#but im scared of talking to people face to face AND over phone/voice calls

[rafeandonlyrafe]

safe

words: 1.1k

warnings: home break in (not really described though), drug dealer!rafe and reader, pregnant!reader, husband!rafe

“r-rafe.” your voice is timid and shaky, so unlike what rafe is normally used to hearing. he instantly knows something is off, wrong.

“baby, what is it?” rafe asks into the phone, wishing he could see your face right now, could read the emotion in your expression.

“something uh-something happened. the police are here.”

“shit, are you alright?” rafe is suddenly moving away from the party, needing the noise of music from the live band and people talking and laughing to stop drowning out your words. “is the baby alright? did barry get caught?”

“yeah, we are both fine.” you press your hand against your stomach, the spot your baby always kicks, glad when you feel her stomp against your skin, reminding you she's okay, even if you don't currently feel like you are. “its not the business. there were some um… robbers.”

“what?” rafe shouts, knowing he probably just made you jump over the phone, but he can't help the loud reaction, needing more information, and needing it now.

“yeah they came into the house. i hid in the closet, but they found me. they didn't do anything, just shoved me a bit. they did take a lot of the jewelry you got me, i don't know what else, you'll have to talk to the police and give them a full invento-”

“shit, y/n!” rafe interrupts you. “i don't care about our stuff! i only care about you and the baby. im coming home right now.”

“okay.” you whisper over the phone. “im sitting on the front porch.”

“and police are watching you?” rafe asks, hurrying to his car, not bothering to explain to anyone his sudden leaving as he tears out of the parking lot.

“yeah, they're here. don't worry, im safe. i don't think they even had weapons, at least none that i saw.” rafe can hear you take a shuddering breath, his heart breaking that he wasn't there with you, foot pressing down even harder on the pedal to get him there faster. “the police think they broke in and expected no one to be home because of midsummers.”

you look down, rubbing your hand over your belly. “guess they didn't expect me to be home because none of my heels fit anymore and even the maternity dresses make me look like a whale.” you mean it as a joke, but it has tears flowing down your eyes, wishing you would have just sucked up your insecurities and gone with rafe. you still would have got robbed, but without the trauma of being there during the break in.

“im two minutes, baby. two minutes and you'll be safe in my arms.” rafe tries to keep his voice calm for you, but it's a struggle.

“i… i just wanna be safe.” you mutter the last words of the call, voice breaking as you begin to sob. rafe hears an officer try to calm you, but he knows it won't work, knows the only thing you need is him.

he parks haphazardly behind the police cars, fully blocking the street without a care in the world, not even taking the car keys out as he runs across the yard, sprinting until he reaches you.

“im here.” his arms are finally around your shoulders. “im here.”

you continue to sob, only lessened by pressing your face into rafes chest as he cradles you, even managing to pull you onto his lap despite your protruding baby bump.

“ive got you, princess.” rafe kisses the top of your head, continuing his reassuring words, the police officers giving you some space, but not retreating any farther than the steps leading onto the porch.

“oh my god, i was so scared.” you whine out, managing to blink back your tears enough to look at rafe.

“im so sorry baby.” rafe sighs. “i should have been here.”

“no.” you shake your head. “you had to go to midsummers. it's okay.”

“as soon as you said you weren't coming, i should have canceled it. should have never left my pregnant wife at home alone. im the worst fucking husband.” rafe knows his words aren't comforting, but he needs to make sure you know that he is the one to blame for what happened.

“what?” you press your fingers against rafes cheeks. “you couldn't have known, baby.”

“i still should have been here.” rafe leans in, taking your mouth in a strong kiss. “i love you, baby.”

“oh my god, you're not gonna leave my side for the next year, are you?” you let out a tiny laugh, the noise relieving rafe, loosening some of the tension in his chest.

“definitely not, my love.” rafe pulls you closer.

“thank you for coming so quickly.” you whisper, letting your head rest against rafes chest. “i really am okay. just freaked out.”

“don't worry, baby.” rafes voice suddenly changes tone. “the second they try to sell any of your jewelry, ill find them. they won't make it far at all. ill make sure they can never hurt you or anyone else ever again.”

you know you should tell rafe to let the police handle it, to not get personally involved in clearly dangerous men, but any man who lays their hands on a pregnant woman doesn't deserve to breathe, let alone only be punished to a few months in jail like what would no doubtabley happen if you went the legal way.

“im surprised you haven't called barry already.” you laugh softly, knowing he will be just as pissed as rafe. you came into their life and helped expand the business, turning them from lowly dealers to something bigger, better. still dealing, of course, but offering protection and other services as well.

“figure id let the police leave first.” rafe rubs your back, glad that you're slowly getting back to your jokey and sharp witted self. “before he insisted on being your personal armed guard until those guys are put in the ground.”

“yeah, once baby girl pops, im going to have to ask him to teach me to shoot. just in case anything like this happens again.” you feel bad that you relied so heavily on rafes protection, that you let yourself slack to the point where an emergency arose and you hid in the closet instead of grabbing a glock.

“hey, what about me?” rafe whines, knowing he'd never let another man teach you how to shoot, not even your joint business partner barry.

“fine.” you joke, sighing and sliding off rafes lap. “you better go talk to the police about what else might be missing. i wouldn't let them snoop around.”

you don't keep anything illicit in your house, but just in case you weren't about to give the law open access to your home.

“in a minute.” rafe keeps his arms around you, not willing to let you move too far from his hold. “need to just keep my wife in my arms for a few minutes longer.”

you look out onto the sky, the stars glimmering in the darkness of light, allowing yourself to take a full, deep breath, at peace held in your husband's arms.

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[bettysupremacy]

HI oh my goodness i just flashed through ur entire page (its LOVELY writing) and i desperately need more!! I noticed the lack of Remus request so here i am B)

OKAY could I request plot for before remus and the reader are together? Like how they came to be ^^ mm maybe like "coincidentally" him running into her at her favorite bookstore or coffee shop (ITS CLICHE IM SORRY BUT I LOVE THESE LOCATIONS) until he finally asks her on a date !! (and maybe his friends spying on him just becuase hehe)

thank uu

HELLO I appreciate the support and there definitely is a lack of Remus. It’s cliche BUT CUTE! thank you for the request babe!!

“But I can’t just.. talk to her.”

“Why not?” James deflates. “Girls love that!”

They sit at a tiny table, in a tiny bookshop, in an even tinier cafe built in. The air crackles with cedar wood and vanilla, swirling around his hazy mind. It’s cozy and intimate but he has no place to put his legs, he sits awkwardly, leg bouncing anxiously. It accidentally hits the table. Sirius flinches from his mug.

“I’ll scare her.”

“Well then,” Sirius stirs his coffee. “don’t be weird.”

They came to study- or rather Remus came to study and his shadows came along. It’d been fine at first, computer out, a quiet Sirius. But Sirius has never had the patience to play quiet for long, especially when James is near.

“Maybe I’ll just leave it..” Remus murmurs.

Two voices shout at him. “No!”

Remus flinches mouthing sorry to the people around him. Sorry students he’d burdened with his rowdy friends. Hands to a sticky table, he pushes up. “M’Kay, I’m going.”

His feet feel heavy. He wants to do this, he wants your number, but god he doesn’t want to do this. Rejection is enough, but rejection in front of his two best friends? Looking back at his table, James encourages him. Two thumbs up and a hopeful face.

“Oh, shit!”

He’s crashed into you.

“Oh,” you startle, stumbling.

James and Sirius sink into their seats behind you. “Wow.”

Remus stabilizes you. “M’so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” he cuts you off.

“No seriously, shit, I’m sorry.”

You laugh, high and sweet. “I’m fine. At least there wasn’t coffee.”

“Has that happened?”

“Yes,” you breathe a laugh, dusting off your pants nervously. “before an interview.”

“That’s awful.” He’s genuine.

“It was kinda,” you ease. “they weren’t nearly as nice or attractive as you.”

He swallows. He thinks your pretty, very pretty. His eyes catch on your lips, your eyelashes. That’s a weird thing to notice, right? Eyelashes? He’s usually smoother than this, he wishes he was smoother than this. He’s embarrassed.

You flatten over his doubts like you can read his mind. “I’m clumsy, we can say this was my fault.”

“Noble.”

You shrug. “It’s not far from the truth.”

“Not very chivalrous of me.” He laughs a little.

“It’s okay,” you’re comforting, he likes that. “Did you need something over here?”

He scratches his neck, speaking before he can himself.

“Do you wanna,” he doesn’t know what to say. He started the sentence and backed out too late, but you stand there with patient eyes. He swallows a whine. “I’m usually a lot smoother than this, yanno?”

You laugh unabashed. “It’s okay.”

“Falling on you like a building threw me off, I’m sorry.”

“Let’s start over?” You ask. “What’s your name?”

“Remus.” He sounds a little more confident. “I was over there,” he points to James and Sirius who wave. “and I thought you were pretty, would you wanna get drinks sometime?”

You hold back a laugh at the formality of it all. “Yes, do you have a cell?”

“Yes.” He breathes, pulling out his small phone decidedly. He doesn’t rarely use it, ‘cept for plans. Skipping past texts from James, Sirius, Lily.. etc, he opens the little contacts icon. He doesn’t ignore them purposely, he just prefers to call.

“Here,” you smile, taking the phone from him gently. “this is where you can reach me if you want to buy me another cookie.”

He looks down, he hadn’t noticed the fallen treat.

“Don’t” you start firmly with an easy smile. “say sorry.”

He laughs, holding back another sorry. “I’m free tomorrow.”

“Perfect.” you reach down to point at the pen in his pocket. “Can I see that?”

He nods, pulling out the pen for you. It’d been abandoned at the same time he’d realized studying was no hope. His fingers brush against yours as he gives it to you, but you don’t let his hand far. Gently grabbing it, you look up at his confused eyebrows for a confirmation. A gentle can I?

“Oh,” he breathes, nodding. “go ahead.”

You take the pen to his skin and work the ballpoint over the rough surface. The ink bleeds into him as you write the address. You notice his scars, jagged deep tissue, and ignore them. His ears heat up. “Really good drinks here,” you explain “and next to a bakery.”

A laugh stumbles out of his lips before he can stop it and you look up to grin. “Noted.”

Letting his hand go, you watch him bring the scribble up to his eyes to read it. It’s messy but he thinks that has something to do with his scars rather than you.

“Time?” Remus asks, and you grab his hand again, writing a messy 8PM under your other ink marks. “I’ll uh see you there.”

“Perfect.”

He turns to walk, almost immediately turning back and grabbing your arm quickly. “Wait, what’s your name.”

“Y/N.”

“Remus.”

“I know.” You laugh.

He knows you’re not laughing at him, but he cringes anyway as he walks back, heavy with embarrassment, triumphant with the thrill of a date. the boys pat his back when he sits down.

“Poor thing.” Sirius consoles.

James scoffs. “He got the date!”

“But still,” Sirius sulks. “that was embarrassing.”

Remus glares. “Thanks.”

“Well go on,” James starts. “show us the writing.”

Remus sticks out his hand for the boys to see. They hum mildly, looking at him with approval. “Nice bar.” Sirius nods.

“Next to a bakery.” James affirms.

“I, uh,” Remus scratches the back of his neck. “made her drop her cookie.”

“You dickhead.” Sirius laughs.

“I didn’t mean to!”

He slumps in his chair as James hits Sirius. They argue, petulantly and boyish, and Remus looks away. You stand at the register buying a book he doesn’t remember you holding when he’d knocked into you. Smiling at the cashier you grab your change and the bag of goods you bought. He feels weird watching. This has got to be weird, right? But as you walk out, you glance to him, lifting your hand up to your ear during the doorbell chime.

Call me.

[elleloquently]

[ ellie still fucking hated coffee.

but she finished off the drink, just because you made it. ]

| a/n : this has genuinely been in the works for months and im so excited to finally be posting it, so please consider leaving a comment/reblogging! it took ages but im very happy with the end result. over time i had a bunch of requests for coffee shop/college barista au's so i kinda mashed them together. please enjoy! <3

| c/w : swearing

coffee talk - ellie williams

the late summer air might've subconsciously motivated ellie's walk that day, her relaxed demeanour acted as a foolish guise from her anxious thoughts. she usually waited until the last possible minute to leave for class, but something today was different.

maybe she hoped that if she walked around for awhile, her body and mind would tire themselves before class, leaving herself sleepy with concentration instead. maybe she hoped that her early start would somehow prompt a late arrival to class, giving her an excuse to just not go.

ellie sighed, squinting in the sun. it was too early in the semester to start that bad habit.

she came across a little campus cafe on her wander, quickly recognizing it as the one that dina had frequented. she hesitated briefly, trying to peer through the glass windows in a not obvious way. it looked relatively empty, compared to the usual crowd, so ellie dragged herself inside.

the air conditioning instantly hit her warm skin, causing goosebumps on her arms. a small group had claimed a table by a window, chattering away with laptops covering the table top. ellie wasn't exactly sure what she was looking for, and the line was pretty short, not allowing her much time to think. ellie lingered in the doorway, wondering how strange it may appear if she turned on her heel and immediately exited the establishment right after entering, until she heard possibly the sweetest voice to ever hit her ears.

"have a nice day," you regarded softly, handing someone their drink with a quick smile.

you were still relatively new at the job, fumbly and awkward with the interactions. your previous job had sucked. your co-workers were mean, you were paid basically nothing, and you were left with little time to complete assignments. your final straw was getting yelled at over the phone by your manager after calling off of work with the flu.

finally gathering the courage to quit, your friend had rallied you up to work at a campus cafe alongside her. the idea of that sort of work scared you, talking to customers, making drinks, but the pay was good and the hours were flexible. you put in an application and by the end of the week, you had started the training process. it was relatively comfortable, until your friend had suddenly decided to quit and left you alone.

"sorry," she had apologized weakly. "i think i might pick up doordashing or something instead."

you pushed out a quick sigh, drumming your fingers on the counter before plastering a smile on your face, moving to greet the next customer.

ellie craned her neck, trying to see the owner of the voice above the heads of the people that stood in line. once her eyes landed upon you, ellie sucked in a breath. she moved wordlessly into the line, no plan of action in mind.

she watched, dazed, as you entered orders and nodded. when you turned around to grab something and ellie spotted the bow that you were wearing in your hair, her palms began to feel warm. she strained her ears, desperate to hear your voice again above the sound of conversation and the typical coffee shop music.

ellie didn't even notice that there was another person, some guy, also behind the counter until he switched spots with you, greeting a different customer.

fuck, ellie thought, rapidly looking around to watch where you were going. you disappeared into the back, behind a set of secretive doors. ellie's heart sank. she would be up soon, and she didn't even know what she was doing. she didn't want to talk to some random guy.

she just... wanted to talk to some... random girl?

fuck.

someone else wandered into the cafe. ellie contemplated making that person's day, wondering if she should just leave the line. of course she should, this was stupid, but then you reappeared. you were carrying a small brown box, and huffed at a strand of hair that had fallen into your face.

ellie was almost up, and she rapidly began praying to any type of higher power that would listen. please don't let it be the guy, please don't let it be the fucking guy-

"hi," you greeted automatically, restocking a small display of reward punch cards. "what can we get for-" you finally dragged your eyes upwards, freezing at the sight of ellie.

your gaze widened and you mentally cursed yourself for having a horrible poker face. the girl standing in front of you was extremely attractive, to say the very least. you felt trapped in her green-eyed gaze, hand hovering above the cards that you were previously toying with.

ellie cleared her throat, shifting awkwardly on her feet. if anyone's voice matched their appearance perfectly, it was yours. you looked doe-eyed, caught off guard, and ellie's face flushed.

you blinked at the slight cough, snapping back into customer service mode. "what can i get for you?" you asked, pointedly changing the we to i. she had freckles. the smile you offered wasn't forced, but genuine.

fuck. fuck fuck fuck. she had to actually order something, not just stand there and stare at you. it was ellie's turn to be wide eyed, as she scrambled to pinpoint something from the menu. god. she really didn't want to be that person. you had all that time waiting in line, just pick something for christ sake!

you stood awkwardly, smile wavering as you waited for a reply. at least while the cute stranger was distracted by the menu, you could use the opportunity to stare.

mentally, ellie was a mess. she had held the skill of reading for the majority of her life now, but ellie couldn't make sense of a single word that was displayed on the menu. everything blurred together and she could feel your eyes on her as she scrambled for something to say.

"uh, what do you recommend?" ellie questioned, meeting your gaze. her cheeks burned when she noticed that you had winced. ellie wasn't being cute or friendly, she was being annoying. the last thing that you probably wanted was to rattle off a list of seasonal beverages you had been asked to promote. ellie mentally cursed herself, but you were stuttering for an answer before she could take her inquiry back.

"oh! um, well there's the..." you glanced over your shoulder at the seasonal drink specials, and ellie held back a grimace. poor fucking girl, she thought.

your face burned. you were still pretty new to the job, and honestly, penny pinching. despite the few that you've snuck during your shift, you hadn't tried many of the drinks yet. you so badly wanted to have a quick answer, something to impress her with your amazing taste. instead, you faltered, taking too long to answer.

"sorry," you laughed, shaking your head sheepishly. "i'm pretty new to this," you explained, ignoring the stare that you were getting from your co-worker. please don't ask to help me, you silently pleaded. despite the awkwardness of the interaction, you didn't want it to be cut short. you wanted to know if her freckles were always that visible, or if they popped out more due to the summer sun.

"that's okay," ellie said, a little too quickly. she looked down at the nametag that you wore on your apron. your name was written neatly, in your own style with a mix of cursive and regular letters. you had drawn a little flower next to your name.

"that board has some of our summer features though," you explained, finally regaining your footing. you nodded in the direction of a display board. "they're super popular, people really like them. i've tried the lavender one actually, it's super good. uh, we unfortunately don't get the pumpkin spice stuff in for... two more weeks, i think? so... i'm sorry about that," you quietly rambled, wringing your hands.

"pumpkin spice? it's barely september," ellie commented, wrinkling her nose. her attention was drawn to your nails, painted perfectly and neat. she wondered how big of a fool she would be making herself out to be if she attempted to flirt with you.

you shrugged, grinningly bashfully. "it's good," you resigned.

noted, ellie thought. i like pumpkin spice now. ellie opened her mouth to ask about the lavender thing, but the girl behind her in line obnoxiously cleared her throat.

ellie's eyebrows raised and you glanced apologetically at the other girl, who was tapping her foot.

"i'll be right with you," you commented. the girl scoffed and ellie's lips twisted at the sound. you were so sweet, wasting one of your pretty smiles on someone who didn't deserve it.

"yeah, no big deal," the girl replied sarcastically. "it's not like i have a class to get to or anything." she looked around the room, trying to garner support for herself, but no one was paying attention.

"i'll be right with you," you reiterated with a harsher tone. ellie fully blushed, feeling guilty for delaying the interaction. now you were getting backlash and your co-worker was completely eyeing you up, and ellie felt at fault for it. you met her eyes again, apologizing with a sad smile. ellie's grip on the strap of her bag tightened.

"sorry," ellie mumbled as her cheeks burned. "i'll get, um-"

the girl in line sighed again and ellie lost her train of thought, noticing that you were holding back your frustration with a tight smile. finally, a good idea emerged in ellie's head. she knew dina's order by heart. dina was certainly a creature of habit, at least when it came to her food and drink orders. ellie had heard dina order a million times.

ellie confidently allowed dina's coffee order to roll off of her tongue. you blinked in surprise as she gave specific directions, a direct contrast to how clueless she had seemed just a moment ago.

you frantically entered the order into the system, scared of making a mistake and looking dumb. "hey," you called softly, gaining the attention of your co-worker. you recited the order to him, to which he nodded in understanding.

"what's your name?" you asked politely. you grabbed a sharpie, waiting.

ellie's heart skipped a beat and she thought maybe she would have stood a chance, until she realized that you were asking for the drink and not because you genuinely wanted to know.

except, really, you did want to know. having to ask was just a perk.

"ellie."

"ellie," you repeatedly warmly. it was the best thing that ellie had ever heard. "i like it," you mumbled, grabbing a cup from a stack.

"thank you," ellie mumbled, watching as you wrote her name on the cup. your teeth pulled at your bottom lip in concentration, determined to use your best writing. once you had gotten to the second L, you looked up.

"oh," you realized sheepishly. "you can go wait at the end," you gently instructed her. ellie could've facepalmed herself for her stupidity, but didn't want to drag herself away from your presence. ellie wanted to say something more, but failed. she did, however, feel as though she had caused you enough trouble for the day. ellie gave you an awkward smile, as genuine as she could manage, before moving to step away.

once ellie had turned away, you realized your mistake.

"oh! wait!" you called, your voice louder than it had been all day. ellie froze, wondering if she had done something wrong or maybe you wanted to ask for her number.

the girl who was supposed to be next groaned.

"i'm so sorry," you whispered once ellie's body was in front of you again. "i forgot to have you pay," you muttered your confession, humiliated as your co-worker made a tsssk sound.

ellie thought that after this, she might drop out of college and move somewhere, maybe the country. somewhere far away from civilization.

"fuck," ellie swore under her breath, quickly rummaging through her bag for her wallet. "sorry," she said. you gave her the total, eyes lingering on ellie's tattoo while she swiped her card.

"um, do you want a reward card?" you asked, your voice sounding more robotic compared to before.

ellie was ready to automatically say no, but she took in the sight of your rounded cheeks and bashful smile.

"i would love one," ellie replied, and she felt as though her body jolted when your fingers grazed hers, handing over the card.

"if you buy nine drinks, the tenth one is on us!" you chirped, clearly haven gave this spiel before.

"jesus, nine?" ellie grumbled, and to her horror, your smile dropped.

"that's a great number!" she exclaimed awkwardly, scrambling to fix her mistake.

you nodded. "have a good day," you dismissed, and ellie's stomach lurched.

as ellie made her way to the end of the counter, she heard an exasperated "finally!" before you began to mumble apologies. ellie rolled her eyes. asshole.

when her name was called and she was handed her drink, ellie froze. her name, written pretty in your handwriting, punctuated with a doodle of a smile. her pulse quicked, and ellie wondered if she had always been this pathetic or if she had just gotten soft.

before she left, she turned around to give you one last look. you saw her heading for the door, and strained your neck to look at ellie once more before she was gone. you made eye contact, and ellie almost did an awkward half wave that certainly would've kept her up at night, cringing.

you tore your eyes away from ellie, mentally cursing yourself. but god, she was cute.

ellie shook her head discouragingly, once again met with the warm breeze of the afternoon as she stepped outside. she stared down at the little smiley on her cup. ellie frowned. she didn't really like coffee, but she also didn't want to throw it away. she heaved a sigh, holding the beverage as she began her trudge to class.

the doodled smiley carried ellie on a high throughout the entire day.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

ellie had come to find out that maybe, she wasn't particularly good at rationalizing with herself.

she figured that she would have a pretty good chance at seeing you again if she were to visit the cafe on the same day of the week and at the same time that she had previously seen you. she also figured that purposefully seeking out a stranger at their place of employment was pretty damn creepy.

when ellie passed by the cafe on her newly adjusted route to class, she craned her neck each time in hopes of catching a glimpse of you through the window. unfortunately for herself, ellie hadn't been so lucky.

if she had seen you, would she go inside?

mentally, ellie told herself no, but the answer was lousy.

maybe ellie would have, but only to try that lavender whatever drink that has been advertised on the chalkboard sign outside of the cafe. the flowers decorating the board looked a lot like the one doodled on your nametag and... did you draw them? was it your handwriting in purple, swooping letters that she saw now, nearly every day?

will power strong, but her delusion even stronger, ellie did not revisit the cafe and she did not have a crush on a barista that she met only once.

it was purely coincidental that exactly a week later, ellie left early for class again. she accidentally found herself walking the path to the cafe, and since she was so early anyway, ellie found no harm in stopping inside to get a break from the early september heat.

it was practically empty inside, so ellie's gaze quickly found its way to you.

you appreciated a slow day. the campus starbucks had finally staffed up enough to open for the semester, consequently stealing a lot of the little cafe's business. your coworkers complained and groaned about the matter, but you didn't mind. you sort of preferred it like this anyway.

the door chiming drew your attention instantly, and you were quick to recognize the auburn haired girl from the previous week. the sight of her made you grin, teeth on display before you had a moment to overthink it.

ellie's eyes were on you from the moment she stepped inside, and you noticeably faltered.

you weren't smiling right, so you straightened up your posture and dropped your eyes. you didn't want to smile too much, in a way that would be strange to greet a customer that you had only once before.

you pressed your lips into a tight smile. more formal, less i'm glad to see you again. i totally wasn't keeping an eye out for you during every single shift.

there was no line to restrain ellie today, and she sort of wished that there had been. a handful of seconds felt like ages as ellie shuffled to the counter. you were fidgeting, looking at ellie and then looking away.

ellie thought that she might be able to be confident today, swift and suave and just flirty enough to let you on to the idea that she could potentially be interested.

interested in what exactly, ellie wasn't so sure. she had girlfriends before, of course, and had admittedly flirted with her fair share of girls through time. obsessing over somebody random after one encounter though, that was new.

"uh, hey," ellie coughed. off to a fucking strong start, moron.

"hi!" you chirped, wringing your hands behind the counter. if you remembered her, and acted as such, would she think it was weird? what if you pretended not to remember her, but she did remember you, and then she thought that you were rude?

the sound of your voice filled a void that had been left within ellie since the previous week. the reaction it prompted within her was so fucking ridiculous that she deemed herself to be an idiot.

ellie did not have feelings for a barista that she saw once.

well, twice now, but still. no fucking thank you.

"what can i do for you?" you questioned, customer service manners causing your voice to raise in pitch.

there's a few things that you could- ellie scrunched her eyebrows with a pained expression, tearing herself away from the disgusting thought. jesus christ, what was actually wrong with her?

your smile never wavered as you waited, but your heart was racing. why on earth was it so awkward?

c'mon, fucking pull yourself together. if it goes wrong, you never have to show your face in here again, ellie thought.

"i actually wanted to try that drink you recommended last time," ellie said smoothly.

surprise registered clearly across your face, along with one blaring thought. she remembered you!

the second thought, the always displeasing afterthought, dropped like a weight in your chest. you were pretty sure the cafe didn't have the ingredients you would need.

you smiled anyway, (she remembered you!) giddy and nervous.

"the lavender one, right?" you questioned, and ellie was so in. you remembered the interaction, which might not mean anything at all, but it was better than being forgotten.

"right," ellie confirmed, nodding once with an easy smile.

"right," you repeated, and ellie instantly noticed the uncomfortable expression on your face. shit.

“um so,” you winced as you started, really not in the mood to receive the lashings of an unhappy customer. “i believe we are actually out of the lavender, i can go check in the back just to make sure if you want…”

ellie wanted to say no, that’s totally fine, you’re beautiful and don’t even worry about it, but her mouth tended to work faster than her brain.

ideally, she wouldn’t be opposed to a moment alone to compose herself, so ellie mumbled a quick “sure, that’s fine,” and tried not to be a creep as you turned and quickly walked away, disappearing behind a set of doors into the back.

you already knew there was no possible way that you could make the drink, and you already knew that there were no extra ingredients hidden in the back. you wondered if you could stay hidden and just not go back out.

"i am so sorry," you began, voice high and apologetic as you made your way back to your standing place. "unfortunately we don't ha-"

"that's fine!" ellie squeaked, crimson patching its way onto her cheeks. ellie thought that maybe she should buy you a drink, since it seemed like she only showed up to cause extra trouble for you.

ellie pictured it so clearly in her mind, asking whatever your favorite drink was and ordering it, only to give it to you instead. was that smooth, or lame? she imagined telling jesse and dina about it later and pictured them giving her praise instead of wincing in second-hand embarrassment, so it was game on.

"is there anything else i could get you?" you questioned, tugging at your bottom lip with your teeth.

"actually-"

"hey, excuse me, can i get an ice water to go?"

ellie quickly snapped in the direction of the person who interrupted her. a guy stood near a table in which he was previously sat, packing up a laptop and notebook.

"of course!" you turned away from ellie and she would have sworn that she felt her heart burst. "what size?"

ellie watched intently, jealous as you prepared the simple water cup. why couldn't she be an easy customer like that? what the fuck was wrong with her?

"sorry about that," you muttered sheepishly. your hand hovered over the cash register, still waiting to take ellie's order.

your nails were painted the same color as last time, ellie noted, but they were starting to chip.

"it's all good," ellie breezed, and suddenly remembered that she actually had a class to get to. she recited the previous coffee order without a second thought, thanks dina, and you nodded along intently. you weren't really great at remembering faces and their orders, but something in you made you want to memorize ellie's.

ellie paid (you remembered this time, but no co-worker was around to see it) and she held back a snort when you pulled out a little pink stamp pad.

"do you have your reward card?" you questioned, leaving ellie to look dumbfounded.

"my what?"

"the reward card? buy nine drinks, the tenth is on us?"

"oh! oh, shit," ellie fumbled for her wallet, making a sound of recognition as she pulled out the card. "of course i do," ellie remarked. you swallowed a giggle.

you stamped her card with the pretty pink ink and then began to make the drink. ellie mentally cursed herself for once again ordering something that she didn't like, but it was too late now.

"here you go!" you presented. you had wrote ellie on the cup, even though you technically didn't need to since no one else was around. ellie appreciated it anyway.

"thanks," she murmured, failing to meet your gaze.

"have a good day, okay?"

"you too," ellie remarked, holding up her cup in parting.

when she was outside and the fresh air began to clear her mind, ellie forbid herself from ever going back to that cafe. it was painfully and unnecessarily awkward, especially considering that she didn't know you.

still, her heartstrings were tugged as she stared down at the drink in her hand. last time, your co-worker had actually been the one to make the drink, so ellie didn't feel any guilt about pouring it down the sink.

however, you were the one to make it today. and you were so sweet, and ellie couldn't bear to just throw it away.

ellie gulped, staring at the cup with a grimace. she took a fast, quick sip, and then coughed into her arm so she wouldn't gag.

ellie still fucking hated coffee. but she finished off the drink, just because you made it.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

the next morning, ellie was up early with a mission. a study session with dina wasn't exactly the best thing to motivate ellie to wake up early, but an excuse to see if you were working definitely was.

ellie had no clue of your schedule except for the one day of the week that she had already seen you. it might have been a long shot, but fuck it, the least she could do was get dina a coffee on her way.

campus was quiet when it was early. ellie certainly preferred it that way. it was peaceful, the way the morning light projected a certain softness onto her surroundings. she knew the cafe was open this early, ellie had googled it about seven times the night prior and twice more in the morning to be safe.

to confirm the information once more, ellie could see the glowing lights through the window. it appeared empty, and ellie couldn't even tell who the person was inside until she entered.

"hi," you said almost instantly, and your tone made it clear that you were surprised.

"hi," ellie repeated, not being able to believe her luck.

you had been wiping a table, but you placed the rag down and moved to the counter as you continued to speak.

"you're really determined to burn through that reward card, huh?"

your joke caught ellie off guard, and her feet were carrying her before she told them to. ellie didn't even feel like a person yet, how were you making jokes so early?

"i'll be getting my free drink by noon," ellie retorted.

"ambitious, i like it," you laughed.

ellie was going to have a good day.

she didn't really give a fuck about the reward card, honestly, ellie would only use it if you were around. she was prepared on the off chance that you would be working, and caught you by surprise as she slapped it on the countertop.

"so what'll it be? your usual?" you questioned, tilting your head to the side.

ellie mentally cursed herself for hitting rock bottom, because receiving basic customer service shouldn't be having that effect on her.

"yeah, actually," ellie confirmed, looking flustered as her face dusted pink.

"perfect," you murmured, fingers dancing along the order screen. shit.

"um, shit," you laughed awkwardly, face burning. "i promise i know it but also could you like, remind me?"

ellie laughed because everything about you was so endearing and also because she didn't want you to feel embarrassed.

"for sure," ellie enthused, going through the steps of the order. as you tapped the screen, ellie noted that your nails were painted a different color today.

you were a little slower at making the drink today, not that ellie minded. it was peaceful, watching you hum as you did every step so delicately. ellie felt lucky to be the only person there with you, and then hoped she wasn't weird for having the thought.

the song playing quietly through the speakers above caught ellie's attention once she had noticed that it was the one that you were humming along to. the sound of the acoustic guitar got stuck in ellie's head like a daydream, your absent minded mutters filling the spaces of silence.

"oh man, i love this song," ellie gushed.

"yeah?" you looked up with a grin, pleased by ellie's comment. "me too."

perfect girl. ellie watched as you picked up a sharpie, turning your back to her.

"what other stuff do you guys play here?" ellie questioned, craning her neck to try and see what you were drawing on her cup.

"uh," you didn't think that you had ever been this concentrated on decorating someone's cup before. "anything, mostly. we play our own playlists, like, whoever's working, you know?"

ellie nodded, even though you couldn't see her. "this is yours?"

"my playlist?" you turned back around, immediately caught in ellie's green eyed gaze. "yeah! i don't play my own stuff much though, unless i'm here alone."

"i get that," ellie murmured, watching as you once again made yourself busy.

it was quiet just for a moment, until you handed ellie her drink. your fingers touched for just a moment but your pulse quickened. you hoped you weren't making things weird, but worried that you were by the way ellie dropped her eyes after the small touch.

ellie was silent while she payed, but only because she was trying to think of something more to say.

"hey," ellie said suddenly, causing your eyebrows to raise. "you didn't stamp my card," she complained.

"oops," you said, reaching for your stamp.

"i can't believe you're trying to cheat me out of a free drink," ellie stated, feigning fake shock.

"yeah, guess you'll just have to come back more," you responded through a laugh.

your joke sobered ellie's expression. the brief change made you freeze, and you couldn't decide whether or not the joke was incorrect. oh my god, you barely knew her. then again, it could have been passed off as just a joke about getting more business.

"guess i will," ellie agreed quietly, and your breath caught in your throat. was she joking or flirting? was there something, or were you sleep deprived and crushing on an extremely attractive girl that you barely even knew?

ellie felt satisfied with herself, though was determined to leave before she could manage to fuck anything up.

"thank you," she concluded, moving towards the door.

"anytime. see you soon for that free drink, right?"

ellie scanned your features and cracked a smile. "definitely. have a good one, okay?"

"okay," you sighed and then coughed awkwardly. "have a good day!"

after ellie had left, you slid down to the floor and covered your head in your hands. what the hell were you doing?

ellie quickened her pace to get to dina's, but after one glance at her cup she stopped short.

in black sharpie, you had drawn a flower and a little bee. and then, ellie's name in cursive.

fuck.

ellie looked back towards the direction of the cafe, wondering how creepy she might come off as if she were to march back in there and ask you out.

the doodle on the cup quite literally made her heart ache, and she stood indecisively on the sidewalk.

ellie had gotten this coffee for dina to be a good friend.

ellie also could not fucking stand the idea of passing this cup off to dina and then seeing it be thrown in the trash.

"fuck," ellie muttered.

whatever, dina could use her own fucking cup.

ellie would explain, sort of. maybe.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

"ellie, what the hell is wrong with you?"

dina's shoes slapped heavy against the pavement in a rushed attempt to keep up with her best friend. her hand reached for ellie's arm, a little aggressively, as ellie nearly shoulder checked some guy zooming past on a skateboard.

"huh? nothing," ellie dismissed, blinking around her surroundings as if she had never been on campus before.

"yeah? nothing? since when do you ever want to get a coffee," dina mocked the way ellie had proposed the plan earlier, earning a frustrated sigh from the auburn haired girl.

ellie shook her head, fixating her eyes on the little cafe that she was growing quite familiar (and fond) of.

"change of scenery would be nice," ellie grumbled. "come on, i'm being a good friend. you love this place."

"you're being so weird," dina muttered, stepping ahead of ellie to open the door.

the sudden chill of the air conditioning was a shock to ellie's warm skin. she tried not to look at you as she trailed in after dina.

"i'm gonna get-"

"let me," ellie interrupted, causing dina to raise an eyebrow. "how about you find us a seat and i'll order drinks, yeah?"

the environment was loud with orders and chatter, leaving little room to set up and study. ellie straightened her posture, appearing a lot more confident than she felt.

dina nodded, rolling her eyes with a grin. "i'll grab a table."

ellie waited until dina's back was turned to take a shaky breath as she pivoted to the ordering counter. there wasn't much of a line, only one person, though a gaggle of people waited off to the side for their names to be called.

you didn't notice ellie until she was in line, shifting on her feet and stealing glances that she probably assumed you wouldn't catch.

"hi," you chirped, gaining her attention.

ellie's gaze snapped upwards. she felt surprised to hear your voice, even though you were the sole reason for her even coming inside in the first place. the smile that graced your lips made her head spin, and she was suddenly all too aware that dina was probably watching her now.

"hi," ellie repeated, a little too meekly for her own liking.

"how are you?" you questioned, dropping any trace of your customer service voice.

"good now," ellie replied.

you raised a curious brow but smiled anyway, the presence of your ever growing favorite 'stranger' was exactly the type of break that you yearned for on a day like today.

there was no denying the silly way that ellie made you feel, no matter how much you argued it with yourself.

it wasn't typical of you to get butterflies while customers were ordering.

you relaxed your posture, grateful that there was a lack of impatient people lining up behind ellie. your co-worker was making drinks so you were free to chat, even just for a minute.

"what can i get for you?" you forced yourself to meet ellie's eyes, which you realized quickly was a difficult task.

looking in her eyes for too long made your head whirl. her gaze was so steady, so intentional, it honestly threw you for a loop.

when ellie began to recite the coffee order that you were expecting, you laughed a little and tapped away on the ordering screen and ellie's mouth felt dry with nerves.

"-and uh, a water. please," ellie finished, resting her hand and wallet on the counter.

"switching things up on me now?" you joked, shaking your head with a tsk. "just as i was starting to memorize it."

"gotta keep you on your toes," ellie quipped. if she leaned in closer, just a little, she could smell your perfume. "surely all your other customers don't give you enough of a hard time."

you smiled knowingly with a quick laugh, grabbing the card that ellie was now holding out to you. your fingers touched just briefly and ellie flushed instantly.

"you're totally the most difficult customer we've ever had," you deadpanned.

the humor was on ellie's caliber, and she had started it, yet your sarcastic remark instantly had her feeling guilty.

"right," ellie muttered, and she felt stupid because she knew it was a joke and you were only playing along and what did she expect, a fucking compliment?

"i'm kidding," you rushed, sliding ellie's card back to her. "you're like, the best one."

now ellie really felt like an idiot. she fumbled to return her card into her wallet and tried to ignore how warm she felt.

you smiled awkwardly and ellie wanted to believe that you were being sincere on a personal level, not just reciting some customer service bullshit. completely aware of the fact that she was overthinking it, ellie choked on a laugh. maybe she was just scarred from the trader joe's shopping experience.

"you say that to everyone," ellie recovered, her voice a lot smoother than she felt.

"oh," you disagreed, wide eyed. "pinkie promise. i like when you come in 'cause i don't have to worry about potentially being yelled at or like, verbally attacked."

ellie briefly contemplated making a stupid joke, but your twitchy smile made her heart ache and she wished that she could hang out in the cafe all day, ready to defend you from any asshole that comes in with an attitude.

"never," ellie responded, finally catching your eye. "i would never."

"i know," you replied softly, and immediately felt your face grow warm with embarrassment. why were you being so earnest? you didn't ACTUALLY know, anyway. but you wanted to trust those green eyes, so you did.

this is good, ellie thought. she wanted to say something else, maybe ask a question, but you pushed off the counter and clicked your tongue.

"i'll get you the water while you wait for your coffee," you said quickly, turning away and making yourself busy.

ellie's mouth snapped shut, her racing thoughts stopping dead in their tracks. she noticed that the bow you wore in your hair matched the color of your slouchy sweater and she had to get to know you.

pouring a water obviously didn't take as long as preparing a coffee, so ellie didn't understand why she seemed so caught off guard when you handed her the water.

"thanks..." ellie murmured. talking was usually pretty easy for ellie, considering how long she's been able to do it, so the fact that her mouth and words were drying up now had her about ready to tug at her hair in frustration.

"sorry," you smiled sheepishly. "i would totally make your coffee so you wouldn't have to wait, but i'm on register duty.. so..."

ellie noticed as you tapped your painted nails on the register and oh my fucking god, your nails matched your bow and sweater. how the fuck?

"that's okay, i don't mind waiting," ellie replied smoothly, and the words left her mouth before she could even process them. "as long as i can wait over here?"

here was referring to exactly where she was standing, at the counter with you. your cheeks burned and you nodded once, a silent reply.

"sure," you finally managed to choke out. "i don't blame you, it gets overwhelming waiting in crowds like that..."

fumbled. fumbled fumbled fumbled.

"uh, yeah."

as awkward as it was, you hoped it took a while longer for ellie's drink to be finished. she was cute, there was no sense in trying to deny yourself from acknowledging it. it's not like you were going to say anything, and if it made five minutes of your day more interesting, so what?

"don't tell me you forgot about the reward card," you teased, an easy fall back.

"never," ellie replied, but her eyes widened as she struggled to find it in her wallet. "shit."

you shook your head in disapproval. "and to think i just called you my best customer?"

"ouch," ellie mumbled. "i'll find it, i swear," ellie rushed, taking the idea of a stupid card much too seriously. she was well aware of the fact, but still. you were the one to give it to her after all.

you giggled at her strained expression and rose colored cheeks. "don't worry about it. hey, have you been to that coffee shop downtown?"

ellie's heartbeat quickened, and she wondered if you could tell based purely upon the look on her face. she was nearly ecstatic that you were genuinely talking to her, asking her something, and she wanted to deliver. it was a little deflating though. ellie didn't really love coffee shops, and she didn't want to provide you with an underwhelming answer.

"which one?" ellie inquired, loving the little smile that appeared on your lips before you answered her question.

"it's on the corner of main, on the inside it has this super cool v-"

"vinyl store?" ellie finished, beaming with excitement. "dude, i fucking love that place. i'm there like, every week."

"yeah?" you enthused, butterflies swirling your stomach. "me too! maybe we like... saw each other there before."

"i don't think so," ellie said instantly.

"i mean, you might've, maybe you just don't remember," you offered.

"i would've remembered," ellie replied seriously. she quickly wondered if her response was too cheesy, but you drew your eyes downward and tried to suppress a smile and ellie felt fine.

"fair enough," you mumbled, tracing shapes on the counter.

"so, do you collect vinyls or do you just-"

"did you forget my drink order or what?" dina joked, coming up behind ellie.

ellie shook her head, shifting awkwardly on her feet. shit.

"just waiting," ellie mumbled. she didn't know why she felt uncomfortable, maybe the idea of crushing on the barista at her friend's favorite coffee shop when she didn't even LIKE coffee but was suddenly spending all of her free minutes there, was, odd.

you recognized the girl next to ellie, dina. she came in pretty frequently.

ellie's name was called by your co-worker as her, no - dina's drink was placed on the counter.

"well, wait no longer," dina laughed, playfully shoving ellie away.

ellie glanced at you briefly before grabbing the drink, handing it off to dina with a cheesy grin.

oh.

oh.

the smile dropped from your face just as it felt as though your heart dropped into your stomach. you felt so stupid. especially considering all of the effort you had put into trying to make ellie's cups look cute, and they weren't even for ellie.

you watched as they sat down together and huffed out a sigh, startling as your co-worker tapped you on the shoulder to inform you that they were going on break.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

ellie couldn't stop thinking about you. she had avoided the cafe for a few days following your last interaction. she didn't understand why, but it made her feel guilty.

it's not like she even had a reason to feel that way. but hey, she was a loyal girl. if she decidedly had a secret crush on a barista that she barely knew, it was sacred!

the way that your demeanor had changed was stuck in ellie's head, and honestly, maybe it was making her a little too hopeful. the look on your face had to have meant something.

on the other hand, this was coming from someone who's idea of flirting was smiling while somewhat remaining eye contact.

seriously. seriously? fuck it.

ellie didn't like coffee anyway.

if she completely humiliated herself and ultimately freaked you out forever, she just wouldn't go back to the cafe! easy!

the sunlight covering campus was soft. it would be dark soon, and ellie felt exhausted after a long day of classes. she was well aware that this was definitely a long shot, but she had to try. she had been buying a lot of coffee lately.

please, please let it be worth something.

the sky was fading blue when ellie appeared upon the cafe. the sign on the door said CLOSED! but the lights were on and ellie could've fallen to her knees and screamed thank you to the universe because she could see that you were inside.

you didn't flinch when the bell on the door chimed, signaling its opening.

"we're closed," you stated without looking up, powering off a small machine.

"i know," ellie breathed, standing in the doorway.

you blinked, suddenly feeling flushed. you straightened your posture and waited, unsure what to make of the situation.

surely she wasn't secretly one of those people who were like, i don't care if you're closed, give me my damn coffee now!

you silently pleaded to the universe for that to not be the case. you already had a rough day as is.

"what do you want?" you asked, a hint of exhaustion in your tone.

everything in ellie's body wanted to backpedal. maybe she really did misread everything.

"um, i wanted to say.. uh-"

oh for fuck's sake. just say it.

"i wanted to say sorry?" ellie offered, false confidence leading her to the counter.

"sorry for what?" you questioned, wrinkling your nose.

"i don't like coffee," ellie blurted out. the absurdity made you laugh.

"that's.. okay?" you crossed your arms, raising an eyebrow at the green eyed girl.

"i've just been buying them for my friend," ellie continued, adding more emphasis than necessary to friend.

you pretended not to be delighted. "that's okay. it doesn't matter who customers buy their drinks for," you pointed out.

ellie swallowed a sigh. being referred to plainly as a customer (even though that's exactly what she was) was possibly the most devastating thing to ever happen in her life.

"i know," ellie replied, really amping it up. "i just wanted you to know. that i was buying them for a friend."

your heart was beating so quickly, you felt like a hummingbird.

"oh," you muttered, feeling stumped. "it doesn't matter what i think," you said quickly, looking at the floor.

"it does. i liked the bee. and the little flower. they were cute," ellie explained. her cheeks were completely red and yours were certainly warming up as well.

"thanks.. i thought they were cute too," you said softly, kicking your shoe at the ground.

"great. can i have your number?"

as the words left ellie she blinked heavily, startled by her own actions.

your brain turned to mush. you wanted to laugh but nothing came out so you just stared at ellie in silence.

"mine?"

ellie nodded.

"sure," you breathed, walking to pull out a pad of paper by the register. you retrieved a pen and wrote your number, followed by your name in cursive.

ellie waited in silence, holding her breath. you very easily could've just typed your number into her phone, but ellie found it incredibly endearing that you actually wrote it down instead.

"it's really nice of you to do stuff like that," you murmured, handing the paper to ellie. "buying coffee for a friend and all that."

"not entirely," ellie disagreed, forcing herself to meet your eyes.

you raised your eyebrows in question, and ellie shook her head.

"it wasn't exactly selfless."

"why?" you asked, a curious smile embellishing your features.

"i was only buying stuff so i had an excuse to come in."

you bit back a grin and leaned against the counter. "it's still nice of you to get something for someone else if you didn't like coffee... but why didn't you get like, a smoothie or tea or something?"

ellie didn't have an answer, you could tell by the look on her face and it made you laugh.

"what do you like?" you asked.

"i don't know? tea's fine. hot chocolate?"

you rolled your eyes, pointing to the menu above you that clearly had hot chocolate labeled as a menu item.

"so what? it's september." ellie wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"oh, you're one of those people," you observed, watching ellie's features contort into confusion.

"one of what people?"

"people who only drink seasonally appropriate drinks," you pointed out.

"i... guess?" ellie tried to hold a decent conversation, but she was still buzzing about getting your number and the way your perfume was the best thing that she had ever smelled.

"want me to make you something?" you questioned suddenly. "i bet that i can make you something that you'll actually like, and it won't be coffee."

ellie nodded immediately, but her words conflicted her. "aren't you closed?"

you shrugged, grinning at the girl standing opposite of you. "it's not a big deal. plus, it gets creepy at night. it'll be more fun closing up with some company."

ellie nodded once more, and she would absolutely stay for every single closing shift you ever had if you wanted her to.

you paced back and forth a bit, pulling out some supplies and flipping on some machines.

"what kind of tea do you like?" you inquired, peering over at ellie. "black? green? white? oolong?"

"the... fucking, brown kind?"

your eyebrows raised as you scanned her features, trying to determine whether or not she was joking.

ellie cracked an uneasy smile.

"do you like matcha, or do you think it tastes like grass and dirt?"

"uh-"

"right! i got it," you said decidedly, making yourself busy as ellie watched in confusion and wonder.

the tea that you made was simple, but not plain. it was earthy but not too bitter or dark, and it was a brighter flavor compared to coffee.

ellie chatted with you while you were busy, about majors and assholes on campus that drag their feet and take up entire walkways.

she was actually really easy to talk to, and funny too.

ellie was just glad that she didn't need an excuse to talk to you anymore.

"okay," you announced with bravado. "try this."

you placed the cup in front of ellie, and she hesitantly took a sip.

"it's totally fine if you hate it, there's zero pressure," you clarified.

ellie popped the lid off of the cup, smelling the tea before she took another drink. "it's actually really good," ellie enthused.

"really?" you beamed, feeling quite proud of yourself.

ellie frowned but her heart soared. it was, to ellie's taste, the perfect drink.

"really," ellie confirmed. "how much do i owe?"

you swatted her away, smiling slyly. "consider it your tenth."

ellie faked a gasp. "is that allowed?"

"for you, yeah." you thought for a moment, chewing on your bottom lip. "but will you please bring your reward card back sometime so that i can stamp it? i bought a bunch of cute stamps and i don't really get to use them 'cause no one ever-"

"absolutely," ellie replied seriously, eyes flicking over your face. this would possibly, definitely, be her best fucking semester yet. ever.

and her favorite cafe. and her favorite drink.

and her favorite barista.

ellie stayed with you while you finished closing, which was sweet.

together you made plans to go to the vinyl shop, after ellie asked if she could ever see you when you weren't on the clock.

you made ellie another tea for the road, but you spent extra time decorating the cup with frilly flowers, little animal characters, and ellie's name in your very best handwriting.

ellie would hold on to that cup, too.

[tteokdoroki]

this is entirely self indulgent but im just imaging bakugou attempting to get the sound out cinnamoroll build a bear for you! fluff + fem!reader

“god fuckin’ damn it. these resell prices are fuckin’ insane.”

with his brows furrowed, katsuki slams a closed fist down on his desk— his other hand running through his soft blonde hair similarly to the waves of stress that roll over him. just as he clicks onto another listing, deku slips through the door to his office with his freshly packed bento in tow.

“hey kacchan! what’cha doin’?” the number one chirps, making himself at home in his old childhood friend’s space. he hauls himself up in one of the spare chairs, setting up his food and getting comfortable— frowning when bakugou barely spares him a glance.

frustration hits bakugou hard again when the item he was after goes to another and higher bidder— an irritated grumble slipping past his lips. “fuck nerd, lost it again,” looking up, he swipes a bite of deku’s lunch and munched hard on his onigiri before he’s perks up with a thought. “get on yer phone, load up ebay. need yer help midoriya.”

this catches deku’s attention— their whole lives, kacchan has never ever called him by his proper name. so he does as he says, swiping open the app obediently. “what exactly are you looking for?”

“the god damn cinnamoroll build-a-bear.” katsuki says through gritted teeth, aggressively scrolling through the various listings open on his work laptop. it’s the middle of the day, most people are working or patrolling. for christ’s sake and it’s absolutely blowing his mind— the fact that a stupid stuffed animal has sold out in mere minutes. now he’s stuck looking at ridiculous reseller prices.

but it’s not a stupid stuffed animal, it’s a stuffed animal that you want so badly, that you’ve been talking about since it’s announcement— with sparkly eyes and excitement in your voice. bakugou knew he had to get it for you. you do so much for him every single day, the least he could do is indulge your little sanrio addiction and get you the plushy of your dreams.

“k-kacchan, it’s sold out almost everywhere— and the price is like ridiculously high—“

“i know that, nerd!” there it is, back to the snazzy nicknames. “but i promised her, whatever it takes to get that fuckin’ cinnamoroll bear, okay?” bakugou says with a seriousness it almost scares izuku shitless. the green haired hero gives his friend an affirmative nod and gets to hunting. this is important to him, to treat you his girlfriend like the princess she deserves— even if it means fighting for his life for a bit of sanrio merchandise.

katsuki bakugou is known for a lot of things; brute force, determination and loyalty and deku can see him exhibit all three of those in the comfort of his office— entering a bidding war for the last cinnamoroll plushy.

one that bakugou happily delivers to you, a week later— falling hopelessly in love with the angelic grin on your face.

[cyberkitty1]

Secrets

- he knows that the work he does is dangerous and could very easily all blow up in his face, but he wants.. no needs to keep you and the other two people he has in his life. He keeps his work away from home he doesn’t want you or his mother to figure out anything. But one small mistake and he releases his secret.

“ Where is he? “ you mumbled to yourself dressed casually ready for your pre-planned date with Miles. You guys where planning on going to small restaurants to eat at them go to him place for a movie. Checking the time on your phone your realize he’s an hour late late. He was supposed to pick you up at 7:00.

So you text him

y/n. where are u??? you where supposed to pick me up over an hour ago

seen

“ Are you kidding me? “. You stare at your phone waiting for a response but it doesn’t happen. you start to get frustrated, upset even. The tears build in your eyes as you tilt your head up to the sealing. This is the fifth time he flaked on you, in a row.

You decide to get undressed, no point in waiting anymore. Just as you where about to lay down and put on your favorite show, Bzzz he texted you.

miles. im sorry mami i got called in for work ill make it up to you

y/n. so work is more important than me now???

miles. dont start now we will talk later

y/n. sure

seen

She was mad, beyond mad angry. The thing that got to her the most was that he told her he would take her out not the other way around. Slowly the anger turned into sadness, why was he always working? Was this so called work even important? was he cheating? No he would never.

You where just so confused. You checked the time and saw is was already 10 o’clock, had you thought that much? You sighed brining the blanket up to your neck turning off the TV to watch tiktoks on your phone. He texted you multiple times but you where not in the mood to respond.

Suddenly you heard the familiar sound of your window being opened. You knew who it was but you didn’t want to look; continuing to face the opposite way.

You heard him close the window behind him and walk a couple steps. “I know youre awake” he said “ I never said I wasnt “ you spit back. “ well you werent even looking at my texts, whys that?” he questioned. You sat up turning twords him “ you know why! “ tears filling your eyes.

“I waited an hour for you to show up but you never did! I waited and waited until i gave up.” Miles sighs holding the bridge of his nose. “ im sorry you know that, I had work-” “ oh! so work is more important than me? Youre willing to ditch me so you can go do your so called “ work” you said doing air quotations.

His face hardens “alto, te dije cuando nos pusimos serios que mi trabajo me llama al azar. Whenever they need me I go” he sighed. You thought about what you were going to say next. “ Ok Miles, but i need you too” you tried to keep your voice even but failed, your eyes welled with tears threatening to fall. He sat next to you on your bed.

“Lo sé mami, lo siento, sé que puse el trabajo antes que tú, pero estoy haciendo esto para mantenerte a salvo, ¿verdad?.” You only stared at him. “ Keep me safe from what?” He closed his eyes taking a deep breath, and explained to you everything from the moment his dad died.

“ Solo lo hago para que mi mamá no tenga que trabajar tanto por dinero. Ella ya hace tanto por mí que necesito ayudar. Do you understand?” You turn and look at his brown eyes just as the moonlight hits them. His eye bags are dark his face is tired.

You know what he does now and for some reason you are not scared instead you feel for him. You had no idea he was going through all that he never told you.

You wrap your arms around his neck bringing him into a hug, in turn be wraps his hands around your waist head resting on your shoulder.

“ You’re not scared of me right mami?” He says quietly “never mi amor.”

This was not proof read that much sorry .

This is my very first writing on here so please be kind. I have more in the works so expect more soon 🤭

[lilacgaby]

day three

~2.3k

chapter select!

she woke up right before her alarm went off.

she saw messages on her phone, some addressed from mirko telling her to "hurry the hell

up or get left behind." some from a new group chat called 'OPERATION [NAME]', and a couple from bakugo.

whatever, she'd look them over later.

she took her time as she showered, got dressed in a civilian outfit, and soaked in the early morning sun from her balcony.

everyone else had heroes who'd stop by later to pick them up in the afternoon, so [name] was pretty much the only person up.

she was startled by a loud noise at the door. she was hanging around in the common room to pass some time, but since she was lost in though she let out an audible squeal at the sound.

she figured it was just mirko was banging on it to get her attention.

and it was.

she opened the door and stepped outside. mirko was dressed casually too, and she was carrying her own bag of belongings on her back.

"be more considerate! people are sleeping!"

"it's only six a.m [name], they have to be getting up at this hour anyways."

"whatever."

"anyways, we have a train to catch so let's go!" mirko then grabbed her hand and started their trek down to the station. they could've got a car,

but they both preferred to walk.

after a bit of walking and sitting in a comfortable silence, [name] decides to get some details on the mission.

"so mirko, what exactly is this mission about?"

"oh, it's just another couple of villains, except these ones are rumored to have connections to stain."

"stain? the hero killer? but isn't he--"

"dead, correct. but his influence was huge. apparently this group of villains have actually killed a hero already."

"what?!"

"yeah, and that's why we're going in. don't worry though, we'll have backup, or i guess partners, that you'll love."

"what do you mean?"

"you'll see."

"...

okay, where are we going anyways? you never take me on trains."

"oh, i didn't tell you? we're going to tokyo."

"tokyo? for what?"

"oh,

i decided to take on a mission with best jeanist's agency. i told you you'd love it!"

...

"i'm going to kill you."

ꔛ𖤐˒˒

as she sat on the train next to mirko, her finger hovered over the notification from bakugo.

she had to face him eventually, and they had to talk, but she couldn't help but feel deeply embarrassed.

technically they did kiss.

her face felt hot.

"hey, who're you texting? your boyfriend."

"i'm not texting anybody and i don't have a boyfriend. stop asking questions when you know i'll answer!"

"okay okay.

...

so what're you doing then?"

"i'm debating whether or not to text katsuki back."

mirko's smug face took over as she snickered.

"shut up!"

[name] shoved her headphones on, maybe if she didn't hear her she wouldn't have to answer the questions.

the temporary solution did work, but mirko grew agitated that she wasn't answering her so

she took her phone right out her hands.

"mirko! hand it back!" [name] stood up immediately, her heart rate rising almost instantly as mirko held it in her iron grip. the headphones fell out her ears and her music was now blasting in the train,

she'd be publically embarrassed if they didn't have the car all to themselves, but she still just wanted her phone back.

"give it back mirko! i swear--"

"stop ignoring me, im your mentor y'know!"

they chased each other around the train car, [name] just barely behind mirko.

after about a minute of struggle, she tried negotiating.

"okay, just give it back-"

"no way-"

"why? is it because you're scared of me texting back your blasty little crush?"

"that's exactly why so hand it bac--"

they were cut off by a husky, sleepy voice.

"the fuck are you talking about?"

[name] eyed her phone in horror, and mirko did in surprise, mirko immediately threw the phone at [name] and ran to the other side of the train car.

[name] fumbled with it in her grip, until finally shakily holding the phone with one hand.

she was stunned into silence. this had to be a joke.

"hello? flower freak? you there?"

it wasn't just a joke?!

"hello? [name]?"

"i'm here-- fuck. i- uh-- gotta go!"

"wai-"

she cut him off as she declined the call. she looked at the duration of the call.

no way.

it went on for two minutes.

he heard her fight for her life over his messages to her for two minutes.

while she didn't explicitly explain who her crush was, mirko did.

[name] turned over to eye mirko, who was now sitting in a corner pretending to be nonchalantly whistling.

whatever. [name] wearily thought as she sat back down on a seat, picking up her headphones that had fallen out during the confrontation. she put on some music and mindlessly started hoping to anyone that'd hear her out that bakugo didn't hear mirko's remark.

the rest of the train ride wasn't that bad. mirko finally, begrudgingly, apologized for taking it to far, and promised to take [name] out to eat after the mission was over.

they sat next to eachother, mirko promising not to use the truth quirk against her again because of the incident that just occurred.

[name] appreciated the sentiment, but it wouldnt undo the months of late night pondering she'd have of this moment.

she got over it for the moment being, after about another fifteen minutes they finally were let out in Tokyo.

it was really pretty there, compared to musutafu, it was really lively too.

mirko guided them to a very fancy hotel where they'd be staying in one of the very highest floors.

they dropped their stuff off and got ready in their hero outfits.

they took a break to eat lunch, [name] laying out on the terrace of the huge hotel as mirko devoured a large salad next to her. she didn't know mirko meant they'd literally have the floor to themselves, but she wasn't complaining.

it was time for them to head out.

"okay, you ready flora?"

"yes i am prepared.

...

as ready as ever i guess."

"don't be like that! he probably didn't even hear-"

"we were yelling into the phone. he definitely heard."

"okay, and so what? he probably likes you back!"

"no way. just let it go mirko, we have to walk like two miles."

"fine, if you say so."

the walk to best jeanist's agency was actually fun for [name]. she got to walk through all the tourist traps, look around while mirko signed autographs, and even take a couple photos on her phone.

oh yeah, her phone. she had now twenty-two notifications from bakugo since the ordeal, including missed calls, texts, and even voicemails.

she didn't even open them, she knew she'd have to talk to him face to face anyways. she felt a pit of dread settle in her stomach, but looked up at the agency greeting both her and mirko.

they walked in.

⋆ ₊ ☽ ·˚𓍲 *⋆

They were greeted by one of Jeanist's many assistants, who guided them to a meeting room where a briefing was already taking place.

"we're late mirko?"

"yes, it's not my fault though, i did it all for the fans."

"...if you say so."

they walked into the meeting, [name] felt familiar red eyes following her as she settled into a seat next to mirko.

"okay, everyone's here. let's continue." jeanist declared, seemingly unbothered at mirko's tardiness.

[name] took a moment to look over the room. there were a couple other sidekicks, but the only U-A interns were her and katsuki.

she suddenly remembered she had to focus.

on the screen was a couple of locations marked in red circles, depicting different areas where heros reported being attacked by the group.

a lower ranked hero: blast-off, a hero with a rocket quirk, was murdered by said group, and his corpse was found in various places.

brutal. [name] thought.

"these villains aren't confident enough to attack higher ranked heroes such as mirko and i, they are currently planning on targeting another low-ranked hero on their route: genie." jeanist explained.

"what they don't know is that you will be waiting for them to attack genie, and step in as they reveal themselves. not even genie knows." an assistant added.

"wait, so they're basically bait?" [name] questioned.

"in a sense." jeanist replied. "if they knew, they'd likely act aloof and alert the villains. it's a necessary step."

"so, we set out tomorrow?" mirko questioned.

"no, you and i will go out patrolling the town discreetly. tomorrow we will go out accompanied by our interns, with my sidekicks on standby.

i understand you won't want your intern walking back to your arranged rooms alone, so after they go through some training here my assistant will make arrangements to take them."

"i'll go with them." katsuki finally spoke.

"it's settled then. mirko, please stay behind as we prepare for our afternoon scouting. dynamight, take flora to practice. do not push yourselves, understood?"

"understood." [name] replied, while bakugo grunted in agreement.

"dismissed."

everyone went their separate ways. [name] was doing her best to act causally as she and katsuki walked side by side to the practice room.

"so, uh.. nice weather huh?"

"why have you been ignoring me?"

crap.

"what do you mean katsuki? you're acting so crazy right now."

"no, i'm not. you didn't even try to talk about what happened yesterday with me, and then you randomly fucking call me at six in the goddamn morning. and i overhear some argument between you and that bugs bunny wannabe, just for you to decline on me, dick move by the way.

so, what's your deal?

you've been acting off around me since sunday."

he let out a scoff, and jokingly said

"what, you got a crush on me or something?"

"yes."

"what?"

both their eyes widened as the words left her mouth. crap, the whole operation was done for!

"was that a joke?"

"no."

she quickly located the practice room that was just around the corner, and tried to speed walk away.

"are you being serious right now? [name]? [name] we're training together you can't get away!"

she stumbled into the training room.

her life was over, but she still had to train, unless she really wanted her life to be over when she fought those guys tomorrow.

katsuki lightly grabbed her shoulder and made her face him.

"[name] fucking talk to me! stop being so shitty and confusing! why won't you just tell me the truth?!"

"because i'm scared of rejection!"

"i'd never-- i wouldn't reject you. just tell me the truth."

she sighed heavily. she didn't really process his last words, but she decided to tell him.

about the quirk at least.

"okay, so, sunday right? i took a hit for mirko-"

"you're insane."

"let me finish! i took a hit from mirko and got hit by this quirk. it basically makes you tell the truth whenever anyone asks a question, and it lasts a week."

"why didn't you tell me?"

"i was scared."

"who knows?"

"mirko, denki, kirishima, mina, momo, jiro--"

"so everyone except me, huh? damn. and the thing about your 'problems'?"

"a real bad lie from denki."

"so what you said earlie--"

"let's train. i don't want to answer any of that now. and, about what i said earlier..

can i talk to you about it after the mission?"

katsuki's face scrunched up. the emotion he was displaying was incoherent. disgust? anger? rejection?

but he understood her. he always seemed to. after a swift nod, he said

"fine. let's fucking fight though."

the tenseness between them disappeared, replaced by a competitive energy.

"you're on!"

they trained til' the sun went down. they were pretty even in quirk matches, but [name] definitely needed to practice her general strength.

still, in their last match she managed to pin him down.

"remember when we did this the first time?"

"shut up."

they agreed to stop for the day, and kept their wins in mind.

[name]- 8

katsuki-8

an even tie.

katsuki had opted to walk her home, so walk they did.

"if you're just gonna take a taxi back what was the point of walking me?"

"i just needed to talk to you, but we already talked it out earlier so it's fine i guess."

"oh. so, are you nervous for tomorrow?"

"nervous? why'd i be nervous? i'm destined to be number one, all these villains and missions and shit are just stepping stones to me."

"right, right. but they've killed like- pros. they hate heroes. and number one's like you."

"so?"

"so, they could be dangerous."

"i'll kill em' and i'll protect you, so don't worry."

she let a small smile escape her lips, why'd he always know what to say?

"thanks katsuki."

"yeah whatever. go inside loser, it's past my bedtime."

"okay, okay. text me when you get back."

"will you actually open it or leave me hanging like a dumbass?"

"i will, unless i fall asleep."

"fuck off. bye."

he got into a taxi back across town, she went into the hotel and felt butterflies settle in her stomach.

she knew the operation would take a complete one-eighy at the news from today, so to spare herself mostly, she texted that 'we should postpone the operation for today, i'm beat.'

everyone texted back their agreements, seems everyone was weak from the day.

she tucked into bed, and checked over her texts one last time.

katsuki had texted her.

allmightsolos01

yo

i got back to the agency

sleep well or whatever

read 10:37

flowered[name]

sleep well katsuki!

see you tomorroww

delivered

man this truth quirk stuff is so easy.

these last four days are just gonna be a blur.

prev | next!

taglist (comment to be added!): @cc1306 @reads-stuff-quietly @dazqa

[toxic3mmy]

The reader's boyfriend is abusive and has bruises all over her arm.

Then your best friend Quackity, who ends up having a crush on the reader, notices the bruises 😭

yesssss, ANGST

pls remember, this is fictional but it does happen to many people on the daily so be respectful my sweets

[i have brackets before and after tw content, PLS do not read if you’re not in the right place or are easily triggered, take care of yourselves my loves<3]

prompt: alex helps you leave an abusive relationship

warnings! mentions of r@pe/forced sex && abuse/abusive relationships

“i can’t believe this y/n” alex said angrily as he paced in his living room

“i can’t believe you didn’t tell me! i’m sure you had your reasons and i promise im not upset at you. im pissed at that piece of shit. and you better let jaime know that if i ever fucking catch him absolutely anywhere, i will beat him to a god damn pulp, i swear on my mother. just look at those bruises! why didn’t you come to me the first time this happened?” he sighed, sitting next to you and taking your hand in his

“it’s not something that’s easy to talk about… i didn’t want you to think i was weak and… i dunno” your cheeks were very tear stained

“y/n… you’re not weak. you’re one of the strongest people i know. i’m so sorry this is happened to you. you deserve the absolute world. please just stay here, don’t go back to him… don’t give him the satisfaction..” he pleaded while looking into your eyes

“i can’t… you know i can’t. i promise everything will be okay. i’m going to go home and he’s going to apologize and i’ll pretend everything is okay until i can plan a way out, okay?”

“y/n… he could kill you. you’re so tiny and fragile especially right now and he’s literally 6 ft…” alex shook his head as he spoke

“i promise to call you if anything. i have to go now, okay? i’ll talk to you when i can” you said, giving your best friend a hug goodbye and heading home

~

you quietly closed the door behind you, hoping not to wake your boyfriend.

“it’s 12am.. where have you been baby?” jaime said with a devilish grin as he stood up and began moving closer to you

you jumped as his voice scared the shit out of you. you expected him to be asleep.

“jaime.. i thought you’d be asleep. i was just at the park, needed to clear my head” you gulped nervously as jaime wrapped his arms around you

“are you seriously still mad about earlier? i told you i was sorry… i promise i didn’t mean to hurt you. you know i love you to bits y/n” he said, with a strong smell of alcohol and cigarettes on his breath

“i k-know.. but i’m here now”

“let me make it up to you…” he said, kissing your neck roughly

suddenly, your phone vibrated in your pocket. you shut your eyes tightly, already knowing what was going to come next. jaime stopped kissing you and snatched your phone from your pants.

“alexis…” he whispered, reading the name of who was calling you and then he turned to look at you. you saw burning rage beginning to form in his eyes. he threw your phone at the wall near you and it shattered

“so you went to see that son of a bitch?! i fucking knew it! you disgust me, you fucking whore. i’ll show you who the fuck you belong to”

[tw; pls skip if you’re not comfortable reading r@pe/forced sexual situations]

a harsh slap echoed throughout the room and your face stung so bad.

he proceeded to rip off your shirt and jeans. you said nothing as he did this. tears silently spilled from your eyes. you were too tired to fight back. you were too tired to make a sound. you were just so tired.

you laid there as he did the unthinkable to you. your body was in terrible pain as he gripped your arms and took everything from you. he had you faced down on the sofa and all you could bring yourself to do was stare at the floor.

you decided right there that thus was the end. the second jaime was nowhere nearby, you’d finish getting your half packed things and leave him once and for all.

he finally finished and kissed your back, dressing himself back up.

“i love you so much baby, i hope you know that.. i’m gonna run to the store to get some more beer and some cigarettes before they close. i’ll be back okay? then we can have some more fun” he smiled and kissed your head before leaving

[end of tw]

~

your heart was racing. you had about ten minutes before jaime got home. you hurriedly packed as much as you could fit in your backpack and your small traveling bag. you made sure to get your expensive stuff like your ipad for school, your jewelry, and especially your car. you also did your best to get your clothes and shoes together.

before walking out of the door, you looked yourself in the mirror behind your front door. your hair was messy as you hadn’t brushed it in a few days. your arms were sore and had patches of purple and yellow scattered everywhere. your eyes were swollen and red from constant crying. your mascara and eyeliner were runny, and you looked a complete mess. you had a black eye and you felt embarrassed. you put on your sun glasses and left that prison of a house.

you got into your car with all your belongings and drove. you didn’t exactly know where you wanted to go but it’s like your body knew where to go and all you could do was follow it.

the worst pain you felt was in your heart. your heart was in so much pain from everything. you couldn’t believe how bad you let this get. you knew you deserved better.

as you parked your car at your destination, you took a deep breath. you locked your car after exiting and headed to the front door. you knocked softly.

alex opened the door sleepily, only in sweatpants.

“y/n? what happened?”

you couldn’t even get a word out as you practically launched forward and sobbed against his chest

“come in, please” he said and you did

he closed and locked the door behind you. he grabbed your bags from your arms and took them to his living room. he then led you to his bedroom and sat you down on his bed.

“did you park in my back parking? remember how we talked about hiding your car if something bad happened again?”

and you nodded

“y/n… what happened?”

“he h-hurt me… so bad ‘lex. he went to the store for more alcohol and i left. i had to. i’m really sorry to bother you with all of this. i just… i feel safest with you..” you said, beginning to sob even more as alex held you

“shh, it’s okay. i’m here and you’re safe now. you’re never a bother to me. you’re my best f-friend… i always want to make sure that you’re okay, chiquita” he said, rubbing your back

“alex…. he hit me… and then h-he… r-raped me… and i’m just a weak useless nothing! i just laid there! w-why? why did this h-happen? where did i go wrong…” you sobbed even more now and alex simply held you tighter

“we ned to get a test done for evidence y/n… we need to protect you. i’m so fucking sorry. you deserve real love. you never ever deserved any of this. you’re not nothing, you’re absolutely everything to me okay? do you want to go and do that rape kit thing at the hospital?” he asked

“i-i don’t know…”

“it’s okay, you still have time to think about it but you only have less than four days to make your mind up. let’s get you out of these clothes and let’s put them away in a sealed bag in case you do want to get tested.” and you just nodded

you felt numb as alex changed you into clothes of his own and put your clothes into a big ziplock bag with gloves on. you didn’t want to have to see jaime again or even relive the pain but maybe this could prevent others getting hurt by him in the future. you still had a little bit of time to think about it.

for now, you let alex change you and lay you in his bed. after he went and made sure every door and window was locked in his house, per your request, he tucked you in and laid right next to you. he held you to his chest and let you cry.

once you calmed down, he sang to you. his voice was so soothing and it was putting you to sleep.

right before you fell into a deep sleep, you heard alex whisper something to you,

“i promise to take care of you and show you the love you deserve. i’ll make you okay again..”

[theywantedplayer]

Only if you’re comfortable, would you be able to do “look at me” and “why would you say that” with Andrei, maybe the reader feels insecure.

If you’re uncomfortable and don’t want to do it don’t stress I totally get it <3

MasterList

Prompt List

You loved dating Andrei, he was the love of your life but your relationship definitely had its ups and downs. You were feeling pretty down lately since you and Andrei decided to go public, you knew he had some crazy fangirls but you never expected this many dm’s from people who thought you “weren't good enough for him” or “pretty enough”. There were even some comments on your posts and it's only been a week.

You tried to not let it get to you but sometimes it was hard with the amount of people commenting about you. That's how you ended up crying and sitting on the couch in the living room looking at your phone. You didn't even try to hide the fact that you were crying from your boyfriend when he walked into the living room from the laundry room.

You just looked up at him with a sad look on your face wanting him to comfort you badly

“Andrei” You called for him 

He quickly made his way over to you and pulled you into his lap holding you close. He didn't know what had you so upset but he suspected it had something to do with going public. You cried into his neck for what felt like a half and hour not wanting to talk just yet, all Andrei did was hold the back of your head and rub your back till you were ready.

When your cries calmed down , you spoke up with a wobbly voice

“Do you think I'm fat?” you whispered 

It was an understatement to say Andrei was shocked that you would say that, he thought you were perfect and he clearly thought he failed at voicing that since you were thinking otherwise.

“Look at me y/n” He told you 

You pulled your face out of his neck now sitting in his lap facing him with wet cheeks and reddened eyes 

“Baby why would you say that? Hm?” He asked tucking your hair behind your ears

You took a shaky breath before you spoke, scared of voicing your insecurities because what if he agreed

“Ever-” you tried to speak but your voice broke making you groan in frustration 

“Its ok, deep breath” He encouraged rubbing your thigh

You took a deep breath before you spoke even though you knew you’d start crying again.

“Ever since we’ve become public my phone has been filled with hate comments” You told him “It's like they know me and know my insecurities so well and im scared your gonna wake up one day and agree”

Andrei was shocked never once had he thought anything like that, you could change your look into anything and he'd still be down bad for you everyday. He frowned as he wiped some stray tears from your face.

“I know I cant stop you from reading those comments but I need you to know I dont think that what so ever, I think your perfect” You tried to tell you “I love you ok so fucking much, I need you to know that” Andrei gave you a soft kiss on the lips trying to ressure you but he doesnt fully know what to say.

“Thank you” You mumbled

“Of course” he smiled 

[myluvrrhea]

Hi, can you write damian x reader (likely grumpy x sunshine) about reader being cuddly and all that stuff and shes like afraid to come as clingy. One night she's reading all the comments about her being like that and decided to reduce her affection and damian notices

Heavenly

Pairings - Damian Priest x Fem!Reader

warnings - Reader feeling insecure about herself , Fluff at the end tho! , kinda angsty at the beginning

word count - 0.6k

NOT PROOFREAD

Gif not mine !!!

You and Damian were the complete opposite. While Damian was mostly dark and gloomy , you on the other hand were sunny and energetic. You were the sunshine to his moon. And although you two at first glance may be opposite to each other, you two understood each other like no other man or woman could.

You often found yourself cuddling and kissing Damian very frequently. But Damian never had a problem with the way you showed love , as he often reciprocated it by giving you small gifts , kisses , anything he could do from time to time to show how much you meant to him.

But as time went by , you noticed how Damian could grow distant , and sometimes dismiss your touches. It didn’t affect you that much , I mean he had things ti do. He was a wrestler after all.  It didn’t affect you until now though. While scrolling on TikTok , you found a slideshow of someone expressing how annoyed they were at your touches with damian. Calling you clingy, and over all too much with him. You felt the tears roll down your cheeks as you read the comments. The words you read made you feel like you did need to stop being clingy towards him. And so you did

The following day , you hadn’t been and clingy towards him. Usually you were always hugging and embracing him , but instead you sat quietly as he did what he needed to do. He felt confused about your lack of affection, but thought you might have been tired. After all you had just had a  match against becky lynch.

It had been a week since you and given the affection that you usually do. Damian was confused but decided not to question it , thinking something had happened during the week that you might’ve not wanted to talk about it. Neither the less he was determined to figure out how to get you back to normal. He wanted his girl back.

Damian woke up to the sound of you talking to someone on the phone. He checked the time which read 3:14am. Why would she be up this late? He thought to himself. He walked to where he heard your voice which eventually led him to the bathroom. He went to grab the doorknob , but was confused when he heard the words that came out your mouth.

“Yeah I dont know Rhea I just feel too clingy for him , I mean , the comments and videos show that. Yeah…,” he heard silence until you spoke again.

“I dont know I feel like I might be too much for him— I just dont wanna scare him off thats all,” You replied back to her.

A couple minutes later he heard you say a quick goodbye as you hung up the phone. You opened the doorknob and expected Damian to be sound asleep in the bed but unexpectedly, you found him   On the other side of the door.

“Hey…” you said trying to ease the nervousness. “Calm down he probably heard nothing” you said in your head. But Damians facial expression said otherwise. He wore a frown  as his eyebrows were pushed together. Withought warning , he pulled you into a hug. Damn near suffocating you from how tight he held you. He finally pulled away from you after a long couple of minutes.

“I don’t ever want you to feel like you’re too much , I love you no matter how clingy you are. It doesn’t matter about what people say because all that matters is how much I love you , and that goes to infinity,” he spoke putting both of his hands onto your face.

“I love you more Damian , I just think im doubting myself too much. But it feels good to know how much you love me,” you spoke with a smile , giggling a bit at the end.

“Now lets head to bed, well talk in the morning,”he spoke to you pulling your hand and leading you to the bed. With one last kiss , you to fell asleep as Damian spooned you.

[underground-secret]

The Hunter and The Witch~ Dean Winchester x F!reader

Description: After getting a call from John Winchester after no contact for months. The group gets led to a town in which a couple goes missing every year around the same time. But Sam doesn’t want to follow orders anymore, and the town still needs help.

Warnings: Cannon Violence, fight scene (tell me how i did, im still learning how to write it!), arguing, a little angst, talk of crimes, cursing (i think), talk about sacrifices and Pagan rituals (i fricken love learning about Paganism), Y/N gets a little snarky and cocky, use of magic and abilities

Tag list: @jesllianaquilesrolonsworld , @okayiamkassandra , @fablesrose , @ada--44, @bonkydarnes , @star-yawnznn

Word Count: …14,005

Scarecrow

(Master List, Prev. Chapter, Next Chapter)

“So you’re with the Winchesters?” Adeline says, her voice just as husky and amused as I remembered. It had been months since we talked, I'm surprised she wasn’t mad at me, though maybe she was and she was just hiding it well. “Yes.” I answer simply, waiting for the impending lecture.

“I should be surprised, but I'm not,” She remarks, and I can hear the smirk on her face.

“You know B/N said nearly the same thing!” I laughed lightly, but it soon died down when she didn't join in instead going completely quiet.

“You should have told me.” She says, venom on her tongue, but I know it’s out of worry. “No text, no call, not even a letter! I show up at your house. Not only are you not there I have to find out from your co-workers that you quit and haven’t been in contact with anyone. Did you quit because of those Winchesters? ‘Cause I swear to God I wil-“

“No!, quitting had nothing to do with them.” I cut her rant off, “Look Addie I'm sorry. I got so caught up in it all I didn’t think of telling anyone.” I sigh, leaving out the part I forgot I had people who cared about me—which is so stupid. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you or scare you. But that isn’t what I called for…”

Suddenly a sharp demanding knock sounds at my door. I don’t move for a second, watching it, “One sec, Addie” I place my phone down on the bed pulling back the heavy blankets. I tiptoe to the door, the rough carpet dragging on my feet. I take a deep breath preparing myself for the worst, I unlock the door, creaking it open just wide enough to see who is there.

Dean stands there, his eyes wide and his hair a little messy, still in his pajamas. A black shirt and some plaid pajama pants, though I figured he might have thrown those on before coming to my door- I knew he wasn’t foreign to sleeping with just a shirt and underwear on. I open the door further, “Are you okay? What happened?” I spew out.

“Get dressed. Dad called, ‘doesn't want us following him. He's going after the thing that killed Mom, says it’s a demon. He gave us a bunch of names and needs us to go investigate. Meet by the car.” He answers quickly. I stared at him, all of this was rushed, we barely got any sleep and we were already leaving rather quickly. He looks me over, nods, and then walks away back down the hall to his room, giving me no chance to ask if he was okay.

I closed the door a little shocked, making my way back to my phone and before it was even by my ear I heard the impatient click of her nails against some hard surface, “Now what” she huffed. Definitely mad at me. “I’ll have to call you back later” I sigh, “I need to go.”

“No you don’t get to just call me—“ She nearly yells but I cut her off again, “Addie I promise I’ll call you back.” The line goes silent for a beat and I wonder if she’s still there.

She sighs, “I’m worried about you.”

“I’m okay” I smiled sadly, yet even as the words passed my lips my stomach twisted itself, “I will call you.”

“Fine.” She huffs but she doesn't sound so convinced.

“I love you, Addie.” I say, and I mean it.

“I love you too. Stay safe, and call me!”

“Alright, just to double check all those names are couples?” I ask from the back seat of the Impala, copying notes down on a little notepad. “Three different couples. All went missing.” Dean confirms from the passenger seat. The darkness of the night cloaks us in its cold embrace.

“You said they were from all different states, Washington, New York, Colorado, and all went missing at the same time each year trying to travel across the country. But is it possible that it’s just a serial killer? Not to undermine your fathers findings.” I explain motioning my pen around as I speak, “I mean it is possible the suspect lives in Indiana, knows the roads well, and which way people go when road-tripping. Then being able to intercept them therefore fulfilling his or her urge. Then that kill can satisfy them till next year.”

“I guess, but they always disappeared in the second week of April. One year after another after another. That’s pretty weird.” Dean points out.

“Not necessarily, serial killers can have a certain connection to a date like an anniversary of something. Feeling only the need to do such an act during said time.” I ramble.

“Well, we’re still checking it out” Dean answers plainly, practically shutting down my theory. I guess it’s safer to check but it’s nighttime. I didn’t get any sleep, they barely got any sleep, and rushing over to Indiana in a 3-hour long car ride doesn't sound so fun if it turns out not to be a supernatural thing. “And this is the second week of April.” Sam remarks.

“Yep.” Dean nods.

“So, Dad is sending us to Indiana to go hunting for something before another couple vanishes?” Sam asks, though it’s clear he knows the answer.

“Yahtzee. Can you imagine putting together a pattern like this? All the different obituaries Dad had to go through? The man’s a master.” Dean beams, flipping through the papers he had on the missing couples. He very clearly looked up to his Dad in some manner, even though he wasn’t deserving of such praise. I know Sam feels this way too, he never had an issue calling out John and he certainly can see all that’s wrong with how they grew up. The thing is I know Dean knew too, he was just trained to be loyal.

I watch Sam in the rearview mirror, his nostrils flaring in anger, his hands gripping the steering wheel harder until the knuckles turn white. He pulled the car off to the side of the road, sharply, my body jerking at the motion. “What are you doing?” Dean asks confused, straightening the way he sat.

“We’re not going to Indiana.” Sam says firmly.

“We’re not?” Dean replies, shock and amusement written on his features.

“No. We’re going to California.” Sam answers, “Dad called from a payphone. Sacramento area code.”

“Sam.” Dean warns.

“Dean, if this demon killed Mom and Jess, and Dad’s closing in, we’ve gotta be there. We’ve gotta help.” Sam reasons, and I don’t disagree.

“Dad doesn’t want our help.” Dean argues, his voice getting louder.

“I don’t care.” Sam answers rather calmly.

“He’s given us an order.” Dean bites, using one of his favorite excuses.

“I don’t care.” He repeats himself, this time more firmly, “We don’t always have to do what he says.”

“Sam, Dad is asking us to work jobs, to save lives, it’s important.” Dean tries to explain.

“Please stop fighting, why don’t we work this job, put all our energy into it. Work it quickly. Then immediately head to California, both of you win” I offer, always the person trying to cool the fight down and offer some sort of solution. But even as the words leave my mouth I know I’m wrong, this argument is more than working a case or chasing demons. This is years of grief built up. Sam half turns to view me, his eyes are pained and I almost think he might be close to tears, “It won’t be enough. You said it yourself. My Dad moves fast, if we don’t head there right now we’ll miss him entirely.” He looks between both of us now as he adds, “But I’m talking one week here, to get answers. To get revenge.”

Dean sighs, “Alright, look, I know how you feel.”

“Do you?” Sam spits, nearly yelling. “How old were you when Mom died? Four? Jess died six months ago. How the hell would you know how I feel?”

Oh. This is old grief on top of new grief, he hasn’t coped with the loss of his girlfriend not that we could have expected him to. It’s too soon. These emotions are too raw, too new. Dean matches his brother yelling, “Dad said it wasn’t safe. For any of us. I mean, he knows something that we don’t, so if he says to stay away, we stay away.”

“I don’t understand the blind faith you have in the man. I mean, it’s like you don’t even question him.” Sam argues, looking at his brother strangely.

“Yeah, it’s called being a good son!” Dean yells. The tension has exploded, the car falling quiet in its aftermath. My dislike for their father seemed to grow ten folds, to make your own child feel like that—

“Dean, that’s no—“ But before I can say anything more about it Sam exits the car. Slamming the door behind him. Dean and I get out of the car following him to the trunk where he unloads his things from. “You’re a selfish bastard, you know that? You just do whatever you want. Don’t care what anybody thinks.” Dean yells.

“Dean!” I snap, “This has gone far enough, you don’t get to say things like that, he’s your brother! Both of you calm down, please.” I didn’t want Sam to be treated like this, not from his brother who I know cares about him. “No. It’s okay, Y/N” Sam says calmly, his movements slowing as he stares his brother down, “Is that what you really think?”

“Yes, it is.” Dean gives a single sharp nod.

“Well.” Sam shuts the trunk, “then this selfish bastard is going to California.” he puts his backpack on and starts to walk away.

No. This can’t be happening. “Dean,” I say desperately, he has to apologize or stop him so they can talk it out. This isn’t my place but I can’t watch this happen. He looks out at his brother, “Sam, come on. You’re not serious”

“I am serious.” Sam responds, still walking away.

“It’s the middle of the night!” Dean yells out, “Hey, we’re taking off, I will leave your ass, you hear me?”

Sam stops walking, turning around, “That’s what I want you to do.”

I let out a frustrated groan, “What the hell is wrong with you both?! Just talk it out, we can come to some sort of agreement or—or reason with each other.” I practically beg. Both their eyes fall to me but Dean just responds with, “He’s made up his mind” his eyes turn back towards his brother, “Goodbye Sam.”

I stand frozen, eyes wide, this is not happening.

Dean grabs hold of my wrist, his hand warm despite the cold night, practically dragging me to the passenger side of the car. He waits for me to sit and buckle myself before closing the door and making his way to the driver's side. He gets in, putting the car in drive.

I watch Sam turn back around and walk away in the car's side mirror. Dean must have been watching too because he slams his fist on the steering wheel, takes a deep breath, and then does it again and again. I place my hand over his just as it connects with the steering wheel again. “Dean…” I say softly, but it comes out more like a plea. His hand goes still under mine, and when I turn my face to look at him, his eyes are glossy.

He does not turn to look at me though, keeping his eyes straight ahead at the dark road. “Dean” I say weakly, letting out a shaky breath feeling my own eyes welling up, “please, stop the car.” He listens, slamming on the brakes, my body jolting at the sharp stop. He snaps his head towards me, “Why so you could leave too?!”

I lean away from him retracting my hand, placing it on my lap, “No” I say quietly. But his reaction made me want to leave, the tears in my eyes finally fell over, spilling down my cheeks, “Do not take your anger out on me.” He sighs, turning his face away from me, cursing.

“I know you don’t want to hear this…but you must” I begin to say, having to pause to clear my voice of its shakiness, “I care for you both a lot but I’m so sick of you guys constantly fighting over something stupid when all you have to do is talk.”

“That's easy for you to say.” Dean snaps back, still looking away from me.

I huff, annoyed, “See! You get all standoffish instead of dealing with your emotions and I know that's what you’re used to but you don't have to be that way around me of all people.” He goes quiet, with no snappy comeback or even a grunt of annoyance. His jaw clenches and I wonder if that's from anger, trying to hold back tears, or both. “What if were destined to always hate each other,” he says quietly, and I know he means him and Sam. “He doesn't hate you, and I know you don't feel that way either,” I answer softly, even when I know what he truly means. He turns his head towards me, a single tear rolling down his cheek, “Then why does he keep leaving?!” he says through gritted teeth the last word coming out as if he spit venom.

In truth, I can't possibly know what he feels. He raised Sam and was there every moment of every day. He saw him take his first step and say his first word, brought him to school, fed him, put him to bed, and kept him safe. I was more like Sam in that aspect, I was the youngest with an older brother who took care of me and looked out for me. Honestly more than our own Dad, maybe that’s why he and Dean got along together so well- a shared understanding.

So, no, I could not understand exactly what he felt, not even a fraction of it. But even despite that I reached my hand out carefully, my fingertips barely brushing his cheek before pausing giving him time to pull away and hide if he wanted to. He didn't. I cup his cheek, whipping away another tear that fell. His green eyes seemed softer then like his anger had diminished enough but still lay beneath the tears. I don't have all the answers, “I know it may not seem like it, but he isn't leaving you. He went off to college ‘cause he wanted a chance away from this life. Even now he is going in hopes of stopping what started this all, he’s going to come back…your brothers you can't escape each other even if you wanted to.”

It's not a solution, and I don't expect it to help. But all I can do is hope it eases something in him. He leans his face into my hand, his eyes fluttering shut as he takes a deep breath in.

In one quick motion, I unbuckle my seat belt with my free hand. He must have known what I was going to do because he removed his face from my hand only to put the car in park, release his seat belt, and turn his body so I could hug him properly. I close the distance between us so I can wrap my arms around his neck, his body immediately reacts to my movements. His head falls to the crook of my neck, his arms wrapping around my waist. He pulls my body impossibly closer and tighter.

His breathing gives him away, his warm breath coming out uneven against my neck a wetness forming against where he resides. I don't say anything about him crying, or anything at all, I just move my hand up and down his back in soothing motions, hoping to ease him.

I do not know how I managed it but after he finished crying I got him to switch seats with me so he could rest while I drove. I've never driven the Impala before, maybe this was him showing me he trusted me even though I already knew he did, or maybe it was tiredness overtaking him. But the drive was pretty straightforward and it was dark so there wasn’t a worry about other cars.

He managed to drift off, which I was envious of but I was more proud of being able to drive Baby to notice my exhaustion. I even got to play music that wasn’t the usual rock songs he liked to play, which I don’t have any problem with but a change is nice sometimes (even if I played it very quietly so he could rest).

Just as we pulled into the small town he woke up, grumbling a “good morning” before staying silent the rest of the time. He went on his phone at one point, pulling up the contacts but ultimately he did not call anyone. “Ok, ready?” I ask, shutting off the car after pulling into a spot.

“Yeah” He nods, his voice still a little gravely from sleep. I hand him back his keys before exiting the car, the pure feeling of accomplishment pulling over me. I drove Baby accident-free and made it to the destination! I’m so good!!

We walked up to the only person in sight, an older man sitting on a wooden rocking chair in front of a café. Maybe it was too early for anyone else to be out, it certainly felt too early to be up though I guess I never really went to sleep.

“Let me guess,” Dean points to the store's sign that reads Scotty’s Café, “Scotty.” He looked proud of his stupid joke if you could even call it that, a dumb grin on his face. Scotty looks up at the sign and then back at us looking unamused, “Yep,”

“Hi, my name’s John Bonham and this is Pat Phillips” Dean introduces us both, and I want to glare at him for using a member from a popular band's name but if Scotty doesn't know then the glaring would give it away.

But of course, our luck has long run out, “Isn’t that the drummer for Led Zeppelin?” He looks at Dean pointedly then at me, “And his wife?” Now I really do glare at him, I didn’t know Pat Phillips was Bonham's wife! I barely knew Bonham was the drummer for Led Zeppelin, only remembering because of Dean rambling about it. Dean looks at me, eyes raised as if to silently say he didn’t think he would know. He turns back to Scotty, shock clear on his face, “Wow. Good. Classic rock fan.” Alright, he wasn’t even trying to deny it, great.

“What can I do for you, John?” Scotty asks anyway and I’m surprised he didn’t completely write us off. Dean takes out two pieces of paper from his pocket, unfolding the missing person's flyers. “I was wondering if, uh, you’d seen these people by chance.”

Scotty takes the flyers, barely studying them before answering, “Nope. Who are they?” Huh, that was a little weird, I would think he would want to think harder about it. I study the older man but his face reveals nothing, no fear in his eyes.

“They’re really close friends of ours, honestly we’re worried,” I explained while trying to test him, if he is responsible and he knows friends are looking for them and hasn’t given up he might crack a little. “They’ve been missing for a year now, passed somewhere through here. And we already asked around Salem and Scottsburg—“ But he doesn't let me finish my list, “Sorry.” He hands back the flyers to Dean, “We don’t get many strangers around here.”

Once more his eyes and face reveal nothing but still something about him is coming off weird.

“Scotty, you’ve got a smile that lights up a room, ‘anybody ever tell you that?” Dean tells him, earning a glare from the man himself. Dean chuckles, amusing himself at this point, “Never mind. See you around.”

I wait until we’re back in the car to say something, Dean taking his rightful place in the driver's seat, “Is it me or was that guy acting weird about this all?”

“Nah, he just doesn't have expressions,” Dean responds. I laughed, “That is not what I meant!”, I turned in my seat to face him, “Okay if someone came to you and was all like ‘my friend went missing and she’s been gone a long time and I think she passed through here do you know anything.’ Wouldn’t you really study the photo and try and think back, especially cause it’s a year ago. Scotty barely looked at the photo!”

He seems to contemplate what I said, “ ‘Could also just be a jerk.” he responds. I let out a frustrated sigh, “Dean.”

“Alright, you could be onto something sweetheart. We’ll keep asking around.”

Our next stop is a sort of Gas Station, all road trip essentials lining the walls from maps to mixed nuts. Aka the perfect place someone would stop at on their trip. “You sure they didn’t stop for gas or something?” Dean asks the older couple working.

“Nope, don’t remember ‘em. You said they were friends of yours?” The man who introduced himself as Harley responded.

“Yes, dear friends,” I answered.

“Did the guy have a tattoo?” A sweet blonde girl probably around our age asks, coming down the nearby stairs with a large box in her hand, her face just barely visible. “Yes, he did,” Dean responds. She puts the boxes on the counter and looks at the picture of the dark haired Vince then back up at the couple, “You remember? They were just married.”

Harley’s eyes suddenly widened making a little ‘oh’ sound, “You’re right. They did stop for gas. Weren’t here’ more than ten minutes.” Dean and I shared a look, now this guy wanted to suddenly remember. “You remember anything else?” Dean pushes further.

“I told ‘em how to get back to the Interstate. They left town.” Harley answers, finally sharing some truth. These townspeople were strange. “Would you be able to point us the same way?” I ask him, eyeing him carefully.

“Sure.”

Dean drives down the long road, slower than usual, both of us looking for anything unusual or suspicious. There was undoubtedly something going on whether it was supernatural or not. But there wasn’t much near us, just trees and endless roads.

We pass by what looks to be an orchard, apples hanging from the lush trees.

If I was kidnapping and possibly killing people I would choose somewhere along this Interstate, it was practically dead and no one would suspect anyone driving here even late at night. My thoughts are cut off by a violent buzzing noise coming from just behind me, most likely in the back seat. I turn to Dean, giving him a confused look, he turns his head to the back of the car looking instead of the road. “Dean. Road” I remind him, his eyes going back where they belong.

I unbuckle my seatbelt, shifting myself so that I was kneeling on the seat. I lean over the back seat, having to drop down low to reach his duffle bag, the top of the seat digging into my gut. My ass is definitely sticking up in the air and most likely close to Dean, but I ignore the embarrassment of that idea as I shuffle through his bag. I move one of his shirts around, finding the cause of the loud noise, “It’s your EMF” I call out hoping he can hear me even with my head still buried in the little space between the floor of the car and the backseat. I grab the box, the medal heavy in my hand.

I lift myself up and back to my seat half turned and sitting on my legs, it continues to buzz violently, the meter blaring to the red. “‘Think it’s the orchard” he announces, pulling the car off to the side of the road. We venture into the trees.

The ground was soft beneath my shoes, a light morning dew still clinging to the grass. If this was any other day or occasion I’d say it’s a rather nice orchard but the EMF has not stopped, and I think if it could go any further red it certainly would be there.

The trees were all lined up, apples scattered about the ground and a potent scent of rotten fruit following it. From where we pulled over it wasn’t hard to find the middle of the orchard, the trees cut down in almost a circle, except some paths that broke away in various directions.

A tall post stood in the middle, a creepy scarecrow on it. It looked rather human and full rather than stuffed with straw. Its face looked like a mask with stitches adorning it and hollow eyes, greasy long hair flowing from beneath his fedora. The only scarecrow-like thing about him was the fact he was tied to a wooden post and had a sort of jumper with patches on it, though the added black trench coat contradicted this. And in his hand was a sickle, what was meant to be used for agriculture only made him that much creepy.

Its head was leaned down, and looking up at it made it only seem like he was staring down at us with those empty eyes. “Dude, you're fugly.” Dean says out loud and I almost expect the thing to move or respond, but it doesn't. “Maybe you should say sorry to him.” I practically mumble to Dean. If it came to life I didn’t want a target on his back for insulting it, or mine if it thought I was guilty by association.

“Why would I say sorry?” he counters.

“So that he doesn't kill you if it comes to life!”

“I think it’d kill us either way”

Rationally I knew he was right, but the thought of something like a doll or in this case a scarecrow coming to life creeped me out a little too much, “Good point, but he is horrifying.”

“Yeah, horrifyingly ugly” He chuckles at his own joke, a stupid smile on his face. I try to hide my own laughing, not wanting to encourage him.

“I think I see something,” He murmurs. He moves back, turning to the closest tree with a ladder against it. He picks it up as if it weighs nothing, placing it right next to the scarecrow. He climbs it until he’s at eye level with the thing. I watch his eyes fall to the hand that held the sickle, his gaze at its wrist. Its sleeve ripped a bit revealing leathered “skin” and a sort of design.

I wrack my brain for any customs or cultures that decorate scarecrows beyond just its clothing and face, but I couldn’t come up with anything. Why would anyone put a design on a scarecrow's wrist?

Dean pulls out a paper from the inside of his jacket, unfolding it swiftly before placing it near the thing, comparing the two. “Look who has a nice tat.” he says, turning the paper down so I could see. He held Vince’s missing poster, the young man holding a mug in his hand the perfect pose to see his tattoo. Detailed ink with all sorts of shapes I could even begin to describe, I look back up at the scarecrows tattoo. The two are the exact same, far too alike to be any sort of coincidence.

“Nice tat indeed.”

We immediately got in the car and turned around back to the town. Something was going on and someone was causing it. Now Dean pulls the car into the local gas station. Turning it off and exiting, I nearly stay put in the passenger seat until I see the same blonde girl from before walking up to the car. We needed answers and she seemed to be the only one willing to help.

I exit the car, keeping the door open as I lean my arms on the roof of the car. “You’re back” she greeted, smiling. “Never left.” He replies smoothly.

“Still looking for your friends?” She asks, acknowledging us both. “Yup, call it stubbornness or what have you but we aren’t given up.” I respond, still pushing the same agenda as before. “I’d call that a good friend,” she smiles.

I don’t think she’s involved in all this, she’s willing to answer our questions when no one else was and she seemed to genuinely care. If she was involved then she was quite the actor. “You mind fillin’ her up there, Emily?” Dean asks her, nodding his head towards the car. The nameplate necklace she wore came into view as she grabbed the pump and began to fill the tank. That’s how he knew her name.

“Did you grow up here?” I ask, starting back up conversation.

“I came here when I was thirteen. I lost my parents. Car accident. My aunt and uncle took me in.” She explains shortly.

“They’re nice people.” Dean replies plainly. She nods as she speaks, “Everybody’s nice here.”

“So, what, it’s the, uh, perfect little town?” Dean shrugs, nonchalantly.

“Well, you know, it’s the boonies. But I love it.” she pauses for a moment, “I mean, the towns around us, people are losing their homes, their farms. But here, it’s almost like we’re blessed.”

Dean turns his head towards me, giving me a look. This definitely was weird, I mean how could every town around them be failing but not here?Were they making sacrifices to the scarecrow? It would make sense considering its tattoo. Dean turns back around to Emily, “Hey, you been out to the orchard? ‘You seen that scarecrow?” We were thinking the same thing.

“Yeah, it creeps me out.” She answers her nose scrunching. “You can say that again” I laugh, “Do you know who owns it?”

“I don’t know. It’s just always been there.” She shrugs.

He nods to something behind her, I turn my gaze to it, my eyes landing on a red van parked by a garage, “That your aunt and uncle’s?” he asks.

She shakes her head, “Customer. Had some car troubles.” That’s a little too convenient, “Is it a couple by any chance? A guy and a girl?” I ask, worried that they might be the town's next victims.

She nods even as her face twists with confusion, “Mmhmm.”

As soon as the Impala's tank was filled, and Emily gestured toward the couple's location, we wasted no time heading straight there. Dean opens the glass door for me, the little welcome bell ringing above us. I walk in first, immediately being hit with the sweet smell of baked goods, the culprit of it being a thick piece of apple pie that Scotty delivered to a couple sitting by the window.

“Oh, hey, Scotty. Can I get a coffee, black?” Dean greets, walking in behind me, adding “And a green tea…actually while you’re at it some of that pie too.” I have to hold back the smile that wants to escape onto my face, he was being slightly annoying on purpose which is proved further when Scotty gives him a nasty look before walking away. But beyond that I’m surprised Dean knew what I wanted, yes I drank tea quite often but how did he know I was feeling that flavor in particular?

He moves to sit at a table right next to the couple, I sit in the chair next to him trying to come up with a conversation starter for the people only a table away. I mean how do you say ‘hey you’re in danger! haha, please leave town’ to someone without them thinking you're actually insane? I am pulled out of my thoughts at the feeling of my chair moving, a soft scratching noise below it. Immediately I see Deans hand at the side of my chair, pulling me closer to him without saying or looking at me.

I try to ignore his strange antics and the butterflies that flutter in the depths of my stomach at his movement as he talks to the dark haired couple, “How ya doin’?” God for someone whose usually so smooth he was being so awkward. They share a weird look clearly looking uncomfortable before waving and smiling. But their uninterest in starting a conversation with strangers is very obvious as the girl leans closer to her boyfriend placing her arm up to lean her head on as if to block us out.

“Just passing through?” Dean continues, ignoring their reactions. “Road trip.” The girl answers plainly, clearly trying to shut down the conversation.

“Hm.” Dean hums his hand suddenly finding my thigh. My heart lurches, my leg twitching slightly at the sudden movement but he just gives me a little squeeze before readjusting his hold. Splaying his warm hand against my thigh, his fingers hooking onto the inside of my leg as he pulls them apart slightly, the gap just big enough to hold my thigh comfortably. He gives me another squeeze as if he was testing the feel of me again…oh god.

My brain seemed to short circuit, any logical thoughts I had turning into a mass space of blankness and static. I swallowed roughly, my heart beating out of my chest and the butterflies in my stomach flying frantically in warmth. This was just for a cover, if we acted as a couple too then they might feel more comfortable and inclined to talk with us, I try to reason with myself. But god when did my face get all warm? Stay focused Y/N, stay focused, I repeat to myself in my head. This wasn’t the time. Can’t be thinking of my feelings for him or the fact that this was only making me feel more desperate for him. Stay focused.

“Us too” He adds, and I have to think for a second what he’s talking about…Oh yes, we are also on a road trip, yeah.

Scotty walks over with a pitcher of something brownish orange, maybe it was apple cider considering this town clearly has a large supply of it. He moves right past us, refilling the couples cups, “I’m sure these people want to eat in peace.” he scolds us.

“Just a little friendly conversation.” Dean smiles up at the grumpy man who begins to walk away, “Oh, and that coffee and tea, too, man. Thanks.” Scotty just stares at him, the scowl on his face deepening, but he doesn't say anything as he walks away fully. “So, what brings you to town?” I ask softly, a sweet smile on my face in hopes of erasing the awkwardness in the air.

The girl answers, “We just stopped for gas. And, uh, the guy at the gas station saved our lives.”

“Aw, really!” I respond trying to sound amused.

The guy answers this time, “Yeah, one of our brake lines was leaking. We had no idea. He was fixing it for us.”

“That’s really sweet” I nod with a smile even as concern eats at me. They were definitely going to be the next victims. But I’m also terribly confused, I have no idea what he was talking about. I'm guessing a broken brake line means you won’t be able to stop the car but I didn’t know it could leak…

“Yeah.” The man nods trying to go back to his food.

All at once it hits me, I nearly want to kick myself for not thinking about it right away. I want to blame it on Dean's hand placement but it was most likely my lack of sleep because I was in fact enjoying his hand on my thigh…

This small town in Indiana was practicing Pagan rituals, and as much as I hate to admit it learning about Pagans was one of my favorite things to do.

“So, how long till you’re up and runnin’?” Dean asks them.

“Sundown.”

It was common in Paganism to sacrifice something or someone to the gods. It was a time where they didn’t understand why certain things happened like crops dying, so they blamed this on not respecting the Gods enough. When the real cause could have been for a number of reasons from lack of water to not crop rotating…

“Really.” Dean pauses for a minute, “To fix a brake line?” He receives a nod. “I mean, you know, I know a thing or two about cars. I could probably have you up and running in about an hour. I wouldn’t charge you anything.” He offers.

…However in terms of supernatural beings when these sacrifices were made it did work, whether or not it was the Gods “cursing” them or just not understanding agriculture. Either way it did work, the gods answered, and the bigger the sacrifice the bigger the payout which is why they typically did human sacrifices, sometimes even on a mass scale.

“You know, thanks a lot, but I think we’d rather have a mechanic do it.” The girl replies, looking nervously at her boyfriend.

“Are you sure?” I chime in, “He really is good, I mean you should see the level of care he puts into his own car. ‘Keeping it all good even though it’s decades older than him, he even keeps my old car in check.” I knew with every word I was stroking his ego, but it was true. Beyond his own car I can count on two hands the amount of times he helped with my old Volkswagen Beetle, he’s probably the reason why it still works.

In the corner of my eye I can see his cocky sexy grin, he squeezes my thigh once more and my thoughts fizzle out again as a kaleidoscope of butterflies flutters in my gut. Jesus Christ, Dean Winchester will be the death of me without knowing.

“Yeah we’re sure” The girl insists.

“Sure.” Dean pauses, his smile dropping, “You know, it’s just that these roads. They’re not real safe at night.” I guess he figures they won’t listen any other way. The couple exchanged a look, “I’m sorry?”

Dean leans in closer, “I know it sounds strange, but, uh—you might be in danger.”

The man finally snaps, looking annoyed, “Look, we’re trying to eat. Okay?”

“Yeah.” Dean says disappointingly, "You know, my brother could give you this puppy dog look, and you’d just buy right into it.” The couple looks at him strangely.

The bell above the door rings and I figure we don’t have much time left, “Look we aren’t trying to bother you and ruin your day, okay, I’m sorry.” I start, looking back at the Sheriff who had walked in. I lean in, speaking just low enough for them to hear, “But you really are in danger, for the last couple of years couples have gone missing this time of year repeatedly withou—“

“I’d like a word with you both.” The sheriff practically booms. I go quiet giving the couple a warning look both to say to listen to what I said and to not bring anything up now, they look scared and hesitant.

“Come on. I’m having a bad day already, ‘m just tryna make it better with my girlfriend” Dean reasons, I know it’s a lie but the way the word slipped so easily from his lips made my heart flutter.

“You know what would make it worse?” The sheriff replies. Dean releases his hold on my thigh, a tingling feeling taking its place. We got up and followed the man outside then following his orders, he was going to follow us out of town and we weren’t allowed back.

We drive down the interstate, both knowing we would turn back once it was clear. But for now we trudge toward passing by a sign that says ‘Thanks for visiting Burkittsville.’ I check the side mirror, the sheriff making a U-turn, heading back to town. Great.

“Should we find a motel nearby and return at night?” I ask, knowing the couple wouldn’t have a car to leave with ‘till sundown.

“Yeah, you need sleep” He hums. I wonder if he’s saying that because he knows I haven't slept at all. “Unfortunately I will not be sleeping ‘cause I have a very good idea on what’s going on and I wanna research further” I answer, opening up the glovebox to pull out the map that resided there.

I unfold it, tracking down Indiana and then the small town we just left, following the colored lines. “I think if we stay straight we’ll be at a rest stop in about 15 mins” I mumble, hopefully reading it right.

“Anyways!” I place the map down in my lap, “I’m very sure this town is sacrificing the couples to a Pagan God.”

“‘Thinking the same,” He answers.

“Okay, good. Now I'm not 100% sure i’m right on which one it is ‘cause there’s a lot of agricultural Gods as well as Gods of the woods, but the second I can search it up I’ll confirm it.” I ramble, talking with my hands.

“To be honest, sweetheart, ‘don’t know much about Norse Gods except the basics.”

“Oh don’t you worry, I got this” I beam.

I grumble for the fifth time typing different wording into the search bar. I want to scream as the page turns blank, the only words on the screen being ‘No Results.’

“What is it?” Dean asks from where he lays in his bed his fathers journal open, looking for anything on Norse Gods.

“Somehow there is nothing on Vanir Gods and when I mean nothing I mean nothing!” I get up from my bed walking the short distance to his, I climb on it putting my legs beneath me. I turned my laptop towards him, showing him the screen, “See!”

His eyebrows scrunch up looking just as confused as I feel, “I know we aren’t in the town anymore but do you think it’s somehow related?” I ask.

“Maybe. We aren’t that far from Burkittsville” He answers, taking my laptop and searching up ‘Books about Vanir Gods’ but again the same message pops up ‘No Results.’

He types in ‘Books about Norse Gods’ a couple searches pop up the main one being a thick book only available in a college in Burkittsville. “That’s so strange.” I mumble, I mean how could they be interfering with the internet.

“If they can make sacrifices to a god I’m guessing they could mess with google of all things. We’ll go there later” Dean responds and I’m sure he means after making sure the couple is safe. He closes my laptop, “You should sleep, I’ll wake you”

I studied him for a moment, and he was right. I should sleep, it sounds wonderful actually. I nod getting up, I don’t even bother changing into comfortable clothes or even taking off my bra I just crawl underneath the covers of my bed. “Good night, Dean.” But it was hardly close to night time.

He smiles, “ ‘Night baby.”

Dean sped down the interstate, the sun was nearly down and we would have been there on time if not for all the semi trucks in the truck stop not knowing how to exit. You really think it wouldn’t be so hard.

Continuing by the vast orchard, we scanned for a red van parked on the side, hoping to beat them there.

After some more driving, we eventually stumbled upon the deserted car, devoid of anyone. He stopped the car short even as we still had multiple feet between us and the vacant van.

He turns the car off and I meet him by the trunk, he hands me a shotgun, “Go through here, cut ‘em off--get in front” he rattles off the plan as he cocks his own gun. I nod, cocking my gun before shutting the trunk as he takes the lead.

I catch up to him, running at his side, passing through each tree as my shoes crush the fallen apples with a satisfying crunch.

I squint my eyes, the dark haired couple too far away to get there before the dark figure of the scarecrow does. It was a clear distance away, I could bring us there in a moment's time. I’ve practiced this sort of distance before, it was doable, and nothing like the asylum. “Get ready to shoot 45 degrees to your left” I shouted, reaching a hand out to grasp Dean's shoulder. He meets my eyes with a look of determination hard in his irises. I focus back ahead on the target, forcing my energy there.

The air ripples around us even as we continue to run, in a blink of an eye we’re in front of the couple. A loud shot rings out, Dean shoots the thing square in the chest. But all it does is stumble back before it continues to walk forward.

Its head was tilted slightly, that greasy hair dangling on his shoulders, the sickle gripped tightly in its leathery hand. “Get back to your car!” I yell behind me, “Go!” I looked behind me for a split second, they were running and we weren’t too far from the orchards clearing.

Almost at the same time Dean and I start walking backward away from the horrifying thing. I raise my shotgun up, shooting it right in its chest as Dean cocks his gun again. But these salt bullets were doing nothing and was hardly buying us time, “Get ready to run!” Dean orders as he shoots the thing again.

Not needing to tell me twice I shift my footing, running towards the clearing right after the couple. Beyond Dean's own shoes hitting the ground hard next to me I could hear the subtle click of its boots walking the ground. Now I know how every character in Halloween felt as Myers went after them.

I do the thing that you should never do in a horror movie and turn my head to see how close the scarecrow was. It couldn’t be more than 10 feet away, “Screw this” I mumble, twisting my footing again so I could walk backwards as it came towards us. I uncomfortably hold the gun in the crook of my arm as I extend my hands forward, effortlessly calling upon my abilities as I shoot out pure energy from my hands.

The scarecrow goes flying what seems like 100 or more feet, landing harshly on its back. I want to celebrate and get all cocky but this was dealing with Norse Gods and I didn’t particularly feel like getting on their nerves at the moment.

I make it to the clearing, my chest heaving from the running and use of powers. Man, water would be good right now.

A familiar arm wraps around my shoulder, the crook of his arm touching my neck as he brings me into his side. His chest heaves too, “Good job.” The praise makes my heart swell but the sweet moment is cut off by the man in the couple panting, “What—what the hell was that?” He points between the orchard and me. Double yikes.

“Don’t ask.” Dean responds.

We sit in the Impala just outside of town so we wouldn’t technically get in trouble.

After helping the couple officially leave, thank god, we went back to the motel. It would be hours until the college opened so we really just had to wait. We ate at some all night diner before showering and sleeping for a couple more hours. We woke early, I threw on some low rise black jeans and a fitted black & gray long sleeve baseball tee, heading out to grab some coffee before heading back close to town to wait.

Dean had called Sam, placing his phone on speaker and positioning it in the middle of the dashboard so we could both hear and speak. He called his brother on his own accord to talk about the “hunt” and I didn’t dare say anything about it knowing he would just brush it off. The call was certainly more than just letting him know how the hunt was going. “The scarecrow climbed off its cross?” Sam asks.

“Yeah, I’m tellin’ ya. Burkittsville, Indiana. Fun Town.” Dean muses, taking a sip of coffee from his cup.

“It didn’t kill the couple, did it?” Sam responded concerned.

“God no” I scuff.

“We can cope without you, you know.” Dean adds.

“So, something must be animating it. A spirit.” Sam theorizes.

“No, it’s more than a spirit. It’s a god. A Pagan god, anyway.” Dean answers.

“What makes you say that?”

I answer this time, “There’s a lot that points to it, from annual cycle killings to the choice of victims. And I’m sure you know human sacrifices were common in Paganism especially when it comes to fertility. There were even mass sacrifices to even protect them and or help them with wars.”

I begin to speak with my hands again, getting more animated as I get excited, “And according to a local all the towns around them are failing in multiple degrees especially in agriculture, while Burkittsville remains flourishing largely in their apple department. As seen not only through their extensive orchard but their numerous apple products, they practically gloat upon it.”

“And you should see the locals. The way they treated this couple. Fattenin’ ‘em up like a Christmas turkey.” Dean adds in.

“The last meal. Given to sacrificial victims.” Sam acknowledges.

Dean answers, “Yeah, we’re thinking a ritual sacrifice to appease some Pagan god.”

“So, a god possesses the scarecrow…” Sam starts, Dean adding in with their usual weird finishing each other's sentences, “And the scarecrow takes its sacrifice. And for another year, the crops won’t wilt, and disease won’t spread.”

“Do you know which god you’re dealing with?” Sam asks.

“Well, there’s hundreds of Gods.” I answer, “But it will most likely align with Norse Paganism which are broken up into two sections one of them being Vanir Gods. From what I remember they’re Gods of fertility, wealth, wisdom and two other things. I don’t remember too much and unfortunately there’s an issue with the internet so I can’t even confirm my theory.”

Sam laughs, “What do you mean issue?”

“Long story,” Dean responds, “But we’re on our way to a local community college, they have a book on Norse Gods there. You know, since we don’t have our geek boy to figure out the issue with the internet crap.”

Sam laughs again, “You know, if you’re hinting you need my help, just ask.”

“I’m not hinting anything.” Dean replies quickly with a fake annoyance to his voice, “Actually, uh—“ He looks at me as if he isn’t sure what to say, I nod my head encouragingly, “I want you to know….I mean, don’t think….”

“Yeah. I’m sorry, too.” Sam says seriously, seemingly knowing what his brother was struggling to say.

Dean looks to his hands cradling his coffee cup to straight ahead through the windshield, “Sam. You were right. You gotta do your own thing. You gotta live your own life.” I don’t try to bite back my smile, he wasn’t looking to begin with, either way I was proud of him.

“Are you serious?” Sam asks, probably never expecting to hear that.

“You’ve always known what you want. And you go after it. You stand up to Dad. And you always have. Hell, I wish I—“ He cuts himself off, sighing, “anyway….I admire that about you. I’m proud of you, Sammy.”

“I don’t even know what to say.” Sam says quietly.

“Say you’ll take care of yourself.”

“I will.”

“Call me when you find Dad.”

“Ok.” Sam responds, though he sounds upset, "Bye, Dean.”

He collects his phone from the dashboard, hanging up. He catches me staring, “What?” I don’t answer, just smile at him, “No. Don’t give me that happy go lucky sweet look.”

“Oh come on!” I laugh, “That was really sweet of you Dean! So can’t a girl be proud of her boy.”

He rolls his eyes, placing his coffee in the cupholder before crossing his arms across his chest, but his face gives him away a light pink gracing his cheeks. “You are a sweetie pie” I declare, placing a hand on his shoulder. He removes one of his arms from their own hold, placing a warm hand on top of mine, grasping it gently to remove it, “I’m not.” he bites. His tough boy act was so cute.

“If you say so” I shrug, the smile on my face giving away the fact that this wasn’t me giving up on the fact he was a total softy. He turns his head away, facing his window, mumbling something incoherent.

I want to start skipping into the library, who knew a community college would have such a nice one. Though to be fair I would say any library was nice as long as it was in good shape. I make my way to the librarian's desk, “Hello!” I greet, my excitement getting the best of me, “Could you point us to the books on Paganism? Or even just Norse mythology?”

The old woman at the desk looks at me a little strangely, maybe I came off too strong. But her expression contorts into a small smile, “One of our dear old professors would have those sorts of books, lucky for you sweetie I think he’s free right now. I can just give him a little call.”

I look back at Dean, who stands a little bit behind me, he shrugs, I guess it wouldn’t hurt talking to a professor about this. Especially if it meant looking at that book.

I turn back to the old librarian, “Yes please.” But she already placed the phone back in its holder, “He’ll be right down.” Oh. Okay, this woman works fast. “You can take a seat there, it’ll be a moment” she points to just behind us at a mostly empty table. “Thank you!” I smile.

“It’s not every day I get a research question on Pagan ideology.” Professor Williams says, as he leads us to his classroom.

“Yeah, well, call it a hobby.” Dean responds, not sounding all that amused.

“Well what are you looking for in particular?” The older man asks.

“Uh, local lore, maybe” Dean answers, looking at me to jump in at any time but I don’t know if I want to put all my eggs in one basket. We had to choose who we could trust here, and maybe I shouldn’t have been so forward with the nice librarian but doing so made getting to the book easier. I hope. “I’m afraid Indiana isn’t really known for its Pagan worship.” He answers.

I can already feel this being a painfully slow lead to the answer, “You know, actually,” I began, “I was interested in the Vanir Gods. It struck me the other day and when I can’t get an easy answer for something I go digging.” The professor stops in his tracts, turning to face me, “Very well. I was not expecting to hear such a clear topic.”

I laugh a little uncomfortably, “I just like to learn.”

We follow him down the rest of the long hallway into his classroom. A small room with desks and chairs lined in order while a large whiteboard rested on the long wall. He beckons us over to his desk, a thick and long brown leather bound book lying there, “Well, let’s see.” He leafs through a couple of pages seeking what seems to be the chapter he’s looking for, “Ah ha, there we are” he declares, turning the book towards us.

I read the first page quickly, breezing through information I already knew. I turn to the next page only to be met with a picture of a scarecrow-like thing on a post in a field with farmers surrounding it. I read out loud the text just below the image, “The Vanir were Norse gods of protection and prosperity, keeping the local settlements safe from harm. Some villages built effigies of the Vanir in their fields. Other villages practiced human sacrifice. One male, and one female.”

I looked up from the book catching Dean's eyes, this was definitely it. “This particular Vanir that’s energy sprung from the sacred tree?” Dean asks, gaze flipping to the man in question.

“Well, Pagans believed all sorts of things were infused with magic.” He answers not all that helpfully.

“So what would happen if the sacred tree was torched? You think it’d kill the god?” Dean questions further. He’s really just putting it all out there. The professor laughs, “Son, these are just legends we’re discussing.”

“Yes of course” I fake laugh along with him, “My, uh, friend here just loves the hypotheticals, you know?”

“I do,” Dean nods seriously. The professor just looks at us strangely. God I really hope he just thinks we’re weird people. “Listen, thank you very much.” Dean says, holding out his hand. The professor takes it, giving what seems like a firm handshake before offering one to me, “Yes, thank you so much,” I say sincerely, taking his hand for a single awkward handshake.

I follow Dean to the door, an odd feeling settling itself in my gut as if something was about to happen. He opens the door and the feeling spikes, my heart jumping at the simple action. What the hell. I want to ignore it, push it to the back of mind and chalk it up to just random anxiety. But I can’t, genuine fear twists itself around within me, clawing at the walls of my stomach as if to warn me. Just as my foot breeches the hallway everything in me screams to turn around.

I listen to my body, turning around as I take a half step back, a large book only inches from my face. A small breathy squeak leaves my lips as I duck, a loud bang and tumble coming from beside me. This was a trap.

Using my bent knees as leverage as well as the attackers stumbling at missing me, I latch on to their forearms pushing up and out still holding on tightly as I lift my leg and kick. My foot connects with the soft expanse of the person's stomach, letting go of his arms at the same time. It was no doubt the professor as he was the only one in the room with us. I watch him stumble backwards, knocking into his desk roughly.

My brain works quickly, adrenaline rushing through my veins. The bang and tumble I heard must have been someone attacking Dea—I twisted my upper body to the right, catching the sheriff's wrist before the blunt of his gun could hit me too. I didn’t need to look to know he already got Dean. God this town was crooked.

I bring his arm down closer to my level, twisting it in an attempt to put it behind him, but he uses his free hand to left hook me, his fist connecting with my cheekbone. I let go of his arm at the action, my hand instinctively going to my cheek that stinged until something cold clinked onto my wrist. I knew it was handcuffs but my eyes went to my wrist anyways just as he clicked into place the other half of the cuff.

He looked smug, as if he had won. He must have been stupid. Not that it changed much but my hands were cuffed in front of me, magic aside it couldn’t have stopped me. I tilt my head slightly, giving him a ‘seriously?’ look before kicking him where the sun doesn't shine, immediately he doubles over holding onto his crotch with teary eyes. I guess you could add assaulting a police officer to my list of crimes, he may have been a sheriff but it probably still counted.

He would be down at least for a minute or more so I turned back to the professor who seemed to be stalking closer with the same book raised as if he was trying to kill a bug. The second my eyes landed on him he stopped moving, I foiled his plan. “Could you stop with the book?!” I exclaim. He seems to contemplate what I said, his eyes slipping from me to something behind me. He was not good at this fighting thing.

Thin but strong arms wrap around me, forcing my arms to my chest. I flailed around trying to shake the guy off, I didn’t want to use my magic yet. The less they knew the better. “Watch, she’s a kicker” the professor warns. “I know” the somewhat familiar voice of the sheriff huffed from behind me, his chest rumbling with each word. His chest was rising and falling fast, I wonder if he fully recovered from my crotch attack or if he was pushing through.

All at once I stop flailing, a smirk making its way on my face, and before anyone can do or say anything more I bite down hard on the sheriff's hand, my neck bending at a weird angle to reach him. He yells letting me go to hold his wounded limb.

I take a couple steps away from both of them, “I’m also a biter,” I muse. I look between both men, neither of them seeming to know what to do. They hadn’t expected this. “Which one of you wants to go next?” I point between either of them, the handcuffs rattling with my movement, “ ‘cause I can go all day, baby.”

They look at each other, worried in their eyes. The sheriff's throat bobbed with a hard auditable gulp. “Aw, don’t tell me you’re scared” I tease, smirking viciously, I was having too much fun with this.

The sheriff reaches slowly for his gun, the one he must have put back after I kicked him. I watch him do it, he’d pull it but wouldn’t shoot and ask me to stand down or come with him. He expects me to be afraid of the gun, at the prospect of being shot which is why he assumes it would work. He pulls it out, holding it firmly out in front of him aiming for my chest, “Get on your knees. Hands behind your head!” he yells. How predictable.

The smirk on my face only deepens, I lift an eyebrow at him, “If you wanted me on my knees so badly you could’ve just asked.” I was never usually so flirty or straightforward, but this was just so fun. I knew I was getting cocky. Maybe I was hanging around Dean too much. “Knees now!” He yells again. At this point he was just feeding me these easy openings. A laugh escapes my lips, I must look like a psychopath.

He readjusts the gun in his hand, his finger scooting back towards the trigger, but he couldn’t shoot, not when they wanted to use Dean and I as sacrifices. “Last chance!” He warns. Last chance indeed.

I catch my eyes flaring purple in his shiny revolver, a look of horror and confusion apparent on his face. A look I was used to, and as much as it normally would upset me I could use it now. The air fizzled around me, maybe I was getting better at this, in a blink of an eye I was right behind him. I kick the back of his knee, the man buckling under his own weight, his gun going off. The bullet hits the ceiling light right above where I stood only moments before.

Shards of glass fall, the light flickering for dominance before eventually going dark. I easily grasp the gun from his hand, turning the safety back on before sliding it across the floor out of the room. Without a plan to actually hurt the man, I used what he gave me, pressing the linked chains of the handcuffs to his neck as I brought the back of his head to my stomach.

He grunts against my hold his hands trying to pry the chain off as his eyes search the professors for help, but his partner backs away hands up in defense. I loosen up my hold, I wasn’t trying to severely hurt the guy or kill him for that matter. “‘Had enough?” I ask, mostly teasing.

Suddenly a soft plush material is pressed to my face, I move to fight or teleport away but my limbs suddenly feel too heavy and my eyes begin to droop. My body feels like it’s falling even as I stand in place, I think. My eyes begin to flutter close, my legs giving out on me. The world turns black.

My head feels fuzzy. My eyes are too heavy to open just yet. It smelt bad, a musty smell combined with a farm-like smell. The ground was comfortable.

I try to open my eyes but they flutter shut again. Someones calling my name, they’re too far away…need to come closer. My head was pounding.

Something suddenly brushes into my hair repeatedly. Even still half gone, fear spikes in me. My eyes shoot open, my upper body jolting up into a seated position. Familiar hands hold my shoulders as I sway, the room seeming to move back and forth, “It's okay, you’re okay” Dean says soothingly. I stare at him, his features becoming less and less blurry as I blink.

He cups my face gently, his fingers barely brushing against my skin. He seems to study me, most likely noting the bruise that is undoubtedly forming where I was hit. His thumb brushes over my wounded cheekbone gently, yet even so I wince sucking in a breath between my teeth. “Sorry” he mumbles, meeting my eyes. I hum, my tongue feeling too heavy to utter a word. “What happened to you?” he asks softly.

I swallow, trying to force my tongue to work enough to answer but my words still come out too quietly, “You went down first. I fought, but I think someone else came. They covered my mouth with a thingy, maybe they used, um, what is it called?” My thoughts felt all jumbled still, fog covering the expanse of my brain. My head was killing me too much to think straight. He practically scowls, his eyebrows furrowed and his lips turned down in a frown, “Chloroform” he answers. I smile weakly, “yeah that.”

I want to lay down. The room was still spinning, my head hurt. This was embarrassing, I had gotten all confident before– feeling invincible only to be drugged. I remove Dean's hands from my face, holding them instead as I place them on his lap. I looked around us, the room might be moving but it was obvious enough it was some sort of basement. No, a cellar. It was dark and empty, except for the straws of hay lying around. And just across from us was a small staircase up to what seemed like cellar doors. “It's locked,” Dean says, noticing my stare. Of course it is.

But if I could just right my mind, clear the fog, I could get us out easy peasy. Almost as if I willed it, the cellar doors creek open. The sunlight floods through, I try to block it with my hand, the sudden light worsening my headache if that was even possible. I need Advil. Dean lets go of my hand getting up quickly, just watching the quick movement makes me want to vomit. I blink slowly, following suit, with a lot of stumbling I make it to my feet even as it feels like the room is pulling me down.

Four jerks stand just outside the cellar, Harley and Stacy, Scotty, and the Sheriff. Harley moves close to the stairs as if he's about to descend them before getting abruptly stopped by the Sheriff, “I wouldn’t, she's feisty.” Dean laughs at that, my assault on the man very apparent by the various bruises he displayed. I would smirk or laugh too if it didn't feel like I was using all my energy to keep me standing. Harley knocks the Sheriff's hand off but makes no move to get closer, “She’s also still drugged” he bites. “Wrong,” I pointed a finger up, feeling more like a drunk as I spoke, “This would be the side effects or aftermath of Chloroform.” All four of them looked at me blankly, maybe I was wrong. I don't know.

“I hope you both know this is for the common good,” Stacy nods. I furrow my eyebrows, “Thanks for the preaching, lady. It really eases the brain into all this sacrificial nonsense.”

“That's enough” she replies rather calmly before nodding to the others. They begin to close the cellar doors, darkness enveloping us. I sat down rather quickly, landing on my butt harshly, “I'm surprised you didn't say anything snarky to them.”

“You were more entertaining” He answers with a half shrug. He tries the cellar door again but of course it's locked, he huffs moving to sit next to me.

I lean my head on his shoulder. He speaks softly now so as not to disturb my throbbing head, “Where do you think this important tree would be?” He was referring to the tree we would have to destroy in order to kill the scarecrow, and it was a good question. “Hm” I hum, “It would be the oldest tree here, probably the most protected. Maybe the first immigrants brought it over here, so it’s wherever they would plant it. I would say in the middle.” He nods and I swear I could hear the gears in his head turning.

The cellar doors open again, Stacy coming into view “It’s time.” I want to ask why they didn't just take us the first time they opened the doors but I guess waiting to die a little later was better than sooner. I remove my head from Dean's shoulder, do we fight? It would be 4 against 2 except I wasn't completely okay. But we could fight, right? I mean we always make it out, we always wind up fine.

Harley and the Sheriff come down the stairs, the Sheriff watches me carefully as he lifts Dean forcefully up. Harley doesn't show any remorse as he grips my forearm tightly, lifting me to my feet before grabbing my other arm roughly holding them behind my back. I struggle against him attempting to step hard on his foot as he forces me up the stairs behind Dean.

Real fear twirled itself around me, were we not going to fight?

They drag us forward deeper into the orchard, I dig my heels into the dirt trying to slow it down as much as I can. I’m scared. I don't want to die. I don't want to be sacrificed to some god. Please. Please. My headache needs to go away, let me use my powers without pain. I struggle against him more, trying to let my magic seep into anything around me but immediately my headache worsens by ten folds. I grunt in frustration, trying to shake the older man off further but he only tightens his grip. I hope bruises won't come from it, not that it would matter if I died today. I close my eyes tightly, digging my heels in further, please. Please. Anything, please.

Harley pushes me forward effortlessly. I don't want to die. Please. Please.

The ground begins to rumble, shaking violently. Apples tumble from the trees hitting the ground with a bunch of thumps. My heart beats wildly in my chest as if it's trying to jump out and run away. His grip loosens on me as he freezes in place, “It's angry at us!” Stacy yells covering her head. I wiggle out of Harleys hold, taking a couple steps away as my legs wobble like the ground. A familiar click locks into place, I come face to face with a gun, “It’s not causing this. It's her” the Sheriff accuses.

“Dont touch her” Dean yells, struggling against Scotty's hold. The Sheriff must have passed him on to hold me at gunpoint for the second time today. “I'm not doing anything” I spit, the shaking ground growing more intense.

“Your eyes are glowing again” he states. “What are you talking about?” I nearly yell, I think I would know if I was using my own abilities. Plus I've never done anything like this before so how would I be able to do so now?

Before I can react he has my hair wrapped in his fist, pulling my head back forcefully a hiss of pain escaping my lips. It felt like it was going to rip itself right from the roots. “Dont you fucking hurt her!” Dean roars. The ground seems to become more violent, the large trees themselves shaking where they stood while everyone nearly stumbles over. He pulls my hair hard, my neck snapping back as he moves his shiny gun in front of me, showing me its side.

My only slightly blurred reflection stares back at me. My cheekbone had a dark bruise painted there and my eyes were–

My irises were purple. No. It doesn't make sense, I wasn't controlling this. I wasn't making it happen, I've never done this before. The Sheriff pushes me forward letting go of my hair at the last minute, I fall to my knees only a foot away from him. The barrel of the gun is pressed into the back of my skull, “Make it stop or I'll make you stop” he threatens. I can hear Dean struggle against Scotty again, and in the corner of my eyes I see him finally pull away before turning around and punching the man right in the face. Scotty doubles over, but before Dean could do any more damage to anyone else Harvey grabs him.

“You can't kill her, we have to leave them both for it” Stacy argues. The ground seems to roar, the earth shaking so siverley I nearly fall to my hands. “I would stop if I could!” I admit, “I don't kno–” I cut myself off, a sudden deep memory making its way to the surface of my brain. A memory of a deceased corn field, a disaster I caused.

“Make it stop!” the sheriff spits. “I told you I don't know h–” Suddenly the gun is raised up and before I could do anything to stop it, the gun hits the side of my skull. My head feels like it explodes as I hit the ground, my eyes struggle to stay open. The last thing I see before it all goes dark again is Dean trying to lunge forward and the ground halting in its shaking.

My eyes flutter open, my horrible headache accompanied with an even worse head-ache. Both in my head and outside. At this point my brain should be a scrambled mess.

My wrists were zip tied to a thinner part of the tree trunk my back rested on. It was just beginning to be dark out. I move my gaze from above me to across me, Dean sitting against a different tree in the same position I was in. His eyes widen and he attempts to move closer before grunting in frustration at the restrictions of his wrists, “You're awake. Are you okay?” He licks his lips, “I swear to fuckin’ god I’ll kill ‘em.”

I don't say anything, my head is too heavy. He's staring at me with wide eyes, fear clear in his irises. “‘You okay?” he asks again. I nod, my head hurts and I’m confused and upset, but I’m alive so I’m okay. He shakes his head, “No.” I look at him confused, I don't understand. He continues to shake his head, wetting his lips again, “Say it. I need to hear you say it,” he sounded breathless, “I need to hear you say you're okay.”

“Im okay” I say weakly. He sighs, relief clear in the way his shoulders drop. But I had a feeling he knew I wasn't being totally truthful.

He swallows roughly, “Can you see the scarecrow?” Despite my heavy head I look in each direction for the thing, until I can slightly see the post. “Dean” I start and I can hear my own voice wobble with fear, “It's not there.” He fights against his restraints, and I would join him in that effort if my head hasn't already given up on me. “I hope their apple pie is frickin’ worth it” he grumbles.

A shadow catches just behind Dean, I squint hoping I'm just seeing things from potential brain damage then the actual scarecrow. “Dean, I think it's behind you.” Forget everything I said and thought, I begin fighting against my own restraints, the zip ties digging into my wrists harshly. “Dean?” a familiar voice called out.

Sam’s tall figure comes into view as he rounds the tree Dean is tied to. Dean twists his neck oddly to see his brother, “Oh!” he sighs in relief, “Oh, I take everything back I said. I'm so happy to see you. Come on.” Sam takes that as his chance to assess his brother's binding before pulling out his pocket knife, “‘You okay, Y/N?” he asks as he works on sawing the bindings. “Dandy” I respond, truly done with this all.

“How’d you get here?” Dean asks his brother.

“I, uh–I stole a car.”

Dean laughs at that, “That's my boy!” His bindings finally break with a snap. Sam doesn't wait for his brother to get up as he walks the short distance to me, beginning to remove my own restraints. His eyes gaze down at me every now and then, most likely assessing the damage.

Deans at my side a breath later, squatting down to be at my level. He brings his hand carefully to my face, gently moving a piece of my hair behind my ear. Something feels dried and stiff there and I wonder if it's blood from being hit or just dirt. I tilt and roll my head away from him, the pain overwhelming even with the delicate touch.

My restraints snap above me, bits of the plastic tangling itself into my hair. My wrists are raw and red, just one more thing to add to the list. I place my hands on the cold dirt, trying to pick myself up but my ears begin to ring and my vision spins. I sit back down again, huffing. Strong arms grab my arm and waist all but lifting me off the ground and onto my feet, “‘You got eyes on the scarecrow?” Dean asks, looking at his brother who shakes his head. “Alright, I can carry you, the clearing isn’t far off” Dean says looking down at me.

“That's ridiculous,” I shake my head, “I’ll slow you down. I’ll just push through, and we don't have time to argue this.” He grumbles, he doesn't like the idea. But again we don't know where the scarecrow is and we can't waste time bickering over stupid logistics.

I immediately regret not taking the offer. My brain feels like it's jumping around in my skull and swishing side to side as if on a boat. I feel like the orchard is spinning around me, tumbling over itself like one of those tunnels in a fun house.

“Alright, now, this sacred tree you’re talking about–” Sam pants lightly as we run, Dean having filled him in on the information we gathered. “It's the source of its power” I finish, my voice feeling far away even in my own ears. “So let’s find it and burn it.” Sam annonces.

“Nah, in the morning.” Dean counters, “Let’s just shag ass before Leather face catches up.”

We come to a skidding stop, just at a clearing of trees the four jerks from before as well as a couple others stand guard. Sam nudged us in a different direction just to be met with a wall of people, we were surrounded. “Did the whole fricking town come to watch us die?!” I exclaim, “Just let us leave!” I was so tired of this, I just want to go to a motel or something and shower off today's fears before falling into a deep sleep. “It’ll be over quickly” Harley says, and if it was meant to be comforting it was not working. “It's for the greater go–” suddenly a sickle is pushed through his stomach. His mouth opens in shock, blood dripping down the sides. Screams come from all around us, and I hardly know if I was screaming too.

He’s raised off the ground before the sickle is quickly pulled out. Stacy still stands there screaming, watching her dying husband on the floor. But soon her screams are cut off too, the sickle going through her throat. Her eyes are wide, her mouth hanging open too as blood not only spurts out of her neck but spills down like a waterfall onto her shirt. The air fills quickly with all the blood's metallic scent. The scarecrow does not retract its weapon, keeping the curved blade in her neck as it grabs onto Harley's collar dragging them both behind it.

Shock had frozen us in place, but apparently not the townspeople. “Come on let’s go,” Dean insists, leading us away.

Morning came by far too slowly but at least we passed the time by using the stolen car to drive back to the college to get the Impala before returning to the orchard. It all went by so weirdly, I knew I was moving but it felt like I never left that road outside the expanse of apple trees. I hardly remember the drive there or the drive back, everything still spun and the ringing only got louder. I think I might have lost my mind.

We stand in front of the sacred tree though I don't remember how we found it. The tree had Vince’s tattoo printed onto it, that was a tell tale sign it was the right one. Sam pours gasoline all over it, Dean picks up a long branch lighting it on fire before throwing it onto the tree. “‘Think the towns ‘gonna be okay?” Sam asks as the flaming tree roars with the crackling flames. “Don’t know” Dean shrugs, but I think the answer was apparent to all of us.

“And the rest of the townspeople, they’ll just get away with it?” Sam adds.

“Well, what’ll happen to the town will have to be punishment enough.” Dean answers.

We walk back to the car leaving the burning tree behind us, though I hope it won’t spread and cause a whole forest fire, “So, can I drop you off somewhere?” Dean asks.

“No, I think you’re stuck with me.”

“What made you change your mind?”

“I didn’t. I still wanna find Dad. And you’re still a pain in the ass.” Sam explains, “But, Jess and Mom—they’re both gone. Dad is God knows where. You, me, Y/N. We’re all that’s left. So, if we’re gonna see this through, we’re gonna do it together.”

I give Sam's arm a little squeeze, it was a really sweet speech.

“Hold me, Sam. That was beautiful.” Dean smiles, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder who hits it away. They fall into a fit of laughter, “You should be kissing my ass, you were dead meat, dude.” Sam says between laughs.

“Yeah, right. I had a plan, I’d have gotten us out.” Dean scuffs.

“Right.”

[danthepillerman]

this is a dumb toji x nanami smut fic cause i made a joke and now im just running with it!!

tw: nsfw and alcohol 😱😱

its another day in the Shoko Ieiri household, she had a few people over. Those people being Nanami Kento, Megumi Fushiguro, Ryomen Sukuna, and Toji Fushiguro. two of them gouging themselves on shokos supply of beer while she drank wine.

Nanami and Toji were the two drunks, Tojis arm slung over Nanamis “hey new buddy!! pass me a beer” his voice slurred and deep as ever. Nanamis eyes look at Toji then at the case of beer. The blonde smirks and grabs a beer tossing it at Toji, “yeah here buddy.” Its clear to anyone in the room Nanami saw Toji as anything but a drunk.

The two continued to drink finishing the case and pouting about it. “Dudeee no fucking way theres no more” Toji grumbled to Nanami. The blonde hums “i can drive us to the store- trust im a GREAT driver when drunk” a drunken grin plastered on his face.

The two stumbled out shokos house, the woman walking out with a raised brow “i can drive you two, you do know that right?” She was obviously less drunk than Toji AND Nanami combined. Toji groans “dont be a buzzkillll me and kenny will go” a grin on his scared lips “no im serious ill drive you” she says one more time before the two drunk men duck into the car. “GO GO GO!!” Toji shouts and as he does nanami STEPS on it. The two stay mostly quiet with a but if small talk from Toji about the music he was playing.

Toji never realized but Nanami was pretty damn attractive, the street lights shining onto him as he drove. One hand tightly on the wheel the other propping his head up. The car swerved here and there but other than that nothing major. The two get to the store, parking HORRIBLY as they do so. “Hey dude youre a great parker” Tojis voice full of playfulness. The other male laughs “yeah id expect to be so, ive been doing this for yearsss” arrogance laced his usual monotone self. Nanamis eyes wander Tojis body. He was kinda hot..?

“So are we paying or not?” Toji was use to not paying for half his drinks- either some pretty girl with prettier money bought it for him or he just walked into a store and ran out. Thats just the type of dude hes become. Nanami thinks for a second and pats his hip “oh shit- i didnt even bring my wallet.. ehh its fine we can just steal. Ill distract and you get the beer” never in a million yeard would The Nanami Kento expect himself to be stealing beers with a ‘homeless guy’ (he called Toji this earlier in a groupchat)

Nanami walked to the register two apples in his hands “lovely night no? How you doin” a kind smile on his face. The cashier looked tired and already annoyed “yeah..great night- HEY!!” The cashier shouts when toji runs out with a 24 pack of beer and two apple (silly little add on) the two men run out grins on both their faces. Nanami gets into the drivers seat and bolts out. “Hey want one?” Toji says holding up a beer after grabbing his own, his green eyes wander over nanami, his strong arms, his beautifully chiseled face, his tired eyes. Everything about Nanami made Tojis heart race.

Nanami looks over taking a bite from his apple then tossing it into the backseat “yeah sure, open it for me” Toji nods and cracks it open handing it to Nanami while he drank his own. As the blonde swerved the streets he couldnt help but even ask where they were going, before he could get a word out Toji spoke up “lets go to my apartment, we can drink there and not bother shoko.. she might be a little mad i stole 1000 yen from her wallet” the green eyed man sighs, a laugh erupted from nanami, his chest bouncing with the laugh. “Sure man, where is it?” Nanami turned to Toji, finishing his beer and tossing it into the back with the apple.

Toji pulls out his phone that was definitely NOT stolen. He types in his address and shows Nanami, the blonde hums “easy, lets go” he speeds up, petal to the fucking metal man. All Toji could do was laugh. Nanami never really drank with other people, this was new to him. Drinking with anyone but work buddies. In all honesty he was having fun. Nanami reaches over grabbing another beer and driving the two of them to Tojis little one bedroom apartment.

Once at the apartment the two crash onto the couch, drinking another five beers. “Dude these feel so easy to drink now adays, like usually theres a weird taste to em” Toji said his arm slung over the couch and his head tilted up, Nanami hums nodding along with what the black haired man said “yeah i think thats just the alcoholism though” Tojis laughs at that. He sits up and looks at Nanami, his eyes falling onto his lips. “Wanna make out?”

What a way to go straight to the point huh? Toji was surprised by it himself, laughing it off “nah im joking thats gay.” His eyes dart away. Nanami laugh along with him “fuck it? Why not” he shrugs a smirk on his face. Toji looks back a bit surprised “seriously?” Nanami nods at the question and gets in closer to the other man, his hand grabbing Tojis chin. He leans forward and crashes his lips onto Nanamis. Tojis hand pulling him closer by the back of the head.

Nanamis hands grab onto Tojis neck kissing him deeply, Tojis tounge darts out from his scarred lip gently tracing over the blondes bottom lip. Once the other mans lips part and pushes his tongue into Nanamis mouth, his hands gripping at the suit wearing mans hips. Holding him tightly. Toji was in heaven, and he needed Nanami to know. “Fuck kento, you taste like heaven” his voice full of lust and need. Desire ran through both their bodies as their tongues intertwined.

Nanami groaned at his words, his cock stiffening in his trousers. Toji was just as hard just less noticeable from his sweats. The black haired man pushed the other down onto the couch his rough hands unbuttoned Nanamis shirt. Once it was off his hands wander all over the males body. Tojis lips trail down, biting Nanamis neck roughly, his jaw, his shoulders, his neck, all of it Toji wanted to claim it as his. He bit harder onto Nanamis neck, the blondes lips parting with a gasp escaping his drunken lips.

“Hey, kenny, you alright with me marking you up?” It mightve been too late to ask but Toji still had some decency. Nanami nods “hell yeah, i dont mind” and with that last bit of words Toji began to bit and suck at nanamis chest.

His lips wrap around the blondes chest, right above his nipple. Tojis teeth sink into his porcelain skin sucking at it and leaving a red mark, his tongue smoothing over the redden surface. “Na-haaa.. mmm” Nanami moaned, gently gripping at Tojis hair. His hips grind his Tojis thigh, he needed some sort of friction, anything, everything, all of it. Thats what Nanami wanted.

Toji grins when he feels Nanami grind into him, so he does something he think would help the other male. He cups Nanamis bulge into his hand, palming at Nanamis cock through his pants. “Oh fuck- oohh” Nanamis hand grabs onto the other males wrist, his hips moving to grind into his palm. The way Toji pressed onto his bulge made his even harder. Honestly he didnt mind making a mess of his pants if it was Toji who made him to it.

Tojis eyes were on Nanamis beautifully contorted face. He lives how his brown eyes shut tightly, how pretty Nanami looked when he moaned. “Aye, ken, can i take these off you?” Tojis voice slurring as he tugged onto Nanamis pants. The blonde nods “yeah.. take em off” he was already so out of breath from something as small as being palmed, maybe it was the alcohol.

The two ripped their clothes off Tojis lips crashing back onto Nanamis once they were completely naked. Tojis hand gripped and squeezed at Nanamis ass. (gay as hell but tojis an ass guy.) Kento moaned into the kiss, his cock twitching and bumping Tojis in the process. This didnt go unnoticed from the other male, his hand reached down grabbing both their cock into one hand.

“Shit your- youre leaking so much pre..” Toji was honestly in awe about how much precum was trickling from Nanamis soft pink tip. “Oh shut u-up.. thats not alot..” he responded to toji, his cock twitching like crazy. They were both around the same size, Tojis having a bit more girth to it while Nanamis has length. “Nah kenny thats a lot” Tojis said, teasing nanami for being more excited than he was. His rough thumb pressing onto Nanamis tip, swiping up the precum and licking it. “fuck…” Nanami flushed more at Tojis actions. He bit down onto his Tojis shoulder once the males hand started stroking both their cocks with one hand.

Nanamis bites down harder causing Toji to squeeze their cocks and moan out a curse. “Fuck, fuck ken nit so ha-hard” his voice rougher than normal. His hand continued to lump their cocks. “Ken, look at me” Toji mumbled, it was hard to talk when youre trying not to moan or whine, but Nanami listens letting go of his shoulder and looking at Toji.

Tojis hand lets ho of their cocks and reaches up, his thumb caressing Nanamis bottom lip before pushing past his lips and teeth pressing onto his tongue. All that mattered in this moment was them, and their drunken passion for eachother. Toji kisses Nanami again sucking and biting at the blondes lip. Toji pulls away after what felt like hours, both their lips swollen. “Go to my room. Its the first one on the left” Toji reluctantly pulls away and lets Nanami stumble his naked ass up the stairs and onto his bed, Toji gets up from the couch and grabs a box from his bathroom closet.

Toji never really had people over and the few times he did have someone over that he planned to fuck into next year, they always wanted him raw. But he still had a pack of condoms just in case. He made his way to his room and saw Nanami on his bed, face deep into Tojis pillow sniffing his scent, every few seconds his hips would move. That damn freak. “Aye im back” Tojis said with a grin, Nanami shot up and composed himself “wait i have to get it in the ass??” Nanamis words slurred together, it honestly barely made sense. “Uhh duh, my condoms”

What felt like forever of them arguing whos getting it in the ass finally cane to an end once Nanami shouted a finale “Fine!” with a huff. Toji had the condom snug around his fat cock. “Look at you, ass up and ready to be fucked.” Under any other circumstances Nanami wouldve drop kicked the person and stomped their lights out, but this? This was TOJI. And Toji was too sexy to resist.

Slowly the black hair man pressed his cock to Nanamis ass, gently pushing inside of him. The blonde gasps and grips the sheets. “Fu-fuck youre tight.. so fucking tight” Toji groaned, he waited a few more seconds before pulling back then slamming back in. Moan after sweet delicious fucking moan left Nanamis lips. All Toji could think about was how good Nanami felt around his cock. Hes never had sex with a guy but fuck was he happy he was doing it with Nanami, who seemed to be an ass virgin.

Tojis hips didnt slow, not for a single second. He pounded Nanamis ass in a fast and rough pace, he didnt wanna stop. Nanami hated how his eyes were watering from this but he loved how it felt, how his body was in a frenzy, how he couldnt stop moaning. His precum dripping onto the bed with every thrust Toji sent his way. Tojis head was spinning, his hand gently smacking Nanamis ass. In Toji’s opinionhe had a pretty nice ass, it jiggles with every slap, it was smooth, it was cute. He loved it and never wanted to leave it.

They didnt stop for a good hour or so going a few rounds switching out condoms, but when they did boy-o-boy were they exhausted. On the last round Nanami insisted no condom, swearing he was ready to take it raw. His hole was pretty lubed up but Toji still prepped him with his fingers. Once he deemed him ready Toji hovered over Nanami pressing a deep kiss to his lips while pushing his cock inside of him. His hips moved frantically, all rhythm thrown out the window like a steaming hot honey bun at a homeless man. Toji was started to get more vocal, moaning into the blondes lips, small things like “tight..so fucking tight” and “fuck yes, fuck yes” Toji was in heaven with Nanami and he never wanted to leave. With one fínale thrust Toji came inside Nanami.

The two stayed like that for a second before Toji pulled out and grabbed a wipe from his nightstand. He gently cleaned his cock then grabbed another wipe to clean Nanamis. He tossed those into the trash can and getting one last wipe to clean up any cum on Nanamis ass or thighs. Once tossed he laid down and looked at Nanami “maybe next time you can dom” Toji said with a drunk sleepy grin.

Nanami chuckled and nodded “yeah..” his brown eyes fluttered shut leaving Toji to gaze at him. He felt so much in that moment. But before he went to sleep he leaned in and kisses Nanamis lips, pulling away a second later and getting comfortable on his bed.

[hauntedfoxhut]

Earth42!Miles Morales x F!reader

Warnings: discussion, blood, anxiety, stress

Fluff, a bit of angst but fluff

Spoilers ahead (spider man across the spider verse)!!

You’re the spider woman of the reality E42, but your boyfriend is your worst enemy, The Prowler

Miles/Prowler POV!

My day started so perfect but now here I am, on the floor, my nose is bleeding, I can feel bruises around my chest, looking straight to her “eyes”, that spider women, I hate her, people call her spider cherry because of her smell and her dark red clothes…. She’s hypnotizing, the way she moves, I can badly defend myself.

- You will never win this fight! I’m the hero and you’re the villain, can’t you understand? Why do you keep trying so hard??!

Her voice, so familiar, my heart jumped a beat, I looked scared, behind that mask I hold my tears… my enemy… no… It can’t be.

I decide to run away, go back home fast as possible, I wore a coat to hide my Prowler suit, and the rest like the claws and the boots I hide it under the bed, and called her… Y/N… I need to talk to her

Y/N POV

After that strange battle against the prowler I felt weird, like something wasn’t right, when I arrived my bedroom my phone started to ring, the name on the screen *Papi 💍❤️*, but it’s 3am, why he’s awake?

I answer the call -Hii Babe what’s wrong?

- nothing serious mami I just… wanted to talk to you, can you come over?

- Sure, I’ll get there in 20 minutes, let me just pack a couple of clothes

- Ok Honey… see ya

- Byee babe

After packing a couple of comfortable clothes I run to Miles apartment, was dark, i knocked at his bedroom door, *get in*, I entered, his room was clean and very organized, probably Rio cleaned his room today, I can clearly smell his perfume, he was sitting on his window, looking dead in my eyes, even looking like he wanted to read my soul.

- So… are you going to tell me the truth?

- the truth? What are you talking about?

- you’re the spider women, aren’t you ?

I looked a him in disbelief, how? Since when?... years of hiding from your parents, your grandparents, your friends but now, he knows.

- Go on and explain to me when you had this stupid idea? Just because I spend a lot of time out?

- Take of your sweater, show me your arms, now!

If I show him my arms he’ll see the bruises from the last fight, I can’t handle that, the pressure filled my eyes with tears, I started to shake… Why is he doing this to me?

- Miles, please, understand, give time to explain…

- GO ON Y/N EXPLAIN THEN!! I’ve been giving you a lot of time… I gave you so much time that I don't even recognize you anymore

His voice, is shaking, he’s almost crying, all I can do is holding him in my arms very tightly, but I’m the one who’s crying now, that guilty is making my heart get even more heavy, that’s all my fault.

- Miles, don’t cry honey, please

- Y/N… please, don’t hide it from me, I want to take care of you, after my father’s death I have the duty to protect them, and you my dear, I can’t live without you…

I look up and I see him, his face, so beautiful but now he’s trying too hard to don’t cry, even his mouth is shaking holding the sobs, he hold my face with both of his hands, drying my tears with the thumbs.

- Bae… look in my eyes, I love you and that’s why I want you safe, promise to me that you’ll be careful, Please!

- I will, I promise

He leave the hug and close the window, the curtains too, the room gets darker, just a fine line of light coming from the door, suddenly, his clothes started to glow, that purple light….

- No… It can’t be…. You’re…

- Im the Prowler… I’m sorry but I can’t hide it anymore… I was planning to tell you, but I needed to know about you first

He takes off his jacket, that suit in black with metal pieces reflecting the purple neon, he looked down feeling shame, he kneeled on the floor, and then he hold your hand, very tightly

- Now… I know you’re confused and very mad at me, but understand, I had to do it, I need to protect you from this city, I wasn’t there to protect my father, but I am here and I can protect you my love.

I kneel to slowly pull his head up so he can look into my eyes, my eyes are soft and transmitting a comfortable look, I chuckle and place a kiss on his forehead.

- Babe, we can do this together, protecting each other and the others, and please forgive me for kicking your belly, I’m so sorry honey… And also, don’t cut my suit with that claws again, please

He smirk and place a cute kiss on my cheek, he hold me in his arms again placing his head on my shoulder smelling my floral perfume.

- let��s just hug and watch a movie, that’s the only thing I need by now, you, a blanket, a lot o pillows and cuddles. Please.

- Whatever you want honey, let’s take off these suits, by the way let me borrow your shirt again, I love your perfume, and they are comfy

He just open his wardrobe taking a huge shirt with a prowler graffiti drawn on it, but there was a bow on the shirt, like a gift

- I was planning to give you this, when I finally got brave enough to tell you all of this, so… did you liked it?

Your eyes just glowed, that neon painting looks amazing and smell like him, it’s a cotton shirt with a cute pink bow

- I loved it!!! That’s so amazing Miles!

- I am glad you liked it… ugh…

- What happened??

Miles fall on the floor holding his heart, her face shows a pain semblance, and you look scared to him.

- I am dying…. From cuteness, hahahahah

He start to laugh and your scared face turns into a grumpy stare, you felt worried but now all you want to do is slap him.

- Next time I’ll let you agonizing on the floor

He quickly get up and grab you, holding your body in the bride style.

{TIME SKIP}

Now it’s 05:30

Im lying on the couch with Miles on me holding my body while he sleeps, he feel asleep hours ago hearing my heartbeat, he’s snoring a bit, his mouth a bit opened, looks like a child sleeping, I start to skretch his hair trying to don’t undo his braids, I braided his hair almost 5 days ago and it looks untouched, he’s being very careful with my hard work.

Everything would be so more simple if we weren’t who we are, him being the Prowler and my boyfriend, me being the spider woman dating one of the most dangerous villains in New York, I wish we could spend all day like this, just sharing love… I love this boy… I can’t let anyone hurt him anymore, that’s a promise.

I receive a message from Ganke Lee, he’s my right hand, he send me a message about the prowler, I just ignored, I’ll keep the city a bit more safer keeping the “prowler” in my arms, I answered the message

Y/N

Don’t worry Ganke, I have everything under control 😉👌

I told the truth in the message he just don’t know how I’m handling it.

And I just went back to sleep with my lovely boy who has all my heart and devotion❤️

[malleusthehammer]

Hi. Can you make a fic/headcannon with Tesla that has a s/o that is a badass with anger issues. Tesla would always give her migranes with the shenanigans that he does. She would pull Tesla from the scruff of his shirt, and pull him out, telling him he is done.

Thx in advance

Absolutely!! i have been dying to write for Tesla!! >:3 i really hope you enjoy!!

Tesla with a Badass!Reader!! Warnings: Yelling? Type: Drabble!!

Tesla has always been one to get on your nerves. But who were you not to love him? Hes just a silly guy!! Any time he has a new idea for any experiment, h runs around without you knowing. He knows how mad you can get if you find him putting himself in danger. It sent a shiver down his spine at the thought of you picking him up and shaking some sense into him.

This time, he thought about actually trying to start out his Gematria Zone. You had kept a keen eye on him lately, along with his science buddies. You knew he was up to something just by the way he kept distancing himself from you.

It was quite the normal day in the lab, Tesla was writing on the chalkboard while Edison followed closely with a notepad and quick fingers. The other scientist fiddled with their own mess, drabbling in their own fields.

You could hear the jabber between the men, only barely overridden by the buzz of some electric things that you had no clue how they worked. You never minded letting Tesla have his own days with his men, but he always promised to tell you what he was doing that day. Somehow, he had bribed you into going out for the day with some of the other females and valkyries in Valhalla. You knew it was was risky, considering that your boyfriend was one of the most famous scientists.

You let it slide, calming down and hanging out with your girls. The date was going just wonderfully! Goll was talking your ear off about something she had learned about Jack the Ripper, and Brunhilde was just letting her jabber. The three of you walked the halls gently, hearing the other people laugh and banter about. A party was in a few days, commemorating all the gods and those who made it Valhalla. All was swell till your phone dinged.

"Hey, [your name], I think you should head back, Teslas getting out of control"

Your eyes widened at the sight of the text. Sure, Edison texted you here and there, but it was only flirtatious comments. This mustve been serious.

"Hey- i gotta run. Its Tesla."

Goll cocked her head slightly as brunhilde sighed and waved a shoo hand at you. You waved to them before darting down the hall, slamming doors open and running through room after room to make it back to the observatory. Once you made it, you slammed the door open, huffing and puffing.

All the scientists dropped what they were doing with shocked and scared faces. They knew what was up. A few pointed at Tesla as he continued to fiddle with a bunch of wires, sparking everywhere

"Nikola. Tesla."

Your voice rung out in the large room, causing him to turn swiftly around and see who called him. His face lit up and he smiled, taking off his gloves.

"My Darli-"

"Dont play dumb with me now, Tes.."

His eyes slightly widened as he watched you walk towards him. He was tall, but you were MUCH taller. You swiftly grabbed him by the back of his shirt and coat, holding him up like a mother dog would her puppies. He smiled weakly as his feet dangled off the ground .

"D-Dear, no need to be rash-!"

"No. I told you, I cant trust you around your own damn experiments."

Edison was giggling in the corner, covering his mouth with his hand. You shot a deathly glare at him and he immediately stopped. All the other scientist along with Edison backed up.

"C'mon.. were going home."

"B-but my Gematria Dome!''

"NO! Youre done!"

And with that you tossed him over your shoulder, and walked out the room. After walking for a while, you sat him down and sighed.

"im sorry for yelling at you, Tes.."

Tesla chuckled and shook his head.

"oh nono, you were just saving me from my own death, my dear.. thank you.."

GRAAAAAA okay lowkey i did not intend for this to be so long. But i really really hope you enjoyed this!! Its my first real time writing for Tesla, so i hope its to your standards!!!

[slickchickchocolatier]

S E 7 E N : R E C K O N I N G P A R T 1 N E

WARNINGS: Religious references (both accurate and inaccurate), mentions of cannibalism, rape, murder, grotesque deaths, demons, angels, heaven and hell, conspiracy, abuse of authority, cruelty behavior, sinister and sadistic main character, threats of death, threats towards women, time travel, sexual fantasies, religious/sacrificial death/offering, God, the Devil, 7 o Princes of Hell, 7 Deadly Sins.

The text in purple are song lyrics.

The next day, you woke up as usual and conducted your regular routine. You showered and found yourself staring in a daze as the water coats your body. 

‘Tomorrow…..tomorrow I will no longer be here…I'll no longer be alive....’

You felt like crying…you felt like screaming…you felt like running and releasing every inch of emotional energy you could think of. 

But you couldn’t…your body froze internally and you couldn’t think let alone feel. 

‘Lily….is this how you felt? No wonder you were so stoic…poor girl….it wasn’t your fault….it really wasnt….we really…are just two moths that were drawn to the flame…and burned.’

You finished up and made a cup of tea, nothing out of the ordinary….nothing. 

Maybe this was all a dream…a nightmare…maybe you’ll wake up any moment and look past all this. Maybe this was just a test, or a cruel joke…there has to be a rational explanation…people like Lily and yourself…just regular and innocent people…they can’t die like this….

Sipping on your cup, you looked at the phone Niki gave you. Reaching over to it, you opened up the contacts list and subtly released a breath.

Hitting the number displayed, you hold the phone to your ear and your insides felt light as the familiar tone of the line ringing came back to you in a manner that felt like deja vu. 

It had been so long, what with cell phones being banned, and you never did own or invest a landline, it was somewhat pointless considering after Lily had died, you hadn’t felt the need to reach out and talk to anyone…who was there to even call? You hadn’t really gotten to know anyone else, everyone had changed and became stagnant in the comfort of their own homes….they were too scared to live, out of fear that whatever they did, it would be considered a sin….your parents including....especially considering you never joined the cult.

When the line picks up, your heart sank upon hearing your fathers voice….

“Hello?”

‘It’s been too long…far too long.’

“P-papa?”

“….y/n!…my girl…where are you calling from? How are you able to....did you buy a landline phone?”

Tears streamed down your face, you couldn’t help it. 

“N…no…I um….and using a friends phone.”

“Y/n….don’t…don’t be putting yourself at risk! You need to be careful, who is this friend? Are they apart of the organization? Is it a landline? Cell phones are banned, you know that…” 

“I know…..but….I had to call…I have to tell you something…”

He stayed silent on the other end.

You filled the air with the stuttering cries as they slowly escaped your lips…you tried your best to maintain composure….you really did....for the sake of your parents...you tried to be strong for them.

“Daddy….tomorrow…..I…” you paused as you raised your hand and covered your mouth for a second as you began sobbing. “Im going to die tomorrow….”

You heard nothing but a long unsteady sigh as it became evident that he was choking up his own sobs.

“……so it’s true then….your mother and I heard about you being selected….we kept telling ourselves that it wasn’t true…not you….there was no way that my daughter could have been selected…..you’ve never done anything….like Lily….” 

Upon him mentioning your best friends name, you winced your eyes as you started to cry aloud. 

He also began sobbing and for a moment, no words were exchanged as you both cried. 

“How can this happen?….my girl please tell me that there was some sort of mistake…please tell me that it wasn’t your name on the message….not my daughter…not my y/n…” he cries out. 

You built up your composure as you started to talk again. 

“Papa…please listen to me….I’m sure…I’m sure you and mama are not going to watch it go down….but I know you’re going to hear about it….just know…if I don’t die by the angels…..just know that I’ll always love you and mama and my siblings…I don’t know what exactly is going to happen but…”

“What do you mean? Are you saying there’s a chance you’re not going to die??” There was a slight bit of confusion and hope in his voice. 

“…….yes…well…sort of…..I will die either way but…I just…”

“……y/n…..what’s going on?…..do you have something to tell me?” His tone was steady. 

You looked out your window and closed your eyes for a moment, the warm tears escape through your closed lids as you took in a steady breath before continuing…

“I….I made a deal….with someone that…that says he’ll save me….but in return…I have to go with him…” 

“………”

Everything went silent for a moment before your father panicked his words. 

“W-what are you saying? Y/n what is going on? What is this person you’re talking about? Is he a part of the organization? Does he work for the Senator?” 

“…….no……”

“……then who?….who is he…who did you make this deal with?”

“......The Devil....I made a deal with the Devil….”

……………..

You broke down and sobbed louder than you ever had, even more so than when Lily had passed. He didn’t say anything but his silence said it all.

“I-I’m sorry papa….I don’t know….I don’t know how to explain it…..the past 6 days I’ve learned so much and yet I know nothing…I’m so confused and I don’t know what’s going to happen.” You gasped out in between sobbing pants. 

“Please….please papa tell me what to do…say something because I need my father more than ever right now….please…I don’t know what to do or how to feel…”

“……..I don’t know what to say…..i….how? Y/n….the Devil? Have you gone crazy? Why are you talking that way? Why would you say this? Do you know what they would do to you if they heard you right now??I’m sure it was just a mad man you spoke to but still….you can’t say something like that….”

“It’s true though….papa it wasn’t a mad man…he really was…..I’m just….please understand that tomorrow if I don’t die by the angels…..please just know that I did what I did….not because I’m afraid to die…I am but I was more than willing to accept it… I made the deal because if in the case….if he does come for me….you…mom…and the rest of the world will be safe again…..everything will go back to normal…..I’m willing to make that sacrifice….please just know that.”

He remained silent. You’re not sure if he was angry, disappointed or confused…maybe all of the above. 

“…..your mother just walked in….you should talk to her….but don’t mention anything that you just told me….”

Handing the phone over to your mother, the familiar sound of her voice made you break down all over again, as did she. 

You abided by your fathers demand and didn’t say anything about your deal with Heeseung….but you did confirm about being selected when she had asked. She fell to pieces, her cries could be heard in the background as your father takes the phone and continues the conversation. 

“…….we love you….we always have…we had wished that you would have joined the organization but after witnessing what happened with Lily…..I suspect that sin or no sin…we are all doomed….I just never would have wanted for you to go before us….y/n….”

“I know……I’m sorry papa. Please know.....I never did anything…I’m not perfect but I truly lived life and represented you well as your daughter…just know that….”

“I know my girl….I know…”

With deep sighs and breaths of teary gasps, you finally had to end the conversation after finding yourself unable to bear any more. 

“I love you so much. Always know that, you and mama…”

“We know….we love you too….I wish we could see you….please…..please know we love you so much…..”

It took numerous tries to hang up as you found it hard to let go, as did he. Finally, unable to cope and hear your voice any longer, you heard your father sob as he clicked the phone off. 

You sat and merely kept the phone next to your ear for a minute or two….silently sobbing.

‘…..I don’t know how…I don’t know why this is happening….all I know…all I feel is that six days ago…far away I heard the call…of a heart that sang a song like mine…it’s melody drew near and suddenly, we were in perfect harmony. I know that it beckons to me…from a land that’s not part of this world…yet I know I must follow…wherever it leads me….wisdom only comes with time. The road to love is paved with broken hearts. If I am to reach my goal, and protect those that are dear to me…I must stake everything, in my true destiny, no matter what the price…’

As you mentally issued your internal will, you stepped out to your balcony and took in the sight of the wide sky before you. 

‘Should I just jump off to my death? What will happen timid I died prematurely? I’ve thought about it so many times but then….if I did that…if in the chance he and his brothers are for real…would he still come and get rid of the angels? Or would he abandon everything because I abandoned it first? What would happen to my family? I’m left with no choice but to take the risk and die by either their hands…or his…’

Resting your forearms against the rail, you gazed down from the third floor your apartment raised on. You admired how everything looked so small, the people, the cars, and the trees. 

‘Is this what everything would look like from Heaven? If I had died and became a part of Gods kingdom, would I have been an Angel? Would I be able to fly and look at the view of the world from above?’ 

As you relaxed into the pensive composure of your mindful thoughts, you didn’t realize or hear the sound of your front door opening. 

The last thing you had seen was the clear blue sky….before a shadow of darkness coated your entire head and you felt the forceful grip restraining your body as they dragged you away from your apartment. You kicked and screamed. You heard their voices as one issued out orders to hurry up and take you into the vehicle, where you were driven away. 

You don’t know how long of a drive it was. After succumbing to exhaustion from trying to break free, you felt them tie your feet and hands together, practically throwing you in what you assumed was the back seat as you felt the leather seating and the seatbelt buckles. 

“We have her…...right.”  You heard the unfamiliar voice…assuming he was speaking into a phone. 

“We are to take her into the church, she is to stay there for the night.” The voice issues, followed by an acknowledge response from what you assumed was the driver, based off what you could gather from their conversation. 

‘The..church?’ 

With whatever energy you had, you attempted to struggle yourself free upon feeling them removing you from the vehicle, and dragging you away. 

You felt the stone tiles beneath your bare feet as they took you in to a massive room, or so you think as the echoes of your cries as well as their foot steps sang throughout the entire area. 

Taking you up a series of stairs, you were picked up as you felt multiple hands grab you and elevate you from the ground as they carried you. 

Finally, after being carried away, they threw you on to the stone cold floor, rather roughy as you felt the pain of landing on your shoulder and hips without any motion to break the fall. 

“Is this her?” A woman’s voice emerged. 

“Yes.”

“Hmph….a witch indeed.” 

‘…..witch?’ 

Removing the bag that was placed over your head, you saw the elder woman studying you as the group of men depart. 

“Don’t even think about doing anything funny. There are guard everywhere and I will have no issues in calling them should you not follow my orders….you filthy whore.”

Glaring at the woman, you studied the room as it looked to appear as some sort of dungeon. The walls and floors were all made of stone tile just as you suspected. The windows were all barricaded by metal bars without any glass, and the only furnishings that existed was a small wooden table, chair, and a pile of hay straw off in the corner. 

“Where am I?” You asked in a deep and steady tone.

“You are in the Ecclesia Sanctorum, the church of Holy Saints. Your execution tomorrow will be on full display for the entire world to view, since you are the most offensive sinner that has yet to die at the hands of Gods holy soldiers.”

You blinked and paused your shifting gaze as you looked into her eyes. 

“What?”

“Are you deaf as well?” She speaks harshly. “You are to be cleansed and prepped here before we take you to the location of where the angels will come to execute you. A priest will attend to your final prayers. You will be an example to all, as the greatest sinner.”

“You…you people are sick….there’s something wrong with all of you…can’t you see that this is wrong?” You spat out as you glared back at her. 

“Sounds like something a witch would say…how dare you plague Gods own country with your evil  filth…disgusting piece of trash.” She grits out before she exits the room. 

Bind by the ties that restrained you, you shifted yourself free and quickly made way to one of the portholes that allowed you to view the outside. 

Looking out through the metal bars, you realized based off the entire view of the city, that the church you were in was the largest amongst all in the entire area. 

From afar, in the middle of the main road, a large platform was being put together, resembling a stage for a concert or performance. Yet you knew it was far from being an entertainment setting…at least for you. 

Looking around, there was no way for you to escape. You were too high up, the windows barred, and the door was locked securely. The slight bit of voices on the other side of it made you aware that the elder woman was not bluffing about guards remaining spread throughout the church. 

As night fell, you sat on the stone tile directly center in the prison space they had locked locked you in. The discomfort didn’t matter, from where you sat, a clear view of the moon could be seen at the angle from where you positioned yourself. Your knees remained close together slightly propped up for you to rest your forearms on as you dipped your head low. 

‘This….is really my last night alive…in this cold and dark room….in this church….this....prison....'

You dipped in and out of consciousness as you slept on and off. It was still awfully dark outside, the moon and stars remained in full view when that abrasive woman came back with a small group of younger women trailing behind her. They had to be in their mid to older teen years, all of them adorning the same black attire with the badge of the cult symbol. Their hair all tied in a tight bun. 

“Hmm…prescribing the last bit of your witchcraft? Pitiful…” she scoffs out as she notices you sitting on the stone floor, facing the secured porthole in front.

“Clean her body, prepare her for the ceremony but make sure you cleanse yourselves afterwards. No matter how much you scrub her down, her body will still be filthy, don’t let it rub off on you.” The woman scolds out as you watched each young woman nod timidly. 

They grabbed you and stood you up. Taking you into the next room, passing by a series of security guards, they positioned you in the center of an old washing station. It surprised you that it still worked, yet the water was cold….too cold. 

You winced in pain as the cold water felts as if it was piercing through your skin, and the harsh scrubbing of their bristled pads were applied roughly as each young woman cleansed your naked body with old ivory bar soaps, and dried you with a rough cloth. 

Taking you back into the room you remained in throughout the night, one girl brings in a single white fabric, appeared to be made of chiffon. It was a long skirt that touched the floor and trailed behind as you walked. It was terribly long and the deep high slit on the right side didn’t provide much cover considering you didn’t have any undergarments on. 

They left your breasts exposed, at the mercy of your long hair to cover it so long as it remained in place. 

With a crown made of Azaleas, which according to what you overheard from the elder woman, was a sacred flower in the Bible, they placed it atop your thatch of silky strands as the subtle waves of your hair draped passed your shoulders and chest. Your ankles and wrists were adorned with brass cuffs, all of which contained a single loop ring. There was a type of  Biblical scripture that decorated them, though you had no idea what it entailed. 

“Hmm…you look angelic…but we all know that that’s part of your evil charm.” The elder woman exclaims. Upon closer inspection of her badge, she was one of the lead regulators within the cult. 

“What is all this? What’s going on?” You asked in frustration as you remained scantily dressed. The long skit was transparent, despite the layers of chiffon fabric, it remained see through as the silhouette of your hips and legs could clearly be made out. Your entire right leg and thigh fully exposed as you moved from the lengthy slit.

“Your execution will be in our history books. You are to die wearing only the white cloth and the holy flowers that is close to God, it will show the public that even after living a life filled with sin, we the organization, take every preparation into consideration to ensure your passage to his holy rightful judgment, that we aid in saving your soul….it will help the Senator in his mission to gain the trust of the world….”

You scoffed. “You’ve got to be kidding me….your ‘organization’ is nothing but a hypocritical joke…your Senator is a criminal and you all are too blind to be aware of it. Whatever makes you feel better about yourselves and sleep at night…right?” You spat out with a glare as you watched the elder woman restrain herself from striking you down. 

“You tainted…evil bitch. If you weren’t set to die I'd kill you myself…” she grits between her teeth. 

“Go ahead! You and your Senator are nothing but a disgrace to humanity! You’re using me, and all others for your own advantage….whatever, go ahead….” You paused as you crossed your arms to cover your bare breasts. 

“If he truly does come…and takes me away….I hope from the high Heavens to the depths of Hell that he does away with all of you in the worst way possible….you should pray the he doesn't ask me....because if he does…I’ll make sure to let him know that you, the Senator, and the other high authorities figures of this terrible cult... should all burn.” 

You’re not sure what came over you, normally you weren’t the hostile type, yet as the rays of the sun peered through the open portholes, signifying the moment of your death was breaching nearer, you lost all sense of composure. 

“Leave her! She will get what’s coming to her…” the woman shouts out as one of the younger girls rushed up from behind to lash out at you for your displayed moment of disrespect. 

Your eyes grew glossy and the burn of tears built up. Your face was angry and expressed all sorts of resentment, even though you were accepting what was coming, it hardly meant that you weren’t scared or upset….in fact, you were terrified. 

Gazing off to the side, you zoned out at the patterns of the stone wall when the elder woman spoke out.

"You know...when he chose you and told the angels your name....at first I couldn't understand why he was so riled up over a young woman. I figured his pride was just hurt from being rejected....more or less being injured beyond repair. But now that I look at you....and hear those despicable words that come out of your mouth...I'm glad he gave up your name." she issues out as she lets out a victorious chuckle.

".....what do you mean.....he gave the angels my name?"

"Oh poor stupid girl....you really think that you all were selected at random? I mean...sure, those before you were....from a list that the senator would choose out personally himself......and each time he summoned the angels....he gave them a random name from the public directory. Once the government gave him their fullest support, it allowed him more access to people of various age groups, ethnicities, and culture backgrounds. That only enhanced his message of how God was cleansing the world."

Your eyes began to widen more than ever, glossed over as you couldn't believe what you were hearing.

'This man.....this woman...these.....monsters....they did this? They did this to the world?....All those children...mothers...fathers...brothers...sisters...daughters...and sons....they chose people....innocent people to die.....in those terrible ways?.....'

Your legs began to shake as you felt yourself stumbling down, yet you caught yourself and remained standing. Placing your hands on your hips, you leaned forward and shifted your head off to the side, trying to take in deep breaths.

"You.....you people.....you did this....." you stuttered out.

"Had you just been obedient and gave yourself to the Senator, much like the others did before you, you would have been spared...but I guess you rather give yourself up to evil men who represent Hell....multiple in fact. How many were there? Six? You filthy whore..."

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!" you yelled out. Glaring right at her, you narrowed your eyes as you issued your decree.

"If I go to Hell tonight.....I promise you....I will do everything in my very being to make sure that you people see my face when he shreds you to pieces!"

She merely scoffs as she side smirks at your angry expression and threat. "Your words of warning will not work here. We are in God's own church....we are his carriers that spread his rightful name and will. You will die....and you will suffer. The Senator has made sure to request a special treat for you when he last spoke to the angels."

At that, she turns and quickly departs as she hastily locks the door.

'........How could they?......No wonder he and his brothers disagreed with God when he wanted to create people...look at us......we're monsters to each other...'

.....................................

The sun was setting, and they finally brought you outside as you noted the large gathering of the public. They all surrounded you as the guard members, the priest, and the elder woman with her posse all issued out commands for everyone to remain back and away from you.

"Get back! She is the most evil of all sinners, you must not get close at all!"

Yet many of them ignored the commands of the cult authorities as they reached out with Azaleas and Crucifix’s in hand, grazing your skin with them as they spoke out in prayer for your soul to be saved.

.....................

'God save this sinner.'

'Cleanse her soul so that she may be saved.'

'Let her soul bide by the will of God....otherwise send her to Hell where she belongs.'

......................

You couldn't exactly hold any grudges or blame to the people....what with bending to the fear of being selected for execution...a brutal one at that, you couldn't help but sympathize as they all were falling for the tricks of that ruthless man and his most devoted followers.

'If only these people knew the truth....'

The regulators dragged you through the street. Upon reaching the large platform that was built from earlier, stationed on the surface were two large holy statutes.

Setting you directly at the center, you realized what those loop rings on the cuffs were meant for as they secured a chain to each one. THe chains were connected to the statues to your left and right, providing only enough slack for your to place your hands center on your body, but not enough to touch and remove the chains that bind you.

You heard the whispers of the crowd as they gathered to take a closer look.

.......................

'She looks like an angel....'

'Look at what the Senator is willing to do...even for someone who committed the greatest offense to God.'

'Of course she's beautiful....that's the reason why! I heard she slept with six different men in a week's time....'

'A whore and a witch...so beautiful but that is a part of her deadly charm.'

'Rest easy sinful dark child.....rest in peace soon.'

........................

You kneel down and slightly hunched over as you cradled your breasts with your arms. The delicate rattle of the chains is all you can hear as you shut out the terrible words that were spoken about you.

'I.....didn't do anything....if anything....i made a choice to save you all.....at least I was....I am willing to.....yet you all don't see me for who i am.....'

In their own eyes, you looked ethereal...like a scared angel as you remained kneeling and leaned forward. Your hair drapes downward and reaches the ground as your back becomes fully exposed. The Azalea crown atop your head, a deep red as it matched the shade of your lips.

Your eyes open as you hear the voice of the Senator...speaking above from the balcony of a tall building that overlooked the city.

"People of the great city! Today will mark a milestone in our nations history, as we have discovered the most offensive sinner yet......but we are here to pay tribute to this sinful and savage child as she will be executed by God's own guardians. I ask that you all say a prayer for her soul to be saved, as her crimes against God had been one of the most displeasing. Pray for her soul, and witness the acts that God's soldiers will carry out should you sin....take her death as an example for what will happen, should you or your children commit sin."

'.....This can't be happening....I....I didn't do anything....'

..............

Silence ensued as the crowd all knelt down and began offering their prayers. Minutes had gone by as the sun continued to set....leaving you the bright red sky.

Suddenly, a loud screech can be heard from afar. Then another....and another....

'.....there's more than one?....'

The Senator speaks out once more as you processed your mental thought.

"Good people.....watch at how God treats the sinner's who offend him....witness as he has become greatly displeased and angry at the betrayal of this young woman...whom he graciously, like the rest of you, loves and cherish...yet she not only tarnishes his holy divinity and name...this woman had the audacity to harm those who serves him and does his work."

Peeling your sight off the surface of the platform, you raise your head as your arms remained crossed over your breasts, your mouth slightly gapes open as one by one, each metallic humanoid figure flew in and landed at a great distance from the stage.

One....two...three....six......eight...ten....

Soon, there were more than fifteen or twenty of them that landed. Each morphing their extremities into something tortuous and terrifying...all to rip, pierce, and tear off flesh from bone.

'........so this is how it will end....my God....I am scared...I am frightened beyond measure.....please.....just get this done and over with.....'

.................................

Seven thousand years ago.....

"Heeseung...the muses are here...." Jake speaks as he calmly approaches the elder brother, who rests on his throne with the speckles of blood on his face. His fingers coated with bits of flesh and blood clots from whatever it was he tore to pieces.

"Uh huh....." he merely issues as he leans back into his seat.

The three muses, the guardians and mentors of Helel...or Heeseung, steadily approach the young man that they raised and loved...yet saw the darkness in his heart had changed him into something far worse than a killer. He became the very thing that nightmares were made of.

"Helel....we-"

"Iiiiiiii......prefer that you call me Heeseung...." he cuts off.

"....Heeseung......you know why we came?...."

"I have an idea...." covering his eyes with his bloodied hand, he leans back with only his nose and mouth remaining exposed. An evil grin coats his bright red lips as he chuckles out with a slaughtering tone.

"So what?....does he really want to make peace or is he trying to change my mind again?" Heeseung peeks a wide and glaring eye between his fingers as he coats his upper lip with his tongue. The muses all felt their weight drop upon the unsightly horror that was before them.

'So.....evil.....so dark and sinister.....how insidious this man is....to think he was the beloved and first archangel of God...'

"He wanted us to show you...to appeal to your senses as the first and most notable archangel of his Heavenly kingdom."

"Aaah...." Tsking in air through his teeth, Heeseung looks down at the ground before presenting his most unpleasantly horrifying gaze back to the lead muse.

"Appeal to my senses huh?" he chuckles once again, each time he issued it, it became even darker and more disturbing in nature.

"How about I just rip you both to pieces, starting with your feet, working my way up to your heads....and I'll take her...." he points to the lady muse, "and feed her virginity to those hungry demons beneath my feet? hmm?"

"Heeseung....." all three muses bow down. "Please.....give us the chance to show you his vision...his sight....it is his most desired request. You've killed off all of the other archangels, with the exception of Jol......yet he bears no ill will....he still is trying to show you....please....show us what his love has purchased....let us show you. After, we will leave and never appear before you again."

Upon hearing the muses, all six brothers stood by them as they spoke out in high respect to the eldest archangel.

"Heeseung....you know we are on your side no matter what.....would it be wrong if we express that it would only be fair for you to hear them out....perhaps there might be something to your advantage....." Jungwon and Jake spoke out, all in earnest as they kneel down.

"Like what?....what could possibly be in it for us? we're already banned from the one place that we called home....disowned by those that raised us.....what could he possibly have done to change my mind?" Heeseung scoffed out.

At the last bit of his sentence, the three muses, while remaining bowed down, all glanced at each other with a look that indicated a knowledge that wasn't shared with anyone...

The remaining brothers present themselves and spoke out alongside Jake and Jungwon.

"Heeseung....wouldn't it be best to hear them out...than to dismiss or slaughter them and to not know what it was that they were sent here for? Wouldn't it cause turmoil to wonder for eternity what he is wanting to show you?"

Rolling his eyes as he bites down on his finger, he glares wide eyed to the three muses.

"My brothers all seem to be adamant about this...I wonder if it is truly out of their own curiosity or if there is another meaning behind their intent..." Heeseung's glare shifts from the muses over to his brothers who remained kneeling in a straight row.

"No.....we would never treat you in that manner.....we only appeal to you as we still hold respect for the elder muses....they were the ones that raised you....and us. There would be no harm in allowing them to deliver God's message....that is all." Sunghoon spoke out calmly as he stares at the base of the throne that Heeseung rested on.

"huh.....for fuck sake...." tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair, Heeseung didn't issue his decision...not yet.

Cracking his neck as he shifts it from left to right, back to front and back to center, his eyes closed as he gasps out slight chuckles at the harshness of each sound effect that punctures the air in his realm.

"Who are they.....darling?" she walks out sensually, stark naked.

Heeseung merely shifts his head, looking off to the side on the ground as the succubus approaches from behind. With only an aloof expression on his face that suddenly replaced the twisted grin, he remains quiet as the demoness graces her presence to the audience before him.

Upon hearing her approach, all six brothers slightly snarled. Heeseung's favorited mistress was here, displaying no sign of respect or courtesy towards the muses, which didn't sit well with any one of them....or Heeseung.

Despite that he was murderous in nature, especially at the sight of Heaven's guardians, which brought out memories that both, pleased and pained him, it didn't deter the fact that they were not received well by him, without an ounce of respect. However, it also didn't mean that all those beneath him shouldn't render instant courtesy and obedience.

The muses merely stared with awkward looks as the demoness stands off to Heeseung's side. Her hand grazes over the intricate carving of his throne as she raises a bent knee and hovers it over Heeseung's lap, as if she was shifting to sit atop and straddle him.

"Are these old friends of yours?" she smirks out as her rather full and curvaceous figure adorns him gracefully.

Looking down at him as she remains standing, Heeseung places a hand atop her thigh as she fully swings it over his lap. Looking up at her with a closed-mouth smirk, he raises two fingers and suggestively signals for her to lower herself down to him.

Leaning in, she prepares to come in for a kiss.....much to the horror of everyone around, it became apparent that Heeseung was either annoyed, angry, or just fed up with the presumptuous attitude of his lead mistress.

The muses winced their vision shut and turned their heads away as they heard the agonizing screams and the tearing of flesh, the dislocating pops of bone and cartilage. He started by grabbing on to her hair as he tore off her wings, before moving on to her arms, and then taking her by the ankles and ripping her apart, piece by piece.

With her disfigured remains in his grip, only her torso and head was left fully intact as she breathes out her dying tortured breaths.

"Oh 'darling'.....I kind had enough of you.....also....you never really pleased me." with his cold words, he tosses her limbs off of his high throne.

Sitting atop the large stoned mountain, with a series of stairs that extended miles long, starting at the base and reaching the top of the peak, his throne remained highest, above all in Hell. With the deep crevices below, he observes as he, his brothers, and the muses hear the terrible and frightening sound of the demons feasting on the flesh of the demonic maiden.

With her head remaining attached to her torso, he maintains his grip on whats left of her by her hair. Kissing her lips one last time, he detaches it from the main portion of her body and tosses the remains over.

"Alright then....show me what it is that he sent you over for. Pray that at the end of it, I'll be in a good mood to not kill all three of you." He issues as his gaze remains on the demons below. Smirking, he watches with amusement as the monsters all scurry like bugs, attacking and devouring the limbs he tosses over. Raising his hand, a large disbursement of raging flames emerge from below at the base of the mountain, burning all, the devouring demons and the flesh of the succubus to ashes, all the while he chuckles as the roaring cries of demonic forces fills the air.

Witnessing the most evil they had ever seen, the muses gasp in great horror as the brothers all remained stagnant with their expressions. To them, this was nothing out of the ordinary.

The lead muse in particular started to question if what they were sent to do...would make any difference after seeing the cruel nature of Heeseung and the acts he just committed.

'This man.....this first of all angels to be created....and we helped raised...the one that was closest to God....was favored by the divine king.....yet here he is.....he lives for death...he enjoys seeing it....his heart is too twisted....are we doomed for death by coming to his territory?'

......................

".....Why are we here?" Heeseung stood with his arms crossed. After being convinced by his brothers, the muses escorted the King of Hell to an unfamiliar site at the border between Heaven and Hell.

"He has asked that we show his creation of people, leaving us strict instruction to take you to seven thousand years time in advance....it was his strict orders for us to do so...." the lead muse uttered out, in hopes that Heeseung wouldn't become too riled at being brought to the alter of time, space, and universal continuum....all to see people....the creation that he disagreed with the holy king on.

"Are you ready, Heeseung?" the lead muse looks back as he observes the man looking completely indifferent with his arms still crossed. Dressed all in black, with knee high boots and a kneel length coat to match, he fit the defined description of the dark prince.

"Just....fucking do it already.....before I change my mind and tear your throat out." Heeseung irks out as he rubs his forehead.

The lead muse dismisses his threat as he continues to chant out a series of prayers before the alter. A glow of light rises and becomes brighter, enveloping the group into an orb as the electrical currents surrounds them in a globe of flashing light.

The muses all wince their eyes shut upon the light flashing into their eyes, yet Heeseung seemed unbothered as he merely stood and continued to stare out fully.

In a swift second, the globe envelops them completely. With a loud boom, the orb expands into nothing, disappearing along with Heeseung and the muses.

In a flash, feeling like as if they merely blinked, their eyes reopen and adjust to the unfamiliar surroundings of the current world and time.

"….Where the fuck are we?” Heeseung calmly states out in an irritated voice as he raises a brow.

“fret not, Heeseung. We have traveled through the continuum of space and time, nearly 7 thousand years into the future of the world you created, after the creation of the first man. The people have thrived in population and advanced their evolutionary talents. They have expanded into an heightened stage of cultural application in regards to engineering methods and knowledge, known as ‘technology’.” The lead muse explains as Heeseung walks with crossed arms, confusingly admiring the tall buildings, the scenery of the bustling streets of the city and the combination of modern and old century architectural design.

With the passing of the large crowds, blindly unaware of their presence, Heeseung displays a look of annoyance as the myriad of people walk past.

“you brought me through the advancement of time…to show me this?….THIS….is what he wanted you to show me??? THIS is what he thinks is going to enlighten me??” Heeseung spoke with wide and gruesomely angry eyes.

“the very thing that I disagreed with him on…which ultimately became the reason why I left the high Heavens….is this some kind of joke? Is he trying to mock me?” He takes his steps slowly towards the three muses, glaring into their eyes with the most evil sense they’ve ever witnessed.

“please Heeseung, as your former mentor, I beseech you to spare us your time and allow us to do what we were asked to do…” the lead muse exclaims as he stands before the other two younger muses.

“Choose…old man…choose which one of you I should rip open and cut to pieces…” Heeseung leans in, snarling at the upper lip. “I'll allow two of you will go back...so choose wisely."

The lead muse stood bravely with shaking eyes as he once more, appealed to Heeseung’s familiar appeal, hoping to get past his cruel nature.

“please…allow us to show you…should you find no change in your heart, you can take me. Sever my head from thy body and send it back with the two other muses…” the lead muse spoke out, his fortitude against the Dark Prince earned a gasping shock from his two disciples.

Heeseung’s wide eyed glare remained, yet the gritting of teeth through the sadistic grin and look of twisted amusement displayed a sense of pleasure as he looked forward to shredding the one who raised him, knowing that the elder muse was one of the closer guardians to his former master.

“very well old man….killing you would hurt him deeply. It will be my pleasure to separate your spine from your body and rip the skin off your flesh by the end of this fucking atrocity you got me entangled in.” He remarks harshly at the last bit as he side eyes the view of the people that continue to walk pass.

All three muses nod in discouragement as they regained their composure, trying their best to remain hopeful and trust in Gods will.

Noting as the Devil continuously expressed a look of disgust as the marching of the crowd surrounds them, the lead muse signals for him to follow as he guides Heeseung with detailed explanation.

“Be forgiving Heeseung, they cannot see nor hear us. We bid you to refrain from using your power to alter your perceptible vision afront of them….it is best that they do not know who we are or why we came.”

“huh…cunning old man, how wise of you to understand my capabilities….nonetheless, I have no intentions of making myself known to these shitheads.” Heeseung sighed out in annoyance as he remained standing still.

the muses led the way with a disgruntled Heeseung trailing behind, leaving his arms crossed and a harsh look of annoyance on his face.

“He wanted us to show you their capabilities…how they work together to build governments, some in the form of electoral democracy, others are permanently ruling with authoritarian standing. He also wanted us to show you their capabilities when it comes to compassion, nurtured behaviors....all angles of human behavior.” The lead muse continued as he guides and explain the advancement of people.

Disinterested, Heeseung rolled his eyes as he dazes off and imagined the various, grueling methods of killing people. “Fragile…aren’t they?” He asks with a wide eyed smirk.

“They are nothing like you or your brothers…they are delicate in the manner of flesh and time span of age. So, yes....they are quite fragile.”

“So that means, in a week’s time from now, when he creates the first of all people, I will have to induce slow torturous designs, so as to not kill them too quickly….riiiiiight?” He snarks out as he raises a hand to stroke his chin as he eyeballs a line of people waiting at a local food stand.

“Heeseung….as I am willing to give up my life for his will…I ask that you try…try and see the side of his vision…he created people to-“

“I KNOW…exactly...his claims as to why he created….people….” Heeseung sneers out as he cuts off the elder with a deep tone.

Clearing his throat, the lead muse didn't bother to entertain a response, he merely turns and continues, to the best of his ability, in showing off the greatness of people. The mortals that are capable of showing, teaching, and developing love.

Breaching an old historical building, the muses take note of the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

“Come…this way.” The lead muse signals to Heeseung with a gentle gesture.

Dragging the disgruntled Devil inside, they allow him a moment of silence as they watched the Dark Prince study the interior design of the establishment. The space was filled with so many people, yet they hardly interacted with one another. Instead, they had all been engrossed by the development of technology through the use of phones and tablets.

On the wide screen TV mounted on the wall, a local news media displays a covered interview with Michael Forras, all before he claimed the self title of "Senator" and when his cult gathering took on the ruling authority of the city.

“So you’re saying that a day of reckoning is near us?” The news reporter asks the cult leader.

“It is true….God has been displeased with the people and their offenses to his name…mark my words, Gods own, will ascend from the Heavens and cleanse the world within due time."

Upon hearing the interview taking place on the television, the muses slightly anticipated the reaction as they observed Heeseung noting the words the cult leader spoke out.

“Who is this idiot?” He asks, gazing a consumed glare to the elder muse.

“He is one who claims to be Gods servant. People are Gods greatest creation, yet they are far from perfection.” The elder exclaims.

Taking in a breath, he takes Heeseung’s attention away from the screen. “Do you see the contraptions over yonder? People have become ingenious within their own right and have developed the usage of machinery to create masterpieces that are both admirable and delectable. Take for instance, the method of developing this beverage, its scent alone is quite pleasant.” He nods over to the counter where the baristas work diligently to draft up each order as they call out the names of customers.

Walking up for a closer look, Heeseung did appear genuinely interested upon smelling the scent of the creation, known as ‘coffee’. It was a scent he’s never smelled before.

Leaning in with his arms remaining crossed, he inspects the transparent container that held the liquid in place. The elder muse continues to explain the craftsmanship of people, gaining a sense of accomplishment that the young Prince had seemed to take interest.

Yet the grudge he bore had cut deep into his soul, it didn’t matter how crafty people became, he refused to accept Gods hand in compromising a peaceful settlement.

Looking at the elder once more, Heeseung smirked as his eyes narrowed with mischief. “Listen old man…I could care less about how fancy these grueling idiots have become…I’ll devour them all…man, woman and child, it doesn’t matter." Pausing, he takes a step closer as he squares up the elder muse. Glaring, his eyes widened once more with an insidious grin that accompanies it.

"..and you…" biting down on his bottom lip, he all but nearly reached for the elder's throat.

“Order for y/n!”

You walk up to the counter, jacket looped over your forearm as you adorned yourself with a black form fitting dress, suitable for a career field, yet tastefully appealing as it subtly exposed the flesh and structure of your collar bones, the minor rise of your cleavage, and your legs, mid thigh to ankles. Your hair swayed as you took your steps, and reached up to the grab your drink. Without switching his gaze away from the muse, Heeseung continued to stare into the man’s eyes with a murderous grin, yet as you walked passed, right behind him, he caught the slight bit of your subtle scent. It was quite pleasing and differed from the rest that surrounded the area. A hint of lilac and rose, with sugar plum and pear extract…it wasn’t overpowering, but softly sweet.

He merely shifts his eyes to the side and looks at the ground after taking notice of the scent, as if he was zoning out to piece together the ingredients, yet he does not turn fully to look at the source of where the scent came from.

Upon noticing how just your scent alone caught his attention, the elder muse takes the chance to carry out his mission. He speaks out calmly. “Has something distracted you?….”

Shifting his gaze right back to the elder, Heeseung issues an expression of irritation at the audacity that his former mentor displayed.

“Are you seriously implying that a mortal caught my attention? As if I care? Did you forget why I fucking left his kingdom?” He spoke out lowly with a dark tone.

The elder's breath hitched at the sudden rise of chaotic anger within Heeseung’s heart.

“I mean no disrespect….Heeseung…he wants you to find happiness….you were the first son…the first archangel…and will forever be his favorite.”

Heeseung scoffs as he rolls his eyes. “You done?” He issues out with wide eyes.

“He wanted to present his gift to you…that is why we are here.” The muse slips out, all in desperation to reach through to the Devil.

……..

“Gift?…..” Heeseung raises a brow in confusion with his insidious eyes widening in anger. The muses remained silent.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me….the one thing that I despise….the very thing that ruined my everlasting love and respect for him….yet he dares to bribe me with one of them? As if that will mend the broken bond? ARE….YOU….TOYING..... WITH ME?....” Thrashing out a hand to his side, a blast of force and power expels from his hand and sets the confectionary stand on fire with raging flames.

The muses watch in despair as the people all gather in shock and fear of the strange phenomenon that occurred, yet have no idea as to how it happened since the small group remained unseen.

....................

“Oh my God….how…what happened?”

“Was it the heater?”

“We need to get a safety inspector out here!!!…How the hell did the entire counter catch on fire like that?!”

“Thank God no one is hurt."

"Did anyone else hear a large boom?"

“Where did the heat and fire come from? Did anyone see anything? It was as if it came out of nowhere…”

......................

The customers all rushed around in panic as they worked together to put out the flames.

“Where is she? The one that he intends to give up? This so called, ‘gift’?? I’m sending her body back in pieces, you will take her limbs and show him how much I really ‘enjoyed’ his 'present'.” He grits out.

“Heeseung we beseech you-“

“Shut up and bring her here!”

The elder muse kneels along with his two disciples behind him, shaking his head with glistened eyes, he proceeds to beg.

“I beg of you….as your former mentor and father figure….please Heeseung…don’t…”

Heeseung shifts his gaze to the elegant marbled stairway that led to the upper floor. Sensing your scent in that direction, he smirks as he flares down at the desperate muse.

“She’s up there, isn’t she?…..good.” Kicking the muse aside, he walks in the direction of your scent, leading the way as the despairing muses trailed behind.

“Heeseung please! You cannot! We beg of you!”

Ignoring their cries and pleas, he makes his way over to the third level. Turning to the left, he noticed the double doors leading to the grand library.

“Heeseung no!”

They follow in haste as he makes his way inside, not paying any mind as the muses beg, kneeling before him trying their best to appease his grudging nature as he walks swiftly past them.

Looking around, Heeseung’s irritation grows deep as the scent seemed to have disappeared.

The elder muse makes his way from behind the dark Prince and kneels before him once more.

“Heeseung…”

“Where is it? The fucking cunt? Where is she? Bring her to me right now…”

“I cannot! “

Walking up to the bold elder, Heeseung places his foot atop his hand, adding pressure and heat as smoke emerges from the bottom of his soles, melting the skin off as he adds more weight.

Wincing in pain, the elder remains as poised as he possibly could as he continues to appeal to Heeseung.

“P-please….you mustn’t…..you cannot…..”

��Where….is…..she?”

The muse looks up and witnesses the death glare as Heeseung slightly smirks, enjoying the view of pain in the elders face.

…….

“Oh! Hi y/n! You’re here early today.” The woman from the counter in front exclaims pleasantly, directing her words to you as you enter from behind the invisible group.

The elder's eyes grew terrifyingly wide as fear and hopelessness took effect. Watching as Heeseung’s eyes grew wide, his smirk also expanded, bearing teeth as he bites down his lip and chuckles.

“......That’s her behind me isn’t it?” He scoffs, his chuckle coming in more sinister than before.

“H-Heeseung…Helel….I beg you….please!” The elder desperately pleads.

Heeseung's chuckles grew louder. Stretching his neck as he did before, he closes his eyes as he cracks it from left to right, front to back, and center. “Oh elder one….when you present those bloodied limbs….tell him, ‘with best regards’ from his ‘favorite’…” a sharp chuckle emerges and he suddenly turns, his hand developing lengthy claws as he lunges out once he commits to a full turn.

“HEESEUNG NOOO!!!!”

……………

The sound of the wall cracking and burning, punctured completely through to the other side, all the librarians and staff shocked with screams and gasps as they look at the destruction of the wall behind you, right above your head.

When you're gonna stop breaking my heart

You stood with your head shifted to look at the wall behind you, taking in the view of the massive hole that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. You were so shocked, you didn’t even build up a reaction, not a single scream or yelp emerged out.

‘…..What just happened? Where did this hole come from? And why are there traces of ember and smoke? Did someone blast a cannon or some type of weapon?’

You wondered as you continued to stand and study the blasted alteration of the stone wall, completely unaware that right in front of you, the Devil stood....bewildered.

I don't wanna be another one

His frame leaned into your form with his nose and lips just a hair away from your forehead as his face leans inward from the bend at the base of his neck. His arm extending and hovered over you as his chest somewhat cradles you against the wall. A change in direction of his attack last minute upon seeing you, disintegrating the wall instead. He's there... right in front of you...yet you feel, see, and hear nothing….not his hitched breath, his wide eyes of shocking discovery, or his forearm touching your hair as it remains fully extended with his hand against the wall near the blast.

“y/n!! Are you okay?! Did something hit you??” one of the staff speaks out from behind him.

Paying for the things I never done

Turning your face back forward, where he gets the full view of it, he watches and slowly breathes out…his expression, was unlike anyone had ever seen. He was.....enchanted….

“Uh…yeah….what…was that?” You calmly spoke out with heavy lids, so exhausted from staying up late at night as you completed schoolwork and prep for exams.

Don't let go

“I don’t know…did anyone see anything? Y/n, are you sure you’re okay?”

You nod. He watches. He was so close to you….so close.

His eyes grew soft…his lids grow heavy as he stood with slightly parted lips and studied the remarkable features of your face….

‘Her eyes…her nose….her lips….her hair…her skin…her voice….her body….she’s so…..’

Don't let go To my love

The three muses stood behind, releasing a breath of relief as they note the reaction of the Dark Prince as he remained in place, admiring you.

“Master…..did we succeed?” One of the muses whispered out.

Nodding, the elder softly responds back….

“Yes….I believe we have….thank Heavens….”

I can fix all those lies But baby, when I run, I'm running to you You won't see me cry, I'm hiding inside My heart is in pain but I'm smiling for you

P A R T 2 W O

Taglist: @deobitifull; @solstramaii; @vampiregirl215; @nshmrarki; @enhypen14; @iamliacamila; @lisaaannna; @nikstrange; @jaehaki; @luv-enhy-skz33; @silcry @honeysjae; @crackedcameraa; @stinkmonkey ; @baekxo07 @raishaii @@yangjungwon33 @lhspeachie ; @differentchildwombat ; @prettykia ; @kimsseonu ; @stvrryhee ; @en-thralled ; @hoonzdzbl ; @yuppppp ; @jinniespuppy ; @talesofyuan ; @solstramaii

[enchantedrose]

Louis Tomlinson ~ Storms

warning: nothing bro lollll.

————————————————————————

Judge: “Team 56, correct.” He says making us cheer a little. “That was the last question for this round. Everyone rest up and we’ll meet again tomorrow.” After he says that, we all start making our way out of the competition room, laughing at a few jokes made.

Luke: “Hey Y we’re gonna run to the restroom real quick.”

Y/n: “Okay I’ll meet you guys outside.” I say making my partners nod before walking away. I start making my way outside the door when I accidentally bump into someone. “Shit. I’m so sorry.”

Louis: “Don’t worry about it love. It was my fault.” The man says in a beautiful British accent. “I’m Louis.”

Y/n: “Im Y/n.” I say before realizing ive never seen him before. “Are you on a team?” I ask making him laugh a little.

Louis: “Oh no. I’m here with me band. We’re performing tomorrow.”

Y/n: “Oh.” I say remembering the judges say there was going to be a surprise performance tomorrow.

Liam: “Louis! Come on lad! We need to practice!”

Louis: “I guess I’ll see you around love.” He says with a smile on his face as he goes to walk away, stopping short a few feet away to turn back towards me. “Oh and good luck tomorrow!” He says before running over to the brown haired male.

The next day:

Louis: “You did great in the competition love.” He says as he walks over to me, handing me a drink, as we’re at the after party.

Y/n: “Thanks. You uh did great also.” Me and Louis both talk for a few minutes when I hear my phone start to ring. When I see that it’s my dad, I excuse myself before walking away to answer the call. “Dad-“

Dad: “Y/n, there’s gonna be a huge snow storm in the next hour. It’s gonna be so cold that you would instantly freeze to death. I need you and whoever else you can get to stay inside the building you’re in right now.” My climatologist dad says to me kind of frantic sounding. He says a few more things before hanging up abruptly. As I look at my phone for a moment, I feel a hand on my arm, causing me to flinch a little.

Y/n: “Shit. Louis…” I say catching my breath a little.

Louis: “Sorry. Is everything okay?” He asks concerned, probably from seeing my face. I look around for a moment, before seeing the stage.

Y/n: “Can you help me get on the stage?”

Louis: “Uh yeah it’s possible. Why?”

Y/n: “I’ll explain later. Just please help me.” I say before he starts taking me there. As I make my way onto the stage, Louis quickly follows behind me as I grab the microphone. “Attention everyone! I just got a call from my dad and he said that there’s a huge snowstorm coming in within the next hour. He’s a climatologist and he said it’s going to be so cold that you could freeze to death instantly. We all need to stay inside the building for as long as we can.” I hear everyone murmur a little before I hear a voice in the crowd.

Man: “How do we know she’s not saying this to ruin the competition tomorrow?” He asks before I hear a ton of voices mixed in together, all of them agreeing with him. My eyes widen a little as I hear it all.

Y/n: “No. No. They’re not listening!” I say to Louis panicking a little, before he takes the mic from my hands.

Louis: “Hey! I don’t think anybody would lie about this. If she says there’s a storm coming, we need to listen to her and play it safe.”

Man: “Yeah right!” He scoffs a little before most of the people start walking out of the door, ignoring me and Louis.

Y/n: “Shit. They’re going to die!” I say panicking to Louis.

Louis: “Then they die.” He says setting the mic down. “Look, love, if they don’t listen to us, that’s their own loss. We can’t change their mind.” He says as he softly puts a hand against my arm. As he sees how scared I am, the tears welling up in my eyes, he instantly pulls me into a hug. “Come here.” He says softly as I sob a little into his arms.

Days later:

Y/n: 📱“I’m scared dad…” I say into the phone as I look out the window.

Dad: 📲 “I know you are sweetheart, but the cold should go away pretty soon, but it’s going to be replaced by rain. I’m not sure how much but it’s going to come.” He says as I feel an arm go around my shoulders; Louis.

Y/n: 📱”Just stay safe, please…” We both say a few more words before I hang up, resting my head against his shoulder as I continue to look out the window. We’re both silent for a moment before I hear Louis whisper in my ear. 

Louis: “It’s going to be okay.” He whispers softly.

Y/n: “I’m scared Louis…”

Louis: “I know you are.” He says still holding me close. “I am too. And so is everyone else here. But it’ll be okay.”

A few more days later:

Louis: “Niall!” I hear him say from behind me, knowing him and his bandmates are playing around. I just stare at window, looking at all of the rain. It has been raining for days straight with no breaks at all, turning into a flood outside.

Harry: “Hey Louis, your girl looks down.” I hear him say from behind me. It’s then silence for a few moments before I feel Louis behind me.

Louis: “How are you holding up?”

Y/n: “I’m just… overwhelmed. I feel like this is never gonna end…”

Louis: “I get it.” He says as I turn around to look at him.

Y/n: “Do you think it will end soon?” I see him think for a moment, before slowly nodding.

Louis: “Yeah. I do.” As he says that, I look towards the door for no reason, when I see a little water coming in through the bottom…

Y/n: “Shit… We all need to get higher! Quick!” Me and Louis quickly help people get on the higher grounds as we see the water rising a little. “My dad said he’ll be here as soon as he can. I’m gonna try to do something downstairs real quick. Louis make sure everyone stays safe.”

Louis: “What? No. I’m coming with you! The water’s getting higher! I don’t want anything to happen to you!”

Y/n: “Louis please! I can do this myself. Just make sure everyone else stays safe.” I say before making my way downstairs. I grab a couple things as I feel the water getting higher.

Louis’ pov:

Liam: “Are you sure she’s gonna be safe down there?” He asks worriedly not much longer after Y/n left.

Louis: “I hope so.” I say worriedly before I hear a voice; Y/n’s… It sounds like she’s yelling for help… “Shit…” I say before making my way downstairs. “Y/n!” I call for her as I make my way into the water. “Y/n! Where are you?” I ask before I see her trying to not drown.

Y/n: “Louis! Hel-!” She starts to yell but gets cut off as she falls underneath the water.

Louis: “Y/n! Shit.” I swim towards her body as I see that she’s drowning. I start to bring her body back where I came from, but before I can move, I see a boat from outside the window, a man on the boat. As he sees the situation inside, he signals us to move to the side. I drag her body towards the side of the room before I see the boat ram into the window.

Dad: “Y/n!” He says helping us into the boat. “Do you know cpr son?” He asks after we get onto the boat.

Louis: “Yes I do.”

Dad: “Okay you give her cpr while I try to save everyone else. How many stories are they up?”

Louis: “Three.” I say making him nod. He starts making his way upstairs to make sure everyone else is okay while I start doing cpr on Y/n. After a few moments of doing it, I see Y/n cough up some water, regaining her consciousness again, making me smile.

A while later ~ Y/n’s pov:

Y/n: I watch as my dad helps get the last few people onto the boat, Louis’ arm wrapped around my shoulders comfortingly as I also have a towel wrapped around my body. Once the boat starts making its way away from the flooded building, I feel Louis’ thumb softly rub against my shoulder. “Thank you.” I quietly whisper to him making him smile a little.

Louis: “Of course love.” He whispers to me before we hear another voice.

Niall: “Okay you two seriously need to date or something. It’s clear that’s your girl Louis.” He says making me blush slightly. Louis just gives a slight chuckle knowing that part of what Niall’s saying is true, if not all of it.

A day later:

Y/n: I just stand at the side of the cliff, staring at the world. Staring at how much damage the storms have done everywhere, when I feel a presence next to me. I look over and I see Louis, handing me a cup of tea, making me smile. We both stay silent for a moment before I hear Louis.

Louis: “You know, I don’t think Niall was entirely wrong.” He says making me look at him curiously as he continues to stare at, well, the world.

Y/n: “About what?” I ask as I take a sip of my tea.

Louis: “About… well… us.” He says slowly, kind of hesitant sounding. I just stay silent waiting for him to say more. He waits for a moment thinking about what he wants to say before he speaks again. “It’s like, I know we just met not that long ago, but I think it’s love at first sight with you.” He says making my heart flutter a little. I just stay silent for a while longer as he turns his body to face mine, holding one of my hands with his. We both smile at each other for a moment, his thumb softly rubbing against the back of my hand. “Love, you mean so much to me. I’ve learned so much about you throughout the time we’ve been together and… I love everything about you.” He says making me smile again, his smile immediately following after. Before he can say anything else, I lean forward and kiss him, slightly catching him off guard before I feel him relax and kiss me back, his hand leaving mine and cupping my cheek, rubbing his thumb against it softly. Once we break apart, our eyes stay closed as we rest our foreheads against each other’s, chuckling slightly.

???: “I knew it.” We hear after a moment and we look over to see Niall and the rest of the 1D boys. As we see the boys watching us, we both laugh a little, seeing their smirked faces.

[momentaryescape]

I'm Comin' Over

Jay Halstead x Reader Word Count: 853 Warnings: None Authors Note: This is the first of a One Chicago mini-series based on the "Im Comin' Over" album

 Jay was in the car before he even picked up the phone. He knew he shouldn’t, that after your last goodbye that should have been it. But no matter how many times he told himself not to, he would still drop everything for you. Neither of you could fully let go. He thought “to hell with closure” as he ran every red light he hit. Closure could wait, you needed him, and he needed you.

——————

You called him after a hard day working at Med with the patients of a massive incident that Intelligence had been called in on. Every time Maggie called out that a patient was coming in you were scared Jay would be the one on the stretcher. Will was the only one who knew that you and Jay had been together, and he knew by the look on your face what you were thinking. 

“He’s okay y/n. I just got off the phone with him, and he told me they were safe.” He gave you a nod before walking away to go check on more patients.

For the next god knows how many hours you and the rest of the ED helped patch people. Will kept you updated when he heard from Jay. You didn't know but he was also keeping Jay updated on you as well. You loved your job but on days like this one when there are more patients than you can count you get overwhelmed and never talk to anyone, knowing others have it worse. Jay was the only person who could get you to open up.

——————

When your name flashed on his screen he knew you needed him. This wasn't the first time one of you had called the other, but this was the first time it was for something neither of you could avoid.

“Hey y/n” His voice was soft.

“Hi, Jay. Do you uh..do you think you can talk to me? I need to talk to someone.” The sound of your voice reminds Jay of the night he would hold you as you let it all out. The times you would fall asleep and dream of what your future with him would look like before it was over.

“Always.” You broke down when he said that. “Today was rough, I uh…every time someone came in I was scared that it was you. That something happened and you were injured. But please Jay, I know moving on was getting closer, but I need you.” Your voice shook, trying not to cry.

“To hell with closure. You need me y/n. We can save it for another time.” You were his world, even if you weren’t his anymore.No matter what he would be there for you.

——————

When he knocked on your door you jumped. You had gotten off the phone with him when he was around the corner from your apartment. In the few minutes since the call ended, you had zoned out, replaying the day in your head on repeat. The fear you felt every time a new person was rushed in that it would be Jay. 

Opening your door you instantly fall into his arms. The mask you had been wearing all day was no longer on. He guided the two of you into the house, locking the door behind you before making his way to your couch. Sitting down next to you he wraps his arms around you pulling you into him. Neither of you talks, the only sound in the room is the soft sob you let out into his chest. Tears marking their presence on his shirt. Pulling you closer, he places a kiss on the top of your head. After a while you look up at him, breaking the silence. “I'm sorry for making you come all the way over here.” He shifts, causing you to sit up. He turns so you are sitting facing each other.

“You never have to apologize for calling me or needing me. You are the most important thing to me. I will always be there for you. Night or Day. No matter how many times we say it's over I will always say fuck the closure. We keep coming back to each other, the fear you had of me being rushed into the ED is the same fear I get every time a victim matches your description. I don’t want to pretend that I don't care about you and that I'm happy without you.” He lifts your chin so you are looking at him. “You are my everything y/n. If you’re willing, we can try this again. This time we can do it right.” Leaning forward, your lips meeting his. His hand moved to cup your cheek.

When you pull away you smile at him. “I love you, Jay Halstead. And I want nothing more than for you to be mine again. This time through thick and thin. I don't want to lose you again.”

“You never lost me y/n. I promise to love you till the end.” He says pulling you in for another kiss.