#i thrive on angst but at what cost........................

[bonetrousledbones]

oh who could hjave predicted that working on two very Emotionally Heavy fics at the same time would have the consequence of both of them being difficult to work on at all

[thefallennightmare]

Just Pretend-nine

*gif created by me. feel free to use, simply give credit*

Parings: Noah Sebastian x Musician! Reader

Warnings/Tropes: language, angst, fluff, smut, star-crossed lovers, right person/wrong time, cheating, talks of mental abuse.

Summary: “I can wait for years, heaven knows I’m not getting over you.” A story about two star-crossed lovers, that always find their way back because their souls are entwined. The universe desperately attempts to bring them together, no matter what the cost.

Authors Note: PLEASE, we are begging you guys. Take your time with this one, so many different emotions throughout. Its a big fucking deal and read it slow, immerse yourself in this world while listening to the playlist. Enjoy my lovelies. 😉

Collaborating With: @thescarlettvvitch(better give her all the love as well)

Tags: @thescarlettvvitch @ozwriterchick @waake-meee-up @notingridslurkaccount @niicoleleigh @sammyjoeee @xxrainstorm @dominuslunae @notmaddihealy @malice-ov-mercy @crimson-calligraphyx @iknownothingpeople @writethrough @thebadchic @blackveilomens Claudia on Tumblr @tobe-written @blacksoul-27 @loeytuan98 @loverofagoodbeard @comfortcharactercraze @lma1986 @plutonikchaos1 @spicywhenspeaking @lyschko666 @somewhere-diamond

NOAH

"I'm so fucking glad we're staying in a hotel the next few days," Folio groaned as we walked down the long hallway of the hotel.

I nodded in agreement. "I can't believe the tour is almost over; our last show is tomorrow night."

With our last show tomorrow night, we were spending the next few nights in a hotel and we all planned to take flights back home so we could get there faster. Hollow Souls were also staying in this hotel but they were a floor beneath us but it seemed the farther I went from Y/N, those imaginary pull strings inside of my heart tightened. If it hurt this bad when she was a floor underneath, how bad would it hurt when she was a state away?

As far as I knew, she still had plans to go back to Vegas because that's where her home was, granted it was with Trey. There wasn't a part of me that was worried she would go back to him; I knew she wouldn't. Ever since they fired him, Hollow Souls has been thriving. They posted on their social media pages that Trey was kicked out of the band due to personal reasons and while most of their fans complained about them kicking out their main vocalist, there was a select few that were excited to see what the future of Hollow Souls looked like.

Y/N was upset at first that so many of their fans were boycotting them now because they decided to kick Trey out.

"Seems like they only care about Trey's vocals when I'm the one that actually wrote our songs."

It took a while of Malcolm and Chase talking to her to realize that their future together as a band was looking bright. They could reinvent themselves.

I filled in for the last two shows but after playing my set for thirty minutes before their hour-and-a-half set, my voice was getting raw and sore so Matt thought it be best if I didn't fill in for the last show. I was going to argue, not wanting to let them down, but Chase reassured me they'd figure out what to do for the last show.

Y/N has been glowing since Trey left, slowly becoming a better woman in front of all of us; to me, she'd always been perfect. But we could all see her confidence growing. With her face in the dirt far too many times with Trey, she finally said enough; it doesn't hurt anymore. As all of his lies crumbled down, Y/N found a new life.

To say all of us were proud of her was a fucking understatement.

"Hey," Jolly bumped shoulders with mine, pulling me from my thoughts as we stopped in front of the door to his room. "Bryan wants us ready to go in twenty minutes."

Oh, right.

We were currently in Oregon and Bryan planned some time today on our off day to visit one of the national parks here to take some promo photos of us.

"Yeah, I'll be ready to go. I need to change quickly and I'll meet you guys down in the lobby," I said as I walked down a few more doors until I stopped in front of my room; the one I was sharing with Nick.

He patted my shoulder as he walked past me into the room. "You should ask if Y/N wants to come with."

I shrugged off his words, trying not to make it seem that I'd been tossing around the idea for the last hour when Bryan first told us about his plan.

"She might have plans with Chase and Malcolm," I said while tossing my suitcase onto the bed, quickly rifling through the clothes to find something to change into.

"She doesn't. Last I heard, Chase and Malcolm are going out tonight so Y/N will be alone," Nick raised a suggestive brow.

With a long sigh, I turned to face him. "You already planned this, didn't you?"

"It was Chase's idea," he answered.

Rolling my eyes, I pulled out my phone to send a text to Y/N.

Get dressed, I'll be by your room in fifteen minutes.

She responded quickly before I had the chance to set my phone down.

Care to tell me where we're going?

All you need to know is to dress warm, angel.

You're full of surprises. See you soon, mochi. Room 245.

"Mochi?" I chuckled to myself while pocking my phone.

With a smile playing at my lips and my heart pounding loudly in my heart at the nickname, I tossed on a fresh hoodie and my tan jacket, opting to leave my hair down. Nick finished getting dressed when I did and once we stepped out in the hallway, Jolly and Folio were already waiting for us right outside our door.

"Fuck," I cursed while clutching my chest. "You scared the shit out of me, Folio."

"Too busy thinking about Y/N, huh?" He gave a playful smile.

Shoving him on the shoulder, I mentioned we needed to stop by her room before heading down to the lobby.

Jolly adjusted the guitar bag on his back. "She's coming with?"

I hesitantly nodded. "Is that alright? Nick said she was alone, and I felt bad if we left her while we did something."

They all smirked at my rambling as we took the stairs down one floor, our footsteps echoing in the small confined space.

"Of course it is, we don't mind when she tags along," Jolly said.

Coming to a stop in front of door 245, I gently rapped my knuckles against it and waited for her petite voice to carry through the wood. It was silent for a few moments, nerves ate away at my stomach as I wondered why she wasn't answering yet.

I knocked once again, this time with a bit more force, and breathed a little when a loud curse sounded from the other side.

"Hang on, someone's at the door."

I looked over to Nick with a raised brow, and he merely shrugged. "Chase and Malcolm are gone so I don't know who she's talking to."

The door opened with a quick brush of air, and my heart skipped a beat at the sight in front of me. Y/N was dressed in a pair of black tights, and a deep orange sweater that rested to the middle of her thighs, and her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail. I had to resist the urge to wrap my fingers through it to pull her back to me as she turned back into the room.

"Give me two minutes, I have to get my shoes," She said while clutching her phone to her ear. "No, Dad. Not you. I've got plenty of time to talk."

While the rest of the guys hung out in the hallway, I leaned against the wall right next to her bed and watched her as she slipped on her typical Doc Martin, nodding every so often to something her dad was saying on the other end of the phone.

"Dad, you seem to forget that you're seventeen hours ahead of me right now," she laughed causing my heart to flutter. "It's only noon here. Wait, why are you calling me so early? Isn't it your day off?"

She paced around the room looking for something and realizing what it was; I grabbed her bag and slung it over my shoulder. "I got it."

Y/N smiled her thanks before the conversation with her dad took her attention again. "No, I haven't talked to Mom in a while…. well, the last time she tried to guilt trip me into staying with her when the tour was over…I'm not staying at Trey's place anymore. We broke up.…..yea, long time coming, tell me about it….I'm sure I'll figure it out but I'm not staying in Vegas anymore…..hell yes I'm keeping Salem; asshole doesn't do shit for my cat."

I couldn't ignore the way my stomach flipped hearing that she didn't plan on staying in the same state as Trey.

"I can't move in with Malcolm or Chase because they're actually finding their own place together…Dad, they're dating; have been for the last six months…Yeah, that will explain exactly why Chase and I never got together."

I chuckled as I thought of her dad trying to set up her and Chase.

"You saw videos from the show last night?" There was a clear shock in her voice as she continued to talk with her dad as she rushed around the room getting ready.

"I'm surprised because you don't even know how to work face time," she giggled. "Oh, he's a friend of ours. We've been touring with his band for the last few weeks. Yeah, he filled in the last couple of shows….you think so? That's what everyone is saying online."

Her gaze flicked up to mine as her lips parted slightly, whatever her dad said made her give a long pause.

"Just a friend, dad." Then she turned swiftly on her heels away from me to whisper something low into the phone.

"I'm sorry," she mouthed to me with a pulled expression as she looked over her shoulder..

I waved her off. "Take your time."

"Dad, you know I miss you but I can't move to Japan; not now. But yes, I promise to visit you as soon as I can."

Eventually, after another minute, she said goodbye before hanging up with an audible groan. "Don't get me wrong, I love my dad but sometimes he forgets we talk almost every other day. He wants a play-by-play of my life every time."

"He wants you to visit?" I questioned.

She nodded while slipping into a jacket. "Yeah but its hard to find time. You need more than a weekend to visit Japan; there's so much to do."

"Yeah," I pushed her hand away when she went to reach for her bag. "I've got it."

"Noah, you don't have to carry my bag," she chuckled.

I shrugged. "I don't mind. Ready?"

"Yep," she smiled that heart-stopping smile.

When she walked past me towards the open door, my fingers grazed the inside of her wrist to stop her.

"Mochi?" I asked.

"Yes," she responded immediately. "Because you're the sweetest and your tummy is soft."

She poked her finger into my stomach before letting out a loud shriek of laughter as I wrapped an arm around her shoulders to bring her into my embrace, the both of us walking to the doorway where the guys were waiting.

"Malcolm and Chase are going to meet us once they're finished with their date," Y/N said.

"I'll text them the address," Nick said while pulling out his phone.

"Where are we headed?"

"The mountains," Folio answered with a smile.

"Ooh," she slipped out of my embrace, much to my dismay, to rummage around her suitcase for a book before she came back to me, lifting my arm and throwing it over her shoulder once again. "Now I'm ready."

Resisting the urge to press a kiss to her forehead, I set my sunglasses over my eyes and pulled her along with me as she let the door close behind us and ignored the smug look Nick threw my way as we walked past him; Y/N wrapping an arm around my back.

NOAH

"Can you believe how many people are calling for us to collaborate? It's all over Twitter," Nick said while browsing on his phone.

"Shit, really?" Y/N peered over from the back seat so she could gaze down at Nick's phone, who sat in front of her.

I was driving the van to the location that Bryan chose for our photo shoot but Folio called shotgun before she could which earned a cute little pout on her lips; lips that I wanted so bad to taste once again. So she sat in the far back with Jolly while Nick and Bryan sat in the middle. It was weird not having Chase or Malcolm with us since we did everything together on our off days.

"What are they saying?" I wondered while keeping my eyes on the road.

"Fans want you to feature on Hollow Souls next album," Y/N grinned as our eyes locked in the rearview mirror for a few seconds.

I hummed while pulling the van to a stop at the park's entrance. "I'm around whenever you need me, angel."

Once we all piled out, I met Jolly and Bryan at the back of the van to help them unload the equipment while Y/N chatted quietly with both of the Nicks, and out of the corner of my eye; I marveled at how goddess-like she looked with the afternoon sun casting her with her own aura glow. Jolly caught me staring because he smacked my chest before handing me the guitar he brought.

"You could ask her out, ya know," Bryan smirked.

I snapped my gaze over to him. "I can't."

"Why not? It's clear she feels the same since she's here right now," he said.

A long sigh fell from my lips as I ran a hand over my face. "It's not that easy, guys."

Bryan rolled his eyes and then hung his camera from his neck. "I mean you've already kissed, how much easier could things be between you two?"

"You told him?" I seethed at Jolly, who held up his hands.

"I didn't say anything. You two give it away with all the romantic googly-eye shit," he chuckled while he and Bryan began walking up the long trail toward the top of the mountain where we planned on taking the pictures.

"Hey," Y/N smiled as she bounded up next to me. "Little photo shoot?"

Immediately the scowl that followed Byran and Jolly turned into a warm smile, matching Y/N's, and I nodded. We began walking step in step, hands brushing against each other every so often, and I nearly linked fingers with her more than once. However, when we reached some rocky terrain while walking up a hill, Y/N cursed herself for not wearing smarter shoes.

"Here," I bent low in front of her and patted to my back.

"No, you're not carrying me," she tried to laugh it off, but I knew she was nervous about me carrying her weight on my back.

"Angel."

I peered over my shoulder in time to see her place her hands low on her hips.

"Mochi," she teased back with a small smirk.

My heart skipped a long beat at hearing the nickname again. It sounded so fucking sweet falling from her lips; almost as much as my actual name sounded.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," I said, still bent low at my knees.

Y/N pulled at the bottom of her sweater dress. "I don't want to give these bozos a show."

She threw a thumb over her shoulder towards both Nick's who walked a few paces behind her. I rose to my knees and gave her a suggestive smirk while closing the distance between us.

"What color are they?"

"Uh," Y/N stammered but quickly recovered. "A cute olive green. Looks great against my skin tone."

A low noise vibrated in the back of my throat and I stood straighter as Folio walked passed just in time to feel the growing sexual tension.

"Either you hop on his back or I will," he joked as he and Nick walked passed us.

She stared up at me and slowly licked her lips, an action I watched carefully through my sunglasses. "Noah?"

"Yes, angel?"

"You have a cute nose," her voice was quiet, and I thought I misheard her.

I titled my head to the side. "My nose?"

"Yeah. It's just the perfect size for your facial structure," she finished with a boop to my nose.

I scrunched up my face. "Did-did you just boop my nose?"

"See!" She pointed to my face. "You look so fucking cute; it's insane."

"Angel, literally," I breathed a low chuckle.

"Mochi, literally," she mocked while sticking her tongue out.

My fingers itched to grab it but Bryan's loud voice echoed through the trees from far ahead. "Let's go you losers! You're holding us up."

I swear to-.

"What will it be, angel?" I asked.

Y/N dramatically sighed before motioning for me to spin around, which I did with a quick wink.

"If you drop me, I swear to Hades," She grumbled while adjusting her dress.

The warmth radiated from her in giant waves as her legs wrapped around my sides and I hooked my arms underneath her thighs to hoist her up.

"I swear to Hades that I will not drop you," I promised while walking up the steep hill towards the rest of the guys. "Do you actually pray to the Greek Gods?"

She flicked my ear. "No, silly. I just like to joke around with them. They're my favorite mythology."

"Will you teach me about them?

"I'm honored you asked; I'd love to," she ran her fingers through my long hair and I briefly let my eyes flutter shut at the calming feeling.

"Only if you let me braid your hair."

My eyes snapped open. "Uh, we'll see about that."

She flicked my ear again. "You're no fun."

Hooking her tighter against me, I closed the distance between us and the guys in a few long strides. Nick gave the two of us a look as I set Y/N down gently on her feet, she quickly pulling down her dress.

"You didn't see shit," she pointed a firm finger to all of us.

"Nope."

"Nothing."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Bryan held up his camera and snapped a few pictures of Y/N; who in return, flipped him the finger.

I watched with a racing heart as she messed around with the guys, almost as if she'd been part of our little group for years.

"Alright," Y/N pulled the book out of her bag. "I'll let you guys do your thing. If you need me, I'll be reading over there."

She pointed to the edge of the mountain that looked over the small lake we drove past to get here.

"Be careful, angel," I warned.

"I'll be fine," Y/N rolled her eyes but as she turned, she tripped over a rock and stumbled a bit before standing straight.

I raised a teasing brow at her while crossing my arms over my chest. "What was that?"

"Fuck you," she taunted with her middle finger.

Don't tempt me, angel.

The next hour passed in a blur as we took countless pictures, just having a fun, relaxing time. Every so often, my gaze would fall onto Y/N as she leaned up against a large willow tree, book perched in her lap. The wind blew through her ponytail every so often and I marveled at how fucking breathtaking she looked when her face would scrunch in surprise with whatever she was reading.

I knew from the moment I stepped off our bus the first day of the tour when I saw her standing amongst the group; when we first met. It wasn't the typical love at first sight bullshit Folio talks about that happens in the movies. It was more like a familiarity, almost like 'oh, hello. It's you. It's always going to be you.'

"Noah, could you take a little step forward," Bryan directed.

Snapping my gaze away from Y/N reluctantly, I followed Bryan's orders for another long few minutes until he decided we got enough pictures. I motioned towards Y/N, who still had her nose perched in her book, and Bryan knew what I silently was saying because he snapped a few pictures of her.

Malcolm and Chase walked up just as we finished our photoshoot so a quick idea came to my mind.

"Angel," I called.

She looked up. "Hm?"

Not saying anything, I waved her, Malcolm, and Chase over to our position which they did hesitantly.

"If Bryan is cool with it," I pointed to him. "What do you guys say for a Hollow Souls photoshoot? New and reimagined?"

Bryan immediately agreed. "Let me change out some things and we can get started.

Chase and Malcolm also agreed with a nod. "I think it'll be good for us."

"You guys don't have to do this for us," Y/N stated. "You've already done so much for us, Noah by filling in."

I shrugged while stuffing my hands deep into the pockets of my jeans. "I take care of the people I care about."

She pondered my words for a long moment and eventually let out a long breath. "Alright fine."

Once Bryan returned, the rest of stepped back to give them space to work. Nick was the only one who watched me as Jolly, Folio, and I kept our eyes on Hollow Souls. We grabbed a few beers from the cooler Jolly packed and was nursing them slowly.

"You know, this would be a perfect opportunity to maybe slip away just the two of you," Nick whispered.

I peered over to him and rolled my eyes, shoving him in the shoulder. "Whatever."

"I'm just saying," he held up his hands in defense. "A night under the stars in the mountains. Anybody would kill for a date like that."

Nick's words weighed heavily on my brain and when she began walking towards me, I made the haste decision by grabbing the guitar that was leaning against the tree.

"Hi," Y/N smiled as I met her halfway.

My heart warmed at the sight.

"Do you want to go somewhere more secluded, just the two of us?" I suggested with a hopeful smile.

I didn't want to think how I would feel if she rejected me and walked away from me.

"Sure," she answered quickly with a glimmer shining in her eyes.

Ultimately, after walking for a few minutes, we decided on an area far from the rest of the group down the water's edge. We sat down in the sand, our knees brushing against each other, and held the guitar in my lap as I watched her stare out into the vast distance of the water. There was a faraway look in the depths of her eyes as she messed with something on her wrist, fiddling it between her fingers.

A hair tie; the one I gave her the last time we were on the beach together. I wondered where it went but decided that I never wanted it back. It's hers to keep; along with everything else I gave her.

"How are you doing, angel?" I asked, breaking the growing silence.

She didn't look at me, kept her eyes straight ahead.

"I'm-." A hesitant breath. "I'm not sure. I want to believe I'm doing okay with the breakup of not only my relationship but also the band. For the longest time, Hollow Souls was the four of us and we released three records together. The future scares the shit out of me. Can the three of us reinvent a new Hollow Souls or do we need to find someone to replace Trey completely?"

I strummed a few random notes on the guitar; the melody echoing into the sounds of the waves.

"I think a fresh start in all aspects is good for you," I answered slowly, trying to get my thoughts and words right. "I've said it from the start, you're the heart and soul of this band, Y/N. The screams were a bonus. It didn't make or break you guys."

She finally looked towards me and her eyes darted over every inch of my face, wondering if my words were the truth. With her, they always were.

"I don't know what I'd do without you, mochi. Truly."

I scrunched up my face to show that the nickname wasn't my favorite but deep down, my insides were floating in pure bliss having her call me something so disgustingly cute. If any of the guys heard it, though, they would give me shit until the end of my days.

"Ditto, angel, ditto."

I tried to play it cool, sauvé, and chill. My typical demeanor was chipping like ice though, the fear of what would happen if it broke completely had its vise grip on me. No one has ever considered a fuckin a nickname for me, not one without a punchline. Not one without a groan or a cursed tantrum that followed. I wasn’t sure if the pure bliss I was feeling was normal, but who the hell wants normal? Hearing it come from her lips meant everything to me.

"Let's play something," I motioned to the guitar.

"Ooh, what do you have in mind?" She asked while turning her body to face me completely head-on and letting her hair flow as she took it out of the ponytail.

The view of her sitting in front of me with the waves crashing behind her, the setting sun's rays breaking over the horizon stole the breath from my chest.

"Only Love," I answered without an ounce of hesitation.

Y/N's nose scrunched up with confusion and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't the cutest fucking thing ever.

"Noah, that was a demo song from three years ago."

I shrugged and played the first few notes of the song. "Might be silly to some but to me, it means a lot."

It was true. I listened to that song on repeat when it first came out. It was the first song I heard by Hollow Souls and Y/N's voice captivated my heart with its claws. I remember laying on the pullout couch next to Nick in his bedroom as I stayed there yet again. My mind was racing with only one thought.

I have to fucking make it. I needed to buy my own couch that brought a sense of comfort and security I yearned for.

That's when her soft voice came through my headphones and it shocked me to hear a feminine voice after Of Mice and Men. I brushed the hair away from my eyes as I settled deeper into the couch and let Y/N's angelic voice lull me to sleep that night and far too long after.

Cut to three years later and the girl who wrote that song is here in front of me. Some may call it a ‘rockstar crush. Would she be considered that? Who the hell knows? All I know is that I had pent-up memories, and needed to hear that sweet voice sing it, just for me all these years later.

Y/N's real, right there in front of me.

"I'm shocked you remember that song."

"Why wouldn't I? You talked about it being on the cloud during that one livestream," I answered.

Her eyes doubled. "You watched the livestream?"

"Twice."

A red hue brushed across the soft skin of her face as she tilted her head down towards the sand, long hair covering her face.

"No," I brushed away the hair behind her ear. "Don't hide your beautiful face, angel. I want to see all of you if you'd let me."

"Sorry," she muttered under her breath. "I don't even realize I do it."

"Don't apologize. Never apologize to me. Just understand that this is how I see you. Now, enough sadness. Sing for me, angel."

She looked up at me through lashes with a small smile. "Do you know how to play it?"

I snorted, a little hurt that she would doubt me, but proved her wrong as I played the opening part of the song.

"I told you I watched the stream twice."

"Okay," she nodded. "Where did you want me to start?"

"Sing the whole song for me. Please?" I begged.

"You want me to sing the whole song?"

"I do," I rushed out.

Y/N gave a curt nod. “Okay, I’ll play the whole thing- but only because you asked me too, no one else gets the privilege.”

I playfully narrowed my eyes at her. “They better not.”

She took a deep breath while shutting her eyes as I played the tune on the guitar.

"I’m hoping you weren’t heaven sent cause only hell knows where you’ve been. Your built composure’s wearing thin and all your walls are caving in. Before you shut this down, I just wanna lift you up. I’ll take all this love I found and I hope that it’s enough."

We both could hear the ache in our hearts as it bled out, the lyrics mean so fucking much right now.

"Now don’t you shut this down. Ooh no don’t you give this up. I took all this love I found and I hope that it’s enough. Is it enough? If we don’t bend, then this might break. Please don’t give into this pain. Just keep on counting down the days and dream of me to keep you safe."

Y/n opened her eyes to meet mine, a blaze of passion that cut deep into my bones.

"Before you came around I was lost and out of place. You’re the only love I found and I’m hoping that you’ll stay. Please stay."

As we played on together in perfect harmony, there was one thing bright in clear in my mind: I'd stay for as long as she let me.

"Fuck," she breathed. "I forgot how much I loved singing this song."

I nodded in agreement while setting the guitar down next to me. "It's one of my favorites. It's actually what got me into Hollow Souls. I'd been hooked on your voice since that first night on Nick's couch all those years ago when I first heard it."

Y/N beamed when an idea struck her with such force, she stumbled to her feet. "I have to talk with Chase and Malcolm about something."

She took off a few steps in front of me, clearly excited about this idea she had. As we reached the rest of the guys, Y/N made a beeline toward Chase to tell him about her idea while I walked up to Nick and Folio, the former giving me a look.

"So my date idea was good, huh?" He playfully jabbed my side.

I pushed him away with a groan of embarrassment. "Fuck off, Nicholas."

"Oh, he pulled out the full name," Folio teased.

Jolly and Bryan joined us as we finished packing up the van and when I glanced over to Y/N, I noticed Malcolm pinching her cheeks playfully and she smacked his hands away, her cheeks flushed with her own embarrassment and large smile.

NOAH

"Oh wow, look at all of these beautiful people tonight!" Y/N's voice carried through the sold-out arena.

It was the last show of tour and Hollow Souls just took the stage for their set. We could feel the nerves radiate off of all three of them all the way where we stood on the stage to watch them. This was new what they planned on doing tonight but the three of them spent the rest of last night after we parted ways at the hotel and all morning and afternoon today practicing nonstop a new setlist. They wanted to show everyone tonight the first step towards the new Hollow Souls.

"Where's Noah?!" a voice yelled from the crowd.

Jolly chuckled from beside me. "Think they'll be upset you don't show up tonight?"

I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. "I hope not. This is something that they need to prove they can do. The fans need to have faith in Hollow Souls."

"Well, about that," Malcolm spoke into his microphone while adjusting his bass strap.

"Now before you all start booing us off the stage," Chase spoke next from his spot above on his makeshift drum stage. "Noah has been fucking killing it not only with Bad Omens this tour but also helping us out a lot. But tonight, we wanted to do something a little different. We still have our guitar tech filling in for us!"

The crowd cheered for their guitar tech, which made him give an awkward wave.

"I know this may take getting used to, but we appreciate your support in doing what’s right for us and our band," Y/N said. "It means so fucking much to all of us you still showed up tonight even knowing Trey is no longer with us. For that, we're going to give you a kick ass show you deserved. Don't give up on Hollow Souls. We cut out the disease and are ready to fucking blossom."

Y/N peered over to me and with a small wave and wink, she sang the first few lyrics of Only Love.

NOAH

Darkness cascaded over my sleeping form, a brush of moonlight breaking through the curtains pulled tight in our hotel room, and I buried myself deeper into the cocoon of blankets. Sleep was within my grasp and after the last few weeks, the thought of finally being able to sleep in my own bed back at home made it that much easier to grasp it.

Until my phone buzzed from its place on the nightstand and my hand smacked around until it grabbed it. Through hazy vision, I blinked a few times for the words to clear.

Hey, are you awake?-Angel.

I sat up in bed and rubbed away the rest of the sleep from my eyes. It only meant one thing when someone texted you the typical you up text.

Yeah, couldn't sleep.

Bullshit, you were seconds away from waking up Nick with your snoring.

I stared at the bubbles that appeared on my screen and then disappeared, only to reappear right before her next text came through.

Would it be alright if I came by to hang out? Or is it too late?

The clock at the top of my screen showed it was just before midnight.

Not at all. I've got snacks, and we can finally finish watching Spirited Away. Room 392

Be there in five minutes. I'll bring some goodies too! :)

I chucked a pillow at Nick, who was fast asleep in his bed, but when he remained sleeping, I threw another. Eventually, he groaned, slowly waking up.

"You need to leave." I scrambled out of bed and pulled away the blankets from Nick. "Y/N's coming by to hang out."

Nick smoothed down his bedhead, a sly smirk on his lips. "You're kicking me out right now?"

"Fuck yes I am. Go bunk with Bryan or Matt," I said while changing out of my old gray sweats for a pair of black joggers, opting to put on a shirt.

He yawned before grabbing the things he would need and dragged his feet to the door, sending a text to whoever he bunked with.

"Be safe!" Nick called out before the door shut behind him.

With seconds to spare, I quickly tidied up the room then set up a variety of snacks and pulled up the movie on my laptop, setting it on the bed just in time for a soft knock to sound on the door. I let out a few deep calming breaths and did a quick once over of myself in the mirror.

"Hi," I smiled once I opened the door.

Y/N's eyes grazed over every inch of me as she shifted on her feet in the doorway, clutching a bag close to her chest. She was dressed in a pair of sleep shorts and an oversized shirt.

"Do you always sleep shirtless?" she asked with a raised brow.

I stepped to the side, allowing her to step inside the room. "Every hotel room I sleep in can't get any colder than seventy degrees. I need it to be at least sixty-eight. I run hot when I sleep and the guys know not to mess with the thermostat back home."

"Wow, good to know. I'll keep my hands to myself when I come over," she wiggled her fingers after setting her bag down on the couch.

Please don't.

I peeked a brow. "When you come over?"

"Oh, if you thought you saw the last of me because the tour is over, you're wrong," she fell onto the couch with a huff of breath. "I'm moving to Los Angeles."

My heart thumped loudly in my chest but I did my best to hide my excitement when I sat next to her.

"You are?" I questioned.

She nodded with that room-brightening smile. "I had a long talk with Chase and Malcolm tonight and we thought it is best. With us trying to reinvent Hollow Souls it'd be good if we were together for the writing process. Malcolm already found a place big enough for us and while he's going there to get things ready, Chase is flying back with me to Vegas to help me pack my things."

I shifted in my seat, resting my arm against the back of the couch, behind Y/N. "Do you think Trey will be there?"

"Probably but that's why Chase is coming with me; in case things go south."

"I could come too if you'd like," I stumbled over my words only slightly.

Y/N rested a hand on my knee and squeezed it. "You need to stop worrying so much about me, Noah. I can't ask you to change your plans for something I should do on my own."

"You're worth it, angel," I vowed while running a finger through the soft waves of her hair.

We stayed in that position for a minute longer, simply staring into each other's eyes, and when I ran my tongue over my bottom lip, Y/N let out a soft whine. The thick tension that always seemed to be around us intensified now, and it was almost hard to breathe, let alone keep my thoughts off the way her hand grazed a few inches higher on my thigh.

I cleared my throat while nodding to the bag next to her. "What did you bring?"

"Oh," she snapped out of her trance and set it on her lap. "Last tour, I started this tradition on the final night I celebrate by doing self-care."

She pulled out an array of masks and different colors of nail polish and then set them on the small coffee table in front of us.

"Sweet, hand me one," I nodded towards the masks.

"You do masks?" Y/N giggled.

"What, you think I get this perfect skin with just water?" I jeered with a smile.

For the next while, we sat with our face masks on and watched the movie on the small screen of my laptop. It took almost no convincing from her to paint my nails black; her choosing a burgundy color for her nails. But now, what she was trying to convince of me gave me a slight pause.

"I don't know, angel. I don't let just anyone touch my hair," I said while putting away my laptop, us finishing the movie.

Y/N moved to the chair that sat in the room's corner and had her legs spread wide. "It's a good thing I'm not anyone. Now, get your ass over here and let me braid your hair."

For added effect, she pouted her bottom lip out and gave me those big doe eyes.

"Fine," I sighed before sitting on the floor between her legs, my back to her.

I shivered under her touch as she raked her fingers through my hair to break apart the small knots that gathered while I slept earlier.

"So, which Greek God is your favorite?" I asked.

She hummed. "Without a doubt, Medusa. Her story is tragic and sometimes often told wrong but that's the thing with mythology; there are so many different versions, you just have to choose which one you believe more."

"Medusa is the one with the snake hair, right?"

"Yeah," she turned my head to the left as she began braiding that side. "Some stories said she was an original gorgon sister but recent tellings from Ovid say she was a beautiful maiden who worked in Athena's temple. Poseidon saw her from afar and just like Zeus always did, Poseidon decided he wanted Medusa. He had sex with her on the temple steps and Athena punished her by turning her into the gorgon with snake hair and cursed any man to turn to stone when they looked at her."

I whistled low. "Shit, Greek gods were assholes."

Y/N snorted. "You don't even know the half of it."

Once she finished the left side, she turned my head to the right so she could start on that side.

"How'd her story end?"

"In tragedy, like every other myth. Perseus was sent to behead her by King Polydectes of Seriphus because Polydectes wanted to marry Perseus's mother. The gods were well aware of this, and Perseus got help. He received a mirrored shield from Athena, sandals with gold wings from Hermes, a sword from Hephaestus, and Hades's helm of invisibility."

"Wait," I turned to look up at her, which made her chastise me because I messed up the braid. "Athena, who turned her into this monster, helped the guy who was sent to kill her?"

"Fucked up, I know."

With stern hands, she turned my head to the right again. "Since Medusa was the only one of the three Gorgons who was mortal, Perseus could slay her; he did so while looking at the reflection from the mirrored shield he received from Athena. During that time, Medusa was pregnant by Poseidon so when Perseus beheaded her, Pegasus, the winged horse, and Chrysaor, a giant wielding a golden sword, sprang from her body."

"Oh Pegasus, from the Disney Hercules," I noted.

"That movie is so wrong but what do you expect for a kids' movie," Y/N chuckled then slapped her thighs. "All finished."

She showed me my reflection through her camera on her phone and I couldn't stop the smirk that pulled at my lips.

"I'll have to admit, angel. I look good with braids," I admitted while snatching her phone from her.

"Hey, what are you doing?!" She asked while reaching for it.

I leaned far back from her and posed for a few selfies. "I thought you'd like an updated selfie of me. I know you have the other two I sent you a few weeks ago."

With a red face, she snatched her phone back and held it close to her chest. "I do not."

Bullshit.

"Right, then let me see your pictures," I teased while kneeling in front of her, hands resting on her thighs, her skin ablaze with heat.

She swallowed thickly. "Fuck you, Sebastian."

READER

I swallowed thickly while clutching my phone to my chest, knowing that he was correct about saving those two selfies he sent me before.

"Are you going to look at the selfie I took?" Noah taunted.

With a breath, I peered down at the phone only to suck in a large breath, body shivering underneath his warm touch on my thighs.

"That's your new contact picture, mochi," I smirked while setting it and leaned deeper in the couch, not realizing that I pressed my core closer to Noah's face.

His eyes burned as his gaze darted from between my legs up to my face and his tongue darted out to wet his lips, almost imagining the taste.

"Angel," his voice was deep, it rumbling in his chest.

All the heat shot straight to my pussy as it clenched with desire, something that always happened when around Noah. Before, I took care of myself with this exact image in my mind but now that it was about to happen made me buzz with excitement.

"Can I?" He asked while breathing over my lap.

I raised my hips towards his face, all morals or thoughts if this was the best idea flew out of the window. We waited long enough for this moment ever since we shared that kiss so long ago. I wasn't a religious person at all but fuck, did I pray to Aphrodite about this moment countless times.

"Please," the word choked out on my lips.

With a low growl, Noah pulled me off of the chair and tossed me onto the bed before he crawled between my spread legs. His long fingers hooked the waistband of shorts and panties pulling them off in almost a quick snap and when blazed eyes stared down at my bare pussy, I tried to close my legs.

"Don't," Noah demanded while gripping my thighs tight to spread my legs again. "Don't hide a fucking thing from me, angel."

Shit.

"I've never actually-," The words died on my lips when I felt embarrassed about what I was about to say.

Noah leaned over me. "Wait, are you going to say what I think you're going to say?"

I turned my head away from him. "He never wanted to go down on me."

Noah cursed while cupping my chin so I could meet his gaze. "Don't think about him, angel. Just lay back and enjoy this."

I did my best to nod in his grasp. "Okay."

He suddenly crashed his lips to mine in a fiery, passionate kiss, as he forced his tongue past my lips to taste every inch of my mouth and I moaned into it, nails scratching against the bare skin of his chest. Noah's teeth dragged over my bottom lip as his hand dragged down my side to slide up underneath my shirt, fingers pinching at my nipples.

"Noah," I breathed while breaking apart from the kiss.

He buried his face into the crook of my neck to breathe me in. "Say it again."

I did, over and over like a mantra, as he left a mark on the skin of my neck while his hand switched to the other breast, mimicking his actions from before. The wetness that pooled between my legs was almost a new feeling, never being this turned one, and for a moment I wondered if it would be alright; no pain.

Noah helped me sit up so he could pull my shirt over my head and soon was laying bare in front of him, hair sprawled around my head.

"Fuck, angel. You're fucking beautiful."

For the longest time, I was told something different from how I looked. So hearing the truth and sincerity from Noah made me almost close my legs in front of him. But with his tight grip on my hips to keep me locked against the bed, I knew he could read my thoughts.

"Don't go there. Stay here with me," he said before his lips pressed over every inch of skin from my lips to my chest, down my stomach, and stopped right about my pussy.

I whined the smallest of sobs when Noah took his time, lips ghosting over me. By now I was almost begging and when I finally felt the wet flick of his tongue against my clit, I breathed out a shaky curse. Noah pressed the fullness of his tongue against my lips, licking me up from the bottom to the top, spreading my legs wider apart. I bit my hand to keep the noises at bay.

"I want to hear you," he left a gentle bit on the inside of my thigh.

"Fuck," I moaned when his tongue speared inside of me for a few strokes.

My hands now grasped at the blanket beneath me as I raised my hips farther into his mouth, his lips wrapping around my clit to bite and suck at the bundle of nerves. I always thought my Gspot was in my clit because it was hard to have an orgasm any other way than rubbing myself. Without even telling Noah this, it was as if he knew exactly what my body needed.

It happened so fast, before I knew it he was devouring me like a dying man. I’ve never felt euphoria until now; this must be how it feels to see the moon, the moon that changes its orbit. He had me spinning.

"I love the way you taste, angel." Noah broke away from my clit for a second before diving back it.

The familiar feeling of an orgasm built in my stomach, the tension pulling so fucking tight it was seconds away from snapping. My spine tingled with anticipation as my body tensed, knees shaking underneath Noah as he rubbed his tongue in faster but shorter circles, moaning with the taste that lingered on his lips.

"N-noah. 'M so close," I let my head fall back deeper into the mattress.

"Let go, I've got you."

With a strangled breath, I let the orgasm crash through me like a tsunami, a bright white light edging at the corners of my eyes while Noah licked me through the last few aftershocks. As my breathing calmed, I lifted my head in time to see him stand to his feet, stepping out of his joggers only to stand in front of me in his black briefs.

I licked my lips when I saw his cock straining against the confines of the material until he palmed himself in a few strokes.

"Do you want me to stop?" He asked.

I shook my head with desperation clear in my voice. "No, please. I need this-I need you, Noah."

He cursed before sliding off his briefs with desperation and urgency, his hard cock springing against his thigh, and I nearly died at that sight alone. All of my imagination did nothing compared to the real thing, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared for a few different reasons. Sex with Trey was uncomfortable but with Noah's size, I feared it would only hurt. The only saving grace was that he worked me open and the added wetness would make up for the slight pain.

"Are you on anything?" Noah asked while kneeling between my legs.

A lot of different shit.

"No," I said.

He leaned over to a bag that lay at the foot of the bed and rummaged around for a few seconds before retrieving a condom. I watched with anticipation as pre-cum seeped out of the slit when he ripped it open and slid it over his length then perched himself between my legs again, the head of his cock pressing gently against me. He wrapped one of my legs around his hip then slowly, sunk deep inside of me, and I bit my tongue hard to keep my strangled cry quiet. I knew there was going to be some pain; it was inevitable, but I didn't expect it to feel so good either.

"Fuck," Noah rested his forehead against my collarbone. "So tight."

He didn't move at first, relishing in the way I felt gripping his cock, and I couldn't take it anymore; I needed him to move.

"Noah," I begged while grinding against him.

One hand gripping my thigh, the other was placed next to my head to keep himself supported as he finally moved his hips in slow, deep strokes.

"Faster," I panted, almost pleading.

Slow was good but right now I needed fast.

Noah accepted my pleas and began slamming into me with such force, I cried out in name with a mixture of pleasure and pain. My hand slipped between our bodies to rub at my clit, hoping that the sensation would ease the pain a bit, but it could only do so much.

He noticed something was wrong with the way my face contorted in pain. "Angel, do you want to get on top?"

"Fuck yes, please."

Still buried deep inside of me, Noah rolled our bodies so now I was straddling him and almost immediately, the pain subsided; it was still there but not as strong. My hands sprawled over the tattoos that covered his chest as I leaned down to lick my way across the snake and apple on his neck. The noise he made, and his moans were so soft as my hot tongue went up and down his neck, I grazed over his Adam's apple with my teeth and bit down. Noah shook underneath me as he wrapped an arm around my back to hold me closer, burying his thick, aching cock, deeper inside of me.

We felt the rush, the aching, burning blush. We surrendered to the touch. I gave him a show. This is heaven in hiding.

"Angel," he begged as my teeth worked on leaving a mark against the hand on his neck. "I need-."

"What do you need?" I ground my hips against his pelvis and the sensation sent sparks to my clit and I clenched around him.

"Fuck," he cursed. "Don't stop what you're doing. It feels so good."

"Oh," I bit down on a new patch of skin on his throat. "This?"

"Yes," he dragged out the S for a few seconds.

My hands went to run through his hair but I almost forgot in our haste that I braided it a few minutes before this.

"Angel," Noah's voice was raw. "You have no idea how much I've wanted you."

I sat up slowly to stare down at him in awe as his words made me feel unspeakable things.

In one quick action, his hand snaked behind my head to pull my lips back down to him to kiss me feverishly.

"Noah," I tugged on his braids.

"Shit, give me a minute. I can take them out."

I didn't stop moving my hips against him. "Noah. I-."

"Just second, angel."

His hands left their vice grip on my hips to take out his hair but I quickly slapped his hands while sinking deeper on his cock. "Leave them."

The same sensation of a cresting orgasm filled every inch of me, ecstasy shooting through my veins like a drug, and when Noah's thumb pressed fast circles against my clit, I leaned my head up towards the ceiling, lips parting as my hands wrapped around his braids, pulling with such force he choked on my name. I rode Noah faster, needing that last little bit of friction to tip me over the edge and when I finally let the bliss plow through me in droves, I held my breath.

"Angel," Noah cupped my cheek so I could look down at him. "Breathe through it with me."

I did as he said, both of us breathing out my orgasm as our eyes locked intently with each other. I writhed against him, my arousal soaking the condom and parts of his hips. It was such a simple action but the way it set my body on fire intensified the aftershocks to something I'd never experienced. Noah stared down to the place where we met and with a noisy moan, he wrapped an arm tighter around me to pull me flush against his chest as his hips stilled for a second before he emptied himself inside the condom.

NOAH

I pressed light kisses all along Y/N's shoulder blades, in shock and almost slight jealousy as I took in every inch of the large tattoo that covered her back. It was of a large snake that wrapped along every groove of her spine with an array of different Japanese flowers.

Afterward, I let her fall onto the mattress with a happy sigh, immediately grasping the pillow closer to her chest and that's when I noticed the tattoo.

"I can't believe I've never noticed this before," I mused while running a finger over the ink.

"It's taken like two years to complete. It's my second favorite after the one on my leg of the Gods," she rested her chin on her palm. "You know what I just realized? We have similar tattoo themes; copy cat."

Her finger grazed over the snake and apple along my neck.

"Yeah," I chuckled. "All you need is an apple right here."

I smacked right above her ass and she shrieked while falling into the pillow once again, a long but content sigh falling from her lips. I kissed from between her shoulder blades down her back, my nails grazing beyond the wake of my lips.

"Are you okay?" I wondered while gently squeezing her hips.

“Yeah, I think so. I feel content, just basking in it. You?”

I nodded and kissed the side of her head as I lay next to her. "I feel great."

"Do you know what you want in 10 years?" Y/N blurted out.

“That’s a random question” I chuckled while kissing her lips.

She sighed and looked up at me through her lashes. “I know but think about it, like really think about it?”

I thought deeply about her question, fingers still grazing her spine. “Alright I’ll bite, I don’t know, I’ve always been trying to make it with whatever bullshit has been going on in my fucking life- just wanting to mean something to somebody, make music- for anybody out there to listen. To be the fucking king you know?”

She laughs. "And?"

"Way down the road maybe one day in the future- to live in the middle of nowhere with a dog, cats, and a family of my own. In my wooden home that I built."

Y/N's body went rigid with my words.

"But right now, no dog, no family just…just Bad Omens," I finished with a hopeful breath.

She hummed in response but turned her head to face the wall opposite of us, something bothering her. Not wanting to push it, I left another kiss on her spine before I slipped out of bed to discard of the condom in the bathroom trash, a light red color catching my attention.

Once back in the room, I slipped back underneath the covers.

"Angel?"

Another hum vibrated from her throat, sleep weighing heavy on her shoulders.

"Did you get your period?"

I swore I saw all the breath leave her body with my question and my mind panicked, thinking she was embarrassed.

"It's fine," I rubbed her back soothingly. "I just saw some blood on the condom, that's all."

When she still said nothing, I nudged her face with my nose. "Are you alright?"

"Yep," she said quietly.

"Stay till morning?" I asked, hopefully.

Finally, she turned to face me and left a kiss on my nose. "I have to go."

My heart fell into the dark pits of my stomach as I watched her slip out from underneath the sheet to gather her clothes. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, Noah." She slipped back into her clothes rather quickly. "I just have an early flight to catch and I know you have one too."

I shook my head and stood to my feet while slipping my briefs and joggers back on. "I don't buy that. We were great, where did you go just now?"

She doesn't want to leave, I can see that in the way her movements slowed once she was dressed, almost as if she was buying time for me to say something that would change her mind. But she refused to meet my gaze.

"Angel, look at me. What's the matter?" I asked again.

"Nothing-," she began with a sigh.

"Then why won't you stay?"

The fear of her slipping between my fingers was debilitating.

"Noah, you know I can’t; we can’t," Y/N stumbled over her words.

I stretched my arms out wide at my sides. "Why? Why can’t you?"

With her gaze still cast down to her feet, she shook her head. "You don’t want me Noah, trust me, you don’t want any part of this."

"Bullshit," I spat as my anger got the best of me.

Y/N's head snapped up towards me, finally looking me in my eyes and all I saw in hers were the wetness of tears. "I have this condition that already makes my life harder every fucking month. I don't need to bring you into it and ruin our future, alright?"

My heart stopped for a few seconds. "Condition? What the fuck, are you dying or something? I don't know what the hell this means."

"No," she rushed out. "I'm not dying. I-I don't want to get into this right now. All I know is that I would need you a lot more than you'd need me. And you deserve better than me, anyway."

"Don't-" I started while pointing a finger at her.

She ran a distressed hand through her hair. "You know it’s true Noah, please. This is hard enough as it is. Walking out right now."

The bed stood between us and I hated feeling so far from her even though we were still in the same room so I walked around it, standing a few inches in front of her now.

"I’ve been through a lot of shit in my life too, Y/N. Don’t sit there and tell me what I can and can’t handle. Don’t sit there and tell me what I want or don’t want. You’re just so afraid of us," I pointed between us.

She grasped her elbows to hug herself and I could see the way her mind was running, gears turning hastily. Y/N was shutting down in front of me and I fucking hated it.

"Don’t fucking do that. I’m not him," I assured her with a gentler tone.

All of this was a trauma response, something so embedded deep into her brain that it was the only way she knew how to act. I know she felt the same way that I did; it was clear with what happened not even an hour ago. If she didn't feel the way I did, she wouldn't have shown up tonight. Y/N wants to stay, I can see it in the way her eyes keep darting to the bed but the pain and trauma were too deep.

"I’m sorry angel, I just- you’re wrong. I know how I feel about you, and I know what you feel about me."

I went to reach for her hands but she took a step back, a few tears falling to the ground below.

"I know what I feel. It’s not you, it’s me, Noah."

Not that fucking line.

"No. Fuck, angel! Stop! The future hasn't even happened yet. Please, don't-what do you need to happen?"

Her bottom lip trembled as a broken sob clawed its wait through her throat. "I-I think we need to remain friends right now. I can't-I can't get lost in you, Noah. It's so fucking easy to. I think we need space."

"I-I don't fucking want that, Y/N. I just want you."

"Noah, please understand where I'm coming from," she begged.

I paced the room, hands shaking in anger. Defeat? I wasn't sure.

"Angel-I. Please, just-," I eventually sighed in defeat.

"I'm going to head out."

Y/N nodded towards the door after gathering her things and stepped past me to leave.

The fear of losing her completely is what made me give in to her wishes. As much as I wanted to fight her choice, I needed her as a friend more than something more. I'll take what I can get for right now until she realizes she feels the same; I know she does.

As she opened the door, my feet closed the distance between us in two large steps and I grasped her chin, forcing her to look at me. The tears burned with the need to fall but she held fast and strong, refusing to show me how badly walking away was affecting her.

I brushed my lips across hers in a soft kiss. "I can wait for you."

She tried to disagree but my grip was too strong. "Noah- I can’t ask you to do that. That’s not fair. You deserve-"

“Don’t tell me what you think I deserve." I let out a shaky breath. "Look, heaven knows I’m not getting over you, I can wait”

“Besides. I’m known for having a lot of fuckin patience. I will wait." I finished with a shrug.

If I wasn't already staring intently at her, I almost would have missed the small nod she gave me; but I didn't. I saw it.

“Goodnight Noah.”

With one final kiss, not enough to remember the way she tastes, Y/N let the door shut behind her as I burned my hateful gaze through it. She left? How the fuck could she just leave after the night we had together?

No, fuck that.

I barreled through the door in time to notice she was only two doors down, frozen in her spot.

"Angel," I called after her.

Slowly, she turned, and I sucked in a breath when I saw the redness in her eyes, puffy with teh tears she let out as soon as the door closed. Mine mirrored hers.

"Please," I begged. "Just come back to me. I'll wait for you."

Y/N hesitated but within that hesitation, something stood out clear as day; she took a small step towards me until that doubt filled the back of her mind yet again. I stayed in the hallway watching as she turned the corner, disappearing from my vision and life; my words not being enough to make her stay.

Back inside the room, I let the door slam shut and made a beeline toward the minibar. I screwed off the cap of the Hennessy, downing half of it in one go.

"Bitter ends to the night. I'm along for the ride," I raised the bottle in the air before taking another long, slow gulp with my eyes screwed shut.

Suddenly, they snapped open, and I rummaged around the mess of my room for my phone, quickly typing out a text to Jolly.

I need to write a song, now.

Only a few minutes passed before he responded, just enough time for me to pop open another bottle.

Now? It's three in the morning and we have nothing here.

Doesn't fucking matter. I'll figure it out. Come to my room.

Letting the bottle slip from my fingers, I stalked over to the wall and slid down until my ass hit the floor with a thud; the image of Y/N crying and walking away burned into my brain. I was out of breath, out of time trying to stop her but, in the end, everything has a price. And I was paying for it. 

[minicoffee00]

Fast Changes Part 1 - Azriel x Reader

Plot: You are Feyre’s younger twin and get sent into the Cauldron with your sisters coming out as high fae. What happens on this journey

Warnings: Sexual Assault, Assault, Nakedness in Public, Angst

I was so happy compared to Nesta when Feyre came back, I hadn’t much care that she had come back with pointed ears, brighter eyes and now much taller than me.

I found it rather odd on my return home that there were no servants helping Elain tend to her garden or cooking through the window of the kitchen or wiping down the windows outside.

It was always busy and thriving at the house now that they had money.

Tamlin hadn’t managed to glamour me as I wasn’t in the house when he came to claim Feyre and I only could remember my anger from that night, having my sister taken from me, when Nesta told me the truth of what happened.

I had tried to follow Feyre, and had gotten over the wall, but as I crossed I was attacked, a scar now down my face showing just how I’d survived, how I couldn’t remember, only woke up on the mortal side of the wall.

After that, Nesta refused to let me leave the house, forbade it ‘as an older sister you will listen to me Y/an, it’s for you own safety. We don’t know what the tensions are like there right now’ she would tell me.

The second time Feyre came back, I saw my sister and attempted to follow her back when she left, only to be yelled at by Nesta and Elain to stay with them, with MY family.

So seeing Feyre, my twin, was like a breathe of fresh air. Even despite the now different features!

So when I’d walked into the seemingly empty house, I travelled straight to the dining room, not being quiet. Everyone heard me before they saw anything.

Azriel, Rhysand and Cassian had all been alert at the sound of the door.

I had thrown myself straight at Feyre when i walked in the door seeing her sat around the table.

The three large Illyrian men stood right up, ready to protect their brother’s mate. As Azriel watched her, his shadows perked up, which furthered him to take his dagger out seeing this as a sign that this small human was a danger.

“Feyre, why did you leave” I sobbed to her. Pulling her in close as I sunk to my knees.

“I had to, and now this place is no longer welcoming to me and my kind. I’m so sorry Sugar” she mumbles.

“Spice, why are they watching us” I mumbled to my sister watching the three men watch the interaction ahead.

“Rhys, Az, Cas, this is my younger sister. These are friends from the Night Court, where I reside now. Oh it’s beautiful. You must come see it eventually. Sorry about them, they just were worried you were an intruder” she introduces, showing me off to the three men.

Azriel couldn’t take his eyes off her, it was like he couldn’t not look. The way her honey bronze hair, the darkest out of all the sister was wispy from wherever she had been out in the colder air, and her light brown eyes, that almost looked like the sun.

“Hello, my name is Y/N. You really couldn’t tell I was her sister?” I asked shyly, I knew Feyre had gone through changes now that she was somehow Fae, but all of her beautiful features were enhanced making me look plain and boring stood next to her.

“Sorry we were only concerned, we will protect Feyre at any cost” Rhysand I think, as I remembered his name, chimed in making me nod slowly and take the only available seat on the table.

Elain was tense, holding her fork tightly. So I rested my hand on her thigh, tapping as a calming action. She dropped the fork immediately looking towards me, a smile drawn on her face happy to have me back in the house.

“How did you get that scar?” Azriel asks bluntly making my head shoot up, a look of shock on my face.

“AZRIEL! That’s rude” Cassian scolds, his raised voice not making Elain jump like it would have if I hadn’t had a comforting hand in her slightly sweaty one.

“I’m also, intruded Sugar. How’d you get it” Feyre pokes looking at me. I hated how she could always get me to admit to anything, but not this time. I didn’t want her to worry about me being reckless while she was gone.

“It’s nothing” I grumbled

“Nothing, that looks like it comes from the talons of a Naga” Cassian laughs observing my face, a breath releases from me that I didn’t realise I was holding.

“I found her covered in blood, left on our side of the wall, so you tell me. It wasn’t nothing Y/N and you shouldn’t have decided to run after Feyre. Silly child” Nesta scolds.

But all of a sudden my memories come back clearly. I see myself cross the wall, fight against a black snake like create, managing to kill one with the dagger (infused in ash) in my hand, however the other two overpowered my body. His talons swiped down, mauling my face, which caused the scar now there. The creature went for a second strike until a red haired Fae, came and killed the other two. I’d passed out by then, but that male had saved me.

Azriel had watched as she froze, his and Feyre’s heads snapped to Rhys who was looking at the sister with such intensity.

All of a sudden both her hands slap against the table gripping the white cloth. Elain noticed and reached forward touching her sisters arm comfortingly but nothing could seem to wake her from her frozen state.

“WHAT WAS THAT” I roared looking over to Rhys, I didn’t know how but I knew it was him.

“I’m sorry, I had to make sure it wasn’t something bad that could be infected and hurting you right now. You were aware of my presence?” He asked me shocked.

“I just saw the memories that I didn’t even know I had. You tell me” I sass, a small chuckle coming from Azriel and Cassian.

“As much as I love all this reliving memories of times my sister nearly died because of my other sisters stupidity. I have a question for you Feyre” Nesta asks in her usual annoyed tone.

“Go ahead Nes” Feyre smiles tightly. She looks over at me, I shake my head almost begging her not to entertain this.

“Is there something wrong with our food?” She asks and I watch as Feyre takes another bite, trying to reign back the displeased look on her face.

“No”

“Feyre, don’t eat it if you can’t. I’m sorry we don’t have” I start but of course am interrupted by my sister.

“So you can’t eat normal food anymore, or are you just too good for it” she questions a sly look on her face, one saying that Feyre wasn’t the only displeased one at the table, and something told me, it wasn’t to do with Nestas nearly empty plate of food.

Rhys dropped his fork, making Elain flinch and grab for my hand which I happily took in mine lightly.

“I can eat, drink, fuck and fight just as well as I did before. Better, even” Feyre grits out making me gasp, this wasn’t my sister. She wasn’t spiteful or hateful towards us. Elain had no reaction other than looking down, Cassian choked on his water he had started to chug out of nerves. I watched Azriel as he shifted more towards my oldest sister ready to get between then bickering.

A loud laugh rang over the table from Nesta. I stopped listening after that. After hearing a small ‘ Nesta Please ‘ come from an uncomfortable Elain next to me, I got up from the table, my chair screeching as I did. Chucking my cutlery on the plate, making a clanking sound that had everyone’s head turning before I stormed out the house.

“WAIT, Y/N Im sorry” Feyre cries from in the house.

Azriel had made a silent agreement with Rhys to go check on the youngest sister, he wasn’t even sure why he offered, maybe it was because no-one else did and they all continued to argue. He heard what Feyre and her twin had to do to keep the family going in their years of poverty. He felt bad for them, knowing what that fight, everyday to survive felt like.

“Y/N” Azriel called out into the darker gardens, hoping to catch a glimpse of the girl.

“Who are you?” I ask, looking down at him, I was up in a tree. One that I always would climb when I was little to escape my mothers wrath.

“I’m Azriel, Spymaster of the Night Court. I’m a shadowsinger” he says looking up at me with a glint in his eye.

He was shocked, normally his shadows would have told him she was hiding up in the tree, but they were just silently watching her. They were swinging around, more active with an excited buzz to them.

“Why has Feyre become so …” I start not even having the words.

“We’ll im not sure what your sister was like before but she experienced a lot when she and Rhysand were held captive Under the Mountain. She saved us all, and gave her life for it. And in return she was give this immortal life” Azriel explained to me, I watched as he sat down at the base of the tree, I stayed perched up on the dip that I’d been sat in.

“What happened?” I ask, intrigued.

“That’s unfortunately not my story to tell, you’ll have to talk to your sister. She talks about you al the time you know” he says his shadows reaching up curling around the base of my legs that were hanging down. It made me gasp, the reaction causing him to look up and call back the shadows with a little struggle.

“I’ll never be able to come into your lands, I won’t ever see her again” I say sadly, knowing my sister was now a part of them, the night court.

“Your welcome into our court anytime. We can offer you protection while there too” he smiles softly, and this was the first time that I could fully take in just how beautiful this man really was. His hazel eyes shone brighter in the moonlight that had slowly been rising, and his smile… it created dimples that sent small flutters in my stomach as I knew that smile was directed at me.

“Come, lets go back to your sister” he says to me again just as softly as the time before. He reaches up, a silent offering to help me down. I nod, and he grabs onto either side of my waist helping me down from the last little bit of the tree that I’d slowly been moving down through our whole conversation.

He sets me down on the ground softly before holding a hand out to me. I look down from his hand to my own, and then back up at my own. He starts to pull his hand away, until I grab it, interlocking my fingers with his own. A small gasp of shock comes from his now open mouth making a small giggle come from me.

“What?” I ask

“I’m sorry, I know they probably don’t feel nice and look a state” he says looking down awkwardly, a frown now taking over my face.

“I think they feel lovely, firm like you won’t let go of me, and they have a story to tell. One that is behind the pretty hazel eyes of yours that you aren’t ready to tell me yet, but that’s okay. I like your hands” I say grabbing his other one facing fully towards him, holding his hand up to my cheek.

I place his palm flat against the side of my face, leaning into it with a sigh. I open my eyes and he is frozen just watching me with a look of longing and pain in them, but it’s gone before I can even question it.

I take his hand away, holding it down to my side coming back into the house and straight to the dining room.

By the time she had got back, Feyre, Cassian and Rhys were stood waiting for Azriel so that they could depart. They had managed to convince Nesta that they would attempt to communicate with the queens.

“Please don’t leave” I mutter to Feyre gripping her hand, tears threatening to spill from my eyes, I tried to hold them in, but the longer I did the more they built up in my waterline, like a damn waiting to burst its banks.

“You know this realm is no longer kind to me and that I cannot stay here safely. The night court is my home now” Feyre says, trying not to make her voice sound too harsh.

“This will always be a home for you, no matter what the others think” I whisper looking into her eyes, they weren’t the eyes of the twin I once knew. No they held pain now, more than I’d ever experienced, and distrust in almost everything. But there was also joy, and this sense of newness that she couldn’t quite understand.

“I know this is hard for you to accept. But I’m with them now” Feyre says a serious tone in her voice that makes me take a step back.

“Fine” I grunt out turning my back on her and stepping towards Elain, the only comfort I really wanted right now.

[blueparadis]

❝ I CAN'T HELP IT ❞ + BACHIRA MEGURU ❪ playing ⌗10, ⌗11 & ⌗12 ❫─── via radio line ❛anatomy of emotions ❜〳 from this is what ____ feels like !⠀

[ content and themes ] :: abo au + modern au, f!omega!reader, pov!bachira, slice of life, exs to lovers, mutual pinning, flirting, fast burn,angst and comfort, silent confessions, fluff , $mut descriptions; word count— 2k // [ synopsis ] :: After a whirlwind of highschool years, Bachira trips over an old flame and this time he is not afraid to get hurt no matter how many times he falls. // [ notes ] :: this is for my beloved dee @semisgroupie via snow’s valentine gift exchange ( @suyacho ). just wanna say that I've never been so happy with the results of a lottery ;› ß’read by cherry <;3 ( @cherrykamado ) // [ tag index ] :: for blog navigation ; event masterlist is linked in title. also available in my ao3.

Break-ups are never easy. They tend to do more damage than we expect, than we could ever do to ourselves. Humans say that falling in love is the most beautiful feeling. It would never let hope die,however weak it is. It would never let you weep alone. No matter how much you trip and hurt yourself, you still manage to be up on your feet again to follow them everywhere till the last breath. Love is eternal, they say. They never say how to fall out of love. Humans claim that they fall in love only once; true love happens only once unlike such animals. 

Such is the theory in this world where alphas, betas and omegas exist along with humans. Not only that, but they are actually thriving well, that is, the prospect of cohabitation has become more flourishing than before.In fact, the head representative of such inhumans claims that within a century , there might not be any existence of humans.

Bachira agrees. He agrees with the theory of love, not the animalistic part. He agrees, if he falls, he will fall so hard that he would not be able to pick himself up, at least he thought he wouldn't. His first break- up at least taught him how he was so not in love with y/n. People tend to miss their partner after break-ups, but he never missed her, not even once. Sure, there was this unsettling feeling at the corner of his heart but it faded with time. 

Sometimes, he even thought that there was not enough love between her and himself so he would miss her, after she was gone like the wind. And now she is standing in front of the list of the candidates that have cleared for higher studies. Bachira did too. He can see his name in the list of dominant alpha males. He can also see her name and her feeble stature at ease amidst the crowd. No doubt she is a human, must be, otherwise what kind of omega would not be able to detect the presence of an alpha?

Bachira starts to walk towards her hoping she would recognize his scent, turn around if he released enough pheromones but he halted, he had to. How could he not when she ran away with tears in her eyes to the nearest restroom. Was she not happy about her selection? Did she see his name too? Who on earth would cry if they had cleared scholarship exams? Humans. Twisted humans.

It has been a week since I saw y/n on campus. I don’t even know her particulars and not that I need to but it would be nice to have some info on her so that I could avoid her at all costs. She was the first person I have ever dated. There were a few after her but it wasn’t like I imagined. I didn’t miss her like I was supposed to miss after a ‘break-up’, I didn’t try to contact her or anything like that after she left due to her father’s job transfer. Now that I think about it, it’s pretty much ;ame reason for a break-up. We didn’t particularly talk after we parted. . . wait, does that mean we never broke up? That’s even more lame. Fuck fuck fuck why does she have to go to same college as I do. It could have been any other college in this gigantic city. . . oh fuck! I hate this, I hate this so much.

Bachira does not have any idea how to react if he were to cross paths with her, how to act like an ‘ex’ and hence he was always on guard. Whenever he could feel her presence he would always resort to detours rather than the normal shorter paths. Part of him felt horrible about himself , and another part was happy that she was coming to college, studying , living her day without being aware of her ex’s presence. Must be nice to be a human, to be so clueless about the raw edges of emotions. While he had his own emotional waves to avoid Y/N had her own inner turmoil to come at peace with. Not only did she crack the scholarship exams but also she was identified as an omega. The worst part was she came to know when she saw her name in the list of omegas who are selected for a pass in higher studies. Throughout her whole life she was taught how to talk like a human, behave like a human, feel like a human and now she is one of them now; a creature of the wild. Even though her parents were able to accept it quickly she took a few weeks to come in terms with it. Why was that? 

Her mother is human but her father is not. He is an omega with dominant genes. After first, y/n thought that her parents had a cute love story, just like one of those fairy tales— beauty and the beast. It felt nice. It felt perfect. She wanted it for herself, she wanted to experience one such fairy-like love story, at least once in her lifetime but it ended when she saw her father yell at her mom, so loud, so harsh that she almost cried. Y/N tried to overlook it as ‘just one-time’ but arguments became regular after that. Home was not home anymore. 

But the sun shone upon Y/N again when the family was blessed with another child, a boy, an omega. She was happy that her mom and dad did not fight anymore but the fear in her heart never went away. And, hence when her father had an order of job transfer she left without saying goodbye to her boyfriend who was as warm as the sun. In her defense, she did not have her personal cell phone yet, nor had a chance to see him at school. 

It was during summer vacation when they left the city without any trace of good memories.

And what are the odds that after a year they would bump into each other after a sultry summer afternoon? “Woah!”, y/n blurted, noticing that her ex was playing soccer with a bunch of guys from her class. 

Thereafter, each Monday she used to sit to watch him play. He has not changed, not a bit. Just a little here and there on appearances. He was taller than before, had a piercing just above his cupid’s bow and had a short ponytail; it seemed like he would let his hair grow.

And, each Monday whenever Bachira could not sense her scent anymore, could not feel her presence anymore he would look back to check and watch her walking through the corridor till she was out of sight. He even got hit by the ball for being distracted but that’s okay. He could let it slide. 

Y/N missed two Mondays in a row and his head was everywhere but not in the game anymore. He could muster up enough courage to pass by her classroom. He almost locked on the probability of not seeing her again, expecting her seat to be empty. Four more steps and he will pass through the back-door of her class room.

one.

two. 

three.

four.

The poor fruit juice can was a victim of Bachira’s anger. He never felt so betrayed before, not even when y/n left him without any word or explanation. But the second he passed that back door he was still like a sculpture witnessing the greatest miracle that life has to offer. She was looking outside through the door, with her lips having an upward crescent of mischief that made Bachira lock eyes with her. The bell rang. It was lunch break. All the students were walking out of the classroom, running through the corridor yet only two souls remain still. 

All this time. She knew. She knew that her past was slowly trailing back to her. 

Days rolled on, nights crept in but Bachira could not forget that face of hers, amidst the joyful unified screams of the students y/n was sitting in her place with a smile on her face. He even asked if they could have lunch together or not but all she did was to nod, part her lips to speak yet did not say a word before joining the crowd. 

Thereafter, bachira’s toilet breaks became frequent. He felt like he was in love, again but he knew it better than anyone that it was ‘just a phase’, maybe infatuation or a crush. There is no way he would let an old flame rekindle when there was no affection to begin in falling for her. Yes, sure he liked her but maybe not enough to have her as girlfriend again. But he could tell something was different, something about her felt different. It’s her scent. It’s different than before. 

“Nice play.”, Isagi yelled as he shared a high-five with Bachira. He thought of staying back even after practice since his parents are gonna be home late, it would be better if he dedicated some of his stamina to soccer. Everyone was getting their belongings together, changing dress and as such. 

After a while all the commotion faded. Bachira was all alone in the locker room, the slow breeze soothing his muscles while he kept his head bowed, eyes closed trying to recharge as quickly as possible. There was a feeble sound, someone was humming. Curiosity over took him and when he figured the source it amused him. It was a girl humming and moving her hips, probably practicing her steps as cheerleader, at least her outfit suggested so. 

She closed the cupboard, turned around and almost jolted at the presence of another person, Bachira. He took a few steps towards her. Two to be precise, she backed away with two short steps feeling her back being pressed against the metal locker.

“Let me go.”, y/n tartly responded trying to avert his eyes.

It was as if he was under reflex when he thought for a response. “Kiss me and I’ll.”, Bachira boldly whispered and waited.

Two things began to happen simultaneously . One : y/n slowly began to lose control over her pheromones; she was new at this. It would have been easier if she were introduced to this way of living since childhood. It takes more effort to teach a grown man to behave than a child. It’s a reboot of her whole being within just a few weeks, certainly there would be cases where it would become faulty.

Two : Bachira was starting to feel impatient. He closed the gap with quick steps entering the room and locking the door with a loud thud with his foot. He was already tired from the practice but never before he felt this uneasy, this restless.

“What’re you doing?”she asked, squinting her eyes at him. There was no sound except the dull drilling noise of the fan. Bachira's lips parted to respond, “I . . . —- but his answer ended with his lips on hers. It was a short, dry kiss, just grazing of supple skins against one another. Bachira opened his eyes when he felt a strong push on his chest. Instinct took him over as he grabbed the edge of the bench otherwise he would have knocked his head on the ground. 

“Fuck. . .”, his head felt heavy, vision a little blurred. He blinked a few times before getting up on his feet. He saw her bags and earphones on the ground. There was a bunch of noise in the corridor, giggles and talks of girls. Before anyone could spot any trace of disaster, he grabbed her belongings and left the site immediately.

It was a cold wintry evening when Bachira fell in love again, tasting the tanginess of his first love. He was wrong about so many things. They were still not over, not like this. Their love was just in brilliant sparks back then and now it turned into a wildfire.

 —

@tokyometronetwork

[jwirecs]

RECOMMENDED STRAYKIDS FICS OF MAY-JUNE 2023💖

hello, hello! here are my recs for straykids for may-june! hopefully these beautiful stories get more recognition as well as the writers 💝 (i discovered that combining atz/svt/skz&txt into one post may be too much and too long + might take too much space in the tags for each respective groups so i’ve decided to make them all separate!)

** anything in parentheses and bolded are my thoughts that can be disregarded if needed **

🔞smut || 💔angst || 💕fluff || ✅completed || 🔄ongoing || 💯favorite

03:45AM || @luvtora​​​​💕✅

↳ late night snack run with chan.

Sun-Kissed Ripples || @lvllylix​​​💕💔✅💯

↳ Joining your boyfriend, Chan, and the rest of Stray Kids for a day by the pool proves to be an unforgettable adventure filled with laughter, splashes, and heartwarming moments.

Falling For You || @hwxnghyynjin​​​​🔞💕💔✅💯💯

↳ (no summary, but this is the first single dad!stray kids that i have read so far, and i love it)

From Eden || @lvandrmoon​​​ 🔞💔✅💯

↳ god created adam & eve… and then eve fell in love with the snake in her garden.

I Really F**king Like You || @jl-micasea-fics​​​​🔞💕💔✅

↳ Tinder matched and subsequently ghosted by the hot guy that lives across from you, you’re mostly resigned to singleton life, dejected and somewhat fed up. That is, until a screwed up delivery turns things around, in the most unexpected of ways.

Morning With Chan || @yxngbxkkie​​​💕💔✅💯

↳ (no summary, but its basically different scenarios of each member and its cute af so read it. chan is linked up there, the others are: minho, changbin, hyunjin, jisung, felix, seungmin, jeongin.)

You Have Smaller Hands Than Him || @blue-jisungs​​​💕✅

↳ (no summary, title says it all. shts still cute af)

Stray Kids Reaction || @yangfleurs​​​​​​​ 💔✅

↳ They call you clingy

Cuffin Szn || @luvrhyune​​​​​​💕✅

↳ winter was the time that any couple thrived, seeing as they had each other to keep warm. you so badly wanted to experience what it was like to have a partner during winter time, thank god you have your warm, muscular best friend; seo changbin, to make your winter wonderland wishes come true

It’s You? || @caseiloveu​​​​​💕✅💯💯

↳ yn likes three things: their friends, discounts, and the anonymous 3racha podcast provided by three random strangers on campus. especially j.one has won their heart in whatever parasocial relationship yn has found themselves in. this peaceful life is interrupted when a misunderstanding ensues - resulting in... what exactly? all yn knows is that they need to avoid jisung at all costs, all while their friends have other plans in mind.

Star Lost || @nomniki​​​​💕💔✅💯

↳ everyone has a unique link to their soulmate, you have the pleasure of knowing whenever your soulmate is lying in the form of tall tales inked across your skin. you don’t expect to find them soon, and especially not in the middle of your nine am lecture explaining why he has no homework

Prank Texts || @tyunphoria​​​​💕✅

↳ ”she’s busy” prank - hyung line (im honestly cackling at all of the skz texts that im reading. got me in my bed kicking my feet and sht)

Prank Texts || @il-i-sam​​​💕✅

↳ trying to prank them with an exotic pet

When You Call Them By Their Full Name || @1800pinkpark​​​💕✅

↳ calling the maknae line by their full names instead of pet names (hyung line here)

Do check out all of the other straykids fics that i have reblogged as well!!

** if there is any fics that you guys would like to recommend, please do! i am slowly running out of fics to read **

[woorphic]

nct recs

i do not own any of the listed works. all credits go to the original poster.

i’ll update this post as i read.

(m) - mature // (s) - suggestive

last updated 16 nov 2022

just to preface: i do not enjoy reading smaus. works i recommend are (usually) long oneshots with quality writing.

YUTA

｡° glossed over by @gyukult (m) II 18.2k

yuta x fem reader

childhood friends to lovers, best friend's brother, college au

times in your life where you thought nakamoto yuta was just your best friend’s older brother, a guy you had a little childish crush on. but little did you know, there was more than what meets the eye.

｡° 5 minutes by @doiefy (s) || 26.7k

yuta x reader

angst, sci-fi, dystopia

The year is 2463. Seoul is an infinitely-expanding metropolis, the centre of modern infrastructure and development. An undisputed powerhouse in technological advancements, Seoul promotes diversity, inviting people of all backgrounds, cultivating rare talents and providing them with the space to flourish. You live amidst it all, sheltered comfortably by the prestige and wealth of your family, sheltered from the darkness that thrives in the deep underbelly of the city. That is, until Yuta pulls the ground from your feet and shows you what lies beneath the capital’s smooth pavements, crystalline glass and liquid gold. Uncovering secrets, wandering off with him where you know you shouldn’t—you’ll pay for it dearly.

DOYOUNG

｡° before i go by @yutaholic (m) II 19.8k

prince!doyoung x fem reader

arranged marriage, fluff, angst

The day has come for you to marry Doyoung and life as a princess is not what you expected. Your new husband is distant and there is trouble stirring within the monarchy. Now more than ever, you are determined to kindle a romance with the prince, but you soon learn that your marriage will be put to the test in ways you could never have imagined.

｡° marriage of inconvenience by @lucaswithnoshirt (s) || 22.5k

writer!doyoung x reader

victorian, arranged marriage, strangers to lovers, fluff

you had thought love was easy: find a man you like and who likes you, marry him, then spend the rest of your lives together. except it never really is that easy, not when things go wrong.

SICHENG

｡° and stupidly, us. by @choerrypuffs (s) || 5.5k

vigilante!sicheng x nurse!reader

your boring, routine life takes a turn when you find a man bleeding to death by your apartment.

JUNGWOO

｡° pincushion by @jungwooisms (m) II 20k

tailor!jungwoo x fem!bookbinder!reader

historical, fluff, angst, unrequited love

a quiet life shaken up by a new face that appears in the tailor shop down the street. little did you know on your first meeting how lovely and bittersweet your love for him would become.

｡° strawberry flavored basorexia by @multihoe-net (m) || 7.6k

jungwoo x fem reader

friends to lovers, smut, college au

you’ve been feeling some kind of way towards your friend, who’s always been insanely gorgeous in your eyes… but fuck, those lips look so nice, and you just want to kiss him until they’re red and swollen.

MARK

｡° sunday kind of love by @smileysuh (m) II 35.7k

fratboy!mark x fem reader

fluff, college au, slow burn

Mark is fine with having a crush on the girl in the library. He’s fine watching her from afar. And he’s fine with never speaking a word to the girl who he spends many nights chasing in his dreams. But fate, and a few nosey frat brothers, think Mark would be much better if he was forced to talk to the cute girl from the library that he can’t seem to get out of his head. 

｡° skinship - kisses by @honeym4rk II 4.2k

mark x reader

fluff

in a relationship where your boyfriend finds physical affection rather awkward, you’d best believe it would’ve taken some time for him to warm up to the idea of skinship- skin to skin, a hand on his, cheeks crashing together as close as possible. but the patience comes at a good cost- mark has several ways to close the distance between you.

｡° missing person by @kyufessions || 7.1k

mark x gn!reader

thriller

warning: mentions of knives, blood and physical violence

you’ve been happily dating your boyfriend, mark lee, for the past two years. but what happens when all of a sudden your best friend sends you a missing persons article and your boyfriend is listed as missing for the past three years?

XIAOJUN

｡° cherry-flavored kisses by @deardejun || 2k

xiaojun x reader

fluff, short college au

HENDERY

｡° mine for the summer by @the32ndbeat (s) || 26.7k

hendery x fem reader 

time travel!au, angst, fluff, fantasy

what would you do if you are given a chance to revisit the summer that changed everything? to relive your youth, rekindle old friendships and perhaps… resurrect the one that got away?

HAECHAN

｡° my words, your thoughts by sundaysundaes (m) II 36k

haechan x fem reader

soulmate au, college au, fluff, slow burn

As an introvert, you are familiar with the silence. Drowning yourself deep in your thoughts has been a habit you’ve become addicted to. Your life begins to change, however, ever since the day you turned twenty. Suddenly, there’s this song that’s stuck in your head, and no matter how much you yearn to hear your thoughts or be comforted by the silence, it keeps on playing. You only get to find the answer to your problem when a young, cute barista hands you a cup of coffee one day, with that song’s lyrics written on the side. And you realize that you’re not the only one who’s been hearing voices in your head.

｡° if i lose my mind by @slightlymore (m) || 14.5k

dream sorter haechan x dreamer fem reader

fantasy/tim burton-esque, romance, smut, angst, fluff

you’ve never cared much for your dreams. they were always confusing nonsense you forgot in the morning. this until you started to have the same dream again and again and again: a lobby, pleasant elevator music in the background, many golden doors, a handsome young man welcoming you and asking where you wanted to go that night. his name was haechan and apparently you weren’t supposed to know that, let alone fall in love with him.

｡° better than gold by @cherryeoniis || 16.4k

nobleman!haechan x fem!reader

historical, fluff, angst, childhood friends to lovers, forbidden love

His family comes from old money, and you’re nouveau-riche. Unfortunately for them, Haechan’s never been one to listen very well, especially when his parents tell him to stop fraternizing with you. Because for all the flamboyant dancing and endless alcohol at his parties, nothing makes Haechan dizzier than your smile.

RENJUN

｡° the new cupid by @lunena (s) II 8.6k

renjun x fem reader

fluff, college au

Just when you begin to think cupid forgot about you once again, you suddenly meet Renjun, who’s been thinking the same exact thing. After your paths collide under abrupt circumstances during your friends Valentine’s Day party, you seem to hit it off amidst conversation and cocktails. This new friendship appears to be blossoming fast however, and you look to confide in your friend in search of some guidance through this new bond. What you haven’t realized is that Cupid has been working hard under your nose the entire time.

YANGYANG

｡° sleepless cinderella by @starlightkun (s) || 12.9k

racer!yangyang x journalist!reader

fluff

in which you get a lot more out of this interview than you’d planned for

[illumins]

𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞—𝑙. 𝑗𝑒𝑛𝑜 (#⁰¹)

✦trope: angst, dystopian, fantasy

✦wordcount: 680

✧second pov

▬▭▬▭▬▭▬▭▬▭▬▭▬▭▬▭▬▭▬▭

In the heart of a wasteland, where the remnants of civilization crumble beneath the weight of despair, you find yourself standing beside Jeno, your savior, your love, your anchor in this chaotic world. The air is thick with the acrid scent of smoke and burning debris, the sky a swirling canvas of ominous clouds tinged with the sickly hue of pollution.

Around you, the landscape stretches out in desolation, a barren expanse of crumbling buildings and twisted metal, the remnants of a world long forgotten. Charred remains litter the ground, a haunting reminder of the devastation that has swept through this once-thriving city.

Jeno's form cuts a dark silhouette against the backdrop of devastation, his bare torso wrapped in bandages that serve as a reminder of the battles he's fought and the wounds he's endured. His eyes, pools of darkness reflecting the turmoil within, betray the weight of the decision he's about to make.

You watch him with bated breath, your heart pounding in your chest as you grapple with the enormity of the situation. You had always believed in Jeno, had trusted him with your life, never once suspecting the darkness that lurked beneath his stoic facade. But now, as he stands on the precipice of damnation, you can't help but question everything you thought you knew.

The ground beneath your feet trembles with the echo of distant explosions, the world itself protesting against the choice that Jeno is about to make. But still, he stands resolute, his jaw set in determination as he grapples with the weight of his decision.

"Jeno," you whisper, your voice barely above a breath as you reach out to touch his trembling form. "What are you doing?"

Jeno's gaze meets yours, his eyes dark and haunted as he struggles to find the words to explain. "I'm doing what I have to," he replies, his voice tinged with resignation. "...For us."

Your heart clenches with a mixture of fear and desperation as you watch him wrestle with the demons that torment him. Whether it were the ones he'd bred from his own choices or of the makings of the world that failed everyone—failed him.

"But at what cost?" you plead, your voice breaking with emotion. "The world is at stake, Jeno. You can't just..."

Jeno cuts you off with a look, his expression pained yet resolute. "I can't let them take you," he says, his voice raw with emotion. "I won't." His eyes shined with newfound tears.

Tears blur your vision as you watch him step forward, his form silhouetted against the chaos and destruction. And as he raises his hands to the heavens, a single tear glistens in the harsh light of the setting sun, a silent testament to the sacrifice he's about to make.

"I love you," he whispers, his voice barely a whisper in the chaos of the world's end. And then, with a final look in your direction, he closes his eyes and lets out a scream that tears through the very fabric of reality.

The ground beneath you trembles and shakes, the world itself seeming to protest against his decision. But still, he stands firm, his gaze never wavering as he prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice.

You reach out to him, desperation clawing at your heart as you beg him to reconsider. "Jeno, please," you plead, your voice cracking with emotion. "Don't do this. We'll find another way. We'll..."

But Jeno shakes his head, his eyes burning with a fierce determination. "There is no other way," he says, his voice heavy with sorrow. "This is the only choice I have left," his words fell out like a harsh whisper.

As the world is consumed by the sacrifice that Jeno has made, you cling to Jeno in a desperate embrace. He leans in close, his lips brushing against your ear as he whispers those three words that will haunt you for eternity.

"I choose you."

Before you can react, Jeno pushes you into another dimension, a realm beyond the reach of time and space. And as you watch from the other side, the world crumbles around him, consumed for you.

[fantasy-so-far]

Updated Character List

This is a multimuse blog and the roster changes a bit from time to time. This is the updated list as of January 2024.

Main Muses

Laurent Toussaint

A former Garlean conscript who was sponsored and rehabilitated by a family in Old Sharlayan. He’s a man learning to make the most of this second chance.

 Exploration of Freedom // Meeting Oneself for the First Time // Healing // Alchemy // Angst for the Sake of Growth

#Laurent

Fangsong Searsha

On the surface, Searsha is a club owner who appears to thrive in a vibrant nightlife. This is not the depth of her character, but it is probably who you will meet first.

Ninjas and Neon // Vipers and Venom // Personality Plasticity at the Cost of Closeness // Intensity as a Love Language

#Searsha

Reverie ‘Evie’ Heart

A baker with a past who looks hopefully to the future. She’s a spiced cinnamon roll who just wants to live a life full of small daily joys.

Fluff with a Hint of Angst // Service as a Love Language // Beach Bum with a Tackle Box // A Comfort Character

#Evie /  #Reverie

Other Characters

Violetta Grimm [https://violetta-grimm.carrd.co/]

Due to a recent blow to her personal story, Violetta is around but playing a smaller role in my writing.

Dark/Vampiric/Gothic Themes and Aesthetic

#Violetta

Holly The Rover [https://holly-the-rover.carrd.co/]

Like Violetta, Holly was a main for a long time, but now he’s just sort of lurking in the background until he gets wound up in new shenanigans.

Hedonist and Hunter // Job Broker

#Holly

Alice Graves [https://aka-alice.carrd.co/]

Alice will return with Dawntrail and the Pictomancer because it is what she was unknowingly made for. She’s an odd character, and I look forward to future chaos for her and those who know her.

Learning to be Wholesome // Reckless Adventurer //  Inner Child Exploration

#Maddie / #Alice / #aka Alice

[juniper-sunny]

The Art in the Heart - Chapter 1

You’re a painter by trade, but an unexpected splash of color crashes into your life in the form of a handsome stranger. Something tells you he’s no ordinary work of art…

Everybody Lives AU | Pre-Act I | Silco x Reader | Female!Reader | Slow Burn | Eventual Smut | Fluff | Mild Angst || SFW | WC: 2.07k

ao3 || Masterlist

───────────────── ●◉◎◈◎◉● ─────────────────

Zaun is a beautiful canvas.

Not many would agree with you, but you’ve always been able to sense it. Whether it’s literal graffiti in crumbling stone alleyways beautiful enough to rival anything in a Piltie art gallery, or a stubborn dandelion piercing through concrete and thriving against all odds in the chem-choked atmosphere. 

You wish more people could see it the way you do.

It’s always been your calling to bring color to the Undercity, and you’re one of the lucky few Zaunites who got to turn it into a respectable profession. Now, you’re working on your biggest piece ever, literally: a mural on a large, gray brick building high enough on the Promenade to bask in the sunlight, but still visible to anyone in the Entresol who could be bothered to look up.

Being outdoors makes for a refreshing change from your usual gigs in stuffy Topside mansions, painting portraits of families who smell too clean and take themselves too seriously. They always insisted on making the most boring small talk, demanding your attention and drawing your focus away from your canvas. All your clients have too much money, but they can never seem to afford the patience to pose in silence. 

No, it’s better to be alone when working. All you have for company is your supplies, a small gramophone, your sketchbook, and your satchel. No one could hope to interrupt you on your scissor lift high above the ground.

It surprises you, then, when the sound of running footsteps below pulls you away from the wall. You peek down at a thin, dark-haired man sprinting for his life. 

Passers-by aren’t uncommon here, but most prefer to stroll silently as to not draw attention to themselves. So it’s mildly intriguing that this man has chosen speed over stealth. 

He disappears into a gap between two buildings and into the shadows.

His pursuers make themselves known: a pair of Piltover Enforcers, navigating the urban landscape with much more clumsiness and caution than their prey. 

“He can’t have gone far! Damn gutter rat…” 

They crawl over debris and litter, making their way towards you. You hold your breath until they’re directly underneath you, and then—

SPLAT!!

The paint cans you kicked over land a direct hit on both Enforcers, drenching them in white and pink. They curse and whip out their batons. 

You press a button to collapse the scissor lift, a melodramatic expression of remorse on your face.

“I’m soooo sorry, officers! It was an accident, I didn’t see you there—”

“Damn, woman! What the hell—”

“I’m sorry, if you want to be reimbursed for your uniforms just let Councilor Salo know and he’ll cover the costs.”

The namedrop makes them pause. You hand over your business card and a golden engraved crest. One Enforcer takes them, examining the crest in particular: it’s a pure gold, extravagantly carved letter “S” set in a delicate filigree of a leafy bush laden with berries. Given only to contractors who report directly to the councilor himself. 

“It’s genuine,” he mutters to his partner and hands it back to you. The business card stays in his hand. He clears his throat and addresses you with a calmer, more formal manner. “And it’s not a problem, ma'am. We won’t bother the councilor with something so trivial. Have you seen a—”

You gasp exaggeratedly. “Your uniforms! You need to wash them right away! Or else they’ll stain permanently!”

The Enforcers glance at each other impatiently. “It’s fine. We’re looking for a—”

“And your skin! Did you get any on you?? It’ll stain you too!”

That gets their attention. One of them starts scooting away, eager to leave. You push the other with all your might.

“Scrub your bodies with tomato juice and then soak in onion peels! That’ll get it all out! But hurry!!”

One Enforcer stumbles over himself, and they both finally break out into a run. Out of Zaun and back to where they belong. You snicker to yourself and toss the crest in the air, catching it on the way down. 

You catch a glimpse of something twinkling in the shadows. It’s a pair of eyes— are they green? or blue? 

They disappear just as quickly as you spotted them.

Well, as interruptions go that was one of the more entertaining ones you’ve experienced lately. You ascend on the scissor lift and get back to painting.

The next day is business as usual, for the most part. Painting the wall is going smoothly. Out of nowhere, you suddenly feel prickly and uncomfortable— it’s an Undercity instinct, a warning that someone you can’t see is watching you. 

The discomfort is the worst at the top of your head… so they’re looking down at you, like a bird of prey before it swoops. 

You take a deep breath to settle your nerves. Then, you press a button that extends the scissor lift to its fullest height. 

It brings you level with a frowning man on the roof, his arms crossed. He’s tall, sharp, and lean, with lanky black hair that drapes over his narrowed eyes. They’re neither green nor blue, but a teal that’s a perfect inbetween. 

It’s such a beautiful color… you’re itching to replicate it by blending your paints. 

“You know it’s dangerous to get involved with a stranger’s affairs,” he intones. His voice is low and smoky, with a hint of gravel. He scrutinizes you under furrowed brows.

“Just wanted to help a fellow ‘gutter rat’, that’s all,” you reply, shrugging.

His eyes tick open wider in surprise. He scans you up and down.

You hold back a sigh. Early in your career, you mastered the art of code-switching between the two disparate cultures of Topside and the Undercity. It’s a necessity for anyone who lives in Zaun but works in Piltover: if you’re not presentable enough in both manners and wardrobe for your Piltie clients, they’ll dismiss you out of hand; but if you wear your nice Topside garb in the Undercity, you’re practically screaming to cutpurses that you’re a wealthy mark. 

While you couldn’t care less what most Topsiders think, it always hurts a little when one of your own doesn't recognize you.  

Anyone could see that this man is the archetypal Zaunite: his clothes are thin and well-worn, but the leather straps and shoulder pad are in good condition, and the brass trappings are highly polished. It’s typical Undercity fashion, where cheap clothes have to be preserved as long as possible so as to not waste money on unnecessary replacements.

He’s more handsome than most men you know, though, with high cheekbones and a long shapely nose. His wiry form speaks to a man who prefers speed over brute strength, and— 

“Now that’s not an attitude you encounter every day in the Undercity,” he muses, interrupting your thoughts. You must have passed whatever silent inspection he was conducting with his eyes, although he still regards you with wariness. 

“What can I say? If I see an Enforcer, I just wanna mess with them, you know?” You grin at him. 

“That, I do understand all too well,” the thin line of his lips quirks upward before settling into a straight line of neutrality. 

He wields his stony demeanor like armor, but there’s something curious about the fact that he allowed you to approach him at all… it makes you want to get past his defenses, for some reason. 

Even if it's only to satisfy the intrigue of getting to know a good-looking stranger. 

“You’re welcome for yesterday, by the way,” you joke. “For saving your skin from the Enforcers. It looks like I saved you from a trip to Stillwater.”

His impassive facade cracks. He bares his teeth, bristling. “I did not need your help. I was perfectly capable of—”

“They were pretty close to catching you,” you raise your hands and make a grabbing gesture. “Good thing you’re so skinny. They can’t arrest you if you’re just literally going to slip out of their fingers.” 

That gets him to step close to tower over you, glowering. Shit, he’s tall. 

“What I lack in musculature, you seem to lack in intelligence. What on earth makes you think it would be a good idea to antagonize someone wanted by Enforcers?”

“Ooooh, the Enforcers want to lock up little ol’ you. You’re such a big baddie,” you tease. “If they had it their way, they’d have every single one of us locked up. You’re not special.”

He leans forward, curling his hands over the ledge of the roof. He lowers himself closer to you and sneers. “Perhaps I’ve done something especially terrible to warrant particular attention from Topside.” 

“Let me guess,” you purse your lips as you examine him. “You pickpocketed some Topside nobles?”

He smiles slyly. “Worse than that.”

“Kidnapping a pet Poro?”

“You’re getting closer.”

You shake your head in bemusement. “What was it?”

“Seducing a Piltie noblewoman,” a mischievous glint shines in his eyes. “I all but rescued her from a cold, loveless marriage. Unfortunately, her husband didn't seem to appreciate that.”

“Really?” You laugh again, more out of surprise than humor this time. 

“No,” he chuckles. “Just breaking and entering.”

The conversation seems to be going well. You got him to admit something personal about himself, even if it was on accident. Excitement fills you at the thought of getting to know him better.  

“You better be careful, mister. Maybe I’ll turn you into the Enforcers now that I got a good look at your pretty face.”

Shit you hadn’t meant to say that last part out loud.

He raises his eyebrows at your slip-up. He steps back and runs a hand through his hair, pushing it out of his face. “Surely you wouldn’t have this ‘pretty face’ thrown into Stillwater, would you? There’s quite a dearth of us in the Undercity.”

Wow… when you fully see his face, “pretty” is a big understatement. 

“Are you kidding? Pretty faces are a dime a dozen,” you smirk. “And I'd probably get a big reward for turning you in to Councilor Salo—”

At the sound of the councilor’s name, his eyes widen in fear. It’s like your words set him on fire with how fast he dashes away from you. The sounds of him running on pipes and rooftops echo in the distance.

You smack your head against the ledge and groan. You pushed him too far and almost got him to break the cardinal rules of living in Zaun: don’t trust strangers, and especially don’t trust strangers who work for the Council. 

Damn you and your big mouth… 

________________________________________

One reason why your worksite is prime real estate is that despite its proximity to the underground, it’s free from the omnipresent chem-smog. Any smells that don’t belong are carried far and wide in the fresh, untainted air. 

When you arrive at the wall, you're greeted by the scent of cheap cigarette smoke. There’s no one on the ground, so you look up to confirm: on the roof is the man from yesterday, smoking. He’s all sharp angles even as he slouches with one arm on the ledge.

A warm feeling of relief blooms in your chest. Thank Janna you didn’t scare him off.

Your unexpected eagerness to talk to him makes you clumsy. All your supplies tumble out of your hands onto the scissor lift. You clamber onto it and trip, almost crashing into the 'ascend' button.

His eyes track your progress upwards, and you’re suddenly struck by the urge to fiddle with your paints. 

When you’re finally level with him, you eye him shyly. “You came back.”

He doesn’t respond, looking down his nose at you. Finally, he drops his cigarette and grinds it underneath his boot. 

“I seem to owe you my gratitude, again, for not taking the opportunity to send Enforcers to hunt me down,” his smile this time is somewhat guarded. It touches his lips but doesn’t quite reach his eyes. 

“Don’t want to make their jobs easier for them,” you reply with a small grin. 

“Why, thank you so much for thinking of me,” he says with a light sarcasm. The ends of his lips twitch upwards. “I would hate to be taken away before having the privilege of knowing your name.” 

You give it to him. He extends his hand out for you to shake. 

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Silco.”

Chapter 2

[crash-bump-bring-the-whump]

My In-Depth Masterlist!!

Oh my god, it's about time I actually sat down and organized something like this. Hopefully this helps people dive in!

Things I write a whole lot: romance (especially polyamorous romance), gay and trans characters, horror, lab whump, gore, action whump, angst, sickfics, team dynamics, supernatural whump, urban fantasy and lush green post-post-apoc fantasy, also apparently now I do military whump lol Things I don't write: emeto, eye gore

I collaborate a lot too, so you'll see plenty of other people's ocs! Go check them out if you want, I think they're neat.

How to read stuff: I jump around a lot, so don't worry about it. It's generally pretty clear if it's modern or not, and barring my Arknights AU That I Kept Threatening My Friends With where you'll want some knowledge of the actual series/game, you can probably jump in just about anywhere and figure it out as you go!

I think I'll organize this by character! The only limit to characters and worlds colliding is how much I want the characters to interact, so no worries. They'll all be mashed together at some point anyway, if I know myself. All character tags will take you to a list of their drabbles in the order they were written and posted!

Mariano Ortiz/Mariano Cross - Playlist link

Tag: Mage of Violence Transgender man (he/him) A stoic, stiff war mage on a quest to help his kingdom survive an invasion by making a soul-binding Pact with a diamond dragon to make his magic more powerful. An ex-war criminal manager of a mom-and-pop coffee shop with a draconic tattoo artist for a roommate and boyfriend. Either way, he's doing his best to make up for the skeletons in his closet and figure out how to be a person again.

Bastian, Dragon of the Deepest Forge

Tag: Dragon of Diamond Cisgender (sort of??) man (he/him) A brash, headstrong dragon who is one of the most magically potent of his kind and knows it. A gothic, pierced-up tattoo artist with diamond growing from his scalp and the confidence to take in a quiet war criminal as a roommate. He thinks Mariano is weird, and he can smell the blood on his hands a mile away, but that's alright because he's also kind of cute.

The War Mages/Dimitri, Manuel, Laredo, and Izan - Playlist Link

Tag: I'll get around to it I swear, I promise I'll find a good one and actually go through and tag everything eventually Dimitri - Cisgender man (he/him) Manuel - Cisgender man (he/him) Laredo - Transgender man (he/him) Izan - Cisgender man (he/him) A ragtag group of ex-war criminals, no matter the setting. Feared for their ability to raze whole towns with just their magic, they were the pinnacle of their military's power and capabilities. And then Mariano ruined it for everyone. Whether Mariano was top dog or the baby of an elite special ops unit, he just can't seem to stomach what they're doing and the fallout changes every one of their lives. Some are more upset about this than others. They'll be fine, don't worry about it.

Luis - Playlist link

Tag: The Leader Cisgender man (he/him) Gentle, soft spoken, and the only person on this planet who scares Mariano or any of the other war mages. Luis demands perfection from the people he trains. He demands self-sufficiency. He demands the unshakable will to live at any cost. Known for his results and ability to shatter even the most steadfast soldiers, he'll do anything to ensure his mages are able to thrive in any circumstances, even if he has to prepare them for it with his own two hands. Watch out for his whip.

William Bennett - Playlist link

Tag: A Gentle Death Nonbinary (he/him) A sweet, laid-back, blind grim reaper under the employment of Death Herself. Protects souls from the manipulative influence of angels and demons, and safeguards lives from untimely deaths with every fiber of his being. Was MIA for a year, kidnapped as the unwilling, undying assistant of Daniel the Archangel. Has baggage about that nasty scar across his throat, but he'd rather talk about his side gig of DJ-ing at local gay clubs.

Daniel the Archangel

Tag: The Archangel Cisgender man (he/him) A curious, persistent archangel tasked with getting "hands on experience" with humans. Unfortunately for everyone, Daniel is a very literal person, and was also a doctor in life. To achieve his goal, he's started taking on assistants, but they just can't seem to withstand the rigors of his research. Luckily for Daniel, a polite grim reaper was tasked with looking into the string of mysterious deaths and disappearances that all center around his remote mansion. Who is Daniel to say no to such a golden opportunity to show someone what he does?

Brian Litos - Playlist link

Tag: What If This Storm Ends Binary bigender (he/him and she/her) A flirty, bubbly vampire who seems like he'd be more at home in the pool than stalking the night. Sweet and outgoing, Brian has a strong sense of what she wants and how to get it. Unfortunately, he is also an escaped experiment by some scientists who had their eyes on military contracts to manufacture perfect predator of humans. A controllable, undetectable being that kept its soul-tied magic while gaining the physical benefits of being undead. They succeeded. They could not control him for long. Now, after being duped into partaking in the experiments, she's long-dead, has a thirst for blood and a nose for adrenaline, and a happy career as a small-time porn star.

Elliot Bhar - Playlist link

Tag: Lightning Eyes and Alibis Transgender man (he/him) A rough-and-tumble werewolf who spends his days as a waiter at an upscale restaurant. With a history of homelessness and the betrayal of being turned by his own brother following the accidental murder of their parents, Elliot has trust issues galore. He's doing his best to just keep his feet under him and learn to accept help from his boyfriends, though.

Jackson Ryder

Tag: Saturday Sun Cisgender man (he/him) An immortal who's honestly had a chill time so far! Sweet, outgoing, and almost friendly to a fault, he was almost destined to become more than friends with the gentle grim reaper he accidentally spilled coffee on. And the werewolf and vampire that said grim reaper was dating. He just wants to live a comfortable life with the people he loves, but somehow things just keep happening!

Asao the Angel

Tag: Shattered Trust Cisgender man (he/him) An angel with a skeleton in his closet that he'd really, really like to bury, if at all possible. A horrific mistake made as a teenager has haunted him ever since, and drives him to do things he never thought he could in the name of fixing it. What can you do when you just want your best friend back, but he refuses to talk to you after how you murdered him? Nothing but try again, and again.

Gabriel Rivas - Playlist link

Tag: The Original Sin Cisgender man (he/him) A demon prince who killed his way to the top and now rules with a shocking amount of empathy for the demons in his court. Ruling over a labyrinthine city, the screams of the eternally hunted echo through the streets each night, and Gabriel listens with satisfaction. The only people he hates more than the angels who want to hurt Throl are people who prey on the weak, after all. Also he bartends on the side, because he loves to flirt and likes the energy of a gay club on a Friday night.

Throl Escamilla - Playlist link

Tag: It's Sacrilege Nonbinary (he/him) A fallen angel framed for a plot to murder the Seraph that was far, far above him. Such is the risk of being a messenger serving under Archangel Daniel, but Throl does his best not to dwell on the past. He can't particularly complain either, now that he's married to one of the most notoriously violent demon prince's in the demonic realms. Gabriel is sweet, attentive, and would tear apart any would-be vigilantes who would want to destroy the infamous Traitor. Perhaps Throl was really the winner here.

LaChappelle

Tag: The Artist Cisgender man (he/him) A photographer with a taste for intense visuals and a hatred for faking something when the real thing is freely available. He's dedicated to bringing breathtaking photoshoots to stimulate the minds of all his patrons, and for his highest paying contributors...the process videos as well. All his models get something out of it too, as LaChappelle makes sure that every single one gets their prints delivered to their home.

To be continued! I still have plenty of characters to add, but this is a good starting point.

[rans-baby]

Don't Forget Me

tw // MDNI, implied sex (no explicit smut), angst, cheating, jealously, possessiveness

A leopard stalking its prey; that’s the analogy that could describe your current situation.

Imaushi Wakasa was a lot of things: rich, handsome, patient, fast, strong, and possessive as hell.

You could feel his glare burning into the back of your skull, but chose to ignore it (mistake number one). You decided to forego all the warnings that every bone in your body was screaming at you in favor of running your hand up along the poor stranger’s arm (mistake number two). You leaned in, giving the stranger a good peek of what was supposed to be his (and yup, mistake number three).

You would be a lot more worried if you hadn’t done this song and dance for the past year. He’d call you up when he was tired of his girlfriend’s bullshit, you’d fall into bed together, he’d run back to her, you’d get jealous and make him jealous in turn, and then you’d fuck it out. Rinse and repeat.

But this time you were really done, you swear.

Before you could finish your thought you felt someone squeeze your upper arm. “I’m gonna take my princess away, that alright with you?” his tone indicated there was no room for arguing. The stranger quickly put his hands up and walked away.

He dragged you to an abandoned room at the top of the club. “Do you like pissin’ me off?” he said with an angry tone. You couldn’t help but whisper what you thought would be your final words to him, “‘m done this time, just wanted to get your attention since this is the only way. But please don't forget me,” you said with tears collecting in your eyes.

He knew you’d always be available to him, that’s why he took advantage of you. He really thought this time would be no different, not knowing how wrong he was. “Whatever you say baby,” he said as he walked away.

Two weeks later, no response from you. He’d officially broken up with his girlfriend, realizing that if he was really in love with her, he wouldn’t have fallen in love with you.

You, however, were living your best life freed from the shackle known as Imaushi Wakasa. You’d been fucking around with strangers, going out with your friends, thriving at work, everything was perfect. Everything should’ve been perfect, so why wasn’t it? You knew the answer but refused to acknowledge it, along with the 49 missed calls and 128 unread texts.

It was late at night when you heard a knock on your door. You weren’t expecting anyone so you grabbed the nearest weapon which happened to be a decaying broom, but when you looked through the peephole you put it down. It was Waka, more specifically a soaking wet Waka. “What are you doing here?” you said with your hand on your hip and apprehension in your voice. He was the one whispering this time, “Just wanted to see you,” he said, voice trailing off into silence.

You both stood there for a minute, taking each other in before you sighed, “Come in, let me get you a towel.” He sat on the familiar old couch, the one where you guys had watched movies, fought, fucked, fell in love.

“I’m not going to be here long, I just wanted to let you know that I broke up with her because I love you. Like lame, write you letters, want to wake up beside you every day, use your shampoo because it’s better than mine, want to see you smile at any cost, love you. That’s all.” He stood up, prepared for your rejection. What he wasn’t expecting was for you to burst into tears, babbling about how much you missed him, “Couldn’t stop thinking about you and your stupid hair and your stupidly strong arms and your stupid laugh and your stupid kisses.”

You settled next to him on the couch, “But I need you to promise that you’ll never hurt me the way you have, ever again. You have to swear because I can’t take another heartbreak. Not by you.”

“Promise, it’s you and me against the world princess. I’ll never love anyone the way I love you.”

[redheadspark]

Wait

Summary - Ajak holds a secret, but decides to wait when she gets news of Clío and Druig

A/N - This is from the POV of Ajak in the time of Babylonia, it's part of the Melody Universe

Warnings - a hint of angst but some fluff is mixed in there too

“Ajak,”

“Arishem.  We continue to keep Babylon safe from the Deviants, more people have come to seek refuge.  It is now the largest city on Earth.”

“The Eternals serving their missions from across the galaxies will learn from your success,”

“Thank you,” Ajak paused, thinking to herself on what she was willing to tell Arishem the very Celestial whom created her and the others and gave them purpose on Earth, “I respect your grand design, Arishem, but I have noticed something special about this planet.  And I fear that maybe this time the cost may—“

“Do not become attached to this planet. You must focus on the true purpose of your mission,” Ajak heard it in the tone of his voice, in how sure he was since he was so giant and stoic in front of her, his way was never to be challenged or thought twice.  She knew her purpose, their purpose as Eternals, for Earth and what they were meant to do.  Ajak would not sway from it and didn’t have the heart to, she knew their purpose was good.  

Yet again, the humans were growing on her.  She could not deny that notion since her heart woke swell as the humans continue to persevere and thrive even in dire times or times or uncertainty.  They were a fragile species, however they weren’t giving any signs of shying away or being extinct on the planet. Ajak felt love and more for the small little planet in a massive galaxy, and although her own creator instantly warned her not to, she couldn’t help but feel a tug towards the planet that came so naturally and organically.

“There is another matter I wish to discuss with you, Ajak,” Arishem got her attention again, snapping her back from her thoughts.

“Of course, Arishem,”

“You have already fulfilled part of your mission on Earth, and your success will be remembered and learned.  But it is not yet complete,” Arishem explained, Ajak being a bit confused from his statement.

“Not yet complete?” Ajak repeated, thinking she heard it wrong.  Was there something that she missed? A small detail that was overlooked?  For all Ajak knew, everything was going as planned and nothing seemed forgotten or amissed.  

“The specific purpose for Clío,”

For a moment, time stopped, and Ajak’s heart dropped.

The mention of the Eternal in question made Ajak freeze in her spot, yet she didn’t really show the internal panic that was soaring through her.  Perhaps Arishem could not sense it himself, for if he did Ajak would have given herself away instantly.  Then again, Ajak was stunned to hear Clío’s name.  

Clío, the powerful Eternal with powerful lungs and an even powerful scream that could level lands and oceans, whose heart was kind and fragile yet filled with strength and drive.  She would never wished to be in the limelight when it comes to praise or accolades, but she would be willing to help others and go out of her way to bring peace amongst those who were quarreling.  Ajak could rely on her when it came to a servants heart and leadership.  

But there was a purpose for her, a purpose that no one else knew about within the Eternal Family.  No matter that Earth was not their planet together to fight against the Deviants, her purpose was from the beginning.  

The purpose to expanding the Eternal population by conception with another Eternal.

Ajak has seen every attempt of Clío’s purpose to be fulfilled, and yet it never had.  Instances in the past that seemed so close to succeeding ended up failing.  It was mostly trial and error, and Ajak could only watch as her memories were erased and she had to start all over again. And although Ajak would never go against Arishem’s design and what he envisioned for the Eternals and all they could do, this one small part of his plan….it made her pause and feel a certain way. 

Many questions went though Ajak’s mind sporadically as time went one, questions that both frightened her and made her contemplate.  Why was there a need to bring Eternal children into the world?  Why did he choose Clio?  Why not any of the others?  Was there a timeline for this?  What purpose was this for Arishem?  

But the main question that flooded Ajax’s train of thought was simply, why Clío?

Of course, she was sworn to secrecy and was advised not to say anything, especially to Clío, but to the others.  It was not for them to know or for them to worry about, according to Arishem.  He insisted that the rest of the Eternals only had to worry about their purpose eliminating the Deviants and helping the species of said planet.  But at the same time, Ajak felt such a unsettling feeling on leaving Clío in the dark when it came to this kind of information, how her own anatomy was engineered to conceive, carry, and birth an Eternal child.  It brought so many conflicted thoughts in Ajax’s mind, on one side they could not interfere with the evolution of a species, yet on the otherwise Arishem wished to increase the population and take it a step further.  

Arishem was patient, but his patience could only hold for so long.  

“Her purpose is not ready to be fulfilled, Arishem,” Ajak explained, keeping her eyes down and speaking slow yet strong at the same time, “This planet is still growing and thriving, the Deviants are still a consistent threat to the humans. Clío is a fierce fighter, her focus is on protecting the human species as well as stopping the Deviants,”

It wasn’t a lie, but it also wasn’t something Ajak knew Arishem wanted to hear.  Clío was meant to help the humans evolve and stop the Deviants, she was an Eternal like the others after all.  Her fighting technique was flawless, her screams were lethal and deadly and could bring the Deviant beasts to their knees.  Ajak could even comment that Clío’s ability was just as powerful as Ikaris, her second in command and devote follower in their cause.  

Perhaps Ajak was stalling more time before she would sit down with Clío and tell her everything that she needed to know.  She would have to be truthful in realizing that she never had the time to think about it.  Her focus was on the Deviants, on the humans and their evolution on Earth, and most importantly the Eternals under her care.  Ajak did consider them her family after all, spending so much time with each of them as the years came and went, knowing each of their quirks and personalities.  It was as if they too evolved with the humans, coming out of their own comfort shells and exploring on their own what it means to be on this planet with the humans.

That was especially the case with Clío.  Even in the very beginning when they first touched down on the planet, Clío took to the humans so well.  As did Sersi of course, yet Clío’s heart was still just as big for the humans.  Ajak loved watching her dig into the soil with her bare hands, planting the smallest of seeds with tender care as the promise of new crops was ever near.  Ajak adored seeing Clío play with the human children, chasing after them and tending those who were frightened or hurt.  

“I request to wait to inform her,” Ajak said to Arishem, “I don’t wish to deter or interrupt her work tactic with the humans, at least for now.  When the time is right, I shall tell her, with your permission of course,”

The small pause that hung in the air between them was deafening to Ajak.

“You shall wait,” Arishem replied, Ajak inwardly sighing in relief, “But she must be informed in the near future.  Time is of the essence, and my patience will not last long, Ajak,”

“Thank you, Arishem,” She thanked him, then closing her eyes to find herself back in her living quarters in Babylon.  The warm sun on her face, the soft sounds of the tres rustling in the summer afternoon winds, and the faint touch of the marble under her feet as she was still sitting still along the floor.  She had her own room in the temple that was prepared for her and the rest of the Eternals, made by the Babylon citizens themselves as a gift and token of appreciation for the Eternals protecting them and helping them prosper.  Ajak’s quarters were at the very top level, the Domo parks on the ground level and hidden away from the world under the balconies and levels of the temple.  

It felt wrong to go against Arishem like this, but it would also feel wrong for her to place Clío in such a predicament since she knew deep down Clío would not be ready.  She’s seen this happen in the past, and no many how many times they tried, Clío tried, it never worked.  She never was able to carry a child or conceive one none the less, and to say Arishem was disappointed would be an understatement.  Her mind would be erased like the others, not remembering the plenty of times she tried to conceive and with whom.  

It would always fail, and deep down Ajak didn’t have the heart to see it fail again.  

“Ajak?”

She turned her head over to the source of the voice, seeing a timid Clío poking her head into her living quarters.  Ajak could see her red hair flowing behind her in the wind, some of the strands were in front of her hazel eyes as she was watching Ajak with uncertainty.  Clad in her yellow armor, she fiddled with her fingers a bit as she spoke again, “I didn’t disturb you, did I?”

“Oh, oh of course not!  Please, please come in,” Ajak said to her, giving Clío a smile as she got up from her spot on the floor.  Clío walked in, her hands now behind her back as they both walked to the two chairs and small table perched near the balcony.  Ajak watched Clío sit, timid in her movements and almost thinking too much to herself as she sunk into the chair. Did she know that she was the topic if discussion with Arishem?  That she had her own mission and purpose that was vastly different from the others?  Did she knew how many times she already tried and failed in the past? 

How could she honestly know?

“I wanted to talk to you about something,” Clío explained, almost stumbling over her words as she was looking at her hands in her lap. 

“It must be something quite serious, since we talk naturally together about anything and everything,” Ajak commented lightly, then leaning over a bit to touch Clío’s arms with her fingers.  It was true that Clío would love to chat with Ajaka about anything and everything on her mind, whether it was the progress of humans or some new discovery she stumbled upon.  She was always filled with wonder and brought it to their conversations, but this time it seemed as if she was afraid to tell Ajak anything.  

“What’s on your mind, Clío?’ Ajak asked her calmly, ever patient with the Eternal in front of her as Clío bit her lower lip.  

“Something’s happened to me,” Clío stated to explained, seeing Ajak look at her in concern as she immediately spoke again, “Nothing bad!  I promise, it’s nothing bad!”

“Oh!  Well, then if it’s not bad, then you should be happy telling me,” Ajak teased her gently, Clío giving her a small grin and the tension in her shoulders were a bit more relaxed, “I’m sure that whatever you intend on telling me is good, and I will be open minded,”

Perhaps that’s what Clío needed to hear, since Ajak could see she was becoming more relaxed in the chair she was sitting in.  Finally, she locked eyes with Ajak, Ajak seeing that her hazel eyes were shining rather bright with a flicker of joy behind them.  It was a stare that Ajak always loved.

“Something happened to me, and I wish to tell you since I respect you as my mentor and leader.  You see….I fell in love,”

Ajak smiled, a smile so wide and always reflecting the sun high above them as Clío said It with such certainty and with happiness in her tone.  The previous conversation she had with Arishem was long gone from her mind, it was now filled with the subject of Clío being in love.  Any of the Eternals being in love seemed like a rare gift, seeing it in Ikaris and Sersi alone was enough of a blessing.  And now to hear Clío was in love, Ajak was overjoyed in happiness .

“I-I know we are not to interfere with the humans and their evolution—“ Clío started to explain, and Ajak could see the look in her eyes thinking that she did something wrong.  Ajak immediately shook her head and held her hands tighter.

“This is a blessing!” Ajak said with her tone drenched in warmth and joy.  Clío looked at her with a hint of shock, not thinking that Ajak was going to react in that way.

“It….it is?” Clío questioned, Ajak still keeping the smile on her face and nodding her head as she reached up with a spare hand to touch Clío’s cheek.  Without thinking about it, Clío leaned into her touch, always thinking of Ajak as her source of home and her source of comfort when it comes to familiarity. 

“Yes!  Clío, being in love is nothing to be ashamed of,” Ajak explained as Clío was still watching her with shock and confusion, “I find it admirable that you are in love.  It’s one of main attributes of being human, or as close to a human as one can be.  For you to have that, what a blessing!”

Ajak scooted a bit closer, squeezing her hands gently to feel grounded with Clío as her eyes were still big and her excitement, “Tell me who it is that captured your heart!”

Once again Clío looked a bit uneasy and bit her lower lip, looking down at their joined hands and took in a hesitant breath.  Ajak was patient enough, only wishing to take away the tension that was hanging on Clío’s shoulders.  The last thing she wanted to feel was that she was not a safe person to talk to.

Clío stared at her directly in the eyes, looking so sure as she said the one name, “Druig.”

Druig…..Druig?

It was a surprise for certain to hear the name of the mind controlling Eternal.  She pictured him in her mind, the cool and highly aloof being that loved the humans and yet looked at the species with a small sense of humor and reluctance too.  Ajak knew of him being an ever complicated Eternal, always thinking one or two steps ahead of the others, and never questioning things around him.

Yet to think that Druig caught the heart of Clío?  The soothing light of the group?  It would seem impossible to think of the two of the being a pair, yet at the same time, it seemed….right.  Love was a funny thing, Ajak knew that for some time since they came to Earth.  Any being can be affected by it, the notion of love can move mountains and change lives.  So for Clío to be in love, to feel that love with Druig, it was beyond a gift that Ajak thought was timeless and limitless.

“Ajak….why are you crying?”

Ajak never realized that she was crying, not until she felt the tear hit her cheek and roll down to hit her blue armor.  But there was a smile on her face, no signs of distress or sadness in her eyes and along her smile that was shown on her face.  She was the opposite of sad, in fact she was beyond happy.  Shaking her head rapidly, she framed Clío’s face in her hands.  

“Tears of joy,” Ajak reassured her, Clío’s face lightening up as Ajak kept going, “Clío, I’m happy for you, beyond happy!”

“You are?  About me and Druig?” Clío questioned her again, thinking this was not the reaction she was going to get in the first place.  She obviously knew this was going to be big news when she decided to tell Ajak about her relationship with Druig, but she also had no idea that her leader would be this happy and joyful for her and Druig.  

“All I have ever wanted, for all of you since we came to this planet, is to find some source of pure happiness,” Ajak explained, smoothing out some of Clío’s red hair that flew in front of her eyes, “We are meant to enjoy the fruits of our labor on this planet, to see all it has to offer and experience it first hand.  You and Druig have found that in each other, and I am filled with nothing but happiness.”

Ajak could see how Clío’s face changed from uncertainty to warmth and excitement, her smile widened and her cheeks were blushing as her eyes twinkled in delight and relief.  Ajak had to mirror her smile, feeling ti deep within her heart that Clío was truly happy.  Her smile alone was a reflection of the sun in the early hours of the morning, or the first touch of a freshly bloomed flower against fingers.  She saw it in Clío’s eyes, in her smile, she was truly in love and filled with love.

“As long as you two are happy together, and you treat each other well, I see nothing wrong with you two bring together,” Ajak explained to Clío, feeling rather proud that not only two of her own Eternals found love, but they found it with one another.  It was a sacred thing to have, and now there were two more in her little family to have and harness it together.  

Of course it was not in the plan of Arishem to be attached to a planet, but it unfolded naturally and with no way of slowing down.  Ajak couldn’t help but find the smaller moments to hold close to her heart and never let go, thinking of them as sacred and delicate to ever let go and pass on.  Even with the talk she had with Arishem involving Clío and her purpose, Ajak could not think about it now.  Not with what was going on in Clío’s life and how happy she was. 

So she’ll bite her tongue for now.

Clío pulled her into a hug, Ajak chuckling as she was engulfed within Clío’s arms.  She could feel it in the hold she was in that Clío was always happy to get this acceptance from Ajak.  Clío was always a happy being, it was rare for her to be sad or angry.  This new kind of happiness was infectious, something that Ajak wished would never turn away.

“Thank you, Ajak!  Truly, thank you!” Clío thanked her wholeheartedly, giving her one last squeeze before she moved away quickly, “I’ll tell Druig!  He was nervous to ask himself,”

Ajak had to laugh, “I’m sure he was.  Go on, then!”

She watched with a full heart as Clío waltzed away and out of her room, a new pep in her step and her hair shining in the warm sun.  Simply seeing her happy made Ajak happy, almost like a proud parent seeing their child truly happy and satisfied.  Was this what it felt like being a parent?  Ajak didn’t care, she loved this sensation and never wanted to savor it for as long as she could.  

No matter that there were other issues at hand that she needed to discuss and figure out, no matter that Arishem and his commandments were festering in the back of her mind.  This small blissful moment was more important to Ajak in the heart of the moment, and if that meant she had to defy Arishem a little bit longer, then so be it.

The repercussions were not seen then, only joy for Druig and Clío.

The End

Tagged - @a-lumos-in-the-nox @botanicalbarnes @ethereal-athalia @pemberlyy @heliosphere8 @virtueassassin

[tervaneula]

Hiii I saw in tags that you said angst is not the same for you as hurt/comfort-- I fully understand what you mean, by the way, this is just going to be pure curiosity-- but if you wanna elaborate, go ahead! I'd love to hear your thoughts on how it feels different for you :D

Oh what a cool question, certainly!!!

Angst CAN be very similar to hurt/comfort, but in angst, the main attraction is the hurt. To me, angst is often written/drawn to make yourself and others feel sad and hurt and hopeless and other melancholy feelings on different levels. It can include comfort but it's not necessary for that genre.

If you've read the companion fic to NQK chapter 7, "repeat until death", that's a literal example of this. I did put in the tag 'angst and hurt/comfort' but the comfort part in that fic is so minimal it could very well not exist at all. That's the kind of stuff I don't enjoy. It can be cathartic, and writing that fic kind of was, but it also hurt me so deeply it'll probably be the first and the last time I'll touch any future family's deaths in NQK in detail.

Sad endings, unhappy endings, bittersweet endings, they-live/are back together-but-at-what-cost endings, all of those count as angst to me and I'd rather not see those. All the power to the people who like it, though, I want to emphasise that I'm not judging anyone who thrives on angst!!! This is my own experience and my own feelings on the matter, and that's why I rely on XKit's Blacklist so much. I can't use Tumblr's own filtering, because it doesn't completely hide the blocked posts from my view. Even the notification that something is blocked can be anxiety-inducing to me, I want NOTHING to do with the things I've blacklisted for a reason.

Haha whoops this became quite the ramble but eyyyy I guess it makes this a good answer LMAO

[griseldabanks]

Shynael (shuh-NIE-ell):

His name has secret significance: I got the name Shynael from a dream. I never remembered anything else about the dream, only that spelling with that pronunciation. I knew I had to save it for something extra-special, and then a few years later I decided to write a dragon rider story, and knew that would be the perfect name for the dragon. All the other dragon names I came up with afterwards were modeled after Shynael.

I am so sorry, my child: I'm so mean to this poor guy T^T The first thing that happens in the plot is him being orphaned as soon as he's hatched, and then he has to immediately turn around and flee for his life with Shard, who he just met, because he's a dragon in a human village that his mother just crashed into. And then, not only does he have to start growing up on the run, he also runs into dragon hunters, knights, and various other battles where he and his best friend risk their lives...all before he's even a year old.

I would love fanart of him: I mean, who wouldn't?! But I would be annoyingly particular about the way he looks, because my insistence that "no one does dragons right" extends to the way they look too ^^'

I would want to be his friend irl: Oh my gosh, SO VERY MUCH TT_____TT He's adorable, he's fun, he likes to laugh and play, he's very loving and likes to cuddle, and he would want to be your friend too the second he found out you were Shard's friend. Plus...I mean...he's a dragon. How cool is that?!

Made specifically for a relationship: Again, this is a dragon rider story, and you can't do that without a human and a dragon bonding. Shynael kind of came first in this duo, but he was always meant to be the little brother.

Vital to the plot: Shynael's appearance is literally the inciting incident of this story :P

Fan-favorite: I'd like to think he would be! I've had nothing but positive reactions to him from anyone I've shown the first draft to. He's adorable and fun, and my hope is that most people will instantly fall in love with him and want to protect him at all costs.

Could be the protagonist of his own story: The few vague thoughts I've had about a possible sequel would be at least a short story with Shynael as the POV character, where he tries to find out who his father is. It would be first-person, and would make people laugh a lot more than The Ambassadors, though because it's me, it would probably still dip into angst a lot as well. But I never actually came up with more than a vague idea of what it would be about. First things first, you know. Gotta write the first story before bothering about sequels.

I love him, Your Honor: I can't put into words how much I love this kid <3 I don't have a little brother, but...if I did, I'd want him to be like this :') He's also quite possibly the best character I've ever created. I just want him to grow and thrive and have only the best things in life, especially after everything I put him through. (Shynael: "That's okay. You gave me my Shard, and that's all I need! :D")

Practically writes himself: As evidenced in the previous question, whenever I write him - or even about him, apparently! - it's like he comes back to life and starts talking to me. The whole time I was writing the first draft, it was like I had a tiny version of him curled up in my brain, and throughout the day he'd give his commentary on various things - especially if they had to do with dragons in any way. I always like to say that Shynael is my "Harry Potter" - he fell, fully formed, into my lap as soon as I started writing him. I barely feel like I created him at all. He already existed somewhere, and I just wrote the story that opened the portal he could come through. Objectively, I can look at his first couple of scenes and realize that I fine-tuned his voice over time, and I also know that the whole reason I started writing the story was because I was tired of dragons who were only ever austere and wise or basically just animals. Shynael is exactly the sort of dragon I would write, because he's specifically pushing back against almost every dragon I've ever read about...but at the same time, Shynael is just himself. Put him in any situation, and I know what he would do or say, because it's barely even me writing him. He writes himself.

Very good-looking: Okay, Shynael, you can stop preening like a peacock XD But it's true! Another thing I decided right away was that my main dragon was going to be black. I was sick and tired of the way black dragons always seemed to be evil in the stories I read. Besides, have you ever run your finger over a bit of obsidian? That's what Shynael's scales look and feel like.

*holds gently*: He is baby. I am constantly torn between the authorial need to Put Him In Situations, and the maternal instinct of "If anyone hurts him, I will kill everyone in this room and then myself."

He gets so much page-time: Originally, he was literally there on page one. I think I need to back up a bit and give more of an introduction to Shard in my next draft before bringing him in, and there are a few scenes where Shard is alone, but for the most part, Shynael is there the whole time. My working title of the story, before I decided on The Ambassadors, was The Black Dragon, after all.

Free space: His catchphrase is "My mother told me..." In this world, dragon eggs only hatch when the circumstances are just right (and it can be hard to know what those circumstances are), and the baby dragon is able to hear and understand while they're inside the egg. It was a long time before Shynael hatched, so he has a lot of memories of things his mother talked to him about while she carried his egg around everywhere. So he has a jump-start on knowledge about the world, and he wants to experience everything his mother told him about first-hand.

[megamindsupremacy]

Misc Marvel Fic Recs (Part 5)

Say you don’t know me (or recognize my face) by showmeahero

Daredevil is kind of dark and broody. He doesn't want anyone to know his real name, he never smiles, and he has kind of a loner attitude.

Matt Murdock, on the other hand, is completely unrecognizable to Jessica the first time she really sees him.

-

I’ll build a house inside of you by magdaliny

Natalia is stacking blocks very carefully when the adults come into the room. None of them look at her, because they're all looking at her father. He's wearing combat gear, and the hair on the left side of his head is slicked back with blood. He smells like smoke and something unnameable, sweet and dark and a little sickly in her nose.

Father is saying, “Don't be ridiculous. The only thing children are good at is disobeying.”

-

Night nurse by whichry9

Danny's the one who sets up and funds the clinic, but Claire's the one who's there night in and night out, patching up those stupid superheroes.

-

Coming Home by longforgottenhymn

Fury doesn't missuse the pager - not in his own opinion. Though, he has to admit, sometimes he and Carol have different views on what counts as an emergency.

And then there's the times they agree.

-

Galactic Response Time by SassySnowperson

All the OTHER times Nick Fury texted Carol Danvers.

May 4th, 2012

Get your ASS over here there is an INVASION. Aliens are coming out of the SKY HELP US

May 10th, 2012

"Invasion, Fury, the word you used was invasion! I made it across three quarters of the galaxy in six days! Where are the aliens?"

-

Exclamation, Question, Statement, Command by shipNslash

As a child, Foggy Nelson is diagnosed with a rare, terminal brain disease. Thankfully, a team of scientists is working on an experimental treatment. Foggy bonds with another boy in the trial, Kevin Thompson, whose parents are both doctors. This sets Foggy and Kevin's lives on a path that neither of them would have ever imagined….

Two decades later, Nelson Fogwell, his friend Marci Stahl, and his fiance Matt Murdock are running a “thriving” law office when a Miss Jessica Jones knocks on their door. She's out to stop a man going by the name of Kilgrave and she's looking for his childhood companion that she thinks might be able to help.

A mind-control!Foggy AU with generous helpings of fluff and angst.

-

the identity crisis of one nicholas j fury by sevenfoxes

“… And you should really get your cat spayed,” Earl says smugly, staring at Goose who is resting a few feet away, licking her paw.

Shit.

Goose eats Earl. Nick files an incident report and takes Goose to the lab to wait for her to barf up Earl because Nick is tired of replacing the accent rug in his office. Finance has gotten really stingy with the office budget lately, and Goose’s cat-flerken vomit reeks.

HR assigns Goose her own incident code and installs a BEWARE OF CAT sign on Nick's office door under his nameplate. Earl stops offering unsolicited advice, and Nick buys Goose one of the new expensive horizontal scratching posts that looks like a wave.

Goose looks way too pleased with herself.

--

All the things Goose has eaten and the all the things people have called Nicholas J. Fury, with or without his consent.

-

Scrambled by ForgedObsidian

The first message Fury sends Carol is . . . unexpected, in a variety of ways.

-

Everyday Superhero by stoneage_woman

When a field trip to Stark Industries ends in disaster, Roger Harrington finds himself faced with an impossible choice. Suddenly, Tony Stark is shoving an NDA in his face while Peter Parker stares at him with terrified, desperate eyes. Nothing in his 13-year teaching career could have prepared Harrington for this, but he knows one thing for sure: ten years ago, he'd stared down into the sightless eyes of a seventeen-year-old girl, and he'd sworn to himself that he would never again lose another student. He's going to do everything in his power to keep that promise now…even if it costs him everything.

Set during and post Spider-Man Homecoming. A realistic field trip story that also explores the long-term consequences of trauma and responsibility, written by a real-life teacher.

-

What is the Lifespan of a Flerken? by csmithman

The intertwined lives of Nick Fury, agent of SHIELD, and Goose, Flerken. How did these two spend the years between Captain Marvel and Infinity War?

-

this one goes out to all the children of the stars by GrimRevolution

Sometimes it takes space to teach the lessons we all need: that light continues endlessly even after its source is gone, that each breath is a measure of the infinite, and that, in all the miracles of the universe, matter came together to create you.

-

[zer0pm]

Imagine your soul is the essence that allows the Kings of Light to gather their power within the Ring of Lucii and Ardyn’s true aim for redemption is to release you from that prison as it was your sacrifice that helped him fight back against the Starscourge 2000 years ago, both of you never knowing the consequences of your shared deeds...

Ardyn: “They are using you, the gods and their kings. For ages, they have made fools of us both-“

Ardyn: “-but no more! I will steal back that which has been ripped from us. Your sacrifice will not be in vain.”

Ardyn: “My one true star, my light that shines even as I plague this unforgiving world in eternal darkness, soon I shall grant us the peace that was long promised all those years ago. Soon...”

Ardyn: “...I will release us from our immortal chains.”