#i realise the grumpy thing is a bit more complicated but this is just silliness so let's keep it light

[ghost-ghost-baby]

We're Just Friends! (Omega!bakugo x alpha!reader x omega!Izuku) pt. 5/5

pt 1 / pt 2/ pt 3/pt 4

omegaverse lore

lore: Once an Alpha reaches 21 they get their first rut, they’d either already have their mates or the rut will act as a push for them to get together and bond.

summary:  Reader and Katsuki have been friends for years, and everyone expects them to get together, until reader rescues an omega that lives in their building, and things get a touch more... complicated

a/n: FINALLY WE DID IT!!! SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG BUT ITS 4K WORDS!!!! ENJOY!!! general nsfw hcs will b posted at some point, gonna make a diff taglist for it tho so lemme know if u wanna b on it. Warnings: omegaverse, swearing, untraditional omegaverse roles, gets a bit spicy towards the end 

“Okay, so, we’re inviting Kirishima, Sero, Jirou, she’ll wanna bring her mate Yamomo, and Yamomo will wanna bring her bestie Shoto, of course.” you had no idea what Denki and Mina were going on about, you and Izuku were waiting in the park while Katsuki finished up an exam, and the pair had cornered you with plans for your party. Izuku had been extra clingy, he’d held your hand all the way to school, and then inched his seat closer to yours in class so he could keep touching you in any way possible, and now he was practically in your lap, arms possessively wrapped around your waist and his head on your shoulder. 

“Uh, okay, I wanna invite Shinso too, I know he’s Mr. Aizawas kid but he’s really nice, oh and Tokoyami, he might wanna bring Tsuyu-“ You were distracted, not that your friends noticed, by Izuku’s arms tightening around your waist, and you only realised he let out a growl because you felt it vibrate from his chest and into his throat. Your friends were still rambling, completely ignoring you and your mate, so you turned to Izuku with a questioning look. 

“You okay?”

“I don’t like the way Shinso looks at you, why are you inviting him?” Izuku pouted, and you shook your head, reaching up to ruffle his hair. 

“Don’t be silly, now Izuku. I’m with you and Katsuki, I’m only inviting him so he can make more friends!” Your answer soothed your mate, although barely, he’d just have to stick to you like glue for the entire party. 

“Let’s go, c’mon.” Katsuki pulled Deku up by the back of his shirt, ignoring the omegas cry of protest to offer you a hand, gripping it tighter than usual and pulling you up, wrapping his arm around your waist as soon as you were standing, Izuku grumbling as he made his way to your other side. 

“Wow Bakubro- the exam was that bad, huh?” Denki’s question was only met with a growl from Katsuki, and you shushed him before you turned back to your friends. 

“Sorry guys but you heard the man! Text me if you need any help with the party but I already told you what I want!” You waved, Denki and Mina waving back from their place on the grass, and you heard them giggle as Katsuki pulled you away, the omegas scent much stronger than usual. 

You headed right for the shower when you got home, only stopping to grab a towel, with your mates hot on your heels.

“What’re- what’re you guys doing-?” You were about to start stripping when you noticed them standing in the door, Katsuki with a frown and his arms crossed, Izuku hanging off him with an expression you could only describe as eager. 

“You weren’t planning on leaving us, were you?” Izuku pouted, and for a moment you were too shocked to speak. 

“I’m just- I’m just having a shower?” You frowned at the pair, and Katsuki let out a growl at your response. 

“Why do you have to leave us for it though, we could shower together-“

“Katsuki! Absolutely not! The shower’s barely big enough for one person, no way the three of us are squeezing in there!” You shook your head, crossing your arms over your chest and staring down your mates. Katsuki was glowering at you, which you were used to, however, you were not used to Izuku’s puppy dog eyes, you never stood a chance against that. 

“Fucking fine- you can stay in the bathroom, but if you so much as touch the shower curtain I’m locking myself in my room and not coming out until tomorrow, got it?” 

“Yes alpha! Thank you!” Izuku flung himself at you, Katsuki joining less than a second later, at least they weren’t fucking growling at each other anymore. 

“I forgot clean clothes, would one of you be okay getting me some? I’ll leave the door unlocked for you.” You almost fell when they pulled away, you didn’t realise how much you’d been leaning on them, and Izuku was answering without hesitation. 

“I’ll grab you some of mine!” He pressed a quick kiss to your lips before he headed off, and Katsuki couldn’t help but let out a growl, quickly following Izuku’s kiss before he went after the other omega. 

“Like hell they’re just wearing your clothes!”

The solution was Katsuki’s hoodie, and a pair of Izuku’s shorts, brought to the bathroom in record time, and both omegas looked so proud of themselves for compromising you got distracted showering them in praise and kisses for a good five minutes. Your actual shower was uneventful, although the conversation with your mates made it fly by, and you still made them turn around when you got out to dry off and get changed. Then you were being bombarded with kisses from your mates, and coos of how cute you looked in their clothes had you blushing. Then they’d ushered you to the kitchen, and Katsuki wrapped your arms around him before he started cooking, even nodding at Izuku for him to join, although he ordered the other omega to get him ingredients. Izuku didn’t seem to mind though, and he pressed kisses to your cheeks and lips every chance he got, even daring to press a few daring kisses to Katsuki’s cheek, which merely got a huff instead of the growl it would have in the past. 

“You’ve been awfully good today, Kacchan.” You’d taken to calling Katsuki by the nickname, which still got a growl when you used it, but he was so cute when he got grumpy. He couldn’t help but let out a purr at the praise, it rumbled up through his chest and even Katsuki was shocked by how loud it was, he looked like a started cat, and you and Izuku couldn’t help but laugh, something you both got yelled at for. 

“Okay guys, I’m gonna turn in for the night.” You yawned, trying to get up but being stopped by Izuku’s arm around your waist. Your movement woke Katsuki up from the doze he’d fallen into after dinner, and his red eyes were sleepily blinking up at you from where his head rested on your lap. 

“Zuku? You okay…?” You shot your mate a questioning look, and Izuku bit his lower lip as he thought. 

“Yeah, shitty Deku, they wanna go to bed, so do I.” Katsuki was finally coherent, although he made no move to get up. 

“I wanna scent you first.” 

“Huh- you scented me right after dinner-?” You were confused, and Izuku’s request had Katsuki bolting up and wide awake. 

“Yeah but- I don’t know- y-your scent it’s- it’s stronger than- than normal and-and mine just keeps wearing off and- I don’t like it when you don’t- when you don’t smell like me.” Izuku was a blushing mess by the time he finished speaking, he always got that way when scenting came up, and you leant forward to kiss him before you spoke. 

“You can scent me as much as you want, but can you do it in bed?” Your question had Izuku’s face going even redder, and the omega was too flustered to speak, which had Katsuki cackling. 

“You broke him, Y/n! Apparently scenting in bed is too scandalous for sweet little Deku.” He grinned at Izuku before turning to you, “However, I have no problem scenting you in bed, he’s right about your scent overpowering ours lately.” Katsuki finally sat up, stretching more than he needed to in order to wack Izuku over the head. 

“It’s not- not too scandalous-! Y/n, tell Kacchan to stop being mean!” Izuku whined, cuddling close to your side to rest his head on your shoulder and glaring at your other mate. 

“Oi! Don’t bring them into this!” Katsuki growled, and Izuku only smirked, maintaining eye contact with the blonde as he leant forward to bite your neck, hard enough it had you yelping and Katsuki snarling as he pulled you to him. 

“Hey- guys- what happened to- oh…” You trailed off when Katsuki started kissing from your collar up to your jaw, the blonde smirking at Izuku when you melted against him. 

“That’s so not fair-!” Izuku followed, crawling forward until he was basically on your lap and you were trapped between the two of them, with their scents almost overwhelming you. “Y/n, look at me!” You didn’t even realise you’d closed your eyes until Izuku was whining and grabbing your face, green eyes darting to Katsuki still mouthing at your neck before he leant forward and forced his lips to yours, your eyes once again fluttering closed as you reached up to wrap your arms around Izuku’s neck. His lips were always so soft, and he kissed you like you were the only thing keeping him sane. You were brought back to the present when Katsuki bit down right above your scent gland, the pain and the placement clearing your head enough that you could push Izuku off and stagger to your feet, wiping your mouth as you tried to regain control of your breathing. 

“B-Bed, guys-“ your head was still foggy, and you shook it to try and clear the haze. It worked, partially, but once it was gone you were so, so tired, you were ready to collapse. 

“Look what you did Kacchan- you ruined all the fun.” Izuku pouted, but he was rushing to your side without hesitation, wrapping your arm around him so you had someone to lean on, Katsuki only huffing and joining the two of you a moment later, shoving himself under your arm on your free side. 

“If both of you shut the fuck up and take me to bed I’ll still let you scent me, but don’t push it.” You growled before Katsuki could say anything, and both omegas shut right up at your words, bowing their heads as they practically carried you to your room.

You hit the bed with a relieved sigh, already closing your eyes before Katsuki cleared his throat, and you opened one eye to look at him, a moment passing before you realised why both your mates were just standing there staring at you. 

“Oh, right, sorry!” You pushed yourself back up, automatically baring your neck and almost giving your mates an aneurism at the sight of you. Katsuki all but jumped on you in his eagerness, quickly smothering your startled noises with a kiss before he rubbed his wrist on his own neck and then rubbed his wrist over almost every inch of you, until you were completely covered in the smell of caramel. 

“Don’t hog them!” Izuku was next to you just as Katsuki finished, and he shoved Katsuki out of the way so he could proceed to scent you too, although he chose to rub his scent gland directly over yours first, and you almost pulled back with a yelp from how intense it was. You somehow held it together until Izuku was satisfied that his and Katsuki’s scents were even, although the omega took over ten minutes, thankfully for most of it he was doing the same as Katsuki, but your eyes were still drooping closed by the end, and you would have fallen back if Katsuki hadn’t moved behind you to help prop you up, his arms wrapped low around your waist. 

“Are you almost done, Deku? They’re practically asleep in my lap.” You could hear the smirk in his voice even if you couldn’t see him, and Izuku only huffed in response, although his eyes softened when you offered him a sleepy half smile. You looked so sweet, eyes lidded and face flushed, was this what you’d look like when- 

“Oi! I asked you a question.” Katsuki leant forward to shove Izuku, and  that snapped the omega out of his… more unsavoury thoughts. 

“Sorry Kacchan! Y/n’s just so cute when they’re all soft and pliable like this, I got distracted!” Izuku grinned, quickly leaning forward to kiss you before Katsuki could yell, and you did your best to kiss your mate back despite your half asleep state. You didn’t want to pull away, but Katsuki didn’t have an issue breaking the two of you up, something you were thankful for, in that moment at least. 

“Enough getting distracted, they need sleep.” The blonde manoeuvred you so you were laying down facing him, and Izuku let out a huff as he followed suit, mumbling something about how Kacchan always ruined his fun. You shushed both of them before Katsuki could reply, tugging the blonde closer for a kiss to stop him grumbling, then you were grabbing Izuku’s hands, pressing your head to Katsuki’s chest, and finally falling asleep. 

You woke up covered in sweat, the hoodie you’d worn to bed now feeling like it was suffocating you combined with the heat your mates gave off, and you gently slipped out of bed, throwing the hoodie off and letting out a sigh of relief when you were just in a tank top. You still had twenty minutes before you needed to get up, and you turned to wake your mates, only to slap a hand over your mouth to stop yourself squeaking. Neither of them had woken up despite you moving, but Izuku must have moved closer to Katsuki in his sleep, and the two of them were cuddling, with Izuku’s head nestled against Katsuki’s chest. You quickly grabbed your phone, making sure it was on silent mode, before you proceeded to take a rather excessive amount of pictures of your mates. Then, still being as quiet as you could, you made your way out of the room and into the kitchen. You made yourself a coffee and a bowl of cereal, taking a seat at the counter before you opened your messages, quickly finding the group chat with Mina and Denki, and sending through one of the pictures. The response was instant, Mina going into all caps to scream about how cute it was, and Denki sent through a spam of keyboard smashes, also in all caps. You kept chatting to them while you finished your breakfast, but a yell from your room had you texting them goodbye and putting your phone down. Any minute now. 

“Get the fuck away from me, Deku!” 

“I was asleep, Kacchan, it wasn’t my fault! You’re the one that did this to me!”

“I thought you were Y/n, stop following me!” 

“I’m not following you, I’m trying to find-“ 

“Y/n!” 

“Y/n! Kacchan is being mean again!” Your mates turned the corner into the kitchen, Izuku sprinting to your side, and your eyes widened at the mark on his neck. 

“Damn, what happened?” Izuku wrapped his arms around your waist, whining until you bared your neck for him so he could rub his cheek over your scent gland. 

“I was just sleeping, alpha! And then Kacchan bit me!” Izuku whined against your neck, and you cooed as you reached up to play with his hair, calmly brushing through the curls and turning your gaze to Katsuki with raised eyebrows. At least the blonde looked sheepish, and he reached up to scratch the back of his neck before he answered you. 

“You’re usually the one in front of me, how the fuck was I supposed to know it was shitty Deku. When did you even leave, huh? You’re meant to wake me up.” Katsuki growled, and you sighed and shook your head, he really couldn’t take the blame for anything, huh? Still, you gestured for him to join the hug, which he happily did, and you pressed a kiss to his forehead. 

“I know you were expecting me, Katsuki, but you really uh- gave Izuku a shock, can you apologise? For me?” You cooed, only getting a growl in response, so you pulled away with a sigh, Izuku whining in protest at the loss of contact. 

“Katsuki-“

“Fine. Sorry for biting you, Deku, even though it was your fault for cuddling me.” The blonde growled, but you weren’t going to get any better, and Izuku seemed happy enough,  by the way he was hugging Katsuki. 

“See, there we go! Izuku and I gotta get ready for class now!” Your words had both of them turning to you with a growl, and you could only look at them in confusion. 

“We’re not going to class today, Y/n.” Izuku pulled away from Katsuki to look at you, and you were cut off before you could ask why. 

“Yeah, your birthday’s tomorrow and you fucking reek, no way you’re leaving the apartment.” Katsuki crossed his arms over his chest, and you grabbed your phone with a rather dramatic sigh. 

“Fine, guess I’m stuck here with you idiots.”

You’d gotten yelled at for that remark, and Katsuki was still sulking when he pulled away to go and shower, Izuku tugging you to the couch the second Katsuki was out of view. 

“You still wanna scent me? We’re not leaving the house-“ Izuku kissed you to cut you off, and all thoughts went out the window as you kissed him back, letting him lay you down on the couch and pin you under him with his weight. Your head tilted back when Izuku pulled away to kiss down your jaw and neck, your hands automatically tangling in his hair to tug him closer, and Izuku let out a whine that had your scent going haywire. He kept going down, peppering kisses and sucking marks over your collarbone before he moved to your chest, and you briefly wondered where he was going with this, but then Izuku was lifting your shirt up for better access. He stayed at your chest for a few more minutes before he continued, pressing kisses to your ribs and stomach, and your heart was in your throat as he reached your hip, but then the omega just, stopped, resting his head on your hip and just gazing at you from between your thighs. 

“You’re so pretty when you’re all hot and bothered like this, alpha! Are you disappointed that I stopped?” Izuku chirped, pressing a kiss to your inner thigh, and you were quickly grabbing a pillow to cover your rapidly growing blush, while Izuku just looked at you and giggled. 

“Kacchan! Pass that shirt to me when you’re done!” Izuku was seated on the bed, casually scenting anything Katsuki had scented and thrown his way, as if this was the most normal occurrence ever. And it almost was, except for the fact you were stuck in the middle of the bed, getting growled at if you so much as shifted your position. They wanted to ‘build the nest around you’ apparently, which was something you’d never heard of, but you weren’t going to argue with your birthday a mere day away, Katsuki and Izuku had been… on edge lately. 

“Arms please!” Izuku’s chirp broke you out of your thoughts, and you hesitantly held out your arms, although you got the message when Izuku leaned back against you, and you were wrapping your arms around him and resting your head on his shoulder without a second thought. A shirt was hitting you in the face seconds later, and you yelped at the impact, throwing the shirt right back at Katsuki. 

“What was that for!” He snarled, throwing the shirt back at you and huffing when Izuku caught it, although both of your moods improved when he let out a happy hum and proceeded to scent the material before gently folding it and placing it on the bed. You couldn’t resist sticking your tongue out at Katsuki from where you were stuck behind Izuku and the blonde only grumbled as he got back to grabbing bedding from the cupboard you had especially for when he nested. He was… more subdued, than normal. He didn’t growl when Izuku kissed him, and you’d actually caught them cuddling on the couch when you came back from the shower. The lack of bickering was a breath of fresh air, and you couldn’t resist pulling Katsuki in for a kiss when he came to dump more material on the bed. He let out a grunt when you tugged him down, the blonde almost falling on the bed, his arms going either side of of Izuku, who took the opportunity to kiss whatever part of Katsuki’s neck he could. You were the one that had to push him away, and Katsuki growled at you when he lost contact, which caused you to flick his forehead and click your tongue, but Katsuki just pouted and got back to scenting the fabric. See what you meant? You’d be worried if his scent wasn’t so… content. 

Movement next to you woke you up, and Katsuki came into focus above you as you blinked away the sleep. 

“Good, you’re awake.” The blonde nuzzled into your neck and you tilted your head to the side for him, sleep still heavily clouding your mind so you couldn’t made sense of anything. 

“Why am- why am I awake…?” You mumbled, too tired to stop yourself letting out a little moan when Katsuki pressed a kiss to your neck, and you felt him smirk against your skin. 

“Your rut’s started, dumbass.” 

“Mmmm? I don’t feel… any different… just kinda hot…. You smell really, really good, Katsuki…” Your hands went to his hips, and Katsuki let out an exasperated sigh, resting his forehead on the pillow next to you before he answered. 

“God you’re so fucking stupid, that’s my heat, idiot, it woke me up. Deku’s started too but he’s still asleep, so I thought I’d wake you up now, I want to get something straight, okay alpha?” He went back to kissing your neck between words, and you only hummed in response, nodding as your eyes fluttered closed. 

“Good, now listen, okay? I was here first, I want to fuck you first, and I want to mark you first too, okay alpha?” His teeth grazed your skin and you whined, your fingers digging into the blondes hips, and you let out a whimper when he bit down, almost breaking the skin.

“Of course, Katsuki- you’ve been so good of course you can…” 

“Say it, I wanna hear you say it, alpha.” Katsuki pulled back, bracing his arms and caging you in so you couldn’t look anywhere but his face, and a blush spread over yours in response. 

“You can- you can fuck me first, Katsuki-“ you barely finished the sentence before he was kissing you, nipping your bottom lip before he pulled off, his breathing heavier than it was before. 

“Good, now, I guess we better wake shitty Deku up.”

The throbbing from both sides of your neck woke you up this time, and you groaned as you tried to move your neck, slowly coming around to your surroundings. You were on your back, with Katsuki’s head on your chest and Izuku’s on your stomach. When you finally sat up slightly, (you didn’t want to wake them) pride flashed through you at the site of the fresh bonding marks, and you couldn’t stop yourself letting out a happy purr.  Unfortunately, your back was killing you- so you gently shimmied out of bed, pulling the blankets back over the sleeping pair before you turned to the cupboard to get yourself a shirt. Fuck, your neck was still killing you, maybe icing it would help? You couldn’t help the pained hiss that escaped you when you pulled the shirt over your head, still knocking the bites despite your best efforts to be gentle. 

“Y/n…? What the fuck are you doing?” Katsuki rubbed his eyes as he sat up, his abrupt movement waking Izuku, who let out a huff at his sleep being interrupted. 

“Neck hurts, I was gonna try and ice it.” You looked at yourself in the mirror, no wonder you were in so much pain- 

Your neck and shoulders were littered with bites and hickies, some of them rivalling the bonding bites with how deep they were, you probably needed to do more than ice it. 

“Oh, right, Deku got carried away.” The blonde let out a groan as he stretched, and when you turned back to them you weren’t surprised to see Izuku pouting.

“You got just as carried away, Kacchan! Don’t try to blame it all on me!” Izuku hopped out of bed despite his half asleep state, shuffling to your side and pressing a quick kiss to your lips before he cuddled under your arms, possessively wrapping his arms around your waist.

“Tch, whatever Deku, just take them to the kitchen to get some ice, I’ll check to see if we have witch hazel or arnica to help with the healing.”

taglist:  @pasteldaze @hopeless-ro-simptic @ntngann @somerandominternetgirl-blog @ianem005 @lalaluvzen @antisocial-minnie @rogueofbullshit @hakunamatatayqueen @so-uncute @therealwalmartjesus @unlightedfool @all-the-kings-reblogs @cth-l @dudedontjudeme122 @lushpluto @ley-lani59 @seven-seventeen-blog-blog @firecet @invisiblemolly @wayward-bumblebee @glasswolff @graceorchid24 @letskidaddle @duskjelly @oddwvrlds @leslielikesmusic-blog-blog @akirahyoshi @tamakiwithcrab @xnorthstar3x @mitchiesdungeon

[hermionemonica]

The Road to Us, and Everything in Between: Chapter 2

(This is a no magic AU. There is no existence of the Miraculous or the superheroes in this universe.)

AO3 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 3 

As time went on, Marinette felt distances creeping between her and Nathaniel. They still talked to each other over calls, texting and social media, and even met up with each other every once in a while. But all that grew more and more seldom. And for Marinette, this felt different. Of course, her affections for Nathaniel still remained unchanged, but it felt kind of liberating to not have his presence constantly looming over her life. And with the alone time Marinette now had away from Nathaniel, she found herself constantly rethinking her life and decisions. About what she chose, about what could have been.

Marinette had always had a habit of talking to herself. Now every time she felt herself falling into dejection, she would whisper to herself over and over, “I chose this. This is my life now. This is what my life will be from now.” That did wonders to push the fears and insecurities to the back of her mind.  

But as days passed, it started to get harder and harder. After all, it is an inexplicable pain to see the one you love right in front of you, be with them, all the time knowing that they'll never be yours. Being around him didn’t do anything to help her move on from him, even if she tried.  

Gradually, the secrets and the pretences began to take a toll on her. And with the new university and her fashion courses, it was all too much for her. She felt herself giving in to the pressure. Designing or baking did not work their therapy on her anymore. And the first thing she did when things started getting bad was slowly cut off Nathaniel. Not that she wanted to. It was just she couldn't trust herself to not explode in front of him. And after everything the boy had been through, the last thing he'd want was the only person he trusted to go off on her. So the only solution that she saw was to stay away from him. Only, she could not come up with an appropriate excuse. The poor boy kept asking her what was wrong, but Marinette would say she was fine. Until one day she snapped.  

Marinette was having a particularly rough day, after she had accidentally dropped her sketchbook, which held her designs that she had been working so hard on, right into the waters of the Seine. She had retrieved them, of course, but her work of weeks was ruined. She had shut herself in her room and decided to bury herself in her designs till she redrew them. It probably wouldn’t be as perfect as the originals, but she needed to submit something the next day to pass the class.

Unfortunately, Nathaniel chose that very evening to call her. Marinette ignored his calls and messages for a while, till the alert sounds were getting on her nerves. She finally picked up the phone and asked, “What is it, Nate?”  

If she sounded grumpy or bitter, Nathaniel obviously did not notice it as he went on a ramble about how a cute guy on the subway had complimented him on his blazer.  

“And this is what was so important that you called me for like, 17 times?” Marinette cut him off mid-rant.  

That was when it registered in Nathaniel's mind. “Uh, I thought you'd like to know,” Nathaniel spoke nervously.  

“Maybe I would, but not everyone necessarily has the time for this! Take the hint when I wasn't answering your calls or replying to your texts.” Marinette replied acidly.  

“What is wrong Mari?” Nathaniel sounded concerned.  

“Why does something have to be wrong?” Marinette was beginning to lose her temper. “It just happens that you don't seem to realise that some people might have more important stuff going on than just a random guy complimenting you on your clothes!”  

When there had come no reply from the other end, Marinette quickly disconnected the call and switched her phone off. She had too much on her hands at the moment.  

Marinette had fallen asleep at her table, sometime in the middle of the night. In the wee hours of the morning, she woke up to find a string of messages from Nathaniel, which he had sent right after the phone call the previous night.  

“So, this is it? I... I don't matter anymore? It’s okay, Marinette, I get it. I was just an unnecessary burden that you were carrying around although you didn't have to. This had to end sometime, right? After all, we both know very well that I'll never be able to give you what you want. I am only holding you back from everything that you could have, everything that you deserve. I'm sorry for everything Mari, I hope you can forgive me. Take care Marinette, and be happy. I promise I won't bother you anymore. Goodbye.”  

Marinette had not seen this coming. She couldn't deny that she had been a bit too harsh in her words the previous night, but was it that bad? Had she made it sound like she didn't want Nathaniel to be around her? She tried to remember what exactly she had said, but to her anguish, all of it was a blur. In exasperation, she kicked against the side of her desk, only to wince back in pain immediately afterwards. Surely, the voice in her head kept saying, this can't be happening. Nathaniel wouldn't just leave just because Marinette had said some harsh words, right? Their relationship was too above that, of course! After everything they had been through together, a little miscommunication couldn't possibly be what would break it! Over and over she read Nathaniel's texts, trying to make something out of it, something less painful. She tried to read between the lines, desperately trying to convince herself that it wasn't happening.  

The only reason she dragged herself out of her house an hour later was because she had to submit the designs that day. And the only reason she had left her phone without replying to Nathaniel was because she was scared that she might mess it up further.  

Three agonising hours later, Marinette sat in the cafeteria. Anger coursed through her. Anger at Nate, anger at herself, anger at the stupid deadline! As she desperately tried to reign in her temper, because that was what had caused the entire mess in the first place, she found herself regretting her decision to leave her phone at home. At least she could have called Alya and talked to her. At one point of time, Marinette had been glad that no one from her old school was in the same university as her, because then she could put everything behind her and start her life without the lies. It didn’t seem that convenient anymore. She wished she could talk to someone, anyone, right now. But since there was no way to do that, she went back to sipping on her iced tea to soothe her nerves.  

“Are you okay?” said a voice from behind Marinette, as a hand was laid on her shoulder.  

Before Marinette could turn around, the intruder came into her range of vision as he seated himself at her table.  

It was Adrien, and he was looking at her with concern in his emerald hands. Did she really look that terrible? Marinette asked herself. More importantly, what could she answer to Adrien, when he didn't even know anything about Nathaniel? But then again, she was stuck in the university for at least two more hours, without a phone and no one but Adrien to talk to. Adrien was the only friend she had for now, and Marinette felt she would combust from the stress if she didn't talk sometime soon. Sure, once she figured out how to begin.  

“It's umm... you know, about this boy,” she struggled through her words.  

Immediately, Adrien perked up. “Boy? Crush? Ex? Boyfriend?”  

Marinette felt a smile creep up onto her face in spite of herself. “Let's not use any labels, okay? It’s a bit too complicated for that,” she clarified.  

Adrien wiped the silly grin off his face and looked on with interest, silently urging her to continue.  

“So we had kind of an argument last night, and I may have been a bit rude to him. In my defence though, I was stressed beyond limits. And this morning, I woke up to a bunch of texts from him, saying that... that,” Marinette faltered. How do you put that into words?  

Luckily, Adrien seemed to have understood what she was trying to say. “That he’s leaving you for good,” Adrien offered.  

“Exactly,” explained Marinette. “Except that I meant nothing like that and he took it all the wrong way and he thinks I want to get rid of him and oh so I feel so angry at him right now because after all this time how could he misunderstand such a simple thing and I-”  

“Woah there,” Adrien interrupted. “Slow down. Maybe drink a bit more of that drink you've got there.”  

“Iced tea,” murmured Marinette, “soothes my nerves.”  

That was when she realised that her hands were shaking so badly that she could not even hold the glass in her hand. And on the top of that, a pounding began in her head.  

As she clutched her head in her hands, Adrien reached over. “Hey, are you okay? Do you need anything?” he asked.  

But Marinette could not hear him over the incessant buzzing in her ears. Breathing had never felt so difficult, it was as if something was blocking her trachea.  

Adrien could see Marinette gasping for breath, and shaking uncontrollably, and it scared him. What was happening to this girl? It took him a moment to snap out of his fixation, but then he got up and picked Marinette up in his arms, rushing to the nurse's office, ignoring all the odd looks he could feel on him in the corridors.  

The nurse injected a mild tranquillizer into Marinette's blood. It took effect pretty soon, and soon Marinette had drifted off into a dreamless slumber.  

“It looks like your friend over here has had an anxiety attack,” the nurse explained to Adrien. “Is she under medications for such attacks?”  

Adrien simply looked on with bewilderment.  

Either he is too stressed out to comprehend my words right now, thought the nurse, or he seriously has never heard of an anxiety attack. Deciding on the former, she went on, more gently, “Has she ever had spells like this before?”  

Adrien looked down, his expression guilty. “I-I don't know. I don't spend much time with her.”  

The nurse shook her head. “Well, I am guessing by how freaked out she was when you brought her in that she is as unacquainted with these attacks as you are, young man. Whatever be it, I need to contact her parents. Marinette Dupain-Cheng, you said?” The nurse asked as she scrolled through the student records on her computer.  

Adrien nodded.  

“I assure you that your friend will be okay, you may take your leave if you have classes you need to be at now.”  

Adrien took a glance at his watch. His class had started fifteen minutes ago. Since he was late anyway...  

“No,” he confidently lied to the nurse. “I don't have any classes for another hour.”  

“Fine,” obliged the nurse. “Do keep the young lady company while I go call up her parents.” Adrien silently sank down on the edge of the bed Marinette was asleep on. As he stared at her face, he noticed how ill she looked. The colour had faded from her cheeks, and dark bags hung under her eyes. What could have been so terrible that upset this amazing girl like this?  

Marinette's parents came in some time later. Adrien noticed the stark difference in their appearances. While Marinette's mother, who looked and dressed Chinese, was a small woman like her daughter, Marinette's father could aptly be called a giant of a man. They seemed like very nice people, by the way they talked to the nurse. Mrs Cheng assured the nurse that her daughter did not have any history of anxiety attacks. In that case, the nurse advised them, they should get their daughter a professional check-up at the earliest. They thanked the woman for her help and turned to leave.  

As Mrs Cheng left the room with her daughter leaning onto her, still not quite awake, Mr Dupain stopped at the door. He turned to look at Adrien standing there, and Adrien couldn't help but be intimidated. But Mr Dupain had the kindest of expressions on his face as he grabbed Adrien's hand and firmly shook it. “Thank you for taking care of my little girl,” he whispered gratefully.  

Adrien was surprised to know that the huge man could speak in so low a voice. “It was a pleasure,” he smiled in acknowledgement.  

After he left, Adrien wondered if he had even done anything that special to receive such warm gratitude. “Taking care of” Mr Dupain had said. Funny, thought Adrien, for anyone would probably have done the same if a friend went through something like that in front of them. Nevertheless, Adrien decided that the Dupain-Chengs were probably affectionate people by blood.  

[inazumafocus]

Hewwo, my dear nene! I hope you're doing okay and that everything is going alright for you ;3; For the ship asks... Well, no surprise: KdFd XD And uuuh... HiroAtsu, if possible? XD

Hewwo sweet any~ I’m ok more or less, trying to relax due all this stress of the moving, so thank you for the ask, it helps me a lot💗 and I hope you’re doing great as well sweetie💗💗

KDFD

Who said “I love you” firstI know it might sound strange, but it was Fudou! Kidou is far too wrapped up in his own self doubts and overthinking and that stopped him from at first even acknowledging his feelings and then to said them out loud. So one day Fudou just EXPLODED because he couldn’t wait any longer and had to speak up what was in his heart. It was very loud and messy and at first Kidou said nothing because he was paralysed and half in denial and only in a second moment did he finally manage to say “I love you” back (after seeing his silence was hurting Fudou). And even then it wasn’t without a loooooot of overthinking about his dad and family situation, what that would mean for his future etc (to know more read the “first kiss” answer👀)

Who would have the other picture as their phone backgroundMmhh they both have the potential to do it, but this more when they’re adults and spend lots of time apart, then they would totally use a pic of them together as phone background AND WITHOUT KNOWING THEY USE THE EXACT SAME ONE BECAUSE THEY’RE TO BIG DORKS!

Who leaves notes written in the fog on the bathroom mirrorFudou would write something in the fog, a flirty/dumb message probably and Kidou would replay, always writing in the fog, to not write in the fog ‘cause he’s ruining the mirror (two loaf of idiot bread)-

Who buys the other cheesy giftsNeither? But also both? I mean they usually don’t but if they’ve been apart for a really long time they would eventually meet up and have both a silly present for the other, usually something that reminds them of shared memories like “a bouquet of the first flower you ever picked for me” or “that sweet you always eye inside that bakery’s window every time we visit that one city”

Who initiated the first kissTying this to the very first question, it was Fudou once again to initiate things between them, because they’re like that example of two introverts going out and one of them having to act as an extrovert to make the other relax and feel safe while they handle everything, just that this time they’re two teenagers who don’t like to show their emotions that much ao Fudou HAS to break from his own mind state and just say stuff, take Kidou’s face in his hands and KISS HIM TO SHUT HIM UP!Because he was spiraling with doubts and stupid worries instead of giving in to what he truly wanted.The kiss was initially BAM two mouths crashing together bc of the impact but an instant later Fudou was kissing him softly, conveying all his feelings in sweet slow movements and he felt Kidou melting in his hands until he was relaxed enough to reciprocate.Fudou is Kidou’s oxygen after all ;^)

Who kisses the other awake in the morningFudou wakes up first but doesn’t wake Kidou up because he knows he’s been up until very late, so he just sneaks out of bed and does his things, starts to get breakfast ready etc.Then Kidou would sneak behind him, kiss his shoulders and neck up to his cheeks, still half asleep while Fudou cooks and they’d smile and faintly chuckles- 

Who starts tickle fightsFUDOU! FOR REVENGE!! Also because he found out Kidou is ticklish on his hips and honestly he just loves his laugh-

Who asks who if they can join the other in the showerThe both do, really, but the first time Kidou did was such a great, important step forward in their relationship! He gathered up all his courage, pushed aside all his fears and slide that door open to a very surprised Fudou.They didn’t even do anything nasty, but it was so intimate, they ran fingers across their hair, watching each other into naked eyes and exchanging soft brief butterfly kisses on lips, nose and forehead while the water poured over them...

Who surprises the other in the middle of the day at work with lunchTwo options: 1) Kidou forgot his lunch, once again, so Fudou had to go and give it to him with a good scold but also a kiss. 2) Kidou wanted to surprise his beloved one and kidnapped him to go at their favourite place to relax a bit together!

Who was nervous and shy on the first dateGosh they were both so shy and awkward, blushing like the crazy in love teens they were but also gathering up the guts to actually hold hands in public during the local fair. It took them a while to warm up at least a bit to all that PDA and ended up enjoying the date, winning prizes for the other and eating cotton candy and chocolate banana~

Who kills/takes out the spidersThey both kill them without blinking an eye, really!

Who loudly proclaims their love when they’re drunkKidou gets whiny when drunk and a bit sad, but he constantly brags about how much he loves his husband (those rare times he did get drunk for real, so like two MAX)

HIROATSU

Who said “I love you” firstMmhh it was probably Atsuya, muttering it while blushing and looking away with a cute frown on his face because he had to master up all his courage to say those three words and he’s rather shy when it comes to these things. He honestly wasn’t expecting much but Hiroto surprised him after a moment of silence bc he looked down and blushing as well while throwing one last rock at the river (which fell this time instead of skipping on the water) and just... muttered “this is so not cool” and Atsuya confused “what?” “You beating me to this whole confession things” and then Atsuya realises what he’s saying and they both stand in awkward silence before Hiroto prompts “so wanna go on a date or what”. It’s gonna take some time before he says those words as well...

Who would have the other picture as their phone backgroundI personally can’t see them doing it bc they’re both too prideful and shy, but they do pass lots of time on the other’s Instagram or through their own phone gallery 👀

Who leaves notes written in the fog on the bathroom mirrorThey actually do it together, art competitions using the fog and mirror as their battleground. They laugh and push each other slightly while smiling both at the obscene things they draw AND at the whole complicity surrounding them.

Who buys the other cheesy giftsI think neither of them is really a cheesy romantic guy? But then again, they are both pretty shy and not at all comfortable with expressing their feelings, so they’ll probably try to convey them in dumb yet meaningful gifts?? Like, if one of them has trouble sleeping the other would buy some relaxing herbal tea but with a butt shaped mug, you feel? They care but they’re dumb.

Who initiated the first kissAtsuya confessed first, Hiroto initiated the first kiss. This because Atsuya kinda pushed him to, he kept nagging him on how he didn’t believe he had ever kissed someone before and saying he probably didn’t even know how to kiss properly, so Hiroto just kinda turned around, took a handful of those pink orangish hair and pulled him into a kiss.Spoiler: it wasn’t the first kiss he gave, but the first chaste one yes. Because for how much he wanted to prove him wrong, deep down he wanted to woo gently and a bit seductively Atsuya, not rushing things like he’d usually do...

Who kisses the other awake in the morningThey’re both grumpy sleeping in guys, so whoever opens eyes first can either decide to pepper kiss the other’s face OR to just stare in awe watching the other sleep~

Who starts tickle fightsFingers are Atsuya’s weapon, he tackles Hiroto down and get his revenge for the chestnut pudding that scarface stole 😤

Who asks who if they can join the other in the showerIt’s usually Atsuya despite the initial embarrass, and Hiroto accepts and lets him in wide eyed every time. And those are the times is Atsuya who tries to seduct Hiroto 👀

Who surprises the other in the middle of the day at work with lunchMmh probably Atsuya whenever he’s free? I think he asked Someoka some cooking advices and even if his stuff doesn’t look great like his, it tastes good and Hiroto dies internally because of the cute anxious faces Atsuya makes-

Who was nervous and shy on the first dateBOTH OMGS THEY WERE BOTH SO NERVOUS! Atsuya because he felt he had to beat all the other partners Hiroto ever had but he actually had no experience, while Hiroto was because he wanted for it to be perfect since, unknown to Atsuya, he never actually went to a date with someone he loved...

Who kills/takes out the spidersAtsuya. Hiroto just shrieks every time a spider gets at less than one meter from him and he’s lucky to have a mountain boyfriend with him~

Who loudly proclaims their love when they’re drunkThey’re both very loud drunks and those are the moments they have no inhibitions so they go all out. It’s usually a competition to whom screams more loudly and angrily that they love the other!

HOPE YOU LIKED THESE ANSWERS!

[midnightbluefox]

Our Reylo Discord server, The Reylo Writing Den @thereylowritingden, held its second fic gift exchange, in which over 40 people participated! The amount of talent in all of these writers, and the effort that they put into their fics, is absolutely stunning. Please enjoy all of the quality new Reylo content and support some really skilled and giving authors.

+ fic is mature/explicit

* fic is a WIP/ currently incomplete

 ________________________

+  The One in Which She Takes His Hand by @saturninefeline for @filthyreylo : "I’ll be your slaughterhouse, your killing floor, your morgue and final resting, walking around with this bullet inside me like the bullet was already there, like it’s been waiting inside me the whole time." - "Wishbone", Richard Siken

Floricorpse by @nite0wl29 for AmberDread : Never ask what could go wrong on Halloween in Transfiguration class. Ben and Rey are about to find out first hand.

+* The Curse of the Forgotten Tomb by @spiegatrixlestrange  for @gopherbroke : Rey falls, not so accidentally, into an ancient, untouched burial chamber during an archeology project in Egypt. All the hints lead to the fact that the owner of the chamber had been cursed. It might be the most important discovery in Rey's career, but the consequence of disturbing a dead man's slumber will haunt her for a pretty long time.

+ Spine Tingling by @reysexualkylo for @sand-its-everywhere : Haunted house worker and the person who gets scared and punched them in the face au

+* A Love Sent From Hell by @minkel23 to @kylotrashforever : At night while he sleeps, Professor Ben Solo is visited by a woman. A woman who appears out of nowhere. A woman who disappears into nothing. A woman who makes him want to weep with both fear and desire. The woman of his dreams, though she comes wrapped in a nightmare.

When he discovers an old book, full of ancient spells, he suddenly realises he can bring his dream woman to life.

But all dreams come at a price, and all spells are followed by demons. But is the demon one Ben really wants to face?

+* From R to Kylo by @sand-its-everywhere to @quixoticlux : Ben and Rey are archaeologists who absolutely cannot stand each other. They also happen to be pen pals, but they don't know who the other is, until one night they get trapped together at a creepy excavation site, and suddenly their hatred begins to unravel.

+ Unfinished Business by @kylotrashforever by @lilia-ula  : All her life Rey has seen things she shouldn’t. She’s spent the greater part of the last decade helping errant spirits move on from this life, helping them to find the closure they seek and cross over. When a request comes in seeking her help to rid an architectural firm of a particularly grumpy haunt, she doesn’t hesitate to answer the call. Kylo Ren may be the most handsome haunt she’s ever faced, but that won’t stop her from helping him settle his unfinished business... even if she doesn’t realize he’s not actually dead

A silly ghost story with a ghostly mixup and a not so ghostly Kylo Ren.

+ you’re my boo by @filthyreylo for @reyloner : Rey's neighbor Ben Solo is the only one who ever shows Halloween spirit around here. When she discovers he's moving out, she's only hurt because that means she won't have anymore competition... right?

So she sets out on a plan to make him stay.

+* Of Yoga and Werewolves by @inmyownidiom for @aknightofwren : Rey isn't obsessed with Ben. Not at all. She just really enjoys staring at his ass as it moves beneath yoga pants. When she starts seeing him outside of the yoga studio, Rey slowly realizes that Ben has been keeping something from her: something dark, something awful, and something that doesn't have anything to do with yoga pants.

Their relationship is about to seriously transform.

+* Unmasked by @wewantreylo for @attackofthedarkcurses : When Rey meets a masked guy at Maz's annual Halloween party, she is instantly smitten. Her mystery man is perfect -- compassionate, protective and a dedicated Star Wars fan, just like her. It's like he was made for her. There's only one problem.

She doesn't know Kylo Ren is actually her asshole coworker, Ben Solo.

+ The Mystery of Pumpkin Spice by @intp-slytherin97 for @brwrites2187 : Someone in the apartment likes pumpkin spice (spoiler alert: it's Ben)...and Rey decides to make all a little more complicated.

***

Pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice yogurt, pumpkin spice cream cheese, pumpkin spice cottage cheese, pumpkin spice potato chips—

Who the fuck eats pumpkin spice potato chips? Dear god, not even he would.

However, Ben brilliantly remained neutral every time someone brought up the sudden appearance of these pumpkin spice inspired and flavored items. Claiming at every moment he did not know who bought them.

Because he honestly had no idea who was fucking with him.

Someone in the apartment clearly knew of his little…pumpkin spice addiction. And decided to use to garner his attention—well two can play at that game.

I’m Not Freaking Out by @reyofdarkness for @reyloandotherfandoms : Intrepid ghost-hunters Ben and Rey are used to crawling in, around, and under abandoned places to get their share of spooks and scares (all fake, of course; they know ghosts aren't real). But when they come across an old schoolhouse with a haunted history, the TV magic might take a dive into the actually supernatural.

*You Bury Me by @attackofthedarkcurses for @reylocalligraphy : Rey visits her grandfather, who resides in the bed next to Padme Amidala, at the nursing home daily. Padme has the month of October left to live. What happens when Ben, who hasn’t talked to his grandmother in decades, decides to start visiting the nursing home every day?

+* Honey, I’m Home by @reyloner for @inmyownidiom : When Rey confesses her opinion on Halloween, or lack thereof more like, Ben Solo takes up the challenge in changing her mind; to make her see that October 31st is a day worth celebrating. And what better way to show her the spooky spirit than paying a visit to the grand Victorian house (rumoured to be haunted) that once belonged to his grandparents?

However, unbeknownst to Ben, the house has a whole mind of its own. And much like him, the spirits within also have a goal to complete:

To resolve the heady tension that circulates between the pair and force out the real confessions that need to be heard.

+* Hallowed Heat by @gopherbroke for @twinkitten : As the steady babysitter, Rey is accompanying Mr. Solo and his son, Grey, to the city's big Halloween Fest. It is a little too late when she realizes that she had broken Mr. Solo's rigid contract and had forgotten her suppressants. She flees, hiding in the portapotty as she starts to go into heat.

While Mr. Solo paces, impatient and bossy, on the other side of the thin plastic door, Rey looks back on her relationship with her boss and how he has changed from hostile employer to friend... to Alpha?

But would he ever be her Alpha?

And how long will that flimsy door hold back Alpha like Mr. Solo from an Omega that smells as sweet as Rey?

... Grey had always said how much his father had a sweet tooth.

+ As We Collide by @aknightofwren for @hellomelusine : “Damn it Rey! How do you accidentally summon a dead Witch of Dathomir?!” yelled Ben as he dodged a plate sailing through the air towards him.

Unknotting Unknots by @reylocalligraphy for @moonshotsandarchimedeslevers : Rey doesn’t know who moves first. Maybe they both do, his lips crashing down and her body leaning forward. Their lips meet in a tender, careful clash. He has such gentle lips, so easy to melt into, but too soon, he breaks the kiss.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers instantly. His eyes are wide with fear, the oh my god I just kissed an Alpha without her permission look. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

***

Rey’s world is turned upside down when she meets Ben Solo—an Omega unlike any she’s ever met before.

+ Southern Shadows and Howling Horrors by @twinkittenfor @kill-these-lights : Rey and her friends are just looking for a quiet place to go on their college break, and settle on the small southern town of Endor for a bit of camping and hiking. Ben Solo is a sheriff trying to bring his sleepy southern town out of the dark ages and keep everyone happy and safe. No one is safe when a monster decides to stalk the campers; Ben and Rey are caught in a whirlwind of romance and horror as they both fight the idea that something supernatural lives in the woods.

With a Swoop of the Pen by @armltagehux for @awshuxhux : Ben Solo, bestselling thriller author, is struggling to write the final book of his trilogy. His agent, Hux, sends him to Salem, Massachusetts in October in an attempt to get him into the "spooky" mindset. An impulse buy in a kitchy Halloween shop lands Ben with a calligraphy set that supposedly has enchanted properties which manifest whatever he writes into reality. He puts it to the test in a nearby coffee shop where he works on his novel almost daily, much to the entertainment of the cute barista, Rose.

+ To Be Brave by @mizuphoenix for @kpopandstarwarswhynot : Rey Niima finds herself going through a haunted house with her not friend, and secret crush, Ben Solo. Why she thought that was a good idea in the first place she had no idea. It was Halloween so she might as well try to be brave.

She had many fears, but she was going to have to face the one fear she held above even that of clowns.

+* Love is a misunderstanding between two fools by @greyforceuser for @thecalrissianchronicals : Ben Solo has been too afraid to ask out the girl he's been in love with for years, Rey. He tries to impress her by going as Kylo Ren to the Halloween costume party. Rey shows up in the sexiest costume he's ever seen. Could she possibly have worn it for him? The only thing he is sure about is that she must be trying to kill him.

+* The Lioness by @lilia-ula for @bunilicious : Rey had long ago dismissed many of the more fanciful beliefs of her people, including that of the Ghost Moon. As far as she was concerned, the dead most definitely weren’t interested in rising from their graves to hunt the living on the eve of her birthday.

There was one ghost, however, of whose presence she was certain, as evinced year after year on the eventide of autumn.

It was said that he took the form of a man, but possessed the great wings of a bat. That he was enchanting to behold, with hair black as a starless sky and skin like rare alabaster, but that his mouth was a rictus of daggers stained with the blood of his victims.

*Anything to Win by @happilyeveraftereveryday for @intp-slytherin97 : Rey hates losing.

She hates losing almost more than she loves winning.

Which is why she's in the ridiculous position of asking Kylo Ren, the very person who keeps beating her at the singles costume contest, to team up with her to dominate the couples contest and trounce Phasma and Hux once and for all.

Working with Kylo is a necessary evil, but really, she'd do anything to win. Anything!

Unless... it's falling in love.

* The Rule of Three by @reyloandotherfandoms for @happilyeveraftereveryday :  Sometimes you have to meet the love of your life more than once.

+*Little Red by @j-dryless for @wewantreylo : For as long as she’s known, something inside her has always been there.

Mostly it’s been asleep.

But now it’s awake.

And she’s afraid.

From circumstances she can’t control, Rey gets a new job, a new home, and a new neighbor—the Big Bad Wolf.

Decades to Fall by @rrwilson66 for @armltagehux : He's not sure when it happened or if he's always felt it.

Maybe it was when they were children? Pretending to be brave ghost hunters, racing down the halls of the Hux residence.

Or it could have been when she dragged him to that stupid Halloween party in that ridiculous costume?

Or when they attended the local fall fair? Which he still counts as their first date.

He's not sure when it occurred, he doesn't really care because he knows one thing.

Armitage Hux is utterly in love with Rey Kantana!

What may come by @mrsmancuspia for @nite0wl29 : A little ficlet that got longer than expected.

 +* Sinful by @kpopandstarwarswhynot for @mrsmancuspia :  Who would have thought that a pair of pretty eyes could lead to the path of eternal damnation? +* The Dinner Party by @bunilicious for @monsterleadmehome : The boy she once knew was now a man. Now, inexplicably, the innocence and vivacity of a young girl’s first love seemed to blossom, growing into that of a woman on the cusp of something tremendous – the awareness of her sensuality. A new yearning bloomed inside her with each passing second – and the innocent butterflies, which had fluttered in her stomach at the thought of the boy she cherished, were engulfed in scorching flames. It was a fire that now rendered her breathless and desiring of something that only the man she loved could provide. As Ben took her hand in his to escort her to dinner, Rey became overwhelmed by a tingling sensation for which she had no name – a slick moisture which gathered at the apex of her thighs, a swollen nub which demanded to be touched and nurtured… like a small bud blossoming in a garden that refused to remain dormant.

A REYLO VICTORIAN AU

+*  Tryptophan and Serotonin by @monsterleadmehome for @j-dryless :  Ben Solo hates Thanksgiving at his family's house. However, this year, his mother has invited a special guest - Rey Abrams, the girl he's been crushing on at work. When Ben consumes too much turkey, he falls asleep on the couch and has a rather vivid dream about Rey. Will he be able to hold his composure and finally ask her out? 

  +* Sunflower and Pumpkins by @i-live-in-the-reylo-moon for @delia-pavorum : Professor Ben Solo hates Halloween but thanks to his pushy colleagues Proffesors Hux and Phasma he is persuaded to attend the annual Halloween party Poe Dameron is throwing in the hope of seeing the beautiful young woman he passes on campus each morning. When he finds her he is instantly smitten. But does that mean he'll start to love All Hallows' Eve?

The Halloween Heist by @rebelrebelreylo for @midnightbluefox and @loveofescapism : Clyde Logan was done with “cauliflower” schemes. But, unlike Jimmy, Sadie still had sway over him. That was why he’d slipped away from her elementary school party and was sneaking into her teacher’s classroom — all to steal her sacred Halloween hoard back.

+* This Is Us Colliding by @moonshotsandarchimedeslevers for @minkel23 : Desperate to save her bakery from going out of business, Rey decides to steal apples from Varykino Orchards. Things go awry when Ben catches her in the act. But instead of turning her in, Ben makes an interesting proposal...

An apple-picking twist on Beauty and the Beast/Snow White. Dedicated to the lovely and talented minkel23 who came up with the brilliant prompt. +* We Shall Be Monsters by @kill-these-lights for @avidvampirehunter : “The things you see there are not exactly real.”

Rey's just trying to follow Master Luke's latest cryptic lesson. She didn't expect for Kylo Ren to land on the same strange world in a remote corner of the galaxy. However, on this planet, nothing is what it appears to be, and the two must band together to overcome the visions surrounding them, if they can bear to face the Darkness within...

+ Fall by AmberDread for @aniskym  : Autumn, the leaves are changing, soon to fall, when Kylo takes Rey away for a long weekend to the country - he knows she'll love his grandmother's cabin in the woods.

Unfortunately for him, his long-estranged twin brother Ben arrives a few hours after them. Ben was looking forward to chilling out somewhere quiet after being away on tour for two years in Iraq, he isn't especially pleased to find the cabin isn't empty, but he tries to make the most of it, and can't help enjoying every time he makes Kylo's girlfriend smile.

+ all of life’s problems by @delia-pavorum for @greyforceuser : “Anyway, Ben.” Poe was already inching in the direction of the kitchen, where a group of people all dressed like the clown from IT - with varying degrees of success - were loudly chanting the word “shots” over and over again. “I’m going to let you get comfortable, grab a drink, and get settled in. And, hey--” He paused, which made Ben turn to look at him. “--Try and have some fun for once, yeah?” 

With a wink, he threw his arm over Finn’s shoulder and they both took their leave. “Take care of my boy, Rey!” he called over his shoulder just as he disappeared into the kitchen.

Ben quickly looked over at Rey, who was staring at him once more over the rim of her cup, her eyes twinkling.“I don’t need babysitting,” he muttered, tone surly.“Oh, shut it,” she responded good-humoredly. “Let’s get you a drink.”

When Ben Solo reluctantly attends a Halloween Party being thrown by his former roommate from med school, he gets more than he bargained for once he encounters the only other person there without a costume.

* Mischief Night by @brwrites2187 for @i-live-in-the-reylo-moon :  Rey and Ben Solo, newlyweds, are all dressed up in costume for a night of Halloween parties, hosted by Poe Dameron and the Hux family. But, when Finn ends up in the hospital for an emergency surgery, Rose recruits the Solos to take her and Finn's daughters trick-or-treating. They help out the Ticos, and that Halloween night will definitely be one no one forgets. 

+ The Tengu of Takodana by @avidvampirehunter for @thewayofthetrashcompactor : The forest of Takodana has been cursed by a Tengu, a demon of nature and war. Rey, a young warrior, is summoned to defeat the beast, reclaim the Seed, and restore the forest to its rightful state.

But not all seeds come in pods.

+* Frightful Nights by @hellomelusine for @reyofdarkness : Rey had met Ben six weeks ago at this fireside ghost story event a friend of a friend of a friend was running. Ridiculously named Frightful Nights, but they promised free s’mores and hot chocolate, so really, Rey owed it to herself to attend. Ben was there looking more than a little forlorn in his own, and well, Rey’s true motivator for going over and striking up conversation was because the dude was hot. And now, he had promised to stop by her place of work. Rey didn't care how tough he thought he was. She was going to scare him.

+* measured out my life (with caf spoons) by @mnemehoshiko for @saturninefeline :  All Ben Solo wants is a cup of plain caf. The universe feels otherwise.

+ Paint It Black by @quixoticlux for @mizuphoenix : “Look, I don’t have any candy.” He smirked, leaning against the doorjamb and crossing his massive arms. Rey tried not to stare at his bicep muscles pulled taut. “Unless you’re looking for something else sweet…” 

Rey somehow managed to tear her gaze away from his bare skin, forcing herself to focus on his eyes. Which she realized belatedly was just as dangerous. “Unless that ‘something sweet’ happens to be a new painting…”

Rey's an Artist Liaison for Resistance Gallery in Manhattan. Kylo Ren is a mysterious artist she's been after for months. What happens when she loses a bet and has to show up on his doorstep on Halloween, in costume?

* harvest moon and autumn sun by @thewayofthetrashcompactor for @spiegatrixlestrange :  After years on her own, Rey's found a job at Resistance Tattoos. It's not a bad gig. She has friends who understand that magic isn't as fictional as most people believe and who put up with her after the full moon. They've got a pretty good thing going on, but she's not sure the flower shop moving in across the street fits into that. Especially with how strange the new owner smells. And what kind of gardener is so pale? Rey decides she's going to find out. +* Probably gonna die here by @thecalrissianchronicals for @reysexualkylo : So yeah Rey was a bit scared of being alone in a corn maze, at night, in the middle of nowhere, probably about to be murdered. 

She absolutely blamed Ben Solo for it. 

[chuffyfan87]

It Started With A Kiss. Part 6a.

Trigger warning - discussion of rape.

-x-

Duffy was busy hoovering in her bedroom when she finally registered the sound of a continual beep coming from the hallway. She flicked the off switch and realised it was the sound of her door buzzer. She glanced anxiously towards the door, she wasn't expecting visitors and whoever was outside was clearly insistant as they appeared to be leaning on the door bell. She reached down to turn the hoover back on, determined to ignore the unknown visitor, when a series of loud bangs began to be inflicted on the door. Duffy sighed and slowly made her way over to the door, quickly hooking the door chain across before she reached for the handle. Staying mostly hidden behind the door she opened it as little as possible to see who was on the other side.

She breathed a partial sigh of relief as she spotted Megan stood in the corridor. She unhooked the chain and opened the door fully ignoring the look Megan gave her as she did so.

"Finally! I thought I was going to have to wait til you'd finished the entire flat before you were going to let me in." She breezed past Duffy and headed over to the sink. "I'll stick the kettle on. I'm gasping for a cuppa."

Duffy shook her head, a wry smile on her face as she closed the door. "Hi Megan, lovely to see you. How are you?"

She lent against the sink and watched as Megan surveyed the room while the kettle boiled.

"If it wasn't for that dodgy sofa I'd think I'd walked into the wrong flat. Bit early for the nesting instinct to have kicked in already isn't it?" Megan remarked.

Duffy folded her arms across her chest. "I thought it would be a good habit to get into before the baby arrives."

"So long as you're not wearing yourself out. Try taking it a bit easier pet. Or do I need to be having words with Charlie to start looking after you a bit better?"

"I can look after myself Megan." Duffy bristled.

Megan snorted with derision as she made the tea but decided not to comment. "So what have you got in to make sandwiches with?"

"Nothing for me, I've just eaten, but you're welcome to help yourself to anything in the fridge." Duffy replied.

"Liar." Megan remarked as she opened the fridge. "There's no plate on the drainer." She pointed out seeing the shocked look on the younger woman's face at the accusation.

"Honestly Megan I'm not hungry."

"Nonsense. I want to see you eat this because you're clearly not eating enough. You're far too slim."

Duffy rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her stomach. "Slim isn't the first word I'd use to describe myself right now." She remarked sarcastically.

"Its been a month since I last saw you and you've barely changed."

"Oh so that's why you wanted to meet for lunch? Checking up on me?" She remarked, her tone leaving no doubt about her displeasure.

Megan ignored the question, placed the sandwiches she had made on the table and then sat directly opposite Duffy who sighed before reluctantly picking up her sandwich and slowly eating it.

As she finished the last mouthful Duffy looked Megan straight in the eye. "Happy now?"

"Don't give me that tone Missy. You are eating for two now. Not on one of your silly diets any longer. Don't forget that."

Duffy sighed. "I do wish you'd all stop fussing. I'm fine!" She insisted as she cleared away the plates.

The two women then moved to sit in the lounge, which, in actual fact, was just the other end of the room the kitchen occupied. As they sat quietly drinking their tea Megan took the opportunity to study Duffy once more.

Growing uncomfortable under Megan's scrutiny, Duffy sighed. "What will it take to convince you there's no need for concern?"

Megan tilted her head and gave her friend a look of utter disbelief. "You've barely grown at all Duffy! No wonder Charlie is so worried about you."

Duffy rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. "I should have known Charlie was involved somehow. I didn't think you'd be doing his dirty work for him though!"

"Don't blame Charlie. He was just telling me what I already suspected. I'd have been here a damn sight sooner if I'd known though. Why didn't you come to me Duffy? We've all been so worried about you. Just last week Ewart spoke to me wanting to know if you were ok."

"Like I said, I'm fine. There's nothing to be concerned about."

"Really? If everything is fine then why are you still having nightmares? And distancing yourself from all of us?"

"I can't believe he told you about the nightmares."

"Why? He loves you Duffy. He doesn't know what to do."

Duffy's eyes widened briefly at Megan's assertion before she shook her head. "I doubt it. He's probably just trying to do the right thing."

"Pftt." Megan paused and looked incredulously at her. "You really don't see it do you?"

"See what? In my experience that tends to be what happens. Bloke gets a girl pregnant so he does the honourable thing. If you're lucky he sticks around, if not then he's usually legged it before the kid starts school so at least there's no longterm damage or memories to worry about."

'No longterm damage my foot!' Megan thought but chose not to voice aloud. It saddened her greatly how much the girl in front of her, who was barely a couple of years older than Megan's own children, had been through already in her young life. A life that didn't seem to be getting any easier either. Mentally shaking such thoughts away she looked back over at Duffy. "And you think Charlie will be like that too? With you, and the baby?"

Duffy shrugged. "I'd like to think he's better than that but then again I'm sure my mum thought the same of my dad."

"I may be a silly old fool to you Duffy. But I know that is love in his eyes when he looks at you."

"For now maybe. But who's to say that wandering eye of his won't start up again when he begins to get bored of me too?"

"I don't think it was boredom that ended his relationship with Baz" Megan remarked. "But it's interesting to see who he turned to the second they hit problems."

"I don't know what you're implying Megan." Duffy replied, attempting to sound innocent but it wasn't going to wash.

"Oh, so Baz was wrong in her assumptions then was she? Charlie didn't end up in your bed after they had a row? Or are you saying that this baby you're carrying is the result of something more than a one night affair?"

"It's complicated Megan. I didn't intend to wreck their relationship."

"Oh really?"

"He was upset coz she was being so horrid to him. I was just trying to cheer him up, that's all. I didn't mean for it to go so far. We were just having a laugh, mucking about. It was supposed to just be harmless flirting. We didn't mean to get quite so carried away, but, well..." Duffy shrugged awkwardly, no longer able to meet Megan's gaze.

"Harmless?! You two? Oh give me strength!" Megan shook her head in despair.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Duffy shot back.

"He repeatedly gave up his freetime to spend it with you Duffy. He saw you plenty at work, yet chose to spend extra time teaching you to drive, ignoring the fact that he's your boss, he had a girlfriend and that there's plenty of other people who could have taught you instead."

"So? He helps you with stuff outside of work." Duffy countered.

Megan chuckled. "And I'm sure he puts in the same level of enthusiasm when helping a grumpy old woman like me as he does when spending time with a lovely girl like you!" She grew serious once more. "Look, he may not say the words, but his actions speak volumes."

"I guess you're right." Duffy conceded. "That's probably why he was so hurt by my reaction the other day."

"Reaction to what?" Megan queried.

"He, um, he asked me to move in with him."

"Oh, right." Megan replied flatly.

"So you think I was right to refuse?"

"No, no, it's just not what I'd expect him to have done. Call it the Catholic in me."

Duffy's eyes widened and her mouth fell open at Megan's inference. "You want us to get married?!" She gasped.

"Well, it's the right thing to do." Megan pointed out.

"Is it?"

"Its what I was raised to believe." She paused before broaching what she feared could be an explosive topic. "So why did you say no? It wouldn't have anything to do with these nightmares Charlie mentioned would it?"

Bingo! Though she tried to hide it Megan spotted the brief look of fear that flashed through Duffy's eyes.

"Oh sweetheart." Megan's eyes softened as she took in Duffy's reaction.

"Its nothing. I'm fine." Duffy deflected, crossing her arms tightly around herself and refusing to meet Megan's gaze.

"I know you better than you think I do."

"Just leave it Megan. Please!" She begged.

"Leave what?"

"I really should be getting on." She got up and headed back across the room towards the kitchen, placed the plates from the side into the sink and began running water over them.

Megan followed after her. "You can't just ignore it Duffy. You need to deal with it. Let me help you." She placed her hand on the younger woman's arm to still her movements.

"There's nothing to deal with." Duffy insisted though her voice wasn't as firm as she would have liked.

"Oh really? Indulge me then."

"Do I have a choice?" She muttered sarcastically, pulling her arm free and continuing the washing up.

"Not unless you want to spend the rest of your life like this then no."

"I'm sure I'll get over it given time. It's not like it's the first time I've taken a smack in the face off a stranger." Having finished the washing up Duffy grabbed a towel and dried her hands. She then lent against the sink in a manner that she hoped appeared calm and casual.

Megan sighed. "You need to say it out loud before you can begin to deal with it Duffy."

"Say what? I thought the guy needed help but it turned out all he wanted to do was kick the crap out of me and mug me."

"The truth Duffy, I can see the lies in your eyes."

"Though why he picked on me I don't know, it's not like nurses are known for being well off." Duffy continued as though she hadn't heard Megan's words.

Megan sighed again, "Duffy, I know he didn't mug you. I also think he did more than just hit you."

"Yeh, well, I screamed, he probably got spooked and ran off before he could take anything." Duffy shrugged.

"Is that what you want me to believe?"

"Its what happened." Duffy almost spat the words out "You chose to believe what you want to Megan." She added.

"So tell me this then, for someone who has the man she has always wanted, how come you are pushing him away?"

"I'm not!" Duffy shot back, her voice rising in pitch more than she liked.

"Aren't you? I can see the worry in his face Duffy, and it is not just about the baby. You don't want him any where near you do you?"

"What the hell has he told you?!" She demanded, her anger rising fast.

"Nothing, I told you. I can see it written on his face Duffy. He thinks you don't want him."

"Just coz I wasn't in the mood one time you both think there's something more to it?" She pushed away from the sink, close to losing her temper. "I can't believe he's been talking to you about our sex life! I'll kill him when I next see him!"

"Duffy, Duffy...listen to yourself..." Megan came up in front of her, put her hands on her shoulders and looked at her square in the eyes.

Feeling uncomfortable under Megan's gaze, Duffy turned her head away. "Well how else would you know all of that stuff? Unless he's been telling tales."

Megan shifted to try and recapture her focus. "He is worried about you. We all are. You need to let us in to help you. You can't do this by yourself."

"I don't need your help!" She spat back at her.

"Pfft. Right, do you want to know what I think?" She waited until Duffy finally met her eye. She spoke softly but firmly. "That man raped you Duffy! His actions are affecting you now, and will always affect you. Unless you deal with it."

Duffy's eyes flashed wildly with anger as she fought to free herself from Megan's hold and escape. "Just shut up and let go of me!" she screamed.

Megan kept her voice low. "Duffy, Duffy. Calm down."

"No! Just get out and leave me alone!" Tears were now coursing down her face, her whole body shaking.

"I'm not going anywhere." Megan reassured her gently.

"Nothing happened! You hear me? Nothing!" Duffy tried once more to pull free from Megan's grasp but she was penned in by the table behind her. She tried to push against the older woman but Megan stood firm.

"Duffy, calm down, Duffy sweetheart." Megan wrapped her arms around Duffy, concerned that if she didn't settle down soon she risked hurting herself.

"Make it stop! Please just make it stop!" Her voice cracked as the emotions she'd been avoiding began to flow out uncontrollably.

"Aw sweetheart, shhh, shhh, it's ok, you're safe, I've got you, shhhh." Megan stroked her hair, and rubbed her back hoping that the sound of her voice would help her weather the storm in her mind.

"He wouldn't stop. He just..."

"I know, I know sweetheart. You're safe now, shhh."

"I... I..." Duffy's words were cut off by a strangled noise that the experienced nurse in Megan instantly recognised. She let go and quickly stepped out of Duffy's way as the younger woman frantically lunged for the sink, barely making it in time before she was violently sick. Grabbing a towel from beside the sink Megan soaked it in water, wrung it out and handed it Duffy so she could wipe her face. She then gave her a glass of water to slowly sip.

"I'm sorry... I... I'm sorry." Duffy mumbled.

"It's ok pet, it's ok." Megan soothed.

Fresh tears began to run down Duffy's cheeks.

"Is that what the nightmares have been like?" Megan asked quietly.

"It just won't stop. He won't stop." Duffy muttered distractedly.

"Because you need to confront it, confront what he did to you. It won't stop Duffy, unless you talk about it."

"I try not to think about it. I try to sleep. But he still gets me. Then I wake up and I'm sick." She paused and sighed deeply. "He ruins everything."

"He is in there Duffy, because you can't confront him when you're awake. That is what nightmares are, our subconscious fighting or dealing with issues we don't face whilst we are awake."

"But even when I'm awake, every touch feels like he's hurting me again. I know he's not but..."

"If he had been caught, and punished for what he did. You'd know he got what he deserves. But, because he is still out there, and you haven't dealt with it. He continues to haunt your dreams." Megan paused, knowing that her next statement probably wasn't going to go down well." You need to talk to Charlie about this."

"No! Promise me you won't tell him what happened. I don't want him to know." her voice began to rise with panic once more.

"You need to at least tell him something Duffy. He needs to know why you are reacting like that. He thinks it's his fault." Megan explained.

"He'll never want to go near me ever again if I tell him the truth." Duffy insisted frantically.

"As it stands now Duffy, you won't ever go near him again." Megan countered.

"It might get better with time." Duffy suggested, the hopeful hint in her tone sounding pitiful.

"Will it? Charlie isn't the man you think he is. He blames himself over all this. He deserves to know something. Maybe not the truth, if you don't want to tell him. But, you need to say something, things can't carry on like this."

"I'm surprised he's even thinking about me that way when I'm so fat, tired and sick all the time." She hit upon an idea in mind. "I'll just tell him its all down to hormones!"

"He won't buy that Duffy. He has seen how scared you are. That can't be explained away by hormones."

"Why can't I have just one part of my life that isn't ruined by this?" She cried, placing her head in her hands.

"Because in order to move on with your life Duffy, you need to deal with it first."

"But I don't know how to!" She sobbed.

"If you won't speak to me, or Charlie. Speak to a counsellor. It will help you. Trust me. Now, in the meantime. Speak to Charlie. Tell him it isn't his fault for how you are feeling. I have to go to work now."

Duffy looked up from her hands, she looked so utterly lost and hopeless. "I don't know where to begin to explain it all to him."

[jwillowwolf]

Magic and Miracles - Chapter 13

Sanders Sides Big Bang fic, Chapter 13!

< Previous Chapter | Next Chapter > | Masterlist

Summary: “Don’t let them nip your ankles!”

“Watch where you’re swinging that thing!”

“My hair!”

“Guard the food!”

“They’re in the trees!”

Warning/s: food mention.

Characters: Logan, Virgil, OCs, Roman, Remus, Patton, Janus.

Tag List: @theimprobabledreamersworld @remy-please-come-back

Read on AO3

13 | Mysteries and Miracles

As the group got closer to shore, they noted how eerily dark the fog made everything look. Despite it being the height of the afternoon, everything was dimmed as if it were nightfall. The sun just barely penetrated through the thick mist, allowing the teens to at least see some of their surroundings. Logan hoped that this wasn’t foreshadowing any problems they might run into if they were still here come nighttime. He doubted they would even be able to see each other at that point.

“Now that we’re here, what do we do?” Patton asked.

Willow shrugged. “Search for where the Miracle settled, I suppose.”

“I think we’re going to need something to keep us together. It looks like we could easily get separated and lost in this fog,” Everleigh commented.

“Uh, oh! We could use a rope to keep us all tethered together,” Roman suggested.

Janus nodded. “Excellent idea. But we don’t have any rope.”

“I do!” Remus declared, taking some out of his inventory. “What? Why are you all looking at me like that?”

“Do… you just randomly carry rope?” Virgil asked.

“Of course not. I just brought it along for this trip because no idiot goes on a ship without a rope,” Remus stated.

“Okay, well then, we should all walk in some form of a straight line,” Logan said.

“That could be a little hard with this group,” Willow commented.

“I’ll take the lead!” Janus and Roman declared in unison. “No. I will. Stop that. I said stop that. St-”

“How about you just do rock, paper, scissors for the lead before we all lose our minds,” Willow suggested in a slightly annoyed tone.

The pair had the decency to look sheepish before they did as Willow suggested and used rock, paper, scissors to determine who was going upfront. Janus ended up winning, so Roman decided to guard the group’s rear instead. The full lineup went Janus, Willow, Everleigh, Logan, Virgil, Patton, Remus, and Roman.

Eight teens in search of a humanoid creature with four wings and god-like healing skills. What could possibly go wrong? Trick question, because I’m about to tell you exactly what went wrong.

It was getting late, or the group assumed so because they couldn’t really tell with the mist messing up everything. At some point, Remus and Roman had started singing some silly songs to pass the time as they searched for literally any signs of life. All they had found so far though were some jackalopes, foxes and the occasional grumpy badger.

“This is the walking song,

The song we sing as we walk along.

How long will we sing this song?

We don’t know, but off we go!

This is the walking song,

Sometimes it’s short, sometimes it’s long.

But we’ll just keep on singing as we go along.

We’re singing the walking song~

Verse three hundred and-”

“Please, just make it stop!” Patton begged.

Remus pouted. “Aw, don’t you like our song Patty?”

“Remus, I love you. And I love your singing. But if I have to hear one more verse of that song then I don’t know what I’ll do.”

“That’s what our mom said when she heard it too,” Roman commented.

“Did you stop when she asked?” Everleigh inquired.

“Nope. But then we got grounded, so maybe it’s a good idea to quit while we’re ahead.”

Willow looked back at the others. “Have they stopped?”

Logan raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, why are you kind of yelling?”

Willow took some cotton from their ears. “What?”

“Where did you get cotton?”

“I’ve had this on me since yesterday. Just in case,” Willow explained with a shrug.

“You didn’t think to share?” Everleigh pouted.

“Well, I have these big wolf ears that can be easier stuffed by the cotton.”

“But you could have shared.”

“I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad.”

“Too late for apologies. We are no longer friends.”

Willow’s eyes went wide and her ears drooped with sadness.

“Oh, no, don’t cry! I was joking. Please don’t cry. You’ll make me cry.”

“I think we need to stop and eat something,” Janus suggested. “I feel like we’re all getting a bit… out of whack.”

Virgil nodded in agreement. “Let’s take a quick respite and rethink our plans.”

The kids sat down and took out some food for lunch. They didn’t think this would cause any problems but barely a moment after they took out their food, a small lizard-like bipedal creature appeared. It looked around the size of a normal chicken and seemed very interested in the meat on Janus’s sandwich.

“Uh, hi there. You hungry or something?”

The creature looked at Janus and chirped.

Patton cooed. “Aw, it’s so cute. We have enough to share, right?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Logan replied. “Feeding wild animals almost never bodes well. Especially unknown wild animals.”

“I know what it is. It’s a Compsognathus, or Compy for short. They usually travel in groups and can be quite… vicious,” Willow stated.

“What harm could this little guy do?” Remus asked as he petted the compy’s head.

“Not too much by itself. But in groups…” Willow trailed off and looked around uneasy. “Uh, guys… we’re not alone.”

Roman rolled his eyes. “Well, yeah, there are eight of us. Puls this little one.”

Willow gulped. “And their friends...”

The group looked at her questioningly then looked around to see what spooked them. That was when they realised that they were now surrounded by a hoard of curious compies. All eyeing the group’s food.

Everleigh swallowed a lump in her throat. “Nobody make any sudden mo-”

“Scram, you fiends!” Roman yelled, slashing at the compies with his katana.

“Yeah! This is our food!” Remus added as he joined in chasing the creatures with his morning star.

“Guys, calm dow- ah!” Patton shrieked as one of the compies fell on his head.

Willow scrambled to help him get it off and was bitten in the process. “Ow! You little-”

“Don’t let them nip your ankles!”

“Watch where you’re swinging that thing!”

“My hair!”

“Guard the food!”

“They’re in the trees!”

The chaos continued for gods know how long before a loud bang went off, causing all parties to freeze. The compies immediately scattered, running off into the bushes like their little lives depended on it, leaving the teens alone and confused.

“Phew, I thought they’d never stop,” Willow said.

“Yeah. Who set off that sound anyway?” Everleigh asked.

Virgil frowned. “I don’t think it was any of us.”

“Who else would it be?”

“Me,” a voice from the shadows stated.

The speaker stepped forward so that they were visible to the group. It wasn’t much help to see who they were though because they wore a full-body cloak with a hood covering everything but the lower half of their face. Whoever this stranger was, they exuded an aura of power and mystery, that seemed to bewitch the teens from speaking. They scanned each of them carefully before stopping to seemingly stare at Virgil.

“...Eirick?”

Virgil blinked in confusion. “Um, no. I- that’s not me.”

“Ah, right. That wouldn’t be possible.” The stranger sighed. “You must be one of his descendants.”

“Descendants...? Wait, do you mean King Eirick the Bold?”

“Bold, huh? That would describe him alright,” the stranger chuckled. “You look a lot like him, so I assume you must be of some royal descent.”

“Well, I don’t feel I should be revealing anything to a complete stranger. Much less my ancestry.”

“Right, where are my manners,” the stranger took off its hood. “My name is Nitya.”

Everleigh gasped. “The Miracle.”

Nitya raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t heard that title in a while.”

“So, you are the Miracle? The great healer who once lived in our kingdom?” Logan asked.

“I was never a great anything, kid. I just knew stuff after too many years in this realm and helped some people.”

“You healed thousands. Brought them back from the brink of death.”

Nitya shrugged. “That’s what happens when you max out your MP. I doubt that’s the full reason you’re here though.”

“Actually, that is the whole reason we’re here. My grandmother is dying from a curse of some kind, and no one knows how to cure her. She herself said only you could.” Virgil explained.

“Only me, huh? Sorry, kid, but I’m not interested in helping any more people. Not after last time.”

“Did something happen to your magic? Is that why you didn’t heal the princess?” Remus questioned.

Nitya’s eyes flashed with anger. “There was nothing to heal.”

“Woah, no offence intended. That’s just what we were told,” Roman stated.

“And what exactly were you told?”

“A king asked you to heal his daughter. You refused and he had you imprisoned. Then you escaped, killed some people including the king, and disappeared never to be seen again.”

Nitya sighed and rubbed their temples. “What happened to ‘history is written by the victors’? Well, you’ve got some of the story right, but the full truth is much more complicated. King Don did indeed request that I heal his ‘daughter’, except there was nothing to heal because he was completely fine. Just had a terrible father.”

“Wait, he?”

“The princess was a prince?”

“Yeah, Eirik had been born as Amelia, the unfortunate only child of King Don. His father wouldn’t accept who he was and tried literally bribing me to ‘heal the princess’. Of course, I told him off and he had me thrown into the dungeons.” Nitya explained. “Then I broke out, killed him, and only stuck around long enough to see Eirik crowned. He deserved that throne far more than his father.”

Virgil tilted his head to the side. “So that’s how you knew King Eirik.”

Nitya nodded.

“Not to be rude, but why is that your reason for no longer helping people?” Logan asked.

“It’s… hard to explain.”

“We don’t mean to push, but what could have caused you to cut yourself off from the world the way you did?”

“...I’ve been around for years. My ancient wisdom meant that no one really questioned the fact I was personally nonbinary and used it/its pronouns. But I grew up seeing others like me, non-cishets, discriminated against and punished for just being themselves. For simply trying to exist. Don the Dunce wasn’t the first parent to come asking I healed their perfectly normal child. He was just the one with the highest-profile. People tried to use me to further punish their friends, their families, their children.” Nitya choked out.

The teens stood silent, empathising with it.

“I tried to use my power for better. To make a place where we could be safe and happy. Dom destroyed that place when he had me dragged off to that dungeon of his. His men… I don’t even want to say what happened there. But after it all, I decided it was better to disappear. Forever.”

There was a beat of silence before Logan stepped forward and put a comforting hand on Nitya’s shoulder. “I am sorry you had to suffer through that. I don’t know if this would make you feel any better, but your actions weren’t for nothing.”

Nitya sighed. “I suppose there was some peace while it lasted.”

“I meant putting King Eirik onto the throne.”

Nitya blinked. “What?”

Virgil nodded. “He was greatly loved by the kingdom and known as the Bold because he was the first king to marry another man. He faced a lot of backlash but that first step led to a lot more freedom and acceptance in the realm. Today, many people of different genders and sexualities are able to be open and loved by their communities. Gay, trans, lesbian, bi, pan, fluid, they’re all just a part of the people we love. I myself have two dads who have been ruling over our kingdom with peace and love for years.” Virgil’s bright smile then dimmed. “They were the best.”

Nitya looked at Virgil with a sense of empathy and interest. “I think you should all tell me more. Especially about why you’re here…”

---

“You’re all crazy,” Nitya stated after the teens had finished explaining everything.

They were now sitting all together in the specially made cave that Nitya called home. It had taken the teens here to have somewhere warm and secure where they could converse. And so, the group had basically dumped an entire play by play of what had happened to them in the past four stressful days, ending off with how they had figured out where Nitya had disappeared to.

“Seriously, what possessed you to think that it was a good idea for eight teenagers to travel across the sea to an island notoriously known to be inhabited by monsters hidden in mist?”

Remus shrugged. “Well, when you say it like that, it sounds nonsensical, but at the moment it felt perfectly sane.”

“I don’t think that any right-minded person would deem that sane. But I suppose you all must have someone in the pantheon on your side if you’ve already gotten this far.”

“So, will you help us?” Virgil asked.

Nitya hummed. “I can, but it won’t be in the way you expect it.”

Willow tilted her head to the side. “What does that mean?”

“Listen, even back when I was actively helping people, I charged them. It was how I made a living to support myself and the community. Of course, I don’t need that anymore, but I want something from you guys.”

The group exchanged looks of curiosity. “What can we do?”

“Help me finally leave this place.”

“...Like on our boat?”

“When I say this place, I mean, end my existence on this plane.”

Logan’s eyes widened. “You want us to kill you?!”

“No, ugh, explanations are hard. Listen, I’m half-human half-god.”

“So a demi-god? I thought they were mortals like everyone else,” Everleigh commented.

“Normally, yes, but you see, each child of the gods is gifted a special power when they’re born. I just so happened to be ‘gifted’ the ‘blessing’ of immortality.”

Patton frowned. “You don’t seem very happy about it.”

Nitya sighed. “It was fine the first couple of years. I didn’t grow old like my friends. But that meant I didn’t grow old with my friends. I saw so many souls to their deaths. For a time, it caused me to become a semi-hermit. That’s when I worked on my magic skills to get them to where they are. With the new amount of power I had, I thought I could make the world a better place… and then the whole incident happened and I… left society for good.”

“Oh. is that why you stayed here?” Roman inquired.

“Not exactly. One of my dear siblings came and lectured me on ‘abandoning humanity’. We got into a huge fight and then our godly parent decided to curse us to be trapped on opposite sides of the world. Now I’m trapped here until the end of time. Unless I use a uniquely crafted spell to transfer my power to another.”

“So, you want one of us to take your power?” Logan asked.

“No. That would leave one of you immortal and in the same position as me. I’d never wish that on my worst enemy. But if I divide my power amongst the eight of you, then at the most you’ll all live long happy lives.” Nitya explained.

The group was silent before Virgil asked. “May we have some time to discuss it.”

Nitya nodded. “I’ll give you guys a bit of space and get us something for dinner.”

It walked out of the room, leaving the teens alone in silence. Nobody spoke up. Their conversation was entirely nonverbal, but there was a clear consensus amongst the teens.

This was not a choice to be made lightly. Nitya was offering them powerful magic that would need to be used responsibly. They were young, not even in their adulthood yet. They had a lot of life ahead of them. Any onlooker might say they were nowhere near ready to accept this kind of responsibility.

But the choice was up to them...

And their choice changed everything.

---

A/N: thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this. I'd love to hear what you thought about the chapter if you wouldn't mind commenting. Thanks again for reading! Here's hoping you have a magical day 💜

[rachelwritestuff]

Safe - Gally Imagine

Request: Could you please do an imagine with Gally where (y/n) gets stuck in the maze and Gally thinks she is death. But the next day she comes out of the maze and than Gally realises that he is in love with her. With fluff please I know you get lots of requests but could you please try to make this one 😘😘

Gally x Reader

A/N: Hi guys! I haven’t written anything in probably a year but i’m back! Honestly I don’t think this is my best writing and i’m not sure this is particularly accurate to Gally’s character but he first ending I wrote was WAY worse.  i’m trying to get back in the game and this just kind of came out. I only read the first book and saw the first movie so I haven’t really seen any of the characters develop, nor have I done either in over a year. I hope you guys like it anyways!! To the person who requested this ages ago, I am SO sorry it took so long. I hope you see this and enjoy it. 

Warnings: Nah

Word Count: 1050

Your relationship with Gally was complicated to say the least. You couldn’t deny that he was strong and reliable, and put his fair share of work in around the Glade. But he was so stubborn, it was like he didn’t want to get along with you. And you were a pretty easy person to get along with, if you did say so yourself! You were energetic and talkative, and you’d never said a rude thing to him in your time there. It was hard to feel like you weren’t liked, even if it wasn’t really your fault. 

But you weren’t the type to dwell on grumpy teenaged boys, so you threw yourself into making friends with the other Gladers and figuring out what kind of work you’d be best suited for. You’d been in the Glade for a few months before you decided you wanted to be a runner. At first, it seemed like everyone was against it. It was sexist, you had told them, that they didn’t think you were as capable as them, just because you were a girl! Of course, Gally in particular gave you plenty of trouble.

 “Come on, (Y/N), you really think someone your height could run as fast as Thomas or as far as Minho?”

“You’ve never been in the Maze you shuckface! What would you know about how fast I am?” you’d retaliated. It wasn’t your best comeback, but it shut him up, so it was good enough for the moment.

Eventually Alby and Minho confessed to you that in fact most of the boys had just grown attached to you, and they didn’t want you to get hurt in the Maze. They had seen what it could do to people.

“Don’t be silly!” you argued. “If anything, I’m much more careful than you guys. You’re telling me I could be more reckless than Thomas?” 

That was something nobody could argue with – there was no way you would be that stupid and get yourself stuck in the Maze overnight. Or so they thought. It wasn’t really your fault, you later argued, Minho had been messing around before and time just flew by when you were having fun and you lost track of how long you had left to get back. You didn’t run in there on purpose, you argued, though not without protest from Thomas. It was the worst night of your life (that you remembered, anyway), and you most certainly had learned your lesson.

When the doors finally opened the next morning, you were too exhausted to feel relieved. You didn’t sleep for a second in the Maze, far too aware of the danger surrounding you to let your guard down. But you were greeted with cheers and pats on the back, and even some friendly hugs from Newt and Alby. Your tired gaze wandered from the crowd surrounding you, searching for the one person whose next move you couldn’t predict: Gally.  

You spotted the back of his head as he stormed away from the group, angry as ever. You tugged away from the grabbing hands to follow, using every last bit of energy you could to catch up to him.

“Gally,” you called gently. He didn’t stop, so you called him louder, more forcefully.

He whipped around so fast it took you a moment to register it. You locked eyes and stared at each other for a moment, before he pulled you into a slightly aggressive embrace.

“Don’t you ever scare me like that again,” he said.

“Huh?” you sounded from where your face was buried in his chest.

“Do you know how worried sick we were about you?” he scolded. “What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking it would be cool to fight off a Griever. What do you think I was thinking, slinthead? I just lost track of time,” you retorted.

He pulled away from you, keeping a hold on your shoulders as he peered at your face. On his own was a look you were unfamiliar with; it was some sort of distress, but not the anger you were used to from him. It seemed to be genuine concern.

“Did you fight off a Griever?”

You tossed your head back with laughter. “You think I’m big enough to fight off a Griever? No, I’m just faster than you think I am. But don’t tell anyone else, I’m going to make up a better story than Thomas’ and be the new hero of the Glade!”

 He looked at you for a moment, speechless, and then leaned in to kiss you. His lips were softer than you’d expected, and smooth, and you couldn’t help but respond enthusiastically. His arms snaked around his waist and yours around his neck, pulling each other impossibly closer.

“Shuck, I love you,” he whispered as he pulled away to look at you.

“I thought you hated me,” you said. He had never acted like this with you before. But you couldn’t deny the fluttering in your stomach and the heat rising to your cheeks at his admission. 

“I just don’t like people,” he huffed. “It’s nothing personal.”

“You’re bizarre,” you muttered, but kissed him again anyways. “I love you, too.”

The rest of the day was spent recovering from your night in the Maze, lying in a hammock as the Gladers brought you everything you needed, from food to blankets to company. And when Chuck came by and asked you how you made it out alive, you told him your story of fighting off Grievers and venturing through the twists and turns you had learned to navigate so well.

 “I slipped under its giant legs and I hit it with a stick! It almost got me, but I was too fast,” you boasted with a grin.

Gally, by your side the entire time, smiled down at you. He was the only one who knew the truth about how you had gotten out alive. And man, he was proud of you all the same.  He kissed you on the head and shooed Chuck away. It had been a long few nights, and it was time for you to rest. You slept better that night than you had in months. You were safe in the Glade, and you had Gally. Everything was as it should have been.

[cluelesskstuff]

How Yosuke Hanamura broke my heart

It’s incomplete, but I had to get this out of my system:

How Yosuke Hanamura broke my heart

Persona 4 is a funny game. It is also a long game, and that allows the social simulation aspect of it to really work, allows you to feel at home with the characters, through charm and repetition - grumpy Dojima, overly energetic Chie, confused heart of gold Kanji. Through little bits of interaction, day by in-game day, you at some point start to realise that when this is over, you might actually miss them. All of them. 

And then there is Yosuke. 

You play Persona 4 as Souji, a quite detached guy moving in from the city, hand on his hip, jacket slung over his shoulder, and while you, the player, grow fond of the game's characters, Souji always feels like he doesn't quite belong. He is the leader, the one who pulls the strings, the one grown up far beyond their age, with the world's weight on their shoulders. 

You juggle realtionships, help people out, they call you senpai, sensei - and then there is Yosuke. 

Yosuke, who somehow, magically, manages to transcent Persona 4's charming but game-y relationship system and becomes something else. Yosuke, who calls you Partner, and rings you up at night asking about your dreams or which girl you like. Yosuke, who does and says so many silly things that you never quite know what to expect - Yosuke, who ultimately breaks the boundaries of Persona 4 and makes Souji/Yosuke the most unexpectedly real-feeling relationship within a video game that I've ever encountered. 

I don't know what I thought when I first laid eyes on him, it's likely that it was something along the lines of "Hey, this is quite cool-looking for an anime video game guy. Nice headphones."

Then, in quick succession, things happened that made it clear that Yosuke was many things - heartbroken, repressed, funny, lazy, loyal, competitive, insecure, reckless - and that there was something building between him and Souji that seemed like a stunningly natural depiction of friendship. Somehow, this is rare - a video game showing two guys becoming friends, a process that just like falling in love requires making first moves, and opening up, and getting comfortable with each other. It seemed like Yosuke was the person in the cast that always wanted to know a little more, the one to push Souji a little bit, willing to ask stupid questions just to get a reaction, and unlike the other characters, he seemed to always act out of a desire to be level with Souji, to break through the calm, collected, leader-shell of his and address the human being inside. 

Now, that alone would be a remarkable thing for a video game to depict, and worthy of high praise. What complicates things is that Yosuke, no matter how much he might deny it, seems like the most obvious case of a closeted gay person the world has ever seen. 

When I started playing Persona 4, I had a pretty good idea of what I was getting myself into, through reading about it and actually having played a bit in the past. I also knew about the game's realtionship system, and was aware, or thought I was, that you could only get romantically involved with girls. Thus, when the game started to tease the possibility of a gay option, I raised an eyebrow, then another one, and then I lost my marbles. 

When it started, the closeness between Souji and Yosuke had already been established, and since I'm a sucker for guys not actually hating each other, I started to favour Yosuke a little bit - choosing him to eat lunch with on the roof, studying together, spending afternoons at the Junes food court, talking in the soft glow of the sun on the Samegawa river bank. When Yosuke asked which girl I liked, I chose "neither", cheekily, thinking I was playing the metagame, when the next midnight channel story twist came up, I bet each time that Yosuke would be the one to call Souji, outraged, worried, flustered, and each time when the phone rang and it was indeed him, I smiled to myself. But surely it was all in my head - I was starting to ship it, but it was just a fun little thing to do, to spare a thought here and there and layer it on top of these two characters whose interactions I enjoyed way more than expected. 

Then, these little moments started happening - the group sitting together at Junes' and Yosuke remarking how good Partner is with his hands, a comment that might not even have stuck out so much if weren't for the fact that immediately after saying it, Yosuke became a hot mess of backpedalling embarrassment. His insistence to know whether Souji had a crush on somebody, and who it was, despite the awkwardness. His remarks about inviting a third person to their activities, "or else people might think we're gay." And ultimately, the sheer time the game devoted to the Souji/Yosuke relationship - way more than any of the other characters got.

Persona 4's social link system is fairly rigid. You choose to spend time with people, and if things go well, and even sometimes if they don't, it raises your relationship level with said person, allowing you to climb the social link ranks, which has gameplay and combat benefits and also allows you, in some cases, to pursue a romance. What is remarkable about Yosuke is that the game spends a significant amount of time showing interactions between Yosuke and Souji outside of this system, building their relationship beyond the confines of you walking up to a person after school and answering "yes" to their proposal of hanging out. This not only serves to create a markedly more natural and complex relationship, it also sets Yosuke apart from the other characters - he is the one to choose to interact with Souji while the other characters can only wait to be chosen. 

And then Kanji entered the picture, Yosuke freaked out completely and I looked on, amazed at the fact that this game would dare to introduce a gay character, who, despite being closeted, met up with dates after school and whose dungeon was, of all things, a gay bathhouse, with sexual content that wasn't even the slightest bit concealed. Of all the characters, Yosuke reacted most strongly to this, outright refusing to enter and making a big fuss about being afraid of Kanji taking advantage of him. 

It culminated in the camping trip - Kanji, Yosuke, Souji sharing a tent - a scenario that could have been used very easily for a gay romance movie of questionable quality, full of the usual tropes of late night talks, denial, confrontation and very real confusion on my part of where exactly this was going - the game laid on the armored gay homophobia on Yosuke so thick that it seemed almost impossible to read what was going on in any other way. Combined with the unusual qualities that had been established in the realtionship before Kanji joined the group, it started to feel like an entire plot was going on behind the scenes, inexplicit yet persistent and increasingly impossible to ignore. 

A few in-game days after that camping trip, Yosuke broke another boundary the game had set up to this point - he visited Souji's home. More importantly, his room, a place that up until then you, the player, had always been alone in. The conversation that followed, in that intimate space, can't adequately be described as subtext anymore, it's text, and very gay text at that. I was streaming the game at the time, and I bet if that session's video was still up, you'd hear my breath hitch in surprise when Yosuke, no homo Yosuke, asked about Souji's porn stash and teasingly, suggestively stated he'd find it while Souji was out of the room. That was only the top of the iceberg, the whole scene and its context hit me like a 10 ton truck - could it be real? Was there really, explicitly something going on? The fact that I, after learning through research that there was no gay option, felt the need to double check after that scene, to make sure there wasn't one, should speak volumes. 

That's when I learned of the fact that Yosuke very likely was a gay option, that there were unused text and voice lines left over on the game's disk that turned the inexplicit explicit, both in english and japanese, suggesting the developer changed their mind after the localization was done, i.e. very late in the game's development. Only, they had ripped out very little, leaving in tons of sublte and not so subtle parts of the relationship, and that was when I realised that Persona 4, beyond being one of the best games I have ever played, would also have the potential to make me very sad, and very angry.

It wasn't just that gay rights had been dear to my heart for as long as I could remember. It wasn't just that the progression of Souji and Yosuke's relationship eclipsed any other possible pairing in the lineup by miles in terms of complexity and depth and just feeling right. It was the loss of an incredible story being told, a story that would have been unique in the history of video games - the story of two fully realised, multi-faceted male characters that you, as a player, like, falling in love, and dealing with the fact that they both happen to be guys, with all the issues that might bring in a society where homophobia and hate are still so prevalent. 

While this has been done in movies to great success in recent times, mainstream video games haven't dared to show male homosexual relationships in positive light and up front and center. Persona 4 does dare to spend significant time on very progressive subjects, including homosexuality and transgender issues, but it falters and pulls back just on the brink of being truly groundbreaking, which, to anybody playing the game with an open mind, can only scream injustice both in a worldly and in an in-game sense. 

The level 9 rank of Yosuke's social link progression has the two of you standing on a hill overlooking the town of Inaba. Yosuke'd probably call it a village, and the two of you talk about coming to terms with your place in the world, literally and figuratively. It's autumn, and the evening sun plays with the coloured leaves on the trees - it's a beautiful spot, a wistful song is playing, and despite the Playstation 2's aged graphics you can't help but marvel a little. You've never been to this spot before, you think Yosuke probably brought you here, and you wonder if there are any other locations in the town you know so well by now that you haven't seen.

"There is still nothing here," Yosuke says, meaning Inaba, a place he resented for the longest time, "but I have family, and friends...and you."

I sat in front of the TV for a long time, the soft piano notes of the song playing making me ache, and then I realised that while Yosuke Hanamura was denied the chance to become part of video games' first positively framed gay male relationship, he had acomplished one thing:

Yosuke Hanamura broke my heart.

[elizabethrobertajones]

Why do you think Dean never prayed to Cas when he was in lockup? I mean, I get that he couldn't possibly tell Cas where he was held, but he still could have prayed, I mean Cas was worried sick.

Since it’s late on Thursday night already a week after this aired, I feel like I’ve seen every possible version of this discussion on my dash. My very boring answer which I gave after reblogging some character-based stuff was just that this is where they wanted Cas (worried sick) and so Dean didn’t, and it’s up to us to interpret why but to me the episode was MORE about Cas and Mary and in general what happens in the Winchester’s absence, and so it was definitely working backwards from there. Sam and Dean got a little action sequence at the end and literally in the last 5 minutes any emotional stuff, because with a delayed reveal on the deal they were not really emotional POV characters UNTIL the bridge, therefore the episode was not ABOUT them so much as what else happens in their orbit when they’re not around. Even the guys holding them down there got way more personality and interesting character writing than the Winchesters did in prison…

And this is NOT a criticism, because I am assuming you don’t write an episode where your 2 main characters aren’t “really” characters in it until the last 5 minutes unless you’re doing it deliberately and want to explore something else. Which in this case included Cas being miserable about Dean being gone, which therefore meant Dean could not be in contact with him giving him any hope or something to swing at, because that wouldn’t get Cas to where he needed to be. And would have not removed Dean (or Sam if he prayed) from the story properly either, to maximise on a Winchester-free Supernatural episode. Or as far as you can go to pull that off within the constraints of needing to have their faces in the episode on and off throughout. Same formula as 6x04 or 6x20: keep them around but they only really get involved in one emotional moment at the end aside from general standing around having a face in between :P

I also think that it’s not plotholes or deliberate laziness or stupidity to leave gaps like this all the time if they can be explained, although I feel like fandom as the part of the audience that spends a lot of time thinking about the show and gets really complicated about their questions and expectations, can end up feeling like we’ve been short-changed or the show isn’t thinking hard enough about something we crowd-sourced an answer for weeks ago… We often move immediately to much heavier or deeper territory and come with pre-loaded expectations that make everything seem to fall short… 

(Can you tell I have read a lot of negativity this week about an episode I thought was great fun and actually proclaimed 3/4th of the way through that I was pissed off with Dabb for not giving me any plotholes to bitch about for once? :P People were @ ing me expecting me to have issues with the car continuity but I hadn’t noticed any and when I re-watched I realised that Mary saying “I drive fast” before the driving had explained everything I needed to know to completely keep my immersion in the story so it hadn’t even occurred to me to question it because I thought the story had pandered to my need to know these silly details? No one gave any numbers and who knows what the maths is on driving from the Bunker to Colorado via Mary and stopping to chat to the BMoL that would give us a total drive time for Cas but that one sentence just *magic wand ding* made it all go away :P To me this was Dabb’s most solid episode ever in terms of writing, except perhaps 8x08 which I think lands a perfect score on all fronts when normally sloppiness like that lets him down (loses points for Billie though…))

Anyway, sorry, slightly ranty because it’s late and I’m tired and in pain and this really has not been bothering me at all, which makes my response to the fact people ARE disgruntled unfortunately disproportionate, because basic maths about gruntlement proportions. :P 

The very obvious practicalities that you mentioned give a basic emotional surface text version that I think honestly does adequately cover it about as obviously as “they showed Dean shaving to explain why his hair was the same length when he came out as when he went in” - that is, if you take away any character dynamics and look at it like, Dean could tell Cas where they are if he knew where they were, but when he phones Cas he says he has no idea where they are ergo he’s had no reason to contact him, then you have what passes for a very very boring answer that might not satisfy US but tbh I suspect for anyone NOT overly invested in this relationship would be the sort of answer they get to if they wondered and be satisfied with it.

 I feel like I’ve read a lot (or in my head it has stretched out in fever dream ways to feel like a lot) of rambling over the last week about all the praying and why Dean wouldn’t, and the history of their prayers, their entire relationship since like, season 4, and so on and so on to try and make a coherent story arc to explain why Dean has stopped praying to Cas and I think they’re all great even if I’m now pretty hazy on them (see above: fever dream). I think my favourite slant of the argument (but not the only or main interpretation, just one I like that I’m picking on here :P) is just Dean’s self-worth, that he wouldn’t feel like he deserves to pray any more (and this is tracked back to when he last prayed and pointing at the Mark of Cain arc in the middle). Cas’s trauma in 11x06 was clearly linked to damage going back to Dean beating him up in 10x22, and once the Mark of Cain stuff was all thankfully over, Dean also felt like complete shit about it. Cas is still suffering from an ongoing arc of the same trauma from the start of season 11; why not assume Dean is following after him still feeling like shit about that? It severs their connection they had back in, like, season 8 when things were last somewhat resembling factory settings for them, at least on the surface. The window between Cas getting grace back and Dean getting the Mark is like, 2 episodes if you push it, and we have one “I came as soon as you called” of ambiguous suggestion if Dean phoned or prayed, and after that there are literally no more opportunities.

I am feeling like with at least Cas’s side of stuff clearly back on the table now hopefully to be addressed, that at least by the end of the season Dean and Cas might work some stuff out so perhaps in the long run he’ll start again or the way they relate to each other and how Dean used to treat Cas with Faith as in literal religious faith, and now what it is instead, will get discussed… or not. But something will presumably happen pushing this in one direction or another, and I’m still thinking worse before better >.>

Honestly at the moment I’m starting to feel like if it seems weird that Dean isn’t praying to Cas, maybe it’s something we ought to be noticing and not something the show is just forgetting to do out of neglect. Though we don’t have any proof they’re not idiots, it seems really easy these days for chunks of fandom to immediately decide that they are, and that they’re writing Cas badly by making him weak and unable to deal with vampires instead of exploring why they’d show Cas doing that. Or people asking other questions like it in an accusing way instead of a curious way, because accusing doesn’t get us anywhere and doesn’t really seem to be looking for an answer… I’m working on the assumption that the show can fuck up (… Billie… or like, Lucifer’s baby. Or Buckleming still writing in general :P) but not that they’re in a constant state of fucking up, and that not everything that happens IS a fuck up…

I am still enjoying watching a lot of episodes that other people really hate so idk :P I recognise that a lot of people are too disappointed or hurt or attached to a character to do this, but back at the end of season 10 I took a huge step back and decided that I still loved the most part of this show, and went and rewatched it to find the stuff I did love, and I’ve felt annoyingly well-balanced about it ever since.

It also helps I don’t watch live, and every time something kinda weird happens I pause the show and think for as long as I need about what just happened before I continue watching instead of leaping to conclusions or to get my ducks in a row before dealing with scenes. And I have the luxury of rewinding to check dialogue, and not watching a shitty stream so I get the whole episode first time, so things that get blown out of proportion in the immediate aftermath of the episode are like 99% wanky things I don’t get involved with :P 

… And yeah I know none of this is answering your question but it is explaining why I’m answering your question like this >.> Sorry. I’m wildly over-emotionally invested in everything but for anything that isn’t a fairly objective reason to be wanky (like… Billie :P) I’d rather give the show a big old benefit of the doubt about killing reapers or Dean not praying… or even Dabb’s freakin’ car continuity :P Your tone sounded complain-y about this to me (or at least like it was bothering you) so rather than just answer with one of multiple random interpretations that explain it from a character POV that would only either smooth over 1 plothole or leave you unconvinced and still grumpy if you didn’t really like the character interpretation (and answering on that level unless you hit on a real nugget of a thought generally does not really seem that convincing on a bigger scale to make it OKAY that people were upset about this), I thought I’d get a bit meta and explain why I am not grumpy >.> Possibly still not convince anyone but the simple answer just seems so pointless when people are upset about bigger problems.