#it seems i've been mistaken... they're...oh my. oh god

[ophanonymous]

sincerely hoping with all my heart that posting an ambiguous wip here will put enough responsibility on my shoulders to actually finish the piece

[kivaember]

arthur nightingale character rambling

my favourite thing when it comes to fic writing is really getting into the guts of a character and figuring out how they tick or react to certain situations based on what info you have about them from canon

anyway under the cut is my self-indulgent ramble about my thoughts (which are probably disorganised sorry) on arthur nightingale

okay, first off, let's get to the basics:

he's your knight in sour armour, to break him down into the very basic of tropes. he's difficult to get close to because he's so standoffish with strangers and resistant to showing vulnerability, but he's also genuinely a good guy beneath the gruff who wants to help people just because it's the right thing and because he's naturally a very empathetic guy.

as eleanor pointed out, arthur had dreams of being a hero ever since he was leaping on pine cone grenades as a child. i wouldn't be surprised if as a kid he even fantasied about doing some heroic sacrifice that has everyone like "oh wow he was a true hero!" like you see in movies dfhddh since from what i've gleaned from 1999 they do idolise people being sent to the "hall of heroes" upon death. but i think his friend's death also compounded in arthur a sense of: if someone has to be sacrificed, it has to be him because...

well being the one left behind hurts. it's awful. you have to live with it, while the dead get to die with the satisfaction of doing a good thing. it's a complicated emotion that arthur has 99.9% likely not processed or even thought about too deeply, but i do feel that arthur has a fear of being the one left behind. he doesn't want other people dying for him, and god i bet the shitshow of a mission on new years eve had been the most horrific scenario for him:

Everyone dying before him, leaving him the last one standing, alive just long enough to know he got everyone killed for nothing. awful.

anyway, moving onto his initial curt personality. we always knew he was driven based on aoi's KIM convos where she explains their break-up. arthur's very blinkered and a big picture kind of guy, i feel, where because he's good at setting aside his personal feelings in favour of the "greater good", he forgets that not everyone else functions like that. i think this is also compounded by the whole entrati fiasco, where lettie explains that initially the hex loyally followed entrati against their higher ups' orders, distributing his medicines and encouraging people to take up his vaccines, etc.

and you know, burned once, shame on you, burned twice, shame on me. entrati and drifter are similar in that they're strange people who popped up literally out of nowhere claiming they have the magical solution to your problems if you just trusted them. entrati strung the hex along with promises of a cure for the techrot, and initiatially it seemed like he was telling the truth: his vaccine did stop people getting sick - it just turned them into asymptomatic carriers instead, which the hex didn't immediately clock onto, and when they started to have suspicions, well they really didn't want to believe they'd made the wrong choice. they must be mistaken, right? entrati kept his promise to make a cure so... there's probably a reason why other people are getting sick, right?

it's why they took the second vaccine he offered which turned them into protoframes: because they were desperate and, despite it all, they trusted entrati.

whiiiiiiiich kinda fucks over drifter from the outset, i feel. the whole fiasco with entrati is very likely lurking in the forefront of arthur's mind when it comes to drifter in the initial few months. drifter arriving from the future and locking them all into a time loop, saying "don't worry, i can help you with means you don't understand, you just have to trust me".

so with arthur, i really feel like the entire year of the first loop is drifter overcoming that initial (and understandable) mistrust. arthur was probably waiting for the other shoe to drop with drifter - like, he had no idea how this was going to turn out to be a scam, but he was probably waiting for something to happen... but no, drifter is genuine, they're not playing with the hex or trying to trick them into anything.

the KIM convos probably helped with that, honestly. entrati likely maintained an authorative distance with the hex, whereas drifter was, well, drifter: clearly traumatised and socially awkward, if emotionally intelligent, but genuinely trying to connect and make friends with the hex - wanting to help them but also get to know them.

and that kind of quality i think would draw arthur in. yeah, drifter has no filter when it comes to talking about their fucked up past (ngl its funny that you can practically hear the "jesus christ" reverbing through arthur's brain whenever drifter casually reveals yet another traumatising event from their past like it's no big deal), but they're kinda stupidly committed to doing the right thing no matter how crazy and hard it is. arthur is also stupidly committed to doing the right thing no matter how crazy and hard it is! they have something in common in that!

also drives them both insane because i can just imagine drifter and arthur being in a state of "no i will sacrifice myself for YOU" to each other bc both refuse to be the one left behind. they'd be insufferable on a dangerous mission together. i think eleanor would strangle them both.

this really is a disorganised ramble. but anyways, arthur's fun to write about bc this guy really wants to do the right thing, but he's made a terrible decision in trusting the wrong person which landed him and his comrades in a situation where they get to enjoy the body horror that is being turned into protoframes against their will with a potential future of having their minds consumed by the techrot eventually, where there is no easy route to doing the "right thing", where their future is uncertain and where they have living evidence of someone from the future being all like "yeah so the infestation still exists thousands of years from now and the future is fucked up to hell and back but... well, we're alive!" and they're also stuck in a time loop for who knows how long.

anyway this is why i love drifter/arthur bc i feel like they're both on the same wavelength of "heroically deranged" and they give each other enrichment that others would find diabolically annoying. they know how to respect each other's boundaries but also when to push, and they have that insane quality where they want to hope for a better future, think they can make a better future, if they just keep forging towards doing the right thing no matter how disgustingly hard and painful it is.

this is why aoi and arthur broke up, i feel. they both had different priorities, which is fine! honestly i'm so glad DE had them both be extremely mature about the whole thing, because sometimes relationships do end bc both parties realise that they're better as friends than romantic partners and it doesnt have to result in them being bitter or angry at each other. aoi was justified in wanting to break up bc she wanted someone who prioritised the relationship just as much as she did, whereas arthur kinda needs someone who's willing to butt heads with him when he's being a bit of an ass but also understand that he's not naturally a super romantic or emotional kind of person.

anyway tl;dr i love arthur bc he's a wet cat kind of guy who's trying his best and that's just endearing. thank you for listening to my disjointed rambling lmao

[brisquad-unit-4402]

Shu i'm so sorry but i really want to be called "my treasure" by a frenchman 😭

-🍰

master reader, am i tweaking?

i've been sitting on this ask bc i didn't realize until now but shu and zali would be god-tier love rivals. think about it. two dark-haired cuties with purple-pink highlights and the talented smart guy appeal. often get mistaken as calm and composed but shu is straight up silly goofy, while zali is suggestive silly. zali's highly competitive but when shu wants something he's dedicated. one of them speaks french. the other hates the french language

so FUCK IT the girls are fightinggggg

tags: gender neutral reader (some they/them), pre-relationship, possessiveness, jealousy, suggestiveness/briefly implied sexual content, alcohol/drinking, pining, acts of service and gift giving, reader is a vtuber, shu and zali are petty love rivals, surprisingly healthy rivalry, reader only shows up a little this ain’t about them (it’s about them), i take some liberties with irl vtuber activities while still writing for the characters you'll get what i mean

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

you and a handful of other vtubers were invited to an official nijisanji event at a convention

which of course means you get to hang out with your friends in person

of course of course this means there's more than a few, not quite parties but not quite hangouts

the event itself, and dinners, and the convention hall hosting an after-hours gala

"gala" is a big word to describe a ballroom with full masquerade gowns, sports jackets over gaming tees, and the occasional sonic the hedgehog cosplayer

There's something magical, Zali has to admit, about the gala and all its attendees. Who wouldn't feel magical after passing by a gacha game character and Goku dancing to a Final Fantasy song? The ballroom itself is made up of dangling chandeliers, casting a dim, romantic light around the room to match baroque decor. Really, the only difference from a high-class party is the otaku dress code. The pop culture/formal setting combo is a surprisingly good mix, he decides. He's holding a Jägerbomb.

He leans along a pillar next to a grand wall of glass. Moonlight shines through, tinting the chandeliers. Most of the glass is clear but occasional stained glass scatters the light on the dance floor. A nearby mosaic blooms phthalo blue against his shoes. He doesn't need to follow the trail of tinted light to find you; he's been watching from afar since your last conversation with him. You float between small groups of friends, included in conversation but rarely the star, always in movement. Anyone else would have trouble spotting you in the crowd, but Vezalius always had eyes for you.

He closes his eyes, sips the drink, feels the cool liquid flush warm under his cheeks. Zali isn't easily swayed by alcohol, but the way you bend over laughing with your coworkers is the real magic of the night.

A shadow in movement meets the cast of the window's caulking. Shu's only pair of nice shoes are an earthy, chestnut brown. Whenever he walks on this ballroom tile it's like a minor villain's theme as they're being foreshadowed, or a kitten learning to navigate with a bell collar.

Zali raises his Jägerbomb halfheartedly as Shu sidles up to the wall. "Shu."

"'Ey."

"Enjoying the party?"

Shu says, "It's nice. Good company."

Zali drinks, Shu does the same. Only now does he notice the glass of soju Shu brought with him, nearly empty, but the sorcerer is focused on one thing. Zali would know, he'd been staring at them just before Shu strolled by. His face is pink. Zali asks, "Are you drunk, Shu?"

"Oh, this?" The soju swirls in its glass as he raises it. "Ike drank half of it. It's not hitting yet."

"You make your infatuation very clear."

"I don't think it was ever a secret."

Zali already knew. The coat incident was telling. He'd never heard Shu say it out loud, though, and his apparent blush feels like a lid over boiling milk.

Across the floor, Zali (and Shu, it would seem) watches Lady Twisty and Klara teach you how to dance. It had started out as the Denauth ladies waltzing while you tried learning visually, but it devolved into a loose swirl between the three of you, decorum forgotten.

Klara holds your hand to spin you, and once you've gotten the gist down, you spin Twisty next. Elegant as ever, Lady Twisty curtsies while you cartoonishly bow to Klara's giggles. She wraps her arm around Twisty's waist and pulls you up by the shoulder, and when Zali focuses on the maid's eyes, he realizes she'd been watching him too.

He's not surprised by this either. You obviously haven't noticed Zali's feelings, but he lets them peek out frequently. He means it when he compliments you, he wants to treat you well. No one has asked him about his true feelings on you, but he'd like to imagine he comes across as a gentleman, unlike Shu's little puppy crush.

Well, no one but Klara. How could he forget. Coat incident.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

The coat incident happened earlier that day when you, Zali, Shu, and Klara walked around the streets together since most of the other livers were busy. You wanted to get inspiration for your upcoming second outfit, and besides, all four of you wanted to explore the city, so you invited them on a shopping trip.

The four of you walked around without a plan in mind, enjoying each other's company while window shopping. For as much as Zali wanted you to himself, Shu was still a good friend, and the last thing he wanted was to get frustrated at him because of his own prerogative. He'd deal with these feelings alone, at least until the day he opens up to you.

He was a master at restraining himself, until he passed by a certain boutique window. He froze a step behind the rest of the group, and called your name. "This would fit you."

The rest of the group turned to look, thinking for a moment. Klara was the first to speak next. She set her hands on your arm. "Try it on, Master Reader," she encouraged.

It didn't take long to find your size, and while the other two were looking around for things to go with it, Zali helped you shrug the coat on.

"I can put on a jacket myself, you know," you had protested, but allowed him to adjust the hood anyway.

He didn't say anything, partially because you were being a little nuisance so he'd be a nuisance right back. A softer feeling overtakes him. If crystals under his skin were the greatest grief he's experienced, then the pure opposite must be what wrapped around his heart.

He slid the zipper together—he briefly thought of other zippers around this lower area but put the thought back like a book on the shelf—and pulled halfway up your torso. Zali stepped back, closed an eye, and held his hands up like a frame as he imagined how you'd look in the corner of your stream setup.

From a professional coworker view, it's fine. If you used your current layout, the white fabric would contrast nicely, but of course you could always commission a graphic designer to match the full outfit. Coats make excellent toggles. Your fans could get creative with making assets for it, and its clean, wintry impression was one completely different from your debut outfit.

From a Vezalius Bandage point of view, the faux fur lining nestles around your hair, and he'd like to flip the hood up and down and back again, curious if it would flop over your eyes or rest perfectly on your head. He liked the straps, which had always been a favorite detail of his, but especially now as it implied a shape in an otherwise conservative garment; it obscured your hips most deliciously. He had always been a fan of imagination. It was long, too. The hem ends just below your backside. Hints of your curves peek out, but he put that book away too before he got carried away at the wrong place, wrong time. He thought of the straps again.

He took your arm, careful to touch the sleeve rather than your hand, and admired the stones inlaid there. The coat was classy and understated, but one sleeve bore a simplistic crystal design in shades of blue. He'd describe it as an attention-getter if you weren't such a natural at captivating an audience.

Most of the stones are small and circular, but he noticed a few diamond shapes not unlike the crystals he dedicated his life to studying. They reminded him of the ones that spurted out of his stream room like houseplants. Just like me, Zali mused to himself. Upon that thought, a tendril of possessiveness had wrapped itself around the blanket of intimacy.

"It suits you," he said. "What do you think?"

Twisting yourself around, the coat shifted with your movements. Even while half-zipped, it fit wonderfully. You nodded, still observing how it feels. "It's comfy."

Behind him, Klara clasped her hands together, the sound jarring him out of his thoughts. The other two must have returned while he fixed your appearance. This was a good thing. He needed the time to reflect on his thoughts, find a way to be honest yet refined, filter his affection into something acceptable. "I like it," Klara remarked with a smile. She nudged the man next to her. "Sir Shu, say something."

Shu made a sound between what and huh. "You look good. Really good. Uh, great."

He's so obvious.

"It's wonderful, Master Reader!"

He's so horribly obvious that Zali's careful plan went right out of the window as he blurted out the one thing that dominated his thought process. "You look like a precious treasure."

Shu seemed to have regained his bearings, yet you never noticed he lost them in the first place. He stepped forward and zipped your coat up all the way. The collar flipped up into a turtleneck, which made you raise your head to uncover your face. "Wh—hey!" You pouted as Shu snickered. "What was that for?"

You lifted up your arms in sheepish surrender. "Okay, I get it, stoooop. You guys, I'm gonna blush."

"Gotta make sure you're nice and cozy. Come here." The zipper could be covered by a flap of fabric, so Shu buttoned you up properly.

You kept your head raised while he fastened the coat together. From here, a strand of yellow from his bangs grazed his nose and lowered eyelashes. The tip of his tongue slightly poked out while he fiddled with a stubborn button hole.

He has a charm to his concentrated face, you'd have to admit, and even if you hadn't considered the possibility before, you understood why the Yaminions think he's an intellectual heartthrob. They're not entirely wrong, but they don't see the antics the sorcerer gets up to off-stream, nor how comfortable sitting in a quiet voice call with him can be. Perhaps this is what he looks like behind the screen during meetings.

Locked in, his hands rose with each button done. His eyes worked their way up, two strikes of galactic purple along your white coat, until they returned your gaze.

You weren't sure what to do with yourself now that he made eye contact. You felt like you just got caught—doing what, you had no clue yourself, but it didn't dissuade the weakness growing in your knees.

Maybe he was clueless too, or he just hid his uncertainty, but Shu's expression shifted before you could pinpoint it. Purple eyes narrowed up as he shot you a sweet, boyish grin.

That was all you could see before Shu pulled the fur hood all the way over your face.

Silken fur tickled your nose as you sputtered, careful not to get a mouthful before you scolded him. "Shu!" He cracked up along with Klara and Zali's snickers.

It was dark, but at least you knew for sure the hood was cozy. By the time you fumbled it out of the way, Shu already wandered off to the front of the store while the other two chuckled to themselves with hands over their mouths.

"It fits perfectly," Klara joked.

"Haha, yeah," Zali said.

He hid his smile just because he was certain everyone would be able to tell it was plastic. In fact, he had half a mind to shove his fist into his mouth just to keep himself from saying something nasty. Jealousy frothed inside him. Dammit. Petty as it was, it was like watching Shu snatch an opportunity when Zali was the one to point out the coat in the first place.

He helped you slip off the coat, which luckily went uninterrupted, though his hand grazed your arm and he had to fight to not hold it instead. He had to fight back a lot of things, really. Neither of you could deny this moment was intimate. As pure as it was for you, Zali saved it for different reasons, to be appreciated alone as he imagined what if he had continued. Fabric under his fingers turning to skin, neat piles of clothes discarded.

But thinking of undressing needs to go on the shelf. So it would remain, just a graze on the arm through sleeves and only a coat undone. You folded it over your arms, a satisfied smile on your face as you glance down at it. 

"I think I'll get it," you thought aloud.

There isn't much browsing after that. You strode to the counter, Klara in tow and Zali a step behind as he tried to shake off the dredges. His resistance didn't last long. Once you placed the coat on the counter and got your wallet out, the cashier shook his head. "No need."

"Don't I need to pay for it?"

"It's already paid for." The three of you exchanged confused glances. Behind the counter, the cashier nodded his head to the side to Shu, who was fixated on a display of cheap accessories beside the cash register. The cashier spoke in Shu's direction. "He bought it. Would you like it bagged?"

You whipped your head around. "Shu!"

He perked up like he wasn't even in the room until you called his name. "Hm?"

"You didn't!"

"Don't worry about it."

"Don't act nonchalant, you—why would you do that?"

"I just wanted to do something nice."

"I-I'm grateful. Thank you, but…"

"It's a gift. If you really want it in your new outfit, then it's a good thing to have." He shrugged but he didn't meet your eye. Instead, he glanced at the subtle, shining stones on the coat, forgotten on the counter for something far more important. "You look nice in it anyways."

Klara—who, by the way, had witnessed all this in the boutique—nudged Zali just like she did earlier when Shu first saw you. "That's very sweet of you, Sir Shu."

All this time, Zali was unafraid of his coworkers connecting the dots. He had long accepted that he didn't like lying to others, and his own affections were something he wanted you to detect. His hypocrisy must run deep, though, because Klara's words cemented that he wasn't the only one. Paranoia dripped under his chest. 

The cashier returned to his register. "Do you want a bag, or…?"

And so you left the boutique, Shu by your side, holding a classic THANK YOU bag with your new coat inside.

While they stepped outside, Zali quickly swiped one of the cheap necklaces off the display, a blue crystal pendant. "I'll take this," he said.

"It matches Master Reader's coat," Klara observed. 

There was a silent confirmation between them. 

Sans bag, he ripped the packaging off and slipped the pendant around his neck. It naturally slid under his shirt. Once all four of you reunited, you were locked in a conversation with Shu, so Zali and Klara were a step behind.

Klara spoke in hushed tones so not to disturb you or Shu. "I get it," she said to Zali.

"I see that."

"You aren't very subtle, Sir Zali."

"I know."

"So you do." She wasn't exactly judgmental, but she turned to watch Zali's face. Reading his emotions came to her naturally.

Klara had a way of getting under Zali's skin without effort. It was both Zali's favorite and least favorite thing about her: she noticed what was on his mind and would press him on it, toeing the line between insightful and intrusive. Whatever it was, she was one of the first to figure out Zali's inner thoughts, sometimes before he even realized it himself. "Perhaps you should do something about it."

Zali stared straight ahead. "I'll be patient."

"I'd hate for you to miss your chance." As everyone turned a corner, they could see Shu's lips turn as he laughed with you. She continued. "You never know until it's gone."

"I didn't realize he was a threat until he bought that."

"A threat, now?"

Zali screwed up. 

Klara raised a hand to her mouth to hide her giggles. "But even though you like Master Reader, you weren't bothered by him mooning over them all the time."

"Because I didn't realize how serious he was until now." Zali paused. "How long have you known?"

"Whatever you're thinking, much longer than that. You really aren't subtle at all, Sir Zali."

"It was always an open secret."

"I suppose I figured it out before you did, then." 

He shouldn't be surprised, but for some reason Zali wanted to explain himself. "That doesn't change anything about how I feel. Just so you know," he added lamely.

"Hm." Klara hummed in acknowledgement, and that was that.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

Zali switches his Jägerbomb from one hand to the other. The pink tint to Shu's face hadn't faded at all. If he really was blushing, it would have disappeared by now, so...

"Zali." Shu finally speaks up. "You like Reader."

"Is this an accusation?"

"No," Shu says, and Zali is inclined to believe him. "We both do."

"You've made that clear."

"But I have more to saaay," Shu draws out his words like he's cooing over something cute. Considering the object of his affections, it might not entirely be wrong. He clears his throat, certainly tipsy. "It's not like it's up to us to decide what Reader wants, though."

"Is that why you haven't fessed up to it yet? You want to charm Reader."

"You sound like you're telling me your evil plans, Dark Lord Zali."

The medic looks into his drink. The divide between the shot and the pint glass is very interesting all of a sudden. "I'd like to," he admits, and finds the weight lifting from his shoulders. "I want things to work out between us. So I'll wait until everything is right between me and Reader, and I know my feelings will be returned."

"Better act on it before I make a move."

"You know, you're the second person today to tell me to hurry up," Zali remarks.

Shu laughs. "I wonder if that changes anything."

"No, it doesn't. I'll be patient."

"That's a good thing to be."

"I've been told."

Over the last hour, the moon was still rising, but by now it had reached its apex in the sky. The stained glass around them distorted the light, stretching the pthalo blue by Zali across the tile. Shadows continue to obscure Shu from the light, but splatters of red and violet inch closer to the heel of his shoes.

The sorcerer gestured out. Flecks of the stained glass cross over his hand, a dramatic color compared to the rest of his body in the shade. "I'm not going to back down," Shu asserts, "whether you like it or not."

"I would assume so."

He gapes at Zali. "Can't you pretend to be intimidated or something!? You're too gung-ho."

That's what gets Zali to laugh next. "I'm very serious about my feelings, Shu," he chuckles. "I wouldn't give them up for anything."

"Well, I won't either. It would be a lot easier if you backed off or something."

"Try all you like, I'm not budging."

"Me neither."

"It's not our choice to make, after all."

"I'm not denying that, I just..."

Shu runs a hand through his hair. He pinned it up in a simple style that morning, which got messier over the day. Unfortunately for Zali, the tousled look is handsome. Stained glass dyes his features as he turns to face Zali properly, maroon hair over a dusty lavender face, dusky shadow along his back.

"If you're going to be patient," he declares, "then you better be the most patient, dedicated guy in the world if Reader goes out with you. You better give them everything they'd ever want, 'cause I'd do anything to make them happy."

Shu furrowed his brow slightly while Zali analyzed him. Zali had never seen him so dedicated to something while drinking. The stained glass atmosphere amplified his fierce eyes far more than alcohol could ever cloud it. Purple against purple tended to intensify itself.

Zali steps forward, and briefly considers the blue glow that outlined his own figure. If the purple along Shu made his eyes so vibrant, the perhaps his yellow eyes would become ghoulish in the cool blue. Scar tissue pokes out of his stitches, too subtle to notice during the day, the colors become stark as ink on paper in contrasting light. An arrow pointing to the rich gold, if he was feeling generous. With the moon behind his head and mosaic glimmers around his sleeves, it must be bringing out azure and amethyst hidden by his eyelashes.

"I would expect nothing less from you. Reader is very precious to me. If they choose you, then I have faith that you would treat them well." Azure and gold shine. "If you hurt Reader, I will hurt you."

"Mutually assured destruction, then," Shu concludes.

"They deserve wonderful things, Shu."

'I'll be the one to provide them."

"And I'll be the one to be by their side."

"We'll see about that."

Shu seems to remember that it's a party. Suddenly conscious of his soju, he lifts his glass to his lips, thinks better of it, then offers it out. "To Reader's love life. Whatever makes them happy."

Zali clinks his glass to Shu's. "To Reader's love and happiness."

"That's a much better toast than mine," Shu grumbles. They drink.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

bonus!

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

"Master Reader, I want to ask you something."

You, Klara, Zali, and Shu stopped at a crosswalk, waiting for the right of way. You were in the front, so you turned to look at Klara. "What's up?"

She tilted her head. "I'm curious. Are you interested in dating right now?"

"Hm." You considered it for a moment, returning to watch the traffic. "I haven't thought about it."

"If someone confessed to you, then, would you accept it?"

"I'm not really sure. I'd have to sit on it, but I have no clue where to start with it at all. It depends on the person." You laugh a little. "Besides, it's not like anyone's interested in me anyway."

"I see." Klara smiled, and behind your back, pinched the other two men as hard as she could.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

✧. ┊ masterpost ✧. ┊ kofi

[moralesmilesanhour]

Or an AU drabble where Miles and Margo go to the same HBCU and they have crushes on each other. Someone’s pet trarantula is loose and Miles who has arachnophobia grabs the first person who he can find (Margo) to help him get rid of it.

(obvious spider trigger warning to anyone else reading) Thank you for requesting!! :) Idk the specifics of how HBCU dorms work so I just went by my own experience cuz I couldn't find anything just looking it up lmao I hope that's okay (I also don't know how you're actually meant to handle tarantulas so maybe don't try this at home)

"Miles, don't look now, but - man, I said don't look!"

Miles' head immediately snapped to the wall opposite him where he was typing out a response to one of his discussion posts. Jude sighed and plugged his ears in preparation for the blood-curdling, slasher film-worthy scream that followed.

Miles had seen spiders in his house before; ones no larger than an ant that could easily be mistaken for a different kind of bug until it began to crawl and convulse in that way that only spiders do. He had made it a point to bring in boxes upon boxes of EcoVenger on move-in day to make sure he never had to see any sign of the creatures in his vicinity.

The spider currently ambling up the wall across the room from him after he leapt backwards was the stuff of his worst nightmares.

"Who the fuck brought a tarantula to school?!?"

Miles and Jude were both in the hallway now in their PJs after the former refused to go back inside until it was gone.

"That's Alex's pet. We all saw it at his party last weekend, you didn't-?"

Miles crossed his arms and gave him a look.

"...Right. Of course you didn't."

The door to their right creaked open, half a face peeking out from behind it. Both men recognized the young woman's sharp eyeliner before she even began to speak.

"Aye, Margo!"

"Hey," she smiled as she fully emerged from her room in her usual green sweatshirt and shorts. "Whatchy'all yelling about? I don't think I've ever heard your voice reach that octave."

"Oh that wasn't-"

"Yeah, Alex's tarantula snuck into our room, right next to his head!" Miles interrupted, leaning casually on the wall with an easy grin as if he wasn't just cussing out his roommate and about to do the same to Alex.

Jude gave him a nasty glare, but didn't say anything.

"Oh my god, it got out?" Margo gasped, sounding more like a kid at the zoo than a concerned neighbor.

"Yeah, it's really been botherin' Jude," Miles continued with great affect. "Care to lend a hand?"

"Lemme see - I mean, I can help!"

She clapped her hands together and strolled right past Jude towards their room.

"I'll make sure it's safe and put it in a jar to bring back to Alex, and you," Miles yelped when she grabbed his wrist and tugged him behind her, "are gonna help me catch it."

He hesitated and looked to Jude for help, but the other man shrugged with a self-satisfied smirk spreading across his face.

"Miles?"

"S-sure," he smiled painfully, "I'm right behind you!"

By the time they made it to the shared bedroom, the spider was nowhere to be seen. Miles swore he felt his stomach drop. He swept the room with anxious eyes while Margo ventured into the kitchen in search of a proper container. It wasn't on either of the desks or desk lamps, and after counting to three and pulling away their bed sheets, it did not seem to be hiding there, either.

He found her again while she rummaged through the cupboards to report his findings. She pulled out a mug with the faces of several 'Bleach' characters printed on the front and examined it.

Miles winked, "Don't use that one, that's my good mug."

Margo snickered and handed it back to him.

"Y'all got any mason jars I can use, then? I didn't see any around."

"Sure, they're just behind the...the... "

Miles had made the grave mistake of looking up, and stopped dead in his tracks. There, just inches away from his forehead, was the tarantula. The dark mass was slowly climbing its way up the cupboard where the mason jars were supposed to be.

"Oh, sweet, it's right there!"

He looked like someone had gotten out a remote and pressed 'pause', his eyes the size of saucers.

Margo's brows furrowed in concern.

"Miles? Aren't you gonna get it?"

"I...um..."

His chest began to rise and fall more rapidly as the spider continued its ascent, and she quickly realized that he was a little more than just startled. She took back the mug, set it on the counter, and gently pushed him aside.

"Actually, I got it."

Margo reached up to where the spider was and let it crawl onto her hand. Her other hand, she used to open the cupboard and grab a jar, which she turned to hand over to Miles.

"Open this for me?"

"Now that I can do," he said, taking the jar carefully as if the tarantula would leap off of Margo's hand at any moment. "There."

She deposited the creature into the jar with such ease that Miles half-expected to be made fun of, but she didn't say anything. Just observed with a little smile as it crawled aimlessly around the container and pushed its legs against the glass.

"Y'know, Alex actually let me hold this little guy once."

Miles leaned back against the opposite counter.

"Do you, like, regularly pet bugs?"

She hummed before answering, "I like some bugs, but I'm not exactly diggin' in the grass looking for 'em. Tarantulas are cool, though. They can shoot their hairs out at people to defend themselves. Wish I could do that."

"It'd be a hell of a superpower," he laughed. "You wanna take this guy across the hall?"

"I do, but are you gonna be able to handle it?"

"He's trapped and he cannot hurt me," Miles got off the counter and gestured for Margo to go ahead of him. "I'll be fine."

[void-ink-studios]

Oh Glob, He's Been Kidnapped

A silly romp through Ooo, with a touch of bitter sweet at the end. I hope you enjoy y'all!

A few sidenotes:

I've started picturing the Organizer's voice like Agent 47's handler, Diana Burnwood, in the new Hitman games. No idea why, just felt like it fit her.

Random thought that might end up as it's own post, but I find the idea funny if Scarab's species had no real concept of gender, and Scarab just accepted he/him pronouns because that's what everyone in the pantheon used for him and he just shrugged and accepted it.

Next time, as suggested by @scumbkat I think it's about time Scarab gained his own Nightmare aspect.

Fun fact, this was the instalment to push this series over 100 pages in the google doc.

Word Count: 2,500

Of all things Scarab had expected on this "field trip" (as Prismo put it) to the land of Ooo, this was not one of them.

Where in Glob's name did Prismo go?

Seriously, Scarab had turned his back for, like, maybe 10 seconds. And when he turned back, the human shaped mage Prismo was disguised as was just... up and gone.

At first he thought he had wondered off to another shop in market or something, but Scarab had scoured this place top to bottom at least 3 times, and no sign of the Wishmaster anywhere.

He climbed the tallest stall he could find, earning him some choice curses, and nothing.

It wasn't as if Scarab was nervous or anything. Prismo was a god. One of the most powerful in the multiverse. Just because he was currently human shaped did not make him as vulnerable as one.

But, well, this trip was kind of off the books. If Prismo got his body killed somewhere, they'd have the Organizer to answer to, and Scarab was not particularly looking for a scolding next time she visited for tea.

"Prism!" He called the fake name the Wishmaster had given himself, trying to shout over the chaotic crowd. "Prism, where did you go? We're supposed to be heading back soon! Prism!"

All that got him was annoyed looked from the people trying to pass by him.

Great.

"Hey, big knight dude" a voice called. Scarab momentarily forgot what he looked like, confused at this address. But, yes, he recalled now. He looked much more like a knight, his shell conveniently passing for armor with a bit more flair. He turned in search for the voice. "Over here, man!"

A human. Or, Scarab was pretty sure he was human, he looked enough like Prismo's body to be somewhat confident. He was tall, muscular, with a mess of blond hair spilling out the back of his hat. A mechanical arm waved him over.

Scarab shook off his frantic edges, striding over with an air of confidence.

"Yes, can I help you?"

"You need help, man? Heard to yelling for someone, and I saw you pacing around the place. What's going on?"

"Oh, I seem to have lost my traveling companion. I turned my back for a few seconds, and poof, gone."

"What's he look like?"

Scarab examined the human a little closer. Big smile, sword on the hip, an attitude similar to a happily suicidal puppy. Hmm.

"And how do I know you don't have something to do with his disappearance?"

"Nah man, I'm super good! I'm the hero in these parts."

Scarab decided that, if worst came to worst, he could take him.

"...I'll choose to believe you for now, hero. Short stature, brown skin, long curly gray hair and beard, most garish pink wizard robes possible? Enough jewelry to be mistaken for a treasure chest? Old?"

"Hmmm..."

"Hey, didn't we see someone like that walking around with those weirdo wizards" a new voice chimed in. Scarab's head snapped to the new comer, spotting a... dog? Rainicorn? Both? She didn't have discernable eyes, but very long almost platinum blond hair that had been fashioned into a hammock in the tree.

The hero thought for a second.

"Oh yeah, that's right Junior! Man, I knew those creeps were trouble!"

"You know these characters?"

"They're quick to sniff around anyone with a hint of magic junk" Junior supplied. "Tried cutting my hair for rainbow powers of whatever."

"What for?"

"We're not sure" the hero sighed. "They keep harassing wizards and stuff, but no one's really gone with them before. You guys new here?"

"You could say that, yes. We're passing through."

"Man, sorry about that. But, if they dragged your bud away, I think I know where they went!"

Scarab released a long-suffering sigh, rubbing his hand under his helmet.

"Glob, Prism, of course, of course you'd get yourself accidentally kidnapped the second I turn my back."

"You don't sound to worried" Junior said.

"I'm not. Prism is more than capable of taking care of himself. But, it is... inconvenient. He probably thinks this is an adventure or some nonsense."

"Hey man, anything can be an adventure! Even kidnappings. C'mon, we'll find him together. What's your name, stranger?"

"Ruby Knight is fine. And you?"

"I'm Finn! And this little lady is Jake Jr. but I just call her Junior."

Scarab was thankful for both his helmet and remarkable poise. If either failed him, he might've started choking on air.

Finn. This was... Prismo's Finn. He finally noticed the tattoo on his chest, a smiling dog cradled in forget-me-nots. Of course. Of course he'd happen to run into the one human Prismo might know.

And... Jake Jr. A daughter, most certainly. Did Prismo know? Most likely, Jake had to have told him if they were as close as he believed, but he made know indication of having ever met her.

Okay... Okay, this is fine, probably. And, it's not like he had much choice right now.

"A pleasure to meet you, Finn the hero. Let's go find my idiot wizard friend, shall we?"

"Alright, let's do this! Adventure time!"

And with that, the human went charging off in a direction through the market. Junior seemed unsurprised, casually standing up.

"We should probably try to keep up. Can't let him have all the fun to himself."

Scarab nodded, quickly catching up and keeping pace with Finn.

"Hey, dude, I don't see a lot of new knights around here! Which princess you work for?"

"None of them. Technically, I work for Prism, but I am my own agent."

"Ooooh, I remember meeting a few of those. They were jerks, way to into their own armor. One followed me around, like all day, trying to embarrass me. You seem cool though."

"A knight obsessed with armor is a lousy knight indeed. I've met a fair share who seem to think the weapons and costumes are replacements for skill."

"I know, right? I got skills though, skills to pay the bills. At least, that's what Marcy and PB say."

Scarab found himself relaxing at least a little bit as he followed this human hero.

"...How you know your buddy would be fine? You sounded really sure about it."

"He's one of the best mages I've ever met. He is more than capable of helping himself if he feels his in actual danger. Problem is he is very bad at telling what is and isn't dangerous."

"Man, that sounds like me. I once jumped into a dungeon without backup, got my ass kicked. By a cat. And another knight, the Bucket Knight. Scarier than he sounds."

Scarab didn't talk to mortals very often, but this he felt was a good one.

One of the fun ones.

--------------------------------------

"Ooooh, what's this do?"

Prismo, meanwhile, was having the time of his life. When three dudes in black cloaks put an arm around his shoulder and offered magic beyond belief, well, he was hooked.

No, Prismo was not an idiot. Everything in there was very clearly cursed, destined to attach or leech or possess the user the second they walked out of the spooky tent with it.

But, no harm if he didn't leave with it.

"That, sir, will amplify your powers into a brilliant burst. You'd be untouchable."

Prismo could tell the goons were getting impatient. He knew he looked like a fat, easy target with his jewelry and demeanor, but he was much trickier than most assumed.

Money's paws were fun, after all.

He could hear them whisper.

"He gonna buy anything or just waste our time?"

"Patience, brother. We'll have him soon enough."

"Can't we just stab him and be done with it?"

"Quiet!"

Prismo chuckled to himself, standing up straight. Scarab had probably noticed he was gone by now, he should probably go back before he split his shell.

"Well guys, this was nice, but I think I should be going now. Lots of neat stuff you got here, but I don't think I'm interested."

He turned with a big smile to see three hooded goons who looked like they wanted to rip him apart.

"...Now?"

"Now."

Two of them surged forward to hold Prismo's wrists, dragging him to a very fancy looking chair.

"Woah, friends, what's the harsh treatment for?"

"Oh shut up, old man. We listened to you prattle on about nonsense for the past hour! We're bleeding you dry of magic, with or without your cooperation!"

Prismo was suddenly very aware of a knife to his neck as he was strapped down.

"Fellas, fellas, you don't wanna do this" he crooned.

"Oh, trust me, it's no trouble, you doddering old fool. It's our pleasure."

"No, no, that's not what I mean. My bud, he's probably looking for me. Not the kind of guy you want to get on the bad side. So just let me go and we pretend none of this ever happened, right?"

"We're not scared of some over dressed, pompous knight! We're wizards, wizards rule fool! Kin, get the bowl, it's gonna get messy."

Prismo rolled his eyes.

Well, this went poorly quickly. He was not gonna hear the end of this when Scarab showed up.

"Yeah, wizards rule, but guys, I'm telling ya, he's not someone you underestimate. I keep him around for a reason, you know?"

"Oh just shut up already! Whatever pitiful little magic you've got won't be worth more than you finally shutting up!"

"Wow, harsh dude."

There was a cold blade against his neck again, making him squeak a little. Okay, he might have to break himself out of this one...

"Uh, guys-"

BANG

There was a loud, grinding bang outside the tent, a yell, and suddenly light.

Everyone groaned at the sudden harsh light, but Prismo smiled at the glittering red armor.

"Prism! You Glob forsaken idiot, you better be here!"

"Ruby, hun, I seem to be in a bit of a pickle."

Prismo giggled a little at the utterly exhausted groan Scarab let out. There was a scream, a warm splatter, and a thud. The knife wasn't on his neck anymore, now kicked far away across the floor.

"Man, this is some serious dark junk." Prismo's eyes widened. He craned his neck, spotting the long blond hair and robotic arm. Oh Glob.

"These are definitely cursed, Finn. Like, the aura in here is toxic."

Jake Jr....

Oh Glob dammit. Don't cry, don't cry...

"Prism, dear, are you okay?"

Prismo blinked, trying to shake away the tears, smiling at Scarab's helmet covered face.

"Yeah, I'm okay, no biggie!"

He felt the straps around his wrists loosen, then him get tugged into Scarab's chest.

"I'm okay, I'm okay Ruby, promise. Sorry for wandering off, I know I'm not gonna hear the end of this, I know..."

Finn seemed to stop moving, slowly turning his head toward Prismo.

"Wait a second..."

Prismo took a deep breath, slowly emerging from Scarab's chest to face him.

"Oh my Glob..."

Prismo expected a lot of things could potentially happen. Yelling about being in Ooo, maybe anger for not being able to bring Jake back, maybe even annoyance for having to save him again.

But he did not expect a hug. A big bear one, that lifted him off the ground, feet dangling an undignified foot and a half off the grass.

"PRISMO!"

Finn laughed as he swung the Wishmaster around, now hugging back both out of respect for the hug, and to not go flying if the human's grip slipped.

"Wait, is that... like Prismo Prismo? As in Prismo the Almighty Wishmaster that dad kept gushing over, that Prismo?"

"The one and only! Man, I didn't know you could leave the Time Room! I'd have invited you on adventures a long time ago!"

"This is a new thing, first time on Ooo, I promise. Finn, you're kind of crushing my ribs here."

Finn carried him outside before finally placing him back on his feet.

"Prism, hm?"

"We didn't wanna attract too much attention. So, disguises!"

"So, wait, then who's that" Junior asked, pointing her thumb toward Scarab. "Is this guy some poor schmuck you hired, or something else?"

Prismo collected himself a moment before holding Scarab's hand in his own. "This is Scarab. He's a coworker of mine and... well, my partner." He placed a soft kiss on one of Scarab's knuckles.

"And you're lucky for it" Scarab sighed. "Who else would I run halfway across a city for?"

"Oh, rad, good for you, man. I know we haven't talked much since... well, we haven't talked much. But, y'know, it's good to see you okay and stuff. And that you've got someone looking out for you."

Junior seemed to be deep in thought for a moment, before she strolled up and tapped Prismo's shoulder.

"I'm uh... I'm Jake Junior." She extended her hand in an offer to shake. "Dad... Dad liked talking about you. It's nice to meet you."

Prismo's smile wobbled, but it was wide. He tried to rub the tears from his eyes, but soon gave up and accepted the hand shake.

"It's nice to finally meet you too. Jake... Man, every other sentence was him bragging about one of you. He really loved you guys a lot."

Junior had a sad smile on her face, nervously rubbing the back of her head.

"Pris, now that I know you can come here, we gotta go on a proper adventure sometime, yeah? And, like, a proper one, not one where you just get kidnapped but some shifty wizard dudes."

"Seriously, they're like, the shiftiest guys I've ever seen and you just... went along with them? No questions asked?"

Prismo giggled nervously as he felt everyone's mildly judgmental stare on him.

"I don't know, it just looked... interesting. Not like they could actually hurt me or anything."

"That might be the case, but if you got discorporated, you would get to me the one to explain to the Organizer why we were walking around with unauthorized bodies."

"Hey, you didn't need to come with me!"

"Clearly, I did."

Prismo groaned, half embarrassed, half strangely happy at the day's turn of events.

He looked at Finn, and noticed the same sad smile Scarab often described the Wishmaster having. "Hey, Finn? If you... wanna hang out, in the Time Room, I can give you my number, or something... I'd like to see you. Same to you, Junior. You and any of your siblings are welcome to the domain of the Almighty Prismo."

Finn slapped him on the back, firmly gripping his shoulder.

"C'mon. Let's head to the Candy Kingdom, there's a bar, drinks are on me."

The two gods walked behind the mortals. Prismo could feel Scarab looking at him, a question trying to push past his mandibles. The Wishmaster didn't answer. He opted instead to tuck his hand into Scarab's and walk in comfortable silence, listening to these two mortals talk.

Maybe things would continue to be better.

Maybe Prismo's heart could take this.

[queen-dahlia]

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐈𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?

»»———-Main Story 1 & 2┋Sweet┋Premium┋Epilogue———-««

They're about to make out, but nvm

Note: Translation is not 100% accurate. Expect grammatical errors.

// : alternate translation

•• ━━━━━ ••Chapter 3, part 1•• ━━━━━ ••

Gilbert: "You think I can't kill him because we're in Rhodolite?"

Gilbert: "Hahaha, that's sweet. I'm good at hiding evidence, aren't I?"

(Prince Gilbert is... serious.)

(At this rate, really——)

Gilbert: "Now, which one do you want me to kill first?"

Emma: "Please don't kill them!"

I quickly shouted, and his blood-colored eye reflected mine.

Gilbert: "If I don't kill them, you'll be the one who gets killed."

Gilbert: "Or are you willing to risk your life to save those who sold you out?"

Gilbert: "Haha, you are as broad-minded as a god. I can never imitate you."

(...I may have been betrayed.)

(What I thought was friendship may have actually been very calculated.)

(That doesn't mean I want them to get hurt.)

(It is true that I enjoyed the time I spent with Lady Louise, and it is also true that I consider her a friend.)

I look back at the Count, who looks pissed off and unfocused.

Emma: "... Please. Please let me go."

Emma: "Prince Gilbert is not the kind of person who can be held hostage in a situation like this."

Emma: "If you let me go, I won't let him kill you. So——"

Count: "...S-shut up!"

The blade of the knife grazes my throat.

(Oh no. … I think he's losing his cool.)

Gilbert: "Are you okay, little rabbit?"

Emma: "Not good!"

Gilbert: "Yeah, but time is up."

Gilbert: "My prey is mine and mine alone. Hmm, who's the real villain here for you?"

The refreshing smile, which even gave me a sense of calmness, was gone.   //   The refreshing smile, which even gave a sense of coolness, was gone.

(…No)

•• ━━━━━ ••Chapter 3, part 2•• ━━━━━ ••

Gilbert-sama pulls out a tube-shaped object from his pocket and rolls it on the floor, from which a white smoke comes out vigorously.

Smoke filled the small room like a haze.

(I can't see anything!)

As soon as I took a stance, my body was pushed to the side.

Fortunately, I was caught by a soft object on the floor that was covered in a linen cloth.

But the shackles were still in place, and it was difficult for me to even stand up.

(......Hate)

(I hate it.)

Emma: "Prince Gilbert!"

The sound of something falling to the floor drowned my screams.

The more bloodlust I felt, the more my heart complained of a bad feeling.

Emma: "Prince Gilbert!"

I crawled forward on the floor, even a little, and soon the smoke that had robbed me of my sight cleared.

What I saw ahead of me was a jet-black cloak that did not even show the returned blood.

I saw ahead of me a jet-black cloak with no visible blood.

At Prince Gilbert's feet, the Count is huddled with a knife in his hand.

Further ahead was the image of Lady Louise with her bottom on the floor and tears in her eyes.

Gilbert: "What is it, little bunny?"

It seemed that he had heard me calling his name, and he turned to look at me.

But his eyes did not reflect me; instead, they were focused on the sword lying on the floor.

Emma: "Please stop."

Gilbert: "Even though I've done terrible things to you, I will still protect you."

Emma: "Rhodolite has laws that don't tolerate murderers."

Gilbert: "If I invade this country, there will be no law, will there?"

Prince Gilbert picks up the sword and kneels down beside me, who is lying on the floor awkwardly.

He grabbed me by the chin and turned my face upward.

Gilbert: "Besides, I think you're mistaken."

•• ━━━━━ ••Chapter 3, part 3•• ━━━━━ ••

Prince Gilbert picks up the sword and kneels down beside me, who is lying on the floor awkwardly.

He grabbed me by the chin and turned my face upward.

Gilbert: "Besides, I think you're mistaken."

Gilbert: "Why should I listen to you?"

Emma: "…!"

Gilbert: "It's up to me whether I listen or not. Your "don't" is not even begging for your life."

(... I've been caught off guard lately.)

(I looked only at Prince Gilbert's kind face, and I felt paralyzed.)

(Perhaps I had almost forgotten that this man is a "beast.")

Prince Gilbert lets go of me and is about to go to Lady Louise with the sword in his hand.

(But that doesn't mean I should give up!)

I crawl on the floor and grab the cloak as hard as I can before the jet-black figure leaves.

Prince Gilbert did not shake me off, but stopped again.

Emma: "... We're friends."

Gilbert: "Friend? The woman who sold you out?"

Gilbert: "Haha, you have an interesting definition of a friend, don't you, little rabbit?"

Emma: "I can't speak for others, since you are the one who won't listen to your "friends"."

Gilbert: "Not quite as crazy as you define it, is it?"

("Crazy."……)

Emma: "As you know, no one goes near a young lady who is favored by the Prince of Obsidian."

Emma: "I get cold stares, but no one ever really talks to me properly."

Gilbert: "I know, poor thing."

Prince Gilbert smiles like it's someone else's problem.

Emma: "But Lady Louise treated me normally."

Emma: "Whatever her motives were behind it, she was one of the few people who saw me for who I am."

(Regardless of whether I was the favorite of the Prince of Obsidian or not...)

(She was the only person I could talk to without hesitation, sharing what we liked with each other.)

Emma: "I don't think all of our time together was a lie."

Emma: "I want to believe her even if she betrays me, and I don't want her to get hurt..."

Emma: "And as I've said before, I believe friends start by having trust in them."

Louise: "——Ah."

Emma: "Please don't take any more from me."

•• ━━━━━ ••Chapter 3, part 4•• ━━━━━ ••

The more words I say, the colder the blood-colored eye that looks down on me is.

A chill crawled up my spine, and I almost shivered, but I had no intention of backing down.

Emma: "In fact, why should I listen to you, Prince Gilbert?"

(If Prince Gilbert won't listen to me, I'm not going to hold back either.)

I clutch the cloak so tightly, never wanting to let it go.

Gilbert: "——I see, you sound just plain stupid rather than naive."

Gilbert: "But, well, if you're going to beg me so badly, I don't blame you."

Gilbert: "If you're willing to take responsibility on behalf of those two, then I won't kill them."

Emma: "I'll take it."

There was no hesitation.

(No matter what demands come my way, it is better than having a friend die in front of me.)

Prince Gilbert just laughs.

Gilbert: "I'll show you that I'm on a different level than a third-rate villain."

══════════════════

I was carried by Prince Gilbert, still tied to shackles, into an empty guest room.

He finds the first aid kit with such deftness that I suspect he might have been in the mansion.

He silently tends to the wound on my neck.

The process of applying the medicine and bandaging was so familiar that it was comparable to that of a doctor.

Emma: "Thank you."

Gilbert: "You're welcome."

(Gentle yet cold, cold yet gentle...)

I still don't know Prince Gilbert's true face.

Emma: "By the way, these shackles..."

Gilbert: "There's no key."

Emma: "... I'm in trouble."

Gilbert: "Well, you don't need one to remove it."

The words "he can remove it" but "he won't remove it" mean that I have to stay like this for the time being.

When I gave up, Prince Gilbert took me in his arms and sat down on a chair.

He placed me on his lap, and his red eye came much closer.

Emma: "Prince Gilbert!?"

Cold fingertips caress my cheeks with a terrifyingly gentle touch.

Gilbert: "Now, little bunny. How do you beg for your life?"

•• ━━━━━ ••Chapter 3, part 5•• ━━━━━ ••

Prince Gilbert took me in his arms and sat down on a chair.

He placed me on his lap, and his red eyes came much closer.

Emma: "Prince Gilbert!?"

Cold fingertips caress my cheeks with a terrifyingly gentle touch.

Gilbert: "Now, little bunny. How do you beg for your life?"

(It's like he's testing me for something.)

Prince Gilbert won't take his eyes off me.

(If I get the answer wrong, I'm going to turn right back to where we were just now.)   //   (If I get the answer wrong, I'll be right back where I was before.)

(I have to think...)

Emma: "Prince Gilbert, you were going to hurt Louise, weren't you?"

Gilbert: "It's kind of me to hurt her."

Emma: "...I will take the punishment you would have done to Lady Louise."

Gilbert: "Hmm?"

Emma: "I'm saying I'll take her place."

Gilbert: "A substitute."

Emma: "Boil me, burn me, do whatever you want."

(I don't know what he will do, but this is the only thing that comes to my mind right now.)

"Do whatever I say" is most likely insufficient for Prince Gilbert.

I am Belle and could be approached with conditions that could potentially be harmful to the country.   //   I am Belle, and there is a possibility that I could be approached with conditions that might cause harm to the country.

But that doesn't mean I know exactly what Prince Gilbert wants.

I had no choice but to propose an equivalent exchange: corporal punishment.

Gilbert: "…Terrible."

Emma: "Terrible?"

Gilbert: "I can't believe you think I'm a lunatic who takes pleasure in hurting anyone and everyone."

Emma: "I never said anything like that!"

Emma: "… I just can't think of any other way to take responsibility."

Gilbert: "Absolute obedience."   //   "Total submission."

(I knew you would say that.)

I wanted to avoid that, but Prince Gilbert was relentless.

Gilbert: "It's the price of life, so why shouldn't it be?"

Gilbert: "My orders are absolute. You must do what I say, even if it means betraying Rhodolite."

Emma: "... I can't betray it."

Gilbert: "Then let's go kill that young lady."

Gilbert: "No!"

Gilbert: "You're so selfish."

He stroked my cheek as if tickling me, and pinched it lightly.

Gilbert: "In Obsidian, we're still making concessions."

Gilbert: "Whether you do or don't do what I ask, I'm listening to what you have to say."

Emma: ". . . . ."

Gilbert: "Look, we have to think beyond absolute obedience."

(I'm in the position of "asking," so I can't expect equal negotiation.)

In this mansion, it would be difficult to ask for a third party's help.

In other words, there is only one path to choose from the beginning.

Emma: "...I can only appeal to Prince Gilbert's conscience."

Gilbert: "I don't have anything like that."

Emma: "No, there is."

(If he really didn't have anything to call a conscience, Prince Gilbert wouldn't have helped me in the first place.)

( He should have killed them all right there and then.)

The mercenaries and the count had blood on them, but they all seemed to be alive.

Although he has a ruthless side, there should also be a gentler side to him.

(I don't believe in the prince of an enemy country, but if you start by believing in my "friend"...)

(Prince Gilbert is no exception.)

Emma: "So... how about this?"

Putting aside my shame, I embrace his cold body with my shackles on.

I tried to convey warmth as much as possible, and I did not hesitate.

Emma: "Prince Gilbert always has a cold body."

Gilbert: "Seriously?"

Emma: "I'm serious."

Gilbert: "If so, I'm in trouble."

Sigh. His breath touches my skin.

Gilbert: "Not bad."

My heart was beating loudly, considering the circumstances of the situation.   //   The situation made my heart beat loudly.

Gilbert: "But a hug isn't enough. You have too little to lose."

(…If you ask me, it is indeed true.)

Gilbert: "Well... how about this one as well?"

When I moved my body slightly away, Prince Gilbert pecked me on the lips.

(No way...)

Gilbert: "It doesn't matter if it's in front of a prince or a servant; if I ask for it, you will kiss me——"

Gilbert: "I'd say that's a good enough balance."

Emma: ". . . . ."

Gilbert: "What do you think?"

(Heck, by the looks of it, it's not exactly a kiss on the cheek or anything cute like that.)

Each time his lips are pressed against mine, my palpitations become more and more intense.

(What should I do...)

(Even though he is not my lover, and I'm not even sure if he's my friend or not.)

Nevertheless, it is an equivalent exchange because I have something to lose as well.

I don't feel there is any more compromise.

(If only there wouldn't be so much blood.) **

When I nodded, Prince Gilbert pointed his finger at his own lips.

Gilbert: "Then hurry up."

(Why is the consideration a kiss in the first place?)

(It's strange in many ways, but... this is also to protect the people I care about.)

My stomach clenched, and I gradually brought my face closer to his—— // I gradually brought my face closer to his——

???: "Lady Emma!"

(... Huh.)

[montammil]

Hi there! 🌠

"If anyone wants me to make a side story of drabble..." I mean if you're offering-

Could we get a drabble of romantic yandere Lawrence? I'm interested!

(Also I know it's been a while but please don't apologize for taking a while to post! I love reading whatever you write, regardless of the time it takes! Also I've been totally busy too so I get it-)

Here it is, and thank you for being so understanding!! I'll make this a series if anyone continues to be interested!

CW: Obsessive behavior (romantic and implied platonic for the "kids"), mentioned stalking, mentioned death, kidnapping, violence, broken bones, intimate/creepy whumper, drugging, mentioned alcohol

...

Harper lets out a heavy sigh as they finish off wiping down the bar, glancing at their watch every other minute. With all the disturbing love letters from their "secret admirer" they've been getting, they're starting to feel scared to leave the bar and go home. They spent countless nights awake out of fear.

Some of them could be mistaken for romantic and sweet, but when they got graphic, they got graphic. Harper now feels their heart drop every time they see that familiar red envelope.

They went to the police about it, but they said there was nothing they could do. The letters had no threats, not directly, anyway. It baffled them, considering this was clear evidence they were being stalked, and yet they weren't doing anything about it. Not until they had further evidence.

"You look tired."

Harper gasps and flinches at the sudden silvery voice, only to see Lawrence. They clutch their heart. "Oh my god... hi, Lawrence."

The blond frowns, leaning against the bar. "I didn't mean to scare you, I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

Harper nods, exhaling shakily. "Yeah, yeah I am. I just... uh, I can't seem to sleep lately. Anyway, do you want the usual, or...?"

Lawrence shakes his head. "I'm not getting anything tonight, I actually came over to check on you. You've been acting stressed all week and I just wanted to make sure you're doing okay."

A small smile rises to Harper's lips. "I'm fine, really, I'm just tired."

"I can tell when you're lying, you aren't the most skilled at it," Lawrence laughs softly. He sits on the stool right across from Harper and stares into their eyes. "If there's something going on, you know you can talk to me. I'm not just a customer, you know."

That's a slight surprise to Harper, considering to them, that really is all Lawrence is. A regular who frequents the bar.

"You don't have to worry about me." Harper shrugs. "It's fine. I'm fine."

Lawrence gives a soft chuckle. "If you really don't want to talk about it, I won't force you, but I'm a little worried about my friend."

Harper looks around the bar to see only a young group of friends in the back, seeming about ready to leave. They decide it wouldn't hurt to open up a bit. "I keep getting these... secret admirer letters."

Interest seeming to pique, Lawrence tilts his head. "Really? What did they say? It can't be something so bad to make you this stressed."

Harper blinks, feeling a little embarrassed. "That's what you think. Some of them are kind of sweet, they actually started off pretty romantic, I was almost wanting to meet this secret admirer. Then after about five letters in it started getting... graphic."

"Graphic?" Lawrence raises an eyebrow. "Like... sexual things?"

"Well, yes..." Harper mumbles. "But they weren't all like that. Some of them were just vaguely threatening and creepy. The police said there was nothing they can do so I guess I just have to deal with them and hope they go away, but..."

Lawrence sighs sympathetically. "But you're worried they'll come find you."

"Yeah." Harper rubs their temples tiredly. "It also freaks me out that this person could be anyone. There's no address on the letters so I can assume they come to deliver them themselves. I thought about setting up cameras but they'd probably know if I did. They seem to be following me 24/7 with all the stuff they've put in those letters."

Nodding, Lawrence sighs, "I'm sorry, that sounds awful. You don't think they'd actually try anything, do you?"

"I... don't know. I sure hope not, but the thought is always there."

"Hmm... do you want me to drive you home? I can walk you up to your house."

Harper chuckles. It's a little odd he's offering, but it just seems in character for him. Not to mention Harper had already mentioned last time Lawrence visited that they took the metro to work every day. "You don't need to do that, I think I'll be fine."

"You have a stalker, and you want me to leave you alone to deal with it at 10:00 o'clock at night? That doesn't sound safe," Lawrence argues.

"No it doesn't, but..." Harper trails off when they realize they have no argument. They doubt Lawrence could be the culprit behind the letters, only because this is Lawrence Cross, a pretty well-known celebrity.

They doubt anyone would throw away their career like that, especially over them of all people. Not to mention if Lawrence was hypothetically their stalker, it'd make no sense why he wouldn't have just snatched them away sooner. Hell knows he has the time and money.

Raising a brow, Lawrence repeats, "But?"

"But... nothing. I'll pay you for the ride."

With a chuckle, Lawrence shakes his head. "I'd probably be the worst person ever if I took your money, especially for something like this. Let's go."

Harper feels some relief their shift is over with, glad to be done for the day for the first time in a while. It'll be hard getting to sleep, but they're just happy to get a free ride. They exit the bar after clocking out, smelling the wet concrete beneath their feet. It's calming to smell something that isn't just pure alcohol.

"Where do you live?" Lawrence asks as they both get in the car. His hands rest along the steering wheel, looking at Harper.

They hesitate for a moment, realizing they need to tell a relative stranger their address. However, considering the circumstances and the fact that Lawrence has offered his help genuinely, they decide to share the information.

"I live in the apartment complex on Berkley Street, just a few blocks away," Harper responds, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

Lawrence nods and starts the car, smoothly merging into the late-night traffic. The rhythmic hum of the engine fills the silence, creating a sense of comfort within the confined space of the vehicle.

Harper thinks it's a little weird, the fact that Lawrence, a celebrity and stranger, has become involved in the situation at hand. It felt like a fever dream when Lawrence stepped foot in the small dreary bar just a few months back, Harper was sure he was just a celebrity lookalike, and even now they have suspicions.

Considering Lawrence has reserved the entire bar for hours at a time just to watch a stupid football game and sip on whiskey, Harper knows he is the real deal. Probably.

"Soo... how are your kids doing?" Harper asks. Comfortable silence was never a thing for them.

"Pretty good, actually. Nathan's temper tantrums have been improving, I think he's becoming more well-behaved. Sadie and Marshall are doing good, too."

Harper hums in acknowledgement. They turn their head to watch the dimly lit street lights pass by, while also watching Lawrence's reflection in the window. He seems focused on driving, so they decide to stay quiet, just listening to the radio playing quiet 80's music.

Eventually, Harper notices he missed the street to turn on. "Lawrence, you missed it."

Lawrence comes to a stoplight, turning his head to look at them. "Huh?"

"You missed the street."

"Oh, sorry. I was lost in thought."

Harper feels a sense of dread as Lawrence continues driving. They laugh awkwardly. "So are you going to make a U-turn or what?" When Lawrence doesn't reply, the terror really starts to come up. "Y-you know what, I think I'll just get out now, just pull over."

He shakes his head. "I can't do that."

"Why the fuck not? Let me out, Lawrence. This isn't funny." They're about to start hyperventilating, but the sheer adrenaline of wanting to get away from him overpowers every other emotion.

Lawrence clicks his tongue. "You're right, this isn't funny." He's staring straight ahead at the road, completely unfazed.

Harper tries opening the car door, but it's locked, of course. They try to move to Lawrence's side to unlock it, now in a panicked fervor, but Lawrence pushes them and before Harper can blink, a knife goes to their throat. Their eyes go wide.

"I wouldn't do that, love," Lawrence says simply and calmly, like a normal person would say it to someone who was simply annoying them.

The pet name sent shivers down their spine. “What do you want with me?” they whisper.

Lawrence removes the knife from their neck and to his pocket facing the car door on his side. His eyes are still fixated on the road with the occasional glance sent their way. "I want you to be mine."

The words are so simple, yet Harper is still surprised. "Excuse me?" they sputter.

He chuckles. "You heard the news articles? About Nadia?"

Harper shakes their head slowly. "No... I... I mean... I know she…"

"She died, yeah. I grieved for so many years. We were supposed to have a family, y'know? She was the only person who ever really understood me."

"Then she must've been as batshit crazy as you." Harper really didn't expect that to come out of their own mouth that loudly, but luckily Lawrence seems more amused than upset.

"Oh, she was. My point is, she died and left me all alone. Ever since then I've been looking for the right one, but all of them wanted the same thing out of me: money, sex, a status that actually makes them worth something… but then I met you." Lawrence smiles at them.

Harper feels too disturbed to even think of a response.

Continuing, Lawrence says, "You don't care about my fame or my money. We talk just like normal people, just like we are now."

The realization Lawrence thinks this is just a normal conversation makes Harper laugh. "I think we have different definitions of 'normal people'. So what the hell do you want from me?"

Lawrence sends a glare as he drives down the highway. "I want you to be with me."

Harper laughs again. "Yeah... I don't think that's going to happen." They pause, coming to a realization they should’ve from the very beginning Lawrence started acting weird. "You wrote all those letters."

"I sure did. Poetic, weren't they?"

"No. I think creepy and demented would be the best way to describe it."

Lawrence chuckles. "That's pretty harsh, but then again, I knew they'd creep you out. That's why we're here right now, after all."

Harper scoffs. "So you didn't mean any of it?"

He smiles at them. "Oh no, I meant every little word. I just decided to be a bit bolder than I normally would. Did I do a good job?"

They go silent yet again, baffled by this situation. They flinch when they see Lawrence grab a cup from the cup holder, filled with water.

Of course, Harper knows better when Lawrence gives it to them.

"Drink it," Lawrence urges.

It takes all their energy to bite back the snarl in their voice. "I don't feel like taking a nap, but thanks for the offer."

Lawrence looks a little impressed. "I'm glad you've grown a brain, but I wasn't asking. Drink it."

They recoil further away from Lawrence, half of their back pressing into the car door behind them. "Fuck you, asshat."

"Your insults remind me of my eldest. Here's the deal, love, you either drink it willingly, or I force you."

The reminder Lawrence does indeed have a knife ready makes them scared, they'll admit, but not enough to act like this is all fine. Harper stares at the cup for a long moment before looking up at Lawrence. "Fine," they grit through clenched teeth.

Lawrence pats their cheek. "Good, you're learning!"

Harper hesitantly sips at the water. The cool liquid runs down their throat, soothing the dryness. Yet there's not a single doubt in their mind this is drugged, even if Lawrence didn't practically just confirm it for them. They can slightly taste the chalkiness of the crushed pills.

Lawrence watches them closely, and as he comes to another stoplight, he notices Harper is stalling, only having had a few small sips. "In the next five minutes, I better see all that water gone."

It reminds them of a parent scolding their child. They roll their eyes, but obey.

The last thing Harper sees are blurring traffic lights and Lawrence's honeyed voice.

"Sleep well, honey."

...

When Harper awakes, they find themself freezing cold. They have to practically pry their eyes open to see its dark. A basement.

Realization hits them hard. They try to get out of the cuffs around their wrists and ankles, but to no avail. It's hard to make out anything in the basement, but they find stuffed animals, blankets, and chains in the corner of the room. Harper prays that Lawrence doesn't treat his kids like this, at least. Surely not.

The door creaks open. Harper whips their head up to see Lawrence, smiling and descending the stairs. "It's already 1:00. You really slept in. I guess I'm not shocked, considering you haven't been getting any good sleep recently. You went to bed at 4:00 in the morning yesterday, so I can't blame you there."

At this point, Harper doesn't even know why they're shocked. "Right. You've been stalking me, too. How was that going for you? Learn anything else interesting?"

Lawrence seems to really ponder their question. "You did have a pretty dull life. It made me a little depressed just following you around. Even when you'd go out to parties you'd just get drunk and throw yourself on anyone who talked to you."

"Thanks for the observation." Harper's eye twitches.

He laughs. "Anyone can observe that, now that I think about it. But I do know everything there is to know about you. I know your history, your medical and criminal records, your likes and dislikes, and of course, your personality. I'd say I know more about you than your own family, but you haven't seen them in five years now!"

Harper's face burns red and it's becoming more difficult to breathe. "You say you love me and then you just talk a bunch of shit about me. How does that make sense?"

"I do love you," Lawrence says matter-of-factly. Harper can't believe how calm he sounds. "I'm just speaking my mind. Isn't that what partners do for each other?"

"Oh, so we can speak our minds? Okay, here's what I think: I think you're a lonely, crazed lunatic who's out of touch with reality. Here's some news, just because you get handed everything you want doesn't mean it's going to work with people, and certainly not me. And if you think I'm going to act like this is all okay, then you're seriously delusional."

Lawrence narrows his eyes. "So that's how it is, huh?"

Bold as their words may be, Harper doesn't even care. "Yeah, it really is."

"Alright." Lawrence stands there for a moment, cold eyes staring right down at Harper. Anger flashes in his eyes, and in a swift movement, he stomps on Harper's ankle, and the sound of a hideous snap echoes in the basement.

Harper screams shrilly, and soon their screams turn into wails of agony when Lawrence kicks them in the ribs. They try to crawl away, but Lawrence puts his shoe down on their back, keeping them pinned to the ground.

"Normally I'd say I don't want to hurt you, that this is all for your own good, but... I'd be lying if I said I don't enjoy this. I mean, look at you... you're normally so confident and witty, but now you're just a crying mess on the floor. My poor darling." He removes his shoe to kneel down, turning Harper so their back is on the basement floor. He grabs their face to look at him. "Do you want me to stop?"

Cringing from pain, Harper doesn't reply. They lift their head weakly to look at their ankle, breath hitching at the awful sight. It's swollen, already tinging purple. More tears cascade down their cheeks.

"Let me get these." Lawrence swipes his thumb underneath Harper's eyes, and much to Harper's disturbance, licks their tears right off his thumb. "Now you have two options, my love. Either you apologize to me and we can go upstairs and have lunch after I bandage you up, or you can stay down here with your broken ankle and starve for the night."

Harper tries to think logically, as much as the pain is making it hard to do so.

It was cold, they hadn't eaten in a while, and they just wanted this excruciating pain to stop. However, the thought of giving this man any kind of satisfaction left a bad taste in their mouth.

Harper gives him a scornful smile through their tears. "Fu-fuck you."

"What a shame." Lawrence stands back up. "I hope you'll be a little more appreciative by tomorrow, but if not, I have all the time in the world to make you into a more loving partner. See you tomorrow, honey."

With that, the door clicked shut behind Lawrence.

[jocelynships]

You know I've gotta ask blue for Kurt, but also orange & pink for Draxum!! Genuinely curious what y'all would do together haha. Love you Joce 💙

Hehe thank you, Emily!! These will be fun, so let's go!

We'll answer for the blue boy first!

Blue: What is their love language?

Oh, physical touch for sure! Kurt's a very physically affectionate guy! Him and my S/I are always holding onto each other in some way shape or form. Sometimes their arms are around each other, if they're not holding hands then their pinkies are intertwined, or his tail is curling around her in some way shape or form!!

And now for the goat man!

Pink: What is your favorite thing about their appearance?

Oh my god where do I start I legit love everything about his appearance

Okay. I think. I'm just gonna say his face. Like. I can't pick just one aspect about his face, I love it all. His pretty golden eyes, his cheekbones, his nose, his lips??? And listen. I love the fact they didn't make him a "conventionally attractive" young guy. Like, I will say that yes, he is almost human looking, all you have to do is remove the goat ears & nose, and give him a human skin tone and that's all you gotta change to make him look human! But he is so cool looking! They could have made him a generically attractive guy, but they made him an older guy, gave him wrinkles too! And I LOVE it!!!

So many people don't like how he looks without the mask and ya know what? Anyone who thinks that is a COWARD. He's handsome as hell, and I like him better without the mask tbh, even if the armor is a good look!

However, some artists have drawn him with his mask off, but the rest of the armor on. And it makes me go insanely feral. Like. I cannot say the thoughts I have about that man when I see art like that because I might scare some of y'all JDFHFDIJG

But seriously, I love his face so much. He's legit so handsome to me. I don't care what anyone says lmao. B.aron D.raxum is fine as hell and that's that!

Also those muscles. Need I say more.

Orange: What is your favorite date you’ve been on?

Oh goodness, I've been too caught up thinking about Joce and D.raxum's pre-dating shenanigans so much I haven't really thought about what type of dates they'd go on. 😳

And to be honest, D.raxum doesn't seem like the type to go out on fancy dates lol.

BUT WAIT ACTUALLY-

Okay, so it may not count as a "date" since it happens before they start dating, but it's the "Something There" moment where they both realize "Oh, this isn't a crush. I'm in love."

Joce and D.raxum get dragged to a day at Albertoland by April, the turtles, and one of my friend's S/Is!

And they're pretty much just trying to make sure none of the teens get into trouble, and Mikey wanted D.raxum to come out and have some bonding time with everyone.

And Joce and D.raxum get mistaken for a couple. Multiple times.

But also, it's where Joce starts to see D.raxum CAN be a good guy. He's a little awkward the whole time, not really knowing how to carry himself around other humans. He just got used to Joce, April, and my friend's S/I after all!

But him and Joce end up on their own while the teens go on some rides. Joce doesn't really trust carnival rides, it's a weird hang up she has, so she sticks back with D.raxum and the two bond some more. And in that moment, they both realize how much they fully enjoy each other's company. And man. Has the other always been so attractive?

I still gotta write out more details, but this is basically it! It's such a fun thing I have planned for them hehe.

Also man, sorry for rambling so much, but I Cannot Control Myself when it comes to D.raxum 😳

[deepestbluesky]

Oh a tag game!

I'm in the mood for some pure unapologetic fun/chaos, so lemme outline some complete insanity–

Ok so, imagine post canon established hwz end up in a parallel world for some reason or other – that world being a pre-war mdzs. First off, this is incredibly annoying for zzs because he is missing a lot of info here and goes full spymaster to find out more, meanwhile hy keeps getting mistaken as some lordling or other, while wkx preens that clearly now hy and him share a last name and proceeds to tell every passerby that this is due to wkx marrying into the wen clan and 'wen xu' insisting on him taking on the name. Everyone they encounter is incredibly bewildered; wen xu married a man?! Wen xu is slumming it without retainers? Oh god why did he suddenly turn so much more competent and lowkey??

Wkx is having the time of his life, hy is mildly uncomfortable with the constant attention, and zzs is just Existing. Shenanigans ensue before they return to their own world as suddenly as they came, leaving absolute chaos in their wake.

Of course if that's too insane for you, i can also alternatively offer:

Hy's birthday is coming up, and wkx only finds out because zzs is being shifty. So wkx stalks zzs when he goes down into the town to 'buy more wine' and instead finds him comissioning a hairpin. Clearly wkx has to find out why, for whom; and then naturally find something else he can gift hy in an attempt to one-up zzs and thoroughly spoil hy

siv i can't believe you would challenge me like this 😔 offering me alternatives as if i've ever not simply picked both in my LIFE

It's not that Zhou Zishu has never seen Han Ying lose his temper. He has, a handful of times. However, a handful is still small enough that it's always notable when it does happen, and additionally, he's never been there to see Han Ying's temper steadily rising over time, nor the exact moment when it boils over. "Kexing," Han Ying says, hands balled into fists at his side. "Has it occurred to you that no one would have known who I supposedly am if you didn't keep telling them! Everyone has been very clear! They've never seen Wen Xu before in their life. Which is good for them, since they all seem to hate him—correctly, it seems, if he's the reason they're all living so miserably—but you decided it was a good idea to not only accept the one foolish old man who said I looked just like him, but also to throw his name around everywhere! If someone comes trying to kill Wen Xu, I'll be sure to thank you!" And with that last shouted barb, Han Ying storms off, leaving Wen Kexing standing dumbstruck in the middle of the room. "Good job, Lao Wen," Zhou Zishu says, smirking a little. Wen Kexing whirls on him. "How are you so calm about this, then?" "I already saw someone flying with my own eyes, nothing is going to startle me now."

and secondly:

"A-Xiang," Wen Kexing calls imperiously. "Come here." Gu Xiang rolls her eyes, but puts down the book she's been plodding through and comes over to her brother. "What?" He glares at her. "I know I raised you to be more polite than that, are your manners truly so lacking?" She sticks her tongue out at him. What kind of question is that, anyway? "Is that all? Can I go back to my book now?" "Hmph. No, I need you to tell me if you've heard anything from the other disciples about Han Ying's birthday." Gu Xiang stares at him. "Wait, you're sleeping with him and you don't even know his birthday?" Wen Kexing leaps to his feet, and grabs for her ear. "Who taught you to say such things in public?" he scolds. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, ge, leave me alone!" "Answer the question!" Gu Xiang pouts up at him, head tilted to the side since he still hasn't let go of her ear. "I think Zichen said something about they're trying to get Han-dage some sweets from town without him knowing about them, and maybe some new brushes?" "When?" "Uhhh three days from now? Unless it was four—" She yelps and finally twists away from Wen Kexing. "Three days! Go ask them yourself, I'm leaving!" Gu Xiang grabs her book, and leaps out of the courtyard as fast as she can. She'll just go somewhere else. It's not worth it.

happy now???

[rightpastnowhere]

bayonetta 3 spoilers !!!!!!

okay before i go to bed i'm gonna make a quick post about my feelings because i'm tired of seeing all these shallow n one-sided arguments and stances in the fandom

spoilers for the plot and ending below the cut!!!!!

so i didn't like the ending. without going into the ship discourse (for now) like... i just didn't. it would have been a good ending in the context of any other series, i think, that WASN'T bayonetta. and i'm all for breaking the mold in a series, honest to god, but it just seemed so odd?? the bayonetta games have emotional moments, i won't say otherwise. the bit with jeanne rescuing bayonetta from the eye of jubileus in bayo 1??? that shit got me !!! and the games have themes of grief and accepting loss and all that whatnot.

but also, all of the games have triumphant endings full of action and chaos and punching gods into the sun!!! bayonetta is always shown as one of the strongest characters in the world, and seeing her broken down like this - over and over, with all of the variants, and then again in the end - it just felt disheartening. it kind of outweighed the bittersweet effect of it, and just made me depressed. it felt hopeless, and while that sort of ending works for a lot of series and i know that it's a wonderful tool of storytelling, it just... i don't know, came out of left field. but that's my personal opinion, not a writing critique!! i'm not saying that the ending was good or bad, should or should not have happened, so don't attack me for trying to make some absolute opinion, or say i think i know everything. i don't.

okay now onto the character drama.

i feel a need to preface this by saying that i LOVE luka as a character!! i love him so much!!! he's so silly and goofy and sweet, but genuinely smart!!! he's so caring to baby cereza in bayo 1, and he cares about bayo, and he's a sweetheart. i also have no problems with the bayo/luka ship. i have no issues with bayo being with a guy, i've headcanoned her as bi since the first game.

all that said: i don't like the way they handled it in this game. putting aside the fact that i'm a major bayojeanne shipper - and i am actively putting aside my bitterness, i acknowledge that it's there, but that's just me being a shipper and has no place in this analysis - i don't think it was handled well. to me, it just feels like it came out of nowhere. in the first game, they have some chemistry, sure, but it always kinda feels like just teasing. luka is obviously Down Horrendous for her, despite trying to hate her, and bayonetta kinda leads him along, but it seems to just stick around flirting/lust on both sides. they obviously care about each other - and i love that!! my heart clenched when luka was thrown out of the window, and bayo tried to reach for him - but it seemed to read more as platonic, to me. and in bayonetta 2, if my memory serves me, they don't interact as much? he doesn't seem to be as significant aside from expediting plot? again, it's been a couple years, so forgive me if i'm mistaken. it just seemed like their relationship fell to the wayside

because of that, it just feels so rushed. they go from friends who flirt with each other and may or may not be serious about that flirting to... multiversal soulmates???? what?????? (i don't fully understand that adam and eve stuff but. what.) and they try to hint at it through the game, but they're only on-screen together later in the game??? and the way they talk about each other feels like the beginning of something, instead of the culmination they were obviously going for. it just feels like they pulled this plot out of their asses without using any of the things that had been built up from previous games. i just... honestly it caught me off guard. i was surprised, and not in the normal plot twist way. instead of "oh wow i didn't see that coming!! but looking back i can see the setup!!!" it was "oh wow i didn't see that coming, also what game is this?" DON'T GET ME WRONG it's all cool concepts!!! i love cool star wolf luka's design, i love multiverse shenaniganery, and i love bittersweet endings - but it just feels so wildly different than the previous two games. i don't know.

to be honest, tho, bayonetta settling down with anyone within canon just feels weird. like i wasn’t going into this expecting a bayojeanne confession either. these games have always sort of felt... i don’t know, disconnected? from romance plots? very much “bayonetta doesn’t need a romance, she’s strong and independent, she has her friends and her guns” type vibes. like good for her!!! it just seems very, again, out of left field

and, now's my time to be just a bit petty - jeanne got seriously sidelined in this game. i love her little spy mission, it's so cute and silly and shows how nerdy she can be, but after that, she's just... there. she has some cute scenes with bayo with some banter, and they fight together, but then she gets... killed for a plot twist?? alone??? her last word is "cereza" and we hardly see bayonetta mourning her???? she comes back for a second to help fight and then they barely get to speak together before she's gone again??????? i just. she's one of the strongest witches out there, and got stabbed in the back in a cutscene???? and then she's basically forgotten. whether you ship bayojeanne or not, you have to admit that they're incredibly important to each other. they're the last of their clan, they continuously risk their lives for each other, and they even live together for fuck's sake!! bayo's closest and oldest friend got sidelined with a glossed-over plot-twist death. it feels like such a disservice. and i'm not gonna lie, i was a little upset with how in bayo 2 she hardly gets any screentime after being saved, but also she'd just gotten back from hell, she needed to rest. and she even comes back for the boss fight!!! home girl gets on a jet!!!!! and then we get her in a cut scene at the end!!!!!!! it just feels so unfair to her.

ALSO. ME NOT WANTING BAYO TO END UP WITH LUKA IS NOT BIPHOBIA. I REPEAT. IT'S NOT BIPHOBIA. I AM OKAY WITH BAYONETTA BEING WITH A MAN. I JUST WISH THE WRITING WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER!!!!!!

anyway that was NOT short thoughts and i need to go to sleep

edit 11/4: someone pointed out that the arch eve and adam thing wasn’t just bayo and luka, thank you for telling me (i was very confused), but still… what was that?? also??? this whole thing is weird

[helloalycia]

The Wrong Lifetime – Six // Wanda Maximoff

chapter five | story masterlist | main masterlist | wattpad | chapter seven

author’s note: i’m glad you all seemed to like the last chapter! i’m all for slow burn but i didn’t want to leave you hanging too long aha. Now onto dating territory!

Since going to Blackpool with Wanda, we hadn't actually gotten another moment to ourselves. Wedding plans were picking up which kept her busy, and if not that, then I'd only see her in passing in which we'd exchange smiles before moving on.

So, I though it would be good to take her out on a date. A proper one, even if it was to be disguised as a simple outing between soon-to-be sister-in-laws. The plan was to 'bump' into her in town, which we did, then I asked her if she wanted to go to the art gallery. She'd been before, but they'd put in a new exhibition which I thought she might like.

We couldn't exactly hold hands when there, but I made the most of her presence and stood a little too close to her than a friend might. Since she'd kissed me at the beach, I wasn't able to think about anything else. And when shot me a knowing smile, I knew she felt the same.

"I like this one," I told her, pointing to a piece hung on the wall, before squinting to read the plaque. "Jedburgh Abbey from the River by Thomas Girtin."

"And why's that?" she asked, watching me with humoured eyes.

I pursed my lips, glancing between her and the painting sheepishly. "I'm not gonna lie, I just like the way the guy painted the clouds in the sky."

She stifled laughter, not wanting to draw attention from passers-by, and nudged me in the shoulder. "You're unbelievable, milaya (darling). We didn't have to come here if you don't like art."

I gave her a knowing look. "Hey, I love art. Especially when it's by a certain Sokovian artist named Wanda Maximoff."

Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. I grinned at her bashfulness, wanting to tease her but also very true with my words. Her work was my favourite, biased or not, and I still had that amazing portrait she'd done of me in my room back home. It was tucked into one of my drawers where nobody would find it. I didn't want anyone else to look at it since she'd done it for me and it was private... it was a beautiful reminder of the amazing day we'd had.

"You're poking fun, but in all seriousness, I'd actually love for my work to be up here someday," she said softly, looking at the painting before us with hopeful eyes. 

"They wish they were that lucky to score someone as talented as you," I said without skipping a beat.

She cracked a smile, tilting her head in my direction. It was obvious she was losing her patience with me, but I enjoyed watching her lose it. She didn't know what to say, especially when being complimented, and it was endearing to witness.

We remained civil for the remainder of the 'date', refraining from holding hands or gazing at each other longer than friends would, and I was pretty proud of myself for not thinking about kissing her once when we were done.

As we got into the carriage to go back home, the door closed and I was going to ask her how she found it when she moved towards me in an instant, kissing me without question. I raised my hand, caressing her jaw and closing my eyes as she leaned forward, practically on my lap, not that I cared. She sucked on my bottom lip sensually before she opened her mouth, pushing her tongue into mine. I almost forgot how to breathe as she did, unprepared for such an intense kiss.

"I've been wanting to do that all day," she revealed when she pulled away.

I flushed at the contact, a dazed smile on my lips. "Huh."

She chuckled as she sat back beside me more 'appropriately'. "Thanks for taking me. I loved it."

I nodded lamely, still trying to recover from our kiss. "I'm– I'm glad."

She smirked playfully, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to my lips before sitting back. "You're so cute."

My words still hadn't returned, so all I could do was nod before looking the other way. Her laughter filled the carriage and I wondered how I'd gotten so lucky to be in the presence of someone so perfect.

After exchanging some more kisses and actually being able to hold hands without prying eyes, we reached Wanda's home and she invited me in for some tea. Sadly, that meant we had to let go of one another, but I think she'd given me enough to remember her by as we parted, and she must have thought the same, judging from the smirk she sent my way.

We sat on the patio outside to have some tea and biscuits, enjoying the sunshine and blue skies, a rare occurrence for England. We were chatting mindlessly when her brother decided to make an appearance, helping himself to a seat between Wanda and I.

"How lovely of you to grace us with your presence, Miss Y/L/N," he said playfully, shooting me a charming smile, before reaching to grab a biscuit. Wanda slapped his hand but he stole one anyway, making her roll her eyes.

"Nice to see you, Pietro," I greeted with amusement, always enjoying his presence.

"And you," he returned, before chowing down his biscuit.

Wanda gave me a fed up look over his shoulder which he was oblivious to, and I tried not to laugh as she clearly wasn't a fan of him interrupting our time.

"So, I caught a glimpse of the wedding invitations," Pietro said, making conversation. He glanced between us with a nod of approval. "They're coming along well."

I hummed in agreement, smile becoming less real when he mentioned the wedding. Wanda didn't acknowledge his words as she fiddled with the handle of her teacup.

"Is your brother behaving, Y/N?" Pietro continued jokingly, looking to me. "I know how many admirers he has, but my sister should be his first priority."

"Oh, Piet...," Wanda breathed out with embarrassment, facepalming.

"Of course he is," I assured her brother with a small smile. "He wouldn't dare try hurting Wanda or he'd have a lot of explaining to do."

There was some playfulness in my voice, but an underlying truth to my words.

"It's sweet how close you've gotten," Pietro noticed, looking between us, before settling his gaze on me. "It's about time Wanda made friends with people who aren't me."

Cue another slap. I chuckled at her sheepish expression, amused by Pietro's antics.

"Anyway," he changed the subject for his sister's sake, "mother has been getting on my very nerve about finding a bride because you decided to get married."

Wanda rolled her eyes. "We both know I didn't decide, Piet."

He sighed over-dramatically. "Well, it's because of your engagement that she's now on my back about it."

"Join the club," I joked, knowing exactly what he meant. "My mum was already on my back about finding a husband, but since this engagement, it's ten times more annoying."

Pietro laughed. "Oh, no. Has she lined up suitors? My parents like to point out every pretty woman they see to me in hopes I'll make a move. It's hardly productive."

"I haven't asked her for fear she'll pull out a folder with all of the eligible bachelors in town," I said, half joking and half serious.

Pietro snickered as Wanda rolled her eyes in the background. She should have been happy I was getting along with her brother. He was actually quite entertaining to be around.

"It's funny you say that because you're one of the women my parents pointed out," he admitted.

"Oh, God, so they're saying the same thing to you?" I asked with a groan, and he nodded regretfully. "Isn't it just the worst?"

"You're a lovely girl, Y/N, don't get me wrong," he began gently, "but I don't like you like that."

I raised my hand for a high five. "Me and you both."

Laughing once again, he returned my high five and I was glad we were on the same page. The amount of people that had been hinting at getting to know Wanda Maximoff's very single brother was getting pretty annoying. It was nice to know he was just as irritated at the insinuation as I was.

"Okay, I should leave you both to it," Pietro concluded, slapping his knees and standing up. Looking to me, he said, "Miss Y/L/N, it was as lovely as ever to make your acquaintance."

I smiled as he winked playfully before looking to his disgruntled sister.

"Dear sister, the pleasure is always mine," he continued to tease, and she slapped him once more, making him dodge her and begin to leave. "Love you, too!" he called before heading back inside.

I laughed at his silliness and relaxed in my seat, looking back to Wanda. She didn't seem half as amused as I was as she drummed her fingers on the table and chewed on the inside of her cheek.

"I may be mistaken, love, but it looks like you're jealous," I poked fun at her.

She rolled her eyes and her jaw tensed before she finally looked to me, expression softening. "Can you blame me?" she asked quietly. "You're both single. You're both similar age. Everybody talks."

I shrugged nonchalantly, having a sip of my tea. "True... but I've got my eye on another Maximoff anyway."

She sighed, small smile creeping on her lips. Subtly moving my chair closer to hers, I grabbed her hand under the table and squeezed. My thumb stroked her hand softly as I leaned on the palm of my hand on the table.

"You look really beautiful today," I admitted in a hushed voice. "I should have told you earlier."

She, too, leaned into the palm of her hand as she watched me with an enchanting gaze. "So do you, milaya (darling)."

Unable to resist, I glanced around quickly before kissing her cheek and pulling away. Letting go of her hand, I busied myself with the tea and biscuits again.

"Biscuit?" I offered her, and she began to laugh at my attempt at acting casual.

Playing along, she accepted the biscuit from my hand. But a knowing smile was on her lips as she nodded. "Thank you."

—

Being with Wanda was a luxury in itself, even if we had to keep it private.

To everybody else, we were merely two women about to become family who happened to create a bond that was close. But we both knew what it really was and weren't eager to say it. Because saying it made it true and that meant that what we were doing became realer than it was in our daydreams and hidden moments.

I did find myself wracked with guilt sometimes – particularly the times when Y/B/N would gush about how excited he was to marry her. Wanda was technically cheating on him with me, his sister, but that fact was something that was still blurry to me.

We had no choice but to lie and be secretive. In a world like this, where we would never be able to be together like we wanted to, all we had was secrecy and deception. Did that still make us bad people?

I tried not to think about what would happen when she actually married my brother. The future was something I was adamant on pushing to the back of my mind because I knew what it would hold and I just wanted to enjoy the time I had with her. Convincing myself that what we had wasn't serious, just a heat of the moment relationship maybe, made things easier to accept. But really, I knew that whenever she looked my way with her signature smile and dazzling eyes, it was way more than I envisioned. She was way more.

So, trying not to be dragged down with the weight of reality, I vowed to myself to only focus on the now. Focus on the moments I shared with her whilst we could. Anything beyond that and I'd surely snap.

"Medovyy (honey), the Y/L/Ns are here!" Iryna called behind her, before looking to my family and I as we stood at her front door. "Please, all of you, come in!"

She ushered us into the main hall before closing the door after us. Perfectly timed, the rest of her family left the living room and came to greet us.

Automatically, my eyes found Wanda's and she was already looking my way, her dimple making a show as she attempted to reign in an excited smile. I did the same, trying to ignore the way my heart stirred upon seeing her.

Oleg and Iryna welcomed my parents and then me, kind expressions accompanying genuine greetings. In the corner of my eye, I saw Pietro shaking Y/B/N's hand before Wanda took his place, accepting a kiss on the cheek from Y/B/N. It wasn't jealousy that I felt whenever they were together, at least not entirely – they were to be married, what more could I expect? – but it wasn't anything pleasant either.

"Ah, my favourite Y/L/N," Pietro beamed upon shaking my hand, making my lips twitch upwards. "You excited for dinner? We're having salmon."

"Ecstatic, Pietro," I answered with a playful eye roll. "All I've been thinking all day."

He chuckled at my sarcasm before letting go of my hand and moving over to greet my parents. Wanda was next, her shoulders relaxing when she stepped before me with a soft smile present on her lips.

"It's good to see you," she said, but her eyes said much more than that. "How have you been?"

Exchanging a friendly-looking hug, my body was warm where she pressed against me. Touching her always sent a rush of emotion through me and I looked forward to it every time.

"I've been good," I answered aloud, before whispering into her ear, "Better now."

She squeezed my waist inconspicuously in response before letting go. "That's good. You know, we've got time before dinner and I wanted to show you the painting I've been working on lately. Wanna see?"

I glanced at my parents and hers for permission, knowing they'd heard her question.

"Just try not to take too long since dinner will be on the table soon," Iryna said with a nod. "It's so good to see you girls getting along."

Breathing out slightly, I smiled gratefully before letting Wanda intertwine our fingers and drag me up the staircase. She led me past several doors before we finally reached hers and she tugged me inside.

As soon as the door closed, she was quick to connect our lips in a heated, desperate kiss. I relaxed against her instantly, my hands falling to her side and pulling her closer. Her fingernails gently scratched the sensitive skin behind my neck, giving me goosebumps, and I let out an involuntary gasp at the feeling.

When we pulled away for a breath, her nose brushed against mine and she pressed a final kiss to my lips, slower and more tasteful compared to the first, before smiling at me.

"I missed you," she said, as if reading my mind.

A breathy laugh escaped my lips. "It's only been a week since we last saw each other, love."

She shrugged, arms laced around my neck. "A week too long."

Raising a brow judgementally, I gave her a knowing look. She wasn't embarrassed in the slightest as her half-lidded eyes met mine with a confident smirk.

"Did you just pull me up here to have a quick snog?" I teased her.

"Well, yes," she said, making me laugh again, before adding, "And I wanted to ask you if you'll go to the park with me tomorrow. A picnic. If you want."

She bit her lip anxiously, eyes darting elsewhere as she waited for an answer. I always found it amusing how she could be so confident one second and then so innocently adorable the next.

"Wanda, I'd love to." My thumb rubbed circles on her waist as I kept ahold of her. "I hear it's supposed to be nice weather tomorrow, too."

She pursed her lips. "Even if it rained, I'd still drag you to the park with me."

"Somehow, I feel like that's true," I countered with a ghost of a smile on my lips. She tried to hide her own smile and I continued, "Was there an actual painting you wanted to show me or...?"

Breathing out with amusement, she intertwined our fingers and pulled me to the back of her room where her 'studio' was. Since the last time I'd visited, there were plenty of new additions to her work, all as wonderful as the next.

"This one is from the beach at Blackpool," she said, stopping before a medium-sized canvas depicting the horizon. "When we sat on the bench. Just before I kissed you."

My heart fluttered at the memory and I studied the canvas, recalling it looked similar to her watercolour painting of the same view. She'd done a spectacular replica in oil paints, reminiscent of the trip we took.

"You should already know what I'm going to say," I said, looking to her knowingly. "But just so you can hear it again, I absolutely love this. You're so talented."

She rolled her eyes to distract from the pink spreading across her cheeks. "Thank you... and again, thank you for taking me. Seeing an actual water source upfront really helped me refine my paintings. It feels so much more real now."

I looked back to the painting, noticing what she meant. Either way, I loved both versions of her work, before and after going to the beach.

"You did good, love."

She squeezed my hand gently before sighing quietly with realisation. "We should probably go back down."

"We should," I agreed, glancing at her. "Thanks for showing me these."

She cracked a smile, teeth nibbling on her bottom lip. "Always."

Reluctantly, the two of us returned downstairs and joined the others as they were settling at the dining table. Wanda and I sat side by side, and this time when her fingers brushed mine, I made no move to pull away.

The meal was good, but as usual, I found myself zoning out. The conversation made its rounds, falling to me as the Maximoffs wanted to know how I was doing, then moved on, giving me chance to focus on eating my dinner and getting through the evening. I knew that at one point, everybody was talking about some play that was showing in the theatres.

Bits of the conversation were going in one ear and out the other and I was minding my own business until Wanda's bare foot rubbed against my leg under the table. The sensation of her skin against mine made my knee bounce up and hit the table with surprise, earning everyone's attention.

"Are you okay, dear?" Oleg asked, noticing my discomfort.

I cleared my throat, straightening up and ignoring the stifled smile Wanda had in my peripheral vision.

"I'm good, sorry about that," I apologised awkwardly, shivering when she dragged her foot back down my leg. "You were talking about the play, right?"

That seemed to distract them, as they leapt right back into conversation, giving me a chance to breathe out with relief. I looked to Wanda, watching her lean on her palm and hide a smirk as she stared at me with mischievous eyes.

Glaring and nudging her in the arm subtly, I looked back to my food, but she didn't move her foot, nor her hand. Both brushed my against me, starting a fire on my skin and making me swallow hard. She kept like that for the whole evening, making my head dizzy and leaving me at a loss for words.

And when I looked her way, she was already staring, definitely knowing the effect she had on me.

—

"I just need to find my shoes and we can go," I told Wanda the next morning, before our date at the park.

She'd come to pick me up at my house and was hanging around my room as I finished getting ready. From her place at my desk, she hummed in acknowledgment before distracting herself with my notebooks.

"I see you're making great use of the notebook I picked out for you," she commented, and I glanced towards her mid-search for my shoes, seeing she was flicking through the already-filled book.

"I have a lot of ideas, what can I say?" I joked, before looking under the pile of clothes near my wardrobe.

She chuckled, before falling quiet again. I wasn't really paying attention to what she was doing until she spoke up after a few minutes.

"Y/N, your writing is beautiful," she said, making me look her way to see an amazed smile on her lips. "I didn't know you could write like this. I mean– I should have because you helped write that letter Y/B/N gave to me, but this..."

I shrugged awkwardly, distracting myself with my search again. "It's okay, I guess."

She exhaled mockingly. "Okay? Y/N, this is miles better than okay. Why didn't you show me this sooner?"

I smiled satisfactorily as I finally located my shoes. Grabbing them, I approached Wanda and took a seat on the edge of my bed, opposite her seat at my desk.

"Because it'll never be anything more than what you're looking at?" I said rhetorically. "It'll only ever be words confined to pages that nobody will see?"

She gave me a knowing look. "I think you forget that my brother is a publisher, dorogoy (dear)."

"And I think you forget that he is the publisher to my brother, dear," I retorted playfully.

She sighed, shaking her head and putting the notebook back on my desk. "You know Pietro would love this, right? He'd sign you in a heartbeat."

I snickered at the ludicrous thought. "Wanda, you're a little biased, love."

She rolled her eyes. "Writers write for audiences. I am an audience. I consume literature. And I'm telling you that it's not just me who would read what you have to write."

I tried not to laugh as I pulled my shoes onto my feet.

"Are you really telling me that you'd never want to get published?" she asked with a raised brow.

My heart ached at the thought of such a fantasy. "Of course I would, Wanda." I met her eyes, which were already peering across from me patiently. "I've dreamed of that. But it's just not what's to happen. My family have told me that many times. In another lifetime, maybe."

She pursed her lips, studying me thoughtfully. I offered her a smile and stood up, holding out my hand.

"Forget that," I told her. "I believe you promised me a picnic."

Thankfully, she dropped the subject and accepted my hand, letting me pull her up. The topic wasn't brought up again and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

We went to the park like she wanted and she brought a picnic basket with her, having packed a lovely variety of finger foods and snacks.

As she was unpacking the food onto the blanket, I narrowed my eyes at her. "You know, now that we're finally alone, I can say how unfair it was of you to do what you did last night."

She played dumb, shrugging, focusing on neatening up the sandwiches on a plate. "I don't know what you mean, milaya (darling)."

"Huh. Sure you don't."

Giggles flew from her lips as she glanced at me through her eyelashes. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. I just love seeing you squirm. You get all tense and it's so cute."

I pursed my lips. "I figured. You've been watching me squirm since we met."

She grinned knowingly before straightening up. "Okay, I made sandwiches and there's also some coleslaw, fruit, cheese... I made some Sokovian dishes, too, if you want to try them. Okroshka – it's like a cold soup. Then there's this olivye salad. It's... well, salad."

I smiled at the thought she put into it all and grabbed her hand between us. We'd set the picnic out behind a tree so we wouldn't have curious eyes watching us. It didn't look like we were overtly hiding, but we still got our privacy, too.

"It all looks great, Wanda," I said with appreciation. "I can't wait to try it."

She squeezed my hand in response before letting go to grab some paper plates. After popping a strawberry in her mouth, she asked, "Do you just want a bit of everything?"

I leaned on the back of my hands as I hummed a 'yes'. She began to put me some food in and I watched her, admiring the sight.

Her hair was half-pulled back today, falling in waves down her back and exposing her perfectly sculpted jawline. Everything about her was perfect – the way she moved was elegant and graceful, even when her hair fell over her shoulder and in her way; she simply moved it back with a flick of her hand and resumed what she was doing. The sun caught her immaculately, her hair glowing bright under the light and her eyes magnificently green as they focused.

As always, she took my breath away.

"Here," she said, holding out the plate towards me and pulling me from my reverie.

I accepted the plate and fork, returning her smile, before she watching as she began to make another plate for herself.

"You sure this is fancy enough for you?" I asked jokingly, stabbing my fork into a carrot. "I heard you and my brother went to a very luxurious restaurant the other night."

She met my eyes, holding amusement in her own. "Jealousy doesn't look good on you, milaya (darling)."

I kissed my teeth and rolled my eyes. "I'm not jealous, I just– it's so annoying listening to him talk about how beautiful you are or how funny you are or how kind you are."

"Oh, so you don't think I'm any of those things?" she teased, trying to get a rise out of me.

I titled my head towards her. "Of course I know you're all those things. But it doesn't mean I like hearing him talk about it constantly..."

Clearly amused, she erupted into laughter and I felt my face heating up with embarrassment. I know it sounded like I was whining, but it was true. Sometimes, I wasn't envious of my brother but rather at the fact that he could actually take Wanda out properly. He could be seen with her in public and hold her hand without fear of getting looks or disowned. He had the privilege of being with her and it wasn't fair.

"You may hear him talk about it, but there's one thing I can assure you that you get that he doesn't," she said when recovering from her laughter.

I stared at her with an exasperated sigh. "And what's that?"

She smiled confidently, glancing around quickly, before leaning forward and kissing me softly. As quickly as it came, it disappeared, leaving me desiring more.

Licking my lips, I couldn't tear my eyes from hers. "You know, you're a really good kisser."

She chuckled at my reaction and I found myself leaning in again, entranced by the way she tasted. Putting my plate to the side, I raised a hand to pull her closer, getting better access to her mouth.

She tasted sweet like the strawberry she'd just eaten and I swiped my tongue across her lip, indicating I wanted her to part her them. She did, allowing me to slip my tongue in and wrestle with hers, revelling in the way she tasted. My heart was thumping loudly in my chest as she let out a moan, it reverberating in my mouth and giving me goosebumps.

When lack of oxygen became an issue, she pulled away breathlessly, flushed cheeks adorned with a smile.

"As lovely as that was, I actually want to eat what I made," she ridiculed playfully.

"Yes, we will," I assured her, my hand moving from her neck up to her jaw. My thumb touched her lips, outlining them tenderly, subconsciously committing them to memory. "We'll get back to it."

She wanted to laugh, but I moved forward and caught her bottom lip between mine, unable to stay away. It was wrong, the rush I felt in my gut and the warmth that spread all over my body and the tingles that travelled down my spine. Because I knew what it all meant, but admitting it was a different story. So, I didn't.

I just continued to kiss the girl before me, knowing I could have kissed her forever and not regretted a single thing.

[bruhstories]

Fate

Summary: The Abduction of Persephone or how Levi couldn’t get you of his head.

Pairing: Hades!Levi x Persephone!Reader

Warnings & Content: nsfw, mentions of rape & incest (cause, you know, Zeus is a fucking entitled asshole and nobody fucking likes him), unprotected sex, oral sex (male receiving), fingering, language, loss of virginity

Word Count: 5.1 k

A/N: literally the only thing I have to say is that for the purpose of this fic, Hanji has she/her pronouns, and the first few paragraphs are written in third person xD happy reading!

Help me...

Please...

Help... me...

Sweat drips from his forehead and his eyes shoot open. That damned dream again. That sweet voice again. Levi Hades can't comprehend why he was dreaming. Gods don'tdream. His bed seems empty, but he never needed anyone in it. For some reason, now he feels like someone is missing. He gets up, naked body and blank eyes watching over his realm from the balcony of his castle. Empty. Other than the souls of the dead that quietly dance around like little flames, it's empty. Other than Cerberus sleeping peacefully, it's empty. And so damn cold. Mortals mistaken the Underworld for a scorching hot place, but in reality, it's as cold as Levi Hades' heart. If he even has a heart.

He wraps his toga around his sculpted body, a wreath of laurels on his coal-black hair, donning his arms with silver bracelets and rings. Time doesn't exist in the world of the dead, but Levi Hades sticks to a strict schedule. He waves his hand and a scroll and quill magically appear on his marble desk. He can't trust Hermes with this message, and so he gives it to one of his dogs to deliver it to Hanji Hecate. Who better to interpret the meaning of his dream than the goddess of witchcraft herself? LeviHades surrounds himself in thick, grey smoke before he disappears from his bedroom.

Somewhere on Earth, Y/N Persephone is being watched by Zeus. The powerful god cannot resist such a beauty, and he is known for having his way with anyone, even his own daughter. But it's not her time, he thinks, not just yet. She knows this, she knows what will happen to her when she reaches the age of marriage, and at night, when not a soul is awake, she sobs and prays that someone will find her and help her. She is willing to do anything to escape her father's clutches and her dark future. And every night she cries, it rains — it pours.

At the outskirts of the Underworld, Hanji Hecate receives a message. She reads it carefully, and a knot forms in her stomach. The goddess heard the pleas of a girl, whom she believed to be a mortal, but if Levi Hades heard her, too, then it could only be another deity. HanjiHecate closes her eyes and performs a spell in the hopes of locating the desperate girl. It doesn't work. It doesn't work because, unbeknownst to her, Demeter is hiding her daughter from the preying eyes of Zeus.

They searched for weeks, mortal weeks, for the crying goddess, but none of them had any luck. Y/N Persephone is somewhere in the shadows of Demeter, but even she knows her mother can't protect her forever. Zeus gets what Zeus wants eventually. The sun rises over the meadow, but Y/N Persephone doesn't know that because she's stuck weaving in a cave, sweat dripping down her forehead, hairs sticking to her face. The drakons Demeter placed at the entrance of the cave followed Y/N Persephone outside, guarding her as she washes herself in a nearby stream. He isn't supposed to be there. Levi Hades isn't supposed to peer at her naked body and the way she splashes the crystal-clear water. He was supposed to meet with Hanji Hecate and take a walk. He was supposed to go back to the Underworld after that. Yet here he is, spellbound by her gestures, her face, her eyes. And then, she sings. Y/N Persephone begins to sing and all the flowers around him bloom. Levi Hades goes into a shocked state, eyes wide open, brows raised. He knows that voice. He knows it because he's been dreaming it. His scent is picked up by the drakons and he disappears, leaving behind a trail of smoke.

"I found her, Hecate. I found her, but I can't get close to her."

"What do you mean you found her? Just like that?" Hanji Hecate's fingers trace the bark of a tree.

"It was fate. It must be." Levi Hades is desperate now.

"Calm down, Hades. I've never seen you so... twitchy." She laughs, kneeling in the grass. The witch plays with some fallen leaves, brown hair flowing in the wind.

"That's because you didn't see what I did. She started singing and flowers bloomed! I don't know what kind of nymph she is, but she is beautiful. Nothing like I've ever seen before."

"Oh, I never thought I'd live to see the day Hades falls in love." Hanji Hecate laughs again. "So why didn't you approach her?"

"Tch, because she was surrounded by drakons. I don't understand why a mere nymph would need so much protection."

The goddess gasps, all traces of happiness gone from her face, replaced by disappointment and anxiety. Levi Hades takes notice of this and places his cold hand on the witch's shoulder, but she flinches.

"You can't have her."

"You knowher?" His voice is condescending, offended that his good friend hid something like this from him.

"Hades, she's Demeter's daughter, Persephone. She's not just some nymph, but the goddess of spring." Hanji Hecate brings her palms together, forming a triangle. "We can't talk here."

Levi Hades nods and lets himself transported to the Underworld, back to the familiar souls lingering in the air.

"Talk, Hecate." He is impatient and demanding, arms folded across his chest.

"Zeus wants her, and Demeter and I are keeping her hidden." The deity explains with pain in her voice.

"Yes, well, you're not doing a very good job, now, are you?"

"Oi, the drakons noticed you. You don't think they would notice Zeus?" She snaps back, traces of arrogance in her voice.

"Hecate... it's Zeus. What would stop that brat from turning into a drakon fool her?"

The goddess shivers, shifting her weight from side to side.

"Do you have a better idea?"

"I do, actually. I'll bring Persephone here." LeviHades proudly states, but his face is still blank, not once betraying his true feelings.

"You'll... what?" Her mouth is slightly open, bewildered by the god.

"It's the only place Zeus doesn't have access without an invitation. Face it, Hecate, it's a good plan. Better than yours, anyway."

Hanji Hecate is speechless, completely at a loss for words. She ponders over the idea, a hand brought to her chin to think better.

"Alright, but what makes you think she'll just stroll through the gates of the Underworld without a complaint?"

"Oh, you've mistaken my words. I'll forcefully bring her here." He tilts his head, a semblance of a smirk on his lips.

"For fuck's sake, Hades, she's not what you'd expect. And what about me? I promised Demeter I would protect her!" HanjiHecate throws her hands in the air, her shadow taking the form of a raging dog.

"Do notchallenge me, witch. You know I can destroy you in the blink of an eye." LeviHades growls and her shadow restores itself to its natural shape. "Besides, you would still protect her. The Underworld is where you abide."

She knows she shouldn't carelessly be out in the open one hour before her coming of age. But Y/N Persephone, with tears streaming down her beautiful face, embraced her future. She knows Zeus will come for her, and so she willingly gives herself to him. With poppy seeds, she put the drakons to sleep and left the cave, clad in a sheer toga, her body visible through the transparent fabric.

"If you want me, come and get me, father!" Y/N Persephone screams at the skies, the flora surrounding her slowly turning a dark shade of brown and dying, just like her innocence would die tonight. The earth shatters behind her, marigold flames and ashy smoke cracking open the soil. Shadowy figures emerge, grasping the young goddess' limbs and they drag her down, down, down to the Underworld. She is afraid, her heart beats faster as the moonlight disappears, and all she can see is darkness.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be gentler, but I didn't want Zeus to get the wrong idea."

"You're Hades, aren't you?"

"Yes, but please, call me Levi. Persephone, I presume." Levi doesn't smile, but his voice is warm, contrasting the cold that surrounded your body.

"Don't call me that." You spit back, confused as to why you were in his realm in the first place.

"You should be a little more grateful that I saved you, brat." He narrows his eyes down at you.

"Saved me? You abductedme. You're no better than him."

Hanji Hecate was right, you had fire in your soul, and an attitude that would drive Levi over the edge.

"Tch, don't compare me to that pretentious cock." The god scoffs and your expression softens.

"Zeus is a... cock? With a beak and feathers?" You giggle and he almost wants punch himself. How could he forget how innocent you are? Clearly, he's been spending too much time with Minthe.

"That's one way to put it."

"Is there another way?" You ask with your index finger brought to your lips, pure curiosity in your eyes.

"Forget that, you said you didn't want me to call you Persephone. How else should I address you?"

"Y/N." You tell him, eyes peering to the balcony of his castle and you skip to it. "Oh, this place is huge! What are those?" You point at the colourful flames dancing in the air.

"Souls." Levi joins you, resting his arms on the marble railing.

"They're beautiful!" You are in awe, and he is just as mesmerised by your beauty. Not one sane god or goddess would consider the souls of the dead beautiful.

"Look, Y/N, I heard you. In my dreams, I mean. I'm not going to hurt you, I brought you here to rescue you." He lies through his teeth. Levi did want to save you, he still does, but he can't deny the fact that he wanted you all to himself. "I'm gonna mind my own business, you mind yours. Try not to break anything. And don't, under any circumstances, make a mess out of my castle, or my realm."

You lean on the railing, nose scrunched and a hand on your hip.

"What am I supposed to do, then? And what about my mother? What about when spring comes and I have to bring it? What about Zeus?"

Levi grits his teeth, almost regretting his decision of saving you.

"Tch, I'll deal with Demeter. I'll tell Zeus I'm marrying you. You can go bring spring when it's due. Happy?" He pinches the bridge of his nose.

"And you won't taint my innocence?"

Oh, he will taint it, alright. But not just yet.

"I won't do anything you don't want me to do."

"You still didn't answer my first question. What am I supposed to do?" You shift your weight from one leg to the other, impatiently waiting for a proper answer from your captor.

"Anything you want, just don't get in my way when I'm dealing with the dead."

"You're an aggressive little man, you know that?"

Levi can feel a blood vessel bursting on his forehead. You were truly annoying, but he couldn't just sit around and wait for Zeus to have his way with you.

"Anyway, I suppose it is safer to be here." You rolled your eyes. "Got any books?"

"What, you read?" He snorts, a condescending brow arched.

"Don't patronise me. You're the one who abducted me, you could at least try to be nice to me."

Levi sighs. This wasn't how he imagined things would go. He imagined you'd make the perfect housewife and keep him some company.

"First floor. Just stay out of the restricted section."

"Why?"

"Because I said so. Zeus' beard, are you always this irritating?"

"Are you?" You chuckle, a hand hiding your smile.

With another sigh, Levi disappears, leaving you alone. "Great job, Y/N, you made the only person who took a crumb of pity on you to go away." You say to yourself, a pout on your lips.

The Underworld wasn't as bad as you thought. Sure, there was the occasional fire popping from the ground here and there, and you had to be careful not to burn yourself, but overall, it was serene. Some parts of it were scorching hot, but mostly it was cold, and you always brought an extra cloak with you when exploring the realm. Levi wasn't always with you, in fact you haven't seen him in days, but you met his three-headed puppy. Well, puppy wasn't the best word to describe the creature, and it did try to eat you the first time, but you stood your ground and tamed the beast with your singing and eager belly rubs.

"This is a sight I never thought I'd live to see." Levi is shocked, watching his raging dog so calm. "Cerberus never lets anyone but me touch him." He gives the dog a few pats on his back.

"Well, Cerberus likes me better, don't you? Who's a good boy? You are, yes, you are!" You kiss all three muzzles and hug the gigantic beast, the heat of its fuzzy body warming you up.

"Oi, don't get ahead of yourself. Come here, Cerberus." Levi extends his arms and the creature is confused. "I said, come here."

The dog stops wagging its tail and plops next to you with a groan, one head resting in your arms. The shit-eating grin on your face is enough to make Levi sigh.

"See? I told you he likes me better." You poke your tongue out in triumph. You wave your hands and the god watches how you place three daffodil wreaths on each of Cerberus' heads. "Much better!"

"Y/N, he looks silly."

"No, he looks adorable! Here, I made you one, too."

Levi takes the flower crown and inspects it, careful not to crumble the petals.

"What is this?" He asks, marvelling at the beauty of the ice-blue colour of the plant.

"Uh, a flower crown?"

"Yeah, no shit. I meant what flower is this?"

"Oh, it's a blue poppy. One of the rarest plants in the world." You smile. "I think it suits you."

"You're an oddball."

You sit in a lavish chair, all kinds of foods displayed on the table in front of you. Saliva pools in your mouth, but you decide to wait for Levi anyway. It's bad manners to start eating without the host, Demeter taught you that. Gods and goddess don't eat mortal foods, but sometimes they indulge in it, and tonight was one of those nights.

"Here, try this." Levi offers you a strange fruit, something humans have on earth, but different.

"What is it?" You poke your finger at the juicy fruit, sucking the sweetness from your digit.

"It's a pomegranate that only grows in the Underworld."

You pick at the seeds, popping one in your mouth. You couldn't believe something so good could grow in a cold place like this.

"So, what's the occasion?" You ask Levi as you eat three more seeds, the crimson juice staining your lips.

"Our wedding."

You accidentally swallow, choking on saliva and the pomegranate seeds, your fist hammering your chest as you gasp for air.

"What?"

"I told Zeus I'm marrying you and now he wants proof." Levi bluntly states, a chalice of nectar in his hand.

"No."

"You don't have a choice, unfortunately."

"But… I'm supposed to be a virgin. Marriage implies consumption of it." You slam your fists on the table. "My mother-"

"Your mother lied to you. You're a goddess of fertility for fuck's sake." He shrugs and you're shocked by how chilling his voice sounds. Sure, Levi was always brooding and silent, but now he was just inconsiderate. "However, I'm not a man who breaks his promises. I told you I won't do anything you don't want me to."

"Oh, how niceof you. I'm leaving." You stand up, pushing the chair away.

"And go where? Demeter can't protect you forever, and you don't stand a chance against Zeus."

"You know why I hate my name so much, Levi?" You growl, fingernails digging into the wooden table.

"Do, tell."

"Because it means destruction. A fitting name for a goddess of ‘fertility’, don't you think?" The table splits open and all the plates fall to the ground. Your normal, bubbly aura changes suddenly and there's a hint of red in your Y/E/C eyes. "You think I don't stand a chance against Zeus? I'm his offspring." You snap, and instead of flowers falling out of your hair, there's thorns, spikes and rusty leaves all over the place. The uglies, most poisonous plants sprout from the ground and you're no longer the goddess of spring, but the bringer of slaughter, and Levi is impressed. Now he really knows it was faith that brought you together, he knows your place is with him — with the dead.

"Marry me." He says, unmoved by your little show. Unmoved on the outside, because on the inside he wants to bend you over and fuck you silly. His words shouldfuel your rage, but you're too surprised by the fact that he still wants to marry you, despite your outburst.

"Why? Because Zeus wants that?" Vines protrude from your skin and your fingernails turn black. You were completely different than the helpless little girl he rescued that night. You were terrifying. But not to Levi — to him you were fascinating.

"Because I want that."

It was safe to say you had fallen in love with Levi in those nine months since you came to the Underworld. He accepted you the way you were, he accepted your darkness, something not even your mother could do, and that's what triggered your feelings for the god of the dead. You still didn't allow him to call you Persephone, because you still hadn't fully embraced that part of you. Spring was almost due, but you promised Levi you'd go to earth after your wedding. Everyone would be there, including Demeter, which you haven't seen in a long time.

A soft knock interrupts your thoughts.

"Y/N, are you ready?"

"In a second, Hanji!"

"Oh, thank the gods for calling me that. I keep telling everyone I'm tired of Hecate but they don't care." The witch scoffs from the other side of the door.

"Has my mother arrived?" You ask, concern visible in your voice.

"Yes. And she's not happy."

"Hey," you open the door, "thanks for taking the blame and explaining things to her." You hug the goddess and she holds you tight.

"Don't worry about it, kid. It's me who should thank you. I don't know what you did to Levi, but he seems happier. He won't show it because he's a prick, but I can feel it."

You flash Hanji a genuine smile and ask her to fix your veil, to which she gladly accepts before escorting you to the castle grounds. Your mother should do this, but she hated her future groom, or your father, but he was a sick man who only decided to leave you alone because he respected Levi.

Every god and goddess of Olympus is here, even your uncle Poseidon. You emerge from the castle, arm looped around Hanji's and you smirk at Levi's shock. He never thought you could be more beautiful, yet here you are, dressed in silk, flowers on your hand and a thin veil clinging from the peony crown on your head. You catch a glimpse of Demeter before drifting your eyes to your future husband.

"Ladies and gentlemen, gods and goddesses, we have gathered here today to witness and bless the union between Levi, god of the Underworld, and Y/N, goddess of spring." Hanji proudly declares. The ceremony doesn't last too long, and when Levi's lips crush yours in what is your first kiss, thousands upon thousands of plants sprout from the soil, colourful flowers blooming and letting out the sweetest smells known to mankind. Love, he thinks, that's what love smells like.

You're tired from the party, tired from all the talking and mingling, tired from your mother's lecture, and tired from avoiding your father. At least Hera was nice enough to wish you a happy marriage. You pace around your bedroom, sitting on the bed, then standing up again. Levi went to his chamber after the party, but you were expecting, no, you wanted to consume the marriage. You walk to his room, a toga lazily draped over your shoulders, and open the door without a single knock. He's in bed, the only light source being the colourful souls levitating outside his windows. You carefully push the covers and climb into the bed, gently scooching closer to him.

"Psst, husband, are you sleeping?" You poke his shoulder.

"Tch, not anymore." He sighs, not bothering to open his eyes and look at you. "What do you want?"

"Well, I'm glad you asked! Seeing as we're married now, I thought it's only natural for a wife to sleep with her husband." You roll on your side, propping yourself on your elbow. Tentatively, you tug on the fabric of the toga, exposing your shoulders and part of your breasts.

"So sleep." Levi finally lolls his head to the side, facing you. He did not expect to see you sprawled on his bed like that, in a lewd position and a playful smile on your soft lips. "You don't have to do this just because we're married.

"I'm doing it because I want to. And I know you want it, too, Levi." You purr, your fingers grazing over your collarbone.

"It's going to hurt." He warns you, but his hand is already on your thigh.

"I know. But you'll take good care of me, won't you?"

Levi has no idea which one of you is talking — Y/N, goddess of spring, or Y/N, goddess of destruction — and frankly he doesn't even care at this point. As long as he has your approval, he knows he can do whatever he wants. You pull him into a sloppy kiss, obviously inexperienced, but he likes it that way. He likes that you have no idea what you're doing because he can be in control. His hand runs up and down your thigh and you can feel heat building in your core.

"Tingles..." You mumble in his lips with a hazy smile.

"Have you ever touched yourself?" Levi pulls away and you nod. "Show me."

You feel embarrassed and small, but obey nonetheless. Your hand travels between your legs and your fingers touch your already swollen clit, rubbing it in circular motions. Levi watches you with hungry eyes, wanting very hard to abstain, but he can't, and so he takes your nipple in his hot mouth. You whimper at the new sensation, electricity shooting through your body as he snakes a hand between your thighs, two fingers diving into your cunt.

"Ah! L-Levi! So big!" You mewl and he throws his head back, releasing your poor nipple.

"That's nothing compared to what you'll get, you needy brat." He curls his fingers, hitting that sweet spot, and you buck your hips. Despite being a virgin, your body naturally knows what to do. Your spongy walls clench around his digits and Levi can already feel how tight you'll be around his cock. "You're so wet."

"Is t-that a good thing?" You're innocent and pure and you rock your hips back and forth, pathetic moans escaping your lips.

"Fuck, yes." Levi kisses you, and it's nothing like the kiss from your wedding. It's desperate and greedy, and he wants you all to himself. The pace quickens, he's pumping his fingers in and out of you faster and you don't know what to do, so you keep rubbing your clit and the familiar heat of your orgasm flushes through your body. You come undone on his hand, the sinful, squelching sound echoing in the bedroom.

"It didn't hurt at all!" You look at your husband, but there's a hint of mischief in your voice, a playful glisten in your eyes. Levi clicks his tongue, because the worst — and best — is yet to come, and you know it — you're no saint.

"Come here." Levi orders and yanks you by the hair, his aggressive gesture sending a shiver down your spine and into your cunt. "Be a good girl and open that pretty mouth for me."

You obey and part your luscious lips and then you see his cock for the first time — thick and veiny, it slaps your face as it pops out of his undergarments, the tip grazing over your cheeks.

"Levi that's... that's too big." You chew your lower lip and lean back.

"You'll be fine. You said it yourself, I'll take good care of you." He cups your face with one hand, thumb caressing your chin. "Now suck it. Make sure to use lots of spit."

You feel your cheeks hot and test the waters by giving the glistening tip a few licks, tongue swirling around it. It tastes salty, and you find yourself liking this. Levi pats your head, but you feel him tensing with each movement of your tongue.

"Shit." He curses under his breath and when you look up at him with doe eyes, his heart pounds into his chest. You courageously take the tip into your mouth, and with hollowed cheeks, you move further. "Yeah, just like that. Take it all."

Bobbing your head up and down, you try to take it all, but the girth and length is just too much, and tears pool at your eyes from the lack of air, but also from how good it feels to have a fat cock in your mouth. Muffled moans reverberate in your throat, and Levi can feel the vibrations tickling him. He firmly grabs your nape and holds your head in place.

"Trust me and relax, can you do that for me?"

You half-nod, anxious and somewhat excited for what is about to happen. Your husband rocks his hips back and forth slowly before aggressively fucking your poor throat, and you feel the arousal building in your core again. So much for promising your mother you'd always stay a virgin. You want to touch yourself again, but Levi slaps your hand away and thrusts into your mouth, holding your head still until you choke, your fingernails digging into his arm. The god pulls out and you gasp for air, and he almost feels sorry when he sees your pathetic state.

"A-again!" You flash him your pearls in a sultry smile, spit dripping down your chin. Who knew you liked asphyxiation?

"Needy brat."

"Please!"

"Tch, later. Right now, I want to fuck you." Levi growls and he already has you pinned on the bed, arms above your head and legs spread open for him. His cock presses against your slick slit and you brace yourself for the incoming pain. "If you want me to stop, tell me."

You don't have the time to nod when you feel a burning sensation between your legs. Squeezing your eyes shut, you bury the back of your head into the pillow and grip the sheets so tight your knuckles begin to lose their colour. Levi slowly pushes further, another inch buried in your cunt, and you bite on your lower lip. But you don't tell him to stop, instead your spongy walls clench around his cock and another inch gets lost in you.

You never thought gods could feel such immense pain, yet here you are, with a bloody lip from digging your teeth into it and a sore pussy. But the worst thing faded bit by bit when Levi bottomed out into your cunt. The two of you sit still, your husband allowing you to get used to his girth.

"Do you think I bled?" You ask, eyes filled with tears.

"Probably, but I promise it will never hurt like this from now on." He comforts you before licking the blood from your lips. The gesture makes your cunt flutter and Levi takes it as a sign to go on. Slowly, he rocks his hips back and forth, and the molten pain is replaced by tingles and arousal.

"You good?"

"Y-yes, oh, f- yes!"

"You can say fuck, you know?" Levi thrusts once, and it's so deep you feel his cock brush over your cervix.

"Fuck!" You cry out, legs wrapping around his waist to make sure he doesn't pull out. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!"

"Good girl."

There's no more room for gentle touches and soothing words when your husband fucks you raw. Your hips buck against his to feel that sweet pressure you never knew you longed for. In and out, his cock makes you feel sore and hazy, and you want more. The sound of his balls slapping your ass makes your mouth water and your eyes glossy, and Levi feels selfish. He pulls out, turns you over and takes you from behind, like a rabid dog fucking a bitch in heat. And you are in heat — you love the way his thrusts make you feel dumb, the way his cock stretches you, the way he uses and abuses your tight little cunt. Everything is so new to you and you adore every bit of it.

"Shit, I'm close." Levi warns you, his fingers digging into your hips, and you want to be good for him, so you drag your hand between your thighs and rub your swollen clit in frantic motions.

"L-Leeevi! I think I'm-"

"Fuck!"

When you feel a hot liquid shooting into you, your legs begin to tremble and you come on his cock, head falling onto the pillow with a heavy sigh. He pulls out and you already miss the feeling of being full, your juices mixed with his own dripping down out of you, down your thigh. You curl up next to your husband, hand holding his arm before you drift to sleep.

A sweet smell fills Levi's nostrils and when he looks at your tired body, there’s flowers in your messy hair. He still can't get used to the way your divine, disorganised powers work, but at least now he knows what's been missing from his life, and the corners of his mouth slightly twist upwards into a genuine smile. The god of the dead, in love with and married to the goddess of spring. Order and chaos blending together in one beautiful, perfectly arranged mess.

It’s fate. It must be fate that brought you together — but it’s love that will keep you together.

tagging @starrynightlys @stolemyheart12

[not-poignant]

Hi Pia!

I’m rereading Game Theory atm (and wow, did not expect ALL these feels to grab me so thoroughly a second time but oh boy❤️❤️my boys❤️❤️), and I’m at the chapter after Tigbalan: Trade. Augus says something like “what do you think we’ve been doing these past two months”, and that made me wonder - what was it that made things change for augus’s part in their relationship? Like, what made him first think about it as a relationship.

If you’re sick of answering this question (I’m sure someone’s asked it before, but I couldn’t find it) just ignore it!

Regardless, best wishes to you and your day!💚

For Augus, the relationship changed pretty significantly in the transition between chapters 'Aftercare' and through 'Rollercoaster.' If he wasn't interested in Gwyn at that point, during Rollercoaster, breaking him with sounds would have actually been a super effective strategy to get Gwyn to do whatever he wanted. I think around that point, he stopped thinking of Gwyn as someone to manipulate, and instead started thinking of him as both a way to pass the time, but also as someone he was responsible for. Not quite a romantic relationship, but not anything he'd ever had before, either.

For Augus, the firm turning point from 'we are in a romantic relationship and I'm taking care of him because I might as well pass the time somehow in this hellhole' turns into love when he discovers Gwyn's truth, er, in the chapter Truth.

Augus basically commits to Gwyn much sooner and much more completely than Gwyn ever realises. And it's bewildering to Augus that Gwyn sort of doesn't seem to know that, because Augus also knows that Gwyn loves him much sooner than Gwyn realises. So he makes the mistaken assumption that they're just in a committed relationship.

Gwyn is actually the real hold out. Gwyn can fall in love with someone before he has a committed relationship with them, lol. Whereas Augus - due to his role as a caretaking dominant - could have a committed relationship with someone before it evolved into love. But even so, Augus was fully aware of what was going on in himself emotionally, and open to himself about it (if not completely laconically derisive and self-mocking about it) way earlier than Gwyn.

I'm sure I've answered this question before, but god, I think it was years ago! I don't get many Game Theory questions these days, and it was nice to actually go back and think about how it all unfolded. :D

[floating-mid-air]

The Princess of All Saiyans

-

Masterlist

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So first things first. I should probably mention that I killed Chi-Chi off before the start of the story. I completely forgot to include it in the notes last chapter. So sorry if there was any confusion there.

Ever since the last chapter, I've been kinda hooked on flashbacks. So there will be another one, this one featuring the man, the myth, the legend, the most ruthless of all the Saiyans King Vegeta. Also, my dumbass finally decided to create a Masterlist. I realized it's much easier than linking chapters individually. 

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Chapter 7

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You've been on Planet Namek for approximately two hours, and the day has already been tremendously eventful. You and Vegeta have already had a run-in with Cui, who arrived shortly after you. That purple cretin went out the same way he lived as a spineless coward. Something was extremely satisfying about watching Vegeta drive that failure into the ground. Cui's demise was entirely his own fault. It's common knowledge that Saiyans grow stronger after a near-death experience. Underestimating your brother's growth was an act of pure stupidity.

After that minor inconvenience, the two of you toon into Dodoria's transmission, it sounds like those goons are slaughtering a village of Namekians, so they must store their Dragon Balls in separate settlements. Either that or they're executing them for leisure. Both are feasible possibilities. From what you've been able to gather, Frieza has four Dragon Balls in his possession, and he's currently after his fifth. Frieza even reveals some essential information on how these Namkeian villages operate. Before the signal cuts off entirely. 

Vegeta attempts to find another channel, but they all come up as static. "Those Namekians must be craftier than they look. Something tells me Frieza's scouters are out of commission."

"Perhaps." He turns to you. "Or they figured out we were eavesdropping. Either way, keep your guard up."

The two of you fly around aimlessly. Though you still need to be careful. Frieza is somewhere on this god-forsaken planet, and a run-in with him and his lackeys at the moment would be unfavorable. Out of the corner of your eye, you spot something that catches your attention. " I spy with my little eye an unsightly pink blob."

You direct Vegeta's attention to Dodoria, who has his classic disoriented look on his face. "Good eye." He smirks at you before ambushing Dodoria, knocking him into the water. You appear beside your brother on the shoreline, observing the water intently. 

Two pink hands grasp onto the terrain as he pulls his head up, gasping for air. You both laugh maniacally at the pink creature's stupidity. You swear, after every encounter you have with Dodoria, he somehow gets dumber. "Oh, it's you two." He sounds far from pleased as he pulls himself out of the lake. "What the hell do you want?"

"Mind your manners, Dodoria." You scold him. "No need to be crude."

He scowls at you. "Arrogant Saiyans." He mutters under his breath. "That was a dirty trick Vegeta. Although I wouldn't expect anything less from you monkeys." Dodoria straightens his posture in an attempt to appear more intimidating. Spoiler alert, it doesn't work. "You know I can't just let you get away with blindsiding me." 

Vegeta chuckles, rolling his eyes at the monster. "Oh, really now? Just what do you plan on doing? You're all alone. There's no Zarbon or Frieza for you to cower behind. How unfortunate for you."

"I doubt we'll even have to lift a finger." You shrug. "This should be a piece of cake."

Dodoria chuckles, shifting his gaze between you and Vegeta. "You two really think you can take me? You're both as egotistical as that father of yours, and you know how that ended for him. You Saiyan freaks will never be half the warrior that I am." You clench your fists, your nails digging into your palm. How dare he even mention your father. "Listen, I know neither of you desires to fight me. And I don't particularly want to fight you either. So how about you just give me that scouter, and we can forget this ever happened. That's more than a fair deal. I think I'm actually being quite generous." His tone may be confident, but his body language gives him away. Who knew the pink menace was actually afraid of something. 

"So your presumption was right." Vegeta turns to you. "Those Namekians must have destroyed their scouters. This puts us in an intriguing situation, doesn't it Y/N?" Vegeta removes his scouter, tossing it on the ground. "What are you waiting for, Dodoria? Take it."

He eyes you both skeptically, but he still takes the bait. Critical thinking has never been Dodoria's strong suit. "About time you brats showed me the respect I deserve." As he steps closer, Vegeta stomps on the scouter. The wretched thing, smashing into thousands of worthless pieces.

The pink monstrosity sneers. "No worries. I'll just take the girl's scouter." He speeds toward you, extending a hand in an attempt to rip the device off your face. Before he can even touch you, you grasp his arm, bending it behind his back.

"Why do they always think it's appropriate to get handsy with me?" A breathy sigh escapes your lips. "They'll never learn." You remove your scouter, holding it in the palm of your unoccupied hand. "Since you want it so bad." You snap your scouter in half, discarding the parts to the ground. "You ever think about laying your filthy hands on me again, you'll lose them." You toss the fool several feet away. The farther away he is, the better. 

"Why would you--- it doesn't even matter." He stands back up, dusting himself off. "Now, you won't be able to find the Dragon Balls either."

You shake your head at him, a pleased look crossing your features. "Not exactly. You see, Earth was quite the adventure. We picked up a few new tricks. One that leaves those hunks of metal useless."

Dedoria furrows his brows at you, his entire face contorting. "You're lying."

"I'm afraid she isn't. This energy-sensing technique is quite simple. I doubt any of the members of the elite Frieza Force would be interested, though. It doesn't require much strength, and everyone knows you don't care for anything that doesn't involve flexing your muscles." Dodoria is more fat than muscle. It's an irrelevant technicality, one that would only piss off the blob more. 

"I get it now." He seems to come to some sort of a realization. Only you have no idea what the hell he's referring to. "Those two runts I was chasing were earthlings." You stare at him in disbelief. Is it possible for them to be here? Raditz, he's the only possible explanation. But would he really be dumb enough to lead those weaklings to their deaths?

"W-What did you say?" Vegeta's mouth hangs agape.

"So I'm right. The looks on your faces tell me all I need to know. You're working together."

You combust into a fit of laughter, wiping tears from your eyes. This has to be the funniest thing you've heard all week. "Even if those pests were here. Never in a million years would we align ourselves with those soft-hearted fools."

"You must be mistaken. Even if those earthlings were here, we'd be able to sense them." Now that you think about it. Have you been able to sense them? You haven't been looking, but you have felt some strange energy. You just assumed it was some half-wit from the Frieza Force, but now you're not so sure.

 "It doesn't really matter anyway." He rolls his eyes. "You two are no longer any use to me. So either get lost, or I'll have to finish you off myself."

"Why, how generous of you." The sarcasm practically drips from your voice. "I think he's afraid Vegeta."

"Well, can you blame him? His scouter probably told him everything he needed to know. He must have seen my battle with Cui." For every step Vegeta takes forward, Dodoria takes another backward. "He must have seen how much stronger I've become."

"That isn't possible." He scoffs. "Those numbers were inaccurate, and I'll prove it!" He shoots an uncontrollable blast of fire at you both, which you simply dodge by stepping out of the line of fire.

"Was that really the best you could do?" You mock. It was sloppy even for an attack from Dodoria.

He turns around, only to be met with the two of you behind him, floating in the air. Vegeta swiftly moves behind him, grabbing both of his arms, twisting them behind his back. You swear you even heard them snap. "Look how weak you are." Vegeta sneers. "I'm stronger than I've ever been. While you've been sitting on your ass all-day, becoming soft and lazy. I should just end your pitiful life here."

"Wait, Vegeta!" He cries. "I have something to tell you! Something you'll really want to know! It's about your homeworld. I know the truth about Planet Vegeta!" Does that pink blob actually believe he has a form of leverage? What a fool.

"What could you possibly know about Planet Vegeta? You better start talking!" You furrow your brows at your brother. He's behaving strangely. And why is he humoring Dodoria in the first place? Vegeta has to already know about what they did to your homeworld.

"I will, but first, you have to let me go." Vegeta releases Dodoria from his death grip, pushing him away.

"Now, spit it out!" You observe the pair from a safe distance. Vegeta's response is bizarre, and his body language seems to have no ulterior motives. Is it possible that Vegeta doesn't know? You grab your forehead, running a hand through your hair. If that's the case, Vegeta is going to fucking kill you.

"As you know, Planet Vegeta was destroyed, but it wasn't by a meteor. Lord Frieza had started to notice numerous Saiyan babies being born with extraordinary combat skills. You two were the most notable in power. He realized that you Saiyans could really be a problem. You had the potential of becoming a real bother to Lord Frieza's regime. So he decided to wipe out the only race that could ever impose him before they could even become an issue. He destroyed Planet Vegeta with every last Saiyan on it. Well, except for you two. Did you really think it was a coincidence that you were off-planet? So there it is, you two are finally in on our little joke."

You've always known what happened to your planet. But now you've learned the answer to an even more substantial question, why it occurred. Frieza was afraid. He decided to take the coward's way out. How pathetic. 

You laugh, tilting your head backward. "That was your big ploy? I've known about that for years!" Before he can even react, you teleport behind him, impaling your hand through his chest, watching the purple goop ooze out of him. "How stupid did you think we were?" You twist your hand, tossing his lifeless body to the ground before obliterating anything left of him.

Vegeta stares at you in shock. "You knew?"

You raise a brow at him. "You didn't?" You always assumed that it was one of those things that you both knew but never spoke off. Turns out you were mistaken.

The two of you stand in silence. You have no idea what the protocol is for this. You don't know what you're supposed to say. Vegeta looks away, sighing. "It's irrelevant now. It was probably for the best that I was left in ignorance. Who knows what I would've done as a child. I'm just annoyed that you were able to figure it out before me."

You smile at him. Besting Vegeta is not something that comes easily. So you'll take what you can get. "You know, I don't think he was wrong about the earthlings."

"You think they're here?"

You nod. "You gotta remember. Raditz is with them now."

"Good point. When I get my hands on that pathetic excuse for a Saiyan, he'll regret ever betraying us. Let's go. We can't be out in the open for too long."

He hovers in the air, beginning to take off. "Vegeta." He turns back, meeting your gaze. "You know I would've told you, right?"

"I know---" He cuts himself off, his eyes practically bulging out of his head. "Do you sense that?" You nod, taking off in the direction of the two large power sources. Dodoria had mentioned that they were runts. So one of them has to be the half-breed and possibly the bald fellow. Your eyes scan over the terrain. They have to be around here somewhere. "They must be suppressing their power levels. Only if I still had my damn scouter. I'm not used to this technique just yet."

Bingo. You found them hiding between a few boulders. And your assumptions were right. There's only a slight difference. They seem to be accompanied by a Namkian child. A sadistic grin spreads across your face as their gazes land on you. Just the way you remember them, cowering in fear due to your presence. "You know. It was probably just three insignificant insects." You're not wrong. That's all they are to you. Pesky flies that invade your personal space and make your life slightly more irritating.

"You're right. We don't have time for this anyway. Let's get a move on." You both take off, leaving the earthling issue for another time.

It took you awhile, but you finally located a Namkeian village. Well, actually, you passed several, but this is the only one with a living population. "Looks like we found ourselves a Dragon Ball." Vegeta's lips twist into a sly grin, heading straight into the village. You follow his lead, now standing directly beside him. You've finally gained the attention of the inhabitants, who are now murmuring to each other. Who knew Namekians were such gossips. Their chatter dies down the second Vegeta clears his throat. "I wish to speak to your elder. I believe there is a Dragon Ball here, that we'll be graciously taking off your hands."

"I'm the village elder." An older Namkain steps up. These creatures do not age kindly. "I would ask you what your intentions are, but I can already feel that you are impure. I sense an unspeakable evil in both of you. Neither of you is worthy." What a self-righteous species. They're entirely different from that Namekian you encountered on Earth.

Vegeta shakes his head, chuckling to himself. Only if the Namekians cooperated, Vegeta has never taken the word no very well. "Then you die. Y/N, you do the honors." This could've ended smoothly, with a lot less bloodshed. Too bad for them.

"You got it, Vegeta." You hold up a finger gun, pointing it straight at the elder. "Bang!" A beam of blue light heads straight for the geezer before another Namkian jumps in front of him, absorbing the blast entirely. The body drops to the ground, and all hell breaks loose. 

You begin the slaughter, ending the lives of several Namkeians. Until you freeze, as much as you've been itching for a fight, you're reminded of something far more crucial that you have to fulfill. Damn your morals. They're ruining all your fun. You take one last glance at your brother. These Namekians should keep him occupied for some time. He might not even notice that you ever left. As soon as he turns away from you, you take off, successfully staying off of Vegeta's radar. 

You use your newly acquired energy-sensing technique to track down that Namekian child. Since those earthlings are suppressing their energy, they'll be much more difficult to find. This is assuming he's still with them. Those earthlings aren't like you. Neither of them would be able to stomach, leaving him for dead.

You pinpoint the energy source to a cave. What a strange place for them to reside in. You head into the cavern, only to find some form of futuristic architecture. How the hell did this get here? And what is Capsule Corp? You move toward the door, banging on it. "Knock, knock. Oh, little piglets, let me in! Before I knock the door down. Or worse." You can overhear faint whispering on the other side, mixed with a woman obnoxiously shrieking. "I can hear you panicking. Relax, I have no business with the half-breed, the Namekian child, or any earthlings in there. Now open the damn door."

The door slowly opens, revealing the bald man, whose name you believe to be Krillin. "What do you want, Y/N?"

"I need to speak to Raditz. It's urgent."

"Well, you can't---" Krillin gets pushed to the ground by none other than the infamous Hair Boy himself. This allows you to step inside the building. It must be some sort of luxury living quarters. 

The two of you stand arm's length from each other, matching cold expressions on your faces. "You here to kill me?"

"No." The corners of your lips tug upwards. "Well, at least not yet."

"So why are you here?" His face twists in confusion. "You aren't one to just drop in and say hi."

You take a deep breath, glancing around the room. This would be difficult to say one-on-one, but being surrounded by people makes it ten times worse. "There's something--- I need to tell you."

An arrogant smirk appears on his lips. "What? Did you finally fall for my good looks and charm? Are you finally declaring that you've fallen hopelessly in love with me?"

Your face scrunches up in disgust. "Don't make me ill." That would never happen, even if he was the last male Saiayn in existence, which he pretty much is. "I'm here to tell you the truth about what occurred on Planet Vegeta."

"What are you talking about?" Raditz eyebrows knit together. "A meteor wiped out our people."

You sigh, glancing at the ceiling. "Come on, Raditz. You're a lot of things, but you aren't stupid. There was no meteor. Even if there was one, our people could fly."

"What are you trying to say?" he squeezes his eyes shut, trying to shield himself from the inevitable blow.

"Our people were exterminated by that imperialistic dictator." Your voice booms. You're not even attempting to conceal your anger.

Raditz clenches his fists, his hands violently shaking. All he can think about is his mother, how she deserved better. The majority of your people deserved what they got, but not Gine. She was different. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Raditz always knew there was no meteor. The story was too perfect, and it was easier to believe that it was a tragedy. "Why?" That was all he could manage to choke out. Did Raditz really want to know? Would he be able to handle the truth? 

The others in the room remain silent, observing you anxiously. You're even more terrifying than they believed. You're not joking around or aloof this time. You're only expressing one thing, pure rage. So you do care about something. Whether you desire vengeance or truly cared for your people is unclear to the earthlings.

"Frieza was terrified. Our people were getting too strong for his liking. The Saiyan population was skyrocketing due to technological advancements. He was scared of what we could accomplish, terrified of the possibility that he could be out-ranked."

A Cheshire grin appears on Raditz's face. "We'll prove to him that he was right to fear us, right?"

"You bet your ass we will. We'll make Frieza regret leaving us alive." You take a deep breath, finally attempting to get your emotions in check, returning to your cold demeanor. "I just thought you should know. Before I killed him, Dodoria let the cat out of the bag to Vegeta."

"You killed that pink asshole? It was about time. How'd it feel?" The other stare at you two in bewilderment. Two seconds ago, you were swearing revenge, and now you're as casual as can be.

"It was extremely satisfying sending that pink blob straight to hell." You purse your lips together, cracking your neck. I should get back before Vegeta blows a fuse." You move to the doorway, stopping dead in your tracks. "Oh, ya one, last thing. Frieza's here."

"We know his men are here. We've already had the pleasure of encountering the Frieza Force."

"Raditz, I'm afraid you don't understand. It's not just his minions. He's here on Namek." Raditz chokes on air, his eyes popping out. You slam the door shut, hearing Raditz's reaction through the walls. The phrases we're so fucked, and we're all gonna die were your favorites of his elaborate babbling. You take off, heading back in the direction you came from.

As you near the location of the village, you quickly realize there is no point in returning. You can't sense any life, and that includes Vegeta. So this means he knows you ran off. You were due for one of his famous lectures anyway. Hopefully, he's not wasting his time searching for you. That would only make your predicament worse. 

You search in every direction, finally detecting your brother's energy to the west. Vegeta's power level is diminishing at an alarming rate. Maybe he's run into Zarbon or worse, Frieza. You take off at light speed, heading straight for the battleground.

Once you arrive, you conceal yourself behind a hill, observing the battle intently. It appears that Vegeta is fighting Zarbon, but something is off about the narcissist. His chest seems broader than it usually is. 

Zarbon turns around, your eyes widening at the ghastly sight. What the fuck happened to his face? He has to be the most hideous creature you've ever laid your eyes on, and there's a lot of competition for that category. This must be an alternate form of his, similar to your Great Ape form. It doesn't surprise you that you've never seen his transformation before. Even though it considerably increases his strength, his vanity has no limit. 

The green-haired egomaniac slams your brother into the ground, creating a blazing explosion. He stares down into the water-filled crater, and Vegeta is nowhere to be found. Your brother has gotten especially good at playing dead as of recent.

Zarbon reverts back into his base form, flying off into the distance. You wait an appropriate amount of time before heading toward the teal mass of water. You scan the lake, searching for your brother. He surfaces back up seconds later, desperately gasping for air. You extend a hand to Vegeta, pulling him onto land. 

He takes a few moments to collect himself before glaring daggers at you. "Where the--- hell did you run off to?" Despite being winded, he manages to find the breath to shout at you.

"I sensed some members of the Frieza Force. Thought I'd say hello." Believable lies are your specialty at this point.

"You can't---" He stops himself, his features softening at your expression. "Just never do that again. No more running off, especially without telling me. I'm serious this time. With Freiza here, I don't want you leaving my side again."

You can feel a familiar power level rapidly approaching, Zarbon's returning. "Change of plans. Go retrieve the Dragon Ball from that Namkian village. I tossed it in the water. I'll take care of the five that Frieza has."

"But, Vegeta." You giggle. "I'm not supposed to leave your side."

He glares at you. "Of course, now you decide to start listening to me. There is no reason for both of us to get captured. Now go!" You move to camouflage yourself again. Zarbon must need Vegeta for something. They most likely found the decimated village and want to question him about the location of the orb.

You watch Zarbon pick up your brother, who's pretending to be unconscious, and he flys away. You wait till you can no longer see Zarbon before speeding off to the Namekian village. Your plan is to retrieve the sphere and then take shelter somewhere. That is until you can sense Vegeta again.

You land in the ruins that were once the Namekian village. Damn Vegeta, did a lot of damage here. Your head snaps to the water. You swear you heard a splashing noise, and it couldn't have been a sea creature. If it was, the sound would've been louder. So what is it? Could it be one of Freiza's goons? If it is, they're probably weak. You'd be able to take them out with ease.

The creature emerges from the water with the four-star ball in his hands. He's a tiny little thing, way too small to be anyone currently in the Frieza Force. Something about the runt seems vaguely familiar. Wait a minute, that's Kakarot's brat. His hair's just shorter than it used to be. Half breeds must be able to change the length and style of their hair, fascinating. 

You sneak behind him with a blank look on your face. "What do you think you're doing, brat?"

Gohan jumps, turning around. "Y/N?" He shrieks, dropping the orb, which you swiftly catch one-handed. He looks around, anxiously searching for something or possibly someone. "Where's Vegeta?" His voice trembles just at saying your brother's name alone. Vegeta must have left quite the impression.

"Vegeta got himself---" You can feel Zarbon's impending presence once again, and the look on the brat's face tells you he can sense it too. This energy-sensing technique is becoming quite tedious, but you suppose it's better than being blindsided. What could Zarbon possibly want now? He already took Vegeta. Maybe he came to search for the Dragon Ball himself? Shit, you can't stay out in the open like this. You grab Gohan in one arm. And the four-starred ball in the other, rushing into a nearby cave. As an extra precaution, you seal the entrance with a boulder. Zarbon may be vain, but he's also significantly brighter than Dodoria was. Though that isn't very hard to do. 

You put a finger up to your lips, signaling for Gohan to keep quiet. The foot-steps outside grow louder. He must be standing right outside the cave by now. "Where are you, Vegeta?" He sounds deranged. So Vegeta did escape. Your best guess for Zarbon's erratic behavior is that Vegeta's prison break put Zarbon in hot water with Frieza. "Lord Frieza is going to have my head if I don't retrieve those Dragon Balls." Your insane brother actually did it. He stole the Dragon Balls from right under Frieza's nose. You're father's probably smiling up from hell as we speak.

You slide against the cave wall, dropping to the ground, leaning your head against the rock. You both might be here for a while. Zarbon is quite thorough with his searches. If he were to find you, it would put you in a tricky situation, especially with a Dragon Ball in your possession.

Gohan walks over to you, sitting down across from you. "Who is that?" Even though he's whispering, he's still being too loud for your liking."

"It's Zarbon. Now be quiet." You cover the orange ball in dirt and moss. If Zarbon does find you, the orb will be hidden in plain sight. Once finished with your little project, you shut your eyes. It's almost like you're alone. And not trapped in an enclosed space with your opposition's son.

"Y/N?" Your eyes snap open, immediately narrowing at the boy. You were about to reprimand him, but that was until you noticed the item in his hands. Your features soften as he extends the necklace to you.

You accept the necklace, grasping it tightly in your hands. "Thanks." A slight smile ghosts your lips before quickly vanishing.

"I was just returning what was yours." He looks at you, nervously twiddling his thumbs. "Hey Y/N? Where did you get that necklace from?" You hold up the jewelry, swinging the chain back and forth, getting lost in the memory.

Twenty-something years ago:

You're sitting down on your bed, with a book placed in your hands. Your gaze scans carefully over each word, occasionally flicking your wrist to flip the page. This is the newest piece of literature in your vast collection. You've only had this book for a few weeks. Vegeta gave it to you when he and Nappa returned from a mission off-planet. The book is all about these things called wish orbs. If you gather all seven, you can be granted all sorts of magical wishes. Vegeta says they're nothing more than a fairytale. That it's childish to believe in such an absurd concept, but you're convinced they exist. You've definitely seen stranger things occur, so it's in the realm of possibility for orbs to grant wishes. 

You hadn't even noticed that your father had entered your room. Until he was standing directly in front of you. Panic overtakes your body, your heart beating out of your chest. You slide the book under your comforter, even though it was much too late to hide the evidence. Your reaction may seem a bit extreme, but it's for a good reason. Books aren't necessarily illegal on Planet Vegeta, but they are forbidden. Your father believes that literacy is a waste of time. He considers combat training to be more essential to the prosperity of the Saiyan race.

"Relax." His gruff voice invades your ears. "I already know about the various books you hide around the palace." The king is a very observant man, making it extremely challenging to keep things from him. His general policy regarding situations like this is, he won't say anything unless someone brings it to his attention. Then he would be forced to move his hand, having to find a proper form of punishment.

"Is---Is there something you need?" It's not like him to drop by unannounced. Your father is a very busy man, sometimes you won't even see him for months at a time.

"As you know, you're going on a crucial mission tomorrow. Are you going to behave for your brother?" You nod in agreement. "You are also not to leave his side, do you understand me?" Ever since the incident, you're not allowed off-planet without either your father or Vegeta. One of them has to watch you like a hawk at all times because of one stupid mistake. That will probably be held over your head for the rest of your mortal life.

"Yes, sir." You decide to give him verbal confirmation as well. This way, you can avoid any potential lectures.

"Now, let's get down to business. While I was out on my last excursion. I found this piece of junk with my things. I thought I'd check if you wanted it before I destroyed it." He holds up the necklace. The pendant immediately catches your eye. It's one of the pictures from your book, the four-star wish orb. 

You nod, accepting the gift. You wrap the chain around your wrist, toying with the trinket. You've gotten pretty good at reading between the lines when it comes to your father. Saiyans aren't meant to express their emotions. You're raised to suppress them. Your father picks up on little things, like the fact that you're currently obsessed with wish orbs. You and Vegeta had to have gotten your conflicting behaviors from somewhere. And that somewhere was your father. The King of all Saiyans, the most ruthless of them all, deeply cared for his children.

He places his hands on your shoulders, causing you to look up at him. His eyes flicker with vulnerability as you stare at him. "Listen to me. Vegeta needs you just as much as you need him. You are capable of things that he isn't. And you are much stronger than you give yourself credit for. You are my sole daughter, the pinnacle of Saiyan pride. Never forget where you came from."

"A-Are you alright? You're acting weird."

"I'm fine, Y/N. Now get to sleep. You have to be up early." He leans down, kissing the top of your head before exiting the room. This only elevates your confusion. Your father has never done that before. Physical affection is not something Saiyan's participate in. At least they aren't supposed to. 

Little did you know, this would be the last time you ever saw your father alive. Looking back on it, as an adult, his strange behavior makes sense. This was his way of saying goodbye. He must have had some inkling about Frieza's plans for your race.

You snap back into reality, shifting your gaze to Gohan. Typically when you spaced out, it would irritate your companions. Maybe it would even earn you a scolding from Vegeta. But the kid has just been sitting there, keenly anticipating your response.

"My father gave it to me." Your tone softens. Nostalgia sometimes does that to you. Gohan is the first person you've ever told the origin of your necklace. It wasn't necessarily a secret. You've just never felt the need to talk about it.

Some Final Notes:

"Wasn't he the king, though? Couldn't he have given you a diamond or gold necklace? Or something fit for royalty?"

"He could have. It was more about the sentiment behind the necklace." And with that, the silence returns. Being in this cave really reminds you of your pod. Scratch that it's worse. The brat is just too nice to the point where it's nauseating. For the half-breed's sake, you hope that Zarbon leaves soon. Because you're not sure how much more of this you'll be able to take.

-

Some Final Notes:

I know some of you might think King Vegeta was a bit out of character. However, I believe King Vegeta did care for his children to an extent. I know there’s some confusion in the fanbase about Tarble, whether he’s canon or not. But since the script for Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!! was a concept created by Akira Toriyama. I personally believe Tarble is cannon. So King Vegeta banishing his son, rather than executing him, does show he had empathy for Tarble, even though he was viewed as a disgrace on his entire bloodline.

[sezja]

Previously: first, kiss, final, numb, broken, wings, melody, rules, chocolate, nostalgia, heartbeat, stranger, confusion, bitter, afterlife, daybreak, audience, endless, fireworks, hopeful, birthday, tomorrow, oppression, agony, return, protection, boxes, hope, preparation, beautiful, underneath, hide, diary, unforeseen, conditional, gone, clear, heartache, wired

One-Word Prompts: #42 - foolish

Shortly after this.

"You sure it's big enough?" Guydelot eyes the house - manor - dubiously, part of him hoping Sanson's mistaken the address somehow. Never mind that it's his parents' place. Never mind that he grew up here. The place is big, bigger than Guydelot had anticipated, even knowing Sanson's mother came from lofty stock; it might not be as big as some of the places he's seen - it's no Haukke Manor! - but it's a damn sight bigger than any house Guydelot's ever been in, and... well. He's suddenly a little more aware than he'd like to be of the mud on his boots.

It's not like him to care what others think. But then, it's not like him to fall headfirst into love, either, is it? Gods, what a mess.

Sensing his unease, Sanson smiles. "Well, you'll not bump your head on any of the doorframes, I assure you."

"Thanks, that's what I was worried most about."

"I suspected." Guydelot could get used to that playful glint in Sanson's eye. "Do you know, I don't believe I've ever seen you nervous."

"Nervous?" He scoffs. "I ain't nervous. What's to be nervous about?"

"They're already quite fond of you," Sanson informs him. "Based on what I've told them."

"Aye, and just what have you told them, anyhow?"

Rather than answering, Sanson simply leads the way into the far-too-large house, nodding politely in greeting to the manservant - manservant! - who answers the door. Difficult to reconcile Sanson's own modest lifestyle with this, a damn-near palatial estate in Guydelot's eyes; were it anyone else, he'd simply roll his eyes in unimpressed disgust... but these are yet more odds stacked against him. What'll Sanson do if his family does disapprove, eh? The sisters seemed to like Guydelot well enough, but they don't hold sway over what decisions Sanson makes-

"Oh! Sonny, you brought him!" Speak of the curly-haired devilet. Lyrica flounces down the sprawling stairwell in a delighted flurry of pink frills, launching herself into Sanson's only-barely-prepared arms, before releasing him and embracing Guydelot in greeting, as well. She draws back, beaming. "I didn't think you would! And he looks so handsome!"

"He does clean up nicely, doesn't he?" Making her own calmer descent is Melody, smiling her wicked little grin. "Although he does look a touch pale. Sonny, what have you done to the poor boy?"

"Brought him to meet my family," Sanson replies. "At your insistence, I might add."

"Ah, he's nervous about meeting our parents," Melody guesses, reaching up to pat Guydelot's shoulder. "Did Sanson tell you he's our father's favorite?"

Of course he is. Of course he bloody is. "Until this morning, I barely even knew he had a father."

"Well!" She grins. "Now you know. Go introduce them, won't you, brother dearest?"

"Never mind her," Sanson says under his breath, leading him away. "She delights in watching others squirm."

"So is she wrong, then? About you being daddy's favorite?"

"I didn't say that."

He leads Guydelot to a garden, small but well-tended... where the sound of a fountain splashing quietly mingles with the unmistakable sound of someone playing the harp, with skill long-since polished and perfected. Guydelot's bard's heart speeds. Gods! If he were only here for no reason but to listen and learn from a master - if this were only a professional concern, and not private terror over meeting the expectations of Sanson's father. Sanson's father, whom Melody claims - and Sanson won't deny - plays favorites.

Aye, and he can see as much when the man draws into view. Sandre is an unassuming Midlander: small-boned and quiet-eyed, with tawny hair fading into grey at the temples. The lines at his eyes are from smiling too much; indeed, his lips turn up into a smile that crinkles his eyes when Sanson approaches. Here's a man who bears his whole heart in his eyes, and Sanson's the pride of that heart.

Guydelot is going to be sick. With any luck, they'll throw him out first.

"So." Quiet but strong, Sandre's voice roots him to the spot. "You're Guydelot the Spent, are you?"

"Aye." Let no man say he ever failed to find his voice when it was needed. "That'd be me."

Sandre considers him a long moment, then smiles once more. "At ease, lad. My boy's a harsher judge than I could ever be, and if he's not found you wanting, you'll hear no different from me."

Dizzy, Guydelot musters some half-coherent reply, peering down at Sanson. "That means I pass muster, eh?"

"I did tell you they'd be fond of you," Sanson replies. "Don't you feel foolish for worrying?"

[imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl]

The Perfect Bad Boy (Pt. 10 of 18)

Pairing: Billy Hargrove X Reader

Word count: 2.7K

Summary: Working as a lifeguard in the Hawkins Community Pool, you try to fit in after moving from New York. Things were going pretty well when you notice you've been under someone's stare. Billy Hargrove, Hawkins' bad boy, has been staring at you since day one. You never intended to have anything to do with him, judging by the reputation he has. But Billy won't leave you alone, determined to show you his feelings are different this time...

As if your heart flooding you with confusing feelings wasn't enough, there are weird, strange animals lurking in the woods... But those have to be just part of the wild live of the woods surrounding Hawkins... Right?

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{Stranger Things Masterlist}

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Monsters Lurking In The Dark

Yesterday's happenings are making a lot of people talk to you today. They ask if you're alright, if you had to go to the hospital, why Billy ran like a lightning bolt to reach you... Some of them are actually being kind. Others, not so much. It feels like they're trying to get you to say something else, scavenging for a secret. Jason is the only one to actually get into a long conversation, making sure you're alright and giving you tips to avoid heat exhaustion again. But the others, mostly the girls, make awkward questions. You get that Billy's behavior is changing. Monica is often telling you about how some girls ask her if she knows what's going on between you and Billy. She never answers though, saying this isn't their business.

As you pace around the pool, a bottle of water on your hand since Billy is literally forcing you to drink water by the hour, you spot him chatting with some of his friends. Tommy and Carol are the only ones you can name, and you never got why you only hang out with your friends and not his. Billy has his eyes on the pools and the whistle between his lips. Tommy goes on about something, and suddenly, Billy lets the whistle fall, giving Tommy a weird stare. You giggle a little at his expression, crossing your arms.

“Look who's staring now,” Monica says in a provoking tone, stopping by your side. “But I totally get it. I'd be shamelessly staring too if I didn't have my sweetheart.”

“How's Christopher by the way?” She told you he had an accident in the garden, which got him a nasty cut on the leg.

“Complaining. But I'm enjoying taking care of him.” She smiles, and her eyes shine. Every passing day you're more convinced they're in love with each other. That you'll be attempting to their wedding one day. “What about you? You gotta be careful with the sun.”

“I am.” Raising your hand, you show her the bottle. “Billy is driving me insane. I swear I can't drink any more water today.”

“Can you blame him? I thought he'd have a heart attack yesterday.” He tilts her head to where he is, across the pools. His eyes meet yours and he winks. “Poor guy, he has it bad for you.”

Giggling, you look down because you're surely blushing. “Oh, tell me something. Some people came to talk to me, you know. Asking if I was alright. But some of them made some very awkward questions.”

“Yeah, that's because they think you're pregnant.”

Your eyes go wide, and you gasp, feeling your whole body numb for a moment. “What the hell,” you exclaim, a little too loud. Looking around, you notice some eyes on you. “Holy shit, Monica. Tell me you're joking.”

“Small town, (Y/N), people talk.” She puts a hand on your shoulder. “Trust me, half the women here went through something like that. They'll let go in a few weeks.”

“Do you think Billy knows?” You lift your eyes to look for him, but you only find his friends.

“Probably. But look, don't worry about it. You're the new girl who managed to hook Billy Hargrove, the town's bad boy. People will talk, but don't let it ruin what you have with him.”

“No, of course not.” As much as it bugs you, it doesn't change anything. “You know I'm falling for him, right?” You burst out, feeling the sudden need to let it out your chest. “Completely.”

“I'm noticing. You–”

She's cut short when you're pulled into something. Someone. You roll your eyes because you know who it is. Billy pulls you against his chest, his lips on your ear. “Do you know what they're saying about yesterday's episode?” He whispers, a hand coming to caress your belly.

Great. Now this will certainly make people forget this story. “Yeah. They think I'm carrying a tiny Billy.” You mutter, waving at Monica as she walks away with a smirk on her lips. “Was that what Tommy told you? You made a funny face.”

“Yes, but he said it in a way that almost had me breaking his ugly nose.” He keeps you close, despite the public. And honestly, you don't mind. A few days ago you'd push him away, but now... They'll speak anyway, so it doesn't matter.

“Hey, why don't we never hang out with your friends?” You take the chance to ask. “You don't want them to see you with me?” It's impossible not to follow this train of thought, and it does sound stupid judging by the way he's holding you right now, for everyone to see.

“Of course not. It just that I know the kind of assholes they are and I'm sure you won't like them.”

“But it's weird. I don't want you to think I'm forcing you to only hang out with my party.”

He takes a deep breath, and you feel his chest moving. That reminds you he's shirtless... “I'll introduce you to them... In the funfair tomorrow.”

“Oh my God, the funfair!” You exclaim. People have been talking about it for a few days, but you totally forgot. “I've never been to anything like that.”

“You're gonna love it.”

“You two. Back to your chairs.” The manager shouts from somewhere behind you, and you both roll your eyes at the same time.

“Talk to you later,” you tell him, tiptoeing to kiss his cheek.

“Remember to–”

“Yeah, yeah. Water, stay in the shadow. If I feel dizzy I'll shout for my knight in shining armor.” Walking backwards, you smirk at him. “Eyes on the pool, Hargrove,” you warn him, turning around and making your way back to the chair.

You're glad you're feeling good, no sign of anything you felt yesterday. And it isn't as hot as it was, so that's a bonus. You're peacefully watching the kids, yelling at some, threatening some teenagers to ban them for life, just the normal stuff. Through the corner of your eye, you notice Billy gesturing. When you look at him, he shows you his bottle.

Shaking your head no, you try to ignore him. But you are a little thirsty, so you sigh before jumping to the ground. On your way to the cafeteria, you stop by his chair. “Want some?”

“Nah, I'm good.”

“Don't act like you can't be beaten by heat exhaustion too, Hargrove. I'm bringing you some cold water.” Punching his leg playfully, you go to the cafeteria.

You're a little startled to find James in there, seated on the table next to the wall, both hands on his head. As you silently open the fridge, you wonder if you should just leave him alone. You never really spoke, and since he switched his schedule with Billy, you have seen less of him. Today should be his day off if you're not mistaken.

“Hey, James,” you say in a soft voice, standing by the fridge as you take one of the bottles Billy has for you. “You ok?”

“Huh?” He looks up abruptly, suddenly aware he's not alone. “Hey.”

You were going to leave, but he seems scared... Red eyes as if he didn't get any sleep. “Is something wrong?” You sit before him, placing the bottle on the table. “You look... sad.”

“Oh, it's just... Nothing, really. It's stupid.” He's mumbling under his breath, a line of sweat on his forehead.

“Whatever it is it's not stupid. Who told you it was?”

“My parents, my brother.” He breathes out, his eyes suddenly meeting yours. “You're new here, right? Did you move from a big city?”

“New York. Why?”

“I'm from Washinton. Have you ever crossed paths with something in the woods? Some... Some kind of animal? And when you told someone they just said it was because you're some big city kid who's not used to live so near the forest and because of that you're easily impressed by anything weird you see?” James speaks fast, so fast it's hard to keep up.

“Actually yes.” You nod, keeping your voice low and soft in an attempt to calm him down. You never saw anyone so scared. “A few weeks ago I saw something, but I didn't get a good look at it. Don't know what it was.”

“I don't know what species of-of... Things they have here, but what I saw... I couldn't sleep. I thought about telling the chief of police but everyone keeps saying I'm crazy.”

“What did you see, James?”

He puts his hands on his head again, looking at the table. “It... It was the size of a dog. And I thought it was a stray dog so I stopped the car and followed it.” His voice cracks, so you get up, moving to sit on the chair beside him, touching his arm. “It was so damn dark and I had no flashlight. It was near a tree, eating something. I started calling it, trying to show it I was just trying to help but then... It-It turned at me and... Shit, the damn thing had no face. It was blank. Sticky... no fur, no eyes, nothing.” He moves suddenly, holding both your shoulders roughly. You gasp at the sudden change, looking at him, tears threatening to roll down from his eyes. “I ran like hell. I told my parents the moment I got home but they said it was something in the woods playing tricks on me but I know what I saw. The damn thing had no face, I swear–”

“Let go of her right now.” Billy's thunder voice makes James jump up, making his chair fall backwards. “What the hell do you think you're doing?”

“Billy, it's alright.” Quickly, you stand up and walk over him.

“I'm sorry, I just...” James tries to speak, hands raised in defeat. It looks like he didn't know what he was doing. “Sorry, (Y/N).”

He walks around the table, eyes on the floor. Billy gives a step towards him, but you hold him back, both hands on his chest. “Billy, no. Listen...” You whisper to him, your eyes meeting his when James finally leaves the cafeteria. “He wasn't trying to hurt me or anything, he was just scared.”

“Scared of what?” He looks down at you, his hands softly rubbing the skin of your shoulders. “It'll leave bruises. What the hell did he think he was doing?”

As much as you melt a little to feel his touch after the sting from James' grip, you have this feeling in your stomach. You can't seem to shake it away, and the more you think, the worse it gets. “Billy... Remember when I told you I saw something in the woods?” He nods, confused. “James saw it too... Same description. He... He said it had no face, and I... I think that's exactly what I saw.”

His expression changes, and you can't read his face. Taking a deep breath, he sits on the table, pulling you to sit beside him. “James came here a few months ago. From a big city too, so it's normal to be scared when–”

“He was desperate because that's exactly what people are telling him.” You cut him off, running a hand through your hair. “Billy, he wasn't scared. He was terrified.” Your voice gets lower, as your mind floats back to what you saw. Naked skin, as if it was green, covered in some disgusting thing... “I know it sounds crazy, but I swear to God his description matched what I saw that day.” It suddenly comes to your mind... There was a lab here. A lab and a bunch of weird stories about it. “Hawkins National Lab!” You exclaim, jumping to your feet. “What if they made an experiment with some kind of animal and now it's free in the woods?”

“Hawkins Lab was closed years ago.”

“I know but–” Billy takes your hand, pulling you close. He holds you by the hips, raising his head to meet your eyes from his seated position.

“Princess, listen. It's true there was a lab, and it's also true that the darkness and these woods play tricks on people who aren't used to them.” He speaks slow, eyes never leaving yours. “It may be something but it could also be a big misunderstanding. If it happens again, if you or anyone else sees anything like that, we'll tell the cops and let them deal with it.”

Taking a deep breath, you decide to let his calming tone relax you. “Alright...” Nodding, you take a look at your shoulders, spotting the purple marks of where James fingers dig into your skin. “The guy was really out of his mind,” you mutter.

“Yeah...” Billy stands up, placing a kiss on both your shoulders before straighten up, his index finger on your chin. “Let's go back there before Anthony notices we're gone again.”

Nodding, you follow him back outside.

• • •

You wish you knew how to draw. If you did, you'd make a scratch of the animal you saw, and another one of what James described, just to see if they would really match.

You're staring at the ceiling, on your unusually empty bed. Having Billy here was amazing. Beyond amazing. Having his strong arms around you, and waking up next to him on the morning was pure bliss. You never thought such a feeling existed. It felt like home, like life was nothing but a long road leading you to that very moment. To his embrace, so warm and calming.

You chose to think about that instead of the unclassified animal. That brings a shiver down your spine, different from the shivers Billy causes. The last ones are made of nervousness, excitement... All those silly things. Tossing around, you sit up, your feet on the cold floor. Your eyes fall on the necklace, that you always keep on the nightstand. Billy kept his promise, and he wears his piece every day. You have to tell him he doesn't have to, not anymore. He already made his point, and you know he has other earrings to use.

Smiling to yourself, you pick the necklace up, fingers caressing the metal. You need to tell Billy what you feel. Openly. You do have something going on, but it's still unnamed. And there's no reason to remain that way. If he wants you, if he truly wants to keep you... He has to know you want him too. That you want to be with him, and screw the rest of the world. Screw the past, the gossip, whatever people of Hawkins think. This is about both of you, nobody else. It's useless to keep pretending Billy Hargrove doesn't own your heart. This torture can't continue, there's no reason to.

Your train of thought is interrupted by the phone's loud ring. You're about to answer when you hear your aunt's footsteps downstairs. It's probably Robert, she was saying something about him calling her today. As she picks up, you put the necklace down and walk over the window, feeling the fresh summer breeze tickling your skin.

“(Y/N)!” Diane shouts, and her urgent tone startles you. “(Y/N)! Pick up the phone!” Her rapid footsteps bring her to your bedroom, a worried expression on her face. “Pick up now. It's Max, she's crying. I don't know–”

The mention of Billy's sister has you moving, picking up the light pink phone you have on the nightstand. “Max?” You breathe out, eyes focused on Diane as she breathes fast.

“(Y/N)..!” Her voice is weak, like a low scream. You hear voices behind her, and you immediately recognize Billy's. But there's someone else, a man's voice. “(Y/N), please, you need to–” She's cut short by something breaking. “It's Neil. He's here, please–”

“Hang up the damn–” Then it's over.

For a moment, a second, you just stand there, frozen, looking at Diane. But on the next one, you're moving, your heart threatening to beat its way out of your chest.

“Honey, what is it?” Diane follows as you rush downstairs, grabbing nothing but the car keys.

“Billy's father. I gotta go.” It's everything you manage to say before storming outside.

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A/N: Things are about to get chaotic...

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@chloe-skywalker @dpaccione @tilesandtokens @dreamin-of-dacre @funeral-7 @uncookspaget @youhavemyfantasticbeasts @dontxfearxthereaper