#Thank you everyone for sticking around this long and listening to me say silly things about cereal!

[bowlzone]

Today's cereal is Special K Crunchy Golden Clusters!

Initial impressions: some dedicated Bowl Zone readers might know this already, but I am actually quite intolerant to gluten. So, of course when I saw potentially the most gluten forward cereal box I've ever seen, I had to pick it up. I bought this box a couple weeks ago and have just kind of been looking at it, building up the courage to eat it. Special K is also not a cereal I've ever given much consideration to. I'm curious to see if these new clusters evoke a Special K passion within.

Post bowl thoughts: well, this cereal looks like eco-friendly cat litter. It doesn't have much of a smell. I saw all this and went in as a hater, but little did I know, this is a fantastic cereal. There is golden syrup in the mix here but the main flavor is really the grain itself which is deeply unusual in today's landscape of corn-based cereals. It feels savory and fulfilling with that sweetness cutting through to make it a really moreish bowl. The texture is somewhat grainy but ultimately reminds me of a really sturdy bread. There is a deep crunchiness here, a texture I can't really describe as anything other than a cronch. The pieces kept their sturdiness in the milk and provided such a toothsome eating experience that this small bowl of cereal felt like a full meal. Talk about a breakfast to start your day off right. The only downside to this cereal is that it is simply too nice, I cannot be trusted to make sensible choices with it under my roof. It will have to be passed along to a friend while I sit and yearn for what could have been.

[justgrey]

Hello! I’d like to request the mercenaries with a fem mercenary reader who is a shapeshifter and has a pretty chaotic personality? Basically Nimona from the movie Nimona lol

Watched the movie finally, and now I'm gay for ballister. Thanks for that xoxo. be on the lookout for something on him because i want to chew him and hit him like a tennis ball

Also, it's safe to say I got a little stupid with this one 💀

Mercs with a chaotic! reader

Warnings : swearing, light mentions of gore, talk of body parts, medic.

CHAOS CHAOS CHAOS *jevil laughter*

Probably get along really well with Pyro and Scout not gonna lie because Pyro likes to burn shit (Even though I'm pretty sure they think they're spreading joy and colour) and Scout is pretty hyper in general, willing to go along with anything as long as it's fun.

*burns down barn*

"huddah huh huu hud."

"Yeah, loving the colour too, pally. Really makes the wood boom." *evil chuckles*

As soon as Pyro learns about your shapeshifting ability, they're all over you. They want you to play 3 different characters at their tea parties simultaneously and transform into a unicorn so that they can ride you into battle and fulfill their wildest dreams

"Hud hudda hu hubuh huuuuh HUDDAH!!"

"Okay, okay, fine!" *transforms into a unicorn* "Get on."

*excited hu noises*

"HUDDAHHHH!!"

Besties 💗🌈🔥✨️

Some of the older and quieter mercenaries are NOT gonna be having a field day with you and your silly little personality.

Sniper hates it THE MOST. He doesn't like people that much in general and can barely keep up with the hyperactive chaos that is you, so he mainly sticks to watching you burn shit down from afar.

"Did'ya really have ta' do that much?"

"Yeah. Why, you not liking it, pissboy?"

"..."

"That's what I thought. Don't be a hero, buddy."

Although he doesn't appreciate your snarky attitude, he likes how you can shapeshift. He really likes animals and will sometimes scope in on you when you transform, nodding with approval and whispering a little, "cool" that he hopes nobody hears.

Spy thinks you're a nuisance around the base but definitely sees the usefulness in your shapeshifting abilities since he kinda almost does the same damn thing, just with his goofy masks. He respects you for that, if anything, at all.

Do not ever expect to replace him or get remotely close to him in espionage, though. If you are at the same level as Nimona, you're not great at directly impersonating humans, and he will tease you about it.

"What was that, today?

"What was what?"

"The 'Oh Mon deu! Ack! Oohh! I dropped my baguette' if that was meant to be an impersonation of me, know that it was terrible, and my lawyer will be contacting you."

"I dunno, I think it was pretty accurate." *shrug*

Medic loves you. Sorry, not sorry. Loves you. Does get tired of you sometimes, but not all the time. He's generally also very *bzzz bzzz chaos organs* so he's happy to indulge in whatever you want to do which usually involves the absolute destruction of everything.

Medic is also incredibly fascinated by your shapeshifting ability. Do not sleep around this man while shape shifted because he's poking and prodding everywhere while you're out.

"Ohoho... how peculiar" *pokes open nerve*

"YEOUCH WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

*nervous chuckle as he hides a bucket of blood and from your view*

Engineer tries to be that guiding light he thinks you need. He's a friend, a father figure, a colleague, whatever you need. He's a nice Southern gentleman with a slightly insane twist. Encourages you to be careful around the others, but if you aren't, he's not complaining. Makes the job easier if everyone listens.

Heavy is pretty chill with you. He's neither annoyed nor pleased that you're around. He relatively keeps to himself, medic, and his guns.

Actually, do not touch his gun. Do not pretend to be his gun either.

Soldier and Demo like your charisma. You can be a pretty fun drinking partner for demo, and a nice soldier when you're willing to follow orders (which isn't usually) but as long as you get the job done with as much destruction as possible, Soldier is saluting you almost as much as he does the American flag that is hanging next to his bed.

"ANOTHER GREAT DAY, TODAY! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND I MIGHT RAISE YOUR STATUS, CADET!"

"SIR YES SIR! or something I dunno, fuck this is weird..."

*walks with soldier, ignoring the screams of the dammed behind you*

He makes you transform into an eagle and has you sit there on his arm for a while, admiring you fly. It's brought him close to tears on many occasions.

Whenever he gets married to Heavy's sister, Soldier is making sure that you are THERE as an Eagle. He'll pay you to fly across the sky and make majestic bird noises.

Overall, some very mixed experiences. But a fun concept either way.

[6okuto]

heyy l love ur all your touchstarved hcs and I was wondering if you could write anything for ais? if you’ve done him already could you do leander? thank youu <3

GENERAL AIS HCS

gn!reader | OF COURSEE my babygirl & thank u omg IM GLAD U GUYS LIKE THEM !!🫶 i'll probably make a separate leander post + posts for the others too tbh

you see it in the demo but he's so so happy to see you get along with princess + any other pets 🙁 personally i need a scene where they go to you instead of him and he pretends to be offended.

"after all i've done for you?" he asks before squatting beside you. his eyes flicker over to you before he joins in petting them. "guess i can't blame you, though."

ais teaching them tricks and grinning and saying good job and laughing when they jump on him for a reward. him teaching princess a trick and secretly being very excited to show you because he wants to see your reaction🙁💔

ONE LAST PET NOTE but i need to know what other names he's thought of because he totally looks like he'd give a big scary pet the silliest name ever. peak entertainment for him

if you know any other languages he'd love to learn some phrases!! yes i mean insults for others and nicknames for you. ais loves using them on like,, leander,, who's like What? so he can go "Wouldn't you like to know."

would be very amused if you dyed your hair to match his. calls you a copycat but if you threatened to redye it he'd get more annoying (said lovingly)

does the thing where he leans in really close as if he's gonna kiss you then doesn't. he reaches to grab something behind you and moves away while grinning

he likes listening to you talk about your interests and makes sure to remember important details. casually osmosis's (???) your interests and opinions even if he's never touched it himself

pulling him closer by his clothes or necklaces gets him. Interested.

the pocky game. he takes huge bites and kisses you or gets so incredibly close everyone's just like oh shut up. takes the stick that's a centimeter long between his fingers and goes "i think we got an inch left"

the type of guy who if you wordlessly hugged him would be like "miss me that much?" but have a noticeably firm hold around you because he Is a little worried about why you're hugging him. if you sincerely say yes, his eyes and voice soften when he says "well, good thing i'm here now."

he's confident and totally trusts you but he also finds it incredibly amusing to walk up and kiss you or wrap an arm around your waist if he sees someone try hitting on you. asks "hey, babe, who's this?" while staring right at them. Won't be nice if the person's an ass though

not afraid of pda. you could literally be clinging on to him and he wouldn't mind.

one of the guys who'd carry your silly looking bag without hesitation

you could say "oh try this," about a silly little heart headband and he'd let you put it on as long as he can give You one. "now we match," he says with a grin. take a picture together and set it as his lock screen and he won't change it for ages

looks like a guy who will drape himself on top of you if you're in bed or on the couch. the type of guy who when you say you need to go pee says okay i'll come with you before you shove him

^ likes it when you hold him and just play with his hair or trace things along is back. he plays that game where he tries to guess what you're writing and is ? weirdly good at it ?

if you made a playlist for him he'd listen to it whenever he misses you

also if you have spotify he always checks your profile. you say "i need to know who's liking my playlists" and he's like yeah they must have a crush on you. it's literally him though

sends you shit like this and says you @ me / us / etc because he's annoying and also correct. ais at the peak of the "you want me so bad" jokes would be on top of the world

[thetriplets3]

I'm sorry if I confused you! I read the response wrong haha. Can I please request a fic, I know you like Matt more and I don't care if you do Matt or Chris

but one where Matt holds readers hand for the first time and it's all sweaty, but cute?

Thanks! 👙

sorry i’m just answering this now. this is my attempt at a blurb. a long blurb. also as i finished writing this i realized i didn't really do the request exactly sorry

❝𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝❞

the boys had invited me to go to the flea market with since i haven’t been able to go the past few times. i can’t help the feeling of anxiety that washes over me as i get ready. will it be busy? what if i get separated from the boys and can’t find them? i’m from a small town i’m not used to stuff like this what if i stick out like a sore thumb and everyone can tell i don’t belong here? i shake my hands out before walking into their house, announcing myself to let them know i’m here so we can leave right away as planned.

i’m first greeted by matt who’s sitting on the couch patiently ready for his brothers to hurry up. a wide smile graces his face as he stands up and makes his way to pull me into one of his comforting hugs.

“everything okay?” he quietly asks as his head rests atop mine, concern lacing his voice.

all i can manage to say back is a small “mhm i’m good” with a smile in attempt to cover up my nerves. he pulls away from the hug still holding me at arms length looking in my eyes for any uncertainty and anxiety.

“it’ll be a good day i’m glad you’re finally able to come with us. i knew the first time we went that you’d love some of the stuff they have” he says with a smile before turning towards the stairs to yell at his brothers to get downstairs. waiting for them to come down my eyes look anywhere but at matt and i fidget with my finger twisting the bottom of it around realizing i forgot to put my rings on.

nick and chris come barreling towards me embracing me in a quick hug before we head to the car.

“are you looking for anything in particular?” chris turns to ask once he gets situated in his seat.

“no just whatever catches my eye” i softly reply.

as we drove around in circles trying to find an empty parking spot i could feel my breathing slightly pick up seeing how many cars there were. my eyes meet matt’s in the rear view mirror. i watch as his brows furrow ever so subtly not wanting to draw attention to our silent conversation of him scanning my face and wordlessly asking if i’m okay. i send him a small nod and a closed lip smile letting him know i’m fine. or at least that’s what i’m trying to convince him and myself. we all get out of the car and head towards where the booths are. i’m a few steps behind the boys trying to collect myself and my thoughts as i shake my hands out and let out a deep breath. i’m interrupted from my thoughts as i feel a warm hand in mine that’s quickly replaced by a cold feeling and fingers linking mine making my eyes snap up.

“just so ya know kid, the darting, wide eyes, the chewing on your upper lip, the hand shaking, heavy sighs, the antsy shifting, and fidgeting with your fingers doesn’t say ‘i’m good’” he says just loud enough for me to hear in a joking manner with an undertone of concern.

seeing the tears build in my eyes he squeezes my hand letting me know he’s here to listen. “i was so excited to come here but i just couldn’t help but think and worry about stupid thoughts and i let those thoughts get to me and then seeing how busy it is just made it worse. i just feel silly letting my thoughts get the best of me and ruin the things i look forward to you know?” my voice shakes.

“hey hey it’s okay deep breaths. you should have said something earlier i would have been able to help you. if you feel like it’s too much we can leave, or we can go look around and if at any point you wanna go we can, or you and i can just sit in the car and listen to music while nick and chris look around” he always knows what to say.

“do you mind if we sit in the car? ” i quietly ask, feeling guilty for ruining the plans.

“not at all because i get to spend time with you and that sounds even better than being around anyone else”

he sends nick a quick text telling him i don't feel good and that we're just gonna hang out in the car but tells them to take their time (wanting to spend more time with just you). getting yourselves settled in the car i lean my seat back so i can lie down knowing that'll make me feel better not having to see everything and everyone around me. matt follows my actions, turning his body to face mine with a big closed lip smile on his face. he pulls out his phone and scrolls looking for a specific playlist. my brows furrow briefly before turning soft as i hear my favorite song start playing. this isn't matt's taste in music and not a song i've ever heard on one of his playlists before. he must have been able to sense my confusion.

"i- uh i made a playlist with your favorite songs because i know you find them comforting and i thought it'd help calm you down when you're feeling anxious and i like listening to them, they remind me of you" he says not letting you see the name he gave the playlist.

my heart melts at his admission. i didn't think he remembered something so small, i mean he knows my favorite artists but i didn't know he paid attention to the specific songs that were my favorite, let alone care enough to make a playlist to help me. such a sweet gesture that makes my heart flutter. i reach my hand out resting it on the center console, taking the hint he intertwines his fingers with mine giving them a subtle squeeze.

"thank you. for everything. i didn't think anyone paid attention to the things i say especially something so insignificant. i don't remember what i say half the time because it's usually nothing important" i say barely above a whisper.

"everything you say is important and significant to me. you're important to me and i see the way your eyes light up when you talk about things you love, of course i'm gonna pay attention and remember. seeing you happy is important to me" his volume matching mine. "i love you always have and always will, you're important to me"

i caught the way his pupils grew as they sparkled more than they usually do when he says i love you. he meant it differently this time.

"i love you matt" i confess, returning the sparkle. our eye contact is full of love and every unsaid emotion. his hand squeezes mine as he brings it to his lips.

"close your eyes and rest we might be waiting a while for them".

and we did just that with our hands intertwined and our feelings for each other out in the open.

taglist: @antisocialties @iluvmatt @dwntwn-strnlo @fake-coolbeans @opheliaofficial07 @angelcake-222 @oneirophobic @strniolo @lollibumblebee @ssturniolo @20nugs @abbie13sworld @strniolo @luvsturniolo

[arielhopepeace]

This is the final part to my short little story. Thank you to everyone for interacting, commenting, reblogging, messaging, oh my GOSH, the love has been unreal. I appreciate every single one of you from the bottom of my heart ❤️ I know it’s just a silly little story, but it makes me happy to always see notifications when I come on here 🥹

Part Eight

18+ only

Tw: A LOT OF SMUT, choking, degrading, praising, voyeurism, exhibitionism, name calling, daddy issues, edging, rough sex, squirting, talk of divorce (I think that’s everything lol)

8,300 words

  As you prepare a simple apple with peanut butter for breakfast, there's a small knocking sound coming from your front door. Your ears perk up, wondering if you even heard it correctly, or if your mind is imagining things. You leave the kitchen, walking through the living room to the entrance of your house, pulling it open to see a beautiful, smiling Sarah.

Your heart twists as you gaze down at her, seeing that she's wearing the S necklace you bought her for her birthday. The gold metal looks lovely against her skin tone.

"Hi, y/n," she says with a grin. "I'm sorry for just coming over, but I missed you. It's been too long since I've seen you."

A dull ache blooms in your chest, a feeling you've come to recognize all too well lately as deep sorrow.

"I'm sorry, Sarah. I've been really busy at work and—"

She shakes her head. "I'm thirteen now, y/n. I'm not stupid."

You laugh, shifting the weight to your other foot. "What do you mean?"

"My dad has been moping around the house for the last two weeks, and you've stopped coming around. Did you guys date and just not tell me?"

Your brows pinch together, gesturing her inside the house. You shut the door behind her, having Sarah follow you to the kitchen to offer her a refreshment. She takes a bottle of water happily, sitting on one of the barstools.

"We didn't want to tell you until we were more established," you begin gently. "It was only about a month."

"A month?!" she yelps. "Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Because of exactly this. We aren't together anymore."

Her head cocks, seemingly confused. "But why? Don't you guys love each other?"

You sigh, pushing your plate of apples aside as you lean on the counter. "It's complicated."

"Well, it just doesn't make sense to me. When two people love each other, they're supposed to stay together, aren't they?"

You chuckle, nodding. "Usually, yes."

"Then what are you waiting for?"

"My dad," you say quietly, "doesn't like us together."

Sarah laughs, crossing her arms. "If my dad didn't want me to be with somebody, I don't think I'd listen to him. I don't think I've ever been in love like an adult before, but if I ever am and dad tries to stop me, I won't let him."

"God," you giggle, "he's gonna love that."

"Well, all I'm saying is that I know love is supposed to be a forever thing, regardless of what gets in the way. At least that's what it's like in movies."

You smile fondly at her. "You're smart, Sarah. Love is supposed to be a forever thing, but sometimes it doesn't work out."

"What if you just told your dad to stick it where the sun doesn't shine?"

You guffaw, Sarah joining you. "You sound like your dad."

"I learn from the best," she giggles.

"Well, I work for my dad. He threatened to take my job away, as well as my house."

Her face twists. "I'm sorry, y/n, but he doesn't sound like a very good dad."

"He's not." Your eyes soften. "You have the best dad."

She beams proudly. "I know, and that's why I know you guys are meant to be together, because you're the best, too."

Tears threaten to fall from your eyes. "You're sweet."

"Why don't you just live with us?"

You laugh. "That's—fast; really, really, fast. I don't think your dad would like that. He cares more about you than anything in this world, you know that?"

She nods. "I know, but I wouldn't care! I want you to live with us. My dad was so happy and I didn't know why, and now that he's all sad and you're not around, I just kinda put the pieces together. You were what made him so happy."

You shake your head. "You're the sweetest girl," you chuckle. "But I'm sorry. This is how it has to be."

"Well, fine. Can you at least come over and come swimming with me? Dad's out!"

"I don't know," you hesitate, "I don't think he'll like it."

"Well, then he can shove it where the sun doesn't shine!" she stands from the barstool, grabbing your hand to pull you towards the door. "Let's go, please!" She flashes you large, hazel puppy dog eyes, practically making your lip quiver with guilt.

"God, fine. But if I get in trouble—"

"I'll take all the blame, I promise!"

"Fine," you laugh. "Let me get my suit."

"I'm following you to make sure you don't ditch me," she says as she trails behind you into your bedroom.

"I'm not gonna ditch you, Sarah," you belly laugh.

  At Joel's, you're reminded of his sagging body beaten and bruised on the living room floor, looking as defeated as you felt. The cold words leaving his delicate lips taunt you, bouncing around your head like a jester in a king's hall. He'd be furious if he knew you were here, and even more so with the fact that you're hanging out with Sarah.

How can you say no to her? She's a bright thirteen year old who figured out your dirty little secret by pure observation alone. And she's a damn good manipulator, too. You can't help but wonder if she gets it from Joel, or her mom.

The two of you ease into the pool, the warm water enveloping your body, licking the internal wounds from the last few weeks.

Sarah inhales deeply, holding her nose as she puts her head under the water, her curls floating to the top before being fully submerged.

When she comes up for air, she looks at you. "We need to come up with a plan."

You shake your head, already knowing where this is leading. "A plan for what?"

"How to get you and my dad back together."

"Sarah," you scold with a laugh, "we aren't."

"Hear me out!" she says with a large, mischievous grin. "You can tell me no if it's a bad idea, okay?"

"Fine," you chuckle. "What's your idea?"

"What if you quit your job working for your dad, and worked as a secretary for my dad? That's what you do, right?"

You blink at her. "Yes, that's what I do."

"You wouldn't have to worry about losing your job, or your house, because you'd be making money to pay for it still."

"My dad's name is on the contract of my house. He thought it would be a good thing and give me security. Turns out it's only gonna bite me in the ass."

Sarah shrugs. "Find a new house. I'll be sad not living next door to you anymore, but this is about you and my dad, not me."

"What if we just aren't meant to be, Sarah? I throw my job and house away just to work with your dad? What if we don't work out and I'm stranded again?"

She smiles as she shakes her head. "I don't believe you aren't meant to be. I know my dad better than anyone, and I can promise you I've never seen him as happy or as sad. Of course he gets sad when it's the anniversary of my mom’s passing, but not like this. This is different. It's worse."

You sigh, leaning against the pool wall with your head hanging back. "Ugh, I don't know what to do."

"Consider what I said."

Your face splits with a grin as you laugh into the sky. "You should be a lawyer."

"I'd like to be a doctor, maybe. I just want to help people."

"You're so kind, Sarah." You let out a large sigh, turning to face her again. "I'll think about it, okay?"

"As long as you think about it, I'm happy with that for now."

"And if I say no?"

She gives you a small wink. "I'll just think of another idea."

  You and Sarah lay beside the pool on long towels after a while of swimming, eyes closed as you talk about her latest adventure with her friends. The sun warms your skin, making it hot to the touch as it practically sizzles in the Texan rays.

"Okay, so honestly there is someone I have a crush on," she finally says, making you chuckle.

"Have you told your dad?"

"Y/n, it's your dad. I have a crush on him."

You sit straight up, gazing down at the small girl with fear and confusion. "What?!"

Sarah starts cracking up, gripping her bathing suit covered stomach as she howls with laughter. "It's only fair, right?"

"Sarah!" you smack her arm playfully, shaking your head as you lay back down. "God, you're a brat." Your smile makes your cheeks ache.

"I'm kidding," she giggles more. "But I really do like someone, and I haven't told my dad. I don't want him to try to give me the talk."

You laugh slightly. "You know about the talk?"

"I go to public school, y/n. I know way more than the talk."

"Well, that's alarming," you say as you turn onto your side, propping your head up with your palm in your temple, and your elbow in the towel. "Joel will be good about it, don't worry."

"It's so weird!" she whines. "That's the last thing I want to hear about."

"You're so young, Sarah. Please don't make any quick decisions about anybody you like. And for the love of god, talk to your dad. He won't be angry with you, he loves you."

"I know," her voice is timid. "I'm not even interested in that part of liking someone, though."

"I mean, that's good. It'll probably change, and you should know about it before that happens."

"Fine, I'll talk to him." Her lips split devilishly, "Want to see a picture of him?"

"Sure," you laugh, "but I promise you I'm not going to fawn over him like you and your friends."

"No," she says as she stands, "you only like old guys."

"Sarah!" you call after her as she giggles, running into the house to retrieve her phone.

You shake your head as you laugh, being surprised at how easy Sarah has made being over here. She may be half your age, but she's smart and hilarious. If things were to ever work out between you and Joel, you hope that your relationship with Sarah would always stay this way; easy.

The sliding glass door opens to the outside again, your eyes closed as you smile. "You're lucky I didn't toss you in the pool for what you said," you giggle.

"What did she say?" you hear Joel's voice, making you gasp and your torso raise up from the towel.

Your eyes meet his, the sun making you squint a bit as you take in his appearance. He's wearing his regular worn jeans, and a brown t-shirt that matches his eyes. His hair is slightly disheveled, his beard seeming groomed and manicured, though.

"Oh, uh—" you stammer, gazing up at him.

His eyes flick down your body briefly, raising his brows at you to urge you for an answer.

You're caught so off guard from his surprise arrival, that it has rendered you speechless.

"Okay, y/n, here he—" Sarah stops in her tracks, tucking her phone behind her back. "Oh, hi, dad."

Joel turns to his daughter. "You invited y/n over?"

"Yes," she says confidently, not being as intimidated by his presence as you are. "I asked her to come swimming since it's the weekend and she's not busy with work." Her eyes briefly flick to yours then back to her father's. "That's okay, isn't it?"

He sighs, his jaw flexing with irritation. "Yeah, it's fine. I got groceries, will you help me—"

"I'll carry them all in!" Sarah says quickly. "You stay here and relax, dad. I've got it."

She gives you a small smile before she turns and leaves, making you inwardly roll your eyes at the mischievous child.

"I'm sorry," you begin, "I can leave. She said you weren't home, and she was begging me with those damned puppy dog eyes."

Joel settles into the patio chair, chuckling slightly. "Yeah, that's how she always gets her way."

You swallow, your apprehensive feelings clawing their way to the surface, scratching at your throat. "Don't let me intrude."

"It's fine, y/n," he says softly. "Just enjoy your time with her."

Your body relaxes a little, sagging your weight into your propped up elbows. "How are you?" you ask timidly.

"Since yesterday morning?" he mocks playfully. "The same."

"Good," you nod, your eyes flicking around nervously.

There's an unspoken tension that you feel, drawing you to Joel's embrace that you know you aren't allowed to feel. As smart as Sarah's idea of working with Joel is, you can't just be homeless in the meantime. You know you're going to have to turn her and her proposal down, also knowing it'll probably upset her.

Sarah returns outside, that happiness she always has never leaving her face. "Okay, groceries are in. It looks like you got some really yummy stuff for dinner. Are you cooking tonight?"

Joel turns to her with a queer look. "You know that I'm grilling tonight. I already told you."

"Oh, that's right!" Sarah feigns forgetfulness. "That sounds good. Would you like to stay for dinner, y/n?" she asks, smirking at you.

You give her a small glare and shake of your head. "Oh, um, I don't think I can."

"Why not?" she asks. "Can she stay for dinner, dad?"

Joel shifts on his chair, nodding his head. "Sure."

"Great! I'll go put the stuff away."

You swear you want to strangle her and hug her at the same time. Since when is Sarah your own personal thirteen year old matchmaker?

Once she's inside, Joel turns to you. "She knows, doesn't she?"

You nod, smiling awkwardly. "She put the pieces together herself, I just explained the rest."

He rubs his face as he exhales sharply, seemingly exasperated. "Never been able to really keep stuff from her."

"I won't actually stay," you say as you stand from your towel, your body still having water droplets glistening on it. "I'll just make up an excuse."

"No, it's fine, y/n. It's only a night, just stay." His eyes are on yours, making your legs feel weak.

"Okay, sure. I'll just go inside, then." You quickly depart, charging towards the little girl who innocently puts the groceries away in the kitchen. “Real smooth, Sarah.”

She laughs, smiling up at you. “What? You’re welcome.”

“I’m not staying tonight. I can’t.”

“I’m not asking you to stay the night,” Sarah replies matter-of-fact. “Just dinner.”

“You are so frustrating,” you chuckle. “You’re lucky that I like you.”

“I know,” she beams.

Once you’ve gone home to shower off the chlorine and dress into something that isn’t a two piece, you walk back over to Joel’s, replying to Harry who has been texting you on and off all afternoon.

5:30pm

Yeah, his daughter is forcing me over for dinner now that she knows. God, kill me.

Harry

5:32pm

Oh, come on, that’s fucking adorable. You should be happy that his daughter likes you.

You step into Joel’s house, laughing at the text as you settle onto the couch.

5:33pm

I am. This is just so awkward, and I’m nervous as hell. He doesn’t seem like he wants me here at all.

Harry

5:34pm

Of course he does. He’s just being Mr. Hardass because he has to be. Maybe you’ll be dessert.

You gasp, your face reddening at his message.

5:35pm

Harry!

Harry

5:36pm

What? I happen to know that you’re a very delicious option 😈

You squirm in the cushion, a slight pinch of arousal making itself known between your thighs.

5:37pm

You’re supposed to be my moral support, not get me bothered.

Harry

5:38pm

Lol, you’re right. I’m sorry. I’ll behave. But if you do end up being dessert, just know I’m 20% jealous, 80% happy things worked out.

5:39pm

You’re insufferable.

Harry

5:40pm

Yeah, but you like me anyway.

Shaking your head as you giggle, you lock your phone, putting it down to see Joel standing across the living room gazing at you with his grilling spatula in his hand. Shit. You hadn’t even realized he was standing there.

“I’m sorry, do you have somewhere to be?” he asks bitterly.

“No,” you reassure him. “Just talking to a friend,” you emphasize the last word.

Joel scoffs. “If it’s the same friend I think you’re talking about, I’d like to say that I’ve never had a friend like that before.”

You inwardly cower, regretting texting Harry back at all. “I promise that it’s only friendly.” You pull your phone out, “I’m talking about you to him.”

His eyes dart towards Sarah’s room briefly before flicking back to you. “Show me then.”

Oh, fuck.

You swallow, walking towards him with your messages opened with Harry, turning the screen to meet Joel’s fiery gaze. His eyes flick across the screen, his brow furrowing more and more as his eyes move faster.

“Nothing happened?” he scoffs, fury evident in his voice. “You’re bothered by him? How does he know what you taste like if nothing happened?”

“We didn’t have sex,” you say quietly, “but we were both really drunk and some stuff happened, yes.”

Joel turns around, grabbing the brined chicken breasts from the counter and heading outside to the grill, slamming the screen door behind himself. You chew on the inside of your cheek, feeling like a guilty, idiotic fool.

You’re instinctively going after him, standing inside of the pool cage with one foot tucked behind the other. “Harry was the one that refused to continue on. I was the one who wanted it to go further. I was desperate and hurting, and all I wanted was to feel something other than pain.”

He busies himself with the grill, not bothering to turn to you.

“I’m sorry, Joel,” you say softly. “He gave me the choice to either works things out with you, or have him be my rebound. He wants us to work things out, because he knows it’ll be what makes me happiest.”

A breast sizzles onto the grill, your eyes on Joel’s strong back.

“I shouldn’t have invited him over, but I did it out of spite after seeing that woman here. I saw you kissing her and I was consumed by jealousy and I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” he answers curtly. “Just go inside, y/n.”

“No,” you say as you gingerly walk up to him. “I want to be by you.”

“Not Harry?” he asks with sarcastic humor. “I don’t know what pisses me off more, the fact that he tasted you, or the fact that you avoided telling me.”

“You said you didn’t care what happened.”

“I lied,” he snaps. “Now all I can picture is his head between your legs, y/n.”

“But that’s not what happened.”

“Tell me what did happen then,” he answers gruffly, finally turning.

His face is so riddled with anger, and his tone is dripping with ire that you’re almost too frightened to speak. You’ve never seen him like this before.

“We kissed,” you begin nervously. “And he,” your eyes dart to inside, making sure Sarah is still in her room, “he fingered me, and tasted me that way. I didn’t finish. Neither of us did. He stopped me and himself.”

“Yeah?” Joel asks with flared nostrils. “And what did you do to him, huh?”

“I just felt him, that’s all. I didn’t have him in my mouth, or anywhere but my hand. He stopped me from doing anything to him.”

He treads towards you, making you back up a little. “Did it feel good, y/n?”

You blink at him, your body trembling slightly from his tall, intimidating stature approaching you. “Joel, I—”

His eyes briefly flick to inside, then to yours, until you’re both out of sight of the sliding glass door. Joel backs you into the corner of the pool cage, allowing you almost no space to breathe.

“Did it feel good?” he snaps harshly.

Shamefully, you nod. “Yes, it felt good.”

He takes his right hand and unbuttons your shorts, his eyes never leaving yours. “It did, did it?”

Your breathing is heightened, and you’re hyper aware of the humidity outside, as well as the scent of Joel’s beautiful skin. He slides his first two fingers inside the waistband of your panties, instantly thrusting them into your dampened entrance with no warning.

Your breath catches in your throat, your body frozen in place. “Joel,” you breathe, “please, I—”

“Shut up,” he says quickly. “Whores aren’t allowed to talk.”

Your hand grips his bicep, feeling it flex beneath your hand as he uses his fingers in you, fucking them into you with a brutal, rough force.

“Think you can let some guy into my cunt, hmm?” he rasps, making you whimper with pleasure. “Taste what’s mine?”

A breathy moan falls from your lips, Joel’s own mouth hovering over yours, but not daring to brush against it.

“Did you get this wet for him, y/n? Did you soak his hand like this?”

You shake your head, your eyes squeezing shut.

“How do I know you’re telling the truth? You didn’t before, why would you now?” A hard push of his fingers into you makes you squeal, his free hand flying to your mouth. “Did he make you sound like this? Did he make you desperate to be stretched out like the cockslut you are?”

Your head moves frantically side to side as you groan, his calloused palm rendering you incapable of answering.

“I kissed that woman, you know,” Joel growls, “and she wanted my cock. I should’ve given it to her, shouldn’t I?”

You shout muffled protests into his hand, his fingers curling up into you to hit the spot inside that he alone owns.

“You can be a whore and I can’t? Maybe I should invite her over and fuck her in front of you,” he says with his lips beside your ear.

You clench around him, groaning as your orgasm approaches at an overwhelming rate.

“I kicked her out for touching me, y/n. She touched my cock when we kissed and I made her leave. I didn’t want her having what’s yours.”

A muffled cry echoes against the inside of his hand, your body washing over with that familiar feeling, nearing the finish line of this torturous sprint.

Joel withdraws from you, making you whimper as your legs squeeze together, his hand moving from your mouth to your jaw to grip it tightly, forcing you to look up at him.

He slowly slides his slick fingers into his mouth, then roughly shoves them into yours, making you groan at the taste.

“Did it hurt this bad when Harry stopped?” he asks, nearly panting.

“No, daddy. This hurts so much more. Please let me cum, I’ll do anything, please.”

He shakes your head gently side to side. “I should let you cum after you let another man put his fingers inside what’s mine?”

“Please,” you whine, tears of desperation filling your eyes. “Please, daddy, I’m begging you.”

Joel’s face stays fixed with a dark arousal that you’ve never seen on him, and it only turns you on more. “Button up your shorts and go inside for dinner.” He quickly turns and leaves, taking his place back at the grill.

You stand there motionless for a few moments, chest heaving, thighs shaking, and core clenching tightly. A few tears run down your cheeks, not at all from sadness, but from the absence of Joel’s fingers within you. He’s made it perfectly clear that he owns your body, and you’re more than willing to agree to that.

Harry is incredibly hot and kind, but no man has ever pleased you the way Joel has. Of course you enjoyed your time with Harry, but this moment right now in the pool cage is just a reminder that Joel makes any man who touches you, effortlessly replaceable.

As your thighs stay pressed together with arousal pooling between them, you cut into the grilled chicken, unable to make eye contact with either person at the table.

“Oh, dad, um, Lilly and her mom will be here to pick me up soon,” Sarah says gently.

“When will you be back?”

“Could you pick me up tomorrow night after work?”

Joel nods, piercing his broccoli with his fork. “Sure, that’s fine.”

“Or maybe y/n could if she gets off before you,” Sarah says directed to you.

Your face lifts up, nodding with a small smile on your face. “Sure. Just text me the address, okay?”

She nods. “Thanks, y/n. Maybe you could stay for dinner again tomorrow night.”

Joel chuckles lightly. “Enough, Sarah.”

“What?” she asks innocently. “I just want to spend time with y/n.”

He eyes her with a glimmer of humor in his gaze. “You want to or you want me to?”

Sarah’s face reddens as she sinks into her seat a little. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I think it’s great if you want to spend time with her.”

He shakes his head as he laughs, your arousal making it difficult to focus on the meal in front of you. Your stomach aches, but it isn’t for food. Joel has left you feeling the most desperate you ever have, and you’re not sure if he’s even going to satiate it.

“Everything okay, y/n? You seem quiet,” Joel says as he looks to you innocently, a small knowing smirk on his lips.

You feel your cheeks hollow slightly from embarrassment, mustering up the courage to sit up straight in your seat. “Just hungry,” you lie, picking at your food.

When Sarah leaves, you’re sitting on the couch, watching a show on the TV with Joel resting directly beside you.

You’re quiet for a moment, deciding to finally ask the question that has been burning in your mind for the last hour.

“Did that woman actually try to have sex with you?”

Joel turns to look at you, his arm resting behind your head on the back of the couch. “Yes.”

“And you actually made her leave for touching you?”

He nods. “I wasn’t mean about it, just told her that’s not where I wanted it to go. I haven’t heard from her since, and I doubt I will.”

“You sound disappointed,” you add bitterly.

He guffaws, leaning his head back slightly. “Seriously? Calm down with the jealousy, y/n. I didn’t even get hard when I was kissing her.”

You perk up a bit at this information. “Really?”

“How could I when I knew what was right next door?”

You smile bashfully, the tension seemingly growing, becoming palpable. Joel moves quickly, attaching his lips roughly to yours with a famished need.

“Still called me daddy,” he says between breaths. “Such a good fucking girl for me, aren’t you?”

You groan, allowing him to pin you to the couch, your hands desperately pulling at his clothes. “Please fuck me, Joel. I can’t take it anymore, please.”

He leans away, giving you a small, devilish grin. “I’ll fuck you if you call Harry.”

Your brows furrow together. “What? Why?”

“I want him to hear how good I’m about to fuck you. I want him to know that it’s me making you feel that good, and never him.”

Your stomach flexes with arousal, quickly pulling your phone out of your back pocket to push on Harry’s contact information.

“Speakerphone,” Joel says as he begins to unbutton your shorts. “Tell him exactly what I said. And tell him to listen.”

Your thumb hits the speaker button, the line trilling loudly as your panties get slid down, being tossed aside along with your bottoms. You can feel your heart drumming wildly in your chest with nervousness and anticipation.

“Hey, is everything okay?” Harry answers gently.

“I’m with Joel,” you say nervously, his eyes on you as he starts to rub your sensitive bud. You push out a small groan, doing your best to conceal it. “He wants you to hear how good he’s gonna fuck me, and for you to know that it’ll never be you who will make me feel this good.”

Harry lets out a low, playful chuckle. “Fine, Mr. Hardass. Let me hear how good you’ll make her feel.”

Joel’s face is lined up to your core, teasing you with his first finger, barely grazing your throbbing clit. You suppress your moan, being too bashful to let anything out and have Harry hear you.

“You hold back those pretty sounds and I stop,” Joel says firmly, blowing cool air gently against you.

“God,” you push out, tucking your lips back in between your teeth. “Daddy, please. I need your mouth on me.”

His tongue instantly begins to wiggle against you, making you gasp as your back arches off the couch. Your phone stays rested on your chest, balancing between your clothed breasts that heave with arousal.

Joel’s fingers thrust into you deeply, making you cry out with your mouth agape. He curls them up into you, massaging the spongy spot that you know will have you spiraling down an intense orgasm in minutes.

He briefly pulls away. “Moan my name when you cum, y/n. Let him hear it.”

You can hear a stifled groan from Harry, only spurring you on even further down the path of euphoria.

“I’m so close,” you shriek, your back lifting up again. “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” you cry out. “Joel!” you scream, an embarrassing, spraying orgasm shooting out of you as a string of profanities and whimpering moans leave your lips.

“Tell him what you just did,” Joel rasps, sliding his dampened shirt off his body, moving to his belt.

“I—” you pant, unable to catch your breath, “I squirted everywhere.”

Harry groans. “Good. Want you to squirt when he fucks you, too.”

Joel stands to pull off his jeans and boxers, being completely naked as he climbs back over you on the couch. He grabs the phone, commanding you to take your shirt and bra off. You do exactly as he says, your core quivering with the anticipation of feeling Joel inside you for the first time in way too long.

“I’m not going easy on you this time, y/n,” Joel warns as he puts the phone back down between your breasts. “Gonna use you just to cum. You gonna take all my cock, baby?”

You nod frantically. “Yes, yes. Please, Joel, just fuck me, please.”

He rubs himself through your dripping folds, gathering enough of your slick arousal onto his erection to stroke himself, his head briefly tilting back as he enjoys the feeling.

“A whiny fucking whore,” he growls, placing a hand on your throat as the other guides himself inside of you.

At first he eases in, letting out a voice-breaking moan as he settles in to the hilt.

“Best cunt,” he groans. “Best fucking cunt in the world.”

Joel leans down to place a sweet, gentle kiss to your lips, reassuring you that your loving man is still here with you while the rough, dominant Joel controls the show. His grip tightens on your throat as he begins to fuck into you quickly, almost as if he’s punishing you for wanting him so badly.

You’re crying tears of pleasure and relief, sniffling as your screams echo throughout the house. Harry’s small groan makes you tighten around Joel’s thick length, his punishing pace making his pubic bone hit your overwhelmed clit.

“Joel,” you cry, your body ready to release so soon. “I’m gonna cum.”

Your hand flies down to your bundle of nerves, rubbing yourself in sloppy, jolting circles as Joel fucks deeply into you.

“Squirt on his cock, y/n,” Harry rasps from the phone, letting out a groan after he commands you.

Your entrance squeezes Joel once more before orgasming hard, your release leaving a watery mess on you, Joel, and the couch beneath you. You’re screaming out, your throat aching from his grip and how loud you’re straining your voice from all the pleasure.

“Who makes you fucking cum like that?” Joel asks as he pounds into you. “Tell me.”

“You,” you mewl, your walls aching from the stretch.

“Tell him,” he commands, moving both of his hands to your hips, allowing you to gasp in a full breath.

“Only Joel can make me cum like this,” you groan into the phone, tears staining your cheeks and neck.

“I know, sweet girl. Let him use that little cunt.” Harry lets out a loud moan, sounding as if he’s close to his own release.

Joel’s fingers bruise your hips, crashing into you so hard that you swear you see stars, being hit in that perfect spot over and over again. He groans out a few curses, his thrusts becoming more messy and inconsistent.

“Gonna fill you up, baby. You want my cum?”

“Yes!” you cry, nodding. “Yes, cum in me, daddy!”

His moans are loud and broken as he throbs violently, feeling his warm release spilling into you. Harry’s own cries of completion ring in your ears, making you clamp down on Joel’s thick cock, your eyes squeezing shut.

Joel breathes raggedly, panting above you as a bit of sweat runs down his forehead. “Tell him goodbye.”

With Joel still inside of you, you breathe out, hardly able to catch your breath. “Goodbye, Harry.”

Harry lets out a satisfied sigh, a small groan following. “Goodbye, y/n.”

The call ends and you toss your phone onto the floor, opening your arms for Joel to fall on your chest. To your elation, he does, pressing his sweaty face to your own dewy skin.

You lay like that for a minute, your hand on his glistening back as you feel it rising and falling dramatically.

“Y/n,” Joel finally says from your embrace.

“Hmm?” you hum, your eyes closed.

“I’ve missed you.”

Your heart aches as you hold him tighter, needing him somehow closer. “I’ve missed you more.”

“Don’t leave,” he says quietly, his voice being filled with emotion. “I can’t watch you leave again.” His head picks up, seeing a few tears have fallen down his cheeks. “I love you so much.”

Your own eyes well up with sadness, the break in his voice wrenching at your heart. “I love you, too.”

He shifts his weight, finally withdrawing his softened length from within you. You watch with hazy, sultry eyes as he stands beside the couch, gesturing his hand out for you.

“Come to bed with me, please,” he says quietly.

You nod, taking his hand as you wince standing from the couch, feeling his release leak out of you a bit. The two of you fall into his usual unmade bed, Joel immediately taking you in his arms.

“You know,” you begin timidly, “Sarah said I should quit my job and be a receptionist where you work.”

His hand strokes your back, tracing your spine. “That girl,” he chuckles fondly. “I take it she’s not upset about us having been together.”

“No,” you laugh, “she’s upset we’re not anymore.”

Joel’s quiet for a minute before he speaks. “What are we gonna do?”

“Well, what if I did work where you do? Would they hire me?”

He shrugs. “I don’t see why not. I could put in a good word for you and mention that you’re the mayor’s daughter. That alone should get you the job.”

“I’ll lose my house, you know,” you say softly. “I’ll have to figure my shit out before I quit.”

“Live here,” Joel says nonchalantly.

You sit up from his chest, gazing down at him. “Sarah said the same thing.”

“She’s a smart kid,” he chuckles. “She was raised by one hell of a guy, after all.”

You laugh, looking at him with loving eyes. “I can’t live here. What if it doesn’t work out between us?”

“Why wouldn’t it? The only thing stopping us before was your dad. If we remove that problem, then we don’t have any others.”

“There’s a lot of potential problems, though.”

Joel raises a brow. “Lay ‘em on me.”

“Would you ever get married again?”

“To you? In a heartbeat.”

Your eyes soften, emotion stinging your nose. “What about kids?”

He smiles. “I’d do it all over again. I love kids, y/n. I love being a dad.” He strokes your hair behind your ear. “And I love you. Making a tiny me and you sounds amazing, if that’s what you want.”

You giggle, nodding your head. “I definitely would in the next few years.”

“Anything else you think I can’t handle?” he teases with a mocking grin.

“Harry,” you say softly. “Can you handle him being my friend?”

Joel smiles vastly. “Y/n, he just heard me fuck the absolute life out of you. If that didn’t put him in his place, I don’t know what would.”

You giggle, nodding. “True.”

“Plus, you enjoyed it. And I think I liked showing you off, too. He might be fun to keep around and toy with.”

“Joel,” you laugh with reddened cheeks. “Like for what?”

He shrugs. “He’s already seen you naked, right?. Maybe he could watch next time.”

Your eyes widen. “I’m shocked.”

“I like fucking you with him knowing he’ll never have a chance of making you feel as good as I do.” Joel beams at you. “He’d be even more jealous if he had to watch and couldn’t do anything about it.”

“Why is your insane jealousy so fucking hot?”

He chuckles, pulling you in for a swift kiss. “So, we’ve talked about all the potential problems. What’s stopping you from telling off your dad and moving in with me?”

You smile, shaking your head. “Nothing.”

***

The next morning, you head into work with Joel, his hand on your thigh the entire ride there. You gaze at him with admiration, loving the way the rising sun shows off the bits of maroon in his black and gray beard.

Your hand stretches over to grip his face, pulling his cheek to your lips as he chuckles, those familiar lines appearing by his brown eyes.

“Baby, I’m driving,” he giggles, then briefly turns to look at you. “Might risk it for a kiss, though.”

You quickly kiss him, his truck very slightly swerving towards the edge of the road, making you yelp as the tires hit the rumble strip.

“Joel!” you laugh, settling back into your seat. “Eyes on the road.”

“Hey, you started it, honey.”

When you get to the office, it surprisingly doesn’t smell of concrete and soot, rather of a cleaning chemical that has a floral bouquet to it.

“Good morning, Joel,” the older woman at the desk smiles. “You brought a friend today?”

You aren’t super happy with her tone and the way she eyes you, but you decide to shrug it off.

“Actually, Debra, this is my girlfriend, y/n. You know, the mayor’s daughter.”

She squares her shoulders, that judgmental gaze vanishing from the sound of your dad’s name. “Oh, of course. It’s lovely to meet you,” she stands and extends her hand. “What can I help you with?”

“Just wondering if Tod is in his office,” Joel answers.

She nods. “Go right ahead.”

Joel turns to give you a small, reassuring smile as you follow him through the building, swallowing your glare towards the shrewd hag at the desk.

He knocks on an ajar office door, a man probably ten years older than Joel sitting at the desk on the computer.

He gives a quick glance, “Hey, Joel.” His eyes meet yours, holding it. “Hello.”

“Hi,” you say somewhat shyly.

“Tod, this is y/n, the mayor’s daughter.”

Tod’s face splits with a grin. “It’s nice to meet you, y/n.” He stands from his desk. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I’m looking for an office job here, actually,” you pipe up. “Do you have any availability?”

Tod looks to Joel then back to you. “I mean, we always need someone to help Debra sort through all of the job site paperwork. You’d pretty much be a second receptionist.”

You nod. “That sounds perfect, actually. I currently work as the mayor’s receptionist, but I’m quitting. I’d like to not work with my dad anymore, ya know?”

He chuckles. “I get what you mean. Well, I could have Debra draw up the paperwork and get your information. You could start next Monday.”

“Thank you,” you beam at him, leaning in to shake his hand.

He takes it. “It’d be seven to five, five days a week. It’s full time plus benefits. You make salary based on what you do, but we can figure all that out with Debra.”

“It’s perfect, thank you so much.”

“I’ll go get the paperwork, you can hang out here,” Tod says as he leaves the office.

Joel smiles down proudly at you. “See? Name dropping works.”

“I don’t really like doing it, it makes me feel dirty. But at least I don’t have to worry about my job now.”

“Exactly. You can just work here, and if you don’t like it, we’ll find you something else.”

You shake your head. “I’ll like it. Is it okay if I take your truck to go tell off my dad?”

Joel fishes the keys out of his pocket, handing them to you. “Just be back in time for me to leave. I’ll be in the work truck to drive to the job sites, so I won’t need it until then.”

You give him a swift kiss before Tod gets back. “Thank you.”

You hop out of Joel’s truck, your heart in your ass as your footsteps tread closer to the entrance of the mayor’s office building. You’re here before you’re supposed to clock in, but little does he know the receptionist desk will be empty all day.

There aren’t many people here yet, and you know Harry isn’t going to be here a minute earlier than he needs to be. You’re praying that your dad is in his office, your lungs letting out a steady breath as you ride the elevator up to his floor.

It dings, the doors’ smooth sliding echoing in your ears, such a simple sound being almost deafening. You take a deep breath as you push your dad’s office door open, seeing both of your parents in there.

“Hi, honey,” your mom answers cheerfully. “I haven’t seen you in forever. I’ve been so worried about you.”

“Mom, I need to talk to dad.”

She turns to look at your father who has his eyes dead-set on yours. “What’s going on?”

“Why don’t you ask him?” you ask with pique in your voice.

Your mom crosses her arms, urging him to answer.

“Did you know that our beloved daughter has been sleeping with Joel?” your dad asks coldly, your mom’s arms falling.

“What?” she asks with shock. “When? How?”

“For a month until I cut it off.”

She cocks her head. “But what happened? Did he hurt her?”

“No!” you chime in. “I love him, mom.”

Her eyes soften at you, looking to your father with confusion. “Then I don’t understand what’s wrong.”

Your dad looks to your mother incredulously. “They’re sixteen years apart, honey! It’s—sick.”

“Y/n is an adult. I don’t think their age difference should really matter.”

He sits down in his office chair. “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.”

“Why don’t you tell mom how you not only threatened me with my job, but also my home, saying I’ll be a homeless child who’s all alone.”

“Are you serious?” your mom asks with disgust. “You’d treat our only daughter that way over a man she loves?”

“And he hooks Joel up to a polygraph test to make sure we stopped seeing each other! Not to mention he set him up with another woman to make sure he never saw me again, and went to Joel’s house to beat him up.”

“I can’t believe this,” she shakes her head. “How could you do this? Why didn’t I know?”

“I wasn’t allowed to tell you. I’m sorry, mom.”

“Oh, honey, you have nothing to apologize for.” Her eyes meet your dad’s sullen frame. “You on the other hand. How could you?! Joel is your friend.”

“My friend doesn’t go and fuck my daughter!”

“A father doesn’t try to make his daughter homeless!” you retort, crossing your arms. “I came here to quit, not to argue. I’m quitting and working at Joel’s job as a receptionist.”

Your dad scoffs, shaking his head. “He won’t stay with you, you know. You’re too young.”

Your mom slaps your dad across the face, leaving him gazing up at her with shock. “This isn’t the man I married,” she declares, storming out of the office. “Come on, y/n.”

Stepping off the elevator downstairs, you follow your mom, Harry pulling you by your arm to stop you.

“Whoa, what the hell happened?” he asks, green eyes blown wide.

“I told my dad off, quit, my mom slapped him across the face and now we’re both leaving.”

Harry smiles, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “I’m proud of you, y/n. I take it things are good with you and Joel, then? I mean, I heard as much but—”

His comment makes you blush as you nod. “Yes, we’re good.”

“Good. I’m happy for you.”

“Joel said he’d like to keep you around, by the way.”

Harry’s brows raise with curiosity. “Yeah?” he smirks. “More territorial phone calls?”

You shake your head. “To watch.”

His mouth falls a bit and you smile, turning and leaving the office building, feeling triumphant for more than one reason.

In the parking lot, you hug your crying mother, consoling her as well as apologizing profusely.

“Why is he acting that way?” she asks, shaking her head. “I know he’s always been a dismissive man, but never evil. And he beat up Joel? God, what do I do?”

“Mom, for years I’ve felt like you’ve deserved better. He’s a slimy liar who doesn’t have a drop of empathy in his body.”

“Things have just gotten so bad.” Her eyes meet yours. “If you’re happy with Joel, then I’m happy for you. Love shouldn’t be prevented just because he’s older than you. Does he take good care of you? Is he good to you?”

“Yes,” you giggle. “He even offered to have me live with him if I lost my house.”

Her eyes widen. “Wow.” She blinks at you. “You’re not gonna lose your house, y/n. I’ll hire a lawyer, I won’t let it happen to you.”

“I love you, mom.”

“I love you so much, y/n. I’m so sorry for everything.”

“It isn’t your fault,” you shake your head. “It’s dad’s.”

Later, the tires of Joel’s truck crunch on the gravel heading into his office building. The door is locked, so you sigh, waiting outside on a small bench. The sun has nearly set, as it’s almost seven o’ clock.

Your hectic day runs through your mind, being reminded of your cold, empathy-lacking dad and your blubbering mess of a mom. After a lot of talking, and a few glasses of wine later, she decided that she’s going to divorce him, and take your house as collateral in the settlement so that you can keep it.

She’s not interested in taking half of his money, though she could. She knows that he’ll agree to giving up the house if she agrees to not taking him for everything he’s got. You offered her your place to stay until she’s able to get on her feet, which she politely declined.

Your mom decided to get enough money out of your dad to get herself a small house that she can be comfortable in, and she wants to have an easy-going office job somewhere like you.

You can’t help but admire her, yet feel bad that she’s taken so long to see how truly horrible your dad is and has always been. Twenty five years of marriage is gone all because your father was a self-absorbed prick who couldn’t bother to let his daughter be happy.

“Well, if it isn’t my beautiful girlfriend,” you hear beside you, smiling as you see Joel. “It’s nice seeing your face after a long day.”

You jump up and pull him in to a tight hug, gripping the back of his shirt as you cling to him. “A very long day for me, too.”

“How’d it go, baby? Are you okay?”

“My parents are getting divorced and I’m keeping my house.”

Joel’s face is fitted with surprise, overtaking the tiredness in his eyes. “Wow, I’m so sorry.”

“My mom deserves better, and I’ve thought that for years.” You shrug. “It’s okay. I won’t have to live with you now.”

“Well, I mean, maybe you can eventually, right?”

You giggle, running your nose along his. “Definitely.”

That night, you lay in your bed with Joel cuddled up beside you, his dirtied, familiar work books tucked up underneath the wooden frame, making your face split with a grin as he snores softly into your ear.

You wish Sarah knew just how much she did for you and Joel, and how easy she made everything seem. She was ecstatic when you were in the truck to pick her up from her friend’s, and very happy to hear that you’d be staying next door, as well as continuing to date her dad.

She kicked up her feet on the center console as you drove back to Joel’s, your eyes meeting hers in the rearview mirror. There was a satisfied, relieved smile on her sweet face as she met your gaze in the reflection, and you knew that you’d love that girl forever for what she did for you and the love of your life.

Sarah Miller gave you the happily ever after that you and Joel deserve.

*****

Taglist: @chibimosa

[splatoon-edits]

I'm of the assumption that you're a Shiver fan do you wanna explain some HCs or reasons you like her?👂👂 I'm interested (I like her too 😋)

oh boy. do you even know what you've done? I am going to talk about this blue creature SO MUCH!!!!! (no but fr thank you for enabling me to talk about one of my fav characters!!!)

I'm just gonna be rambling with no general direction, so i apologize if this gets a smidge confusing..... Everything else will be under a read more since i don't want this post to make it hard to scroll through my blog if it gets too long.

so.. Splat 3 was my first game in the series. I knew about the other splatoon games obviously, and i was eagerly awaiting splatoon 3 since by the time i got a switch it would have been a waste to buy splat 2. So i went into splatoon 3 with very minimal knowledge of the characters/setting.

But when i saw Shiver in the Deep Cut announcement trailer??? It was love at first sight. Blue is my favorite color and the swag Shiver has is off the charts. Plus the hype around a potentially nonbinary character?? And imma be honest, i'm a sucker for smug characters. Especially the ones who are secretly failures. It's just one of my fav tropes.

So in short: Shiver was a character who had a lot of appeal for me in the beginning. But slowly over time as i came to learn more about her and the rest of Deep Cut, i came to appreciate them even more in new ways. Shiver is smug, sarcastic, and can come off as mean or over the top. But she is also silly, quirky, and has a lot of love in her heart for others. She cares about Frye, Bug Man, and all of Splatsville. She says silly things that don't make sense. She likes puns. She takes the time to listen to Sheldon's rambles. She is so much more than what you see on the surface. And it can be so easy to see her teasing her bandmates and assume she is mean or cold hearted. But she genuinely is such a fun character!!!!

Her grace, her gnc swag, her cringefail aura, everything about her makes her an amazing character.

And now, for some headcanons in no particular order:

I kinda see Shivers gender as "whatever is funniest/best in the moment. Commit to the bit of genders. But if i had to pick one thing to headcanon them as it would be pangender or maybe genderfluid. Uses all pronouns plus some shark themed neos like bite/biteself and fin/finself and anything else like that. Im gonna be mostly sticking to she/her and they/them for this post just cuz i think that's what people will be most used to. But really any gender hc for Shiver is correct in my head. MTF? Correct. Nonbinary? Correct. FTM? Correct. Genderfluid? Correct/ Bigender? Correct. Anything and anything goes an i love seeing everyone's takes on it!

I'm gonna go ahead and say trans woman Shiver has a special place in my heart. I just feel like i never see anyone hc this but i also feel like it works?? Idk... The same can be said for genderfluid Shiver. I myself am genderfluid so i rlly like that hc!

Mayhaps has a touch of the tism. (me too) I just feel like she doesn't read social cues well. Can mask really well but doesn't do it around Frye and Big Man for the most part. I think all of Deep Cut is autistic tbh. With Frye having ADHD as well. (ME TOO)

I'm caught between the headcanons of "secretly rlly strong cuz of archery" and "lowkey weak cuz it would be funny to contrast w Frye being strong". But i lean more on the side of both of them being strong. Just Frye having more obvious muscles. But if you look at Shiver she def if strong. And graceful. Like a predator built for ambush or stalking. She moves with purpose. Ya know what i mean? Like she seems very graceful and delicate at first but that is NOT the case.

I gotta be careful or this will turn into general Deep Cut hcs cuz i wanna talk about Big Man and Frye as well lol

Loses her temper easily. Can be petty when things don't go her way.

Master Mega is very special to them. She spent a lot of time with him when she was younger and her parents were busy.

Shiver whistles a lot as a stim/just for fun.

Big Man and Frye are the best hype men ever for Shiver. There are certain points in the game where she says absolute nonsense but those two are right there to back her up. They also don't understand what he's saying, but they are gonna act as if it's the smartest thing ever. Shiver thinks she is the coolest thing ever and those two only enable her. (dw. every once in a while they knock her down a peg by returning her teasing)

Shiver is the type of person to spend 30 minutes making her food look pretty before she serves it. It has to look good or else.

Is a decent cook. Frye likes to steal bits of food from whatever she is working on so Shiver will playfully smack her with her fan and shoo her out of the kitchen.

Is very proud of her singing. She worked very hard to get it as perfect as it is.

Probably used to have a violent streak in middle school, would bite people. Has since learned to control her anger better.

Very confident. Isn't afraid of things like public speaking.

Gets annoyed easily when overstimulated. Sometimes snaps at people when the environment is too noisy/bright or if she is tired. Tries to apologizes afterwards.

Speaking of apologies, she is the type of person to do something nice for you or get you food/a present for you rather tha admit she is wrong. Is embarrassed easily and instead prefers wordless apologies.

Is flustered easily. One of the ways to easily make her lose her cool is to do anything remotely flirty or to bring up something embarrassing she did in the past.

I could probably ramble more but it's LATE and i should head to bed. Thank you so much for the ask!!!! I had a fun time talking about my favorite blue goofball. <3

[good-beanswrites]

Thank you @igotbones for requesting Yuno + Bath!! :D I doubt they have full tubs in Milgram, so I actually went for a fun little normal au drabble!

Yuno exhaled slowly, willing all the tension to leave her shoulders. Her bare feet were crossed at the ankle, propped up on the edge of the tub. She pressed play on the calm music loaded up on her phone. Candles illuminated the room with a gentle light. She sank into the fragrant bubbles. Now this was --

The song came to an abrupt halt as her ringtone sounded. 

Rapidly shaking the water from her hand, she accepted the call.

“Mahiru? Is everything okay?” She was only supposed to get calls in the case of an emergency. She forgot that she and Mahiru’s definition of one differed greatly.

“Hiii! I’m at the bakery now, and they don’t seem to have anything strawberry flavored. There are some other fruits, though. How does lemon sound? Ooh, or they have a nice berry one. What about carrot cake?”

“Those all sound fine, I’m not picky. I’m gonna go now, I’m taking a pre-birthday bath, remember?”

“Right, right! You enjoy!”

She hung up, and Yuno placed the phone carefully beside her. Her eyes fell closed. Soft music and the gentle popping of foam filled her ears. She was excited for her party (especially since it’d be the first time in a while she wasn’t doing all the work to throw it herself) but the past few weeks had been a whirlwind of school and meetups and clients. She had been looking forward to a moment completely to herself, where she could breath easy and just --

Her phone rang. 

Mahiru started speaking as soon as she picked up. “Okay, so I know you’re relaxing, but did you want the cake to be pink? They have a wonderful lemon cake but it only comes in yellow. I think the others only got pink decorations. I could always re-ice it myself, but I don’t know how quickly I can make it look as nice…”

“Yellow is fine. Just make sure everyone likes it.” She shook more water off her hand, accidentally sweeping some bubbles into the air. They settled on some of the candles, extinguishing them. 

“I want to make sure you’ll like it, it’s your birthday, silly.”

“Well, it sounds perfect. Alright… bye Mappi…”

Yuno put the phone down. She took a long breath. The floral scented soap filled her nose. The room was a bit darker without the extra candles, but she could manage. She’d been dedicating so much energy to everyone around her, it was high time she gave herself a bit of the same warmth. And what better way than with a steaming bath, and brand new scrub that reminded her of --

She nearly drowned the phone in her hurry to pick up. The splash took out a few more candles.

“Listen --”

“Yuno!” Fuuta’s voice called from the other end. “Did you say you liked those big metal balloons or just the regular ones?”

“Uh,” she pinched the bridge of her nose. “I thought Mahiru was in charge of all this?”

“Yeah, but she’s not getting back to me. Shut up, I’m on the phone! We have all the other things she asked for, I just thought Kazui said something about bringing metal balloons. Is he getting those or are we? Mikoto, shut the fuck up, I’m asking her right now!” 

“I thought Kazui was just picking up the food. I’m fine with the regular ones, unless something really sticks out to you, I guess.”

“I fucking told you so. Okay. And Muu has the address, right? I don’t know where the hell we’re going.”

“Yes, she should.”

“Great, thanks.” He hung up before she could beg him not to call back.

Yuno muted all sound on her phone. She could do without the music. She forced her eyes closed. She dunked her head under the water for good measure. When she came back up for air, her frustration had already begun simmering down. She breathed in more of the soap. She was usually the one asking others’ for their preferences, she couldn’t deny how nice it felt that the others wanted to get things just right for her. 

Against her better judgment, she peered over the side of the tub. 

4 Missed calls. 18 Text messages.

Yuno could only laugh. She pulled the drain on the bath, already reaching for her towel.

[doughguts-art]

I JUST REALIZED I HAVEN'T BEEN FOLLOWING YOU THIS WHOLE TIME.... I'M A JOKE OF A MAN...... Okay okay okay not gonna reblog to the last one again cuz I'm not one to make super long threads, I'll just explode your inbox again hahshd,,,,

Alright where do I even begin?? Um, first, did something happen to Bandit to make him resort to doing what he does now, or did he just do it out of boredom? Was it that he needed adventure or needed his life to change? Second, can I hear your imaginary scenarios where Bandit meets the guardians??? Pretty please???? I'm really interested to see how he'd treat them!! Third, you said you had a game concept featuring Just Finch, right? Is the game itself currently in production or do you never plan on actually making it? Cuz if you need. Production help.? I'm always willing to be of service?? Okay there's a really low chance you'd accept a stranger's help on a personal project ESPECIALLY since said stranger is still kinda sorta an amateur at everything ever but I'm already so used to helping everyone around me with anything they're doing at any point in time so I thought it'd be kind of me to offer anyways. Sorry though... Anyway back to the Bandit questions! Fourth, if Bandit encountered a burnt, what's his first gut reaction? Obviously I think he'd most likely pull out his gun, but how does he feel? Is he not at all fazed by these shells of people that have become more hostile than they were before, maybe because it's a usual occurrence? Or is part of him still afraid, either because he's disturbed by the uncanny horror in front of him, or because he's aware that if he's not careful enough (despite all the tickets he has for himself) that could easily be him? I need to know if this guy has fears or not!! Fifth, I can't help but be curious to know if there's any songs you associate with Bandit? If I have the time I'll prolly listen to the songs mentioned too lmao,,, And lastly, my favorite thing to think about when it comes to OFF OCs, does Bandit have a competence list? If so, can I please read it, I love making and looking at fanmade competences for some reason, probably because of how creative the nonsensical titles can get while sticking to a single theme, mixed with the general role of the character in battle matching with their personality. But if I'm the only person here that actually cares about that stuff I totally get it!!! And I don't want you to feel pressured to make a set of competences just for this ask either, if you didn't make one you didn't make one and that's okay. I just thought I'd ask if you happened to have one. I think that's all I have for right now, thank you :D

Thank you for following :D Alright, to the questions!

I think you've hit the first question that I can't answer outright because of Lore secrets I'm saving for askbandit. Partially related to the X story, that's all I'll say

Wuhhhh imaginary guardian scenarios?? They're pretty vague but here's some ideas Dedan - Dedan getting increasingly angrier and angrier as he tries to order Bandit around and fails. I also imagine Dedan being confused on who Bandit is, like "DO YOU EVEN WORK HERE?" and Bandit's just "Shouldn't you know that?" Japhet - Like the sketch, Japhet would flap around Bandit and fret about the X. Bandit would probably keep the bird at arm's length though, he rarely lets people close, and Japhet wouldn't be one of those people lol. Enoch - Enoch would have a special bone to pick with Bandit because of the sugar smuggling. He'd try to squish Bandit Judge? - Bandit loves cats. Judge would get many pets, scritches, and treats Sucre? - Sucre is a sugar dealing client for sure. Queen? - I imagine Bandit sarcastically complimenting the architecture of the Room. I imagine the Queen would be passive, maybe laugh a little at his silly musings. Hugo?? - Kick the baby (LMAO KIDDING, KIDDING). Truthfully, maybe they'd talk about comics or something. Idk the room is a weird place and I don't think Bandit and Hugo would ever purposefully meet

Yes, the game is called Project GoldFinch, and it is in production. I haven't done enough to do another big dev progress post, but here's the announcement post if you want the little info I've provided about it. I appreciate the offer to help, but this is a personal project and I feel more comfortable doing the work myself.

This is actually a question I've gotten on askbandit and haven't answered yet, but Bandit is not intimidated by Burnts. Most Burnts (in my lore) aren't necessarily violent, or burn quick enough to that they don't do that much damage, so Bandit wouldn't pay it any mind. If a Burnt was to attack, he would probably choose to avoid it until it recovers rather than shoot though. Also, Bandit doesn't burn, can't burn*, so he doesn't worry. He has no fear. * this info could only be found on his artfight profile previously. Public info but out-of-the-way.

I really should make a Bandit playlist, but the song I currently associate him with the most is Catch Me If You Can by Set It Off. Obvious reasons for that one. I also listen to the music used for his shop theme in UNKNOWN. Also ALSO, I commissioned a really cool person (hai @amygdalum hope you don't mind the tag) to create a Bandit theme inspired by Synchronicity, so if you wanna listen to that, here ya go! I did the cover art on that one.

And finally, competence list. Funny story, I have never actually thought about making a competence list for him, but when Bandit was still the Final Boss in RISE, he did have one (so credit to Brandy again for this, screenshot ripped straight from the old files). These are thematically relevant to his role in the game more than how he is now, but I gotta say, I really like Reckless Charge. If I were to keep any of these, it would be Reckless Charge. That feels very him. The other ones are badass but I see them fitting Tate better. I don't remember if they were changed for Tate or not, but either way, great attack names all around.

Thanks again for the asks ^^

[lightofunova]

As the year draws to a close, I find myself looking back at the past year and I just need to state how absolutely crazy it has been for me.

This blog will be one year old in January, which it’s so funny that it’s already almost been an entire year since I started posting and interacting? It isn’t the official birthday yet, but I just want to thank everyone for reading and interacting and supporting me this past year. I’ve met so many wonderful people in the community who have pushed me to want to do better, and who I want to interact witth more but my own shyness and nerves prevent me from doing so.

You all have truly spoiled me this year by allowing me to share my silly ocs and stories witth you all, and just by listening to me I am already content. Thank you truly from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be a part of this community, for being able to create my own little corner here just to act silly.

And I have so many new friends I haven’t said a proper thank you to, for one reason or another. Maybe due to being busy or me being too bashful to admit it over late night calls or to even start a conversation in dms. Before the year is out I want to right that.

@symphonies-of-silver I know that I’m not someone who is super close, but honestly I started askblogging because of you! You made me want to do it and seeing Ginjiro and his story begin to unfold, I was inspired to do my own. I wish I could talk more with you in dms, you seem like such an amazing person and I love hearing about your ocs and ideas honestly, I’m just shy haha. I can’t wait to see what ideas you craft up in the coming year, it’s always something to look forward to.

@lustrous-dawn Gosh, I’ve always adored your writing style so much, I often find myself reading over your words and wanting to be more eloquent with my own sometimes haha. You always inspire me to write more than draw, and you’d be surprised how many little blurbs and drafts I’ve made this year about various things haha. You also showed me that, it’s alright to just do your own thing. It’s fine to just post whenever you want, what you want, and how you want. I don’t think I realized that when I started but now that the year had been ending I’m starting to realize it, even if you told me that a bajillion times over calls haha.

@askdeoxys Gosh, I don’t know what to say sometimes when we talk. You have done alot for me this year over calls and chats and games, I mean hell I wouldn’t be using a tablet now if it wasn’t for you. You really know how to cheer someone up when they’re down, and all of the conversations we’ve had this past year have been so much fun. I never thought I would be ending 2023 having accomplished so much, You egg me on to do the things that matter in life. The advice you give is always dead on, and even if I don’t listen to it it’s just because I’m a silly adult who thinks she knows better haha. Thank you for supporting me so much this year, I really do appreciate it.

@ceruleancavesmonster Golly gosh bestie, it’s been so long since we became friends, it’s wild to see how far everything has come. I know things have been busy af lately, but I can’t believe how far we’ve come! When making this I was so worried it’d be a dumb idea, but I just appreciate all the love and support you’ve shown me this entire year. From getting excited over my posts to helping me think through plot lines and ideas you really have been my biggest supporter in all of this. Just thank you so much for sticking with me through all these years, I can’t wait to see what happens next year 💙💙

And to all those I didn’t mention just know that I appreciate you more than you know, you all gave me something to work towards, something to inspire me in one way or another. Thank you so much for supporting my blog, and I hope you’ll stick around for another year in the making.

[cannibals-and-radio]

cracks knuckles hi, its me, the compliment-bomb anon, here for you now >:) sorry it took like a whole day to get here i slept for like 16 hours straight not even joking do i think i can make you ‘bluescreen’? no, but i sure can try!!

anyways, al!!! very happy you're wanting to be complimented, because there's many things to compliment you on!!! (geeet ready for an essay >:])

i love the way that you stick up for others, especially the metaphorical ‘little guy’. you are a voice (ha!) for those that are too weak to protect themselves (like me!!! :]). and don't even try to rebuttal me with the ‘yes-but-i-only-give-true-protection-in-exchange-for-a-soul/deal’ schtick- it's hell! everyone who doesn't wanna (double) die does that!!! what matters is that you're genuinely respectful to those bound to you as long as they offer you the same. actually, doesn't matter if they're bound to you or not, if they're not an asshole you'll always give them a modicum of respect, and thats… idk how to put it into words- it's really, like, inspiring? refreshing to see? it basically makes people want to respect you before they even meet you, and that's just really freaking cool dude. not something just anyone could do, fr.

and not to mention you're actually like a genuinely good person at your core too?!?! like, everyone first hears of you as ‘the big bad radio demon’ (which you still are when you need to be, and i am in no way discrediting that), but still, here you are entertaining our silly little asks, offering to mentor some anon(s) you met mere days ago, and also threatening to hurt those who insult your friends close acquaintances. again, that's?? so fucking refreshing to see in a (literal) hellscape swarmimg with manipulative assholes who only want the world around them to burn??? you undersell yourself much on this, al, more than you realize

and, i have one mor thing. just as the anon who first said something about her to you, i mean absolutely no disrespect, nor do i mean to bring up any bad/bitter-sweet memories, but… i saw you say in a previous ask response that your mother would not be proud of who you are today, and, to be frank, i just find that to be absolute bull. from what you've told us your mother was a very kind woman (mommas boy <3) and despite your ‘cruel and sadistic nature’, i think she would take much more notice of what a good man you've become rather than focus on the wrongs that you do. as previously stated: you are respectful to everyone around you, no matter how much their beliefs/life styles differ from yours; you are kind and protective to those under/around you; and you are willing to do whatever it takes to protect what you value, even to the extremes. i don't understand what your mother could possibly be disappointed with you in- you seem like everything she could ever want and more, alastor. :)

...ik you don't like touch (same!) sooo… i blow you a lil kiss. you are loved, radio star, and you'll always have a listener in me, i swear it :) <3

You do truly honor and flatter me. Many heart felt thanks.

//OOC Wow that is long thank you so much you are really kind. And I do hope that you are doing alright since I am not sure what caused you to sleep for so long.//

[courtofmatchups]

Hey! Here for the trade ☺️

Just going to do my best to describe myself.

First of all I'm a borderline INFP or ENFP. Which to me says I'm an ambivert. I am outgoing and would say at first glance I'm polite and charismatic. However, when I'm not feeling good I can be a bit prickly and can be sassy or moody. I'm studying sociology at university however my attendance is horrible - I would say I love discussing academic things however I also love to have a laugh and clown around (but can be serious when need be). I would say I'm an eccentric who has a love for the colour green and dogs. I can be lazy, but my favourite activities are probably listening to music. My biggest flaw is that I'm extremely indecisive. I have a big sense of loyalty and take words to heart - I don't like insensitivity towards others feelings or behaviours in any way shape or form (aka I'm pretty sensitive). Being a sociology student I also view the world from an abstract lens and would consider myself a somewhat "rebel with reason". I like to be chatty with everyone and like to make others happy/laugh (unless I'm not feeling well myself). I annoy my friends sometimes due to chatting with random strangers especially when we have somewhere to be. I can be a bit of a shut in when my social battery is up. In my spare time I'm either sat watching netflix or out with my friends having a few drinks. I like to be spontaneous, one moment I'm in bed the next it's 3am and I'm sat in a field discussing the most random of topics. I'm independent but will need some emotional support here and there.

Overall I'd say I'm relaxed, charismatic, a bit unpredictable, poetic and sometimes sarcastic/snarky. I can get jealous, especially when I'm not feeling the best.

My likes: Green, animals, food, storytelling

Dislikes: MATHS, Licorice, judgement

Thanks for agreeing to trade! 💚

It seems to me you have captured the heart of...

The Otaku Third-Born

Leviathan!

(a/n: I am SO sorry this took so long. Thanks for your patience, and I hope you like this)

You sound like Levi's type of person. You seem like a lot of fun to be with, and gaming with you would be even more so. You seem like you have a good sense of humor and can make people laugh (he may or may not ask you to film silly little skits with you if you're okay with it). He can also handle your sass, but there are time you gotta know when to reel it in. He'd also love to watch anime and play video games with you.

One thing about Leviathan is that he is a passionate man himself, and he will stand by what he believes in, regardless of how cRinGEY it is. And you seem like you have strong moral values, and are not afraid to stick up for what you believe in. This is something he especially like about you.

Leviathan is well-versed in a lot of different anime, many of which explore all kinds of insights on different topics. And seeing as you also seem to have interesting insights into the world around you, given your major. Talking about your views on life and society are thought-provoking, and he's LOVE to discuss them with you.

Finally, you are a kind person with a big heart, who values relationships and the people around them. As someone with 6 brothers, he fully gets where you come from, and he cannot help but respect you for that. As for your love for animals, I can definitely tell you that Henry would absolutely adore you. This, to Levi, is all the more reason to be head over heels for you

[raplinesmoon]

hi isi!

he’s so cute! i don’t have any pets - i had a dog growing up but whenever i’m around pets these days, i get allergies. what the hell is up with that lol. so not sure a pet is in my future but we’ll see :P

that’s so cool that BTS has been a part of you discovering your skill for writing and having it as a creative outlet for you :) it’s such a silly but fun thing that we do, isn’t it!

ok going to throw some short answer stuff at you so it can be quick and fun for you to answer (hopefully).

1. what’s a name that you really like?

2. hand holding or back hugs?

3. what a weird habit of yours? (doesn’t have to be very weird lol)

4. summer or winter?

5. who is your fave group aside from bts? do you have a bias? (if not k-pop, just another artist you listen to)

6. recommend a book or movie to me?

7. a random talent of yours?

8. soft boys or boys with a bit of an edge?

9. what colour top are you wearing right now?

10. favourite flower?

no rush as always on this! sending you love and lots of energy for you to get through tiring times at work. thinking about you <3 - merry 💕

Hi Merry!!

Awww allergies are the worst - my mom has them too, and she was so against getting a cat at first but now she loves him the most and is willing to take a Claritin just to be around my cat hahaha 😂

I love writing for BTS! Idk if I’ll ever find another muse for my writing per se, so as long as BTS is around, I will be too lol

Now onto your questions!

1. I really like the name Alizeh! I think it’s of Persian origin and it means “wind”. But me and my sister are literally fighting rn over who gets to name their kid this name if it’s a girl! She might win tho bc I have no prospects in sight for dating, let alone starting a family hehe 😅

2. Hand holding! I hold everyone’s hands (not in a weird way). I’ll just go up to my co-residents and be like “give me your hand”, and then I’ll hold their hand for a minute and warm it up and they think it’s so cute 🥺

3. If I get one hand wet, I can’t dry it off, I need to wet the other hand and dry them both. I dislike the feeling of having only hand be damp 😑

4. Winter!!! I feel like my style is at its best during the winter bc I can add lots of layers and elements whereas in the summer I stick to workout clothes and t shirts bc the heat is no joke! Also winter is just fun with all the holiday activities and snow! I’m totally a cold weather person ❄️

5. I don’t really think I have a favorite group besides bts! I do listen to a lot of different k-artists though! Some of my favorites right now are Bibi and NewJeans!

6. For books, I recently read All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir and it made me full on sob with how heartbreaking it was 😭 for movies, I watched 20th Century Girl and cried at that one too bc I just couldn’t take the ending 💜 I’m in a heartbreak mood these days lol

7. I do not think I’m very talented at all, so I struggle to answer questions like this. I used to like baking a lot but then it became really expensive and time consuming and I got insecure bc I felt like other people were better at it than me, so I just stopped. I should pick it back up again, but yeah, sorry if that wasn’t the answer you were expecting lmao 🥹

8. I’m actually wearing a brown sweatshirt that says “everythingoes” on it 💗💗💗

9. Peonies!! I would cry if someone gifted me a bouquet of peonies, I think they’re so beautiful and make me smile so much!!

Thanks for sending these in!! I’m gonna try to be better about answering more quickly, but we’re finally coming up on the week of Christmas!! I hope the lead up is fun for you 💕

[azsazz]

Rough Terrain (Part 4)

Azriel x Reader

Summary: Battle ensues.

Warnings: War, blood, gore.

Word Count: 2,840

(Part One) (Part Two) (Part Three)

A/N: This is the final part of Rough Terrain. Thank you all for coming on this ride with me. Enjoy.

_________________________________________

The Warlord steps up next to Azriel, who’s trying to make it seem like he’s not watching you gather your troops, shouting commands and directing warriors, but he is. 

“How was your training session?” Cassian’s voice is filled with mirth, glancing down to his friends white leathers. He doesn’t know how you even got the Spymaster in them. He himself had never seen the Shadowmaster in anything other than dark colors. He could probably count on one hand the times he’s seen Azriel in a color other than black. 

But this…even Cassian could admit that he looked good in white.

“She’s intelligent,” Azriel dismisses the joke, observing how your people listen to your every word. They have complete faith in you and your decisions. “She has some things to learn, but she could be as good as any spy, better even.” Better than me. 

“Do you think she’ll join us?” The Warlord asks, the amusement falling from his tone as he too turns to watch you work.

The Shadowsinger glances at his brother, “You mean if we survive this war?”

Cassian snorts, “It’s the fucking Spring and Autumn Courts. I have no doubt we will win this  war.”

“Careful now, Warlord,” you approach the two, hand resting on the hilt of the knife strapped to your hip. It grounds you, trying not to overthink what you’re doing, what you are about to do. “Wouldn’t want to jinx us.”

“Of course you would believe in something as silly as ‘jinxing.’” The red-siphon clad warrior rolls his eyes.

You shrug, a crooked grin on your face that the Shadowsinger admires. You catch his eyes, offering him that same smile. It has a different meaning perhaps. 

“Ready?” 

Taking one last look around your camp, at the people who are joining you, their families saying teary goodbyes, it stings a little, knowing that you have no one close to wave you off, no one special waiting for you to come home. 

Turning back to the High Lord’s Illyrians, you nod, “Yeah, we’re ready.”

It’s a long flight to the Winter Court rendezvous. Rhysand and Azriel winnow to the other Illyrian camps on the way, ordering the legions into the sky. You fly with Cassian leading the pack, more and more Illyrians flocking in to join your group until the army is a storm sweeping across the lands. 

When you reach the designated camp for the war, there is one last meeting, though everyone already knows their roles, the High Lord of the Night Court makes sure that everyone is to stick to the plan and will pay the consequences if they should decide otherwise.

And then you’re leading your troops into the field, advancing on the Autumn and Spring armies.

It’s easy to fall into that steady rhythm of dodging, striking, killing, dodging, striking, killing. You are as focused as ever, not allowing yourself to watch the light draining from the soldiers eyes as they fall before you’re already off onto the next one, catching him off guard with a well-aimed blow to the wrist, severing his sword arm completely. His cry of pain catches in his throat when your other hand, holding your shorter blade, embeds in his chest. 

You shove him off of your weapon with your forearm, the Spring Court warrior crumpling to the ground in front of you. Wiping the blood from your knife on the leg of your leathers you look around, scanning the battle for anyone that looks like they might need help.

The enemies having crossed over into the Winter Court had its own advantages. You and yours were used to the weather, having lived up in the icy mountains your entire lives. The cold, harsh winds only aided you in your battle, able to use the gusts to throw your wings wide, sweeping you off of the ground and slamming feet first into your next opponent. 

A flash of cobalt to your left has you sneaking a glance at the Shadowsinger. He is the embodiment of death and darkness, slashing his way through the battlefield, cutting down warriors like he was born to do so. His weapons are comfortable in his hands, an extension of his own limbs, slicing with such precision. His white leathers are stained bloodred, but it only accentuates the power writhing beneath his skin. 

He taps into his reserves, blue shields protecting his back when more of the enemy's army rushes him. A quick check on the Lord of Bloodshed surrounded by his own opponents, a wicked grin on his mouth proves your thoughts. It’s clear that the Spring and Autumn soldiers have commands to take out the Night Court’s most powerful Illyrians first.

You fight your way across the battlefield to the Spymaster, cutting your rivals down from behind. You disperse your shadows into the snowy battlefield, slushy and running red with blood. None of the warriors notice – except for the Shadowsinger of course – as you lift your hand and they shoot up from the snow, shredding your enemies, cutting through them, sharp icicles slicing them from the bottom up. 

They fall to your feet and the Shadowsinger stands tall, looking at you in a new light. The sight of you covered in blood has him panicked for a second, until he scents no trace of your blood in the breeze that blows his way. He relaxes only slightly, taking in everything that you are, warrior, commander, a beautiful Illyrian female.

And in that moment, staring into those beautiful hazel eyes, drawing your shadows back to you, skimming and twining with his own, does something between you pull taut. The breath catches in your throat, the feeling like your heartstring is being tugged on, or maybe it’s trying to escape, seeking out what it has been waiting for for so long, it’s missing half. 

The Shadowsinger is your mate.

He must have realized at the same time, his emotions flashing from confusion to understanding to relief to pure lust. You’re both standing frozen on the battlefield, the sounds of metal against metal, the screams of pain surrounding you, and all you can think about is how Azriel is your mate. With him, you are whole now, noth the half empty shell you were pretending not to be. A unified force, the two Shadowsingers who are nearly opposite, night and day, have become one. 

He opens his mouth to speak, but the words are drowned with a pained cry from you. Your gaze cuts down and you can see the tip of a blade protruding from your shoulder, pinning your wing to your back. A boot rams into your back directly between your wings, knocking you off of your feet and to the ground. The knife drags hot against your shoulder as it exits, searing pain blurring your vision for a moment before the adrenaline kicks in, rolling over onto your back, wings tucked up tight. Your shadows coil around you protectively as you stare up at the warrior who had bested you. 

It’s one of Beron’s sons. Not the one that’s so clearly trying to take over his father’s reign, no, it’s a different one. His face is a mask of joy, an unsettling grin on his face like he’d known what had just transpired between you and the Shadowsinger. He knew what killing you would do to the Spymaster in that moment, how easily it’d be to kill him after, the sick smirk on his face.

Clever fox.

But he must have forgotten that there was something sneakier, the cunning mind of the Shadowsinger, your mate. As he lifted his sword over his head to end you, he didn’t even seem to notice the mass of black mist until it was too late and his head was cut cleanly from his shoulders. 

Sly Shadowsinger.

Chest heaving and eyes are wild with bloodlust, he scans the area for immediate danger. His shadows report none, only letting him know how badly you’re bleeding and marking the severity of the wounds. He crouches next to you, shadows poised behind him on full alert. 

“I’m fine,” you grit. You’ve already used your siphons powers to place a makeshift bandage over the wound. You manage to make it to your feet, Azriel’s arms a whisper against your skin should you need the support. Your arm hangs limply at your side, any sort of movement makes the wound scream in pain. Your wing is another story, curled in close to your body, you can feel the winter air tear through the wound.

“We have to get you out of here,” he speaks, but you’re already stalking towards the noise of battle, trying to steady your breathing and blinking harshly to clear up the slight of white that crosses your vision every time your arm jolts. “You’re hurt.”

“My people need me.” Your people need you.

“They don’t,” he catches up to you as you reach the crest of the snowy hill. And the Spymaster is right. Down below are your people, fighting and doing it well. Taking command from Cassian as easily as when they come from you. Their skillset shows, training hard paying off, not just a camp used for triage any longer, no, a legion ready and willing to fight. 

You watch in awe, the warriors in white as they work together, males and females alike, ending their opponents quickly. If they go down, they don’t go down easy, giving their everything to fight for their own kind, their own lands.

“Come,” the Shadowsinger – your mate – offers you a hand. You look at it for a moment, then him, eyes asking you to trust him, then to your people one last time. 

You feel like the last piece of a puzzle fitting together perfectly when your hand accepts his.

***

You are not allowed to return to battle.

Azriel had been sent back after making sure you were okay with the healers, Rhysand having ordered him to return to the war at hand as soon as you were safe. You’re not sure what the Shadowsinger had told his High Lord in response, why he needed to be the one who saw you to the medical tent, but it didn’t matter. He was there, never standing more than a pace away from you. 

It must be from the protectiveness of the bond, you told yourself. 

He had watched silently, intently, and when the healers had deemed you to rest, not to go back out on the battlefield, you slumped sadly in the bed you were perched on. 

Azriel had thumbs on your cheeks, his hazel eyes staring earnestly into your eyes. You could see clearly that he didn’t want to leave, that the distance would pull on that fresh bond neither of you had dared speak about, so hard to ignore but the two of you were doing just fine pretending that it wasn’t there. 

Maybe it was primal instinct, at that point, that he didn’t want to leave you. Didn’t trust you to be safe even in the hands of healers. He gave into that feeling for a fleeting moment, pressing his mouth to yours in a desperate kiss, like he’d been waiting to get his lips on you since his soul had met yours. 

You gasped against him, your blood heating at your first taste of him as your mate. Why the bond had chosen now to make itself known was beyond you, but you cursed them, for you never wanted this feeling to end. 

Heat pooled in the pit of your stomach as his tongue swept against yours, greedily mapping out every inch of your mouth. You needed to be closer to him, wanting your body pressed up against his own. It felt like your heart was trying to claw itself out of your chest.

He ripped himself away from you, standing abruptly and taking a few steps away, creating distance. Your mind was fuzzy as you blinked up at him, his back turned to you. 

You could hear his ragged breathing, his back heaving like the beast locked deep down inside of him had let loose and he was trying to reign it in. Rhysand’s voice clanged in his head and he fought against himself to ignore it, to stay with you and never leave.

But it was his duty to his court to be out there in battle.

“I have to go,” he rasped. His fists clenched and his body was shaking with restraint.

“Go Shadowsinger,” you urged softly, although you did not want to – didn’t want to see him off to war if you were not by his side, “I will be here when you come back.”

The feeling of his mouth against your own was still prominent when he ducked out of the tent. 

***

You couldn’t sit still for long, body aching with need: to be by your mate and to assist in the war that's raging on without you. 

Instead you helped where you could, fetching buckets of fresh water, holding the hands of warriors who were beyond help, ushering them over to the other side with soothing tones and gentle words. It was always hard, this part, and there had even been a few of your own soldiers who were hurt or close to death. 

You would mourn when this was all over.

The war was short compared to the ones you had learned of when you were young. Two days of immense battle had the Autumn Court retreating, the Spring Court's own small army nearly wiped out completely.

You hadn’t seen Azriel since he’d left you in the healing tent, hadn’t dared give a tug on that lifeforce connecting the two of you. You couldn’t risk distracting him during war, so you grabbed on to the fact that you knew he was still alive. You would have known if he had fallen. 

But that didn’t stop you from worrying. You could feel certain things through the bond, emotions and near physical pain. It was so intense once that you dropped the pail of ruddy red water you had been carrying to empty in the nearby woods. It splashed on your white leathers and had you curling against the trunk of the nearest tree, trying to swallow back the nausea. 

It was a relief when it was over, slowly collecting yourself, trying to relax your clenched muscles. You climbed to your feet, hand braced against the tree in case the feeling should wash over you again. Fear imbedded itself in your mind. 

Abandoning the can, you made your way back to the triage area, scanning the crowd for any sign of the Shadowsinger. A sense of calmness washed over you, like that bucket you had been carrying had been dumped over your head. He could sense you through the bond, you realized, could feel the utter worry and frantic feeling as you searched for him. You breathed a sigh and tugged the bond in acknowledgement, a flutter in your stomach. 

You didn’t see him until later in the day, when the setting sun had turned your dirty leathers from white to black, looking like a true Night Court Illyrian now. 

The Shadowsinger was helping move the wounded when you saw him. He looked himself now that his leathers were black again, and it left you slightly disappointed. He wore the color white well. Seeing with your own eyes that he was okay settled you more than you thought it would, but your heart was racing with excitement. 

You took a step forward, ready for him to notice you so that you could race into his arms, pick up where you’d left off in the medical tent. Your wound was still sore but you could make do. A wrist caught your arm, halting you. 

It was the High Lord. He wore a look of understanding on his face, watching you and his Spymaster. Azriel was his brother and when the Shadowsinger had fessed up that you were his mate, his heart soared for his brother. Rhysand knew the two of you were going to have something special, even before you’d been properly introduced. Dusk and dawn, when night turned into day and day turned into night is what the two of you were. A perfect match.

“Thank you,” Rhysand says softly, squeezing your arm. For supporting him in the war or loving his brother you didn’t know which he was speaking of.

Either way, he didn’t need to thank you.

The Shadowsinger appears, a cautious eye on where Rhysands hand is on your arm. You give Azriel a soft smile which he returns with his own shy one, warmth seeping through the bond. Your heart feels so full, you never thought you’d find your mate. You wonder for a moment if the seamstress at your camp was a Seer herself, the way she told you to stick by the Spymaster. 

You turn back to the High Lord, “I’d like to take the job, if the offer still stands.”

[writer-akihiko]

hiii! can I get a similar scenario like this but with vice dorm leaders and floyd? I love your works!!! I hope you have a nice week <3

Vice Dorm Leaders + Floyd + Valentine's Jealousy

Thank you for this request! It was a while to post this because I kinda forgot the prompt for the previous one, but I hope you enjoy some equally jealous Vice Dorm Leaders and Floyd!

Lilia Vanrouge

Many knew that you were quite famous, and he was well aware of how others saw you too. You weren't one to accept the presents because you had Lilia, but it was hard to reject them most of the time when they'd all gang up on you.

From the day started, you planned out the day. You planned to take an alternate route back to the dorms, but through every step, some student would stop you with a present. With so many eyes on you, it was overwhelming.

A couple of Savanaclaw boys stopped you in your tracks, with the supposed leader of the pack holding a box of chocolates towards you.

"YN! Please accept my gift!"

The sudden approach made you trip and fall on your butt, but before a hand could reach out to help you, the wall of students collapsed. You smelled smoke, supposedly from something burning, but as you looked over it more, it was the students that were burning…

Lilia stood over them, sneering at the other students that looked on. He gave a deep bow, and you noticed that one of his heels dug into the side of the one who wanted to give you a gift.

"Ara ara... as Vice Dorm Leader, there shouldn't be any fleas disturbing the peace."

The bodies of those students were well stepped and pranced over as Lilia prattled on about 'appropriate' rules for a NRC student. His lecture was done, but you found it odd that Lilia cared about the rules at all...

"Now that you get my point, leave."

All students, burnt and normal, scattered when Lilia said that. You were the only one left, and you began to get anxious once more. Surely... Surely your lover wouldn’t punish you too?

As your boyfriend stepped closer, he got on one knee, somehow conjuring a bouquet of flowers? On further inspection, the flower buds appeared to be your favourite snacks on sticks in... a bouquet. Lilia had his mysterious ways, but the silly bouquet got a giggle out of you.

He got up, pulling you by the waist. "I take it as you love your snack bouquet~" He pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. "Happy Valentine's Day YN."

Trey Clover

Trey didn't want you to know that you were well-known so instead of doing anything to the other students, he tells you to stay in your room instead as you wait for him to pick you up for a romantic Valentine's date.

As the morning of Valentine started, he could watch in envy at the other students with present clearly meant for you. He did ask Vil for a favour to doll you up for the date, but he wasn't sure if you were going to stay put with Grim around...

He had to curse himself for getting caught up in one of Professor Crewel's ramblings, but he wouldn't be so rude to get up and leave. If he had to be honest, it was very tempting to do so.

It was finally over, and he tried not to let out a sigh of relief. The moment he walked out of the classroom, he was already frowning at the sight that he saw.

Many surrounded you, but particularly those with sweet treats caught your attention the most. They begged you to try their treats, but you never thought it as anything romantic. As someone who was fond of making sweet treats like Trey, you thought that they were asking for your input instead.

One of the students dared to hand-feed you a piece of the sweet he made. Trey being pissed off was an understatement. Cater, who was busy filming the decorations and vlogging, paused when his camera neared Trey's line of view.

Trey knew he wasn't going to get to you in time, so as he saw the treat inch closer to your mouth, he used his magic to alter the flavour of it. You winced at the bitter flavour unlike the sweet flavour before you expected.

You coughed out the piece you had in your mouth, dropping the food. Your head bumped against someone, and an arm wrapped around you. You relaxed once you felt Trey's familiar scent, but with your ear pressed against his chest, the sound of his thumping heart rang through your ears.

"You really dared to poison YN..."

The students backed away, but with a teacher nearby, they were quickly taken away. Trey didn't mind his little lie, after all, you were adorably blushing in his arms.

"Are you okay my love?" He patted your head, checking you for any injuries. It was only then he realised that you were dolled up, and your cheeks were flushed whenever hi fingers touched your skin.

Trey wasn't usually tongue-tied, but the way you just looked made him speechless.

"H-Happy Valentine's... my gorgeous YN."

Jamil Viper

He was an observant man, so the day before Valentine's he knew who was targeting to give you gifts, even if they hadn't made their intentions public. He never made your relationship public, but he targeted those who thought they were the 'perfect' candidate for your love.

It all began with spreading rumours, particularly about how someone was going to be your fiancé. He only had to wait for the rumours to settle in, and then the chaos would commence...

By the morning of Valentine's, many had gathered at your doorstep leaving gifts but some insisted on waiting for you... like a stalker... Oh well, Jamil could remedy that easily.

He couldn't hypnotise to most due to the limitations of his magic, but he was still good at manipulating those around him. He couldn't help but feel such jealousy towards the other students for getting you such expensive gifts, especially when he could never get those gifts for you himself.

He was so distracted with his jealous thoughts that he missed the moment that you walked out of your room. You were hopeful that your boyfriend Jamil was waiting, but you couldn't hide your disappointment when it wasn't.

The more aggressive 'suitors' caught on to your disappointment, and you shrunk in fear as they approached you.

"Hoi, why are you making that fa-"

BLAM!

Before any insulting things were said, a basketball went flying and hit the student in the head, knocking him flat.

"Get away from her."

Jamil's piercing gaze sent a shiver down everyone's spine, causing them to scram. Even those who had the strength to beat Jamil were outmatched by the sheer bloodlust and the objective authority he had, which was better not to mess with if they valued their school life.

It wasn't long before you jumped into Jamil's arms, which caused both of you to topple over. Your large grin was fitting for Jamil's flustered state, as you bestowed your hero a loving kiss.

Jade Leech

If any student in NRC were to say to their fellow friends that they wanted to confess to YN on Valentine's Day, their friends would ask them if they wanted a death wish. This was because it was a well-known fact that you were dating Jade Leech.

And in NRC, you'd never want to mess with the Leech brothers.

Jade wouldn't want to scare you, but he may have overheard some other people talking about giving you a Valentine's gift. Even if it was out of obligation, he wouldn't allow that.

He could personally alter the ingredients of their drinks so that they'd... fall asleep before any present giving...

You always hung around the Lounge but this time around, Jade didn't allow you to walk out onto the floor, so you accompanied Azul with helping him with his papers. He waited for the serum to kick in, and when they were asleep he informed Azul of some loiterers in the Lounge.

Before they fell asleep, Jade couldn't help himself from revealing his tiny plan to the victims.

"Don't try your chances."

They were quickly disposed of, thanks to Floyd. It'd be better not to mention specifics.

Jade did promise you a romantic date, so you were surprised how much the Lounge changed after hours. The simple candlelight shone on the extravagant meal with Jade's specially brewed tea.

You felt the merman's arms wrap around you, as he leaned down, whispering in your ear. "YN, thank you for being my Valentine."

Floyd Leech

Whoever had the idea to confess to you besides Floyd Leech was asking to die by getting squeezed by a merman.

He wasn't sure how did you gain so much attention, but then he remembered that he'd always glomp you whenever he saw you... and then he remembered that Valentine's was today. Oh well, he'll figure something out.

The person Floyd had his eyes on though, was a student who was part of a band that Azul drove into debt. The entire band then on went to work for the Lounge as entertainters, but how could Floyd trust such a scheming bass player?

He heard from Jade that they were going to practice, but he had an inkling that it would be a confession to you. Only when it comes to you, he's observant.

"Hey YN! I just wanna show you-"

You shrugged off the bassist's enthusiasm. "Sorry... I'm a bit worn out. A lot of people have been giving me presents today."

He still took your hand. "Well... um if it helps you relax, I wrote a song for you!"

"A song?" You inched away since he was too close for comfort, but you'd doubt he'd listen to you since those other students didn't listen to you anyway...

"Hands off my Shrimpy."

Floyd couldn't hold it, watching from the sidelines. Jade told him to stay put, but it was impossible. He grabbed the student by the shoulders, squeezing him until he screamed. Once Floyd saw your worried face, he abandoned every thought of 'torturing' the boy and flung him across the room instead.

It was just his luck that the boy landed in your pile of presents, destroying about half of them. That was the presents dealt with...

You eagerly hugged Floyd, finally seeing him after a long day. Floyd couldn't help but twirl his Shrimpy around, joy filling him from your giggles. Oh well, Valentine's was too materialistic anyway. If he could get a laugh out of you just like this, that was all that mattered to him.

"Love ya Shrimpy~"

Ruggie Bucchi

Having so much responsibility in Savanaclaw meant that he had the slimmest of chances to be with you during Valentine's. Sure, most knew that you were his but there would be those idiots that would approach you regardless of your relationship status.

He gritted his teeth as he thought of all the possible presents he couldn't give you, and others could. The moment he stepped out his body simply shook with envy at how lucky those students were to have the spare money to get you something nice.

It honestly made him feel terrible that he couldn't provide those for you. It really did.

He wasn't one to lash out, but he was a hyena beastman after all. He had his limits. The moment he spotted you, he couldn't stop his tail from wagging. What pissed him off though was the idiocity of the students who can't comprehend that you didn't want to deal with them.

A Scarabia student had been following you around, and it was getting on your nerves. He showed off his 'assets' in front of you, which was embarrassing enough but it really struck a chord when the said student disregarded your beloved Ruggie.

"Surely you have better chances with me than some filthy beastman like him..."

You huffed, your fists shaking. "That's my boyfriend you're talking about!"

The student, of course disregarded you entirely. He grabbed you by the wrist, but in the blink of an eye, his palm was bleeding. There Ruggie was, claws out and holding you in one arm.

"She said she has a boyfriend, scum."

He didn't care how much he'd get punished. Knowing how much the teachers favoured you, they might let it pass... He didn't want to deal with the aftermath, so he lifted you up bridal style and ran with you to the Savanaclaw dorm.

"W-Wait Ruggie! I might be heavy..."

"You're not," He bluntly said, angling his face so he could check you for any injuries. His chest swelled up with pride with how much you defended him. "YN, it's okay though. You didn't have to defend me that much..."

You were not one to stand for your boyfriend to insult himself. You kissed him, surprising him to the point he almost dropped you. As you stared at your confused Ruggie, you comforted him with words he needed to hear the most.

"Ruggie, you're my one and only love."

Rook Hunt

This man had a plan. He had a plan and he planned it the moment he realised Valentine's Day was coming which was roughly after the first few months of dating. He never realised that it would be such a meticulous operation.

He runs the grapevine of gossip, so he knows exactly who to target. Sure... some methods were not as graceful as the Pomefiore standard but he had to do what he had to do.

Valentine's rolled around. D-Day. The D stood for Date... as he highlighted in notes. He'd leave you be, because you were the main star of his plan. His star, his moon, his every- Oh and he caught himself before getting sidetracked...

The first mistake was leaving their presents unattended. The second mistake was going to talk to you.

In a sudden moment, many shrieked at their presents getting vandalised by someone's arrow. It wasn't a humble mistake. Someone was doing this on purpose.

While other students panicked, you had stooped to your knees, observing the words on the shaft of the arrow...

'From YN's boyfriend~'

Oh... Oh Rook... How adorable of you... You thought to yourself. You were surprised that none had caught on so far, but you were sorely mistaken as the person who was about to gift you a bouquet of flowers grabbed you in fear.

"Y-Your boyfriend?! Who is he-" The student shrieked and fell to the ground as an arrow flew past his head, cutting off some of his locks. Then and there, Rook stepped out, bow in hand, bowing to his lady.

"My apologies. I was aiming for your head."

Rook was quick to take you in his arms, but that was not before he oh so graciously stepped on the student's hand. You didn't expect him to-

"You didn't think I would get jealous, Mademoiselle," He laughed, getting on one knee with a rose in hand that you were sure was from another student's bouquet. "Ah, I take it you enjoyed my gift!~"

Unfortunately, it wasn't long before Rook was scolded by some teachers and Vil himself. As much as you thought he would put up with the punishment, that didn't stop the hunter from bringing you to the final date spot, a quiet, peaceful forest date with your favourite hunter.

[yandere-sins]

Past and Future

Horrortober Day 2: Decision  |  “It’s your decision. Choose wisely.”

Day 2 woop! Got a chance to work on my Kazuha a bit more. I hope to write for him more in the future!

Warnings: Yandere, Manipulation, Possessiveness, Stalking Mention Characters: Kadehara Kazuha x Reader

Kazuha couldn’t not notice the yearning in your gaze as you looked across the plaza at your old friends. These scumbags. Wannabe goody-two-shoes. Oh, how much he despised them. And yet, you longed for their laughter in your ears, the wrinkles in their eyes as they grinned and smiled at each other cheerfully. They were celebrating something Kazuha didn’t know about. But undoubtedly, you remembered after having been close to them since early childhood. 

And yet, you didn’t belong to their circle anymore. You hadn’t been invited to wine and laughter, food and celebration. Instead, you absentmindedly squeezed his hand tighter, and Kazuha took that as a sign. “Come on,” he mumbled, watching how sadness overcame you with every passing second. Frustration and anger, but mostly disappointment, snaked their way into your expression. You had been so excited for today, going out with him, exploring Liyue Harbor with your boyfriend, but the mood was ruined now. 

When you didn’t react, Kazuha used his free arm to lay it around you, pushing you forward despite your feet being unwilling to move. Part of you wanted to go to your friends, to join them in their festivity. But without being invited, you were way too hesitant to approach, and it hurt you even more. Your head hung low as you two finally disappeared in the crowd of people working and shopping, the night market making for a great scene. Still, you couldn’t take it in anymore after remembering your past heartbreak now.

Kazuha wasn’t the type to leave you alone, never wishing to be separated from the warmth and comfort you gave him by being by his side, but in your depressed state, it was hard to do anything with you. Placing you on a bench, Kazuha left to get you something to drink. His mind was wrecking itself of how to help you as he bought your favorite, seasonal beverage, still hot and steaming in its cup, and brought it back to you. 

Unfortunately, no one heard the clattering sound as he dropped it, watching you talk with some of your old friends. When did they come over to talk? Why were they here? How did they notice you? Why now of all times? This was his evening. His time with you. And yet, you hadn’t been as happy with him all night as you were when you talked to them. Kazuha’s expression changed from worried to upset as he had to watch you laugh with them, even though the mood seemed awkward from afar. Maybe they were apologizing, or perhaps just trying to replicate the good old times with you, but you seemed very receptive to their presence, smiling in a way that you never did when you were with Kazuha. 

It had taken a lot to break you guys apart. Not willingly, but they weren’t a good influence for you. He had never done anything to them, but one day they had decided they didn’t like the way he looked at you. That Kazuha was too ‘possessive’ and that the ‘took up all your time’. They told you to stay away from the outsider, to ignore the soft, wonderful feelings you two had for each other—the strong bond you were forming with your boyfriend. Your friends decided he wasn’t good for you but were they really your friends when they made you choose between them and your love? Gods, he hated what they did to you. Hated how miserable they could make you. You had been so nervous and anxious after they started harassing you to leave him, crying at night and into his shoulder when you didn’t know what to do. The first time you said you loved him was while you were assuring him that you still had feelings for him; that being the reason why it was so hard on you to be forced to make this decision. It wasn’t a romantic moment, but one filled with tears. Kazuha would never forgive them for robbing him of his amazing confession from your lips.

However, in the end? You chose him—naturally. You chose him for this very reason. Because you love him. Kazuha never made you decide. Sure, he didn’t like your friends, but he didn’t go out of his way to engage with them. He only ever had eyes for you, following you whenever you met with your so-called friends and making sure you’d be safe from them. However, he was better than them, and even if they made you cry on your way home, he never once went back to hurt them just as much as they hurt you, even if his blood was boiling. Kazuha would rather spend his time comforting you, asserting his place in your heart, than stick to the ones who were desperately trying to tear him out of said place. 

But maybe he should have.

Maybe he should have demanded that you decide on one side. After all, you were already distancing yourself from these people that kept hurting you in the name of ‘only wanting the best for you’. He was the best for you. There was nothing that could be better for you than Kazuha. He was strong; he was safe for you. No one else tended to you as gently and lovingly as he did. Comforted you when you were down. You had to wear the burden of everyone around you, but Kazuha only committed to you and your worries. He was the saving grace and the helping hand you needed in your desperation. The person your friends should have been if you had actually mattered to them. 

In return, you were the same for him. You gave his life a meaning that he had long searched for. A new friend and a love to wake his lonely heart again. No one could ever stir him like you did, and he was thankful. Thankful for the opportunity to be by your side, to warm you on cold nights, and to tell you about the past he never shared with anyone else. You were the listener he wanted; gave him the attention he needed. And Kazuha...

Kazuha wouldn’t lose you now. He couldn’t lose someone again. Not you.

Marching up to you and your friends gathering around, he listened to the meaningless conversation you had. “We’re sorry for saying such harsh things,” and “We were worried about you.” Loads of empty words, in his opinion. But seeing your eyes tear up at them made his heart sting and his blood boil all over again. It made him furious. Furious for you. You deserved so much better than these lies. They didn’t care about you!

Pushing through them without roughly, Kazuha only looked at you, finding your eyes instantly. You were surprised by his appearance but quickly wiped the tears from your eyes and returning to the silly, little smile you usually graced him with. One that was as empty as your friend’s words. One you adapted just to please him and not worry him further, but once he’d put an end to this, Kazuha knew you’d be able to smile at him properly again with a sincere one. 

“Choose,” he prompted, and you raised an eyebrow in confusion while your friends began to grow tense and murmur between themselves. 

“These people-” he made a vague gesture between the few gathered around, “-aren’t good for you, and you know it. They dropped you when you needed them the most while I’ve been with you all this time.”

“You can’t be serious,” you breathed, but Kazuha didn’t confirm your wish. He was serious, even if that meant upsetting you. This was for the best. “It’s your decision. Them or me. Choose wisely.”

“That’s unfair!” one of your friends cried out, upset about his intention, and Kazuha looked at them sharply from the corner of his eye, silencing them effectively. “It’s not unfair,” he shut their argument down, looking only at you as he spoke. “They made you choose first and broke your heart. I never have and never will hurt you. But I am not so sure about the people who already did it once.”

Kazuha’s words had impact; he could see it in your eyes. You, too, remembered the bad times that felt like your heart was ripped into pieces by the people you put so much trust in. And instead, it had been him who was there, making sure you ate and drank in your troubled times, and got rest when you needed it. Even if there was no luxury in his life, he still had been a better friend than any of them. Kazuha completely missed that he suggested dropping you the same way your friends had when he made you choose. He didn’t want to believe you would choose anyone over him after all he did for you. You belonged to him, and he belonged to you. That’s how love worked. 

“I love you.” 

A dirty trick. One that your friends couldn’t use. Kazuha directly pulled at your heartstrings, making you miss a breath as you grew even more blindsided. “I don’t want to lose you, again,” he didn’t hesitate to add, noticing how your friends’ faces grew worried and upset at his words. He was hinting at the bad time you two had gone through. The one that made a part of you die. But you only looked down, hands balling into fists as you felt conflicted. There was no need for you to wreck your pretty head over these nobodies, Kazuha decided, holding out his hand. You only needed him—as much as he needed you. 

Timidly, you reached for his hand, and he gripped yours tightly, pulling you up from your seat and after him, away from these fake friends and their fake worry without another word to them. “It’s better like this,” he assured you, dragging you through the crowd so you wouldn’t be able to look back at your past. He was before you, your future, and he wouldn’t let anyone take you from him and ruin this for you. 

But when you were unresponsive, he threw a glance back over his shoulder, noticing the tears streaming down your eyes. You two came to a stop as he turned around, cupping your face and pulling you into a kiss. Even though your hands came to rest against his chest, pushing, you never managed to escape his grip, forced to kiss him until neither of you could hold your breath anymore. Leaning his forehead against yours, you were left speechless, but not Kazuha.

“I love you. I love you so much. Promise me you’ll never go back to them.” It was hard to commit to that, but his hands grew tighter around your face, desperate to hear it. “You chose me,” he insisted, pain swinging in his voice. “You’re not leaving me.”

There was no way of saying where those emotions came from, but he didn’t give you time to think them over. This was the future he chose, by your side. And that night, you chose it too, even if you ended up not liking it once you found out that your friends had been right all along.

[beenovel]

A Frankly Hilarious Misunderstanding

Pairing: Kili x gn!reader

Word count: 2,103 (.... I have nothing to say for myself)

Warnings: none, misunderstandings for the purposes of comedy, not angst

Summary: Some minor human/dwarf cultural differences lead to major confusion. (AKA Kili is a himbo that doesn’t understand human customs)

A/n: This was a random shower thought that made me laugh until I slipped and @claraofthepen encouraged me to write.

Thank you to @claraofthepen @elvish-sky and @messiambrandybuck for beta reading!! Y'all are the best <3

Brief background: Y/n and your brother (Will) are humans that Gandalf brought along on the quest. Don’t ask me why, the spooky old wizard is mysterious. In your culture, it’s traditional for the courter to ask a courtee’s older relative if they can court. This will be important later. Also, homophobia isn’t a thing because I said so.

-

You lowered yourself onto a log by the fire with a grateful sigh. After a long day of walking, the thought of a hot dinner and sleep (even on the hard ground) was a relief. Thorin had called for everyone to stop right as the sun neared the horizon. This meant you’d had enough light to set up for the night much faster than normal.

Kili sat down next to you. He smiled and despite your exhaustion, you returned the gesture on instinct.

“Here,” he said while handing you a bowl of soup. You knocked your shoulder against his in thanks.

You, Will, Fili, and Kili had become all but inseparable over the past few months of the journey. Being so close in (relative) age, you all got along very well. You and Kili had grown especially close. He flirted with you non-stop and you had quickly fallen in love with him.

The only problem was that while Kili flirted with you quite a bit, he also flirted with everyone. Including your brother, though only occasionally. You were waiting to be sure he actually wanted to be with you, but if he made you wait any longer you were going to ask him despite your doubts. Patience is a virtue, but virtues are overrated anyway.

You looked across the fire to see your brother all but sitting on Ori. Dori did not look particularly happy about this. Your brother, on the other hand, was giggling like a ditzy maid at something Ori had said. You could see how happy Ori was at having made Will laugh, as he was looking at him with a small affectionate smile.

You wanted to walk over and smack their heads together for being so obtuse. Everyone could see how much they cared for one another but they were both too nervous to do anything about it. You had seen your brother face down a lone warg with nothing but a handful of dirt and a stick. And now he quailed at the thought of admitting his feelings for the quiet scribe. Ori seemed convinced that someone as brave as your brother could never love someone as quiet and shy as him.

You shook your head lightly in exasperation. Will had forced you to listen as he lamented his 'unrequited love' countless times. Despite your many, many (many) attempts to convince him otherwise (and all evidence to the contrary) your brother resolutely believed that Ori could never love him the same.

You thought back to the other night when you’d both been on watch.

“I’m just some human,” Will had said as he looked over at Ori’s sleeping form like a kicked puppy. “How could he ever feel the same?”

You had rolled your eyes then and you rolled them again now. Will often told you that one of these days you were going to roll your eyes so far back into your head they’d get stuck. He hadn’t particularly enjoyed it when you strongly insinuated that it would be his fault.

You were so distracted by your brother and Ori, you didn’t notice the nervous breakdown Kili was having right next to you. He was staring into the fire with some intensity while silently moving his lips to the thoughts in his head. His hand was deep in his pocket, worrying a courting bead.

Fili (who no one was paying attention to unlike you, Kili, Will, and Ori, who had the entire company's attention split between the four of you, with varying amounts of exasperation) was watching Kili with much the same expression you were watching Will with. After a moment he leaned over to his brother and whispered in his ear so that only he could hear.

“Go ask, you know what the reply will be. I’m growing sick of watching you two dance around each other and if you don’t ask soon, I'll ask for you.”

Kili turned to Fili with wide, concerned eyes.

“You wouldn’t.”

“Want to bet?”

Kili really didn’t.

Kili turned to you and gently placed his hand on your arm, pulling you out of your (by this point slightly murderous) thoughts.

“Take a walk with me?”

You smiled brightly at Kili.

“Alright”

Kili leads you to a stream the company had stopped near earlier in the day. He was silent the whole way and while silence between the two of you was usually comfortable, you couldn’t help but notice how nervous he seemed.

“Everything all right?”

He smiled.

“Of course Y/n!”

He still seemed nervous but you figured he would tell you when he was ready. You soon came to the small stream and sat down on a fallen log beside it.

Kili took a deep breath and turned to you.

“Y/N, for months I have been quite taken with you.”

The boldness of Kili’s words and how suddenly he said them took you by surprise. Kili, upon seeing your expression, hastily tried to amend his words.

“What I meant to say, erm, is that I’ve fallen in lo-” Kili coughed “I mean, I would like— Mahal Damn it give me a moment.”

Much to your giddy amusement, the young prince stopped his ramblings and took a breath, gathering himself before he spoke again. His voice was level, though his hands still fidgeted and his eyes were downcast.

“(Y/N), your mind and your beauty have enraptured me. I’ve never met your equal in wit and kindness, not in all the years I’ve been on Middle Earth. I ask for your hand in courtship, if it would please you, for it would surely please me.”

The prince glanced up at you and saw the tears in your eyes. His own widened and he began to pull away as he backtracked.

“However, if you were to refuse me, I would understand… I shouldn’t have assumed you felt the same… I mean, I’m so sorry-“ you interrupted the prince's ramblings by throwing your arms around his neck.

“Kili I would love to court you!”

Kili pulled back just enough to smile at you.

“So you’ll let me braid your hair?”

“Of course! Isn’t that pretty much the same thing as asking me to court you?”

Kili nodded.

“Then I’ve already said yes, you silly dwarf! …. Though my brother might be a bit upset.”

Kili frowned and remained silent for a moment before he asked

“Why? I thought he liked me.”

“No, no he does! It’s just, well, you were supposed to ask him first.”

Kili looked at you for a moment in obvious confusion.

“Kili? Are you alright?”

That seemed to break Kili out of his thoughts and he gained a look of determination. He quickly got up and began striding back towards camp.

You sat on the log for a moment looking after him in disbelief before getting up and jogging after him. You caught up to him and moved in front of him to block his path.

“Kili, Kili stop. Where are you going?” You asked him breathlessly.

“I’m going to ask your brother,” Kili said, clearly confused.

“We can do that later, my love.”

Kili took your hands in his and looked up at you.

“If it’s an important human tradition then I would honor it. Your culture and customs are just as important as my own.”

You wanted to argue further, but he was being so sweet and thoughtful you only sighed. You could also tell this was something he was going to be stubborn about.

“Alright.”

You hadn’t even finished speaking before he resumed dragging you back to camp.

You got back to camp and Fili turned to you with a big smile, which was quickly replaced with a frown at his brother’s intense expression.

Kili quickly walked up to Will and got down on one knee in front of him. Will looked over Kili’s shoulder at you and you shrugged. He turned back to Kili when he started speaking.

“Will, would you do me the honor of courting me?”

Will blinked and your jaw dropped. Silence fell over the camp. Everyone looked either at Kili or each other in bewilderment.

Ori stood up beside Will and glared at Kili so intensely that he’d have died on the spot if looks could kill.

“You knew I was going to ask him to court me! How could you?!”

Your brother (who had been looking at Kili like he’d grown a second head) turned to Ori quickly.

“Wait what?”

“Don’t ask me, it’s some sort of human custom!” Kili said.

You, Will, and Ori all began talking at once.

“Why would you - talking about - FIGHT YOU FOR HIM”

Will turned to Ori with an “Again, what?!”

Kili turned back to you with a fearful and very confused face.

“You said I had to ask him first.”

You blinked at him for a moment then burst out laughing so loudly Oin fell off his log.

The rest of the company stared at you in shocked silence for a moment before Will asked you (or maybe just the world at large) a question.

“What’s going on?”

Unfortunately, you were laughing too hard to reply and poor Kili didn’t understand any better than the rest of them.

Dwalin looked at Ori (who had turned a brilliant shade of red) and then moved to stand between Ori and Kili.

“Kili I think you’d better explain what happened when you and y/n were in the woods before Ori bursts a blood vessel,” He said

By now your face was starting to hurt. Kili looked at you in worry before he began.

“When I proposed Y/n said,” Kili paused here and turned his eyes to the sky as he tried to remember the exact wording “Of course, but you have to ask my brother first.”

Will started laughing too, and by this time you were lying on the ground near passing out from lack of oxygen.

Bilbo came to Kili’s rescue as most of the company was doubled over laughing now, having realized what you meant.

“I think what y/n meant was that you have to ask Will for permission to court. Not that you have to ask him to court you.”

You vaguely nodded as you continued to wheeze on the ground.

Eventually, you stopped laughing long enough to get off of the ground and you wiped your eyes. Kili gave you a slightly betrayed look as Fili used your shoulder for support to keep himself from falling over.

Will had managed to pull himself together long before you, so he was only chuckling when he said “Kili, I give you full permission to court y/n.”

He got far more serious as he turned to Ori who was now calm and growing shyer by the second.

“And I would love to court you, Ori.”

Ori smiled and nodded and they went off to the edge of camp to braid each other’s hair.

You noticed Nori was having to nearly physically restrain Dori from storming over to them.

You turned to a bright red Kili. “Aren’t you supposed to be braiding my hair?”

Kili took your hand and slowly began leading you to the edge of camp.

He sat behind you and while you expected to feel his hands in your hair, you didn’t.

“Kili?” You asked.

When he took a moment to respond you turned around to look at him. He was looking at your hair with a strange mixture of longing and sadness.

You sighed.

“Kili, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh, I-“

“Are you sure you want to court me?” He cut you off “I would understand if you didn’t, I mean I pretty much ruined the whole thing.”

“Kili” you whispered as you put your hand on his cheek.

“There is no one I’d rather be with,” you said.

“And besides, just think what a wonderful story this will make,” you said with a smile “plus if you hadn’t, Will and Ori might not have ever gotten together.”

He barked out a laugh.

“Those are very good points, ghivashel.”

“I know, I’m the one who made them.”

Kili pulled you in for a soft kiss. It quickly got more heated and your whole body was screaming for you to climb into his lap. Sudden whooping (from the company members) and exaggerated gagging (from Will and Fili) reminded you that you had an audience.

You lightly slapped Kili’s knee and said “get to braiding” as you turned back around.

He did and you reveled in the feeling of his fingers twisting in your hair.

“Now, tell me what ‘ghivashel’ means.”

-

-

Tag list: @elvish-sky @kumqu4t @anjhope1 @thewhiteladyofrohan @claraofthepen @dat-pan-dwarf @messiambrandybuck @shethereadinghobbit @cassiabaggins @animallover81