#but can’t really do that now can they

[jann-the-bean]

Forgiveness and Trust

Fluffnightkiller Week Day 3

** This day is a follow up to last years “There’s a first time for everything” you don’t have to read it but it may make a bit more sense **

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“N-Nighty please! Don’t leave!! I promise I can change!! I’ll be better!! I w-wont cry as much! I promise not to complain!” A white eyed barista pleaded as his sockets burned, tears welling in his sockets threatening to pour out.

Before him stood a being that resembled that of a skeleton.. except they were covered in a black tarry substance. From their back sprouted several extra appendages.. tentacles.. swaying, curling, and uncurling.

“Pathetic.” Spat the corrupted being. “You expect me to stay after offering me nothing but mediocre cliche promises?”

His words sent a chill down Ccino’s spine. Nothing but venom and disgust coated each word. It caused the barista to flinch and recoil in fear.

“I’ll do anything!! Anything!! Nightmare!! You can’t- Don’t leave me behind!! I don’t care what you use me for. I can be useful!!! I can be of use to you!! I don’t care what you ask of me!!!! PLEASE!!! I NEED YOU!!”

~~

The small skeleton snapped his eyes open, cold beads of sweat ran down his skull. His breathing was shallow and quick. It took him a second to recognize that he was in his own room. Or at least, it looked like his room. Upon scanning the area he found a dark silhouette standing at the base of his bed.

The barista immediately shot up to a sitting position and his soul hammered in his chest. The pounding echoed and vibrated in his skull.. there was someone else in his room.. but he couldn’t see who! His body trembled as he gathered the courage to confront whoever was here.

“Oh.. sorry about that coffee boy.. didn’t mean to startle ya.”

Ccino eyes widened slightly. That voice sounded familiar.. but he couldn’t quite place his finger on it. As his eyes adjusted to the dark room he could make out a skeleton. Wearing white shorts, a black top, with a blue jacket with a stain. But something that caught his attention was the glowing red and white target shaped soul.

It was the same skeleton that came to his shop with…

“Ah… n-no it’s quite alright.. but uhm.. what are you doing in my room..?” The barista questioned.

“Hm? Oh well.. ya kinda passed out after crying and begging the boss not to leave.” Killer stated nonchalantly.

“Boss says you must’ve been exhausted and hadn’t been able to sleep well for at least a few days. He wanted to stay a bit to make sure ya were alright..” He paused and shifted as if something made him uneasy. “I can go get the boss for you.”

“Boss..?”

Then realization hit. “Oh.. do you mean Nighty..?”

Killers soul flickered, spazzing out at the mention of ‘Nighty’ before settling back to it’s original target shape. Ccino couldn’t help but keep his eyes locked on the soul exposed before him. It was quite beautiful.. and alluring.. and for some reason the barista found himself being drawn to it.

“No…” Ccino replied to Killers question. “Its not necessary… I don’t want to bother him..” the skeleton gripped the sheets tightly, bundling them in his fists. “Uhm…. I know it’s silly… and I don’t know you very well.. but would you mind staying here for a while? I…. I’d rather not be alone…”

Killer tilted his head to the side. It was an odd request. Why have a complete stranger stay with you?

The boss was right..

His judgment skills were questionable. But the skeleton before him looked tense, nervous, almost frightened by whatever he was dreaming of.

“……….” Well the boss did say to be good to the little guy while they were around.

Killer shrugged and nodded. “Sure why not.. s’not like I got anything better to do.”

Ccino’s eyes lit up ever so slightly and a smile timidly formed on his lips. “T-Thank you… ah… I’m sorry… I don’t think I know your name..”

“Oh, right. Names Killer, but don’t wear it out.. though maybe I can make an exception for you cutie.” The eyeless skeleton winked.

Ccino tucked his chin in his collar trying to hide the blush that threatened to color his cheeks. “K-Killer… uhm would you like to sit down?”

“Nah. I’m good here.”

“Alright….”

From there on it was unbearable silence. The white eyed skeleton felt ridiculous to have asked Killer to stay now that they were confined in a small quite room. But Ccino didn’t want to be alone… and he didn’t have the courage to see Nighty yet.. stars he was a hopeless case wasn’t he?

“So.. did ya have a bad dream?” Killers voice broke the loud silence.

“Oh… I… what makes you say that?”

“I mean s’not really my business. But you were tossing and turning.. and groaning in your sleep. Thought maybe you were having a nightmare.”

“Heh… you could say that…” A brief pause. “Uh Killer… can I ask you a question?” The barista asked as he drew his knees close to his chest, wrapping his arms around them.

Killer raised a brow bone and smiled in response. “Well ya already did cutie. But sure go ahead, I’m listening.”

Ccino swallowed almost contemplating if he dare ask the question blaring inside his head. “Why…. Why did you stay?”

“………..”

Killer’s smile faded and his soul flickered- battling on which form to take.

“I already told you. The boss-“

“Y-You know that’s not what I meant..” the white eyed skeleton avoided eye contact and stared at his sheets in front of him. “Why did you stay with Nighty…?”

Once again heavy silence filled the room. The two said nothing for what felt like an eternity. Killer wasn’t sure how to respond. Well that wasn’t entirely true.. he simply didn’t want to. He wasn’t one to be well in touch with his emotions.. he never allowed himself to. It was easier to toss that aside and follow orders. Just cause negativity no matter the method. It was simple.

Except he didn’t have to do that anymore. He could.. certainly wouldn’t be any harder than it was before. However.. something regarding that didn’t feel.. right anymore. Was that the phrase he was looking for? No.. there had to be a better word, but he wasn’t sure what it was that he was feeling.

“I swore my loyalty to him.” Killer said matter of factly, though his sockets widened abit. It appeared as if he were shocked from his answer. As if he hadn’t really meant to say it outloud.

“Really..? I mean.. you swore your loyalty to ‘Nightmare’.. but he’s different now… he’s not really.. the same… is it still simply blind loyalty?”

The eyeless skeleton tensed and narrowed his sockets. There it was again.. that phrase.. he felt his non existent gut squirm in unease. It was getting extremely frustrating how others thought they knew more about his emotions then he did. Shoving their ideas onto him. What a load of crap.

“Listen, whatever the reason I’m staying with the boss is none of your concern. I’ve made my choices. I’m content as long as I’m allowed to stand next to him.”

“Do… you forgive him..? He made you do some awful things.. it couldn’t have been a simple decision.”

“I could ask ya the same thing coffee boy. Nightmare certainly wasn’t considerate of others. But ya seemed way more pissed off when he mentioned leaving again for good.”

Ccino couldn’t hide the blush that formed on his cheeks recalling the scene he’d cause the day before.

“Well that’s… it’s complex…” Ccino muttered, pouting slightly. He didn’t like others flipping the questions around on him so suddenly.

Killer chuckled, amused at the sight of the small skeleton. “See it’s not so simple is it?”

The white eyed skeleton frowned. He had always ran away from his own feelings.. and he once thought that he’d never see the being of negativity again. Which… in away he didn’t.. but Nightmare came back.. this was his second chance.

Filled with determination Ccino locked eyes with Killers sockets.

“Killer…. There’s something we need to discuss.”

~~~~~~

The sound of distant murmurs and hushed conversations could be heard from the countertop where Ccino stood. It was a busy day at the coffee shop today. Monsters and humans ordering foods and drinks, old friends gathering to gossip or reminisce about shared memories, to single individuals just wanting to enjoy some freshly brewed coffee. But with so many bodies, the conversations turned to a pleasant hum that filled the walls within the shop.

It was a sound that Ccino very much enjoyed as it filled the space that his other… thoughts so often preoccupied.

*Ding*

The bell jingled as the door opened with each customer entering or exiting the building. It was a sound that he had grown accustomed to.. and before he’d usually have been desensitized to it… just like any other background noise. Until that one fateful day.. when those two skeletons walked through that door. After that day he constantly perked up to see if it could be them walking inside.

His cheeks dusted with a light pink hue. He was so embarrassed. He was acting like a lovesick teenager waiting for their crush.. or crushes to stop by.

*Ding*

Just another regular..

Ccino decided to go on a small break before he ended up embarrassing himself. Once in the break room he lightly sipped a caffeinated beverage.

“Nighty……” He sighed quietly. He could remember it like it was just yesterday when Nightmare.. who was all wrapped in bandages walked in that door accompanied by.. “Killer…..”

His cheeks flushed and burned as he remembered them both. They were just so… beautiful. So elegant and strong.. and determined. They were so captivating...

He let out a breathy chuckle and shook his head. It was kinda funny now that he looked back at himself and how he reacted. Smacking Nightmare… latching onto him and sobbing until he passed out from the sheer exhaustion… bet that was a great reunion and first impression..

And then there was the conversation he had with Killer in his room. He groaned. It was impressive how easily he could make a fool of himself.

“Excuse me? Are you still open?” A customer called out from upfront.

“Oh yes! I’ll be just a minute!”

He stood from the table and straightened out his clothing before heading back. A small little rush of people entered his store all awaiting their daily doses of caffeine.

As the small barista prepared their orders he couldn’t help but recal the past events. After the conversation with Killer, he’d managed to get the courage to face his Nightmare.

~~ ~~

- Upon hearing someone enter the living space Nightmare straightened up and ceased to entertain his feline companions. Ccino felt a smile form on his lips. Nightmare resembled a kid attempting to conceal the fact they were playing with something they probably weren’t meant to. How he hoped he’d be able to see this and many more sides of Nightmare in the future.

- “Nighty….. Nightmare we need to talk.”

- “Talk?” The violet skeleton questioned. “I don’t believe there’s anything we need to-“

- “Please.” Ccino sternly interjected. “I need you to at least listen to what I have to say.”

- Nightmare furrowed his brow bones, and glanced at Killer who was following close behind Ccino. He pondered what exactly happened in Ccino’s room.

- “Fine… proceed.”

-“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.. I.. I care about you.. yknow? And I’m sure you have those who you care about.” A brief pause, the barista bunched the end of his shirt into his hands.-

-“I feel as if you want to.. have a brand new start.” The barista continued. “If that’s the case then… then I also want to start anew. I…”

-Ccino took in a deep breath working the courage to finish. “What I’m trying to say is. That I forgive you… and that I trust you.. the both of you. And I’d l-like to.. start from a clean slate. I want… I want to be apart of your new beginning.”-

~~ ~~

*Ding*

The bell chimed letting the barista know that people were either exiting or entering the shop. As he turned his attention to the door he saw two familiar beings walk inside.

Ccino smiled, and a faint warm blush began to form on his cheeks. By now Nightmare and Killer were frequent visitors to his coffee shop. Yet, Ccino could never get used to how beautiful and charming they were.

Killer smiled and winked at the barista, as he leaned against the countertop. “Well.. what’s a cutie like you doing in a place like this?”

The white eyed skeleton couldn’t help but giggle in response. “Oh Killer.. you’re too much.”

Nightmare sighed and shook his head in disapproval. “I‘ll say… you’re fortunate enough to not be subjected to his endless flirtatious comments.”

“Awe boss, you’re hurting my feelings.”

“And I’ll hurt more than that if you keep it up. So quit it.”

“Heh, sorry but no can do boss man. Today we have a date with our precious coffee bean over here, so at least one of us needs to do some flirting.”

“Killer… I absolutely detest you right now.” Nightmare grumbled but it was evident he was trying to suppress a smile. “But Killer is right. Ccino, are you ready for our date?”

“Ah yes!! I’m ready!” Ccino grabbed untied his apron before running around the counter to his partners. “Let’s go!”

Ok so, I had been working on this specific oneshot for sooooooo long!! And I had started it completely different and was going to have a different ending. But then one day I was suddenly hit with inspiration and I completely rewrote it! Which I’m glad I did because I liked how this turned out!

Can you believe I had been kinda planning this ever since last years FNK week??

Fluffynightkiller week hosted by @help-im-a-gay-fish

Original Ccino by @black-nyanko

Original Nightmare by @jokublog

Original Killer by @rahofy-sketch/ @rahafwabas

This is set post dark cream by @zu-is-here

[viperwhispered]

Rest

Guess what? I've got more Jamil x reader for y'all. You can also find this on ao3. No warnings, just 866 words of kinda fluffy(?) caretaking stuff with gender-neutral reader.

At this point, you know Jamil’s schedule almost as well as he does. So, when you have the chance, you head to Scarabia’s kitchen, hoping to spend some time with Jamil while he and the other students prepare dinner. 

However, when you enter, it takes you but a moment to notice Jamil’s uncharacteristic fumbling and the tired look in his eyes. The way Jamil’s chopping the vegetables has you worried about him cutting himself with that knife he’s usually so adept with, and it seems it’s only force of habit that’s keeping him on track.

You frown, and when your eyes meet Jamil’s, you can already see him put his guard up.

So he knows what state he is in, huh? And still, here he is.

It seems Jamil is reading your thoughts, all of him telling you drop it before any words are even said.

At least he still lets you lean in and give a quick kiss to his cheek in greeting.

“Hello love. Do you still have a lot on your agenda for today?” you ask, keeping your tone low for at least some semblance of privacy in the busy kitchen.

“Nothing I can’t handle,” is the response you get.

Of course.

It takes a little more pestering before Jamil actually answers your question. Your lips purse. That list is far too long to your liking.

You take a moment to think, juggling your own plans and to-do list against the urgency of the things Jamil mentioned.

“Will Kalim be eating from that?” you ask, pointing at the food Jamil is preparing.

“Yes.”

“Alright, I won’t be touching that one, then. I’ve gotta do a few things but I’ll be back when you’re done here.”

“Don’t,” Jamil says with a glare, clearly aware of what you’re thinking.

Yet even his disapproving look doesn’t have the usual weight behind it.

“Yes. I will,” you say firmly, even as your heart curls inwards with another bout of concern.

Really, when did he get so tired?

And how did you not notice it earlier?

You leave the kitchen before Jamil can protest further, hurrying through the dorm corridors to find Kalim.

Soon you have an enthusiastic – and concerned – supporter for your plans. You have Kalim point out a few reliable Scarabia students to help with a few of the most urgent matters Jamil mentioned – cleaning up the common areas, delivering some paperwork to Crowley, preparing some dorm-wide notices – while you see to Kalim getting his school supplies in order for the following day. You even recruit a couple of third years to help Kalim with his homework.

You’ll see to the rest tomorrow – after all, you do also have a boyfriend to look after.

Your conversation over dinner can hardly be called anything else than an argument – despite Kalim’s best attempts at acting as a moderating force between you two. It is very tempting to ask Kalim to tell Jamil to take the rest of the day off – it’s not like Jamil would be willing to openly disobey a direct order. Still, you really don’t need to remind Jamil of his position on top of everything else that you’re already doing more or less against his wishes.

Eventually, however, Jamil’s had a square meal, the most urgent things on his to-do list are being taken care of, and you’ve managed to drag him to his bed.

“I really wish you wouldn’t push yourself so hard,” you murmur, your arms wrapped tightly around Jamil. You’re telling yourself you really do just want to cuddle, to offer some respite to Jamil. Still, there might also be a part of you worried that if you were to let go, he’d just jump up and get back to working himself to the bone.

Yet, for all his protestations, just the fact that you’ve gotten Jamil to lay down with you speaks volumes of his current exhaustion.

“I can’t just leave my duties, albi. You know this.”

“Making yourself too indispensable, is what you’re doing,” you protest.

Oh, you know it’s not so simple. Not with his background, not with all the expectations and assumptions.

But sometimes you really wish it would be.

Jamil merely scoffs in response to your words.

Still, it is undeniable that he is slowly beginning to relax in your arms, slowly bringing his head closer to yours. His eyes are starting to flutter, too.

“I will still need to help Kalim with his homework, at the very least.”

You wonder who he is trying to convince more, you or himself.

“Amin and Khalil are helping him. They’re basically top of their classes, aren’t they? I’m sure they’ve got it.”

Still, Jamil frowns.

You sigh. He really is not letting go, is he?

“Do you want me to go supervise?” you ask.

And leave you, unsaid yet hanging there right after your words.

“Don’t,” Jamil eventually says, the word barely more than a breath.

It seems he has accepted his fate.

You softly caress Jamil’s hair, listening to his softening breathing.

And when you wake up, wholly unaware of having been lulled to sleep in the first place, it’s to the lightest of touches from Jamil’s fingers.

Tagging @diodellet @twstgo @crystallizsch @jamilvapologist @jamilsimpno69 as per request If you'd like to be tagged for any future works, let me know!

[puppyeared]

its so hard to watch time pass when things like careers and assignments exist. what do you mean im supposed to take that seriously

[cupophrogs]

Was Pops much help in Home Sweet Home? I can imagine he was really helpful with the puzzles. Also did noodle father tend to your wound from the train wreck?

“I can do blood, but 1. It was my leg, and 2. I could see my muscles flexing whenever I moved. It’s a damn miracle the adrenaline let me go as long as It did - still is, rather. I still have no idea how I managed to carry DD’s ass while running! Pops and DD both are forcing me on bed rest until I stop limping. Cunts, the both of them!(/lh/j)” (Language, Cherub.)

[manygreetingsfriend]

i’m sooooooo normal about the god of war series. so incredibly normal i liked it a normal amount and would be so chill talking about it. don’t worry about the sign

[designernishiki]

it’s kinda funny to me how that dumb scene in kiwami 1 of majima getting shot and left for dead in the harbor was basically just added as a half-assed way to explain majima not being around for a bit of the plot, but they accidentally(?) just made it seem like start of a chain reaction where majima ended up feeling slighted and heartbroken after being abandoned like that and then lashed out about it via smashing a big truck into the building kiryu was in. and yeah that isn’t inherently a romantic thing as-is but then they go and add the part where majima grabs a hostess and performatively hits on her as in-kiryu’s-face as possible, she says she’s already in love with someone, and majima lets her go immediately, no questions asked, making a big fucking point of it just to say see THAT kiryu? I appreciate when people are HONEST about their FEELINGS. people who won’t just BACKSTAB someone who CARES about them to save themselves. is that so crazy kiryu?? huh??? anyway make it up to me get down here and fight me right fucking now

[carefulfears]

one of the few moments between them where they threaten to break the act down.

he knows the answer to the first question; do you believe that? have you ever believed that? all she can do is stare at the floor, almost like she’s been caught. because she doesn’t. and he knows she doesn’t.

her role in this thing that they do is to not believe in aliens. she answered him on that first day, does she believe in the existence of extraterrestrials? she had to say no.

she can’t answer him this time, though. she stares at the floor. but he knows.

he knows the answer to the second question too, though. what do you think happened to her?

scully can stand in front of him and tell him that he’s just being emotional all she wants. tell him that it’s manipulation, that it’s impossible.

but her role in this thing is that she is the rational one, and he knows what the rational thing to think about 8 year old girls who disappear from their homes and don’t come back is.

even if it’s not this killer, even if it’s not this man, the rational thing to think is that it’s another.

so after four years of seeking and chasing and following after as he walks into the same room every day, as he wants to believe, what does she believe? what is she really saying when she says no, she doesn’t believe in the existence of extraterrestrials?

and can they keep the act up, when this is what it means?

[abooklover]

Not Taylor releasing ‘safe and sound’ for the The Hunger Games back in 2012 and now Olivia releasing ‘can’t catch me now’ for the hunger games prequel in 2023.

[compacflt]

the thought of icemav celebrating christmas together makes me a bit crazy. what do they give each other???

usually nothing . That’s kind of a big deal. in the 80s/90s they’d (reluctantly) celebrate Christmas with carole and bradley (who took that shit kinda seriously) so they wouldn’t really do anything by themselves. Maybe go out for a nice clandestine dinner just cause. After Carole dies and Bradley’s papers get pulled from the academy, ice’s low key newfound interest in celebrating christmas is one of his many many ways to try and normalize relations between him & maverick and try to improve their relationship in the conspicuous absence of the rest of their family. but yes he does make an effort—as does mav—to take advantage of holiday time to be with him as often as possible so, though their schedules don’t always line up, after 2006 they spend about 3/4 xmases together

Ice has very few hobbies besides a.) lovingly working on his cars & plane and b.) reading, so he is exceptionally easy to shop for (as most hobbyless men are): nice tie pins, cufflinks, those unnecessarily expensive hardcover books about weird random topics you find in airport bookstores, fountain pens, nautical /aeronautical themed paperweights, nice leather watchbands etc. highbrow rich guy stuff

Maverick has sooooo many stupid little hobbies that each last between 4-6 months so he is ridiculously hard to shop for— “i thought you were into woodworking so i got you some tools :)!” “uh no that was in April. im trying to learn how to make wallets now” :( so mostly if ice ever gets him anything it’s usually just an expensive dinner date in the city or cash in a blank card or a blank signed check for airplane parts for the next year. Buy whatever you want idc <3

any and all gifts are given with extremely little fanfare PLEASE don’t make it a big deal… hidden around the house with a little “merry xmas!” note attached, or shoved into each others suitcases pre-leaving-for-navy-reasons, or unceremoniously dropped into one’s lap while he’s watching tv, “here you go,” “oh, this is nice, thanks!” Et cetera. love language of gifts/acts of service, but, like, very quietly.

[spoopy-moose]

The hands of a saint

(W/o overlay under the cut)

[werebutch]

So many times I’ve seen people on here be like wowww it’s so funny seeing ppl rage over vegans 😁!! ….. these people genuinely have no idea what they’re talking about. If you mention all their stuff being made of plastic they cover their ears and go lalala like they’re 5. I’m sorry but it DOES make me mad. I wish your passion for the environment could go somewhere actually useful and not to blissful ignorance and even environmental harm. -_-

[hanzajesthanza]

the scene i find most relatable in all of the witcher saga is ciri in the korath desert, and idk what that says about me, but… probably nothing good 😅🙃

[completeoveranalysis]

[5]

I LOVE IT I LOVE IT 

The undercurrent of their goodbye finally comes to the surface and Kurogane doesn’t apologise or say he’s conflicted or anything else, he just outright says that he’s going but that he’ll be back. And he’s even going to prove his loyalty by reswearing his oath to her. 

Which means that Fai’s oath to Sakura was a direct parallel to Kurogane’s oath to Tomoyo all this time AHH

WAIT

WAIT A MOMENT HERE

WAS I RIGHT?

WAS I RIGHT ALL THIS TIME

NO FUCKING WAY LET ME FIND THAT POST

I can’t even remember when else I might have talked about this crack theory (PRESUMED CRACK THEORY) but here’s a post of me talking about it back in 2019

And you can SEE how at THAT point I was talking myself out of it and was already saying that I was reading too much into the moment after all. 

ARE WE NOW SAYING THAT I WAS ACTUALLY CORRECT THE FIRST TIME??

HOW THE TURN TABLES?????

[the-cookie-of-doom]

15 minutes until I leave my job : (

[boltgunkiller-archive]

s3 of glee is good when you like ignore everything