#but then i though why not both haha and figured it out just trust me lol

[achirding]

Galahad Design test!

Design notes:

His crest/symbol is based off of Silver's circle line pattern on his gloves, and the phoenix design on the flag of Soleana! C:

Ok, so, his footwear is my own weird- headcanon that the fae are super-connected to the earth, so they don't like footwear. Nimue doesn't wear anything on her feet, Lancelot has a sort of simple sandal (but goes barefoot often) and then Galahad has these weird sandals!

Galahad's sandals are the closest to being more standard footwear since he is the farthest removed from the fae, but it's still a part of his heritage. (Much to his chagrin. He's got Daddy issues in this AU.)

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

Could you do some headcanons of a Mc reader dating the BB League Elite 4 + Kieran but miraidon gets super jealous.

It gets to the point where they get out of their Pokeball to growl á them.

Amarys

While she isn't too good at expressing emotions herself, she can read the emotions of others quite well.

Apparently this extends to Pokémon, especially after she notices your Miraidon acting rather irate around her. It even got to the point where they kept bursting from their pokeball to growl at her whenever you're together.

"It seems your Agias has suddenly grown a dislike for me, [y/n]." She remarked one day. "But I cannot figure out why..have I done something to upset them recently?"

"Nothing that I know of. Although I think it's worth mentioning that they're actually called Miraidon, not Agias."

"..is that so? Then I will correct this error right away."

Both of you think that after she apologizes, the problem would be resolved...yet it continues, with Miraidon always budging into your conversations, trying to get you on their back and fly/drive off without warning, etc.

All of this happens despite there being no danger present.

Eventually, you chalk up their protective nature to one probable cause: Jealousy.

You were spending more time with Amarys, and perhaps that made your futuristic companion worried you'll spend less with them.

When you brought this up to your gf, she's surprised and isn't too sure how to resolve this..

Considering she's new to relationships, she didn't expect a Pokémon of all things to become so jealous of her.

You end up suggesting that the two bonded (outside of timed flying trials of course) so that they could learn to trust her more.

Despite lacking emotional depth, she still tries her best, knowing this would greatly benefit all three of you in the long run if you were going to continue dating.

Crispin

"Hey uh..your Pokémon is giving me a funny look again.....w-was the sandwich too spicy for them? I can always turn down the heat."

He's straight-up convinced that Miraidon is mad at him because he's making their sandwich the wrong way.

So he keeps changing up the ingredients, hoping to satisfy them (yet it doesn't help when they keep popping out of the pokeball and scaring him).

You've figured out ages ago that they were simply jealous of how much time you were spending with your new bf.

Alas, you're dating a chef who's not only a hothead, but an airhead as well.

"Do you think your Miraidon and Magmortar got into an argument? Because they keep staring at him like they wanna rip him apart..haha.."

"No, honey..it's you, not your Pokémon."

"....ohhh so you're saying I got into an argument with Miraidon! Yeah that makes sense..I did sorta lose my cool with them the other day..."

Sometimes you wonder if a bonk from that frying pan of his would help knock some sense into him....

Instead, though, you just have him sit down in the club room while you explain Miraidon's jealousy in detail.

Crispin finally understands and immediately feels bad (and a little dumb knowing it took him this long to realize it). He's rushing to apologize to your companion, promising to make them the best sandwich possible--hot or not.

He still gets nervous about kissing you/holding your hand when they're nearby, often feeling the need to hide behind the pan.

But you reassure him it's okay.

Drayton

Tbh he kinda relishes in the huffy demeanor your Miraidon has been displaying in recent days.

The way they gnash their teeth, circle around him, make sparks fly, hover over you, and light up their eyes as though preparing to use Electro Drift...

Yep, despite how flashy and futuristic they are...all Drayton sees is another dragon type Pokémon who's throwing temper tantrums.

And being such chill guy around dragons, he has no fear and instead teases them behind your back, getting them riled up.

"Oh c'mon. You don't scare me. I know you've been looking out for [y/n]...and watching them hang out with Kingdra and Archaludon-"

"Agiiaaassss.."

"...there it is." He laughs. "Look, I'm not "stealing" them from ya. So let's just try to get along for their sake, alright?"

"......"

"Right. I knew we'd come to an understandin'."

Somehow, the two are VERY good at hiding this little grudge from you, although you have noticed Miraidon being more protective than usual over you whenever Drayton's around.

But it boils over when they saw you shining his Archaludon's armor while on a picnic date, throwing a fit and almost having a fullblown battle with each other without either of you at the helm.

Luckily, all the other dragons on your team diffused the situation...

You're a little bit outraged (pun not intended) that Drayton never told you of Miraidon's jealousy issues--and that he was taunting them for it.

"C'mon, they know I'm only kidding around."

"...our Pokémon almost broke the damn table."

"I'll pay for the damages."

"I think you're missing the point here, babe.."

Lacey

From the moment she started showing you around the school...she wondered why Miraidon was acting weird.

Her first thought was that they could sense her being a fairy type trainer, but she isn't sure what to do about that, so she keeps quiet.

But after you two started dating, they grew more protective of you and jealous of her..and it's something she notices waaaay before you do.

After it gets to the point of them jumping out of their pokeball to scare her (and quickly go back in without you seeing them), her nerves were shot.

Even so, she doesn't want you to worry. So she keeps trying to be friendly towards them, but it's hard.

Doesn't help that Granbull is being quite sassy towards the electric/dragon type, too, growing just as protective over Lacey as they are over you.

And ofc she has to quell their argument before things turn ugly...and one day, it almost did.

"I'm sorry, but this is NOT right!" She crosses her arms, standing between the two Pokémon. "Granbull, I know you're better than this. And Miraidon, I know you don't trust me, but you need to-"

"What's going on, Lace?"

"!!!"

You were gone for all but two minutes, and you come back to your poor gf trying to stop a Pokémon battle from taking place.

Finally, she admits that Miraidon has been acting extremely jealous and it's made her nervous.

You feel terrible for not realizing this sooner, and promise to speak to your companion about it.

Least to say..you wind up coddling them and giving them treats, reassuring them you'll still pay attention to them--but they had to be nice to Lacey and not antagonize her fairies.

Reluctantly, they agree on the condition of getting a sandwich everyday.

Kieran

Considering Miraidon saved his life, it was definitely strange when that same Pokémon now seemingly hated his guts..

This all happened the moment you and him starting dating, with them popping out of the pokeball (and not because he mentioned sandwiches) and growling before you could share your first kiss.

It was embarrassing for Kieran, and he doesn't know how to earn their trust back.

He just muddles over the fact that he was...definitely less-than-kind to you, their trainer, back before the trip to Area Zero.

He said things to you that he didn't mean, things he regretted saying..and suddenly he wonders if Miraidon could have possibly heard all of that.

If they could hear you both discussing sandwiches, then surely....

It genuinely starts to stress him out, as he's trying so hard to make amends with everyone and not be hated anymore.

And yet he seemed to be forgiven by all...except for Miraidon.

Maybe they even regret saving him

You notice that your bf is starting to cower behind you at their presence, being scared to look them in the eye, etc.

Eventually, you get him to confess that he thinks your companion despises him, and the guilt resurfaces enough to make him cry, kneeling and pleading for their forgiveness.

But you comfort and reassure him that Miraidon's only jealous of you two spending so much time together.

"R-Really? That's all it was...?"

"Yep. I already gave them a stern talking to." You help him stand up. "I'm sorry they keep coming off as aggressive. They just gotta warm up to you a little more, that's all."

"So they don't..hate me?"

"Nope."

After that, Kieran tries his best to earn the dragon type's respect, becoming a bit braver with each interaction.

[ratatoast]

Son coeur est le tien

Alastor x Reader qpr (general headcanons)

a/n: halfway through writing this, i realised that maybe my idea of a qpr might be different than someone else's haha,,, also, this is the very first time I've written for hazbin hotel lol (and should i mention that english isn't my first language? haha)

that being said, i hope y'all enjoy this mess :P

also also if y'all would like me to continue writing Alastor qpr (cuz there's def a shortage on that), feel free to send me prompts :)) i obvi wont write nsfw, but other than that, i think anything is fine (?)

Being in a qpr with the radio demon would include…

Long talks over tea/coffee

There’s never any awkward silence between the two of you. You two could be chatting about the most mundane things, and the conversation would still flow perfectly.

He’d definitely learn exactly how you like your hot beverage.

I personally can’t imagine him being an avid coffee drinker tbh, but I don’t think he’d mind if you are one.

Takes your tea parties very seriously, knows all your favourite pastries, puts on some smooth jazz, brings out the fine china, etc

Loves listening to you talking about your day, your current interests, hobbies, etc. Even if the topic itself isn’t all that interesting to him, he’ll still listen to you.

The both of you love gossiping with each other. Neither of you will admit it to others though.

Petnames

You very rarely hear your given name come out of this man’s mouth.

He never calls you anything that he deems too sickly sweet, usually sticks to dear, sweetheart, or darling.

If he’s having a particularly great day, he might call you love, but that doesn’t happen very often.

Constant praises & words of affirmation

I think words of affirmation is one of his main love languages.

He constantly showers you with praises, telling you how gorgeous you look, how witty your jokes are, etc.

We all know that this man is a charmer, however his compliments to you are more than just empty words… most of the time :p

Do keep in mind that this man is a master manipulator tho, so he isn't above using sweet talk to get what he wants.

Playful banter that keeps you on your toes

He loves a good back and forth, especially if his darling is a particularly witty individual.

The two of you can turn any conversation into a battle of words.

However, if you take it too far, he’s not afraid to put you in your place with a couple of sharp words, aimed to hurt.

But most of the time it’s just good fun :)

Never having to so much as lift a finger

He’s very big on acts of service.

Forget about opening doors or pulling out chairs for yourself.

He takes being a gentleman very seriously, especially when it comes to you.

But not only is he a gentleman, he’s also a powerful overlord.

So if you ever need anything, be that a new pair of shoes, or getting rid of a particularly nasty demon, consider it done.

Being his closest confidant

We all know that Alastor has many acquaintances, however he falls short on meaningful connections.

He doesn’t let people get too close to him, and it is sort of understandable why.

You are one of the only exceptions to that.

You know more about this man than all of hell combined.

It took a while for him to open up to you, and even longer until he started telling you about his past.

He’s the kind to drop hints about himself and let you figure out the rest.

Trust goes a long way with him, I think he’d be more open to sharing his plans and such with someone that he knows won’t question his every move.

Even so, there’s still a lot that you don’t know about him, but you’ll just have to take what you can.

You can dress however you want… as long as it fits his taste

He’s not all too picky about what you wear.

Contrary to popular belief, he wouldn’t expect you to be in full glam 24/7.

If you like more revealing clothes, well, he’ll just have to make sure that anyone that dares to as much as look at you the wrong way is taken care of.

That being said, looking well put together is a must.

You represent him in a way, and he expects you to look the part.

He can’t have you wandering the streets of hell in rags that not even the lowest sinners would wear.

Absolutely no modern technology allowed

Do I even need to explain this?

He’d rather be safe than sorry when it comes to the possibility of Vox messing with you.

You are never truly alone

Alastor would make sure to accompany you on your outings as much as his schedule allows it.

But let’s be real, he’s a very busy man.

He makes sure that a few of his shadows keep an eye on you though, even in his absence.

I don’t think your personal strength matters in this case, as I’ve mentioned before, there’s very little that this man wouldn’t do for you, especially when it comes to your personal safety.

Lets you get closer to him than anyone else

This time, I’m talking about physical closeness.

We all know that he isn’t big on physical touch.

However, I feel like you could get away with a lot more than others.

When the two of you are walking somewhere, it’s not unusual for him to offer you his arm.

When you’re standing next to him, he sometimes rests his hand on your back, although that is often a subconscious thing.

If you’re having a particularly rough day, he isn’t too opposed to letting you hug him.

You can also get away with laying on his lap sometimes, and if he’s feeling exceptionally gracious, he might even pet your hair.

PDA is definitely a big no-no, on one hand he has an image to protect, but I also just don’t think he’d be too comfortable with showing his more vulnerable side in public.

As for kisses… if you haven’t seen each other in a while, he might greet you with a kiss on your hand, but that’s as far as it ever goes.

He’s not a very touchy-feely person, so if that bothers you… good luck finding someone better than the radio demon ;)

me af tbh lmao

anway, thanks for reading pookies mwah (slash platonic lol)

[miguelswifey04]

I hope this isn’t a weird request but could I request a Miguel x scientist! Or assistant reader and the plot is basically where the Spidey squad (hobie,pavitr,miles,Gwen) has to go on this week long mission assigned by Miguel but since miles got grounded he can’t go and it’s this big joke with the spidey squad and so reader overheard and have this goofy plan where she’ll try to bribe miles’s parents and ask them to give him a week off under the basis that she’s his mentor at school and miles has to go on a “science competition” to which the plan worked and miles could go. Long story short the mission was a success, and after the squad comes back miles spots miguel and reader talking and suddenly goes up to reader and hugs reader and goes “thank you mom!” To Miguel’s shock and reader’s embarrassment😭 and the squad basically teases both reader and miguel and it ends lightheartedly haha

STOP THIS IS SO CUTE & CREATIVE!! THIS IS LOWK SHORT BUT HERE <33

“what do you mean you are grounded?” miguel questioned miles as he furrowed his eyebrows. miguel had assigned the squad on a mission to capture an anomaly but he has been hit by miles`predicament. miguel was concerned but at the same time curious as to why his parents had grounded miles. miles awkwardly flashes him a smile as he was rubbing the nape of his neck thinking about how he will go about this. gwen, pavitr, hobie, and margo all glanced at miguel then back at miles waiting to hear miles out. “well, you see the thing is, um, my parents are mad at me because i keep disappearing without letting them know of my whereabouts.” he confessed awkwardly as he swayed his body back and forth a bit on his heels hoping miguel wouldn`t chew him out for it. miguel sighed understanding how his parents must feel that their own son isn’t around but nonetheless miles is a spider-man and he has an obligation to fulfill.

“miles, i understand that but you do know you have an obligation to fulfill. figure something out-“ miguel was soon caught off as you made your grand entrance into the control room. miguel’s eyes lingered on your figure at the way your white doctor`s coat accentuated your curves as you adjust your black glasses that have been slipping off your crooked nose. your black curls lulled in every step of the way. “hi miles! i heard you from a mile away. sorry bout you being grounded. though, i think i can help you get out of that little predicament of yours!” miguel kept quiet observing your every move. the rest of the gang took notice of that, hobie being vocal as it is called him out on it.

“you can’t just be checking anyone out like that especially our most promising scientist.”

“right, you know its disrespectful to stare.” gwen vocalized as pavitr and margo laughed. it was evident to all five of them that miguel probably has a thing for you. they knew you were very pretty and smart at that too. you were pretty much the beauty and the brains. you kept everyone on their toes and very witty at that. “cut it out. all of you!” miguel’s voice boomed with authority it kind of startled the gang which made everyone shut up instinctively. hobie ignored miguel and continued to talk to pavitr, gwen, and margo. you couldn’t help but burst off laughing, finding everyone’s antics endearing. as you strolled onto the platform where miles and miguel were you were busy fixing your lab coat as you smiled at miguel placing a hand on miles` shoulder, “i got this.” miles beamed as he always had trustednyour judgement and that brain of yours to muster up whatever solutions needed to be solved. miguel’s face showed so much relief knowing the mission was not going to waste. “i trust you.” miguel curtly smiled as he went off to work on whatever needed his attention in the HQ.

miles and you headed off to his dimension promptly as miles set his gizmo watch to Earth 1610. soon, miles and you made it to his home. “i am going to tell your parents` i am part of your science program and that you’re a science prodigy! you know going on a school trip for a week…no biggie.” you were confident in your abilities and in your skills of bribery. you looked the part wearing your black glasses and a doctors` coat. obviously miles` parents would for sure fall for it.

the plan worked flawlessly. with some convincing words and a little bribery, you managed to convince miles' parents to let him go on the mission. and after a week of successful crime-fighting, the spidey squad returned home, feeling accomplished and victorious.

as the squad dispersed, you and miguel were left alone, chatting and debriefing the mission. miles suddenly appeared, a wide grin on his face as he approached you and wrapped his arms around you in a tight, affectionate hug.

“thank you, mom!" miles exclaimed, much to the shock of miguel and your embarrassment.

miguel's eyes widened in surprise, his expression reflecting a mixture of shock and amusement. the rest of the squad glanced over, immediately catching on to the situation, and they burst into laughter.

“wow, y/n! didn't know you were his secret mom this entire time!” margo teased with a playful wink.

miles blushed and pulled away, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. “okay, okay, let's not make a big deal out of it," he mumbled. miguel felt his cheeks flush a bit at margo’s comment referring to you.

you couldn't help but laugh along with the squad, feeling a mix of affection and embarrassment. as the teasing slowly faded away, you found yourself surrounded by your loved ones, grateful for the laughter and camaraderie that filled the room. miguel’s hand gently brushed against yours as you both looked down and up at each other with a smile. “you’re very smart you know, and i love that about you.” you intertwined your fingers with his and gave him that pretty smile of yours that for sure made him swoon.

and so, the lighthearted evening continued, filled with jokes, shared stories, and love.

[q-gorgeous]

Wing-Bully

fanfiction

ao3

word count: 5267

No one knows au except dash baxter @xscarletsakurax

this is a rework of something that was gonna go write some other writing i did but then i split them into two different fics because the halves didnt vibe with each other kjhgvcf

hidey hey

“Dash, you’re here so we can work on our project for Lancer’s class. We’re not supposed to be down here.” 

“Come on, ghosts aren’t even real. How dangerous can it be down here?”

Danny rolled his eyes. “Dangerous enough that we should really be wearing jumpsuits to protect us from ecto-contamination.”

He walked over to the closet that was down there and pulled out his jumpsuit while Dash laughed at him. 

“Matching outfits with your parents? Lame.”

“Don’t complain to me if you get ectoplasm poisoning then.” 

Danny pulled on his jumpsuit and groaned at the sticker on his chest. He pulled it off and tossed it away. 

“What’s this?” Dash pointed at the deep hole in the wall. Danny walked over to him.

“That’s my parent’s ghost portal. It didn’t end up working though.” 

Dash pushed him towards the portal. “Why don’t you go check it out?”

Danny frowned at him and tried to catch his footing. “No. I don’t know what’s wrong with it. I can’t-” 

“Haha, go in.”

“Dash, stopping pushing me-”

Danny tripped backwards over the threshold of the portal. He tried to catch himself on something on the wall but all he ended up doing was pressing a button that for some godforsaken reason was on the inside of the portal. It hummed around him and after a few moments everything went green. 

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

“Glad to see you’re not dead, nerd.” 

Danny looked up to see Dash. It was too early in the morning to deal with him after yesterday. 

“You already knew I wasn’t dead.” 

“A man can dream.” Danny rolled his eyes at Dash’s comment.

“I remember someone crying a lot of tears yesterday when they thought I was dead.” 

A blush rose on Dash’s cheeks. “My adrenaline was running like crazy! It’s not my fault your screams triggered some kind of primal response in my brain!”

“Crying is a primal response now?”

Dash rolled his eyes back at him and crossed his arms. “Have you figured out your whole ghost thing yet?”

“It’s literally been one day.” Danny stared at him. “How could I have figured anything out yet?”

Dash leaned in close to Danny and he glanced at Dash’s lips for a moment before his gaze darted back to Dash’s. “Maybe your parents have some sort of cure. Or maybe it was a one time thing. I don’t know.” 

“Why do you care so much? It’s literally your fault this is happening.”

Dash raised a hand and looked like he was reaching to place it on Danny’s shoulder. “I just-”

Dash was interrupted by someone clearing their throat behind them. They turned around and were met with Sam and Tucker. She was glaring at Dash with her arms crossed. 

“What are you friends with him now?” Sam asked, angrily gesturing at Dash.

“Woah, so what if he wants to be friends with me?” He asked, stepping towards her.

She barked out a laugh. “Come on! You’ve been bullying him the entire time I’ve known both of you. Why would he want to be friends with you? You must be blackmailing him or something.”

“Sam, he’s not blackmailing me.”

“How can we trust that? You could be lying because he’s blackmailing you.” Tucker frowned at him and reached out a hand, placing it on Danny’s shoulder. “I don't want what happened in elementary school to happen again.”

Danny shrugged it off. “That’s not what’s going on. Why can’t you just trust me on this?”

“Because this isn’t smart.” Sam said. “Why do you guys need to be friends?”

Danny threw his hands into the air. “Why are you getting so defensive about this? You’ve literally only seen us have this one conversation and you’re already mad at me. For all you know we could have been assigned a project together or he’s asking about his tutoring sessions with Jazz. Maybe he had to reschedule and wanted me to tell Jazz.”

Tucker shuffled where he stood but Sam still stared at him with crossed arms. 

“Yeah but are you going to tell us the real reason?”

“Does it matter, Sam?” 

Out of the corner of his eye Dash saw Danny start slowly sinking. He panickingly grabbed Danny’s arm to prevent him from sinking any further into the ground. Danny tried to keep his expression neutral but Dash could tell he was shaken. 

“Oh. Is that what’s happening?” Sam looked between the two of them. 

“Is what happening?” Danny asked, frowning at her. 

“What kind of enemies to lovers bullshit is this?” Dash’s eyes widened at her outburst. What was she talking about? What did she think was happening?

His gaze landed on where his hand was still wrapped around Danny’s upper arm and he pulled it back like he’d been burned. Sam scoffed. 

“Sam-” Tucker started but she interrupted him.

“Do you even realize how toxic that kind of relationship can be? He’s just going to hurt you.”

Danny recoiled at her words. “What are you even talking about?”

“The fact that you two seem to be getting real cozy with each other? Are you dating or something?” 

Dash stepped in front of Danny. “How shallow do you have to assume the only reason I’d be talking to him now is if we’re dating? For your information, we used to be friends as kids.” Dash frowned at her and watched as she backed up. “Just because you’re self conscious about your major crush on Fenton doesn’t mean you have to take it out on us because we’re having a simple conversation.”

A blush appeared on Sam’s cheeks before she angrily stormed away. 

“Sorry.” Tucker said as he looked between them again before he followed after her.

Danny watched them as they walked into the school. He was quiet for a few moments before he turned his gaze back to Dash.

“Sam has a crush on me?”

Dash groaned. “That is what you’re focused on?” He started walking towards the school.

Danny followed next to him. “But I didn’t know that! How did you know that?”

“You’re just about the only person who didn’t know, Fenton.”

Dash pushed through the front doors of the school. Danny had a dazed look on his face. 

“Is that why everyone calls me clueless?” He whispered. 

“Clueless strikes again.”

Danny frowned up at him. “Oh what, you’re so observant, are you?”

Dash pushed open the front door of the school. It swung closed behind them. “More than you. I’m not even friends with Manson and I could see the blackened heart eyes she was giving you.” 

Danny shuffled his backpack on his shoulders as they walked down the hall. “I’ve just never seen her that way. I don’t like her like that.”

Dash’s brows shot up on his forehead. “You don’t?”

Danny shook his head. He veered off to the right and Dash followed him to his locker. “She's just a friend to me.” 

Dash leaned against the lockers while Danny tried to open his but his hand just ended up passing through the dial lock. He groaned.

“Maybe you should tell her that, then. Get it over with so she doesn’t try to kill anyone that even thinks to get close to you.”

Danny rolled his eyes. He finally got his locker open. “She wouldn’t kill anyone for getting close to me.”

“I don’t know.” Dash drawled. “She looked like she was gonna claw my eyes out back there. Like a creepy bat girl.”

Danny slammed his locker shut and turned to look at Dash. “You know, if we’re going to be doing whatever this is, I would appreciate you not making comments about my friends like that.” 

“But she can talk to me like that?”

Danny frowned. “No. I literally told her there was no reason for her to be talking to you like that for having a simple conversation with me.”

“But she’s allowed to not like me?”

“That’s your own fault.” Danny rolled his eyes. “She has every right not to like you.”

Dash huffed. He was about to say something but then Danny started sinking into the floor again. Danny panickingly grabbed Dash’s forearm to prevent himself from sinking any further in. Dash pulled him up and when he set him back down, his feet were solid again. Dash looked around them and miraculously no one else in the hall saw what happened. 

“I’m already over this.” Danny mumbled as he let go of Dash. 

“Do you think you’ll get control over it eventually?” Dash asked him. 

“Hopefully. Otherwise I’ll probably have no choice but to ask my parents for help. I really don’t want to do that though.” 

“Maybe we could do some training? Or practice? You won’t get used to your powers if you just try to ignore them. If you try to do it, then maybe you’ll understand how to not do it.”

Danny nodded. “That makes sense. I guess that’s what we’ll have to do.” 

They came to a split in the hallway. Danny looked up at him.

“Well, I’m going this way.” Danny hooked a thumb over his shoulder as he turned to face Dash.”

Dash nodded. “See you later. Hopefully you don’t drop anything today.”

“Hopefully. We’ll see.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

Thirty four beakers. 

Danny was finally getting ahold of his powers and all it took was thirty four dropped beakers and a lifetime ban from handling anything fragile while he was at school. 

Aside from the frequent ghost sighting, things were starting to look up.

“Manson!” 

If only Dash could learn to keep his thoughts to himself when it came to his friends. 

“What is this garbage?” 

He stomped up to where the three of them were sitting at their table in the cafeteria. Sam frowned at him. 

“It’s not garbage! It’s recyclable organic matter.”

“It’s garbage.” Danny and Tucker said together. 

Danny gasped out a breath of cold air. He looked around him. He saw a lunch lady ghost behind the food counter. 

Dash followed his gaze to where the ghost was. He saw it just as she walked behind the wall. 

Dash looked back at Sam and held up his plate of mud, pushing himself between Danny and his friends. “When I asked for a mud pie, I thought I was gonna get a mud pie. Not a literal mud pie!” 

“Actually, it’s topsoil.” 

“Whatever. Are you going to actually eat this garbage?”

Danny slipped away while Dash argued with his friends. Maybe Dash arguing with his friends could actually be useful for something for once. 

He found somewhere to hide and transformed. He flew invisibly back to the cafeteria to the room the lunch ladies worked in. She was floating there looking around and the food and the lunch trays. She kind of looked like Tucker’s grandma. 

She caught sight of him. Danny was ready to bolt as she floated up to him, but she wasn’t making any moves to attack him.

“Hello.” She said sweetly. “Can you help me? Today’s lunch should be meatloaf, but there’s not any here. Did someone change the menu?”

“Oh. Uh, yeah. They’re trying something new this week.” 

Danny jumped back as her hair suddenly flamed up with her anger.

“The menu has been the same for fifty years!” She shouted at him. 

“Wait-”

She levitated some plates and shot them at him. Danny dodged and caught them, avoiding getting hit. What was up with this lady? Why was the menu so important? 

“The menu is sacred! Lunch is sacred!” She spoke in her sickly sweet voice again. “Would you like some cake?”

Danny looked at her, confused. “If you’re offering-”

“No one gets cake until the menu is changed back!” 

She held her arms up and meat started flying towards her from every direction. It engulfed her and turned her into a meat monster.

“Meat is the most important food group! Without meat, you’ll remain puny and muscle-less!” 

“I’m not arguing with you there.” Danny mumbled. He geared up for a kick but she grabbed his ankle and sent him flying across the room. 

“I will restore the sanctity of the lunch menu! As soon as I find out who changed it!”

She disappeared in a tornado of meat.

The ghost was gone for now. Danny flew through the wall of the school and collapsed onto the ground. He transformed back and tried to push himself up. He was so tired. He’d never used his powers like that before. He groaned. 

“Hey.”

Danny opened his eyes and looked up. Dash was standing there with his hand outstretched to Danny. He looked at it for a second before he reached up and grabbed it, pulling himself up with Dash’s help. 

“Thanks. That ghost wiped me out.”

“No problem. I wanted to make sure that ghost didn’t kill you. I was trying to find you when I saw you fly through the wall and hit the ground out here.”

Danny nodded. “Yeah that wasn’t fun.” He looked down and saw that he was still holding onto Dash’s hand. He pulled it away and coughed. He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “I should go check on Sam and Tucker though. I want to make sure they’re okay.”

“The ghost attack was pretty contained.” Dash said. “I’m sure they’re fine.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Ah.” Dash said. “That’s fair. Sorry about dragging out that argument with her.”

Danny shrugged and started walking away. “It distracted them long enough to let me slip away for a bit so. No harm done. At least not to me.”

“Good luck. Hopefully she doesn’t chew your head off.” 

Danny pulled the door Dash had walked out open and stepped back inside the school, shaking the hand that had been holding Dash’s. He made his way through the hallways to find Sam and Tucker. 

Sam slammed open the cafeteria doors as Danny stumbled down the hallway. 

“I still can’t believe you’re talking to that meathead.” She shot at him with no preamble. “He literally antagonizes all of us. And then you ditch us to go meet up with him? I saw you two outside.”

“Sam-” 

“What can you say to defend him?” She turned to look at him. “He beats you up all the time.”

“Not anymore.” Danny said.

“What?” Sam stopped walking.

“He doesn’t beat me up anymore.”

She didn’t say anything to that for a few moments. She shook her head. “I still don’t trust him. I don’t get how you could forgive him so easily.”

“I-” He stopped. Had he forgiven Dash?

Sam shook his head. “Let’s just get to class.”

Danny looked around them. “Where’s Tucker?”

She rolled her eyes. “He said he smelt meat so he went to track it down through the hallways. I don’t know if he’s found it yet.” 

Danny scrunched up his nose. He knew exactly what meat Tucker was smelling. “He’s just gonna go eat whatever random mystery meat he finds?”

“Apparently.”

Danny didn’t respond after her last stilted reply. He followed behind her to their next class. When they walked in she went straight to her seat but he looked up and made eye contact with Dash. Dash gave him a questioning look and Danny just shrugged at him before sitting back down.

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

Dash walked into the Nasty Burger. Football had just ended and he was hungry. 

As he was walking to the counter he saw Danny sitting at a table with his friends. Dash smirked and walked over to them.

“Hey, nerds.” He placed a hand on the table and leaned his weight into it. 

Sam rolled her eyes. “What do you want?” 

“I just came to say hi to my favorite nerds. Is there a problem with that?” 

“If we’re your favorite does that mean you’ll stop making fun of us?” Tucker asked thoughtfully. “Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad, Sam.”

“He’s not going to stop making fun of us, Tucker. The two of them are over there ‘trying to be friends.’” She said with air quotes. “And he still picks on us all the time.” 

“I’ve tried talking to him about it, Sam, but he has a hard time with it.” 

She shot Danny a look. “So why be friends with him? Why give him a chance? What do you see in him?”

“Just because he doesn’t like you-”

Sam scoffed. “Maybe you’re too insecure about your own crush on Danny.” 

Danny whipped his head to look at her. 

“What?” Dash laughed it off. “What are you talking about, Manson?” 

“Yeah, Sam, what are you talking about?” Danny stared at her. 

“Isn’t that what’s been happening this whole time?” She shot back at them. “He’s got some kind of weird feelings for you, he’s trying to get into your pants. Get on your good side. The pulling the girl’s pigtails because you like her bullshit? Don’t you see how weird his sudden change in actions towards you is?” 

“What about your sudden change in actions?” Danny shot at her. “Do you realize how much of an asshole you’ve been lately?”

“Well, maybe if you weren’t friends with-”

Danny threw his hands up in the air. “God forbid if I make new friends! Or try to get along with someone instead of fighting! Or even make decisions for myself.” 

“Danny-”

He cut her off and stood up. “No I’m-” He gasped and Dash saw his ghost sense fog out of his mouth. He frowned. “I’m going home. I need some time alone.” He turned and started walking towards the door. 

“Danny!” Dash followed behind Danny out of the Nasty Burger. 

The ghost was flying above the parking lot shooting ecto-blasts every which way. 

The door slammed behind Dash and Danny turned his head to look at him. 

“I need some time to think. Please just go back inside.” 

He called on his transformation rings. Once they passed across his body he jumped up and flew into the air towards the ghost. 

He watched Danny fight the ghost. He could tell he was angry. He was sloppy today. 

Danny missed a dodge and got hit through the air by the ghost. He ended up turned facing the opposite direction so he didn’t see it start to charge at him. 

Dash’s heart raced as he watched the ghost fly up to Danny. His heart stirred with feelings he wanted to push down. He didn’t need to put himself in danger for Danny. He didn’t feel that way. Danny didn’t feel that way about him.

But as the ghost got closer, Dash couldn’t help as the anxiety skyrocketed. His resolve broke and he picked up a big piece of asphalt off the ground and chucked it at the ghost. It turned to look at him. 

Dash froze when the ghost’s eyes landed on him. What was he doing? Was Danny really that important to him now?

The ghost’s mouth filled up with ectoplasm and shot it towards.

He wouldn’t be able to move in-

Danny knocked Dash out of the way of the ecto-blast just in time. His arms wrapped around Dash’s chest and he flew back. The blast hit the ground where he’d been standing just a moment before. 

Dash wrapped his arms around Danny as they slammed into the ground. He groaned as his back slid across the pavement and Danny looked down at him. He started feeling the back of Dash’s head, running his fingers through his hair. 

Dash opened his eyes and looked up at Danny. He looked panicked. Like something was wrong, but he literally just prevented anything from being wrong.

“Dash, are you okay?”

He nodded. “Back hurts. Head’s fine.”

Danny leaned down and lay his head on Dash’s chest. Dash’s hands slid down Danny’s back and rested at his side and he closed his eyes again. He really didn’t like this whole ghost hunting thing. 

The ghost roared behind them and Dash felt Danny’s head shoot back up. 

“Shit! How did I forget about the ghost?”

Dash waved his hand above him. “Go. I’m fine. I’m just gonna get my bearings on the ground here.” 

Dash listened as Danny finished fighting the ghost. It ended quickly and he could hear Danny’s footsteps as he walked to stand over Dash. Dash opened his eyes and his heart jumped at the way the sun shone on Danny’s white hair. 

Danny held his hand out to Dash and he slowly reached up and grabbed it. Danny pulled him to his feet and looked at their hands. He let go a moment later. 

“I think we need a new rule. No interfering with ghost attacks.”

“What?” Dash frowned at him. “That thing was about to gobble you.” 

Danny crossed his arms. “Yeah, but if I didn’t get to you on time you could've gotten very badly hurt. I thought I knocked your head on the ground when I knocked you out of the way.” 

Dash shrugged. “But you didn’t.” 

“We can’t rely on that.” Danny looked away from him. “Just promise you won’t interfere like that again?”

Dash wasn’t sure if that was something he could actually do. But one look at the expression on Danny’s face told Dash he should at least try. 

“Yeah. I promise.” 

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

Danny was nodding off in the middle of class. They were given time to work on their homework today but all Danny wanted to do was sleep. Having to fight all these ghosts all the time was making his life way too stressful. He wasn’t to sleep or get his homework done or even get to class on time. It was starting to get to him. 

He yawned. While his eyes were shut he heard someone sit down next to him. He opened his eyes and saw Dash in the next seat over. 

“You look tired.”

“Thanks, captain obvious. I didn’t realize.” 

Dash shrugged. He slouched back in his seat. “Your friends are whispering about you back there.” 

Danny turned and looked over his shoulder at where Sam and Tucker sat at the table in the back of the classroom. When they saw him looking Sam turned back around. Tucker just waved at him awkwardly. 

Danny waved back at him. “I wish they’d just sit over here with me.” 

Dash waved them off. “Who needs ‘em if they’re going to be treating you like that.” 

Sam snorted behind them. Dash turned to look at her. “You got something to say Manson?”

“As if we could treat him any worse than anything you’ve ever done to him.” 

Dash shrugged as he faced back towards the front of the classroom. “Hey, at least my character arc is positive. I’ve made amends.” 

“You’ve hardly even done anything. What kind of character arc have you actually had?”

“I-” Dash started but then he stopped. His brows dropped down and he looked at Danny. 

It hit Danny then that the only thing that really changed with Dash’s behavior was how he treated Danny. He didn’t pick on him anymore and he had cared about him, but he immediately resumed the same habits with both of Danny’s friends. Any time that Dash covered for Danny’s whereabouts during ghost fights, the only thing he could think to do was antagonize Sam and Tucker. He could never think up any actual excuses that wouldn’t cause more problems. 

Danny missed part of the conversation. By the time he tuned back in, Sam was glaring at Dash from across the room. 

“Just because he’d rather spend time with me than you-”

Danny’s ghost sense picked that moment to go off and he couldn’t think of a more convenient time for it to have happened. He stood up sharply and made his way out of the classroom quickly. The door slammed behind him as it closed and he was a couple steps down the hallway when the door opened behind him again.

“Danny, wait-” 

“Why do you do that?” Danny turned and frowned at him. 

“What?” Dash’s brows furrowed.

“Why do you dig at them like that? Make them feel bad about what’s going on?”

“Manson-” Dash started but Danny interrupted him. 

“No. Sam and Tucker are mad at me because of you. They think I’m always ditching them to go hang out with you instead.” 

“That’s not my fault!” Dash shouted back at him. “That’s the ghost’s fault!” 

“But they don’t know that!” Danny stared at him. “All they know is that I’m on good terms with you now and I disappear all the time. They know something is up.” 

Dash shuffled where he stood. He knew he was causing a rift between Danny and his friends. No matter how much he liked to antagonize them, he wasn’t proud of it. He wasn’t trying to put distance between them. 

Danny sighed. “She keeps making jabs about us being together like it would be crazy. Like it would be the worst thing in the world.” Danny looked up at Dash. “I would like it if it wasn’t the craziest thing in the world. If it could actually be true. But with the way you treat my friends-” He shook his head. 

Everything around Dash stopped. What? 

“Danny-”

A blue mist came out of Danny’s mouth again. He shook his head.

“I gotta go.”

“Wait-”

Danny ran around the corner away from Dash.

“What did you do to him?” 

Dash looked down the hallway to see Sam glaring at him. Tucker stood next to her. 

“What?” He asked. 

“He just ran away from you? What did you do to him?” She stomped her way over to him.

“Nothing!” Dash held his hands up in a surrendering motion. “We were just talking and he had to go-”

“We’re in the middle of class. What else would he need to be doing right now?”

“Yeah. Why would he be leaving?” Tucker asked. 

“He, uh, went to-”

Sam ran past him and around the corner Danny went down, Tucker close on her heels. Dash followed behind them knowing Danny would already be gone but they didn’t stop there. They ran down the hallway and out the door leading outside. 

“Danny?” She shouted. “Where are you?”

Dash was the only one that noticed Danny floating in the sky. He was fighting an animal type ghost.

“Uh, guys, I think we should probably go back inside.” 

He pointed up at the sky and Sam and Tucker followed his finger. Sam’s eyes widened and she looked around the front of the school again. 

“Danny!” 

Phantom must’ve heard that one because he turned his head to look down at them. The ghost took that moment to hit Phantom, sending him flying through the air. Now he was much closer to them. 

This ghost looked horrifying. It was animalistic but it looked uncannily like a person. Stringy, hair looking fur and teeth curved into a creepy smile. 

“Get to safety! Now!” Phantom shouted down at them. He shot another ectoblast at the ghost. 

“We have to find Danny first!” Sam shouted in a panic. 

“He’s not out here.” Dash turned to go back inside the school. “Let’s just listen to Phantom and get somewhere safe.”

“That hallway doesn’t lead anywhere except outside! Where else could he be?” Sam asked, still turning around looking for Danny. 

“He didn’t-” 

“Danny!” Tucker shouted. 

Dash growled. Why didn’t they just listen to him? 

The ghost let out a shriek and Dash squeezed his eyes shut and covered his ears. 

“Go inside, now!” 

Dash’s eyes opened at Phantom’s shout. He looked back up into the air. 

Dash stared at the ghost that was hovering in the air in front of them. It was cackling, its head thrown back into the air. It looked back at the ground directly at Sam and promptly shot an ectoblast out of its mouth. Dash saw Sam’s mouth open the slightest bit and everything slowed down. Danny turned, following the path of the blast but when he tried to fly towards her the ghost grabbed onto him, trapping him. 

This was one of Danny’s best friends. She might hate Dash’s guts but Danny cared for her more than she hated him. 

Without another thought, he pushed himself into a run and sprinted his way across the grass. He put himself between her and the ghost and grabbed her just as the blast hit him in the back.

He could hear Sam scream as they fell to the ground. Tucker was shouting from somewhere else but Dash couldn’t make much out past the ringing in his ears. He could hear scuffling in the air above him but it was muffled. The pain in his back radiated out and he could feel it in every jostle as someone shook his body. 

Everything started fading away and Dash hoped he wasn’t dying. Distantly, he wondered if this is how Danny felt when he died in the portal. 

The voices fell away and so did Dash.

~~~~~~~~~~

Slowly, the world came back to him. The first thing he noticed was the steady beeping nearby. The second thing was how bright the lights were against his eyelids. 

He groaned and he heard some shuffling to his left. Someone placed a hand on his arm. 

“Dash?”

His heart skipped a beat and he slowly pried his eyes open. He was laying in a bed in the hospital and Danny was standing to his left. 

“Danny?” Dash croaked out. He tried to sit up but Danny pushed him back down against his pillows. 

“You shouldn’t move too much. You got hit pretty bad.” 

“You got the ghost though?” Dash asked. 

“Yeah, he got the ghost.”

Sam and Tucker walked into the room and stood next to Danny. 

“Uh, no I asked if Phantom got the-” Dash fumbled, trying to cover it up.

“It’s okay, Dash.” Danny said. “I told them. I thought it might be better if they knew.”

Dash looked at Danny’s two friends. They didn’t look like they were mad at him anymore. Or like they hated him. It was relieving that they knew. Danny didn’t have to keep avoiding them or keep secrets anymore. 

“If we’d known in the first place we could’ve helped, you know.” Sam said, shooting both of them a look. 

“Yeah. A team always needs a tech guy.” Tucker crossed his arms in mock frustration.

“But we do understand why you guys have been acting weird for the past couple months.” Sam turned to look at Dash. “Thank you for helping him even though you didn’t have to.”

Dash nodded, dumbfounded.

She stared at him a moment longer and pulled her gaze away. “And thank you for knocking me out of the way of that hit. Sorry it landed you here.”

Dash shook his head. “You’re Danny’s friends. You’re important to him. I didn’t want you to get hurt because of all this ghost stuff.” 

“That’s a nice thought, but you should also try not to get yourself hurt.” Sam said. 

“Yeah.” Danny frowned. “You promised.” 

Dash shrugged. “We can call it karma.” 

Tucker stepped forward. “We need a name.”

“A name?” Danny looked up at Tucker.

“Yeah, like a cool ghost hunting team name.” He waved his hands in the air. “What about Team Phantom?”

Sam snorted. “That sounds dumb.”

Tucker planted his hands on his hips. “Well, do you have any better ideas then?”

Danny’s hand slowly made his way down from his arm to his hand as they talked. He entwined his fingers with Dash’s and gave him a squeeze. Dash squeezed his hand back. 

Everything would be okay. Everything was okay. 

[kxxkiecxre]

ʚ✟⃛ɞ US, TRUST, LOVE .ʚ✟⃛ɞ JJK

PAIRING: Jungkook x Reader

SUMMARY: a little party never hurt no body… right?

WARNINGS: sex. Mentions of sex. Mixed/unresolved feelings. Drinking, hangover. Etc.

GENRE: best friends brother au

WC: no clue. Too lazy to actually find out haha. Enjoy this!

Previously… next…

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

THERE was no way Jungkook was seeing what he was right now. It felt as if he was about to pop, explode all over the kitchen counter as he sipped on his drink. As if all the non alcoholic drinks were actually laced, making him nauseated. Or maybe it was the fact you were on the table, dancing with Yeji and a few other girls, screaming your lungs out.

Your entire body moved fluidly with the song, bumping and grinding against some girl he had no idea of. Your head thrown back on her shoulder, her hands in your hair as she pecked your shoulder, and though Jungkook knows you wouldn’t go for another person while sleeping with him, he couldn’t seem to extinguish the pure jealousy in the depth of his stomach.

What made him nauseous was the fact you were about to fall of the table and you were shooing him away, telling him to leave. And he was about two seconds away from jumping out his skin when your heeled foot would come too close to the edge of the poorly built table.

He wasn’t jealous you were having fun, no. He was actually happy, and seeing you like this made his mind spiral into places he didn’t currently need it to be. What made him jealous is the fact that you could so freely dance against the girl the way he wanted you to dance with him. But he couldn’t, not when Yeji was there, already suspecting both of you since your first rendezvous.

You did a great job in hiding your hickeys, until you stretched, and your stomach was revealed in purple bruises trailing down to your pelvis. You made up some shitty story about a one night stand, but she wasn’t 100% convinced, especially when Jungkook smiled at you and you smiled back, explaining to her how you made up last night.

She bought the story for now, but another slip up and she’d one hundred percent figure it out.

“Kook, she needs to go home, like right now. She���s far too drunk” Yeji yelled over the music.

“ I know that! But she isn’t listening” he mimicked her tone.

“Goddamit! You’re thrice the size of her, pick her up and throw her in your car and bring her home safely before she breaks her leg!” She scoffs.

He looked at her for a whole second, not saying anything, “fine”.

He stalked to the table, trying to figure out how to grab you without you trashing around in his hold, but the second he reached the table, you yelled out no, distancing yourself the slightest bit.

He gave you a warning look, to which you poked your tongue out and he sighed, god you got so brave and bratty when you’re drunk, “y/n, down now!”

“No” you shook your head giggling, “I’m having fun Kookie, can’t you see?”

“Yes I can see that,” he agreed, “but I can also see that you’re about one drink away from ending up in the hospital. Down, now”.

“I’m not your dog, Jungkook, let me be happy!” You fought back, just as he presumed you would.

He knew this would happen, which is why he leaned forward, grabbing the back of your knees and throwing you over his shoulder, ignoring your protests and the way you slapped his back cursing him out. Damn you’re so brave when you’re drunk, you’d never behave like this sober.

Nodding to Yeji she gives him the green light to go, and so he does, holding you with one arm wrapped around your waist and the other opening the entrance door of the house, the second he’s in safe distance, his palm meets your soft ass hidden behind your satin red dress, you gasped followed by a whimper.

“That hurt Kook” you whined.

“I’m aware” he says.

“It was also hot” you chuckled, snorting afterwards.

Jungkook shook his head, dropping you onto your butt in the passenger seat of his Benz, still protesting, “I’m not even drunk I promise”.

“That’s very convincing, did it ever work on anyone?” He scoffed, buckling your seatbelt.

“I don’t think so”

“Yeah, I figured” he chuckled, closing your door but not before switching the door to child lock, he went around the car, sliding into the drivers side, and sighing deeply.

“You’re such a party pooper when you’re sober”.

“And you’re such a spoiled brat when you’re drunk” he countered, starting the engine and pulling out of the parking spot swiftly.

“I am not spoiled!”

“You are, you’re also quite brave when you’re drunk” he added, one hand on the steering wheel while the other rested between his legs lazily.

“Just cause you’ve a big dick doesn’t mean I’ve to listen to you” you grumbled, pouting slightly while looking out the window.

“Keep being so bratty and you won’t be getting any of this dick anymore”.

Now that is a warning that had you silent, only side eyeing him as you pouted, arms crossed over your chest and an incoherent sentence leaving your pretty lips before you whined, “I forgot my phone!!!”

“I have it” he says, smirking at you as he stopped at a red light.

“Stop looking at me like that”.

“Like what”

“Like a predator” you said, putting your palm on top of his lazily rested one, intertwining your fingers with his and digging your nails gently into the inside of his thigh.

“You’re so beautiful” he murmured, the lights flashing to green, reflecting in his eyes as he pulled off and into the city.

“So are you” you brought his hand to yours, softly pecking his soft hand as he practically melted into the seat, smiling to himself as you continued pecking his hand.

“I appreciate you, you know that?” You mumbled softly, afraid of the pulsing feeling in your chest.

“I know,” he spoke softly, “ I hope you know I appreciate you too.”

“I know” you smiled, looking out the window with a small grin.

The blooming and pounding feelings in your chest scared both of you, it’s not something Jungkook has felt before, you however have, at least something similar to this, except these feelings are ten fold more powerful than with your ex, and that, that scares the life out of you, because you’re not sure if it’s okay, if it’s returned. What would Yeji say? She’d probably hate you.

Reaching your house too quickly snapped you out of your drunken thoughts, not willing to let go of the warmth of his palm, “stay with me tonight?”.

He leaned back into his seat, staring into your eyes intently, “give me a reason”.

No matter what, he’d still stay, in fact the second you asked the question he knew the answer. He just wanted to tease you, in return though, he was met with your cat like gaze, and a smirk on your lips, “did you know… that,” your face so close to his own he could smell the cherry vodka of you, “morning sex is a great hangover remedy?”

His brows shot up, playing your little game so well, “oh really? Mmm I must try it then.”

“You could,” you whispered, eyes focused on his red lips, “tomorrow morning?”

“That quick? Damn, seems like I can’t pass up a chance like that” his voice was husky, melting you like fire to ice.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t pass it up”.

His lips brushed yours and you could feel yourself getting more intoxicated by him, but all too soon his body was further away from you, his hand leaving yours before he chuckled at your pout, and exited the car helping you out before leading you to your apartment door carefully.

Stumbling into your living room with a giggle, you immediately go for the zipper of your red dress, struggling as you wobbled side to side, heels clicking off the floor which each shaky step you took. Jungkook sighed, rubbing his face to rid himself of the slight fatigue.

“Let me help you” he says, stabilising your rocky body by holding your hips with his hands, palms completely engulfing your hip bones. Your back to his front as his rough fingers pulled the zipper down, helping you pull the dress off, he licked is lips, the sight of you in your matching black and nude lacy lingerie had his breathing picking up in pace, but ever the gentleman, he shook himself out of his horny state, and sat you down carefully on the arm rest of the sofa.

Dropping to his knees, you watched as he gently lifted your left leg, hand rubbing up and down softly as he pecked your calve, before untying the silver heel and setting your foot free, doing the exact same to the other leg, kissing upon both legs as he slowly lifted off the ground. He towered over you, pushing himself between your legs as he gently grabbed your head and kissed your forehead, before pecking your lips in the sweetest kiss possible, melting all the ice possible, gosh he’s so cute.

“Let’s get you changed into something comfortable” he says, humming after in question Before your palm moulded into his and he lead you to your room.

“I’ve your shirt in the bottom drawer” you mumbled in no shame at all, but should he be surprised when he’s literally spent more time at your place than at his own? Aside of training of course.

Pulling the shirt out as asked, he comes back around to you still sitting in the same position on the bed as he left you in, dropping the folded shirt beside you before he reached around you and unhooked your bra in one swift motion.

“Can you get my granny panties for me? Please” you asked so cutely, for a second he was confused at your request, or more specifically on what granny panties meant, before it clicked in his head that you meant your comfortable underwear.

Trying to suppress his smile, he turned back around to your drawer, already knowing where you store your so called granny panties since he’s had to get them for you multiple times when you start your period unexpectedly, grabbing his favourite ones, pink with black little hearts, he sets it out on the bed as well.

“Aw you even got the brief ones! God you’re the best, you know that?” You mumbled to him as he stood you up once again.

“They’re my favourite ones, they beat all the sexy ones” he smirks, confessing his little secret as he slides your thong down your legs, your hands on his shoulders as you step out of them.

“This looks familiar” your voice held such a teasing tone, your brows wiggling as he looked up at you briefly, he grabbed the underwear he set out for you and started putting them on you, once he reached your hips he snapped the black band on your skin gently, before laying a sweet kiss below your belly button.

He helped you put your (his) shirt over you head, before quickly helping you take your makeup off and joining you in bed, arm wrapped around your waist as he kissed between your shoulder blades, “you mean the world to me”.

He must have thought you were asleep, because as his nose nuzzled in the crook of your neck, he kissed a sweet spot and muttered, “what are you doing to me Y/N”.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Jungkook was beyond patient, sitting with you in the kitchen as you groaned that you were going to throw up, though it never actually happened. He rubbed your back, helped you brush your teeth and then sat you down at the counter, now actively blending his perfect hangover cure, as he likes to call it.

“I’m never drinking again” you whimper, head down on the counter, cheek pressed against the coldness to help your hot temperature.

“I’ve heard that come out of your mouth far too many times.” He scoffed with a light chuckle.

“I mean it this time” you countered.

The cup was smacked onto the counter in front of you, his tattooed hand gripping the cup tightly “drink up”.

“Kook that looks like something a dog threw up” the yellow liquid thick and foaming at the top.

“Yeah but it helps. So drink”

“I am not putting that in my mouth”

He leaned against the counter, both palms holding his weight as he looked you in the eyes, a small smirk playing amongst his lips, “I’ve seen you take other things in your mouth, don’t act soft now”.

Cheeks heating up quite quickly, you bite your tongue hold your breathe and gulp the drink down. There was definitely turmeric and ginger in it, and maybe a hint of garlic, all in all it was spicy and hideous and you’d much rather use his cum as a hangover cure than this, seeming as he didn’t bother to throw on a shirt on his top half.

“Good girl” he praised, your mind immediately shutting down at the praise.

“Don’t say that” you whined, lips pouted.

“Why? Bet you’re wet hm?” He was quick with his response, rounding the counter and breathing on your neck, pecking a sweet kiss on your soft spot.

The morning was spontaneous, him buried deep inside you, taking you on the counter like the first time you connected like this with him. It was sweet, hot and satisfying.

The more you spend time with him, though, the more you realise how your heart flutters at his voice, the way you find everything about him endearing and comforting, like he’s perfect. Because in your eyes he is, despite the fact that more than a half a year ago you hated him, well no, actually, you always had some sort of thing for him. Ever since you befriended Yeji at just 12 years old.

You watched him go from a doe eyed boy to a man, a man full of tattoos, seduction and so goddamn hot.

But somewhere between your teen years, you’ve realised you had a thing for his round bug eyes, silky like chocolate and big like buttons. He told you silly jokes, played basketball with you when Yeji wasn’t home from her dance practices yet.

He’s always been kind hearted, you knew that. But somewhere between the line of infatuation and undeniable desire, you’ve found a smear, of which could only be described as faux hatred. Though it was far from any malicious feelings. It was jealous, strong palpable jealousy and anger. Because you didn’t believe Jungkook saw you as anything more than his sisters best friend. He had many friends, girlfriends and flings, and you couldn’t see yourself mixed in that crossfire. But you were wrong.

Now you think, at least, there’s a slight chance? Right? Well, you’re not sure. You hope there is, now that both of you roamed the very thin crack of a situation-ship, but that’s exactly what it is. It’s fragile, like a sheet of ice. If one of you got too intense, engulfed with the flames of the raging fire between each others tension and want, you could melt it. Dissipate it just like the sun would.

If one of you so much as took a heavier step, it’d crack, break and get swallowed by whatever is beneath it. Perhaps, the slight distrust? The dithering and apprehensive feelings?. It already had small cracks for the previous argument. Where both of you got burned, flew just right before the sun, igniting and scorching a hand full of feathers of your wings. You only got so much to spare of them.

The feelings mixed into this were fearful. At least on your part. They were frantic, barely tameable. Soaring so high it could suffocate you. You knew that.

Yet somehow, you still found yourself in the compromising position of being impaled by his dick once again.

The sex this time was different. It was a lot more intimate. So much was mixed into it. The way his lips kissed you, they had a certain need behind them. They could barely leave yours, and if they did it was only to share another few pecks to your chest and neck. The strokes of his cock were gentle, slow and deep. Meaningful almost. The way his fingers intertwined with yours above your head, and his skin was practically melting with yours. You were sure you would smell him on your body after.

His eyes held something close to undeniable admiration. You could see it, by the way his forehead rested against yours, eyes locked, both breathing into each other, letting your breathes mix, his lips hovering over yours, teasing. It was all different, a whole new territory. And it was so unhealthy for your mind.

Jungkook, wasn’t good for your health.

It shouldn’t be helpful for you. The constant sex with the unresolved feelings. God it was a mess. Such a beautiful wary mess. But you loved. You loved every part of it, the way your legs are clamped around his waist, nails digging into the pits of his back, his hand on your thigh and the other stroking your hair softly as you ride each others highs out.

Cuddling wasn’t generally a part of the post sex routine. But it was nice, to have him curl his arm around you, pulling your back into chest. Nose nuzzled into your hair and lips pecking your head.

“We have a lot to discuss.” He whispered so softly into your ear, both of you dozing off.

“I know”.

———————————————————

A/N: anyway, this was so short and simple but guys the way I literally forgot I had a short book to finish off lmfao 😭

MASTERLIST

Do not copy, edit, translate or do anything with my content.

[severefartoholic]

connecting my interpretation of Stalker to The Mill, and theories on future pafl events

(heads up, this post spoils the entirety of the movie Stalker, and has slight spoilers for PAFL)

I think just about all of us know that the world of PAFL is loosely based off of the 1979 film, "STALKER" (which you should definitely all watch by the way. it's one of my favorites of all time, and it's free to watch with english subtitles on YouTube)

But a little thought in the back of my mind about Ferrys the mill has constantly been gnawing at me to write about it, so I figured I would, even though I'm mostly grasping at straws. (Haha Occam's Razor reference)

So if you've never actually watched stalker, it's basically a film about three dudes going into the zone, nothing actually happening, and then one of them coming out with a dog. Nothing all that special, but my personal interpretation of the film (which I will repeatedly reference in this post, so I'd reccomend to get aquatinted with it) is that the movie has very prominent themes of faith, the professor and writer had no choice but to have blind faith in the stalker to lead them to the zone, and I think both the professor and writer represent reasons why someone would lose this faith. The writer loses this faith because he realizes that the room might do something to him that he doesn't want, and example he showed through porcupines story, that the room doesn't give you what you ask for, it gives you the deepest desire of your mind, and the writer realizes that he isn't ready for that. He has already had enough change. "Because I wanted to change the world through my writing, but it turned out that THEY were the ones who changed ME!". The professor loses faith because he realizes that the room is a tool that can be used for not only benefit, but for harm, this is why he brings the bomb into the zone. He holds a belief that if the room falls into the wrong hands, it could bring a lot of harm. Tarkovsky doesn't blame the two for losing this faith though, especially the writer at the end of the movie becomes more content with the life he has, and doesn't yearn as strong for anything extraordinary. The only two characters who KEEP faith in the stalker and remain devoted in the movie, end up with more heartwarming endings. And these characters are the stalkers wife, and the dog the Stalker finds inside the zone. The stalkers wife holds faith that he will return safe from the zone, and not end up back in jail, and when they are reunited, the wife talks about this too. Even though they both struggle with their relationship because of the stalkers job, she knows that she's happy, and that she doesn't regret her decision. The dog that the stalker brings back from the zone, not only the fact that dogs can often represent loyalty, but the fact that the dog follows the stalker around the zone, and remains devoted to him, which works, and the dog ends up living with the stalker, having faith in him lead the dog to a better life instead of being a stray. Movie is bassically Tarkovsky saying "be careful what you wish for, and hold faith in those wishes!" (If anyone wants I can talk more about the movie)

there's the movie. And something I've noticed is that the stalker trio has a lot of similarities to a certain three in the mill that could serve to make a theory at future PAFL events

This theory is fully structured apon my guess that Stalker character is representative to one of these three from pafl

1) Nikita- The Stalker

the first point for The Stalker representing Nikita is Nikitas relationship with Nadya and the stalkers relationship with his wife.

In an ask, ferry said:

Both Nadya and the stalkers wife hold blind faith in him, trusting him to come back, even considering how many times he had messed up, both eventually being left abandoned.

Though that does NOT necessarily mean that Nikita/ the stalker don't care for Nadya/the stalkers wife! An example of this that we see in the film is through the cinematography, one of the most noticable changes in the movie is that when the stalker is in the city, when the film first starts the camera footage is black and white, uncaring and murky. (See right)

but when the three eventually get to the zone, the change in cinematography is instantly noticeable, the film grows colorful and so much more GENUINE seeming than the previous black and white footage. The very first thing the stalker does in the zone is collapse onto the wet grass and breathe in the air like he had been holding a breath his entire time outside of the zone. (see left)

I think you can assume what I mean by bringing up this evidence. The zone is one of the only things that the stalker cares about, and this is interesting and all, but here is where my point that both the stalker and Nikita both care for Nadya/ The Stalkers wife, proving that their relationships are very similar.

It's here. At the very end of the film, when the stalker is with his wife and daughter back in the city, during this silent scene the film grows in color again. The stalker really does care about the family he has at home, and he is left with regret on how he has treated them, just like Nikita has.

The main thing about Nikita and the stalker is how those around them are constantly put into a position where it feels like they are FORCED to be dependent on them, to hold faith in them. Nikita's examples for this being Nadya and Kolya, and the Stalkers examples being almost everyone in the movie! They are repeatedly put in a position to the people around them as the sole savior, the one who can lead everyone to what they need and I don't think either of them mind it at all.

about Nikolai as well, I wholeheartedly believe ferry mixed the role of porcupine's brother, briefly mentioned in the movie who got dissolved in the grinder and porcupine blaming himself after, and the part of playing favorites in the movie to create Kolya! in stalker there's a part of the movie where in the grinder, the stalker makes both the professor and writer draw a stick, and it just so happens that the writer gets to go for the grinder!!! Whoopee!!!

Both the stalker and Nikita blame Sergei/porcupine for Nikolais/Porcupine's brother dying in the grinder

But enough about those two stalkers savior complex,

2) Olga- The Writer

See in this passage my argument grows a little more flimsy...but... It's okay (I think)

The writer, at the beginning of the movie, at least, years for something more than what the world can offer him, something past the realm that science can explain. He knows that there is no such thing, he proclaims it loudly, but still he holds hope for something more. He wants to live forever through his writing, and change the people around him as much as possible.

"now you'll live to be a hundred!”

"yes. And why not eternally?" (1:50:20)

...hey, wasn't it said that Olga used to work at the institute before she left to become a stalker? Yup! It has! Although the reason for this has never been said, at least I don't think so. Why would Olga leave such a respected and high paying career? I can assume she ventured into the zone for the same reason as the writer.

the most obvious, though, is that both the writer and Olga survive the grinder (with Olga's case it was heavily implied) but the way they deal with it is quite similar. Both Olga and the writer meet a major change after the incident, the writer realizing what he wants cannot be given to him by the zone, so he gives up on trying to enter the room, instead settling for his quiet life, coming to terms with his problems without the help of any magical zone. So does Olga, I'd say it's also a bit implied that she has toned down on stalking since the incident, as its been directly stated she now works a regular office job. And she's changed physically since the incident too, losing one of her eyes and cutting her hair short, I almost couldn't recognize her during my first watch through of the mill during the shots of when she was younger!

Both the writers and Olgas apathetic attitude towards most of the outside world also resemble each other too, huh?

My last point for the writer representing Olga; is something that's been said directly in a the mill mv before. "Those are all pretty ways of saying she lucks out" she's lucked out throughout all her stalker years, even during the incident I've talked about before. you know, this may have just been an assholey misogynistic comment from Nikita to undermine Olga's experience in the zone, but you know who else lucked out? Very much so, actually? That's right! The writer!

3) Yura and his future- the professor???

Now that we have unpacked all of that, we know that we have one remaining of both trios. Yura, and the Professor. For NOW I can't think of any direct parallels between the two. But that's for now, what we've seen of how Olga and Nikita correlate to both the stalker and the writer makes me wonder, hey, maybe, just maybe, does this mean Yura will try and destroy something in the zone when on the search for KT, even better inside of the institute? Because that's definitely a prediction. can't say anything about this for now, but I would definitely feel like the coolest motherfucker on earth if it did happen.

[everyneji]

Do you ship Neji with anyone?

Hehe. I answered this once but I'll definitely talk more on it. I love Shikamaru/Neji, and considering I published fic for them as recently as of 2021 those feelings are still going strong. Generally I prefer my ships to have a little more, er, content, but they captured my imagination so what can I say ...

If my followers will forgive me for getting indulgent for a spell, there's something very charming about how, in the Sasuke Retrieval Arc, Neji is keeping up with Shikamaru.

When they're trapped by Jirobo, Neji seems a little surprised by Shikamaru's false surrender, but keeps quiet. Now he's not a loudmouth like Kiba and Naruto, but he's also not shy about speaking his mind. However, between his own observational skills, a likely respect for the command structure, and Choji's words, he doesn't interfere. He's then right in step with Shikamaru and Choji when the plan starts.

Neji then explains that he observed everything Shikamaru did (that the prison recovered from Kiba's attacks at different rates) and why Shikamaru spoke to the enemy and so on. We expect Choji to work well with Shikamaru 'cause they're besties, but Neji was essentially a stranger to them and he's right there with them because he can get why Shikamaru does what Shikamaru does.

When they break free, Neji briefly assumes command to stop Kiba and Naruto from attacking while Shikamaru is busy thinking of another solution. Shikamaru names Neji his second-in-command -- and I know it didn't come up earlier because it wasn't relevant to the story, but in a more Watsonian perspective, it seems like Shikamaru should have done this at mission start. Neji is the shinobi with the most experience there. So did Shikamaru just assume they wouldn't have to split up or he wouldn't die (optimistic) or would he prefer to evaluate someone's leadership potential before trusting the lives of his buddies to them? I'm more inclined to believe the latter.

From all this we gather that they're both intelligent, observant people who quickly gain a mutual respect of each other when asked to work together. I happen to be a big fan of relationships between people who are both strong-willed and opinionated leader types. Yes, they can clash, but so long as they're respectful of each other there's so much potential for an interesting dynamic to explore.

They're also both lowkey people with compatible lowkey hobbies (cloud gazing & bird watching, napping & meditating) who I think could just relax together, though Neji's got a more active personality to keep some of that spark and spice. Neji needs some relaxation in his life ... Shikamaru can be very tender and emotionally intelligent if he feels like it, and Neji could use that too. What does Shikamaru need? Someone who is unafraid to challenge him, haha.

In fact, figuring out what Shikamaru wants (answer: a hardass with a nice smile) is easy because we see it in canon, but what about Neji? That, my friends, is a separate post I will make because I get very sidetracked from just gushing about my little rarepair.

Thank you for the question! ♥ In the end, I stand by my opinion that so long as Neji is getting some love all's fair! I've read or at least seen art of every Neji ship that exists I'm pretty sure … I just want good things for him. ✌️ Also, if you want to talk more specific shippy stuff, feel free to hit me up on my Naruto sideblog @hallwaydodge!

[theparliamentofrooks]

OKAY SO I HEARD ABOUT YOU BEING A COMPLETE YO KAI WATCH FAN AND BUCK ENJOYER AS THE BIGGEST BUCK ENJOYER MYSELF I WANT TO HWAR ABOUT YOUR HEADCANONS IF YOU WOULD NOT MIND, I WOULD LIKE TO INFO DUMP TO EACH OTHER ABOUT HIM BECAUSE HE IS SUCH A REAL CHARACTER I LOVE HIM

LIIIIIIIIIIIIIITERALLY THE CHARACTER EVER i will gladly drop everything i think about him (or like half of it at least) here. Absolutely. He taught me how it feels to have an obscure fave HAHA

One big thing is that I age up the Yokai Watch characters with me cause they're my No. 1 comfort characters, so Buck (and everyone else) are young adults (like 18). Also Buck is Mexican/Honduran because he has too much swag not to be

Out of the YW3 trio (Nate, Buck, Hailey) it's BUCK that's the smartest. He gets pretty good grades with minimal studying and only puts in effort for big exams. The first time Nate saw he got 100% on a test he was so mad because they blew the past week doing nothing but Yokai stuff

Also he's just really good leader material for the trio. Nate of course is the best leader for Yokai and everyone in general (when times are tough) but Buck thinks ahead well

Is extremely popular in town. Literally 65% of people know him by name. He's charismatic and makes friends easily when he wants to

Has a bad habit of laughing at jokes for a little too long. Nate has dry humor and when it catches Buck off guard he'll be snickering like half an hour after it dropped. "You're still laughing?" "It was funny!"

He initially gets envious of Nate and Hailey having Yokai watches but when they bring him to get one he's like damn wait these kinda look like ass. He strolls out of the Yopple store whistling and appreciating his necklace tenfold and the others are astonished.

(Whisper, diehard Yopple stan, wants to bite him for a week)

Five Assigned Yokai Partner: Shadow Venoct. Reasoning? Shadow Venoct is my favorite. Buck is my favorite. Plus it's cool like why not. I honestly think Shadow Venoct would meet Buck and they'd just click well because Buck wouldn't shy away from him. Shadow Venoct hangs out with him and Buck doesn't need a medal to summon him (just has to say his name with intent)

Buck has trust issues but they only flare up when new people are entering his circle. When Nate was becoming friends with his friends, Buck instantly got defensive and tried shaking him off. Same thing for Hailey suddenly befriending Nate, which makes Buck initially very standoffish with her. It felt like they were invading his space and he needed to know if they would click well before he started being friendly

Buck also eventually realizes that his family can naturally see Yokai, but he couldn't for some reason. (Or at least his sister Dorothy can). It saddens him deeply but he tries not to dwell on it too much. He's got his lucky UFO stone and that's what matters now

Okay back to fun stuff. HE'S THE MOST INSANE ONE ON ADVENTURES BECAUSE HE WON'T FUCKING SIT DOWN he's constantly on his feet poking around SOMEWHERE. Buck absolutely REFUSES to rest when there is something interesting and exciting he could be doing Nate has to cover him so often

Wishes he had the Yokai Watch Certified Pistol

I am a Nate/Buck yaoi truther (I want what they have so bad) but the comedic appeal of Nate being into his sister is also huge. Buck finds out Nate and Hailey are both vying for Dorothy's attention and proceeds to be a MENACE. Nate gets tossed into the ocean and Hailey has to cope with an anime figure release being pushed back

(Buck asked his parents to pull a few strings and refused to elaborate on when he became "interested in anime stock marketing")

Nate and Buck are absolutely gay for each other though. I don't do ships but it's undeniable it's just a fact. The one of like four ships I DO accept as my own

He constantly switches between calling Yokai 'Yokai' and aliens. It's a hard habit to break okay cut him some slack a burger with hands and legs is NOT a ghost LMFAO

Whisper and Buck sometimes butt heads. Buck will call Whisper out for Googling (YO-GOOGLING?) and Whisper reprimands Buck for doing risky things. Buck has also pulled on Whisper's tuft a few times but come on everyone else absolutely has understand his situation

Buck is effectively Nate's right hand man and vice versa. When Nate can't rely on Jibanyan or Whisper for something, his next stop is Buck

I HOPE THESE WERE FUN HEADCANONS TO READ!!!!!!! It has been a LONG time since I've thought hard on him but GOD I LOVE HIM HE'S THE BEST. THE CHARACTER EVER. Buck Hazeltine is a staple for my favorite characters he's THE face of "green characters that are witty, smile a lot, and five will inevitably love". Ugh he's awesome

And thank YOU for sending me this ask!!!! (I LOVE OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK IT'S MY FAVORITE ACTIVITY)

[icabrth]

Hello! I really love your stories, especially the ones about breaking bad 🤍. I would like to ask, do you write nsfw content?

Thanks for the answer! As for my request, it's about Gus Fring (I can't, I love him too much 😭😭). I've always headcanoned him as a rather jealous and possibly even overprotective partner. I mean, after everything that's happened to Max, he must be pretty caring about his partner. What do you think about this?

I don't have a very detailed plot, but lately I've been thinking about how he would come to the realization that he likes the reader? I don't think Gus is the kind of person who tends to lie to himself; he is a serious person, as are his intentions. How does he confess his feelings to the reader?

I would prefer a female reader, please? I don't think she related to crime either. Maybe she met Gus when she was working for him? The manager at his restaurant? His housekeeper? I don't know, haha.

Oh, and if you don't mind, I imagine her as a rather shy and soft person. I think that's what Gus liked about her: she's not like anyone else he knows, so spending time with her allows him to... distract and relax. Like a breath of fresh air.

Thank you so much for your stories again! I'm in love with them 🤍🤍🤍

quiet realization

pairings: gustavo fring x fem!reader

summary: the story of you and gus

warnings: slight mention of crime

masterlist

a/n: I should really be studying rn but I couldn’t get this request out of my head lol.. also tysm for requesting ur acc so sweet ♡

You met Gustavo Fring through work; being his housekeeper and nanny for his children, the two of you spent a lot more time together than either had anticipated.

“How are you liking the food, sir?” You asked your employer. A nervous smile grazing your face as sugarcoating laced your voice. You didn’t know wether it’d be best to keep eye contact, or to avoid it. He didn’t seem bothered by the thick tension (which was swallowing you whole) as he kept his eyes on you, searching for yours.

“Please, call me Gus. We are more than acquainted by now, don’t you think?” He straightened up as he flashed you a playful, yet somehow professional grin.

Gus confused you to no end; every move he made seemed so calculated, so thought out that it scared you. Your obvious attraction to him didn’t do much to relief your anxiety.

You weren’t like him. He could read you like a book, as you were. Your actions were pure hearted and executed with good intentions. This is why no one would’ve expected the two of you to match to perfectly. It seemed you were both exactly what the other needed.

As he awaited your answer, he secretly struggled keeping up his exterior wall. You were right about him – he did have a motive, and his every move was calculated. Right now, he was trying to gain your trust. Get on some reliance level in order to get closer to you.

Gus wasn’t sure about his feelings toward you and he struggled to put a label on his developing crush. Romantic relations came rare to him, and he wasn’t sure if what he’d felt for any of his past lovers could be classified as love. What he did know though, was that you made his heart flutter in a way so unfamiliar and great – it made him think he was dying.

One of his more significant memories of you as a housekeeper was one night when he’d arrived home late to see you tucking his youngest as you put them to sleep with your gentle, loving voice.

Seeing how close you’d gotten with his children just made him more and more impatient with figuring out his feelings for you. There you were – the perfect girl, right in front of him –and he was doing nothing to keep you.

You were so sweet, so genuine – it made him want to protect you. Keep you hidden and ignorant to his life of crime. So, this is around the time when he officially decided to himself that he was, indeed, in love with you.

It was a quiet realization, and he couldn’t just confess his undying love to you right then and there, without no preparation whatsoever. So, he decided he needed to get closer to you instead of just knowing you through small interactions and watching from afar.

So, he began treating you with personalized gifts once in a while, telling you how grateful he was for your patience and understanding with his children. He began insistent on helping you with your cooking, and would practically force you to eat with him. Although you did appreciate his acts of kindness, you didn’t understand where they were coming from. Your obviousness to his feelings lead you to believe he had some kind of bad intention. It wouldn’t be fair to blame you, though, as his terribly attempts at flirting were hard to read.

These little dinner dates all let up to this moment, this time he was going to make some progress with you. No, scratch that – this time he was going to confess to you.

“The food is quite tasty, ___! You are an except cook as well as an excellent company,” he praised you. Your cheeks began to heat up, and you felt your mouth twitch in unknowing response. “As are you, Gus. Thank you.” Your interactions would’ve been short and awkward to the eye, but neither of you seemed too bothered by the silence. In fact, what you had learned over the months of working for him, was that his actions said a lot more about his character than his words.

“___,” he stated as he put his larger hand on top of yours and your eyes met for the first time that day. “___, I am in love with you.” The words uttering from his mouth didn’t feel read, neither did the butterflies in your stomach as your breath hitched. You realized this had to be real, because you couldn’t physically feel a movie the same way you felt his warm fingers intertwine with yours. Or the soft, yet firm feel of his lips as he pulled you closer to him.

You realized that this was just as real as his hot breath against your ear, whispering: “you have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that”

[bloodonhissocks]

Rewatching The 12 Step Job (1x10), I noticed a scene that I've glossed over many times before. When Hardison activates the bomb under the car by sitting in the seat, he naturally panics as Eliot assesses the situation. Hardison comes up with the idea of a bag of bricks to which Eliot says, "That only works in the movies."

The rest of the scene unfolds sort of in a comedic way, though I don't know if that's because I've seen it so many times and know that they obviously don't die. Hardison has clearly never been in such an extreme near-death situation (not yet at least) and is unfamiliar with the pressure and fear, so he starts rambling and insisting on the bag of bricks because he's panicking. On the other hand, Eliot is more calm and able to deal with the situation because, we can assume, he lives in constant high-stakes situations. He figures out that the bomb is a computer bomb.

Gosh I have so much to say about this scene haha, so I'm gonna start with the way that Hardison's and Eliot's characters are simultaneously both in a situation that is foreign yet familiar. There's a better phrase for it, but I can't think of it. Eliot is used to being close to death but is clueless about computers. Hardison works with computers, but since he's the one trapped by the bomb, he's forced to reboot it indirectly and under enormous pressure. As a result, they have to trust each other.

I think I never noticed this dynamic because I was distracted by the layer of comedy. Hardison tells Eliot that the margin of error is half a second to which Eliot responds, "Run the bag of bricks by me again." We know Eliot knows that the bag of bricks will not work, but he's so out of his depth that he circles back to an impossible idea. I can't articulate why exactly that's comedic because I haven't studied comedy, but I always thought his remark was funny along with other remarks such as Hardison saying "I'm gonna die" because he knows Eliot is out of his depth.

Right before Eliot yanks the wires, we get a close-up shot of his hand shaking and that is such an important detail to highlight. When was the last time Eliot was that afraid? He's so used to being able to take care of himself and handle things on his own, and now he's in a situation where he has to completely trust someone else with his own life. I can't even imagine how he was feeling in that moment. This speaks volumes about how much of a bond he and Hardison have at that point in season 1 and I will never shut up about how much of a family they've become in such a short (I'm assuming since it's still within season 1) period of time. Eliot could've dipped and left Hardison to die, but no, he would never have done that. I would like to think that running didn't even cross Eliot's mind.

They survive, of course, and the comedy returns for a third and final time when Hardison asks Eliot for an uncertain confirmation of whether Eliot would've dragged him under the truck as well and Eliot says, "Sure." Eliot will trust Hardison with his life but won't openly admit that, of course, he would save Hardison 🥴 FKSDHFKDSHKFSDL I just remembered that this was also the episode where Hardison pretended that he and Eliot were together so that that could both "visit" at the rehab center. That just makes everything so much better.

Anyways, I love that scene between those two. It also highlighted Eliot's jock archetype without all the bad stuff. We've had Eliot "camera was too far to punch so I threw a rock at it" Spencer who is the same exact person as Eliot "hopelessly clueless about computers and doesn't know what to do because he can't just punch it" Spencer and I am so here for that duality.

[sunny1616]

Deluded Pt. 1

Matteo Riddle x Reader

Summary: You and Matteo have a toxic yet addictive bond. Both of you know it and can't help but feed into it further. But what happens when the limit is found and crossed?

Warnings ⚠️: toxic relationship, swearing, arguing

"Sttawpp Matteeo.. i have to get to class..." Matteo, has you trapped in an outdoor alcove at the courtyard. His hands bracket your hips, and his head is nuzzled in the sweet spot between your neck and collar bone. At your request for him to stop his perusal of your neck, he responds with a giggle that tickles you under your jawline. "This is no joke! McGonagall will kill me if i show up late for the third time this month!!... MATTEO IM SERIOUS.." You then brace your forearms against his chest and push off.

"Comme onnn. That old witch won't notice. Know-it-all-Granger takes up all her attention in that class. I know you dont want to go, so why are you wasting this precious, precious time?.." At the last two words, his face is back on the same sensitive spot. And you wiggle again with less will to end it.

"Ughhh, at this rate, we both won't ever graduate. Don't you ever take anything at least a bit seriously?" This was partly a jest, but you also wanted to know if Matteo had the right priorities.

"Why do you have to ruin the mood? Who the fuck cares about school? Both our families are loaded anyway. You could work at any department at the Ministry even if you didnt pass Divination. Besides, no one goes to classes anyways. Blaise, Crab, Goyle, and Theo- even Pansy doesn't give a shit most of the time! BE MORE LIKE HER AND STOP KILLING MY BONER" He ends with an annoyed exasperation. You just gape at his complete disregard for school. Sure, you weren't a stellar student, but you gave at least 60% of an effort. Better than 0, duh?!

"I dont want to be like all those people!! If i want to do something worthwhile after grad, imma have to learn a thing or two to be of some use. My mommy and daddys money can't buy that STUPID!!" Eyes wide, you think about picking up your bag to leave, but before you can reach down, he's already hissing again.

"Holy fuck... your such a fucking tease right now. Fine. Go. I dont give a fuck. You're not irreplaceable, there are 20 other bitches that'll gladly take your place with me right now over some dumbass class." He then frenziedly takes out a cigarette and lights it. Not even looking at you.

After a pause and a breath, you finally say, "Wow. How fucking fragile are you? You cant even go a minute without having your dick wet can you? Its pathetic... Im sorry that i have other priorities than you, a raging manslut!! And since you have 20 other girls under me, i invite you to go to them because im sooo fucking done with your ass. They're all probably waiting oh so patiently too for me to let you go. Too bad for them to soon figure out what a DISAPPOINTING MESS YOU ARE."

"Haha yea right. Let's see how you like it when you can't have me. You're gonna wish you had chosen differently. While i on the other hand get to finally HAVE SOME FUCKING FUN. GO DRY YOUR PUSSY OUT WITH MCGONAGALL AND TRY NOT TO GET RUG BURN WHEN YOU CRAWL BACK TO ME." You're already halfway across the courtyard and dont even turn back when you scream:

"I HOPE YOU KNOW THE NUMBERS BETWEEN 0 AND 20 WHEN YOU COUNTDOWN YOU DUMB FUCKER!!"

You sort of speed stomp across the yard to reach the hallway. Then quickly go to the changing staircase to get onto the right set of stairs in order for you to arrive to class on time.

Now that the nerves of almost missing class have subsided, you are now fuming about everything else. How could he say all those things to you? Though you know Matteo and what he's capable of your delusional thoughts creep in to ask; did he truly mean all those things? He won't actually hook up with other girls, right? Deep down, you knew the answer but still refused to trust it. Matteo is more unlike his father than he is like his father. But in regards to keeping true to his threats, you could say it runs in the family.

Author note: i hope yall are angry at Matteo. Hehe. Part 2 coming soon!

[greentrickster]

chaoticgoodcryptid (from AO3) binghe getting the love and therapy he deserves is always SO good!!! also, YQY x TLJ? I've never considered it before but yeahhhhboi! this version of events is so beautiful, love to see them healing and also venting!! they usually keep all their trauma and messy feelings inside of them, so it's nice to see them doing the equivalent of yelling cathartically/ going to a pottery-breaking room hahaha wonder how they'd be like when they get into a relationship though haha, how would YQY respond to TLJ's shamelessness?

Oh, good question! Thinking about it... hmmm, I think Yue Qingyuan would actually enjoy how shameless Tianlang-jun is. A very large amount of Yue Qingyuan's large problems come from poor communication (on the part of him and other people) and, while Tianlang-jun might hide some of how he's really feeling under a deluge of 8D 8D 8D!!!! at times, he doesn't ever seem to hide the base emotions very much. Like, he might use a cheerful demeanor to hide how much he's hurting, but if he's angry at you, you know, and you will know why because he'll tell you. Again, maybe in a slightly round-about way, but you'll know.

And I think Yue Qingyuan appreciates that, possibly more than he realizes. He loved Shen Jiu flaws and all, part of him likely always will, but neither of them were willing or felt able to talk to each other about their hurts or why they're angry. So having someone who's so in-your-face about his everything, it can probably be overwhelming at times, but it makes things easier long-run.

As well as this, both of them found that Life-Changing Field Trip they took in the Demon Realm very liberating in a lot of ways. Like you said, both of them finally got to vent and have a proper fight (multiple times), get to know each other as people, and get some time to just... be, away from sects and followers and anyone who would judge them for their behaviour. Or, at least, anyone whose opinions they actually care about (currently). It gave them time and opportunity to bleed a lot of the poison out of their wounds.

And this also means that they were with each other after the fighting and the poison bleeding happened, for that tired, worn stage that comes afterwards and leads to healing. Because they're all each other has to lean on at the moment, they've said all they need to say, and they still need to rely on each other to get back to Cang Qiong (and to their preferred sex). I think this is the part where the bonding really started, because the masks were finally and fully down, and they could properly get to know each other.

I like to think that Yue Qingyuan has a mean streak to him, from the days he had to survive in the street; the 'perfect older brother figure' image he presents does have a lot of truth to it, but he's had a lot of pressure on him to be perfect, with this necessity being enforced when he tried to rush with his sword, so I think there's more under there that he's been keeping to himself for years. And I think Tianlang-jun likes this aspect when he learns of it, due to both his demonic and M tendencies. Which I think would be a relief for Yue Qingyuan to experience, to finally drop that mask and have his full self be accepted out of hand (even if it is only because Tianlang-jun initially is still working through his massive load of justifiable trust issues regarding cultivators).

As for Yue Qingyuan, I think he enjoys parts of Tianlang-jun's shamelessness, especially when it comes to affection. He has some limits to what he's willing to do in public, but this man has been affection-starved for decades, and I think he'd enjoy having a partner as openly and ardently devoted as Tianlang-jun can be, and would be happy to be able to return that affection with just as much openness. I feel like Tianlang-jun's vibe when he's in love is some variation of, "Listen, I know first hand how strong you are, and that's really hot, but also let me spoil you like a pampered little miss sometimes, okay?" Yeah, it's embarrassing sometimes, and they probably have some arguments over how much is too much, but overall I think he enjoys having a partner who's so over the top and overt in his affections.

As for Tianlang-jun, Yue Qingyuan's probably pretty different from Su Xiyan (I tend to see her written as being something of a spitfire who takes no crap from anyone (which, good for her)), much quieter and steadier. Willing to push back or stand his ground (post Life-Changing Field Trip, anyways), but generally still giving off that perfect serene immortal cultivator vibe. Which makes it all the more fun that he's willing to drop the act when they're alone together and be more open with his emotions and frustrations. I imagine the level of trust he's willing to place is Tianlang-jun is also kind of heady, and that our demon emperor enjoys how intense and low-key obsessive Yue Qingyuan can be in his love.

I also like the idea that, once they're married, they take turns playing at trophy husband, depending on whose place they are. Both for fun, and for how they balance being the respective heads of the demon realm and Cang Qiong Sect. They aren't the head of the demon realm or Cang Qiong sect when at their husband's house, just the man who their husband married.

Also, they both have really massive bedrooms. Overtly because they're such important, powerful men. Actually because they both have so much cave-related trauma, including a certain amount of claustrophobia.

Also also, all this means that, at some point, Binghe's going to have to deal with the fact that Sect Boss Yue's his stepdad, and I think that's beautiful.

[ask-the-royal-absol]

(Reply to this: https://www.tumblr.com/sinnohsiblings/729264016845848576/singularity-approached-abbadon-hands-becoming )

*As soon as he was teleported to the office space, Singularity started to become nervous. Which was odd. Usually he was confident, knew how to handle himself in a social situation. But this? This was a lot. He had never been for an interview before. Why would he have? It was not something he would have ever needed to go through before.

As Abbadon gestured to the seat, Singularity took it but could feel his hand shake as he grabbed the chair. He listened intently to the Arceus’s voice. He was a little saddened that Galadriel had her eyes on another but it was to be expected. He just wanted to try. Even if she didn’t accept him to be hers, he at least wanted one victory. And that victory would have to be with her father. Singularity began to feel his mouth become dry. Again, strange considering how confident he usually was. He felt unprepared.*

*Singularity found it difficult for the words to come out. He was probably embarrassing himself in front of the powerful god in front of him. He could feel his cheeks turn red and his heart pound in his chest. He should have taken some water in with him. Taking a shaky breath to calm himself, he spoke.*

Singularity: I…erm…would like to thank you for hearing me out, Abbadon sir. F-forgive me for my nervousness. This usually isn’t like me. Erm…y-your daughter. Seeing her in person was certainly something. She really did catch my eye. It wasn’t just her beauty t-that was the first thing I noticed. It was her confident spirit that I was drawn to. A quality such as that is something I truly admire in a person. Definitely a strong personality too. She truly does seem wonderful. Honestly, she seems like someone who would be able to keep me in line but also knows when to have a little fun, haha. I quite enjoy her ferocity too. Again, it makes me respect her as the strong and powerful Pokémon she is and I see these qualities as something I could learn from.

*He could feel his confidence start to grow again, though it was only a trickle compared to the torrent of nervousness that washed over him.*

Singularity: I will admit, I’m not a perfect Giratina by any stretch of the imagination. I have done many terrible things which has lead to some form of destruction. But, I’m learning from my mistakes. I’m learning to be better. I feel she may be able to help me with that.

I am aware that she has had a previous relationship which had ended poorly. Relationships are a two-sided process. I would never want her to feel as she would have done back then. Many may say that they would want to treat the person they were attempting to court like a goddess or a queen. But, at the end of the day, if I were to end up in a relationship with her, I would want to treat her as an equal.

*His confidence grew and allowed him to look Abbadon in the eyes. He needed this man to know he was serious about this.*

Treat her not only as someone who I can ask for guidance and support from, but also offer that in return. I want to be that someone who she can cry on if she needs it, someone who can offer her comfort when things get tough, who she can ask for space when she wants it. I want to be someone who knows her boundaries and respects them. Someone who can make her laugh so I can see that radiant smile I know she has. I would want this partnership to benefit the both of us and help us to both become better Pokémon. And ultimately, I just want to make her happy.

I can see that you and Galadriel have a strong relationship with each other, considering she trusts you to judge her potential partners. It’s wonderful to see that. I…erm…don’t have that strong of a relationship with my father as you do so it makes me happy to see that she does. I suppose even if I don’t end up winning your approval, I’ll at least know she has a strong father figure who will make sure she gets the opportunity to be with someone who will give her what she needs.

*Singularity took a deep breath out. This was so much for him. This man reminded him of his father. Incredibly strict. Singularity guessed the anxiety was partially from the similarities. He wasn’t feeling confident with what he had said. He wasn’t confident that it would be good enough. But, at least he tried and at least he was honest. And that’s all anyone could ask for, right?*

Thank you for hearing out my case for a partnership with your daughter, sir. Would you like me to stay here or leave you to make your decision?

@sinnohsiblings

[greensagephase]

@zoopzaper I wanted to let you know that I received your ask but it somehow got deleted 😭😭 I've reached out to tumblr's support team to see if I can get it back and I'm still waiting on a response. If I can get it back I promise I'll answer it!! I got to read it at least and I'll try my best to remember as much as possible. I'm really sorry and please know I feel so bad 😭😭 if I miss something and you don't mind, let me know or send me another ask.

I saw that you had the opportunity to read part 11 at last!! I'm sorry that you got sick and I hope you're feeling so much better now!! ❤️ also, I hope your finals went well!!

I can't believe that you were thinking about a babysitting part and then part 11 was about that haha, perfect timing! I'm so happy you found it cute despite the sad bit about Miguel's backstory. I had a lot of fun including the babysitting element, though, as I really love Mayday! Also, I'm glad you were able to relate to reader being good with kids because of your cousins! I relate but with my aunts' kids as my siblings are younger than me and don't have children lol but haha, I bet you being their favorite comes in handy!! 😂

Omg, I love that you noticed how Miguel was instantly worried about reader's sudden change of plans! He was so quick to request a live hologram 🥺 he really does care for reader!! And when he offered to take dinner to her universe, and he had everything ready?! And then also offered to help with breakfast??! I want his hand in marriage!! 🫴🏼

Also, haha, I'm glad you weren't expecting Miguel to be so close/engaging with Mayday this much! This was interesting to think about because I was trying to see what were some things that he'd be okay with and then the parts that are still too much for him but despite his heartache because of Gabriella, we saw that Miguel is naturally good with kids and just thinking about his fatherly side gets me! But omg yes, guys that are good with kids?! Why is that so attractive??! 🤭 he's definitely a green flag!! Also, yes I agree that Miguel from part wouldn't have been able to do this. It would've been too much for him so it's truly so beautiful to see how far he has progressed 🥹

Regarding reader and the years she spent alone and how you said you could imagine her apartment suddenly being so silent 😭 In my head, she spent a lot of time in silence at her apartment. She couldn't even listen to music or watch TV to fill the growing and painful silence. Sometimes, the only people she talked to on some days were people she saved/helped, villains/criminals, officers, or maybe fans, but those interactions were always short. It makes me so sad to think of this!

I believe you mentioned finding it cute that Miguel didn't want to leave reader's apartment because of how much comfort he finds in her space and her presence, and yes, omg! His penthouse is still a working progress to make it homier (I'm thinking future chapter maybe? 🙂) for himself but there's no denying he finds so much comfort from reader and her home! Also, the sleeping arrangements 🤭 the sweatshirt and reader's breathing are still working perfectly! Will it stop working at some point? Maybe? Will other methods be incorporated? 😌

Omg, Mayday making the action figures kiss and both reader and Miguel becoming embarrassed - Miguel blushing and covering his face to hide it!! 🤭 this part had me GIGGLING AND KICKING MY FEET when I was writing it. Mayday and Lyla are on this now!! Also, Peter B. and Mary Jane giving each other a look when reader and Miguel leave 👀👀 they definitely talked about Miguel and reader afterward!!

On Miguel's backstory and his family, it's so sweet that Miguel finally talked about it because he trusts reader!! I found it kind of sad to write about but also it just shows Miguel's progress!! Gabriel and Miguel definitely deserved better and it makes me so sad that they were in that environment for so long. It's really on sight for George, Tyler, and Conchata!!

Okay and the big moment when Miguel wrapped his pinky around reader's and gently squeezed!!! I was screaming at this but then also the size difference!! I was giggling at the thought of how much larger and longer his fingers are for real!! And omg @zoopzaper not you thinking about something else of Miguel's being on the larger side 🤣 same

I'm so ready for more fan art for part 11 🥺 there were so many cute scenes and I'm m gonna be screaming at every single drawing that is posted!! It's gonna be like Christmas gifts for me ❤️❤️

Also, I was gonna send you an ask and tell you that I watched Ponyo two nights ago!!!!! I LOVED IT 🥺😭 I think I'm gonna rewatch it again but I also want to watch Howls Moving Castle!! Thank you for recommending both films!! I think Miguel would absolutely enjoy Ponyo!!!

Thank you for sending your ask and I'M SO SORRY that it got deleted. I just now got an email response from tumblr and for some reason they said my issue was a follower count?? I'm gonna reply and see whats happening. I promise I'll answer it if I can get it back! If I missed something, please let me know 🥺❤️

[beewolfwrites]

The Oar in the Sand - Chapter Nineteen: The Jack

Sorry for the delay! I had a bit of a busy week, but it was unavoidable. I know some of you were annoyed and worried about MC's actions earlier in the game, and here we are haha.

Let me know if you see any errors! I'm a terrible proofer.

AO3 link is here. 

____________________________________________________

Once the seed was planted, the poison had spread quickly. 

By Round Three, the group had eliminated the nervous man in the checked shirt. It was exactly as I’d predicted, and equally as heartbreaking. That woman, Urumi, was a cold-blooded ringleader. She had the others wrapped around her finger, controlling who would be taken out next, and embedding paranoia and distrust into the very group she created. The others were too submissive, too afraid, to disagree. 

Even watching from afar with Banda and Enji, I could see the fear festering between them. Ippei, having taken a more observant role with Chishiya, was in a near-constant state of silent shock.

Round Four, it was the woman with long hair and a floral skirt. She had entered into the cell next to my own, and as the timer ran out, the sudden blast of her collar had shaken me to my core. During the next round, there was no obvious target. However, the woman in an orange shirt suddenly disappeared from the board, her face vanishing along with her life. Likewise, one or two of the other players from the pairs and trios disappeared silently. 

By the time Round Six began, I already had a nagging suspicion that Chishiya and Ippei were telling each other their suits in secret. Clearly, he trusted Ippei, and so did I. Having a partner that you could trust without fail was the key to winning this game. 

However, I had also noticed that Banda and Enji had yet to lie to me. I would always double check with Chishiya. Not directly, of course. But whenever I entered the guardroom, or walked across the cafeteria, I would spare a quick glance in his direction. He would tap his fingers on whatever was near him at the time; the tabletop, his knee, his arm if he had them crossed. To anyone else, it would look like a nervous habit. But his fingers switched from one steady tap - Diamond - to four consecutive taps - Club - all without ever looking directly at me or making it obvious what he was doing. 

And yet, every round that followed, his secret messages would only certify that Banda and Enji had told me the truth.  

But why?

‘I guess the only people who are safe are the pairs,’ I mumbled under my breath. 

Banda hummed. ‘What’s that?’ 

‘ああ、 何でもないです,’ I whispered. It’s nothing. 

It was now Round 10. Ten hours of sleepless torment in this concrete labyrinth. I was sitting on the guardroom floor beside Banda. Enji was standing against the wall, playing with a wrapped cookie in his palm without actually eating it - the same brand yet again. The night was passing painfully slowly, and it had to be the early hours of the morning. Yet with every round, the tension between the players only heightened, like a coil ready to snap at any moment.

Banda was staring intently at the group across from us. Or what was left of it. Aside from Chishiya and Ippei, the group had whittled down to just Urumi, the old man, the young woman with the headband and the man with glasses. In the previous round, both Hawaiian Shirt and his partner had been eradicated together. 

They must have lied to each other. 

Now, there were only ten players remaining in the game, most of us lingering here in the guardroom and refusing to look at one another for too long. 

Banda made a noise of discontent. ‘That person,’ he said. ‘Perhaps he’s the Jack.’ 

I followed his blank gaze, a lump in my throat rising as I realised exactly who he was talking about. ‘違う,’ I said. ‘ジャックじゃないです.’ You’re wrong. He’s not the Jack. 

Banda smiled softly. ‘And how would you know?’ 

Has he figured us out?

I tried to explain that I had seen Chishiya in the games before, and how we were both part of the Beach, though it was a struggle to form the right sentences. ‘あの人もビーチのグルプにありました,’ I said. That person was also in the Beach’s group. 

I knew I must have butchered the sentence structure, or used the wrong particles in the wrong places. But Banda seemed to know what I meant as he simply ignored my story without comment. 

Eiji played with the cookie in his hand. ‘The Beach, hm? Sounds like a cult.’ 

‘そうでした.’ It was. 

Ever since our first meeting, Enji had eased up a little. He no longer nitpicked my shoddy Japanese, and for the most part he ignored me. I didn’t mind too much since I wasn’t really in the mood to make conversation. The exhaustion was beginning to affect me physically. It was a struggle to keep my eyes from closing, especially as the unnatural lighting within the prison jarred against the darkness outside. My joints and bones ached from sitting on the cold concrete floor, and my head was pounding, thirsty for sleep. 

The timer below the board ticked and ticked. There were still 17 minutes left of Round 10 when Banda stood up, smoothing out his clothes. 

‘I’ll be back,’ he muttered, then left me with Enji. 

He disappeared in the direction of the toilets, rounding the corner to the stairwell just as Yaba’s partner entered the guardroom. According to the board, her name was Kotoko. She walked around the room, clutching something in her hands - the usual cookie brand, bright red this time. As she passed where Enji and I were standing, her eyes flitted across to Enji’s cookie, filling with recognition for just a split second. Then she vanished, probably in search of Yaba. 

I laughed lightly. ‘あなたは両方ともそれのクッキーが好きに違いない.’ You both must really like those cookies. 

Enji tore open the packet in his hand. He ate the cookie in one go, fist clenching around the empty wrapper. Then without a word, he stalked off in the same direction as Banda. 

Jeez… What’s gotten into him?

And there I was thinking we were allies now.

I shook it off, diverting my attention back to the group. Headband was shivering, her eyes darting back and forth. The older man had turned pale, clutching his stomach with nausea. Meanwhile, Glasses was scratching his head and pacing back and forth, and Urumi was leaning against the wooden bar, waving around a pocky stick as she assessed the participant board. Several paces behind them, poor Ippei was sitting on the ground, head in his hands, the bags under his eyes more pronounced than ever before. Chishiya, of course, was leaning against the wall, arms folded calmly. 

His fingers tapped twice, paused, then tapped twice again. 

I was a Heart. 

He could have seen my suit earlier when I was down in the cafeteria. The group had been exchanging their suits, the old man struggling not to vomit from the stress of the game. As I was browsing the shelves, I had witnessed him attempt to lie to Urumi. There was no way he would live to see another round now, but I didn’t stick around to watch the outcome. I just grabbed a bottle and left, having chosen an energy drink to give me strength. This game couldn’t last forever, though I was waning quickly. I could feel it in my muscles. 

Enji and Banda re-entered the guardroom side by side. They probably crossed paths on their way back, but something about it seemed a little off. My eyes darted to the timer. 

10 minutes left of this round. 

It would be over soon. It had to be. Once the player count diminished on its own and nothing but strong partnerships remained, the Jack would have to make a move. 

As the two returned to our corner wall, Banda turned around, exposing his collar. Enji and I angled our heads to get a better view. 

‘Diamond,’ Enji said simply. 

‘ダイヤ,’ I added, nodding. 

Enji went next, turning around and parting his dark hair to reveal the club on the back of his collar. Banda and I confirmed his suit yet again. And now, it was my turn. Sweeping my hair out of the way, I revealed the back of my collar. There was a beat. A slight hesitation. 

‘Spade,’ Enji said. 

Banda hummed in agreement. ‘Spade.’ 

My breath hitched. A shiver ran down my spine.

I’m not a Spade. I’m definitely not a Spade. 

During that time after Enji and Banda had both disappeared, they must have come to some form of agreement. A plan. A story. A suit that they could tell me. Yet their faces gave nothing away. Banda was emotionless as always, idly watching the other players come and go, and Enji was looking at the timer, huffing with impatience. After telling such a lie, how could they appear so composed? I leaned against the wall once more, trying to act normal, or at least as normal as I knew how. But inside, I was shaking with the knowledge that after this round, once I emerged from my cell alive… 

I squeezed my eyes shut. I couldn’t bring myself to think about it. 

What will they do to me?

My fingernails dug into my palms, only the flash of pain offered nothing to distract me from what was to come. My mind raced in loops, desperate to think of a strategy - any way out of this. There wasn’t one. Why couldn’t I think of one?

My eyes lifted to Chishiya’s figure across the room, searching for any modicum of comfort or solace. There was nothing. He was playing his role too well, preoccupied with calming Ippei and not even sparing a glance in my direction. 

‘THE HOUR IS ALMOST OVER. PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE CELLS.’

Adrenaline gushed through my chest. 

Oh god. 

As we trailed down to the rows of cells, I counted each breath, taking every inhale nice and slow just in case Banda was watching. I couldn’t have him witness my fear. He would enjoy it too much. 

‘IT IS TIME TO MAKE YOUR GUESS. EVERYONE, PLEASE ENTER A CELL. ONE PERSON PER CELL, PLEASE.’

I selected a cell, once again directly opposite Chishiya’s and stepped inside. The room was like a fridge. The nighttime chill had bled into the prison, leaving the concrete walls icy to the touch. The dim lightbulb above me flickered dangerously. 

‘PLEASE MAKE YOUR GUESS.’ 

With one word, I sealed my fate. ‘ハート.’ Heart.

A moment of silence passed as the timer ticked down. Then the familiar buzzer sounded and the metal lock clanged as it released. The round was over. I was alive, but at what cost?

Outside, I could hear the familiar creak of players exiting their cells. Pacing pack and forth across mine, I hesitated, unsure of what to do. Should I stay in here and pretend to be eliminated, risking being found out? Or should I go back out there, ready with an excuse? 

I can’t stay in here. 

It was tempting, but it just wouldn’t work. And so, taking a deep breath, I slowly opened the cell door. The creak was louder than I had expected, and as I walked out, my fate was already waiting for me. 

Enji and Banda were standing just a few metres away, paused mid-step as though they had been approaching my cell. Probably to check the state of the walls. 

Banda smirked, tilting his head, whereas Enji’s eyes widened. Nobody spoke. In the background, the other players briefly turned their heads, but continued walking. 

‘Surprise,’ I muttered. 

Enji shook his head wildly. ‘That’s impossible. You’re the Jack. You have to be!’ 

His words echoed down the hall, striking the other players with new fear as they stopped to look. Their faces emerged one by one, gathering around to witness this commotion. Headband, Glasses, even Yaba and Kotoko. Chishiya’s eyes were calmly trained on me. At his side, Ippei looked close to tears. 

‘How did you do it?’ Banda asked. ‘You should be dead.’ 

I couldn’t speak. I could’t even scramble together a sentence. It made no difference as I wasn’t even given a chance to explain. 

‘She’s the Jack!’ Headband pointed at me, stepping closer now, hysteria in her eyes. ‘You lied to her about her suit, right? If she’s alive it means she must be the Jack.’ 

‘違う,’ I whispered. You’re wrong. 

‘You spent the entire round with us,’ Banda said. ‘You didn’t speak to anyone else. Unless, after we left, perhaps…’ 

Glasses whimpered from across the hall. His nose was running as he shouted, ‘She didn’t speak to anyone! Even when you two left, she didn’t move. We were in the guardroom the whole time.’ 

‘みんなは違う!’ I called out. You’re all wrong! 

My eyes locked with Ippei and Chishiya, desperate for help. Anything to get me out of this mess. But Ippei was frozen, eyes shifting back and forth in blind panic. Chishiya looked perturbed, but he made no move to intervene. 

Please… please!

‘You did it the first round too,’ a new voice spoke. It was Yaba this time. He broke away from Kotoko and stepped towards us, hands in his suit pockets. ‘You didn’t speak to anyone during the first round, yet you survived.’ 

‘I guessed!’ I couldn’t even think of the Japanese word. ‘I guessed the suit!’ 

My cries fell on deaf ears. Enji gave me one cold look that made me want to shrivel away. His voice lowered to a whisper. ‘Let’s get her in the cell.’ 

Before I could even register what was happening, Yaba and Banda had grabbed me roughly under my arms, a dull pain flaring in my shoulder from my old bullet graze. A scream tore from my throat as I kicked and threw myself to the side, protesting as they dragged me back to the cold cell I had been just in moments ago. 

‘Stop!’ I shrieked, crying out as my body was flung onto the concrete floor. They immediately pulled the door shut, locking it from outside. I clambered to my feet and threw myself against the closed door, screaming through the mesh window.  ‘I’m not the Jack! I’m not!’

I pounded my fist on the door, fingers scrabbling to find an inside lock, some way of opening it. But it was no use. There was nothing. 

Back in the guardrom, the game continued without me. 

‘ROUND ELEVEN - START.’ 

My vision blurred, and tears dripped down my chin. ‘I’m not the Jack,’ I said weakly, watching through the mesh as the players walked off in the direction of the guardroom. The only ones who remained were Ippei and Chishiya. 

‘Ippei!’ I called out. ‘お願い… お願いします.’

Please help me… 

Shaking his head in disbelief, he left. Chishiya remained for a few heartbeats longer. His expression was guarded, and I could see him thinking carefully. Before I could beg him for help, he turned to follow Ippei. 

No no no no no.

Just like that, I was alone. I sank to the ground, but the cold soon bled into my clothes. Even leaning against a wall left me trembling. Again, the bulb above me flickered once... twice...  then blew. 

The cell was plunged into darkness.