#also by 'they get annoyed at dream not letting them feed' I just mean they whine or pout for half a second

[llitchilitchi]

HELLO BESTIE

I said I was going to spam you questions about the vampire menace au and here I am :))))))))))

gosh i dont know where to start i want to know everything.

How do they meet? Did Dream know they where vampires right away? How did they figure out their uhhh (snack? supernatural??) dynamic? What's day to day life like for them?

You said this was a mostly soft au (:eyes: for now possibly, oh?), do you already have some ideas for those moments? Do you plan on writing anything for it or just art?

I am just :hearteyes: I love them so much your honour. They look so cute in your art style as well. I'm really out here giggling and twirling my hair.

- Uzumakifanfics

(I'll leave it at this for now........................ but I'll be back..........)

oh gosh hi!! hello!

thank you for all the questions :D I would love to answer all of them with full proper comics explaining some of the things, but there is only so many hours in the day

gonna give a little warning for some innuendos in the text :)

to start it all of, sapnap and george met dream in a nightclub. this is entirely for the purpose of the pun of sapnap asking dream if he could "suck him in the back".

in the universe of this au, supernatural beings kinda just live normally among regular humans, though there is not too many of them (to the point that some people doubt the existence of the supernatural), so sapnap and george came clear pretty early on. they took it slow, made extra sure that dream knows what he is getting into before properly going ahead and having a taste. and since the three of them got along quite well, it soon became a "friendship with benefits", so to speak. or as the vampire boys would say, "fresh blood tastes better than the packaged stuff they can get at the hospital."

by the current point in the au, their arrangement has been going on for quite a while, and sapnap and george offered that dream move in with them. george is pushing 200 years of age and sapnap is only about 20-30 years younger than him, and the two have been living together since around the 1890s, making them Practically Married. in short, they had a lot to offer to Dream, who definitely appreciates a proper house over a dorm room that doesn't have working heating half of the time.

Dream has certain obligations in the usual waking hours for humans and he has to be awake through the day, like classes and work, while sapnap and george tend to sleep. (they can still run errands. sunscreens and long sleeves, along with sunglasses and hats, do wonders for the vampires.) they like to participate in some ordinary human activities, especially when dream drags them along. the only thing they get mildly annoyed about is dream refusing to let them feed before he heads off to school or to work. but they are quite accomodating! and they enjoy the day to day life of the 21st century.

there is not too much of a routune to speak of, outside of dream's mortal life. I am still debating what to make of George and Sapnap, though I think twitch streamer Sapnap, a vampire born in the 19th century who now screams at Minecraft challenges, is too good to pass up.

I don't really have plans to write for this au and most of it will be limited to one off sketches and short comics of little snippets of their life (vast majority of which consists of Dream being far too easy to fluster and the vampire boys taking advantage of that). there might be further progress with a story once I introduce other characters, like Quackity, Karl and the rest of dtqk+, or Bad and Velvetfrost. for now though it will really just be them being cutesy together, unless a comment or asks gives me ideas to actually work on a plot.

[barbiiecams]

my babies

drew starkey x reader, thinking about making this into a little au <3.

having a baby was definitely the best choice you’ve made all your life, and having it with drew put the icing on the cake.

your perfect angel, aaliyah, was now 6 months old. she was growing up wayy to fast for your liking, but seeing her grow more and more into the beautiful girl she is made your heart throb.

shes definitely a mini you. of course, she looks like her daddy from some aspects, but it’s still you, just copy and pasted. if anything, she has all of drew’s personality.

you’ll take cute photos of them sleeping together in the same position, them watching ms rachel with the same face, and them literally talking about only God knows what in their own little language.

it’s truly the cutest thing, and you could never express how grateful you are to have this little family.

currently as you were preparing her bottle, ms aaliyah started to get fussy with you.

“i know mama you’re hungry,” you coo “it’s almost done baby i promise.”

you shook the bottle as walked over to where she sat in her high chair, something that seemed to calm her fussiness when she was hungry.

her fussiness had basically stopped, and you let her grab her bottle. “see? there you go princess.”

just as she started to feed herself with her tiny hands, drew walks in the front door.

the sight of you and his daughter as soon as he walked in immediately made him smile, his heart warming the way it always does.

he walks over to the both of you, “i missed my babies!” he greets you with a sweet kiss and starts ambushing aaliyah’s chubby cheeks with kisses.

she laughs at her daddy, but is also annoyed at the same time cus she’s tryna eat!!

her cute hands try and push him away while she’s smiling and laughing. another perfect opportunity for you to snap a picture.

“aweee look at herrrr.” you say in a cute little voice that’ll amuse her.

soon he stops, and continues to let her eat. “she’s getting so big. how is she already able to hold her own bottle?”

“i know,” you pout “she’s halfway to one, where did all the months go?”

drew sits down next to you, and wraps an arm around you. “we can always make more though…”

you roll your eyes at his words, but smile anyway. when it’ comes to drew’s babies, that’s definitely not something you’ll decline.

he starts leaving kisses on your neck, “we can even start tonight.”

his lips get close to your ear, and as much as you enjoy it, you have to put a hand to his chest. “you not gonna get me started in front of my baby now.”

he chuckles at your words and lifts his head from your neck. “yea yea, but can we?”

“like seriously?”

“of course seriously,” at first you couldn’t tell if he was genuine or just trying to get you started, but his face said enough.

you thought about it for a moment. you did want more kids, but so soon?

“well i mean.. she’s not even one yet. that’s gonna be a lot dealing with two under two.” you reasoned.

you were right and he knew that, but it didn’t stop his wishes whatsoever.

“and that’s why we’re in this together,” he grabs your hand. “i could get some paid time off, stay with you guys for a while.

you were really thinking now. a big family is something you’ve always wanted, and maybe now was the time to really get it started.

you smiled at him, “okay.”

his face started to light up with excitement, “really?”

you nod as his confirmation, and he immediately starts to embrace you.

when you both pull away from the hug, he gives you a passionate kiss. every kiss with him felt like the first time, and every time you got lost in his lips.

getting a bit too into it, you both stop after hearing the baby noises coming from across from you.

drew looks at her and starts to smile real hard again. picking her up from her chair, he started to bounce her in his arms and kissing her cheeks once again.

he comes back over to you after showing aaliyah some more love, “thank you, seriously. ive always dreamed about being a dad and you’ve just always made my dreams come true.”

you mush at his statement when he says that, baby still in his arms. “and you’ve always made mine come true.”

he gives you another kiss, and you hear aaliyah happy laughing and clapping as both your lips touch. you giggle at her and tickle her little neck.

“is that funny baby?” you pretend to eat her little cheek.

drew laughs at the two of you then starts to play with aaliyah while she continues to giggle and smile. “someone’s gonna be a big sissy soon!”

yea, this was the dream life.

[fatfables]

The Gainer in the Sty or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Others and Love the Bulge

A weight gain/gainer story for everyone who had to read that book at school!

Fakes. Nothing annoys me more than fakes. Fake fatties, fake gainers, fake feeders. Fraudulent men with fake bellies, with cushions stuffed up their t-shirts. They say they wanna get fat, they say they wanna feed ya, then all they do is sit around all day pulling it to AI generated images of teenage boys and girls with unrealistic protruding guts that are so fucking obviously fake. Then they probably go to the gym and hang with their fake friends where they take fake selfies pushing out their fake bellies so that they can post them to more fake friends on Insta or Snap ‘em with other fake gainers who lie to ‘em and tell ‘em how fat they’re gonna get. Even worse is the Mpregs, so obviously fake. And the Furries. Oh, you’re a fat pregnant male ostrich are you? Well get your thick fucking head out of the sand you fucking fake. I’m not like them. I’m a real boy, with a real belly. Not one of these perverted online losers who dreams of metamorphosing from an otter into a bear or any other damn cute little animal. I’m a real boy, I ain’t no Peter Pan and I ain’t no Robin Hood. I’ve never asked no one to morph a picture of me. I don’t need to. I ain’t into no fan art either. God, that shit annoys me. Here’s fat Ash and fat fucking Pickachu. Not into that? Why not try fat Kyle and fat Kenny or fat Bart Simpson? Bit fucking young ain’t ‘e? You fucking fake perv. The internet’s fucking full of fat anime guys and girls, but it’s alright ain’t it, cos they’re just cartoons, they’re just fakes. Till you find yourself stroking the snake to a Shutterstock image of a fat kid eating a burger.

I’ve gone too far. I do that sometimes. I’m Cody and I go too far. That’s how I should maybe start introducing myself. So as to warn people. So that they don’t get too offended. I just get so annoyed. The online world irritates me. I should also let you know that I’m a real gainer. I ain’t no fake. I love to eat and I love to do it in order to get fatter. I got a real pot belly, a real developing Dadbod. I only eat unhealthy food and I only drink carbonated drinks. Anything else would just be fraudulent. I ain’t ever bloated myself on water and I ain’t ever going to. And as for sticking a bike pump up my flabby ass, well you can damn well forget about that. My ass is a one way street! Well it ain’t, but you know what I mean. I ain’t one for air. It takes up too much space that could be better put to use for food storage.

I’ll give you an example of what I mean. I was staying downtown cos I was trying to avoid my folks. I’d gotten kicked out of yet another restaurant and didn’t quite know how to tell ‘em, so I checked myself into this middlin’ hotel for a few nights. Plan was to stay in my room and eat and goon. But I soon got bored of that after the first dozen take outs so I started swipin’ on the app like you do. Came across this cute little femboy called Danni with a pear shaped ass, said she wanted to feed me till I was a human balloon and then fuck me. We chatted for a bit and then I gave her my room number. I was already full to excited after my take outs and stood admiring myself in the mirror. My distended gut was already beautifully swollen and I stroked the underside of it dreaming about how very big she was gonna make me...

Read the rest for free at www.fatfables.com

[8picklesinatrenchcoat]

In the spirit of Paris Paloma's "Labour":

- I have to completely plan out my meals for the week of my period (endometriosis, ergo immense pain), because I can't trust my husband to cook me anything. Not one meal. Apparently he doesn't know how. When I offer to teach him or ask for him to help me cook in the hope for him to learn at least a bit through exposure, he doesn't want to.

- I am completely responsible for the housework. Even when I still worked, it was all left for me to do.

- I am apparently to blame, that there's absolute chaos. But if I ask him to tidy up only his stuff, he doesn't know where or how. I'm supposed to do it. Then I get yelled at, when he can't find, what he's looking for.

- When I asked him to sort out his closet and get rid of maybe a couple things, because he had way to much stuff he wasn't wearing, he didn't have too much, I was just exaggerating, while I didn't knew where to put freshly washed clothes of his anymore, because it was so much.

- Multiple times I had to help him out financially. He earns pretty good money, but spends it on so much unnecessary stuff, that there's almost nothing left for living. Now that I don't work anymore, I get money from my father. No, not from my well-earning husband, but from my worker dad, which is barely enough for me by myself. And husband expects me to manage to feed us for 200$ a month.

- He says I'm exaggerating all my symptoms of my various illnesses and disorders. They aren't that bad, I just needed to pick myself up, not think about it that much and smile more. I'm also overreacting on my multiple experiences on SA, because "I never got penetrated in them" (he did. When he r*ped me, he did. But hey, that doesn't count).

- He spends almost all of his time and money in streams, when I interrupt him even the slightest he gets annoyed and mad.

- He still blames me, that he is not a dad. He wanted kids, but only until he was 25, because beyond that age he would be "too old to be a dad". I never wanted kids, and in the beginning he told me that it was okay. But now he regularly tells me, how old our imaginary child could be, if only I pulled myself together and let him have his dream child.

- He treats me like a toddler, degrades me, doesn't take me seriously. Sometimes falls into babyspeech when talking to me. I asked him to stop it, but according to him I'm just imagining things, and he doesn't do that.

I'm tired, in pain, physically and mentally, exhausted. I just want to run, leave him and his semantics behind. But I don't have the means to live on my own. Also, I'm afraid if he ever finds out, that as soon as I can, I'll leave him, he'll get even worse. I don't have anybody I can turn to, nobody that can offer me shelter for a long enough period. Nobody is willing to hire me and pay me enough, that I can live on my own, because of my disabilities.

I'm not really looking for advice here, just some space to vent. But I'm at the end of... Everything. Patience, strength, willpower, you name it.

[the-lark-ascending69]

in your opinion how do you think robin would act/get along with nancys family

I think that, before they know she's dating Nancy, she'd get along with Mike, Holly and Karen just fine. Karen is just happy Nancy was a girl friend, and Mike thinks Robin is pretty cool. Robin is also super nice to Holly and always plays with her. Nancy has seen her more than once trying to teach her spanish to "give her a bit of an upper leg when she has to see this in school", but Holly is more interested in her crayons. Ted doesn't like her, but no one cares about Ted so it's whatever. He just complains that they're bringing another mouth to feed. He also makes these comments about "his hard-earned salary going to charity" when he sees Robin wearing an old jacket her dad bought back in the 60s and hand-me-down pants and tshirts that have been inherited through multiple generations of cousins before landing in her hands. Robin doesn't appreciate her father-in-law (who doesn't know he's her father-in-law) saying that, like jeez Ted I'm sorry I'm poor, and I think she'd mention that to Karen, like "I guess I just didn't expect an attack over my socioeconomic status today" though Karen doesn't know what the phrase "socioeconomic status" means.

I think she would like to help Karen cook. My headcanon is that Robin is a pretty decent cook, and she likes being helpful, so she'd be there giving Karen a hand. Karen makes the mistake of asking about what she does in her free time, and now Robin is infodumping about her language tapes and her books in dictionaries and her old Operation Croissant plan from when she was 15. Karen is actually pretty impressed by not only Robin's intelligence, but also her curiosity and the fact she'd spend all her free time studying outside of school because she loves learning so much. She thinks she and Nancy will be good influences on each other. Robin makes a point not to mention she's learning russian through reading Anna Karenina (she's not going to let her trauma or the sociopolitical climate of the world take her passion away from her, but she doesn't think Karen would understand when the Wheeler Family TV is constantly blaring news about upcoming russian nukes).

She's always nice and polite to Ted, but in her mind it's kind of an inside joke with herself. She finds it funny when he replies to her saying "good evening Mr. Wheeler! :)" with "oh, it's you again". Mike tells her she doesn't have to greet him if she doesn't want to, but she does anyway.

She might join a D&D campaign once if Nancy makes puppy eyes to her, and Nancy would only join if Mike is being annoying about it enough that she'll do it to shut him up. Robin barely plays though, she's mostly acting as a sports commentator.

I don't remember if they mentioned it in the show, but I hc Mike is very into fantasy books like Lord of the Rings. He ends up getting Robin into it and then they have nerdy talks about it.

Generally Robin is always welcome in the Wheeler household, and she has sleepovers with Nancy every week. If Karen knew what they got up to when everyone was asleep, she probably wouldn't be allowed to come lol but one of the perks of being a lesbian is that, as long as people don't know, you're allowed certain liberties more couples could only ever dream of. For Nancy, falling asleep with Robin curled in her chest every week makes all the secrecy worth it.

I wouldn't be surprised if Mike discovered them pretty early on. Nancy wouldn't want to tell him because You Can't Trust Anyone, but one day he dramatically knocks down Nancy's door after hearing weird noises coming from her room. He feared it was a monster or a psychic attack or something, but instead he sees Nancy on top of Robin. There is some screaming and screeching and Mike running to his room ready to pour bleach into his eyes. When Karen goes out to check, Nancy tells her Mike saw a shadow and got spooked and screamed like a little girl. Nancy is fuming and goes to Mike's room to yell at him for never fucking knocking. There's some fighting and hair pulling and a few sibling slaps, but then they calm down and have an actual talk about it. She tells him that, yes, Robin is her girlfriend and he can never tell anyone. And that he really needs to knock on the door from now on. Mike is mildly disgusted that his sister would have sex in their house with everyone sleeping, but he's cool with her dating Robin. He promises to keep the secret.

Next morning when the two lovebirds go downstairs for breakfast, Robin is visibly nervous and awkward and Mike looks at her with his head tilted down and suspicion in his eyes as if he had x-ray vision and was analyzing whether or not she was secretly a robot with robot guns inside her arms. Or that's what her mind comes up with, at least. She tells Nancy she has the feeling her brother and his friends will be stalking her for a few weeks to determine whether or not she's worthy.

If Karen were to find out... that would be an entirely different story.

[aparticularbandit]

The Trap

Summary: “Do I look like I’m being tortured, super star?” Agatha gestures to the expanse around them, and as she does, different things pop up to fill it: a table covered with food, multiple bookshelves filled to the brim with books, an intricately carved four poster bed that looks feather soft.  “You put me in a dream.  I’m just lonely.  You, on the other hand.”  She smirks, and her eyes light with mischief.  “You’re in pain, being actually tortured by a woman who is paying you just so much attention, and unable to really do anything about it.”  She scrunches her nose.  “Who’s in the better position here?”

Wandagatha Week 2023 Prompt 2: Body Swap

Wanda Maximoff/Agatha Harkness Rating: T.

AO3

previous chapter / next chapter

Unfortunately for Wanda, the curse – whatever it is, if there even is one to begin with – is not so easy to break.  Maybe it’s simply that it isn’t easy for her to heal at all; even that little burst of magic that had previously come so easily to her sapped her of her strength for days, leaving her unable to speak even if she’d wanted.  She catches it, though, the very clear disappointment in Agnes’s eyes when she doesn’t say anything the next day, when she’s barely able to chew the bits of ice she brings to her.

That’s it, then.  If she wants to get better, then she has to focus on that, not get distracted enough to reach into Agnes’s all too empty head and expend her very valuable energy trying to get information from an evil witch who only wants to use it as a bartering system.  Which also means she can’t poke back in and visit Agatha like she’d said she would. The idea of the older witch sitting in that little space with her arms crossed, lips contorted into a scowl (or a pout, if Wanda wants to make herself hurt by laughing), tapping one foot on that spot’s equivalent of the ground, growing steadily more annoyed when she doesn’t appear amuses her.  Not enough to give her the strength to eat more than ice chips for a few days, but enough.

For now.

Agnes continues to dote on her.  She rarely if ever talks about anything going on in Westview, although she mentions once with a halting laugh that it would be horrible if any of her other friends realized that Wanda was there.  It’s the first – and only – time she mentions other friends, and it leaves Wanda wondering if the laugh was about someone finding out she was there or about the idea that Agnes has other friends.  She could reach into her mind to find out; she doesn’t want to waste that strength.

~

Once, when Wanda gains the gumption to speak again, she meets Agnes’s eyes and asks, voice still rasping with disuse, “Why are you here?”

Agnes stops mid-sentence, stutters over her words, and lets her gaze drop, just the same as it had when she first sat on the edge of Wanda’s mattress.  Her thumb rubs over the rag she’d been using to mop Wanda’s forehead, worrying the wet, soft fabric with the tip of her nail. “I…I don’t know what you mean, dear.”

Wanda’s lips brush together, not as parched as they were when she first woke here, but still cracked.  She considers her words carefully before trying again. “With me,” she clarifies, hesitating before continuing, “without your…your friends.”

“Oh.”  Agnes flushes a bright red, still averting her eyes.  “You need me, hon.  They….” One corner of her lips lifts in a feigned smile.  “They’re fine without me.  And you know, they’re used to me not being around.”  Her gaze finally lifts, meeting Wanda’s, with that same somber sort of sad smile.  She gives a little shrug.  “You’re better company.”

Wanda doesn’t believe that in the slightest.  She’s just a body in a bed that occasionally talks; the only difference between her and a body pillow is that Agnes needs to feed and water her; she might as well just be a body-sized plant at this rate.  She licks her cracked lips and lies, “I’ll be fine, Agnes.”

Agnes searches her eyes, and the light in her own fades.  “They say that, too.”  She gently places her hand over Wanda’s, careful not to clench her fingers or pat at all, trying her best to avoid causing her pain, and then goes back to what she was doing.  “You’re talking, so,” she hesitates, “does that mean you’re ready to try food again? Maybe some pudding?  Jello?”

Wanda is sick and tired of Jello, but she nods anyway.

~

It isn’t until Wanda is able to sit up in bed on her own on a regular basis, until she can eat more than smooth textured food like mashed potatoes, pudding, and the many, many flavors of Jello that she dares reach out to Agatha again.  (In the interim, Agnes learns three things: 1) Wanda likes dark gravy with her mashed potatoes; 2) Wanda likes french vanilla pudding best; and 3) Wanda will only eat lime, watermelon, and strawberry Jello – and she’ll only eat the strawberry on a good day, otherwise it makes her already dry lips pucker in a way that, oddly, the lime does not.)

Wanda hasn’t been testing the rest of her magic, finds that on the odd occasion when she stretches out towards it that unbidden it has started stitching her body back together again, much to her initial regret.  Now, she only wants it to stitch her together faster so that she can get out of here sooner.

Still, when Agnes finds her sitting up, her face lights up.  She brings a tray with two bowls of soup – something still easy to eat, so that Wanda doesn’t choke, and a second bowl for herself, so that they can eat together – and sets it on Wanda’s lap as she settles on the mattress next to her.  “Feeling better today, hon?  Or are you just happy to see me?”

Agnes’s attempts to flirt still make Wanda uncomfortable, even as, on occasion, they bring a warm flush to her cheeks.  “Better,” she croaks out, and she places a hand carefully over Agnes’s. “Hold, please.”

She doesn’t know why she says please. Maybe it’s just the habit of what she’s heard from sitcoms over the years, of characters stuck doing jobs in call centers and having to move one caller from them to someone else.  It certainly can’t be that—

Agnes freezes, just as before, and Wanda keeps her hand over Agnes’s as she mentally reaches out and within her.

It’s easier to find the spot in Agnes’s mind where Agatha resides now that she’s been there before, and Wanda floats toward her without near the insistence that she did before, hoping that doing so in this matter might preserve some of her energy and not drain her quite so nearly as it had before.  As before, she finds Agatha waiting for her, wild hair pulled back into a mussy half-bun, sitting in a high-backed chair padded with violet velvet, a cup of tea in one hand.  Agatha glances up lazily toward her and then returns to her cup of tea and…is that a book?

Wanda’s teeth grit together, her jaw clenching.  “How are you conjuring all of this?  You shouldn’t have any magic, let alone enough to do—”  She gestures to the trapped witch, to the fireplace with a still roaring fire behind her.  “How?”

Agatha gives another infuriating shrug.  “Not sure, doll.”  Then she holds up one finger.  “Now, if you’ll give me a minute, I just want to finish this chapter—”  She waits for what feels like a ridiculously long time to finish the page, turns it, gives it a quick skim and a nod, and then closes it on her other finger before conjuring it away entirely.  Then her lips curve into a near wolfish grin.  “You came back.  Honestly, hon, I didn’t believe you would.”

Wanda wants to say something about keeping her promises, but she hadn’t promised anything.  In point of fact, she had fully intended to never come back, but….  “I needed someone with a little more bite than your,” she struggles to think of a word to describe Agnes, and failing to think of one supplies, “other. person.”  She conjures a chair of her own and nearly collapses into it, rubbing her forehead. “I can only take so much of her.”

“That’s the point, hon.  Wundagore wants you to suffer—”

“I don’t care,” Wanda groans out.  “We had a taste test of Jello.  Every kind of Jello and every kind of Jello pudding so she could guess at what I liked.  Do you know how horrible some of that is?”

Agatha snorts.  “I can guess.”  That wolfish grin never disappears.  “At least she isn’t making it from scratch.  Then your suffering would never end.”  She gives Wanda a wink.

Wanda is suddenly glad that Agnes doesn’t have near the knowledge that Agatha does.  She was glad before, of course, but she’d thought that where she hadn’t given the woman specific commands, she would draw on Agatha’s mind to fill in the rest.  At least this isn’t something that made it through.  She sighs again.  “You’re supposed to be suffering,” she whines, frustrated.  “Why aren’t you suffering?”

“Oh, I don’t know.”  Agatha glances around the black, blank expanse around them, broken only by the flickering shadows cast by the fire.  “It’s very calm in here.  You could do with this sort of vacation, hon.  Get your mind screwed on straight.”

Now Wanda snorts.  She covers her lips with one hand, gives a little bemused shake of her head, and then glances up with sparkling eyes.  “You want me to stay in your torture cell.”

“Do I look like I’m being tortured, super star?” Agatha gestures to the expanse around them, and as she does, different things pop up to fill it: a table covered with food, multiple bookshelves filled to the brim with books, an intricately carved four poster bed that looks feather soft.  “You put me in a dream.  I’m just lonely.  You, on the other hand.”  She smirks, and her eyes light with mischief.  “You’re in pain, being actually tortured by a woman who is paying you just so much attention, and unable to really do anything about it.”  She scrunches her nose.  “Who’s in the better position here?”

Wanda doesn’t want to consider it.  She doesn’t trust Agatha to be telling the truth.  She has to be lying.  Has to be.  Agatha never tells her the truth about anything.  At least…not the whole truth.

And yet she came here the first time to ask her for information.

She’s not going to think about that.

“Sounds like I need to make a better torture cell.”  Wanda glances up, meets Agatha’s eyes, and refuses to give her the smile she knows the other woman wants.  A smile means she’s making a joke.  She isn’t making a joke.  She’s taking notes.

Agatha holds her gaze, lets it flick away only once, and then brings it back. Her eyes move so quickly that Wanda doesn’t know what she’s looking at and honestly finds that she doesn’t care. Then Agatha rests her head gently on her head, a smug smirk lifting one corner of her lips.  “Sounds like you made a perfect one for you, hon.”

~

Wanda tries not to think about what Agatha said.

She tries.  Really really hard.

But most of her days are spent either alone or listening to Agnes’s chatter – and there’s only so many times she can listen to Agnes talk about the same things without tuning out.  Every now and again, Agnes tries to draw her into conversation, but more often than not, Wanda feels too exhausted to talk – both from how much effort it is taking to heal and from how much she does pay attention to what Agnes is saying before having to stop.

And the thing about empty days and needing a distraction is that her mind returns to what Agatha said.  Returns to the idea of her perfect torture cell.  And returns to the thought that wherever she has locked Agatha is not nearly as horrific as she was led to believe it would be.

Agatha’s lonely, sure, but maybe, if she had to deal with Agnes’s chatter from the outside, if she was stuck in bed waiting to heal the way that Wanda is now, that would be a bigger torture for her than the empty blank corner of her own mind where she could conjure whatever she wants.  She certainly wouldn’t be able to conjure anything out here.

And maybe, if Wanda plays this right, she’ll get that nice, empty corner of space to sit and think and do whatever she wants while Agatha is stuck out here being forced to—

Wanda tries not to think about what Agatha said.

She tries.

But it keeps coming back, and she can’t keep herself from thinking about it, and the more she thinks about it, the more one corner of her lips creeps up into a smug smile.

~

It takes more time.  More time and more of ignoring Agnes and more food and more sipping at the straw that she places at Wanda’s lips and more conserving enough energy that she can cast another spell, and it takes significantly more time than the last time, takes significantly more time because the amount of magic she will need to cast this spell is significantly more than just pausing Agnes and reaching into her mind and digging in deeper, which is something Wanda’s been able to do since the inception of her abilities, it’s nothing, but this—

This is more.

But eventually, eventually, Wanda has it.  Enough magic. She’s sure of it.  She can cast this spell, and she’ll be able to sit safe and sound until she’s better, and Agatha will be stuck feeling the weight of her words.  Are there risks involved?  Sure there are.  But Wanda isn’t thinking about the risks.  She has thought about them, but the day in and day out of being somewhere she hates gets to her, and then the risks don’t look as risky.  As bad.

And the potential benefits?  Well. Sometimes the potential benefits are all that Wanda can see.

So one evening, when Agnes is tucking her into bed, fluffing her pillows, and remarking about how proud she is of how far Wanda has come, Wanda reaches out, loops her right thumb and finger around Agnes’s left wrist, and casts. A thin scarlet cord ties their pinkies together – loose at first before cinching so tight that Wanda feels like her pinky is going to snap off entirely.

Then everything goes blank.

~

Wanda tries to blink.

She can’t blink.

Wanda tries to move.

She can’t move.

Wanda tries to breathe.

She can’t breathe.

The screaming tucked away in that corner of her mind engulfs the entirety of her as she looks down at her own body out of Agatha’s – Agnes’s – Agatha’s eyes, but she can’t scream.

As she – as Agnes looks – Wanda’s body glows with a bright scarlet light.  Then her lips curl into a smug smirk that looks wrong on her face because it isn’t her look, it isn’t her at all, it’s—

“Oh, hon,” Agatha says in her voice, “you really shouldn’t have.”  She slowly sits up in bed – how she is able to move so easily when it still caused Wanda varying levels of pain to do exactly what Agatha is now doing – because Agatha doesn’t just sit up, she stands, slowly brushes one hand along her arm, and then snaps her fingers, shifts her clothes with another shimmer of scarlet, and then lets out a soft, relaxed sigh.  “You really are easy, buttercup.”  She taps Agnes’s nose once.

It’s supposed to send me back now, Wanda thinks but cannot say, glaring at Agatha with all her strength, knowing that Agnes is making no such expression.  It’s supposed to put me back when I’ve healed. Why isn’t it putting me back?

Agatha gently cups Agnes’s face, brushes a thumb along her own sharp cheekbone, and meets her own eyes.  “I’ve got your power now, doll, and you’re just….”  She chuckles.  “You’re just a doll.”  Then she presses a gentle kiss to Agnes’s forehead.  “Don’t get my body into trouble while I’m away, dear.”

Away?

“Oh, what’s the old saying?”  Agatha stops at the bedroom door and glances over Wanda’s shoulder easily enough.  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”  She gives her a wink.  “Be a good girl, Agnes.”

As soon as Agatha says her name in Wanda’s tone of voice, Agnes jumpstarts. “Wanda?”  But by the time she tries to focus on that impersonator, Agatha is gone, teleporting away with a cloud of scarlet smoke.

Wanda screams after her.  Wanda tries to beat along the inside of the corner of Agnes’s mind where she’s been trapped.  Wanda wants to conjure her own magic and make everything right.

Agnes ignores all of this and instead sets about cleaning up the room that had been Wanda’s so-called cell.

[can-of-pringles]

King and Lionheart - Chapter 5

Rating: Teen and up audiences

Warnings: Nothing that's not in the series.

Word Count: 3k.

Summary: Dream follows Death along while she works.

Also Read On AO3

Dream glanced down at the pigeons pecking the ground where he’d thrown some bread crumbs. He sat by himself at a park bench, occasionally watching people in the park minding their business and clearly looking like they were enjoying the day more than he was.

He noticed the sound of a soccer ball being thrown in his direction and easily caught it. The person who had thrown it came over to retrieve the ball.

“Sorry, man. Nice catch, though.”

Dream silently handed the ball back to him.

The man said thanks and walked away, only noticing near the end that a woman dressed in black was glancing at him as she walked towards Dream.

“Come on, Franklin. What you waitin’ for?” His teammates got his attention, and he soon joined the game.

Death sat down on the bench next to Dream, initially looking around at the scenery before looking at him; smiling.

“What are you doin’?”

“I’m feeding the pigeons.” He didn’t look up.

She nodded. “You do that too much, you know what you get?”

Dream slightly shook his head.

“Fat pigeons.” She grinned.

Despite her joke, he continued to sulk.

“That’s from Mary Poppins. Did you ever see it?”

“No,” he spoke.

A little girl ran by, scaring away the pigeons and leaving Dream looking mildly annoyed. Death’s reaction was instead a smile. Despite his sister’s cheerful mood, he couldn’t help but stay focused on his negative emotions. He frowned.

“Okay, so what’s the matter?” She instinctively picked up on it.

“What do you mean?”

“I can tell something’s wrong. I mean, look at you.” She gestured vaguely. “Sittin’ here, moping, pigeon-feeding. It’s not like you.”

Dream held back a sigh. “No. Perhaps it isn’t. I don’t know what’s wrong, but… you’re right. Something is the matter.”

Death frowned and furrowed her brows. She leaned back, preparing to sit for a while and listen.

Dream took a moment to collect his thoughts, still looking upset.

“When they captured me, I just had one thought. Vengeance. It wasn’t as satisfying as I’d expected.”

Death slightly tilted her head, listening patiently.

“Meanwhile, my kingdom had fallen apart. My tools long since stolen and scattered. And so I embarked upon a journey to find them. Which I did. I’m now more powerful than I have been in eons. And yet…” He paused.

Death leaned forward, glancing at the loaf of bread. “Here you are, feeding the pigeons.”

“You see, until then, I’d had a true quest. A purpose beyond my function and then suddenly, it was over, and… I felt disappointed.” He furrowed his brows and squinted. “Let down. Empty. Does that make sense?” He looked at her. “I was so sure that once I got everything back, I’d feel good. But in some ways, I feel worse than when I started. I feel like… nothing.” He glanced back down once more, clenching his jaw. “There.”

She looked at him.

“You asked.” He looked away again.

Death placed her hand on his knee, trying to comfort him. Dream looked at her.

“You could have called me, you know,” she admitted.

“I didn’t want to worry you.”

Death rolled her eyes and sighed. “Oh, I don’t believe it.” She stood up and looked down at him. “Let me tell you something, Dream.”

He looked up when she took the bread loaf out of his hand.

“And I’m only gonna say this once, so you better pay attention. You are utterly the stupidest, most self-centered, pathetic excuse for an anthropomorphic personification on this or any other plane,” she exclaimed.

Dream couldn’t help the surprised expression on his face.

“Feeling sorry for yourself because your little game is over and you haven’t got the balls to go out and find a new one. You’re as bad as Desire.”

Dream stayed silent.

“No, worse.” She chucked the bread back at him and he caught it.

“Did it never occur to you that I would be worried about you?” She frowned.

“I didn’t think you—”

“Exactly. You didn’t think.”

He went silent again, not meeting her gaze.

“I really thought sending that girl to you would help,” she muttered.

Before Dream could respond, a ‘heads up!’ interrupted and a soccer ball went flying towards them. Death caught it and the same guy as before came to retrieve the ball.

“Wow. You’re as good as your… friend there.”

She tossed the ball back to him, and he caught it.

“He’s not my friend. He’s my brother. And he’s an idiot.”

“I’m just feeding the birds,” he murmured, looking down at the ground.

Death smiled and turned her attention back to Dream. “Look, I can’t stay here all day. I’ve got work to do.”

The man left, briefly glancing back at them.

“You can come with me if you want, or you can stay here and sulk.” Death offered.

Dream stayed silent as he thought it over.

“I’ll come with you, I suppose.”

Death nodded and smiled slightly. “Well, don’t do me any favors.” She tilted her head.

Dream looked up at her before standing and following. Before they could go, the man walked up to Death again.

“Sorry, before you go, um, could I maybe see you again?”

“Sure, Franklin. You’ll see me again.” She gave him a slightly sad smile.

He raised his brows. “Seriously?”

She nodded. “Soon.”

Franklin quickly nodded. “Okay, cool. Yeah, let me just get your number and…” He turned around and threw the soccer ball down. Once he realized, confusion showed on his face, and turned back around. “Wait, how did you know my…”

He paused and looked around, growing more confused when they were nowhere to be seen.

“Come on, Franklin! Are you playin’ or not?”

---

Now joining her, Dream walked alongside Death as they passed the small shops. A fresh fruit stand caught her eye.

“Look!” Death looked over all the fruit. “Yum!”

She talked to the seller, pointing to the apples. “Okay, two, please.”

“None for me, thank you,” Dream added.

“They’re good for you.” She pointed out.

“I’m not hungry.”

“You can just have it later,” Death continued.

Dream stayed silent, slightly giving her a look.

She looked back at the seller. “Just one. Thanks.”

He picked one and gave it to her. “There you go. It’s a gift.”

“Aw. Thank you.” She smiled and then glanced at Dream. “So nice,” she spoke before taking a bite out of the apple. “Mmm. That is delicious.”

They started walking side by side again.

“You are good with them,” Dream said.

“Apples?” She furrowed her eyebrows.

“Humans.”

She hummed in acknowledgment and held the apple in front of him. “Bite?” Her tone was slightly playful.

“No, thank you,” Dream sounded lighthearted as well.

“Hmm. Have you seen any of the others since you’ve been back?”

He shook his head. “Have you?”

She took another bite of the apple and gestured vaguely.

“We did have one family dinner when you were away. The twins were in high spirits. Hmm, Desire was, anyway.”

“With me gone, I have no doubt.” He ignored his frustration inside.

“I don’t know. I think Desire missing having their usual sparring partner across the dinner table,” she remarked.

He glanced down for a moment before looking at her again. “Any word of the prodigal?”

She shook her head. “No. Still missing. You were both missed.” She nudged him with her shoulder.

They continued walking in silence as Death ate her apple. She glanced at him, giving him a look as if she was waiting for him to say something.

“‘How are you, sis? How have you been keeping?’” She gestured with her apple. “Aw, I’m well, Dream. Thanks for asking.”

He tried fighting the urge to smile but lost, allowing a slightly amused smile on his face. He looked at her. “How are you, my sister? How have you been keeping?”

She gently hooked her arm with his. “I’m worried about my brother. And I’m enjoying this apple.” She held the apple up.

Death’s facial expression changed, furrowing her brows as she remembered something. “Oh, by the way, how’s Lee doing? I was curious how that was playing out. We have a deal, y’know.”

Dream refrained from sighing. “She’s acting like her usual self and always insists on speaking her mind. Quite stubborn…”

“Sounds like someone I know.” She gave him a teasing grin.

Dream looked at her, mildly frowning. “Lee Quinn and I are nothing alike.”

She shrugged and took another bite of the apple. Her pace slowed, and she looked up when she heard the sound of a violin.

“Can you hear it?”

He glanced up as well. They stopped and spotted the building where the music was coming from. Dream glanced back at her.

“I know this piece.”

Death nodded, smiling. They both looked back up.

“I haven’t heard it in 200 years…” he sounded wistful.

Death looked at him, placing her hand on his back. “Come on.” She walked forward and left him to follow.

---

The music grew louder as they entered the flat. They watched from the door as an old man played the violin. He paused, coughing slightly.

Death walked into the room. “No. Don’t stop, please.” She smiled, referring to his playing. 

He looked up at her. “Uh, sorry for the noise.”

“It’s not noise. It’s Schubert. Keep going.” She encouraged.

Dream stood in the doorframe, watching and keeping silent.

“I can’t. He never finished it.” The old man chuckled. “All we have is a fragment.”

Death had a small smile on her face.

“Oh, forgive me, I… I am Harry.”

Death gave him a sad but knowing look on her face. “I know who you are, Harry.”

He tilted his head.

Death moved closer, kneeling more to his level where he sat. “Do you know who I am?”

After a moment, a look of realization showed on his face. It morphed into an upset expression.

“No. Not yet. Please.” He pleaded, shaking his head.

She gave him a sympathetic smile. “It’s time.”

Harry nodded eventually.

Dream watched from the doorway, keeping his usual neutral expression. Though his mind wandered for a brief moment, thinking about Lee. Had it been like this when his sister had come to take her? Thinking about her being distressed made him feel more uneasy than he’d thought it would.

“Can I just… There’s something I have to say. If that’s all right,” Harry said.

“Of course.”

He nodded and placed the violin down, beginning to pray in Hebrew. When he finished reciting the prayer, he looked at Death. She stood up and reached her hand out for him to take. He accepted it and slowly stood up from his chair.

“I’m glad I said the Shema. My old man always said it would guarantee you a place in Heaven.” He pointed up at the ceiling, gesturing to Heaven. He shrugged. “If you believe in Heaven. Hmm?”

He and Death glanced back at his body.

“I look so old. So empty,” he remarked.

She turned her attention to him again.

“So, I’m dead. Now what?” He asked, accepting his fate.

Death responded. “Now’s when you find out, Harry,”

She led him away, prepared to take him to the Sunless Lands. Dream turned away from the door, already moving to leave. He glanced at an old photo on the mantle as he waited for Death to do her job.

“You ready?” She stood in the doorway, smiling.

He looked back up at her, and they left the home together.

---

They walked outside again, taking a route on a bridge.

“I thought he was sweet, didn’t you?” She asked.

“Sweet? I don’t know. Perhaps,” his tone was light.

Death looked at the scenery, her hand trailing the bridge railing.

“My sister…”

“Yeah?” She didn’t look up at him, still focused on following the rail.

“When I was captured, it wasn’t me they were looking for.”

That got her full attention. She looked at him, furrowing her brows and frowning.

“It was you,” he said.

She came to a slow halt and they both stopped walking. She nodded.

“Yeah. I know,” her tone was sad.

He looked at her, squinting and furrowing his eyebrows. He frowned before his expression changed to surprise. Death placed her arm around his shoulders and sighed. His confusion grew when she started taking her shoes off.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m taking my shoes off. You should take yours off too. It’s good to touch the Earth with your bare feet. It’s grounding.” She explained.

He stared at her, mildly baffled.

“Come on, I don’t want to miss the next one.” She started walking again, carrying her shoes.

Dream watched her for a second before following again.

---

Now at a popular vacation pond spot, Death looked through the crowds and moved towards the next person she had to take.

“Hi, Sam,” she spoke.

He looked back at her, confused.

Death smiled.

“Oh.” He chuckled nervously. “Hi. I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

She went through the same routine of waiting for him to realize. It didn’t get easier with time.

“Oh, no.” Sam looked at the pond before looking back at her. “No, no. I need to talk to my wife for, like, one second.” He begged.

“Sam…”

“You don’t understand. All our flight information is on my phone. I just need to give her the code,” he stammered.

“I’m so sorry, Sam.” She grimaced.

“But we’re on our honeymoon.”

His tone made her chest ache. “Your time is up,” she continued.

Sam stared at her in disbelief. He turned his head when he heard his wife calling his name. He watched as she stood up from her chair and walked toward the water. She continued to call him, not being able to see his spirit or Death.

“Come on, hon.” Death reached her hand out for him.

He hesitated and glanced at his wife before ultimately deciding to take her hand. She began to lead him away.

His wife kept looking out at the water. Dream watched the scene, seeing her horrified reaction as people in the water pulled Sam’s body up to the shore. She shouted his name and ran toward the people. He watched and ignored the stinging pain in his throat he felt, seeing her kneel at her husband’s lifeless body; sobbing and repeating his name.

---

“How do you do it?” He asked his sister as they walked side by side again.

“Do what?”

“This. Be there, for all of them?” He refrained from frowning.

She started to speak before pausing, slightly shrugging and gesturing with her arms. “I have a job to do. And I do it.”

He looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

“When the first living thing existed, I was there. When the last living thing dies, I’ll put the chairs on the table, turn out the lights and… lock the universe behind me when I leave.” She explained. “And I’m not there for all of them. There are exceptions. Mad Hettie. And then there’s your ongoing project. How’s he faring up after all this time?”

“Who? Hob Gadling?” He asked.

“Hmm.”

“I don’t know. I was forced to miss our last appointment.”

“Well, I’m sure he’d love to see you. They’re never too keen to see me, though,” Death remarked.

“Does it not bother you?”

She shrugged. “I actually used to think I had the hardest job in all our family.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Oh, did you?” He lightheartedly teased, slightly smiling.

“They fear the Sunless Lands, yet they enter your realm every night without fear,” she said.

He wanted to interject and mention something about the nightmares but held back.

“And yet I am far more terrible than you.”

She chuckled before looking forward again. “I don’t know. Miss Lee hasn’t sent me any complaints, and she’s still keeping the deal.”

Dream didn’t speak, instead furrowing his brows. “Why did you send her to me?”

“She wanted the choice.” Death shrugged. “And… it seems like maybe having her around is a good thing?”

He thought over her words.

“Perhaps…” he muttered, eventually.

She smiled before getting back to answering his original question. “It was fine in the beginning. Dying and living were new things and people did them with the enthusiasm they always bring to new things. And then after a bit, it just got harder.”

“But you continued.”

She nodded and then hesitated.

“I thought about giving up. Walking out.” She confessed, walking ahead of him.

He stood for a moment, thinking about what she said. He watched as she walked towards another home.

“This was a long time ago, long before this world.”

---

“It really started to get to me. I got kind of hard and brittle inside.”

They were in the house now, stopping to talk.

“I mean, people feel as pleased to have been born as if they did it themselves. But they get upset and hurt and shaken when they die.” She held back a sigh.

Dream looked at her, listening.

“But eventually, I learned that all they really need is a kind word and a friendly face. Like they had in the beginning.”

Dream redirected his attention when he noticed another voice. He saw a mother leaning over a crib, talking sweetly to her daughter in the other room. The baby fussed slightly, and she turned to leave to get her food.

Death slowly walked towards the crib. She looked down at the baby, listening as she babbled. Death gently picked her up, cradling her. Dream hung back, watching from a distance.

“Yeah, I’m afraid so,” she spoke softly to the baby.

Dream stared, his eyes betraying his emotions. He frowned lightly.

“That’s all there is, little one. That’s all you get.” Death continued to comfort the infant.

She walked away, carrying the baby and preparing to take her to the Sunless Lands.

Dream paused before deciding to move forward, looking down at the empty crib. It was getting harder to ignore the pain he felt inside. He remembered how Orpheus’ crib looked, similar in design.

Death walked back into the room, the baby no longer in her arms. She looked at Dream and he managed to focus on the present, glancing at her.

“We can go.” She whispered, her expression mournful.

They both started to leave, hearing the mother still talking in the background, unaware of what happened.

---

“I find myself wondering about humanity. Their attitude towards your gift is so strange. Why do they fear the Sunless Lands? It is as natural to die as it is to be born.” Dream asked.

“People may not be ready for my gift. But they get it anyway. No matter what the circumstance.” She explained. “At the end, each of us stands alone. The Sunless Lands are far away and the journey is hard. Most of us will be glad for the company of a friend.”

---

They walked together in a park shaded by the huge trees.

“It’s funny looking back now. I used to think I had to do this all by myself,” Death started.

“But you do,” he replied.

“No.” She shook her head. “At the end, I’m there with them. I’m holding their hand and they’re holding mine.”

He looked at her, feeling curious.

“I’m not alone when I’m doing my job.” She glanced around for a bit before looking at him again. “And neither are you. Think about it.” She gently touched his arm, and they stopped walking. “The only reason we even exist, you and I, and Desire and Despair, the whole family. We’re here to serve them.”

He looked at her before glancing at the surrounding humans.

“It isn’t about quests or finding purpose outside our function.”

They continued walking again.

“Our purpose is our function. We’re here for them.” She gestured. “Since I figured that out, I realized I need them as much as they need me.”

“I’ve seen so many cool things and people and worlds.” Death grinned.

They were back in the spot where they’d started, walking with their arms linked.

“I’ve learned so much. Lots of people don’t have a job they love doing, do they?”

He looked at her again.

“So, I think I’m really very lucky.” She added, smiling before it faded once she remembered her schedule. “Listen, I’ve got to head back soon.”

They stopped their walk. Dream moved to stand in front of her, holding her hands in his. She looked faintly surprised.

“You’ve taught me something I had forgotten. I thank you, my sister.” He had a small smile on his face.

She smiled back. “Aw.” She glanced down and then back up at him, nodding. “That’s what family’s about, little brother.”

Her attention was focused back on the man from the beginning, Franklin. She sighed. “One last appointment, then I have to go.”

There was the sound of tires screeching in the background and a crash soon after.

“I, too, am late for an appointment,” he said.

She tilted her head and smiled. “Tell him I said hello.”

Dream smiled.

There was commotion in the background, sounds of people rushing over to an accident, and someone calling Franklin’s name.

“I have to go,” she spoke in a hushed tone.

Dream nodded before leaving.

Death turned her direction toward Franklin.

“Hey.” He ran towards her, holding the soccer ball in his arm. “Did you see that? That car came this close to hitting me.” He gestured, putting his thumb and finger close together.

“This close, huh?” She copied him.

“Yeah.”

“Come with me, Franklin. I need to show you something.” She took his arm and led him away.

“Okay,” he hesitantly agreed.

She turned her head to look back at Dream, waving goodbye. “See ya, Dream.”

He glanced back at her.

“Don’t be a stranger, okay?”

She started to walk away with Franklin, witnessing the accident he was in.

---

Dream wandered on his own to his late appointment. He walked down a busy path, passing people by. A man walked out of a store and ended up making eye contact with him. In an attempt to be more like his sister, Dream gave him a short, polite nod.

The man backed up, taken aback by his appearance. Dream felt disappointment building up inside as he continued.

He finally made it to where he and Hob Gadling used to meet. However, over time, it had been abandoned. Tall fences were blocking it. He looked and felt puzzled, trying to figure out what to do next. He glanced down and noticed a long arrow in spray paint on the fence. There had been words in spray paint as well.

‘The new inn’

Dream turned and began to follow the arrow.

Now at the new building, he watched as people hung around it. There was a sign on top of the building that read ‘The New Inn’. Same as the paint.

He walked inside, looking for Hob. Finally, he saw him sitting down, writing something. He looked up and saw Dream standing there.

He smiled. “You’re late.”

Dream chuckled softly and smiled. “It seems I owe you an apology. I’ve always heard it impolite to keep one’s friends waiting.”

Hob smiled again.

Dream pulled out the chair in front of his table, sitting across from him. He leaned back and prepared to listen to the man’s stories. He smiled.

---

“Attend, sweet sibling. It is I, Desire.” They were trying to summon Despair of the Endless. “I stand in my gallery and I hold your sigil.” They held her hook in their hand, carefully kissing it.

“Our brother has found a way out of his cage. Our plan has failed. But don’t worry. I have a new one.” They smiled and walked away from the row of sigils.

[msanimedolphin]

~Back In The Game~

~Chapter Twenty~

-Series Masterlist-

What happens when a girl who loves volleyball joins a boys' volleyball club? Does she find love? Will she relive her past or move forward? Join (L/N) (Y/N) on a journey with fun twists and turns.

I don't own Haikyuu or any of the characters.

-Last Time-

“Are you okay, (Y/N)?” She asks

“Yea. They’re just a bunch of goofballs.” You explain with a chuckle and smile. “But something’s missing.”

“Do you want to go practice with them?” Kiyoko asks.

“N-No! What kind of manager would I be if I neglected my duties? Plus I wouldn’t be a very good underclassman to let you do everything.” You respond.

“Are you sure?”

“Yup!” You say with an enormous close-eyed smile. “I’m going to go fill the water bottles!”

“Okay.” Kiyoko responds with a small smile as she watches you walk away.

As you fill the water bottles, you think about the team. ‘Nishinoya only agreed to help Hinata with receiving instead of rejoining the team.’

‘I ALREADY TOLD YOU GUYS! IF ASAHI-SAN DOESN’T COME BACK, I'M NOT COMING BACK EITHER!’

‘Asahi… If he comes back, then Nishinoya will too. Hmm…’ You finish filling the bottles so you pick them up and start heading back to the gym. As you’re walking you go back to thinking.

‘There’s also the need for a coach. I wonder if Takeda-sensei has had any luck finding one.’

You arrive at the gym just in time to hear Hinata ask Nishinoya a question that you’ve wanted to know the answer to.

“Who’s Asahi-san?”

“!! Don’t bring that name up!!” Tanaka says nervously.

“He’s our Ace. Technically.” Noya answers spitefully.

‘Technically?’ You think.

“Our Ace…?!” Hinata responds before staring at Noya with a blank expression.

“What?” Noya questions.

“Someday… I wanna be the Ace.” Hinata says determined.

“Huh?”

“That scrub! Is he still going on about that?!” Kageyama asks angrily.

“Years ago I got to see Karasuno’s old ace, The Little Giant, play in the Spring Tournament.” Hinata begins to explain. At the mention of the old ace, you smile fondly. “Even since then, I’ve dreamed of being just like him. That’s why I came to Karasuno.”

“You wanna be the ace? At your height?” Noya asks.

‘I don’t think he has a right to judge…’ You think.

“THAT’S AWESOME!! I CAN TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THAT! ACES ARE COOL! ANYBODY’D WANT TO BE ONE! GO FOR IT, BRO! YOU CAN TOTALLY DO IT! BE THE ACE SOMEDAY! HECK, YOU’D BE MORE RELIABLE THAN THE ONE WE’VE GOT NOW!” Noya encourages and ends with a laugh. “Mannn, if you’re gonna have a goal, everybody makes it the Ace, don’t they." He adds a bit defeatedly.

“Yeah! Aces are super-cool!” Hinata exclaims.

“Ace does have a real fine ring to it too. Compared to ace spiker, positions like setter and libero seem really lame.”

You look over at Kageyama who has an annoyed and angry look on his face. You swear you can tell he’s growling. This makes you giggle. Suga calms the first-year setter down. Your attention is then refocused on Noya and Hinata’s conversation as Noya speaks.

“But y’know?” He begins seriously. “In the middle of a close game, the one thing that gets the biggest gasps and cheers out of the crowd isn’t a spike. Not even the really cool ones. Nope. It’s an awesome save. Height is key in volleyball. Libero might be the only position that shorter players have any chance in. But I don’t play the position because I’m short. Even if I was seven feet tall… I’d still be a Libero. Even if you can’t attack or block… just making sure the ball doesn’t hit the floor means that you aren’t losing. And the one position that’s best at that…is the Libero.” He finishes with a proud smile while pointing at himself with his thumb.

“…!! Whoa!!” Hinata exclaims with a look of admiration. “So cool!!”

“!! H-Hey! Whoa! Don’t be sayin’ stuff like that right to a guy’s face!!” Noya replies flustered. “You want me feeding you two Gari Gari Ice Pops?!”

“Yes sir!”

“Cola and pear flavor, got it?!”

“Yes Sir!”

“So! What’s your specialty, Mr. Future Ace?”

“Huh?!”

“You suck at the defensive side of things, after all.”

‘Ouch. Harsh.’ You think.

“But you've gotta have something right?” Noya continues.

“Um… D-De…coy…” Hinata says dejectedly.

“Say wha? Koi? Why do you sound all dejected about that?”

“Well, Compared to stuff like Ace or Guardian or Leader, it sounds kinda…dumb.” Hinata explains. You want to comfort and reassure Hinata but don't want to interrupt the moment, so you wait to see what Noya will say.

“What’s it matter what the name sounds like?” The second-year asks.

“But..” Hinata starts but is cut off as Noya continues.

“Because you're acting as a decoy, that means somebody else gets an easy attack right?” He asks Rhetorically. You see where this is going so you start walking to where the two and a few others are. “ So if it doesn't sound as awesome as Ace or Guardian or Leader… your job is still just as vital as theirs.” Off to the side, Tanaka and Kageyama nod their heads in agreement with Kageyama saying ‘Yeah!’.

“...Okay…” Hinata says unconvinced. Noticing this, you reach Hinata's side and start talking.

“He's right, Hinata.” Hearing this Noya becomes flustered.” In the match against Aoba Johsai if it wasn't for your decoy skills we may have not won.” You finish with a smile that reassures Hinata a little bit.

“I haven't seen you play in a real game or anything though!! So if you suck at being a decoy, I take that all back, ’kay?” Noya says while patting Hinata’s Shoulder.

“Well, you won't be taking it back. Especially after you see him play in a game.” You say.

-With Suga and Daichi-

“... He has a point.” Suga says. Daichi looks at him questionably as he waits for Suga to continue. “Now, here at Karasuno we have The Greatest Decoy on our team. With Hinata and Kageyama working together…attacks that we couldn't make count before…are sure to get through this time!”

“Yeah.” Daichi says while looking at you, Noya, Hinata, and Kageyama as you all talk. “I get the feeling that the “chemical reaction” Takeda-sensei mentioned isn’t quite finished yet. We are going to keep changing. I just hope it’s in a good way. Some things still worry me…”

“Hey! No pessimism!” Suga scolds Daichi

-After practice, Sakanoshita Market-

“Geez, Sensei! You're a real stubborn one” 

“I know. It’s one of the few things on my short list of strong points.” Takeda says.

“Beg me as many times as you want -- I’m not gonna be their coach.” The shopkeeper begins. “It was Gramps who did that stuff, not me. Teaching others isn’t my thing.”

“I disagree. I hear that you were exceptional at teaching your juniors in both high school and college. And that you had a gift for analyzing opposing teams. That sounds like talent to me.” Takeda explains.

“Wha..? Who blabbed all that? Still…butter me up all you like-- I'm still just a youngster with no coaching experience. When you say you need someone to teach them actual volleyball skills, I’m sure you mean it… But… what you really want is the “Ukai'' name.”

“...To be honest…yes. Ever since Coach Ukai left, schools we used to have close relationships with have grown distant. A novice like me, who was only recently thrown into being an advisor with no experience isn’t going to be taken seriously. I have trouble setting up simple practice games. I know it seems very unfair…but…”

“You think that might change with the draw of the famous “Ukai” name?”

“...”

“Sorry, but I’m not gonna play babysitter to a bunch of bratty, snot-nosed little high schoolers.”

“Thank you for your time. I’ll come again later.” Takeda says with a bow.

“I told ya I’m not doin’ it. My answer ain’t changing.”

“I’m sorry I’m being so persistent about this… but I think if you watched them play, then you would understand why.” Takeda says as he begins to leave. As he walks through the door he speaks one last time. “Good Night.”

~To Be Continued~

[payidaresque]

(un)happy anniversary to aziz being cancelled aka a year since i last felt truly excited about a piece of media. or anything at all for that matter.

ngl, i think that the show ended and part of my soul kinda died with it too. for some reason, not fully lnown to myself yet either, i can't look forward to any media and/or event anymore. not really. "curious" would be the correct word, and that's as far as i can get at this time, honestly. will i ever move on? no, probably not. am i being annoying? (for which i sincerely apologize — first and foremost — to my mutuals and the people i follow, because sometimes i can be.. a lot, and please know that you never, absolutely never should feel in any way oblgated to reblog anything i post. it's your blog, you own it, and you decide what other people should and should not see. and me posting so much is just a result of.... a very intense and profound love for the show, which i think, i personally didn't have enough time to express. please, remember that, and do not feel in anyway pressed — if i tagged you (and i always try to tag people according to their interests, or if i want to show that i was inpired by them) that is because i love seeing your tags in my activity feed very much!) yes, and i am very well aware of that but honestly? also don't care. kinda. anyway, enough of my pathetic rambling, lol. i made this post to let y'all know something very important —

and i know i said this numerous times before, but —

thank you.

thank you to everyone who watched the show, shared their thoughts, or expressed their interest in any way. and thank you to everyone who continues doing it now, a year later — know that i see you all, and i love you all 💜 and i will continue doing my thing (both on my main and over at @azizcentral) as long as there's a posibility that one more person will see this wonderful, deep, emotional, and magical story that's important to me on so many levels i can't even begin to tell you about. And i thank the cast, the crew, each and everyone who worked on the show to bring it to life. I am now and i will look forward to seeing what you do in the future, and i wish nothing but the best for all of you! And i know they won't see it, but i don't really care. THANK YOU for the gift you gave us. And i call it a gift because that's what it is to me — i met wonderful people thanks to the show, i build my own little community, and we're having fun, and i'll keep and cherish every minute of it. I may be mad that much of the show's potential was wasted due to some questionable choices certain people made (ahem looking at you angrily eda t*zcan and sh*wtv executives), i'm very grateful that i can return to the show anytime i want and experience emotions which, i'll be honest, none of the other shows (or media in general) gave me since.

and of course, this journey wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for my peeps @burningblake @rosehathawhey @thatsonehellofabird @theatricaldynamite — you rock and i'm so lucky to share it with you, you made it incredibly special ❤

and to all the people who started watching the show because of my edits, or consider watching it, and those who reblogged my aziz stuff even if it isn't your thing, and those who keep coming to the fandom – i am HONORED. When i started posting Aziz back in November '21, i couldn't even DREAM that it''ll become a thing for me to build a community around, or (can you imagine?) become my sort of a brand, not to mention that to think that people wil start watching it because of WHAT I DO. If we're honest, all i did was making gifs – YOU ALL made it work. made it A FANDOM. It's your reblogs, your messages, your tags. And i cannot thank you enough for that.

And to all my non-aziz followers — my sincerest apologies. believe me, i didn't mean to spam your dash like that, it's really out of my control, agdfgugfdu 🫠 this show rewired my brain chemistry forever and it cannot be undone. whatever the thing is you followed me for, and chose to stay despite my everyday madness — thank u so very much, and i hope you're enjoying it here ❤ As for me personally, i'm gonna continue sitting here quietly in my little corner and hope that someday, somehow, some way, the casts reunites, cause ngl. it will make me very, VERY happy. and bc a girl just gotta dream about somethin, ya know? (says the girl who literally spent an ENTIRE YEAR in denial and successfully continues being delusional still. well, we all have hobbies i guess 🤷🏻‍♀️)

As i said above, i'm not gonna stop. Because it brings me joy AND because well, show must go on (and also bc it's my only mission on this hellsite lmao), i am so very grateful for all your support (It is truly SO MUCH) and i am certain that we will do SO MANY wonderful things together ❤

peace ✌🏻✨

[piscespixiewastaken]

Despair and Desperation

Masterlist, Previous > Next

STORY BELOW CUT

content warnings: eye trauma, nightmares, implied child abuse, sexual innuendos, violence, mentions of blood, panic attacks, kidnapping

Artemis’s cry cut through Foaly’s consciousness. The tremor in the Mud Boy’s voice only accentuated by the mic on his throat. Spiro’s leering face could be seen through the iris cam as he grabbed a sharp implement from a nearby table and rushed at the boy. There was a scream for help before Spiro raised the blade above Artemis’s head. Foaly could do nothing but watch in horror as the blade struck and the scream for help became a scream of pain.

Foaly jumped awake, chest heaving as his mind processed where he was. A dream, he realized. It was only a dream. But no matter how much he assured himself, it didn’t make the dream less terrifying.

His wife, Caballine stirred next to him.

“Foaly, what’s wrong?”

He couldn’t answer, just trying to get his breathing back under control, to clear his head from the horrid scream. Because no matter how much he assured himself, that scream had been real. He had seen Spiro stab Artemis in a fit of rage. The screams and the way all feed, visual and auditory, suddenly cut off had been haunting Foaly’s nightmares ever since.

Caballine sat up and rubbed her husband’s shoulders. “You did everything you could, dear. It’s not your fault.”

Foaly took a shuddering breath. “I could have. I could have snuck him help. Something. He’s dead because we couldn’t help him.” Even if the Mud Boy had been annoying and arrogant and a general pain in the ass, he’d been improving. He didn’t deserve to be abandoned. He didn’t deserve to die.

Caballine said nothing as she hugged Foaly close. It was a long time before either of them got back to sleep.

~

Spiro stared out at the skyline of Chicago. He had needed this. A break from the office, from the workplace drama that was inevitable in such a large corporation. So instead of spending his weekend in the penthouse, he’d taken the day with Blunt and gone out on Lake Michigan in a yacht. Well, not just with Blunt. A few local mafia members, including one Carla Frazzetti and her boss, also sat on the boat, enjoying the first sunny days of summer on the deck.

He raised a glass of water in greeting as one of the mafia bosses approached his chair. The rotund man laughed as he plopped a deck chair beside Spiro.

“This is the life, ain’t it?” the man stated. Marco Giuliano was not a man to hold back from life’s pleasures, immoral or otherwise. Something Spiro could respect despite his inability to partake in the more drink-oriented ones. Hence his glass of water instead of the martini that Marco held in his beefy hands.

“It is indeed. Now if only we could get away to Cuba or a proper coastline,” Spiro commented, smiling.

Marco laughed again. “If only, if only. Say, where is that little brat I keep hearing you have tucked away in your penthouse. I thought you might have brought him out. I could use some fun.”

Spiro tried not to let a sour look cross his face. He would need to keep a tighter check on the lips of his security and tech staff.

“I’m not sure what you’re referring to there. We did have a new technician start up last month, young, fresh out of school. Maybe he’s the one you’re thinking of?”

Marco looked puzzled. “Could have sworn I heard different. But eh, work gossip is still gossip. This mean things are going well for you?”

Spiro’s smile returned with ease. “Absolutely. I can’t wait to stick it to Phonetix once they see what we release next.”

Marco grinned. “Well, just don’t be causing too much trouble. My buddy’s got connections there.”

Spiro took the hint. “Nothing that’ll put them under. Just something to show they have some upgrading to do if they want to stay in business.”

Marco nodded. “Excellent. Keep up the work for us, Jonny boy.”

He strolled away, glass still in hand as he grabbed the waist of an escort standing by the deck railing. At least Spiro thought it was her waist. He didn’t dwell on the thought. Carla however had some very choice words to say as she walked up beside him.

“Pig,” she muttered. Spiro raised an eyebrow in her direction.

“Didn’t think you were the judgmental type.”

She shrugged. “I had been looking at that one.”

Spiro glanced back at Marco and the young woman on his arm. “Ah, well, there’s plenty that’s been paid for.”

“And he’ll take them all at once if he could. Hence, he’s a pig.”

Spiro shrugged this time. “Fair enough. Need something?”

Carla did not sit down next to him. “I heard what you told Marco.” Her voice lowered so that only Spiro could hear her. “You kept him alive?”

Spiro nearly scoffed. “You expect me to kill a child in cold blood? When he’s much more profitable to me alive?”

“Profitable?” Carla’s voice betrayed a morbid curiosity.

“Of course! With a brain like his, I’ll be making bank on every patent possible. And if he ends up running out of use, his family has plenty of enemies who’d love a swing at him. Sell him off, profit regardless. I’ve already set up a way to destroy any evidence of his kidnapping as well. Nothing could point to him being under my possession.”

“He seemed rather stubborn and strong-willed by your description. It sounds like that’s changed,” Carla noted, her curiosity still piqued.

Spiro’s smile turned nasty, and for a brief moment, Carla felt a sense of pity for the Fowl boy. “Oh, it’s changed all right. He’s become an obedient little bitch, if you catch my meaning.”

Carla did catch his meaning. And her brief moment of pity for the young teen solidified. “I see,” she replied quietly.

~

Across the harbor in the tall, gleaming tower Spiro owned, a 14-year-old boy sat in the medical suite with the nurse. Two hulking guards stood outside, one of them with gritted teeth and clenched fists.

Chips watched as Pex’s knuckles turned white and thin bits of blood slowly dripped to the floor from his fists. He was angry. No, beyond angry, though Chips didn’t think he knew the right word for it. Whatever it was, it was bad and it was big. He heard the kid whimper from behind the door and then suddenly cry out. Pex immediately rushed to open the door. Chips peeked inside.

Artemis was shaking on the bed, clutching his head where his empty eye socket sat. Bloodstained wrappings lay around him from when the nurse changed the bandages on his eye and throat. Miss Scorzi made shushing noises to soothe the boy as he hunched forward. Chips heard a growl beside him as Pex stepped forward.

“What’d you do to him?” he demanded. Artemis flinched, looking up at the two men.

Miss Scorzi frowned at the significantly larger man now standing in her doorway. “Do not disturb my patient, Pex. He’s under enough stress already, and more sudden noises will only make this harder for both of us.

Pex wasn’t dissuaded. “Why’d he make that noise?”

Miss Scorzi stared the man down before sighing. “The bandage stuck to the wound a bit more than I expected, and it pulled at the skin. He’s fine, for now.”

Chips watched Pex look at Artemis and then back at the nurse. He growled again, this time in a different tone.

“I just… It was… It’s the same noise he made after Boss…” Pex stuttered. Chips felt like his body wanted to move down and inside of himself. It took him several minutes to realize that this feeling was sadness.

Miss Scorzi had a look on her face that seemed to match what Chips was feeling. She also looked back at the teenager on her medical bed. “I know. I wish the boss would do things differently. If Doctor Julio hadn’t been visiting that day….”

Artemis tensed, his breathing speeding up as his face went pale. Well, more pale than it was. Miss Scorzi rushed over to him, placing her hands on his shoulders.

“Hey, hey. Look at me,” she said, gentle and firm. Chips also moved forward and placed a hand on the boy’s head.

Artemis slowly began to breathe more normally again. Chips was relieved. He didn’t know how to handle panic, especially with Pex here. He knew Pex would panic first anyways.

“You’re safe right now, kid.” Chips found his voice was so quiet, he almost couldn’t hear it. He realized he was angry too. “He can’t get you here.”

Artemis nodded. Miss Scorzi gave Chips a grateful look before gently rubbing the boy’s arm. “Let’s finish getting you patched up, okay? Then these two will take you back to your room. Spiro will be out for most of the day, and I’ll see if one of the other staff members can stall him before he comes to see you. Okay?”

It wouldn’t be much. Chips really hoped Boss came back in a good mood. He thought back to what Pex had mentioned a few months before. And he realized something. Chips realized he didn’t like Boss holding the kid here either. He had thought after a year, things would calm down. But they hadn’t. They’d gotten bad, real bad. Maybe someone needed to do something about that. He just didn’t know who.

Taglist: @artemis-fowl-angst

[two-red-lungs]

I haven't watched lost boys in 100 years but as a kid I had dreams about Alex winters character and his beautiful hair. Do you have any headcanons for him?

I LITERALLY HAVE SO MANY MARKO HEADCANONS YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW OKAY LISTEN HERE THEY ARE

TLB Marko Headcanons (SFW):

Just like all the other gang members, he's a psychopathic adrenaline junkie with impulse issues but that surprises literally nobody

WAY more feral/animalistic than his blood-brothers. He'll bite people even when he doesn't need to feed. He just likes doing it for funsies and to see their reaction and fear/upset

Loves to catch/control things. People for hunting, but animals for fun

By this mean I mean he literally GRABS pigeons and crows and rats just to watch them squirm before letting them go. One time he caught an owl and ran into the lobby with this great big flapping nightmare in his hands, scratching the shit out of him, to show it off

The boys enjoy a good hunt. But Marko and Dwayne extra enjoy it. Like, too much

He cackles. Over everything. This isn't a man this is a hyena

For such a defensive, quick-to-anger, competitive, fucked-up little guy, he has a surprisingly dependable and amical relationship w/ Paul. Like, they are best best friends. If push comes to shove it's them against the world

He's Italian. I'll fucking DIE on this hill. A bit of a brat, and a beauty, always used to getting what he wants? This dude was a highly sought-after High Renaissance model in Florence (esp. considering the beauty standard in art at that time was youthful athleticism)

CAN and WILL cuss you out in Italian like a little blonde mobster, even while he's getting hauled away by Paul for Starting Shit

Short fuse. Bad temper. Again, brat.

He won't stop putting stuff in his mouth. Remember the biting thing? It doesn't just extend to people who annoy him. He'll bite on coins, the hems of his gloves, his nails. Bottlecaps and chopsticks, too

Is similar to Paul in the sense that he's gross. Real nasty man. He dropped a piece of orange chicken on the sandy boardwalk? Oh yeah. That's getting eating 100%

Marko comes off as the most overtly inhuman. In the animalistic way he moves, his little feral grins, the way he very obviously eyes people up. His aura is... weird. It's good that the other boys are there honestly bc alone he'd creep people out

That jacket is literally the prized piece of his collection. It reeks and he wears it every night: he's been adding shit onto it since he got it in the 50s, and by "adding shit" I mean "asking Dwayne to do it" because he's shit with a needle

His favorite places on the boardwalk itself: The arcade w/ Paul, the rollercoaster (he likes to stare at the people in front of him and make them uneasy), and the crowded beach (he roams between the bonfires, flirting and being a menacing little shit in equal portions)

Enjoys being a center of focus/attention, but often doesn't get to do it because he's part of a pack now, and David leads

Speaking of David, if anyone else told him to do something??? Marko would be like "literally fucking bite me, I'm not doing that" but if David tells him to jump he'll say "how high?"

I think he views David as the reason why he has brotherhood (and also looks up to the collected, dark, casual aura David has because he's got such a short fuse himself)

Real talk??? Genuinely??? Probably the vampire you would LEAST want to run into alone. You'd die. Probably with the others, too, but with him there is zero chance to negotiate. He will not listen.

If he has a target, he hunts it, and nothing you can say will change his mind.

I hope these resonate with you guys, I think about Marko all the time (✿◠‿◠) he is a terrible little lad. If anyone wants headcanons for the other boys lemme know and I'll write them!

[yichimi]

Could i get hcs of the vice dorm leaders (or dorm leaders if u want) with their gn!s/o who turned into a baby due to a potion mishap and now they have to take care of them?

✨Thank you for your request and patience✨

Vice dorm leaders react to S/O who turned into a baby

TREY CLOVER

He sees you and immediately is like 👁️👄👁️ hOw?

Of course he takes you with him 24/7 and also while this trys to solve it like the teachers try

And honestly-you look so adorable! Your big eyes looking up at him when he's about to pick you up-

Your little but bright smile when you see him

Just like his S/O, just much more smaller and younger

You were a baby about a good week and more than once Cater found you and Trey asleep on the couch

Of course Cater took any photos how could he not-like-look how cute you look drooling in Treys chest like that

You just woke up father instincts more than anything in Trey

Like he wasn't a daddy before-

RUGGIE BUCCHI

He saw you and knew it's gonna be troublesome

Not that you are troublesome! Leona is-

Poor Ruggie needs to do all his stuff and now has you by his side

Usually you help him but now he just takes you with him

I mean you are a big help

You look so adorable you make everything better by just looking at you

And he's obsessed with you like-awww look at you sisndid

If you ever beg for any donuts....have them all-

Of course he's busy but having you by his side doesn't matter in what state, you make it better!

JADE LEECH

Awww look at you! Just so adorable!

He takes you and won't let you go

Like he always did with you-

As a baby you just look so innocent and sweet

He study's you like he always did-every movement you do is remembered in his mind

Has kinda trouble to keep you away from Floyd

One squeeze and youre gone-

While you're in his arms he always experiments around to find a solution to turn you back even tho you look way to adorable like this-

Sleeps with you at night btw. He has you on top and you also have your own little blanket

And you wear one of his HUGE ASS shirts-you drown in this one but you look SO. CUTE.

JAMIL VIPER:

God no-

He already has to deal with one throughout the entire day-

I see you Kalim 😗

Not that he's annoyed or something like that, but he's for sure to 100% annoyed-

But you're pure innocence compared to Kalim trouble like, so he's very happy with you

With all the trouble he has with Kalim, one look at you and he can't help but smile

Btw he even send his sister a picture of you like-HE COULDN'T HOLD BACK-and she asked too soooo

But of course he wants his S/O back to normal so best he can do is hope and make some fire under the teachers asses to hurry tf up

ROOK HUNT:

FUCK. YES

probably one of his weird ass dreams. He already dreamed of seeing your baby pictures from your mom and now he has you as a baby for himself-AHHHHH

Be ready for some embarrassing pictures and many many other pictures when you're back to normal

No matter what task needs to be done, nap time, feeding, changing daipers or maybe you got sick, Rook is a pro and can do it all

What he treasures the most about this is the memories

It means actually kinda a lot to him that he actually saw you as a baby-

Vil tho wasn't to happy about the nights you screamed, you killed his beauty sleep-

LILIA VANROUGE:

you couldn't get someone better to take care of you

Hes now your daddy :3 (maybe even was before-)

Takes you with him no matter where you are

And no matter what problem you have, he knows how to make it better

No secrets when you're with Lilia

Jshsisid he's just a great father in general jsjsisjdwoh

And it's just so cute how he plays with you and teaches you stuff

He already forgot about the fact you're actually his S/O-Malleus needed to remind him about it and Lilia was like ༼⁰o⁰；༽ oH...rIgHt-

MASTERLIST

TWISTED WONDERLAND MASTERLIST

[sxftkxssxs]

Thoughts on the Main 6 with an MC who's love language is parallel play (just being with their LI while they each do their own thing)?

<33

Mc’s love language is Parallel Play

Asra

he loves it!, he knows it’s how you show you love them

if you’d like some they might make you something to drink while you both do your own things

Faust alternates between you both :))

They love to gaze at you sometimes, even if you’re doing the most simple thing in the world

it’s that look of adoration and love that makes even the most confident person flustered

it’s up to you to say something about it or just look back at him

Sometimes if you listen closely you can hear them humming a song while they do their own thing

Julian

he’s tricky

sure you can do your own thing but he might just stare at you for ungodly amounts of time

the man can’t sit still for two seconds so, good luck

if you don’t mind the noises from him doing 6 things at once then congratulations, you’ve finally found a way to show your love language

but you’ll also hear the lovely sound of Julian muttering to himself

the most random things too, like “we need more ink” but he says it while he’s watching you cook or something??

all i can say is somehow it works out

Nadia

your love language and hers fit perfectly together

she might have paperwork she’s doing and you can do your own thing without feeling too neglected

don’t be fooled, she still takes breaks, and steals glances at you

chandra hoots at the both of you when she’s starved of attention or you’re not resting when it’s late

Nadia does stare but rarely allows herself to be caught >:))

Her and chandra just think you’re a dream come true, for chandra is just bc you’re so good with feeding her

Muriel

it happens so much

he might have to do something while you’re focused on something else, so he just, keeps the comforting silence while he works

he does feel a little awkward sometimes but he’ll learn that you just enjoy his presence and don’t need to hear him talk

Inanna!! she’ll be a little annoyed she’s not being pet as much but she fixes that problem real quick

and by that i mean she sits on one of you

pet her or you must suffer <33

you can hear Muriel half scoff and half chuckle at her

Portia

happens very frequently if you accompany her to work

she works a lot, which means she moves around and has to talk to lots of people

if you want to help her with that great! if not, she'll just drag you around and tell you all about the people she's dealing with

Nadia gets used to seeing you dragged behind Portia during the day, the nobles might as well get used to it too

the courtiers just stare at the two of you most of the time

Lucio

you gotta give this man something to keep him entertained if you dont wanna be yelled at every 5 minutes

he likes talking to you though so if you just let him talk while you do your thing that will keep him occupied

the puppies like sitting in both of your laps <3

If you can sing or don’t mind just talking when he’s upset at the silence you’ve got him in a chokehold

sadly he likes to be doing things all the time but he does still let you both do your own thing if you want.

[dwaeki]

beomgyu as ur bf ! (random headcanons)

pairing: beomgyu x gn!reader

genre: fluff, comedy

warnings: none other than poorly written fluff, intended lower case and maybe some spelling errors :D

a/n: YET AGAIN I WENT WITH THE FLOW SO SORRY IF IT'S KINDA BAD- keep in mind that english isnt my first language thank you <3

another one of my ults nfakjnglkejngr

you're dating a clown-

honestly, how do u even survive because he's actually so annoying

but he loves you though, i promise <3

an actual brat.

teases you a LOT !!! but never in a mean way.

if you trip over your own feet and fall, he's probably going to laugh at you, offering his hand to help you up but then quickly pulling it back to mess with you!

or if you accidentally drop your phone, spill some water on yourself, etc. he's going to tease you,

"y/n, what are you? a 3 year old?? you can't even walk without tripping, HAH, DUMMY!!!!"

loves to push your buttons to get different reactions out of you :D

he's quite empathetic though, so it's never his intention to hurt your feelings by poking fun at you.

if he notices that his teasing is making you uncomfortable or insecure he will not hesitate to stop,

making you feel loved and appreciated is his number one priority <3

he's determined to make you laugh, because when he hears you giggle... phew he's on cloud 9,

knowing the fact that he's the reason you're grinning from ear to ear is just such an ego boost :(

he will do anything to make you smile and i mean anything...

even if it results in him looking like a fool 😞

you two go grocery shopping together <3

honestly, he sometimes embarrasses you to the point where you regret bringing him with you in the first place 😐

like you've literally just entered the store and he's already whining, asking if you're done yet so you can finally go home and cuddle at once !! :/

it's usually just you doing all the shopping while he follows you around,

he's just there to assist you when you can't reach the high shelves‼️

the store you go to is pretty small and very close to your neighborhood, so you're basically familiar with everyone who visits it.

there's this one sweet lady with a kid around the age of 10, and beomgyu swears that "the child is a devil!!"

he has already made enemies... with a 10 year old-

you had to apologize to his mom multiple times because your 20 year old boyfriend couldn't stop bickering with her son.

he also helps you do your chores !!

he's very playful, hence anything can be fun if beomgyu's around :D even boring things like washing the dishes or cleaning your room (no offense to whoever likes it)

he turns everything into a game, a competition to be more precise...

"whoever finishes washing the dishes last has to buy the winner their favorite snack 😋😋"

even if he wins, he still ends up buying you the food of your choice, not letting you spend a single penny on him!!

he competes with you just to rile you up, making bets such as the one mentioned above to keep you determined, not because he actually wants you to do anything for him.

except giving him your undying love and affection of course :D

he's literally so clingy

you usually visit him at the dorms when he's not busy

the second he hears you knock on the door he's quite literally sprinting towards you

you can hear the members complain that he almost pushed them over

once your boyfriend opens the door, he engulfs you in a tight, bear hug™, picking you up and spinning you around, making sure he crushed every single bone in your body <3

the others just watch you get the air knocked out of your lungs in amusement.

speaking of the members, beomgyu always dreamed of you getting along with his best friends,

but once his dream came true he kinda wished it never did </3

you get along a little too well for his liking :/

how come you just laughed at one of yeonjun's jokes right in front of your toddler boyfriend?!?!??!

unacceptable!!

the entire night he either tries to crack as many jokes as possible to "redeem himself", glaring at an oblivious (and also mildly concerned) yeonjun from time to time

or he starts being poutier and clingier than usual, asking for a kiss every 5 minutes or straight up just dragging you to his bedroom and not letting you go until you cuddle for at least an hour

but in all honesty, he's so relieved that you and the boys are bonding !!

you having a good relationship with his friends is very important to him <3

he's not jealous at all because he knows that you love him and him only :)

he babies you to no end !! (even if you're older than him)

you do something as simple as drink water and he just coos at you

"AWW !!! you look so cute when you drink water like that :("

your number one fan!!!!!

hypes you up and brags about you to everyone <3

if you're wearing a new outfit he will notice right away and just stare at you in awe the second he sees you, won't forget to comment on how gorgeous/handsome you look ;)

also likes it when u compliment him back, it really means a lot <3

please keep feeding his ego he loves it when you notice small details, it makes his heart flutter

you two nap together a lot

if you're not the one for naps you just lay there, next to him, his arms wrapped around your frame tightly as he nuzzled his face in the crook of your neck, sleeping peacefully.

he looks so peaceful and cute when he's not annoying the hell out of you <333

you sometimes snap pictures of his sleeping state and then set it as your wallpaper/lockscreen :D

once gyu found out about your little antics he got extremely cocky

if you ever changed your lock screen to anything but him, he'd get all whiney, begging for you to change it back

also snaps a few pics of you sleeping/just existing peacefully and puts it as his so you two can have "matching wallpapers" <33

he also lends you his jacket if you're ever feeling cold

lives for how cute you look basically buried in his jacket, sighing in content as you're finally warming up a little

if you get tired from walking he's going to give you a piggyback ride <333

laughs and giggles as he lifts you up from the ground, your chest flushed against his back as he carries you to your destination :)

if you did something that upset him and he's scolding you he's just gonna:

"y/n, you're such a dummy!" *holds your hand* "that was very careless of you," *kisses your forehead* "i want you to know that i am very angry at you." *cuddles you aggressively*

while most of your dates are at home,

amusement park dates are very common as well :D

you go on various roller coasters, circular rides, take a few breaks in between and get ice cream or cotton candy

but your favorite ride by far are the bumper cars!

you just race, crash into each other at full speed or get into the same car and absolutely destroy your competition !! (the competition in question are just a bunch of 7 year old kids trying to have fun)

he seranades you :(

learns a bunch of love songs that remind him of you on guitar and sings them to you whenever you're able to hang out <3

he has a playlist full of love songs dedicated to you

offers to give you some free guitar lessons, if you ever want to learn how to play yourself :)

you both also have a collaborative playlist on spotify, along with playlists for each other you update regularly <33

when he's sleepy he's so soft with you :(

he's looking at you with hooded eyes full of love and adoration, you can tell that he's trying his best to stay awake for a little longer, but his eyelids are getting heavier by the second, his voice lower than before

"hey, y/n... you know i love you right? i love you so much that my heart aches whenever i look at you..."

pulls you in closer, if that's even possible, and holds you gently as if you were going to break if he wasn't careful enough,

probably leaves feather kisses all over your collarbone before whispering a one last "i love you" for the night and falls asleep.

yeah... thoughts are being thunk right now y'all-

he really loves you to the moon and back :(

overall your relationship is very chaotic and just.. weird in general.

good luck dealing w/his bs <3

[oh-holy-slut]

Bloodlust

Pairing: Damon Salvatore x fem!reader

Warnings: smut, explicit language, blood sharing, mentions of death, oral sex

Word Count: 2,6k

Summary: Stefan forced Damon to try his animal diet. Damon hated it, but didn't had a choice... until Reader makes a suggestion. Suddenly things get steamy.

Being with Damon was complicated. Him and Y/N have seen each other a lot in the past weeks. The two of them had a lot of fun; saw a lot of movies. Actually, Y/N was sure Damon secretly hated many of those. However, anytime Y/N suggested another dramatic, romantic cliché movie like "Last Song" - the vampire groaned, put his arm around her shoulder, let her head rest on his chest and endured every single second of the movie of her choice.

Damon even flirted and teased Y/N here and there, but didn't lead to anything more intimate so far.

Today was another of those days. Y/N stuck around at the Salvatore boarding house, brought a few of Damon's favorite groceries and a bunch of movies, of which she thought that they will suit his taste. Even if they were a little to bloody and brutal in her opinion.

"Pick one!", she demanded, holding all three Blu-ray sleeves in front of him. Damon just shrugged, not bothering to even look.

"Don't be a killjoy, Damon Salvatore!" Y/N sighed.

"Tell me what's wrong or pick a movie. You've got no choice. And besides that... Which number of drink is this?" Y/N frowned, pointing at the liquor in her friends hand. Damon usually consumed his beloved bourbon with pleasure.

But the man on the couch didn't seem pleasured at all. His facial features totally hardened and a look in his eyes like he was ready to rip someone's heart out.

You put the disc's back in your handbag, closing the zipper and put the bag on the floor.

"Fine. No movie night today. Who are we going to kill?"

A small smirk appeared on Damon's lips, finally looking towards Y/N.

"Stefan and his hero hair. He made me go vegetarian... well, for a vampire... and I can't get myself to eat one of those chipmunks, bunnies or bambis." He shook himself with disgust.

"And why did he count you in? You clearly aren't excited about the changing... So, why did you agree?"

"He said, he would kill me, which is kinda funny. But-" Damon made a wide gesture "he stole my daylight ring. And he wouldn't give it back until I stop feeding on innocent people - and kill them."

"So, you truly let your younger brother blackmail you like that?! Wow... I don't know how to feel about your dieting or your new path. Or whatever this is supposed to be."

"You don't like me killing people either", Damon maintained, while taking another sip of bourbon.

"Well, I don't", Y/N agreed, took a step forward, stole the glass from the vampires hand and put it on a small table nearby. "But I don't believe in forcing as a method to get people to change their minds. I believe that change for the better must be an intrinsic motivation," she added quickly, giving the vampire an innocent smile.

Damon's lineaments suddenly turned from annoyed to curious. "Any suggestions, little one?" The vampire raised an eyebrow and a little smirk showed up on his lips. On the one hand, Y/N blushed over the nickname, Damon called her.  On the other hand she felt skittish looking forward to making a deal with him. Not only a deal. It's far more than a simple agreement.

It's Y/N, actually giving Damon a part of her. The red elixir of life. She was about to give him total control of her body and she not even for a heartbeat doubt that Damon will use it against her.

"Actually... Yeah. There's something on my mind." Y/N said chewing on your lip. "I could open up a vein for you. I mean, you could feed on me. And since you have my permission, there's nothing for anybody to have objection about."

Damon frowned and gave her an incredulous look. "You would do that for me?" The vampire couldn't believe, he understood correctly. Why would Y/N want to get involved with him feeding on her? What's in it for her? Damon tried hard to connect the dots, but he wasn't able to. It all seemed to make no sense. Y/N wouldn't have an advantage of that. The vampire hesitated, pinning his dangerously blue eyes on the girl in front of him.

"Is it so suspicious of me, that I'm trying to help my closest friend?" It pierced Y/N's heart, realizing, Damon's trust in her was rather fragile. "Never mind", she waved the pain away and forced herself to keep her composure. "I only had a hasty idea; you really don't need to fee-"

Suddenly Damon appeared behind Y/N, using his vampirism. "Shhhh", he whispered softly. "I never said, that I don't want your blood. I'm thinking about if we are going to cross a line? Blood sharing can be very personal..."

"It can be? It is personal already. Believe it or not - I'm not gonna offer my veins to all the vampires of Mystic Falls." Y/N rolled her eyes, her arms folded on her chest to point out the indignation she felt right now.

"Kinda sensitive today, huh?" Damon gently stroke a strand of hair behind her ear, Y/N could hear this smug smirk through his words. It was a true 'Damon thing' to do. "I didn't mean it like that, princess." He sighed; unsure if he should agree or not. Damon didn't want to act selfish towards Y/N. He compelled a lot of girls for the purpose of drinking blood in the past. He literally used them as long as they weren't too annoying - and then he acted like they have never met. Damon Salvatore couldn't imagine this scenario with Y/N. They've been so close, the vampire couldn't stand loosing her. The offer was risky, but it also could bring each other even closer.

Damon tried hard to avoid any serious attraction between Y/N and him, afraid of messing up. Indeed, he found himself thinking, and even dreaming, about Y/N more than he wanted to admit. She was smart and had this special sense of humor, the vampire adored so much. She was the only one, who could make him feel good no matter what. Needless to say she had that glimmer in her eyes, when she did something she truly loved. In these moments she was even more pretty. Y/N was hard to resist.

And maybe now he could have her like nobody else. At least the vampire gave in. He wanted her blood. He wanted her.

Y/N flinched by the feeling of Damon brushing her neck with his lips.  "Oh, Damon", she gasped. "Bite me." Y/N almost begged for the vampire's teeth breaking through her skin. Damon loved the sound of her husky voice. In less than a heartbeat he turned into his vampire shape. "If you insist", he grinned devilishly, ready to place his teeth on to her skin.

Suddenly Y/N made a slight move forward with the intention to interrupt her friend. "Did you change your mind?" Damon was close to switching back to human, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions. Mostly a lack of understanding, but also a little of disappointment and even anger. Was Y/N playing games on him? While Damon Salvatore was sorting feelings, Y/N turned around, standing now in front of him.

She was so close, not even a piece of paper would fit between them.

Y/N slightly exhaled breath, her eyes darting between the vampires eyes and lips. It was the first time Y/N saw him like this. The icy blue of his eyes, she loved so much, has turned darker. Purple veins appeared under his eyes; Y/N couldn't help herself. Damon's appearance fully intoxicated every fibre of her being. Her fingertips found their way gently brushing over his dark purple veins. She felt heat and softness, while tracing one of them.  It took her a few seconds to get out of trance, realizing what she had done. "Sorry", she murmured with a voice barely audible. "Don't apologize, little one." Damon tilted his head, his lips curled up in a self-assured grin, exposing a perfectly white vampire fang. "I never saw you like this before, you loo-"

"... look like a monster?"

Y/N shook her head. It was nothing like that. Yes, he did look unfamiliar. And she should be scared under normal conditions. Instead, his look hit her in an unexpected way. He looked hotter as a vampire, if it was even possible. 

Y/N cleared her throat, looking up at Damon. "I feel... attracted to you."

"So nothing's changed", Damon teased, raising his eyebrows. The girl in front of him softly slapped him on his shoulder; which was only possible because the vampire permitted. "You are always so full of yourself." She smirked, feeling more confident being to something, they have had been so many times before. Granted, he was terrifying accurate, but she wouldn't serve her feelings on a silver platter.

"I'm still into it. You can bite me; feed on me. I only needed to see you before..." 

A shockwave of electricity flowed through her body the second Damon took her hand and pulled her close.

"I'll be careful", he promised, nuzzling his head into the nap of her neck. Damon once again placed his lips on her soft skin. 

Suddenly a harsh pain made Y/N feel like in a kind of haze. She flinched and let out a groan at the same time, unintentionally biting her lower lip. 

During Damon embedded his fang deeper and deeper, she started feeling dizzy. Her hands searched for the vampires upper body, finally wrapped around his neck. She needed him to lean on. A narrow trickle of blood flowed down her neck. Let Damon feed on her felt like flames licking up every fiber of her body. 

With every passing second Y/N could feel her control slip away. Her body was now firmly pressed against Damon's, like she would want to merge them into one.

Damon noticed her staggering, wrapped his arms around her waist, supporting her.

Bloodlust already messed up the vampires mind, so he continued feeding on Y/N.

A tempting moan escaped her lips, but she didn't care to cover up. Y/N's heart was racing, her eyes flattering. It was almost as if he was about to push her over the edge, but in a different way. "Mmm, this...this… feels soo weird... and so good...", she whispered under a shallow breath.

As soon as Damon heard her fading voice, he abruptly

quitted drinking from her.

"Fuck!" He rapidly laid her on his lap and checked Y/N's vital signs, to make sure she was okay. Instinctively he bit his wrist, pressed it against Y/N's mouth. He knew his blood would heal her, but it wasn't going fast enough. A few seconds passed through, to him they felt like centuries. Y/N finally blinked and Damon was relieved. He cupped her cheeks, his gaze never leaving hers. "I thought, I'd gone-" Damon cleaned his throat. "I'm so glad, you are doing well", he whispered, while trailing her lips with his fingertips. "So, fuckin' glad..." The vampire exhaled a deep breath. 

"It... You made me feel good. Strange, but good", Y/N appeased and flushed over the memory. "Maybe you got a little carried away, but I don't mind. I wouldn't trade the feeling for anything."

Y/N quickly interrupted herself, before she could reveal too much.

However, Damon used his vampire skills, noticing that Y/N was hiding something from him. "Isn't there anything else you want me to know?", Damon asked without taking his eyes off her. Y/N shifted and flushed even more. "It's unfair. You use your vampirism to get everything out of me."

"Well, if that were the case, I could easily compel you." Damon shrugged and found back to his smugly self. "Tell me, what you are hiding". He said in a seductive voice.

"I wanted to get lost in you."

Her confession sent shivers all over the vampires body. At first he could not decide, how to handle this. "Are you sure that's what you want? I could really hurt you..." Y/N hummed.

In the next split second, Damon pinned Y/N against a wall, smashing his lips on hers, kissing her with all the passion he had to give. The vampire devoured Y/N with a new kind of hunger. He didn't know he could crave someone so much.

"Fuck me, Damon..."

The vampire felt him getting hard, only by hearing those little three words out of her mouth.

"Say it louder. Tell me, what you want me to do."

Y/N pulled him closer, gently biting his earlobe.

"Fuck... me, Damon." It took her a second to focus and forming the words again. After she was near to climax earlier, it wasn't a long way getting to the edge once more. "Make me cum... You almost had me there..."

A deep moan got over the vampires lips, once he understood, what Y/N was trying to tell him.

With the next blink Y/N found herself in Damon's bedroom, lying on his bed.

From now on there weren't many words needed. Damon's hand's found their way under her shirt, cupping her breasts and make her moan over and over again.

He closely listened to the rhythm of her heart, making sure he would be able to delay her climax to the point he needed her to.

"Don't cum yet... I want to taste your little pussy first."

Y/N grabbed the vampires head, running her fingers through his dark hair - pushing him down, since she was unable to form a single word.

As Damon got down, he didn't take his eyes off Y/N.

He used a hand pushing up her skirt and lightly stroking over her panties with his fingertips.

"My girl is so wet", he praised in a low husky voice."-and I barely touched you."

His dirty words in combination with his touch lead to another moan, almost turned into a scream.

Damon pushed the fabric aside, leaving sloppy kisses on the inside of her thighs.

Y/N's eyes fluttered, when his soft lips reached her middle.

Damon's tongue licking around her entrance was driving her nuts.

"...so delicious..." were the only words she was able to catch up. Damon knew, he couldn't thrill her forever, so he got back to her. He spit on his palms, stroking his hand over his crotch. In under a second Y/N finally felt this releasing pressure of his cock. It was like a switch went off in her brain and she braced herself for the hard thrusts that would follow.

Damon dimmed the whining noises Y/N made with a passionate, hungry kiss.

He cheated with his vampirism to give it to her deeper and faster, knocking out all the air of her lungs while Y/N screamed out Damon's name. Her walls clenched around him and made him twitch. It was like her pussy massaged his dick the best way possible.

Every time he hit her harder and rougher he was making sure he hit her spot with every thrust.

Damon gathered speed one last time and pushed her over the edge until she was a moaning whimpering mess.

With her last contraction around his shaft, Damon was cumming inside her.

"You are so tight, little one", he whispered under his breath. "We should make arrangements more often."

Please like or/and reblog if you enjoyed reading or/and want me to write more stories about Damon.

Thanks guys ❤️

[nctstar]

8llin in the Dream

recalling the time you broke into the 7llin in the Dream house to be with Haechan...

pairing: idol!haechan x fem!reader

other members: huang renjun, lee mark, mentions of the dreamies

word count: 0.8k

genre: fluff, romance

warnings: maybe sneaking into a house, mentions of kissing, cuddling

disclaimer: this is a fanfiction purely from my imagination. I do not know the nct members and do not claim that they act like this in real life. I also do not condone any of the activity by any of the characters in this fic.

a/n: just a short and sweet Haechan imagine for ya’ll. Dedicated to those who commented about Hyuck in my last post, you guys inspired me to write fluff and not angst with him for once :) Hope you enjoy.

It turned out sneaking into places in the dead of night was NOT your forte.

The plan was simple – through the open door, up the stairs, across the room, under the covers in Haechan’s bed. You had convinced yourself it would be a piece of cake when you had pictured it in your head, even more so when you were halfway up the stairs and not a single one had creaked, and eventually, when you had finally reached the top and could make out the sleeping body of your boyfriend, rising and falling in the pale moonlight.

But boys were boys, regardless of whether they were the dreamy type girls swooned over and fantasised about having as husbands, and you didn’t get far across the room before tripping over some stray shoe. For some reason, even as you stumbled and reflexively grabbed onto a side table, making a wooden knocking noise that reverberated around the room, you were still more annoyed at the fact that you had tripped over one shoe, and not a pair of them.

But your pair was awake. The whites of his eyes glinted as he stared at you, shaking off the sleep to understand what was going on, and when he finally realised, it’s as if you could see the shock settle on his body, like confetti falling to the floor.

“__?”

You brought a finger to your lips to silence him, his voice always the loudest in the room no matter where you were. Looking down this time, you tiptoed over to him as he shuffled away from the edge. As soon as you got close, he grabbed your upper arm, “Come under, now.”

You flew under his covers in one swoop, and in seconds you two were face to face.

“I have so many questions.”

“I know you do, Hyuck,” His breath as he whispered tickled the hairs on your face, and as weird as it was, the smell of his body where you were comforted you. You shuffled over and wrapped your arms around his torso, and his hands found themselves on the small of your back. “It’s been a long night. You know how hard it was to sneak in here? Let me catch my breath first at least.”

“Geez, I didn’t realise you were this crazy.”

“You know what’s crazy? The fact that the producers didn’t lock the front door. I mean, a murderer could’ve walked in.”

“Instead, you did.” Haechan chuckled, his voice now vibrating against your body. You smiled into his chest and pulled your upper hand closer to you, looking up, reaching out to stroke his face. His eyelashes fluttered, sending your stomach into knots.

“After seeing you in the grocery store today with the boys, I felt like being near you. I miss you.”

“What, you couldn’t even wait? You’re only feeding my growing ego, __,” He flicked his head back, laughing just a bit too audibly, and you rolled your eyes. His head shuffled back and you shifted closer to his face, getting ready to give him a kiss. Something in his eyes changed as he stared into yours, and you stared back. Staredowns with Hyuck usually ended with making out, the competitive fire in the both of you just too hard to resist.

“I missed you too, pretty girl.”

“Can you guys keep it down?”

You jumped out of your skin, and you felt Haechan’s body still in your arms too. The movement of the covers was loud in your ears as he tried to move them away to let his head out.

“Renjunnie,” he whined. “Don’t be mad. She just got here on her own accord. You know I’m irresistible.”

“Gross.” You could hear the disgust in his voice, which only made you giggle. Renjun was the biggest supporter of your relationship, but nobody could disturb him when he was supposed to be asleep.

You couldn’t help but stick your head out too, and you were met with the groggy stature of Renjun, hair sticking out in all directions as he tilted back and forth. He took one look at you, seemingly not caring at all anymore, and fell back into his bed, pulling the covers over his entire body.

“You know what’s weirder, is that Renjun is all the way over there and he heard us, yet Mark is literally beside us and he’s snoring like an old man.”

“He’s what?” You looked to your left and sure enough, there was the sleeping body of the blue-haired Mark, on his back, his face turned away. You could hear Haechan’s little chuckles in your ear as you watched in shock. “He’s always been a heavy sleeper. Literally nothing wakes him up at night.”

Watching Mark sleep so peacefully, the rapid quietness that settled after Haechan had finished talking, and the feeling of his arms around your body squeezing you tight, suddenly seemed to squeeze your heart with a similar vigour, giving you a weird feeling in your chest.

“I love you, Hyuck.” You whispered without thinking twice, closing your eyes. He hummed and didn’t loosen his grip, gently rocking you from side to side.

“I love you too, baby.”