#I've risen from the ground!

[and-fishing-equipment]

i've started reading tvl and no amount of posts telling me there's a "huge tonal shift" could have prepared me for this HUGE TONAL SHIFT this is the funniest fucking thing i've ever read it genuinely goes like:

louis, narrator of iwtv: as i wandered the streets of paris, i wished most of all for death. i had called to god, to satan, anyone, to find meaning in it all. but for an evil creature such as myself there is no place in this world. there can be no love where this evil lies. it was as though a veil separated me from all that could be good and righteous. i did not deserve to love and be loved in return, not by claudia, lestat, armand. to attempt it would be a sisyphean task, a fools tale. and yet...... the need for hole from armand was so great. greater was only the need for........ living human blood.

lestat, narrator of tvl: hey guys, my name is lestat, you may know me because i'm really hot and sexy. english isn't my first language so sorry if i make any mistakes!! okay here's my story: after rotting beneath the earth for decades, my hot and sexy body has finally risen from the ground. i used to be depressed, but now i'm slutting it up again in the 20th century! first thing i did was get some (hot and sexy) new clothes and then wore them while riding my (hot and sexy) motorcycle and listening to bach on my sony walkman. while i was watching this super niche indie film (you've probably not heard of it) "apocalypse now" i realized that i'm so evil that i shouldn't exist. but then i realized what could make me deserve to live on this planet: rock n roll music.

[pers1st]

can't quit you - alexia putellas x reader

pairing: alexia putellas x reader

warnings: bit suggestive, angst but happy ending

Taking a quick breath in after sleepily glancing at your phone to check the time, you shoot up in the bed that is not yours, next to the body that is not your dog's, whipping around. Your head drops as you get ever so dizzy, and you hit the nightstand next to the bed with a loud bang.

"Ow", you wince, holding your forehead tightly and pressing against it, as if that would help your pain in any way.

"Joder", a soft voice mumbles next to you as you push the covers back, revealing your still naked body. Usually, it would be dark when you left Alexia's bed, but by now, the sun had risen and you were late.

Fuck.

"Get up", you instruct her as you crawl out of the warmth of the bed, hastily gathering the clothes you'd left on the floor last night.

"Ale, we have training." The blonde is still laying in bed, the duvet cover all the way up to her nose as she shields herself in comfortability. She doesn't react to your words.

"Ale, we're late", you huff as you pull your sweatpants on. At that, the seemingly unconscious body shoots up, banging her head the same way you had.

"¡Joder!", she curses as she mimics your actions.

It's been two months since you last spent a night in Alexia's bed. Your relationship was a long and stable one, and when you broke the news to your teammates, every single one of them was shocked.

You and Alexia, however, weren't. Despite the two years you called yourself her girlfriend, the both of you agreed that it was time to call it quits. Time to go back to being friends. You let yourself become too comfortable, and, along with it - clingy. The two of you could never be apart, and you both know that it wasn't beneficial for you or Alexia individually.

Still, you know that, no matter what happened, you can always count on Alexia, and so the breakup felt less like a stop in your relationship and more like a shift. That's how you found yourself in her bed after a team night out, and then, just a month ago, the two of you silently agreed that whatever this was - it was okay. You had, after all, agreed to remain friends (with benefits, it seemed).

But the golden rule of it all seems to be that you don't stay over. You and Alexia agreed to spend time apart, to be on your own, and although it included late night calls and (sometimes drunken) hookups, you didn't sleep over anymore. You didn't wake up in her arms anymore. Until today.

"Ale, I don't have any training clothes", you sigh, the realization dawning on you that of course, you didn't pack an overnight bag. Why would you? You never stay over.

"So? Wear mine", Alexia shrugs, throwing a pair of shorts into your face. You duck away quickly and watch as the fabric gets caught on the lamp.

"Yeah, sure", you chuckle.

"You go to training, I'll be there once I've driven by my house."

"But that'll mean more extra laps, no? Just wear mine", Alexia huffs, seemingly unbothered by your problem. It's, however, not as easy as it used to be.

"I can't, Ale. We're not together anymore, we don't share clothes, we don't fucking fall asleep together!"

You didn't notice your voice raised until Alexia raises her eyebrows at you, wincing ever so slightly.

With her still looking at you like a deer caught in headlights, you grab your keys from her wardrobe and leave her behind, not caring to say goodbye.

Your ex-girlfriend confuses you. How does she not see the problem? How does she not see the gravity that comes with the night you spent at her flat? How does she not understand the problems this causes?

You huff in annoyance as you walk towards your car, knowing that you'll be running laps for a good half-hour after training, seeing as officially, you were supposed to be there five minutes ago. With the extra ten minutes it took to go home, and the fifteen minute drive to the training grounds, you know that Jona will have a very stern talk to you. The only hope you can cling onto is that Alexia is already there, and the fact that no one notices how weird it is for the both of you to be late on the same day, when you usually never are.

Jona's words are harsh, but they are nothing you can't handle. Alexia already finished her laps during training, it seems, as she is not with you while you round the pitch over and over again. With only two laps left, you speed up slightly, not noticing the figure sat on the bench before you finally come to a stop, reaching for your water bottle.

Keira raises her eyebrows at you silently as you take greedy gulps. It's not a particularly warm day, but the sun is beaming down on the pitch as if it is Summer and the excessive running left you dry.

"What happened? You're never late."

You know by her tone that she is hinting at something, but you shrug as the two of you begin walking towards the building.

"My alarm didn't go."

It's a lie. You didn't even set an alarm, with how exhausted you had been last night. Keira wants to say something else, you can sense it in the way she keeps looking at you and then back down, but you don't urge her to, because you don't want to hear it. You don't want to hear anything, really. You didn't speak a single word to Alexia during training, dodging her every time you were asked to partner up and not cheering her on the way you usually did.

Even now, as you joined Keira for lunch in the cafeteria after a quick shower, you lead your friend to the table furthest in the back, away from everyone else. She doesn't mind, though, instead yapping to you about everything and nothing. Aitana joins you halfway through your meal, and you quickly become the third wheel, though you can't exactly complain. Your head is dangerously close to exploding, with the speed that thoughts are racing through your head.

Maybe sleeping with Alexia after the breakup has been a bad idea. After all, you split because it seemed impossible to spend time away from each other. With the excuse of remaining "friends", you still partnered with her every time, made conversation with her about everything and nothing, ended up in her bed every evening just to escape mere minutes later and pretend nothing happened. It's a vicious cycle, and it needs to stop. And that realization is what's bothering you the most. The fact that you need to stop. The fact that you actually need to be apart from the woman you still love so dearly.

You don't notice Keira and Aitana already left until a new body appears in front of you. Glancing up, you find the one person you didn't wanted to see.

"Estas bien?", she asks, looking down at your full plate. Feeling nauseous all of a sudden, you declare your lunch finished and throw your wet hair over your shoulder.

"Sí", you mumble as you rise from your seat, beginning to walk to the tray of dirty dishes.

"Estas segura?"

"Sí, Ale", you huff, reaching around her to discard your plate.

"Okay", Alexia shrugs. "Are you coming over tonight?"

You shake your head, looking at her with a stare that, admittedly, she doesn't deserve. Alexia isn't the catalyst of this problem, anyways. It was the both of you who made this decision, silently agreeing on a plan that now seemed so foolish. How did you expect to spend every night with her, not allowing yourself to be embraced by her warmth and love, and not fall for her all over again? Alexia agreed to the breakup. She is okay with the two of you not being together again. So, why the hell aren't you?

"No, I can't tonight", you reply, though it is a total lie. You don't have plans at night, ever, because you always know where you'll be. Where you would have been. If the two of you were still together.

"Okay", Alexia says, though it sounds more like a question. You can't seem to stand in her presence for another second, as you bid her a quick, cold-hearted goodbye only to sprint away from the cafeteria and to the locker room to gather your bags and speed home.

Alexia and you agreed. You need to be alone. And you need to practice it, now that you can't drag yourself into her arms again. There is no space for you anymore.

You can't seem to sleep on your own. Before, you were so worn out from Alexia's persistence to wreck you in every possible, leaving you in a sleep so deep the only thing to get you to stir was your shrieking alarm. Now, though, you fall into bed with a thousand thoughts rummaging through your head, and you lie awake for hours, watching the sun set, watching the sun rise, all while tossing and turning around, desperate to find rest.

It's not difficult for the team to catch on. You sweat off every bit of concealer meant to hide the shadows beneath your eyes, and your movements are slow - hazy, almost. Your performance is average, at most, and no one had ever seen you perform averagely.

Alexia notices too - at least you hope, because there is no way she can just forget about you, is there? She watches you curiously, but she never says a word about your piss poor sprints, your late passes or weak shots.

Even Jona seems hesitant to say something - and that is what you're left with. Everyone looking, no one asking. Everyone noticing, no one checking. The whole situation is beginning to drive you insane - Alexia is starting to drive you insane. Though she is not the culprit of this, you can't help but feel your heart wither away every time you look at her and feel just a little bit of anger. This isn't how you want to feel about the woman you loved for such a long time.

It takes you exactly a week to end up in her bed again. Alexia doesn't ask why you are behaving the way you are, and she doesn't react to your hesitation to come over to hers again, which makes you crave her even more. You're a bit like a child, when it comes to these things. You always seem to want what you can't have, to want what doesn't want you. Her head just peeks up from between your thighs as you lean back into her cushions, eyes hazy and head spinning. Alexia is so, so good to you. The anger is long forgotten, at this point.

"Estas bien?", she asks the way she always does, and it causes you to chuckle.

"Sí, Ale. Muy bien", you huff, as she lays down next to you gently, her own body covered in beads of sweat. You push yourself up from the mattress with the last bit of strength you have left, gently straddling her lap as you lean down to capture her lips in another kiss. Realistically, you are worn out, at this point. You've been in Alexia's bed for hours, and the both of you are likely satisfied. But it is so hard to leave.

She chuckles into your lips, intertwining the both of your hands with hers as you finally steal another kiss from her.

This- it felt oddly domestic. There was a softness in her eyes that you haven't seen- or potentially just not noticed, since the two of you broke up. It makes you stop in your tracks.

"What's wrong?", she asks as you lean back on her lap, looking at this glint in her eyes that completely captures you. You can't describe it, but this feels so right- being here, in her bed, being on top of her, laughing, kissing, sharing intimacy, the look in her eyes as she gazes at your every inch, that it feels entirely wrong. These moments are over. Your relationship is over. You have to remind yourself, again and again.

"I should go", you huff silently, pressing one last kiss to her lips before climbing off of her. You almost whimper at the loss of contact, but you rise to your feet anyways, searching for your clothes on her wooden floor.

"You could stay." Alexia sits up, patting the spot next to her as she looks at you, following your every movement with her eyes.

"No, Ale. I should go", you remind her, and remind yourself, and pull your hoodie over your head.

"I'll see you tomorrow?", you ask, though it is a given. The two of you always see each other at training.

"Will you partner with me for passing?", she asks back, a chuckle on her lips.

"Why? Miss me already?"

You only catch the meaning of what you said by the time you are in her hallway, and you pull the door of her apartment close a little harsher than expected. Alexia doesn't miss you. The both of you know it.

It seems like a vicious cycle that the two of you are caught in. Every time you decide to put some distance between the two of you, it leaves you craving her even more. It almost feels like an addiction you are so badly trying to break, but you relapse every time, soaking in every second you can spend in her arms. You go over to hers a few times, indulging the attention she gives every inch of you, and then you leave her high and dry, the wall between you rising again as you dodge her during training and outside of it.

Just last night, you were in Alexia's arms, letting her take care of you the way she always does, letting her kiss every inch of you until there was nothing left and the two of you were breathless.

Today, you didn't speak a single word to her.

Unable to stand the silence in your apartment, you asked Keira to join you for dinner at home, after texting Alexia that you couldn't come tonight.

Alexia, obviously, doesn't seem to believe you as she knocks on your door furiously, all the while Taylor Swift is echoing off the walls of your kitchen quietly, with Keira sitting on the countertop, stirring the pasta every now and then. It is dark in Barcelona already, and just twenty four hours ago, you were with Alexia. Still, she is the last thing you expect when you open the door.

She is dressed in sweats, but she still looks so good. It takes you a second to actually recognize her presence.

"Alexia, I have-"

a guest.

That's what you intended to say, but the woman pushed past you already, barging through your apartment.

"We need to have a talk", she declares as she strides through your hallway. You only manage to catch up to her by the time she has noticed Keira, who looks between the two of you questioningly.

"You, out!", Alexia points to the door as Keira shakes her head, a grin on her face.

"But we haven't had dinner yet!", she protests with a chuckle, but at seeing Alexia's stern face, which isn't kidding in the least, she looks at you, pleadingly.

You shrug. No one disagrees with Alexia.

"Wow, just kicking me out? I'm hungry, you were supposed to feed me! I can't believe this", she mumbles as she pushes herself off the countertop, shaking her head in disbelief as she walks past you.

"I hope your food burns!", she yells from the hallway when Alexia sits down on the couch and you go to turn the stove off. The door crashes closed with a loud bang.

"That wasn't nice", you point out to your ex-girlfriend. Alexia is strict when it comes to football, but outside of the sport, outside of the captain-responsibility, she is the sweetest teammate, friend, girlfriend. Her behavior towards Keira makes you sense the gravity of whichever conversation she is going to have with you, and it makes anxiety tingle in your stomach.

"Sit with me", she orders, though it sounds more like a question when she looks at you and you can see the slightest bit of doubt in her eyes. Along with that softness. That glint.

You are next to her within seconds.

"Y/N, I need to know. If we are friends or not- I can't do this hot and cold", she starts, and the vulnerability in her voice makes you shudder. You didn't know that this affected her at all, she never voiced any complaints, but the way she looks at you makes you realize that this whole situation had nagged her more than she admitted.

"Why did you agree to this- whatever, if you don't want it?", you ask, not knowing how else to describe the situation, curious to know what she is asking of you. Does she not want you to come over anymore? Does she want you to be over every night?

"Because I can't..."

You allow her the time to search for whatever word she is looking for, knowing that she always struggled with English.

"Quit you. I can't quit you, and seeing you, holding you, if you are in my bed I can convince myself that this isn't real, that we didn't break up", she mumbles, her voice barely above a whisper but loud enough for you to hear. She spins your head.

She agreed to the breakup. She agreed that it would be best for the both of you when you first opened the conversation of how dependent you felt on her. In truth, the realization of how much you love Alexia had only hit you when every footballer had suddenly gotten engaged, and you realized that all you wanted was to marry Alexia. The thought was scary, and it sent you into a rabbit hole for a bit, wondering silently whatever you were going to do with yourself when Alexia decided that this relationship just didn't work anymore. Now, as you look at her, you realize that it's foolish. Calling dibs on the breakup was your worst idea yet. But Alexia agreed.

"But you- you agreed, when I broke up with you. You wanted the breakup", you look at her with a questioning gaze, lingering on the freckles on her cheeks.

"Because I don't want to hold you back, amor. If breaking up with me is what you need then I'll try to survive, somehow. But that doesn't mean I want it."

At that, you throw yourself into Alexia's arms. How have you been so stupid? How have you hurt the one and only person you have ever, truly loved, just because you were scared?

You sense Alexia's hesitancy, but after a few seconds, she wraps her arms around you, pulling you even deeper into her chest. You can feel her heartbeat, and smell her perfume, and it makes you question how you have survived the past months without being hers. Her arms feel so familiar, so comforting, that you crave nothing more than to be here - in her embrace - forever.

"I only broke up with you because I was scared. I was so scared of you ever leaving me, and-"

Alexia interrupts you.

"I could never. I could never quit you, amor. You are stuck with me forever", she mumbles into your hair as she gently rocks the two of you from side to side, her arms never loosening around you. You chuckle at her choice of words, though you do admit it is somewhat fitting.

"You'll never quit me?", you ask, a slight smile on your lips as you pull back slightly. At that, she only tightens her arms around you.

"Never. I will never quit you."

notes: this is literally horrible

[mabelstone]

I Could Be Yours

hozier x f!reader

part one of lullabies <3

hi i have risen from the dead... new matt stone will be coming soon i promise!! i've just become infatuated with hozier recently so i had no choice but to devote a new fic to him <3

i didn't proof read because it's bedtime, i will fix tomorrow if there's any errors!! soz

cw: none really... just a shitty boyfriend and drinking. still 18+

word count: 3.5k

“That’s your man, ‘uh?” The deep voice behind me made me jump, forcing me to peel my eyes from Joe and the leggy blonde he was laughing with.

“Stop doing that!” I gasp, clutching a hand over my chest, jokingly punching Andrew in the arm. “But yes. That’s him,” I sigh, wanting to cut the conversation before it had a chance to start. Andrew was far too friendly to be talking to my walking storm cloud of a boyfriend.

“I didn’t know his sister was playing tonight,” he confessed casually, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt. “Which one is she?”

“He doesn’t have a sister,” I shake my head, quirking an eyebrow at the human tower before me. “Where’d you hear that?”

“Huh?” He played dumb, though a soft pink blush tinted his cheeks, looking like he wished he could eat his words.

“Where did you hear that?” I repeated, the room suddenly too hot for comfort, despite Joe's protests that I was dressed like a 'tart,' in his words.

“I’m sure I misheard, hearing’s a bit shot,” he lied through his teeth, and he must be a fool to believed I'd let him play it off.

“Andy," I faced him now, trying to force him to meet my eyes he was so desperately avoiding. "Who did he say that to?”

“That woman,” his voice sounded pained, as if he were almost ashamed to tell me. He was too smart, he could read me, and if anyone could read the room, it was him. I just went quiet, his warm calloused hand placed on my shoulder, feeling like it might burn a hole in my dress. “You deserve better,” he professed sincerely, pulling that horrid face at me, the type you pull when you feel really sorry for someone.

I huffed some pathetic excuse of a response, forcing my eyes to the ground. There seemed to be a magnetic pull, forcing my eyes back to Joe, hurting my own feelings again and again. I can’t recall a time he’d ever looked that interested in me. Not unless he was trying to bed me, which was usually after a stressful day at work or after a massive fight.

“If you were my girl, every man and their dog would know. You’re too good for him,” his voice was warm, like being pulled from a frozen over lake and straight into an oven. His Irish brogue more apparent than ever, and I cursed myself for the way my heart leapt in my chest.

He just slipped past me onto the stage for his set, unaware that he just made me feel nearly every emotion in the span of two minutes.

“That’s not even a real job,” Joe scoffed, shaking his head indignantly like he always did, as if everyone were beneath him. He’s always looked down at others for as long as I’ve known him. His Napoleon Complex makes him feel like he’s six foot eleven, when in reality, I barely have to tilt my head to kiss him.

I bit my cheek to suppress an angry concoction of insults, swallowing it down and opting for, “so my job isn’t a real job?”

“Babe,” he groaned, one soft hand slipping off the steering wheel onto my thigh. “You know that’s not what I meant. It’s just not very manly, is all. He should be doing something that’s not just for chicks.”

“He’s a carpenter, actually,” I lied, arms barricaded across my chest as I tried to focus on the London Bridge we were rolling over. “Manly enough for you?”

“Could you relax? Jesus Christ…” he pulled his hand from me quicker than he placed it there, sighing emphatically. “You gettin’ your period or something?”

“No!” It was my turn to scoff now, turning to face him. His stupid face was contorted like it always was, as if he’d smelt something rotten. “You’ve hurt my feelings, Joe.”

“Oh, everything hurts your fucking feelings,” he seethed, hooking a turn so sharp I just about fell into the driver’s side. I muttered under my breath, gripping onto the handle at the top of my door, as it was highly likely I was going to need it for the rest of the trip. That’s my Joe. Sickly sweet when you first meet him, then cold and sharp when he drops the act. “I don’t know how much longer I can put up with this shit.”

“Excuse me?” I straightened up, my stomach twisting in that familiar nauseating knot.

“You. Your shit,” he rolled his eyes for what felt like the thousandth time, turning his head to me, deadpan. “Constantly starting arguments, whining about everything. You’re exhausting me.”

Then the rest of the entourage strides in on cue. The searing pain in my throat, the tears prickling into my eyes. The shame and embarrassment that pummel me like waves in a storm. Oh, God, the embarrassment. I feel my cheeks glow red, and suddenly the chill of late Autumn is comparable to a sauna, and there’s not enough air in the passenger side to satiate my lungs.

“Don’t cry,” he groans again, refusing to look at me again. And suddenly, I’m twelve again, trying to cry silently in my father’s car. Sigmund Freud would be laughing in his grave right now. “I’m sorry," he sighs, reaching for my leg again. I jerk away. "Shouldn’t have taken it so far.”

Though his apologies are just words at this point. I’ve walked this road too many times to not know any better. The rest of the ride home is silent, my knees pressed into the passenger door, trying to focus on anything but the fact that I will probably never leave. I will board this train wreck until he beats me down to nothing.

"He just has this weird infatuation for you. A blind man could see it," he tsked, shaking his head as if it were my fault. "And you just egg him on. He's a proper knob."

"He's the knob? What'd you think of your sister's set, hm?" I seethed, silently letting the tears fall as if I were in some sappy drama.

We didn't speak for the rest of the night, Joe slamming his car door, storming inside to lock himself in our bedroom. I washed my face in the kitchen sink and fell asleep on the couch in the small hours of the morning.

Joe didn't come to my show tonight, opting for the local pub with his work mates. I can't lie and say I was upset about it. Another thing I couldn't lie about is how Andrew's words played on a loop in my head for the rest of that night and all day today. I know he was just saying it to comfort me, but is it sad that I've never been so flattered?

"Hey," I smiled, the condensation from my breath hanging between us as I walked up to Andy. “Thought you were quitting.”

He was leaning against the brick wall outside the bar, a halfway smoked cigarette to his lips. He looked nice tonight. His usual unruly curls framing his face so perfectly, two layers under his dark denim jacket. He grinned infectiously as always, never once tearing his eyes from mine as he shrugged, “I’m no quitter.”

“Shut up,” I groaned, finding my spot beside him, now pressing my back to the cold bricks.

“So, where’s Jake tonight?” Now his eyes were fixed on the busy street before us, his arm brushing mine each time he’d put the cigarette to his lips.

“It’s Joe,” I corrected with an eye roll, though there was no malice in my expression. “And he’s watching the game with his mates. We’ve barely spoken since last night.” My heart ached a bit at the reminder of what he’d said to me on the drive home. You’re exhausting me. If his wish was for me to rethink the past five years, he certainly got it.

He gave me that pathetic poor you look again. "Come on. I'll buy ya' a drink. I insist."

"Who am I to deny you?" I grinned, following close behind him as he stubbed his cigarette out under his boot, holding the bar door open for me.

He ordered himself a whiskey on the rocks, a coconut margarita for me. We slid into a small booth at the back, the walls practically vibrating from the drunken chatter and the obnoxious drum solo on the stage.

"She's busy tonight, eh?" He half shouted across to me, leaning over his drink.

"I know, right? I've never seen the place like this," I agreed, taking in just how alive the atmosphere was tonight. "Remember me when you're famous."

"You're not easy to forget. You remember me!" He grinned at me, taking a large swig of his drink. I couldn't tear my eyes from his Adam's apple bobbing with each sip, his eyes dark in the dim lighting. I felt extreme guilt, forcing my eyes anywhere but his direction.

He must've sensed it. This man could read me like a book. Thankfully, he steered the conversation smoothly, "what're you playing tonight?"

"Oh, no. I'm not singing tonight," I shook my head, polishing off my drink in a sip a little bit too big for my mouth. "Want another drink? My shout."

"Why aren't you singing?" He ignored me, pulling a face that screamed, are you mad? "If there's any night for it, it's tonight."

"Honestly, I just want to get pissed and be the observer for once." I smiled sweetly, hoping he couldn't see through the facade. "What're you singing then?"

"An original," he smiled coyly, eyes faltering.

"Oh, Andy! How exciting," I cheered, genuinely happy for him. He'd shown me some of his poetry, and with such a beautiful voice, there's no possibility he could go wrong. "You're going to blow the roof off. This calls for another drink."

"As you wish," he grinned, holding eye contact as he finished off his glass, the faintest pink tinge to his cheeks.

When I made my way back to the table, my heart sunk a bit when I saw a girl leaning against our table giggling, tucking thick red locks behind her ears. He was laughing too, body language practically begging for more. I might be exaggerating. Why did I even care? I am in a committed relationship.

Funny, he looks just as amused as Joe did last night.

I made my way to the table, sliding his drink to him.

"Hi, I'm Harper," she smiled wide, a beautiful array of pearly teeth on full display.

"Lovely to meet you. Y/N," I smiled back, unable to look at Andrew. "I'm gonna go watch the show. I'll leave you to it."

I turned my back just as he was about to protest, sipping at my drink as I kept my word, finding a seat before the stage. I couldn't really focus on the music though, my mind reeling over what Joe was up to. He hadn't even texted or calls. His location was off too. I grabbed another couple drinks, bumping into Andrew when I made my way back to the stage.

"Y/N," he reached for my arm, a sincerely apologetic tone to his voice. "I'm sorry for earlier, that was rude."

"No it wasn't," I replied a bit too quick, brushing off the apology. "You're single, you can do whatever."

"I meant having someone at our table," shit. Was that the wrong thing to say? Their margaritas are always too strong. "I was enjoying just having you and I time."

"No worries, there's always next time," I smiled sweetly, though really, I just wanted to get in the nearest cab, pack all my shit at home and move back to Bristol. "You're nearly on! I'll be front row." I turned away again, finding my way back to the nice girls I made small talk with earlier.

Sure enough, Andrew was up within the next fifteen minutes. The announcer, somewhere hidden backstage spoke, "please give your warmest welcome to our absolute favourite, Andrew Hozier-Byrne!"

He walked onto the stage, acoustic guitar hanging from his neck as he awkwardly made his way onto the stage, adjusting the microphone to his height as he did each night.

"Ehm, this song is called I Could Be Yours," he offered a tight lipped smile to the crowd, a few cheers heard here and there. "Thanks guys."

I couldn't help but grin at his shyness, the complete opposite of how he was with me.

I could be soft and sweet, I could be hard and loud.

I could be everything you'd ever need somehow.

Why don't you hear me sing out from the lost and found,

I could be yours, I could be yours, I could be yours.

He seemed to be scanning the crowd, probably for Harper, meanwhile all eyes were on him, basking in his glory. As if he were rain in a drought, not a single soul in the audience not mesmerised by his syrupy voice. Myself included, wide eyed, the epitome of awe.

Why don't you try on me? Why don't you take me home?

I'll match the colour scheme of your bedroom walls.

Oh, take a dose of me, it doesn't hurt at all.

I could be yours, I could be yours, I could be yours.

His skilled fingers danced along the strings, his eyes, when not scanning the crowd focused on his measured movements. To say I was moved was an understatement. His voice thick and sweet as honey, his eyes shining under the stage lights, the hypnotic effect he had on the crowd. Unlike anything I had ever experienced.

Then his eyes found mine. It was almost like nothing existed in the same realm as him and I. Just us.

Oh God, I'd benefit from your sweet tenderness.

Oh, thank God, it could've been, 'cause nothing comes from it.

That'd be a helpful thought if I could remember it,

but I could be yours, I could be yours, I could be yours.

"Thanks," he nodded awkwardly to the crowd, eyes leaving mine as he did the stage, the audience cheering and clapping.

I couldn't put into words the feelings I felt if you held a gun to my head. No doubt my eyes glistened back at his, tears of joy swimming at my waterline, completely estranged from last nights'.

"He was looking right at you!" One of the women I'd met shouted over the cheers, shaking me by the shoulder. I just hummed some response, smiling and beelining for the exit.

The bite of the outdoors was a stark comparison to the warmth of the bar, my nervous system seeming to reset instantaneously. I pulled out my phone and checked the time. 8:45pm. I told Joe I wouldn't be home til midnight and not to wait up for me.

It was wrong to feel this way about Andrew. He was my friend. I had Joe. Even if we had our rough patches.

My phone buzzed wildly in my hand, and when I checked the caller ID, I nearly didn't pick up.

I sighed. "Hello?"

"Hey," Andrew spoke loudly over the drunken chatter, a few good one mate, and, good on ya's here and there. "Where'd you run off to?"

"I, uh, had too much to drink," I lied through my teeth, kicking at the gravel beneath my feet. "I'm just heading home."

"Oh..."

"I'm out the front," I piped up, not wanting him to think he caused this. Or that I was running away. Because I was not. Right?

He hung up and shortly after, his tall figure emerged, his shadow reaching me before he did.

He opened his mouth to speak, but I beat him to it. "Great song, Andy. Really beautiful." I meant it.

"Oh, yeah. Thank you," he smiled, looking down at his boots. "How're you getting home?"

"I was gonna get a cab, or an Uber, or something." I shrugged, acutely aware of how breathy I sounded. Beyond tired. I wasn't lying when I said I'd had too much to drink.

"No need, I'll take you." He offered, digging his hands into his pockets and gesturing with his head for me to follow.

"It's okay, Andy, really," I countered, giving him my must sincere smile I could muster. I was too confused right now. Nobody had ever made me feel this way while I've been with Joe. "Get in there and mingle. They loved you."

"I'd rather know you're safe."

I ended up in the passenger seat of his car. He'd kindly put the heater on full blast, though no doubt, he'd be sweating under all those layers. I protested, but he kept fretting about how red my nose was from the cold.

"You alright?" He asked, my head leaned against his window.

"Yeah," I breathed, struggling to keep my eyes open, though my mind was very much awake and racing.

"You've been acting funny, did I upset you?" He glanced over at me, concern written all over his features. Had he always been this handsome?

"It's not you. I'm sorry," I lifted my head to look at him. Tequila and I are not friends. I flipped down the visor mirror to see a tiny it of smudged mascara under my eyes. I wiped it away, sighing for the hundredth time. "Joe just... things aren't going well. I slept on the couch last night. Well, barely. He's just so mean, you know?" I babbled drunkenly, a huge weight lifting after finally telling someone. "He always picks at everything I do. You complain all the time. You put too much salt in this. That isn't a real sustainable job, babe. We never shag anymore... Shag? Isn't that disgusting, Andy?"

I continued my drunken spiel, probably including more details than I should have. Andrew just kept his eyes on the road, sharing glances here and there to let me know he was listening.

The grande finale, "why can't all men just be like you? You would make a wonderful husband, you know. You wouldn't tell your girlfriend she's too lively in bed, would you?"

"No, I wouldn't," he laughed, shaking his head. He looked at me fondly. For once, it wasn't a look of sympathy. It was kind of sad, almost.

"I've said too much, haven't I?" I probably looked like a kicked puppy at the realisation, but one smile from him eased any disconcertion I had.

"Not at all," he sighed, staring at his hands on the wheel. "I have a lot to say. I just don't think I should be the one saying it."

"Well, now you have to tell me," I countered, lolling my head to the side to face him.

"He's a fuckwit," he shook his head, his grip on the wheel tightening. "He doesn't deserve you. Not even a little bit. He's going to fuck it up and won't realise what he's lost until it's too late. And you know what? Good."

He pulled onto the road before my house with perfect timing, getting out of the car to open my door for me. He took my hand in his, helping me out, and thank goodness he did, because I still nearly rolled my ankle. I laughed and let myself fall into his chest, steadying myself after a hearty, obnoxious laugh.

"Oh my God, I've made a complete fool of myself tonight," I sighed, this time it felt like a release, not a breath weighing me down. "Thank you for taking care of me, Andy."

"Anytime at all," he grinned leaning against his car. I couldn't help myself, lurching forward at him, wrapping my arms around his torso. My head barely reached his shoulder, even when standing on the curb.

"I loved your song," I murmured against his chest, pulling back to grab his face. He turned ghost white. "You are my favourite singer. Ever."

His cheeks darkened as he looked away, chuckling softly with the shake of his head.

"Drink lots of water for me tonight. That's an order as your favourite singer."

"Yes, Mr. Hozier-Byrne," I grinned, turning on my heels and heading for the door. The garage door was 1/4 open. Joe must be home early.

I fumbled through my purse for my keys, finding them after what felt like an eternity of great difficulty. I was going in with a good attitude. I was going to sit him down and hash this out. We can fix this. We've been together nearly 6 years, this is just a rough patch.

I walked up to my bedroom, sure my ears were deceiving me. When I opened my bedroom door, I saw red.

omg angst... just hear me out i have good direction for this one. i hope u enjoyed <3

[adiraargent]

How Daiki Aomine likes to show affection

wc:0.9k Warnings: fluff, slightly suggestive, swearing summary: just cute things Daiki does to show you he loves you :P

The sun had barely risen when Daiki found you in the kitchen, flipping pancakes and humming a tune. You knew he had practice this morning so you wanted to make him some breakfast that he could eat before he went so he wouldn't have an empty stomach.

He sidled up behind you, arms wrapping around your waist as he nuzzled his face into your neck, a warm smile playing on his lips as his large body enveloped yours.

"Morning, sleepyhead," he mumbled, peppering your neck with soft kisses, his kisses tickling your skin, making you pull away slightly with a few giggles falling from your mouth. His grip on your waist made it impossible for you to actually move away from him.

You laughed, turning your head slightly to steal a quick peck on his cheek. "Hey, you're gonna distract me, and then these pancakes will burn."

A mischievous glint sparked in his eyes, and he tightened his hold around you. "I'd rather have you than perfect pancakes," he murmured, his warm breath sending shivers down your spine.

"Daiki... you have training," you reminded him, your tone firm

He spun you around, hoisting you up onto the bench and stepped between your legs, holding your thighs apart with his hands as he leant forward, a smirk on his lips, "Training can wait... I want my breakfast first"

You push him back with a laugh and hop off the bench, going back to the pancakes and quickly flipping them, "sorry Dai, not this morning."

His affectionate nature often spoke louder than words. Daiki had his own way of expressing love without needing to say those three little words outright. Forehead kisses were his specialty, his lips meeting your forehead with a tenderness that spoke volumes about his feelings.

As the morning sun painted the kitchen in hues of gold, Daiki pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment before resting his forehead against yours. It was a silent promise, an unspoken declaration of his affection.

He noticed a few stray strands of hair falling over your face and tucked them behind your ear, his thumb brushing your cheek softly. "There," he said, a small smile gracing his lips. "Now I can see your beautiful face properly."

You leaned into his touch, savoring the warmth and familiarity of his presence. It was those little gestures, the way he'd interlace his fingers with yours unexpectedly or pull you into a sleepy back hug while you cooked, that made your heart flutter.

"Want me to help?" Daiki asked, his chin resting on your shoulder as he reached for a spatula, his closeness adding a sense of comfort to the morning routine.

"Nah, I've got this," you replied, feeling his arms still wrapped around you, a sense of contentment settling within.

His protectiveness often shone through in subtle ways. Walking down a busy sidewalk, Daiki would switch positions with you, guiding you to the safer side, always keeping a watchful eye to ensure your safety.

Even in the busiest of mornings, when his off days clashed with your work commitments, Daiki's playful clinginess never wavered. He'd hold you a little longer, steal a few extra kisses, and reluctantly let go when it was time for him to leave.

"Hey, I remembered you mentioned liking this snack," Daiki grinned, producing a pack of your favourite treats as he returned home from training. "Thought it'd make your day better."

It was those thoughtful gestures that made your heart swell. Daiki always seemed to remember the little things, the details that made you feel seen and appreciated.

During his overseas trips for games, Daiki would often send pictures of random things he saw, every single one a silent reminder of you. A text accompanied each picture, a simple 'reminded me of you.'

In social situations that made you uneasy, Daiki's reassuring grip on your hand grounded you. He'd squeeze your hand gently, offering silent support throughout the event, his presence a calming anchor in a sea of discomfort.

Sometimes, tears would fall, and Daiki would kiss them away, his touch a balm to your pain. He never hesitated to let you cry on his shoulder, his t-shirt soaked with your tears, never once complaining.

"Everything okay?" Daiki would ask, concern etched on his face, always meeting you where you were, emotionally and mentally.

He wholeheartedly supported your dreams, making concrete plans and ensuring they came to fruition. Daiki would often drop encouraging texts before an important event, his words a source of strength.

Surprises were his forte. He'd bring home flowers for you, just because. No occasion, no reason, only his desire to see you smile.

If he was ever away for basketball, each morning and night, a text would pop up on your phone. "Good morning," or "Goodnight," accompanied by a heart emoji or a simple 'miss you.'

His way of saying 'I love you' without uttering the words explicitly extended to the little details. Daiki made you a Spotify playlist, songs that reminded him of your relationship or just songs he thought you would like. His memory was impeccable, recalling your preferences and quirks with ease.

One day, as you studied, flipping through pages of your textbook, you found post-its with little notes Daiki had left for you. Words of encouragement, doodles, and hearts, all scattered within the pages, each note bringing a smile to your face.

Hope you liked it ;P Written by: adiraargent Please do not take credit, steal, or repost anywhere else Requests are open :)

[venus-giirl]

"Confessions"

Gyutaro Shabana x fem reader.  

Fandom: Demon Slayer 

Word count: 1428.

Rating: morning sex, whispers, confessions, mentions of pregnancy, Gyutaro being tender and gentle.

N/A: I'm too active today so I wrote this scenario. I haven't stopped thinking about Gyutaro after reading too many fanfics about him, so I just wrote the idea that was running around in my mind. I know I'm late writing about him, but I hope you truly appreciate and enjoy it. 

The ground was wet. Some puddles were scattered in random areas around the house. The land that was not inundated by them was muddy and muddy.

The big overnight storm had cooled the vegetables in the small vegetable garden, with the relief that it was not spoiled by the strong wind that the storm brought. The trees were dripping with fresh water and the clouds were still cresting the sky, dumping a light downpour that fell on the wooden roof. The interior of the small cottage was in a mystical aura due to the enchanting sound produced by the raindrops.

The sun had not even risen. It would be around five o'clock in the morning still, and even if it were to dawn it would still be a gray and rainy morning all day long. The living room of the house emitted an aroma of charcoal and burnt wood after a night of intense fire. Some embers remained hot and red, while others had already turned to ash. Some blankets lay scattered on the floor along with several silky sofa cushions.

Up the stairs and turning left, was your cozy shared room. A nice room that you had christened your nest. The bed was too big for two people, but it was a perfect size if you took a few things into account. The hazel wood-framed canopy towered over the surroundings and from it hung pretty, light white curtains that fell to the bottom, adorned with a series of lace patterns and flowers in various pastel colors.

Under the soft sheets slept Gyutaro hugging your back. His hand hovered over your waist and held your hand without letting go. His other hand snuck under your neck, along with the pillow, making it easy for his nose to touch your bare neck. You had been half awake for a few minutes, though you were struggling not to succumb to sleep again. Occasionally his thumb would caress the back of your hand in an attempt to make sure that if you returned the caress you would be awake, so he waited patiently, enjoying a pleasant morning with the woman he loved.

You groaned and stirred a little from your reverie when you felt Gyutaro's pelvis grind against your bare bottom. The friction it created felt weird, but you loved how he could turn you on so easily. He was already hard and rubbing against you. You were both half asleep, but aware that it was happening.

"Pretty..." he whispers in your ear in a raspy voice. "Good morning, pretty." His breath tickles your neck and you laugh a little.

"Good morning, Gyu" you reply with a smile, even though you can't see it, he has the same smile as you.

"What time is it?" You ask and lean your butt more towards his pelvis, fitting perfectly. You feel Gyutaro curse some inaudible word.

His length slides over your ass cheeks. You were still lubricated with juices from all night, so it created a smooth, sweet slickness.

"Let's stay like this for a while longer, shall we?". His voice takes on a pleading tone. "I like these kinds of mornings, after I've made love to my wife, I wake up in her arms the next day to make love to her again." His mouth sighs into the shell of your ear and his claim makes your skin crawl with goose bumps, wrenching a small, soft chuckle from you when he notices.

His defined thighs wrap between your plush thighs. In the beginning, when you first met Gyutaro, he was much thinner than he is now. There's nothing wrong with being thin, of course, but his critical condition required him to put on a few extra pounds to overcome the anemia he had been suffering from, so for a few months you had to prepare iron-rich meals for him to keep the iron in his blood. You were so happy to see him well and healthy that he even looked happier.

"You're precious, Gyu" you confess in a whisper as you remember it all. "I'm so...proud of you." You moan with your eyes closed as the head of his cock strokes your wet slit to the tip of your clit.

"Don't tell me that...I should tell you." You know how much Gyutaro loves compliments, even though he always tells you that you're the one who should be praised. Still everything about Gyutaro seemed precious in your eyes and you were deeply in love with him.

"Oh, love..." you sigh as he thrusts inside you, reaching deep inside you with ease.

"You're still so tight after everything we did last night."

"Last night was wonderful."

"Always...we can do it again." He begins to move his hips in a smooth back and forth, no need to be rough. With each little lunge he almost doesn't even leave your insides, but moves his hips in a dance that coordinates with the movement of yours.

"Aah..." You moan open-mouthed, still keeping your eyes closed. "I hope you don't waste all the cream on... the living room carpet this time." You hold your breath and your walls flutter as you remember that scene.

"It's not my fault that...aaahgm...the jar fell on the floor" Gyutaro laughs and moans enraptured by your little noises of pleasure.

"And I hope next time you won't suck so violently on my center."

"You mean...your clit? Oooh, but it tasted sooo good to the strawberry jam...mmhm...that I poured all over it."

"Don't say it...so rough, you shameless boy" Gyutaro gives a little lunge amused that you feel ashamed of everything he did to you.

"That's what you weren't telling me last night when you were moaning my name for more" He croons in a mockingly proud tone, still moving. You were so close to getting to where you wanted to be that you are forced to hold back a growl that comes from deep in your throat.

His body hugs you tighter and he turns you upright towards him so he can look at your lewd expressions. He bites his lips, the tips of his sharp teeth digging into your flesh.

"Wait a minute, sweetheart." You loved it when he grabbed you from behind every morning, but today you felt like being closer to him. Gyutaro grunts when he feels you slide down his length and pull it out of your tight walls.

"Shit, no..."

"Sshh." You soothe him with a few slaps on his powerful shoulder and turn around in a quick twist. You entwine your legs between his again and grab his hard member to pump it a few times. He groans and brings his hand to your waist, tightening his grip. He loves it when you hold his cock between your pretty little hands.

"Aah...wait..." He fucks your hand while still moving his hips keeping the same rhythm as before. "Wait, wait..." His words are cut off by pleasure. "I want to cum inside...mmgm...you."

"If we keep this up it won't be long before I'm pregnant, Gyu" you hum his name knowing that this only incites him more. A few times he has fantasized aloud confessing to you that he would like to see your full belly, carrying his child in the future. After all a demon is too greedy. You simply can't put honey on his lips and expect him not to attack for the rest.

"Ooh...trust me, pretty girl, I'm going to impregnate you good." He pulls your hand away and thrusts back inside you. You had taken his pleasure to a much higher point than before. "I want you to feel too full when I cum inside you."

You laugh and reach up to kiss his warm, somewhat rough lips. "Sure, Gyu, you can cum all you want." You clench your rubbery walls as the tip of his member brushes against your cervix and you moan his name in pleasure. "Pretty boys will be scurrying back and forth soon enough."  You confess smiling over the corner of your mouth. He increases his onslaught and gradually lifts you to the peak of pleasure, falling gently into an intense orgasm. Gyutaro grunts and hugs you tightly. Thick strips of white semen fill your insides, some being forced to slide and slide down your thighs as you are completely filled with his seed.

"I love quiet mornings by your side..." He whispers, by the time you want to realize it you both have fallen asleep again. He is still inside you and you just want to squeeze tighter between his chest and sleep a few more hours, until the birds sing the first notes of dawn.

[meieis]

Lute x Seraphim angel! Reader

My note: I still have another lute x reader I'm working on, I'm trying to finish it right now, this is something I wrote mostly out of boredom, I fell in love with it at first sight, so even if it's not a great thing, I need something like this, I've never seen the people who wrote for Lute though. I did not specify the gender, but in the fiction I am working on, the gender of the reader will generally be female.

Warning(?): Swearing, Adam calls himself 'dick master', in the extra part he implicitly questions how lute and you do that 'thing' to a woman.

Synopsis: You feel increasingly guilty for not being able to tell Emily the truth about hell. It's Lute's job as your girlfriend to comfort you (even though it's not public) and that's... no she's terrible at it.

Being Seraphim was never easy. You not talking about exorcists... Emily... Her... Lying to her, that's what forced you, you know what happens in hell, the way you learned was very... It wasn't 'nice'...

"So, then I gave them New Year's gifts" Adam said while eating his favorite food, Now you're looking at him in surprise "What? Who did you give a gift to...?" You said in surprise, Lute looked at Adam with a frown. "To the people in fucking HELL, their corpses are a gift, this shows them not to mess with the 'dick master'" When you heard this, "What?!" you shouted. The 'dick master' part was more shocking though, was he talking about himself like that, let alone that, what the hell was going on?!.

Of course....

You finally got a good explanation, it was sera who explained this to you, she didn't know what to say as she explained this fact "I... I didn't want you to feel bad when you did this" Sera said and sighed, "Sera fuck off! You should have asked everyone about the 'thing'" you said angrily and Sera put her hand on your shoulder "You shouldn't tell anyone this... Just.... Don't say it, promise?" Sera say, You looked away "They... Human souls..." Sera frowned at your comment "You don't understand, they could have risen up and wanted to defeat us, they could have done to us what we did to them" she looked into your eyes "Just... Please promise?" She said calmly, "Okay, promise." Sera smiled when she heard this.

As it is now, sometimes it's hard to lie while looking Emily and others in the eye. Another lie you tell them is about the girlfriend, although You are sure they know something about that, Adam keeps saying things like 'Y/N's bitch' about Lute, and gets a frown from you, he's the only one who knows about your feelings for lute and that you're dating with lute, and he KNOWS and he usually uses it to threaten you, you bought a hamburger once.

This year's massacre took place, the lute entered. "Hi." She said in her usual demeanor as she took off her mask "There's no one around you right now Lute, relax" You said lying on Lute's bed and looking through the human magazines "I know, it's been a long day" you saw her in her pajamas which she wears for sleeping at night unlike her usual clothes "It's a very quick one Lute was changing his clothes" you threw the magazine on the ground, Lute grumbled.

A few hours later you were already lying in bed, hugging your 'cold' girlfriend, "So... How was your day?" Lute ask and you looked at Lute "It wasn't nice" You said calmly and continued "It's hard sometimes... Lying while looking into Emily's eyes sometimes... I hate myself in situations like this-" You felt Lute sigh and tighten her grip on you “Lute..?” You said calmly "Idiot... I'm thinking of you in all these wars... And here you are talking about hating yourself, first of all you know it's the right thing" she looked at you before continuing "Also... You're my everything... All I think about all day is whether you're okay or not, and you come to me and say some bullshit like you hate yourself?" She frowned and continued "In every exorcist thing, all I think about is getting back to you safely. No matter what... I will fight to get back to you" she wasn't good at words of endearment. It would still manage, "Are you lute?" Lute's smile gone "What?" She said in surprise.

extra

"Y/N's bitch is here too" Adam said playfully while pointing at Lute "How do you bitches do that thing? Must be hard?" Lute immediately frowned, "Sir." Adam rolled his eyes "Womens, Anyway" Adam quickly changed the subject.

[cosmictheo]

𝐈 𝐆𝐎𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔, 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘 | 𝐣𝐨𝐞𝐥 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫

— summary: joel helps you through a emotional breakdown after henry and sam's death. — pairing: joel miller x female!reader — word count: 2k — warnings: angst, death mentions, suicide mentions, mental breakdown, crying fit, some backstory from reader's past, joel being the most comforting best boyfriend ever, ellie being the angel she is. just a little comfort for those who need it because it is deserved<3

joel’s playlist i made for inspo

writer’s note: english is not my mother tongue, so please forgive me if there is a grammatical error. hope you like it!

“Henry, take it easy, look at me.”

Joel's voice barely managed to be heard over the constant ringing that had risen in your ears, mixed with the rumbling of your heart thundering in your ears.

“'Gimme the gun, Henry.”

“W—what did I do?” Henry's voice trembled and you closed your eyes tightly just after he took the gun to his head.

“Henry—”

All you heard next was the gunshot and the faint whimper of Ellie, whom you had pulled to your chest, shielding her with your body in case Henry wanted to have shot you in your direction, blinded by anger and grief.

Then you heard footsteps approaching rapidly. Joel. “Ellie. Are you okay?”

He comforted Ellie, speaking to her in a rather soft tone, resting his hands on her shoulders and stepping in front of her so that it wasn't possible for her to see Henry's body bleeding on the ground, though the damage had already been done, for she had seen firsthand how he had shot himself. The girl just nodded her head weakly and Joel then helped her to her feet, guiding her out of the room with slow steps, as she was still in shock.

And then he came back to you, naturally.

He called your name in a soft tone, crouching down in front of you, his hands sought your cheeks, cradling them and guiding your head in his direction, noticing how your eyes had dragged from Henry's body to his little brother in front of him, a few steps away. Your heart stopped for a few moments, noticing the orange paint still around his eyes, but then all you saw was Joel's anxious look as he turned your chin toward him very gently.

“Oh, baby girl—” Soft, frightened honey eyes searched yours, “Look at me, baby. I'm here, I've got you.”

You let out a sob against his chest as he wrapped his arms around you and pulled you to him, blocking your view of the two bodies in the room.

“I'm so— so tired of this.” You blubbered out, quivering through sobs.

Joel clenched his jaw, blinking a couple of times so as to keep tears from coming from his eyes as he heard your broken sobs. And of course it was a difficult situation, you never thought it would end like this for Henry and Sam, you were supposed to help them.

But he knew exactly why it affected you so much. During the outbreak you had lost your sister, you had told him about her and how she had been taken from you by the infection, not a couple of hours had passed and she had already been bitten. You had to shoot her yourself, because who else would do it? You never forgave yourself for her death and you never would, he knew that.

And watching all this happen in front of your eyes of course had been like re-experiencing the most traumatic and terrifying day of your entire life.

“I know, baby. I know.” He whispered reassuringly against the side of your head, stroking your hair with one hand and with the other, tracing non-existent lines and shapes on your lower back. He placed a kiss on your the line of your forehead before speaking again, “Can you walk for me? We have to get out of here, okay?”

But you didn't respond, you simply broke in his arms and Joel felt his chest tighten at the sight of you in that vulnerable state. Rarely had he seen you like this, rarely had he seen you cry, much less in such a grief-stricken way.

So he simply held you, hugging you tightly, as if you were somehow going to disappear at any moment. He gave you a couple of minutes to unwind and then sighed shakily, fingers combing your hair.

“I'm gonna' to take you in my arms, okay?” he murmured against your ear, taking your arms to wrap around his neck, “hold on tight and just look at me, baby. Just me.” Your gaze crawled up to his face, finally meeting his, bright with concern and softness for you, his rough fingers caressed your cheekbone, “There you are, you just keep those pretty eyes on me, okay?”

“O–okay.” You replied in your broken voice, nodding weakly.

“That's my girl.” He complimented you tenderly, leaning in a little so he could lay an affectionate kiss on your forehead, trying to reassure you in every way he could. “You're doing so good.”

Your arms went around his shoulders and you hid your face against his neck as he lifted you into his arms, heading for the room door, where outside Ellie was still waiting for you, in complete silence.

She turned to you when she heard Joel leave the room and her face transformed to one of concern when she saw your condition. You had never shown yourself to be so emotional in front of her, not as much as Joel of course, at least you joked with her sometimes, were constantly concerned for her well being and even held her hand when you were in very dangerous situations. Ellie looked up to you and seeing you fall apart like that showed her that you were human and you were so strong.

She followed Joel silently as he exited the building with you in his arms, glancing at you from time to time with concern, although your sobs were over once you were outside.

Ellie gave you two a moment alone, giving you space as she stood a few feet away from you, sitting on a small concrete pillar.

Joel set you down on the ground, but his arms never left you, his hands running up your shoulders, caressing you affectionately, until they reached your face, his thumbs drying your wet cheeks. He made a pitiful little grimace as he met your bloodshot eyes, holding back a dark, lost gaze.

He wasn't used to seeing you so dull and detached from reality, but he did what he did best to bring you back to him. Talk to you through it. He new very well the effect his voice had on you, several times you had mentioned to him that you loved his voice because it managed to calmed you down even during difficult moments.

“I got you, baby.” Joel stated daintily, holding your gaze, soft voice bringing you back. “I'm here, I'm here for you, you're okay, you're safe with me.”

He approached you and kissed the tip of your nose affectionately, brushing away a lock of hair that had fallen across your forehead, blocking his view of your beautiful eyes. “I won't let anything happen to you. I promise.”

At his words, you felt the sudden urge to hug him, so you did, wrapping your arms around his torso and pulling him to you, making him break into a weak little smile, wrapping you in his arms again. As you laid your head against his chest, you closed your eyes, focusing on the beating of his heart against your ear, the expansion of his chest with each inhale of oxygen from his lungs, the way his fingers caressed your back, the smell of his scent, gunpowder, coffee and wet soil; Joel. Your Joel.

You sniffed once you lifted your head, resting your chin against his chest, “Ellie? She's—”

Joel smiled sweetly at your question, relieved to know that you were drifting back to him slowly, snapping back to reality. And of course the first thing you would do was ask about Ellie, his hands stroking your hair now, looking down at you in his arms, “She's fine, she's here.”

“I'm sorry.” You mumbled between sniffles and Joel watched with his brow furrowing in pity as shame passed over your beautiful face, eyes sorrowful. “I shouldn't have—”

And for that, he immediately interrupted you, making it impossible for you to continue with your unnecessary apology, well knowing it was coming, as you tended to feel the need to apologize whenever you were too emotional in front of him.

“Hey, there's nothin' you need to apologize for, pretty girl, most certainly not to me. It's a completely natural and normal reaction.” His gaze became sorrowful, thinking fleetingly of all you had suffered over the years and how he had not been there to protect you. But now he was. And he wasn't going anywhere. “You've been through a lot, but you're still here, with me, that means you're strong, darlin'. The strongest person I know.” His fingers trailed down your hair, again cradling your face within the familiar warmth they always offered. His cheeks expanded as a sympathetic, sweet smile tugged at his lips. “You know I got you. Always.”

You nodded your head, pushing aside every reason your head was giving you to apologize for feeling this way and focusing on his eyes, your hands made a path up his arms until they rested over his hands, fingers soothingly caressing his upon your cheeks. “I know. Thank you, honey.”

“That's what I'm here for.” He replied before leaning over to you and leaving a kiss on your forehead so soft and loving that it made you close your eyes, holding back the urge to cry again. “I'm going to bring them here, bury them. They deserve it.”

You nodded your head once again, “They do.”

Joel broke away from you and not before giving your hand a squeeze he half turned back to Ellie, throwing her a gentle look, twisting his head in your direction. “Stay close to her.”

Ellie didn't need him to tell her that for her to immediately cling to you, offering you a weak smile as you took her hand between yours. She gave it a small squeeze, silently letting you know she was there for you, which you thanked her for by returning the gesture.

And you both watched with your hands joined as Joel buried Henry and Sam. And by the time Joel finished, Ellie unlaced her hand from yours, walking towards the graves, taking in her other hand the small slate that belonged to Sam.

Joel took his position back at your side, analyzing your gaze as you watched Ellie lay the little slate on Sam's grave, both of you giving her own time to mourn and to say goodbye to the one who, so far, had been the closest thing to a friend she'd had in years, maybe. It broke your heart at the mere thought of how much she had had to go through in her short life. She was so strong.

Ellie stood up a few minutes later, looking at Joel. Her face was stern and she looked more determined than ever. She was just tired of losing people too, you guessed. “Which way's west?”

Joel simply answered her by motioning with his head in the direction and she without another word, started walking to the street.

Your eyes filled with tears as you saw what she had written to him on the board. 'I'm sorry.'

Joel's warm hand on your lower back brought you back to reality, drawing your attention back to him, looking at you affectionately. “You ready?”

You nodded your head and looked at him as he put his backpack back on, hanging up his jacket before taking your hand between his and walking back down your path, leaving once again, a couple more bodies behind you, weighing more on your shoulders.

[isabel3710]

I've dived headfirst back into my old Trolls hyper fixation with the release of the third movie. So I decided to write a little something for the idea of Branch being adopted by the Country Trolls.

I was inspired by some fan art by crunchy_coookies_ on insta and @rocksibblingsau's AU and a post they've made on this idea.

I would love to turn this into a full fledged fic one day but I'm already working on another trolls fanfic plus I got some (very loose) plans for another for when I'm done. But if I every have the time to write more I'll be sure to let you all know!

-----------

A little gray trolling sat on the edge of a dusty road, a worn looking bag sitting beside him. Branch held his ankle with both hands, it throbbed with pain and he was struggling not to cry. 

A few weeks ago Branch had decided to leave his tribe once and for all, he was tired of being bounced around from foster home to foster home. Full of people who either hated him or tried to turn him into something he wasn’t. So he packed a bag full of his prized possessions and any supplies he might need and snuck out in the middle of the night. 

At first things were great! And then he left the forest and made it to this desert of a wasteland, Branch did okay at first. He was careful to ration his food and slept with a knife in his hand.

Then today Branch had gotten his foot caught in some kind of hole and now his ankle really hurt. He had tried to stand up and power through but couldn’t without pain getting to an overwhelming degree.

He sniffed and whipped at his eyes, Branch didn’t know what he was going to do. He was stuck here with a hurt leg and he had run out of food last night. 

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by some strange clip-clop sound. Branch reached into his bag and pulled out his little knife. He was alone out here and who knew how many things out in this strange land liked to eat trolls. 

Dust had suddenly risen up into the air and got into Branch’s eyes, he tried to blink it away as the strange sound got closer and closer. When his vision had cleared he saw the figure that matched the clopping sound.

And….

It was a troll?

The troll looked like one he had never seen before, she had orange skin and red hair which did remind him of the trolls back home. But that was where the similarities ended, for she had four legs with hooves and a fluffy looking teal tail. Her clothes weren't neon or pastel colored or covered in glitter, but fairly plain looking; with a few dirt stains and patches.

The woman seemed to notice him too for she started to walk over to him, the clopping sound following her. “Hey sugar” she said, her voice sounded strange. Nothing like Branch had ever heard before. “Why’re you out here all alone?”

Branch sniffled and tried to scoot away on his bottom, dragging his injured leg along the ground. The hand holding his knife shook a bit. 

“Hey, hey” the woman said, her voice gentle. “I’m not going ta’ hurt you.” She knelt in front of him “what happened ta’ your leg?”

Something about this woman felt calming, Branch hadn’t met anyone who made him feel this way since his Grandma died. “I tripped,” he said, tears running down his cheeks. “It hurts really bad.”

“I’m sure it does” the woman said “mind if I take a look?”

Branch hesitated before nodding, the woman carefully took his ankle in her hands. He winced a bit in pain but stayed still. The woman tutted softly “looks like you sprained it honey.” 

“Oh…”

She pulled out a piece of dark green cloth and tied it around his ankle. “We'll have to put some ice on it.”

“I don’t have any ice,” Branch said.

“Not to worry,” she smiled at him, “town’s not too far from here.” 

There was a town out here… “how?” He asked, “it hurts to walk.”

“Climb on my back” she said “and I’ll carry ya.” 

“Won’t that hurt you?”

She chuckled “you’re sweet, sugar, but not to worry. I’ll be fine.” The women helped Branch sit on her back before slowly standing “hold on darlin’.” 

Branch held his bag in one hand and to the women’s shirt with the other. And she began to walk, the clopping sound following them. It was then Branch realized he had no idea what this lady’s name was.

“Ms” he said “I’m sorry but… What’s your name?”

She chuckled “no need to apologize hon. I’m Ms Delta Dawn. What’s your name?”

“Branch.” He said “my name is Branch."

[zombiewhor3]

SOUTH PAW?

carl grimes x fem reader

WARNINGS: mentions of character death (Abraham & Glenn), mentions of gore, traumatic events, mentions of amputation, begging, mentions of pregnancy (Maggie's), Negan, unedited work.

A/N: sorry for the long break, i've been so busy with a lot of things but i have a few scrap drafts i might put together and post so i'll try my best to update my queue this week.

a long night of violence is how she could describe it, a long night of tears pouring down everyone's faces as they watched a cruel man bash in two of their friends heads without even such an ounce of mercy for their poor souls in his mind.

the night felt like the eternity but as the sun had risen and the night faded it was still like a fever dream, like this wasn't all real and she was going to have to wake up soon from this nightmare.

except this was all real, Abraham and Glenn's dead bodies with their heads smashed in that was real, all of the blood splattered on y/n's face from the slinging of Negan's bat that was real.

she watched as Rick was tossed back out onto the gravel, his hands reaching to stop himself as he followed the man's forceful orders to get on all fours while he kneeled down to him.

"i'm giving you a choice Rick and this is your grand prize, what you do next will decide whether it becomes just those twos bad day or the rest of these lovely men and women sitting in front of us"

he gestured with his hands for his men to point guns at the back of their heads and y/n could feel the barrel pressed against the back of her head making her swallow harshly.

her knees started to ache from the rocks that pressed against them, the blood of a father figure had dried on her face and she could almost feel like it had been sinking into the pores of her skin.

she felt gross to have the blood on her, she felt sick each time she even looked at the dead man who was next to her, she felt sick knowing his pregnant wife was a sobbing wreck just a few feet away.

and Carl had hated to see her cry with each strike from Negan's bat that pounded into Glenn's head like he wasn't a person but yet just a piece of meat Negan used as his beating ground.

she watched as Negan had approached Carl making her heart sink as he rested his bat against his shoulder and she watched as some of the blood smeared out onto his leather.

he held out a hand to Carl who cocked his head hesitantly as he tried to ignore the gesture but Negan smiled and cleared his throat before speaking up "take my hand kid" he spoke bitterly watching as the teen finally gave in and took the man's hand.

he was stood up and Negan had waved his arm out to the side to where the boy's father rested on the ground, blood on his face, eye bags and his eyes red as his eye were still looking like they had been watering again, like they were on the brim of tears.

he pointed at the spot empty next to his father as Carl took a few steps watching as Negan stood in front of him taking a quite consideration to the gauze over his missing eye.

"you a south paw?" he asked watching as Carl looked clearly confused by a phrase he never heard before and it made Negan re-phrase his question to him, "you a lefty?" he watched as Carl shook his head while Negan pulled out a belt and un-raveled it.

he tied a belt against the boy's arm, "that hurt?" Negan remarked watching as the boy in the hat snapped back a quick 'no' before looking down at the leather tightened on his arm.

"on the ground next to Daddy and don't forget to spread your wings boy" Negan spoke as he watched Carl lay flat on the ground, his head turning in the direction to where he could see y/n and his father.

he could see the terror on his girlfriends face, the fear stuck in her eyes as her palms were flat and sinking into the same gravel the soft flesh of his cheek had now been resting against.

he could hear the crunching of Negan's boots against the rocks, and it stopped once he could see him crouch next to him thanking Simon for the pen that was given to him,

he himself was scared of what he had planned for him, what Negan had planned to do to Carl especially in front of his father and his girlfriend who had more tears pouring down her face.

he marked Carl's arm and apologized in such an sarcastic way that Carl had never even heard a human being sound so derisive in that way, even in the apocalypse.

he could hear his father start to beg as his girlfriend looked down at the ground using the back of her hand to cover up her sniffles, to cover up the rapid breathing spilling out from her.

he could see the harsh way her body rattled as she tried to manage to stay quiet in the fear that someone else would die, in fear that maybe it'd be her or even Carl that'd be next.

the word please was pouring like a continuous river in his head, the word his father kept repeating over and over as he begged Negan to show his son some mercy, to show he himself some mercy.

"don't beg me because i ain't the one doing shit" Negan spoke roughly patting Rick against the back before he gave his next order at the quite obvious traumatized man who was on all fours before him.

"Rick pick up your ax," he paused licking his chapped lips clean before continuing what he wanted Rick to do, "and cut off your son's left arm, now i know you're gonna have to process that for a second and believe me that makes sense so i'll give you a minute"

a loud gasp of air had erupted from y/n's mouth as she closed her eyes at the feeling of the barrel pressing even harder against the back of her head making her lip shake and her eyes flood.

he stood up and rubbed his hands on the denim of his pants watching as Rick's expression turn into now an even stronger pleading one, like it was just the ocean color of his eyes and the quiver of his lip giving off all the true emotion even more than his words that were spilled in such a babble of emotion.

"i am still gonna need you to do it though or all these people are going to die, then Carl dies, then the people back at your home die, and i'm gonna keep you living for a few years just so you can think about the decision you make right now"

Negan looked around at the men and women all lined up, and yet one had the courage to speak up, y/n to be exact only had the courage to speak up because it was her boyfriends life on the line.

"you d-don't have to do t-this, We understand! please we u-understand!" she looked down at her boyfriend who almost had a few tears slipping of his own as he looked at her,

as he looked at the shaking and sobbing mess this man had turned her into, he watched the sorrow tearing through her like a walker who was hungry for flesh.

he seemed to like the fear that ran though all of them, he liked the idea of watching them all tremble while they payed the price of wiping out one of his out posts because something about the pity and the terror gave him power, it gave him control.

"I'm not so sure Rick does. So i'm gonna need a clean cut right there on that line i drew out for you! now believe me this is a screwed up thing to ask, trust me i know but it's gonna have to be clean nothing messy so our doctors can fold something over."

he watched Rick tremble as he kneeled and continued to spew out his words, "we have great doctors the kid'll be fine, probably. and Rick we're in a time frame so this needs to happen now or i will crush this fella's head in myself"

"please i can take his place" Rick begged over and over as his throat felt sore and his mouth dry while his eyes ached and his head started to pound at the idea of hurting his son.

"please Negan please" Rick begged again watching as the man ran over some stubble of his beard and shook his head with a 'no' to answer Rick's pleas for it to be him instead.

"this is the only way, not making this decision is a big decision. Do you want to see everyone in front of you die? because if you don't pick up that ax you will, and you will see everything"

Rick cleared his throat as his hands remained planted in the rocks still in a pity of confusion from the whole situation, and now Negan had started to count loudly and once he got to one Rick had his ax raised while Carl was yelling at him to go through with it.

Y/n sobbed into her hands as she could hear her boyfriend cry out for his own father to cut off his arm, and when she could hear the soft chuckle of Negan and the soft gasping of Rick and not even a subtle yell or scream from Carl but yet she still buried her face.

Negan had taken the ax away from Rick's raised arm and he reached up a hand to pull Carl up from the ground, "you answer to me, you provide for me, you belong to me" and Rick nodded his head and agreed to the fact that he had now belonged to Negan and his men.

"see that look is the look i wanted to see! and man we did it, even those dead guys with the smashed in brains get a participation award for sure" he sighed as he tossed his bat over his shoulder.

"i hope for everyone's sake you understand how things work around here, things change and right about now they've changed whatever you had going for you is over, now i'll be back in a week Rick so use the truck i'll leave to gather my shit or someone else dies."

"I can't look, I can't, Carl please"

she mumbled feeling as someone in front of her had tugged on her hands softly, but she still held them against her face in fear she would see other blood being shed that she didn't want to see.

"look at me y/n, look at me"

he spoke finally being able to pull her hands away from her face once she realized that it was Carl and he had both of his arms, he furrowed his brows softly watching as she quivered and couldn't keep her eyes away from the line that he had drawn out onto his arm.

-

once he and his men had left y/n tried to stand but she could only drop back on her knees as she looked over at the dead man on the ground next to her, she gasped as her knees felt weak.

and it was Carl who lifted her up, it was Carl's arms that wrapped around her while he gave her the comfort of burying her face into the soft fabric of his flannel to shield herself from the damage and the violence that had been done to her friend.

she sobbed so hard that she could feel it shake both of their bodies, Carl stroked over her hair and watched as she shook under his grasp, she shook so hard her body started to wobble.

she couldn't speak because every time she tried to get a word out it was just a rush of tears, a rush of gasps for air, a rush of mutters that weren't even comprehensible to him or her.

her vision seemed blurry and her head was pounding so hard and her heart beat so fast she felt like she was dying, she felt like the world had been slipping away from her finger tips.

the only word that had been able to be heard was a loud gasp of 'no' as she looked at the line still on his arm, the line where Negan wanted Rick to chop off his arm, the line that now told trembling stories.

she squeezed her hand on it so tight that even the belt hadn't cut off that much circulation to his arm, she clung to his shirt as she could hear the sound of someone's shoes crunching against the gravel.

she could hear Maggie's cries and Rick who whispered something to his son who held out onto the shaking y/n, Sasha and Rosita frozen in such a terror and disbelief, Eugene still crying softly, Aaron and Michonne who were sitting in such a pity of silence.

and the two bodies around them.

y/n had slipped to her knees and Carl had let her, he let her bury her face into the ground and he rubbed her back as he tried to stop her from hyper ventilating at the shock around her but it was no use because it felt a ton of bricks were pressing against her chest.

She could feel a second hand on her back and she could tell it was Rick's by the wedding ring that she could feel through the cotton t-shirt she had been wearing,

"oh god, t-that c-could've been y-you" she sputtered out as she still felt like she could feel the specks of blood hitting her cheek with each and every strike from Negan's bat smashing into the pour mans head.

her body ached and it felt like her lungs had now finally collapsed in from the harsh beating her heart had pushed off, her bones ached from all the shaking and her cheeks were sore from the amount of tears that had been poured down them.

"i'm right here y/n, i'm right here" he had dropped to his knees and placed his hat down on the ground, he let his knees sink into the same rocks where the bodies laid.

where Maggie's tears had poured and where they knew the rest of the lives had just changed forever because they got the shit end of a deal they should've never even taken.

"Maggie" she managed to gasp out as she could feel her limp body being lifted up by not just Carl but his father, they had lifted her up so she could be taken to Maggie.

the widow's lungs gasped for air as she looked down at the ground, her knees ached and she felt sick even sicker than before, she could feel the teen reach out and place a soft but shaking hand a top of hers and to which she had finally spoken out.

"you need to go, you need to get everyone out of here Rick" Maggie spoke still sounding so brave, like she was keeping it all together when in reality she was spiraling in her mind.

spiraling at the fact her father, her sister and now her husband the father of her child had been killed in front of her, after they had begged and after they had tried their best to bargain.

"he's our family to, we'll do this together" Rick spoke watching as Maggie sniffled and the still distraught teen next to her had nodded along with the idea as her eyes filled with seeping tears.

"he's right we'll do it t-together because we're all family"

[warabidakihime]

Rules and Roses Chapter 4

★ characters: kibutsuji muzan x reader x akaza

★ plot summary: Kibutsuji Muzan has finally decided to expand his empire, and the way he intends to do so is by running for the highest political position. With you, his darling wife, at his side, he believes he can achieve and have everything the world has to offer. He is, after all, the Phoenix of Phario.

★ fic playlist: sometimes, same day, as time stops, wolf’s song (this is also the vision board for the fic). 

★ content warnings : implied violence and abuse, profanities, toxic relationships, smut.

★ Previous Chapter

a/n:

hello!

just want to hop on here and say thank you to everyone who has been giving their likes and reblogs. huge thank you to those who are taking the time and effort to read my story as well. i've been wanting to continue this story for so long but i'm just so busy with work, but i'm glad i am able to find the time to write and update as regularly as i can.

hopefully someday i can hear your thoughts through your comments though haha i would really love to hear what you think about Rules and Roses and the way i write the characters as it is my first time. tbh, i am extra curious to know if i'm giving muzan's character justice HAHA but yeah, it never hurts to leave comments so feel free to send them my way.

i also would like to give those people who have not read the manga a heads up, that in this chapter and in the succeeding ones, there will be minor to moderate manga spoilers, so ready with caution.

also, moving forward, things will steadily pick up, so get ready HAHA!

enjoy reading everyone!

-

The sun had barely risen over Areswood, its golden hues taking its time enveloping the sky, but Muzan and Douma were already up and busy at Obelisk Kibutsuji, going over their next course of action for their campaigns for the next few months.

Muzan stood at the center of his spacious office. A large map of Phario's electoral districts sprawled across the narra table in front of him, dotted with colorful pins representing key areas of support. 

Douma, on the other hand, leaned over the map, his eyes narrowing as he assessed their next move. 

"We need to double down our efforts in the southern districts," Douma said, twirling his fan languidly. "The latest polls show we're losing ground there, but it is the opposition's home turf, so I'm not surprised," he added with a hint of mirth.

Muzan nodded, rubbing his temple as he processed the information. He'd been up since dawn, reviewing speeches and strategies. The weight of the campaign was beginning to show in the faint lines on his face and the dark circles under his ruby eyes.

Unlike Douma, Muzan couldn't afford to make light of the situation. Keeping a straight and serious face, he continued to rack his brain for strategies. After a few minutes, Muzan finally spoke, catching everyone's attention.

"Let's schedule a town hall meeting in Azudellin. We need to connect with the voters there and show them we're listening to their concerns."

"Today?" Douma asked.

"Yes, why? Do we have other agendas for today?"

Douma quickly checked his calendar on his phone.

"We have an interview with the Areswood Times in an hour, then a fundraiser lunch at noon, followed by debate prep, and a gala dinner with key donors tonight."

Muzan sighed, his frustration evident in his voice. "We can't afford to delay this. Azudellin is slipping away from us."

Douma, feeling a bit depleted himself, shrugged. "The earliest we can fit it in is next week. It might be too late by then, but who knows? Maybe a miracle will happen."

In the midst of a very important meeting, a knock separated everyone from their own thoughts. One of Muzan's executive assistants, Nakime, walked in with a stack of freshly printed leaflets, oblivious to the tension in the room.

"Sir Kibutsuji, Sir Hashibira, these just came in. The design team finalized the new posters and pamphlets for the campaign trail."

Muzan barely glanced at the leaflets, his mind racing. 

"Thank you; just leave them on the table."

Nakime quickly left after obeying his orders, clearly sensing the gravity of the moment.

With mindless eyes, Muzan continued to rack his brain for any backup plan or anything that could be of significant help to the predicament they currently have. Letting out a resigned sigh, Muzan finally opened his eyes and turned to everyone. 

"We'll have to make do with what we have," he said, turning to Douma, who's listening intently. "At our interview with Areswood Times today, maybe we could give Azudellin a special shout-out—say something that can please their ears. This is your specialty, so I leave this to you." 

Douma nodded, a peculiar smile present on his face. "I'll handle it. I'll make sure our message is loud and clear in the interview today."

Muzan merely nodded at his running mate before turning to the rest of his party. 

"Let's deploy a few of you to Azudellin today; get some boots on the ground. We'll organize smaller meet-and-greets throughout the week to keep our presence felt until we can hold the town hall altogether. Take this chance to highlight your own platforms and campaigns as well, but don't oversell yourselves and turn off the locals. Understand? We can't afford any missteps."

A chorus of 'yes, sir.' and 'understood' rang in the room after listening to Muzan's orders. As usual, his commanding voice and his overall demeanor exuded charisma and extreme strictness, which made everybody in the room yield to him so easily.

Muzan scanned the room, making sure everyone's conviction matched his own. Technically, his party has been dominating almost all polls across the entire country, and it's safe to say that he is the number one candidate to win the elections, but he didn't want to remain complacent.

He doesn't want to attribute his victories to silly things like fate or destiny. He did that before and miserably paid the price; after learning his lesson, he vowed to never rely on foolish things ever again and will do everything in his power to ensure his indisputable victory.

Taking a deep breath, Muzan felt assured again. 

"Alright. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you, everyone."

*

"Oh, really? That's good to hear, darling. I'm happy for you," Muzan said softly, followed by a fond chuckle as you continued to share what happened during your hair appointment.

You were at the salon, enjoying your usual 'pamper time.' While you were getting your hair done, an A-list celebrity approached you. Initially, she only intended to have a small chat, as you are technically an A-list celebrity yourself. However, as your conversation continued, Ume confided in you that she recently got engaged but hasn't announced it to the public yet.

She personally requested you to be her wedding planner, and of course, you gladly accepted.

"Ahh! I'm so excited. I'm still preoccupied with Ms. Rivera's wedding, but so many ideas for Ms. Ume's wedding are already flooding my mind," you told your husband gleefully.

Muzan chuckled again, his eyes turning into crescent moons as a smile spread across his face, a total contrast to the serious expressions he had earlier.

Muzan prided himself on being level headed even in the most dire situations, but all that bravado would always melt away whenever he was with you. He couldn't help it. Your energy has always been contagious, and when it came to you, he was nothing but a man hopelessly in love with his wife.

Douma, seated in the backseat with Muzan, looked at his running mate with pure intrigue, watching him transform into a lovesick puppy while talking to you.

"Ah, yes, the meeting went great, my love. There were a few bumps here and there, but we managed," Muzan said to you. Knowing you, he anticipated your worry and was proven right when he heard the concern in your voice.

"I see... well, if there's anything I can do to help you guys, you know I'd be more than willing," you said from the other line.

Muzan smiled softly, clearly touched by your investment in his endeavors as much as he was in yours.

"Well, if you're free next week, you can tag along to our town hall at Azudellin," he proposed.

You smiled, having left the salon and decided to go to the mall for some much-needed retail therapy. Akaza wasn't with you today, as he had something to take care of, so Gyokko, one of your security guards, was accompanying you today.

"I don't have anything planned next week. I don't mind joining—wait, can I also do my own charity event there? I haven't done one in a while, and don't you think this is the perfect time? It could help your campaign."

Muzan immediately smiled at this. "You're more than welcome, darling. I'll have my people assist you with your preparations. Just let me know what help you need."

"Aww, you don't have to! But thank you. Let's talk more about this at home later. Maybe we could tailor this with your own community outreach initiatives. I believe you have a couple, right? We can make it a joint one, hitting two birds with one stone."

Muzan was listening intently when Douma reached out to let him know they had reached their destination. Muzan gave him a curt nod before returning to you.

"That's right. Alright, let's talk about it later, Y/N. I need to go; Douma and I are here at the studio already. Take care on your way home, okay? Call me if you need anything."

You nodded with a happy smile on your face. "Okay. See you later, my love. And good luck today. I love you," you said with passion.

Muzan replied just as passionately, "I love you too. Mhm, yes. Goodbye. See you later."

After ending the call, he turned to Douma; his whole demeanor had already changed. "Let's go."

Douma complied, climbing out of the car after him.

As they walked inside the building and toward their dressing room, escorted by a handful of media staff, the vice presidential candidate subtly nudged his running mate.

"It seems like that phone call improved your mood, Pres ."

Muzan smirked, his strides toward the TV studio exuding confidence and pride. "My first lady is quite the wonder woman."

Douma chuckled softly, amused by Muzan's demeanor. "It seems like she has quite an effect on you."

"She does," Muzan replied, his tone unapologetically confident. "She's not just my wife; she's a force to be reckoned with and my equal."

Douma raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Muzan's unabashed praise. "You sound almost unbeatable when she's on your side."

Muzan merely nodded, the cocky smile on his face still present. "Indomitable."

Douma chuckled softly. "You've really got it bad, haven't you?"

Muzan shot him a sidelong glance, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Do you not feel the same about Shinobu?"

Douma chuckled again. "Hey now, don't underestimate me. My wife is a force of nature herself."

The proud CEO of Obelisk Kibutsuji and Phario's leading presidential candidate simply offered his running mate a rather shallow chuckle as a response and a nod to convey that he agrees with him.

Finally, they reached the TV studio, and the two of them noticed that it was a full house.

"Are you ready?" Douma asked Muzan.

Muzan's gaze swept across the room, his presence commanding attention.

With a confident smirk, he declared,

"To make history? I was born ready.'"

He made his way to the stage, greeted by applause and camera flashes, projecting an aura of assured victory as he took his seat on the couch.

*

The day was finally coming to a close. After spending the entire day at the mall shopping, you were exhausted and hungry.

Initially considering Italian cuisine, it suddenly occurred to you that the downtown burger joint you and Akaza had visited a couple of days ago was nearby.

Opting for convenience and familiarity, you decided to head there and also decided to order takeout for both Akaza and Muzan, as well as Kokushibo and the maids and guards.

Surely, both had returned home by now or were on their way. Muzan's jam-packed schedule guaranteed he would appreciate indulging in fast food after such a long day, and Akaza would undoubtedly welcome the gesture.

And it wouldn't hurt to treat your house staff every now and then. It is something you do every now and then, as it's one of your ways of showing appreciation for the services they provide you.

For Muzan, you chose to order the same as yourself, knowing he preferred healthier options but trusting he would enjoy something you approved.

You already ordered Gyokko to prepare the car, so when your orders are ready, you can just hop in and make a beeline home. As you waited at the counter, you hummed to yourself, glancing around the familiar surroundings of the burger joint.

Once again, a sense of déjà vu struck you, from when you entered earlier and throughout your stay. It's honestly starting to worry you.

"It's nice to see you around here again, my dear."

You turned to the voice—a kindly old lady. "Excuse me?" you asked politely.

The old lady smiled warmly. "It's been quite a while since your last visit."

"Oh, I've been busy these past few days," you replied with a smile. "I really enjoyed my first time here last week."

Confusion crossed the old lady's face at your response.

"Aren't you one of our regulars?"

You frowned, puzzled. "I'm not sure I understand..."

"You've been coming here for years , haven't you? Or am I mistaken?"

Your unease grew visible. "I'm sorry, but I think you have me confused with someone else."

Before you could finish, the old lady turned and retrieved a photo from the wall behind her, returning to you with a smile.

"This is you and your fiancé, right?"

She handed you the photo.

In it, Akaza had his arms around your waist, both of you beaming happily.

Your eyes widen in sheer shock.

"What..."

Turning the photo over, you saw a note scribbled on it:

Hakuji Soyama x L/N Y/N - Just got engaged! (03/03/2015)

-

taglist: @bffrrufr @unadulteratedhandsbanditdreamer @unlikelybananawerewolf

[blueberrypancakesworld]

Risen under false dragons

Viserys iii x fem!reader

warning : mentioned torture of Viserys, mentioned death, fear, hurt/comfort, cuddle, tiny tiny emotional, i try not to make it too ooc hope it works, no y/n

Summary : A golden crown full of pain he had gotten the death he should suffer for being there for his sadness. But if he was dead, where did the screech of a dragon come from? Where did a female voice come from? And why did his life come back to him in the form of a female dragon rider? Had he sinned enough to finally be free?

info : I've been meaning to write for Viserys for a while, I like him and even though he sucks (like everyone in asoiaf) I feel sorry for him because he was manipulated and taken advantage of from an early age. Now have fun reading as always ;)

masterlist

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Pain and love are two things that are very close to each other. Pain came in many forms - pain in childbirth for the mother, for a queen without a kingdom, a queen who died giving birth to her daughter Daenerys and at the same time caused pain to her young son Viserys when there was nothing left of her but the crown.

A crown he was always supposed to wear, he was always whispered to a child, a young man, and ever since he could remember, the world had been brutal and harsh to him. For him, a dragon who could fly above them all, he was the blood of a dynasty of several hundred years.

And yet and yet here he was in a camp of travelers from the wild, a group that had to take him further to his crown that his sister had brought into play in the first place. Her existence is pain and love he always thought when he saw in his little sister the expression of his mother - those violet eyes a little brighter than his own, those soft features, that smile he had seen so rarely in his sister as in his mother.

But this line between jest and love was something the prince was in danger of drowning in. The hatred grew with each passing day as he saw his sister's echo in this wild evil, as the lies he told himself about how he had been told grew weaker each day.

It was his birthright that was taken away by this right to the throne. How long would this go on? His sister had him this leader and he? He had a sword and himself he had nothing...he was the pathetic pitiful product of a dynasty of dragons defeated by a fat king now feasting in King's Landing.

A fact that left him silent at night, even shedding tears as he looked at himself in plated silver plates. ,,I'll bring us dragons back to the throne I'll take my birthright and if it kills her the army is mine" he muttered knowing what he had to do knowing that he had to force his sister to hurt her. A resolution that ended in a pain that punished him for life.

Pain inside him was something he carried with him but physical pain was something he had rarely experienced but not when the golden whip with the claw-like end heated up again and again, the gold burned away the right side of his face and his screams echoed in his own ears as everyone around him laughed.

But it was his sister who hurt him the most that night. He was no dragon, fire can not kill a dragon words that hurt him worse than anything he had experienced that night. But did it even matter if he closed his eye and hoped that when the Khalasar moved on and he simply died, he would simply disappear from a world that would never have him without him.

But then in the sea of darkness the sea in which he was to sink forever not buried with his ancestors he heard something. Something far away, something worthy of his home, it was a whispering of the wind, as if the air was coming back to him. When something shook the ground a scream a scream like he had always imagined. Dragons.

His heavy eyes opened wide even from the light of the stars he saw only outlines but he saw it saw the wings, the size saw the bite with the teeth and saw it. His savior. He wanted to say something, but before a word left his lips he fainted again and sank into his own mind full of pain, hope and fear.

The night lay over the endless grass more the heat gave way and it became pleasantly cool in the middle of this endless expanse - an expanse that seemed to have no end. Flew on her companion flew on these beasts almost endlessly without a destination until her flying animals smelled him. ,,He is a relative of yours... a prince of the pure Valyrian blood," she told her two creatures, who snorted and looked disdainfully at the man lying on a homemade mattress made of soft grass and other things.

The sight was ugly and handsome, it had taken her hours of the night to carve the gold from his head with a heated knife, injuring him even more and bandaging his right side as best she could. He's blind in the eye such a beautiful violet she thought and bit into the torn sheep meat they had stolen out of the air that night. She saw Vaes come a little closer, the darker and taller of the two nudging the stranger and scowling as he smelled the wounds.

Smirking and pushing him away slightly, she saw Braen looking at the Targaryen with green, interested eyes as if waiting for something. Reaching for the small bowl of water and grabbing the cloth to take care of his wounds, she knelt down next to him and was about to start on the wound on his arm when she saw him open his eye. It was only a moment before he realized that he wasn't dead and hastily tried to get away, which barely worked as he hissed and landed on his wounds.

Raising her arms and shaking her head, she first spoke in Dothraki but realized that this only made him even more nervous and insecure before she pointed to her heart and spoke in a mean tongue, ,,Calm down I found you I helped you you are badly hurt" and pointed to his body.

She saw how realization gripped him again, how his eyes showed fear, anger, grief and despair. Things she had felt and still felt, saw his fingers digging into the sandy earth and his lips trembling slightly as he tried to understand why he was being punished to live as a cripple. ,,Why? Why didn't you let me die?" came only a few crickets chirping and the stars shining in the sky after minutes of silence.

A question she knew very well, a question she had asked herself. All she had to do was look at herself, the marks still visible. They didn't kill me... maybe it was my destiny to save him? she asked herself and reached over to the campfire where the meat was sizzling and held some of it out to him.

,,You're not from here, stranger, your hair, your eye, you're a Targaryen, a dragon right?" she asked, ignoring his question for the time being and seeing how he didn't respond to the food, in contrast, he still didn't seem to understand.

But before the violet-eyed man had a whale of a time, she put the meat in his hand and told him to eat. ,,I can't let the son of my former king die," she murmured, running her hand over the golden drachma coin she wore tied to leather around her neck.

The symbol of the dragon back when she was a little girl all seemed so long ago. She didn't have to look at him to know that he was looking at her, that question and curiosity graced his gaze...the fact that someone in this world really stood up for him and didn't lie to him.

Viserys hastily wolfed down the meat and turned to her, still keeping his distance, but still seeing the golden coin. ,,You are from Westeros! Were you part of the court?" he asked louder, full of excitement, as if the Targaryen dynasty was in front of him.

But she just shook her head with a tired smile before she duetted at him, ,,Not quite my father was your father's ally...a now extinct house and now a former slave who has escaped," she said and pulled up the sleeve of her blouse, the brand from the Free Cities adorning her skin.

Hiding the pain under the fabric again, she saw how his face changed as the prince thought about how a ruler should do it this time and not just start marching. ,,I'm sorry my father couldn't protect you, I don't have the means to give you anything back," he said in a whisper and shuddered to the ground as his hand ran over his bandage.

But she just shook her head as she came a little closer to him, ,,We're even, you couldn't save me and I couldn't save you," she said and took the wet rag to remove the dirt from the wound.

But Viserys was quicker and grabbed the rag, surprising her with his stubbornness, but she didn't mind.

She had only heard rumors from the last two dragons, rumors and stories but he was a dragon and arrogance was part of it, ,,I can do it myself" he mumbled and she rose understandingly to reach for her leather drinking bag the water would run out soon anyway it had to be drawn further so she might as well give it to him. ,,Thanks," he had the decency to take a sip after he had finished and his body seemed to be more than a little shaken.

,,Your sister, where is she?" she asked as she wondered why she would leave him alone and in such a state. The last two dragons were always together but now what had happened? But this question she had asked showed her enough of a reason to reach for his sword at his side, which he pulled out and rammed it into the ground beside him. ,,She is one of those wild ones not a dragon! She owes everything to me and now she has betrayed me!" he almost shouted with rage as he was reminded of the events with a thud. She saw exactly how he tried to get up again to help him but he pushed her away which was not firm but she let him do it.

He had the build of a warrior rather than a nimble young inexperienced fighter he was not like his brother he was like a coin of the gods but his grip on the sword was firm and determined. ,,She will regret it...it is my throne" he hissed and she saw his gaze go over the horizon towards the sea beyond which, after a long time, was King's Landing.

A fact that made her smile and then laugh - her house destroyed, he a broken prince and his sister on the best way to gain power here. ,,What's so funny?" he asked, raising his sword against her, trembling but determined. A portrait of his betrayed father, it flashed through her mind as she came up to him and made a playful curtsey.

Before she looked at him again, ,,It seems to me that the song of the king without courage fits you or the night that ends," she replied and pointed towards the horizon where the sun would slowly appear in a few hours and bathe the fallen dragon in new splendor.

They would probably start a new chapter of history together. She saw how he took this as an insult at first, but to her surprise, he gave a serene impression of himself and put his sword away before looking at her again. ,,Prince Viserys without a crown and a fallen high lady is this how my journey is to begin?" he asked into the night, probably speaking his thoughts aloud, and she slowly stepped closer.

She stretched out her hand and slowly placed it on the edge of his sword and saw in his violet eyes that something had changed. The acceptance of his death had disappeared, the chance they had both been given should be used. ,,I follow you my prince as our ancestors did" she assured him and she saw the nod he gave her before his hand squeezed hers ,,Be my royal hand Lady Wyvern" he replied proudly and she agreed with a slight bow before looking behind her in confusion. She saw that he had distinguished Wyverns from dragons with a simple glance.

This made her laugh and she broke away from Viserys as she walked to her dragon-like creature Vaes who was waiting curiously. She stroked the warm leathery skin and still saw the uncertainty in Viserys. ,,Wyverns are wild and native to Sothoryos, what are two of them doing here and still tamed?" he asked, keeping a distance everyone knew in Westeros and beyond how dangerous wyverns and wyrms could be.

But even if she knew this was true, ,,Not for the two of them, they were also captured ones, I freed them and we escaped...but Braen seems to have taken a liking to you," she said and pointed at the slightly smaller greenish dragon, he was young but brave. She let go of her wyvern and grabbed Visery's hand, feeling the warmth emanating from him even afterward, and pulled him towards the green dragon-like creature.

She heard the sword fall as the prince touched a piece of his family for the first time, at least one of his ancestors. She saw joy flash in his violet eyes for what must have been the first time. ,,A creature full of mysticism and power you are," he spoke to the non-fire breathing creature and let his hand move over the body, stroking the leathery, shiny skin and his violet eyes looked at the green ones.

It pleased her, it pleased her that he could feel such joy despite the pain, a fact that made her heart beat faster. ,,How about a flight with your prince...an order of course my lady" he added hastily and pressed lightly on the back and Braen and it actually gave in.

At first she was afraid that he wouldn't be able to hold on because of a his wounds, but then the euphoria and the dream of a dragon seemed to spur him on. ,,If you wish, my prince, let's go," she stopped and swung herself onto Vae's back before rising first with her dark wyvern, seeing Viserys follow her only moments later and counting a broad, sincere smile on his face.

For the first time, he felt no pain and ignored even the injuries, ,,It's unbelievable!" he shouted, letting out a free roar as he flew through the dark night. She saw how he sometimes flew slower and sometimes faster, holding his hand in the cool air and praising the Wyvern, which both creatures shrieked joyfully and gave their rider a good time.

She followed him herself, rejoicing with euphoria that she was finally no longer aimless, that she had finally found someone...that she had someone to love her and that he was being loved again. ,,I thank you Viserys!" she called to him and saw the Targayren look behind him, a smile adorn his lips and he gave a ,,I thank you with all my heart for the faithfulness of a new beginning, my lady!" before he gently lent his wyvern to her and they knew that she would spend many hours in heaven.

The hours passed up here and indeed they flew towards the rising sun before retreating from the heat to old ruins they had seen. The wind had ruffled her hair and she smiled, wanting to leave it that way when Viserys, leaning against the ruined wall, told her to come here, ,,My mother always did it, it suits you," he said, pointing to her hair after she realized that he had braided a few strands as best he could and looked at her tiredly.

Returning his gaze, she leaned against the wall next to him and slowly leaned her head on his shoulder in exhaustion. She mumbled a ,,Thank you“ but fell asleep after a few more moments. Leaning against her prince. While the Targayren tucked the simple blanket a little more over her both and gave her a fond look before looking up into the sky that held a new day.

The heaven in which something blossomed between them, the heaven in which they would both eventually find the throne that was his. But who knows every prince needed his queen at some point and maybe she would be the one as they flew through the air into a future with hope and without pain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maybe I do a part do I need to see ;)

[blu-writes]

By Primus’s Will

An original Optimus Prime x AFAB!Reader Fanfic by Blu <3

Author Note: The pronouns used will be they/them to keep it mostly gender neutral, but y/n is AFAB. This is also my first fanfic in a really long time, I apologize if it’s not the best. This is also going to be entirely my own AU, there will be returning characters from other media but the storyline is my own ^^

Tags: Fluff, Angst, Swearing, EXTREME SLOW BURN

A bead of sweat dripped down your forehead, stinging your eyes as you swiped it away. The dirt stained jumpsuit you were sporting smeared a new line of dark brown/orange across your face. "Jesus Christ.."

"Y/N! Is your beam secured properly? Make sure the bolts are all fastened correctly! Get focused!"

'Yeah yeah whatever. I know how to do my job.' You thought to yourself, rolling your eyes before throwing a thumbs up in the air to your boss. "Yes Sir! Everything is fastened I'm back on my way down as we speak!"

Maneuvering down the side of the half built building, you made sure to watch your feet, wary of the placement of loose nails, sharp edged beams, and other construction workers as well. You knew it was almost time to head home, the sun dipping low behind the cities skyline. "Y/N, You've been spacing out like crazy today. Are you good? Do you need a day off?"

'Yes.'

"No, I know I've been working everyday but I really just need the money right now. Especially with rent coming up." Your boss looked at you and crossed his arms. "Listen, Y/N. I get it, but payday is tomorrow. Just take tomorrow and the weekend off. I don't wanna see you in whenever I get here in the morning. You're gonna kill yourself with working everyday. An entire month of working nonstop is going to make you sick." Before you could protest he handed you a slip, the words "DAILY CLOCK CARD." written in bold letters. "Sir, I'm okay I promise. I'll be fine to keep-" He cut you off and pointed at the pop up warehouse. "Go. You need to rest, im not paying for any workers comp if you pass out and get hurt on site." 'You...You don't pay for that? The company does?'

You drug your feet all the way to the clock out station, making every last second of your time count before submitting your time card. You walked to your locker and pulled out your bag, grabbing your car keys and walking to the parking lot of the building you were helping build. You unlocked the car and began your journey home, the sun finally setting as you began the long drive out of the city and into the desert, where your home was located and far from the shining bright lights of the city.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pulling into your driveway, you turned off the car and headed up the stairs to your house, unlocking the door and pulling your grimy work boots off to leave outside by the front door.

Once inside you flipped some of the lights on and walked to your bathroom, stripping naked to shower and get all the dirt and nastiness off of you from work. The steam from the shower quickly filled the room and you brushed your teeth before hopping in the shower and relaxing as the warmth of the water poured down your back.

You closed your eyes, letting yourself relax before a loud boom rang through your ears. “What the hell?!” You quickly turned off the water and wrapped a towel around yourself, looking outside to try and see what the noise was.

The darkness made it hard to see, even though the moon had fully risen by this point. In the shadows though you saw what looked like a giant crater in the ground, some brush around the area glowing like it had almost caught on fire. You squinted and gasped when you began to hear helicopters in the distance, shutting the curtain and all the lights off in the house so they would leave you alone.

‘What in the hell is going on? Did a piece of a satellite just fall in my yard?’

You threw on a loose night shirt and climbed into bed, pulling your covers up over you and relaxing into the mattress, your eyes beginning to feel heavy almost immediately.

‘If a satellite fell then the government better be willing to pay me for the damage to my property..’

You closed your eyes and fell asleep, only slightly annoyed by the sound of helicopter blades above your house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[heartfullofleeches]

Would love any questions/requests for him.

Hi, hello, I've risen from the grave again

I had a couple thoughts about him after scrolling through his tag for like an hour so...

you mentioned that he was married to his ex-wife out of college so then it's relevant to assume he didn't get a chance to explore the dating pool otherwise. So I'm curious to his reaction to/thoughts having a partner that dotes on/is super affectionate to him

-🦷

Theodore was married to his ex-wife straight out of high school as a result of her getting pregnant with their twins and agreeing to a deal with his folks where refusing would have led to him being cut off from the family and thus lose access to his college fund..

I'd say the more affectionate/caring his partner is, the more obsessed is he with them. Theodore considers himself a stable man, but between the loveless marriage with his ex-wife and neglect from his parents, and being an affectionate person himself in these lackluster environments - Theodore is more broken that he lets show and deep down in the pits of his shattered heart longs for someone to enjoy the smaller things in life with.

Theodore doesn't really know what to do in a proper relationship. He has so much love for his darling, but is afraid if he gives too much at one time they'll grow annoyed of his gestures like his wife did he when tried to make their marriage work. He starts off with casual compliments to let them know some extent of his feelings. If his partner is the one to dote on him, he wouldn't have a clue on what to do and his actions show. Fumbles his words, gets nervous at the very mention of them. He can't believe someone so... so... wonderful? Easy to be around? Perfect? There's so many words to describe his love in his mind, but what I'm getting at is he can't believe someone like them would fawn over him of all people.

Theodore takes their affectionate and gives it back tenfold. Surprises them with dates/gifts, calls them whenever there's time in his schedule, worships the ground they walk on- Daydreams about the moment he gets to see their face again and even keeps a tape recot on hand in hopes of catching some of their sweet words to get him through the day. He's a tired man, but the love of his boys and his darling is all he needs in the world to keep on going. Damn near ready to propose by their sixth month anniversary, but has enough restraint to let things develop a bit further before taking that dive.

[hiding-in-the-vault]

The cave au ^-^

CAVE AU.

This AU that I've kept in the back of my mind came purely from wanting to put the blorbos in cool low-lit atmospheres. The general idea behind the plot came from me deciding that because of the fantastical nature of the source material, I can really do whatever the heck i want. So I decided that the ground is growing!

Yeah, the surface is growing upwards, eating up whatever is built on it. For example, Tommy's little hill house doesn't get pushed higher up the hill; the ceiling stays where it is, but the ground below it grows around-- eventually the hill is much higher than the roof, eventually dirt and stone begins to consume, and eventually its gone.

It grows too fast for them to rebuild. Lakes are risen and walls crumble, causing massive floods. Ravines form and cave in on themselves, lava pools turn into volcanoes, all in the span of a few days. (magic™) It's sudden and violent and confusing, and there is no time to ask How or Why.

I compare it in my mind to how strangely and quickly mushrooms grow, which have always freaked me out lol

The prison fares much better and Sam holds out the longest, but eventually it too begins to get overwhelmed. Certain walls near the cell begin to bow in and the elder guardian system gets affected and suddenly it's a real security concern. He'll just build a new one underground : )

With how the ground is growing, the caverns below remain in-tact. They get much bigger, and expand much deeper than before. But the people above aren't the only ones having to adapt.

As I said in my last post about it, everyone travels primarily in one big sectioned group, at least until they find a relatively safe area to settle. The plan is to recreate some sort of hub as they had before, and people will be able to venture out from there if they wish. That includes Dream being forced along with the prison guards. But it does Not include Techno, Phil, and Niki. (Ranboo sticks with the big group- power in numbers!)

They go underground as well, but they do so separately, deciding tensions are bound to get high and wanting no part of it. But even as they enter the caverns from wildly different areas, Techno still catches wind of Dream being pulled along with the others, and starts working on a plan to give him a chance to escape.

[cheapsweets]

The Xerocolous Hraetnug

My response to this week’s BestiaryPosting challenge, from @maniculum

Pencil sketch, then lines in Pentel brush pen. Originally meant to be a single image, but didn't work with the cropping...

Reasoning below the cut…

"It has wings but does not fly, and its feet are like those of the camel. When the time comes for it to lay eggs, it raises its eyes to the sky and looks to see if the star called Vergiliae, the Pleiades, has appeared, for it will not lay its eggs until that star has risen. When the Hraetnug sees the star, around the month of June, it digs in the ground, deposits its eggs in the hole it has made and covers them with sand. When it gets up from the hole, it immediately forgets the eggs and never returns to them. The effect of the calm, mild air seems to be that the sand in the summer heat hatches the eggs, bringing forth the young."

Honestly, it's been a week, so just a quick one this time. I genuinely had no idea what creature this this prompt related to, until last night I was lying in bed trying to sleep, and suddenly it seemed So Obvious… Curious if I've guessed this one right!

I ended up taking this one pretty literally. I was originally planning on drawing some manner of Beast, but the wings AND the egg-laying made me lean away from this. Rather than a bird, I ended up going for a fairly generic dragon (with That Head which keeps on coming up for some reason on the most unlikely creatures); many dragon illustrations don't look like they could fly anyway, so maybe the wings are more for balance (or cooling, perhaps?). The feet are taken pretty much directly from camels (including the pad underneath that is just visible on the raised foot); this along with the sand makes me think this is a desert dwelling creature.

I genuinely can't work out what Vergiliae relates to, but we also have the Pleiades in the sky.

I'm never going to miss the opportunity to draw cute baby animals, so have a trio of baby Hraetnugs clawing their way out of the sand once they have hatched :)

I think it ended up looking a bit like something from the Moomins...

[majesty31]

𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝙰𝚛𝚎 𝟸/?

𝑻𝒂𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕 | 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕

𝒂/𝒏: 𝑯𝒆𝒚𝒚𝒚 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏’𝒕 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝟐 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒈𝒐, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝟐. 𝑬𝒏𝒋𝒐𝒚𝒚𝒚 <𝟑

𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚: 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕, 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔, 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒇𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔, 𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒏.

𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔/𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕: 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒔, 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈

𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕: 𝟑.𝟓𝒌

← 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔 | 𝑵𝒆𝒙𝒕 →

As I laid in Jacob's bed I couldn't get him out of my head, I've known about the tribe's legends for my whole life, and just last year I found out they were real, but for some reason when it's my best friend who's the monster everything is different, its real, scary.

Billy was so nice about it, so sweet and caring, like he knew how hard it would be for me to take this kind of information. I told him how I found out about the Cullens, but I just never thought about the wolves part, only bringing it up to tease Jacob.

My mind slowly started to drift off, sleep finally beginning to take over. I felt someone swipe the hair away from my face, saying a quiet "Sorry," Before I drifted off into sleep.

My breathing quickened as I ran through the trees, my heart pounding in my ears as I looked behind me, nothing. Though I didn't stop running, not until my lungs begged and burned for air.

I plunged into the ground, my hands only barely stopping my face from hitting the dirt that was beneath me. I sat on my knees as I brought my now-burning hands toward my body, looking around with wide eyes.

My breath shook as I caught a glimpse of dark eyes through the trees, but unlike before they didn't disappear. I was frozen to my spot on the ground as the creature slowly made its way toward me, a cry left my lips at the slight of it.

Finally, as if stupidity hit me straight in the face I ran. One thing I knew about wildlife was to never run away if you ever came face to face with anything dangerous, but it was like I couldn't stop my legs from moving.

I heard the creature running behind causing me to pick up my speed but as I took a quick glance behind me I found that I was running from nothing. Only when I turned around did I see it standing right in front of me.

I jerked up in my bed, breathing heavily as I looked around with wide eyes. I let out a sigh of relief once I realized I was still in Jacob's bed, safe. I put a shaky hand to my head, wiping away the cold sweat before my eyes turned to the window.

The sun had already risen, but like all the days before it was raining. Fog covered the sky and ground, leading me to miss the way it looked when the days were clear.

"Shouldn't I get a say in this?"

"No. Jacob he is trying to help you-"

"How is he gonna help me?" Everyone stopped talking the moment I stepped into the room. Jacob was sitting at the table with Billy and an unfamiliar face that I seemed to recognize.

"Y/N I'm glad your up," Billy said, motioning me over to the table. I furrowed my brows but did what the man said and sat down next to Jacob who gave me a sad smile.

"What's going on?" I asked, looking around the table.

"My dad is trying to get me to join Sam's little cult," Jacob said angrily. "Which I'm not doing," I looked at the man sitting across from me, only then realizing this was Sam, the same one who I knew as a kid.

"Look Jacob we all know what you're going through and if you join we will be able to help you through these changes," Sam didn't even try to correct him, now only understanding Sam's little group wasn't a cult, it was a pack, a wolf pack.

"I don't think it's a cult Jacob," He turned to me unbelieving.

"Your siding with them? I thought you were my best friend-"

"I am your best friend. I also want what's best for you and I think your dad knows more about this than you do," He closed his mouth, stubbornly turning his head away from me. "Look Jake, I don't think you want to go through this on your own. I think you should let Sam help you, he knows more about this than anyone,"

"Listen to Y/N," Sam said, making Jacob glare at him.

"Jake," I turned his face toward me. "If your too stubborn to do this on your own at least do it for your dad and me," He stared at me for a little, jaw clenching.

"I hate you," I smiled knowing I got him. "Fine but only because you said that," I cheerfully looked back at Billy who gave me a sweet smile, thanking me with a nod.

"But you'll have to cut your hair," Jacob's head snapped toward Sam.

"What?"

Over the next few weeks, Jacob started becoming better with his changes, he got his hair cut, and a tattoo signifying him as a werewolf of the Quileute tribe.

He was getting closer with the others in the pack too, and made amends with Embry, who I finally got to see after months of Jacob not letting me near him.

But one thing I didn't like was the way Jacob kept pushing Bella away, he felt that now that he was a wolf he would end up hurting her, both physically and emotionally.

So I agreed to keep Bella away, altho we both knew I wouldn't be able to keep her away forever.

"Bella stop!" I yelled as I ran after her, slamming the front door behind me. "Look if you go to La Push you'll only make things worse-" But she was already in the truck and starting the engine. I cursed to myself before racing to the other side and getting in.

The rest of the drive was me trying to get her to turn the truck around but it was like she had blocked me out, not listening to a word that came out of my mouth. As we stopped in front of the house, she jumped out of the truck and went to knock on the front door.

The door opened reviling Billy who was sat on his wheelchair, after he saw it was Bella he looked back at me who had come to stand behind her. I gave him an apologetic look before he turned back to my twin.

"Bella?"

"I need to see him," She said, getting straight to the point.

"He's not in," Even from my point of view I could tell he was lying and Bella saw it too. She stayed quiet for a moment, debating whether to leave or not. But after a few seconds of thinking, she walked past him.

"Sorry I really have to see him,"

"Bella," He warned, turning his wheelchair around to try and stop her. I chased after her after Billy opened the door wider for me but she had already opened the door to Jacob's room. I stopped, sighing in relief when I saw that he was sleeping.

But all the relief left me when she stormed past me and out the back door. Confused I looked out the window only to see Sam and the little pact he made walking toward the house, looking for Jacob no doubt.

I raced after her, leaving the back door open as I tried to catch up to her. But she was already yelling at the group of boys.

"What did you do!" They all stopped walking as Bella got closer and shoved Sam. "What did you do to him?" The others started getting angry and tried to defend their leader.

"Easy," Sam said, putting his hand out to stop the others from moving.

"Bella," I warned, pulling her arm back but she ripped it out of my grasp, ignoring me completely.

"He didn't want this,"

"What did we do? What did he do? What did he tell you?" Another boy said, stepping up. He had a nice build just like the others, his hair had been cut short, and had the same tattoo on his arm as all the rest.

"Both of you calm down," Sam stepped in, pulling the boy away from Bella. But both Bella and the boy ignored him.

"Nothing! He tells me nothing because he's scared of you!" At this, the boys started laughing. My eyes went wide knowing for a fact this would set her off.

"Bella. Stop" I warned again, trying desperately to get her attention but my words flew right over her head. And before anyone could stop her she slapped the boy across the face.

I gasped as his smile was whipped clean off and soon started to breathe just like Jacob did before he turned. I grabbed her arm, pulling her back with me but she would barely move.

"Bella. Y/N, get back!" Sam yelled. At the look on the boys face, Bella let me pull her away. If I was being completely honest this boy was scaring the shit out of me. It's one story to see the person you've known for your whole life shift, but seeing a total stranger is not the same story.

"Paul calm down now!" Paul was it? But he was too far gone to calm down now and everyone except Bella knew that. I pulled my sister behind me when Paul shifted completely, tearing the pants he was wearing clean off.

Bella shook with fear as she peaked her head out from behind me. They were so much bigger close-up, never had I seen a wolf this size. But all the thoughts about how the creature looked flew out of my mind the second he started stalking closer, growling.

The dumbest thing anyone can do is run away from something that wants to attack you, this just drives them more with the need to catch their prey. And that of course was the exact thing Bella did. She ran.

I could hear Jacob yelling both our names as I slowly backed away from the wolf. I took in a deep breath before I saw Jacob land in front of me in his wolf form. This made me sprint over toward Bella who had fallen on the ground.

She only glanced at me before her eyes were back on the fight that was unfolding in front of us. Soon the two wolves were in the woods, leaving everyone to watch as they disappeared into the trees.

I was quiet most of the ride to Sam's fiance's house, my eyes flickering to Bella every so often, checking to see when she'd have a panic attack. But she sat normally, her head turned toward the window for the whole ride.

I was confused about the way she was taking this. I thought if anyone would freak out it would be her, but I guess I didn't know her as well as I thought I did.

The truck stopped making me look up at a small cabin, it gave me a sense of home with the fruit sitting on the porch and the lights that were on inside.

"Hey, I think we should go back and see if Jacobs okay," Bella said, opening her window to yell at the boys who had already started walking toward the cabin.

"I think Paul should sink his teeth in him. Serves him right," The other boy said as I stepped out of the vehicle. This was the first time I'd met anyone other than Embry and Sam in the pack, but all the boys seemed to be alike in a way.

"No way Jacob's a natural. You see him faze on the fly? I got 5 that says Paul doesn't touch him," Embry cut in, going straight to Jacob's defense. Both boys stopped short once they realized Bella was still seated in the truck. "Come on in Bella. We don't bite,"

"Speak for yourself," The other boy said, a smirk on his face as he headed up the stairs with me following close behind.

Right as I entered, the woman, Emily turned around. The shock I experienced when she looked at me wasn't shown on my face as I took in the scar that went down one side of her face. She was beautiful, her dark black hair was open and hanging on her shoulder as she smiled warmly at me.

"Y/N right?" She asked as I stepped closer. I nodded, a smile on my own face. "Jacob talks a lot about you. I swear it's like I've already met you," She laughed, bringing me into a hug which I gladly returned.

"I'm surprised my name even came up. Hope he said only good things and not the embarrassing stuff he usually says," She only laughed at that before pointing to Embry who had made his way toward the table.

"Oh don't worry, I think Embry over there said worse things then Jacob," I narrowed my eyes as I went over and hit Embry over the head making him wince and laugh at the same time.

"Idiot," I muttered as I sat next to him, taking the second muffin he had in his hands, and taking a bite. He only laughed, shaking his head.

"Who's this?" Emily's voice cut in, making us all turn to Bella, who was standing awkwardly at the door.

"Bella Swan, Y/N's twin. Who else," The boy across from me stated.

"So you're the vampire girl," At that I coked on the muffin I was trying to eat, turning to face my twin, eyes wide to match her own.

"You knew!" I shrieked, still slightly coughing. She looked stunned.

"How did you know!?"

"I figured it out after pale face saved you from the van," The other boy laughed at the nickname as Bella blinked, trying to understand how I found out before her.

"Why didn't you tell me you knew?!" I pushed my chair away from the table, looking at her with disbelief.

"Why didn't you tell me you were dating a whole vampire?!" I asked making her go quiet, trying to find the right words. "How could you even date one, they kill people to live," She shook her head.

"No the Cullens never killed anyone," I scoffed, how could she still defend them after what happened.

"And your defending them why-"

"Okay, guys. I think I struck a sensitive subject," Emily said, going in between the two of us. "Y/N let's just calm down okay. I'm sure Bella had a good reason to keep this from you like you kept it from her,"

"The only reason she kept it from me was to protect her blood-sucking boyfriend. I kept it from her to protect her," My voice lowered at the last part, stepping away from the two and trying to catch my breath.

Bella had gone quiet, her eyes turned to the floor as Emily put her hands on my shoulders, a sad smile on her face.

"No one is right or wrong in this situation and it doesn't matter anyway because Bella isn't with the Cullen boy anymore," She said, her eyes soft as if she knew where I was coming from, like she experienced something of the same thing. "Let's try and be civil to each other okay?"

I nodded, sitting back down next to Embry who rubbed my back. Emily smiled before she went back to the kitchen, her eyes going back to Bella as if trying to figure her out.

She came back with a plate full of muffins and a cup of cold water that she set down in front of me. The other boy whose name I still didn't know went over to reach for a muffin.

"Save some for your brothers," Emily said, grabbing his hand before he could take one. She smiled at the look on his face before she turned to Bella. "And ladies first,"

"Muffin?"

"Sure. Thanks," Bella said, giving her a small smile before reaching to take a muffin for herself.

"Leave it to Jake to find a way around Sam's gag order,"

"He didn't say anything to me,"

"That's a wolf thing. Alpha's orders get obeyed whether we want to or not," Embry but in, his mouth full of food. "Alright, check it out! We can hear each other's thoughts," Embry turned to me, pushing me slightly with a smirk on his face. A small smile gave way on my face at the happy look Embry gave me.

"Will you just shut up? These are trade secrets. Damn it! This chick runs with vampires," He pointed to Bella. "Her all though," He said turning to me. "Will fit in around here,"

"Shut up Jared. She doesn't run with vampires anymore," Embry cut in defending Bella.

"And I can't really run with vampires," Bella quietly said, making Emily laugh. The boy looked at Bella, annoyance in his eyes. "Because they are fast,"

"Yeah? Well, we're faster," He leaned in further as he said that. Trying to make a point. "Freaked out yet?" Bella was quiet for a second before shaking her head.

"You're not the first monsters, I've met," My eyebrows raised at her choice of words but it seemed unnoticed to the boys.

"Jake's right. You are good with the weird," Sam said making me slightly jump as he entered the house, he didn't give anyone else a second look before he headed straight for Emily. I smiled causing most of the bad mood inside of me to vanish as he started kissing her all over her face, making Emily giggle.

I took the cold water that was in front of me and drank it slowly as Jacob and Paul entered the room, both shoving each other with smiles on their faces. I didn't even want to ask how the two made up so fast. Must have been a wolf thing.

Jacob smiled at me before he motioned Bella outside, though my eyes left him as soon as Paul came to sit down across from me. He didn't even realize I was there as he took a muffin and bit into it. His eyes shifted toward Jared as he said something causing Paul to laugh before smacking him upside the head.

Though after a few minutes, Paul's head turned toward me, his eyes meeting mine. My breath hitched as I gazed into his eyes which slightly widened.

It felt as if all the air had been taken from the world leaving me with nothing. Altho I felt something pulling at my heart, making it beat faster, so fast I could hear it in my ears.

It was like I was drawn to him, like he was taking the air from me, making me go into a daze, or a dream. Only I never wanted it to end, I never wanted this feeling to go away, whatever the feeling even was.

His eyes wouldn't leave mine as he stared back at me intently. It felt so intense but at the same time so safe. My stomach was filling with butterflies as the seconds turned into minutes, still, neither of us broke eye contact.

My head started to feel dizzy, and all of a sudden I wanted the boy to hold me, hold me and never let go. It sounded crazy even in my head but I felt like I had the need to make him mine, to calm him. Heat raised to my cheeks as an unfelt feeling came alive in me.

Is this what the fairytales always talked about, love at first sight. Tho they never explained it like this, never explained the way this feeling burned in my veins, the way I wasn't able to catch my breath, if I was even breathing at all. I felt as if I needed to be in his arms, as close to him as possible.

Sweat formed on my head as my body temperature rose, it felt too hot in here. The air became thinner, my body was burning with desire, one that I knew he felt too. But it was all too much, I knew if I didn't break away I would run out of air.

I pushed my chair back, bringing everyone's attention to me as I made my way towards the door, practically running outside as I inhaled the air that just moments ago was taken from my body.

An overwhelming sadness engulfed me as my mind cleared, the urge to run back inside was so strong that I almost did it, but common sense beat the other part of my brain that told me to go back to Paul. I didn't even know him and here I was feeling all of these strange feelings, ones I didn't think should be real.

"Y/N?" I heard Emily calling me, making her way down the steps toward me. She had a knowing smile on her face as she knelt down in front of me. "Are you okay?" She swiped a piece of hair away from my face.

"What the hell happened?" I asked, sensing that she knew what I just experienced in there with Paul. She bit her lip, taking my hands and pulling me up to my feet.

"How about you talk to Paul about it. He's the only one who knows,"

………

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