street with your boy. Thick as thieves, they looked."

"What?"

"Perhaps you should have come to me," he suggested with a smile. Given their relationship, it was a suggestion in character for Mr. Gold, but if she happened to take the bait, he wouldn't regret it. It would give him an excuse to be closer to the situation. "If Miss Swan is a problem you can't fix, I'm only too happy to help. For a price, of course."

Regina chuckled. "I'm not in the business of making deals with you anymore."

He smiled as she turned from him. She really had made this all too easy. He wanted her on edge. He wanted her back to the Regina she'd been when she'd stormed into his shop after getting Henry because she'd figured out who or rather what his mother was. What ever happened to that fire, that knowledge and discomfort, he wasn't sure…but he wanted it back now. He wanted just a tease of it. And interestingly enough, Henry was the last deal she'd ever made.

"To which deal are you referring?" he questioned with perfect timing.

She turned back, her eyes wide, body trembling. He had a feeling that if he could hear her heart, it would have been pounding. Now she had fear. It wasn't much, just a hint. It was only a hint of what had been that might make her begin to question her power and this curse. "You know what deal."

"Oh, right. Yeah. The boy I procured for you." Her shoulders lowered in relaxation, and she turned back to her tree. She was relieved, and that meant it was the perfect time to stress her again. "Henry…did I ever tell you what a lovely name that was? How ever did you pick it?"

And there it was again. Tension. Just enough inflection in his voice to suggest he knew something, but not enough to confirm it. That was what he wanted. He wanted her to stay up late tonight, reliving those memories of panic from when she'd first gotten Henry, remembering what it felt like to think the girl was the Savior coming to break her curse. He wanted her to wonder if it was breaking and ask herself if the man she was talking to was Mr. Gold or her old tutor Rumpelstiltskin.

"Did you want her to come to town?" she questioned, rounding on him, her voice raised in exactly what he wanted to hear. Panic. "You wanted all this to happen, didn't you? Your finding Henry wasn't an accident, was it?"

He kept himself in check, showing not a trace of the curiosity and surprise on his face as he looked her over. They'd had this conversation before. Not exactly word for word, but close enough. She hadn't gotten answers from him then because he really hadn't known, he was cursed, and it was fate intervening on his behalf. But she…she should know. Why didn't she know?

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Where did you get him? Do you know something?"

"I have no idea what you're implying."

"I think you do," she bit back. "Who is this woman, his mother, this…Emma Swan?"

He smiled, suddenly feeling breathless and unable to hide the joy he found in her statement. If she was asking again, then she didn't know. Dammit. He was right. She did have magic. She'd used it on herself all those years ago, to erase the information from her mind. That was how she'd been able to raise Henry all these years without fear of his birth mother. That was why she'd stopped panicking after she'd come into his shop! His previous suspicions were confirmed. He had to be careful then. If she had magic and he didn't, he needed to tread very carefully. He might have already given away too much.

"I would say you think you know exactly who she is," he answered mysteriously. It was a statement that could easily go two ways. It could be translated that he assumed Regina had figured Emma Swan out already, judged her early on, and knew what she was dealing with. Of course, it could also be translated that if she was fearful that it was Snow White's daughter, she might want to act on that instinct. And he was happy to leave it at that.

"I really must be going," he turned to leave, but with his limp, he'd barely gotten a step in before Regina appeared in front of him again, cutting him off.

"Tell me what you know about her!"

Panic. That was good. Panic was good, but knowledge was bad. Panic kept her in a state of confusion, which would only serve him in the future. It meant that she wouldn't attack Emma directly because there was no proof that she was the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. He wanted her to suspect but not to know. But maybe, a bit more suspicion…what was that deal they'd made back home?

"I'm not going to answer you, dear," he responded, giving her a hint that he might have known something more than he was saying. "So I suggest you excuse me. Please."

And there it was. He felt something shift in the air between them, something sizzle. Magic. The curse upholding itself and sparing magic to make sure the deal they made was upheld. And from the looks of it, Regina sensed it too. The drop of the jaw, the flush of her cheeks. It was just enough that it scared her. It made her question whether or not he remembered and whether or not it was because of Emma. He took a bite of his apple and moved around the Mayor. She didn't follow, didn't ask any more questions.

And he smiled to himself as he tossed the apple over his shoulder and left her with a head full of suspicions and fear.