#except for how he didn't actually. mean to. except for how he lost control of the thing that makes him strong [lel]

[meyerlansky]

if hotd really wanted to make my year they'd have just made eliot alys

put a long wavy wig and some mascara on him and we're off to the fucking races

[plethorawrites]

I love your fics sm 🩷🩷 Could I request a f2l au with Clark, where him and reader are super touchy n comfortable with eachother that everyone thinks theyre dating even though they say they aren’t. Then to stop the rumours, reader goes on a date w someone else and Clark gets mad jealous? Could also be nsfw if you want 🙏

Yes, yes, yes, I absolutely can! (Idk if this will live up to your expectations because it's like 2 am, but I hope it's okay!)

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Clark Kent grew up in the Midwest, obviously. In doing so, he was raised to be hospitable, polite, and yeah, he's a little touchy. It was how his parents were with him, always hugging him and swinging him around and how he was with you, always ruffling your hair and letting you lean on him when you were tired or bored.

You were his best friend, like you had always been since childhood. He remembered all the times you fell asleep on him during movies and made him carry you when the shoes he told you not to buy started to hurt your feet. You recalled the times you'd trim his hair for him or smack him in the back of the head for doing something stupid.

And of course, there were the times where you lost your aunt and he consoled you, holding you tightly and bringing you comfort only he ever seemed to manage. You brought him comfort too, though, when his powers grew and he panicked. You were the only one who could calm him down, who he trusted to come near him when he felt like he couldn't control himself. That stupid super hearing made everything ache, but your voice always brought him back.

Because you were his best friend. Even if half the school thought you two were dating. He never quite knew why. Guys and girls could be friends, couldn't they? Not everything was romantic.

Except...then he saw you, talking to one of the football players, the ones you always mock and loath.

"Uh, no," you told him, rummaging through your locker. "I don't have a date for prom yet. Probably just gonna go with Clark."

His super hearing picked up the conversation from down the hallway and he was relieved to hear you turn the guy down, until he kept pressing you.

"I thought you've been trying to convince everyone you two are just friends?" He teased.

"We are," you reminded him, finally pulling your books from your locker.

"Well then why not go with me?" He suggested, taking you books, holding them so you didn't have to. "I mean if he was smart he would have already been putting a corsage on your wrist. But since the guy's clearly an idiot...maybe I could have the honor?"

You didn't like hearing anyone call Clark that, of course, but you knew he made a valid point. "I don't know," you muttered, leaning against your locker as it shut. "We go to most of these together and it's sort of tradition for us—"

You were cut off as he brushed a piece of hair out of your face and Clark's jaw clenched from all the way down the hall, the subtle gesture sending a rush of frustration through him. Who the hell did this guy think he was to have the nerve to touch you like that?

"Maybe it's time for a new tradition," he suggested, tucking the piece behind your ear and letting the back of his knuckle gently graze your jaw. "One where I get to compliment you and you hopefully give me a smile for it?" You huffed, your teeth barring slightly. "Yeah, like one of those..." He mumbled. "It's pretty."

Clark's fingers dug into the metal of his locker door, bending it without even realizing it. When he thought it couldn't get any worse, you nodded.

"Yeah, alright," you agreed. "I'll go with you. But I expect a corsage now that you've brought it up."

He grinned. "In whatever color you want, baby," he promised, tilting his head towards the hallway. "Can I walk you to class?"

Baby. Baby? Was he joking? There was no way you were actually buying into his bullshit, were you?

"I already said yes, you can stop flirting."

"Where's the fun in that?" He teased. "Besides, I already have your books."

That was true, you supposed. With a slight shrug you took his arm, walking down the hallway to him towards your next class.

Clark didn't know if it was on purpose or if you were just messing with him, trying to get back at him for something he didn't even know he did, but either way you didn't even look at him when you walked by.

That's when the hinges broke off his locker.

Everyone, aside from you and your date, who had already walked off, abruptly stopped what they were doing to stare. He cleared his throat, looking down and walking away quickly.

[wholoveseggs]

heyyyyy girllll, ik that you already wrote a series about a professor and student, but could you pleaseeeee make a one shot with a virgin reader🥹🥹🥹

Angel

18+ ---- {Masterlist} {Tag-List}

{Elijah Mikaelson x f!vampire!Reader} Newly turned and overwhelmed, one hunger refuses to be ignored. You need guidance, and who better to teach you than Elijah Mikaelson?

♡♡ You didn't specify what kind of teacher.... so I took some creative libertiessss (DON'T BANG YOUR TEACHERS, OKAY?? NOT A WISE THING TO DO(EXCEPT IF THEY ARE A MIKAELSON))~ ♡♡

5k words {whoops} - Warnings: smuutttt, vampire!reader, virgin!reader, first time, a brief Hayley cameo, blood drinking, riding, reader knows what she wants, Elijah talking you through it, teaching, oral sex (f!receiving), feeding during sex, possessive but tender Elijah && a pet name...

"So, you're just going to waltz in and ask him?" Hayley asked, shocked at how blunt you were being.

"Well, yeah," you replied nonchalantly. "How else am I supposed to do it?"

"I don't know," she said, "maybe try being more subtle?"

Hayley looked at you like you'd lost your mind, but you just shrugged, unbothered. The constant hum of your heightened emotions had been driving you insane for days. Hunger, anger, lust. Mostly lust. And no matter how much you tried to control it, you couldn’t shake the gnawing, primal need clawing at you from the inside out.

"Subtlety is overrated," you said, crossing your arms. "I don’t think Elijah would appreciate me batting my lashes and giggling like a schoolgirl. He values directness."

"Yeah, but there's direct, and then there's direct," Hayley shot back, looking equally horrified and intrigued. "I mean, do you even know if he's into you?"

You paused, considering. Elijah was your mentor; your teacher when it came to all things vampire. He was always so composed, so controlled, but there was something in the way he looked at you. He was always assessing, always holding himself back. You'd caught him staring once or twice when he thought you weren’t looking. And there was that one time he murmured something in that low, velvety voice of his about lust being a difficult thing for new vampires to control…

"I think he is," you said simply.

"Okay, but what if he says no?" Hayley pressed.

You smirked, enjoying her mild jealousy. "Then I’ll go take an ice bath and reevaluate my choices."

Hayley groaned, rubbing her temples. "This is the most unhinged plan I’ve ever heard. And I've lived in this house with Klaus."

"Wish me luck," you said with a wink before striding down the hall toward Elijah’s study.

Your hands clenched at your sides as you stopped outside his door, suddenly hyper aware of how fast your heart was racing. Vampire senses made everything feel more. More intense, more overwhelming. But there was no turning back now. You wanted this. No. You needed this.

Taking a breath, you knocked once before pushing the door open.

Elijah sat at his desk, a glass of bourbon in one hand, an old book in the other. He barely glanced up as he said, “I take it this is a social visit?”

You stepped inside, shutting the door behind you. “No, it’s not... well... actually...”

Finally, his dark eyes lifted to meet yours, curiosity flickering across his face. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

You exhaled sharply and walked toward him, each step deliberate. "I want you to teach me something new... Something important."

His brow arched. "What is it that you think you're lacking in your education?"

You stopped in front of his desk, trying not to focus on the way his shirt clung to his toned chest. "I don't need any more history lessons, or lectures on self-control. I know all of that."

"Oh really? You've been a vampire for less than a month, and already you know everything I could possibly teach you?" he asked, an amused smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Not everything," you said, leaning forward to brace yourself on his desk. "I still have lots to learn and there's one lesson I'm hoping you can teach me, and I'd like you to start right now."

His eyes narrowed, darting to your lips for a brief moment before snapping back to yours. "And what, pray tell, might that be?"

You swallowed, nerves clashing with the hunger and lust burning inside you. Then, with as much confidence as you could muster, you blurted it out.

"I want you to teach me how to have sex."

For the first time since you had met him, Elijah Mikaelson actually looked stunned. The glass in his hand halted halfway to his lips, eyes widening fractionally before his expression resumed its usual cool facade. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"I beg your pardon?"

You bit your lip, cheeks flushing as you replayed the words in your head, suddenly embarrassed. But no, you had decided, you would be direct.

"Before I was turned... I, uh, I didn't get a chance to, you know, lose my virginity. So, I don't know what I'm doing... And I'm worried if I just pick up a random guy, I might kill him..." You spoke quickly, already regretting opening your mouth. What was wrong with you?

"Are you propositioning me, my dear?"

Something like warm amusement flickered in his eyes, and you relaxed a little, straightening. You expected pity, the way Hayley had looked at you. Judgment. Anything but the glint in Elijah's eyes as they slowly raked down your body, gaze sharpening with interest as it darkened.

A giddy flutter rose in your chest, and you licked your lips.

"Yes."

Silence fell over the room as Elijah set his drink down and stood, walking slowly toward you, his eyes never leaving yours. When he finally stopped, his chest was nearly brushing yours, the proximity making your head spin.

"Tell me, why have you chosen me for this particular lesson?" he murmured, fingers reaching up to trace the line of your jaw.

A jolt of heat ran through you, and you tried to remember how to speak. "Well, you're, uh, a noble gentleman... I trust you."

He chuckled. "I try my best. But are you sure that's the only reason?"

"Um..." You trailed off, his fingers slipping under your chin and tilting your head up to meet his gaze.

"Be honest, angel,"

"Because..." you said, a blush creeping across your cheeks. Angel? He just called you angel.

"Because... I think about you, all the time," you admitted. "Ever since I became a vampire. It's like every feeling is dialed up to eleven. Except my desire. It's a thousand times worse than that, and I can't make it stop. It's torture. And I know it's inappropriate, but..."

"It's not," Elijah interjected, his fingers sliding down the length of your throat. "We can't help what we want, can we?"

You shook your head.

"What is it that you want, my little vampire?"

You swallowed, your eyes flickering to his lips. "I want to kiss you."

His lips curved into a smirk, and then his mouth was on yours, firm but gentle. His lips moved slowly, expertly, and your entire body flooded with warmth, your legs suddenly unsteady. He felt so good. Smelled so good.

Your arms went around his neck, pulling him closer. You had kissed boys before, but it was nothing like this. This was an out-of-body experience, like the whole world was melting away and there was only the two of you.

He moved away far too soon, and a small sound of protest left your lips.

"So eager," he said, tipping your chin up to look at him. "Is that all you want? A kiss?"

You shook your head, a small, embarrassed laugh escaping. "No."

He smiled, his hands moving down your waist to your hips, gripping lightly, pulling you flush against him. "Our bodies have an enhanced awareness of what they want, what they need." He paused, pressing a kiss to the column of your throat, then, so quietly it was almost inaudible,  "Humans have sex drives, but ours..."

"Are stronger," you finished in a raspy voice. "More Intense."

Elijah hummed. "Very."

"So, you'll teach me then?"

He chuckled softly, lifting his head to capture your lips in another slow, deep kiss. "Teaching isn't the word I would use,"

A blush spread from your chest to your cheeks. You nodded, wanting more than anything for him to tumble you into bed and show you all the things his thousand years had taught him. He was patient, though, and the way he was kissing you now was driving you mad.

He lifted you effortlessly, and you let out a soft gasp. Before you could blink, you were in his bedroom, him pressing your back into the mattress, his hands everywhere. His lips trailed down the column of your throat, tongue darting out to taste the soft skin.Your hands curling into his chest, nails digging through the fabric of his shirt.

"Don't rip my shirt," he murmured against your neck, and you giggled.

"Sorry,"

"You will be," he said, pulling back to give you a dark smile.

A thrill of anticipation ran through you, and you pushed him onto his back, climbing onto his lap, the heat between your legs throbbing with need. Your lips crashed together again, more frantic this time, more desperate. Teeth clashed, biting, nibbling, sucking. All the while, a heady ache grew between your thighs, and when he cupped your ass, pulling your hips flush against his, you could feel his own primal need straining against his trousers.

You moaned into his mouth, fumbling with the buttons of his shirt, needing more. "Please, Elijah," you murmured, sighing at the soft kisses he began to trail along your throat. "I need you."

"Patience, angel,"

With a frustrated groan, you slumped against him, burying your face in the crook of his neck. His scent surrounded you. Aftershave, musk, something distinctly masculine and earthy. You closed your eyes, savoring the moment. Then you heard it, his blood, pumping steadily beneath his skin, calling to you. You wanted to sink your fangs into him, taste his hot blood coursing over your tongue.

You felt your vampire nature take over, veins protruding beneath your eyes, fangs extending. Instinct urged you forward, pressing soft kisses to his neck before nuzzling his warm skin, hunger gnawing inside your bones.

He chuckled at the gentle, kitten-like kisses you pressed to his neck, your fangs scratching his skin. He pulled your head away, urging your eyes to meet his as a glimmer of amusement danced in his. "So bloodthirsty,"

"C'mon, please." you whined, leaning in and kissing him deeply, trying to press your core against his bulge. You grunted, bucking your hips, starting a rhythm. Fuck he smelled so good, he felt so good, every fiber of your being yearning for his touch.

Your fangs brushed against his lower lip, drawing blood. He hissed, kissing you harder. His fingers tightened against the back of your head as he angled your face to give himself more access. You mewled as your hands clung to his chest, feeling his cock stiff against your stomach was doing terrible things to you.

"Look at me."

You obeyed instantly, his compulsion bringing you to a screeching halt. You whimpered, panting and needy. As his bloody lip healed, a single drop trickled down his chin, and you shivered, licking your lips as you followed the droplet's path with your eyes.

"Relax," he cooed, smirking as he wiped it away. "Don't you worry. I'm going to give you exactly what you want. But," he added in a darker tone, "only when I say."

Swallowing hard, you nodded, bracing your hands against his shoulders. "Okay,"

"Good girl,"

A rush of arousal shot through you at the praise, and a needy whine escaped your lips.

He smirked. "Oh, you like that? Being told what a good girl you are?"

You nodded, not trusting yourself to speak, and his smirk widened. 

"Take your clothes off for me," he said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to your cheek.

You quickly scrambled off his lap, flushed with heat as you stripped, pulling your dress over your head, watching Elijah watch you. His eyes tracked your every move, drinking you in as your bra came off. Then, with your shaky fingers, you hooked your thumbs under your panties, slowly peeling them down your thighs. Finally, you stood in front of him, naked, exposed, trembling, heart pounding in your ears.

"My, you're even lovelier than I'd imagined,"

You ached to feel him, craving more, more, more. A spark flashed in his gaze. You wanted him. Everything about this felt right. Every part of him wanted you too. His restraint was nothing but a mask, all for your benefit. You knew that once he lost his control, he would not be the patient and kind teacher you knew so well. Underneath that carefully crafted image was a beast, a creature of immense power, a force to be reckoned with.

"What's wrong, my dear?"

His voice pulled you from your thoughts, your eyes flitting up to his. A faint smirk played on his lips as his hand slid to your hip, dragging you closer. "Can't remember how to speak?"

You shook your head, unable to form a coherent thought.

"That's alright," he said, kissing his way down the side of your neck. “tell me if it gets too overwhelming,”

You nodded, inhaling sharply as your bare skin brushed his, your hands flat against his broad chest. His lips found yours again, deepening the kiss as his tongue parted your lips. Something was happening to you, this unfamiliar feeling. You could tell something big was building inside, a need, and Elijah was unravelling it, unraveling you.

He chuckled against your lips as he cupped your face, slowly pulling back just enough to gaze at you with those deep, brown eyes of his. He took your hand and sat you down at the edge of the bed.

"Don't be shy," he whispered. "It's just me."

You gulped. Just Elijah. Sure. How reassuring.

The room felt like it was spinning around you, but as you looked at him, everything steadied. He took a step back, unbuttoning his collar slowly. You wanted him. You could barely stop yourself from reaching for his belt, your hunger overriding every thought and impulse. You mustered all the self-control Elijah had taught you, forcing yourself to sit still as your thighs clenched together, the urge to relieve yourself building and building.

Elijah tilted his head, enjoying how desperate you were becoming, a slow smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as his shirt came undone. He tossed the article of clothing on the ground.

Your eyes drifted over his bare chest, his nice arms and toned torso. A breath escaped you when your eyes moved down to see the defined outline of his cock against the material of his slacks. He was big, so big, so thick, so—

Your face went hot. A jolt of reality hitting you, everything felt so much, all at once. The hunger for his touch, for his taste. The way he smelled so fucking good. Everything was amplified, your every sense alive and thrumming. You bit your lip and watched as his slacks hit the ground and he stepped out of them, your mouth practically salivating.

Elijah was fucking stunning, and all yours.

He smiled and placed one of his knees on the edge of the bed. The movement made it bounce ever so slightly, and your eyes widened, your mouth opened, but the only sound you could manage was a squeak.

He reached for you, pulling you close and capturing your lips in his again. You closed your eyes, allowing yourself to surrendered to him, letting yourself feel him, really feel him.

"This is going to feel very intense for you," he murmured in the small space between your mouths, "your emotions and needs heightened. All your senses are in overdrive."

A sigh left you as you opened your eyes again to meet his, dark and full of promises you never dreamed of before. His eyes, they made you tremble, they were so warm, so intense. And when they dropped to your mouth, the heat pooling between your thighs intensified tenfold.

"Don't feed until I say so, you understand?" He pulled back slightly, tilting his head and giving you a warning look, making sure he had your complete attention.

You swallowed and nodded. "I won't,"

"Good girl," he hummed before dipping down to kiss your lips.

His kiss was more possessive, his touch more demanding. Elijah pushed you back into the bed, your hair sprawling around you as he kissed you senseless. His lips left yours and kissed down your jawline, down your neck, to the swell of your breasts. You moaned when you felt his hot, wet mouth close around your nipple, your body thrumming when he nipped your flesh between his teeth, giving the other the same treatment.

The throbbing was intense and so damn good. His mouth was magic as he kissed a path down your stomach, making you feel like your entire being was ablaze, your desire burning deep. You writhed, his lips curling into a smile against your skin. He could probably hear how hard your heart was pounding. He was driving you mad with need.

"Please, Elijah," you breathed, squirming beneath him as his mouth continued to work over you, down your abdomen.

A deep, husky chuckle rumbled in his chest as his lips pressed to the sensitive skin on your inner thighs, teasing, tantalizing you with each featherlight kiss. Your breathing picked up, his mouth so close to where you wanted him. Both of your hands tangled in his dark hair, nerves and anticipation waring in your mind.

His hands came up, parting your knees slowly. He hooked your legs over his broad shoulders, widening his tongue and lapping you from your core to your clit, giving the tiny bud a teasing swirl of his tongue. The moan you let out was low and full of lust, a kind of lust you'd never felt before. Magnified, overwhelming, intoxicating.

"Relax, angel," His lips brushed over the sensitive bundle of nerves with each word, making your heart jump to your throat, making it almost hard to breathe.

Your hips rolled forward, pushing you against his lips, seeking more pressure, more friction. You felt so wanton, so desperate, so needy. You felt him smile against your core as his mouth engulfed you, his tongue swirling and sucking as he slowly pressed his middle finger inside you.

Your whole body stiffened and clenched around him as your mouth fell open. A string of low and soft curses fell from your lips, and your back arched against his bed as he pumped his finger in and out.

"Elijah, oh, oh fuck," your voice broke as another moan escaped you when his tongue lapped at your clit. He curled his finger up inside you, sending a ripple of heat straight up your spine.

You tipped over the edge instantly, a white-hot heat engulfing you. You came in waves, your eyes clenched shut as your head fell back into the plush comforter beneath you. Elijah didn't stop his movements, working you through your climax and beyond until your hips stilled, and your breathing leveled out.

You felt so spent, but the ache inside you only deepened, intensified. You knew what you really needed to quench the fire, you knew that Elijah was the only one who could give you that. Your fangs itched, throbbing behind your gums, ready to come out when the moment was right.

Elijah sat up, wiping his mouth and looking pleased with himself as he looked down at your naked form beneath him. You bit your lip, heat creeping into your cheeks as you smiled at him.

"That was..." you trailed off, unable to form the proper words to describe what the fuck you had just experienced.

Elijah grinned as he dipped back down and pressed a long and loving kiss to your lips. He pulled you closer as you deepened the kiss. He kissed you so sweetly and softly, his hands resting on your lower back and his tongue slowly mapping out your mouth. You hummed into his kiss as you ran your fingers down his toned back, pulling him close.

"Now, my sweet angel," Elijah murmured, tilting your face up so his dark eyes locked with yours. "Are you ready for your final lesson?"

"Yes, Elijah," you whispered, your lips brushing against his. “Please,”

Elijah took one of your legs and wrapped it around him as his cock nudged your core. He was teasing you, moving the tip up and down your slit, making your entire body quiver as he kissed down your neck, finding a spot just behind your ear and nibbling gently.

He continued this pattern, your whines becoming needy and pathetic. Elijah's smirk pressed to your skin as his fangs nipped at your shoulder. Your head rolled back, giving him more room as he suckled on your pulse point.

"Such a good student for me, always listening, always eager." He said between nips. "Are you going to keep being my good girl?"

A strangled yes fell from your lips as Elijah nudged at your entrance. You whined and panted, trying to wiggle your hips and get him to sink his cock inside you, but he only chuckled and gripped your hips, pinning you to the bed as he nuzzled your neck.

"Let's not be impatient," he whispered, the low and possessive tone in his voice made a shiver roll down your spine. "There's so much I have yet to teach you, darling."

Elijah pressed his hips forward, and you felt the tip of him press against your entrance. He moved his face away from your neck as he pressed into you.

Your hands clung to him as you braced for it, this thing, this big, scary thing you never experienced, was suddenly happening. “It's okay," he hummed, "just breathe, angel,"

Your face felt warm as you looked at him and took a deep breath. He leaned forward, kissing your lips lovingly as his hands squeezed your hips, pulling you closer, sinking deeper.

His thrusts were slow, languid, intense. Elijah held himself up on his forearms, caging you as he looked down at you. Your mouth parted as your eyes locked with his. His slow and teasing rhythm had you trembling beneath him.

"My sweet little vampire," he purred, a deep sound in the back of his throat. "So good for me."

The words of praise were too much, the sight of Elijah above you, the feeling of him inside you. Your nails raked down his back, digging into his skin, needing him closer, wanting more, desperate to consume it all. 

A sudden vampiric urge took over, and you pushed on his chest with all your strength, he chuckled and sat back, letting you take the lead with a smirk on his face. In one swift move you were straddling his lap, sinking back down onto his cock and making both of you moan.

You were running on pure instinct as you began to move your hips, trying to find the right rhythm. He cupped your ass in his hands, his thumbs stroked your skin gently as you bounced up and down on his lap.

"Like this, angel," he said softly, repositioning your knees as you gripped his shoulders. "Here," he pulled one hand away from your ass to show you the correct motion to roll your hips with, guiding you until your movements matched his instructions.

"A fast learner in all things," He purred as a grin formed on your face, making him smile in return. You kept the movement of your hips steady, trying to control the bloodlust in your peripherals. 

Your hips slowed and you leaned forward to kiss along his neck, your fangs extending, and a new feeling came over you. A hunger that couldn't be filled by blood or sex. This hunger needed both, primally, simultaneously. And it had a target.

You felt him grip you a little tighter as your hips rocked a little faster. The bed began to creak softly beneath you as you increased your rhythm, his head rolled back with a soft moan. The sound only spurred you on.

Elijah gripped the back of your head and pulled you up for a kiss. He moaned into your mouth when you swirled your hips. The movement caused your clit to rub against him, giving you that delicious friction you so badly needed.

The wild hunger was taking over, obscene bloodlust. Clouding all reasoning. Your fangs ached with a painful desire to bite him, sink into him, take his blood.

"Elijah," you murmured between kisses. You couldn't wait any longer. Your eyes were black, your fangs extended, veins dancing under your eyes, and Elijah chuckled at the look. "Elijah, can I—"

He kissed you harder, his grip on your hips tightening. "Take what you need, angel,"

A growl came from the back of your throat, and your lips went straight to his neck. The moment you sunk your fangs in his skin, he moaned deeply, making your clench around him.

Time seemed to fall away as you tasted Elijah's blood. It was rich and sweet, nothing like anything you'd ever tasted before. It felt like you were in some sort of haze, unable to stop yourself from bouncing and moaning in Elijah's lap as you fed on him. Blinded by pure and unadulterated pleasure.

It was heaven, pure and simple, the taste of him. A moan rumbled from the depths of his chest, and you felt the reverberation of his groan through his neck.

You were drunk off his blood, high off his touch. Everything about him was intoxicating. The sounds, the taste, the feeling, the sin of it all.

"Don't stop," he groaned. "Fuck, don't stop."

You couldn't even if you tried. You would never disobey an order from him. Your hips were moving at an almost inhuman pace, the taste of his blood only adding fuel to the fire inside. He was all yours, and you were his. Blood, sex, breath, skin, all intermingling. You felt his hand come up and tangle into your hair, holding you to his neck as his other hand moved to the small of your back, adjusting your rhythm to an inhuman level.

"Just like that, angel, fuck," his voice was a strangled whisper, his head rolled back as a loud, throaty groan left him.

The way his body stiffened, the way he moaned, and the way his hips snapped up into yours, his cock thrusting deep into you had you seeing stars. You were coming, your eyes rolling to the back of your head.

It was all too much. His blood, his cum, the feeling of him deep inside you, the taste of him on your lips, the scent of him everywhere. Everything exploded at once. White hot fire rolled over and under your skin, like you were being consumed by napalm. 

He moaned deeply as you rode out your orgasms, his arms wrapped tightly around your waist, keeping you firmly pressed against his chest. You panted, trying to catch your breath as his mouth found yours, he bit down on your lip, your own blood flooding his mouth, mingling with the taste of his. Completing the connection, blood mixing, becoming one. 

You were panting, breathless, sated. But the need wasn't gone. The hunger lingered. The desire remained. You didn't think it would ever be fully quenched.

Elijah pressed a few gentle kisses to your lips before he laid down, bringing you with him. He shifted so that his softening cock slipped out of you and cradled you in his arms, kissing the top of your head as the two of you lay there in silence, catching your breath.

Your body felt exhausted and sore, but so fucking good, too. Your head was swimming as Elijah looked at you with a tender, loving gaze, a hint of pride lingering in the brown eyes that studied you. You felt your face grow hot under his scrutiny, feeling self-conscious from how intensely he was watching you.

Elijah’s fingers traced idle circles against your back, his breath warm against your temple. "You’re thinking too much, angel," he murmured, amusement laced in his voice.

You hesitated, then sighed. "I just... I don’t know what this means to you." The words felt clumsy now, uncertain in a way you hadn’t been when you had marched into his study and asked him to ruin you.

Elijah hummed, tilting his head like he was considering something. "Curious," he mused. "You certainly weren’t so hesitant when you strolled into my study and propositioned me like one might ask for a book recommendation."

The heat that bloomed across your cheeks was now traveling down your neck. "That was different."

"Was it?" He chuckled, low and indulgent. "You seemed quite certain then. So impatient, so eager. So hopelessly distracted during our lessons. Tell me, was it always lust muddling your focus, or was it just me?"

You groaned, burying your face in his chest. "I regret everything."

"No, you don’t," he countered, the smug grin evident in his voice. "But tell me, angel, why the sudden uncertainty?"

You bit your lip, the vulnerability creeping back in. "I don’t know if this was just... a lesson for you. That this is just casual,"

Elijah stilled for half a second. Just long enough for doubt to gnaw at you. Before he tipped your chin up, his eyes were dark but soft. "You are a rarity," he began, voice like silk. "Fascinating, infuriating. Bold enough to challenge me, reckless enough to walk into my study and ask the unthinkable. Do you know how long it has been since someone has surprised me?"

You swallowed hard, and he smiled. "That is why I call you angel," he murmured, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to your forehead. "Because I look at you and I see heaven."

Your chest ached at the weight of his words. He had called you angel from the moment he agreed to this. He had looked at you with something unreadable, something reverent, like he was looking at the most beautiful thing in the world.

Elijah was right; this was a lesson for you, but not the one either of you had expected. It wasn't about control, or restraint, or blood. It was a lesson in trust, in opening your heart, and it was the last thing either of you had thought to expect.

And as Elijah leaned down and kissed you again, his hands gentle and possessive and loving all at once, you knew it was the beginning of something wonderful.

[servicpop]

NOW STARRING : deliquent (almost) bf (Adrien) x good student reader

「ㅤNSFWㅤ」ㅤAdrien gets a bit lonely and pulls reader under the staircase during break!

✙ warnings — semi-public sex, masturbation, orgasm denial, reader isn't 100% submissive, dirty talk / like 2 sentences of degradation and praise / not actually dating / slight internalised homophobia / mentions of bisexual Adrien

notes ,, first smut, hope I did well -> part 1 | not proofread!

"Fuck— keep quiet alright?"

When Adrien left a cryptic text message saying to meet underneath the staircase, you at first thought you had done something wrong and he was going to beat you up for whatever you did. But, turns out — it was a really silly reason — that Adrien saw this couple making out underneath the tree they had and he wanted to experience something like that with you. Obviously because friends help friends right?

Underneath the staircase was quite dim and almost eerie. It wasn't as romantic as kissing underneath a cherry blossom tree but when have you two ever been the cheesy romantic type? When you arrived, he pulled you in close, wrapping his arms around you like he had been reunited with his long lost lover — which wasn't too far off since he truly believed that you two dated in a previous life. When he hugged you, you tried to act nonchalant, you tried to ignore the warmth that his chest gave off or how safe you felt in his stupdily built arms. Friends aren't supposed to feel like this to eachother, especially if both parties are men!

"Did you call me over just to hug?" You chuckled softly, fighting every bone in your body to not hug him back. You gotta be strong, you can't fall for a deliquent bad boy, it's too cliché.

"I called you over to fuck."

"Wait, what?"

You felt Adrien's hand grip the back of your head, pulling your hair hard enough to tilt your chin up but not hard enough to hurt (he can't be hurting his precious boy). His chapped lips met yours, it was obvious that he didn't take very good care of his lips but that didn't matter, you'd help him out later. The kiss was rough and almost experimental as if Adrien had never kissed another in his life — which was wrong seeing how he's had multiple girlfriends in the past — he seemed almost hesitant, unsure.

Fuck it. Just this once you'd give in to Adrien, but that doesn't mean you were dating him!

You wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him closer as you prod your tongue against his lips, you figured you would demonstrate how to kiss properly to him, he was a hands on learner after all. His eyes widened slightly and his hands dropped to your waist, supporting your balance as he hesitantly opened his mouth, letting your tongue explore. It was weird because usually he'd be the one always taking control but your occasional leading was a breath of fresh air.

After awhile he pulled away with a smirk, "I got it," he replied before picking you up and forcing you to rely on him for stability. A small squeak left your throat as you were hoisted up in the air and pressed against the wall, your legs instinctively wrapped around Adrien's waist. He kissed you again except this time he took dominance, roughly exploring your mouth, poking and prodding at anything he could find. He was so rough that you hadn't noticed his belt come off until the metal clinked on the ground, then you realised what was poking at your ass.

Shit, he was big. Not necessarily in length but girth and thickness, it was practically the perfect all-rounder.

"Wait— Adrien, condom?" You stuttered, the fear finally settling in now. Its not like you were a virgin, just that you've never had someone like... Adrien. His eyes met yours in slight disappointment but he didn't want to go too far on his first time with you, plus, he wasn't even dating you so why would he go so far? Shaking off his thoughts he nodded, rummaging in his pocket for one while keeping you pressed against the cold wall.

"Jerk me off first? The latex gets uncomfortable to put on," He put on a fake pout, letting you stand as he held his throbbing cock out for you to see. You huffed, he was definitely lying but you'd humour him. Just for today.

You reached down, your warm palm engulfing his tip and he let out a low grown in response. Your thumb rubbed against his slit and a smile cracked onto your face when you saw the pre-cum leaking out already. His forearms caged you in as his head hung low, you could see his eyebrows furrowing and the way his face contorted in pleasure. Adrien's hips grinded up into your fist, matching your rhythm as you stroked his cock, gripping tighter at the base before swirling your thumb on his tip. It was almost like you were massaging his climax out.

"S-shit how are you so good with your hands," He sucked in air between his teeth as he hissed, groans and low moans slipped out of his mouth like water. Eager hips bucked up into your fist, chasing his release. "Close, fuck—" He cursed under his breath, his hips almost slamming into your hand, his body trembed as he was so close. His eyes flew open as he looked down to see your thumb covering his urethral opening, denying him of an orgasm, "Wh–?"

"That's enough isn't it? It should slip on easily now," You grinned, taking the condom from his hand and ripping it open with your fingers, rolling the rubber over his now overly sensitive dick. He stared in disbelief, you just... denied him? Him? Oh you were getting it now.

"You little pervert," Adrien chuckled darkly as he whipped you around, pressing your chest against the wall and holding your arms behind your back. It wasn't the most comfortable position ever but your uncomfort was interrupted when he pulled your pants down with your boxers. It was embarassing to say the least, showing off your ass like this to another guy, you were glad you had to face the wall, otherwise you might’ve crumbled from embarrassment if you saw how hungry Adrien looked.

He was teasing you. Edging you. Slipping his cock along your entrance but never actually pushing in. You were dying of anticipation because from your position, it was hard to see anything other than the walls. A surprised and embarrassingly loud moan slipped out and you'd cover your mouth if it wasn't for Adrien's hand binding your wrists together. Adrien had slammed his hips into you, his cock buried deep inside you. No warning no nothing, he was truly cruel. One hand was gripping your hip while the other hand let go of your wrists, you were finally able to stabilise yourself against the wall but long fingers thrusted their way into your mouth. Well this was new.

You gagged slightly around his fingers as you tried to say something about it but your words were blocked by Adrien's middle and ring finger. His hips also began to pick up speed, pulling out almost fully before slamming back in. You were kind of thankful for his thick fingers blocking and muffling your moans or else people were sure to catch you two fucking like bunnies underneath the staircase.

He leaned down so that his chest was flush against your back and the hand that was gripping your hip turned into his arm linking around your waist as he held you close. Adrien's breath fanned your ear before he spoke, "You know those– puppy bandages you gave me yesterday?" His question was broken from panting and groans as he kept thrusting. "Where did you buy them? I– fuck– want them," Adrien chuckled.

You would answer if you didn't have two fingers stuffed in your throat. "You know... good boys don't gatekeep, you don't wanna be good for me?" Fuck. You were never the one for praise but that? That made you cum on the spot. Your knees gave out as your poor cock spurted out white but Adrien was already keeping you up right. He laughed, his gravelly laugh travelled straight through your ears and to your cock. He smiled against your shoulder, almost like he was hugging you from behind, he quickly came after you. Shame that it wasn't inside you but it would do for now.

You both panted, and he took this opportunity of vulnerability from you to sink his teeth into your skin, eliciting a small gasp from you, "What the fuck Adrien?" The bell rung, indicating that break was over and you whined, fixing your uniform before pulling your boxers and your pants up, wincing from the weird sticky feeling from not cleaning up. Adrien was already dressed and he waved you off, quickly running off to a spot where he could skip the next few classes with his friends. You'd have to fix yourself up in the bathroom later.

BONUS

"Did you seriously cum from my praise?

"No, it's just a normal reaction."

"Who's a good boy?"

"Fuck you..."

"Nope! Never letting you top."

"I didn't mean it like that!"

♡

notes ,, the smut wasn't as detailed as I wanted it to be but I get fics done in like a day so I didn't want it to be so long, anyways! That's adrien, I'll be working on a fic for my next oc "

[sephirthoughts]

Vincent’s lingering obsession with Lucrecia is excellent drama, but their story is not a doomed romance.

This is an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think Lucrecia deserves nearly as much pity and excusing of her actions as she gets. This is not character-hate post, it's an analysis of a character I think gets short shrift as a Mother-Mary in a bell jar, and deserves better.

Lucrecia is morally grey. Charcoal grey. I love complex, morally grey characters, particularly when they're women, since usually women are relegated to roles that infantilize and objectify them, particularly in video games, which have historically been a very backward, androcentric medium. I strongly dislike brainless victims, subject to the whims of the male characters, without much agency, and Lucrecia was not such a character.

Lucrecia was an adult with agency and brains. She was a grown ass adult. She was a brilliant scientist. She made decisions with her eyes open, and even sacrificed her unborn child to her work. She is a very interesting character. The fact that she didn't idolize motherhood as the end-all of female existence, and that her obsession with her work was stronger than her desire to be a 'good mother' makes her far more interesting than otherwise. The fact that she regretted it later and wanted him back doesn’t magically make her a good person, or change the choices she made. It demonstrates guilt and remorse, which are part of character development. The bottom line is that she committed atrocities in the name of science, then felt guilty about it later, once she realized how devastating the consequences were to her personally. To say she didn’t know what she was doing or Hojo manipulated or controlled her is to infantilize and disrespect her character. She’s not some sacrificial angel who was a victim of circumstances; she was a willing participant in her own downfall.

Lucrecia is a tragic character, but she's not a romantic lead. Except in Vincent's head. After all was said and done, she had one of those too-late changes of heart that make tragedy so emotionally impactful. She had a human reaction to Vincent's death and felt terribly guilty for her role in all of it, as she should. That doesn't mean she loved him, it means she wasn't a monster. She lost her son, and gradually, Hojo's callous inhumanity and her inability to escape the net she wove with her own hands closed in on her. Did she deserve to never hold her baby son and never see him even once? No. But she caused it, with her own actions. That's tragedy. She was miserable, bereft, and riddled with guilt, so she made a last-ditch effort to make something right...by doing more insane science shit that turned Vincent into a monster. Seeing that she'd only made everything worse, she tried to kill herself, but was unable to, and thus ran off to become a crystal statue in a cave (this is a trope that I dislike, but that's the story, so that's what we've got).

Vincent is a bad judge of the circumstances. Vincent persists in seeing her as a lost love, and someone from whom he was unjustly separated by circumstances. The fact that he is so blinded by his feelings for her that he places her on this pedestal and can't blame her for what she did is excellent characterization, and I love it, but it's because he’s wrong. He loved her. She didn’t love him (I think she was in love with his father, but that's just icing on the tragedy cake, at this point). His lingering attachment, not to the real Lucrecia, but to the idealized version of her he has in his mind, is a very sad reality that adds so much delicious pain to his character. In the end, he is unable to blame her, because he loved his image of her (and Hojo is a way easier target for anger, because he's literally the worst), which speaks far more to his personal bias in the situation than to her actual role in it. She’s not moustache-twirlingly evil like Hojo but she’s not Vincent's star cross'd soul mate tragically torn away by cruel fate. Lucrecia was her own person.

In summation. Their story is not a doomed romance, it's a complicated, messy, ugly tangle of thorns, and one of the best written tragedies in a game that literally bleeds tragedy from every orifice. It's got one-sided love, obsession, mad science, betrayal, jealousy, fetal experimentation, murder, corpse reanimation, and a guy who can't die, and is left to deal with the consequences of everyone else's actions by himself forever. No one is innocent and no one comes out unscathed…strike that. Vincent is innocent and Hojo comes out unscathed. But still. Lucrecia is not a holy mother, she's not a brainless victim, and she's not Vincent's lost love. She's a person he loved, and who didn't reciprocate. Most importantly, she's a person. A whole-ass, complex, morally grey, fully developed person, who made terrible choices, then made even worse choices, and in the end, couldn't escape the fate she wove for herself.

And then wound up encased in crystal so she could be a pretty statue forever cause the game devs just couldn't help themselves I guess.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Hellooo

I started playing TW after years of lurking in the Fandom and boy, (re-)experiencing all the books by myself reminded me of many interrogations I had back when the translations were uploaded on YouTube

Like, Jamil. Did dude ever get chastised back home for his overbloat and coup d'état attempt?I don't remember anything of him being reprimanded except I think that flashback in Book 5 where he had lost Scarabia students' trust (but that's not a punishment)

That aside, are the OB students' families told about what happen to their son? It's normal if it's private matters but Jamil's betrayal went viral online (although it's debatable whether 5.000 watchers is actually a lot, I assume it was enough for the news to spread quite a bit). You can't tell me someone from the Asim family or their staff didn't stumble upon it at some point. Given how deadass they are about Kalim's safety, I'm surprised they'd let Jamil, who took advantage of his position and fucked him in arguably the worst way possible, remain as Kalim's intendant as if nothing happened. The point I'm trying to raise here is that they're not lacking the means nor the power to remove him. Idk, if my son was framed and almost killed by one of our most loyal servants, I don't know if I'd make his life a nightmare given his family's loyalty but at least I wouldn't let him anywhere near my son ever again.

I know Crowley does his best to keep the truth about the 6 (7) OBs hidden from the public, but they're all minors (except Leona and Malleus). He's legally entitled to call their parents and tell them about their son's 'incidents', even more so lives were at stake. I wish we could have had some interactions about it, a word about how their family handled the news. Riddle wanted to have a talk with his mother, but we never got an update about it even though it's very relevant to his character growth. Has there been anything about it now?

Hope it was fine to send my rant! I used to read your posts a lot back then and never dared interact with despite how fascinated I am with your insight. I really feel like "ohh, I finally send a question as a player to that one veteran who knows so much!" and it's quite nice ehe

Welcome, new gamer 🎮 And no worries!! I welcome anyone here as long as they’re amicable/polite and interested in Twst~

dbywbejkawbiw Thanks for looking at my posts and getting something out of them! :> I hope it continues to be that way.

Sadly, Twst does not cover the fallout of each OB in great detail. We’re only left to assume what happens, though the individual consequences are lightly touched on in the following book. For example, Riddle lightens up on the rules and tries to control his anger, Leona returns to putting forth effort in training, Azul assumes more ethical business practices at the Mostro Lounge and realizes he has to accept himself, etc.

It seems that Crowley or the powers that be did their best to contain spread of the news, but they at least had to be reported to certain organizations and individuals. For example, in book 6, Crowley mentions being chided by S.T.Y.X., the Department of Education, and the Department of Magic for allowing multiple OBs to happen under his watch.

Vil also mentions that the OB boys received counseling and treatment from medical mages.

In terms of consequences unique to each OB boy:

The second volume of the light novel informs us that Riddle receives social backlash from his peers after his OB. Additionally, he faced expulsion after his incident, but his mother intervened. It’s not explicitly stated that Mrs. Rosehearts was informed about her son’s OB, but it may be argued that it was implied. (Because the school would have had to provide a reason for his expulsion, especially since NRC, as a boarding school, is responsible for his health and safety while the students are there; NRC would therefore have told Riddle’s legal guardian and parent about what transpired.)

Jamil seems to imply that Crowley DOES tell the family members of the OBers, but does not tell the entire truth about it. For example, in 5-10, Jamil suggests that Crowley hid the true reason for his OB. This means the Vipers and Asims would have no knowledge of Jamil’s attempt to overthrow Kalim. Most likely they were told Jamil just overexerted himself while practicing spells or something.

A shame we don’t get to see any parents’ reaction to the news… I’d imagine it isn’t easy to hear.

(By the way, quick correction!! Though Jade claims he livestreamed Jamil’s confession and that there were over 5000 viewers, Azul confirms in book 5 that this was a bluff. In reality, Jade was on speaker call with Azul and Jamil’s confession was only projected to other Scarabia students. The truth of Jamil’s OB is still safe from his and Kalim’s parents!)

And no, no update (or even a mention) of what happened after Riddle spoke with his mother over winter break. I find that so strange, especially when they set it up as such an important moment in his character growth and journey to find his independence… Yet here we are, having finished book 7 in JP and STILL no meaningful follow-up on that chat.

A common critique of Twst’s writing is that the OB boys don’t take enough accountability or don’t face substantial consequences for their actions. This is true for all of the OBs, even if they came close to extremes like committing murder or world domination. It sounds silly to us, the players, but Yana has laid out the intention of Twst in various interviews. The villains aren’t meant to be wholly good or evil; they aren’t meant to be completely reformed and change their tunes. Part of their charm IS their wickedness, so the story won’t condemn them or give them strict punitive measures but rather will grant them second chances and the time + space to develop on their own. It’s still frustrating to see the lack of seriousness sometimes but 🙂‍↕️ I think we just gotta accept this is how Twst is…

[seongminiz]

— after hours (k.mh)

. . ? office sex with minhee ! – smut / minors dni ; 1071 words

cw fem!reader , power imbalance , kinda dubcon , dumbification (lots of it) , degradation (mixed in with praise💔) , spit - lots of spit actually , unprotected sex , semi-pulic sex/slight exhibitionism , creampie , crying , overstimulation , i think that's all im not sure

not proof read srry i wrote half of this one-handed (what) (its a joke) (maybe) !! this is dedicated to my lovely lovely precious @b1mbodoll who helped with a lottt of ideas n deserves almost as much credit as me for this post ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

!!! posting from mobile , i'll go back to fix the colors and formatting once i can use my pc again !

you're the newest hire in the office , and with this being your first 'proper' job you can't help being all anxious and it brings you to keep messing up ..

minhee who is in charge of training/supervising you and gets so frustrated bc you're so clumsy, the fear of messing up making you mess up even more, and it seems like you can't do anything without his help

minhee who has also slowly developed a crush (more like .. unhealthy obsession but you didn't hear that from me) for you because he's been thinking you're pretty and cute since day one .... but he still intends on doing his job properly, or at least tries to – he asks you to stay back overtime so you can have a talk in his office, so he can soften the blow of the scolding you're about to get by not talking to you in front of all your coworkers.

he'll talk to you about your shortcomings, scare you into being a little less of a airhead, help you catching up with the tasks you couldn't complete during office hours, and call it a day.

except all of minhee's plans fly out the window the moment you step through the door of his office and you're already apologizing before he has the chance to speak, all teary eyed and with shaky hands, avoiding his eyes and trying to explain that you know you're being a burden to the rest of your coworkers, especially to him.. he finds you even cuter than usual kind of pathetic too, sure, but so so adorable and a little lost .. clearly so reliant on him.

seeing you like this brings out a new urge in minhee. he wants to ruin you.

but the other side of him, the one that knows just how reliant you are on his guidance, how much you look up to him despite it only having been a few days since you started working there, the part of him that enjoys all of that, knows he can't be straight up mean to you ,,

he doesn't know with what self control, but minhee keeps going as if nothing is wrong, as if seeing you on the verge of tears didn't make him slightly hard. he lists what you have to improve on and stuff like that, until his tone shifts into something more condescending and he starts slipping some 'but it's so hard for you to think about so many things at the same time, right?' in between his otherwise totally normal advice ....

and in your mental state, so vulnerable and confused, you can't be blamed when you agree, when words start spilling out along with the tears and you admit that yes, it's so hard to keep track of everything, sometimes you just wish you could shut your brain off.

'more than it already is?'

the question catches you off guard, and you find yourself nodding in agreement before you have completely processed his words.

everything after that passes in a blur, you're not sure of when you started kissing minhee – or did he kiss you? when did you even get so close to him? or when he slightly lifts your skirt as he pushes you to sit on his desk, or when he unbuttons your shirt and pulls down your bra so your tits are spilling out and he can bite and lick them until they're sore and sensitive.

you're not sure of anything.

next thing you know, minhee is sitting in his office chair, and you're right above him, riding him as tears stream down your face, mouthing at his neck and drooling all over the collar of his shirt.

you don't have the energy to protest when minhee calls you his 'poor, stupid, little puppy that can't do anything without him' ... you can't, knowing deep down that he's right, that you're better off being his messy cockslut than doing anything else. you're really not sure of what you could do instead.

minhee's cock reaches so deep, hitting all the right spots, it's like your brain is leaking out of your cunt, especially when his tip brushes right against your cervix as his fingers are rubbing your clit. you're too fucked out to actually say anything, you mumble something about how 'it feel so good... 'm goin to cum-' as spit drips down your chin and your legs shake.

'you've already came, silly,' minhee chuckles 'fucked you so good you can't even tell when you're cumming now?'

you sniffle and try to hold back your moans as minhee picks up his pace again, reminding you he hasn't cum yet – and he needs to, needs to fill you up and make you all messy with his cum.

'poor baby,' minhee coos, brushing your hair out of your face, all sticky with tears, and sweat, and probably some of your cum that got on his fingers too. 'so needy you're letting me fuck you in my office, when you know there's a cctv camera right there, in the corner.'

thruth is, you don't. or at least, you didn't know until that moment, and of course minhee knows that too. a weak 'what?' leaves your lips, but your confusion and attention are quickly derailed as minhee's hips buck up into you.

once again, you nod without fully knowing what he's saying, so desperate to get his approval..

you can't help but whine louder the harsher minhee's thrusts get, it's too much too fast, and you're straight up sobbing by the time you feel the first spurt of minhee's cum, followed by many others. there's so much of it, you feel so full, proof of it is the few white drops trickling down your thigh.

minhee shushes you sweetly as you continue sobbing into his shoulder, your hands gripping his now ruined shirt as you can't help but still grind your hips into his, the squelching, wet sounds of his cum and yours mixed and stirring inside of you sending antoher wave of arousal through your body.

you're out of it again, your eyes feeling heavier than before as minhee runs his fingers through your hair with the hand that isn't busy still stimulating your clit.

he rips another orgasm out of you, a quiet, almost imperceptible one, before you doze off as you hear minhee say 'it's okay, you don't have to worry about anything, you have me now'

[causenessus]

try again

part 0.10. TO BE HUMAN

she adored the human mind. she wasn't quite sure why, but she liked how unique it was. every mind was different and despite being someone who loved to be in control, she loved that the human mind could not be tamed. it's impossible to stop the way it loves or thinks. as she walks through the city with him, her steps feel easy. her path to this moment hasn't been the easy straightforward one by any means, but perhaps life isn't about the happy ending. rather, it's about finding what it means to be the traveler. the adventurer. the voyager."

content warnings: talk about death and parental issues. one vague mention to someone taking their own life. ness is having an existential crisis. omi and yn are (unofficially) on their first date <3

a therapy session they'd had weeks before summed up a lot of what she'd been feeling recently;

“you know, in our last year of high school, it didn’t really feel all that exciting to me.”

she likes that he can say our. she likes him. it’s that simple.

“everyone made it out to be this exciting once-in-a-lifetime period in our lives. but it didn't feel that way. i just felt loss. and everyone was dying. i mean— not everyone, but it was like everyone around me was experiencing some sort of death. a family member had died, a friend had died, someone i’d never even heard of had taken their life, and it was weird." he trails off, unsure of how else to explain his thoughts but she gets it.

“and even if it wasn’t them losing their life, during that last year of school, there were a lot of people who were dying to themselves,” she follows up. “a lot of people trying to figure out who they were, and realizing they didn’t know who they were, but time kept going. as kids, we grow up thinking one day in the future, we’ll know exactly what to do with ourselves and we'll know how to live life like all the other adults we saw growing up. but then you turn 19 and realize you still don’t know what’s going on. you keep waiting for a revelation, but it never comes.”

he holds her gaze for a moment, and it just feels like they’re looking through each other. like they don’t even need words to communicate. they already know everything about each other. “exactly. it never came, and i was scared it was just me who felt this way. then i kept hearing about more and more people dying, and it–” he pauses, thinking of how he wants to word it. he knows what he wants to say, but he’s scared to say it in front of her, ironically.

“don't think about it, just say what you want to,” she urges gently, “i’m not going to judge you, sakusa. i'm just here to listen”

“it scared me,” the words come out before he can even realize it. the statement was hard to say, but once it slipped out of his mouth, he felt lighter. “i was worried that this was all life was. just watching and hearing more and more people die. it was nothing like anyone made it out to be. nothing about growing up, moving out, anything exciting. just a bunch of people who are older and have jobs and their old enough that people start dying. i know it’s a part of life, but i guess i just thought i’d start actually experiencing people near me dying when i was an adult, you know? like when i was at least 30 years old or something. not in my last year of high school. but no one gives a shit. we’re all basically told we’re adults and if we don't feel like it, to grow the hell up. except none of us know what that means. i never woke up one day feeling like an adult. every day just feels like i’m pretending to know what’s going on. i was in the shoes of the third years i looked up to when i was a first year, and i could only go about my days wondering if they felt as lost as i did.”

“i promise you they did,” she validates. “it’s somewhat a part of the culture surrounding us, and how quickly society wants you to become a functioning member contributing to its structure, but the entire idea of a functioning society is dehumanizing. everyone’s just a human, and they live and they die. as we grow up, we learn more, and gain more experience, but even the third years when you were a first year still messed up. they still asked questions. they didn’t know everything yet, just like you didn’t when you became a third year. and there were first years that looked up to you when you were a third year just like you previously had. then they became third years. do you see what i’m getting at?” she asks and he nods, continuing to listen. “when we look up to someone, we don’t see a lot of their faults. we see so many things that they may think is a flaw as beauty, and that’s just because we love the person. so maybe you don’t remember your third years ever messing up, but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect. they were perfect in your head and there's no harm in looking up to someone, but you're still your own person. you'll never be exactly like any of the third years you looked up to, but that doesn't mean you're a failure or below them. i’m sure if you reached out to them now, or even just asked someone like the coach for your team if they have their life figured out, they’ll laugh and say no. but they can laugh because you’re not supposed to have your life figured out by any certain age.” she was going on a bit of a tangent now, but she was trying her best to explain the philosophy of a topic no one knew the true answer to in her own words to the man in front of her. “i don’t really know if anyone ever figures out their life, but i think the important thing we all have to aim to do is not to find out what’s going on, but just to find people to struggle with. find people that help you carry your burdens, help them carry theirs, and have fun with them. surround yourself with people who remind you that it’s okay not to know what the hell’s going on, and to make mistakes.”

he’d need to make a note of what she’d just said later. and he wanted to apply what she explained to their own relationship. he wanted to help her carry her burdens, just like how she was helping carry his.

now they’re sitting in a diner near to where her office is located. it’s not busy, despite it being just past 6. she’s sipping on a mug of tea while a cup of black coffee sits in front of him, and they’re waiting for the rest of the rest of their food. 

similar to how she’d felt the first time she’d seen him in her office after so many years, despite him sitting straight and tall across from her at a diner table, she didn’t see him like a full-grown adult. she saw him as the friend she’d grown up with years through her childhood and school years. and she was sure she appeared the same to him.

how strange it was, to be human. to ask or pay another human to listen to your struggles and ask them for advice when they can’t be sure of anything either. none of them can control even a single hair on their head, and yet humans have been entrusted with so much. how strange it felt to be an adult, to be where she dreamed of being all alone. to be alone at a table with a friend, without the worry of a curfew, or to have a parent or anyone else sitting next to them.

it was just him and her, and he was all she needed.

she’d remained silent about what was bothering her for most of the walk here. in between those moments where she'd opened up was silence or anything small they could think of to talk about. after they’d ordered and he promised he wanted to listen, the air between them was left silent. he was waiting for her, and then she finally spoke up,

“around when we got distant, my mother left and my father only got worse than he already was. he was always angry at me or trying to guilt trip me because I was the only person left in his life. i didn't stay willingly. i just couldn't leave yet. and it’s–” she had to close her eyes as she talked, trying to keep herself calm and steady, “it was easy for him to guilt trip me. because i still felt bad for him even though everyone had left him for a reason. he just looked so miserable. and i was miserable. i got out of there the moment i could but he still wouldn’t leave me alone. i blocked him on every single platform possible him and he still showed up at my apartment so i moved. then he found me again and my roomates kicked me out so i came to osaka for an internship and i’ve been here ever since. and i’ve just started feeling kind of good where i am, with the people i’m living with, and i found you again. but i’ve been freaked out all day because he called me this morning. i don’t know how he found my number, but i’m scared, sakusa. i don’t want to leave again.”

“then don’t,” he says back as if the solution is simple.

she looks up at him in disbelief, “but what am i supposed to do? if he finds me again, he’ll keep showing up just like last time. my roommates now said they were there to help me, but what if they get tired of me?” her pulse is beating so fast she can feel it in her neck and chest and she doesn’t have the time to overthink anything she’s saying,

“[y/n]. you know the kind of people they are. i know iwaizumi well and i can tell you that he at the very least would never leave you. no one’s going to get sick of you," something keeps her from looking away from him, and he holds her gaze as he continues to talk, "you told me to surround myself with people who remind me it’s not the end of the world if i mess up, and i think that you’ve done that for yourself whether you realize it or not. not everyone is terrible like your old roomates. the ones you have now are all there to help you. they want to help you. they’re there to stay and so am i. if you need even more help or if you don’t want to go back to your apartment, you can always stay over at mine. or call me over. iwaizumi or i could beat your father’s ass so he never comes back.”

she laughs at his ending joke. it wouldn’t even take both of the strongest men she knows to beat up a single alcoholic man, just one of them. she’d been terrified of her father ever since she could remember, but when she thinks about her friends being able to punch her dad in the face, maybe he’s not so scary. she has people who could fight back against him if she can’t. “i’d like that,” she muses, starting to plan out how the entire situation would go, “although if you came over to beat him up, there’s no way iwaizumi’s letting you do it on your own. and shinsuke would probably help too. or at least stare him down which torturous enough on its own. akaashi would keep me company inside.”

sakusa’s smiling too, now, “sounds like we have it all mapped out already. see? you're just fine. if we somehow need even more backup against a single man, the rest of my team will scare him off.”

“please,” she laughs, waving him off, “hinata and bokuto sound like monsters together, and atsumu would only add to the wall of you and iwaizumi.”

"hinata and bokuto are monsters. even to the people they love– especially to the people they love,” he rolls his eyes as he talks, letting the conversation go quiet between them for a second. then, he taps her hand, which she's laid on the table between them, “but i mean it, don’t be afraid to call me, okay? iwaizumi has my number too, if you need.”

“okay, i will, thank you,” she says, starting to believe him. she's starting to believe everything will be fine, and that she's safe.

when their food comes, she begins to think differently from how she did when he was standing in front of her at the door of her office. if she could go back in time, she doesn’t think she would change anything. she likes how she’s reconciled with sakusa, how they’ve caught up, and how the world led them back to each other again.

maybe things will be okay. and like he said, maybe she’s found her people. maybe she’s found her roots.

prev. | m.list | next

extras <3

here is a second song that i feel resonates very much with this little chapter

if i fail my sociology final i'm sending my teacher this chapter bc at least whatever tf I learned in that class started spilling out here

i'm terribly sorry for how philosophical i get but also not really

as you can tell i am projecting a lot onto this fic

i didn't actually mean for these last two chapters to focus so much on death but it's just how i've been thinking recently (not about death but like growing up and the fear of all that blah blah blah i'm ok dw) and hopefully some people relate to that and this makes them feel a little better :)

but also i liked that both omi and y/n are having these worries and fears about the future and all that!

hmmmmm

i'm not actually crazy for how this story is going to end but maybe it's just me !

this is the second to last chapter <3

also ofc the diner omi and yn went to is the ravens eye diner!!!!! (shameless plug for the loml mo <3)

taglist: @eggyrocks @wyrcan @guitarstringed-scars @strawberryuri @violetesensou @kakeru-eem @glmge @heytheredemonsss @mollyrolls @bemebiu @daszy @snail-squasher @0moonii @thiisisntlovely @todorokiskitten @rory-cakes @iiwaijime @iatethemochi @yuminako @savemebrazilhinata @kismyscars @bokutoko @nobodybutnnoorr @wolffmaiden @daisy-room @softpia @lees-chaotic-brain @v3nusplanetofluv @crispchocolates @phoenix-eclipses @hhoneyhan @encrypta @rockleeisbaeeee @cr4yolaas @zombriesworld @localgaytrainwreck @moucheslove @hibernatinghamster @notverymarley @certaindreampost @akaakeis @ciderscape @lucien-luna @strawbrinkofdeath @wave2mia @samuel1004 @01trickster10 @dazqa @cosmiicdust @chemiru (form to be added to taglist! <3)

[skyeslittlecorner]

Sorry if you're neck deep in kiddie headcanons but it's too cute to pass up. Like we already got kings, but I need to see kiddie nobles. Mainly Hades because I'm weak. Making sure little Barbatos doesn't take off all of his clothes and throw them everywhere, having to chase down lil Glasy because he's trying to prank others into fight each other, or running around with scissors. And unintentional hide and seek with Foras because poor baby can't control his invisibility, and you're panicking because you think you lost him but in reality he's with you the entire time...maybe have to put a bell on him to know where he is.

AHHH THIS! I love it so much! The little ones from Hades are so chaotic and completely unintentional (apart from Glasyal, he is very intentional). But I bet Levi is a great father, after all, the whole country treats him like one.

The big brain of yours is truly amazing, from today I'm starting a kindergarten, goodbye romance interests, you are too cute as children- Just look at them!

Gehenna

All the little ones have gathered of their own in the living room, where Satan sits cross-legged in the middle of the fluffy carpet and fights with them. He's dishing out punches one after the other. Strong enough to push the kids away, but not to actually hurt them. You don't think he's ever had so much fun with his nobles! He decreed that he would be the evil king one who kidnapped the Descendant of Solomon, and now you sit on his lap while he fends off the little nobles.

Leraye and Paimon excel at scheming, having the most fun when they manage to hang onto Satan's biceps, and he tries to shake them off. Belial was smarter. He taught Jiyu how to make paper bullets and shot Satan with a slingshot, but all the bullets got stuck in his fluffy hair, so you pulled them out regularly.

Sitri is not so bold. At first, he sat huddled in the corner of the room, covering his ears with his hands. You made an exception for him and took him on your lap. The noise suddenly stops bothering him as he cuddles into your chest and leers smugly at the others. Little smartass.

The kids launching an attack quickly get tired. Only when they were scattered on the couches, snoring loudly, did Astaroth pull Zagan towards you. He put markers in your hands and demanded you to draw (or pet his little snake, as you wish). Of course, you didn't resist them, although instead of using a piece of paper, you started drawing on Satan's cheek. This couldn't end well, right? You were pinned to the floor. Who knows what happened next, because Astaroth covered Zagan's eyes, and Satan immediately threw you over his shoulder and took you to the bedroom. Kids had theit fun, now time for you.

Tartaros

You have never met such sweet and problem-free children in your life. You can take them wherever you want, to the palace, for a walk, shopping, they will always come back to you and won't go crazy like some do. Just shower them with love. Especially Eligos, who would like to stick to you and not move, just purring when you pet him and kiss him. He wrapped himself in all the ribbons he had - you had to help him with that so he wouldn't choke or trip - and now he's running from devil to devil because everyone wants to pet him. He is the total center of attention.

Bimet would love to count money, but he is so small that he doesn't really know how to count, so you have some piggy banks with you. He usually gets lost halfway through, but you managed to convince him that this means they are just bottomless and that he is infinitely rich. At first, he didn't trust you (or rather he looked at you in happy shock, because devils cannot doubt), but since Mammon supported you, he has no questions. Especially since the king gave him a basket in which to collect his own wealth, so he follows Eligos to the devils and demands payment for petting him. 

Valefor is like an older brother who takes care of them, and it is mainly thanks to him that your walk is so peaceful and pleasant. If Eli flies too far, he will bring him back by the hand. If he falls, he will pet him, calm him down and bring you to kiss his scratched leg so that it doesn't hurt. If Bimet loses a gem or two from his basket, he will show him to pick it up. He keeps turning to you and Mammon to make sure you haven't gone too far. When you praised him for being as brave and responsible as his king, he grew happy and took even better care of the boys. Mammon is really proud of them, and you can see it in his smile. You are too.

Hades

You’re left alone when the king is occupied with work. Do you think it won't be easy? You're absolutely right. Of the three in your care, Glasyal is the nicest. And it's not because he wants to, he's just having fun as he follows you around and watches you struggle with the other two.

Even though Foras is invisible, Barbatos also constantly disappears from your sight. Look for windows where he can bask in the sun. Of course, the fewer clothes he wears, the more fun he got. Once you put him in a corset so he couldn't untangle himself, but Glasyal came with scissors. They almost gouged out their eyes. It was only when you put him in Leviathan's clothes that he stopped shedding them so much and instead cuddled up to them.

Foras is a problem because he isn’t. Literally. You can't see him, amen. He doesn't do it on purpose, but he has no control over his power. Will he be scared? Disappears. Sneezes? Disappears. Will he quarrel with Glasyal? Disappears. Glasyal especially liked the third one, and it brought the little pink devil to tears.

You were getting exhausted, but then the nooses around the kids' necks twitched like leashes being pulled by their owner. The father is coming.

"Enough. Be good." He will admonish them, but with a little smile wandering his lips. All the children will crawl towards him with complete adoration. This time they will hang in the air, not on nooses, but one by one having the honor of being held in their father's arms. Just take those scissors from Glasyal, really.

Avisos

Even though you expected this to be the most chaotic experience of your life, it wasn't that bad at all.

One child drops out because he sleeps. Bael, of course. When you picked him up from the desk, he's been sleeping for about four hours now, snoring loudly and nothing can wake him up. And you tried. Especially Amon, who first poked Bael in the cheek and waited for him to react, but when nothing happened, he just curled up next to him, because why not?, and went to sleep together.

You went to the bathroom for a moment and when you came back, Nabe was also lying in a pile. Also dragged to sleep by Amon, as you saw them holding hands. Stolas was the only one left, so you brought him, however, was a bit more reluctant and really wanted to go to Bathin, so you had to convince him. You took three chairs and threw a blanket over them to build him a fort, and in that fort, a nest. Only then did he settle down there contently.

Of course, Amon didn't miss anything, because he's conscious when he sleeps. He got out of bed and crawled to Stolas' nest. It looked (and was!) much more comfy. Stolas first shouted at him and tried to kick him out, but Amon lay there like a log. This little bird finally got tired and fell asleep too. You put all four of them in the fort, climbed in, grabbed a book and let them cuddle.

Beelzebub, who felt that something was wrong and decided to check on you, burst out laughing when he saw you with the kids. You dragged him along as punishment. Of course, he had priority over you. You laid on Beel and the kids clinged to both of you. When he saw them like this, it brought back memories. You'll learn a little about how he met each of the nobles and what his own childhood was like, as he tell stories and pet each child he talks about.

[madwomansapologist]

doubt comes in | bg3 companions

Meet Kind!Druid!Tav | More Weirdos | AO3

synopsis: You knew exactly what would welcome you back to camp. The alluring smell of Gale's cooking, the awful noises of Lae'zel working on a sword that don't need to be sharpened, Wyll practicing his dance moves. You clearly weren't expecting to see yourself. Or to be forced into fighting the companions you swore to never harm in order to prove Orin was playing with their minds. [3.4K]

warnings: orin being orin. well, you, actually. "prove who's the real you" trope. i mean imagine the level of anxiety that scenario induces because you want me to act like me? kitten, mommy don't fucking know who she is. bg3 level of violence. a lot of blood. body horror should be a tag? tav suffers slashing damage, but orin suffers psychic damage. angst. happy ending. shadowheart x tav x halsin. companions (lae'zel, astarion, gale, wyll, karlach, jaheira, minsc). camp followers (yenna, scratch, grub). background (orin, gortash, mizora, shar, cazador, silvanus).

Reaching Baldur's Gate didn't made life easier, but Gods did it helped. Danger is near, sometimes closer than a kiss, but this city is still your home. They can try, but no one can take that away from any of you.

Mizora can bargain and dissemble, but no lie coming from her burning lips will ever change the fact Wyll would do anything for this city. He had his first kiss in one of those bars. Gortash is a threat, but did he started counting his days? Karlach is coming for him, and he had it coming. She can still remember the vinegar taste on her mouth after her first spree.

Shar had her time to mess with Shadowheart's memories, to turn goodness into fear and desires into guilty. Shadowheart is learning how to swin. Long ago, before Cazador could even think of looking at him, Astarion walked on those streets. Cazador can see him as a walking corpse if he so desire, something that fell into decay, but Astarion is alive and free forever and evermore.

The world is a freaking mess, but so be it. That won't stop you from living. That won't stop any of you.

"Soldier! Over here," Karlach called for you, up on The Blushing Mermaid's balcony. You dodged the drunkards and ran upstairs to their table. They saved a seat for you. They always do. "What took you so long?"

They're always teasing you for being so controlling with their gold. That was an act of survival, to save for what matters, but now that you reached the city... You're still controlling it, Silvanus knows Astarion would waste it all without noticing, but you can allow your party some luxury from time to time.

You put the bags under the table, careful to not let them see what was inside them. "Just lost track of time," you sat between her and Minsc. "Did I miss much?"

You turned around, looking for a waiter, but a glass was dragged from across the table towards you. Halsin, sitting across from you at the round table, had already ordered your favorite drink. He always knows what you want even before you say it.

Your smile was subtle, the glass already rising to hide your mouth. You didn't use words to thank him, but your foot met his under the table. You dragged it along his leg, a hidden affection. A secret between you two.

"Oh, yes, Boo. Minsc agrees, her smile really seens different," Minsc whispered. Boo moved on his shoulder, sniffing around. "What are you hiding, my gentle friend?"

Perfume of night orchids, clothes fit for a vampire or whatever Astarion means by that, a recently released tome of evocation, instruments to improve weapons, a music box for a dancing hero, owlbear cub plush, new whittling knifes, a book about adventures Jaheira wasn't part of but is still somehow the main character, and stone sculpture of a certain miniature giant space hamster. "Nothing," you answered.

Halsin chuckled. "There is nothing you can't do, my heart. Except by lying, I must add."

"I just bought a few presents," it sounded almost defensive. Alright, maybe you really were a bit too controlling of the gold. Just a bit. "I'll give them after dinner."

Karlach chocked on her beer. "Are you feeling well, soldier? Have anyone forced you to waste your precious gold?"

"There is a hero coming through to help you, my friend," Minsc hit the table with closed fists. Your drink almost fell on your lap. "Tell Minsc who forced you and his boot shall find your wrongdoer!"

Karlach and Minsc tried to see what were in the bags during the walk back to camp, and you protected them with your life. They started a game of guessing what you had bought, never realizing you weren't participating on it.

Halsin took the bags from you, and with his free hand caressed yours. He kissed your knuckles, then your forehead. You melted against his touch. "Is it duck related?"

You chuckled, eyes still closed. "Fuck off, Bear."

Finally at camp, Halsin followed you to your tent .You saw when Wyll walking out of his tent, hair dripping wet, and smiled at him. Karlach and Minsc sat by the bonfire, still arguing about the possibility of receiving an ax as a gift.

You told Halsin to close his eyes so you could hide everything. "Alright, done."

You walked towards the bonfire, but Halsin grabbed your hand and pulled you closer. You linked your arms around his neck, ready to stand on tiptoe. "It's on your black chest, isn't it?"

You sighed, walking away from him. He tried to stop you, but you dodged Halsin easily. "Of course not," you lied. And he could tell.

You used a branch to stir the fire. You had the feeling it would be a cold night. Yenna was near it, stroking Grub's fur, and smiled at you. So young, so innocent. So unfair.

Lae'zel and Jaheira carried pans with food to the large table Gale conjured, and nodded on your direction. "Fifteen minutes, cub," said Jaheira. "Weren't you on watch?"

You denied with a movement of your head. Jaheira isn't the one to get confused with watches, neither are you. After all, you both organized all shifts.

"Are you hungry?" You stroke Yenna's hair, ignoring Grub in order to not scare him away. Kneeled in front of her, you threw the branch far away. Scratch ran to catch it. "I have strawberry and hon..."

"What the fuck is that?!"

You turned to Karlach, your sword suddenly so heavy on your side. She looked perfectly fine. Following her gaze, you understood it.

Shadowheart had her spear on hands, back from first watch to supper. And besides her, with a hand on the half-elf's waist, stood you.

One thing you can't deny Orin: that bitch is creative. You admit, it was smart. Half of the party left with you, half stayed at camp. It was only a matter of chosing the right moment to appear, making sure to say only the right words, and everything would work on her favor.

Smart, until she wasn't anymore. Because instead of aiming your companions quietly without raising doubts, you are back now. She is surrounded by the enemy. Cornered by her own actions.

You smiled to Yenna, her scared eyes shone upon you. "I need you to close your eyes. Can you do that for me?" As she put her tiny hands in front of her face, you raised from the floor. The smile was still there. "Orin."

She was behind you, but you knew Karlach made Nyrulna find a way to her hands. He's not on your vision field, but you promise Silvanus you'll kill yourself right then and there if Minsc and Boo aren't ready to fight and die beside you. The golden light on your periphery in theory could be from anything, but you knew it was Halsin waiting for your command to transform and attack.

The things you couldn't see didn't surprised you. Quite the opposite.

Jaheira's eyes shone, and without hesitation she turned into a fire myrmidion. Wyll, before careless, casted an armor on himself. Lae'zel had her sword on her back, but her movements showed she was nothing but ready.

They were looking at you.

As easy as that you understood. You're always thinking on the great scheme of things, careful about every movement and choice so at the end nothing will stop you from defeating the Absolute, but this isn't a game of Go. Orin didn't proposed a bet, one where all moves matter and any choice could change the final outcome. No. This is as simple as tic-tac-toe. The results depends only on doing the right first movement.

Orin isn't surrounded here.

You are.

Shadowheart hesitated, the spear uncomfortable on her hands, her skin paler. She gazed at you, at that thing, and you could almost see the doubt replacing the new found glow in her eyes.

"You finally decided to show up again," Orin said. She could immitate your voice perfectly. Even the words were something that could've been said by you. "Now we don't need to hunt you down."

You kept on staring at Shadowheart, ignoring her stained words. "Lua, you know who I truly am." You drew your sword, the golden glow illuminating your face within the light of the setting sun. "Fight beside me, my love. Like you have always done."

"Don't fall for her theatrics," replied Orin. If you didn't knew better, even you would fall for her tricks. "She is playing with your mind. Trying to control it like many attempt to before. Don't allow it."

In a quick motion, her spear cut through Orin's torso. Orin, you, stumbled back. You stood in front of Shadowheart, protecting her with your body from the changeling's response.

All Orin did was to add pressure to the cut. "Get away from her!" A necrotic energy came from her fingers, the same you are so used to control. You shouldn't have left your shield on your tent. "My love, she'll only hurt you."

Jaheira aimed at you, lava dripping from her transformed hand, but didn't attack because of how close Shadowheart was of you. Karlach got further away, now with a better view of camp. Minsc had his sword in hands, just as Wyll had a cloud of darkness aiming at him. Lae'zel was in front of Orin, eyes filled with determination.

They moved faster than you wanted to. The board getting new possibilities, and you worst problems to deal with. What strategy can overpower hers?

"On sight, soldier," Karlach screamed from distance. You could picture the spear on her hands, ready to be throw right in Orin's eyes. "One word."

"Ckh. Enough," ordered Lae'zel. "Pull yourself together before I pull you apart."

"That changeling is playing tricks with your mind, Lae'zel," said Shadowheart. Light came from her fingers. "Don't let her fool you."

"I know my leader," was her response. "You should know too, cleric."

"Can't any of you see her true goal?" Your voice echoed through the camp. "She isn't just trying to end me. She could've done this before, we all now she had chances. Orin wants you to fight one another, to break our bonds and divide us. Stay still, stay alert, and she won't have a choice but to end her disguise and attack with her own claws. Patience: that's the only thing she does not have."

With the noise, Gale and Astarion came out of the kitchen. "Who is..." Astarion didn't even had time to finish.

"It's me," you yelled. You had even forgot about them. Just more players for a game that should be won alone. "For Silvanus, I even said goodbye to each and every of you befo..."

You swear you saw a smirk on your duel's face. She fooled you too. "You fucking bitch."

You barely had closed your mouth when red strings of energy passed right beside you. Shadowheart's illuminated fingers were surrounded by darkness now. Gale's work, you knew.

"She is right," Lae'zel's words made you breath easier. It was more than just a smart move, it was a great plan, but Orin won't suceed for a very simple reason: her main goal is to hurt, and yours is to prevent it. Lae'zel stepped closer, her longsword in hands and eyes on Orin. "The wizard shouldn't have aimed at the Shadowheart, neither was she supposed to fight."

A sign of trust coming from her of all people could convince them all. Lae'zel cares, deeply, and wouldn't do something without being sure of it. You glared at the others, hoping Lae'zel's words had calmed them down. And it did. Their eyes were softer towards you. But those weren't the eyes you should've been watching closely.

You didn't saw when she moved. Didn't noticed the smell of danger floating on the air so near you. Didn't heard anything that would've warned you to defend yourself.

But you felt as Lae'zel rip your chest apart.

So much blood. You never would've guessed a mortal vessel could carry so much blood. It stained the silver, dripping from the longsword, splashed her face. It ran down your body, penetrated the ground and its roots, fed the plants..

Red. It was all you could see. All you could think about. Your lungs only had space for it. They burned. Your trembling hands moved towards your ripped belly, your insides staining them, and held the sword. It cut your palms.

"Bloodlust won't solve our problems," someone said. You knew that voice. Was it yours? Lae'zel forced the sword down, then pulled it out of you. "The changeling's is all we need to spill."

You were on your knees. Did you fell? Were you kicked? Are you praying? You must be. You probably were. Who do you pray to? Have you ever prayed before?

Kneeled beside you, a woman talked to you. Her mouth moved, a red liquid dripping from her face and hands. Her touch was warm. She felt like home. Shadowheart. Her eyes reflected a golden light, but they dissapeared so quickly.

"Let me go!" She tried to fight Lae'zel's hold, but the warrior was stronger. "She'll die because of you. She'll die and I will never ever forgive you for that, you damned gith!" The screams turned into cries. "She saved me, let me save her!"

"It's me," the doppelgander said. She held Shadowheart by the cheeks, trying to get her to calm down. "Lua, love, it's me. Just me."

"Get out of me," Shadowheart spat on her face. Lae'zel pushed her away, trying to prevent Shadowheart from doing something she would regret. "Why no one here listen to me?!"

"Stop squirming," Lae'zel hissed. "Look into her eyes. Look and tell me you don't see our leader."

Shadowheart eventually stopped fighting, her body exausted from crying. The changeling was in front of her, you were in front of her. She smelled like you. Talked like you. Felt like you.

"Is that really you?"

"Of course it's me," lied Orin. "Please, look into my eyes. We were together all day. You know I haven't left camp. Please, please, trust me."

Spikes grew, surrounding Orin. She hissed, the ivy twining around her legs and tearing the skin open. Halsin were throw to the ground before he could end the healing spell.

"Halsin!" Shadowheart screamed. She almost escaped Lae'zel's hold. "No!"

"She was with us all day, Halsin," Wyll said as he paralised the druid. "We know it's her. Don't fight back."

That didn't stop Karlach from throwing her spear near the Blade's feet. "You fucking idiot!"

Mizora clapped, enjoying the show.

Jaheira burned Mizora before losing her wild shape. She will come back, she always does, but that never stops Jaheira. At least they will have some moments of respect.

She wandered towards Minsc. He kneeled on the floor, and for a moment she feared something happened to him when she wasn't paying attention.

"She told me not open my eyes," cried Yenna. "I can't open they yet. She told me not to."

"Have you ever seen my miniature giant space hamster?" Yenna didn't react to him. "No, Boo, she nee..."

Jaheira kneeled beside him, her hand resting on his shoulder. "You did well, cub," she forced herself to laugh. "You were so brave. Let's get you and your red cat something to eat, alright?"

A dry sound reached their ears, stopping every and each one of them. You fell to the ground, as firm as an empty sack, whimpers leaving your mouth as you slipped into unconsciousness.

No fighting. No yelling. A quiet end. A peaceful one.

So easy.

Astarion grabbed Gale's shoulders, whispering so the others wouldn't notice. "It smells like her," Astarion swallowed hard. "I know it."

"Are you really sure of that?" Gale watched you, saw all your blood spreading through the ground, and looked into his eyes again. "Because if you're not, if your guess is wrong, then it will be our guts on the ground. Do you really trust your nose that much?"

Astarion gave him a smirk, but Gale could see the fear he was trying to hide. "Will you cover me, darling?"

"What's your plan?"

"Please. If you think I have one, then you don't know me at all."

As the spike dissapeared, Orin held Shadowheart's face again. "Think of everything we faced together. The nautiloid, the grove, the shadows. Wasn't I beside you all this time? Have I ever turned my back on you?"

"No." That Shadowheart knew the answer. "Never."

She looked up to the moon, praying for assistance. When her eyes fell down, she saw the body on the floor. And what surrounded it.

Scratch sad down beside you. He nudged your shoulder with his nose, waiting for you to stop with that game. He didn't like it. It wasn't fun like the others. But as he moved your body, she saw something reflecting the sunset. A flask. Concentrating, Shadowheart saw the contour of something. Of Astarion's body.

Gale had blue rays of light coming out of his eyes.

"Exactly, my love," her cheeks were pinched. The long nails digged on them for so long. "I've never turned on you. Not when you tried to kill Lae'zel. Not when you lied to me again and again. Or when you showed us how low you would go for your goddess. Remember the fear on the Nightsong's eyes? Remember how I pretended not to know all you would do to her if I wasn't there? A cleric who doesn't know where to lay her faith, a torturer so easily deceived, a coward unable to make the right decisions. That's why you never turned on me, right? Because I make the decisions you can't. I carry all the guilty for you. Because it's easier when I control everything. Don't you like it? That you don't need to use your brain when I am around? Wouldn't you give your memories to me if I asked? I know you would. I know you will."

Your head fell. The bone cracking, the skin stretching. They could hear as it moved, as it turned into something else. The shoulders falling, elbows breaking in half, the spine bending until it touches the bloody ground. The last snap, deep and long.

And from a thin cloud of dust, Orin appeared.

"Look at it. Crawnling under my fe..."

Nyrulna wasn't near Wyll, deep on the ground, neither did it came back to Karlach's hands. With accurate aim, the trident pierced Orin's ribs. Her blood joined yours, and the pale body fell where yours once lay.

Taking your time, you walked towards her. Stepping on the changeling's stomach, you ripped the trident from her insides. "I will give you a glorious death," you growled. "I'll make Bhaal wish I was his chosen."

You kneeled beside her, pressing the trident against her neck, then lowered your face until her ear. "I'll make him regret ever settling for you," you whispered.

Her eyes shone. "How... you know," she could barely say anything. "My... sib..."

You squeezed her cheeks, shutting her up. Then you caressed it, getting her skin dirty with your blood. "I know shit about you," you replied. "But I can tell you would never be anyone's first choice."

Orin can believe she escaped, if it's that what she desires. That you were too slow to stop her from teleport to wherever she deemed safe. That you were all bark and no bite. The truth is that she was wrong about you from the start.

You like the hunting.

You dropped Nyrulna to the ground, and threw yourself into Shadowheart's arms. “She lies,” you whispered. "She deceives and hurts and maims. Nothing was true. You're nothing that she said."

Quietly, Shadowheart hugged you. She breathed in your scent, felt your touch, heard your voice. You, you, you. She cried against your body. You.

Looking at the rest of your party, you breathed in. "We need a code," you said. "If we ever get into this sort of situation again, we need to say..."

You bite your lips, trying to think of something. Something you wouldn't use in another situation. Something that would be unique, impossible to confuse the meaning.

"Gold," you chose. "Or the rest of us are allowed to go for the kill."

Lae'zel cleared her throat. "Fair enough."

if you enjoyed, please reblog! i promise it makes a difference ♡

BALDUR’S GATE 3 TAGLIST: @citrusbunnies

@ madwomansapologist.tumblr.

[musekicker]

Can i suggest a hurt/comf between Fire Spirit/Wind Archer?

One day Fire Spirit’s powers went haywire and accidentally hurts Wind Archer. He then runs away deep in Dragon Valley and actively avoids Wind Archer due to the guilt and had some sort of monologue about why he couldnt face Wind Archer (because Fire Spirit is known for his courage n stuff) Wind Archer catches up to Fire Spirit and face they face each other. Fire Spirit get happy again and shenanigans ensues

Ik it sounds kinda cliche but this gotta be my fav firewind typa ff

- benjy

It might not be EXACTLY what you asked but it's the basic energy of the prompt. Here's hoping it's still what you're looking for.

Taking on the odd mission or job was something hero's did. And Fire Spirit was indeed a hero. Wind Archer was here too of course, the couple being pretty much inseparable a lot of the time as of late.

So they took on this small but important job together. Too many cake hounds hunting in the woods about a small town. Cake hounds would be cake hounds he supposed. But they were threatening cookie's lives, one hound having nearly run off with a young cookie in broad day light.

Something had to be done. That something was Fire Spirit Cookie and Wind Archer Cookie. It wasn't a slaughter. Neither cookie wanted to kill the hounds. Only scare them out of the area. Prove that this was not a safe place for them to stay.

Wind Archer took on the job of scouting out where the hounds were and then chasing them Fire Spirit's direction. Where Fire Spirit was waiting in a clearing area to use his control of fire to scare off the cake hounds even more.

It was going well so far. They must have scared off at least a dozen cake hounds by now. It was becoming almost routine.

Which is how the accident happened. A sound from the bushes, another cake hound he thought. And acting purely on instinct , a whoosh of flames in the direction of a sound. Except it wasn't a cake hound. And Wind Archer moved faster then then a cake hound.

The flames moved too fast to control completely. But Fire Spirit was able to divert the flames towards the right to avoid hitting Wind Archer. Or at least not head on. Enough of flame or ember caught a part of Wind Archer, on the right hand, and up the arm. It made Wind Archer give a sharp yelp. He even very barely dropped his bow.

Hurt. Wind Archer was hurt.

Fire Spirit swore and felt his very core go cold. How badly was Wind Archer hurt? He floated closer to get a better look, all thoughts about the cake hounds gone.

Wind Archer was looking at his wounds, and there were wounds. Scorched sections of cookie on his arm that looked painful. Fire Spirit reached out to touch the  not injured shoulder, then stopped and pulled his hand back. If he had hurt Wind Archer before, it was possible that his touch could make it worse.

Checking his wounds still, the pain made Wind Archer wince. It was the wince and the thin line of Wind Archer's mouth, a sign he was trying to hide how much the burns actually hurt, that did it. The thing that made Fire Spirit flee without a word, leaving a shocked Wind Archer Behind.

Starchy got the whole story about what had happened not long after Fire Spirit returned to his home. It was hard to not know something was wrong with the way that Fire Spirit was just pacing. All it took was asking what was wrong, and then everything all bubbled up to the surface like lava itself. The cake hounds, the mistake, and how he had hurt Wind Archer.

"I made a mistake and I didn't get control of my flames in time!" Fire Spirit snapped. "I lost control and because of that I accidentally hurt Wind Archer."

Starchy could see that Fire Spirit was truly beside himself with the anxiety and shame of what had just happened. It was the first time he had seen such emotion from Fire Spirit cookie. Trying to be the comforting voice to Fire Spirit was not a moment that Starchy foresaw. But here it was.

"He must know you didn't mean it." Starchy said.

Fire Spirit's gaze stayed downwards.

"I didn't stay to apologize." Fire Spirit admitted.

Now that surprised the moletato. Fire Spirit was not one to hold back his words. Nor was he the type to lack the bravery to say what he wanted to.

"You didn't stay!? Really?" Starchy cried.

"I KNOW! I know it was terrible and a cowardly to not say anything! But I saw him, and what I did. And the thought that I could had really, really hurt him because I wasn't thinking!? I just left."

Fire Spirit put his face in his hands. It was this reason Fire Spirit didn't notice that Starchy was looking over and past Fire Spirit's shoulder. Starchy just offered a slight nod, saying nothing more.

"I think he would still like to talk to you." a voice that wasn't Starchy said.

Fire Spirit didn't need to look up to know who had just spoke. He  knew that voice very well. Fire Spirit winced and looked to Starchy.

"How long has he been here?" Fire Spirit asked.

Starchy only shrugged and walked away to leave the two cookies to talk. Alone. Fire Spirit felt that fear he felt back at the sight of the burning incident. But this time he spoke.

"I hurt you." Fire Spirit said.

"I... am wounded, yes." Wind Archer admitted. "But not badly. Just some slight burns."

"JUST some burns? Archie-" Fire Spirit cried.

Wind Archer reached out towards Fire Spirit. He had taken time to tend to his burns before coming here it appeared, the hand and arm of the burned arm wrapped in bandage, probably a pate of healing herbs used under the bandages.

If he thought bandages would help calm Fire Spirit about the whole incident, Wind Archer was wrong. The sight of the bandages wrapped around his hands made Fire Spirit float back to avoid touching Wind Archer.

There was no expression of Wind Archer being insulted. He knew that Fire Spirit's response had been only because of a emotion that the fire elemental felt so rarely. Fear. Specifically fear of hurting Wind Archer further.

Even with Fire Spirit's moving away, Wind Archer was not about to let Fire Spirit stew in guilt he did not need to be feeling. Before Fire Spirit knew it, Wind Archer closed the gap between them. And without hesitation put his forehead up to Fire Spirit's forehead.

"It's okay." Wind Archer said. "I was trying to say that before you flew off."

"I'm sorry!" Fire Spirit blurted.

His forehead was still up against Wind Archer's, warming but not too hot to Wind Archer. Wind Archer let Fire Spirit keep on talking.

"You're hurt because I wasn't thinking. I should had made sure it was a cake hound and not you. I KNEW you were still out there and-" Fire Spirit said.

"Yes, you probably should had been more careful. That's true. But that's also on me." Wind Archer admitted. "We should had worked out some sort of signalling system before hand so something like that didn't happen. So let's just be happy that I'm only slightly hurt and that next time we'll be more prepared."

Fire Spirit moved his head back to take in Wind Archer's face, his expression.

"You're really not mad at me about this?" Fire Spirit asked.

"Really... let's try not to do it again though if you please." Wind Archer said.

Fire Spirit let out a small laugh and put his forehead back to Wind Archers.

"Promise."

[allastoredeer]

In a lot of fics with the whole 'they're switching!' but in fact it's 99% of top!Alastor and then that one mention of top!Lucifer it's always the idea that 'Alastor need a lot of time to allow himself to bottoming for someone, let alone Lucifer!'

...but Lucifer somehow doesn't need even more time to even consider an idea to bottom for a sinner, especially the kind that is Alastor.

Sure, Jan.

I miss the mean egotistical Lucifer we got in the show. I want him back. His jealous insecurity is so special to me, I'm waiting for it to return from the war. I wish more fics explored his bias against Sinners and how he, very much, looks down on them. One song and a rebuilt hotel isn't going to change the distaste he's had for them for thousands of years, and I've yet to come across a fic that genuinely addresses that.

ON THAT TOPIC, how about a fic where Lucifer is confronted about the Exterminations that he signed off on. Where's my fics exploring the rage and hatred the Sinners would have for him? Damned or not, Sinners had to have had friends. Community. Our Hazbin crew can't be the only found family in Hell, there had to be other people who cared about each other. Who made a life for themselves. And I'm sure a LOT of them lost people they loved during the Exterminations.

Not to mention the sheer terror of being ruthlessly hunted and murdered for one day in the year (in a way that permanently kills them). The Sinners really got their own Hell version of The Purge, didn't they? Except they can't fight back or defend themselves in this one (or don't think they can, at least).

I'M JUST SAYING, chances are, the Sinners wouldn't like Lucifer just as much as he doesn't like them. I am dying for a fic that actually gives Lucifer repercussions for his actions. God, PLEASE, I need it so bad.

More on topic with the actual ask (LOL) I really want to write a bottom!Alastor fic where he is confident, in control, and knows exactly what he's doing during sex. Sexual attraction or not, he will get the last word in, and if that means riding the king of Hell until he's a blubbering mess then so be it.

[master-of-47-dudes]

You know I have one more thought about the submarine situation now that it's official that the billionaires inside have almost certainly died horribly in one way or another.

And that's like.

I know it's easy to compare the OceanGate situation to the Titanic as "example of man's hubris being checked by the realities of nature" but if you think about it for a second or know much about the Titanic, they're genuinely not comparable at all.

See, sure. The Titanic was declared "unsinkable". This was because the Titanic was an actual marvel of engineering- the biggest fuck up on the part of the builders was being SO confident in their genuinely innovative and extremely well-designed vessel that they didn't include more life boats.

What SANK the Titanic, was a series of small and big mistakes on the part of the crew. Stuff like replacing the lookout last minute so that the guy being left in England was the one holding the key to the box with the only pair of binoculars on board. Trying to avoid the iceberg last minute instead of hitting it dead on, thus damaging the ship in a manner that bypassed the in-built safeties.

Genuinely, had any one of the series of mistakes that led to the Titanic sinking just, not happened? The boat would likely have lived out its expected service life.

The OceanGate fiasco, now? This was a jury rigged piece of crap with cut corners out the wazoo made buy a guy who thought safety features like "a hull pressure tested and graded to reliably survive the depths it's intended to reach" or "a locator beacon in case the sub gets lost, a problem which has happened before", or "controlling the submarine with an interface that is not notoriously shoddy and prone to poor performance" were unnecessary precautions for wimpy nerds.

A disaster was more or less guaranteed from the getgo! There was no reality where this didn't become a fiasco and a disaster. I mean, yeah there's one where the people running OceanGate were actually responsible and cautious instead of cost-cutting capitalists, but from the moment that sub hit the water there wasn't really any decision that could have saved them outside of getting cold feet and immediately returning to the boat they launched from.

Like, sure, there's hubris in both situations! But one was an avoidable tragedy where the hubris was justified and largely unrelated to the actual disaster that happened, and the other was an inevitability that occurred because an overconfident idiot decided that physics and the reality of what he was trying to do would make an exception for his company because he's a special boy that the universe exists to serve.

It's hilarious how fucking far apart the realities of the situations were.

[thurio-edau]

"It was her," Aiden yelled out, trying to get them to understand him. He couldn't get that bloody image of Ashlyn out of his mind. "I swear I saw her this time!"

"Cut it out! This is the fifth time you thought something you've seen is Ashlyn!" And of course Tyler didn't understand him. He never understood.

Aiden was getting mad. He lost control of his emotions without the smiling mask he always wore. "Are you calling me insane!? I know what I saw! I'm not delusional like your m--"

His eyes widened as he realized what he said, already too late. These were his friends, his found family, looking at him as if he was a monster.

"...I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

Tyler didn't accept the apology though. He pulled Taylor from the arm and left, he couldn't stand Aiden especially lately. It was his fault. He always messed stuff up. He messed it up again.

"Damn it!" Ashlyn yelled to herself in her mind, waking up in the boring facility room yet again. She was so close to getting there... But she failed.

All she could do was talk inside her mind. Not even out loud, she couldn't let Alex and whoever else was there suspect anything. Now she needed an excuse to have a first aid kit in her room. She wasn't sure if she could walk outside and search for anything in the phantom dimension from how heavily injured she was. Yeah, she had Alex's card thanks to a trick she did, but she didn't have anything in real life except this room.

The walls were plain white. Lifeless and tired, just like her. She missed the braids her mom did each morning. She missed her father's awful jokes. She missed the graveyard, she missed her friends.

She missed that one smile.

The pain in her back and arms were obvious to her. Phantom claws were sharp for sure, she bled terribly in the phantom dimension. And Ashlyn woke up in the facility room yet again... All the distance she went was trashed.

They told her it was a fungus. That her parents knew she was here. That her friends knew she was here. That they were okay with it. They were okay with it. They were okay with her being kept away. They were okay with not getting to see her. They were okay with it.

Tch. Such bullshit. She didn't believe it, at all. It ate away at her, she didn't know how Tyler was right now. How Aiden was right now. A tree and a ceiling. Maybe they were fine. Tyler was alright. Aiden woke up okay. She still felt the way she clung to him once they woke up.

She had to get back. It was so close, why not get closer? One hour was the preparation... If she prepared the night before, she'd have six hours on the road. Right. She could do this. She was Ashlyn Banner, of course she could do it... Well, she needed to take care of her scars first because she could pass out. Every single night was important now, she was practically only alive for 7 hours in the phantom dimension. She felt dead in real life, 24 hours of doing nothing.

"I need to hurt myself somehow... So that I can have some kind of bandaging." Ashlyn thought.

But how? She didn't have a knife to injure herself with. And no way they'd just bring her one upon request. And trying anything drastic was too risky. Injuring her foot or legs were risky too... She needed that to get to her friends. But she definitely needed the bandaging, because her scars were too intense from the phantom claws.

Putting together a plan wasn't as hard as she thought.

im okay guys dont worry i wrote this out of free will yes sorry it sucks it was the free will

its just buildup rn honestly i literally didnt expect to make this an actual fic but here we go i guess

smoke signals part 2 . part 1 here

[3l91]

mujinazaka match analysis wrt akaashi, overthinking, and bokuto's consideration towards his setter .

going by surface level impressions, it's easy to pigeonhole bokuaka into manzai duo archetypes, with akaashi the straight man to bokuto's funnyman (even when akaashi isn't playing along)

but the mujinazaka match demonstrates how well they understand one another, and how their relationship is one founded on mutual respect

i think a lot about how akaashi says that he worked as hard as he could. how he said he's doing his best. the phrase i'm doing my best is one that's so often taken for granted, and that's reflected in the fact that akaashi's reliability as a setter and as someone who can "handle" bokuto aren't always acknowledged as the feats that they are by their peers

his inner monologue sets him up as a very "neutral" character ("I did everything I was told," "I played volleyball in a way that would upset the fewest of my teammates and coaches," etc) and there's a sense of him just being pulled along ("I didn't particularly like or dislike volleyball either," "I didn't go to Fukurodani with any particular purpose in mind") but one person sees akaashi's efforts for what they are and that's bokuto - bokuto sees akaashi and, more notably, bokuto understands akaashi

the most blatant example comes right before akaashi is subbed out. not only does bokuto already sense that akaashi is going to be benched, but he doesn't actually ask aakashi if he's feeling okay - he says "If you're not feeling good, go sit for a bit."

while his directness may come across as harsh (and konoha even berates bokuto for what he says to akaashi), it's just what akaashi needs.

this straightforwardness is something that akaashi has shown an appreciation towards in the past ("It's actually quite a nice feeling to be praised this directly"), and this directness is what prevents akaashi from further overthinking.

consider if bokuto had actually asked if akaashi is okay. someone who's already putting pressure on himself because he's comparing himself to kageyama and atsumu, to kenma, who just lost against karasuno and whose third year players can no longer play with them. to be asked are you okay? by the person he's doing his best to support - the person who already has it in his mind to keep winning - the person who can't afford to lose - would have only contributed to the debilitating thoughts that caused akaashi to be benched in the first place.

while it can be argued that this is bokuto just being bokuto, he insists to konoha that despite his "harsh" words, akaashi is going to be just fine - "this is akaashi we're talking about!"

he sees akaashi, he understands akaashi.

this is only further demonstrated later in the match. when bokuto asks akaashi to give him his 120%, he's acknowledging that akaashi is already giving his 100% - he's already doing his best. bokuto even goes as far as to acknowledge that it's difficult for someone to give their full 100% during a game.

to bokuto, akaashi is exceptional in that sense. he sees akaashi's best for what it is -- and is therefore able to ask him for more.

throughout their early interactions, furudate is very intentional in his portrayal of bokuto and akaashi, making others in-universe perceive bokuto as the unwieldy ace who's being taken care of by his babysitter akaashi

but the mujinazaka match adds depth to this dynamic, revealing that akaashi doesn't fully understand bokuto -- but showcasing that bokuto does understand akaashi.

obviously, akaashi realizing that he "can't control bokuto" like he thought he could is the first step towards him growing to truly understand his teammate, and the direct list of pointers that he gives bokuto after the match also point to the fact that he's more openly able to communicate with bokuto, rather than trying to subtly push his moods in one direction or another using indirect means.

it's a match that seems to have brought the two closer as bokuto tells akaashi You'll be fine, and akaashi answers, Yes! - not overthinking, not entertaining "what if"s. trusting his ace, and perhaps, for the first time, fully believing in him too.

[zvtara-was-never-canon]

Have you noted that no one from Azula's family was shown to express love and affection towards her?

That is mostly true. Ozai's affection is clearly conditional (and full on manipulation at worse, like we see in the finale), Ursa canonically favors Zuko to the point that we never see her spending any alone time with Azula like she did with Zuko, and while Iroh gave her a toy like he did to Zuko the toy in question was so OBVIOUSLY wrong for a kid like Azula that it's comical AND show's he did not really know his niece at all.

But there is a constant exception.

Zuko's relationship with Azula is complicated. He clearly admires her strength and power, but he hates how she uses it. She lied to him many times, was seen apparently cheering Ozai on during the Agni Kai, tried to have him imprisoned and even said she'd celebrate being an only child - and then allows him to come home as a hero after Ba Sing Se, even though SHE had the control of the Dai Li and was not yet aware Aang could have survived, meaning she had nothing to gain from it.

And when she lets him know that if he's caught talking to Iroh people might think he is a traitor too, and explicitly says "Believe it or not, I'm actually looking out for you" Zuko drops his innitial suspicion that she wanted something and that's why she was helping him.

On The Beach, he just follows her when she say their old family home is depressing and they shouldn't waste their time there. When she's asking him who she is angry at, she mentions herself and Zuko explicitly says that is not the case.

He doesn't trust her and know she has a tendency to mock or full on lie to him... yet when he wants to know about Fire Lord Sozin he asks her about it, and lets it slide when she mocks him by saying he should make sure the royal painter got his good side - for a character as quick to anger as Zuko, that is a big deal. In Nightmares and Daydreams he also goes to her to find out if he'll be allowed at the war meeting.

More importantly:

1 - Iroh's infamous "She's crazy and needs to go down" line was only said because ZUKO, without anyone putting that idea in his head before, suddenly went "I know what you're going to say. She's my sister and I should be trying to get along with her"

2 - Zuko only jumped into the fight in Ba Sing Se when Azula was being cornered by Aang and Katara.

3 - Zuko looked genuinely shocked and even distressed when she was falling off that cliff. He just sounded so shaken saying "She's... not gonna make it..."

4 - In the writer's own words, Zuko felt no hate but only pity when seeing her breakdown. Katara tried to comfort him because, canonically, even though Zuko and Azula are enemies, this was never what he wanted because he still sees her as family. That's why the Last Agni Kai's music is not the epic you'd expect from a battle, but a tragic one.

5 - Aaron Ehasz, the lead writter for the show, probably the person with the most influence after Bryke, has REPEATEDLY said that he always felt Azula should have gotten a redemption arc, Zuko being an Iroh figure to give her advice and be the only one still by her side when all else was seemingly lost to her forever.

Even the comics (most of which I HATE, mainly because Azula's storyline checks nearly every box for "the mentally ill are inherently evil/less human, so it's fine if literally every other person on the planet mistreats them") didn't fully abandon their complex dynamic.

Zuko is not a perfect sibling, and for a long chunk of the story he seemed too focused on his own issues for Azula to ever be a factor in his mind (aside from the moments in which she was a potential/explict threat), but he DOES still feel a sense of obligation towards her, to the point that it made him do something no one else in their family had done before or since - actually look at Azula. Not the prodigious daughter/perfect weapon, or the problem child that is difficult to handle, or the pontentially deadly enemy that was in the way, but Azula.

His 14-year-old sister that got on his nerves a lot, was far from the kindest person alive, and that he had a ton of issues with, but that he could never fully hate or even be indifferent to. Because she's family. Because he remembers a happier time in which the gap between them didn't seem so big. Because if things had been slightly different he could have been her. Because he went from wanting to be her to seeing just how miserable her life ended up being - especially compared to the one he now had - and feeling deeply sorry for her.

Now if you guys excuse me, I'm gonna go cry in the corner. Have some wholesome/bittersweet fanart if you wanna cry too.