#THIS IS MY FAVORITE CHAPTER …..

[saintrocklee]

*:･ﾟ✧ RESTRAINT ╰┈➤ part 03 of 05

masterlist | pairing: itachi x reader publish date: 04.11.24 warnings: itachi pines. reader is oblivious, until you're not. there's alcohol, it's a party!

You're in slight awe as you're whisked up the stairs and through the archway that led to an oversized ballroom. No expense had been spared in furnishing and decorating the space. The fast moving wait staff along with being face to face with more famous people than you can count has you feeling lightheaded. There are pops of light lining your vision from all of the cameras and you're grateful for the warm hand guiding you through the chaos. You're not sure when Itachi had familiarized himself with your bare back but you immediately miss the contact when he takes a step away, only to fight back a smile when he offers you his arm.

If you were being honest you were out of your depth. Judging by how stiff Itachi felt as you slid your hand through the crook in his arm, you assumed he felt the same and took a steadying breath as he led you around the edge of the ballroom. There was a live band playing a soft song amidst the chatter of the crowd and three different bars scattered throughout the room serving drinks. Guests were still arriving and you can't help but pick out the people you recognize from some of the movies you've seen along with those you actually knew from working with Itachi. Multiple standing tables were set up all around the room, leaving a curious space in the middle you assumed was for dancing. You both come to a stop at an unattended table and you place your purse down on the black cloth cover before letting out a shaky laugh.

"This is ..." You trail off, failing to find an appropriate word for what you're feeling. Itachi hums.

"Overwhelming?" He supplies and you suck in your bottom lip to keep from grinning, nodding to a couple as they walked past.

"Over the top?" You counter and you're rewarded with a derisive snort.

"Excessive."

"Excruciating."

Itachi pauses and shifts to face you fully.

"Excruciating." He repeats and you rest your elbow on the table.

"Absolutely agonizing." You tease and there's a flash of displeasure on your boss' face. You let your smile come through and impulsively reach forward to feign adjusting his jacket, far too caught up in the moment to fully register what you were doing. It brings you a step closer to him and you miss the way Itachi's hands clench.

"It's too noisy in here, my shoes are kind of tight, my so-called date has already threatened to fire me -"

"With good reason -"

"For no reason, mind you -"

A girlish squeal interrupts you both and you blink, recognizing the sound immediately. Your fingers fall from Itachi's suit jacket just in time for a beautifully manicured hand to appear in your line of vision, jingling excitedly, bracelets twinkling under the lights. You turn and are enveloped into a comfortable but heavily perfumed hug while being chastised thoroughly.

"I can't believe you're here and you didn't text me, I have been begging for you to come to one of these with me for years!"

You pull away and smile warmly at Ino, an old friend of yours that you met when you started working for Itachi. She held a position equivalent to yours at a law firm and was currently working on passing her bar exam. It had slipped your mind that she would show face at events like this in place of her boss, and you keep still as she doted on you.

"You look ravishing, this has to be new - and I love the color. And your shoes, I honestly don't think I've ever seen your toes."

You smile and swallow a laugh when you glance back at Itachi, who seemed just uncomfortable enough to be in pain. One of your favorite things about Ino was how much she irked your boss and his face went from slightly tense to exasperated as she turned her attention to him.

"Finally letting her out, huh?"

Itachi's lip curled response.

"Ino."

His greeting is flat and rewarded with a roll of baby blue eyes.

"You're no fun." A flip of blonde hair. "I came over here to steal you." A pout of red painted lips. "I haven't seen you since that conference in Sedona."

You nod with your consent, having just spotted a couple of men making their way to your table. Whatever bubble you and Itachi had been in earlier was now popped and soon you'd both be surrounded by people, men and women alike, desperate to talk to him. You shoot him an edged smile as you grab your purse and let yourself be whisked away by Ino, partially grateful for your friend's obnoxious arrival.

Itachi's gaze follows you as you left with the boisterous blonde, tracking you across the room to one of the open bars that were now serving wine. Two men he barely recognized came to a stop next to him and he found himself participating in a rather dull conversation about a recent stock increase on a company he knew little to nothing about. Their time with him was short lived and soon they were replaced by another potential client, and so on it went. Itachi lost track of you in the crowd but he trusted Ino enough to know that you were in capable hands. After his fifth introduction Itachi finds himself alone and is about to find you when a drink is placed in his hand.

"Fair warning, it's not great scotch, but it's not awful."

Kisame grins down at him with more teeth than normal and Itachi sighs before taking an experimental sip. His friend's assessment was correct, but he's sure it's better than the wine they're serving and hums his thanks.

"Figured I'd wait till the sharks left you alone." Itachi ignores the obvious joke and Kisame continues, lips curling knowingly. "Saw who you came in with though."

Shrugging noncommittally, Itachi neither confirms or denies what Kisame was alluding to, and is rewarded with a barked laugh.

"So, what? Testing her out to see how the public reacts? Dazzle her with all the lights and -"

"Kisame." Itachi warns, but there's no venom behind his tone, and the larger man snickers into his half empty glass.

"Dinner and a movie would probably be easier than all this." KIsame pauses and looks at Itachi with eyes wide. "Don't tell me you made her come with you for work."

The frosty look he receives from the Uchiha has him grinning again.

"Of course you did."

Itachi opens his mouth to say no he did not but is interrupted by yet another group of people. Introductions and conversation flow much easier with Kisame next to him and time passes before Itachi is left alone with his friend again. This time Kisame avoids bringing you up and entertains himself by showing off pictures of his brand new baby daughter.

Itachi finds himself minutely distracted from the barrage of pictures as he tries to find you. He's become proficient at keeping you in his peripheral over the years and locates you quickly, off to the side of the crowd with Ino. You're both standing close together, shoulders brushing as you no doubt gossip behind almost empty glasses of wine. There's an easy smile on your face and he can tell by your posture that you're relaxed. Unwinding. Maybe even having fun.

Itachi taps his finger against his own empty glass as he wrestles with the unsettling realization that he is, in fact, more than a little jealous of Ino. Your lips are practically against her ear as you pull your wine glass down, just shy of your mouth, and whisper something that has her throwing her head back with a laugh. Kisame pulls at his attention once again and Itachi finds himself inappropriately agitated at the lopsided grin he receives. Deathly Uchiha eyes narrow and Kisame chuckles, motioning for Itachi's empty glass.

"Looks like you're in need of a refill."

With Kisame gone, he plays with the idea of collecting you when the music suddenly stops. Someone makes an announcement inviting couples on to the dance floor and slower music begins to play. Itachi's eyes find you again, idly wondering if you'd dance with him, and arches an amused brow when he sees you coming toward him. You're struggling not to smile and there's an anticipatory tingle in his chest that's making him work to keep his hands still.

"Long time no see." You breathe as you approach, standing closer than you were before. Itachi inhales a deep breath and hums, enjoying the soft scent of your perfume as you practically bounce in your heels. There's a twinkle in your eye that has Itachi weighing the consequences of running his thumb across your lip, just to see how you'd react, but he pockets the thought as Kisame rejoins the table.

Your face lights up when you see the older man, two glasses of scotch in his hands, and your smile turns devious.

"Good, you're both here."

Both men exchange a quick look as you shuffle in closer, leaning against the table and craning your neck forward. Kisame furrows his brow and hunches his shoulders down at your insistence.

"Okay, right behind me. You both see Hiruzen Sarutobi?"

Itachi could see him out of the corner of his eye and Kisame grunts in confirmation.

"Okay, okay. You see who he's here with?"

Kisame snorts into his drink.

"His wife?"

Your smile sharpens.

"Nope."

Kisame blinks.

"He's getting divorced. That is his daughter's babysitter."

The older man's mouth parts in surprise and Itachi snorts into his glass.

"They went public weeks ago."

Kisame and you both turn towards him in disbelief. He can see the betrayal in your eyes as you nudge him.

"And you didn't tell us? Rude."

Kisame nods in agreement and then jerks his head to the left.

"Notice Tsunade came alone?"

You and Itachi glance at the woman Kisame was referencing and you sigh, feigning boredom.

"Oh please, everyone knows she's sleeping with old man Jiraiya. I'll bet you fifty bucks they leave together."

Itachi hums a breathless laugh and Kisame groans, running a hand through his hair.

"She could do better. Did you hear about the Inuzuka family?"

"Yeah, there was something about the sister, right?"

"No, actually, her brother."

You cock your head in surprise as Kisame fills you in on the latest scandal and Itachi keeps himself entertained by watching the way your eyes widen and your lips part in surprise. He commits every detail to memory as he sips his drink, completely aware that he's fully enamored with you. Charming, he thinks to himself as you continue to relax and gossip with his friend. You were charming, eyes crinkling when you laughed, throat bobbing when you sipped your wine with a smile. He shifts, the back of his hand brushing against your side, and fights a smile when you lean into his touch. You're both shoulder to shoulder now, legs nearly touching, and Itachi slowly drags his knuckles up and around your waist to rest his hand on the bare skin of your back. Your glace at him as if confused and Itachi holds your gaze as Kisame pulls out his phone, excited for any excuse to talk about his daughter.

To his immense relief, you don't pull away as you turn your attention to awaiting baby pictures. That consuming and irritable tingling in his chest returns and to relieve some of the pressure, Itachi begins to stroke your skin with his thumb. You're soft and warm and he fights the urge to just grab you, call his driver, and leave. He'd take you back to his home where you both can finally be alone and confess everything against the unblemished skin just under your jaw. He'd watch the way your pupils would dilate as you finally understood the depth of his feelings, would weather whatever snark you'd throw at him, and maybe catch that stubborn bottom lip between his teeth. Itachi wants nothing more than to be gentle with you, to ease you into this and to take the time he knows you deserve, but you pulled at his patience like no other and he's prepared for the worst.

Itachi is pulled from this thoughts as Kisame is interrupted by a phone call from his wife. His friend excuses himself and before Itachi can say anything, you turn toward him, mouth set in a firm line. His hand moves from your back to your waist and he struggles with the urge to pull you even closer.

"I think I need some air." You tell him and Itachi nods once. Stepping out into the cooler air would help, he was getting too ahead of himself, too comfortable. He leads you towards a large door at the edge of the ballroom that is covered by a thick black curtain. The door knob clicks as it's opened and you sigh in relief when it leads to a balcony. It automatically swings shut behind you and Itachi lets you step away from him, eyes straying towards your chest as you inhale deeply. The area is empty, save for the two of you, and the light that peaks through the windows is faint.

"Thank you." You murmur as you turn back toward him. Itachi only hums in response and you roll your eyes fondly. His lip twitches in amusement and you let him see your smile. You're not sure if it was the wine, the fact that you were both alone, or the way your body was buzzing from the brief physical contact - but you felt a little giddy. Confident.

"And thank you for inviting me. This is actually kind of fun."

Your sincerity has Itachi's chest burning and he takes a step closer to you, unwillingly to be so far from you any longer.

"Of course." He murmurs, tone deepening as he lets himself feel. It's just the two of you, you're glittering and happy and responding positively to all of his advances, and that irritable tingling is back. He wants now, wants to tell you that you're beautiful, wants to drag his knuckles against your cheek and your jaw, wants to pull at your numerous hair pins and take in the scent of your perfume, he wants -

"I mean it. You could have brought anyone. So, thank you."

Your bright smile fades as you take in the way Itachi's mouth settles into a displeased line.

"I've already told you." He speaks and the finality in his tone is startling. "I prefer you."

You blink and what you say next slips out, pushed by the glasses of wine you've had and the sudden realization that you very much want him to mean what you think he means.

"Because we work together." You offer. A way out.

Dark eyes narrow.

"No."

The world must stop with how still you've become, with how silent everything else is. You're afraid to move, to breathe too harshly, afraid that you'll interrupt whatever spell you had been caught in. You're struggling to do anything but truly take in the man standing in front of you that just confessed he ...

Oh.

Oh.

Dizzy.

You feel dizzy.

Maybe lightheaded was the proper term. If not for your feet definitively touching the ground below you, you could argue that you were floating.

You can almost see it carved into the wood underneath you. The line you'd carefully avoided had materialized in front of you again and you're caught, caught in what feels like a trap but ...

But you're not trapped, you're with Itachi and your heart is stuttering in your chest and your throat is tight and you watch in anticipatory fascination as he steps over it like it was nothing. Crowds into your space like it was second nature and your pulse threatens to split the delicate skin right under your jaw. There's something so familiar about being here with him but the fear of not knowing what was coming next has you fighting the urge to run. To break the spell with an ill timed jab, to push it away yet again because -

"You're nervous."

It was like someone had snapped a rubber band against your skin.

"No." You immediately argue, going more off of habit than actually responding. The careful look Itachi had been giving you melts away into something soft and you can see the fond look in his eyes, in the way his face relaxes. A soothing warmth begins to take over the initial panic and you sigh, fighting back an embarrassed smile.

"Fine. Maybe a little."

Itachi exhales, mirth glittering in his eyes. They're lighter than you've ever seen them and the implication that it's because of you has your breathing catching.

"Why?"

You shrug and turn your head. If you were going to speak honestly you couldn't look at him. The sarcasm and bravado you've wielded as a shield for years were long gone and being vulnerable was challenging.

"I guess I don't," you pause and swallow, gathering courage "know why you're doing this."

He doesn't respond immediately and the wind tugs at you, causing you to reach up and brush stray hairs out of your face. You catch his eyes and blink at how open his expression was. He's searching your face and there's something raw about it. About him. You weren't standing in front of your employer anymore, you weren't standing in front of your friend; you were standing in front of man, a man that looked at you like he -

"I would think it was obvious."

Of course he would. The genuine confusion in his tone has you fighting back an exasperated smile.

"Obviously not."

You're barely whispering now, the light breeze taking most of your bravery with it, leaving you feeling bare. Open. Exposed. Itachi makes another move toward you, more of a half step, and you glance down to see your feet almost touching. His black polished shoes were a mere centimeter away from your heels and you can't think of a time you two had been closer. The line was nonexistent now. He'd done more than step over it, he'd gotten rid of it entirely. You couldn't even visualize it anymore, had no idea where it was to begin with, and blink when you watch his fingers twitch before disappearing into his pocket.

"I find myself growing increasingly fond of you."

You freeze, unable to look away from where his hand had slid into his pants. There's something rushing through you, adrenaline maybe, and you find yourself unable to respond. Itachi continues, either completely unaware of the turmoil you were feeling or enjoying the way he managed to stun you into silence.

"My intention is not to force you into this. I understand the delicacies of our working relationship and I do not want to make you feel obligated. I cannot, however, hide my feelings from you any longer. You have become," he pauses and your head flies up to see him. Dark eyes find yours and you swallow the sudden lump in your throat. The absurd urge to cry is from the glasses of wine you'd had, surely, and Itachi's gaze drops to your mouth. You find yourself nodding, blinking back the ridiculous tears that had started to gather, words thick with emotion.

"I feel the same -"

You're cut off by lightning fast hands on your jaw, by his thumb just under your lower lip. He grazes the soft skin there, eyes somehow going darker, and his next words come out strained and rushed.

"May I?"

You nod again, mouth opening to say yes but he's once again too quick and your eyes close just as his mouth presses against yours. It's you who makes the next move, parting your lips just enough to catch his bottom lip and pull. The hand on your jaw moves to your hair and tilts your head up, while his other hand finds the bare skin on your back and pulls you against him. Itachi takes the lead almost instantly, lips moving and pulling as he devours you. Your hands meet his chest and slide up to his neck, to his hair that you've longed to run your fingers through. It's soft and thick, free of tangles, and a noise catches in your throat when you feel the hand on your back tighten in time with your ministrations.

He likes it you think distantly and you wonder if you could get away with taking it down. Your train of thought is cut off when Itachi pulls away to kiss the edge of your mouth, the line of your jaw, and the noise in your throat turns into an audible gasp when his lips seal against your neck. Your body automatically arches into him and his grip on you turns to steel, his chest heaving in time with yours. He's working his way back up, lips continuing to dance along your skin, before claiming your mouth once again. He doesn't let you straighten and seems content to keep you pressed against him. You have to drop your hands from his hair and rest your forearms on his shoulders to keep yourself upright and whimper when you feel his tongue dip into your mouth. Your knees began to shake, you were having trouble breathing, and the heat pooling in your abdomen was sure to catch and burn you from the inside out.

He pulls away only to change the angle of his head before catching your mouth with his again. Confident hands move, one trailing down the side of your body to clutch at your upper thigh, gathering you closer. There's no space left between you and your dress rises as Itachi brings your leg up against his hip. You're on one leg now, completely at his mercy, and the kisses you're sharing turn more fervent. A whine leaves you as he grips the muscle there, his other hand tightening in your hair, fingers no doubt making a mess of your hard work.

We should stop, you think, but the reasonable side if you is gone, no doubt having melted under Itachi's touch. Your head falls back as the man begins to explore the skin of your neck, letting the heat of the moment consume you. There would be time for rational thought later. In the meanwhile, you're content to let Itachi have his way with you as your nerves buzz pleasantly under your skin.

Wait.

You blink away the fog clouding your judgement and frown. Something was buzzing. It takes you a second longer before you realize the source is coming from the inside of your boss' suit.

His cellphone. His cellphone was buzzing. Someone was calling him.

"Ignore it." Itachu murmurs against your skin, teeth catching just above your collarbone. A very unladylike groan leaves you.

"Itachi." You breathe, hoping to sound chastising. There was an entire event happening inside and people would no doubt be expecting to mingle with him. Your efforts have the opposite effect and you shudder at the absolute sinful noise he makes.

"Say it again." He practically purrs and you shudder once more, mouth accepting another heated kiss. The buzzing stops and your focus returns to Itachi's tongue curling into your mouth. He doesn't seem to be pushing you any further than this and it's perfect. You're almost completely lost in him again when the buzzing picks back up.

You tilt your head away and Itachi heaves an agitated breath against your ear. Fighting a smile at the borderline tantrum your boss was throwing, you adjust your position to reach inside his jacket. His hands keep you where you're at which earns him a glare as you wobble awkwardly. Judging by the smirk curling at his mouth, you're intimidation tactic was not working.

"Annoying." You huff, finally pulling his cellphone out. Eyes twinkle at you mischievously as you check the caller ID.

Kakuzu.

Your jaw drops in surprise as you show Itachi who's calling.

"You have to take this."

Itachi doesn't move or let you go.

"I thought it was Saturday."

Your nose crinkles and you bringing the phone to your ear with a scowl.

"Itachi Uchiha's phone."

Your tone is clipped and professional and Itachi sighs irritability as he finally lets your leg go. You shuffle away from him as presumably Kakuzu's assistant asks if Itachi is free for a brief chat. You turn your back to the man in front of you who's impassive face promised punishment if you didn't hang up the phone and confirm that yes, Itachi was free, please hold on. You mute the call and turn back, arm extending out for him to take the phone.

"If he's calling you now, it means he's considering -"

"I'm busy."

You glare at him and jostle the phone. Itachi's lips thin and you can't decipher if he's hiding a smile or a frown.

"I just checked your schedule and you're free. How convenient."

A snort.

"Maybe I should fire you."

Your lips pull upward.

"If you do, I'll report you for sexual harassment."

Your quip earns you a chuckle that sends warmth through your chest. Itachi finally accepts the offered phone and puts it to his ear.

"I will find you later."

You nod, biting back a smile at the promise in his tone, and turn to go back into the ballroom. Shaking hands attempt to smooth the wrinkles in your dress and you delicately pass your fingers over your hair. Surprisingly, most of your up-do held and you decide heading straight to the bathroom was your next logical choice. If Ino got wind of what just happened, it'd be on the front page of every trashy tabloid by the next morning.

Your hand is on the door when quick footsteps stop you along with a hand on your elbow. You turn, ready to give Itachi a piece of your mind, when his lips crush into yours. It's bruising, hot, and quick. He pulls away, phone still next to ear and hums in agreement to whatever was said on the other side. You blink owlishly at him as his thumb wipes away any wetness left under your bottom lip. His eyes scan your face before turning away, tone clipped as he told Kakuzu that was not what they agreed upon. You're frozen in place for a breath and then another before you pull the door open, not wanting to get swept up again, and rejoin the event inside.

[demelzathemer]

My Heart Is a Haunted House

𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘗𝘢𝘺𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 + 𝘗𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘪, 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘛

@dbdpromptober Day 6 (words: 1717)

In this episode of the Corpse Bride AU, featuring: Charles' uncanny ability to compartmentalize the horrors, Jenny being a single father

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Charles groaned, screwing his eyes shut tighter, trying to will the dizziness to die down. He felt a dull ache where he’d fallen onto the hard ground and moved his arms with difficulty, blindly grasping around him for something solid.

“Are you alright? I’m sorry, I didn’t anticipate such a harsh landing,” he heard a kind voice say, somewhere close to him.

When he cracked his eyes open, he saw a hand outstretched towards him. It had the most pristine white glove followed by a sleeve of a fancy pressed shirt and jacket. Charles’ muddy brain decided to zero in to the fact that the cufflink was missing, grabbing the hand without much thought.

He was pulled up and when he swayed, still wobbly on his feet, another hand came to support him on his upper arm. Charles felt something was weird and turned to stare.

The hand against his black coat was as stark white as the suit sleeve, bare tapered knuckles of a skeleton.

Charles snapped his head up. The corpse groom stood in front of him, peering at his face with a worried frown between his brows.

He yanked his hands back like he’d been burned when Charles flinched, staggering backwards. He saw hurt flash across that handsome face, but he was too disoriented to process it.

The ghoul bent down and picked up the fallen lantern with his skeleton hand.

“I’m-” he started, his voice strained.

“Edwiiiin-!” A sing-song squeal of delight interrupted him when a girl with long white hair jumped from behind a stone wall to skip towards them. Her bloodless skin matched her hair and kimono, giving her a ghostly appearance.

“We heard everything! Congrats, you two!” She beamed. The arms she threw around both of their necks were solid, pulling Charles from out of his head.

This was really happening.

From the vice-grip of her hug, Charles lifted his head to look around. They were on a cobblestone street, enclosed with walls, narrow alleys leading into dark shadows. He couldn’t see the moon above them, as if the sky was more like a low-hanging ceiling, trapping them underground.

“Come, come!” She hopped away like a bird, pulling at their sleeves. “Everyone wants to meet you!”

Charles let himself be pulled, but Edwin dragged his feet. Before they turned the corner, he turned to Charles, speaking fast in his polite manner.

“It must be quite sudden, I’m sorry. Everyone can be a bit… much, at first, but I assure you, they only have good intentions.”

Charles nodded his head slowly, still dazed. Music and lively sounds of a crowd could be heard from the other side of the wall. It had been a long time since he’d heard that electrifying buzz of a good party. Not once after leaving London.

Gazing down at Edwin’s skeleton hand holding the lantern and the ghost girl on his side, he came to a realization.

This was a dream. The most vivid and wonderful dream, the strangest dream he’d ever had. So whatever happened, he was going to have a good time, wasn’t he?

Charles grinned.

“Don’t worry about it, mate. I’m aces.”

Edwin seemed reluctant still, so Charles grabbed his hand. Even through the silk glove he could tell how cold his fingers were. They rounded the corner led by the ghost girl and Charles saw what Edwin had meant by “everyone.”

All the people gathered -and there was quite a crowd- were dead. There were those with clammy, gray skin, and those with parts of their bodies decayed. Some of their clothes were torn rags, some wore old-fashioned wigs and funeral attire, and then there were those whose flesh has long since fallen off their bones, leaving them as living skeletons.

A roar of cheers welcomed Charles and Edwin, joyful hooting and hollering, waving hats and raised glasses.

“Toast to the newlyweds!”

The people rushed forward to shake Charles’ hand and pat his shoulder, many pointed digits poking at him.

“Edwin, dearie, you’ve brought a live one!” One grandma exclaimed when she squeezed Charles’ arm.

“Fresh meat!” Squealed a skeleton kid where he clung to Charles’ leg, getting hoisted up with him when dozens of hands grabbed him.

His hold from Edwin’s hand was broken but when Charles caught a glimpse of him between the crowd, he was smiling.

The band played a wacky jazz version of the wedding march when Charles was thrown in the air with enthusiastic huzzah’s.

“To the loverboy!”

The clinking glasses spilled bright green liquid on the floor and was poured through empty rib cages. Charles barely missed hitting a chandelier with live candles.

“What are we celebrating?” He asked, out of breath from the jostling.

“Your proposal of course, you silly!” Somebody answered from the crowd.

“To our corpse groom!”

Over in the air he saw that the cramped space was a pub, with wooden counters and well-worn seats, the corners rounded and smooth from years of serving patrons.

“I proposed?”

The room was spinning in Charles’ eyes, colors and movement blurring together. The chandelier above him had mounds of melted wax covering it and dripping down. Every flame burned a different hue, casting moving shadows on the walls.

“Yes! It was so romantic! I hope someone would propose to me like that!”

Charles was tossed in the air for the third time.

“To their love everlasting!”

The many skeleton hands and bones arranged themselves into descending stairs. When the crowd parted, he was presented with Edwin in a spotlight. One look at the shy smile playing on his broken lips got Charles’ heart doing cartwheels.

You BET I proposed!!

The band played a groovy fanfare and Charles didn’t think he’d ever grinned as hard as when he stepped down towards Edwin. He didn’t feel his feet touching the ground at all, walking on air with joy when his hands met Edwin’s and he pulled him into dance.

Charles caught him when he stumbled, stiff as a board, and twirled him around. He heard the ghost girl giggle behind them, a clear and delighted sound, and Edwin caught Charles’ forearms, stopping him to give him a reprimanding look.

Breathing was light and laughter was easy when joy bubbled up in Charles’ chest, endeared by that stern lift of one eyebrow. The skeleton band played their cooky tunes, infectious enough to have everyone dance, and soon Edwin was swept along by Charles, relaxing with their hands tightly entwined.

Charles confirmed that time didn’t exist in dreams, because that felt like hours and too little at the same time. After one more song after saying two times it was the last song he was going to dance to, Edwin finally pulled Charles out of the party to have a break.

They slumped on the barstools on the far end of the counter, Charles’ shoulders shaking when he buried his head into his arms on the table and giggled.

“You are killing me, Charles Rowland. And that would be an incredible feat, since I am evidently already dead,” Edwin groaned, making Charles laugh even harder.

He stole a glance at him over his arms; Edwin was fussing over his perfect hair and crooked bowtie, gathering his composure. Charles bit his lip to muffle another giggle bubbling up. He reached out his hand to try to sneakily mess his hair up, but Edwin snatched his fingers into his palm and put them back on the table.

“So, what can I get you boys?” The bartender asked sharply, making Charles jump up and fix his posture.

She had black hair in a well-kept updo, and her skin was so white and translucent the dark shadow of her skull could be seen underneath. The black ink on the tattoo around her throat absorbed light, making her look almost decapitated.

“Whatever he’s having,” Charles shrugged.

“Good. We only serve one thing,” the bartender said in a flat tone and looked him dead in the eye.

Charles flinched when she slammed down a big cleaver into the counter where it stayed up, quivering. With her now free hands she poured two glasses of the same lurid green liquid and pushed them over.

“Are you a butcher or a bartender..?” Charles asked, accepting the glass. Her white button up and black apron didn’t clue him in either way.

“Newsflash, fresh meat. We’re dead. We can be whatever we fucking want. Ain’t no rules like upstairs, down here. Is that clear?” She cocked her head and gave him a mocking smile.

“He wasn’t trying to be disrespectful, Jenny,” Edwin cut in. “Jenny, this is Charles. Charles, Jenny.”

Charles didn’t dare stick out his hand for a shake when that cleaver was still too close. He opted for one of his winning smiles.

“Happy to meet you-,” he began, when Jenny grabbed the handle of the knife.

“Listen here, kid. I’m gonna say this exactly once. I don’t know who you are, and I don’t care. But if you do anything to make Edwin sad, then you and I are gonna have a problem.”

Jenny squinted her eyes coldly towards Charles. In full view of him, she yanked the cleaver from the wood and moved her finger across the sharp edge, the shiny metal glinting in the lights menacingly.

“If you plan on hurting him, you should get the fuck out before I can hurt you.”

“Jenny, I can assure you that is completely unnecessary,” Edwin sighed. “Firstly, I’m not a kid. And secondly, I know Charles.”

Charles caught the look in his eyes when he glanced at him, and it set out a warm wave flushing him from head to toes. Edwin looked at him with such unbearable fondness it was impossible to receive or comprehend. Charles felt like there was a puzzle piece missing, something that would make him understand. How could Edwin hold such open adoration for him, when he knew nothing about Edwin?

Well, that should’ve hit him a lot earlier. Charles spun around to stare at Edwin again, to study him with new intensity. The fancy white suit. The blood that covered half of it.

“What happened to you?” He blurted out.

Edwin’s eyes darkened and he turned his head away. It seemed like he’d anticipated the question for some time now.

[bunneechan]

there is something so damn satisfying about the face physics when Gojo and Yuta are swapped.

like you know very well Gojo is currently occupying Yuta's body because he gives some sort of edge to his facial expressions. meanwhile Yuta softens Gojo's facial expressions.

not to mention those edits of Sukuna without his face markings. you'd think he'd just be Yuji under that but it's a whole different character; a whole different aura.

i just really love it.

[heptagadu]

Rabbit panic!

[yallstar]

“I look forward to hearing what you have to say in another four months.”

(read left -> right) it's here!! the chapter 5 comic is done (for now, i might want to come back and do proper lines and colors at some point). i just couldn't choose one part of the Big Moment to illustrate so i did.......all of it (ᵕ・ᴗ・)

scene from differential burdens in displacement

[bundeadly]

smile at hope in the name of despair

[nyehhehhehs]

What Papyrus Deltarune has been up to

[onthecrescentofthehill]

the paintings in this ep :^(

[z13lovebot]

Haven't posted in a while have some duos

[kalwithatrenchcoat]

One Minecraft Bee Plush for Shayla.

Below is the No Text Version

[clumsypuppy]

eos pt. 1

[maiko-coy]

We were all thinking the same thing when we heard the Hoppy VHS, right?

[craske]

everyone BOARD THE TRAIN

[bookish-bogwitch]

BPD Chapter 5: I'd Be Your Little Spoon

Chapter 5 is live!

Chapter 5 is live.

A school dance. Some stolen snuggles. How did it end up like this?

Basil Pitch's Diary

T, 19k, 5/13.

Baz is determined that 2015 will be his year. His year to break free from his vampirism, his father's expectations, and most of all, his feelings for Simon Snow.

There's only one problem...

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Next update March 9

[egophiliac]

Most unhinged moment in TWST Wonderland that made you go:

I love this game.

can I just say the entire front half of episode 7 chapter 8, because everything about it was BONKERS in the most absolutely delightful way. genuinely this might have been the funniest single update yet. we got Idia's directorial debut! big stronk Epel! and. just. gestures to the entirety of SavanaRook. (then Vil went into a spiral of murdering people that culminated in punching the manifestation of his own insecurity in the face, and that was good in an entirely different kind of way, but I digress)

if I have to pick one though, I'm gonna go with Idia's video, because 1) adorable, 2) seriously just look at it, and 3) I did legit have to replay that subchapter on account of laughing over most of it the first time. truly Idia is the artistic genius of our generation.

[tashedpotatoes]

MY SHAYLA 😭