#granted he didn't really say much of a word there...it was like d[rest of word is swallowed]

[coquelicoq]

oh no this reality dating show is really sweet actually. this was not supposed to happen. crap. crap. i didn't sign up for this!

[luimagines]

Ya know we have a lot of the chain ‘he realizes he’s in love’ but what about when he realizes YOU’RE in love with him? Maybe they catch you looking love struck at them, or a breathless praise cause he’s so pretty, just all sound saps

Sure thing!!

Masterlist

Part One will include Twilight, Four and Sky. :D

Content under the cut!

Twilight

Twilight was in the middle of washing some gunk off of his shirt down the river when he figured it out.

Granted, he was in denial for a good part of the week afterwards but he always got a little doe-y eyed in heart when he thought about it again.

He didn't think much of it when you were doing the rest of the laundry with him a little way away form him. Twilight was too busy trying to actually do a half decent job to notice it at first.

Then he looked your way, wondering if you were having as much luck as he was.

He wasn't prepared for the expression that was waiting for him when he turned.

Your eyes were soft, and your smile was so subtle that it looked as if you were viewing him for the first time with quiet awe and adoration. Your mouth was slightly open and your entire stance was relaxed and calm. The laundry you had in your hand was about to be taken down the river if you weren't paying attention.

His heart jumped to his throat and he suddenly felt self conscious that you were staring at him for who knows how long. He had forgotten entirely the task at hand. He wasn't expecting this.

Twilight felt his mouth go a little dry as he stared back at you. His face grew warm at the thought that you were looking at him this way. And what else would be looking at?

The only person was Legend, but he's behind you. And he's too busy trying to fix up one of Hyrule's tunics to pay attention to either of you.

Twilight feels his expression soften. Oh, how he's wanted to be the one who you looked at this way. Is real life? Are you really that enamored by him? Are his eyes deceiving him?

"Hey." He calls to you softly.

It seems to break you out of whatever trance you ended up in. You drop the laundry and you take a poor step back. Luckily you seem to catch yourself before you fall into the water but clearly you're more than embarrassed at being caught.

You're face goes bright red and you laugh nervously in an attempt to play it off.

Twilight's heart flutters at the thought. The tiniest light of hope shines through.

He winks at you.

You grow bashful and he think he might just have to talk some more when you're both done with your chores.

Four

It took him an embarrassingly long time to figure it out. 

It was less him figuring it out and more so, someone telling it to his face. Directly. Bluntly. And it still didn’t click.

“They like you.”

Four just looks at them with wide eyes- no thoughts in his head. “I mean... I’d hope so? I like them too... You’re supposed to like to your friends.”

A small twang strikes him in the heart at his own words. He feels like an idiot for saying them anyway. Despite their truth, he wishes you would look at him in the way he looks at you. With tenderness and desire. With hopes and quiet confessions. With dreams and unspoken promises.

”No Four.” They grit their teeth, trying their best to remain patient. “The-want-to-hold-you-hand kind of like you.”

Four bite his teeth, feeling his heart start pounding in his chest. A soft blush comes over his cheeks. Wouldn’t that be nice? Just to hold your hand. He thinks it would be very soft. Much different than his callused hands from the forge work and his swordsmanship. “It’s not like anything is stopping them, right? I wouldn’t mind it.”

If anything he would quite welcome it.

“You’re so dumb.” They groan, smacking their forehead and dragging their hands down their face. “They blush whenever they see you! How do you not see that?!”

“What are you talking about?” Four rubs the back of his neck, feeling like he’s missing some very vital information.

“They love you!”

“Well I love them too!” Four starts to get defensive. “What does that have to do with anything?!”

“Not platonically, idiot!”

“Then in what other way-”

“They want to kiss you. They want to go out on dates. They want to get married and grow old and have a garden outside the house with a white picket fence- I don’t know!” They shout, all ounce of patience lost. “But so help me, we’re all tired of seeing you two dance around each other like awkward teenagers.”

Four clenches his jaw at that. “So what if we are? How can you just say-”

“They! Are! IN LOVE! With YOU!” They give up, grabbing Four by the shoulders and shake him with emphasis on every beat of their sentence. “GODDESS!!!”

Four is set back a few steps with the strength they all but launch him back with. Four only stares at them dumbly. The words take a minute to process through his skull. “...They do?”

His friend all but collapses to their knees with their hands grabbing fistfuls of hair in frustration. ”YES!”

The blush on Four’s face grows ten fold as he looks not to subtle at the direction where he knows you’re at. He hopes that you’re far enough away where this whole ordeal was out of ear shot.

“...oh...”

“YES!”

Sky

Sky wasn't sure what to think about this new development. Could he dare to hope? Would it amount to anything? Would he be at risk of ruining it all if he were to act on his suspicions?

You had begun to act more and more shy around him. Which... didn't work for him if wanted to spend more and more time by your side.

Sky was curious about your escalating change in behavior.

It was time to experiment.

He tried to set up circumstances that would get the two of you together and alone. Just so he could try little things and see your reactions. He wanted to have some sort of foundation for his suspicions and the confidence to be able to act on them.

A small brush of your hair here, nudging your hands together there- just little touches- little gestures. He brought you a flower. He saved you a seat. He'd compliment your appearance when he noticed you doing something new.

Sky tried to watch your reaction each and every time. You always seemed to be happier and you'd blush softly each and everytime.

It gave him hope.

It gave him the strength needed to not only work up the courage to do more and more for you but to do something about it.

Sky knew that the others were catching on to what he was doing. But no was willing to stop him, which only furthered his suspicions that you have somewhat reciprocated his feelings.

"Ok." You looked at the map in your hands. "If we went north then we can eventually hit the river, then we can gather up enough water for the group and maybe clean up some of the clothes that were damaged in the last battle."

"Sounds good to me." Sky grinned and put a hand on your shoulder. You bite your lip and blushed. With a small smile, you turn to him and fold up the map.

You provided him with the perfect opportunity. He leans in, kissing you cheek casually. "Let's go."

You tensed up, blushing even more.

Sky walks around you, keeping his hand on your shoulder. He smirks to himself and keeps walking. If he focuses long enough he thinks he can hear the way your brains fries.

He spins on his heel and tries to fix his face into a less mischievous look. You're completely red, but smiling to yourself.

Ok, yeah- he's not going to get smacked for that. He can live with this.

In fact- he's all for it. Rooting for you, even.

If you like him, then he can die a very happy man.

Part 2

[bugeater101]

Mask On

Synopsis: Chan in a mask. That's it.

Content: dom!Chan x fem!reader, mask kink, mentions of anonymous sex, spanking, daddy kink, unprotected sex (I STG WEAR CONDOMS), reverse cowgirl, pwp.

Word Count: 1.0 k

Author's Notes: Okay so I have a huge mask kink that I will never admit to (except rn Ig?) and SEEING CHAN IN A MASK IN THE TEASER 🗣🗣🗣 I finally got to write around to writing this short fic since I finished that Jeongin fics tee hee. also that angsty fic i'm writing is going to come out after i calm down from losing a lot of my work that i did on it 💀. enjoy !! <3

Taglist: @scribblemetae @mygsis, @9900z @taekbokki,@imtoooyoungforthisshit, @jihanlovic

Chris panted for breath beneath the black fabric. Condensation had built against his face and it had become a battle trying to gulp down air. The soaked cloth clung to his skin and, though he was otherwise completely naked, the mask made him feel like he was suffocating. Nevertheless, it remained on. He didn't dare take it off; not when he knew how it made you think, not when he knew how much you liked it.

"Fucking ride it, y/n," he groaned out in a low voice, holding your hips as he watched your ass bounce on his cock. "You t-take it so well, baby."

"Only for Daddy," you whimpered, "only take Daddy's cock like this." You were pained that you couldn't see his face right now with your back to him. However, even if you turned around, you knew that you couldn't see anything but his dark eyes as the rest was obstructed by his black mask. But that was what you wanted to see: the obstructed face of a masked man attached to the chiselled body of your boyfriend, slicked in sweat.

You didn't know exactly why you liked men in masks. Maybe all that shit on Tik Tok about fucking boys in Ghostface masks from Scream, Mandalorian helmets from Star Wars, or in the mask Ghost wire in COD had permeated your subconscious and brainwashed you. Maybe it was because masks gave Chan a sense of anonymity, like you were just fucking a stranger for fun who couldn't care less about you. Or, possibly, it created a separation in intimacy and granted Chris greater authority over you, like he was a faceless God who you could not read and, in turn, had no power over. Or, most likely, you just liked to fuck the faceless body of your boyfriend and use him as your own personal dildo. Either way, the mask always managed to change Chris just as much as it aroused you. It made him cool and collected and, consequently, made you seem even more desperate and needy.

There was just something about masks that did it for you and you couldn't ever figure it out. To be fair, you didn't really need to know why that mask made you want to be fucked until you passed out. You just know that you like Chris and that you like masks, so it didn't take a mathematician to figure out that you liked to fuck Chris in a mask. Plus, the situation became even more intoxicating when he let you call him Daddy when wearing a mask while he sinks his fat cock into you and makes you cum multiple times.

What could you say? You had the best boyfriend.

"Take Daddy's cock, baby," he whispered cooly, voice muffled from the moist material and heavy breathing. "Work for it. Make me cum into the perfect pussy of my pretty girl." His sweet words were quickly contrasted by a particularly harsh smack to your ass, leaving a red handprint on the squishy flesh. To please the man below you, you bounced harder on his length, your thighs burning from the act. Chan—even in this state of utter bliss and dominance—noticed and tightened his grip on your hips, guiding you up and down his heavy cock and forcing you to the hilt with every stroke.

"D-don't slow down," he growled, "Don't you dare fucking stop." His words made you whimper, dying to slow down despite the impertinent need to continue until you came at least thrice more and were filled with his cum.

"Chris, it's too much, I—fuck!"

Noticing your slowing pace, Chris began upwardly thrusting into you, fucking his cock up into your cunt and making you hum with each bounce. His hands dug into the flesh of your hips to ground himself, occasionally separating from you just so he could lay another slap on your ass before resuming his harsh hold on you with added gusto. With each thrust, he was practically lifting you up and pulling you down onto his cock, not daring to let up the pace. As his tip began to kiss your cervix and leak precum, you arched your back and fell forward, leveraging your hips to bounce eagerly and meet his thrusts halfway.

Despite your exhaustion, you dared not stop; you felt too good to allow your exertion to consume you. With your next orgasm fast approaching, your cunt tightened around Chan's cock and hugged it, urging him to finish inside and fill you up. Chris, however, gave no indication that he was approaching his climax. This is what the mask did to him: it stripped him of all weakness and made him edgier, with no mercy as his domineering side consumed him. He became a dom in a way you had never experienced when he was completely naked. It was as if the mask allowed him a separation from you, as if it made him more primal and allowed him to hide his (usually humiliating) level of neediness for you. While it allowed him to conceal his carnality, it only exacerbated your embarrassing desperation for him.

Since the mask was only for special occasions, you knew that you needed to get your fill of this Chan. You were determined to finish in this position just so you could turn around and continue face-to-face with him, allowing his cold gaze to lock eyes with you as you feebly rode his dick. Yet, while you would fall apart on him, Chris would just study you riding him, as if his eyes were saying all that needed to be told.

Maybe that was why you liked masks so much: just as much as the mask itself turned you on, what really made it complete was what it did to Chan.

"Ride it harder, y/n," he growled through the sweat and slobber-soaked fabric. "Maybe, if you fuck me right, I might just let you see my face when I fuck my cum into you when you're too exhausted to keep going."

[myparadisechaos]

Meet

Steven Grant x Male!Reader

Part 1/8

Masterlist

Summary:

The end of one thing can be the beginning of another. And newly out of a reashonhsip Y/N Walker meets clumsy gif shop-ist Steven Grant on a Trip to London and Y/N might just start to belive in love again.

Warnings (kinda): Like 2 secs of Marc, the reader recently got out of a bad relationship,

Heartstopper Characters but you don't need to gave watched the series to understand :D

Few references tho

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

*Y/N's Pov*

"Do we have to go?"

Tao asks Elle, moving closer to her as if that were possible.

"Yes! Plus I heard there is a Egyption exhibit on"

She turned to look at me, I had one earbud in, I was listening to 'What's it gonna be?' by Shura, but my attention is quickly grabbed by the mention of my current obsession.

" Wait really! Do you think they have anything on Taweret! She's the goddess of-"

"Uhhh"

Tao groans, Elle shuts him up wriu a kiss, leaving him a blushing mess.

"Hey you can't tell us of for PDA and pull shit like that!"

Charlie buts in from behind me.

"Well i think it's only fair now if-"

Nick didn't finish before Charlie pulled him in for a kiss.

"Guys! Stop making me feel so alone! Paris was bad enough! Plus you know about Aaron!"

"That was years ago!"

Darcy takes out her ear bud from the headphones she's sharing with Tara.

"Paris not Aaron, thats pretty bad"

Darcy mumbles after Tara nudged her.

"Still! And Issacs isn't here to vent to!"

I move on from the Aaron comment

"You mean to say your problems while Isaac ignores you and read whatever book his engrossed in!"

Tara adds, laughing at the word 'engrossed'

Before i can think of a response Elle speaks up.

"Guys! Look"

I look to where Elle was poiting and my eyes lit up.

"Look! They have a poster up for the exhibit! Wait.."

I walk faster in front of the group, in my rush to inspect the poster i bump into a stranger.

"Oh sorry"

I turn back to see surprising handsome stranger.

"Dont worry about it"

His accent makes him evern more attractive then i thought. When he looks up to meet my eyes i get a bettet look at his face i see his messy curly brown hair, alough it looks like he had just rolled out of bed it still made him look almost impossibly handsome. His beautiful brown eyes seam to grow even bigger the more i look at him.

"Y/N!!"

I here Tao shout, i look behind me to find the him standing at the doorway already, i thought i was ahead of them, how long have i been standing here?

"Oh sorry nice.. speaking to you"

I walked away, i slightly run up the stairs to meet Tao

"You mean staring, you barely did much talking"

Tao says mockenly as we walk through the doors.

"Shut up a grumble, my mood immediately picked up when i see the exhibit, i see the rest of the group looking at a sarcophagus, something inside me takes controll ad i walk over. Next thing i knew i was explaing eveythinh in so much detail, i wasnt even sure if everyone was listenig but i didnt care. I talked about how theu temoved evey oragn but the heart, as they belived they needed that to be judged in the underworld and that Taweret would guide them through and if you where worthy you would soend eternity in the peace in the Feild of Reed and if not your soul would be claimed buy the duat.

"Wow Y/N, you should really become a tour guide"

Elle says, i realise now she wad probably the obly one thats listening, Tao was clearly bored, but obviously wanyed to be close to Elle, holding her hand and playing with her hair. Tara looks like shes tring to look like shes listening but i can tell shes bored and Darcy is not hiding she would rather be anywhere but here, and Nick and Charlie were nowhere to be found.Alough they are me freinds and have been for so long i cant help but feel sad they wernt listening.

"Hey guys look!"

I turn around to see Nick and Charlie in the Gift, Nick shop, holding up a stuff Taweret.

"Oh my god!!"

I rush ovet and snatch ot from Nick and look at it with a goody smile on my face, the rest of the group follow behind.

"Guys! I have to buy this"

"Y/N its so over priced!"

Elle says, looking slightly concerned but is smirking at something, i try to brush it off untill i see everyone else doing the same.

"..why is overprice so funny?"

I ask, then the thoughts settle in, they where obviously laughing at me, my stuiped obsession with this. I shoudnt have gone on that rant i shoudnt have been to excited about a stuiped plush toy god im so s-

"Exuse me"

I turn round to see a blond women with a thick accent looking annoyed at me, i look at her name tag 'Donna' it reads.

"Are you gonna buy that because i have actual customer's and your in the way"

Bitch

"Actually i am"

I leave the group and walk over to the countet and place the stuffed animal on from before... and holy shit. Its the handsome strangers from before

"Hello again"

He says, not looking at me but at the stuffed Taweret, scanning it and tapping the screen. I look at his name tag

'Steven'

"Hi Steven"

I say, he looks up from the screen and seams caught of guard. Oh my gosh iv messed up.

"Ohmygodimsosorrythatwassoweirdandimsorryiju-"

"Hi Y/N"

Now its my turn to look shoked.

"Your freind called it out before, can i ask you looked to be in a rush?"

"Oh yeah.. well its..just and im not trying to slag of marketing! But um.. there is only 6 gods on the poster for the Enned but-"

"Theres supposed to be 7"

Oh my god.

Gods making up for the disaster that was Aaron by sending me this perfect man. Well, lets i just hope he like boys, and is single, who am i kidding no matter his sexuality he cant not be taken, i mean who woudnt. Hes cute. He lives Egyptian Mythology, at least i think or im over romanticising this but i cant help it.

"Yeah...and i wanted to make sure i counted right before i complaind to my friends but.. i dont think theyd.. never mind"

Alough he is positively the the most beautiful person i bearly even known

"No..its fine um that will be £20"

Wow. Talk about being over priced. But im here now and im and NOT going to back down, even as a broke collage student.

"Wow.. okay um.."

I fumble around in my green day wallet, i must have £20 somewhere maybe it i-

"Wait.. its on me"

I look up

"No.. Steven you dont have to i have here id i just-"

"If you feel bad you could buy me dinner"

Did his accent just change? It sounded American?? Must just be nerves.

"Yes!"

I blut out, maybe to fast, Steven probably looks more confused than me, but then it dawn on me im obly in town for a week, well 3 more days.

"But.. im visiting, i suppose we can ho out tonight and if it goes well we can keep in touch"

"Oh really?"

Steven looks disappointed, guilt eats me up even though its not my fault im dont live here,gosh im considering MOVING just to be with a man who i am yet to even go on a date with yet, but im heartbroken and hes hot.

"Um what hotel are you staying in? Ill pick you up i dont imagine you know your way around much"

I give him the name of my hotel amd my numbet, her writes it down in his hand.

"You do know sharpies are pernimaint right.. i will take ages to come off"

"Yeah.. well this is important"

I

Melted

This guy is little eveything i have ever wanted.

"Here"

He slides the toy across the counter

"Good choice by the way, maybe tonigjt qe can...talk about Egyptian Mythology?"

"I would like that very much Steven"

The smile on my face reaching my eyes, Stevens doing the same

"Oi!"

I turn around to be greated by Donna, or bitchface as i have named her now.

"Stevie stop giving love eyes to the customers and do your job!"

"Its Steven.. with a v"

He correct her, before i have time to pine over what he just said, i here my name being called

"Y/N!"

I turn around to see Charlie calling me over

"I heard i missed some stuff on Taweret, could you repeat it for me and Nick please"

My heart sweals with pride, maybe they do care.

"By Steven, ill text you"

"Laters Gaters"

I walk away, holding the plush to my chest and grinning like iv never before. I walk to meet Charlie and Nick, standing just outside the gift shop.

"Soooo"

Nick begins

"Shut up!"

I nudge him, in turn pushing Charlie as they where holding hands. They both stare at me as if waiting for me to say something.. witch i did.

"...i got a date"

"Did i just here date!"

Tao appears behind me out of nowhere

"Jesus Tao!"

He is followed by Elle, and Darcy, all smiling wildly, apart from Tara who looks concerned.

"Are you sure this is a good idea Y/N.. where leaving in a week and.. you cant take another heartbreak"

"Oh come on.. Aaron wasnt that bad!"

Everyone is silent.

"Sorry i was on a high, Aaron was terrible but i am ready to get my heart broken again!.... That sounded bad but trust me okay.. i can tell he's different"

"Okay..but dont say i didnt warn you"

"Taraaaa let the man live! He NEEDS to get laid!"

"Darcys right"

Charlie adds, i laugh at me friends, grateful but also worried they might be right, about the heartbreak thing, they are 100% right about the needing to be laid part

"Now Y/N, mind enlighing us on Taweret"

Nicks speaks up, earing a groan from both Tara and Tao, there partnes shusing them.

I turn around to see Steven already looking on my direction, i smile and wave at him, he gives a small wave back untill someone goes to the countet with a child wanting some sort of gummi. I smile and begin ranting to Nick and Charlie.

This trip got a whole lot interesting.

[ronearoundblindly]

The Ace and The A-Hole

The story of how Lloyd Hansen went off the deep end. Featuring Lloyd and his little sister, Cassandra.

This is basically a concept/headcanon/earworm I can't shake, so I'm speed writing it. Warnings for mentions of rape (not between siblings) and canon-level violence (so bunch o'murder and some torture/death, not graphic) DARK FIC, that's your whole warning.

The Hansen name is synonymous with excellence. Less than perfection is not acceptable, and the Hansen children knew this from day one. Before they knew language, they knew pressure, and both Lloyd and Cassandra thrived on that pressure.

Lloyd excelled physically--not that he didn't have a sharp mind--while Cassie excelled academically--not that she was physically inept. Neither showed interest in having future families or relationships; they had each other and their work.

Caz and Lolly (as they called each other) lived with a different purpose than the rest of the world because they are and were better than you or I.

So Lloyd went to Harvard to play football and wipe the turf with any rich d-bag he could get his hands on, and three years later he was recruited to train with the CIA.

Cassie followed in his footsteps and attended Harvard, too, but only for five months. That's when both their lives took an unexpected turn.

"You can't have no friends, Caz," Lloyd joked on the phone with her one day late in the fall semester. "Tell you what, I'll get some of my football buddies to look after you. Yeah, you're right, they are dumb as bricks but look at it this way. They're that much easier to order around."

His sister allowed it, and she went to the frat party Lloyd texted her about a few days later. And then she stopped calling. She stopped texting. And then Lloyd got a text from one of those same 'buds' who would have been at the party.

: tell your sister to drop it, man : we were both drunk : we all have hookups we regret : it's no big deal

At the time, Lloyd didn't know the word for it, but he knew his sister had never been interested in guys or girls. She couldn't give less of a fuck about romance, and she certainly had zero interest in sex.

Turns out, Cassie didn't even have interest in drinking, and it was actually a bottle of Gatorade that was roofied.

Lloyd finally got in touch with Caz through the RA in her dorm.

"Lolly, I don't think I want to be here anymore."

Because he's known her her whole life, Lloyd knew Cassie wasn't talking about Harvard.

He tried their parents, who were ashamed to speak of it and concerned that Caz was making a spectacle of herself, worried that the school would make them social pariahs. How would the name Hansen be perceived with this albatross around its neck?

He tried to get leave from his training--which he wasn't granted because he couldn't say when he'd come back.

He tried to give testimony over the phone to the school's disciplinary council--who then ruled that there was too much he-said-she-said to assert a punishment on any party.

And then Lloyd got pissed. He gave zero shits before, but this tipped the scales. Rules are horseshit. Justice doesn't exist. He's good enough to leave them all in the dust, and he's taking Caz with him.

His expulsion from the CIA was ornamental. He started his dealings in death with his little sister as his strategist and they excelled.

Lloyd even casually mentioned when he received word that one of his football buddies dropped dead, and the next time, and the next. Each succumbed to something different: a nasty allergic reaction, heroin overdose, concussive head trauma left untreated, car accident...

Each occurring between his and Caz's assignments, oddly enough, and he was so proud of her.

They continued like that for years.

Their team grew as their reputation grew, but really it was Lloyd who liked the spotlight, the flashiest man in the shadows. He could be decked out in designer with all the money they made. Caz didn't like all that. She liked to win. She liked to be busy. She still loved to learn.

Since their father was an avid hunter, both Caz and Lolly were master marksmen from a young age, so she spent time getting better at hand-to-hand combat instead. She eventually went from desk jockey to his right hand in the field.

She constantly teased Lloyd for his fancy clothes (particularly his shoes) and laughed in his face as he tested out every look of facial hair under the sun.

Her least favorite was the mustache. She gagged every morning when she saw it, and he punctuated each greeting with "means it's perfect, sunshine." Nothing brought him more joy.

So their years went on.

Until one night when Caz got shot in the gut, and Lloyd had no way to save her and salvage the mission. She was dying painfully, slowly. He tried to stay with her, to scream over comms for medical help, but she knew how she wanted to go out.

"Lolly," his baby sister wheezed up at him from the blood-drenched floor, "quit being an asshole and finish the job."

When he refused to leave, his better half, the more dedicated sibling, the one who succeeded in overcoming their demons, took his gun, stuck it in her mouth, and did what he couldn't.

Caz knew he'd walk away because Hansens aren't sentimental. Once she was gone, she was gone. What was left behind was just another body, another lump of flesh.

Lloyd's never been distracted again, and he's always finished a job. Caz would come back to kill him if he didn't.

gif credit @tessas-thompson

Lloyd will never stop taking a free lollipop whenever possible. He'll never give up the clothes and the shoes because she hated them. He'll never shave the mustache because she said it 'haunted her in her dreams.' He'll never care whether the person he kills is good or evil because the world does bad things to all people. He's not doing any differently; he's just making a profit off of it and having some fun. He'll never care about the collateral because there's no age when someone is exempt from reality, and he'll never care about someone's suffering because Caz bore more, and she bore it better than you all.

The light's been gone from the world for a while, and Lloyd's just playing in the shadows until the end.

[yannowhatigiveup]

A Blinded Kiss

I haven’t posted anything recently so I dug around in my WIPs to see if anything was even worth posting and I found this that I made a while ago. It certainly isn’t the best but it isn’t the worst out of all my other WIPs.

"Is this really necessary?" The bluenette asked, eyeing a blindfold given by her brotherly figure.

"Of course it is Pixie!" An older man with two-toned hair replied, way too over enthusiastic about the whole situation. "It's a great way to find your way around the manor”

"And it's a great family bonding experience too!" Another man in the room replied, even more enthusiastic than the first.

"Fine, I'll do it Jay" the blue-eyed girl huffed, twirling the blindfold between her fingers. "What are the rules again, Dick?"

Dick beamed at the girl before answering. "Well Mari, it's simple. Put the blindfold on, count to fifty, spin around and try to steal a hug from anyone in the manor"

"So I have to walk around the manor blindfolded and try to sneak up on you? You know that's impossible!" Marinette exclaimed, she would not go around the house looking like a touch-starved fool.

"That's exactly why we're doing it" Jason replied, shrugging his shoulders. "It'll last a long time."

After a few seconds, the blue-eyed girl sighed, giving in to both Jason and Dick. "Fine, if that's what makes you happy" Marinette wrapped the matte-black fabric tightly around her eyes, already struggling within the first few seconds. She began counting and she heard the two scuffling away, smiling while being able to tell which direction they went in. In the mean time, Marinette debated her options.

'Both Jason and Dick would be the ideal choices but they'll be able to hear me from a mile away. Tim would be the most logical one since he's half asleep, but where does he even go in this maze? God knows where Alfred is, Mr Wayne is scary. Damian-' She paused her train of thoughts, granted Marinette had only met him a few days ago but that didn't stop the crush she had heavily try to cease. 'He'd probably hear me from a mile away as well. This game is so unfair'

Soon enough, Marinette reached fifty and spun herself around, she used a bit too much force than needed so now not only was she blinded but she lost her sense of direction. Giving herself a minute to recover, the bluenette began to walk. Using her improved senses, thanks to the miraculous, Mari was slowly able to create a theoretical map in her mind, though it did take much more energy than she desired.

"Fighting an akuma is easier than this" The bluenette muttered as she hit her thigh along the corner of a wall.

Even though she was using her enhanced abilities, she'd pump into a corner or a wall every now and again, the amount of times increased when her energy was being used. After wondering a hall for what seemed like hours, the bluenette came to a staircase, one that she ever so carefully used to get to a higher floor. Once she did, she kept a hand on one of the walls, using it as a guide. Soon enough, her hand came to what felt like a doorframe. The door was closed she could tell but it was recent used due to the fact that the doorknob was warm. Making sure not to intrude, she knocked on said door, she almost missed the muffled 'come in' had she not been paying attention. Marinette opened the door, went in and quickly shut it behind her, taking a deep breath.

"Okay I hope you don't mind but which room is this and whose in the room? Dick and Jason thought it would be a good idea to walk around the manor blindfolded while trying to sneak up on them" The bluenette huffed, only to freeze when she heard a familiar chuckle.

"I've heard, you're in my room, It's Damian just to clarify" 'Sh-' "So, what task must be fulfilled to give you permission to take the blindfold off? I doubt you want to keep it on any longer" Marinette giggled.

"You're right, I would probably get lost of I continue. Um, I have to 'steal a hug' apparently"

"So you have to hug someone without them inspecting it" Damian came to that conclusion to which the bluenette nodded her head.

"Yeah that's basically it, hey do you have anywhere I could sit down? I'm getting tired..."

"Of course, my bed is five steps to your front and two steps to your right, make yourself comfortable" She wasn't sure how red she had gotten but she obliged anyway. Had she not been wearing the blindfold, she would've seen Damian smiling at her flustered state. Giving herself a moment to regain her energy, Marinette turned to where she presumed Damian was working at his desk. "Can I hug you? Jay never said I couldn't ask the person first. I-I won't if you don't want me to! I just wanted to ask so..."

She heard the boy thoughtfully hum before he made his way over to her. From what she could tell, Damian was now in front of Marinette, looming over her.

"Did Todd or Grayson say it had to be a hug?" Marinette tilted her head in confusion and thoughtfulness, that had never crossed her mind before.

"W-"

"What happens if I kiss you instead?"

The bluenette didn’t reply with words as she knew how terrible her words would be in her flustered state. But she wanted this, her heart longed for it in a way it never did for anyone else. Instead, she nodded, giving the green-eyed boy permission to do as he wished.

She felt his hand lightly tilt her chin up towards, where she presumed, his face was. Then he pressed his lips onto hers, his other had behind her head, tugging at the fabric around her eyes. Marinette felt bliss, she was glad that no one else would interrupt this moment. Shivers went down her spine as she felt Damian’s hands travel up from behind her neck and to wear the blindfold was knotted, gently tugging at the binding. She was glad that when her face was free from the fabric that comprised her vision, the first thing in her line of eyesight were Damian's deep emerald eyes, the shimmered the same way they had when she first laid eyes on him, she'd been enraptured ever since. The boy, however, was smirking as he noticed the pink that dusted her face. Without a moment passing, she threw herself the green-eyed boy, delivering a hug. As she pulled away, her hands cupped his face and she returned his embrace with one of her own. When she pulled away once more, she smiled in satisfaction at his flustered expression.

"When did you realise you had feelings for me?" Marinette asked softly, her forehead pressed against his trying to regain her breath.

"That's a very easy question" Damian stared lovingly into her eyes. "I fell the moment I saw you take down that Akuma three times your size" Her eyes widened.

"You know about me being Ladybug?"

"The same way you know I'm Robin"

They both smiled, creating a truce to not reveal anything.

"Well I better get going, see you later." She got up from the bed and opened the door, only to turn around and say "Je t'aime mon cœur" before exiting the room, leaving a blushing Damian.

Marinette walked back down the stairs, the piece of cloth in hand and small love-struck smile on her face. When she entered the main living room, she came face to face with the owner of the manor.

"Oh hello Mr Wayne"

"Hello Marinette, I see you managed to get the blindfold off" The older man gestured towards the piece of fabric in her hand. "And please, do call me Bruce. Who did you end up surprising with a hug then?"

She smiled brightly before replying. "Damian"

His usual formal demeanor broke for a moment but Bruce quickly picked the pieces back up. "He didn't attack you or injure you in any shape or form?"

Marinette decided to play the oblivious little girl. "No..? Why, does he do it often?" Her head titled in confusion.

"Nothing it doesn't matter" Bruce simply sighed and shook his head. "Also, there's something I'd like to discuss with you at dinner, if you don't mind"

"No not at all, I'll see you at dinner then?" Bruce nodded and left, leaving Marinette alone in the room, waiting for her honorary older brother and his brother to come in. Which they did but only after some time, it was hilarious to see them crouched down, talking to each other in hushed voices. They flinched as she cleared her throat, both slowly turning towards the sound to find a smug looking Marinette and a blindfold whipped around her finger.

"I win"

~~~

Most of the occupants at the table were either in an all out war or were about to be, except for Marinette and an exasperated Bruce Wayne.

"So Marinette" The eldest Wayne began, silencing the rest of the table. "I hope you don't mind me asking but when you were off searching for Jason, you mentioned attacks that have been occurring in Paris, is this true?"

No one failed to notice the girl flinch. "Yeah it's true"

"...how bad are the attacks? In your opinion"

"Well it depends on how strong the person's emotions are really. If their emotions are strong, then the Akuma is strong too"

"What's the strongest akuma that Paris has seen?" It was Tim who asked and memories of the event began swimming through her mind, she got rid of them with a shake of her head.

"The deadliest akuma Paris has experienced was an akuma called 'Syren'. She's a regular person but, as an akuma, she managed to kill around 2 million people. But don't worry! Ladybug's cure managed to bring them back to life"

"D-did... did you die, Pixie?" Jason asked, his anger mixed with worry was boiling over and luckily simmered after seeing her shake her head.

"Do you think the heroes of Paris would let heroes from the Justice League come over to help?"

Marinette contemplated for a moment, should she really risk the heroes getting akumatized? "I think they would but I wouldn't know"

Bruce nodded while Jason leaned over the table to talk closer to his honorary little-sister. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I didn't want to bother you"

"You're not a bother, Pixie" Jason smiled at the bluenette on the other side of the table. "You never are and you never will be"

~~~

Marinette returned to Paris a few days later, in the mean time, Bruce and the rest of the batfam were planning their visit to the City of Love. Soon enough, the vigilantes were boarded on the plane. Their flight to Paris was relatively silent. After a few hours, they landed and the vigilantes waited on the Eiffel Tower, only to find out there was a battle going on. Before they could engage in the fight, they were engulfed with magical ladybugs that seemed to fix anything destroyed. As they were mesmerized by the cure, a certain spotted-heroine wobbly landed on the platform. Batman was first to notice.

"Ladybug" His voice caused the others to turn around. "Thank you for allowing us into your city"

Ladybug nodded, not uttering a single word.

"We were hoping, with your permission of course, that we could help you be rid of Hawkmoth once and for good" Again, Ladybug didn't reply. "Ladybug?"

When the heroine didn't respond, Batman glanced at Nightwing and the rest of his sons, clearly something was wrong. Unexpectedly, Robin took his glove off, approached the Ladybug-themed hero and placed his hand onto her forehead.

"You have a fever" he stated, his hand trailing down her face to cup her cheek. His family all shot him weird looks. She tiredly blinked at the vigilante, recognising him as Robin and allowed herself to fall into his arms, detransforming while doing so, leaving a burning hot Marinette.

"Dami?" He hummed. "Take me home, please..." She drifted off to sleep, comforted in her lover's arms. He glanced at his family, holding the bluenette close.

"Pixie...is Ladybug?" Red Hood's voice was first.

"You didn't know?" Robin's voice mocking confusion, enraging Red Hood that his youngest brother knew something about his sister that he didn't. Even more so that his demon brother was holding said sister,

"We should take her back home" Dick went over to feel the girl's forehead. "She's burning"

"Tikki?" Robin asked and a red creature flew out from one of Mari's pockets, startling most of the people there.

"I'll try to heal her on the way, follow me"

The floating red creature flew down from the Eiffel Tower, Robin and Marinette close behind. After some hesitation, the others followed, they ended up on top of a bakery. One by one, they entered through the trapdoor on the balcony, finding both Damian with his mask off and a weak looking Marinette. Despite her enfeebled state, the bluenette greeted each vigilante, her gaze landed on Jason.

"It's just a fever, I'll be fine"

Jason removed his helmet and ran a hand through his hair before both settled on his hips. "You don't look fine"

"I promise I am" She wasn't convincing, not at all.

"Fine" Jason huffed, he could never truly say no to the girl he viewed as his little sister. "But since when were you two a thing" He pointed at the two, his gaze resting maliciously on Damian.

"It's all thanks to you, you know" Marinette smirked at Jason's confusion. Tim snickered as he seemed to catch on to what she was saying.

"Had you not organized that 'blindfolded game', I doubt we would be together at this moment" Damian supplied the information, clearly unfazed by the burning rage in the eyes of his older brother.

"Baby Bird's all grown up" The eldest Wayne son overdramatized wiping a fake tear, Batman sighed at his two eldest sons while pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Get your fucking hands off her, Demon Brat!" Jason tried to lunge at Damian, only to be stopped by both Dick and Tim. Though his fury only grew when Marinette snuggled closer to the green-eyed boy, both smirked in victory over Jason's horrified appearance.

Marinette was now part of the family in more ways than one. Though they wish they had found out in better circumstances, they would be able to take down Hawkmoth once and for all, side by side, all together. And to think this all happened because of a silly blindfold game.

[scented-morker]

⇢˚⋆ ✎ first "I love you's" with en- hyung line

*:･ﾟ✧ genre : fluff

*:･ﾟ✧ description : established relationship, bf!enhypen, gn!reader, first time saying I love you headcanons :D

*:･ﾟ✧ i had way too much fun writing this and im really proud of it!!

┈─ ꕀ ── ꕀ ── ꕀ ── ꕀ ── ꕀ ─┈

ଘ Heeseung ~ˊˎ-

It was like 3 AM, and hee had come over after practice, dude was exhausted and kinda smelly

He looked like a walking zombie, you had to check like three times that he wasn't sleepwalking

His first words were "let's cuddle" which like awww but he was gross 😷

You kept telling him to get a shower while he argued against it, eventually you just shoved him in the bathroom and slammed the door

After you heard the water running and were sure he wasn't going to run out, you went to the kitchen to make him ramen

Homeboy sensed it, he walked out as soon as the food was done

Showed that BEAUTIFUL SMILE OF HIS and waddled over to the table where you had put the bowl

You stood behind him while he ate, using a towel to dry off his hair, placing soft pecks behind his ears and in his hair every once in a while

When he was done he turned around in the chair, looking up at you with the straight up stars in his eyes

"Thank you, love"

"You're welcome" you give him a smile and he presses a soft peck to your lips

"I love you"

He still looks tired but it's the most awake you've seen him all night and he looks so sure of his statement you practically melt

"I love you too,, now let's go cuddle cause you aren't stinky anymore"

ଘ Jay ~ˊˎ-

Jay had been planning out this date for a really long time

He made reservations at a fancy restaurant, bought a new outfit + one for you, a fancy gift, literally everything you could think of, he did it

He had made it seem so grand that you couldnt help but be excited for it too

Until three hours before you were supposed to go out when you got a call from your really guilty feeling boyfriend

The company had added an extra practice day to their schedule, filling up the free day the date was supposed to be on

Sure you were disappointed, but it was obvious that he felt guilty and you didn't want to make it feel worse. You really didnt care that much

So you comforted him through the phone, reassuring him that it was okay and you didn't hate him for it

You also sneakily asked him about practice and what time they'd be getting done ;) very casually of course

You talked for a little more, but he had to go to practice, so you guys had to hang up

You spent the rest of the day forming your master plan

Actually you figured it out in 5 minutes and then took a nap, but same thing

You made sure to keep an eye on the time and text Jungwon during their break so that you knew it was okay for you to pick Jay up instead of him going home with the others

"Oh great Yang Leader, please grant me permission"

To which he responded "👍" dude does not know how to match energy

So at 10pm (22:00) when the boys finally came out of the building, there you were, parked in the very first row, smile on your face and the outfit he had bought for you on your body

Home boy got so excited he basically ran you over when he saw you, literally not even checking with his members before climbing in your car if you don't have one, pretend ig, and if you can't drive, same, I mean uh now you can!!

You tossed him his outfit, letting him change in the bathroom while you set up your master plan

He walked out into the living room, being greeted by darkness, the only light coming from candles you had set up around the coffee table in the middle of the room

You stood up and walked over to him, handing him a box of take out

"I tried to cook for you but it didn't work so we'll and I know you like this place"

Dude puts the food immediately back down, scooping you up in his arms and burying his head into your neck

"I love you, so, so much"

He feels you giggle and then your hands are on his face, pulling him up to you and kissing his lips, barely able to do it right because of the smile you can't seem to fight off

"I love you too"

ଘ Jake ~ˊˎ-

You had a particularly hard day at work/university and were close to the dorm so uh suprise visit

Jake opened the door confused at who was knocking, eyes lighting up when he saw you standing there

A loud "who is it?" echoed from inside somewhere while he wrapped his arm around your shoulders, practically dragging you with him

"It's Y/N"

You thought they must not have heard him because no one responded, but by the time he made it into the living room the maknae line was running into the room

"Where is our Y/N?" noona, hyung, ssi

"Yours??" He asked, teasing tone in his voice

Somehow they had found out you had a bad day and were fully prepared

You end up getting kidnapped by them, spending the rest of the night ranting to them as they hype you up

Pretty soon it was almost midnight and you didn't want to keep them up too long because you knew they'd have things to do tomorrow, so you sent them to bed "okay mom" and went to see your boyfriend, still on the living room couch where you'd left him

"Wow I get to see my significant other finally?"

He was joking, mostly, but you still felt bad that you had to leave before you could spend time with him

"Just stay the night"

Jays suggestion made you panic slightly, but you realized it was the perfect solution

Once you made sure Jake was okay with it, you changed into one of his outfits and y'all snuggled all night yay

Except you forgot you had work/class again the next day and ended up waking up way too late, almost throwing Jake off of his own bed when you jumped up so fast

You ran around the dorm frazzled as heck, trying to collect all of your things so you could leave while the guys all stared at you like you were crazy

You were about to run out the door when you remembered your boyfriend, running over to give him a quick peck and a "bye, I love you, see you tomorrow" before running out, leaving him staring blankly at the door

Eventually his brain worked again and he ran to the door, throwing it open and running after you

"Y/N!!!" You turned around, thinking you forgot something

"I love you too" 😚

ଘ Sunghoon ~ˊˎ-

Yall were just straight up vibing one day, hanging out on the couch, watching some anime or something yuri on ice akdjdidnxao

The boys came home earlier than they were originally, of course making gagging noises and teasing you guys "wow right on the couch"

You blushed madly, Sunghoon staying unfazed while he shot back at them

"Lol not my fault yall are single"

It ended up in a weird roast competition, all of them making random teases about each other while you just kinda sat there like ???

That is until Sunoo made a joke about Sunghoon not giving you enough attention

You wanted to feel included and hello, bullying your boyfriend lovingly was always fun

"Ya know he's right Hoon, I had to practically tackle you just to come over the other day"

The other members laughed at you taking their side, but your boyfriend just scoffed, rolling his eyes and denying

"Come one babe, you're not the most, affectionate person"

He pretended to be annoyed, getting the boys away from you before picking you up and literally throwing you over his shoulder and leaving the room

The boys were definitely laughing at him and your terrified squeal when he picked you up, your head lolling as you couldn't keep up with what had just happened

He walked into his room, flopping you down on the bed and standing there looking at you

"I'm sorry babe, you know I'm happy with our relationship and I would never push you to do something youre uncomfortable with"

He stood there, scratching his chin in dramatic contemplation

"Nope, wrong answer"

"Do i get another chance or do you just like kill me now"

"Wow you ruined the surprise"

You could barely get out a "huh?" before he had climbed on the bed next to you, tickling you exactly where he knew you were the most ticklish

You tried to form words around your laughs, still trying to get the right answer

After many mumbles of "im sorry" "stooop" along with squeals of laughter you said something that made his laughter and light hearted jokes stop

"Im sorry, I love you"

You didnt even realize you had said it, just spilling all of your thoughts in your frenzied state

"You what?" He looked down at you with doe eyes, a small smile and glint in his eye

"Im sorry?"

"No, the other part, before that"

You only then realized what you had said, immediately flushing red and trying to hide your face

"No no no, dont get shy on me now" he giggled, leaning down to kiss you before placing more pecks all over your face

"I love you too, theres no need to hide it”

Cue you basically combusting

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The fact that Heeseungs was the shortest when he was my first bias 😭 I planned on making this for all of the members but my brain just gave out so if you want the maknae line lmk and I'll do it too :D

[im-an-anxious-wreck]

If I Was Smart, Would You Love Me?

AO3 link

Summary: Virgil is stupid, even he knows that. He also knows that someone as smart and talented as Logan would never love someone as stupid and worthless as Virgil.

But when a mysterious glowing orb says it can change that, that it can make him smart, should Virgil accept the offer? Surely it can't actually do that... Surely Virgil is unfixable... Right?

Warnings: crying, cursing, character repeatedly says and thinks he's stupid, placing ones worth on how smart one is, hurt/comfort (well, actually it’s fluff angst fluff)

Characters: Patton, Logan, Virgil, Roman, Janus

Perspective/main character: switches between Virgil and Logan (but it is more about Virgil)

Appear: Janus, Patton, Roman

Relationships: analogical, everything else is platonic

Word Count: 10,323

Link to my collection of TSS fanworks

Hope you enjoy :D

-

He should be asleep. He really should.

Virgil should be in his bed, asleep, or at least trying to sleep, but despite all that… he wasn't. He was very much awake, unable to fall back asleep after a nightmare woke him up.

And instead of trying his usual methods; tea, extra blankets, even more white noise; he had snuck into Roman's room, slipped through the door of the Imagination, and was wandering around the forest.

He'd hoped that it would tire him out and put his thoughts to rest, and it had, the first part more so though.

He was just about to turn back, his eyes starting to finally droop, when a strange noise prickled at Virgil's ears. 

It was rather faint, but it got louder the farther into the dark, twisting forest he walked. It was like a… a hum, of sorts. However, it didn't sound like it was made by a human, but rather sounded almost otherworldly.

And even though it sounded odd, it almost felt… homely, inviting. Despite Virgil having never heard it before, it sounded familiar even. Safe. Yes, it felt safe, and Virgil couldn't help but pick up speed a bit.

It was getting louder and louder, but it always seemed to be just out of reach, and the prolonged anticipation building up was starting to really annoy Virgil.

He was starting to believe he'd never find the source of that mysterious pulsating hum when he stumbled across a small clearing, the humming now so close, Virgil could feel it in his chest, in his bones.

The clearing was empty save for a grey, cracked, and crumbled pillar in the dead center. Virgil hadn't taken two steps past the treeline when a dim glass ball he hadn't noticed started to glow a bright orange and float rather ominously over the pillar. 

Virgil couldn't help but move closer as if it drew him in.

The humming grew painfully loud before fading into a soft voice.

"A human? It's been… so long. What's your name, dear mortal?"

"...Virgil."

"Oh, well hello, Virgil. Do you know what I am?" 

"A weird glass ball?"

The orb let out what could have been considered a laugh. "Well, I suppose you're not wrong. But my purpose is actually to grant a wish to anyone who stumbles upon this little gap in the trees."

"...Why?"

"Hah, that's a long story, and you'd have to ask the person who cursed me to get that answer."

"Wait, cursed? Were you—"

"A human? Yes. I was. But that was a long time ago, for now, let's just focus on helping you." 

"Sorry. I didn't mean to bring up anything you didn't wanna me to."

"It's alright." 

"But seriously, a wish? You just expect me to believe that? You're not gonna even put a limit on it like 'rule number one, I can't kill anybody. Rule number two, I can't make anybody fall in love with anybody else. Rule number three, I can't bring people back from the dead.' I call BS."

"Hah, Aladdin, nice."

"You know Aladdin?"

"Of course I do. I know a lot of things."

"...Huh."

"Anyway, I do actually have limits but they're more like, I can only grant a certain type of wish. It's actually pretty specific. And you only get the one."

"Wow, so you're like, useless."

"No, I'm not!"

"Dude, if you weren't some weird orb, you'd be pouting, wouldn't you?"

"...No."

Virgil snickered. "Right. I definitely believe you."

"Shut up! I mean… anyway. Let's move on. The specifics are that I can fix one flaw for you."

Virgil couldn't help but squint his eyes in suspicion. "Really?"

"Yes, you get one wish to fix one flaw. So, what'll it be?" The glowing mysterious orb asked. "If you could change one thing about yourself… what would you pick? What horrible flaw that makes you completely unlovable would you fix?”

Despite every bone in his body screaming in him to say no, that this was dangerous, and he should get the fuck out of there, he found himself walking a little closer to the orb and saying, "Any… any flaw?"

"Yes, any flaw you could think of, I can fix. What's keeping you back from the people you care about? What part of you makes you worthless in their eyes?"

"N— no. They… they care about me." Virgil dropped his voice down to a whisper. "I know they do."

"Oh, really? Then why are you here? In the dark forest, wishing to be good enough, wishing that they cared? If you really think that they love just soooo much, then why aren't you there, with them? Oh, there's someone in particular, isn't there?"

"What!? No, I— how'd yo—"

"Please, you're practically pushing your lonely thoughts at me. Let's see… I believe his name is Logan?"

"I… m— maybe."

"Ah, I thought as much… Do you know what flaw you'd pick?"

"Ugh, no. Hell, I'm not even sure if I'm gonna let you fix it or not. I mean, a weird magic glowing orb in the middle of the woods is telling me it can fix one of my flaws, what am I supposed to think? It's just…"

"A dream come true?"

"Weird. I— I was gonna say it's just weird."

"That's alright, I'm in no hurry. You can think this over as much as you'd like. But of course, how are you supposed to think over what decision to make when you don't even know what I'll be fixing? So since you seem to think you just have too many flaws that need fixing, I can actually help with that too."

"...How?"

"If you'll let me, I can take just a peek, just a really small one, I promise, and then I can tell you what your biggest flaw is."

"You… you can?"

"Yes, believe it or not, I just want to help you."

Virgil chewed on his lower lip before sighing. "Okay, just… don't go too far."

"Of course."

Before Virgil could get worried about what the orb would see or do, he was surrounded by a bright blue-white light. It grew in intensity before it pulsed a few times.

The orb spoke again, "Ah, you, of course, have the flaw of pushing others away… but your biggest flaw…"

"Yes?" Virgil asked, rather desperately, eyes still closed due to the unbearably bright light.

"Your biggest flaw is…" The light vanished as quick as it had come. "Is that you're stupid."

"Wh— what?" Virgil blinked his eyes, trying to adjust to the dark woods once again, the orb's light now dim in comparison to the pulsating glow of before. "Are… are you sure?"

"Absolutely positive. Why do you think that Logan, the smartest person you know, doesn't love you? You're just too stupid. If you were smart, he'd actually love you."

"No, I mean… he's not that shallow. I mean yeah, he doesn't love me, and probably never will but that's just because… um, because… oh, fuck."

"Yes, he's not interested in you. Because why would he? You're boring. You have nothing to offer him. Why would he want to be with someone who can't keep up with him?"

"But if… if you did make me smart, not that I'm necessarily gonna say yes, but… but if you did, wouldn't it be weird if I was suddenly smart?"

"Hmm, I don't think so. Everyone might be a bit surprised, especially if they thought you were stupid, which you are right now, of course, but can you imagine how pleasantly surprised Logan would be when you answered his nerdy question with a nerdy answer?"

Virgil could, Virgil all too easily could.

The orb continued, "Why he'd be so pleased that he'd want to spend more time with you, and after spending more time with you and seeing how smart you are… he'd fall in love with you."

"I… I don't think that's how it works. And you're… I mean, that's a big promise to make."

"You really think he could resist? Have you ever said anything even remotely smart to him?"

"I… well, maybe like, a few times."

"And did you see his reaction after you said it?"

"Well… yeah, bu—"

"And how did he look?"

"Uh… pleasantly surprised."

"And did he seem more open to you after that?"

"…Yeah, he… later he invited me to discuss it more but my throat closed up and I was too an— anxious to say anything 'cuz I was gonna make an absolute fool of myself and he'd think I was silly and stupid an— um, yeah. God, he looked so disappointed though. He always thinks I'm better than I am, he expects better. And he's right, I— I should be better."

"You could be better."

"Yeah, he'd… he'd finally see… and I'd finally live up to his expectations, to what he seems to think I'd be, if I just tried. Of course, he doesn't know I'm just like this, I'm just stupid, but… but I could fix tha— er, you could fix that, I mean."

"I could. Easily."

"And… and of course I'd understand if he still didn't want me, I do have a lot of flaws… but if… if there's a chance… and if you fix this big one then maybe I could work on a few of the smaller ones… yeah. Yeah!"

"Have you made your decision?"

"I… I think I have."

"And?"

"Weird magic glowing orb thingy, I wish for you to fix my biggest flaw and make me smart."

The surface of the orb began crackling and fizzing louder and louder until Virgil could barely hear himself think. Then, as quickly as it'd started, it'd stopped again. 

And the last thing Virgil remembered before he blacked out, was a voice that was somehow everywhere and nowhere at once, whispering, "Gladly."

-

Virgil was awoken by three uniform raps on the door.

Logan.

Wait, last night… Virgil opened his eyes and quickly sat up. Did last night really happen? 

"Virgil? Are you awake yet?" Logan's soft voice called. 

Virgil didn't feel any different than usual, but perhaps it was a more subtle, a more unseen thing.

"This is around your natural waking up time…" Logan continued, "Oh, unless you accidentally stayed up later than usual and are sleeping in."

Although now that Virgil thought about it, he did feel a bit more like he knew what he was doing, a kind of gentle determination settling in his chest.

"Hmm, perhaps I should come back later then."

"No, wait!" Virgil all but cried out, jumping out of bed and to the door. "Wait, I'm awake."

Virgil yanked the door open to where Logan was standing there, a slightly surprised look on his face.

"Virgil! Um, greetings. I am… what I mean to say was that… um, apologies, I seem to um…"

Virgil leaned against the doorframe, his arms casually crossed, and an eyebrow raised in amusement. "Uhhhh, you good, Lo?"

"Yes! Yes, of course. I apologize for my… strange behaviour. I suppose my thoughts weren't in order. That is one disadvantage to saying things without thinking first. Although spontaneous dialogue and conversation can be quite interesting and usefu— ah, apologies, I've gotten off-topic."

Virgil snorted loudly. "Nah, it's okay, Logan. I actually really enjoy your tangents, and find your vocabulary and the way you construct your sentences to be fascinating. Plus, they're often quite educational as well… Wow, I sounded kinda like a nerd." Virgil grinned. "Cool."

"What?"

Oops. No way was Virgil going to let Logan know that he'd trusted a random orb from the Imagination to make him smart. Damn, that sounded like a bad idea, not only from an anxious standpoint but from his new logical one.

"Uhhh, nothing. Anyway, what were you saying? Like when your thoughts weren't in order."

"Ah, yes, thank you for reminding me. I was just um, saying that it's good to see you. I— well, I rather missed your company, I suppose."

"Oh, really? You… you missed me?"

Logan twisted his fingers together. "...Yes, I… I did."

"O— oh. I missed you too."

Logan squinted at Virgil. "Really?"

"Yeah, really."

"Oh. Well, good, er, um…"

"Oh my God, you're adorable."

"What?"

"Oh, uhhhh… huh."

"I…" Logan blinked a few times. "I um…"

"It's okay, Lo. You don't haveta response… oh! If you feel up to it, wanna hang out this afternoon? It's okay if you're busy, just thought I'd ask."

"Oh, um, no, I'm not busy. Shall we go to my room? Or try to get Roman to let us in the Imagination?"

"Unless you're feeling more like a homebody, I vote for bullying —don't worry, I don't think we're going to actually bully him— bullying Roman into letting us use the Imagination. Maybe we'll get him to make us a nice field— oh! We could have a picnic. If you want, I mean."

"I'd… really like that."

"Well, if you wanna ask Roman to set up the Imagination in a bit, I'll get the food? And we can make our way to the imagination and set up around 3ish?"

"Oh, excellent. That works for me. And yes, I'll ask him. And uh, what type of food were you thinking? Sandwiches and chips?"

"Of course. A picnic classic."

"And shall we stare at the fresh cookies Patton made until he sends some with us? Which is like 4 seconds from when he first spots us."

"Absolutely, but of course, he only takes that long to offer because he's smiling so much."

"Well, naturally."

-

Logan had been feeling weird lately, and he even figured out why. While feelings weren't his strong suit by any stretch of the imagination, he was quite observant, and was able to confirm his hypothesis into a theory with only a bit of research.

But that didn't mean he had everything figured out. He didn't know what he wanted, or even should do. And seeing as this was an emotional matter, Patton would hopefully be able to give him some advice on the matter.

Logan almost stopped by Patton's room to see if he was there, but it was mid-morning and Patton was probably in the kitchen making some baked goods before he started on lunch.

Logan walked to the dining part of the common room, stopping in front of the open divider/bar that was in between the common room and the kitchen. 

Ah, he was indeed correct. Patton was there, already getting things out.

Logan softly cleared his throat, hoping to not startle Patton. "Good morning, Patton."

Patton looked up from where he was looking at a recipe and getting out ingredients, startling slightly. "Oh, Logan! You made me jump, kiddo. What's up?"

"I… I could use your assistance."

"Oh, of course! What type of help do ya need, and would cookies help?"

"Well, it's… it's an… emotional matter, so you can imagine how it's out of my expertise… and cookies always help."

"Oh... okay! Yeah, can do! Sit at the bar if ya wanna, I'm just starting some chocolate chip cookies. I'm listening though, 'kay?" Patton looked back at his… recipe card?

Logan briefly furrowed his eyebrows. Patton didn't usually need a recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Actually, now that Logan thought about it, he'd only ever seen Patton with a recipe if it was something he'd never made before. He memorized them impressively fast. But perhaps he merely wanted to try someone else's way of making them. 

"Yes, that sounds pleasant. Thank you." Logan internally winced at how long he took to reply, and gingerly sat down on the barstool, watching Patton go about the kitchen.

"Of course! I'm always here for y'all."

Was it Logan's imagination or was Patton having a harder time finding things than normal?

"The measuring cups are in the third drawer down, not the second."

"Oh, yes! Silly me. So what's up?"

"Well…" Logan drummed his fingers on the counter. "I realised something and I don't know how to… I don't know what to do."

Patton turned away from where he'd been gathering ingredients and looked at Logan, eyebrows lightly furrowed. "This is something pretty serious, huh?"

"No, it's… it's silly. I probably shouldn't be bothering you with it. Nevermind. Thank you for being willing to listen anyway." Logan made to get up but Patton gently held onto his hands.

"Hey, it's alright. I don't mind at all, Logan. I'm glad you felt like you could come to me for help. Can I ask what you realised?"

Logan sighed and forced himself to relax as Patton let go of his hands. "I believe that I am… romantically interested in Virgil."

There was a split second where Patton didn't say anything, making Logan briefly and rather illogically panic, before the brightest smile crossed Patton's face.

"Aww! That's so pure, kiddo!" Patton put his elbows on the cabinet in between them and rested his head in his hands.

Logan felt his face warm slightly. "Yes, well, um, I've been having weird symptoms around Virgil and when I think about him for more than a few seconds. So, I cross-referenced them with different sicknesses, and what I found was that it… it fit how people describe the way they feel when they are in… um, in..."

"In love?" Patton asked, a knowing twinkle in his eye.

"I, um— yes, that. So, what do I do? Should I ignore it? It'll go away if I just ignore it, right?"

"Well, not usually. Feelings, especially romantic ones, are pretty tricky. But even if you don't wanna try for a romantic relationship with him, I don't think ignoring it is the best way to go about it. But of course, we should make sure that you don't actually want a romantic relationship with him."

"What? Why wouldn't I want to be in a relationship with Virgil?"

Patton frowned. "Then why were you gonna just ignore it?"

"Virgil has anxiety—"

Patton's eyebrows shot up. "Excuse you—" Patton all but growled. 

Wait, did… Logan blinked and it was gone again. "No! Not like that. You didn't let me finish."

"Sorry, sorry." Patton took a deep breath. "What did you mean then?"

"He has anxiety and I'm… I know this sounds rather silly but… I'm worried he'd feel obligated in some way. And the last thing I want is to make him feel forced, or hurt him in any way. He's… very important to me, and if he's happier with us being friends then so be it."

"Okay, well, first of all, you're assuming that Virgil doesn't like you romantically, or wouldn't want to try for a relationship at all. And you don't actually know if he'd be happier if you two are friends. Maybe he'd be happier if you two got together, of course maybe he wouldn't, but the point is you don't actually know. And you can assume and even make educated guesses, but you can't know for definite sure—"

"Unless I ask him."

"Yep, exactly. And I… I will say that he obviously cares about you a lot. Even if he doesn't feel romantic feelings towards you, or doesn't want to try for a romantic relationship, I know you two will still be very good friends. Ah, that might not be as comforting… sorry."

"No, it's alright. I… you've given me a lot to think about. And I… I think I will ask him. We're having a picnic this afternoon and that seems like an opportune time.

"Alright, kiddo. Just don't rush into anything, 'kay?"

"Hmm? Oh, of course. I will think about this a bit more until then, but I'd already wanted to ask him. I just felt like I didn't have a concrete idea of the whole thing. I was letting my fears and worries cloud my thinking. I can't know or change the outcome, but I can ask. I'd gotten wrapped up in 'what if's and forgot that the easiest way to know how someone will react… is to just ask them. You helped me remember that."

"Well, you know I'm always happy to help, kiddo!" Patton smiled at Logan before he looked back down at his recipe card.

"Yes, and I really appreciate it. Thank you, De—"

'Patton' looked up in surprise.

"Er, I mean, Patton."

He sighed. "...Godamnit. And here I thought I was rather convincing." 'Patton's form twisted for a second before it settled back into Deceit's usual appearance. "It was how angry and protective I got over Virgil, wasn't it?"

"That was when I first realised, yes. Although I did think it was weird that you had a recipe for something that you would've supposedly made dozens of times. But anyway, Patton can be quite protective, but that wasn't quite how I think he'd react to me. Perhaps to you or Remus, and I'd no doubt get an earful if I was going where you thought I was. But after your left eye glowed a bit after you practically growled at me, it wasn't hard to put it together."

"Ah, well, damn."

"May I ask why you were in our kitchen?"

"Well, it couldn't be that I was trying to make cookies. I didn't think that was rather obvious."

"Ah, I should've been more specific. Why were you baking in our kitchen instead of in your side of the Mindscape?"

"Oh, Remus exploded our sink again, and I absolutely refuse to bake under such circumstances. Plus, who knows when Remus will get around to fixing it."

"Hm, well you're more than welcome to use ours in the meantime. Although I would ask that you come as yourself."

"Thank you. And I suppose I should apologize. After you said it was an emotional matter, I shouldn't've let you continue."

"It's alright. It wasn't anything I mind you knowing. And while you weren't who I was looking for, you still provided some valuable information. I would, however, like to know it was you before I speak about an emotional matter next time."

"Oh, well, that's not reasonable. I really do apologize for that. I should've told you to come back later, instead of asking more questions and prying my nose into things."

"Apology accepted. And I suppose it does make this next part easier anyway."

Deceit raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Seeing as you assisted with the majority of Virgil's upbringing, Deceit, I'd like to formally ask you for your permission to pursue a romantic relationship with Virgil."

"Me? Virgil and I are barely on speaking terms as it is. I mean, he hisses at me practically every other word!"

"Yes, your and Virgil's relationship is rather strained right now, but that doesn't discount how close you were before. And I believe under all the surface conflict and hurt, you two still care about each other a great deal more than either of you would care to admit.

"And you could've quite easily steered me away from pursuing a romantic relationship with Virgil, but you actually recommended I talk to him instead. Which makes me believe that you actually want us to get together. So, with all that in mind, the least I can do is formally ask for your blessing."

"I… alright. You have my blessing, just— don't go around telling people that. I do have a reputation to uphold after all."

"Ah, yes, of course. Wouldn't want anyone to think you could be soft, after all."

"My my, is that sarcasm I hear?" Deceit put a hand to his chest in mock shock. "Logan the stoic and concise, using sarcasm? Didn't think you'd have it in you. Why I am surprised at you!"

"Ah, yes. I usually don't use sarcasm as it can make conversation confusing, but I felt it was appropriate in this case. Especially since you often use sarcasm or opposite speak."

"Oh, I am just so proud, Logan. Good job."

Despite Deceit's sarcasm and words, Logan didn't feel mocked. Quite the opposite actually, a strange sort of warmth filling his chest.

"Alright, alright. Well… I'll let you get back to your baking. I should go anyhow. I need to get some work done before lunch."

"Oh, Logan, I almost forgot." Deceit clicked his tongue. "Before you go. I presume I don't need to give you the 'hurt him and they'll never find your body' talk."

"You are quite correct in that presumption, and I'd expect nothing less. I don't want to hurt him any more than you do, Deceit."

Deceit paused, taking in Logan's words before he nodded. "Good… oh, and I… I suppose if you happen to use my name, I wouldn't like, be mad or whatever."

"Oh, I see. I shall endeavour to use the correct one then… Janus."

The corner of De— Janus' mouth quirked up. "Alright. I— good."

Logan gave a small smile of his own and hoped it wasn't too awkward. He hadn't had much practice smiling lately.

They stood there for a moment before Janus cleared his throat. "Well, have an absolutely <i>dreadful</i> time this afternoon."

"Oh, thank you. I hope you have a pleasant afternoon as well."

-

Virgil knocked on Logan's door. "Hey, Lo? You ready to go? I have the food."

Logan opened his door. "Oh, excellent. Um, and did you grab the—"

"Pickles? Yeah, I got you your nasty vinegar cucumbers."

"Oh, so it's my 'nasty vinegar cucumbers' is it now?" Logan stepped out of his room, pulling the door shut behind him. "So it must've been Janus who I saw eating an entire jar of pickles a few days ago, not you."

"Exactly… definitely Jan. That foul snake… how dare he. Pretend to be me. And eat pickles, therefore besmirching my good name. So rude."

Logan laughed, making Virgil smile, his chest filling with warmth.

"Yes, how dare he. I shall have to have a conversation with him about such unlawful actions."

Virgil giggled, although it was half snorts. He, however, couldn't find it in himself to be too embarrassed. They were having fun, and that's what mattered.

After Virgil finally settled down, happily noting that Logan still had a pleased look on his face, Virgil said, "So, you ready for that picnic?"

…

Virgil normally, light-heartedly, of course, complained about Roman being extra, but this was one time that he certainly wasn't.

The green grass rolled across the gentle hills, while a light breeze blew soft, white clouds through the endless blue. A little farther off the start of the forest could be seen, and to the left of that, the lake sparkled. Flowers of all colours dotted the entire area.

"Wow," Virgil said, almost breathless. "Roman really went all out, didn't he?"

"Well," Logan adjusted his glasses, a small smile on his face, "I did ask for a good picnic spot, and he certainly didn't disappoint."

"Yeah, geez. This is… anyway, um, shall we set up over here?"

"Yes, this does look like a pleasant spot."

Virgil set down the picnic basket and, with Logan's help, laid out the blanket and food.

"Oh, I've been meaning to ask," Logan said, partway through their meal, "How've you been liking the book I recommended?"

Virgil perked up, quite sure his eyes were all but sparkling. "Oh! I haven't finished it yet but I've absolutely loved it so far. Josephine is such a compelling main character and her 'friend' Beth Ann is so sweet. And the obvious pinning between them, I just— how can they be so oblivious!"

"I know, right!"

"Ugh, and the baker, oh, whatever his name is—"

"Todd."

"Yeah! That bastard. He just pisses me off so much. But when Beth Ann threw the rock at his window, I about woke up the whole Mindscape because of how hard I was laughing. I just—" Virgil snorted. "Anyway, yeah. It's been good."

"Ah, I'm glad. I thought you'd enjoy it."

"Yeah, thanks for letting me borrow it."

Logan smiled. "Of course."

They ate more, chatting all the while, until they were comfortably full.

Logan cleared his throat. "I would just like to preface this by saying that I, in no way, want you to think I'm saying this because it's a bad thing."

"Uhh, okay? What's, um, what's up?"

"You seem to be in a good mood. You're very, uh, open and confident. I'm very glad you're—" Logan pulled out a flashcard, "—'Feeling your oats' as the phrase goes."

Virgil snorted. "Yeah, man. I feel good. I've just been able to relax, ya know?"

"Mm, I'm glad. I know how stressed you can be, and it's… it's nice to see you take some well-deserved downtime to just 'chill out'." Logan dragged two fingers down as if to put quotation marks around the last two words.

Virgil raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Wh— why is 'chill out' in quotes?"

"I… do not know. That's a very good question."

"Ah, well, really, why do any of us do anything?"

"Well, actually, we, as a human race, do the many things we do for a wide variety of reasons. Of course, not everything has an easily identifiable reason but— ah, apologies, that was a rhetorical question and I just took it and, metaphorically, ran with it."

"No, you're good! I was just— I was, mm. I… sorry but, oh my goodness, how— how are you this…"

Logan's face fell, causing a pang to shoot through Virgil's chest. "Annoying?"

"What? No! I was going to say cute and nerdy. I— shit, Lo, I don't think you're annoying. You're really interesting, and really passionate when talking about the things you enjoy. I love listening to you. Really. And I'm sorry if I ever made you think that I thought you were annoying. Because you're not. You're the opposite. You're enrapturing! And… and life would be quite dull without your fascinating, and oftentimes educational, rants."

"...'I shit Lo'. "

"Oh, come on. That's what you take from this."

Logan let out a small laugh. "I'm only teasing, Virgil."

"You certainly are teasing Virgil," Virgil muttered.

"But in all seriousness—"

"Necktie… sorry. Continue."

"I really do appreciate your… kind words. And I'm very glad to know I'm not bothering you, and that you seem to enjoy my rants and rambles about as much as I do."

"I— yeah, of course, man. It— yeah."

Logan gave Virgil a lopsided smile. "Right… oh, um, I had a question…"

"Yeah?"

"Is… is this a date?"

"Oh! It, um, what?"

"It's alright if it is a platonic outing… but if it was a date… um, I'd like to know, considering that would be, um, vital information."

"It… um, do you want it to be a date?"

"I… I would rather like it to be, but only if you want it to be a date as well. Um, do… do you want it to be a date?"

"I— yes. Holy shit, yes, I do. I'd love for this to be a date."

"I… ah, good. Then it's a date."

"It's a date. Yeah." Virgil couldn't help the wide smile that crossed his face, all too aware he probably looked ridiculous, but he couldn't find it in himself to care.

"Would that… and apologies if this is too fast, I don't exactly have the best idea of how quickly this should go, especially because everyone has different speeds and boundaries… but, would that… make you my boyfriend? Or does one have to go on multiple dates first?"

"Uhh, I think it depends and maybe like, usually multiple… but like if— um, I mean, do you want to be boyfriends?"

"Yes! I mean I would very much like that, if you do, but if this is too fast, I completely understand."

"No, it… yes, I very much would like to be your boyfriend."

"Oh! I um, good. Then we're boyfriends."

"Yeah," Virgil's face warmed. "Boyfriends."

-

Virgil came back to his room, having just finished his ninth date with Logan, and it took everything in him to not squeal with happiness the instant the door shut.

Logan had even walked him back to his room like the gentleman Logan was. Virgil paused for a moment more and, after hearing Logan's door down the hall click shut, allowed himself a small squeal, which quickly turned into giggles, albeit very quiet giggles. But still, Virgil giggled. Virgil!

They'd only been together for 6 days. And while Virgil knew they were still in the 'honeymoon phase', he couldn't help but look at it optimistically.

Hell, he couldn't remember a time he'd been this happy, and especially for this long.

Sure, soon things would mellow out, and they were bound to have disagreements at some point, but it didn't seem so daunting. Not when he knew he'd have Logan by his side, and smarts in his brain. 

Virgil knew they were being the overly sweet, PDA couple, but he couldn't find it in himself to care. They were enjoying themselves, and everyone was nothing but supportive, teasing included.

Everything was going well. Things were… amazing. Virgil would even, albeit hesitantly, go as far as to say things were beyond amazing. They were practically perfect in every way. 

So really he should've known it wouldn't last. Things never went well for him.

-

~One week after the orb encounter~

-

When Virgil woke up he almost felt like something was off. He blearily blinked his eyes. But what was off? He felt… normal. Wait, normal? He wasn't supposed to be feeling normal! He was supposed to be feeling smart. Just like he did every morning this past week or so. (Well, except the first day as it'd taken a moment to sink in.) So if he wasn't feeling smart the second he woke up...

What… what happened? What had happened to make him stupid again!? 

Virgil jumped when a knock sounded on the door.

"Virgil? Are you awake yet?"

Shit, Logan. Oh fuck. God fucking damnit! Virgil couldn't be stupid again! Logan would… he would… oh god.

"Virgil? Are you hyperventilating? Remember your breathing exercise. In for 4, hold for 7, and out for 8… it's alright, you're alright. Just try again."

How the hell was Virgil supposed to get control of his breathing when he was stupid again? God, Logan will be so disappointed. He'd want to— Virgil choked back another sob. 

"Virgil, please. I'm worried about you. Just breathe, okay?"

Logan would want to break up with him. There was no way Logan would ever want to be with anyone this stupid.

"C— can't."

"Mm, you may not feel like it, but I promise that you can, Virgil. And it's alright if it takes you awhile to do so, but you can. You're allowed to breathe. Whatever is distressing you, can be solved. You don't have to go though this alone. I'll do everything in my power to help, and I know the others will want to as well. We're here for you, Virgil."

Virgil only barely muffled his sob. "N— no! Don't w— want you h— here." 

Oh god. Why was Virgil like this? Sabotaging everything before it could have half a chance to get bad.

Virgil could practically see Logan's eyebrow raise. "You don't? If you would prefer, I can get someone els—"

"No! D— don't. Please."

"...Alright. I won't. Will you please at least tell me what's wrong, my love?"

Virgil didn't quite stifle this sob in time, the sound all but echoing through his room.

"Oh, starlight. You can tell me. And, unless you absolutely insist for me to go, I'm not leaving you. I'm right here."

Of course he wouldn't just leave unless Virgil was an absolute dick. Of course Logan was so patient and kind. He was amazing.

"Of course I w— want you to l— leave. G— god you're s— so…" And wow, Virgil was the worst person ever, "so a— annoying."

"O— oh. I see."

The smallness and just pure heartbreak in Logan's voice almost broke Virgil completely. He almost, almost opened the door, apologized, and confessed everything to Logan.

But… he couldn't. It was like there was a physical barrier keeping him from doing so, and molasses in his entire body, weighing him down.

"Well… I apologize for annoying you. It wasn't my i— intention, yet I made that mistake anyway. I shall attempt to do better in the future… thank you for c— correcting me." 

Yep, Virgil actually hated himself. Why couldn't he ever do anything right?

"J— just… just go away."

Logan didn't deserve this. Didn't deserve this mess he'd accidentally invited into his life. 

He was too polite and kind to tell Virgil that he needed to get his shit together directly. But when Virgil inevitably couldn't, he would break up with Virgil. 

But Logan… he wouldn't get it, not really. He'd still, even if it hurt him, be so kind and gentle to Virgil. And that… it'd be better if Virgil broke up with Logan before Logan had the chance to.

That way, Logan would feel betrayed, sure, but he could heal from that, and have no problem being cold towards Virgil. He'd finally recognize Virgil for the poison that he truly was.

It'd hurt Logan short term —something which Virgil would never forgive himself for—, but then he wouldn't have to be hurt by Virgil long term.

"Please, g— go."

"I… yes. Of course. And f— for what it's worth, I'm… I'm sorry I couldn't be of more assistance."

Virgil choked back a sob. He hadn't been planning on doing it right now, but he certainly couldn't break up with Logan in this state. It would drag it out farther but it'd be better to wait a bit anyway. He needed a game plan.

God, Virgil was not going to make it through that conversation without crying.

-

Virgil had been ignoring Logan, and Logan couldn't, for the life of him, figure out what he'd done wrong.

He'd only gone to tell Virgil 'good morning', the day before, but, for seemingly no reason, Virgil had been absolutely distraught. And to make matters worse, when he attempted to help soothe Virgil, his presence had only distressed Virgil further. 

Of course, perhaps Virgil being upset had nothing to do with Logan and he just need a lot of space. Then again, maybe Logan had greatly offended him somehow.

And the more Logan thought about it, the more he confirmed his conclusion that he wouldn't be able to solve this on his own. He really needed someone with more emotional experience to talk to about this. Hopefully Patton wouldn't be too busy right now.

After receiving no answer to his knock on Patton's door, he went to check the common room.

"Oh hey, Logan!" Patton looked up from his crochet, his smile quickly turning into a frown at Logan's downcast demeanour. "What's up?"

"I was… wondering if you were busy, Patton. And if you aren't, then I was wondering if you could assist me with an… emotional matter."

Patton tilted his head to the side and set his crochet stuff on the coffee table. "Nope, not busy at all! What's on your mind?"

"Well— er, apologies but I must ask you, are you Janus?"

"Nope! Oh shoot, that's what he'd say though. Darn. Hmm… what's something he wouldn't know?"

"It's alright, Patton. I believe you. I— uh, I actually have an agreement with Janus that he'll reveal himself before I say anything… rather private. So I was just checking before I began."

"Oh! Okay, well, that's good. I'm glad you two are getting along."

"I am as well."

"You, uh, wanna sit down?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes. Apologies." Logan sat down on the couch, making sure to leave plenty of room between himself and Patton.

"It's alright! You got nothing to apologize for, Lo… So, what did you wanna talk to me about?"

"Well, it's just… so you know how Virgil and I have been together for approximately 7 days and 23 hours?"

"Uh-huh."

"Well, Virgil won't talk to me now. I… I went to go see him yesterday morning but he was very upset and said to go away. I, of course, understand that sometimes he needs alone time, especially being the same way myself, and had absolutely no problem giving him the space he needed."

"...But?" Patton prompted.

"But… he ignored my asking if he was okay yesterday afternoon, and my asking if he was up to eating supper with us in the evening, and was completely silent when I asked him if he wanted any breakfast and was he alright this morning. Usually, if he wants alone time he will state as such. Not turn off his music when I knock and then say nothing."

"Oh, hmmm. That is pretty unusual for him. Maybe he just really didn't feel like talking? Or said something but it was just really soft?"

"I… that seems rather doubtful, but thank you. Perhaps… or perhaps I did something to upset him? He called me… annoying and I thought it was just because he was just upset in general but… I mean, I can't recall saying anything that might've been rude or insensitive… but then again I suppose I'm not really good at telling when I've hurt people's emotions."

"Hmm, this is pretty odd. Maybe try giving him a bit more time? And then tonight maybe you should try asking him if he's upset, and if he's upset with you. Oh, and maybe try telling him that you can't know what's wrong if he doesn't tell you, and if you can't help if he doesn't let you. And if he still won't talk to you, I can see what's up with him tomorrow."

"Yes, I— thank you, Patton. This has been really, figuratively, weighing on my mind. I just hope whatever I've done wrong, I can fix."

Patton sighed. "It might've been something you said, but it might not be. Just remember that, Logan. Okay?"

"Yes, you're… you're right, of course. I… yes. It might be something unrelated to me, or at least nothing that I've said or done. But of course, then again maybe it is something I didn't and he doesn't… hold me in a… very fond regard anymore. Perhaps I did something so bad that he won't forgive me and I just completely ruined our relationship and he hates me foreve—"

"Hey, hey, Logan. It's alright." Patton sat his hand on Logan's shoulder. "You're catastrophizing, okay?"

"Yes, I am. I need to calm down. I'm just… just so worried. I mean, what could've happened for him to… to push me away like this. Wh—" Logan choked back a sob. "What did I do wrong, Patton? I just can't figure out what I did wrong."

"I can't say for sure, of course, but it really sounds like you didn't do anything. Maybe something happened but if you said something, you didn't know and I really don't think you could've done something that bad and that easily. Like, I don't know, based on his reaction, I just think you'd at least have a general idea of what you did."

"Yes. Yes, of course. You're right, Patton. I— thank you." 

"Of course, Logan. I'm always here for you. And I really hope your conversation goes well tonight."

"I… I hope so too."

-

"Oh, Bed, Goth, And Beyond?" Virgil heard Roman call from the other side of Virgil's door. "Why are you moping? Did something happen between you and Logan?"

Virgil pulled his blanket even closer and sniffed into his pillow. 

Roman continued, "He's been looking really sad and you won't come out of your damn room."

Had Virgil really upset Logan that bad? Of course, he had said some really mean things. It was all a blur, he couldn't really remember what he said… except, he'd called Logan 'annoying'. And that was… God, he was so insecure about that and Virgil had just been an absolute prick and said it anyway. Of course he had. He really was stupid. He just kept fucking things up. 

That's all he knew how to do. Be stupid and fuck things up.

"Virgil? Please? Will you please talk to someone about it? It's alright if it's not me. You could work it out with Logan, or talk to Patton. He's always so helpful with stuff like this. Or perhaps I could help in some way?"

Virgil had to bite his lip from wanting to call out to Roman to yes, come help him. He'd fucked up and didn't know how to fix it.

"Oh gods, it'd be so awkward if you're asleep and I've just been rambling at your door. Are you awake?"

Tears sprang to Virgil's eyes. He shouldn't be bothering Roman. He had to stop fucking everything up.

"Oh…" Roman's voice came from farther away, "Well, alright then."

"No!" Virgil exclaimed before he could stop himself.

"Virgil?" Roman asked, voice louder again. 

"Y— yeah?" 

"Are you okay?"

"Hah, what's an 'okay'?"

"Oh, Virgil. May I come in? I want to help."

Virgil furiously scrubbed underneath his eyes. "Sure, why not."

Roman knew Virgil was awake and probably heard the upset in his voice, likely causing Roman to worry. Better to get this over with and let Roman think he'd helped so Virgil could go back to wallowing in his self-pity and loathing.

The door opened with a small creak to reveal Roman there in his pajamas. "Hey, there," Roman said, his voice surprisingly soft. "Having a bad time?"

"...Yeah, but it's my fault so whatever."

Roman closed the door and sat on the bed next to Virgil, patting his shoulder sympathetically. "I'm sorry to hear that. Do you wanna talk about it, or be distracted from it?"

"Is okay. You don't need to do anything." Virgil pulled his blanket over his head.

"Like I said, I wanna help. Whatever's bothering you is clearly something important, even if you don't think it's big or something to make a big fuss over. If it's gotten to this point then it's something that needs to be taken care of."

"...If I tell you, will you promise not to tell anyone?" Virgil asked, voice rather muffled from where he'd buried himself.

"I won't tell anyone without your explicit permission. I promise, prince's honour."

"Okay. Well, I…" Virgil finally sat up, removing the blanket from his face, and cocooned himself in it. "So I… kinda did something stupid. Like really stupid. Like, if I were in a horror movie, the people watching would be shouting 'no, don't do it!' at the TV… Although, in my defence, it was a really smooth talker."

Roman tilted his head to the side. "What was a smooth talker?"

"Well… I went into the Imagination… kinda like, without your permission… oh, this was like over a week ago, by the way."

"Uh-huh."

"And I found this like, glowing orb."

Roman raised his eyebrows. "A glowing orb? I've never seen it, but I'm not saying I don't believe you! I do, and my lands are quite vast."

Virgil deflated slightly. "Oh, so you don't know anything about it?"

"No, but I could ask around in the Imagination. Tell me more. What happened?"

"Well, it… this sounds a bit weird but, it spoke to me."

"Doesn't sound weird to me. There's quite a lot of interesting and unrealistic stuff in the Imagination. What did it say?"

"It…" Virgil picked at a loose thread on his blanket. "It said… that it could fix my greatest flaw. Big bunch of fuckin' baloney."

"And… and what did you say?"

"That's the stupid thing I did. I said yes."

"Hmm, what did it hypothetically fix? And did it?"

"It… it made me smart. And yeah, it worked… for a while… but then it stopped. It only worked for what… a week? Yeah, it was a week. But anyway, yesterday morning I woke up and I was stupid again."

"I see. There's one thing I don't understand though. I mean, but… you're already smart?"

"No, I wasn— er, no, I'm not. I'm so fuckin' stupid. Like it's not even funny how stupid I am…"

"Oh, Virgil, you're not stupid! You never were… 

"And yes, I did notice a bit of a difference this past week, but you just seemed more… hmm, how do I put this into words… like happy and…  confident! Yeah, that's the word I was looking for. Like you seemed unafraid to share and show your contributions. And being with Logan really seemed to help your overall mood. It was quite refreshing to see you so… invigorated, ya know?"

"O— oh. Um, t— thanks, Roman."

"Shit, got off-topic. As I was saying, you're not stupid. You know lots of stuff! You're the only one who can give Logan a run for his money when we play trivia. And! You've got a lot of emotional intelligence, ya know?"

"I…" Virgil sniffed. "Yeah. I guess."

"Well, you do. You always know what we need when we're upset, and how to calm us down, or help us let it out."

"Well, I mean... I do kinda know how to handle anxiety attacks."

"You do!" Roman agreed. "And you know what?"

"...What?"

"Even if you weren't regular smart or emotional smart… we'd still love you."

"Y— you would?"

"Yes, absolutely. We would."

"I— o— oh." Virgil's face was not wet with tears. Thank you very much. "Okay."

"Okay?"

Virgil nodded. "Okay. I— fuck, I believe you."

"Good, that's… that's good. I— oh, Virgil, are you crying? Um… oh! Would you like a hug?"

"I… if you, um… yes, please."

Roman wrapped his warm arms around Virgil and he couldn't help but bury his face into the space in between Roman's neck and shoulder.

"It's alright, I've got you. And don't worry about the orb, okay? I'll look into it and see what I can find."

"I…" Virgil pulled back his tear-stricken face from Roman's shoulder to look at him. "Really?"

"Yeah, you just get some rest, even if you can't sleep. Just, I don't know, read a book, and I'll take of it." Roman tucked a loose piece of hair behind Virgil's ear. "Oh, if I find anything tonight, do you want me to tell you what I find when I do, or should I wait till tomorrow?"

"I— tonight, if you don't mind. I highly doubt I'll be able to stop thinking about it long enough to fall asleep."

"Alrighty! Should… um, do you think you feel well enough for me to start my search now?"

"Oh, yeah, of course!" Virgil pulled back, already missing the warmth. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel obligated to stay."

"It's alright, Virgil. You didn't. I stayed because I wanted to. And I'm only leaving now to get to the bottom of this for you."

"Oh, that… sounds like a lot of work. I'm sorry."

"Nonsense! You have absolutely no reason to apologize."

"Well, then… Thank you. I really… I really appreciate this."

"You're welcome, Dark And Daring." Roman smiled heroically. "Farewell!"

"Bye, Princey. Stay… um, stay safe."

Roman's smile softened. "I will."

...

Virgil knew that reasonably, Roman hadn't been gone that long, but it still felt like it was dragging on forever.

He'd tried reading, listening to music, and just about anything and everything to try and get his mind off of what Roman was doing, and if he was okay. God, Virgil really hoped he was okay.

Virgil was just about to start pacing while reading… again, when someone knocked on his door.

"...Yes?"

"Hey, guess what, my Emo Screamo?"

"What?"

"I did a bit of digging and! I found the thing you were talking about!"

Virgil opened the door. "The… thing?"

"Yeah! It's called a Wisher Orb." Roman wiggled his fingers, doing jazz hands. "The Dragon-Witch spotted it in a clearing when she was flyin'."

"Oh, wow, that was fast. It's only been like, an hour or two."

"Yep! It wasn't too difficult… Wanna go check it out? Seemed kinda like you have some unfinished business with it."

"Yeah, I guess so… uh, meet you at the door of the Imagination in ten? I gotta change into something more… suitable for traveling in the woods."

"Sure, Short-Pale-And… uh…"

"No, no. Please finish that, Princey." Virgil said, voice light. "Go right ahead. Say it… I dare you."

"Heh, sorry… and uh, I'll see you in ten then."

-

It had taken a frankly ridiculous amount of time for Virgil to find the place again, but somehow, after only getting turned around about six times, they finally got to the familiar clearing. 

For a brief second Virgil was afraid the orb (what had Roman called it? The Wish-it Orb?) was gone as the clearing, but just like before, he'd barely gotten three steps beyond the trees when it sparked to life. 

Virgil wearily approached the glowing, orange orb, noticing that Roman hung back, close enough to be able to jump in and assist if necessary, seeing as he was still in earshot, but far enough back to give Virgil and the Wish-it Orb some semblance of privacy.

"Ah, hello, Mortal. I presume you're back because it wore off, considering it's been a bit over a week. I am a little surprised it took you this long to come back though."

"Shut up," Virgil hissed. "You could've at least told me that it would only last for a week!"

"Oh, but where's the fun, the lesson in that?" The orb laughed, sounding rather like a bell tinkling. "Actually, this whole thing has been a lesson. Both in self-confidence and in realising that you're much smarter than you think… although I must confess something…"

"Oh god, what now?"

"I didn't make you smart."

"What the fuck are you talking about? But you did. I know you did." 

"Mmm, not really. You were already smart. I just gave you the confidence you needed."

"Wait, really? That can't... but I… but what about all the facts I knew?"

"You already knew them. You were just never confident enough to share them."

"...What? No, that can't… I mean… o— oh."

"Yes. 'Oh'."

"Oh. Oh, shit... Oh, fuck."

Roman stepped closer. "Uh, Virgil? You alright?"

"I… y— yeah. Just my own worst enemy… a— apparently."

"Remember what you've learned."

"What?"

The Wisher Orb suddenly crackled and fizzled, the light spluttering until the sound stopped and the light faded, giving one last flicker before it shattered, the tiny shards and pieces scattering everywhere. 

"No," Virgil croaked out before he all but screamed, "No! It c— can't just— no!"

"Hey, hey, hey. It's okay. It's alright, Virgil." Roman rushed forward, hesitantly setting his hand on Virgil's shoulder, and wrapping his arms around Virgil when Virgil all but clung onto him.

"Stupid fucking— it… pathetic." Virgil all but howled, and didn't think he was just talking about the Wisher Orb anymore.

"Hey. Hey, Virgil. It's okay. It's gonna be okay. You're alright. It's okay… it's okay."

-

Virgil didn't leave his room for a couple of days. He knew it seemed like he was throwing a fit, but he needed the time. Both to think and to just, take a breath.

Patton had come by the morning after Roman took Virgil to the woods, and told Virgil that Logan had gone to talk to him the night before but he hadn't answered, so Patton came to see what was wrong. Virgil could see how concerned Patton was and told him everything that'd happened. Everything. He couldn't have opened his room door if he was in the Imagination, now could he?

Virgil promised to talk to Logan the next day and explain, and asked Patton to tell Logan that Virgil was okay and not mad at him.

He knew he needed to tell Logan what happened, that he wasn't avoiding him because of anything he'd done, but his throat threatened to close up every time he thought about it.

He was still going to do it, of course. He may not be getting any of that fake confidence from the orb anymore, but he had his own little piece of bravery. Just because he was scared, didn't mean he wasn't going to run away.

He was going to tell Logan, even though it absolutely terrified him. He needed to. Logan should know what had happened, and if Virgil got any say in the matter at all, he would.

Virgil took a few long deep breaths, before knocking on Logan's door.

Logan opened it in record time, staring at Virgil with wide eyes. "I— Virgil. You… hello. Can, um, how can I assist you today?"

"Hey, Lo. I… I came to explain the past few days."

"I— ah, I see. That's… alright. Um, would you like to come in?"

"Sure."

Logan shut the door behind Virgil and they sat on Logan's couch, the large gap between them feeling like a chasm.

"So…" Logan began. "What… what did happen? Did… have I done something?"

"What? No! You haven't done anything, Lo. I promise."

"Then… what? I just… I don't understand."

"Well…" Virgil explained, he explained it all. Everything. From making the wish to its end, from all his fears and insecurities to how Roman had helped, to how much Virgil loved Logan. He told him everything. He laid himself bare for Logan.

Logan just sat there for a few moments —minutes? Virgil's sense of time wasn't the best— and processed. 

Logan took a deep breath. "I… I see. That… certainly sounds like an ordeal."

"I— um…"

"Yes?"

"Do… do you h— hate me now?"

"Wh— hate you? I don't think I could ever hate you. Why would I hate you?"

A few tears slipped down Virgil's cheeks. Dammit, and he'd been doing good so far! "Be— because I… I made a bad decision, and t— tricked you into loving me, but really I'm just… I'm j— just stupid. And I— I lied 'n said y— you were a— annoying, even though t— that's so not t— true, 'n you're really i— insecure about it, 'n it's n— not right! You're n— never 'nnoying. A— and s— so I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Logan. I n— never wanted to h— hurt you!"

"First of all, we all make bad decisions, but I… I'm not so sure that could be considered a bad decision. Perhaps not the best one, but you're alright, and you've learned from it. That's the important thing, yes? That you're okay, and you learn something from it."

"I… yeah, I g— guess."

"Second of all, you have certainly not tricked me into loving you. I have not been tricked, and to my full knowledge, you have not attempted to either."

"B— but I said yes because I thought you'd love me if I was smart… and t— then you did. It w— worked."

"Oh. Oh, Virgil. I loved you long before that. I was glad you seemed to be feeling a bit more confident, but my love for you in no way relies upon how confident you are, or your intelligence. I love you for you, Virgil. Not for what you can give me, for you."

"Shit, Lo. I'm a— already crying. Oh my God, y— you're so sweet."

"And you're very kind."

"Mm, Lo!" Virgil briefly buried his face in his hands.

"Ah, yes. I don't want to overwhelm you."

"O— oh. Thanks."

"Of course. Your physical and emotional well-being is very important to me." 

"But… I s— still said those r— really awful t— things to you."

"Mm, that brings me to my third point. You said some hurtful things, and it did upset me. I acknowledge that. But that doesn't change the fact that I care about you. I realised that you'd only said that out of a deep hurt. A hurt that I couldn't help with at the time. 

"You have apologized, and I take it you will attempt to avoid saying a similar thing in the future?"

"Yes! You're never 'nnoying and I h— hope I never s— say that again."

"That's good. I… did not enjoy hearing it, but anyway. I do not wish to dwell on it, and would rather discuss other important things. So, that being said, is there anything else you'd like to say or talk about?"

"Um, j— just to clarify… you like, actually w— want me, even though I'm an a— absolute mess?"

"Yes, exactly. I very much want you, mess included. For as long as you want me, I want you."

"Oh, I— yeah. I w— want you too."

Logan smiled softly. "Good. That's… I'm glad."

Virgil felt his face warm. "Yeah, 'm glad too… so we— um."

"Yes?"

"We're like, good then, yeah?"

"Yes, very much so. I love you, and am very glad that you're my boyfriend."

"I— good, and I… I love you, and 'm really glad you're my boyfriend too. You're— you're really awesome, Logan. And I—" Virgil wiped underneath his eyes. "I c— can't tell you how much it means to m— me that you d— don't hate me, and in f— fact really truly c— care about m— me."

"Oh, dearest. Hmm… ah, if you feel up to it, would you like some physical contact?"

It took all of Virgil's strength and willpower to not throw himself into Logan's arms. "I— would y— you?"

"Yes, I would not be offering it if I didn't wish to partake."

"Then… yeah, I'd— I'd r— really like t— that."

Logan gently grabbed Virgil by the shoulders and guided them both to where they were lying down on the couch.

"It's alright now, starlight. You're okay. I'm okay. We're okay. You can rest now."

"Love you, Lo."

"I love you too, my love."

And as Virgil lay there with his head on Logan's chest and Logan's warm arms around him, he knew that Logan would always be there for him. Just like he would for Logan... 

Now and forever.

~The End~ 

No reposting, likes are nice and reblogs are very much appreciated! | Taglist (ask to be added or removed): @someoneiwasnt

[sonder-paradise]

"Happy Birthday to You"

Happy Birthday to the greatest person in the world! :D Give him all the love and praise in the entire universe please istg lemme marry him okay bye- (Not proofread. We die like simps)

Chuuya Nakahara x GN!Reader

The day had been rather magical, to say the least. In retrospect, it was obvious that it was going to be wonderful since the Port Mafia had been planning it for a week or so. It was no surprise that Nakahara Chuuya was a popular person in the Mafia. He was fair and considerate towards the people that worked under him as well as respectful towards the people above him.

So the day had been filled with many people praising and congratulating the redhead on his birthday. Chuuya was happy to see that the organization that he called family was greeting him with such genuine love. Mori had offered him the day off, but he denied it, claiming that there was no reason for him not to go to work. There really wasn't. And Chuuya was not the type of person to go around demanding that people wish him a "happy birthday" either.

Everyone except you, of course. He was certain that out of everyone he would meet today, you would smile that lovesick smile at him and happily wish him a "happy birthday". But you didn't. Instead, you seemed to go about the day as if there was nothing momentous about the day.

Chuuya wasn't about to admit how he was disheartened a little--more like a lot--at your ignorance towards the day. He was looking forward to spending the day with you after work. Sure, he was happy to hear that people were planning a party for him later, but he wanted to spend some alone time with you at the same time.

However, it seemed that time could grant him no chance to even get close to you. In the hallways, you smiled normally at him before muttering something about having to work on something important. When he approached your office, you seemed to be leaving at the exact same time. "Chuuya, I'm sorry. Did you need something?"

"Wai- Well, no, but what-"

"Ah, let's talk later, hm? I've got to pick something up real quick." With that, he was given a light kiss on the cheek, and then you were gone again. Eventually, he gave up trying to get you to talk to him at all. He had gotten a "happy birthday" from just about everyone except for you. It was certainly not the best way to spend his birthday, but he couldn't really whine about it either.

That didn't mean that his pouty manner didn't go unnoticed by Kouyou and the others. "Maybe they're genuinely just busy," Tachihara suggested, leaning against the plush sofa in the resting area.

Higuchi was happily serving Akutagawa some fresh tea; This time remembering to bring an extra cup for Chuuya as well as Kouyou, as she had made a rare show to confront Chuuya's disheartened behavior.

"Exactly," Kouyou piped up, "Mori has been rather heavy on the paperwork these days."

"Listen, I'm not annoyed over anything! I just don't understand how they could forget!" Chuuya crossed his arms over his chest, clearly bothered over the entire thing.

The people around him didn't even seem to need to acknowledge verbally that he was annoyed you hadn't given him the time of day.

"Don't get so down, Nakahara-san! I'm sure they're just planning something just for you!" Higuchi said, clasping her hands together optimistically.

Although the others seemed unsure of the authenticity of her words, Chuuya seemed to agree somewhat with her.

"Yeah... That's probably the case. I just need to be patient!" Chuuya appeared to be better and so the group disbanded shortly after his mood had escalated.

But as the day went on begrudgingly, Chuuya was worried that perhaps Higuchi's words were really just optimistic bullshit. It was his birthday so surely you hadn't forgotten! You would never forget such an important day. It was so uncharacteristic of you to not remember him. Chuuya's mood had only seemed to worsen from there. He was irritable and upset over the smallest things and as much as he didn't want to admit it, even if it wasn't his birthday, he missed you around him more than anything.

It wasn't until he returned home, with a miserable aura around him, that he seemed to realize that maybe Tachihara had been correct. You were just so busy that you had forgotten his birthday.

"Chuuya! Welcome home!"

He blinked, looking up to see you sitting at the kitchen table with a lovesick grin. He usually came back home much later than you, but he was surprised to see that you looked almost out-of-breath looking at him with all the love he had missed today.

"I thought you were busy today?" He raised an eyebrow, curious to see how you would amend this mistake you seemed to have made.

You laughed, going over to him and hugging him as tightly as he allowed. Chuuya silently admitted that he wouldn't have traded that embrace for the world. "I was a little busy, but I promise I would never forget your birthday, Chu~!"

His cheeks brightened when he heard your words, clearly embarrassed that you had picked up on his bad mood due to your actions. "I don't know what you're talking about, idiot," he mumbled under his breath, "It wasn't like I was pissed off or anything. I mean, you're here now, right?"

"Yes, and I'm not going anywhere now. So happy birthday, Chuuya."

The words that he had been craving to hear all day seemed to melt his entire body. He didn't realize how deprived he was of you and in that moment, hearing you wish him those words he wanted nothing more than to pepper you with all the devotion in the world.

But he was happily kissed first and he immediately sunk into that action. His arms wrapping around your waist and trying to keep you close once more. He would have never admitted it but he wanted to make sure he heard those precious words from you every year.

"So, why the hell were you so busy today?"

You looked almost sheepish as you looked back at him before going over to the large box at the kitchen table. Behind it was a small cake with pristine writing on it, a bottle of his favorite vintage wine, and another smaller box beside that.

He stared at the box then back to you quizzically. "You spent the whole damn day getting me a present?" You rolled your eyes at his words before tapping the box's lid. It was then he realized it was loose.

"Just open the box, Chibi."

Chuuya seemed to want to retort to the nickname before deciding to just do as you said. Going over to the box, he realized that it was actually much bigger than normal. As he went to pull the lid off, the box shifted entirely, startling him.

"What the hell-" Then, as the lid came off and then fell from his hands, a little golden puppy barked happily up at the redhead. His mouth dropped instantly as he stared at the dog in awe.

"Chuuya...? Do you like him?" You asked, smiling at his stunned expression. He looked as though he had just entered the gates of Heaven. The mafioso said nothing, picking up the dog as if it was a delicate and expensive vase.

"You got me a dog?!" he finally exclaimed, looking almost childish as he looked to you for confirmation. You nodded at him whilst the puppy wriggled and squirmed in his arms, trying to lick his new owner.

"Of course. Check the small box next to it." That grin on your face seemed to say it all as he instantly went to the smaller box, prying it open and looking at the black and red collar that likely fit perfectly around the dog's neck.

There really was nothing Chuuya could say about the situation. This was more than he could have ever imagined and all of this had led back to you of all people. You had remembered after all and that's really all he had wanted.

You were quickly enveloped in a tight embrace once the dog was placed back on the floor. You happily hugged him back, pressing a quick kiss against his lips. "Thank you. Thank you so fucking much."

"I know, I know... Happy Birthday, Chuuya."

[lovelywingsart]

Apologies (mild 18+)

-- Karl Heisenberg X OC (AFAB, She/They) --

The 'part 2' to the small 'trilogy' of stories! The 'part 1' to this is Irritation. :D (I can't really say when 'part 3' will be posted, but of course it'll be added into the Masterlist when it is!)

There's still alot going on for me IRL, but I finally managed to do this... :'D I'm sorry if more entries take a while to upload...!

-----

*Warning?: Small regrets, aggressive speech, teasing, mild 18+ themes near end

Summary: Emelia doesn't really regret much, but seeing Karl's reaction to her words makes her hunt him down to apologize. But will he accept it? And how?

It felt like hours had passed, and Emelia finally made her way back up to the higher levels of the factory once her work was complete. Her words had been stinging her brain, and she felt worse and worse as time went by. She purposely avoided certain routes and hallways to prevent any more potential Soldat run-ins while thinking. Would HE even want to see HER?? She wouldn't have blamed him if he didn't... Hell, for all she knew, she could be killed as soon as she walked in the room when she found him. And that was IF she could find him... Where he chose to hide away was always a mystery to her until she actualy found him. She had learned that the hard way after multiple 'family meetings'; the thought made her physically cringe.

She kept her eye open and focused, listening for anything that could have clued her in on his whereabouts. Humming, pacing, swearing or muttering in rough German, even scraps and pieces being thrown in aggravation. But, save for the noises of the factory, there was nothing. Silence, so to speak. Even as she took the elevator floor to floor. Even as she looked in any door she could find on the way up. Even as she searched through every hallways, eventually risking finding the Soldats in order to find him. This apology thing was truly eating at her mind, and she couldn't stand it... But she couldn't leave it alone.

It took her much longer to look for the man than it took a full working 'shift', she thought, enough so to where she almost decided to give up. She was tired... She was exhausted. She was exhausted, and despite her initial irritation having lessened, a new irritation had flared. An irritation with herself, primarily. A desire to see him at least once before she managed to lay herself down to have yet another restless sleep. To apologize despite never having a reason to do so before. But the longer she searched, the more she wanted to just... stop. It had never taken her THIS long to find him... but perhaps she deserved it. She let out a sigh as she hit the elevator to the highest floor, making her way through the halls once more in a last attempt to find him. But alas, there was... nothing.

Thoughts clouded her mind as she finally made her way towards the small, personal workshop he had, going through her usual routine of climbing the pipes and slipping through the grate in the floor without being detected by the worst of the Soldats. Sure, there were definitely easier ways to get up to that level, but this was what she was used to. No, he wasn't here, either... Now she REALLY had no idea where he was. With a heavy sigh, she made her way to a hidden door on the other side of the workshop, pausing only to glance at the primary table. It looked as if he had been making... something. But small bits of recently crushed metal made her wince, and it wasn't until she caught sight of a small gear that she moved again, slowly nearing the table itself. It was the gear he had taken from the mould before she opened her mouth. She gingerly picked it up, noticing it not even touched by his powers. She could feel it... Metal moved by him had a certain... energy to it. It wasn't something she had started to notice until recently. The gear she held didn't possess this energy, and it made her feel even more guilty. Just how pissed was he to not even use the Cadou???

She took a breath before stuffing it in the pocket of her tied jumpsuit, hearing the small *clink* as it hit the other one she had pulled after he left. Why did she take them...? She didn't know... It was a mindless decision that she knew wouldn't have much of an impact.

Distant sounds of machinery could be heard as she finally made her way through the door, her footsteps silent as she made her way to the room she occasionally occupied when she wasn't in the factory itself. It wasn't HER room per-say, more like a resting place if needed. She reached up to take her hair out of the small tie and run her hand through it before opening the door with a sigh, only to freeze as she entered the room. She was met with Heisenberg on the 'bed', laying on his back with his arms behind his head, his eyes closed and his legs crossed. His jacket and button-up shirt were thrown across a chair, leaving him in the dark tank top he wore underneath. She watched his muscles tense as the door opened, his jaw tightening somewhat as she held her breath. A wave of nervousness flooded over her as she stood in the doorway, not unsure if she should even move.

"... Ah..." she tried, almost afraid to speak. "... H-Hey..."

She gulped as she was simply met with an acknowledging grunt. He said nothing... He didn't even look at her. She stood for a moment before holding her breath and slowly entering the room, mentally bracing herself for any kind of impact. But... nothing came. Even as she hesitantly made her way to the desk, jumping slightly as she heard the door close naturally behind her. She tore her eye away from him, instead focusing on the desk itself, looking over notes he had written. Or... lack thereof... The paper on top was filled with obvious, angry eraser marks over random words that had been written so many times that the paper itself was imprinted with them. Other miscellaneous papers were crumpled or bent, indicating frustration. There was silence until she spoke again.

"... Production ran smoothly..." she said quietly, only to flinch as she heard movement. She looked at him to see as he slowly sat up.

"Good." He said simply, lacking any sort of interest.

Emelia felt a twist in her gut as he moved to stand, his movements somewhat stiff as she heard soft clicking from his left leg once he stood. It was then that she knew, her words had hit him harder than she thought. It sounded as if the leg was going to give out on the poor man as he walked despite knowing it wasn't, nearly brushing past her on his way to the door. It sent an unpleasant shiver down her spine. She held her breath, the twisting in her stomach not leaving.

"H-Hey..." she tried, her voice soft as she spoke over her shoulder. She heard the flick of a lighter before she smelled the sweet scent of the cigar.

"What." His voice was low as he glanced back at her. She couldn't face him... His eyes dug into her shoulders. It was an admittedly cold feeling... She didn't like it.

"Shouldn't... Shouldn't you... Relax a bit...?" She offered, trying to sound as hopeful as she could despite the feeling. She looked at him as she heard him move again.

"I already did." He replied, mere inches away from the door, itself. She couldn't help as she felt the smallest bit of panic.

"W-wait-"

"I have work to do, Emelia." He growled, reaching for the handle. It was then that she turned around fully, her face that of regret.

"Karl, please...!" She said, her voice nearly begging. He seemed to pause, his head turning slightly towards her. He said nothing, the smoke from the cigar flowing through his nose as if he were an enraged bull. But she kept her eye on him, her own jaw tightening as she took a breath.

"I... I'm..." she started, reaching to rub her arm slightly. He didn't move. "I'm sorry..."

Silence filled the room once more as Heisenberg stared at her, his hand hovering over the door handle. She then took a breath, opening her mouth to speak once more.

"I... I really am..." she sighed, looking down. "I just... I wanted to be alone... Those damned Soldats haven't granted me any peace all week, the bloody Lycans have been running me ragged outside of the factory, and I've been so damned angry and I just... I wasn't thinking, and..." she paused, taking a breath before looking back up at him and sighing. "No, I... There's... there's no excuse. I shouldn't have said anything... I'm sorry, Karl... I'm so sorry."

Silence.

More silence.

'Please say SOMETHING...' she thought, watching as he finally looked at her. She couldn't tell WHAT he was thinking behind the shades he wore... It worried her. Her breath halted as he slowly moved his hand away from the door, turning his body to face her entirely, his movements slow.

"You really think I can forgive you just like that?" He asked quietly, his shaded gaze burrowing into her skull. Smoke came out of his mouth with each word. She nearly shrank back, lowering her own gaze to the floor.

"No..." she answered, shaking her head. "I wasn't expecting you to..."

"And what's stopping me from leaving this room, or even crushing you?"

"Nothing."

Her answer was immediate, and she glanced up at him to see him left his chin. He seemed to think for a few moments, his gaze flicking around her form. But to her surprise, he relaxed.

"The gears you have are defects." He said simply, nodding to her hip. What?? She stared at him, now incredibly confused.

"What...?" She asked, unintentionally backing away and leaning against the table as he walked to her. He stopped in front of her, raising a brow at the confused- and now nervous- look she gave him.

"The gears in your pocket. They're defects. Check around the edges." He repeated, holding out his hand. The gears... She reached down to pat her side, feeling the pieces of metal against her leg as they made a small noise from the movement.

Oh.

She reached into her pocket and pulled both of them out. She looked over each one for a moment, frowning as she saw what he meant. There were holes... Not the usual holes, of course, and not where she'd notice immediately unless she had closely inspected each one beforehand. They were along the insides of the gear edges, nearly going through the metal itself. There were multiple holes in each gear, indicating odd air bubbles when the metal had set. In other words, anything they were used in would have ended badly. That must have been why he had taken the one in the first place... She then groaned, thinking back to the amount of them she had made.

"Damn it..." she growled, only to jump as Heisenberg nudged her hand with his.

"The others are fine, if that's what you're worried about." He said casually, nodding to his hand. "That also means you took one off my work table."

Emelia looked at him before giving a sigh, carefully setting one of the gears in his palm.

"Sorry..." she said quietly, her eye moving to his hand as he inspected the gear he was given. "I just thought-"

"Thought you could fix a mistake with a broken gear?" He asked, watching her face. She hesitated.

".... maybe... I just... didn't know how." she admitted, looking at her own. She was quiet for a moment. "You didn't touch it with your powers, I thought maybe it could be used for something..." she mumbled.

Her words seemed to make him perk up somewhat with a newfound interest.

"I didn't what?" He asked. She froze.

"... You... you didn't use your Cadou...?" She repeated carefully, looking up at him.

"How can you tell?"

How COULD she tell??? She knew it was a recent thing, but...

"It... I don't know, it's... It's hard to explain." She managed, reaching for the one In his hand and gingerly taking it as he opened his palm for her. "There's... almost an energy to the things you've used your Cadou on, if that makes sense... Almost like a small... fuzzy electric coating... Sort of."

"And when did you realize this?" He asked, legitimately curious as he blew out more smoke. She stopped, her eye widening slightly.

Of course she knew when. Or, at least what she assumed started it. 'The first time you touched me like that', she thought, her cheeks going slightly red at the thought. The metals in her own body had felt different since then, setting off a small change in feeling to every metal around them daily.

"Since we... uhm..." she mumbled, her eye moving between the gears as she pushed them together slightly. She flinched as Heisenberg gave a soft chuckle, knowing exactly what she had meant. It was an interesting development, he thought, as well as a highly amusing one.

"I guess that makes sense." He said, a light smirk crossing his features.

"... It does?" She asked quietly, only to jump as he took a step closer and leaned forward, setting his hands on the edges of the table beside her and effectively rendering her unable to move. She could feel his body heat once more, though was slightly more concerned about the cigar that was ever so close to her face despite him being careful to not let the burning embers close to her skin. She clutched the small gears to her chest, watching as he studied her face.

"Back to the original topic..." he started, noticing as her cheeks reddened just slightly. "There might be a way I can forgive you."

Emelia stared at him with a wide eye, watching as he backed away enough to take the cigar from his mouth without it touching her.

"... there is...?" She asked quietly, watching the smoke curl into the air as he nodded and spoke.

"Yup." He said, gesturing to her hands. "Find something to do with those gears. Something that WON'T destroy my factory, preferably."

She paused.

"That's it...?" She managed, utterly confused. He shrugged.

"For now."

He held out his hand to offer the cigar to her. There was a moment of silence as she stood still, only moving as he gestured to it. She hesitantly reached up and took the object from his fingers, nodding her thanks before slowly putting it between her own lips. He removed his glasses before nodding to her hand.

"Think you can do that for me?" He asked, watching as she exhaled smoke from between her teeth with a nod.

"Of course." She replied, almost too eagerly for her taste. But she meant it... Something in her mind told her she wanted to appease him in any way possible now. She didn't know WHAT she'd use them for, or how long it would take, but she'd find a way.

More smoke came from her mouth as she took another drag, handing it back to him carefully. He took it back, but simply kept his position in front of her and gave a hum.

"Maybe one or two more things." He said suddenly, the smallest smirk forming as more nervousness filled her face.

"What...?" She asked, moving to set the gears on the table next to her, only to jump with a surprised noise as he suddenly leaned forward and nearly crushed his mouth to hers.

The kiss was somewhat rough, a decent amount of aggression behind it as she was pushed backwards against the table and nearly losing her balance. Her hands few back to brace herself against the table as not to fall backwards, just barely managing to keep very balance. small shiver ran down her spine as she returned it, and another came as he let out an angry growl.

"Sit." He grumbled against her lips. She let out a confused whine as he gripped the table behind her, and she thought he'd toss the thing with her on it. The small cogs clattered to the floor as he suddenly swiped everything away from the edge of the table while keeping her against him.

"I said SIT." He growled louder, earning a surprised yelp as he suddenly grabbed her hips. His fingers dug into her sides as he lifted her and shoved her on to the table, feeling her hands fly up to hold onto his shoulders in attempts to balance herself once more. He didn't let up, another growl leaving his throat as he sent a rippling pulse through the piercings in her body.

Emelia let out a squealing whine at the feeling, though was kept locked to him as he wrapped an arm tightly around her waist. Her back arched into his chest with the pulses of electricity, attempting to hide the muffled whines that escaped her throat. But they only encouraged him. He felt her nervous hands travel to hold his jaw, her fingers trembling. Not with fear, however, very obviously proven as she welcomed the kiss and touches with every movement he made. She gasped into the kiss as he suddenly tugged her forward, pressing his hips to hers. Her thighs tightened slightly around his sides as the pulses grew in power, and she was suddenly molded to him and soaking up every bit of warmth he gave.

"Not used to it and you already want more, yeah?" He said, pulling away from her enough to speak, yet still close enough for his lips to brush hers with every word. He could see her face, taking pride in the redness of her cheeks and the near begging glint in her eye.

She was silent, only slightly nodding with a single, embarrassed whine as her thighs trembled against him. Heisenberg chuckled, the tone dark a he smirked almost evilly.

"Didn't think you were so eager." He started, leaning down to press rough kisses and bites against her neck, marking the skin almost immediately. A chill ran down her spine as her breaths came in light pants while he bit up to her jaw, her hands gripping his shirt straps.

"You pissed me off, Emelia. I don't take that shit lightly." He growled lowly, his lips nearly against her ear. He tugged her shirt from its tucked position, enjoying as she nearly melted into putty in his hands. He continued. "You pissed me off, so here's what's gonna happen. I'm going to do whatever the hell I want with you and to you." He stated, moving one hand up to brush his fingers along her neck as he allowed the pulses to cease for the moment. He felt her breath hitch as he pressed his fingers just below her jaw, feeling her pulse quicken. "You're gonna do what I say and you're not gonna say a god damn word about it. Do you understand?"

Emelia felt another large shiver down her spine at his words, feeling his palm rest against her neck as she swallowed nervously. Sure, they made her just she smallest bit scared. But it was also... exciting? It sent her mind into a frenzy, and she legitimately wasn't sure if she should have been afraid or aroused. Either way, she nodded almost immediately, taking as deep a breath as she could without making any other sudden movements. He grinned with an evil chuckle.

"Good girl." He grumbled, leaning to bite down on her neck once more before backing away fully, chuckling at the quiet whine of protest he received in response as his hand left her throat. Emelia froze for a moment once she realized his warmth had left her, covering her face in near embarrassment with her legs almost immediately closing together as he adjusted his shirt.

"For now, you're gonna wait." He said simply, standing up straight as she looked up at him with disbelief. How could he just-

"H-Hey...!" She started, only stopping as he reached forward and grabbed under her jaw, pressing his fingers to her cheeks and yanking her forward just slightly.

"Shut up and stay here, Doll." He purred, watching as she squirmed slightly on the desk. "Relax yourself, you're gonna need it-" he then paused, only to smirk, "- Or make yourself worse for me. This is the last choice you get until I come back."

Emelia gave another whimper, gulping as he shoved her back against the table before letting go.

"What are YOU doing...??" She asked, unable to hide the slight pout in her voice. Oh god, what in the hell WAS this?! What was she reduced to? POUTING?!

"I've got some work to do. Now stay in this room." Heisenberg chuckled, finally retreating back to the door. "It'll be worse for you if you leave. Trust me, I'll know."

She opened her mouth to speak, only to get cut off as he left the room almost too quickly. But even then, her voice was caught in her throat once the door clicked shut. How... How did he...

She finally pushed herself off the table with a shaky breath, nearly feeling her knees collapse under her from the warm feeling between her legs. It was a feeling she knew she had to get used to despite knowing what it was... While it usually irritated her, this time it filled her with a near excited anxiousness. It took a few moments to regain her composure, finally managing to walk with shaky muscles. She made her way to the 'bed', nearly flopping down on it with her legs hanging over the side as she got lost in thought. He didn't SEEM incredibly pissed anymore... Granted, he wasn't happy either.

Her hands covered her face, rubbing it slightly.. It COULDN'T have entirely been a way to 'forgive', could it...?? If so, what were his plans when he got back? She had no idea how fully experimental he was... Hell, she didn't know what SHE could do. The idea of him using her was terrifying and admittedly arousing at the same time, but she couldn't help but relax just slightly. At least he forgave her... Or, he would. Partially. That fact put her mind at ease somewhat, knowing that going out of her way to find him afterward to apologize wasn't all for naught. But for the time being, she let her mind wander to what he could possibly do. Or maybe she shouldn't... She barely knew what to expect from the subject alone much less from him, especially when he was upset. He pushed her hard enough without the aspect of sex, but now... She really didn't know what to expect.

Oh well... It would be fine.

Maybe.

[discojupiters]

Another Lonely Night in New York

Casually uploading Bee Gees fanfic as if I haven't had this account for almost five years and I'm just now using it to post stuff because I am upset at the lack of Bee Gees fanfic that exists and I need to change that also cuz I haven't posted on any form of social media in literal ages and I just really want an excuse to post classic rock shitposts and whatnot. :D

Ao3 link to the fanfic if you'd prefer to read it there

Another Lonely Night in New York

Robin/Fluff

The rain had been predominantly worse at night than it had been in the morning. Dense raindrops splattered onto Robin's hotel room window as he sat near the window, flinching every now and then at the speed at which the pellets of rain struck the window. The weather had been like this for almost the entirety of Robin's stay in Manhattan, which made it difficult for him to see many of sights that he originally intended to see. He stayed for nearly 4 days straight cooped up in his hotel room and if he forced himself to stay in there a minute longer, he was about to go mentally insane; he had to get out and go outside for a stroll. Despite the brutal showers and the absence of an umbrella, he put on his coat and made his way down to the lobby and out the door. He knew not where his first stop would be nor how long he'd be out, all he knew was that he needed fresh air, whether the air was battling fierce weather or not. Robin trekked out east in hopes to find something worthy of his time.

Robin had originally desired to head to New York in order to find inspiration for new music for his solo album that he was working on. After the Bee Gees decided to take a break for a bit following the release of Living Eyes, Robin found himself in a great opportunity to release more solo albums and expand his talent as a songwriter. His intentions were unfortunately tampered with as the climate in New York at this time was not the best. Little to no inspiration had crossed through his mind for the entirety of his trip and he only had one more day before he needed to be back in London to begin recording sessions.

Robin's mind was as blank as a fresh piece of paper as he strolled through the streets of midtown Manhattan. Bright and colorful lights guided him to Times Square in what felt like no time. Robin had only prayed that something in those lively, radiant billboards and lights would make a light bulb go off in his head and give him enough material to write a perfect song.

The rain showed no signs of stopping any time soon, and it wasn't until now that Robin realized how foolish he looked sopping wet with his hair sticking to his face and neck while everyone else were as dry as bones under their umbrellas. Robin reached for the hood of his coat to hide his drenched hair only to notice he brought the coat without a hood instead of the other one he had in his room that did have a hood. He thought for a moment about heading back to the hotel to spare the rest of his embarrassment but he kept walking, tenacious to find even the smallest bit of inspiration for a new song.

The stop at a crosswalk was the first break Robin had given his legs in God knows how long the amount of time he had been walking for. They ached almost enough for Robin's knees to buckle and give out on him. He could feel people staring at him, businessmen coming home late from their office jobs, young fools in love heading to various restaurants and clubs downtown, rebellious teens on their way to their secret hideouts. All these people nice and dry under their umbrellas while they stared at the lonely freak in New York who couldn't have even bothered to bring the correct coat in order to save his head from the rainfall.

'Another lonely night in New York'

Eagerly waiting for the crosswalk light to flash white, at this point he couldn't wait until it was time to go back home to London. This trip had been nothing but disappointing to him. No benefits to his song writing or even his own well being what so ever. The only thing he'd catch from this trip now would be a cold from the rainwater coating his entire body, making his pants stick to his legs, seeping into his sneakers and making his socks damp, that he'd have to deal with once he got back home. On the bright side if he did catch a cold then he would be able to delay the recording sessions until his voice got better which would give him more time to write some more material for the album.

'The city of dreams just keeps on getting me down'

In the midst of all the dismay washing over him, he almost didn't notice that the rain had suddenly begun to repel him. He could still see the rain in front of him, yet none of it was touching him anymore. Puzzled, he looked above his head to see what had happened, but all he spotted was a black, dome shaped piece of nylon; the canopy of an umbrella above his head. The misty scent of perfume filled his nostrils. He glanced over to the right of him to find a woman holding the umbrella over his head for him. Her resting face was nonchalant as she peered across the street, also waiting for the crosswalk light to turn white, but she gave a coy smile to Robin when she noticed him staring at her.

Robin wanted to speak up, wanted to thank the winsome young lady for sharing her umbrella with him, but the words wouldn't come to him. As the crosswalk light finally changed, everyone made their way across the street. New Yorkers were fast walkers, it was strenuous to keep up with the woman. Her strut was self-assured, even in the six inch stilettos that she wore; it was like she injected confidence into her veins every morning. Robin was mesmerized by her. He was still thinking about the smile she gave him when they were on the other side of the crosswalk, trying his best to hide a cheeky, daydreaming smile.

As the walk with the woman continued, Robin couldn't help but wonder: Was he going to be following this woman around until she reached her destination? Did they both have the same destination? Robin didn't even know where he would end up, he wracked his brain wondering if this woman was gonna lead him somewhere or if she was just doing a quick favor and wanted him to leave now. The woman hadn't spoke the whole time. Her nonchalant expression turned into a gentle smile yet she refused to look at Robin anymore than that one glance she shot at him when he noticed her.

Robin and the woman were now exiting Times Square, the high-spirited lights merely staining the background now as the woman continued to head for the subway. Robin knew right then and there that it was time for him to head back, as much as he adored this woman, he couldn't take a chance. He didn't know her and God forbid he let himself get killed tonight all because he had love fogging up his brain just for a woman who did a single kind deed for him. Again, Robin's mouth couldn't open to say a goodbye. It was like his throat was frozen every time he was near this woman. After an extensive fight to make the words come out, he gave up and instead stayed put in his spot on the sidewalk, waiting for the woman to notice and hopefully say goodbye first. After the woman reached a few paces noticing Robin had left her side, she worriedly glanced around, holding onto her hair to make sure the rain didn't touch it. She glimpsed behind her to find Robin slowly sauntering backwards in order to give her the indication that he was leaving. She relaxed her arms as her gloved hands waved goodbye to Robin, granting him the same kittenish smile she had given him earlier that night. Robin waved back and finally turned around to make his way back to the hotel.

Robin tried hard not to glance back every few seconds to get one last look at the woman, but failed miserably; he couldn't help it. After fully losing sight of the woman, he ran back to his hotel. He was grateful that she helped him, yet suddenly glum now that he was aware that he may never see that woman again. He didn't know anything about her, not her name, not her voice, not her story, but that didn't stop him from falling head over heels for her. He knew that feeling wouldn't last long, it would probably be gone by the time he'd step foot on the plane back to London, but it was a nice thought to occupy his mind with for the time being. It fascinated him at times that he could be so in love with a woman that he knew absolutely nothing about all because she noticed him and did something good for him.

'Cause my baby's no longer around and my feelings can never be found'

Robin made it back to the hotel, tracking puddles of the water all the way up to his room. The first thing he did upon entering his room was remove all of his drenched clothes and head for the shower. Once he dried himself off, he frantically searched the room for a pencil and paper, heading to his window when he finally had one. Before he could even write down a single lyric, he found her. The woman who had helped him. She was making her way down the street of the hotel as if she had been walking in circles this entire time. Was she actually trying to reach a certain destination? Or was she just out and about looking for men to swoon over her through her acts of kindness? It didn't matter to Robin, because at least he got to take one last look at her that night. That was all he needed for inspiration. If that woman was enough to give a songwriter with writer's block inspiration for a new song, than in Robin's book that woman was enough to make the world go 'round. Robin wrote down lyrics as swiftly as they came to him.

'Another lonely night in New York, and my sorry eyes are looking out on the world'

[qilwashere]

Hinata Shoyo

Hinata is your neighbor, and you've known each other for the past few years.

You met him near the bathrooms by the water fountains at one of his games, ironically, right after he had gone into the men's room to empty his stomach, since he used to get nervous all the time before a match. Since then he's gotten better, but you still worry for him sometimes.

You always help each other with homework or volleyball, although it's kind of one-sided, since you're super smart and he's very dedicated to being a middle blocker.

You always thought of him as a best friend, nothing more, although over the past few weeks, you'd been questioning yourself about that. He's been hanging out with you less, but youre pretty sure it's just because he's been busier lately. Sometimes your anxiety gets the best of you and you wonder if you did something to provoke him to not want to be around you. Every time this thought pops up in your head you have to take a deep breath to rid your brain of it.

At school his grades have gradually getting worse so you proposed a study date. As soon as you asked him you went red, hoping he didn't take it the wrong way. "I-I didn't mean a real date, it's not like--" you stumbled over your words, but he interrupted you with a laugh and said "Sure, that'd be nice. Whatever day you're free," he smiled at you. You nodded quickly and agreed on a Wednesday. You both parted ways until the set date.

At around 5:40 that Wednesday, you pace around your bedroom waiting for that familiar chime coming from your front door, letting you know that Hinata was there. It never arrives, and your worries that he's trying to keep out of contact with you come flooding your mind once again. You hope that at least he'll text you that he couldn't make it, but no chimes come from your phone either.

The next day, Thursday, at school, you don't see him in any of your usual classes together, which concerns you because he almost never misses a day. Is he sick? you wonder to yourself, and can't get him off your mind until your friend Yachi invites you to her table at lunch to discuss the new club openings that they could join together.

You start to ask her if she's seen Hinata but stop yourself mid-phrase and continue eating.

The days drag along. You haven't heard a thing from Shoyo all week.

You make a last attempt to contact him by texting, "Hey, we missed our study session :p wanna try again tomorrow?" It was a Sunday, so you felt like the next day would be a good time. It surprises you when he responds almost immediately after with "Sure :D See you at school :)". Your heart leaps but you remember that this could all be a set up.

Nah, you reassure yourself, Shoyo's way too nice for that.

For the rest of the day you surprise yourself when your feet guide you to the school gymnasium. You walk in hesitantly towards the door and remember that--

Of course. Why did you think the gym would just be open to anyone? On a Sunday, at that? You bury your face in your hand and turn back when someone comes up behind you-- Yachi.

"Hi Y/N! What are you doing here? I came because I was forgot my bag in here on Friday and never got a chance to get it back. I figured I'd stop by and pick it up before school tomorrow," she says casually. You stare at her wide-eyed. "...Is something wrong?" She asks you. You shake you head no but reply, "I was.. uh, well I was hoping to practice volleyball drills for a bit." Your response surprises you, since you'd been happy to talk with people about it but never really played the sport, or seemed interested in doing so.

"We can't get in without the key, though, so--" you start, but Yachi cuts you off: "Oh, that's no problem, I'm the manager of the volleyball club! I thought I told you... Anyways, let me just make sure I have it on me--" she pauses and pats herself down until she finds a keychain in her pocket, "--we're good!" She says cheerfully.

Your bubbly friend unlocks the key to the Karasuno gym and pulls the basket of volleyballs out of the corner. You grab a ball and toss it up, lace your hands together and face your forearms towards the ceiling, and bend your knees to receive.

The toss was off so you have to shift to the left a little to receive it right, but the feeling of it bouncing off of your arms is so... exciting. You shuffle your feet quickly forward to get directly under the ball again and - POOMF - you hit it up perfectly again. The ball comes down once more and this time when you receive it, you decide to send it over and aim for the left corner of the court. You brace your arms, wait for the point of contact, shrug your shoulders and send the ball flying up... Over... And right inside the left lines on the other side of the net.

You pat yourself on the back for a second and continue doing some volleyball practice. You practice aiming your tosses and have Yachi (attempt to) give you some good sets for spikes. After about an hour and a half, the sun starts to disappear behind the hills. You pick up the balls with the new club manager and say your goodbyes before heading home.

Once you get to your room, you notice that your laptop is open so you decide to check your socials. You try to deny it but you know you're secretly hoping for a DM from Shoyo. As you scroll through your messages you start seeing chats that you hadn't opened in a good while. They don't interest you, though, because you just want to hear from that energetic tangerine-haired boy.

You slump onto your bouncy mattress and it seems to groan in agony as you get comfortable. Eventually your eyelids grow heavy and you decide to rest.

That next day, Hinata comes over to your house,  and you're just hopping into your neatest skirt when you open the door. You're ready for your study date, but before you can stay anything, he grabs your hand and almost drags you down the block to a wide field. As you're jogging beside him on that cloudy day, struggling to keep up, you sneak a glance at him and notice that he's looking happier than you'd ever seen him. You smile to yourself, look down, up again, and run faster to challenge his speed.

"No fair, you got a head start!" He pants, and you laugh.

Eventually you get to a large field with tall grass and a few dandelions.

"I... Need a break," you can barely get out as you bend over and breathe hard. Hinata does the same thing, and after a moment he says, "Hey, (Y/N), see that really tall blade of grass over there?" He says to you. "You mean the one that's taller than you?" You joke, and he scowls. "....Yeah, that one. I'll race you to it!" He taunts, and you gladly accept the challenge. Forgetting about school for a while, you sprint towards the grass towering over all the rest. He beats you, as always, but you don't care because even if you lost, you had more time to spend with him and that's all you needed.

By the time you reach the grass, you're both too weak to stand up, so you lay in the field, next to each other, hands just barely touching, and look at the clouds in the sky. You breathe hard and think about your best friend beside you, and feel yourself blush as you smile to yourself again.

It's quiet so as you push yourself up on your elbows, you try think of a way to start a conversation. "I, uh... I practiced some volleyball yesterday." You stumble over your words, but he perks right up at this, wide-eyed since you're not exactly the athletic type.

"Really?! How was it? Did you hit a spike? Did you practice your tosses? How were your receives? When the ball hit your arm did it go 'poomf?'" He bombards you with questions, doing the same movements he usually would on the court, since this is his area of expertise.

You try to answer him the best you can, "Well, actually, I did try to hit the ball over - Yachi, the new manager, tossed some balls to me - but they always hit the net... My sets were pretty good, and, I could control my receives!" You got excited near the end, almost bouncing, because the few times you practiced with Hinata, strangely, you struggled the most with your receives.

Hinata seems to remember that, because when you mention your improvement, he almost yells, "That's great Y/N! We should practice one day!" You agree with a giggle.

After a few minutes, the world seems to calm down, and so do you. Taking in loads of air at a time, you stare at the sky and try to trace shapes in the clouds.

"I miss you," Hinata says suddenly, almost under his breath. It surprises you and you go silent for a while. "I..I missed you too. A lot," you add, unsure of how to really respond.

He sits up and says, "I'm sorry we haven't talked, it was an accident. I got caught up in volleyball and my failing grades but-- but the few days I haven't seen you made me realize that I want you... More than you, or I, even know..." He trails off, playing with his fingers, and your heart skips a beat.

"I need you, (Y/N)." Hinata mumbles, staring at your bright (E/C) eyes. You nod, not knowing what to say. "Can I.. can I have you?" He asks, embarrassed. You nod again, harder, and grin at him. "Yeah," you just barely whisper, gazing at him as if he were the only thing in the world, and for that minute, he was.

He returns the smile, and it seems like, for that second that he does, the clouds go away, almost like they're making room for the ball of sunshine sitting next to you.

In that moment, with the (real) sun setting, and the dandelions swaying in the slight breeze, you realize that you do love this boy, and that you'd do anything for him. You move your hand slightly to the right so that your pinkie is resting on top of his. You sneak glances at him, and wonder if something's gonna happen.

Shoyo is quiet for the  rest of the time, and you don't kiss, but that's okay because...

Because he's yours. And you're his. And that's a better feeling than any kiss could've granted you.

|~Fin~|

AHHH I know there wasnt much action lol I just had to do this lol. As always thanks for reading <3

[fly-pow-bye]

ThunderCats - "Exodus"

Written by: Leonard Starr

Another experiment begins? Maybe?

Fly Pow Bye's only initial mission was to review every episode of PPG 2016. That changed when I got the idea to review another reboot that was coming on while it was still airing, and my originally. Now, it seems like I have become the reviewer of reboots. I've reviewed every episode of PPG 2016, reviewed every episode of DuckTales 2017 so far, and people have asked me what I'm going to review next. I probably could have done a certain reboot that was on Nickelodeon, but there was another show on Cartoon Network that was announced that intrigued me. However, I won't be reviewing that right now, as one can tell from the title.

I'm going to be blunt: I have zero recollection of anything with the original ThunderCats from the 1980's. I do remember watching reruns of it on Cartoon Network and liking the theme song, but that's it. The impression I got from other people's recollections of it is that it was a really good one minute music video with nothing else of worth after it. I mean, just listen to CBR tell us what they felt ThunderCats was in an article about how we shouldn't be worried about a certain reboot:

Face it: the original was just as dumb as most '80s cartoons, only sustained in adults' memories by nostalgia and unfulfilled potential.

I could just take the writer at CBR at their word, and my preconceived notions would make that very easy for me. Fly Pow Bye does not do "very easy," so...away we go. Most shows would have started with a Genesis, ThunderCats starts with the Exodus.

Specifically, it's an exodus from a desolate, fiery wasteland, as we see a spaceship flying over it in ThunderCats' first shot after the opening. This spaceship is piloted by a bunch of humanoid cats led by an old man named Jaga. One of them, a orange man named Tygra, asks if he can wake Lion-O up. Cheetara tells him that they shouldn't upset the child with such a distressing view, only for Jaga to just say "WAKE HIM!"

And so Cheetara does. Jaga has his reasons for waking this kid up; he is apparently the future leader, and he must learn to take the bad from the good. He's still a kid, even having his own teddy bear, but don't tell Lion-O that.

Lion-O: I'm practically grown up!

Hmm, hmm, hmm. How wonderful he brings that up specifically.

His pet cat dragon thing starts to complain about that. Don't worry about forgetting his name, as Snarf always seem to end his sentences with a partial version of it when he's complaining, which is all the time from what I can tell. If it means anything, at least his first line is followed by our future leader telling Snarf to “let up”. This won’t be the only time, not by a long shot.

Jaga wanted to wake him up just in time to see the fireworks. Specifically, of his home planet exploding. His reasoning was that he needed to take the bad and the good. I guess the good is that he is the future leader, and he's going to let the code of Thundara live on. It has all the usual things one would put in such a code. Honor, justice, pizza. Okay, maybe not that last one.

He won't be alone either, as the nobles of the land are there with him: Panthro, Cheetara, Tygra, Wily Kit, and Wily Kat, left to right in that image above. Snarf is there too, but he doesn't even mention him. This is something he takes very well, I completely lie. Together, they are the ThunderCats. It's good for Jaga to come up with such a great name for action figures. Lion-O, with all this responsibility, does his best to accept it.

Lion-O: I will, Jaga, I swear it! ...well, I'll try.

Well, the kid doesn't have much of a choice, does he? These nobles aren't the only thing Jaga wants Lion-O and the kids at home to know about, as he lets him know about the important part of his heritage.

We get to see the Sword of Omens, and the eye of Thundara that is embedded in it. Lion-O decides to look at the gift horse in the mouth and talk about how it's got holes in the hilt, and he doesn't see that huge eye-looking thing in the center of it. Unfortunately, being only a little kid, he can't even lift it, and Jaga merely tells him he doesn't have the strength yet. He then tells Snarf to get the others.

Snarf: But I wanted to hear...

Jaga: It's important, Snarf!

Okay, maybe I can understand why he complains so much; everyone's just yelling at him to let up his yap.

When the rest of the ThunderCats come in, he gives them all weapons and clothing to protect them from the elements of wherever they're landing, as apparently they didn't need it on their home planet back when it wasn't on fire. Oh yeah, they were only clothed with their fur until now; I was trying not to point out the giant elephant in the room. I don't wonder why they decided to leave that out of any potential reboots.

After he gives the ThunderCats their outfits and weapons, the ship starts to rattle and roll. Jaga tells Lion-O to stay put while the others take care of whatever it is, but he's not having it!

Lion-O: Aw, I don't want to be safe! Safe is boring!

Yeah, forget being safe!

That rattling and rolling is from an army of ships piloted by Slithe and his army of mutants, hailing from the planet Plun-Darr. 80's villains were never really subtle with the names of their planets or themselves. When one names their kid Slithe, they may as well teach them how to laugh and evilly as possible.

They end up doing very well, destroying every other ship except for the ones with all the characters we know in there. There is a good reason why they want to keep the ship safe: they don't want to destroy the Eye of Thundara, even though only Slithe knows what it looks like.

Slithe decides to laser a hole the ship, complete with his ship making a tube connecting the two so we don't have to question if these mutants can breathe in space, and sends his army to attack. This leads to our first big fight scene between the ThunderCats and the Mutants. We know the ThunderCats' names, and now we get to see their abilities. Cheetara, she can run really, really fast. Tygra, he can disappear! Panthro, he's strong enough to break maces with his bare hands and has amazing quips!

Panthro: If you guys were as mean as you are ugly, then maybe you'd be trouble!

Oh yeah, and Kit and Kat can throw colorful smoke bombs. Most of that stuff was already in the intro, but hey, it's nice to get a reminder in the actual show. Maybe it doesn't look as good as the intro, but, and maybe it's just my standards being put very low, but I wouldn't call the animation bad. It does end rather abruptly as soon as Wily Kit and Wily Kat use their smoke bombs, but that's really my only downside for this.

After ransacking through a bunch of boxes, destroying their precious soccer ball, Slithe and one of his minions, Jackalman, do manage to find the room where the Eye of Thundara is at. They are greeted by a little kid holding a sword that's much too big for him, and a dragon cat thing who tries to call himself "Snarf the Fierce". Snarf the Fierce ends up getting caught in a net while he tries his best Scrappy Doo impression. They also do not fear a kid who can barely hold the giant sword...

...however, they do fear a shining logo with a cat on it. It also seemingly gives Lion-O enough strength to hold it for a few seconds, which is more than enough to make them all run away. If only that worked on bullies.

While the enemies have left, the ship is in not so great condition due to all of that ransacking from before, and they have to change course to a different planet that can support life. Panthro manages to find a blue planet in some dinky galaxy, the third rock from the sun. They call it Third Earth eventually.

I love that they decided to have an explanation of almost everything to all the people who really needed that MST3K mantra. How can they get to a planet that's light years away from them without any kind of ludicrous speed? They have to be suspended in pods! Why can't Jaga go into one of those pods? There's several reasons to that: he doesn't trust the auto-pilot in the condition its in, or robot pilot as this show coins it, and the pods doesn't stop aging entirely, so he'd die anyway. Why not die helping them out?

Much to the dismay of everyone else, Jaga ends up piloting the ship as long as he can, and he disintegrates, possibly with the help of a "self-disintegrate" feature on his armband. Considering his future role in the series, it is possible they felt having him fade away would be too obvious. Jokes aside, it’s not every day you get to see an on-screen death on Saturday Morning TV.

The robot pilot was apparently not programmed to land properly, so they end up crashing, and all the pods scattered across a small area. Snarf gets out of his pod first, and of course he takes the time to complain about how he wasn't going to like this, Snarf Snarf. He manages to find Lion-O's pod, and what's the first thing Lion-O says after years of slumber?

Lion-O: What are you doing, Snarf, get away!

He bumps his head, and his first assumption is that his pod shrank, and then he noticed Snarf shrank, too, and he suddenly has huge hands!

A peek in the water later, he finds out he's an adult now! Yeah, that was one thing I didn't remember from the original: our hero is essentially DC's Captain Marvel/Shazam minus the superpowers plus a cool sword minus any way to change back into Billy Batson. He does try to get used to it immediately, refusing his favorite teddy bear from Snarf in what seems to be the fifteenth time he's been indirectly told to shut up.

Slithe and his usual gang of idiots also manage to make it to Third Earth, too. We can only assume they have better pods. Snarf sees this and tries to give Lion-O the sword. It seems that the faulty pod gave Lion-O a little bit of amnesia, as he doesn't remember these specific mutants that attacked the ship he was on or the Sword of Omens when Snarf tries to give it to him, which he assumes is just another toy. See, there was a point to him having a teddy bear!

Not accepting the toy, he decides to run towards the mutants as soon as one of them decides to try to chop up one of the pods they found. Snarf, in his second time in the episode where he ended up being useful, decides to throw the sword at Lion-O, and he's able to grab it without cutting his huge hands. I'd imagine the sword helped, not that Lion-O even knows what it is.

Thankfully, Obi-Wan shows up as a Force Ghost to tell Luke to use the glowing sword. In other words, Jaga shows up as a spirit to use the Sword of Omens. Even death can't stop Jaga from fulfilling his duty to be Lion-O's Tutorial level. Just being with Jaga's spirit refreshes his memory, and, now having the strength to use the sword, he uses the sword's "sight beyond sight" feature to find the other pods.

We get this show's transformation sequence! Well, the sword transforms as Lion-O swings it and says "Thunder", and it becomes large as the Eye of Thundara shines the Cat-Signal. I'm sorry, I had to make that joke eventually! The Cat-Signal wakes the other ThunderCats up...

...and we get our second fight scene, essentially doing the same thing as last time, but this time we get to see Tygra actually use his whip, and Lion-O gets to...run across and dodge things. Okay, I wasn't expecting him to actually slash these creatures on screen, but he still doesn't get to do much with that enhanced edge.

Also, they get to do their thing with the theme song in the background...for about ten seconds before they decided, "oh wait, this is just going to look bad compared to the usual animation!" Still, it's pretty cool for 80's cartoons.

In the end, the mutants use their teleportation devices to get out of there, and Lion-O gets to boast about how awesome he is, and that he'll definitely be the leader and protector of the ThunderCats. Everyone else shakes their head, knowing fully well that inside that grown man is a little kid that appears to have the motto "being safe sucks." Snarf comments on both this and my decision to review two different versions of the show at the same time.

Snarf: Maybe it'll turn out alright, and maybe it won't!

It does feel like this episode kind of just ends, as if it was half of an episode. Actually, that's because it is. Much like DuckTales and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which would air later the same year ThunderCats did, the series begins with a story arc. They aired the first two episodes right next to each other as the Pilot, so I’m technically reviewing half an episode. However, I still have to ask...

How does it stack up?

One problem with this show is that nobody really has an amazing facial expression that I could use as a rating system. Something tells me the other version of the show won’t have this problem, but I’ve always wanted to revamp Fly Pow Bye’s rating system anyway.

I’ve always said “mid neutral”, “high disgusted”, “low happy”, and I feel like that’s just showing the flaw of using a 3 system. Sure, The Oct-Father is one of the best episodes of PPG 2016, but I gave it the same rating as The Long Skate Home, an episode that just barely scrapes above the average episode. I think that needs to change.

So, here it is: I’m just going to rate everything out of 5. As much as I love the Happy, Neutral, Disgusted ratings. This episode does intrigue me to the second half of the pilot, but I feel the best has yet to come. At least, I hope so; I really don’t know what to expect. 4 Cats.

See you on Saturday for my review of ThunderCats Roar's version of this episode...and a couple of the future episodes of this show, it seems, since the Berbils show up already in the first episode. Uh, that's going to be a bit awkward.

← n/a 🐯 The Unholy Alliance →

[riyuu-bsd]

Rest [Edgar Allen Poe x Reader]

"What's the new book about?" she smiled, (h/c) lockes swept behind her shoulders,

"A-ah! (L/n)-San! I'm going to write a book that will absolutely stump Ranpo-Kun, because as his rival, I have to challenge him," her boss smiled,

"Sounds awesome, Poe-San!" the maid enthused, "Can I read it so far?"

In truth, the girl had no interest in reading, preferring to lead her life as a detective for her fix of action. She may not have been able to protect Poe, but she certainly could support him wholeheartedly.

Which is what she did.

"Oh, of course, but I never knew you enjoyed reading so much," the male said with a small chuckle and a faint dust of pink on his cheeks, standing up with the draft in hand.

"I could've gotten it myself, you know," the lady chuckled, moving closer so that she could get the book so far.

"Yes you could I never doubted that I justt thought that it would be better for me to hand it to you myself," he rambled, flustered at his own awkwardness as he sat back down, hiding his face in his hands (not that it made much difference, with how his hair covered his eyes). You smiled at how adorable you found it, however unprofessional it may have been.

In truth, it wasn't far off to say that she liked the shy male. His aura of mystery (which only existed due to his timidity) was alluring, and his dedication to being a good rival was refreshing. He was incredibly friendly, underneath all his awkward fumbling, and when he was comfortable with someone he was somewhat clingy. It was all adorable to the (h/c)ette, though she knew how scandalous it may seem to romanticise her boss in the work place. She had tried to drop hints, but they fell onto deaf, awkward ears. Whenever she would brush her hand against hi, he shuffled to the side, thinking it was a signal he was too close. Whenever she would give him a smile, he shied away, assuming that it was because she saw him looking at her and found it unsettling but knew how sensitive he was. It was almost frustrating, when she dwelled on it.

Snapping out of her thoughts and concentrating on the carefully crafted strings of words infront of her, she looked in amazement at the effort put into a draft of the novel. She smiled to herself, flipping the page.

The author peeked through his hands to see how she reacted so far.

A smile?

Did she find it laughable?

It would be crushing if his kind, sweet maid laughed at his work.

But at least it would be honesty, right?

Drowning in his insecurities, he failed to notice he was staring again, and quickly ripped his gaze from her.

"Its great, Poe-San," the lady smiled, holding it out for him. Whilst she had no interest in books, writing or reading, she had been encapsulated in the intricate strings of words, the sense of mystery and clues dropped intruiged her.

"Y-you think?" he stammered, unable to take the compliment at face value. His face flushed slightly, a small smile forming at the smile and nod of his assistant. She looked at her pocket watch, noticing the time,

"Ah! I should be going, I have things to sort out and rooms to clean," she chuckled, standing up and excusing herself, "Thank you for your time," she smiled with a bow.

Poe himself had lost track of time, glancing to see what it was.

11:43.

"(L-l/n), you've worked a long shift, you should really be going home," he fussed, getting up and stepping towards her, "I-I could get you a cab," he offered, "Or I could d-drive you, don't overwork yourself-"

"Don't overwork myself? Poe-San, you've been working on that novel for a week straight, you've barely left your office," the head maid fussed, turning around, "Besides, I still have work to do,"

"B-but-"

"No buts, I'm not paid to have a good nights sleep," she pouted, leaving with a small bow.

The author was left feeling nervous and guilty. He resumed finishing up the final version, mind racing with his thoughts.

His mind was clouded with thoughts and concerns of how tired she must be, if she was eating properly and other things he never usually worried about. On multiple occasions he had found himself writing her name rather than the word he was supposed to.

"Poe-San, I'll be leaving now," the maid said with a curtsy, "Unless there's anything else you need help with,"

"N-no, there's nothing else, (L/n), thank you," he smiled, amazed at how confident he seemed (despite the initial stutter),

"No problem, Poe-San, I'll be going," she said with a small smile. Before he could offer her help getting home, she was on her way out. He scrambled to his feet, chasing after her,

"W-wait!" he called, trying his best not to trip, "Have tomorrow off, i-if you'd like," he said, somewhat out of breath after not running for so long,

"I'll be fine with just coming in a bit later, if that's possible," she smiled,

"S-sure," he agreed, Karl catching up and climbing back to his usual place on Poe's shoulder.

"I'll see you, then," the lady said, somewhat curt. He nodded, retreating to his room at a brisk place.

.

.

Laying in bed with Karl curled up next to him, Poe began to feel somewhat feverish. He felt too warm, head spinning and focus askew.

What was happening?

He brought his hands to his usually cold face, pulling them away quickly at the intense heat.

That wasn't usual.

He was usually stone cold.

Why did he feel warm?

Why was his face red?

Why couldn't he take her off of his mind?

He stroked Karl's fur, hoping it would destress him and that he could find answers. He wanted answers; answers he couldn't get.

"Oh Karl, what am I going to do? I can't get her off of my mind," he whispered to his beloved raccoon, "And I'm so warm lately.. What's happening?"

Karl remained curled up, falling asleep to the quiet, worried rambles of insecurity lulled by his owner.

Stealing a glance at the clock, he groaned.

Two hours later and he still hadn't slept. Dragging himself out of dull, grey sheets. He trudged into his office, tugging at the light switch. Greyish, lavender eyes fluttered and squinted in the sudden, yellow light. He sighed to himself, slumping over the table as he began to continue writing.

.

.

//Timeskip//

.

.

Walking in to the small office, the girl sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Poe-Kun, did you not sleep again? Are you awake? Cold? Do you need a blanket?" she fussed, walking closer.

All she heard in response was soft snoring which somewhat warmed her heart. She smiled to herself, wrapping her arms around him as he continued to sleep, "Do you need me to help you get back to sleep?"

He stirred, feeling the warmth of someone against him. He flushed red in embarassment,

"(L-L/n).." he stammered, before realising the situation.

He began to panic mentally, scrambling to get away. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable by having her hold him so close for too long.

"Ah, Poe-San, how was your sleep?" she smiled, picking him up with incredible ease,

"I-I didn't realise I fell asleep.." he admitted, giving up on resisting and resting into her warm hold.

"That's okay, when did you last know you were awake?" she continued, walking into the hallway, "Ah- Which one is yours again?"

"I think.. I think I fell asleep at maybe.. Four?" he managed, casting back his memory, "I-I can walk myself, (L/n),"

"Poe! You need to sleep more," she scolded, "No, I'll carry you; you're tired, anyway,"

"I-I couldn't sleep.." he sighed, pointing to a room, "That one's mine,"

"Why couldn't you, Poe? What's bothering you?" she cooed, walking into the right room and placing him on the bed. Digging through his drawers, she looked for some nightwear for him to wear.

"(L-L/n), I have work to do-"

"How are you going to do work passed out, huh?" she retorted, throwing a confortable looking pair at him,

"You don't have to do this, you know," he whined, the girl standing outside to give him privacy.

"Poe, I care about you and I know that you need sleep; and that means you're getting to sleep whether you like it or not," she sassed, "I came by to drop off a cake I ordered for you, and noticed you weren't around,"

"R-Really? ..Y-you care, (L/n)..?" Poe whispered, ready to get some sleep as he reopned the door,

"I.. I mean.. Yeah.." she blushed, rubbing the back of her neck awkardly. He noticed that she was dressed in a blouse and skirt apposed to her uniform, and realised what she said was quite true. "A-anyway, what was bothering you, though?"

"I felt.. Really warm.. And my face was really red, and I couldn't stop thinking about someone.." he admitted, too awkward to say it was her.

"That means that.. You're in love," she smiled, eyes holding an underlying sadness.

"O-oh.." he whispered, before the lady tucked him into his sheets,

"Would you like some tea to help you sleep? Biscuits? Anything at all?" she offered, eyes plain.

"C-could--" He cut himself off, realising how absurd his answer would seem to her, "Could you open the window for me?" She nodded, smiling and granting his request.

"I'll stick around, just in case you need anything, okay?"

"O-okay.."

His mind still raced. She cared about him. About his wellbeing. About his happiness. It made his heart flutter, the butterflies in his stomach intense. He wove his hand in Karl's soft fur, hoping to relieve his mind of such thoughts. Every once in a while, he noticed she would come and check in on him, only to get flustered and scold him when he was still awake.

How could he not be?

He was conflicted over her; did he love her? Or was it just that he wanted to be friends, and his social anxieties over exaggerated the situation, feigning admiration as infatuation?

Who was he kidding? Of course he loved her. Afterall, he was fixated on her. Wanting to be close to her, to be near her. He was quite comfortable with her, seeing as she was his maid and (possibly) his friend.

Curling up, he decided to just close his eyes and hope to fall asleep, before hearing the door open. He knew the familiar scent of lavender from anywhere; (L/n). She came to check on him again, moving closer.

Poe held his eyes shut, no matter how desperately he wanted to gaze at her beautiful features, he should have been sleeping. She brushed away the dark hair covering his eye, smiling down at him softly.

"Dammit, why do I have to love you?" she whispered, "You're my boss; I shouldn't be feeling like this towards you."

Poe felt his cheeks burn in embarrassment. It went unnoticed, the lady continuing to speak,

"I mean, you're the one I work for; surely it would be awkward if we were together.." she sighed, still relatively quiet, "But you're just too darn cute.."

He cracked open one eye, holding out his arms for her to fall into, "I.. I love you too.." he whispered, wrapping his arms around her loosely. She melted into his hold, taken aback by his confidence. Whilst he had stuttered, he also engaged in physical contact; something she was quite proud of him for.

"O-oh.." she said, realising his words as her face grew redder, "You heard all that?" Poe nodded against her back, having sat up to be closer to him. He felt the drowsiness he should have felt the previous night hit him like a train, finding himself almost unable to keep his eyes open.

"I-I'm tired.."

"Anything you could do with to help you sleep?" the (h/c)ette smiled jokingly.

"C-can you stay here..?" he whispered into her neck, having burried his face into her shoulder, "I-it's kind of comfortable.."

"Sure thing, Poe-Kun," she smiled, laying back down as the shy author snuggled closer to her, drifting into a much needed sleep.

[franeridart]

Can we also talk about how Bakugou went from "weird haired guy" to "Kirishima. Change of plans". Oh man I didn't realize how much I missed the anime *cries*

BOI CAN’T WE I just spent the whole morning crying over seeing the moment Bakugou recognizes Kirishima as an equal animated nbd at all r i p me - I think this might be the first time Bakugou calls anyone by their name, actually, and I just!!! that’s because Bakugou heard Kirishima’s words and recognized him as a good partner and a worthy hero and someone whom he could respect and I’m gonna be grateful for chapter 133 for the insight on this for the rest of my always I !!!!!! have feelings g a h

Anon said:ok ok ok ok but but listen what about BAKGOU AND OCHAKO they are the most popular couple and the most cutest , i think you should try to draw them once i would love love to see this !!! of course just if you want hehe thanx

Ahhh sorry anon but I really don’t ship that - I mean, it’s true that I ship Bakugou with a bunch of people aside from my main two, but if they’re part of Deku’s group you can fairly assume they’re not between my Bakugou ships? And I only romantically ship Uraraka with Deku, Tsuyu and Iida anyway so! You’re probably not gonna see any romantic baku/ocha from me, sorry o

Anon said:Since we know what Bakugou’s parents are like, what do you think Kirishima’s parents are like?

I have a similar ask somewhere asking about Kaminari’s parents as well, so I guess I’ll answer both here?? As a general rule I don’t really like making headcanons over stuff I’m sure the manga will give me in the future, so I can’t say I’ve thought about this too much - there are a few things I work under the assumption of while drawing, like for example I’m taking for granted they both have at least functional families, considering Aizawa personally visited their homes to ask their guardians about allowing them back to school, and if anything had been weird he would have noticed

I like to think Kaminari got his quirk straight from one of his two parents with no mixing happening, and got the Kaminari surname from them as well, but that’s all I ever allowed myself to settle on as far as Kami’s family goes, everything else changes based on what I need for the current scenario I’m thinking about… I do often end back on him being an only child, though - in the same way depending on how angst or lighthearted I want it to be my ideas for Kirishima’s family change a lot, but generally I think I mostly fall back on the idea of him having a big family? In a scenario like that his parents are kind and love him a lot, but having many children and needing to split their attention on all of them might cause them to overlook him a little (it would explain his obsession with being flashy, for me) then again, who knows? I don’t know how canon you can consider the infos SMASH gives, but in one of the strips Kiri mentions working part-time, and the fact that he doesn’t seem to have problems with money kinda makes me believe he might be independent from his family like that (unless he’s a rich kid, also very entertaining as a possiblity)

I’ve seen a lot of headcanons floating around about both of these guys’ families and possibly being related to villains, that would be cool too, though I’m not sure how much I believe it

I’m sorry this ended up being little to no useful at all lol as I said, I just shift between scenarios a lot - imagine settling on one and growing attached and then having to let it go once Hori proves it wrong, that’d be terrible for me

Anon said:Oh my god…we had a black cat called nitro !! He was super affectionate and high strung. Thanks for reminding me of him. great art as always !!!

You’re!!! the second person telling me they have/had a cat called that!!!! °O° is it a popular name for cats? I just called her that for Baku’s quirk tbh hahaha

Anon said:I would L.O.V.E to do a BNHA art collab with you my lord!

BOI THAT’S FLATTERING!!!!!! I’ve never done collabs before though, so I dunno if I’m comfortable with this? I’ll !!! have to think about it!

Anon said:Not only is your art adorable but how much you babble on in the tags is absolutely precious, you’re like a sunshine who always brightens up the day just by being yourself!

Way to make me blush anon oh my g o d!!!!!! I’m??? glad I can make you smile with my incoherent blabbering??? It’s super nice to know because tbh I just have way too much to say about everything hahaha (read: I dunno how to shut up. ever. rip)

Anon said:I just wanted to say your asks posts and doodles and literally just your whole blog in general brightens up my day so much no matter how sucky it’s been. I had a rough day today but the first thing I saw when I got on tumblr was one of your bakugou drawings and it made me smile when nothing else that day did and I just wanted you to know that. Also you seem like one of the most honest and heartwarming people ever. I hope you have a good weekend. ❤️

gODS what’s up with you guys trying so hard to make me a smiling and blushing mess here aaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! thank?? you???? I’m really, really, really happy I could make you smile!!! That’s the reason why I post my stuff to begin with, knowing I could help you even just a little bit means a lot!!!

Anon said:I’m really sorry if I reposted anything!!!!! Its truly out of habit….😌 But really, I’m sorry. (By the way, your art is amazing!!)

Thank you!! And as long as you took down whatever you reposted, your apology is more than accepted! Thank you for being understanding! But that kind of habit is something you should really grow out of, anon - for most artists, if they wanted their art on other websites they would post it themselves, and as long as it’s about sharing it here on tumblr a reblog is more than good enough! It’s nice of you to want to share my things, and I’m happy you like my stuff enough to want more people to see it, but since I don’t have accounts anywhere else on the internet I don’t really want my stuff there either - a link back to the original post would suffice if all you want is share, wouldn’t it? 

About this, thank you so much to all the super nice people telling me they’re sorry about my stuff being reposted! There’s a lot of you and posting all the asks here would make this post insanely long, but know that I read all of them and I appreciate every word! To those mentioning they do tell people to take my stuff down when they notice it being reposted, thank you so so so so much, and to those worrying I might stop posting, for now that’s still not going to happen - I might reduce the amount of stuff I post for specific fandoms or ships, but I love it all too much and I love sharing my love for them too much to just stop. And thank you for all the nice words and compliments too, you’re all so kind to me !!!!

Anon said:I don’t know if you’re familiar with Dave and Buster’s (it’s a big arcade/restaurant for mainly adults) but I went the other day and all I could think about was “holy shit, Kuroo, Bokuto, and Terushima would have the time of their lives here” anyway, just thought I’d share that with you since I know you ship them as well cx

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we don’t have those in Italy so I can’t say I am, but this sounds interesting and if it’s bo kuro and teru I’m always up for hearing more! What kind of place is it? How does it work?? *O*

Anon said:Not a question or anything but I just found your blog and it is so nice??? Like all your art is amazing and you’ve made bakushimanari my ot3 and you bakusquad doodles are just perfect too. Just thank you for existing and your art and ideas just give me life. That’s all

THANK YOU OH MY GODS!!!!!!!!!! I’m so so so happy you like my squad stuff?? Lately they’re the most entertaining thing to draw tbh, I’m glad there’s actually people who like all the silliness hahaha I wish you the best weekend, anon, I know this ask just made mine, tbh!!

Anon said:LMAO when did Allen strip I don’t remember that

It’s in an extra! God I can’t remember what they were talking about so I can’t find it, I’ve been trying to since I got this ask (if??? anyone knows??? that’d be much appreciated???) but anyway they were hosting something? It might have been a character poll or something similar but I’m not sure, and Allen was The Host™ and at some point he started stripping and talking about added prices for it and if I remember right Reever and/or Johnny might have started crying for his forever lost and now non-existent innocence (was that a pun? possibly)

Anon said:OMG!!! I get so excited every time I see you posted something and now you just !!! uploaded !!!! all !!!! these !!!! BAKUGOU !!!! BIRTHDAY !!!!! COMICS !!!! AND !!!! I !!!!! AM !!!!! SO !!!! HAPPY !!!!!! (and they are all so adorable!!)

I’M GLAD YOU LIKED THEM HOLY SMOKES!!!!!!! Every time I post so much all together I always worry it’s too much haha I’m sorry for clogging all your dashboards now and again rip

Anon said:I was so excited this chapter of bnha because I thought we’d finally learn Kirishima, my babies, backstory but then we didn’t and now I’m sad (im still holding out for him having met/seen Bakugou in middle school for some reason and being inspired or something).

That’s tbh a good headcanon I’ve seen around now and again, and until Horikoshi will finally stop holding back all the Kiri infos you!!! keep on doing your thing!!!! he for sure already knew of him because everyone did thanks to the sludge incident, so why the heck not 

(I can’t say I share the hc though, since until they fought together during the USJ attack Kirishima did think of Bakugou’s quirk as Everything He Ever Wanted™, but he didn’t seem to be much into Bakugou himself? I dunno I dunno Kiri’s very gay and got around to sticking to Bakugou like glue in something like fifteen chapters I can’t say we saw much of how he used to think of him before deciding he wanted to marry him lmao)

Anon said:I love Kirishima so much it’s genuinely confusing, like this boy is literally sunshine and I want him to be happy with his explody bf. The latest chapters gave me life because he is shining and I want the world to love him like I love him. Your art of him is beautiful and the best thing ever.

BOY THANK YOU!!!! I’m glad I can do him justice in your opinion? He’s SO MUCH and SO BRIGHT !!!!!!!!!! It’s kind of hard, making him just as good as he is in canon, but that’s cause he’s perfect how is he that perfect how does he even do that I 100% share all of your confusion anon when did I even fall this hard for that child

Anon said:I’m most into the voltron fandom tonight so if I followed every blog that was suggested I would be burried in more discourse than I can handle lmao so I will just try to dig through tags to find weeks

……that’s really one messy fandom you decided to stick with, anon, I admire your strength - but!!! as far as ship weeks go, since the voltron fandom is pretty huge maybe there might be a blog dedicated specifically to letting you know when fandom events are supposed to happen! You should try digging around for that!!!