#am i the only one feeling like it's super dead tonight

[thinkinonsense]

Magnetic──★ Logan Howlett x fem!oc: Chapter Four

╰┈➤Summary: After years of torture, Daphne decides how she wants to spend the rest of her life; at the bottom of a lake. Out of nowhere, Logan pulls Daphne from the water and finds her help. Now they must navigate how to live with their decisions.

╰┈➤C/W: mentions of death, suicide, cursing, age gap, mild violence, issues with infertility, slight sexual themes, mentions of body mutilations, blood, and sort of a hysterectomy (nothing super graphic)

ᯓ★ mdni.ᐟ

ᯓ★word count: 1.7k+

ᯓ★ spotify playlist link

ᯓ★ last chapter here

ᯓ★ A/N: Sorry for the chapter being so short. i had this idea and needed to right it. hope you enjoy!

✮⋆˙ It's been days and Daphne hasn't seen Logan around the mansion. She began to worry that maybe he was starting to regret his decision to save her and bring her here. It wasn't until day three while training with Storm, that she found out where he had been.

"Jean mentioned they would be busy these next couple of days," Storm says nonchalantly.

"Oh," Daphne let out under her breath.

The worst part of Daphne's attraction control is that it can work both ways. Deep down she was yearning for something she didn't deserve. She felt it once before and now he is dead. Maybe that's why Logan has been avoiding her; he feels like she is manipulating his feelings. Daphne figured that the best thing she could do for him was avoid him too; for his sake.

That is exactly how that week went. Not once did their paths cross. Logan disappeared with Jean while Daphne spent time training with Storm and some of the other students. During the evening, Daphne stayed in her room with Juna. Storm, Rogue, and even Jean would knock on her door to invite her to join everyone at dinner but she always declined; making up some bullshit excuse. Nighttime was a struggle for Daphne. She would fight off sleep by distracting herself with books, her cat, or pacing around the room until her legs hurt. It wasn't easy for her as her eyes would often drift into slumber at some point.

Tonight happened to be one of those nights.

──★

Within the walls of her slumber, Daphne awoke in the familiar glass cage, curled up, and barefoot covered in a puddle of her own blood. A loud yell in the distance urges her to crawl to the glass, despite the gush of blood seeping from her.

"Help!" Daphne screamed at the top of her lungs. "Please!"

After minutes of howling, she sees them. Bellinor, two guards, and the love of her life; tied up and blindfolded. Daphne panics banging against the glass frantically. She did what they told her, wiped out millions and now they would wipe out what she loved too.

"Please! Take me instead!" Daphne cried, face full of tears. "Take me! Kill me instead! He doesn't deserve this!"

They ignored her pleas; instead calling the bonded man a 'trader' and 'coward' for caring for someone so evil. Someone who could never truly love him back.

Daphne's powers were useless behind the special glass. Bellinor made her watch as he destroyed the only world she knew. In a split second, the bullet flies through his head. In a mighty roar, Daphne's eyes roll back to return to dark red. Everything around the men shakes angrily, including the floor and ceiling. Finally, the glass cell bursts open.

Like a true coward, Bellinor runs, telling the others to shoot her dead. Daphne tuned out their groans, screams, and cries for help. To her it was quiet.

──★

3:15 am

It started with the chandelier downstairs. A few students woke up and noticed. Next, were the doors and windows slamming, waking the adults. By the time anyone realized where it was coming from, the floors were shaking.

Logan steps out of his room, joining the others down the hall. Similarly to the students, he had no idea what was happening. That was until he saw Jean, Scott, and Storm outside Daphne's bedroom door, talking.

"What's doin' on?" Logan asks, confused.

"Your damsel is shaking the whole mansion at three in the morning, that's what's going on," Scott informs Logan. Storm smacks Scott in the chest, shooting him a glare.

"We are pretty sure she is having a nightmare," Storm states.

"It's horrific," Jean warns him.

"I'll check on her," Logan states. "Get the kids back to bed."

Storm and Jean nod, gathering the children before Logan opens the door. The room looks normal to him, that is before he sees the woman thrashing and intertwined in her bedsheets. As Logan moves closer to the bed, he can hear her mumbling with tears streaming down her pink puffy cheeks. It was devastating to watch.

"Daphne," He says, shaking her softly. "Hey wake up, sweetheart."

Logan repeats this twice until she jumps up with her heart pounding so hard that he can hear it ringing in his ears. There's no hesitation in Logan's actions as he pulls her into his chest. Daphne's wet tears leak onto his tank top with her mumbled apologies.

"I-I'm sorry." Her voice breaks as she speaks.

"It's okay, it's okay" Logan whispers into her head of curls. "No need to apologize."

It felt like a lifetime spent in his arms, Daphne thought; a lifetime well spent. She used his heartbeat to steady her own. Logan didn't make her feel like she was overstaying her welcome in his embrace. One of his hands tangled in the hair near her neck while his other sat on her lower back, thumb swiping back and forth over a small exposed slit of skin.

When Daphne stares up at Logan with her glossy green eyes sparkling in his direction, he thinks he might've fallen under a spell. He knew he shouldn't feel this way while she was in a vulnerable state, but anyone would feel spellbound under her gaze.

She shouldn't be staring, she thinks. It's not fair to give them both false hope. She should let him go; remind him that she's a liability. Daphne wanted to use every excuse to make him stay but she knew better.

"Sorry. You shouldn't have to save me anymore," Daphne said softly, avoiding Logan's hazel eyes.

Suddenly, the hand in her hair moves north to her jaw, gently keeping her in place. Logan shakes his head, "Like I said, no need for apologies."

"Right..." She hums, pulling back and then adding, "Well, I should probably let you get back to bed-"

"I could, um.. I could stay," Logan blurted out, cutting her off. "If you would like."

"You want to stay?"

"If you don't mind. I could watch over you in case you have another nightmare."

"You don't have to..."

"I wasn't getting much sleep before anyways." He reassures; standing up, and pulling over the chair in her room. He sits on the right side of her bed while Juna curls up next to Daphne. They sit in silence for a while and Logan is almost sure she fell back asleep; until he hears a whisper.

"Do you ever get nightmares?"

"All the time."

"Me too. I try not to fall asleep."

"What are yours about?"

Daphne blinks slowly up at the ceiling before answering him, "They vary; but tonight was the return of a painful memory. The man who captured me mutilated me then took the life of the man I loved."

Logan's body stiffened as she spoke. This didn't seem too far-fetched considering what Charles had let him see before of her life. He never saw a lover though. Logan didn't doubt that she would've had many of them, it seemed odd that none of them would've tried to protect her.

"Mutilated...?" He hesitated to ask.

"They cut me open so I wouldn't be able to have children." Daphne sounded numb, he thought. "I was left bleeding out in my cage."

"Daph..."

"Some nights, I can see my life as a mother. It's so silly but I can picture myself cooking dinner while my baby sits in their high chair; both of us waiting for my husband to come home from work." She sniffles quietly; letting her hand travel down her stomach, stopping between her hips to trace the scar left behind. "It is the sweetest form of torture."

Logan stares at the floor, trying to picture her fantasy. He saw Daphne standing in the kitchen, baby bouncing on her hip while she stirred a pot on the stove. She was right; it was the sweetest form of torture.

"What was he like?" Logan asked.

"Who?"

"The man you were in love with."

Daphne smiled, picturing him so clearly. "He was great. Our situation wasn't ideal but we made it work. At first, I thought he was out to hurt me like the others but over time, he would open up to me."

Logan wanted to question their relationship but knew better than to crush her dwindling spirit. Perhaps a part of him felt a sting of jealousy at how much she gushed over a man who helped keep her locked away.

"... it was like catching lightning in a bottle." She sighed. "I would give anything to feel it again."

"You'll find it again."

Logan watched as Daphne traced the scar on her lower stomach.

"Do you ever think about it..?"

"Think about what?"

"A family."

There is a long pause. Daphne wonders if she overstep, then again they didn't know each other very well. When she went to apologize, he cut her off.

"Sometimes." Logan shrugs. "But it's not realistic."

"Oh, yeah," Daphne lets out a dry chuckle. "I almost forgot you're an old man."

A small smile forms on Logan's lips at her laugh.

"Not everyone can be young and pretty like you, dollface." Logan noticed her shift onto her elbow to look at him. Her face turned a cherry wine color in the moonlight and her eyes went dark as they found his.

"You don't mean that." She shakes her head. "It's the curse talking."

He was offended by her assumption. I mean, look at her. Daphne was more than her mutation, more than her 'curse', more than those horrible moments that she thought defined her. It was a tragedy that she didn't see that.

There was so much that he wanted to say to her; to assure her that her life was not doomed, her dreams weren't far-fetched, and that she could be happy.

That's all she wanted, right? Happiness?

Logan could do that. Restore the light that left her eyes long ago. He was convinced he could give it to her.

Too caught up in his thoughts, he almost missed her muffled, "Goodnight, Logan."

As he watched her lay back on her pillow, eyes closed, smile still on her face, Logan realized he did not give a damn if it was her attraction control anymore; he was done for.

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

tags: @bethexo07 @marcybug @borapsycho @thatonegirlwiththebeanie367

@aylawylie @princessanglophile @mxtokko

if you want to be tagged for future chapters of Magnetic, reply and let me know <3

[onepiece-fics]

Strawhats + Law x Overworking! Reader.

Summary: Reader is studying late into the night. How do the strawhats + Law react? Gender neutral reader! 

Word count: 2727 

Warnings: Nami slips (a tiny bit of) melatonin into reader's tea without them knowing, reader is a little bit angsty.

Thank you so much anon for requesting<33

Luffy

As much as you love your captain, he can be quite oblivious sometimes. He somehow hasn't noticed how you stay up super late every night, studying until your eyes are hurting from reading too much or until your brain simply can't take any more information in. It isn't until Nami asks him about your well-being that he realizes how rare it is for you to fall asleep next to him nowadays. 

You’re sitting in the kitchen at midnight, your studies only just now starting. You have a steaming cup of tea that Sanji happily made you before he went to bed himself, and you sigh as you lean your head on your hand. Suddenly the kitchen door opens up and startles you. You look back to the door and see your loving captain, clad in his pajamas and a pout on his face.

“Y/N~” he whines, “why are you still here? Why aren't you coming to bed?” He plops down on the chair next to you, the pout on his face only growing.

“Ah, I was just gonna study for a little bit” you say and scratch your head. You know damn well you can’t resist Luffy’s pout.

“Hmmm, but Y/N, you’re always staying up so late nowadays, can't you just study more during the day?” he asks, laying his head on your shoulder. You giggle at his tiredness and stroke your fingers through his hair.

“I mean, I already do… But sometimes I feel like it’s not enough…” your voice trails off. Luffy raises his head to look at you.

“What do you mean? You already work so hard!” he exclaims. His face turns more serious, clearly worrying about you.

“Ahh, I mean, it’s hard to calm down sometimes… Sometimes I feel like I need to put more effort in, to give all my best and learn even more” you tell him. Luffy sigs next to you and grabs you by the shoulders, turning you to face him.

“Y/N. You already work so hard, don’t overwork yourself. You’re already doing your best as it is, overworking yourself will just make it harder, okay?”. You rarely see Luffy being this serious about things and it shocks you a little bit. He looks you dead in the eyes. 

“Now what am I supposed to do with an overworking crewmate, and a partner that comes to bed late at night, huh? Who am I supposed to cuddle with? Because I’m definitely not cuddling Usopp again!” he grins at you, his usual, playful self coming back. You smile back at him and nod your head.

“Alright, I suppose I’ll come to bed…” you say and he lifts his arms up in celebration.

“WOHOO!!” he exclaims, before leaning in and giving you a quick peck on the lips. 

“Now do you wanna be big spoon or little spoon for tonight?” he grins at you as he excitedly drags you out of your chair.

Zoro

Honestly, the only reason why Zoro realized that you’re overworking yourself late into the night was because you kept waking him up when you crawled into bed in the late hours of the night. One night, as you try to sneak into bed, he groans and opens his eye.

“Y/N, are you alright?” he asks, his voice filled with sleep. His arms encircle you to pull you into his warm embrace and you close your eyes, the feeling of comfort being almost overwhelming after your many hours of reading.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve just been studying… Robin found me some books to read on that last island we were at that I’ve been reading quite intensely. It’s really interesting but it’s a lot to take in.” you yawn and fix your position with your head on his chest. He lets out a deep hum and starts playing with your hair.

“You really shouldn’t overwork yourself, you know… If you’re constantly overworking yourself like that, how would you be able to be prepared for a sudden emergency? What if we got attacked right now? Of course, I’d protect you, but it’s important to take care of yourself too, especially when we’re living the life we’re living…” he starts stroking your cheek softly and you turn to look up at him. His face is somehow incredibly serious, yet still filled with love for you. It’s a look that no one but you will ever see.

“I promise Zoro, I promise I’ll try to take better care of myself…” you say, but you both know that it’s not quite that simple. You do love your studies a lot, even if it’s draining.

“Hmm. How about this: I’ll join you in the study, but every night at 10 pm I’ll drag you to the bedroom, no staying up late, no buts, no ‘I just have to study for 10 more minutes’, just straight to bed” he says. He’s giving you a sweet, tired smile and you feel your heart skip a beat. 

You agree to his proposal and he even makes you do a pinky promise. From that night on, he joins you every single night, and every single night he brings you back to bed, just as promised, even if he has to carry you the whole way. 

Nami

Nami understands just how you feel, having overworked herself a lot in the past. One night as you’re in your study the door opens and in she comes, carrying blankets and tea for the both of you.

“I figured I would join you, it’s getting kind of late anyways and I felt a little lonely” she says, a soft grin on her face. Nami knows very well how hard it is to change habits, and how frustrating it is to be confronted with having them, so she instead decides to “trick” you into going to sleep early.

She sits down next to you on the couch and wraps the blanket around the both of you, putting her arm through yours after she pours the tea into pretty little cups. What you don't know, however, is that the tea in question has a very small dose of melatonin in it that she got from Chopper earlier that day. When you finally start yawning, she changes your positions so that you’re leaning on her instead.

“Hey honey, what is that book you’re reading about?” she asks you as her fingers comb through your hair. You close your eyes and lean your head against hers and hum in contentment. You tell her what you’re currently studying and she nods, listening intensely, and when you start to yawn she giggles softly.

“You wanna go sleep?” she asks you and you nod.

“Mmm, but I’m so sleepy” you slur, sleep almost coming over you immediately. She gives you a quick kiss on the forehead and stands up.

“I’ll give you a piggyback ride to bed, but only if I get to be big spoon tonight” She winks at you and you roll your eyes. You agree to her suggestion and she picks you up effortlessly and eventually plops you down on your shared bed. 

As she snuggles up behind you she gives you a kiss behind your ear and snuggles into your neck. Although she doesn't want you to overwork yourself, she doesn't mind how cute you get when you’re sleepy and almost falling asleep on her shoulders, and before she falls asleep she reminds herself that she should tell you to talk to Chopper about a melatonin prescription, for both of your sakes. 

Usopp

Usopp had already noticed quite a while ago how you had overworked yourself recently, but he felt too awkward to confront you about it. After consulting Chopper about it, he decided it’s necessary for your own health. He decided, however, to do it in quite a roundabout way.

As you’re sitting on the lawn deck, building legos with Chopper and Luffy, Usopp approaches you.

“Hey Y/N!” he greets you and sits down next to you. “I was just wondering if you wanted to go watch a movie with me? I know it’s already a little late, but still?” he asks, smile beaming at you. You agree, and follow him to your shared room where he already had a little cozy setup for the two of you. You spare a quick glance at the time, it’s 11 p.m.

“So, what movie are we watching?” you ask him as the two of you cuddle up to each other underneath blankets. Usopp grins at you. 

“I was thinking… The entire lord of the rings series!” he exclaims, shocking you. Lord of the rings?? Has Usopp ever mentioned being a fan of it??

“Are you sure?” you ask. “Isn’t it like, a really long series of movies?” you raise your eyebrows at him.

“I mean, it is 9 hours, but you’re always up late anyways, right? At least this way you’ll have fun!” he says enthusiastically. Oh.

“I mean, I’m usually studying at night-” you start, but Usopp shakes his head and cuts you off.

“And you need a break. Doctor’s orders.” he says and hands you a lazily written doctor's slip from Chopper. “Besides, you need to take it easier on yourself. Overworking yourself isn’t gonna make you study better, you know?” he says with a caress of your cheek. You lean in and give him a peck on the cheek. 

“Okay, okay, I’ll take a break, but promise me that we’re not actually watching lord of the rings, please” you tease him. He laughs at you and hugs you into him.

“No, I was just kidding. We’re totally watching something else” he says. Without you knowing though, he silently shoves away his DVD copies of Lord of the rings under the mattress. 

Usopp’s collection of Lord of the rings extended DVD edition will stay a secret for now. 

Sanji

One night, after dinner was over, Sanji asked you to stay with him in the kitchen. You agreed, and when everyone else had left, he sat down across the table from you, resting his head on his hand.

“Y/N, my dearest, are you alright?” he asks you softly. You gulp. 

“Oh, uhm, yeah I’m fine. Why are you asking so suddenly?” you respond awkwardly, twiddling with your thumbs. He reaches across the table to take your hands into his.

“I’ve noticed recently that you’ve been staying in the library all night. Are you sure you’re okay? You’re not overworking yourself?” he asks, concern strong in his voice. Your hands grip his, finding it hard to find the right words.

“I mean, I’ve just been studying a lot recently. It’s fine really” you explain, biting your lip, hoping that he will just let it go. You know Sanji better than that though. He sighs.

“Honey, I can see the dark circles under your eyes. Please don’t dismiss your own health” he whispers the last part, and you look down at the table, finding it hard to meet his eyes. He gets up from where he’s sitting and walks over to your side, pulling you up to stand in front of him. He gives you a tight hug and kisses you on top of the head.

“I know it’s hard, but please take better care of yourself, yeah?” he smiles down at you, and you can’t help but stare up at your handsome boyfriend in awe. The amount of love in his eyes baffles you.

“Alright, I’ll try to… Go to bed earlier I suppose…” you start. “But only if you get more sleep in the morning too, you shouldn’t have to wake up at 5 am” you pout at him. He can’t help but laugh at your cuteness before leaning down and giving you a soft kiss. His hands stay on your cheeks as he looks you in the eyes.

“Sounds like a deal to me.” 

Robin

Robin, similarly to Nami, is gonna be your silent supporter. She is another one who fully understands you, and she frequently joins you during your late night studies. She also has by far the sneakiest way to get you to go to sleep at night.

You’re sitting in the library with Robin leaning against your right side, both of you reading your own book. You’re reading your book really intensely, but no matter how hard you try, the complicated text is incredibly hard to read. Damn those old philosophers and their roundabout ways of writing. You let out a big sigh in frustration and Robin giggles at your frustration.

“Are you alright, darling?” she asks you, eyes still on her own book and a slight smile on her face.

“Yeah, it’s just so hard to read this damn book” you grumble before letting out a frustrated yawn. You close your eyes and rub them, as if the text is gonna be easier to read after. Suddenly, you hear Robin next to you start yawning too.

“Oh my gosh, what time is it even?” she asks, looking down at her watch. “Oh, it’s midnight already…” she says, letting out another yawn. “What do you say, Y/N, do you wanna go to bed yet?” she asks you, pulling a hair strand from your face to the back of your ear.

“Hmmm, I’d like to read a little more first” you say, stretching your arms and legs. She nods and moves to lay her head in your lap as you both return to your books. 

Barely any time later, Robin lets out another big yawn, making you yawn too. You rub your eyes again, feeling them get drier and drier by the minute, but you’re determined to finish this chapter. She lets out yet another big yawn, making you repeat the action once again just a few seconds later. She drops the book on her face to hide her smile. Victory is almost here! Now just to make you admit that you’re tired!

“Dearest, I really think we should go to bed” she says, sitting up. “You’re yawning like crazy” She pokes your cheek to get your attention. You’re yawning like crazy?? Then what was she just doing this whole time? You give her a sigh of defeat, and she giggles.

“Come on now, Y/N, let’s go to bed” She takes your hand, leading you away from the library, books left face down on the bench you had been sitting on. 

Law

As the king of overworking himself, he knows exactly how you feel. Thankfully though you both have each other, sitting either across the room from each other, or right next to one another almost every night as you study your things. At a certain point though, Law will usually be the one to drag you both to bed. Even he can’t stay up as often and as much as you do. 

“Y/N-ya… Come on, it’s time to go to bed” he groans, standing next to where you’re sitting by your desk. You hum, not really ready to go to bed yet. Law rolls his eyes at you.

“You know, as both your doctor and your captain, it’s not a request. It’s a demand” he says, trying to sound intimidating. You both know that he can’t intimidate you, though.

“Mmm, just a little more” you say with a yawn, still looking at your papers that are thrown across the whole desk. He rolls his eyes at you and picks you up and throws you over his shoulder. A yelp of surprise comes from your moth and he chuckles at you.

“What? If you’re not going to sleep willingly I’m just going to have to force you right?” he says teasingly. You relax in his grip, knowing that there’s no point in fighting your captain anymore. 

As Law gets to your shared room, he gently places you on the bed and boops your nose.

“No more ignoring your captain, okay?” he says sternly. You shake your head and reach up to peck his nose before laying down properly.

“But you get so cute when you’re serious” you giggle at him. His mouth opens in shock, cheeks turning pink, before pretending like he didn’t hear your comment and climbing into bed with you. 

You both may be going to bed at 4 am, but at least you’re not alone, you get the company of your cute captain.

[thewulf]

Sunflowers and Second Chances || Darrel "Darry" Curtis

Summary: Request - Can you do a Darry x Winston sister reader? Maybe she's Dallas's twin or like a year younger and he's just super protective over her. I was thinking maybe the two of them show up for a bonfire at the park with some greasers and reader forgets her jacket. She's shivering by the fire and Darry (ever the gentleman) gives her his jacket.... Read Rest Here

A/N: Def went overboard but mannnn do i LOVE writing for The Outsiders. This will NEVERR be a dead fandom for as long as I am alive hahaha. please keep sending these my way! I'd love to try a Sodapop or even Ponyboy :) Enjoy!

Pairing: Darrel "Darry" Curtis x Female Reader

Word Count: 5.5k +

TW: General The Outsiders

It wasn’t that cold when you and Dallas left your shared apartment for the evening. After nagging and bothering you for what felt like hours Dallas had finally won, he was getting you to go to the annual start of summer bonfire. A tried-and-true greaser tradition. It wasn’t really your scene, most of the time. But at the mention that Darrel Curtis was going to be there you’d changed your tune rather quickly. Dallas knew of your little crush on the eldest Curtis brother. Because of course he did. He wasn’t dumb. Quite the opposite really. He caught your longing glances for Darry pretty early on. Your cute crush only got slightly concerning for Dally when he started noticing Darry throwing the same looks your way.

Dallas might’ve used Darry as the excuse to get you out of the house. See, Dallas had never taken school seriously, but you always have. He was worried you were spending far too much of your limited time studying or doing homework instead of being an actual teenager.

As you and Dallas strolled through the dimly lit streets toward the outskirts of town where the bonfire was blazing, you couldn't shake the feeling of nervous excitement that ripped through your body. Dallas, your favorite charismatic troublemaker, seemed to sense your nerves and threw an arm around your shoulder, giving you a rough but reassuring squeeze.

"So, kid sister, what's got you all wound up tonight, huh?" Dallas smirked. His eyes gleaming mischievously in the faint glow of the streetlights.

You shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Nothing, just looking forward to hanging out with the guys, I guess. Haven’t seen them in a while is all."

Dallas shot you a knowing look, his eyebrows raised in amusement. "Uh-huh, the guys sure thing. Are you sure it’s not one guy? Don't think I haven't noticed those puppy-dog eyes you've been throwing at Darry lately." He had a habit of calling you out on your bullshit, even if it made you uncomfortable.

Your cheeks flushed at that comment. You stuttered in protest, but Dallas just laughed, his voice rumbling with amusement. "Relax, kid, ain't no crime in having a crush. But who knows, maybe tonight's the night you finally make a move." He winked knowing that was a load of crap. You’d never make a move on Darry, wouldn’t even dream of it. In his eyes you were Dallas’ baby sister. He could never see you like that.

You rolled your eyes, though you couldn't deny the flutter of excitement that bubbled in your chest at the mere thought of it. Darrel Curtis was everything you found attractive in a man - strong, dependable, and with a heart of gold hidden beneath his tough exterior. The idea that he might feel even a fraction of what you felt for him sent your pulse racing. But you knew better, knew better than to get your hopes up.

The two of you approached the bonfire, the familiar sight of your friends greeted you. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and the sound of laughter, with the occasional burst of music from someone's battered radio. It felt like home. You and Dallas had finally found it after years of moving and running.

Dallas led you through the throngs of people, his boisterous laughter mingling with the chatter of the others. Until you finally caught sight of Darry standing by himself next to the fire. His gaze was fixed on you with an intensity that made your heart skip a few beats. You swallowed hard, suddenly feeling acutely aware of every movement, every breath. Dallas nudged you playfully with his elbow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips as he gave you a not-so-subtle wink before sauntering off to join the other greasers.

Taking a deep breath to steady your nerves, you squared your shoulders and made your way over to where Darry stood, his eyes never leaving yours. And as you drew closer, the crackle of the fire seemed to fade away, leaving only the pounding of your heart echoing in your ears, “Hi.” You smiled up at him once you got within ear shot.

He smiled right back at you. His annoyed face melted away once you got close. “Didn’t think we’d see you tonight. What a treat.” He smirked loving the little game the two of you shared when it was just the two of you. He wasn’t sure when it happened, but he had developed a not so innocent crush on you. Dallas Winston’s little sister. Probably the worst girl to have a crush on. But how could he not? You stepped up and helped him in ways he could’ve never imagined after his parents passed. You pulled Pony and Soda along right with you instead of letting them drown in grief. You were an angel. His angel.

Despite the lively atmosphere, you couldn’t shake off the chill that seeped into your bones. You cursed yourself for forgetting your jacket, but with the comforting heat of the fire so close, you hadn't noticed the cold until now. Darry glanced down at you once you were standing next to him, sensing your discomfort. "Are ya’ cold, Y/N?"

You nodded, teeth chattering slightly. "Yeah, just a bit."

Without a word, Darry shrugged off the leather jacket he had on. "Here," he said, draping it over your shoulders. "You shouldn't be freezing out here." While it fit him it was about three sizes too large for you. Not that you minded.

You blinked in surprise as Darry's jacket enveloped you, radiating warmth and carrying his distinct scent. Grateful, you offered him a small smile. "Thanks, Darry."

He nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Anytime, Y/N. Don't want you catching a cold."

As the night wore on, you huddled closer to the fire, Darry's jacket shielding you from the biting cold. Despite the flames eventually dying down and the group dispersing, the memory of Darry's protective gesture lingered, a comforting presence in the darkness of the night.

In the dim light, you caught Darry's eye and offered him a silent expression of gratitude. He returned it with a nod, silently promising to always look out for you. Feeling a warmth not just from the jacket but also from his concern, you find yourself drawn to him. "Thanks again, Darry. Dallas rushed me out of the apartment. You know I’m not usually so forgetful." you say softly, your voice carrying a hint of flirtation you can't quite suppress.

Darry's lips quirk up in a half-smile, his eyes holding a glint of amusement. "No problem, Y/N," he replies, his voice low and gravelly. "I’m sure it’s not easy being Dally’s sister."

You chuckle at his teasing tone, enjoying the banter that flowed so effortless between the two of you. "You could say that again. Guess I owe you one though," you say playfully, nudging him with your elbow.

Darry's smile widens, and he leans in a little closer, the warmth of his presence sending a shiver down your spine for an entirely different reason. "Oh, I'll be sure to collect on that debt," he murmurs, his gaze intense yet tender.

Your heart nearly stops at his words, and you find yourself blushing despite the chill in the air. Maybe forgetting your jacket wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Just as you're about to respond to Darry's playful banter, a familiar voice interrupted you from behind. "Well, well, what do we have here? Little sis all blushy-cheeked and heart eyes on our very own Darrel Curtis?" Dallas's voice carries a teasing edge, his smirk evident even in the dim light. He knew how much you not so secretly liked the oldest Curtis brother. You may not have said anything to him, but it was evident in the way you looked at him. Dallas knew eyes couldn’t hide much. That’s how he also knew the oldest Curtis brother felt the same about you. So, he did what any older brother would do, tease the shit out of the both of you.

You turn to see Dallas walking over, his usual cocky demeanor in full force. But something about the way he looks at you, a mixture of amusement and something else you can't quite place, makes you more nervous than ever. Darry stiffens slightly beside you, his protective instincts kicking into overdrive. His jaw clenches, and you notice a subtle tension in his shoulders.

"Easy there, Darry," Dallas continues, his grin widening. "I'm just messing with my kid sister. No need to get all uptight Curtis." He had a full-on grin now not realizing the damage he was causing between the blooming relationship that had yet to begin.

You shoot Dallas a playful glare, hoping to diffuse the situation. "Ignore him, Darry. He's just being annoying, as usual." You turned back to the man standing beside you, closer than you remember from just moments ago.

But Darry's gaze remains fixed on Dallas, a silent warning in his eyes. "Nothing’s happened Dallas.” The joyful tone in his voice from moments ago had vanished sending you into a minor panic as the two most important men in your life stood there staring at each other.

Dallas raises his hands in mock surrender, his smirk faltering ever so slightly. "Alright, alright, no need to get all serious," he says, taking a step back. "I'll leave you two alone. Doing whatever you were doing.”

As Dallas walks away, you feel a pang of disappointment wash over you knowing that something was suddenly amiss. You glance at Darry, hoping to see his usual warmth and playfulness, but instead, you find him distant, his gaze fixed on the ground. He was thinking and thinking hard at that.

"Hey, everything okay?" you ask, reaching out to touch his arm.

When he pulled away from you sharply you tried to hide the disappointment evident in your gaze on him. Darry looks up, his expression guarded. "I’m sorry. I just... I can't do this. Not with Dallas being your brother," he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper.

Your heart sank as Darry's words hit you like a punch to the gut. You had hoped that maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for something more between the two of you. But now, faced with his rejection, you felt a wave of embarrassment and hurt wash over you. You tried to hide the sting of tears threatening to spill from your eyes, forcing a weak smile as you withdrew his jacket from your shoulders. "I understand," you replied softly, trying to keep your voice steady despite the ache in your chest. "It's okay, Darry. I-I didn't mean to make things awkward." You handed him the too big leather jacket back. You didn’t miss the disappointed look in his eyes as he took it back from you.

But before Darry could respond, you turned on your heel and began to walk away, the weight of his rejection heavy on your shoulders. You could feel the eyes of the other greasers on you as you made your way through the crowd, their whispers echoing in your ears like a cruel reminder of your own vulnerability.  You were halfway down the street when you felt a hand on your shoulder, stopping you in your tracks. Startled, you turned to find Dallas standing there, his expression unusually serious. "Y/N, wait," he said, his voice soft yet urgent. "What happened back there?"

You tried to brush off his concern, plastering on a fake smile. "It's nothing, Dallas. Just a misunderstanding, that's all."

But Dallas wasn't buying it, his gaze piercing through your facade. "Bullshit," he said bluntly. "I saw the way Darry was looking at you. And I saw the way you looked at him." He grabbed your arm, stopping you in your tracks.

You felt the tears welling up in your eyes once again, unable to hold them back any longer. The floodgates opened, and all the pent-up emotions came pouring out, overwhelming you with their intensity. Dallas's grip on your arm softened, his expression shifting from skepticism to concern as he watched the tears stream down your cheeks.

"Y/N, what's wrong?" he asked gently, his voice laced with worry. “What happened?"

You took a shaky breath, trying to compose yourself enough to speak. "It's Darry," you confessed, your voice trembling with emotion. "He doesn’t want me because... because he's worried about what you'll think or something."

Dallas's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, his grip on your arm tightening ever so slightly. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

You swallowed hard, mustering the courage to explain. "I don’t know. It was fine then it wasn’t," you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. "You were teasing us, and he... he thinks you don't approve. I don’t know Dallas he didn’t give me a reason. Just said he couldn’t do it."

Dallas's eyes widened in realization, a mixture of guilt and frustration flashing across his features. "Shit," he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair in agitation. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I was just messing around, you know?"

You nodded, feeling a pang of sympathy for Dallas's distress. "I know, Dallas," you said softly, reaching out to touch his arm. "But sometimes things don't turn out the way we expect them to."

Dallas's shoulders sagged as he let out a heavy sigh, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by an air of vulnerability. "I'm sorry, Y/N," he said sincerely, his voice thick with remorse. "I never meant to hurt you or Darry. You know that, right?"

You nodded, feeling a lump form in your throat as you fought to hold back the tears threatening to keep spilling from your eyes. "I know, Dal," you whispered, your voice choked with emotion.

Without hesitation, Dallas pulled you into a comforting brotherly hug, wrapping his arms around you and holding you close. You felt a sense of warmth and security wash over you, knowing that no matter what happened, you had Dallas by your side, always ready to support you through thick and thin.As you leaned into his embrace, Dallas's protective instincts kicked in, his mind buzzing with thoughts of how to fix the situation. But before he could voice his intentions, you pulled away slightly, a pleading look in your eyes.

"Dallas, please," you said softly, your voice tinged with embarrassment. "Don't do anything rash. I don't want things to get any more complicated than they already are."

Dallas's expression softened as he registered your plea, his gaze filled with concern. "I just can't stand the thought of Darry hurting you like this," he admitted, his voice laced with frustration. "He's being so damn thick-headed, and it makes me want to sock him one right in the jaw."

You shook your head, a firmness in your voice. "No, Dallas, no fighting with your brothers," you insisted, your tone leaving no room for argument. "We'll figure this out without anyone throwing punches. Let's just leave it be for now, okay? I don't want anything to happen when everyone is emotional."

Dallas hesitated, his jaw tense with the effort of restraining himself. But as he looked into your eyes, seeing the conviction in them, he relented. "Alright, Y/N," he conceded, his voice quieter now, but still edged with frustration. "We'll do it your way. But I swear, if he keeps hurting you, I won't be able to hold back."

You gave him a grateful smile, appreciating his loyalty but relieved that he agreed to your terms. "Thank you, Dallas," you said, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "For respecting my wishes."

Dallas nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Always, kid," he replied, his voice softening with affection. "Now, let's go inside and take a breather. We'll figure out our next move when we're all thinking straight."

As you followed Dallas into the apartment, a sense of relief washed over you, grateful for his support and understanding. Exhaustion weighed heavily on your shoulders, and you couldn't fight the urge to collapse onto the couch, the events of the evening catching up with you all at once.

Dallas lingered nearby for a moment, watching over you with a protective gaze. He hesitated, torn between staying by your side and his burning desire to confront Darry. Eventually, with a heavy sigh, he made his decision.

Quietly, Dallas slipped out of the apartment once you were fast asleep on the couch, leaving you to rest, and made his way towards the Curtis house. Determination fueled his steps as he navigated the dimly lit streets, his mind focused on one goal: to talk some sense into Darry.

When he finally reached the Curtis house, he didn't bother with niceties. Instead, he pounded on the door with a forceful urgency, his knuckles rapping against the wood in a demanding rhythm. Soda was the one to answer the door, his expression shifting from surprise to concern as he took in Dallas's agitated demeanor. "Dallas? What's going on, man?"

But Dallas didn't waste any time with explanations. Without a word, he brushed past Soda, his eyes scanning the living room in search of Darry. He didn't care about being polite or waiting for an invitation. All he cared about was finding the one who made his sister cry. Soda called after him, his voice tinged with confusion and concern, but Dallas paid him no mind. His focus was singular, his determination unwavering as he sought out Darry, ready to have a long-overdue conversation that would hopefully set things right.

Dallas's footsteps echoed loudly as he made his way towards the backyard, his heart pounding with a mixture of anger and concern. He found Darry leaning against the wall, a cigarette dangling from his lips, while Ponyboy sat nearby, a troubled expression on his face. Without preamble, Dallas stormed over to Darry, his eyes blazing with intensity. "What the hell is wrong with you, Darry?" he demanded, his voice thick with emotion. "You made my sister cry, and for what? Because you're too damn stubborn to see what's right in front of you?"

Darry looked up, startled by Dallas's sudden outburst. "Dallas, what are you talking about?" he asked, confusion evident in his tone.

Ponyboy, sensing the tension in the air, glanced nervously between his older brother and what felt like his second one. "Guys, what's going on?" he asked tentatively, his brow furrowing with concern.

"What's going on is that Darry's being a complete idiot," Dallas snapped, his frustration boiling over. "He's too blind to see that Y/N cares about him, and he's pushing her away because of it."

Darry's expression softened, his defenses crumbling under Dallas's relentless barrage. "Dallas, it's not that simple," he protested weakly, but Dallas wasn't having any of it.

"Not that simple?" Dallas echoed incredulously, his voice rising with every word. "You think you're doing her a favor by pushing her away? You're just hurting her, Darry. And you're too damn stubborn to see it."

Ponyboy watched the exchange in silence, his eyes darting between the two brothers with a mixture of concern and apprehension. He knew better than to intervene when Dallas was in one of his moods. Finally, Darry let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I didn't mean to hurt her, Dallas," he admitted quietly, his voice tinged with regret. "I just... I don't know how to do this. I'm not good at this stuff."

Soda, who had been observing from the doorway, stepped forward with a smirk playing on his lips. "You got that right, Darry," he interjected, his tone teasing. "You're allergic to pretty girls."

Ponyboy couldn't help but chuckle at Soda's remark, a small smile breaking through the tension that hung in the air. Darry sighed, shaking his head at Soda's comment, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Thanks for the reminder, Soda," he said wryly, his voice tinged with self-deprecation. "But I guess I'll just have to figure it out."

Dallas leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, a smirk playing on his lips as he listened to Ponyboy's words. "Yeah, she's got a heart of literal gold, man," he chimed in, nodding in agreement. "I've seen it. She's too kind for this world sometimes."

Ponyboy nodded fervently, his eyes reflecting admiration. "Absolutely. Remember that time when she stood up for Johnny when those guys were picking on him? She didn't even hesitate. Just marched right over there and gave them a piece of her mind."

Soda grinned, his eyes sparkling with fondness. "And she's always nice to everyone, even those stuck-up Socs who don't deserve it," he added, his voice full of admiration.

Darry sighed, running a hand through his hair. He couldn't help but smile at his brothers' words, despite himself. "Yeah, she's something else, that's for sure," he mused, a hint of pride creeping into his tone. "But sometimes, I worry she's too good for her own good."

The room fell into a thoughtful silence for a moment before Soda broke it with a chuckle. "Well, Darry, you might just have to deal with it," he teased, nudging his brother playfully. "After all, love's got its own way of figuring things out."

Darry rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile that tugged at his lips. "Yeah, you're right Soda," he conceded, his gaze drifting off into the distance as he thought about you. "I just hope I can keep up."

The brothers shared a knowing look, a silent understanding passing between them as they contemplated the impact you had made on their lives. Dallas leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "You know, Darry, you gotta give yourself some credit too," he said, his voice carrying a rare sincerity. "She sees something in you, man. She wouldn't stick around if she didn't believe in you."

Darry shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I know, Dallas, but... I've messed up so many times," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret. "I've let her down more times than I can count."

Ponyboy reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Darry's shoulder. "Hey, we all make mistakes," he said softly, his eyes filled with empathy. "But what matters is how you learn from them."

Soda nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "You gotta show her, Darry," he chimed in, his voice firm. "You gotta show her that you're willing to do whatever it takes to make things right."

Darry sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "I know, I know," he muttered, his voice heavy with guilt. "I just... I don't know if I'm capable of being the person she deserves."

Dallas shook his head, his eyes locking with Darry's. "You are, man," he insisted, his tone unwavering. "But you gotta start believing it yourself. You gotta start believing that you're worthy of her love."

The room fell into a contemplative silence as Darry let Dallas' words sink in. And as he sat there, surrounded by his brothers, he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope stirring deep within him. Maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to make things right with you. Maybe there was still a chance for them after all.

Dallas let out a gruff laugh, a hint of his usual tough demeanor creeping back into his expression. "Alright, enough of this mushy crap," he declared, straightening up and running a hand through his hair. "I swear to God, if this gets back to her or you say some soft shit, I'll kick all your asses."

Ponyboy chuckled nervously, shooting a glance at Soda and Darry. "Got it, Dallas," he replied, trying to suppress a grin.

Soda raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, no worries, man," he said with a smirk. "Our lips are sealed."

Darry nodded in agreement, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Thanks, Dallas," he said sincerely, his eyes reflecting gratitude.

Dallas gave them all a nod before pushing himself off the wall. "Alright, I’m out out of here before I start feeling like I need to hug it out or something," he quipped, striding towards the door with his usual gate. He hoped you had stayed sleeping on the couch as he made his way back to your shared apartment.

The next day, Darry found himself restless, pacing back and forth in his room as he wrestled with his overwhelming sense of guilt. Every step he took felt heavy, burdened by the weight of regret that had settled like a stone in his chest. He knew he had hurt you deeply, and the thought churned his stomach with unease. Despite his usual stoic demeanor, Darry couldn't shake off the nervous fluttering in his chest as he clutched the bouquet of flowers tightly in his hand.

Darry found himself seized by a sudden determination to make things right with you. He knew that a simple apology wouldn't be enough – he needed to show her just how much she meant to him. And that's when he remembered the little details about her that he cherished.

With a sense of purpose driving him forward, Darry made his way to a nearby flower shop. The bustling streets seemed to blur around him as he searched for the perfect bouquet, his mind focused solely on one thing: your beautiful smile that brightened his day. He rifled through the colorful array of blooms, his heart racing with anticipation as he sought out the flowers that would convey his heartfelt apology and adoration.

And then, amidst the vibrant sea of petals, he found them – sunflowers. They stood tall and proud, their golden faces turned towards the sun, just like Y/N's radiant spirit. Darry's heart swelled with certainty as he reached out to carefully select the most beautiful blooms, knowing that they would bring a ray of sunshine to your day.

But as he stood at the checkout counter, a sudden doubt crept into his mind. How did he know that sunflowers were her favorite? Had she ever mentioned it to him before, in passing? Or was it just a gut feeling, a subconscious knowledge born from the countless hours they had spent together? For a moment, Darry hesitated, his brow furrowing in uncertainty. But then he remembered the way your eyes had lit up the last time you had passed a house that was growing them, how you had exclaimed with delight at the sight. And in that moment, he knew – sunflowers were your favorite, and he was determined to make sure you knew just how much you meant to him.

As he made his way to your apartment, each footfall echoed with the rhythm of his racing heart. The short journey felt like an eternity, his mind filled with worry and doubt. What if you were still upset with him? What if you didn't want to see him? The uncertainty gnawed at him, threatening to consume him with fear. He couldn't bear the thought of facing your disappointment, knowing that he was the cause of your pain.

With trembling hands, Darry finally reached your doorstep. He took a moment to steady his nerves, drawing in a deep breath to calm the storm of emotions raging inside him. But no amount of preparation could ease the knot of anxiety tightening in his chest as he raised his hand to knock on the door. Each rap of his knuckles felt like a thunderclap, reverberating through the silence of the neighborhood, and echoing the tumultuous turmoil in his own heart.

For a fleeting moment, Darry hesitated, his hand hovering uncertainly in the air. He couldn't help but worry that you would be furious with him, that you would turn him away without a second thought. The thought made his pulse quicken with apprehension, his palms growing slick with sweat as he grappled with his fear of rejection. But deep down, he knew he couldn't let his fear hold him back. He had to face you, to confront the consequences of his actions and make amends for the pain he had caused. With a silent prayer on his lips, Darry squared his shoulders and knocked once more, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead.

As the door swung open, revealing your surprised expression, Darry felt his heart almost stop. He could see the shock flicker across your features as you took in the sight of him standing there, a bouquet of sunflowers clutched tightly in his hand. But then, to his relief, your expression softened, your eyes lighting up with warmth and affection.

"Darry?" Your voice was soft, filled with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "What are you doing here?"

Darry swallowed hard. His throat suddenly dry. He extended the bouquet towards her, his hand trembling ever so slightly. "For you," he managed to choke out, his voice barely above a whisper.

A smile spread across your face, brightening his mood with its warmth. "These are my favorite! How did you know?" you exclaimed, your eyes sparkling with delight as you reached out to accept the flowers. You pushed the door open letting him in as your searched for a vase for your sunflowers.

Darry felt a weightlifting off his shoulders at your reaction, a sense of relief flooding through him. Maybe he hadn't completely messed things up after all. "Just a lucky guess," he replied with a shy grin, though deep down, he knew it was more than just luck. He had been paying attention, learning the little things that made you happy, and he was determined to make it up to her.

Darry watched as your smile grew wider, and he couldn't help but feel a rush of happiness seeing you so pleased with the flowers. "I'm glad you like them," he said, his voice soft with sincerity.

You wrapped your arms around him in a spontaneous hug, and Darry felt his heart swell with warmth at the gesture. "Thank you, Darry," you whispered, your voice filled with genuine gratitude.

The embrace felt like a balm to Darry's soul, soothing the lingering doubts and fears that had plagued him since last night. But as he held you close, he knew there was still something he needed to address, something he couldn't ignore any longer.

"I need to apologize, Y/N," Darry began, his voice tinged with regret. "I was a jerk last night at the bonfire. I shouldn't have dismissed you like that."

You pulled back slightly, looking up at him with a furrowed brow. "Darry, it's okay," you reassured him, though there was a hint of hurt in your eyes.

But Darry shook his head, his gaze earnest. "No, it's not okay," he insisted, his voice firm. "You deserved better than that, and I'm sorry for treating you like you didn't matter."

Your expression softened as you listened to Darry's heartfelt apology, and a sense of understanding washed over you. "I forgive you, Darry," you replied, reaching out to gently caress his cheek. "I know you didn't mean to hurt me."

Darry felt a wave of relief wash over him at your forgiveness, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to make it up to you somehow, to show you just how much you meant to him. As he looked into your eyes, he could see the depth of your care and affection reflected back at him, and it filled him with a sense of gratitude. He realized in that moment just how lucky he was to have you in his life.

A mischievous glint sparked in Darry's eyes as he felt a surge of confidence coursing through him. "You know, since we're both feeling so forgiving and all," he began, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, "how about I make it up to you by taking you on a proper date?"

Your eyes widened in surprise at his suggestion, a smile spreading across your face. "A date?" you echoed, a hint of excitement in your voice.

Darry nodded, his grin widening. "Yeah, a date," he confirmed, his tone filled with determination. "How about we go to that fancy restaurant downtown? The one with the candlelit tables and that amazing carbonara dish you love. I know it's your favorite."

A delighted laugh bubbled up from your lips at his suggestion, and Darry felt a surge of pride knowing that he had guessed right. "You remembered," you said, your voice filled with warmth.

Darry shrugged nonchalantly, though his heart swelled with satisfaction at your reaction. "Of course, I remembered," he replied with a wink, his flirtatious side coming out to play. "I pay attention to the important stuff. You're the important stuff."

And as you laughed and agreed to the date, Darry couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building within him. Maybe this was the start of something new, something wonderful – a chance to show you just how much you meant to him, and to make up for his past mistakes with little moments like these.

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[taffycandyqt]

Please No

You can't sleep and seek company in your misery through your best friend. However he's not at home.

Masterlist

Request Rules

OH MY GOSH IM NOT DEAD! In all honesty I haven't been super motivated lately but I started this personal project a LOOOOOOONG time ago and felt I couldn't move on to other requests before I finished it. When I started this I felt really inspired to make it solely because I feel there is simply not enough Donatello fluff in this world, especially in 03' and 12' s case. So I hope you like it!

2012 Donnie x reader

Aged up, all characters are college/older adult age, depends on how you want to read it.

Fluff, slightly angst if you really want it to be there

Fem reader

Sleeping was always a struggle for you. Logically you knew you needed sleep, physically you felt tired, but mentally you just couldn't bring yourself to do it. Your body hated the idea and actually laying down and sleeping, so you went to the only person you KNEW would be up right now.

Casey Jones.

He was annoying when you first met him be he was chill enough that he grew on you pretty quickly. Not to mention that if it weren't for him you wouldn't have met your now boyfriend. You always enjoyed spending time with Donnie but trying to pin him down was hard especially since you didn't know where he lived. He didn't want you to meet his brothers just yet, says he wants time to adjust to your guys relationship before being teased. Which, fair. SO! To Casey's you went. You two usually met up at grueling times of the night so it was customary to clime up each other's fire escapes and practically break into the other person's house. You'd either scare each other awake or find the other sitting in their kitchen shoveling cereal into their mouth watching conspiracies on YouTube.

Tonight though, nothing. Like the dude up and vanished. You checked the kitchen and his room. You even went as far as to check the bathroom. THAT WAS HIS WHOLE APARTMENT! Did he have just as an abhorrent sleep schedule as you? Yes, but he never left the house to make it a strangers problem. So to ease your nerves you decided to call him, if that doesn't work, your gonna pray Donnie is awake enough to answer the phone.

One ring. Two ring. Third ring...

"This is THE Casey Jones." You breathed out a sigh of relief. He isn't kidnapped, dead, or lying in a ditch high of weed somewhere.

"Hey man, just dropped by your place, where you at?"

"Oooooh, one of those nights huh?"

"Isn't it always?"

"heh, I feel ya. Here I'll text you my location so we can chill." after that you heard talking from the other side of the phone. Someone that wasn't Casey. But before you could ask any questions Casey quickly responded to whatever it was that they said.

"SHUT UP! ILL KICK YOUR BUTT INTO NEXT WEEK, BUD!" ending with extra sass on the 'bud'.

That's when you got his text. Perfect!

---

Orrrr not. You swear you followed the directions exactly, so why are you standing in the middle of an alleyway being told to go forward when THERE IS NO FORWARD! Being the reasonable person you are you blamed it all on Casey and let him know of your little predicament.

And, 'wait there, just a sec was his reply.' You didn't think Casey would be the kind of person to plot someone else's demise. Not that he he hasn't caused someone else's demise, he just doesn't have the forethought to think ahead about it. However this whole, standing in an alley in New York at 2 am alone, is really starting to feel like a plot.

Once again, your nerves started rising. You looked around the old bricks, worn with water damage and scraping and covered in graffiti. The dark distorted your surroundings making it unclear if you were really alone in that alley or not. The stench of the trash bags shoved as close to the corners and walls as possible started to get to you. Your breathing got a little heavier. The ominous lighting from the street lamp didn't help either. Then a sound rose above the scampering feet of rats. You turn to see the man hole cover slowly scrap along the concrete as a large gloved hand shoved it away. The darkness of the alley clouded the figure and with the covering gone the hole left seemed like a endless pool of inky nothingness. You were stiff as a board and you could hear your heart thrashing in your ears. This is it. This is where you die and it's all Casey Jones's fault.

"Hey you did make it! Nice!"

Your threw a scrapped can square at his face.

"Ow!"

"CASEY! YOU SCARED ME!"

"Yo chill! I told you I was coming to get you!"

"YOU TOLD ME TO WAIT, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE FRICK YOU WERE DOING! GOSH CASEY! WHAT WERE YOU EVEN DOING DOWN THERE!?"

"Hehe, come on. I'll show you," he winked at you before gesturing you to enter into the manhole first.

"No."

"Oh come on! Don't you trust me?"

"NO! Also gross. I'm not going down there just for the heck of it Casey. I have never been curious what New Yorks sewer system looks like."

"It's not about the sewers! We just have to walk through the system to get to the place," he told you mildly annoyed.

"And your purposely being suspicious about 'the place', because?"

"Because that's a surprise,"

"Oh joy. I just love surprises at 2 in the freaking morning, in the sewers, wearing my pajamas," you snarked as you lowered yourself down the manhole scowling slightly.

Casey led you through the sewers keeping a brisk pace. You asked him about the voice you hear over the phone earlier and all he told you was that it was part of the surprise. To which you rolled your eyes.

"You seem pretty confident on where your walking," you remarked.

"Well I sure hope so!" he laughed to himself, "I've only been coming here since highschool."

Him saying that struck a possible idea of what his "surprise" could be. But you couldn't be sure.

You initially met Casey in college. Not that he went to collage, he just crashed a class that you shared with his friend. He called her red, talked about her a lot too. You didn't really know her outside of that one class. It felt strange to know so many details about someone you've never talked to. He did mention that she was Donnies first crush but Donnie never talked about her though so you didn't really care much for that detail.

You knew that Casey had known Donnie, his brothers, and "red" since high school. He told you about their adventures all the time. Sometimes it made you feel a little disconnected, especially since the only people you ever knew from the group were Donnie and Casey. But you tried not to let that feeling get to you. It would simply take time. Besides, even if you're newer and don't know the whole group, neither Donnie or Casey ever made you feel like you weren't a part.

The thing is though, is that Casey only mentioned highschool when talking about the turtles. So while it is a loose assumption, you had an idea of what he might be planning. Part of you really hoped it wasn't what you were thinking. The other part really REALLY wanted it to be what you thought. But the majority part was to tired to care and just wanted something to do.

After a short walk you noticed the sewer transition into an abandoned subway station. That's when you heard the sounds of videogames and people. The smell of pizza lingered in the air the closer you walked to the sound. Eventually you got to the part of the station where lights lit up the dark space.

When you got to the entrance, you saw two turtles playing videogames. Pizza boxes littered the floor, some of them containing pizza, some completely empty. You were a little stunned honestly. Donnie had a genuine reason for not introducing you to his family, you didn't want to cross that line. But at the same time, you really needed a brain rotting distraction. You hesitated. But when Casey gestured you to go first through the turnstile first, that hesitation crumbled. You just wanted some pizza, was that so wrong? I mean you were already here, might as well just commit. You and Casey passed through and neither of the brothers tired to look at you. The one in red acknowledge the sound by saying,

"Welcome back Case."

"What didja need to do that you left so fast brah?" Asked the orange one.

"My best bud needed A.M. pizza, so I figured here would be the best place for her to get some," Casey told them patting your back before taking his seat next to the orange brother and picking up an abandoned controller. You followed, feeling out of place, you sat beside him.

This got reds attention.

"I'm sorry, she?" He paused the game to look over at you.

"WHAT?! CASEY WHO THE HECK IS SHE?? YOU CAN'T JUST BRING RANDOM PEOPLE DOWN HERE!"

"Dude chill out! First of all, shes not random, she's y/n," reds eye twitched, "Secondly, it's no biggie, she already knows Donnie, she's no snitch."

You smacked Casey's arm and shook your head.

"Hey! your already here aren't you?" he whined at you.

"Wait, how do you already know Donnie?" orange finally spoke up.

"Yeah, who are you anyways?" red questioned you.

"I-um. Hi, I'm y/n" you stiffly introduced.

You felt very awkward about this whole situation.

"And you know Don, how?" red reiterated impatiently.

You decided to play dumb.

"What do you mean?"

"How do you know Donnie?! Oh my gosh are you dumb?!"

"No, I get what you asked, but in what way?"

"THE FRICK DO YOU MEAN 'IN WHAT WAY?' HOW DO YOU KNOW MY BROTHER?!"

You both went back and forth like that for a while. Little did you know that this was Casey's plan all along. He had talked to Donnie about introducing you the family but he always said it "wasn't the right time". You and Donnie had been dating for almost a year now and had known each other even longer. Yet his brothers had yet to know you even existed! Knowing you, you wouldn't push the issue because you didn't want to pressure your poor boyfriend. You were under the false pretence that he would come around eventually. The truth is, he wouldn't. And it wasn't because of his brothers teasing.

They would still tease him yes, but they've grown, they know the line. The real reason Donnie hadn't introduced you was because one; he wanted you to himself. And two, the biggest reason; he was embarrassed of where he lived. Yes his home was cleanly and all but it was still a sewer. It had taken a long time for him to begin to believe that you actually thought he was attractive and not some kind of monster. Living in the sewer though? What if that breaks your entire image of him? What if you think he really is some slimy gross sewer monster after? He couldn't bear the thought. After being with you for so long, he doesn't think he could live without you.

It took a lot of nagging but when Casey finally broke him and that was the explanation he gave? Casey was so done. So he took matters into his own hands. He waited for the opportunity to present itself and tonight was the night.

"Dudes!" orange interjected, "Chillll. Ever consider that maybe she won't say cuz we haven't introduced ourselves yet?? Hmmmmmmmmm?"

He chewed red out. Red just scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Hi, I'm Mikey, and that grump is Raph," he told you, "He's been awake too long, he gets fussy without his nap."

You giggled at this, but before you could say anything back Raph had tackled Mikey to the floor. As they rustled you made a small laugh.

"What is going on in here so late?" you heard someone say from behind you. You turned to where it was coming from and saw the third brother you had yet to meet. Blue.

Before he could say anything to Raph or Mikey though, he made eye contact with you.

"Who are you?"

"This is my best bud y/n. Y/n, the fearless leader Leo," Casey introduced.

"Don't call me that Casey," he told him sternly. He walked over to you guys and took a seat in the other side of you.

"You know Case, if I wasn't half asleep I'd be way more upset about you bringing a stranger to the lair."

"She's not a stranger though, she's known Donnie for a while now. Besides we already got yelled at enough by Raph," Casey told him.

He humm and nodded in a 'that makes sense type' of way.

"So you've know Donnie for a while?" he asked.

You felt like could tell Leo just as much as you could tell Raph. Which was nothing. But you felt like Leo would be more receptive to a reasonable answer then Raph was.

"I'd tell you, but I'm not at liberty to say right now," you said.

"That's not suspicious at all," he teased.

"Hey!" you laughed at him and he laughed back.

Casey elbowed you and smiled proudly. He acted like he deserved a thank you for introducing you to your boyfriends family behind his back. All you did was elbow him in the ribs. That was he really deserved. You would be lying though if you said it wasn't an oddly fun situation.

That's when Raph had pinned Mikey and he started screaming.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY? I COULDN'T HEAR YOUR BEFORE?!" Raph yelled at him with this hands pushing Mikey's head to the floor.

"AAAAAAAAA!!" was all Mikey said him response.

Leo sighed next to you, "I guess I'll be taking care of that."

Before he could make a move though, you heard a familiar voice.

"What is going on out here?! I can't work with all this RACKET!" Donnie grumply shouted.

He stopped right in his tracks when he saw you though.

The only time you had seen Donnie that worked up was when an experiment failed or his brothers got on his nerves. Even then though, it was just venting after the fact, so you never witnessed the brunt of his frustrations. Safe to say you were a little startled, not put off or anything, just surprised mostly.

"Y- y- y- y Y/N?! What in Earth are you doing here?? At this hour? Here? I- ??" he was completely flabbergasted and udderly mortified.

He looked a mess, bags under his eyes, mask lazily pushed above his eyes, and not to mention yelling like an angry old man! Oh nononono. It was bad enough you were in his sewer home, there's no way you don't think his a monster now!

"Would you look at that, guess you did know Don after all," Raph said, head in hand while an elbow laid on Mikey's head.

You turned back to Raph, "Why would I lie about that?!"

This boy was unbelievable.

"Raph get off Mikey," Leo told him.

"Not until he says it!"

"Really Raph? I though you stopped doing that when we were teens."

Deciding that you needn't be involved in that conversation, you turned back to Donnie who had a horrified expression on his face.

"H- how long have you been down here?" he asked quietly.

"Not super long, Casey and I only got here like, a few minutes ago," you answered him.

Donnie took a deep breath, he looked like he was about to loose it. You didn't blame him honestly.

"You. Brought. Her. Here?!" he asked Casey. Clearly hanging by the thread of his last nerve.

"Yeah, s'not like you ever would have, so I took matters into my own hands. Besides she's my friend just as much as she's your girlfriend, I have a right to introduce her to my closest buds."

"Wait. Did you just say, girlfriend?" Mikey asked. Leo was helping him off the floor with a displeased Raph standing to the side. They all froze after Casey's statement and started at you and Donnie with wide eyes.

"JONES!" you both yelled at him in unison.

"What? They were gonna haft'a know eventually, I just got the awkward part out of the way for you," he shrugged and winked at you both.

You were gonna kill him. And by the looks of it Donnie and you were on the same page.

You pinched the bridge of your nose and let out a sigh.

"Okay, I think Donnie and I need to have a private conversation. When we're done we'll clear everything up with you all. Okay?"

"That sounds good," Leo nodded while everyone else complained.

You turned to Donnie signaling to lead the way to wherever you two could have some alone time. He seemed nervous and jittery, but led you none the less. He let you in first through a big sliding door that opened up into what seemed to be a garage. It had tables with tools and other electronic equipment strewn around. There were chemistry supplies as well along with some posters in the walls.

"So," Donnie started, fixing his gaze on the floor, "you wanted to talk?" He adjusted his mask to fit back over his eyes.

"Uh, yeah," you answered. Why was the air so thick all of a sudden? Donnie was so closed in on himself it was almost like he was afraid of you. Honestly, you wanted to ask him why Casey said he would never take you down here. But now wasn't the time for that.

"What do you want to do now? I know you wanted to introduce me on your own terms but now that that's not really a possibility. So where do you wanna go from here?" You asked.

You figured it would best to have a game plan before explaining everything to his brothers.

"I understan- Wait what?" He looked at you confused.

"Uuhhh, where do you want to go from here? Ya know, now that your brothers know?" You repeated yourself. Now you were confused.

"I. Wha. That's all you have to say?" Donnie said mouth agape, shocked.

"What? I mean, about this situation yeah? I mean, I am curious why Casey felt the need to do this but that's not really my first priority right now. Am- am I missing something here?" You asked him.

"I- I thought... I live in a sewer," he told you.

"You thought you lived in a sewer?" Your confusion increasing, "Like. You didn't know?"

"No! I know that! I just... you don't care?"

"Why would I care? I'm sorry," you put a hand to your forehead, "did you think I would judge you for your living conditions? Which are honestly pretty cush. Who do you take me fore Don?!"

"I! Well it's not that I thought you would judge me, it's just... I'm a mutant. Living in the sewers just- I don't know. The only things you think of living in the sewers are creepy gross monsters or rodents. On top of that it's the sewers! Most people find that pretty gross."

"Donnie. We've known each other for longer then a year. If I was disgusted by you, you would know by now," you spoke dryly.

"All this time I thought you just needed to get used to things. But you were just assuming the worst about me? What the heck Donnie?" You were hurt. You loved him so much, and he thought you would leave him because of where he lives? He really thought you were that judgemental?

"What?! No! I wasn't assuming the worst about you! I was just afraid you'd realize you deserve better than me!"

"BUT YOU'RE ALL I WANT!"

He stopped and looked at you, eyes wide.

"Really?"

"Yes! And I hate it when you talk like you're not deserving of love just because you're mutant."

"I just... I just don't see what you see in me," he admitted.

"Then stop assuming things and closing yourself off. Talk to your family, talk to your friends, talk to me. I never worry about whether or not you love me, you've seen me at my worst and never left my side. You're so scared of how I'll react to your worst you never even give me a chance to show you," you grabbed his hand and looked him in the eye.

"You don't get to decide how I feel or what I think, only I do."

"You're right, I'm sorry. Sorry for assuming things, things about you, and for taking so long to introduce you."

You kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you," you smiled at him. Then pinched his neck and pulled him to you.

"Ow ow ow ow!"

"And never do that again," you let him go.

"Yes of course absolutely never again," he nodded and smiled at you. You smiled back and patted his chest.

"Now before we continue the conversation of how to approach your family, I feel like we should address the eavesdroppers in the room," you said pulling back the door all the way. It was already cracked open to allow the peepers better visuals for your conversation.

As it slid open you noticed Casey and the three brothers trying to run away from the door.

"What! Guys! What part of private conversation do you not understand?!" Donnie yelled at them.

"I told you guys you shouldn't have done that," Leo scolded them.

"YOU LITERALLY JOINED RIGHT AFTER SAYING THAT!" Raph pointed an accusatory finger at him, "AND FOR THE RECORD IT WAS MIKEY'S IDEA!" He yelled moving his pointing to the youngest.

"Wow dude, I thought we were in this together," Mikey put a hand on his chest hurt.

"Well in the end it doesn't matter cuz it already happened right?" Casey shrugged and took a seat on the couch again.

Out of everyone here you and Donnie were most ticked at Casey.

Both you and Donnie approached him from behind and grabbed one of his shoulders.

"W-what? Uhhh. You dudes need something? Eh heh..." he stuttered nervous. Only just now did he realize the hole he had dug for himself.

"Why don't we have a chat Casey," you smiled but it was less of a question and more of a statement.

"Privately," Donnie finished, no smile to be found.

You both were gonna have fun with this. Then Donnie could take you home and tuck you in. What a great boyfriend girlfriend bonding activity!

------------------------------------------------------------Listen y'all, I know Google maps don't work like this, but just for the sake of plot pretend like it does.

[changetyre]

Not like this (P4) II Charles Leclerc x Reader (Mafia AU)

SUMMARY: After losing everything you seek out your biggest and longest-standing enemy to finish it all.

WARNING: Violence, blood, mentions of death

A/N: Sorry for the lack of updates but I have both been super busy and uninspired so bear with me, please. Also ideas/inspo for this series would be greatly appreciated.

You rolled your eyes and attempted to keep your tears at bay again. "I need someone to help me avenge their deaths, I obviously couldn't and can't anymore but maybe you can."

"And what makes you think I'd help you?" Charles asked

A smirk glazed your lips "Haven't you already?"

It was Charles's turn to roll his eyes as he ignored your question and continued running forward.

"Do you think someone's watching the house?" You asked Charles once you were back in the cars you'd arrived in.

"My men said it looked like there had been people in your office-" Charles didn't answer your question directly.

"Sh*t." You cursed.

"What?" Charles asked confused, his eyes drawn away from the road for a second.

"They're probably looking for me...whoever they are. They know I'm not dead." You concluded more to yourself.

Charles remained silent. You turned to face him and could see in his eyes he was in deep thought.

"Give me one more night...I'll leave first thing in the morning." You looked down, although you needed his help you also knew this whole situation was unfair to him, you sticking around him would only bring trouble.

Charles stayed silent again. This time you weren't sure what to say, you knew he heard you and acknowledged your words but stayed quiet. It was awkward to say the least.

You were pulling up to his house. Charles had yet to say something and you just took his silence as his acceptance. Tonight would be the last night at his place.

"You're staying with me," Charles spoke firmly before you could step out of the car. He didn't look at you and simply looked forward.

"Charles I-"

"It wasn't a question." This time he looked straight at you as he said these words before exiting the car leaving no further room for discussion.

You stayed in the car for a few seconds confused at what had just happened. It didn't make sense.

Charles locked himself in his office for the rest of the evening. You were left with your thoughts and worries. You felt so helpless and useless.

Back in his office, Charles spent a few hours making calls, plans, and mapping things out. He had no idea why he was doing this, he also had no logical reason to give his partners as to why they were helping a rival circle but he called in favors and did what he had to do.

He let out a deep sigh as he finished his last call. He furrowed his brow as he heard rattling from his kitchen, what the hell were you destroying now? he thought to himself.

Walking out he was instantly hit with the smell of cleanliness soon followed by a wonderful smell that made his stomach grumble alerting of how long ago he had eaten, he followed the smell.

"Is that my shirt?" Charles made you jump, your back was facing him as you stirred something on the stove.

"You scared me." You said before looking down at your outfit. "Sorry...I'm fidgety so I cleaned up a bit and had a shower then I realized I didn't have any other clothes so took the liberty to take something from your closet." You revealed.

Charles was confused at what he felt, he should be annoyed, angry maybe...but his heart and mind felt the opposite.

"D'you put any poison in that?" He asked gesturing to the dish you were preparing, deciding not to comment on your previous statement.

"Hmm, although tempting I am still starving and this is too good to waste." You joked grabbing the spoon you were cooking with and bringing it to his mouth.

Charles eyed you suspiciously but gave in. He tasted whatever you had prepared.

"Holy shit" Charles couldn't hold back his admiration. This was the best thing he'd ever tasted.

"Perfect...you should start feeling dizzy soon." You smirked.

Charles eyes snapped to yours in alarm.

You burst out laughing soon after. "That was too easy." You took a taste of your dish yourself immediately easing Charles's worry. "Should've seen your face."

"You're insufferable." Charles rolled his eyes but he couldn't stop the smile on his face.

"Hmm, I know...but you'll grow to love me soon enough Charles Leclerc." You joked turning back around to serve you both a plate.

Charles hung onto your words...why did they frighten him slightly? 

[leighaltieri]

stu macher with a ghostface obsessed s/o

request: Perchance stu x reader who's just like low-key obsessed with the ghost face case and talks Abt it all the time

warnings: gn reader, mentions of murder & blood

notes: sorry this took so long to get to you! i've been super busy with work but i hope you like it <3

scream masterlist

when casey becker and steven orth were murdered, you were fascinated by their deaths

you were always coming up with theories about who the killer could be

you'd share them with your friend group and occasionally they'd make fun of you

"hey, you ever think maybe y/n's the killer? i mean, c'mon, they're always talking about the murders! bet they're just trying to throw us off, acting all innocent and stuff!" your boyfriend stu teased

"yeah right. if i was the killer, you'd already be dead" you laughed, shoving him playfully

when you eventually got a call from the killer, you were excited but also kinda freaked out

"i've heard you can't stop talking about me. i'm flattered, y/n, really"

you wondered if he was one of your friends

you only talked about the murders with your friend group, and he somehow knew about those conversations

you looked out of your window and saw him in your backyard.

you waved, grinning at him

"i can see you!" you teased

he waved back, gripping his knife

"you wanna come in? maybe take that mask off?" you asked, half joking

he shook his head

"not tonight, babe. gotta keep you guessing. you'll find out who i am eventually."

he hung up the phone, and you processed what he'd just said

only one person ever called you babe

the next day, stu climbed through your window at night

"it's you, isn't it? you're the killer?" you said, smirking at him

“who, me? you've been watching too many horror movies."

"i know it's you. you called me babe on the phone last night"

"you really think it's me? ouch, babe!"

you just looked at him, a knowing smile on your face

"you know, i'm still convinced it's you," he teased "you're like obsesed with the murders, it's kinda freaky"

"you know it's not me"

he leaned in closer to you, you could feel his breath on your face

"what would you do if i was the killer? you gonna run away screaming?"

"is that your way of admitting that it's you?" you laughed

"i guess i'd have to help you out"

he looked at you in surprise "you're serious?"

"dead serious"

he looked at you for a moment, you could see the wheels turning in his head

"you're crazier than i am, babe" he grinned

"maybe i am" you stood on tiptoes to kiss him

you made out for ages

he stayed the night, your arms wrapped around him so he didn't fall out of your twin size bed

he's so tall

he loves how crazy you are <3

you helped him and billy kill everyone else

billy didn't trust you at first but stu convinced him to let you help

he thought you'd tell the cops everything but you could never do that to stu

stu is so so proud of you

he loves watching you stab the shit out of people

he'd rip his mask off to kiss you, pulling you close with his bloody hands

he'd get blood all over your face and clothes but you didn't care

you're the murder duo ever

billy loomis who

sid would never suspect you and honestly i think the 3 of you would stand a good chance of killing her

especially if she killed stu with the tv

you would never let her get away with that

[mikanotes]

ghosts’ guidance

furina x gn!reader — 5.7k words

genre: angst, comfort, more than friends

warnings: mentions of death, murder, ghosts (a lot), paranoia, anxiety and loneliness. reader and furina both have their own issues, canon divergence!!! made up my own lore and a whole festival for the sake of halloween spirit everybody shut up, possibly ooc furina, made up french festivities names LOL

synopsis: You and Furina struggle with past regrets, and a terrifying encounter ends up guiding you to something a bit more hopeful.

author’s note: spent like five days on this So sorry it’s super long um. i liked the idea for the plot. enjoy!

“Welcome, one and all, to the Grand Parade des Peurs!” Furina’s voice echoes around the large hall of Hotel Debord. “I am your Archon, Focalors— And tonight, I am also the one to present to you all the fantastic festivities the dear people of Fontaine have planned!”

The Grand Parade des Peurs. One of the most awaited yearly events in Fontaine. It is, as the name implies, a festival of scares. Based on rumors about old water spirits as well as passed down ghost stories, the legend of the Ghost Parade was created— A parade of translucent spirits walking through somewhere in Fontaine, only seen on the last day of October, the one closest to the realm of the dead. Or so they say. 

Furina was the one to turn it into a festival, deciding to use the nervousness of Fontainians and turn it into a sense of excitement, befitting of the general atmosphere of the nation.

And so the Grand Parade des Peurs was born.

“Today’s main festivities are ‘Un Bonbon ou un Sort’, where, as you all probably know, one knocks on the door of each house down the streets to ask for a treat to steer away a trick.” Furina explains, “Then, of course, a performance created by one of our Nation’s most renowned theater troupe brought to Vasari Passage, free to anyone walking up to it! The excitement is all in the Court itself, for the night!”

There’s a rumble of conversations in the lower area of Hotel Debord, all brimming with excitement. Furina smiles to herself, waiting for the perfect moment to pump up the energy again—

“And the best part!” she exclaims, grabbing everyone’s attention and effectively silencing them. “The breathtaking, and beautifully haunting Ghost Parade.”

Cheers are heard all around the place, making Furina chuckle as she crosses her leg over the other, chin settling into her hand. She looks down at the crowd fondly. She wishes she could have made an announcement in a bigger space than Hotel Debord, but it was the best next thing after Opera Epiclese itself. Nevertheless, with loudspeakers stationed around the Court of Fontaine, the festivities are sure to be made aware to everyone that is in the city.

So all is well!

Furina stands to her feet at the edge of the railing on the upper floor of the hotel. “As you all know, the Ghost Parade appears at an unknown location every time… So a Ghost Hunt event is in place for whoever is willing to find it!” she continues, arms extending as she speaks.

The movement makes her slip ever so slightly and for a moment she wonders if she’ll actually die. Her heel moves on the railing and her eyes widen as she feels herself losing her balance. Gasps of terror are heard from everyone watching. She exclaims in fear, stumbling backwards from the upper floor balcony— Just before your hand catches hers. 

You stare at her, wide-eyed, and she mirrors your expression. She’s desperately trying to catch and hold onto her breaths. Oh, Celestia.

Her shoes are still pressed against the edge of the railing, her weight held by your hand alone as you try to keep her from falling further.

Furina thinks, fast— She has to make this appear normal. She can’t be seen slipping so ridiculously! She’s Focalors! She blinks, before dramatically tilting her head backwards. 

“Got you!” she exclaims, an easy grin pulling at her lips. “That’s your first scare of the night. You all ought to hold onto your candy baskets if a simple scare such as this gets you jumping! Beware~”

There’s sighs of relief and exclamations and laughs. Furina feels herself sighing in relief more so because the people are pleased rather than because she’s not injured from falling from a tall balcony.

You pull her back to her feet with ease, somehow making this look like it was really all prepared in advance and made for her audience (which it evidently was not), and she laughs boisterously. “On this note, happy Parade des Peurs to you all!” she exclaims, brightening up the atmosphere once again. She still holds onto your hand tightly as she stands on the balustrade, and she hides her trembling with a practiced smile.

Once everyone is back to focusing on their own lives and what they’ll do for the evening, Furina jumps back to the welcoming security of the floor and almost immediately falls to her knees. “That could’ve been terribly embarrassing.” she thinks. “I’ve got to thank—“

“Are you that startled?” you ask with a huff, crouching to meet her gaze. Her eyes widen and she sits up immediately, fixing her hair and clothes.

“Well, no.” she says, pursing her lips. “This was all according to plan, after all!”

“What plan…” you mumble, shaking your head. “In any case, if you’re not too startled, do you also happen to be free?” you ask.

Furina blinks as she looks up at you. “Hm? Me? No. I’m the Archon.” she scoffs, before clearing her throat. “Well, I can make a bit of time… What is it?” she asks, looking anything but disheveled, despite all that just happened.

“About that.” you say, looking away. She notices the nervousness on your features and narrows her eyes. That’s an expression that makes her heart drop. She likes it, in set contexts. Right now, she cannot tell. Are you nervous for a good reason?

“We haven’t spent the festival together in a long while, since we’re both busy. You, especially.” you say, looking down at your nails in a bored manner. Now Furina can smile. The good kind of nervous, it is. “If you’re free, wanna hang out around the city together? I heard there’s a Ghost Special menu at Cafe Lucerne, or something, and lots of sweets, so…”

“I think I can fit that in my schedule.” she says casually, rising to her feet. She looks down at you, hands finding her hips. “Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s go!”

It’s easy to slip back into old habits— Hooking her arm with yours and walking off wherever. She missed this. She doesn’t think about it more than this.

Fontaine has an entirely different atmosphere during the festival. The city is full of lights and spooky decorations. There’s artists illustrating the way they think the Parade will look, this time, and people running around with baskets filled with candy. The walk from Hotel Debord to Cafe Lucerne is a bit long, and there’s at least ten people dressed up in scary costumes who manage to make you and Furina flinch on the way.

Furina spots a Fonta ad plastered on a wall, and sees it at least ten times more during your walk to the cafe. Of course they’d make a Festival Special. Everyone makes their own craft’s very own ‘special’ thing for the Parade des Peurs. Furina likes this. Everyone gathering and sharing their own things. All the initial fear around the original story of the Parade feels like it’s dissipated— Which is what she wanted for her people. So she’s happy.

“You look happy.”

Furina startles out of her thoughts and looks at you, smile widening. “Of course.” she scoffs a little, like it’s obvious. “Have you ever seen me be anything but?”

You laugh at that and give her a look. “Should I be lying, or…?”

She rolls her eyes a little but her smile doesn’t falter. You’re right, after all. Saying she’s always happy would be a stupid lie— Especially when told to you. When you were there during so many of the difficult times she had to deal with, to support her. “Yes.” she scoffs, “Lie for my sake.”

You nod, smiling a little. “As you wish, Princess.”

She swats your arm harshly enough to make you wince and when you turn to glare at her she’s already making the same face. “Don’t call me that.”

“Okay Lady Furina, my lord Focalors, Archon of the Nation of Hydro— Ow!” you barely get through that sentence, cut off by your own laughter and Furina’s light punches on your arm. (She’s grinning too, despite the scowl she desperately tries to maintain.)

“Quiet.” she hisses, walking up to the counter of Cafe Lucerne. “Hello, Monsieur Arouet! I’ve heard of a Ghost Special on your menu for the occasion of the Parade des Peurs!” she says swiftly, graceful as ever.

Arouet brightens and smiles at her. “Lady Furina! Happy festival day!” he says softly, before making a drawn out sound of confusion. “Ghost… Special?”

Furina blinks. “Yes?” she says, turning to you. You shrug exaggeratedly but smirk a little, and Furina’s eyes widen before she turns back around to the cafe owner. I should’ve known better than to trust you and that stupid menu name! “Nevermind! Do you have a cake? Any will do, really!” she backtracks, chuckling to hide her embarrassment.

Arouet looks between the two of you briefly with a glint of amusement in his eye before chuckling. “Yes, of course.” he nods, “I do have a special menu for the occasion of the festival. Anything purchased from the menu gives a free candy bag, as well. Though they bear no ghostly name, I have these iced cupcakes with ghost drawings…”

Furina and Arouet spend a long while talking about the various sweets the man has made for the occasion, the newly made Fonta drinks and their lack of popularity so far, and the recommendations Furina has for him and his business. It ends with her getting one too many cupcakes and getting two extra bags of candy. (“That’s the least I can offer to our Archon, if you refuse to let me give you this free of charge.” he said.)

You make your way to the third floor of the waterway hub of the court, idly chatting while in the elevator. “Do you plan to scare me at some random time of the evening?” / “Why would I ever?” The elevator doors open, and the station to Navia Line is pretty empty. There’s two teenagers quietly laughing on a bench, a child with a balloon, and a woman reading a magazine.

Furina walks to a secluded area to wait for the aquabus and you follow along, leaning against a wall. You watch the water absentmindedly for a while. In times like these, people forget about the biggest worries of Fontaine. Watching the water feels as calming as it used to before its levels started rising. No one thinks about the Prophecy, or the fear of ghosts dancing in a terrifying parade, about the haunting stories about it. No one lives in constant worry— Or at the very least, their worries are put on hold, at least for one long evening, and that’s all that matters.

You’re certain an evening free of worry would be enough to keep one alive.

“Don’t leave me. I promise I’ll make this place happy. I’ll make you happy. This will be a living dream, I will do anything for this— So don’t you dare leave me alone here.”

“I won’t leave you, Furina. I wasn’t ever planning on it.”

“Liar.”

Your gaze falls on the Archon at your side, only to find her staring blankly at something. Your eyebrows furrow and you follow her gaze.

She’s watching the young people sitting together further away. You wonder if she zoned out and her line of sight happened to stay at a standstill there, but there’s an unmistakable look of longing and sadness in her expression that makes you discard that first possibility.

“Furina.” you say quietly. She blinks, looking in your direction.

“Yes?”

You grab her hand silently and glare at her a little. She recognizes that look. The one that says don’t keep to yourself. She bites the inside of her cheek, gaze not leaving yours. She wants it to be like old times, to be able to tell you about every single thing. She wants it to be that way so you could have something. Something happy, the two of you. But she can’t give that to you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have left during that one time.

Surely.

She squeezes your hand before letting go of it and looks away, arms crossing. You feel like someone grabbed your heart, your lungs, and everything that keeps you alive and pushed them underwater. There’s a suffocating feeling that stays for a moment, a moment that makes you struggle to breathe, before it settles down.

You didn’t want to leave her. It wasn’t her that you were leaving, it was this place. But that’s something she refuses to understand. You think of saying something, but the sound of the aquabus arriving at the station cuts you off before you can even open your mouth. Furina walks ahead of you, greeting the Melusine on the bus before sitting down.

You sit down across from her, setting her bags from the cafe on the seat beside you. No one else seems to be getting on the bus, which you’re grateful for, and soon enough, the engine starts up and there’s the familiar splashing of water.

Furina has her elbow on the edge of the bus, chin in her hand and gaze set on the horizon.

Is Fontaine that uncomfortable to live in? She swears, she’s doing everything she can for it to feel nice. She’s doing everything for the water to feel gentle and not suffocating. She wants to blame the Primordial Sea for the way it eats at people, but she feels like it would be an excuse.

She’s had conversations about you leaving time and time again. (“I’m just going to Sumeru for— I need a breath of fresh air. This place itself makes me feel bad.” / “And I don’t get that?! Didn’t you say you’d always stay?”) Furina wanted you to understand that by leaving this place, you were leaving her all the same. She had never known true loneliness until the day you left. Your absence from the nation had not been very long, maybe enough for ten trials to pass by, but it happened during a time she swears she needed you the most in.

She doesn’t want to associate this festival with this stupid memory. She’s grown since. She wouldn’t get angry over something this trivial again. She thinks. But you left during a Ghost Parade, before she made it into the event it is now. And even if you’re back, and literally right there, and she can see you’re trying hard not to look at her or hold her hand again out of respect, she feels stranded.

“We’ve arrived at Erinnyes, Marcotte Station.” Elphane says, the Melusine’s voice just slightly hesitant. You blink out of the haziness in your head and realize the silence must’ve been a bit uncomfortable, all this time. Not only this, but Furina practically never uses the aquabus to get around, so even just seeing her must’ve been a surprise. The Melusine clears her throat. “It has been a pleasure being the guide of our Archon and her partner.”

Neither of you do so much as blink at the notion of you being known as Furina's “partner”, not really caring for the way people view the relationship you have. After all, neither of you know what it is, either.

You carefully disembark the aquabus, holding out your hand for Furina to take as she steps out. She takes it, and you hold onto the feeling of warmth for as long as you can— Because the air feels terribly cold once her hand leaves yours.

You walk towards Opera Epiclese. Neither of you are sure why you even went there, in the first place. “Why’d we come here, again?” you ask.

“Because.” Furina sighs, looking around, “I wanted somewhere less crowded.” she says quietly, moving to open the bag you’re holding. She digs out one of the small packs of candy and pulls the ribbon to open it, pocketing the ornament before taking a candy. “And would you look at that! The ever so crowded Fountain Lucine is dead empty, tonight.” she scoffs lightly. You look at the aforementioned fountain further away and squint.

Usually, even the paths to the Opera would have people scattered here and there. Tonight, everything is silent. You would’ve been grateful if it didn’t make your emotions much louder.

You take the other freebie pack of candy and Furina exclaims in indignation. You give her a look. “I heard Arouet tell you to ‘give this to your friend’. Don’t think I only heard him say the part about it being a gift to the Archon.” you scoff before she can say anything. She huffs and waves her hand dismissively, so you open the pack of candy.

You throw one in your mouth and take a deep breath.

“Can we stop ignoring the problem?”

“There’s… no problem.”

You grumble.

“Furina.”

“I thought you agreed to lie for my sake.” she says. You look at each other and it turns into an unspoken staring contest. “Can you not at least do this much for me?”

“I didn't mean to leave you.”

“Yet you did.”

“If I’d stayed there any longer, I would’ve—”

“Felt depressed.”

“Yes, but— Furina. This isn’t about you.”

“Well, I’m sure it isn’t.”

“This isn’t what I meant.”

There’s a sudden childish sound of laughter that you could swear echoed around you, sending a strange chill down your spine. Both you and Furina stop in your tracks, frozen as you stare at each other with wide eyes.

Surely…

You visibly flinch, nearly jumping at a cold feeling against the nape of your neck, and immediately spin around to look for what on Teyvat just touched your skin. No one. Nothing.

Furina yelps and you turn back to her, only to see her frantically looking around. You’re about to say something when the sound of a music-box starts to play. It sounds a bit broken, and very terrifying at this time of night. Furina squeaks and hurries to cling to your side, hands grasping at your shirt.

“I’m sure this is nothing.” she says, clearly trying to sound confident despite the slight tremble in her voice. You nod along anyways, because you’re trying just as hard to convince yourself there’s nothing wrong here.

“Yup. Nothing.” you echo, before sighing.

A beat of silence passes, silence filled with the faraway sound of a music box. Then Furina clears her throat. “You know, maybe we should go back.” she says, looking up at you. “To the Court, I mean. I’ve had enough time away from the crowd.”

You nod but notice something out of the corner of your eye. You turn towards the direction which you just came from, and see a large chariot, followed by several people. It all looks very old and out of place and you swear they’re translucent and you and Furina are screaming and running away before you know it. The haunting sound of ghostly horses’ footfalls and the melody of that cursed music box follow you all the way.

“Is that the Ghost Parade?!” you yell, running along the path to Opera Epiclese with a terror-fueled hurry in your step. Furina does not struggle to keep up, either, equally as scared.

“What else?!” she exclaims, before making a sound akin to a sob. “How did they even come from here, this is the station— And hurry up!”

“Well, I’m trying!”

You swear there’s voices in the small currents of water at the sides of the path and they’re echoing around your head. There’s water spirits and ghosts mocking you and it’s starting to make you dizzy. They’re laughing, they’re criticizing you. There’s not a single comprehensible word but you can feel their annoyance. 

Why?

You remember the tales told when you were younger. On the last day of October, the realm of the dead is closest to our own. For this reason, spirits and ghosts find it much easier to communicate with the living. A lot of them have taken a liking to causing fear and mischief, and the Ghost Parade was born. Water Spirits and regular ghosts alike work in tandem to cause a headache to us humans. ‘Curse the living’, they say, ‘and hear the melody of our haunting’. They will fault humans for their mistakes and all that they do wrong, which they themselves cannot try to do right anymore. They will project their loss and regrets onto us. Watching the Ghost Parade from afar is alright, but do not get close to them. They will find a fault in anything you do, and cling onto it until the sun rises.

Furina makes a strangled noise at the sight of a ghost flashing by and floating around you, nearly making you two lose your footing as an attempt to get away.

“Well.” Furina huffs, chuckling nervously. She looks at the growing crowd of ghosts ahead of you, then at the Parade following, and sucks on her teeth. “No one is here to prove we were there!”

“What?”

Before giving you an actual answer to what she means, she’s grabbing your wrist and jumping above the small fence and the bushes and running through the grass like it’s some sort of shortcut. It is, but it’s also supposed to be a set rule to never do that specifically. “Furina?!”

“Urgent matters call for desperate measures!” she shuts you down before you can say anything, “And I’m the Archon! I can declare, um, that this rule is no more for the time being. Okay?!”

You jump across yet another fence and find yourself on the stone path again, with a long distance between you and the ghosts. You arrive at Fountain Lucine and do not even get to think about it, because the two of you are rushing to the Opera doors.

You grab the handles and push.

Your eyes widen. “It’s closed.” you say, turning to look at Furina. “Of course it’s closed, why’d we come all the way here?!”

“I don’t know!”

You rattle the doorknobs a few more times while Furina waits at your side, jittery with fear. You lean closer to the door and inspect the keyhole. Can I lockpick that?… Suddenly, the Archon yells and begins hitting your arm repeatedly.

“Hurry! They’ve already caught up to us!”

You turn to look at the scene. 

Some painters got it right.

Several ghosts float around the Fountain Lucine, slowly moving your way, while the front carriage of the Parade moves over the fountaine itself to get to you. All stops in front of you two, as you press your backs against the cursed, closed doors of Opera Epiclese.

“Okay, um.” Furina clears her throat, and nearly squeaks when all the ghosts’ attention is turned to her. She takes a short breath and steadies herself, “What is it that you want— No, rather, let us introduce ourselves!”

You side-eye her briefly before returning your gaze to the ghosts who, surprisingly, are just waiting in front of you.

“I believe most of you might’ve been acquainted with the former Archon of the Nation of Hydro. Though I have organized many festivals for this very day, I’ve yet to speak with the members of the Ghost Parade.” she speaks, the tone of confidence she always manages to bring out heard in each word. “I’m certain my predecessor would’ve done a great job at that, and for this reason I… I apologize.” she speaks a bit quieter, expression darkening for a brief moment.

Then she clasps her hands together and smiles.

“I’m Focalors! It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

A ghost steps forward. They have the appearance of a young woman, with the attire of a witch. They’re much taller than either of you and quite honestly intimidating.

“We require not false airs of politeness. You are living in a sea of mistakes. It is unbearable to watch.”

The voice of the ghost seemingly echoes in both of your heads. You wince, eyes barely open as you look towards Furina to hold her arm out of habit and she grabs your hand as you do.

“I— I know. I made, I make— I continuously make mistakes.” she says, tone wavering. “I try to do good, but I’m aware I’m simply not… As great as anyone would expect a god to be.”

Your eyes widen at her words. She’s speaking as if all the mistakes the ghost is talking about are hers. Of course, she does. It’s Furina. You turn to the ghost in a hurry.

“Listen—“

“But please do not torment us further.” the girl cuts you off, “Especially my friend. If this is about me, then I ask that you haunt me alone.”

There’s a deafening silence for a few moments.

“… You humans dwell on small problems and spend your lives tormenting your own selves with them. When you die you will see our frustration as we watch.”

“If our problems are small in the grand scheme of things, then so are we. And so these problems are as big as the world to us.” you say, bringing the ghost’s attention your way. It’s scary. “Do not downplay the importance of human emotions. You too have felt them, once.”

The ghost fully turns towards you and Furina hurries to put her arm in front of you, nearly stepping between you and the spirit in a protective manner.

“That is right.” the ghost says, “However this day of Parade is the only time we, lost spirits, get the chance to appear on your mortal plane. We wish not to see our Archon troubled by this aching fear of loneliness because neither of you finds it right to communicate the way you feel.”

You blink. “… What?”

“You are scared.” they state, “And this fear brings you together, despite how much distance you’ve desperately attempted to put between each other since you’ve arrived at Erinnyes. Make no mistake, the Parade did not come here for you. It will never come for someone specific. But it seems our terror has done more for the two of you foolish living than you could possibly do for yourself.”

You take notice of Furina’s hand tightly holding your own— How cold it is against your skin and how tightly she holds on to it. You take notice of the fact that when you helped her out of the bus earlier, you tried to burn the sensation of her hand in yours out of fear that it wouldn’t happen again for at least months. And now you two are terrified, and your hands find each other as they always do, and always will.

The ghost’s attention returns to you alone and it sends shivers down your spine. 

“There are as many curses as there are laws in Fontaine awaiting the one who dares cause pain to our Archon.”

“I am not in pain.” Furina protests, and her voice sounds something close to anger. “I would never be. Not because of them.”

“O Archon of Hydro, has no one told you the tale? The ones you hold closest to your heart cause you the most suffering. Even if they do not mean to.”

There’s a beat of silence. You stare down at the ground, taking a deep breath, before looking up at the ghost. “I will do my best. I will continue to do my best to never cause her any pain, or anything close to that.” you state, resolute, and Furina starts to hit your arm and hushedly tells you to quit saying these things. You ignore her. “Things will be resolved. I swear it. You will not end the Parade while sharing your god’s worries, for they will be gone.”

The ghost smiles, though it is barely-there, and seems satisfied with that. They bow their head and turn away, prompting Furina to reach out her hand. “Wait—“

“It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, our dear new Archon of Hydro.”

And the Parade disappears, leaving behind a feeling that one could only describe as nostalgia.

You heave out a shaky breath and fall back against the doors of Opera Epiclese, staring dazedly into the distance. Furina, at your side, seems confused more than anything as she watches the place where all the spirits were just a second prior. Our dear new Archon of Hydro…

This encounter feels like fate throwing a brick into your head from Celestia. The ghosts might’ve pushed you in the right direction so as not to suffer to annoyance of watching you two go back and forth on an unresolved issue, or out of pure concern for an Archon who’s pain they shared— But it was certainly enough to convince you to finally, properly speak about everything with Furina.

You sigh and walk over to the stairs, before sitting down.

Furina looks your way, brought out of her thoughts, and bites the flesh of her lip harshly, nervousness painful in her chest. She knows you two will talk. Properly. This conversation is long overdue, and she knows it. A part of her wants nothing more than to just run away from it, anyways, to put it off for at least a little bit longer— But she knows better than to do that.

She has to follow, anyways, because you’re holding her hand— And she has no intention to let go, either. 

She sits down by your side and sighs, gaze set on the stairs. “I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for.” you exhale, turning to her, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I left Fontaine at such a drastic time.”

“Then I should be sorry for making you feel like it was wrong to leave. It was drastic for everyone and it was selfish of me to ask you to stay for my sake.”

“And I don’t care if it was selfish.” you say, “Be as selfish as needs be. Take everything from me. I won’t make the same mistake twice, Furina, I am never leaving you alone again.”

The look she gives you is full of pain and resentment and guilt and she turns away from you, and there’s tears forming at the corners of her eyes because she doesn’t know what to do with all she feels. “I don’t want you to give all of yourself to me.” she sighs, blinking hard to get the tears away. She waves her hand vaguely in the air, “Or maybe I do, I don’t know, just… Let’s stop apologizing for a while. Let’s just talk, okay?”

You nod. “Okay.”

“I…” she takes a long breath, “I hated you when you left because it was a time where fear was the only thing anyone felt in Fontaine. And I… I expected you to stay.” she stops to swallow back her tears, looking at you, “I wanted you to stay to support my stupid self. The one that makes mistakes and needs you to tell her it’s okay. It was a childish thought, but I clung onto it. I was so angry.”

You knew this. Or rather, you figured. The last Ghost Parade before Furina organized the Parade des Peurs was right after a chilling trial for a series of murders around the city. The atmosphere was uncomfortable, a sense of paranoia plaguing the very waters of Fontaine. Furina was left to deal with this, duty of an Archon, and tried to find a way to ease her people’s worries for days and nights. 

She didn’t tell you how much it worried her, because she never really does. Furina talks and talks and talks and gives the impression of giving away everything she thinks and feels while not revealing a single thing.

“It wasn’t fair.” she states, turning her gaze back elsewhere. She settles on the fountain a few meters ahead of you. The lights reflect nicely upon its surface. “You weren’t only my friend, you were also just a citizen of Fontaine. It was too much of a burden to make you carry to ask you to share this fear. To add it to your own.”

“It’s okay.” you say, staring up at the sky. The stars are countless and they glow brightly. “I never was angry at you for that. More so at myself. I shouldn’t have abandoned the person I care about so much.”

“I was dramatic when I said abandoned—“

“We wouldn’t have added to each other’s burdens.” you cut her off, “We would’ve shared them. Cut them in half. Like cake. Like you always do to share with me.”

Furina looks at you and her sad expression turns into something confused, then, in spite of her frown, she begins to smile. “That’s such a stupid metaphor. Or analogy, whatever.” she says, laughing. You scoff.

“Okay, whatever.” you mimic her voice, earning yourself a shove in the shoulder. You end up laughing as well. “You know what I meant.”

“Yes, we shall eat our problems like cake and cut it in half, generous enough to share our pain with a dearest friend of our heart!” she declares dramatically, though her tone sounds more tired than when she uses it for a crowd. It’s your turn to shove her shoulder.

“I’ll take all of your pain.” you sigh, leaning back against the stairs. You close your eyes, and your hand still holds hers. “I would if I could. I’m not as cowardly as I was back then.”

“You’re just saying that so as not to suffer the dreadful hauntings of the Parade.” Furina scoffs.

“That’s right, dear Princess. The knight in shining armor is tired and refuses to fight the dark mage of the scary ghost parade. Excuse them.”

Furina laughs heartily and squeezes your hand enough to sting, making you sit up to complain.

The Ghost Parade shows up elsewhere during the night. The next day, The Steambird’s front page claims “It’s the first time all Fontainians in the city itself say they have seen it. It is described as gorgeous, ghostly, sure, but hauntingly majestic. No one could find any word close to scary to recount it.” Though the biggest text on the page is another story entirely.

“Our Archon Focalors claims it to be terribly scary, nevertheless, though no one present during its appearance recalls seeing her anywhere in the city.”

[tickly-tufts]

Date Night

in which mj bullies miguel with thigh tickles cuz i have brainrot and wanted to treat myself

—

Unsurprisingly, it was Peter’s fault.

“I am… so sorry.”

Muffled through a palm that barely hid a grin, the apology was entirely unconvincing.

“Yeah, I can tell you’re just wracked with guilt,” Miguel deadpanned, feeling dead inside. He would’ve rubbed his temple if he’d been able, but neither arm was stuck close enough to his head. His next move might’ve been to use his claws, if he’d had the range of motion for it. Unfortunately, there was little one could do when they were half-encased in webbing.

It was the end result of a series of mishaps, comical for Peter, miserable for Miguel. In short, there’d been a Spiderman experimenting with new web fluid, high-strength to the point that it’d jammed their web-shooter. Much to everyone’s surprise, they’d turned to Peter B. Parker for help. Flattered, he’d promised to take a look at the web-shooter… then promptly misplaced it in Miguel’s lair.

And then, because the only thing worse than Parker luck was O’Hara luck, Miguel had been the one to find it.

On the floor.

By stepping on it.

“Wow, you’re super stuck on there, huh?” Peter tugged at the webbing on Miguel’s chest. It wrapped across his entire torso, too thick to simply pull apart. In contrast, Miguel’s lower body had nearly been spared, bearing only a handful of web clumps. Unfortunately, that still proved enough to bind his legs, trapping him in an odd lean against the wall.

“I can whip up a solvent in the lab, but it’ll take time,” Peter warned, getting serious. Then he exhaled ruefully. “Of course this happened on date night… MJ’s gonna be bummed.”

Honestly, Miguel was disappointed, too. He’d been looking forward to his evening with the Parkers. However, before he could consider admitting it, Peter suddenly brightened and lifted his watch.

“I just had the best idea.”

—

MJ had visited Nueva York before, but the portals were still a novelty to her. Stepping from her sunny living room into Miguel’s shaded sanctum resulted in some stumbling as her eyes adjusted.

“¡Cuidado!” Miguel hissed out in alarm when she nearly ran into a shelf. Quickly course-correcting, MJ followed his voice, eventually locating the correct corner.

“Oh, Migs,” she sighed when she saw him, reaching out to cradle his face. Instinctively, Miguel leaned forward, though he couldn’t actually get any closer.

“How much did Peter tell you?” Miguel asked while her thumb brushed soothingly against his cheek.

“Enough to know our dinner plans won’t be happening, but I can still keep you company while Peter fixes this mess.” MJ then paused, realizing something. “Is Lyla not with you? I thought she lived here.”

Miguel shrugged, or at least tried to. “She’s assigned to monitoring the multiverse tonight.” He scowled a bit. “I got her to call Peter, but that’s as far as she needs to be involved in this.”

MJ’s lips quirked up in amusement. “Because she’ll make fun of you?”

“…She already did.”

Miguel pouted, and unable to resist, MJ kissed him, nice and slow. “You poor thing,” she murmured when they parted, pleased to see him looking slightly dazed. “Anything I can do to make you feel better?”

Miguel raised an eyebrow at her tone. “Not that I don’t appreciate the offer, but what can you do while I’m webbed up like this?”

MJ looked down, and Miguel followed her gaze, realizing then that she stood between his legs. There was some space separating their bodies, but it couldn't have been more than an inch. “Depends on how much you can feel through the suit,” she practically purred, giving his left thigh a squeeze. MJ had meant for it to be flirtatious... only to jump when Miguel jolted violently.

“Miguel?!” she cried out in concern, then registered that he'd also made a sound. Not one of pain, nor pleasure like she'd aimed for, but- “Wait a second, are you…? Here?”

Miguel froze as MJ reassessed him, eyes roaming curiously across his legs. Hyperaware of where her thoughts were leading, he barely suppressed the urge to shiver. He did shiver when she grabbed herself a seat, scooting in right between his knees. Placing a hand on top of each thigh, she smiled up at him... then started kneading.

“SHOCK!” Miguel screeched before he crumbled, cackling without any restraint. Both MJ and Peter had tickled him before, but no one had gone for the thighs since… well, Xina. It was even worse than he remembered, and he'd remembered it being pretty embarrassing. His ex had never let him live it down, and evidently, it was back to haunt him.

“How did we not know about this?” MJ marveled, alternating between legs. She massaged upwards from his knees, which might’ve been relaxing for anyone else. Miguel writhed within the cluster of webbing, eyes squeezed shut as tightly as possible. They shot back open when MJ moved inwards, pinching along his inner thighs.

“¡Mierda!” escaped him more like a whine than a curse, as he flung his head back, giggling uncontrollably. MJ only did this for a minute before withdrawing in astonishment.

“So that’s all it takes to get the fangs out, huh?” She could not have been more delighted. “Aww, no, don’t be shy!” she protested when Miguel rushed to hide them. Thinking fast, she switched to scratching, honing in on the thickest part of his thighs. Miguel promptly lost his mind, fangs flashing openly as he wailed with mirth.

Scratching eventually eased into grazing, granting Miguel a break, though not enough to stop smiling. He allowed his fangs to peek out from his mouth, if only to garner more mercy from MJ.

“Such a cute smile,” MJ cooed, smirking when Miguel turned his head away, flustered. She and Peter had realized quite early on that direct praise worked wonders on him. Speaking of which- “Peter’s really missing out… We’ll definitely have to fill him in later.”

Miguel tried not to think too hard about all the things Peter might do with that knowledge.

As soon as Miguel was reasonably recovered, MJ resumed her exploration with the backs of his thighs. Miguel’s legs trembled as MJ’s fingers climbed them, but that wasn’t the part that got him giggling again.

“Oh my god.” MJ couldn’t stop grinning when she finally noticed where her hand had wandered. “Seriously? Your ass is ticklish? Peter is gonna love this so much.” She was very tempted to linger there herself, but Miguel's position just wasn't ideal for it. Sitting back, she examined him again, contemplating her other options.

“Will I regret asking what you’re thinking?” Miguel questioned cautiously.

MJ looked pensive, then mischievous.

“There's just one more thing I have to try.”

—

The solvent was done sooner than he’d expected. Future tech really never ceased to amaze. Peter swung his way back to Miguel’s lair in record time, fully prepared to announce himself, until-

“¡POR DIOS, ERES UNA SÁDICA!”

The exclamation made him rear back. It had obviously come from Miguel, but what the hell was making him sound like that?

Peter’s spider-sense wasn’t going off at all, but just to be safe, he crept forward in stealth mode. He nearly abandoned it to charge in when he heard what sounded like a sob. Experience kept him grounded, though. If something bad was happening, he needed the upper hand. Then he finally rounded the corner, and apprehension made way for awe.

He’d seen MJ tickle Miguel before, poking playfully at his sides, or even nibbling at his neck. Peter and MJ had both picked up on the fact he never genuinely tried to stop her. It was one of Peter’s favorite discoveries about Miguel, even if Miguel rarely made it that easy for him. With all that in mind, though, Peter still wasn’t ready to find MJ tickling Miguel to tears.

“Nonono- ¡No puedo más!” Miguel was babbling between hysterics. Meanwhile, Peter’s very lovely wife was digging into the crease of his thighs. The webs holding Miguel showed off their strength, hardly letting him thrash, much less escape. Miguel’s desperation only intensified as MJ’s fingers migrated inward.

Mary Jane could be a menace. Peter had known that for years. He was pretty sure that after this, Miguel would never forget it either. With MJ scribbling right between his thighs, he broke down within seconds.

“¡No más! Please! Stohohop, plehease!” Miguel begged breathlessly, hitting his limit.

And because MJ was mean but never cruel, she pulled back without any hesitation.

Peter waited another minute for Miguel to calm down, while MJ gently brushed tears from his eyes. He couldn’t make out whatever she was whispering, but he could guess from the way Miguel nuzzled her palm. “Hope I’m not ruining a tender moment,” Peter piped up then, revealing himself. All attention snapped to him, and in greeting, he pulled out the solvent.

“…How long were you watching?” Miguel asked once he'd been fully freed from the wall.

“Pretty sure I heard you call my wife a sadist,” Peter answered cheerfully.

Miguel flushed. MJ laughed. Peter was incredibly in love with them both.

He did wish he'd gotten a turn, though... Maybe they could pencil it in next date night.

[lascapigliata]

.

wasted all my time in therapy talking about how bad i am at therapy then did my stupid yoga class and cried at the end bc like an idiot i was like trying to Connect To My Body, awful idea, remembered to take my stupid New meds because i fucked myself up by being so noncompliant, then managed to get a little work done, and just as i was thinking maybe i'll actually go to sleep early or something i saw another FUCKING BUG one of those house centipedes that i KNOW are pretty isolated i KNOW only feed on other bugs i KNOW won't hurt me and it doesn't matter at all bc i kill everything and so now it's dead but it was on the door to my laundry machine and then crawled to thE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR so i opened it and killed it but like idk why it never occurred to me that things could cross that door!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have to do laundry tomorrow, how am i going to go in there????

i have always said that when i'm not otherwise depressed the phobia is the worst thing for my SI and here we go again. i don't see a way out of this. if one (1) incident with ants can send me into such a spiral that i'm literally acting like i did back in boston at my worst and forcing myself to stay awake and being too afraid to go in my room because i think there must be bugs there because i haven't been there in a few days like what was the point of any of this and what IS the point of any of this. NOT ONLY do i feel like there's no escape here but i also wasted a year and a half and tons of money and time and everything just to sink back into one of the more humiliating times of my life. i don't want to say i want to die but like i do i can't keep doing This and i don't want to do yet more exposure therapy i did SOmu ch and i worked SO hard even if it was all, apparently, a total waste

and i just have no idea how i'm going to sleep tonight, anywhere. here or in my bed. like i just want to procrastinate sleeping, which has been part of the problem this whole time, bc i'm scared of nightmares et al and if i just force myself to stay awake then i'll pass out at 5 and be really tired and hopefully jsut not dream, which is a decent method except it probably is exacerbating the anxiety and this is what i mean it's just a cycle

and this is something that i should be putting in my jounral anyway bc i keep saying to post this super personal stuff here less so i don't add the layer of needing validation to these breakdowns but something about the idea of writing this down feels even more humiliating somehow probably bc i WON'T get any validation except like, i know if i press post and like two (wonderful, i appreciate you) people like it it won't feel satisfying either bc the ONLy thing that will just feels like having this NOT HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE and i don't know how to do that because I THOUGHT I ALREADY DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[keepyourpantsongohan]

Ayesha Liveblogs Jujutsu Kaisen S2

Based on people's foreboding comments I have rarely been so certain a show was about to hurt my feelings. But here we are, ready to be hurt again LMAO

"No one else understands what cursed spirits taste like." Do you think Geto is obsessed with converting Yuji because he's the only other person in the world who eats curses

I wasn't expecting the Utahime and Mei flashback but I do enjoy it

"I don't need that, but you do, right?" Is the implication here that Mei's technique give her impeccable night vision. What is with all these Jujutsu Eyes

Are we going to see ALL the teachers' generation as kids? I have never been listening more in my life. TELL ME MORE:

However, the fact the subtitle of this arc is "Premature Death" probably doesn't bode well for my feelings

"Satoru, it's not nice to pick on the weak." "What kind of idiot picks on the strong?" A terrible but fair point, Gojo

I didn't really recognize Ieiri in the intro so I'm really, really glad to hear that the Female Teammate of Gojo and Geto is not Super Dead LMAO

"Jujutsu exists to protect non-jujutsu sorcerers." I know they're just playing basketball but I am giggling and kicking my feet. I loooove a backstory. Also: Geto you certainly had quite a turn, didn't you?

"You should be more polite and humble," said Geto to Gojo, in a lesson that the latter would never learn, ever, in his life

Given that someone has to die, I'm placing my bets on Star-Vessel-Gal-That-I-Bet-You-$5-Someone's-Going-To-Fall-in-Love-With

"I'm not a Zen'in anymore. I took my wife's name. It's Fushiguro now." YOU MEAN THAT GUY PEOPLE KEEP LUSTING AFTER IS MEGUMI'S DAD????? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA. OH NOOOOOOOO. THAT'S SO FUNNY FOR MEGUMI, HAVING AN EVIL, FUCKABLE DAD

"How's Megumi doing?" "Who's that?" ISN'T HE A TODDLER RN? What a terrible father kjnhgghg. We knew, but wow

"Tengen-sama is me, and I am Tengen-sama." I love that Tengen, Mysterious Keeper of Jujutsu Barriers, is in his mini-skirt era

"I wish I could share my senses with [cursed spirits] like Mei-san does." Well, that explains her impeccable night vision. I sort of forgot that she's also a human surveillance camera

Ahhhh so I guess Riko's like 13 to their 16? Maybe they won't fall in love after all

"Riko, you have a boyfriend?" HAHAHAHA this is the school drama shenanigans I was hoping for

"I failed!" There something endearing about Gojo learning how to control his techniques

HAHAHAHA they're not going to explain the cutaway to the beach????? Hello???????

"I still don't have much recollection of being attacked." Ah, so it was to resolve the kidnapping situation for Kuroi with immediate success

OH MY GOD, I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE NANAMI EITHER. LOOK AT HIIMMMMMMMMM. I did not peg him as a long-hair boy:

Also also also. Just based on his place in the OP, I like Nanami's little friend. I do think he must be Super Dead though

"You haven't released your technique since yesterday, have you? You haven't slept either. And you don't plan to sleep tonight, do you? Are you sure we don't need to go back to Jujutsu High?" This arc is I think what is going to make me love Gojo. I like him well enough, but there's a sincerity here that's getting me. Gojo who tries and fails at new techniques and runs himself ragged to give a dying girl her beach day

"Have we met before?" said Gojo, like Megumi's evil DILF father did not have a sword through his chest

"Never before or after that, had anyone noticed me standing behind them." Hey quick question. What the fuck does that mean?

Ohhhh, Maki and Megumi's Dad have the same No Cursed Energy Condition. It's like a reverse Kekkei Genkai

HOW DID BEING SLASHED THROUGH HIS WHOLE TORSO FROM THE NECK ON NOT KILL GOJO DEAD?

"No matter what decision you make, we will guarantee your future." Geto and Gojo deciding before even meeting her they'll fight Curse Wizard God to give Riko her autonomy!!!! That's the Jujutsu High spirit I know 😭😭😭😭😭😭

Update from two minutes later: Rest in pieces, Riko-chan

Geto said: You have actually activated my trauma response, which is unrestrained manslaughter

Ggjkglgjlgkjg Megumi's Dad said: Looks like you brought curses to a gun fight!

Not to poke holes in this monologue, but doesn't changing the size of a cursed spirit require cursed energy?? I feel like this is such a loosey-goosey structure for what is and isn't cursed energy

"I've already decided I'll only see you either for work or in Hell." I want this to be my email signature

Megumi 🤝 His Dad: Accusing your opponent of being high when they act weird

"One, the power to stop: The neutral application of the Limitless technique. Two, the power to attract: the amplified application of the Limitless technique, Blue. And three, the power to repel: the reversal of his cursed technique, Red." Thank you for laying it all out Mr. Megumi's Dad because I would've taken a long time to get there myself. Also does this mean Gojo is like a giant magnet

"Two or three years from now, my kid will be sold off to the Zen'in clan. Do what you will with that." RIP Megumi's Hot, Evil Dad, who I guess didn't sell him? Or pre-sold him? That part's unclear. Also I can't believe Gojo killed Megumi's Dad and then adopted him. And then DIDN'T TELL HIM HE WAS DEAD. GOJO, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

(Assuming this actually killed him, that is. He is missing like, a third of his body. Seems pretty fatal.)

Also, after all that, I have finally learned from the episode description his name is (was?) Toji. If they said it, I missed it!

"Does there really need to be any point to [killing people]?" "It's very important that there is. Especially for a jujutsu sorcerer." Geto being the constant voice of reason implies something incredibly drastic must happen to him

Also: I guess GOJO's trauma response is unrestrained manslaughter

"Are you Geto-kun? What kind of woman is your type?" You mean to tell me that the lady who turned Todo into whatever he is has been menacing people for generations??? LMAO

"Rather than hunt down cursed spirits, I want to create a world where cursed spirits aren't born." Tsukumo coming in with some hot takes on Jujutsu Society it seems

"If all of mankind were jujutsu sorcerers, curses wouldn't be born." Is Geto in the present trying to, force all of society to become jujutsu sorcerers by making a curse-dominant society, thereby eventually making everyone equipped to deal with cursed energy, and eventually starving the curses out? What a weird, terrible, backwards plan. Incredible. Tell me more!!!

"Just keep culling non-sorcerers and force them to adapt into sorcerers as a survival strategy." Why do all anime roads lead to metaphors for geno-[LOUD FOGHORN NOISE]

"But unfortunately, I'm not crazy enough to do that." Geto said: No problem, I am!!!!

I was correct, Nanami's Nice Friend Haibara is in fact Super Dead

It is funny that they make out Geto's descent into madness and [GUNSHOT NOISE] being triggered by people being violent towards the youth, considering he spent the whole first season plotting ways to torture teenagers

"So, you're just going to kill everyone who's not a sorcerer? Even your parents?!" "I can't allow my parents to be a special exception." Alright, Anti-Establishment Itachi, chill out

Ahhhhhhh, poor Gojo, unable to kill or reason with his friend:

Geto said: I will raise you adopting Megumi and ADOPT TWO TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN, GOJO. BEAT THAT!

"About this dad of yours. I ki--" "I don't care." OH MY GOD MEGUMI. ALSO. GOJO. HE'S FIVE, YOU COULD'VE TRIED A LITTLE HARDER TO TELL HIM

"If I go [to the Zen'in clan] will Tsumiki be able to find happiness? It all depends on that." MEGUMI HAS BEEN SELFLESS HIS WHOLE LIFE

I do love the very normal but realistic dialogue of Nobara and Yuji talking past each other to convince the other to do an activity the other isn't interested in (shopping and a movie respectively). Also Megumi the Homebody!

OH NOOOOOOOO NOT THE SHIBUYA ARC. THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE WARNED WOULD HURT MY FEELINGS

Ohhhhhhh my god. Nobara being asked advice from this gal about asking Yuji out and immediately bringing Megumi back to the restaurant. I LOVE SCHOOL DRAMA

"Someone who knows Itadori well is on his way here now." Megumi Fushiguro: Yuji Dating Consultant

"Did my heart skip a beat?" Nobara!! What does that mean!!!

Megumi takes his role incredibly seriously. Beautiful. Perfect. Beyoncé:

Also. I know it was just an omake, but the implication that it is understood on Team Gojo that Yuji is allowed to date but Megumi isn't is SO FUNNY. They're like, 'He's OUR special boy, leave him alone!'

"But the way she eats and her handwriting and stuff are super nice." Yuji, my sweet boy, who loves girls for their hearts AND their asses

The slice of life parts of this are really getting my heart <3 Give me fifteen more episodes of Team Gojo's dating troubles and going to see Worm Man movies

Jujutsu Kaisen said: Hey Mechamaru have you considered not being disabled, and being evil instead? It's a fresh new look!!

"I have to use any means necessary to get in contact with Gojo Satoru and tell him about the Shibuya plot." Muta-maru said he's only a pragmatic amount of evil, a means to an end

"I'll be able to see everyone," said Muta-maru, in what I'm sure wasn't foreshadowing of him immediately about to die

"But I want to be even closer to you, Mechamaru. So, one day, I will come see you." Oh, Miwa, I don't think you will

Team Nanami!!! While I am glad to see them, I don't like this for Megumi. That he's here, in Shibuya. Be safe, baby boy!

"Everyone who came up running up to the edge of the veil to escape cried the same thing: Bring Gojo Satoru!" How about we don't do that!

Are they making Maki go on a mission with her grandpa? LMAO

They have made this as OMINOUS as possible. I don't like it. I don't like it at all. STAY AWAY, GOJO!!

"They're making Gojo-sensei do this alone?" MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY!

Mei giving Yuji the option not to fight the people 😭😭😭 The teachers try so very hard to protect them in the ways that they can

"Mankind has long feared, hated and cursed such demonic pests." I am like the opposite of a bug person but I didn't have a specific fear of locusts going into this episode. They're doing their best to give me one though

"Are you clever? Or not clever? I'm clever." "Clever people wouldn't really go around calling themselves clever." There's something very Imperfect Cell about locust's vibes, and it does make me laugh

Yuji praying over the person who was killed 😭💞 HIM!!

"Nee-sama is praising you! Just accept it!" [Yelling] "Thank you! I'm honoured!" Yuji is very willing to accept constructive criticism

"Domain Amplification. It's the same principle as the New Shadow School's simple domain. They envelope themselves with the domain. While it reduces its guaranteed-hit effect, it ensures they neutralize any technique used. That would allow their attacks to hit me." Then why would people not use domain amplification and simple domain all the time?

The way Geto has thought of so many different ways to make sure there are civilian casualties to anything Gojo does!! GET GOT, GETO!

Them starting this horrifying scenario with an I Love Gojo video!!

"Technically, he's my benefactor," said Megumi, which meant, My Really Annoying Older Brother or Uncle or Dad Whom I Love

I do kind of love seeing Gojo go insane on these Cursed Spirits and reducing Hanami to smithereens. He can be a little vengeful, as a treat

"I'm sorry. I can't save everyone. So I promise to exorcise them instead." Oh, Gojoooo 😭😭😭😭

I KNOW THAT GETO KNOWS GETTING HIM TO STAND STILL FOR A MINUTE WILL BE EASY BECAUSE HE MISSES HIS DEAD FRIEND. I HATE THIS. I HATE IT! I WANT TO CRY AND THROW UP.

HEY! HEY! WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"I can pass from one body to another by replacing its brain with myself." WHAT DO YOU MEAN?????????????

It's NOT EVEN HIS FRIEND? IT'S A CURSE WEARING HIS DEAD FRIEND'S FACE? WHAT THE FUCK. WHAT THE HELL. WHAT ON EARTH!

"But it's time for you to wake up. How long will you keep letting it have its way with you, Suguru?" Geto's hand trying to kill the thing possessing him. For his own sake, or for Gojo's, I don't know

"I was killed on October 19th by the special-grade cursed spirit called Mahito." Rest in pieces, Mechamaru. Good of you to help!

"Well, it'll all work out somehow. I'm counting on you, everyone." Gojo thinking of his team of first years to save him!!!!!!!

OH IJICHI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT'D HE DO TO ANYONE!!!!

Yuji dealing with the cell phone issue by yelling to all Shibuya a message for Nanamin ❣️ He is clever, and loud!

"Don't toy with Geto-sama any further." Mimiko and Nanako trying to get their surrogate dad's body back. Extremely fucked up and sad

Nanami asking Ino to look after Megumi and Yuji 🥺🥺

"The Gojo clan is currently a one-man team of Satoru Gojo himself." Where are all the other Gojos??????

Gojo being the one person who is safe-guarding specific people in jujutsu society with his existence 🥺😭 I do love him!!!

I do miss the omake instead of this end-of-ep character commentary but the fact that someone insults Gojo with the phrase, "Acting like he was nothing but leg below his nipples," does entertain me 1) Because it really doesn't translate to me culturally as an insult jnghkghg and 2) It confirms Gojo has nipples, which is a real rarity in anime

"They won't be able to climb up here that fast." [Immediate cut to Megumi and Yuji dropping in via Megumi's giant shadow bird] I love physical comedy

"So, whenever I'm at a loss, I think to myself, 'What would Nanami-san do?'" Oh, Ino, that's very sweet

"I thought this wouldn't take long?" "No comment." Yuji and Megumi's friendship is my whole heart and soul

OH MY GOD??????????????????????????????????? THEY'RE POSSESSING MEGUMI'S FATHER???? WHAT IS THIS, THE MAKE TEAM GOJO SEE A BUNCH OF ASSHOLES WEARING THEIR DEAD LOVED ONES FACES ARC????????

Setting aside the egregious body horror, I love that Gojo has been a menace from birth. Good for him!

"If you're a man, be clear and decisive." [Megumi points at Yuji about to throw a car] "That stuff's not my role." Megumi said: Yuji is my man, actually 💖

Megumi's so smart!!!!!! Figuring out how to be both weak and strong at the same time to combat the Inverse technique

Nanami flashing back to Haibara's body when he sees Ijichi's. Ahhhhhhhhhh.

"Who the hell do you think you're ordering around, old hag?" I KNEW that Toji was not going to be silent. Even dead, he's just. A Very Big Presence. Also, poor Megumi's feelings when he sees him. And subsequently, mine

"I guess it just means that this guy's soul couldn't win against my body." "A soul losing to a body?! No! That's impossible!" There is some interesting world-building between the body and the soul with Geto and Toji having consciousness through body alone. I'd be so thoughtful if it weren't so fucked up

"If I die, you'll kill me, right?" Megumi said: Stay Safe, Love You The Sequel 🌸

Nobara trying to protect Nitta while fully concussed!!!

NANAMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII WIZARD ACCOUNTANT DAD'S HERE TO THE RESCUE!!!

I now have a new appreciation and understanding for everyone's lustful feelings for Nanami. I get it:

Ijichi's alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh thank god. Stay alive!!!!!!!!!!!

"You would hinder me, and be in the way." A harsh but fair verdict for Nobara

Of all the people fighting on the side of curses, Choso is the one whose motivations are most understandable

"This guy has beaten my brothers before. They wouldn't lose to some idiot." Lot of confidence in that statement, Choso. I'm not saying Yuji's an idiot, but he learns best on the job and with advice. Benefit of Mechamaru's wisdom, in this case

It's fun that when the sorcerers don't know what's going on, they have an omniscient narrator/mission reporter cut in with an explanation

Also, if I were Choso, I would simply leave the bathroom LMAO

"So even if I die, I'm taking this guy out! I don't have to be the one to rescue Gojo-sensei!" YUJIIIIIIIII

UNBELIEVABLE, IS YUJI, LIVERLESS, UNCONSCIOUS AND FULL OF HOLES, GOING TO WIN THIS BATTLE ON THE BASIS OF A FRIENDSHIP MONTAGE?

Are they suggesting Yuji is ALSO the manifestation of a cursed womb. Because I hope the fuck not!!!

It seems Nanako and Mimiko are going to save Yuji because they share a purpose: Getting-Sensei-Dad-Released-From-Horrors

"Ui Ui? Will you die for me?" "Are you sure that's alright? May I die for you?" This sibling relationship has unsettled me from the moment it appeared on screen LMAO

"I guess there's never been a case where I've been better off alone." Nanami's hard line for co-combatants is that he will not intentionally put first years at risk (fair, given his history)

It's interesting how the ocean spirit seems the least aware and battle-hungry, given that The Ocean Has Many Things to Fear

I said this, and the Ocean immediately exploded into a taller, buffer cursed spirit

"Projection Sorcery. The cursed technique of Naobito Zen'in. It splits one second into 24 frames from his field of view, and allows him to trace the actions created in those frames at the start." Do you think it's fun for the animators to animate a power that's based on animation?

So THIS is where the beach domain came from! What a throwback!

Shikigami really do make sense for the Ocean as an attack

MEGUMMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!! He said: Hey Maki, I heard you were fighting shadows and hating old Zen'in men without me! What gives?

"The other two?" "Ino-san tapped out. Itadori's acting on his own." Nanami's first words to Megumi being about the other kids!!! I LOVE U

WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY HORRIFIC WAY FOR TOJI TO REAPPEAR

I guess that answers the question of if Megumi would be able to recognize his dad. The answer is no!

"His fangs were constantly directed towards the strongest." That doesn't bode well for Megumi later on

Update from 8 minutes later: I WAS RIGHT, IT DIDN'T BODE WELL

PLEASE TELL ME THAT NANAMI AND MAKI ARE FIREPROOF???

"Now there should be at least 15 fingers inside Itadori." Oh. Oh no Yuji. This is NOT good for Yuji!

Also also. Is that the BEST way to say it? Is it?

"Below us, there's a man in monk's robes with a suture across his forehead. Please kill him." I feel like Nanako and Mimiko's request will go over well, purely because they're deferential and they're women and Sukuna seems like the type to be entertained by women. Plus, they're asking him to kill, which he loves doing. Although he does hate being told what to do, so it's a toss-up

Well, I think holding the finger above Sukuna's head (metaphorically) turned the tables against them

Rest in pieces, Nanako and Mimiko (literally, unfortunately)

"You're true to your word, yes?" I thought the pact with Yuji involved Sukuna NOT killing any humans while he's running his body? I feel like that constitutes not being true to your word

Fhkjhkjhgkjhggh you know, fair on what's-his-face for just stalling. He's not strong enough to help Gojo, clearly!

I wonder at what point during getting his ass beat will Megumi learn that it is his father doing the beating

"What's your name?" "Fushiguro?" "It's not Zen'in? I'm glad." Evil Dilf wins one (1) dad point by killing himself in front of his son to prevent his evil instincts from murdering him????

Jogo said: My real desire was the very human experience of wishing for Daddy (Sukuna) to say he was proud

UNWILLING TO BELIEVE THAT SUKUNA HAS A FRIEND. UNREALISTIC. BLOCKED!

"Wake up, you shitty sorcerer!" said Blond Bitch, as if he were not wholly responsible for Megumi being unconscious by attacking him from behind

Ahhh Megumi thinking of Gojo, who has always believed in his strength, and who disapproved of his fallback of giving up his life

"Urgent business." Sukuna said: Team Gojo is incorrect. Megumi is MY special little man 💞🗡️👅 Bye Uraume!

Until Sukuna actively does something to Megumi. I am kind of obsessed with how obsessed he is. He's evil, but he's got weird crush, it feels like. Grimdark Greedl!ngfan until proven otherwise

NOT MEGUMI MENTALLY APOLOGIZING TO YUJI FOR DYING!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE SO 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

"Don't die on me. There are things I need you to do for me." He is healing him! They make no effort to make this sound NOT like a weird crush:

Yuji is not going to be well when he finds out how many mass causalities Sukuna has caused in his body

"You might have defeated me, in the state I was in back then. Now you've fascinated me, Fushiguro Megumi!" OBSESSED

I suppose the implication of Shigemo not knowing of his miracle power is that he has been riding through life on luck alone

Sukuna dropping off Megumi to his teachers. What must they think?!

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH YUJI. Throwing up is an incredibly fair response to speed-running the memories of mass murder

I don't know how Yuji will ever be able to live any kind of normal life after this:

THANK GOD Nanami's alive. It's like they give you just enough to hope for that you won't stop watching completely

Oh god. If Nanami dies now, I will lose it. WHY ARE YOU STILL FIGHTING!! I mean, I know why, BUT WHY

"I've been here the whole time." Mahito, I swear to FUCK

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Yuji cannot witness whatever Mahito is about to do to Nanami, he is already in the throes of PTSD

"You take it from here." NO, NO, NO NANAMI :(((((((((((((((((((((

I HATE THIS SHOW!!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU ALL

You know, I just don't know what to do with this show. Like I don't see the benefit of continuing. A lot of shows have put me through a lot, but this is the one that I think is hardest to watch, because the deaths mean nothing. It helps nothing. You learn nothing. It's just like, "Enjoy getting to know these people and watch them die in extremely violent circumstances." What am I supposed to root for? That Nobara doesn't die in front of Yuji, like Nanami did? That Gojo gets out of his prison soon enough to see what hell on earth has happened without him? That Yuji doesn't completely fall to Sukuna? That Megumi doesn't end up with all of his friends dead and/or gone? WHAT DO VIEWERS GET FROM THIS

"Itadori Yuji wasn't my only natural enemy?" Honestly. Hard to do commentary now. But good for Nobara:

"You've let me believe that I'm not alone." Yuji <3

I'm back to hopeless. Unless Nobara has some sort of 'you didn't touch my soul, you touched my hammer's soul' trap card

Megumi 🤝 Nobara: Being a menace to bullies as a child

Ah yes, menstrual rice, the tradition we all know about

"Nobara-chan changed after she met Saori-chan." Awww, baby's first role model

Nobara crying for leaving her friend Fumi!!! Sweet girl

"I hope Nobara-chan's doing well," said Saori, before it cut to Nobara definitely not doing well

The visualization of Nobara's previous metaphor of the people with seats in her life, and the way Nobara also has a seat for her younger self. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH:

"Itadori. Tell everyone for me: Life wasn't so bad." NOBARA 😭

The way they all try to fix the shirt together 😭😭😭 Team Gojo

Megumi my boy always ready to take the hit for his friends 💕 Also LMAO @ Gojo, "What's the matter, Megumi?"

I don't blame Yuji for straight up giving up. Me too Yuji

"This is a war to determine which of those will be left standing a century from now." Call me crazy, Mahito, but I don't think people whose main life purpose is torturing people is a legitimate side. Like jujutsu sorcerers exorcise curses BECAUSE of what they do. If a curse's purpose were to make people play baseball or go to the movies, who would kill that?

Even if we buy into the premise of curses fighting for their own existence, it's sort of like, "Team A and Team B are fighting. Team A has killed a lot of Team B over many years. Team B has also done that, but also needs to kick eleven hospitalized children in the face for their enjoyment every day to keep going. What a dilemma!"

We interrupt this programming to say: Never in my life I have been happier to see Todo

"Sukuna killed so many. So I have to save... that many more people." Yuji 😟

"This is not a matter of sins or punishments. The moment we chose to live as jujutsu sorcerers, our lives were no longer bound by such karma." Todo said: Jujutsu sorcerers can do no wrong actually, and that is how I've decided to live my life

Todo said: The greatest punishment is being alive ❤️ Hope that helps!

"Todo-san's little brother doesn't look like him at all." Todo said: Who needs context! Bros for life

"I'm just saying that the chance [that Nobara survived] isn't zero. Please don't get your hopes up too high." Blond Kyoto First Year Baby Brother Nitta sums up energy of this show in a single sentence:

"I'll make sure I take on your share of suffering too, Nanamin." 😨

Ohhhhhhhh I'm glad Mechamaru and Miwa have their chance to talk. Poor Miwa

I honestly fully support Mechamaru manipulating his friends to not be in Shibuya. I wish nobody was in Shibuya, and I'm going through Shibuya this week

"Whatever shape it takes, as long as you're happy, my wish has come true." Romantic Bastard Behaviour

"And that's all thanks to that woman." Wild that Mahito is the first person to acknowledge Nobara's full strength

I appreciate how silly Todo's animations are. They're like, "Here, as a treat."

Back from my vacation in Japan after a couple of weeks and returning to to finish this season, and let me tell you, watching this show in the hours leading up to leaving made for a very harrowing first time at the train station. They use incredibly accurate building modelling in this show. Also, I did get a little Nanami keychain. In any case, I have returned to finish hurting my feelings

Opposite to my prior point, they make all of Mahito's animation as gross as possible

"Forgive me, you pitiful souls." Ahhh, Todo

Mahito using Gojo's split second domain technique to attack his student. GET GOT, MAHITO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Props to Todo for immediately getting rid of his own arm to prevent dying?????????????????????

"And he can't clap his hands anymore." I did wonder how long it would take for the clapping thing to come up. Mahito would probably have won this fight if curses (Hanami, specifically) bothered to tell each other anything. Maybe the real technique everyone needed was communication

Absolute, extreme regret to ever echo Mahito, but: Huh?

Todo touching Mahito just so Yuji could get an opening!!! 😭😭😭

"Instant Spirit of Distorted Killing." Why does the average special cursed spirit form simply look like a particularly sadistic, anthropomorphized tree?

[Narration slide] "There is no sorcerer who can unleash Black Flash at will." Then what's the attack chanting for? Just hoping it'll work?

I don't think I enjoy Yuji's smile being slashed open Joker Style

"I'll just kill you. And if you're ever reborn as another curse, I'll kill you then, too. You can change your name and change your appearance, but I'll still kill you again and again. I don't need meaning or a reason for it anymore. Maybe there will be some meaning to be found from my actions several centuries after I'm dead. But I'm sure I'm just one big cog in the wheel. And I'll keep on killing curses until I rust away." Yuji said: New life philosophy unlocked: Murder your problems until you die 💖

I'm not sure I'm comfortable with HOW Yuji has found inner peace, but he does seem like he has an achievable goal

Fake Geto said: I haven't caused problems in a while! Hope you didn't gain any hope while I was gone.

"No matter what judgment gets doled out to Itadori later now that Gojo is gone, I won't be taking your side. I'm in favour of Itadori Yuji's execution." I can't say I blame Kusakabe for his position

I do wish they'd stop doing this with Mei Mei. Whoever wrote this said: I have feelings for my family that should only be discussed with a psychiatrist 😀

Choso said: Where one brother of Yuji's (Todo) falls, another one rises up (me) like a fucked up little tag team of camaraderie

I also should've known better than to think Mahito might actually die. That's hope! Stupid.

I have never been LESS happy to see the Kyoto School. GO HOME

The payoff for the forced pregnancy storyline they dropped last season is that Fake Geto is Choso's DAD? Disgusting. Terrible. Leave. Kick rocks. You will NEVER be the Evil DILF that Toji is!!!

Alright. Alright. I will allow the Kyoto students to be here for one moment, if only for the comedy of Choso yelling "KAMO NORITOSHI" and Blood-bending Teen Kamo pointing and going, "Watashi? (Me?)" It WAS funny.

"How dare you make me try to kill Itadori? My little brother!" said Choso, like he had nothing to do with that decision

If the payoff for Choso calling Yuji his little brother that Fake Geto is also his dad. I don't want it. I would rather just disintegrate.

"I strongly sensed the death of Itadori Yuji, right before my eyes. Which means that Yuji must also be my blood-related younger brother." 😷😷😷 I don't have words strong enough for how much I wish this episode had ended with 16 minutes ago (it's been 15:55 minutes)

I truly, truly don't want to believe this but does this mean that Kamo and Sukuna had a terrible threesome with Yuji's poor mother to create Yuji? I don't want that. I keep saying it. It's not helping

"Just asking, but you two are strangers, right?" "Worse than strangers. He nearly killed me once already." I like that Todo has set the premise for Yuji simply being called siblings by strangers who have beat the crap out of him, so he's just like, 'Well. It happens.'

"First it was Todo. Are you sure you aren't emitting dangerous pheromones or something?" Panda said: Maybe you just stink of brotherly love, Yuji

Tsukumo said: Me and Choso together will fill the void of Todo being gone

"Japan would practically have a monopoly on cursed energy. Other nations, especially that superpower, wouldn't stand by and allow that." HFFHFJHFKJJH the clouds and angle make the geography a little hazy, but I can only assume this is a shot at the U.S. Yeah, Tsukumo, the U.S. would be the problem with killing everyone who's not a sorcerer! Not anything else!

JJK really said: You thought Megumi was safe just cause he wasn't on screen? SURPRISE. WE ARE GOING TO KILL HIS SISTER:

They are going to elaborate on how the rest of Japan is doing, but NOT on how the Kyoto students get out of this situation

OKKOTSU!!!!!!!!! Resident Nice Little Guy coming to save the day

"That's bad, Rika-chan. Don't overdo it." Hey. Hey. What?

"He cut off Inumaki's arms in Shibuya." WHAT!!!!!!!!! WHEN!!!!!!!

"Satoru Gojo has been deemed an accomplice to the Shibuya incident and is hereby expelled from Jujutsu Society. In addition, any attempt to free him from his seal will be deemed a crime." This is most extreme form of victim-blaming for any one person in anime I've seen

Resident Nice Little Guy Okkotsu is now Resident Yuji Executioner

I can't imagine Megumi will tolerate any of this. He's going self-expel from Jujutsu Society

[Yuji claps] [Numerous cursed spirits emerge out of the water like he's now trying out a Cursed Manipulation Kekkei Genkai] HEY. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

I don't know what to say about this show anymore. I don't know what this was, except exhausting. However, that was more than enough for me. Goodnight.

[vickyvicarious]

I greatly fear that she is of too super-sensitive a nature to go through the world without trouble. She will be dreaming of this to-night, I am sure. The whole agglomeration of things—the ship steered into port by a dead man; his attitude, tied to the wheel with a crucifix and beads; the touching funeral; the dog, now furious and now in terror—will all afford material for her dreams.

I think it will be best for her to go to bed tired out physically, so I shall take her for a long walk by the cliffs to Robin Hood's Bay and back.

This might be an answer to the question of why Lucy sleepwalks to the graveyard. I know a lot of people say it's Dracula's doing,and even her earlier sleepwalking is easier to mistake as his influence when not paying attention to dates. But we know that she's been sleepwalking for over a week now, when he was still way out at sea. Even if she is vulnerable to his mere presence in some way that doesn't require any direct intervention, that wouldn't explain her sleepwalking with that much time/distance between them. So it starts perfectly naturally.

Then, the question is, at what point does that change? And tonight's sleepwalking is such a departure from usual, one that leads her right to him to be drunk from for the first time. So it's tempting to say now is when he starts. But honestly, I don't think that's true.

Mina points out here that she thinks the events of the day will provide material for Lucy's dreams and influence her sleepwalking. Later on, we get Lucy's own account of what she remembers from that night:

"I didn't quite dream; but it all seemed to be real. I only wanted to be here in this spot—I don't know why, for I was afraid of something—I don't know what. I remember, though I suppose I was asleep, passing through the streets and over the bridge. A fish leaped as I went by, and I leaned over to look at it, and I heard a lot of dogs howling—the whole town seemed as if it must be full of dogs all howling at once—as I went up the steps. Then I had a vague memory of something long and dark with red eyes, just as we saw in the sunset, and something very sweet and very bitter all around me at once; and then I seemed sinking into deep green water, and there was a singing in my ears, as I have heard there is to drowning men; and then everything seemed passing away from me; my soul seemed to go out from my body and float about the air. I seem to remember that once the West Lighthouse was right under me, and then there was a sort of agonising feeling, as if I were in an earthquake, and I came back and found you shaking my body. I saw you do it before I felt you."

While there are other reasons for several of these elements, there are parallels to the events of the funeral as well. Dogs always oppose Dracula, so they may well have been truly howling... but Mina doesn't mention it, so it's possible that was part of her dream. If so it could have been related to the terrified dog she saw at the funeral. Similarly, the idea of water and drowning men, while perhaps just part of the experience of being drunk from, could have been an impression influenced by her thoughts of the story of the Captain and his companions. Another detail, admittedly more tenuous: while the lighthouse isn't in the same area as the cliffs that she and Mina walked to, or the Demeter's crash site, Lucy's spirit still goes towards the edge of water and land... towards the direction the Demeter blew in from?

Even Lucy wanting so badly to go to their spot in the graveyard despite being afraid... It could be due to the incident at the funeral making such a deep impression upon her. It scares/upsets her, but weighs heavily on her mind, and things that are on her mind can influence her sleeping behavior. Mina took her on a long walk that day as well... what if that plays in to sleeping Lucy wanting to go on a longer walk away from the house?

Mina is tired herself tonight, and perhaps doesn't hide the key as well, since she feels like the long walk will have done the trick to get Lucy to rest quietly. And we've seen a build of Lucy being more determined to try and get out anyway, with her having an odd concentration and searching for the key...

[scarletsaphire]

tell me about kit!

*cracks knuckles* You have fallen into my trap. Prepare to hear about the singular best character that has ever been created.

Kit Baxter, also known as the Flying Squirrel, is the sidekick to Canada's greatest superhero, the marvelous masked man known only as the Red Panda from the radio show Adventures of the Red Panda. She is also his chauffeur for his secret identity (which remains secret even to the listeners for most of the show.) One other important bit of context is that the show is set during the great depression in Toronto, Canada, so life kinda sucks ass a little bit.

Kit is a first generation Russian immigrant, her father ran a boxing ring and taught her to drive. She's quick witted and quick on her feet, can throw a mean right hook, and drives better than most other people in the city, which earned her a spot as a taxi driver. Panda ended up in her car in his Secret Identity, asked her to drive (recklessly) to a crime scene he wanted to stop, and she, obviously, refused. She wasn't going to be running around like an idiot for some rich asshole. Panda than waved some money in her face to try and get her to listen, and what did she do? She said no, because she isn't some trained dog that'll bark for some rich asshole the moment he gives her a bone. She'd rather go hungry tonight than do that kind of shit for him, and if he's gonna act like he doesn't even know what manners are, he can get the hell out of her cab. (Once he says sorry and asks nicely, than she puts the petal to the metal.)

She's also like. So smart and cool and good with people, she's a jokester and flirtatious (mostly with Panda because she likes flustering him, its really funny) but she's allowed to be all of those things without ever feeling like "Oh she's just there to be the attractive side kick." Kit is very much her own person, its just that she happens to like being a thorn in Panda's side and sometimes that means batting her eyelids (and climbing up walls in a skintight cat suit).

Kit became the Flying Squirrel after, and I quote "I figured out your secret identity and then blackmailed you into letting me play." She cares so, so deeply about the people of her city, especially the people on the streets she comes from because she did not grow up in a nice area of town, and she is constantly trying to fight for the most vulnerable parts of town, despite many of them looking down on her as a woman, especially a woman in her field. She never takes anyone's shit, either towards herself or anyone else, and she is always ready to throw hands with someone she thinks deserves it.

(I'm going to be getting into spoiler stuff underneath the cut. I am asking so very nicely for you to listen to the Adventures of the Red Panda. They're on spotify here ad free, and you can also find them on their website decoderringtheatre.com along with all of their other shows and their audiobooks. It truly is one of the most impressive, fun, and thrilling stories I have ever read, watched, or heard, and it is Criminally Underrated. If you think this is even like. A Tiny Bit Interesting, throw on the first episode, its only 20 minutes, see if you like it. If you don't mind spoilers, or ended up not liking it, keep going.)

Something that I really, really like about Kit is how she's handled later on in the story, once we get into WWII. Her and Panda get married, and she ends up pregnant right as he ends up MIA (presumed dead by most of the world) and she is left to try and defend all of Toronto largely by herself with a child on the way and Archangel, a nazi spy whose manipulating p much everything, bringing havoc upon her city.

It would be super easy to let her fade into the background during all of this. It would be so, so easy to write her off as so many different things do as a mother and a wife and leave her at that. But they don't. She steps up as the mastermind behind everything, pulling the strings of their connections they've forged over the years, continues to fight in her suit until she physically can't anymore, working as hard as she can in and out of costume to make sure that her city, because with Panda gone (not dead. She never believes he's dead for a second and has and will fight anyone who says otherwise.) It is her city and her people and she will not let it fall to ruin. She will not let anyone else, Nazi or American or Canadian or anyone take her city from her.

Katya Baxter is a wonderful character who is just so, so funny and amazing and if anybody knew what the Adventures of the Red Panda were she would be an absolute HIT of a character on here. I love her so, so much.

[not-alien-girl-v]

Hello! Could I request a tate langdon x trans male reader? (Sorry for requesting tate I know you get him alot)

note: you know what you are right i do get tate a lot but the tumblr girlies have been eating him up lately so this one goes out to the transmascs and/or tate lovers. also writing this on my phone and my fat ass thumbs are not doing all that work of clicking shift so this will be all lowercase. anyway i’m writing this sleep deprived at midnight so i am going to wake up tomorrow morning and forget i wrote this most likely

warning: language probably idk i write my warnings before i write the fic and i just predict what the fuck im going to add in idk i should stop

the dead of winter makes things feel quiet. you barely hear your mom in the kitchen though you are just in the room over. it’s not snowing outside, it doesn’t do that in la, like, ever, but it would be nice maybe once.

you feel the vibration of your phone. you’re sitting on the couch and it’s in the back pocket of your jeans and you don’t want to stand up to fish it out so you flop yourself sideways and grab it. you have three notifications, and in your mind, you make a mental ranking of their importance.

3. bereal went off, though it happened hours ago and you don’t bother to take the picture because who cares

2. about 46 minutes ago, your friend texted your other friend in the group chat, talking about some concert tonight for people you’ve never even heard of before

1. your boyfriend, tate, texted about the same concert, but in this case, offering to take you with him to the show

not to play favorites, but a night out alone with your boyfriend sounds like more fun than a night with your freaky little friends. sure, they were a barrel of monkeys… in their own way, but you’d much prefer a long night in working at a puzzle with them than a raging concert.

‘?’ Tate texts again. You opened his text and he saw the read receipt but you’ve just been sitting there contemplating the meaning of life for minutes now.

‘maybe’ you reply and renter your deep thought once more. it would be fun, you’d have a good time and he’d be happy… but you have been wearing your binder for at the very least 10 hours now, and you had plans to take it off in a little bit (granted you were procrastinating) and that was something you didn’t want to deny yourself.

they say you’re not supposed to exercise in a binder, but that’s never stopped you. back in high school, you had PE 3rd period, and it’s not like you were just gonna go through the trouble of taking it off for a one hour block every single day and then put it back on once the class is over.

that’s the same now, though you don’t have a PE class, you are an avid mosher in the pit and you don’t want to be boobs flying everywhere. you don’t even want boobs at all, but top surgery is expensive, and your insurance only covers testosterone shots so you make do with what you can.

‘maybe?’ he texts back and he didn’t include it in the text, but you can feel a :( radiating from his end of the line.

‘tummy kinda hurts idk’ another thing, he doesn’t know you’re trans. it’s no big deal, truly, you know he’d be super supportive and respectful if you came out and nothing would change between the two of you but that doesn’t take away any of your fear of telling him. this relationship has been going on for 6 months now, and it seems like the longer you wait to say something, the more awkward it will be once you do.

‘:(‘ he texts and you frown a little as well in real life, and you put your phone on the table and walk into the kitchen. your mom is baking those little sugar cookies from target with the snowmen on them and you swear if you got close enough, you could eat an entire tray full of them.

but you’ve already spoiled your dinner enough with the potato chips you now realize you’ve abandoned in the living room and walk back to your room.

your bedroom is small yet well decorated, giving it a cozy aura, even more when you light a peppermint candle. you finally remove your binder and it feels like a breath of fresh air for the first time today. twisting your arms around, you stretch out and then put on a tank top and bundle up in your bed because it’s so damn cold out.

you put your headphones over your ears and play some random song off a playlist tate made for you and all is well in the world until you think you hear your mom screeching your name from the kitchen. of course, the second you pause the music and rip of the headphones, it’s dead silence once more, so you put them back on. there’s the noise again. if she’s really trying to contact you, she can just text you rather than test out her echolocation skills.

a moment later, she does text you.

‘someone at the door go get it’

as polite as ever, you have no choice but obey and slump to the front door, unhappy that your unwinding time has been interrupted by some rando at the door. when you open the door (albeit, grumpily), it’s not a rando, but it is in fact your boyfriend.

“tate! what are you doing here?” you don’t mean to sound so unhappy about his presence, it just comes out like that and of course you notice how quickly his eyes trail downwards on your body. you follow them too, until they land on your uncaged boobs. shit. “oh, um.”

“aren’t you going to invite me in?” he doesn’t say anything you thought he would and for that, you hold the door open for him and step aside to let him in.

“so, what are you doing here?” you ask again since he didn’t respond the first time.

“you said your stomach hurt, and mine kinda hurt too, so i thought i could come over and we could be in pain together. what do you think?” the whole time he’s been making his way to your bedroom, though he hadn’t been in your house very many times, he knew where he was going. he kicks off his shoes at the base and launches himself onto your duvet.

“you’re so thoughtful,” you crawl in next to him and hook one leg between his own, immediately experiencing the glory of his body heat.

“i tend to think so.” there’s that silence again. sometimes peaceful, sometimes deafening, because you know there’s something left unsaid. so you open your mouth again.

“um, so, about the boobs thing,” you start and pause to swallow, realizing you must look like a nervous character on tv right now.

“it’s okay.”

“it is?” you don’t dare lift your head to look him in the eye.

“of course. it doesn’t matter to me. you’re still hot,” he pokes you in the side and you chuckle at him.

“stop it, you silly goose,” you joke back and you can feel the physical cringe his body does.

“and i love you no matter what,” it’s quiet, but you hear it, muffled by your cringe minecraft bedspread. you love him too.

[lutawolf]

Between Us Episode 8 Commentary and Review

Happy holidays guys!!! I hope each of you are having an amazing day. I was up super late, so forgive me if I'm spazzy during this commentary. For those not familiar with me. You can check out my master list here. Also, don't forget to head offer to Coconuts Mafia and check out the other BL content providers. There are several of us who like to keep you guys entertained.

Without further ado. Let's do this.

This is fucking relatable. I envy those who studied and never had this thought. It's no fucking wonder you can't sleep on your bed if you're eating chips on it! Crumbs on the bed. Just ew. No.

Opens door. Tone says you suck, then the bag of snacks come out. Why I do love you... Not gonna lie. My daughter and I are the same way. "You're not you when you're hungry." That smile on Win's face, so cute. Ahhh, listen to that Dom voice. Hand stopping Team from going any further. Voice commanding, not asking or even telling, but commanding. Whiny brat comes out, but we are merely amused. I'm so dead. "You're so dumb." 🤣🤣🤣

When has a pillow ever saved you, Team? Name one time. Go ahead. I'll wait. Then calling Win out. "How you want to get paid?" We got questions and we need answers. Forehead kisses! That pillow did nothing, Team. Nothing at all. Next time, wack him. I mean, you'll be punished for it, but I'm okay with that. Team, did you really ask that? I know you're insecure and last episode didn't help with that, but you're dumb. Well that was about as clear as mud Win, thank you for that.

These two dorks. Bee and Prince. PrinceB. So fucking special.

Win tells him that they are taking the bike. No argument from Team. Even though it's a product placement. It's a cute moment. Love the peace sign. Not Win demanding a check kiss! So cute! Look at that smile! I really enjoy that we only see this side of Win with Team. It shows just how special Team is to Win. I'm sentimentally attached to the colors red and blue. Which is saying something because I hate the color blue.

Team once again being relatable. Ladies and gents, the award goes to Drama king Team and Drama Queen Manow. OMG!!! He posted pictures! I'm so dead. I fucking love the sub trio. They are hilarious.

Blue and red! Ahhhhh. Now you give him encouragement instead of calling him dumb. After the exam! smh. Look at him, waiting to hear where Team is sleeping tonight. Then getting all happy about it. So cute! Yeah, so Team does not have a praise kink. He actually gets embarrassed with it, which is why you see him pushing Team on. There are brats like that. Especially those more comfortable being degraded. Which Team clearly is.

You only believe half of it Team!? No! He likes the idea of it. Win coming in with the logic. 🤣🤣🤣 He can't help it. It's how his brain works. Sweet baby Jezebel, it's a pain in the ass. OMG!!! I'm loving Team's reaction. He just giggles while Win side eyes him. Love It!!!

That's right, baby boy! Question why he has hemp rope, and let all pray it's for the reasons that we hope. Though, hemp rope that frayed would be awful! Like painful, uncomfortable, and break. Just say no to craft hemp rope. There is softer rope that will still give you the feel you're looking for and will hold up better. With a hell of a lot less aftercare, too. Actually, here, let me just give you the link. Ropes are a really fun, even if you don't want to tie someone up. I have friends who've really enjoyed learning knots.

Okay, so back to the show. We left off with Team thinking he had it to tie him up. Sadly, we find out that was not true. Fucking teases. The red thread is for little boys like Dean and Pharm. So dead! HAHAHA!!!

Hey dumbasses, I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be the pinky and not the whole body. Wait! Why am I complaining? This is what I wanted! NVM, please continue.

Awe, they're at Win's house. Here comes the parents. OH, NO Win! Calling him a junior. There goes the fucker with something stuck up his ass. And not in a fun way either! Though... One could argue that anything STUCK up the ass wouldn't be fun. In any way.

Super stressful situation, but let's all take a minute to enjoy how Win commanded Team to take Wiew out. And how, Team just did it. Yay, daddy, don't piss off the kid that can actually run circles around you running your business. I love, love, that Wiew feels comfortable talking to Team about his issues. I really respect that Team isn't trying to give advice right away here. He isn't interrupting, he's just listening. Letting Wiew talk about his issues and concerns. Sometimes, that's more needed than an actual solution to the problem.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Damn. First calling him a junior and then asking if Win is dating someone. This family knows how to score a direct hit. I'm actually enjoying the frank father son talk.

Omg, why is it so salt. "My hand." dead. I'm so dead. Because they are not dead like me. How could they miss it. Look at the ABC gang coming in with the good advice.

See. Team is not into the praise kink. Win tells him good job, and he's like eh. That's actually very typical in someone with low self-esteem. This can be due to abuse, trauma, or even ADHD. Praise kinks aren't as common as one might think. More like, Doms give praise until a sub gets used to it and then begins to enjoy it. I praise like nobodies business both here, in real life, and with my kids. Don't believe me, ask my daughter. No, I also have a degrading kink, but that's with my husband. And even that is done with a balance of praise. Which is actually what we see with Win. A very good balance of degrading and praising. Which would be why you might miss his degrading kink if not paying attention.

Are you seeing it now that I've pointed it out? How many of you are now going to rewatch it to catch it? Raise of hands in the comment section. Notice that Team isn't fighting the degrading like he does being praised. Win just realized that Team can memorize anything he deems important. Win, I mean this with the utmost affection. You're a slut and I love you for it. But seriously, did they throw in a lion sound effect? WTF.

Hia, I can't talk so here, let me show you. So fucking cute. He got a B!!! Shut up, Manow!! 🤣🤣🤣 By the way, I think I'm fucking up the spelling of these names. You should see me, when I write my stories I have a notebook of everyone's names next to me. But do I do it when writing these? Hell to the nah.

The eye blinking sound effects. SMH. Haha, she went to see the lights. He got a B! Do you guys see it? Hmmm? He wants a prize! I fucking love it! A ROOM KEY!!! See sneak in of the praise kink. He did it while he was so happy that he didn't fight him. He's starting to get used to it now.

Their smiles talking about the Christmas lights and Team cheering!! So fucking cute!!!

Well that's all folks! Hope you've had an amazing day and got all your wishes granted. 💜💜💜

[barrenclan]

(floors it through the wall of your living room in my toyota corolla) HELLO i have another song rec. Nunemaker’s Parable by Everybody’s Worried About Owen as a potential rainhaze song perhaps?

[BIG Music Compliation Post]

MY WALL

"There was a wanderer who found his way to God Or maybe it was Lucifer under some false facade"

"Leave me the way all those other homes did But leave me a soul, only by definition I don't want to feel anything"

"With no conscience, I'll make money and I'll lie and cheat and steal And that money won't bring happiness But let me ask what does"

"So now I'm broken fundamentally And nobody gets why"

"She said "Mister, you look tired I will let you go, but first I think that what you're asking for It just might make things worse"

Incredibly fitting for him, as it happens.

I'm pretty sure this has been suggested before, but I like the song and it fits Hush Puppy very well.

"But me and my husband We're doing better It's always been just him and me Together"

"And I am the idiot with the painted face In the corner, taking up space But when he walks in, I am loved, I am loved"

I'm not certain this fits anyone in the comic, really... I can see where you're coming from but it's too confident for Cormorantpaw, and the lyrics about "making a woman out of me" really don't fit him. Still a cool song!

Oh yeah! You know it babey! Cormorantpaw is singing.

"So can I call you tonight? I'm trying to make up my mind Just how I feel Could you tell me what's real?"

"Don't go, don't go so easy Don't go, don't go and leave me"

I agree! I like Cormorantpaw wishing for a childhood he never had, and especially for someone to take care of him.

"Honestly I've had enough of looking at a dead man I just wanna scrape my knees Cry until my mommy sees"

"I just wanna be a kid But I don't wanna be a kid who was born like this"

Oh, I wonder where you got this song. *direct eye contact* Really, though, I think you're very right, and I always like a somewhat eerie old folk song.

"Round like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel Never ending or beginning on an ever spinning reel"

"Down a hollow to a cavern where the sun has never shone Like a door that keeps revolving in a half forgotten dream"

"Pictures hanging in a hallway and the fragment of a song Half remembered names and faces, but to whom do they belong?"

I'm making an executive decision and saying Rainhaze!

"its one v. one and heres the thing you may be better in a fight but I’ve got more to lose tonight"

"hit me where it hurts, the bruising will be worth the freedom I have earned from letting everything burn"

This is probably my favorite Hozier song, I just think it's so pretty. It's definitely super fitting, and sad, for Corm and Pinepaw.

"I will not ask you where you came from I will not ask you, neither should you"

"So I will not ask you Why you were creeping In some sad way I already know"

Ugh, heartbreaking. But a good call. Silent Hill music is so interesting to me.

"Really don't deserve it But now, there's nothing you can do So sleep in your only memory Of me, my dearest mother"

"Here's a lullaby to close your eyes, goodbye It was always you that I despised I don't feel enough for you to cry, oh well"

Yeah <3

"Am I allowed to look at him like that? Could it be wrong, when he's just so nice to look at?"

"No, I'd never say a word, and oh, it aches, but it feels oddly good to hurt"

[arcplaysgames]

Morgana finds these chucklefucks in the real world and

Oh. Oh honey. /looks at Ryuji with deep concern

Reverie The Fifth is already so much better than Reverie The Fourth.

Morgana has a solution to the Kamoshida Problem: If we go into his Palace and steal his Treasure (a metaphysical manifestation of his desires), all his distorted desires will simply vanish. They will be gone.

HOW-FUCKING-EVER.

Yeah I am not super hype to be killing people.

And to my surprise, the game is like "okay let's contend with this a bit" and explores the concept. Like, Morgana straight up doesn't know what will happen if we steal the Treasure, this is conjecture on their part too.

There is also an Interesting moment of gossip that mentions that the people who are having mental breakdowns and causing horrible accidents around the city are going brain dead after. Which makes me curious if stealing a Treasure and these incidents are linked. Who else would have Metaverse access?

On the way home from school, Reverie overhears Ann on the phone with Kamoshida, and he is pretty openly blackmailing her to sleep with him or he'll pull her best friend's position on the volleyball team.

Which, again: only volleyballers even get the school's support into the good universities, so if all of this abuse and shit was even "worth" anything, getting yanked from the team nulls out everything you have endured Kamoshida's suffering for.

Ann explains to Reverie that she hasn't actually slept with Kamoshida yet, but its a big Yet because he's definitely pushing for it. All of this is for Shiho, her best friend, and Kamoshida wants Ann to come see him tonight or there will be repercussions.

Fucking OOF.

And as if the game is looking specifically at me and is like "Oh so Arc you don't want to risk a human life and think killing an abuser removes the possibility of rehabilitation, you little bitch? You fucking pansy?"

Shiho decides she is done with this shit and throws herself off the roof.

She survives, but badly injured and in a coma.

So yeah we're gonna have to risk turning the dude into a vegetable, because we ain't doing this shit, naw.

Ryuji my man, I feel like Ann has the most motivation to put a fucking stiletto through Kamoshida's heart and deserves to be in on this-- okay so we toss Ann back into the Real World so she can't help

BUUUUT Notigor pushes the apk download onto her phone so she walks up again and immediately gets captured by the guards.

EXCELLENT JOB RYUJI, JUST STELLAR. I BLAME YOU FOR THIS.

Also wow she's the princess huh, that fucking sucks a Lot. Kamoshida subconsciously prioritizes her like that? It's interesting she's not the Queen, but the Princess, and thus is a lower rank than Kamoshida. Reflective of his internal justification of blackmailing her?

"Two boys and a mascot head into a dungeon alone only to have to save the first female party member" fucking check. (Though in P3P Girl Route, it was two girls saving one stupid boy, which I liked. I miss Junpei and Yukari every day.)

Also... /squints at Ann. The clover on her back and the way she tries to position herself into less-horrible circumstances only to get a punch in the face from circumstances. I think it would be interesting if she was Fortune, but I suspect she'll be something more 'standard' like Lovers or Empress. She better not being the Priestess, I'm telling you now. I'm gonna revoke Magician/Priestess from Atlus.