#and wouldn’t you know it I subconsciously drew one of them

[how-serene]

Won't You Say That You Love Me?

Pairing - Johnson (Reprisal) x Fem!Reader

Summary - Why did you have to love another?

Word Count - 1k+

Warnings - not proofread, angst, nsfw, oral (fem receiving), mention of female anatomy, fem pronouns used, infidelity, reader is engaged, no use of y/n, first smut (still learning), mentions of guilt, reader prays for a second??, obviously I don't condone cheating

A/N - Inspired by 'This Thing Called Loved' by Stephen Sanchez.

(Part of the Angel Face Catalog)

Love was a funny thing, wasn’t it? 

It was something that could mend and break, over and over again. Yet somehow, it always found a way to repair itself. 

You wondered, looking up at Johnson, if love was strong enough to rebuild the damage you caused. If love was truly enough to save someone. 

“We can’t do this anymore, Johnson.” You whispered, flushing from his touch. His lips caressed the edge of your jaw, peppering kisses down to your neck. He could feel the spike of your heartbeat, as you drew in a shuddered breath.   

“Tell me you don’t want this.” He said, nudging his nose against yours. “And I’ll leave.” 

Your fingers hooked around his dark blazer, subconsciously bringing him closer. His mouth burned against your skin, leaving behind seared memories you wouldn’t be able to scrub off. 

“God, please don’t.” You pleaded, latching your lips onto his. The outside world melted away, as you heard him groan into the kiss. He cradled your jaw in hands, pushing toward you despite the height difference. Soft strands of your hair wrapped around his fingers like vines, as if trying to hold onto him. He smelled like sweet hairspray, comfort and familiarity coiled in your stomach. It almost made you cry. You could taste your cherry chapstick on his lips, but something else too beyond the sweetness. It coated his tongue. Nicotine. 

“My fiancé-

Your words were cut off, as he harshly nipped at your bottom lip. The yelp that escaped you was swallowed back as Johnson’s tongue swiped over yours. His kiss was bruising, as if trying to leave behind an imprint. Your head felt fuzzy, as his hot mouth suddenly left yours. Sheer chapstick coated the outer edges of his swollen lips. Your chest swelled with ego, knowing the taste of you would linger for the rest of the night. 

“Don’t mention him.” He said, hand trailing down your thigh. You watched, in fascination, as he slowly fell to his knees before you. 

“Eyes on me, pretty girl.” He muttered, before pushing your dress up. The fabric bunched at your hips, showcasing a set of black laced panties. Johnson carefully hooked his fingers under the waistband and tugged them down, the material scratched against your skin as they fell to your ankles. You pressed your hands flat against the wall, shame pooling in your stomach as you glanced away. 

“Look at me.” Johnson demanded, his quiet tone sending shivers down your spine. You caved, as your eyes met his. They sparkled up at you, solely trained on your face. The sight nearly made you fall to your own knees. Never did your fiancé gaze up at you like this, like a man kneeling before his god, to pray and worship. His hands on your skin felt like some sick form of salvation, one you weren’t aware you needed. 

‘God, forgive me.’ You prayed. ‘Of all that I’ve done wrong, please forgive me for loving another.’ 

Then you felt him against you, as he slid the flat of his tongue over your slit. You squirmed, sighing from the sensation. His hands gripped onto the fat of your thighs, pulling your heat flush against his mouth. 

“Fuck.” You whimpered, entangling your fingers in-between his soft curls. He parted your folds, his hot tongue lapping against you like a starved man. A whine bubbled in the back of your throat, as incoherent pleas fell from your mouth. You felt selfish, enjoying the sight of his worship. God, did your fiancé know what he was doing to you? He was just downstairs, waiting patiently at the bar for your return. 

Johnson moaned, arousal blooming in his stomach. He hooked your leg over his shoulder suddenly, allowing for better access. He sucked at your clit, with greed and fervor. You felt your stomach tighten, eyes rolling back from the sensation. 

“Please, please…” You uttered, the mantra falling from your lips. 

The anticipation built, along with the shame and desire for another life. A life away from the ‘wifely’ duties that your mother ingrained into your head as a young girl. A life where it was Johnson, kneeling like this, proving his devotion. 

Tears stung the corner of your eyes, as you felt heat build up in your core. It wasn’t fucking fair, for life to do this to you. To provide you a man that felt so sweet against you, yet felt so far from your grasp all at once. 

“Oh, god.” You threw your head back, pressing him into you. “Johnson, I’m-

The orgasm washes over you, pulling you under its steady hold. You stumble forward, hands gripping onto Johnson’s hair as you ride it out. You hear him moan against you, as his nails imbed themselves into your skin. Stars danced in your vision, temporarily blinding you. 

A sob worked its way up your chest, as tears pooled in your eyes, before falling down your cheeks. Johnson pulled your underwear back up, securing them around your hips before fixing your dress. Through your blurry vision, you pulled him down by his collar til he lips met yours. The kiss was disgustingly desperate. It was sloppy, and careless, as the taste of you on his tongue mixed with your salty bitter tears. His hands trembled as they wrapped around you. 

“I wish it was you.” You whispered, embarrassed by your words. Your bottom lip quivered, something else wading on your tongue. A confession you knew there was no coming back from if it escaped you. So you left it, to sit and rot inside you. 

“Don’t cry, doll.” He cooed, brushing away your tears. You burrowed into his chest, a cry leaving your throat. His hands held onto you, not ready for you to pull away. Like always. 

You sobbed into his neck. “God, I wish it was you.” 

“I love you.” He said, voice cracking. You couldn’t say it back, despite the urge to do so being right there. 

You realized, with a heavy heart, that love was not enough to save someone in the end. 

At least, not you. 

What more could I do If love means what I feel for you? Won't you say that you love me? For, in your eyes, I know this to be true

[bugeyedfreaks]

💥💪💔

[writtenbymoonflower]

I have a request for whenever you can get to it no rush what so ever 💕 So in therapy the reader is learning and growing but with that comes changing. So she kinda shuts down stops putting effort into her friends and Remus thinking that they won’t like the new her. Anyways he figures it out either her finally opening up or him just knowing her so well and just kinda reassures her that he will always be there.

thanks for requesting, hunny! Remus Lupin x fem!reader

cw: insecurity, hurt/comfort

783 words

hey sweet girl, i’m going to stop round your house to grab something if that’s okay? xx.

This was the text that sent you into panic. You had known you were pushing your limits, but this was all too soon. 

There were two parts of the text that made your skin prickle. The first was the “I’m going to grab something.” It had been so long since the two of you had spent any quality time together, so long that he felt the need to take some of the essentials he had left over back. 

The second part was the fact he felt he had to ask permission. He had a key to your place, as you did his. You both had an open-door policy, oftentimes turning up out of no-where.

Thankfully, you didn’t have much time to stew before you heard your door creaking open. You drew your feet up onto the couch with you, knees up to your chest, subconsciously guarding yourself. 

“Hey, dovey.” He rounded the couch, leaning down to press a chaste kiss to your cheek. 

“Hi.” You said, shyly. “What are you getting? I can grab it for you.” You looked down at your fidgeting hands. 

“That’s okay.” His hand was still on your face, thumb gently stroking at your jaw. “I’ll get it later. I want to talk to you first.” He sat down on the couch, turning to face you. You felt your blood run cold, but you tried to remain stoic. 

“Oh. Yeah, of course.” You said quietly. You kept picking your nails. You heard Remus take a deep breath. 

“Can you look at me, please?” Even though he was likely going to completely shatter you with his words, he was still speaking gently enough to make your eyes burn. You turned your body to face him, but you didn’t meet his eyes. 

“What’s up?” You struggled out. 

“I was about to ask you the same thing, dovey.” He said gently. That surprised you. 

“W-what?” 

“Come on, darling. You’ve been avoiding me. I want to know why.” He said, pulling your hands apart and into his lap. “You know you can tell me anything. I just-” He pressed his lips together. “It hurts. And it worries me. I know you’ve been... Working on things lately. Not sure why you feel the need to hide from me.” Distaste slipped into his tone. 

“I’m sorry.” You said shamefully, swallowing down the lump in your throat. “I wasn’t trying to be mean.” 

“You’re not mean, baby dove. I’m just worried.” His voice was terribly gentle. “I just want you to let me in.” 

You breathed out a shaky breath. “I’m just-” You squeezed his hand. “I’m just really worried about the future, you know?” You quickly glanced up at his face, the love in them being too much. You looked back down at your joined hands. 

“Yeah? What about the future, honey?” He coaxed. Your walls collapsed like a house of cards.

“Do you think I’m changing, Rem” If your bluntness surprised him he didn’t show it. 

“Well, yeah. Probably. But it’s not a bad thing.” He stroked the inside of your wrist gently. I don’t expect you to stay the exact same, that wouldn’t be fair. I’m sure I’ve changed too.” 

“But what if you-” You cut yourself off. 

“What if what, darling?” He ducked his head, trying to see your face. “You can tell me.” 

“What if you don’t like me anymore?” Your deepest insecurities were spilling out. Through your mouth, and now through your eyes. You blinked hard but tears still spilled out. 

“Sweetheart,” Remus sounded miserable. “Look at me.” He placed a large hand under your jaw, forcing your watery eyes to meet his warm brown ones. He wiped at the tears trickling down your cheeks. 

“What if I’m not the person you fell in love with anymore?” You placed one hand around his wrist, holding his hand against your face, desperate for comfort.

“No, you’re better. All I want is for you to be happy. If being happier changes you, then I want those changes.” He grabbed your other hand and pulled you into a hug. He pressed your face into his neck, smoothing his hand up and down your back. “It doesn’t change a damn thing between us. You’re still m’ sweet girl. I still love you to bits and fucking pieces. Okay?” 

“Okay.” You said wetly. You pulled out of his neck to look at him and he pressed a long kiss to your forehead. “I love you so much, Rem.” 

“I love you too. And I’ll love every version of you.” And you knew he would.

[kdogreads]

Sunshine

Dad!Daryl x reader fluff

Summary: Dad Daryl being cute. That’s it.

Word count: 1069

Warnings: none? Just very fluffy

A/N: This is my first time writing for Daryl so let me know what you think! I’m rewatching the series and just finished season 3, so I have major baby Judith and Daryl fever lol. Not sure when this is set, but in a calmer, safer era. I just wanted to write some fluffy daddy Daryl stuff. Enjoy! :)

Now taking requests! Message me!

————————————————————

Daryl stirred awake to soft cries echoing around him. He opened his eyes and reoriented himself. He lay on his back with one arm stretched over his wife, y/n, who was asleep facing him, shoulders rising and falling slightly under his strong arm.

The cries grew louder and y/n inhaled sharply under his touch, now hearing the low whimpers for herself.

Y/n took another deep breath and rolled onto her back, starting to peel the blanket off her tired body revealing her too-large sleep shirt - Daryl’s.

“No,” Daryl whispered to her, placing a hand on her cheek, “I’ll get her, darlin’.”

Y/n sighed contently while a sleepy smile crept onto her face. She nodded slightly and turned her head to kiss Daryl’s hand while her eyes fluttered slowly closed again.

The quiet cries continued as Daryl stretched his arms above his head quickly and slid out from under the blanket, careful not to disturb y/n any further.

He made his way to the other side of the bed in two large strides, approaching the source of the whimpers.

“Wha’s wrong, sweetheart?,” Daryl cooed softly as he reached into the small bassinet on the other side of the bed he shared with y/n.

He scooped the infant up easily, tucking her into his elbow and placing one large hand on the side of her little face. Shushing her cries, he rocked his baby girl in his arms trying to soothe her.

“Shh, y/b/n, don’t wanna wake yer mama up, now,” He spoke quietly while stepping over to the old wooden rocking chair in the corner of your shared room.

Daryl sank down into the cushioned chair with a soft squeak. He held the 6-month-old baby girl closer to his chest, planting a small kiss onto her soft forehead.

Y/b/n stared up at her father the way she always did, with deep, thoughtful, inquisitive eyes. They are crystal clear blue, just like his. In a way, she looked at him the same way he looked at the world, full of questions and doubt, but trust and hope peeking out from just behind.

Her puffy baby blues softened as he held her and rocked her back and forth in the old chair, just as generations of fathers likely had before.

“That’s it, sunshine. Go on back to sleep, now,” He cooed into the top of her head as he pecked another soft kiss there, “Daddy’s gotcha.”

She instinctively wrapped her tiny hand around his large finger. He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, trying to memorize the tiny divots that made them up, knowing they wouldn’t be this small for long.

The rocking of the chair drew Daryl closer to sleep, too, though he would stay put there until his baby girl was completely relaxed and back asleep.

His eyes shot over to the movement in his peripheral coming from the bed.

“I thought I was your sunshine,” y/n teased quietly, rolling over to face her husband and baby, cuddled up so perfectly together with a soft smile creeping onto her face.

They’d never officially been married, but one day Daryl introduced her as his wife and that was that. They never spoke about it again, just decided subconsciously on that day they didn’t need a piece of paper to tell people how they felt about each other. Boyfriend or girlfriend just didn’t seem to cut it. They weren’t 20-something’s messing around and simply enjoying each other’s company. This was different. This was more, deeper. Not that you could get legally married now, anyway, so they just decided on their own.

Having a baby was never on their minds until it had to be. Not a mistake, they decided, just a surprise. A risky one in this world, but one they wouldn’t trade for anything now that she was here. Their little girl lifted the spirits of everyone around them and gave them a renewed hope, something you needed to survive now.

Daryl was always fiercely protective of y/n, and now even more so of y/b/n. He’d die for them without hesitation, without a thought. Y/n would do the same for either of the members of their little family, though Daryl would never let any harm fall onto either of them as long as he was alive.

“Sorry, y/b/n, sunshine junior,” He spoke softly to his sleeping daughter, brushing the little wisps of her mother’s auburn hair off of her face.

He looked back up at y/n, a small smile curling the corners of his lip.

“Didn’t mean to wake ya, sweetheart,” Daryl apologized, a sleepy smile still stuck on his face.

“You didn’t. I couldn’t miss this view,” y/n sighed contently, “My whole world.”

“My girls,” Daryl whispered back, drawing his eyes back down to the sleeping infant in his arms. Her chest rising and falling so gently and lips twitching slightly, signaling her protector that she was really sleeping.

Daryl rose gently and moved to set her back down in her bassinet. He cared for her with a ghost-like touch y/n had only ever seen when the close group’s other babies, now older children, were small.

He hesitated over her, taking in the sweet view of her tiny facial features moving slightly. Her eyebrows crinkled together and apart, while her lips puckered up just a bit before she relaxed all of her muscles completely again. He loved watching her sleep in the deep, worry-free way only a baby could.

Daryl’s large, gentle hand cupped the side of her tiny face once more, before he pulled away, leaving her to sleep peacefully, and shuffled back over to his bed.

He climbed back under the blanket and onto his back. Y/n slid over to him, laying her head onto his chest while he wrapped his strong arms around her waist and pulled her into him.

“Daryl,” y/n mumbled into his chest, sleep drawing her closer and closer.

He hummed into the top of her head, “‘m here, sweetheart.”

She tightened her hold on him slightly as he planted a kiss onto her forehead, brushing the auburn hair their baby shared behind her ear, “Go on back t’ sleep.”

Another small sigh escaped her lips before a slight, barely audible whisper followed.

“Love you, Dar,” She breathed.

“Love you, too, sunshine.”

[epiclamer]

I think I've already sent an ask today but oh well, apologies. a n y w a y. may I please ask for some touch starved villain and a hero who very freely gives out hugs?

I HAVE LITERAL ASKS FROM APRIL OMG GUYS IM SO SORRY—

Warm Hug

Hero ducked as Villain threw another punch, barely dodging before they lunged at the criminal, missing them by a hair as they were sent tumbling down an alleyway. The villain didn’t waste any time in going after Hero, before the crime-stopper could even think Villain pounced and had them pinned under their hips in a second.

It took a minute for Hero’s energy to die out, they fought the urge to just submit completely and let Villain take them to god knows where. They were incredibly exhausted and instead figured they could catch their breath before they kicked back up the fight.

“Hah! I-I win…” Villain wheezed, unable to catch their breath as they forced all their weight against their nemesis.

Hero couldn’t find the air to respond, their lungs felt like they were going to explode. Instead, they simply closed their eyes and let themselves go limp, mindlessly wrapping their arms around the one hunkered over top of them.

Suddenly, Villain stilled, completely unmoving. Their once rapid breathing had stopped entirely as if they had been rendered a statue.

“You alright?” Hero questioned from their position on the ground, opening one eye to peer at their enemy who seemed to have been frozen in time.

The villain however only blinked and tripped over their tongue, a hundred words coming out of their mouth in a second as a light blush coated their cheeks and their gaze averted Hero’s at all costs.

Hero, left confused at the sight of their now flustered nemesis, wondered if they had done something. Were they doing something inappropriate? Were any of their limbs in a compromising position for Villain? Had they said something subconsciously?

Villain took in a deep shaky breath, waking Hero out of their thoughts as they watched their cold-hearted nemesis try to speak once again.

“Why are you hugging me.”

It was whispered so faintly Hero thought they had imagined it. Not to mention the fact that a hug would be the last thing on their list of ‘potential weaknesses for Villain’. It was ridiculous after all.

The greatest villain in the whole city ruined by something as simple as a hug?

Hero would’ve laughed if they had heard it any sooner. But now? Watching their nemesis turn beet red and lose the ability to meet their eyes?

Now, Hero wasn’t quite so sure.

“Because you won and I’m exhausted.” The hero stated, tempting the villain to come up with an answer of their own, but Hero only drew silence. They slowly began to remove their arms, feeling somewhat ashamed in case they had hurt the villain somehow. “I mean if it bothers you I can stop, I just-”

“No.”

Hero blinked, Villain still wouldn’t look them in the eye, their arms shaking slightly from where they pinned Hero’s shoulders against the pavement.

“D-Don’t stop…” The criminal let themselves collapse against their nemesis, allowing the warmth from Hero’s suit to infiltrate their body. Pressing their face into the crook of the others neck in shame, they didn’t want Hero to see them like this.

“Villain is there something-” This time, Hero cut themselves off at the sound of light sniffling and something like a droplet of water running down their neck.

Villain was crying.

Hero couldn’t take another second of it, sitting up and squeezing the villain even closer which caused them to yelp. The crime-stopper simply clutched the other even tighter against their body before lifting them up off the ground, forcing Villain to wrap their legs around Hero’s hips.

It was obvious that Villain didn’t seem to mind the sudden movement, not putting up a fight or resisting to their enemy in away. Which was very unlike the villain, maybe the criminal did mind, but just didn’t have the energy to care.

Hero accepted that as the most believable option and set foot back to their apartment. Villain cried softly in their arms until they made it to Hero’s street, then the criminal promptly drifted off to sleep and fell limp against their nemesis.

When they made it inside Hero was careful in setting down the villain on the couch, but the other didn’t even stir. Completely melting to the hero’s touch and subconsciously searching and pleading for more.

“God, Villain… When was the last time someone took care of you?” Hero didn’t expect a response, mainly because they already knew the answer. But now that they knew, they couldn’t help the urge to help the villain.

Hero silently hoped Villain would let themselves be cared for as they sat gently beside them and began carding a hand through their knotted hair.

[yueisyum]

Don’t Think About It. (Part three)

Genre♥️college au/vacation au, enemies(not really) to fwb to lovers

Parings☎️haechan/donghuck x conflicted reader

Warnings🚨mentions of / alcohol consumption, and Use of nicknames, angsty!!!! Arguing? Sadness? Angst!!! Talking about love and the fear of love! (Philophobia)

Notes📌 This the part three, obviously. There is no smut, but there will be in part four. Yes, there will be a part four. This one is quite short, but that’s because I didn’t want to switch back to the college au in the middle of the same fic. So stay tuned for part four. And please don’t be shy, share your thoughts!

Ever since you were a kid, you made rules for yourself. Adding them as you grew older. And changing them as you experienced. Everyone has rules, wether they realize it or not.

Your rules were basic and simple. Crafted to perfection. And there were also some you didn’t even realize existed:

1. Boys have cooties(except for Johnny) << especially johnny

2. No falling behind <<< (school)

3. Date to marry experience <<< (boys)

4. Don’t be venerable <<< (liars)

5. Privacy is power

6. Stop being so understanding

7. Don’t allow others to love you (no “I love you”’s)

8. Don’t fall on love too quickly

Rule seven had a couple different reasons. Reasons that we don’t need to get into right now. But everyone who has ever “loved” you, didn’t seem to love you enough to stay; ripping pieces each time one of them left. So, you refuse to allow others to feel for you. Not truly. Always subconsciously inviting people into your life, people you know couldn’t hurt you.

But naturally, rules are meant to be broken.

Falling behind in school around the holidays.

Trusting too easily.

Being too understanding/to forgiving.

And allowing others to say those words to you. “I love you”. And you would continuously, stupidly believe them. nothing had changed. Your were always the stupid one, the girl who never understood who she was to people.

But you had rules, rules you tried your best to follow… until haechan.

•••

Muffled Music blared your ears, drawing you from your sleep. It was still dark out, but Haechan was still next to you. You were tired, but relived to feel his presence.

“What time is it?” you ask, Not bothering to check if he was awake.

“Don’t know” he responded, his voice far from tried or drowsy. You drew back to look at him, his body facing you. Haechans eyes find yours as soon as they come into view.

“Have you been awake?” You ask, your brows pinch together, He tried to act as if he had also just woken up. “Huh? No?”

You slightly sit up on the bed. “You totally were- you were watching me sleep!” You announce with a grin on your face.

“No, that would be creepy, and boring. On the other hand, watching you shower-“ you punch him and settle back down into the bed with a soft laugh. He winces but joins you in your laughter nonetheless.

“As much as I’m enjoying this…” heachan began, turning over to sit up straight. “…And believe me, I am” looking down at you with a stupid smirk. He continued “I’m afraid you have to go”

You paused for a moment.

Oh

Oh

Was all of this really just sex? You can’t believe that you let your mind slip- to forget that this isn’t real, for this long at that.

It’s just two friends helping each other out.

You reminded yourself.

Haechan pouted when he saw the look on your face, afraid you got the wrong idea. “Jenos been blowing up your phone. He’s wondering why you’re not joining the party, or why he can’t find you” He informs, hoping to ease the thoughts he knows have filled your mind. Your phone was in his hands, and you grabbed it. Looking through the notifications, you curse yourself- or Jeno actually.

Oh- Damn you jeno! What could he possibly need right now?

You sigh dramatically into your palms.

“I know” he said, his smile growing wider. ���I wouldn’t want to leave me either”

You rolled your eyes and scouted from underneath the covers and his side. “Now you’ve ruined it.”

“Just as I intended” he chuckled, leaning back against the headboard, watching you make your way to the door.

It physically pained you to leave him. But you won’t acknowledge it more then that.

“Y/n?”

“Hyuck?”

“You can keep my shirt, it looks sexier on you”

“Ass” You replied, and grin plastered on your face, against your will. Then you opened the door and left with your phone in hand, making your way down the hallway.

The music slowly picking up in volume as you made your way into the kitchen/living room area. Though you saw almost no one. Until you peaked out the sliding doors to the backyard. Finally finding the sources of the music, along with at least 20 other people. Some people in the pool, some people grilling or just playing games. You smiled to yourself, you can feel that everyone was having a good time.

You decide you should change before joining them. As you make your way to your own room.

You think for a moment, you should probably check your phone.

JenO

______________________________________

|| JenO -

Hey, we are back from the store

Delivered

-

Where you at?

Delivered

-

y/n?

Delivered

-

Chaewon said she saw you with haechan, are you two talking?

Delivered

-

y/n it’s been 2 hours, are you ok?

Delivered

______________________________________

Damn it.

You enter your room, beginning to type all kinds of apologizes into your phone, when you look up to see Jeno sitting in your bed. “Jeno?”

He looks up from his phone to see you standing in the doorway… in heachans shirt…

“Looks like you two did more then just talk huh?” He was smiling, but he sounded agitated. And you can’t blame him.

“Sorry, I feel asleep”

“In his room?”

“Yeah…? Is that bad?” You finally enter the room to join him on your bed. He clears his throat while making room for you to sit next to him. “No, I mean- I don’t know” He answers, not looking at you. “I talked to Shihyun” he informs. You whip your head to look at him. His eyes still don’t meet yours. “She wants to try again” Jeno’s hands are fidgeting with his phone case. Waiting for your reaction.

“That’s great! Why aren’t you out there with her? I saw her in the pool.”

“Was looking for you”

“Why”

He finally turns to you. “Um, just wanted you to know that… that I’ve moved on”

“What!? From Shihyun? Wha- didn’t you just say-“

“-no not her, I love her” he interrupted quickly correcting your thoughts. You look at him confused. It sorta felt weird to hear him say those words. You didn’t like those words, but for some reason… hearing him share his heart to you about Shihyun made you feel as sense of adoration towards him. “Then what have you moved on from?”

“I-um… just- It doesn’t matter, just felt like I needed to say it out loud to you, it’s been suffocating me… but I’m happy that I found Shihyun, she really makes me really happy”

You can’t help but smile. Who needed kdramas when you have this? “And I also wanted to say that… uh… you mean a lot to me y/n, you are such an amazing friend, so encouraging and un-judgmental. I really appreciate you. Even if I mistook those feelings before.. I understand them now.”

You think for a moment, trying to make sense of his words. “What the heck are you going in about Jeno? Your not making any sense.” You laugh and stand up to begin looking for clothes. “I’m sorry, don’t worry about it. It doesn’t need to make sense to you, I just need to say it.”

“It’s Okay, don’t apologizes, I understand. Thanks for feeling comfortable enough to tell me” you smile while picking out an outfit to join the others in. Jeno watches you concentrate.

“I love you”

it was almost a whisper, you didn’t even hear it. He didn’t want you to. He knows how you feel about those three words. But he needed to say it. Out loud.

He really does love you, but not romantically- like he thought he did. But As a friend. As a person he was never scared to go to for help or advice. He loved you, and he would never leave you.

He smiles thinking about how lucky he is to have a friend like you.

“Okay I’ll go join the others.. meet us out there when your done changing.” He ends his rant with a pat to your head, making his way to the door. You nod and begin to change.

…

When you made you way outside, you find yuta and Yejun laughing at a joke Jisung must have made. Because he looked super proud of himself. His posture straightened, and he is puffing his chest out. Adorable.

Other groups of people, that your sure you’ve seen before, fill up the back patio.

Music and conversations fill your ears as you make your way towards the three. “Hey! Y/n! Nice of you to finally join us!” Yejun greets you with a smile and Jisung runs to hug you. “I feel like it’s been ages!”

“It’s been a couple hours ji” but you reciprocate nonetheless. “Jeno was looking for you” yuta informs with a small head nod. “Yeah I talked to him” you shrug and turn around to face the noise. Towards the People talking, and Shihyun and Chaewon are messing around in the pool. Isn’t it freezing?

“Y/n!”

You turn to your right to see Johnny running over. You try not to laugh when you realize he looks like a typical college jock. His hair is wet? Or maybe sweaty? There’s a drink in his hand and his jog looks ridiculous. Then you compare it to a dog, who’s just got done playing with the hose and you snicker even more. “What’s up?” You give Johnny a half hug and he takes another drink form his cup. Yejun and jisung continue whatever conversation they were having before you showed up. When you look back to Johnny, his face was slightly red and he couldn’t stand straight for the life of him.

He’s definitely drunk.

“Where’s haechan?” He asks, his voice is an octave louder so you can hear him over the music.

You don’t know why the the mention of his name threw you off. You felt odd. “How would I know?” You respond with a shrug. Johnny gives you the most unamused look you’ve ever seen. “Don’t give me that bullshit, you can’t tell me you two weren’t together this whole time” you slap at Johnny’s shoulder and glare at Him. “You talk really loud”

Johnny let’s out a laugh and hands you his drink. “Here hold this, he’s probably in his room, I’ll go get him.” Before you can even respond, Johnny’s running off, towards the sliding doors leading back inside the lodge.

You just stand there and look around once more. Haechan probably wants to sleep, you should’ve told Johnny that, but he’ll find out on his own.

When you spot Jeno and Shihyun in the pool, you can’t help but smile. She’s sitting on top of his shoulders, playing a game of chicken with another couple. Your smile grows when Shihyun wins and yells in victory. Cute!

•••

The rest of the night consisted of you drinking and talking with Chaewon and Yami. Chaewon was going on a rant about how people who ‘don’t like alcohol’ are ‘pussies’ or whatever. You laugh all throughout her tangent because the only person who came to mind was Jaemin. “Y/n, do you want to come with me to get more drinks?” Chaewon asks with a pout, her face was round but so perfectly defined, and her outfit looked absolutely amazing on her. You smile to her direction and nod. She always amazes you, her beauty, her amazing personality, she had no flaws. You admire her. “Where are they?” You ask.

“They are over by- Haechan! over there!!” Chaewon pointed towards the coolers that were stationed next to the grill. Jaemin, haechan and mark were all over there. When you saw him, you couldn’t look away.

You didn’t really think he would be joining the party, but there he was. He was wearing a black t-shirt and loose sweatpants. For a moment you felt hurt. Why wouldn’t he come to you? Does he not want to talk to you? Or spend time with you. Even after you two had sex? Is he avoiding you now? Is it’s awkward?

Then you had to mentally stop yourself:

This cannot be Happening.

You should not care about what he’s doing.

You shouldn’t care about what he’s wearing.

You shouldn’t be upset that he didn’t choose to find you first.

You should not care about Lee Donghyuck…

Then your faces with his eyes in yours. A flash of cold rushed throughout your body. You whip your head back to Chaewon so fast, your vision almost went blurry. Curse the gods, Haechan just caught you looking at him. It took almost all your strength not to drown yourself in the pool in-front of you. “Okay let’s go” Chaewon didn’t seem to notice the small interaction, maybe it’s all in your head. But that moment felt like it lasted forever. She hops up from the small pool chair and held her hand out to you.

“Actually, I don’t think I should get up-“

“-Why?”

Her eyebrows cutely pinch together and her smile drops to a frown. “Yami should go with you, my head really hurts” you squeeze your eyes shut and bring a hand to your head, as if in pain. “What? Girl- let’s gooo” she grabs at your hand and drags you to your feet. “Yami, you too, let’s go” then Chaewon pulls you along as she makes her way around the pool.

As your walking up to the group of boys, you notice Haechan’s eyes following your figure. God this is embarrassing. He has this stupid knowing look on his face, and you almost jumped in the pool. Instead you look at the water and the people in it, refusing to look up, or take any chances of making eye contact with him again. You don’t want things to be awkward, you just want to act normal.

WHY CANT YOU ACT NORMAL!?

“Haechan, where have you been all night?” Chaewon presses as she opens the cooler and grabs some cans of beer. “In my room” he starts, his eyes flicker to you, giving you a smile then back to Chaewon “you look nice” he smiles at her and she beamed in response. “Thank you” her dramatic giggle makes the group laugh in unison.

Woah. At least he smiled at you. He’s definitely trying his hardest to act normal. But you can tell he doesn’t know what to do either. You cough awkwardly, you didn’t mean too. Your trying your hardest to not draw attention to yourself, but that’s all haechan is giving you… attention.

“Are we planning on partying all night it’s almost 4 in the morning” mark begins.

You shouldn’t have been upset that he called Chaewon pretty, or griping at your arms, and holding yourself like this, or burning up this easily. You wished he would’ve said those words to you. The only thoughts that can fill your mind now are him. He isn’t looking at you anymore, his gaze is now fixed on Chaewons and Yami, you sigh in relie, but at the same time, you feel overwhelmed with emotions. Maybe he thought you wanted space? That wouldn’t be a reach, but he’s wrong, if that’s the case.

“We don’t have any other plans! I could go for 12 more hours!” Yami replies, and once again the group laughs.

So wrong.

“I’ll probably head inside soon” heachan informs with a sip of his drink.

“What you just got out here!?” Chaewon complains with a pout. The conversation continued on, and you stopped keeping track of it. Lost in your own mind once again.

Maybe he is satisfied, that’s what he wanted right? You helped him out, and he’s satisfied. But your not, you want more then that. More then sex. And you’re not pushing it down this time, your allowing yourself to feel it, maybe it’s the alcohol? Or the cold that made you feel alone, more then usual.

“Y/n?” You blink to he direction of your name. to Johnny. “Yes?” You drop your arms to the side in order to seem natural, ignoring the air that creeped up your skin, causing goosebumps.

It’s freezing.

“Aren’t you going to go with them?” Mark asks, as he gestures his hand behind you.

“Who?”

“Chaewon and Yami? They left already? …Are you drunk?” He questioned, scanning your face. You glance over at mark and Haechan, then behind you. Chaewon and Yami have made their way halfway around the pool now.

When did that happen?

Haechan eyes you suspiciously, almost asking you ‘what’s wrong?’. You send him a reassuring smile. That didn’t seem as awkward as before, and you felt relieved. “Yeah I think I am, I should probably go lay down” you blink twice more, preparing yourself to walk, and turn on your heal, heading straight for the sliding doors that lead back inside.

Is it bad that you wanted to be alone with him again? Jeno had already talked to you, there’s no longer a reason to be out here. can’t you two go back into his room? In His bed? Is that weird? Would that be weird?

When you make your way back inside, you plop down in the couch and take a couple deep breaths. Did he not think YOU looked nice?! Why didn’t he compliment YOU? I mean of course Chaewon looked perfect but-

Nonononono Nono quit it. Stop!

you feel so unbelievably confused. Every feeling is so unexplainable. Jealous? Annoyed, hurt? Alone? Tired? Drunk? Flustered? It’s all too much!

Just two friends helping each other out.

Just two friends helping each other out.

Just two friends helping each other out.

“Y/n?”

“What?!” You respond frustrated, you didn’t realize how upset you felt until your tone left your mouth. You lift your head to the person in front of you to apologize. Haechan stood there, with a cup in his hand and a surprised look on his face. You hesitate for a moment. Looking away, to spare yourself some dignity.

“Sorry, I was just-“

“-Thinking?”

“Yeah”

“You do that too much” he smiles and sits next to you. When he did, you felt your heart calm, your skin and muscles relax. And your brain stoped running so fast. It felt as if you just took some kind of drug. Intoxicating your senses.

“How much did you drink?” Haechan’s head is facing yours on the couch, you turn to him and realize the distance between you two is non existent. “Two” you mumble, distracted by this familiar position.

“Two? Two what?” Haechan chuckles at your absent mindedness. “Two… somethings, I don’t remember” you shake your head and turn back to look at the blank tv. “Hm interesting. Do you want some water? There’s some in the fridge-“

“- Nono, no water” your head shakes faster at the thought of his presence leaving you. “Okay” he chuckles again. Your lost, you don’t know what to say, or what to do. Your just… lost. You’ve never felt this feeling, it’s foreign. And it terrifies you. Your scared that you have no control over your words or actions anymore.

His body, his heat, his comfort, and safety saturated you. He fed the parts of you that are needy and starved. He grounded you and you wanted more. Then you realized that its Haechan that made you feel less alone.

And as selfish as it was, you hoped you wouldn’t be alone ever again.

“Hey…”

This is all too much…

…To much, all at once…

“…Y/n”

He smells like.. like him. And he’s so warm, almost like he’s been living on the sun for the past couple of months.

Haechan:

Full sun

Makes sense.

“Y/n” he calls once more, this time turning to you, probably checking to see if your are still alive or breathing.

“Yes?” You finally respond and look to him. “Your cutting off my circulation” he smiles and you look down at his arm. Your hands wrap around his bicep, gripping onto him like you’ll fly away if you let go. “Sorry”

When did that happen?

“It’s okay, just relax”

“I’m relaxed” you lighten your grip and rest your head on his shoulder. “Did you catch feelings yet?” He teased with smirk, you laugh lightly, your eyes remaining on the blank tv, as if there’s something playing.

Yes you did.

“You wish”

And yes he does.

“Did you?” You ask looking up at him. His gaze remains on the blank screen.

“Not a chance” he answers with a smile.

“Good” you nod and blink away thoughts that you wish would quit reappearing at the worst times. “Do you regret it?” Haechan asked, this time his voice is almost at a whisper. Haechan is a person who needs a lot of reassurance. And your not very good at that kind of thing… but you’ll try for his sake.

“No” he nods at your response this time, remaining quite as you make yourself comfortable- practically cuddling him.

You then slouch further into the sofa, into him. You can hear his breaths, they’re calm and paced. You try your hardest to match his, almost dying in the process. When you start panting, Haechan begins laughing. And you join him. That was ridiculous.

“Y/n? Do you remember my last birthday?”

“The one when we all went to that terrible restaurant? And Jisung threw up?”

“Yeah, but after that, when we ended up getting take out, at your place?”

“Yeah? Why?”

“When I joined you on your balcony, did you mean what you said?” Oh no. No no no no. Gosh this can’t be happening, everything was going so well.

“What do you mean?” You front, your body stiffens and your eyes shut to prepare for impact.

“The words you said, did you mean them?”

Yes… yes you did. But you can’t tell him that. He can’t know that. “I don’t remember any of that” you shake your head, trying your best to end the conversation.

“You don’t?” You feel his head turn to look down at you. You try your best to act as nonchalant as possible.

“No? Maybe your confused with someone else”

“Impossible”

You bite at your lip and curl your fingers into a fist to ground yourself.

“You told me that you only befriend people you knew couldn’t give you what you needed. Because.. you didn’t want to feel like you’ve lost something- you know if they ever left-”

“I did?” Yes you did…

“Yes. Then I asked if you didn’t think I was capable of giving you what you needed…”

“You did?”

“Yes. And you told me that you never actually choose me…”

“Hm-“

“-what did you mean by that?”

You meant that: heachan was capable of giving you everything you’ve ever wanted or needed, and that terrified you, so you would never have chosen him. He just entered your life, and there was nothing you could do about it but pray he would never leave. But alas, that’s not something y/n would ever admit. So you won’t.

“I’m- I don’t know. I don’t remember that”

“You weren’t drunk… you never explained what you meant and we- we kissed. do you remember-”

Yes.. god yes. You remember it like it happened just now. You remember thinking about how you would never bring it up. About how you would have to learn to forget about it. But of course Haechan won’t allow you to. He did, for a while, you assume he’s probably tired of you acting as if these moments never happened.

“-No, no. No we didn’t” you begin to shake your head again, your body moves to sit up and away from him. Your panicking.

“We did-“ haechan follows you, sitting up to look at you in the eyes. “-no we didn’t, you must have me mixed up with someone else-“

His eyebrows furrow together, you can almost taste the frustration building in his head. “I wouldn’t mix you up with anyone… who else could it have been-“

“Chaewon-“

“No, it was you. I would never kiss Chaewon” he shakes his head this time, his eye close to ensure his seriousness.

“But you called her pretty”

“That doesn’t mean I would ever kiss her-“

“-But you would kiss me?” You challenge, with a scoff. You turn your body to face him in the couch. Both of you are obviously heated and neither of you are willing to be completely honest with yourself a or each other. He doesn’t answer… because yes he would, but are you ready to hear those words… no.

“Exactly-“

“Why are you refusing to accept it?”

“I’m not-“

“You are” his gaze on you becomes more angry then upset or frustrated. You look at him for a moment longer before ripping your eyes away from his piercing ones. “I just don’t remember that” you cross your arms over your chest and try your hardest to look at verything in the empty living room but him.

“No, your choosing not to…forget it, that’s not what’s important Right now. I just want to know what you meant by that… that I’m incapable of-“ he begins, but you refuse to hear him say those words, so you give in… sorta.

“-I didn’t- I just… I don’t know, I wouldn’t have chosen you, if that’s what you’re asking”

“Because?” Haechans eyes flicker between yours, hoping your gaze will answer the questions you’re refusing to.

“Because… just because” you tried to think of a response for a moment, but the only one that came to mind was the one you didn’t want him to hear. When he continues to glare at you, you give in once more. Turning to him and letting out a sigh you explain yourself to the best of your ability: “Because your a good person, and I knew that if you left me… I would lose something”

“Something? What do you mean by something?” His face changes in almost an instant. Like you’ve said before, Haechan is someone who needs a lot of reassurance, and your not very good at explaining your feelings.

“This is stupid” you turn away from him once again, and he absolutely hates it.

“What would you have lost.. if I ever left you?”

“Why are you asking me this?”

“Why won’t you answer me?”

“It doesn’t matter, I don’t need you using it against me.”

“Against you? What does that mean!?” If you were actually looking at him, you would’ve seen how hurt he looked at those words.

“Just stop”

“Stop what? Being confused? Because that’s kinda your fault” he tries to laugh but he can’t.

“I don’t want to have this conversation anymore”

“Why do you keep treating me like I’m your enemy? I wouldn’t use anything ‘against’ you, or leave you.. ever” he tries to look at you in the eyes, but you refuse.

“Okay”

“Okay? That’s it?” Now he’s mad.

“Stop dragging this on haechan” you drop your hands from around you and glare at him.

“Haechan? Y/n what the hell?” He didn’t mean to yell, but he was upset, angry, sad, offended? All of them! You can’t do this anyMore, your not ready to have this conversation. It all escalated so quickly, you didn’t have time to think properly.

“I’m going to bed” you bring yourself to your feet and grab your phone to leave. You know haechan won’t force you to stay, but that doesn’t mean he won’t try to convince you to.

“Y/n.. y/n wait let’s finish this conversation, please.” He look up at you and watches you walk around the other couch and towards the hallway. Your upset, you know you shouldn’t have let yourself get this heated, and you know you shouldn’t have let that conversation go the way it did.

“I’m drunk and tired is this isn’t the best time to be talking to me”

“That isn’t fair, y/n..”

When you made it to your bedroom you sit on one of the beds, bringing your knees to your chest and stared into space.

You feel like such an idiot.

But it can no longer be avoided, the longer you spend with haechan, the more you realize you can’t live without him.

How could you have let yourself get this far with him!?

You had rules.

But then again, rules are made to be broken.

Taglist:

@nctzennikki09 @mings-cafe @gaeulswrld @chimiwimi @aliceinwhateverland

In all honesty, I’ve done better, however, the Juicy parts are in part four… so🤷‍♀️ yeah! Please let me know if you have any:

Questions

Request

Opinions

Spell check errors

Taglist requests?

[reds-writings]

hii!! can i request

10. lashing out even though they know they will regret it from the angst prompts for rust

here's some sunny and rust angst! felt like it was fitting for when she first starts helping rust!

The pointed silence bleeding from you was more unnerving than Rust thought it could be. He had lashed out, shamefully so he’d regretfully admit. Marty had pissed him off a great deal earlier today and the fact that he always had to be hovered over one way or another was igniting a frenzy of feeling particularly fucking agitated. He loathed feeling so helpless. Whether it was a fragile sense of masculinity that had been subconsciously engrained within him or he was just being a dick because he could would be a question for the ages. 

The clinking sounds of dishes that the flow of sink water couldn’t drown out made him feel guiltier by the minute. It was the lack of routinely nonsensical humming during any simple task that made an impact. Your spark had been put out for the afternoon. 

And he was the rotten asshole who did it. 

Over what? All because you had to help him eat due to muscles of his own still on the mend from being stuck in a shitty hospital bed for weeks on end? There was certainly no need to harshly shove you away along with the plate of carefully crafted lunch you prepared to the floor in a heaping mess with spiteful curses. His resentful act had you frozen in place. Rust wasn’t the first patient to be so callous when you were just trying to do your job but it hurt all the same. He was a tough nut to crack so far in the two weeks you’ve been with him but today it was made clear your efforts might not ever be valued. 

The minute wobble of your lower lip was nearly imperceptible but the glaze that took form over your eyes sure wasn’t. Hating to be seen so emotionally exposed, you wordlessly stood up to grab a few paper towels to hopelessly clean up Marty’s rug. There’d be a big stain but you were sure Rust was due for more of a verbal lashing than you would be once you relayed the day’s events. 

God, this job didn’t pay nearly enough as it should with some of the crap you had to put up with. 

Rust kept his uneasy gaze on the TV in front of him. Old football highlights sounded foreign to his ears as he had trouble fighting away wanting to grovel for his mistreatment towards you. The most undeserving of receiving anything in the shape of cruelty. Marty would have him by the fucking ear, that much was true, but that bothered him less than his current predicament of trying to formulate a formal apology. One that wasn’t tinged with predictable apathy or a mashup of bumbling words. 

The sound of water suddenly shut off and the soft padding of your feet drew close again. His eyes darted towards your choice of socks for the day. Adorned with cartoonish succulents, a joke scrawled out near your calves: ‘What’s up succas?’ They were awful, but you had been excited to present them as soon as you stepped through the door this morning. It just made him feel more shitty. 

“Would you like for me to leave early today? I can have someone else come in for your night doses and bandage dressing.” You’d never sounded so prim. It was jarring. 

He fumbled for a strong answer, “...N-no.”

“Would you like me to sit away and give you space for the remainder of the day?” 

Your posture was set in a stiff cast. Unease infiltrated the room, growing thicker by the second as his brain wracked through all its confusion and veining remorse. You were like a different person. Forced into the protocol of taking residence as an even-keeled, unfeeling nurse. You wouldn’t allow him the image of being thrown off-kilter by his meanness. You could only let people walk all over you for so long in these instances even if shoving away instinctual kindness and immediate forgiveness hurt. 

“No.” He tried and failed at sounding more resolute. What was wrong with him? 

You didn’t say anything, visibly deflating as you pressed a thumb to the space between your brows. It was clear he had you at a loss of what to do but he couldn’t hold you as an awkward hostage any longer. 

“I’m sorry.” It felt as if he had to force it out of his windpipe. Uncomfortable and unsure.

“Okay…”

“It was rude of me to-...behave as I did.” His eyes were everywhere but yours. If you weren’t so drained you’d giggle at the absurdity of Rust looking so timid. You straightened up to do your best at upholding your firm resolve. 

“There’s no excuse for it. It won’t happen again.” He pushed out and you just nodded. A teeny smile teasing the edge of your lips. You were getting a kick out of this. 

“You’re not bad to…” He hesitated and you waited.

That spark was coming back. 

“...have around.” It might’ve been impossible for him to look more embarrassed than he did from his spot on the couch. You put a hand to your mouth to suppress your growing grin, turning to the side in mock thought over his apology. It wasn’t the most graceful but you figured it was something coming from him. Turning back to him you yielded,

“I will humbly accept this apology. But we have to watch whatever I wanna watch before I leave tonight. The girliest of picks to make me feel better.”

He mulled it over but knew there was no winning right away, “Sure.”

You wiggled in a mini burst of victory before plopping down on the couch, still conscious of his need for space, and smiled as you got comfortable. 

“I’m thinking along the lines of Pretty in Pink. Oh! Maybe Roman Holiday-...” You rambled on about the movies you planned on torturing him with that he’d positively pretend to sleep through.

He was going to need help from whatever higher power was willing for him to navigate the colorful force that was you. 

[chelleztjs18]

Ten Days (W.M) Pt. 4

Wanda Maximoff x Fem!Reader

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x Fem!Reader (Modern AU)

Summary: Y/n and Wanda is stuck in an arranged marriage. What will happen when both of them have their own deals to be done in ten days?

Warning: 18+ SMUT, swearing words, fluff, angsts (Specific warning for each parts)

A/n This is for "THBBMarchMovieMadness2022 Event" on discord server run by @missmonsters2 . This is a miniseries fic that's inspired by "How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days" romcom. Happy reading!

Series Masterlist || Main Masterlist

The alarm clock blares out loud, commanding you to wake up. Your hand mindlessly turns it off and almost falls back to sleep until you hear your phone ring.

You quickly answer it without even checking out who is calling.

"Hello?" You answer sleepily.

"Good morning, beautiful. Wow, your morning voice sounds even more soothing." Wanda greets you followed by a compliment. Your voice drew a smile on her face.

So does her voice, your eyes are wide awake in a split second and you can't help yourself to smile. "Oh hello, good morning."

"Oh, I think I can hear your smile from here, my dear." Wanda teases you confidently. “Really? Do you always have this much confidence in you? What made you sure that I was smiling from you waking me up with your call this early?” You respond playfully.

“Ah, from your questions, I’m sure I was right, You are smiling, aren’t you? I wish I could see that pretty smile now.” You can’t help yourself, you giggle from her teasing.

“Then, I’m sure you are smiling too.” You pitch back her own jokes to her to avoid answering her question and secretly hoping that you will hear a little laugh from her.

You gained a laugh from her easily. “Well, yes, I am.” The brunette tells you casually so you can fall deeper into her plan. What she doesn't know just yet is talking to you actually made her morning and smiling ear to ear.

Hearing Wanda admit that she is smiling just from talking with you caught you off guard and speechless. You can feel the warmth on your blushing cheeks.

"Darling, are you there?" Wanda's voice brings you back from the daze.

"Uh y-yeah. Sorry. So why did you call again?” You ask in a sleepy tone while lying on your back rubbing your eyes to be more awake.

“Oh, nothing. Just wanted to say good morning to you and want to know what’s your plan for today? I’m thinking maybe we can spend time together today.” Wanda suggests. You didn’t notice that your heart beats a little faster, you are internally excited for another date with her but you have to stick to your plan. You try to shake the excited feelings off of you.

Meanwhile, Wanda is subconsciously thrilled and can’t wait to see you again. Well, in her brain’s defense, this is part of her plan. Then you remember what Yelena suggests to you.

“Oh, well, I have a lot of work to do at the office. My parents are on their business trip right now. So I gotta handle a bunch of work stuff for them.” You explain.

“Oh, that’s a bummer, sweetheart.” Disappointment sounds so clear in her voice.

“Yeah, sorry, Wands. This is important.” You reply. “More important than even having a date with your future wife?” Wanda teases you once more.

“Aaaw is Ms. Maximoff jealous now?” You ask in a sing-song baby-talk tone hoping that it will annoy her. Wanda chuckles in discomfort. She never likes anybody to talk with her that way. Wait, no. She actually hates it because some girls she was with sometimes talk in that tone, thinking they might sound cute but not at all for Wanda. For her it’s a deal breaker but she quickly shrugs it off. She tries to ignore it.

“Pfft, jealous? No, I’m not. I wouldn’t be jealous just because you are busy with your work.” Wanda denies it instantly.

“Well, that’s good. It wouldn’t work out for us if you are not okay with how much of a workaholic I am. My work is number one for me.” You are subtly trying to give a worse impression about yourself. “Oh really?” Wanda responds.

“Yes, that’s the type of a wife I’m gonna be. Work comes first.” you casually replied. Little by little, you try to trick her into thinking twice to marry you but of course Wanda doesn’t give up right away.

“Don’t worry, darling. I’ll find a way for us to spend time together and that’s the kind of wife I’m gonna be.” She jokingly returns your words. Her soft giggle with her accent really spreads warmth in you.

“Well, I guess we’ll see how good of a wife you are, babe.” You answer and Wanda takes your words as a challenge for her. “Oh, I’ll show you for sure.” Wanda is determined to show you and win your heart. You giggle once more. A vivid image of Wanda’s gorgeous green eyes looking at you, joy dancing through your heart and making your heart leap.

“So, are you sure you can’t meet me today?” Wanda tries her luck. “Sorry sweetie, I’m very busy today.” You refuse sweetly. “Okay then, wife. I’ll see you when I see you.” She ends the phone call playfully. You even laugh a little as you speak. “See you soon.”

You put your phone down and try to snooze back to bed for another few minutes but not even a few seconds your phone rings again.

You answer with another giggles as you say "Wanda, you are one persistent wife, aren't you?"

Like a drop on a roller coaster, another familiar voice in the call surprises you.

"Oh, flirting with your future wife, I see. It's me, Yelena by the way." Yelena's accent was easily recognized by you. “And, Nat.” Natasha’s voice jumps in the background. You sit yourself, forcing your brain to be prepared for what the sisters are going to say.

Yes, last night they caught you and Wanda almost kissed. You know them very well, they won’t let this one go so easily. In fact you avoided their questions about it since last night by giving them an excuse.

“I know, Lena. So what’s up?” You ask, anxiously waiting for their next words.

“So, she called you this early already?” Nat asks. “Also, why did you call her persistent? What did she do?” The sisters’ curiosity pushes out rows of questions.

“Uh yeah, she asked what’s my plan for today and she told me that she has a plan for us.” You try to answer casually. “And? What did you say?” Nat asks again.

“I told her I’m busy and I can’t go with her.”

“What? Why? I thought the plan is that you are going to spend time with her so you can be as obnoxious as you can?” Yelena’s question clearly demands explanation from you.

“Yes, I know. I was just trying to show her that I love working so much and I kinda gave her a hint I won’t be a good wife. I will put work before her.”You explain.

“Ah, that makes sense.” Nat agrees. "Then what else did she say?" Yelena questions you.

"She said she will find a way to spend time with and she is that type of wife." This time you answer their question easier.

"Ah okay. No wonder you called her persistent." You can hear Natasha's giggling after she commented on what you told them. "Wow, it seems like both of you already like each other." Of course Yelena always finds ways to poke fun out of you.

"Pffft. What? That's not true. Hey, it was all part of the plan. I told you guys already." You declined their theory right away.

“Oh really? So the almost kiss last night was part of the plan too?” And there it is. The topic that you are nervous about. Yelena obviously tries to hold her laughter. You are not even sure why you are nervous if they talk about it.

“Uh oh,I gotta go get ready.I have a meeting in an hour. We’ll talk again later.” You came up with the best answer you have, thankfully.

“Okay, you still owe us an explanation,” said the blonde sister. “You can’t keep avoiding us, y/n. We’ll come to you.” Nat exclaimed, followed by more giggles with her sister.

“Yeah, okay but bring me food please. Bye.” You jokingly agree even though you know that they will really show up later.

_____

“So how was the date last night?” James asks with a panting breath after a round of racquetball match with Kate and Wanda just ended.

“The irresistible Wanda Maximoff still trying to make her future wife like her?” Kate adds another teasing question right away as the three of them take a break from their exercise. Wanda takes several big gulps of her cold water shortly before she answers in a playful sarcasm.

“You can’t even wait to rub it in my face at least until I catch a breath, can you, Kate?” Wanda wipes her sweat around her face and neck. Kate and James laugh at her sarcasm.

“Okay, my bad. Catch your breath first so I can make fun of you in peace.” The shorter woman responds as she holds more of her laugh. Wanda playfully rolls her eyes as she takes a seat with them.

“Seriously, tell me how it was?” James reminds Wanda about his question as he smiles.

“It was…great. She looked adorable. It was like a roller coaster ride in the beginning but it was successful in the end.” Pride covers Wanda’s way of telling her story, complete with a confident smile.

“A roller coaster? What did you mean?” James asks curiously and Wanda can see it from how his eyebrows arch. With that, the brunette Sokovian proceeds to tell them everything that happened.

“Phew, sounds like your future wife is a little cuckoo.” Kate comments at the same time with her index finger gesture a circular movement in the air next to her temple. “Are you sure that you want to continue this bet? Is it even worth it if you deal with her craziness just to win this?” The younger brunette continues with her questions with a little concern.

“Oh no, I’m fine. You know me, there’s no girl I can’t handle, Kate. Even her. Yes, her mood swing was a little all over the place. After all the craziness, she was so sweet and adorable. I’m sure she falls deeper into my trick. We took a walk for a bit. We almost kissed and I gave her a rose then we—” Wanda rambles as her eyes sparkled with adoration as she remembered how gorgeous and sweet you were. The corner of her lips form a smile. Her train of thoughts makes her tell her best friends about the date, she even didn’t realize what she was saying in the end until Kate interrupts in shock.

“Wait..Wait..Wait! Did you just say that YOU, I meant, YOU and her almost kissed?? What the hell happened with your no kiss rule?” Surprised, Kate exclaimed with rows of questions and James laughed.

“Wait, uh y-yeah. We almost kissed. What? What’s funny, J?” Wanda stuttered at first with Kate’s questions that made her realize what she just told them and she quickly regretted it. She answers Kate then asks James.

“Oh nothing. It seems like the bet backfires earlier than I thought it would be. Sounds like you both have chemistry with each other.” James softly and casually answers her.

“What? No.. No. The kiss was part of the plan. Didn’t you hear what I said? We ALMOST kissed. It means we didn’t. I did it on purpose. You know, something like creating some moment so it will get into her head and slowly make her fall for me. That’s all.” Wanda tries to deny it as casually as she can and some explanations jump out all over the place. She is so relieved that her brain can come up with something to respond Kate 

“Oh, really? Your only rule is no kiss before you really date the girl. So, she must have caught your heart pretty good that she can get an exception and almost kiss you." Kate jokingly responds and another knowing smile forms on James’ face.

“Yes, really. I told you it's part of the plan. So it has nothing to do with feelings or heart or or or whatever you both are talking about.” Wanda denied it with all of her heart.

“Okay, if you say so.” Kate mumbles under her breath, shrugging her shoulders and all James does is just shake his head with a chuckle at the girls’ antics. After three of them are done exercising and Kate leaves, Wanda finally lets out a question that has been roaming around in her mind since the conversation earlier.

“Uh, hey J. I’m just wondering. You said that it seems that y/n and I have chemistry with each other. So did you mean that she likes me?” She clears her throat, internally questioning herself why it even matters for her to know the answer. Her brain fights her heart without her even realizing the secret battle in her. Of course it matters, because she needs to know her next step to make her plan work. Yes, that's why. It’s all about her plan to win her bet with Kate. That’s what her brain tells her at least.

“Uh well, she might. I don’t know. From her picture you showed me, she doesn’t look like the type of a girl who will kiss someone randomly. You know what, Wanda, I see how you look everytime you talk about her. You blush, even now. There’s a chance both of you probably like each other.” James lets out his opinion wisely.

“What? No. No. I don’t and let me remind you, she said I’m not her type, she even thinks I’m standard.” Wanda is all defensive as she rolls her eyes but her blushing cheeks say it all.

James chuckles a little at Wanda’s blushing cheeks and her nervous gestures. “Look, Wanda, I’m not making fun of you or anything. Like I said this bet might bite you back in the ass. I have known you since we were kids. You are like a sister to me. So just be careful, I just don’t want you nor Y/n gets hurt. What if real feelings slowly get involved? That’s all.” James gives Wanda brotherly warning as he gently pats her shoulder.

“Ough.. You sound like Pietro just now. Don’t worry, J. Nobody’s gonna get hurt, well Kate’s pride will be hurt actually because she will lose the bet.” Wanda gives the dark haired man a little reassurance.

“Well, how about introducing her to me. I would love to meet the future Mrs. Maximoff.” He asks with a little teasing in it. “Ha ha ha very funny James, there will be no Mrs. Maximoff anytime soon but yeah, I’ll think of a way to introduce her to you and Kate. So you two will see that my plan works.” Wanda winks at him.

“Sounds like a good plan, just keep me updated, Wands.”

“Sure, I will. Well, I gotta go now. Tell Emma I say HI. Love you.” With that Wanda kisses his cheek goodbye and walks to her car.

“Love you too.”

On the way home, James' and Kate's comments really get into Wanda's head and because of that, she convinces herself that this is all just for the bet, nothing more. She just has to make you like her, win the bet and then tell her parents that she will not do the arranged marriage with you. That's all, no feelings involved.

_____

“Oh wow, thanks guys. This is a lot of food. I can bring some home for dinner too.” You try a little bit of different choices of food that the sisters brought you. “Yeah, I’m trying to add some new things to the menu and these are the choices.” Nat explains.

“Yeah, you are our guinea pig for tasting it, so if you die tomorrow, it was because of Nat's cooking you ate.” Yelena snorts a laugh that doesn’t last too long after Nat playfully slaps the back of her head. “It means you’ll die too because you ate two plates of them, so shut up.” Nat responds. Yelena makes a mocking face as she mimics the way her sister talks. The two sisters always make you laugh with how they are to each other.

“So, tell us. What’s up with last night? You both almost kissed.” As you expected, Yelena brings up the topic again.

“Here we go again. Well, it–it was part of the plan.” You answer as you eat some more bites. “And..What was the plan? I think we didn’t talk about any kissing in our plan.” Nat questions you, the corner of her lips curve up a smile following one of her eyebrows arching up.

“Yeah, Nat’s right. There was no kissing in our plan. If you did kiss, what does it have to do to make her not want to marry you?” Yelena’s words add more pressure on you. Your mind rapidly tries to find an excuse to this damn almost kiss moment that you didn’t even know why it happened.

“Well, it was a spontaneous plan. I was gonna lure her to that kiss and then I–I was..” You stutter as you see both sisters looking at you with a teasing look waiting for your answer.

"I was gonna stop and then told her I haven't brushed my teeth all day. I knew she would be grossed out because she is a clean freak. Yeah, that was my plan." Your confidence comes back, thinking that you have come with a legit comment.

Yelena and Nat instantly laugh out loud. "Really? That's the best excuse you came up with?" The blonde sister responds in sarcasm while trying not to laugh even louder.

“That was really what happened, Lena.” You retort and your cheeks blush at the same time.

“Y/n, you haven’t changed at all. You are still a bad liar.” Natasha comments with a knowing smile and shakes her head. “Natty, I’m serious.” You try harder to convince them.

“Sure, y/n. Sure. Now, try the other food that Nat made. I want to see if you will get sick after that or not.” Yelena suggested as she sees your face is as red as a tomato by now as a crumpled napkin that Natasha threw at her hits her head and bounced.

“So, I saw you were holding a rose last night. I assume that it was from Wanda. Do you like it?” Natasha brought up a new topic as you try the other food.

Just at the same time you are going to answer Nat’s question, you hear a voice asking another question followed by the sounds of high heels meeting the floor in a stepping rhythm. “Do you like what, dear?”

The voice quickly makes the three of you turn your head to see who it is. Right after, you see that it’s Wanda walking in towards your desk, your eyes rounded and some of the food decided to get into the wrong pipe. You cough a few times in panic, hoping that she didn't hear any of the conversation.

The sisters are as startled as you are as Wanda walks closer and closer. You grab a drink and take a big gulp before you greet her, awkwardly. “Are you okay, dear?” Wanda quickens her steps next to you as she asks worriedly.

“Wanda! Hii. Uh–y-yeah yeah. I’m okay. How long have you been here?” An awkward smile curved up slowly and you cleared your throat, nervously.

“Not too long, I just walked in. Oh, thank God. I thought you were choking. Anyway, hi, love. How are you?” Wanda leans to kiss cheek. The sisters try to keep their cool in this awkward tension. Natasha has to nudge her sister with her elbow subtly after she notices her trying hard to suppress her laugh from her weird looking smile.

“I’m good.” You answer and your eyes flick around between her and the sisters.

“So, do you like what, darling? I heard that she asked you earlier when I came in. “Oh..uh.. She meant–” All of a sudden, your brain is blank. You can’t think of the right answer. Even Yelena, who always has some ideas is stunned.

“We are catering for Ms. Y/L/N’s mother’s event. Since Ms. Y/L/N is too busy for the food tasting, so we brought some for her to try. We are from the Romanova restaurant at the 3rd Street and Lincoln Ave.” Just like that, Natasha came to the rescue.

"Oh! That's y/n's favorite place. We were there last night for our date." The brunette looks at Natasha and Yelena then comments in excitement.

You are relieved to know that Wanda didn't hear what the conversation was about.

The sisters thank her in gratitude but they can see how Wanda's eyes sparkle with joy when she talks about the date with you.

"Oh, can you cater for my party for the day after tomorrow? I know it's short notice, I will tell my assistant to call you if you can do it? It’s just a small business party." Wanda asks.

"I can take care of it, sweetie. I'll arrange everything for you. I’m sure that they can squeeze us in." You propose immediately. "Are you sure? I just want a simple party but still fun with nice decorations and tasty food." Wanda stated.

"Oh yeah, no problem. I have arranged lots of my parents' parties so no biggie, babe. I even already have an idea for your party." You reassure her.

An idea just popped in your head and you secretly nodded to your bestfriends when Wanda wasn’t looking.

Of course Yelena notices that you are up to something so she instantly agrees with the date for the party that was mentioned. "I just checked our schedule, we can cater for your party."

“Great! Thank you so much. I can write a check on whatever amount you want me to put in the down payment.” The brunette offers as she grabs her checkbook ready in hand.

“Don’t worry about it. Ms. Y/L/N is our regular customer. We will let her know how much later.” The redhead replied, followed by a smile. She then looks at you and adds “Well, we will get going. You can just let us know which food you like and we can talk more about the business party plan.”

With that, the girls bid their farewell and left both of you alone.

You see Wanda stands next to you and she offers her hand for you to take. “Well? Can I get a hug from my sweetheart now?” Wanda flirts. Her smile and her green eyes make you nervous in a way that makes you want to smile instead. As if your mind has its own mind, you take her hand and she pulls you up to hug you. You let her, you even voluntarily sink into her hug.

Gosh, you just love being in her arms, don't you? Her warmth, hearing her heartbeat let alone her perfume that tickles your senses. Part of your mind thinking what to do next. Trying hard to find the reason to act like a crazy weird girlfriend just like what you plan but the other part of your brain just turns into a puddle in her warm embrace. Okay, this is not right. You are supposed to make her lose interest in you, NOT you getting more interested in her. Wait, are you?

Of course not. Oh for heaven sake, why do you even think of all of these unnecessary thoughts. You let go of your hug and lean back a little from her hug.

Wanda's hands stay on your waist and look at you in adoration. You smile with giddy feelings. "Yay! There is the smile I have been waiting to see." To Wanda's brain, she thinks those are just words to trap you deeper in her flirting game but her heart actually wants to see your smile and feel you in her embrace.

"Aw thank you and there's the confidence I always talk about." You reply.

She laughs a little. "The one that you love about me?" She responds as her fingers gently push your hair away from your face.

"So.. what are you doing here?" You answer her with a question. As usual you avoid her question and Wanda only chuckles before she answers you.

"Well, I'm here to pick you up for our date and before you say that you are busy with work, I called your dad. He said you don't have to finish the work and he will ask his assistant to get everything done." Wanda explains and leaves no room for you to refuse her plan.

"Wow, sneaky move, Wands."

"I know. I just want to spend more time with you. Get to know you. Can you blame me?" She rubs your back so gently.

"You are really good with your words, aren't you?" You flirt back, playing along. Wanda chuckles once more.

"So, what's the super important date you plan for us that even made you call my dad to set me free from work, darling?" You add some sarcasm in your question, hopefully it will annoy her. Your hands mindlessly run up her arms to her shoulders.

"Well, I want us to relax at my place and we can watch some of my favorite sitcoms because I remember you told me how much you love watching them." Wanda presents her idea with a proud smile.

"That's all? You stop me from working just for that? I hope at least you have some red wine for me." You act disappointed and demanding with a whiny tone and a pouty face even though you actually love the idea. You love relaxing and watching sitcoms. To you, it sounds like a perfect date.

"Uh well, don't worry, my dear. You'll get your red wine. I will set it up to be romantic, intimate and relaxing. I thought a busy workaholic woman like you, needed something like that…with me." Pride shines in her eyes as she winks at you.

"Wow, okay. Sounds like a good plan but I still have something to do before I leave. So can we just meet at your place?" You suggested the idea. “Of course. I’ll see you soon. Be careful, it’s raining outside now.” Her right hand cups your cheek and slowly moves a little, her fingers rake through your hair. She leans to you and it makes you all nervous.

“Okay, I will.”

Boy oh boy, the feelings of her lips kiss your cheek once again really freeze you. Seeing her green eyes gleaming really spread warmth in your heart.

As soon as Wanda left your office, you called Natasha and Yelena. “Girls, come see me at my place. I have some plans for Wanda.”

Your mind is filled with a bunch of plans to sabotage the date and Wanda's business party.

Pt. 5

A/N: Welp, that's for today. Reblog and comments are highly appreciated! Follow me for more! See you in next.

Cheerio!

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[lewkwoodnco]

Cruel Summer (Part 1) - Lockwood x Reader

A/N: Based off of Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift. Can be read as a stand-alone fic or to a prequel to the august fic (which is a prequel to the alcott fic). This fic got rlllly long and I'm finishing up the second half of this right now. For this fic, reader shares the attic with Lucy. Enjoy!

chronological order: timeless cruel summer (pt 1, pt 2) august (tsitp version) the alcott

She woke up with a gasp, broken out of what was likely the deepest (if sweatiest - she had fallen asleep under a mountain of blankets) sleep in her life. She was normally a very light sleeper (part of her subconscious was almost always awake, taking note of everything until she woke up) so it was highly disorienting to wake up without knowing anything about what had happened for the past few hours. With everyone else off running errands, she had decided to take a little nap, that became a big nap, and she could just make out the fading dusk glowing in her window. That still didn’t answer the question of what had woken her up.

There it was again, that sharp rap that had yanked her awake. It was coming from the window, as if it was hailing. She stumbled over and pushed the window open with considerable effort, still groggy from the nap she so desperately wanted to return to. She squinted, barely making out the form of Lockwood standing outside in his coat, one hand full of pebbles and the other pulled back as he took aim. He straightened when he saw her face, waving to catch her attention, as if the street wasn’t empty and she wasn’t already looking right at him.

“Hi!”

“What?”

“You sound cheerful.”

She started to close the window. “Hey, hey! I was only kidding.”

“What do you want?” She hadn’t meant for that last part to come out that whiny, but her limited patience was already wearing thin. The dusk air was cool and pleasant and the soothing twilight was painting the grey buildings with this liquid lilac glow. A gentle breeze tickled her nose, and she decided that closing her eyes for a while wouldn’t hurt.

“I’ve locked myself out, left my keys on the mantle. Lucy and George won’t be back for ages. I was hoping you could…Y/N? Y/N?” He laughed. “Did you just fall asleep at the window?”

That jerked her awake, even though she was at the brink of slipping off again. The light was fading fast, making Lockwood’s silhouette even hazier, until she could only make out the glint of his polished rapier. The cooling dusk air combined with her high temperature from being bundled in those blankets made her feel feverish, and she blamed her sleep-addled brain for making Lockwood look so delectable in the dim light. In a way, she had been watching Lockwood like this for weeks now. Stealing glances and brushes in milliseconds during the day and dreaming of him and their cat-and-mouse game all night long; so disarming and wicked and forever out of her reach, a torturous yet addictive death. As if it was too electrifying to love directly, they turned to more Shakespearean adjacent ways of loving, from balconies and windows. She was brought back to the present by the rattling of Lockwood scattering the remaining pebbles.

“Sorry about that, by the way. And this, it’s not like me to forget my keys.”

“Are you kidding? I’m always waiting for you to be waiting below.” She quipped, pulling her face from the window as she imagined him rolling his eyes. She grabbed his keys on the way to the door, and sure enough, he was standing there with a half-smile, laughing as she made an exaggerated show of forcing his keys deep into his coat pocket. His breath hitched as she drew her hand out, which felt aflame and buzzing with static even with layers of clothing between them. The devil on her shoulder urged her to take the gamble of kissing him right there on their front doorstep.

But the light shifted, and the moment passed, and they slightly stepped away from each other as she awkwardly withdrew her hand.

“I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“How’d you guess?” She immediately felt stupid for asking that question when she had drifted off right in front of him (or two storeys above him) just now.

“You seem a little…sluggish. Like your thoughts are all over the place.” She nodded, choosing not to tell him how her haywire thoughts had nothing to do with sleeping and everything to do with him.

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

A couple of nights later, they were out on another job. She and Lockwood were in an alley, one not quite as rundown as they were expecting, waiting for a signal from George and Lucy, who were a few streets up ahead, to start chasing the Dark Spectre they were locking down on. It was taking so long that Lockwood had started fidgeting with the abandoned vending machine. Watching paint dry was more interesting than waiting around on a job while the acid of anxiety ate a hole through your stomach.

With a sudden crackle of electricity that made her jump, the vending machine creaked to life, its strained electrical hum sounding nearly deafening in the quiet of the night. Watching the exact moment the vending machine lit up Lockwood's body, giving it such a vitality that she nearly wasn't sure where the hum was coming from, enamoured her even more. As they both shielded their eyes, slowly blinking to adjust to the sudden brightness, she basked in this new wave of attraction, burning her wildly thumping heart.

It was almost unfair to be forced to stand there and watch him tap at the machine experimentally, entirely oblivious to the effect he was having on her. Lockwood was like a bad sunburn and the balm that healed it, a heat that melted her face off and the lemonade that cooled her down. It was cruel. It was a bizarre experience, to say the least, drinking stale pop in near pitch-black darkness to wash down the fear gripping their throats.

"You alright? Not too tired from all this waiting around?"

Waiting around for you, maybe. "No, I'm fine." I'm so cool, so totally normal about this, about you, about the faintly blue blinding light burning the side of your face, about the shadows on your face and in between your knuckles-

She heard rather than saw the hiss of the magnesium flare thrown up into the inky sky, quickly engulfed by darkness. They ran off almost instinctively, drinks abandoned, Lockwood's hands not long forgotten.

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

Sometimes, after a case Lockwood would cosy up in the library while everyone else went to bed. That wasn't news. What might have been news was how she sometimes crept down from the attic to join him. That was where she was right now, and Lockwood was asking if she really was alright, and it was all seeming a little hazy to her.

A few hours ago, she had slipped in a puddle of slush which unfortunately sent her tumbling down with her ribs landing on the edge of the curb with a stabbing pain. It knocked the wind out of her, but she didn't expect much from it beyond a nasty bruise, so she dusted herself off and kept running. Only after a bit of running she began to feel a painful prickling as well, and it must have shown on her face, if Lockwood's occasional suspicious glances were any indication. Later, once they were home, she realised the stabbing pain had come from some broken pieces of glass piercing her skin. With Lucy's help she had managed to get out most of the pieces, but she kept finding more as she tossed and turned in bed. Finally giving up, she had decided to join Lockwood in the library, foolishly not anticipating his interrogation.

"Well?" His tone was almost accusatory. "How bad was the fall?"

"I'm totally fine," she put on her best injured tone, which wasn't hard, given how restless picking out the fine glass had made her. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You know you can tell me anything, right?"

"Sure." There had been just a hint of playfulness in her voice, but Lockwood had picked up on it.

"I'm being serious, you know."

"So am I!"

"Are you?"

Lockwood stared at her sternly, and she returned the look. Two can play a game. He clearly didn't believe her flimsy smoothing over of the incident and she was painfully aware of that, but there was simply no other alternative.

How was she supposed to tell him that he only liked her because she was shiny and new? Whatever they had, this push-and-pull, it wasn't comforting or peaceful. It was nerve-wracking, nausea inducing, certainly not for the faint of heart. There simply was no room for tending to scrapes and bruises together, their relationship didn't allow for it. Hell, she'd die before seeming weak in front of him. And there was nothing wrong with that. She'd built up this rough, blunt exterior for their sparks to bounce off of before anyone got hurt. Sure, it didn't leave much time for the sparks to stick around, and it did create a tumultuous upheaval of emotions sometimes, but it was nothing she couldn't learn to live with.

And so she shook her head a final time, as Lockwood reluctantly returned to his tea and paper.

[iamstartraveller776]

Legally Bound was amazing! Thank you so much.

Can you also post a little from If Recollecting Were Forgetting please? I always enjoy your labyrinth fics.

Awww! Thank you!! ❤️

I don't have a pretty graphic for this one or as much planned, but I can give you the short prologue (rough draft). This one is a drama with grey morality.

(I will warn that it dances on the edge of uncomfortable themes, however, if I continue the story, the rest of it takes place with an Adult Sarah.)

Prologue: The Time for Forgetting

Unseen, Jareth stood in the corner of Sarah’s room and watched. Watched as she summoned her new friends through the shimmering vanity. Watched as they danced and twirled in merriment, confetti and balloons drifting down, down, down with a magic not his own. Watched them embrace and giggle and whisper stories late into the night. Watched them say goodbyes between jaw-cracking yawns, making promises to see each other soon—promises she wouldn’t be able to keep. He took a measure of satisfaction at that, though the victory was a gossamer thing.

He remained in the shadows while she change into his nightclothes, didn’t turn away as she undressed, her back to him. He wasn’t a voyeur by nature, but there was another meager triumph in knowing she’d be outraged and mortified by his incurious gaze, and so he looked. He waited as she slipped into bed, drew the covers to her neck and closed her eyes with a contented smile on her rosebud lips. Waited until her breathing became slow and deep, waited until her dreams reached out in delicate tendrils, caressing softly across his skin. Dreams he no longer had access to.

He stepped forward, his invisibility falling away in a veil of glitter, and studied her face—so young, so beautiful, so innocent. Anger and ache was a thorny knot in his chest. This angelic creature traversed his kingdom with the elegance of a battering ram, leaving it in shambles. She erected an impenetrable barrier between them with six simple words. How he despised her for it, for rejecting him as no other would dare. He despised too that he was compelled to watch over her, to find a way to undo the powerful spell that forever barred her from him. She should have been his.

However, he wasn’t here to rail against what she had done, to throw himself across the chasm between them in fruitless rage. No, this was a visit he paid to every runner. The rules demanded a certain price, no matter that she was the only champion of his game.

He traced the line of her jaw with a gloved finger, and she sighed in her slumber. What visions danced across the back of those pretty eyelids? Did she dream of him—the villain again in her subconscious as he played to fulfill her fantasy? Or would she allow him to be what he truly was, an immortal monarch who could love as deeply as he could hate, who was as generous as he was ruthless? He smirked. She’d complained so often about the inequities of life, yet never saw beyond her own nose.

“Selfish, cruel girl,” he whispered. “What do you know of fairness, precious thing?”

She didn’t answer, of course. It was just as well. If she had awakened, she surely would have said those vile words again to cast him out. His jaw clenched. How was it fair that he had no power over her when she consumed so much of him?

He felt a tug from the intangible cords that bound him to the Labyrinth. The ancient magic, sentient in its own way, was reminding him of his duty.

“You let her win,” Jareth sent back in accusation.

The Labyrinth responded by pulling at him, clawing at his cape. It would keep its secrets. He shook his head, turned his attention back to Sarah. Beautiful, merciless Sarah. Such a child—a child he’d wanted to mold, to prepare to take her place in the Underground where she belonged.

For my will is as strong as yours.

He’d underestimated her. She was young, but not young enough to shape as he saw fit. If he could, he would reorder time, tear the very fabric of it apart, and try her again in the Labyrinth—and this time he would win. But even the silken hair on her head was now impervious to his magic. Oh, he could still graze his fingertips against her flesh, embrace her, taste her as any other mortal could. He could teach her every pleasure, make her arch her back and cry out his name. But if that was all he’d wanted from her, he wouldn’t have bothered to prove her first. He would have merely waited until she was fully ripe and plucked her like a succulent fruit.

The tugging became more earnest and he sighed. Time was growing short. He reached for the glove of his right hand, but thought better of it. This deed required skin to skin contact, and he would take one more token from her.

He bent forward, murmured against her ear, “Don’t worry, Sarah. I’m only taking what doesn’t belong to you.” I have no power over you, he left unsaid. The truth was too bitter on his tongue.

He closed his eyes, opened himself to the tide of power rolling toward him like waves crashing on the shore. It filled him, coursed over bone and sinew until his entire being sang with it. He placed his lips on her unblemished forehead and inhaled. She smelled like summer rain and dandelions. Pure. Perfect.

Such a pity.

With each breath, he siphoned her memories of his realm, experiencing each scene with her. He saw himself in her eyes: breathtaking, alluring, and wretched. He stood with her as the Goblin King begged her to take all that he would give her, but through her lens it was nothing more than the ruse of a heartless nemesis. Her triumph in that moment was his as was her joy and relief at finding the babe she’d wished away safely tucked in his bed. He knew her delight in summoning her new friends to her.

He took all of it.

When the last wisps of her memories were culled from her mind, he straightened, conjuring a crystal. As the magic of the Labyrinth ebbed from him, he blew her memories into the glassy sphere. He should have let them dissipate into the ether as he’d done with runners past, but he didn’t. Not because she’d conquered the unconquerable and earned this tribute. No, his motives were born out of spite. If he couldn’t have her, then this trifle would suffice. That she would be outraged by this deed—if she could remember who and what he was—made the flimsy prize all the more sweet.

He kissed her cheek, whispered a goodbye as he back away. She sighed once more, turning in her slumber, unaware of what he’d stolen from her.

In the morning, she would awaken as if nothing had happened—almost. She wouldn’t remember her harrowing quest, but the lessons she’d learned were engraved deep in her subconscious. Tomorrow, she wouldn’t be the same girl who had run through the park in a storm, but she wouldn’t know why. This was his final gift to her, undeserving as she was.

He opened her window, casting a final glance at her before embracing his owl form. He was nothing to her now, not even a figment of her rich imagination. It was a pity the Labyrinth wouldn’t erase her as completely from his mind as well. However, the fickle sentience would grant him no such wish.

Oh yes, Jareth—King of the Goblins, Keeper of the Labyrinth, Weaver of Dreams, Granter of Wishes, Steward of Lost Children, Heir of the Underground—well understood the unfairness of life.

~TBC~

(though I don't know when)

In the first chapter, we're introduced to Julian Priest, aloof owner of the night club La Faim. He ignores the strange dreams that beset him, keeps his unsettling urges in check with a white knuckled grip, pretends he doesn't care that he can't remember his life before ten years ago. Until a beautiful young woman with long, dark hair comes to his club to celebrate her friend's bachelorette party...

Thanks again for asking!!

wip list

[gins-potter]

this grief tearing me apart

“I thought I’d find you here.”

Rose didn’t turn around at his voice, didn’t raise her head, and didn’t stop gouging at the wood in front of her with the tip of her stake.  The metal glinted dimly in the flickering light of the candles and the pew in front of her might have been a hundred years old, a thousand years old, but Rose didn’t care.  She wouldn’t care if Headmistress Kirova, hell if Queen fucking Marina Szelsky herself, arrived to scream at her and then chuck her in a miserable prison somewhere for defacing a sacred space.

Let them come.  Let them face what they had done.

“Rose.”

She clenched her jaw and shoved her stake further into the ancient wood, deepening the gouge she’d been working on.  Her companion moved closer, his footsteps silent despite the heavy boots she knew he had to be wearing; it was the way they were trained after all.  She focused her eyes ahead, despite the burn of tears that threatened to make an appearance, and realised with a start that the random grooves she’d been making hadn’t been so random after all.  She had methodically carved the letter ‘D’ into the wood.

Suddenly she wanted to shove the pew away, wanted to upturn it, set it alight, set the whole fucking Dominion alight.  Let them all feel an ounce of what she was feeling.

“I know how you feel, Rose.”

Rose forgot about her carving, she forgot about the stake in her hand, she even forgot about what had happened to make her feel like her heart was ripping in two in her chest.  Her head turned slowly, so slowly, for she couldn’t make herself move any faster, until she was staring at Mikhail dead on.

To his credit, he didn’t flinch back from her stare, from the pure fury that was suddenly roiling behind her dark eyes.  He just met her stare and held it.

“You know how I feel?”  The words were flat and cold but there was a warning in them that Mikhail would do well to heed for they promised violence if he did not.  “You know how I feel?”

“Yes,” Mikhail said gravely, far more grave than she had ever seen him before any of this mess had started.  “When I lost Sonya-”

Rose was out of the pew and in his face before either of them could realise what was happening.  

“You did not lose Sonya,” she hissed, pushing him backwards with a two handed shove, forcing him to yield a step.  

“You did not lose her.”  Another push, another handful of steps.  “She chose to leave you.”  

Over and over she slammed her hands into his chest but he did not retaliate.  

“Dimitri did not choose this, he did not choose to leave me, he was taken from me.”  

The last words were a ragged scream as she finally pulled up short, glaring at Mikhail while her chest heaved with emotion.  

She drew in a deep breath, trying to regain control of her voice, of herself.  “So, do not tell me you know how I feel.”

Mikhail’s eyes had widened marginally at that first strike and yet he had stayed remarkably calm throughout each one, weathering this storm for her and with her.  He could understand it, could empathise with it.  Hadn’t he also wanted to rip apart anyone who had come near him in the days after losing Sonya?

“Rose,” he said slowly, gently.  “The way we lost them might have been different, but I under-”

The sound that emerged from Rose was somewhere between a scream of frustration and a sob of grief as she surprised them both by dropping her shoulder and charging forward.  She could have saved herself from the blow, could have dropped Mikhail to the floor without following herself, but she wanted him to feel it, wanted to feel it herself as they both slammed into the hard stone floor of the church.

“You don’t,” she snarled, tears blurring her vision as she somehow found the front of his jacket, seized a hold of it, and used it to haul him and slam him back down again.  “You don’t know how I feel!  He did everything right!  He gave everything!  And they still took him!”

She choked on another sob, hands subconsciously tightening as she prepared to haul Mikhail up once again, the only outlet for her emotions, but she wasn’t prepared for him to shift his weight.  With tears in her eyes and every other breath coming out as a sob, her technique was poor and it was work of a moment for Mikhail to throw her to the side and roll them over so he could pin her to the cold stone.  Hands pinned her wrists down, one knee dug into her thigh to stop her from kicking out, while his other supported his weight so he could give her some room.

“Rose,” he tried again.  “You need to calm down.  If anyone else sees you like this…”  He didn’t finish the sentence, not sure if he even knew what would happen.  The Moroi would tolerate some grief when the Guardians lost one of their own, but their patience only went so far.  And if Rose didn’t pull herself together, it wouldn’t be good.  “Rose-”

“No,” she cried, the keen of a young woman who had never known a mother’s love.

“Rose.”

“No,” she sobbed, the cry of a young woman willing to give her life for her best friend.

“Rose.”

“No,” she wailed, the grief of a young woman who’d lost the love of her life.  “Why?” she finally asked, tears only of despair now rather than anger.  “Why did they take him from me?”

“I don’t know,” Mikhail said quietly, the words heavy with his own emotions.  Trusting now that she wouldn’t strike him again, Mikhail finally released her and rolled off to the side landing heavily on his back beside her.  “I don’t know.”

Her sobs finally eased but the tears continued to come, sliding down the sides of her face to drip onto the ancient stone on which they laid.

“I’m sorry, Rose,” he said finally.  “He didn’t deserve this, neither of you did.”

She pressed her lips together and looked away, staring into the flickering flames of the candles to keep her sobs from starting afresh.  She’d never felt much of a connection to the chapel, but Dimitri had, coming every Sunday to seek the inner peace that constantly evaded him.  Maybe that’s why she’d found herself here in her grief, desperately clinging to any connection to him that she could.

“I can’t stay here,” she heard herself say.

“Okay,” Mihail agreed.  “Let’s get out of here.  Where do you want to go?”

“No, Mikhail, I can’t stay in the Dominion.”  When he didn’t respond she turned her head back to him, scanning his profile but it didn’t betray what he was thinking.  “I can’t.  He’s out there, and he wouldn’t want…”  She couldn’t say the words, and instead swallowed roughly.  “I have to find him, Mikhail, and I have to end it.  For him.”

Mikhail swallowed and closed his eyes.  “Okay,” he said quietly.

Rose stared at him.  “Okay?”

He opened his eyes and finally looked at her.  “Okay, we’ll go find Dimitri, and then we’ll find Sonya, and we’ll…” He cleared his throat.  “We’ll end this for them.”

“You’d come with me?”

“Yeah, I’ll come with you, if you’ll have me.”

Again, Rose had to look away.  Besides Dimitri, she’d never had someone choose her before, put her and what she needed first.

“Yeah,” she said, voice tight with emotion.  “I guess I’ll have you then.”

And when he tipped his boot towards her, she didn’t hesitate to tap it with her own, the unspoken agreement formed.

[tokiwarcube]

Taking down Skwisgaar's walls has been a slow, but rewarding process. To the world, Skwisgaar Skwigelf is the cold God of guitar, of beauty, of sex. But in your arms he is a man -- one who is hopelessly in love with you. He just has a hard time conveying that, sometimes. But a shared breath of smoke washes away that last bit of rubble holding his tongue in place. /// Or, in which you have very sweet high sex with Skwisgaar. Short drabble, I'm obsessed with him

A modern Adonis, with skin of sculpted marble and eyes of sapphire, Skwisgaar Skwigelf is nothing if not well-crafted. He was put together by the gods with such calculation that he’s become a god in his own right. God of beauty, god of sex — in his sheets, the sun won’t rise until your eyes are rolled back. It’s an art, and one he’s perfected at that.

But high Skwisgaar is… considerably less put together. He’s giggly, fumbling… open. His ever-present (considerably lowered after so long of knowing you, loving you, but still there) walls crumble into dust, allowing the ceaseless love bubbling behind them to flow forward over the rubble, and into you.

At some point in the night, between passed joints and swirling smoke, he had found himself not just between your legs, but in your arms, too. Indulging in the softness of your touch as your hands roam up his biceps and across his chest, the last coherent thought in his head drew his face to your neck with flushed cheeks and upturned lips. His fluttering eyelashes and hot breath against your throat draws quiet laughter from your mouth, only to be broken by lazy moans brought forth from his half-thrusts. Closing the microcosm of space between you again and again, sparks of pleasure ripple through the haze — ecstasy stretching for what feels like forever, only to be rewritten the next second.

Somewhere in your subconscious you remark on how fucked out you sound, but before you can think on it further, the thought is gone — lost in the feeling of him and the heavenly fog clouding your thoughts. You card a hand lazily through his silken blond hair, marveling at its softness. Although perhaps heavenly would be a better descriptor for your partner, especially with the way he moans in turn at your gentle touch. Fumbling hands move to pull you just that fraction closer, not to change angles, but for the pure experience of feeling your skin pressed against his.

“You ams so goods to me,” he murmurs, upturned lips heard more than felt as he presses a new kiss to your cheek. And in the brief space between you, dragging his lips up to finally connect with yours, you see the bright shine of love in his blown-out pupils. That, you don’t forget. You don’t forget it as you taste the earth from his tongue; don’t forget as the giggles between the two of you blossom into shared, shaking cries; don’t forget it as you rise in the morning, tangled in each others arms; and you certainly don’t forget it as he plucks well-practiced chords from his guitar over coffee in the afternoon.

But you know, it wouldn’t hurt to take a few more hits tomorrow, just to make sure.

A/N: If I'm to be entirely frank, I was high off my gourd when I wrote this. My cannabinoid-addled brain knows nothing, save for loving Dethklok. Thanks for reading! <3

[angstyandromanticwriting]

Lyutsifer Safin X Reader Angsty Prompt with a cute ending

!TW: Kidnapping/Mention of being kidnapped, violence, captivity/being held in captivity, implied suffering from depression, mention of being held hostage, hint of recalling traumatic memories, mention of loss, mention of fire, insult, swearing, mention of gunfire, mention/presence of blood, mention of being in pain, mention of attempted murder/assassination, mention of surgery, mention of stitching, mention of stitches!

“Maybe it really was wishful thinking,” you murmured, a pained expression on your face, and Safin smirked; he liked to see that he’d finally convinced you that nobody was looking for you - it meant that you wouldn’t have much more reason to leave him, and meant that you’d potentially stop trying to contact your friends. “Maybe they aren’t looking for me,” you muttered, your voice close to a whisper.

“You don’t need them to,” he stated, “you’re going to be happy here, I promise.” You groaned, shaking your head. Safin frowned, wishing you’d give your new life a chance. “Why can’t you just try to be happy here, with me?” Safin inquired, trying not to sound too dejected.

“I’d rather wait the rest of my life for my friends to find me,” you expressed, and Safin scowled, before he gripped your chin roughly.

“They will never find you!” Safin snapped, startling you as you subconsciously whimpered, prying your gaze from his. “They have forgotten about you,” he claimed, “why is that so hard for you to believe? Nothing lasts forever, Y/n,” he added, “I learnt that the hard way.” Safin released your chin, looking away from you; he didn’t want you to see that he was upset. “After what happened to me and my family, I thought somehow they’d come back for me, and take me with them,” he admitted, “but they never did.” Safin then grimaced down at you, and you wouldn’t know what to say, trying not to feel bad for him after he’d kidnapped you and been holding you hostage, but you struggled because you knew how he felt after you’d lost your mother in a fire. “You’ll learn to like being here with me soon enough,” he uttered, before he turned to walk out of your cell, leaving you in the dark listening to the guard outside locking the cell door back up again.

𖧷☭𖤍

After you had been complying more, Safin decided to give you slightly more freedom, letting you out of your cell with one of his security guards following you around. You would be disappointed when you realised Safin was trying to avoid you, and tried to confront him when you got the chance, which appeared to you in the form of coming across him outside in the Poison Garden; he was talking to his workers in a stern manner. Once he had finished, and turned around, he would be shocked to find you stood behind him. “Y-Y/n-”

“Could you stop feeding the cryptids your lies? They’re starting to think you’re some sort of royalty,” you interrupted, and Safin frowned, looking away from you. “Why are you avoiding me, Safin?” You questioned, lifting an eyebrow.

“Avoidance is what I’m best at,” he answered, reluctantly letting his eyes meet your’s, “I can’t let that kind of talent go to waste, so I have to keep practicing it. Now if you don’t mind, I have business I need to attend to.”

You grimaced, watching as Safin walked away. “Asshole,” you uttered, your voice barely audible; you wished he’d at least try and make an effort to keep you company; you wanted to spend time with him because you wanted to get to know him more.

𖧷☭𖤍

You would be shocked to wake up to shouting, and gunfire, and your mind subconsciously raced to Safin. You sat up, feeling your body beginning to tremble. You forced yourself to your feet, and rushed over to the cell door, banging on it when you found that it was locked. “Help!” You cried, and would step back when you heard the door being unlocked on the other side. You drew a sharp breath when you noticed that it was Safin who had unlocked the door, and he was leaning heavily against the wall beside it, his hand which appeared to be stained by blood held over his side. “W-What happened-”

“No time to explain, Y/n,” he interrupted dismissively, trying to hide that he was in quite a bit of pain, “r-remember how I saved your life not too long ago?” Safin inquired, his voice briefly trembling. You nodded slowly as you thought back to the day he had saved you from the men from Spectre sent to kill you for a reason unbeknownst to you. “Well now I need you to save mine,” he murmured, and your eyes widened; you’d not had much experience in the medical field, but had a short period of work experience as a nurse, in which time you’d had to perform surgery and stitch up your patient’s wounds.

↯

After you’d treated Safin to the best of your ability, you stayed with him until he woke up, relieved when you heard him beginning to stir. Safin looked over at you when he felt you holding his hand, a weak smile playing on his lips. “You’re still here,” he mused, and you nodded. “I - I didn’t think you’d stay,” he admitted, and you frowned, a pained expression on your face.

“Of course I stayed,” you responded, “this is a battle I’m choosing to fight now, and I will not run from it. I haven’t forgotten the nights you stayed up with me in my cell. They made a difference, they really did, because I started seeing that you aren’t the bad person I thought you were before.”

“You love me,” Safin assumed, and you hesitated, a soft smile playing on your lips.

“I might,” you corroborated, and Safin smirked, pleased.

“Lay with me, kitten,” he commanded gently, and you nodded, before you shyly laid down beside him, your eyes locked with his dark greyish blue ones. “Thank you,” he whispered, “what did I do to deserve you?”

You would think about his question, yourself. “I’m still trying to figure that out, myself,” you answered, lifting your hand to his left cheek, before you withdrew it, worried that he would be angry at you touching him. “S-Sorry,” you murmured, and Safin shook his head, smiling reassuringly over at you.

“It’s okay,” he claimed, before he attempted to shuffle closer to you, wincing as he did.

“D-Don’t move,” you whined, not wanting his stitches to break, so you hugged him to try and stop him from moving. Safin hesitated, before he returned the hug, relaxing after a moment. “Are you comfortable like this?” You inquired, worried that you keeping him in this position would hurt him.

“I’m fine, angel, don’t worry about me, okay?” Safin stated, and you smiled weakly, nodding whilst revelling in the feeling that you belonged in his arms.

~~~~~

Hope you enjoyed this prompt! ❤️

[caught-in-the-filter]

When I Wake

— for CS Angsty August 22

Art by @undercaffinatednightmare 🥰❤️😘

Summary: Killian comforts Emma when she wakes up from a nightmare.

A/N: FINE. I wrote short angst with a happy ending. There, @kmomof4 @cosette141 . Lol 😘😘 And thank you K for betaing. ❤️

Warnings: nightmares, brief mentions of violence/death (but no one is actually harmed)

Rated: T; Words: 485; AO3

——

“Killian!”

Emma awoke with a start, sitting up in a tearful panic, her cheeks wet, scrambling to figure out where she was. Clutching at the sheets, she found herself safe in their bed, Killian sleeping soundly next to her.

The relief of seeing him there calmed her breathing though she couldn’t stop trembling, and she was glad she hadn’t woken him this time. Her sleep had been plagued by nightmares more often than not anymore, which made for countless restless nights for them both.

In her dreams, she’d watched him torn from her arms again and again in the worst ways, her subconscious deciding she didn’t deserve him, didn’t deserve happiness and comfort after a lifetime of being lost and alone. As it drew from their reality and the ways she’d already lost him, she’d had to see him shot, impaled, drowned, tortured.

Tonight, his heart had been ripped from his chest by the man on whom he’d sworn to get revenge. Emma begged for him to let Killian go, even pleading that he take her instead, but he crushed it anyway, laughing while sobs wracked her body as Killian’s collapsed in front of her.

Now she intently watched his chest rise and fall, making sure he was truly alright. Lying back down next to him again, Emma carefully placed her hand there, a light touch she hoped wouldn’t stir him, feeling his heart beating under her palm. Her fingers absently toying with his necklace as she snuggled closer to his side.

Emma gasped softly as his hand moved to rest on hers, his fingers gently clasping it as he lifted her hand to his lips for a kiss before holding it tighter against his chest, knowing how it comforted her.

“I’m alright, love,” he reassured her. “We’re alright.”

“I’m sorry.” Emma’s voice was barely a whisper, apologetic. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I just—it was bad again, and I—I needed to check.”

“You’ve nothing to apologize for.” Killian smiled as he opened his eyes and turned toward her, glancing down between his legs. “I was just having a very different dream.”

“Of course you were,” Emma teased, rolling her eyes before kissing him softly.

What started rather chaste quickly became much more, both of them desperate for each other in the same way for different reasons. Emma kept her hand on his chest while the other anchored in his hair. Killian rolled them both, straddling her waist as he kissed away her tears, his palm cradling her head as he leaned his weight on his blunted wrist planted firmly on the mattress. Soon she bucked up into him, needing to touch more of him, and he ground down against her.

“I’m here, my darling,” Killian rasped, his voice still laced with the last remnants of sleep, though Emma could feel he was very much awake. “Let me show you I’m here.”

——

Tag list ❤️: @anothersworld @batana54 @darkcolinodonorgasm @deckerstarblanche @donteattheappleshook @elizabeethan @holdingoutforapiratehero @hollyethecurious @ilovemesomekillianjones @itsfabianadocarmo @jonesfandomfanatic @jrob64 @justanother-unluckysoul @karlyfr13s @klynn-stormz @kmomof4 @laschatzi @motherkatereloyshipper @qualitycoffeethings @resident-of-storybrooke @sotangledupinit @stahlop @teamhook @the-darkdragonfly @thejollyroger-writer @tiganasummertree @ultraluckycatnd @veryverynotgoodwrites @wefoundloveunderthelight @whimsicallyenchantedrose @xhookswenchx @xsajx @zaharadessert

[eleccy]

Let’s talk about... this.

<Enigmar> Well, how do you feel about the trial today?

<Phoenix> We'll get through it. Somehow.

Incidentally... the prosecutor today is a new guy, I hear.

<Enigmar> Ah... An easy win, then, yes?

<Phoenix> They're calling him a "true thoroughbred in the history of the prosecutor's office".

...Of course, there's one of those every year.

What does “thoroughbred” mean? It’s a reference to racing horses. It’s the definition of a racing horse that has good genes.

So, for example. Secretariat was basically the best-performing racing horse in history. When Secretariat was bred, his offspring sold at auction for thousands, and some millions - even before they were born! (Many of them turned out to be duds, go figure...) Even though the horse’s ability was completely unproven, the simple fact that they were a foal of Secretariat made them famous and valuable as racehorses by simple genetic association. They were like nepo (nepotism) babies (children of famous actors and directors who get into the film business through their connections to their parents and staked on their reputations).

The prosecutor that Zak and Phoenix are discussing here is Klavier. Which indicates... that the good genes that make him a “thoroughbred” lawyer are none other than Kristoph Gavin’s. This is even before the 7 year gap and Kristoph is already the Secretariat of the lawyering world (unless their parents or other relatives are in the law business too, but that’s unconfirmed). Since this is Klavier’s first trial, no one has any idea of how he’ll perform (other than his good standing from Themis preceding him) and already he’s being lauded as a prodigy prosecutor.

Why is this interesting? I mean, yeah, it’s funny, but...

I’ve been thinking about Kristoph’s black psychelocks lately. Why he took such extreme action to hide what he had done with the falsified evidence, with blaming Phoenix, the diary page and all. The explanation of black psychelocks given in AA5 by Pearls indicates that one who has these locks is not themselves aware of the secrets that they hold. Even they themselves may not, or in fact cannot, truly understand or acknowledge their own subconscious motivations for their actions.

“I killed Smith with a bottle because I am an evil human being“ (or somesuch nonsense). Kristoph says this with a sneer when Phoenix asks him why he killed Zak Gramarye. He constantly denies that he knew Smith was Zak. Certainly, Kristoph knows what he’s done, but he won’t explain why he’s done it, or connect it with those events. It’s all one big coincidence, eh?

Kristoph ended up pulling Klavier into his game in the Enigmar trial. As soon as Klavier called Drew Misham as a witness, he became an accomplice in Kristoph’s fraud. Were this truth to be revealed, it wouldn’t just be Kristoph’s reputation that would be dashed to pieces. Klavier’s law career would be over as well. His thoroughbred reputation would be ruined, and he would be seen as a corrupt lawyer - in an eerily similar way to what happened to Phoenix, too.

Basically, Kristoph was risking taking his brother’s reputation down with Phoenix’s, were the truth ever to be revealed.

I still think Kristoph defended his own reputation out of arrogance and no small amount of selfishness. But could it be, hidden away from himself, there was an altruistic and protective reason that would drive him so far as to kill to keep his secret? Could there be another, deeper reason behind his paranoia that all of this would become public knowledge?

He warns Klavier at the final Turnabout Succession testimony. Don’t do this, don’t ruin your reputation. Those were manipulative words, but... it’s hard to believe there’s not a grain of don’t ruin your dreams just because of me, I did what I had to do to protect you and I wish it hadn’t turned out this way.

I think that’s possible.

[thebladeblaster]

Digimon Tamer ZERO -Earth Arc-

Chapter 4 Nightmare Fight Part 2

“That’s impossible!”, Kai gasped as he backed away.

“That wasn’t just me making a convenient costume change to mess with you. You’ve seen what’s been happening to the rest of me in reality. He’s losing and being devoured. That’s why now I am Aichi because I’m being assimilated by the Void.”, Void Aichi explained.

“No…”, Kai growled.

“I know more than anyone that you’re too late. I’m perfectly aware of the condition of the rest of me. As I said it’s only a matter of time.”, Void Aichi replied with a content smile and closed eyes.

“I won’t allow it…I’m going to save you!”, Kai declared.

“That explains his extreme shift in behavior. When he was still mostly Tatsunagi he was taunting and playing with me but as he’s become more Aichi…he’s become more serious and cold…”, Kai thought as he met Void Aichi’s gaze.

“You can’t. Just give up. The Void has already taken near complete control of my body twice at this point. Maybe if you hadn’t proven yourself so untrustworthy recently I could have confided in you but it’s too late for that.”, Void Aichi replied.

“Don’t you dare give up, Aichi! I’ll attack! Burn it all away Overlord!”, Kai declared.

His damage had now exploded up to five as well but he wasn’t alarmed in the slightest even as he stared down a double critical.

“I guard.”, Void Aichi countered as he guarded with multiple grade zeros.

Kai gritted his teeth as he saw that no matter what he drew during his twin drive that he wasn’t breaking through. His turn ended and Void Aichi put his hand on his deck to draw his next card.

“I’ve really been such a fool. Since I was in grade school I knew the truth about people but I blindly ignored it because of this card you gave me. The moment I received it I became blinded by that false hope.”, Void Aichi explained.

“It wasn’t false. You’ve made friends. There’s countless people who have come to treasure you and couldn’t live without you.”, Kai objected.

“Friends…? Having them has just been painful…It’s only created a vulnerability which people have used to twist knives into my heart.”, Void Aichi replied.

Kai gritted his teeth as he looked down.

“That WAS my fault…because I unleashed Link Joker onto everyone. That’s not something that would normally happen. Besides, I doubt that’s how you REALLY feel. I thought that my actions under the reverse were completely my own but it had influenced me. That’s not to say I wasn’t responsible. I definitely was. I subconsciously knew and let it happen. I didn’t care as long as I continued to win.”, Kai explained.

“It’s all a pain…It hurts…It hurts too much. I’ve been in so much pain I just feel numb to it all now both physically and mentally. I WILL tear down those bonds chaining my heart!”, Void Aichi declared as he drew his card and started his turn.

This intensity…

It was definitely the kind that Aichi would give out but it was heavily distorted by the Void.

Void Aichi rode Gancelot’s break ride and filled his field with Gold Paladins effortlessly replacing the units he destroyed. Kai staggered back as he could just barely stand up to Void Aichi’s assault.

His hand was left nearly empty as Void Aichi looked down at Kai with disappointment.

“Is this how you felt when you used the reverse against me the first time? This resistance…it’s pathetic. It’s such a letdown. I haven’t fought in weeks yet you’re here on the ground barely clinging on.”, Void Aichi questioned.

“This fight hasn’t been decided yet! I’ll show you my true form! I crossride! Dragonic Overlord the End!”, Kai declared.

Void Aichi didn’t seem intimidated by the End’s presence unlike the previous time he faced it. He had to admit that Void Aichi had been playing absolutely perfectly and efficiently but he wouldn’t let something like that stop him. One thing he found odd though was that Aichi was messing around with the soul which he’s rarely done before. He would have to keep his guard up.

Kai was determined to wipe that expression off his face. That hopeless, empty expression…It was like he had been reverted to how he was before receiving Blaster Blade.

Aichi needed him again.

He needed him to save him.

And he would stop at NOTHING to do so. It was the least he owed Aichi. He would pull him back into the light to be with his friends kicking and screaming if that’s what it took. Most importantly…he would restore that hopeful smile and that pure optimism that could warm the coldest hearts. The one that melted his…even through the reverse.

Kai threw everything on the table without restraint. He was going to burn away the Void and its hold over Aichi. First in this illusion then in reality.

He burned away Void Aichi’s forces without mercy once more. Then he was battered with attacks.

Again and again…

He attacked, determined to burn the Void to ashes. No matter how many times he had to restand he would do so.

He snickered when Void Aichi threw down a perfect guard.

His whole assault was stopped cold.

“That’s it? That was boring, Kai. You think I don’t know how to deal with the End by now?”, Void Aichi questioned.

In reality…

Crusadermon easily scared off anyone in their path as they carried Kai back to Card Capital. Misaki and Emi instantly ran in when they returned with Kai and Dracomon.

“What’s going on with Kai?!”, Misaki questioned.

“We don’t know. We were hoping to find that out after getting him out of that mess outside.”, Kourin explained.

“It’s another Digimon. Is that Kai’s?”, Shin questioned.

“I’m Dracomon.”, Dracomon replied as he waved enthusiastically which made everyone sweat drop.

Any fears those inside had about the juvenile dragon melted away at its friendliness. It was quite ironic considering who his tamer was…the mostly unfriendly member of their group. They expected this out of Aichi’s partner, not Kai’s.

“Let’s lay him down.”, Shin said as he looked for a futon.

Heiressmon came out with his tail wagging at seeing another rookie.

“Oh! Friend! Friend! Wanna play?”, Heiressmon asked Dracomon as they sweat dropped.

“Children…”, Crusadermon grumbled.

The others focused on Kai as Dracomon looked over to Kai.

“Maybe later. Kai needs it. I can feel it.”, Dracomon replied.

Dracomon looked worried when he looked over to his partner. He had this ominous feeling like he was fighting for his life and there was nothing he could do to help.

With the Cardfight…

“I’m not done!”, Kai declared.

“You are. I’ve known how this fight was going to go since the beginning. My Psyqualia has been active after all. That’s why when I noticed that this fight wasn’t straying from my image I got bored.”, Void Aichi admitted.

“What?!”, Kai questioned.

“This is why I didn’t use my Psyqualia against you then…Kai. You weren’t worth it even while reversed. None of the reverse fighters were.”, Void Aichi explained.

“That’s not why…”, a voice that sounded like the normal Aichi echoed in his mind. It was very quiet and distant.

“As I told you before…I SHALL sever those bonds. The ones between me, you, and everyone else. It will all be reduced to nothingness. Just as you have…I crossbreak ride!”, Void Aichi continued.

Kai’s eyes widened in shock.

“That’s not Gancelot Zenith…”, Kai commented.

“No, it’s not. You know what it is, Kai. Descend, wayward knight stained with betrayal! With your blade you shall strike down your former Vanguard along with your former allies! Alter Liberator of Madness, Gancelot Яeverse!”, Void Aichi chanted.

Gancelot grabbed his head as he was engulfed in the darkness. A dark ooze appeared under him swallowing him whole. There was suddenly an explosion of power that sent Kai off his feet and shook the space around them. There was wind surging and converging on a single point.

Out from it emerged a shadow with glowing red eyes. He had black rings around his arms and legs. The horse was nowhere in sight. Instead the figure was on a demonic winged unicorn clad in white armored and black rings clearly, a Star Vader. It’s horn was a jagged blade. When the darkness cleared Gancelot’s armor was revealed to be pitch black like the Shadow Paladins. His glowing blue line on his armor and clothing turned red. Over his armor was a tattered black cloak. The most noticeable change was that his helmet now covered his whole head. The helmet now resembled a demon.

Kai’s eyes were wide as he drank in the sight of a Gold Paladin reverse unit. It felt…wrong.

“This isn’t right…an evil card like this doesn’t suit you, Aichi.”, Kai commented.

“You say that as if I care for your opinion.”, Void Aichi replied dismissively as he replaced his decimated front row.

Aichi had only two cards left in his hand.

That was some hope.

He just needed a heal trigger.

“It won’t come against Gancelot and it won’t matter regardless. Now…I attack!”, Void Aichi declared.

Kai took the hit knowing it was best to get a heal trigger sooner than later. He needed a heal trigger to survive this barrage.

He sweated as he slowly revealed his damage. It was a heal trigger which meant he had some hope to survive this turn.

From there Kai guarded with everything he had. Gancelot struck him harshly and his whole body ringed with pain but he was fine.

“Counterblast.”, Void Aichi said as he flipped over two damage.

All of his other Gold Paladins had suddenly become locked by their own ally. Truly a knight stained with betrayal…

“It’s good that you guarded my attack. Otherwise I couldn’t show you this. Be яeborn, Gancelot…from the depths of hell! Superior ride!”, Void Aichi declared as Kai was agast.

He superior rode another Gancelot яeverse.

“My Vanguard gains +5000 power and for every Gancelot in my soul my Vanguard gains a critical!”, Void Aichi explained.

“That’s…!”, Kai gasped.

After Aichi’s soul shenanigans he had two extra Gancelot’s in soul along with his other two. To his horror Gancelot restood ready to attack him again.

Alter Liberator of Madness, Gancelot Яeverse POWER 13000 + (4x5000) = 33000

Critical 1->4

“Drive check! No trigger! Second check…”, Void Aichi said as Kai was sweating bullets.

The reborn Gancelot was already more than enough even with his heal trigger. He had no more cards left to guard with. He only had three heal triggers left. It was already impossible for him to survive this attack.

But even then…

Void Aichi wordlessly revealed a critical trigger.

That made five crits.

Gancelot shot towards him at rapid speeds. He pierced through the End’s chest with just the air pressure of his thrust. Kai clutched his chest as he separated from the End who faded into nothing. His limbs felt heavy as his body was soaring in pain.

No amount of heal triggers could save him as he received his final damage. Void Aichi stood above him with that unempathic and cold look that creeped onto Aichi’s face in their last meeting. Kai struggled to make his body move through the soaring pain.

“Aichi has been through worse…He’s been through worse…”, Kai thought as he tried to reach his feet.

Void Aichi knocked him back down with a kick, making his pain worse. His boot was planted onto Kai’s chest. His clothes he had been wearing had changed as the Link Joker aura waved across him. It had been replaced with a black tailcoat with the same colors of the reverse: black, red, and white. It was as if the Void intended to lay its claim over Aichi by making him dawn its colors.His shoes were now boots and under his jacket was a white dress shirt.

It seemed like clothes FAR fancier than anything he could imagine the bluenette wearing in reality. Void Aichi looked over his new attire.

“I suppose it’s more fitting for what’s coming. I wonder…”, Void Aichi commented.

Kai’s eyes widened in shock when the same sword he brandished against himself appeared in Void Aichi’s hands. He raised the blade over Kai as that twisted smile finally returned.

“Through attacking an image of me you surrendered yourself to the Void. I wonder if striking an image of you would have the same effect on me. Removing any lingering resistance against the Void…”, Void Aichi continued as he met his gaze.

He could see a flicker of scarlet in Void Aichi’s eyes as he said so that along with the wicked smile made him believe that he was dealing with purely the Void again.

Kai caught the blade as he stabbed down. His hand bled as he struggled to keep the blade away from his chest. He found his hand slipping and smearing his blood down the blade. Despite him pushing it back with two hands, Void Aichi used one hand which was pushed down with unnatural strength.

He was toying with him again.

He’ll make it regret it.

In reality…

The others had gotten Kai laid down on a futon with a blanket over his.

“G-gah! Is that blood?!”, Kamui questioned.

“What…?”, Misaki gasped with a stunned expression.

Blood was dripping from Kai’s hands in real life. They had the cuts from grasping the blade.

“Kai!”, Miwa called out as he ran over to him.

Miwa ripped off his sleeve without hesitation to wrap it around Kai’s wounds.

“Do you guys have any alcohol for disinfectant?!”, Miwa questioned in panic.

“I’ll get it!”, Shin replied, practically sprinting to get a hold of some.

“We need to apply pressure to his wound.”, Misaki said as she held out a hand.

Shin nearly slipped as he handed her the bottle. She poured it over Kai’s cuts and Miwa quickly wrapped the ripped sleeves around the cuts tightly. The others looked anxious as they watched.

“Come on, Kai! Wake up!”, Miwa called out.

Dracomon stayed glued to his side and tried licking him awake.

“Wake up, Kai!”, Dracomon called out.

In the image…

“A-Aichi…! You can’t…let the Void win!”, Kai barely got out as his breaths were heavy.

“With this my heart will return to being empty just as it was before. So…when you think about it me and the Void are a perfect match. This isn't corruption. This is simply returning things to their natural order.”, Void Aichi replied.

Kai summoned all of his strength to grip the blade tightly. His hands were shaking as the blade neared his chest.

It was getting so close.

“K-Kai!”, he heard the concerned voice of Dracomon through the illusion.

“Dracomon…”, Kai thought.

A static filled image filled Kai’s mind.

“Kai…do you think we’ll meet again outside the Digital World?”, a voice came from a young boy whose face was obscured.

It sounded like Aichi.

“We definitely will. With Dracomon and Kotemon too.”, he heard himself say and then he smiled at the boy.

Kai gritted his teeth as he felt the fire inside him stirring up again. He didn’t understand what that image was but it made his resolve grow. Within his pocket a tiny device glowed. It was that of the V-pet which morphed into the Digivice and was emblazoned with a red symbol. The brunette pushed back past the pain.

He DEFINITELY won’t let the Void win.

Not like this!

Void Aichi’s smile dropped looking unamused at the interference of the Digivice.

Kai unconsciously reached for his pocket as he tried to tilt the sword away from his heart. The Void had suddenly decided to stop taunting the brunette and thrust the sword downwards.

However Kai was not greeted with more pain. He had stopped mid thrust and the hand holding the sword was now shaking.

“Aichi…”, Kai said.

The bluenette’s eyes were shadowed as sweat rolled across his face.

“W-what…? I won’t…”, Aichi muttered as his eyes were revealed to have light in them for a moment.

Kai wasted no time and aimed his Digivice at Aichi as he seemed to drift in and out being under the Void’s influence. A light erupted from Digivice hitting him. The bluenette hissed in pain as he dropped the sword. The reverse suddenly completely returned as Kai was knocked out of the image.

In reality…

Aichi shot up from his bed breathing heavily as his skin was caked with sweat. Dynasmon sat by his bedside silently guarding him like a century. He seemed to be back in his house. The royal knight must have brought him there after he passed out.

Why was he so tired…?

The bluenette wiped away the sweat from his brow.

“Was that a dream…?”, Aichi thought.

When he woke up his memory of it seemed to be rather foggy and lacking details. He felt like he was there kinda…or was he in the background? Was he fighting? Was he a spectator? His mind was spinning again as he felt very confused.

Did he try to stab Kai?!

He thinks remembers something vaguely involving a sword.

He couldn’t recall…

Dynasmon was close to his side wiping away the sweat with a towel.

“Thank you, Dynasmon.”, Aichi said.

“I believe you had some sort of nightmare. You seemed very distressed.”, Dynasmon replied.

“I did. It was scary from what remember…I hardly can though. You shouldn’t worry about it.”, Aichi admitted.

He felt himself checking his deck just in case…A few Link Joker cards had materialized out of nowhere but there was no Gancelot яeverse.

“So, that was just a dream…more like a nightmare.”, Aichi thought as he laid back.

“That lowly virus is scheming isn’t it?”, Dynasmon questioned.

“Yeah…I don’t know what it is but…I really can’t be around my friends. I think it wants to hurt them…”, Aichi replied.

“What shall our next move be?”, Dynasmon questioned as Aichi pulled up the covers.

“We’ll try to find…Gatomon, Barbamon, or…Daemon…I’m just…”, Aichi murmured before he passed out again.

Dynasmon grumbled as he put a new towel over Aichi’s head.

“That damn virus…First it’s Beezlemon now that damn thing is stalling us.”, Dynasmon grumbled.

Of course he was WELL aware that it was running out Aichi’s clock intentionally and he couldn’t exactly leave Aichi alone in good conscience in this state to fight. So, their mission would be delayed until the Void was done messing with them.

With Kai…

“Kai!”, Dracomon squeaked as Kai shot up covered his sweat.

Kai needed to wipe his face as he felt that his face was covered in salvia. Miwa pushed him back down gently.

“Kai, you’re injured. Lay down.”, Miwa said.

Kai looked down at his wrapped up hands.

“What happened?!”, Misaki questioned.

The gang was huddled around the brunette. He was not a fan of crowds…

“I think I found a way to save Aichi.”, Kai replied.

Everyone looked shocked at Kai’s words. Kai looked down to his pocket. Without him saying anything Dracomon brought out Kai’s Digivice and put it in his lap. Five of them froze when they stared at the Digivice. It looked eerily familiar as they were hit by a strong sense of deja vu.

“This thing was able to affect the Void. If we have more we might be able to completely purge it from Aichi.”, Kai explained.

To be continued…