#also you're not a bother i will beat you with a stick if you say that again 😠

[theminecraftbee]

Wels hums as he walks through the shopping district. He doesn't need much, but with the recent release of Overlord, he wants to hear if any of the establishments are playing it. He doesn't expect it somewhere like the Permit Office--Grian's spent too much time and money getting a song that was as perfectly annoying to be put on hold to as possible--and if it is playing in the log shop, he will laugh. But music tends to spread around Hermitcraft fast, and sure, this isn't about anything specific, but who's gonna miss a good opportunity to dunk on Doc?

He hears the backing beats from a nearby shop and hums along with them, walking down the path--

--then turns a corner and leaps back.

"You," Wels hisses.

Hello. Awfully rude of you not to include me, you know, says the specter.

"No, there's absolutely no reason for you to be here. None at all!" Wels says, throwing his hands up. "The last time I saw you was--gosh, I don't even know. Season Seven?"

Yes, yes, and the only time you saw me, you aren't lying to yourself at all, the specter says agreeably. Come on. We both know I was haunting you for what little of Season Eight you bothered to be around for.

"If you were on Eight then you super shouldn't be here," Welsknight says. He shakes his head and looks up at the shop playing his song. Joel's? Huh. Wouldn't have thought he'd have a reason to make fun of Doc. Welsknight removes his shaking hand from his sword hilt again and starts walking.

On account of you leaving everyone there to die, yes, we're both aware, the specter says.

"Oh, screw you, you wouldn't have done any different, get new material," Wels says. "Also, you aren't real? You're like, all of my insecurities or whatever. You don't even have a real body right now, no one's made you one."

The specter shrugs. I mean, if I'm the worst parts of yourself, really, you're the one who needs better material. Abandoning all your friends to die and then abandoning them altogether--it's a wonder they let you stick around!

Wels rolls his eyes and forces his hand to stay out of his inventory. Wouldn't do to give away that still even gets him. He peaks at another shop. They're playing the song too, but it's ever-so-slightly out of sync, which is kind of terrible. As he does, Cleo waves at him. Their eyes sort of stutter right past Helsknight, which definitively tells him exactly how much body the specter even has to possess right now.

"I'm actually having a great time with my friends this season, so like, the whole 'abandonment' song and dance isn't going to work this time. Started the season with them and everything; hard to even go for 'they'll forget me at the first opportunity' or whatever."

The thing is, the more Wels says it, the more its true. None of the insecurities and pain points that the specter is echoing back at him are what he was actually thinking about. He's been like... fine? Sure, he's definitely still got repressed negative traits, but nothing like "Xisuma's evil twin brother playing around with his head" or "the moon crashing and killing everyone" or "too depressed and burnt out to get out of bed" or "sort of considering abandoning everyone because that's like, his thing" these days. None of the things that should bring the specter that had haunted him since Beef's cloning machine back to him without a body. But Wels is careful about clones outside of something like Vault Hunters, where they're explicitly under his control. He, like, doesn't even armor stand much. So that can't be this either; Helsknight clearly doesn't have a body to be messing with Wels yet!

...Helsknight doesn't even have a body or an actual insecurity to be poking at Wels with yet.

He stops. He puts his hands in his pockets, and turns around to face Helsknight. He is no longer shaking at all.

"Dude, why are you even here?" Wels asks.

I told you, it was rude to leave me out, Helsknight says.

"What," Wels says.

The final bars of Overlord play over the speakers. Welsknight hums and nods before it suddenly clicks.

"What," Wels says again.

Honestly, you're not normally this much of a moron. It was rude to leave me out. Rapping is also my thing.

"Dude," Wels says.

I could totally destroy Docm77 any day. I would obliterate the fool you call a "friend" in ways you cannot comprehend. You invoke a sacrificial goat? I know ways he'd never recover, gods he'd never be able to retrieve himself from. It would be laughable. And you left me out.

Wels stares at the demon from his nightmares.

"You're mad at me because you didn't get to be in my diss track," Wels says.

You let me be in the last one, Helsknight says.

"Dude," Wels says. "Dude, that's pathetic."

Helsknight sniffs. I'm your worst qualities. What does that say about you.

"I didn't even write this for this season," Wels says.

That makes it worse, Helsknight says.

"I don't even know where to start? For one--no, I still don't even know where to start," Wels says. "This is like, the lamest reason you could possibly have to come haunt me. Go away, I'm basking in my like, top 3 charting hit on the Hermitcraft server."

Top three? Pathetic. There are only three songs. You'd be the top song if you'd simply included my power, Helsknight says.

"I can't beat the streaming minutes Grian puts on that hold--look, uh, dude. You're, uh, a very scary representation of my fears and worst qualities and all. Appreciate that. Next time I need to do a diss track, I don't know, maybe I'll invite you? First you've got to stop appearing solely to make my life worse, though. Bring me a cookie or something. I don't know, whatever demons do."

I'm not a demon, I'm a Shadow. We're different, Helsknight says. ...I'll think about it.

When Wels turns the next corner, Helsknight has vanished again. Wels stops in the middle of the street, looks around, confirms the specter has vanished, and then bursts out laughing.

"What the Hels," he says, somehow feeling lighter and more bemused than before. That's a new feeling with his doppleganger. Then, he goes to visit Big Wood. While Doc definitely isn't playing the song of his own accord, Wels figures that Beef just might, and given the day he's having, that would feel like a kind of irony Wels isn't sure how to describe. Besides, he wants to see if Doc will notice if Wels sets the song on loop or something. What can he say--the man's reactions to being taunted are spectacular, and Wels loves seeing them. Call it a bad quality of his or something.

[hanniedream]

hello hello it’s me 👉👈 uhm not to be a bother but joshua & “are you mad at me?” maybe perhaps pretty please 🥹

you're actually a menace for this, you KNOW what this man does to me 😩

"babe, can you call me?" you look up from your phone to look at joshua who just walked into your bedroom. "i can't find my phone."

"okay," you dial his number and watch him walk into the bathroom before hearing the sound of bottles being moved around. "anything?"

"nope!"

you feel a vibration on the bed so you lift up the pillow next to you. nothing. you check under the covers and then you spot it. joshua's ringing phone. you hang up and was about to call out to him but something on his screen catches your attention. it's a photo of you asleep set as his wallpaper.

"did you find—," he stops when he sees you holding his phone. "where did you find it?"

you glare at him before turning the phone to face him. "what the hell is this?"

he chuckles as he takes the phone from you. "i took this yesterday morning. you looked adorable so i just had to."

"that's so embarrassing. change it!"

"no it's not, it's cute." he insists.

before you know it, you're next to him pushing him out of the room as he continues to laugh and tell you how cute you look when you're asleep.

"it's not cute, it's embarrassing. what if someone else sees it." you groan before locking the door behind him.

"come on, open the door." he knocks on the door lightly a couple of times.

"not until you change it." you huff.

"wait, are you mad at me?" he asks softly, the hint of playfulness in his voice completely gone.

"maybe."

there's complete silence from the other side of the door then you feel a vibration from your phone.

[shua ♡] *1 image attached*

[shua ♡] this is your very apologetic boyfriend sending you an embarrassing photo as a peace offering

[shua ♡] you can set that as your wallpaper and show it to anyone that you want

joshua hears you cracking up from inside the room then he hears the door unlocking. he glances at you with his sparkly, doe eyes once the door opens and he knows he's forgiven when you don't move away from him when he reaches for your hand.

"are you still mad?" he asks, for reassurance.

"don't be silly, i can never be mad at you."

"really? you seem pretty mad earlier." he jokes but shuts up immediately after he sees the scowl on your face. "i'm changing my wallpaper right away."

💌 requests open!

[ghouljams]

PLEAAAASEEEEE just a lil knight smooch on the hand, even just a light kiss to her lock of her hair

EVEN JUST LOVE FILLED GLANCES PLEAAAAASEEEEEEE

or maybe medivel konig romance i am so lovesick i wamt to hear fluff aND UR DENYING US WITH GHOST KNIGHT YEARNING

OK but only because I'm really beating this poor princess down in two other asks.

You spend most of your day with Ghost, he's your escort for every outing, your companion for every event. You'd think you'd get tired of seeing him all the time but you never do. You love seeing him, and you think he likes seeing you too.

"Good morning," you smile up at Ghost as he comes near, your favorite part of your mornings.

"Morning," he pulls out the chair next to you, grabbing a thick slice of bread as he sits. You don't even need to ask your maids to set a place for him anymore, don't need to coax Ghost into joining you for breakfast. He leans his elbows against the table and breaks the bread apart between his hands, as he watches you.

"How'd you sleep?" You ask, too casual, he nudges you with his knee. "Did you sleep well?" You try again. He's worse than your old etiquette tutor sometimes.

"Same as usual, were you alright after the-" he pauses, clicks his tongue, like he's annoyed he doesn't have a polite word for it. He doesn't want to say "tantrum" but you know he's thinking it.

"I- yes. Thank you." You stare down at your hands, embarrassed. You're too old to be acting like that. Ghost stares at you a long moment before setting his bread on his plate. He reaches across the table to grab meat and fruit, filling your plate before you can stop him.

"Eat, you'll feel better." He plucks another slice of bread free of its warm basket and butters it. You watch him slide the little silver knife against the crumb and he stops, pointing the utensil at your plate. "Eat," he's not asking you.

You pick up your fork and knife to do as he says. You really don't know why you bother listening to him, you're in charge, not him. It's just that, you sort of like doing what he says, he always looks so pleased when you do. He doesn't even look at you when you take your first bite, but his eyes still smile and you know it's for you. His smiles are only ever for you.

"Good girl," He mumbles, sliding his bread onto your plate, neatly jam and buttered just the way you like it.

"You're free to leave," you tell your maids, glancing at them over your shoulder. You know they're hovering, waiting to refill your tea or bring another plate of food. You also know they're waiting for more information on last night's... fit. Gossips the lot of them. "You've left the pot, if I need more tea Ghost will serve me. Go."

The maids exchange a glance and drop to curtsy before scurrying out. You go back to eating. Ghost waits a beat before removing his mask and serving himself breakfast. You don't bother with glances or peaking at his face, you look. It's your right to look, he's yours after all.

"You're staring," he grumbles. Astute observation, you think with a smile. You know what he means, you spear a strawberry with your fork and pop it in your mouth.

"I'm eating."

"Don't talk with your mouth full," he hums, ignoring you in favor of his own meal. Does he know that you only breach etiquette to hear him correct you? Does he see you behave as a perfect princess for others and think he did that? No, you think he must know you're teasing him.

You set your fork down and reach to wipe away the crumbs that stick to his lip. Ghost catches your hand before you can touch him, his tongue darting out to do what your finger would have. His eyes hold yours, each of you waiting for the other to pull back. You don’t want to.

His lips are so much warmer than in your dream, softer, more substantial as Ghost bows his head to press them against your knuckles. You tilt your head, watching him turn your hand to kiss your palm and the delicate skin of your wrist. He looks at you with every promise in his eyes, and you love him for it.

"Good morning, my lady," he murmurs, holding your hand to his cheek. Your heart clenches, fingers curling against the stubble on his jaw.

"Good morning, my knight." You whisper back. The breath he lets out is almost pained, far too heavy for breakfast. He kisses your palm again, and you almost understand why before he drops it. I love you, you both seem to think at each other, I love you.

[cheecats]

To soothe you from your Riverstar's Home trauma, how about you ramble about oneripple?

YOU'RE SO KIND FOR LETTING ME GO OFF ABOUT THIS TY TY 💞💞💞 I'm terrible at structuring logical/coherent rambles, so I'll just dump some thoughts I have (obv these exclude Riverstar's Home and are roughly how I'd like to play with their dynamic [give them to me NOW erins!!])

LONG POST UNDER CUT!

Obviously this is way before the mountain cats arrive. BIG FAN of the idea that River Ripple and his small circle at the time were the ones to help One Eye and baby Star Flower get back on their feet after the two lost the rest of their family to the sickness we see again in TBS (I imagine One Eye had already treated them with the Blazing Star, but the two were still so terribly weak and unwell after that.) The group find the two living inside a rotting hollow and approach them. One Eye is, naturally, EXTREMELY aggressive and reclusive at first — distressed from sickness, grief, and fear of losing his tiny daughter, for he hasn't been strong enough to feed them much. The other cats are nervous around him, unwilling to approach the tom for his sheer size and ferocity, even if he is weakened. But not River Ripple. He understands why he is acting this way, that his aggression is a defense mechanism to mask his fear, and ultimately wishes to convey to One Eye that he is not going to do anything to them without his explicit permission first: and he sticks to that promise! Every day he sits outside the makeshift shelter with food, asking permission to come inside, leaving prey, water and herbs at the entrance if One Eye is asleep or simply says no. He never challenges it, and simply obliges and wishes him and Star Flower well. It is through this gradual process that One Eye begins to somewhat relax around River Ripple, allowing ONLY him to come inside, communicating his and Star Flower's needs and whatnot (Vulnerability moment!!)

Although she was too young to remember, once she began to recover, Star Flower was always excited when River Ripple visited, coming up to him, chasing his tail, and telling him all about her big adventures (all just made up ones, but River Ripple would always listen and ask her questions about them!) One Eye initially doesn't take well to Star Flower going up to the near-stranger, pulling her back or growling at River Ripple to back off. But over time, he sees that the risk is minimal, and the two never leave his sight while interacting. Besides, it stops Star Flower pestering him to entertain her for just a bit (also I just find this funny because adult Star Flower can barely recall this and River Ripple is just looking at her like omg you've gotten so tall now!!! I remember when you used to tell me how you beat up monsters and dogs 🤭💙!!)

SO LIKE skipping the recovery period, and now One Eye and Star Flower are more present outside … One Eye falls first. He initially is bothered by this, still grieving the loss of his mate and their other kits moons ago. But the feeling is nonetheless there. It's complicated, because at first he had every intention of claiming the area for himself and pushing River Ripple & his friends out… but as much as he tried to resent River Ripple's philosophy, there was just something so…. soothing yet powerful in the way he carried himself. He realises he actually enjoys his company, which is also weird for him! One Eye has lived among opportunistic cats his entire life, learning that being aggressive and domineering is the only way to make it, and that the passive and meek were destined to be crushed. But River Ripple is a curious example to him. He is gentle and patient, but completely capable of establishing boundaries and shutting down veins of discussion that belittle or threaten him. He would call out One Eye's bullshit every single time, but in a way that didn't escalate the situation. His heart was soft and his identity was strong in that. Kindness without weakness??? In MY Warrior Cats??? Impossible??? (Erins: yes it's impossible. 🗿)

Anyway, montage of One Eye giving terrible rizz and making a complete fool of himself 90% of the time — getting frustrated and defensive while everyone else is like🧍‍♂️. River Ripple is confused at first, but slowly begins to catch on. He finds it both amusing and sweet… and yeah! He realises he does feel the same way! He always found One Eyes protectiveness of Star Flower warming, found his intelligence to be engaging, and he genuinely believes there is good in the tom's heart (me shaking my head slowly.)

First date? Swimming lesson! One Eye is terrible! He's half drowned, scrabbling onto River Ripple every .2 seconds, and hates how pathetic it makes him look. But River Ripple is patient, assuring him that they can always try again some other time, and that it took him a while to get used to it too <:)

^ I feel like it's important to emphasize that One Eye genuinely feels like he can relax around River Ripple. That this cat doesn't have any ulterior motivation to trick him or take from him. Nor' does River Ripple ever belittle his failures or negative traits. They simply exist, are acknowledged, and pass like water.

But of course there is difficulty in how these two's ideologies clash. Everyone's beliefs are different, but theirs almost completely counter. River Ripple's philosophy is peaceful. To live and let live, and be custodians of the land. One Eye's on the other hand is to conquer. To take, to fight for what you need, and to claim the land. While there is room to accommodate each other, they are both two strong individuals with strong identities. Neither is going to abandon their philosophy, and when they clash so strongly, it can make it impossible for them to see eye to eye on issues. Long term, that would be hard. I believe that is why they'd go their separate ways. It doesn't work out. But that is okay. For that period of time, there was coexistence, there was connection, and there was love.

TL:DR. Very brief romance! A spark of passion that burns then fizzles out when One Eye leaves to be on his own (with Star Flower) once again. River Ripple, of course, says One Eye can return any time if he needs anything. Even for a short visit. He never does. For everywhere the tom goes, there is destruction and disruption, and River Ripple's home is like an oasis to be left untouched in One Eye's head.

Even as One Eye's reputation worsens, they still feel for each other. River Ripple especially. He knows what One Eye is capable of, what he has done, and how downright hideous he can be. But it's hard not to miss the memory of him. (Cue the mountain cats like PLEASE stop talking about this asshole in flowery prose he is trying to kill us!!)

BONUS: Not really relevant here, but their presence in the narratives respectively as the punisher/destroyer vs the voice of reason… ooogh, sun that burns, moon that soothes e.t.c but that deity kind of vibe would be more relevant once they're spirits in the Dark Forest & Starclan!

I could go on forever but that's the meat of it. Ty ty i hope everyone enjoyed and its not terribly incoherent ✌️

[sp1rit-realm]

༻¨*:· 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐓 ·:*¨༺

༻¨*:· summary ·:*¨༺ you hate remus lupin, and he hates you. what happens when you get stuck in a lift together?

༻¨*:· notes ·:*¨༺ 𖦹 hour three!!!!! 𖦹 enemies to ?? 𖦹 forced proximity 𖦹 fem!reader 𖦹 i did not proofread this bc i'm lazy ⎝(ˊᗜˋ)⎠ 𖦹 thank you for all the support on this series eeeekkkkkk you guys are the best

༻¨*:· word count ·:*¨༺ 𖦹 809

prologue / hour 2 << pt. 4 -- hour 3 >> hour 4

༻¨*:· 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝟑 ·:*¨༺

Remus holds his cheek, "I said no slapping hard! What the fuck was that?"

"Oh, stop being a baby," You scoff, "I didn't even hit you that hard."

"Did too!" He argues.

"Did not!" You argue back.

"Did—" Remus is interrupted by his phone ringing.

"Hello?" He greets, and you see what he means when he says 'customer service voice.'

"Shoot," He sighs—it's funny hearing him try not to swear, "I forgot to tell you. I'm kind of stuck in a lift." He smiles worriedly, all wonky and wobbly.

'What a cute smile,' You think. Whiplash—that's what you get from looking away so fast. Where the fuck did that thought come from?

"I'm being genuine, Marty. I am stuck in a lift." Remus grimaces, and you can only assume his boss is yelling at him, "Well, what do you want me to do, Marty? Pry my way out of here?" He pauses, "No, that's not an actual option!"

You cover your mouth in an attempt to distort your voice, "Sir, the maintenance crew will be there in about five hours."

He shoots you a weird look, and then his boss says: "Okay, obviously you're stuck. You better come to work tomorrow, though!"

Remus grins, "Will do, Marty. Will do." 

He turns to you, bewildered, and asks: "Did you just... help me?"

"It's only because I can't stand how whiny you sounded," You cross your arms and stick your nose in the air.

"Well, I appreciate it." His voice is delicate, and your heart beats faster and faster and faster and— "I owe you one."

Your head snaps to him, "You do realize what you just said, right?"

He nods in full confidence.

"You owe me one. Am I hearing that right?" 

"Yup. I owe you."

You bask in it, grinning. 

Remus Lupin is making you grin, and you aren't bothered by it.

Remus finds himself grinning with you, and he—like you—doesn't care.

And then, you burst into laughter. It's music to Remus's ears, and he regrets not hearing it more. He regrets not being the cause of it. He regrets so much when it comes to you, but you'll never know that. That's what he decides.

He laughs with you, "What's so funny?"

"I think I'm going insane," You giggle, "Cos, well, I'm not minding you here," You take a deep breath, "Let's play a game."

Remus tilts his head, quirking an eyebrow, "A game?"

You gasp, "Let's play twenty questions!"

"...Okay. You go first."

"Are you a dog or cat person?"

Remus thinks for a moment, "Cat, I think. Okay, my turn." He puts his finger to his chin, "What's your favorite color?"

You tilt your head this time, but, unlike Remus, it's in confusion. "You know my favorite color," You smile at him with a weird, contorted expression.

He shakes his head.

"Yes, you do," You insist, "I told you."

"When?" He crosses his arms on the defense.

"At Lily's birthday. Remember? Back when we were..." You wave your hands around, "Not this."

He shakes his head, "No recollection." But his mind is screaming at him. He knows your favorite color—knows what shade. Hell, he knows the fucking hex code.

"Oh," You look at your shoes.

"It's not like you know mine. It's not a big deal."

"Green," You mutter, "Your favorite color is green." You still won't look at him, too scared of his reaction.

"How do you know that?"

You roll your eyes, piercing him with your glare, "'Cos you told me. You've told me plenty of things, believe it or not."

He laughs humorlessly, "When?"

"About a week after we met, you got really wasted and blabbed to me for about two hours." Your gaze returns to your scuffed shoes, "Also, Sirius wouldn't shut the fuck up about you before we met."

"What did I tell you?" Remus heats up with embarrassment at the fact that he doesn't remember—he needs to know what ammunition you have against him.

. • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

"Just the person I wanted to see!" Remus shouts when you walk into the little pub you all frequent. You smile at him; he's holding a pint of beer, wearing that stupid smirk of his.

"Yeah?" You ask with a laugh, "I'm just the person you were looking for?"

He nods dramatically, "You heard it here first, babe."

. • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

"You really don't remember?"

He, once again, shakes his head.

"It was the last day you were nice to me." You're not sure what prompts you to say it. Maybe you actually were going crazy—confessing things that you swore to never speak of.

And then, all the memories flood back into his brain. He flashes through the night in fractured seconds, catching glimpses of your smile and how pretty your hair looked. For a moment, he swears he's back there. Back when everything was simple for you two.

me when its getting good *evil smile*

lmk if u wanna b tagged!

@queerpumpkinnn @ay0nha @knaveism @whennyxfallsinlove @freezing-my-brain @starlit-epiphany @inkluvs @t3rritorial-piss1ngs @starsval @little-snow @bubybubsters @zvdvdlvr @venzami-burst @rosalyn-s @ttulipwritezz

[angelltheninth]

Craving Vander content. Can you do the second jealousy prompt with him? Either being jealous.

I have three more Arcane things in the works after this!

Pairing: Vander x Fem!Reader

Tags: fluff, jealousy, confession, flirting, misunderstandings, kissing, size difference

Word count: 0.9k

A/N: Threw in Silco cause he's an agent of chaos.

2. "Please, go with him if you like him so much better."

Vander kept a close eye on all of his employees, especially those who he saw talking with Silco, and more so if he had a secret crush on said employee. Worse yet was that Silco sat as if he didn't care, except he clearly did because he kept glancing over at Vander behind the bar.

They were brothers once, now they largely stick to each others businesses and try to avoid much contact. So this was highly unusual, for him to be at the Last Drop.

It wasn't the first time either. He'd been coming here for over a month now, always asking to talk with you specifically. It was infuriating to no end.

The Last Drop was highly neutral ground, Vander himself made it so. It would be unbecoming of him to break his own rules because of petty jealousy and rivalry. At least that's what it would look like to everyone because Silco hasn't done anything that would warrant a hostile reaction from Vander. Still you were on the clock, so there was something he could do.

"You're still on the clock you know, darlin'?" He walked over to the table, doing his best to throw on a friendly smile even as his fingers gripped his hip in anger. Silco didn't seem that bothered by him showing up, or the petname he used for you.

"Ah, it seems like I held you up for too long." The industrialist threw the payment at Vander who almost crushed it when he caught it. "Think about my offer alright?" His eyes lingered on yours as he stood up. Vander didn't spare him a glance as he walked by, you didn't know what exactly happened between the two of them, Vander spoke little of Silco but you knew it wasn't good.

When he walked out a few people turned to look at you and Vader. He simply nodded at them to mind their own business. However he knew best that his clients loved to gossip and in his opinion they've gotten more then enough material for that.

"You're cranky today." You crossed your arms when you were lead into his room, which was also kind of his office, it was really hard to separate the two lives but Vander always tried his best.

"What did Silco want from you?" Vander didn't miss a beat, his question cutting through the light atmosphere you tried to establish.

"He just asked me to go get drinks with him." You weren't sure you wanted to given his reputation. Even if you didn't know why Vander hated him you heard some... less then flattering stories about Silco's business practices. "Why are you so mad at me?"

"I'm not mad at you." He crossed his arms over his chest as well, although he now looked like he was pouting like a child, a funny look for such a big man. "He's a dangerous man darlin'." That was the explanation he gave you, thinking it enough.

"It's just drinks Vander." If worst comes to worst you could easily report him to Vander. There were the Enforcers too but word was it that Silco had some of them in his pocket.

Vander looked down at you, his jaw clenching tight, "Did he offer you to come work for him too? Because I guarantee he will." He will because Vander knew that Silco knew how much he liked you. He was pretty sure everyone who was a frequent client at the Last Drop knew.

"So what if he does?" This was getting annoying, if Vander had something to say he always said it, he was never this cagey with his emotions.

His eyebrows shot up when you said that. You were single, you were the prettiest woman working at the Drop and you were often asked out on dates, you never said yes. "Please, go with him if you like him so much better." It broke his heart to say those words to you, he didn't want you to go, not with someone as dangerous as Silco.

"Wait, wait, wait... you think I like him? As in, want to date him? That kind of like?" This was new information to you.

"He asked you to get drinks right? I saw the way he looked at you too. You're considering going so..." His fingers tapped nervously on his arm, waiting for you to pack up and leave now that he made his stance clear.

"Vander, I know you have a thick skull but I really thought you had a good brain in there too." You stepped forward until you were looking up at him, hand on his shirt and pulling him close, "Let me give you one more clue, big guy." You gave him a peck on the lips, just a quick one, a small touch of lips.

"Eh... uhm... oh!" He blinked, hand covering his mouth as he let a blush bloom on his cheeks. Vander, the big boss himself, flustered by a small kiss from a waitress.

You giggled, snapping him from his stupor, "Let's go boss, we're still on the clock." You turned and made a come here motion with your finger. Vander sighed to himself and followed you like an oversized puppy, sporting the biggest smile on his face that anyone had seen in a while. Safe to say you weren't getting those drinks now.

[stromuprisahat]

Second Army disorganization

Siege and Storm- Chapter 14

One of the most frustrating and famously nonsensical passages of Grisha trilogy, easily explained through doylist approach- the author's inability to write strategy or politics and demands of the genre, requiring a weak, unfit heroine to defeat immensely powerful opponent way out of her league:

Alina: Oh no, they dare to oppose me again! :(

Isn't that why would you want to establish a council in the first place? So you get constructive criticism and suggestions to do things better?!

My objections to the notion Alina came up with representation of Grisha can't be more obvious:

Army is a structured organization. There are ranks and councils by default. No amount of ignorant teens will persuade me calling it "Second" makes it otherwise.

Any big organization has a structure. Even if Second Army were only about education, there would be councils and posts on different levels. Hell, school system works that way.

Alina: I'm gonna have the useless ones represented, because we're not doing things like the Darkling, but that doesn't mean I'll respect them myself or abandon my prejudices. Fucking nerds. Weidos...

Another YA nonsense- you cannot put people into categories based on their physical predispositions, and expect the mental ones to fit accordingly. You can have a huge, muscled guy, skilled in delicate handiwork. You can have a tiny wisp of a girl beating the living shit out of you (popular trope by itself).

Now why should sensitivity to metals get you a spot in labs, if you're a strategic genius? Or incredibly skilled, witty rhetorician? Isn't it more likely you'd be required to complete basic training to stay healthy and prevent accidentally endangering others, while being assigned to whatever you're most useful at?

And what about those weak or less intelligent ones? Are they bringing coffee and arranging entertainment?!

It also fits this fan interpretation, that Materialki are often neuro-divegent, so they are tend to be kept away from battle for their own sake.

Alina wasn't involved in practical running of Second Army before. Just because she doesn't know about something, it's not a totally fresh idea.

I'd be afraid of a girl, who almost murdered a bunch of people for asking questions, too.

At this point, I'm gonna run with the idea that all the older Grisha are torn between face-palming and silently laughing their assess off (so Alina doesn't overhear and her clique doesn't resort to violence).

“But what do they do in there?” I asked, not entirely sure I wanted to hear the answer. “Only the Corporalki know. But there are rumors that they’ve been working with the Fabrikators on new … experiments.”

Shadow and Bone- Chapter 8

... and that says nothing about the field, or the little groups in noble houses. People tend to stick together with their own, when in strange enviroment. I'm sure such bonds dissolve immediately after their return "home".

I've also delved a little into the sitting order here.

A few lines earlier, Alina noted Materialki didn't show up to complain. Who is so horrified then?! Not them, for sure.

Ironically, this fits into Fabricator-brain theory linked above AND the most logical explanation- Materialki have basic self-defense training, but only those, who are able to, continue. Alina isn't particularly friendly with any of them, so how would she know no one had EVER bothered to teach them? Alright, there are none in her class, but as far as we know, it consists of a Squaller, an Inferni and a Heartrender. Not the most saying sample.

Having a third of all Grisha helpless doesn't fit into the picture of Aleksander's leadership:

“That’s what Botkin always says. ‘Not showy, just to make pain,’” I said, imitating the mercenary’s heavy accent. “Smart guy.” “The Darkling doesn’t think Grisha should rely on their powers for defense.”

Shadow and Bone- Chapter 17

You don't have to become another Bruce Lee, you only need a chance, when they drag you out of bed in the middle of the night.

What tradition?

This is rather well-written group of angry, disorganized people. It might start with a reasonable goal, but soon everyone talks about something else than others, and the message gets lost in the noise.

Tradition doesn't equal "the way things are done". Neither of them is the same as "the need for structure and people knowing their places". The third one is a legitimate concern, although one could argue it's exactly what Alina's attempting.

This whole scene very much reads like:

The author is desperate to prove the Heroine isn't quite useless- she has good ideas! Look! *whacks a hundreds of years old stategist and survivor par excellence with stupid stick*

[davidsdussy]

Can you do headcanons NSFW and SFW for dating Dwayne and Paul?

Oooo my first ask! I'll love to give you such satisfaction, I hope you like it!

❈•≫──≪•◦Paul+Dwayne+Reader◦•≫──≪•❈

❈•≫────≪•◦ Warning ◦•≫────≪•❈

SMUT! minors dni- Sexual themes, language.

❈•≫────≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫────≪•❈

•°•❥Oh you're feeling frisky huh? Idk how you got these two beautiful himbos to gracefully kiss your inner thighs but this is a good ass dynamic!

•°•❥ Surprisingly Dwayne was the one who got to meet you first. You just so happened to be minding your business when a man was trying to flirt with you, but you kept telling the guy to fuck off. Dwayne was attracted to your boldness of kicking the man in the nuts after her tried go grab for you

•°•❥paul was there too, but he only showed up during the nut kicking and was confused but laughing his ass off. Paul thought you were a bit spicy

•°•❥ But Paul was definitely the first one to give Dwayne the idea. He even bothered him for weeks until he finally agreed. Don't get Dwayne wrong, he thinks you're attractive... But they're vampires! What if you scream and run? He's gonna have to kill you and he don't want that.

•°•❥once they found you on the boardwalk again they told David they were gonna walk around a while, which David doesn't care go ahead have fun.

•°•❥Paul was the first to speak to you, giving you compliments about your style. Well that's the first! Most guys just ask to fuck but that wasn't his case at all. You could tell, soon he eased you into meeting Dwayne too! You liked him, he was quiet and even gave you small compliments too.

•°•❥After weeks of hanging out, causing trouble, bullying surf Nazis and beating up jar heads that try to flirt with you, they finally asked you out. They took you to the beach where you three can have privacy, and talk.

•°•❥Who are you to deny such handsome men! You only live once might as well see how it goes. Buuuuut they did eventually tell you what they were and even introduced you to the crew

•°•❥David thought you were fun to hang out so he didn't mind you sticking around the cave as long as he knows you aren't trying to betray them but they all know you wouldn't do something that stupid!

•°•❥Cuddles with these two is the best! Paul always has his hands on your hips, kissing at your neck, he's so damn needy! All while Dwayne watches you two or just hugs your waist from behind, trapping you between their bodies.

•°•❥They always share you, Unlike DAVID! Dwayne isn't that kind of possessive. He enjoys watching you and Paul cuddle each other while he monitors the surrounding area. He knows you'll come to him when you want to

•°•❥Paul also doesn't mind sharing, especially since he's always invading you and Dwayne alone time, he can't help it! But you both don't mind Paul. After all how can you say no to his puppy eyes?(me)

━━━━━━━━『 ♡✓NSFW✓』━━━━━━━━

•°•❥ooooo what you tryna doooo? Being stuck between these two in bed is wild and so sensual at the same time. Dwayne kissing at you neck and having you between his legs as he opens you up for Paul. And oh booooy Paul is munching in between your thighs like some starving man

•°•❥Dwayne enjoys watching you and Paul get each other off before ruining you both. You and Paul should hold hands as he's taking back shots (pfft why am I like this just foul )

•°•❥I like to think Dwayne is sensual and rough with you in bed, a gentle kind of rough. Slowly pushing his cock in and out of you, pinning your hands above your head as his free hand caresses your beautiful body

•°•❥Paul is in between. He'll give you what you want, just ask! Paul likes watching you sit pretty in his lap as he pounds upwards into you, spreading your ass and smacking it with a hard squeeze.

•°•❥Or....if you want.....they can split roast you to glory! Its okay to die this way, its worth it! Especially when Paul is eating you out from the back and you're sucking on Dwayne's cock.

•°•❥100/10 will cum again

[xxventiswindblumexx]

Got inspired and made a Modern!Scaramouche x FemReader!

Tagging @hitomisuzuya because they're the local Scara simp 💜

⚠Warnings⚠:Alcohol Consumption, unprotected sex, Scara being an ass, cigarette useage.

Bad Influence

Scaramouche, the indigo haired male you've come to swoon over despite being told not to. He's a distant man, often straying away from people, always hanging out in alleyways and the roof of the collage you both attend.

You love him. He makes the sun shine brighter and the stars twinkle brighter. Your heart beats faster when he touches your back to move past or to move you aside.

You want to kiss him so bad it hurts.

The worst part is he didn't really acknowledge your existence, always brushing over your attempts to talk, only ever sparing you the time of day to ask where something or someone was. You've never given up though because you're determined to win his affections. He may be cold and unapproachable, but you have a stubborn streak. Even if it took an extra few months to get to him, he eventually would come around. The world just needed a little push in that direction.

Normally people would say this is a good thing, being as he was a bad influence, constantly in trouble. But that didn't stop your determination to gain his affection . Scaramouche has a lot to do with your current predicament. A couple days ago you were hanging out with some friends at the collage and you got roped into drinking after school. A large party raged as it was being hosted by the popular Football player Itto, you only went because your friend dragged you here, however you got into a drinking game with her and some others resulting in your head going fuzzy, you excused yourself to go try and find the bathroom, not that you needed to go but you hoped it would be quieter to try and collect your self.

You never realized that Scaramouche had also dormed in the same dormitory as Itto, never really been thought of until your hand gripped the wrong doorknob, opening it to a dark room. It was hard to see compared to the flashing lights of the party.

You didn't have much time to make out what room you had entered before hearing him, it was Scaramouche's room, he was laying on his bed, face flushed, distorted into an angry look with his hand gripping his cock, now red and throbbing. You had walked in on him during such an intimate moment.

"Hey dumbass! Can you hear me?! I asked why the hell you opened my door! " he shouted , making you jump from the sound of his voice. You were still trying to regain your composure, you felt a blush coming onto your cheeks and your eyes darted to anywhere else

"S-Sorry! I didn't know this was y-your room, I'll just-"

"Hey aren't you that weirdo that keeps following me around like a lost puppy? Yeah, Y/N wasn't it?" He sighed sitting up some not even bothering to cover himself, his soft indigo hair sticking to his face with sweat as his dangerous eyes looked at you.

Your face blushing hard not sure what to do, mind swirling with thoughts as your body heated up, dampening your panties.

This was one instance where you wished you weren't a girl. At least that way you'd have enough self control and wouldn't be acting like a hormonal teenager.

Scaramouche smirked noticing how flustered you seemed.

"Close the door and come over here" He commanded in a dark tone, you could leave if you wanted, he wasn't forcing you to stay but..this is what you've been fantasizing about since you seen him, to be in his arms at his

You did as he requested and stood facing him, your fingers fiddling with each other in front of you. You could feel your chest tighten with nervousness, your breath getting short. You were shaking lightly, you couldn't believe you were doing this. You were practically going through every sexual fantasy you had ever had.

He sat in his bed facing you "On your knees" he said as you complied, now level to his throbbing member, a bead of precum now gathering on the tip

"Suck it"

he said as you obliged. His lips wrapped around and sucked the bead off, earning a groan from him in response. Twirling your tongue around the head as you made your way further to take him whole , taking deep breaths in effort not to gag while you did so. Once he gave you permission you lifted your head, his dick twitching and leaking more fluid in response, the sight giving you all kinds of pleasure. It was like watching a fucking porn star, you swore you couldn't breathe as it sent shivers up your spine.

He pulled you up and onto his bed as his lips pushed against yours, his slender fingers making quick work of your shorts and panties, plunging two into your soaking heat, muttering against your lips "You're already so wet, you've been thinking about doing this have you slut? " his lilac eyes half lidded as his soft lips pressed against your neck, sucking and biting against the skin. "Tell me how badly you need this bitch..."

you moaned, his hand roaming your body as you moved your hips against his hand, his mouth moving towards your breasts as his hot breath warmed them. "Fuck... i-I need you scara" you moaned out , pulling away from your neck for air."Good" he breathed out as you felt the tip nudge against your hole

"you better be glad I'm inpatient tonight or I'd make you wait for it, you're mine now~" he murmured, thrusting once, then again into you. This caused you to let out another cry, feeling your stomach contract as your pussy clamped down on his cock, pushing your own arousal to greater heights, "Please...." you whimpered

"Please what? " he asked groaning some as his hips snap back against yours in a harsh pace, your cries now louder as your inner walls rubbed against the base of his cock, you tried to move back against him and he pulled away from you as you began to shake, feeling your legs trembling underneath you

"Please faster, deeper" you begged, moaning out as he growled, his hips picking up pace as his nails cut into your soft hips, arousal dripping down the length of his cock. He shoved harder as you bucked your hips, feeling your orgasm begin to build.

"Shit!" he grunted as he thrust into you as deep as possible, causing you to gasp and squirm underneath him, "Oh Fuck Y/N you're going to cum like a fucking whore" he groaned as he came inside you, his hands gripping your hips tightly as he continued to thrust into you, his breathing heavy as he held you close to him, his cock pulsating inside you. You felt your climax building as you felt your body tense up, your muscles clenching around him as you cried out loud. Your vision began turning white as you felt a small surge in your core as you finished your high. As the last wave left you, the pressure on your lower abdomen subsided, leaving you weak and exhausted as your entire body quivered.

His body laying besides yours, it didn't take long for you to smell that familar smell of cigarette smoke, His arm behind your head as your leaned against him. You both lay in silence, content to just lie there, listening to the faint sounds of partying.

[lowkeyerror]

Un-Sober Activities

Wanda Maximoff x Reader

Word Count: 1.6k

Warnings: Mentions of weed consumption

Summary: Wanda comes home to find you high on the couch and you convince her to join you.

An: This is one is so freaking fluffy. Also not my gif.

Masterlist

Time always moved a bit weird for you, but even weirder when you were high. The edible hit you like a ton of bricks on an empty stomach.

Your body was moving on its own accord, rocking back and forth as a warmth spread through your chest.

The dryness of your mouth didn't bother you as you watched fruits dancing on your tv screen. You chuckled as they bounced to the beat of the music.

You had heard that watching baby sensory videos, when you were high, was an amazing experience. So far the rumors were proving to be true. It had been 3 hours of you staring at dancing fruits smiling at you.

" Baby, I'm home," you weren't privy to the voice calling you.

Wanda was confused when she didn't get an answer back. She walked through the house until she got to the living room.

When she saw the situation you were in, she had to hold in her laughter. An amused look played across her face as she watched you bouncing in your seat along with the fruit.

Your mouth was slightly opened, but your eyes were closed.

She walked over to and took your hands. Your eyes peeled open, and a dopey smile draped itself across your face," I wished for the most beautiful woman in the world to appear and here you are."

" You're so corny when you're high," she plopped down next to you.

" You know you love it when I'm corny."

She places a quick peck on your lips," It's one of my favorite things about you."

You kiss her again on her lips, then on her cheek, then her forehead, and then you barrage her face with kisses. She giggles as you kiss every inch of her face.

You bury your head in her neck and mumble against her skin," I love you so much Wands."

Wanda's arms hold you in place," I love you too baby, but can we turn this baby stuff off?"

You look up at her and frown," But I like being a jumping fruit."

Wanda runs her hands through your hair," I know, baby, but I'm way too sober to be watching this stuff."

A devious smirk crosses your face," What if you got un-sober and watched baby sensory videos with me?"

" Un-sober?" She laughs as she questions your verbiage.

" You know what I mean," you say in a whiny tone.

She squints her eyes in a joking manner," I don't know, pitch it to me. Hypothetically, if I were to get high then what?"

You have your answer locked and loaded before she even finishes the question," Easy, 1st we order snacks and food, then we shower, then we eat snacks and food, then we cuddle while watching baby sensory videos until we fall asleep."

You placed both of your hands on either side of her face, squishing her cheeks," Couples that get high together, love forever."

She grabbed onto your wrist removing your hands from her face," Ok, ok, I'll get high with you."

You practically tackled her in her spot. Instead of sitting on the couch, her back lay flat as you squeezed the air out of her.

" You gotta let me up, or I won't get high, baby?"

You groan," But you're comfy."

She places a kiss on the top of your head," We gotta stick to your plan, remember?"

That gets you off of her instantly," Right, you go take an edible, and I'll order the snacks. Then we'll meet in the bathroom."

She nods before breaking away from you. Wanda thought you were completely adorable when you were high.

When either of you had any sort of weed in your system, you became over affectionate. When she was high, all she wanted to do was be close to you and vice-versa.

Though it was a week day, and she would have work tomorrow, there was no way she could deny you.

Wanda ate the sour candy infused with weed and headed for the bathroom. She started running bath water and then began stripping off her clothes.

" I swear, every time I look at you, you're more beautiful than the last time."

She sat on the edge of the tub, kicking her feet into the water. It wasn't long until you joined her in the restroom.

Wanda playfully shakes her head," You're just saying that cause you're high."

You disagree," Well, yes and no. I'm always thinking about it, even when I'm not high, but it is only leaving my mouth now because Mary Jane commanded it."

" You're such a dork, now come get in the tub. I want you to hold me."

" Aye, aye, captain," you strip out of your clothes and sit in the warm bath Wanda made.

There were a decent amount of bubbles and a lavender scent was filling the air in the room.

Wanda climbed in after you, her back lightly pressing against your front. One of your arms snaked around her waist, pulling her closer to you.

" Hi," you say as you lather some soap on a washcloth and scrub her shoulders.

Both of her hands rested over the one that was around your waist," Hello, my love."

You wash her body delicately. In your uplifted state, you take your time cleaning Wanda. Your brain works hard to remember each inch of her skin as you wash over it.

" Have I told you how beautiful you are yet?"

" This would be the third time malyshka," Wanda kept up the banter.

" It's because I can't think of any other words right now. All I've got is beautiful and pretty. I'm sure of it because those are the only thoughts playing through my mind when I look at you right now."

Wanda tosses her head back, so she can see you. Her neck is extended outwards as your head rests on her collar bone," You are entirely too perfect."

The look in Wanda's slightly hooded eyes made her words resonate ten times more. The heat that crept up your face wasn't from the weed you had, but the effect that Wanda had on you.

Unable to resist yourself, you kiss her softly. She slowly turns around in your arms, so that you're face to face. Her arms lock behind your neck and her forehead rests on yours.

Your vaguely red eyes looked into hers with pure adoration. The look itself made Wanda kiss you again. This time it wasn't so simple. You moaned as she slipped her tongue into your mouth. You let her have control because your mind couldn't keep up with her movements.

When she broke the kiss, a string of saliva connected your lips. The slight swell to your lips made her giggle, especially when you were staring at her, almost dumbfounded.

Everything about it was sensual. From the way her tongue gilded skillfully with yours to the way she tugged on your bottom lip. She had no plans of stopping until she heard the doorbell ring.

" It's probably the snacks, don't want to leave them out there for too long," Wanda said, her voice lower than usual.

The two of you finish up in the bath, then make your way back to the living room. Wanda gets the snacks as you lay on the couch.

You open your arms when she gets back in your line of sight. She goes to hand you the bag of snacks, but you grab her arm instead. She falls into your grasp, so that now you're both laying on the couch.

" What about the snacks?"

You playfully nibble on her neck," You're my favorite snack."

She gasps," Are you going to eat me?"

You chuckle with dark eyes," I mean, we can definitely add it to the plan."

She rolls her eyes at you, then opens the bag of Doritos and begins munching on the chips.

" Can I have some?"

She nods, now entirely focused on the rhythmic bouncing of the fruit on the tv. She holds the bag and you take some chips.

You take a sneaky glance at her, seeing as she's immersed in the video," I told you experiencing it un-sober was a necessity."

" I like when they spin," she wasn't blinking as a pineapple and banana came on to the screen.

" We could probably spin like that," you find yourself slipping out from under your girlfriend.

Now you stand and try to mimic the movements of the fruits. Wanda lets out a boisterous laugh at your antics, " You're pretty good at that."

" Join me," you wiggle your eyebrows, and she gets off of the coach and begins dancing next to you.

The two of you are a pile of giggles as you bounce, jump, and spin with the array of fruits popping up on the screen.

Time escapes you as the video ends, leaving the two of you standing and swaying to the sound of silence.

When Wanda looks at you, she stifles her laughter," Babe, what the fuck are we even doing right now?"

" I think the youth call it, vibing," your bad joke sends her into another fit.

While she's distracted by your joke, you scoop her up bridal style and carry her to your bedroom. You toss her on the bed, and you jump in after her.

The excitement has both of your hearts beating," Is this your way of saying you're tired?"

You yawn," I'm not tired, I just can't keep my eyes open."

She wraps an arm around you, placing a delicate kiss behind your ear," Then close them, silly."

You shut your eyes and scoot further into Wanda," I love you."

Her eyes begin to flutter as she sleepily replies," I love you too."

The pair of you are asleep almost instantly. Light snores fill the room and dreams of dancing fruits play in your mind.

[toiletwipes]

investing dimes (for nobody but you) | ghostface!wilbur

~3.6k words. / well uh. yeah it's actually what it says. GHOSTFACE! remind me to stop writing on my phone because I forget some important details all the time akfjsjfhd. ANYWAYS. [Killing people is a new pastime for him. He planned for his third victim to be extra special. Doesn't goes exactly to plan.]

Warning: talk of murder and gore. It's not too detailed but keep caution. And I wanna say this is heavily romanticized so. Keep it in mind. If someone is trying to kill you, run away not towards.

And also apologies: I forgot the blood and knife kink. Next part I'll add it in. ;-;

title inspired by Happy Together by Slothrust

×

It's warm, underneath the mask and the costume. Makes him sweat and his mouth dry but all he can focus on is your form, slouched over the kitchen table. Books and papers spread out over the table, with you writing over some with a loose grip and droopy eyes. Part of him wants to kiss the side of your head and take you to bed, his hands holding your knees and back while you tuck your face into his shoulder. He also wants to stick the knife he's twirling deep in your guts, twist it until you stop screaming and all you can do is cry and look at him. Look at him and die.

He waits till you look close to passing out, head slowly falling before snapping back up several times, waits till you sigh and continue the attempt at homework.

He dials the phone number. Watches as you startle completely awake, rummaging through the mess of books and assignments until you find the culprit, not even bothering to check the caller ID. And he hears your voice Crack a little in greeting, "he-" and he smiles a little when you yawn in the middle of your sentence, "Hello? Who's this?"

He doesn't know what to say, "sorry, I think I might have called the wrong number." He doesn't make the move to hang up though.

He hears and sees you hum and you look up to the ceiling, scratching at your forehead, "well, I hope you find who you're looking for." And you hang up the phone, sitting up in your seat. He brings the phone down from his ear only to re-dial, swallowing.

He gets to see your shoulders jerk back in surprise when the phone starts ringing again. He can't help the adrenaline building in his chest. He needs to chase you down, taunt you, make you scream his name, carve you as his. His third victim of the night.

"I think you got the wrong number again." You say, looking down at your homework, checking the phone number this time.

"I did, but I was hoping I could talk to you." The knife sits heavy in his grasp, he could almost feel the metal humming with excitement. Maybe that's just him.

"I wouldn't mind talking, I just got a lot of homework to do." You bite down on your bottom lip, scanning the papers. He could just barely make the cover of the book when you close it and make room for another. Biology.

"Maybe I could help." He has before, wasn't even too long ago. You struggled often with the terms, and that'll fuck you up in the long-run.

"I'm not sure that you could, you can't even see what I'm working on." You've abandoned the books and papers now, leaning against the back of your seat. Staring at the ceiling.

"If you'd talk me through it, I could."

"So generous, what, you're gonna tell me how to solve for x?" The way you smile while covering half of your face makes his heart beat faster. He can't wait much longer. He has to have you soon.

"Solving for x isn't going to help you with your evolution paper." Your smile drops, back straightens up while you look around. It's dark outside, so dark, you'd never see him but you look right at him. Even if unknowing, you did and his heart skips a beat. He wants to hear your heart skip like his too. Beating fast and full of fear.

"I'm- I'm not working on an evolution paper- who is this?" He can't help the small laugh that bubbles out of him, he feels high. High on a power trip, high on the genuine fear building inside of you.

"Except you are, have three books open and everything. Think you need help more than I do."

"This isn't funny." Your face scrunched up, he could guess fear or maybe confusion. Frustration.

"I never said it was." He moves out of his spot from the window, making his way to the back of the house. The thing about you is that as a college student, somehow you're the one at home while your parents are out, having fun. If you'd only gone with them.

He makes it to the back door where he can see a light turned on in a bedroom window, opened for the breeze to come in. He smiles to himself. "I just wanted to talk." His eyes glance to the glass door, seeing your figure hunch over the table, arm wrapped around your torso.

"About what?" You ask and he sighs this time.

"Nothing in particular, just wanted to talk." He ends up biting on the blunt part of the knife, hauling himself up to the window by the bricks and the chair he found conveniently placed there. When he makes it into the bedroom, he could see this is definitely yours. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

"I-" he could hear you scoff from the phone and downstairs, "yes, actually I do." He moves from your bedroom to what he assumed was your parents.

"Then why don't you have any pictures of him in your room?" He could hear the sharp intake of air, could hear the way you haul yourself out of the chair.

"I'm calling the cops."

"You don't want to do that." He warns, moving around the room and tracing the decor with the tip of his knife.

"Why not?" He could hear your voice break a little and he's not ashamed of the way his cock twitched in his pants. The whole thing made him want to hang up and just chase you down, pin you to the ground and- and-

He could already see it, red spilling out of you and staining the floorboards or the carpet. Your mouth gaping open in a permanent scream. He felt like he could come in his pants right now.

"Would hate to see your parents' guts all over the kitchen. Weren't they getting home in an hour?"

There's silence over the phone.

And when you speak, your voice is small, trembling, "what do you want from me?"

"I just want to talk to you."

For the most part, that is true. He's always wanted to talk to you. Listen to you more, hear what kind of sounds you'd make. How you'd sound writhing beneath him. Saying his name. He wants to hear you. Feel you with his bare hands. You were supposed to be the first victim, actually. But then the big, frat party happened and you held his arm while you kissed his cheek. Thanking him for watching your drink.

"And you can't talk to me, face to face?" You tried to sound tough. He can hear it, the way you pulled every ounce of strength to talk as if this wasn't the scariest thing happening to you as of yet.

It's cute.

"You want to see me?" He asks, flipping the knife in his hand.

"I want to know who I'm talking to." He clicked his tongue and then peeked out of the room, you still haven't checked the upstairs.

"Go to your room then, I'm still looking for that boyfriend you claim to have."

He hangs up the phone this time, shoving it into his pocket beneath the long fabric. You won't find him there, and he wishes he could hear your heart pound inside of your chest, beating so hard because he lied. He could be anywhere in the house and you have no way of knowing. He licks his lips. Is this how a god feels?

He hears each step you take, hears you falter as you reach the door. If he remembered right, the door had been closed before he left. But then he hears the door closing, without any of the footsteps going inside. Seems like you didn't want to see him at all.

He moves quickly then, out of the bedroom where he sees your back turned towards him. Yet, he sees the bumps rising on your skin, sees the hair rising up. Even your body knows how much danger you're in. His little prey to catch. His mouth salivates faster.

You don't even get to turn around fully, fingers already reaching to call the cops when he snatches the phone out. Your surprised gasp turns into a scream when he throws it behind him, brandishing the knife in its place. You don't hesitate to run towards the stairs. He gives you a split-second before he follows after, already feeling the need to sink his knife into your skin, catching your mouth in a gasp. Make you say his name before you die.

He calls your name in a song, singing for you to turn around while you trip on the stairs. You barely make it to your feet in time when he reaches the bottom, his gloved hand barely grazes the skin on your arm. It sparks something inside of him to move faster, running after you. Though it only does so much until you hit the lights, ducking around the corner and flat out disappearing on him. If he remembers right, after this hallway, it's a straight shot to the kitchen and backyard. He smiles under the mask.

"Listen, if you want me to leave you alone, you'll have to talk to me. But I get it, you don't love your parents enough, would rather let them take the fall-" and he hears a grunt, moving forward enough to miss a whole chair. His heart beats faster. You tried to hit him with a chair?

"Leave my parents alone." You hissed, backing away from the now broken chair. Your fists are closed and leaning on either side of the walls. You're already tired. Perfect.

He doesn't say anything, looking from the pile of wood and nails and fabric, to you. He pushes the wood to the side slowly, making a show of how easy it is for him to step over the mess. Watching as you backed away and backed up till you darted for the stairs again. He runs after you, feeling the burn in his lungs and his legs but it's addicting, these feelings. He can't ever get enough.

He reaches for your ankle, finding purchase to pull you down but then you just kick him away, scrambling up the steps. He makes it to the landing, just in time to see you enter your room, striding over to hold the door open when you try to lock it. Trying to run past him, he only catches you, shoving you back. Your legs hit the desk and you can only gasp whenever he has you pinned against your desk, pressing himself fully against you. The tip of his knife just barely touches the skin of your collarbone but it's all the same. All it takes is a second and he can have you bleeding out and dead within the hour.

The both of you breathe heavy, with him holding the back of your head with one hand and the knife in the other. He can feel the burning touch of your fingers latched onto his arm. Just like that night at the party.

In the split second that he thought he would be spilling your blood, he's gasping for air. "Got you." And you swallow.

"Are you gonna kill me?" He can see the tears pooling in your eyes, glittering in the dark as you ask him. To be honest, he did. He wanted to. There was something else that he wanted to do right now.

"Got something better in mind?" He asks, ignoring the very temptations that brought him to this moment.

Your lip trembles, your head moving in his hand as you nod. The tip of your tongue reaches out to wet your mouth and he can't help the trance it puts him in. Call him weak, he doesn't care. There's just about a thousand other ways, thousand other things on his mind.

"Are you going to call the cops?" You shake your head no. He chews on the inside of his cheek, looking through the mask and at you, so quiet, so patient and ready for whatever he had to say. He makes up his mind. "Keep your eyes closed."

Your eyes don't close immediately, but after looking him in the eyes and despite finding nothing, your eyes flutter shut and he could still tell your eyes were darting from side to side. And for a moment, he only admires. How wet your cheeks are with tears, how shiny and pretty they look. How your skin might look so beautiful with a few lines carved in. He breathes in. He'll be here all night. But like he said, your parents come home soon. He doesn't have the time he thought he had.

He slides the mask off, the air much cooler now that it wasn't so trapped under there. He leans in, pressing his hips closer to yours and he groans at the pressure, his nose tracing the skin of your throat. His tongue darting out and tracing the lines there, tasting the sweat he finds. He hums when he hears you gasp at the touch. His eyes are wide open, and he can't help it, the way his hips roll into yours and your fingers drift from his arms to his shoulders, the nails digging into the fabric.

He can't help himself, chasing the pleasure, chasing you. He leaves plenty of hickeys, sucking them into your skin, leaving as much claim he can without yet fucking his cum into you.

He trails his tongue from your exposed collarbone to your throat, soaking up the shudder you couldn't hold back. With him pressing a kiss until he licks over your jaw, he reaches for your mouth and finds you eager to kiss him back, mouths sliding against each other. He swallows the noises you leave out, unsure if you meant for him to hear or anything, but all the same, it makes his cock twitch while it's pressed against your lower half.

He reaches closer and licks into your mouth, itching to get even closer till he can only peel back your skin and crawl inside, till the both of you blend as one and the separation alone would kill you both. He doesn't know this feeling as well. He wants to know more. He wants to keep kissing you.

He pulls away, though, and he finds it surprising he enjoys the aftermath, the way your head is completely resting in his hand and your eyes stare at him, half-lidded. Panting.

"You were supposed to keep your eyes closed," he mumbles, taking a free hand to swipe the drying tears away from your face. "Can't seem to fucking listen, can you?" It's no use, you already saw his face. However, he can't help but pinch your cheeks between two of his fingers, watching as you let him.

"Are you going to kill me?" The repeated question only solidified the answer in his head.

"Depends, how much do you want to live?" And with that, you surged forward, sitting up on the desk and lifting your shirt off your torso, tugging on his costume. It's a tussle of clothes coming off and occasionally you leaned forward to steady yourself, kissing him with a newfound urgency. As if you'd die if you stopped.

Admittedly, he doesn't think he'd kill you now. At least not tonight. He didn't say that though.

While you wrap your arm around his neck, he doesn't notice when your cold fingers slip down his pants until the jarring touch grazes his cock. One of his hands shoots straight to your wrists, his mouth dropping into a moan, singing your praises as you kiss him with more fervor. He doesn't think it could get better until you whisper for him to go sit on your bed.

With his legs spread, the costume gone and his eyes staring at you, you step around the discarded clothing, keeping your stare leveled and pointed even when you kneel before him, unzipping his jeans.

"Have you done this before?" He can't help but ask, wondering how many guys have sat in his spot on your bed with their hickeys dotting your skin.

"Wanna be specific?" You ask, and with more care he'd ever give himself, your hands wrap around his shaft and he can't help the hiss as you lean over to drag your tongue over the head.

"Am I going to be your first?" He grits out, hand reaching out to hold your wrist before you could swallow him down.

You blink at him, then a slight tick upwards from your lips. "Am I yours?" And before he could process that bombshell, you shake his hand off, sliding him into your mouth and he could- he could die.

The warmth of your mouth was almost too- too much. Your tongue bumping alongside the head of his cock as you bobbed your head made him bite his tongue, groaning. But he was hopeless whenever you started to swallow him down. He tried to hold tight on your bed-frame, the sheets anything but his hips still jerked up. Choking you, and making you slide off of him with a cough. "A little warning, next time." And without much else to say, your mouth enveloped him again. He wasn't going to last much longer.

And before he could come, he made you pull off, pulled you up by the throat to make you stand and kissed you, and could just barely taste himself. Kissed you and kissed you until you had to pull away.

"Before we start, where am I coming?" He held onto your chin, leaning close enough to where he could breathe the air you were. Could almost taste your lips again if he twitched.

"Where do you want to?" And just like that, he was grinning and pulling you back to the bed, pressing you into it. Pressed his hands on either side of your head and kissed you deep, kissed you until he couldn't breathe properly. Till he had to breathe through his nose and fumble his way between the two of you.

The gasp he caught in his mouth mirrored yours, the feeling indescribable. Couldn't help the way he took your hand and laced your fingers together, rocking into you as you cried from the intrusion. "I'll make it worth it." He whispered, taking the back of your thighs and lifting them a little more, finding more room to thrust and the way your head tilted back, leaving room to crane his neck, kiss the skin by your ears and whisper filth, sing your praises.

Moment by moment that he was inside of you, he couldn't help but want this all the time, hoping there wasn't a day in his lifetime that there couldn't be this. Where he couldn't have this with you. Hoped and wished he could have you.

Wasn't that the idea in the first place? To make you his?

And when his high neared closer and closer, he tried to help you as much as he could, reaching a hand between you two and listened to the way you sang for him. Until you came first, your walls clenched down around him and caused spots in his vision. He quickly followed suit, pulling out in time to cover your stomach in his cum.

It's silent after, mostly panting between the both of you. He catches you off guard, leaning back to lap at your stomach, leaving it clean and keeping eye contact while he moves up to give you a kiss. He pulls away, listening to you breathe and weakly clinging to him when he moves to get up. "We need to talk about-" he cuts you off with one more chaste kiss, tonight, oh he's more than aware of that. He's more than aware of what happened tonight. He wonders if you'd be up to recreate it in the future. He wasn't planning to leave you alive but he's glad he is now.

"I'll call you." He moves to leave when you reach out, grabbing him by the throat.

"If you call me later without cleaning up the chair downstairs, I will kill you." And to add salt to injury, you look him over and smile. He doesn't mind the kiss on the cheek before you push him off the bed. "Parents will be home in twenty, you better start now."

You don't say anything when he steals one more kiss from you.

He walks out of the house nineteen minutes later, downstairs free from any indication that he tried to kill one of the residents. The costume is stuffed in a grocery bag and one hickey freshly bitten behind his ear. And when he sniffs his shirt, it almost smells like you. He smiles.

The breeze ruffles his shirt and hair, chilling him instantly. Someone runs right into him, hardly apologizing and he recognizes the asshole.

Glancing to the bag in his hand, he turned down the corner of an apartment building, walking all the way down till he reached an opening point, right where the asshole lives. The smile on his face twitches into a grin. The night is still alive and he could still take another prick out.

(You come to a much earlier realization that he forgot the knife on your desk than he does, when he realizes he has to improvise in the moment.)

[not-so-lost-after-all]

This was a catastrophy...

It started as a joke, though. She told Astarion about Halsin's proposal with a good-natured shake of her head. He started laughing, his usual thetrical self. “He just can't shut up about the freedoms of nature. Darling, you can have as much Halsin as you want.”

There was cold wave all across her body. She stopped her steps, inclining her head and met his eyes. “Is that so?” she said, casually for now.

“Well, if you'd like me to join in, that would indeed cross the line,” he frowned a little. “But I must ask, is that because... you know... we haven't in a while.”

“Gods, give me strenght,” she gritted her teeth.

(Shadowheart chuckled. “I just wonder what exactly you try to achieve here. You want to turn him into someone who can understand how people actually care about each other sometimes? Someone who won't get stabbed within a week on his own? He won't change. Most likely even can't anymore.")

Suddenly the bile inside was on her tongue, overflowing. Esipre was so tired and even viciously glad she didn't care if the words are cutting anymore. “Of course it is, what other reason could I possibly have to go with him? And I don't ask for any permission.”

His eyes widened. Oh, that hurt. It was easy to be mean to him. Cruel, even. “Then have fun, I suppose, my dear.” There was tremor in his voice he didn't bother to hide. No mockery followed, now that was something. But she was not in the mood to coddle him, hug him or kiss him.

“It was never my intention to sleep with him. I told him no because I know it would sting you no matter what you say. I understand why I gave you the impression but you should have known me better by now. You never listen or ask, you only want.”

She never saw her own reflection in his eyes, she only seemed reborn in them in a twisted form. She hardly recognized herself whenever he depicted her character. And yet, wasn't there a grain of beastly truth in his words?

He whispered her name and she knew if she stops for a moment, it would pierce through her heart again.

“I'm not done here. I thought that in recent weeks, I gave you enough to earn if not love, then at least your trust. My blood, protection, warm body during the night, the truth about your scars, the way back to our city - why wasn't it enough? Gods above, anyone else in our merry band would be less demanding and more giving.”

(“That's wonderful lets get married and have kids look, Gale. But I'm afraid you're looking in the wrong direction.”)

And then, the ace from her pocket. “If you think so low of me, then perhaps you also think that if it was Cazador with us instead of you and told me about his sad story, I would spread my legs and offer my neck to him too?”

Astarion took a step back with a jerk. “Don't say that, don't you ever joke about that,” he hissed with both anger and frustrated hurt.

She went way too far, she knew. Esipre closed her eyes for a few beats of her racing heart. It helped. She was a leader, not someone's bitter neglected wife, dammit.

“I'm sorry, that was a low blow. But I'm scared and tired too, you know,” she finished with hollow voice. With a wave of her hand, she left. Mercifully, he didn't follow her.

---

That was a catastrophy...

He simply tried to not stand in her way, to please her, to make her stick around. Now he wondered whether she returned to Halsin or not. It was already dark, everybody already resting at the inn, only Esipre was missing. He found her outside, hunched by the fire, cross-legged and with a bottle of wine. She was so small and perhaps for the first time he noticed the toll this little adventure was taking on her.

“May I?” he started.

“I'm afraid I would be no fun tonight. Perhaps go talk with Lae'zel about our glorious slaughter today? Flirt with Wyll maybe? Whatever. I already told you...”

“That you're going to help me. Yes, you repeated it several times already. I'd rather be sulking in your company if I may.”

He didn't wait for the answer. He quickly found himself with his head in her lap. Like some tamed wolf, he thought. Perhaps that's fitting and strangely he doesn't even mind. Esipre looked at him in displeasure and pressed her lips together but didn't stop him or yell at him.

“Please be patient, you know I'm still learning. If you want me to ask something, I wouldn't even know where to start.”

She laid one hand on his chest but barely met his eyes. “Fine,” he sighed. “Why are you here and not inside with the others?”

“It was wonderful here, without any words. Inside... Everyone wants a piece.”

“And I want the biggest piece of you, of course, until there's nothing left. Why?”

She took a sharp breath and then the words came like a flood. She never was lady enough for her noble mother, savvy enough for her noble father, a piece of furniture for her step mother. Even on the streets she got herself almost killed several times and the few times she sold her body she was so miserable she made the others miserable too. Not good enough of a wizard, never had the time and money before. Not good enough of a friend to not sell her companions to the law or lowlives several times to save her own skin. Never enough. She wanted to not fail everyone just for once. “See, you're not the only one wearing a mask.”

“You're doing great job, darling. Barely any of us died so far. Some of us are even better off now. You've grown so much and maybe you should trust our companions that they know what they're doing when they decided to follow you.” He grinned widely. “Am I doing it correctly?”

She laughed and nodded. There was that light in her eyes again.

“Anyway, whatever happens, I want to thank you for that look. You always brighten up when you stare at me. Nobody ever looked at me like this. I... just wanted you to know that,” he kissed her wrist reverently

Perhaps, just for once, gods actually sent him a blessing.

[gemma-collins-ily]

heya! saw your prompt list and number 14 with jesper as the character in mind is so hilarious yet endearing to me - imagine jesper trying to cook something that his mother always cooked for him before and is confident that he memorized the recipe but both of them end up almost burning down the kitchen. the reader might say something along the lines of "Maybe you should stick to sharp-shooting, Jes." before they both burst out laughing. (i'm not sure if someone already requested this but i'm requesting it anyway) ♡︎♡︎♡︎

Baking/Cooking with Jesper Fahey

a/n - sorry everything is taking so long but here's something! hope it's good! and it's also not proofread and wasn't written on the same day so may be less than coherent :)

warnings: mentions of food, eating etc.

oml the chaos

okokok

so

it's someone's birthday in the Dregs, and Jesper decides the two of you should follow a recipe that he always did when he was younger

you're not sure how true this is as he barely seems to recall what was in it

subsequently, you decide to attempt a draft of sorts before actually making the real cake

Jesper gathers ingredients and is actually so dedicated after all the planning that he spends the money as he first intended

you're proud :)

anyways

he gets back to the Slat and immediately comes to your room, grinning like the Cheshire Cat

you look up and match his beaming smile before following him downstairs

oh yeah, you also have to keep your arms out protectively to catch anything he drops

because he will drop something

and he didn't stop to put the ingredients in the kitchen when he got back

you also have to pick up the flour that he dropped on the way up and cradle it to your chest

he was about to trip on it

"Thanks, love. However, I have such grace and agility that I simply would have avoided that and continued to make my way with the utmost-"

then he actually does trip

over literally nothing

he catches himself before he completely falls

but icing sugar still billows in a cloud, even if the packaging is sealed

you're stood on a step, having been behind him and just staring

obviously, your free arm was reached out to try to help but it didn't do much

he just looks at the floor for a second, then you, then the floor again

"Oh Saints, we need to clean this before Kaz kills us."

there's a point where you both walk down the rest of the staircase slowly, avoiding the mini icing sugar mountain on the floor

you're both practically shell-shocked, treading your way to the kitchen, you taking some items off of Jesper for balance and to protect them from him

as soon as the stuff is set down on a counter, you start laughing slightly hysterically together

"Kaz'll hear us! Be quiet!"

His grey eyes grow large before Jesper quickly shuts up, grabbing a brush from the corner and crossing back to the stairs. He sweeps quickly and you're none too sure how effective it really is because he only stares at you the whole time.

after that, you begin getting out bowls, opening cupboards for inventory of what you already have

he's half scrawled a recipe

it slowly becomes more and more to the point

like step one is really detailed and takes up a third of the paper

then step two is only 'eggs. beat together smoothly. pour in with butter and...' and then there's a splatter of ink, a clear sign of hesitation, 'flour?'

you ask Jesper if it's meant to be flour, and he's so prescious

he's like yeah duh

then he cocks his head to the side like he's suddenly unsure

"Are you sure it's not sugar?" Your eyebrows raise, awaiting an answer that looks like it might not even confirm anything by the look on his face.

he relents

so step one isn't a complete disaster

however, sugar still ends up on the floor and you put on shoes so that the grains don't annoy you

you've descended into madness, aLREADY

so you don't bother sweeping the sugar up

you figure you'll probably only get more on the floor later

step two's fine until you ask him about vanilla extract and he just stands there

he forgot it

luckily, you find some in the cupboard

unluckily, you're estimating every ingredient

so Jesper just sort of chucks in a bit

obviously not really not you're meant to do

but it's whatever

I think he kind of just believes that this recipe can't go wrong because he never saw it go wrong when it was made for him when he was little

and he just views every recipe as resolute because of this

he thinks whatever he does to it, it can't be that bad, right?

wrong

you have a classic cutesy flour fight but with very limited flour because you honestly have no clue how much to use for the batter

you two still have a scrap of sanity and so remember to prioritise the cake first

so some flour gets dumped in the bowl, then he 'accidently' spills some on your arm and you 'accidently' wipe your arm on his own

the cake gets baked

Jesper literally crouches and promises to watch it the whole time

spoiler

he doesn't

he ends up watching you instead, admiring

you're also doing the same to him so it's not like you can criticise

it burns

literally chars

and smokes

you have to open windows and doors

he pulls out the result and puts it on a mat

you just watch the destruction tbh

you see him get slightly sad and then do the classic 'chop off the burnt bits, maintain its shape (ish), slather it in icing and no one will tell the difference'

Nina and Matthias are chief taste testers and this actually works

but it only works because the cake tastes so bad anyways that it wouldn't have mattered if you had actually given them the burnt offcuts

"They're trying not to hurt our feelings, aren't they?"

"Yup."

you attempted this baking thing a week before the birthday

this means Jesper insists you have more time to practice

not really a good idea but for the next five days you keep trying at this one recipe whenever you aren't on heists

more flour fights, more approximate measuring and more sweeping up fallen ingredients

more terrible cakes

they do slowly get better and eventually, on the fifth day you have something that didn't burn, looks quite nice, has just the right amount of icing

and is missing baking powder

it's flat

it's FLAT

you sit at the table, a slice of cake each and chairs a little too close to be practical, with the edges of them bumping against each other

his arm is around your shoulders and you lean on his shoulder

"Saints, maybe you should stick to sharpshooting, Jes."

All he does is laugh, exhausted, and you join in. You sit under the moonlight at ten bells and decide maybe tomorrow you should take a break from baking.

after the actual cake is finally baked, you two are so relieved

and it's actually an alright cake

but you won't ever be making that particular recipe that ways again

you actually began to measure ingredients approximately which is probably why it improved

every now and then you still have a solid week of obsession with getting a new recipe right

for a random gift, you go out and buy Jesper a stack of old recipes

he tackles you in a hug

a week before your birthday, he disappears every night

on the actual day, you are presented with a singular cupcake with a candle

he later tells you bashfully that the rest were burnt

you return the fact that you don't mind and that enough icing will mask the taste

he kisses you, sticky sweet

so, you share baking together, laugh at the things that go wrong and continue to cut off the burnt bits

[saltymongoose]

What kinda Stuff do you think the boys would do on the player's birthday? (My birthday is July 2nd which is literally tomorrow) What gifts would they give? Would they throw a party? - Boxy Anon

Ooh, Happy Birthday, Boxy Anon! :D 🎉💝🎉✨ I would answer this as a typical ask, but this is a special occasion, so have some hcs instead! <3

They Celebrate the Player's Birthday ft. Hank, Deimos, Sanford, & 2BDamned (+ Tricky & Jebus)

(TW: Yandere, Obsessive Behavior)

- [HANK J. WIMBLETON] -

Hank can't remember ever gifting someone anything before or at least putting real effort into it. He's more the type of person to refuse to get involved in stuff like that; celebrating the birthdays of comrades is frivolous and a waste of time in his eyes. They're probably gonna be dead soon anyway, so why would he bother?

However, this is special. It's the birthday of his Player; the one person he adores above all others. And the only person he really cares the slightest bit about. What kind of vessel, no partner, would he be if he didn't put in any effort?

Hank doesn't quite know what to do for birthdays except for gifts. (People still do that, right?) However, he'll go above and beyond to help Doc make something of a party for you. He's extremely tall, which makes him useful with hanging things up, mainly the streamers that 2B somehow got a hold of and a banner that Deimos and Sanford had worked on.

He's even willing to go out and give "invitations" to other grunts you like if Doc says it'd be a good idea. Even if he knows he'll regret it later; the three other members of their little group were already too much, in his opinion. But he can tolerate their presence, as long as you're happy.

He'll also fight past anyone to be the first to wish you a Happy Birthday in the morning since he finds a strange satisfaction in beating them to it. If he happens to slide into bed next to you and cuddle you for half an hour or so, since you're still so drowsy and don't want to get up, that's just another benefit. (At least until Doc comes to pull him out because they have a party to plan, Hank, for god's sake, stick to the schedule for once-)

Hank isn't really the crafty type. Instead, he prides himself on finding you things that you'll use all the time. He knows that he'd prefer something more utilitarian when it comes to gifts anyway, and he knows the most about tools and guns, so hopefully you'll like what he comes up with.

He gets you a small gun, well, small to him anyway. It's perfect for you, and kitted out with all the attachments he could get his hands on when out in the field. (What, did you think he'd go to Deimos to have him make you some? Not a chance, this was his gift for you.)

In addition to this, he also gives you one of his switchblades. The very same he'd been carrying when you first controlled him, back when they had first attacked the Nexus Core. It's a little sentimental for someone like him, but you bring out that side quite often, so he doesn't care.

It's worth it when you tear open the wrapping paper to it, already haphazard-looking since Hank's not the best when it comes to putting gifts together. (He tries though. For you.) You open the box to find them and give him a soft smile, and his heart stutters. Ordinarily you'd be taken aback, but with how clean everything is and the way you recognize the switchblade, you know just how much consideration he put into the gifts. "You're going to have to teach me how to use these, you know." He nods quickly, already excited to spend time with you.

(And perhaps puffing up a bit in pride when the others glare, realizing that he's somehow managed to drag you into the long process of self-defense training with him. Then again, there's no better person to teach you combat than the most wanted man in Nevada, right?)

- [DEIMOS] -

Deimos is extremely excited for your birthday; he's probably more anticipated for the date than you are, to be honest. The moment he found out what day it was, he got to work on planning stuff for it.

In fact, Doc didn't even need to work on special lighting or any sound systems to play music at your party, since Deimos had already planned it like a month in advance. He'd already made the systems for it as well and probably threw in some lasers to make a light show for you. What? He wants to go all out for you, it's what you deserve.

(And also really wants to show up everyone else who's at the party. They may have brought a gift, but did they fix up the entire building so it's presentable and give you precisely the atmosphere to have the best party imaginable? No.)

He begrudgingly allows Tricky to use his equipment to act as a DJ for you. He doesn't want to fight him in front of you at your party (and potentially lose, that would be mortifying). And if seeing the clown choose music for you is something you'd like, who is he to argue?

His gift for you is a small robot. Well, a homemade kit for one anyway. He recalled you asking about his work when he was soldering some electronics together, and he figured if he got everything to make something, he could spend more time with the person he loves above all else and indulge in your curiosity in the process.

It's a convenient excuse to spend some hours with his favorite person, cuddling up with you as he instructs your movements and you put it together. You make it that day, and he grins into your neck proudly whenever you do something successfully and show him.

(Did he purposefully make it complex just to spend more time with you as you put it together? Yes. Not that he'll tell you this outright. Besides, it's not hurting anyone if he manipulates the situation a little bit like this. From the way you relax and lean back into him, you must like being perched in his lap like this, so what's the issue?)

It's about the size of a puppy, with almost a flashlight for a head and a ton of helpful attachments and orders programmed into it. You need it to hold something for you? Sure. Go fetch you your drink from across the room? It can do that too, and swivel to make sure none of it spills.

It also functions as a comm to, since it's linked to their main radio frequencies in case you need to message them when you go out. (And a little tracking feature in case they ever lose you. It doesn't hurt to know where you are at all times, in case you ever leave their sight for too long.)

Overall a very useful tool, but when you tell him that the real value of the gift was the time spent with him, he can't help the scarlet blush that covers his face, and the giddy grin he hides as he hugs you and nuzzles into your cheek.

- [SANFORD] -

With your party, Sanford works with Deimos to make you a banner for your party, since Sanford has some sewing experience and is pretty good at finishing up the fancy lettering Dei puts together. However, his main contribution is the food.

Sanford's cooking is heavenly, at least according to you, so he's willing to use his skills to make their party for you that much better. It doesn't matter what the others want or what their preferences are, he's making your favorite everything. Even before the party, he's decided to surprise you with your favorite breakfast in bed, and he does the same with your lunch and any snacks you want.

He's actually spent countless hours practicing the dishes to get them perfect, so he's incredibly happy when you dig in and give him compliments on it (especially without anything going wrong). Perhaps if he proved that he was the best at cooking, it'd make him have an edge over the others in this little competition for your praise.

(Funnily enough, Hank was considering sabotaging the food until Doc and Sanford made it clear how important it was for the event, to which he decided to stop anyone else from entering the kitchen to tamper. It's weird, how fast he changes his tune whenever something matters to you.)

Sanford was actually plagued by indecision when it came to what gift he should give you. It had to be really special, something that would show how important you are to him and just how much he cares about you. Which is difficult, because there's very little that can actually hold a candle to how much Sanford loves you.

In fact, he's half-tempted to contact his mom to see if she has any advice. What do you give a prospective lover, anyway? He has had short-lived experiences with previous "partners", but none that he cared about as much as you, so he's panicking a fair bit.

He's actually the first to ask you what you'd actually like for your birthday, but if you don't have an answer (because he asked you six months before it happened), that's fine too. If you do give him a concrete answer, he'll try to find whatever it is you want, even if it takes him entire weeks' worth of searching in the city. Hell, he'll even go to Nevada Central if you want something from there. Any amount of effort is worth it, for you.

But if you don't tell him what you want, he'll try to find something that'll have some materialistic and sentimental value. At least that way you can pawn it if you don't like it, right? (He's preparing for the worst, but he knows he'd be devastated regardless if you didn't like it. He's lucky you do, a lot.)

He finally decides on getting an intricate, custom-made ring for you. It's practical enough, not disruptive to the point it gets in the way, nor thick enough to cause a break in your finger if you punch someone. He's very particular about the design, and he had to use quite a lot of the money he'd saved from previous jobs for it, but it was worth it.

He brings it along with whatever flowers he can scrounge up in Nevada as well, and he's totally willing to go out of the city just to find flowers for you (and attempt to keep them alive and hidden before your birthday), if he can't find any where you are. (That's romantic, right?) Visiting a florist that takes an entire two-day trip to get to just for a single event that's important to you? More likely than you'd think.

You grin at the bashful expression he has when he presents them to you, though your look turns a bit teasing when he pulls out the ring box (one that looks like it's from a rather expensive place, at least in your mind). "You planning to propose to me, hon?" You ask. He stammers and turns bright red, and you laugh and hug him a little closer to you as you open the box. (Though in the back of his mind, he makes a note to keep that business card from the Jeweler. Might be useful one day.)

- [2BDAMNED] -

Setting up parties is extremely difficult in Nevada, but 2BDamned has it handled. He's created entire paramilitary organizations branches, so organizing a birthday party of all things should be easy. At least, it would've been if he wasn't such a perfectionist with it.

Doc usually just lets things handle themselves, but when it comes to matters concerning you, he can't help but micromanage some (all) of the things that have to be done. Deimos thought this would happen, so he just decided not to tell 2BDamned about his plans till they were done (much to the man's annoyance).

Sanford was less lucky, though he eventually stops the interruptions to his cooking and the banner-making by helpfully reminding Doc that he has no idea what Sanford is really doing. (Perks of being the only one skilled in the culinary arts. And 2BDamned isn't much of an artist either. Then again, neither is he, but he has Dei's help, okay?)

You can't fault Doc for it though, you deserve only the best from them, and he'd rather die than let anything ruin this day for you. He instructs the boys to eliminate any threats within a two-mile radius to prevent any attacks or interruptions, he has a strict guest list, he keeps an eye on all radio chatter for enemy movements, and he instructs SQ agents to be in Nexus City to warn him of anything happening.

Is it a bit too paranoid? Perhaps, and he'll admit that. But why would he risk something messing up the party that he painstakingly put together for you? And even worse, risk disappointing someone he loves? No, that was unacceptable.

He spends most of his time at the party watching over everyone and making sure you're not being overwhelmed by all the grunts who clearly want your attention. In addition to this, he also keeps an eye on them to prevent any squabbles or fights from breaking out, and keeps a hand on his comm in case any of his agents report anything. He's on edge the entire time, but he'll assure you that he's fine regardless.

It's only after the party's over that he'll pull you into his office to give you his gift. It's two things; a necklace with an anatomical heart and a shoebox filled with papers. The papers are reports, notes, photos, and a diary, all concerning what you realize to be your last Arena Character. Doc knows of the deep connection you had with them since they wrote extensively about you in their journal. To be honest, 2BDamned thought it was just a side effect of enmeshment, but now he knows better. The Arena Character was carved into who they were by your careful instruction and insight, so it is only right that their stuff belongs to you, now that they're gone. It's sweet, even if it makes you tear up a little bit. (But he'll be there to comfort you if you need him, no matter what.)

The heart is different from a human's, but only very slightly. You assume it's a grunt's and you are correct. "You already have mine," 2BDamned says offhandedly when he reaches around to help you put it on, and you stiffen with a blush. "But, I figured it'd do well to give you a more physical representation of that as well. If you'll have it." And me, he wants to say. But judging from the warm look in your eye, and how you reach up to give him a kiss on his unmasked cheek, you have at least some idea of what he's saying. Or at least, that's what he assumes.

//- {BONUS} [TRICKY & JEBUS] -//

Tricky is hyped for your birthday, to put it lightly. Like Deimos, he plans out extravagant gifts and song mixes for you, even if he can't make all of the former due to a lack of materials. His entire "room" of the abandoned place he's decided to stay in is covered wall to wall in plans about it (and enamored rantings about you, some even spray-painted over the walls).

Honestly, he would've just invited himself to the party if you hadn't sent for him, but now he doesn't have to try figuring out where you are, so that's a plus. (He's totally willing to fight and possibly kill Hank if he got in the way, but it seems he won't have to do that. At least not this time.)

His main gift for you is a spray-painted portrait of you! It's very stylized, and you're holding up dual peace signs and winking. To get all the detail in, he made it pretty big, so you're gonna have to hang it up somewhere there's a lot of open space. But it's honestly very nice looking, and you can't say you expected art of all things.

In addition to this, he also gets you a mixtape of the songs that remind him of you, though most of it is EDM, so getting a lyrical connection is going to be difficult for most of it. This is also the same tape he insists on going through at your party. (And yes, he will threaten to hit Deimos with his sign if he tries to pry him away from the DJ booth.)

Jebus is one of the few who've actually celebrated birthdays before, mainly Hoffnar's. However, instead of this being a casual thing, he actually puts a lot of effort into his gift and the way he presents himself for this. It's your birthday, so he should make himself look as well put together as possible. He wouldn't want you to think he's not putting effort into your day.

He makes a visit to Nevada Central to get his clothes dry cleaned, he shines his armor (because he'd prefer not to get killed on the way to your current place of residence), and he pulls his hair up. He cleans up really well, to be honest, but a part of him is still really desperate for your outward approval, so make sure to compliment him. (You also get to see his face light up with a blush when you do so, so why not?)

Jebus' gift for you is a card, which seems kind of lackluster until you take into account the fact that it's more like a love letter. Inside the envelope are pages filled with poetic musings of affection towards you and how much he values and adores you. It is extremely heart-felt, and you might have to read the final three quarters in private because it makes you emotional (and you know the boys will get hostile if they see you cry).

He's also the one who tries to reign in Tricky and stop him from fighting Hank over who sits next to you (amongst other things). Though if they're too unruly, he'll just take the place at your side instead, purring lightly as you lean your head on his shoulder. It may have been your Birthday, but having you so close and pressed up to his body, with your characteristic warmth seeping into him, is a gift in itself.

[liuvli]

Critical Darling

pairing: eddie munson x fem!goth!reader

summary: It's your senior year. You're a "goth freak" and you definitely stand out, but it doesn't bother you. You're proud of who you are, and nobody is going to change that. Not even the person that motivated you to be so proud in the first place. Eddie "The Freak" Munson.  

warnings: she/her pronouns, slow burn, cursing, alcohol, smoking, eventual smut, minor use of y/n, slightly bitchy reader, work in progress

tags: first meetings, pov second person, s4 doesn’t happen, goth!reader, tradgoth!reader, fluff, angst, eddie & chrissy friendship, reader is a little fruity

all fic chapters & ao3 link 

chapter wc: 4.5k

Chapter Two: Pens and Picks

A cloud of light grey smoke filled the air as you exhaled the drag you had taken of Kace’s cigarette. You absentmindedly waved your gloved hand in the air as you sluggishly tried to disperse the cloud, a half-assed attempt at making sure none of the smoke would be seen seeping through the cracks in the bleachers. Your eyes traveled through one of the gaps that were eye-level with you from where you were sitting on the gymnasium floor, your back leaned against the brick wall behind you, and you could see a group of boys stumbling around with a basketball, blocking each other as their sneakers made horrific squeaks against the floor. 

Not really caring about a group of sweaty 17 to 18-year-old boys, you slowly dragged your eyes away to turn your attention back to Kace who was laying down on the floor, head resting on a rolled up gym-mat.

“A Halloween party?” kissing your teeth, you wait for a response as you fiddle with your hands in your lap, your long painted-black nails clacking together as you did. Kace turned his head to the side to face yours, one of his earrings dangling down onto his cheek as he brushed it away.

“Yeah! Make it the first freak party of the school year. And it’s fitting, seeing as it’s Halloween. Yeah, yeah?” The boy’s white toothy grin appeared as he enthusiastically proposed the idea to you.

It’s not like you had an issue with parties or anything, and you had definitely hosted one or two, but you were still an academic try-hard at times, and it was also your last year at Hawkins High. You didn’t want to make any choices or do anything that could risk you not getting that diploma at the end of the school year, and saying a final “fuck you” to principal Higgins as you walk off that stage, never having to see the miserable old bastard ever again. There was a lot on the line, truly.

“Tch, I dunno, man. I need to book my ideas up this year. Can’t give in to distractions or waste any time,” your flat, fully-serious tone made Kace’s grin drop, a dull, somewhat-bored expression playing on his pale face.

“Blah, blah, blah. I get it, I do! You wanna get the fuuuck out of this Hell-hole, I do too! But it’s only a single party, love, it won’t hurt your academic streak of straight A’s too much. Unless, of course, you take some complete mind-fuck of a drug at the party and scramble your brains for the rest of your life,” you both blankly stared at each other, “just don’t do that and you’re set.” Unsure of whether or not he was being serious, you allow yourself to snort at his comment, leaning forward to pluck the cigarette between his index and middle fingers out of his grasp. You hold the stick up to your lips, taking a deep drag in, holding it in your system for a couple of beats before slowly exhaling.

It is Halloween… and the freaks hadn’t had a good party in months, as the summer season was mostly busied with parties held by the “other” groups at Hawkins. Jocks, cheer squad, party-goers, the band freaks, for some reason. But now that October had finally rolled around, it was finally back to being the freak season. Late, private parties in the cold fall and winter season, hosted by the different “freak-ish” cults at Hawkins High while all the prissy popular groups stayed bundled up inside with their… lovers, or something. You didn’t quite, but you knew it couldn't have been as good as the parties the freaks held in the cold seasons.

Whilst deep in thought, you hadn’t noticed that you had kept the cigarette held up to your lips, but not taking a drag, just keeping it there without really thinking. Kace noticing this is what eventually snapped you out of your thought.

“You gonna actually smoke that or just make out with it? Because if so, give it here instead.” You rolled your eyes at the idiotic comment, leaning forward as you gently placed the filter-end of the nearly finished cigarette between Kace’s lips, the boy nodding at you as you did so.

“Alright. Let’s do it. Your house or mine?” Kace sat up as you agreed to his proposal, clapping his hands together like an overjoyed child, his rings clanking together as he did so. 

Despite his appearance; the heavy, dark makeup, the matching leather jeans and jacket with varied different shirts every day, the silver jewelry he never failed to crowd his outfits with, and his spiked, maroon, almost-black hair, he had always been the most upbeat, cheerful person you knew, and he had never once failed to make you smile. Except for that one phase in middle school where he went full anti-social freak, “I hate my mom” type thing. Thank God it was short-lived.

The lanky boy crouched as he took one last drag of the cigarette, dropping it on the floor and stomping it out as he finished it.

“I’d say your house because, one, it’s bigger, and, two, I don’t know if my parents have any plans to leave the house for long enough on Halloween night or any day around the 31st. But, what about your sister? I'm willing to bet you don’t want your sister in the house if you’re planning on hosting a party there, right? Am I right?” Groaning, you rolled your head back as you rubbed your palms together, the lace of your elbow-length, fingerless gloves rubbing together. It didn’t take long for you to think of a solution.

“She’s 15. She’ll wanna go stay round her friend’s house, or something. If she doesn’t already have plans to do so, which I’m willing to bet on, I can easily convince her. Or just bribe her, either work.” You raised your eyebrows at the simple solution, and after thinking over it in his own head, Kace nodded, bobbing his head up and down with a hyped grin on his face. Just as he was about to open his mouth to say something else, the school bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Through the bleachers, you could hear the basketball players running toward the locker rooms to change, and Kace groaned.

“Christ, I’ve got math next. Wish me luck, love.” The raven-haired boy leaned down from where he was standing, slouching slightly to avoid hitting his head off the bleachers, as he planted pecks on both of your cheeks, your lips ghosting the action to do the same to his. As he leaned back up, you slipped your fingers into his front pocket and pulled out a fresh cigarette, holding it up to him as you immediately began to light it. He rolled his eyes.

“Using me for my cigs, you wound me.” You clicked the lighter shut and stuffed it back into your pocket as you let the cigarette sit between the corner of your lips.

“Payment, for my time and attention,” you smirked up at the boy as he reciprocated the expression, waving goodbye as he ducked under the framework of the bleachers, leaving your sight in just a small second.

You were now sat alone leaning against the wall under the bleachers in a now-empty gymnasium, grey clouds of smoke wafting through the air as you took drags of the cigarette you had stolen from your friend. 

Your friendship with Kace had always been perfect. Completely platonic, grew up like siblings, and you both had an undying trust for each other. There had never been any sort of issue between the two of you, and although there were times when you barely saw each other due to different friend groups or just not even sharing classes, you still pulled through all the way to senior year. 

...

Senior year.

It was finally your senior year, and you just had to get through it, and then your time at Hawkins High would finally be over. No more shitty cliques, no more shitty grades, no more shitty people. Your first year at Hawkins High was mediocre; not too bad, but not really eventful. Your sophomore is when it started to go downhill, as you were severely lacking in the friends and personality departments. That one day you got jumped by those shitty cheer squad girls was probably the most memorable. Assholes. Who the fuck sprays PERFUME in someone's eyes? Couldn’t that, like, make them go blind, or some shit? Fuck them, they’ll end up graduating and being fucking miserable when their cliques dissolve. Stupid, fucking-

“Shit-” Your eyes snapped open as you simultaneously snapped out of your thoughts, immediately looking over to the source of the sound. 

...

...

Eddie Munson?

The metal head was frozen in place, posed like one of those creatures in a “bigfoot sighting” photograph, his body looking as if he was frozen mid-step. The silver chain on his hip dangled as he failed at remaining completely still as if staying still would mean you wouldn’t see him. 

Still frozen, you took the chance to look the boy up and down. A sleeveless denim vest layered over a leather jacket Kace would be envious of and an Iron Maiden tee, blue, ripped jeans, and white high-tops. Not really your style, but not the worst you’ve seen, especially at a stuck-up school like Hawkins. As your eyes traveled upwards, you noticed how frizzed and knotted Eddie’s hair was, more than usual, as if he had been running from something, or someone, as the small amount of sweat on his forehead meant his bangs were damp against it. His cheek was also red and somewhat bloodied, a dark, small cut on the corner of his bottom lip catching your eye. He reeked of distant sweat, weed, and cheap cologne. Surprisingly, not anything like blood from the satanic, sacrificial rituals he was rumored to take part in. Or, more specifically, take control of. Rumors, am I right?

Tired of him standing dead-still like an opossum playing dead, you decided to break the silence, taking a drag of the lit cigarette between your fingers.

“What do you think I am, a fucking t-rex?” Although mostly hidden by his dark, sticky bangs, you noticed his brows knit together in confusion at the comment, his stance releasing a small amount of tension as you finally spoke.

“Wh-what? Why would you-” You roll your eyes.

“You’re standing there frozen as if I won’t see you or some shit if you don’t move a muscle, like a t-rex. You don’t know your dinosaur facts or some shit?” For some reason, the sound of those words leaving your mouth caused you to chuckle at yourself. You took a drag of the cigarette, exhaling the smoke out of your nostrils. 

The blood, the tousled hair, the whole out-of-breath thing; he was definitely being chased by someone. Or, some people. You wouldn’t normally allow fellow freaks to be harassed by some stuck-up jocks, especially if they were actually throwing punches at one another, but it was a Thursday morning, and you didn’t really feel like having your hide-out being discovered finally by a group of amped-up assholes looking for a fight. 

Just as you were trying to come to a decision, the sound of the gymnasium doors swinging open and a voice shouting out to the freak just stood a few meters in front of you was your call to make up your mind.

“Get lost, Munson. I don’t need your shit disturbing my peace. Take the circus’ monkeys with you too, if you don’t mind.” Ash fell from the end of your cigarette as you waved your hand towards the out-of-breath brunette, signaling him to leave. He groaned as he flipped you off, maneuvering his head from under the bleachers to check if the coast was clear before setting off. It, in fact, was not, as you peeked through a gap in the seats and spotted the group of boys chasing after Munson out of the gymnasium doors onto the field. You snorted at the almost comedic-looking display.

~

The remainder of the school day passed by smoothly and quickly as you spent lunch with your clique and Kace, opted out of 5th-period Chemistry to hang out with one of the girls from your group in the bathroom, and happily attended your last period art class, the teacher, Miss. Coeur, always being a favorite of yours. 

When you finally were allowed to leave school at the end of the day, you arrived home and were greeted by your younger sister, April, who was sitting on the couch flicking through tv channels. You placed your bag on the dining table, taking a seat next to the blonde girl on the couch. Sensing something was off, you looked up at the clock on the wall next to the kitchen door. 3:34 pm. Strange.

“How come you’re home before me? You normally take, like, 50 minutes to walk home from school despite it only being a 30-minute walk.” In the appropriate fashion of a true 15-year-old girl, April rolled her eyes, not bothering to look your way.

“My class got sent home early because some kid made the teacher cry and she walked out. She’ll probably end up quitting. ‘S a shame, I liked her,” she mumbled out, continuing to flick endlessly through the channels on the tv. Clearly, nothing to her liking was on.

You snorted, replying, “You got problems, man. That kid must’ve been a real asshole to make the teacher cry. Freshmen… What’d the kid even do? Or say.” She shrugged, finally glancing in your direction as you place the tv remote on the armrest, letting a show quietly play in the background. 

“‘Not sure, I wasn’t really paying attention, honestly. It was that Brad guy again, as usual. He’s funny, though, I’ll give him that.” As she spoke, you perked your eyebrows up, a smug smile spreading across your lips. April looked up at you with pure confusion written on her face before something clicked and she grimaced.

“No- no, do not. Don’t even go there.” 

“You got a… cruuush? A tiny, weeny crush, maybe? Huh, Apricot?” You wiggled your painted-on eyebrows before you could react to the couch cushion being tossed your way. At the impact, your bangs flew out of your face and you widened your eyes in fake shock.

“I told you to not call me that! And ew, gross, Brad is gross! I do have standards, actually.” You chuckled.

“Okay, okay. You totally don’t like Brad. I get you. So sorry, Apricot.” April huffed as she went to grab the cushion she was leaning on to fling at you but you beat her to it as you deflected hers with the one she had thrown just moments before. 

April’s blonde parted bangs swayed as she shook her head, readying herself as she declared war, “You’re so dead.” You swallowed, faking a scared gulp as the girl grinned across at you, her hands gripping onto another cushion.

~

The plate you were holding clattered against another as you slotted it into one of the gaps on the drying rack, grabbing a cup to clean as you did so. After another 5 minutes, the dishes had been done, April was up in her room sleeping (hopefully), it was dark out as the clock struck 10:30 pm, and you were just about ready to head upstairs to bed too. You dried your hands off by shaking them as you walked through into the living room, grabbing your lace gloves from the dining table as you made your way upstairs, checking that the front door was locked as you passed it.

After a long shower, spent mostly cleaning the black, thick makeup off of your face and shampooing copious amounts of hairspray out of your hair, you were finally ready to sleep. Homework for classes you cared about was completed, your alarm clock was set, and you had managed to get a proper meal into your diet for once, cooking for both you and your sister.

Your bed was cold as you climbed into it, the window being open right next to it as the obvious cause, and you shivered as your rubbed your legs together hoping to warm up. Finally, you began dipping in and out of consciousness as your eyelids grew heavy. And, as always, just like clockwork for the past however many years, that itch was in the back of your mind as you drifted into a deep sleep. 

~

The silver rings on your fingers glinted in the morning October sunlight that shone through the classroom window as you fidgeted with them, waiting for your 4th class of the day, English, to start. As students began to pile in, you silently watched from your seat at the back of the classroom, not having anyone in that class to talk to as none of your group had managed to join you this year. It was fine with you, though, because you weren’t bad at English; you knew how to do the work, and reading and literature, in general, was something you had always enjoyed. Being alone in a class you actually liked wasn’t an issue for you.

After only a few short minutes, it seemed as if everyone had arrived, Mrs. O’Donnell stepped towards the door to close it but as she did, an arm stuck itself through the small gap, getting trapped due to the older woman not realizing it until the very last second. The door swung open as a familiar face pushed his way through, and O’Donnell crossed her arms in disappointment as she looked at the boy.

“Apologies, ma’am.” The brunette’s untamed curls bounced as he dipped his head, trying to avoid O’Donnell’s killer glare.

For whatever reason, up until now, you hadn’t realized Eddie “The Freak” Munson was in the same class as you, despite the fact that it had been an entire month since school started. He wasn’t hard to miss, as it wasn’t unusual for him to be making some sort of scene wherever he went, something you found yourself rolling your eyes at regularly. Standing on tables in the cafeteria, screaming in the halls to his little nerd clique about whatever, and arguing with hall monitors about being “late” to class (he was, in fact, just completely skipping his lessons, and getting caught whilst doing so). The obnoxious metalhead had made a name for himself as the freak of the school, but you never found yourself grouping him in with the other “freak-ish” cliques you were a part of. He was different, and in your mind, made shit hard for himself. 

When he bee-lined over to the desk behind you, his head still dipped as he did so, you knitted your brows together as you wondered how you seriously hadn’t noticed him in your class until now. It wasn’t like he kept a low profile or attended classes on time. Christ, he sat directly behind you, for fuck’s sake. You weren’t that oblivious, were y-

“Psst, Patricia Morrison.” Two fingers tapped your right shoulder as the voice piped up, snapping you out of your thought. You turned around at the disturbance, a mixture of confusion and annoyance plastering your face as you locked eyes with the boy behind you who was leaning over his desk to bring his face close to yours. Why Mrs. O’Donnell wasn’t taking notice of this, you had no idea.

“Why-” As you went to question the name he had called you, the name of a bassist in a band you knew Kace liked, Eddie brought his finger up to your face, just ghosting your lips as he shushed you.

“You got a pen I can use? I forgot my shit in my locker,” you started to turn your body so you could rummage through your pencil case but halted as he spoke again, “oh, and thank you so much for helping me out yesterday, by the way. Got my shit rocked because you basically told me to get lost rather than letting me hide out in my smoke spot.” With unfiltered annoyance and your face now, you kissed your teeth at the last comment, squinting your eyes at him.

“It’s not your ‘smoke spot’, it’s the space under the bleachers, fuck head. You got some ownership over it like a dog that’s pissed on a fire hydrant or something?” you snorted, grabbing a pen from your desk.

“Yeah. Yeah, maybe I do.” Rolling your eyes into the back of your head, you quickly turned in your seat as you heard Mrs. O’Donnell clear her throat, her attention on both of you and Eddie as your quiet bickering finally caught her attention.

“Got something you two need to say? Share it with the class, maybe?” Her drawn-on eyebrows were high and arched as she expectantly tapped her shoe against the floor, half of the class's attention turning to you and the boy behind you. You shuffled in your seat uncomfortably as you took notice of all the eyes on you.

“Sorry, ma’am. Munson was just asking for a pen.” The older woman turned her nose up at you, a subtle gesture to show that she was accepting of your excuse, her eyes lingering on you for a second as she turned her attention back to the class. As everyone turned back around in their seats, all of the tension in your body left simultaneously. 

Rummaging through your pencil case, you finally pulled a pen out as you twisted your arm around to place it on the corner of Eddie’s desk. With your head turned slightly and your voice quiet, you ordered, “Return the pen after class, or I’ll hunt you down and kill you with my bare hands.” He snickered. 

“Will do. Forever grateful, doll.” The nickname made you shiver as you grimaced in disgust, tuning back into Mrs. O’Donnell’s rambling as you tried to push the horrid thought that was Eddie Munson to the back of your head.

Without any other disturbances, the class ended almost as soon as it started, and everyone rushed to push their way out through the small door at once, wanting to get to lunch sooner than usual as it was Friday, and everyone seemed to act more rushed to finish classes the closer the weekend got. 

As you were packing your things away, not bothered by the allure of lunch finally arriving, your eyes widened as you remembered the pen you had sworn to get from Eddie. But as you turned to claim your pen back, the boy seemed to already be long gone, no trace left of him in sight. That was, however, except for a red guitar pick that he had managed to forget on his desk. 

All throughout the duration of the class, you had to refrain from turning around in your seat and (somehow) killing him with the small piece of plastic he had been non-stop flicking against the edge of the wooden table. It seemed that, in the rush to get to lunch as quick as possible, he had forgotten the tiny plastic pick. Without another thought, you picked it up, tucking it in the small pocket of your black dress, walking out of class as you avoided eye contact with O’Donnell, who was staring you down for whatever reason.

You slid into the seat next to Kace as you finally made your way to the cafeteria, the boy’s numerous bracelets and chains jingling as he waved his arms in excitement.

“My love! Oh, my dearest girl, I’ve missed you today. I hate how Friday is the one day we don’t have a single class together. I’m blaming it on the Gods.” Kace turned his body to fully face you as you brushed your combed-back hair out of your face, pulling a bag of chips out of your bag as the boy held his hand out. You placed a few of the salted chips into the palm of his hand as your eyes drifted across the cafeteria but not really looking at anything specific. Apart from Eddie Munson who was, once again, causing a scene, and his loud shouting muffled to quiet rambling due to his position on the opposite side of the cafeteria to you.

“Munson stole my pen.” Crunching loudly on the chips you had given him, Kace quirked an eyebrow upwards, not stopping his chewing to verbally ask you to continue. You didn’t need him to, though, as you knew just from his expression that he was waiting to hear more.

“Apparently, it’s taken me an entire month to realize he was in the O’Donnell’s class sitting literally behind me. But because I didn’t let him hide under the bleachers when he was being chased down by some jocks after you had left yesterday, he’s got a grudge against me now. I also let him borrow a pen because he asked, but he didn’t give it back.” In the fashion of an angry child, you popped a chip into your mouth, chewing with a more than disgruntled look on your face as you stared the metalhead down from across the cafeteria. 

Kace chewed the last of the chips you had given him, pointing a finger at you as he readied himself to reply before swallowing with one big gulp.

“Asshole. That’s what he is.” You nodded in enthusiastic agreement. However, just as you thought you were on the same page as your long-time best friend, Kace rubbed his hands together off to the side, getting rid of any crumbs the chips had left.

“Actually, you’ve reminded me that I actually need to go talk to Munson,” your eyes widened as you harshly swallowed what was in your mouth, “don’t stress, love. I’ll only be second.” Waving your arms around frantically as you stared at the boy sitting next to you with nothing but a face of betrayal, you couldn’t help but be confused at Kace’s sudden switch-up. 

With his chains clattering against themselves and his earrings dangling from the sides of his head, Kace stood up as he smoothed out his shiny leather jacket, wasting no time before taking long strides across the cafeteria over to the table where the entire Hellfire club was sitting. Defeated, you leaned back in your chair, unable to do anything apart from observe in silence as Kace started a conversation with Eddie, who was sitting at the head of the table surrounded by his goons. 

“What the fuck…?” you muttered under your breath, crossing your arms over your chest as the lace of your sleeves draped off the sides of your torso. 

“It’s like when worlds collide. Looks freaky as shit and could only ender shittier,” the girl sitting behind you chimed in. You nodded, pouting your lips like a spoilt child who watching their only friend make new friends. It kind of was that, in a sense, but you weren’t a child, so you had no other choice but to suck it up and shut up.

I swear, Eddie Munson. You better not indoctrinate my only friend into your weird nerd cult. It’ll be the last thing you ever do. 

[magicalqueennightmare]

Sins & Amends Chapter 19

Billy Russo x Female Reader (60 part story)

This follows pre- the punisher into the storyline of daredevil, punisher season 1 and beyond

This is NOT Canon Billy. This is decent human being Billy left with bad options over worse decisions

This was also posted to A03 under: WaywardGaPeach. That account and this one is the only place you'll see me post this. If you see it on any other platform/account know it's not me

Chapter Summary/Warnings: Time moves on rather you want it to or not. Turns out you had more left than you thought [mention of violence/injuries]

 "C'mon Y/N. We'll order in or I'll cook then we can watch movies and you can just hang out with us" This was the third time Alice had asked you to spend an evening with her and Kenzie. You knew her heart was in the right place but you just couldn't stomach the idea.

You hadn't been in the best of headspace the last few months. Kenzie of course noticed and every time she got a few spare moments either texted or called trying to get you to talk to her. Alice would do her best while the two of you would be working to get you to communicate more but the station house always provided easy enough distractions.

"I'm gonna swing by Curt's meeting later. Make sure he has enough hands for the soup kitchen this week so I won't be alone" you hoped that would be enough to get her to back off but she stopped counting gauze and laid the clipboard down on the stretcher in the middle of the ambulance.

She took a deep breath then reached across and grabbed your hand "Y/N what Billy did was not your fault. He used the fact that you were in pain to get you back in bed. If he can't face the fact that he let the best woman in New York slip through his fingers that's his damage, not yours. I hate seeing you beat yourself up for loving him. Maria nor Frank would want this for you"

You snatched your hand away from her not missing the look of hurt that quickly crossed her face but not knowing what else to do  "They're not here to say what they would want for me are they? How dare I have the thought that the tragedy of losing most of my family could've somehow made Billy change his mind. That's my damage and I don't need you or Curtis or Kenzie telling me otherwise. You've got to let me work through hating myself and get to the other side. I love all of you so much but I refuse to burden any of you with this. If it gets where I absolutely can not handle it I promise I will ask for help but until then please Alice just drop it ok?"

You could see what you said had bothered her and started to apologize just so you wouldn't have to risk losing anyone else but she smiled softly "Ok sweetie just know no matter what we have your back too ok?" "Thanks partner" you all but whispered and she nodded then picked up the clipboard "Let's finish this restock in enough time and I may be able to buy you a coffee before we part ways for the evening dear" you let a small smile slip onto your face at her words so you replied "Now you're talking my language"

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You knew you'd be welcomed to stay for the meeting. After meeting some of the regulars you found out Curtis had mentioned you in passing during a few stories. You weren't really considered a civvie because of how much you'd seen not only through being in the lives of a Navy Corpsman and two marines but in your job as well.

The ones who'd been coming to the group or the soup kitchen for a while knew your face and knew you could be trusted but you didn't want to stick around in fear that Curt would try to rope you into sharing your trauma and you weren't exactly in the mood to do so.

Of course he walked you out to the sidewalk and made sure you were safely in a cab before heading back in the building. You just wanted to go home.

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You'd just fell asleep a little after one in the morning when you were startled awake by the sound of someone pounding heavily on your door. You instinctively reached into your nightstand tapping the code on your lock box where you kept the 9mm Frank and Billy had long ago talked you into buying. You took a deep breath to try to remain calm as you clicked the safety off and walked cautiously towards the door.

Right before you leaned up to glance out the peep hole you heard a voice you never thought you'd hear again say "Y/N it's me" you threw the chain lock off and made quick work of the deadbolt and handle lock. When you opened the door Frank was standing there obviously wounded but very much alive. He gave you a half smile then nearly collapsed into your arms

"Woah Frank. I got ya" you were moving on pure instinct overriding the shock to your system at seeing him. You struggled under his weight to get him into the apartment and kicked the door shut behind you. You half drug him to the couch and dumped him on it with a grunt from you both.

When he leaned back you saw the blood that was covering most of his body "Frank they told me you were dead" You were trying to make sense of the chaos in your mind as you laid your gun down on the coffee table then told him "Stay still don't move" and ran into your bedroom to grab your med bag out the closet.

When you made it back into the living room he was struggling out the hoodie he had on so you moved to help him. Your breath caught in your throat when the skin underneath was revealed. Dark purple bruises were piled on top of yellow ones that were still healing and what looked very much like a bullet graze was still bleeding on his side.

"What happened Frank?" You asked while you pulled gloves on and started digging for supplies you'd need "How's about patching me up then I'll answer any question you have Y/N"

You worked in silence except for a grunt from Frank when you stitched his side then put a few staples in his head where a gash was leaking over his eyebrow. Once you were done you gave a quick once over of his chest to make sure you hadn't missed anything then said "I don't have any pants that'll fit you but I have a couple shirts that I sleep in that should be big enough if you want" he nodded so you walked to the kitchen to throw the bloody gloves and gauze in the trash then headed into the bedroom to grab him a shirt.

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 You opened the dresser drawer and took in a deep breath. Frank was alive. That meant you'd been right. It was all a cover up, someone in a very high place was behind all this. They'd even went to the extent of giving you someone else's ashes as Frank's. Where the hell had they gotten his wedding ring? Where had he been all this time and what had he gotten himself into to be in the shape he was in?

You didn't realize how long you'd been standing there staring into the drawer until Frank cleared his throat from the doorway. You hoped the little jump you gave went unnoticed as you grabbed a shirt and turned to hold it out to him "Frank what is going on? I was told you were dead. Hell i was given ashes along with your wedding ring and the photo you've always carried of Maria and the kids."

He took the shirt from your outstretched hand and looked it over intently before finally saying "I thought I was dead. Hell I wanted to be dead kid. I woke up in a hospital guess I caught a bullet too. Some um some janitor helped me get out"

"Why didn't you come to me sooner? Or Curt? Hell even Billy?" Just saying his name made your stomach lurch but you had to know. "Y/N I know you well enough to know you've connected the dots. This goes so much deeper and I..i couldn't risk pulling any of you into it while it was still hot. It was a set up. What happened that day...Y/N I'm going after everyone who had a hand in it"

You grabbed the dresser to steady yourself when the weight of his words hit you. There had been three different gangs involved that day and now one of the people you thought you'd lost was standing here alive and mainly well telling you he was going to take them all on? "Frank" you knew he could tell what you were thinking just from the look on your face.

"I've got to do this. I don't want to be talked out of it and I wouldn't have came here but I couldn't make it back to my van. I watched for a while to make sure no one saw me come in. I don't want you in danger. I can't see you dead too" you didn't think your heart could crumple any more than it already had but seeing Frank a decorated Marine and one of the strongest men you'd ever known look so broken standing in front of you the last few pieces shattered in your chest.

Without thinking you wrapped your arms around him in a hug and felt him tense a moment but he finally allowed himself to relax "I've missed you too kid" he said after a moment. You pulled back and looked him in the eye.

"Frank I don't want to lose you too but I understand why you feel like you have to do this. They need to pay every last one of them and if whoever is behind this cover-up can pull it off the law won't be any help. I don't have the skills to help you go after these men but as long as you can either make it here or dial a phone I will come to you no matter when or where. Promise me if you get hurt again you'll let me help you every time. No matter what. I owe that to Maria, and to you. You're still my family"

He was silent for a moment then gave a sharp nod "I promise but you can't tell Curtis or Billy you saw me. Got it?" you nodded then hugged him once more and said "go get cleaned up. I'll see what food I can wrangle you up because I'm betting you haven't eaten a decent meal in a while"

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You watched Frank leave a little before six. He was wearing one of the old hoodies you slept in and you'd also given him one of your winter caps to help cover his face.He'd asked you to hold on to his ring and the picture for him which you'd agreed to under the pretense that he'd make it through to one day get them back from you. You hated knowing he was putting his life in danger but you also understood if whoever had started this ball rolling knew he was still alive his life would end then and there.

For the first time in longer than you could remember you said a prayer. You didn't know if anyone was listening or what it said about your soul begging for protection for someone going out to kill others but you didn't care. You wanted him alive at the end of the day to be able to watch whoever had ripped Maria, Lisa and Frank Jr from this world burn to ash.

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The next day you were headed to work but decided to grab a paper on the way. What could it hurt?

You tucked it under your arm and walked the rest of the way to the station house.

Jason spoke to you when you walked in the door and Alice held out a cup of coffee then followed you to the locker room after you greeted everyone lounging around the common room.

She plopped down on one of the benches and watched you as you stowed all your belongings in the locker but you didn't notice how intensely she'd been watching until you turned around "Yes Ms Hendrixs? Would you like to share with the class?" You asked with an almost genuine smile she shook her head slowly "No it's just you seem a little more I don't know lighter? Like I know you're still mourning and that is completely normal but you seem like a bit of your fire is starting to return"

You thought about it for a moment. Frank was alive and while that information came along with knowing the danger he was in and the fact that you'd been right about it all being a cover up it still helped the gaping hole in your heart even slightly just to know he was still breathing.

You didn't lose them all and those who were responsible for taking Maria and the kids would pay for it. You shrugged after choosing what you could say to Alice to appease her "I talked with Curt and I let some of what you and Kenzie have been saying sink in finally I guess. I'll miss them every day but I'm still alive and I can't lose sight of who I am. Maria wouldn't want that for me"

She stood then slung her arm around your shoulders "I'm glad it's finally sinking in. They loved you so much Y/N. I know what happened was horrible but these last few weeks I've been afraid I was going to lose my partner"

You felt a wave of guilt wash over you. You hadn't realized that by wrapping yourself up in your pain you'd shut out those you had left. "I'm sorry I made you feel like that Alice"  "No apologies needed my love. Now let's drink our coffee and maybe you'll even get to read your paper before the insanity kicks in"  you walked with her back out to the common area and couldn't help but laughed when she told Hunter "Off and on dude. Me and Y/N are calling the couch"

He shook his head but obliged choosing to join Andrew and Kayla at the table in the corner when it looked like they were playing poker already. Yeah it was gonna be a fun shift.

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It didn't occur to you that even subconsciously you were looking for who Frank had taken on already. Your eyes were skimming over the pages when a small portion that read "Gang wars igniting" caught your attention. According to the albeit small article that at press time all they knew was that several members of the gang Dogs of Hell had been slaughtered in what appeared to be gang violence.

It made sense. Three gangs had been involved in the massacre at the park. The Dogs of Hell, Mexican cartel and the Irish. You let out a breath and saw Alice cut her eyes at you "Bad news in the paper?" She asked so you folded it up and shook your head "Nothing unexpected"

Before your mind could attempt to play out a dozen scenarios of Frank getting killed instead of doing the killing a call came through requesting an ambulance at an apartment building across town "C'mon partner let's get on it" you said with a smile as you stood and pulled her up with you so both of you could head towards the bays.

Tags @intothesoul

@weallhaveadestiny