#he meant as in she seems very nice and friendly and ‘oh yes I can help with that’ polite

[ifeelfreewithoutmyshoes]

I would really just not use a stereotype as a way to describe anybody actually

[blackjackkent]

Speaking to more of the thralls on the Szarr palace lower level:

Narrator: The woman's eyes are alert, verging on manic, as she bustles about.

"Everything's gotta be right for the master! Everything's gotta be perfect!"

NGL I wish I could muster the same level of enthusiasm for cleaning that these people have (though ideally without being a vampire thrall I guess).

More room exploring!

Walking down the corridor to what seems like the last downstairs room, another one flickers into existence next to it.

Ughhhhh.

Hector was already fucking appalled by Cazador simply based on the stories Astarion has told him in the past, but seeing this place in person is making him far more so. That bastard is NOT surviving the night if Hector has anything to say about it.

I wonder if the kennel is meant to be the place where Astarion talked about having been shut into solitary for a year straight. :/

It's a roughly 20x20 stone room with a bunch of bedrolls laid across the floor. "Prime spot for an ambush," Jaheira mutters as we walk in, her perception pinging off of this not-very-subtle ambusher in the corner.

We get to talk to him, presumably because we noticed him before he attacked. Judging by the dialogue he's supposed to be a LITTLE more subtle than this.

"I know you're there, Godey. Stop skulking and show yourself."

The skeleton creeps from the shadows; despite the immobility of the skull, it seems to smirk in Astarion's direction. "You always were sharp, little one," it hisses. "Sharp enough to cut yourself."

"It's taking everything I have not to grind your rotten carcass to dust," Astarion growls. Hector isn't sure he's ever seen the elf this cold.

"Don't be mad at Godey, child," the skeleton says; its voice is gravelly, like the rubbing of its bones together. "I only did my job. Only kept you in line..."

"You tortured us!" Astarion shoots back. "For days at a time!"

"Oh, yes-- and you sang so sweetly for me," purrs the skeleton. "None of the others screamed like you did." It tilts his head slowly to look towards Hector. "But you're home now... and you brought me a treat, eh? A new friend for Godey?"

Hector has heard more than enough. This creature is a torturer, and Astarion is practically vibrating with rage; Hector means to let Astarion call the shots here where he can, so he doesn't actually lash out - but his fury on his friend's behalf is obvious as he speaks.

[INTIMIDATION] "Lay a hand on me and lose it, bones," he snaps.

"Not very nice," the skeleton groans, leaning a little away out of Hector's reach. "Not very friendly..." It glares at Astarion out of its empty-socket eyes. "Why are you here, then, little one? If not to see Godey."

Astarion's remembered fear and current rage have overcome any sense of subtlety now, and his lips curl in a cold smile. "Isn't it obvious? I'm going to kill Cazador."

"How DARE you!" the skeleton squeals, recoiling. "As if you could lay a finger on the master, you ungrateful little brat!" It raises its heavy sword in both hands. "Godey will not let you get away with blasphemy. Godey will see you punished!"

-----

Hector can't help a faint, sardonic grin as he lifts his fists and steps to Astarion's side. "What happened to cunning and guile?" he asks in a dry undertone.

"Oh, shut up," Astarion says irritably, "and help me crush this little pest."

"With pleasure."

-----

This fight was actually hysterical, because Godey's immediate strategy was to back out of the room and summon the other thralls for help - except he was standing directly next to Jaheira, Karlach, and Astarion, and they all landed AOOs on him one after the other. I had to check the combat log to see what happened because it looked like he just evaporated.

LOL. Get fucked. That's what happens when you talk about torturing Astarion in front of his friends.

[finalgirlfae]

enchanté, chris sturniolo

ive had this idea for a while and i need to write it :)

summary: chris meets a girl at a cafe in paris

pairings: chris sturniolo x black! girl

literally all the sturniolo fics r made for white girls i cant take it anymore so here u go

blue text is translated !!

“you guys suck.” chris said, digging into his pocket for some euros.

“chris just go order the fucking coffee so we can go.”

chris rolled his eyes and pushed open the door to the cafe, walking in and immediately being greeted by the smell of coffee and flowers.

“bienvenu!” a dark skin girl in a green apron with brown hair called from behind the counter. she was absolutely stunning and just had this smile that was incredible. “que voudriez-vous?” she spoke in the cutest accent.

welcome, what can i get you

chris paused for a second to try and understand. he had picked up a few french phrases for the trip but as cute as her accent was it was very thick and she spoke fast. to add to it, she was definitely the prettiest girl he had ever seen- ever. she tilted her head at him and gave a weak smile, making him realize he had just been staring at her for a moment blankly.

“um.. can i have- puis-je avoir.. un café et un-”

“i speak english.” she smiled, rolling her lips together and looking at him. chris sighed in relief.

“oh thank god. can i have a small iced coffee with sugar, milk and a chocolate croissant?”

she nodded and began to ring him up. “your french is not terrible, you know. it’s the way you speak.”

“what do you mean?”

“un café et un croissant? the sentence was correct. but you aren’t confident in your french, no?”

chris nodded. “how did you know i was gonna get a croissant?”

“that’s what all american tourists order.” she laughed, reaching into the glass counter to get a croissant.

“salut.” another girl spoke as she came from the back, tying an apron around her waist. she looked up at chris and then to the girl behind the counter, smiling. “un garçon américain?” she asked, shifting her eyes back and forth. the girl nodded.

hey, an american boy?

“il est mignon.” the girl said to her coworker in a teasing voice

he’s cute

chris looked back to the girl at the counter with a confused expression and she only waved her hand to dismiss it. “ignore her.” she looked at her coworker and through gritted teeth said “š'en aller!”

leave!

the girl put her hands up defensively and disappeared into the back again leaving the two in the empty cafe, the sound of the espresso machine rumbling to fill the silence as she prepared his order.

“do you come here often?” chris asked, immediately realizing how fucking stupid the question sounded as soon as he asked it.

she didn’t seem to mind it though, in fact she laughed. “yes i find myself here all the time.. seeing as i own the cafe and all.” her tone was sarcastic but nice.

he ran a hand through his hair. “that’s not what i meant- your american accent is really good, kind of like you live there or something.”

she nodded. “thank you. i study in america.”

“really, where?”

she bagged the chocolate croissant and then slid it to him before stirring the coffee and poking a straw through the plastic lid.

“emerson, it’s in boston.”

chris smiled. “i live near boston!”

she smiled back at him, and it wasn’t a fake smile for a customer. it seemed genuine. “where do you live?”

“somerville,” he said, “i think emerson is like twenty minutes away.”

(might not be accurate but how tf would i know, i don’t have their address)

“how long are you in paris for?” placing her hands on the counter and tilting her head.

“a few more days, i’m traveling with my brothers.”

“any plans for tonight?”

he thought for a second. “no, not really.”

“well if you haven’t already you should check out bambina, it’s amazing and tourist friendly.”

“tourist friendly?” chris asked, taking his receipt and sipping the coffee.

she nodded. “uh most restaurants in paris will take advantage of you.. they think americans are.. how you say.. stupid?” she joked, fixing her hair over her shoulder.

chris laughed. “well maybe if we have a french girl at the table they won’t play us.”

she raised an eyebrow at him. “are you inviting me to dinner?”

“only if you wanna go.”

she nodded. “give me your phone.”

chris took his phone and unlocked it, handing it to the dark skin girl. she typed her number in before handing it back to him.

“it’s nice to meet you.. ivy.” he spoke, finally catching her name.

“nice to meet you too..”

“chris! chris sturniolo.”

he stuck his free hand out and she laughed and shook it. “ivy maüsee. enchanté.”

nice to meet you.

“well..i guess i’ll see you for dinner tonight.” chris slid his phone back into his pocket and looked at her for confirmation.

ivy nodded. “i guess you will. take care.”

“you too.”

as soon as he was out of the store he looked at matt and nick. “..what the fuck does enchanté mean?”

[bluesfortheredj]

Like a river flows.

A/N: no warnings here, just fluff ahead. So sorry for the delay in getting this out, but I really hope it's worth the wait!

Standing outside a new school was the most intimidating feeling ever and you were currently experiencing it first hand as you stare at the huge Hawkins High sign by the gated entrance. A breeze makes you shiver just as you go to take your first step and you’re suddenly put off from moving your feet at all until a long haired boy jogs past you cursing to himself about being late. He stops once he realises you weren’t a newly installed statue and turns to face you with a smile.

“Hey,” he grins, “you lost?”

You look over at him with your mouth slightly agape and shake your head, “uh… oh… maybe?”

“Just a maybe? Because it looks like a definite yes to me,” he chuckles.

“Well… yeah. It’s my first day and I have no idea what I’m doing.”

“I’ve been here for years and I still don’t know what I’m doing… come on, let’s see if we can figure out what it is you’re meant to be doing yeah?”

He nods towards the school and leads the way inside as you walk slowly behind him, unable to take your eyes off of the large design on the back of the denim vest he wears over a worn leather jacket.

“Munson! You’re late again,” the slightly wrinkled receptionist scolds as he tries to walk casually past the office.

The guy twirls around on his tiptoes to face the woman behind the desk with an apologetic smile then he looks over to you and gestures with both hands at his excuse for the lateness, “I found this poor lost soul outside and it’s her first day here, and of course I came to her rescue-”

“That’s enough Eddie,” the woman tuts before turning to you, “what’s your name sweetie?”

“It’s (Y/N) (Y/L/N).”

She smiles politely before shuffling some papers out of sight and pulling one up onto the counter, “here’s your timetable…” her eyes dart to the guy still stood beside you who is looking at your very familiar schedule, “Eddie will show you around, won’t you?”

He salutes, “yes ma’am!” his attention turns to you and he sweeps his arm towards the glass double doors that led into the main corridor, “m’lady.”

You manage to take a few tentative steps before Eddie jogs up next to you, “so… (Y/N)… what brings you to Hawkins then?”

“Mostly the cheap rent at the trailer park,” you answer honestly with a chuckle.

“No way!” he exclaims excitedly, “what number?”

Stopping in your tracks, you give him a suspicious look at his prying question, and he spins around to see your bemused frown, “sorry, sorry, let’s start again so that I’m not a complete stranger asking where you live,” he clears his throat and straightens up before holding his hand out for you to shake it, “hi, I’m Eddie Munson, I’m persistently late to school, I’m a dungeon master to the Hellfire dungeons and dragons club, and I live at the trailer park… lot 23 to be precise.”

You shake his hand with a quiet laugh, “nice to meet you Eddie Munson. I’m (Y/N) (Y/L/N), I’m a terrified new student, I listen to Iron Maiden, and we’re parked up at number 34.”

“Wait… You listen to Iron Maiden?”

“Yeah…”

He flashes you a wide grin then swings an arm around your shoulders, “we’re gonna be best friends, I just know it.”

A nervous chuckle escapes your throat as he leads you to your first class of the day, but overall you were extremely relieved to have met someone so friendly who took on the task of showing you around without any protest.

Thanks to Eddie Munson your first day turns out to be not as horrendous as you thought it was going to be, and it seemed as though you fit in quite well with him and his merry band of fellow outcasts, even though you dressed quite trendy compared to their dishevelled rockstar looks. Soon enough you’ve complete your first week at school and you spend the weekend walking around Hawkins seeing what it has to offer, which in all seriousness is not a huge amount compared to where you’d moved from, but it had the basics that you needed so you couldn’t complain too much.

You’re greeted at the beginning of your second week by one of the basketball team who manages to intercept you before you can reach Eddie who’s waiting by the gate, and after a brief, awkward exchange you can continue your journey to the safety of your friend.

“That was weird.”

“Hmm, well at least you’ve met Jason the jock now.”

“Strange guy.”

“Not as strange as me though,” he winks before mimicking horns either side of his head with his hands and sticking his tongue out with an ‘ahh’ sound.

You laugh with a shake of your head and nudge your shoulder against his raised elbow, “come on then freak, we can’t be late again.”

Eddie was just too easy to get along with, it was either sheer luck that he’d spotted you on your first day, or this friendship was definitely meant to be. Most importantly though, the other members of Hellfire had graciously accepted you to their table, and you felt a part of a group of people that were the kindest and most honest ones going. You’d been a part of the so called ‘popular kids’ at your old school and it definitely wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.

Two months down the line you’d certainly settled in well to your new routine, and despite some further awkward interactions with a certain basketball player who seemed a little too interested in separating you from Eddie and the rest of the gang, everything was going quite smoothly. There was just the tiniest little problem that had developed recently, and that was the fact that you were falling for the guy who had taken on the responsibility of showing you around that very first day; Eddie was easy to get along with, and he was even easier to fall for which could be a problem if you wanted to not ruin this friendship.

You were heading to your safe space in the school, the Hellfire club meeting room, when you begin to hear the first few lines of one of the sweetest songs you’d ever heard, and it was a personal favourite of yours.

“Wise men say, only fools rush in, but I can’t help falling in love with you...” your heart starts to flutter at those romantic words being sung so softly.

“Shall I stay? Would it be a sin, if I can’t help falling in love with you...” guitar strings are gently plucked as you near the doorway to the room, and you realise this mysterious singer must be a part of Hellfire club.

“Like a river flows, surely to the sea, darling so it goes, some things are meant to be...” you poke your head around the doorway to see who it was, and there sitting in his throne with an acoustic guitar resting on his lap is the dungeon master himself.

He looks up to see you standing there while his fingers continue to caress the strings tenderly, then he continues singing nervously as he maintains eye contact with you, “take my hand, take my whole life, too, for I can’t help falling in love with…” he pauses to take a breath and briefly glances away before whispering the last word, “you.”

Your mouth opens to say something but words fail to emerge from your throat as he carefully places the guitar on the table in front of him and stands to make his way over to you. He holds his hand out towards you when close enough and it takes you less than a second to slide your fingers across his palm as you finally close your mouth again.

“Take my hand…” he sings in a shaky breath.

“Take my whole life, too…” you continue, equally as timid.

Eddie smiles as he pulls you in slowly and wraps his arms around your body tightly while you mirror his actions, and the familiar smell of smoke and leather that fills your nostrils suddenly becomes overwhelming, making your head spin as you realise the significance of what has just happened between you. Your legs wobble and Eddie tightens his grip as he feels you sway, “are you okay?”

You nod, your cheek rubbing on the denim vest that covers his shoulder, then Eddie sighs happily before turning his head to kiss your hair.

“So… this was meant to be a bit different,” he explains as the two of you peel away from one another slowly, “there was meant to be candles and like just a more romantic atmosphere… not me singing terribly at the D&D table.”

You shrug and shake your head from side to side, “what do you mean? It was perfect.”

He grins, showing those sweet laughter lines of his that had only added to the many reasons you fell for him in the first place, and you melt at the sight, “perfect, huh?”

“Mhmm,” you nod.

“So does this mean you’re my girl?”

“As long as it means you’re my guy.”

“Say that again.”

“You’re my guy.”

He takes one arm away from your body and places his hand over his heart as his eyes roll into the back of his head, “I’ve been waiting so long to hear that,” he exhales dramatically.

You let out a laugh and turn to leave, but he grabs your hand and pulls you back towards him just as Jason walks past the room; the sight of the two of you together catching his eye immediately and stopping him in his tracks.

Eddie’s hands cup your face gently as his eyes flick between your lips and eyes, silently asking for permission to kiss you, and you lean in to confirm this was exactly what you wanted until you meet in the middle to allow your lips to connect for the very first time. A kiss from Eddie was everything you’d dreamed it to be, and you’d dreamt about it plenty of times. His lips were as soft as they looked, the pads of his fingertips on your cheeks were rough yet touched you tenderly, and you could feel the passion from how firmly he captured your mouth. It all added up to yet another head spinning moment for you.

The two of you reluctantly part once the kiss comes to a natural end and Eddie punches the air excitedly, “that was awesome!”

Jason looks on as you giggle at Eddie’s comment then become wrapped up in his arms once more as he cuddles you into his body. His eyes narrow into jealous slits before he turns and stomps to the gym to work out his resentment that it wasn’t him you’d gravitated towards.

The other members of Hellfire seem completely unsurprised by the fact that you and Eddie were now together, and everything just carries on as normal for everyone at school in the coming days with the only change being that you hang out a lot more together after the academic day has ended. The only evening that you didn’t see one another was when Hellfire met.

“Where’s Lucas?” Eddie asks looking around the table and noticing the empty seat.

Dustin and Mike share a confused glance at each other before Dustin rises from his seat to solve the mystery, “I’ll check the locker room, could be getting changed after a game.”

Eddie nods then sits back in his chair and observes his kingdom while he waits.

Dustin strolls down the empty corridor until he gets to the gymnasium then cuts through the hall and to the locker room, calling out Lucas’ name every now and again to see if he was there. He has no luck until he hears voices coming from behind a set of lockers, but he stills and keeps his mouth shut when he hears your name being said.

“(Y/N) just needs some gentle persuading, that’s all.”

“Dude, you can’t just force her to like you by doing that!”

“I can… and I will. Eddie doesn’t deserve her, she’s so much better than him, I have no idea what she sees in that freak, but she belongs to someone like me.”

Jason’s voice is the most recognisable as he insists on the fact that you apparently had to be with someone like him, and Dustin creeps out before anything else can be said so he can warn Eddie as soon as possible. He’s huffing and puffing after running back to the room, and Eddie’s both concerned and confused as he slaps his hands down on the table and announces that everyone must leave except Eddie.

“You’d better have a good excuse for delaying the campaign even more Henderson,” Eddie warns once they’re alone.

“It’s a pretty fucking important reason,” he sighs, “I didn’t find Lucas but what I walked in on was Jason talking to someone else about forcing (Y/N) to see that he’s who she should be with.”

“I… What?! What were his actual words?” he asks, standing up and crossing his arms defensively.

“Uhmm…” Dustin closes his eyes in concentration as he thinks back to what was said, “she needs some gentle persuading… he has no idea what she sees in you… she belongs to someone like him,” he paraphrases.

Eddie’s face turns into an expression of disgust at what Jason has said about you, and he storms out of the room, grabbing his jacket and vest as he goes.

“Where are you going?!” Dustin worries.

“To see (Y/N),” he states.

He screeches to a stop outside your trailer and you’re quick to open up the door once you hear the car door slam just to see who had skidded to halt, then your face instantly softens once you see it’s Eddie.

“What are you doing here?” you smile as he strides towards you with a deep frown etched across his forehead, “what’s wrong my love?”

He takes you in his arms protectively and you can feel his heart beating against your chest as he holds you close.

“Hey,” you say softly, “what’s wrong?”

He leans back so he can see your face then his palms cup your jaw as he looks deep into your eyes, “I just want you to be safe, okay? I’ve heard some things this evening that I…” he pauses to take a breath, “that have shocked me. I need to tell you because you deserve to know, but I swear to you I will never let anything happen to you, alright sweetheart? I swear on my life.”

Your expression turns to one of slight fear but he kisses your forehead comfortingly, “what’s happened Eddie?”

He leads you back inside where you sit on the floor across from one another while he caresses your hands in his while he explains what had happened and the exact words Dustin had overheard in the changing rooms earlier. It shocks you to your core but Eddie is there to hold you and reassure you, making you feel safe and that everything will be okay. There’s a brief moment where you’re speechless once Eddie’s finished talking, but you soon think of something to fill the silence.

“That fucking bastard,” you frown angrily, “who the fuck does he think he is? I’m gonna kill him. I’ll kill him.”

Eddie finally breaks into a smile at how fiery you are, and he knows that between the two of you and Hellfire, you’ll be completely protected from whatever Jason tries.

Request: What if you did one where the reader is the new girl at school and Eddie decides to show her around and Jason has some massive jealousy issues. After a few weeks of hanging out with Eddie the reader develops a crush on Eddie. Then when Eddie and reader start dating Jason gets pissed. Dustin being Dustin finds out that Jason plans on doing "something" ends in fluff

[avirael]

FFxivWrite 2023

Day 17 - Sunset

"I wonder what Rael‘s doing now…", A'viloh said twisting a straw of dry savannah grass in his hand.

Thancred, who was sitting beside him on the ground, pretended to feel hurt. "You know, you can tell me if you’d rather spent time with Rael instead of me!"

This had not been what A'viloh was trying to say, he gladly spent time with Thancred, especially if it meant that he didn’t have to work alone. The question had been more a desperate attempt to make conversation while they waited for their target.

It was weird how quickly A’viloh had grown accustomed to Rael and their… unique attitude. He couldn’t help but wonder what teamwork between them and Yda and Papalymo would look like. Minfilia had decided to send Rael back to Gridania together with the two Scions to keep an eye on the Ixal. Meanwhile she wanted A'viloh and Thancred to investigate several suspicious robberies and disappearances around Camp Drybone in Eastern Thanalan. So now the two of them sat here waiting for something to happen…

A'viloh chuckled nervously feeling a little embarrassed. "No, I think I like it better here than in Gridania. Thanalan‘s my home after all…"

"And the company is a lot more friendly, right?", Thancred suggested, self-confident as always.

A'viloh laughed and shook his head. "That’s not nice, Rael can be quite friendly as well when they want to…"

Thancred furrowed his brow. "Excuse me if I find that hard to believe. All they ever do when I‘m around is glower at me…"

A'viloh nodded with a grin on his face. "I know too well how you feel…"

"So… you’re from around here? Where exactly?", Thancred asked.

"Oh, not really here.", A'viloh shook his head. "I lived at the Silver Bazaar before going to Ul'dah."

"The Silver Bazaar?", the Hyur asked in disbelief. "I don’t remember ever seeing a Miqo'te there, let alone one so striking."

A'viloh was a little too busy wondering if this had been a compliment or not to make a up a convincing lie, so he answered honestly instead. "I didn’t live there longer than a year maybe. I actually grew up in Southern Thanalan at the Forgotten Springs."

"That’s Drake-tribe territory, isn’t it? How come they tolerate boys from other tribes there?", Thancred asked correctly but A'viloh couldn’t help but feel a little interrogated.

"I was actually born in the South Shroud but that’s a long and sad story I‘d rather not tell right now…", he said and looked to the ground. Nothing from his gloomy past seemed exactly suitable to have a nice conversation about.

"Oh, I‘m sorry.", Thancred answered. "I didn’t mean to pry. Force of habit, you know?…"

For a while they just sat there silently waiting for their target. A'viloh slowly started to get impatient and the silence between them felt awkward to him. Thancred however didn’t seem bothered at all and just attentively observed their surroundings.

After another moment he seemed to notice that the Miqo'te was getting a little antsy, so he cheerfully exclaimed. "I thought I looked a little stupid in this disguise.", he gestured at the ragged, old clothes both of them were wearing. "But I have to say, A'viloh, you look great even in that!"

Certainly not used to such compliments, or any compliments at all for that matter, A'viloh didn’t really know how to react. He felt his face heat up a little and hoped that he wasn’t visibly blushing. "Don’t worry, you don’t look that stupid either.", he replied and secretly thought that Thancred would probably look good no matter what he wore.

"That’s very kind of you!", the Hyur laughed and then added winking at A'viloh. "Somehow that outfit really brings out the pretty color of your eyes."

This time the Miqo'te was sure his face turned red as a Rolanberry. Why did Thancred say things like that? A‘viloh couldn’t help but feel teased and embarrassed. "Now you‘re making fun of me!", he exclaimed.

"Just a little…", Thancred chuckled. "It‘s too funny how easily you get flustered."

"Haha yes, very funny indeed.", A'viloh replied but didn’t find it funny at all.

"I’m sorry!", Thancred said and then pointed towards the horizon. "Look! Maybe this will cheer you up."

A'viloh followed his gaze towards the horizon, where the bright warm sun of Thanalan started to paint the sky in different hues of orange, red and purple. It looked truly beautiful...

He sighed sadly as he remembered how in Little Ala Mhigo Laqa and him often had spent the afternoons under a gnarled, old tree outside of town and watched the sun set over the ruins of the ancient Belah‘dian temple nearby. In a town such as Little Ala Mhigo, where privacy was a luxurious good none could afford, it had been one of the few precious moments with just the two of them alone.

It felt forever ago and just like yesterday at the same time…

"Why so sad? It‘s pretty isn’t it?", Thancred asked as he noticed the Miqo'te‘s face.

Quickly A'viloh tried to blink back the tears, that had started to form in his eyes, and put on a forced smile. "Oh yes, it’s very pretty.", he said but even to himself his voice did not sound very convincing.

Thancred eyed him skeptically for a moment but didn’t say anything and then returned his gaze to the horizon. A'viloh glanced at him and noticed how the setting sun gave the Hyur‘s white hair a warm glow and made his tired face seem a lot healthier than he looked recently. Usually this situation would be quite romantic but right now A‘viloh only felt horrible and treacherous for even noticing things like this.

Then he heard Thancred sigh and saw that he was looking at him again. "Don’t look at me so! I really didn’t mean to make fun of you earlier!", he said apologetically. "I honestly think you look-"

Abruptly he fell silent and listened carefully. A'viloh with his Miqo'te ears could easily hear it too. He knew that someone was approaching them by the sound of his footsteps alone, even before he turned to see the hooded man that walked towards them.

[fanfics4all]

Dream Shop

Request: Yes / No List was made by @alpaca-clouds

Requests are open only if its CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY/ WINTER related <3 Have a nice day/night

Tommy Merlyn x Fem!Smoak!Reader 

Word count: 1304

Warnings: Nothing!

Y/N: Your Name 

Y/N/N: Your Nickname

Y/H/C: Your Hair Color

Prompt(s):

PLEASE DO NOT STEAL MY WORK, I WORK HARD ON MY FICS AND IT’S NOT COOL TO STEAL SOMEONE ELSE’S WORK! 

If you want to be on the tag list for anything (My series fics, specific character fics, or just all of them) All you have to do is send me an ask and I will add you! 

Masterlist 

If you enjoy my work, you could also show support by buying me a coffee! 

(Not my photo, credit to whoever made it!)

Living in Star City was anything but easy. There were criminals learking around every corner, as well as meta-humans. However, the Green Arrow was there to keep them in check. Most people didn’t agree with his methods, but he was keeping our city safe. I was grateful that the Green Arrow was around, it meant less people that could possibly rob my little shop. I owned a tea and coffee shop near the former Glades. It wasn’t the best area for business, but everyone loved my shop so much that I was able to make a living. It was always my dream to run a tea shop, so I was proud of everything that I was doing. 

*Tommy’s POV* 

I opened the door to the little tea shop. I looked around at everyone sitting around at the tables. Most were people that lived near the area, there really weren’t many people from my tax bracket that came around the area. I took a seat at the only empty table and looked at the small menu. Everything was very affordable, which was perfect for the area it was in. The most appealing thing on the menu was a cinnamon tea. I normally just had coffee, but cinnamon tea sounded good. I also picked the plate of different cakes they made in house. I placed the menu down and looked up to see a waitress walking towards me. She was very cute and looked to be around my age. She was shorter than me, with Y/H/C. Her eyes were shining brightly, it matched her smile. She stopped in front of my table and pulled out a pen and a notepad from her apron. 

“Hi, welcome to Cuppa Corner! What could I get you?” She asked in a friendly and light voice. I gave her a small smile and glanced at the menu one more time.

“Can I get a cup of the cinnamon tea and that sampling of the delicious sounding cakes?” I asked and her smile seemed to brighten. 

“Amazing choices! I’ll get that started for you.” She said and went behind the counter, punching in the order. I looked around and noticed a few other workers in here, but the girl who took my order seemed to be doing the most. She was back behind the counter, making my tea and placing it on a small silver tray, then she reached into the display case and pulled out a little tower filled with small cakes. She placed that on the tray next to my tea and headed my way. She placed them each gently in front of me, all with a smile. 

“Thank you.” I said as I lifted the cup to my lips. It smelled like the perfect drink to have this time of the year. I took a sip and hummed happily. 

“This is amazing.” I said, looking up at the waitress. 

“Thank you, it’s my absolute favorite tea we make here.” She said and I smiled. 

“I can see why.” I said. 

“How long have you worked here?” I asked as I placed the cup down. 

“Since we opened.” She said with a small giggle. 

“Oh really? You know the owner?” I asked and she giggled again. 

“You’re looking at her.” She answered and my eyes widened a bit. 

“You own this place?” I asked and she nodded. 

“How’d you manage to get this place?” I asked. 

“It’s always been my dream to run a little tea shop, so when this building became available I jumped at the chance. My sister helped me out, but I paid her back everything she let me barrow.” She answered. 

“It’s really an amazing place. I don’t come around this part of town to often, but your place just caught my eye.” I said and she smiled. 

“That’s what I like to hear.” She said. I heard the little bell to the front door chime, but neither of us looked. 

“Y/N?” I heard a familiar voice call. The girl I was talking to turned her head and her eyes lit up. 

“Felcity! What are you doing here?” She asked as a familiar face made her way over. 

“I came to get a cup of coffee, gonna be a long night, oh, hey Tommy.” Felicity said when she noticed me after pulled away from hugging the girl, who’s name was apparently Y/N.

“You guys know each other?” Y/N asked. 

“He’s friends with my boss, Oliver Queen.” She said, like she was reminding Y/N. Y/N rolled her eyes. 

“I know who your boss it, Fel.” She said and Felicity laughed. 

“Then you must reconize, Tommy Merlyn.” She said and motioned towards me. Y/N looked at me and her eyes widened. 

“Oh my God.” She said and Felicity laughed. 

“Thanks Felicity.” I sarcastically said and she laughed again. 

“If I didn’t tell my sister now, she would have never figured it out.” She said and my eyes widened. 

“This is your sister?” I asked Y/N and she nodded. 

“What a small world.” I said and Y/N nodded in agreement. 

“Anyway, one extra strong coffee, coming right up!” Y/N said and headed back behind the counter. 

“When were you going to introduce us to your sister?” I asked as Felicity took a seat across from me. 

“Y/N’s always busy with the cafe, I have to literally drag her out of here sometimes.” She answered and I chuckled. 

“Has Oliver met her yet?” I asked and she shook her head. 

“Like I said, trying to get Y/N out of here is probably the hardest thing to do. She loves this place and don’t get me wrong I’m so happy for her, but she hardly has a life anymore.” She answered sadly. Y/N walked back over with a large coffee and placed it in front of her sister. 

“Here you go! One extra strong coffee, on the house.” Y/N said with a wink. Felicity rolled her eyes and reached into her purse. 

“Don’t you dare! I told you a million times, you do not pay here.” Y/N said sternly. 

“Come on, Y/N/N, you deserve the money.” Felicity said and Y/N shook her head. 

“Nope, I refuse to take anymore of your money.” She said while crossing her arms. 

“Fine, but you have to promise me that you’re gonna take at least two days off this week.” Felicity said and Y/N sighed. 

“I have a lot of work to do here, Fel, you know I can’t just take a day off.” Y/N said and Felicity shook her head. 

“You’re the owner, Y/N, you can take some time off once in awhile, you don’t need to be here 24/7.” Felicity said. 

“How about you take tomorrow off and I take you to one of my favorite placed for dinner?” I asked and the girls looked at me with wide eyes. 

“Huh?” Y/N asked confused. 

“It’s only fair since you told me this was your favorite tea.” I said and she smiled with a small blush. 

“Um… I-I guess I can take tomorrow off.” She said with a slight stutter. 

“Oh so that’s what it takes? A date?” Felicity asked and Y/N blushed deeper. 

“He never said it was a date!” Y/N said and her sister rolled her eyes. 

“Tell her it’s a date.” Felicity said to me. 

“If you’d like it to be, I’d be more than happy to call it a date.” I said and Y/N smiled shly at me. 

“Okay… then it’s a date.” Y/N said and I smiled. 

“Perfect.” I said as I took a bite of one of the cakes. It was just as delicious as I thought it would be.

Tag list: @les-bio-lie @tashy-bear @ashwarren32 @hollie-blogs-blog1 @lover-of-books-and-tea @nerdygaloresposts @teenwolfbitches28 @kmc1989 @drw0301bieber @lady-of-lies @ravenmoore14 @ravenempress101 @cillianchamp @rowanthomasknapp @rachelxwayne @ready-4-fanfiction @bruisedfists-and-splitlips 

[fasterthanmydemons]

[ Speedster of the Galaxy ]

Mantis smiled when Pietro stated he would be okay with Groot painting his face, saying he would just pretend to be asleep. “That’s really sweet. I know looking over a child is probably not what you expected or wanted when you joined the team, but Groot is good. He is very curious and friendly, he is always making up constellations. We raise him together.” And that made her happy. Mantis was glad she could help give Groot the light-hearted, happy childhood she couldn’t have.

“He likes it!” Mantis echoed Pietro’s words as Mr. Dibbles devoured the dandelion. She beamed, laughing and clapping cheerfully. Dandelions were delicious, so it was no wonder he liked them so much. She looked at Pietro as he explained why Rocket brought up Ego, and while a part of her did feel a little upset that Rocket revealed things about herself, she knew he meant well and wanted to give Pietro context to help him understand Mantis a little better. “Oh, you are not boneheaded. You meant no harm by it. It was an honest mistake.”

A sudden laughter bubbled up out of her when Pietro said Rocket mentioned that the Guardians had seen each other’s butts. Placing a hand over her abdomen, Mantis laughed harder as she realized they probably looked like a combination between a group of outcasts and a cult. But what made it funnier was how unbothered Pietro seemed by it. “Yes, we do feel a little too comfortable around each other. Some of us more than others. I mean, Drax walks around shirtless all the time,” she remarked. “When you travel the galaxy, at some point you treat everything like it is natural. Life in space requires you to have your guard up, so we let it down around each other.”

She smiled as Pietro tried to translate the name of Groot’s species. “Do not worry, your Latin is fine. It is actually my first language. I grew up speaking it. It was the language Ego spoke, although he spoke all languages; he was millions of years old and therefore had plenty of time to learn. It is an ancient tongue, far more ancient than people think. Ego means ‘I’ or 'me’, so I always had to refer to myself in third person. Instead of 'I’ or 'me’, I would say 'Mantis’ or 'this one’. Only Ego was allowed to have a sense of self.” Mantis said, her tone matter-of-fact. She wrung her hands a little. “If you ever wish to improve your Latin, you can let me know. I will be happy to help you.”

Mantis laughed once again, amused, as Mr. Dibbles tried to get to the other dandelions. His tenacity was worthy of respect. “He is so cute!” She nodded when Pietro asked if she was sure she was okay with the turtle eating her plants. “Of course! People usually need patience to grow their plants, so they feel bad when something happens to them because they had to invest time and effort.” Mantis touched the dandelions with her hand, and the other plants curled around it, begged for her touch. Her antennae started to glow with a dim light. “But I can simply do this.” Just like that, more dandelions grew, blooming just as bright, just as yellow, and Mantis plucked them, gleefully offering Pietro the bouquet, a feast for his turtle. “It is easy.” Despite the light of her antennae fading away, her face still lit up, happy to help this hungry little being. She blinked when Pietro asked if she would like to hold Mr. Dibbles after he was clean. “Oh, but… do you really trust me with him? You are so protective of him already.” Given that Pietro had lost his freedom on his home planet and the closeness with his sister, Mantis didn’t want him to feel like his turtle would be taken from him. However, she smiled, wondering what Mr. Dibbles’ actual colors looked like. “But I must admit, perhaps it would be nice. He is adorable.”

(Holy shit no wonder Noah feels he’s “less” than Basch, given that belief that the second twin should be killed. And ugh yeah, I wish they could include some of the deleted scenes. That’s why I consider them canon for Mantis + I add stuff from the comics like her plant manipulation, astral projection - though my headcanon is that she’s only able to astral project post-IW, after she was in contact with Thanos’ mind - and she also has precognitive abilities in the comics. I’m still not sure how to integrate that into her MCU self. Maybe as a result of that one thread where she calms Stephen’s fractured mind, since he guards the Time Stone? :o If you’re cool with that of course, since that’s your Stephen. I want to relate it to the Time Stone somehow since it would be logical. Also, happy belated birthday, Silence! <3)

__________

{ Well, all I know of Mantis I learned from IW and EG, and I can say that all the abilities you’ve given her seem to fit her well and all seem equally appropriate for her, whether they’re canon MCU or comic or otherwise. But then, you already knew what a fan I was of your Mantis, so... ;) And I love the idea of her gaining precognitive abilities from delving into Stephen’s dumpster fire of a mind! Go for it! I think it’s a very creative idea in the first place that she sort of gains new abilities or unlocks different potentials she has after interacting with other people’s minds. It makes a lot of sense that someone as empathic as Mantis wouldn’t be able to encounter other minds, especially ones that are very powerful or that have their own unique abilities, without coming away a bit changed. Very creative, I love it. And thank you! I feel so old, lol. XD }__

Did he seem like someone who didn’t like being around children? Pietro wondered as Mantis seemed to start apologizing in a way for Groot adding an unexpected child presence on the ship and among the Guardians. “I don’t mind him at all,” he said, shaking his head. “I like children. I used to play with the children in Sokovia. They liked me because I could run and get wayward balls and toys and things that got away from them and bring them back really fast.” His smile faded a bit then. “Too bad that by the time I got really fast... Sokovia didn’t exist anymore. But I hope wherever they are, they are safe and happy.”

Pietro chose not to argue with Mantis when she said he wasn’t boneheaded. If he was being honest, he felt awfully boneheaded so far, and he hadn’t even been on the ship for very long at all. But Rocket had also told him not to share as much and to keep things to himself so as not to upset Mantis, so he decided to focus on Mr. Dibbles instead. “I think you have made a friend for life,” he said, smiling. “He definitely likes these flowers. He made that one disappear pretty fast,” he said, watching the turtle with a chuckle. “He may be slow on his feet, but he is fast eater. Who says turtles need to be slow at everything?”

He had to admit that he was a little jealous of just how comfortable all the guardians were with each other. He wished he could have had the same with the Avengers, or with anyone, really. Well, besides Wanda, but he wasn’t with her anymore, and that was making him feel like he didn’t belong anywhere or with anyone. Never in his life had he felt more displaced and alone, but instead of wallowing in a bad mood, he was trying to let the Guardians bond cheer him up, even if he couldn’t be a part of it. “Is nice. To be that comfortable. I am happy for you all,” he said with a smile that was perhaps just a little bit sad. “Is good to be able to let your guard down sometimes, especially when your work is really stressful. So for you guys, home is not a place, it’s people. Is very nice.” His home used to be Wanda, but she had Vision now and was moving on from him.

“Oh yeah? Well you speak very good English for it not being your first language. Mine still needs work. Not many people speak my languages, though, so I try to speak English. Wanda is better at it than I am, though.” He really needed to stop mentioning Wanda. She wasn’t with him anymore, and he needed to find a way to move on without her. That was something he never thought he would have to do, and didn’t want to do, but right now he didn’t have much of a choice. At Mantis’ offer of helping him to learn better Latin, Pietro smiled again. “That would be cool. I would like that. But only if you were comfortable doing that. I don’t want to upset you again. You are very nice person and I don’t want to make you nervous or sad or anything like that. I can be a difficult student because learning from books has always been hard for me, but I would like to try if you are up for it.”

“Hey!” Pietro exclaimed with childlike excitement as Mantis made more dandelions grow. “That is really cool!” He’d never known anyone else with Mantis’ abilities before, at least with regard to plants. It seemed to him to be a really useful skill, being able to make plants grow much faster than they would naturally. “To be honest, now that I’ve got him up here in space, I am little bit worried about having enough food for him. But if you can make these grow, maybe he will be okay until I can get some supplies and things for him, yeah?”

Mr. Dibbles was absolutely delighted by the sudden appearance of more dandelions. Did it make sense? No. But also did he care? No, he was a turtle. Unexplained dandelions were just as delicious as ones that made sense to him. If a turtle’s eyes could light up, Mr. Dibbles’ definitely did at the sight of an entire bouquet of dandelions in his human’s hand. Maybe it wasn’t going to be so bad to stay here after all. If he could just get all this crusty mud off. Mud was okay, but once it dried, it got weirdly itchy and constructing, and Mr. Dibbles wasn’t having it.

“Of course I trust you with him. I can show you how to hold him so is no problem. You are so gentle with living things, and you were so nice to him just now, that I know he is safe with you,” Pietro said, trying to encourage Mantis. “I’m sure he would be happy to have more friends and not always be stuck with me all the time. Especially friends that understand his dining choices,” he added with a chuckle. “But okay, I should go and help him get clean now. You can help, if you want, but otherwise I’ll get him clean and then tomorrow you can hold him. Okay?”

[wind-becomes-lightning]

ships huh? hmmmmm. I mean I suppose I can put forth SaiIno at least, that seems easy. and I will also suggest any Hinata ship of your choice cuz I don't actually know if you like any. and then also, LeeSaku, IF you feel up to it.

SaiIno:

He called her beautiful right upon seeing her, now you would say "oh he was just saying that to not anger her", but I say, he could have said" nice" or friendly" or "you look good." but NO, he said beautiful because he meant it

Ino actually was interested in sai right away, she didn't think his beaviour was weird, she didn't think his skin was weird, she just accepted and liked him. hell yea

Of course, we have her saving him from her own mind and then he asked her out because likeeeeeee yeah? I would ask her out too good for sai

I love love love the scen in the Sakura novel when he opens the door to Ino and is only in a towel and doesnt understand why she is embarrassed by that. God i love them.

They are the best parents in their respective age group. They deeply love and support inojin which is so cute and they love each other. I cant believe we got a scene with Sai lying in Ino's lap like we are so blessed.

Sai deserves love. Ino deserves support post war. They can deal with it together, be there for each other. Sai can learn a lot about expression from her, Ino can help him on his way to becoming more like the self he wants to be, not the one he was told to be.

Ok I know i had better reasons for the last reply but UH it just came out of me they are so cute.

I would do LeeHIna since I love it so much but you asked for LeeSaku so for now (also I ship every age appropriate hinata ship as long as she is happy im happy)

NaruHina

I just adore the dynamic of sunshine and shy person. Like, she is so drawn back and quiet, but he just speaks up for her instead and is sort of like "look my wife" because he doesn't mind? peak

He saw her when nobody saw her. A thing that always hurts me with hinata is that she'S so overlooked, even by her own family, but naruto never did that, not a single moment.

She see's him too. Long before others and the village itself. She admires his kindness from their first meeting

I would call it childhood friends to lovers but more like, childhood crush to oh my god I cant believe the shy girl gets the main character???

I will die mad that in the Boruto arc in which Naruto gets kidnapped we didnt get to see Hinata fight and defend him and almost die?????We only hear about it?!?! Becuase??!?! either way, that!

Hinata deserves to be happy, she deserves someone to lift her up and tell her how great she is, how worth she is how loved she is

Naruto deserves someone who fully loves him and knows him well and supports him always, even if that can get complicated.

LeeSaku

Lee is a fucking badass that can punch your face in

Sakure is a fucking badass that can punch your face in even harder

No seriously, they'd be a powercouple, and a pair you'd not like to meet in the dark if you are a bad guy

Apart from that, lee is a good guy, he is an absolutely down to his heart good person. After all the shit Sakura went through, she deserves a good and kind hearted guy

He also defended her several times and yes he did ask her out and profess his love, but he never like called her feelings for Sasuke into question? Thats very considerate of him, because his first priority is her

Sakura needed healing and love after being almost murdered by the guy she harboured so many feelings for and Lee would absolutely provide that. And not in a "oh this girl is very vunerable right now gotta take advantage" but in a "this is the girl i love and the girl i cherish and I will take care of her"

They'd be.. super cute tbh asdfklas

Kind of like Naruhina in the childhood crush to Oh my god yes it worked out yes

Lee would be an insane Sakura fanboy, Sakura would tell lee how beautiful and wonderful he is every day she wouldnt doubt himself anymore

phew, long reply

[tame-a-messenger]

They have gotten nicer to each other, but it's most likely because they just got used to each other. That's about it. Not everything becomes romantic.

I deeply enjoy seeing them both on screen because I'm a fan of their humour and energy, which is why I like following this pairing, but it strikes me that shippers aren't considering that there are often very simple explanations for things.

(God, this is sounding rude isn't it? I'm not trying to be!)

-> The eating joke: could be any number of things, but sounded like a throwaway reference to an inside joke

-> I don't... see the heart eyes? Damien's always been soft and sweet with people (except when he lets himself be more snarky and sarcastic like we all suspect him to be off-camera). It's only noticeable now with Angela because their original dynamic was more mean-sibling-rivalry.

-> her knowing about that taxidermy Butterfree (I think it was a Butterfree) is really just... stuff you talk about with coworkers. 'oh what's going on?' 'I got this cool thing! *insert long monologue about it*)

-> we know he's been on her podcast, that he's shared his mushroom concoction with her for what was have ostensibly been some kind of throat issue she might have had (or just for a taste). they've been nice and friendly off-camera for a long time. plus, smosh doesn't seem the kind of place that's too big on actual rivalry.

Another big thing is... obviously it's not a good idea to assume another person's sexuality here, but given the thing with Rowan and Angela and Arasha in the revenge LDT episode, I highly doubt Ang is totally straight. So we might never know what she identifies as (and it's not our business to), but assuming they're both cisgendered heterosexual people is just as bad.

Attributing changes on each other is also hard to do, because Smosh not only records videos weeks in advance to their publish date, but also puts up videos in different orders (evidenced by everyone's hair being wildly different sometimes between uploads). So, for all we know, we're seeing X change in them now, which might have been shot before Y incident or Z dialogue.

All this to say that sometimes, the simplest answer really is the answer. i.e. they've just gotten to know each other more and have phased into a more chill interaction style. It just... is a bit uncomfortable to see so much romantic shipping about them when a lot of the thought process is assumptions.

I'm making assumptions too! I acknowledge that! But I just thought it might be a good idea to consider the other angle of things.

Anyway bye, everyone buy the AnthonyIsDead VOD to see Angela and Chanse's halftime show, and hope we get more Damien in videos.

Can't wait for Sword AF 2!

I think you might have misinterpreted my last couple posts.

I think every person that has brought up ANY of the instances has always said they see that it is probably just a coworker thing? and it's not that deep.

Yeah it did sound like a bit of a throwaway joke, but what a weird throwaway?? because really, they could be related?

I fully disagree with the "I don't… see the heart eyes?" you must be blind if you DONT see it. heart eyes don't just mean something 'romantic', it's literally in the NAME "heart-eyes" it just means you can see the love they have for the other person. Damien and Shayne give heart eyes sometimes! it's not a romantic thing all of the time. and yes, they absolutely do give each other heart-eyes.

The butterfree thing was more of a "oh okay! she remembered somehting about him and brought it up! how sweet" it was very obvious it was a 'thing you tell your co-workers' thing

"given the thing with Rowan and Angela and Arasha in the revenge LDT episode, I highly doubt Ang is totally straight." What in Gods glorious world are you talking about??? I literally re-watched that (Let's Do This) episode because I didn't understand what you meant, and what?? the only thing I can think of Angela talking about her orientation is in this video (click me!) where she says she's been on dates and only uses he/him pronouns. (she still is probably under the umbrella, she was recently in a queer woman play(?) but that could just mean Demi or Ace or another identity under queer)

ALSO nobody was assuming she's cis hetero?? and it doesn't matter?? I like them as just them? I don't need either of them to be anything else then themselves.

I think if seeing people talk about shipping on tumblr is making you so uncomfortable you should block the tag.

Majority of the askes I get the Anon always alludes to it "not being that deep". like in the last couple, they kept putting "(delusional)" in their ask, so I think they're pretty aware.

Some of your points came off a little weird Anon but I think I understand your intentions. I think we agree that Damien and Angela are just good co-worker friends, I just love their dynamic and watching them interact <3

YAY SWORD AF DAY!!! LETS GOOOO

[jaybird-fanfics]

Villain Roommate |Chapter Thirty Three|

It's been hard, trying to get use to your new life. While everyone you came across was very friendly, and your job was much better than the one you had, you still found it hard to get out of bed in the morning. However, there was one silver lining to it all, you had managed to make a friend. Her name was Maria, she was around your age and even worked in your new favorite coffee shop, so you saw her almost every morning. She was really nice, and even helped you get adjusted to living in a new country. 

She was concerned one day when you didn't show up to get your usual order for almost a week straight, so she went to your house to check on you. 

"I hope she's ok." Maria says under her breath as she knocks on your door. She looks up at the rather expensive looking house. She assumed you must have came from money somehow. If only she knew. She knocked again when you didn't answer the first time. Eventually you opened the door, you looked a mess, it was clear you had been crying. "Oh, Y/n..." Maria sighed. "Come on, let's talk." You only nod your head before allowing her inside. 

The two of you sat on the couch, Maria spoke first. "Is about him again?" You had told Maria about Dabi, well, not everything. You made up his name, unsure if Touya was a name he'd ever want to use again, and did not say a word about his "profession". You had just told her he was an old roommate, who had became a good friend of yours. "It is." You mutter. Maria put her hand on yours. "I'm sorry Y/n. I wish there was something I could do to make it better." 

Not unless she could somehow take you back to Dabi, or bring him to you. Texting each other wasn't ever enough for either of you. You missed each other's presence. You missed his warmth, while he missed your gentleness. You both felt so empty without them. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you to were closer than you let on." You gave Maria a confused stare. "What do you mean?" You ask. "Oh come on, you and him seemed like you really cared about each other a lot. I'd say, even loved each other." Your face turned red. She meant platonic love, right? Like, how best friends love each other, right?

"We weren't like that." You try and clarify. Maria wasn't buying it. "Didn't you say he confessed to you?" 

"Yes but, I don't feel the same." Maria raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you blushing?" You turn your head away. "Because this is embarrassing!"

"Girl, be real. You can't stop thinking about him, every time we talk you bring him up somehow, you text him every single day, hell, you're even driving yourself into a terrible state of depression because he's not here! If that's not love, I don't know what is." 

She had to be wrong. You didn't love Dabi. Sure, you cared deeply for him, you wanted him to be happy and safe. You wanted nothing more for him to find peace for himself somehow. Like a friend would. Nothing more. "I just miss him, that's all." You tell Maria. "Yes, of course you miss him. But you miss him way more than a friend should." She chuckles. "Now, I came here to check on you. And clearly you're way down in the dumps, is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" 

"I'm not sure." You say with a shrug. "Well, how about we do whatever you want today? We go go wherever you want, eat wherever and whatever you want, anything you want, we'll do." Maria stand you up from the couch. "But before that, lets get you out of those clothes. Oh! That reminds me, we haven't had a shopping day in forever! How about we go to your favorite shop and pick you out some new clothes?" 

You couldn't help but smile. Maria always was a good friend, wanting to help you feel better whenever you were like this. The least you could do is agree and let her do her thing. "Alright." You nod. "I'll go change and then we can head out." 

"Alright! That's my girl!" 

You and Maria ended up having a very nice day. You first went to your favorite restaurant, where Maria was kind enough to pay for the meal. Next you went to your favorite sweets shop and got your favorite desert. Then you guys head to the mall where you were currently picking out some new clothes. 

"How about this?" You ask as you come out of the changing room. You were wearing a light green jumpsuit with white flower print. "You look amazing!" Maria hyped you up. "Maria, you said that about the last three outfits I picked out, there has to be something you don't like." 

"Does it matter what I do and don't like? You're the one wearing the clothes, your opinion matters more than mine." Maria tells you. "Still, I would like some constructive criticism." You chuckle before walking back into the changing room. You eventually picked out the few clothes you liked as well as a new pair of shoes. 

For the whole day, you managed not to think of Dabi even once. And, you couldn't help but like the freeing feeling. The feeling of not being torn up about someone who was no longer apart of your life. Maria walked you home and you two spend most of the night together just talking, having a drink or two, and watching some shitty movies, which you both took delight in making fun of. But, Maria had a shift tomorrow, so she couldn't stay much longer. 

So, you said goodnight to Maria before deciding to crash for the night. It didn't take long for sleep to find you. 

You were awoken by the sound of knocking at your door. With a groan you sat up and checked your alarm. It was way too early for someone to be at your door right now. But the knocking would not stop. You sighed before getting up and walking downstairs and into your living room. You reached the door and opened it. 

"Yes, who is...it..." Your jaw nearly dropped at the sight before you. It was Dabi. 

"Hey, sweetheart." He smirked. Tears flood in your eyes, you couldn't get a single word out you were so shocked. So instead, you hugged him, you hugged him and you didn't let go. You could feel the warmth radiating off his body as he hugged you back. "I missed you too." He says softly. The two of you pulled apart. You reached your hand up to caress his cheek, oh how you missed his warmth, scars and all. 

"I've missed you so much, sweetheart." Dabi put his hand on yours. "I missed you too." You sniffle. Dabi pulled you in closer by your waist. "I never thought I'd see you again." You nod. "Me too." Dabi stared at you for a moment before leaning in close, closer, and closer until...

His lips met yours. You gasp, eyes shooting wide open. But slowly, you melted into the kiss, and returned the action. Dabi licked your lower lip, asking for permission to enter. You gladly accepted, opening your mouth slightly for his tongue to meet your own. You moaned breathlessly as you felt flick and slide against yours in unison. 

The two of you pulled apart. Dabi opened his mouth to speak, but no sound left him. "What was that?" You ask. Dabi spoke again, but still, no words. "Dabi? Why are you saying anything?" Suddenly his warmth began to fade, as well as his body. "Dabi!?" You reach for him, but your hands went right through him. "Dabi!" You cry. 

Eventually Dabi completely faded, leaving you all alone. "Dabi! Dabi please come back! Dabi!" 

You jolted awake with a sharp gasp. You looked all around you, you were in your bedroom. It wasn't even morning. And Dabi was not here. It was all just a dream. A weakened sob left you. How cruel. How cruel it was to dream of someone you'd never see again. You wipe away your tears in frustration. 

"Why...Why did I dream of him like that?" You sniffle. Why had you? Why did you dream about, not only Dabi coming back, but of kissing him as well. Though you may not have started it, you certainly didn't stop it. Your heart fluttered at the thought of kiss. How gentle Dabi was, despite his scarred lip, how soft the kiss was. 

You ran your hand through your hair with an exhale. There was just no way...was Maria right? Did you actually have feelings for Dabi? What kind of a friend dreams about kissing their friends? This couldn't be, you just couldn't have feelings for him. 

Right?

Previous | Next

[nyotasaimiri]

Arc Two (redux) 98

((yeah my editor might fuss at me for all this viewpoint swapping but I like it))

Oldarva listened as Lumen relayed their captain’s orders; it was such a relief to know she was alright, at least. “Can you walk like that?” she asked her prisoner. Gizzie, that was they called themself. They had been pretty surprised when she asked for their name.

Gizzie looked doubtfully at the simple but effective shackles that Namina had locked around their wrists and ankles. “I can try. I’ll probably slow you down.”

Eldie frowned, thinking. She didn’t really want them to have too much trouble in there. Namina said it was cold, full of snow and ice. Could that thin purple fabric even keep them warm? But she was very reluctant to release them. Even if they didn’t seem inclined to fight, they were an enemy, right?

Namina didn’t bother with such internal debates. He just shrugged and scooped Gizzie up. Gizzie screamed in shock, stopped abruptly as they realized what happened, and looked sulky and embarrassed as Namina grinned at them. “Can do thisss too,” he said cheerfully. “Nice and ssimple, yes?”

Gizzie glared at him. “Easy for you to s-say.”

Namina grinned. “Almosst. Keep practicing hisss, will be proper Floran yet.”

Eldie couldn’t help but laugh a little. Namina was always good at raising her spirits. “It’s alright,” she reassured Gizzie, “he won’t hurt you unless you try to hurt us.”

They did relax a little—maybe they trusted her, at least. Oldarva smiled in encouragement, and patted their arm. It was a good sign. It meant they didn’t plan to attack anytime soon. “Here. Give them to me, Namina. You will have your hands full enough keeping us safe. I think they might get cold with you, too. My fur can keep us both warm.” 

Namina actually hesitated for once. So he did recognize the potential threat, even in a bound Occasus. It was always a little hard to tell under his friendly, cocky self. Oldarva gave him another of her special encouraging smiles and he relented, passing their prisoner over to her. Gizzie was lighter than she expected, and felt almost loose under the robes. Like their body had been made for someone bigger, and no one cared enough to resize them. The robes felt similar, loose and ill-fitting. It was more like holding a sack or a child in a blanket than a fully grown adult. Oldarva shifted carefully. Nyota had showed her once how to hold someone smaller than her in a way that they couldn’t wiggle free or try to hit her. Funny how all those lessons came in handy so fast…

“Hold breath in door,” Namina told them as he led the way back toward the gate. His talons left little gouges in the thin asteroid dust. 

“Is it dangerous to breathe in it?” Oldarva asked. Up close, the portal flared to life and made her short fur bristle with nervousness. It was like looking through a window, except she could see the reaches of space on the far side, stars whirling too fast to imagine. Terribly disorienting. She swallowed the sour taste that rose in her mouth.

Namina shrugged. “Dangerous, no. Tasstes bad.” 

“Oh.” Oldarva shifted her burden. “Hold onto me, Gizzie.” 

Gizzie’s voice was muffled as they curled a little tighter in Eldie’s grip. “I’m ready.” 

Oldarva braced herself as she stepped through the portal. She expected it to be awful and dizzying, like the teleporters. It wasn’t. It rushed against her like a sleeve, pressing down on all sides, bitterly cold but never quite pressing under her skin like the wind did. Gizzie stiffened in her grasp and pressed themself against her.

Then they were out, and Oldarva blinked in wonder at the strange hall. Her breath fogged in front of her and she fluffed up on instinct to trap heat better. She had never seen anything like this place before, all smooth carved stone and eerie blue light. It was too dimly lit to resemble the stories she had heard of the Miniknog labs; Oldarva was grateful for that. She did not want to be afraid. She had used so much courage already today. But still, it was strange, and strange made her fur bristle in ways she did not like.

“Thiss way,” Namina said, putting a hand on Eldie’s arm to guide her. “Sstick close.”

She didn’t need to ask why when she saw the next room. A huge scorched circle marred the tiles in the entrance, littered with metallic debris and darkened splotches that might have been oil, might have been worse. The smell was awful. Tattered scraps of purple fabric splashed color across the snow here and there. Deep gouges carved through the thick snow and ice and exposed the tile beneath. But there were no other signs of the battle that had been fought here. Oldarva wasn’t sure if that was better or worse. She pushed back at her imagination. She would make it better. She shifted Gizzie in her arms and tugged their hood up a little higher, to make sure they wouldn’t see the signs of battle. Gizzie didn’t resist.

Little floating snow-creatures watched them silently as they entered the room. Namina bared his teeth at the bolder ones. “No trouble, wisssps.”

The wisps agreed, apparently. They kept their distance and all but lost interest in their guests.  

Gizzie shivered. “It’s so cold…”

“I know.” Oldarva gripped them tighter. “It’s okay. We will move fast.”

[theback-rooms]

Our iron bracelets arrived yesterday, so Katie and I repacked our backpacks and went back down again.

We traveled west along the shoreline a second time. Whatever this party is that’s going on in the palace on the other side, it doesn’t seem to ever end? Kind of like the nighttime down here.

This time, we saw Lord Julian from a good way away, and he smiled and waved at us in a very friendly fashion when we spotted each other. He was in about the same place he was the last time, and Katie and I wondered how long he had been there and how often he checked that spot to see if we were in the area? I was a little nervous that he was here intercepting us again, but he was very cheerful and pleasant when we finally came within earshot and said hello.

“Lord Julian--I have to ask,” Katie said when we had finished commenting on the beauty of the night and the weather etc etc (he said the weather is ALWAYS nice here). “Why have we met you here in the same place twice?”

His expression grew rather more serious. “Er...” It was the first time I had seen him lost for words.

Katie looked annoyed. “I mean, isn’t it a little creepy? You intercepting us twice? How did you know we were here in the first place? Why are you trying to get us to go to the palace?”

“The truth is,” he said at last, “that Lady Laurel tries to keep a careful eye on the shores of the lake. “Strangers do wander into our forest from time to time, and they aren’t always aware of the dangers of this place.”

“Dangers?” I said more loudly than I really meant to. “What dangers?”

“Well,” he said reluctantly, “Lady Laurel asked me to intercept you here if you came in this direction, because she does not want you to fall into the hands of the Witch of the Wood.”

“The WHAT?!” I squeaked.

“Oh my God,” Katie muttered. “Of course there’s a Witch of the Wood.”

Lord Julian lifted his brows in surprise.

“I mean--” Katie pulled herself together. “So this witch is seriously dangerous?”

“Deadly,” Lord Julian said solemnly. “Terrifying. She makes doppelgangers of people.”

That was a term I had actually heard before. “You mean—those freaky doubles that look like your clones?”

“Yes.”

I mean, that sounded a little creepy, but relatively harmless? “What does they do, these doppelgangers?” Katie asked.

“They take people’s lives.”

“You mean they kills them??”

“No,” Lord Julian answered slowly, “I mean they TAKE their LIVES. They go back in the person’s place—take over their life. All your friends and family will think it’s you, but actually, you never return to the other world.”

Katie and I stared at him. THAT was seriously creepy.

Seeing that he had finally made a deep impression, Lord Julian continued. “She lives along the southwest corner of the lake. You’d be safe if you walked eastward, but not if you came this direction.” He turned and pointed at one of the diamond willows, a particularly big one that stuck out far over the shore. “We consider that tree to be the beginning of her territory. We try not to pass it.”

Katie and I looked at each other. “So--we’d be safe if we walked the other way, but not this way?” I repeated.

“Yes.”

“So Lady Laurel sent you here to stop us if we came this way.”

“Yes.”

“Why don’t you just put up a sign? Wouldn’t that be easier?” Katie asked.

“We’ve tried. The Witch takes them down.” A fleeting expression of anger and disgust crossed his face.

“And there’s nothing dangerous on the east side of the lake?”

“No--just don’t get too close to the unicorns.”

“Why?” I asked nervously. “Do they have some kind of magical powers?”

Lord Julian smiled once more. “No. Because they’re wild animals and they’ve occasionally been known to bite.”

Katie’s eyes narrowed. “Are you going to keep... monitoring our movements while we’re  here?”

“No--we’ve just been making sure you don’t pass the Grand Willow,” he said easily. “I can escort you around on your explorations or take you across the lake if you like--but if you don’t, you can go and see this place for yourself.

“Just not pass the Grand Willow.”

Lord Julian nodded.

There was a long pause, and then we sort of said an awkward good night and walked away.

We don’t know how Lady Laurel managed to tell that someone had entered this area, or how she knew when we would be approaching the witch’s territory. That doppelganger thing is creepy as hell, though. Sounds like the trailer to “Us”: a movie I will never, ever, ever see if I can help it.

Katie and I went back to the path, then walked east a little way along the southern shore, but saw nothing of particular interest, so we went up the staircase and decided to regroup.

We’ve come up with a plan for our next visit: head west until we see Lord Julian again, and then ask him some questions and try to figure this place out a little more.

What do you want us to ask Lord Julian? Our ask box is always open!!

[spookymultimedia]

Hand in Unlovable Hand

Michael tells Holly about what had happened between he and Jan

CW: discussion of past emotional and sexual abuse [Jan Levinson], panic attack symptoms, dyke being used as a slur, biphobia, and blood

Holly leaned against her car waiting for Michael to come outside. It was early spring and the sun was resting on the horizon.

"Hey." Dwight flashed a friendly smile at her. He liked Holly. She was a little airhead and not his personal choice in girls but she was for Michael. They got along better than any girl he had dated.

"Hi." She smiled.

"You and Michael seem to be doing well."

"Yeah, we are, but-."

"But?" He looked down at her confused.

"I don't know, he's a little distant sometimes."

"Distant?" He cocked his head.

She sighed, a bit of wind blew against her hair, "You- you know when you're around a dog and you can tell it's a nervous dog? Like, it's a sweet dog. . . but it just has this scared look in its eye."

Dwight knew exactly what she meant. He nodded slowly.

"There's something off about him and I don't know why." She placed a hand on her cheek worried.

"You really care about him."

"Of course, I love him more than anything."

He fidgeted his feet and bit his lip, "Do you know who Jan is?"

"Huh?"

"Do you know of Jan Levinson?"

"I know she used to work in HR but she got fired. Why?"

"Um, well. She used to date Michael and. . ." He trailed off when he saw Michael walk up to her. She smiled warmly at him and they hugged each other.

"Hey there Holly-boo." He kissed her cheek. Dwight walked away.

"Hey babe."

Michael pulled out quickly and stiffened up. "What?"

Michael blinked, "Uh, I- nothing."

"No you can tell me." She said softly and smiled.

"D-don't call me that, please." He looked down.

"Okay, Mickey I won't call you that. Thank you for telling me." She petted his arm. He smiled and relaxed, she noticed his hands shook a little. They got in the car and she started to drive him home. "So how was your day?"

"Pretty good actually, it was good. We had fun and work got 'dun."

"That's good."

"How was your day?"

"I just did errands. There was a cute dog in the store. I couldn't pet it though. Service dog."

"They work so hard. They should have their Memorial Day."

"That's for the dead soldiers."

"Well, a Veterans Day. But for dogs. You understand?"

"Yeah, I understand. That would be nice. Michael?"

"Yes?" He looked at her.

"Who's Jan?"

He looked at her shocked. "What?"

"Dwight brought her up. Did something happen between you two?"

He didn't say anything. She glanced at him.

"Are you okay?"

"No. ."

"I'm sorry. Do you. . feel like talking about it?"

"I don't know. She was-, we were-," he shook his head, "It was a bad relationship."

There was a nervous feeling in the pit of her stomach. She didn't like this Jan Levinson person. She was worried that she might have done something to- no. It couldn't be that bad, could it? Was she assuming the worst? It was like those crime scenes on that show that Michael liked. She was surprised he enjoyed such a heavy show. It was all like the beginning of the episode where bits of the tragic story were being pieced together. An awful suspicion lingered in her.

'What happened to Jan Levinson?' Holly recalled her conversation with David Wallace. She remembered how disgusted he looked at the sound of her name.

'Oh she was awful. Very reckless boss. Absolutely unprofessional. You're lucky that you haven't met her.' Unprofessional? What did that mean?

She walked into his house and set her coat aside. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have brought it up."

"No, it's fine. I really think you should know." He sat on the couch with her.

"Are you sure?" She held his hand. He scooted away from her but held her hand. She squeezed his hand gently.

"Yes."

He stared at the floor thinking about it all. The sleepless nights he spent in Jan's living room. The countless pointless fights where no one won. The number of times he should've spoken up and the times he couldn't speak up to her all. The nights that were blurred out of his memory but yet the pain was all too vivid. He didn't know how to put all those garbled up feelings into words. He didn't know how to explain it. He still couldn't grasp the concept that she had hurt him because he was still in this stupid mindset that she genuinely loved him and still loved him. What she did to him was inexcusable yet he came up with a list of reasons why it was okay that she did that to him. After all, he had done shitty things to her as well. He was an asshole. Maybe he was still an asshole. Did his behavior warrant her actions? Did they have any correlation at all?

Holly didn't deserve this. She was funny, dorky, kind, and genuine. She didn't deserve to be with someone with so many complications and baggage. She had told him many times that she loved him but did she mean it? Jan had said she loved him too? Was this going to crash and burn too? His shoulders were trembling from how much he had tensed them, hot tears edged at his eyes. He wanted to speak but there was a knot in his throat.

"Take your time. Don't forget to breathe." Holly said calmly. Why did she put up with him? He took a few deep breaths but he just started to cry. She looked up at him with sorry eyes. What the fuck did she do to him? He stared a hole into the corner of the room, tears gliding down his face. She petted his hand.

"She- Jan was a normal woman and- she wasn't a bad person- I mean she was recently divorced when we started out-," He gawked for a moment. Why was he just now seeing all the red flags she had? Love is blind after all. . .

"It wasn't toxic at first. It was just a regular hook up, but we saw each other more and I guess she didn't initially want to be with me but I pressured her to like me. No, I manipulated her just to talk to me. I was obsessed." He looked her in the eye. She stared back at him unsure of how to react. She was still holding his hand. "I was so obsessed with how she thought of me. I was desperate for any kind of attention no matter how much I had to force it out of people." He spoke bitterly about himself as if he was someone else. "So, I convinced her that she needed to love me, I guess? It's shitty but that's what I did. I knew it was wrong but I did it anyway" She held his hand still.

"And?"

"And she stayed. We dated, I guess. If you could even call it that. I moved in with her and-." A shiver of pain went down his spine. He hiccuped and started to cry more. He felt pathetic and stupid. "It was hell. It was pure fucking hell. I had no control over my own money because she would spend it on whatever. She didn't let me-" I choked out a sob. His back was in pain. It was burning. He suddenly felt feverish. "Dwight is my best friend. I tell him almost everything. He's there for me even when I'm a piece of shit. He's too kind. I don't deserve him. And Jan- she didn't let me talk to him outside of work. I couldn't tell him half the shit she was doing to me because I felt like if I spoke up and told anyone what was going on she would punish me. I was scared to say anything. God, I will never forgive myself for how I treated him then. He deserved better. I convinced myself that nothing was wrong with my relationship with Jan. For fucks sake Dwight had to learn secondhand through Angela about what she was doing to me. I told the women of the office what was happening and I tried to break things off with Jan but she wouldn't let me go. She- she. ." He wiped his eyes on his sleeve and tried to breathe. She was still holding his hand, she looked horrified.

"I can't remember. I think she forced me into these outfits or something. I felt uncomfortable in those outfits. I don't remember exactly what happened or when but she. . .she touched me. I think she touched me when I said no. She wouldn't listen to me." He stared at the floor trying to remember but there was this invisible barrier that wouldn't let him recall the memory properly. "The neon. . ."

"The boob neon?" She looked confused.

"She hated it. She absolutely hated it. But you loved it. She was mad about the neon. "

"Why?" She looked at me puzzled and shocked.

"I don't know. She just hated it. I feel sick." He held his stomach.

"Are you going to throw up?" She sounded a little panicked. He started to sweat.

He shook his head. "No, it just hurts."

"Then, lay down. You're burning up." She felt my head. "Take off your shirt."

He slipped off his suit and shirt and laid down. She grabbed a wet rag. She dabbed it against his head and back gently.

"It's okay. I'm right here."

"I'm a burden."

"You are not a burden."

"Well then I'm an asshole and I deserve this."

"Michael, I think you were just vulnerable and she took advantage of that. You're different now and I can see you're becoming a better person. You used to be the Michael Scott who would trash my Woody doll. But you've changed. I notice you are changing and I'm proud of you. I love you. No amount of damage you carry is going to change that."

He looked at her.

"Okay. You-you really think she took advantage of me?"

"Michael, that was abuse." She looked at him shocked. He stared off in disbelief.

"Are you okay?"

"Everything hurts, I'm tired." He mumbled.

"I'm right here darling."

"Do you want a hug?"

"I- I'd rather not be touched at all right now."

"Okay. I won't touch you." She smiled at him.

A week later Holly was outside the office with Dwight, Angela and Kevin. Michael was having a big sales call with Pam. There's maintenance being done inside so some people left while some were still waiting for maintenance.

"You've seriously never seen Battlestar Galactica?"

"I feel like you're making that up." Holly said and leaned against her car. Angela and Kevin were seated on the edge of Kevin's car talking about something else. Why Kevin was still there was anyone's guess. Maybe he enjoyed Holly and Angela's company.

"Holly, that is a very real show."

She looked at him skeptical. A car drove into the parking lot. It wasn't Michael's car. Jan stepped out of it. "Where is Michael?"

"Jan?" Dwight stared at her. "What are you doing here?"

"I just thought I'd pay Michael a visit. Where is he?"

"None of your business." Holly said, trying to keep her composure.

"Who are you?" Jan narrowed her eyes to her.

"Holly Flax, HR. Get lost bitch."

"Excuse me?" She crossed her arms.

Holly walked to her, Dwight looked nervous. "No, don't you dare play innocent with me. Michael is not here. You don't have any reason to be talking to Michael."

"Oh you must be his new girlfriend." She looked sour at Holly.

"Yeah, I am. He told me all about you."

"Okay, you know what I'll just call him."

She dialed him. He didn't answer. She sighed.

"What do you want with him?"

"I need money. For Astrid." She mumbled.

"He's not the father." Dwight glared at her blatant lie.

"This isn't anyone's business. Why can't I just talk to Michael?! This is ridiculous."

"If you don't leave-."

"Or what? What are you gonna do?" Jan snapped at her.

"It'll get ugly."

"Is it true you kiss girls?"

"What?"

"You're bisexual."

She didn't know how to react. It was true that she was an open and proud bisexual. "Okay, yeah? And?"

"I didn't know Michael dated ugly little dykes like you."

Holly widened her eyes, she was seeing red. That was it, it was personal now. She had the audacity to try to dig her way into Michael's life again and now she was insulting her sexuality. What happened next was a blur. She charged at Jan and punched her square in the jaw, she hoped she broke it. Next, Jan slapped her, just enough to give her a nose bleed. Dwight got between the two and held back Holly, grabbing her arms firmly. Angela leaned towards Kevin wide eyed and he put an arm over her protectively out of instinct, she had latched onto him a bit startled. "Hey! Hey! Knock it off!" Holly squirmed a bit but calmed down. "Get out of here! Get the fuck out of here!" Holly screamed. Dwight spoke calmly, despite his shaking voice, "If you don't leave in 5 minutes I am calling the police, do you understand?"

Jan touched her bruised jaw and left in her car looking disheveled.

Dwight looked at Holly, who had blood all over her. Her knuckles bled a little too. She was shaking.

"Oh my god are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think so." Angela grabbed a first aid kit from out of her car and helped Holly with her bloody nose. It was sore and red. Pam's car approached and when Michael walked out he ran up to Holly. "Oh God! Are you okay? What happened??"

"Oh, nothing-."

Dwight spoke over her, "She got in a fight with Jan. She punched her in the jaw."

"What!?" Michael looked at her, panicked.

"She's gone now, don't worry."

"You hit her?"

"She was asking for it! I hate her."

"It was pretty cool." Angela admitted with a smile and bandaged her. Kevin stood behind them still trying to take in what just happened.

"I had to step in before things got worse." Dwight said dismissively towards Holly.

"I don't regret hitting her. She called dirty for being bisexual."

"Seriously?" Michael looked at her surprised. "That's awful."

"Yeah, I wanted her to shut up."

"Holly if Dwight wasn't there you or Jan could have gotten seriously hurt!" He looked at her upset. She blinked up at him. "I don't want to see you hurt, okay? I'm sorry for yelling. I just, you really scared me okay."

She nodded, "I understand. I'm sorry I escalated things. I'll just leave next time. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She held his hand. He hugged her.

"Thank you, I'm glad you're okay."

She petted his hair and he kissed her head. They all went home after that.

.

[hekate1308]

Leaves That Before The Wild Hurricane Fly, A Destiel Advent Calendar, December 13

Masterpost

Read it on AO3

They had decided that it would be best if Castiel followed each member of the group around for at least a day, and of course he started with Dean’s shop.

The Fae was already bustling about when he entered on Monday morning, whistling to himself. “Hey, Cas! Come in!”

“I see you’re busy decorating” he said because, somewhat in contrast to the blooming plants in the shop, Dean was putting up Christmas decorations.

“Of course – any excuse for a party.”

Castiel hesitated, then asked, “So you’re – sorry if I am being – but do you believe –“ He stopped talking.

“Oh, me and Sammy keep it with our traditional faith in the Gods, but really, it’s live and let live. Would be pretty ironic if it wasn’t, with us.”

“Do you mind if I write this down?” he asked, pulling out a notebook.

“Of course not. You’d be surprised how often I wake up and write things down in the night. Well, mostly to do with plants because – that’s just me” he shrugged.

“You really do love your work”.

“Yeah. For many of us, it’s just par for the course, but I adore this place.”

“It’s easy to see why” he blurted out before he could help himself.

Dean grinned. “Thank you.”

“Do you need help?”

“Isn’t that kind of detrimental to the whole neutral observer thing?”

“I am supposed to see what you get up to, so this is helping.”

“You’re the expert.”

Far from it, but he accepted the praise only so that Dean wouldn’t see him flush scarlet again.

They hadn’t been working long when the door opened and a voice rang out “I see you’ve begun with the decorations, dearie.”

Irish, Castiel guessed from the accent, but as to what else…

“Yep, Bridget” Dean said happily. “This is Cas. He’s helping me out today.”

The old lady who had entered enthusiastically shook his hand. “Hello.”

“Hello. Actually” He decided it would be best to try and get as many voices as possible, “I’m with the Lawrence Courier, and working on an article on the Quarter.”

“Oh? Wat kind of article?”

“He’s setting the record straight, Bridget, don’t worry about it” Dean said, and she seemed to trust his judgement.

“Oh, finally. It’s time we get some good press.”

“May I ask – “

“Oh, I’m human. Don’t have magic either.”

“Oh?” He was surprised; as far as he knew, only very few humans chose to live in The Quarter if they had no connection to magic whatsoever.

“oh yes; there’s much more of us around than you would believe. It’s just so nice here – everyone being friendly, and no one judging you…” a small smile crossed her lips. “And of course Dean’s the best of them.”

He found himself nodding along before she’d even finished speaking.

“Oh, leave it be” Dean announced, “You know I don’t like compliments.”

You deserve all of them, he thought but thankfully did not say out loud.

“Anyway, what can I do for you?”

“Oh, you know me… it’s time for a new rose”.

“Well, I think I have just the right one” Dean said happily, left shortly and came back with a rose he called a “Poet’s Wife””.

“Oh thank you, that’s perfect!” she gushed.

“You sure you can carry it?”

“Please, it’s just to my car…”

“I can carry it” Castiel immediately offered.

“Oh, really? That’s very nice of you, dear.”

In reality, he mostly wanted a chance to speak to her alone and get some more information.

However, it was not to be. For as he carried the rose to her car, Bridget announced, “Just because I don’t have magic doesn’t mean I don’t notice things.”

When she didn’t add anything, he said, “Good?”

“Dean” she said slowly as she opened the shotgun door and allowed him to place the rose on the seat, “Is a very good friend of mine. Has been since we first met four years ago. So what I mean to say… I know a lot of witches. And creatures. And I’d hate for him to get hurt.”

“I see” he replied even though he did not see. Maybe she meant the article? But he had already told her that he didn’t intend to slander them…

“Good. So you know to be careful.”

And she got into her car and drove off without explaining herself further.

Castiel wandered back into the shop.

“Heya. Rose all good?”

He node. “She drove away rather…”

“That’s Bridget. Day she keeps the speed limit, I know we’re getting close to the end. Anyway, can you help me with these stars?”

Of course he could; and if now and then their hands brushed once more as they worked together, it was hardly his fault and no one would ever have to know.

[dominantslasherking]

Hannibal Lecter with dominant Male S/o

My Stories are meant for the much more mature audience, 18+

Backstory: Hannibal has an Animalistic urge to make you his, god how possessive this cannibal is and he wants everyone to know who you belong to. POWER BOTTOM HANNIBAL.

His eyes glaze over your form as you were chatting with Will Graham. Hannibal knew Will didn't see you in any romantic light, not even in the slightest, but he knew you well,

Hannibal knew you wanted Will, the way your muscles would slightly tense when Will spoke to you and the way you got all flustered when he wanted to spend time with you.

Hannibal hated it- God, why couldn't you see? See that you needed someone better, someone more reformed and proper, someone to teach you how to really love.

A deep breath escaped your mouth watching as Alana Bloom greeted Will and peck him on the lips, "Oh, (Name) How lovely to see you again," Alana greeted her jaw slightly firm, knowing that you liked her boyfriend, but it was just a simple hunch, that she was indeed was worried about.

Hannibal took this as an instinctive to prove himself, that he can help you- He quickly parted his goodbyes to the group of people he was conversing with.

He stalked over to you as if you were the prey and he was the hunter, hunger evident in his eyes as he watched you draw closer and closer, finally he made it to you.

"Dr. Lecter-" Will spoke up, getting cut off by Hannibal completely ignoring him for a second, "Dr. Lecter??" Will spoke once more finally Hannibal drawing his eyes away from you, both of you looking at each other with intense eyes.

"Yes, Sorry, Will, and please call me Hannibal, only in our sessions you would be using my last name." Hannibal corrected Will giving a gentle nod, as Alana quickly greeted Hannibal before she began starting a conversation trying to break up Will's and (Name)'s conversation from earlier which they were bonding friendly from.

"Lovely party gathering you have here Hannibal, you always throw beautiful and graceful ones," Alana complemented, "Everyone seemed to dress nicely for your party- Oh- Well some people seemed to laze around." Alana's eyes snap to you, clearly taking a hit at your simple and plain outfit, which consisted of a long-sleeved white button-up shirt that had some buttons loose revealing your firm-toned chest and some black jeans.

Hannibal resisted the urge to grumble out a pleasureful groan at the sight, in fact, he didn't think you were being lazy with your outfit, he thought you were enticing with the way you dressed. "Mrs. Bloom, I would advise you to keep your unneeded remarks to yourself, its quite rude to say that about a guest, let alone a co-worker who is standing aside you." Hannibal gave a smile, as Alana froze in shock, her face blossoming into a scarlet red.

"But the simple matter is, I would refute your claim because I think Mr. (Last Name) here looks quite ravishing." Hannibal turned to you, not daring to hide his interest.

"Hannibal you always have a way with words," You responded, making Hannibal feel the giddy urge of jealousy diminishing as your attention was no longer on Will but, him. Finally.

"The on trays that you made for the guests, the one in the shape of roses, its rather uhm-" You paused, looking at Hannibal with a charming smile that always made him weak in the knees, not really but a metaphor of how he felt.

"They were very artistic." You finished noticing the way Hannibal always listened closely, unlike Will who would always lose track of what you were saying and daze off then chat with another person.

"Thank you, I do try my best." Hannibal firmly responded, side glancing at Will and Alana. "We- We would like to retire early..." Will spoke as at gently held onto his shoulder. "Have a good one, (Name) and Hannibal," Will spoke once more quickly taking away the embarrassed Alana.

For once, you didn't care that Will was leaving you hanging, you just felt refreshed to have a person really chat with you and actually listen for once.

"I know this may sound weird but...I notice that you always invite Will and Alana to your personal dinners--" Hannibal knew what you wanted to say, you wanted to be invited- You- You enjoyed talking to him- yes- perfect, he loved talking to you as well.

"Of course, you can join (Name), I will be hosting another next week." Hannibal's voice was softer than it was around others.

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[fandom-smut-shots]

Keith Kogane - I’m Not Going Anywhere

Not Going Anywhere

A/N: Modern life AU.

Also, any genders and pronouns are acceptable to request. If not specified, I default to female, because that’s the majority of reader inserts in my experience.

Summary: You’ve been dating Keith for about six months, but you’ve only recently met his group of friends. He’s worried that they each have more to offer you than he does, and his insecurities eat away at him until you calm him down.

Words: 2,063

           “Your girlfriend is coming to the party, right?”

         Keith froze, glancing up at Shiro where the older man stood beside the stove, preparing a pot of spinach artichoke dip. He was a disaster at cooking actual food, but he’d managed to learn to prepare dips like a boss.

         “Uh…” was all the black-haired boy managed in response, shoving a spoonful of cereal into his mouth.

         “Come on, Keith,” Shiro chided gently, employing his best Older Brother voice. “You’ve been seeing this girl for, what, six months now? I think it’s time I met her. And what better time to introduce her to the gang than at your birthday party?”

         “Do I have to introduce her to everyone?” Keith whined, glaring down at his breakfast. “Can’t she just meet you and be done with it?”

         Shiro sighed, turning to argue when he caught sight of his brother’s expression. Keith wasn’t one for expressing his emotions, so Shiro had learned early on how to read the arch of his brow and the shine of his eyes. Keith currently looked crestfallen, which given the circumstances meant that insecurities were buzzing around inside his head.

         “It’s going to be fine, Keith,” the older boy commented, taking a seat across from Keith at the table. “Everyone is going to love her, and she’s going to love your friends.”

         “That’s what I’m worried about,” was all Keith murmured before he stood, setting his cereal bowl in the sink before turning to skulk down the hallway towards his room.

           “I’d love to go to his birthday party!” you squealed into the phone, balancing it between your ear and your shoulder so you had free use of your hands. “I’m almost done decorating his cake. I could bring it with me!”

         “He’d love that,” Shiro chuckled on the other end. “We’re not a baking-inclined family, so it’s always store-bought cakes for us.”

         “He told me he just wanted to do something simple to celebrate with me,” you returned, swirling icing atop the cake to add calligraphic decoration to Keith’s name. “I wonder why he didn’t tell me you were throwing him a party.”

         “He doesn’t like being the center of attention,” Shiro reasoned.

         You hummed in agreement. “That’s true.” Setting the piping bag on the counter, you paused, a frown forming on your lips. “It’s not… He wants me to come, right? He won’t be mad that you invited me?”

         Shiro sighed into the receiver, and you bit your lip nervously. “He’ll be upset that I went behind his back, but I know him very well, and I think he’d enjoy the party a lot more if you were there. He’s just nervous about you meeting his friends. They can be a handful.”

         “If you’re sure,” you replied. The last thing you wanted to do was upset your boyfriend while trying to celebrate his birthday. “I’ll be there. With a cake.”

         “Perfect,” the man on the phone replied. “I’ll see you tonight. It’ll be great, I promise.”

         You hung up the phone and set it on the counter, admiring your handiwork on your boyfriend’s cake. Exhaling softly, you tried to believe Shiro’s words. Everything would be fine.

           Your heart hammered in your chest as you approached the front door of Shiro and Keith’s shared house. Carefully balancing the cake with one hand, you raised the other to knock on the door, waiting patiently but anxiously for someone to answer. The door opened to reveal Shiro, smiling widely upon seeing you on the other side.

         “(y/n)! It’s so great to meet you!” he greeted enthusiastically. “I’m Shiro, Keith’s older brother. I apologize if I startled you with that phone call earlier – I wasn’t sure Keith would actually follow through and invite you.”

         “He didn’t,” you giggled. “I don’t mind at all. I’ve been wanting to meet you for months.”

         “Let me take that for you,” he offered, easing the cake out of your hold. He headed inside, nodding for you to follow him. You closed the door behind you, following the tall man- like seriously, how was he that tall?-  into the kitchen. There stood a thicker boy, nearly as tall as Shiro, stirring and chopping like a professional chef.

         “That cheese sauce smells amazing, Hunk,” Shiro complimented the cook, placing the cake on the counter.

         “It’s almost done- ooh, where’d the cake come from?” the cook inquired.

         “Keith’s girlfriend.”

         The spoon being used to stir the cheese sauce fell to the floor with a clink, gooey cheese splashing all over the tile.

         “Keith’s what?!”

         The tall, tanned cook spun on his heel, a grin splitting his lips as he caught sight of you. “She’s real!”

         Shiro laughed softly, stepping closer to you. “Hunk, this is (y/n). (y/n), this is Hunk, our resident chef. He shares a few classes with Keith.”

         “I’m an engineering major,” Hunk explained, offering his hand. You placed your comparably tiny hand in his, giggling softly.

         “It’s nice to meet you. Keith has mentioned your cooking.”

         Hunk’s eyes sparkled at the confirmation that the emotionally constipated raven appreciated his food before he turned back to the stove.

         “Hey, Shiro, what-“ Keith stopped in his tracks as he entered the kitchen, his eyes widening as he stared at you. “(y/n)? What are you doing here?”

         “I invited her because I knew you wouldn’t,” Shiro explained.

         “It’s okay that I’m here, right, babe?” you questioned, brows furrowing with worry as you took Keith’s hands in yours.

         “Babe?” teased an unfamiliar voice. “Keith lets someone call him babe?” A tall, thin brunet sauntered into view, resting his elbow on your boyfriend’s shoulder. “Hey, who’s the hottie? She’s- ow!”

         Keith’s elbow collided with the brunet’s rib, and he stepped away.

         “Yeah, it’s okay,” Keith murmured, lacing his fingers with yours, but you could hear the uncertainty in his voice. You stood up on your toes, pressing your lips to his, and he melted into the gesture despite having an audience. The brunet from before whistled at the sight, and Keith pulled back with a glare in his eyes and a blush on his cheeks.

         “I’m (y/n,” you introduced, offering your hand.

         “The name’s Lance,” the tan brunet grinned, taking your hand in his and lightly kissing your knuckles. You simply raised a brow in response, unsurprised when Keith ripped Lance’s hand away from yours.

         “She’s taken,” he growled, wrapping an arm around your waist. You giggled softly, resting your head on Keith’s shoulder.

         “Is that everyone?” you inquired, looking towards Shiro.

         “Hunk!” another voice called from the hallway. “Are the nachos done? I’m starving- oh, hey.”

         Finally, someone not insanely tall.

         “I’m Pidge,” they offered, lifting their hand to their head in a salute. “You must be Keith’s girlfriend.”

         “(y/n),” you countered. “Are you another friend of his?”

         Pidge stole a chip from the bowl on the table, popping it into their mouth. “If that’s what we’re calling it. I’m friends with Lance and Hunk, and they kinda forced Keith to join the group.”

         “I encouraged it,” Shiro replied. “My brother needs social skills.”

         “I have plenty of social skills,” Keith grumbled in response.

         Lance snickered loudly, Pidge choked on a ship, and Hunk chuckled from his place at the stove.

         “I got myself a girlfriend without your interference, didn’t I?” your boyfriend defended, his grip around your wait tightening.

         “How did you two meet, anyway?” Pidge questioned.

         “I’m an art major,” you replied. “We met in Interpretive Painting.”

         “Keith takes art classes?” Lance gasped, his voice raising several octaves.

         “Makes sense,” Pidge shrugged.

         “Interpretive Painting?” Hunk repeated. “That sounds like fun.”

         “Ah, someone who will encourage my brother to keep working on his art,” Shiro smiled. “I already love her.”

         Keith used his hand on your waist to guide you away from the others, leading you to the living room. He sat on the couch, pulling you onto his lap, securing his arms around you. Your own arms wrapped around his neck, your fingers toying with his thick raven hair. His nose nuzzled into your neck as he inhaled deeply, enjoying the scent of your body wash.

         “Why didn’t you want me to meet them?” you inquired softly. “They seem nice.”

         “Too nice,” he murmured against your skin. “They’ll take you away from me.”

         You pulled away from Keith just enough to lift his head, caressing his jaw with your hand, gazing softly into his violet eyes. “You don’t really think that, do you?”

         His gaze dropped somewhere behind you – a tell that the current situation made him vulnerable and insecure.

         “You heard them in there. I’m not social. How many times have you told me I suck at texting back? If you hadn’t been so friendly, I wouldn’t have even been able to ask you out.”

         “So?” you questioned, brushing your thumb across is cheekbone. “I’m dating you, aren’t I? If you being anti-social was an issue, I wouldn’t have said yes.”

         He sighed, dropping his forehead to your shoulder. “Lance is better at romance and dating. Pidge is smart, and you like a lot of the same games. Hunk can cook actual meals. They have more to offer you.”

         Your heart broke at his honesty. You knew how hard it was for Keith to be so open, even with you. He must have been dreading the day you met his friends if he was this concerned about it.

         Taking his face in your hands, you lifted his head until you can access his mouth. You gently pressed your lips to his, pouring your emotions into the kiss. He sighed softly against your lips, his arms tightening around your waist. You let one hand slide back to tangle in his hair, gently tugging on the strands.

         “I’m not going anywhere,” you promised between kisses. “I love you, Keith. Befriending your friends means I get to spend more time with you and learn more about you. They’re not going to take me from you, I promise.”

         “Dinner is done!” Hunk’s voice called from the kitchen.

         You slid off of Keith’s lap, much to his dismay, and offered him a hand. “Come on, babe. Let’s go eat.”

         He took your hand, lacing your fingers and squeezing softly as he followed you into the kitchen. Chips, cheese, meat, and vegetables decorated the table as a homemade nacho bar for everyone to dig into. Keith’s amethyst eyes danced around the kitchen, landing on an unfamiliar container on the counter.

         “What’s that?” he inquired, turning his gaze to Hunk.

         Hunk grinned. “(y/n) brought it.”

         “It’s your cake,” you replied, shoving a fully-coated nacho into your mouth.

         “You made me a cake?” Keith questioned, his eyes softening as he looked at you.

         “The plan was for us to have a private party after you were done here,” you shrugged. “When Shiro invited me, I figured I might as well bring the cake.”

         Keith dipped his head, pressing a loving kiss to your lips. Lance and Pidge cat-called from somewhere behind you, but Keith didn’t seem to mind. Shiro smiled from behind Keith, shaking his head softly.

           After dinner and cake were thoroughly enjoyed, you followed Keith and his friends to the living room to watch movies. He sat on the couch and you reclaimed your place on his lap, snuggling into his chest. His hands intertwined with yours, his fingertips brushing your knuckles, and you peppered soft kisses to his jaw, reminding him that you were his.

         While everyone was enthralled in the movie, you turned to face your boyfriend. You untangled a hand from his in order to lift it to his face, cupping his cheek. He turned his gaze from the movie to look at you, a soft expression in his eyes that only you were allowed to see. You shifted in his lap, pulling his lips down to yours. He tilted his head to deepen the kiss, gently nipping at your lower lip with his teeth. You were tempted to give in until you recalled your company, reluctantly breaking the kiss and settling back against his chest.

         “I’m not going anywhere,” you murmured softly, squeezing his hand as you watched the movie. The kiss he pressed to the side of your head told you that he understood, and while you knew his insecurities wouldn’t be magically washed away, you also knew that he was trying and that was more than enough for you.