#i'm curious if we'll see a repeat of that

[sonicshipbattles]

Round 2

This poll is for the version of Sonic/Amy across all of their shared media vs Sonic/Amy specifically from the current portrayals of their relationship (e.g. The Murder of Sonic, IDW Comics, Sonic Frontiers, etc.) All ships included were submitted to us. This tournament does not accept insults towards either ship - use propaganda to uplift your fave, not put down the opponent

[milk-tea-sakura]

Hello!! Can I order a miso butter cookie with a vodka shot on the side with Skz bangchan? You can make it as spicy as u want:)) also love the order list, very creative!

A Closer Connection

𝓒𝔀: 𝓓𝓸𝓶! 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻, 𝓢𝓾𝓫! 𝓑𝓪𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓷, 𝓗𝓪𝓷𝓭𝓳𝓸𝓫

𝓦𝓸𝓻𝓭 𝓬𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓽: 1677

𝓔𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮: 6 𝓶𝓲𝓷 3

𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘦 - "𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧"  𝘝𝘰𝘥𝘬𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵 - 𝘋𝘰𝘮! 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳

After seeing the stunt Bang Chan pulled with being shirtless on stage I feel like this is very appropriate. Also thank you for ordering!!

Order list

✩°𓏲⋆🌿. ⋆⸜ 🍵✮˚˙ . ꒷ 🍰 . 𖦹˙—⋆｡‧˚ʚ🍓ɞ˚‧｡⋆

 "You’ve never even touched yourself?" Y/n asks, her eyes widening in surprise. She had always known Bangchan to be a shy and reserved person, but this was a new revelation.

Bangchan's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he nodded, his eyes darting away from her gaze. "No, I haven't," he replied, his voice quiet.

"Ever?" Y/n continued, her curiosity piqued.

Bangchan shook his head, his blush deepening. "No, never," he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.

Y/n's eyes widened even further at his admission. "But... why not?" she asked, feeling a mixture of surprise and concern.

Bangchan shrugged, looking down at his hands. "I don't know," he said honestly. "I just... never felt comfortable doing it, I guess."

Y/n studied his face, reading the mix of embarrassment and discomfort. She knew he wasn't just being coy or shy, there was something deeper going on here.

"Have you ever thought about it, though?" she asked softly. "Have you ever been curious?"

Bangchan glanced up at her, a trace of vulnerability in his eyes. "Yeah, sometimes," he admitted, his voice barely audible. "I've thought about it, but I don't know... I never felt brave enough to actually try."

Y/n studied his expression, her heart going out to him at that moment. She reached out and placed a hand on his arm, offering a small gesture of comfort.

"I know this is kind of out of line question but... would you like me to touch you?" Y/n asks Chan.

Bangchan's eyes widen at her question, his heart thudding in his chest. No one had ever asked him that before, and the thought of it simultaneously excited and terrified him.

He looks up at Y/n, his eyes filled with a mixture of shock, embarrassment, and intrigue. "I-I'm not sure," he stammers, his voice shaky. "I've never... no one's ever..."

Y/n understood his hesitation and gently squeezed his arm. "It's okay," she reassured him, her voice soft. "I just thought I'd offer. But we don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with."

Bangchan nods, trying to process his feelings. The idea of her touching him was both exciting and frightening, making his heart race and his stomach flutter. He looks back at her, his eyes searching hers, looking for reassurance.

Y/n held his gaze, her expression gentle and patient. "It's entirely up to you," she reiterated. "I won't force you to do anything you don't want to. If you change your mind or if you're unsure, just say so, and we'll stop immediately. Okay?"

Bangchan took a deep breath, letting her words sink in. He knew he could trust her, and that she would respect his boundaries. Still, the fear of the unknown was making his mind race. "Okay," he finally said, his voice quiet. "I... I think I want to try."

Y/n smiled, pleased that he had made a decision. "Just relax, okay?" she said, her voice soothing. "I won't do anything you're not comfortable with, and we can stop anytime you want. Just let me know if it's too much or if you want to pause."

Bangchan nodded, taking another deep breath to steady his nerves. He closed his eyes, trying to calm his racing thoughts as he mentally prepared himself for what was about to happen.

His best friend was about to help him out sexually, Bangchan felt a mixture of anticipation and nervousness as Y/n began to move her hand towards his body. She was his best friend, someone he trusted and cared for deeply, and yet the idea that she was about to touch him in this way seemed both surreal and incredibly intimate.

Her hand was soft and gentle as it made contact with his skin, moving slowly and deliberately. "You're so tense," she murmured, her voice filled with concern. "Just try to relax, okay?" Y/n says rubbing Chan's arm.

Bangchan tried to do as he was told, taking another deep breath and willing his muscles to relax. But the feeling of her hand on his skin, and the knowledge of what she was about to do to him, made it difficult to completely let go of his tension.

"Do you want to take your pants off, or should I?" Y/n asks.

Bangchan's cheeks flushed at her question, his heart rate quickening. The thought of taking off his pants in front of her was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. 

"Y-you do it," he manages to say, his voice barely above a whisper.

Y/n nods and slowly moves to unbutton and unzip Chan's pants, "We can stop whenever." you remind.

Bangchan nods, appreciating her reminder. He was still nervous, but her reassurance helped to ease his anxieties a bit. "Okay," he manages to murmur, his breath hitching as she slowly peels off his pants.

Once his pants are off, Bangchan is left sitting there in his boxers, feeling both vulnerable and exposed. He looks up at Y/n, her eyes studying him intently.

Y/n gently puts her hand on his thigh, feeling the muscle there twitch under her touch. "You're doing so well," she praises, her voice soft. "Just remember to relax, okay? We're going at your pace."

Bangchan nodded, taking another deep breath and trying to focus on the feel of her hand on his leg. The touch was both soothing and arousing at the same time, making his heart race and his body tingle.

"I'm going to start touching through your boxers, then we can go farther," Y/n tells Chan gently.

Bangchan nods, his breath quickening in anticipation. The thought of her touching him through his boxers is both arousing and nerve-wracking. "Okay," he rasps, his voice hoarse. "I'm ready."

Y/n slowly slides her hand up Chan's thigh making its way to his crotch.

Bangchan's breath hitches as he feels her hand on his inner thigh. The journey to his crotch feels like an eternity, his muscles tense and coiled, waiting for her touch. He tries to hold back the moan that rises in his throat but can’t help but let out a soft moan.

The sound of his moan makes Y/n smile, satisfied at the effect she has on Chan. Moving closer, she finally starts to rub his cock with her palm.

Bangchan's eyes flutter shut at the sensation, his body arching slightly in response to her touch. "Oh god," he whispers, his hands clenching in pleasure.

"Does it feel good?" Y/n asks, already knowing the answer.

Bangchan nods, the words catching in his throat. "Yes," he finally manages to say, his voice strained. "It... it feels so good."

"Do you wanna take it further?"

Bangchan hesitates for just a moment before nodding. Despite his nerves, his body is responding to Y/n's touch, and he can't deny that he wants more. "Yes," he whispers, his voice filled with raw desire.

Bangchan's heart races as she peels his boxers off, exposing himself completely to her gaze. He feels vulnerable like this, but the anticipation and need for her touch outweigh any other emotions. He lifts his hips, helping her remove the last bit of clothing on his lower half.

“You have so much precum” Y/n teases Chan playfully. “Are you ready to continue?”

Bangchan's cheeks flush at her comment, his breath hitching. The way she teased him made him feel both embarrassed and aroused. "Y-yeah," he manages to stammer, his voice betraying his eagerness. "I'm ready."

You spit on your hand and bring it back down to his cock slowly stroking it, using the precum to help your hand glide easier.

Bangchan moans at the touch of her hand, his head lolling to the side in pleasure. “You’re going to need to communicate with me on what you want and need.” Y/n reminds.

Bangchan nods, his brain foggy with desire and pleasure. "I... I want more," he says, his voice raspy with need. "Please, Y/n, keep going."

You keep moving your hand around him, while he gives small thrusts into your hand.

Bangchan's breathing becomes ragged, and he sounds a mix of moans and sighs. The pleasure builds and builds, his body aching for release. "Please," he begs.

“Please what?” You ask.

Bangchan's cheeks flush at the question, his words faltering. He's never had to verbalize what he needed before, and it feels both vulnerable and powerful at the same time. "Please," he repeats, his voice barely above a murmur. "I... I need more. I need... I need to cum.” 

“Yeah?” You tease. “Then cum for me.”

Bangchan's body tenses at her words, the demand sending a shiver down his spine. It's both exhilarating and overwhelming, the knowledge that she has this power over him. He looks up at her, his eyes filled with need and helplessness. "Please," he repeats, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Let go for me Chan," Y/n says firmly.

The sound of her firmness makes him shiver, the command stirring something deep within him. He looks up at her, his eyes wide and eager, his body tensing as he finally cums. His whole body shook with pleasure. Once he finally calms down he looks at you with heavy breathing.

You smile as you watch him come down from his high, his body still shuddering with pleasure. He looks at you with heavy breathing, his eyes wide and full of awe and gratitude. "That was..." he tries to say, but the words fail him.

"Amazing," you supply, your tone filled with satisfaction. You reach out and run your fingers through his hair, a gentle gesture of affection.

Bangchan nods, his body weak and trembling. He leans into your touch, still breathless and reeling from the intensity of his orgasm. "Yeah," he finally manages to say, his voice gravelly. "Amazing is definitely one word for it."

You chuckle, enjoying the aftermath of his pleasure. You can tell he's exhausted, his body spent and boneless. "You did so well," you praise, continuing to run your fingers through his hair.

[m9rtality]

Vampire Empire

SYNOPSIS ; ‘Do you think we're friends in every universe?..’ ‘Are we even friends in this one.’

CONTENT WARNING — Angst, One-sided friendship, Suicide mention.

GENRE — Angst, Modernish AU

“Well, I walked into your dagger for the last time”

“Guys?..” I asked softly as I sat with my 3 best friends, Gojo, Geto and Shoko. We were all in high school and they were definitely going to make something of themselves one day. “Yeah? What's up Y/N?” Shoko said with a cigarette in her mouth as Gojo and Geto kind of were in their old world.

“Do you think we'll be friends in every universe?” I asked, we were at a fast food joint, casually sitting in a booth for hours as we— well, as Shoko and I talked. “Yeah, of course Y/N.” Shoko smiled before looking at Gojo and Geto, “Huh?” Gojo hummed, pausing his conversation with Geto as they both looked at me. “What'd you say Y/N? I wasn't paying attention sorry.” Geto spoke, looking at me with a curious gaze. “Do think we'll be friends in every universe?” I repeated my question

“Yeah, I think we would be.” Geto responded, Gojo suddenly spoke “Yeah, I guess we would be.” Shoko scoffed as I frowned, they obviously didn't think all four of us would be friends in every universe, maybe the two of them would but that didn't include Shoko and I.

“It's like trying to start a fire with matches in the snow”

It was my birthday, no one even wished me happy birthday. I'm pretty sure they forgot, I don't know anymore. Not even Shoko remembered, she always bought me a cupcake on my birthday. I think she was busy, Gojo and Geto didn't bother remembering either which wasn't much of surprise. I sat in my dorm, sitting at my table bored as I felt sick. I wasn't strong like Gojo, I wasn't useful like Geto, I wasn't able to reverse cursed technique or heal people like Shoko.

“Maybe we won't be friends in every universe.. I don't think we're even friends in this one.” I mumbled to myself before deciding to go out and buy myself a cupcake, I walked towards my favorite pastry shop only to see Shoko, Gojo and Geto laughing together in the window. I sighed and walked inside, ignoring their presence as I ordered my favorite flavor of cupcake. I heard their table go silent as they saw me, I bit my lip before uttering the cupcake was for my birthday, I sat and waited at a table completely alone as my friends— well, people I think are my friends looked at me in guilt.

Suddenly someone came out with the cupcake I ordered with a few staff, they sung me happy birthday with a candle on my cupcake. I couldn't help but give them a small smile as I blew out the candle and ate my cupcake. I threw away the wrapper and left the bakery, I could see that Shoko realized her mistake. Gojo and Geto had guilt in their eyes as their gaze followed me out the bakery and back on my way home.

This often happened, being left behind I mean, not spending my birthday alone. I changed my mind mid walk and started to head towards an old park I played at when I was young.

“Where you can't seem to hold me, can't seem to let me go.”

“Y/N!” someone shouted, it was a familiar voice but not any of my close friends. I heard two steps of footsteps approaching me as I turned around, Nanami and Haibara, they were my classmates but we weren't as close. I wasn't necessarily close with any of my classmates as I was often dragged away by Shoko, Gojo and Geto. But here I was alone at a park as two people in my class approached me.

“It's your birthday right? Why aren't you celebrating!?” Haibara asked with a confused smile as he crossed his arms and tilted his head. Nanami stayed quiet before he spoke up “We saw those three at the cafe, we were confused as to why they were hanging out without you on your own birthday..” I rubbed my nape as I remembered how embarrassed they looked with themselves when they saw me at that cafe and realized it was my birthday. But, at least two people remembered something about me.. “Sooo do you wanna celebrate your birthday with us!” Haibara asked, you could hear the excitement in his voice as he kind of got excited, uncrossing his arms as he smiled brighter. “Yeah.. I’d like that.” I said, smiling softly, a more genuine smile than the ones I give my three friends.

“So I can't find surrender and I can't keep control.”

I spent my birthday with two people I barely knew, and yet I felt happier with then than I did my own friends. It hurt to know they’d rather hang out with each other and leave me out on my own birthday but I'm glad they did, it really shows who cares about you. Y’know? It’s just too bad that I won’t see them anymore.

“You turn me inside out, and then you want me outside in”

I mean, this is just Shoko Ieiri telling this story. None of this is true because Y/N killed themselves on their birthday. I was the one who found them. I will always regret the day I lied and said I was busy, knowing it was their birthday. I'm so sorry Y/N for hurting you, you didn't deserve that, and now I'm here alone because I was stupid enough to believe Gojo and Geto would include me, but they didn't, they never compared to you, my love.

[delulujuls]

friends don't know how you taste | ms47

hi! i know that i have a lot of second parts to write, like for example for this one, but i just cant write other stuff when i am having particular ideas in mind, ya feel me? but dont worry, i remember all of the requests and i will write them in the sooner than later future, i promise!

but here comes the mick schumacher's one and i hope that you will enjoy this while waiting for the next parts for other shots, so bon apetit!

summary: when you are in love with your best friend and only alcohol can untie your tongue to reveal your feelings

warnings: reader being drunk, mentions of alcohol usage

pairing: fem!bffreader x mick schumacher

"Careful, watch out."

The tipsy giggles intensified as Mick steadied his friend's waist a bit more securely while they exited the elevator on the correct floor.

The girl struggled to maintain her balance, and despite being upset when her friends ordered transportation to the hotel for her, she was delighted when Mick turned out to be her ride.

"We're almost there, you're doing great," he reassured her.

Occasionally, he glanced at her, wanting to ensure that the alcohol wasn't taking a negative toll on her. She, however, was in great spirits, giggling and being very talkative.

"When they told me to go back to the hotel because 'I've had enough,'-" she mocked one of her friends, hiccuping, "at first, I got mad. But when I saw it was you who came for me, you have no idea how happy I was to see you!"

She stopped and embraced him, hugging tightly. Mick chuckled softly and reciprocated the hug. He knew he was in for a rather amusing evening with his friend, whom he had no intention of leaving in such a state, even though he could see that she had indulged in one of those harmless ways that shouldn't lead to any harm. Nevertheless, he wanted a clear conscience.

"I'm happy to see you too, liebling."

The girl lifted her head, smiling at his face. Her mascara was slightly smudged, her eyes sparkling, and a wide smile stretched across her rosy lips. Mick returned her smile, looking at her affectionately. She looked charming, staring at him like a painting in the middle of an empty hotel corridor.

"Liebling," she repeated, trying to mimic the German accent, "am I your liebling?"

Schumacher laughed, hearing her feigned accent.

"Of course you are."

She giggled again and hugged him once more. Shortly after, they managed to reach her hotel room. Mick closed the door behind them and seated his friend on the bed. She immediately sank into the soft mattress, feeling everything around her spin. Mick put her purse aside and took off her shoes.

"We'll get you into something more comfortable, okay?"

"Just say you want to undress me."

She joked, giggling. Mick chuckled and shook his head. He was genuinely curious about what interesting things he would learn from his intoxicated friend, with whom he had been friends for many years, and who had never made him feel that there was anything more than friendship between them. However, with alcohol, the girl always became more open, and whenever he was around, she enjoyed his company. Mick decided to play along.

"No, absolutely. After all, we're just friends, right?"

He said, taking off her leather jacket.

"Friends, just friends," the girl sighed heavily, sitting down with difficulty, "of course, as you wish, liebling."

Mick laughed when she again used the term he often called her, this time with an exaggerated German accent that amused him.

"Do you even know what that term means?"

"Liebling?"

"Mhm."

He said, squatting by her suitcase and looking for something for her to change into. As he searched through her clothes, to his surprise, he came across his own T-shirt, which she must have borrowed from him at some point. He smiled to himself. It fit perfectly, being a bit too big for her and, as a result, comfortable.

"Of course, I know."

The girl snorted. Mick stood up and approached her again, holding the T-shirt in his hand.

"So, tell me, and I'll get you changed, okay?"

The girl nodded, a shadow of intense contemplation appearing on her drunken face.

"Liebling," she said again, with the feigned accent, "means darling."

Mick smiled, squatting down and unbuttoning her pants.

"That's right, it means darling."

"I'm your darling?"

She asked, looking at him. He lifted his gaze, and their eyes met. His once amused blue eyes suddenly became serious, and the girl's intoxicated, gleaming eyes also became a bit more serious, too. Nevertheless, a smile still lingered on her face.

"Am i?"

She repeated the question, but Mick couldn't bring himself to utter a word. However, he thought that the next morning, his friend probably wouldn't remember half of the evening, so why worry about what he would say? Even if he revealed his long-hidden feelings to her now, he could gauge her reaction even if it wasn't positive. Everything would return to normal the next morning. He decided to take the risk.

"Of course, you are, liebling."

The girl smiled. Mick returned her smile. He took off her pants and tossed them aside, leaving his friend in just the top and underwear. He stood up and handed her the T-shirt, which she clutched in her hand.

"Can you manage the rest? I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

"You promised to dress me, so you should keep your word."

She said confidently, looking into his eyes again.

"However you wish."

He replied softly, smiling slightly. He took hold of the bottom of her top and carefully removed it. He tried not to stare; that would be impolite. He grabbed his T-shirt and helped her put it on, tucking her hair behind the collar.

"We'll remove your makeup now, okay?"

The girl nodded and pointed to the bathroom. Mick disappeared for a moment, returning with micellar water and cotton pads. He sat next to his friend, looked at her face, and warmly smiled at her, sweeping her hair from her face and tucking it behind her ears. The girl closed her eyes and nestled into his hand. Mick stroked her cheek with his thumb, looking at her affectionately.

"You have pleasant hands. I like your hands."

He chuckled softly.

"Is there anything else you like about me?"

He asked, after a moment, taking a cotton pad and soaking it with makeup remover. He placed one hand on the back of her head and gently started removing her makeup with the other.

"I really like your eyes," she said after a while, without hesitation, "they're beautiful. Like the sky on a summer afternoon."

Mick smiled, hearing that comparison. With careful movements, he swiped the cotton pad over her cheek.

"I love your smile. And your laughter—whenever you laugh, you brighten everything around you." As she said this, she smiled herself. Mick couldn't hide his own smile.

"God, I think there's nothing about you that I don't like."

"Really?"

He giggled, taking another cotton pad, and he applied it to her eyes.

"Although, no, there's one thing I don't like about you."

"I'm all ears then."

"That you haven't made me Mrs. Schumacher yet."

Mick smiled. For a moment, he worried if he had missed something.

"Would you like to be Mrs. Schumacher?"

"Oh God, yes!"

She replied without hesitation, making him laugh. He set the cotton pads aside and leaned in, examining her face carefully, checking if he had done well in the task entrusted to him—removing her makeup.

The girl bit her lip, watching his face.

"You're doing great. This is the moment when you give me a kiss."

Mick was taken aback by her confidence. Even though, he looked into her eyes and smiled.

"Like this?"

He asked, touching her cheek and kissing her. He felt her smile against his lips, deepening the kiss. Although her lips tasted like alcohol, the kiss was filled with emotions. Not wanting to overdo it, he intended to pull away, but she grabbed his hoodie and pulled him closer.

After a while, they separated, but their foreheads were still pressed against each other.

"You have no idea how much I like you."

Mick confessed quietly.

The girl laughed softly.

"And you're telling me this now, when I'm drunk?"

"You probably won't remember it in the morning," he replied, stroking her cheek, "so I'm not worried that it will change anything between us."

"And you don't want anything to change?"

Mick sighed and lowered his gaze, leaning back a bit. He took her hand in his.

"You're drunk, baby."

"No, not at all."

She replied quickly, but hiccups got the better of her. Mick smiled, stroking her hand with his thumb.

"I'm afraid you won't remember anything from this conversation tomorrow."

"Answer me, Mick," she said, looking into his eyes, which were now avoiding hers, "you don't want anything to change?"

He looked at her. He felt that this joking conversation had taken on a completely serious tone. So, he decided to go all-in.

"I'd like to stop pretending that I only want to be your friend."

The girl smiled.

"So let's stop being just friends."

Mick was about to say something, but she kissed him again. Despite the taste of alcohol from her lips, he also felt the taste of change.

After all, friends don't know how you taste, right?

[innxrvision]

So long - pt. 2 𒂭

part 2 of 3 ------------ 𖦹 tags: james hetfield x reader, fluff, smut, best friends to lovers, bet, 80s james, a little angst if you squint ♱ a/n: here's part 2 just like i promised! Also... this got too long again and I had to split once more, I'm sorry. Next part will be the last hopefully! I'll probably only be able to post it on wednesday or thursday tho, but we'll see how things go! Thanks to everyone that has been reading and liking my story, it truly made me happy!

𖦹 part 1 𖦹 part 2 𖦹 part 3

Both of you entered the bar already chatting excitedly, just as you imagined, whatever disagreement that came between you two couldn't last long. You and James' friendship went way back.

"Let's get you a drink." James' playful smile made you smile involuntarily back.

He ordered two beers and raised his glass after you two settled down on a table near the wall, on a spot where the soft yellow light shined right on James' blonde locks.

"To making up!" He said, the smile never leaving his lips.

"If you say so." You shrugged, raising your glass too, but there wasn't any hint of resentment in your voice.

"I really am sorry about what I've said to you earlier. I never wanted to hurt you." He repeated his apology sincerely.

You shrugged again in response, not wanting to make a big deal out of it again.

"What has gotten into you anyway?" You asked genuinely curious before taking a sip.

"I don't really know." He admitted and you could sense some embarrassment coming from him. "I guess my emotions were all over the place and I took all on you. I truly hope you can forgive me."

You just nodded in response, you could easily understand his side.

Soon one beer became two, then three… and before you could realize it, both were a bit too drunk, laughing obnoxiously loud at each other's stupid jokes.

At a certain moment, while James were rambling about his new guitar, your mind wandered as you studied his features under the soft light. The unruly blond hair now gained a different shine, the blue eyes seemed more vivid, and the skin covered by acne suddenly got a different charm to it.

You've known him for years, but, for some reason, the realization that he had grown into a man only hit you now. It's not like you haven't noticed his changes at all, you could admit the boy you knew had gained the charms of a man a long time ago, however, something at that bar made it all become more evident. Maybe it was the alcohol speaking. Regardless, you just stayed silent, lost in your thoughts.

"What are you thinking about?" James' voice cut through your mind, his eyebrow quirked in confusion. "You're looking at me like I have two heads or something." He added, a chuckle coming out of his lips.

You snapped out of it as soon as you heard him, your cheeks heating up in response to his question.

"What?" You laughed nervously "Sorry, just got lost in my thoughts for a moment, go on."

James grinned, finding your flustered expression too amusing to let it go.

"I must really put you in a state to make you blush like that." He took another sip of his beer and kept grinning at you. "What were you thinking about before? I'm curious now."

You tried your best to appear bored and rested your elbow on the table, putting your chin on top of your hand.

"Nothing. Just… Work."

He studied your face and the playful expression he had before turned into a smirk.

"You're hiding something." He teased. "You're a terrible liar."

You rolled your eyes, pretending to be offended by his observation.

"I'm not!" You shot back. "I said it's nothing. You're too curious for your own good."

"Come on, tell me." He nudged your shoulder. "It's not fair if you keep it a secret."

"Not fair? What? Don't you have any secrets?" You scoffed.

"Of course I do. But your secrets are much more interesting to me right now than my own." He leaned closer and raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So spill it. What were you really thinking about? Was it a boy?"

You looked at him incredulous, just wishing he would drop the subject.

"You can't be serious." You looked with concern in your expression at him and he laughed in response.

"Oh, I'm being serious. You were blushing so hard, so it must be a boy." He grinned, crossing his arms. It was clear that he was enjoying messing up with you. "So come on, spill it. Is it someone I know? Do you want me to hook you up?"

"No! What? You're crazy." You couldn't believe he thought you wanted him to hook you up with somebody.

"I know you're thinking about someone, just tell me already. Who's the lucky guy?" He pressed again.

"There's... No one!" You were starting to get frustrated.

"Oh, please. You can't fool me, I know you. You were obviously daydreaming about someone." He raised an eyebrow again and you had to take a deep breath in order to control yourself. "Is it one of the guys? Lars maybe? Or... Is it Kirk? I know you two are very close. You got a thing for him?" His voice dripped with amusement, it was clear he was enjoying teasing you.

"What?!" You opened your mouth in shock as he started pointing names. "I've never...! I never liked Kirk! Where did this come from?!"

"I can see the way you look at him sometimes." He chuckled, it seemed like he was testing you. "If it's not him, then who is it? I won't leave you alone until you tell me."

"Kirk is like a brother to me!" You said offended, your cheeks getting hot once again.

"You're protesting a little too much. I know you're hiding something from me." He studied your blushed face in silence for a second "Well, whoever he is, we can play matchmaker and set you up on a date." He batted his eyelashes dramatically at you and laughed.

"Why are you so invested in being my wingman? Who says I need one?"

You were getting tired of this talk. One second of distraction staring too much at him and now you had to deal with James playing guess by himself. He already loved getting on your nerves, but whenever he got drunk that would get worse.

"You've been single for almost a year now." He grinned. "I just want to help you find someone to share your life with."

You couldn't believe he decided to throw that on your face. Ouch. You sighed and looked around the bar for a second, trying to find a good response.

"Why don't you worry about your own love life?"

He chuckled again, shrugging off your comment.

"You know I don't do long-term relationships." He said casually. "I'm more of a one-night-stand kind of guy." He winked and that irritated you.

You looked down at your hands, trying to navigate your feelings. For some reason, hearing that he had been sleeping with other girls made you feel jealous. You tried your best to not seem affected, but James noticed the shift in your reaction.

"What's wrong with one-night stands?" He asked, his tone playful.

"I just think it's gross." You cursed yourself mentally for your childish response.

"C'mon... You're such a prude." He rolled his eyes and teased you, nudging at your arm. "One-night stands aren't gross, they're just casual fun. You should try it sometime, it might loosen you up a bit." There was that smug grin again that made you heated.

"I don't need to loosen up, I'm fine the way I am." You tried defending yourself. "And also, I'm not a prude."

"Sure, keep telling yourself this." He shrugged, that grin only growing wider at your frustration. "But deep down, you're just a boring goody-two-shoes who wouldn't know how to have a good time if your life depended on it." He continued. "Bet you've never even been on a proper date before."

You scoffed. Yeah, he made a habit of teasing you and yes, that would worsen whenever he drunk, but tonight he seemed even more invested in driving you nuts. "Is it just the alcohol?" You asked yourself.

"Of course I have!" You crossed your arms. "I can have fun just fine. I just think the girls you hook up with are gross."

You tried attacking him, but it was clear that your response only amused him even more.

"Gross, huh? Interesting choice of words." He leaned closer once again. "Does that mean you think I'm gross too? For hooking up with random girls?" He waited for your response, staring at you.

"I've never said that." You regretted mentioning his hookups and sighed.

"I know you're judgmental of my dating life." He leaned back and shrugged. "You're probably just jealous that I'm getting some action and you're not." He smiled triumphantly.

"Who says I'm not getting some action?" You tried your best to sound convincing but your attempt only made him laugh.

"Oh, really? With whom exactly? A pillow? A stuffed animal?" You blushed and he caught your reaction. "I knew it. You don't have anyone. Which is why you're so sour and uptight because you're not getting laid." He taunted.

"You're such an ass." You looked away and rolled your eyes. "It's none of your business, maybe? Just leave my love life alone, please." At this point, you had given up winning this conversation.

"Alright, alright. I'll leave your non-existent love life alone." He raised both of his hands in surrender. "But if you need some advice on how to get laid, come to me. I'm something of an expert, y'know?" He winked playfully.

"Like I would take your advice." You laughed sarcastically, seeing the perfect chance to annoy him back. "Bet you don't how to please girls at all." You added, certain that this would drive him crazy.

In response, he just smiled and shook his head. A different reaction that you were expecting.

"Oh yeah? You think I can't satisfy a girl?" He said confidently and leaned closer to you once again. "In fact, I bet I could satisfy you better than any other guy you've ever been with."

You stopped in your tracks, wondering if you heard him right. "He's just trying to get a reaction of me." You thought to tranquilize yourself.

"No way. Bet you take like... One minute." You decided just to keep teasing, trying to give him hell back for being so annoying.

"You think I'm that bad?" He raised an eyebrow with a smile on his lips. He then went silent for a second and something in his expression changed. "How about we make a bet then? If I can't please you better than anyone you've ever been with before, I'll do the dishes at your house for a week. But... If I do a good job, you have to take me out on a date."

"What?" Your mind went blank with shock and you felt a wave of heat from the embarrassment go through your entire body. Everything was all fun and games until now, but now you were just dumbfounded.

James noticed the shock in your expression and bit his lip, realizing he may have overstepped, but it was too late to take back now.

"Just hear me out. It'll be fun, it's just a harmless bet." He said quickly. "We are friends, right? What's wrong with having some fun?" He tried.

You couldn't even look straight at him now. It's true that you've been getting more and more attracted to him, but since you were best friends, you never expected this kind of proposal to come from him. Was it the alcohol? Was he just trying to prove a point? Your thoughts ran a 100 mph, trying to decide what should you do.

"I..." You started, then shook your head in an attempt to clear your mind. "Fine, it's a bet."

[malfiora]

posted about this here

Lois has been called a lot of things. Irritating. Stubborn. Curious. Nosy. She prefers perceptive. Award-winning journalism isn't based on surface-level fact gathering, after all. For example, this morning:

She had watched from the kitchen window as Jon and Damian made the rounds with the animals in the field. Observing the two boys was more entertaining than whatever conversation she was supposed to be engaged in. For all that they couldn't stand each other a while back, they're inseparable now. Lois catches herself laughing to herself at history repeating itself.

Except that's not quite right. Sure, Damian is softer around Jon, a little more rhythmic with his barbs than cutting so that their conversation is more a dance than a brawl, and she can hear Bruce in that. And yes, Jon is unabashed with Damian, open and shameless like he and Clark can only be in these protected spaces.

But this morning, Lois catches something, a spark, a glint of unexplored depth. She hears it in Jon's scoff at something Damian says, sees it in the way he rolls his eyes and plants a hand on his hip. It's familiar in an uncanny valley way, the way meeting a long lost twin is supposed to be unsettling. She sees herself in Jon, deeper than purple eyes.

And so now the equation is unbalanced.

In her defense, she thinks to ask Bruce about Damian's mother for all of five seconds. It's a sore subject, and even if it weren't, the man seems to keep secrets out of habit if not necessity. So Lois pries instead.

That brings her to the wrong end of a sword. Lois swallows, heart racing as the hairs of her throat graze against the blade, and offers a shaky smile up to a pair of incisive green eyes. The weight of that gaze, the rightness of it, slots a puzzle piece into place.

"You know not the forces you meddle with, woman," Talia al Ghul says coolly. "Speak. Why did you seek me out?"

Lois's gut clenches and her tongue works faster than her brain does (always has). "Our sons are friends," she replies. "I just wanted to know Damian's mother."

Talia's eyes widen a fraction and the grip on her sword tightens. "Prove it."

"Alright, I'm reaching for my phone." Lois slowly reaches into her back pocket and retrieves her cell phone, then unlocks it. She barely has to glance down to find the photo she wants. It's of the Lane-Kents and half the Wayne family at a barbecue. The boys are front and center. She turns the device around so Talia can see.

Talia takes the phone and inspects the photo. It's obvious the moment she sees Damian. Her face softens a little and her eyes warm by several degrees. She drops her sword and turns that gaze back on Lois, and oh. Lois's breath catches in her throat. (She has got to stop teasing Jon for getting tongue-tied around Damian because boy does she get it now.)

"I trust you got everything you were looking for. You may go, Ms. Lane." Talia sheathes her sword and tosses her the phone before sliding back into the shadows. "We'll be in touch."

By the time Lois catches her phone, she's alone again.

[angy-grrr]

I'm glad that someone pointed out that Izuku is definitely feeling really lost rn. And also that Ochako was also not the only person with the kind of goal he had, and that there's still quite a lot of stuff to be shown.

im surprised most ppl arent talking about it! But well, many are focus on Shigaraki or just disliking the manga, sooo....

And yeah, even tho he didn't talk about it directly with him, he knew Shoto's intentions -the difference is that theres a familial connexion between him and Dabi, so Ochako's link to Himiko looked more similar to his and Shigaraki (even tho we learn there are huge differences). I'm curious to see if they do end up discussing it, and if she'll be honest about her closeness with her -how they had mutual feelings, etc-, or if Hori will decide to keep them more separated. What I mean by this is, instead of repeating the cliff scene, show us what's going on with togachako without Izuku being involved.

I'm guessing this is the route for Shoto and Dabi, and the rest of the Todoroki family -developing their arcs outside of Izuku, and him being the one who needs to express himself out loud, or something similar.

Right now, the questions to cover:

Izuku's feelings -including the taboo ones, like rudeness, rage and selfishness-; is he going to express them openly? Will someone assign him a therapist? Is the new character going to make him confront what he hides?

The new character -who is this person? What is going to happen? Personally, I expect this to be kind of a test. Are they going to hide him and pretend people like him dont exist? Or are they going to help? Could there be people who want to change things, and people who prefer to continue with the status quo?

The All Might vestige Katsuki saw -wtf was that. In the past chapters, every time he appears someone comments on how it makes no sense that he is still alive and can move (Sero, Mitsuki, Club Penguin doctor, Present Mic, if I remember right even kinda AFO and All Might?). Is this foreshadowing?

Izuku's quirklessness - is he going to get a new quirk? Keep OFA somehow? Become quirkless and a hero? Will there be discrimination and challengers because of this?

Dabi and the Todoroki family -are we confirming he is alive in the next chapters? If he is, is he going to just be unconscious, or is he waking up? What will be his reaction to see his abusive father? And his siblings? What about his mom? Is he getting therapy, because of his suicidal tendencies? Is he going to jail?

Himiko and Ochako -where is she? Alive, dead, unconscious in the hospital, recovering there, or in jail? Could she be free in another place? Are they going to talk, or are they seeing each other regularly? Is she going to be considered an adult in a trial, or is she going to be seen as the teen she is? What kind of life could they have? Is there any possibility Himiko attends UA?

Spinner -is he okay? Same previous questions apply to him. Is he going to react to Shigaraki's death? Will he create a new League and look for revenge? Is he going to connect with other ppl with mutant quirks?

Their world -will it really change? Will they find resistance from the status quo? Is the hero system going to disappear? In that case, what would bkdk's dream look like?

These are the main points I can think about at the moment. Maybe also discuss Present Mic and Aizawa, or All Might's future. There's a lot to cover, and im glad we'll get probably another volume!

[heli-writes]

Seven summers, part 4.

Pairing: Draco Malfoy x female!reader

Summary: Every summer, Draco and y/n meet. First, by pure coincidence, then intentionally. Unbeknown to Draco, y/n's a muggle who has no clue he's a wizard. With the rise of the dark lord, how long can this go well?

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

Series Masterlist

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Fifth summer, July. (still)

Suffocating warmth. Y/n tries to shift, desperate for fresh air, but something is holding her into place. One of Draco's arms is wrapped around her firmly. She can feel how he snuggles his face into her hair. She manages to turn around in his arms. Draco groans in protest. Y/n starts peppering soft kisses along his jaw and then pushes her face into his chest. "Mornin'", Draco says groggily. "Good morning.", y/n chirps in a muffled voice. "What time is it?", Draco asks and reaches for his watch at the nightstand. "I don't care.", y/n mumbles and pulls him closer. When Draco finally gets hold of his watch, he groans in annoyance. "We need to get up or we'll miss breakfast.", he tells y/n. "I don't care.", y/n repeats, "I don't want to get up". Draco chuckles and ruffles her already messy hair. "C'mon, we can't spend our last day here laying around.", he tells her. "Actually, yes, we can. And actually, maybe that's exactly what we should do. I mean we don't get to do this again until... until whenever we can lie to our parents again, I guess.", y/n argues. "We can meet again some other time this summer.", Draco soothes her. Y/n immediately rips away from his soft embrace. "Really?!", she asks him excitedly. Draco smiles. "I mean... yes, right? We're boyfriend and girlfriend now. We should see each other as often as we can, right?", he asks her mischievously. Y/N nods frantically. "Absolutely!", she agrees. Draco sits up, as does y/n. "Then let's make the best of today and meet again soon for everything we didn't get to do today!", he tells her. Y/n sighs dramatically. "I guess so.", she says and rolls out of bed. After brushing her teeth and quickly putting on some fresh clothes, y/n follows Draco to the breakfast room. They're served by floating tableware and y/n has to suppress her instinct to gawk at the self-filling cups and plates in awe.

"So, what are you up for today? Anything you'd like to do or see?", Draco asks her while shoving some baked beans into his mouth. Y/n puts down her fork and thinks about it for a minute. "We could take a look around Stonehenge.", she proposes then. Draco nods in agreement. "Sounds like a good plan.", he says. They quickly finish their breakfast. Y/n proposes to take the bus at which Draco snorts. However, considering that he hasn't learned apparition yet and also wouldn't be allowed to use magic outside of school, he eventually agrees. On their way to the bus station, they stop at Tesco and get some sandwiches and snacks to have a picnic later. On the bus, Draco is surprisingly anxious even though he would never admit it. "Have you never been on a bus before?", y/n snickers. Draco shrugs. "I've been in a car before, though not voluntarily.", he tells her. Y/n grabs his hand in reassurance and tells him about a trip she took with her parents on a bus.

Little over half an hour later, they arrive at the historic site. At the ticket office, they pay the entrance fee at the ticket office. "They make us pay for this? Unbelievable.", Draco huffs. "Well, somehow they need to maintain the place.", y/n says. "That's crap. They're turning a profit. No muggle should have the right to exploit a magical site like that.", he grumbles. Y/n almost chokes. Stonehenge? A magical place?, y/n thinks to herself and looks at the giant stones. "Draco, I'm actually not familiar with British history. Can you tell me a bit about the place?", she asks him. She's too curious about how the place connects with magic. "Well, about 4000 to 5000 thousand years ago, witches and wizards that settled in the South of England erected the stones. It was a place for magical rituals and magical culture. Even today, at midsummer night, witches and wizards from all over the world travel here to perform magic.", he tells her. "Wow, I had no idea.", she tells him in awe. Draco nudges her. "Don't you feel the buzzing of magic all around you? It's ancient, I can feel it.", he points out to her. Y/n stares at the stones intensively. Nothing. They're just a bunch of big stones to her. She turns around to him. "This place is amazing!", she beams.

They spend some time walking around the area designated for tourists. Y/n spends her time reading the little information signs that inform the visitors about the history of the place. Of course, witches are not mentioned in any of them. Draco keeps spacing off while looking at the stones. Y/n guesses he connects to the place differently than her. In the afternoon, the two have a picnic at one of the picnic sites. Draco sneers at the sight of the muggle families and y/n feels uncomfortable about it. She really wants to tell him about the muggle thing but she feels like she's into deep now. She's afraid he'd break up with her and they never see each other again. After lunch, Draco pulls her to a less crowded place. They wander around and joke around until the sun starts to set and the tourist leave the place. They get comfortable close to the stones and watch the sunset. When it has gotten dark, they build a small campfire and roast marshmallows over the open flame. Meanwhile, Draco tells her all kinds of fantastic stories about the place his mother used to tell him before going to bed. Y/n snuggles up to him and listens to his stories like a child who's been told fairytales for the first time. She can't help but feel jealous that Draco gets to live in this fantastic, magical world while she's stuck in a world that sucks the fantasy and imagination out of children during their very early years.

She sighs and shivers. It's suddenly become quite cold and the fire does little to warm her. Draco's going on about a story of a witch who supposedly resurrected her child among the stones in front of them. Y/n snuggles closer to Draco and lets her eyes wander over the scenery. Suddenly, a flickering shadow above them catches her eye. It looks like a man in a long cape, she thinks. No, actually it looks like a ghost but instead of a white bedsheet, it's wearing a black one. Suddenly every hair on y/n's body bristles. She's having a really bad feeling. "Draco, what's that?", she asks him and points towards the ghostly silhouette above them. "What do you mean? There's noth-". Draco's sentence gets stuck in his throat. Immediately, he jumps up and pulls y/n with him. "Dementor!", he hisses breathlessly, "What is this thing doing here?". Y/n watches the black creature in terror. That's the thing that can suck your soul out of your body, she remembers. Draco immediately pulls out his wand and raises it in defense. The dementor notices them and swooshes down to them but doesn't attack them. Y/n feels like throwing up. "Y/n, quick! Your wand! Do you know the patronus spell?", Draco hisses. Y/n is paralyzed. She's incapable of moving and she doesn't know if it's her own fear or the creature in front of her or both. "Fuck, why don't they teach us apparition earlier!", Draco swears. He starts rummaging through his pockets. "Y/n, quickly, distract it. With a fire or ice spell.", he orders her. "Y/n!", he yells again but y/n remains unresponsive. "Fuck!", he swears and pulls her along. He throws an opened bottle with something green inside at the campfire and green fire erupts from the small fireplace. "This is probably not part of the floor network but hopefully we get out somewhere. Y/n think about the inn, then jump into the fire.", he says. This rips y/n out of her trance. Jump into the fire? Is he crazy?, she thinks. The dementor floats closer and seems to take a deep breath. "Y/n, go! Go!", Draco yells and pushes her into the bursting flames.

When y/n was little she loved to watch all kinds of cartoons. She always thought it was very funny when characters were shrunk and flushed down the toilet. Right now, she doesn't find it funny at all. Because she feels like she's been flushed down a toilet. She tries to focus on the inn, like Draco told her. Before she can fully realize what is happening to her, the green fire is gone and she stumbles out of a fireplace. "What the heck? What are you kids doing?", an agitated voice complains. Behind her, Draco also falls out of the fire. Y/n scrambles onto her knees and tries not to throw up. "What do you think this place is? It's a bed and breakfast, not a playground for you kids to do as you please!", the voice continues to scold them. It's Goover, y/n realizes after a second. Draco is quicker to get onto his feet. "There was a dementor!", Draco yells, "We must inform the ministry!". Y/n manages to find footing and lifts herself off the ground. "Dementors? What are you talking about, boy? This isn't Azkaban!"", Goover continues his rambling. "It's true, I swear! We just managed to get out of there. Why else do you think we ended up in your living room?", Draco says angrily. Y/n takes a closer look at her surroundings. They're actually in a living room that looks like it's located in the inn. "You are talking nonsense, boy! Now get out of my living room before I contact your father!", Goover threatens. Draco's face goes white and he grabs y/n's arm harshly. He pulls her out of the room and up the stairs. Y/n just follows him. Somehow, she dreads what comes next.

"What the hell, y/n! What were you thinking?", Draco starts yelling at her when they're back in their room. "I-i don't know...", y/n stutters. She still feels so unbelievably cold even though she literally traveled through fire just mere minutes ago. "Yes, clearly you didn't know. What on earth are they teaching you in Ilvermorny? Don't you know any basic defense spells?", Draco hisses. His hand is still wrapped around y/n's arm painfully strong. Y/n pulls at her arm and Draco lets go of her. "Seriously, you didn't even pull out your wand. What kind of witch does not think to do that?", he argues. "I-i was scared...", y/n tries to argue back but her voice sounds meager. "Oh, I'm sorry, y/n, you were scared, of course!", Draco says. His voice is harsh and angry. "It's the first thing you learn in school! Always keep your wand close!", he says and crosses his arms, still holding his own wand. "Where do you even keep it? Don't tell me you keep it somewhere you don't have immediate access to!", he continues to scold her. Y/n's heart sinks. Please don't ask me to show you, y/n begs internally. "Show me! You can't be this defenseless!", Draco orders. Y/n looks like a deer in headlight. "Draco... I-i don't...", she starts but doesn't know how to end her sentence. How can she explain to him that she lied to him all this time? "What? Y/n, where's your wand?", Draco continues to demand. He can see that something's wrong. He suspiciously observes her. Y/n kneads her own hand nervously. "Draco, you see... I don't have one...", y/n finally manages to choke out. Draco looks at her dumbfoundedly. "What?", is all he gets out. Y/n shrugs helplessly. "What do you mean you don't have one? Every witch has one. Where is it y/n?", he says, suddenly feeling nauseous. Y/n doesn't meet his eyes and just lowers her head in defeat. "Y/n... you're a witch, right? You go to Ilvermorny School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, right? Your father works for the Macusa, doesn't he? You said he works at the embassy!", he says almost horrified and desperate at the same time. Y/n can feel tears burning in her eyes. This is not how she thought it would be. She hoped that she could let him down gently. "Y/n! Say something!", Draco croakes and shoves her shoulder. Helplessly, y/n just looks at him with tear-filled eyes.

Draco looks at her for a solid minute before saying in disbelief: "You're a muggle". Y/n can only nod in silence. Draco rubs his hand over his face. "N-no... that can't be right...", he mumbles to himself and starts pacing the room. "I can't... This cannot... My parents will...", he rambles to himself and y/n can't help to watch him silently. Draco abruptly stops. "I can't do this.", he announces and starts rummaging through his bag that he dropped by his bed last night. He pulls out another bottle and puts some green powder into his hand. He shoulders his backpack and leaves his suitcase unnoticed on the other side of the room. "Draco!", y/n finally gets out. Her voice sounds hoarse. Draco finally turns to her. His face contorted in anger. "D-don't! You're not even supposed to be here! You can't be here! If anybody finds out...", he says not finishing his last sentence. "I won't tell anybody!", y/n argues desperately, "I haven't told anybody the past years!". Draco balls his hand into a fist. "That doesn't matter! I-i... I need to go.", he says and turns towards the fireplace. "Wait, you can't leave!", y/n yells but Draco already threw the green powder into the fire. The room is suddenly illuminated by green light and before y/n has a chance to say something else, he's gone.

Slowly, the green fire goes back to normal and warm, orange flames brizzle in the dark room. Y/n chokes and tears start to overflow. She sinks onto her knees and presses her arm against her mouth in an attempt to silence her sobs. She starts to sob uncontrollably and doesn't manage to calm down for a while. When she eventually gets a hold of herself, she loudly says into the empty room: "I need to get out of here". She quickly grabs all her things and carelessly pushes them into her suitcase. She shoulders her bag and then rushes to the door. Before she pushes down the door handle, she stops. I need to be quiet, she thinks. She looks around the room for a last time and then pushes the handle down as silently as she can. She tiptoes through the hallway. When she walks down the stairs, she stops at every squeak of the old wood beneath her feet. Her heart is beating a thousand miles per minute. She can't face Goover. Who knows what that guy will do when he finds out she isn't a witch. Probably hand her over to the magic police or something. When she manages to reach the front door, she bolts. She doesn't stop running until she reaches the train station. She sits onto her suitcase in front of the building. What on earth is she supposed to do now?, she thinks. She takes out her phone and checks her appearance in the reflection of her dark screen. She rummages through her bag until she finds some makeup wipes. She quickly cleans her face and slaps her cheeks. In an attempt to wake up from the nightmare she just experienced or to redden up her ghostly-white cheeks, she doesn't know. She checks her train app. There's one last connection to London, thank god! She'll call her parents when she arrives in London. If she calls them now, they will try to persuade her to go back to 'Olivia'.

She buys a ticket via the app and waits between two columns for the train. She really hopes no security guides are patrolling. They will definitely ask questions on why a minor is outside alone this late. She probably makes a pretty miserable sight. Looking all disheveled with her red eyes and everything. While waiting for the train, y/n's thoughts are racing. What will happen now? Will she see Draco again? Will he tell anybody? Will some wizards come to her house and get her and her family in trouble? Y/n can feel another crying fit coming. She swallows it down. During the train ride, she stares out of the window numbly and tries her best to dissociate. Upon her arrival in London, she phones her parents. The second she hears her father answering the phone, she's sobbing. Eventually, she makes clear to him where she is and they come to pick her up. Her mother stays on the phone with her the entire ride and when she finally sees their car pulling up, she practically throws herself into her mother's arms. She sobs uncontrollably and can't get any coherent sentences out. Her father is angry, she can see that. However, upon seeing his daughter's disruptive behaviour, he bites down his anger and helps her into the car. There's no conversation during the car ride home. Her mother takes her upstairs to her room when they arrive at home. While y/n is lying in her bed wide awake, she can hear her parents having an angry conversation downstairs. She'll have to come up with a good explanation until tomorrow morning.

She presses her pillow against her chest. She's been in trouble before but somehow it never felt like this. Suddenly, she feels incredibly alone. Hiding her face in the pillow, she wishes for nothing more but that Draco was with her. She can still smell his cologne lingering in the shirt she's wearing. You stupid, stupid idiot, she tells herself. Of course, it would end like this. You know how he thinks about muggles since the very beginning. You're such a fool. Did you really think he was so in love with you that all of this wouldn't matter? You lied to him and you probably could get him into serious trouble. Y/n can feel her pillow get wet with her tears. She didn't know her heart could feel like this. She read a bunch of books about tragic love stories. Nevertheless, no story in the world can prepare you for a real heartbreak. By the ache in her heart, y/n is sure about two things: firstly, y/n's feelings for Draco were true and secondly, she will never ever feel like that for a person again.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tag list: @gypsylilim @caffeine-addict-slug @huiiline @rclector @am0iur

[Please leave a note if you'd like to be tagged too.]

[beautifulterriblequeen]

TDP likes to look at the act of changing the reality of a real moment and creating a new reality whose purpose is to be perceived by the masses. It fits very nicely with the framing that individual perspectives are inherently limited, and no one has the full story - but that this does not automatically make anyone "evil." But it's very much its own concept, too.

In these above examples where we get to see both the reality and the art that it inspired, changing even something as simple as the poses or clothing of those involved shifts the focus from the authenticity of the moment itself to a curated narrative that is deliberately chosen for its own purpose. An artificially altered perspective that is intended for many to share.

There's a meta layer to this as well. The Dragon Prince itself is deliberately created, of course. And within the art of the show, it is choosing to hold a mirror up to itself with all this in-universe art, and how it is not a perfect reflection of reality. Fiction is always a carefully crafted universe of its own.

So, why did TDP choose the alterations it did? And why did it deliberately draw our attention to those changes through this repeated altered-art motif?

Art is neutral. Art is a medium. It can be used for good or ill, depending on the intent of those who create and distribute it. Are we to look at every example of art taken from historical events in TDP and question whether it really happened the way they're portraying it?

Yes.

Are we to look at real Earth history itself this way, and all the art it has spawned in the real world?

Absolutely.

Fiction is an imperfect mirror on purpose. That is the entire point of fiction: that it is not reality, but it is close enough to make us think twice.

Or at least once. Bare minimum.

Personally, I'm really curious what the reality was behind this art installation:

Maybe we'll find out someday.

[quinncupine]

So glad your request are open I love your writing! Here’s a request for you, Deku x fem reader where he’s out on patrol and calls his s/o to check up on her and she doesn’t answer, so he goes home and and sees someone holding the reader hostage and he saves her. Protective worried Izuku wins my heart every time lol

I definitely got a little carried away with this one. This request was a bit similar to the last one, so I took a few liberties, but I hope you'll enjoy it all the same!

Failsafe

Relationship: Izuku Midoriya X Female Reader

Word count: ~7,600

Warnings: Blood, mild language, guns, explosvies, violence

MASTERLIST

The phone buzzed for a second time in his pocket. With a distracted sigh, he pulled it out, only getting a momentary glance at the caller's I.D. Your picture lit up the screen, and he couldn't help the smirk that pulled at the corners of his lips. He moved to answer it, but someone laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Deku, the negotiator just finished the call." Detective Tsukauchi said with a grim look. "Dynamight just arrived as well."

Izuku glanced back down at the phone and declined the call with a promise to call you back once this situation had been handled.

The command center that had been hastily assembled outside of the museum buzzed with activity. Officers had scattered about, all running orders and securing the perimeter of the increasing amount of curious onlookers. Evening had set upon them, bathing the area in golden rays blended with the flashing lights of the nearby cruisers.

Both men headed towards the back of a S.W.A.T. vehicle where Dynamight stood, grumbling about something to a man right outside the truck.

"Dynamight!" Deku called to his old friend as they approached, "It's good to see you! We'll not under these conditions, I suppose."

Hearing his name on familiar lips, he tensed, and turned to glare at the bright beam of a smile being shot his way. "Of course, you'd be here," was his apparent greeting.

"I'm glad you're here," Tsukauchi said to the feisty hero with a nod. "I'm sure you've been briefed on the situation at hand."

"Yeah, a bunch of rich ditz's got themselves kidnapped during their own fundraiser." He snipped, crossing his arms. "The idiots robbing the joint made a mistake during their little heist and decided to make things worse."

Tsukauchi cleared his throat. "Um, well, yes I suppose you could put it that way." Then he turned his attention to the man Katsuki had been talking to earlier. "This is Agent DeLuca. He's our chief negotiator tonight. He'll fill you in on the rest."

"Right," the older man nodded, looking between the three of them, "I've made contact with their leader. He didn't have much to say except for a list of outrageous demands."

"Outrageous?" Izuku asked, curious.

"Yeah," the man chuckled before turning serious. "They want a helicopter landed on that roof," he pointed to the museum, "five fresh pizza's waiting in said helicopter, along with four crates of top shelf sake. They want it all within twenty-eight minutes, or they'll execute their first hostage. And by my count, we have twenty-four minutes left."

"Pizza and booze?" Katuski scoffed. "What're they playin' at?"

"Twenty-eight minutes is a pretty specific timeframe." Izuku cocked his head. "And with those kind of demands It almost seems like they're waiting for something. Stalling."

The phone in his pocket buzzed again but this time he simply reached in and turned it off, mind swirling with possible theories. They had to be aiming toward a bigger goal here. What weren't they seeing?

"Do we have eyes and ears inside?" He peeked into the truck where a wall of screens shone through.

"We managed to patch through to the security system, but they've been hacked. They're just playing the same loop on repeat. We do have a specialist currently working on overriding it, but that's gonna take time." The detective rubbed his head while he explained. "From what we can gather, they still have roughly 18 guests and staff held hostage."

"And that quirk barrier is preventing anyone from getting in," Izuku murmured, examining the building. It emitted a faint purple aura. "I bet holding that up takes a lot of stamina. That could be why they were on such a specific time frame."

"Our men tried to get through." Tsukauchi frowned. "Anyone who touched that thing ended up numb from the shock. That's why you two are here. It might be possible to break through with your quirks. The only problem is alerting the captors."

"They said they'd start shooting the moment anyone stepped foot in that building. Agent DeLuca explained. "At the moment, we're in a deadly stalemate."

Tsukauchi's phone rang, and he excused himself.

Izuku pinched his bottom lip in thought as he faced the building. There were a few ways they could go about this. With Dynamight here, it should make things a little easier. However, he needed to be sure to keep the lives of the civilians as his first priority. So maybe if he-

"Deku," Tsukauchi grabbed his shoulder, pulling him from his ruminations. "Your wife is calling."

He blinked. You were calling again. When he instinctively reached into his pocket wondering how the detective new that, he paused, finally noticing the phone in his hand. Then he noticed the deep-set frown on his face.

A million questions scrambled through his head, but he locked them down in favor of taking the phone. "Hey, is everything alright?"

"Deku, listen closely," you said quietly. Your voice didn't sound right. A slightly slurred warbled edge.

had the baby hairs on his neck on end. "You're going to…to let the men in the museum leave unscathed. You will not pursue. Do this, and everyone gets -" You hitched your breath "- everyone gets to live."

A lingering silence pressed between the two of you. Your labored breaths a loud echo to his ears. It was wrong. So very wrong.

"Are you hurt?" He finally spoke, locking eyes with a concerned detective.

A shuddered sob answered him. It locked his heart in a vice grip to hear you so frightened. So vulnerable. How long had you been like that? How many calls did you try to make to him, and he simply ignored them all? Right when you needed him most. An equal flood of guilt and rage filled his veins. He could feel the sparks of his quirk begging to be let out in the wake of his anger, but he had to reel it in for your sake.

Behind your erratic panic, he could hear it.

The faint puffs of air around your own tattered breaths. Someone was there. Someone was there with you. And if he didn't act carefully, your life would be on the line.

"You have tw-twenty minutes to either s-save the innocent people in that building or come f-find me. There's not…there's not enough time to do both. If not…" you faltered before taking in a sharp drag of air and screaming. "Don't do it, Izuku! Save them! It's a trap. There's a-"

The call abruptly ended.

He stared at the screen. Too many conflicting emotions were battling for control to think clearly. Someone, a villain, had taken you. That much he was certain. There were more men than those five stuck in the museum. But it didn't add up. Even if there was someone from this crew working from the outside, there would simply not be enough time to plan something like this on the spot. Unless…unless it had been orchestrated from the start.

"Deku!" Katsuki snatched the phone out of his hands with an annoyed growl. "Get your head out of your ass. What was that about? You sayin' there's more of these losers?"

Izuku flinched at his words, not realizing he'd been mumbling.

"It's-she…they-" he locked eyes with Katsuki, "-they have her."

He straightened, glancing between the detective and Izuku. "Explain."

And so he did.

A nervous energy he couldn't quite tamper down ran rampant through his body. He itched to just take off and leave to go find you right then and there. But there was more to this than they realized, and if he ran headlong without forethought, it could put not just you but the other hostages in danger.

"That bastard!" Katsuki snapped. "They want to divide our forces. They think they can escape that way."

Yes, Izuku figured as much, but it still didn't change the fact that you were in some slimy villain's hand. He'd already tracked your location from the phone. It pinged from home, but whether you were still with it was up in the air. Those calls he'd missed seemed to be mocking him now.

He couldn't forgive himself for that.

You were calling for help.

You were calling for help, and he didn't answer.

You were calling for help, and he didn't come the one time you truly needed him.

What kind of lousy hero was he?

"Stop that," Katsuki slapped him upside the head, non to gentle either. "I know what you're thinking idiot. This isn't your fault. You just happened to be their target."

"What?" He asked, rubbing the back of his head.

"If they actually put a few braincells together to plan this thing, then it would make sense to have a backup plan. A failsafe of sorts." He tossed a glare towards the building before focusing back on Izuku. "They must've known your route. They must've planned for you to be in the area. What better way to take you out of the equation than to create your own hostage situation? Draw the heroes away."

"I believe Dynamight's got the right idea. They have more men involved than we thought. We'll need to revise our plan." Tsukauchi turned to relay this new information to the command tent.

"We're wasting time." Izuku turned to Katsuki, eyes wide and almost pleading. "I need to go. We're on a time limit. Whatever he has planned….I have to save her."

"You don't think I know that?" He scoffed. "I can handle things here easily. I bet those dumbasses didn't expect me to show up. My route doesn't fall into this sector."

Izuku nodded, grateful that he had arrived, then paused. "Why are you here?"

"Because I had to track down that bastard mugger that managed to escape through here. And if you thought I'd let you steal my crook, then you're dead wrong." He puffed up, daring Izuku to challenge him.

"First time a mugging actually worked in our favor then." He chuckled ironically and grabbed Katsuki's shoulder, his small smile slipping. "Thank you. I'll radio you as soon as I get her back."

"Yeah, yeah," he shrugged off his hand and shooed him away. "Now get out of here before I have to show you up again."

"Wait, Deku," Tsukauchi jogged back over, "I'm coming with you."

"I appreciate it, but I'm faster airborne." Izuku explained, impatience rearing itself in the form of a harried sigh.

"I know, but you're here under our jurisdiction. This kidnapping falls under that. I'm coming." He pulled out his keys and headed towards his car. "We can't rush into this without our own plan. Dynamight can handle things on this end, but i'm coming as backup. There are too many lives at stake here. If you barge in there with quirks blazing and emotions clouding your judgment, then it could spook the boss into doing something we'd all regret."

Logically, Izuku knew this. He did. But he also felt that overstored anger directing itself towards the detective. Izuku could handle a hostage situation. He's handled them before, and he most likely will have to handle them again. Then the rational side to his brain told him it would be good to have backup in case things did end up going wrong. Regardless, he couldn't waste any more time by arguing, so he simply nodded and got in the car.

The moment Tsukauchi started the car, he peeled out past the gathered crowd, straight towards Izuku's home. The same home he shared with you.

The house was silent aside from the low buzz of the television in the other room. It played some show Izuku had been watching earlier before he left for his evening patrol. A hero documentary he's made you watch hundreds of times already. You absentmindedly listened to it as you cooked dinner, making sure to make leftovers for him to reheat once he returned from work.

After making a plate for yourself and storing some in the fridge for him, you dumped everything in the sink for a soak with the intent to come back later to clean. The meal smelled good if your rumbling stomach had anything to say about it. Washing up your hands, you took your plate into the dining room where you could finish watching the show.

On the way there, the lights flickered overhead before the power went out. You paused, staring around in the darkness to see if it would come back on. With the television off, the lifelessness seem quite foreboding as you stood all alone. Left in the quiet of the apartment, you set the plate down and headed into the living room where your phone sat on the coffee table. A quick call to the power company should clear this up.

When you stepped into the living room, using muscle memory to feel your way to the coffee table, the lights suddenly flickered back to life. You blinked rapidly to readjust your eyes as light flooded your vision. Glancing around the empty room, you wondered what had made the power surge like that.

"Weird," you whispered to yourself as you picked up the remote to turn the television back on.

One look at the flatscreen, and you gasped, dropping the remote. A dark, murky shape loomed behind you in the reflection, and before you even had time to react, a sweaty hand wrapped around your mouth and pulled you right off your feet.

You were slammed down into the carpet with a hard smack to your side. The attacker didn't give you much reprieve as you were hoisted back up and thrown onto the coffee table, smashing a vase full of flowers and knocking everything off as he dragged you across the wood surface.

It took a few seconds for your brain to pick up on what happened, and you shoved your legs under his arms and kicked as hard as you could in the groin. He yelped and let go, stumbling back into the couch, clutching himself.

That defense only bought you a limited amount of time. You scrambled off the table and landed on your knees, still a bit disoriented. The phone had landed underneath it, undamaged, in a stroke of luck. Dropping to your stomach, you reached under and nabbed the device.

You knew exactly who to call.

The intruder's hands latched onto your ankle just as you gripped the phone. He pulled your leg so hard you were sure something popped out of its socket. You screamed and twisted over, kicking at him wildly.

He didn't bother trying to hide his face. The man towered over you. He sported a neatly trimmed silver beard with matching square eyes that drilled an icy glare into your own.

"Stop fucking moving!" He growled as you kicked his knee and he doubled over, releasing you.

"Get away!" you screamed out, scurrying to your feet and dashing around the couch in an effort to make it to the door. "Help!" With the phone in your hands, you dialed in the number. He could respond faster than any police. And you would just feel better hearing his voice.

The phone rang twice before it disconnected. There wasn't much time to think about it as you made it to the door. You turned the knob, but a much larger hand snatched your wrist at the same time. The door slammed shut along with your hope.

He towered over you for a terrifying moment before he rammed you into the door. Your body dropped to the floor like a sack of rocks. Pain seared up against your spine where you had impacted.

The phone landed out of reach, corner of the screen smashed. You just prayed it would work.

Still disoriented, you didn't react much when his burly hands seized your throat and easily lifted you off the floor. Panic set in. You didn't even realize what had happened until it was too late. When it did catch back up, you scratched anything you could reach in an exhausted effort to release the pressure on your neck. The only sounds that managed to escape were wheezing gasps that held no form.

Regardless of how this scenario ended, you knew it wouldn't end well for you. This man had strength on his side. Fighting him would be a mistake, so you had to figure out a way to escape. Or, at the very least, call for help. Unless you could reach your phone, you were screwed.

Slippered feet struggled to try to pry him off you. His fingers only seemed to tighten further. Black ebbed at the corners of your vision, and pain blossomed up your head. Thinking, let alone, fighting seemed nearly impossible.

As your swirling vision dimmed, your foot managed to connect with his stomach. You dug your heel in as hard as you could. The fingers around your neck loosened slightly, and the only thing you could think to do was bite down on his hand.

He yelped and threw you against the door where you slumped forward onto your knees, gasping for air. The phone sat within reach, but first you swung out, and sucker punched him right where it hurts most for a second time. He roared and fell backward.

You used the opportunity to dive for your phone and redial Izuku's number, praying he would answer quickly. With a tight grip on the phone, you launched to your feet, swaying dangerously as you stumbled for balance. That hit to your head did more damage than you thought. You were almost sure you had a concussion.

Turning to the door, you glanced down and your heart sunk. It had gone to voicemail again. What was happening? He always answered.

"You're not going anywhere!" He yelled, staggering back to his feet.

Shit. You couldn’t think clearly and wasted too much time stumbling around. Now, he stood between you and the door, giving you quite the death glare.

"Please, just take whatever you want!" you tensed as he stepped closer. "Just…please just let me go."

"That's kinda hard when it's you that I need, now ain't it sweetheart?" He sneered, grabbing hold of the collar of your shirt and twisting you around into a headlock. "Now come on, we've got a schedule to keep."

He squeezed hard, forcing you to shuffle forward, away from the door. He wanted to keep you here? Why? If this had been kidnapping, you were sure he would've taken you somewhere else. Why keep you here unless… Actually, you didn't want to think of those implications.

"Sit," he ordered, not giving you much choice as he shoved you into one of the dining room chairs.

You could try to run again, but you doubted you'd get very far before he caught up to you. And you weren't too keen on figuring out if he really wanted to keep you alive or not. He already looked pissed off as it was.

"What do you want?" you asked, hating how wobbly your voice sounded.

"I want you to make a call," he said, placing a hand on the back of the chair and the table, essentially trapping you between them, "to that little hero of yours."

He wanted you to call Izuku? That was strange. Usually, villains try to steer clear of heroes, not invite them to their crimes. He must have some plan to try to lure Izuku here to do who knows what. As much as you wanted him to come, you also didn't want to walk him right into a trap.

You steeled your nerves and glared up at him. "No."

"Oh, so you wanna play hero now, do ya?" He grinned. "Think you're ready to play in the big leagues, huh? Let's see if ya are!"

His hand moved too quickly. You nearly tumbled out of the chair as his palm struck your cheek. Aching streaks of pain weaved across your stinging skin.

"Don't test me." He leaned so close you could smell the tobacco on his breath. "You're gonna want to make that call, sweetheart, trust me."

He leaned across the table and dragged a large duffle bag into view. How long that had been sitting there, you weren't sure. You actually weren't even sure how he got into the locked apartment in the first place. It seemed a little late to worry about that now, though. With a sadistic smirk, he unzipped the bag and let you have a peek inside. It nearly made your heart stop.

"Now," He pulled out a stack of notecards from his coat and forced them into your hands. "Your job is simple. All you have to do is read these cards. Simple enough, eh?"

As you scanned the cards, your stomach flipped. Did he really expect you to read this? You were too distracted to see him pull out your phone until he grabbed your wrist and used your thumb to unlock it. He put it on speaker as the phone rang. It barely rang once before it went straight to voicemail for a third time. You were starting to worry Izuku had been hurt and unable to answer somehow.

"Hmm," the villain stared at the phone thoughtfully. "Guess he doesn't care so much about ya, huh?"

"Don't say that! You don't know anything about him!" You spit out, then bit your tongue, knowing you shouldn't stoop to his barbs.

"Well, I know he's too busy to answer ya darlin." He chuckled and dialed in a new number. "I'm sure the detective will be more willing to talk, yeah?"

Detective? You only knew one detective. It still struck you as odd that he would call the police on himself. But with the cards and what he had stored in that bag, you were starting to understand your role in all this.

The phone rang, and this time, someone did answer. You refused to say anything. It would be too dangerous to bring him here. Not with what he had planned.

That turned out to be the wrong decision as the man reached into his coat and brought out a handgun. He used the barrel to tap the cards.

"Deku," you whispered, glaring up at the criminal.

"Y/N? It's unusual to hear from you at this hour. Are you alright?" He sounded concerned.

"I…need to speak to Deku," you blinked hard. "Please."

A notable pause hung in the air before he hesitantly spoke. "…alright."

Tsukauchi was a smart man. One of the few who you thought could hold a candle to Izuku's analytical skills. If he could already tell something was wrong, then Izuku would pick up on it immediately.

Suddenly, his voice came on and threw you for a loop. They were already together? It must have to do with whatever these cards meant. It could be the reason he didn't answer. Izuku could be caught up in a case already. But the real question is how did the man know that, let alone know you would have Tsukauchi's number.

"Hey, is everything alright?" He sounded confused with a concerned undertone.

The cards shook in your hands as you scanned them again, debating just going off script. But with that gun looming in front of your face, you wisely decided to play nice.

"Deku, listen closely," you began quietly, knowing your voice had a slight quiver he would undoubtedly pick up on. "You're going to…let the men in the museum leave unscathed. Do this and everyone gets," those next words caught in your throat, "everyone gets to live."

They were using you as some sort of ploy to try to escape whatever situation this gang had found themselves in. Everything about this was just wrong. Now, Izuku would have to worry about rescuing you while also trying to do his job. You loathed every minute of it.

"Are you hurt?" His voice, quiet and low, betrayed the calm air he tried to maintain. A characteristic tone you've heard before. Anger and frustration just barely concealed.

The fact that he knew you were in danger filled you with a sort of relief that now he could finally do something about it. He could fix this. He always managed to fix things.

You tried to answer, but only a garbled sob of mixed syllables spilled from your mouth. It took you a moment to compose yourself again as the man huffed at you, tapping the cards impatiently with his gun.

"You have tw-twenty minutes to decide." More disturbing things were written, but you needed to warn him about what kind of trap he was walking himself into. "Don't do it, Izuku! Save them! It's a trap. There's a-"

The phone crunched in half under his brute strength and he threw it against the wall. Despite your very real fear, you managed to smirk at him. In hindsight, making a man with a gun angry was probably the worst thing to do in your situation. You learned that the hard way as he twirled the gun to his other hand and with a violent swing, he whipped the side of your head, knocking you clean off your chair.

Head throbbing, you clutched the gash just above your temple. A warm, sticky trail of dark red dripped down to your cheek.

"Got a loud mouth, don't ya?" he grinned and hauled you up only to drag you across the floor and dump your ragdoll form into the middle of the living room. You couldn't hide the panic as he knelt by your face, plopping the black duffle from the table next to him. "I'll just leave ya with a little present to greet your hero with. How does that sound. A nice parting gift."

The drive couldn't have taken any longer in Izuku's opinion. Even if Tsukauchi flew down the road, he still wasn't getting there fast enough. A few times, he had been tempted to just jump out and fly the rest of the way there.

He bounced his leg impatiently, glaring out the window as the silence seemed to permeate the air around them.

"We'll get her back," Tsukauchi broke the silence first.

Izuku turned his attention back to his phone. The three missed calls from you berated him each time he looked. He willed his leg to still, but all that pent up adrenaline didn't have any other outlet to escape from.

"This is my fault," he mumbled.

"No, it's not. There's no way you could have predicted this. No one could." Tsuhauchi sighed, turning sharply onto the next street. This was a conversation he'd had with the young man on multiple occasions. He was starting to understand how All Might felt, practically raising the boy through high school. "The only people to blame are the criminals responsible. You know that as well as I do. Thinking that way is only falling into their trap."

He made a noncommittal sound, turning back to obsessing over the missed calls. The rest of the ride was made in silence. Izuku had gotten so lost in thought that he didn't realize they'd parked until Tsukauchi opened the door.

Silently cursing, he blinked back into reality and got out of the car. The two of them headed for the apartment building. Your last known location was here. Though Izuku had doubts that you'd still be here. Most kidnappers took their victims to secondary locations.

They burst through the lobby, startling a poor woman taking her dog out for a walk. She jumped out of the way as they rushed past, yelping when she saw Tsukauchi's drawn gun. They paid her no mind, set on reaching their target.

Izuku took the lead. He raced up the stairs with a spark of his quirk, only stopping when he reached the right floor. Tsukauchi trailed up behind him at his fastest pace. He paused when the door came into view. Closed and undamaged. Whatever lay beyond might be an entirely different story, and it had his heart racing with fear.

"Take it slow," Tsukauchi huffed when he reached the last step. "We don't know what's waiting for us."

"I know," Izuku nodded, taking a spot in front of the door.

He signaled for the detective to take the side. Whoever was in there was sure to be expecting Izuku. He would have to act quickly. When they were in position he readied Fa-jin to break down the door with a strong kick of his leg, but the moment he lifted it, that sharp stab of Danger Sense screamed at him. He tensed and prepared to dodge whatever threat was coming his way, but when nothing came, he set his foot down, examining the door with a critical eye.

"Something's not right," he whispered, hand gently grabbing the handle.

The knob turned slowly in his hand and opened the door just slightly. Danger Sense lit up his spine once again. He drew in a sharp breath when he finally saw where the danger lay.

Opening the door any further could trigger whatever nasty surprise waited inside. He let go of the handle in favor of leaning closer to try to get a glimpse of the room. From his narrow line of sight, he didn't see anything amiss. He would need to see further somehow.

A shimmering line of wire ran across the entryway.

Trap, his mind so helpfully supplied.

"Here," Tsukauchi pulled out a small mirror with a telescopic rod attached. "Use this."

Izuku took it without question. The police had all sorts of gadgets at their disposal. He was just thankful Tsukauchi was here.

As discreetly as he could, he slipped the mirror partly into the doorframe. It gave him a full view of the living room. What he saw nearly made his racing heart stall.

The room was a mess. The coffee table had been kicked over, and the couch pushed off to the side to make room for the single dining chair plopped directly into the center of the disaster. The worst part was the person he cared for most sitting… no, tied to the chair. You were slumped forward and seemingly out cold. A gash in the side of your head trailed dark sticky blood down the side of your face and onto your shirt. Even from a distance, he could tell it was still wet. Still fresh.

You were draped in a throw blanket, which he found odd. It sent alarm bells off in his head. On the other hand, this entire situation was just one blaring alarm.

He was so close. All he needed to do was figure out a way to get to you without tripping any booby traps.

Angling the mirror down, he tracked where the nearly invisible wire led to. His eyes followed it across the floor and right up to you. It threaded under the blanket that had been wrapped across your chest. As he leaned in further to try to see you better, the door creaked slightly.

It caught your attention.

You stirred with a groan and when you looked up, he could see the duct tape sealed over your mouth. As you straightened in your seat, the blanket slipped from your shoulders.

He finally realized why the wire led to you.

"Tsukauchi," Izuku whispered, a slight tremble to his voice. "I need you to evacuate the building and…and call the bomb squad."

It took a few precious minutes, but Izuku had exited the building and now stood on the fire escape, examining the window. Another wire had been threaded around the handle. If he lifted it, it could trigger the bomb. He would need to go about this carefully.

The only good thing was that the top part of the window seemed to be unaffected. After scoping out the interior, he'd come to the conclusion that the man had fled. A smart choice. If you strap your hostage with an explosive, you don't want to be around for the aftermath. A dumb choice to target someone Izuku loved. He'd find the man later, that much he vowed. Right now, he just needed to get you as far from that bomb as possible.

He took a deep breath and in one solid strike, he shattered the top portion of the window. That startled you enough to flinch in your seat, pulling the wires taut.

"Hey, it's alright," Izuku called out softly as he navigated through the window, careful of any more surprises. "It's just me. It's Izuku."

You deflated a little, nodding to show you understood.

The moment he landed, he carefully picked his way through the room until he came face-to-face with you. Your eyes carefully tracked his movement, wary of the various strings attached to the heavy vest you were wearing. He knelt in front of the chair, cupping your bruised cheeks. At the soft contact, you squeezed your eyes shut to blink away the tears.

"Hey, hey, it's okay. I'm right here," He kept his voice low and comforting as he offered you a small smile. "I'll get you out of this, I promise."

Then he dropped his attention down to the explosive. They had strapped you into a Kevlar vest with the clunky explosive sewn right into the fabric. The most worrisome thing was the clock. The numbers were steadily counting down.

Nearly four minutes left.

A time limit.

You did say he had twenty minutes to decide. Didn't the criminals inside the museum say something similar? They must've been working off the same clock. No wonder they gave such a specific time frame.

"Don't worry," he said, looking up when you made a muffled whine of a cry. "I've got people coming to help. People who can disarm this thing in no time." He glanced at the kitchen where you kept the knives. "I just need to get it off you first."

Your reaction caught him off guard. You wildly shook your head, careful of the wires pulling around you. He turned back to you, eyes wide, and hands held out in a pacifying gesture. You only seemed to grow more desperate, shaking your head faster.

"Hey," he laid a hand on your cheek to stop you and forced you to look in his eyes. "Okay, okay."

As you fought back your ragged breaths through your nose, he gently gripped the edges of the tape and slowly peeled it back. You winced as the tape pulled against your skin. The moment your mouth could move, you went into a panicked rant.

"You can't! You can't cut it," you cried, words jumbling over each other as you tried to push them all out at once. "There's a- a failsafe inside the vest. You cut it, and it triggers the bomb. It's the same for these wires," you eyed the wires all connected to various parts of the room. "Any of them pulls too tightly, and it explodes. But the time limit - oh my god, Izuku. It's almost up, I don't - there's no time! There's no time!"

He wrapped his scarred fingers around your chin to center your focus and shushed you before you could run out of breath. "It's going to be okay. I'm here now. I'll get you out of this." His eyes tracked over the vest again, scanning every part of it. He didn't want to tell you that the bomb squad would be at least ten more minutes. There was no time to wait for them. "I'll be right back. Trust me, I promise I'll get you out of this."

If your hands were untied, you would've reached out to stop him. Now that he had come, you were terrified of him leaving. He had a comforting presence that everyone had come to rely on as a hero. He always kept his word. If anyone could get you out of this nightmare, it would be Izuku. You just had to trust he knew what to do. Though the bomb strapped to your chest had built up a raw terror in your chest, making it hard to get even a solid breath in.

Izuku, true to his word, only disappeared for a moment before he returned, kneeling at your side with a knife. "I can disarm it."

Could he? You didn't want to doubt his skills, but you also didn't remember him ever working with bombs like this before.

"Didn't I tell you about those few weeks I spent with SWAT?" He smirked as if reading your mind. "Taught me all sorts of cool stuff." There was a hard edge to his casual tone as he pried open the front of the device to reveal the bevy of wires inside. "This was nothing compared to the kinds of stuff we did. I'll have you out in no time."

You nodded. It was about as much movement the vest would allow at the moment. You could scarcely believe a small contraption like this could be your doom in a matter of mere minutes.

"Izuku," you whispered, looking up at the ceiling as if that would put any distance from you and this death machine. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" He asked, eyes flitting up to meet yours before he refocused on the wires. "This isn't your fault."

Silence fell over the room as you absorbed that. Your fingers held a death grip on the arms of your chair, pulling against the restraints. It felt as if the room grew smaller. The beeping only seemed to be getting louder by the second. Panic had nestled itself deep in your chest, spreading throughout your body as the seconds passed.

"H-how much longer?" You dared to peer down at the clock, angling your head to try to see for yourself.

He didn't answer. You watched his fingers hover over the wires, subtly glancing at the timer but refusing to speak. In other words, not long.

"How much, Izuku?" you said again, gritting your teeth.

"Two minutes," he finally ground out. "I've almost got this figured out. I just need to make sure this one is- it should be…" he trailed off, as his finger followed where the wire connected.

Two minutes.

That wasn't a lot of time. You both knew that much.

"Izuku, I don't want you dying too. Please, just go." You warbled out, straining your head up to the ceiling again to try to stop the ebb of tears. "I don't want you dying for me."

"No one is dying tonight," Izuku chose a wire and locked eyes with you. That determination you'd grown so used to seeing cemented on his face. He looked so confident, you almost believed anything was possible. Hell, maybe it was in a world with someone as determined as him. "Are you ready?"

Drawing in a forced breath, you chewed on your lip and nodded. He hesitated for just a moment before bending the wire and cutting it with the knife. The two of you sat in complete silence, breaths held as he stared at the timer. The numbers stopped just before the minute mark, and relief sagged through his body.

"See, I told you I-" the words died on his tongue as the clock beeped twice and suddenly began counting down at double the speed. "-shit!"

"Get out of here!" You tried to shove him away with what little movement you had in the restraints, wires be damned if it meant he could still survive. "Please, save yourself! Go!"

"NO!" he pulled at the bundle of wires, muttering as his eyes darted between them. "I made a promise, and I refuse to break it! There's no way I'd ever leave you!"

He picked a wire and sliced through it. You squeezed your eyes shut with a whimper.

The beeping stopped again with eight seconds to spare.

Izuku froze, body tense as he stared at the machine, daring it to start again. After a few terrifying seconds, he looked up at you, wide-eyed and slightly shaky. He swallowed, setting his face into a more composed look as he offered you a small smile.

"It worked." He breathed out.

Those unbidden tears leaked from your eyes as you drooped your head froward with a heavy sigh of relief. All that terror that you were storing had nowhere to go. Every part of you buzzed with adrenaline. You were quite literally shaking in your socks.

"Hey," he set down the knife and found your chin. "Are you okay?"

"Still got a bomb strapped to me so 'okay' is a bit relative at the moment." You coughed a harsh chuckle out. Maybe it was the frayed nerves trying to find an outlet out of your system, but you laughed again, harder this time, your body just expelling all your emotions out in the form of near hysteric laughter.

"Uh, right," he mirrored your smile and easily unhooked all the wires connected from your vest to objects around the room. Now that the main trigger had been deactivated, these were just decorations. "I think I'll let the professionals handle this vest. They should be here any minute. But I can at least get you out of those restraints."

Using the knife, he easily tore through the tape to free your arms and legs. When you had freedom of movement again, you grabbed his sleeve and pulled him close, careful of the disarmed bomb on your chest. It was still an explosive, afterall.

"Thank you," you whispered, "thank you for not leaving.

He brushed the hair out of your face and placed a soft kiss to the crown of your head. "I told you, I made a promise, and I never break my promises." Then he pulled back to give you a pout. "But please, don't ever tell me to leave you like that ever again. I could never even think of doing something like that. I would never abandon you, you know that, right?"

The way he looked at you made you feel like you'd kicked a puppy. But in your mind, you just wanted to protect him, too. For the moment, though, you simply nodded and buried your face into his chest, knowing you were safe with him. That you would always be safe with him.

It took another six minutes before the squad arrived and another ten tense minutes with Izuku gripping your hand the entire time to safely remove the bomb. As soon as it slipped off, you rushed into Izuku's arms, trying to entwine yourself as deep as you could with him.

"What about the other hostages? The criminals, too?" you asked, twisting your head up to look at him. "The ones you were supposed to let go?"

"Kacchan, uh, Dynamight handled it." He assured you. "He didn't even need any help taking them down. I think they were counting on this scenario working in their favor. The hostages are safe, and the criminals are in custody."

"Even…" you pinched the fabric of his uniform between your fingers, dropping your gaze to stare at the stitchwork.

"We'll find him. I won't let him get away with this." He assured you, tightening his own hold on you. "But right now, all you need to worry about is getting some rest. Well, actually, we need to get this -" he ghosted his fingertips over the cut above your temple, "-looked at first."

"I'm fine." you waved him off.

"Yeah, you will be," he agreed, pulling you over to the medic who had set up shop on the dining table, just waiting for you. "Once we get you fixed up."

With a small sigh, you sat in one of the chairs, facing the medic. Izuku, who you still had a hold of his sleeve, moved to stand behind you.

"Are you going to leave? I mean, I guess you should. There are other people out there who need you too. And with this whole mess, I'm sure there's a lot of-"

The words were just spilling out of you now, and in the back of your mind, you realized you sounded just like Izuku. You only managed to stop when he bent over and lightly bumped his forehead against yours.

"Take a breath," he gave you a fond smirk, "I'm not going anywhere. Like I said, Kacchan handled it. The only place I need to be right now is by your side."

He stood hunched just inches from your face, and all you could do was stare into his eyes. There were so many emotions swirling through those big green irises, but the biggest one shining through was his sincerity. A solace you didn't realize you needed until just this moment. The warmth he emitted was so comfortable, and the sheer exhaustion from your ordeal had you leaning back into the chair with a tired nod.

"Okay, I trust you," you mumbled, pulling his arm down so you could hug it. "You're a really good hero, Izuku."

He blushed at the soft comment and glanced at the paramedic trying to busy herself with getting her supplies out, but even she couldn't help the little smile that played on her lips.

"She's right, you know," the medic chimed in, gently cleaning your cheek of the blood. "I'd say that was the work of a top-class hero. You should be proud."

Izuku rubbed the back of his head. Years in the field and still hearing something like that overwhelmed his heart so he decided to focus back on you. Your hands were interlocked with his and casually fiddlin with his bony fingers.

A lot that could have gone wrong tonight, and he knew he would be certain to go over every detail in full to make sure those mistakes would never happen again. Not if he was going to be a hero that could protect not just you, but everyone.

Right now, though, he put his analysis on the back burner and turned his full attention to what was most important.

You.

Taglist: @stanny-uwu @lykingart @rei165

[kangals]

writing this down for my own reference, since i've realized i can't remember shit about stellina's puppy phases: grading Kepler on how he’s been progressing over the past month (8 - 13 weeks):

food (drive, appetite, sensitivity): 🟢 loves to eat, very motivated but not frantic/pica-esque, no GI upset so far

leash walking: 🟢 doing really well on both flat collar and harness.

sleeping: 🟢/🟡 - GREAT at night, sleeps for a solid 8-9 hours. during the day seems to fight against tiredness and naps very lightly, then gets cranky/overtired.

crating: 🟢/🔴 - GREAT at night. during the day he'll load up happily into the crate but has issues actually settling/sleeping. need to figure out where the discrepancy is coming from.

potty training: 🔴 this boy be pissin

general training: 🟢 loves loves looooves being trained, super focused. knows sit, come, crate, nose target, paw target. working on a down and stay/leave it currently.

manners: 🟢/🟡 good about not biting, takes treats nicely, generally listens to my verbal warnings, isn't destructive. he is starting to demand bark/jump up on me, which we're working on curbing.

grooming: 🟢/🟡 needs to be distracted with food but he's tolerated a bath, nail dremeling, brushing, tooth brushing, and ear cleaning. due for another bath soon so we'll see how that goes.

cars: 🟡 whiny but does ok on car rides. no car sickness.

outings/socialization: 🟢 has done really well in new environments, very engaged and curious but doesn't get overwhelmed. have gotten spooked a few times but recovered well.

other dogs: 🟡 very dog-focused (typical for puppy, he may grow out of it), doesn't bark or get frantic but he has a hard time shifting attention from them. does listen to stern corrections, but tends to bulldoze through more gentle ones - plays overly rough and has to be separated from stellina frequently.

other people: 🟢 friendly and curious and loves to meet people, but focusing pretty well when i ask him to ignore. did good around a small child but was a little wary of being approached too fast, which is normal.

small animals: 🟢 curious and excited about the cat but not obsessive, called away easily. will chase squirrels and birds but not intensely.

overall i'd give him a 🟢 with a few caveats (really need to work on daytime settling/crating, and god please make any sort of progress with house training). my overall impression is that he's confident and stable, with a little more innate caution than stellina but conversely he also doesn't get overwhelmed nearly as easily - less impulsive and more resilient, which has both pros and cons. i'll repeat this in another month and i'm very curious to see how he progresses as he starts growing out of the generic-puppy personality.

[demonsword586]

Leviathan Bloodshed story part 1

(I apoligise for spelling mistakes,I been writting this for two days and I can't feel my arms. I forgot how long the prolouge is... Also I think this may go slower than I anticipated,sorry. Also I might take a day off of this,my arm feels like it wants to go on it's own funeral)

(bg inside the castle of Hades)

Mc: It somehow seems like it's loud outside the palace today...

It was unusual for the devils of Hades,who always lived by a strict discipline,to make a ruckus.

Barbatos: That's because it's Halloween today!

Foras: Everyone must be busy preparing for the festival.

Mc: They have Halloween festival in Hell too??

When you asked,the devils around you stared at you as though you were a total hillbilly.

Glasyal La Bolas: Ha ha,how many times do we have to explain to this small human that the things in the human world were made under Hell's effects?

Glasyal spoke pathetically with a bad-tempered smile.

Foras: Don't be impolite to a guest of his Majesty Leviathan,Glasyal La Bolas. It is not a sin to be stupid.

Barbatos: Hmm? His Majesty Leviathan said 'ignorance is a sin.' though.

Foras: ....Mc,let me apoligise. These guys are all fools.

Mc: (Wait,you just said I'm stupid...)

You felt victimized and glared at the three devils,but to no effect whatsoever.

You were sometimes confused if the devils of Hades were kind to you or if they disliked you.

Barbatos: We might as well! The son/daughter of Solomon is curious about the Halloween festival and we have a Halloween festival going on right now!

Barbatos: We might as well go and enjoy it together!

Foras: Barbatos,how many times are you repeating the phrase 'we might as well'?

Glasyal La Bolas: Ahh,a festival. It is such a melodious word. It is a dangerous day where the smallest conflicts can cause a riot.

Glasyal La Bolas: Although it will never happen in Hades.

Glasyal La Bolas spoke with a look of ecstasy,then turned gloomy and muttered in dissatisfaction.

Mc: Is the festival in Hades very diffrent from the festivals in other countries?

Barbatos: There would be no better answear than seeing it for yourself!

Barbatos grabbed your hand with a look of excitment.

Foras: Wait,Barbatos...! You should have fun at the festival after you finish your work...

Barbatos: I see! Foras please take care of my job as well!!

Foras: ?!?!

Glasyal La Bolas: Hahaha! I knewthis would happen. Foras,what are you doing? Go and grab Barbatos by his throat!

Foras: ........Never mind. We needed a devil to guide the son/daughter of Solomon around the festival,so we'll just say Barbatos is in charge of it.

Glasyal La Bolas: Pfft,boring.

You heard the conversation of the remaining two devils while Barbatos positively dragged you through the corridor.

Fortunately it looked like Foras would deal with it.

Mc: (I'm sorry,Foras...!)

Apoligizing for something you didn't do,you headed for the streets with Barbatos.

(bg changes to the streets of Hades)

The faster Barbatos walked,the harder your heart pounded.

A festival in Hell?! It has to be several times as big and fun than festivals on Earth.

Once you and Barbatos left the palace,you headed for the central square where they all gathered.

Mc: (Such flashy street decorations! Mouthwatering street food! Lively people laughing and talking!)

Mc:....Where are they all?

Next to Barbatos who stopped at the square,you tilted your head.

The biggest crowd you have ever seen was gathering in the square,but it had neither the street decorations nor street food.

(bg changes to a giant fire surrounded by devils)

Instead,there was one thing that was diffrent from the norm in the center of the square...

Mc: ( A mega sized camp fire?!)

There was a fire that burned as tall as the palace in the central of the square.

Even while sweating because of the heat,the devils were holding hands with their family or friends around it.

They were not in their normal uniforms or medival clothes,but in the most casual type...so,how humans on Earth dressed.

The devils who looked like humans except for their horns were smiling and greeting each other.

You felt tears welling up in your eyes from the Earthy atmosphere you haven't felt in a long time.

Mc: They're in diffrent clothes from usual.

Barbatos: Hmm! They say the costume for this year is 'human'!

Mc: Haha. The humans on Earth are probably wearing devil costumes.

While you felt amused,Barbatos stayed quiet nect to you. You thought it was strange and looked...

Barbatos: Isn't it hot and splendid and beautiful? Although it's not as beautiful as the sun!!

The flames were dancing in Barbatos' eyes

Mc: Do you mean...that the Halloween festival in Hades is enjoying a mega sized camp fire?

Barbatos: A mega sized camp fire? Ha ha ha! That's a stake!

Mc: A-a stake?! Who committd such a heinous crime that they'll be burnt on a stake this big?!

Barbatos: Ourselfs from last year.

Mc: ....?

Just then a young male approached the flaming fire almost precariously-

And took off the noose around his neck then threw it inside the fire.

YAYY-!!

When the huge flames instantly deveoured the noose,the onlooker devils cheered and clapped.

The noose wasn't so big,but it burnt brightly with a huge purple light when entered the flames.

The devil's bangs were burnt and curly in a funny way,as he backed away and bowed to others.

Barbatos: Those nooses around the necks of the devils in Hades,mean that they dedicate their lives to his Majesty Leviathan.

Mc: What?! Then what's that supposed to be? Treason?

Barbatos: It's determination!

Mc: ???

While you look doubful,the others followed suit of the brave devil and began threwing nooses to the stake.

The devils rushing towards the flames and shimmered backwards so the fire woudn't devour them.

It looked like they were dancing to the wavering flames.

The long shadows streaching out from their feet around the fire looked like petals of a huge flower.

Barbatos: Halloween is the day of the dead. In other words it is a day for the 'dead'.

Barbatos: So we perform this ceramony thinking that we burn our previous deaths and wait for the next ones.

Barbatos: And...we the living devils carry the lives of the devils who protected Hell before but died before us.

Barbatos: By burning our old nooses and hanging new ones around our necks,we are promising to walk along the same paths as we honor their gone lives.

Barbatos: So when we burn the old nooses,we claim new nooses from the person we want to risk our lives for after his Majesty Leviathan

When the nooses of all those in the square went into the fire,a woman approached the young man who burnt his noose first and hung a new,clean noose around his neck.

The woman's cheeks were flushed and she had tears in her eyes.

You could see grannies hanging nooses around young children and middle-aged devils hanging nooses around their best friends.

The same scenes continued here and there and you somehow felt a twingle of emotion in your nose.

Mc: ( This is beautiful)

It wasn't the magnificent or joyful atmosphere you anticipated but the Hallowwen festival of Hades had a coolness to it like that of a sacred ritual.

The devils with new nooses around their necks went to their houses and changed the tall wooden pillars standing before their houses.

The pillars were taller than an average male adult devil and had devices to hang things at the end.

Mc: ...Those pillars standing in front of all those houses...

Barbatos: Ahh,are you talking about the simple hanging devices they prepared to die if anything happens to his Majesty Leviathan?

Mc: ..simple hanging devices..

Barbatos: Hmm! They fix it or place new ones every year on this day!

Barbatos: It's troubling if they need to die but the pillars are weak and break.

Barbatos explained all the savageness with a smile as glorious as the fire in the center of the square.

Mc: The devils of Hades are too extreme...

Barbatos: That's the source of our power!

Mc: Yea,I'm still worried...but think that they're very wonderful at the same time

Barbatos: !!

Barbatos looked a little suprised.

Thanks to his distincts features of his face,the big and small shadows of the fire danced across his face,but his eyes wavered most promitently.

Barbatos: Son/ Daughter of Solomon,I think you...

Small devil: Son/ Daughter of Solomon! Have you not placed a noose around your neck yet?

Almost at the same time Barbatos opened his mouth with an overwhelmed look on his face,a small devil that barely reached your knees tapped your calf and spoke to you.

Failing to realize as the adorable devil who resembled a puppy was asking you with a look of anticipation,you shook your head.

Mc: No I don't normally hang a noose around my neck...

Small devil: In that case,may I place one on you?

Mc: Hmm? On me?

Small devil: I know you're not one of his Majesty Leviathan's subject. Even so,this is a festival!

When the small devil spoke with a beam,you succumbled to his adorable appearance and nodded.

Mc: I won't say no then.

Small devil: I-i-in that case,could you..perhaps put a noose around my neck too?

Mc: Huh? Of course.

Small devil: Wowww!!

When you bend your knees before the small devil who now had tearful eyes and hung your head,he hung a noose he weaved with his small hands around your neck.

Looking up,you saw a blushing devil with his eyes tightly closed,holding the noose to hang around his neck in his hands.

When you took the noose from his shaky hands and put it around his neck.

Mc: All don-

Small devil: I like you too, Son/ Daughter of Solomon!!

Mc: Huh?

Startled by his sudden confession,you finally saw the devils around you.

Devils:...............

Mc: (T-They are looking my way with terrifying eyes!)

You didn't know when they stopped clapping and cheering but they all stared at you.

Mc: B-Barbatos...C-Can you explain what's happening...

Barbatos: Huhu..you hang nooses around the devils' necks on Halloween with your closest friends or lovers!

Devil with a loud voice: Pfft! Had I known,I would have spoken with the Son/ Daughter of Solomon first!

Devil with a loud voice: I thought the son/daughter of Solomon would not participate in this ritual!

Sensitive devil: I'm so upset! So jelaous! If I throw him into the pit of fire and hand over my noose again!!

Small devil: Hehe,hehehehe

Barbatos grinned and spoke lightly

Barbatos: It looks like you're loved in Hades!

Just as the devils burning in envy as hot as the stake grounded their teeth.

Mc: Huh?

With everyone staring in your direction,you saw a familiar face at the back of the crowd

(Levi appears)

Mc: (Leviathan..?)

For some reason,Leviathan was in an unfamiliar suit.

Mc: ( Is Leviathan also dressed as a human like the other devils?)

Already curious about 'What would Leviathan do while the others perform the ritual at the stake?' you furtively ran towards Leviathan while everyone directed their envy and fury at the small devil.

(bg changes to streets of Hades)

He was leaving the square as though he wasn't there on a business but passing by.

Mc: Levia....

Just when you were about to call him to stop out of happines,you closed your mouth before even calling his name.

There were lots of devils talking and laughing not too far away,

Heading somewhere on his own, Leviathan's face had nothing but sadness,let alone a smile.

Mc: ( Can I talk with him...?)

Although all devils,especially the seven deadly sins gave off difficult aura for normal people to approach,Leviathan emitted that aura way more than the others.

Responsibility,emptiness and a deep sadness that surpassed it.

That was what you felt from him.

You somehow felt yourself from difficult times from him

Mc: ( I don't want to leave Leviathan alone!)

You knew the diffrwnce between someone who wanted to be alone and someone who had no choice but to be alone....because you were the latter.

Mc: Levi! Where are you going?!

You pretended to be brighter than usual and gathered the courage to approach Leviathan.

When he turned to your direction,you gasped out loud,because you were overwhelmed by the beauty when you faced him head on.

The transparent eyes under his thick,long eyelashes especially took your breath away!

Mc: ( It's like I can understand why Barbatos who worshipps the sun would be awed by Leviathan)

Leviathan: ....Don't call me like that. I shall kill you.

Leviathan: What are YOU doing here instead of enjoying the festival?

Mc: I was enjoying it! Look,I even got a noose.

Leviathan: (angy jely glare) .......

Leviathan 's eyes momentarily turned vicious,but you were oblivious to the fact as you asked him a question.

Mc: Leviathan,where are you going yourself? Not enjoying the festival.

As you were going to compliment him that he looked good in a suit he normally didn't wear...

Leviathan: I am going to the graveyard of my fallen associoates.

Mc: ...?!

Leviathan: Because Halloween is the day of the dead,I am going there to commemorate them.

Mc: I-I see...I wasn't aware. I was only excited about the festival.

Leviathan: Me going to commemorate the graveyard of Hades,has nothing to do with you..

You felt sheepish at his cold tone

You wanted to talk with him some more but !ou coudn't think of anything to say.

And Leviathan watched you with cold eyes.

Leviathan said no more as he walked past you.

You hung your head,unable to say anything more to him.

You heard the sounds of Leviathan's footsteps receding.

You suddenly felt immensly sad.

And Leviathan's footsteps stopped.

Leviathan: Near where I'm going...

Although his voice was small and from afar you coudn't hear it properly,you turned back to look at him.

Leviathan has also turned his back to look at you.

Mc: What?~ I coudn't hear you!~

You shouted,cupping your hands around your mouth like a trumpet in case Leviathan coudn't hear you.

Leviathan chuckled,it was definettly a cold and spechless laugh but he smiled.

Leviathan: There's a shop near where I'm going that sells jewels.

Leviathan: There are rare jewels that allow people to become closer.

Mc: (If you're going to talk from auch a distance at least raise your voice..nevermind,I'm going to him)

You hurried to Leviathan

Mc: Jewels??? Closer???

Leviathan: I'll buy you one as a present

While you approached,you could hear Leviathan's voice well

Mc: ( If I approach,I don't become estrangled)

You don't know what the source of Leviathan's sadness was but you thought you knew what to do

Normally you sould have asked WHY?? but this time you shouted energeticlly instead.

Mc: Thanks Levi!!! I'll be waiting for you!

Leviathan: Don't call me that. And stop shouting so close to me,it hurts my ears.

Leviathan: I am the one giving you a present. Why are you telling me to go where you are and offer it to you?

Mc: ( Suprisngly he's answearing everything and hes even twlling me to pick him up!)

Mc: ( I think....I get it a little..)

Mc: Until when should I go meet you?

Leviathan: About two hours later,go where I am and accept my present

Leviathan: Barbatos guide him/her well

Mc: Huh? Wheres Barbatos?

Barbatos: Yes,your Majesty!

Mc: What the...! When did you come here?

You jumped up at thw bright and reliable voice behind you which has been quiet until now

Meanwhile Leviathan turned as though he was going to continue and spoke coldly.

Leviathan: Also take off that noose around your neck,it doesn't even suit you!

There was great displeasuee on Leviathan's face as he said those words.

Mc:(Don't tell me you were jelaous this whole time?!)

Mc: Then put a noose on me yourself!

Mc: But I won't take this one off. The devil who put it on me looked really happy

Mc: Still,I'll put your noose on top of it.

Leviathan stared at you as though he wanted to say 'what a loud and dislikable being'

But the harsh words never came and Leviathan turned back on his way.

Barbatos: You're looking happy son/daughter of Solomon!

You smiled and nodded as Barbatos placed a firm arm around your shoulder and led you back to the central square.

But this time you stared at the giant clock tower instead of the stake where devils were dancing

Mc: ( I hope two hours go by quickly...)

Two hours later..

(Bg changed to Hades streets at night)

By the time thwenooses around the devils necks were all changed to new ones and the hanging devices have been fixed

Barbatos: It's nearly the time for us to go!....I bet that's what you were witing for me to say

Barbatos was smiling as he led you through the sqaure

You wanted to meet Leviathan as soon as possible and were ready to run to him...but...

Barbatos didn't even run but laid down a coffin that he was carrying with him-the coffin didn't have any strings but was always floating behind him- he opened the lid

Mc: Barbatos,we don't know where Leviathan could be...but don't you think he's waiting if we don't hurry?

Barbatos: This is the fastest way.

Barbatos winked at you,climbed inside the coffin and layed down

Barbatos: You should come in too!

Opening his arms with a tempting smile,Barbatos urged you. And you lied down next to him since you had nothing else to do.

Lying on his side to make space for you,Barbatos' firm chest pressed against !our shoulder.

Barbatos: I'm closing the lid now.

The lid closed over the jam-packed coffin with you and Barbatos in it.

(Bg changes to darkness)

Creakkkkkk.....

Mc: ( ...I-is this a funeral experience?!)

You shuted your eyes in fear the moment the lid closed and was absorbed in the most coplicated feeling

You evaided an angel swinging a scyte in your face but were now shut in a coffin while you were still breathing.

But the dark fearful feeling you expected never came.

Mc: (In fact it's suprisingly cozy!)

The coffin was full of the scent of the man emating a sweet rosy scent and his arms were soft and warm.

And for some reason it felt like you were liyng on a dark but spacious and cozy lawn!

You were suprised when you furtively opened your eyes.

(Bg changes to a universe)

Mc: Weren't we...inside a coffin?!

Barbatos: We the devils of Hades carry our own universes inside our coffins instead of the dead.

There was a sky full of stars- no a universe spreading before your eyes.

Barbatos: Through this space we can travel whereever we want to go. That's why no one can evade the devils of Hades.

Mc: Oh! So are we going to where Leviathan's coffin is?

Barbatos nodded

Meanwhile stars whipped past loudly and swiftly as though finding their way to Leviathan's coffin

Mc: But why aren't the other devils going to commemorate? Why is Leviathan going on his own?

Barbatos: Because it's a special graveyard that his Majesty Leviathan made himself.

Barbatos: Those buried there are the childhood friens of his Majesty Leviathan,the great king who build Hades.

The look on Barbatos' face darkens as he lays next to you and watched the stars past.

Barbatos: His Majesty Leviathan was kidnapped by angels when he was very young, he was raised and experimented on...and abused by them for a long time in Heaven after which he barely escaped.

Barbatos: Managed it out alive,might be better fitting...because as far as I know the other children all died

Young devils,kidnapped,death. The words should never have been connected in a sentence,hit you over the head in a succession.

Barbatos: At the time,four of the young devils,imprisoned with his Majesty sacrificed themselfs to help his Majesty Leviathan escape.

Barbatos: His Majesty Leviathan said he'll never leave alone but this is what they said to him

Barbatos: You'll become a kig,so cross the rivers of Heaven to return to Hell and build the strongest kingdom that will come save us. That will be fine.

Barbatos: That's what they told him....but they knew they woudn't be able to return. So they gave his Majesty the objects they treasure.

Barbatos: Those objects are said to be buried in the graveyard

It was impossible that young devils kidnapped to Heaven could have anything properly valuable that they could treasure

But whatever the objects were,there was no way that the ones entrusting the objects and the one being entrusted with them woudn't consider precious

Mc: (He visits the place where such things are buried...every year,alone..)

Barbatos saw you darken and smiled with pity.

Barbatos: I once visited the graveyard and saw their names written on the gravestones.

Barbatos: Numbers,1987,1988,1990,1992...

Mc: Numbers?

Barbatos: The angels would never have given proper names to young devils who were test subjects and entertainment!

Mc:...!

Young children who were called by numbers and not even proper names.

Leviathan was one of them.

Feeling like the noose was tightening around your neck,your eyes burned.

Barbatos: They were his Majesty's saviors and heroes of Hades

There was sadness in Barbatos' eyes

Barbatos: But his ordels didn't end there,even after the young heroes sacrificed their lives.

Barbatos: Because of the fact that he escpaed Heaven,his Majesty Leviathan and the devils of Hades had to prove that they were not spies from Heaven

Barbatos: And we had no choice but to determinate the country's rules stricly.

Barbatos: To show actions that do not harm Hell,to show their attitudes that are concerned the most for the safety of Hell

Mc: ( I think I have a vague idea of where Leviathan's sadness,responsibility and weight came from..)

Barbatos: Currently,Hades is the most hellish place in Hell with the strongest devil as king.

Barbatos: Once his Majesty Leviathan became king,he never missed out on visiting them on Halloween.

Barbatos: Even if that day he had the most brutal battle.

Perhaps it was because no matter how many brutal battles Leviathan had fought,he could never get over the horrors of his childhood.

The devils of Hades all said,that Leviathan was the most powerful king in Hell. Because he overcame such a big ordeal when he was young...it's understandable that he's the strongest devil.

You felt solemn and grave when you thought of the tragedy that Leviathan and all those nameless devils have endured

Barbatos: You're sad upon hearing this. You really are devilish.

Barbatos stroked your head softly with a large hand.

Just then you felt a dream-like situation you once experienced flash before your eyes.

(bg changes to Mc and Minhyeok's home at Earth)

Minhyeok: People don't experience bad things because they're bad people or because they have a reason to.

Minhyeok: They're just unlucky.

Minhyeok: At those times...people who don't collapse,resenting the unfairness of such fates are surely great.

Minhyeok: You're such a person.

(bg changes back to the universe)

Mc: ( I remember Minhyeok once said that to me...)

Whenever you felt sad about your parents deaths,Minhyeok consoled you like this.

Mc: ( Was there a devil saying things like this...to Leviathan too?)

Mc: It would have been nice if I was there with Leviathan at that time...oh,of course..I might not have been of help to him much..

Barbatos: I think the same way sometimes too. Because at that time,I also didn't know his Majesty Leviathan.

Barbatos smiles bitterly

Barbatos: And you would have been a great consolation to him,

Mc: How can you be sure?

Barbatos: Because you consoled me just now.

When Barbatos smiled at you brightly like the sun,the stars sprinting gloriously above your head slowly came to a stop.

Barbatos: It looks like we're connected to his Majesty Leviathan's coffin. Shall we get up?

Said Barbatos,moving closer as though embracing you,then covered your eyes with his hand.

(bg to darkness)

Barbatos: You can open your eyes now.

With Barbatos' voice,the hand covering your eyes receded.

At the same time,there was a creak-and the lid on Barbatos' coffin opened.

(bg changes to a graveyard)

When you opened your eyes and sat up,you felt your heart poundind a little.

Mc: ( This is strange..I'm going to face Leviathan's sadness. There's no way I should have butterflies in my stomach!)

And when you finally stood up and extracted yourself from the coffin.

You saw a black stone wall and a stone floor shining black and...

Leviathan on the floor,covered in blood

And not too far from him were scaterred angels who looked way worse

The dozends of angels were dead in a cyrcle around Leviathan

Mc: Leviathan!

Barbatos: Your Majesty!

You and Barbatos shouted in union and rushed towards the fallen Leviathan.

Leviathan was on the cold ground with his eyes closed,the rain pouring on his entire body.

The graves around him were perfectlly fine unlike Leviathan.His scarlet blood rain in puddles through the gaps in the stones.

Big and small wounds ripped his clothes and skin to make red traces on his pretty body.

Blades of light dug brutally in his muscles.

Mc: Leviathan!

Leviathan:....

When you knelt down to check on him,the rain and blood seeped into your knees

Barbatos quickly put his fingers below Leviathan's nose and placed hia ears on his wounded chest.

Then he grabbed your shoulders with a rare dark expression.

Barbatos: It looks like I should go.

Mc: W-Where to?!

Barbatos: Every sceond matters. It looks like his Majesty Leviathan is in critical condition.

Barbatos: I will return immedietlly to thw place and bring back the devil who can heal his Majesty.

Barbatos: Until then please stay by his side...son/daughter of Solomon.

You tried to make an expression that was reliable as possible and nodded to Barbatos.

Mc: I'll be waiting.

Barbatos didn't even reply to you properly as he went back in his coffin and hurriedly closed the lid with a boom!

You stared at the large coffin that swallowed Barbatos and looked back at Leviathan.

Mc: S-still..h-he's still alive...it will be alright...Yeah its going to be alright...

Mc: (because if Leviathan really did die,Barbatos woudn't go looking for a doctor.)

You clutched Leviathan's cold hand and muttered.

Normally he would say 'I will hang you if you don't unhand me' in disgust but right now he was unmoving with his eyes closed.

It began to rain harder,turning the air cold.

Leviathan was laying on the cold floor like he was cold,you felt sorry for him.

Afraid that his body might go completly cold you bend over to resusicate him.

But just then the most feeble white steam curled out od his mouth.

Mc: ( It's weak...but he's breathing properly)

Touched you looked down at his mouth.

Leviathan:....

Mc: (Leviathan...is mumbling something)

Between his light breathing Leviathan was quietly saying something.

Leviathan: Run now...I'll hold...them back...here...

Mc: ...!

Leviathan who was collapsed on the floor started shouting despretlly at someone.

You precipitously stared at the pieces of gravestones that rolled next to him.

Studying a few perfectly intact graves compared to the others who now looked close to ruins.

You could easily guess that Leviathan sacrificed himself to protect them.

Leviathan: This time...don't die..

Leviathan's old sadness creeped out his mouth and scattered into the cold air.

Mc: Leviathan..come back..Your nightmare is over now...please come back from that memory that's colder than here...

You begged Leviathan with a tearful voice,shaking his shoulders and gently slapping his cheeks but he only minutely groaned.

Just when you thought you wanted him to stop saying those pitiful things,you found yourself kissing Leviathan.

When your temperature risen because of your tears touched Leviathan,his lips warmed up as though they were slowly thawing.

Mc: ( Please...if the souls that saved Leviathan before are here...please save him once more!)

Feeling guilty for asking the young souls who met such a merciless end for a favor,tears flowned down your cheeks.

Your hot tears ran down your cheeks and sepped into yours and Leviathan's lips.

Flash!

Just then a clear blue light shone between Leviathan and your lips.

Leviathan: ....

Leviathan's eyelids twiched...and slowly opened.

Leviathan: Solomon...

Leviathan:...his son/daughter.

Mc: Leviathan!

Leviathan momentarily pulled a confused expression as though he coudn't disentangle reality from his dream.

Maybe he was feeling confused between the borders of life and death and not fiction from reality.

He was scrowling because of the pain but watched you with a vague look in his eyes.

Mc: Leviathan,are you awake...?

Leviathan: ...What happened?

Mc: That's what I wanted to ask! What went on here?

Mc: I came because it was the appointed time and you were on the ground in a mess like this!...

Leviathan: Ahh...

Only then did Leviathan scrowl his pretty forehead as though he just remembered what had happened before he collapsed.

Leviathan:It looks like there were spies in Hades. Since angels knew I was alone and attacked this place on time.

Mc: Spies?! In Hades?!

Leviathan: It's not suprising.

Leviathan: But...these angels were crafty. I would have ripped into them if they attacked me from close by,but they threw a chakram made of light from afar...

Leviathan: Urgh...

Mc: Leviathan...!

Leviathan bit his lips and curled up as though he was in pain.

You bit your lips harder than Leviathan and cried in sadness.

Mc: ...I heard from Barbatos. About what is buried here in this graveyard and how important it is to you.

Mc: But still,protecting them at the cost of your own self like this...!

Mc: That's...even they woudn't want that!

You said and closed your eyes tightly.

You did so because you found it hard to see Leviathan in pain,but also because you were afraid of his cold comment that would follow.

However...you thought Leviathan would say 'what does that have to do with you?' as he normally did,but he was only staring at you with a dreamy look in his eyes.

Mc: ...Leviathan?

Leviathan: I cherished this place..out of atonement for them.

Leviathan: What's more,their intact remains aren't even buried under these tombstones. I know that.

Leviathan said,his eyes on you.

Leviathan: I can simply build my broken heart again and make new tombstones to remember them.

Mc: Then why would you go to these lenghts to...

Leviathan: That's not what I was trying to protect.

Leviathan took something out of his pocket with a click of his tongue. It seemed like the slightest movements made the wounds covering him throb.

And handed the thing he took out to you.

Mc: Isn't this...?

Leviathan: You..don't tell me you're going to say you forgot what you came all the way here for?

( They're rare jewels that allow you to get closer to the person you love)

Mc: Don't tell me..this is what you were trying to protect...

Your hands trembled so much that you coudn't take the purple jewel from Leviathan's hands.

Leviathan: It is a rare jewel. But if you say you don't like it now...

Drop...

You almost snatched it out of his hands before Leviathan even finished talking and cried.

Mc: *sobbing* Leviathan,you really are..an idiot!!

Just when you shouted,wiping away the tears from your eyes with the hand holding the jewel.

Flash-!

A tremendous light burst from the jewel that was drenched with your tears.

Leviathan: ...?!

While you and Leviathan were both startled,the light emanating from the jewel surrounded you both.

Then,our body that had been feeling so cold you had,began to heat up and your palm touching Leviathan began to burn.

Just when you were about to let go of Leviathan's hand in suprise,he held on harder so your hand woudn't run away.

Mc: Leviathan..?

Leviathan: (looking flushed af) Ugh...what the...Hell is going on..

Leviathan glared at the jewel in your hand and panted.

You both knew as soon as you saw the other,about what your states were like.

The energy flowing from the jewel had entered Leviathan and your bodies, and was egging your impulse and desires.

Your feverish red eyes took in every part of Leviathan's body.

The scarlet blood oozing out of his wounds looked sweet to the taste and his pale cheeks seemed to be waiting for your hot hands.

Leviathan: *gulp* ...

Like the masterpiece of masterpieces that God made,the delicate color of his hair he alone possesed shone even more myseriously in the rain.

Then,Leviathan's eyes met yours.

Although you coudn't see in yourself in the mirror,you could instinctively feel that you had the same expression as Leviathan.

Mc: ( Leviathan...wants me now too...I can feel it...)

But Leviathan was currently severly wounded. You coudn't act on your desires in a situation like this...

Leviathan: Get over here.

Leviathan reached his hand off the floor and pulled your arm.

There was only one answear you knew in a situation like this.

Mc: Okay...!

You bend over as Leviathan led you.

[myloveismineallmine]

part 2!

honestly I have a lot ground to cover in terms of songs used for Carmy and Claire. Some are kind of sad. Some are really fucking funny. This one is kinda both.

We'll start with the first song we hear playing with Carmy and Claire: Strange Currencies by R.E.M.

The actual lyrics have little to do with what's going on in the scene, Claire and Carmen are conversing over most of the lyrics. It's not until the third verse that the volume increases and the lyrics become audible. But I'm still gonna talk about the first half of the song, because why not?

"I don't know why you're mean to me When I call on the telephone And I don't know what you mean to me But I want to turn you on, turn you up, figure you out I wanna take you on ..."

Okay, so this first verse is very Claire coded right off the bat. But I do think this song is actually more about Carmy's feelings, and really I can just about guarantee you it is because this song plays twice in the show. R.E.M. songs also have a tendency to play in scenes with Carmen specifically.

"These words, "You will be mine" These words, "You will be mine", all the time

The fool might be my middle name But I'd be foolish not to say I'm going to make whatever it takes Bring you up, call you down, sign your name, secret love Make it rhyme, take you in, and make you mine

These words, "You will be mine" These words, "You will be mine," all the time, oh

I tripped and fell, did I fall What I want to feel, I want to feel it now"

Do not lose hope, fellow sydcarmys. These lyrics are deceptively romantic. But yes, this is what is playing during the conversation w/ Carm and Claire. What is of more interest is the verse that we do finally hear:

"And now with love come strange currencies And here is my appeal I need a chance, a second chance, a third chance, a fourth chance A word, a signal, a nod, a little breath Just to fool myself, to catch myself, to make it real, real"

So the show actually cuts to credits after "And here is my appeal." The rest of the song does play to the end, though.

Interesting that the one verse we hear is the one that just completely invalidates the romantic message of the song.

Like. I could end the post right here, folks.

But I will expand further-- this song, to me, is about Carmy trying to convince himself that he loves Claire.

"These words, "You will be mine" These words, they haunt me, hunt me down, catch in my throat, make me pray Say, love's confined, oh"

This is the final verse of the song. The words "catch in my throat." Probably because... he doesn't actually mean them. This is also foreshadowing that he feels confined in love with Claire.

R.E.M. has plenty of love songs. So the fact they used one where the message of the song is repeating the words "I love you" in an attempt to convince yourself/others you're in love is.....curious.

This song is also used a second time in the show, but in a very different context, so I wanted to touch on that too:

A distorted version of Strange Currencies plays as Carmen has a panic attack in the alley.

The first flashback we see is actually his intimate moment with Claire.

The next flashback cuts are all footage of Claire; drawings of her, old photos, and beauty shots. There is finally a flashback of Mikey talking about Claire mixed in, followed by more shots of Claire. After that, more shots of his family with Claire mixed in at random intervals. Throughout all of this, Strange Currencies plays with the audio distorted and words reversed. Until...

Strange Currencies begins to play as normal when the flashback of Sydney plays. Specifically the lyrics "These words, You will be mine, These words, You will be mine, All the time."

In the middle of this verse, after a shot of Carmy calming down, we immediately cut to Syd.

Then, on her: "The fool may be my middle name, But I'd be foolish, not to say."

After this lyric, the song fades out and we cut to a scene with Carm and Sugar.

I think there's a difference in the one audible verse during the Carm+Claire scene being one invalidating the romantic tone of the song, and the one that pays with Carm+Syd cutting off before the cracks in the romantic message of the song become apparent.

But I'm still not entirely convinced this song is really meant to be read as a true romantic one. Which is actually fine, since so far in my research I've already found a good amount of actual romantic songs used for Syd and Carmy anyway? This whole song just has very strong red herring vibes to me.

I'll be continuing these song analysis posts, and hopefully more frequently after I'm done with finals. Let me know your thoughts on this one.

[within-your-eyes-if]

I always go back to that cute scene when lee was in our room and the warden said "you are not a monster lee" and i would add in my head "you're my best friend"🥺 because he is and I just wanted to hug him so bad.

That's so sweet. I was considering adding a POV scene for after this moment, but I didn't know if it'd feel out of place. It's something I'll probably be adding to my alpha testing to get feedback. But if you're curious, here is a brief, friendly Lee POV:

The door to the warden's room clicks shut behind them.

'You're not a monster, Lee.'

The words repeat like a mantra in their mind as they continue down the hall. Like a tantalizing thread of a lifeline that will surely snap should they reach out to grab it. How can the warden sound so sure? They cannot see. They don't even know them. No, it's just another lie to be fed to them, just as others have over the last three years.

'We'll get help.' But there was no 'we.'

'You can come home soon.' That was two years ago.

'I'm sorry, but there is no helping you.' The only truth they've accepted.

Why would now be any different? Why should they accept the words of a person they just met? But could there also be a tiny sliver of truth when it comes from a stranger?

Lee's steps slow as they reach the door of the room they've been assigned. There's a wall in their heart that stands strong, but those words, though small, shook its foundation.

Why does it matter so much, anyway?

The vampire opens the door, then closes it behind them as they lean against it. There's so much weight in words that are so easy to say. Is it not okay to be selfish for a moment? To contemplate that maybe, there's a grain of truth? Yet in the same breath, would accepting that loosen the hold of the instincts they've so carefully reined in? Instincts that almost slipped through their grasp just earlier today…

'You're not a monster, Lee.'

Is it uneasy because it's the first they've heard it?

Tears threaten to spill as they slide to the floor. Perhaps, it's okay to entertain it from a person they almost harmed. Perhaps...just maybe, it's okay to entertain the idea when it comes from someone who hunts monsters.

[inkluvs]

Sorry about that! would a sunshine x grumpy trope be okay...?

Alstroemeria - going to an event that the other person in interested in just to see them happy - with Steve Harrington or Sirius Black?

could be worse

hi omg i'm so sorry i think i took this the wrong way? i made steve sunshine instead of r LMAO i hope u like this anyways <3 tw: uhh r is kinda anxious? this is really just me projecting <3 (0.5k)

steve harrington x fem! reader

masterlist // taglist

Steve is smiling, pretty rose-colored lips twisted at the corners as he spotted you from across the room. You were tired, and you bet you looked it, too, from the way he frowned as he got closer to you. He’d been invited to a charity event, one of which you couldn’t particularly remember the name of, and you’d offered to join him against your better judgment.

You’d reasoned with yourself that seeing Steve happy, in the end, would be more important than any amount of dread you racked up from past experiences at similar events. He, however, disagreed, triple checking on whether you were sure you wanted to come, then reminding you that the two of you could leave whenever, whenever being now.

His hand brushed against yours, and warmth blossomed in the center of your chest as he pulled you to a corner. “You alright?”

“Could be worse,” you smiled, “you?”

He mirrored your expression, tilting his head like a curious cat before replying, “‘M not joking, honey. You look like you’d rather be anywhere else.”

“I’m here for you, Steve,” his cheeks flushed a rosy pink at that, “don’t wanna be anywhere else.” You leaned back onto the wall, one foot against it with your back pressed flush against the brick, and he did the same, one leg in front of the other as he pressed the side of his torso into the rough material. The top button of his dress shirt was undone, and a bit of his hair peeked through, decorating the freckled planes of his chest.

“Like what you see?” he murmured, cheeks splitting in a grin. You slapped his bicep, and he pouted promptly, pulling a fit of giggles from the base of your throat.

“Was gonna offer to fix that, but if you don’t want me to,” you trailed off. There was nothing that needed fixing, really, but you’d take any excuse to touch him. Any reason to ground yourself, and he knew that. So, he let you.

It was all warm brushes of your skin against his and heated breath as you took much too long to take hold of both sides of the fabric. He didn’t mention it, of course, instead admiring the way you focused on him, admiring the way you were enamored with him, even. Once you’d finally slipped the button in place, you smoothed the fabric off.

Any excuse to touch him, you repeated to yourself. And he leaned into you, stubbled chin poking the crown of your head as it rested on top of you, like a reminder that he's always there, that you're never too much. He was hugging you, and for a few seconds, you stood there like you always did, unsure of what to do with your arms, but then you melted into it.

He'd decided a while ago that if he accomplished one thing, it'd be getting you used to his affections. It'd be convincing you you were worth it, and every day he got closer, and every day Steve pulled away after any form of physical contact with a dopey grin adorning his mouth, and you could never quite figure out why.

"We'll leave in 10, 'kay? Want some time with my girl."

[p0ssywhippedcream]

Ooh ooh I've got one!

So what if instead of L getting mad at the reader for every little thing (I read that one and loved it) what if we get L defending the reader because Light keeps passive aggressively bullying/criticizing them for every little thing?

I can wait until ticket time, I don't mind!

hi lovie! I luv this, it's so smart and cute!

L never liked Light. He had a certain dearth of "rightness", he felt off from day one and it only got worse the more time L spent around him. Especially when L introduced you to the Taskforce.

"This is Y/n. She is highly qualified and an impeccable detective, she will be working with us from now on."

Light had something to say, of course.

"Where has she been up until now, we could've used another detective!"

"Russia, then Germany. You neglect to remember this isn't the only case that needs solving, Light." L answers for you, but for some reason the anger it evokes in Light is directed at you.

"Yeah? Well, we'll see if she's as good as you say," And then under his breath as he walks away, "Probably as idiotic as she looks.."

Turning to L with an amused expression, you're taken aback by the rage he's radiating. His shoulders shake slightly as he directs you to your desk.

"What a dick," You remark.

"98% dick." L agrees.

Two weeks later, you're hobbling in the room, balancing reports and documents on your shoulders and arms. As you near your desk, where Light is speaking to L, his eyes glance over to where you're slowly walking and flicker back to the conversation. Then, right when you're about to kick your chair out of the way, Light suddenly turns and slams into you.

You fall back and wheeze, the wind knocked out of you completely as you land on your butt. You stare at all your neatly organized work spreading out across the floor, terribly devastated.

"Watch where you're going, Y/n! God, look at the mess you made." Light scoffs and bends over, scornfully picking up some of your things languidly.

L turns to help but halts when he sees you already have most of it in your arms again and you're just waiting for light to hand you the documents he's holding. He watches the interaction with a curious gaze.

"Sorry, I thought you saw me." You didn't have the energy to fight, you lost that 2 sleepless days ago.

"Clearly, I didn't," You reach for the papers from his hands but he pulls them back, dangling them just out of your reach, "Not so fast. Apologize."

"What?"

"A-po-lo-gize." He repeats, enunciating each syllable pridefully.

Before you could speak, L does for you.

"I believe she already did, if my ears don't deceive me. Hand her her documents so she may get back to work."

Light scoffs, dumping the files into your hands and mumbling something about a "dumb slut" under his breath. You brush it off, moving towards your desk when L's commanding voice stops you.

"I'm sorry, Light. Do you have something else to say about the second finest detective in the world? Do your top scores in highschool exams lead you to believe she is not, in every way imaginable, your superior?"

The tone is completely calm, as if discussing afternoon tea, but the words dig into the atmosphere harshly, cutting through the air and visibly wounding Light.

The entire room freezes. It almost feels like someone died. The tenseness is equal to that scenario. A beat, two, Light's back is towards the Taskforce. The only give to his rage is the tremble of his right hand, itching to hit, to hurt maybe.

"...No... Not at all. I'm sorry for my actions." He bites the words out, like the burn his throat as they bubble up.

"Good. Act like it."

Then L turns back to his work like nothing happened and finishes a sentence previously left without a period. When you sit down also and begin spreading your papers about, the room releases a breath and the cogs begin moving again. Worker bees flock to the coffee, some to their desks, one to the bathroom.

The hierarchy is restored. Light doesn't make another comment about you again, at least, not out loud. L hides a smirk in a cup of sugar mixed with coffee. You hide a blush deep in your paperwork.