#its another to turn them into a physical item you can hold in your hands and exchange with friends and hand out or sell

[bendycxmet]

Pierced—Vash the Stampede

Summary: How did Vash get that hoop in??

Word Count: ~1.2k

Pairing: gn!reader x Vash the Stampede

Content: fluff, a lil angsty, Vash deserves his sense of self ok

a/n: @aboveweirdest gave me this wonderful idea while we were analyzing this man to death! tyty was thinking about this when i got another helix piercing done recently so i whipped this up before bed

In recent days, you’ve seen Vash eyeing you. At least, more than what is normal. It was unsettling everytime you felt his gaze on you whenever you tried passing the time by creating something out of scraps you found into jewelry, specifically earrings. 

For instance, he was doing it now, as your hands worked the small pliers expertly to transform a piece of gold wire into a hoop. You either usually pierce your own ears with your creations, or sell them in town for some extra cash you both could use for bullets or food. Vash wishes he could be as good as you on the artsy side, but you always remind him that he is good with his hands. No one can beat him in marksmanship.

“Like what you see there, gunman?” you tease, side eyeing him for a split second. Caught in the act, Vash blushes a lovely red that reaches the tip of his ears. You love getting a rise out of him.

“Do you wanna learn? Is that it? Because you’ve been a little too curious these past couple of days.”

“Mm.. ‘s not that. I just… How many piercings do you have?” 

The question comes out of nowhere for you. You think it’s obvious, since mostly all of them are on your ears. Doing mental math, you count what you have on your ears.

“Uh, around 11? I’m thinking of doing more, but we’ve been too busy lately.”

He simply nods, humming to himself as he visibly thinks through your answer. 

“Why do you pierce your ears?” You quirk your eyebrow at him. “Don’t mean that in an offensive way!” He quickly puts his hands up, offering a sign of peace. You laugh at his gestures. “I just been noticing lately that your usual customers are people with loads of piercings, and I never gave it much thought before to get one of my own, but I think…they look so cool on others. They seem so happy with them too, expressing themselves without even saying a word.”

Your hands still at his words, something dropping in your stomach and twisting at his solemn expression. Vash never revealed much about his past, and you never probed him further. Anytime anything connected to his past came up, you could clearly tell whatever happened had left its scars on him, physically and mentally. You respected his decision to close up those details, and reminded him that whenever, if ever, he was ready to share that load with you, you would be there.

You look back down at the gold hoop in your hands, an idea coming to mind. You quickly add the finishing touches, putting a little more effort into it as it was for someone special now. 

“Hey, what do you think of this?” You hold up the hoop to Vash’s eyes, catching the glimmer in his eyes at your recent creation, like that of a thief spotting expensive items through a window. Greed and envy swirling together.

“It’s beautiful! You always amaze me with how you turn a piece of trash into such a pretty object. That one’s gonna sell fast Mayfly!” You warm at his praise and nickname for you. His confidence and support for your skills potentially outweighed yours for how he handled his gun.

Yet, you can’t stand the fake smile he plasters on his face, masking the jealousy he feels for the future owner of the golden hoop.

“Think I’m gonna sell it for free. It’s for someone close to me.” Vash simply cocks his head to the side. You roll your eyes at his obliviousness. “How about letting me pierce your ear for you?”

The change in his demeanor is quick. He straightens his back, eyes shining brightly, nodding eagerly at you. “I’m in your hands!”

Grabbing a small threading needle from your kit, you order him to sit close to you on motel bed. Cleaning your hands and the needle, you search his face, looking for any signs of regret. 

“You sure about this? Do you know where you want it?”

He’s pensive for a moment, eyes looking past you. He hums, pointing at his left lobe. How perfect, you think, same side as his cute little mole. 

You fidget, rethinking piercing his ear. You’ve only ever pierced yourself, so now that you have someone else in front of you, you feel like a total amateur. 

“Hey. Get out of your head there. I know what you’re thinking.” Vash’s voice breaks through your brain fog. He wraps his hand around your raised arm, poised and ready to pierce him. He gently tightens his hold on your waist. “I trust you.” You feel your heart twinge at the soft vulnerability in his eyes.

“Ok, this will be a slight pinch. I know you’re used to pain-” you interject, noting his slightly raised eyebrow, silently telling you been there done that. “-but just follow my rules. Ok, breathe in for me.” You raise the needle to his ear. “And breathe out.” As you feel his breath ghost your arm, you push the needle as quickly as you can through his ear, quickly adding the hoop to his ear. 

You turn around to wash your hands. “And there you go! Your first piercing ever! Crazy, considering that you’re like 150- hey don’t touch-” you catch him as he’s going to finger his new piercing, staring straight at the mirror on the vanity opposite the bed. The warning dies in your throat at the sight of him nearly in tears.

“I…I love it,” he says in a warbled voice.

“Oh Vash, what’s wrong? Did I hurt you? I really tried to be careful. Always with you.” You sit beside him, leaning onto his shoulder, rubbing his back in comfort. He sniffs. 

“It’s not you. It’s just…this is the first time I feel like I’ve done something for myself. I feel like my own person. With just a hoop.” Wet tears trail down his cheeks. You press your fingers to his cheeks, wiping his tears. You know how he’s been burdened with his past, no doubt still feeling the shadow of his brother and the destruction that’s come from his actions. Perhaps this earring meant more than you could ever imagine, perhaps it finally binded him to the present, and to his own future that he can create. 

“You’ve always been Vash to me. Never your brother. Just you. Vash the Stampede. The most amazing gunman to ever walk into my life.” He turns to you, wrapping his arms around you and pressing his face into your neck.

“Thank you. Now, I feel like everyone else. Maybe they can see me as one of them. Not this humanoid disaster.” You nuzzle into him, hands returning to their rubbing against his back.

“You look nice by the way. It suits you really well. The gold complements your blue blue eyes,” you tease, hoping to get a chuckle out of him. 

He pecks your cheek, another thank you from him. He presses his face tighter to you, jolting suddenly. “Ow!”

“Yeahh, it’s gonna be a bit tender for a bit.” 

masterlist

divider by saradika

[tmblrcolouredpaper]

Period and Nightmare

Minho/ Reader

domestic fluff; acts of service; literal sleeping together; crying; kisses and cuddles; period pain; comfort

wc: 1877

'I'm tired', you whispered into Minho's hoodie. The TV screen flickered in various colours, presenting the current movie you were watching, while being all curled up together on the sofa. It was blurry though, because sleep was announcing itself by yawns and with its result of teary eyes. You were cuddling Minho's arm, chin resting on his shoulder and legs draped around his waist.

'Go to bed then', he huffed and gently pushed you away from him, freeing his arm. Your grip around his torso was stronger and you just shifted your position until you were seated on his lap, facing him frontal instead of sideways now.

'Carry me?', you asked and leaned forward to hug him. He sighed and you could register his eyes rolling around in annoyance without actually seeing them. His arms however mustn't have gotten the message of disapproval, because they immediately wrapped around you, welcoming your initiated physical closeness.

There was no verbal conplaint. When he actually got up, you were however so surprised about the fact that he would really carry you to bed that you almost fell if he wouldn't have held you so securely. He didn't show any sign of reaction, just walked towards the bedroom and put you down onto the edge of the mattress, placing a kiss on your forhead.

'Thank you', you mumbled under your breath.

Minho left, letting sounds echo through the bathroom and returned soon with one toothbrush in his mouth and one in in his hand. So, you lazily brushed your teeth and let Minho drag you to the bathroom to spit out the minty foam. A pair of fresh panties with an already applied pat was laying on the heater, as well as some other items of clothes. You noticed his shirt and a pair of socks.

'Wanna take another quick shower to warm up?', he asked and looked at you patiently. You were too tired and felt too weak to keep standing for much longer so you declined.

'Okay', he spoke and turned around to take the hair brush, to your surprise.

'Braiding it? So it won't annoy you at night?', he suggested casually as if it was totally clear what he was doing, as if this was the usual evening routine. It wasn't. Usually you let eachother alone and just got together in bed again. Minho needed his time alone to calm down after a long day and you enjoyed it as well, knowing someone is in the next room, while you can concentrate on processing your thoughts of the day, absently tidying up and getting ready for bed.

Today, however, you were clingy. Minho let you be. Your stomach was tight and despite not actually being in pain the comfort level wasn't high either and you could feel your body working hard. Being on your period was never easy, the fortunately only suble sensation in your stomach was omnipresent and absorbing all your energy, causing you to feel in need of some guaranteed safety. What else would make you feel safer than Minho being the reliable and supportive person he is?

Your hair was braided quickly, two strands of lose braids falling over your shoulders. Not too tight, so it won't hurt, but the hair was tamed, he explained. The pride in his tired voice was obvious and you were proud of him, thankful, so you took his hand and gave it a gentle kiss. That made him giggle and his eyes sparkled.

He cleared his throat and returned to his serious deminor, getting back into the role of your personal life assistant. This basically means, Minho seemed as stoic as possible, but was actually overprepared, oversupportive, overprotective and slightly nervous.

He tugged on your clothes, you were currently wearing and told you to switch into a new pyjama set. He helped you getting dressed, kneeling in front of you and let you hold onto his shoulders for balance when he put your fresh panties on. The fabric was warm against your lower stomach and back. With Minho's help you finished getting dressed comfortably and made your way to bed, finally. A few kisses, a few last words of the day and you were fast asleep.

The dream didn't start bad, but in classical fever dream manner the dream turned abstract and overwhelming right away. You were locked into a metal box of a room that was pushed deeper into the thick walls of a building where no phone would have connection to the outside world and of course, no one would hear your screams. You realized this quickly and typed a short panicked message to your friend and when you saw them hiding at the entrance, you got the chance to hand them your phone, so they could send the message where signal was more likely to be available. In the end you both got locked in and knocked out by getting electro shocked.

Fainting was your least favorite thing in dreams. Feeling the loss of consciousness and the pain of the cramping muscles caused by the electro shock in the intensity that could only be experienced so vividly in the rem phase was genuinely painful. Absurd that the brain had the capacity to put you into circumstances you'd never actually experienced, but using the current sensation of muscle cramps for the illusion of authenticity.

A few more scenes were shown to you, no cohesion, just scary examples of what could go horribly wrong in real life. You woke up with pain in your stomach and chest, immediately sitting up to distance yourself from sleep.

'What's wrong?', Minho asked panicked, but his tone remained gentle, maybe due to his own sleepiness.

You just shook your head, 'nothing', but he knew better, starting to rub your back to ground you.

'Wanna talk about it?', he asked, but again, you just shook your head. The echoing pain that could have either come purely from the dream or your uterus that was being lovingly dramatic, was overwhelming. You dropped down forwards, burying your face into Minhos stomach.

He was warm and the fabric of his shirt felt extra soft against your skin. His hands were still on you, massaging your scalp and making sure you felt his attention on you. With a quick shift you layed down again and pushed yourself into Minho's embrace. Him welcoming you with open arms was his default setting at night.

'Your heart beats like crazy', he remarked and his hand landed on your forhead.

'Are you feeling sick?', he questioned, a hint of panic in his voice.

'Of course I do', you whined and almost laughed at his oblivion. As well as he took care of you and learned more about how you experience your menstrual cycle with each month that he was with you, he wasn't able to get an understanding beyond the theory. He just woke up. You didn't expect him possibly acing an exam about your hormonal cycle and its effects on you. If it would be important to you, he would try to perfect his knowledge faster though.

'Let's get you a glass of water', he suggested and got out of bed.

'No', you panicked and ran after him, holding onto his arm, before he could step out of the room.

Baffled, he stopped and let go of the door handle. His hand found its way into your hair and he gently pattet your head.

'I'll be back in a second. Why don't you pick one of my hoodie in the meantime? You're freezing.'

His voice was soft and caring as if he was talking to an injured deer. And you felt like one. If he would leave you alone, you would just be killed by a wolf, you were sure.

'Please, don't leave me alone', he whispered, voice shaky, because you were really about to cry.

'Just 2 minutes', he explained and you tried hard not to start crying.

*

'Blue hoodie it is', you decided and went back to bed, hugging the blue fabric instead of wearing it.

The blanket lulled you into sleepy warmth that Minho's and your body radiated. Tears were still brimming in the corner of your eyes and finally rolled down and drowned into the pillow beneath your head. You didn't sob, you didn't whine, you just cried silently and too weak to control your mood in any sense.

Minho returned with a glass of water and sat down on his side of the mattress. He held the bavarage in one hand and gently caressed your head with the other, the whole time until your tears came to an end.

You felt calmer and sat up, his hoodie still trapped between your arms and you upper body. When Minho noticed, he let out a chuckle and gained your attention. He handed you the water, waited until you drank, took the glass again and placed it on the floor next to the bed. Then, he lifted the blanket and pushed himself underneath, sighing with the welcoming warmth on his skin.

'Are you planning on cuddling or wearing my hoodie?', he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.

'Oh, ahm, wearing', you answered in surprise and sat up to pull the piece of clothing over hour head. You quickly adjusted it a bit and layed back down again.

Minho held the blanket open for you and tugged you in the second your body hit the mattress.

'Do you think you can sleep?', he mumbled and it was evident that he was about to fall asleep any second.

'I guess', you sighed, but weren't too sure.

'Come here', he mumbled even lower than before and welcomed you into his embrace, you squeezed right into his front.

'Can I hold you properly, under your shirt, or is it uncomfortable?', he asked, his hand resting on your shoulder, while you both were laying on your sides facing eachother.

'Is your hand warm or cold?', you questioned and felt first his fingertips and then also his smooth and warm palm on your cheek.

'Okay', you breathed out.

His mere touch directly on your skin felt wonderful. He stuffed his hand under the blanket and gently, in a slow motion lifted first the hoodie to rub up and down your clothed waist, only to then proceed to lift your shirt as well to finally let his hand rest on your bare body.

He gently massaged the side of your stomach with his thumb and you could literally melt into him.

'Please try to sleep', he almost whined, burying his face into the pillow.

'Sorry', you whispered, feeling guilt of being the reason he's awake wash over you.

'No, it's fine. I just want you to rest as well as possible', he declared and added, 'I can't stand it when you're in pain and uncomfortable'.

You leaned your forhead against his chest and laughed, his hand on your waist slightly urging you to get closer to him.

'You're so wonderful', you mumbled into his shirt and started caressing his back, not even one minute later hearing his soft snores.

His steady rhythm in combination with his warmth and his secure hold on you, made you eventually drift off to sleep as well.

[bloodycherry22]

Hello, can I request an Ellie x female reader fanfic? If you could add something about reader being confused because she thought she was only attracted to men, but she realizes that she feels something for Ellie too, it’d be great! You could totally add smut if you want, or do it fluffy, it’s up to you :)

I think? | Ellie Williams

Genre: fluff

Summary: While on patrol, everything starts to fall into place, the way her touch made you melt, the way her smile warmed your heart, it all made sense in that moment.

Warnings: Cussing, gayness? i dunno pure fluff, Ellie and reader are both pretty shy.

Thank you so much for the request lovely anon! Hope this is okay. Its pretty short and i merged another request of a food fight into this. requests still open <3

Not proofread

Kicking your boot lightly against the leather material sat upon your horse, you found yourself unable to focus, the sound of her breathe hitching lightly as the horse sped up in reaction to your touch. Her fingertips grasping on to the material of your thick coat, she wasn't even touching you and it still caused a shiver to run through your body. Winter had hit, and hard at that.

Ellie had been staying with you for a week or so, some houses having been snowed in and with the temperatures so low, and limited equipment, it was a slow process. The domesticated routine with her changed everything, it started to be your new normal, and you were beginning to dread the day her house was warm enough to live in again.

This morning, a new, thicker anxiety was stuck in your chest, having barely slept a wink the night before, deep in thought. About her, always her, she was keeping you up. Not physically, she slept on the couch, but mentally, its like she had taken over your life.

Sitting on a couch together now seemed different, the way her knees had brushed against yours underneath the thick blanket. You craved to be touched by her, loved by her. It was completely new, sending a slight guilt to your mind. You had never liked girls in the past so why now?

The sound of her voice managed to snap you out of your daydream as her finger gently tapped your shoulder. "stop here, last time i saw some supplies through the window" Her voice was shaky, presumably from the cold. Acknowledging her, you came to a halt. She carefully got off the horse and held her hand out for you, when you took it, it was hard to ignore the way she turned away and scrunched her nose ever so slightly, a light tint of pink along her cheeks.

It brought a nervous smile to your face as you hopped off, letting her hand go to tie up the horse to a nearby tree. "you think this winter will calm down any time soon?" you asked, turning to her, both of you walking towards the building, knife in hand, as i it had become muscle memory.

"why? sick of me already?" She snickered, sending you a smirk. With a scoff, you nudged her, quietly entering the building. No spores to be seen, it was quite ope, only appearing to have a few empty tables and a counter, It was most likely a cafe or restaurant of sorts. There was a single runner behind the counter, almost silently, you drive the knife into its neck before turning to her "not at all" you smiled.

She seemed content with your response before she put her blade away, already picking up some objects and examining them. "to answer your question, i think its only gonna get colder, we aren't even near the cold months yet" she sighed.

"months? since when do we keep track of the date?" you asked, examining some of the food dates carefully. She just chuckled "since maria found some old kids calendar" she said

"of fucking course she did" you laughed lightly, picking up a surprising item and holding it in the air "catch!" you shouted, throwing it. she caught the object, eyes flickering over it. It was a nutella jar. magically seeming unopened and safe to eat. She gasped "holy shit" she smiled, walking over to one of the tables and taking a seat. Within seconds you were beside her, with two old spoons.

Both of you quietly giggled as she opened the jar and took a spoon, dipping it into the jar and eating some of it. You did the same and both of you shared a happy reaction. "crazy to think they used to just have this stuff all the time, and all that fast food..so jealous"

You nodded and leaned back into the seat, sighing "jealousy" you whined dramatically and she laughed lightly in response. she suddenly dipped her finger into the chocolate and wiped some over your nose. you gasped and looked at her wide eyed "bitch" you did the same and she just scoffed "oh your on"

The next ting you knew you were both on the floor, laughing messes as she had the messier face, graciously you had her pinned down, straddling her waist, sure your hands were covered in nutella but her face was worse. Both of you panted softly and found yourselves staring into each others eyes. And there that guilty feeling was again, you shouldn't see her that way, but she just looked so pretty.

She seemed to grasp that you were lost in thought, nudging your knee gently to get your attention as she sat up. Now you were basically sat on her lap, thighs either side of hers. Her eyes flickered from your eyes to your lips, licking her own as she did so. "Ellie i-"

"shut up" she mumbled and pressed her lips against yours, the anxiety bubbling away almost instantly as you leaned into the touch, her hands flying to your waist. After a few seconds she pulled back and looked at you, both filthy and giddy. She just laughed, so did you and the situation suddenly felt comfortable, like it was right, you did like her.. and that was okay.

[shirohige-pirates]

Hey Doll

CisFem Reader x Thatch

CW: toxic parents, manipulation, The Plan™, smut, mdni, I'll add as we go I'm kind of fly by the seat of my pants on this one.

tag list: @mfreedomstuff @harahettania @clumsyraccoon

Chapter 12: Yes Father

A/N: This chapter contains physical and verbal abuse. Please proceed carefully.

Saturday had been an easy affair. Thatch gave you space while you put your things away. You shared meals together, but you spent the majority of the day doing things separately. Both of you headed to bed fairly early as well - it had been a long day, or a long series of days, and you were both pretty worn out.

You’d tucked the phone from your parents away for now, and tried to forget about it on Sunday while you were out running errands together.

Thatch was completely unchanged from how he’d been. He didn’t become mean now that you were moved in, he didn’t become physical or pushy. Asking if he could hold your hand before even holding his out, opening doors for you, and carrying just about everything. You’d insisted on keeping a few items, and he didn’t argue with you, but the easy kindness he showed you was appreciated.

Painful, but appreciated.

He took you two a couple nice places for breakfast and lunch, and your final stop for the day was the market. After having bought you a new phone, a wide selection of herbal teas, and a green tea to try when you were ready for it, he bought your favorite foods at the market. Ready and willing to make a full and proper feast for you that night.

No matter how nice he was, and how well the day had gone, you couldn’t shake the weight of the phone hidden in your room. Keeping the knowledge of it from Thatch was hard enough on its own, but the weight of the unknown beyond that, pressed against you. You had no idea what your parents were going to demand of you, and all you could do was hope that you could deny them somehow.

Eating your fill when they weren’t around to stop you was one thing, but even just seeing the texts from them had been impossible to defy.

The dinner Thatch made was delicious, even with the weight of the phone on your shoulders, it was still some of the best food you’d ever had. Guiltily you wondered if it would’ve tasted even better if you could’ve actually focused on it. If you could’ve focused on him.

If you could’ve just told him.

It was easy to see the worry on Thatch’s face. He didn’t ask what was on your mind, probably torn between not wanting to make you feel bad, and wanting you to feel like you had to tell him. Everything he’d said and done was full of choices and options, and it had been a bit overwhelming. He was so incredibly patient, however, and his voice was so soothing that it was never too much. When you couldn’t decide you’d say as much and he’d “decide for now”, and then say something about how you could change your mind later and it would be okay.

Now you stood in the empty apartment alone.

It was still dark outside, you’d woken up with Thatch at three in the morning. He’d insisted you didn’t have to, but once you said you wanted to, he didn’t push back. Thatch went over the numbers to the bakery, and reiterated that if you couldn’t reach him, you could call Marco or Izou if you needed anything, even Pops. His dad was still pretty busy with the business, but there was no way he’d turn you down if you had a request.

You’d asked for another kiss on your cheek before Thatch left and he lingered just a little longer than he had with the first one. The smile on his face was perfect, and the warmth sat on your face long after he’d closed the door, but you’d stayed by the door until the warmth was gone entirely.

Standing alone in the apartment, with that warmth faded, everything seemed extra empty and cold.

Swallowing down the knot in your throat you walk into your bedroom and pull the damnable phone from it’s hiding place. Your fingers are already shaking as you hold it, and you can feel tears rimming your eyes.

Terror lives on the other side of this phone, and despite that you cannot simply be rid of it. You can’t toss it off the balcony, throw it down the trash, or crush it under foot. As foolish as it was, you couldn’t shake the feeling that if you threw it away your father would break the door down and throw you off the balcony after it.

It was impossible for him to get into the tower, it was. It was. It had to be. You could - you could… you couldn’t. You’re just a doll, if your parents wanted to, they could expose the things they did. Sure they’d get in trouble, but you’d be taken from Thatch, and if you ended up back with your parents again-.

Automatically, with practice, you force the tears back and calm your nerves. No matter how much you didn’t want to, you always did listen. You had to. They had done so much for you, sacrificed so much for you, it was the least you could do. The absolute least.

The bare minimum.

Two words.

Certainly you were a loving enough daughter to type two words. It was all they were asking for. Just to know when you were home alone. When it was okay for them to call. They’d been terribly rude to Thatch’s father, so of course they wouldn’t want to talk while Thatch was around.

You: I’m alone.

Your body lurches involuntarily after you hit send, and you nearly vomit on to the floor. Keeping it together for the second it takes to dash across the hall, you upend the tea you had while Thatch was getting ready this morning. It had been too early to try and eat, at least for what you were used to, and you were glad you’d decided to just skip it.

Heaving a couple more times, you have nothing left to give, and gag on the violent retching for a few minutes before your body finally settles. Sitting on the floor for a moment you wait until you feel steady and secure before getting back up on your feet. Washing your face you press a cold washcloth against your cheeks for a few moments, doing what you could to bring any swelling down from the earlier fit.

It would be hours before Thatch would be home, but being presentable all the time was something you did automatically.

You kept the phone nearby as you went about what little of a morning you could muster having, waiting for your parents’ reply. You managed a second cup of tea and dry toast, and despite the nerves you still had bouncing around in your stomach you kept it down.

It was after 9am when your phone finally rang. You didn’t want to answer it, but you didn’t let it ring more than twice before you did.

“Good job, Doll.” Your mother’s voice came through the phone. It was almost a relief to hear it, and you weren’t certain why. “You followed the instructions. I knew he was going to leave for work early, but I hadn’t realized it would be that early. Do you know when he’ll be home?”

“… No earlier than five.” You answer after a moment, you should answer faster, you can’t delay like that just because you don’t want to tell them Thatch’s schedule. “He… wants to try and come home for lunch, but he said he wouldn’t be able to do so this week.”

“Hm. Well, your father will be at the apartment tower in thirty minutes.” She explains. “Wait for him out front.”

With that said the phone goes dead, waiting for neither your confirmation, nor anything you might have to say. It was a good sign, it meant she knew you would listen. So she wasn’t angry with you for your delay.

Setting the phone down you grab a quick shower, dress in a way that you know won’t upset your father, and head down to the lobby. You didn’t want to worry about keeping track of a purse, so you picked nice slacks with deep pockets, and a button up blouse.

You’d come in from the parking garage every time so far, so the lobby was a new experience. It looked more like a hotel lobby than a common area for apartments, but there were some small convenience style stores in the large open area.

Stepping out the front doors you pass a door man who gives you a nod and friendly wave. You return the gesture, smiling with practiced ease, noting the man’s crisp uniform and bright white gloves. He looked like something between a security guard and a bellhop, but the pinwheel on the top of his cap was certainly unique. Despite not really looking like part of the standard uniform, it didn’t seem out of place for him, and even more than that it looked endearing.

You only have to wait by the street for a moment before you see your father’s car. He pulls up to the curb, and you open the door, seating yourself in the passenger seat. Once you’re buckled in he pulls away without a word.

You won’t speak unless spoken to, certainly not with your father, and it wouldn’t matter what you asked. Obviously he was taking you somewhere, and since you weren’t the one driving, you didn’t need to know where it was. If there was anything you needed to know, he would’ve told you by now.

And so you sat quietly.

You didn’t sit quietly for long, however, barely fifteen minutes later you seemed to be at your destination. Your father pulled into a place that looked more like a warehouse than it did a store front.

“Come on, doll.” The words are almost irritated, but you don’t think it’s directed at you. You get out of the car as instructed, and follow just behind your father as he walks into the building.

It looks like a place that might be a store, or a repair shop, or just a warehouse. It smacks of something wrong and illegal, but you aren’t sure exactly why. Only that there’s something vaguely unofficial about the entire place, as though it’s not really meant to be as permanent as the cinder block building it’s located in.

“Is Akumai here?” Your father asks an older man with a white twisted headband. Scratching the stubble on his face, he flicks his eyes over you, grunts, and nods his head toward the back. Your father beckons you, grabbing your hand and pulling you into the odd store. “Come on.”

He weaves through the metal shelves easily, and you do your best to keep your eyes on him. You didn’t want to confirm your suspicions about this place, all it’ll do right now is make you more uncomfortable than you already are. If you threw up from nerves now, you might not have to worry about much else.

Walking through the network of shelves you come to a small, well, room isn’t really a proper word for it, it’s more like a clearing within the shelves. A man was seated at a desk with folders, papers, and an odd assortment of electronics you weren’t familiar with. It was boxy, older looking technology, hooked up to a CCTV desktop that looked a bit like it should be in a museum.

The man himself is as unique as the items around him. His dark back hair, was styled into a pair of wings, pulled taut and heavily waxed into place. Even though he was clean shaven you got the impression he was more dangerous than the older man who was upfront.

“Hey, can you make a copy of a key card right now?” Your father asks. Your blood goes cold before the other even nods and you’re already afraid of what’s coming.

“Won’t take but a minute.” He promises, flashing a smile that makes your skin crawl.

“Good. Doll, give me your key card.” Your father commands, reaching a hand out toward you without even looking.

You shake your head, it’s almost imperceptible, but your hesitation is noted by your father. You take a step back and he grabs the back of your neck in an iron grip. Forcing you a step toward him he bends you back, keeping you off balance and trapped under his control.

“Give me the key card, doll.” He repeats coldly. You can’t bring yourself to say no, but when you press your lips together and a couple tears roll down your cheek your father doesn’t need to hear the word to understand your defiance.

“Young lady, you will do as your father instructs or I will allow this gentleman to find the key card however he decides to do so.”He promises you.

You can’t stop the soft sob, but even as it escapes you, you pull your tower key from your pocket and hand it over. Your father takes it and pulls you backward before he lets you go, pulling you fully off balance and leaving you to fall to the concrete floor. Neither of your parents risked injuring you unless they were exceptionally livid - swelling and bruises would make for poor photos, and no one needed to know how they truly treated you.

You landed on your hip, barely catching yourself with a slap of your arm on the floor. You didn’t know if you were relieved you weren’t hurt worse, or frustrated that you weren’t hurt enough that Thatch would notice no matter what. Even on the floor you weren’t sure you could tell Thatch.

Talking about what your parents did was strictly forbidden. It was almost more important than The Plan.

“Copy this.” He says, handing the card over to the other man, before looking down at you. “Get up, useless wretch. Fix your appearance before he’s done.”

Nodding you get to your feet carefully. “Yes father.”

“Stupid thing. You should just do as instructed.” He grumbles as you work to dust yourself off properly. “A few days with some stranger and you forget yourself. Bah. Defy me like that again, and I’ll make sure he thinks you unfaithful.

“At least in prison I know you’ll be disciplined properly.” He grumbles.

“I’m sorry, father.” You feel as small as your voice sounds, but your father seems satisfied.

“Here you go,” Akumai says, handing two cards back to your father. “You said you didn’t need it to look the same, so I didn’t copy over the logo.”

“That’s fine.” Your father pulls an envelope out of his breast pocket and hands it over. “Payment and the next request. Let me know after you’ve mulled it over.”

“Certainly.”

Your father pushes you ahead. “Come on, move it, Doll.”

You stumble a couple steps but walk back through the shelves with your father at your back. He hands you your key card back before you reach the front of the store and then snaps for you to get back into the car. He’s in the shop for a few minutes without you, and seems to be in a better mood when he gets into the car.

Pulling out of the parking lot he heads back to the apartment tower.

“Convince him to take you on a date.” He states, barely even acknowledging that he’s speaking to you. “Something long that’s hard to leave. An opera or a concert or some other thing that would keep him out of the apartment and away from his phone. Once it’s set - date and time - text us.”

You’re quiet, you don’t want to say yes, but you’re afraid to say no after earlier.

“Doll.” He warns.

“Yes father.” You respond.

“Good.” He’s quiet for a long moment, but the next words out of his mouth are a dagger to your heart. “Sweet on him already. You’re such a fool, child. Well, it doesn’t matter. If you think we’ve been unkind to you all these years, just remember he’s not my flesh and blood.

“If I have to get my due from his bones, then -.”

“No, I… I’ll… I’ll make sure. I will.” You know as soon as the words are out of your mouth, and the smile on your father’s face, that you should’ve stayed quiet. But it was too late now. “We’ll be away for long enough, if… if not this weekend, then the next for sure.”

“Good. Keep doing as you're told, and I won’t do him any harm.” He assures you, patting your leg almost warmly before pulling up to the tower. “Get cleaned up, if he comes home for lunch unexpectedly you don’t want him asking questions.”

“Yes father.” You get out of the car, and by the time you reach the doors with the pinwheel hatted doorman, you have the same smile on your face that you had when you’d greeted him earlier.

If no one questioned anything, then Thatch wouldn’t be hurt. As long as he wasn’t hurt you didn’t really care about anything else. He was a good person, a really, truly kind man with a good heart, and it was bad enough he got matched with you, but if you could keep him safe, then that would be enough.

The question you didn’t know the answer to was if your parents meant to simply steal everything in the apartment, or if they meant to do something else. Considering the trouble they were going through, it seemed more likely there was something else going on. The amount of money they’d get from Thatch’s stuff was too small for how they spoke.

They wanted to be set for life. That would mean getting at something far more substantial. But you couldn’t sort out how access to Thatch’s apartment would get them any closer. They’d shown interest in Pops’ business and wealth, but the bakery was separate, and while it was successful, as far as you knew it was nothing compared to Whitebeard Shipping and Trade.

After getting cleaned up you sat in the living room. You made something to eat around lunch time out of habit more than a sense of hunger, and then you continued to simply sit in the living room and look out the balcony window.

You’d never been home alone before, and you quickly realized you didn’t know what to do.

[demise-seems-dead]

@askingkyborg 's main here to bring you some depressing chip mini fic time because im dying

SPOILERS FOR EPISODES 32-34 AND TW FOR suicidal ideation, self harm, and some mentions of blood.

chip in todays ep was so insane for me i just i couldn't resist.

Mathidle hasn't felt a lot of warmth in their after life, and that's alright. The thing about ghosts is that they feel in opposition to a human. When you're alive, you get a spring to your step. You feel the kisses of the sun bead down over your eyelashes. The wind stirs hunger in your stomach and you fight against it in a little human battle. Your hands get warm when you work for too long, calluses thrumming with your pulse and very very warm. Mathilde knows this to be true.

They don't remember holding a lot of hands, but they remember the feeling, maybe due to its stark contrast to know. When a person is very alive, their hands get warm, and when they are dead and gone, their hands grow cold. And thus for ghosts it works the opposite. When alive hands are as cold as frosty knives but when on the brink of death their hands would be ever so warm. 

Ellgas hands were moderately warm. Not technically undead but having lived multiple life spans she grew warm. With Barney it was impossible to tell. Sometimes his hands felt hot, other times too cold. Hard to discern. By way of logic Chips hands are the coldest of course. Being the youngest of the party somehow, and pretty physically adept, he was the most alive of them all, and thus the coldest. Mathilde can't touch the tieflings hands without a shiver climbing up his non corporeal body. 

That's what made today so different. Chip’s are blazing warm. 

They’d been giving blood to the vanian worker in exchange for currency. Mathilde put themselves close to the brink of death, but for good reason. There is a ghost after all, dying again would be a stunt and a half. Their body has started to float, and their items are starting to slowly fade through their body as he inches closer to full spirit than not. It's not as if they enjoy it, but the familiar tickle isn't a bad thing. 

From beside them a sharp gasp comes from Barney's throat. A head turn shows chip loading up his crossbow, using the cocking stirrup and his foot to slide the bolt back with ease. Its a weird action for someone who had initially seemed hesitant to donate any blood at all. Mathilde raises an eyebrow just as the purple tiefling points the crossbow down at his foot and shoots. A shot of blood stains the white of his shoe and he noticeably grimaces. JJ mews from beside mathilde, circling where his feet are dangling. Mathilde knows kittens know when people are close to passing on, and especially a ghost cat. Mathilde bends a bit to scratch her tiny little grey head to let her know they're okay. It's weird knowing you're close to dying, but as a ghost it doesn't hurt, so it's a bit easier. Another crossbow bolt is shot, and JJ’s ears flatten down a little. 

Mathilde looks back up towards chip. A fuzzy outline is starting to show on him, blue and purple swirly. His face is tight and screwed up, nose pressed into grooves and eyes watering. They can hear a crack of barney's voice, like he's about to say something but pauses. The old man's brow furrows. The teller behind the counter starts counting out money softly, and chip moves in a quick motion. Mathilde momentarily thinks he's putting it away, but after a moment it's drawn, but up by his head. 

“Mon ami, maybe be a little bit more careful w-” Mathilde doesn't finish their thought before the bolt is wedged in chip's neck. It drips a long red string, and mathilde can see ellga lick her lips ever so slightly, but does not ignore the slight worry in her brows. 

Mathilde knows Chip can't take many more shots. Three if he was lucky. Yet it doesn't stop him from moving again. Mathilde closes their eyes as he hears the loading noise, and with the shot the blurry ghost-like outline grows stronger, the purple colour bloombing out more. Another shot. That makes five. He can only take one more. JJ is meowing at the tiefling, who's struggling to stand, blood dripping out of his mouth and leaned over the counter. The clerk seems unphased. 

Mathilde closes their eyes again, and sees a new colour. A soft green pushing the blue and the purple away in the dark. Instinctually, as the light brightens, mathilde opens their eyes. Chip is shuttering audibly, eyes lazing open and shut as he braces.

“Carols gone, what else is there to lose…?” JJ bats at chip’s leg, as if in an effort to stop him. Mathildes face stiffens  at the assassin's comment, and they gently wrap an arm around chip, protectively surrounding him with his wings. 

“Alright, I think that's enough. We’ve got plenty of spending money, right chip?” “...Spendin’ money… r-right, right yeah! Were, were rich!” The brunette moves to pick up his currency and his fingers fumble uselessly, eyes lidded slightly. Mathilde makes their hands noncorporeal and gently scoots the coins to his hands without him noticing, not to make him feel coddled. The alchemist shoots a look over his shoulder at mathilde, and mathilde nods back. The mood remains a bit darker and dreary, but chip seems somewhat stable. Mathilde takes his hand gently. The tieflings hands are warm as can be, and it makes a flood of warmth come over mathilde themselves. 

Weirdly, if just for a moment, he feels a second hand reach over theirs. They close their eyes and see a ghostly outline of a tiefling woman, her hand over yours and chips. She presses a finger to her lips and gives a soft but saddened smile. She mouths to them gently.

“Don't let him down this path, mathilde…” A ghostly wiz-consinite voice whispers in their head. He opens his eyes again to see chip leaning down, smiling at a photo in his hand. Mathilde smiles softly.

“I'm glad she's watching over you, my friend.” they say even though the rogue will likely forget his words from the blood loss. He nods and smiles a bit more. 

“‘M glad too, mathilde…” 

[xoxopredilection]

Love Languages: The Bad Batch and Sad Omega

Summary: Omega is sad and the guys try to show her some love, in their own unique ways.

Note: slightly AU.

Affirmation

"If the Kaminoans say I'm special, they'll always send someone after me. This won't ever stop." Omega wrapped her arms tightly around her knees and hunched over, as if trying to shrink into herself.

Echo frowned deeply, brow knitted with concern. He knelt down beside her and looked her straight in the eyes.

"You are special, Omega. Be proud of that." He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it gently. "Don't worry about anything else. We'll take care of the rest."

Acts of Service

"Omega?" Tech walked over to where the girl sat. What a dejected sight she was, alone in the shadows.

Omega looked up miserably.

Tech cleared his throat and handed her a comm device.

"I made this for you. With this, you will always have a way to contact us." Tech refrained from mentioning the close call she had with the bounty hunter on Pantora. The trauma was still too fresh.

Omega's face brightened and she took the comm device. "Thank you, Tech," she whispered as she regarded the commlink with utmost reverence.

Physical Touch

"What's the matter, 'mega?" Asked Wrecker. She sat huddled on the floor, knees drawn up to her chest, a forlorn look on her face.

"I'm just afraid they will never stop coming after me. After us." She looked up at him, worry creasing her features.

Wrecker squatted down in front of her, face serious. "Don't you worry about them," he said in a low, reassuring voice. "No one comes near you when we're around. Yeah!" He slammed his fist into his open palm. "We'll make sure of that!" He reached out a huge hand and ruffled Omega's hair boisterously, making the girl giggle and try to swat his hand away.

Giving Gifts

"Hey, Omega?" Hunter sat down beside her. She looked so helpless and lonely sitting in a dim corner on the Marauder's floor.

"Hi." She replied softly, eyes downcast. She had her arms so tight around her knees, it looked like she was trying to disappear into herself.

Seeing her like this tugged at his heart. He sighed, then remembered his purpose in coming. He took a deep breath and smiled.

"Close you eyes. I have a surprise for you."

She finally lifted her gaze. Sad brown eyes met his, and his smile nearly faltered. Hunter tried to convey as much warmth as he could with his expression.

Omega closed her eyes.

"Hold out you hand," he instructed. She did as told. Hunter gently placed a small wooden item in her hand. He watched as her mouth quirked up, eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"Okay, you can open your eyes now."

She opened her eyes and her smile turned into a grin as she held up the small wooden tooka carving to her eyes. She picked it up and turned it over in her fingers slowly, mouth dropping open as she remarked at how perfectly carved and smooth and beautiful it was.

"Look at its little nose!" She squealed in delight. "Thank you so much Hunter!" She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.

Hunter exhaled softly and hugged her back.

Quality Time

Crosshair observed the small figure sitting in a dark corner of the ship. His sharp eyes noted the gloomy look on her face and the occasional quivering of her lips. He looked away with the intent of ignoring her, but yet another shuddering breath drew his gaze back to her.

Annoyed, he spat out his toothpick and crossed the distance between them in three quick strides and scowled down at Omega.

"Alright. Spit it out. That's thrice already. What's wrong with you?"

Omega looked up, her eyes widening in fear when she saw his face. She quickly looked down and buried her face in her knees.

"Nothing," she mumbled. "I-I'm sorry," she added in a whisper.

He glowered down at her, hands crossed over his chest. She seemed to grow even smaller as she hugged her knees tightly, hunching over, face pressed tightly to her knees as if she was trying to sink into the floor.

Crosshair blew out his breath and shook his head, and quietly sank to the the floor; close enough to hear her, but not too close to intimidate her further. He hadn't missed her frightened expression earlier.

They sat in silence for some time; he chewing on his toothpick and she sighing to herself. At one point he thought she'd fallen asleep when the sighs stopped. He turned to check, and saw her staring at him with wide-eyed awe.

"What?" He snapped, raising an eyebrow.

She blinked. "Uhm..have you been sitting here long?" She ventured timidly.

"Long enough to know there's a problem." He shifted on the floor, stretching a leg out in front of him, and stared fixedly ahead.

From the corner of his eye he saw her mouth clamp shut, then open, then close again. With a final heaving sigh she turned and settled against the wall, leg sprawled out in a similar manner as his. She also rested her hands on her folded knee, just like he did. He snorted softly in amusement and gave her a sidelong look.

"Thanks for sitting with me," she finally said. "It was getting kinda lonely here."

They continued to sit in silence, companions in solitude.

**************Reblogs appreciated ^_^*************

[trailblczed]

[ sunglasses ]　/　"what a coincidence. just who i was looking for." the early morning sun catches stoneheart and nameless just beyond the steps of the quaint row of catered villas that came with the tickets' promised package. this planet didn't adhere to system hours, but heat hasn't risen yet to intolerable levels with the daylight still young. and just his luck, mister stellaron looked to be on his own — taking a leave of absence for himself this time? he remembers he'd explicitly extended his offer to the rest of the astral express too when this one'd accepted the deal.

anyway, that's not what he'd wanted to say today.

"it looks like you just keep rolling high, friend. i was hoping to find someone to gift something truly remarkable, and you're in the right place at the right time. here, take this."

without preamble, he presses a sleek, velvety grey case into the young man's hand, declaring quality from its clean edges to the soft cashmere fibers against the fingertips.

"top of the line, the newest generation VITA-series frame eyewear, running at three-hundred-seventy-eight grand. the products they sent us are good, but i still prefer the ones i'm using. so, enjoy. i think the navigator style will suit you, and you're in luck — this color should fit you too. titanium rims and diamond-pressed detail. and, of course, ultraviolet protection and anti-reflective coatings. try them out while you're here ; protecting your vision is still important even on vacation."

Caelus makes a mental note that if the Express ever goes to another planet that has a semi-tropical climate, or has a temperature rating above 80Fahrenheit / 27Celsius that he is sitting that trip OUT. Most might not find it too awful a heat, but that does not include the silver-- to be fair, he's naturally hotter thanks Stellaron so his opinion may be a tad of an outlier.

At the sound of a familiar voice, lad turns to the source and is blinded both by sun and by bright blond locks. He was about to make a comment about how bad Aventurine's dice pun was ( teasingly of course, he loves a good pun and thought it was quite a Chef's Kiss one ) when something is ushered into his hand. Caelus stares at it, befuddled, before registering it's something he can physically open and that what the blond was referring to was inside.

A moment as he inspects the gift, curious as to what is so familiar about the specific style when it clicks- a roaring laugh unrestrained as he pulls the shades out of the box, quickly putting them on.

❛ I see I see! Is it part of a Brother Hanu collection? I must say the accuracy is fairly on point! ❜

Lad has to hold back jokingly giving a "hmph" and other grunting sounds instead of actual words when his brain seemingly catches up, or fully processes, Aventurine's words that came with the pair of sunglasses. Sputtering and frantic as Caelus takes the shades off, disbelief and concern etched on his every feature.

❛ T---Three-hundred-sev--------- Aven--- WHAT? I appreciate the thought, really I do! There's---- There's just no way I can accept something so fancy or expensive! I would likely get them broke within a week--! ❜

There is a reason he sticks to finding his goods in garbage bins. Can't break something that's already damaged. Still in a panic, Caelus glances around before looking at the ground, swiftly placing the shades back in their case before reaching into his pocket and pulling out all kinds of random things he's been collecting ( including but not limited to: cool looking rocks, a flat pale looking disk he was told was called a "sand dollar", and some shark teeth ). Through crazed rummaging he's able to feel the item he was looking for-- a very unique and gorgeous looking shell he had found earlier that morning. The silver wants to give the sunglasses back, but something tells him that Aventurine won't let him ( if their past interactions in Penacony's Grand Hotel were anything to go by ), so at least Caelus could give what he deems the most worthy item he has on him as thanks. Nameless yoinks it out, similarly shoving it into the other's hand in a way that leaves no room for argument, nor returns ( you ain't got a receipt to do it with! no take-backsies ).

❛ I know it's not nearly on the same level to be considered a fair trade but-- Here. ❜

[cheswirls]

let me / for you ship dynamic analysis

(fic link)

:)

part 1 - cyanide capsules [ if we die it's together / our fate and demise are tied as one ]

sabo

likes to be underestimated

manipulative

loves controlling ace by being a brat and acting needy and willing ace to do what he wants

ace

overtly possessive

needs to feel like he's protecting sabo

loves exerting control over sabo with physical power play

points elaborated –

sabo never reveals his true capabilities because he wants to use people's false perception of him to his benefit. he's crafty and cunning, and he knows he can get away with so much more in life if he plays the part of a sad, small puppy. completely helpless. lacking all ability to care for himself. needing someone to wait on him hand and foot. he uses this to get exactly what he wants out of a person every time. ace especially so, because if he puts up a frint and acts all needy and submissive, he knows there's nothing ace won't do for him.

ace craves acceptance and appreciation more than anything. he needs to feel like he's the center of attention, and like he's the only one that matters in sabo's life. it's why he's so insanely jealous of sabo's every interaction with and focus on someone or something that's not him. he knows he can make sabo submit, so he turns this to his advantage, keeping sabo on a tight leash and being quick to lash out of sabo's actions or behavior don't align with what ace expects from him.

-

scene-by-scene

[1] sabo takes the lead for ace and prevents him from causing a scene unnecessarily, in part standing up for ace by showing they come as a matched set - by declaring in a sense that rules and customs and laws aren't going to keep them apart. and also in part keeping ace under his thumb, maintaining control of the situation he's put them in that he needs something out of. ace could storm off and leave sabo item-less in the worst case, so to prevent this, sabo plays two sides at once, appealing to ace and firmly denying shakky.

before they leave, shakky gives sabo another order-suggestion, but this time it's ace that answers, taking charge of sabo's safety and well-being. hand tight around sabo's arm to keep him firmly at ace's side. repaying sabo in kind for his demonstration when they arrived, and showing shakky sabo is as much ace's as he is sabo's by not giving sabo a chance to answer shakky for himself.

[2] the one truthful statement is at the end, about sabo and ace each considering themselves half a person, only a whole human unit when they function together as a pair. this is a pretty standard metaphor for their relationship in general: they view themselves as the missing pieces that slot into everything the other is missing, and where life shows they lack in covering each other's weaknesses, they work on themselves individually to cover the deficit. they mould themselves to truly be the other's half in every aspect, doing everything the other wouldn't do themself.

but also there's a sickening lack of value in seeing yourself as an incomplete person. as not being enough on your own. since they both feel this so strongly, it keeps them tethered together even before the curses are cast. they are nothing without each other. they are less than human without the other at their side. and more than that, they see each other as less than human without themself present. he is nothing without me, in its purest form. and i am everything to him. having both an inferiority complex and a god complex almost at once.

extrapolating this further, this is only implied throughout the story but very much holds true. both ace and sabo function as (mostly) different types of codependent people. ace is a falsely empowered type and sabo is a disempowered type. because their mindsets are also linked so intimately, each isn't fully one type and exhibit some behavior patterns from the other. this is to say, feel free to research codependency on your own but keep in mind everything that applies to this fic/au won't fit so neatly into a single box :)

ace's lack of self-worth means he's constantly seeking admiration and praise and has a deep desire to feel needed. he's at sabo's every beck and call, to the point where no one else in the entire world takes precedent over sabo's wants and needs. but he's also inherently selfish and often seeks out ways of claiming sabo's validation that can be disruptive depending on the present situation. if he needs attention, he'll force sabo's hand and get it no matter what.

to go along with this, ace is the type of person to project an aura of being overly-competent. he's confident, he's faultless. if he's not interested in something he won't pay it mind, even if this avoidance will affect him later on. he has no weaknesses and no moderation on any aspect of his life. even if he's focused intently on a task at hand, it will never be 100% in full because sabo will always linger in his mind.

sabo needs to feel loved and necessary and will often force situations where ace is needed to feed the cycle, gaining worth through seeing how much ace loves and cares for him. he comes off as needy to keep the pleasing-please-er give-and-take going, but this also means that when his self-worth balances out temporarily he finds ace's advances overbearing and stifling. kind of an 'i want you when i need you but when i don't need you i need you to sit quietly in the corner' situation. he doesn't want ace to set boundaries but gets cross when ace oversteps sabo's own.

sabo is super dependent to the point that he'll put his general care and well-being solely in the hands of ace. he has to be at the forefront of ace's thoughts constantly, but struggles with ace wanting the same for him. he'll get insanely jealous of any attention ace gets from someone that's not him. he does not see any problem with any of his manipulative traits or monopoly on ace's time. he does what he wants and expects ace to follow at his heels. he cannot say no to ace.

out of the two, sabo is more realistic when it comes to their long-term needs and plans, and ace is better about handling the day-by-day: making sure they eat and sleep and do the bare minimum to keep from getting expelled. sabo is driven and goal-oriented, while ace is very go-with-the-flow. sabo knows what he wants out of life, but ace only wants sabo indefinitely, so he does what he can to maintain their bond.

two different codependent people in a romantic relationship to the extent these two are in means that they clash with each other a lot. it's not uncommon to find them at odds and often the resolution will be messy or temporary, OR ignored in full which is worse. they refuse to work out their problems to keep up the illusion of happiness and fulfillment. they fight for stupid reasons and come up with things to argue over just for the sake of arguing. the distance limitation means they have no room to step back and take a break from each other. sharing their feelings makes everything blurred – keeps them questioning why they have the right to be upset, deescalating things without actually talking through it so issues just keep popping up over and over. often deluding themselves (and each other! mostly each other!) into thinking everything is fine.

[3] it's a carnal instinct of ace's that he always has to make sure sabo is visibly marked as belonging to him. bite marks are easy to leave and take time to heal, so it's his preferred method.

when it's out of his line of interest, ace will ignore sabo's intent and attempt to control their schedule. if he doesn't want sabo out of bed, he'll do his utmost to keep him there. wearing sabo's shirt is another move to show possession – ownership, if you must. it's a power play to drive sabo insatiable and then deny him in the end to refocus on their day's objectives. keeps sabo wanting for him, constantly.

[4] sabo mentions closing one of ace's bite marks because he knows ace won't go for it and will give himself instead. notice he only does this after ace doesn't agree to help at the first available chance.

this comes up a few times, and always for the same reason. whenever ace is injured or it's inevitable that he'll feel pain, his focus is always on how this will affect sabo. he tells sabo not to hurt himself when he's going to cut ace open. completely unconcerned with what he's about to experience, ignoring it even. no "don't cut me too deep because you'll feel it too", either for pain-related purposes or wondering how sabo would function in healing him if he was too hurt to do so – none of this. he doesn't mention himself at all when sabo's about to dig the scalpel into his skin.

this is also the first real instance of ace displaying an interest in sabo's field of study. it'll come up more in pt 2, so i won't elaborate as much, but in short, sabo's magical curriculum wasn't his first choice and wasn't what he originally enrolled to study. ace's interest is more sympathetic than anything else, kind of like he's dragging himself along with sabo since they have little choice at this point.

[5] sabo is the one to propose performing the curses, but once ace hears of the idea, he's instantly on board to the same degree sabo is.

[7] sabo's safety is ace's top priority. this comes up a lot but can't be understated. ace won't let sabo cause undue harm to himself. this is why he removes sabo's hand from the light's reach very soon after sabo puts it there, and why he's so obstinate on limiting sabo's experimenting on the matter.

ace's physical contact with sabo while they're by the fireplace is meant to be a comfort thing. that he's right there no matter what happens, that he'll risk being overbearing to ensure sabo's physical condition. it's also a little in part a form of restraint – making sure he's able to pull sabo back quickly or keep him from a re-attempt if the first goes awry.

having ace wake up to see sabo permanently disfigured was certainly a trip. he views it as his failure more than anything. he nods off for a bit and now sabo has extensive scarring that's there for life. for ace, it's one moment to the next – sabo being fine and then sabo having mottled skin over the left half of his face. it's terrifying to know something could happen so quickly without his knowing, with him being completely unaware. sabo had to go through it alone and ace hates that. hates thinking what sabo's initial reaction could have been, what he had to come to terms with alone, what he probably speculated ace would think of it all – good or bad. it weighs on him so heavily. it forces his overprotectiveness into overdrive.

"we only need to have so much skill between the two of us to survive.” what sabo tells ace at the end of the scene is pretty much their shared life's motto. neither of them have to be competent in the same area – that's what they have each other for.

[8] this is probably the most culminate scene in the entire au because i don't delve much into anything that happens before ace and sabo curse themselves. it's meant to be a little insight into why they did what they did but mostly serves to highlight how important the magic is to them.

sabo says to the faculty that this triple bond he has with ace is not only the best thing that's ever happened to him, but that it's the only thing that makes his life worth living. implying that even his relationship with ace hadn't been enough before for him to feel like existing was worth it.

the introspection goes into how they both feel that there are days where they honestly can't tell they're separate people leading their own individual lives. this is also the scene (in more elaboration) that reveals that both of them only really see themselves as half of a human being. the fact that they don't see themselves as complete without each other is suuuuuuuper unhealthy but since it's framed with rose-tinted glasses it probably doesn't appear that way at first :)

and the last line reveals a key difference between the two at this point in time: ace would do anything in the world if it meant he got to continue living with sabo to the extent they are now – but sabo would kill them both before he let them be separated. their resolve is the same level of commitment but with contrasting morals and ideals. i don't think ace is necessarily afraid of death, but to him, it's more worth it to continue to live out his life with sabo at his side. while with sabo, he comes to an extreme ultimatum first and foremost while considering the worst of the worst. in this scenario, ace is more likely to be wishy-washy (which comes into play later!!) while sabo is ready to jump the gun and cut their losses.

also, as a last tidbit, one of the staff members highlights what ace and sabo think of the bond perfectly: curses are named such because they're cast on someone unwillingly. when a curse is performed knowing and accepting and even welcoming the consequences, then what really makes it a curse at that point? is it not simply another form of magic? it can still be old, forbidden magic without being labeled as a curse. this is how the two of them view it, anyway.

[9] sabo leaves ace's side to heed the call of classmates while keeping in mind how much distance is between the two. i always pictures the room being setup with those long lecture hall desks divided in rows, so probably ace is sat near enough to the end of such for sabo to move around and then down the stairs to be relatively still in front of ace but just on a lower level of the hall. it's not that they can't be physically apart but that they never choose to, and this is meant to be an example of such – sabo is the one being addressed, so he's the one to come forward.

sabo will always come first, ace insists, as he puts aside his bloodlust to tend to sabo's feeble form. he's willing to let go in order to take care of sabo. this contrasts a scene later where sabo is willing to get his hands dirty in order smooth things over when ace. they both provoke actions unsuited to each other, and it has to do with how long they've been bonded to such an extent for this long. that possibly, ace's quick temper is rubbing off on sabo, while sabo's more caretaker-esque aiming-to-please quirks are starting to affect ace's priority levels.

it's telling that ace say respond to sabo in such an unsure manner and still sabo is quick to put his full faith in ace. he knows he'll be okay because ace is looking out for him. another reason why he so wholeheartedly puts his well-being in ace's hands over his own.

[10] in my notes i had it phrased that the two students asked for help from and teleported sabo to get him out of the way so they could pursue their real target: ace. not with any ill intentions, but in their minds, sabo is an obstacle. with sabo gone, they're free to garner and hold all of ace's attention. despite initially starting conversation with sabo, it's a ruse because they're only trying to get ace to themselves. a pretty clever way to divide the two! if only they didn't have such a debilitating separation curse :(

ace is rightfully mad despite their apologies because they used sabo to get to him, in a sense. they teleported sabo and sabo's the one worse off since he's technically the one moving apart past the limit. it's not that sabo is unconscious and ace is the only one to apologize to, but that ace is the one currently mad at them and they're trying to appease the person they were after conversation with in the first place. they're both short-sighted enough that they can't even acknowledge how much harm they did to sabo, because ace was the one they saw in pain and ace is the one they want a connection with.

[11] this is less of a relationship note but i changed the design of sabo's gloves in part 1 three separate times. at first it curved higher on the meat of his thumb to reveal a section of flesh, then it had a circle cutout and buttoned at the wrist, and lastly it had a triangle cut so the stitching split down the middle of his palm angularly. this keeps a patch of skin always bare in case he ever needs to quickly draw blood – since the rest of him is so covered up. this scene in particular phrases blood magic as a kind of bad, sinister thing, but lots of spells require blood to function! especially sabo's magic, that involves offering a piece of himself in order to perform amazing feats. more on that in part 2 ;)

it should be easy to catch but the beginning of this scene is a memory, which is why it transitions to sabo being lost in thought. originally i had it as a dream he wakes up from, but i wanted him sitting at the desk and saw no need for him to be sleeping in a hard chair when they have more comfortable seating. actually, originally there was a small bed in the corner of the study, but i don't think i ever mentioned it in the final draft of part one so it must've been axed.

the whole point of combining the two into one scene instead of having the final curse be on its own is to highlight how much them having this third curse affects how they view themselves. it's also one of many instances that shows how them not being able to give themselves space to breathe affects their relationship. if you're fighting with someone then you separate and give yourself time to cool down. sabo doesn't have this luxury, so when ace is refusing to budge, he can only sit and stew in silence.

i didn't do a great job circling back but to reiterate – moments like this are meant to show how snippy the two are with each other on a daily basis. they can't get away. they never have opportunities to stop and reflect. they never fix things, not completely, which is why little annoyances keep popping up over and over and over, and why they're so constantly irritated with each other when they're not sickeningly in love. they bounce between two extremes so frequently with not a second to recover from either. their lives are literally so exhausting.

this is also a really good instance of sabo twisting things to go in his favor. yes, he's overwhelmed, and yes, he's angry with ace, and yes, he's really feeling all of the feelings that come with someone's thoughts of hating you being forced onto you unwittingly, but the point is that he uses these and exaggerates to get ace to do what he wants. if ace won't respond positively to sabo being angry, then maybe he will to sabo being sad and inconsolable. he's not lying but he is trying to escalate a situation that forces ace to regroup and try to tend to sabo. ace drops the whole ordeal and both refuse to elaborate on it – they don't talk about their issues and never do, they just move on when one of them decides they need to move on, leaving the other no room to argue.

coming back around to a point made in an earlier scene – ace is able to look at things a bit more objectively, and when he realizes how badly sabo is being affected by the curse, he's the one to state aloud that they may have made a mistake. sabo reacts as he does because he's so insecure and he feels like he's losing his grip on ace. him putting words in ace's mouth immediately after is his way of scrambling to regain that control.

and the ending is another point from another scene! :) sabo is entirely indifferent to everything that happened, but now that they've had such a bad moment and the cause is ace's anger on sabo's behalf, it's now sabo's turn to seek revenge on ace's behalf. what he says that ace doesn't hear is something along the lines of dealing with the students himself. he refuses to repeat himself to spare ace's feelings, resorting to acting on his own as a way to repay ace – because if ace had felt such anger on sabo's behalf, then surely sabo can return the favor.

[12] in case it wasn't evident from the last scene: ace knows nothing about sabo's ill intentions. they can still keep secrets from each other. so, having nothing to go off of, ace's possessiveness comes out in full force over sabo offering "gifts" as a way of saying let-bygones-be-bygones. he doesn't allow sabo to touch either of the boys and immediately gets touchy-feely with sabo after the two leave.

sabo raising his hood is a way to limit who sees them because he likes having moments with ace all to himself. pda doesn't bother him, but he pulls the wide hood to hide his face just a little, even as he's wrapped in ace's arms and ace is so clearly kissing him to anyone who sees them entangled to such an extent. it's also a bit like flaunting their relationship status. they can make out in the halls but not just anyone is allowed to see them do so.

[13] pronunciation guide to magical creature for funsies: SPHE is said like SS-FEE, like the start of 'sphere', or a hiss at the start of 'fee' ; REENG is said like 'ring' with an extended vowel. sphe'reeng in full, with the apostrophe dividing a word as is common in arabic names (ja'far, for example).

the old folklore book ace's knowledge comes from regarding the sphe'reeng originally was a children's fairytale. if you want to view it as such that's fine with me :) i think phrasing it the way i did made it sound more sophisticated, and ace would be more likely to stumble upon such a book on campus than something made for kids.

there's a lot of instances in part one that highlights how ace and sabo can't real each other's minds despite how much else they can do, and this scene has another one when ace just assumes sabo knows they have to kill the creature to obtain the magic vitality organ. sabo is quick to humor ace either way, but not without a bit of chagrin. this is another common occurrence and another tick in the 'we can't stay mad at each other so what am i willing to fight about and what do i have to let go of' counter. picking and choosing battles. is this really worth it? sabo doesn't seem to think so.

it'll be better explained in part two but i can offer a little tidbit re: ace feeling cold all the time. ace has a scene earlier (and it's in the p1 design) where he throws on a thermal shirt underneath his clothes. this is because sabo frequently draws on ace's larger mana supply, and when ace's mana runs low, it leaves him feeling cold. dressing more warmly that necessary is a way to subvert this.

the 'gift it to me' is a line i've had since the very start of my notes for this au. it's phrased this way on purpose. sabo doesn't want to be given this organ, he wants ace to hand over all jurisdiction of it. 'gift it' instead of 'give it' is super deliberate because he wants a present from ace, because he wants the connotation that comes from receiving such a thing from ace. ace has put them through hardship now for seemingly no reason, so sabo wants a reward for assisting now that it's all for naught. it's a very power-hungry way to demand something. sabo's not asking for the organ – but he's telling ace what to do so he ends up with it.

biting into the organ right in front of ace is also another power move. he's proving he's the better of the two, that he has more guts than ace. blah blah yadda yadda the prose in this instance speaks for itself.

[15] this scene has THE most notable example of the pair's lack of conflict resolution. they're both constantly playing each other to get what they want. it's not done out of malice, of course, it's simply an unhealthy lack of communication. they're both constantly one-upping each other to come out on top. in this instance, ace is catering to sabo's goodwill to get him to agree, and since sabo can't say no to ace once ace puts up even the smallest amount of persuasion, it ends up going in ace's favor. despite the consequences. despite the setbacks it produces. what ace wants in the moment, sabo is free to give.

later, sabo very bluntly address a point of contention by thinking that even when he's so mad, he can't just dip and leave ace behind. and even though ace is in the wrong, he doesn't offer any sort of apology. he just coerces sabo into doing something else according to his whims.

[16] the bracelet charm is a failsafe and an extremely kind gesture from ace. it's setup for part 2 so you'll have to wait til then to see the purpose :) but w/o giving too much away, yes it's a counter to the curse but it's very limited in scope so it's not intended to be smth they can keep doing forever and ever to avoid sharing pain. it's magically-inclined but they don't actually know if the spell will work as intended, or for how long either. it could have a duration of thirty seconds. it could last ten days. it could last for ten seconds and be completely useless. but it's the thought that counts :) and it's ace giving to sabo, giving sabo the chance to use it and save himself from ace's pain. he could have gotten both with an adequate amnt of funds, but he chooses not to. it's another way of showing how little ace values himself compared to how he values sabo, too.

also, this is another way of showing that ace cares more about their lives than sabo. sabo is willing to die together with ace should the moment arise, but ace is taking steps to ensure they don't get wiped out at first chance. ace is content to live life with sabo, with no specific goal in mind, because that's enough for him. it's a point of contention because sabo sees this and wants ace to have more agency, to develop a purpose outside of sabo to some extent. to have something to focus on apart from their relationship so they can avoid like what happened in the previous scene, of them being so enraptured and drawn to each other that they brush aside any and everything else. he wants ace to find a reason for living that doesn't revolve around sabo.

ace's last little declaration that sabo immediately agrees to is also another wild example of unhealthy codependency. ace wants sabo to do whatever sabo wants to do, but in turn, sabo has to cater to ace's whims whenever necessary. whenever ace deems it necessary. and sabo says yes to such without hesitation. because, as the closing line says, they're eager to indulge each other's every whim :) no matter the cost.

[conjuremanj]

SMUDGING: Cleansing Your Space And Removing Negativity.

The art of smudging is an ancient spiritual ritual for purification, dispelling negative energy and improving mood and can easily be incorporated into your weekly routine or meditative practice.

But Why Don't Smudging Always Work? Because you probably not doing right or not using the right smudge. Certain ones ore use to fight and to clear, but it's also used for medicine. Lean the right process and Don't Be trying to fight demons.

Sage: Sage is one of the herbs that we see on all kinds of shows and tells us it can be used to rid a place of demons..No,No,No... Why? So when burned is brings in for wisdom, clarity, and increased spiritual awareness. Sage is spiritual, it's is use in ceremonies, it's, lit, and boiled, eaten as a medicine, its can be to clean a space, Items, tools. It can cleanses lower, and darker negative vibrational energies. (But it cannot get rid of heaver dark energies or dark entities like demons)

Now Why Is That? Well basically what happens is that when its use it put the spirit or entity in a state of rest or calms them down. BUT after it's clears and may be a few weeks of piece that start to wake get active. They gets more violent. We see this and hear this all the time someone sages, a minister comes in do a prayer everything is good for a while then get worse.

But one thing it doesn't do is bring back positive energies, just clears out the bad.

I only use to remove unwanted energies.

Palo Santo: The story goes that Palo Santo was found was by Spanish monks who discovered the tree centuries ago, they named it “palo santo” - “Holy Wood” or “The Wood Of The Saints.” Palo Santo has been used for centuries by shamans, Palo Mayombe Ceremony, Santeria, Vodou, Voodoo, Hoodoo for ritual prayer, ceremonies and healing. It can can enhance your creativity, productivity and increase good fortune.

Now it won't get rid of demons but It does clear your space of negative energy and fill it with positivity energy, and optimism.

"Think of it like this. If Sage CLEARS out the bad energies and Palo Santo BRINGS back the good energies. You can use both with a strong prayer"

Great to have.

Dragons Blood

There are three main uses for Dragon's Blood when it comes to spiritual rituals. It can be used for banishing, healing, and for protection works too. It's also can help give a positive mood and enhances productivity. (Due to its energy lifting and productivity-boosting abilities).

Dragons Blood Sage or incense will cleanse, heal and protect you and the energy in your space.

SWEET GRASS: Sweetgrass is an indigenous plant used by Native Americans, its is used in smudging ceremonies to help purify the environment and it can eliminate negative thoughts and energies or spirits by pushing them out of the house. This ceremony is helps the healing process occur without being distracted by negative influences.

In smudging, certain herbs are burned and the smoke is taken into the hands and brushed or rubbed over the body.

CEDIR: Cedar is another that works like sweet grass. Burning it help cleanse the body, mind, and soul of negative energy.

Ceder is often used to cleanse a new home or apartment etc, by bringing in positive energy and eliminate negative thoughts and energies or spirits by pushing them out of the house.

Cedar is also considered an herb of consecration that can welcome guardians to hold the energy of a ritual space

The smoke from this smudge is believed to connect the physical plane to the spiritual realm and open a portal to subtle energies.

You can use ceder ash for protection of a property or wear putting some it on the body.

You can make ash buy burning ceder untill it turn completely white. You can use any other wood asking as it not bought from a store collect it naturally burn until white then add ceder leaves with prayer for blessing.

Frankincense, Myrrh.

Tow of the best Holy Herbs. Used by priest to bless and cleansed a space. (Very powerful) Frankincense use for eliminating negativity, Myrrh helps maintain a state of enlightenment and purifies the premises from negative energy.

Good for removing bad spirits.

"It great for manifesting the Holy Spirit when use with prayer".

To Start:

• First you start with a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative energy out of your space and mind. Once you have your intention in mind, light the Sage or Palo Santo and hold at a 45 degree angle pointing the tip down towards the flame. Allow it to burn for 30 seconds and then blow it out.

Place it on any heat-proof burning surface like an abalone shell, tray etc.

If left to rest the stick will smoulder and release smoke for approximately 5 mins. If used for smudging, walk around the room, space, object or person, fanning the smoke over its entirety, whilst focusing on cleansing and clearing negative energy.

(Make Shure you open a window or door to let out the energy.)

Imagined a white light covering your space. say a load I cover this space in holy white light and remove all negative energy from this space. (Or say a prayer) 2 Samuel 7:28-29 niv. Works for house Blessing.

PRAYERS.

"Dear Jesus, cleanse this house, allowing only love and light to remain".

"Father God, rid this place of all negativity, bringing in only positive vibrations."

You'll notice that I use the word love. Love energy has the highest vibration. Even invoking love can change the vibration of any location.

Next: open all doors and drawers in your home or space Pass the smoke around all door frames and mirrors to close my door ways and remove any energies that don't belong.

Once you’ve finished smudging and removed the negative energy, you must push positive energy into the space to maintain balance. To do this, declare your intention out loud or silently in your head.

Now we all know that not all spirits are negative. here's what to I would say to get rid of a Ghost in your home.

Help a Spirit Move On Prayer.

(I use a white candle for this prayer)

"I ask the angels to show this lost spirit the loving light of heaven and help them transition to the next place. "With love and light I cleanse this space to help them on their way to the next place".

So we're at the end of the post I wanted to ask if you can try to grow or pick them your self make an offering these plants have a spirit that needs to be respected and that helps when your helping others.

But if you cant pick or grow your own, I would blessed it and still make an offering.

Happy cleansing!

[happeninghippo]

Sparkle and Shine: Evening Clutches and Glittering Accessories

In the realm of fashion, there's something truly magical about the evening. As the sun dips below the horizon, a world of possibilities opens up, and with it, a desire to sparkle and shine. Whether you're heading to a glamorous soirée, a romantic candlelit dinner, or a night of dancing beneath the stars, the perfect evening clutch and glittering accessories can make you feel like the star of your own fairy tale.

There's a reason why evening clutches and sparkling accessories have become synonymous with special occasions. These small but mighty fashion statements not only complete your ensemble but also speak volumes about your personality, style, and the emotions you're experiencing as you step into the night.

The Elegance of Evening Clutches

Evening clutches are a canvas for designers to express their creativity and for individuals to showcase their personality. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, each one telling its own story. The emotional connection between an evening clutch and its owner is nothing short of enchanting.

Picture yourself standing in front of the mirror, getting ready for a night to remember. Your reflection smiles back at you, and in your hand, you hold a dazzling evening clutch. It's not just a bag; it's a vessel of memories waiting to be created. The glimmer of the crystals or sequins, the feel of the smooth satin or velvet, and the click of the clasp as you open it to reveal your essentials—all these sensory experiences evoke excitement and anticipation.

The emotional tone is set from the moment you clasp the clutch in your hand. It's a physical representation of your confidence, your style, and your unique identity. A shimmering clutch can evoke feelings of glamour, elegance, and sophistication, and it's like a secret promise to yourself that this evening will be unforgettable.

The Allure of Glittering Accessories

While the evening clutch holds a special place in the hearts of those who appreciate its charm, the addition of glittering accessories takes the experience to another level. Just as stars light up the night sky, sparkling accessories enhance your entire look, making you the center of attention and elevating your emotional connection to the moment.

Consider the allure of a statement necklace adorned with crystals that catch the light and cast a mesmerizing glow. Or a pair of earrings that twinkle like stars as you turn your head, adding a touch of mystery and intrigue to your ensemble. Perhaps it's a sparkling bracelet that jingles softly with your every move, creating a symphony of emotions and elegance.

Glittering accessories are not just embellishments; they're emotional enhancers. They make you feel radiant, confident, and absolutely extraordinary. As you slip on that sparkling accessory, a rush of emotion flows through you, and you're ready to take on the night with an air of enchantment.

Crafting Memories with Evening Clutches and Accessories

As you step into the evening, every glance at your evening clutch or each shimmering accessory you're wearing is a reminder of the memories you're creating. It could be the sparkle in your loved one's eyes as they see you in your finest attire, the warmth of laughter shared with friends, or the feeling of dancing under the starry sky.

These bags and accessories become more than fashion; they become part of the narrative of your life. You'll cherish them not only for their beauty but for the emotional significance they hold. They're like bookmarks in the story of your life, each one marking a special occasion, a milestone, or a cherished memory.

A Glimpse into the Future

As the night winds down and you return home, your evening clutch and glittering accessories become keepsakes. They're not just items in your wardrobe; they're pieces of your history. Whenever you see them in your collection, you'll be transported back to that magical evening, rekindling the emotions, the laughter, and the joy.

In a world that often moves at breakneck speed, evening clutches and glittering accessories offer an emotional pause. They remind us to savor life's special moments, to sparkle and shine in the spotlight, and to embrace the beauty of the night.

So, the next time you choose an evening clutch or a sparkling accessory, remember that you're not just picking a piece of fashion; you're choosing a memory-maker, a symbol of your unique style, and a treasure trove of emotions. It's a glimpse into your future, one filled with moments that will sparkle and shine forever in your heart.

[atica-gold-company]

HOW TO FIND REPUTABLE GOLD BUYERS?

BEST GOLD BUYERS IN BANGALORE

Gold buyers evaluate the gold content of items like coins, jewellery and bullion. They also provide customers with cash offers for their unwanted items. They may work in a retail store, host parties at their homes or operate online.

How to Find a Reliable Buyer?

Many people turn to their local jewellery stores or pawn shops for gold items, and these businesses can offer a quick route to cash. However, because of the competitive nature of the gold-buying business and the overhead costs of a retail store, it is not uncommon for a buyer to offer less than the actual value of your items.

It is best to shop around and compare the prices offered by multiple local and online buyers. Look for a trusted seller with a long history in the industry and a reputation for customer service.

A reputable online gold buyer like Abe Mor will provide you with a free FedEx or USPS mailer, and they will insure and track your item. They will make you an offer within a few days of receiving your items, and they will pay you promptly. Some will even purchase silver flatware, coins, candlesticks and jewellery in addition to gold bullion.

Know the Value of Your Gold

The value of gold fluctuates, much like other commodities. Gold investors, from banks to ordinary people, use it as a store of value. They know that, while the price of gold may change daily, it will never be devalued by inflation or other factors.

When you’re ready to sell your jewellery or other items, look at the spot price of gold and determine your item’s weight in pennyweights (dwt) or grams. Compare this to your item’s karat number to understand how much your piece is worth.

Beware of Fake Gold Buyers

Despite its long history as a store of value, physical gold doesn’t come with the same investment protections that stock market shares and bonds enjoy. This leaves it vulnerable to scams.

One common trick is for sellers to lure buyers in with a low price on well-known gold coins or bars, then switch them to a higher-priced product they claim is more valuable. This may seem harmless enough, but it can end up costing you hundreds of dollars more than it should.

Another common trap is for companies to ask investors to hand over a large portion of their holdings. They then promise to keep it safe for them, but they use the gold for their own investments and high-living instead. One way to avoid this is by sticking with known sovereign coins and sealed bars from LBMA-listed refineries. You can also test for authenticity by biting the item – real gold will feel warm and soft, while false metals will leave indentations.

Know Your Options

When it comes to buying gold, there are several different options available. You can purchase it as a physical asset or invest in it through a bullion dealer or through futures contracts. Both methods have their pros and cons, so it’s important to consider all of your options before making a decision.

The prevailing image of the gold buyer in popular culture is that of an opulent gentleman, perhaps wearing a monocle and top hat. This image isn’t entirely unfounded, as there are many wealthy people who hoard large amounts of precious metal.

In addition to evaluating the purity and weight of items, gold buyers need to maintain transaction records. This helps them manage day-to-day inventory and provides insights into customer value trends. They also manage cash flow and deposits, ensuring that deposit receipts are accurate. They may even be called on to assist police with investigating thefts of gold items sold to local pawn shops and other gold buyers.

[bnha-dumpster]

Hear me out

Step-brother Shigaraki shoving a vibe in (male) reader during a dinner and Shigaraki is controlling the vibrator and then after dinner Shigaraki fucks the life out of Reader

i was gonna work on monster stuff but this is just *chef's kiss* i think i'm going down the road of a pseudo-incest kink whoops and laughs at myself as i add plot for no reason (also gives you guys a visual reference of the toy in the fic)

pairing: step-brother shigaraki x male reader content tags/warnings: dub-con, pseudo-incest, mild exhibitionism, choking, sex toys, degradation, mind break word count: 2.1k

Things around the household have changed drastically since your mother remarried. You love your mother and want her to be happy, but you feel that things have changed far too fast and far too much.

You had been told that your step-father wanted you to move in with him for two reasons. One; you don't have a job since you're attending university full-time and two; his house is pretty close to your university. You've seen his house from the outside and you can't deny the thought of living in such a large house is pleasant. It's a good deal. But if you had been told that your step-father has a shut-in son that lives with him before moving in, you might've reconsidered it.

Shigaraki is rude and has zero social skills. While you don't actually mind people that don't have social skills- it's often times not their fault- there's something about your step-brother that just unnerves you. You see him and alarm bells go off in your mind.

He likes to catch you off guard. Coming into your room to watch you, pinning you to surfaces, groping you, watching you shower- there's something really wrong with him.

"Tomu-"

You're trying to walk downstairs to go eat dinner with your mother and step-father. Trying, being the keyword. Shigaraki has you pinned to the wall once again. One of his hands is able to completely hold both your wrists- he's not even that much bigger than you! He's using his free hand to tug your sweatpants down to your knees. The pinning isn't exactly new, but he's never actually pulled your clothes off.

"I bought something for you. It's a little present for having such a cute brother." His voice makes you shudder, but the item he holds up next to your face makes you tense up. It's a brand new, probably expensive, sex toy.

"Tomura- hey- let's not-" You squirm and shake your head.

"Don't cause a fuss. Just let me do this, 'kay?"

The lube on the toy is your only saving grace as he nudges your legs apart with his knee and tries to put it on you. It doesn't work very well, the lubed up toy sliding against your limp cock a few times before Shigaraki growls lowly.

"I'm taking my hand off and I expect you to stay still." True to his word, the hand on your wrists disappears. If this were the first time he tried to do something like this, then you might've run away. But you've unfortunately learned through experience that your step-brother is far stronger than he seems. It's only because of your knowledge do you stay.

His hand is cold and calloused, an uncomfortable feeling against your skin. You grimace as he grabs your cock to slip the ring over it, making sure it’s snug against the base before he pushes the vibrating part of the toy into you. It doesn’t actually seem that bad until he turns the toy on. 

“Shit-” You’re not oblivious to the toy’s function but you didn’t expect it to be so snug against that spot inside you. Shigaraki grabs you before your legs buckle, laughing at your state. 

“Wow, you’re that sensitive?” He’s taunting you, making fun of you. “Is my little brother just a slut in disguise?” 

Your pants are pulled up and a small slap is given to your ass. It brings a small yelp out of you, making you turn around to glare at him. He doesn’t seemed fazed by it. Instead, it spurs him on and you can feel him grind against your ass. Even through the fabric of both of your sweatpants, you can feel how hot and heavy his cock is. You can tell it’s thick and that’s barely hard. 

A sliver of arousal makes itself known with a twitch of your cock. The realization makes you stand up straight and shove your step-brother away, adjusting your clothes to hide the erection beginning to strain underneath your pants. 

It’s difficult to sit down at the dinner table and act normal. You give your mother a small smile as you squirm in your seat for a moment. The toy’s low vibration stimulating every part of you- the base of your cock being teased, vibrations going through your balls and taint, the dildo pressing snugly against your prostate- and it’s difficult to hold your composure. 

“Are you okay, dear?” Your mother is looking at you with concern.

“O-oh, I’m alright, mom.” You force another smile.

“Go lay down after dinner, okay?” 

You give a small nod before you start eating, not waiting for your step-brother to sit down. He’s probably snickering to himself and thinking of what he should do. The sudden increase of vibrations of the toy surprises you and you choke on a piece of food. 

“Honey?” 

“Don’t worry, he’s just a little out of it, right lil bro?” A large hand comes to rest on your shoulder. As you turn to look over your shoulder, Shigaraki stares down at you with a small smirk. You can see the small remote in his hand and you almost want to reach out and grab it. But that’d cause a scene- the last thing you want at the dinner table.

He slides into his seat, not bothering to eat. All he’s doing is staring at you and analyzing your reactions as he plays with the remote in his pocket. 

“Yeah, j-just a little bit out of it.” You try your best to keep yourself together. Eating your dinner as fast as possible is your goal, hoping that this torture is only for the sake of humiliating you in front of your mother. 

The vibrations of the toy change rapidly. It seems like Shigaraki’s just cycling through them for the first time, gauging your reactions as he does so. He’s trying to find the best setting for you right now, surely. The one that does you in is the low and slow pulsing of the toy. 

He’s learning so much about you. You’re smart enough not to fight him physically but still have the guts to snap at him with your words. You prefer to be teased with a lack of stimulation rather than overstimulation. You won’t tell your mother about anything he does so she’ll stay happy. The best part... You’re easy to read.

Now that it’s been a few minutes of dealing with the toy, you’re settling down. It’s still uncomfortable, the low stimulation keeping your cock hard, but you’re able to eat your dinner for the most part. You’re eating quicker than normal just so this can end. 

“Thanks for dinner, mom.” As you stand from the table, Shigaraki cycles through the toy quickly to put the vibrations at its most intense setting. You curl in on yourself and groan, facing contorting. 

“Dear?” 

You give her a reassuring smile despite the heat pooling in your stomach. As much as you want to leave the table, you’re not sure you can do it yourself. It seems to be part of your step-brother’s plan. He puts his arm under yours, holding you up to help you shuffle back upstairs.

“I’ll make sure he’s alright, don’t worry.” 

They can’t see it, but you’re glaring at him as he helps you up. With him being the only reason you’re still standing however, that’s all you can manage to do. You hold onto his torso as he takes you up the stairs and opens the door of your room. 

“You’re close, huh? You were about to cum in front of our parents, weren’t you?” Shigaraki throws you onto the floor of your room with a thud, using his foot to turn you onto your back. He stares down at you and steps on your cock, moving it back and forth. 

“Alright little bro, cum for me.” 

With a particularly large amount of pressure, almost painful, you tense and spurt ropes of cum inside your pants. A stain begins to seep into the fabric and Shigaraki looks down at you with a sneer. You’re squirming under his foot, the toy still vibrating aggressively inside you and around the base of your cock. 

He picks you up by the hair and drags you to your bed, manhandling you so your face is against the comforter and your ass is in the air. He doesn’t even bother turning the toy off as he takes it out of you and slides your cock out of the ring. Your ass clenches around the air pathetically, teasing Shigaraki. Even with something inside you, stretching you out, your ass still looks tight and almost untouched. The only thing eluding to its use is the lube smeared around it. 

You’re given no warning when your step-brother grabs your hips and slams his cock inside you. When did he take it out? You don’t know.

“Shiiiiiit- Do you know how tight you are?” He doesn’t give you a chance to respond. Shigaraki begins to fuck you with abandon, thrusting into you with no care for your comfort. The stretch of his cock, how it reaches almost too deep inside you- it’s horribly uncomfortable. There’s a tinge of pleasure from the stretch of his cock pressing against your prostate almost constantly, but not much else. 

His balls slap against your ass with every heavy thrust and the grip on your hips is bruising. You can feel his nails digging into the skin and you’re sure they’ll leave marks. He’s leaving reminders of this.

A hand leaves your hip to hold your limp cock, pumping it aggressively. The sudden stimulation is painful and you squirm. 

“Now, now, little bro. Be a good slut for me and let me play with you.” Shigaraki sneers at the way you stop squirming at his words. “There... See, you’re a pathetic little slut for your big bro, aren’t you?” 

You refuse to answer, only burying your face into the sheets to hide your humiliated tears. It’s not like it matters. He continues to pump your cock at a fast pace, enjoying the way your walls twitch and tighten because of it. Even if you’re not feeling anything, he is. Your pleasure is more of an afterthought, a bonus. Then your cock begins to twitch back to life. 

“Seriously? You’re feeling good?” Shigaraki leans against you, biting your ear. “Getting off from your step bro treating you like a whore and fucking you? You really must be one if you like this.”

“I’m not!” You protest, turning to look at him. Tears are falling down your face, cheeks red from the embarrassment. “It’s your fault! You’re forcing my body to feel like this!”

Both of you know it’s a lie. You’re definitely enjoying it. As cute as your denial is to your step-brother, he isn’t in the mood for you being like this the whole time. He wants to have to shut you up so your parents won’t hear you begging for his cock. 

With a bit of reluctance, he pulls out of you. You’re allowed a brief moment of confusion as he decides how he wants to position you. Once he decides, he flips you onto your back and hikes your legs over his shoulders. In this position, he rubs your cocks together. His is undeniably thicker than yours, but your length isn’t too drastically different. There’s only a few seconds of rutting them together before he lines his cock up with your ass and slams back in.

Much to his surprise and amusement, you let out a confused moan. The new position must feel good. Your face contorting into pleasure with a mix of self-disgust is beautiful to him.

“Little bro, come on. Just let yourself feel good.” His thrusts slow and he reaches for your neck. The grip on your throat is intense and you can feel yourself becoming lightheaded almost instantly. It’s an intense feeling that mixes with pleasure, clouding your senses. 

Maybe it’s the lack of oxygen or just you giving up, but you begin to buck your hips against Shigaraki’s. Your jaw goes slack and your mouth is open, eyes rolling back into your head. The choking keeps you from making much noise so all you can let out are strangled groans. 

“Finally. Let yourself go. Become my whore, my pathetic cumdump of a little brother. Just be my personal cock sleeve, yeah?” 

The words go in one ear and out the other and you let out a string of agreements. Your back arches, cock twitching and covering your stomach in your own cum. It’s the sudden tightness around him that pushes Shigaraki over the edge. He stills inside you as deep as he can and cums, filling your ass. As he comes down from his high, he lets go of your throat. 

“Good boy.” He smacks your face gently and chuckles at your lack of response. “Gone already? Come on, we’ve barely started.”

[trashpandato]

Pros and Cons

When Kara hears the alert from the watch, her heart stops.

“It’s Lena,” she manages to say, and Alex just nudges her shoulder and tells her to go.

When she lands on Lena’s balcony only seconds later, she expects to find some sort of disturbance: an accident, or more likely another assassination attempt. But what she sees is Lena standing in the middle of the room in front of a large whiteboard. She’s alone; Kara can sense no one else in the apartment. The only potential source of danger is a half empty tumbler that’s dangling precariously from Lena’s pale fingers.

Kara frowns. She walks closer to the sliding door and taps the glass. Lena doesn’t turn, just waves at her to come inside, so Kara does.

“You used your watch.”

It’s a statement, and a question, and maybe even a bit of an accusation.

“I did,” Lena says simply, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world to press an emergency alarm when there is no apparent emergency.

“Are you in trouble?”

Kara knows it’s a stupid question, but she has to ask. Maybe there’s something she’s missing. The mere thought makes her skin tingle.

“I am.” 

It’s another simple, short reply, but now Kara no longer knows what to say, so she waits. Lena still hasn’t turned to look at her. Her gaze is firmly fixed on the whiteboard, and when Kara follows her line of sight, she can feel an odd mix of confusion and dread claw its way to the back of her throat.

There’s a vertical line down the middle of the board, separating the area in two halves. The header on the left says “pros”, the one on the right says “cons”. The list of words on the right is much longer, and the very first word, written in Lena’s neat, precise handwriting, is “lies”.

“I need your help.” Lena’s voice is rough, like she hasn’t used it for a while. “I’m compiling the pros and cons of staying friends with you.”

Kara blanches. It feels like she’s been punched. There’s no air left in her lungs and she can’t speak. She can only watch as Lena steps forward and uncaps her marker to add another few words to the right side of the whiteboard. The squeak of the felt tip against the flat surface is so loud to Kara’s ears it makes her wince.

That side, the right side of the list, is long. Kara’s eyes flit over words like liar, breach of trust, to various bullet points lamenting that Lena feels like a fool, that everyone must have been laughing at her behind her back. Kara’s brain catches on phrases like “they clearly think I’m stupid, and maybe I am” and it makes feel ill. There are several points associated with Lex, killing him in order to protect a group of friends who were all lying to her about Kara’s identity. At the bottom of the list, Lena concludes that she doesn’t know Kara at all, that their entire friendship was a lie, the last word spelled in capital letters and underlined twice.

Kara’s head is swimming, and she has to force herself to gulp in some air. 

“You see,” Lena says, and it comes out a little slurred, “I can come up with cons all on my own. That’s easy. It’s the other side I need your help with.”

Kara drags her eyes over to the left side of the whiteboard. The list of words on that side is short, and she’s not even sure she wants to read them. There is one line that notes that Kara, or rather Supergirl, saved Lena’s life several times, a short item admitting that Kara is pretty good at making Lena laugh and a final bullet that simply says “not alone”, but it is accompanied by three question marks, which might as well be Kryptonite daggers at this point. Kara has to press a hand against her chest to try and soothe the physical pain she feels in that moment.

“Lena,” she whispers, “I’m so sorry.”

But Lena shakes her head. “That’s not what I called you here for.” 

She turns and faces Kara for the first time since she landed on the balcony. Her eyes are a little glassy and Kara briefly wonders just how much scotch she’s had already. But before she can ask, Lena lifts the hand that’s holding the marker. 

“Take it.”

Kara does. Her hands are trembling so badly that she almost drops it and Lena lets out a disapproving huff.

“What do you want me to do?” Kara cringes when she hears how pained and small her voice sounds.

“I want you to make your case. Add to the list.” 

It’s a demand, but Kara thinks she hears a plea in Lena’s words as well. Convince me.

Lena steps back and places her tumbler on the small table by her couch. She crosses her arms in front of her chest and nods at Kara. 

It’s one last chance to fan the dying embers of their friendship that are laid out between them. 

But Kara isn’t sure she’s in the right headspace for this. She’s had no time to prepare, to think about what to say. She feels blindsided, and for a brief moment she wonders if this is what Lena felt like when she found out, from Lex of all people, who Kara really is — wholly unprepared and entirely caught off guard.

Kara takes a few shaky steps towards the whiteboard. The first thing she does is erase the question marks Lena added to “not alone”. She doesn’t need to turn around to know that the action prompts a raised eyebrow. 

She wants to erase a few items from the “cons” side of the list as well, but that’s not what Lena asked her to do. And for once, she is going to do exactly what Lena said she needs.

So she adds to the list. It’s tentative at first, but once she gets going, it feels like a runaway train and she won’t stop until she’s given this her best shot. She starts with listing things she’s done for Lena, like bringing her food so she doesn’t forget to eat, being a shoulder to cry on when things went sideways with Lena’s family. She adds that she gives great hugs, and Kara knows she’s boasting a little now, but both Alex and Nia have mentioned several times how nice her hugs are, and she’s pretty sure she remembers Winn saying something similar years ago.

Her next line simply says “is a perfect partner at game nights”. It’s when she writes those last words that it dawns on Kara where her list is going. For several moments her brain replays key moments of her connection with Lena, the lingering touches between them, the way Kara has caught herself staring at Lena’s body numerous times, how she knew deep in her bones that Lena would always be there for her, to save her, to protect her, even when things between them were tense, even when Lena didn’t know who she was fighting for.

“Running out of steam already?” Lena challenges, and the words prickle at the base of Kara’s skull.

“No. Not yet. But I need to clarify something.” 

“Go on.”

Kara is still facing the whiteboard, letting her words bounce off its shiny surface. 

“Does it matter?”

“What do you mean?”

Kara can hear the confusion in Lena’s voice, but she’s not ready to turn around just yet.

“What I write here, does it matter? Or have you made your decision already?”

“If I had made up my mind, do you really think you would be here now?” There’s a level of acidity in Lena’s voice that Kara has never heard before when she continues: “You think I would call you here to what, play with your feelings and then betray you? That’s more your MO than mine.”

Kara swallows and turns around slowly. “That’s not fair.”

Lena scoffs. “Oh you want to talk about what’s fair? We can do that. How about treating me like public enemy number one as Supergirl, throwing my last name in my face, only to turn around and hug me later as Kara? Or, what about asking James to break into my lab, using my personal relationships against me? Does that sound fair to you?”

Kara grimaces. “You told me you don’t want my apologies tonight. But Lena, I really am sorry. I don’t know what else to say.”

“Well,” Lena says and she sounds so, so tired, “if you’ve got nothing else to add to the list, then I guess we’re done here.”

Panic bubbles up in Kara’s chest as she watches Lena turn away from her. “No, Lena, wait!” She steps back towards the whiteboard but keeps her senses trained on Lena, who is silent but still here, with Kara.

“Am I writing this from your perspective? Or mine? I mean, it’s your list, but I’m the one adding to it.”

There’s another long moment where Lena doesn’t respond, and Kara thinks she should explain further, but then a soft sigh echoes through the room.

“Your call. Whatever you think works best.”

Lena is right. It’s her call and her duty to make this next item as unambiguous as possible. It needs to be crystal clear; she can’t risk Lena misinterpreting it. She knows the reason they’re here is because Kara wasn’t brave enough before, and she owes it to Lena to be the best version of herself now, even if it costs her everything.

So she adds one more line to the list:

“I love you, Lena. And I will never forgive myself for hurting you.”

Kara hears the exact moment when Lena reads it. There’s a small gasp followed by her heartbeat picking up speed. When Kara turns around again to look at her, Lena’s face seems frozen in shock. 

Kara has never been particularly good at being patient, and she has to bite the inside of her cheek several times to hold in all the things she wants to say to Lena now. She wants to apologize, again, and she wants to talk about the words on that “cons” side of the list and explain. Mostly, she wants to tell Lena, out loud, what she feels for her, but she knows that she needs to give her time to process. So she waits.

When Lena shakes herself out of her daze a moment later, her voice is barely above a whisper. “Do you mean it?”

“I do.”

“You’re not just saying this as some sort of last desperate play to keep me on your side?”

The question stings, but Kara can’t blame Lena for not believing her. She takes a deep breath to try and steady her voice so she can get her next words out.

“I know you don’t trust me right now, and I know that’s my fault. I don’t know if you can ever forgive me. And I don’t even know how you feel about this, about me. I just, I want to be honest with you from now on. No more lies. I mean it.”

Kara pauses. She wants to give Lena a chance to respond, and her heart sinks a little when it becomes clear that Lena won’t.

“You don’t have to say anything. You can, I can leave, and you can think about it. About your list. I don’t know if that,” she waves at the words she’s added to one side of the whiteboard,''I don’t know if this is enough. I can understand if it isn’t, if you can never trust me again. But, you asked me to make my case. And, well, this is it.”

The room is once again plunged into an uncomfortable silence. Lena is watching her carefully, her eyes trailing over every part of Kara’s face as if she’s trying to see past the layers of skin and bone right into Kara’s brain. And if that would help Lena, if there was something Kara could do to reassure Lena that she’s telling the truth now, Kara wouldn’t hesitate.

“I need you to leave,” is what Lena says when she finds her voice at last.

Cold dread washes over Kara. Maybe this really is where it ends then, where Kara loses her for good.

“Lena,” she breathes out weakly, but before she can continue, Lena holds up a hand to stop her.

“I’m not ready to talk.” The words come out fast and sharp. “And I know we need to talk,” Lena says, a little more softly now, “about all of this. But I need…, I wasn’t expecting you to write what you did. I need time.”

Kara nods hesitantly. She’s not sure that leaving Lena alone to stew is the best idea, but if this is what she is asking for right now, Kara will go. She just hopes this isn’t the last time they speak to each other, that Lena won’t end up deciding that what they had, what they could be, isn’t worth fighting for.

She turns and slowly walks toward the balcony, but just before she crosses the threshold, Lena calls out.

“Promise me something?”

“Anything.” It’s firm, it’s solid. 

“I need some time, but —.” Lena trails off and looks away, but Kara thinks she knows what Lena wanted to say, what she needs to hear now.

“You’re not alone, Lena. I’m not going anywhere. I promise. If you need me for something, anything, if you need help, or when you’re ready to talk, just call, or use your watch.”

Lena looks down at the watch on her wrist then and for a moment, she seems lost in thought, letting the pads of her fingers trail gently over the ridges on the edges of the watch face. Kara waits a few more seconds, wondering if Lena is going to say anything else, but when the silence drags on, she takes a final step toward the balcony and launches into the night sky.

The last thing she hears before she tunes out is the sound of Lena’s tumbler smashing against the whiteboard, the last dregs of her scotch washing away most of the words that Kara added, until all that’s left is a smudged and barely recognizable “I love you”.

[nothoughtsonlynat]

Cold Vodka, Warm Hands (N.R.)

Words: 1.6k

The icy wind whipped across my face as I peered through the scope. The frigid metal of the Barrett M82A1 felt comforting in my hands. The cold never bothered me, of course. Due to my pyrokinesis, I had complete control over my own body temperature.

There wasn’t a sound for miles and, somehow, it was both peaceful and unnerving. The snow crunched with any and all movement, so we were staying unbearably still. I slowly scanned the abandoned factory for our target; a Russian arms dealer who was planning on stealing some alien tech and selling it for profit. We were about 1,500 yards from the factory. There’s not much cover out here, so our choice of positions was very limited. The shot would be a difficult one, with the distance and the crosswinds, but this is my specialty. Well, it used to be, before I discovered my ability to manipulate heat and fire. I’m one of SHIELD’s best sharpshooters.

As I checked once more for the target, a chattering noise distracted me from my task. I pulled my face away from my rifle to look at my partner, who was laying next to me, prepared to range the target and gauge the wind. Her lips were turning a shade of purple, and her teeth were chattering from the cold.

“Are you okay, Agent Romanoff?”

“Mhm.”

“Sure. Aren’t you Russian?” She leveled me with a hard glare and I slightly raised my hands in the air and went back to my task.

I noticed some movement through the scope. “Target, 11 o’clock.” 

“Oblique wind from the left, 8 miles per hour,” she called out.

I adjusted the scope accordingly and took the shot. Clean kill. No witnesses. Objective complete. I quickly unloaded the rifle and slung it over my shoulder as Agent Romanoff packed up. To say I was relieved the mission was over would be an understatement; this woman is practically a walking gay panic, and the mission had done nothing to help with my not-so-small crush on her. I risked a glance at her as we walked side by side. She looked freezing. Her right hand was in her pocket, but her left was exposed since one of her holsters blocked the left pocket.

“Is there any particular reason you’re staring at me, Agent y/l/n?” Shit.

“Oh, I- uh, I- um, can I hold your hand?” Her head snapped around to look at me as I realized what I said. “I just mean that, um, you look really cold and I can, you know, warm up your hand, at the very least. With my p-powers.” She didn’t say anything as she blankly stared at me, and I was worried that I had crossed a line until she abruptly stuck out her hand. I stared at the appendage for a second before realizing what she meant. I grabbed her hand in mine and focused on my powers, being careful to not let my hand get too hot.

We walked hand-in-hand the whole way to the safehouse. I could hear her sniffle every once in a while, but I didn’t say anything out of fear of getting punched. As we entered the safehouse, I realized it was more of a shack than anything. The walls were plywood and the whole thing was only one room. The kitchen area had a couple of cabinets and a small gas stove, and there was only one fairly small bed, as well as a small fireplace.

“Huh. This is…”

“Horrible. This is really horrible,” she finished for me. I couldn’t help but notice how nasally her voice sounded. 

I slid the bags off her shoulders and set them down next to mine. She sent me a questioning look as I walked her to the edge of the bed and sat her down. I said nothing as I grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Sit here. Don’t move. Please.”

I walked around the room, lighting the oil lanterns. I grabbed some firewood from the pile and stacked it in the fireplace, using my powers to light a fire. I went into the ‘kitchen’ and rummaged through the cupboards. I heated a can of soup in my hands and poured it into a bowl. I found some teabags and heated some water the same way, since it was faster.

I brought the tea and soup over to Natasha, placing them on the stand next to the bed. She made no move to grab either item, too busy looking at me with a bewildered expression.

“What? You need to warm up. You’re already getting sick.”

“Why are you taking care of me?” She asked as I helped her move up against the headboard and under the covers.

I handed her the soup and said, “Well, you’re my partner— on the mission, I mean. It’s my job to protect you...on the mission.”

She hummed and I left to hang up our clothes to dry. I grabbed the second bowl of soup and sat in the bed next to her, as far away as physically possible.

“I don’t bite, you know. You can sit closer. You’re gonna fall off the bed,” she said amusedly.

“Right, sorry. Just didn’t wanna make you uncomfortable or anything.”

“I’m perfectly comfortable, minus the fact that it’s still freezing in here.”

After we finished our soup, we went to bed since there was nothing else for us to do. I was woken up in the middle of the night by Natasha’s fit of sneezing and coughing. I sat up and patted her back as she coughed. That sounded painful. I got out of bed and brought her a roll of toilet paper since there were no tissues. I made her another cup of tea before getting back in bed. I could see her shivering as she sipped the hot beverage, and I had an internal debate with myself. Before I could chicken out, I slid closer to her and wrapped my arms around her, focusing on my powers.

“What are you doing?” She asked through her chattering teeth.

“Warming you up,” I replied simply.

“You’re gonna get sick.”

“I’m not gonna get sick, you baby. Just let me hold you.” She stopped protesting after that and continued drinking her tea. Once she was done, she set it on the stand. She snuggled further into my arms and we moved to lay down. I felt her breathing even out as her muscles relaxed. I fought off the exhaustion; if I fell asleep, my body would return to its normal temperature. I tried not to freak out at the feeling of having in her arms, knowing that after this mission, we’d go back to being just teammates.

Morning rolled around and I watched the sky lighten through the only window in the safe house. I hadn’t left the bed all night, aside from the two times I added wood to the fire. As the sun peaked over the horizon, Natasha stirred in my arms.

“Morning,” she rasped out. Oh my god, her morning voice is gonna be the death of me.

“Uh, morning,” I replied, clearing my throat. She sat up and looked over my face, suddenly making me very self-conscious.

“Did you sleep at all last night?”

“Uh, no, not really. I stayed awake to keep my body warm for you.”

“You didn’t have to do that, y/n.”

“No, it’s— I didn’t mind. Do you feel any better?”

“Well, I don’t feel like I’m dying anymore. It’s still cold as hell, though. You know what I really need?”

“What?”

“Some nice, cold vodka,” she said with a small, genuine smile.

“Oh! I have some of that!”

“You brought vodka on a mission?” She raised an eyebrow as her lips curved into a smirk.

“Yes— no, well, kind of. I bought it on the way here. Nothing like Russian vodka, right?”

I walked over to my duffel bag and pulled out the bottle of vodka. I grabbed two mugs from the kitchen, as well as a package of crackers. I slid back into the bed and she raised an eyebrow at the crackers.

“What? I’m not letting you drink vodka on an empty stomach. I don’t wanna get puked on,” I said with a joking grimace, although I really didn’t want to get puked on. 

She laughed as she poured some vodka into the mugs. I opened the crackers and set the package on the bed, and she handed me one of the mugs.

“It’s five o’clock somewhere, right?” I said, then we clinked the mugs together and I grimaced at the burn.

“Ugh, why does it have to be so cold? Can we just stay in bed?” That is definitely the closest Natasha Romanoff has ever gotten to whining, and it was adorable.

“Well, our extraction isn’t until this afternoon, so yeah, for a while.” She pushed herself back into my body, and I wrapped my arms around her after recovering from the brief shock.

Three hours later, we were packing up and getting ready to hike to the extraction point. I put out all of the lanterns before leaving the safe house. Natasha stuck out her hand and I wrapped it in mine without hesitation. It wasn’t all that cold out anymore, but I didn’t say anything about it. We made it to the extraction point in about thirty minutes, her hand never dropping mine. The SHIELD jet came into view and landed in the clearing in front of us. I couldn’t stop the twinge of sadness at the fact that we were leaving. It was selfish, but I loved taking care of Natasha these past two days.

As the gate of the jet dropped, Natasha spoke in a sultry voice, “Thank you, Y/N, for keeping me warm.” She kissed my crimson cheek before sauntering onto the jet. I snapped out of my daze and followed her, trying and failing to keep my composure.

[merakiui]

Half-Off Love

yandere!scaramouche x (gender neutral) reader art credit - kentasha1236 on twt cw: yandere, nsfw, unhealthy behaviors/relationship, gold-digging, implied yandere!childe note - thank you so much for 600 followers! o(≧∇≦o) I’ll work hard!

It’s strange. There’s no other adjective to describe the situation you’ve found yourself in. 

The ring slides itself onto your steady finger and it’s a miracle your discomfort doesn’t show. Your eyes struggle to meet his, but when they do you’re searching for a reason—for a meaning behind such a generous gift. You’ve witnessed this scene plenty of times before, having scoffed at the couples who decide to take their relationship to the next level. Whether it be in Mondstadt or Liyue, you’ve watched your fair share of angelic proposals. Although this is far from a proposal—at least, you hope it’s not a proposal. You’d feel powerless to decline if Scaramouche put you in such a position, and you’re almost certain he’s aware of this. 

But the main thing—you now realize—that’s holding him back is your status and his relationship with you. It’s nothing special, just mere physical attraction rather than the emotional hindrances that come with real, heart-racing love. There’s nothing wholesome in the way you regard one another; it’s just sex. 

“Do you like it? I made sure to find only the highest quality gemstone for you.”

And yet when he performs this caring charade, it doesn’t feel like loveless copulation. 

Ew, you think, plastering a smile to your face. Since when was Scaramouche so concerned with materialistic signs of affection? He’s far from loving; he’s just pent-up, frustrated from his rigorous job as a Harbinger and so he decides to use you as a means of coping. He almost sounds like Childe with his ineffective flirting methods. You’ve received your fair share of spoils from him as well, and you’ve done everything you could to cull that relationship before it grew out of hand. But now you’re stuck with the lesser side of the coin: another troublesome Fatui Harbinger. 

If you didn’t know any better, you might think to chase after Signora or Dottore next. Maybe you’ll aim for the Tsaritsa Herself if you’re especially daring. After all, your life has been nothing but deceit and faux pleasures; there’s little value to a liar’s life. If the Archons wish for your swift end, you’re positive it’ll be a result of your insatiable greed.

“It’s lovely. The color matches my eyes.”

It doesn’t, but you lie about it anyways. And he looks pleased to hear your approval. 

“Then perhaps I should get you a bracelet as well? Or would you prefer something with a little more use, such as a pocket watch?”

Why don’t you just lock me up with a collar instead? you think bitterly, already keen on pawning the ring off once the initial luster fades. Since you’re so eager to buy these things for me in hopes that I’ll return. It’s annoying.

“This is more than enough. I don’t want you to spend a fortune on me.” There’s a sweet lilt in your voice as your hand cups his cheek, and he leans into your warm touch, starved of the affection like a stray mutt. ”I only need you per our agreement. You do remember what that is, right?”

He’d be caught dead bending to the desires of someone so insignificant, but he just can’t stay away. Not when your every word is intoxicating poison he’ll readily ingest. 

“I’m aware." There’s a sigh in his tone as he pulls away, almost as if he wants to simply sit there and indulge in playful conversation. As if he actually wants to familiarize himself with the real you. But that emotion doesn’t last for long and an irritated expression crawls onto his handsome face as he silently recalls something. 

You’re slipping your silks off with grace, curiously tracking his movements. “You look upset. Was it because of what I said?”

“Of course not. You could never upset me.”

Until you get bored of me.

When you cast your robes aside, reaching for Scaramouche’s elaborate outfit, you murmur, “Let me guess. It was that traveler again, wasn’t it? I’m not sure why you’re so hung up on them.” A whimper leaks into your voice and you fix him with a pout. “I’m sad you’d think of others when I’m right here. Aren’t I the only one you need?”

It’s ironic how quickly that line hooks him, dragging him up from the murkiest depths of love that has skewed into obsession. When you tried it out on Childe, he wasn’t so easily swayed. You find their differences to be invigorating. If the arrangement with Childe was still ongoing, you might’ve considered a threesome, if only to wring more glittering treasures out of the both of them. Mora and jewelry galore, it all goes towards your stockpiled savings. And it’s times like these when you’re lucky to have avoided economic business with the Fatui. Being free of Fatui debt has its perks, a bright miracle in your dark relationships. That’s one less tether to Scaramouche and one less reason to cling to him after you’ve had enough. 

He smirks at your forced envy, easily pushing you backwards onto the plush mattress once he’s fully undressed. For a brief moment, he pictures your pliant body sprawled across an office desk while he pounds into you from behind, putting on a lewd show for his leering underlings. There’s something arousing about your secret relationship that has strange ideas formulating within his head. He entertains a simple scheme, one in which he’d shed light on your connection; however, the other side of him wants to keep your existence for himself, where no one will disturb the two of you in your pleasurable endeavors.

Perhaps you would truly belong to him if he were to expose you for the fraud you really are. Oh, the joy of trapping an unsuspecting rat in a corner, with no way out but into his open arms. You’ll hardly have any semblance of a choice, but he knows you’ll choose the option that guarantees another chance at life.

Scaramouche thinks about that as he revels in soft, tantalizing foreplay. He knows you aren’t as dedicated to this relationship as he is and he’s almost certain you’ve got others waiting for you in different parts of Teyvat. He’s just another plaything you’ve picked up for the fun of it. And in these moments where you surrender to his touch, your back arching with avaricious thoughts, you seem to forget about the power he truly wields. The thought that he could suffocate you in this very bed with his love alone should have you taking precautions to cover your vulnerability, but you only have your eyes set on one thing—not exactly minding the outcome so long as it’s monetarily favorable.

And if playing into your covetous hands ensures your weekly arrival, he’ll gladly empty his pockets of spare change.

You don’t like this new side of him. Lately he’s been treating this as if the two of you are lovers: slow, sensual thrusts accompanied with the sweetest of promises. You’ve never really minded the filth he’d moan in your ear and now you wish he’d resort to that instead. Loveless words spoken through the veil of lust—that’s what you want to hear.  

He envelops you like a smothering fog, fitting himself snugly inside of your tight hole in an embrace that’s oh so familiar. You aren’t used to such gentle treatment and as he kisses along your collarbone you feel yourself going under, having fallen victim to a Harbinger who is normally so cold-hearted. Perhaps he’s more sensitive than you originally thought. Months ago, you wouldn’t have imagined your relationship would grow into something so uncertain, where emotionless love becomes packaged and bogged down with so much feeling.

His lips ghost over yours and there’s a slight pause in his actions. You turn your head to the side, denying his choking affection before it can drag you further into a spiraling abyss of regret. Annoyance swells in his hazy gaze, but he uses your new position to his advantage.

“It’s cute,” he says in a hushed voice, breath tickling your ear, “how you seem to rid yourself of my gifts as soon as they fall into your hands. I wonder where they’ve gone. Into the harbor? Traded off for food and shelter? Do tell me.”

When his grip on your hip tightens to a threatening degree, you resign yourself, opting to hold your tongue as his pace remains brutally slow. Rather than speaking out of line, you raise your hand to his face, and he clasps your wrist in a forceful hold. 

The look in his eyes is far from loving—it’s that same obsessed expression Childe wore. And even if he still searches for you for reasons other than sex, you’re aware there’s no luck where Scaramouche is concerned. You can run from Childe because he’ll allow it—because he adores the chase—but Scaramouche hardly finds delight in a game of cat and mouse. You should’ve expected this. After all, he is just as conniving as the rest, always inventing new ways to track down and eradicate that peculiar traveler. Of course he would know about how you handle his presents when he isn’t looking because there’s no denying the stern gazes that would pierce through your backside whenever you went to the market.

"I’d never throw them out like that...” you mumble through another soft moan, hoping he’ll just pick up the pace and be done with you. “Your gifts are priceless.”

And yet the price for your own love is so hefty. If he weren’t Fatui, it might be enough to throw him into lifelong debt.

“Is that so? You seem to put a price on them whenever you visit the marketplace.” His fingers grip your chin, forcing you into an inescapable eye contact. “If you enjoy putting prices on items that you claim are priceless, you won’t mind if I collect a refund for your dishonesty.”

“A...refund?” 

Your lustful thoughts evaporate once you realize his pace has become horribly slow, his dick stilling and creating an itch of barely noticeable ecstasy. You wiggle your hips to increase the friction, wanting to get yourself off before his words can sour the mood. Though it’s already spoiled when you recognize the carnal victory shining in his twisted smirk. Your unfortunate fate was sealed the moment you welcomed his company with foolish openness, and you’ve been indebted ever since he decided to spoil you with lavish foods and accessories. 

For love that is far from cheap, interest must be paid and your very being makes for the perfect bargain.

It’s weird when he kisses you on your lips rather than on the parts of your body that are normally obscured with delicate cloth. And it’s even weirder when that metaphorical collar binds your throat in a vice. It’s more harrowing than any sort of debt you might’ve garnered and it’s just as inconvenient as his boyish adoration.

Scaramouche doesn’t have to purchase your flimsy, half-off love when it’s already prepackaged and ready for the taking. 

“You heard me. A refund is hardly enough punishment for a lying brat, but it will have to suffice for now.”

For now.

Spurred on by his own insinuating threats, he seeks to bruise your very insides with thrusts that are filled with physical vexation rather than the emotional ministrations from before. And since you’re so accustomed to him, your greedy hole eagerly welcomes him. 

[queenoftheworldisdead]

Dennis

Notes: No one asked for this. was inspired this thread. LOL. Also Chris Evans Debuts Trailer for New Movie DENNIS

Summary: A broken pathetic shell of a man with nothing to live for.

Warning: 18+ only please, forced fingering, non con, rape, Dark themes

Dark Dennis Baker x Reader

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6:00 A.M.

Dennis hated waking up. Though he was married whenever he arose and reached over to his wife's side of the bed it was always cold. It didn't used to be this way. Not too long ago he would wake to find her snuggling into him, but now it was as if he was a single man all over again.

Scrubbing his hands over his face as he sat on the edge of the bed he wondered where his wife was this time. At some point after he was laid off she started changing. Working out more, staying out more, sleeping over at her sisters for reasons she never made clear to him.

Walking over to the closet Dennis retrieved his uniform, laying it on top of the bed, neatly. The gawd awful pink retail shirt, unflattering khaki pants, with the leather belt and penny loafers made him internally groan at the sight each morning.

As the steam dissipated from the shower Dennis mindlessly stared at his own reflection. Dread poured over him the closer it got time for him to leave for work. This job was a far cry from his former one as Head of IT. A major data breach ruined his career in the tech field. Despite his best efforts to prevent the cyber attack his warnings went unheeded, sighting unnecessary cost for the infrastructure. And when the inevitable happened his neck was brought to the chopping block.

With that blemish on his record it was hard to get another job of similar note with this infraction hanging over his head. Now reduced to technical expert at Betsy's Computer store. A glorified titled for a retail worker that pushed more PS5's than actual technical support.

With the drop in title so did the salary. The mortgage, car note and other bills began piling up on top of each other. Credit cards were starting to hit their own limit, all contributing to his physical and mental decline.

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7:00 A.M.

As he began dressing he heard a faint sound coming from down stairs. Tucking in his shirt as he left the bedroom he heard the rare sound of his wife, Sarah. She was talking cheerfully to someone he hoped would be her sister. When he entered the archway his heart sank as she quieted herself, her mood fully changed before slipping her cell into her pocket.

Quickly she picked up a dish that contained scraps of some healthy meal that she only made for herself. Rinsing it off at the sink as Dennis approached her from behind.

Leaning over Dennis tried to kiss her cheek, but swiftly Sarah pulled away. “Ugh!”

"What's wrong?" He knew, but he had to hear it.

"You have a bad penis?" she answered before leaving him alone in the kitchen as he bottled up the hurt as he always did. Tucking away the insult and then burying it deep.

Dennis's erectile dysfunction was just the cherry on his shit cake. He had seen several doctors. All prescribed this or that, but nothing worked. The lack of intimacy helped to further wreck havoc on his marriage.

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8:00 A.M.

The entrance to the gaudy pink building dinged as the automatic doors opened.

"Morning Dennis" you smiled as he walked through the opened doors. He scrunched his face as if he didn't recognize you. You had only run into him once or twice since you started last week, so you weren't surprised he didn't remember.

"How did you..?" He looked a mix of tired and confused as he stood between the doorway.

Your head tilted and gave him a look, before tapping the name plate on your chest. Dennis followed your finger, your badge sat perched on your left breast. You shifted on your feet as his eyes lingered on your nameplate longer than you would've liked.

"Hadn't had your coffee yet I see" you joked. Quickly Dennis shifted his eyes away, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Yeah" Dennis chuckled dryly.

"Well, there is a fresh pot in the back last time I checked and  a few donuts. I think Richard brought some in. If you hurry you might be able to snatch one up." You brushed off his awkwardness.

Maybe he isn't a morning person.

You could see Dennis on the verge of reply, but your attention diverted to the customer walking to your open lane. "How was your shopping today? Do you have a Betsy card?" You read off your script as they laid their items down. In the corner of your eye you watched him linger a bit, before continuing on toward the back to clock in.

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3:00 P.M.

Dennis grumbled with hands on hips as he looked at the disarray of the printer cartage wall. He had organized and reorganized the entire aisle at least five times today. He had only been gone five minutes only to return to chaos.

Quickly taking inventory with his clipboard he made notes of what he needed before storming off to the storage room. Through his irritation he found it hard to stay mad as thoughts of you clouded his head while he walked.

The tiny interaction from earlier in the day had haunted him. Trying in vein Dennis tried his hardest to focus on anything else, but the more he fought it the more you seemed to just pop up. He found his eyes locking with yours in-between various interactions with customers as you cut through his section to get to the break room. Each time you fluttered your fingers and smiled at him, leaving him flustered, returning the smile more stiff and awkward than the time before.

Opening the door to the storage room Dennis's heart skipped a beat when he found you bent over examining a shelf. You hadn't noticed him yet, too focused on the numbers on the paper you held in search of an item.

Swallowing thickly Dennis gingerly closed the door quietly in an effort not to spook you. His cock twitched slightly the longer he stood against the door. When you moaned in frustration after you placed an item back on the shelf a heat rippled through his face forcing him to bite back a groan of his own.

Staying quiet, he released the knob and started to move closer to you. Each step Dennis felt his heart beat through his ears as your hips swayed before him.  

The narrow aisle forced Dennis to squeeze past you to reach his desired destination. Sucking in his bottom lip hungrily he pushed his hips forward as he slid behind, the slight graze made you jump up and yelp in surprise.

"Oh gosh Dennis you scared me!" You giggled slightly embarrassed. You placed a hand over your chest and the other on his shoulder.

"Sorry" looking sincerely at you as he held his hands up innocently. "Just trying to reach the ink." Hoping to take the focus away from his bottom half. The light graze was enough to awaken that piece of him that he had long sense gave up on.

"It's OK. It's super tight back here. Kind of hard not to knock into someone." You brushed of your shock and turn back to your task. With your back to him again adjusted himself awkwardly.

"Hey, wait!" Your call froze him in his tracks.

Dennis's back tensed and a panic shot through his core as he heard your steps approach. His work pants had become uncomfortably tighter all thanks to you.

Slyly he pressed his clip board over his buckle when you rounded his side. Internally Dennis prayed that you wouldn't notice the throbbing erection below his belt.

"Can you help me I can’t find this." You were still focused on the paper you held, pushing it in his line of sight as you waited for him to respond. You were so close that your perfume tickled his nose and he wondered if you tasted just as sweet as you smelled.

Dennis's lips deepened into a frown when Richard, the floor manager, called your name from the now open storage door.  

"We need you back on registers. Let me handle that for now." Richard demanded.  

"Oh OK" turning away from him you handed the papers to Richard as he approached. "Thanks anyway Dennis" you patted Dennis's back before walking off. The sudden lack of touch sent an ache to his heart as he watched you disappear through the door.

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5:30 P.M.

The rain came down hard. You hadn't check the weather, when you left your apartment earlier in the day the sky was clear. Without an umbrella you made a mad dash to your car on the far end of the lot. Panting wildly, by the time your reached the car you were soaked through and through.

Slipping in you shrieked when the white flash crashed too close to your car. Fumbling with your keys before sticking them in the ignition you quickly found disappointment. The engine wouldn't turn over. It took several clicks of the turning key, before you stared baffled at the wheel. You had never had issues with your car before, so you were at a loss as to what could be the cause.

A bashing came loud on your side that caused you to scream in fright. Your heart beat rapidly, but when you looked over you found Dennis standing outside your door holding his umbrella.

"You OK?" He queried as you manually rolled your window down.

"It won't start. I think its the battery?" You weren't sure, but it sounded plausible.

"I would give you a jump, but it's a little dangerous. I can give you a ride though." He shouted over the heavy rain.

"Oh gosh, are you sure?"

"Yeah, come on."

Unbuckling your seat Dennis held the door open for you as you got out. You stuck close to his side, huddling under his umbrella as he led you to his car.

Opening the passenger door you thanked Dennis then slipped inside. He closed the door than jogged over to the driver's side, you giggled at his awkward stride and wondered if there was any part of him that wasn't weird. 

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Through his peripheral Dennis watched you. Your perfume seemed to waft through his tiny Toyota and he hoped that it would sink into the upholstery.

"It's over there, just turn right on the corner" you directed him. He nodded at your direction. Suddenly sad that the ride was coming to an end sooner than he would've liked.

"You can slow down here. Mine is the one in the middle."

Dennis slowed to park as you gathered your things and readied to disembark. "Um uh I know this is weird, but do you think I can.. use your restroom?" It came out bumbled and he internally kicked himself for that.

"Oh gosh yes of course." You touched his arm as you spoke, the patch of skin sending jolts all throughout.

Dennis exited the car first as you waited patiently for him to shelter you from the rain.

You thank him again as you both jogged to your front door. With your keys at the ready you unlocked the door and allowed him in after you. "First door on your right" you point down the hall as you slipped out of your work shoes.

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8:00 P.M.

Dennis didn't move.

"So how is married life?" You nervously inquired, noticing the gold band on his finger.

He didn't answer and the look on his face started to fill you with concern.

He is just an awkward guy. Don't over think it.

"Um would you like something to drink" you made a move to walk toward the kitchen, but Dennis blocked your advance. Stepping a foot back you started to panic. "So h-how do you like working at.."

Before you could finish Dennis sandwiched you between the door.  Fruitlessly you tried to wiggle free as his hands began to roam your sides. Pushing at his chest he stood unmoved by your efforts as he leaned in close to your cheek, peppering you with kisses along your neck.

"Please Dennis.." You trembled out. Dennis wedged between your legs, the feel of his hard cock had you hiccuping as you pleaded with him to stop.

The muscles in your arm burned as you push, your hands flailing and slipping off his wet clothes. He inhaled you, humming with delight as his stubble burned against your neck.

Tears coated your eyes as he began feverishly unbuckling your belt. Your nails clawed into his flesh to no effect, tossing your hands away effortlessly as he continued to maneuver your pants down past your hips.

It was if the mild mannered retail clerk had become a completely different person and you couldn't understand why.

"I see the way you look at me" he growled into your ear. 

"I was just being nice. Please Dennis!"

"So nice for me baby" he kissed your cheek as you turned your face away from him. Through the kerfuffle you hadn't realized you both had moved away from the door. Your side hit the arm of the living room's couch and you found yourself tumbling over with Dennis landing on top of you.

Dennis snatched one of your wrist when you tried to slap him. Threading his fingers with yours like a lover, slowly moving it above your head. Your other hand tried to force him to fall over to the floor, but he refused to budge.

His other arm disappeared between your bodies, the further it sunk down your stomach tensed. You were useless against his determination. There was no out from under him.

Dennis swallowed your sobs, when his hand came dangerously close to your clit. Hot beads of tears streamed your face when  he grazed your mound. The tickle of his finger tips meticulously played with your folds, in an attempt to move away his fingers parted your lips. Sucking and kissing on your neck, you felt a fire begin to pool at his hand.

"You don't want to do this please" you sniffed, but he was too far gone. A long moan fell from your lips when his fingers finally plunged into you.

Dennis's digits curled and pumped, the friction feeding an unwanted need in your core. When you tried to protest again he devoured your mouth greedily.

"I'm gonna fill you up...Have you stuffed full of my cum." Dennis moaned over your mouth.

Your toes started to curl as your heat grew. You wanted him to stop, but a need weakened your resolve.

"That's it baby, I feel you want me too." 

"Fuck" you panted out as you struggled to fight against him and yourself. Your juices coated him thoroughly, you bit back shame as he praised you for it. Mindlessly you gripped his shoulder  as your mounded tightened around him. Panting wildly you came on his fingers.

"That's it baby." He praised, slipping his fingers free which caused you to whimper shamefully. Your legs felt like jelly as you laid on the couch. Dennis hadn't moved, only lifting his hips to  unfastened his belt.

"No! No no please" you whined, pushing backwards on the couch cushion. Dennis snaked an arm behind your back, locking you in place as you pulled at his work shirt to get him off you.

The head of his cock swirled around your juices, pressing hard against your folds to blindly find your opening. "So wet just for me baby."

No matter which way your hips move the determined man found your slick folds. Wedged between your legs Dennis shuttered with delight as he pressed into you. His slow pressure stretched you as you continued to sob.

"So tight for me" he hummed. You hissed the deeper he sunk into you. Breathing heavily through the tightness while his hips rolled into you. The cheap couch groaned at the increase of activity. Dennis palmed your ass, gripping too tight as he fucked you into the couch.

His desperate kisses all over you felt like trails of fire. Your legs began to wrap and tighten around him as he thrusted relentlessly. 

"Dennis.." You panted out as your need took over.

"Do you want to come for me?" he sounded as needy as you did.

"I haven't come in so long... Do you think you can handle it baby?" He taunted.

"Please" you say weakly.

"That's it I knew you needed me"

"Please Dennis." You begged as you dissolved into pleasure.

You were his new life he was sure of it. His cure and he was never letting you go.

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