#for second snippet

[screams-in-writing]

Since it takes me longer to draw, you get two more fluff snippets first.

11- Switching roles of big and little spoon (2nd pov)

You’re home and your roommates aren’t, which means that it’s quiet and there was nothing to distract you from (reluctantly) get some things taken care of around the house that you’d otherwise been avoiding.

Once you finish, you let put a slow breath and turn, stepping directly into Mr. Puzzles chest as his arms wrapped around you.

“Hello, my dear.” The man’s voice said lowly as his metal tv head craned alongside your own.

“You can’t just phase into the house whenever you want.” You sighed, even as you returned the embrace, much to Puzzles’ delight.

“…then you shouldn’t have old, defunct televisions at the end of their lives plugged into the basement.” Mr. Puzzles countered with amusement tinging his tone, before offense colored it. “The same television that you and your roommates only use for get togethers once or twice a month?” The man gave an over the top theatrical shudder as he continued to gripe. “Either invest in another one, or let me host the little event of yours. Why, I could present the best of the best without anyone telling me otherwise and getting pushback on my brilliantly made art!”

“You need a break.” You stated, patting Mr. Puzzles gently on the back. “Don’t you?”

“Yes.” Mr. Puzzles admitted, with feeling, and surprised you as he easily lifted you from the hug into his arms as he carried you back down the stairs into the basement where he’d come from.

Ah, yes.

The giant beanbag.

You could see where this was going, and you were honestly ready for a moment to rest after the chores you’d done around the house. As gently as could be, Mr. Puzzles lowered you down to the floor alongside the beanbag. “Puzzles?” When you turned to look up at him, you could see him staring in return with a screen reflecting weariness, the digital eyes appearing to be fixed on yours. “What is it?”

“Would you…” The tv headed man waved at the beanbag, awkwardly avoiding your gaze now. “…hold me?”

“Of course.” You replied, going over to the giant beanbag to settle onto it, before holding a hand out.

Mr. Puzzles swiftly moved forward to settle on the beanbag alongside you, turning so that his back was to you. The man even scrunched up so that you could snuggle in behind him so that he could feel like you were surrounding him with your own body.

As you wrapped an arm over his ridiculously thin waist, Mr. Puzzles wrapped a hand around yours. Lying there, you could feel the man begin to relax bit by bit.

A comfortable silence fell, the two of you falling asleep cuddled together, and not waking up to the sound of your roommate Derek snickering over the way Rose was very solemnly (if contrasted got a great big grin) taking pictures of you and Puzzles as you slept obliviously on.

When you received the picture of Mr. Puzzles scrunched up with a content smile and closed digital eyes on his screen with your arms wrapped around him from behind with your face to his shoulder?

It ended up as your phone background to later be discovered by Mr. Puzzles when you were showing something led to him.

The tv headed man ended up with a blushing face and a crackling speaker sputtering nonsense as he pressed his screen into your shoulder. Yet Mr. Puzzles appeared pleased by your decision to have the photo be used.

It led to an amusing set of messages that began with a simple message.

“In case you’d like to see my devilishly handsome face while we’re apart.”

This was followed by a whole lot of photos of Mr. Puzzles himself. Then came further messages that were photos of the both of you, and even some sneak peek photos of his newest project.

The kicker that made you laugh was a thick envelope coming in the mail with even more pictures of Mr. Puzzles. But then, emotion suddenly choked you at several tattered, older photos with a handwritten note it had been hidden within another envelope with care.

“I hope you are well, my dear. Please safeguard these photograph. These are but only a few I have left of myself before my ambitions and obsessions changed me.”

What could only be a young Puzzles was on two photos. A young adult in another. Then, the last photo, the one closest in stature to the Mr. Puzzles you knew. The light in his eyes was no longer there like it had been in the kid Puzzles photos, instead a manic light in the photo.

You kept the photos safe, only realizing hours later that this was the first time you’d ever seen Mr. Puzzles when he was a human.

And he’d given you the photos for safekeeping; a piece of himself that he’d likely never shown anyone else before (apart from Meggy, who’d presumably gotten a look at a younger Puzzles during that Puzzlepark incident).

If Mr. Puzzles clung to you tighter when he saw you again, you didn’t point it out, and merely held him just as snug in return.

12- cuddles accompanied by little kisses (1st pov)

(Note-in which this took a turn to less cuddling and more Mr. Puzzles discovering he likes something; oops, but not really)

Despite absolutely being against a ‘beach episode’, so to speak, I couldn’t help but accept your offer to go to the beach with you, your roommates and a few coworkers who were desperate for sunshine on a nice day.

I’d have rather been all alone with you; however, since we were in your world and nit mine, I couldn’t ensure that my beautiful metal head didn’t go anywhere near the sea. I’d rather appreciated the sight of you reading those going along to the beach that they were not to get water anywhere near my head, and that it was hit a joke, as it could cause me irreparable harm.

I may have swooned a little dramatically at the forcefulness before I’d swept you up into an embrace to show you my appreciation (and allowing me to decide in that moment that I would, in fact, come along to the beach).

-

I despised this already.

I was appalled by the sight of all the people around, and did my best to keep in the shade beneath the umbrella in a quieter area. But I had insisted that you go have fun, with the others, despite being unable to enjoy the waters as easily any longer. I could submerge up to just below my neck, but preferably below the collarbones, to ensure I didn’t get any wiring exposed to the water.

Stretching out comfortably on a layer of beach towels to ward off the sand, wearing a tank top  and a pair of khakis (ordinarily I wasn’t so comfortable showing off my limbs, but I couldn’t resist seeing those blushes on your face whenever I caught sight of your gaze lingering on me). It made me happy that you were happy, enjoying the beach and the water fight that caused quite a lot of splashing. I was confused over you suddenly vanishing but before I could become concerned, you reappeared in dry clothing. Your hair appeared to have been ruffled by a towel to get as much water out as possibly, the why quickly answered as you joined me under the large umbrella in the shade. 

I perked up from where I’d been lounging with my back agaisnt a large rock behind me when you settle on my lap and pull me into a hug. I was quick to embrace you in return as I leaned over to kiss you with tiny static speaks from my screen, which made you hug me more tightly.

“I appreciate the offer to bring me along, despite being unable to participate in many of the activities here.” I said softly as I placed a few more kisses along your skin as my screen rested gently to your forehead to place a lingering kiss before drawing away to wear a softened expression, a little regret at being unable to properly be able to kiss you crossing the back of my mind. 

“Hey, Puzzles?” Curiously, you ended up looking around at the others on the beach and in the water, before looking back at me. “I’d like to try something.”

I studied your expression, and found myself intrigued by the blush that was there. 

Hmm.

Whatever could be in that mind of yours that would make you look like that? And what would it be, that you believed it was fine to try in public?

“Try…something.” I mused over it a moment, hands lightly tracing along your back, before I leaned back into the rock and flashed a technicolor grin of eagerness at you. “But of course. I would never say no to trying something with you, after all-“ I leaned in just as suddenly, nearly screen to nose with you, as a sly squint of digital eyes focused on you. “As my co-host in my new endeavor, I must say that I’m flattered there’s something you want to share with me.” I loosened my grasp around you to allow you to do as you would, which turned out to be leaning up in my lap and steadying yourself with gentle hands to either side of my metal head. I indulgently turned my head to the side at your touch, curious where this was headed and-

Warm breath trailed over and into my vent.

I shuddered, hands reaching up to grasp your wrists.

“Bad?” You asked, worry in your tone.

“Again.” I breathed through both the speakers in my head and a slight motion from my chest, my replaced mechanical lungs acting as though I’d breathed in that puff of breath. The next breath that rolled over the vent had me abruptly pinning you amid the beach towels, breathing unsteadily as false lungs and my facsimile breathing fought for control over one another.

“Maybe I’ll save that for when we’re not out in public.” You admitted after a moment, as you reached up to trace the underside of my television’s casing, to which I leaned heavily into with a happy sigh. “I haven’t seen that unhinged look of yours in months.” You tilt your head as static crackled. “There’s a more familiar one. The ‘I want to smother you in kisses but I’m too shy to-“

I growled low in my chest with traces of vocal cords that lingered, twined through wires and through my speakers as I closed the distance and proved that I was not, in fact, shy. I placed kisses all over your face, the zapping of the static audible while you laughed breathlessly and grabbed my shoulders in return to encourage me to get even closer. 

So I did.

There was no world where I would ever say no to being able to shower you with affection every possible moment that I was allowed to.

[serpentface]

Mitlamache and Anaemache mural from a household shrine

[rwsdarw]

//suggestive <3

[osteochondraldefect]

haza fia

[yellowwwcrayon]

There's just something so oddly special about this Deadpool and this Wolverine together. I don't think the Logan in any of the other prior films would have liked Wade this much (well, maybe old man him from that Logan movie) or would have bothered to stay and meet Wade's little dysfunctional family. They're both worn down, exhausted outcasts when they meet here. But the thing I love the most about their dynamic in the movie is that there's no judgment coming from Wade. He just accepts how messed up Logan is and finds this hairy murderous man with anger issues and sexy abs super neat, and I think there's a huge comfort in that. Logan doesn't have to pretend to be some great hero and no one is there to express disappointment when he fails or starts chugging rubbing alcohol because he's a raging alcoholic. He doesn’t need a savior, he just needs a fugly guy in a red suit that can’t die cheering him on from the sidelines and inappropriately groping him at inconvenient times. Some of my mutuals ship Spideypool, but I never got into it (no offense). Peter is too moral to ever make things between them work in my head. The constant judgment from everyone probably doesn't help, either. Don’t get me wrong, Logan has morals, obviously, but he's not above killing and doing bad shit. And I personally prefer older bottoms.

tldr - THEY MATCH EACH OTHER'S FREAK and I find that incredibly sexy ;)

[ghost-bxrd]

Scrapped part from the JayTim spite fic that I judged a little too cracky but still wanted to share anyways 😂

[fistfuloflightning]

Shen Qingqiu had not expected this mission to be overly hard, even with Qi-shijie breathing down his neck and his shizun’s expectations hanging over his head like a sword. In fact it was intended to be simple reconnaissance for information. But the moment they stepped into the thriving black market in Hongmen City, he felt unease. He pulled the veil of his weimao closer around him, and Qi Qingqi did the same next to him as they pushed through the crowd of similarly masked patrons to find a suitable place to observe. It was tradition to go about hidden for auctions such as this, and Shen Qingqiu was grateful for the anonymity it provided.

The auction house was large and near gaudy in its ornamentation. It was like it was painting a target on itself. Hiding in plain sight, as it were. Because on the surface it offered stolen artifacts and scrolls of forbidden techniques and cultivation tools only for those with money and the ruthlessness to use it. But beneath the veneer ran the true lifeblood of the auction house.

Cauldron trafficking.

Cang Qiong had received rumors and reports as far back as a year prior of vanishings and the selling of humans, and only now had they been able to pinpoint a location. Shen Qingqiu wondered at the incompetence, considering how the auction house was hiding in plain sight.

Sitting at a third story railing and looking down at the center stage, Shen Qingqiu let his senses wander. From the waiter placing tea at their table, to a trio of black-veiled scholars conversing two pillars over, to the low rumble of talk beneath the chime and clatter of anticipation. And when the last of the items were sold off and the presenter beckoned forward a young woman bound in chains, Shen Qingqiu knew the only way he could remain impartial was to turn his attention resolutely away from the stage below.

But he could not block the words, of humans being sold off like chattel. He knew what it felt like to stand beneath cruel evaluating eyes, to know your life meant little to the rest of the world and that your death would be just as unremarkable.

He downed near an entire pot of tea before he could force himself to look back down.

The next exhibit. A young man, high qi levels, only two former owners, lightly used.

Lightly used. His hand tightened into a bloodless fist, hidden by his sleeves. He was no longer a slave, he reminded himself, all of his former owners were dead. He was here for the express purpose of destroying this kind of slavery. Like all the cauldrons shown before, the current exhibit had been stripped nearly naked to show off his physical features. Young, slender, with soft brown hair that had been left unattended and lay limp down his back. Something about the young man’s defeated posture dredged up memories for Shen Qingqiu and he looked away. “Surely this is enough to report back,” he hissed to his senior sister, who had been observing the people around them.

“We must wait until the end. And I need to figure out at least two of the major buyers. Xian Xu Peak would be able to trace the buyers and discover just how far the trafficking ring extended.

Below them, the cauldron was forced to walk about. His posture was that of a long-term slave beaten into submission, but the way his gaze flicked up spoke of defiance. For a fraction of a second, those eyes met his—a clear honey-brown that haunted his memories even now.

Shen Yuan.

He nearly jerked up out of his seat. But only the fear of his presence blowing their cover kept him in place. If he revealed their identities now, Shen Yuan would be whisked away and he would never find him again.

After he’d killed Wu Yanzi, he’d relied on the connections he made while under the cultivator’s ‘tutelage’, and the brothel workers he’d begged food scraps from, while Wu Yanzi had wasted their precious coin on pleasure, had welcomed him. One such brothel had been home to a courtesan and her son, with whom Shen Jiu had grown attached. He hadn’t stayed there long, long enough to fall for a sharp tongue and pretty eyes.

He had given him the same promise Qi’ge had. And had failed him in the same way, returning too late to the brothel to free him from the contract he shared with his mother, because his mother was dead and Shen Yuan already sold off.

And now Shen Qingqiu knew where he was all these years. Being forced to dual cultivate and give up his own qi to others far more greedy and undeserving. He felt violently ill.

He couldn’t bid. He would not descend the levels of those around them… and he had no money. But that didn’t stop him from reaching into a sleeve to feel for his purse.

“Something caught your eye?” Qi Qingqi’s disgust was palpable. He knew she believed the rumors about him, about the brothels and the bought favors.

Only for him to come back to himself in time to see Shen Yuan dragged off the platform – auctioned off quickly, he realized with cold dread, but who had bought him? Using the weimao as a shield, Shen Qingqiu scanned those around them. But none looked to have made any sign.

“I—I must go.” Before it was too late. Qi Qingqi hissed after him, but he was deaf and blind to her fury. He no longer cared if he blew their cover, Qi-shijie would do her job without him no matter what. No, the only thing he cared about was finding Shen Yuan and fulfilling that broken promise.

also on ao3

[jccatstudios]

Name a chapter of Six of Crows or Crooked Kingdom and which different character's POV you'd want to read of the chapter

[artoutforblood]

Decided to compile my comic into one

[howlonomy]

Might I pester you for another monster clover?

clover: just happy to be here :)

[kindahoping4forever]

5SOS IG Story

[faunandfloraas]

...🐶🥔

[larkwinged]

𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐒 𝐅. 、𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

PROFILE. a self-righteous knight who is too willing to throw their life away, and too eager to charge into battle. underneath their stubborn exterior, they are riddled with the pressure of upholding a family title that has long been lost to time.

FULL NAME. artemis elise fröhlich

PRONOUNS. they / them

GENDER. fem-presenting non-binary

AGE. early twenties

HEIGHT. 5”1

BIRTHDAY. november 12th

OCCUPATION. knight

AFFILIATION. knights of favonius

ELEMENT. pyro

CONSTELLATION. columba bellicosi

WEAPON TYPE. sword — “herald of the dawn”

Now stripped of its original purpose as a vessel to store all the memories of an ancient god king, this sword has been passed down in the Fröhlich family since the dawn of time.

Once wielded by the god of memories herself, this sword was blessed by the winds and presented as a gift to her youngest child upon the morn of their knighting ceremony.

“You, who represent the grace and bravery of humanity,” said the Queen, “take this and go. Become a pillar of hope to those wallowing in the darkness, and guide the lost onto a chivalrous path. You, the Dovewing Knight.”

And so, the first Dovewing Knight set out, protecting the people of Cairnfelle and standing tall as a beacon of hope, just as they were requested.

At the edge of the world, when the brilliance of Cairnfelle collapsed and the mountains crumbled, the sword found its way tumbling back into the hands of its previous owner to defend her honor, and upkeep her legacy until the final trumpet sang … announcing her defeat.

With no definite home, the sword lay in the ruins of its kin, preserved well by the Anemo Archon and his will — until the day it found its way into the waiting hands of the inheritor of an ancient title.

• demo music concepts. one two three

• ENG voice claim : keath ósk as cole seymour from yaelokre’s “meadowlark” project

• JP voice claim : marina inoue as armin arlert from attack on titan

CHARACTER STORY 1: eastward of eden

It is true that Artemis has long held resentment towards their older sister and past caretaker, Lilith. As a child, Artemis was refused of many things — including choosing their own clothes, partaking in certain activities, and having their own privacy. There wasn’t much they were allowed to do, and even the hobbies they enjoyed ended up ruined by Lilith’s excitement and pushy nature.

To this day, Lilith is unaware of the mental anguish she caused her siblings over the course of their entire childhood. However, in her own eyes, she has done no such thing, and has succeeded at being a “mother.”

Many citizens have told her, “My, you exercise much control over them,” and yet, she has failed to see the error in her ways. It is not entirely her fault, as she was forced into the role of a mother when she wasn’t ready for such a task. Even though she failed in many aspects of her parenting skills, there was one thing she has always truly succeeded at: caring deeply for her family.

However, no amount of love could undo the years of fighting and hurtful words thrown around between the siblings.

CHARACTER STORY 2: legacy

Long ago, in the days of yore, the archaic land of Mondstadt had been ruled by a monarch older than Decarabian. Her rule was rumored to last longer than his, and her birth is now nothing but scattered fragments along the wind.

When the Queen of the North Wind descended and claimed Mondstadt as her home, a mighty kingdom formed under her feet. Small huts grew to larger, firmer homes, and gargantuan cathedrals made of marble were erected in her honor. Trumpets blew, the wind howled, snow fell, and mountains as high as the heavens towered above humanity.

In later years, the prospering kingdom of Cairnfelle was officially born. Serving as a haven for travelers and poets alike, the kingdom sang with energy as it thrived under Queen Catalina’s guiding hand. The god of memories was exceptionally gentle, with a kind and compassionate heart that moved even the most stoic-faced men to tears. Her words were wise, her complexion glowing, and her promises true.

Cairnfelle, as much as it prospered, gained an enemy from a distant land. With no choice but to face the beast she prodded, the Queen set out to befriend the raging phoenix that had enough of her games. Ever the charming soul, the Queen did not have to do much to make the phoenix bow to her every whim, and before the citizens of Cairnfelle had the chance to acclimate to the visitor, the two were to be wed.

There is not much to say for the years in between the joining of two god kings and the fall of Cairnfelle, but this: Four inexplicably brave and virtuous souls were born from the two gods — four demigod knights who carved the way for the future of Mondstadt: The Four Archangels.

The Blair Family — the origin of the Fröhlichs, is no longer the raging flame of life it had once been, but a snuffed out ember of its former glory.

Only in passing on the titles of the Four Archangel Knights can the present day Fröhlich family hold tight to what was once a name feared and adored by all.

CHARACTER STORY 3: composition

Many questions have arisen over the years; all pertaining to a certain facet of Artemis’ composition.

“Is it a curse?” They’ve inquired, only to wind up receiving a simple, “I’m not even sure myself!”

However, that it is a small white lie they’ve grown to tell. In fact, Artemis is very much aware of the reason why they consistently find themselves on the brink of death and luckily make it out alive. It is because of the unique composition their ancestor, Lowen, was made of: pure and unbridled wrath.

The story goes as such: In the days of yore, when gods and monsters still yet walked the earth, a beast born of flame and rage took flight. They seared their enemies and allies alike, and roused the hearts of warriors all across Natlan. They utterly refused to lay their past life to rest. In doing so, they made a promise to their newfound family. The wrath that lived inside them was nothing but a blessing, and deserved to be passed on through their children, and future generations. And so, the endless wrath that boiled in their veins was passed on — consuming the lives of their children, and overtaking the brilliant flames that became their descendants.

To be a god’s descendant has always been an honor in the Fröhlich family line… Yet, Artemis — like the direct children of the god of wrath — see it as naught but a curse; For what blessing could bring about destruction and the devastation of any living being in one’s wake.

VISION STORY:

The blistering pyro vision attached to Artemis’ belt was said to be a gift from the gods, and maybe even a gift from the long gone god of wrath themselves.

What else are visions besides gifts from the gods? A tool to wield, and yet another curse Artemis must deal with.

At the young age of eleven, Artemis was sent out on their first escorting mission. It was their first mission given to them by Grand Master Varka, who was elated to test their strength and endurance. Not many were willing to accept an escort from a child — as was the case with the Fontainian aristocrat Artemis was talking their ear off to. However, the man said nothing, as the child’s directional skills were second to none. It was only when they hit a bump in the road that the man questioned Artemis’ capabilities as a knight.

“I should’ve known better than to trust a child!” He yelled, waving his fist in the air as he pushed them aside and ran off ahead by himself in the rain, leaving the young Artemis to fend for themselves amidst a hoard of abyssal monsters.

Although panic was steadily rising throughout their body, they forced themself forward — slashing at every monster with a shaky grip on their sword. The rain poured, sagging their clothes, and dragging their arms down to the dirt. The grip on their sword slipped, as did their footing, and they tumbled to the hard ground with a rough clash.

Their shoulder-piece scratched the bridge of their nose on the way down, and a thick line of blood began to spill from the open wound. A rifthound drew closer, baring its teeth and snapping its jaw as its claws outstretched, striking Artemis across the head. A clap of thunder sounded, and amidst the ringing in their ears, Artemis felt the weight of ten large wooden planks collapse on their back.

Even so, they shakily grabbed their sword, their nails digging into the wet earth, and began to stand. Their blood boiled as a wrath they were only warned about once crept up to the surface, prickling along their skin until it caved inwards, tugging at their ribcage and burning against their racing heart.

In a flash of white and gold, the hoard of rifthounds lay motionless on the grass, their bodies turning to dust as Artemis panted heavily. The wrath inside their veins bubbled, and their vision turned red. It was all consuming. It was destructive, and it was total annihilation. They struck down every monster seeping from an abyssal pylon until finally, they tore the pylon in half with nothing but their blade and their bare hands.

The rain continued to fall as they dropped their sword and collapsed to the ground in a heap of sore limbs and bloodied grass. Their eyes fell close for a moment — at least, what felt like a moment — and when they opened, a shining vision sat amongst the pool of blood left behind by their foes.

Indeed. The god of wrath, whose curse ran rampant in their veins, rewarded them with yet another “gift.”

𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒

𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐀

• hobbies: When they are home in Dornman Port enjoying their days off, they like to wind down by practicing the art of crochet. Not only is it soothing to sit by a windowsill while the afternoon breeze filters into their bedroom, it is also a hobby their late mother held dear. By partaking in this hobby, they feel closer to their mother, and can preserve her memory longer. Another hobby is sports. Artemis can often be found playing with the kids in the port during vacations.

• beliefs: The Fröhlich family have always dedicated their lives to the protection of Mondstadt, and hold a firm worship to a god king who has long been dead. Although they have accepted Barbatos as their new savior, they still hold their original god close to their hearts. Artemis has naturally followed this belief and considers their worship of the god of memories their religion. During rough times, they find solace in a temple far north and meditate there for as long as they deem necessary. Once a month, they offer up a few of their most important memories— a ritual that has been passed down in the Fröhlich family for over 3000 years.

(This act of offering up memories is akin to the way some worshippers will offer animal sacrifices to the god they serve.)

• about — fate: Artemis is a firm believer that fate will guide the worthy and ultimately lead everyone onto the path they are destined to walk. However, they do not include the meddling of gods and higher beings into this equation. They believe that fate is its own entity and not dictated by the Archons nor Celestia. It acts of its own accord, and the gods are mere victims of fate, as well. Not even Celestia will be spared.

• about — death: Artemis believes that death is a stepping stone to a greater afterlife. Akin to their many family members, they believe that life is temporary, and death is eternal. When one dies, they are not truly dead; for they are shedding their mortal shell and accepting their true form, which is the soul. The soul will live on forever in the afterlife, while the physical body is nothing more than a temporary shell to house said soul. With this belief, the Fröhlich family does not fear death, but welcomes it with open arms— greeting it like an old friend.

[akindplace]

You’re not a machine, so you aren’t “broken” and “useless” if you’re sick, there is more to life than being productive. You don’t need to be in a constant path of improvement to be important as a human being. And I hope you can start believing in your own worth soon. Sick or not, you still matter.

[ghqstwriter]

Hello!! Can you please do a flirty hero and a flirty villain who cant keeps their hands off eachother, even in the presence of both boss, just leading them to be more discreet

“Of all the fake covers in the world, the two of you chose this?” Sidekick whispered, already reaching a state of utter disbelief and borderline disappointment in record time. A feat that seemed to be achieved every time their mentor spoke with the criminal before them.

Villain’s arm squeezed tighter around the hero’s waist, who squirmed slightly in response. Pretending as though they ever had to pretend to like it. It was a difficult trick to balance; act too disgusted towards their supposed partner, their cover is blown out the water, and they risk the mission collapsing like a house of cards. Play too well into the role of the lovestuck fiance, and risk their teams growing suspiscious.

Sure, every hero and every villain in the area knew how the pair acted when they were together. When the city’s darling heartthrob and the criminal known for catching rookies off guard with flirtation and seduction first met, nobody had really expected things to end differently, much to the dismay of their respective bosses. However, this was different. Sincere, almost. Lovers: that’s what they were playing. The type of honeymooners with sticky sweet pet names and long, drawn-out kisses that always seemed to linger. The type of connection that, if genuine, would raise the alarm bells of every one of their superiors within seconds.

“You know me, Sidekick, all my best roles have been of the… romantic sort. Nobody’ll bat an eye if I don’t leave their sights, and we don’t want to be split up on a case with stakes as high as this,” Hero muttered back, hoping that there was enough of the truth sprinkled in there to stop their teammate from locking onto the lies immediately.

Sidekick took another breath in, the realisation that this was what they’d be dealing with all mission settling in like an anvil meeting hard concrete. They could hardly mask the exasperation in their tone as they raised their voice, careful to stay in character now that their words could be heard. “It’s really so nice of you both to come out here to the countryside to visit. I’d be happy to point you to some of the best places to stop by whilst you’re here, what kind of things are you two looking to do?”

“Oh, a little bit of everything, I’m sure. You only get one honeymoon, why limit yourself, I say,” Villain spoke up, vague enough to let Sidekick point them in the right direction. Neither super had been properly briefed on the actual location. Then, they leaned closer towards the Hero, their breath warm against the protagonist’s skin. “Though, we won’t want to stray too far from the hotel room, if you know what I mean.”

Their voice dropped at that last part as they shot a grin, and Hero had to grit their teeth in order to keep their composure. The bastard wasn’t even trying to take a character here, just attempting to rile up the hero as much as they could. Usually, their nemesis would retort back with an even more sultry remark, free to match their energy. Now, Hero was writhing under the pressure of maintaining image, and it was clear they relished the opportunity to tease.

“Honey, we’re in one of the most beautiful country towns of the country, and the sights are stunning. What’s the point of coming if we spend our time in the bedroom?” Hero chastised playfully.

“I’ll have to agree with you there, the sights are just mesmirising. Can’t take my eyes off of them.”

Hero choked internally at that response. They had expected this, sure, and had even gone over some lines with Villain on the drive here. However, there was something unfamiliar in the way they spoke, something resting underneath the surface that seemed to bubble. Perhaps it was Villain’s tone. It didn’t seem as sweet and fake as they had expected, in fact they weren’t putting on any type of voice. The criminal spoke as though this was usual banter; as though the words that dribbled like honey out of their mouth weren’t a lie made to help solidify a fake cover.

“Baby, you can’t just say these things, we’re in public. I told you in the car not to act so brashly in front of my cousin,” Hero laughed slightly, trying to cover the frustration and get Villain to behave. Yet, they were relentless. The criminal leant impossibly closer, intertwining their fingers with the hero, a gesture so genuine it felt foreign, especially coming from them. Hero blushed slightly.

“Well, I told you not to look so sultry or else we wouldn’t be out for long, but here we are,” the criminal was fully murmuring in Hero’s ear now, a symphony only meant for them. The recipient was far too flustered to respond, so Villain kept on pushing. “I’m just saying, you know how I much I like you in that colour, and with that shirt too? You’re practically trying to make me swoon at that point, sweetheart—“

“Oh hey, would you look at that. I think I left my… bag in the car,” Hero started awkwardly. Then, they sprung up, grabbing their jacket. “Mind coming with me to fetch it, darling?” They sped away without even looking back, heading for the mostly empty parking-lot. They didn’t have to glande behind them to know Villain would be following close. As soon as they reached the parked vehicle they arrived in, Hero spun around, looking more than midly infuriated.

“What on Earth do you think you’re doing in there?”

“Hmm, that’s a funny question. Here I thought it was your idea for us to play lovers,” Villain remarked, moving closer to Hero until their figure was touching the cold metal of the car.

“I didn’t mean you should turn every other sentence into some euphemism about sleeping with me. We’ve both been lectured about this countless times, you know this.”

The lectures, oh, the lectures. As though the reason that Hero was burning up was because they feared reprimanding from their superiors. No, there was something else teetering at the edge of secrecy here. A flicker in Villain’s eyes that left them on the edge of their seat, practically writhing in anticipation. They both knew it.

“But that was the reason you wanted this role, wasn’t it? To not have to hide behind discretion with me anymore? To finally, after months of frustration, get to feel me again in a touch softer than a punch?” Villain only stopped moving when they were a few inches away from Hero’s face.

They were right. Of course, they were right. Hero wanted nothing more than to get back to their old routine of playful banter and persisting touches. It was their own version of a fight in a way, more akin to roulette than anything else. To the both of them, it was a game of endurance: whoever folded under the other’s flirations lost, and Hero’s scale seemed to be tipping against their favour. Maybe it was in the way Villain had spoken to them, and how their gaze seemed to always follow Hero’s movements. Maybe it was a few too many comments about a hotel room for it to come across as casual. Hero gulped.

“Yeah, the usual routine. Not whatever this is. You can push all the blame on me, Villain, but you’re the one who’s looking at me like you want to smooch me,” Hero responding, pretending that all they were feeling was annoyance.

The two had never actually kissed before. Thus far, they had been meeting on a purely professional basis. No time to sneak off and pursue any type of intimacy when there’s a bomb threatening to bring you to a different type of high. Besides, their relationship wasn’t about the pleasure, Hero thought to themself, though the look in Villain’s eyes made them doubt everything.

The villain in question didn’t follow that up with a crude or suggestive joke. They stared for a beat, almost smug. And then, when they did, their words didn’t feel as smooth and calculated.

“Is that what you want, hm? For me to kiss you? Is that what you’re so desperate for that you dragged me out of the room for?” Villain smirked slightly, drowning any sincerity in a flirtatious tone. They wanted Hero to admit it first, the jerk. That way, they wouldn’t be losing the game, because it was Hero falling to their knees, begging. Villain would just be giving them what they wanted. There was no attempt to hide it, not even an attempt to hide that they wanted it to. Because out of the two of them, Villain knew that Hero’s resolve would break first.

And it did. It shattered into a thousand glass shards as Hero clutched at Villain��s shirt, fists balling in frustration, and pulled them into a long overdue kiss. To both of their shocks, it was rather less aggressive than they had both imagined it to be. As their lips entangled, they were both struck with the horrifying realisation that this was a terribly sweet first kiss, and they weren’t even playing a part anymore. What was supposed to be an accumulation of years of tension and flirting had ended up being something more akin to a gentle confession.

When the two parted briefly, panting mostly due to the worry lodged in their throats, Villain started fumbling for the car keys, an uncharacteristically uncoordinated sight. Breathless, Hero spoke.

“I’ll tell Sidekick to email us the location,” they gasped, swinging the car door open carelessly. There were more important things to focus on. “I think we should get back to the hotel room first.”

[kari-go]

uh oh you said a stupid thing, time to never speak again!