#i think i am maybe coming back... nervously waves. hello.

[corroded-hellfire]

Hello🥹 I’m new to your blog and I’m loving the AYW series. I honestly got hooked on the Ryan’s Birthday party one shot, could I maybe request a follow-up to Steve’s and Eddie’s conversation of “you should be fucking the babysitter”? maybe Eddie accidentally bumping his head against the car he was working on and coming out and sharing a beer with Steve starting with “no man, no way”, and then sharing feelings about his relationship with Brittany and with her? Maybe confessing he has somewhat of a crush on her? And then coming home to find her after that conversation with Steve? Maybe Steve is the one who drops him home and comes inside the house for a bit? Haha sorry if it is too specific 🥹💖 I’m really loving the series

It was time for some more of this dynamic duo. This picks up right at the end of Ryan's Birthday

Words: 1.5k

[As You Wish masterlist]

“So, uh, question for you. Are you fucking the babysitter? Because between you and me? You should be.”

Eddie’s head bumps against the hood of the car he had just begun to work on again. His throat goes dry, words failing him as he stares into the face of his best friend. “What?” he finally rasps out. “W-Why would you ask that?”

Steve can’t help but roll his eyes. Munson can’t act for shit and Steve wonders how he never noticed the man’s crush on the younger woman before. 

“Oh, cut the bullshit, it’s me,” Steve says. 

The bangs and whirs of the garage around them suddenly seem too quiet to Eddie, like everyone in the building will hear anything he says out loud. But what is he going to say? He’s never uttered a word about his feelings for you out loud. The guilt already ate at him that he had these feelings at all. It was hard enough to admit how he feels about you to himself, he isn’t sure how to vocalize it, even if it is to his best friend.

“I, uh…” Eddie clears his throat and takes the grease-soaked rag off his shoulder just to have something to do with his hands. 

“Dude,” Steve says. “Do you think I’m going to tell anyone? What, I’m gonna go to Brittany? I hate talking to her about anything at all; I’d never voluntarily do it. Just spill it, I already know.”

“H-How?” It’s the only word Eddie’s able to utter.

Steve huffs a laugh, amazed by his friend’s obliviousness. 

“You weren’t subtle. I mean, maybe to someone who doesn’t know you. But I was there back in those days when you fell in love with Brittany. Shit, you look at the babysitter with way more love than you ever did her. I thought I’d see little cartoon hearts in your eyes.”

Heat blooms in Eddie’s face, both in embarrassment and nervousness. His eyes shift from left to right, his mind running all over the map. If Steve noticed, who else did? Wayne did give him a look at the end of Ryan’s party the other day. Of course the old man knows, he knows Eddie better than anyone. 

Wait, if Steve clocked this, did Nancy? Oh God, she must think he’s the worst. Having these thoughts and feelings about a woman who isn’t his wife. A woman who is so much younger than him. Did Max notice? Did Lucas? Did you?

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, chill the hell out,” Steve says, waving a hand in front of his friend. “Stop that brain from going into panic mode.” “Do you think anyone else–”

“No,” Steve says before Eddie can finish his question. “I started to look out for it once I noticed. Then it was painfully obvious. You look like a God damn puppy when she smiles at you.”

An involuntary goofy smile grows on Eddie’s face, and it’s all the confirmation Steve needs—though he really didn’t need any at all. 

“Jesus Christ, you’re really gone for her.”

Eddie looks around to make sure there’s no one close enough to hear his words. The last thing he needs is someone else learning about his shameful secret. “I really fucking am,” Eddie says. “Shit, I feel like I’m going crazy.”

Steve huffs a small laugh and shakes his head. 

“She’s a good kid. Oop, sorry. I’ll choose my words more carefully.”

Steve winces when Eddie glares at him.

“She’s not a kid,” Eddie states.

“How old is she?”

“Twenty.”

Steve considers for a moment, and Eddie takes in every little minute detail of the expressions on his face. 

“Holy shit, calm down, will you? I’m not judging you. Or her. I mean, Jesus, do you remember what I was like in high school?”

“Unfortunately.”

“I have no room to judge anyone. And besides, it’s not even that big of an age gap.”

“Twelve years,” Eddie says with a shrug. “And it’s not like she’s a teenager.”

“Yeah, I don’t know why, but something about that would make it seem weird. Never mind the difference is only a few months.”

“You’re not helping,” Eddie grits out.

Steve waves his hand in the air in a dismissive manner.

“I already said I’m not judging, damn. She seems pretty mature for her age, too.”

“She is.”

The smile on Eddie’s face warms Steve’s heart—not that he’d ever tell him that. But he’s watched his best friend deal with a shitty marriage for almost a decade now. The light in his eyes went out around the time Ryan was born, and Steve hasn’t seen it since. So Steve doesn’t care if this woman was eighteen or eighty, she made Eddie happy, and that’s something Steve worried he’d never see again.

“But you’re not fucking?” Steve asks just to clarify.

“No,” Eddie says, both of them picking up on the disappointment in his tone.

“Would you leave Brittany for her?”

And there it is. The question Eddie’s pondered on those nights when sleep just won’t find him and he’s staring at the ceiling fan spinning round. It’s all so much more complicated than just that simple question. But if Eddie can’t even come up with an answer to this, how would he be able to figure any of the other shit out? Thoughts of his sons and everything that would put them through go through his head, and he can’t bring himself to say he’d willingly inflict that kind of pain on them. 

“I don’t know.”

Eddie’s voice is quiet, uncertain.

“Would you cheat on Brittany with her?”

This is another question that’s swirled around in Eddie’s head. One that’s much easier to answer, in his opinion.

“After she’s been cheating on me for more than half of our relationship? Hell yes.”

“You’d feel guilty, though.”

It’s not a question; Steve knows him.

Eddie sighs and throws the rag over his shoulder again. He kicks his scuffed boots against the floor of the garage and rests his hands on the open hood of the car.

“I think I’d get over it.”

“Oh, I know you would,” Steve says with a knowing smirk. “The minute you find out that she has feelings for you, too? Shit, you’re going to forget you even have a wife. And that’s not necessarily bad with you, honestly. Because in a lot of ways, you don’t have a wife. She’s not been a real partner for how long?”

Eddie scoffs. “Ever?”

Steve snorts a laugh in agreement. 

“Man, I’m not telling you what to do…”

“But you are,” Eddie says with a smirk.

“Maybe,” Steve says with a shrug. “But go for it with the babysitter, yeah?”

Eddie sighs and shakes his head as he looks down into the engine bay of the car he’s supposed to be working on.

“You say that like she’ll want me.”

“Feel it out,” Steve suggests. “That’s what flirting is for, no? Not like you’re not already doing that.”

“What?” Eddie looks up at his friend in confusion.

Steve can’t help but let out a breathy chuckle and roll his eyes at how utterly oblivious his friend is.

“You’re shitting me, right? When you threw her in the pool?” Steve raises his eyebrows. When Eddie just continues to look confused, Steve rubs at his brow. “Wow. The way you held her and looked at her? You practically eye-fucked her.” 

Eddie scoffs a laugh, and his cheeks turn red.

“What? No way.”

“Whatever man,” Steve says as he shakes his head in exasperation. “Here, just take this.”

Steve takes his hand out of his pocket and holds it out towards Eddie. The mechanic frowns in confusion and he extends his hand palm up. The foil of a condom falls against his dirty and greasy hand. Eddie’s eyes widen as he quickly shoves the small square in his pocket before someone else can see it.

“You think I don’t have these at home?” Eddie hisses.

“It’s been a minute,” Steve says, and Eddie doesn’t know if he’s kidding or not. “They’re probably expired.”

Eddie groans as he drops his head back. 

“God, you might be right. They’re probably older than Luke.”

Steve would laugh if he didn’t think Eddie was serious. 

“Better toss those so you don’t accidentally use one. The last thing you need is to knock up the babysitter.”

Instead of automatically agreeing like Steve assumed he would, Eddie chokes on his own saliva and avoids Steve’s eyes. He gets weirdly quiet before he sputters something about having to get back to work. The red face is enough of a clue for Steve, though; a clue he never wanted nor asked for.

“Alright,” Steve says with a nauseated expression on his face. “That’s a conversation for another day. After, like, five drinks.”

[dandyshucks]

really really funny to look at 😭😭😭

[yumeaoka-chan]

Accusations! False accusations!

Pairing: Hobie Brown x Reader/ Spider Punk x Reader

Word Count: 1.2k

Tags: fluff, confused Hobie, offended Hobie, loser! Hobie, lovesick hobie, confused Miles, confused R (everyone's confused, but it's okay), title from that Rick Ross meme, R is AFAB, no physical description of R, cursing, sparse use of y/n (just once)

Summary: Hobie learns he has a whole reputation that he doesn't even recall gaining. 

A/N: A little drabble based off the ask that 😅 anon sent to @the-kr8tor . Loser! Hobie is my new religion😇💕💕

Furrowing his eyebrows and moving his cup from his lips, Hobie gazes at the younger Spider with growing concern. He scratches behind his ear, fingers fiddling with his piercings. He'd heard that wrong, right? Surely he had, because there was no way Miles had really come over for advice on girls. When the younger had asked to come over to his dimension yesterday, he'd thought that he just wanted to hang out. Maybe jam to some music while they ordered a pizza or something. Not… this.

“Stop looking at me like I'm crazy”, Miles huffs as he leans back against his chair, frowning at the confused look on the elder's face. ”I came to you for advice because you're the only one of us who's been around.”

“Wha’ are you talkin’ ‘bout? Been ‘round where?” The younger chuckles and shakes his head, as if Hobie has just told him some funny joke.

“Bro, stop playin’. I already know everything.” Hobie blinks at him, eyebrow raised in question. Or confusion. Definitely confusion. Miles narrows his eyes and waves his hand in the air.

“Come on, man. You know what I mean.” Hobie just stares at him, clearly waiting for an explanation. He has not the faintest idea about what the younger Spider is talking about.

“You know! How you've messed around with every type of girl before you settled down with Y/N! You've been around, man, so you must know how to get a girl's attention.”

“...HUH?!” Hobie's jaw drops open in shock of Miles' words, eyebrows raised so high that they practically reach his hairline. Because, why would the younger think that of him? Hobie just gapes at him in astonishment, little noises of disbelief leaving his lips as he tries to come to terms with the conception of him that Miles has in his head.

“Um… You alright, man? Hello…?”, Miles mumbles as he waves a hand across the punk's stunned face. Shaking his head, Hobie places his hands on his chest as though he'd been offended.

“W-Why would you think that?! Who told you that”, he questions, voice cracking and growing a bit higher in pitch with how flabbergasted he was. Miles blinks at the man before letting out an awkward chuckle, raising up a hand in a placating manner.

“What's with the surprised look? Everyone at the Society says you used to be a player.”

“I was not! ‘M very much a mess! I have no game!” And it's the truth. Hobie has always been unsuccessful in romance ever since he first discovered that he could have romantic feelings for others, way back in secondary school when he was a year eight. Any time he did harbor feelings for someone, he'd always become a stuttering mess who could only talk to his crush in the form of song lyrics. Not even good songs, at that. It's safe to say that he was the weird kid that absolutely nobody wanted to have him have a crush on them. As if him having a crush meant he was giving them cooties. Kids could be so mean.

“If you have no game, then how did you bag your girlfriend?” Miles asks curiously, munching on his fries while he watches Hobie nervously fiddle with the ring on his finger. It matched the one that you wore, silver glinting in the light. Hobie scoffs and shakes his head.

“Beats me. ‘M just a sad sod who told her fun facts about her favorite singer when we first met. I guess she liked how I was sweatin’ bullets or somethin’, cause ‘ere I am.” That makes the younger of the two pause, eyebrows twisting up and eyes squinting slightly like he can't believe what he just heard. Which Hobie finds odd because it's nothing but the truth.

The day you two met, Hobie had bumped into you on the street. It wasn't his first time seeing you walk down this particular street, but it had been his first time ever accidently making you fall on your ass with your Walkman clattering onto the pavement. The cassette tape had fell out and when Hobie went to help you up and pick up your stuff, he'd seen the artist you were listening to. And, of course, with him being the music loving nerd he was, he couldn't help the facts from spilling from his trembling lips. Sweat beading at his forehead and warmth rushing to the tips of his ears at the sweet smile you'd bestowed him with. And when you slipped your number into his clammy palm, he'd swore his knees went weak. He had very much been and still was a goner when it came to you.

“So… What you're telling me is that you have absolutely zero advice for getting a girl's attention?”

“None whatsoever. Can't believe some bloke actually thought I get girls… Lovie's the only one f'me.”

The sound of the door to the houseboat opening makes him whip his head over, heart beating wildly in his chest at the sight of you. With a sigh, you place your grocery bags down on the counter before letting out a small yelp at suddenly being pulled into a tight embrace. A chuckle leaves your lips as you pat Hobie's back, warmth blossoming in your chest as he rains kisses on your face.

“I was only gone for a little bit, Hobes. Are you that happy to see me?” You hum as you lean back to peer up at him, melting at the adoration shining in his pretty brown eyes. He gives you that dopey, lopsided grin that you love so much before brushing his lips against yours in a featherlight kiss.

“Course I am. ‘M always happy to see you, lovie”, he mumbles softly against your lips, ears flushing just a bit. Always so whipped for you and only you. You smile as you lean in to kiss him again, only to break away at the sound of Miles chuckling. You raise an eyebrow at him as you peer over Hobie's shoulder, not expecting the young Spider to be here.

“Hey, Miles. How have you been?” You greet him as you pull away from your boyfriend's embrace, the punk pouting at the lack of attention. He wraps his arms around you from behind and rests his chin on your shoulder.

“I've been doing good. Just came over to talk a bit with Hobie”, the younger says as he gets up from his chair, a hint of mirth in his eyes as he looks on at how Hobie clings to you. “The rumors really were wrong, then.”

“Rumors? What rumors?” You turn your head to look at Hobie for an explanation, but he just shakes his head.

“Stupid stuff, sweetheart. Don't worry ‘bout it.” Clicking your tongue at his words, you look over to Miles. The kid shrugs and stuffs his hands in his hoodie, claiming that he has to go back home to finish up some homework. After seeing Miles off, you turn to face Hobie, his arms still wrapped around you. His eyes sparkle as he gazes down at you, like you hung the very stars or was the cause of a sunny day. Placing another sweet kiss on his lips, you smile at the feeling of him practically turning to mush against you. It wasn't like you couldn't get the full story about the rumors from your boyfriend later. For now, you were content to give him all the smooches he deserved.

[dolphincultleader]

Hi! Love your writing 😊 I wanted to request a vernon imagine with the jealousy prompt “You’re jealous” “Am not!” “You are jealous, and may I add, you’re a terrible liar”. Thank you 😊

Jealousy w/ Vernon

Word Count- 933

Tw- A few curses, Vernon is sort of insecure?, reader is very oblivious, suggestive towards the end, lmk if i missed anything

A/N- hello! Thanks for the ask, I really appreciate it. I tried my best and hope you like it!

---

Vernon considered himself a lucky man. He often thanked himself because what could he have possibly done in his past life to deserve someone like you?

Vernon also did not consider himself a jealous person. He trusted you. He wasn't insecure. He knew you would never cheat on him. But why the fuck does he feel a pang in his heart when you talk to a certain childhood friend for too long?

Was it because he was aware of the guy's romantic interest in you? Or was it because you were laughing loudly at the guy's words, blissfully unaware of his true intentions?

He didn't know what he should do. Was he just being overly jealous? Fuck, why is love so hard? Should he go join the conversation?

You were unaware of a panicked Vernon standing behind you, contemplating his life. You noticed him standing afar after what felt like an eternity to Vernon. You waved at him and gestured him to come over there while shooting him your stupidly cute smile.

As he stalled over to where you and your friend sat, he contemplated how to join the conversation. Suddenly, he felt underdressed. Why the fuck is the guy dressed so well? Even you wore a white pretty dress. His usual T-shirt and pants made him feel like a fish out of water.

You, being oblivious, introduced them to each other. As Vernon shook the guy's hand, his nervousness didn't go away, nor did it made things easier for him. Why the fuck were his hands sweaty?

As you buzzed and talked with your friend, he felt himself panicking internally. Was he even making a good impression? He chimed in the conversation every now and then to not be rude. You both included him in the conversation.

But Vernon couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed at how loudly you laughed at the guy's jokes. Wasn't that laugh reserved for him? And the guy's innuendos didn't go unnoticed by him. The lingering touches on your wrist or staring at your eyes for a bit too long. You however, were completely unaware, thinking Vernon was being included.

After an eternity (Vernon's words), you bid goodbye to your friend. Vernon smiled in politeness. The smile was all he could manage was fighting off the urge to tell the guy to back off several times mid convo.

As you and Vernon walked out of the Cafe, his hand leisurely resting on your waist, you couldn't help but notice his unusual silence. Sure, Vernon usually played the role of a "listener" in your relationship, but he he wasn't this quiet.

He held the passenger seat's door open as you got in. Getting in the driver's seat, he started driving. You stared at him as he drove, eyes focused on the road. Your stares didn't go unnoticed by him. He broke the somewhat awkward silence of you staring at him.

"Love?"

"Just wanted to make sure you didn't go mute suddenly" you shoot.

He chuckled at that and hummed as acknowledgement. You narrowed your eyes at him.

"Spit it out." You ordered in a stern voice.

"Feeling bold, are we?" He asked jokingly. Hearing the tone he usually uses when you play brat from your own mouth was...new. It also made his dick twitch in his pants very quick.

"Hey, seriously. Whats up?" You asked, this time softer and more seriously.

"Your friend was nice..." he started. Not knowing how to navigate this conversation. After all, he has never considered himself a jealous person. Would you think he's insecure? Doubt crept up to his mind as he tried to push it back.

"Okay...?" You were confused by the change of topic.

"Maybe... a bit too nice..." he went on. You laughed suddenly making him give you a side eye.

"You're jealous!" You said mid laugh.

"Am not!" He felt heat creeping up to his cheeks at your words.

"You are jealous, and may I add, a terrible liar." You continued. He pursed his lips together, muttering a quiet shut up with no malice whatsoever.

"It's ridiculous! He was embarrassingly over you! As if he had a chance with you, even while I was literally sitting there!" He rambled on as you laughed. Apparently the situation was fucking hilarious to you. He felt so silly suddenly.

"What do you think? You countered, finally calming yourself down.

"What?"

"Do you think he has a chance with me?"

He stayed silent for way too long. It worried you. Did he really think he meant that low to you? After a few minutes of driving in silence, he replied.

"I... honestly don't know..." his voice was laced with hesitation. That needed to be changed.

"Do you want me to stay?" You asked as he pulled into the parking lot of his apartment complex.

"Yeah...?" He replied, clearly confused.

"Then you better make me stay." You said, a smirk plastered on your face. Clearly reading between the lines, he rolled his eyes.

"And what exactly can I do to make that happen?" Killing the engine, he turned his body towards you as he asked, clearly being sarcastic. You wrapped your arms around his neck, bringing him closer. Your eyes burned into each others'.

"Why don't you start by showing me how much you want me to stay?"

"So you want me to fuck the living daylight out of you and make you scream my name till thats the only thing you know?" He countered.

"Why don't you start with kissing me, pretty boy?" You teased.

"Patience sweetheart, you have a long night ahead of you"

---

Masterlist



[gremlin-girly]

Flufftober Day 6

@flufftober

Prompt: Mistaken Identity

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x gn!Reader

Warnings/Tags: FLUFF, coffee shop meetcute, kissing/brief PDA, reader is VERY worried their "celebrity" crush was cheating for second there, don't worry it's just Natasha undercover (like the escalator scene in CA:TWS) :)

Summary: You bump into, who you believe to be, one of your celebrity crushes at a local coffee shop. But she's acting a little strange, especially when she kisses you in the middle of the store.

Word count: 850 words

I hope you enjoy! Likes, comments and reblogs are appreciated 💜

Prev | Next | Masterlist

A/N: Hello, hello! First week already finished! Where has the time gone? I just wanted to say thank you for all the love on my fics this week ! I honestly wasn’t expecting hitting two milestones this week AT ALL (250 likes and 50 reblogs!!) and honestly, it’s made me the happiest knowing I’m making something that people can enjoy 💜 And also a big hello and thank you to all of my new followers; I hope you enjoy what’s to come! Sorry this was so short! Really thought i hit the 1k mark 💀 maybe we will see a part 2 of the meet cute who knows- Love, Grem x

Everyday is a good day for coffee.

And today was an especially good day because in front of you in line was none other than your celebrity crush.

She was incognito, of course, but in a hoodie so ugly it made your eyes hurt. Still, it didn’t take away from her beauty, even if half of her face was hidden by gigantic black sunglasses.

She had her hands in her pockets, her pink lips pursed as she read the menu board.  You know you’re staring. You can’t help it. You’re awestruck, starstruck- just about every kind of struck you could be. Should you ask for a picture? Wait, not in line for coffee. That’s weird. And then you’d have to awkwardly stand behind her. Although, that’s marginally better than following her out of the shop like some sort of stalker.

You shift forward with the line, the scent of freshly ground coffee growing ever closer. You wet your lips and try to pluck up the courage to ask her for a photograph but she half turns towards you before you can get the words out. She raised an eyebrow behind the glasses and you find yourself tongue tied.

Suddenly, she beams at you. “Oh, you!” she guffaws and you look around you, checking she is talking to you. "Have you decided what you’re gonna get?”

The baffled look you give her doesn’t deter, she steps closer and removes her glasses. Brilliant green eyes shine back at you and you smile nervously. What the hell is going on? Celebrity crush or not, this was weird.

A slightly smug thought appears, wondering if you must look like a famous friend as you respond, “Uh, yeah. Just a caramel cappuccino.”

She looks pleased that you’re playing along but her voice drops to a serious whisper that only you can hear. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

“I – what?”

You don’t have time to process everything she’s said a second time because her lips press against yours. It’s a soft kiss but there’s something about it that seems calculated almost. Your mind draws a blank. Awestruck, starstruck – all of the strucks- don’t even come close to what you’re feeling.

She pulls back, eyes glancing off to the side briefly before looking back at you. You blink, opening and closing your mouth like a fish out of water. Her lips twitch upwards and she raises a perfectly plucked brow at you teasingly.

“You okay there, champ?” She says with a playful lilt.

“I- you-“ You blink at her again, flabbergasted. You can only utter the first thing that comes to mind. “But you’re married.”

Her eyebrows furrow and she looks confused. “I am?”

"The dude from SNL – you’re married – with two kids!” You hiss quietly at her, brain not quite catching up to you yet. “I mean, thank you for the kiss – um Miss Johansen.”

“Miss Johansen” bursts into laughter. “You think I’m Scarlett Johansen?”

“I-...are you not?” You ask quietly. A wave of embarassment rolls over you and a pit forms in your stomach. Your eyes scan her face and you notice that differences you hadn’t paid attention to; the light scarring along her jaw, the striking emerald green of her irises. Come to think of it... when did you last see Scarlett Johansen with carmine coloured hair?

“No.” She grins at you, and you feel your cheeks changing colour to match her hair.

“Ohmygod.” You babble. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t apologise. That’s a compliment.” She smirks over at you, her eyes have a teasing glimmer to them. “I’m Natasha.”

“Natasha.” You repeat dumbly, before giving her an awkward smile. “Well it was nice to – Uh...” You trail, face flushing when you remember her kiss.

Natasha seems to finish the thought for you. “Kiss you?”

“Yeah.” You give her another flustered smile.

You pause for a moment before continuing as cutely as you can muster. “It was a good kiss.”

Her eyes rake over you, a clear and obvious once over. When she meets your eyes again, she’s smirking. “Hm. Well, I’m working right now but... let me buy you a drink sometime.”

It’s not a question. She pulls out her phone tapping wildly. Then your phone dings – ypu look down to see a text from an unknown number that reads; It’s ScarJo :)

Your bafflement only continues. What the hell does she do for work?

“I... Yeah. Sure.” You nod, looking over at her pleasant smirk etched on her face. She seems to know that she’s amazing, awesome and flabbergast-worthy.

Natasha presses a finger to her ear and glances away to answer, “in pursuit” to someone that isn't you. When her eyes flicker back to you, she smiles and shrugs. “Work. Gotta go. Call me!”

She’s strided out the door before you respond, watching her leave with wide eyes. The cashier, and patrons, don’t seem to notice the strangest thing that has ever happened to the history of anyone ever, and call you forward to take your order. Just who the hell was this Natasha and why were you already planning your date?

[dreamescapeswriting]

Most Wonderful Time Of The Year ~ LMH

WORD COUNT: 1.4K

PAIRING: Minho x GN!Reader

GENRE: angst with a softer ending, the boys not including you on something, feeling a little down about the season, comforting boyfriend,

⤜Copyright: © DreamEscapesWriting - September 2023

⤜MASTERLIST

A/N: Did I have christmas songs on while writing it? Yes..Yes I did hehe

Christmas had always been your favourite time of year, Maybe it was the fact that everyone seemed to be happier or had an extra spring in their step but you adored everything about the Christmas season. The darker mornings, the darker nights? What wasn't to love about curling up in front of the fireplace with your loved ones and spending time cuddling up together? 

Or waking up earlier than everyone else in the house was asleep and just listening to the quietness of the mornings, reading a book or just sitting there for a long time enjoying your time alone. Everywhere you went Christmas music was playing and usually everyone appeared to be in a cheery mood, speaking to you or just giving you a small wave hello. Everything about the season brought you nothing but joy.

Until now that was.

For weeks the boys had been talking non-stop about the Christmas party that they were going to be throwing, talking about what they were going to do and who was cooking for all of them. Something that they did every year by the sounds of it but you hadn't been invited to it and being the person that you were, you didn't ask about it.

You decided that if they really wanted you there then you would have been asked in the first place, no one wanted someone crashing their plans. Minho was rushing around at the last possible second, he'd been running late after waking up way too late and now he was panicking about not having everything with him.

"Your Secret Santa gift is on the kitchen table," You told Minho as you mindlessly watched the film that you'd decided to put on that morning while Minho got ready. The present had been left unwrapped for days and so you'd wrapped that while watching your first Christmas movie of the morning.

"Thanks, you didn't have to wrap it. I would have gotten around to it," He laughed nervously before coming to a halt in the doorway and frowning when he noticed you weren't dressed yet. The two of you needed to leave within the next two minutes if you were going to stand any chance of the boys not teasing you for it.

"Why aren't you dressed?" He quizzed, running into the kitchen and grabbing the wrapped box before coming back to the living room to find you staring at him dumbfounded by what you meant. You knew you were dressed, it was far too cold for you to be walking around the house naked - even with the heating on.

"Is this a dream where I think I'm dressed but I'm secretly naked?" You laughed looking down at your sweats and top that you were wearing,

"I am dressed." You mumbled wondering what he was talking about and he frowned shaking his head at you, he didn't have time to play any kind of games with you. If the two of you showed up late to a party again the boys wouldn't drop it, they always teased you because you were late to every group activity you did together.

"For the party. Why aren't you dressed for the party?" He moved so that he could stand in front of you, blocking your view of the television and making you sigh a little. This wasn't exactly how you'd planned on spending your day, you'd wanted to sit and watch cheesy made-for-TV Christmas movies and complain about how bad the acting was. 

"Because I didn't get an invite." You mumbled reaching for the remote and pausing your film as he stared at you, his eyebrows knitting together as he thought about it. Minho slowly lowered himself to sit on the coffee table in front of you as he thought about it some more Of course you were invited. Why wouldn't they invite you along? You and Minho had been dating for almost five years, it was a given that you were going to be spending Christmas together.

"What? Of course, you did." He laughed softly trying to think back on whether or not the boys had asked you or if he was supposed to have asked you.

"Baby, I didn't get invited." You looked at him as he frowned, shaking his head in disbelief. There was no way they wouldn't invite you out of spite, there had to be some kind of reason they hadn't done it.

"That's stupid, I'm sure they just forgot to invite you." He shrugged, playing it off as nothing and standing up from the table and holding out his hands for you to take.

"Or they don't want me there." Insecurity drenched your every word but you couldn't help it. The more you thought about it the more you worried the boys really didn't want you there. Maybe they didn't like you as much as you thought that they did and just put up with you because they had to for Minho's sake.

"Why would you think that?" His eyes and voice softened as he watched you closely,

"I-I don't know," Your voice shook and before you could even process what was happening tears began to roll down your cheeks, your chest beginning to ache as your cries left your throat. Within seconds Minho was sitting beside you on the sofa, wrapping his arms around you and dragging you into the tightest hug that he could possibly manage.

"They love you, you know that right? Felix always loves spending time with you and so does Seumgmin." He reminded you, rubbing his hands up and down your arms as you cried against his chest. Maybe it seemed silly to him that you were crying over not being invited somewhere but this was something you'd spent your whole life dealing with.

Even with friends of your own, you were always left out of group activities and made to feel like the bad guy if you ever asked why they didn't invite you. 

"They love spending time with you. I'm positive that there's going to be an explanation behind it all," Minho whispered to you softly, his hands slowly coming to a stop before he kissed the side of your head lovingly. The last thing he wanted was for you to be upset on one of your favourite days of the year.

"But-" You tried to speak but there was no way he was going to let you talk your way out of this one.

"Nope. You're coming with me, even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming," He smirked at you, tapping your arm a little but you still didn't move from his arms and he chuckled a little.

"You want to put up a little fight today, brat?" He teased softly, tickling your armpits before you wriggled away from him, his arm tightening around you so that you didn't fall on the floor and hurt yourself.

"Come on," He whispered when he heard your sniffling coming to a slow stop and helping you up onto your feet.

"Your outfit is laid out on the bed, yours will match my festive shirt," He smiled, proudly showing off the outfit he was wearing and smirking at you.

"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! If we're late they'll tease us!" He yells as you take off in a sprint toward the staircase and toward your shared room.

It turned out that everything had been a miscommunication on the boy's part. They assumed that you would be spending Christmas with some family members this year and they'd spaced on just asking you about it. Chan had just placed down a card in Uno that you were all playing and you smirked a little. Everyone had finished eating and now you were spending time playing the new Uno game that Changbin had gotten for Felix,

"I'm still on Uno," Felix announced proudly before nervously looking at you and trying to take a sneaky look at your deck,

"Remember, I'm your favourite." He pleaded, begging for you not to do anything bad to him, but he'd won all of the games so far and it was about time someone taught him a lesson.

"I think you'll find I'm their favourite," Minho smirked, kissing your cheek softly before watching you smugly place down a plus 5 and laughing evilly as Felix proceeded to pick up more cards.

"Uno flip is stupid." He grumbled, looking down at his deck before the game continued, all of you laughing and joking about with one another.

Tagline: @chiisaiblog @hanasonmi @sw33tnight @taestannie @acciocriativity @scarletemeterio @halesandy @aerastus @laylasbunbunny @critssq @lenfilms @btsiguess-kpop @meowmeowisdaname @imafivestarkpopstan @lost-leopard-beanie @illicee @djeniryuu @backintomykpopphaseagain @choisoorin

[cosmicstarlatte]

Coffee Shop (Obey Me!)

━━━━━━━━━━ ✦ ━━━━━━━━━━

You start a new job at a coffee shop in a popular plaza. You can't help but look forward to a certain regular. ♡

»Characters: Demon Bros + Dia + Barb

»Tags: Fluff, Bulleted Style, GN Reader, LeviLeviLevi-

»Notes: lol when was the last time I made a bulleted fic that wasn't a shitpost???🤯 Just simple short fluff lol, reblogs are appreciated + motivating ♡

Lucifer:

Always orders a cafe con leche every morning

Keeps interactions short but you learned his name

Always so serious but he does look like a business man

A very very handsome business man cough

After working there for a little bit he admits he likes the way you make his drink & hates when you guys miss each other on days off

One day he comes in normal clothes & you got caught off guard when he made it to the register

"It's my day off but I was craving my usual. I'm glad to see you're here."

Pleaseee you gotta be blushing right now alalfkfldk

You notice the record store bag he's holding & start a fun conversation while its slow

It does get busier & unfortunately have to cut the conversation to both your disappointments

"We can continue this later...maybe over dinner if you're available?"

Mammon:

Usually gets an icy blended drink, the flavor changes frequently

You see him every other day, it looks like he works at a retail store in the plaza

You thought he was cute & funny despite how loud he could be

One day he defends you against a really rude customer

You say your thank yous & give him his drink for free that day

"Yeah I guess I am a hero. Heroes get free drinks all the time though, ya?"

You couldn't help but laugh & accidentally let slip "you're really cute!"

He starts choking on his drink, stuttering & blushing

He goes silent for a moment before asking, "whaddaya say to a date one of these days?"

Levi:

Usually orders sweet drinks & likes trying seasonal/limited time things

You've seen him at his job at the anime store in the plaza, since you visit there sometimes

You two are on friendly terms even though he can be awkward

You think he's very cute though, especially when he talks about his passions

You felt like you two were dancing around eachother so you decide to make a move

You drew a Gundam robot on his drink & wrote 'Gun-DAM you're cute!'

You nervously handed the drink & he took it without noticing the drawing on it

You watched as he left the shop,took another sip, then stop as he looked at his drink

You could see he was happily freaking out but then abruptly stop

He looked back to the shop & you waved a shy hello

He ran back inside to make sure, "S-sorry is this a mistake? W-was this for someone else??"

"Look on the bottom"

He raised the cup & looked under

Levi, AkuCon this weekend?

Satan:

Usually orders a simple cappuccino but will add a flavored syrup occasionally

Comes in often on his breaks

You've seen him working at the bookstore in the plaza

He looks like a simple guy yet very charming

You always notice a book on him & one day you decide to ask what he's reading

You learn you read the same things & start having fun conversations every time he stops by

Eventually he asks you if you'd be able to give your thoughts on his writing

"Sure, I'd be happy to read it if you bring it!"

He gave you a flirty smile

"Actually I was thinking maybe we could hang out...like somewhere that's not here?"

Asmo:

Always orders an iced vanilla oat milk latte

You see him every few days, really friendly customer that loves to chat & you become friends quick even though you want more

You find out he works at a nearby agency & is an up & coming model

You felt a little intimidated, he could be really famous one day!

Nevertheless you treat him just the same even as those around him changed, he lets you know how grateful he is

One day he comes in upset & tells you the agency is moving across town to a bigger location so he won't be able to see you there anymore

At the same time both of you blurt out

"I still wanna see you!"

Beel:

You never know with this guy

He works in the sports store across from the cafe

He's always indecisive with the menu & one day just tells you to make whatever

You're his fave barista, he thinks you make the best drinks either way

Doesn't realize he just likes everything & has a crush on you

You can't help but get excited when he looks excited to see you golden retriever energy

You find out he's a foodie type & you guys talk about the local spots around town

"Would you like to check out the new sandwich store that opened a few doors down? Uh...like, maybe a date?"

Belphie:

Usually orders a hot regular latte but occasionally orders hot chocolate

He appears to be a student as he comes in often to study & always looks tired

One day on your break you decide to chat him up & offer help on the subject he was struggling with

He thought you were cute & was thankful for your help

After a few weeks of tutoring (+some heavy flirting), he passed his exam flawlessly

"Actually can you help me with one other thing?"

"Yeah, what?"

"Would you like to go on a date sometime?"

Diavolo:

Has a new favorite every week but really likes lattes/teas

You can tell he's important with his assistant present

You wonder why the assistant doesnt just get his order though

Anyway hes hot really friendly & chatty & can tell a few good jokes, you appreciate them!

He always seems reluctant to leave the shop which makes your heart flip

Always leaves a big tip! ... I want him to give me a big tip 😔

The two of you find out you have a lot more in common than you thought

One day he admits that these coffee runs are the things he looks forward to the most since his day is usually very busy & doesn't get much else normalcy

He lets slip that it's mainly seeing you that adds to his joy so he goes all in

"If you're interested, care to join me for dinner this weekend?"

Barbatos:

Always large orders of a few different drinks (part of his job)

Though you notice he always orders tea for himself & likes to buy different tea blends

He's a very (cute) polite customer, one of the few

You two usually chat as you make his large order & you can't help but fall for him

Knowing he loves to buy limited release tea blends, you usually save him one before the cafe sells out

You never tell anyone about it but:

"I appreciate you always saving me one."

"Oh? How did you know!?"

"I have a friend who stopped by earlier & said it was one of those times they missed out. Yet, there always appears to be one for me even after sell-out. Thank you kindly."

You blush at being found out, "seems I've been caught!"

He chuckles & gives you another shock:

"I've been meaning to ask...will you allow me to take you out one of these days?"

⬦You might also like: Customer Service︱Devil-Mart ⭐️︱You Are The Father︱MC feeling Insecure

[kingconia]

Can we please please please PLEASE get a Vice Warden version of the "Reader is the characters favorite celebrity"

(obvi, Ortho is a child so if you add him make it platonic. But if you take him out maybe you can add Floyd instead! Plus RUGGIE CUZ HES THE UNOFFICIAL VICE )

Take your time and have fun with the request! If you end up not doing it, now worries lol!

A/N: I actually planned to do that for a while. Thank you for reminding me.

HOW TWISTED WONDERLANDS' VICE-HOUSEWARDENS ACT WHEN YOU ARE THEIR FAVOURITE CELEBRITY

Trey Clover. ❤️

— You are his favourite chef, of course. Who would've guess, right?

— You are a quite popular one, a former student of the Royal Academy, and very controversial figure in the media world, because... Well, you are quite talented, yes, but your attitude is just... Awful;

— Trey doesn't see anything that bad in your character, though! You might appear rude to adults, but he just loves how gentle you are with kids! Gordon Ramsay kinnie, you see;

— He is so. So. Happy, when Riddle accidentally asks you to be a chef for his birthday. A very lucky accident.

•

”Did I make that right?” Ace asks nervously, glancing at the bowl in his hand.

An event that Riddle Rosehearts plans is huge. Thousands of quests from all houses, completely different kitchens for each of them... So, of course, when students of Heartslabyul suggested to help you, you were happy.

Until you realised that they are chronical idiots.

You feel your blood boil, hands curling in fists.

Just how in the world this boy managed to mash raw carrot in fucking puree, when you asked him to cut it merely?! How?!

”You stupid donkey!” A yell that escapes your lips makes another two students, Deuce and Cater, shiver in fear. ”Get off!”

Ace instantly puts bowl on the table, taking a step back.

”M-me?”

”All of you!” You hiss, glaring at three of them. ”Out of this kitchen, idiots. And never, ever, come back here again!”

They shrink, running away instantly. You sigh in relief, but then, catch another figure, a taller one, moving after them.

Trey Clover.

”Hey,” you call for him, calmer this time. ”Where do you think you are going?”

Trey glances at you, completely surprised.

”Y/n-sama told everyone to leave,” he bows his head respectfully.

”Only to idiots,” you huff. ”You can stay, Trey.”

You actually noticed that out all of them, he worked more effectively. He knows how to cook, clearly, and he does so quickly and wordlessly. So, if anyone's help would be truly useful, it is his.

”...That would be a big honour for me, Y/n-sama.”

You smirk.

”Yeah, yeah. Come on. Let's finish here.”

Ruggie Bucchi. 💛

— You are his favourite true-crime blogger, lol. He watches your videos as he eats, and it annoys everyone, which also sometimes leaves him more food;

— You are actually not worldwide popular. You are just a student from NRC, from the Ignihyde, and sometimes, he catches your figure lurking around;

— Ruggie supports you from his side account, leaving a lot of comments, and likes, making other Savanaclaw watch videos, too. There is nothing more soothing that listening a gentle voice explaining how someone's body was dismembered, after all!

— Once, you decide to start a special event week: a true crimes connected to each house of the NRC. And Ruggie is especially exited for Savanaclaw video, only to find out that...

•

”Ah, you are Ruggie, correct?”

Ruggie flinches.

He recognises this voice from everywhere.

When he turns to the sound of the voice, he founds you, his favourite person in the world, standing in front of him. You look shy, as if it is not you, who constantly speaks of murders so eagerly.

”Y-yeah, hello, Y/n.”

...Shit, he shouldn't know your name.

”Hi!” You wave your hand. ”I am so sorry to bother you, but, I am busy with a project right now... It is connected with crimes in different locations that representing houses here. And, I spoke with Leona-sama this morning...”

Wow, you really caught Leona Kingscholar in the early morning? Awake? It is another proof for Ruggie's PowerPoint presentation about how cool and perfect you are!

”...But he told me that if anyone is better informed about crimes in Savanna, it is you, since, well, your class differences... I am so sorry, did it sound rude?”

Ruggie had never been happier to be poor.

”You came to the right person,” he exclaims with the coolest expression he has in his arsenal. ”Don't worry, Y/n. I will be your guide in the most darkest parts of the Afterglow Savanaclaw.”

You beam. He tries look collected, but fails.

”Ah, Ruggie, you are the best!”

It is going to be the best week in his life!

Leona-sama:

Brat

Firstly, she is fucking scary

Secondly you owe me for this one

Jade Leech. 🩵

— You are his favourite photographer. At first, you only share your works at art exhibitions, but recently you created a page in the Magicam, to have more connection with your followers;

— Jade is amazed by the way you see this world. How gracefully you present the nature, how gently you portrait people, and how skillfully you froze time! Ah, you are amazing!

— Jade always tries to see more of the world that was closed to him before, and your works are a great help for him;

— ...He is absolutely stunned, when Azul tells him that payed you to come to the opening of the renewed Monster Lounge as the photographer, though.

•

Jade is... Slightly frustrated.

To think, that Azul had an opportunity to employ a walking talent for a few hours, and he used this chance to take photos of the Lounge... Impossible!

He sighs.

He respects Azul, of course, but sometimes he is such a baby.

”Good evening,” Jade greets you with a polite smile on his face, hoping to conceal his genuine amazement. ”How is here to your liking?”

You are straightening your back, stopping taking pictures of the main hall. As you turn to Jade, your eyes lit up curiously.

”You must be... Jade, correct?”

You know his name.

”Indeed, I am,” he nods.

”Thank you, it is fine,” you shift from one foot to another, and he can say there is something you want to do. ”Ah, excuse me, but... Can I ask you something?”

Jade nods again, tilting his head on the left. What with your great mind came up this time?

”...Am I allowed to take a few photos of you?”

Now, it is his turn to be surprised.

If anything, Jade has never been an interesting subject for others' eyes. But here you are, his favourite person in the world, wishing to take his photos—

”Are you sure?” As you nod vigorously, he can't help but laugh shortly. ”Then, of course. Do as you please.”

But if you see it in him, something charming and breathtaking, then there are must be he something. Because you are never wrong.

...And when on the next morning, Azul asks him to explain why the fuck there is Jade's photos instead of Monster Lounge's, as they had an agreement with you, he shrugs.

’You asked me to show others the beauty of your Lounge,’ you write Azul later, absolutely unremorseful. ’And I did.’

Oh, you can't even understand how happy you made a certain someone!

Floyd Leech. 🩵

— Do you know those accounts of tarot and astrology readers, who constantly goes live to speak with audience and made them an online reading? Yes, Floyd adores you for this;

— I feel that he sincerely curious about all this stuff, and though, at first, it was only an aesthetic interest as he found you pretty, now, he is too deep in this to pull out;

— He listens to your everyday advice videos religiously, and I am not even kidding. He trusts you too much, and at some point Jade starts worrying about him;

— Floyd is absolutely reckless and shameless, so, of course, he decides to make a first move unexpectedly and openly.

•

”Since it is a Lover's day, I might as well today be more focused on romantic readings,” you warn, shuffling cards in your hands, eyes fixated on the chat. ”So, write first name of yours, and, your lover's, and both of your ages. Will see how it goes.”

Tarot cards have been a huge part of your life since you were a kid, watching your mom and aunt doing that, whispering quietly. It was only natural that eventually you became an esoteric, too.

It is not your work or main to-do thing, more like a hobby, and an instrument to help others. And most of the time, you are doing it for free. Unless, someone wants to pay you, of course.

”Hm, who is here...”

You see a familiar username.

Floyd Leech is a quite constant fan of yours, always liking your videos, commenting them ridiculously, and asking questions about this and that. So, you decide to start with him. Just ouf of respect.

”Floyd, seventeen and... Y/n, whatever your age is,” you read out aloud.

As you understand what that meant, your cheeks flush instantly. You almost drop your tarot on the floor.

Is he trying to hit on you?! Just like that?!

”I... Uhm...”

What should you do? You spoke with him a few times, yes, and it has been more or less fine? Yet... Urgh.

You take a random card from the bottom of it.

Lovers.

Shit.

”You have some good chances here, Floyd” you finally manage to say that aloud, looking away from camera. ”Just be more forward. And private.”

There is no answer—or it gets lost in many new comments—and you distract yourself with other followers. Until a notification appears on the top of your phone.

Floyd_Leech:

hi :)

You almost groan.

What an impossible man?!

Jamil Viper. 🧡

— Might be not entirely accurate, but you are his favourite book critic! I feel, like whenever Jamil has some time to himself, he reads, and if he doesn't, he listens to all these podcasts or three hours long videos about why a certain book good or bad;

— He finds you accidentally, and since then obsessively checks out your every video, even the oldest ones. Puts notifications on. Follows on other social media. Loves your content;

— He is definitely a more quiet supporter. He likes your videos, but never comments them. So, there is no direct contact between two of you;

— At least, until he bumps into you by accident. In Scalding Sands. On the summer holidays. How insane is that?

•

Jamil knows that you travel a lot, he has seen your highlights in Magicam, but how could he expect to meet you in the bazar of all places?! This place is noisy, awful and there is nothing beautiful or picturesque! What would you do here? And with a book in your hands, too.

”The sands of Love,” title says.

It sounds ridiculous already.

”Shit,” you hiss, rubbing his shoulder with your free hand. ”I am sorry.”

”Please, be careful,” he murmurs quietly, trying to act normal as if he doesn't update your channel every morning and night in the search of new content.

Anyway, Jamil is slightly freaking out. Just a little.

”I am trying, but this book is so awful, I want to die,” he chuckles fondly, a familiarity of your words that you say so often from the screen on his phone, softening him. ”You know, I bought this goddamn book, and the setting of it is here, like, in Scalding Sands. So, I came here to check some details. Like traditions, and, and stuff. And you know, it is all a fucking bullshit—”

So, you made your way to here just to... Criticise an obviously bad book with even more reasoning?

God, he loves you.

”...And, and...” You stutted. Blushing suddenly, you sigh. ”I am so sorry. I shouldn't be dumping that on you.”

Jamil tries his best to offer you a rare smile of his.

”Oh, but I am interested now. Would you mind continue telling me about this book?” He can't help but notice how cutely your eyes lit up. ”But not here, obviously. Please, let's go. I will find a quieter place for you.”

...Seems, like all his luck was saved just for this moment to happen, because you actually follow him, continuing your blabbering.

What a beautiful day it is.

Rook Hunt. 💜

— You are his favourite opera singer! When Rook sees you for the first time, he is in awe. Your beauty, your voice — it is everything. He knows, just from the first sight, that he will be a Phantom of Opera for your Christine;

— He buys the best, and I must stay, the most expensive places for your opera, but keeps himself hidden away for a while. Doesn't need to be seen, he is in his studying sessions;

— Rook is not pleased if you are not a leading singer. He will make everything for this fact to change in future. Would giggle if overhears you saying how lucky you are... If you want him to be your luck, then so be it;

— When Rook is sure that his work more or less done, and he is ready, he will finally meet with you personally.

•

”It is a shame I never noticed you before,” you shake your head, cheeks darkened from the amount of complements you had heard in past ten minutes. ”And you've been here for me from my debut? I am so flattered...”

A boy in front of you smiles eagerly, pressing another warm kiss on the back of your hand.

”Ah, mon inspiration, it is me who is blessed and grateful for being able to witness something so beautiful and generous... The rise of the angel of Opera, indeed!”

His eyes are shining with a pure awe. You almost squirm, when Rook falls on his knees, cheek pressing to your well-kissed hand. You are fighting a wish to caress his cheek just as you do with your cat at home.

”If Gods ever existed, at least one of them, it must be you, their last creation, a gift for dying civilisation!”

”Ah, Rook,” you giggle, getting more and more shy with each second. ”Please... Maybe, you want to... See with me later? Beyond these walls? I mean... Don't get me wrong, of course, it is just...”

It might be a risky movement, you know. Yet, you can't help but feel attracted to the person, who stares at you as if you are the Creator yourself.

”I would be more than glad, mon ange,” his voice becomes quieter, yet, a little more nervous. ”I love that one café in front of this opera, if you care to know. I often order there their special drink... The fall of the Devil, isn't it?”

You blink in surprise.

”That is my favourite, too!” You exclaim enthusiastically.

”Really?” Somehow, he doesn't really look surprised. ”Well, then, after getting drinks, we, perhaps, could see the Art Gallery... Had you ever seen a whole room dedicated to the minerals from different countries? It is my favourite one.”

Your chest warms.

”Mine too!”

You hope it doesn't look like you try to impress him by mirroring his answers, but it is really this way.

Seems, like Rook just knows everything you love!

”I feel like we are a perfect match, mon destin.”

And, somehow, you can't disagree.

Lilia Vanrouge. 💚

— This man is hard to impress... But, you are his favourite... Psychologist. Alright, I know it sounds ridiculous, but I think, considering the fact that he was the general for a long time, never caring about human emotions before, and then suddenly adopted three idiots, and that with having his own trauma, he takes a great interest in the psychology;

— So, when he accidentally finds your account, where you speak of different problems, navigate people through theirs, and merely discussing different situations in the world from the point of psychology, he dives in;

— I don't think that Lilia goes on appointment, though. I think, he masters psychology through your channel, instead. He is such a self-taught and crazy-ass talented person;

— When you are invited to work as a school psychologist in the NRC, since Crowley realised that overbolts might or might not be because of lacking a one, Lilia is actually really excited. And he doesn't hide it!

•

”Seeing how mature you are, how healthy you analyse all these situations with overbolted students,” you make a small sip of tea, smirking shortly, ”I can't help but feel slightly proud of myself.”

Lilia laughs quietly, extending you more chocolate muffins that he obtained from the cafeteria just for you.

Since from the first day, two of you became a great friends. And, though, of course, it is you who should take care of him—since he is a student as well—Lilia yet can't help but worry about how much you work, skipping meals constantly, because, apparently, everyone wants your help.

”You are great at what you are doing, Y/n-sama,” he smiles mischievously.

Though both of you are quite old, centuries of life long ago left behind, there is a certain childishness inside of you, that you prefer to call a healthy life enjoyment. A term that Lilia now uses every time when someone tries to lecture him about being too immature.

”Thank you, thank you, Lilia-kun,” you bow your head jokingly. ”But, seriously, I need a proper schedule with all of these kids. But they just can't stop coming... I don't know what is so traumatising about this school, honestly. It is about lessons?”

Lilia laughs.

”Maybe. I mean, my genuine wish to start a massacre returns sometimes, when headmaster comes on our lessons...”

You smack him slightly, chuckling softly.

”I see, now. Honestly, after meetings with him, I too, search for the professional help...”

As both of you laugh, Lilia watches you relaxing eventually.

Ah, who would've thought that a person who helped him unconsciously once, would eventually became his friend?.. What a crazy world he lives in!

[doe-eyed-fool]

Fear Of The Known

Lucifer x Fem!Angel!Reader

|Chapter Three|

Michael was starting to act like his old self again. He was leaving his home more, and even spending more time with his brothers.

Speaking of.

Y/n never thought she'd be around Michael as much as she had since that day. Dare she even say, she and him were growing fairly close. Sure, they had been friends for a long time, but it was never like this. Spending more time with each other, having long talks, and just being in each other's company.

Y/n was grateful for Michael's company more than anything. She needed someone else to mourn with, at least, that's how it was at the start. Now, she felt the need to be with him just to simply be with him.

Yes, they had truly became closer friends overtime. And Michael was just as grateful for Y/n being around. He had his brothers, he had his heavenly father, but he was glad he had someone to call friend.

Together, they would slowly move on from Lucifer. Though, they would never forget him.

They made each other happy, comforted each other during rough times. Maybe things can finally go back to the way they were.

A sudden gasp left Y/n, alerting Michael. "What is it?" He asks. Y/n blinks a few times, putting a hand to her head. "It's Lucifer..."

Or maybe not.

Michael's expression fell. "What about him?" Y/n looks to Michael, and quietly answers.

"He and Lilith will soon have a daughter."

There was a look of shock on Michael's face. "A daughter?" Y/n nods. "Charlotte Morningstar, is her name. In just two months, she will be born."

Michael furrowed his brows, he fell silent as he was thinking. After a moment he exhales. "Do you see any possible threat coming from this?" He asks. Y/n shakes her head. "No, at least, not now."

"Alright then." Michael starts. "Then we should tell the others immediately."

"Right. Sera should know what to do next." Y/n says. "Actually, Y/n." Michael sighs. "I believe we should inform father before anyone else."

Y/n froze. She had not spoken to God in person for quite some time. Not since Lucifer fell...

"You're nervous." Michael places a hand on her shoulder. "That's an understatement." Y/n sighs shakily. "Lucifer was his son...and because I chose not to speak up, he's gone."

Michael offers her a comforting smile. "Y/n. You know my father, he is one of, if not, the most forgiving being there ever was. If I, and my brothers forgave you. Then I know he has. I will stay with you while you speak with him, if that will help?"

Y/n smiles a bit. "It would. Thank you, Michael."

"Of course, Y/n. Now, let's be off." Michael says as he takes her hand in his. The two of them were teleported inside of God's palace, just outside of his throne room.

Y/n inhaled and exhaled shakily, but she became slightly less tense as she felt Michael's hand gently squeeze hers.

"Are you ready?" Asked Michael. Y/n takes one more deep breath. "I am." Michael knocks at the door, and after a moment, someone called from the other side.

"Come in."

Michael and Y/n entered the room, ahead of them stood Galim. And right next to them, was none other than God himself. He easily towers at a towering ten and a half feet tall.

Upon noticing the two, God smiled brightly. "Ah, Michael! Hello my son!" He greets with open arms. Michael smiles and approaches him, leading Y/n along.

"And Y/n, always a pleasure to see you, dear!" God nods his head to her. Y/n looked up at him and tried her best to return the smile without seeming nervous. "It's nice to see you too, your majesty." She says respectfully.

God waved his had with a scoff. "None of that royal formalities, please. We're all friends here."

"Right." Y/n cleared her throat. She nervously glanced over to Michael, who gave her an encouraging nod. "Um, I apologize for showing up unannounced. But, I have news to share of the future. It's highly important."

"Of course." God says with a grin. "It involves Lucifer, I'm afraid." Y/n says cautiously. The smile on God's face fell, he was silent for a moment. Even Galim looked shocked by the news, they glanced up at God worryingly.

"And, what of him?" He asks.

"In two months time, his wife Lilith, will give birth to a baby girl named Charlotte Morningstar." Y/n explains. "So far, I see nothing we should need to fret over. Especially not while she is an infant. I can not say anything more than that for now."

God inhales and turns away from the three. Galim and Michael both looked concern, while Y/n was on the verge of panic.

This was fine. She needed to do this. She did the right thing, telling God about this. And yet, she couldn't help but worry about what he might do next...

But she did the right thing.

She couldn't let what happened before ever happen again. She tried to protect Lucifer before, and looked where it got him. Look what's happened to Heaven's progress, and the Earth now corrupted beyond repair. All because she did not speak up.

She did the right thing.

She did.

"Thank you for telling me, Y/n." God finally spoke. Y/n nods. "Of course."

"I suppose there is nothing we can do but what and see what will become of Lucifer's daughter in the future. Speaking of..." God turns to face Y/n again. "I'm sorry to ask, but I'd like it if you would look into the future of Charlotte Morningstar from now on. And please keep me informed."

"Yes, of course." Y/n tells him.

"If that is all?" God wonders. Michael nods. "Yes. Thank you for seeing us, father." He reaches for Y/n’s hand, ready to take her home. But before he could, God spoke again.

"Before you go, Y/n, may I speak with you for a moment? Privately."

Y/n's heart stopped for a moment. But she remained calm on the outside. "Alright."

Galim starts off out of the room, they noticed Michael hesitating before slowly following after.

After they left, God sighed before slumping on his throne. He brought a hand to his head. "Well, I suppose I am happy Lucifer isn't alone down there. He's even starting a family of his own." The smallest of smiles grew on his face, a sad one however. "Looks like I'm going to be a grandpa. It's a shame I can't congratulate him personally..."

There was that guilty feeling again. "I'm...I'm sorry." Y/n starts. "I should have done more to prevent him from going to that meeting. Maybe he'd still be here, if I had."

God moved his hand onto his lap. "I don't think anyone could have prevented him from going. Not even me." He chuckles. "Lucifer was a dreamer like none other. He'd stop at nothing to accomplish what he's reaching for." There was a fond smile on God's face. "He was truly one of my greatest creations."

Y/n felt tears gathering in her eyes. "He was." She says softly.

"Y/n. Back then, was there any future you saw where Lucifer's dreams became reality?" God asks. Y/n thinks back, after a moment she answers.

"One." She starts, smiling weakly. "And he looked so happy."

God was silent, smile still on his face, but Y/n did not miss the slight tremble in his shoulders.

Or the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes.

Y/n did as she was told, and kept tabs on Charlotte's future. So far so good. There was nothing that Heaven should be concerned about. Speaking of Charlotte, it wasn't long after she was born that all of Heaven knew who she was.

But again, Charlotte posed no threat to them. At least, not so far.

Throughout her childhood, and even into her adulthood, Charlotte was...surprisingly nice.

Really nice. To nice.

She lived in Hell all her life, and yet, she was the sweetest demon down there. It baffled everyone in Heaven. How could a demon be nice? Not only nice. But caring, merciful, pleasant, and so on.

And all of her own choice. She was never taught to be that way, she just, is.

But what bewildered Y/n the most, was what she would learn next of Charlotte's future.

"A hotel? To rehabilitate sinners?" Sera scoffs. "This is unheard of. No demon can be redeemed."

Sera was the second person you've told about this. God already knew about Charlotte's new project and seemed...confused? He definitely was shocked, there was no doubt about that.

"Charlotte seems to be very passionate about it." Y/n starts. "She even manages to get two people on board with this project of hers. Maybe even three. One who has an immense amount of power."

"An immense amount of power, you say?" Sera hums. "Y/n. Look further, please. I need to know just what we are to expect out of that...project."

"I'll try." Y/n says before closing her eyes. So far, she saw the same future as before. Charlotte Morningstar opens a hotel to rehabilitate sinners. Two others join her. A woman and a man. Then another man, one who radiates raw demonic power.

Y/n tries to look further down the line. Two more show up, significantly weaker than the previous man. Then there is Charlotte again, she's meeting with someone.

Y/n focusing in on who she's talking to. When she realizes who it is, her eyes shoot open.

"What is it?" Asks Sera.

"Charlotte Morningstar will arrive in Heaven. Very soon."

Sera looked puzzled for a moment before her expression returned to neutral. "I see. I will bring this up with Adam personally, thank you Y/n. That will be all."

"But, don't you need to know why?" Y/n asks. "No. If I can help it, this meeting will be avoided entirely. Now, I must speak with Adam, so if you'll please..." Sera says dismissively.

Y/n was confused, but decided to take her leave anyhow. Technically, Sera and the other Seraphims had authority above her. Y/n didn't want to push her luck by disobeying, and risk upsetting the head Seraphim.

Otherwise, Y/n would have questioned Sera as to why now she didn't want to know as much as about the future as possible. Surely Charlotte Morningstar meeting with the first man would raise some questions.

So why wouldn't Sera want to know why the meeting between them was called? Sera most certainly wouldn't have called for it. None of the Archangels would have any reason to. Even God wouldn't have done something like that.

Not unless there was a reason.

Y/n could help but feel like something was off...

Tags-

@bloody-delusion-expert

[tinywagoncolorbat]

GAICHE ADLAI X READER PLSSS IM BEGGING (and reader is jealous of grey bc I am) if you don’t want to you don’t have to but please do any setting where you can write best!

I haven't had any luck with writing for months now but I absolutely love Gauche and really want to try writing for him because there is not enough of him out there

I am also currently rewatching Black Clover so it's perfect timing

Your just as important as Marie

Gauche Adlai x Fem!BlackBullsReader

Summary: You decide to go shopping alone instead of waiting for him but you run into him in town with gray

Warning: Fluff, Slight angst?, Cursing, Jealousy, Gauche might be a little out of character

Word count: 800+

It's been a few hours since you've seen Gauche. You heard something about him helping Gray with her shyness.

It upset you a little because he's been spending a lot of time with her lately and you found a nice new shop in the capital that has really good toys and treats for kids, so you were hoping to go shopping with him for Marie.

You wander out into the main area of the Black Bulls base hoping they would be back by now.

You take a look around and notice almost everyone is out on missions or is training.

You let out a loud sigh "Guess I'll just have to go shopping by myself then" You say as you grab your broom and head for the capital.

You arrive and you keep flying over the buildings to try to find the shop you found not too long ago when you hear a familiar voice.

You fly down to the street you hear the voice and jump off your broom to get a better look at the loud yelling that you seem to recognize somewhere.

You walk closer to see Marie standing In the street. You turn your head to see Gauche with a nose bleed screaming that he loved her and running toward her to hug her.

You stood there smiling at him because that's just like him, Until he's right in front of her and she transforms back into gray.

Your heart stops as you see Gauche and gray standing incredibly close to each other and him complaining that she changed back.

You start to feel really insecure by watching this so you walk forward to interrupt them.

"There you are Gauche, I've waiting to see you all day" You say with a hint of sadness in your voice as you approach them.

"Oh, hello dear. What are you doing here" Gauche asks when he turns and sees you there. Gray immediately panicked and tried to hide herself.

"There was a new shop i found a while ago that would have nice things for Marie, and since you weren't back yet i was going to go by myself" you say nervously while playing with you're fingers.

"New things for my beautiful angel, I will gladly come with you" Gauche states as his nose starts bleeding at the thought of new gifts for Marie. "I'll have to help you later gray, my darling Marie needs some gifts"

You smile at him as you start walking in the direction of the store. "It's a little ways down this street"

He runs up besides you and starts talking about what he could get for Marie from this shop. "Will i be able to get my angel some new dresses, Or maybe some new dolls that she can play with"

You just hum and nod along with what he's saying, fully focused on what you saw with him and gray just a minute ago.

He kept rambling until he realized you weren't responding and helping him think of what to get her. He stop talking and looked down and seen the sad expression you had on your face. "Is something bothering you" He blurts out.

You stop walking and look up at him. "It's nothing, don't worry about it" You wave it off putting on a smile.

He stops to stand in front of you too see you better. "Don't say that, it makes me what to know more.

You look up at him and then look back down at the ground. "It's just.." You trail off for a second, then take a deep breath deciding to just rip off the band-aid and just ask. "Do you have feelings for gray" You quickly say without looking at him.

At first he gets angry at the fact that you think he would like somebody else, then he realizes that your worrying about this a lot. He lets out a breath to calm down so he doesn't say anything mean and make this worse.

He puts a hand on your cheek to make you look up at him. "Gray is just a colleague and that is all she will ever be. Next to my darliing angel Marie you're the most important person in my life" He pauses and looks at you for a second.

"Actually, Your just as important as Marie is too me"

You look at him with pure shock as you eyes start to water. "You really mean that?"

"I do, I love you y/n" He say with a smile on his face.

Tears start streaming down your face as you hear the words you never though he'd say to you. "I love you too" You happily say smiling back at him.

He uses his thumbs to wipe the tears away as he leans down to leave a gentle kiss on your lips.

After he pulls away you looks at you with a slight nose bleed. "now lets go to that new shop so i can spend all my money on my sweet angel"

"Sounds good" You say as you grab his hand and lead his down the street to the shop.

[lgbtsana]

ELECTRIC TOUCH

– WINTER ONESHOT

PERM TAG LIST: @run2seob

GENRE: y/n breakup, fated meeting, fated lovers, soulmates, strangers to lovers, nextdoor neighbors.

your boyfriend broke up with you two months ago. he had found another woman, and took the apartment you had been paying for. though, you were able to get the apartment back after showing the bills to the landlord, you still felt hurt.

just when all felt lost, you got a new nextdoor neighbor.

slowly waking up and looking at the time, you realize you're, yet again, late for work. you quickly got out of bed and got ready.

while the day seemed nice, birds chirping, clear blue sky, perfect weather. you were hurting, making the day seem terrible.

ever since the breakup, you haven't felt like yourself. everything seemed horrible and you didn't like that. you tried many methods to cheer you up, such as, hanging out with friends, going to karaoke. nothing seemed to work.

you tried going on a blind date, but he just wasn't your type, but you also didn't want to have the guy as a rebound.

suddenly, you heard driving outside your window. there was a moving truck, making you remember that you have a new neighbor as of today.

“i should probably go greet them..” you mumbled, thinking of a last minute gift to bring to them. “ah! the cookies!” the night before you made cookies, chocolate chunk.

grabbed a tupperware container, you placed four cookies inside.

you opened your apartment door and stuck your head out, checking to see if anyone had come up yet. noticing no one, you walked out and then noticed a blonde female in the corner of your eye.

“you must be my neighbor,” the female shyly spoke, “i've been excited to move in, so hello.” she waved with a gentle smile. your eyes locked on hers, the tense air lifting.

you felt your heart leap as soon as you saw her, she was breathtaking. you couldn't help but blush slightly within her presence.

“yes, hi. i am your neighbor.” you whispered, feeling nervous around her. she was just so beautiful, you felt like a peasant in her presence.

“huh? sorry, i didn't hear you..”

“ah! i'm your neighbor, nice to meet you...?” you were able to speak a full sentence, yet your voice shook nervously. “i’m y/n, seo y/n, you are?”

“ah! kim minjeong! nice to meet you.” minjeong held out her hand, waiting for you to shake it.

gladly taking her small, gloved, hand, you shook her hand, nodding as if acknowledging her name. you found it odd she had her hands gloves, but you brushed it off.

“so we’ll be next door neighbors from now on huh?” she smiled, “at least my new neighbor is nice!” she laughed slightly, before she turned on her heel. “i need to unpack, talk later?” she stuck a note in your jean pocket before leaving.

pulling the note out of your pocket, without touching you, her door shut. you opened it to see her phone number on it, you couldn't help but giggle.

you put her number in your phone, sending a text, just letting her know your number.

a few hours later, you received a text back and you both chatted over the phone. a conversation that was fun, something that you hadn't had in a while. for the first time in a while, you were smiling. her little jokes or puns made you laugh, after your breakup, it was hard to laugh because of the pain of it.

yet, minjeong was somehow able to make you laugh. it was nice.

the next day, you were taking out your trash and noticed minjeong. her hands still gloved, yet you just didn't mind it. maybe it was something with her health, you didn't mind either way.

“oh hey!” you exclaimed excitedly, your voice louder than it had been in a while. visibly surprised, she turned to you with a smile.

“taking out your trash?” she came over to you, placing her gloved hand on your shoulder. answering her question with a nod, she giggled at you, “your little reactions are so cute!”

you felt your heart flutter, your face flushing at the sudden compliment.

as if on queue, her phone pinged. “i gotta go, my boss is calling me. talk later?” she asked, waiting for your response, “of course.”

minjeong smiled at your answer and left. skipping away happily, which you couldn't help but laugh to yourself.

the compliments didn't stop after that, left and right, a compliment came your way from minjeong. and, everytime, you went speechless with a red face.

she couldn't help but find anything you did adorable. the feelings between the both of you continued to grow.

one day, she invited you over to her place. of course, you accepted, your crush on her still growing.

“you called?” you teased, giggling. “indeed i did, princess!” her nickname for you slipping off her tongue easily.

“i thought i told you to stop calling me that, minjeong~” you whined, not hating the nickname.

“you did, but it suits you!” minjeong pouted, “the nickname stays, princess.” she stuck her tongue out.

feeling defeated you sighed, knowing you wouldn't win, “fine, fine.”

for the first time, you noticed her gloves off. she noticed your surprised look, and asked, “what?”

you took her hand in yours and looked at it, “no gloves...”

until, you felt an electric shock? visibly looking in pain, she pulled her hand away. her gloves getting put back on her hands.

“are you okay? i'm so sorry!” she apologized, concerned yet her voice trembled.

“i'm fine, are you okay?” you asked her, noticing her trembling.

you rested a hand on her shoulder, before petting her back, telling her to calm down and that you're okay.

her gloved hand touched your cheek and she kissed you gently.

taken aback, you didn't react at first. “i- i'm so sorry..” she whispered when she pulled away, seeing the shock on your face.

before she could run away, you placed your lips back on hers. both of your lips moving in sync, hungry for each other. minjeong took a chance to advance and pinched your skin, making you open your mouth. her tongue dancing with your own, your one hand gripped on the sleeve of her shirt. the other on the back of her neck, holding her soft hair.

the heavy breathing from the two became elaborate, you both feeling hot and almost devouring one another.

minjeong became to grin into the kiss, moving her hand down to the rim of your shorts.

minjeong was the first to pull away, both of you breathing heavily. the tension in the room evident.

“wow..” she whispered, still close enough to kiss again. your eyes stared into hers, still hungry for more.

placing a gentle kiss on your cheek, “another time~” she winked, grabbing your hand.

“i have something to tell you.” the sentence made your face drop, “oh.” you whispered.

“oh! that's not what i mean, princess.” she reassured, “you know that shock you got earlier?”

you nodded, remembering the moment, “well, my mom called it a soulmate shock, though i am not completely sure what it means, i just know it means we are fated lovers?” she shrugged, looking at you with hopeful eyes.

you couldn't help but smile, your face lighting up with joy. “so, does that mean we date?”

minjeong pulled you in for a cuddle, “or more, you never know~”

NOTE: i really hope you enjoyed! that was my first time writing a makeout scene so i hope it was good! give me feedback on how i can improve in the future.

[kiiwiigii]

The Letter

Felix x Fem!Reader

Summary: A very important letter that holds the fate of your writing career finally arrives, hopefully with good news.

Warnings:

Fluff!!

Word Count: 1k+

Requested?: Yes! I hope you enjoy it @twilightlover2007 and congratulations to you!!

Hello! I'd love to see Felix celebrating his mate becoming a published author.(happening to me within the next 2 months!) 3rd person please and thank you!

A/N: This was so much fine to write!

The letter shook in her hands. All the hard work she had put in over the last year, everything she had hoped and dreamed of could be right here in her hands. Y/N shivered with excitement, but her nervousness was getting the better of her.

"Darling." Felix rubbed his cool hands up and down her arms soothingly. "You have to open it sometime."

Y/N nodded, grabbed the letter opener from her desk, and went to open it before Felix's hand stopped her.

"Perhaps it is better if I do the actual opening bit. I would rather not have any blood spilled."

She looked up at him with a raised brow. "Babe, it's a letter opener. It's not all that sharp."

"Y/N. You have managed to cut yourself with a butterknife before. Pardon me, but a butterknife is duller than this letter opener."

Y/N swatted his hands away with a glare. "I need to do this myself, Felix. Besides, the butterknife thing was a freak accident."

"Freak accidents are supposed to be rare, darling." Felix grumbled but let her continue, eyeing her warily.

Y/N gave an indignant sniff before slipping the letter opener beneath the fold of the envelope, slicing it open with a quick jerk of her hand, as one would go about ripping off a band-aid. She took a deep breath before finally unfolding the little piece of paper that could, no, would change everything. Her eyes scanned the paper, her heart nearly beating out of her chest.

Felix watched her anxiously. The Volturi had connections, he could have easily pulled a few strings and she would have been published in a heartbeat. But Y/N had refused, nearly insulted that he had even suggested such a thing. She had felt so insulted that she hadn't talked to him for nearly a week. That week had been hell, and Felix had nearly ripped off Demetri's head when he started teasing.

He couldn't stand when Y/N wasn't talking to him. To the point where he had gone to Sulpicia and Athenodora in desperation after the fourth day. It had taken a lot of groveling to get back into Y/N's good graces. A LOT.

Y/N began to shake even harder as her eyes rushed back and forth over the page, her mouth turning up into a grin.

She turned around and practically tackled Felix with a happy shriek.

"It's an offer! They want to publish my book!!"

Felix felt relief flood through him, grabbing her by the waist and swinging her up and around in a happy spin. She laughed in delight.

"I think this calls for a celebration my love." Felix chuckled, pulling her into a hug, her feet still dangling off the ground as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He bent down to nuzzle into her own neck, placing a light kiss on her pulse point. "I am so proud of you, Y/N. I knew you could do it."

Y/N only grinned and hugged him tighter. After a moment he set her down and cupped her face, pulling her for a sweet, lingering kiss. Y/N let out a low moan causing him to chuckle once again.

"Not that kind of celebration, love. At least right now. Maybe later, if you are up for it." He winked at her as she pouted a bit. "Come, let's get you dressed. Heidi already has something laid out for you in your room."

Y/N's eyebrows shot up before squinting at him suspiciously. "Did you-"

"No!" Felix waved his hands back and forth frantically.

He didn't know if he could stand her ignoring him for another week. Well, he had his suspicions that it would be way longer than a week, but he did not want to test that theory.

He cupped her face again, pressing his forehead to hers.

"I just knew you could do it, so I had a little help preparing a celebration for you. Just the two of us."

She clasped one of her hands over his, leaning into it with a happy sigh. She really did love Felix. As terrifying as he appeared to everyone else, he was just a big teddy bear. His faith in her had her in tears and Felix began to panic again.

"Why are you crying? Why are you crying??"

"Relax, love. They are happy tears." She nuzzled into his hand. "Thank you."

Felix's eyebrows furrowed. "Thank you? For what?"

"Believing in me."

"I will always believe in you. Always. Come now, off you go. Get dressed and I will pick you up in thirty minutes, sound good?"

Y/N giggled and stole another quick kiss. "'Kay."

She took off, still giggling and clutching the letter in her hand. Felix grinned watching her go, his non-beating heart swelling up with love and pride. His girl was going to be a published author. Her dreams were finally coming true and he felt honored to be with her and watch it happen.

Y/N eyed the outfit on her bed as if it might bite her. It was rather… revealing. She wondered if she get away with a different outfit. Maybe Felix didn't know what it looked like. But Heidi did. Would she be willing to chance Heidi's wrath? She tapped her finger against her chin, seriously debating before deciding against it.

Besides, Felix would probably go mad staring at her tonight. She did enjoy torturing him a little now and again. She slipped on the black dress, liking the way it hugged her curves and the way her leg peaked out from the thigh-high slit. Normally she would have considered this fine, had it not been for the plunging neckline that ran down the valley between her breasts, stopping maybe an inch or two below.

Makeup? Done.

Dress? On.

Heels? A little too high, but nonetheless.

Purse? Where was her purse?

Y/N looked back on the bed. Heidi hadn't left a purse with the outfit? Maybe she didn't need one? But Y/N never went anywhere without a purse. Even if it was just a small clutch for the basic necessities. Frowning, she began to dig through her closet. She had a small silver clutch that would match somewhere.

"Looking for this?"

She let out a small shriek, turning around to see Felix holding out a small purse.

"Felix! I could have been naked!"

His eyes wandered up and down her body in an appraising manner, happy with what he was seeing if his smirk was anything to go by. Then he quirked an eyebrow at her.

"As if I have not seen you naked before, love?"

She could feel the fierce blush working itself up from her neck to her cheeks, but held her hand out for her purse, only to be given a box.

"Uhm, Felix?" She looked at him suspiciously. "This is a box."

"I am well aware. I have eyes you know."

Her blush intensified as his eyes traveled up and down her body appreciatively again, a smirk on his lips.

"Open it, love."

Hesitantly, Y/N opened the box, moving aside the tissue paper to reveal a beautiful leather purse. She had to blink back tears again for the second time that day. The purse was fashioned to look like a thick, old-fashioned book with the title of her own book embossed on the cover and spine in gold, along with her name.

"It's beautiful Felix. How- what would you have done had my manuscript been rejected?"

"I told you, I believe in you."

She grinned up at him, standing on the tips of her toes to try and reach his mouth. Even then she barely brushed his shoulders, so she pulled him down to her level by the collar of his shirt. The kiss was soft and sweet, both of them pouring all the love that they felt into it.

Reluctantly Felix pulled away, brushing his nose against hers.

"Put what you need in your purse. We must get going or we will be late."

"Late?"

"Surely you did not think that you would get all dressed up just to receive a purse, did you?"

Y/N proceeded to stash a few things in her new favorite purse, rubbing her thumbs lovingly over the supple leather as she went along.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"To dinner."

"Dinner?" She perked up in excitement before frowning. "But I will be the only one eating."

"Y/N." Felix put his hands on her arms, thumbs circling over her smooth skin. "I have already taken care of everything, I promise."

Her shoulders relaxed again. "I swear if you have a random human to drain at the table-"

Felix let out a booming laugh and she grinned up at him.

"I would never be so crass, love." He adjusted the hair framing her face. "It does worry me, however, that you are so blasé about my drinking human blood."

Now it was Y/N's turn to raise a brow at him. "I will have to do it fairly soon here myself, so why pitch a fit over it? You are worth more to me than that."

"You never cease to surprise me."

Felix took her hand and led her out of her room. "Hold on to me, love."

He lifted her into his arms before zooming off into the maze that was the castle of Volterra. Y/N squeezed her eyes shut, stomach turning queasy with the walls and paintings blurring past. Finally, they came to a stop outside of a very familiar door that led to a rooftop patio. Felix had taken her here since the beginning when they were first really getting to know each other, although, with all of his missions and her writing, they barely had time to come here over the past year.

Felix sat her down with a grin and opened the door. Beyond, on the patio was a candlelit table set for two. It was a perfect way to celebrate.

{Masterlist} // {Request Guidelines}

Taglist: @alecvolturi @lack-lust-3r @rosedpetal

Wanna be notified when I post a new fic? Ask to join my taglist!

[colakills]

LeshyFish (Part one)

an inscryption fic

Leshy had been God of Beasts for a long long time. Since roughly around the time humans crawled on land, maybe a bit earlier. He knew all of the beasts in the Ancient Woods by name, knew the birds who flew overhead and insects that scurried underfoot. He could turn into anything, any sort of beast he wanted. He could kill a man with a snap of his fingers, rip them to shreds in seconds. He was the God of Beasts, and that made him a Beast of his own right.

He wasn’t sure, really, what compelled him to watch this particular fisherman. There were several lakes in the Woods, and a few ponds, and fishermen- bold ones- would come in all the time. Leshy never bothered with them. But this one.

The man was a hulking mountain of a human, with a smooth hairless head and a fleshy, loose face. He sat, hunched, over his rod, beady black eyes stuck on a point across the water. Suddenly, he sniffed, glancing to the side, directly at where Leshy stood on the bank of the lake. And then, to Leshy’s surprise, he lifted a hand in a wave.

The God fought the urge to glance behind him, instead slowly raising a hand of his own. He wasn’t used to people just… casually waving to him. He was an ninefoot tall deer god with moss and branches growing from him.

Oh, now his curiosity was really peaked. He trotted closer, tail swishing around his hooves, leaning forward slightly.

The man’s bucket was… empty. Completely and totally empty, despite the fact the angler had been here for nearly two hours. How bizarre.

“Hello,” Leshy called. The man didn’t turn. “Nice day, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

The man’s voice was impossibly low, rumbling through Leshy’s chest, making him shudder. Odd.

“Do you… come here often?” Leshy asked, knowing he didn’t.

The man chuckled. “I am… how you say… new to this place.”

“Ah,” Leshy nodded. The man still hadn’t looked up. “Where are you from?”

“Far away,” The man said. “Swamplands.”

“Hm,” Leshy said. He felt very out of his element, so he sat gingerly at the edge of the pier, his feet dangling just off the water. Fish immediately began crowding to investigate, eyeing his hooves curiously. He bit back a grin. “Well, welcome to the Ancient Wood.”

The man didn’t respond for a while, leaving Leshy feeling just a little ridiculous, before he hummed. “Thank you.”

They sat in companionable silence for a while longer, until the man suddenly pulled in his line. Leshy craned his neck to see around the man’s monstrous body, watching him pull a large bass off the line, examine it, and then toss it back. Leshy’s jaw dropped.

“Why’d you throw it back?”

The man snorted, shrugging. “I do not need the food. My friend, trapper. Lots of meat there.”

“Then why fish?”

The man started to stare out over the water, his jaw clenching, his eyes narrowing in thought. “Why not?”

Leshy hummed, tilting his head. “You’re… strange.”

The man laughed, hard, glancing briefly at Leshy, but didn’t look startled or bothered by the glowing white eyes or the wood face or the fur. Leshy was starting to think he was blind, although how he was fishing remained a mystery.

“So…” Leshy hummed. “Your friend, the trapper… are they around here too?”

“Yes. Live in cabin. Over hill.” The man jerked his head toward a steep hill not far away. Leshy did know of the cabin he spoke of, a shoddily built thing that looked like it was falling apart. “Live there with other friends.”

“Hm.”

The man chuckled, twitching the line slightly. “You are strange man, are you not?”

“I don’t know what you mean?” Leshy said, somehow nervously. For some reason, he didn’t want to be recognized for what he was. He didn’t want to be revered, didn’t want to be feared by this man. He just wanted to keep talking.

“It okay.”

Leshy exhaled. He wasn’t sure what was wrong with him, why he was so concerned with being seen as… what, a human? He’d never wanted to be human before, why did this man change that?

Suddenly, the man shifted, rising to his feet. “Come. Dinner done- rabbit stew.”

Leshy paused, before rising. The man was impossibly tall, nearly reaching his chin. It made Leshy feel almost small, for once in his life. The man gathered his pole, his bucket, his box of bait, and without a second glance, headed into the woods. Leshy paused, glancing at where he had been sitting, and paused. A small fish hook was imbedded in the wood of the dock, shining in the low light. Leshy knelt, pulling it out, and slipping it in the pouch at his belt.

“Coming?” The man called, his deep voice hardly raising above a rasp, but still carrying across the distance just fine.

“Yes,” Leshy trotted after him, his hooves soundless against the ground. “I’m coming.”

The cabin was full of people, Leshy could see it from the top of the hill. He paused, hesitating. It’s not that he’d never approached humans, but he avoided doing it in this form. He found himself wondering if he could become… less beastly. Humans were animals too, were they not?

And just like that, he was a man.

The fisher didn’t glance at him once while they walked down the hill, and when they reached the cabin and he looked at him properly for the first time, there was no surprise in his eyes. He simply opened the door for him, his fleshy, massive lips twitching into what may have been a smile. If he noticed any difference, he said not a word.

Inside were four people, gathered around a low table, arguing and chatting between themselves. They did not look up as the two entered the room, but one raised a hand in greeting.

“Friends,” The fisher grunted calmly to Leshy. “Safe.”

“Well hello there, stranger,” A man creaked, his voice high and grating. He looked familiar- yes, he was the prospector. Leshy knew his dog, a beautiful hound that lay sleeping under the table. “And who are you?”

“I am Leshy,” Leshy said, grateful his true name was not known. “I am here with…”

“Angeles,” The prospector smiled. “Yaww, I knew he’d make a friend one a’ these days.”

“No,” Another muttered, peering through their dirty goggles. “Angeles with a friend? Couldn’t be.”

“Be nice, Amani,” The prospector said, swatting at him. “Well, we all should introduce ourselves, shouldn’t we? I’m Geoffrey, but my friends call me Clank. This ‘ere is Amani, they’re a mycologist- study mushrooms and the such. Also a fine surgeon, if ye ever need one.”

Amani ducked their head sheepishly, but nodded.

“This is Sela,” Clank gestured at a small wiry figure whose lower face was covered in a scarf. “She shares a body wi’ Hunt, the trapper. They take turns, you know?”

Leshy did not know, but he guessed this must be some sort of human thing, so he nodded.

“And that there is Verona,” Clank gestured to the final figure, a small old woman who was huddled in the corner, gazing at Leshy with knowing eyes. “She don’t talk much, but she knows everythin’ there is to know ‘bout anything.”

“Leshy,” Verona murmured. “Of the woods.”

Leshy paused, before nodding. He knew in that moment that she was something powerful. Not as powerful as him, no, not even close, but far more than a mere human.

“Dinner is ready.” Sela rasped, pulling the pot off the fire.

No one seemed bothered as Leshy took a seat at the table, or as Angeles served him a bowl of stew. He rarely ate cooked meat- preferring his raw, but he dared not complain.

As he ate the over-seasoned food, he glanced around the cabin. A ram’s skull hung on the wall, gazing at him with empty sockets. He shuddered and looked away.

After they were done eating, the people began to disperse. The sun had long since set, and the firelight cast long shadows through the cabin.

“I must be going, now.” Leshy said to Angeles, who looked neither surprised nor disappointed, but merely nodded.

“Will see you,” Angeles said, not as a farewell, but as a promise, clapping his broad hand upon Leshy’s shoulder. “Good bye, Leshy-fish.”

“Goodbye.”

[asktidethegastrodon]

She was mildly shocked at first, as she wasn't expecting him to come over to her, but she didn't appear to mind it. Despite the awkwardness, she gives a soft reassuring smile. Tide: I don't think it's weird to say at all! I do apologize for not saying hello earlier, I didn't see you at first! There are so many pokemon around haha She smiles a bit, hoping that didn't sound too rude, she didn't mean it to be. Tide: I am happy I was able to help.. even a little. I felt like I didn't do too much for you guys... So it's nice to hear that they helped an- Tide waves her hands nervously, realizing she may sound like she was fishing for another thank you or making it about herself. Tide: N-NOT THAT I NEEDED VALIDATION FOR DOING THAT oh bother- She gently places one of her hands on her forehead in a attempt to compose herself a bit Tide: Sorry, I'm still.. not the best at talking to others.. sometimes.. a lot of the time... BUT UM-

Tide: I'm so happy to here that you and the kids got here alright! From all the children giggling I hear not too far off, it seems like this place is a nice safe place for them. Tide: Nothing better than hearing children having a fun time.. makes me wish I could run around and play like them too haha Tide smiles once more

Tide: I'm really happy they are okay and are safe now... Same for you as well.

Tide: It looked like it took a lot out of you to take care of them and keep them safe.. and to even take them here... Tide: So I do hope you yourself, are taking care while you are here. This place seems very kind and nice, so I'm sure they'll treat you well too... I'm almost surprised they let me in here! Seems like a protected area so I'm shocked they even let me in ahaha... But anyways... Tide gives a playful teasing glare Tide: I know how it is to exhaust yourself while taking care of others. Make sure to take care of yourself as well!

Tide gives a nervous laugh, waving a hand to fan herself nervously Tide: Haha, sorry. I didn't mean to pry at you like that. My caretaker instincts kinda kicked in there hahaha..ha..

She looks back at Paleo and smiles again Tide: If you lot are going to stay here for awhile, I might come by again sometime! If that's alright by you lot anyways haha.. I don't wanna come off as weird... I'm just gonna help that pokemon over there with some personal matters!

Tide gestures over to Honey, referencing their previous conversation. Tide: So maybe I'll see you again? Maybe we could have lunch or something and have a chat about things? Maybe I don't know, no pressure obviously haha! Just me blubbering about! You're probably busy with everything so I would understand haha. Just figured I would offer I guess! - - - - -

[ << REPLY TO THIS ] [ @fugamsemidei ]

[kittiwittebane]

ANOTHER FIC FOR YALL!

Human, Babysitting AU.

Includes: Human AU, Babysitter AU, Willow’s uncannonical Family.

____

Hunter walked up to the door. What if they don’t like me? He wondered. He knocked on the door nervously. Two older men answered.

“Hello!” They both spoke. Hunter gulped.

“Hello Sirs!” he smiled awkwardly. He scratched his face.

“Come in, Ava is inside.” the men waved him inside. Hunter stepped through the door into a very nice house. Wow. he thought. Though the house was much less fancy than his, (and rightly so, his father was a very rich man) it was pretty aesthetic. Pictures of the family all over the walls, flower pots everywhere and-

Woah.

Hunter had to stop his mouth from dropping. There, next to who he assumed to be Ava was a stubby girl with emerald green eyes, who was undoubtedly very attractive to Hunter.

“So we hear your name is Hunter?” the first man, much stockier than the second with blue hair asked.

“Uhm, uckg.” Hunter failed to speak, still marvelling over the girl. “Yes!” he replied after a hot minute. “Hunter. That is my name.” he smiled, showing his tooth gap, before shutting his mouth again awkwardly.

“Right.” The second man stood, feeling the boy’s uncomfortable emotion. “I am Harvey, and this is my husband, Gilbert.”

Gilbert waved. Hunter waved back.

“This is our daughter, Willow.” Gilbert introduced.

Willow… pretty name. Hunter mused.

“Right,” Harvey continued. “And the one you will be taking care of is-”

“Hi! I’m Willow Park, And this is my little cousin Ava!” Willow grabbed his hand and shook him vigorously in a handshake where the ‘shake’ was way too emphasised.

“Nice- to- meet- you!” Hunter voiced between the aggressive shakes. She finally let go and he took his hand back. She bruised it… wow she’s strong.

“Hi!” The little girl exclaimed. “I’m Ava!”

Hunter instantly loved her. His mind flooded with thoughts of adorableness. Without thinking, he sat on the floor and Ava ran into his arms.

“Good!” Ava declared, turning to her Uncles and her cousin. It took Hunter only about half a second after that to realise what a fool he was making of himself. Harvey and Gilbert sighed in relief, not even caring about the fact he looked a bit stupid.

“Finally!” Willow wiped her forehead. “Ava is soooo picky with her Babysitter. She’s gone through… like six??”

“What can I say?” Hunter said stupidly. “I’m good with kids.” Hunter then cringed at his own words, wishing he had not said that. Good job, Hunter, you fricked it up.

Willow giggled airily, and it made Hunter feel lightheaded. He’d only known her for what?- five minutes? Why was she making him feel like this? What was this?

“Right so you will be staying with her tomorrow, from 8am to 9pm for 100 dollars, yes?” Gilbert continued. Hunter nodded.

“Good.”

___

Hunter breathed out again. He could do this! Just one small child. Hunter knocked on the door.

“Hello!” Willow opened the door very enthusiastically.

“Hi!” Hunter spluttered, attempting to lean against nothing impressively, then falling over.

Titan, kill me now. Hunter thought. He looked up and Willow had her hand out. He took it and she helped him up.

“Are you ok?” she asked worriedly.

“Just a bruised ego.” Hunter muttered. Willow giggled. She thought this was really funny. It wasn’t.

“Hellooooo!” Ava ran up to them, quite impulsively attaching herself to Hunter’s leg. Hunter looked down and then back up quickly, then smiling proudly.

“Well just maybe we won’t have to find a new babysitter.” Willow laughed.

“It would help if she didn’t mind staying at home with Willow.” Gilbert chuckled. “She says Willow isn’t cool enough. Way to down her own cousin.”

“She isn’t.” Ava huffed. “I want Hunter!” the little girl looked back up at Hunter.

“Oh and Hunter?” Harvey started.

“Yes?” Hunter asked.

“I hope you don’t mind but I did forget to mention that Willow will be staying with you.”

Hunter froze.

“What?” he choked.

“Willow can’t come with us, it’s an adults only event.” his voice dropped to a whisper. “And besides, I can’t trust her with the house. The last time I did that, she and her friend Augustus wrecked it.”

“Papaaaaa!” Willow complained. “I was fiiiive!”

Hunter made a small giggling sound.

“It’s not funny!” Willow whined playfully. “It’s not MY fault the babysitter was incompetent!” Harvey and Gilbert just chuckled heartily.

“Ok, Flower, it wasn’t your fault.”

“Anyways, the rules are on the fridge, and you can ask Willow if there is something we didn’t write. See you later!”

Both of them then left.

Oh, Titan. Of course it wasn’t just going to be a little girl. It’s a little girl and a teenager. A girl teenager. A very… attractive teenager.

“Right, so uh, let’s do this?” Hunter mumbled.

Willow nodded. “Let’s do this!”

[achangeinreality]

Encounters 5

August 11, 2552

Ira sat in front of her computer nervously, waiting for the video call to connect. She played with the ends of her hair underneath the desk, trying to fight the anxiety. Bloop! The video finally connected, displaying a cool and collected Spartan on her screen. Ira lit up and smiled brightly, waving at her in excitement.

“Hi! It’s good to finally see you!”

“Hello Ira. Yes, I’m glad to see your face again.”

The two had been non-stop talking for almost 3 weeks and decided on video- chatting with each other. It was at this point that Linda was finding it harder and harder to keep Ira at a distance, and easier to talk to her. Ira couldn’t be more thrilled, though Sila’s words about never being a main priority haunted her every other day. She tried pushing the thoughts away though and stayed focused on the present. “I’m worried about my mission, it’s a serious one. No one seems to know anything either, it’s all on a need to know basis,” said Ira. Linda frowned in acknowledgment. A few days ago, while Ira and Linda had been going back and forth, Ira had expressed concern over her next mission. Apparently Ira had gone to a meeting with a lot of confidential information that she was unable to discuss at length. According to her, their commander didn’t even seem to know what exactly was going on. “That’s concerning. I wonder why we haven’t been told a word,” Linda replied. “Maybe this fight isn’t bad enough to have Spartans on board with it. There’s no use speculating for now. Any update on Kelly?,” Ira asked.

It had come to Linda’s attention that Kelly was acting weird. Weirder than usual. She had been spending a lot of time on her laptop and asking odd, random questions about Ira. Linda didn’t know if this was her way of trying to get to know Ira through herself or if there was a more nefarious reason. So, Linda did what she did best and observed. Rather than prod Kelly for information, she watched her closely.

”No, nothing new. Just the same weird behavior,” Linda replied. Ira smiled and said, “Well if it would help, I could always reach out to her and start up a conversation!” Linda shook her head almost imperceptibly and said, “No she would not respond well to that. She’s about as bad at talking to people as me.”

”I don’t think you’re bad at talking to me.”

”You’re a bad liar.”

”I’m not lying, have you ever talked to some of the engineers?”

”I doubt they’re as socially stunted as I am.”

”Well then you clearly haven’t talked to them.”

”So you do think I’m socially stunted.”

”Well, a little but at least you try and you’re not creepy. Plus you make an excellent listener.”

”The engineers are creepy?”

”Some of them, yes very much so. It’s like they’ve never come out of their caves to say hi and immediately resort to borderline sexual harassment.”

”Funny, I didn’t take you for a hypocrite.” Ira’s eyes widened and she felt herself get hot. “You remember that??”

”How can I not?”

”I was drugged!” At that, Linda laughed. Ira had never heard her laugh. It was quiet and low, more of a chuckle really. Ira had only seen the Spartan face to face a handful of times but her range of facial expressions were limited and almost nonexistent. Ira stored this new one into her memory banks, audio included. Though Linda’s face seemed to stay unmoving and serious, Ira was getting better at seeing the slight fluctuations. The shock was almost enough to pull her out of her embarrassment.

”I can’t believe you remember that, that’s so embarrassing.”

”Well you know how to make an impression.” This time, it was Ira’s turn to laugh. Though hers was more loud and giggly.

“The ghosts of my youth continue to haunt me.”

”Your youth? What does that make me, a dinosaur? You’re very young.”

”Well I’m way more wise now I mean. And no you’re not a dinosaur, please, more like a gothic cathedral.” At this, Linda laughed again. Ira swore if they were in the same room she would have had a shoe or pillow flung at her. Ira laughed too and added, “I’m just kidding, no you're not old.”

”That’s what I thought.” Ira smiled but could feel a knot in her core forming. It didn’t escape Ira’s attention that there was a considerable age gap between the two. Quite the opposite, it had been one of the first things she noticed about the Spartan all those years ago. It was far from a deterrent, though she chalked it up to having an eccentric taste. Ira wondered though if this played a role in Linda’s reluctance to pursue anything. She had so many questions but feared pushing the issue because quite frankly, this friendship was nice. The last thing Ira wanted to do was lose it. One of her worst traits was her inability to stay quiet about an issue or about something on her mind and this was testing her. She realized she hadn’t said anything for a moment, rather stayed spaced out staring at the side of the screen.

”You’re thinking hard about something,” Linda stated. She had been observing Ira’s posture and the way she was staring which pointed to an internal conflict. Ira’s right eye twitched and finally gave in, “I have a question.” Linda didn’t say anything, but it was clear she was inviting Ira to speak. Ira thought of how to word the question. Underneath the desk, she pulled the bullet that Linda had gifted her out of her pocket and played with it on her lap. She let her fingers run along the engraving before finally settling on, “Did our age gap have anything to do with your decision to not pursue something with me?”

”Yes and no. It doesn’t bother me but I don’t think it’s seen as appropriate. That’s not the reason for it though.”

”Yeah I can understand that. I won’t press it anymore.”

”It didn’t bother you?”

”No, quite the opposite.”

Linda said nothing for a few seconds, just stared hard at Ira. It never failed to surprise her the extent of her boldness. Ira had a habit of saying these things that got under Linda’s skin so easily and often left her at a loss for words. She thought about Kelly’s advice and fought with it further, feeling a strain in her temple. This time it was Linda who wanted to press it. She would be a fool to continue denying to herself that she wanted more with Ira Hagan. Uncharacteristically, she admitted, “You make it hard for me to hold on to my decision.”

”I do?”

”Yes.”

”What does this mean then?”

”I don’t know”

”No, I need an answer. I deserve that.” Linda breathed in and out slowly. She thought, I’ve really made a mess now.

”How would it work? What would a relationship entail? We can’t even see each other for months, maybe years at a time.”

Ira had to hold on to the desk to keep herself from falling out of her chair. Was this finally happening? Did she need to get her hearing checked? Had she finally rolled a nat 20 on her charisma check? Doing her best to keep the feral excitement out of her voice, she responded, ”Well, it would look a lot like this. Yeah it would suck that we can’t really be together in person but this can be a way to bridge the gap. Plus I’d finally be able to tell you all the things I’ve been holding back.”

”You mean there’s more you’ve somehow been able to stay quiet about?”

”Like you wouldn’t believe it.”

Linda had to sit still for a second. Why had she decided to go down this path? What possessed her to reconsider her initial decision? There really was no turning back after this. The situation was making her head spin.

”Ira, I need a day to get back to you. I’m sorry but I will have an answer for you by tomorrow if you’ll let me. I need to clear my mind and think.”

”I… I don’t know that I have a day.”

”Please.”

”I, um.. uh… ask me what I’m doing tomorrow.”

”What?”

”Ask me what I’m doing tomorrow.”

”What are you doing tomorrow…?”

”It’s confidential.”

Linda stared at her with initial confusion but then felt the wave of realization fall over her. Ohh, she thought.

”I’ll get back to you as soon as I can in the morning”

”One more thing, we might be seeing each other soon. I look forward to hearing from you tomorrow, please be prompt. Goodnight, Linda.”

”Oh? I will be, goodnight, Ira.”

Ira shut her laptop softly. What she had hoped the Spartan had been able to decipher was that tomorrow, she would be deploying. Not only that, but she would be landing in Reach. Ira very literally didn’t know if she had a day left to be able to communicate with Linda. This was so fucked. She should be jumping for joy that Linda was finally returning her affections but instead, a pit of anxiety engulfed her stomach. It had been at the last minute that Ira was told the date of her upcoming deployment. This was mainly why she had insisted on talking to Linda through video chat. She wanted to see her face before going off into an unknown battle. It scared Ira to think that she might deploy and never see her face again.

At the meeting Ira had attended weeks ago, she had been informed that some sort of conflict was occurring on Reach. The news was confidential however, so she couldn’t actually tell Linda anything about it other than that she was deploying soon and it seemed like only a handful of people knew fragments about it. Nothing specific was disclosed to her. Just that there had been comm silence in the Viery Territory and it was imminent that they engage the hostiles in the area. It shocked her to find out that Linda was on Reach and didn’t seem to know anything about any conflict there. This raised her concern even more, seeing as it was clear that the UNSC was hiding something. Upon checking the news on Reach, there was no mention of any sort of fighting other than the local rabble rousing. Surely, a conflict that needed a battalion of ODST’s would warrant news coverage. It had ONI written all over it. Even more depressing was the fact that at the end of the day, there was a very real possibility that her chute might not even deploy.

She sat on her bed and laid back, covering her face with her arms. This was not the way she thought the conversation was going to go. But now, with the hope of a better future ahead of her, maybe it would further push her to survive. She wasn’t sure she could bear the thought of getting a yes and then dying. That would be so unfair to Linda and just thinking about it was making her berate herself for being so pushy. Or even worse, what if she survived and experienced a similar… incident like the one 5 years ago? Ira felt herself grow cold. Surely she had attended enough therapy sessions and been through enough psych evals to know that it wouldn’t happen again, right? She had to believe that.

Linda stayed sitting in the same position for a few minutes before standing up, laying face down on her bed, and screaming as loud as possible into her pillow. This proceeded for about 5 minutes before she finally stopped and sat up to stare at the empty screen. She breathed in and out, closing her eyes, focusing on her breath, and- no she needed to scream into the pillow again. This went on over and over until Linda finally felt satiated. Face blotchy, hair ratted, and eye twitching, she walked out of her room and headed to the gym. This was no time to think. This was the time for a long and arduous run.

At the running track, Linda put in some noise canceling ear plugs and set off. It was soothing her to focus on the muffled sounds of her feet hitting the track. Thump, thump, thump, thump. The feeling of the air rushing past her face. All she had to do was make her joints and limbs move in harmony to keep her going round and round and round the track. Her breath started to get harder and her lungs started to get more uncomfortable as the time passed. About an hour had gone by when she finally slowed herself to a walking pace and walked over to her designated locker to pull out a towel and water bottle. She breathed heavily and was covered in sweat but her mind was still screaming. Linda pulled the ear buds out of her ears and closed the locker’s door only to find a pale woman with blue eyes and dark brown hair staring at her in concern, holding a water bottle.

Not now, Linda signed and walked past her. Kelly followed, signing back, are you okay? Linda nodded but said nothing. They walked to the shooting range together. When Linda pulled out an array of handguns, Kelly eyed her a little funny but said nothing. But when Linda put her ear muffs on and started firing them off one by one until they were empty Kelly whipped around and yelled, “Woah, woah, woah okay stop.” Linda put the gun down but didn’t say anything. Kelly took the weapon out of her hand and took the ear muffs off of her.

”What’s going on?,” she asked with concern. Linda stayed silent but looked at her. Kelly didn’t push her though, she knew the words were coming, they were just taking their time. Finally Linda said quietly and slightly unevenly, “I reciprocated my affection to Ira.” Kelly’s eyes widened and she replied, “Come again?” Linda rolled her eyes closed and repeated herself, “I told her I needed a day to give her a full answer though. But she’s deploying sometime tomorrow so I have until morning.”

”A full answer? What the hell does that mean? It’s a yes or a no, Linda.”

”No… I just. I want to… I want to say yes. But I don’t know if I can.”

”Realistically you wouldn’t even be around one another very often so it would be a lot like what you guys are doing now. Lots of texting and video calls.”

”I know that but I don’t want the inevitable to happen.”

”I think the question you should be asking yourself is, is it worth it? Are you able to let someone get close despite the high chances of casualty?”

”I don’t know. It feels selfish.”

”It sounds like it would be equal parts selfish and selfless.”

”Hm,” Linda replied in thought. They stood there silently for a moment longer before she sighed and sat down on the nearest bench. Kelly joined her and asked, “What made you finally give in?” She uncapped the bottle and started drinking. Linda groaned and replied, “I don’t know. She asked me if our age gap had anything to do with my decision to stay friends and then when I asked her if the gap bothered her she said, ‘no quite the opposite-“ Kelly spat her water out and started coughing violently. Linda slapped her in the back and sighed.

”Wow. Well, that’s a girl who knows what she wants,” Kelly said after her coughing fit ended. Linda snorted and said, “Tell me about it.” Kelly giggled a little and replied, “Linda, how did this happen? I think you’re the only Spartan I know who’s been in this situation.” Linda put her head in one hand and signed with the other, couldn’t tell you.

A few hours had gone by and Kelly was getting ready for bed. On Reach, she had her own room and bathroom so there was no need to share or wait. It also meant that she had the privacy to do as she pleased, and as of late she needed lots of it. Kelly had been doing a lot of poking around in whatever files she could access without getting flagged for suspicious activity. Her main goal was trying to figure out what Corporal Hagan had done to receive so many psych evals before getting cleared to return to service. She had made headway in the past couple of weeks and had narrowed it down to a battle 5 years ago. This was before Hagan had been made an ODST and oddly enough, there was no mention of her rank. That had also been redacted. Why???

Her timeline of events was, Hagan being deployed on yet another ground conflict caused by the Covenant 5 years ago. Her rank was redacted, and after the battle ensued a series of psych evals that included mandatory leave happened. Then about 7 months later, there was record of Hagan returning as an SPV. That was odd.

Kelly was aware that this obsession was very odd. She knew this sort of shady shit happened all the time to all sorts of people in the military. But none of them were entangling themselves with her sister and she would be damned if she didn’t do her best to make sure that the Corporal wasn’t bad news. Truth be told, Kelly liked Ira. She had only ever had one interaction with her, but from what she had found in her investigation and heard from Linda, Hagan sounded like a charmer. Blunt, pushy, unintimidated by rank, and courageous. She could see why Linda was so entranced by the woman, for Kelly had never known Linda of all people to initiate conversation, let alone attend social gatherings. Ira’s appearance probably helped her cause too. From the pictures and video footage that Kelly had unearthed, the Corporal had it ‘going on’ as she had heard other marines say about people they found attractive.

Night time came and went and before she knew it, Kelly was waking up at 0500. She got up and rubbed her eyes, yawning as she walked to the bathroom. As she went about her morning, a thought occurred to her. What if she… oh. Oh that could work. If only to at least get her some bits of clarification. Friendly banter, interrogation, what was the difference really? Yes that could work…

“Spartan Kelly, it’s been quite some time since we’ve spoken last. How are you?,” asked a stern but friendly woman in her 30s with a short brown bob and piercing blue eyes.

“Gunnery Sergeant Gutierrez, long time no see. I am well, and you?,” replied Kelly, trying her best to emulate the friendly tone that Sila was using.

“I’m good! Just to clarify, this is a friendly meeting right?” -Sila

“Yes, no need for anything formal here. I have been wondering what you have been up to since our last interaction!” -Kelly.

About 2 years ago, Blue Team had actually inserted with Sergeant Gutierrez and her men. Gutierrez had immediately remembered the Spartans and was very emotional after their mission. She thanked them for saving her life all those years ago on Draco III and avenging all of the fallen. Kelly found it easy to talk to her and occasionally messaged her in the spirit of friendship.

“Oh, well I've been preparing my men for the upcoming fights as you know. Being a gunnery sergeant has so many more responsibilities than I realized but I’m more than happy for the challenge. And you?” -Sila

“Yes, so many responsibilities, that I can relate to. I hear that a mutual colleague has also recently been promoted, Ira Hagan?” -Kelly

“Oh yeah she got promoted last year, I was so happy for her! I didn’t realize you were in contact with her.” -Sila

“A wonderful achievement. Not directly, she is very close with my teammate, Spartan Linda 058 as you might remember.” -Kelly.

Gutierrez suppressed a chuckle but the slight shift in her face was enough to tell Kelly that she knew about the situation. Before she could reply, Kelly added, “Very close.” Gutierrez couldn’t hold it in anymore and finally let a laugh out.

“Okay I wasn’t sure if you knew but obviously you do. I still can’t believe the balls on that woman y’know?” -Sila. Kelly wasn’t sure if Gutierrez meant actual physical balls or testes but she was sure that Ira was not in possession of either. She figured it was some figure of speech that she currently didn’t understand but went with it regardless. She mirrored the Sergeant and laughed as well saying, “Yeah I hear you.”

“I mean I’ve met enough Spartans at this point to know you guys are just people, and the best kind, so I’m not outright scared of you. But to be so brazen and just say “I got the hots for you and I know you do too”, that’s some big balls.” -Sila.

Ohhhhh, okay I understand the metaphor, thought Kelly. This time she genuinely chuckled in agreement and said, “Yeah I’ve never seen Linda seem so smitten. But anyway, I got a question for you. And it is not my intention to seem rude.” Sila looked perplexed but she replied, “Oh, yeah what is it? I won’t be offended.”

“Well I couldn’t help but notice that in the last 8 years since I met you and Corporal Hagan, you’ve grown to become a Gunnery Sergeant. It is no small feat that Ira achieved the rank of Corporal, but is there a reason that her rank isn’t higher?” -Kelly

Sila looked a little uncomfortable for a second. She was smiling, looking at her screen and then as soon as Kelly asked that question her eyes darted away and she shifted in her seat. Her smile dropped and she cleared her throat, responding with, “Well you said it yourself, Corporal is a respectable rank. She’s just taken a little extra time to better her skills than I have but I wouldn’t compare us, we’re very different people.” Kelly nodded in agreement and generated a gentle smile to try and ease Sila as much as possible. “Oh, no I didn’t mean it like that. The question comes more from a place of concern, I suppose. I just want to make sure that she is motivated and compliments Linda. You know, I look at Linda as my sister and I want the best for her,” Kelly half admitted. Her intentions were true, she really did just want the best for Linda. But it was clear to Kelly that Ira was more than motivated. “Ohhhh okay I get it yeah no for sure. No, Ira isn’t lazy, she’s just had some… roadblocks,” replied Sila. “Like what? Is she okay?,” Kelly pushed. Sila didn’t say anything for a second but she looked around momentarily and then said in the most conspiratorial, sly voice that Kelly had ever heard, “The situation is confidential, but… what I can tell you is that it’s combat related. You ever wake up screaming and sweating from the nightmares?” Kelly sighed and looked down before replying, “Yeah I know a thing or two about that.”

“Alright so… Ira maybe lost control one day after a bad fight and caused some trouble. She got a lot of help though, so I can say that she’s on her way to moving up the ladder again and in control of herself. But that’s all I can really say,” admitted Sila. It appeared that there was more to the story than that to Kelly, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to get more than that out of the Sergeant. She had heard enough and was smart enough to piece together the puzzle. The records indicated that humanity had lost the battle that Ira was a part of before her records became redacted. Something, maybe the defeat, had caused Ira to finally tick, as many soldiers that Kelly had witnessed over the years had, and did something bad. Alright well, of all the things Kelly had envisioned, this wasn’t all that terrible. It actually humanized Ira more and painted a more concrete picture of who she was to Kelly. And so far, she seemed like a soldier trying their best to stay alive. Something Kelly could get behind. The rest of the conversation with Sergeant Gutierrez consisted of casual conversation that Kelly was desperate to end, seeing as this was her most difficult subject. She admitted to herself this is what she deserved though, seeing as she had quietly interrogated Sila under the guise of friendship. Though after all, she did find herself enjoying Sila’s company, so she supposed it wasn’t all bad.

August 12, 2552

Ira was running to the pod loadouts. Her commanding officer was yelling orders behind her. Boots were hitting the ground, and alarms blared. She got to her pod, filling it with her weapons and equipment as quickly as possible. It couldn’t be. Not here, not on Reach. Ira finally knew what the big secret was. The Covenant was attacking Reach. There had been comm silence not just because of the Covenant but because of ONI and it was imminent that a force be deployed at this very moment.

It was still relatively early in the day, around 0900 hours. Ira had been previously told that a deployment was not going to be expected until much later in the day. But upon waking up that morning, she knew something was wrong. Things must have been much worse than previously thought. She put her helmet on and got in, along with everyone else into their own pods. Ira touched the left breast pocket on her vest and felt for the single rifle bullet. She clutched onto it, praying that the fighting hadn’t spread further than the Viery Territory. Everyone on her team confirmed being in their pods and ready for deployment. The pods were being checked for security and while her team waited, the anxiety in Ira’s stomach got worse. The only thing that was currently calming her was that at least her anxiety over Linda’s decision had been resolved. She had her answer, and that was enough for Ira.

August 20, 2552

”FALL BACK! FALL BACK!,” ordered Ira. The battle was terrible. Worse than she could have imagined. The casualties that the UNSC incurred were beyond devastating. Ira’s team was down to half, and her remaining force was covered in injuries. They needed to regroup and reconfigure or else there was no chance they’d make it. Ira ran fast and hard, almost reaching their checkpoint. She turned to see Rachel, Dal, and Richard following loosely behind but running their hardest. But then, a pair of Elites sprang out of the shadows and attacked. One Elite rushed Rachel with his energy sword but she managed to jump out of the way and Ira concentrated her fire on him, effectively taking his shield down. Rachel and Ira took turns shooting him and evading his swings. Dal and Richard engaged the other elite in a similar fashion. The edge of a swing caught Ira on the side, cutting through her tattered vest. The cut burned and bled but was not fatal. As the Elite zeroed in on Ira, Rachel kicked him in the back of his knees to falter his balance, and went for the head with her assault rifle. The Elite went down, but was frustratingly still alive. Rachel and Ira heard a terrible swish and a blood curdling scream. They turned momentarily to see that the other Elite had managed to run his sword through Dal.

“DAL! NO!,” screamed Rachel. Dal spurted out blood from his mouth and made eye contact with Ira. “Go,” he croaked out as he pulled a grenade from his belt and ripped the pin out with his other hand. “GET CLEAR!,” yelled Ira. Rachel, Dal, and Ira ran west. Rachel turned her head to see Dal one last time before, BOOM! The floor quaked and the trio could feel a wave of heat and dust behind them. Richard fell from the blast wave and Ira tripped on him. Rachel fell on her knees and cried. “Come on, get up we have to go!,” Ira ordered. She picked herself up, offering a hand to Richard and pulling Rachel up from her knees. At that moment, Ira heard the crack of a sniper hit near them. The body of a Jackal fell from the building they were standing next to, directly in front of them. He had landed face down, neck broken on impact, holding a Beam Rifle in one hand. Ira looked around to see the flash of a sniper north of their position. “Thanks Henry,” she said into the comms. This was good, it meant that at least her sniper and spotter were still alive to keep them covered while Ira and her team fell back.

About an hour ago, Ira had received word that the remaining forces were being extracted. The fight was too bloody and it was likely that the Viery Territory would either be glassed or held as a Covenant base soon. Ira wasn’t about to stick around and find out. However, reaching the extraction point was easier said than done seeing as her team had been more spread out than she would have liked. They were close, only about 300 meters left to go but it felt like forever. Ira’s heart weighed heavily. From the get go, it had felt like a losing battle. Trooper after trooper fell before her eyes and she was powerless to stop it. The 105th Division had deployed thousands of men and as Ira looked around, less than half seemed to remain. And now Dal was gone too. Rachel continued to cry next to her and Richard was screaming a litany of profanities. Ira simply stood and watched as the world around her burned. Buildings had been demolished, alien and human bodies were strewn everywhere, and the streets were bathed in blood. So much blood. It was at this point that Ira could feel her heart begin to race. Her eyes seared hot and her left hand started to shake. No, not this. Anything but this, not again, she thought frantically. Ira was beginning to crack, and this was not the time for it.

“Guys, we will have to grieve and hate once we extract, but right now, that’s not a luxury we can afford. Let’s go, I want to see you move,” Ira yelled. Before either trooper could respond, she set off into a run. Fortunately, both were following, but Ira could still hear Richard cursing her and everything around him. Ira focused on her feet hitting the ground and her checkpoint marker growing closer rather than letting her mind wander. 75 meters away, Ira could see a cluster of Pelicans loading ODST’s. They all picked up the pace, desperate to get off the planet. A Warthog drove next to them and the driver yelled, “Need a ride?” Ira nodded frantically and waved to her teammates to get on. As they did, a huge rumble could be felt and heard from the direction that her remaining team had just come from. “What now??,” screamed Richard. They turned to look and saw a massive plasma ball hitting about 100 meters behind them. Oh shit, Ira thought. The heat and blast wave from the plasma was coming towards them. “HANG ON!,” screamed their driver. He hit one of the accelerator pedals and turned the Warthog to go away from the blast. The vehicle sped and raced as fast as it could while they all yelled things along the lines of, “FUCK!!” “GO FASTER!!!” “FUCK THAT’S HOT!” It was too late, they were still too close to the blast. Ira, her team, the driver, and the Warthog, went flying. Ira flew so far, she heard something crack as she landed. But that was the least of her problems, considering that the plasma’s heat wave managed to light her on fire. She could hear herself screaming as she rolled around the ground, trying to put herself out, and hearing the screams of her teammates as well. Ira laid face down, unable to roll anymore. She used the last of her strength to place her hand on her vest’s left pocket, feeling the bulge of the large, engraved bullet through the fabric. The last thing Ira remembered as her mind went black, was the message she had received 8 days ago, first thing in the morning from Linda 058.

Yes.