#back in the mines (wick's end dog au)

[eightyuh]

Freya would definitely be an aggressively playful dog, and Harry would try his best to spare Glen by doing damage control

[sunarc]

All Mine

Synopsis: Atsumu knows the two of you are just friends with benefits but he is a jealous man and seeing Suna touch what’s his sends rage through his body. The next best thing to do is fuck you until his name is the only thing you know how to say.

Cw: smut, frat au, alcohol, cussing, breeding kink, easy access reader wearing skirt with no panties hehe, biting, dirty talk, fingering, jealous Atsumu, public sex technically (your in a bathroom) Atsumu is a cocky little shit at the end, afab reader, a little spanking, mentions of people listening in, unprotected sex, he calls the reader pretty, weird alcohol concoction 

wc:2K

Atsumu can’t stand it. The way your eyes twinkle looking at him makes him feel physically sick. You’re smiling way too hard at him. Suna isn’t even that funny so what could he have possibly said to make you laugh so hard. He watched in disgust as your hand pushed against his shoulder in a playful manner. 

“He’s not even that funny” he voiced to Hinata over the loud music.

“Here, drink this, it'll make you feel better.” 

Hinata held out a cup filled with brown juice. He gave Atsumu a drunk yet eager smile waiting for him to try the concoction. 

“What is this?” Atsumu unwillingly tore his eyes away from you and Suna to look at Hinata. 

“I call it The Wicked Queef” Hinata nodded his head proud with the title. “Bokuto and I made it in the kitchen with something special.” 

“I’d rather not drink something named after a pussy fart” Atsumu turned away to look back at the pair that previously held his attention only to see the two long gone. 

“Shit” he walked off into a random direction in search of you with Hinata following closely behind.

“What is it? Did you want your own cup of Wicked Queef?”

Atsumu rolled his eyes. You were somewhere lost in the party, probably sucking faces with Suna. Atsumu felt his stomach churn and it wasn’t from the smell of Hinata and Bokuto’s weird mixture. 

“No, it’s Y/N she’s with that assface and I need to find them” his words were rushed as he pushed through the crowd. He opened the door to a backyard patio to see stragglers smoking and chatting. The area was big with a firepit and empty seats surrounding it. Atsumu sat in a chair by the slowly dying fire with a frustrated sigh.

“You guys aren’t even dating so why do you care?” Hinata slurred the words. He stood in front of Atsumu, two stepping off beat to the music from inside.

Atsumu let out a frustrated groan. Of course he knew that the two of you weren’t officially a thing but that didn’t change how he felt. You were his and seeing you flirt with Suna of all people sent fury racing through his blood. He knew what he was doing the moment he made you ride him in the backseat of his car. You had him in a deep trance. Your perfect moans and the way you whimpered his name, Atsumu didn’t want you to ever moan the name of another person again. He leaned his head back groaning at the words. 

“Does that really even matter?” he knew it mattered. You weren’t his to claim, so why was he so dead set on making that claim.

“Well yeah” Hinata stared at Atsumu with a blank stare. “It does matter because now your sitting out here jealous and grumpy”

“I’m not-” his words were cut off by the sliding door opening by none other than you. 

There you stood smiling so brightly. How could a person be so pretty? Atsumu’s heart pattered in his chest. A small smile began to form on his face until a tall figure appeared close behind you following like a lap dog. He rolled his eyes and folded his arms in a childish pout. 

“Why so grumpy?” you chuckled at him.

He looked up meeting your eyes. For a second all else disappeared. The tunes of an overplayed song faded away. The banter between Hinata and Suna about his weird juice disappeared and all that was left was you. 

“Ya look really- oh” his eyes trailed your body to see the fingers wrapping around your shoulder.

A scowl formed on his face. Fucking Suna. He sat back in his chair watching the two of you laugh and banter. Atsumu’s eyes were almost hurting from rolling them so hard. After what seemed like hours you stood up declaring you were going to the bathroom. Atsumu’s eyes followed your figure before getting up and following you leaving Suna behind with Hinata.

“It’s called Wicked Queef you should try it” Hinata slurred to Suna

“It smells like shit”

Atsumu squeezed past the crowd, eyes never leaving you. You reached the bathroom up stairs but before you could close the door Atsumu’s hand pushed it wider following you inside. You smiled watching him close the door behind himself. 

“I knew you were following me you creep” 

Atsumu ignored your comment, instead pushing you up against the sink. His hand grabbed your jaw and directed your face towards his own. His breath fanned against your lips.

“So Suna?” his voice was deep and if you weren’t so close to him you probably wouldn’t have heard him. 

You smirked at the rage in his eyes. 

“Is someone jealous?” you didn’t need him to say it out loud. From the way he gripped your jaw to the way he pressed his lower half against you exposed everything you need to know.

Atsumu chuckled at your words.

“You must’ve forgotten” his words were paired with his free hand sliding up the skirt you were wearing to your core. “Let me help you remember” His fingers massaged a circle against your clit.

“No panties?” A shocked look flashed across his face.

His lips attached to your neck sucking recklessly. 

You let out a vibrant moan as he shoved two thick fingers into your already leaking hole. His fingers rocked back and forth at an achingly slow pace. You pulled his body impossibly closer as moans fell past your lips. 

“Please Sumu, faster” you pleaded. 

Atsumu ignored your words humming at the desperation in your voice. His fingers danced against your gummy walls leaving you a shaking mess. You moved your hips against his hand matching his movements. You leaned your head back against the mirror behind you. Whimpers flowed past your lips. You felt yourself growing closer to a release. 

“Go ahead, cum on my fingers , I can feel you getting close.”

His words were like music to your ears. You were a stuttering mess feeling his fingers fuck you through your orgasm. Atsumu pulled his fingers from you and brought them to his lips. His eyes met yours as he sucked his fingers, licking the mess you had left behind. His fingers left his plump lips with a line of drool following. His rough hands pulled your shirt up revealing your chest and tossed it behind him. You would have yelled at him for throwing your shirt on a frat party floor but before you could speak he turned you around and bent you over the sink. He pulled your skirt down leaving it to pool at your ankles.You whined at the roughness but your whines were met with a harsh smack to your ass. Atsumu’s hands massaged the fat of your ass, spreading them and smacking your cheeks. He unzipped his pants to pull his cock free. He liked this feeling of power, having you completely naked for him, your cunt drooling for his cock.

“This what you wanted hm?” he questioned as he rubbed his cock between your folds. “Wanted me to fuck this pretty pussy huh?”

You whined at his words. 

“You know what I want” His cock prodded at your hole. He slowly dipped the tip of his cock into you. 

“I want you to scream my name while I fuck this sloppy hole” with that he pushed himself into you without warning. 

His cock plunged in and out of your hole mercilessly. You moaned his name voice barely above a whisper.Atsumu loved a good challenge, he was determined to hear you scream.

 He groaned at the feeling of you sucking him in. Your wet walls seemed to clench around him each time he pushed himself into you. Your hands grabbed at the sink as an attempt to hold yourself up. Atsumu’s hips slammed against you at a quick pace. You pushed your body up from the sink. 

“Fuck ‘tsumu feels so good”

He pushed you back down against the sink. His hand came up to your hair gripping it just enough for you to lift your head. His other hand was pressed against your back deepening your arch. 

“Yea?” he chuckled

“Scream my name” his voice was rough as he fucked you. “Let them know who’s making you feel this good.

He felt himself becoming more and more territorial as his name echoed from your mouth like a chorus. He leaned his head back, pleased from the sex and your voice . A smile spread across his face as he thought of all the possible ears pressed against the door listening to him take his claim over you. 

“Tell them” he growled “Tell them who this pussy belongs to” 

He bullied his cock so deep into you your eyes were rolling back and you began to slur his name. It was as if it was the only thing left in your vocabulary. The stretch felt so good you felt your legs growing weak. Atsumu’s hands moved down to your hips pulling you down onto his cock. 

“That’s it” his eyes watched the way your ass recoiled from the rough thrust. “Take this cock baby” he groaned.

He clawed at your skin leaving his own personal print on you. 

“ ‘Tsumu I-I’m gonna”

“Go ahead cum on my cock baby, make a fucking mess”

Your legs trembled as you reached your release. You moaned and pushed yourself back onto his cock. His grip on your hips tightened . He rocked his hips back and forth and quickened his pace. His eyes were trained on where the two of you met. He was so focused his mouth hung open with drool dripping down the side of his mouth. Your cunt felt so delicious pulling him in. 

“Mine” he growled. His thrust grew sloppier yet rougher 

“Mine” he chanted the word with each thrust.

He leaned down, biting your shoulder as his orgasm neared. 

“You’re mine” he groaned the words into your ear “Don't ever forget that”

His stilled his movements moaning your name, allowing his cum to spill inside you. Atsumu pressed his lips to your shoulder and pulled himself from you with a satisfied sigh. He watched you trying to catch your breath still leaning against the bathroom sink. You looked so pretty with his cum dripping down your thigh. Atsumu fixed his pants and pulled your skirt back up before grabbing your shirt that laid tossed on the floor. He handed you the shirt with a soft smile. You reached for it only for him to pull it back with a smirk. 

“You can go back to Suna if you want” he placed the shirt in your hand smiling at your shocked face “But don’t you dare forget whose cum is dripping down those pretty thighs of yours”

He pressed his lips against yours giving you a passionate kiss. He stood up and walked towards the door and turned around with a devilish smirk.

“And don’t try to clean up my little mess, keep it wet for me okay?” he gave you a small wave with an innocent smile “ Enjoy the party pretty”

[hopelesslyinlovewithanime]

Ohma tokita x reader part 2 berserk au (remake)

Three years have passed since ohma joined the band of the hawk. Ohma has made many friends and he's proud to be called one of them. "Ohma can I have a word with you..." but there was always one thing that was bothering him.... "are you fucking crazy" that's right your undeniable hatred for him. you stood behind ohma infuriated with his recklessness during the mission. He calmly listened as you raged at his behavior.

" YOU COULDVE GOTTEN SOMEBODY KILLED YOU DAMN FOOL!" Ohma sighed as he then got up from his seating position Turning to look at you "I'm sorry alright it won't happen again" you gritted your teeth " it's always the same! Just talk!"You said as you then walk up to him pressing up against him with one hand on your hip and the other pointing a finger at his chest "nothings changed since the three years you've been with us your a asshole a dam brute, a mad dog who could care less about his comra-"you gasp as ohma gripped your wrist glaring at you feeling offended at your words. " Don't you ever fucking say that again ever! I do care about the hawks I do!" Your eyes widened at how his eyes held so much care to what he was saying.

"Please no fighting on this most celebratory of days" you both turn to the voice as you see "SUNA!" You both say in unison. "(y/n) may I have a talk with ohma please...alone" He said as you then yank your wrist from ohmas grip. You walk past setsuna before stopping behind him "setsuna you show him to much kindness" you said as you then continue to walk away letting setsuna and ohma talk. Suna sighs "You guys still fight just as much as the day you two met... things really haven't changed during these three years".

ohma sat there for a second " three years huh..." setsuna sat next to him as he smiles up towards the golden sky "yes it's been three years since our duel...such an exciting duel..." ohma looked at setsuna "kiriyu I'm sorry about the fight today..." setsuna got up beginning to walk away before turning around " since when have you been so formal.... all I ask is for you to fight for my sake ohma.... since your mine..." setsuna continued to walk off as ohma watched from a distance.

It was the next day and another tough battle. While fighting you feel a sudden pain in your lower abdomen as you groan in pain "not now..."you whispered as you then hear a wicked chuckle. You quickly look up as you glare at the enemy.

Of course it had to be a random asshole that pushed your buttons. " so your the woman who leads a thousand men ... well if you ask me I believe women shouldn't play at being soilders." You gritted your teeth as you in to attack him only to be thrown off your horse as you then land on your feet. the two of you swing your swords until your cornered by a cliff you look behind you and then quickly glare at him until you noticed the creep raise his sword above your head. You position your sword in order to block the incoming impact of his sword shutting your eyes tightly.

You hear a clang but felt no force hit you so you look up only for Your eyes to widened as you see ohma blocked the hit for you "OHMA!" He then looked at you " what's the matter with you?" He then ended the fight slamming the handle of the sword into the guys teeth causing him to fall back. Ohma then turned to you as he proceeded to walk up to you " Hey focus you could have been killed.." as ohma spoke your vision became blurry as you felt your eyes become heavy slowly feeling yourself fall backwards until your caught by ohma.

"Hey ( y/n) snap out of it (y/n)!" He then grunted as he felt something sharp hit his side he turned to be met with the sight of an arrow in him he glared at the bastard that shot him as you both begin to fall off the cliff with ohma wrapping you in a protective hug squeezing you tightly as you both fell. " OHMA! (Y/N)!" ohma caught a glimpse of cosmo staring down with a very concerned expression as you both eventually land in water.

After cosmo reported the incident to Setsuna he is immediately upset that he had lost both of his strongest soilders he decided he needed to find you both as soon as possible. He eventually turned to his comrades sending them to look from top to bottom so they could find you. But little did they know you two eventually did find shelter in a cave, ohma sighed as he sees you shivering in your sleepy state he sighed in irritation as he then removes your shirt laying you back down gently.

He then removes your pants noticing a red stain. 'shit she's injured'he thought until he noticed where the blood was coming from and it was between your legs. He sighs nodding to himself as he finally understands why you've been acting so strangely today. Must be hard he thought....being a woman. He then lifted you up gently into his lap as he holds you in his arms. holding you close as rain clouds soon begin to build up aa he held you in his arms warming your body with his.

[reigenaratakaswife]

Bakugou x reader part 2 berserk au

Three years have passed since bakugou joined izuku. Bakugou has made many friends here and even learned to appreciate what he has, he's proud to be called one of them. "Bakugou can I have a word with you..." but there was always one thing that was bothering him.... "are you fucking crazy" that's right your undeniable hatred for him. you stood behind bakugou infuriated with his recklessness during the mission. He calmly listened as you raged at his behavior.

" YOU COULDVE GOTTEN SOMEBODY KILLED YOU DAM FOOL!" Bakugou sighed as he then got up from his seating position Turning to look at you "I'm sorry won't happen again" you gritted your teach " it's always the same! Just talk!"You said as you then walk up to him"nothings changed since the three years you've been with us your a  asshole a dam brute, a mad dog who could care less about his comra-"you gasp as bakugou gripped your wrist  glaring at you feeling offended at your words.

"That's not true I do care about them I do!" Your eyes widened at how his eyes held so much care to what he was saying. "Please no fighting on this most celebratory of days" you both turn to the voice as you see "ZUKU!" You both say in unison as you then yank your wrist from bakugou's grip. You walk past lotor before stopping behind him "izuku you show him to much kindness" you said as you then continue to walk away as you let izuku and bakugou talk.

"You guys still fight just as much as the day you two met... things really haven't changed during these three years."bakugou sat there for a second " three years huh..." bakugou sat next to him as he smiles up towards the golden sky "yes it's it's three years since our duel...such an exciting duel..." bakugou looked at izuku"izuku I'm sorry about the fight today..." lotor got up beginning to walk away before turning around " fight for my sake bakugou... since your mine..." izuku continued to walk off as bakugou watched from a distance.

It was the next day and another tough battle. While fighting you feel a sudden pain in your lower abdomen as you groan in pain "not now..."you whispered as you then hear a wicked chuckle. You quickly look up as you glare at the enemy. Of course it had to be a rando that pushes your buttons. " so your the woman who leads a thousand men ... well if you ask me I believe women should play at being soilders."

You gritted your teach as the two of you swing your swords until your cornered by a cliff you look behind you and then quickly glare at him  until you notices the creep raise his sword above your head. You position  your sword in order to block the incoming impact of his sword. Your eyes widened as you see bakugou blocked the his for you "BAKUGOU!"

He then looked at you " what's the matter with you?" He then ended slamming the handle of the sword into the guys teeth causing the his teeth to bend and break in an unnatural way making him fall back. Bakugou then turned to you  as he proceeded to walk up to you " Hey focus you could have been killed.." as bakugou spoke your vision became blurry as you felt your eyes become heavy slowly feeling yourself fall backwards until your caught by bakugou.

"Hey ( y/n) snap out of it (y/n)" He then grunted as he felt something sharp hit his side he turned to be met with the sight of an arrow in him he glared at the bastard that shot him as you both begin to fall off the cliff with bakugou wrapping you in a protective hug squeezing you tightly as you both fell. " BAKUGOU! (Y/N)!" Bakugou caught a glimpse of kirishima staring down with a very concerned expression as you both eventually land in water.

Izuku soon catches word of you two falling and is immediately upset that he had lost both of his strongest soilders he decided he needed to find them as soon as possible. He eventually turned to his comrades sending them to look from top to bottom so they could find them. But little did they know you two eventually did find shelter in a cave, bakugou sighed as he sees you shivering in your sleep state he sighed in irritation as he then removes your shirt laying you back down gently.

He then removes your pants noticing a red stain. shit she's injured he thought until he noticed where the blood was coming from and it was between your legs. He sighs nodding to himself as he finally understands why you've been acting so strangely today.

Must be hard he thought....being a woman as he holds you in his arms holding you close as rain clouds soon begins to build up. It's gonna be a long night he thought as he held you in his arms warming your body with his.

[deliciousangelfestival]

Masterlist (Updated July 2024)

Jake 'Hangman' Seresin - Top Gun Maverick (October 2023)

- Cold But Sweet (Part 1)

- No Boyfriend But Not Single (Part 2)

Steve Rogers

-Wicked Love (Series) (On-Going) (Mafia AU)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4,-

-Loving You Is Too Difficult (Angst) (COMPLETED)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Epilogue.

Alternate Ending : 

I Don’t Love You Anymore .  

-Reunion (One-Shot), Reunion Why It took Her Ten Years. (Modern AU)

   Drabble : -When You Found Out You Were Pregnant

                    -Bucky As a Silly Uncle

-Strawberry Kisses & Candy Wine (CEO AU)

-My Problematic Girl (College!Steve Rogers) 2023 Series

- I Did Drugs For You - Oneshot (October 2023)

- Zero Crush (October 2023)

- Tiny Soldier (October 2023)

Ransom Drysdale - AU

Oneshot:

-I’m All Yours 

-He Changed A Lot 

Drabble:

- Ice Age 

- Sports Car 

- Afternoon Walk

- He didn’t want a dog

- Oat Biscuits

- Can’t Handle The Cuteness

- His Hidden Hobby

- Little Miss Diva

- Business Trip

- His Rival

- Little Detective

- His Birthday

Bucky Barnes

-“Make Yourself At Home.”

-Supportive Boyfriend

-King Of Spoiler

-His Silly Princess (November 2023)

- Frosty Affection (November 2023)

- Love Lesson (November 2023)

-Cryptic Rivalry (November 2023)

-Arrogant Ex Husband (November 2023) - Series

-Harmony Of Hearts - Oneshot

-Tears In His Ferrari (December 2023) - Series Completed

-Cozy Secrets (December 2023) - Series

-Glad You Broke Up (January 2024) - Series (R19)

-Silent Heir, Hidden Dangers (January 2024) - Series

-Curses from Ex-Boyfriend (January 2024) - Oneshot

-Echoes Of Revenge (January 2024) - Oneshot

-Secret Sorrows (January 2024) - Series (On-Going)

-Let Me Love You (February 2024) - Series (Completed)

-Underworld Insomnia (February 2024) - (Ongoing)

-Lovers Say Goodbye (February 2024) - (Ongoing)

-Past Connections (Oneshot) (March 2024)

-The Lady - Mob!Bucky and Eddie Horniman from The Gentlemen

-Mischief Makers - If Y/N has kids with Bucky or Eddie

-Guilt (Oneshot) April 2024

-Love Me A Little - April 2024

-Did I Make You Proud? - April 2024

-Unexpected Trip - April 2024

-Mission Dad - April 2024

-Flour Power - May 2024

-Nothing Has Changed - May 2024 - On-Going

- The Malicious Daughter Is Back! June 2024 - On-Going

-I Hate It When You're Drunk - July 2024

-Another Ending - August 2024

- Darling, Bad Luck Seems Endless

- The Imperfect Couple - September 2024

Lloyd Hansen

- 3 Billion Divorce

-Every Time You Lie

- Switched Sides

- I'll Be Sad If You... (Oneshot) October 2023

-Be Mine - April 2024

-Bad Romance - May 2024

-Feeling Blue Without You - June 2024

Buy me Ko-fi please 🥹

Divider from @firefly-graphics

[sesskagarchive]

Do you know any sesskag dubcon/rape fics?

Hello anon, thanks for asking.

We decided to compile a list so here are some recommended fics for Dubcon/rape. Some of these even come with Sequels! Happy Reading!

Admin Wicked/k9plus1

DUBCON LIST:

A Curse of Lust by Squash/Fearless miko:

Posted On: Dokuga, FF.net,  Rating: MA Summary: A lusty curse leaves the females in Inuyasha's group running for their lives...and towards their destiny! 

A Mere Digression, by elle6778:

Posted on: Dokuga  Rating: M Summary: A digression was what Sesshoumaru called it. ‘It’ being the heated encounters between him and Kagome which took place simply because neither of them could resist. Heed warnings and notes in the first chapter.

A Woman!, by sugar0o:

Posted On: Dokuga, FF.net , Rating: M Summary: Based somewhat off the idea of Mulan, staring our fav paring Sess/kags, AU, their both demons, because well it makes it easier, and I don’t want to make Sess human, its not right! [lemon w/a plot] this has 2 points, I want to write a lemon to get more comfortable with them, also I want to explore detailing my writing, I will ask that you give serious reviews/critiques, bc I want to learn from this, not just entertain and enthrall. *COMPLETE as of 9/3/9*

Acquisition, Possession, Seduction, by Mistress Sianna: 

Posted On: Dokuga, FF.net Rating: M Summary: “Do not think for one moment that you can escape me.” he said slowly, deliberately. \"You Higurashi Kagome, are mine! Only I will decide if you will stay, if you will go, if you will live or if you will die.\"

Alpha, by Lyra/ lyrainthedark:

Posted On: Dokuga, FF.net Rating: M Summary: Kagome mates Inuyasha...but Inuyasha was reluctant. Why? Pack politics...and his brother, who is Alpha. What that means will take time to learn, if Kagome can only live long enough for the lessons... Finally Complete!

Bound by Corruption, by BelovedStranger/ Two Hearts:

Posted On: Dokuga. AO3, FF.net   Rating: M Summary: Inside every individual, darkness dwelled large or small. A young woman, cast under her elder sister’s shadow, was bent on proving her worth. A terrible threat hung over her village, giving Kagome the opportunity she had been waiting for. On a mission to save them all from the hearts of evil men, she journeyed to the Inu no Kami’s temple to beseech divine intervention. Instead, danger befell the headstrong woman. Rather than obtaining help from a merciful god, another stepped in to slaughter her enemies, but for a price. An Inugami did nothing for free. Status: Completed

Detrimental Desires, by Mistress Sianna:

Posted on: Dokuga  Rating: M Summary: The idea was to make Inuyasha kill Kagome. Little did Naraku know, that on the night of the new moon, Inuyasha looses his demonic powers. Instead, Sesshoumaru and Kagome will be forced to succumb to their most detrimental desires.

Fix It, by Smortz:

Posted On: Dokuga. Rating: M Summary:  When Sesshomaru needs Kagome to help him, she takes advantage of the dog demon now in her debt. As they set out on a new journey, will Kagome be able to overcome the problem that arises? Pun Intended.

He Must be Breeding, by ChaoticReverie:

Posted On: Dokuga  Rating: M Summary: Sesshomaru requires the perfect female to bear his heir, and Kagome… well, she doesn’t know how she gets herself into these messes.

Heated Blood by Imani Joain:

Posted On: Dokuga, FF.net, AO3 Rating: M Summary: Kagome cannot help but try to fix anything she finds broken, even if it is not in her best interest to do so. When she comes across Sesshomaru in dire need of assistance, she cannot deny herself. She only hopes that he won't kill her for it. Rated MA for graphic intimacy. Staus: WIP

House of Ill Repute, by Aurora Antheia Raine:

Posted On: Dokuga, FF.net, AO3 Rating: M Summary:  "I will never be yours." // "But you will be, miko," he nearly purred, "you will be when this Sesshoumaru is finished with you."

Irresistible Temptation, by DestinysTears:

Posted On: Dokuga, FF.net     Rating: M Summary: Sesshomaru finds he cannot ignore this inexplicable temptation. (Oneshot)

Just Another Lemon, by Tiegrsi: 

Posted on: Dokuga Rating: M Summary: Sesshomaru has gone into heat, and finds Kagome willing to put up with his antics. Kagome thinks he was unable to find a suitable woman, and came to her as a last resort. Perhaps there are some things Kagome needs to learn

Lair, Lair, by susie: 

Posted On: Dokuga   Rating: M Summary: After nearly being nearly absorbed, Sesshoumaru's Bakusaiga is forged, and we all know the rest of the story... or do we? In a deal with Sunrise to accelerate the events of TFA, part of the infamous manga was left on the cutting room floor. Though the hack job began well before that. For the sake of public decency, and in accordance with Japan's obscenity laws, the spiciest and most controversial scenes from the original manga were banned from ever seeing the light of day. Until now. On the condition of anonymity, a diligent hacker provided via email a copy of the raw version you were never meant to see. This is Inuyasha Nights – The Lost Chapter *Dubcon

Macaria, by mythicamagic:

Posted on: Dokuga, FF.net, AO3 Rating: M Summary: Post-apocalyptic AU. Human women were all but wiped out when the demons took over. What few remain have gone into hiding or concealed their true gender. When Kagome hears news of an orphaned little girl, she'll stop at nothing to protect her from the dangers of the world- including the city of demons and the infamous Killing Perfection. But is he friend or foe? Status: WIP

Not Impervious, by Oroyukae: 

Posted On: Dokuga   Rating: M Summary: He was supposed to be the most powerful demon in existence; one that none could best in any situation, at any time. That was not entirely accurate, it would seem. One error in judgment at the most vulnerable of times, and all that he knows lay in jeopardy. Just what would said being be willing to agree to in the direst of circumstances? {FIN}

Passion, by CiraArana:

Posted On: Spark, Rating: M Summary: Sesshomaru turned to her and gazed back. He did nothing else, just standing there, looking at her... As he kept his eyes on her, his lust for blood and killing faded away, leaving behind another lust. For her. Status: Abandoned

Poison of Erised!, by Vyncent:

Posted On: Dokuga, Rating: M Summary: Tomorrow night, brother moon would be witness to the music that he heard, and felt in his very soul, as he howled his conquest to his blood red face. Tomorrow his hunger would be fed by the blood and flesh that he hungered for, and the world would know of his claim. Status: Abandoned

Poison Within, by Angelic Memories:

Posted On: Dokuga, FF.net    Rating: MA Summary: *Two-Shot* Due to a nasty bite Kagome is poisoned and fights for her life. Inuyasha can only think of one person who might be able to help her but there’s a problem he didn’t consider.

Secret Possession. By SakuraAngel1:

Posted On: Dokuga Rating: M Summary: Sesshoumaru is forced to put his mating plans into action a lot sooner than expected, and has Kagome kidnapped in order to fulfill it. When Kagome awakens, she finds herself as the new Lady of the Western Lands...with no Lord in sight… Status: Abandoned

Sleeping Beauty, by Catalina:

Posted On: Dokuga Rating: M Summary: Based loosely on the Disney movie, but darker and a bit twisted. Sesshoumaru is betrothed to a little human princess who is delivered a curse by the hanyou Naraku, Kikyo, Miroku, and Kaede agree to raise the child in safety. Smuts in final chapter. Status: Completed

Striking a Deal With the Devil, by Smortz:

Posted On:  Dokuga, FF.net,   Rating: M Summary: Does anything sound funner? Kagome needs help from the new Commissioner. A man that gave 'bad reputation' its standards. However, will Kagome be able to pay the price he demands when a life is on the line? Status: Completed

The Sacrifice, by Catalina:

Posted On: Dokuga   Rating: M Summary: Kagome is lured to a strange village, where she finds herself in an unpleasant situation. She is to be a sacrifice to an as yet unnamed youkai. Semi-non-consensual. Status: Completed

Trapped, Breeder, by sesshou_lover:

Posted on: Dokuga Rating: M Summary: N/A Status: Completed

Virginity of the Soul, by Madison

Posted on: Dokuga, FF.net, AO3 Rating: M Summary: Fresh from a betrayal that shattered her world, she was lured into getting even. Alas, the ones we trust and love aren’t always the ones we should. Semi-PWP. COMPLETE Staus: Complete

The Western Breeding, By Blackthorn:

Posted On: Dokuga, FF.net, Rating: M Summary: The end has come. Demons have found that certain humans can breed pure blooded demon pups. Sesshomaru is leading with Kagome running from the demon lord. Once she is at his side can she learn to love her captor for the sake of her unborn pup or find a way out? Status: Abandoned

RAPE LIST:

Blood Stained, by Madison: 

Posted On: Dokuga, FF.net, AO3  Rating: M Summary: COMPLETE! A sudden loss of control intertwined their fates. It dragged her through hell and he couldn't have cared less. She tried to escape her fears but the only way to do it was to face him through time and love.

Heat of Exchange, by Catalina: 

Posted On: Dokuga Rating: M Summary: It is that time of year for demon women, but Kagome is experiencing something very strange. Sesshoumaru arrives to help her, against her wishes. Freshly beta'd now.

Hell’s Shadows, by Catalina:

Posted On: Dokuga Rating: MA Summary: Formerly named "Ghost of Death" Sesshoumaru lives in hell requiring human women to increase his own power. Kagome falls into his waiting claws, while all of hell is turned upside down by her.DARK. NON CONSENSUAL.

His Wife, by Aries_heart: 

Posted On: Dokuga, FF.net, AO3,    Rating: MA Summary: "With a kiss on her shaking lips, he would leave for work and once the door was closed she would allow herself to cry once more. And then the cycle will repeat."

I Don’t Want a Mate, MLMonty: 

Posted On: Dokuga Rating: M Summary: Sesshoumaru goes into heat during mating season and rapes Kagome. Now she's pregnant and wants nothing to do with him. Should Sesshoumaru respect her wishes and leave her unguarded while she carries his heir?  Status: Abandoned 

Kagome’s Trust, by Fire_and_Earth_Sorceress55/Huntress-of-Flames-55:

Posted On: FF.net, AO3   Rating: M Summary: When Kagome is raped by Sesshomaru on the night of the new moon. Kagome goes home to the future as finds out that she is pregnant with pups? PUPS! Now one year later, she decides to go back to the feudal era.

Paper Cranes, by midori Haru: 

Posted On: FF.net  Rating: M Summary: Meeting, attraction, courting, commitment. For most of the world relationships form in the normal fashion from start to culmination. Naturally normal isn't enough for Sesshoumaru. And he wonders why he runs into problems trying to build a relationship from the wrong end.

Principal Life, by Catalina: 

Posted On: Dokuga Rating: M Summary: Kagome is dating the principal's brother, and he finds out about it. What can an untrained miko hope to accomplish when she is so ignorant of youkai mating traditions? Story is dark and now involves non consensual situations, with more to come. Status: Abandoned

Rise Again, by Catalina: 

Posted on: Dokuga   Rating: M Summary: Youkai have become weak and feeble but are attempting to strengthen their population. Sesshoumaru leads them, and discovers the solution to their problem in an unwilling human. VERY non-consensual stuff happens. Frequently.

S t a s i s, by wonderbug: 

Posted On: Dokuga, AO3  Rating: M Summary: Love, he tells her, as he trails a claw along the pathway of her shivering spine, is only a human notion. [VERY dark; drabble-ish CU/AR]

The Breeder, TexanLady: 

Posted On: Dokuga  Rating: M Summary: There is more to Kagome than anyone could ever imagine. After learning of her destiny Sesshoumaru swears to make her his at any cost. Once forced to his side can Kagome teach him to love or learn to love him. Status: Abandoned

[likesomekindofcheese]

Will You Accept This Rose? Chapter One (Queen and Beatles Crossover/Bachlorette AU!)

Word Count: 2K

A/N: Hello! She’s up! I know this idea has been done with BohRap so I thought it would be fun to try my hand! The Bachlor/ette is my ultimate guilty pleasure show!! I got a lot of inspiration from @freddiesaysalright​;s Bachlorette AU and the @bohrapbachelorette​ blog, so check them out and their beautiful writing too! Enjoy!

Warnings: swearing and some drinking.

 Heels clicking, you took a deep breath and walked downstairs. Right outside the doors, Chris Harrison stood in his tan suit with a big smile that wrinkled at the ends of his tan skin. His large eyes sparkling as he saw you in your blue evening gown that slinked to the floor.

“Well, Y/N, are you ready for tonight?” he asked, rubbing his hands.

“I…I’m so nervous!” you confessed with a laugh. “Actually…I’m shaking I’m so nervous!”

You took out your hands to show the tremor. He took them in his and he smiled.

“You have nothing to be afraid of. The guys are all wonderful. It’s a smaller group…I’m sorry. The last Bachelorette made her decision and she is now happily engaged. Thank you so much for popping in last minute…This is a lot, but it will be fun. Do you feel ready for this?”

Taking in a deep sigh, you admitted, you did not feel ready. But honestly, when would you ever be? There was a cold breeze, and you felt a shiver despite the balmy California air.

“I…I am…” you made yourself say.

“Have you ever been in love?” Chris asked, he shepered you to walk around the rose bushes to get out the nervous evergy you had left.

“I…I honestly don’t know! Maybe a couple times, but never…never passionately. Deeply.”

“Well. Y/N. I’m about to help change all of that. In fact, your husband might be here in less than an hour. Are you ready to meet him?”

“As I’ll ever be!”

 ----------------------------------

Meanwhile in Garden Lodge, Freddie let out a yelp as the credits rolled. Jim hurried in with his bowl of popcorn to see what the matter was.

“It’s on! Already! Oh-it…it’s time!” he muttered, gathering his things.

“Oh! Darling-look at her-she’s glowing!” he commented.

They got the blanket ready and sat on their places on the couch, well-reserved for Tuesday nights and The Bachlorette.

“I was so excited they announced her! Pass the popcorn, Fred…” Jim said. He made sure the wine bottles were pre-opened and ready to be poured at the right moment.

“She’s so beautiful I got chills seeing her walk out-here you go…” Freddie said, smiling proudly as Y/N beamed on the screen with a happy, hopeful smile.

“Thanks love” Jim stuffed kernels in his mouth as Miko hopped beside him, purring loudly.

 --------------------------------

The first limo pulled out slowly. You stood still, hands propped before you. Trying to slow your breathing, you made yourself look then try to flee from nerved.

The door opened. You could feel your heart pounding a mile a minute and your breathing shallowed.

You were ready to see a man, not a little boy. But at least he was cute.

Then out stepped a little boy with auburn hair and a pale, smiling face with round cheeks. He wore a small tux and held one red rose in his hand.

Behind him walked a taller man, slender, with auburn hair, hazel eyes, and a gentle smile.

“OH, hello there?” you asked, squatting down to be at the boys height.

“Will you accept this wose?” he asked, showing you the rose in his chubby, grubby hands.

“Of course! Thank you!”

 --------------------

“Awwwwwww,” Fred and Jim said in unision. Delilah meowed as if in agreement.

-------

“What do you say, Rob?”

“You’e welcome!”

“This..is this your son?”

“Yes, this is Robert Deacon!”

“Hello Robert!”

“Hello Y/N! Are you gonna marry my daddy?”

The man turned the color of the rose and pushed him to the side.

“Ah…a little esoon for that, I think…

Luahing yourself, you reached out to hug him.

“I’m Y/N”

“And I’m John Deacon. It’s lovely to meet you, Y/N.”

He gently handed him away to a young assistant from the camera who guided the little boy back to the limo to go home.

“I’ll see you soon, Rob!” the man waved. He gave him a kiss on the forehead before sending him off.

Hmm, he’s already a good father… you noted.

The next limousine pulled up and you heard the strumming of a guitar. A voice with a slight twang, but light and playful sang along to it.

“Love me tender, love me sweet

Never let me go

You have made my life complete

And I love you so”

A handsome young man with long dark hair, stark eyebrows, and high cheekbones walked out, singing along to the Elvis ballad. When he smiled, you could make out slight fangs. But nonetheless, he gave you a grin you could not resist.

Cheering, you applauded and he took a playful bow before walking up to you.

“That was wonderful!”

He placed the guitar over his head, putting it away. He pulled you in for the softest hug you had ever received so far in your life.

“Nice to meet you, I’m George, George Harrison. Like the song?” he asked, gesturing to his guitar.

“I’m Y/N and I love it! You play guitar!?”

“I have for years!”

“That’s amazing!”

“Not half as amazing as the sight in front of me” he said with a wicked grin again. 

 ---------------------------------

“Alright, time for the wine…” Jim announced, pouring it into the glasses.

“You know what they say about a man with a big guitar, eh?” Fred laughed before his first sip. “Y/N might be a lucky woman if she takes him to the fantasy suite, darling.”

 ------------------------

You smiled and glanced at your folded hands, feeling yourself get hot.

“That was lovely! Please play for me some more during the party!”

“Well, if Y/N asks me, who am I to say no?” he replied with a wink. “I will If you’ll give me a snog on the cheek…”

Obliging, you pecked his soft cheek.

He then walked out, strumming a chord here or there.

The next limo that pulled up had an odd noise. You turned to the side to a camera person.

“Is…is that a bark?”

You were right. Out popped a large English Sheepdog walked over, wiggling in a happy dance as it wagged its tail in front of your gown.

“No! No Martha! Don’t get dog hair all over that gown!”

You laughed, reaching a hand down to scratch her head “She’s fine! It’s just a dress! I don’t mind a bit of hair!”

“Oh, well…that’s good.”

Looking up, you saw the prettiest pair of green eyes you had ever seen. His hair was brown and soft and his lashes were so thick, long, and dark you wondered if he used a mascara and where you could get it.

He reached down and kissed your hand gallantly, “I’m Paul, Paul McCartney. And I see you met me dog already!”

“She’s lovely!”

“She is-“

“And I’m Y/N Y//N!”

“Well, it’s pleasant to meet you. And I hope to see you in there soon…”

“Martha’s a sweetheart!”

She sat in front of you as you scratched her head.

“Martha can tell a good heart when she senses one, but I think mine has room for another lady in me life” he said with a wink.

The next man walked out. Another young man with brown hair and a square jaw and bright eyes that sparked with intelligence. His pants looked a little tight around his thighs and he smiled as soon as he saw you.

“Hello there, Y/N. I’m John, John Lennon.”

“And I’m Y/N.”

He took your hand into his and lifted it up to his lips. He then cupped yours with his other hand and kissed it so tenderly it made you melt on the inside.

“Are you enjoying your evening so far?” he asked.

“I…I am a lot more now,” you answered back.

“Well good, and Y/N….you look really beautiful tonight. Right from even when I peeked at you from inside the car, you were glowing like the sun…”

“Oh, that’s…that’s beautiful! Thank you!”

“Mind if I ‘ug you?”

“Sure?”

He wrapped his arms around you, then lifted you up and twirled you around, you burst into laughter.

He hugged you one more time and then headed over to the party.

The next limo arrived and out walked another man. He had dark hair with a slight white streak but bright blue eyes and soft, puffy lips that burst into a charming smile when he saw you.

“Hello there!”

“Hello! And you’re…”

“I’m…I’m really Richard. But you can cuse me stage name, Ringo…”

“Oh, sure! Hello Ringo-I’m Y/N”

You naturally hugged him.

“Y/N, I hope you don’t mind but…I bought you some gum. Thought you might like it after all that drinking-alright?”

He pulled out a packet of your favorite gum. You gasped as you accepted it.

“Why…yes! Yes I do!”

 ---------------------------

“Not exactly roses, darling”

“Well, it is a little early, Fred. And she’s the one giving roses.”

“But the song isn’t fucking ‘Chewing Gum is a Girl’s Best Friend’ for a reason!” Fred huffed, downing half of his glass.

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

Next appeared another car and out stepped another guitar with one of the prettiest boys you had ever seen. His blonde hair glowed like sunbeams and his eyes were the color of the summer sky. He strummed his guitar and sang in a rasp that thrilled you:

“I…just wanna testify!

Whaaaat Y/N does to meeeee!”

Changing up the rhythm enough to sing your name. He then added a bunch of “doo wops” with an impressive falsetto “yeeeeeeah!”

“That’s amazing! You play and sing!”

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

Jim kept his face down in his hands for a solid minute.

“Doesn’t take much! You’ve already seen another guitarist!” he complained.

 ----------------------------------

“Yeah-write too. I’m Roger-Roger Taylor.”

He gave a half-lidded look that made your stomach churn.

“And I’m…I’m Y/N! I mean- you know I- I am Y/N!” you began giggling out of nervousness and hugged him.

Then in drove a car…or it sounded like one. But there was a Rocketship constructed over the car like a parade float. And the door read “YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND.”

Laughing, out stepped a space suit with a different flower: a tulip. He handed it to you and you laughed.

He removed his helmet and revealed a mane of curly, dark hair. His cheekbones were high and his eyes hazel and soft. Despite the largeness of his hair and height there was a gentle demeaner on him.

“Hello there!” you said with a laugh “are you my future husband?”

“I…I mean, I hope I might be” he said with a little blush in his cheeks. You hugged each other, he was warm and soft and smelled of fresh deodorant.

“That was amazing! Who are you?”

“I’m Brian, Brian May…”

“Wonderful, I’m Y/N…”

You walked over to the main living room of the mansion, happy and a little overwhelmed. Already they were all wonderful. Though George and Roger stared at each other with fire in their eyes at the two acoustic guitars. Roger gently put his down and shoved his hands in his pockets. George took a deep breath and held onto his carefully.

You walked in, each with your own glass of wine to begin with.

“Gentlemen, to finding love!”

“To finding love!” they raised their glasses and clinked them.

“Ey Y/N, let me steal you for a minute…” Roger offered, he slinked forward, eyes bright and confident.

“Oh, sure!”

You found out that Roger had written songs before. They were all lovely. His lyrics bright and honest. Your favorite was one about being in a small town, of laziness, frustration, and ambition and hope. It made you teary eyed.

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

“A guitar competition…would be interesting this season….no, Lily! That’s not cat food!” Fred said, shooing her away from the bowl.

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

John showed you a card his kids worked on. He was a single dad, widowed. His heart had been broken by the sad passing of his dear wife, but he was ready to move on and was sure he found new love.

George strummed you a few songs he found out were your favorite. You tapped your feet and sang along. George himself smiled.

“Thanks Y/N, it’s wonderful to play for you!”

John walked over. They both began playfully “fighting” over you. Dancing each other around, doing a couple silly “fight” moves.

“Well, y/n can decide, can’t she?” John said, turning over.

“I, uh, of course!”

John then took you away as you caught your breath.

“There boys are like me brothers! What you saw was natural, was all but…Y/N, you like to read, don’t you?”

You gave your honest answer. You both wound up chatting about books and television. He was well-read, could give opinions on plot holes and the best actors, and even told you about the poetry he wrote. You both walked back inside the mansion holding hands naturally.

Brian noticed a record player in the corner and walked to it.

“Hmph, feels a little quiet…”

He placed the needle on the record and soon some jazz was crooning around the room. In a flash, Ringo was on your side.

“C’mon Y/N, let’s dance!”

He took his hand in yours and you moved away to the music, forgetting everything. He spun you around, you shook and kicked your legs and laughed so hard. You hardly cared how silly you look.

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

“Look at all the other blokes, they’re ready to punch him in the gut any minute!” Jim chuckled.

Fred nodded, hypnotized. He poured another glass of wine as Delilah settled on his lap for cuddles.

 --------------------------------

Brian took your hand and walked you out.

“See there, the stars are out tonight…” he said, pointing up.

“Oooo, beautiful!” you sighed. “There’s Orion!”

“Orion?”

“Yes! He’s the easiest one! I still see him!”

“Yes! Well, he’s like my old friend: always there.”

“That’s cool Brian, that you have a friend who’s always there in the stars.”

 ----------------------------------

“Pretentious, darling.”

 ------------------------------

“That way, when you look up, imagine I’m there. Even if you send me home or whatever, I’ll be there, your friend, looking after you, protecting you.”

 --------------------------------

“Bloody stalker!” Jim hissed.

 -------------------------------

It was indeed a beautiful night. He led you back as you sat on the couch with the other gentlemen.

“Oh, what did you do?” Lennon asked, sipping his wine carefully.

“It’s a starry night! You should see it-it’s beautiful!” you said.

Martha stood on the corner, panting happily as Deaky and Roger petted on her. Though you noticed Paul was looking at you. Your eyes went over to him and he paused, batting his eyelashes in false innocence, and tilting his head.

“Wha-what is it, Paul? You’re quiet?”

“Nothing, it’s just you’re looking beautiful tonight, that’s all. Can you blame me for wanting to have a look at you?”

Giggling more, you leaned your head down and smiled. The others stared daggers in Paul.

Chris Harrison walked in.

“Hello lady and gentlemen, enjoying your evening?”

You noticed he had a plate, and you froze.

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

The couple screamed at their television.

“Oh, now the shit starts!” Freddie declared with a wicked laugh.

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

“Yes, yes we are!” Paul said with a pleasant smile. “You know, drinks, a fine night, a dog, a pretty lady-what could be better?!”

He then saw the plate and his charming smile dropped.

“Well, it’s now the part of the evening where Y/N must make her first decision…”

He set a short, red rose on a silver plate before you. Looking around, you saw them swallow nervously or smile despite the anxiety in his eyes.

There was clever John, adorable Ringo, sweet Paul, dashing John, romantic Brian, hot Roger, or soft Deaky to consider.

But only one could get the first impression rose.

Reaching down, you placed it between your thumb and forefinger, other hand cupping the petals gracefully, and thought about your options before settling on the right one.

    Who should get the first impression rose? Vote in the Google Docs Poll below!!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQHKdQiABhf7ukQvwu6xjMsff-ggtnlNV0rr7_PKy6aSEUUQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Taglist:  @queenlover05​ @youcanbemyhoneychile​ @seraphicmercury​ @ewannmcgregor​  @gwiilymslee @cherry--coke @queen-paladin @yourlocalmusicalprostitute @isitstraightvodka @coincidence-ithinknots-blog @rhapsodyrecs

[acesophiewalten]

Feral Children Steal A Car And Need A Hug

Hello, everyone! So, this takes place in the wonderful @nightxpining‘s Feral Omens AU, directly after the events of their mini-fic, Come To Me, which I’ll let you read on your own. I would recommend it heavily, as the writing isn’t just good, so is the art. 

Word Count: 2,684 

CW for some angst near the end, hotwiring cars, and references to killing/hurting people and demons.

I hope you like it!

“We have to rescue a fallen angel,” said Adam Young. 

Adam took a small sip of his Mint Tea. It was good, he thought, not as hot as last time. His dog, Dog, laid pleasantly by his feet, gnawing on a bone Adam had willed for him. The Tea Room at the Ritz Hotel was unusually empty today, and he found relief in this. Adam liked loud noises in principle, but in practice he found them entirely overwhelming.

Adam Young was eleven years old. He had thick, dark blond hair, and his eyes were the color of dirty sink-water. He had dark brown freckles all over his face. He often looked down at Dog to give him a pat on the head or a small order not to nip at the staff passing by. He was also the antichrist. 

“We have to do what?” asked Pippin Galadriel Moonchild. “Of all the things to stop the end of the world, we have to do that? We can’t, say, just kill Satan, so he can’t make you do anything? Or go to a church service?” 

Pippin Galadriel Moonchild had a stubborn brown face, stubborn brown eyes, and stubborn brown hair pulled up into a stubborn high ponytail. She was eleven, and the only girl sitting at the table. She wore bright red rainboots, striped leggings, and a yellow shirt. Hanging off her chair was a red slicker that she wore always, especially when it wasn’t raining out. She had a half-eaten sandwich on her plate. Nobody called her Pippin Galadriel Moonchild, unless it was her mother, and Pippin Galadriel Moonchild hadn’t cleaned her room before going outside. Pip, Pepper, and Pep were her favorite nicknames, though Mooney had crossed some mouthes. 

“No, Pepper, we can’t just kill Satan,” said Wensleydale. “Why is it that we have to keep reminding you that you can’t just kill people?” 

“Satan isn’t a person,” said Brian. “Besides, if Pepper wants to kill a demon, let her. She can fend one off.” 

Pepper smiled. 

Brian and Wedsleydale were very similar in size and shape. Wensleydale had blond hair, light blue eyes, and comically large glasses. His face was blotchy and he was filled with a stuck-up smartness that left him inches from being kicked out of the gang. Brian’s hair was black and dead-straight, his eyes were light brown, and his wardrobe seemed to only include blacks, greys, and the occasional red or green. He, as many young boys did, had pure luck going for him, and was sure he’d make his way to an accidental fortune.

Adam then said, “We can’t just go to church and beg. God wouldn't take us seriously if we did that.” 

“Can’t you make Her take us seriously? With your powers and things?” 

Adam closed his eyes, took a breath, and opened them again. Maybe he should’ve kept it to himself and brought in his parents, even if they wouldn’t believe him, or simply gone down to Hell with Dog. 

“You think I haven’t tried? If I could reverse it, I would’ve.” 

Adam could say one good thing about being the antichrist, and that was that the job came with powers. He’d been born with the ability to simply will things into existence, to make things happen with no drawbacks or other explanations. He could get his friends anywhere by only thinking about it, get good grades by saying that he did, and cover his tracks extremely well. Adam Young had never told a lie in his life, simply because his powers didn’t allow him to. He called it willing, simply because there was no better word to call it. 

He was still limited, of course. Nothing otherworldly could really happen, for a while. He couldn’t raise Atlantis out of the sea or make aliens land on Earth, but the weather where he lived remained perfect, and his school life was good, and he was generally seen as a sweet, if not secretive young boy. 

When Adam turned nine, Dog came running out of Hell and into the area behind the bushes of the Young’s garden. He was still a Hellhound, then, and had been listening to Adam describing the perfect dog. Adam’s idea of a perfect dog was, of course, the exact opposite of what Dog had once been. Adam wanted a small dog, a brilliantly intelligent, independent dog, with one ear turned inside out. A proper mongrel, Adam had said. 

Dog conformed. A smaller version of him, one more intelligent, more loving, and more brilliant ran out of the bushes and into Adam’s willing arms. 

With Dog came more and more power. Adam could now, indeed, lift Atlantis out of the sea, and make aliens land on Earth, and transport all of his friends to the Ritz Tearoom without any of their parents noticing. One night, he, Pepper, Wedsleydale, Brian, and Dog genuinely flew around a grassy plain near Tadfield, and had one of the best nights in his life. 

But with all of this power, of course, came a time limit. He had done research about his parentage all his life, and it slowly started to dawn on him that as long as he used his powers, he was set to destroy the world before his thirteenth birthday. Then, he would die, probably gruesomely, and God would see to it that his friends would be killed. 

Adam was fully aware of what would happen if he failed getting the fallen angel back. All he ever wanted was to have fun, have no eyes on him, be popular and smart but not especially striking. He didn’t want the world to end, ideally, it would be around for ages and ages and ages before humans destroyed the world themselves.

Pepper nodded, solemnly, “So, what does this ‘fallen angel’ look like?” 

Adam began, “He’s short. White hair. Blue eyes. Should have black wings. This might be subjective, of course, since he could look completely different as a demon. Heaven’s trying to do an analysis, but Hell isn’t going to cooperate that easily.” 

“Great,” said Wedsleydale. “Does he have a name?” “Aziraphale,” said Adam. “We’ll apparently know him by his wings. They’ll be pitch-black.” 

“Who told you all of this?” asked Brian. 

“Metatron. He’s the voice of God. Speaks for Her and things. He visited me in a dream, once I summoned him.” 

“Why did God make a man speak for Her?” asked Pepper.

Nobody had an answer to that.

“What does a fallen angel have to do with the apocalypse?” asked Wensleydale. 

“Look, I don’t know. Metatron just said that I needed to save a fallen angel. That’s it. Even with me willing him to, he wouldn’t give me something else.” 

“Bummer,” said Brian. 

“So,” said Pepper, “what do we need? I think I can get my mum to lend me her crossbow.” 

Adam smiled. If there was one thing he could count on in any situation, it was Pepper offering to help with whatever weapon came to her mind first, and the rest of the group quickly jumping to add on their own thoughts. Adam was the leader of the gang, sure, but all of them had a significant foothold, and in a way it was not one gang but four one-person gangs that had decided to team up.

“I have a slingshot,” said Wedsleydale, “Maybe I can go with my mum to church this evening and get us some knives” 

Brian said, “I’ll bring dumb luck. And a couple bottles of holy water.”

“But we need something to go down there with,” said Adam. “A sturdy car. A good-looking one, too, something that’ll make us look serious. My dad’s car can barely drive in the rain.” 

“Not mine, or Wedsleydale’s,” said Pepper, “our cars are so broken we can’t make it a mile.”

Everyone looked to Brian, and Brian shrugged. “I honestly don’t think we have a car.”

“You know,” said Wedsleydale, tentatively, “there’s a black Bentley parked right across from here. Sturdy thing. Looks to be from the 1920s, 1930s, maybe. We could steal it and drive it into Hell.” 

“Isn’t that car Creepy Ritz Guy’s?” 

Creepy Ritz Guy was the name given to the man that would show up at the Ritz Tearoom while Adam, Pepper, Wedsleydale, and Brian were either entering or leaving. He was tall, thin, with red hair and a sour, downturned mouth. He wore dark sunglasses and never opened his mouth when he spoke. Originally they simply called him The Ritz Guy, but after an incident where Adam swore that his eyes were bright yellow, Creepy was added on. 

Adam, Pepper, Wedsleydale, and Brian had many theories about Creepy Ritz Guy. Pepper had suggested that he was a secret agent, Brian had posited that he was a writer looking for material without anyone noticing who he was, and Adam secretly thought he was a demon. He was not truly creepy, to them or to anyone, but he had that slithering, sly smile, the movement of someone with many things to hide. So Creepy Ritz Guy he was. 

Pepper sighed, “So? Adam can start it, with his will. We’ll be out in seconds.” 

Adam nodded. “She’s right. He won’t even have to know, and besides, nobody’ll suspect us. We’re children, after all.” 

“I’m convinced,” Brian said. 

“So,” said Adam, “how about this. We’ll steal the car after we leave here. I can start it up with my will, and we’ll park it a block away from my house. We’ll pack up tonight, meet at the Bentley, and then we’ll drive off. How does that sound?” 

“Fantastic!” said Pepper. 

“Wonderful!” said Wedsleydale. 

“Wicked!” said Brian. 

Adam smiled, and lifted Dog up onto his lap. “What about you, Dog? Do you want to come?” 

Dog barked, and Adam smiled wider. 

They left The Ritz Tearoom all together, walking as if they were an impenetrable wall. Just like they hoped, and knew, the Bentley was parked on the opposite side of the street, looking clean and well-made up. All of them wondered how Creepy Ritz Guy could keep such a wonderful-looking car. 

They rushed to the other side of the street, and Adam stood in front of the passenger side doors. 

Adam, with Dog standing right next to him, said, “Open.” 

The door clicked, and Pepper ran in. 

Adam ran around the other side, murmured, “Open!” and the door clicked again. Adam crawled in, Dog followed, and Adam soon opened the door for Brian and Wedsleydale to sit in the backseat. 

Adam finally understood the obsession with cars many other boys had. This car was unlike anything he’d seen before, with full-leather seats, one long backseat, and a drop-down cabinet filled with sunglasses. There was a bottom cabinet that Pepper popped open, and found cassette tape upon cassette tape of Queen. It was a good car, finely built and nicely clean. 

Adam placed his hands on the wheel, and said, “Turn on!” 

The entire world seemed to wait in anticipation. Dog, now comfortable on Adam’s lap, tilted his head. 

The car did not start. In fact, it stagnated. 

Adam took a breath in. “Turn on!” he said, a little louder. 

The car made a sputtering noise. For a minute, the doors looked, then unlocked again. Adam looked around. 

“The will isn’t working.”

“What do you mean it’s not working?” Asked Pepper.

“I mean, it’s not turning on. This car, it must be,” Adam paused. “A demon or an angel owns this car. That’s the only explanation. Interfereing with it would mean interfereing indirectly with god, which...”

“So Creepy Ritz Guy isnt human then? What should we call him?” Asked Brian.

There was a silence.

Wensleydale piped, “I think I know how to start this thing up.”

After some questioning, Wensleydale pulled a flatheads screwdriver out of his pocket and began to explain, “We can break the locks on the ignition by hammering this against the keyhole and turning it over. We should then be able to remove the steering column and tamper with the wires, which will allow the car to start.” 

Wedsleydale proceeded to do this with disturbing accuracy. Wedsleydale was a boy of knowledge, of the world, someone who had absorbed everything and kept it in the vast library of his mind. Nobody would expect him to, after all, he looked nothing more than a slightly-awkward person who would grow out of it soon enough, but people with library minds will never really develop that way. Inside their heads are the ways of the world, and what it needed, and in this case the world needed a hotwired Bentley. 

After a couple tries, careful stripping of the wires, and a few sparks, the car revved. The engine started whirring, and all of them found themselves happily relived. 

“Wensleydale, would you like to drive?” asked Adam. 

Wedsleydale shook his head. “No. In fact, I’d like to sit in the backseat, with a seatbelt on.” 

Adam nodded. Dog got up off Adam’s lap, and sat next to Wedsleydale. Dog knew what was good for him, no matter how much he adored Adam. 

Adam, with his feet barely touching the pedals, pressed on the gas. The car sped down, swerved, ran past two stop signs, and nearly crushed a bird under its wheel before Adam thought to will himself the knowledge of driving cars. No pedestrians or many cars either, just in case. 

Adam didn’t like driving, even if he liked the car. Pepper seemed to like it, if you could call leaning your head against the window and looking out dreamily liking something, while Wedsleydale, Brian, and Dog sat in the back hoping Adam’s will didn’t fail him. Adam felt as if there was too much pressure on him, like the car was trying to swerve and fight against him. 

Was this why he didn’t want to end the world, he thought to himself, not because he was good, because he couldn’t stand the pressure? Because he would be on edge if a car he’d never driven before worked differently? He couldn’t think of it. 

The car ride home was long, and awfully quiet. Halfway through the drive Pepper put in a cassette of Best of Queen, which really did nothing. They were simply quiet while drums bursted in their ears and a man sang about love. 

Adam parked the car in the driveway of The Jasmine Cottage. The sun was setting, and the sky gleamed in yellow, orange, and red, and the gang dispersed. 

Pepper came home to her house to find her grandmother had cooked her favorite dinner, macaroni with extra cheese and a glass of sweet pomegranate tea, and ate heartily while petting her cat and thinking vaguely of midnight. She had to start packing up soon, she figured. 

Wedsleydale’s parents weren’t home yet. He sat himself on the couch with a bag of crisps for about five minutes, then got up and started packing. He figured that being early couldn’t be a crime, not in a situation like this. 

Brian read a comic magazine while his parents watched television in the other room. He was used to eating late, and figured that today was like no other. After all, despite the stealing of the car, mentions of the chaotic acts and having tea at The Ritz was normal. 

Adam walked into his house holding Dog. He set Dog down, poured him some dog food, and walked into his room. He packed his backpack quickly, trying to stuff as much as he could. He felt like the universe was counting on him, which it was, and it would be for a very long time. He wanted to be rid of the powers, suddenly, all of the antichrist business, the angel could stay in Hell! 

No, he told himself, no. You have to keep going, you have to save this angel, or else the world will end. Or else everyone will die, and you will die too. 

Adam Young didn’t eat dinner that night. His backpack, filled to the brim with knives, apples, water bottles, various books, and a once-flaming sword, was left by his bed, and he slept fitfully with Dog underneath his arm. 

He had to help, somehow. He was sure about it. He just hoped that what he could do was enough, or if God would hold up on Her promise. 

Midnight came. Adam rolled out of his bed, woke up Dog, and felt as if he was about to cry.

[carryonsimoncarryonbaz]

Little Secrets

for @nightimedreamersworld from the prompt list and tags you posted. Thanks to @ninemagicks for leading the way. 

From a tumblr prompt list by @mraculous and sent to the Carry On fandom by @nightimedreamersworld : ‘a mutual friend tried to introduce us, but we already knew each other from LARPing but we’re both too embarrassed to admit that so I jokingly said we used to date and oh god now our friend won’t stop interrogating us about it’ AU

Little Secrets, a Snowbaz LARPing AU (2774 words)

Simon

“Do you want to come over Friday? I can order in curry and I’ll even watch that Netflix thing you’re obsessed with, if you like,” Penny says, before taking another bite of her sandwich. I’ve already finished mine but I take the chance to steal one of her crisps. She never finishes them. I hate seeing them go to waste.

No one should ever bin salt and vinegar crisps. It’s a crime against humanity.  

It’s been harder to coordinate our schedules this term. Even meeting for lunch is a treat. We’ve not had a night in for weeks. It’s not as easy, now that we don’t live together.  

And it’s not often that Penny offers to let me decide what we watch. Says she’s got standards and I watch too much “brain numbing rot.”

Castlevania is not rot. It’s fucking brilliant. My costume for this campaign is based on Trevor Belmont. It’s wicked good.  

I’m gutted to have to turn her down though. Friday’s going to have to be a no. We’ve been gearing up for this campaign for weeks and I can’t miss it.  

“I’m sorry. I can’t Friday.”

Penny looks at me over the top of her glasses. “Why not?”

She doesn’t know about this. About the LARP club I joined. It’s something I started doing over the summer, when she was away in India with her family.  

I was bored. And lonely.

I don’t know why I haven’t mentioned it. It’s not that I’m embarrassed about it. I’m not. It’s a hell of a lot of fun swinging a sword around and taking part in campaigns. Even the costume workshops are entertaining.  

Everyone’s so friendly. Well, most of them are, at any rate.

Penny tends to frown upon things like this. Things that don’t serve a purpose. Making new friends doesn’t count as serving a purpose. She’s told me more than once that having too many friends is an unnecessary burden. “There’s only so many hours in a day, Simon. Two, three people, that’s all any of us have time for.”  

That’s all Penny has time for. I’m lucky to be one of her three people.  

Telling her I’m spending two nights a week LARPing with near strangers while dressed as a medieval monster hunter likely won’t go over too well.  

Especially as that amounts to two nights a week I’m not doing my coursework or revising. Sacrilege.  

“Uh. I’ve got . . . uh, there’s a study group.”  

“On a Friday night?” Her eyes widen.  

“Yes.” The shorter the answer the better with Penny. I can’t get caught in a lie if I’m barely saying anything.

“For which class?”

Fuck it all. I can feel my leg starting to jiggle. She’ll know the gig is up if I don’t answer soon.  

“Medieval Literature.” Thank fuck I’m actually taking that class this semester or she’d be onto me.  

It’s not that far off, anyway. Most of the costumes qualify as Medieval.

“Dedicated lot.”

“Quite.”

“It’s good to see you being so devoted to your studies, Simon, what with applications for graduate programs coming up.”

As if I needed the reminder.

“Maybe we can try to find some time next week, then.”

“That’d be great.” I reach out to steal another crisp. She smacks my hand away. “I do miss you, Pen.”

Penny pushes the bag of crisps over to me with a sigh, but she’s smiling. “I miss you too, Si.”

It’s not until the next week that we manage to make plans. And it’s not for curry and Netflix.

We’re at Foyles, having spent the last hour listening to one of Penny’s favorite poets do a reading and a Q & A. Penny’s dead gone for Nikita Gill. I thought it was mostly because she’s a femininst and Indian but I see the point, now that I’ve heard her read from her latest book. She’s brilliant.

Penny’s in line to get her book signed and I’m just sort of shuffling along with her, feeling like a bit of a tit, seeing as I’ve not got a book myself.

Should I? I feel I ought to at least have something, but it’s too late now, we’re almost to the signing table.

Predictably, Penny gets into an intense conversation with the author while I stand there, shifting from foot to foot uncomfortably and nodding every so often. The store clerk finally gets Penny to shove off. She drags it out for another minute and then we’re finally clear of that scene.

I’m ready to head to the pub for a bite, but Penny stops down the line to talk to someone from her seminar and I’m left at loose ends again. It’s mostly uni types in the crowd, nearly all of them intense and bright eyed as they talk over each other now and indulge in some excitable hand waving. There’re a few blokes here and there, moody looking types with man-buns, horn rimmed glasses, and oversized jumpers. I recognize one or two from my classes but no one I know well.

Penny stops to talk to another person and I’m in despair over dinner. I wander over to a book display and idly flip through some paperbacks as I wait for her. Thankfully it’s not more than a few minutes later when I hear her call out to me. “Simon!”

I trot over, more than ready to make a run for the pub but her first words aren’t “let’s get out of here.”

“Si, I want you to meet my friend.”

Oh, fuck. We’re never going to get to the pub at this rate. I plaster a smile on my face and turn to say ‘ hello’ to whoever it is Penny is bound and determined to have me meet.

And I freeze.

“This is Baz. He’s in my Modern British Poets seminar and he’s almost as keen about vampire lore as you are.”

I raise my eyes and meet Baz’s cool stare, that one eyebrow of his arched as he meets my gaze.

Fuck. I don’t need to be introduced to Baz. I know Baz. He’s the Mage in our campaign. He’s a fucking ruthless one too, dead brill with his spells, even though he’s a bit shit when he’s got to do any swordwork.

That was my main job on the summer campaign--give him cover so he could cast his spells and decipher his runes and whatever else it is that Mages do.

I’m front line offense now--cut down anyone in my path, long before they can get near the rest of our party. It’s up to Gareth and Niall to have Baz’s back this time around.

I can’t very well pretend I don’t know him, but I really don’t want to be explaining that I’m in a LARP club to Penny in the middle of this bookstore, not in front of Baz.

Fuck.

I give Baz a pleading look which I’m sure only confuses him, based on the way his eyebrow arches up even more. I don’t know how to convey “don’t tell Penny you know me from the Dragonknight campaign” with just my eyes.

“I’m well acquainted with Simon, Bunce.”

I am well and truly fucked.

“You two know each other?” Penny gives me a penetrating look.

Baz keeps talking. “Yes, we’ve been--” but I interrupt him before he can say anything more.

“He’s my ex.”

I have literally no idea why I said that. And there’s no taking it back, now that it’s out there.

Two sets of eyes goggle at me, both of Baz’s eyebrows reaching for his hairline now. Penny looks scandalized.

“Your what?” she asks.

“My ex-boyfriend,” I clarify, literally begging Baz to go along with this with my eyes. I probably look like a gormless twat. Just go along with it, I try to broadcast that thought across the two feet of space between us.

“Your ex-boyfriend,” Penny says flatly. “How do I not know about this, Simon?”

Baz looks just as curious, but thank Christ he doesn’t say anything.

“Oh, you now, summer romance, short-lived fling, gone but not forgotten.” I’m literally babbling.

“Very short lived,” Baz says drily. “So short lived I’d be surprised if he had mentioned it, Bunce.” He’s smirking, the smug bastard. Arms crossed over his chest, that one fucking eyebrow mocking me now.

“Yes, ah, you know, summer.”

“I’d say I don’t know at all, Simon.” Penny’s looking between us, a suspicious look on her face. “Why don’t you fill me in. I’d love to hear about my best friend and my study partner getting together and me being none the wiser.”

Baz is full on grinning now. “Yes, why don’t you tell her, Simon? Unless you’d rather I did?”

I think the fuck not.

“Ah. Well. You know we met  . . . ah . . . at the library.”

“What on earth were you doing at the library?”

What the fuck was I doing at the library? I never go to the library and Penny knows that.

Fuck.

“Wasn’t that when your laptop was being wonky?” Baz chimes in.

I scowl at him. Only one of us needs to be fabricating this tale and that someone is me.

“At least that’s what I remember you saying, when you came in that night.”

Bloody hell.

“Uh, yeah. That’s what it was. Had to come in and do a lit search on premises.”

“It’s a good thing I was working the desk that night,” Baz says, uncrossing his arms and sliding his hands into his jeans pockets.

My eyes follow his hands down and keep going.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Baz in jeans before. Tunics? Yes. Majestic robes? Yes.

Elegant, fitted jeans that are snug all the right spots? Well, I’d remember seeing that before, is all I’m saying.

I drag my eyes back up to his face. “Uh, yes, um, good thing.”

I didn’t know he worked at the library.

“Simon came in, just before closing time, with the idea that he was going to do a search and print it all out in mere minutes.” He’s really warming to the subject and I’ve lost control of this whole situation.

“Typical,” Penny says and I’m outraged.

“What?” I sputter.

She nods her head at Baz. “He gave you those puppy dog eyes and that crooked little smile of his, didn't he?”

“Now, see here, I’m the one telling the story and–”

But Baz steamrolls right over me. “Oh, you know he did, Bunce.” He gives me a fond look that makes my face heat up.

What’s he playing at? I rub at the back of my neck, feel the clammy sweat starting to form there.

“Got you to do the whole thing for him, didn’t he?”

This is pure slander. I’m not going to stand for this.

“I couldn’t resist his roguish charm.”

“Listen, now--”

Baz just keeps talking. “I had no idea he was such a shameless flirt.” He shakes his head at me and actually manages to look almost mournful, the lying bastard. “Charmed me, wined me, dined me. But once his laptop was functional and the research project complete, just a few short weeks later, he dumped me without a second thought.”

“Simon!” Penny’s glaring at me now. She’s bought his whole fabrication and I’ve got no one but myself to blame for this farce.

“Just wait a bloody minute!” I yelp.

Baz hunches his shoulders and lowers his head. “By text, no less.”

“Really, Simon, how could you?” Penny’s all righteous indignation, her hand coming to rest on Baz’s arm, eyes blazing as she rakes her gaze over me. “I go away for a few weeks and you not only manage to seduce my friend but then unceremoniously dump him by text? You know better than that. You were a bloody wreck when Agatha did that to you!”

And now she’s airing my entire sordid dating history to Baz in the middle of a bloody Foyles on a Thursday night and I’ve not even had dinner. This takes the biscuit, I swear to god.

“Penny, listen, it was nothing like that, really, I swear.”

She’s got her arms crossed over her chest. “Then how was it, Simon?” Cold as ice. You’d think Baz was her best friend and confidant, not me.

This is a fucking disaster. I’d have been better off telling her about the LARPing.

I am going to tell her about the LARPing. It’s the only way out of this mess.

“Listen, Pen, I’m sorry. I thought you’d be upset I was wasting my time--”

“Wasting your time?” Baz interrupts. “Is that what you’re calling our two weeks, then?”

“That’s not what I meant!” I’m going to let a berserker just go by me and wreck Baz this week, I swear I am. Won’t even brandish my sword at him, I’ll just point him in Baz’s direction. It’d serve the bastard right. “Listen, Penny, I was going to tell you, but I was a bit embarrassed--”

“As well you should be, the way you behaved.” Penny interrupts me this time and I have reached my fucking limit.

“Would the two of you let me finish one bloody sentence?”

Two expectant faces meet mine but I swear there’s a glint in Baz’s eyes and his lips quirk like he’s trying to keep himself from laughing. Arsehole. I may go after him myself this week, if he’s not careful. Go rogue. It’d be worth it, just to wipe the smug look off his face.

He’s got his hair down tonight. I don’t know why I didn’t notice that earlier. He’s usually got it up when we’re–fucking hell, why am I thinking about his hair right now?

“Ok, so let me finish what I’ve got to say or I swear to Christ I am going to go off.” Baz inclines his head and waves a hand at me in a ‘have at it’ gesture. Penny frowns but holds her tongue. “So, while you were gone this summer I got a bit caught up in LARPing.”

“You did what?” Penny asks.

“LARPing. Live action role play.”

“Whatever for?”

“I don’t know. For something to do.”

“And why are you telling me this now?”

I pull at my hair and groan. “Because that’s how I met Baz. He’s not my ex. I’ve never gone out with him. I just made that all up, rather than tell you about the whole LARP business.”

“Why on earth would you concoct all that nonsense, Simon?” Penny’s looking completely perplexed but Baz has this cheeky grin, the absolute wanker.

He’s got a dimple in his left cheek.

Fuck.

“Because I thought you’d be irritated. It’s not something that serves a purpose.”

“Why would I care what you do with your free time?”

Oh my fucking god.

I give my hair another yank. “Aren’t you always telling me I should spend more time on my studies? Keep my social life a bit more contained?”

Penny has the audacity to shrug. “I’m not your keeper. If you need to swing a sword around to let off some steam, far be it from me to argue.”

She turns to Baz and smacks him on the arm. “What were you thinking, going along with all this nonsense of his tonight? I’d not expect that kind of foolishness from you, Baz.”

Baz leans against a bookshelf and flashes her a grin. “Let’s just say my curiosity was piqued, when he threw that ex comment out there. And you know how I love to spin a good story, Bunce. He certainly wasn’t going to pull one over on you by himself.” His eyes light on me and there’s something smouldering in the depths of them. Something I’d like to get a closer look at.

“Well, you’re ridiculous, the both of you,” Penny says. “You deserve each other, honestly.” She shakes her head. “Anyway, I’m starved. It’s past time we went to dinner.”  

“Enjoy the rest of your evening.” Baz’s eyes never leave mine. “I’ll see you Friday then, Snow?”

He used my LARPing alias.

I liked it better when he was calling me Simon.

Penny hooks her arm around his. “Come join us, Baz. Since you and Simon already know each other so well.”

He adjusts his book bag on his shoulder. “I suppose I could do with some dinner.”

Penny keeps her hold on his arm and leans back to look at me behind Baz’s back.

And then she winks.

I think I’m the one that’s been played.

And when Baz��s knee knocks into mine as he squeezes into our booth at the pub I realise I don’t mind one bit.

also on ao3 Little Secrets

[hotpotrandomfics]

Fifth Year AU: Shenanigans and Starshowers

Summary: Jason finds Merula relaxing with his notebook and after some silly banter the two would sneak out for a surprising view. Who says romance is dead?

Word Count: 1,875

Merula had been sitting in the common room, going through Jason's notes. She always preferred his notes to her own, as he always seemed to know how to organize them in a way that was reasonable to follow. It made sense of how he is a reliable tutor to his underclassmen as she skimmed through a pair of arms wrapped around her.

"So that's where my notebook," Jason smiled as he held Merula close. "Find anything of interest, Miss Snyde? A few words for your prefect."

"You're annoyingly good at note-taking, and it's just irritating how everything makes sense." Merula looked up to see his eyes beam at her causing her to give a small smile. She wrapped a hand around his neck and pulled him down to kiss his cheek, then pushed him off gently. "But I appreciate you showing me them," she whispered.

"I am happy I can be useful," Jason smiled, "and it's good knowing you like me for more than my notes, right?"

"Eh, the notes are the real reason for our relationship." She teased him as she kissed his nose. "You are your own library, after all."

"You wound me," he placed a hand to his chest, acting like he was hurt. "But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Merula is the sun!"

"What are you going on about?" Merula raised a brow, giving a slight chuckle at the weird way he spoke.

"Oh nothing, just reciting some old play I read a while ago," Jason jumped over the couch, landing next to Merula and tapping her nose ever so lightly.

"A play? You read about plays?" Merula covered her mouth, now trying to stop from bursting into a laughing fit. "Please tell me you're joking? You like plays, and I am now finding this out?"

"I'm not." Jason tilted his head in confusion. "Why?"

"Oh, nothing!" Merula smirked as she laid her head into his lap while swatting at his tie.

"Come on, tell me, please?" Jason looked down at her, giving her his signature puppy dog eyes. Leaning down, he rubbed his forehead into hers, causing her to giggle at his attempt of influencing her to reveal her surprise her boyfriend reads plays for the sake of reading.

"No! No way!" Merula looked at him, frowning sternly, pushing his face up playfully only to have him frown. "Stop it now! Stop being adorable! I am not going to break by those blatant attempts, Aurelius."

Jason sighed and poked her stomach gingerly. He hated when she brushed off his little "puppy tricks" but found it part of what made her all the more charming. The two talked about their day as some of their class were different. Jason hummed as he played with her hair to Merula amusement. As he and Merula relaxed in the common room until the evening arrived, Jason spoke up, waking Merula from the temporary daze she was in.

"Hey?" Jason looked down at the half-asleep girl in his lap.

"Mmm?" Merula grumbled while glancing with one eye.

"Do you want to, um, wanna sneak out of the dorm to go for a walk?"

"A walk? Really?" she raised a brow to her boyfriend.

"Yeah." Jason smiled at her. "But it's going to a bit of rulebreaking involved."

"Aurelius De Leone, rulebreaking? Do tell Fire Snot." Merula pinched his cheek. "What naughty thought you have in mind?"

"One, please don't use 'Fire Snot.' It was one time." Jason pinched her side. "Two, I'm willing to 'bend' the rules if it helps."

"Okay, so what do you propose?" Merula climbed up into his lap and poked his cheek. "Now, I am the one asking the question, so you better give me answers."

"I'll tell you in an hour. Get changed into something you won't get seen in," Jason kissed her cheek, getting up and heading to his dorm room. It was fun for him teasing Merula in this way, as making her wait for her is funny.

"What does my Fire Snot have planned?" Merula snickered to herself then got up, making her way to her dorm room to get ready. Whatever his plan, it better be something worth the mystery.

An hour later, Merula met Jason down in the common room door. Jason wore his signature boots, ripped jeans, and a black sweater. He paced back and forth then spotted Merula in black jeans, boots, and fishnet sweater over a Weird Sisters band tee.

"Well, that's totally not inconspicuous, Aurelius," Merula said as she strutted over to her furball.

"I wouldn't be the one to judge Snyde," Jason pocked her cheek, "come along, then dear."

"Now, don't get cheeky with me. Understand?" Merula smirked and took his hand.

"Off we go to rulebreaking," Jason smirked as he led the witch through the castle.

Step by step, the two made their way through the corridors until they reached the passage leading to the training grounds. The two heard a meow, Mrs. Norris, meaning Filch was somewhere close by. Merula pushed Jason into a column, holding her hand to his mouth, shushing him.  For a small girl, she had a lot of physical strength. Merula pressed close to him tightly so they wouldn't be seen.

Mrs. Norris looked around and meowed for about a minute before scurrying off to wherever Filch would be. Merula let go of Jason, and the two breathed a sigh of relief. Merula gazed up at him and giggled, prompting him to snicker himself. The two continued to the training grounds where Jason cast "Alohomora" on the door for where the brooms are stored. Wait, what was he doing?

"Do you mind explaining your plan, love?" Merula crossed her arms, staring cautiously at him.

"Well, I u-um thought that we go for a late-night flight?" Jason said as he grabbed a broom for them. "Why?"

"Never thought you would be willing to step out of line Prefect," Merula smirked. "Is there a reason for this? A late-night walk to a late-night flight?"

"Is it wrong to bend the rules if it suits me? Especially if it's to have a moment with my girlfriend. I can make the exception." Jason smirked and walked over to Merula, kissing her. "I am learning these habits because of you," he laughed as he set himself on the broom, urging her to get on behind him. Merula did so and wrapped her arms around his waist and helped tight as he took off. She watched as Jason kicked off and started flying off through the castle grounds. What was his plan she had no clue, but this was going to be fun.

Jason flew the two of them with care, flying pass the clouds over Hogwarts. He looked back to see the wind running through Merula hair. She gazed at the sky and ran one hand along with the clouds next to them. He smiled as he held the hand on his stomach.

"You know," Merula laid her head to his back, "I have to say you know how to have fun."

"I can have fun sometimes," Jason held her hand tight, "but you compel me to do be more daring things. If it's for you, fun, I'll be."

"S-stop that!" Merula blushed as she held him tighter.

"Stop what?"

"Saying c-cute... things..." Merula muttered as her heartbeat pace started paced up. She always was at a loss for words when Jason got all romantic. It frustrated her, but not in a wicked way as he was smoother than any of the male students at Hogwarts. Well, that's what she thought to herself.

"Why?" Jason turned his head to look at her. The moonlight glistened on her cheek and made her eyes glow in just the right way to send chills down his spine.

"B-because... it makes me feel h-happy you f-furball," Merula hid her face into his back. How was it that he had such power over her? No spells said, or potions were stronger to her than that of Jason's kindness to her.

Jason smiled as he flew the two of them to the shore of the Black Lake across from Hogwarts. As he landed, he placed the broom down and embraced Merula. Merula looked at him curiously as the moon, though only a crescent, as the light radiated against Jason's hair and eyes gazed at her.

"What is it?" she asked. "You seemed kinda out of it."

"Nothing, I'm just happy you agreed to this little escapade of mine," he smiled.

"You're sure are strange, but I prefer your brand of strange," Merula caressed his cheek. "Jason, why do you treat me so nicely? I'm not always nice, and yet you treat me better than I deserve. For all that's holy, I'm sure I have almost gotten you killed on too many occasions."

"Who's to say. I never saw you as bad, evil, or any synonym of the sort. Merula," Jason pulled her by the waist, "I think you deserve happiness. Why do you think I'm more daring?"

"Because you can't stop getting in trouble?" Merula smirked at him with a raised brow. "Or you're naturally insane and just hide it with a cute deception."

"No," he laughed, "I want to share moments with you. Like this." Jason pointed up to the sky to which Merula turned. "It took some planning and getting a bit of advice on what would be the best time to do this. I hope you like this."

"Is that a meteor shower?" Merula jaw slightly dropped as the sky rained with streams of lights drizzled the air. The streams danced as they soared through the canvas of midnight, blue and black. "How'd you know about this?"

"I may have asked Professor Sinistra, the astronomy professor, about how to learn about meteor showers and other things. I agreed I'd help with ensuring the room was organized and trust me; it was in needing of it." Jason smiled at her, holding her close and throwing his back into the sand having Merula yelp as Jason brought her down with them.

"Jason!" Merula squealed at her idiot's shenanigans. "Why is it we end up like this when you end up doing something stupid?"

"I am reckless, not stupid, and I have no complaints," Jason smiled as he sat them both up, "anyway, w-was this worth it?" He was nervous as he ran his thumb in circles with her hand in his.

"You never cease to amaze me." Merula couldn't help but feel blessed that her boyfriend would go so far for her. Someday she'd do something better than what he's done to show him he means the world to her. "It is perfect, but I am sure I can do something better."

"Is that a fact?" Jason raised a brow grinning. "Wanna prove that oh most powerful girlfriend in all of Hogwarts?"

"Oh, now you're gonna get it." Merula jumped up and pulled her wand out, taking her dueling stance.

"This isn't what I was expecting, but I can work with this. Whoever loses has to do something for the other, no complaints," Jason smiled as he stood up with his wand now in hand. "Shall we?"

[aufanficfanatic]

BNHA Pokémon AU Part 1: Kirishima Eijirou

II. LYCANROC

--------

"Riot, use Crush Claw!"  

Twelve-year-old Kirishima Eijirou watched with a critical eye as a little tan canine slashed at a Geodude with extended claws, cracking its outer defence and leaving it vulnerable for further physical attacks. Geodude tried to curl its body around the vulnerability to compensate, but Eijirou and Riot were too quick. With a toothy grin, Ei shouted, "Riot, show Geodude some love!" With a cute little bark, Riot ran right up to the curled Pokémon and began vigorously rubbing his rocky collar along its body. The rocks' sharpness proved to be the end of the match when one stuck into the crack previously made by Crush Claw. Geodude fainted and was recalled by the Pewter Gym Trainer.

"Way to go, Riot! Yeah!" Eijirou cheered, running to give his Pokémon some pets. The Rockruff's blue eyes shown with affection as his Trainer rubbed between his ears, and he barked just as loudly as Eijirou cheered.

"Eiji-kun, please call official Pokémon moves when you're in a proper match, okay? That kind of improvisation is all well and good for wild Pokémon tussles, but as a Gym leader I could disqualify Riot for something like that outside the registered moveset."

"Aw, Brock-ojiisan!"

The Pewter City gym leader was thirty-seven and had been training Eijirou since the boy had turned ten. Every weekday, after he got out of school, Eijirou would run to the Pewter Gym and train with Brock and his subordinates for a few hours. Brock-ojiisan was a great teacher, knew all the tricks and tips for raising rock-type Pokémon, and was strict but fair with Eijirou and Riot. Case in point—

"Sometimes it really sucks being limited to Riot's moveset. I get lots of ideas during a match, and I wanna try them all! Why does it have to be like that, Brock-ojiisan?"

Brock tousled the boy's chin-length black hair, sighing in that particular way that meant Eijirou probably learned about this before but had forgotten. "For the same reason a Pokémon Trainer can only utilize up to six Pokémon at a time. It keeps matches fair and balanced. To even the playing field for all different types of Trainers, the rules need to be standardized across the Regions."

"I guess that makes sense. Playing fair is manly! I'll only use Riot's registered moveset next time, I promise!" The boy turned to Kanta, one of Brock's gym trainers, and bowed in apology. "Thanks for the match! Sorry for the unregistered move! It won't happen again!"

Brock chuckled, smiling warmly at the boy who's become like a nephew to him. He never quite outgrew speaking in exclamations. "And how is Riot doing compared to the timeline you drew up? Is he on-schedule? It's going to be soon, right?"

Eijirou grinned again, showing off his shaper-than-normal teeth. "He's officially level twenty-four, as of yesterday. I'm observing his experience growth... I've got it timed to Friday at 5pm on the dot! He's gonna be an even prettier Dusk colour than kaa-san's!" Eijirou was bouncing now, too excited to contain his energy. "I'm gonna have a Lycanroc! Are ya excited, Riot? Are ya, are ya?" His energy overflowed, spilling over to Riot quickly as the Rockruff bounded in circles and barked incessantly.

Brock laughed. "Alright, kid, calm down. So just a couple days, huh? And are you prepared for the aggression spike? I've noticed that Riot is already a lot rougher than he used to be ... he won't hurt you on purpose, I know that, but you've gotta prepare for an adjustment period. Have your moms walked you through everything?"

Eijirou's laugh turned into a pout. "Hey, Brock-ojiisan, I grew up on Rockruff Ranch! I've taken care of loads of Lycanroc, I can totally handle it!"

Well, that was probably true. Brock thought that he was perhaps the one who wasn't ready to handle the aggression of a Lycanroc in his Gym every day.

Suddenly, the doors flew open, banging against the wall as another gym trainer ran into the building. "Brock-sama! Pewter's downtown is under attack! Its Team Rocket!" The other gym trainers erupted with shock and anger, turning to their Gym Leader to wait for instructions.

Brock leapt into action, racing over to his bag to switch out his weaker gym Pokémon for his personal team. "Grab your teams and get to the Pokémon Center, quickly! Protect the nurses; don't let any grunts steal injured Pokémon!" The Gym emptied out quickly, and soon it was just Brock and Eijirou.

"Brock-ojiisan ..." Eijirou murmured fearfully, clenching a fist in Riot's ruff. "What should I do?"

Brock tossed a Pokéball out the door of the Gym, and Eijirou saw Brock's favoured Onix appear in an explosion of light. "Stay here, Eiji-kun, and stay safe. I'm locking you in—don't answer the door for anybody, okay? Keep Riot close, and protect each other." With that, Brock was gone, and Eijirou was left in the empty Gym alone.

"Be safe ..." Eijirou murmured, and Riot butted his head against Eijirou's hand, whining softly. "I know, boy—this is really scary! I can't believe Team Rocket would attack Pewter City in broad daylight. I feel like I should be with Brock-ojiisan, helping protect everyone ..." Riot cocked his head at Eijirou, yipping almost in admonishment. "No, Brock-ojiisan told us to stay here, Riot! Sorry boy, but we can't go." He sighed, sitting down cross-legged on the floor. "When you evolve into a Lycanroc, Riot, we'll have all the strength we need to protect everybody! Even Brock-ojiisan! So let's keep working hard when this is over, and get you your Dusk form!" His beloved partner yipped in agreement, and then settled down by Eijirou's side, blue eyes focused on the glass doors.

Nothing happened, for a long while. Eijirou couldn't sit still, opting to stand up and pace over by the reception desk to try and relieve some of his nervous energy. He tried not to worry about Brock-ojiisan, but it was proving to be difficult. "What if they gang up on him," he asked Riot in desperation, the Pokémon cocking an ear in Eijirou's direction. "What if they have lots of water and grass Pokémon and Onix gets hurt? What if—"

"Hello, hello? Is anyone there? Brock-sama? Please, let us in! Help us!" Eijirou froze in his tracks as two girls suddenly ran up to the Gym doors, one of them banging a fist on the glass while the other had her back turned, focusing on something in the distance. Eijirou recognized them from school, though they weren't in his class. What should he do? Brock-ojiisan told him not to open the door for anyone ...

And then, a Rocket grunt stepped onto the path behind the girls. He was a mean-looking brute, all muscles and small squinting eyes. He had an equally mean-looking Raticate beside him, drool dripping down its wicked teeth. He couldn't hear what the grunt said to the girls, but it was clear he was after their Pokémon.

Eijirou's heart leapt to his throat. He should do something! He and Riot had been training for two years now, surely he could handle one Raticate? His legs wouldn't cooperate. His chest hurt with how fast his heart was beating. The girls were trembling, and the grunt was getting closer to them. Why wasn't he doing anything?! He was so scared, but the girls had it so much worse. He could help them! Why couldn't he move, was he really so pathetic? Yes, he was. He was just a stupid scared loser who didn't have the right to call himself a Pokémon trainer—

"Ruff." Riot was suddenly there, nipping at Eijirou's fingers and dragging him out of his own head.

"Ouch! Riot?" Startled red eyes stared into solemn blue. Eijirou had never seen Riot look so intense before like he was staring through him. There was a determination that filled Riot to the brim, making his fur stand on end and his eyes gleam with sharpness, muzzle lifted proudly in the air.  

"Ruff, ruff!" His Pokémon's presence filled the space around him. He butted his head sharply against Eijirou's hand, chasing away the anxious, buzzing thoughts and giving Eijirou clarity for the first time since word of Team Rocket had first reached them.

"We ... can do this. We can help those girls," Eijirou said, hesitation slowly leaking out of his body and voice as he spoke. "I'm a Pokémon Trainer. My Pokémon is standing strong, so I will, too! I gotta be manly—to be anything less would be an insult to my Pokémon's hard work! Yeah! C'mon Riot, let's be heroes!"

"Ruff, ruff, ruff!" Riot barked loudly, spinning in a tight circle and then facing the glass doors with fangs bared. The grunt was leaning over the crying girls in a position of power and intimidation, one hand resting on the door over their heads and the other held out for their Pokéballs.

Eijirou's legs didn't freeze up this time. He sprinted to the door, Riot on his heels, and threw it open. The grunt was thrown off-balance and stumbled to the ground with an expletive. Eijirou used the distraction to push the girls behind him into the safety of the Gym lobby. "Close the doors behind me, don't open them for anyone except Brock-ojiisan or Officer Jenny!"

Riot had already tackled the Raticate, sending it sprawling a few feet away. The grunt recovered and narrowed his eyes at the interloper standing between him and his prey. "Who do you think you are, punk? You think you can just step in and interfere with Team Rocket? Fine, I'll take your Pokémon first! Raticate, Bite that stupid dog!"

Eijirou had never been a part of such a high-stakes Pokémon match. But strangely, all he felt was confidence as Riot dodged the Raticate's teeth and regrouped in front of his Trainer, snarling and baring his fangs. "I won't let you take their Pokémon, and you won't have mine, either! I'll stop you right here and now!"

The grunt backpedalled away from Ejirou, regrouping with his Raticate a safe distance away. "Think you're some kinda hotshot, punk? We'll see which is stronger—your rocks or our teeth!"

He sent the Raticate forward with another Bite. Riot attempted to dodge, but the vicious teeth caught one of the rocks in his ruff with just enough leverage to drag the littler Pokémon closer. Eijirou had a move ready to call out as soon as the Raticate finished its turn and withdrew—but it didn't, just held Riot between its teeth, and before Eijirou could do more than blink in confusion the Rocket grunt yelled, "Hyper Fang!" The stone between the Raticate's wide, flat teeth chipped off with the force of the bite, causing the Rockruff to yelp.

"Riot!" Eijirou shouted in shock and then turned angrily on the grunt. "You used two moves in a row, that's against the rules!"

The Raticate withdrew and hopped back towards its Trainer, who scoffed out a laugh. "What are you gonna do, punk? Call the League on me?"

Eijirou grit his teeth. Man, he hated this guy! "Riot, you good?" he asked his partner, who shook out his ruff and then barked affirmatively. "Awesome! Okay, boy, it's our turn! Looks like that Raticate wants to chew on some rocks—let's give it a whole buffet! Rock Throw!"

Riot's bright blue eyes blazed keenly as his tail began to glow, ejecting sharp stones that hurled themselves at the opponents. There were too many to dodge, but the rocks were small, and Raticate was able to take the attack standing.

Eijirou and Riot settled into the battle with tenacity and focus. Eijirou decided on a long-range battle style, determined to keep Riot away from Raticate's teeth and tail. Riot danced evasively around the increasingly-frustrated rat, picking away at its HP with Rock Throws and using his fluffy tail to sweep a few Sand Attacks into its eyes. Even so, Raticate was a vicious opponent, and its Trainer didn't follow League rules at all—Eijirou had counted six different moves used against Riot so far, often in succession instead of turn-based.

After a few successful Fury Swipes that sent bits of Riot's fur flying, Eijirou decided enough was enough. It was time to end this, the way Eijirou and Riot preferred—up close and personal. "Good boy, Riot! Now, use Crush Claw!"

Riot rushed forward, leaping in the air over the tail that had whipped around in an attempt to trip him up ("Seriously, dude, again?") and landed claws-first on the Raticate's back. Though he was the smaller Pokémon, he was still a rock-type—and therefore weighed enough to flatten that Raticate right out on the ground.  

Surprisingly, it didn't faint. It was close, though, and Crush Claw had lowered its defences even further. Riot, on the other hand, had incredible stamina and could take a few more Bites if Eijirou followed the rules; if he allowed Riot to wait his turn and end this the League way.

But the grunt had made Eijirou realize that this was no proper Pokémon battle. There were no League officials to call fouls, or Gym Leaders to disqualify him. There were no rules and regulations, other than to make sure he and his beloved Pokémon partner got out of this fight in one piece. So Eijirou was going to finish it now, his way. He grinned widely, and peripherally he could see the grunt flinch at the sight of Eijirou's sharp teeth.

"Hey, Riot! Show that Raticate some love!"

Riot nearly howled in delight and nuzzled his jagged rocks into the Pokémon beneath him in aggression more than affection. With a pained cry, Raticate fainted, and then it was finally over. Riot ran barking over to Eijriou and leapt into his arms, and Eijirou was so proud of him he couldn't contain it, laughing and spinning him through the air. "You did it! We did it! We were awesome, yeah!"

The Rocket grunt recalled his fainted Pokémon with a snarl. "You brat. You think you got the best of Team Rocket? You better think again. We got admins here, and you can bet they'll crush that stupid Gym Leader and his rock-type Pokémon to gravel! And you'll be next, I'll make sure of that."

Riot leapt out of Eijirou's hands, snarling viciously, and his tail glowed up for another Rock Throw. The grunt quickly turned tail and ran, cursing as he got pelted with small stones on the way. So unmanly.

Eijirou's Pokédex chirped with battle results and an updated account balance, but Eijirou ignored it. He paced, his victory grin fading into a nervous frown. "I'm kinda worried about Brock-ojiisan. What do ya think, Riot? Should we go find him? And maybe kick more Team Rocket butts along the way?"

Riot full-out howled, claws digging into the earth and hackles rising as he cried out his battle lust to the darkening sky. His eyes almost looked red in the light of the setting sun. Eijirou stared at his Pokémon partner in awe, suddenly understanding Brock-ojiisan's concerns a bit. "You really are getting pretty aggressive, aren't ya little man? Aw, it's kinda cute!"

That had earned him a nipped finger or five.

--------   (-o-) --------

It was a long evening. Eijirou hadn't come across Brock-ojiisan right away, instead diving in to help the ordinary citizens of Pewter City, whose homes and businesses were being looted and their Pokémon stolen by Team Rocket grunts. But Pewter people were tough as nails, and often they dove right into the fray to help each other out, double and even triple battling to send grunts packing. Riot was a force of nature, fast and vicious and tenacious. Eijirou couldn't believe he'd ever doubted this, their strength and their bond, as they won battle after battle.

By the time he found Brock-ojiisan, Eijirou was covered in sweat and dirt, had a lump in the back of his head where he'd been nailed by a stray Bullet Seed, and was having the time of his life.

To his credit, Brock-ojiisan wasn't at all surprised to see him. He just rolled his eyes, tossed Eijirou a Super Potion, and went back to soundly thrashing the Rocket Admin before him. Brock's slightly-psychotic Steelix was out to play, and Eijirou felt bad for the guy, villain though he was—there were definitely broken bones in his future.

He spared a few moments to watch Brock-ojiisan be manly and cool, and then he turned back around. "Alright Riot, let's go towards the school and make sure all the ... students are ... safe?" Eijirou blinked, spinning around and searching the ground around his feet. "Riot? Where are ya, boy?" He stuttered forward a few feet, looking around at the various battles and chaos ensuing around him, trying to catch a glimpse of tan fur. Did that rock-brained dog really just leave to fight without him? Man, he was going to be so aggressive as a Lycanroc ...

But as Eijirou finished a lap around the plaza without a sign of Riot, panic began to set low in his belly. "Riot? RIOT, WHERE ARE YOU?" He'd only taken his eyes off his partner for a second, how could he have lost him? There was no way a Rocket grunt could've snuck up behind him and taken Riot without a sound ... right?

Oh, Arceus. Eijirou broke into a sprint, picking a random street and running past Rocket grunts and Pewple alike. "RIOT! RIOT!" he called over and over, tears prickling at the corners of his eyes as all the terrible scenarios played in his mind. He was laying in a ditch, fainted and hurt. He was abducted by Team Rocket. He was lost, searching for Eijirou just as desperately ...

Out of nowhere, down some side street that Eijirou didn't know the name of, something collided painfully with the back of his knees, and he ate the pavement. It hurt; tears poured down his cheeks as he sat up and spat blood onto the street; his sharp teeth had bitten deep into his tongue. But it didn't matter, because all he could feel was joy and relief. "Riot, thank Arceus I found you—huh?" He looked up into narrow, black eyes and wide, drooling teeth, and that joy died viciously in his chest.

"Well, well, well ... just the brat we were looking for, eh Raticate?" It was him, the grunt from the Gym! But ... why was he here? Eijirou had already defeated him, he wasn't supposed to come back ...! Eijirou scrambled to his feet, mouth full of blood and heart full of fear.  

"Aw, did you lose something, Sharpedo-boy? Why don't I help you with that, huh?"

That paralyzing, choking feeling from the Gym lobby was filling him again. His body trembled. His heart throbbed in his throat, and his legs went numb. What should he do? He'd already decided to never to feel this way again, to doubt in his and Riot's bond—but Riot wasn't here. He'd left Eijirou on his own, with no other Pokémon, to face a villain who so clearly wanted to hurt him.

The grunt's eyes matched his Raticate's, black and small and vicious. "Not so tough without that yappy dog at your heels, slinging its pathetic pebbles, are you brat?" Eijirou stumbled backwards, some sort of flight instinct trying to kick in through the numbness. The grunt stayed still. "Let's see if we can make you faint this time. Raticate, Tackle."

Eijirou barely had time to throw up his hands in a defensive manoeuver before he was thrown off his feet by what felt like the force of a small train, knocking all the wind out of him and laying him flat on his back. Wheezing, Eijirou tried to scramble back to his feet, but he felt uncoordinated and dizzy.

The grunt was drawing closer. His face was so blank, and his eyes were so cold. "Quick Attack." Raticate moved so quickly Eijirou didn't have time to flinch before his body skidded across the ground and his head smacked painfully into the wall behind him. His gasp of pain made him choke on the blood that had been pooling in his mouth from his cut tongue, and he coughed. It hurt. It hurt. He wanted his kaa-san.

The grunt was standing before him now, watching him with a smirk. "That's the problem with these young Pokémon trainers, Raticate. They go traipsing around the region throwing Pokéballs at all sorts of people bigger than them, convinced that theirs is the only kind of power in the world. But take away that Pokéball and all you have left is some snot-nosed brat peeing his pants and crying for Mummy."

Eijirou coughed and spat out more blood and tried not to puke the rest of it up. "W-where ... is h-he?" he gasped. He couldn't sit up, lead lolling uselessly against the wall. "Where's ... Riot ...?"

The grunt shrugged. "Dunno. Shoved in a sack in the back of a van? Kicked into the gutter like old rubbish? Suffocating in some Muk's body? Who knows. Don't really care, I only came here because of you. I owe you." Eijirou had encountered evil for the first time in this world, was looking it in the face, watching as it looked back. This man ... this evil man looked at a little twelve-year-old's bruised and battered face and only said, "Try for a critical hit this time, Raticate. Faint him good and permanent."

Raticate shifted its weight to its back feet, ready to strike—

And then, a howl sounded through the narrow street, so deep and loud that it made the bricks beneath Eijirou's head resonate with the timbre. The Rocket grunt's head whipped around, but by then it was too late—in an explosion of rock shards and a streak of deep red, the Raticate was flung thirty-odd meters down to the other end of the street, crashed into a rubbish bin, and laid still.

The grunt had tripped backwards in shock, falling on the ground and banging his elbow against the cobbles. "Ow, what the f—" he looked up into glowing red eyes, and the curse died on his tongue.

A Midnight-Form Lycanroc stood in front of Eijirou like some avenging angel—no, an avenging devil—muzzle full of sharp teeth and wide paws tipped with wicked claws and glowing red eyes that promised nothing but complete and utter destruction.

The grunt had fear in his eyes, for the first time. He leapt to his feet and ran as fast as he could, fumbling for Raticate's Pokéball to collect him on his way out. But then four massive boulders slammed into the ground around him, boxing him in, preventing escape. Eijirou gaped. Rock Tomb, had to be, but so incredibly powerful ...! And then a fifth boulder, not nearly as large as the others but big enough to get the job done, fell right on top of his head, and the man crumbled and didn't get up again.

Eijirou was too dizzy to move, could only stare incomprehensibly at this strange Lycanroc that had come to rescue him out of nowhere. Really, it was a wonder he was still conscious at this point, so he could be forgiven for the absolute delusion that spilled out of his lips when he looked at this fierce, protective Pokémon—"Dad?"

The Lycanroc whimpered, curling into Eijirou's side and licking his cheek. Suddenly different than before, the Lycanroc curled tightly in a ball, almost in shame, and whined on every exhale.

Eijirou hurt all over. He wanted his kaa-san, but this strange Lycanroc was warm and soft. He closed his eyes, laying his aching head down onto soft scarlet fur, and let himself drift for a bit. He thought at one point maybe he'd heard the Lycanroc barking, and someone calling his name, but Eijirou decided he'd deal with it later. He slept.

--------   (-o-) --------

[dargeereads]

COCKY HERO CLUB

Release Date: May 17, 2020

Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward are excited to bring you the Cocky Hero Club: original works from various authors inspired by Keeland and Ward's New York Times bestselling Cocky Bastard series.

COCKY DUKE

BY ANNABELLE ANDERS

Mrs. Ambrosia Bloomington, now a widow, is ready to start a new life amongst Mayfair elites without the overarching reach of her late husband, Mr. Harrison Bloomington.  With her trunks loaded safely onto her own private carriage, she’s ready to face the world as an independent woman in Regency London.

She does not, however, bargain for cocksure Frenchman, Mr. Charles Cochran Bateman coming along and turning her very ordinary journey into the adventure of a lifetime.

She does not bargain for his laughter, his enthusiasm, nor his Joie de vie.

And blast and fiddlesticks, she certainly is not expecting to experience the sparks that charge the air between them.

And, it seems, apparently, neither is he…

ADD TO GOODREADS

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MOTHER CLUCKER

BY CAT JOHNSON

They say opposites attract, but in this case, they might just combust . . .

HEATHER

Hermosa Beach seems to be the place for throwing together unlikely opposites.

My rooster Rowdy and his new crush, Pixy the goat.

Me and the obnoxiously cocky cowboy from Texas . . .

But unlike Rowdy and Pixy, there’s no way I’m going to fall for David Strickland.

Nope. Not gonna happen. I could never be with a man so completely opposed to everything I believe . . . no matter how hot he is.

DAVID

There couldn’t be two people more different than the beautiful little tree hugger and rooster rescuer Heather and me.

We can’t agree on anything, except that we disagree on everything—some times more heatedly than other times. And believe me, things are starting to heat up between us, in more ways than one.

She's the last thing I expected to find at an animal shelter in California. But now I found her, I have no intention of letting her go.

I just have to get her on board with that plan.

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SECRET KEEPER BY CHRISTOPHER HARLAN

She was the fruit of a forbidden tree, but nothing in this world was going to stop me from tasting her.

My name is Dylan Murphy, and I work for the rich and powerful of an exclusive Manhattan building. Graham Morgan was my first boss, but soon after I was working with some of the most famous entrepreneurs, business moguls, and movie stars in the city. They trusted me because I always followed the cardinal rules:

Never betray secrets. And never, under any circumstance, get personally involved.

I’d never dreamed of violating my professional mantra.

Not until she walked past me.

The look we exchanged that night set my body on fire, and I knew right then and there that no matter the consequences, she was going to be mine. But she was one of them—off limits and out of my league, but she was the kind of woman who I was willing to risk everything for.

I keep other people’s secrets for a living, but the biggest secret of all might be my own.

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COCKY CAPTAIN

BY ELLIE MASTERS

Ex-fighter pilot, Logan Reid, is exactly the kind of man I despise. He’s a cocky jet jock, a former Navy Blue Angel, and full of all the arrogance that comes with being the best of the best.

I’m an ex-Zoomie, an Air Force tanker pilot. The rivalry between our sister services is nothing compared to that between fighter jocks and tanker pilots. We’re bitter rivals and I’m low-man (woman) on the totem pole

The last thing I need is to spend six hours at thirty-five thousand feet locked in a cockpit with the cocky captain. But I have no choice. I’m his co-pilot, and we’re taking the CEO of Montague Enterprises, and his family, on a mini-vacation to the Grand Caymans.

We have three days on the ground before we fly back.

Three long days in paradise and he wants to spend them all with me.

I have a thing for fighter pilots.

It isn’t animosity, exactly, but rather a deep-seated dislike. They get all the glory while the rest of us sit at the butt end of their jokes and wither beneath their ridicule.

I hate fighter pilots. There, I said it. I hate the arrogant pricks with a passion.

But after one look into those magnetic eyes, and the devastating wink which follows, I’m thinking of throwing caution to the wind. What harm can come from some innocent flirting? Besides, it’s not as if my job is at risk.

I’m not prepared for the air to sizzle when he’s close.

I’m not ready for our explosive chemistry when he touches my skin.

I’m not equipped for the fallout when our three days come to an end.

And I never expected to fall in love.

But all good things come to an end.

I wasn’t prepared when I walked away.

And I wasn’t ready for what came next.

He’s arrogant.

He’s cocky.

He’s determined to get what he wants.

And he’s refuses  to let this end.

He’s fighting for a forever…with me.

But, I’m not ready for our beginning.

He’s arrogant enough to prove me wrong.

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SEXY SUIT

BY J.H. CROIX

When I met Ryan, I might’ve been trying to break into his basement.

It was for a good cause. I swear. Also, my dog broke in first.

Ryan Blake is jaw-dropping handsome, wealthy & cocky. Not quite my type. By some miracle, he doesn’t call the police on me when he catches me trying to rescue my dog. He even fetches a doctor for me. Don’t ask why.

I don’t figure I’ll see him again. Then, I do. Then, he kisses me. Once. Twice. Is three times the charm? To be honest, I swooned at the first kiss.

All swooning aside, we are seriously opposites. I wear cowboy boots and skirts. He wears suits and ties. He’s all New York City. I’m a Southern girl looking for a new start. We even talk at different speeds.

The list of things I don’t expect from Ryan is long. I don’t expect him to think twice about me. I don’t expect him to nearly bring me to my knees with a look. I don’t expect him to be so much more than I ever imagined.

I absolutely don’t expect to fall for him. So hard I’m skidding sideways just to catch my balance.

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WICKED BEDMATE BY JENIKA SNOW

Getting fired and humiliated in front of everyone at my newly acquired secretarial job at Morgan Financial Holdings wasn’t how I’d seen my day going.

And then chaos—or maybe luck—ensured.

I was set up on a blind date, shocked that my former boss was giving me a month’s severance, and had the perfect interview lined up.

Maybe things were looking up for me after all.

And although finding a man should have been on the bottom of my to-to list, I couldn’t get Jason—the uber sexy blind date—out of my head. Sexy and confident—or maybe arrogant—he had me yearning for more with just a smoldering look and a smirk of his lips.

But when a night of drinking leads to getting in bed with him and having the wildest, most intense night of my life, I didn’t know if I should ask to see him again, or do the good old walk of shame.

And it’s when I walk into my interview the next day and come face-to-face with my prospective employer that the reality of my situation sinks in.

Because there, sitting across from me with that devilish smile on his face, that knowing expression of what we’d done the night before, is the one and only Jason, my supposedly one-night stand.

Looked like my humiliation wasn’t over just yet.

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LUCKY BASTARD BY KAYLEE RYAN

Emma

When my best friend Aubrey asked me to tag along to an event with her, I never could have imagined that it would be the day that my life changed forever.

He’s arrogant and demanding and doesn’t take a hint. Landon Barker, the quarterback for the Hermosa Beach Trojans, is a player on and off of the field. He’s got his sights set on me as his next play, but I see right through him. Aubrey says I’m overreacting, that I should give him a chance. What she doesn’t realize is men like Landon don’t fall for the girl next door. That’s not reality. She got her fairytale, although it was a long road. Not all of us are that lucky.

Landon

She’s a friend of our new kicking coach’s wife. When I ask Chance for her number, he tells me I have to find a way to get it myself.

Nothing when it comes to Emma has been easy. She’s the first woman ever to turn me down, and that won’t do. However, as time passes, it’s about more than that. It’s about her smile, her laugh, and just spending time with her. She thinks I’m a player, and she’s right. What she doesn’t know is that I play to win, and her heart is the ultimate trophy.

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COCKSURE ACE BY K WEBSTER

I’m a fighter.

At least that’s what my daddy always told me.

It’s in our blood.

Hard work, hustle, and a little Hennessey is the Reid motto.

He taught me to fight for everything I wanted in life.

Take down those who threaten the dream.

My dream is to marry the perfect man.

That man is my father’s best friend and I won’t stop until I have him.

And at Daddy’s wedding in Costa Rica, I plan to make that dream finally come true.

Then, my life will be smooth sailing.

Until a chance flight with an arrogant pilot throws me off course. 

Literally. 

Camilo’s decisions affect my future, and I can’t allow anything—not even a cocksure, ridiculously hot idiot—to stand in my way.

Problem is, he fights back.

Every battle I’ve won in life, he shoots down and exposes me for the fraud I am.

Trapped in paradise with my devilishly handsome nemesis seems like one of the seven circles of Hell…and, boy, is it getting hot around here. 

He’ll strip me of my armor.

Remind me of my past.

Force me to rethink my future.

And help me live in the moment.

Will he steal my heart too?

One thing’s for sure.

This girl won’t give up without a fight.

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CLUTCH PLAYER BY NIKKI ASH

Harper

I fell in love when I was sixteen. Landon was my entire world and I thought he would be my forever. But I was young and dumb, and with one error in judgement, I destroyed any chance of a future we could’ve had together, along with our hearts.

Twelve years later and I’m going through the motions of life, but not actually living. Which is why I let my friends, Bridget and Simon, set me up on a blind date. Turns out, it’s not so blind after all. Because the man sitting in front of me is the same man who’s held onto my heart all these years.

Landon

They call me a Clutch Player because I’m good under pressure and quick on my feet. I was also quick to fall in love. The first time it was with baseball, the second was with Harper. And for a short time I had them both.

Until I lost Harper and all I had left was baseball.

For years, I focused on my career. I had accepted that baseball was my one true love.

Until I saw her again. I never imagined we’d ever get a second chance, but now that she’s sitting right across from me, I know there’s no way in hell I’m going to let her go again.

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SEXY SCOUNDREL BY RAISA GREYWOOD

Carlina Perez is in way over her head. Unexpectedly jobless and fostering an exotic pet with an insatiable appetite, this pastry chef needs a new gig faster than she can whip up a batch of scones.  But when she’s tapped to serve as the personal chef to a haughty tabloid regular, she only considers the job out of sheer desperation. After all, Giorgio Acardi may be filthy rich and intoxicatingly handsome, but he’s also a first class scoundrel.

Giorgio Acardi has it all:  money, fame, an endless string of beautiful companions, and the respect of his colleagues and rivals. From the outside looking in, his life is perfect. So perfect, in fact, that he’s even got his eye on a new personal chef. She’s talented and gorgeous, and it shouldn’t make a difference whether she hates him or not as long as she does the job. But there’s something about Carlina that Giorgio just can’t resist, and he hasn’t enjoyed success by backing down from a challenge.

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[btspremiumtrash]

carving your love

⇓ Ship: Incubus!Hoseok x Vampire!Yoongi

⇓ Genre: Fluff, suggestions to smut, Creatures AU

⇓ Summary:  The mortals are throwing a party. A Halloween party. Where they dress up as creatures of the night. But why dress up like them when you can be them? That’s a question that the Bangtan Boys don’t need help answering since they themselves are those things that go bump in the night. But the question that has never dawned any of them was: What would happen if an incubus and vampire were to intermingle?

⇓ Word ct.: 5k

⇓ Warnings: None :)

⇓Prompt:  “I assumed we were both mediocre pumpkin carvers and made a bet saying my pumpkin would be better and you just turned yours around and I’m horrified because you didn’t tell me that you were going to kill it, especially since mine is just our initials and a heart.” (In collaboration with @sunshinebtss ❤)

Masterlist

“I’m not going,” Yoongi said in his famous (or infamous if you will) deadpanned tone to the older man, Seokjin, who was trying to convince him to join him and the rest of the gang to the Halloween party being thrown by the humans not too far away from their place. “We know how the last party went. Why would I waste my time with another incident happening like that again?”

It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. No one would dare throw a party in the most haunted mansion in Seoul. Except for the group of hormonal, ignorant teenagers who didn’t even think twice when persuaded by the shapeshifter Seokjin in hopes that they would fall for it. Thank goodness they were high off their asses when he offered them the deal. Otherwise, it would’ve been just like last year: a solid no.

The last time someone threw a party there, the werewolf Jeongguk took things a little too far. Although it wasn’t his fault for the full moon that just so happened to be on that night, it made his temper skyrocket, making it extremely easy to set off the man with even the slightest thing. Which is exactly what happened. A teenager dressed in a Big Bad Wolf costume called Jeongguk a fake werewolf and that comment ended his life. Ever since then, no one has come back in fear of the werewolf but also the ghost. Fortunately enough though, the only ghost that inhabits the mansion is Taehyung. The other guy was sent to hell for what he’s done during his time on Earth.

So with all this mind, Seokjin couldn’t bear the thought of Yoongi not coming back to the mansion. “Please Yoongi? Jeongguk will be on a tight leash I promise. Jimin can keep him in check or he can go to a spare room and watch anime while the party happens.”

Yoongi cocked an eyebrow as he looked up from his computer to see the pleading Seokjin beg for his appearance at the party. He was currently doing research for a liberal arts assignment for his online university that was due ironically enough on Halloween, AKA tonight. “Is Namjoon going?”

Ah, the man—or rather merman—that stole Seokjin’s heart at first sight. He would go to visit him in the ocean every chance he got, shifting into a merman himself to see him and all he had to offer. Of course, Seokjin never spoke to Namjoon about his true feelings for the merman. Why would he take the chance to ruin the beautiful friendship that he had with him? And so he kept his feelings at bay.

That comment made blood rush to his cheeks, which he shook off and responded, “Yes he is. But so is Hoseok. And you need to be the one who shows him the ropes.”

Yoongi groaned. Hoseok moved from Gwangju to Seoul not that long ago. Taehyung, being the Casper he was, invited him to the party. He thought it would be a great opportunity to meet other creatures like him and befriend them. “What even is that dude anyway?”

“An incubus. I’m assuming you know—”

“Yes, I know what an incubus is.” Yoongi stopped Seokjin from further explaining. The last time he asked Seokjin to explain something, he was met with the most vivid, haunt-inducing, descriptions that he refrained from ever asking Seokjin to ever describe anything for him. It was for anal sex. Something that before Yoongi was curious about until he asked Seokjin about it. Now he feared it more than dying a second time. “But why do I have to be the one that ‘shows him the ropes’?” He used his fingers as quotations marks to emphasize how stupid this situation was.

Seokjin scoffed. “Uh, I hate to be the one to break it to you buddy but you need to work on your social skills. If you didn’t know any of us in your past life then you probably wouldn’t have any friends.”

“Gee, thanks.” Yoongi rolled his eyes. “Why isn’t 5 a sufficient number?”

“Because I said so. Now get your ass up. We’re going to that party whether you like it or not.”

“Spoiler alert: I don’t,” the vampire said with sarcasm dripping in his voice.

Two could play at that game. With Seokjin grabbing Yoongi’s hand to lift him out of the seat, he matched Yoongi’s sarcasm to a T. “Spoiler alert: I don’t give a shit.”

--

Midnight came around pretty quickly. At least for Seokjin. Yoongi on the other hand, dreaded every second of shopping for a stupid costume with his companion. Seokjin got a matching set for him and Namjoon to wear to the party. Yoongi already had an outfit at home, but Seokjin persisted that he upgrade his wardrobe. And so Yoongi put a little effort in dressing up as himself essentially. Or as the human fantasy of a vampire. He got makeup to make his skin paler than the white walls of the mall they went to and black eyeliner to make his eyes stand out. He even got cute purple eye contacts even though his irises naturally turn red. He doesn’t know why mortals think they had purple eyes, but he didn’t have the capacity to ask or care. Maybe Seokjin was right about this whole “antisocial interactions” thing. To put the finishing touches on his look, he got the Dracula costume package. He had to restrain himself from rolling his eyes at how humans depict him.

Despite initially hating the idea of going out to get a new costume, he actually outdid himself. He enjoyed looking at himself through the specially designed mirror that allowed for his vampiric self to show. Seokjin helped him put some red streaks in his jet-black hair. Now he was fully a heartthrob vampire.

The pair walked over to the mansion that was only fifteen minutes away from their cottage in the woods. They didn’t live far from the cave Jeongguk and his 97-line gang slept and were a good walking distance from Namjoon’s ocean—Hence why Seokjin takes every chance he can to see his merman. Jimin and Taehyung lived in the mansion together so that Taehyung had someone to talk to.

“Huh,” Jimin greeted Yoongi at the door with his arms crossed in amazement that he would come. “So Seokjin really did the impossible.”

Yoongi fought the urge to say something smart to the younger demon. “Nice to see you too, Jimin.”

He smirked, enjoying being able to tease Yoongi like this. “How’d he do it?”

“By dragging him out of his self-loathing chair that he never leaves,” Seokjin answered. “Not even when he’s sleeping.”

Jimin giggled and moved out the way to let the two inside. Besides the very real cobwebs, the Halloween decorations were on point. From the plastic pumpkin baskets full of candy at the buffet table to the fog machines placed all around the house. Very spoopy indeed.

There was no mortals insight. Yoongi would’ve smelled them if there were. However, he did get the faint smell of wet dog—

“Yoongi!” He heard his name being called by Jeongguk from the top of the stairs. “You came!”

The vampire was getting irritated with both the demon and now the werewolf not believing he came to this event. “Is it really that big of a deal?”

He heard the echoey sound of Taehyung’s ghostly self lurking around him as he answered his question. “Uh, honestly, yeah. Didn’t think you’d show up, Dracula.”

“Fuck all of you.”

“You mean that?” Jimin asked.

Seokjin immediately shook his head. “Oh, I’d rather not. I’ve seen Yoongi naked too many times to count. Not a pretty sight.”

Yoongi cracked a wicked grin. “Somehow I think it’s for a different reason. A fishy reason.”

The shapeshifter elbowed Yoongi which made Yoongi bite back a laugh. “You aren’t funny.”

“Wasn’t trying to be.”

“Anyways,” Seokjin turned his attention to the very empty mansion. “Where are the humans? They should’ve been here like twenty minutes ago.”

“I think you meant ‘Where’s Namjoon? He should’ve been here like twenty minutes ago.’” Yoongi mumbled to which Seokjin smacked the back of his neck to silence him.

Jimin shrugged. “I don’t know, chief. Maybe when they were sober they realized the mistake they made and—”

Just before Jimin could come up with his grim conclusion, the doorbell rang. A couple of times before Jimin irritatingly rushed over to open it.

With their high off their minds expressions, one human dressed as a Minion greeted Jimin. “Heyyy dude. Is this where the Halloween party is?”

Jimin tried not to look visibly disgusted with the smell of marijuana oozing from their clothes. He couldn’t even believe he agreed to let these creatures into his home. At least last year the only thing the humans did was drink and that’s something Jimin could do all day if he wanted to. He mustered up an eye smile and welcomed the mortals into the haunted house. “Of course! Come on in so we can get this party started!”

Everyone rushed inside while Taehyung got the music going. Seokjin noticed Namjoon the second he stepped into the house. Jimin shook his head as Seokjin passed him to meet the merman and bring him inside, internally agreeing that Seokjin is indeed whipped as cream for Namjoon. Too bad the only people that don’t know they like each other are Seokjin and Namjoon.

That’s more than he could say for his situation though. Although this isn’t how he pictured his date with Jeongguk going, he was more than elated to watch over the young werewolf as he was kept away from society by entertaining himself with video games and anime.

As everyone had something to do or someone to talk to, Yoongi was alone at the kitchen bar, watching from afar. That was until an unfamiliar scent caught his attention. It was intoxicating. He turned his attention to where the smell was coming from and was greeted with what he assumed to be the new incubus in town. Jung Hoseok.

“Mind if I sit here?” His voice was a thing of beauty. He could listen to it all day if Satan would allow it. His features were everything to gawk about. Wearing a stylish police officer costume, it was like he was sculpted by the goddess Aphrodite herself. And that jawline? That could stab him in the heart and he would say thank you.

Yoongi realized that he was staring at him for probably too long so he stuttered over his words. “Uh yeah sure.” Hopefully, he didn’t catch it. That would be so embarrassing.

Wait a second. Since when was Min Yoongi embarrassed? Since the last time he was alive which was about 3,000 years ago. Nowadays it’s been more of secondhand embarrassment with his friends doing something stupid in public. But now? Now he felt… Dare he say he had butterflies in his stomach.

Hoseok took his seat next to the vampire. He could’ve sworn that his heart skipped a beat when he spoke to him. “You don’t wanna mingle with these lowly excuses for humans too huh?”

Despite the comment he made, he still found it funny and chuckled. “I’d rather not, no. Seeing them make a fool out of themselves is my entertainment for the night.”

Hoseok also laughed along with Yoongi. Taehyung watched from the sidelines. Unfortunately, Yoongi sensed the young ghost’s presence. Without looking in the direction of where Taehyung was hiding, he exclaimed his voice to where he could hear it but it wouldn’t draw attention from the humans. “You know, just because you’re called a creep doesn’t mean you have to act like one.”

Taehyung came out of the walls. He snapped his fingers and turned from a ghost to a human. He smiled that famous boxy smile and said, “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself. Do you want any drinks? Jimin had me stock up. Although I can’t help but think it’s for himself for the aftermath of this party…”

“I’m good.”

“Hey, Taehyung!” Hoseok said with a smile as he greeted his first friend he made since he got to Seoul. “I think I’ll have a few shots if you don’t mind.”

Dammit. He probably sounds like that old sober grandpa that you hate sitting next to at family reunions and does nothing but talk your ear off about how this generation is going to shit.

Oh my god. I’m really overthinking it. What the fuck is wrong with me?

While Taehyung made the drinks, Hoseok was the one to keep the conversation between him and Yoongi going. “I’m assuming you’re a vampire, right?”

“Right.”

“Hmm...,” Hoseok studied Yoongi’s features closely and it took everything in Yoongi to not visibly blush with how close this man was to his face. He took a step backed and cocked his head to the side in confusion. “Then why the purple eyes?”

Yoongi took a pregnant pause to go over what he was going to say in his head. He didn’t want to sound stupid. Not yet anyway. “Humans.” Was his simple answer.

“They’re all wasted anyway, I bet you could just take those off and no one would even bat an eye. Eh, but either way you look nice uhh...”

He realized he never told him his name. “Y-Yoongi. Min Yoongi.” He hated the way his voice audibly stuttered.

Hoseok extended his hand for Yoongi to shake. “Jung Hoseok. But I’m pretty sure Taehyung told you that already.”

“Yeah.” Yoongi held onto Hoseok’s hand for probably a tad longer than what the average time length is spent on shaking one’s hand. Regardless, Hoseok either didn’t mind or didn’t notice. And so he kept them there until he broke it off. “I’m actually supposed to be showing you around Seoul.”

“I’ve done my own walk around the neighborhood,” Hoseok joked. “Although, I wouldn’t mind doing it again if you were my tour guide.”

Oh, I can be more than just a tour guide. Just say the words and I’m all yours.

Wait what the fuck?

Stop thinking like that!

As Taehyung placed the drinks on the island bar for Yoongi and Hoseok, the three turned their attention to Seokjin as he got ahold of a microphone. Those two combinations usually never end well. Tonight was no exception for that combination either.

“Attention humans and creatures of the night,” he exclaimed. “We’re about to have a pumpkin carving contest! Whoever is the winner gets the house!”

At hearing this, Taehyung, now visibly reddened with anger, turned back into a ghost and zoomed as fast as he could above the humans’ head to Seokjin. Once he made it he snapped his fingers to turn back into his fleshy self. He pulled Seokjin away from Namjoon and to the kitchen bar. There he went off on the shapeshifter and the decision he made to basically sell his house free of charge. “Are you fucking crazy, Seokjin? This is my house! Not yours! I don’t see you giving away your little cottage to those strangers!”

“Calm down, Taehyu—”

“Calm down? Calm down?!” Taehyung growled as he pushed Seokjin with all his might. “I don’t know about you but Jeongguk’s pack is really mean to me so I can’t go live with them. I can’t breathe underwater so Namjoon’s place is definitely out. Yoongi would honestly kick me out the second I move in. I won’t have any place to go. What about Jimin—”

Before Taehyung could finish his ranting, Seokjin went over to rest his hands on his shoulders. “Relax, Taehyung. I know how much this place means to you.”

“Do you?” Yoongi questioned with just a hint of sarcasm which earned him a delightful giggle from Hoseok.

He didn’t acknowledge the vampire directly, but he did continue with his explanation. “I very much do. Which is why the contestants that are playing are us. Me, Joonie, Hoseok, and Yoongi. The judges are you, Jimin, and Jeongguk. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

Taehyung pouted. He crossed arms and looked down. “Yeah... But you should’ve told me beforehand...”

“Well, that was before I found out there was an entire pumpkin garden outside in the back of the mansion.”

“Wait. For real?”

“Do you—Do you go outside your own place?”

The ghost looked anywhere but in the direction of Seokjin. He mumbled, “No.”

Seokjin shook his head. “Maybe those witches like you after all.”

Taehyung’s face turned into one of utter disgust. “Ugh! Don’t ever bring them up again. I hate those bitches with a passion.”

While Seokjin was laughing (Taehyung was definitely not), Hoseok leaned to Yoongi to whisper, “Who are the witches?”

Yoongi whispered back without stuttering this time. Improvement is key. “Aptly titled ‘The Four Horsewomen of the Apocalypse’. Kim Jisoo, Kim Jennie, Park Chaeyoung, and Lalisa Manoban. They’re the ones that killed Taehyung all those years ago. They gave him a potion that gave him irresistibility since he was going on a date with his girlfriend, Amber. Unfortunately, that potion was actually cyanide. So when the Devil offered him the proposition of making Taehyung into an immortal ghost to haunt the witches, he took the offer. Although he’s been slacking on the haunting part a little. He couldn’t scare anyone even if he tried. He’s too friendly.”

The vampire thought he was speaking too much. If he wasn’t tripping over his own words, he was going off on a tangent. But Hoseok didn’t seem to mind. In fact, Hoseok would love nothing more than to hear the little Dracula in a very different setting...

Hoseok had to suppress his naughty thoughts as they would awaken his own irresistibility powers. It’s been a struggle as he hasn’t had any luck as of recently. His recent partners were all weak humans with little to no power for Hoseok’s inner sexual demon to feed on. Meaning that his demon was all for taking his lovely vampire to his house. But the little humanity Hoseok had left wanted to honestly win him over without using his incubus powers.

If only he knew how well it was working.

They stared at each other for what seemed like forever, getting lost in each other’s eyes. It wasn’t until Seokjin snapped his fingers in front of them to avert their attention from one another to Seokjin’s waiting stance. Arms crossed, tapping his feet impatiently. “If you two lovebirds are done with the cringe lovey-dovey ogling, we have a pumpkin carving contest to win.”

They both blushed, but Yoongi’s was more noticeable with his paler-than-average skin tone due to the makeup. Hoseok wanted to comment on it and call him cute. But he, along with Yoongi, was swept away from their seats to the cleared out buffet table that was replaced with four pumpkins equally spread apart and carving utensils.

Jimin and Jeongguk were brought downstairs by Namjoon. Jimin hated that their “date” was cut short while Jeongguk was thrilled to be invited to join the party albeit to judge a pumpkin carving contest. Taehyung situated himself in between the duo. They all sat at another table directly in front of the buffet table. The humans all sat on opposite ends of the tables, waiting for the battle to begin.

Hoseok once again leaned down to whisper to Yoongi, “Bet I can beat your pumpkin carving.”

Yoongi scoffed, “Challenge accepted.”

“Alright,” Jimin started.

“On your mark,” Jeongguk continued.

“Get set,” Taehyung added.

“Go!” The trio said at the same time. Telepathy had its perks.

The creatures went to work on their pumpkins. Humans left and right was screaming out who was gonna win. So far the majority of the crowd shouted that the sexy part-time police officer full-time incubus was gonna win. Although that was probably because he was emitting some of his lascivious powers to attract the crowd to help him win. He wasn’t trying to. But he’s so goddamn hungry that it’s getting harder to suppress his demonic urges.

Then again, it wasn’t to show off. He could care less if he were to win with or without having an unfair advantage. It was to impress Yoongi. Maybe winning the contest would also earn him at least one night with this vampire. That’s all he wants. But his heart wants more than just one night. It needs the rest of their immortal lives.

“Five-minute warning!” Jimin shouted above the very loud crowd of annoying humans. Oh, how he was going to enjoy having drink upon drink when this is all over.

Yoongi was already done with his creation. It didn’t take long to decide what he was going to carve. His otherwise cold heart actually felt warm for once. It skipped beats. It felt like he was alive again. Like he had a reason for living. And it was all because of the incubus standing right beside him. He couldn’t help passing a goofy grin to Hoseok. Hoseok could feel Yoongi staring at him, and as much as he would love to return the favor, he had a vampire’s heart (and also contest but that came second) to win.

Five minutes passed like a blur. It felt more like five seconds for Hoseok. Fortunately, he did manage to finish his carving just in time.

“Judging time~” Taehyung sang happily. It was almost as if he was all for this idea although he was the main one throwing a fit about it fifteen minutes ago. “Each of you has to explain what you carved. Once everyone is done we’ll tally up the votes and announce the winner. Cool?”

The contestants all nodded and Jeongguk spoke. “Alright. Joonie first.”

The audience went silent as the merman explained his carving. The amount of detail a man can carve into a pumpkin was telling. “So I drew inspiration from the wonderful sea and all it has to offer. From the different fishies I carved here”—he pointed to each tiny fish as he spoke—“to the seaweed and then of course in the middle is my sandcastle that me and my family live and rule the sea.” He gave a dimpled smile to signify that he was done with his explanation. Everyone was in awe as they clapped their hands during Namjoon’s gentlemanly bow.

Next was Hoseok. He took a deep breath, careful to say the right words to win this contest. He had to get Yoongi out of his mind which was nearly impossible. But somehow he was able to do the impossible. “Okay so, I carved my home, Gwangju. It’s a trail that I used to walk on. The path was so beautiful, especially during spring. The cherry blossoms in full bloom and petals falling down into the lake. I would sit down on this red bench just to clear my mind.”

Now while his words depicted what he had in mind, his carving clearly didn’t support what he was saying the slightest. It was as if a kindergartner was given a knife, told it was a crayon, and to color the pumpkin. But the audience didn’t care. No one cared. Welcome to seducing your victims taught by your local incubus, Jung Hoseok. They still cheered him on.

Oddly enough, his powers didn’t work on the immortal creatures, especially Yoongi who couldn’t hold back the pure laughter that escaped his system as the crowd really bought that half-assed job.

After Yoongi finished laughing (AKA Seokjin kicked his knee to shut him up), Seokjin explained his masterpiece, if you could call it that. “What you see in front of you is a beautifully designed man. He is godly and should be treated as such. I call this ‘Worldwide Handsome’.”

With every contestant, it seemed like Yoongi’s chances of winning were slim. Except for Seokjin and maybe Hoseok if he turned his powers off.

While the art of seduction worked for Hoseok, it didn’t work for Seokjin. Instead, it earned him mockery from everyone excluded Namjoon who comforted him while everyone laughed at his own ego.

“Oh my god, Seokjin!” Taehyung laughed uncontrollably. “You couldn’t even bother carving Namjoon’s face?! It just had to be yours?!”

Seokjin was flushed. His ego had never been more damaged than now.  

Amongst the chaos, Hoseok asked Yoongi what he carved into his pumpkin.

Yoongi complied and turned his pumpkin to Hoseok, giving him his explanation. “I assumed we were both mediocre pumpkin carvers and made a bet saying my pumpkin would be better and you just turned yours around and I’m horrified because you didn’t tell me that you were going to kill it, especially since mine is just our initials and a heart.”

“I—”

Yoongi blushed visibly. He attempted to put away his pumpkin “I-I’m sorry. I just—”

“No, no.” Hoseok stopped Yoongi from putting his pumpkin away by covering his hands in his own. “It’s beautiful. I didn’t know you felt that way.”

I didn’t know I could feel until you came into my life.

He kept that part to himself. But he did smile as he felt the warmth of Hoseok’s hands over his own. He loved that feeling and would love nothing more than to have that every day for the rest of eternity.

“I think I love you, Hoseok.”

Hoseok returned the smile back to him. “I know I love you, Yoongi.”

Jimin cleared his throat audibly so as to gain the attention of the pair who haven’t been able to pay anyone else attention than themselves. It did do the job as they unlocked hands and gave their undivided attention to the demon.

Jimin looked down at Yoongi’s pumpkin, then Yoongi, then the pumpkin again. Then he shot the vampire with a telepathic thought. Do you want yours to be included?

Yoongi shrugged but then shook his head. It was made for him. I could care less about the contest. Just make Seokjin the winner if you don’t mind. I really don’t wanna hear how pissed he was that everyone laughed at him tonight.

Jimin raised a haughty eyebrow. So you aren’t going back with the incubus? Odd.

Shut it, Park.

Did I press a button?

He rolled his eyes as Jimin went over to Hoseok’s pumpkin to give it one more look over. It took everything in him to not crack a smirk. He really did fuck that pumpkin’s shit up entirely. Satan curse this child.

“Aaand the winner is,” Taehyung began.

Jeongguk shouted with a smile as bright as the sun and as cute as a bunny, “Kim Seokjin!”

While the crowd was shouting that Hoseok or Namjoon should’ve won, Seokjin took it as an opportunity to tell them to suck it. “I won idiots! Get over it losers!” He blew raspberries at his haters. He could have their heads served on a platter but they didn’t deserve such a swift death.

Namjoon congratulated his destined counterpart with a bearhug. “My family is throwing a party tonight. It’d be great if you could make it. That way I have a familiar face that isn’t my family around. Plus you always manage to make it interesting.”

Seokjin blushed. “O-oh… Okay then. I’d like that.”

Namjoon flashed him a smile and Seokjin returned the gesture. “Glad to hear it.”

Jimin nudged Seokjin’s arm suggestively. “Looks like you got yourself a date huh? I’m proud of you.”

“Don’t push it.”

“You are no fun at all, you know that?” Jimin pouted. “Learn to lighten up.”

“Learn to follow your own advice,” Seokjin said, nodding his head over to Jeongguk. “There’s literally nothing that could go wrong.”

“Uhh, you’re absolutely wrong about that chief. Literally, everything could go wrong. What if I say the wrong thing. Or mayhaps—”

“Thanks for watching over me today,” Jeongguk said to Jimin. He snuck his way over to the two while they were blabbering on. With a hand scratching at the back of his neck, he continued. “I know I can be a handful. But you play games better than I do. I admire that… Anyways, the gang is out tonight for feasting and that means I have no one to play games—”

“I’ll play with you.”

Kinky.

Get the fuck out of my head, Seokjin.

Jeongguk was taken aback by the sudden response. He didn’t know he already knew what he was going to say without him even getting the full thought out. Regardless, he smirked. “Cool. Ready to go now?”

Jimin turned to his ghostly best friend. “You’ll watch over the house while I’m out?”

“You got it!” Taehyung smiled. “By the way, did you know we have a pumpkin garden in the backyard?”

Jimin was confused at hearing this. But then it all came together. He enclosed his face with his hand as he shook his head in disappointment. “The witches must’ve put them there. Hopefully, they aren’t—”

And just before he could finish, humans left and right started dying. They had bitten off the delectably poisonous pumpkins from the contest and they paid with their lives. Hopefully, Jimin’ll see most of them in hell. Satan knows they deserve it.

“Poisonous. Goddammit. Now I have to clean the house and these disgusting bodies. Can this night get any worse?”

Jeongguk was about to say something, but Jimin silenced him before he could. “Don’t answer that. Just—take me away from here before I honestly blow a fucking gasket.”

“You got it.” Jeongguk swept Jimin off his feet and placed him on his back, transforming from human to werewolf and taking off with his super-speed back to his cave.

“We should be heading too don’t you think?” Seokjin persuaded. Namjoon nodded and they left Taehyung alone to at least try to clean up the mess.

And what of our happily in love incubus and vampire duo?

Well, as the ruckus was going on inside the mansion, Hoseok and Yoongi took their business elsewhere outside the mansion. To the pumpkin garden in fact. They sat down on a bench and kissed the night away with their hands ever intertwined.

Thank goodness they didn’t eat the pumpkins. That would’ve been two more bodies for Taehyung to not clean up.

[inevitably-johnlocked]

What are some of the most tear-jerking Johnlock fics you've ever read? (Excluding Alone on the Water)

Oooh, I think I got something perfect for you here, Nonny. I finally have a reason to post this list XD

MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH / HEAVY-ANGST

The Sidewalk by politewarning (K, 956 w. || Post-TRF, Angst, Friendship, Sherlock’s Birthday) – Standing on the sidewalk outside the hospital on the 6th of January to have a one-sided conversation with his dead friend was not something John had intended to make into a ritual.

Sherlock’s Mind Palace by Valkyrie Of The Dead (K+, 1,091 w. ||  Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Major Character Deaths, Self Reflection) – Sherlock needs to change his mind-palace once again. He had hoped he wouldn’t, he had thought he wouldn’t, because they were invincible, weren’t they?

Friends Protect People by ArwendeImladris (T, 1,145 w. || Angst, Reverse-TRF, Friendship, Tragedy, Ambiguous Ending) – Friends protect people. John protects Sherlock.

The Simple Separation Will Not Come Between Us by The Circus (T, 1,278 w. || Hurt/Comfort, MCD, Violence, Heavy Angst, Sherlock’s Mind Palace, Prose) – The choice is simple. Real, and No John. Or Not Real, and John. For a prompt that says ‘John dies and Sherlock loses himself in his Mind Palace’

Yorkshire Gold by Tammany Tiger (K, 1,467 w. || Friendship, Hurt/Comfort, Mild Angst, Open Ending, Grief) – Mycroft may not mourn Sherlock’s death-but even if he knows his brother lives, he’s not without his own grief. It ain’t easy being The British Government. But at least he’s got good help. Set between the Fall and the Return.

Left In The Ashes by zoltargirl (T, 1,497 w. || Angst, MCD, Angry Sherlock, Brutal Violence) – Rage is a unique quality in all human beings. In Sherlock Holmes, it’s terrifying.

By the Graveside by CraftyLion (K, 1,505 w. ||  Hurt/Comfort, Major Character Death) – But what if Sherlock never really survived The Fall? What if the Sherlock in the graveyard was merely a spirit, forlornly watching his friend from the Other Realm?

A Long Way To Home by PeaceLoveAndCheese (T, 1,568 w. || Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Reunion Fic) – Human emotions are tiring, troublesome things. And Sherlock wants to be known as anything but that. No matter how hard you try though, you’re only human. And it’s been a long year.

Ten Minutes by PrettyArbitrary (K+, 1,660 w. || Angst, Friendship, MCD, Unhappy Ending) – In ten minutes Sherlock will live in a world with no John in it. Ten minutes is how long they have for everything. Warnings: there are no happy endings here.

Take My Hand, Knot Your Fingers Through Mine by patster223 (K+, 2,003 w. || H/C & Friendship)- Love this one so much. Sherlock and John get into a cab accident, and Sherlock just NEEDS to be near John. It’s angsty and bittersweet. I love this one.

Only Human by BlackBandit111 (K+, 2,179 w. || Tragedy, Major Character Death, Sally POV) – Sally Donovan didn’t think she’d ever see Sherlock cry.

The Deafening Silence by occasionally-maybe-never (T, 2,238 w. || Angst, Major Character Death, Post-TRF) – ‘Sherlock hopes fiercely that John can hear him, as sometimes coma patients can. He knows that John will understand, that his admission of love isn’t a grand, sweeping romantic statement, but simply an expression of truth.’ When Mycroft retrieves Sherlock to bring him home, it’s not to John having dinner, but to John on his death bed.

Thief by KendylGirl (M, 2,430 w. || Rev. Reich., Heavy Angst, Regret, Grief / Mourning, Pining Sherlock, Implied Drug Use, Self-Flagellation) – John has been gone for four months, and Sherlock is not dealing well with it. When he finds a personal item of John’s, the situation reaches a crisis. Part 3 of When to Let Go

The Battersea Bridge by pininglock (M, 2,585 w. || MCD, Angst, Grief, Unhappy Ending) – A life without John Watson isn’t a life worth living.

You Paid Me Well In Memories by Ballykissangel - (K+, 3,149 w. || Heavy Angst, Hurt, Comfort, Grief) –  It’s Sherlock’s birthday and John is not doing well. No matter how hard he’s tried to keep on living, he knows he is going to give up soon and he isn’t going to make it. Today is his last and only chance to visit Sherlock’s grave to talk and give him his gifts: His dog tags, a book full of notes and memories and the meaning of love as Sherlock watches on in grief.

Too Late by SJBHasADayPass (T, 3,390 w. || Angst, Suicide, Tragedy, Major Character Death, First Person POV) – Six months after the Fall, John is finding it difficult without Sherlock, and Sherlock is finding it just as painful.  

Nursery Rhymes by macrauchenia (T, 4,064 w. || Angst, Suspense, MCD, Unhappy Ending) – “Hickory dickery dock. Sherlock’s against the clock. When the wick is gone, so will be John. Hickory dickery dock.” - John is in a struggle for his life in a warehouse rigged to blow by Moriarty.

Sink Like a Stone by pennydreadful (T, 4,348 w. | Angst / Dark, Cuddling/Snuggling) – After defeating Moriarty at the pool, life isn’t quite the same around 221B Baker Street…it’s more peaceful. And stranger.

London’s Ghost by JustlikeWater (K+, 5,642 w. || Tragedy, H/C, Angst, Post-TRF AU, Sherlock POV) – “Today, it’s been weeks since Sherlock died. Other times, years. He doesn’t know for sure, though. Time passes differently for the dead”

I’ll Be Fine by whitchry9 (T, 6,473 w. || Hurt / Comfort, John Whump, Friendship, MCD, Heavy Angst) – John says he’ll be fine, and Sherlock believes him. Until he can’t any more. And it’s awfully hard to forgive John for lying about something big like that, even if he didn’t mean to. Not using warnings because spoilers, but there are some.

Second Waltz by Atiki (T, 6,685 w. || MCD, Angst, Fluff, Cancer) – “The night I died, you wished I could wait for you.”

Not Alone by taliapaxton (K+, 7,034 w. || Angst, Friendship, MCD, Euthanasia) – Alone on the Water from Sherlock’s point of view. Inspired by the wonderful fiction, “Alone on the Water”

Goodbye, John by XxMildredxX  (T, 7,154 w. || MCD, Angst, Self Reflection, Bittersweet Ending) – John finds it very difficult to tell Sherlock of his diagnosis, but it seems Sherlock has deduced it himself. As John says goodbye, he and Sherlock struggle with the feelings that this brings on them, and how Sherlock will go on when John has gone.

It’s Natural To Be Afraid by Jenn1984 (T, 7,283 w. || Tragedy, Angst, MCD) - Refusing to accept the obvious, Sherlock searches for what he believes truly happened the night his world was shattered.

Drowning in Darkness by chappysmom (T, 7,575 w. || Hurt/Comfort, Kidnapped John, Post-TRF Hiatus / Reunion, John Whump, Angst with Happy Ending, Depressed John, Background Case Fic) – He couldn’t decide if it was a relief or a curse that he’d been left completely, absolutely alone. You couldn’t fight darkness with your fists, and no matter how strong your will-power, it could be beaten down by the constant monotony of nothingness. Nobody needed John.

Alone On the Water by Mad_Lori (G, 7,725 w. || MCD, UST/URT, Angst, Euthanasia, Love Confessions) – Sherlock Holmes never expected to live a long life, but he never imagined that it would end like this.

On the Steadfast Approach of an Oncoming Darkness by 2bee (T, 7,772 w. || Apocalypse, Minor Character Death, Sort of Parentlock) – The world is ending. Not fast, but slowly, like falling asleep with a fever.

When Evening Falls So Hard by Ballykissangel (K+, 8,251 || Heavy Angst, Hurt, Comfort, No Slash) –  All the kings horses, all the kings men couldn’t put John Watson and Sherlock Holmes back together again. Post reichenbach prequel to We Might Not Make It Home. Returning Sherlock never dreamed they would end like this, he never thought he would be watching a shattered John standing on the roof edge of Barts leaving a death note as Sherlock begs him not to jump.

Galapogos by anchors (E, 8,460 w. || Hurt/Comfort, Angst, 5 and 1, John Whump) – Somewhere in the depths of the universe, and somewhere in the middle of Sherlock’s chest, a star goes into supernova.

In The End by whitchry9 (K+, 9,677 w. || Memento Fusion || Amnesia, Growing Old, Hurt / Comfort, Friendship, Heavy Angst) – When a brain injury leaves Sherlock unable to make new memories, John wonders how Sherlock will cope, and what it will mean for The Work and their life. Because after all, how can you live if you can’t feel time passing?

We Might Not Make It Home by Ballykissangel (K+, 10,702 || Angst, Hurt/Comfort, No Slash) – A few months later they are on a case that has gone horribly wrong They find themselves gravely wounded and locked in a cellar Holding onto to each other and trying their best to stay alive Sherlock can’t bring himself to say another goodbye to his dying friend and John can’t find the will to live anymore and just wants to stop hurting. Sequel to When Evening Falls So Hard.

Where the Sun Never Shines by teahigh (T, 11,634 w. || PTSD, Nightmares, H/C, Post-TRF, Implied Sex) – John is a mess. Sherlock can’t fix him, but he tries. That’s good enough, John thinks.

Software Malfunction by tiger_in_the_flightdeck (E, 16,679 w. || Android Sherlock, Love Story, Unhappy Ending, Angst) – “You think I can’t love you? Just because you’re made with metal, and detailed programming?” The doctor propped himself on his elbow, and looked down at it. “I am nothing but blood and bone, and tissue. Things just managed get mashed together in a manner that made me like this. Just like you were put together to make you how you are. When I kiss you-” he did so, briefly, to prove his point. Then more deeply, and lingering, because he could. “When I touch you, or smile at you, does it make you feel different from when others have done it in the past?”

Six Months by dreamergirl090 (T, 16,978 w, Angst, Friendship, Major Character Death) – John doesn’t show up to a crime scene. Lestrade wonders if John and Sherlock had a row. Molly knows it’s more complicated than that. This is a beautifully painful fic about John and Sherlock finding each other at the end.

Sherlock’s Head, John’s Heart by Altego (T, 17,252 w. || Tragedy, Heavy Angst, Heavy Bromance, Sherlock’s Mind Palace, Mary is Nice, Friendship) – After Mary dies, John tries to cope, and Sherlock blames himself but tries to make John understand how important John is in his life.

Checkmate to a Castled King by LaSuen (T, 18,290 w. || Friendship, Hurt / Comfort, Sick Sherlock, Heavy Angst) - John dies. Or at least everyone thinks he does.

The dying Doctor by marylouleach (T, 21,168 w. || Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, John Whump) – Doctor Watson is gunned down in a dark alley after work, Sherlock wont rest until he finds the man responsible. Guilt riddles him when he realizes he could have prevented this.

When to Let Go by KendylGirl (M, 22,109 w. || Friends to Lovers, Reverse Reichenbach, Sacrifice, Forgiveness, Angst, Love, Implied Drug Use) – What if it were John who had to die to thwart Moriarty’s plans? John’s supposed death shatters Sherlock, and when he returns, it will challenge the pair to forge a path of forgiveness, to peace, and to find a way back to each other. Part 1 of When to Let Go

You Have Drawn Red From My Hands by J_Baillier (T, 67,085 w. || Three Garridebs, Heavy John Whump, Hurt / Comfort, Pining, Heavy Angst, Case Fic/Adventure, Slow Burn, Sick Fic, Injury, Guilt & Depression, Just Talk Already Please, Medical Realism, PTSD) –  John getting injured leads Sherlock on a path of guilt and revelations.

Not Broken, Just Bent by Schmiezi (E, 87,585 w. || Pining, Love Confessions, Torture, Hurt/Comfort, Heavy Angst, Villain!Mary, Suicidal Ideations, Main Character Death, Sherlock POV, Eventual Happy Ending) – “For a second, I allow myself to remember teaching John how to waltz. There is a special room in my mind palace for it. A big one, with a proper parquet dance floor. For a second, I go there. I remember holding him, closer than the World Dance Council asks for, excusing it with the fact that we are training for a wedding, not for a competition. For a second, I feel his hand on mine again, smell his sweat, hear the song we used. For a second, I allow myself to love him deeply. For a second, only a second, that love reflects on my face.” Fix-it for S3, starting at the end of TSoT. Evil Mary.

If you want something softer but still tearful:

Pining Sherlock [MOBILE FRIENDLY VERSION]

John Realizes How Important Sherlock is To Him

John Marries and Sherlock Admits his Feelings

Kidnapping, Hostage, & Stalking

John During the Hiatus

Angst With a Happy Ending

Letters from Sherlock After the Fall

Angsty Fluff

Hope you enjoy!

[sraawrats]

🦇🎃Kana’s Halloween Hangover Rec List🎃🦇

Love Halloween? Not ready for it to be over? No worries! Old and new, these are some of my favorite spooky, suspenseful, and supernatural Kylux reads--perfect for drawing out your favorite month a little longer!

which is 100% why i’m posting this on november 1st, definitely not because i didnt manage to finish it before yesterday. nope, not at all

My Baby’s a Devil in the Bedroom | @callmelyss

- E - 4/5 chapters, 14 645 words - “Oh, obviously.” Kylo let out a shaky laugh and ran both hands through his hair. “Wait, no, you’re serious. You’re a fucking demon.”

“Well, yes, not to put too fine a point on it.” Hux smiled, clearly pleased with himself at the joke. “Or more accurately, I’m a succubus. A sex demon.”

—

Kylo has an unusual squatter. He's pretty fine with it. -

This fic is seriously amazing. It’s a super fun idea, the dialogue is hilarious, and it perfectly balances the sweetness and humor with angst/intrigue. Plus, I’m absolutely taken with snarky, smug, candy-tasting succubus Hux <3 <3

strange phenomenon | @brawlite, @kyluxtrashcompactor

- E - 8/8 chapters, 65 756 words - Kylo Ren is haunted by recent tragedy. He answers an ad posted by one Armitage Hux for a roommate, and he thinks a fresh start will help him begin to heal. He brings next to nothing with him from the past when he moves in.Or so he thinks. -

This fic is wonderfully suspenseful, and perfect if you’re looking for something to keep you on the edge of your seat. I also had a lot of Han feels when reading this one. Overall it’s just really nicely well-rounded with heartfelt and genuine characterizations, good spooks, and some searing sexual tension.

Something Wicked | @marlonbookcase

- G - 7/7 chapters, 22 514 words -  Kylo and Armitage have been friends since they were kids. Now in university, they run a semi-popular YouTube channel called "London Below" where they investigate all sorts of haunted and paranormal happenings in and around London and try to answer the question, are ghosts real? When they take on the mysterious and tragic case of the Pendle Witches, they come face to face with the spirit world in a way they never have before. Will they make it out of Pendle alive? Are ghosts real? And most importantly, does Armitage return Kylo's affections? -

I love Buzzfeed Unsolved. I love Kylux. I love this fic. A lot. As it says in the description, it’s not an exact Unsolved AU, but it really captured the format/feel of the “paranormal investigator” genre, so if you’re a fan of that, you’ll love this. Bonus points for some mutual pining and sugary fluff 👀👀

Second Spring, First Fall | @huxandthehound

- T - 5/? chapters, 7 018 words -  Nothing brings people together quite like the holidays. Well, maybe not Halloween... After a scare, Hux has to confront his neighbor. Lucky for him, Kylo might be a little sweeter than his tricks let on. -

A cute multi-chap made of Huxloween prompt fills! Lighthearted, but it’s still got that Halloween spirit. Plus I’ve got a soft spot for sweet modern AU Kylo :))

Some Strange and Unnerving Events | @longstoryshortikilledhim

- E - 10/10 chapters, 158 815 words -  As a boy in a dreary school on the moors, Kylo Ren had only one friend, a red-headed boy whose sharp tongue and wit drew Kylo to him. But that friend was taken from him. Now grown, Kylo goes into the service of the master of Stormfield Hall, the enigmatic Lord Arkanis, who is seeking a tutor for his charge. Kylo's past will come rushing back to him, both in his new employer and some unusual circumstances that bring to the fore powers that Kylo thought long-suppressed. -

This fic hit me like a ton of bricks. This fic hit me like TWO tons of bricks. Start this one when you’re ready to be feeling it for a few days afterwards. It’s an incredible historical AU with magic and a great murder mystery--it basically pushes, like, all of my buttons. And it’s /genuinely/ spooky, I had to start keeping a light on while I read it. Oh, and it features definitely my favorite Millicent ever. If you’ve got the time for something long, go for this one.

Reach Out in the Darkness | unicornsandbutane

- E - 2/2 chapters, 9 321 words - Having spent a decent amount of time researching the history and folklore of Arkanis, Cadet Hux strikes out one chilly evening in search of some legendary creature that's supposed to be extremely powerful. If the myths aren't true, all he's wasted is time. But, if they are based in some actual fact, then what a boon such an entity would be to his cause. He doesn't know what he will find, but he is prepared for any (absolutely ANY) eventuality. -

Tentacle monster Kylo. I am unapologetic. It’s really good.

Witchfeather | Whatever21ism

- E - 14/? chapters, 16 015 words - Armitage Hux is a new witch trying to establish himself in a new town. One day he goes out seeking a familiar, particularly a cat, somehow instead he ends up with a raven who is much more than they appear to be. -

A favorite of mine! Apothecary witch Hux & his crow familiar Kylo. There’s some really nice worldbuilding and crow Kylo is super cute. Possibly abandoned, but defs worth checking out what’s there & showing the author some love.

First Order Investigations | @mistresseast

- Unrated - series, 3 works, 58 094 words, incomplete - Hux and Phasma have been running First Order Investigations since high school, and Dr. Snoke's metaphysical research graduate program seemed like the perfect opportunity to pursue their interests under the protective umbrella of academia. Unfortunately, that meant allowing Snoke's personal project, a taciturn medium named Kylo Ren, to join their team. Hux and Kylo mix like oil and water, or, more accurately, like fire and gasoline, and Hux is convinced that working effectively with Kylo is absolutely impossible. They hate each other, and Hux is content to leave it that way.

But then, a case in the sweltering heat of South Carolina begins to change things between them, and Hux finds himself questioning not only Kylo's feelings, but his own as well. -

Paranormal Investigator AU of the highest quality. The detail and thought put into each investigation site is incredible. I love this fic to pieces, and if you like ghost stories, you will too.

Undead | @heyktula, @splinteredscript

- E - series, 2 works, 6 855 words, incomplete - They’ve been circling around each other for years. Kylo Ren, the most powerful vampire in Supreme Leader Snoke’s house, and Armitage Hux, the human liaison between the world of mortals and that of eternal darkness. Baiting, taunting, the cord between them growing ever tighter.Sooner or later, one of them is going to snap. -

A lovely and dark vampire AU~~ Gives off some real classic Kylux vibes, and is an absolute pleasure to read :D

Fixer Upper | @irisparry

- T - 5/7 chapters, 10 034 words - When Armitage Hux starts with First Order estate agents, he thinks the house on Alderaan Drive is an insult, a patronising set of training wheels for the new boy. He is ... not correct. -

Adorable haunted house AU! I love both of their characterizations in this one, especially shy, grumpy ghost Kylo~

Hair of the Dog That Bit You | @theweddingofthefoxes

- M - 9/9 chapters, 21 597 words -  Ren owns a popular tavern, and Armitage is a respected physician in town and the surrounding villages. Their years-long friendship will survive anything -- even the bite of a werewolf. Won't it? -

Full disclosure, I haven’t actually finished this one-- I have a tendency to get distracted unless I finish something in one sitting, rip. But I remember being SUPER stoked about starting it, and anything by weddingofthefoxes is guaranteed to be a treat, so I’m putting it on here anyway :D tbh now that I’m thinking about it again I’ll probably finish it tonight.

The Eldritch Effect | @generallyhuxurious

- E - 17/17 chapters, 67 899 words - For the last three years Major Donal A. Hux, formerly of the British Army's Parachute Regiment, and Kylo Ren, estranged son of US Defence Secretary Leia Organa, have been tooling around North America investigating "weirdness"- and they're plenty weird themselves. Their latest tip off is leading them towards a haunting in rural Alabama. But first they need to make a stop in Trinity, South Carolina... -

A real goofy Paranormal Investigators AU that I super love (but I also need to catch up on rip). It’s an American Gothic AU, but you don’t need to have any knowledge of the show to follow along (I don’t). It also comes with a series of oneshots set in the universe but outside the main plotline, so when you finish the fic and inevitably want more, you’re covered ;)

blackbird, fly | @acroamatica

- M - 19 265 words - One sunny afternoon in the mountains of Washington state, Ben Organa-Solo walked out into the woods.

He never came home.

Six years later, a journalist specialising in missing-persons cold cases decides to follow his footsteps and see where they might lead. -

This is a sad beautiful horror AU that is very close to my heart. The writing is just gorgeous and the suspense is beautifully done. Also, it about doubled the amount of emotions already attached to the song Blackbird for me (I still get a little heart-squeeze every time I hear it)

what’s real or isn’t | @brawlite

- E - 12/12 chapters, 57 398 words - Hux's new house is not haunted. It isn't. -

Super surreal haunted house AU. There’s also monster sex. This is definitely a staple of spooky Kylux fics :D

How to Kill a Living Thing | hedgerowhag

- E - 10/10 chapters, 25 394 words - It starts like any other horror movie: a young man moves into a strange old house full of relics of the past and becomes haunted by some strange entity. However, Ren doesn't find the monster that he expects. -

This one has got some of the most stunning, spooky visuals I’ve ever read. I could picture every scene and character so clearly. Plus, I love Hux’s characterization--he’s kind of a shit, and it’s beautiful.

Twenty-Six Weeks | @vmprsm

- E (eventually) - series, 4 works, 28 539 words, probably complete - Two mature adults need to do two things: live an a house with a stranger for six months, and keep their secrets to themselves. How hard could that be?

Apparently very. -

The author made a point of trying not to give too much away in the summary/tags, so I won’t either :D I’ll just say it’s one of my favorites, and definitely worth a read if you haven’t already~~

The Brief Wondrous Return of Vampire Boy | @hollyhark

- T - 21 190 words - Two days before Halloween, Hux hears a rumor that Ben Solo is back in town. While Hux does not believe the sensational version-- that his estranged childhood friend/enemy escaped from an asylum and is out for revenge --he is left on edge as to how to proceed. -

One of my favorite Halloween fics; it really encompasses the feel of fall/Halloween but also, like, good ol’ ~teenage bullshit~. There’s a lot of creepy Snoke stuff, some dealing with the fallout, and a nice hopeful ending :))

Ghost Encounters of the Hux Kind | carefulren

- T - 9/9 chapters, 25 610 words - Kylo purchases an old, abandoned house in order to get away from his family. He just wants the chance to be alone for a while, and he considers this house as the start of his new, isolated freedom.

Everything is going as smoothly as possible, until it's not.

Perhaps, Kylo isn't living alone after all.-

A sweet and soft ghost  story AU. I adore the ending <3 <3 

Spookylux Huxloween 2018 | @nofootprintsinsalt

- T - series, 31 works, 36 896 words, complete - Huxloween 2018 - 31 benarmie fics in 31 days -

A series of benarmie fluff/horror for the Huxloween prompts this year! These were so so fun to read throughout the month and I adore the little universe that develops as they go on :))

Of Our Time | @ezlebe

- E - 15 297 words - “Do you know how many people would think it’s weird you walk around in the day?”

Hux grits his teeth in vain against an uncanny sensation, his own words digging and clawing up his throat to leave behind the taste of blood and bitterness thick on his tongue. “I could care less. I was made this way before there were movies – before fucking Stroker. Call me a demon if it makes you feel better.” -

I only read this really recently, and I was BLOWN AWAY. Seriously, this packs so much into 15k--it’s got feels, it’s got lore, it’s got steamy smut. What more could one ask for?

Shiver The Whole Night Through | @theweddingofthefoxes

- T- 5/5 chapters, 7 977 words - Ren's always loved hunting, so when he's told his paid time off won't roll over into the next year, he decides to take a week, get his gun and rent a cabin in the woods. But it takes no time at all for the hunter to become the hunted. -

This one’s very accurately tagged “Mind Games,” which really made it stand out to me--I do love a good spooky woods story~~

The Ghost Under My Bed | @longstoryshortikilledhim

- E - 19 525 words - Amateur witch, aspiring actor and full-time family fuckup Ben Solo discovers that his house is being haunted. Best part? His very own poltergeist, Armitage Hux, is kinda cute. Worst part? Well. He's dead. -

THIS IS THE SWEETEST GHOST STORY. I love it so so much. The sweetness of their relationship set against the sad backdrop of both of their histories gives this one a really unique feel. And the ending is guaranteed to give you the warm fuzzies <3

--

aaaand that’s all, folks! Lord, this post turned into a behemoth lmao. I just. really love supernatural stuff. (on that note, if anyone has read/written anything even tangentially spooky/supernatural, feel free to send it my way. I will happily give it a read ;)))

Happy reading! ^_^

[frenchy-and-the-sea]

D&D - The Simplest of Legacies

My favorite thing about my Wednesday game is how our DM decided to rip all of our hearts out by hinging the entire game on the fact that our druid is desperate to get his husband back - the very same husband that is good, good friends with Val and Rona. (Or will be, in Rona’s case, since the Wednesday game takes place in an AU/future thing.) So I decided to write their first meeting, or at least some shape of it.

All this is to say that while this is technically a present for @kombits‘ birthday tomorrow, I’m posting it today because for MY birthday, I wanna see her read it. <3 Happy birthday~!

Around 2300 words.

Gavaar was home.

Fàilbhe had a certain affinity for recognizing the heavy boots crunching through underbrush, the low grumbling, the faint tingle of magic as the barrier around their shared cottage shifted and swayed. He would know it blindfolded and deafened, busy or at rest, in ten years or one hundred.

And that was why when Fàilbhe stepped outside to greet his husband, he did so with both hands clutched tight around his quarterstaff.

The two figures trailing behind Gavaar had the good sense to at least freeze as he appeared. One was a tiefling woman, shy a few of Gavaar’s many inches but built just as broadly, and covered from head to toe in a battered suit of plate. He could see the edge of a shield poking out from beneath the shimmering blue fabric her cloak, and she had one gauntleted hand hooked instinctively around the grip of the wicked looking trident on her waist.

The second figure barely reached the tops of his thighs, and Fàilbhe realized with a start that he might have missed her entirely if not for the pair of hounds that flanked her. She wore simple leather armor that even he couldn’t heard creaking, and walked with the aid of a gnarled wooden staff that withered to nothing at one end. At one shoulder, a mastiff hound eyed him warily; at the other, a bright green creature exactly halfway between a bush and a lap dog yipped excitedly at him. The halfling put an absent hand out to soothe the little beast, but her eyes were fixed on him, wide and green and glittering beneath a halo of flower-studded curls.

They eyed each other over for a long moment as Gavaar continued forward, either ignoring or fully immune to the thread of tension creeping through the clearing. He reached out and took Fàilbhe’s hand gently in his own, then turned and gestured back towards the tiefling behind him.

“Fàilbhe,” he said. “Val. We travel together once. Is old friend. Good woman.”

The tiefling cleared her throat and dropped into an embarrassed little half-bow, letting her hand fall from where it was hooked around her trident’s grip.

“Pleasure’s mine,” she said as she righted herself. Fàilbhe nodded slowly, stealing a sidelong look at Gavaar. Strangers wandering through the feywild were almost always a bad sign; it either meant that something had made them determined enough to brave it, or that something wasn't doing enough to scare them away. Still, Gavaar had a powerful sense for the good in people, and Fàilbhe was inclined to trust him with life, limb and humble home for all of the times he had proven himself right.

He still kept a tight grip on his quarterstaff as Gavaar shuffled past and waved them all inside though, just in case.

Inside, he made immediately for the back of the room, busying himself with tending the fire burning cheerfully away in the hearth, and the kettle beginning to sing above it. Its whistling joined a long, low one from the doorway as their guests shuffled in after him.

“Well this certainly is an upgrade from tents on traderoads,” he heard Val say, with surprisingly sincere approval. She ran a gauntleted hand over the flat of a nearby table and hummed. “You’ve taken to staying in houses now, or is this, ah, temporary lodgings?”

Gavaar looked up from setting his maul into its pegs on the wall and frowned. “Temporary? No. Why would I not stay with husband?”

Fàilbhe turned, kettle in hand, just in time to see the colorful flurry of emotions that crossed the tiefling’s face as she looked from him to Gavaar, and then back and forth a few more times for good measure.

“Husband,” she echoed after a moment. Gavaar nodded.

Another pause.

“So you got married, ceremony and all, and then just...didn’t say anything about it? Nothing at all? No invitation, no letter, no swooning declaration of love? Nothing?” She swung an arm out in a furious gesture towards the door. “Merciful gods man, we were walking through the woods for the better part of an hour! You might’ve at least mentioned it once!”

Gavaar didn’t flinch, but his eyes did widen the tiniest fraction of an inch at Val's growing indignation. “Was small. And you were traveling -”

“Well I’d have fronted the gold for one of those fancy magic scrolls if you’d given me half the chance!”

Fàilbhe felt a twinge of anger flicker to life in his chest at her tone, and tightened his grip on the kettle, but Gavaar seemed in no more immediate danger than he had before Val had started yelling. In fact, looking closer, Fàilbhe could see something almost good-natured in the way she jabbed a finger at him, and shouted around the rising corners of her mouth. It was a rough-hewn sort of thing, like stone chipped against stone, but he could see the shape of friendship in it now, and it doused his little fire in an instant.

He turned, still frowning, back to his tea, as the mostly one-sided argument continued with increasing intensity across the house. Eventually, he noticed that the halfling woman had moved away from the doorway and closer to the hearth, watching the fight with a passive sort of interest. Her gaze slid sideways as he looked up.

“They were like this most of the way in too, you know,” she said in stage whisper, smiling. “Your, ah, husband found us trying to get to Jacinto. Val isn’t terribly fond of of the feywild, but it was that or take the long way around, and neither of us like hardtack that much.” She gave the ongoing fight one last exasperated look, shrugged, then turned towards him and offered a hand. “Rona Greenbottle, by the way. It’s a pleasure.”

Fàilbhe eyed her over for a moment, then slowly bent down to take the offered hand. It nearly vanished into the width of his, but her grip was firm, and there was a force in her handshake that matched the shouting behind them.

“You’re a druid, aren’t you?” she asked, when he had recollected his thoroughly shaken hand. “I’m sorry if we were intruding. We were just trying to shave a few hours off of our journey. But don’t worry,” she added, as if anticipating the annoyed raise of his brow, “I walk very lightly. The path we took should be entirely undisturbed.”

She propped her hands proudly on her hips in a generous display of self-assurance that would have made Fàilbhe laugh if he wasn’t keenly aware of the heavy thud of armored boots a few feet away. He glanced pointedly over to where Val was standing nose to chest with Gavaar, then looked back with a raise of an eyebrow. Rona followed his gaze and wilted.

“Alright,” she admitted with a sheepish chuckle, “so maybe there’s some trampled undergrowth where the deer runs gave out. But that was all! Nothing chopped down or ruined permanently. And everything that got stomped on probably also got a nice reseeding from Rosie here.”

Fàilbhe narrowed his eyes in confusion just as a flash of green suddenly bounded up to Rona's feet. She scooped the little creature into her arms and hefted it up towards him like a parent showing off a particularly clever child.

“This,” she said proudly, “is Rosemary. Say hi, Rosie!”

The little beast yipped, its tiny front paws scrabbling on the grip Rona had taken beneath them as it struggled to get closer. It certainly had the look of a dog - albeit, one of the small, noble-bred sort that were meant to do nothing more strenuous than trot at a child’s heels - except that it was sculpted entirely from leaf and branch and the occasional dribble of thick, golden sap. Fascinated, Fàilbhe crouched down to get a better look.

“She’s an elemental,” Rona explained as she held Rosemary further towards him. “One of the druid circles up north conjured her for me when I was...when we were looking for someone.” He glanced up as she stumbled on the words, but Rona’s eyes and attention were fixed pointedly elsewhere. “We’ve had her with us ever since.”

Carefully, Fàilbhe reached a hand out towards the little beast. It squirmed harder in Rona’s arms, and bunted its head against his fingertips the minute they were within reach. He felt his lips curl into a faint smile.

“There’s also Puddles,” Rona added, gesturing behind her to the mastiff still waiting at attention by the door, “but he’s not magical or anything. Just the best dog that anyone has ever had, ever.” The mastiff’s head shot up instantly at the childish slant in Rona’s voice, and the little stump of his tail began to wag so hard that his entire rump went with it. Fàilbhe tucked a little laugh behind a hand, struck suddenly by the strange lightness buzzing in his chest. For all of the shouting in his home, for all of the intruding in his woods, for the fact that a stranger had muscled in on his tea-making with small talk and a strange, bush-covered hound, he felt something nearly akin to fondness growing in him.

Suddenly invigorated, Fàilbhe waved to get Rona’s attention, then held a finger out to indicate that she wait a moment before rising and moving towards the sacks of flour gathered near the hearth. The rat that he had been tending was not difficult to find, tucked beneath one the sagging mound of burlap as he was, and skittered onto Fàilbhe’s hand with only minimal coaxing.

“Aww!” Rona was upon him the very moment he turned, pushing up onto her tiptoes as he carefully lowered his hand down to her height. “He’s adorable! But, uh…” She glanced over her shoulder and lowered her voice to a whisper. “You might wanna to keep him out of Val’s sight. I’ve gotten her okay with mice now, but she still has a thing about rats. And really good aim.”

Fàilbhe pulled the rat close to his chest in horror, and Rona did him the service of hiding her chuckle behind a hand before nodding towards the door.

“I did want to see more of the feywild anyway, though,” she said with a conspiratorial grin. “If you don’t mind taking him outside…?”

Quietly, far more quietly than Fàilbhe had ever thought possible, they tiptoed across the floor and out into the clearing surrounding the little cottage, chased by the sound of shouting and laughter behind them...

“Fàilbhe?”

Fàilbhe looked up with a start, yanked out of his reverie and back into the present by Mira suddenly leaning down across his field of vision. They were stopped along the roadside on the way back from the mountain aerie, resting the last bit of weakness out of their weary limbs and indulging in the sun after so many hours underground. Mira eased back, dropping a hand onto his shoulder.

“Are you okay?” she asked. And then, softer, “Is it another fit?”

Behind her, he could see Zephyr suddenly stop mid-swig from her flask, and watch them both out of the corner of her eye.

He waved to assuage her fears - their fears really, but he kindly avoided acknowledging that Zephyr had feelings in public - then shook open the little leather book in his hands and wrote a single word into the margin.

“Memories,” Mira read quietly as he turned it around. Her face softened. “Good ones?”

Good, he thought, but gone. Good, but far, far away now. Good, but yet another reminder that there was more than one thing he could lose, if they failed.

He nodded, eventually, but the look on Mira’s face said that she knew exactly what he was thinking. She didn’t push the subject, though. Instead, the hand on his shoulder squeezed, just once, and then fell away as she went back to packing up their temporary camp. Zephyr lingered for a moment too, then took another swig - notably deeper than before - and moved to help her.

Fàilbhe sighed and tucked the book back into his pack, beginning to follow just as something warm and heavy dropped onto his thigh. He glanced down and found Delia staring up from where she had shoved her head into his lap, her dark eyes staring up at him around a fringe of white sclera in the perfect picture of mournful sorrow. She whined as he met her gaze, and nuzzled further up his leg.

Shaking his head and trying his damndest not to smile, Fàilbhe sank back down into his seat and slipped a gentle hand beneath her head. Her tail wagged as he did, taking her whole rump with it, and an echo of that strange, buzzing lightness suddenly swelled in his chest, unbidden and warm as a hearth fire.

He stole a furtive glance back towards Mira and Zephyr. They seemed entirely absorbed in their work though, their heads bent close together in a quiet conversation that he didn't have to hear to know the shape of. Slowly, Fàilbhe turned back to where Delia’s head rested heavily in his hands and summoned up the first little threads of his magic.

Delia, he thought as it reached for her mind, and watched as her ears suddenly pricked upright. In a moment, she was back on all four paws, panting and wagging her tail in furious excitement, and this time, Fàilbhe’s smile came too quickly to hide. He ruffled her ears and thought, as loudly as he could manage, the only thing that made sense with the familiar warmth pounding away in his chest.

Just the best dog that anyone has ever had, ever.