#in my defense i drew them from right to left so

[dizzybizz]

jay kinda day today

[webslinger-holland]

Play Pretend | Eddie Munson

Summary: To escape the likes of Jason Carver, the reader has to play a little game of pretend with Eddie Munson himself.

Pairing: Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

Warning: sexual tension, swearing, some kissing, fake relationship

Type: Oneshot

Word Count: 4,647 words

It had been one hell of a day and it was only lunchtime. During first period, Jason Carver had gone to extreme lengths to pass a note across the room to Y/n L/n. It read something along the lines of ‘meet me by the lockers after class.”

In response to reading the note, Y/n turned her head to look over her shoulder. She immediately spotted were the basketball jock was seated near the back of the class. He sent her a sly smile and a wink.

Turning back in her seat, Y/n groaned to herself in slight disgust. She crumpled up the piece of paper and discarded it to the side. He had been trying to shoot his shot since the start of senior year, but he couldn’t take the hint that she wasn’t interested.

During the short time between periods, Y/n was collecting her textbooks from her locker. She closed her locker door, jumping slightly upon seeing Jason standing on the other side.

He was trying to be cool. So Jason was leaning against the lockers with his arms crossed over his chest. He opened his mouth to say something, but she quickly cut him off.

“I don’t have time to talk. I’ve got class,” Y/n claimed. The bell rang to back up her excuse. She quickly scurried away from him, blending into the massive crowd of students in the hallway.

By the time lunch rolled around, Y/n was running through the hallways of the school. She was occasionally look over her shoulder to see if anyone was following her. She hurried past students in her path, apologizing to them as she ran into the lunchroom.

Desperately, Y/n’s eyes scanned the large crowd of students sitting at different tables in the cafeteria. Her eyes finally settled on one particular table on the far side of the room.

“Munson!” Y/n called out. She had cupped her hands around her mouth so it could be heard over the crowd.

While few people would have actually heard her over the commotion, Eddie surprisingly raised his head to look over the crowd. He heard his name once again. Finally, Eddie’s gaze landed on a familiar face.

“What?” Eddie mouthed from across the room.

Not wanting to draw any more attention to herself, Y/n decided that she shouldn’t yell across the room again. She glanced over her shoulder one more time. She then quickly made her way through the crowd of students in the cafeteria.

The Hellfire Club was confused by her mannerism. They all seemed to follow her figure as she made her way across the room. They ate their lunch slowly.

As Y/n approached the side of their table, Eddie scooted back in his chair to face her more. He held his hands up in defeat as if he was already trying to say he didn’t do anything.

Much to his surprise, Y/n waltzed right up to him. She placed her hand on his left shoulder and pushed him backwards so he was leaning against the back of his chair.

“Play along, Munson.” She demanded.

Without warning, Y/n lowered herself into his thigh and swung her legs to drape across his lap. She wrapped her one arm around the back of his neck. And the other hand came to rest on his chest.

“Wha—” Eddie was at a loss for words.

His hands were still held up in a defensive manner as if he was too afraid to lay his hands on her, which he absolutely was.

Now Y/n took her time to scan the room. She looked for the young boy that had been following her all day long. She knew he would show up at some point.

Finally, as if on cue, Jason Carver hurried into the entrance of the cafeteria. He took note of his surroundings, searching for one person in particular. By the look of it, it seemed like he hadn’t spotted her just yet. Perfect.

“As much as I love having you in my lap,” Eddie’s voice drew her back to reality momentarily. “What are we doing?” Eddie questioned.

At the given moment, Eddie tried to study her face and find out what this was all about. He followed her line of gaze in attempts to see who she was looking for.

Suddenly, Eddie felt her grasp his chin. She turned his head so that he was looking directly at her. She had this dark serious look in her eyes.

“Eyes on me,” Y/n whispered to him sternly.

“Yes ma’am,” Eddie nodded his head.

“Do you trust me?” Y/n questioned.

Normally, Eddie would come up with some snarky remark in retaliation just to mess with her. However, Eddie saw that she was no in a playing mood. She maintained this serious look. Her eyebrows rose as she waited for his answer.

“Y-Yeah. Of course I do,” Eddie said with a small nod of the head.

“Good,” Y/n said finally.

Out of nowhere, Y/n went to grab the lapels of his black leather jacket. She pulled him forward until his lips connected with hers.

For a brief second, Eddie’s eyes were wide open in total shock. He didn’t really know what to do or even what to think. He flailed his arms slightly at his sides as if he didn’t really know what to do with them.

With some hesitation, Eddie let himself go. His eyes fluttered shut. His body eventually began to relax in pure and total bliss. He grew more accustomed to the feeling of her soft lips against his own. He began to kiss her back.

“Did that just happened?” Dustin asked out loud. He looked at Mike who was sitting right next to him just to make sure he was seeing the same thing as him.

In response, Eddie kicked Dustin’s leg underneath the table as if to shut him up. He naturally cursed at the pain that shot through his leg. His face scrunched up while he rubbed his leg to comfort himself.

The two of them ended up losing themselves in the kiss. They didn’t seem to pay any attention to their surroundings, forgetting that they were kissing in a room full of other students. They were totally lost in each other.

Her hands snaked up the length of his chest to link around his neck. She played with his soft curls. She was able to smell the spicy from his cologne or body spray; she wasn’t sure what he used but it smelled nice.

At this point, Eddie was basically melting into her. He had never tasted something so sweet; it must have been her lipgloss. He laid his hands to rest on her hip and her thigh. His thumb rubbed small circles on her inner thigh. He tried to pull her as close as humanly possible, shifting her body more into his lap.

Just when things were starting to progress a little, by means of Eddie slipping his hand under her sweater to caress her soft skin, the sound of someone clearing their throat had filled their ears. The two of them pulled away from each other to direct their attention towards the sound.

Much to the surprise of almost everyone, Jason Carver stood on the far end of their table. His hands were placed in his hips which made him look like a father who was able to scold his rebellious teenage daughter. His face was beet red and his jaw was clenched tight.

“Oh! Jason!” Y/n was the first to speak up. “I didn’t see you there,” Y/n lied.

Looking between the two of them, Eddie secretly wondered if she had been trying to get away from the head of the basketball team. He had known for some time that the guy had been trying to ask her out for some time. It wouldn’t have surprised him if she was just trying to get away from him.

“Y/n,” Jason spoke sternly. “What are you doing with these…freaks?” He emphasized.

She ignored his question by rolling her eyes at him. She redirected the conversation by asking him a question.

“Can I help you with something, Carver?” Y/n wondered. She tilted her head to the side as if she was waiting for him to answer.

“Listen…” Jason began. When he turned his head, he realized that almost everyone in the cafeteria was looking their way. “I think I’ve made my intentions very clear,” Jason claimed.

“Is that so?” Y/n tried to egg him on.

“Yes! I’ve been asking you out since the beginning of the semester, but you keep playing hard to get.” Jason complained.

“Did you ever stop to realize that I might not be interested in you?” Y/n finally said.

“Come on, Y/n. Let’s be serious,” Jason scoffed. He started listing off some of his best qualities. “I am smart, I get good grades. I am the head of the basketball team. I’m—,” Jason was cut off.

“Narcissistic?” Y/n suggested.

“Egotistical?” Eddie added.

But Jason seemed to ignore both of their comments. He held his hands up in defeat so he could finally present his case.

“I just wanna know,” Jason said slowly. “Will you go out with me?”

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,” Y/n said with a small shake of the head. “No,” she enunciated.

“Why not?” Jason almost whined.

“I could give you a million reasons,” Y/n rolled her eyes. She just then remembered her precious white lie. “Starting with: I am already in a committed relationship,” she announced.

For their sake, Eddie tried his hardest not to let his emotions show too clearly on his face. He would have most certainly rose his eyebrows in surprise if not for their current situation. This statement was a little shocking to hear because it wasn’t true.

However, Eddie found himself smiling at the statement. He just couldn’t wait to see the look on Jason’s face. Sure enough, the basketball boy was at a total loss for words. He must have been boiling with jealousy and anger. He eventually spoke up.

“With this freak?” He gestured to the man himself. “I don’t believe it,” Jason scoffed.

“I don’t know, man.” Mike interjected.

At this, Mike had turned his head to look between his friends. He remembered the whole ‘play along’ part and he decided to jump in to help them out.

“Did you see that kiss?” Mike said in a hinting manner. The others quickly caught on.

“Y-Yeah!” Dustin stumbled a bit. “Have you seen them?”

“They’re always all over each other,” Lucas chimed in.

“So in love,” Mike added. He was almost over selling it.

“Y-Yeah,” Eddie finally spoke up which caused everyone to look at him. “In fact, we’ll be celebrating our three month anniversary next week,” Eddie lied.

Just to piss off Jason even more, Eddie pulled the girl farther onto his lap. He leaned forward to that his face was hovering right next to the side of her face. He smirked evilly to himself. He went so far as to nip at her ear.

“What were we thinking, baby? A nice fancy dinner in town and then maybe we take things back to my place,” Eddie suggested.

“Eddie!” Y/n said almost surprised.

This was one of the first times that she had actually called him by his first name. She proceeded to slap his chest in a playful manner as if she were scolding him for saying such a thing. But he only smiled at her.

In that moment, Eddie pressed a small kiss on her lips. He was trying his hardest to convince everyone that they were in a relationship. And they were doing a pretty good job from how casual that second kiss looked.

They were putting up one hell of an act. While anyone could see that from their mannerism, they still played along where people couldn’t see. Such as under the table.

Eddie had his hand laying on the top of her black nylon covered thigh. His thumb rubbed small circles on the inside of her thigh, which was dangerously close to her heat. This caused her to blush profusely and forget for a second what she was thinking.

All the while, Y/n was mindlessly playing with the silver rings on his fingers. He felt a cold shiver rise up his spine upon feeling her caressing his long fingers so gently.

Both of them had grown somewhat distracted by each other’s actions. They just briefly glanced at one another through the corner of their eye. But then, Jason brought them back to reality.

“You’re sick, freak.”

“You’re one to talk,” Y/n mumbled under her breath.

“What did you just say to me?” Jason asked angrily.

This caused Eddie to tighten his hold on the girl in his lap. It could have been in a protective manner or as a warning to her to watch herself. She wasn’t sure.

All the sudden, Y/n rose to her feet in order to stand tall. She honestly didn’t care that everyone was now looking at her. She climbed onto the top of the table, which made a little ruckus.

She strode towards the every end of the table. Then she proceeded to squat down so that she was face to face with him. She narrowed her eyes at him.

“I said,” she said slowly. “You, Jason Carver, are a sick freak.”

The whole cafeteria erupted in ‘oohs’ as if saying they could feel the weight of her words and how much they burned.

Silently, Eddie stood to his own feet. He kept one hand on the table, taking a defensive stance. He was scared that she was getting too far ahead of herself and he wanted to be there for her in case something went down.

“You don’t think of anyone but yourself,” Y/n sneered. “You think you’re so high and mighty, better than everyone else here.”

Upon hearing this, Jason only crossed his arms over his chest and rolled his eyes at her comment. He saw that everyone was looking their way and listening to everything she said. It started making him nervous.

“You keep chasing after me because it pisses you off when you don’t get exactly what you want,” Y/n jabbed. “And the funny part is: you think you deserve everything the world has to offer,” Y/n chuckled.

Then Y/n raised her hand to show her fingers. She began listing off reasons why he thought he was deserving.

“Because you’re smart, because you’re the head of the basketball team, because of your status in society,” she carried on.

She leaned real close to him so that he could hear her final point. She knew she was playing with fire and speaking with venom in her voice.

“But let’s make something clear,” Y/n said. “You are nothing more than a pretentious little prick who’s got a stick so far up your own ass that you can’t take a fucking hint.”

He gritted his teeth and dug his fingers into the sleeves of his sports jacket. He was fuming at this point.

“So take the fucking hint, Carver. I’m not interested,” Y/n concluded.

Finally, Y/n rose to her feet and stood tall on the table. She looked down at him like he was lower than dirt. She spun around on the heels of her feet and walked back toward the other end of the table.

The Hellfire club members had stood up from their seats. They began to applaud her in the most dramatic way. They looked on her with such admiration in their eyes as if she was their savior.

At the end of the table, Eddie offered his hand to her like a gentlemen. She gladly took hold of it. He helped her climb off the table with the assistance of his hand.

As she began to walk away from the group, she looked over her shoulder and motioned for him to follow with the simple curl of her finger. He hurried to catch up with her, which caused him to almost stumble over his feet.

“Keep up, Munson.” She encouraged.

He trailed right behind her like a lost puppy, practically walking on the heels of her feet. He seemed mesmerized by her movements. He smiled to himself successfully.

Behind them, the other members of the club had joined them as they left the cafeteria. At one point, Y/n and Eddie had both turned around to flip the douchebag the bird. They waved their hands in the air, flipping him off in the process.

Even Dustin had turned around to flip him off. He was just mirroring Eddie who he admired so dearly and who had such an influence on him.

For the time being, Eddie and Y/n didn’t speak about the encounter in the cafeteria. They also didn’t talk about the whole ‘play pretend’ deal. It seemed like there was just this silent mutual agreement that, whenever Jason was around, they’d play pretend.

Less than a week later, Jason Carver was seeing walking around the hallways with his new girlfriend on his arm. Her name was Chrissy Cunningham. She was a pretty cheerleader.

It seemed like everyone in school knew that he was only dating her to get back at his old crush. The only person who didn’t seem to know that was Chrissy herself, which was honestly quite sad.

This was proven when Jason would be kissing Chrissy in the hallway with one eye peered open to check to see if Y/n was watching. She never was because she simply didn’t care.

It seemed like Jason was trying to tell absolutely everybody that he was so in love with Chrissy, but most people still believed he was still caught up on Y/n.

To prove himself, Jason would bring Chrissy flowers almost everyday. He’d write her love notes to put in his locker. He’s give her shoutouts at his basketball games. He was trying to go all out just so that Y/n knew about his new relationship status.

In contrast, whenever Jason was nearby, Eddie and Y/n would put on one hell of a show for him. Sometimes it consisted of Eddie putting his arm around her in the hallway. One time, Eddie had passed a note to Jason in class, asking if he’d be so kind as to hand it to Y/n. They both got a good laugh out of this, especially when the note only said “wanna smoke after school?”

There were times when Eddie and Y/n would be talking to each other before class. When Jason walked in, Y/n could see him in her peripheral vision. She would pop her lips into her mouth to contain her smile. Then she would widen her eyes a little at Eddie as if to tell him that he was here.

As if he read her mind, Eddie would lean down to capture her lips in his own. His body would be towering over her smaller figure sitting smartly at her desk.

Of course, Jason tried to play it off like it didn’t bother him. He’d simply roll his eyes and scoff at those two. He proceeded to head towards his own seat. He flopped down before casually glancing at them through the corner of his eye.

It had been a few months now. It was drawing closer to fall break. One day, Eddie was standing right beside Y/n locker. He was waiting for her to finish grabbing her school books so they could walk to their next class together. When Eddie looked up, he spotted Jason heading their way.

Although Jason hadn’t seen them yet, Eddie figured that he would soon. So despite the fact that they hadn’t physically spoken about their pact, Eddie decided to act on it since he was getting closer to them.

In that moment, Eddie went to grab onto her arms and made her turn to face him. He tried to look over her shoulder inconspicuously.

“Don’t look now. You-know-who is headed our way,” Eddie said to her without moving his lips.

He could feel her tense up in his grasp. He tried to assess the situation. He wanted to get back at him and he knew what would piss him off.

Without hesitation, Eddie lowered his hand to grasp her chin. He forced her to look up at him. He dipped his head down slightly.

“Just play along, baby girl.” He whispered.

In that exact moment, Jason had lifted his head just in time to see the two of them press their lips together in a kiss. He felt his fists clench at his sides and his face changed to the color of fire. He stormed off.

Meanwhile, Eddie had wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled her as close as humanly possible. He was trying to enjoy and savor every single second spent kissing her.

There was a part of him that desperately wanted them to keep up with their ‘fake relationship.’ He would gladly keep pretending if it meant he got to be with her, even if it didn’t mean anything. He wanted her so badly.

He feared the day they would give up their game of pretend. He figured that it would only be a matter of time before they had to stop.

Now Eddie hated to admit just how hard he fell in love with her. In the beginning, he tried telling himself not to get too attached since it was only temporary and entirely fake.

But every time he saw her precious smile or he heard her pretty little laugh, he only found that he was falling deeper and deeper in love with her. He loved everything about her. He liked playing games with her, tricking everyone around them. He could list off a million things he loved and admired about her. He savored every moment spent with her.

So this time, when he kissed her, he kissed her with such desperation. It was as if he was trying to communicate how he felt towards her and how he never wanted to let her go. He silently prayed she could read his mind.

When Eddie finally pulled away, he could have sworn that he saw a twinkle in her eyes. She stared at him with her mouth slightly agape, catching her breath. He wondered if she was studying his face or searching for something.

“C—Can we talk? After school?” Y/n wondered.

Upon hearing those words, Eddie felt his heart drop in the confines of his chest. He thought the day had finally come. And the pain was nearly unbearable

“Y—Yeah. Of course,” Eddie struggled. But he nodded his head in confirmation.

The two of them agreed to meet by the picnic table in the woods. It was where Eddie did a lot of his deals. But it was a quiet, private, and secluded area where they could speak freely.

By the time Y/n had come to the picnic table, Eddie was already sitting there. He was fiddling with his hands nervously. He stared down at the old warped wood. He heard her approach him so he looked up at her.

For some unknown reason, Y/n couldn’t bring herself to sit down at the table. She instead opted for pacing back and forth. She tried to collect her words since she had rehearsed them in her head during the last couple periods of school.

The whole time, Eddie was watching her like a hawk. He had a feeling he knew what she was about to say. He had this horrible feeling in his gut and the pain in his chest had been hurting for some time. He wore a worried expression on his face.

“I—I can’t keep doing this,” Y/n began. She ran her fingers through her hair, pulling her hair in slight frustration.

“I understand,” Eddie confessed with a small sigh of defeat.

“I can’t keep playing pretend,” Y/n added. She had tears streaming in the corners of her eyes. She was so afraid to come out and say it. But she had to. “Not when I’ve fallen in love with you,” Y/n confessed.

Upon hearing this, Eddie snapped his head up so he could look at her and see if he heard her correctly. He cautiously rose to his feet. His mouth had parted slightly since he couldn’t find the right words.

Slowly, Eddie made his way around the side of the table until he was standing right in front of her. He saw how nervous and anxious she looked as if she feared his answer.

“You—” Eddie began.

“Yes,” Y/n cut him off.

“You’re in love with me?” Eddie wanted confirmation. He pointed to himself just to be clear.

“I am in love with you, Eddie Munson.” Y/n confessed softly. She sent him a small nervous smile. “I have been for some time,” she added.

“How long?” Eddie truthfully wanted to know.

“I liked you since before our whole scheme. But I started falling for you the more we hung out. I—I just didn’t know how to tell you,” Y/n said truthfully.

With shaky hands, Y/n was quick to wipe away the fears falling down her cheeks. She sniffled slightly. She fiddled with her hands to contain her anxiety. She couldn’t bare to look at him.

“If you don’t feel the same way, I completely understand. I just thought you had the right to know. And if I’ve ruined our dynamic and our friendship, then I am truly sorry—,” but she couldn’t finish her sentence.

Because Eddie Munson had cupped her face in his hands and silenced her with a kiss. Their mouths were moving together in a synchronized harmony. Their lips fit together like two perfect puzzle pieces and it was the most satisfying thing.

Their hearts were beating rapidly against their chests, threatening to break through the thin barrier. They could practically feel the blood and adrenaline pumping and coursing through their veins. They felt a rush of euphoric bliss envelop their beings, making their hearts sing with pure joy. Their hearts could barely contain the million different emotions surged through their bodies; desire, hunger, love, lust.

His lips were quite course, almost chapped. He kissed her with such dominance as if he were afraid she would slip through his fingers. On the other hand, her lips were so soft and gentle. She returned the kiss with the same amount of passion. She melted into his embrace.

In the end, the two of them beings needed oxygen to survive. They had quite reluctantly pulled away from each other. They carefully leaned forward  to rest their heads together. The two panted heavily to regain their breath. They stared into each other’s eyes, feeling at a loss for words.

“I—I don’t understand,” Y/n said. She closed her eyes and furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

“I love you too,” Eddie explained. “I thought that was obvious,” Eddie chuckled softly.

“You—you do?” She had tears in her eyes.

“Yes, baby girl.” He tucked a single strand of hair behind her ear. He then choked her cheek and caressed it with his thumb. “Ever since you kissed me in the cafeteria, I knew I was a goner,” Eddie said breathlessly.

They quickly found that they were at a loss for words. Neither of them knew what to say or what to do. They could feel the smiles growing at the corners of their lips. Then they began to laugh.

Suddenly, Eddie and Y/n found themselves going in for a tight embrace. They held each other so tightly like they were afraid they’d loose each other. They stood still.

“I don’t want to pretend you’re mine anymore,” Eddie whispered to her. “I want you to be mine, all mine.”

She smiled at this. And closed her eyes to savor his words. She went to kiss his cheek.

“You have me. All of me.”

THOUGHTS?

PART TWO HERE

[chlorinecake]

What are your thoughts on gang bang?

My sincere thoughts on it? Honestly can’t say that I’m a fan. However, I’ll take this ask as an opportunity to write something ~different~ for my community of horny engenes !!

cw swearing, unprotected sex, m. & f. oral (both giving and receiving), slight exhibitionism, boob play, reader gets fucked by the hyung line, not proofread wc 1.3k

So by now we’re all pretty familiar with enhypen’s infamous resort episode, right?

Imagine Lee Heeseung, one of the richest, most attractive guys at your university inviting you to a pool party held at his condo over the weekend.

You wore an ordinary emerald green two piece bikini with a thin shawl tied around your waist, sitting at the poolside while your eyes merely glazed the book you brought with you. It was supposed to act as headphones to an introverted gym bro, but God knows you weren’t AT ALL interested in reading anymore.

Too distracted by the bulge fest Heeseung and his three equally hot friends were granting you with, the only thing on your mind was how you were gonna fuck at least one of them before the night was out.

Luckily, the pool had already started to clear out within an hour, so you had the perfect chance to make your move with Heeseung's groupies out of the way.

Abandoning your now damp book and shawl, you joined the four boys in the pool, the view of your perky tits and ass against the underwater lights thoroughly enthralling their attention.

“Hey, stranger. It's about time you got your nose out of that book," Jake chuckled, making a spot for you to squeeze in between him and Heeseung in the water, "I’m surprised a girl like you even swung by tonight."

“Don’t be," you said, looking him dead in the eye, "I’m not all books and brains like you might think I am.”

“Great, so why don’t you enlighten us?" Heeseung offered, trying to out-intimidate you, "I’ve invited you to my parties in the past, but you never showed. Why change that tonight?”

You opted for a more humorous response to his cheeky question.

“Because, you’ve obviously been keeping track of my attendance records… I wouldn’t want to risk my midterm grade like that,” you pouted playfully, kicking your feet in the water which only drew their attention back to your body.

Dogs, you thought to yourself. They weren’t even trying to hide how thirsty they were.

“No worries… Heeseung lost the backbone to give cute girl's honest ratings a while ago,” Sunghoon poked, earning a circle of laughter from the inside joke he'd just told.

“Yeah, buddy. You’ve seriously lowered your standards over the years,” Jake pitched in, “prudes like her don’t know how to have a good time, so just quit with your efforts.”

You scoffed at his sly remark, Heeseung splashing water at Jake’s face in both your defense.

"Hmm," you began, speaking more boldly, "last time I checked, prudes are easy targets... I figured guys like you couldn't handle when girls play hard to get anyways."

“That’s sweet and everything, but I'm afraid you've misjudged us," Jay interjected, "guys like ourselves actually enjoy a challenge once in a while... even when the prize is amateur at best.”

“Pfft,” you amused, humored by how much they underestimated the lengths you'd go to for a good fuck, even if you made a fool of yourself while doing so. You played along, planning to make use of your dirty mouth to rile them up even more.

"Look, now you've made her mad," Heeseung sighed at Jay who only shook his head in response.

"Not mad, but extremely horny, yes… and when I'm in the mood, I prefer to skip the mind games and just use my words," you said with a seductive voice, looking them all dangerously in the eyes, "If any of you perverts wanna put your boner's to good use before the night is out, you know where to find me."

The look on their faces was a mix of shock, offense, and desire, their eyes following the trail of water your feet left behind as you made your way outside of Heeseung's pool and into his condo.

“What the fuck is her deal,” Sunghoon asked rhetorically, being the first of the bunch to make his way out of the pool, following behind you.

Jake contemplated with himself before calling out to Sunghoon, "Aye, wait up," nearly slipping on his ass as he got out of the pool.

"Yeahhh, I'm not sure if she wants all of us to join her," Jay pitched in, watching as Heeseung slowly made his way to the pool staircase.

"How dense can you be, bro? The girl's obviously a raging slut. She's practically begging to have all her hole's filled tonight," Heeseung huffed, shaking the water from his hair before dumbly following your water trail as if hypnotized.

Jay was putting up a front, but he was equally, if not even more eager to get off one way or another.

Introducing your fivesome location of choice: Heeseung's indoor sauna.

Some debating time took place before you guys actually started anything, discussing how they planned to take turns fucking you before finally agreeing on going at it in groups of two.

As expected, each of the four boys had their own way of toying with you.

Heeseung took the lead, fucking up into you as you bounced on his cock, your hands desperately clinging onto his shoulders as if fearful that the force of his thrusts would make you fall.

“Fuck,” he hissed, relishing in the sensation of your slimy walls clenching around him.

The surrounding boys palmed themselves while they awaited their turn, some of them even pulling out their phones to record the filthy scene.

Jay, being one of the more impatient ones, took it upon himself to wrap your hand around his dick, guiding your movements with one hand while he massaged your tits with the other. “Since Heeseung here forgot we’re supposed to be sharing,” he groaned, melting into the warmth of your grip.

After the two eldest boys had their fun, Jake and Sunghoon helped themselves to you next.

It caught you off guard when Jake kissed you, his tongue entering your mouth as he explored your folds with his free hand, testing just how eager you were for more.

You were eventually put on all fours, Sunghoon forcing your wobbly legs open as he chuckled in your ear, “don’t tell me you’re already getting tired,” he smirked, landing a harsh smack against your pulsing heat.

Jake gripped your hips, the hot pressure of his cock swirling at your entrance before he finally rammed himself all the way in, delighting you with a feeling of fullness. “So tight,” he whinced, slowly grinding into your hole before picking up the pace.

Sunghoon only gave Jake so much fun time before tapping in, telling Jake to pull out and just hold himself so he could finally have a go.

Although you were still on all fours, Sunghoon was much rougher with you than Jake was, leaning down to graze your shoulder with his fangs while his free hand gripped at your throat.

Your eyes rolled to the back of your head as he rutted into you from behind, smacking your ass just to hear you whine before you both finally climaxed.

"Alright, show off," Jay teased, guiding your tired body into the missionary position, propping you up on your elbows so Heeseung could have full access to mouth.

You’re sure Jay's goal was to make you squirt just from how aggressively he fingered your cunt, diving down to leave rough kitten licks against your puffy clit as he whispered against your heat, “So fucking pretty for us.”

Meanwhile, you watched Heeseung’s eyes flutter as you slowly inched your lips down his length, delicate hands caressing your cheeks as if petting you before forcing your head down a little further. He trembled at the feeling of your throat tightening around him, “Fuck, you feel so good," he nearly whimpered, chest heaving in harmony with each bob of your head.

Despite your mouth being stuffed, broken moans escaped your lips as Jay eased you toward your third orgasm of the night, your body squirming beneath him as your shiny release coated his lips and chin, adding to the foul sounds echoing within the sauna space.

And with that, your steamy night went on for what felt like hours, the four horny boys chasing their highs and passing you around like the main course at a holiday dinner party.

All of this action was definitely not on par with how you initially planned to spend your weekend night, but it wasn't something you had a problem with, either.

a/n: I felt tempted to include the entire enha legal line in this drabble… I’m sorry, but there ain’t no way you’d be able to process all that dick at once, BYE-

No tags bc this one sucks . I literally might randomly delete this one day… — feel free to check out more fun reads like this on my enhypen bookshelf !!

[matan4il]

Daily update post:

Yesterday, there was a terrorist attack, two people were stabbed in the area where my mom's cousin and his wife live. I found out about it as I was returning from a medical appointment, going through a road where in Nov, a terrorist shot to death a young Israeli man.

Based on what the IDF has found of Hamas' armaments (which surpassed Israeli estimates), based on how things stand now, Hamas would be capable of continuing to fire rockets into Israel for at least 2-3 more years. That's why, even as the fighting continues, there are new defensive measures that will be built along road 232, the same road mentioned in the NYT's article about the Hamas rapes during the Oct 7 massacre.

Speaking of that article, apparently despite the insane amount of evidence in it, and mentioned recently in regards to the subject of the rapes, some are trying to deny that this part of the massacre happened. This is a perfect response (IMO) from feminists.againstantisemitism on IG:

Cyberwell, a watch dog that monitors antisemitism on social media, has reported a sharp rise in antisemitic posts since Oct 7. And not just of the new, anti-Zionist kind. There has been a rise in 1000% in posts accusing Jews of killing Jesus (yes, the Jew crucified by Romans almost 2,000 years ago... funny how you never see people going around saying Italians killed Jesus... almost like the whole thing isn't about who actually killed Jesus, and more about providing yet another excuse for antisemitism, a hatred that pre-dates Jesus), and 1600% in the hashtag saying that Hitler was right, the guy whose antisemitic, genocidal ideology, the attackers, maimers, rapists, kidnappers and murderers of Oct 7 would happily co-sign. All of this, while the world appropriates the Jewish slogan "never again" to use against Jews defending themselves. Make it make sense.

And here's a reminder that what starts online, doesn't stay online. There have been unprecedented levels of antisemitism in many places, including in New Zealand. What got to me the most is the report on antisemitic incidents targeting school kids, and that only 40% of parents report these (sometimes 'coz previous cases have not been treated right, or the school is seen as being ill-equipped to deal with antisemitism). A 2021 survey found that 60% of New Zealanders agreed with antisemitic statements, so it might be argued that this recent outburst has been waiting to happen for a while, just waiting for an excuse to.

Here's another piece that I sadly could only find in Hebrew so far. It reveals some more of the interrogations of Hamas terrorists, this time covering how Hamas terrorizes civilians in Gaza. Here's my loose translation of a testimony's summary, from a Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist (Muhammed Darwish Amare). It can be found (with the full testimony in the vid and appearing) at the above link: "Someone told me that they took explosives, to place them from his apartment to a spot 2 meters (6.5 feet) away from him. The man came down and told [the terrorist]: 'Oh man, how are you placing the explosives by the door, and then if they explode, my kids and I will be gone.' He responded, 'If you don't like it, then get out of here.' The apartment owner said to him, 'These are my kids, this isn't right,' and the explosives placer replied, 'I will lay them even if you don't like it, and I will even place them between you and your wife.' Then he took out his pistol and shot the apartment owner in the leg."

Another testimony, found at the same link, this one is of a former Hamas member (Zuhady Ali Zahdy Shahi): "I felt that we civilians are human shields. Why should we protect them? We want to be saved, too. That's Hamas' mistake. People left their house [during the fighting], and there was a safe passage, because the army told us to go south, that there will be food and water there. They drew a safe passage for us, and then we ran into [Hamas terrorists], who made us go into one of the neighborhoods. They told us, 'No one is going south, there are bombings, and no one can continue on the street.' We went into the Shifa hospital, and we got stuck inside. [The terrorists] sat among us, with the civilians. They were scared of the soldiers. I even argued with one of them, and told him, 'Your place isn't here, with the civilians, but downstairs [in the terror tunnels].' He told me that the moment the war would be over, he will punish me, he started threatening me." When asked what he thought of the IDF, Shahi said, "Truth is, based on what I've seen, I wish you would stay with us. If they would have stayed where we lived, we wouldn't be starving. The moment the army came into Shifa, we were scared of what would be done with us, but it was the opposite. They brought us food and water, and sat with us. We felt safe."

This is 56 years old Ilan Weiss.

His 53 years old wife Shiri and 18 years old daughter Noa were kidnapped by Hamas, and released in the hostage deal. Ilan himself, who was a member of the emergency team at kibbutz Be'eri, left his house on the morning of the massacre, as first reports came in, and wasn't heard of again. He was considered missing (meaning, it was unknown whether he was kidnapped or killed on Oct 7). Today it was announced that his body was identified, and he had been murdered during the massacre. May his memory be a blessing.

(for all of my updates and ask replies regarding Israel, click here)

[black-amortentia]

Under the Mistletoe with Remus

Professor Lupin x Professor!Reader

--

Christmas was in the air, and the preferred way of older students to celebrate was snogging under mistletoe. Teachers took points and handed out detentions when things got too heated, but you were much more lenient. As a newly appointed professor, and romantic at heart, you didn't want to interfere unless a couple was truly out of line.

This was how your classroom came to house a rather large and elaborate sprig of mistletoe. A safe haven for secret snogging, it hung just inside the doorway. You had long grown used to the sight of it, to the point you forgot it was there most of the time.

A knock on the open door drew your attention from the essays you were marking. You looked up to find the friendly Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher standing in your doorway. He seldom visited your classroom like this.

"Remus! Something you need?"

You stood up from your desk, stretching. You'd been at it for hours, with no end in sight.

Remus held up a book as he stepped through the doorway. "You left this in my office yesterday. Thought I might return it."

"Oh, thank you. I was wondering where that had gotten to." Funny, you were certain you had it in your hand when you left his office yesterday.

You visited Remus a lot lately. Subtle flirting was the nature of your growing relationship ever since the start of term. The two of you danced around whatever was forming between you, little touches, and affectionate words amounting to nothing outright.

Remus's fingers brushed yours as you took the book. Your cheeks grew pink at the contact.

Looking at him now, seeing the mistletoe hanging from the stone above him, thoughts of kissing him kept bubbling to the surface of your mind.

"Quite an impressive display." Remus thumbed at the mistletoe behind him, catching you looking at it.

"You can thank my students for that," you told him, laughing. "I made the mistake of letting slip that I think kissing under the mistletoe is a romantic tradition. They think it gives them a free pass."

Remus chuckled, glancing away. "Yes, well…"

"Something on your mind, Remus? You seem a little distracted today."

"Yes, there is something on my mind, actually." He cleared his throat awkwardly. "You."

You faltered, setting the book on a nearby table. "Me?"

"Yes, you." He took a step closer, closing the distance between you.

"You're so beautiful, intelligent, kind…" He reached up to touch your face, fingers grazing your flushed cheek. "I have a hard time finding the right words."

You leaned towards his touch, closing your eyes at the sensation. "Those words sounded like a good start."

Remus's eyes locked on yours, your faces tilting closer. There was a pause just before your lips touched, the moment of anticipation hanging in the air.

Then Remus bent forward to kiss you.

His lips were soft and warm, mustache brushing against your skin with a whisper. You kissed him back softly, lips parting.

You'd thought about this moment, but the reality of Remus's lips on yours, surpassed every fantasy you've had.

He held the kiss, grasping at your waist to pull you closer. A hand ran up the back of your neck, cradling your head, fingers curling in your hair.

Your hands found his hips, your hold light and steadying. The kiss was sweet and tender and dizzying, and when Remus finally pulled away, you weren't sure which way was up.

Breathless, Remus touched his forehead to yours. "Then again, maybe words are overrated."

Remus's voice was soft, his breath ghosting over your cheeks.

You smiled up at him. "Maybe they are."

A noise in the hall startled you both, evicting you from the little world of your own you'd fallen into. Remus reluctantly let you go, stepping back.

You peered outside your classroom and into the hallway, finding two Hufflepuff girls, whispering and peeking around the corner. They were both in your class and fancied themselves a couple of matchmakers.

You folded your arms in front of your chest. "Miss Woodhouse? Miss Fairfax? Shouldn't you be packing for your holiday?"

Remus touched your shoulder as he moved past you into the hall. "We'll speak later?"

You answered him with a smile and a nod. The Hufflepuff girls erupted into giggles, looking pleased with themselves.

"Five points," you announced, and they fell silent. "To Hufflepuff. For getting into the Christmas spirit. Now, off with you."

The girls took off in another direction, while your eyes remained fixed on Remus. Feeling you staring, he threw you one more smile over his shoulder.

It was going to be a very happy Christmas.

[tsunael]

Despite all their efforts, the Light had returned. The Exarch was gone, and once again she was the one left standing when the dust settled. She was tired. So very tired.

The days went on.

There was a stiffness growing inside that went well past her bones; it seized the sinew and locked her joints, causing an ache in every move. With each morning that she still drew breath, she found someone new in the mirror: that morning's iteration showed a woman whose skin had turned a sickly pallor, whilst her dark hair had begun to bleach itself to unnatural blonde.

When it all becomes too much to bear, seek me out at my abode, in the dark depths of the Tempest.

Emet-Selch had invited her to retain her dignity, and a part of her would have gone without a second thought if she only had the means to do so. As if her stiff legs could carry her to wherever The Tempest even was in this alien land. As she was now, she lived the paradoxical existence of hurry up and wait while her comrades scrambled for a cure for something that they all knew could not be undone.

--

Thancred moved from towering over her to gently sit upon her bed. The weight of him pulled her in, though she made great effort to keep the distance.

"You look well," he lied through his teeth. "Just when I thought you could not be more radiant-- All that beauty rest has done much and more." Had he not sounded so sincere, she would have mistaken it for dry wit.

She looked over her shoulder at him, twisted as she was, and wrinkled her nose. "Surely you didn't come just to be cruel."

His amiable expression fell, and she felt a pang of guilt for for her lashing.

"Apologies," he frowned. "That was... not my intent," he added, his voice flat. He politely moved his hands to clasp firmly between his knees.

She believed him that time. Tsuna pinched her arm to keep from throwing herself at him in a desperate need for comfort. They both sorely needed it. She wouldn't give into something so base-- not again.

"You shouldn't be in here," she whispered.

It had been a few days-- from what she could tell-- since then he had become more sunkissed. His boots were ruddy with Amh Araeng's dusty sands-- a far, and queer destination for one who could not ride the Aether.

"I didn't mean to bother. I simply wished to see how you were getting on," he said, twisting to better take her in, his hand brushed her curled tail. "Would you rather I leave?"

He was kind-- much too kind. She much preferred when they were trading blows, at least she could take them.

"That's not what I meant..." she sighed, winded. "You shouldn't be near me. It's not safe."

He gave pause, then chuffed at her proposal. "Y'shtola gave no such warning about your... condition."

"Y'shtola does not know everything," she snapped.

"Ryne has contained it," he countered, and she half-expected a 'for now' to be tacked on to the end of it. It was silent, but it was there. She knew.

Tsuna huffed. Frustration was causing her voice to grow thick with emotion. "She's just a girl, Thancred."

"And I trust her with my life. As should you." His tone had raised in defense before softening. "...She would never lead us astray."

Gently, he reached out to touch her exposed shoulder, and she stiffened, jolting away from the touch.

"Gods--" she swore. "You can't-- Don't-- Don't touch me."

She had brought the Light back to Norvrandt simply by being alive. The swell of it was strong enough to be felt knocking against her seams in her weaker moments. Who was to say she could not corrupt him-- or anyone else-- simply by being.

He grabbed her outstretched hand that had pushed him away, and reeled her back in against her will. His fingers intertwined with her own, and for a moment she thought something may just burst from her. Not the Light, no, but equally as unstable. It was something far more devastating.

The bird in her chest beat its wings against its cage and she wanted so badly to let it free.

"You see?" he asked, soft. "Everything's all right."

She could only stare at their intwined hands, marveling at the difference of size, how his own dwarfed her in comparison. His smooth, Hyuran skin compared to her own scales was fascinating, but with enough callouses on his palms to pen a story.

He had never touched her quite like that. The word intimate danced on her tongue and her breath fell shallow. Intimate. She gripped him back, rooting her fingers between his own, and to her surprise, he did not let go.

When he lowered his lips to her shoulder, she didn't notice, still transfixed where they joined, growing concerned that she could not feel the warmth of his hand. The breath dancing against her collarbone brought her back to where she belonged, though she felt no heat.

He kissed her as if it were his only solution to placating a grieving woman. Of course, it would be. Of course, it was all he ever knew. She didn't know what to feel. She wanted him to continue. She wanted to know where the trail would lead him; higher, or lower?

She also very much wanted to kiss him back, if only she could. Would she even be able to feel it?

Oh, Gods. What was wrong with her?

Your friends are now your foes. If you do not kill them, they will kill you.

"I think you should go," she whispered.

With a short pause, he lifted himself from her, and thus slackened his grip. Their connection broke, and she immediately missed the loss.

Thancred finally pulled away to give her space without complaint, though his honey-dark eyes lingered to study, to see where he had erred. His jaw worked for a moment before beginning to speak, then deciding against it. He stood from her bed.

"Keep the faith," was all he said. It was all he could say.

[a-small-tragedy]

And so... Hi!

Usually my name is Korzh, but you can call me Bernard! My pronouns are he/his. You may know me from the Topher art. But recently I had posts written about me with extremely dubious content and I want to refute these disgusting accusations in my direction. 

Let's get right to the point, I'm NOT a PROSHIPPER AND I'VE NEVER BEEN ONE.

The first and most terrible is the accusation of pedo content. I've always drawn characters older than they are in the show. I myself am very uncomfortable with sexual undertonesbetween 16-year-olds, so I made them older for my comfort. That being said, the characters both on my nsfw artworks as well as regular ones are OF AGE!

Also, in my defense, I want to show a post that I made the DAY BEFORE.

Context: I drew my favorite characters dynamics, but some people started commenting adult and child pairs, so I made a post.

Translation: JULY 5TH 9:54 Guys, if there is a child or an animal in your ship dynamics, then I may have questions for you...  Just a warning, I never thought that it would be necessary to introduce a rule for this, in my group!

I tried to be as correct and gentle in my statements as possible, because I couldn't know for sure with which intent these characters were shown in the first place. But later I realized that it was just a misunderstanding, I did not indicate that it was a romantic relationship, people misunderstood me, so I deleted the post :D

But as you can see, I'm generally AGAINST THIS KIND OF STUFF.

Speaking of misunderstandings.....I was also accused of Transphobia based on a deleted post.

Probably not everyone knows, but I am trans myself! It was very hard to accept, because I was constantly faced with transphobia in my address from people in reality and the Internet.

As for the deleted post, it really looks terrible. The fact is that unfortunately, while writing, I mixed two ideas at once( The first one was that I can't really imagine Topher being in a relationship with a girl. The second one was supposed to tell about the ideas for an art with T Joan and T Topher.

But in the process of writing, I couldn't formulate the idea correctly, and it turned out like THIS... IT WASN'T UNTIL A FEW MINUTES LATER THAT I REALIZED WHAT I HAD DONE AND I WAS REALLY SORRY, SO I DELETED THE POST SO AS NOT TO UPSET PEOPLE. My trans friend reassured me that it didn't hurt her, but I still felt terrible, so I completely refused to implement that idea.

I'm really sorry about that post, but I didn't think that people would just take it out of context and want to cancel me without understanding the situation. Now I understand that I should have apologized for it right away. But what happened happened.

Also I tried to contact these people just to talk, but the only person who knows their contacts refused to help.

Addition: Some people on Twitter pointed out my nationality, yes, I am Russian and do not support the authorities in my country. WELL, APPARENTLY, NOT EVERYONE KNOWS THAT 2 OUT OF 3 PEOPLE WHO WROTE THE POST WITH THE CANCELLATION ARE RUSSIANS THEMSELVES. AHAHAHAHAHAH Addition 2: Already at the time of writing, the authors of the post compared me to a real terrible person and began to blackmail me by setting conditions. I can't describe how disgusted I am with this whole situation. Shall these words and actions be on their own responsibility, if they have any left. To the rest, thank you for reading and taking the time! Your support has helped me to deal with this. Special thanks to everyone who helped translate this text ahahah, I'm really not very good at this... If you have any questions, you can ask them in the comments or an anonymous ask!  Bye!

[wolken-himmel]

In which Ruggie saves (Y/n) from trouble with a few aggressive students by distracting them with his unique magic.

What does (Y/n) owe him now?

Request by anon.

"Hey, you can't just take food off my plate, raccoon!"

An annoyed frown grew on your face upon realising that the cat monster beside you was missing, and there was only one student that students would call raccoon. The commotion in the cafeteria was growing louder, forcing you to drop your spoon into your soup and turn around to see what was going on.

Much to your horror, Grim stood on the table, yes on the table, of a group of Savanaclaw students. Even worse, he seemed to hold a steak in his hands; he was the reason for the chaos, and it made you shrink into your seat in frustration.

"I'm not a raccoon!" Grim exclaimed and cackled loudly. "And I can do whatever I want!"

When the shouting became unbearably loud, you saw yourself forced to get up and intervene before someone landed in the infirmary. Your stride was heavy, and your hands were clenched into fists when you arrived at the table in question.

"Grim— what did you do again..."

The Savanaclaw student that fell victim to your friend's crime let out a low grumble, then turned his attention to you. The glare he shot you made you wince in fear. "Your little pet stole the tuna right off my plate without even trying to hide it. And now, he doesn't even want to give it back!" the victim yelled with his chest rising and falling visibly.

As you were about to turn to Grim to demand he return his stolen goods, he merely jumped off the table and zipped away. "Catch me if you can!" was the last thing he shouted before he disappeared through the exit door of the cafeteria.

Your heart dropped when you were forced to turn your attention to the angry Savanaclaw student and his friends again, now left to clean up the cat's mess all by yourself.

A tired sigh escaped your lips, and you shot them an apologetic look. "I'm so sorry... Grim hasn't been himself lately."

"That ain't a good apology!" the victim yelled and rose to his feet to tower over you. "I need my protein... so give me your food, prefect."

His request drew an immediate snort from you, and your whole attitude seemed to have changed upon being made responsible for this mess. You crossed your arms and shook your head vigorously, exclaiming, "No! I need my food, too. It's not my fault that Grim took off with your tuna—"

"I want my tuna," he interrupted you lowly, "one way or another."

"I'm not gonna give my food away!" you cried out desperately, especially when his friends rose from their seats as well and began approaching you condescendingly. You were left no other option than to slowly back away, knowing that you were too slow to outrun them and too weak to fight them.

You had lost.

Yet, as you had your eyes squinted close and your arms raised defensively, prepared for being struck or at least grabbed, nothing came.

"Hey, what was that for?" the theft-victim cried out.

The lack of pain led you to open your eyes in confusion. Your frightened gaze snapped to the scene in front of you, where the group of Savanaclaw students had stopped in their tracks. For a moment, all of them seemed to have forgotten your existence, too busy discussing an issue amongst themselves.

"Why did you punch me?" one of them repeated angrily.

The accused simply raised his hands into the air innocently. "I-I don't know! My muscles just spasmed—"

"What a bad excuse, idiot."

"Let's not fight amongst each other!" a third exclaimed and pushed them away from each other. "Over there is the enemy — the prefect."

Yet, his friends wouldn't listen, and instead began throwing punches and kicks left and right. The two agitators involved their third friend, and soon, the three were brawling on the ground, fighting for dominance.

"I'm gonna teach you a lesson, idiot !"

At first, you stood in your place, frozen, unable to believe the miracle that you would make it out in one piece today. And really, they were so busy punching and biting that they had all forgotten about you and the original issue. This was your chance to slip away unnoticed, and of course you took it without batting an eyelash.

When you had turned around to sneak away from the scene, nobody noticed due to the crowd of spectators that had formed around the three students. You had become one with the masses, especially once you had left the cafeteria. With most of the students inside to witness the brawl, you seemed to be alone outside, much to your luck. The quietness allowed you to take a deep breath and calm your shaky nerves.

"Well, you shouldn't provoke other students, dearie. Especially not Savanaclaw guys."

You would have screamed if it weren't for your own hand that clasped itself over your open mouth. The person who had snuck up on you had done such a good job that you only noticed them after a few seconds of frantically looking around.

A sigh of utter relief escaped your lips when you recognised the student. "Oh Ruggie... it's just you." Your tense muscles relaxed upon hearing his signature snickering, and a smile grew on your lips, too. "That was dire back there..." you muttered under your breath and wiped the sweat off your forehead.

Ruggie nodded along vigorously. "And it would have been even worse without me."

Although you were confused at first, especially since he wouldn't elaborate further, you soon were able to decipher the mischievous gleam in his eyes. The hyena beastman began laughing when you crossed your arms and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "So that 'muscle spasm' was your doing—" you whispered quietly in amazement. He confirmed your theory with a nod, causing you to exhale in gratitude. "You know what, I really owe you."

"Yes, you do." The grin on his lips grew. "Big time, now."

"Fine, how about a donut every day?"

"You're generous, (Y/n)," Ruggie drawled and traipsied around on his toes. "But that's not enough."

The greedy tone in his voice earned him a roll of your eyes. "What do you want more?" you grumbled under your breath, waving him off. "Two donuts a day will give you diabetes..."

"One donut," he began smoothly, "and half an hour of your time a day."

You opened your mouth, about to reject his conditions — but then your mind had comprehended the request completely, and you were left surprised at its simplicity. "...That's it?" you asked while suspiciously looking him up and down.

Your reaction made him laugh uncontrollably. "Yes, really!" He even slapped his thigh, that's how funny he found the flabbergasted expression on your face. But, his laughter soon ceased to be when he noticed more and more students streaming out of the cafeteria again. With a cough into his fist, he traipsied away again. "I gotta go though, now. Leona wants his steak— so, toodles!"

You were left behind, still confused. But, as the confusion subsided, a smile blossomed on your face. "A-Alright? Thanks again, I guess," you yelled after him and waved.

Ruggie, with his hands behind his head, simply strutted away proudly. "I aim to please, shishishi."

[wolfjackle-creates]

I'll Carry Your Heart with Me (Until I find You Again): Part 1

I'll be posting parts 1 and 2 right now. The rest should be up later tonight, but I'm gonna be tied up the next five or six hours.

As you can see, we have a title for this fic! (I may drop the parentheses. Been going back and forth on that.)

Summary: Danny and Jason meet shortly after Jason becomes a ghost in the zone and become good friends. This segment will cover their first two meetings.

Word Count: 2k words

----------

Jason sat on the island that appeared around him when he landed in this strange place and stared into the swirling green void. It should have been unsettling, but it felt peaceful. If he closed his eyes, it felt like his dad would be right behind him and Alfred was going to call them in for dinner any minute.

But he was surrounded by silence and all alone.

He screamed just to make a noise and turned away from the void. Behind him a punching bag had appeared. Good. With another yell he went to town on it, practicing all the punches and kicks he’d learned at Batman’s side. Gloves formed over his hands, making him realize his clothes had morphed into his Robin costume.

It just made his punches that much harder.

He wasn’t sure how long he’d been going at the bag when he realized some of the yells he was hearing weren’t his own.

“And fuck Chaucer!”

Chaucer? What could that be about? But the ridiculousness of it was enough to pull him from his anger. Robin faded as Jason, literary nerd, took his place. No one dissed Chaucer in his hearing. Where was the yelling coming from?

He flew up and looked around before shaking his head. He wasn’t alive anymore and his sight wasn’t his best sense here. Closing his eyes, he sent out his awareness. This close to his island, he could tell whenever anyone was nearby.

And there they were! Close, but not uncomfortably so which was why he hadn’t noticed sooner. Following the feeling, it didn’t take long to find a boy with a backpack on shouting and throwing what looked like green fire at pieces of paper.

“Oi!” he called. “Who’re you to diss Chaucer near my lair?”

“Well maybe if he would just make fucking sense, I wouldn’t have to diss him!” The boy’s hands still glowed green, and Jason fell into a defensive position.

“He does make sense! Not his fault if you’re too dense to know it.” Jason cautiously moved closer, keeping a close eye on the boy’s posture to prepare for an attack. People in this world loved to fight, but while the kid remained wary, he didn’t move to attack. As soon as Jason was close enough, he grabbed one of the papers out of the air.

It felt weird. Both more and less solid that normal paper. Where had this come from? He took his eyes off the boy to skim the paper. It was a page from an exam? Completely covered in red ink. Well-deserved red ink, too.

“Are these your answers?” Jason couldn’t help but look up with a raised eyebrow. “You really don’t understand Chaucer, do you?”

“It’s not my fault I don’t have time to study!” complained the boy. He drew up his knees and covered his face with his no-longer-glowing hands. “I’m so tired and it doesn’t make sense and Lancer doesn’t care.”

“Tired? But we’re dead. We don’t need to sleep. I didn’t even know there was a school for ghosts. Where is it? Is it any good?”

The boy pulled his hands away and looked at him with furrowed brows. “You, you don’t know who I am?”

Jason bristled and stood a little taller. “Should I?” he asked. Maybe he should venture out from his lair more. He just felt so uncomfortable anytime he left that he hadn’t bothered. What if someone came and tried to take it from him and he wasn’t there to protect it?

“No! It’s just… Everyone I’ve met has already learned about me from somewhere.” A ring of light surrounded his waist and passed over his body, leaving a living human in his place. Instinctively, Jason raised his hands again and flared his core in warning, but the boy raised his hands and sent out no-harm, peace pulses. “I’m Danny. The halfa. Half-dead, half-alive. Half-ghost, half-human.”

“How…?” Jason didn’t even know how to finish his sentence and let it trail unfinished. Though, he had seen people come back to life when he was Robin. So, maybe it did make sense.

Danny shrugged. “My parents are scientists studying ghosts. They built a portal to the zone and because I was stupid, it turned on while I was inside. Thousands of volts of electricity and ectoplasm killed and revived me at the same time.”

“That’s why the paper feels weird…” Jason grabbed one of them again and ran his fingers along it. “It’s from Earth.”

“Yep. My latest failed English test. I just don’t have the time to read the books. And when I do, I don’t see the same things Mr. Lancer swears are there! Or I don’t understand them.” Danny sighed and rubbed his face again. “I hate it. I was a straight A student before I died.”

Jason looked between the paper and the boy. “Why has it been so much harder since you died?”

“So many other ghosts are trying to get through the portal to spend time on Earth. And when they do, they hurt people or cause property damage or try and hunt me for sport. I have to stop them. Even if it’s the middle of the night or during class.”

“Oh, you’re a superhero. I was a hero, too, before I died.” He let his Robin uniform replace the civilian clothes and grinned at Danny. “I’m Jason. I’d say nice to meet you, but I can’t like anyone who disses Chaucer.”

“Why do you like him so much?”

“Do you have the book with you?” asked Jason, nodding his head at Danny’s backpack.

Danny shrugged it off and pulled out a book. “Yeah, why?”

“C’mon. I’ll show you.” He turned and headed back to his lair, gesturing for Danny to follow him. On his island was a building, the outside rather plain, like any run down apartment building in Gotham. But the door led directly to Alfred’s kitchen in the manor. He held it open and waved Danny through.

The boy, still in human form, looked around curiously. “You know, no one’s ever let me come to their island before. Or enter their door.”

Jason shrugged. “Well, I need to prove you wrong about Chaucer and no reason we can’t be comfortable as we do. And if I change your mind, then we can be friends!”

“And if you don’t change my mind?”

“I take you outside and we fight it out like proper ghosts.” Jason grinned. “It’ll be fun.”

Danny laughed. “All right, do your best.”

“So, the page I saw was full of questions on the Wife of Bath and her prologue and tale, so we’ll start there. To really understand her, you have to know what women dealt with in the fourteenth century…”

-----

Jason tried not to worry when Danny didn’t come back right away despite promising to return for more English tutoring. Jason also planned to help him figure out how to balance a civilian and hero life. He looked over the lesson plans for both English and martial arts training that he’d made for the hundredth time.

He was going to start with how to safely fall. Just as Dick had taught him back when Bruce first brought him home. Was Dick happy that he had Bruce to himself again now that Jason was gone? Shaking his head to dispel the thoughts, he looked around for something to distract himself. Bread. He could make bread. Alfred taught him how and kneading was excellent stress relief.

He’d just finished kneading and set the dough in a covered bowl to proof when he felt the unmistakable shiver that meant someone was coming close to his haunt. His Robin uniform replaced jeans and a t-shirt as he flew out the kitchen towards the intruder.

Only to laugh and relax when he saw Danny.

“So, the halfa returns! I was starting to think you didn’t like me.” Jason said it with a grin to prove it was a joke, even as something in his core relaxed.

“Sorry, life’s been hectic. Do you know Skulker? He got through the portal again and it took me three days to get him contained. And as soon as I did, Technus was out. And then my parents built a new defense system for the house that I had to dismantle before it could kill me. Again.”

“Woah, woah, wait. What was that last one?”

Danny paused. “Did I not tell you about my parents?”

“Not really. Just that they study ghosts.”

“Hunt, more like. They build ghost weapons to destroy ghosts. It’s why I haven’t told them about me. They’d accept me, I’m sure of it. But… then they talk about how they’d like to rip a ghost molecule-by-molecule and I can’t get the words out.”

Jason let out a low whistle. “And I thought I won the lottery for terrible birth parents. But at least I had Bruce and Alfred. You should contact the Justice League, get help. I can tell you how.”

But Danny just waved a hand in the air. “A year and a half ago, I would’ve jumped at the offer. But I’ve got it under control now. And I don’t want anyone with powers in Amity. What if they get overshadowed? Then I’d be fighting someone with both meta abilities and ghost abilities.”

“Overshadowed?” Jason wasn’t sure he’d heard the term before.

“You know, when you take over a human’s body and control it.”

Jason blinked. “We can do that?”

“You… didn’t know? How long have you been a ghost?”

Jason tried to consider. It was impossible to tell time in the Realms. The area off his island was always the same swirling green with no sun or moon in sight. And he wasn’t sure how long it had taken to gain consciousness after dying. He didn’t think it was immediate. “I’m… not sure. I died December 1st XX. What’s the date on Earth now?”

“So recently? I’ve never met such a young ghost before. Its only been a few weeks. Today’s the twentieth.”

That wasn’t possible. Jason shook his head. “No, that can’t be. I know I’ve been here longer than that. I know how long it takes me to read a book and how many I’ve read.”

“Time in the zone can be a bit wonky.” Danny clasped Jason’s arm. The gesture made him flinch, though he knew it was supposed to be comforting. Danny’s arms fell to his side again. “Sorry.”

Needing to change the subject, Jason asked, “So overshadowing, huh? What else can ghosts do?”

The grin Danny gave him convinced him he had the right idea. “Oh, you have no idea. How about instead of whatever you were going to show me, I teach you to fight like a ghost?”

Jason got an overwhelming feeling of fun-excitement-mischief that weren’t his own and his eyes widened. “Can I sense your emotions? Is that another ghost thing?”

Danny laughed and it was filled with so much enjoyment that Jason couldn’t even be offended. “Dude, you really don’t know anything. We can project emotions to other ghosts. It’s easy. Think something at me.”

Jason bit his lip as he considered what to do. His eyes lit up and he tapped Danny on the nose as he thought hard game-tag-play-fun before flying away as fast as he could.

Danny shouted after him, “You are so not getting away from me!”

As expected, Danny used the game to show him all the cool things ghosts could do. He could shoot energy beams now! Just like Kori! Or, well he would be just like her once he got a bit better at controlling them.

After who knows how long, they ended up lying on their backs on the grass, exhausted from the exertion. Jason wasn’t even sure who was It anymore.

It had been the most fun he'd had in longer than he cared to remember.

----------

Next

Have all the fluff. I love them so much.

Not much of a tag list yet since this is so new, but I can add more on if you'd like.

@britcision, @echoednonny

[wrenreid]

Off Limits

Part Twenty-Seven

My freshman year of high school, I was put into a junior level government class. I was only in there because it was the only class that fit into my schedule other than ag classes I couldn’t have been less interested in. I didn’t talk much in the class because everyone was older than me, and they thought I was a kiss up because i always made good grades. I didn’t particularly love the class, but of course, I still did my work and did it well.

Toward the end of the year, we did a mock trial. We drew for positions within the trial, mr flynn the judge. I drew attorney.

The case was a business lawsuit, I was the lawyer who was going against the business for their supposed cruel acts.

Mr. Flynn told us that we would receive extra credit if we dressed up, so me, a fourteen year old with a desperate need for academic validation, borrowed one of my mother’s pencil skirts and a suit jacket from my dad. I looked like a mini Aaron Hotchner, even my mom said so.

I remember preparing for the trial for at least a week, being a little excited about the project. I wanted to win the case, especially since I was, as I believed, on the right side of the law.

My opposing attorney was Noah Kincaid. He was a smart but cocky kid who also cared about winning the trial.

I remember standing up from my desk when is was my turn to ask questions to the kid under oath. I felt as though I had stepped into myself for the first time. It was just a mock trial that lasted half an hour, but I felt proud and confident. I was good at it.

Mr. Flynn pulled me aside after class and told me I should consider law school in the future. He said, and I quote, “The way you handled yourself was the most confident and concise I’ve ever seen in a student. You surprised me, Hotchner.”

I didn’t take it to offense that he said my skills surprised him. In his defense, he’d only heard me talk when I turned in a paper or answered a question, which the latter was usually rare since I didn’t particularly like to “show off” in front of juniors who already thought I was a kiss ass.

I did, however, take his first sentence as a compliment. I was confident and my statements and questions were concise.

I smiled, nodded, thanked him, then left. A lawyer was not on my top five career choices at the time. I didn’t want people to think I was doing it because of my father. I was definitely not. But after some research and a few binge watches of crime shows, I knew I actually did want to be an attorney. Not because of my father but almost in spite of him.

My dad quit his job as a lawyer and took the job Agent Gideon offered him at the BAU. I resented him for it, still do, but that’s besides the point. He wasn’t around much in my most influential years, and at fourteen, I decided I would be a lawyer, and if I happened to have a family, I wouldn’t take a new job that prevented me from being there for them.

So now, I’m currently four weeks away from grad school and three years away from the BAR. And I’m going to rock the shit out of them both. Because I can and because I’m determined. It’s also way less about my unresolved daddy issues now than it was in high school and even some of college, it’s a dream of mine.

Spencer has made it his mission to make sure I enjoy the last month of summer as much as I can. He’s taken me out on a million dates like picnics, movies, late night drives around the city and out into the country, and more every chance he gets between cases.

At least now we don’t have to sneak around and lie about our relationship. Though I was prepared to keep this from my dad for however long necessary, I’m pretty glad we accidentally outed ourselves at my graduation dinner.

My dad cooked a big meal for me, some family, friends, and we invited the team too. Spencer and I didn’t even sit near each other. We barely talked the whole dinner just to be safe.

But as love-sick, horny couples do, when we saw an opportunity to take a minute alone, we did just that.

Having your father catch you making out with a guy will never not be awkward, but when the guy happens to be his employee, it’s fucking weird.

Though, I will say, the look on his face was priceless. I’ve hardly seen him have that much emotion on his face.

After a very awkward, flushed-face, and stuttered explanation from Spencer and me, we were able to calm my father down. He was a lot more excepting than I expected; I think he finally realized he can’t dictate my life, and he saw how happy we are together.

The rest of that dinner consisted of a lot of teasing from Derek Morgan, my brother being grossed out by me having a boyfriend, and everyone asking about law school.

I’m excited and anxious to start the rest of my life as a law student. I’ve prepared for this for nearly 8 years now, and I’m getting closer and closer to my dream career. It’s terrifyingly exciting. I’m grateful to have my family and Spencer by my side through all of this.

hey, so this is it for this story! this is also most likely it for my fanfiction in general.

and for a little life update: i started college a month ago, and i’m adjusting to my new life which has been interesting and scary and fun. im also in a healthy relationship and have been for a while which has been pretty amazing. i hope all my mutuals/ readers are doing well. thank you guys for sticking around :)

tags: @pauline5525mgg @theintimatewriter @lilibet261 @greysviolets @jazzymariexoxoc @one-sweet-gubler @thatsonezesty13 @necromaniackat @awhoreforspencerreid @sebs-oxygen @scarredelirium @bts-sugaplum @awesomeness1679 @preciousbabypeter @yazzyu @cynbx @r3idsp3ncer @1010lizz @tiredbut-here @skulzombiw @lena-1895 @eevee0722 @shakespear-picaso-lovechild @daydreamingqueen1 @regulus-black-223048 @virginmusicloverr36 @jazzerbelle14 @kylakins88 @f-me-reid @lovejules888 @marimorena06 @daph-421 @idkusername8787

[katsu28]

even after all these years

pairing: Eddie Munson x reader

summary: based on the prompt “i take my little sibling to their school’s halloween carnival and you’re one of the volunteers/workers there and you’re super cute” but slightly different

warnings: light swearing, bats

a/n: is it even legal to finally be posting a halloween fic in december? let’s pretend it is and i’m not criminally late with it! but in my defense, i started writing this before halloween and then just never finished it </3

navigation + taglist

Eddie didn’t want to be here. Now don’t get him wrong, he liked Halloween just as much as the next person, but being around all these people that were ready to hunt him down and burn him at the stake just months ago, who were now pretending like it never happened, just didn’t tickle his fancy. 

But Dustin and Steve were very adamant on him coming with them, and as much as he wanted to decline, he couldn’t. 

So now here he was, shuffling behind his friends as they wandered around the Hawkins High parking lot that had been converted into a makeshift Halloween carnival, trying his best to ignore the stares and whispers aimed his way. 

Eddie was no stranger to them, but these were different. He wasn’t just a freak, he was a so called “murderer”. Even though his name had been cleared a long time ago. 

“Dude, you look like you’re about to piss yourself. Relax.” Steve’s voice drew him out of his thoughts, his eyes flicking to the brown haired boy currently raising a brow at him. “You’re fine, Munson.” 

“Yeah, yeah, okay. Whatever.” Eddie muttered, shoving his hands into the pockets of his denim jacket sulkily. 

Dustin cast a glance back at him, frowning when he saw the older boy kicking a rock down the gravel path, much more interested in the toes of his dirty sneakers than anything else around him. He felt bad for dragging Eddie here when he obviously wasn’t having any fun, but it was good for him to get out more. He’d barely left Steve’s house at all the past seven months, only managing to drag himself to Hellfire meetings and to give Dustin an occasional ride home from school. 

“Hey, you wanna come with me to get my face painted?” Dustin asked excitedly, making his way back to tug on Eddie’s sleeve with a grin. “I was thinking like a huge spiderweb, straight across my cheek. Pretty badass, don’t you think?” 

“I guess.” Eddie shrugged, instantly feeling guilt pool in his stomach when he saw Dustin’s shoulders slump. So he tried his best to remedy it by plastering a smile on his face, clapping him on the back and pulling him closer by the collar of his jacket. “That does sound real badass, Henderson. Lead the way.” 

Dustin perked right back up, launching into a mindless ramble about some species of spider that Eddie wasn’t paying attention to all that much as they made their way through the crowds of kids and parents to the face painting table. Immediately plunking into a free chair across from one of the Hawkins High science teachers, Dustin started talking again, probably forgetting that Eddie had come with him. 

Eddie, on the other hand, was about ready to ditch him, since he was getting a few weird looks as he just stood in the middle of the array of tables awkwardly. 

“Hey, I know you. You’re—” 

“Yeah, yeah, Eddie the freak, satanic worshipper, murderer, yada, yada,” He grumbled, deciding to slouch over into another flimsy plastic chair with his arms crossed over his chest to get out of people’s way, barely hastening you a glance before focusing his scowl on the worn out knees of his jeans. 

“Uh…okay. That’s not what I was thinking of though.” You frowned. “Hawkins middle school debate team, sixth grade.” 

Eddie’s eyes snapped up, widening in horror at the sight of you. You, out of all the people he could’ve snapped at.

He remembered you, and he definitely remembered that year. The year he went to live with his uncle, which then turned into two, then three, then the rest of his life. 

He’d been having trouble adjusting to being moved around so much, so he’d started acting out. Arguing with teachers, interrupting class randomly, cutting school, the whole nine yards. Apparently, he was so good at arguing with authority figures, they decided to stick him on the debate team as punishment. But honestly, it wasn’t so much of a punishment when he realized that you were also on the debate team. 

Bright eyed and bushy tailed with the brightest of smiles, you were Eddie’s first crush. You were one of the only people who didn’t treat him like a total freak, sitting with him during debate practices and talking to him when no one else would, even going so far as to share your snacks with him. You never brushed him off or called him a weirdo, and you’d even kicked Tommy H in the nuts one time when he made a dig at Eddie’s clothes. 

So when you moved out of Hawkins, he was pretty bummed. But now you were back, and he still felt the same butterflies in his stomach right now that he did back when he was twelve. 

“What was that about being a murderer?” You tilted your head at him in confusion, to which he shook his head quickly. 

“Nothing! I’m not—my name was cleared, I didn’t, uh, I didn’t murder anyone!” He tugged at the collar of his jacket awkwardly, half expecting you to shoot him a weird look. 

But you just smiled, laughing a little bit. “That’s always good. Hi, Eddie.” 

“Hi,” Eddie said sheepishly, holding up a ringed hand in greeting. “I didn’t know you were back.” 

“Yeah, I’ve only been here for a couple weeks…” You trailed off, fiddling with your paintbrush. Hoping I’d magically run into you somehow, you wanted to add. But you didn’t. “I like your hair. Much better than the buzzcut.” 

Eddie’s hand flew to his unruly curls, trying his best to smooth them down even the tiniest bit. You remembered what his hair looked like? More importantly, you remembered him? 

“Oh, uh, thanks. I like your hair too.” His words came out in an awkward jumble that you just beamed even brighter at, eyes crinkling at the corners. I like your hair too? Stupid, stupid, stupid. 

You didn’t seem to think it was stupid. “You’re sweet. How’ve you been? What’ve you been up to?” 

Eddie shifted in his seat uncomfortably. What had he accomplished since the last time he saw you? 

He’d become a drug dealer, started a club that everyone thought promoted Satanic worship, been accused for multiple gruesome murders, almost died in Hawkins the horror dimension, came back, and was now even more of a loser freak than he’d already been.

“Uh, not much. Nothing too interesting.” He mumbled. “So…what, uh, what brings you back here?” 

“My grandparents’ house was damaged in that earthquake back in March and they came to live with us right after, so we’re just here trying to…hopefully salvage some stuff, maybe see if we can fix it up.” You shrugged, waving your brush around aimlessly. “Honestly, I don’t think there’s too much we can do, that was a pretty intense quake.” Eddie didn’t mean to, but he flinched a bit at your mention of the quake, seeing as what really happened was so much worse than a natural disaster. 

You noticed, instantly scrambling to rectify your statement with flaming cheeks. “I mean, obviously, you knew that, you lived through it. Sorry, that was really insensitive of me, I don’t—” 

“It’s fine! Don’t worry about it.” Eddie shook his head quickly, brushing it off. “I’m—I’m okay.” I nearly got eaten alive by demon bats from hell, but I’m okay. Obviously he couldn’t tell you that. Not only would he sound absolutely insane, but it would definitely scare you off, which is something he really didn’t want. 

“Right, well, anyways—” You started, but were cut off by a cleared throat from a quite severe looking woman with a clipboard standing a few feet away, who was aiming a very pointed looking glare in your direction. Leaning in a little closer, your nose wrinkled in distaste, voice hushed so as to not draw her attention even more. “That’s my supervisor. She thinks I talk too much, paint too little.” 

“Supervisor? Aren’t you a volunteer?” Eddie whispered, brows furrowing. 

You shrugged. “Apparently this whole carnival thing is super serious this year.” 

“Uh huh, because painting pumpkins on kids’ faces is such a serious thing.” 

“According to her, it’s pretty much the most serious thing in the whole history of serious things.” 

“Seriously?” 

“Seriously.” 

You had to clamp a hand over your mouth to keep from bursting into laughter, such a simple act that still sent a shot of warmth through Eddie’s chest. It also garnered the attention from your supervisor, whose angry steps quickly spurred you back to business as usual. 

“And what would you like painted on your face today, Eddie?” 

His lips quirked into a miniscule smile at your sudden forced enthusiastic tone, which brought a flush to your cheeks. 

“Sorry,” You apologized sheepishly. “Too teacher-y?” 

“I’d say just enough teacher-y.” He observed, nodding thoughtfully. “Reminds me of Mrs. Paulson from middle school. Y’know, the old lady who always smelled like pepperoni.” 

“Pepperoni Paulson, I remember her,” You nodded as well, then squinted at him suspiciously. “Wasn’t she arrested for public intoxication a few years ago?” 

“Yeah. I stand by my point.” 

You let out a noise of indignance, eyebrows creasing and nose wrinkling in such an adorable way that Eddie almost felt the need to turn tail and run. 

“Okay, asshole, what do you want painted on you?” You huffed playfully, poking his arm with the pointy end of the brush in your hand. 

Eddie scratched at his nose. “Eh, I dunno. Surprise me.” 

“You sure you wanna give me free reign after that smug comment? Might just draw a dick on your face to be funny.” 

He couldn’t help it. A snorting laugh fell from his lips at how utterly serious you looked as you dipped the brush into the colorful array of paint in front of you. 

You were the first person outside his friends not to tiptoe around him like he was about to snap at any second. Maybe it was because you had no idea what had really happened in Hawkins, but he didn’t really care. He wasn’t used to it, but he liked it. He really liked it. 

Both Steve and Dustin’s heads whipped around at the sound of Eddie’s laughter, regarding each other with identical wide eyed stares before gawking over at him. They hadn’t heard him laugh in months. They didn’t even know he still could laugh. 

But there he was, sitting at the face painting booth across from you, head tipped back, shoulders shaking, looking…happy. 

Eddie, on the other hand, felt like he was about to spontaneously combust at your close proximity—your fingers gripping his chin to keep him still, the delicate swipe of your brush across his cheek, your knees wedged between his own to get the right angle for steady strokes. How you radiated vanilla and cinnamon and the kind of warmth that spread through his own body with every carefully controlled breath he took. 

To make matters worse, your tongue poked out from between your lips in pure concentration, something Eddie realized you had in common. Though he probably wasn’t as cute when he did it. 

His gaze bounced around, focusing on anywhere else, anything else but you. 

“You look kinda uncomfortable right now, Eddie,” You said softly, your breath a barely there puff of air across his skin that still had goosebumps raising on his arms. “Are you okay? Do you need me to stop?” 

“No, I’m—I’m good! It’s just…cold out today.” He finished lamely, fingers fiddling with the rips in his pants. 

“It is.” You concurred, smiling softly. “I gotta say, I definitely haven’t missed Hawkins in that area.”

Hawkins has definitely missed you, Eddie thought. Okay, maybe not Hawkins. Just me. 

The paint on his cheek was cold too, but it did nothing to quell the flame of his cheeks to rosy red the more he realized that twelve year old Eddie would give anything to be where he was right now. Hell, even himself from a few months ago would’ve had an aneurysm if he knew that he actually had the chance to talk to you again. 

Your voice snapped him out of his thoughts, jerking him back to reality. “Alright, take a look, tell me what you think.” You passed him a small mirror, leaning back in your seat. “You can tell me if you hate it. I’ll just go curl up in a ball and die from embarrassment.” 

“I won’t hate it, I promise. I—” He glanced in the mirror, stopping mid-sentence when he saw what you’d created oh so carefully. A flurry of tiny bats scattered across his cheek, the black paint a stark contrast to his pale skin. 

“Oh my god, you hate it!” You moaned, hiding your face behind your hands. 

“I don’t!” 

“You so do!” 

“Y/N, I promise I don’t hate it. See, look,” He pulled up the sleeve of his jacket hastily to reveal a similar grouping of bats tattooed on his forearm. “More bats.” 

The scars marring his torso and chest twinged, not out of pain, but as a reminder. Bats. Obviously, he couldn’t tell you the real reason why he wasn’t too fond of bats, but he’d sooner face the Upside Down again than tell you he hated what you’d done. 

“Oh, okay. Good. Because I was afraid I just blew my chance at impressing you after all these years.” 

“You—you wanted to impress me?” He asked incredulously, eyebrows furrowing. 

“‘Course I did. Feels a little late to admit this, but I totally had a crush on you in middle school.” 

“You did?” 

“I did. I was even thinking about telling you before I left, but it just…didn’t feel right, y’know? Dropping such a big thing and then bailing?” 

“Y/N, you moved away, that’s not bailing.” Eddie shook his head, then inhaled a sharp breath. “I—I actually liked you too. And I wanted to tell you back then, but then you…y’know, moved, and I thought I’d lost my chance.” 

It suddenly felt a lot harder to breathe, but you managed to utter your next words despite it. “But now I’m back.” 

“Now you’re back,” He repeated. “You’re back, and I get another one.” His hand came down on your knee, the warmth of his palm sending a different kind of warmth to your cheeks. “I still like you. I don’t think I ever stopped. I actually think it got worse—no, not worse! Liking you was never a bad thing, it was a really good thing. It has been a really good thing, I just—I didn’t know if I was ever gonna see you again, and now that I have, I…am totally rambling, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to—” 

“Eddie—” 

“—overload you with my feelings, I just felt like it was something I should tell you, since—” 

“Eddie,” You repeated, your hand blanketing his on your jeans. “Stop talking.” His mouth snapped shut immediately, brown eyes wide. “I still like you too.” 

“You…you do?” You nodded. “Even after all these years?” Another nod, this time accompanied by a soft smile. 

“Even after all these years.” You echoed, tapping along the rings adorning his knuckles. His fingers twitched, aching to entwine with yours, but he was afraid that he might be hallucinating right now. There was no way in hell you felt the same way, now or ever. He wanted to pinch himself, but he felt it might be weird. 

You could tell by the way his mouth dropped open the slightest bit that the cogs in his mind were working overdrive, so you decided to take matters into your own hands. “I’m gonna kiss you now, Eddie. Feel free to stop me.” 

Eddie wasn’t going to stop you. He’d never even dream about it. 

When your lips touched his, he could swear that he was dreaming—that any second now, he’d wake up in his own bed, back to the reality where this whole thing never happened. Where you were still god knows where, miles and miles away from Hawkins, probably not even paying him any mind at all. 

This time, he really did pinch himself, and he was beyond pleased to realize that this was real, that you were in fact here, kissing him, right now. He leaned forward into you, one hand sliding around the back of your neck while the other cupped your cheek tenderly. Yours came up to grip at his biceps, fingers curling into the worn leather of his sleeves as if you were securing him place, making sure that he couldn’t slip away the way he did all those years ago. 

And when his hands moved down to your chair to drag you a little bit closer, you took that chance to take his face in yours, tracing the curve of his jaw lightly as his mouth moved against yours eagerly. 

Both of you seemed to realize that you were in a public place with lots of people around at the same time, pulling away from each other swollen lipped and a little breathless, but still with identical stupid grins on your faces. 

“Oh no,” You pouted, holding up your hand for him to see the splotches of black paint smudging your fingertips. “I ruined my hard work.” 

“Looks like you’re just gonna have to do them all over again.” 

“Looks like it.” 

“Can I make a request though?” You raised an eyebrow at his sheepish turned suspiciously giddy grin. “No more bats.” 

“I knew you hated them, you asshole!” 

“I said I didn’t hate them! They’re really good, but bats are just…not my thing.” 

“Says the boy with the bat tattoo.” 

Cocking his head to the side, Eddie ignored you, instead opting to lean in and kiss you again, and of all the ways he could’ve changed the subject, this was by far the best. 

Eddie had never been so grateful for his friends’ constant pestering and dragging him everywhere he didn’t want to go, because it led him back to you, the one that got away. Twelve year old Eddie knew it was you, current day Eddie knew it was you, and now you knew it too. 

He’d thank Steve and Dustin later when he had the time, but not now. Eddie was too busy planning out all the things he wanted to say to you and do with you before his luck turned and you were gone again. Though if he’s being honest, he doesn’t think you’re planning on leaving anytime soon. 

Neither are you. No way in hell were you thinking about leaving when coming back to Hawkins got you paint smudged fingers, some closure, and finally Eddie Munson. 

Even after all these years.

taglist!

@wittiestrain184 @milkiane @pastel-abyss-x @liltimmyst @lilygreennn @nia-um @pinkdaiisies @maciiiofficial @oliviah-25 @scoopsahoykeery @eddiesquinn @bubsonnobx @yearningforeddiemunson @sanzu-holic @cityofidek @strawberry-canyon

[honeypot96]

So, I've never played the Devil May Cry games. However, I've fallen in love with the characters and the storyline. So have this short little Vergil fic that I just had to get out of my head.

If you guys like this, I'll add DMC to my list of fandoms I write for.

Warnings: Canon typical violence, ooc Vergil (maybe? I'm not sure)

Fandom: Devil May Cry

Feral

This job was supposed to be an easy one.

Get in, clear out the nest of demons, and get out.

And yet, here you were, fighting off waves of demons with Vergil, the two of you having separated from Nero and Dante in an attempt to cover more ground.

You are a very skilled fighter. Your ability to keep up with the sons of Sparda in a fight was what had earned you your current job at Devil May Cry.

But, right now, you felt less like a skilled fighter and more like an animal.

The two short swords you typically wielded had found purchase in a pair of demons a while ago and you hadn't been able to recover them since. The only other weapon you had was a dagger about 4 inches in length. It was effective enough, but the lack of distance between you and the creatures left you feeling almost feral. Like a caged beast, lashing out at anything that drew too close.

In a brief moment of hyper awareness, you caught a glimpse of blue leather out of the corner of your eye. You turned your gaze and spotted Vergil only a few feet away from you.

The half-devil hadn't even broken a sweat.

His silver hair was still immaculate and his gaze was as cool and confident as ever.

Vergil moved with such grace that, for a moment, it looked more like a dance.

Then you spotted it, the winged demon flying at Vergil, just out of his line of sight.

The dagger left your hand before you could even think. Within a second, the blade had connected with the creatures head. It landed with such force that it's body was pinned to a nearby wall.

The pride that swelled in your chest was cut short by the immediate realization that you were now without a weapon.

But there wasn't time to dwell on the realization as the demons wasted no time in trying to rip you apart.

You were, once again, a caged beast fighting for survival.

You immediately went on the defensive, dodging and weaving around their attacks as best you could. But there was only so much you could do without a weapon.

You desperately scanned your surroundings for anything to defend yourself.

Then you saw it, just out of the corner of your eye.

A beautiful katana sticking out of a demons body. The white cord wrapped around the hilt looked more like a beacon of hope in that moment.

With no time to think, or even fully recognize the blade, you pulled it from the deceased creature.

The blade was almost electric in your grasp, a strange energy flowing through your body.

It was as if your body began moving on it's own. You cut through every demon that came within reach with a grace you never thought yourself capable of.

As the last of the creatures fell, you were pulled from the haze of battle by a familiar voice.

"Perhaps I should let you use the Yamato more often."

At Vergil's words, you finally looked at the weapon in your hand.

Sure enough, it was the Yamato.

"I- I'm sorry. I di- didn't realize." The shock was clear in your voice.

Vergil never let the katana out of his reach. The blade being in your hand instead of his felt almost like a sin.

But, when you finally met his gaze, there was no anger there. Only pride, and something else that you couldn't quite place.

"It's quite alright." Vergil began to saunter over to you. "It looks better in your hands." He smirked.

"I'd have to disagree." You grinned, a sudden sense of confidence rising at his flirtations.

As Vergil drew closer, you held the hilt out for him to take.

He reached forward and took the hilt his grasp, but he didn't take it. Vergil simply stood there, gazing down at you.

At such close proximity, you were finally able to place that second emotion in his gaze.

It was lust.

Vergil leaned closer, his nose brushing teasingly against yours.

Your eyes fluttered shut, your body shuttering in anticipation of what would come next.

His lips brushed gently over yours.

He moved to close what little distance remained and-

"There you two are! We were wondering what was taking so long!"

At the sound of Dante's voice the two of you jolted apart, Vergil taking the Yamato with him.

[aha-chuu]

I have this image in my mind of Wriothesley's trial and it goes like this:

So Wriothesley is like,,, 16. He's fresh out of the hospital and still bandaged up. He's only got one eye uncovered, the other blocked by gauze. He's a little street urchin at this point, alongside just being injured beyond belief, so he's not looking Great™.

And of course, no one even knows enough about him to fact check the name he gave the nurse.

It's not an exciting case and the trial is held first thing in the morning, right after Wriothesley was discharged from the hospital. There's not much of an audience and, of the people who are present, they're tired and grumpy and bored.

Neuvillette lists out the charges: two counts of murder, breaking and entering. He says that Wriothesley was found unconscious in critical condition at the scene of the crime, and the Gardes thought he was another victim at first. While Wriothesley was in hospital, they investigated and proved otherwise. The crowd makes a murmer of noise - if only they'd realised Wriothesley was the murderer right then; there'd be no need to have wasted resources saving his life.

Of course Neuvillette calls for order. Wriothesley is representing himself by his own choice,, how does he plead?

Guilty. Guilty on all counts.

And that's boring. Furina leaves immediately, and most of the small audience follows her in the next few minutes. The ones who stay only stay because they think they'll move onto the next trial quickly, and they hope it will be a more interesting one.

But Neuvillette must finish this one first - he asks Wriothesley for his version of events, which he provides clearly and concisely. How he'd attacked first and then one of the victims drew a knife. He expresses no remorse, but says that he accepts whatever sentence Neuvillette believes is just.

The details don't quite add up. Wriothesley never provided his motive, and the evidence shows that there was no attempt to rob the victims' house. It seems Wriothesley just had some psychopathic urge one day to break into a couple's home and kill them where they stood.

Neuvillette asks after his history; he's some homeless teenager. Well, where are his parents? Dead or gone. Left before Wriothesley could ever know them.

The audience gets a little more sympathetic. They invent this imagine in their minds of Wriothesley's tragic life, leading him to eventually snap and kill in cold blood.

So Neuvillette continues questioning, even though the case is pretty much open and shut. Has Wriothesley been on the streets his entire life? For the last few years. Where was he before that? Foster home. Did he know the victims beforehand? Yes.

And then the motive becomes clear, and Neuvillette asks him to share more. Wriothesley is still young, of course, and desperate. There could be reason to lighten the sentencing. Wriothesley maintains that he should be tried as an adult who fully understood the crime he was committing.

(and it's strange, the audience notices, that Neuvillette is acting more as Wriothesley's Defence than he is as his prosecutor. But Wriothesley himself is more interested in the latter).

Once Wriothesley has explained what his victims put him through, and laid out his reasoning for all to see, the mood shifts. The tiny audience argues among themselves; should this kid be tried at all? It was a vengeful murder, but could it be called self defense? Surely he's not deserving of the full sentence, not after everything that happened to him?

Wriothesley and Neuvillette are both silent for most of the trial, observing the crowd argue among themselves. But no one is really entertained - there's no exciting twists or raucous accusations being thrown around in this case. It's just a sad teenager and his sad life and there's too much nuance to the situation for anyone to really agree on anything.

Eventually Neuvillette has to call for order. Wriothesley is guilty of the crimes, he says. Extenuating circumstances or not, Wriothesley freely admits to having planned out revenge, so this cannot be called self defense. The Oractice has the same verdict, and Wriothesley's only response is to nod at Neuvillette. Some tiny acknowledgement on his blank expression.

Neuvillette chooses the sentence and it's shorter than the technical term. Due to Wriothesley's age and the circumstances surrounding the crime, he's given 15 years instead of 30 to life. Before Wriothesley can argue against his own good, Neuvillette clarifies that this is the most fair punishment.

[snowdice]

Unplanned Consequences (Part 5: Patton) [Sometimes Labels Shift Series-The End]

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Relationships: Patton/Logan

Characters: Patton, Logan, Virgil (mentioned), Roman (mentioned)

Summary: Sometimes... things change.

Notes: This takes place after Best Laid Plans

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

“Hey Lo,” Patton said as he walked into the living room. Virgil had officially moved into an apartment with Roman a few days ago as the spring semester was starting tomorrow. This left Patton and Logan living alone together in the house for the first time since… The Incident.

Patton had just finished cleaning up dinner after getting Logan settled on the couch. The TV was on, but Logan was currently staring past it into space, something he never used to do, but had become a frequent occurrence since getting injured. It worried Patton a bit, but he tried not to think about it.

Logan looked up at him as Patton said his name. He didn’t smile softly at Patton like he usually would have. It made something clog in Patton’s throat.

“Hello,” Logan said.

“I… made us both some tea,” Patton said, holding out the tea mugs as though for his approval.

“Thank you, love.” He still seemed distracted and distant. He turned back towards the television.

Patton nodded and then walked over to set the mugs on the coffee table. Then, he sat down on the couch next to Logan. Years of instinct told him to scootch over closer until their arms and legs intermingled, but he hesitated.

Logan either noticed his hesitation, or noticed his deviation from the norm, because he glanced over at Patton. He lifted the arm closest to Patton and Patton instantly took the invitation, moving closer to curl up under his arm.

Logan pressed a kiss to the top of his head.

It was silent between them for a long moment, only the sound of the television droning on breaking the quiet. The news was on, Patton noted. There was coverage on a supervillain attack Prince had stopped the night before.

“I think I need to retire,” Logan said out of the blue.

Patton drew back to look at him in surprise. “What?” he asked. “You’ve been given medical leave until next fall. You’ll be more than recovered enough to go back to teaching by then.”

Logan looked at him for a moment and then gave him a wry smile. “I wasn’t talking about teaching, my dear.”

“Oh,” Patton said blinking at him. “Oh.” He took a moment to process that statement. “But you… you want to retire?”

“I wouldn’t say want,” Logan said, “but I think it may be the most responsible course of action.”

“You… I know you’re struggling with the leg and everything right now, but you’ll get better.”

“Patton,” Logan said, “you’re a doctor.”

“Exactly!” Patton said, feeling oddly defensive for a reason he couldn’t place. “So, I know exactly how people heal from injuries like yours. You’ll need time, but with physical therapy and…”

Logan cut him off. “With physical therapy,” he said, “I will get much better. I will perhaps walk again, maybe even without a mobility aid eventually, but Patton, I’m 57-years-old. This severe of an injury is not going to heal quickly or completely.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I’m getting old,” Logan said. “I’ve been slowing down, and this will not help me speed up. Being Bluebird is physically… and mentally demanding. I won’t be able fully meet those demands again after what happened.”

“That’s not true,” Patton said even though he wasn’t sure of that himself.

“It is,” said Logan. “It’s always something that would happen eventually. This has just… sped up the process.”

“You’re catastrophizing,” Patton said. It was probably an ironic statement to make when Patton’s words sounded so much more upset than his husband’s. “You’re making a rash decision because you feel bad now, but…”

“This isn’t rash,” Logan said, evenly. “I’ve been thinking about it a lot in the last months.”

Patton didn’t know what to say to that.

“Besides,” he said, nodding at the TV. The news had cycled around again while they talked, back to Prince, back to Roman. “I’m not the city’s only long-term hero anymore. Roman had been doing well before and is doing even better now. I will continue to help him on his journey, and it won’t be an immediate transition. Bluebird will still make a few appearances, but I do think it’s time. For my own sake and ultimately for this city’s too.”

Patton hesitated. Logan was right, of course, that this was inevitable. It’s just that Patton had never really thought about it. He didn’t want to think about it, especially now when Logan was still so hurt in multiple ways. He’d been telling himself that eventually things would go back to normal, but Logan had just confirmed Patton’s greatest fear: they wouldn’t.

It felt selfish to be upset, but Patton really couldn’t help it. Patton felt himself gripping onto Logan’s sleeve for support even though support was Patton’s job right now. He felt tears in his eyes, but he resisted letting them fall.

“Are you okay?” Logan asked.

“I…” Patton said. A couple of the tears escaped. “It’s just… I’ve never known a Logan that wasn’t also Bluebird.”

Logan sighed softly. He gently removed Patton’s grasping hand from his shirt sleeve to hold it in his own. “Things change,” he said, doing that thing where he stared into the distance again, “labels shift.”

A/N:

And that my friends, is the end of Sometimes Labels Shift.

It's been a long time coming and I'm feeling a bit emotional even though it's not the end of the Labeled Universe. We're just moving on to the next chapter.

All of our favorite Labeled characters will return in the new sub-series named Envisage. I hope to see you there.

[razorblade180]

Clearing the Air

[Context- Post Lantern Rite final act]

Navia and Clorinde: *walking*

Furina:….

Clorinde:Is something the matter?

Furina:Huh? Oh, no. Just enjoying the mountain air on the way back.

Clorinde:Really? You’ve seemed a little lost in thought.

Navia:I know why~ Perhaps someone was hoping for a personal escort home by my partner ?

Furina:*red* That would be ridiculous! I didn’t even plan on seeing him today!

Clorinde:That doesn’t mean you can’t have wishful thinking. If you wanted him to escort you rather than us you could’ve just said so.

Furina:Don’t word it like that. I’m actually really happy to be traveling with the both of you. It’s not something that happens often. Honestly…it’s a little surreal.

Clorinde:…I hope you know I consider you a friend.

Furina:….What?

Clorinde:I can tell you’ve kept your distance from me and by extension, everyone else that was heavily involved with your old life. I can’t say I know for certain what goes through your mind, but I hope you know you are closer to us than you think.

Navia:She’s right. Starting over doesn’t mean you have to leave everything behind. I know things between us might feel a little awkward for their own reasons, but I don’t hate you at all. If you ever need help or simply want to hang out, I’m more than happy to. And if there’s anything we need to clear the air for, it’s best to do it openly. Clorinde and I learned that the hard w-

Furina:I was hurt.

The two young women turned around to see Furina standing still, her face red and tears stinging her eyes as she tried not to cry.

Furina:This feels so petty to bring up; especially considering how happy I am to free, but… *trembling*

Clorinde: The trial?

Navia:…Oh.

Perhaps Navia didn’t want to think of it, or maybe it was because too much happened that day to properly ponder it? Whatever the case, it was the forefront of her mind now that she witnessed Furina furiously wiping her tears away. Navia remembered Furina crying back then too. Everyone did what they believed to be best for the situation; that was little consolation for how feelings fanned the day. Navia knew all too well that emotions don’t settle even in the presence of valid reasoning.

Clorinde took the first step, walking up to Furina and pulling her into a hug. In truth, she could think of many reasons why the girl kept her distance. For years she stood as a sword for Furina, but near the end…

Clorinde:I must’ve really hurt you when I drew my sword against you, didn’t it? Regardless of the reason or the outcome, I’m sorry.

Furina:I never thought it’d be you. I understand why it happened; I really do! I do even hate you! Gods, I could never hate you, so why does it hurt to think about all the time!? Why can’t I just let it go!?

Navia:Because no one could. In the face of a crisis, everyone you thought you could depend on, the people who were said to support for your efforts, they all didn’t just turn against you. They- We left you no way out; alone on that stage with no help.

Rancid memories of Navia crying out for the sake of her father’s defense came rushing back. She begged only for the law, her people, and her very own friend to ignore her pleas. She had held that resentment for ages. Even towards her own father. Of course Furina was still upset deep inside. Saddened by this realization, Navia began tearing up herself and ran over to hug Furina tightly.

Navia:I am so sorry. We should’ve talked about this sooner. I always kept looking from the perspective of the flooding incident and how you feared what I might think, instead of…I’m sorry!

Furina was speechless. All three of them ran out of them ran out of words and just stood on the trail, hugging as if they’ve been reunited after a long journey.

xxxxxx

It took a little longer than expected, but the trio finally made it back to Fontaine. The trip definitely took a turn for the quieter, but it was comfortable silence; one could even say healing. As they entered the city, they were surprised to see Aether approaching them. The boy was about to wave happily until he noticed redness under all of their eyes.

Aether:Ummm

Clorinde:We’re okay. It was a longer trek than expected. Although for you it appears to be rather simple. Back and leaving as we just arrived.

Paimon:We’re pros at that. But…maybe we should’ve journeyed together? Did something scary you all in liyue!? Oh, or did you eat something deceptively hot?

Navia:Hehe, never change Paimon.

Paimon:Okay?

Furina:As nice as this moment is, I’m way too exhausted to keep it up.

Navia…Partner, could we trouble you to walk Furina home? I have one more errand to run.

Furina:Wha-

Clorinde:And though I’m off duty, I have to report in that I’m back in the city.

Aether:That’s fine. I’ll happily escort you. Paimon-

Paimon:Yeah, yeah. Paimon knows. Just don’t be long! Let’s go Navia. Many hands make light work.

Navia:Thank you Paimon.

Aether held his hand out as the group waved before going off. Furina, too tired to question things, took Aether’s hand and began walking away with him; going as far as to lean on him.

Furina:Please excuse my manners.

Aether:I don’t mind. You feel lighter than before. Finally dropped some more emotional baggage?

Furina:Maybe a case or two. *gets closer* I know it’s late, but can you please make me dinner? I have plenty of macaroni in the cabinet.

Aether:How about I use my ingredients and make you a full blown satisfying meal?

Furina:Yes~

xxxxxx

Navia:Way to read the room.

Paimon:This song and dance happens every other week with someone. At this rate, we’ll probably stay the night in Fontaine. Is our room still available? Although it’s probably just going to be Paimon’s room tonight.

Navia:Absolutely. I’ll even make the two of us dinner.

Paimon:Yes~

[yourlastbraincell-kiwi]

“If not him, then her.”

A/N: Hey! I’ve been getting so many imagine ideas for Carl, literally outta nowhere. But here’s another, and I hope you like this one.

Pairing: Carl x Black!Fem!Reader

No use of Y/N in this one!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Kid,” Negan said motioning Carl over with his finger, “right here.”

I took in quick, yet rapid breaths, as Carl continued to kneel, glaring at him, swallowing thickly. Hoping he could burn a hole through Negan’s head, with nothing, but his stare.

“Kid..now.” He looked at his me—my tear stained face and my runny nose, looking like a hot mess. Then his father, before putting a hand on his knee, then lifted himself up and off the concrete. “You a southpaw?”

“Am I a what?” Carl asked, with nothing but pure hatred, individually wrapped around every word that he spat at Negan.

“You a lefty?” The Devil had asked. He was practically, a spawn of such. He was merciless, pretending like he cared. But ultimately, you did as he said, or you got the chop. No exceptions. His words, not mine.

“No.”

“Good.” He replied tightly, tying a belt around his left arm. “That hurt?”

“No.” Carl answered, with a slit tilt of his head. I began to notice that the tilt of the head, was something that of a family heirloom. It was passed down from person-to-person. I wouldn’t be surprised if Judith had developed, such an action.

“Should. It’s supposed to.” He said as his eyes with wide, with pure unadulterated excitement. “All right. Get down on the ground, kid, next to Daddy. Spread them wings.” He said, tossing Rick’ hat, that now belonged to Carl somewhere on the ground. He pulled Carl down to the ground, but his left arm, before pushing him on the ground so he was cheek-to-cheek with the gravel.

“Simon…you got a pen?” He right-hand man nods, before tossing a marker to him, and he catches it uncapping it with his teeth then bent down. We all watched as he drew a line across his arm. “There you go. Gives you a little leverage.”

“Please..” Rick begged, and he was never one to beg, none of us were, but when someone you love’s life is on the line. It’ll make anyone do anything to keep them safe. And that’s why my eyes, evidently spelt, ‘don’t do this,’ in them.

I liked Carl. Hell, I liked him enough to even say, that I damn near loved him. Both of us too young and too dumb enough to even know what it truly meant to be, in such a thing, known to all the common folk, as love. But neither of us gave up on trying to figure out the meaning for ourselves.

Whenever we had free time, we’d hang out together, climb over the walls of Alexandria, and run free in the forest, before sitting down near a log, reading the comics, Michonne was so kind as to find for the two of us.

When we were done, Carl would stand up first, before lending me a helping hand, pulling me up into a tight hug. He’d always flash me that, one-of-a-kind smile he had, and I always smile back up at him, before pushing him and raced back home.

On days, where Carl was taking care of Judith, I’d always be there sitting next to him, if I didn’t have anything to do, of course. I’d be watching over his shoulder, as he coo’d at his baby sister. Sometimes, I’d be too focused on Judith, to even notice Carl looking at me, with a certain softness, in his face. He only seemed to show it with our family, but mainly with me.

On occasions when I did catch him staring, he’d turn his head, pretending he wasn’t just watching me. I’d smile, and shake my head. “You’re staring again.” I said, with a content sigh. “I was not!” He said, getting all defensive. “And you never were a good liar, Carl.” I said, placing my hand on his cheek, running my fingers through the ends of his long hair.

His hair was always so soft and well kept, even with the sun beating down on him, leaving him drenched in sweaty from that and grimy from the forests we found ourselves traversing everyday. “Never cut this, you hear me?”

“Why? Do you like it?” He said, almost suggestively.

“I absolutely love your hair, and if you cut it I will hurt you.” I responded, more so a promise then it was a threat.

“Wait, hold on a minute. Did you just say you love me?” He replied, with a wriggle of his eyebrows. “I said, I love your hair, don’t get ahead of yourself, Grimes.”

He sighed, almost defeated. “But I do, I’m fact, love you too, Carl.” I mumbled to myself, but it was ultimately meant for him to hear.

I was then forced out my trip down memory lane. And forced onto the ground, by Negan, causing me to wince and groan.

“Well, look who finally decided to join us. Raise and shine, darling. The sun is out, the birds are doing whatever the hell birds do, and I,” He lifts my head up, by my hair, and I lick my bottom lip, tasting something of metal. “Am about to let Lucille pound your skull into the red meat. Now, you don’t want that do you, sweetheart?” I didn’t respond, but I did glance at Carl, and that was answer enough.

And Negan picked up on that instantly.

“Oh. Oh.. We got ourselves a couple of lovebirds. Young love..beautiful ain’t it, fellas?” He asks his men. “Ain’t it just the cutest damn shit you ever seen, Rick?” Rick stays looking at the ground, shaking violently.

“Here’s what’s going to happen, sweetheart. Since Rick here couldn’t do something as ‘simple,’ as cutting off his sons arm. Then maybe he’ll have a better chance at it with yours.” He said, crouching down till he was eye level with me, or as eye level as you can be without having to lay on your stomach.

“How about that?” He asks, and I shake my head, mumbling a ‘please, no,’ to him. “I’m sorry, pumpkin, but this is the way it has to be.” He ties the belt tight around my left arm, and I look at Carl with pleading eyes. And Carl looks at his dad, trying to plead and beg with him, not to do it. But Rick didn’t notice, face still staring down at the concrete, with the occasional sniffle.

“If Rick can’t cut the arm off his own flesh and blood, then he’ll surely be able to do it to you, right? Seems like a simple mathematic equation.” I felt the cold felt-tip sharpie, being grazed along my arm. The weight on my back is lifted as Negan rose and forced Rick to hold the axe, before telling him to do, what he couldn’t do to Carl. Negan waited no longer then a few seconds, for any sign of Rick moving, but the only bit of moving he did was shake his head.

“Alright, well it seems you’re stiff with fear, ain’t ya?” He said, kneeling down, now eye level with Rick. “Let me help you with that,” He grabs his arm tight. “And you should be thankful. I’m never helping your sorry ass again.” He forces Rick hand into the air.

“Dad, please..”

Rick probably heard, but chose not to listen and mouths ‘I’m sorry,’ to me before bringing it down so fast, you can hear it wisp through the air. “No!” Carl cried out, only to be kicked in the ribs. He held onto his side, then let out a cough.

I closed my eyes waiting for the sharp blade of the axe, to come in contact with my arm, to which it never did.

“You answer to me.” I opened my eyes, and looked up to see Negan, holding Ricks hand that held the axe. “You provide for me. You belong to me. Right?” Rick nods his head in response, but Negan didn’t like that, and calmly requested a verbal response.

I didn’t hear anything, he was saying to our group due to the pounding of my heart, beating in my ears like a drum.

“Welcome to a brand-new beginning, you sorry shits! I’m gonna leave you a truck. Keep it. Use it to cart all the crap you’re gonna find me. We’ll be back for our first offering in one week. Until then,” He walks away throwing the axe in the air, haphazardly, not that he cared. “Ta-ta.”

None of us moved not one muscle, Carl and I moved to sit up, but that was the only form of movement we made as the Saviors dispersed. Leaving us much less than we were before. Broken and afraid.

We watched as Maggie stood up and walked over to Glenn’s body. Rick tried to tell her to sit down, but she refused and told us to get ready to fight, The Saviors.

“Hey, come on.” A gentle voice called to me, with a hand on my shoulder. I continued to sit, on the ground feet to my chest. “Is Maggie coming?” I asked, feeling one bead of tear fell down my face. “She’ll meet us back at Alexandria. Come on, let’s go.” He said, gently grabbing me by my underarm, helping me stand.

Once I was fully standing, I turned and hug Carl so tight, I almost knocked him to the ground. “Carl?”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve never been so scared in my life, Carl.” I mumbled into the crook of his neck, and he rubs my back, trying to comfort me.

“I know,” He rests his chin on my head, looking over at Rick, who had been glancing over at this whole encounter. Normally Carl, was like Daryl in a way. You do so much as to threaten them or hurt my family, I’ll end you. But with Negan having a literal army, and Daryl as leverage over us, it was hard to not be frighten into doing exactly, as he says. “Me too.”