#but even though i'm sad i guess i'm just reminded just how much he gave to us

[writingouthere]

friendswithbenefits!Sukuna x reader. Your friend Yuuji sets you up on a date with his co-worker to help you get over your recent slump, not knowing that his dear older brother had ended it months ago.

cw: none really, some possessive behavior

"He's really great though, I swear!"

"What does 'really great' entail, exactly?"

"Well he's nice! Like, super nice."

You waited to see if there was any more information and when there didn't appear to be any forthcoming, pushed your friend. "Yuuji, I'm going to need a little bit more than that."

Yuuji seemed to think about this for a second and as he did you snuck some dumplings off his plate. He'd taken more than his fair share of the take out anyway.

You loved Yuuji, he was one of the most genuinely kind people you'd ever met. He just happened to have terrible taste in men, aside from his own boyfriend.

"Well, when I got lost the other day, he gave me directions and they were super helpful!"

"Wait, did you find this guy on the street? Are you setting me up with a stranger?" It wouldn't surprise you, Yuuji tended to adopt human beings the way a normal person might adopt stray cats. You couldn't complain too much since it's how the two of you had ended up being friends, but it didn't necessarily mean that whoever he'd picked up off the side of the road this time was your one true love.

"No, no, he works in the school too. He teaches like history or something. He just teaches in the upperclassmen building, so I don't see him that much."

"So he gave you directions after you got lost in your own place of work?"

Yuuji either doesn't hear your tone or he chooses to ignore it. "Yeah, really nice dude. He's also good friends with Maki, so you know he must respect women."

That was actually pretty persuasive. Maki would never put up with any man who was a piece of shit, maybe there was something here.

"Is he cute?"

Yuuji scratched his head and tried to take some dumplings off your plate while you blocked him with your chopsticks.

"I mean I guess, he always looks kind of sad but you're into that right?" You blocked his attempts at stealing your dumplings with a little more aggression than necessary at that.

"I am not!"

Yuuji hummed unimpressed, chewing on the dumpling he'd managed to snatch away while you argued. Thief.

"He's like a little taller than me, pretty eyes and he's stronger than he looks. He actually beat me in some sparring matches last year when the teachers competed." You listened even as you scowled at the way Yuuji said all this with his mouth still full of stolen food. He swallowed and gave you a mischievous smirk. "He has really nice hands too."

"Yuuji!"

"They're big and his fingers are long but not too skinny, they kind of remind me of Megumi's-"

"Who the fuck are you talking about?"

You stiffened as Yuuji's older brother walked in, scratching his bare midriff since he seemed to have once again forgot that wearing shirts was an expected human behavior. Even though he was only a few years older than you and Yuuji, he always seemed larger than life. Maybe because you had known him for so long.

"Yuuta, this guy I work with," Yuuji said, pouting when his brother stole some of the food off his plate. Served him right. "Hey! I asked you if you wanted anything before I ordered it."

"And I told you, I don't want any of this garbage. I'm just sampling," Sukuna said as he popped another piece of chicken in his mouth.

"Go eat your stupid healthy food then and leave our garbage alone," Yuuji protested pushing the plate out of Sukuna's reach. Naturally, this led to Sukuna shoving Yuuji's head into the table as he reached over and stole more food off the tray in the middle.

"So why are you talking about Yuuta's hands anyway. You and Fushiguro finally call it quits?" Sukuna's tone was casual but you had once seen him knock out a guy for groping Megumi in a club. If the day came where Yuuji and Megumi actually broke up, you think he might take turns knocking sense into both of them.

"Mnat mor me."

"Huh," Sukuna said even as he kept Yuuji's face pressed to the table. You rolled your eyes.

"He's saying that he's not the one interested, he's trying to set me up with him." You tried to push down the guilt you felt as you spoke after all you had nothing to be guilty about.

There was a flash of something in Sukuna's eyes but it was gone before you could identify it and with one last shove that had Yuuji groaning, he let him up.

"That hurt, you bastard!"

"Not an insult, I'm literally a bastard," Sukuna said and Yuuji rolled his eyes.

"Whatever, anyway, back to helping you get laid-"

"Hey!"

"-I'll let Yuuta know you'll meet him at six?"

"Can you make it eight, only old people eat at six." Yuuji nods and goes to type something in his phone. There's an awkward silence that he doesn't seem to notice and you can't help but look at Sukuna who hasn't taken his eyes off you.

"Didn't realize you were so desperate," Sukuna says and Yuuji doesn't look up from his phone before throwing a punch at him. Sukuna dodges, his eyes still on you.

"There's nothing wrong with going on a date," you say and you wonder who you're convincing. "It has been a while since a nice guy took me out."

"Ah right, I forgot you liked nice guys." His tone is too knowing and you feel yourself flush.

"Stop picking on her, Sukuna. Don't you need to be going to the gym, anyway?" Yuuji asks, finally putting down his phone. He seems to attribute the current tension for you and Sukuna's usual animosity. You wonder if that's all there is to it. Sukuna scoffs and walks back to his room. You still weren't sure why he'd even come out in the first place.

"Whatever, you two have fun planning the wedding," he says, his tone making your hackles rise.

"Say hi to Uraume for me," Yuuji calls back, oblivious. "Tell them I still want a rematch after last week."

Sukuna waves a hand before shutting the door to his room. Yuuji turns back to you and the two of you talk about other topics while your mind wanders.

You weren't doing anything wrong. Were you?

You and Yuuji decide to meet up with Megumi and Nobara for a movie before you need to get ready for your date. While Yuuji goes to his room to change, you head to the kitchen to clean up the remains of lunch.

You're putting some glasses in the sink when you feel a warm presence at your back. You can't hold back your sigh as a familiar pair of thick arms comes to wrap around your waist and a pair of lips presses gently against your neck.

"I haven't seen you in forever," Sukuna murmurs, the movement of his lips against your neck sending a familiar pulse of want to your core. You tell yourself not to let the soft gesture get to you. He never did shit like this without a purpose and his usual purpose isn't going to be fulfilled with Yuuji in the next room.

"You saw me last week, Sukuna," you remind him before leaning away from him to close the dishwasher. His hands slip down to your hips and you just know he's staring at your ass. You roll your eyes even as he pulls you back to him once you're standing. His hands pressing into the curve of your hips, putting pressure on them in that way that makes you melt.

"That's too long, princess. I was getting lonely," he teases and you feel him smirk against your cheek. "You must be lonely too."

"Actually I'm just fine," you tell him but you tilt your head so he can kiss the skin of your face, your neck, the parts of your shoulders revealed by the stretched collar of your old t-shirt. You let him lull you into a false sense of security before he reminds you why that's a bad idea.

"Really? I just assumed you felt lonely and that's why you were agreeing to go on dates with losers you've never even met."

There it was. This was why you couldn't let Sukuna get soft with you. He never did it without returning your vulnerability with malice.

"Sukuna," you say and you go to pull his arms off you but he pushes you into the counter, you wince as the cold stone presses against your body. "Let go of me." Your tone is calm even as emotions band their way across your throat.

"I would, but you seem to get lost when I let you out of my sights. I mean you're going to go on a date with some high school teacher?"

"Your brother literally has the same job?"

"Well, are you going to fuck my brother too?"

"For fuck's sake, Sukuna, get off me!"

Sukuna does let you go but only so he can turn you to face him.

Sukuna doesn't get mad the way normal people do. Usually he's just amused, maybe even mildly annoyed, but blatant rage isn't his thing. After your years of-acquaintanceship? light antagonism?-friendship, you recognized this as the stage where he was about to make his insults increasingly personal until you needed to go cry in the bathroom later.

"We are not dating," you tell him and he rolls his eyes.

"Obviously."

"Therefore, I can go on dates with other people."

"I don't give a fuck if you go on dates with other people."

"Great, because I'm going to go on this date tonight."

"Good for you."

"Yes, yes it is good for me!"

"You seem really happy with your choices," Sukuna goads in that tone of his. You hate that tone.

"I am. I don't plan on just accepting whatever scraps some loser will throw me when there are actually decent guys who want a real relationship."

Sukuna narrows his eyes at you. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I wasn't being subtle," you tell him before leaning back against the counter. Going for casual, knowing you're not quite hitting it. "Don't worry, I don't hold it against you. You can't give what you don't have, you know?"

"No, I don't know," Sukuna bites out and if he was anyone else, you would think you'd hurt his feelings but this wasn't anyone else and there was no way something you said bother him.

"You're just not a relationship person and that's-that's fine, I knew that before we started this thing. It's just, sometimes I want more." You soften your tone from earlier but it doesn't do anything to relieve the tension between the two of you.

"And this, Yuka is going to give you that?" He sounds bitter and he's not touching you. You'd been the one to tell him to back off but you couldn't remember the last time he hadn't had his hands on you in some way when it was just the two of you.

"I think his name was Yuuta," you correct before his expression tells you this is the wrong step.

"Right, okay. You know what, you go on your date and have the best time with Yuuta. I got places to be."

He brushes past you and goes back to his room just as Yuuji opens the door to his.

"Geez, what's his problem?" He asks as he makes his way over to you. You shrug your shoulders and he takes your lack of response as just your normal discontent with his brother and wraps his arm around your shoulder. "Don't let him get to you, he's just a dick."

"I know," you tell him and you do. You know Sukuna's true nature better than most.

You two make your way out of the apartment so you can make your movie and you try to ignore the guilt you feel as Yuuji talks to you.

"You know, he's actually been in a better mood the past few months. I think he might actually be seeing someone. Can you imagine who would be crazy enough to actually date that asshole?"

new series? wrote this to get the rust off so we'll see.

[gretavanfleetposts]

Nothing Breaks Like A Heart - Part Three of Make Her Happy

Author's Note: The long-awaited part three! I'm a dually incredibly embarrassed that this took almost an entire year to finish. The time really got away from me LOL So I'm very sorry for that but I hope you all enjoy (and fingers crossed it was worth at least some of that wait)

Content Warnings: lots of swearing, bit of drinking

Word Count: 6k

Part One - Make Her Happy

Part Two - Give Me Shelter

One of the last things Jake had said to you before he'd left was that you should talk to Josh. And that was exactly what you hadn't done.

In fact, you’d let two weeks slip by like sand through your fingers without poking or prodding the topic even once. You’d clung to your avoidance like battle armor and if you were honest with yourself, you feared losing Jake just as much as you feared losing Josh.

So you and Josh hadn’t spoken and nothing had changed, nothing other than the fact that it felt Jake had been keeping his distance. Or maybe you were just more sensitive to his absence now that it felt necessary.

Damn him for being a good brother. For being better than me.

He was better than you, it seemed. Because he had put you to bed two weeks ago and left under the impression you were going to do the right thing and instead, you'd avoided your problems and had once again come running to Jake to have him make you feel better.

No, not to make me feel better. Just to play a stupid game. That's all.

He must have heard the honk of your car locking because you had barely made it to the front door before he was suddenly standing there in your way, a look on his face that somehow tangled caution and amusement into one jumbled mess expressed as a half-quirked smile and eyebrows that dipped low in the middle of his forehead. It was an expression that quite matched how you felt, butterflies and guilt and all.

“I take it you two didn't talk.”

Is it that obvious?

“What a way to greet a lady,” you said with a sudden scowl as you pushed past him through the doorway and led yourself to his kitchen.

To say you weren’t quite ready to broach that topic would have been an understatement.

“Why do you seem so chipper?” he asked from behind you as he followed your path through his home.

“I can't be happy to see you?” you threw back at him as you dropped your tote bag off your shoulder and onto the pristine marble of his kitchen island with a familiar muffled clang of a glass bottle shrouded by thin canvas to dull the promise it rang out into the air as it was set down. A little something for the soul.

“I guess I’ve admittedly grown a little bit more used to being greeted with tears. But this is a nice change.”

He gave you a sweet smile but paired with the way his eyes seem to wilt at the outer corners, you could see the sadness it held. It reminded you of the guilt you carried around with you constantly lately, only with a new object of affection. How selfish of you to think that this hadn’t taken any toll on him at all.

Your eyes turned soft. “I'm sorry. I am. You've been my sunshine these past several months. I hope you know that.”

Even as you said it, you knew it couldn’t begin to articulate what it was you really felt for him. But it was enough just to see the rose of a deep blush tinge his cheeks red and turn his smile suddenly bashful.

“Happy to provide,” was all he said in that typical, raspy, almost sleepy voice of his.

It was hard not to chuckle at the things he found too intimate to take in stride. It was fine for him to call you what he had in bed but heaven forbid you call him your sunshine…

“Don't think I didn't notice you dodging my original question though,” he added, breaking your concentration.

Oh yeah. My problems. How lovely of him to remind me.

You quirked up an accusing eyebrow. “Like how you dodged my compliment just now?”

“Ever so expertly,” he answered, this time with an unabashed smile that spread his lips wide across his face.

You felt your gaze dart away before you could even stop it, a heavy sigh pillowing in your chest before expelling into the air like a pot on the stove blowing off steam to keep from boiling over.

“I need one night of just…not talking about it.” You’d had plenty of nights of that, actually. What was one more? “Or thinking about it, preferably.” And then to really catch his attention and maybe even further drive home your point, you reached into your bag to uncloak the wine.

There was a specific smile he always donned when alcohol was present and when it took hold, you knew you could take it as an agreement to drop it, at least while there was a full bottle to contend with.

He took it from your grasp with only a dutiful nod, turning the dark glass over in his hands to inspect the label despite the fact that he likely knew nothing printed there would catch his eye. You had one sense of taste that trumped all others when it came to using fermented drinks to bandage your wounds: cheap.

“What am I if not a seasoned distraction?” he asked, already digging into a cupboard to procure two large, round glasses.

“That's why I seek you out,” you answered with a smile as you watched his hands work and tried your hardest not to think back to that first time he had served as your distraction.

“Well, hopefully that’s not the only reason.”

It was that comment that caught you and sent your stomach into a twist unbecoming of someone who was very much not single, especially given the way it suddenly brought the memory of your second time to the forefront of your mind, a time when it was hardly a distraction so much as it was a necessity in that moment. 

No, distraction wasn’t the only reason you were there. Comfort either. You’d grown to long for his company in a much deeper way. It wasn’t company in general he was providing you with, it was his and his alone.

And the game, of course. Mostly that.

“What's on the agenda for the night?” Jake asked as if he hadn’t just sent you into a deep spiral of thought that you’d been hoping to avoid that evening.

At least he’d been kind enough to pour you a glass of wine without you asking.

“I brought candyland since you owe me a rematch for what you did last time.”

The memory of your pieces scattered on the floor along with every card in the deck like a colorful patchwork quilt that you'd made him clean up both times he'd done it brought an earnest smile to his face.

“I'll flip the board again if you don't let me get tipsy first.”

You certainly didn't have to wonder if he was serious so with the preservation of your game in mind, you agreed with a nod and a, “Seems fair to me,” as you reached out for your wine. But he was already retreating by the time your fingers reached the air that the temptation in a glass once occupied.

“Come here,” he said with a mischievous look overtaking his face. “Something I want to show you.”

This time it was you left following him through his home, both glass stems tucked snugly between talented fingers like he was beckoning you to chase him if you wanted yours. And you did want yours. That was why, despite the sudden flurry of nerves that his look seemed to conjure in your chest, you did as you were told and followed him.

I swear to God, if he's talking about his dick…

You actually weren't sure what you'd do. Probably not the decent thing.

But to your surprise, he led you to a usually barren room save for the red Persian rug warming the middle and the walls outlined in vintage instruments ready to be plucked off the wall and played. Except today, the center of the room wasn't barren as it had been for months.

The room opened up to greet you with a warm mahogany welcome in the shape of a baby grand piano that instantly made your fingers itch. It wasn't so different from the piano you'd been toying with at the party where you and Josh had met. Of course, you weren't as good a player as he was but you certainly knew your way around.

“Figured we rehearse here enough it was worth the investment,” you heard Jake say from behind you where he now stood watching as you carefully perched yourself onto the little matching mahogany bench.

“My God, she is beautiful,” you breathed as you opened the fallboard to uncover a full set of vintage ebony and ivory that seemed to practically yearn for your touch.

Your fingers danced out a quick melody that warmed your joints as much as it did your demeanor. You hadn't played much lately. Actually, you hadn't really played at all. But there were some things that stuck with you, worked their way into your bones, maybe into your very DNA. And this was one of them.

“Does this mean you're going to learn?” you asked, turning your focus back to him as you swiveled to find his face.

“I'd need a teacher for that and I refuse to let Sam fill that role.”

He gave you a cheeky smile that you read instantly. It was an open invitation for you to take on the role of said teacher, so you stood and, taking your wine glass from his hand finally, made a grand sweeping gesture toward the now unoccupied piano bench.

He took his seat, pretending to throw his imagined coat tails over the bench, earning a giggle that swished the wine in your glass. You hovered not too far behind him as he cracked his knuckles and cleared his throat, making a quite thorough display of his preparation only to put fingers to keys and press out one of the more off-key renditions of twinkle twinkle little star you'd ever heard. And he was met with another giggle that seemed to only encourage his actions.

“Oh that's amazing. You must teach me your ways,” you joked with a smile as you set your glass down on the floor just out of the way.

“Save me, please,” he answered with a hoarse laugh, finally slowing his fingers to a halt but keeping them positioned on the keys.

You approached him slowly, coming up close behind his back to stretch your arms over his shoulders and let your fingers find rest overtop his just as delicately as your chest grazed the wide plane of his back. You could smell his cologne strong on his neck as you guided his fingers to better position them amongst the keys, your breath dusting his cheek with each exhale. And you swore you could almost tell that he was holding in a breath if you paid close enough attention to the movement in his shoulders that seemed to have suddenly stilled.

Somewhere among your skin resting against his and your hair tickling his neck, the world around you seemed to grow still and quiet, fading into a background of white noise and blurred lines. And then you pressed your fingers more firmly into his and a striking chord sliced through the air alongside whatever breath Jake had been holding.

“There, just like that,” you said in a voice far shakier than you had hoped it would turn out to be.

But he was silent, letting you guide his fingers slowly up to a new chord, or outstretching a pinky to hit a further key as yours nudged it, never saying a word. He let you play that way, through him, feeling the notes through the strength and dexterity of his talented fingers that fit so snugly beneath yours and obeyed your every command.

“I knew I was good at something,” he joked in a whisper that barely traveled up above the note lingering beneath your hold until he turned his face dangerously to the side to face yours.

It brought his nose only an inch from yours but what felt even more dangerous were his eyes and the quick flicker they made to your lips, resting parted and practically panting. You didn’t even realize your own breathing had picked up until you suddenly became aware of the heat reaching your palms, heat he could likely feel radiating through his skin still resting beneath yours. And just as quickly as the moment had been conjured, he turned his face back to his hands and yours retreated entirely just before you darted over to your glass of wine to down the contents while he continued to fiddle with keys.

“You're a good student,” you commented as evenly as you could as you took a seat on the bench next to him. A much safer spot than where you had been.

“You’re a good teacher,” he answered with a quick flash of a smile in your direction, fingers still tripping over keys and filling the air around you with a disjointed music that you admittedly didn’t mind.

“Well, maybe not as good as you.” It came out rather absently as you had taken to fiddling with a random key yourself, turning your attention to that instead of the familiar pounding of your heart in your chest, a rhythmic reminder of the effect Jake had on you.

When he turned to face you again, you could feel his eyes hot on your cheek. You wanted to be brave and face him but there was something about his knowing gaze that made you feel that much more defeated. You felt like a terrible person, in all actuality. How could you have fallen for your boyfriend’s brother? Was that actually what you had done or were you just using him like a bandaid? Did you even know anymore?

Maybe it’s just the sex I like.

“Is that why you're here?” he asked, his gaze somehow even hotter than before. “You need another lesson?”

God, can he read my mind?

For a brief moment, you found yourself debating it. It didn’t feel like that was what you had come for but you certainly weren’t ignorant to the need that radiated through your body every time he so much as glanced in your direction. But you also weren’t ignorant to just how wrong it really felt. However it had felt that first time, hesitant as you had been, the glances you stole now didn’t feel that way. They didn’t feel harmless. They didn’t feel like something Josh had signed off his approval on.

And for now, the guilt rang strong enough through your body to stop you from doing something worse.

“I'm here to beat you at candyland,” you answered, eyes finally braving his face only to be greeted by a smile that seemed to be growing by the second.

“Well that's just not going to happen.”

—

“That is cheating!” you yelled over the board as you angrily moved Jake's piece back several spaces behind yours.

“It is not, my piece was planning on being there this whole time,” he argued back, grabbing it from your hand to return it to the space he had just placed it on with his hand that wasn't gripping his wine glass like his life depended on it.

You weren't sure if it was the booze or the antics of the game, but his British accent was starting to slip out the more uncivilized he got and you were trying your best to be stern despite the smile it was holding permanently to your lips.

“It doesn't matter what he was planning on, you didn't roll high enough to go that far!”

He gave you a displeased shake of his head as he finally took his piece back, “accidentally” knocking yours over in the process.

“I don't think you're playing this right,” he mumbled before chugging the remaining contents of his third glass of wine.

“I'm sorry you don’t get to just do whatever you want,” you laughed as you wrestled another card out of his hand seeing as it most certainly was not his turn.

“Well that is too bad, isn't it,” he said gruffly although even he was struggling to keep the smile off his face and commit to the bit.

The day had grown so late that darkness had finally come to greet you and this was your third attempt at a civilized game, which you were beginning to think was simply impossible with Jake. He just couldn’t seem to stop cheating.

Let’s not read too much into that.

By the time you had maneuvered all of the cards away from him thanks to that all-too familiar gleam in his eye, he sat back in his seat to let a comfortable silence grow between you both, silent glances exchanged as a buzz settled over you both. But in the silence and the calm grew that familiar heat, a buzz brought on by more than just the alcohol consumed that night. There was something about it, those quiet, gentle moments, that turned the volume of tension about the room up several levels, like you couldn't trust yourselves to be around one another in such a still moment without busying your hands and your bodies with one another. Like you were always just waiting for the next opportunity for it.

That was how it felt: like you were waiting. And suddenly in the haven of golden light in your little secluded pocket of the night, in the quietness of his gaze trying to stay fixed to anything but you, you felt you shouldn't be there.

Why had you come?

Jake cleared his throat and nudged your empty wine glass. “You want more?”

You gave him a light shake of your head and an answer just as soft. “I'm driving.”

He nodded in return and cast his eyes to his hands. He almost looked nervous. Why would he be nervous?

When he met your eyes again, you could tell he was searching your face for something. But what it was he was looking for, you had no idea. And if he found it, you had no idea of that either. But as you gazed back, you found yourself unable to look away, unable to hide your face or your eyes or your feelings from him. Whatever it was you were feeling, you let him see it there on your features like a book written just for him.

It's him I want. That's why I came.

It seemed to hit you all at once and suddenly the need for action seemed just as real.

“I guess I should go.”

Before I do something I shouldn't.

He nodded again, adding an almost silent “okay” that somehow made the task of getting up all the more hard. But somehow, your feet shuffled and your legs moved and your body, which seemed to be of much more sound mind than your actual mind, moved its way to the kitchen sink, wine glass in hand.

“You don't have to do that,” you heard Jake say from behind you.

Close behind you.

“I don't mind,” you answered quietly as you continued to turn the faucet on and rinse the glass.

That was when you felt him at your back, arms emerging from either side and his hands, practically shaking, entwining themselves with yours to steal the glass away from your grip.

“Here,” he whispered, “let me.”

Fuck.

You weren't exactly sure what it was that suddenly surged through you but the moment the glass was set safely on the counter, you turned into his arms to face him, lacing your fingers into his shirt buttoned ever so lazily. And the move brought your mouth mere inches from his, your bodies practically pressed tight to one another.

There was greed on your lips, greed you wanted him to taste.

“Jake, I want you,” you whispered without even an ounce of shame, finally giving in to what you had been fighting all evening.

It was met with his eyes winding tightly shut as a blow of frustrated air pushed from his lungs. “Don't do that to me,” he shook his head. “That's not fair.”

“You're right, it's not fair-”

Your lips were practically on his when he suddenly pulled back several steps, out of your grasp.

“This can't happen,” he said sternly, although whether that was for you or for him you weren't entirely sure.

What you were sure of though was the embarrassment seeping into your very being. And then the guilt. They seemed to freeze you in your place.

God, what am I doing?

What was worse was that you had thought he wanted you too. Had you read it all wrong? Had you read everything wrong? Was he only entertaining you because he could see your desperation so plainly in everything you did? Was it only pity he felt for you?

Josh had no time for you and now Jake didn’t want you either.

You took a few steps away from the sink, aimless, wandering, before your face fell into your hands, to hide it, to soothe yourself, to try and disappear.

“I’m sorry,” you repeated frantically, practically in a panic. “I don't know what I'm doing. It's just…it's not working.”

“You need to tell him that.”

God, the sympathy you now heard in his voice might have made you feel even worse.

“He knows that.”

“Babe-”

“I plan to,” you burst suddenly, hands falling away from your face to make way for the much louder sentiment, as unsure as it sounded. “I'm going to,” you repeated, “I just thought…”

You trailed off into nothing, totally defeated. You weren’t sure what you had thought but god, you were tired of this. Why was this so difficult? Why was this so complicated? Why hadn’t Josh just shown up like he was supposed to?

You looked to Jake somehow hoping he could give you the answers you were searching for but he looked just as confused, just as lost. And the longer you looked the more he looked…something else entirely.

“Why are you doing this?” he asked almost desperately.

You stuttered. “I mean…I think it's obvious. Or…maybe it isn't, I don't know, I just-”

“We can't be together,” he suddenly blurted out.

If his previous rejection hadn’t hurt, this certainly did. And it brought back to you the words he had said two weeks ago on the couch over pizza and comfort, only this time they seemed to form a coherence they hadn’t quite had when he’d spoken them then.

‘He knows I'm not the answer’.

And then the words that cut a little deeper. A little sharper.

‘Maybe that's why he sends me. He isn't worried about it’.

You wrapped your arms around yourself, all-too aware of what your body language was giving away. You had read it all wrong.

“I…I know that,” you answered quietly, pathetically, even though it wasn’t the truth. Not even close. “I know that.”

His eyes found your face again, this time more frantic, like he knew what he had just done but didn't have any choice in the matter. He raised his hand to your elbow, leaning in as he gripped you. He might have shaken you to try and get you to understand what he was saying if he thought that would go over better than his fingers alone.

“Listen to me, I'm telling you you need to do the right thing. He's my brother. But I can't…I can't be your answer.”

Those damn pesky tears were back, and with a vengeance. If you didn't dart out of there sooner rather than later, you'd be nothing but a puddle of salty water on his kitchen floor and you suddenly had no desire to let him see you that way.

There was anger there too, as misplaced as you knew it was, forming just as quickly and swelling into something so hot it practically blurred your vision. You felt almost lied to. Talk about fucking mixed signals. But you let out a long, terse, “okayyy” without even meeting his eyes, already mentally planning your escape.

“I love you, I do. I love you too much to-”

Bullshit.

“No, I get it,” you interjected before he could drive the knife any deeper. “It's good to know where you stand. Thank you.”

He called out for you more than once but it fell on deaf ears. You were already out of the house.

—

“Where were you?”

Good God, can’t the universe give me a break?

Josh's voice coming out of the near darkness startled you. You knew he was there. You'd seen his car in the driveway when you pulled in. But something about it felt like he was catching you in the middle of sneaking out. Or rather, sneaking in.

“I was out,” was all you said as you sat your things down and kicked off your shoes. You prayed your eyes weren’t still red and puffy from the crying you did on the car ride home.

“Just out?”

There was concern in his voice. You could hear it without even fully seeing his face where it was, shrouded in shadow that seemed all too fitting for the conversation you knew very well was about to be had. He could have easily been hiding from you. Fuck, you wanted to hide from him too.

You wanted to spare him the sigh that was brewing in your chest but it barreled out of you before you could stop it. “I needed to get my thoughts together,” you explained as you stepped further into the house and into the hall where you could better see him.

That was a mistake.

There was already pain in his eyes. Already a redness that you suspected was from his own tears. He knew where this was headed as well as you did.

Fuck, this might actually kill me.

“Why doesn't that sound good?” He gave you a nervous chuckle and the only smile he could manage, both of which fell flat.

“Josh, I…” There was actually nothing coming to your mind, try as hard as you did to think of the right thing to say. To think of anything to say for that matter. But he took pity on you instead and cut right to it. Something you might have been thankful for under any other circumstances. Well, maybe you still were thankful for it given these circumstances.

“I know,” he said without prompting. “I've been spread so thin lately-”

“For a while,” you corrected, only a tinge of the bitterness you felt biting into your tone. “And it's not really feeling like ‘spread thin’ so much as it is not making the time for…certain things. Things that should be a priority.”

Well that certainly sounded bitter.

“I know, baby. I've been wrapped up in a million little things. We're working on a new sound but it has required more of me than the others.”

You felt yourself wince at the pet name, a lump in your throat forming almost out of nowhere and suddenly threatening to strangle you.

You fought against it to push the words out. “Josh, I hear you, I really do, but this just isn't sustainable for me.”

He nodded at this but you could tell he was deep in thought. And his silence seemed to drag on for an eternity. Agonizingly. But when he finally broke it, you found yourself missing that silence.

“Does this have something to do with Jake?” he asked, raising his eyes to yours to undoubtedly impress upon you the importance of the question.

Suddenly you felt cold despite the sweat practically pooling in your palms and the heat flaring in your ears. You couldn't face him and tell him that you had fallen for Jake after all of the late nights you'd spent with him. You couldn’t admit to him the embarrassing truth that you had gone to seek him out, lying to yourself about why the whole time. And you certainly couldn’t admit to him how often you had thought of his brother when you found yourself alone over the past few months. But Josh seemed to glean every last one of those secrets from your silence alone.

“Where were you?” He finally asked the question you'd skirted around when you'd arrived home.

You didn't rarely hear Josh with anything you could call stern in his voice but you heard it now in his question. And his eyes begged the answer from you just as desperately as his tone did.

That was when you began to feel the tears well up for the second time that night. Your undereyes wouldn’t recover until the next week.

“Josh-” you croaked out, although he didn't seem to need you to finish whatever thought you were weakly stringing together into words.

“I shouldn't have let him do it. I shouldn't have let him near you that way.”

“It wouldn't have mattered,” you tried.

“Yes it would have. We wouldn't be here right now if I hadn't pushed you into his arms.”

“If it hadn't been him, I would have just been alone. All alone, Josh.” Even with the tears streaming silently down your face, you said his name pointedly enough that his shoulders seemed to slump and whatever anger was brewing for his brother was waning. “All alone for months and months thinking my boyfriend couldn't care less. Hoping I would at least get a text from you that time rather than Jake acting like some sort of carrier pigeon, as if that was any replacement.”

You'd never seen him so hurt. You'd never seen his face droop and fall that way, his lips melting downward at the corners and the liquid warmth of his eyes almost freezing over. Even his curls seemed to lose their bounce. He was wilting right in front of you and it only made it harder to breathe. It only made it harder to stand there and face him and say whatever the fuck it was you’d been putting off for that very reason.

If you don't do it now, you never will.

You wiped at your tears as best you could, trying to pull yourself together. “It hurts me,” you started. “Having you so close and yet so far constantly, it hurts me and I just can't do it anymore. And I don't want to wait until I resent you. I can't sit around waiting for that to happen. It'll kill me if I ever feel that way for you.”

Tears were now pouring down his face as he shook his head. “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.”

If he said anything else, you could barely hear it above the racing of your heart in your chest and the dam breaking somewhere behind your eyes. It was like a tsunami when it came, folding you over until you slumped around yourself on the ground to let it wrack through your body. And he was there just as quickly, holding you despite the fact that he most certainly didn't have to. Clinging to you and his sorry's.

You weren't sure how much time passed as you sat there. You could hardly feel it ticking through your tears and a feeling that felt awfully close to regret. You couldn't feel the passage of the wind and the world beyond the strength of Josh's arms holding fast to your form, knowing that when he let go, he wouldn't have this opportunity again. It almost felt cruel, like a moment you should have had among many others but was stolen away from you all at once. So you basked in it. You bathed in it. You memorized his touch and his smell and the way it felt to be supported, even if you hadn't felt it in a while.

You had your reasons, you knew that. Had to remind yourself of it, even. But at the moment, you had nothing but him.

The tears always dried though. They always racked your body and stripped you of your strength and energy and when they vacated, just like they always did, you were left sitting, leaning against the wall of the hallway, in an almost daze-like state. Stuck in a limbo between sorrow and anger and humor. Every emotion you had seemed to sit at the edge of your being waiting for a moment to pounce in a state like this, and you were always left wondering what would take hold next.

Josh mimicked your movements, sitting opposite you like a mirror into what you probably looked like. And for a while, you sat in silence.

“I just want you to be happy,” he said after several moments. “That's all I've ever wanted.”

You nodded and sniffled, wiping your eyes and your nose with the back of your hand like a toddler.

“I know.”

“I mean it.”

I know.

You nodded again but this time when you spoke, your voice was even.

“I know.”

You tapped your fingers against your knee, butt going numb against the hardwood floor and eyes feeling stiff at the corners thanks to the dried tears accumulated there. And it was funny in a way that really wasn’t funny at all that as you sat there and stared at Josh silently, you couldn't help but think to yourself how beautiful he was.

Fucking twins.

“Does Jake make you happy?” Josh asked suddenly, studying your face.

The short answer was yes but the long answer?

‘He knows I'm not the answer’.

“I don't know,” you admitted. And you hoped he believed you when you said it because you really didn't.

You liked how he made you feel. You liked that he was there when no one else was. But was he the answer? You had no idea, actually. Maybe you wanted him to be more than he actually was. Or maybe, just maybe, you just liked having sex with him.

Ha. Well, that's at least some of it. Not that it matters anymore.

You were shamelessly giggling to yourself at the entirely humorless situation you found yourself in even before Josh joined in, bringing his hand to hide his mouth like he was in on the secret joke and attempting to keep it just that, a secret.

“You should probably decide before I have a chance to kill him.” And then after a moment, he added, “Well to be honest with you, I might just kill him anyway.”

You couldn't even explain why but that did you in, spurred a full on fit of laughter. And somehow, Josh found himself laughing right beside you.

Typical Josh. Always a bright spot. Even if it hurt him to be.

—

You hadn't left your house in days. Hadn't washed your sweatpants in as long either. The takeout boxes were certainly piling up too. And had you already finished off the last of your wine stockpile?

Gonna need to hit the grocery store soon. Or Instacart, at the very least.

And when your couch hadn't been occupied by friends spoon-feeding you whatever therapy you needed, be that advice or ice cream, you found yourself alone with more thoughts than you cared to deal with.

And one name in your mind that you avoided at all costs.

You hadn't even texted him that it was over. Hadn't called. Hadn't seen his face or heard his voice or even uttered his name. But God, you felt it, that ache. The longing. The familiar itch that he had scratched for you one too many times that now begged for nails to rake across it.

Relief. You wanted him. You maybe even needed him. That was what the emptiness had shown you. Whatever it was that he even was to you, you missed it. You craved it. But in your hour of need, he was the last thing available to you. And you were certainly stubborn enough not to chase.

Until you eventually weren’t stubborn enough.

You had no idea what had possessed you to rise from the couch that day, throw on a sweatshirt to shield you from the rain, grab your car keys, and drive to his place. You had no idea what possessed you to jump from your car and brave the violent sheets of rain that threatened to topple you as your fist made contact with his door a bit more angrily than maybe it should have. And you had no idea what had possessed you to do all of this just to say what it was you said.

Maybe I enjoy getting hurt.

You weren't invited in. In fact, you weren't even greeted with any words. He seemed breathless the moment he opened the door and his brain caught up with his eyes, whether that was thanks to your unruly appearance made all that much worse by the rain or simply the fact that you were the last person he expected to see standing on his porch after what he had said. After what you had done.

Probably should have run a brush through my hair before coming here.

And then you blurted it out.

“I ended it.”

The rain raged on in an angry war against you but you stood defiantly, like there was some ground there to hold. And maybe there was. It certainly felt like there was. If it wasn't the rain, it was his eyes, staring dangerously into yours and then, even without a single utterance from him still, you saw it. It was undeniable and unmissable.

Jake's eyes flickered down to your lips where they lingered for what felt like an eternity but in actuality was about two seconds. Two of the longest seconds you'd ever felt, waiting for someone to do something about it.

“I just thought you should know,” you added.

And then you left.

[toomanyfandoms-notenoughfics]

Celestial Beings

Chapter Two: Talking it Out

Characters: Reader, Molly Weasley, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black

Summary: After many, many days of dealing with Moody's visits, (y/n) get two new visitors, who seem to be much much nicer.

Word Count: 2,285

Warnings: Torture Mention, SA Mention (it's mostly glossed over, no major details), Child Abuse Mention

A/N: Just in case I forgot to mention previously, this is not completely canon-compliant. I also have made Moody more of an a-hole, if anyone wants to know my thought process on that matter go ahead in send in a quick ask. Actually, feel free to send in an ask about anything, I would love to answer! I'm enjoying writing this, and I hope that at least some people are enjoying reading this.

Torture and pain were nothing new to (y/n), actually, it rather reminded her of home. She wasn’t sure how long she had been in the small room, nor how many times she’d had her “visits” with Moody. They rarely lasted longer than a few hours. The longest time, from what little sense of it she had, was somewhere around 8 hours.

Speaking of home, she missed it quite a bit. Malfoy Manor was a lot more cruel on the inside than most people could even guess. Not particularly any fault of Mrs. Malfoy or Draco, but rather Lucius. The head of the household, and loyal follower of her father, obeyed any and every command given. Of course, most of those orders were on how to best “raise and properly train” (y/n), which typically involved some form of torture.

(Y/n) of course, followed along as well, it was easier than dealing with the consequences. Out of everything, waterboarding was the worst. Followed closely behind spending any nights with a few perverted men, less as a consequence, more so as a reward for their loyalty to You-Know-Who. She had the scars to prove the ordeals she went through, as much as she would prefer to forget.

Even though she acted nonchalant about it all, she was still a person. She just couldn’t afford to be seen that way. In her opinion, it was better to be seen as an object or a weapon, a mere pawn on a chessboard. Then at least she herself could pretend to have no weaknesses, no breaking point. She preferred that people believed the rumors and lies, that she was as deadly as her father and as crazed as Bellatrix Lestrange.

Mrs.Weasley opened the cell door, a tired look on her face and a plate in hand. She gave (y/n) a sad smile as she set it down near the entrance.

“Couldn’t you just give him something to go off of?” Mrs. Weasley pleaded with her. “Anything so you could have a break from it all? You look downright awful, I’m worried for you.”

“What could I give him that he would believe?” (Y/n) asked, slowly grabbing the sandwich from the plate and taking a bite. “After all, I imagine it’s been at least a few weeks if not a month or so? I haven’t uttered a single thing he’s believed, including that his curses and beatings won’t work. I’m used to it, it’s what I’ve been molded to be.”

“What about something small, something that no one knows about, well You-Know-Who?” Mrs. Weasley tries, leaning against the door frame. “From what I’ve gathered he hasn’t exactly been the most caring of-”

“Don’t.” (Y/n) said flatly, meeting the older woman’s eyes. “Truly don’t go there. He cares, just in his own way.”

Mrs. Weasley is quiet after that, unsure as to what to say. She sighs, picking up the plate and turning to leave. Once the door was shut (y/n) sits back against the cold wall, no longer having the appetite for her sandwich.

“He does care. I just don’t know if it’s about me or the results I give him.” she gathers up the blanket, draping it over her legs. “No, he cares about me, what father wouldn’t care about their children? Even Lucius cares about Draco, and he doesn’t care about much else than impressing my father.” (Y/n) sat in the dark, with nothing but her own thoughts to keep her company and the occasional bug scurrying across the floor.

This time when the door opened it was someone (y/n) had not seen before. Or rather two someones she hadn’t seen. Both men were tall, one with dark, long curly hair and the other with light brown, short-combed hair. (Y/n) recognized one of them as Sirius Black, the first person to escape Azkaban prison. The other took her a few seconds to place, it wasn’t until the light hit his face, revealing the scars that she knew it was Remus Lupin, a werewolf known to be heavily against her father.

“Well, isn’t this a treat?” She said, slowly getting to her feet. “A blood-traitor and a half-breed? What did I do to have you grace my presence?” Remus flinched at the mention of half-breed.

“I came down here to see who could possibly have Moody stumped,” Sirius growled, stepping in front of Remus ever so slightly. “Imagine my surprise when I see you’re nothing more than another idiot, too stubborn and ignorant for your own good.”

“I’m the idiot?” (Y/n) laughed. “Am I the one torturing the same person the same 20 ways over and over in the hopes something will give? No, I’m the one who is with-standing it because the consequences of giving in are worse than dealing with a little more pain.”

“What could be worse than everything Moody has put you through?” Remus mused. “He’s told us some of what he’s done, none of which we agreed with. The real reason we’re down here is because we took a vote.”

“A vote?” She took a step back, unsure now of the situation she was in. “A vote for what? Who gets first dibs?”

“What?” Sirius looked taken aback, holding up his hands innocently. “No, we took a vote over if Moody should be down here with you anymore.”

“We decided against it. You don’t have to deal with him anymore.” Remus conjured up a lantern and hung it on the ceiling. “From now on we’re just going to talk.”

“So we’ve moved on from physical torture to psychological, understood.” (Y/n)’s shoulder relaxed slightly. “I can handle that too.”

“No, no, no. I think you’re still not understanding.” Remus smiled, looking at Sirius. “That’s all we’re going to do from now on. Sirius has enlightened us on what you’ve probably grown used to growing up.”

“Enlightened? What would he know about any of that?” she sneered, feeling even more vulnerable than before. Somehow talking seemed more daunting than hours of Cruciatous curses and water-boarding.

“You’re forgetting what family I, regrettably, belong to,” Sirius grumbled, shutting the door. “I have a feeling your upbringing was at least somewhat similar to my own, if not worse. Your father seems to pay you the same amount of care my mother gave me, which is to say nothing unless you are their perfect doll.”

“I don’t know what you could possibly be-”

“Don’t lie, it doesn’t suit you.” Sirius glared at her, arms crossed. “Besides, you can give everyone else the whole “He cares for me, just in a different way” b.s. like you gave Molly, but it won’t work on me. I tried that too, now I realize how bloody wrong I was.”

“Sirius, we came to talk, not to therapise,” Remus warned, putting his hand on Sirius’s chest. “How about we start small, like cornish pixie small?” he glanced at (y/n) almost asking her for permission.

“Right, apologies.” Sirius took a deep breath. “Let’s just start small, right?” Remus dropped his hand and turned back to (y/n).

“I don’t see what actual choice I have,” (Y/n) sat down on top of her sleeping bag, bringing her knees to her chest. “What’s the rules then?”

“No rules, just talk.” Remus once again said, conjuring up some wooden chairs. “Would you like a chair as well, or are you okay there?”

“I’m fine.” (Y/n) watched as the two men sat down. “So, what would you like to talk about? The weather? To me, it seems the same every day to me.”

“Funny,” Sirius rolled his eyes. “But, to be completely honest I haven’t a clue.”

“What’s your favorite color?” Remus asks. “I prefer blue myself.”

“I like gold a lot,” Sirius mutters, still seemingly uninterested in the conversation. “It’s one of the few colors I can see both in my animagus form and human form.”

“It may seem cliche, but I like green.” (Y/n) admits after sitting in silence for a moment. “Not any green though, I enjoy deep greens, phthalo green is a good one, and so is forest green, and juniper.”

“You seem to know quite a bit about different shades of greens, is there any particular reason?” Sirius asked, sitting up more in his chair.

“Not really, it just comes in handy when it comes to potions and herbology.” she shrugged. The three of them were silent for a moment. “So, did either of you ever, um, I don’t know, did either of you ever find a way to sneak into the headmaster’s quarters? Because I did, plenty of times.”

“And you never tried to kill him for your dad?” Sirius seemed confused. “I feel like if you wanted his approval as bad as you seem to, you would’ve, well you know.”

“Answer my question first and then I’ll answer yours.” (Y/n) responded. “Have either of you snuck into Dumbledore’s quarters?”

“I, well, I tried to once, but not while I was still at the school,” Sirius smiled to himself. “It was after I escaped prison. I snuck into the castle looking for Peter and saw a rat head that way. Turned out to be a normal rat.”

“I never really even thought of the idea. I mean, he’s someone I imagine has a lot of security and spells cast around him to protect him from that sort of thing.” Remus admitted. “Your turn, answer Sirius’s question.”

“No, I never tried to kill him.” (Y/n) smirks. “The idea is quite intriguing though. Could you imagine how funny it’d be, if the daughter of the all and powerful Dark Lord, age 13, manages to murder the one person he fears above all else? Besides I liked school.”

“Why did you sneak in then?” Remus prodded, leaning forwards, studying her as she toyed with her fingers. “If not to kill Dumbledore, why bother?”

“To be completely and totally honest? I wanted to be the best at potions, and Dumbledore just so happened to be very close friends with a certain Nicholas Flammel. In order to be able to make a Philosopher’s Stone one would have to excel in both alchemy and potion-making.” she stood up, leaning against the wall. “He had a portrait of him in there, I would sneak in, ask him a million and one questions about potions, and then by the next time I came back I had tested and confirmed what he told me. I took great joy in Snape watching me get better at his own craft than he was.”

Sirius let out a gruff chuckle, which soon became a hollering laugh. Even Remus couldn’t contain himself, joining in with his own chorus of giggles. (Y/n) didn’t quite understand what was so funny, but watching the two of them laugh as hard as they were made her let out a giggle or two. The three of them talked, just talked for a time.

When the knock came at the door (y/n) stiffened, eyeing Sirius as he opened it. Much to her relief, it was Mrs. Weasley bringing dinner along with a small pillow. Sirius thanked her, taking the food from her arms and holding it out to (y/n), offering it to her. She cautiously took it, careful to not get too close as she retreated to her corner of the cell. Mrs. Weasley smiled and held up the pillow.

“It’s not much, but it’s better than what Alastor was giving you.” The older woman set it next to the door. “Whenever you’re ready for it you can grab it. No rush, dear.”

(Y/n) nodded, whispering a small thank you under her breath as Mrs.Weasley left. The soup and bread she had been given more than filled her up. Remus and Sirius continued talking to one another as she ate, everyone now slightly more comfortable with each other.

“I have to admit, she makes good food. Great food actually, Mrs. Malfoy has never been adept in the kitchen department, nor has anyone she’s hired either.” (Y/n) told them, licking the sides of the bowl as she finished her soup. “And as enjoyable as this has been today, I do have a serious question to pose.”

“What question?” Remus asked, stiffening in his seat. Sirius’s eyes seemed to darken as he looked at her as if he was ready to pounce if needed.

“Well, if I’m not to be tortured or forced to divulge any information, what do you expect to do with me then?” setting down the bowl she met their eyes. “You can’t possibly keep me in here forever, but you also can’t just let me out of here either. Which leaves very little option other than killing me or me somehow escaping and taking as many of you with me as I can.”

The men look both shocked and hurt, perhaps a dash of anger in Sirius’s eyes. Neither of them says a thing as they stand up and walk towards the door. (Y/n) smiles at them, pushing their now empty plate and bowl towards them.

“It’s only a matter of time as to which happens first. Personally, I’ve accepted dying in here. No resources will be wasted on a rescue for me, nor will there be anyone to mourn me. I suggest you make the decision soon before I find a way to slaughter the lot of you in your sleep.” she threatens, meeting Remus’s gaze. “Because you were right, Dumbledore does have plenty of security in his quarters, much more so than the barrier spells that get weaker day by day in here.”

~~{𝘌𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘸𝘰}~~

[plscallmeeren]

HIS ASSISTANT

Severus Snape x Reader

Request: yep, by @Chloelouise02

Summary: (Y/n) was Snape's only friend back in their time at Hogwarts, but they had a falling out just before they graduated so he doesn't know how to feel now that she had been appointed as his assistant. This takes place during the golden trio's third year, or, more specifically - in their first lesson.

Warnings: a swear word or two?; dementors; shouting; pretty much just fluff

Word Count: 1.7K+

"Clean up that mess", he drawled lowly, and for the hundredth time that week I fumed at his attitude.

"Magic word?", I seethed, not moving a muscle to reach for my wand.

"If you wanted me to Imperio you, you could just say so", even through all this I heard his suppressed smirk that I would have loved to see after all this time, but apparently wasn't worthy of.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes in disbelief, and was inevitably reminded of our past shared moments. I'm not sure if it made me sad or happy thinking about. Maybe nostalgia is meant to have both.

"How about the other one?"

After a very long and over-dramatic sigh he gave in, boosting my serotonin levels drastically, at least that's what I think this feeling was.

"...Please."

"See? Was that so hard?" He didn't answer but his expression suggested it was indeed so hard.

I pulled out my wand reluctantly and swung the wood wordlessly, the puddle of rainbow-coloured failure vanishing in thin air.

I mean hey, at least it wasn't as bad as Seamus' rumored explosive draughts.

In fact, there were many rumours about all students of Hogwarts as well as teachers from other schools and Rosemary or someone of the likes from down in a Hogsmeade pub.

If I'm being honest, the teachers' room possessed more qualities of a gossip girls set-up, a talk show or a Comedy Drama movie than a teachers' room at all; but I wisely decided a while ago already to keep this to myself.

Severus apparently enjoyed the talk just as, if not more than anyone else, not that he would ever dare to admit it.

Sev...

It felt strange calling him Severus. It felt stranger calling him Snape, though, so to his dismay that's what he was going to have to put up with. We just weren't on good enough terms again for, well, honestly? Anything.

Now you may be wondering how we ended up like this. To keep it short: I'm the second-last week of our last school year he kissed me. And for whatever reason I kissed him back because apparently I had a stupid crush on him; but then he felt guilty because of Lily (am I a joke to him?) and just left and refused to talk to me again.

Great way to treat your best friend. Really. Wicked.

"Is it just my imagination or are you particularly moody right now? Because I could swear I made you laugh an hour ago and I've basically just lost all of my progress." His lip twitched upward as he positioned himself behind one of the front desks, but maybe it was a trick on the eyes.

"No. I am not moody. I am never moody. And I am most certainly not more moody than usual." Those were the most sentences I had gotten out of him in a row all day, but my accomplishment was quickly forgotten at the rubbish he had just made me hear.

"You're never- oh, I get it. I know you're not Mad-Eye. Believe me. You just haven't got the looks", I grinned, before my face fell and I grew serious for once.

"No, seriously. Have you got a bad relationship to the Potter kid or something? Everyone talks about him so much but never in relation to you. Is that it? Are you dreading him?"

I'm pretty sure if you held a really exact ruler to his eyes and you weren't shaking at the look he's giving me now, you would have seen they'd widened a couple of millimeters. But unfortunately I guess no one's gonna take over that job, are they?

He simply stayed silent until all the students had come in and positioned themselves at their desks, including the Potter boy, who was sitting next to who I think was a Weasley.

The lesson began and I watched in curiosity as his eyes flicked to Potter more often than not, although the possibility was still there that it was only because I had brought it up. I gradually regretted not saying so after the lesson more and more.

"This is my new assistant, Ms. (L/n). She will be helping me keep your dim-witted souls under control and prevent you from destroying anything as best as possible", he sent a sharpened glance at Finnigan as he said the last part, making the boy gulp. That has to count for something, right? He hadn't put it that way all the times he introduced me until now, so maybe he was warming up to me again.

I could tell the students wanted to start whispering, but their fear of Severus seemed to surpass even that.

Once he gave the assignment, however, and they started working, I heard my name mentioned in their conversations more often than i would have liked under any circumstances.

I can't believe how judged and pressured you can feel by a bunch of teenagers, even as an adult.

The amount of times it was suggested Sev and I were together or he had a crush on me or something was even more unsettling, yet aside from a casual blown up cauldron on Seamus' behalf the rest of the day went by rather eventlessly.

...

And so did the rest of the week. And the next. And the next. Although I did get rather invested in the drama of Mulligan's relationships, but who didn't?

The dementors on the grounds were becoming more and more annoying, and I was thoroughly sick of them to say the least.

One Saturday I dared to pass the lake and sit down on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. I wanted fresh air, and above all - I wanted to be completely undisturbed.

So, lying down on my jacket I pulled out Tiffany Aching: I Shall Wear Midnight and started reading.

I think I lay there for hours before something happened. Or more accurately, disturbed me.

The air grew cold fast but the wind stood still, as if balancing in the tip of its toes, threatening to plunge forward in one great gust.

As a familiar feeling of sadness invaded me it didn't take long for me to come to my senses and realize what was approaching me.

Dementors. Patronus. Quick. Now.

I spun around, just to look right into it's disgusting face - well, I wouldn't call it that, but then again, what else can one call it?

But before I could do more than draw my wand, before I could utter the words, before a clear thought could even fully pass through my head -

- someone else yelled the spell.

"EXPECTO PROTONUM!"

The voice was suspiciously familiar, so I wasn't all too surprised when I saw the figure of Severus standing on a rock, panting as he held out his wand. The questions that remained were why, how, where and when.

The dementor was being chased away by-

Something that couldn't possibly be true. Anyone who knew Sev - so, not many, I guess - knows that- no, it's can't be.

The figure of a tiger was attempting to pounce on the Dementor, which was gliding away as fast as seemed dementorly possible.

But- a doe- it can't be!

"What were you thinking!?", he raged, marching up to me, wand still raised, "Oh, yes, why not just lie around at the edge of the Forbidden Forest-"

"Severus-"

"-and read a book! Who cares about the dementors whirring around here like a pack of bees!"

"Severus!"

"And what-

"SEV!", I called, but he just yelled louder.

"How stupid are you!? You were never responsible, I guess that never changed, did it? I always have to fucking save you-" That's it.

"SEVERUS FUCKING SNAPE YOU WILL BE QUIET THIS MINUTE."

That seemed to do the job.

"Don't you go on about you saving me, and don't you dare try and embarrass me or something just because you felt embarrassed yourself back then when you were seventeen! How petty can you be? It was one kiss, I don't care!" My breath fell short as I shared the thoughts I had been dying to tell him. "And since when is your patronus the same as mine!?"

He stayed quiet yet again. God, I hate it when he does that. Well, no, I don't, but I hate it when he does it after I confronted him with something.

"I didn't-" Silence again.

"It's been a tiger since the day we kissed." He seemed to deem that enough said as he sulked and began turning away.

Oh, no you won't.

"Is it because you don't regret it?", I called, barely keeping control of my words at this point. "Because you still want to?"

He halted suddenly, whisked around in one motion, and walked up to me. He stood mere inches from me and for the life of me I couldn't tell whether he was about to yell at or kiss me.

The latter was the case.

He simply pecked my lips once before smiling slightly-

I repeat, smiling!

-and walking off yet again. But this time I didn't stop him. In fact, I didn't do anything much as I watched his cape hide him until he felt beyond the horizon.

And I had never minded as much as now.

———————————————————-

A/N:

Oh, to be an assistant...

This was fun, but my autocorrect is actually killing me. Like really. I have French, German, English and emoji keyboards on here and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna lose it

Like every time I'm writing in one language it is ALWAYS, I repeat ALWAYS in a different one.

Anyways, hope you liked this, I would appreciate every comment you can spare :D

-Eren

[tiramegtoons]

Okay so last night i finished watching the entirety of Okage Shadow King and-

.... I dont even know where to start. this is unlike any game ive watched or played before. It felt so weird yet so enticing and half of the time i couldn't tell if my brain was rotting or there was just some real deep lore or hidden meaning in here Maybe both??? and it left a strange, creepy, yet longing and nostalgic feeling in the back of my head too.

Let me explain.

spoilers ahead!!!

okay so First of all, the visual style of the game looks awesome I loved the characters and the dynamics going on between the NPC's and especially the main characters. I loved enjoying the witty banter and arguing between Stan and Rosalyn the most. But also, why is Stan insulting and body shaming her so much SHE AINT EVEN FAT??? i LOOK AT HER MODEL AND IM LIKE BRUH

for some odd reason i still found it funny though. Some of the humor might've even been exaggerated to a degree as well(not sure if that was intentional). Even if the writing and dialogue was a bit lost in translation, maybe perhaps, it was still pretty good as a whole and it caught me by surprise.

As for the world and NPC's... something definitely felt off at the beginning and i guess thats what gave me the initial unsettling feeling. Everyone just seemed so bent on doing their own part like dude i couldn't even explain to you Our main protagonist, Ari, is just a wet pathetic little boy who lets everyone step on him/lh Damn, even his own family doesn't seem to care much for him as an individual person and doesn't consider that he has his own ambitions and it rubbed me in a weird way. and yet for some reason i was still hooked. and then came STANLEY HIHAT TRINIDAD THE FOURTEENTH(the 3d challenged flappy shadow)to sweep our poor little boy off his feet and make him his "slave"(adoptive son/j) so he can conquer the world bfhdgsdvhgdfbgdhjg which btw how could anyone take any "evil king" that seriously with a name like that? I LOVE IT. i really enjoyed him getting his ghostly ass handed to him by the NPC's it was hilarious. He was-without a shadow of a doubt(hehehehehe)- the best character. Also it's so funny how he claims to be an evil king but intentionally and unintentionally does good things? I love that trope with villians. Anywho getting off track a little, Another thing that struck out to me was the soundtrack. It's pretty unique, but at times can get pretty repetitive. The ones i enjoy a lot are -Forest of willkur(just really encompasses the feel of the entire game) -Evil King Battle and my favorite- -Addashi Desert(got me in a shimmy FR)

YEAAAAAAAAAA

anywho going back to repetitive things... Eeeeeee... the fighting mechanics are sure something(GOD WHY ARENT THE COMMANDS BEING CARRIED OUT ON TIME WH- IS THE GAME POSSESSED??? DID STAN POSSESS THE GAME???) Also why are there ghosts in broad daylight?? WHY ARE THERE SO MANY GHOSTSSSS) i get it, you do need to grind for items and XP in this game but it looks pretty tedious, especially deep grave pit... oh lordy dude there are literally eight floors in the cave its not a cave its the 7 circles of hell(plus front desk)/j I don't wanna dunk on this game but the fighting could use improvements. Back to the story... i like the melancholy turn it takes when princess Marlene was revealed to be a doll which made total sense when Stan found she had no soul, the reveal of Beiloune's true identity, and when Ari becomes totally ignored and forgotten by just about everyone and from that point going forward the game took a more serious turn... also why does Triste(which means sad in spanish and i see what they did there-)

... why does that remind me of the wasteland from Epic Mickey where other people who've been forgotten reside there... also the dark, odd vibe of both games kinda match too. Another thing, I'm not sure if anyone else had the same thoughts but did anyone else expect a twist where Ari would become the evil king??? i mean, if this was a supposed journey of our main character who is always reminded about how much of a pushover he is would've lead me to think that the buildup would lead to something like Beiloune making him all powerful and force him to fight against his friends. But the last chapter also surprised me with its own twist and im digging that too. but yeah just about everything was coming back together about why the world was and felt as it is. its always the butler isnt it? Also Stan's final form:

I CANT-

im sorry i can't take this seriously when he's just letting them hang out like that(his moobs)

... anywho that happened. As for any hidden meanings and morals I'll have to talk about that later cause my smooth brain still cannot grasp. And its just

SO MUCH

[xchxrryblossomx]

Don't Go

Summary: Butcher freezes in horror as he see’s you getting taken away by Homelander. He remembers what happened to Becca and didn’t want the same for you.

You and Butcher were on your way back to the apartment. You made Butcher carry the groceries while you were carrying everyone's laundry. You heard your phone go off so you put the laundry basket down and grabbed your phone out of your pocket. That's when you got picked up off of the ground. You yelped and Butcher looked up to see Homelander. Butcher froze, all he could think about was what if Homelander did the same thing to you that he did to Becca.

Butcher couldn't deal with losing the only person he loved again. You started kicking Homelander and yelled for Butcher to help you. Homelander started chuckling while he saw Butcher not moving at all. You then tried to calm down some and you said, "Butcher! Please just reach for your gun. Remember the special bullets! Butcher Please!" Homelander chuckled and said, "Well Y/n I guess you're all mine".

That's when it hit Butcher. He quickly grabbed his gun and shot Homelander. Homelander came falling on the ground quick. You scrambled out of Homelanders arms and ran over to Butcher. "Butcher what happened? Are you okay?" You forced Butcher to look at you.

"I'm fine love, are ya hurt?". You sighed even though Butcher was hiding it you could see all of his sadness in his eyes. "I'm fine Butcher". He picked up the groceries he dropped and you picked up the laundry basket. Butcher then held your hand tightly. You could tell it was him trying to make sure you were by his side and you weren't nowhere else.

After you reached the apartment and got inside everyone looked at you both. you smiled and said, "We're home, I'mma fold laundry then start dinner so everyone please go wash your hands and get ready". Everyone did as you said they got up and went to wash their hands. Butcher put the groceries on the counter then went to your shared room where you were folding laundry. Butcher wrapped his arms around you waist.

You turned around and placed a hand on his cheek. "Butcher will you please tell me what happened when you completely froze?" He sighed leaning into your touch and you gave him a comforting smile. You could just tell from his eyes that he was in pain, like some trauma was just stuck rolling threw his head. You kissed his forehead and said, "Please tell me Butcher. You're worrying me".

He sighed this time and said, "Well when Homelander had ya right there it reminded me of what he did to Becca. I just didn't want that for ya then I froze". You frowned and pulled Butcher in a close hug. "Well I'm here ain't I, safe in your arms". He chuckled, "yes ya are love". You gave him a quick kiss and he smiled.

"Also Butcher I'm pretty sure I'd annoy Homelander too much for him to keep me, he'd just drop me back off here". You and Butcher both laughed. You then continued folding clothes while Butcher just held you close. After you finished folding clothes you gave them to everyone then you put yours and Butcher's clothes away. You gave Butcher a quick kiss before going into the kitchen to make dinner.

The whole time while you were cooking and giving everyone their food Butcher kept a close eye to make sure nothing bad would happen to you. After dinner you did the dished and got everyone to take a shower then they did their own thing. Hughie, MM, and Frenchie were watching TV while Kimiko was practicing writing letters and words. You and Butcher on the other hand were in your shared room cuddling. You were just sitting on his lap and his arms were resting on your waist.

"I love you Butcher" you said after kissing him. "I love you too y/n". You smiled softy at him, "I'm not going anywhere Butcher, I'm right here with you". He smiled softly, "How do I know ya real?" You both laughed. You then moved his hands to cup your face. "Cuz you can feel and see my presence". He kissed your forehead, "that's true love".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoyed this and have a wonderful day/night ♡

[vxperorchist]

"I'll watch your life in pictures like I used to watch you sleep."

Alhaitham, Cyno, Albedo, Xiao, and Childe x Gn! Reader

In which the reader and their partner breaks up. MORE TAYLOR SWIFT LYRICS 🤑 (Last kiss - Speak now!)

Ohmigod I haven't written for Albedo in forever I'm so DONE

Theme: Angst! ( I literally never write angst give me some slack here)

Warnings: None, just angst and sadness really.

(Xiao's part is so much more sadder than necessary 💀)

Alhaitham

Alhaitham knew you were going to leave. He felt you growing distant, colder. Your relationship was never stable. You were two souls who didn't handle romance well and tried to force it upon yourselves. Therefore, it ended in the blink of an eye.

You were straight forward with him. That's how you approached everything with one another. He was always direct with you, and you were likewise.

Alhaitham didn't linger on the thought of you, and nor did you either. You moved on, you looked happier.

He watched as you giggled with your friends in the Akademiya. No words were ever exchanged between the two of you, but there would always be lingering glances. He wasn't one for second guessing himself, but he couldn't help but wonder "what if?" Every time he makes eye contact with the same eyes that used to look at him so lovingly.

Cyno

Cyno put you at risk. Not only did he put his life on the line, but also yours. He had enemies, and he put your life in danger by being associated with him.

Both of you were aware of this. Cyno made a great amount of effort to keep you from any harm, and for the most part he did. You were his biggest supporter, but to an extent.

Your life has been threatened on this occasion. You told Cyno you wouldn't live a life of constant fear anymore. He understood, but it hurt. It hurt so badly.

He finds himself wondering what he could have done differently. He watches as you live freely now, doing whatever you desire around the city without worry.

He loves it for you though. Cyno loves seeing you free. He's better off knowing you're free and happy without him, then knowing you're contained and fearful with him.

Albedo

The two of you fell apart naturally. You were a known couple throughout Mondstadt, the two honored alchemists were together romantically.

It was never all rainbows and happiness however. Albedo found himself distancing himself from you, and you found yourself distancing yourself from him.

There were no grudges or arguments, it was a lack of communication. The two of you realized this, but neither of you had the willpower or time to fight for the relationship to work.

However, when he finds you sitting at a bar talking with another guy, he can't help but think he was too high maintenance. The two of you were both too independent to work together.

Xiao

Xiao knew it was his fault. He let someone he loved go, again. You were so patient with him, so gentle. You never gave up on him. He acted like he didn't notice your responses to his actions, but deep down he always did.

Xiao couldn't handle love. He knew what happened every time he loved someone. He was so fearful of losing you physically, that it cost him the loss of you mentally.

He couldn't handle the thought of his issues weighing you down. That's why he pushed you away. It hurt him just as much as it hurt you.

Every time you visit the inn he can't help but watch. He knows you blame yourself, but in the end it was never you. He watches as you look for him, or trace of his presence. He watches as you smile when you see something that reminds you of him. It pains him even more to see that you still care.

Childe

You couldn't handle Childe's reckless behavior anymore. You weren't about to watch your boyfriend, someone you imagined a future with be taken away from you while you were with him.

You explained that to him, and he didn't listen. The price of not listening was losing you.

He was lost. He couldn't have chosen between work and you. He knew you cared, and you left because you cared so much about him that you sacrificed your own happiness.

It took him a while to understand why you did what you did, but when he finally understood he could barely tolerate himself.

He'd watch you avoid eye contact with him in the city. He'd notice every time you were in his presence, you'd avoid him. You had impaled your heart for the sake of him, and now his own heart was being shattered as a result of his childish mistakes.

[pjo-obsessed-nerd]

OMG JULIAN RICHINGS IS EVERYWHERE I LOVE THIS MAN

He's so creep, but he's so good

HAH ANNABETH COMING IN CLUTCH

Percabeth power couple, yes pls

"It's either the realm of the dead, or someone left a carton of milk in there in to 1990's" nah, but that's the fastest way to make me gag about a smell I can't smell 🤣

THE RED RUBBER BALL

"No one comes baaaaaack" I love this man so much ❤

"I just think it's safer if I'm not the one holding them all." That's fair. ya know, as someone who drops her phone regularly, that's relatable.

Those pearls sound ✨ c r u n c h y ✨

IT'S THE SCENE - BABY PERCY 😭😭😭 aww my baby I just want to hug him. I can see it now, I'm gonna bawl like a baby in a few mins

"Not in Kansas...", "Hey, focus, we left Kansas four days ago." Reminder she hasn't seen a movie, points for continuity ❤

Grover squeezing that ball omg

Poor Grover, it's ok 😭

"Only suckers wait in line" 🤣🤣

"You're not dead.", "I mean, we're all dying... To some extent." He's a comedian 🤣

The silent whistle admittedly gave me chills; I can just see the horror on Annabeth's face. CERBIE!!!!

Run

CERBERUS LOOKS SO BEAUTIFUL OMG HE'S EVEN MORE GORGEOUS THAN I IMAGINED AHHH

GROVER NO

i just screamed a little... Oh, my sister is gonna cry

aww, Cerbies TOO cute, the little whines omg I'm gonna DIE. Annabeth giving him scratchies aww even though she's terrified. Percy is impreased

I am a Rottweiler lover at heart, so I'm just obsessed with Cerberus I'm not sorry

OH GROVER EW; Thank god he's okay

Oh, ik how they get separated I bet 😭 JUMP SCARE OH

Aww Annabeth threw him the ball such a good puppy omg

Is. Is Cerberus wearing a leather jacket? Or is that leather armor? I can't tell 🤣

Annie lore drop 🥲 grovers so impressed tho

IT HAPPENED IT HAPPENED IT HAPPENED AHH

"I think it's... It's in the dog." His name is Cerbie. /jk

Percy, baby, what did you draw that upset someone so much? He's just a BABY. I WILL FIGHT THIS HEADMASTER TOOTH AND NAIL IT'S A PEGASUS SIR.

Grover, stop guilting yourself sir

OH jeez what tf.

Man I guessed Asphodel, and I was fucking right. My Mythology teacher would be so proud. This is such a haunting take on Asphodel omg. That's terrifying.

run

WHERE ANNABETH

NO SHE'S STUCK NO SWORD SWORD CUT IT CUT CUT CUT KNIVES PPL YOU HAVE KNIVES USE THE KNIVES

"I trust your dad." Athena ain't gonna be happy about this one, ladies and gents. 🤣🥲😭

Annie's gone, and i stg if we lose grover I'm done

GROVER

PERCY MOVE IT

Nah, Riptide looks sick tho. Pretty sure that's the first time we've seen it in good lighting

THE BOLT

so r we not gonna see Hades..?

"Is this?", " No.", "I, I mean it looks like-" "it, it absolutely is not.", "Okay. So... what is it then?", "Yeah, that's the master bolt!" This exchange was so funny 🤣

The pieces r fitting together... Hehe

"Zeus is just gonna have to wait." HELL YA, STICK IT TO HIM, GROVER, THAT'S MY BOY!!! Grover reminding Percy exactly why he chose Grover, his best friend, to come on this quest in the first place. ❤

Sad Baby!Percy 😭 that's a lotta ice cream for such a tiny boy

"Why are you trying so hard to get rid of me?" GOD MY ABANDONMENT ISSUES HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED, I NEED TO PROTECT THIS CHILD FROM THE WORLD NOO

"I would never do this to you." THE LINE DELIVERY, GET THIS BOY AN OSCAR... AND A FUCKING HUG

sally avoiding the topic and crying, I wanna hug her too. She's trying so hard.

Hades palace is gorgeous, damn.

Are we gonna get to see the Furies again???

Percy's hands must hurt from how hard and how constantly he clenches them fists damn.

Who tf-

HADES IS SO NOT WHAT I EXPECTED. I was expecting a rocker dude, but I love the "silk robe, manicured hair". Man's got class.

"I admire the cut of your jib." Ok maybe not what WAS that 🤣

He's way less scary than I expected, tbh.

Is he wearing heels? It sounds like he's walking in heels

SALLY'S A GOLD STATUE NOW??? Sally reaching out for him 😭 I'm done. I'm done.

"What did you do to her?" I can sense the rage coming

Percy 😭

babe, Hades was so confused. He just wants to be left alone, such a mood tho. Percy's so confused

PIECES. P I E C E S. IT'S A PUZZLE PPL

"But that voice, it definitely did not sound like you." That an insult or a compliment, I deadass can't tell 🤣

Ok... Hades is being very generous, but what's the catch here? This feels sus. Oh. There. Run. pearls. now.

"Hold fast, mom." HOLD FAST MOM YESSSSSS

Sad Sally 😭 What's happening rn

NO. NO. IS THAT

I'M GONNA SCREAM. WATER DADDY- sorry

"Tell me why", "you don't wanna hear why." Fair, fair 🤣

Nah, Poseidon's actor fits the bill so well in my mind. Like. Mm.

Poseidon rlly does care.

"His mother raised him well." Damn right!

OH THIS FIGHT FINNA BE SO GOOD

Hehehehehehehehehe

IT SO GOOD AHH I'M GONNA SCREAM NEXT EPISODE O. M. G.

[the-bar-sinister]

Bleeding, Broken, Mended (91671 words) by VickytheSnake, thesavagesabretooth Chapters: 17/17

Summary: Law is certain that he was 'rescued' just so Doflamingo could kill him himself, but Doffy has other plans. As far as he's concerned, Law's decade-long quest for revenge was nothing more than a sad misunderstanding. He wants to remind Law how things used to be. He wants to find a way to bring Law back into the fold-- back to him-- forever.

Final Chapter Author's note: Moving on from this fic is a little sad for me, even though I'm glad that it's completed. It's one of the 'easiest' things I've ever written– it flowed very naturally without ever getting really stuck, and it gave me a warm feeling to write, every time. 

I know it's an unusual tone for Doflamingo x Law fic, but I really hope you enjoyed it even half as much as I did. It was important to me just to be able to wallow in them romantically for a while. Thanks for coming on the journey with me.

We'll see more of Law and Doffy— and Law's next encounter with Luffy– when we hit Deicide: Red Shift.

catch up here

-

They had missed dinner— of course they had missed dinner— but there were plates put aside for them in the galley, and Baby 5 and Komurasaki were still there finishing the after dinner cleaning when they got there.

Law and Doflamingo had missed dinner together. There was little hope that the family didn't very much guess what that meant.

"They were clearly fuckin'." Baby 5 said as she washed the last of the big pots "I mean, that's obvious, right? At this point I know it wasn't killin' one another behind everyone's backs. Not with your cap finally bein' Corazon, an' all." 

Doffy paused as they came in the doorway with the biggest shit eating grin on his face and put his hand over Law's mouth, listening in.

"No, killing one another seems very unlikely at this point," Komurasaki agreed. "The story the captain told did seem like a tragic romance that would end such a way— but 'the young master' seems to have managed a last minute reversal of fortune."

Law was sputtering, muffled entirely by Doflamingo's massive hand. Of course they were gossiping. Baby 5 was a damned incorrigible gossip and Komurasaki was an absolute fiend for drama and interesting trouble.

He should have expected this. He should have known. But it still it was embarrassing to fucking walk in in.

"He's good at that, ya know," Baby 5 was saying, he saw her bump Komurasaki's shoulder with her own. "Nothing in the world is impossible for Doflamingo or his family. Even convincing a moron like Corazon that they don't gotta kill one another in a torrid fuckin' romance." 

"I do agree with the sentiment, but I'd appreciate if you wouldn't call him a moron," Komurasaki chuckled, bumping her back.

"Evening, ladies," Doffy purred, finally releasing his hold on Law's face.

"Aww, but I've been calling him a moron for a—-" Baby 5 suddenly froze, dropping the pot and squeaking out in utter surprise. "Young masterrrr???"

Law snorted. "And the moron. Evening to you too, Baby 5. Hey 'Saki. Sounds like you two were having a good conversation." 

"Baby 5 is quite the talented conversational partner," Komurasaki agreed, turning around to smile in his direction. She bent down and scooped up the pot that Baby 5 had dropped, checking it over for dents. "I hope you were having a pleasant evening as well."

Doffy was half doubled over, giggling.

"Corazon!!??" Baby 5 had finally turned to see the both of them, wringing her hands together with a smile that threatened to drop her cigarette onto her askew apron. "Hahahh…w-well, you know. I wanna impres— I mean, entertain our new crewmate is all!"

Law raised his eyebrow with a snort, before he gave them both a lazy grin. "You mean she's a notorious gossip , Saki. But that's a talent in its own way. Good to see you're getting along, even if it's to gossip about my love life." 

"I'm afraid it was a common topic of discussion at dinner, captain," Komurasaki nodded.

Doffy caught his breath and leaned on the table. "Of course it was. Did anything else get talked about, or just that?"

He pulled out a chair for Law with his strings as he sat down in the one beside it.

Law took a seat with a grumble, flushing brilliantly. "Fucking gossipy ass Donquixote family." 

Still, that casual, informal air…

He'd missed it. Sure, the Heart Pirates had it, but there was always that barrier. They weren't as chaotic and unfettered as the Donquixotes were. He missed the Heart Pirates still— his heart panging for a moment over them— but it was good that at least there was this familiar comfort to cling to.

Baby 5 tapped her chin as she bustled over to bow her head to Doflamingo. "Can I get you anything else? Drink? More food? Back rub? Anything you like, young master! There was a lotta talk. Lots about that. A bit about Uta's concert. S-some other stuff." 

"A drink, please, Baby," Doffy purred, scooting his chair closer to Law's. "Did the navigators bring up the marine situation at all?"

"Bepo did mention it," Komurasaki nodded. "It sounds like we're going to see some fighting tomorrow."

Baby 5 grinned brightly at him before she scurried to pour him a drink, "I'm so excited sir. I haven't been able to kill anyone for days, and I'm starting to feel itchy about it."

Law poked at his food before he called out. "A drink for me too, thanks Baby. heh…" He closed his eyes. "Honestly? I'm really excited to take out a few marines too. Didn't get a proper fight with Blackbeard…the bastard." 

Doffy patted Law on the back and squeezed his shoulder. "Not yet. We'll have a chat with ol' Croc about that. I'm getting really tired of seeing that bastard in the papers. And now the family's got a standing grudge with him."

Baby 5 grinned widely "I wanna blow his sniper's head off from a couple of miles away. You know. To prove I'm better."

Law leaned into his touch. "Heh, yeah. You know that sounds good to me. We'll rally Cross Guild and take our grudge to the bastard to finally take him out when the time's right." 

"Damn right," Doffy growled. "And we'll pay him back in blood. That'll be a real fight. Tomorrow's just a bit of exercise."

Doflamingo's leg rested against Law's under the table. He'd always known how physical Doffy could be— now it was back in full force and certainly not letting up any time soon.

He sighed good naturedly, leaning his leg back against Doflamingo's as he poked at his meal.

Baby came back with two drinks, placing them down in front of each of them before she chirped "I wanna see how Saki fights!" 

"I'm sure I have a lot of people to impress," Komurasaki said. "You included. The captain— Corazon— hasn't even seen me fight yet."

"What a shame," Doffy purred, rubbing his knee on Law's. "Let's consider it a chance for everybody to show off."

A few minutes of idle chatter later, Komurasaki and Baby 5 had finished up the cleaning and headed out for a smoke, leaving Law and Doffy to finish dinner and their bottle of wine together. Law raised his filled glass to Doffy, a subtle smile on his face. It was nice, just the two of them in the aftermath of a chaotic reunion. Sharing a drink, some talk of things to come.

It made him feel right at home. For the first time in a long time. 

Doffy smiled widely and clinked his glass against Law's, his large body so close he was half on top of him even though they were in separate chairs. "Cheers, Corazon. To a fresh start."

-

On deck, Komurasaki leaned over the railing, her pale green hair flowing out behind her like the sea below.

Baby 5 leaned on her hand, propped up against the railing as the smoke curled from her cigarette to the sky above. The sea was beautiful, sure— but she couldn't tear her eyes from the way Komurasaki's hair drifted in the wind. It was just as beautiful, if not more so; absolutely more so. So much had happened in the last day, but her private wish had come true. Law was their Corazon, her close and beloved childhood friend wouldn't leave them again, especially now that they were the only two from their cluster who were left. He'd be here with them— screwing Doffy, playing around with the gang's jokes and chaos, and staying close. Just like she'd wished.

His crew; the navigator Bepo and Komurasaki, the woman as beautiful and deadly as the sea, were gonna stay with them. As part of the family. Part of the gang, no longer held at arm's length as guests or possible enemies.

They had time now, time to get to know one another. She chewed the end of her cigarette with a subtle flush.

"Looks like things with the young master and Corazon have really settled, huh? Means you guys are officially part of the gang officially one of us, without the fear of Corazon backin' out at the last second." 

"So it seems," Komurasaki chuckled beautifully, still looking out to sea. "I'm far from displeased."

She turned and smiled at Baby 5 with that strange, distant look of hers. "Could I share one of your cigarettes?"

Baby 5 grabbed her pack immediately, pulling a cigarette out with a few soft taps and offering it to her with a bob of her head. "Course ya can, here— I'll light it off mine, Saki." 

She took the offered cigarette and cocked her head with a little smile. "Show me how that's done."

Baby 5 chuckled. "Alright, put it between your lips, and take short little puffs off it, first of all "

She loved smoking, her earliest vice since the day she bummed one off of Dia and a calming habit that often stymied her nervous nature. That was to say nothing about the social aspect— the moments on the deck with another as you shared a cigarette and talked. 

Komurasaki put the cigarette between her soft lips, holding it there as was becoming increasingly common. She had refined features, and deep eyes, but with the cigarette in her mouth, she looked more sharp— more rebellious. 

The sharp, rebellious Komurasaki…she belonged with the Donquixote family. She had the right edge to her, the right spirit. Baby 5 was like a moth to the flame as she leaned in closer and placed the tip of her cigarette against Komurasaki's without breaking eye contact.

The flame started to pass, flaring in time with Saki's intakes of breath. 

Komurasaki did it exactly right, inhaling in sharp little puffs until the tip of her own cigarette was lit, her face quite close to Baby 5's. She felt a hand brush her hip.

Her face flushed as the flame lit up, the flickering embers casting light in both their eyes as they leaned close. She didn't flinch away from the hand, even with her flustered surprise. Instead, she raised her own hand to rest against the curve of Komurasaki's side.

"See, nice and easy. Best way to light a cigarette."

"I can see why you'd say so," Komurasaki agreed, taking a long puff and turning her head to blow the smoke out to sea, before bringing her gaze back to catch Baby 5's. All the while her hand lingered on her hip. "I appreciate your wisdom. And your company."

Baby 5 smiled, warmth blooming through her at the complement. Wisdom, and company. She had never really been called wise and so many people didn't care as much about her company as they cared about what she could do for them.

She liked Komurasaki's company a lot. The woman, with all her subtle mysteries and her reserved air, was a powder keg of rebellion and excitement. Beautiful, deadly, fascinating, kind…

Baby 5 blew her smoke towards the sea as well, her thumb brushing against Komurasaki's side as she chuckled. "You can have my company whenever you want it, Saki. Happen to really like yours too. Don't think I've ever met anyone quite like you.." 

"The same for myself in regards to you, Baby 5," she chuckled softly, shifting so that they stood shoulder to shoulder. "The winds and tides have brought me to a strange place since I cast myself off to them. I'll be happy for the opportunity to get to know you better. You can teach me about the world out here."

Baby 5 rested against her with a tilt of her head. "The island of Wano's real different from everything I'd ever known, Saki. The world you talk about ain't anything like the places I've lived…the North Blue, Dressrosa…"

Her hand shook a little as she dared to loop it around behind Komurasaki's back, holding her as they smoked against the railing. "You can count on me…I'll make sure to teach ya everything I can about the world, or anythin' you want." 

Komurasaki leaned her cheek against Baby 5's as they stood together on the deck of the ship. She didn't say 'I need your help', she didn't echo that she'd be counting on her. She just said, "Thanks."

And the way she smiled, Baby 5 knew that she meant it.

Baby 5's heart melted more than a heart of bullets and blades ever should. She smiled brightly around her cigarette and looked out on the infinite sea as she exhaled curling smoke into the night air.

"Any time, Saki-baby." 

-

Bepo cuddled half on top of Law in the cot in their cabin after the work was done for the evening. He was a little surprised Law was there, and not dragged off by Doflamingo, but he wasn't complaining.

Law lay against him, arm draped over his furry chest and face nuzzled into his side. He looked comfortable, relaxed…and above all, happy. 

Bepo nuzzled him and snuffled his hair. He couldn't help but chuckle. "This is going to take some getting used to. You smell like Doflamingo."

Law sputtered against him. "Yeah he has a way of rubbing his fuckin' stink on people," he muttered, glancing up at him with a grin. "I'm sure we'll both get used to it pretty fast." 

"I'm sure," Bepo chuckled again. He gently thumped the top of Law's head with his chin. "We can get used to pretty much anything. Even if this isn't what I expected at the beginning of the year."

It reminded Bepo of the way they had met— unexpected and tumultuous, all snap decisions and 'I guess this is what we're doing now. Bepo had never regretted it, not even a little bit.

"You know me better than that, Bepo. Never expect anything at the start of the year. It ain't ever going to go according to plan. I'm Dr. Impulsive Decisions, remember?" 

"Oh trust me," he huffed, grumbling and pulling him closer. "I know. And I'm not complaining. I think this is the happiest I've ever seen you. So. I'm happy."

Law flushed, looking up at him with his chins till nestled in his fur. "It is huh? I was wonderin'. I'm glad it makes you happy, Bepo. I'm glad you're gonna come with me on this." 

"On any and every adventure, captain. No matter where it takes us, or who we turn out to be."

Law kissed his cheek, half crawling on top of him to hug him tighter. "Damn right, Bepo. You've always been precious to me, hope you know that."

Bepo rumbled embarrassedly in his chest as he remembered the other night, when Law had called him his 'greatest treasure. 

"I know it. Without any doubt, captain. And you're just as precious to me."

Heart Pirates, Donquixote Pirates, or even on their own. Bepo decided it really didn't matter to him, as long as Law let him come along. And he trusted that now he always would.

-

The encounter with the marines was exactly like Doflamingo said it would be— less of a fight, and more like exercise. It was a bloodbath. Thanks to Violet, they came into it knowing all of the enemy's positions, numbers and major weapons, and it was used to full advantage.

They swept in like a goddamned tidal wave. For all their quirks and their ridiculous bullshit— the Donquixote Family were a terror in battle. A force of nature that plowed down anything in their way in a cackling bloodbath of violence anderror.

Law and his crew moved among them,crashing through a port fortification with his power in full effect. Cannonballs and bombs meant for them wound up back in the thick of bunker encampments, detonating and shredding the marines inside. Limbs flew, replaced with explosives, and hearts were torn from their chests as they fought deeper into the island.

It felt good— damned good— to be fighting with them instead of against them. Pieces of the landscape warped under Giolla's power, becoming strange and twisted art, as men fell to the cackling Derringer and his sharpened heels. Baby 5 moved like a dance of death, shifting and twisting her form into all manner of deadly weapons just like he remembered to execute whole groups without breaking a sweat.

This was the power of the DQ family, the fact he'd beaten them in Dressrosa was almost a miracle. The other executives were making a terror of themselves— the ground rippling under enemy feet, tossing marines to the ground where some of them writhed like insects in Trebol's glue traps. Pica was already rebuilding his shrunken body with stone from the fortifications on the island while Vergo intercepted the more powerful haki users among the marines.

Doffy of course, was doing what he did best, standing and laughing as his threads sowed chaos in the form of enemies appearing to fight one another— none knowing where the next attack would come from.

Law's crew were just as terrifying, too, Komurasaki watching Baby 5's back, her swordsmanship with shusui a terror to behold. And Bepo protected Law's flank, powerful and opportunistic. 

At the end, the commanders rallied for a last charge against them, which was met with enthusiasm. Almost too late however, it turned out to be a distraction for a sneak attack. In the flurry of combat Law heard someone behind him almost too late— and then a choking sound.

Law turned to find that Doflamingo was garrotting a huge marine who'd had the tip of his sword nearly between his shoulderblades only a moment before.

Doffy hovered over the battlefield, grinning. "Take it away, Corazon."

Law stared for a moment at the marine, whipping around with a fury in his eyes. 

"Thanks Doffy," he breathed for only a moment before he formed a glimmering green gamma knife in his fingers and hammered it home through the marine's heart.

The green fire flared through the man for a moment, the waves of energy liquifying him from the inside as Law held his hand to his chest before shoving him away to collapse in a bleeding heap. 

The Donquixote pirates were the only ones still breathing in the aftermath of the violence, and Doflamingo leaned down to sling his arm around Law's shoulders when all was said and done.

"You looked good out there, Corazon," he purred, smiling. "Did good, too."

"You weren't half bad yourself, Doffy." Law flashed a wicked grin up at him. "Feels good to have gotten a little exercise." 

Doffy chuckled. "I'll bet. It was fun to see you cut loose like that— on somebody else," he teased. "I'll be excited to see you face a real challenge with us."

He cracked his knuckles, looking out at the devastation. No doubt the rest of the family would collect the bodies, and the identifying marks they needed, and bring them back to Cross Guild for the payout.

"Probably after this Uta thing. Can't imagine that's gonna turn out to be much of a fight at the end of the day." 

"Brawl at an Uta concert?" Doffy laughed. "I sure fucking hope not. But that should be fun anyway."

Strings wrapped their way around Law's wrist and hauled him gently against Doflamingo's chest.

"Hey, Law." He saw himself reflected twice in Doffy's glittering lenses. "I missed you."

Law leaned up against him with a quiet chuckle. "...Few weeks ago I wouldn't have believed it but…I missed you too, Doffy." 

"I believe you, Corazon." Doffy chuckled and licked his thumb, wiping a spot of blood off of Law's face. Then he pulled him into an eager kiss.

Law kissed him deeply, melting into his arms as the remains of the battlefield calmed around them. 

His life had never quite gone according to plan. The loss of his sister, the death of his hometown, his attempted suicide, his life with the Donquixotes and his way Rosi took him away from them and sent him on a quest for revenge he fully expected to die right after.

Somehow, Doffy was at the center of so much of that— drawing him back in. Saving him, loving him.

Somehow, life had taken him right back to Doflamingo. Right back to where he seemed to belong. 

[geekedoutbunny]

If at all possible, may I request the following: During training with Goku, Broly is suddenly reminded of the day his father died, & takes off, & the reader finds him & comforts him as he cries because he thinks it was his fault. Please??

Broly x Reader Memories Fluff

Ooooo! A hurt/comfort fic!!?? OKAY!! OKAY!!!! Let me see what ya gurl can do for you!!! I'm not too sure what the setting is, so we'll just say that we're at your and Broly's home, and ya'll already have an established relationship.

Thank you for the request Anon, and I hope this is to your liking and that I did this story justice.

MASTER LIST | NSFW CONTENT

It was a sunny day, you and Broly just had lunch about an hour ago, he helped you clean as much as he could, and your sweet little puppy was now on your lap sleeping. You yourself were on a lounge chair, a small table next to you with an umbrella, giving you shade.

You were wearing a relaxing summer outfit, enjoying the nice breeze that blew through from time to time. In the distance, you were watching Broly and Goku train with one another. It was rare when Broly trained, as he didn't too much care for violence. But today, like many other days, Goku came by asking Broly to train with him, but he always declines.

However this time around, you encouraged him to go out. He needed the exorcize and the proper training to help defend earth..... and you just simply needed a break. You loved Broly, you truly did, it's just that he was like a giant child and you needed a proper break.

So training with Goku has become a once-a-week habit for you guys to practice. They'll train for about 2 - 4 hours and then you'll both take a sweet famous 'Broly Nap'. Today was no different, they've been training for about 40 minutes now, and you've just come outside to watch them from afar and to also give Broly encouragement to want to get stronger.

"GO BROLY!!! WOOHOO!!! YOU GOT THIS!!!" You'll yell words of encouragement, and that always seemed to help him out. You couldn't hear what they be talking about whenever they have their pauses in the middle of training, but they always clashed once more, so you guessed it was just Goku giving Broly some pointers.

In the distance, they were currently training, but they were also talking.

"Is that all you got, Broly?" Goku taunted him as he dodged Broly's quick and powerful hits. Broly scowled in irritation, getting annoyed that he couldn't hit Goku. "You're really slow Broly, how are you going to protect (Y/N) when you can't even hit me?" He taunted further, making Broly growl in anger.

"GRRRRAAAAAAA!!! STOP TALKING, AND FIGHT!!!" He shouted in rage as he landed a powerful punch on Goku's cheek, stunning him, and allowing him to sledgehammer him down to the ground. You watched with a relaxed expression as Goku quickly fell to the ground, and collided with the Earth, making you reach over to the table, to hold it steady as the ground briefly shook.

"Damn, they gonna spill my damn drink before I can even finish it." You grumble to yourself. Goku shot back up towards Broly, a cocky smirk on his face. "That's it Broly, use that rage, that same burning passion that you have for (Y/N), use it in every battle, the love you feel for her, use that same raw emotion to protect her and all of Earth." He said in an encouraging tone.

Broly nodded in understanding. Goku then laughed. "Too bad your dad isn't around, he'd be really proud to see you right about now, though I wonder how he'd feel if he saw you've settled down?" Goku innocently spoke aloud, as he looked down at you.

Broly's calm expression turned into a sad one. "Father, he died, because of me." He said in a sad voice. Goku looked over at him in confusion. "Broly?" He questioned, he then gave him a sad yet understanding smile. "Broly, it's not your fault buddy, trust me." He said, going back to a time when he learned that he was the cause of his grandfather's death.

He blamed himself for a long time, but he didn't have time to grieve. Frieza appeared, and then Cell and right after Buu. He had a son and a planet to protect, so he didn't get to feel that way for long. "No, it's Broly's fault. Because of me, losing... control.... He died because I wasn't strong enough to protect him... Broly failed." He said in a somber voice, tears gathered into his eyes, memories of seeing his father's body, slumped over behind him.

"Broly.... Hey buddy, it's not-" Goku tried to comfort him, but Broly blew up. "STOP!!! STOP LYING TO ME!!! IT WAS MY FAULT!!! I SHOULD'VE BEEN IN MORE CONTROL!!! BECAUSE OF ME, A STRAY ENERGY BLAST KILLED HIM!!! BECAUSE OF ME, HE WAS LEFT DEFENSELESS!!!" He shouted in anger, feeling betrayed that Goku, his friend, would lie to him.

"Broly." Goku said under his breath. Broly said nothing, as he darted off toward the horizon. You sat there, looking at the whole thing, trying to understand what the distance shouting was about, but it didn't take learn for you to understand that it wasn't just petty anger.

Goku stayed there for a moment, watching after the area where Broly flew off to. "GOKU!!!" You shouted his name, catching his attention. He looked down at you, seeing you flagging him down. He sighed, and slowly floated down towards you.

He scratched the back of his head nervously. "What happened? Where did Broly go?" You asked him, worried about Broly. "well..." He explained what happened, and you went off. "GOKU!!! ARE YOU STUPID OR WHAT!? YOU KNOW HOW HE FEELS ABOUT HIS DAMN FATHER!!!!" You shouted at him, he chuckled nervously as he stared down at you. You glared at him a little longer, before you decided to just drop it with a sigh.

"But it wasn't your fault, it's not like you brought it up, you just reminded him of it is all... Can you take me to him? I wanna talk to him, I'm sure he needs the comfort." You said in a small voice. He stared down at you for a moment, his face unreadable, before he gave you a smile. "Sure." He said in a kind voice.

Broly was off on a cliff, he was sitting on the ledge, looking over the city. His tears dried on the way there, but he still had sniffles. He wanted to go home, in his warm bed, with his little companion, and with the love of his life. He liked your cuddles, you somehow always made it all better. He missed you.

You and Goku touched down, a good distance away from Broly. You let go of Goku, quietly thanking him, as you walked towards Broly slowly. "Broly?.. Honey?.. Are you okay?" You timidly asked him as you approached him. He didn't even acknowledge your presence. You continued to walk over towards him, and once close enough, you placed your hand upon his shoulder.

"Broly, are yo-" You stopped in your sentence when Broly whirled on you and he engrossed you into a hug. His face buried into your neck and his arms wrapped around you. Your feet were off the ground, his body hunched slightly over you. "B-broly?" You called out, confused.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I'm not stronger." He said in a low voice. You listened to his words, soaking in what he was saying, you then wiggled an arm free, wrapping it around his neck and curling it into hair, making him relax instantly. "It's okay Broly. You're strong, very strong. Your father's death isn't your fault, you didn't know he would die." You tried to comfort him.

He shook his head. "No, I should've been more.... focused on him.... I should've been focused.... If only I didn't get angry and lose control." He said, his grip on you slightly tightening. You closed your eyes, getting adjusted to his grip. "B-Broly... it's okay, I promise. Listen to me, you're doing an amazing job, and your father would be proud of you, I promise. He'd be jumping for joy...mentally."

You said in an encouraging tone. "How do you know?" He asked, sounding like a hurt and lost child, the wavering of his voice, gave away the fact that he was on the verge of crying. "I don't.... I don't know.... I can only go off of how much he loved you... he cared for you.... and seeing you grow, into a mighty warrior, seeing you thrive, would make him a proud father." You told him honestly. His grip on you slowly loosened, and you took a deep breath.

You gently cupped his face in your hands, looking him in his eyes. "Broly, listen to me. I love you, with all of my heart. I adore you. I love your little giggles, I love your naps, I love your messy hair, and I love how gentle you are. I love you, for you Broly. And I'm sure that your father did too. He doesn't blame you for his death, you were doing his last wishes, and that was being a warrior." You told him, as you gently cupped his face.

He stared at you, his eyes wide in shock before they gathered with tears and he ducked his head. You smiled sweetly at him. "Come on Broly, let's go home, we have a baby to take care of." You said sweetly. He gave you a confused glance.

"A baby? But we have a puppy." He said in a confused voice. You sighed. "Yes Broly, that's what I was talking about." You said in a drained voice. He gave a small "Oh." You shook your head and wrapped your arms around his neck. "Let's go home." You said. He smiled and nodded, before wrapping an arm around your waist and he flew you both home, for a famous 'Broly Nap'.

MASTER LIST | NSFW CONTENT

[jinx-on-mars-19xx]

Three years ago today I found an article that talked about a new song written by a boy newer to the punk scene. He was young and rambunctious and saying things he deeply believed with his whole being. I hadn't liked new musicians in... Over a decade probably. I was stuck in my ways and just seeing a headline about 'I wrote this while watching Green Day's BIAB' made me almost annoyed. I remember rolling my eyes and thinking- 'yeah sure, I'll see about that.'

I was more depressed than I realized. My health was declining and I had been through a lot in the years before. I was just hitting my 30s and the world was terrifying. I never left my house from anxiety and barely left my bed. I don't talk about it much but after my health went extra bad I was so scared of my heart problems I barely spoke out loud for a year. I didn't even listen to music anymore really, I didn't feel things the way I had as a teenager but I thought I'd test it out just to see. Why not make jokes to myself about how sad the state of pop punk was becoming?

Well if you can't guess, that song was Strawberry Lipstick and that rambunctious boy was Dom. To say that night changed my life is a fucking understatement. I was hooked automatically. I was desperate for more and I spent the next few days diving into everything I could find from and about him. I fell in love with him, with the way he loved us, with his energy and his honesty and the way he gave his all. He opened my eyes to others I'd fall in love with too. He reminded me of my love for music and reintroduced me to myself. I don't always know what I believe in but I truly believe the universe wanted me to find him that night.

I made a Tumblr (my old one) just for him and made friends for the first time in years. I reached out to the world because of Dom and the BHC (and later EST) reached back. Of course I've been hurt and I still have trouble but I wouldn't be who and where I am today without that man. I've watched him grow and flourish and with him so have I. Because of Dom I finally came out to myself and my family. Because of Dom I'm not scared to say I'm trans.

Since that day I've lost some of my old and new friends, not everyone stays and that's okay. Since that day I've changed and grown and hurt and healed and loved. I finally have a diagnosis for what's wrong with me which I wouldn't have felt strong enough to push for without finding Dom. I wouldn't have felt brave enough to keep asking, I wouldn't have felt brave enough to try working at one point, I wouldn't have felt brave enough to put myself out there with art or writing. Without Dom I wouldn't be me. I can never thank him enough. Ever.

So maybe I go overboard celebrating his birthday but that's because I'm not just celebrating his birth, I'm celebrating myself. I started living again because of this man so in a way it's my day as well (though my actual birthday in the 8th so it's almost a special few day holiday for me!) Happy birthday Dominic and happy anniversary to my love for him 🖤

Sending love to you all today and every day because you're all incredible! 🫀

[caffedrine]

Gilbert von Obsidian - Two People on a Mellow Night

In the spirit of things, I drank a few cocktails to see if that would improve my understanding of Japanese. It didn't. If there was anything resembling accuracy before, it's gone now.

Gilbert is heading back to his rooms when he overhears a familiar voice coming out of the common room. It’s Emma and Luke, partying drinking together. Smiling, and laughing. Without Gilbert.

It’s fine, Gilbert doesn’t need them to have a good time. He is about to head back to his room where he can have his own party with blackjack and hook-wait. Is that Emma listing to the side like a downed buoy? He’s not a good person, but he also feels bad for anyone waking up with a hangover. So naturally, Gilbert extinguishes his own presence and sneaks into the common room.  He slides up behind Emma and Luke, snatches up Emma’s drink out of her hand, and downs it in one gulp.

And then Gilbert nearly spits out the cocktail, horrified over how sweet it is. Mr. ‘I Can Eat Enough Donuts to Keep a Family Fed For a Month In One Sitting’ marvels over Rhodolite’s taste in cocktails as her returns Emma’s now empty glass to her.

(I'm guessing this was Emma's drink)

Luke asks if Gilbert is lost, and Gilbert cheerfully tells him that he’s here on purpose. Emma realizes that Gilbert put his mouth to her glass – on the exact same spot her mouth was – and flushes. Gilbert marvels over how he hasn’t even done anything to her. Yet.

Gilbert warns Emma about drinking with Luke, who has a reputation of drinking all his partners under the table. He cant help but notice Emma is starting to succumb. Luke awkwardly thanks Gilbert for the warning, thanks which Gilbert modestly accepts.

Luke gives Emma a new glass and Gilbert pouts that he and Emma can’t have indirect kisses if they have separate glasses. Yep, that was Luke’s point.

Luke awkwardly asks if Gilbert would like to join them, and Gilbert reminds Luke that it would damage his reputation if he’s seen partying with Gilbert. Emma cuts in that it’s already too late for her, and Luke points out that Gilbert has been messing around with her lately. Gilbert laughs and agrees.

He doesn’t normally like drinking in enemy territory, but he also doesn’t get a chance to party that often. He settles down on the couch next to Emma, and even though the atmosphere is way more awkward, he joins in. He’s sad, he was hoping that they would all be drunk enough for it to be fun. Unfortunately, no matter how much they drink, Gilbert remains an enemy prince.

After the party, Gilbert pretends to go back to his rooms, but when everyone thinks he’s down for the night, he sneaks out and goes into Emma’s room. Emma is drunk, so she doesn’t fight him when he coaxes her mouth open to pour a new drink down her throat. She’s so defenseless and obedient that Gilbert is tempted to do something bad.

Emma drops to the floor and begins coughing and sputtering, and Gilbert asks if she would like some water. At her nod, Gilbert pulls out a prepared glass of water and takes a sip from it. In Obsidian, this would be used to demonstrate that the offering isn’t poisonous, but Emma is in no position to appreciate the gesture. Emma drinks down the glass in one go. Her ears are red, so there is a chance that she’s realized that they’ve shared an indirect kiss. Gilbert wants to torment her more.

Emma asks what Gilbert made her drink earlier, and Gilbert tells her to guess. Since her buzz is gone, Emma guesses he gave her some cure for drunkenness, like the villain he is.

Unfortunately, they have a new problem. That cure that Emma just gulped down – Gilbert had prepared it for himself, and now he doesn’t have anything left. And he’s still pretty drunk from partying earlier.

As Emma begins to comprehend the true horror of her position, Gilbert announces that he’s very sleepy. Very, very sleepy. So sleepy that he’s just going to settle down right here, in Emma’s room.

Gilbert may be a villain, but he’s also a considerate villain, so he plops down on Emma’s couch. Emma complains and starts shouting at him to leave and go back to his own quarters. Ignoring her, Gilbert pulls his cloak over himself like a blanket and rolls over, falling asleep instantly.

Early the next morning Gilbert wakes up, looks around for Emma, and doesn’t see her in the nearby bed. Instead, there’s a pile of sheets and pillows near the bed that has Emma snuggled up in them. Gilbert wonders out loud if Emma is a weirdo who likes sleeping like that.

No reply.

Gilbert considers the situation: Emma and her pillow pile are too far away from the bed for her to have accidentally fallen out, meaning that this position is entirely of her own volition.  

Gilbert is a villain, but he’s not an asshole. He stoops over to pick up Emma from the floor, waking her up. Gilbert warns her not to struggle, or he’ll drop her. He realizes that despite his efforts earlier, Emma is still a little drunk. Gilbert asks about her sleeping on the floor, and Emma is also confused about why she thought that was a good idea. But, after Gilbert fell asleep, she just didn’t have the strength to make it to the bed.

Gilbert looks at her like he thinks her brain is bad.

Emma asks Gilbert to not make fun of her, besides maybe she felt weird about sleeping in the bed while Gilbert took the couch. Seriously though, if he has to give her that look, please stop laughing.

Gilbert wonders if Emma’s brain is particularly bad because she’s drunk, before deciding that she probably would have still done this stone-cold sober.  

Placing her on the bed, Gilbert calls Emma an idiot, point out that her muscles are probably all achy from sleeping on the floor when there was a perfectly serviceable bed two feet away from her. Well, if she really feels that strongly about taking the bed while he takes the couch, next time they go drinking together, they can share the bed. Has any villain been as generous as Gilbert?

Emma pronounces that there will never be a next time. Gilbert asks if she’s sure, and Emma responds that next time, she won’t care about Gilbert’s feelings. That door is now closed. Laughing, Gilbert reminds her that he’s the prince of an evil empire, Emma should care about his hurt feelings.

Emma bursts out laughing, Gilbert is unexpectedly sneaky. It’s a full on belly laugh, like the kind she shared with Luke before Gilbert joined them. Gilbert is confused, is this some kind of reward for him restraining his sadism and being kinda sorta nice?

Gilbert tells Emma that she’s drunk and should go back to sleep. He assures her that if anyone tries to come into her room and interrupt her nap, he’ll personally drive them away. Emma complains that if he does that, there will be a really weird misunderstanding going on. Gilbert wishes her a pleasant nap, pushing Emma down and dragging up the blankets over her. Emma struggles briefly and complains that she just doesn’t understand Gilbert. Gilbert tells her not to worry, he doesn’t understand himself either. Closing her eyes, Emma goes to sleep.

Gilbert hates pretending to be a good person but . . . It had been nice when Emma laughed like that.

[atopearth]

Norn9: Last Era Part 1 - Prelude

I have been wanting to play this fandisc ever since I finished the main game, but I had to finish Amnesia: Later first so I literally had to stop myself from dropping everything for it hahaha. Anyway, to say I'm excited is an understatement because I am SO ready. Personally, I'm planning on starting with Senri or Heishi because they're my least favourites but I'll see, I might alternate with guys I kinda like so I don't get bored haha. Nagisa is pretty! I'm actually so glad we're getting more background on Masamune and the island because we basically knew nothing about it in the original game. As for Masamune's uncle, definitely a genius scientist for making the hiyoko-san! Who doesn't want adorable little chicks cleaning and cooking and even navigating a ship?! I mean if it's going to be functional and practical, why not be cute as well?! I believe in the importance of cuteness and I approve. Anyway, it's nice to finally see "adults" in this world aside from Yuiga. Lmao at Masamune being surprised at how many hiyoko there actually were on the ship hahahah. I find it amusing that the Hiyocook wasn't actually good at cooking tasty food until Masamune gave it a cook book haha. It's also interesting but sad to know that the hiyoko actually can't remember too many things and that Masamune actually has to delete recipes if he wants Hiyocook to cook something else. They're robots, but seeing stuff like Hiyocook getting dejected that Masamune didn't like its' cooking and then becoming happy when Masamune said the food is delicious, isn't that enough for you to care about them?

I guess it's nice to know that just as everyone else came on the Norn unsure of what to expect and how to interact with others, Masamune was also worried about talking to people outside of the island. I think it was sweet of him to be considerate towards Kakeru and want him to be able to relax here. Ooh so you have to go through the whole Prelude with all the characters perspectives before you can go to the individual story! I like that because it's very interesting to me right now. Is the sister Masamune is talking about Nagisa, and her brother is Natsuhiko? I never thought about it until now but their hair colour is the same isn't it! I know people aren't that fond of Masamune but I really love him. I love how he prioritises others before himself without any hesitation, and I think it's exactly because of that, that Kakeru can't help but open up and like him for who he is as well. Since there's only nine squares, I assume we won't get to the girls' perspectives, which is sad because I would have liked to see their initial impressions too even if some bits and pieces may have already been shown.

Even though Mikoto is harsh as usual, seeing her so concerned and worried about Sakuya reminds me of how much I liked them together. I can see why Kakeru has always been irked by Mikoto considering her attitude when she first arrived on the Norn, especially when he cooked for everyone and she didn't appreciate it at all and instead said pretty harsh words. I can't blame him for disliking her at all haha😅 Both Sakuya and Mikoto are stubborn, but I like seeing Sakuya who usually dotes on Mikoto and would do anything for her be strict with her and not budge on her ruining her health by not eating. Mikoto is a true tsundere that cares about people too much for her own good even if she doesn't express it well. Honestly, I never really thought too deeply about the story of Rapunzel but I do agree with Sakuya to an extent that the witch was "protecting" Rapunzel in her own way whether those were her true intentions or not. Natsuhiko, Setsu and Ron chilling on the ship together was such a nice CG, I actually quite like their relationship. I didn't expect Ron and Natsuhiko to have known each other for eight years! It's sad to think about how tough Natsuhiko's life was after leaving the island and how his desire to stop the Reset was the only thing fuelling him. Lmao at Natsuhiko being so sweet and packing Ron's bags for him when he leaves for the Norn, it's so funny how he packs stuff like cold medicine haha, he's too cute! Natsuhiko really is like a mother or wife haha, I love how he told Ron to keep his hands to himself and wear pajamas to bed🤣 I thinks it's nice to see that just as Natsuhiko was interested in Mikoto after seeing photos of her during his investigation, Ron was also interested in Nanami even though it's mainly because he knew she had the power to erase memories.

Personally, I will always agree with Natsuhiko's thoughts and feelings towards the Reset because it's ridiculous to control how the world should be, it's egotistic and forces your own ideals on the world itself. Also, in the end, the fact that they keep doing multiple Resets already goes to show it does nothing but merely reset things to a certain time but humans don't change how they act and the decisions they make. If they don't remember, they won't learn and if they don't learn, they will always do the same thing thinking it's the right way. Ron throwing away the bag Natsuhiko so thoughtfully prepared was so sad but so him. I didn't expect Ron's name to come from Mahjong though lol. Lmao, I can't help but love Hiyocook, it's so dedicated to cooking and gets dejected when it's Akito's turn now that he's come aboard the ship hahahaha.

I really enjoy seeing the guys interact and learn things from each other considering their various different backgrounds, especially Sakuya, I'm happy for him that he gets to experience a bit more of the world with Kakeru and Akito teaching him things. Lmao at Akito scared of cracking eggs because he's worried a little chick will come out of it🤣🤣 HAHAHA, Akito being scared of birds because he met a peacock who ended up trying to court him by following him 24/7 and leaving him bugs and stuff on his doorstep is so silly!!🤣🤣 Akito meeting Senri for the first time in six years and not being able to call out his name because Senri didn't remember him broke my heart. It was obvious that Akito was good at cooking because he wanted to cook delicious food for Senri but hearing him say it really warms my heart. He's always done everything he could to protect and love Senri but they were forced to be separated in such a terrible way. It was so sweet how Akito actually talked to Hiyocook and swapped shifts so he could cook for Senri, poor Akito faced his fears did Senri! Even though I do acknowledge that Kakeru can go a bit too far sometimes (also Senri's fault sometimes tbh), when he got Senri to say that the food was delicious louder so Akito could hear it, I was so happy for Akito. And honestly, if Kakeru wasn't so drastic, Senri really might just stay in his room forever being babied by Masamune and them who would bring him food.

I feel bad for Mikoto, can totally understand why she was scared of Itsuki, his first impression is definitely the worst haha. Lmao, I love how Ron's comment about thinking that Itsuki was some sort of prostitute made all the girls avoid him🤣 Legit ruined his reputation with one word. HAHAHA, Itsuki definitely deserved the flying kick from Sakuya when he asked Mikoto to meow🤣 LMAO at Itsuki thinking Senri was a zashiki warashi (child ghost) because he never realised he existed😂😂 I've always wondered about Senri's tattoo on his face but since they never addressed it, I just thought of it as some sort distinction to make him look less plain haha, but knowing that the adults in the village basically did it to brand him and always recognise him so he can never run away just makes me all the more disgusted with them. They tried to kill Akito and branded Senri for their livelihoods thinking that just because they needed them to live, it was all right to do these things because it was a matter of life and death. It was actually pretty funny how when Sakuya wasn't feeling good after seeing the future, Senri got Ron to help and Ron was basically useless and just kept wondering how he should pull himself together and be a proper adult like Senri told him he should hahahha.

I was actually wondering why it felt so quiet, I completely forgot about Heishi! I can't remember if it was ever told, but I really didn't realise that Heishi was part of a travelling entertainment troupe playing the flute before he came on the Norn! I can see why Itsuki cares for Heishi so much in his route now. He was the one who gave Itsuki the push he needed to see his sister's grave and make him realise that there are things more important than just listening to The World and going along with things using excuses like it can't be helped. It's also nice to see Nanami get to break out of her shell with Heishi because he just does whatever he wants. I always felt like Heishi was the one who helped Nanami get out of her shell the most so I was disappointed when I actually didn't like his route, but hopefully this will be better considering I'm really enjoying the Prelude! I really like how the three hour train ride (one way) was how the three of them started playing cards together and getting along haha! I knew Itsuki's sister's body wasn't in the grave but I never thought that it was because her body got incinerated since people didn't know what her illness was and thought it might be contagious. That is certainly something cruel to have to face with every time he visits the grave, it must hurt to think he couldn't stop it and couldn't even save the house or their belongings, that is so terrible. They basically razed everything that reminds him of his life with his sister. I think it was really sweet of Heishi's Grandpa and Seiji to give Heishi so much money in hope that he could run away and live a free life for himself instead of being shackled to The World. It's sad to think that Heishi has nothing important to him so he thinks it's pointless to run away to somewhere he doesn't even know, but I think his decision is right in that by being beside Mikoto and them, there's a chance he'll find a way of life he wants to live, and that by interacting with others who understand and know his powers, he can learn to accept that it's a part of him instead of just calling it an illness. I've always liked how Heishi gave his tie to Nanami, it's so cute. I liked how Masamune scolded them for coming back so late and Kakeru called him a dad hahaha. I think I especially liked it because Nanami, Itsuki and Heishi have never really experienced something like that where their parents would be so worried about them coming home so late and shout at them, it's endearing haha, not everyone gets to experience that normal concern and love.

Overall, I really liked the Prelude! I kinda hoped to see more of Masamune's part with the scientists but oh well, I still enjoyed seeing everyone's perspectives. I personally enjoyed seeing how Heishi, Itsuki and Nanami's relationship developed from the beginning the most, but I think it was also really cute to see how Kakeru always flusters Masamune and what kind of feelings Masamune had as the first one on the ship waiting for everyone to board. But yeah, I really just enjoyed watching everyone pop up one by one filling up the ship as they all became the rowdy bunch they were when Koharu joined. The extra insight into everyone's thoughts and feelings as they all left things behind once they stepped on to the Norn for their various reasons was interesting to watch and I honestly can't wait to see more of their stories!

[bonesandthebees]

I just got around to reading the new chapter, so here’s random reactions I saved in my notes so I wouldn’t forget (two parts)

(Wilbur tried to imagine what Phil would say. How Phil would look at him after he learned what he did.)

Wf flashbacks I might re-read the fight scene again

(“Like, I thought I could read you pretty well even with the blindfold on, but now it’s, like, too easy but not at the same time.”)

It’s because he’s so expressive but has a permanent sad face that masks everything else :((((

(“I mean you kinda look like you’re about to start crying, but you also look like you just took a shot of moontane and you’re trying not to be a pussy about it but you really wanna spit it out.”)

LMFAOOOO

(“If we go to Jack’s room are we gonna find out he’s gone missing in the middle of the night?” Techno tried to joke.)

HELP I love techno, you always capture his one liners so well, and they’re always so hilarious

(Wilbur couldn’t blame him. He didn’t want to look at his own face either right now.)

I don’t even have words for this part but it stood out to me. I feel like Spruce is my new matpat, and whenever I see a line that looks like it could be significant I turn to them to tell me what it is immediately. Thankfully we’re working with religious trauma rather than dead children this time.

(“Because I want to talk to the Pythia alone,” Phil said, carefully watching him as he said his title.)

So no sandduo?? *throws phone* 😾 /j

(His breathing hitched as he cut himself off, the blood roaring louder in his ears. He wrapped his arms around his chest, gasping as he fought for air. - “I just feel so fucking useless,” He murmured, curling in further on himself. - but it has to be me. I’ve failed at my purpose for existing,)

WILB,,,,,

The angst is delicious but at what cost

Reminds me of the only time I ever ate in New Jersey. We went to Olive Garden, I ordered one of my favorite foods, I ate too much, puked it all up, got back to the table and wanted more of it bc it was really good food. Then we left NJ.

(“But that’s what I’m supposed to do,” he whispered. “That’s what I was created for.”)

I- I don’t even know what to say,,, these two sentences fill me with so many emotions

(“I can’t tell you much right now, but it won’t be long before things start moving very quickly.)

Oh???

(know m-” - your name?”)

YOUR NAME?? LIKE STRI-💥💥💥

But also yes wilbur it’s /your/ name 😭😭

(I might not know your name)

Is he gonna,,, do I dare hope

(Phil gave him a small smile. “You’ll tell me when you’re ready, mate.”)

IS HE

Dammit

I do 100% believe that Phil is next on the name reveal list though

Watch me say that and the next person will be someone I didn’t expect at all, like Ponk or Sam or something

(1/2)

- 🪐

hello hello ty for the reactions these are always fun

well it's partly that he looks very sad without the blindfold bc he just has Sad Victorian Child Eyes but also tommy has learned how to read him with half his face covered. now he gets too much information at once compared to what he's used to dealing with, so he's second guessing his own judgement because he doesn't know how wilbur shows emotion through his eyes. does that make sense? idk. I'm tired. I wrote over 3k words today.

lol thank you I have so much fun with techno's one liners. so many fics make him super serious which is such a missed opportunity bc techno cracks jokes all the time in canon!! let him make awkward one liners it's a very important part of his character

LMAO yes ty spruce for pointing out so many important lines

i'm sorry you puked at a NJ olive garden but also the irony there is that the last time I ate an olive garden was also when I was in NJ. I also don't live in NJ.

he'll tell phil when he's ready :)

[fallloverfic]

Solo Leveling Episode 8 Thoughts

And we're back!!! Spoilery thoughts for the anime, novel, and manhwa below:

The system gave Jinwoo a lottery ticket alkdjlaj

He gets emails!!! I am ridiculously happy he gets and checks emails alkdjaldja Or at least text messages/blasts. Me last time: why doesn't he use his email. Now: FINE HE GETS EMAILS.

aldkjalj I'm happy.

It's neat we get to actually see Yoojin approaching Cha Haein. It's nice to see more of the guild corporate warfare.

We get to see Kim Sangshik's family! And his kids get names and ages! Can't imagine why they would give us that :D >.< It feels kind of like the progression of Fullmetal Alchemist in adaptation, where each one made a particular event all the more gut-wrenching.

Baek Yoonho and Choi Jongin's added flirting is everything. I love this addition. Choi Jongin just wants to go on a date with you, Baek Yoonho. Goodness, chill.

Thank you, A-1, for everything, but this shot in particular.

Choi Jongin is amazing this episode. I'm so glad they added these. The emphasis on his relationship with Baek Yoonho is lovely. I was happy the novel has more of them interacting and sad the manhwa kind of removed it. More is appreciated, thank you :3

Lee Joohee's mom sucks. No wonder she doesn't call much, jeez. I feel so bad for her. She's so sidelined in the novel and even though she gets a little more in the manhwa, she was still heavily sidelined for no particular reason (I guess maybe she's really pushy to Sung Jinwoo for no particular reason and he deserves better? Which yeah, okay, I can see why things turn out the way they do). I'm really glad she at least gets more development in the anime.

I like the show focusing more on the relationship between Cha Haein and Choi Jongin. They have a professional relationship. It's just kind of not there in the novel and not even really in the manhwa, either, though it's slightly more emphasized? Ever so slightly. Here they're really reminding us, "yes, they work together, they get along, they communicate, it's not just Choi Jongin being smug", which I appreciate. Cha Haein's extra development in the anime is generally really appreciated.

Choi Jongin has trauma from Jeju T-T Bebe. I love that they added this. So far as I can recall, it's not mentioned in the novel that he went to Jeju in the past at all; that seems to have been added for the anime, and I don't mind the change here. It's fun development. Give me that angst :3

It looks like either Eunseuk sacrificed himself for Min Byunggu and Baek Yoonho to get away or he died for some reason and they had to leave him behind...? T-T Traumatized beans T-T It's really neat how many kind of quiet/unexplained plotlines they're developing here. Really fleshes out the characters very well.

Song Chiyul and Sung Jinwoo's relationship gives me life every time. It's so sweet.

That last hunter who is not Kang Taesik gets named at last! Mr. Kang! Wonder if he'll get a first name.

And yeah, as expected, Sung Jinwoo says yes to Yoo Jinho's request so he can get stronger and get the elixir to help his mom. It makes sense. It's not a bad change for him to say no and then come back to the weirdly empty cafe to say yes now.

That was a good ep :D So glad the show is back!! Also sending well wishes to Taito Ban, the Japanese voice actor for Sung Jinwoo. He had COVID at least as of 13 February 2024, but he was back to work on 19 February 2024, and I don't really think that's enough time to recover... Hope he's doing better. (Also this likely wouldn't have affected Solo Leveling season 1 at all, likely all his work was long since done).

Looking forward to the next ep!

More episode thoughts:

S01E05

S01E06

S01E07

S01E08 (you are here)

S01E09

S01E10

S01E11

S01E12

[chaesvoguerice]

you always know the way to my heart <3

"Are you going to order, ma'am?"

Soyeon swallowed, gazing at the all-english menu above her as she tried to find at least one word she recognized. She didn't understand the person in front of her, behind the counter, but, judging by his tapping foot, she could guess that he wanted her to hurry up. 

"I'll have the seven, without whipped cream please," she said, pleased that she had at least said the number seven in English. She just hoped that this guy understood her.

"Uh, one number seven, right?" 

Number one? Soyeon pinched the bridge of her nose. "No, no, seven."

The person behind the counter nodded, disappearing for a few moments before coming back with her coffee. She paid, and thanked him with a small sigh. She shouldn't be struggling so much to just order a coffee. She shouldn't be here, in the United States. But she was.

Soyeon had been away for weeks. Never contacted anyone, just kept to herself. No one even knew that she had left Korea. After Soojin's case... she just needed a break. Seeing her team so sad only made her cry harder at night, and she couldn't burden those around her any longer with her unhealthy cycle of grief. 

She exited the coffee shop, sighing at the sight of the whipped cream at the top of her cup when she asked for none. Oh, they didn't even get my order right! She thinks after tasting it. Or maybe American coffee just tasted like this. So bitter. Soyeon hates bitter coffee.

She throws the foul drink in a nearby trash can and crosses the street without looking both ways. Barely anyone was out right now, so early. Which is why she panicked when strong arms behind her secured themselves around her torso.

"Who the fuck–"

"I missed you." Soyeon's breath hitched as she recognized the husky voice. "I've been looking for you everywhere." Yuqi buries her face in Soyeon's neck, the younger's whole body trembling.

"Well, I didn't want to be found," Soyeon mumbled, the bitter taste in her mouth slowly fading the longer Yuqi's hot face pressed against her cold neck. 

"But we're a team," Yuqi said, struggling to keep the tears inside of her body.

Soyeon clenched her fists, getting reminded of why she left Korea temporarily in the first place. "We're not a team any-fucking-more! Soojin—"

Yuqi intertwined their fingers and turned Soyeon around to face her, not at all fazed by the older's harsh language. "I meant us. Me and you. We're a team." Yuqi gave her hand a gentle squeeze, resisting the urge to kiss the Korean's knuckles to calm her down. 

"I'm sorry for yelling... I- how did you even find me?" 

"I'm smarter than you think," Yuqi smiled softly. Soyeon took a step in, pressing their foreheads together, chuckling to herself lightly to prevent herself from losing her composure. Yuqi knows this.

"You don't have to hide... Grief shouldn't be as lonely as you want it to be, Soyeon." A tear slid down Yuqi's cheek, gliding down to her chin as she felt Soyeon break down in front of her. 

"I know," Soyeon shut her eyes, allowing a sob to wrack her skinny body. She hadn't eaten properly ever since the scandal started. 

Yuqi knows this too. But she also knows that she needs to care for Soyeon's mentality before the older will let her touch her health. So she held her. On the sidewalk somewhere in the States, far away from Cube, Shin-ae, Korea, everything.

Soyeon clenched Yuqi's coat, her attempt on trying to thank the Beijing girl only resulted in more uncontrollable cries escaping her mouth. Yuqi had created an imaginary bubble around them. This was their  bubble, no one could see, hear, or judge Soyeon as long as Yuqi had her arms around her. Yuqi knows her so well, she realized, she didn't waste her time whispering sweet nothings, and didn't ask Soyeon to talk about why she was so frustrated. She just knew.

Yuqi could feel Soyeon leaning almost all of her weight on her, and she didn't have to check twice to figure out that the older girl had fallen asleep. So cute, Yuqi thought with a small smile, reaching down to drag her arm against the back of Soyeon's knees, lifting her into her arms. 

The Chinese carried Soyeon with ease, walking purposefully back to the coffee shop, then on to where she knew the hotel was. Thank God I know her bank account password, Yuqi thinks gratefully. It was the only reason that she could find Soyeon, actually. She had entered the password and scrolled all the way down to the last thing she'd spent money on, which was a plane ticket and a hotel room in the States. 

She must look pretty odd coming into the hotel, carrying someone who appeared to be unconscious. But, she didn't mind. 

The doorman approached her with a confused but helpful smile. He held out his arms. "Do you need any help, miss?" He asked, referring to Soyeon.

What Yuqi wanted to say was "Don't you dare lay even a single finger on her." But she coughed, politely declining, "Thank you, but I can handle it. Can you help me open the doors though? Her– our room is number 607." Ah, another day when she's so lucky that she studied English. 

"Of course!" The doorman happily agrees, pressing the elevator button and unlocking the room's door once they got there. She thanked him for his kind services, before looking at Soyeon, still seemingly asleep in Yuqi's arms. 

"I'm so happy that I found you.. Don't you ever run away again without me, okay?" Yuqi whispers, walking into the bedroom and setting her down on the soft sheets.

Soyeon doesn't even know or remember when she closed her eyes, but she's startled awake when Yuqi sets her into a bed, and she was no longer tucked safely inside of their bubble. Her eyes darted between Yuqi's arms and her eyes, distress filling her. Is she going to leave me?

Soyeon grabbed the younger's hand. "You.. carried me to the hotel?"

Yuqi rubbed the back of Soyeon's hand with her thumb tenderly. "Of course I did," Yuqi murmured, leaning forward to place a gentle kiss on Soyeon's forehead. She had also bought Soyeon a non-bitter cup of coffee. But that could wait until the morning. 

"You're so strong," Soyeon commented, running her tongue over her dry, cracked lips, gazing into Yuqi's eyes with what one can only describe as lovingly.

Yuqi instinctively noticed this, and handed Soyeon a lip gloss from her pocket, a small smile tugging on the corners of her own lips. "I've been at the gym a lot these days," She replies exhaustedly. 

She didn't try to make a jab at my weight instead? Soyeon noticed that Yuqi's voice is tired and raspy, different from her usual, loud self, she's whispering. 

"You sound tired," Soyeon's eyebrows furrowed together slowly at the thought of Yuqi giving up her sleep just to make sure Soyeon isn't doing the same. 

Yuqi didn't want to worry Soyeon, but if she lied then the older would see right through it. "I am. But I'm just so happy to see you..." Soyeon knew Yuqi was hesitant about doing what she wanted freely, trying not to somehow upset Soyeon, so she sat up a little to place her lips against the other's. They moved against each other in complete sync, both of them being gentle and soft as if the other was fragile. Yuqi pulled back slowly, the taste of Soyeon still lingering on her tongue. She looked down at the Korean, eyes grazing over features that she's got memorized somewhere deep in her brain that won't ever let her forget them.

Sleep next to me, Soyeon wants to say as she stares longingly into Yuqi's eyes. Though, she would never say it out loud, nor admit that she missed being cuddled in Yuqi's warm, muscular arms.

But she doesn't have to say it, because Yuqi knows. So, she moves from hovering over Soyeon to laying down in the bed next to the older, pulling her close. She finds comfort in how Soyeon adjusts the rhythm of her breathing to match Yuqi's. Comfort in how Soyeon is no longer clinging to her like she's about to shatter, how she's begun to accept that Yuqi found her to help her heal. 

Well, Yuqi did come to help Soyeon heal. But she's also in love with her. The thought of Soyeon suffering without anyone to be there for her and stop her thoughts that usually spiral negatively, just drives her into a frenzy. I love you so much, Soyeon.. Yuqi thinks, kissing the top of Soyeon's head and tangling her thighs between the older's.

And only in that moment, did Yuqi figure out that her search was worth it. 

"I love you, Yuqi," Soyeon says against her neck, leaving a barely-there kiss on her collar-bone after she said it. 

Because Soyeon knows Yuqi too.

Yuqi was the one who fell asleep first, snoring lightly, but not loud enough to disturb Soyeon. The Korean moved back a little so that Yuqi's arms were still around her, but she could get a nice view of her face. Her eyes flickered towards a scratch right above Yuqi's eyebrow, dried blood crusted around it and it looked red and irritated. 

"Mm, Jagiya, be more careful wherever you go, won't you?" Soyeon whispered so the younger wouldn't wake up, fighting the oh-so-tempting urge to kiss the wound. She figured that would just irritate it more, so she would clean it in the morning. 

Despite being cuddled, safe and cozy under the hotel's blankets and in Yuqi's hold, Soyeon was unable to fall asleep. She sighed quietly when the sun's light disappeared, making it impossible for her to admire Yuqi's beautiful face anymore. 

The Beijing girl shifted, her hand firmly gripping the side of Soyeon's hip, but not enough to hurt her. "..I know you're awake..," She mumbled sleepily. 

"It's hard to sleep here. This isn't my bed, nor my country.."

"Try to relax," Yuqi says in a hushed voice, gently pushing Soyeon over and spooning her tightly. "How's this?"

"Better," Soyeon let herself smile, the pain of all these weeks not entirely fading, but it was getting there. Soyeon felt herself sink into the comfortable pillows, forcing her always-running mind to be silent. Yuqi traced random patterns on the expanse of Soyeon's stomach, calming her further. 

Once Yuqi knew Soyeon was asleep, she let her lips press onto the back of her neck smoothly, sitting up at the slightest to whisper in her sleeping beauty's ear, "I love you too, Soyeon. So, so much."