#drabble game 1

[visionsofmagic]

◜ mk1 men using their powers while f*cking you ◞

▸ includes: reptile, sub zero, scorpion [mk1 versions] ◂

▸ tags: nsfw content, explicit language, inappropriate usage of power/abilities, f!reader, kind of drabble, short, canon as possible as I can, licking, watching, petnames, fingering, edging, human form!syzoth, rude and sharp!sub zero, lover!mk1 characters, brat!reader, heat, cold. enjoy! ◂

▸ notes: watched 4+ hours cutscenes of mortal kombat 1 game and well, kind of fall in love with 80% of mk1 characters, so, couldn't help but write for a few of my fav characters from the game. requests open for the mk1 characters as well & have fun while reading, thank u! ^^ [can publish part 2 of this if you would like too!]

REPTILE is a shy lover. he finds himself trying to hide his nature whenever you two have sex not to hurt you because he knows you’re still fragile even though you try to believe otherwise. he never transforms into his reptile form while fucking you, so hard for him to do that but he would rather endure than hurting you in any way. however, that doesn’t mean he lacks fun and any sort of kinks in sex, no, contrary to that, syzoth has a kinky personality that allows him to like watching you, both as general and in bed - he can’t help, especially not when you’re so beautiful leaning on the bed you two are sharing, trying to give yourself pleasure with your fingers while screaming his name because he is away for a mission as you still believe - not knowing when he will return but here he is, standing right in front of you, watching how your fingers disappear inside your folds, going in and out, mouth agape, moaning his name over and over again as if they’re his fingers - or even his cock inside your walls. he likes how you miss him enough to do all of these. 

invisible to your eyes, he watches you until he’s sure you’re so close to the edge, then, chuckling teasingly, he appears slowly, giving you a heart attack right there but you forget all about it when his fingers replace yours, smirking like a brat, green eyes position on your pretty face as he looks at you fondly. 

“you’re so needy for me that you can’t wait for a few hours until I return, is that it, pretty?” he chuckles, head tilting and he listens to your pleases like they’re the prettiest sound he has ever heard. he makes you cum, more than once because he says, “if that is the case, I will fuck my pretty girl so deep that she will never forget it even when I leave.” 

SUB ZERO is not gentle at all when it comes to having sex with him. he prefers to make you remember who you belong to, whose name you’re screaming, and who makes your legs shake in weakness because he fucks you that good. he doesn’t think about what a kink is in detail but he knows he has a few and he uses them with you without hesitation. you like them as he understands from the voices you make, the expressions your face has, and cumming all over him without announcing because you can’t hold them any longer.

he knows he shouldn’t use any of his abilities while fucking you but he can’t help. he breaks his discipline side and uses them anyway from time to time while having sex with you; decreasing his body temperature when he fucks you behind, kneeling down until your naked back touches his bare chest so that you get close to cum, feeling a sense of chill.

he does that with some parts of his body either; his fingers when they travel on your body, in your mouth, between your thighs and holes - the tip of his tongue when it enters your pussy, making you lose your mind. he even changes its temperature from time to time only to earn the sounds you can't think you're making. he doesn't stop with his attempts of fucking you 'till you have a non-functional brain because of only him - his thick cock, the way he fucks you into oblivion and not holding himself back from using his abilities to his advantage to make you realize only he can fuck you like this. he's fond of your screams after all, begs that want him to stop because it's too much for you to handle go to deaf ears - not even when it's as cold as under a frozen surface of a deep sea.

"so cold, huh?" scoffs, humiliating your pathetic condition, "what were you thinking anyway whore?" he asks, poison in his voice, deep. "think that I would hold back because you beg so nicely?" laughs, holds your hair tightly as he fucks you from behind. "they're only praying for me to go deeper, my pretty slut." and he does - going deeper and colder each passing time and you only can take it all - you're his own pet to enjoy in the end.

SCORPION is a cute lover. he doesn't hurt you in any way as possible as he can, protecting you at all cost, keeping his fire at a minimum level whenever you're around - except while fighting of course. he never uses his abilities against you but oh, he can't deny that he loves it when you are a total brat, asking him to do such naughty things in bed, including using his fire to make intimate sessions more intense than it is needed - you both need it as you say, believing you can endure it and in the end, he accepts your pleases, allowing himself adjoining a few things he can do without hurting you.

firstly, he just uses it on his tongue when it enters your wet pussy, licking from your inner thighs to inside, giving you euphoria. he makes sure not to burn you, enjoying by himself too after seeing how turned on you are in these moments. he is a man who wants to please his lover more than himself in the first place - a gentleman. then, it begins with these simple pleasure times - it evolves into something that even you can't imagine happening and it takes you a long time to realize how scorpion has begun to his abilities on you in order to turn you on often; the cute lover discovers how you're affected by heat - in general, so, he thinks a way to make your heat go up without noticing he's the one who is doing it by increasing his body's heat as he comes near you, giving you hotness you can't ignore and start taking off your clothes one by one.

of course he acts innocent, asking how he can help you, and then smirking, saying how he makes you hot by just standing beside you. catching you in a trap with all his desires to have you, he reaches his plan's top point when you have a sports bra and shorts on your body and nothing else. oh, how he feels a kind of achievement when you agree with him, being naked and having one of the best fucking in your entire life to get rid of your heat after getting horny because of being exposed in front of the man you love. 

"my love, you give me a heat even my own power can't give; you have no idea how I am burning for you." he smiles down at you, eyes burning with sparkles of fire, "oh - beautiful, the most beautiful thing in the whole universe I have ever seen. let me burn you the way you are doing to me, my love."

[noteguk]

12. With taehyung angsty smutttttt

12. Secret relationship/Prohibited relationship

— contents and warnings; smut, mentions of infidelity!! (Taehyung is in the process of getting a divorce), age gap relationship (15 years: reader is 25 and Taehyung is 40)

Taehyung wasn’t a child: he knew his actions could have cataclysmic consequences if he wasn’t careful. He knew that having his secretary call off yet another meeting because his main competitor’s daughter was in town was probably one of (if not the) dumbest thing he has done in a while. He knew that if his wife caught him in between the sheets with you, she would tear away every pretty settlement they have managed to agree upon; he knew that she would create some petty drama and try to stain his reputation to the media. And that she would probably succeed.

The world was going through an economic crisis, for fuck’s sake, there was no time to spare when it came to saving his company. Taehyung was tired of laying good, reliable workers off. He was tired of watching stocks decline, tired of receiving complaints, and he was so, so enthralled by you that none of that mattered.

“We should stop,” you spoke his thoughts out loud, messy hair falling over the pillow as you looked up at him. Taehyung felt his stomach contract — you were such an angel. All perfect traces and pretty, sparkling eyes. You had no idea what you were doing to him. “If my dad catches us, I’ll—“

He kissed you before you could finish, swallowing your surprised moan as his cock moved slowly inside your heat. Taehyung wanted for you to just stay still and let him have it — let him have the one moment of peace in his entire week. Away from his nagging wife and his even more nagging investors. Just you and him and simple, manageable problems.

The older man pulled away, shoving his cock deep inside you so he could feel the way your walls fluttered around him. He should’ve married you instead. “If your dad cuts your investment fund—“

You frowned. “It’s not about that.”

“If he cuts your investment fund,” he echoed, “I’ll give you twice of what he promised.”

At that, you giggled, throwing your head back. Taehyung loved watching you laugh, he wished he could see it every single day. “You’re so funny, Mr. Kim,” you said. Oh he hated when you called him that — he knew it wasn’t on purpose, just a fruit of mindless habit. But still, it reminded him that he was just a little under your dad’s age, and that you were 15 years younger than him. It made him feel like a pervert. A very pathetic, nearly divorced, bankrupt pervert. “Wish I could find a guy like you someday.”

Talk about quick deflation. Taehyung didn’t even know if he should cry or laugh at your confession. Yes, you were very naive and very honest — he knew you meant it. And not even in a way to offend him, just to say that this wasn’t it. That this could never work.

“I’m sure you will,” he only answered. “Now, just give me your pretty moans and let me have this.”

[mysteriouslover1516]

IMAGINE:

The young hacker sat at his computer, eyebrows furrowing as he read MC's text.

Make an exception for me

Please?

He would allow her one question, how bad could it be?

You have one question.

He sat back as he watched the typing dots dance around. He knew MC was smart, her question would no doubt be very intelligent, he would have to figure out how to answer without giving away too much.......

What is the color of your hair?

The hacker couldn't help the small amazed smile that spread across his lips, out of all the things MC could have asked, he would never have seen this one coming. Faster than his head could catch up, his fingers typed rapidly upon the keyboard.

Black.

Why do you want to know?

This was not good, he had just revealed a certain detail to a stranger he didn't even know. What was wrong with him? This certainly was not going to happen again, he was going to make sure of it.

[cascader]

i love the tipsy kiss you just posted! would like to request number 12 for jily if you have any inspiration?

aw thank you so much! here you go <3 rated T for (surprise!) kissing lmao

“Evans — just, Evans, come on, Mer — slow down,” James calls, breaking into a jog. 

She speeds up, if anything, waves of red hair whipping behind her in the wind. She’s so far ahead of him — heading through the castle doors, now — that he can’t make out anything else. 

James skids to a stop at the castle doors a long minute later and sees her hair flash around the corner of a first-floor staircase. 

He swears again and follows her. She makes it up two flights and halfway down the Charms corridor before he catches up to her. 

“Evans — come on,” and his outstretched fingers are inches away from her shoulder when she skids to a stop and whirls around. 

James takes an instinctive half-step back and has to fight to keep his expression neutral as he takes in her face — tear-streaked, reddened, puffy (and so beautiful). 

“What?” Lily demands.

“I…” “What could you possibly have left to say? Come after me to call me a Mudblood too, hm?”

“No — Merlin, no, Evans, like I said — I’d… I’d never…”

“You’d never what? Hurt me?”

James pauses, then frowns. “Look, Evans. I'm sorry about Sniv — about Snape. I really am. But I didn’t make him—”

“You absolutely did. You always do! You always… poke and prod and pick at him until he can’t—”

James runs an angry hand through his hair and paces to the wall and back. “Merlin, he’s his own person, Evans! He makes his own choices! Bloody terrible ones, sure, but that’s not—”

“And you’re just always insufferable, aren’t you? You can’t ever leave anything alone!” 

“I’m insufferable? Says the most self-righteous person I’ve ever met. You just—”

“—everything’s a joke to you—”

“—not my fault you can’t ever take a joke—”

“—maybe if they were actually funny—”

“—don’t act like you don’t think I’m funny, Evans, I’ve seen you—mmph!”

James finds himself pressed flat against the cool stone wall and Lily Evans’s lips pressed against his.

He freezes, and then she does, and he feels her pull away for a heart-stopping second before he jerks into action. His arms snake around her waist and then hers dive into his hair. It’s heady, and James can hear his blood rush in his ears, smell strawberries in her hair, feel her fingernails scrape against his scalp, which sends some kind of shiver down his spine…

Her lips are frantic against his, urgent, unthinking, and James is hit with a sudden fear that this is all about to end.

He pushes off from the wall until he’s upright again; he feels Lily tilt her head up further to meet him. 

He doesn’t know exactly what he’s doing — he definitely has not snogged Lily bloody Evans before — but his hands seem to, as they skim up her waist, then flee to her back, up her shoulders, until James cups her face in his hands. 

He feels her hands drop to his hips. James slows the kiss down, slanting his lips over hers once, twice, thrice. He feels her push back against him, feels her try to speed it up again, but he just skims his thumb against her cheek and tentatively presses his tongue into her open mouth. Lily lets out the faintest — whimper?

“Fuck,” gasps Lily, as she jerks suddenly back from him. 

Her eyes are wide, her hand clapped over her mouth, her skin still reddened.

She takes a full step back from him, as if to emphasize her point. Her blush deepens. Her gaze darts frantically between him and the wall behind him. James can’t catch his breath. 

“Fuck,” she repeats. “I’m so sorry.”  

[meadow-anderson]

My king

pairing: daemon targaryen x reader

daemon drabble. honestly idk wtf this is i just wanted to post it. reader is promised to daemon and daemon definitely doesn’t have even a whisper of pure intentions with her.

Warnings: age difference, big power dynamic, apart from that it’s pretty sfw

The air seemed so dense it was almost slick with sweat, weighed heavy with the merging symphonies of pleasure that roamed all around you. Men and women of every land, castle and station indulging in “one of life’s greatest gifts” as daemon had so eloquently referred to it. You watched as their bodies writhed, a collage of flesh that seemed so foreign that you had been staring, stunned for all of 40 seconds before the blonde targaryen cut the silence.

“This is what you have to look forward to.. my love” the ending sentiment seemed as if it actually pained him to speak it, or maybe that was just the aggressive restraint he was always practicing in your presence. From the moment daemon had laid eyes on you he had wanted to ruin you. When he saw you look at him with wide white eyes and call him “sir” a title that was uncharacteristic, caught him off guard, gave him a seductive wisp of how it might feel to be called “my king’. He’d liked that, liked you and he’d shown it. He took every opportunity to spend time with you, get to know you, figure out the parts of you he could mold to his own. And that’s why, when he shows up at an ungodly hour asking your father if he can meet with you it seems so dreadfully normal. Nobody bats an eye as he walks you down the the lightless halls and out of the castle. Nobody runs to save you as you watch his usual snake like demeanor re-enter his body as soon as he’s out of ear shot. And is how you end up here, in a damp dark whore house with your soon to be betrothed. You’re suddenly very aware of your surroundings, every pleasure filled face you start at seeps of guilt as you start to panic at the idea of being caught. Somebody finding you in this god forsaken place and telling every person willing to listen. The disappointed face of any other suitor that dared to look your way looming at the forefront of your mind as you feel your untainted worth begin to pool out of you, creating a warm wetness between your legs. You didn’t want any other suitor, as far as you were concerned there weren’t any others. Only him, only your king.

[monards]

thinking about selling my mind as soul to satan for magnolia and dove fics. May have to

[thedeal-if]

Lilith Snippet 💕

TW: Lilith being Lilith, I'm still not a native English speaker, Dot = MC

I just checked the poll! I honestly didn't expect Lilith to get so many votes, it seems like male characters are often much more popular than females. I gift you all a itty bitty Lilith snippet because female characters (and non-binary characters, Lilith counts as both) are underappreciated and they deserve love. This may or may not make it into the game ^^

Lust is a blazing desire. A need deep within, a quiet whisper, a promise of release, a “Just a bit more, just once, more, please.”

Lilith sees Dot and she feels that desire. When their skin touches hers it's like fireworks.

Her eyes have a citrine (golden like the greed that pulls at her heart, the persistent need, the “more”) glint of mischievous adoration as she watches them blink awake, curled on their side like a cat. Dot doesn't purr but the way they yawn is pure, so human, and Lilith can’t help herself. The corners of her lips are pulled up like magic, and she smiles with a fondness she can barely contain.

“Love,” she mumbles, swallows the laugh of affection tickling her throat, she runs her hand up Dot’s arm. Lilith brushes her fingers through Dot’s hair, and watches the face she adores as it pouts cutely “It’s time to wake up.”

[disappearinginq]

3 if you would like to!

I think 9-1-1 is a fandom shared? (if not - whoops.) And one word over. Sooo close...

“Just breathe.”

Easy for Bobby to say, with two functioning lungs, looking all calm and collected as he tried to convince Buck to do the same.

There wasn’t enough air. There was nothing to breathe.

“It’s okay – just scary.”

He’d been struck by lightning. Blown up and trapped under a fire truck. Survived a tsunami on blood thinners. Those were just the highlights.

Baseball was not supposed to be scary. But getting hit in the chest with one hard enough he couldn’t breathe wasn’t exactly planned.

“It’s called commotio cordis,” Hen offered. “You’re lucky Bobby’s fast.”

A heart attack was lucky?

[darkkitty1208]

💐 ❤ 🐈

fanfic drabble emoji game

Tony and Stephen have been dancing around each other for a while now. Their petty and childish arguments that were frequent during their initial interactions with each other were now turning more and more into snarky banter, several awful jokes (on Tony’s part – mostly), and even outright flirty remarks. It was obvious that a spark had grown between them – something that Tony thought he shouldn’t waste away. 

At first he had been surprised in the revelation of his own feelings for the wizard. He felt it was ridiculous – well, sure, Stephen was conventionally attractive, and he was kind and witty and inncredibly hot – but Stephen couldn’t possibly like him back, could he…? 

He even came to Pepper for consultation. He, Tony Stark, a literal playboy who could always find his way into any relationship he wanted, was asking dating advice to his PA. What has he gotten himself into? 

Which was why he found it just a little ridiculous how he stood in front of the sorcerer’s haunted house that moment, sunglasses on and a bouquet of flowers in hand. He practically knew the Sanctum by heart at this point. He had visited the sorcerer frequently during the course of their friendship (which he hoped would bloom into, well, something else at some point), often just to bother and annoy him. And maybe he was just a bit curious over the many relics and artefacts around the Sanctum and managed to get some scans and readings from it; of course, that was before Stephen practically gave him a lecture over not to touch things randomly unless he wanted to turn the whole world into a sack of potatoes, which was actually appealing. So what if he wanted to turn the whole world into a sack of potatoes? He was an engineer. 

Which was why, the moment he lifted his hand to the door, hovering for a couple seconds in contemplation as to whether he should knock or just pull a cinderella and run away, the Sanctum welcomed him with open doors (ha). 

He startled a bit at that (magic will never not surprise him), before clearing his throat and shifting in his feet. He looked at the flowers in his hands. 

Pepper said flowers were something nice to give your partners during dates. But now that he thought about it, did Stephen even like flowers? He frowned at that, before shrugging. Who doesn’t like flowers? He stepped in, calling out Stephen’s name. 

When he heard soft footsteps prattling down the staircase – which was odd, it sounded very light – his hands moved on its own accord and hid the flowers behind his back. 

And then there was a meow. 

Tony frowned. 

There goes another one. An actual meow. In the Sanctum. In Stephen’s place. 

A very fluffy, very adorable yet relatively large in size siberian cat appeared and hopped its way down the stairs, tail whisking back and forth in the air. 

The wizard has a cat? How did he not know that? Of course Stephen was a cat person. How couldn’t he have known that? 

He huffed, and it sounded amused and slightly befuddled, before he stepped closer and kneeled on the floorboards, laying the flower carefully on the floor. The cat immediately rubbed its head over Tony’s thighs, its tail tickling Tony’s nose as it circled around him. Tony let out a chuckle. 

He extended his hand over the cat, and it immediately leant down to meet Tony’s fingers. Tony scratched its chin for a moment, feeling the purrs vibrating in its throat, before dancing his fingers around the sides. He found it adorable how the cat leant its head all the way down to the floor at that, ears twitching occasionally. 

Tony chuckled a bit more, settling down on the floor now with his legs crossed. Maybe Stephen wouldn’t mind if he played with his cat for a moment. 

The cat let out a confused ‘mrrp?’ when the hand was pulled away as Tony adjusted his position, before its hazel eyes flitted to the flower on the ground and narrowed. Tony looked at the flower in question, and then at the cat. 

The cat hit the bouquet with its paw several times for a moment, as if making sure the flowers aren’t going to attack it, and then stepped closer to take a sniff. 

Tony giggled. 

“Ya taking a little sniffy sniff? How does it smell?” 

Why do cats always sniff everything? 

Suddenly the cat plopped one of the petals into its mouth, gnawing it with its sharp teeth, before abruptly spitting it out with a hiss. 

“No, no – no, don’t eat the flower. Those are for Gandalf,” Tony said. The cat looked at him, and then at the flower, and hissed at it. Its paw came back to hit it, rather more forcefully now. 

Tony just watched, a bit too afraid to stop the cat from attacking the flowers.

When it was satisfied with its work, the petals and leaves spread out in a haphazard mess on the floor, it tucked its paws under itself, the fur and body covering it, and its tail settled over its side, the edge still flicking back and forth on the ground. 

Tony let out a gasp. 

“Aw, you little chonk! Look, you’re doing a perfect loaf position!” he cooed at it, making incomprehensible noises cat owners seemed to be fond of making, and rubbed his hand over the cat’s back. The purrs came back and he practically squealed and garbled at that. When the cat moved to settle on his lap, the noises he made could only be described as alien-like happy sounds. 

He didn’t know how much time passed as he sat there, on the floor, cat in his lap, muttering nonsense and gibberish like a toddler, but he was sure as hell it was a rule that nobody would ever, ever move when a cat was on their lap. 

It has chosen him. He shall cherish that decision even if it meant he would be stuck on the floor in an uncomfortable position for a couple hours. 

He was sure Stephen wouldn’t mind. 

*.~ ◇ ~.*

When Wong came back to the Sanctum, it was to the sight of Tony Stark, laying on his back in the middle of the room, on the cold floorboards, a siberian cat sitting on his chest and presumably sleeping as the engineer rubbed his hand over its back. 

He was aware of Tony’s frequent visits to the Sanctum, but this was… something else, he supposed. 

“Wong!” Tony whisper-shouted, “Wong, look! Stephen’s cat is in perfect loaf position! Look at it!” 

Wong sighed exasperatedly, and the familiar sound seemed to wake the cat up. As it stretched, mouth wide open in a yawn, somehow still on top of the engineer’s chest, it opened its eyes to look at Wong. And then its eyes widened, almost as if surprised, and it jumped off onto the floor as Tony finally lifted himself up into a sitting position. The cat hid behind him, trying to get away from Wong’s line of vision. Wong sighed again at that, somehow more exasperated this time, and then mumbled something that sounded like ‘not this again’. He muttered some wizard-sounding words – an incantation? – under his breath, and suddenly the once adorable siberian cat turned into a six feet tall wizard with gangly limbs and blue-green-grey eyes. 

Tony stared. 

Stephen stared back, almost sheepishly. 

“Your flowers tasted bad,” he said, and Tony cackled. 

[mynameisave]

Unstable

"Lee..?" - Mark

"What is it?" - Lee

"Everyone's starting to worry me." - Mark

"What are you talking about?" - Lee

"Everyone's becoming so mentally unstable. Aren't you noticing too?" - Mark

"Not really. They seem.. fine for now." - Lee

Mark frowns.

"Lee, you need to believe me. We have to keep an eye out for them. They could hurt themselves or each other." - Mark

"Mark, it's okay. If anyone tries to hurt you, or Clementine.. I'll make sure they don't get near you." - Lee

Mark slowly smiles.

"Good. Okay, good. Thanks, Lee." - Mark

"No problem." - Lee

[oceanxveiined]

          “–then we just need to carefully turn the dial here to expose the Pyro and Electro components to each other, and…!”

         Danae grimaced as the soft clicks registered, shaking out the slight tremor in her free hand.

         The last time she’d tried this, the whole thing had blown up in her face and caused a nasty slew of injuries she’d nearly been permanently blinded by. Which had only been avoided by a prompt trip to Durene, who upon healing her had elected to make Danae’s life utterly miserable for the next hour with the ensuing lecture. And considering she couldn’t even speak, that had been a feat in and of itself. She would have almost preferred getting verbal nagged than dealing with the extra impact Durene’s facial expression gave her signing.

         Almost.

        Now, one would think wanting to avoid such a thing would discourage Danae from trying again. If not wanting to avoid the scolding, then in not wanting to face agony and risk permanent injury should the healer not get to her soon enough this time. Most anyone would. But anyone who knew her well would also damn well know she only only ever took such things as a challenge rather than anything cautionary.

        She feared no monster nor god, so why should Durene be any different?

        That said, if she did happen to keep the device at a safer distance away from her face this go around, it was purely out of practicality.

        Still…hubris aside, having to go back to Durene for help if the reaction repeated ( especially if it resulted worse, considering the changes she'd made since then ), more so after specifically being told not to ever try this again still added a lot more pressure now. Especially since the woman would surely be so damn glad for the opportunity to gloat about how right she was. And having bear Durene’s all-too expressive face and stupid little name sign once she saw the thermal and electrical burns again would definitely make the matter all the more humiliating, too–

         “Oh…!”

         Danae’s eyes flashed open as an odd sensation suddenly thrummed ( Odd, odd, was it painful? No, that wasn’t it- ) through her body, concentrated at her hand where she held the device. Thrummed along her frayed nerves and burrowed deep into her sore muscles.

         Her lips parted in surprise as she swayed in place, brain trying to place just what it was she was percieving. Hand trembling in the wake of and direct contact to such a sensation, her grip on the device slackened a slight, even while the other tried to steady it. “Wh-what'n th–?”

          Luckily, a deft pair of hands managed to cup it beneath hers, preventing it from falling to the floor and shatter. Even while her hands had instinctively gripped the thing tighter–

          “Morcant?”

          The name and the growing uncomfortable buzz under Danae’s skin where they touched had her fully snapping out of her haze, jerking back and holding her device closer to her chest. Perhaps a bad idea, considering how volatile the last one had been and the particular composition of this one, but– “M'fine.”

          Da-Lun raised a brow but raised his hands placatingly and backed away all the same.  “I thought it yet another adverse reaction. Though different from the last, I didn’t want it to break, so–”

          “Well, you thought wrong,” she hissed, fingers moving the scratch at the still-tingling skin. “Wait for the damn thing to leave my hand before makin’ a grab for it. Got it? Or need I drill it into yer fucking skull?”

          The man huffed out a breath, but nodded curtly. “Understood.”

          “Good.” Even decently satisfied with his response, Danae still couldn’t help pressing her nails into the ebbing tingling on her skin to ease it. Though…huh, usually that feeling took longer to go away–

         “So what was it then?”

         Danae turned to glance over at Ozzy, the man idly tapping his pen against the parchment as he tilted his head. Wait, not idly.

         You look like an idiot, the pattern read, when he'd repeated it. Calm down.

         "Tch." Biting back an otherwise snarled retort, Danae rolled her eyes. And realized she’d been slumping against the work bench, straightening up immediately with a sharp jerk. Fuck, when had she lowered her guard like that–? “It–works.”

         “I know it does, sweetheart,” Ozzy remarked, an insufferable, amused grin at his lips. He gestured a slight with the pen. “I could see the tension leave your body an' you gasping instead a' howling in agony or gettin’ crispied like I was hopin’–"

          ”We made a bet on its success,“ Da-Lun explained, ”I, in your favor, of course," as if that made it any better–

           ”–so clearly it must work as intended. Or at least, to your insatiable standards.” Ozzy snickered, rather amused in spite ( or perhaps because ) of her glare as he added, “I was curious as t'just how much so had it. Since it got you of all people to relax like that.”

           Danae glanced down at the device–fuck, she was slumping again, curled around it too, what the hell– 

          “It doesn’t…!” She hesitated.

          “Tell us honestly, now, sweetheart,” Ozzy chided. He offered another stupid grin as he waved the pen. “If not for me, then for your results. You care about those, at least, don’t you?”

          Danae pursed her lips.

          …ah, she couldn't argue with that. Or him, as much as she'd want to. She had to ensure the necessary observations were recorded, after all. Embarrassing as her reaction was though–

          “It doesn’t make the pain go away completely,” she admitted, sighing as her favorite sound of scratches of quilltip on parchment began to fill the air. The sounds added to the otherwise quiet of the room, the hum of the device, the dimmer lights save the lamp at her bench behind her...oh, that was nice. So nice; she almost felt tempted to lean back and close her eyes to indulge in it all. Almost–

          “I can still feel it," she continued, drumming her tingling fingers on the iron casing. "S'no magic cure-all or anything, it’s just…compared to how I usually feel, it’s…it’s…” Dammit, how did she explain this- “It–I feel lighter? Nicer??? Like it...it–”

          “Makes the flare ups tolerable?” Da-Lun supplied gently.

          She narrowed her eyes a slight.

          No mocking. No teasing. Simply aiding her to find the right words. Huh...

          “Yeah...that.” She carefully moved to press the device against her hip, sliding it further along her bad leg. And promptly let out a soft sigh as she gingerly stretched the limb out. “Note, closer contact to the more sensitive areas provides a far more effective use of the…th'–” Fuck, wait, why’d she say that? That gave too much away, too much that was highly exploitable, if the odd look on Da-Lun's face was any indication–

          “Maiden’s Solace?” Ozzy offered, pausing to look up.

          Danae’s mouth opened and closed, once, twice, before her lips pressed into a fine line.

          He didn't go for mocking, either. Nor seem to have any apparent intents to take advantage of said fact, if his lack of reaction was any tell. Which was odd, because she would have figured he would keep more of an ear out for such things than Da-Lun. No, the only real problem she had with Ozzy piping up with his little suggestion now was–

          “M'not a maiden,” she remarked, wrinkling her nose. Even if, sure, it was made for one in mind, but she was the one who made it, so– “Brigand’s Solace?”

          Ozzy scoffed, chuckling as he pointed the pen accusingly. “Now you just stole my idea and made it sound more cool than it is, Morc.”

           “Oh, come up with a better one then! I dare you–”

           "Bettin' on what that I CAN, then–"

           “Everflame Lenity?” Da-Lun interjected, before their bickering could escalate. He nodded his head at the device. “Considering the Pyro component.”

           Stilling, Danae and Ozzy exchanged a glance.

           “That works well enough,” Danae decided, shrugging as Ozzy gave a noncommittal hum ( ’I like the contradiction,’ he might have muttered, she didn’t care to make sure right now ). “For this version, anyways. I might want to change the Pyro source further down the line.”

           “Already thinking of advances for it,” Da-Lun noted, with what sounded suspiciously like an amused laugh. “You really never change.”

           “Well, I can’t afford to just settle after a victory,” she told him, rather matter-of-factly. “‘specially not when I’ve finally gotten a real breakthrough with SOMETHING now.”

           “Cuz yer a shit inventor, sweetheart–”

           “Oz,” Da-Lun warned.

           Danae rolled her eyes, rather than dignify it with a response of her own. Though the fact that the–yeah, okay–Everflame Lenity helped keep her usually simmering temper at bay may have also contributed something. Sue her, she felt nice and relaxed right now, thank you very much. And ruining it to bite the bait Ozzy set out just wasn't worth the effort.

           But like hell would she explain THAT to them.

           Still…okay, yeah, this thing was definitely an immense help when the relief was closer to the worst of the pain. Especially pressed directly against her skin. It was enough to help bear with more than simply physical ailments, with the steady thrum soothing her usually hair-thin nerves enough to keep her calmer than she'd felt in a long time.

          Did that perhaps have an effect on why it felt so pleasant overall, too?

          Shit, were it any closer to her center, the ease it had in spreading the feeling to the rest of her body would definitely be inconvenient. It left her feeling too lax as it was; not focused enough nor willing to keep moving, like she ought to be. It made her want to take it easy, let her body rest. Left her feeling vulnerable, much too vulnerable-

          “What is it then? Th'Everflame seed’s really not good enough for you?” Ozzy asked, back to scribbling down his notes. “Picky, picky~ What’s the issue?”

          Yeah, better tell them any of that. They'd never let her live it down-

          “Well, it works sufficiently enough,” Danae explained, looking back down at the device. She ran her thumb along the dial slowly turning it back. Hesitating when the sensations dulled to mild discomfort began to swell again. “And it will supply an adequately continuous source of Pyro energy to resonate with the Electro Crystal; thus inducing the energy reaction that triggers the relaxant properties I wanted. That is exactly why I'd chosen it initially.”

          “So that’s how that works,” Ozzy muttered, more to himself than her. And being kind enough to mark the inscribed explanation over for ease in locating it at a later time. Which she would normally be worried about, him considered–

          “But?” Da-Lun urged.

          “But,” she amended, tone firm to ensure Ozzy heard, and heard it well– “The Everflame seed, like its source, can be…unstable.”

          Ozzy stopped writing. A flurry of thoughts seemed to cross his mind before he met her gaze, head tilting a slight.

          “So…it’s useless for dear Eliza, then?” he asked. Oddly calm, at that, she reckoned, with hardly a trace of his usual jesting. Enough to make even Da-Lun shift uneasily. Which in and of itself should have been a warning. Anyone else who really knew him well enough sure would have.

          Still, deliberately ignoring it and the little hint of something in his tone ( bitterness? Yeah, that was probably it– ), Danae shrugged. “Not entirely, I would think. But it’s better than nothing.” She paused then tilted her head, a mocking grin at her lips. “What? Scared to risk yer precious little ward, now? When she could FINALLY get her much-needed relief?”

          Ozzy bared his teeth in a laugh. "I just don’t recall clearing her to be one of your little test subjects, love.“

         ”She just needs to say yes,“ Danae retorted. ”I don’t think Eliza needs your permission to be a part of my little–"

          A spark of violet had her voice choking back–Da-Lun had suddenly moved to stand next to her before she could taunt Oz any further. Whether to shut her up or because he had a thought he’d impulsively acted on, she wasn’t quite sure. Probably the former. Especially since he knew how much she hated when he flash-stepped like that–

          “May I?” Da-Lun asked. He remained in place even at her glare, though kneeling immediately once she gave him a curt nod. He reached to handle the device–careful not to touch Danae in the process this time, thankfully.

          Surprise flickered across his features as his shifted his hold on it–ah, so even Da-Lun was taken aback by the odd sensation it gave off–and looked it over. Once, then a second glance-over, gingerly rolling it over across her leg a slight ( oh, that...felt a little better; making a note to write down the way he'd moved and placed it later- ) to ensure he didn’t touch anything more than the points he was holding it by and where it rested against her. 

           Danae shook off the slight daze the sensation brought on her, determinedly looking over at Ozzy, who begun to lean forwards. Staring so intently he didn’t notice the ink dripping off the pen tip splattering on his pants–

          ”Hm..."

          ”Report," Danae demanded immediately.

          “It looks to stable enough so long no truly jarring movements are made,” Da-Lun affirmed, pulling back. “Which unfortunately means Morcant here can’t bring it along in-battle–”

           “Oh, the horror,” she drawled, rolling her eyes. “Please, not dealing with agonizing flare ups while on duty. I’ve never experienced that before–”

           “–but it should be safe enough for Eliza to use for herself,” Da-Lun patiently finished. ”Since she is usually at rest and in tucked away in bed."

           “And surely I’ll just up and let you just test that on her?” Ozzy remarked, raising a brow.

           Recall exploitable connection, certainty and magnitude higher than original assumption, Danae's brain chimed in. Factor unpredictability, should be constant enough to use–seek gaining favor, ensuring no repercussions amid self-benefit–

           “I can tote it around while here at home base for awhile longer, if you want,” Danae offered. ”Just to be sure." Compromising as it was, but if it meant getting on his good side here-

          ”Mm, I do like the heightened chances of you getting blown to smithereens,“ Ozzy mused.

          Danae snorted. ”Ha–when boars fly maybe–"

          ”It could do some good in helping Morcant stay in a better mood during its trial run,“ Da-Lun wryly remarked. Gods dammit, there was the mocking she'd been hoping to avoid– “That would save us from plenty frustration. Or…why not try it yourself, Oz? For Eliza’s sake?”

           The man blinked then huffed, leaning back as he pointed at the other with the pen.

          “I like the pain I feel, thank you very much,” Ozzy drawled. “Makes me feel alive. S'like a badge of honor for all I've been through. What I've survived, an' all that shit–” Excuses-

          “And I pride myself in that badge of honor as much as you do,” Danae retorted, rolling her eyes. She carefully rolled the device a bit more over her skin. ”And feeling the relief I do from it right now is just downright weird, I’ll admit.“ She paused a moment to brace herself, then fully pulled the device away from her body in a swift motion. Curling her lip a little at the growing, gnawing want to put it right back into place– “But believe me, try this. Just this once. Or what? You scared?”

           Ozzy barked out a laugh. "Of one of your contraptions? Oh, very, sweetheart."

            "Aww, truly?" Danae goaded. "Stars, and here I thought there was no gamble you wouldn't take!"

            "Say I do, then," Ozzy chided, rolling his shoulders a bit. Ooh, had that annoyed him? That was a first- "I highly doubt it'd even work right–"

           ”And with any luck, he’d fumble it and it’d blow him halfway to Celestia,“ Da-Lun muttered, the corner of his lip twitching a slight at Danae's snicker. ”Spare us all his clownery.“

           Ozzy eyed him at that, eyes narrowing just a hint before holding his hand out for the device. "Oh, I'd like to see Celestia tryn'n handle me, Da."

           "You really think gods can't do what we have already?"

           "Nope."

           Danae scoffed a laugh then handed it off to Da-Lun, who passed it over to the man. Grimacing when Ozzy swiftly snatched it from his hands.

          Seriously, was he trying to make it explode?

          Especially since he'd immediately pushed against his belly, just under his ribs at his right side, the moment he'd gotten it. Which, recklessness aside, was already odd in and of itself, because Danae could have sworn his back ought to be where it goes. Pain relief considered, anyways.

           Huh. So his weakest physical point was closer that area then?

           A breathless sound in surprise had Danae's thoughts stuttering to a halt as she looked back over at the others.

           Ozzy’s jaw had dropped, eyes wide as he clutched the Lenity to his body. Pressing it a little tighter, even while Da-Lun had tsk’d and tried to ease his grip, tried to stop him from fully turning the dial.

           ”Good then?“ Danae asked, moving to hop back up onto her workbench. A hand moved to idly dig the heel of her hand at the joint of her hip, once, twice, pushing down towards base of her knee, then her lower leg as she glanced him over. ”Looks like it, if yer all dopey now. Stars, did I actually discover the means to finally sedate you?"

            Ozzy managed a chuckle. “Okay, so that…that really…!”

            Da-Lun stepped to scoop up the pen and parchment from where the man had discarded them, then moved back. Oh, good, he knew the priorities here, as always– “Yes?”

           “Morc, when you said resonate, you really…!” Ozzy let out a soft exhale, gesturing a slight to Da-Lun with his head, "C'mere, Da," then promptly pressed against the other for support once he drew close enough. No sooner, Ozzy's eyes fluttered shut, a content little hum rising in his throat.

           He lay still a moment, two, before adding to his recount, “Feels lovely. Like a gentle...buzz? No, a hum, all through me." He waited a moment for Da-Lun to catch up, then added, "S'very soothing. Like…like a song–”

            “Like Sister Barbara’s healing song?” Danae teased, shifting a slight as she eyed the Lenity. Stars above, the fact that she still wanted it back was a bad sign weak, weak-

            “Oh, no–no, I don’t like that.” Ozzy’s eyes scrunched up a bit in distaste. "Th'shit gives me headaches just hearin' it from afar. I fear I'd burst into flames if she tried usin' it on me."

            Pen scratches stuttered as Da-Lun stared at him incredulously. "She–she has a Hydro Vision–"

           ”Y'know what I mean, Da."

           "No, I don't–"

           In spite of the resulting laugh, Danae sucked in a soft breath while the two were distracted in their bickering, easing to edge forwards.

           It was subtle, but now that she was a little closer, Danae noticed the usual slight furrow of Ozzy’s brow was gone, his jaw fully relaxed. Even his breathing seemed to be a little easier, too, with only slight hitches compared to the more pronounced rattle from before. A little quicker too, as though he were no longer carefully measuring each breath. His body didn't twitch and shudder as much either, no tension from how guarded and wound up he usually was; like a crossbow pulled taut and ready to fire at any moment.

          Stars, it was no wonder the man started sounding like he had his tongue made of lead now. And from the looks of it, whatever he felt on the daily must be a nightmare to deal with, if even this modicum of relief worked for him. More than the aches and discomfort she did, for sure. Unless...he was just playing it all up to snuggle up to Da-Lun. She really wouldn't put it past him to–

          ”Still wanna hold off on it for Eliza?“ Da-Lun asked softly.

          Ozzy hummed, eyes blinking open. “I still doubt it’s safe enough,” he mumbled, smoothly lifting it for Da-Lun to take. Rather unflinchingly, too- ”Especially with her…ah, clumsiness?“

          ”Ooh, don’t let her hear that. You know how sensitive she is about it."

          ”Morc–"

          “Mako and Jade can help stay and manage it,” Da-Lun suggested, carefully taking it in hand then reaching for the cloth Danae held out. Awkwardly at that, as Ozzy still leaned heavily against him even with the thing gone. Well, he did have to readjust to not having it...that made two who did. What a massive downside- “We all could, in shifts.”

          Shaking her head to dash further thoughts,Danae wrinkled her nose. ”All of us–?"

          “Ugh, but then I’d have to increase your salaries to account for the extra hours you’d put in,” Ozzy groaned, throwing an arm over his eyes. “Then where does that leave me? Broke. Ruined–”

          “Mako and Durene would be more than happy to do it for free,” Danae pointed out, rolling her eyes. “Mako–here, Da, put it in this–loves making himself useful, spoiled brat as he is. And he adores Eliza, something about those Fontaine folk–”

         “And Durene?” Ozzy asked, tipping his head back in thought as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. ”What's her stake?“

          Danae blinked. She glanced over at Da-Lun then back to Ozzy. “You…can’t be serious.”

         “Dead, in fact,” Ozzy answered, eyeing her back out the corner of his eye. “What?”

         ”Well, I’ll be,“ Danae marveled, nudging Da-Lun's hip with her good leg as best she could reach. Ignoring Ozzy's groan in protest- "You hearin' this?"

          “I genuinely think he doesn't know,” Da-Lun remarked, disbelief clear in his tone. “Ozzy doesn't know.”

          “Dunno what?”

          “That is such an exploitable weakness.” Danae damn near felt amused enough to burst out in laughter. “So exploitable, I’ve been–Oz...!”

          "What?" The man sat up fast, almost childishly petulant in his demand, “What? Tell me!”

          “Durene and Eliza…"  Da-Lun emphasized. Gesturing a little for emphasis.

          Ozzy’s brow furrowed a slight, the gears slowly turning in his brain, then his eyes flashed open. ”Oh."

         ”Oh,“ Danae mocked.

         ”Oh, indeed,“ Da-Lun muttered. ”Now, Oz, don’t–”

         “What a fucking nightmare,” Ozzy choked out, horror blooming across his features as he clutched his chest. “My Eliza and Durene…!”

          “Oz–”

          ”Oh, stars, the unethics of a healer-patient relationship!“ Ozzy clapped his palm against his forehead. ”Durene’s been compromised!"

          Danae faceplamed as Da-Lun sputtered and clapped a hand over his mouth. What was he trying to stifle there– ”That’s what you’re worried about?“

          “My healer’s making goo-goo eyes at someone in her care,” Ozzy scoffed, feigned offense across his features. “Distracted, from her duties no doubt. Are you not worried?”

          ”I th-think it’s more of a benefit to you and Eliza that she is,“ Da-Lun managed. Clearing his throat and straightening up promptly at the odd look Danae threw him.

          ”Benefit to me?“ Ozzy laughed. ”Oh, no, you should see how she gets when I keep courtin' dear Eliza–oh...that explains a lot of her enmity to me now–, but, no, no, her feelings for Eliza are not a benefit to me–"

           ”But,” Danae pointedly suggested, “she can willingly watch over Eliza’s progress with the Everflame Lenity once she sees how much it’d help her.”

           Ozzy blinked. ”Oh. Yeah, that. She’d love that.“ Seriously–

           ”Then it’s Eliza’s,“ Danae decided. ”We could have her–or, maybe Durene–report more on it and how effective it is for her. For now. As for the rest of us–"

            ”Any solid ideas for a more stable Pyro source?” Ozzy interrupted. And normally Danae would snap at him for it. However…

           She rubbed the back of her neck. “Uh…haa, that–” She shifted under his stare. Alright, calculate the immediate outrage ( wait, why was she so worried? She didn't care ), bracing briefly ( oh, right, because they were more annoying than the others when they got worked up ), plunging the wound into saltwater– “A Smoldering Pearl should...work–?”

           “Archons, Morcant–”

           “Of fucking course you’d ask for that–”

           “Mako’s working on getting us into Inazuma as is!” she snapped defensively. “And I’ve been there before–”

           “Under Fatui diplomatic immunity,” Da-Lun scoffed, rolling his eyes.

           “How do you expect us to get off Ritou even then, hm?” Ozzy chimed in.

           “–so I know exactly where to go from there and what to do,” she stubbornly continued. “I can get us some disguises and use that Fatui Diplomacy to our favor if we really need all that, then a team of four can easily get in, get what we need, then get out. Simple!”

           “And you have your crack team all in mind, I’m sure?” Ozzy asked, crossing his arms. Genuinely, mockingly, probably both, knowing him–

           Still, Danae was undeterred as she just her chin out. Because, “As a matter of fact I do.” Mostly cobbled together from obsessive research she’d done on the needed source, sure, and perhaps all strictly hypothetical in its effectiveness, but– “One, I would be a key asset to this, since it’s a Pyro-based lifeform."

          "Obviously," Ozzy drawled.

          Danae huffed. "Then I would want you an' Da, as well as–”

         “The only other alternatives we have to fight it are Durene who possesses a Dendro Vision,” Da-Lun protested, “Jade who would be absolutely useless to us with Pyro abilties herself, and–”

           “Tua would be perfectly effective in providing ample distraction while the rest of us get to work and get it done!” Danae finished stubbornly. “Not to mention his Vision’s Geo reactions can get us shields while he's at it." Da-Lun’s mouth opened to protest again, her swiftly moving to cut him off in adding, ”I think that works just fine since I could help us finish it up promptly.“ Ignoring Ozzy’s snort- ”What, would you rather we ask some outsider for help? Da?”

           Da-Lun clicked his tongue. “I would prefer we don’t go through the trouble at all!”

           “Because you’re a damn coward!” Danae snapped, simmering temper at last igniting. Adamantly staying right in place to meet his glare, even as he suddenly flickered to stand towering over her again. Perhaps having instinctively made a grab for her screwdriver when he did- "This isn't anythin' new fer me. Fer us. We've been and always have–"

           “We aren’t just risking two people like back then, Morcant,” he snarled back. “And even with the lot of us working in tandem now, you know damn well THAT thing is entirely different than a Pyro Regisvine. What you’re doing now is just insa–”

          “We aren’t 'risking' enough! " Danae spat, slamming her free hand down. "And if you can’t see that, you gods-damned, half-breed beast, you oughta–!”

          A shrill whistle had both Danae and Da-Lun flinching, turning to glare at Ozzy.

         “Honestly, utter children, the lot of you,” he huffed, lowering his fingers from his mouth. Shaking his head, he met Danae's gaze. “Tell me, the Pearl will make it safer for Eliza? For certain?”

          “Yes.” Danae huffed, crossing her arms. Both to press them against the gnawing sensation at her gut and in gesture. “It’s much more stable and has a more constant flow of Pyro energy. Likely will last longer, too.” She shot Da-Lun a proud look at Ozzy’s appraising hum. “And if we’re able to get more than one, not only is it extra insurance, but I could also tamper with them and see if it could help us not be so caught by the relief of the Lenity. See if we could possibly be able to control the intensity of the feeling a lot easier. Y'know?”

          Da-Lun raised a brow. “You’re fully sure of it?”

          “It’s…an estimation,” Danae grudgingly admitted. “On that latter bit, anyway. But, for certain, the Lenity would be safer for Eliza to use with it. And for far longer periods of time, without much–if at all–risk of the continuous exposure to Electro causing a terrible reaction. Especially compared to the Everflame seed.”

          “Hn…” Ozzy nodded slowly. “I like that. We’ll draft plans for it come morn, then. In the meantime–” He reached to tap the box the device now rested in. “You let Durene know what to do, Da. She likes you best.”

          “She thinks I’m the only one of us with sense,” Da-Lun corrected, snorting. “And after all that transpired now? I am fully inclined to agree.” Still, he made his way to the door without further protest. Pausing, he looked back.

          “I’ll stay with them on the first night trial run, as well,” he told them. “For the notes. And extra security.”

          “You’re the best, Da,” Danae called to him. Grinning completely unfazed at his withering glare.

          “Not bad for a gods-damned, half-breed beast, right?” Da-Lun drawled, before turning and heading off. Slamming the door on his way out.

          Ozzy's gaze lingered there until the sound footsteps retreated, then gave Danae a sidelong glance. “Oof, I think you really hurt him with that one, Morc.”

         “Ah, he’ll get over it,” she muttered, waving her hand dismissively as she hopped down and turned to start clearing her workbench.

         “Y'know, his kind don’t take so kindly to insults,” Ozzy chided, coming up behind her to take the box she held up. "They seem rather the smite-y sort, if y'know what I mean."

          As he moved to set it on the shelf behind them, Danae snorted.

         “Aw, what’s he gonna do? Cry to Rex Lapis about it?” She rolled her eyes. “I’d like to see that old fossil drag his ass on over here'n try anything. Oh wait, he can't. An' not like the others could do any better-” Shutting the toolkit, shuffling to straighten then setting her notes to the side, thank fuck they were actually well-done–

         She paused.

          Wait, why didn’t Ozzy laugh at that one? He usually liked her prideful little commentary–

         “You better hope that doohickey of yers doesn’t hurt her.”

         Danae rolled her eyes at the genuine seriousness in his voice. “Really? Open vulnerability in front of me, Oz?" Fingers drummed against the tabletop. "How bad did the thing get you, genuinely–”

          “I mean it, Mare.”

          She stilled, exhaling slowly. Alright, so…no joking around. Whatsoever.

          A breath, two, then Danae turned around, leaning back on the desk. “We, of all people, know Da is the best person to protect her if it risks that.” She puffed her chest out. "Plus it's one of my works, Oz. I wouldn't hand it out for use unless I was certain it would work. One-hundred percent."

          "Mm, true." Ozzy hummed, leaning in. Not to cage her like she'd anticipated, but to scoop up the toolkit, before pulling back to kneel and store it away. He glanced up at her. "Just I'm clear–we’re agreed. Yes?" A hand reached out. "That we can’t go near that thing again, I mean.”

           Danae eyed him curiously, then sighed and held out a hand to help him to standing. "Hn." Even if awkwardly, considering he towered a near foot over her- "S'not good for folks like us."

           It felt safe. Too safe. Damn near a trap of her own making, undoing forged by her own hands. An illusion of something just waiting to be shattered. One that most certainly would be. Something that'd definitely leave them at risk of being shattered themselves, especially in Ozzy's case, where the pain seemed to ramp up harshly once it was taken away–

           "Right, agreed, then," Ozzy said, gripping her shoulders uncomfortably tight as he pushed to stand back up straight. "Glad you fed Da that bullshit of us wanting one of our own, too. Absolutely brilliant, he won't nag us to–ah, ah, don't you get all smug on me now."

           He released his hold, moving to smooth the wrinkles from his clothes. Pausing to eye the ink stain on his pants, before adding, "So, we’ll never speak of this again, nor risk messing with that ever. 'nless absolutely necessary."

           "I can power through pain just fine, Oz," Danae huffed, crossing her arms as she rolled her shoulders. "Have for years now, same as you. M'not Jade, for that matter."

           Ozzy laughed, moving to bump her cheek with his knuckles. "But I still don’t want you compromised, Morc." A pause, baring his teeth in a grin. "It’d look bad on us if you collapse mid-mission or show weakness again, y'know."

           A harsh flush rose in Danae's face as smacked his hand away, baring her teeth and snarling, "That was one time, Oz. Let it go. I told you, it won't happen again–"

          "We never know." Unfazed, Ozzy shrugged and moved to see himself out. "Keep pushing yourself like that, sweetheart, it might just happen. Not that you've ever been a good listener–"

            "I don't wanna hear that from the man who keeps using a Delusion against his healer's orders," she snarked. "Damn hypocrite."

            "Ooh, perhaps." Hand on the knob, Ozzy paused and turned back. "Keep working on that, for me, yeah? And for your trouble today–"

            He reached to rummage in his pocket, tossing her a small item.

            Swiftly snatching it from the air, Danae glanced at her palm. Brows furrowing a slight as she held it up.

            "A key?" she scoffed, raising a brow. "That's my reward?" 

            "Da and I got our hands on an Abyss Mage," Ozzy explained, looking rather proud at her now startled disbelief. "Pyro, mind you. Tua's keeping them company now as we speak, keeping them nice and weak for you."

            "You brought one for me?" Danae's grip on the key grew taut as her eagerness grew, the metal biting into the soft meat of her palm. "Here?"

           "A rather tricky feat to manage, mind you," Ozzy remarked. "But I knew you would earn it. In spite of all your hopeless little setbacks–"

            "Oz!"

           Pearl-white teeth flashed as he laughed. "Have fun with them, sweetheart. I might just join you t'get in on the fun." He opened the door and slipped out, casting one last look inside, "And good work, Morc. You did well," before the door shut behind him.

            Danae let out a soft breath she hadn't even realized she'd been holding. Slumping a slight against the desk now that the others had gone.

            The praise churned in her gut, bubbling like air beneath the frothing ocean waves. But more than that, far more importantly than that, what gripped her the most now was the utter eagerness that thrummed in her veins at the thought of seeing their little prisoner now. In being able to carve information out of it herself, wringing every last bit of information it possibly had to offer. And if it didn't cooperate? She'd make every last moment the most miserable of its wretched existence, out of spite, in a bit of fun and stress-relief–fuck, after today's success, this was the cherry atop the sundae!

            And if all went well, maybe she'll even indulge in one in the capitol, too. Maybe catch that little girl with the Valberries along the way and get some of those as well, stars, that would be a delight!

            With that thought, Danae grinned as she tossed then caught the key, and rushed out the door.

[sosoane1]

One Line One Fic

Rules: pick any 10 of your fics, scroll somewhere to the mid point, pick a line, and share it! Then tag 10 people.

Tagged by @captainjimothycarter thx <3​

1. I Feel Good (The X Files)

He was holding her close, whispering the lyrics into her ear. Squeezing her tighter, but still, lovingly he planted a kiss on her neck. Muffling the lyrics he was saying. 

2. The complication of getting a prescription refill (The X Files)

She turned to look at him, realizing he didn’t care she saw him shirtless. She shrugged saying ‘‘Well, yeah, I suspected it for a while now. I just figured you would tell me when you're ready. It didn’t feel right to ask. It’s not of my business, as long as you’re happy Mulder.’’ 

3. Jim The Fish (DW 11xRiver)

‘Sweety, you can’t just take a fish out of a pond and keep it.’ She looked at the poor creature who was clearly struggling. She gently took it from his hands and released it back into the water. The fish gladly swam away, but then returned holding his head out of the water. 

4. Take me as you found me or leave me to die (The X Files) (yes the title is super dramatic)

She knew the distance between them had been slowly growing to the size of a canyon. She hated having to push him away, but it seemed like her only option to keep herself from breaking her own heart. Like she was letting herself down slowly. 

5. He Chose Me (Steggy)

So he was surprised when she said his name. First, he was surprised she was still awake, they had been lying in bed for about half an hour. And then when the words registered in his brain, he wasn’t sure he heard her right 

6. Mulder's birthday gift (The X Files)

As per usual, when Emily spotted her parents from the playground, she ran to them and demanded a piggyback ride back to the car, which Mulder obliged. He helped her buckle up as Scully started the car. The drive home was pleasant, Emily recounted how she learned that a caterpillar could become a butterfly. And said they had to draw butterflies, so she had a new artwork for Mulder’s art gallery. 

7. Nobody warned you about me? (DW 11xRiver)

Finally, they saw it, the big blue box. Like a beacon in the sea of all the people. The Tardis was standing exactly where they left it. River thanked god it was because she was not ready to drag The Doctor around the town to look for his box. 

8. A Well-Devised Plan (The X Files)

Everything was going to perfectly until the was a knock at the door. 

9. White Christmas (Steggy)

One day he hoped to work up the courage to go up to her and tell her how he feels. But just because she doesn’t mind his staring, it doesn’t mean that she feels the same way. So for now he will be content with watching from afar. Admiring her determination, her strength, her heart, her soul, everything about her. 

10. Your smile fades in the summer (The X Files)

‘‘This is my sister I was telling you about, the smart one’’ Melissa started. ‘‘Dana, right? My name’s Fox Mulder, but everyone calls me, Mulder.’’ He put his hand out to her but she just stared at it.

Not tagging anyone but if you want to do it concider yourself tagged

[noteguk]

24. Summer Camp + 29. 7 minutes in Heaven/Never Have I ever/Truth or Dare 🫶

Starring: Jungkook + OC 🫂

Genre: Fluffy time turned thiller!! 🫣

These are so cute together!! And I like the thriller twist ohohohoho

— contents and warnings; drinking, truth or dare, mentions of death/murder

You were pretty sure that Jungkook’s eyes couldn’t even look at the same spot anymore. His cheeks were painted by a vague shade of red and he would sniff every three seconds, slender fingers playing with his empty bottle. When you agreed to play truth or dare, you didn’t think he would be drunk enough to insist on spinning the bottle even if it was only the two of you playing. But there you were.

“It’s me again,” he says as the bottle stops on him. “Ask me.”

You groaned, leaning back against your hands. It was probably two in the morning by now, and the novelty of sneaking into the abandoned barn of the camp just wasn’t doing it for you anymore. You needed a comfortable bed and a good night of sleep. “Seriously, you’re not tired?” You asked. “We have to be up at seven to greet those little demons’ parents.”

“Pick up day is the best day, it always has to be eventful,” he speaks as if he’s thinking out loud. Probably is. “Ask me. I want truth.”

“Fine.” You sigh, looking around the dark room as if it would gift you with any semblance of an idea. Nothing came up, so you decided to return to the previous game lore. “When you dared me to kiss you earlier, did you think of doing that before? Kissing me, that is.”

You didn’t even need to see the sly smirk that curled up in his face for you to have your answer. It was obvious: Jungkook has been eyeing you all summer, especially when your camp shirt got all wet from the lake activities. If you two weren’t surrounded by kids, you were sure he would’ve made a move by now — not that you would complain, Jungkook was the definition of a hottie.

“Yes,” he finally answered. The bottle scratched against the old wooden floor as it spun, landing on you. “Truth or dare?”

You yawned. “Truth. The less effort the better.”

“Are you scared of being alone with me?”

Confused, you took a second to take that in. What a weird thing to say, you thought, followed by the notion that, yeah, maybe the situation was very prone to fear. The barn, as previously stated, was abandoned and about fifteen minutes from the main camp. Everyone was asleep, even the other counselors. And you knew Jungkook for, what, three weeks? If he decided to hurt you, there was no way you could overpower him or call for help.

The newfound realization made your heart rate pick up. “Should I be scared?” You asked, trying to make the situation lighter. He only smiled, which didn’t help at all. “Uh… I think this place is a little creepy, yeah. But I’m not scared of you.”

“Why?” Jungkook sounded awfully sober now.

You blinked. “Because I trust you.”

“Do you trust everyone you know?”

Now, you were really starting to feel off. Under the pale light from the moon, his face was distorted and evil, as if he was waiting for you to run just so he could chase you.

Before you could answer, he spun the bottle again, landing on you. “Truth or dare?” He asked.

“Truth,” you spoke faster than you’d like.

“Do you remember the lake murders that happened last year? The three counselors found in the lake,” Jungkook asked. You nodded. “That wasn’t your question. Weren’t you scared to come here? I was here last year. That’s why I came back. They never caught the guy who did it.”

You swallowed dry. His sentences were so disconnected, it was like he was trying so say everything at once. “They never knew the killer’s gender,” you deflected.

“No, but it’s the most likely. Statistically,” Jungkook argued. There was a thick knot in your throat you couldn’t swallow down, heart beating fast against your chest. At the same time you were on edge, you were frozen in place.

“I don’t know where you’re trying to get at,” you said. “Jungkook, I really think we should go to bed…”

“I think you know exactly what I’m saying.” The bottle spun again. It landed on him. Suddenly, you noticed the absent weight of you phone. The barn keys had also left your back pocket. “Say it.”

You felt dizzy. “Truth or dare.”

He smiled. “Truth.”

“Was it you? Who killed those counselors?”

[pyrrhan]

red wakes up to thunder.

storms are a rare occurance, here⸻ most days the weather is bright and sunny, a perfect mix of blues and whites painted high above the horizon. for a long time red wasn't sure the sky could be anything besides, but auden claimed otherwise; he'd seen it change and shift himself, and he'd been proven right when the rain rolled in the night before. it'd only been a soft patter at the time. now it felt like a deluge.

but despite the storm⸻ or, perhaps, because of it⸻ auden is still asleep, his arms are curled around one of her satin pillows, face buried deep ( and drooling, she should add ) into its silk embrace, a comical contrast to all of his rough edges and unrefinement. it'd be laughable if she didn't find it so endearing, but it does bring a smile to her face.

it's the first in a long while that she's been graced with such a sight; things have been ... different. different than either of them are used to, really, and for once, red feels at peace.

❛ out of bed, sleepyhead. ❜ she whispers, blowing softly into his ear, though it seems to make him do little more than bury his face farther into the sheets.

❛ ⸻ too early, ❜ @wakeside murmurs, words slurring together sweetly. ❛ still wanna be here with you. ❜

❛ what you want⸻ ❜ here, she snakes one hand across his waist to draw teasing circles along his side. ❛ is to stay tucked in all day. ❜

❛ not true, ❜ comes his firm disagreement. this time, he moves⸻ auden's hand circles around her wrist until her arm rests comfortably underneath his before he releases his grip. instead his fingers weave between her own and she feels his lips press against her knuckles, soft and lazy. his stubble tickles her skin. her heart flutters. ❛ i always wanna be here with you. you know that⸻

[ ⸻ right? ❜ his words slur together, sick and strange, and red clutches its the his handle tightly. ❛ i love you so much. you know that? ❜ and oh, she knows. painfully so, and even more than that, she wants to say it back. she wants to shout it, scream it, sing it⸻ but she can't. red presses her forehead to his cerulean edge, hoping, praying⸻ ]

❛ ⸻ red? ❜

the world snaps back into place and auden has shifted to lay on his back, concern etched into the sleep-addled creases of his eyes. he's laid her hand over his heart, now. [ his chest rises and falls, but she can't feel it beating underneath. is it beating? ] she swallows tightly, looks to the rain pouring outside the window, opens her mouth and⸻

❛ you're right, ❜ she says. it comes too easy and the words feel foreign when they leave her mouth, but there's no mistaking her own voice. ❛ it wouldn't hurt to sleep a little longer. the world can wait awhile, can't it? ❜

auden is still looking at her when she turns back. he says nothing, even as she slips under his arm and curls closer than usual.

everything everwhere all at once starters. accepting.

[99liners]

Something that is etched in my memory is kaiho jjk watching as aeira feeds the Baby and apologises to him , when none of it was her fault (in the drabble where she tries to get away from him)

djhfjadhfjdak emotional damage. wow, i am.. at a loss of words because wow... it’s quite mentally taxing and damn, hits right in the uwu, doesn’t it?

thanks for sharing your thoughts with me! [read the drabble here.]

[this ask is part of this.]

[heartbinders]

TAG DUMP: SHINJI IKARI

❛ ic: shinji. ❛ musings: shinji. ❛ headcanon: shinji. ❛ aesthetic: shinji. ❛ meta: shinji. ❛ images: shinji. ❛ relations: shinji. ❛ open: shinji. ❛ closed: shinji. ❛ inbox: shinji. ❛ dash games: shinji. ❛ starter call: shinji. ❛ drabbles: shinji. ❛ music: shinji. ❛ verse: shinji ; anime. ❛ verse: shinji ; childhood. ❛ verse: shinji ; eoe. ❛ verse: shinji ; post-eoe. ❛ verse: shinji ; rebuild. ❛ verse: shinji ; q. ❛ verse: shinji ; 3+1. ❛ verse: shinji ; post - 3+1. ❛ verse: shinji ; manga. ❛ verse: shinji ; general canon. ❛ verse: shinji ; mundane. ❛ verse: shinji ; pmmm. ❛ verse: shinji ; pokemon. ❛ verse: shinji ; fma. ❛ verse: shinji ; sunset city.