#and I'm weak for the name Rosemary

[matchingbatbites]

Love Grows - Part 1

This is my take on teen dad Steve! It was just supposed to be a ficlet, but the word count is currently hovering at 4k and I'm not done, so this will be going up in parts. <3

Ao3 | Part 2

February '85

The rumors have been flying for weeks. It only took one cheerleader to see Steve Harrington out and about with a baby and soon enough the news was all over the school. Nevermind that no one else has even seen said baby, but just the one accusation is enough to send the rumor mill into production.

It's something that had piqued Eddie's interest, but he quickly attributed it to teenagers spreading drama, a fiction created for their own entertainment. That is, until the day Harrington shows up to school with the baby.

The halls are buzzing, more so than usual, and it only takes until second period for Eddie to realize why. The entire class breaks into whispers when Steve walks in with a baby carrier in one hand, a piece of paper in the other, and a diaper bag slung over his shoulder. The paper goes to the teacher, who reads it before saying something to Steve, and Eddie is so curious but unable to hear anything over the chatter in the room.

Eddie can’t take his eyes off Steve for the rest of the class. He watches as the carrier finds a home on the floor, right by Steve’s desk, and Eddie has a perfect view of the little, rosy-cheeked baby girl from his seat two rows behind Steve (at least, Eddie’s assuming it’s a girl. The blanket tucked around her is a soft pink, so-). He sees every time Steve leans over to check on her, sees how her big eyes flick up to look at him, how she smiles around the pacifier in her mouth. 

It makes Eddie go all gooey inside; he's always loved kids, always hoped to find a guy who is good with them, and seeing Harrington being so attentive only increases the low-key crush he has on the other guy (he knows it’s a little pathetic, but Steve is very attractive, and Eddie is very gay, sue him). When the class ends, Eddie gathers his stuff slowly so he has an excuse to hang back a little and watch Steve interact with the baby some more, but soon enough the younger is also packed up and out the door.

Eddie doesn't see Steve again until later that day, when he's skipping out on 5th period and hears a baby crying as he passes by a closed classroom door. He peeks in through the window and sees Harrington pacing slowly while holding the baby against his shoulder, one arm supporting her from the bottom as his free hand rubs circles into her back. 

For a moment Eddie thinks about walking on, about just leaving Steve alone as he comforts his wailing child, but the cries pull hard on Eddie's heartstrings and he finds himself opening the door and slipping inside.

"Everything okay?" he asks, and Steve looks up in surprise before his expression shifts into something unreadable. 

"Yeah, we're fine. She's just extra fussy because she's teething. I came in here because I don't want to disturb anyone else." 

Eddie hums and goes to the nearby diaper bag, starts digging through it and is surprised when Steve doesn't tell him to stop. He finds a little bottle of numbing gel and smears some onto his pinky before sliding it into the baby's still wailing mouth, and carefully rubs it over her gums as he coos at her. 

"I know, honey, it hurts so bad. It's gonna be okay, though, just you wait." 

He glances up to see Steve staring at him, his expression curious, and Eddie suddenly feels overexposed. 

"My last neighbor had two jobs and three small kids, so I have a little experience with babies," Eddie explains, needing to fill the sudden silence that falls as the baby calms. His finger is still in her mouth, and he feels no desire to remove it, especially once she starts gnawing on it gently. Steve glances down at his girl before giving Eddie a soft smile, and Eddie's heart flips in his chest. 

"That's more than I have, at least. Thanks." 

"No worries, man. What, uh- what's her name?"

"Rosemary," Steve says, humming when the baby makes a soft noise. "At least, that's what I'm changing it to, as soon as I'm able." 

The warmth that had settled in Eddie's stomach sours a little at Steve's declaration, and as he pulls his finger from the baby's mouth he can't help biting out "And her mom is okay with you changing her name?" 

The atmosphere in the room changes as Steve's face crumbles, and Eddie knows he's said something wrong. 

"Her mom didn't want anything to do with her," Steve replies softly, and oh no, Eddie instantly feels like a piece of shit. He'd heard the rumors that some girl had just dumped the baby on him, but he didn't think they were true. 

"Shit, I'm so sorry, man. I didn't mean to assume anything." 

"It's okay. No one really knows about the whole… situation." 

There's an awkward pause before Eddie asks "So, Rosemary. Your choice wouldn't happen to be inspired by a certain Edison Lighthouse song, would it?" He smiles when Steve blushes, the pink dusting his face so sweetly as he shrugs. 

"It was my grandma's favorite song, and a lot of my happy memories are with her, so... I've already started calling her Rosie, so she'll be used to it." 

"It’s a good name," Eddie hums, rubbing his thumb over Rosie's tiny eyebrow. "She's a cute kid, Harrington."

Steve mutters a soft “Thanks,” and then there’s a brief pause before he asks "Do you- do you want to hold her?" and Eddie doesn't even hesitate before nodding and giving a quick “Yes!”

He takes off his jacket and vest in one go, knowing the fabric is a little rough, and takes the baby when Steve offers her to him. He holds her close, one hand supporting her and the other resting on her back, and starts to sway a little. "I haven't held a baby in like, two years. I forgot how calming it is." Steve hums and smiles as he sits on a nearby desk. “Yeah, it is.”

They spend the rest of the time just talking about whatever comes to mind, and it's really fucking nice. Eddie learns about the gaggle of kids Steve babysits ("They're all shitheads, but I love them, even when they're using me as a chauffeur.") and Eddie talks a little about his own friends, his band ("I mean being famous is the end goal, but it's also just fun to get together and be creative just for the sake of it, you know?") and before they know it, the bell is ringing to signal the end of the period. 

Steve frowns, a cute pout that tugs on the corners of his mouth, and Eddie has to bite back a smile at the expression. He sets a now sleeping Rosie back into her carrier before shrugging on his jacket and vest, and hesitates for a moment. 

"Listen, Harrington. I know that we don't really know each other, but I've seen firsthand how tough this single parent shit can be, so. If you ever need a hand, or need someone to watch her so you can get shit done, you can ask me, yeah? No worry, no judgment."

Steve blinks at him, big hazel eyes flicking between Eddie's like he's making an insight check against Eddie's words. He must like what he finds, because he smiles softly and says "Thanks, Munson."

And Eddie shrugs, and smiles in return. "Call me Eddie, man."

[helplesslypurple77]

Day 16(free day)- Wtich!Reader/Landlord!Fukuzawa

Notes:  man, i'm going through a daddy thing huh. Also fair warning, there's a little bit of tentacle nonsense in this fic, but the tentacles are mostly a plot device.

You loved your job. Witch blood had been in your family for generations, and as the only girl of your family you were basically destined to become one. But you could not have been happier. Truly, you loved everything about it, from selling potions and candies to the village folk to hunting for special ingredients deep in the woods to summoning mystical creatures and striking bargains with them. You loved every minute of your witch work, always had. 

Your mother used to let you sit on her lap, braid your hair as she read potion ingredients to herself over your head. She used to let you add ingredients to the easier potions, your chubby toddler hands dumbing rosemary sticks into her bubbling cauldron, the same cauldron that now sat upon your fire. It has also been in your family for generations. 

While in the old days, witch work was more dangerous, now it had become a breeze. The villagers are kind and welcoming, and although you could charge them more for the quality of potion you produced, you decided to charge lower. This village was prosperous, but they were still just villagers, who needed to eat and buy clothes. You had magic, and didn't need these things as often. And besides, your kind older landlord lets you stay for really cheap, provided you let his eight cats come and go as they pleased. 

One of the cats, a white one striped like a tiger, is rubbing up against your leg now. You reach down, petting it a few times before it runs off, probably to join its fellow cats off somewhere. You smile as you watch him go. Really, you don't mind at all. Cats have always been a staple of your family. You have one of your own, a sleek black one named Fedya that refuses pets but secretly loves affection. For some reason he and one of your landlord Fukuzawa’s other cats(a brown one who had a strange affinity for bandages) always hiss at each other. 

Fukuzawa, the landlord who lived above you, was a kind older gentleman of forty-five, unmarried and perhaps the quintessential old cat grandpa(?). You had thought he was terrifying when you first moved in, with his stern eyes and shocking gray hair, but as soon as you saw him surrounded by eight cats of different sizes, smiling like a fool, that scary aura had disappeared, never to return again. He was kind to, treating you much like a daughter and giving you rent at half price. You provided him with free potions whenever he needed, although he always tried to refuse.

Truth be told, you actually had a bit of a crush on him. He was handsome and kind and very tall and you had a weakness for older men with stable jobs. Always had. But you knew he didn't think of you that way. He had even mentioned multiple times that he thought of you like a daughter. Every time you heard him say those words, it broke your heart anew. But you gritted your teeth and hid your crush and went on with life, because that was all you could do.

“Hello? Anyone there?” a woman says. The voice comes from behind you, out in the main part of your small shop. Whipping your hands on your apron and checking your caldron(it's empty, thank god. You almost burnt the house down once.) you exit the small potion preparation station and close the door behind you. The main part of your shop is airy, clean and almost always smelling faintly of oranges and lily’s. You have a glass case full of the more flashy potions, and bunches of herbs hand from the ceilings, perfuming the air with their scents. It's still not enough to overwhelm the orange thought. 

A young woman is standing anxiously at the entrance to the shop. She’s unfamiliar, with fluffy brown hair and skittish pale brown eyes, that dart from your face to her surroundings nervously. She’s an anxious, shy little thing and reminds you distinctly of a doe. You smile warmly at her, trying your best to reassure her. 

“How can I help you miss?” You say. The woman twirls a strand of hair anxiously around one finger. 

“Are you Miss Witch? I'm visiting and the villagers told me you're a witch by trade. Is that true?” She says. Her voice is soft, like ringing bells but it trembles. You nod reassuringly. “Yep, that's me. Do you need something in particular?” You say. 

“Um, do you have anything for insomnia?” The woman says, coming closer as she relaxes. You can see the dark circles lining her eyes, evidence of sleepless nights. You nod, reaching behind yourself and bringing two bottles out to show her. 

“Yep, I've got two. This one is a little stronger.” You hold up a green bottle, the golden label flashing in the midday sun. You continue, holding up another bottle, purple one with silver accents. “This one is a little weaker, but the overall effects are longer lasting. If I may ask, do you know the cause of your insomnia?”

The skittish girl jumps a little, coming closer and carefully examining the bottles closer. “I don't know Miss Witch, I just don't know.” The poor girl bursts into tears, bit fat droplets of water falling down her pink cheeks and splashing onto the wooden floor. You reach out, handing her a handkerchief. 

“Oh dear, well if you sit down I might be able to find the cause for you.” You say, putting both bottles away and walking across the counter, gently gripping the crying girl's shoulders and leading her over to the purple velvet couch set in the corner. She collapses onto it, whipping her tears with your handkerchief. 

She’s a frail thing, not enough meat on her bones and clearly sleep deprived, and you curse yourself for not noticing it sooner. The bell tinkles as one of Fukuzawa’s cats, the one you nicknamed The Bandaged Maniac, saunters in(you’ll never figure out how but he figured out how to open doors) and jumps on the girl's lap, licking up her remaining tears with his pink tongue. You’ve labeled him a ladies man, because he loves your female customers and could care less for your male ones. The girl laughs, and you swear The Bandaged Maniac smirks. 

“It's been happening for three months now.” The girl, Mila, starts out, handing you your soaked handkerchief apologetically. “Whenever I try to sleep, the nightmares come. Horrible, twisting monsters, who chase me and chase me and I just—” She breaks off, shuddering.

“Anyway Miss Witch, I'm so sorry about all of this.” She says, petting The Bandaged Maniac on his head. He starts to purr, sounding way too satisfied with himself. 

You smile, doing your best to be reassuring. “It's no problem Mila. and I think I know what your little problem is.”

⋆♱✮♱⋆

“Thank you Miss Witch, seriously.” Mila says, her pale hands gripping your own, her brown eyes, no longer ringed with shadows, bright with happiness. You smile. “It was no problem at all.” You say, seriously meaning it. You love your job, helping people gives you a rush you could never replace. 

Mila waves one more time, and darts out the door with a huge smile carved across her pretty face. You sink back onto the countertop with a breath. The door opens with a tinkle and your Landlord steps inside with a smile. You grin back, gently placing the necklace Mila had basically forced upon you when you said no charge on your glass countertop. The Bandaged Maniac noses at it, licking your fingers. You pick him up, planting a little kiss on his pink nose and dodging his kisses back. He curls up in your arms, purring up a storm. Fedya slips in the door behind Fukuzawa, and The Bandaged Maniac pulls his head out from between your boobs to hiss. Fedya sticks his nose in the air. 

Fukuzawa has a small package in his hands, and you watch, cooing on the inside as he pulls out some dried fish for Fedya. Fedya, like the little brat he is, turns up his little pink nose. You sigh.

“Fedya refuses to eat anything besides sashimi grade salmon, with a good fat marbling.” You say. He shakes his head with a small smile, stowing the box of dried fish in his inside pocket.

“I came to ask a favor if that's all right.” Fukuzawa says. His voice is as attractive as ever. You shove down any inappropriate thoughts and shoot him a small smile. He barely ever asks favors of you, and you have to bully him into taking any free potions. Sometimes when you turn your back he slips payment onto the counter top and leaves before you can complain. 

“Sure, anything you need. So what can I do for you?” You say, stroking Fedya as he leaps onto your shoulder, rubbing his black fur all over your neck. The Bandaged Maniac hisses as you put him down on the counter, and Fedya proudly leaps into your arms, as if he’s claiming you or something. You place him down as well. He glares balefully at you like you’ve somehow personally offended him, and proudly claims his seat, licking your necklace. 

Fukuzawa comes father into the store, petting the cat on his shoulder, a fat one named potato chip who leaps down, gripping onto your (thankfully covered) shoulder with sharp claws and sits purring on your shoulder. You sigh, pulling him off your shoulder and holding him in your arms. For some reason all of Fukuzawa’s cats are weirdly attached to you. You don't mind, you love cats. 

“Ranpo really loves you.” Fukuzawa chuckles, gesturing to the cat purring up a storm in your arms. You giggle. “I nicknamed him Potato Chip because he wont stop stealing my snacks.” You whisper, leaning forward as if you're telling a secret. Fukuzawa chuckles as you continue. “Anyway, you said you needed a favor?” 

You make your way back behind your shop, and Fukuzawa follows you. Fedya and The Bandaged Maniac follow you two, and Sushi(the black and white one) darts out from behind a chair, trotting up to The Bandaged Maniac and hopping unceremoniously onto his back. Sushi is a smaller cat, who at some point must have had some tiger blood mixed into his house cat genes. He was sweet and affectionate and a bit skittish, a rescue Fukuzawa had told you. Actually most of his cats were rescue’s. The Bandaged Maniac lets Sushi hang on, slowing down slightly so he doesnt fall off. 

You put down Potato Chip, who almost pouts at you unceremoniously, and move to your caldron, starting the fire with a wave of your hand. Fukuzawa sits down on your couch beside Potato Chip, and starts feeding him dried fish. 

“I was wondering if you could make a sleeping potion for me?” Fukuzawa says from behind you. You nod. “Yeah that's easy. Did you need a special one?” 

Fedya is crawling up your back, digging his claws into your skirt and leaping back up onto your shoulder. You sigh, chopping rumroot into identical pieces as Fukuzawa continues. “Well some of my cats have been having a hard time sleeping lately, and i was wondering…” He trails off, voice sounding apologetic. You smile. “Yep, i can finish that up by tonight. You can just stop by around eight to pick it up. That sound good?” You say, turning from your cutting bored to look at the man on the couch.

He’s just sitting, but he looks all relaxed and domestic and it makes your heart clench in your chest. You wouldn't say you want kids, but Fukuzawa evokes ‘id have your babies’ feelings in you sometimes. Hurriedly, you turn away. 

“That sounds wonderful.” Fukuzawa says, smiling. Fedya starts hissing from your shoulder. You sigh, reaching up to pet his soft fur reassuringly. 

“Yes, I know, I'll feed you right now baby. Sorry Fukuzawa, could you grab the sliced salmon out of the fridge?” 

⋆♱✮♱⋆

You really didn't know how you ended up in this situation. Well, actually you did, but it was all moving very fast. It was late, maybe 7:50 and you were on your hands and knees, drawing a summoning circle on the wooden floors of your work station. You need a few more ingredients, most notably the milk of a tentecalus, a strange monster from the ocean regions. The rest of Fukuzawa’s potion was bubbling on the stove, and you just need to finish it off with the fresh milk, and then it's done.

The summoning circle glows to life, and the strange smooth tentacles of the Tentecalus start sprouting through your floor. You’ve summoned this monster a few times before, but the strange blue glow the tentacles gave off was still a little concerning. You sighed, and moved closer to the beast. 

The Tentecalus was classified as a non sentient, meaning it was basically the same as an animal. So all you had to do was stroke one of the tentacles and get it to start secreting milk, which you would collect in a small cloth and squeeze into your potion. It's all going very well, and you're turning from the monster, and depositing Fukuzawa’s potion in a glass vial on the table when you feel a weird slimy thing wrapping around your bare leg. It's night, near bedtime and you're wearing a silk pajama sleep set, which leaves lots of bare skin exposed. 

Something wraps around your ankle and with a shriek, you're lifted into the air. Tentacles are wrapping you from all sides, two hoist your hands above your head, one worms its way around your torso, and yet another two grip your ankles, pulling your legs apart into a rather compromising position. You should feel scared, but then you notice the strange purple glow that has replaced the usual blue, and you realize you’ve forgotten one of the most basic rules of summoning Tentacalus’s. Don't summon them near october, their prime mating season. 

And sure enough, a thin blue tentacle is winding underneath your sleep shirt, twisting one of your nipples lightly. You bite back a sound, and try in vain to struggle from its grasp. But to no avail, it's got you snug. You have to erase part of the summoning circle, sending the monster back where it came from, but you can't reach it from where you are, hoisted in the air. You sigh, and sit tight, waiting for Fukuzawa to arrive. 

⋆♱✮♱⋆

Fukuzawa glances at the clock. 7:58. It's probably appropriate to go and visit you now. He gently lowers Sushi to the ground, closes the door behind him and makes his way down towards your unit. You’re such a sweet woman. It had been nearly four years since you first moved in, out of your depth and new to town. He was happy to offer a half price rent deal to you. It was really no issue to him, but you had looked so thrilled when he told you, all bright eyed smiles and friendly touches Fukuzawa hates how his heart clenched. You were much too young for him, pretty and fresh and vibrant and very popular with the village boys, although for some reason you never noticed.

You would never be interested in him as anything more than a friend, and Fukuzawa would have to convince himself the same. And so he tried his best to think of you like a daughter. You were a little old for that, but it helped him at least lie to himself that his feelings for you were fatherly compassion, and nothing more. He was a liar. And he was forced to come to terms with his less than pure feeling when he caught himself looking down your blouse. You were helping him hang Christmas decorations, holding the ladder as he climbed up it, and all he meant to do was look down as you handed him an ornament. 

But when he looked down all that he could see was your boobs, and the edge of your pretty white lace bra and he just…sort of short circuited for a moment, and almost fell off the ladder. You berated him and insisted you go up instead and then for the next half hour he got an eyeful of your matching panties, visible underneath your skirt. He really hated himself a little that night, when he found himself with his hand around his dick, your name on his lips. He felt like a pervert when it happened, like a nasty old perverted man. So he stopped lying to himself that he saw you as a daughter, and just focused on hiding his feelings and being a good friend, and not getting any more tempting glimpses of your underwear. 

He knocks lightly on your door, frowning as it opens with a creak. “Name?” Fukuzawa walls out, peaking around the door into your darkened shop. 

‘Oh thank goddess, come quickly Fukuzawa.” Your voice sounds strange, breathy and slightly muffled and Fukuzawa hurried inside, closing the door behind him and making sure to lock it. A faint purple glow is coming from inside your back room, and he pushes the door open, all ready to charge in and play the hero, but comes to a screeching halt as he takes in the picture in front of him.

The first thing he sees is your face. Eyes heavy lidded and full of relief as they gaze upon him, lips spit slicked with saliva and the most dangerous expression carved across your face. You look just how you look in his fantasies, when he has you bouncing on his cock, or when he has his face buried in your pussy, your hands tangled in his hair, yanking it as you buck against his face—

The second thing he notices, and maybe the most alarming, is the strange sea creature’s tentacles wrapped around your thighs, more around your boobs, still more pulling up your tank top and giving Fukuzawa a full view out of his fantasies as they work your boobs. But perhaps the worst is the two tentacles holding your legs open, and Fukuzawa’s eyes catch on the wet spot forming against the crotch of your matching sleep shorts. He gulps.

“I'm sorry about this Fukuzawa.” You say, and Fukuzawa immediately moves his gaze from the more intimate areas of your body back to your face. He subtly moves, adjusting himself in his pants. Hearing you say his name like that is not helping his boner go away. 

“I need you, ohh~” You interrupt yourself with a moan as the monster twists your nipple. Fukuzawa tells his fried brain that you don't need him, you need him to do something, obviously. His dick twitches anyway. You continue. “I need you to smudge the circle.” Your voice is breathy, desperate and devastating and Fukuzawa takes a hot minute to truly comprehend what you said. 

He does see something on the floor, a glowing summoning circle. Hurriedly, he smudges the chalk with his foot. The effect is immediate, the tentacles disappear and you fall through the air. Fukuzawa reaches out to catch you before his brain can tell him no, bad idea and suddenly he had an armful of turned on panting girl. You look up at him, eyes still clouded with lust. Fukuzawa gulps. He feels somehow like he’s already lost, that all you have to do is ask him, and he’ll bend to your will. Anything, he would do anything. Hell, he would even kill a man for you, just to get a taste of you.

“Fukuzawa.” You say, eyes on him. 

“Yes?” He replies, begging you dearly in his mind to let him have you. He would do anything.

“Kiss me.” You say, and like a puppet released from its strings, Fukuzawa does just that. 

⋆♱✮♱⋆

Fukuzawa kisses like a man staved, he kisses like he has been wanting, wanting, wanting, and is finally allowed to devour, and you love every minute of it. You feel desired, and treasured, and teased beyond measure and almost a little confused. But he’s still holding you in his arms, and carrying you across the room to lay you gently on the bed. The familiar covers feel soft beneath your skin, and Fukuzawa follows you down, pressing kiss after desperate kiss onto your lips, his thigh finding its way between your legs. He sucks your tongue into his mouth, the kisses turning dirty and desperate and you anchor your hands in his silver hair, tugging slightly. He groans and responds.

“Name.” Fukuzawa tries to pull away from your mouth. You keep pressing kisses onto his lips, robbing the breath from his throat. 

“Name, please.” He tries again. You answer, in between kisses. “Yes?” 

“I want to ask if—” He gets cut off again as you press a kiss to his pulse point, and he responds by kissing you deeper into the comforters, his thigh working between your legs. You moan and finally he pulls away, using a hand to hold your wrists against the comforter. You hate how much it turns you on. 

“I want to ask if this is just a one night stand for you.” He says, looking earnest and adorable, even as his big hand holds your wrists down. You squirm against his thigh, his stern expression thoroughly turning you on. He continues. “Because I really like you and would like this to be something more.” Your heart stutters at those words, the effect of them almost enough to pierce through the horny haze surrounding you. Almost. You do want to give him a true reply though.

“I would like it to be more too.” You say, the emotion is clear in your words. The effect is immediate, his gaze sofens, and his grip on your wrists loosens. You grind against his thigh again, his muscles tensing against your sensitive clit. He’s looking at you with such care, such clear emotion and love and yet you can also feel his dick, hard and throbbing against your leg. You grind down harder against his thigh, as he helpfully shoves it harder against you, releasing your hands as they fly up to his hair, dragging his mouth to your lips. He kisses you nonstop, rough, deep searching kisses that press you into the mattress. He recesses your hands, allowing them to tangle in his silver hair, yanking slightly on the strands. His hands are big, rough with sword calluses and deliciously warm as they smooth over your boobs, pulling your thin tank top over your head. He pulls away from your mouth, pressing kisses into your neck as he speaks. 

“You're so pretty.” Fukuzawa says, kissing lower and lower as he slides down, his hands reluctantly leaving your breasts to grip the waist of your sleep shorts, pulling them off. 

“Thanks.” You giggle, fingers lightly twisting your nipples, watching as his big hands grip your thighs, repositionsing you as he kneels down. “I always thought you were handsome, you know. Thought you saw me like a daughter.” You continue, head falling back as he licks your pussy, tongue dancing around your clit. He speaks in between licks, one thick finger prying you open. 

“Tried to convince myself, lied to myself. Always thought you were pretty and sexy and…” He cuts himself off as you moan, back arching as he adds another finger, scissoring you open. His fingers are thick, much thicker than yours and they fill you nicely. You know his cock will fill you better. 

“Want your cock.” You whimper, bucking into his hand widely. He pulls his mouth away from its dangerous motions on your clit, taking in your flustered appearance. You feel hot. Everything feels hot, and intimate, and you feel like you're going to go crazy if you don't have his cock inside you. Now. 

You tell him as much in begs, he chuckles at your enthusiasm, watching as you pull yourself off his fingers with a moan, pushing him onto the bed and crawling on top of him. You grip his thick cock in both hands, lining the head up with your dripping pussy. You sink down slowly, thighs burning as you watch his face. 

Fukuzawa bites his lip, eyes glued to where your pussy takes him in as you sink down, the slightest bit of sweat lining his temples. He has this dazed look on his face, like he can't believe this is happening, and you like it. No, you love it. The thought that he dreamed of this, that he desired this, made your pussy clench around him as you finally bottomed out, and you began to ride him. The naughty slaps of skin fill the air, your moans and Fukuzawa’s groans and the occasional whispered word. He lets you take control, at least until your thighs start burning and he lays you on your back, and then proceeds to fuck you nearly into oblivion. 

His thrusts are deep, almost like he’s trying to turn you inside out and with each thrust he brushes against your g-spot. Your back arches with a cry, coming off the mattress, and your nails dig scratches into his back. 

“Fukuzawa, I'm gonna cum.” You moan into his ear. He’s leaning above you, his big hands anchored by your head, leaving indentations in the bed. He puts his hips deep into you with each thrust, pushing you back into the soft surface of the bed. You cum with a cry, clenching around his legnth as he fucks you through it, whispering sweet little sentences into your ear.

Endnotes: sry the ending is rushed, i got super tired and my eyes started blurring over, so thats fun

[dearmantis]

So I stayed in the darkness with you

Pairing: Aleksander Morozova/The Darkling x wife!Reader

Summary: When you finally wake up and the joy of seeing your husband alive and well dies down you have a conversation you've always wanted to avoid.

Warnings: mentions of death, murder and violence, mentions of grisha persecution, this is not a healthy relationship but they love each other very much, slight gaslighting, mentions of human trafficking

Word Count: 3.6k words

Authors Note: I really thought I would never write this, but I'm having a rare moment where I crave comfort. Also, a few people asked for this (and apparently, some people cried after part 2??? I'm so sorry about that I hope you guys are alright now!). I think this is the end of this? Its not the ending I expected when I first wrote the A lost embrace one shot but it is where we ended up. I hope you guys like it :) I'm not a native English speaker and this isn't edited.

The title of this part (and the name of the series) is from Cosmic Love by Florence + the Machine

Previous Part | Masterlist

When you wake up, it's to the sound of a few birds chirping outside and waves crashing against rocks. You don't open your eyes for a while, instead choosing to enjoy the soft atmosphere around you, letting yourself glide into consciousness slowly and carefully.

It's warm and soft, wherever you are. You feel safe.

Your arms and legs still feel a bit sore even without trying to move them, so you simply breathe in and back out, enjoying the fresh air that faintly smells of lavender, salt and rosemary.

With every minute you spend laying there, eyes still tightly closed, you notice more things around you.

A weak breeze moves the leaves on a tree outside. Occasionally, you can hear muffled steps coming from somewhere other than wherever you are right now. Someone other than you is in the room, fabric rustling quietly when they move. You're not afraid.

It takes a while until you feel ready to try and open your eyes, and when you do, your gaze imediately and instinctively move to the chair next to your bed where your husband is waiting for you, his dark eyes glued to your face and a glass of water in his hand. He's not wearing his kefta, you notice. Just a black shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Not a single speck of gold is visible on him.

A small smile charms itself onto your lips before you can stop it.

"Do you feel ready to rejoin the world of the living?" he asks quietly, waiting for your nod before reaching over to hold the glass of water against your lips.

You empty the glass quickly, your dry throat desperate for any kind of liquid. He takes the glass away slowly, moving to fill it up with more water before placing it back against your lips.

You drink three glasses of water that way. That's how much you need to drink to banish the itching from your throat. Damn those soldiers.

"How long... how long was I asleep?" You ask after Aleksander places the glass back down on the nightstand next to the bed. He doesn't respond for a while, instead moving carefully to check if your body is fully tucked in and warm under the thick blanket covering your body.

"Two weeks," He answers finally while he shuffles around. "You were woken up a few times to make sure you eat and drink, but I doubt you remember that. Fedyor thought it was best if your body got time to recover energy on its own. The two weeks in the cage, the torture, the starving and dehydration, lack of sleep, and even the healing took a huge toll on your body."

The Shadow Summoner moves back to his chair, but before he sits down, he checks if your pillow is fluffy, his gaze awfully serious considering his current task.

Letting the information settle for a bit, you look around in the room you're in. You don't recognize where you are. The old, dark wooden floors are new to you, just like the walls decorated with small drawings and letters you're too far away from to read. When you look outside, you see the ocean.

"Where are we?"

Your hand moves to grab Aleksanders wrist before he can step back to sit down on his chair again, carefully pulling him closer towards you. He looks tired, deep shadows visible below his dark eyes. He needs to rest, probably more than you do, considering you apparently slept for two full weeks. A small, amused smile finds its way onto his lips before he carefully moves to sit down next to you on the large bed you're occupying. You move to give him space, encouraging him to lay down instead of sitting.

"I'll be more relaxed if you're next to me," you reason when he tries to argue, and the mighty, dangerous Darkling gives in, slipping under your blanket and resting his head next to yours on the pillows. You're still mad at him, a deep-rooted hatred for him burning deep in your chest, hotter than the sun itself, but feeling him next to you is nice. It almost feels safe.

Once he settles down, he answers, his voice even quieter and softer than it was before.

"In Fjerda. Kenst Hjerte, to be exact."

Ulla. You're with Ulla. Outside of Ravka. Away from everything he has built. Away from his sun summoner.

"Ivan is still in Ravka with a few others to make sure that no Grisha are left in cages. The rest is up here."

You want to say something, like acknowledge the fact that it must've been almost impossible to move a large group of Grisha through Fjerda undetected, but you don't want to interrupt him. He has that far away look in his eyes, and you assume this must be the first time he's letting himself actually work through and think over the events of the past month.

"Ulla wasn't particularly excited to see such a huge group, you can probably imagine. She has never been fond of company, after all, but she accepted it as long as she could stay away, and I don't tell anyone about her presence."

A smirk appears on his lips, and his eyes find yours. "The last bit that convinced her was the absence of Baghra, of course. As soon as she found out that she was still in Ravka, she was suddenly alright with everyone staying as long as the group doesn't pull attention towards the islands, and no one get's close to her."

Mirroring his smile, you watch him for a few seconds, carefully turning your body to lay on its side.

"So we're hiding again."

Aleksander opens his mouth to respond, probably ready to justify his decision, not realising that he doesn't have to. You're glad. Disappearing back into hiding is arguably the first sensible decision he has made since the sun summoner showed up. You're just surprised that he got to this decision himself. He's usually not someone who admits defeat, at least not without you forcing him to. You expected him to do something stupid, like try to fight the entire First Army and the Sun Summomer on his own and get killed in the process.

"I've never really been in hiding before, not since I was a child, at least. Most of the others never had to be. This will probably be really weird, but I'm excited to learn. Are we going to stay here or move somewhere else?"

He seems a bit surprised by the fact that you're not against his decision, pausing for a few seconds to study your facial expressions before he answers.

"I hope to stay here as long as possible, but we have to be prepared to leave any minute. I hope that Ivans group can collect the last Grisha that don't want to serve Vasily and come up here without attracting too much attention, but it's impossible to tell if that will work out."

You nod slowly, carefully putting together a picture of what has happened in the month that you've been out of the loop.

"Do you think there's a risk that Vasily could find out that we're hiding here and tell the Grimjer family? Maybe as an offering of some kind to kindle peace between Ravka and Fjerda and end the war?"

The darkness that flickers in his eyes for just a second makes clear that he has thought about that possibility as well. It would make sense, after all. Give up the Darkling, his wife, and the Grisha that side with them in exchange for peace. You are all considered enemies of the ravkan royal family anyway, so it wouldn't be a loss for Vasily.

"The risk is always there, but I have hope that the preparation of the royal wedding will distract everyone enough to make sure that we can get everyone out of the country without anyone noticing. The people want to celebrate their sun queen and hope for a better future. It should be easy for skilled soldiers to get through and out of the country unnoticed."

It takes you a few seconds until you realize what he just said, and when you finally do, a confused frown appears on your face.

"Sun queen? Is Vasily marrying Alina?"

Aleksander nods.

"And you're not... you're not on your way to rip him to shreds and take her for yourself?"

He let's out a long, loud sigh and turns his head to look at the ceiling, choosing to stay silent for so long that you start to believe that he's not going to respond at all. The only proof that you have that he's actively thinking about his response are the shadows slowly crawling over the floor and walls, swallowing the room and covering you under the familiar blanket of his very own darkness.

You have spent many private moments like this, cloaked by his powers, including your first kiss, your first time sleeping together, and your wedding night. As long as he controls his shadows, you will always have a home.

When he finally does speak, it's soft and light as a feather, his voice drifting through the air like an ancient melody.

"In those two weeks where I was convinced I would be too late, that you were dead, I learned something very important about myself."

Behind him, the shadows crawl up to cover the window, swallowing the last bit of light in the room.

"You are part of me the same way the shadows are part of me. Even if I hate you and you hate me, I can't change that. Losing you would be like losing a vital organ. Even if you chose to despise me for eternity, to never speak to me again, I need to be around you. I'm not fully myself if I'm not with you, sweet girl. You are part of me, just like I hope I am part of you."

You can't see him, but you can hear how he turns his head to look at you. "You can hate your heart and your powers as much as you want, you can't get rid of either. You need both to survive. And I need you the same way."

If anyone else, literally anyone else in the whole world had said this to you, you would've laughed so loud that you could still hear it in the Fold, but hearing those words come out of Aleksanders mouth, especially in that tone, makes you pause.

You know how he sounds when he lies, how his tone shifts to make every word sound just a bit smoother, a bit more convincing, but none of those signs are noticeable now. It's just his voice, in the same, normal, serious tone he uses during important discussions. The same tone he uses when he marries you once every hundred years.

"I have waited many centuries for the sun summoner. I can wait a few more if that means I can keep you with me."

The shadows retreat from the window, letting sunlight back into the room, but they continue to cover the walls, floor, and ceiling.

The light shows you his facial expression, the warm smile that softens his features and smooths the wrinkles in his skin.

"And what if I don't want to stay with you?" You ask quietly, afraid that you could shatter the atmosphere if you speak too loudly. "You hurt me a lot, Aleksander. I don't think I can do this again. What do I do if you randomly decide that you actually want the sun summoner more than me? If you leave me behind? What do I do if she dies and a new sun summoner appears in 300 years and you fall in love with them as well? I can't be your little bed warmer that fills the space next to you until your sun summoner comes back. I'm not strong enough to go through this again. Not tomorrow, not in twenty years, not in a thousand years. I can't do it again."

You try to turn away from him, but before you even get the chance to move, he wraps his arm around your torso and pulls you on top of him, every inch of your body touching his. His large hands cup your face, forcing you to meet his gaze.

"What can I do to prove to you that I will never leave you again?" he asks earnestly, and you can't stop yourself from whispering as you harshly move your head to escape from his grasp, your voice so quiet that it barely makes a sound at all.

"Kill Alina"

Your husband laughs, this time louder, amusement clear in his gaze as he grasps your face once more to make sure your eyes meet his.

"What was that, little wife?"

"What?"

"What you just said. You said something about Alina."

"No, I didn't. What are you talking about? Why would I talk about her while I'm lying on top of you? You must be hallucinating because of how exhausted you are." Your face contorts with mock concern, and Aleksander scoffs, swatting your hand away when you try to touch his face the way he's touching yours. "You should really sleep, my love. This isn't healthy for you at all. Come on, let's sleep. Good night."

You lean forward to press a quick good night kiss onto his lips – more of a peck than a kiss, really – when his grip on your face suddenly tightens, a loud squeak leaving your lips as he pushes you off of him and positions himself above you, switching your positions.

For a few seconds, you just stare at each other, taking each other in for a few seconds until Aleksander slowly bends down to press his lips against yours.

It's a soft kiss. Slow and sweet with an underlying bitterness that you want to ignore but can't.

His weight on you is familiar despite the fact that he isn't crushing you into the mattress the way he usually would, holding himself up with his arms to keep the majority of his weight off of your still recovering body.

When he finally lifts his head and ends the kiss, you smile at him for a second before seriousness washes the softness from your face.

"I'm serious, Sasha. You hurt me. A lot. And I'm not strong enough to withstand this again. If you want your sun summoner, tell me now. I won't even leave, I promise, so you can just tell me. I just want to be prepared, please." Unshed tears fill your eyes, turning your sight blurry as you stare up at your husband who simply watches you, his own face focused solely on you, face blank like a sheet of paper as he listens to your words.

"You left me. After more than 200 years together, you left me for a child. You lied to me and deceived me, pushed me to the side, and ignored me. Two centuries of partnership thrown away because of her. How am I supposed to ever trust you again?"

You regret letting him turn you now. Sitting on top of him gave you a bit of strength, made you feel stronger and bigger than you really are, especially right now in your weakened state. Now you feel small, caged in by his body and his watchful gaze that you're unable to escape. Pathetic, that's how you feel. You should be stronger than this by now, yet here you are, fighting back tears like a child.

"What if you suddenly decide you want her instead of me in a year or two? Do I have to put myself into a life-threatening situation just to remind you that I'm apparently important to you? What will it take next time? All of Fjerda hunting me? Getting sold like cattle in Ketterdam? Experiments in Shu Han? Is that what needs to happen to keep you interested in me? Because that's not worth it, Aleksander. I love you, I do, but I deserve better than that."

He doesn't react for a while, his eyes simply studying your face while he thinks over his response. After a few minutes, he lets himself sink down next to you, laying back on his side, his gaze still glued to you.

Aleksanders dark eyes do not move from you for what feels like hours, taking in every pore, every wrinkle, every bit of texture, taking his time to catalogue every single milimetre of your face in his mind.

He watches how you try to blink away your tears, angry at yourself for showing weakness in a moment where you have to be strong, and he hates himself for pushing you so far away from his heart that you feel like being vulnerable around him, showing weakness in from of your own husband, is a mistake.

He watches you bite your chapped lips, tearing the flesh and covering your front teeth with a bit of blood. An act of self-punishment or a nasty habit you may have developed while he was occupied with Alina? He hates himself more for not being able to answer that question.

It takes a while, but then his hands move to cup your face, holding you like a precious gem, his rough hands suddenly softer than cotton.

Aleksander doesn't tear up like you do. His hands don't shake, and his voice doesn't break when he speaks, but you can feel his sincerity ringing in the air like a bell.

"I'm sorry."

He apologized several times when he found you. Panicked, pained apologies filled with dread and relief and more fear than anyone should be able to feel. But now he's calm. He's not scared of death ripping you out of his grasp in the next minute, isn't trying to lift some of his own guilt off his shoulders before you die in his arms. He had two weeks of processing his thoughts on his own. He had time to think over every mistake he has made, and he intends to right them, starting with you and what he has done to you.

"I'm sorry that I ever made you feel like you weren't enough. I'm sorry for acting like you aren't enough. I'm sorry for forgetting how much greater you are than me. You are and will always be the most precious thing in my life, the most wonderful thing the making could've ever given me. I am a foolish man, but I should know better than that. And you shouldn't forgive me. I do not deserve forgiveness, but I can't help but hope for it anyway. I pray that you find it in your endlessly kind heart to give me one last chance. If you do, my love, my beautiful, wonderful, perfect little wife, I swear I'll make you queen. I will end the Lantsov line and kill the sun summoner and give you the country we once called home. I will give you anything you want, I promise it."

A loud sob tears through your throat, tears running freely over your face and soaking into the pillow below you as you listen to him bear his old, rotten heart and soul to you.

"I don't want the throne," you rasp out. "I just want you. That's all I've ever wanted."

"I know. And I failed to give it to you, but I promise that this will never happen again. Kill me if it does. Stab me in the heart while I sleep, poison my food, slit my throat. I swear that I will not defend myself. Bring my head to the Apparat and let him turn you into a Saint if I betray you again, my love, but please give me this one chance to prove myself to you. I will not fail you again, I swear it."

You almost laugh at that, but the shimmering in his eyes stops you before you can even smile. It's like he's fighting himself to make sure he doesn't cry, reminding you that this is serious.

"I will actually do it, you hear me? If you betray me again, I will rally the Grisha against you. Ulla, too, while I'm at it. They like me more than you anyway. I'll chop your head off and give it to the Apparat and become Sankta Y/N of the dawn or whatever they end up calling me. I'll make sure there are thousands of paintings of how I murdered you. And I'll make it seem like it was easy, too. I'll tell them I overpowered you effortlessly and cut your heart out while you confessed your love to me or something. All of Ravka will make fun of how you died. It'll overshadow the horror stories about the Black Heretic. You will become the joke of a whole nation."

He smiles softly. "I would expect nothing less of you, my love."

You mirror his smile weakly, eyes flickering down to his lips twice before slowly leaning in. Aleksander waits for you, refusing to move while your breath ghosts over his lips.

"Are you sure?" he asks, waiting for you to decide what to do. The tension between you two is heavy, your nose filling with his oh so familiar scent with every breath you take.

"I am," you answer almost silently. "I don't forgive you, not yet. But I think I can give you one last chance. I think I can do it."

Laughing weakly, you continue, "Especially now that I'm allowed to murder you if you betray my trust again."

He hums, his nose brushing softly against yours as he waits for you to confirm your decision.

When you do, your lips pressing against his, it tastes like ash and death, like destruction and poison and chocolate and peace and promises.

It tastes like sin. It tastes like coming home. It tastes like love.

Taglist: @budugu @purebloodwitch @hells-escapees @savagejane1 @deadunicorn159

[paleprincessturtle]

I saw your message about request for Harvey Specter. Can you one where Harvey is little nervous about Reader represents a case. Because she is shy and he thinks that she isn't ready. But she is Jessica's associate. And Jessica and Harvey having a bet about the case, Pro Bono cases. And Jessica suspect that there is a some kind of relationship between Reader and Harvey. You can decide what kind of relationship there is between them.

Hi anon! Thank you so much for the request and I'm so sorry for the delay. Was caught up in the hectic world of thesis. Hopefully, this can do your idea justice. Not gonna lie, I got a little carried away writing this.... Feel free to send me more requests! Enjoy!

Ready or Not

Pairing: Harvey Specter x Female Reader

"You want to see me?" Harvey asked as he entered Jessica's room. "I got a case for you. This might interest you." Jessica handed him the familiar blue file. "A pro bono case will interest me?" Hervey closed the file within seconds of opening it. "I can't remember the last time you handled any pro bono case. Do it for the people in need." Harvey scoffed, "You mean for the image of this firm?" A glint of seriousness flashed across her eyes. "The last time I checked, this firm also has your name on the door." Harvey sighed as he leaned back on the sofa then straightened himself. "As much as I want to do it, I'm swamped with Cahill hot on our tail. And the last time I checked, what I'm doing is also for the good of this firm." Harvey looked pointedly at Jessica. He broke the contact and took the blue file once again in his hands and opened it. "This is a weak case, Jessica. I bet you we can only settle for what? $300,000 top. Sexual assault by a medical staff that happened almost 6 months ago?" Harvey closed the file and placed it back on the table. "Just $300,000?" Jessica questioned and Harvey nodded. "How if I can get a settlement more than that?"

Harvey raised his eyebrow. "That means you have to find someone better than me, which is I don't know, impossible?" Harvey smirked and Jessica offered her hand for him to shake. "I can get them to settle more than $300,000 and I get to pick 5 records from your collection." Harvey stared in disbelief. "2" "4" "3" "4"

Harvey sighed, "fine, 4 it is." Harvey took Jessica's hand, about to shake it but Jessica held her hand in place. "Any records I want, no exceptions. And don't hide anything, I'll know." Harvey nodded. "I want the Fabergé egg in your home office," Harvey smirked, only to earn a firm shake from Jessica.

Harvey's day went as busy as it could get. He never really wanted to go home until tonight. He stole a look at his watch. A little over 9. Just a little over 9. He sighed. He definitely has stayed way longer, way too many times. But it felt like 3 am already. He closed his eyes and rubbed his temple. Donna just went home around 30 minutes ago. He swirled his chair and stared at the cityscape below. He decided to call it a night.

Harvey entered his place with a very tasty smell of chicken and rosemary. He smiled as he heard a cheery hum from the kitchen. "Harvey!" she squealed and wiped her hand on her apron before approaching the visibly tired Harvey. "I've missed you," she said, wrapping her hands around him. "I've missed you more than you've missed me." Harvey looked down at her and smiled playfully. She smacked his chest and turned to walk back to the kitchen. Harvey took off his suit coat and tie. Unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt and rolled both his sleeves. He sat across the kitchen island. She poured him a glass of red wine while Harvey looked at her adoringly. She's young, so many possibilities for her in the future. She'll make a good lawyer, he bet. But one thing, she lacks the confidence to be one. "Guess what?" Harvey hummed, encouraging him to continue. "Jessica, FINALLY, gave me my first ever case! The first hearing will be next Thursday." Harvey smiled widely, "Oh, congratulations baby! What case is it?" Harvey asked. "Well, it's a pro bono case. A woman was sexually assaulted by a medical staff. It's horrible." She said as she chopped down some veggies. On the other side of the island, Harvey choked on his wine. She's not ready for this. Not now. "Hey, be careful there." She quickly retrieved a bottle of water from the fridge and handed it to Harvey. Harvey took a generous gulp before setting the bottle down. "You okay?" she gave him a concerned yet amused look. "Do you think you can handle the case?" Harvey asked. All traces of happiness and excitement were erased from her face. In an instant, Harvey felt the lump of guilt in his chest. "You're right, maybe I'm not ready for the case." she bit her lip, looking down while toying with her apron. "I can't barely piped up when we talked about cases in public. Remember that one time Louis asked about the associates' opinions on a case and he called my name and I just stood there frozen out of embarrassment? Oh Harvey, what would I do when I have to do it in court? With someone depending on me? Jesus, the whole firm depends on me. How will it sound if Pearson Specter lost a pro bono?" she rambled, out of breath. Her eyes were glassy and her brows knitted together. "Hey hey," Harvey stood up and quickly came to her side. "Don't say something like that" Harvey held her in his embrace. "Look at me," Harvey said softly. "I'm not saying you shouldn't represent this case, not at all. You lacked confidence, yes. But this is your time to fix that. Okay? I'll help you. Please, don't ever doubt yourself, and stop crying, sweet angel." Harvey moved his thumbs across her cheeks, quickly wiped newly tears she shed. She nodded as she hugged Harvey. Harvey offered to finish cooking dinner for her but she refused and both of them cooked dinner quietly that night.

"You picked your associate to handle the pro bono case?" Harvey asked as the partners poured out of the room after the usual morning meeting. Jessica was surprised at Harvey's knowledge of this. "I don't think you should let her go alone, representing a case like this. This is a sexual assault case that looked weak. She needs to be confident to convince everyone." Jessica crossed her legs, and Harvey had her full attention. "And how come you can judge my associate better than me?" she cocked her head to one side. "Heard from Donna she got too embarrassed in front of Louis and the other associates." Harvey shrugged, seemed nonchalant. "And I've mentored her ever since. Don't worry, I'll win the bet." Jessica winked as she stood up to leave the room. Harvey stayed in the room alone for some time. Worried shit about the girl he happened to date for the past 6 months. He needed to calm down. No one can find out about their relationship. He doesn't want people to think that she got the place here because she's sleeping with him. But the thought of her girl, panicking in front of the court, worried him more than he cared to admit. Screw the bet, Harvey thought. He needed to prep her for her first hearing to settle more than what he predicted.

A week passed like a blur and here came the first hearing. Harvey told Donna not to tell anyone about his whereabouts, unless it's a life-and-death situation, he doesn't want to hear it. They were in the back seat of Harvey's car. Her hands were all sweaty, her face clad with worry. "We've rehearsed every single night, you won't mess this up. When you feel like you can't talk, remember why you stand there, defending your client. Remember that. I'll be watching from the gallery." She looked up at Harvey and nodded slowly. Harvey smiled and kissed her. "Don't worry, you can do this."

Not long after, Harvey found himself sitting in the front row of the gallery. The judge just entered the room and he could see how tense she suddenly got. She looked back to find her man. Harvey smiled and nodded at her, sending her encouragement. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and it started.

"I come here to collect my present" Jessica came to Harvey's office, announcing her own arrival. "Go ahead, pick 4 records. Anything you like." Harvey gestured at his collection with his hand. "You don't seem defeated," Jessica said, walking to the rack of collection. "That's what a man with balls do when they lose a bet, he owned it," Harvey said, almost smiling. He could buy another hundred of records of what Jessica will take. But the look of his girl when she won the case, he could never buy that. Jessica just hummed, hand rummaging through the records. "Harvey, love, I jus…" Harvey stood up so fast at the sight of his girl entering the room, with Jessica in it. She stopped dead in her tracks, she looked at Harvey, pleading for help. Before Harvey could react, Jessica turned and looked at the young associate. She fidgeted in her place. "I should umm, I should go." She said quietly, ready to run away for dear life. "Harvey, won't you invite my associate in?" Jessica asked, gracefully sitting herself on Harvey's black leather sofa. Harvey motioned her to come in and Jessica gestured for her to sit on the sofa near her. Harvey stood at his place and leaned back a bit on his desk. The room was so quiet. None of them spoke. She looked down, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. "How long?' Jessica asked, eyeing the couple. "A little over 6 months," Harvey answered while Jessica nodded. "Jessica, I'm sorry.." she started before Jessica stopped her. "People will spread gossip if they know. I won't. You dating Harvey doesn't affect your performance," Jessica paused and pointed at Harvey. "And you dating my associate doesn't affect your performance either." Jessica leaned back on the sofa, crossing her arms in front of her. "If this works for the two of you, I would not interfere. Just don't get too carried away that could lead to gossip." Harvey breathed a sigh of relief and he looked at her and smiled. Jessica stood up and she quickly followed. Jessica offered her hand and she shook it. "Cheer up, you just won your first case. Congratulation." Jessica smiled genuinely at her and she too, smiled. "Thank you, Jessica." Jessica was about to leave Harvey's office when he called out for her. "Won't you take your records?" Jessica looked back, "I got what I wanted. Now go home, and take your girlfriend to dinner. It's her first win." Jessica strode away, her red soles clacking loudly across the empty hallway, as she smiled to herself thinking that Harvey thought he could hide such things from her.

Meanwhile, in Harvey's office, the both of them looked at each other and laughed. Laughed out of relief. Harvey was scared that she would be punished for being in a relationship. Jessica wasn't necessarily hyped about it but she's not against it either. Harvey took 2 long strides to get to her girl and leaned down to kiss her. "Come on, the boss told me to take you out for dinner." She giggled and Harvey found himself grinning. "I love you," Harvey said, voice just above whisper. His hands cupped her face. She gasped, stood on her tiptoes, and gave him a gentle kiss, "I love you," she whispered against his lips.

MASTERLIST

[fantasy-relax]

Donna (dubious consent)

So in full mind Ozzy sign a contract with one of the most powerful houses, the one that have the closest relation to the crown, there is nothing bad that could happen for that. Just stay away from the dimitrescu and do your duty of entertain little rosemary until she is healthy and everything will be fine, really what could go wrong?

The plan is to avoid the dimitrescu like the plague,you stay in the guest room and if happens to enter in a room with them walk away. Is a little lonely, the maids talk to you but they are too busy, the only maid that is free most of the time is Miss Luna, the personal maid of lady Angie.

Only can see her were Angie is, the other maids are very respectful of her and don't try to boss her around even when she is sitting beside you while the little heiress is playing in the garden, understandable after all she is a servant of the Beneviento house, one of higher rank than all of them.

She is very quiet and reserved but refers Lady Angie by her name (how curious, perks of knowing her longer you guess) since the girls first get close to you she always have been like that (for a moment you thought that she was a doll come to life), rarely she talks and when she do it is like a whisper, you don't mind it and always tries to be courteous when talking to her, her face is covered by a veil something that tickle your curiosity but don't ask for respect.

(Donna don't use it when she have to deal with other nobles, this to avoid weaknesses, if she bend even a little bit, Angie will be affected too, so she shows her face and smile that creepy and unnerving smile that people hate so much, but if she doesn't need to deal with them or be in public events she will cover her face, her family let her seeing how tired she is afterwards, using a veil when going undercover with Angie was something logical for her, it help to her ogling of the attractive alpha storyteller that her niece seems to adore)

You pass half of your time with Rose and Angie so technically you pass half of the time with her too (and the knight guard, that stay close to the door but vigilant at your direction), the little girls will draw their favorite characters or scenes of the story and will be arguing softly about how the next part will go, you refuse to take a side.

"hmm, maybe, maybe" is the answer that you give, the girls will go for hours and sometimes you add their rambling just to make them scream when they *connect the dots*(of course the key was under that specific table in that specific area that you totally not forgot)

When that happens you will sit reading, until is time for their lessons and you need to go, Miss Luna will sit too, pick some fabric and start sewing, the situation is very comfortable and calming.

One day the head maid approached to her, you don't were close enough to listen but it was easy to see how tense she became.

"I need to go, be nice Angie"

"Hmm, I'm always nice!, don't take much time!"

"that kind of rhymed lady Angie"

"hahaha I'm amazing right!"

You stay when the teachers don't come for them, food is delivered, the girls insist in giving some to you but are rejected.

Time pass and both of them fall asleep, finally you stand up give a quick bow to the guard and walk away, is dark and the halls are complicated so you get lost, trying to remember were was your room a scent catch your attention (familiar but hard to place) following it make you end in a small room, there sitting in a corner was the personal maid of the Beneviento heiress, clearing your throat to announce your presence, she looks at you scared (or that is what you think the veil make hard to know her expression) but her figure was tense, her scent was sour and her fingers were trembling.

You stepped closer.

"what do you want? "

A warning, a threat of attack.

You stepped back.

"what's the point, you would leave anyway"

A lament, a resignation.

You are divided, should you stay or leave? The quiet sobs break your heart nobody should be alone like this, you advance slowly bending your back trying to look harmless, soft growling echoing in the room still you advance when you are close enough you offer your hand just to end in your back with miss luna sobbing in your chest, her nails hurt you but you sit and carefully put your hands around her.

"I got you, I'm here, you're not alone I'm here, it will be fine."

Minutes or hours pass you don't really know, until she is calm enough to talk.

"sorrry"

"it's okay, do you mind telling me what happened? Maybe I can help you.".

"I already take care of it, I'm Sorry I was being irrational and emotional"

"I told you I don't mind it and I don't think you were irrational."

"you don't even know what happen"

"tell me then"

She stay still in your arms but not make a move to push away.

"... I have a niece"

You nod lightly surprised waiting for her to continue.

"I'm the last of my family so is my duty to care for her, but some.. Distant blood relationships have been... Dissatisfied with my way of rasing her, they want me to give her to them with the excuse of letting me rest and finally search for a mate to have a real family, she is my family!, yes, is stressful and tiring but I will never regret taking the responsibility. They just care about how useful she can be for them, I can't leave her alone, I will never leave her alone"

Is the first time that you hear her talk that much, and the first time that you can feel the anger in her voice or any emotion honestly.

"Then stay with her and tell them to fuck off, I don't know your niece but seeing how you treat Lady Angie I sure that you are doing a excellent job, I mean not to be rude but the little lady is a lot to deal with it and you make it easy I love her but she is a pain sometimes I still remember how she hide my things in the roof! Or when she put salt in my drink! . "

She laughs and you laugh with her mostly surprised this seeing the first time that you hear her laughter (a lot of first are happening tonight).When both of you calm down she talks again.

"Yes she is a rambunctious child but means no harm... Most of the time."

"how comforting, well, children should be like that, carefree and loved, Lady Beneviento should be proud for achieving that"

"... Yes I think she is"

"Ugh"

"are you okay? What - did I hurt you?

"a little, nothing serious"

She was frantic after that, she take you to your room and cleaned the cuts, apologizing every second, you laugh at her worry.

"who would know, you are pretty cute"

"wh-yo-what?

"adorable"

She throw the bandage at your face and practically run away from the room. You were sure she heard your laugh anyway.

The moment that she knows is in love with you:

Rosemary was taken to the palace for a check out with the queen (the fact that she has been whining about how much she missed grandma Mira had nothing to do with it) and the dimitrescu were in the theater, Angie stayed because she can't go with Rose and don't wanted to go to the boring show.

She was going to her house and she was bringing you with her, lady dimitrescu had already given her permission. So thats how you ended in the Beneviento house, it was smaller than the Dimitrescu (and the smallest of the four houses) there was fewer servants too. You were worried about the lady of the house, you hear how protective she was of the only family left she had. So you put your best clothes and review all the lessons about manners that the head maid had teach you.

Lady Angie was very amused at your actions, Miss Luna had gone first to prepare everything but you swear that she was laughing at you when you tell her your worries about lady beneviento hating you.

In the moment that the door opened, the little blonde was running at the arms of the lady of the house that was waiting in the steps, you walked and bowed in front of her.

"A pleasure to meet you, lady beneviento"

She don't say anything and only nod at you before walking inside holding the hand of her niece that's talking about everything she had done with you and Miss Luna while smiling wide at you. You follow them but you can't help but feel like you are part of some inside joke between them.

To your relief things go well even if lady beneviento don't speak to you, Angie was talking for hours while giving you a full history of her house. Later a storm comes so you stay in one of the guest room, you wake up in the middle of the night and go to the kitchen for water, the mansion may be smaller than the dimitrescu but you still get lost.

Trying to make sense of were you are you end sending a wandering Angie to the ground, you apologize but then you notice the tear is her face worried you check on her for an injury until a thunder fall and the poor girl hold your neck, it hits you, she is scared of the storm, you pick her up and she hugs your neck tightly, she may be almost 15 but she is pretty small.

" were is your room?"

"don't leave me, please"

"I not going to"

Is weird seeing the energetic child so quiet if she wasn't trembling you would think that she was sleeping, you open the door and put her in her bed but she don't let go of your arm so you sit beside her trying to keep the distance and be proper, there was no knight guards and you don't wanted to betray that trust.

"did i ever tell you about the girl that trapped the lightning in a bag?"

".. No.. How she could do that?"

"well.."

You tell the story the most dramatic way possible, making sounds and gesturing wildly, the girl is so concentrated on it that she forgets about the storm outside and falls asleep.

Standing up the bed you feel her hand holding your sleeve you put her away gently and in seconds her face become restless, sighing you stand up a grab one chair putting close to the bed you try to accommodate the best that you can, you give up and grab her hand again she relax in a moment, closing your eyes you rest. Neither of you notice the door slightly opened or the shadow in the door watching the interaction.

Donna is trying really hard to not cry, she was so focused in her work that she don't notice the storm, when she finally did it she was in a hurry for Angie knowing well that the poor girl was terrified of them ( she tried to not think about how many nights she stayed alone in her room while her family was dying, far too many is the pitiful answer that her mind gives) she was prepared to deal with a crying girl hiding in a closet or under her bed she doesn't expected to found you in the room making a (great) imitation a pigeon stealing food, she keep quiet not wanting to interrupt you, she was going to enter when you standed but stop when you got back, the tears filled her eyes seeing your actions, you don't leave.

You were in bad position that she knows you will be in a world of pain tomorrow but even so you stayed, again.

She want you. Salvatore and her have been the ones to deal with the courting and marriage proposals, they rejected every single one but they keep coming, people who only wanted power and wealth not love or loyalty.

But you don't want power and you only wanted enough money to live, you had many opportunities to manipulate the girls or try to use them, but you didn't.

Even then you were patient with them you go beyond your duties just to make them happy, playing their games making sure they were comfortable, for the stars! you even helped with their homework! (you weren't the best in that, the girls got better by teaching you, so it worked.. kinda) the way that you treat Angie was enough to give you her trust, she knows how her beloved niece can be but you did your best, sometimes you will forget that she was a noble child, treating her like a rowdy child that need a gentle but firm hand you will scold her about her actions and after that you will give her candies and piggybacks.

And you were so gentle with her, you don't treat her like a idiot when she don't understand something, you explain things to her and in return she will explain things to you, you don't get mad at her for being quiet and only ask her to nod for confirmation or denial, you don't push her, you stayed, you don't leave, you make her feel alive again.

She loves you, she loves you so much. Her siblings and mother will fight her decision but she will no give up, she knows that you at least are attracted to her, she can work with that, she will romance you as Luna and as herself will try to be accessible, let you know her, go slowly and when you get trapped in her web she will never let you go.

BAD THINGS HAPPEN (DUBIOUS CONSENT)

Suddenly you get more convocations at the Beneviento mansion, the lady still don't talk to you but was a perfect host she even give you some clothes! You try to reject it but her stern face (that Angie copy immediately) defeat you, you can't smell her (it's not weird to nobles hide their scent to hide how they feel) Things with Miss luna were improving too she was talking more to you, joking with you, showing sides that you don't know she have it.

"know I understand we're lady Angie learn that mischievous behavior"

A maid was particularly rude to you and the next day all her belongings were in the pond.

"you don't have evidence, Tesoro"

That was something that make you nuts, you know that the four houses have their own secret language created to protect information, besides the family only trusted servants and allies know it. You hear the dimitrescu daughters talking between them in their language a lot of times. But with her you can help but blush hearing the words roll softly in her tongue.

You were down bad, but you know that there was no way that she will accept you as a possible mate, se had a niece to care for and a pretty damn well job, what you could offer? That though plagued your mind.

Then one day your medication is empty, you were in the Beneviento house winter time had come and the snow keep you trapped, you will going to be in rut. You tell Angie that you couldn't play with her for a few days she was dejected but understood she smiled and told you that she will send miss luna with everything you needed, you inform lady beneviento and she just nods.

Then your rut not only starts early is hell, normally it will be a small fever, instinct being a lot sharper, rational thoughts minimized slowly, the desire to be needed, to be praised grows and as a unmated alpha the need of sexual pleasure is there, a partner was preferred but not necessary as things can be dealed alone.That was supposed to happen.

But you had been medicated for so long, you were burning, your mind was foggy, your lust can't be satisfied not matter how many times you try, you wanted, you needed a partner, a omega partner

Donna don't know that, she was worried about you with your reactions she suspected that your rut will come tomorrow, earlier that you thought, it was supposed to be safe. She entered the room with her key, nose and face covered so she is not tempted by your scent, the room is dark anyway but she knows her house like the back of her hand she gets close thinking you were asleep instead a hand grab her throwing her in the bed and your body on top of her.

"Omega"

Her voice die in her throat, she should scream, she should punch you but she stay still, part of her hoping that you snap out it (a darker part is flattered by your desire) she try to talk again but her words are devoured by your mouth

Things go too fast and too slowly at the same time, her veil and mask were discarded by force even so recognition never cross your face. The pheromones are quickly making a mess of her mind too.

'Alpha needs us' ' Alpha want us' 'Let them'

She doesn't want this, don't like this when your mind is gone. She doesn't, she doesn't, she doesn't. (you do, you do, you do, trapped, trapped. )

Even in your feral state you notice her fear, your frantic actions slowed but the urgency is still there. When you prepared her with your fingers she tries to move away but the growls resounding in your chest stopped her.

"good omega"

Her mind is slipping, maybe that is better she doesn't want to feel the guilt and the shame, later it could come later. Now she just wish to pretend that you truly want her, that this is not just the most savage part of you taking was is so close to satisfy it's hunger and need.

Most of it is a blur, really. She feels the pain of you entering and taking what she never thought will give, the pleasure that your touch bring, your frantic voice and moans in her ears, the tears that cover her face, everything was too much, she couldn't think until she feels the bite in her neck and before she can stop herself she bites you too.

Mated and bounded.

She hates herself, she hates, she hates, she hates because she is so happy, now you can't never leave.

When your mind comes back you are in your room, your body feels heavy everything hurts. Miss Luna enters the room and you feel it, the connection.

You stand fast and move her head to see her neck, and take a quick look at the mirror.

Mated and bounded.

Black god above what have you done?

Mated and bounded.

How could you?

Mated and bounded

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry"

Your legs fail, but it seems right to kneel before her.

Mated and bounded

Should you ask for it to be broken?

Mated and bounded

No, it will give her more pain more misery, it could kill her.

Mated and bounded

"you could go with me to the north, across the ocean, I-I will take care of you and your niece"

"What?"

" With the money, I can pay for you ticket too, it will be a opportunity a adventure"

"You were planning to leave us?"

How dare you, how dare you, you can't leave, you can't never leave.

"I-"

One hands go to your neck cutting your words, the other take the veil away. You freeze.

"after what you have done you dare to think you can leave?"

Mated and bounded

You mated and bounded a Noble.

You mated and bounded a High Noble.

You mated and bounded one of the four pillars.

You mated and bounded Lady Donna Beneviento.

There is no way you can escape, did you even deserve it?

"I will take responsibility for my actions, my life is yours to decide"

She kiss you. It taste bittersweet.

"you can't leave, I can't let you."

You are mine, forever.

[namusthetic]

The Marauders

"Anything for our Moony."

Inspired by: MsKingBean89, All The Young Dudes

"We can beat them just for one day

We can be heroes just for one day"

( - David Bowie, Heroes)

___

Playlist:

All the Young Dudes by Mott The Hoople

We Will Rock You by Queen

We Are Young by f.u.n.

Beat Of My Drum by POWERS

Freaks by Surf Curse

Money by The Drums

Little Dark Age by MGMT

Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men

Out of Luck by Airways

Who We Are by Imagine Dragons

Remember When by Wallows

Don't Stop Me Now by Queen

Where'd All the Time Go by Dr. Dog

Welcome Home, Son by Radical Face

Heroes by David Bowie

________________

Prongs

James Potter

"Ask me why my heart's inside my throat

I've never been in love, I've been alone

Feel like I've been living life asleep

Love so strong it makes me feel so weak"

( - Coyote Theory, This Side of Paradise)

___

Playlist:

Honeypie by JAWNY

Kick Ass by Mika ft. RedOne

Everybody Talks by Neon Trees

Scrawny by Wallows

Marlboro Nights by Lonely God

Potions by Day Wave

This Side of Paradise by Coyote Theory

Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) by Edison Lighthouse

Can I Call You Tonight? by Dayglow

Sober by Childish Gambino

Adore You by Harry Styles

It's Time by Imagine Dragons

________________

Padfoot

Sirius Black

"Can't stay at home, can't stay at school

Old folks say, "You poor little fool"

Down the streets I'm the girl next door

I'm the fox you've been waiting for"

( - The Runaways, Cherry Bomb)

___

Playlist:

Come as You Are by Nirvana

The Chain by Fleetwood Mac

Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash

Cherry Bomb by The Runaways

You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi

Bad by Michael Jackson

Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People

Paramour by Sub Urban ft. AURORA

Parents by Yungblud

Verbatim by Mother Mother

False Confidence by Noah Kahan

Heart of Glass by Miley Cyrus

Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High by Arctic Monkeys

________________

Moony

Remus Lupin

"Crawling in my skin

These wounds, they will not heal

Fear is how I fall

Confusing what is real

There's something inside me that pulls beneath the surface

Consuming, confusing

This lack of self control I fear is never ending

Controlling

I can't seem"

( - Linkin Park, Crawling)

___

Playlist:

Cigarette Daydreams by Cage the Elephant

i'll die anyway. by girl in red

Ultraviolence by Lana Del Rey

Crawling by Linkin Park

cardigan by Taylor Swift

Fix You by Coldplay

Dark Necessities by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Take Me To Church by Hozier

PATCHWERK by Sub Urban ft. Two Feet

we fell in love in october by girl in red

Astronomy by Conan Gray

Secrets by OneRepublic

I Bet My Life by Imagine Dragons

________________

Wormtail

Peter Pettigrew

"I'm tired of being last pick

Treated like a side chick

A background character for all of my life"

( - Mad Tsai, that friend)

___

Playlist:

Another One of Those Days by Cavetown

Comfort Crowd by Conan Gray

Devil Town by Cavetown

Swing Lynn by Harmless

jealousy, jealousy by Olivia Rodrigo

Treacherous (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift

I Did Something Bad by Taylor Swift

Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons

I Can't Handle Change by Roar

that friend by Mad Tsai

Outrunning Karma by Alec Benjamin

People Watching by Conan Gray

everything i wanted by Billie Eilish

------------------

Bonus...

Severus Snape

"I fell by the wayside, like everyone else

I hate you, I hate you, I hate you

But I was just kidding myself

Our every moment, I start to replace

'Cause now that they're gone

All I hear are the words that I needed to say"

( - Lewis Capaldi, Before You Go)

___

Playlist:

Bored by Billie Eilish

After Dark by Mr. Kitty

Don't Blame Me by Taylor Swift

Dusk Till Dawn by ZAYN ft. Sia

Arcade by Duncan Laurence

Heather by Conan Gray

Before You Go by Lewis Capaldi

Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paloma Faith

Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush

Glimpse of Us by Joji

Dancing With Your Ghost by Sasha Alex Sloan

Infinity by Jaymes Young

________________

Regulus Black

"I didn't have it in myself to go with grace

And you're the hero flying around, saving face

And if I'm dead to you, why are you at the wake?

Cursing my name, wishing I stayed

Look at how my tears ricochet"

( - Taylor Swift, My Tears Ricochet)

___

Playlist:

Control by Halsey

Wires by The Neighborhood

Six Feet Under by Billie Eilish

Cradle by Sub Urban

Blood // Water by grandson

Afraid by The Neighbourhood

Achilles Come Down by Gang of Youths

Arsonist's Lullaby by Hozier

Look What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift

lovely by Billie Eilish ft. Khalid

Two Evils by Bastille

Sign of the Times by Harry Styles

My Tears Ricochet by Taylor Swift

____________________ 🐾

Hellooo!!!

Sorry I haven't posted much lately, university has been keeping me busy 💀

Finally I'm back with a long post eheh

I've been reading MsKingBean89's wonderful work All the Young Dudes on AO3, which I recommend because it's simply amazing, and decided to make moodboards and playlists for each character.

Instead of my usual character description this time I preferred song lyrics. If you are not interested then please do enjoy the playlists, and ofc you can tag yourselves and the character you feel closest with. Hope you enjoy <3

[chaotic-goodsir]

Tried to make a playlist of songs I think January 1998 AU Owen would actually know and like, and yeah, I overthought this one far too much 😅 Song list, lyrics and some headcanons below the cut.

I'm working on one of these for Curt too which I'll post soon!

If driving fast cars you like, if low bars you like

*

1. Anything Goes - Cole Porter

If old hymns you like, if bare limbs you like

If Mae West you like or me undressed you like 

Why, nobody will oppose

One of the first musical songs Owen remembers hearing. Also a song about breaking taboos and changing times which gained more meaning as he got older.

2. There's No Business Like Show Business - Annie Get Your Gun

Yesterday they told you you would not go far

That night you open and there you are

Next day on your dressing room they've hung a star

Let's go on with the show

The first time Owen set foot in a theatre, aged about 10, he decided he wanted to become a actor, but expectations got in the way. After he started working for MI6 this song became a sort of private joke to him, since some of the lyrics could also apply to spying and later working for Chimera.)

3. You Call Everybody Darling - Andrews Sisters

You call everybody darling

And everybody calls you darling too

You don't mean what you're saying

It's just a game you're playing

But you'll find someone else can play the game as well as you

Curt once joked that this song reminds him of Owen, and now Owen is sentimental about it.

4. I Get a Kick Out of You - Frank Sinatra

Practically everything leaves me totally cold

The only exception I know is the case

When I'm out on a quiet spree 

Fighting vainly the old ennui 

And I suddenly turn and see your fabulous face 

Song for Curt, which Curt also likes.

5. Black Coffee - Sarah Vaughan

I'm feelin' mighty lonesome

Haven't slept a wink

I walk the floor and watch the door 

And in between I drink

Song for playing while smoking alone and miserable in a hotel room at 3am before/after a mission, even if the lyrics are technically about being a housewife.

6. Love You Didn't Do Right By Me - Rosemary Clooney

Love, you didn't do right by me

You planned a romance that just hadn't a chance 

And I'm through

Song for playing while smoking alone and miserable after the only person you've ever let yourself fall in love with abandons you.

6. I Could Have Danced All Night - Ella Fitzgerald

I'll never know what made it so exciting 

Why all at once my heart took flight 

I only know when he began to dance with me 

I could have danced, danced, danced all night

From the first musical Owen managed to see on Broadway and the first one he saw with Curt, some time in the 50s. This version of the song is from album they bought in 1963 for Ms Mega.

7. My Funny Valentine - Sarah Vaughan

Is your figure less than Greek?

Is your mouth a little weak?

When you open it to speak, are you smart?

But don't change a hair for me

Not if you care for me

Song for Curt, which Curt does not like.

8. America - Simon & Garfunkel

She said the man in the gabardine suit was a spy

I said, "Be careful, his bowtie is really a camera"

"Toss me a cigarette, I think there's one in my raincoat"

"We smoked the last one an hour ago"

Song for Curt and being able to travel again (Owen spent a large part of the 60s in either the safehouse or a high security A.S.S facility) and being an expat in the US.

9. Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles 

Eleanor Rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name

Nobody came

Father McKenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave 

No one was saved

Curt insists that Owen should like the Beatles because he's British. Owen does not like the Beatles. With the exception of this song, which he has complicated feelings about - he's always been curious about people and their lives, and it's one of the things that drew him to spying. And acting. And Chimera.

10. Cabaret - Cabaret

Life is a Cabaret, old chum

It's only a Cabaret, old chum 

And I love a Cabaret.

One of Owen's favourite broadway songs.

10. Waterloo - ABBA

Waterloo, I was defeated you won the war

Waterloo, promise to love you forevermore

Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to

Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you

Owen will not admit to anyone that he likes this song, but Curt knows he loves it.

11. Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush

How could you leave me 

When I needed to possess you? 

I hated you, I loved you, too 

Curt makes fun of Owen for liking this song because it's dramatic and angsty and 'classic books are boring.' Owen thinks that Curt just doesn't appreciate intellectual art, or pay attention to lyrics.

12. This Charming Man - The Smiths

Why pamper life's complexity 

When the leather runs smooth 

On the passenger seat? 

I would go out tonight but I haven't got a stitch to wear 

This man said, "It's gruesome that someone so handsome should care" 

Song for Curt, first overheard playing in the cafe Curt and Owen like to visit.

13. Tom's Diner - Suzanne Vega

Oh, this rain it will continue 

Through the morning as I'm listening 

I am thinking of your voice

And of the midnight picnic once upon a time 

Before the rain began 

I finish up my coffee and it's time to catch the train

1980-90s song that reminds 1980s-90s Owen of being 1950s Owen.

14. Non, je ne regrette rien - Edith Piaf

Non, je ne regrette rien

Car ma vie 

Car mes joies 

Aujourd'hui 

Ça commence avec toi

Owen once asked Curt to make sure this is played at his funeral. Curt laughed at him for being cliché and pretentious, but he's written it down somewhere to make sure he doesn't forget.

[tailsfan]

Here is the prologue of my AU...

I'm still thinking of a name for the AU, but I will put a poll to figure out what I should name it, sincei have a bunch of ideas!

Anyways, let the story start!

~'0'~

"Come here you little two tailed brat!" a female adult fox mobian yelled l at the top of her voice.

The said 'two-tailed brat' peaked out behind the door of a closet...

The 'two tailed brat' was no other than a young fox, who was 2years old. He walked out of a tiny closet and looked at the older fox. The tiny fox approached the woman slowly and stared at her with wide cyan eyes, shaking like a leaf.

When the child came into full sight, so did his horrible appearance. The fox was definitely being starved as his ribs would have been in sight if not for his fur... Speaking of his fur, it was covered in a coat of dirt, making his originally golden yellow fur appear a dirty yellow colour... The young foxes ears was bent down and all across his arms and legs were sports tape that helped cover up the scars his no longer thick fur could.

"Y-yes, mother?" The fox said in a voice ever so quite and weak.

"For the umpteenth time, I am NOT your mom! Don't call me that!" The women yelled furiously.

"S-sorry M-mrs. P-prower..." the young fox meekly replied visibly flinching.

"Good, well, Amadeus will be coming here soon, and we want to talk to you about something..." The older fox, now known as Rosemary Prower said, hate seeping through her voice.

"O-okay..." the young kit said looking down. Even at such a young age, he knew whatever was going to happen wasn't going to be good.

The young kit stayed out of Rosemary's way only standing in the corner thinking about what his 'parents' wanted to talk to him about.

"I'm home honey!" a voice called as a man opened the door of the house.

The young fox kit stared at his biological father as though he was some kind of impossible-to-solve algebraic equation. His father was never that happy... What caused him to be so happy all of a sudden?

"Honey! Did you get the papers?" Rosemary asked her husband in an equally cheerful voice.

That's weird. They were never too happy. At least not in front of him.

"Yes I did," Amandeus said, pride clear in his voice.

Both Amandeus and Rosmary called the young kit over to the living room, the two of them sitting on the coach, and the kit remained standing.

"You see you little freak, today is our lucky day! We will finally get rid of the cause of our bad luck... You!" Amandeus said with a bright smile.

The 2 year old kit stared at them with confusion tilting his head to the side. Something was off.. really off...

"Here read this," Rosemary said handing the kit a piece of paper...

Upon seeing the paper the young kit's eyes widened...

His eyes layed on a certificate that said:

This certificate honors the Prower family full disownership of

Miles Prower

Miles' eyes widened... NO! This can't happen... Mr. And Mrs. Prower love him! They- they are his parents... they only sat they hate him, to raise him to not be a brat.... right?

Miles felt himself harshly pushed and within the matter of seconds he found himself face first on the floor.

"You better not come back again you little freak!" was the last thing he heard before the door of the house was closed.

Miles stared back at that was in his hand...

He was all alone...

No one wanted him...

It will always be that way...

He will always remain the two-tailed freak of Westside Island.

~'0'~

It hurts!

Everywhere!

Miles limped back to the cave where he stayed for the last 2 and a half years.

Miles regretted ever leaving his cave today. He regrets looking for food...

But he was just so hungry!

If only he was a little faster...

If only he took a right turn instead of a left...

If only...

No!

It is too late for that! They found him, and there is nothing he can do to change that...

When Miles reached his cave he fell onto, the thin blanket he used.

Warm tears fled his eyes as he remembered what happened today...

He was looking something to eat in the city...

They found him...

The bullies...

And he was too slow...

They hurt him...

Punched him in the eye, and broke his arm...

They told him, they should have broke his tails too, but he escaped...

In the end, Miles was still almost as hungry as he was when he first headed to town, as he only found the remaining of an apple...

But it was fine...

Miles will live...

He always did...

Miles rolled himself in his thin blanket, that barely served as a protector against the fall wind...

'Everything will be alright,' Miles thought, ' I will make it...'

~'0'~

The next day, Miles was back walking in the forest. His attention was at the fullest. He knew the rule for him around here...

It was get caught or escape...

Miles was in the middle of a deep thought of a book that he read the night before about planes, until he tripped on a bright green object.

Curious, Miles pulled out the object and found it to be the most beautiful emerald he has ever seen...

When he touched it he felt a rush of warmth run through him...

Miles dug the emerald out, thinking it was his lucky day...

Maybe he could sell the emerald to get food, or give it to his parents, so they can keep him again...

What Miles didn't know, was that that emerald was going to change his life forever...

~'0'~

So... that's the chapter! I hope you guys liked it! Like I said, I am still really new to this whole fanfiction thing, and I was writing this on my phone at night...

I hoped you guys enjoyed this, please let me know what your opinions of the chapter is, and whether I should continue the story or not...

Anyways, I think that is all...

Thanks for reading!

[wheelercore]

First, before getting to my point, let me bitch: the Creel attic is giving me a headache. Ive noticed a mirror in the trailer and I'm prettyyyy sure it's also in the show when Victor goes up there

but the placement of the Things just aren't the same. Like I'm pretty sure the baby carriage (if it's even the same one because it looks kind of different... Or unless there's two??) was moved, the wheelchair in the show has a chest behind it unlike in the trailer, and the clothes hanger had clothes on it in the trailer (?) but not in the show. Also the windows behind the clock in the trailer just disappears 🌈 in the show lmao.

I mean if I'm going to be super insane about this for a moment it seems to me from Victors movements in the show he enters from the far left and checks out the bedframes, wedding dress, and carriage first.

He sees the piano next, turns towards the other side of the room and checks out the wheelchair for a bit. Turns fully around so his back would be towards the POV of this trailer shot. See what I mean? (Possible mirror in the background circled)

The production crew is not making this easy for me 💪

Regardless, the mirror seems to actually be in the same place it should be (at least in the similar place) which is an Interesting choice because it's facing Victor as the spider eclipses his form in the fore ground of the last shot as he monologues about a demon.

Which made me realize this isn't the only time Victor is associated with reflections and spiders. Again, the bathtub scene where he saw his reflection in the water where the spiders were.

I know a lot of people think it's a reflection of Virginia, and that's a valid interpretation, I'm just putting this out there as a thought. Virginia does already get her own much more explicit "reflection" when she runs down the stairs past the mirror on the mantleplace (which honestly reminds me of the scene in The Shining when Wendy sees the ghost fellatio (tm) after walking up the stairs and proceeds to scream and run away like Virginia did when she saw the spiders).

It's only after this scene that Victor sees his first hallucination of a baby burning. And there is an eye for an eye aspect of what happened to him: he killed a family, including an infant, during the war so his own family was taken away from him.

But his association with spiders doesn't really make much sense to me because Victor himself doesn't fit the descriptor of "a predator" unless the argument is that as being a war criminal he fits that description. Which ST tends to be very flexible with the criteria of "preying on the weak". I'd argue the reason why Angela's rink o mania outfit was paralleled to Karens cheating outfits is because both are technically participating in predatory behaviors. Karen is pursuing sex with a teenager and Angela is tormenting an autistic coded girl for being "different".

They do this also with naming the basketball team turned mob "the tigers". Tigers are predators, and Jason is a predator "preying on the weak" by scapegoating someone lower on the social hierarchy than he is. The "freaks".

And an infant definitely fits the term "weak" and an innocent civilian family compared to an armed soldier also does too. Hence why Victor gets his "punishment" in the form of being framed for the killing of his family.

(which again just begs more questions because the only reason Victor wakes up from his vision is because of an "angel", Henry quickly skips over this part of his retelling just stating that he passed out from over exertion and that he "planned" to have his father framed when that simply does not add up with what Victor said himself happened).

But also I hate talking about Victor like this because he's my skrugly blorbo 😔👍

To me, at least, this fits an interesting trend. Not to bring Rosemary's Baby into this again BUT the repeated dynamic of the father who pretends to be what he's not- the mother who married him without knowing who he really is- the son who is rejected by his mother as a result. Which is the criticism of the cultural enforcement of the nuclear family, women don't have any choice to but to marry, men also have to charm a woman into marrying them, and as a result you can end up with children trapped in an abusive environment with an abuser and an abuse enabler- or at least just a less extreme unhealthy environment.

We see this over and over again whether the trend plays out or it's bucked. Joyce bucked the trend by being supportive of her sons regardless of her hardships as a single mother and Lonnie being a POS (Joyce axes the rose wallpaper standing in between her and Will, Lonnie repairs it). In fact she kicks Lonnie out when he insists on letting Will go.

In fact could the rose door be a parallel to the Byers rose wall? And Lonnie's repair of the wall be parallels to the wooden planks on Chrissy's and Nancy's vecna vision?

Billy's mom (represented with a red rose on her shirt btw) didn't protect him by abandoning him to his father.

Karen bucks the trend by refuses to let Mike go by the end of s4. Ted noticibly in s1 tells her to "let him go" and even in a comic I believe there is a? Similar line? At Mike's birthday he tells Karen she has to let Mike go "sometime" because he's 10? So like twice now it's repeated? For a reason? Eyes the rose urn forever nana wheeler I will find you.

But also the Wheelers are not really representation of an abuser-abuser enabler dynamic I just think both Karen and Ted could just be more emotionally supportive of Mike.

Virginia attempts to abandon Henry to Brenner, who does eventually become a sort of father figure to him. Virginia's "reflection" moment is her seeing the spiders (ie predator) and screaming and running away, being reflected on front of the rose wallpaper on the way down the stairs to hugging Victor- who is arguably being representing by spiders but not because he's harmed Henry but because he's. You know. A war criminal lol.

This post is going no where but obligatory rosegate canon statement because I literally cannot conceive why things in the Creel attic would be repeated in the Wheeler home with the added theme of Shitty Nuclear Family Cycles inspired by The Shining. Anyways see you in first shadow dick wheeler if you're not there I'm going to be very upset 💔

[chim-aera]

oh how I want to be soft, how I long to be languid and clement, shimmer-soft like gossamer and goose down. how often how I have said this. but one who has held a sword at their side for longer then they can remember has a hard time keeping the teeth from showing when they smile. oh, how I wish to be better. to be warm, to be gentle. like soft rain and moonlight beaming down on your windowsill, like petals sugar sweet and ochre ripe. like grass and dandelion fluff drifting gently in the wind. I want to allow myself to feel, to learn, to heal. to crack myself open like a walnut and peel back my skin so I can crawl back inside and simply be. but oh i cannot be. I want to breathe again. oh how I've forgotten what it feels like to merely exist in my body. not this fractured harrowing headspace some call the mind. I want to be again. I want to let myself be seen. to be vulnerable, lower my shields and weapons, to stop tensing at every wave, to stop snarling at every smile. how I long to be reposeful. but I see their stares, their eyes, their thoughts, tell me. is it wrong to be waiting for the moment? the moment to finally snap and attack something. I've been waiting for eternity. fighting small battles, winning small wars, losing deeply, losing everything, but still fighting nevertheless. what can a soldier do when they realize life is but a war built inside this hallowed hall of hell. hell is here. but where are the devils, I really do believe they'd be kinder then the angels have been. I want to stop struggling, but the venom in me has gotten me this far. perhaps, I respect it, it isn't the snake I'm so wary of, all this fury has made me tired. I've grown weak as it simmers and licks at my bones. I'm tired of this. but when I finally set down my daggers will I regret it? how can I be alright? how can I stop fearing? i was born foxsmart and faewild. moonkissed and treetall. tell me who murdered that child? I've spent so long hating every version of me, there's a graveyard of the people I could've been, the ones I killed in the name of love. or family. for others. for fear. now what does that make me? can I be safe again? will it ever be safe again? who am I to tell. my mind wanders off to far away places, I gently guide it back like a straggling sheep. I am better, yes. but I still feel so young. but gods do I also feel ancient. might someone crown me in rosemary and help me forget. that's all I truly am, a living, breathing conundrum. but that's beyond the point. soft.

I wish to be that, desperately. it was for others. to be sugar-sweet and easily swallowed. now I don't mind the raven gleam in my eyes, the sharpness of my teeth, the wrinkles and dips in my skin. perhaps I can learn to love all of me. perhaps I am learning to. perhaps I am finding the path to where I will one day gain my wisdom. I do wish to stop batting, when there aren't battles to fight. but, there are. there always are. should I ignore them? but what do I do when they eat me alive? I cannot win, can I? I just want to feel safe again. I wish to for once not worry. take me back to my memories, sunwarmed, and dirt laden. pool water and grass. my grandmother's smile, the trees looked down on me with kindness, I grinned gap-toothed and giddy back at them. the woman on the tapestry smiled too, the one in my grandmother's bathroom. ink black hair, and wizened eyes. I wondered what her story was. rose petals and oils in jars I could not read, it smelled nostalgic, and safe. an altar of sorts, her own spell laden magik. how I'd give so much to have those feelings back. but one does not do too well dwelling in times they cannot return to.

I've lost a lot. I fear of losing more. oh what do I do? tell me, wise ones, how do I live. I've spent my whole lifetime crammed between the words of someone else sprawled among pages, the ink sets into my skin like a second set of veins. what do I do? no one gave me a guidebook. if they did I wouldn't be asking. or maybe I would. who really knows anything.

but yes, I'm tired. I want to find myself, reawaken my youth, my softness, my mirth, awaken that shining child from their eternal slumber. tell them, magik exists, the soft breeze whispering through treetops could be faeries if you listen close enough, there is still good. keep dreaming. but oh, what else would I tell them?

"where is grandmother?"

I'll look up to the stars for advice,

"not even they know," I say softly, orion shakes his head, laelaps offers her compassion. I sigh.

"we are here though. we survived."

and that is the problem, how much longer must I go through these cursed motions? when will I learn to live, gods damn it all!

I'm tired. I'm aching. I'm bloody, and bruised. how, tell me gods, celestials, universe, answer the infernal question. please. how do I learn to let go? let the current drown me alive? maybe I struggle, maybe it's in my nature. a fox in a trap will never trust a snare again, so how might I relearn. I can't always be my own teacher, that's a quite limited process. but I'll get there. I always get there eventually. perhaps, one day, I'll learn how to be soft.

[gyroshrike]

Kanaya and Rose

For the “Send me a character and I’ll tell you…” ask game

Kanaya

My NOTP for them - I'm sorry, I don't mean to make another notp including Vriska, but really probably flushed Vriska♥️Kanaya. I'm just... I wouldn't want it to happen. I love Kanaya's pining, but I think I'm a little salty specifically towards Act 6 Act 6 Intermission 5 where Vriska comes back and "fixes" all of Rose and Kanaya's problems. I don’t want her playing a part in any of Kanaya’s flushed relationships :T

My BROTP for them - oh, Kanaya and Karkat all the way. Those two are the BEST. They make my heart all soft and gooey and ahhhhh. How close Kanaya and Karkat were was something that I feel goes very under utilized in the fandom. Also, I am WRECKED by the idea of Karkat trusting Kanaya enough to learn his blood color so she can feed off of him if she needs to.

I'm also a big fan of whatever Kanaya and Sollux had going on in Pesterquest. Their bro energy was OFF THE CHARTS. Sollux's route was hands down one of the funniest in the entire game and he and Kanaya were so good bouncing off each other.

My OTP for them - Oop, no big surprises here, it's flushed Kanaya♥️Rose. I remember wishing way back when, before we even had an inkling of hs being gaaaaaay, I was wishing Rose and Kanaya could be a thing because I thought they had such good energy together. (And then later on I was like "w-wait... is this actually happening? Are they gonna be a thing???")

The amount that Kanaya and Rose click is just nigh indescribable. They are hilarious and badass and sassy and beautiful and both into fiber crafts and goth and also lovers of bright colors and and and and and and just *clenches fist* so good.

I wish I knew a better way to word it. Rose and Kanaya are just similar enough that you can get why they get along, but they're different enough that they're still very much their own characters with their own quirks, weaknesses, their own developed motives and arcs away from each other. They have overlapping aesthetic without being copies of each other.

I think Rosemary is just everything young me could have wanted from a fictional sapphic relationship. The EPIDOME of girls loving girls and I just... AHHHHHHHHHHH I NEED TO DRAW THEM MORE.

My second choice pairing for them. My second choice pairing? Maybe pale Erikan? I just really enjoyed their pesterlogs together and thought they were really funny and that Kanaya was really good at getting Eridan to listen. (You know, before the whole murder thing.)

My fluffy pairing for them - Not exactly a pairing, but I love how Kanaya seemed to be someone who really stood up for and looked out for Tavros, even so much to harass Vriska, her crush, into being nice to him. Kanaya was the one who told Tavros to name his self-confidence and to not hurt "his" feelings. ;0; I'm really into humanstuck AU's where the Maryam family is really close to the Nitram family. Pesterquest also solidified this with the role Kanaya played in Tavros' route. In my AU, Kanaya's family reached out and helped Tavros' family financially after Tavros' accident.

My angsty pairing for them  - I do think pitch Vriskan has potential for soooo much delicious pain. Ugh, I love the concept of a Kanaya who vacillates pitch and Vriska having to match up and deal with her, not to mention Vriska having a kismesis who's used to standing up to her bullshit.

My favorite poly ship for them - Oh hmmm, I don't know if I've considered this one. Perhaps something poly pale with Eridan and Roxy? I enjoy Eridan and Roxy pale a lot and something between Kanaya and Roxy would be really cute!

My weirdest pairing for them - Not a ship again per se, but the dynamic of Kanaya and Gamzee ending up as quadrant corners through Rose (Rose flushed with Kanaya and ashen for Gamzee and Terezi) is fucking hilarious to me. I think I would die. It's way to funny. Kanaya and Dirk sibling-in-law shenanigans where they drive each other nuts has so much potential.

Rose

My NOTP for them - I don’t have any super, super strong feelings for many Rose ships. I tend not to ship her with boys in any concupiscent quadrants, but nothing squicks me out besides Rose with any Strider/Lalonde. Those make me super uncomfortable.

My BROTP for them - Rose is such good bros with John and Dave. I enjoy them so much. That one exchange with Rose and John where they go back and forth with just hogwash and poppycock and whatever else? Adorable.

My OTP for them - Kanaya, duh.

My second choice pairing for them - Possibly the ashen Gamzee♣️Rose♣️Terezi I mentioned in both my Terezi and Gamzee answer. I’m kind of boring when it comes to Rose I think, just because I’m so satisfied with Rosemary LMAO. I know there’s a moirallegience somewhere in there that I would love, but I haven’t put enough thought into it.

My fluffy pairing for them - Answer from my Feferi ask: Not necessarily ship, but Feferi being close with Rose so they can  bond over their appreciation of eldritch beings is A+. I want them to  talk to the horrorterrors together. Also Rose being goth with the hc of Feferi being the troll equivalent of goth (because she wears bright colors) is so freaking cute.

Feferi and Rose fashion with tentacles on their skirts or leggings or jewelry and black lipstick??? I would DIE. THEY’RE JUST SO COOL.

My angsty pairing for them - When did I get so boring?? I’m not even sure I haven an answer for this one?? Hmm, maybe something pitch between Vriska and Rose. I’d like to see a conflict of “You don’t know how to use your light powers properly” and each of them having wildly different ideas of what’s best for the group and that their ideas are the wisest ones. They’re different views on how to treat people would also cause them to bump heads. Oh, they’re also both way extra gamer girls.

But I don’t have something explicitly angsty for them, oh, but could you imagine Kanaya’s reaction if Rose and Vriska ended up as a thing? xD

My favorite poly ship for them - UHHHHHH

My weirdest pairing for them - I’M SORRY I’M SO BORING WHEN IT COMES TO ROSE. I DIDN’T REALIZE I WAS SO BORING WHEN IT COMES TO ROSE. MAYBE ROSE AND ARADIA?? TALKING ABOUT DEATH AND DARK THINGS WOULD BE REALLY COOL.

G-Gamer girl Rose... getting really into games with the gamer boys. Rose getting really into doing nerdy game things with Sollux and maybe even Tavros. Tavros’ desire to find all the puzzles and slowly, but surely find All The Things would help Rose’s game guide writing. But he would become very distressed while she and Sollux then proceeded to try and break the game with glitches and bugs.

[words-writ-in-starlight]

I’m getting around to rereading Toby Daye, and--

You know what?  I think I’m excessively hard on her.  Not about everything, I lovingly dunk on every favorite character and she’s no different and also she will never know peace from me SPECIFICALLY because her solution to everything is “bleed on it, maybe” which, while narratively justified, must be SO nerve-wracking for everyone around her.  But specifically, I--and I think a lot of the fandom--tend to be really tough on Toby about not trusting her instincts.

I could point to any number of things for this, but I think the main thing that comes to mind is the core question of her heritage--there are so many indicators that she’s not Daoine Sidhe, and it’s easy to get frustrated with her when she doesn’t latch onto any of them.  Especially since this is October “Oh Okay I’ve Been Exiled So I Guess It’s Time To Solve A Century-Old Regicide And Depose A Ruler” Daye, not best known for letting things go.

But like--there are so many people around her who do know, and they go to a lot of work to make Toby not trust her own instincts.  Devin?  I mean, fuck that guy, but he’s a phenomenal tool in Evening’s belt, knowing or otherwise.  The speech he gives Toby about how she’s pigeonholed Evening as “arrogant pureblood who would never sink to going to Home”?  Toby is right.  Toby was always right.  That’s exactly who Evening is.  And sure, he’s covering his own ass, but every time they talk, Devin does a masterwork of gaslighting on Toby, and there’s a world of evidence that he’s been at it since she was a kid.  Between Devin’s coercion, Amandine’s neglect and emotional abuse, and Sylvester’s silence, Toby never has any reason to think that trusting her instincts about her own reality will bear fruit.  She doesn’t even think to wonder if raising the dead is standard for Daoine Sidhe, because she’s used to marking her internal reality against other people’s statements about her.

So if everyone says she’s a weak-blooded Daoine Sidhe changeling whose primary selling point is bullheadedness, who is she to question it?

(As an aside, I think this is why Tybalt automatically assumes she knows.  She does so much magic that’s well outside the realm of normal for the Daoine Sidhe, with the same reckless determination that she does everything.  And in the wider world, outside herself, Toby is so stubborn, so dogged, so willing to even stand up against royalty if it will get her the truth.  Why would it ever occur to him that she didn’t have that same faith in her instincts within her own skin?)

[tobegiggledat]

Crack(ed) Baby

18+ CONTENT AHEAD MINORS DNI

❀ pairing: Tomura Shigaraki x afab!reader

❀ warnings: mental asylum au/no quirks, implied/referenced suicide, slight smut, fingering(?), mention of gun

❀word count: 2.5k

❀ a/n: Heya! This is my first fic I've ever posted on here. No beta reader so they're might be some grammatical errors. Feedback is highly appreciated! Also, title is a Mitski reference ofc🙈

Your fingers twiddle with the black band surrounding your ankle as you restlessly await the nurse's return, and with your thumb hooked inside, you attempt to loosen its hold on you, but to no avail.

A tracker you think to yourself before your feet drop back over the edge of the bed and swing idly. Clothed in a light blue gown and grippy socks, you scan the room around you, only to be faced with a dull interior as the walls are only painted a dull, chalky white to mimic the just as colorless flooring.

After years of receiving lax treatment and nonchalantly discarding your medications, you aren't accustomed to the chill that comes with knowing your every action is being monitored. And while this isn't your first time being involuntarily committed, your other experiences weren’t nearly as supervised.

Elite Counseling is known for their more rigorous treatment methods; with twelve of their facilities located throughout the nation, they are considered to be the best in terms of mental health care. They were founded by Yagi Toshinori, the trailblazer for psychiatric medicine, and are responsible for most of Japan’s successful cases by providing the “greatest” treatment options for stubborn cases of mental disarray.

The metal door to your holding cell inevitably creaks open to reveal a young raven-haired woman peering through it.

“Dr. Kayama will be seeing you now”, she says, her tone brimming with unnecessary enthusiasm.

Your body is sluggish as it moves toward the exit, allowing her to lead you down the intricate halls and other inaccessible territory that leave your thoughts plagued by what may be beyond them.

Disinfectant permeates the cold, still air with heavy scents of citrus and artificial rosemary. The only sound you hear is the occasional clacking of the nurse's slippers and the blaring white noise of the air conditioner.

Upon reaching your destination, she stops before a wide entryway and gives you an inviting gesture toward it. A handful of curious glances greet you upon your late arrival, one of them being a man with crimson eyes and hair colored a washed out blue, who quickly shifts his gaze upon seeing your own.

Each patient is seated amongst others in a display that weakly resembles a circle. You take a seat to the very left of the room, the only seat available being the one directly next to Dr. Kayama—someone you knew to be well-renowned in her field.

A part of you was in awe of her, yet you couldn't shake the thought that it takes a level of arrogance to accept such a position, which is further evident in the way her serene smile never leaves her face despite your rising discomfort. It's as though you are nothing more than a wounded animal to her, too ignorant to know what was best for you; too primal to accept the human hand that was reaching out.

Her attention quickly shifts back to the rest of the group.

“Hello everyone, as most of you may know, I'm Dr. Kayama and I'll be leading today's session”. Her aura is calming despite her red frames doing little to hide the excitement that was beaming from behind her eyes. “To break the ice, let's go around the room and give brief introductions. If you're comfortable, I'd like for each of you to give your name and one of your your biggest weaknesses.”

Dr. Kayama then turns towards you. “Do you care to go first?”

You merely look down at your hands to contain your nervousness, studying each ridge of your fingerprints, each divot in your flesh—and it is only with reluctance that you reveal your name in a harsh, shortened murmur.

“I'd say my biggest weakness is…”, you begin with tightening fists, your knuckles whiten as your nails burrow further into your helpless palms. You look up once more before meeting the pale-haired man's gaze again, and his face clouds your thoughts to leave you turning away due to your building sense of panic.

“Um, it's—it's...”

Dr. Kayama’s hand is placed on your lap lightly. “If you're not comfortable sharing right now there will always be another time”, she interrupts, her smile still unwavering.“Now, onto the next.”

A few others participate but you remain lost in thought throughout it all, trying your best to avoid eye contact with the man even though he seems to have lost interest in you.

Eventually, it's his turn to speak, and your neck rigidly turns to look towards his way, but he now has his focus on Dr. Kayama.

“My name's Tomura”, he states with a voice that's low and raspy, on the verge of a whisper. “And my biggest weakness is being unable to pull a trigger properly.”

A few snickers are dispersed amongst the circle but it is ultimately Dr. Kayama’s flashing look of disapproval that fills the room with newfound tension.

“It’s in your best interest to take this counseling seriously. What good are these silly remarks in the grand scheme of things”, she questions, violet brows furrowing and lips slightly downturned. “I mean, you’re quite young and handsome, I’m sure you have a bright future ahead of you, right?”

Tomura only leans back into his chair and tilts his head. “I have no interest in being lectured by a conceited know-it-all.”

“My intention isn’t to make myself seem better than you. I am only trying to make sure you get the help that you need.” Dr. Kayama clears her throat. “The first step toward happiness is being willing to change your circumstances—.”

“The happiness you’re describing is only conformity, a temporary solution. I’m only postponing the inevitable. Once I leave this building, I’ll go back to paying my shitty bills and working my 9-5. In fact, I’ve probably got a stack of them waiting for me once I return home.”

Tomura inadvertently locks eyes with you this time, and if he noticed your desperate effort to hide the blood rushing to your cheeks, he doesn’t respond to it. You have a very little understanding as to why he makes you feel this way yet you sense an underlying conviction in his words.

“I know it can be hard to see the positive in these things, but I won't give up on you”, Dr. Kayama continues. “I’m sure one day you’ll come to understand why things work the way they do.”

Her smile returns to her face as she looks away to eye the rest of the patients. “It seems our session was a bit longer than I expected. You all are dismissed now. Feel free to congregate in the main hall until you receive your prescription.”

As everyone makes their exit, you swiftly approach Tomura amidst the sea of other patients as he remains seated with his legs stretched outwardly and his arms crossed. You stand before him, towering over his disinterested, slouching form, but you’re hardly acknowledged.

“What do you want?” he asks bitterly, eyes never making an effort to look upward at you.

“I was just curious about the things you mentioned earlier”, you reply whilst slightly rocking on your heels.

“What about it?”

“It’s just that- I just wanted to let you know that I understand where you’re coming from. I never had the best experiences with these facilities either, so it’s nice to finally find someone I relate to.”

A low hum emanates from between his teeth, he then brings his hand to his neck before filling the room with harsh sounds of nails scraping against skin. Upon closer inspection, you notice his flesh is cracked and flakey to the touch.

“Anyways, I was wondering if I could—”

You’re cut short when your name is suddenly called by one of the nurses.

“I'll just catch up with you some other time”, you say curtly before approaching the exit.

This time the nurse escorts you into a hallway with a sliding indoor window, located on the wall to your right.

You hesitantly stand before it, waiting for your medication to be slid underneath, while close enough to overhear a conversation amongst two of the staff on the other side— but, because of the slim opening, you are unable to make out anything other than the blue scrubs they are wearing.

The nurse that escorted you stands across the hallway, unaware.

“Mhm. And this is for Tomura Shigaraki?” a stern, deep voice asks. “Are you sure this is correct?”

“Yeah, I'm sure. I even looked over the notes a few times”, the voice that replies is lower and hesitant.

“I mean take a closer look at his reports. He’s been in and out of these facilities since childhood. At this point, he might even be just another—”

Your eavesdropping is halted when your medication is finally placed under the window.

You quickly empty the cup’s contents onto your tongue before downing it with the water bottle that was also provided. Once you’ve finished, the nurse then inspects your mouth before returning you to the main hall.

Throughout the walk back, you can't help but think about the exchange between the two staff members.

What was Tomura’s childhood like? You ponder to yourself. What could've happened that led him to be the way he is?

You arrive to a cacophony of laughter and chatter filling your ears as a cluster of people conversing surround you. You walk amidst it all to make your way towards Tomura, and despite the crowd, his dishevelled pale hair was easy to spot as he faces away from you at a table in a corner, alone, hunched over with his elbows on his lap as he looks straight ahead.

You take a seat beside him in silence to garner his attention, though he doesn't look your way, only smacking his teeth and scratching at the raw skin on his neck.

“Can I ask you something?”, you softly question, glancing at him despite his dispassionate demeanor. “What is it that keeps you here?”

“What's it matter to you?”, he replies dubiously as he continues to gaze intently at the limited scenery before him.

“I don't know, curiosity maybe. You just don't seem like the type to allow yourself to get locked up here.”

His scratching briefly stops with his manic glare finally reaching you. “You’re right. It's only necessary if I want to destroy the system.”

“Destroy the system? What do you mean?”

“It's simple. I gain greater intel by cooperating. I'll only stick around until I've got what I needed”

“And you plan on doing this alone?”

“Not exactly, but why? Do you plan on joining me or something?” His lips curve upward a bit at that, waiting for your inevitable decline, but it never comes.

“And what if I want to?” You ask meekly.

He quietly scans your features for sincerity, brushing over your determined eyes before his lips part slightly.

“Then I think we should discuss this someplace more…quiet” He abruptly rises from his seat and leaves as if expecting you to follow, you find yourself once again brushing past the many patients, though the distance was short.

You arrive at the counseling room, except two thick metal doors prevent you from entering. The entrance is located outside the main hall and directly behind it, the hallway around this area is mostly empty and unsupervised as there are not many open rooms around it. Most patients would typically stay in the main hall because of this—unless they have something to unlock the doors with...

“Isn't it locked around this time?” you quietly ask.

Tomura rummages through the pocket of his hospital gown to reveal something small and silver. “Yeah, that's why I have this”, he replies, now holding it up.

A key.

“Wait—How'd you get that?” You ask, eyes slightly gleaming at what awaits you now that you’re aware of this small opportunity toward more freedom.

“It's like I mentioned earlier, I have allies from within.” And with that, he unlocks the door to the counseling room.

The room is left just as it was earlier, Tomura sits in his chair from before, but when you take it upon yourself to sit beside him, his head briefly shifts toward you with widened eyes before he looks forward while remaining silent for a moment.

“I feel like it's easy for most of the healthy-minded to simply recommend that those who are mentally ill go to therapy because they have no experience with it”, you say to break the silence. “It's as if they can’t fathom the idea that there isn’t a solution to everything. Yet, once you’re revealed the true nature of the system, the security net is ripped from right under you and you realize that giving such a recommendation is only done for the sake of convenience.”

Tomura stares at you, the corner of his lips upturning slightly in approval.

“Throughout my entire life…”, he begins. “My attempts to reach out for help were rejected and I was instead left in the hands of professionals”, he replies softly. “After all, it’s easier to leave things to the ‘heroes’ than it is to get yourself involved. It’s always seen as a last resort, a guaranteed fix for problems relating to dissatisfaction with life, but of course once you actually receive treatment, you may quickly realize that this isn’t the case. I plan on exposing those that have been failed by this very system.”

You're overcome by a sudden boldness, reaching out for his hand and gingerly interlocking it with yours.

Tomura’s head jerks your direction from the sudden contact, but he doesn't pull away.

“I want to be a part of it. I’d like to see the day you finally reveal the truth, I know you're capable of it”, you remark ecstatically, eyes beaming with newfound resolve.

There's another moment of stillness; occasional breaks of soft breaths and panting—his eyes lingers on your lips while a small chill overcomes you as you feel gentle fingers travel up your arm to the back of your neck to bring you closer.

Suddenly, his lips collide with yours, passionately latching and sucking on its edges, tongue hot as it presses against your mouth as if asking for entry—which you give it. It hastily fills your mouth, softly gliding against your crevices to taste each of your smothered moans while they send delectable vibrations into his teeth. The delicate grooves of your teeth are carved seemingly perfect for his invasions as he swipes along the roof of your mouth, tugging at your own tongue as he sweeps your breath away with his sucks.

His ravenous hands fumble at your sides, stopping at your waist to lightly tug at the hem of your soaked bottoms. His lithe fingers creep inside, stroking along your outer lips softly before rubbing at the line of dampness between them.

“You’re so wet for me”, he coos against your ear, close enough for his warm breath to brush against the shell of it, for his parted lips to prickle it gently. The soppy pads of his fingers are ceaseless as he continues to scissor and circle at your slick opening then trail further up to find your clit so that he could slowly work it under his thumb.

“Tomura, please—”, you brokenly plea before his lips capture the rest of your words, and swallow your tongue along with it.

As your hands embed themselves in the roots of his soft locks, you feel his mouth depart lick a stripe up the side of your ear before he suckles your earlobe harshly. He then releases it with a loud pop and peppers a trail of kisses toward the base of your neck.

The speed of his ministrations quicken as a agonizing tingle starts to stir in your bud, making it torturous to stay put on the chair beneath you—you frantically grip the sides of it, but it does little to suppress the jerks of your arousal as your thighs clamp around his hand.

Tomura swiftly uses his knee to keep you pried open. “Keep still, so I can take care of you”, his voice is breathy as it caresses the sides of your neck, sending a jolt down your back.

Your features are tightly drawn together as you’re sent stumbling over the edge of climax—head tilting back as your throbbing cunt clenches frantically around emptiness with your high continuing to gush throughout your prickling veins before your breathing eventually slows and you slump in his arms.

Once you’ve calmed, Tomura removes his hand to cup your cheek, his fingers still glistening and wet with your fluids.

“Will you continue to support me?” he asks, dazzling vermilion watching you with utmost intensity.

You nimbly nod in his grasp. “Of course. Nothing's changed.”

[cycas]

Fic Writer Review

Tagged by @spiced-wine-fic: thank you!

How many works do you have on AO3? 126

What’s your total AO3 word count? 887474 whoa. How did that happen?

How many fandoms have you written for and what are they?

That would be an ecumenical matter.

Ao3 thinks I have written for 30 fandoms! But some of them overlap, more or less, and I sometimes struggle to know which bits to tag, and how much stuff you can overlap before you can reasonably tag another fandom.

in my Rosemary Sutcliff stories, some of them are tightly focussed on The Eagle of the Ninth, and some are really just historical fiction, and some of which overlap with Arthuriana.

Some of my Tolkienish fic overlaps with Arthuriana too, and most of it overlaps more than one work by Tolkien .

And there are also the things that aren't book or movie fandoms, so I didn't tag them, but.. well put it this way, The White Hare is Eagle of the Ninth fanfic, in that Marcus, Esca and Cottia are in it, but what it really is is a sort of hymn to the landscape and second-century history of West Devon and South-east Cornwall. Or, Death comes to Noviomagus Reginorum is basically an original Roman Britain whodunnit with one character who is a teenager in Eagle of the Ninth appearing as a very old lady.

Where are the edges of fandom anyway? I never know this.

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Spirits, Names, and Why It’s Important to be Specific (though that is really a collaboration of three writers on @sweetteaanddragons idea of Sauron summoning back Celebrimbor's spirit and accidentally getting Feanor instead, so I'm not sure it really counts.)

The House of Fëanor : Little Pity The work of my heart, that I shall not make again! It's a true delight that people actually like it.

Not Leaving Kudos Ffs! I wrote this in half an hour as a joke!

Across so Wide a Sea in which Elwing meets Elrond & Maglor Originally planned as '100 words of embarrassment' it slightly overshot at 6302 words.

Among the Ainur and Other Animals (why that one in particular, I wonder? I guess the combination of Nimloth, Maglor, and Elrond & Bilbo's Valinor Road Trip is a fun one. )

Do you respond to comments, why or why not?

In theory yes, in practice I sometimes read and then fail to actually get my act together and reply, sometimes because I replied in my head and forgot to actually do the typing, why suddenly so accusatory, quiz, what did I do to you???

What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

Hmm. Probably The Traitor of Nargothrond, even though the ending is left open, you know they are all going to die horribly and the safety is an illusion. Though I'm not sure if that's angst, or just despair.

Do you write crossovers? If so what is the craziest one you’ve written?

Sometimes, but I don't think 'crazy' is the word for them.

Have you ever received hate on a fic?

Not really. I've had the odd disagreeing or critical one.

Do you write smut?

Not often.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

No, but like Bilbo with the troll-gold, I don't feel fanfic really belongs to me anyway, so 'stolen' feels like an odd word to use for it.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes, a couple of times. It's a huge compliment.

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Yes: most closely with @quillingmesoftly : I wrote Drunken Maglor talking in rhymes, she wrote her OC Goldberry character, Neniel. It was a lot of fun!

What’s your all time favorite ship?

I don't really have a favorite.

What’s a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

If I want to finish a WIP, then so far I have always managed to do it. I'm not sure that The Lands of Weeping and of War, about Maglor hanging out in early Second Age Lindon with Elrond will ever have an ending, as such, but that's because it's really more of a series of episodes than a story with a completable arc.

What are your writing strengths?

My writing is competent and readable and I'm rarely short of ideas.

What are your writing weaknesses?

Procrastination and getting bogged down in detail.

What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

Depends on the language and the story and the context. As a writer whose other languages are very weak, I tend to stick to English, because that's where my strengths are.

What was the first fandom you wrote for?

In the modern sense of an internet fandom that I wrote a fanfic for and shared online, it would be Rosemary Sutcliff's Eagle of the Ninth, which I came to with a feeling of sudden enthusiasm after seeing the wonderful fanfic-that-is-a-movie, The Eagle. (It's very fanficcy) .

In the sense of a story set in someone else's universe using their characters, I'm not so sure. I remember writing a version of War of the Worlds from the point of view of one of the aliens, and nowadays I'm pretty sure that would be called fanfic. I used to hand-write absolute screeds of story for English homework, half-filling an exercise book with one evening's fiction! I imagine English teachers are so glad there is Ao3 now so they don't have to page through thousands of words of fanfic and mark it all. Though I definitely had a suspicion my teacher just turned to the last page and put an A there in order not to have to deal with me, and in retrospect, who could blame him.

What’s your favorite fic you’ve written?

Oh, I can't be having favorites. I love them all! No! Wait! Quenta Narquelion, in which Feanor's ghost is present, largely unseen, for the whole of the Silmarillion. Because it's a damn good novel and has lots of cool ideas in it even if I would probably write it differently now.

I shall tag @quillingmesoftly and @sweetteaanddragons because I already tagged them anyway, and @lathalea since I didn't see them do it yet and they just shared a really fluffy dog.

[mallowstep]

Questions about the bands/loner culture because I'm loving this AU already!

Is it normal for them to visit family that have, say, decided to become housekeepers or denizens in the city/elsewhere during the circuit? What is the interpersonal/social structure of an individual band like? What sort of names do bands call themselves, & is it a common/widespread knowledge, or more of a you-know-them-if-youve-met-them kind of thing? Also, when queens of different groups have kitted, is there ever any quarreling between them since toms tend to be threatening/violent toward kits that are not their own? Are there any bands who are sworn enemies or otherwise hostile toward each other, & how are these conflicts sorted out? Are new bands only started by mates, or could one be started by close friends, or littermates, for example? Do circuits ever change after they've been settled? Sorry if any of my wording is unclear, and for all the questions at once, I'm just so curious!

no no thank u so much for asking, do not apologize <3

is it normal to visit (non-wandering) kin?

as long as they live on the circuit! and most kin who leave a band are going to settle within visiting range of the circuit.

kin is really important to wanderers. let's say, hypothetically, lion stays in thunderclan, and holly and jay return to leaf and crow. (i'm not saying that's what's going to happen, to be clear.)

lion is going to bring his kits to meet with his kin every year when they're near clan territory, because they're going to want to meet them.

some cats are going to settle outside of visiting radius and not have any interest in making the yearly/biannual/what-have-you trip to meet with kin, and some leave the band because they don't want to be with their kin. sometimes circuits change, and the kin ties aren't strong enough, etc.

but in general, wanderers make a big effort to stay in touch.

what is the social structure of a band?

depends on the size of the band, the length of the circuit, and the band's history.

for small, kin-based bands (like leafcrow, rosemary&co), bands are, well, familial in structure. younger cats are expected to listen to older cats, but the general structure is very egalitarian.

(in general, bands are egalitarian, but i digress.)

the larger a band gets, the more formal things get, i suppose?

like, okay, if you have 5 cats, you don't really need to worry about distributing prey. if you have 20 cats, well, maybe you need to manage that.

one reason a cat might not get along with a band is because of the communal aspect of it. even though wanderers are generally accepting, that doesn't mean they're perfect. not everyone is cut out for that kind of mutual living structure, and sometimes it can be a toxic environment.

(for example, if one cat is bullying another, the band's response might lean towards "both sides reconciling," which isn't, like, a great response. and you're in a limited environment with very few cats. it happens, and unfortunately, the usual result is the harassed party leaving the band.)

what do bands call themselves and each other?

while some bands have names (like the sisters), most consider themselves a family. so if they absolutely need to identify themselves with some kind of title, it's going to be affiliated with the leader. leaf's family, rosemary's family, etc.

larger bands are more likely to have a title, naturally. these tend to be short, and associated with the founding. but i'd actually imagine there might be multiple groups that call themselves the sisters.

and this isn't common knowledge. you know who the bands you cross are, and you might hear about the bands they cross, but you don't know further than that.

so like. leaf and crow run into a band they cross on the way to the clan territory. let's say...heather.

heather might tell leaf, "oh, i heard sheep, you know, red's sheep, was staying in the old house by the river, the one with the dogs."

leaf can then pass that knowledge on to red when she sees her in the...summer? i'm not sure when they meet. but heather might not know red personally, just has met sheep, and sheep commented on red, and heather passes the news on so that leaf can pass it on.

did that make sense?

i hope that made sense.

(unrelated, but yes, you usually are going to introduce yourself as such. "leaf's holly, jay, and lion" etc.)

typically, though, bands refer to each other by where and when they cross. yes, that does make it very hard to know who they're talking about when you interact with different circuits. wanderers don't really care.

they don't see themselves as having overarching structure. there is no central meeting: yes, multiple bands do winter in the city, but plenty don't. there are like, multiple warm places.

what happens when multiple queens (in different bands) kit in the same place?

it depends. usually, they try to make their camp far away from each other. it doesn't even have to be far on human terms: a mile is plenty. maybe even less, depending on the type of territory.

and yes, this is one of the main causes of fighting between bands. they try to avoid the situation, but queens are very territorial. toms usually can't even get close enough to feel violent.

(leaf, being raised a clan cat, feels more comfortable around outside toms. but glass tries to stay out of the barn when the kits are young.)

the first step at resolution is for the leaders to negotiate. if a peaceful resolution can't be raised, then there will be a lot of posturing. cats are cowards, they don't want to actually fight.

an actual fight is the worst case scenario, and that leads into the next question.

are there feuds between bands, and how do those work?

there are feuds and grudges, but...they're usually pretty weak. see, if you cross with a band you don't get along with, it's fairly easy to avoid them.

more common is grudges built up over the winter, for bands who stay in the city, and feuds with colonies that take issue with the bands crossing their territory.

that said, if two bands come to a fight, they're going to have bad blood for a long time. wanderers tell stories, after all.

what's basically going to happen is that they're going to snap at each other about who should have to change their circuit every time they cross, and grumble about it before and after.

other bands are going to stay out of it. hard.

because they're a peaceful people. (cat?)

the feud is Bad, you see. and wanderers are not great at solving problems. they just want everyone to get along and smooth over the problem without actually resolving it. the problem is, when bands actually feud, they're not feuding for petty reasons.

now. now. the other thing that does happen is.

kits in the city/other gathering places. (i focus on the city + winter because that's where leaf and crow are, but there are other places.)

okay, so there's this passage in the beginning of the golden compass about the political structure of the kids and their colleges, and i cannot possibly express what an impact that has had on me.

but. kits feud like hell. they're in a relatively tight space for two or three moons, they have petty fights and wars and alliances and all sorts of drama.

these are usually related to their bands (e.g., rosemary and leaf are close bands), but not always. littermates stick together.

they even can get into "banding together in the face of a common enemy" if like, full-time city cat kits decide to cause trouble.

these don't usually last year to year, but they can.

fadslj winter in the city is the closest thing wanderers have to any kind of reunion moment, and it's like. it's quite territorial, honestly. bands tend to stick in their Area. by their nature, wanderers aren't interested in big groups and setting down roots. so they tend to keep to themselves more than usual.

after all, seeing family friends you see every year is different from going on a long vacation for two months or so with them.

how are new bands started?

while most new bands are started by mates, it's not the only way for them to get started.

i suppose, actually. bands aren't started by mates. a splinter group is usually pushed to break off by a pair of mates.

the "standard" formula is as such:

cat 1 from band A becomes mates with cat 2 from band B. cat 2 joins band A. cat 1 is expecting, and gets ready to nest, but tells the rest of the band to keep moving. other cats, typically close friends or littermates, stay.

the other standard formula is for littermates to form a band during their year voyage. i'd say it's maybe 60 way one, 30 way two, and 10 other.

(that said, it's usually during their year voyage that cats start to think about breaking off.)

there's no wrong reason to form a splinter band, it's just that, unless kits are involved, most splinter bands are going to function more as like. an auxiliary group that weaves in and out of the other circuit.

wanderers are creatures of habit.

do circuits ever change?

they change a lot in small ways. wanderers tend to make the same detours every trip, which is why older bands tend to have longer circuits. and older bands tend to be larger. hence larger = longer.

they can also change suddenly if something happens. like, say, a territory dispute during a nesting time (when a band settles down for a queen to kit), or a colony getting testy (like in tallstar's revenge, and squirrelflight's hope).

wanderers tend not to make major changes to their circuit (for no strong reason) after they're established, but it does happen.

the other thing is that a there-and-back circuit can flip into a loop circuit, or vice versa. basically, a there-and-back circuit starts to take a path on the "other side" of their territory, which widens over time, until they're in a loop.

in the other direction, the loop slowly narrows until it's a flat line.

all sorts of things can happen here, from forming cul-de-saqs to making detours to see kin. the one thing that doesn't happen often is "taking a shortcut." wanderers usually add to their circuit. they don't have anywhere to be, after all.

if i missed something, let me know! thank you for the questions, this was a lot of fun to answer.

[inquisitor-julia]

Hi! Could you tell us about your three lavellans in your header image? apologies if you've talked about them already I'm new to your blog. Love your blog title btw!

Thank you!! I can most definitely talk about my Lavellan babies!!

Luca Lavellan

Too clever for his own good

Notice I said clever and not wise because there's a difference between having knowledge and having wisdom

Does not like the "herald of andraste" thing

Does like being the center of attention though

Has twin little sisters and is a wonderful older brother to them even though they are a handful (he has two scars on his face and both are from accidents involving his sisters being...a lot)

Helps teach the young children in clan lavellan

Lives for knowledge, just wants to know everything

Not as emotionally or socially intelligent as he is book smart. Has a tendency to be blunt or come across as rude unintentionally (or intentionally, he's not above speaking his mind). This improves a bit over the years of being inquisitor

His name is actually Uvun'lean but he goes by Luca in the Inquisition so that his name doesn't get butchered

Was probably drinking from the Well of Sorrows before morrigan could even say her piece about being the best candidate....I mean come on...it's a pool of knowledge and the boy is all about knowledge. The consequences actually coming into play and being real had him like *surprised Pikachu face*

"I'll redeem you Solas." *Processing* "wait...what??" He's very shocked to find that he wants to redeem Solas bc they butted heads so much but it was never on anything too monumental and their debates actually meant they spent time together and became friends (to the shock and dismay of both of them I imagine)

Wren Lavellan

My special snowflake oc

Yes she is albino

Extremely sensitive skin, has to wear layers when she's out in direct sunlight. For less intense sun she has a kind of Dalish-made sunscreen

Good with herbalism but terrible at keeping plants alive

Can make you the best cup of tea though

Loves heights, the more precarious the better. Can often be found reading in places she by all accounts shouldn't have been able to reach

Very interested in stars because of a game her father used to play with her where they'd make up their own constellations and "star stories". She's made star charts and read all about the constellations (of course she also recorded the ones she and her father made up)

Has an older sister who is also a mage but who gave up using her magic so that Wren could stay with clan Lavellan. Her sister was afraid that another clan wouldn't be able to properly take care of her with her light sensitivity and generally sensitive skin. Her sister was never given vallaslin because this was deemed childish.

Defensive magic or spells that boost the abilities of others are almost exclusively what she uses in battle. She was a healer in her clan and that doesn't change when she's Inquisitor. She can use offensive spells of course she just prefers not to.

LOVES sweets

Animals do not like her much to her disappointment

She's small, frail, and weak but she HATES being protected. She wants to protect others.

Least likely to be Inquisitor under normal circumstances

Rosemary Lavellan

Family is her motivation

Has an 8 y/o son named Mithren

Previously married (or dalish equivalent) but her husband died of disease six years before the events of Inquisition

Her mother was a city elf who fled to clan Lavellan while pregnant with Rosemary. That's why Rosemary's name isn't very dalish...

Rosemary was raised with both andrastian beliefs and tales of the creators though she's not inclined to be religious either way (if pressed she'd probably say she was more andrastian). That being said she views her vallaslin as marks of honor for herself more than marks for honoring the gods.

Was not looking for any kind of relationships in the Inquisition but found friendship and love anyway. Her main concern through everything is to keep her clan and son safe though.

Still working on finishing her playthrough so I'll hopefully have more to say about her later! :)

Thanks so much for asking!! ❤