#like don’t get me wrong the pain is always there it’s just quieter sometimes and I can drown it out with things that make me happy

[whimsyprinx]

some days I actually feel like I’m able to think clearly and am not as inconsolable as I thought

[writtnbyhan]

seungmin comforting insecure reader? im feeling a bit weird rn and would rlly like some comfort writing:(( its fine if not !!

hi!! I rushed to write this as quickly as possible and I really hope it brings you some comfort, whatever little it may be. You have no idea how happy it makes me that you chose me to write your comfort writing because I understand what it feels like to need some and !! to be able to provide it !!!! I swear to you you've made me the happiest by asking this, and I hope I can give back a little bit of that happiness with my silly little words :(

also, I really hope it was what you expected ?? I didn't want to put too much focus on what makes reader insecure because I know it's something different for each one of us and I tried to keep it as generic as possible. I hope you like it and I hope you're feeling better <3

word count: 1319

You’re awfully quiet, and Seungmin is quick to notice. Normally, you joke around with him, you laugh at his jokes even when they’re really lame, you shine when you’re happy, and the difference is evident for him. Not that you’re not as beautiful as always, but the quiet and the lack of smile is noticeable, at least for him.

He decides not to comment on it for a while, assuming you’ll tell him if you want to share. But when enough time has passed, and you’re laying on the couch next to him, watching a movie, he breaks. Your attention is clearly somewhere else, you’re lost in thoughts and your face makes it evident that the thoughts on your mind are not precisely happy ones.

“Baby?” he asks, and he knows something’s wrong when that doesn’t get your attention. “y/n?” he asks again, his voice almost a whisper, worry gnawing at his chest.

You look at him, and your eyes are glossy like you’re fighting hard not to spill the tears that have gathered in your eyes.

“Oh, baby.” He sounds so sad for you, and he extends his arm, an open invitation for a hug. Usually, you’d be quick to accept and cuddle him, but today… Yeah, today is an exception.

You shake your head and the tears finally fall. You don’t intend them to, but they apparently don’t let you control them anymore. They’re spilling from your eyes, rolling down your cheeks, and leaving you naked and vulnerable in your boyfriend’s eyes. You hate crying, but you hate crying in front of him more. You know his heart is breaking by the way he looks at you like he’d gladly take all of your pain and carry it for you (he would).

He waits, his arms still open. It is evident on his face that he doesn’t know what to do. He always respects your boundaries, especially when it comes to physical touch and when or when it is not welcomed. You’re not a big fan of PDA, and neither is he, so he’s always asking before doing something, sometimes even when you’re alone. It is endearing. Today, though, you can tell he’s doubting whether he’s doing the right thing or not.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” his voice is on the verge of breaking, and you cry harder. Why, why would he worry this much? Why would he care? Why should he care? Why does he care? You surely don’t deserve a boy like him.

You shake your head again and sigh. A voice in the back of your head reminds you of the importance of communication in a relationship, and you curse at it, even when you know it’s true. You sigh again.

“Why?” You say finally, only able to voice the only word repeating in your mind. He looks confused, and the look is so endearing you almost want to laugh through the tears; you’re incapable of actually doing so, though. “Why me?” You say, voice quieter now, more weak. His eyes soften, and you think he’s beginning to understand.

He’s patient. He doesn’t push. He doesn’t answer the question because he doesn’t want to say the wrong thing. He’s waiting for you to actually ask something he can answer.

“Why choose me, when you can have anyone?” The question is whispered, but it sounds so loud in Seungmin’s head, resonating against its walls, and he wants to scream just to quiet it.

For your ears, though, he only gasps. His arms lowered when you started speaking, and his hands twitched as soon as you finished voicing the question. He wants to hold you. He wants to cry himself, but he forces himself to remain strong to provide you with that strength.

“Because I want you,” he says, like it’s obvious. “I always want you. I don’t care who I could have, as long as I have you, I don’t care about anyone else.” He’s looking directly at you, trying to get his point across.

You look down, staring into your lap while the tears fall.

“It’s just…”

He waits. He waits so patiently, even though he’s growing desperate to hug you and reassure you. He waits, because boundaries or whatever.

“It’s just that sometimes, when you’re doing promotions…” you hide your face behind your hands as your crying becomes more intense. “I just think… you deserve one of them, you know, an idol who can dance and sing and who looks so pretty and so tiny and… I can’t ever be that. No matter how hard I try, I’m me and you just deserve so much better than I can be.”

Your tears are falling freely, the waterfall has opened and it’s clear it doesn’t plan on closing soon.

“y/n,” he says, he’s worried and he’s serious, and you fear you might have made him angry because the serious look on his face is unusual. “Listen to me, and listen clearly: I want you.” He enunciates the words, pronouncing each one loud and clear. “I don’t care about them, I chose you because you’re you, and that’s exactly what I want. And I deserve exactly that: what I want. What I want is you.” He is the one to sigh now. “I can’t even look at other people, baby. You’re the prettiest person my eyes have ever laid upon – and I say this while seeing Hyunjin every day, you know.” He laughs at the last part.

You laugh a little, too, even if it’s weak. You want to believe him, even if your fears are stronger today. You know he means what he says, even if you can’t understand how he can mean it.

His touch is barely there when he reaches for your hand, trying to take them out of your face. “Let me wipe your tears, please. I’ve got you, baby, I’m right here.”

You let him lower your hands, but you still keep your gaze fixed on your lap. His touch is still featherlike when he softly caresses your chin, indicating for you to look up. You do, your glossy eyes meeting his, not as glossy as yours but almost there.

“I’m sorry. I’m being really difficult today. I’m sorry” 

You’ll never not be amazed by Seungmin’s ability to understand what’s going on around him, by his tuned senses for everyone’s needs. So, it is still a surprise when Seungmin notices you getting barely closer and extends his arm towards you. You welcome the invitation, now, and pretty much throw yourself to him, his hold so strong, like he wants to hold you tight enough that it’ll fix everything broken inside you.

“Don’t apologize for needing some help every now and then. It’s okay to need reassurance, and I’m always willing to give it to you – you make this world better. . . you make me better. So please, let me help you when you’re getting in your head like this. I’m here for you, today, tomorrow, the day after that… even in 2065 when you’re all old and wrinkly, I’ll be by your side.” He gives a small kiss on the side of your head, and you let out a small chuckle.

“I love you so much, Seungminnie,” you say, quietly, into the dark room as the credits to the movie you were watching start rolling.

“I know,” he says, rocking you slightly. “Now, I’m going to put on another movie and you lay your head on my shoulder and try to sleep. It will all be better tomorrow when you wake up next to me.” You nod, doing as he says while he puts on a Disney movie. You turn your head to give a small kiss on his shoulder, and he chuckles. “I love you too, by the way.”

He’s right. Everything's better when you’re next to him, and you hurt a lot less when in between his arms.

[gatorbites-imagines]

Hi, I was wondering if you would be up to writing for the moon boys for me this time around?

Maybe their partner is suffering from C-PTSD and them all trying to help ease the pain of it in their own special ways?

Please don’t feel any pressure to write this if you aren’t comfy with it or just don’t want to.

Ps. Thank you for the TwoFace fic. It was everything I was hoping for.

Steven Grant, Marc Spector, Jake Lockley x Male reader

Headcanons

I don’t have C-PTSD myself, so I had to look up the symptoms, so if anything is wrong that’s most likely why. I decided to part it up to how each of the boys would act, instead of just making it one big block of text. Talks of DID in this are based off what little I know, so if anything is wrong let me know.

Steven Grant

Steven has always been the one to care about the rest of the moonsystem emotionally, so he would be the best when it comes to you experiencing horrible feelings, like struggling with controlling your emotions, or even suicidal thoughts.

He is very understanding if you ever need time for yourself, and is willing to listen if you need to talk. Even if you just need him to sit beside you if you have a panic attack or dissociate. This also means he’s the best at talking you down from a panic attack or if you ever get paranoid.

Since the other members of the moonsystem, and even himself sometimes, deal with similar struggles, he would never judge you. Anything you need that could help you feel more comfortable or safe in yourself and with them, he happily does.

He would never demand to know why you struggle, as he knows your past is your own and you’ll share it when them when you are comfortable. And if you do, he listens and thanks you for telling them. All in all, Steven is very understanding, loving and will always listen.

Marc Spector

Like Jake, Marc carries his own trauma that has affected the way he lives, so he can understand your experiences to some degree. This means if you have certain triggers or needs to help deal with yours, he never questions it and just goes along with it.

He reassures you that you aren’t broken, or wrong, and that they love you no matter what. He knows words wont always help, but he tells you anyways, as well as being a quieter but strong presence that you can lean against if you need it.

Marc doesn’t talk as much as Steven when it comes to these things, but hes better than Jake in that department, having his own type of advice or talking that helps you settle if things get too tough. It can even just be him talking about his day if you need it.

They all keep an eye out for you, but especially Marc. He doesn’t want you to ever feel like you have nowhere to go and no one to trust, so he always keeps an eye out in case you start to struggle with dark thoughts or the likes, as he doesn’t want you to suffer the same ways he has.

Jake Lockley

Jake is the one who struggles the most with symptoms of his own that are similar to your own. But instead of reacting loudly or rashly, he tends to retreat into himself and put on a tough cold and violent front to protect the other two, and after you all get together, you as well.

He holds most of the moonsystems trauma, as he always fronted when the abuse got too horrible when they were children, or if situations get way too outta hand. This means he carries most of the trauma from it, as he keeps it from the other two.

Where the others like to talk if you need it, or help talk you through your struggles, Jake is more a silent support. He sits with you, holds your hand, or holds you close if you need it. He lets you vent if you ever need it, but he’s never been the best at words so he can’t comfort you or talk you down the same way Steven can. But just the fact that he’s always there can be enough sometimes.

Jake reassures you that you are enough in his own ways, and that you aren’t broken. This can be through gifts or small acts of service, or him kissing your neck or muttering soft loving things to you in Spanish.

[outro-jo]

Breaking Down Walls

pairing: lee jeno x reader

type: imagine

summary: you’ve been hurt before and it’s easy for you to build walls back up. thankfully your boyfriend knows just what to do.

request: yes

warning: kinda angsty??, doesn’t mention really anything but like past so kinda implied abuse, i guess, i don’t edit 😂

a/n: i don’t really say what he did 🙃 i’m autistic so idrk what people fight about 😂

masterlist | info

——————————

the why or how wasn’t necessarily important but all that mattered was that it happened. you tried your best not to think jeno was like the others that hurt you but sometimes your thoughts got the better of you. 

“he’s just the same, they all are.” the little evil voice nagged in the dark corners of your mind.

every time he smiles or holds you or listens to you, that voice gets a little quieter because he does so much right in your relationship. however, when he gets it wrong, the voice gains it’s power back. you suddenly become scared and the walls you’ve built to keep the hurt out build back up again, higher than before. 

the part of you that loves jeno more than anything cries out, “but that’s not fair!”

it’s doesn’t matter. 

when he comes home from practice later that day and finds you at the stove, he can suddenly feel the shift in the air. he does his best to greet you despite what he’s feeling. in his mind, he’s pushing out those feelings with the worry that you might’ve had a bad day but it’s apparent when he shows his affection that the walls are back. 

his heart aches to once again be on the outside when he fought so hard to get to you. the funny thing is, the others would have blamed you and been mad at you, but not your jeno. 

“baby, what happened? tell me what i did. let’s talk about it.” he pleaded softly. 

you put on your ’best’ smile and said, “i’m fine! are you hungry?” as you busily removed the food from the stove and plated it up. 

jeno saw right through and as soon as he could see it was safe to do so, he took your hands in his.

“no, c’mon. you promised me.” 

you sighed deeply. it was a sign that you were losing the battle in your own mind as you remembered the whispered promises after the first time you let him in. the first time he proved to you he wasn’t liked the ones from your past.

memories from that night flooded back. how he held you in the dim light as you sobbed, fighting every instinct you had and telling him of your pain. he cried with you and kissed away your tears in hopes that it would start to heal the hurts. that night he had you promise to tell him when he hurt you so long as he promised to always listen.

he was trying to hold up his end of the bargain so long as you could.

the anxiety started to bubble in your stomach and you took a deep breath in hopes of relieving it before nodding and allowing Jeno to walk you to a seat at the kitchen table. 

“now,” jeno sighed once you were settled. “talk to me.” 

he listened intently as you spoke. your hand is in his with his thumb rubbing in circular motions to ease your visible nerves. you did your best to explain what you were feeling and how he hurt you, trying to fight the way you felt your throat closing off. when you had finally gotten everything out, you couldn’t look at him. shame had settled in, making you embarrassed for feeling this way despite you having valid reasons. 

“thank you for telling me, love.” jeno said after a few moments of silence. he then reached up, two fingers under you chin to raise your gaze back to his. “i’m sorry. i’m so sorry i did that. can you forgive me?”

his sincere apology, the soft look in his eyes, his tenderness with you, it was all too much and you broke out into sobs. jeno pulled you into his arms, pressing kisses into your forehead and rubbing circles into your back. in between kisses, jeno kept whispering softly that he was proud of you. every part of yourself finally felt safe again in his arms and he held you for as long as you needed. after a few moments you looked up at him, his eyes had turned into those tiny crescent moon shapes you adored so much as a smile played softly at his lips. 

“can i kiss you now?” his hand rested at your jaw, thumb slowly swiping down those lips he so desperately craved. 

you nod before leaning towards him to allow him back in. the kiss was softer, more passionate at first but then jeno’s playful side came out as he gave you several kisses in a row making you giggle. a hand came to rest on your thigh as he pressed his forehead to yours. 

“thank you for loving me so well, jeno.” you breathed out.

“thank you for letting me.”

[persephonememes]

* (  THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR /  SENTENCE PROMPTS.

These may have been edited for clarity or length or to better apply for roleplaying.

❛ i was just really, really sad. ❜

❛ dead doesn’t mean gone. ❜

❛ i thought i was going to die too. ❜

❛ it only felt like dying because, actually, i was still alive. ❜

❛ to truly love another person is to accept that the work of loving them is worth the pain of losing them. ❜

❛ we can’t count on the past. ❜

❛ we think we have it trapped in our memories, but memories fade. ❜

❛ you’ll find it much quieter out here. ❜

❛ any of us could die at any moment. ❜

❛ she/he was my anchor. ❜

❛ i’m a lot braver than people think. ❜

❛ nothing holds, and all things change, given time. ❜

❛ change does not often announce itself. ❜

❛ all things fade. ❜

❛ time takes all things. ❜

❛ it is the way of the world. ❜

❛ the past recedes, memories fade, and so, true, does the spirit. ❜

❛ everything yields to time, even the soul. ❜

❛ there’s a difference between feeling good and feeling alive. ❜

❛ funerals are for the living. it’s up to the living to decide what they can and cannot bear. ❜

❛ i don’t know why brilliant young women are always punished. ❜

❛ you don’t have to lose yourself to find happiness, you know. ❜

❛ i was having the strangest dream. ❜

❛ what have you got when your back’s against the wall when there’s nothing left for you but faith? ❜

❛ sometimes, right can seem wrong, and wrong can seem right. ❜

❛ do you know what life is really all about? ❜

❛ save them all if you can, but put your own oxygen mask on first. ❜

❛ death is something to mourn, not fear. ❜

❛ i wasn't going to ask you if you're alright because i don't like being lied to. so, what's wrong? ❜

❛ everyone is exhaustive. even the best ones. ❜

❛ we are meant to die. it's natural. ❜

❛ every living thing grows out of every dying thing. ❜

❛ that's where all it's beauty lies, you know, in the mortality of the thing. ❜

❛ one day at a time is what we've got. ❜

❛ one day at a time is what we've got. it's what everybody's got, if you get down to it. ❜

❛ if you can't feel anything, then i'll feel everything for the both of us. ❜

❛ but no one is going anywhere, okay? ❜

❛ you shouldn't be thinking of losing each-other at all. ❜

❛ don't let that loom over your happiness right now. ❜

❛ it is rare what you've got. ❜

❛ what is the catch? ❜

❛ i’m not running, from anything and it hurts me when you say that. ❜

❛ perfectly splendid. ❜

❛ you have to promise me that you’ll stay in your room. ❜

❛ none of us are blameless. ❜

❛ on a scale of zero to american, how would you rate her? ❜

❛ it’s such a draining thing, dealing with children. ❜

❛ i have an inquiring mind. ❜

❛ we both know you don’t make mistakes. ❜

❛ let me guess, you are to be our very own mary poppins? ❜

❛ i hope she haunts that fucker forever. ❜

❛ why should anyone hate a lake? ❜

❛ let me show you just how beautiful you are. ❜

❛ it’s just you and me then. ❜

❛ look at you all flush. you’re pretty when you blush. ❜

❛ being with him might be scary at times but, it’s also exciting and fun. ❜

❛ and for the first time in my life, that little voice in my head saying i’m not good enough has disappeared. ❜

❛ i’ve never felt so alive. ❜

❛ i swear, you’re such a bore, and you don’t know when the leave well enough alone. ❜

❛ sometimes people just need to be alone. ❜

❛ i couldn’t sleep. i feel like i can never sleep again, frankly. ❜

❛ haven’t we done this already? ❜

❛ i have a surprise for you. ❜

❛ i have a surprise for you. ❜

❛ don’t leave your room at night. ❜

❛ the past is always present. ❜

❛ the stories we tell each other have a way of changing. ❜

❛ love is a haunting melody that i have never mastered and i fear i never will. ❜

❛ no good ever comes from dwelling on the worst. ❜

❛ you can’t choose who you love. ❜

❛ ghosts do not have to be scary. they can be comforting. ❜

❛ the heart is a fragile thing, and it can break in many different ways. ❜

❛ people often fear what they cannot understand. ❜

❛ we are all haunted in some way, by the things we have lost or the things we have done. ❜

❛ death is not the end, it’s just a door we all have to go through. ❜

❛ the past cannot be changed, but it can still hurt us. ❜

❛ the things we bury have a way of finding their way back to the surface. ❜

❛ some people are born to be alone, and others are born to be together. ❜

❛ ghosts are memories, and memories are what make us who we are. ❜

❛ the dead don’t really leave us. they live on in the memories we have of them. ❜

❛ the more we try to run from something, the more it chases us. ❜

❛ we all have a shadow self, the part of us that we don’t like to admit exists. ❜

❛ the world is full of secrets, and some are best left buried. ❜

❛ the heart wants what it wants, and sometimes that can be a terrifying thing. ❜

❛ every relationship is a dance, and both people need to be willing to take a step forward. ❜

❛ life can be cruel, but it can also be beautiful. ❜

❛ we are all just playing a part, but some roles are harder to shake off than others. ❜

❛ the past is written, but the future is still unwritten. ❜

❛ the greatest tragedy in life is not death, but the things we leave unsaid. ❜

❛ i do not like this game. ❜

❛ i'm actually pretty in love with you. ❜

❛ no one should ever need that much help. ❜

❛ you let me handle this part. ❜

❛ the wrong kind of love can fuck you up, follow you and make you do some really stupid shit. ❜

[heejayy]

Hi🌹 I was wondering if I can request megumi and his reaction to a sensitive, innocent and easily flustered s/o. Thank u🌹

Megumi F. ||sensitive/ flustered reader

Warning •none

Genres • fluff

Pairing • Megumi x black Reader

Given Megumi’s childhood and how he grew up, there was no room to be sensitive.

When his parents passed he was only left with his sister so he grew colder and quieter.

That’s until he met you, you were overly optimistic and wanted to see the best in everyone.

It disgusted him.

To him, the world is full of scams and bullshitting liars. There was no happy ending like in the fairytales.

To you, there was always good in everyone you just have to find it. Hince why he disliked you.

“Megumi you could’ve given him a chance before you beat him to a pulp, there was probably a reason he stole” you said grabbing your bag off the bench following the lanky boy down the side walk.

“He’s a theif y/n, a theif is a theif” you shook your head walking in front of him so he’d stop.

“Maybe he-“ he swiftly turned bending down to your level holding eye contact with you.

“Stop being naive and grow up, he was a theif there are no if ands or buts he just liked to steal and today he stole from the wrong person” he grunted gripping the wallet he just retrieved from said theif.

He scanned your features quickly, your wide eyes, slightly parted lips, and your weak stance made him realize the close proximity of you two made you flustered. He slightly smirked at the thought of you being nervous because of him

“Do I make you nervous y/n?” he asked calling you by your nickname which made you knees buckle.

“No” you scoffed crossing your arms, he smirked and walked around you.

You followed him still shocked at the moment, he’s never gotten that close to you before…it made your chest tingle.

From that point on he noticed how easy it was to make you nervous/ flustered.

Brushing hands, shoulders, making eye contact, anything slightly intimate had you gasping for air.

He’d sometimes just stare at you on purpose just to see you squirm.

He liked seeing you squirm…

And sometimes he used your kindness to his advantage.

For example he’s prone to getting my hurt on missions he comes back- or mainly carried back to the his dorm with busted knuckles, bloodied head, concussions, and fractured ribs…Ya know the usual

And he guilt trips you into nurturing him back to health.

You always checked him like clockwork to see if the idiot was breathing…you might dislike him, but you don’t want him dead

“You’re not going to help me change my bandage? I thought you were a good person? I’m in so much pain I really could use your help” You rolled your eyes upset that you got caught. You walked into his shoulders slump dragging your feet.

He watched you as you got on your knees, you peeled back the blood soiled bandage off his side replacing it with a new one after cleaning the wound.

Staring at you made him feel something, maybe you weren’t so bad.

Maybe you were what the world needed, a good caring person.

Yes, you could be very ditzy and gullible, but you were determined and wasn’t afraid to give your opinion

“Thanks” he whispered wincing. You looked up and realized you two were very close…again.

This time you studied his features, furrowed eyebrows, slightly chapped lips, and rosy cheeks?

“Do I make you nervous Megumi?” You asked a little cocky staring into his eyes. Hearing his name come from you was like listening to an angel speak.

He cleared his throat looking away “n-no, now get out.”

You shrugged standing up leaving his room but not before kissing him on the cheek.

“What ever, feel better idiot.” You smiled leaving watching his whole face turn red.

JJK Masterlist

©heejayy 2022 — any reposts or translations of my works are strictly prohibited unless granted permission

[bobparkhurst]

6, 12, 14, and 15 for Paddy x Don 🙏

Thank you so much for the ask, friend, and for picking up on my super subtle hinting. For Don Malarkey x Paddy Mayne.

[Ask me about my OTPs!]

6. Who would beg the other not to leave? Who has to leave to protect the other?

I don’t think either of them are the begging type. Paddy’s definitely the one who pulls away though. It’ll take him a long time to learn that he’s not going to ruin the good thing that is Don Malarkey, and he will carry the guilt coming back to him as much as he carries the guilt of going away. Don isn’t about to beg Paddy to do anything when he knows all of this well enough, and figures that Paddy needs to work it out for himself. As far as Don’s concerned, he’s not going anywhere and he’s pretty damn sure that Paddy isn’t either, for all his bluster and pulling away. It’s less “if you love them, let them go” and more being content with being a safe harbour.

12. Do they have many heated arguments? How do they smooth things over?

They have them, yes, though the relationship is not tumultuous in that way. They’ve both got uneasy relationships with drink and sore spots that they know well enough how to hit, especially when they’re feeling vulnerable and spiky about it. When it comes to arguments between them, rather than arguments with other people, Paddy’s the one who will get spiteful first, but it will take him longer to get to full blown anger with Don, whereas Don will blow a temper quickly but infrequently. They will never get physical with it, and Don knows that’s important as much as Paddy does - they won’t even lay a casual hand on each other when they’re just getting into a proper fight. Smoothing over always depends on how it ends, but Don doesn’t have the energy to hold grudges and will flat out tell Paddy he’s decided when the fight has concluded. He far prefers to talk things out and identify next steps in practical ways, drawing back from the emotional outburst. Paddy meanwhile will usually try to fix things with symbolic “gifts” or offerings, rather than talk. They have a fight about Eoin once, and the secrets Paddy keeps, and the next day they do not talk about it, but Don finds a small pile of photographs and Eoin’s old notebook sitting on the table next to his favourite chair. It’s something.

14. How do their personalities compliment each other? How do they clash?

They’re actually both quite artistic people and have a real shared love of art and creative expression. It’s not difficult for them to both get very lost in something they find beautiful. They’re also both incredibly caring people who love very deeply, though Don’s is a quieter, more serene and friendly version of this. Paddy will burn the bones of your enemies. When the mood takes them, they can be loud and rambunctious and slightly irritating to other people, because they’ll get wrapped up in each other, or the people they love, and have a tendency to forget that there’s another world on there entirely. And on a sadder note, Don’s grief is in quiet reminiscence, it’s tender scar tissue, whereas Paddy wears his like a still-bleeding wound. There’s enough recognition there that they both know the other understands the pain, though the expression of it is different, so where there might have been a clash, there is only delicate touch. Where they tend to clash is that Paddy is much less forgiving than Don when he feels wronged - or if he feels Don has been wronged, he will bare his teeth and snap at heels. Don’s more interested in building bridges than burning anything. It causes difficulty for them sometimes. There are more than a few nans in town who have absolutely lovely granddaughters, Mr Malarkey, if he’s free on Friday…? and are generally horrified when that nice American boy cheerfully announces that he’s heading out drinking with Paddy Mayne. And Paddy will also let himself fall into his own head more than Don will - he tends to go on flights of fancy that can be very frustrating when you’re trying to make actual plans, Blair.

15. Do they always say 'i love you' before leaving?

Yes and no. Don doesn’t really say “I love you” much at all, for all that he’s a talker, he finds that kind of talk a little difficult. He’ll happily pepper endearments into the conversation, but “I love you”, absolutely not. He does however, always kiss Paddy goodbye when he can, and always always leaves with a reminder about something. Like “I left your letters on the table” or “there’s cookies in the cupboard” or even "jesus christ blair, brush your hair would you". Just something that says I’m taking care of you, even if it's couched in a tease. Paddy is much more likely, eventually, to tell Don he loves him, but it will take him a long time to reach that point. Once he does, he starts saying “I love you” when he leaves in an effort more to tell himself that it’s all right to do it.

[infectedkura]

“One more time MacTavish … What. The. Fuck. Is your problem?” Ghost’s voice was low but as sharp as the blade he had always with him. The blade that Soap had seen in his hands so many times as he had slit open their enemies throats. He would be lying to himself if he hadn’t thought about how hot that sometimes looked, when he was watching Ghost through his scope.

Soap tried to say something but his mouth and throat were completely dried out. Only after a pitiful cough could he at least string some words out.

“What the hell is your problem? I told you I’m fine like 10 times” he snapped back with a raspy voice. He hadn’t planned on it sounding so angry but his feelings were a mess and the anger for himself was slowly boiling over to Ghost.

“You don’t look like it” was Ghost’s surprisingly calm yet determined answer. 

“And you’re avoiding me” he continued a bit quieter, moving even closer and squinting his eyes at Soap.

“Hasn’t bothered you before, that people avoid you, has it?”

For just a split second Soap swore he had seen honest surprise and even pain in Ghost’s eyes. Soap mentally slapped himself for the comment immediately but it was too late. That had been a low blow and Ghost’s grinding teeth made him realize it didn’t leave the usually so cold lieutenant unaffected.

“Careful Sergeant” Ghost growled, cementing his hand even deeper into Soap’s arm, that was starting to hurt.

As much anger had piled inside Soap he preferred it over owning the now familiar warm pain in his chest that once again started swelling inside him again. Anger was better than that. Hate was better. Was easier to work with. Easier for others to understand. And hopefully easier for Ghost to reciprocate. Soap knew he had reached a dead end and like a wild animal he wouldn’t let his hunter get him unscathed. An eye for an eye.

“Of what? Don’t think I’m in the wrong here. Just because you’re my superior doesn’t mean I gotta share my bloody diary with you” he snarled as he tried to wiggle his arm free but the friction of Ghost’s gloved hand on his naked skin made his anger get ravished by the creeping hotness even faster. Ghost didn’t move except for his hand that put more pressure on Soap's arm again only to let loose for a second and then repeat the process. Soap was expecting an answer. Wanted one. Wanted for Ghost to just get angry at him. Chew him out for his disobedience and leave. But Ghost stayed. Towering silently over him when suddenly Soap felt the other gloved hand on his hip, pressing into his skin to keep him still, the only thing separating them, the fabric of his thin shirt. Soap’s breath hitched. His head involuntarily fell forward, leaving him staring at their feet. He didn’t dare to move. Didn’t dare to say anything more. Too scared of his own voice or whatever sound would come out of his mouth now.

----

WIP Wednesday @onlycodcanjudgeme

This fic is fucking torturing me ... I rewrote the vibe of this scene like 4 times and it should’ve been done last saturday but yeah ... might take a bit longer UwU

[peace-coast-island]

Diary of a Junebug

Wishes are sometimes like sea glass floating aimlessly in the sea

Aside from swimming, I think one of my favorite things to do at the beach is collect things like seashells and sea glass. To me, there’s just something so satisfying about finding little treasures in the sand. It may not seem like much, but I just think they’re neat.

In the daytime, we collect little treasures and go swimming. At night, we sit around the bonfire and gaze at the stars. That’s pretty much what we’ve been doing these past couple days as daylight still stretches far enough even though it’s technically not really summer anymore.

And when there’s a bonfire, there has to be music. That’s the rules. Not necessarily campfire songs - I don’t think we’ve ever done an actual round of campfire songs - just whatever strikes our fancy. I’m lucky to have so many musically talented friends, so all the more reason why music is a must when we gather around the fire!

Speaking of music, I’ve got a some musical talents visiting the camp. First, there’s Emmaline and Minnie. They’re going back out on the road after taking a break earlier this year. Then there’s Lan, Ying, Hua, Xiang, and Eiko. And, of course, none of this was planned, so that’s what makes it more fun.

Emmaline and Minnie arrived a couple days earlier and were looking forward to chilling out at the camp. They plan to stick around for a while before meeting up with Lenny on a space adventure. They’ve both been talking about going on more space adventures, especially since they haven’t done much of that over the past few years aside from catching up with the StarGazers.

Seeing the Yuexing gang was an unexpected surprise, so it’s nice to catch up with them. Lan and the crew are on break, so she’s been using the downtime to catch up with Ying, Hua, and Xiang. Eiko doesn’t have anywhere to go since everyone else has gone home, so they’re staying with Lan in the city and is in the process of looking for a place of their own, preferably in the outskirts where it’s quieter, and hopefully in line with what they can afford.

Like I said earlier, Emmaline and Minnie are slowly getting back into life on the road. It’s a combination of them taking a break from all that traveling, as well as take care of health issues that popped up recently.

In Minnie’s case, it’s a reoccurrence of an old injury from years of sword fighting. A several years back, she banged up her shoulder pretty badly in a mission. It didn’t seem that bad at the time, but as she got older, problems popped up once in a while, usually when she pushed herself too hard. She said it was more of annoyance, not really something that negatively impacted her day to day life.

Although Minnie doesn’t pull out her sword as much anymore, she still likes to spar with Kate and Freya from time to time. But she also does other things like violin and tennis, so that also puts a strain on her shoulder too. Eventually, it got to a point where it was negatively impacting her everyday life. So her mom, a doctor, referred her to a specialist, who told her that she needed surgery.

It’s been almost three months since Minnie’s surgery and she says she’s doing a lot better now. Her doctor told her that she healed quickly, which is good. She can’t spar or play tennis yet, and she’s looking forward to getting back into it soon.

Minnie’s always full of energy, so it’s nice to see her up and about. She was always the kind of person who keeps pushing on, sometimes a little too much. I had suspected that something was up when I last saw her months ago. It wasn’t that she was exactly hiding something, more like she knew something was wrong, but she didn’t want to deal with it at the moment as she saw it as an annoying nuisance. It’s the whole push through the pain and hopefully it’ll go away kind of thing, which, in my experience, doesn’t always work.

Thankfully, the hard part’s behind her, and Minnie’s taking things slowly as per her doctor’s orders. She is a bit disappointed that she can’t swim with us though. But that doesn’t mean she can’t wade in the water, which she says is the next best thing since she won’t miss out too much.

Emmaline also had some problems pop up from an old injury, as well as “the usual”, and she’s slowly getting back on her feet. Earlier this year she had her meds changed to something stronger because her old meds weren’t working for her anymore. This is the third time she’s had to change her pills since she started taking them over 10 years ago, so she’s used to this whole routine.

Basically, during the second time around, her doctor had her stop taking a certain prescription because they felt she no longer needed it, and she was happy about that. After all, the less pills she has to take, the better. So she was able to go by for a few years without any problems. But then she began having problems and it was negatively impacting her day to day life, so her doctor put her something similar, but more stronger.

And as with all meds, there are side effects to watch out for. In Emmaline’s case, an antipsychotic, it’ll also take a while before it kicks in. So there really wasn’t much for her to do because there was no predicting what’ll happen. And Emmaline being Emmaline, I’m sure she was pretty restless during that time.

There’s nothing worse than knowing that you have shit to get done, but your brain refuses to focus, so you end up accomplishing nothing and feeling guilty about it. Sometimes doing things is hard, I don’t fully trust people who claim that they can simply just get up and do something without ever struggling. Like, what the fuck goes on in your brain that makes you suddenly decide that you can’t function to do the bare minimum?

Anyway. while Emmaline was dealing with meds, she had another thing to worry about as well. Like with the meds, this was also not entirely unexpected, but that doesn’t make it any less worrying. It has to do with “Lefty”, the one with the detached retina that took that required two surgeries to fix. While she’s lucky that they were able to restore most of her vision, it’s something she has to be careful about as there’s a likely chance the retina could detach again since it’s fragile. And if it does, there’s no guarantee if a third surgery’s gonna help. So there’s no point in taking unnecessary risks.

Apparently, people who are nearsighted - like really, really nearsighted - are at risk for retinal detachment. I know that because that’s what a doctor told me because my left eye - ha, what a coincidence - is super nearsighted. As in, on most of those scale thingies online that show you the degrees of myopia/nearsightedness and how it looks, I’m slightly off that scale. The highest is usually -6 and I happen to be -6.5. Go figure.

That being said, I don’t think I should be too worried. At least, my eye doctor hasn’t said anything other than keeping up with routine checkups. And it’s not like I would do anything that would increase my chances of an injury. Though it can just happen by itself, which I hope is very uncommon, but idk. It’s just one of those things where it’s probably unlikely, but you’re at a slightly higher risk than most.

Up until a few months ago, Emmaline hasn’t had any problems with Lefty. Then she began getting headaches while wearing her glasses, which she found she had to wear more frequently. Before, she really only wears them when she’s driving as she could go without them for pretty much everything else.

After having to going through two surgeries, it makes sense for Emmaline to be vigilant. I mean, imagine getting whacked around - something that used to happen fairly regularly for her back then - and instead of getting back up as usual, you can’t for some reason. Emmaline also ended up with a bloody nose that was thankfully not broken, but she was more confused about why her vision looked like someone put duct tape on her.

That was how she described it, and basically the first thing she asked when she got up. It’s one of those things she an Minnie kinda joke about these days, but it really was scary for them at the time. Lenny and the StarGazers were there too and they were also worried. Minnie called her mom, who then told everyone not to panic because they had to take Emmaline to the ER.

And Emmaline’s father was out on tour with Clover and Sheena, so imagine how freaked out they were when they got the call. Lenny ended up being the one who made the call because Minnie was with Emmaline, and he’s not really the kind of person who’s suited to do that kind of thing. Though, to be fair, how do you break it to your friend’s father, “Hey, um… your daughter bashed her head pretty badly. But she’s okay! Buuuuut she needs emergency surgery right away. Sorry to bother you! Byeee!”

Fortunately, Lefty’s doing fine and just needs a stronger prescription. That’s good to hear. Along with getting new glasses, Emmaline also got a prescription monocle, which she plans to wear more often. She decorated hers with a cute bunny charm and pastel beads to compliment her new hair. I think it looks very cute and very Emmaline!

Now that her hair’s grown past her shoulders, she’s dyed one side light pink and the other side light green. It’s a look that I feel like is hard for most people to pull off, not to mention something that most wouldn’t have the courage to even try. On Emmaline though, I think she looks great, especially with the side ponytail tied with a lace ribbon. It might look weird on most people, but she can definitely pull it off.

Ying and Hua have been busy with their music, having completed their second duo album and are now on the early stages of a third one. Moon and Stars was fantastic, so I’ve been keeping a close eye out for Iridescence. They’ve teased bits and pieces on their socials and the lead single, The Sound of a Voice, is coming out next week. I can’t wait to play it on repeat!

Xiang, Lan, Ying, and Hua are also using this visit as an opportunity to spar and brush up on their combat skills. Lan’s a badass on greatsword and the stories of her fighting a sea monster, while often exaggerated, is one of those things where you didn’t really need to embellish things anyway. She shrugs it off like it’s nothing, but I think it’s a pretty big deal!

While I’m aware that it’s required for adventurers to have basic combat skills, it surprises me that a chef and two artists would possess such talents. Hua took up spear fighting to improve her dancing, as well as learn some self defense. She just started out by taking classes where she learned the basics. Then she began incorporating her dance moves, which later caught Shen’s attention when she was practicing by the mountains. He then offered to train her for a time to help her fully incorporate dance and spear fighting into her own art.

Watching Hua wield her spear and effortlessly parry against her friends has been mesmerizing. It really is like watching a dance! The way she moves so gracefully while her hits are forceful - it’s hard to believe that she’s just a performer with those skills!

Xiang also wields a spear, though she calls it a polearm. She says there’s not much to it, she started out by taking classes when she was little Most kids played sports, she chose combat. When she was older, she was trained by her Master, a retired warrior who inspired Xiang to travel the world. In contrast to Hua, Xiang’s fighting style is full of short and quick movements.

She also does this super cool move where she charges forwards and sort of spins, kinda like a drill. Apparently, it’s good for dealing with groups of small monsters. I don’t know why, but I kinda picture it like her being a bowling ball and the monsters being the pins that get knocked over. While it’s a cool move to show off, Xiang says it’s not practical in most situations, which she finds a bummer since she invented that move. She hopes to create brand new moves like her Master did, but it’s really hard to not only think of something and commit to it, especially when it’s something you have to do over and over again.

Lan and Ying wield greatswords, and both were self taught. Ying pretty much picked it up by chance because she was bored. Swinging a greatsword came naturally to her since she’s used to swinging axes on her grandparents’s farm. She said she found that she wasn’t good with ranged weapons while she found the sword to be too light and a spear to be unwieldy because of the length. And like Hua, she thought to incorporate some of her combat skills into her performances.

In contrast to spears, Ying’s hits are heavy and impactful. She can also use her powers to summon a shield to protect herself and her teammates. So she’s one of the few who attacks and protects. Compared to Xiang and Lan though, she sees herself as more of a support. While her hits are slower, she makes it up by moving quickly and summoning her shield at the right moments.

Lan is as badass and as mesmerizing as it gets. Yeah, I can totally picture her as someone who fought head-on with a sea monster. From the way she effortlessly leaps and swings her weapon, it doesn’t look that heavy. The way I would describe her fighting style is fierce, like the rolling waves of a stormy sea.

Eiko doesn’t really have much experience in combat aside from basic self defense, so they’re hoping to learn more from Lan. So far, they haven’t decided on a weapon yet. They’re not even sure if they prefer melee or ranged. I think it’s one of those things where you have to rely on trial and error.

While this event’s about finding little treasures in the sand, the bonfire is what ties everything together. A warm and cozy fire with drinks and food is a good way to unwind, as well as open up, especially when you have company.

Of course, Lan drank the most as she can hold her alcohol pretty well. Eiko came second, which Lan finds surprising as she’s never seem them let loose like that. The rest of us - at least me - had only a few drinks, just enough to feel buzzed.

(Hopefully I won’t pay the price when I wake up tomorrow… Not that I’m the kind of person who drinks a lot and wakes up with a hangover the next morning.)

Like I mention, Eiko came as a surprise. Basically, we went from knowing a little about them, to pretty much their whole life’s story. And I have to say, I feel for Eiko and what they’ve been through, especially after learning more about their former home life.

Even though I’m not sure how to feel about someone I don’t know too well (yet) drunk traumadumping, I hope it was at least kinda cathartic for Eiko. I mean, I didn’t feel the need to step in - not that it was in my place to do so - and neither did Lan, who’s closest to them. Eiko’s got a lot on their mind, so I think it did them some good to let some of that anger and resentment out.

So, now we have more context as to why Eiko wanted to become a vampire. Let’s just say being dissatisfied with life is an understatement. And the thing about Eiko’s parents wanting them dead is a bit of an oversimplification, though not an exaggeration. It really is a lot to unpack, so I get why Eiko didn’t go into too much detail at first, especially since it took some time for me to sort out what they revealed.

To start, Eiko’s mother married twice. Her first marriage was to Eiko’s father, who had a daughter, Nana, from a previous marriage. When Eiko was around 13, their parents split, and their father basically blackmailed Eiko to agree to joint custody as that would be the only way they’d be allowed to see Nana. In other words, their father sounds like a piece of shit.

A lot of Eiko’s anger is obviously directed at him and it’s understandable why they can never forgive him. Nana confessed to them that their father had been abusing her and that he reportedly drove her mother to suicide. And because of him keeping a close eye on Nana, she and Eiko resorted to sneaking around.

Eiko said they felt guilt for not being able to save her, which obviously isn’t their fault since they were young. They said they watched their father tear Nana down into a shadow of her old self. And then she killed herself, having sent a suicide note to Eiko in their secret hiding spot, apologizing for not being a better older sibling.

To make matters worse, the father acted like it was nothing. Eiko’s mother eventually confronted him about Nana’s whereabouts after he kept brushing it off. Eiko said they got upset, as did their mother, and he just laughed them off. And if that’s not bad enough, he made Eiko take Nana’s ashes and flush them down the toilet, saying that Nana’s where she belongs and Eiko’s welcome to join her if they want. What the fuck.

Since then, Eiko hasn’t seen or spoken to him. They don’t count the attempted murder. While they believe that their mother and stepfather were truly deceived by that shady cop, they’re pretty sure their father just wants them dead. He tried to turn Eiko into his ideal son, only to lose interest when he realized they were nothing alike. They also speculate that it’s also why he mistreated Nana, because he saw her as inferior for being a daughter.

Unlike his father, Eiko has high hopes that their mother and stepfather would be more accepting of them once the misunderstanding’s cleared. They describe them as kinda out of touch, but they will eventually accept Eiko being a genderfluid vampire. If that’s the case, then I hope things get cleared up sooner rather than later.

Although a lot of what Eiko revealed about themselves is pretty heavy stuff, there’s also lighter tidbits of info too. Lore drops, as Xiang called them. Like how Eiko named themselves after one of their favorite singers. Or how when they first started sneaking out at night with Sari, their idea of rebellion at the time was sneaking into R rated movies and then playing video games the whole time. Or how they realized they were genderfluid after meeting Butterfly, a vampire with a cute face and a super deep voice who finds it amusing when people act baffled about their gender.

One thing that Eiko said that stuck out to me the most was something they said about sea glass being like wishes. The way they describe it, wishes have no rhyme or reason, so they kinda just float aimlessly. So it doesn’t hurt to make a wish, because even if they’re just whims, you put it into the world just by thinking about it. And sometimes, just knowing that it’s there can help, especially when it comes to things that you can’t control, so all you can really do is wait and see.

Read on AO3

[emmychee]

We Got You - Aether/own chracters self-indulgent fic

Autistic/She!Reader + Sam and Frank (PLATONIC)

2,484 words

Warning: autistic meltdown, possible mentions of ableism, characters getting hurt.

Meltdowns, you cannot be with them; you cannot be without them. You feel them almost each day when the triggers rise, be it overlapped noises, change in your routine, taking things to heart, or when something doesn’t feel right. They are unbearable for you, as they are unbearable to everyone else, who sees them as “unruly”, “immature”, and that you “needed to be controlled”. Even the stares are not as helpful nor even comforting when you experience a meltdown of any kind in public.

You are a woman and meltdowns are seen as “hysteria” to them. But they don’t know, or even if they do, they don’t completely understand, the fact you are an autistic woman, who are said to mask easily and clearly than those who cannot. But even then, masking during a meltdown does not go hand in hand, nor that it helps. At all.

Yet, you control them and sometimes they go away, and if they don’t at least you have your four friends to help. They help by taking you away from whoever or whatever is causing the meltdown, making it worse, or both. They take you into quieter, safer places and stay at your side after the storm has passed. Addie, Mal, Frank, and Sam, all four are on your side, always telling you your best days to reassure the worst. They are the best friends you have if nobody else is not.

*

What has been a normal day has continued to being another one of those days with pandemonium. You originally came to town for a wander round and have brought yourself some books to have a read from the bookstore, books that are comforting for you. Now the afternoon lingers by with a gut-feeling that something feels wrong to you. Once you have come out of the bookshop, there it is. Another meltdown.

There are so many people, and with so many people come with so many noises; vehicles honking, dogs barking, people chatting, all each louder to hear. The noises may be normal to them but for you it is like crossing a minefield with a lot of the mines already gone off, banging the air with explosions. At one point you want to turn around for the bookshop and stay there until it feels calmer, but you are certain it will be just as busy, in fact it was growing busy by the time you have left the checkout.

The bag of books you are carrying drops on the ground with a soft pat, your knees are glued together, and your feet spread out. You hide your face creasing with the fighting against the hot tears eager to come out with your long dangling fringe.

Now you are aware that people are staring at you. Murmurs are low but do not sound comforting, some are even doused with annoyance because of seeing a woman like you looking like she is about to explode with emotions at any second. You want to scream but that would create a bigger scene, only the tears down your face are screaming, and only you can hear them scream.

There are shouts and then a sound clatter of metal cans tumbling across the ground, somewhere. You do not know where.

You want to run away, pick up your bag of books and run, but your feet are fixed on the ground not budging an inch, even if people are walking by. Then, your feet give way, and your body slides its way down for the pavement… until a pair of hands catch you before the ground could. Yet, the only thing you feel pain is when your ankle twists to one side from the contact. Just a small tinge.

‘Let me go!’ you cry, trying to throw your arm free. The hands hold on, and then wrap themselves around your waist, as you are pulled inwards to something soft. ‘Let me go!’ you try again, louder this time.

‘It’s okay, Y/N,’ whispers a familiar voice, ‘we got you.’

That voice is indeed familiar, and you look up… facing Sam standing at your side with now both his arms on you. He has caught you from falling to the ground when your meltdown was at its peak. That is better than anyone else. He helps you up to a straight line, squeezing you close by his side. You look around and there is Frank in front, staring at nearby people who are standing and staring, and for some reason is covered almost head to foot with some dark coloured substance, paint, or tar? You cannot tell.

‘We suggest that you lot must go,’ Sam announces to the public, firmly. ‘And leave her with us.’

The people around are murmuring again. You shut your eyes tightly and cover your ears with both hands. You do not want to get Sam and Frank into trouble.

It has not felt like under a minute until you feel your whole body being carefully hoisted carried bridal style into Sam’s arms, as he watches the bystanders turn and leave after one last warning from Frank now carrying Old Faithful in both hands. It is not like him to carry his blunderbuss in public, especially it could let some heads turn. He is not a brave person to do such a thing, even for the sake of friends and you.

You watch Sam, still carrying you, turn for a quieter space, into a small alleyway. You can hear Frank hurrying behind, panting and coughing. You hear him mutter, ‘she doesn’t look good. We gotta get home.’ And that is the last thing you hear before closing your eyes again.

*

Opening your eyes, you find yourself lying on a soft padding, wrapped in a warm cocoon of blankets with your head nestled atop thick, fluffy pillows. You look around, lying within the sofa bed in the living room. You look around and the bag of books you have bought are sitting on a small table. There is a smell coming from the kitchen, something that smells sweet. There is chatter somewhere but sounds better than what must have been heard outside. Sounds like Mal and Addie are in the kitchen, talking with Sam. They sound sad. They must have heard about your meltdown.

You hear the shuffling of a limp along with a brief strong smell of paint. Someone is coming towards you, looming over the bed with low groans and complaints. You let out a whimper, pulling the thick blanket over your head in case whoever it is will turn away. You wait and wait for that moment to pass. Then you feel a touch against the blanket… you let out another whimper.

‘Hey, hey, Y/N,’ whispers a soft voice, a hand rubbing over your shoulder. ‘Easy. It’s only me.’

That sounds like Frank. You push the blanket away from your face and it is indeed Frank. His body is still covered with that dark coloured substance you saw back in town, from his face, hair, and beard, and over his brown coat and his two-tone orange cardigan underneath. From the ceiling’s light it looks to be a brown colour. And it looks like he has got himself in a slapstick show. Yet he stares at you with those glossy brown eyes and his sweet smile.

‘F-Frank?’ you manage to say, if in a whisper. ‘You’re all filthy. What happened to you?’

You see his eyes look away and his smile loosens with a tinge of embarrassment. ‘I had a lil’ accident while on the way to rescue you. It ain’t easy running with a wooden limb you see, and I bet the painters are really upset to see that some of their paint is gone.’

You chuckle lightly, carefully pushing up on the bed, and then you rest your back against the pillows. You run your hands over each other, your mind tracing on what has been happening today, your meltdown, the people around you, and then when Frank and Sam came to your rescue. You try to hold back tears daring to come out.

‘Hey, Y/N,’ coos a voice, and looking up Sam comes out of the kitchen. ‘You feel any better?’ He quickly glances down at the mug he is holding in one hand. ‘I’ve made some cocoa with milk cooked from the stove, just how you like it. Best to let it cool down for a bit.’ He puts the mug of hot cocoa on a small table next to the sofa bed and sits on top of the blanket.

The sweet smell of the cocoa tickles your nose, and you can no longer hold on. Tears trickle down your cheek and you try to wipe them away with your hand. This warm gesture from the two have been nothing but kind that you just want to cry your heart out.

‘I shouldn’t have made such a scene back there.’ You mutter. ‘What I did was stupid.’

‘Don’t say that.’ Sam counters, rubbing his hand over your shoulder. ‘It grew chaotic, and you weren’t feeling comfortable. Glad I managed to catch you before the ground gave you a graze.’

‘I suppose so. Usually, I hold back the emotions while in public and let it out with you as comfort. I’ve been stupid to let you two run the risk.’ You shift a glance at Frank, referring to the mess he is still in. You can see him shrug nervously. ‘I’m sorry to have let you get involved.’

‘We had to cause we’re your friends. Best friends always worry over one another.’

‘Yeah, Y/N,’ Frank agrees, ‘we do our part to make sure you’re okay after a meltdown, even if it involves getting ourselves in trouble.’ He lifts his hand and gently strokes along your cheek. ‘We were worried about you, sweetie. We wanted to get you outta there, like always in these situations. So, don’t fret a lot about nothin’.’

Your nostrils grow hoarse from your sniffles, as you glance between Frank and Sam, both giving their gentle smiles while remaining at your side. Such kind words the two of them said has made your chest relax even if just a little for you are still recovering from the ordeal. You pull Frank’s hand back to your cheek for more strokes and see his grin at you growing wider along with a chuckle bubbling from his lips.

You want to hold them both, that is what you want now. You want to hold them both as thanks for their gesture. You want to hold them both and not let go until necessary. But of course, seeing the paint all over Frank… that is a problem.

‘I better go and get washed up,’ Frank says, getting up from his seat. ‘All this paint is stickin’ into me like glue. I’ll be back down, okay?’

‘Okay.’ As Frank heads for the bathroom upstairs, you glance around the quiet living room with Sam to keep you company. The cocoa should be cooler to drink now. You take the mug in both hands and take a sip; the chocolate taste is creamy and sweet. You do like your cocoa made with hot milk cooked from the stove, it is the best taste.

As you drink your cocoa, Mal and Addie race into the living room, and their eyes fall onto you.

‘Hey, there you are, Y/N!’ cries Mal, beaming. ‘We heard about your meltdown.’

‘Must have been a hard one to deal with, huh?’ asks Addie.

You nod. ‘Yeah. But Sam and Frank got me outta there.’

‘Yep. Saw Frank come in looking like he got into a vat of molasses! Not that he’d ever do that, despite liking the sweet stuff.’

You laugh lightly for Addie does make you laugh with her little antics. You gulp down the rest of the cocoa and set down the empty mug back on top of the small table.

Frank comes down the stairs with some struggle, and into the living room looking like a better person than before. He is dressed in a grey long-sleeved shirt, a pair of baggy brown trousers and a single red sock for his left foot. His hair is wet from the shower, damping his shoulders, but clean from the sticky substance.

‘There, you’re lookin’ much better now, Frankie!’ Addie states with a cocked eyebrow. ‘Didn’t want you to eat supper looking like you’ve been caught in slapstick.’

‘Yeah, I didn’t think it was a good idea. How long is it going to be?’

‘Since we’re ordering pizza, I think about twenty minutes by now for them to get here.’ Mal turns to you. ‘I’ve got your favourite, Y/N, and even ordered us some cookies to share too.’

You smile at the nice gesture. ‘That’s good.’

‘While we’re at it, Addie, could you help me set out the table?’

‘Alright then. I was wanting to play some video games like we promised, but better get that out of the way.’

As Mal and Addie head for the kitchen to start their preps, you are left with Sam and Frank. But that is okay, because you want to be with them. You snuggle into the depths of the blankets, resting your head on the pillows.

‘Thanks for bringing me back here, you two.’

‘No problem, Y/N.’ Sam smiles. ‘We’re your friends, and if you ever feel those sorts of things happening again, those meltdowns, you know we’ll come running, alright?’

‘Yeah.’ You feel your eyes grow heavy, feeling like wanting to rest them before pizza arrives. You glance between Sam and Frank with your hands running over the blankets, murmuring something.

‘What is it, Y/N?’

You mumble again with a smile slowly growing on your face.

‘You want us to stay with you?’

You nod your head against the pillows. ‘Can you?’

Sam and Frank look at each other and then back at you, smiling. ‘Sure.’

They clamber themselves up, with luckily enough space for the three of you. Sam is on your right and Frank on your left. They put their arms around you, pulling closer to your side. This is just right you think to yourself, looking at them with tired but smiling eyes. Sam nuzzles his face into yours. Frank playfully tickles your nose. Adorable little gestures.

‘Sorry,’ you murmur. ‘Sorry if rescuing me was troubling.’

‘It’s no trouble at all, Y/N.’ replies Sam.

‘Yeah,’ Frank nods, ‘even if I was a klutz to help Sam sweep you from the scene. We do it cause we love you.’

A laugh bubbles from your lips. ‘And I love you both.’

The three of you remain in the bed together after what has been harrowing to you and harrowing to them being the ones who got you out of the funk in town. At least once the door rings and pizza has finally arrived.

[greeneyezblackheart]

I DID IT. I LISTENED TO THE ACOUSTIC VERSION OF NOVEMBER RAIN.

And here are my thoughts on it. *Clears throat*.

It was very beautiful, of course. However, I still prefer the original. I am NOTORIOUS for preferring faster moving songs over slow ones. And November Rain was never fast to begin with. That being said, the slowness of the whole thing was low key painful at times. Please hear me out- I am NOT saying I didn’t like it. I loved it and thought it was beautiful in its own way. (That’s going to be me with any song, though. I like a few love songs, but the majority of slow really songs bore me to tears. This is nothing against this version of this song- I’d say the same about anything else.) I AM saying that I preferred the album version. Of course, any “final draft”, per se, or more developed version of a song is going to sound better than the “rough draft” if that makes sense. Again, I’m not saying I didn’t like it. For what it was, it was amazing. Please don’t take that the wrong way, I don’t think you will 🙂

Because the instrumentals were quieter, and slower-moving, that was hands-down the clearest I’ve ever heard Axl’s voice. Although his voice is prominent to say the least, sometimes instruments kind of drown out his voice in other songs. Not drown out. Just kind of distract the listeners from his voice, I guess? I don’t know, it’s hard to explain and I suck at explaining things. Bottom line, this is the clearest I’ve ever heard his voice, and probably the only time I’ve ever been able to focus solely on him. I was reminded of what a unique voice he has. Listening to this brought my attention back to Axl for a while. While I always get distracted by Slash’s guitar, or Steven’s drums, this brought my focus back to Axl for at least one song. And he sounded amazing singing it.

It was interesting to hear parts of the chorus that didn’t make the final cut. It’s like finding a deleted scenes collection on one of your favorite movies 😂 In addition, it was interesting to hear the first little hints of the guitar solos that hadn’t been fully developed yet. With this, we got to hear the first little glimmers of the guitar solos we all know and love from an acoustic guitar. In a way, it was like a completely different song! You got to hear something familiar in a whole new way, and it was a whole new experience. When you listen to this, then listen to the original to compare and contrast, you can see how far they had come since November Rain was first ”born”, per se, to make it the world-famous song it is now, and has been for the past 30 or so years. I have a feeling they knew they were making something special ☺️

Thank you so much for sharing it with me, Shells! I enjoyed listening to it very much, as well as giving you my thoughts! I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner! I’ve had a busy week 😂 Have a good day!! 🖤

I like the album version better, too. November Rain is one of my favorite songs EVER. It’s completely EPIC and I’ll fight anyone who says different, lol. That song was Axl’s baby, and believe it or not, some of the other guys weren’t that crazy about it (*ahem* SLASH). They thought all the extra production that went into it (think, synthesizers, strings, etc) was unnecessary. Plus, it took forever for Axl to finish writing it. He began writing that song before they even became discovered, I believe. I think it’s one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard.

[nyotasaimiri]

Arc Two (redux) 72

(the first chapter of the new year!)

As soon as Nyota and Arrowmail were out of earshot, Sonny spun on her heel to glare at Arjun, glowing fiercely. “Now, Gramps, I told her it ain’t gonna take long, and it ain’t. You’re gonna go apologize to the Captain for havin’ a go at her.”

Arjun put a thickly gloved hand on her head. “I’ll do that if we all get out of here safely. She knows that.”

Sonny glowed brighter and hissed, but couldn’t actually find anything wrong with that statement and deflated a bit. “Really, old man, why’d you do it? We were doin’ just fine, weren’t we?”  

Arjun ruffled Sonny’s corona slowly. “Because we weren’t just fine, Sonny. Because I can’t remember the woman I followed out here.”

Sonny reached up to pinch his cheeks and he grunted in surprise. “Why don’t ya open your eyes then, Gramps? She’s still there, right there.”

The old man sighed, shook his head, and checked to make sure no one had come back to listen in on their conversation. “Sonny, with what I’ve seen… I’m old. You know that.”

“Sure. What’s that got to do with it?” Sonny tucked her hands behind her head like Hadley always did when she was talking back to Nyota.

“It means I’ve seen way too much in my long life. Cut that out.” There was no venom in his command as Arjun ruffled her corona again. He could feel her starting to relax, and that was a good thing. This was easier when he could talk reasonably. Easier to pretend it was just words. “Spent my whole life working mines, smelters, metal shipping, you name it. Always the underling, never the boss, which is fine by me. I don’t want that on my head. Thing is, it’s too heavy for some people.” Arjun gestured aimlessly with his free hand, trying to catch the words. He had never really tried to explain this before, and words were always hard, even when they were easy.

Sonny felt the stress, somehow, and calmed down to a soft and warm flicker. She took Arjun’s hand off her head and held it tight between both of hers. “You coulda talked to one of us before it came to this,” she told him, very quiet.

Arjun sighed again, much quieter and much more tired. “No, Sonny, I couldn’t have.” He found the words, and the memory found him. “See, I’ve had bad bosses. The kind that would fire you at a word, and sometimes the kind that would bury the evidence. Some that snapped so hard it’s like they stopped being themselves. Like they stopped existing. Just a monster in a person’s skin.”

Sonny dimmed down, even her eternal quiet hum going dull and nearly out. “…you’re scared.”

“That’s right.” Weight rolled off his chest as he finally said it out loud.

“You’re scared that’s happened to our Nyota,” Sonny said slowly. She squeezed his hand once, letting hers warm and ease the pain and age that always settled into his joints. “That’s why all this… Are you testin’ her?”

“I guess I am,” Arjun admitted. He shook his head. “It isn’t like I want her to be someone else, Sonny. That would mean our Nyota was gone.” It stung so deep in his throat to finally voice it, but it healed somehow, too. Someone else taking the weight off. “…it’s not me that I am afraid for.”

She made a soft creaking noise, like the heat sigh of cooling iron. “Oh.”

Arjun squeezed her hand back. “Yeah.”

They stood quietly there for a few minutes in the still stone room, cold wind from one side, stars seen through the gate arc but just out of reach. Arjun patted Sonny’s shoulder. “Time to catch up. Don’t want them forgetting us.”

Sonny fizzed and took his hand in hers. “More like settin’ an ambush on the other side, huh? You know Captain an’ her snowballs. She’d knock your cap right off.” Sonny swung her free fist with a crackling paff.

Arjun snorted. “She could try.” He felt lighter somehow. Sonny had that effect, she really did. If she wanted to pretend things were still normal, he could do that, for her sake. He owed her that much.

Arrowmail was easy to find. He stood near the entrance of the cold chamber, watching the room with nervously bright eyes. “Frightened,” he said when he saw them, “the Captain went further in. They haven’t made any attempt to attack her yet, though. Or me…”

Arjun checked to make sure he had his heavy wrench on hand. Nyota might’ve looked at him odd for it, but it felt better in his hand than any mace, let alone gun. “Well,” he said grimly, “let’s go back her up.”

[genshin-obsessed]

Happy Birthday (y/n) | Genshin Impact Girls

Ok, it's my birthday and this is a little self-indulgent so don't @ me, I already exposed myself. Anyway, I hope you like it <3 It took like 3 days to complete this :') they do get repetitive, but you're only supposed to read one-

[Guys here]

Characters: Amber, Baal, Beidou, Eula, Ganyu, Jean, Ayaka, Keqing, Kujou Sara, Lisa, Lumine, Mona, Ningguang, Noelle, Sangonomiya Kokomi, Rosaria, Xinyan, Yae Miko, and Yoimiya.

She frowned, realizing how late it was already. You would definitely be asleep by the time she got home. she really didn’t mean to be so late, yet here she was, getting home way after sundown.

she opened the door and walked in, seeing your sleeping face right there on the couch. You always waited for her to come home and today wasn’t any different.

she sighed as she moved towards you after locking the door. she got down on her knees, a small frown on her face.

✩ Amber

“Aw, man… I guess I’m not as fast as I thought. I guess I’ll have to make it up to you later today. Hey, did you know (y/n), I have the coolest date set up for us? All your favorites and whatnot. You’ve been so busy recently, you know? And I’ve really missed you. I’m glad we’ll both have some time tomorrow. I think we need it. Aside from it being your special day, but also as bonding, you know? Oh man, I’m really just talking to myself, huh? Cuz you’re asleep and whatnot. Ok, um… sleep well. I can’t wait to spend time with you tomorrow. Happy birthday and I love you.”

✩ Baal

“As I thought. You’d be asleep. I don’t know why you insist on waiting for me when you know I’ll always be home late. More often than not, I find you already sleep and on this uncomfortable couch no less. I suppose I should be grateful… you don’t have to, yet you do it regardless. Heh… you’re pretty cute, you know that? You look so peaceful when you’re asleep like that… I swear to you, (y/n)... I will build a world that’s always so peaceful for you. So that you may never experience any pain… so that you’re always smiling, so that you can always sleep just as peacefully as now. Ah- I’m getting off-topic. Happy birthday, my sweet.”

✩ Beidou

“I knew, dammit… you fell asleep. Sorry, I’m late, babe. I guess I could make it up to you tomorrow… but I wanna say this now. Even though you’re not exactly awake. Thank you for staying with me and loving me. We’ve been together for almost four years now and I just- I sometimes can’t understand why you’re still here. Not that there’s anything wrong with me but… there’s so much to explore in the world. So much to see and do, yet you’re still here with me. I just… love you so much that I can’t even comprehend it sometimes. Weird, right? Oh! The point of this was because… here… I wanted to give this to you before you went to bed but hey, maybe you’ll like it when you wake up. It’s not the prettiest ring, but it looked beautiful to me. So, I hope you’ll like it. I love you… and happy birthday.”

✩ Eula

“Ugh, I knew it! I was gonna be late! Oh- I should be a little quieter- no, no, no don’t wake up… oh phew. I’m… sorry for being late. I really thought I would be on time, but I guess I was wrong. WAY wrong. But! I’ll make it up to you tomorrow, I swear. I have a wonderful date planned, we’ll have nice food, drinks- huh… wow… you look so peaceful and pretty. You know, your smile is my favorite thing to see. Ever. So always smile for me, ok? No matter what, because if I can see your smiling face, then I can handle anything. Happy birthday, my little snowflake.”

✩ Ganyu

“So cute… you’re so adorable when you sleep. Oh but I should be apologizing for being so late. I was supposed to be here hours ago to wish you a happy birthday right at midnight. But here I am… well past 3am. I guess I can do it now. Happy birthday, I love you.”

✩ Jean

“Oh no. I knew I shouldn’t have stayed over time but I decided it would help everyone tomorrow. And I even brought you flowers… I suppose I could always give them to you tomorrow. I mean that’s my only choice, I’m not going to wake you up. I really wished I could’ve said this earlier but… happy birthday, my dandelion flower…”

✩ Kamisato Ayaka

“I’m not even sure why I thought you’d be up. It’s already so late. I was thinking about telling Thoma to cover for an hour while I came back home to wish you a happy birthday, but I decided against it. And here’s my punishment for that. You really shouldn’t sleep on this couch, it’s not very comfortable… but you do look so very peaceful. Let’s get you to bed, my love. Oh and happy birthday.”

✩ Keqing

“Happy birthday… I was supposed to say that to you hours ago, but I suppose now isn’t that bad. Thank you for staying with me as long as you have… I mean we’ve been through five of your birthdays already. And here’s a sixth. I thought it would be time… so tomorrow… um… say yes, ok? Please say yes. I’ll make you the happiest person in the world.”

✩ Kujou Sara

“The bedroom is literally 40 feet away, yet you insist on falling asleep on this terrible sofa. I’ve told you time and time again just wait in our bedroom so that in the event you fall asleep you can- *sigh* am I really lecturing you? On your birthday no less. I suppose since it’s your special day… I’ll let it slide. Be prepared for tomorrow, it took me all year to plan and execute actually so I hope you’ll like it. I love you, little bird.”

✩ Lisa

“Oh, I knew you’d be right here, sweetie. I’m not surprised, you always insist on waiting for me. Normally, I’m never this late. I’m sure you were very worried too… hm I really hope you weren’t super anxious when you fell asleep. You’ll get nightmares like that. Well, I’ll be here to ease any nightmares… happy birthday, light of my life. I hope you enjoy what I have in store for you tomorrow. I love you.”

✩ Lumine

"Oh you're asleep already, I guess I should have known. I'll have to apologize better when you wake up but for now, I'd just like to say happy birthday (y/n). Out of everyone I've met you've tried to help me find my brother the most. I can't thank you more for that, you're so kind and caring to me more than I think I deserve. Happy birthday (y/n) I hope you enjoy your present when you wake up. I love you forever and always~"

✩ Mona

“I’m… sorry. Gosh, I’m really sorry. I wanted to be here before you fell asleep but I couldn’t do it. I suppose there’s no crying about it now, I always tomorrow to make it up to you. Thank you for everything you’ve given me, I swear to give you all of me too. You’re so special to me- so special. And I cherish- oh wait, I should tell you this tomorrow when you’re actually awake! Good night, my star. Sleep well. I love you and happy birthday.”

✩ Ningguang

“No matter how much I tell you, you always insist on waiting for me. It’s one of the cutest things about you and I adore you for it. Thank you for trying my love. But tonight, I shall take the blame. I was so late, you fell asleep. But worry not tomorrow, I shall make it up to you. I hope you’re excited because I am. I love you.”

✩ Noelle

“You’re… asleep… no. You weren’t supposed to fall asleep. Ah- I can’t wake you up now. I wanted to wish you a happy birthday and give you your gift, I was even going to- oh. I mean, I do have all day tomorrow so it’s not that big of a deal but I really wished I could've said it earlier. Anyway, sleep well. I love you, birthday baby.”

✩ Sangonomiya Kokomi

“Oh dear, you’ve fallen asleep. I should’ve known, but I decided to be a little stubborn. No matter, I already have tomorrow prepared and I know for a fact I can make up for this little mishap. Hehe… say (y/n)… you ever think about getting married? I hope you’ll say yes… because I’m proposing tomorrow. Not in front of a crowd, of course. In private. So be ready, cutie. I love you and happy birthday~”

✩ Rosaria

“You’re so lucky it’s already your birthday or I would scold you for trying to stay up when you knew I’d be late. The fact that I was planning on surprising you and failed is beside the point. You look so peaceful, I feel bad for even thinking about scolding you. Well, I have a surprise for you tomorrow. So I hope you’ll like it, I got all your favorites. Happy birthday, my sweet. Love you.”

✩ Xinyan

“Aw damn! I thought I’d make it in time, but I couldn’t. I had a song prepared for you, did you know? Well, of course, you didn’t. It was a surprise. I planned on singing it to you right at midnight but since I’m late and you’re asleep… I’ll sing it to you tomorrow. I hope you’ll like it. You were my inspiration after all. Happy birthday, my love.”

✩ Yae Miko

“Asleep… as expected. And here I thought I could actually beat time. Forgive me, my love, for being late. I wanted to be here right on time but alas, things came up and I couldn’t get away from them. I tried, yet it wasn’t enough. No matter, I’ll make it up to you tomorrow. I promise. I hope you’ll be well-rested for it. I love you and happy birthday.”

✩ Yoimiya

“Aw, you’re asleep. It’s ok, I heard you had a long day. I’m not sure how long you managed to stay up, but I would’ve preferred if you’d fallen asleep in bed. Hey, (y/n), are you ready to have your mind blown? Tomorrow, you’ll see the best fireworks show in the history of fireworks and they’re all for you. I want you to see how much I love you. Tomorrow, we have a busy day so you better be well-rested. I love you, my firework. Happy birthday.”

☽ ☾

Her hand pushed your hair out of the way before her thumb brushed over your cheek. She leaned in, pressing a kiss to your lips for a brief moment before pulling away and gazing at your soft features.

So beautiful- that’s the only way she could ever come to describe you. You were the light of her life and you made her so happy she could never find a way to put it into words. But she would surely try.

Quietly standing up, she ever so gently lifted you into her arms and walked towards your shared bedroom. She was definitely going to make it up to you for being late tonight.

[astaroth1357]

Demon Brothers Getting Possessive at the Club

… I can explain. Or, well, no I can't. But this exists now anyway so enjoy?

Warnings: Possessive Behavior, Yandere-ish, Violence

Intro: The MC and their favorite demon were just trying to have a fun night out at The Fall. The lights were going, the music was blaring, and the two of them were by the bar but there was a problem. Their demon noticed a sketchy creep who'd been eyeing their human all night long… and that simply won't do. So when their human left to use the bathroom…

It was time to take care of the problem.

Lucifer

Though Lucifer was usually less than into the club scene, the MC wanted a change of pace from their usual dates and he did so want to make them happy… At first, he thought he'd just be dealing with the loud noise and crowded atmosphere but then he noticed something else…

A demon had been following them through most of the night, always keeping his distance but staring at the MC far too much for his liking…

This put Lucifer in a bit of an odd position. He didn't exactly want to leave the club because the MC didn't look tired yet, but he also didn't like seeing that cretin following them around…

Yet, of course, it also rubbed his pride the wrong way to go tell him to stop directly. Lucifer would never admit to feeling bothered by some pitiful lesser demon… Never.

But by the time the MC left him to use the restroom, he was at his wit's end. He could see the man had taken a seat at the other end of the bar just to watch them and he was growing irritated… So he had to devise a new strategy.

It's unusual for demons to walk around in their true forms. It's not that it's frowned upon or anything, it's just that it's normally something reserved for big events… or for displays of dominance and control.

So when Lucifer slipped into his demon form in the middle of The Fall, it turned quite a few heads. Truthfully, there was only one head in particular that he wanted his way, and once he got it, he stared the guy down…

It was a taste of the lowlife's own medicine, but so much worse coming from him… The feel of Lucifer's bloody-onyx eyes and chillingly cold smile from across the bar could have made even the strongest men run for the hills…

Needless to say, the demon didn't last very long under the eldest brother's gaze. In fact, he wilted almost immediately before slinking away as quickly as he could… 

A guy not even able to stomach the firstborn's stare? Truly a pathetic coward if Lucifer ever saw one.

He was totally back to normal by the time the MC returned and went back to dancing with them like nothing ever happened… Though his human couldn't help but notice the crowd kept their distance from them for the rest of the night... 

Eh, Hell is just weird sometimes isn't it?

Mammon

Look, Mammon had been trying to have some fun the whole night and for the most part he'd been succeeding except for one thing…

He could sense that asshole still hadn't left them alone. He'd just hover near him and his MC like a hellhound stalking prey… It was annoying. It was creepy…

And it was reeeaaallly getting on his nerves.

When the MC left for the restroom, he was leaning back against the bar scanning the room for their abhorrent admirer while using the tint of his sunglasses to hide his eyes.

It didn't take him long to see the gross fuck sitting alone at a table. Who knew what he was planning... following them home? Taking candid shots of MC? Either way, he wanted to sock him in the jaw…

But, of course, Mammon knew he had to play it just a little smoother than that to stay in the club.

Mammon sauntered over to the man's table and invited himself to sit, kicking his feet up to look casual but knocking his boots against the surface so roughly it made the guy jump... Pathetic.

"Oi, so I've seen ya lookin at my human… Real work of art, eh?" He flashed the guy a fanged grin and watched him sweat for a second before cutting off any answer.

"-'course they are. Don't need to tell me. But I gotta say, you're really ticking me off, bud… We're just tryin to enjoy ourselves but I keep seeing your ugly mug wherever we're at."

He pulled his legs back from the table and reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a deck of playing cards.

"Tell ya what, I'm feelin oddly generous so let's play a game. You and me. If ya win, I'll let ya have a night with'em…" He fought the urge to punch the guy when he saw his eyes light up, "but if I win…"

Mammon put the deck on the table then leaned in real close, "I'll flay your skin off and gild ya skeleton in the 4th circle myself… Gold skulls are selling like hotcakes right now." He put every bit of malice he could into the threat, even barring his increasingly sharpening fangs.

The guy must of had a good head on him because he paled immediately before getting up and running from the table. If there's one thing everybody knows about Mammon, it's never play cards with him if he can make even a single Grimm… Chances are, you're gonna lose.

When the MC came back, Mammon flagged them down to their new table and pulled them onto his lap for a little chat before getting more drinks. They're his human. His.

Leviathan

Of course Levi noticed this creep the second that they walked in. He's Envy. He had been hyper-vigilant of all the attention the MC had been receiving since their first step inside. But this guy was… persistent.

He'd been tailing them all night, always finding spots with good vantage points, which of course was sketch as hell but...

Honestly? Levi just didn't like him looking at them. Not at all. In fact, he'd hazard to say he truly hated this complete stranger for how much real estate his eyes were taking up of his precious MC… What gave him the right??

By the time the MC had to use the restroom, he was sitting at the bar seriously contemplating whether or not to just carry them home… He didn't like night clubs anyway, but they seemed to be having fun and they always looked so cute while dancing…

No. He couldn't just take them home. But once they left, he had a much better idea.

It was easy for Levi to slip away from the bar. The asshole was leaned back against a nearby wall and pretty much pulled his phone out the second the MC was out of sight. From there, Levi only had to do what he did best, blend into the background, until he was right next to the guy...

He didn't say anything. He didn't give him any warning or threat. No, no he was far too ticked to be that charitable…

The only indication the man got of how royally he fucked up was the searing pain of Levi's fangs digging into his shoulder, the thirdborn's gloved hand muffling his screams until the venom took hold of his prey.

The last thing that man ever saw, propped up and paralyzed against the wall, was the MC coming back to their docile otaku, who now pulled them into his arms… still shooting the occasional smirk in his victim's direction.

And the last thing he ever heard was the same word his killer whispered to him after his throat became too tight to scream… "Mine."

Satan

This always seemed to happen whenever he took the MC places… They could be walking together in the park and he'd still see lesser demon eyes following them around...

Frankly, it did piss him off to a degree. He knew they never asked to be stared at like a piece of meat, but if he'd go on a rampage every time it happened then they'd never have a quiet date again. So he learned to put up with it… to an extent.

The demon that had been following them that night was really testing his notoriously short patience...

He had tried several tactics to shake the guy as they were dancing but he'd always come right back. He even got more handsy than normal to show, "Hey, this one is mine!" but that had gotten him equally dismal results… It was bordering the line of disrespect now.

He did his best to keep up a friendly face while the MC was with him, but they must have noticed he'd gotten tense. They told him to try and relax a bit before they left for the bathroom…

Oh, he was going to relax alright.

The second they were out of sight, Satan's smile broke into a glare he leveled right at the offending scumbag's table. Of course, seeing the MC had left put the guy's attention elsewhere, but that was his funeral.

Satan knew his time was limited, so he skipped the pleasantries and marched right over to him, slamming his foot down onto the edge of the table with such force it threatened to tip it over then grabbed him by the neck.

"Back. OFF."

It really didn't take much, his reputation preceded him. He felt the guy's pulse skyrocket between his fingers before he let him go.

It was hard not to get a little satisfaction when watching the worthless creep scramble away from him like his life depended on it (as it very much did). He almost considered giving chase just to amp up the fun, but the MC returned sooner than he expected…

A pair of arms around his waist and lips against his cheek were enough to evaporate his anger right then… but it didn't settle his sudden need to mark them in the slightest.

Ultimately, the real question was whether he could wait until they got home to show the world that they were his or if they needed to find somewhere… quieter. No promises, MC.

Asmodeus 

Asmo had dealt with his fair share of admirers, the stalking kind included. Fortunately, dealing with them had always been relatively easy for him (he is a ruler of Hell after all) but one targeting his beloved human…? That was far less acceptable in his eyes.

He caught sight of the beady eyes of the creep while he was dancing with the MC. At first, he thought the guy was looking at him (who wouldn't?) but then he followed his eyeline right to his lovely human companion…

Though he couldn't exactly blame him for staring, he and MC made a fantastic looking pair, he definitely couldn't sit idly by either. People like this are usually bad news and he refused to let any harm come to his MC…!

He was as tactful as ever, though. He liked The Fall and would rather not be banned from returning… He waited patiently for the MC to go to the bathroom before making his way over to the creep, his perfect smile still sitting on his face.

"Excuse me, cutie." He waited for the stalker's eyes to leave his phone and settle on Asmo's own. "Ah, there you are! Good. I had a question for you, I think… oh no, I must have forgotten it! Silly me."

Though he could see the demon was growing annoyed, Asmo stalled for just a few moments longer… just long enough for his bewitching charm to set into his victim's mind.

"Ah! Now I remember. Do you like dogs?" He smiled in satisfaction to see the creeper's head nod slowly. "Oh good! Because I know a very hungry dog right now… Cerberus is his name and I don't think he's had a meal today. Would you be a doll and go feed him for me? He lives in the cave behind the House of Lamentation. You can't miss him."

The demon's head nodded slowly yet again as he rose from his chair and walked out of the club quietly. Quick, painless, and with no messy cleanup!

Well… none that Cerberus wouldn't clean up for him anyway. Asmo returned to the bar with a newly giddy grin on his face... His MC wouldn't be seeing that man ever again~!

Beelzebub 

Beel is very patient. Beel is very kind. Beel is very forgiving. Beel is… really not about this right now...

Unlike his brothers, Beel's easygoing nature made him less quick to pick up on the lingering glances that the MC gets from others. Even when he does notice, he can usually let it slide if looking is all they do (he's the only one who can touch after all).

But even he couldn't miss how wolfishly that demon was staring at them… It made him uncomfortable and the guy just refused to leave them alone…

By the time the MC left Beel at the bar to use the restroom, he was on a level of irritated usually only reserved for when someone denied him food… It was like that jerk had taken a cheese grater to his patience and it was wearing thin…

As much as he knew he could deck him, he didn't want to get them kicked out… The MC was having such a good time, despite the creep's ogling, so he used a different approach…

Being so high up in Hell had its perks and one was that anywhere in town that offered food also had a secret menu… A Beelzebub Only menu (as a precaution so that he wouldn't wreck the place whenever he stopped by). Anything on his menu always had huge portions and The Fall was no exception.

The bartender didn't seem too surprised when he ordered a Drakon Leg, but he was very surprised when he asked to get the full bone too… Not with the meat on it. Just the bone.

Fun Fact: the bones of Drakons are supremely thick and strong enough to be used as clubs.

Even More Fun Fact: it takes an incredible amount of force to snap these bones…

...which Beel did without breaking a sweat… and maintaining eye contact with the creep The. Entire. Time. The sound of the bone snapping in two was almost as deafening as a gunshot and he didn't even flinch.

The demon went running out of the club with his tail between his legs and quickly got swapped out for the MC running back, worried about what made such a loud noise…

Of course, by that time Beel had the bone thrown away and was chowing down on the meat like nothing ever happened so they dropped the subject soon enough...

He may not be as open about when he claims someone as the rest of his family but that's because when push comes to shove, who in their right mind would want to challenge Beel anyway...?

Belphegor 

Nope. Nope. Nope nope nope, he's not having this. Not one bit.

Belphie lacks a lot of the good-natured patience of his twin... Chances are if there's something happening and he's not stopping it, it's just because putting up with it is the path of least resistance…

But there are always exceptions and those are usually reserved for the MC.

Strangers trying to get close or even imagining themselves being with MC really makes his blood boil… He knew them the most. He loved them the most. On just what grounds did some random moron think he could take his place?? Wishful thinking? Keep dreaming, buddy.

So, of course, he wasn't happy when he noticed some asshole staring at the MC like Beel does when he sees a havoc roast...

He kept his poker face up while he was with the MC, but he was devising a plan to take care of him the entire time… One he finally got the chance to enact once the MC went to the bathroom.

He's even better at going unnoticed than Levi, so sneaking his way over to the asshole was a piece of cake. He didn't notice until Belphie casually draped his arm around the guy's neck, hanging his clawed hand dangerously close to the scumbag's heart...

"Having a good time…?"

He could feel a shallow swallow against his arm as he began to slowly apply pressure to his trachea.

"I bet you were… and I was too until I saw you following us… Care to explain yourself?"

"I-I uh-Gah!" 

The guy's voice gets cut off by Belphie's arm getting even tighter, the sharp tips of his claws drumming directly over the man's thundering heart.

"Ugh, that's what you actually sound like? Never mind, it's not worth knowing…" His fingers stopped drumming and slowly began to dig into his skin...

"I'm only going to say this once… If I ever see you tailing my human again, you won't be needing this-" his claws drilled a little deeper into his chest, "-anymore. Am I clear?"

The demon's head nodded as much as his strangled throat would allow and Belphie finally retracted his claws, wiping the blood off on the guy's shirt before letting him go. He fell forward onto all fours before attempting to scramble away as fast as he could...

Belphie watched him go with disinterest on his face, but satisfaction in his heart. Yet another threat to his human dealt with… And they could go back to enjoying their evening together. Alone. Just where his human belonged...

[plsimsuchasimp]

gone (cheating ft. kenma)

an anon asked me to write another version of this post, so here it is. i’m sorry about this, it’s definitely not my best work.

request: “Can you do another cheating fic but with kenma since he is my favorite character”

genre: angst

ft: kenma kozume x gn reader, a little bit of kuroo tetsuro

wc: 1.8k

warnings: fainting, angst, implied cheating

Flopping down on your bed, you picked up your phone and shot off a quick text message to your boyfriend, Kenma.

“hey babe, can we call? it’s been a really long week and I haven’t seen you in forever,” you wrote, pressing the send button with only a moment’s hesitation. 

Sighing, you scrolled upwards a bit, reading through the message history. Recently, his texts had been getting shorter and more abrupt, often making excuses when you asked to see him or talk to him.

1 new message. Distracted, you scrolled down to see Kenma’s text. 

“sorry can’t i was just about to sleep”

Frowning, you glanced at the top of the screen. 10:53 pm. He never went to bed this early, let alone slept. Your throat constricted, but you tried to brush it off, the thoughts whispering at the back of your head like malicious pixies, insecurities and harsh words. You stared at the simple string of words, wondering what to say. Are you okay? you’ve seemed off recently. No, you were probably just overthinking it.

“okay, have a good night! ily” Read 10:57 pm. No response.

Putting the phone down, you tried to push it to the back of your thoughts, but it nagged at you. Turning on your PC, you logged onto discord and noticed Kenma’s status. He was playing a multiplayer game, in a VC with one other person. Right-clicking, you ignored the feeling of distrust and clicked on the other player’s profile. 

You knew her- she was a friend of Kenma’s from school. Kenma had promised you they were just friends, that you had nothing to worry about, but the insecurities crept in again as you realized he’d been spending a lot more time with her instead of you. Biting your lip, you looked back at your phone, the accusing text glaring at you. It seemed innocuous, seemed like you were overreacting. Kenma didn’t really get why you were insecure- he always told you he only had eyes for you, but lately, it didn’t really feel like it.

The last time you two had hung out, he’d laughed at something on his phone, then turned away when you asked to see what it was, muttering something vague about a funny tiktok. You didn’t think much of it at the time, but with thoughts crowding your head, you wondered if it really had been just a video. Kozume had always been distant- you understood that when you started dating him, but was it too much to ask for a scrap of his attention? 

You were torn. On one hand, you wanted to trust Kenma, believe that everything he told you was true and he still loved you like he used to. On the other, your gut was telling you there was something off. Praying that he wasn’t hiding anything, you entered a different browser and logged into his Discord account. You’d given each other the passwords to your socials a while ago, your way of showing that you had nothing to hide.

Incorrect login information. The words appeared in red on the screen, the password field outlined in red. You tried again, ensuring that there were no typos, and it still registered as wrong. Your stomach sank, staring at the message on the screen. He changed his password and didn’t tell you. At this point, you knew something was wrong, but you didn’t want to ask him in fear of seeming insecure or clingy, both traits Kenma disliked. Before you could lose yourself further in the swirling tornado of your thoughts, your phone dinged with a new message. It was from Kuroo.

“hey y/n, are you up? we need to talk.”

Brow furrowing, you responded with “yeah, is everything okay?” He read the text, and then the call icon rang at the top of the screen, red and green buttons buzzing gently. You accepted the call, answering with “Hi Kuroo.”

“Hey y/n,” he said, his voice quieter than normal. 

“Are you okay?” He sounded off, sad somehow.

“Y-yeah, I’m fine. There’s something I need to tell you, though.” You paused for a second, hoping it wasn’t what you thought it was, before he continued. “Kenma- Kenma cheated on you.”

“W-what?” Time seemed to stop. you couldn’t, didn’t want to believe your ears. Your breath caught in your throat, shock freezing your body in place.

“Shit, y/n, I’m so sorry. I just found out.” Kuroo was still talking, but you weren’t hearing him. It seemed impossible, even though you’d seen it coming. “Y/n? Are you okay?” 

Startled, you choked out, “Yeah, I’m okay, just a little shocked.” a little was an understatement. “H-how did you find out?”

“Well,” he sighed, “I saw him kiss her behind the cafe yesterday. I wanted to tell you sooner, but I was still figuring out what to do.” Guilt laced his words, and you got the feeling there was still something he hadn’t said.

“What else?” From his slight intake of breath, you could tell you’d caught him off guard. He was silent for a moment.

“He’s been texting her on Discord for the past month or so. I think you know her, (f/n)?” You felt your heart crash into your stomach, and your worst fears were confirmed. Switching back onto your computer, you saw that Kenma was still playing the game with the girl, and your stomach clenched. 

“Yeah, I know her.” He noticed that your voice was quiet, subdued, and he swallowed.

“Y/n, I’m- I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say.” He was silent then, waiting for you to speak.

“No, no, it’s fine,” You said, your voice oddly calm. “Thank you for telling me.”

“Of course. Hey, are you going to be okay?” He asked, unsure what was really happening inside your head.

“Yeah. I’ll be fine.” Before he had a chance to say anything else, you hung up, mind spinning.

Oddly enough, you didn’t feel anything. You knew in the back of your head that this was your way of coping, that the hurt and anger and sadness would come later, but for now you didn’t care. Methodically, you went to all of your socials and blocked Kenma, hesitating only slightly to block his number in your phone.

You shut off your computer and turned your phone to silent, sitting in silence on your bed. Slowly, your eyes filled with tears that spilled down your cheeks, expressionless besides the gleaming tear streaks staining your face. Your shoulders shook, and everything seemed to crash down at once. 

Your body couldn’t keep up, the sobs overtaking you until you were lightheaded. The room was spinning and the shining moonlight was glinting through the blinds at odd angles, seeming to distort your vision. You couldn’t breathe, and then everything faded to black.

You woke up a few seconds later with your head on the pillow, dazed and hearing the blood pound through your head. You groaned and lay there for a couple of minutes, letting your breathing slow. 

You got up and brushed your teeth, staring at your puffy eyes in the mirror. It hurt, to know the man you loved didn’t feel the same anymore. What did you do wrong? Were you too clingy, not good enough, not there for him enough? Why would he cheat on you? 

Guilt vibrated around you, and it brought back the memories of every other time. It must have been your fault- it always was. 

Sleep took you uneasily that night, creeping in around your obsessive, painful thoughts and lulling you to distraction.

The next morning at school, you wiped the pain from your face and moved through the day in a haze. You saw Kenma in the hallway, leaning against the lockers on his phone, and avoided eye contact. When you saw her, (f/n), anger and hurt swelled up in your stomach, and you tried to swallow it and avoid lashing out. 

Later, Kenma stared at his phone as an error message popped up when he tried to text you. We’re sorry, the number you’re trying to reach is unavailable. A pit formed in his stomach, and he went to his other socials, reaching the same conclusions in other places. 

“Shit,” he muttered under his breath, amber eyes scanning the hallway. You were already gone, though, and he moved through the swarm of people, eyes focused on the exit. Where would you have gone? 

When he showed up at your house that afternoon, you were surprised. He doesn’t waste time, showing you his phone and bluntly asking “Why did you block me?” Your eyes widened to see him slouching there, clearly uncomfortable with going out of his way to do this. “Are you angry at me?”

“Kozume, I don’t really want to talk to you right now.” His face twisted at your use of his last name.

“Why not?” 

At this point, you sighed, tired of everything. “You cheated on me. That’s why.” Your voice cracks in the last sentence, and the world stops.

His stomach drops as you turn away, the weight of the world on your shoulders. “N-no. Y/n. Please don’t go!” 

Kenma’s not good with words, and you understand that. Sometimes, though, it feels like he’s not trying. As he shook his head frantically, chin-length hair swaying around his beautiful face, you could tell he wanted to say something, but he can’t.

“What is there to say, Kozume?” Your eyes were brimming with tears, your heart squeezing at the sight of him.

“I didn’t- I didn’t mean to.” Even he knows how weak this sounds, how pathetic of him, and when he looks back up at you, his eyes are shiny. “I love you.”

His words ring hollow, and you scoff. “Where was that love when you kissed her behind the cafe? Where was it when you were constantly texting her on discord? Where was it when I needed you and you weren’t there?” You shake your head, heartbreak written all over your features. It’s then that he remembers the declined calls, the unanswered texts, the neglect he subjected you to as he pushed you away.

“I hope you’re happy with her, because we’re done.”

He didn’t even have a good reason this time. All he knew was that he wanted you to stay, but he knew he didn’t deserve a second chance. Against his will, a tear slid down his cheek and dropped to the floor, making him sniffle. 

There was nothing you wanted more than to pull him into your arms, cry into his shoulder, but you couldn’t. It hurt too much. You stepped back and slammed the door on him for the final time.

Leaning your head against the door, all of your emotions spilled out. You were silently crying, the ache in your chest almost too much to bear. You thought you heard your name outside the door, whispered just loud enough for you to hear, but you just sank down to the floor and let the tears fall.

On the other side of the door, Kenma’s phone buzzed. It was a text from her, and the disgust and anger that filled his stomach at the sight was enough for him to know he’d never forgive himself for hurting you like this.

“I love you.”

a/n: srry for the anticlimatic ending i was just feeling super bad and not in the mood to write but i wanted to get this out here, hope you like it.

[patchofsunlight]

Hands | Bakugou Katsuki x Fem!Reader

SUMMARY: Bakugou learned from a young age to keep his hands to himself, even when his entire body longed for touch and his eyes filled with tears at the loss of a comforting habit.

WORD COUNT: 2.4k

WARNINGS: hurt/comfort, angst, touch starved bakugou!!, kind of a character study? i think about him a lot, one kiss, cursing, consensual hand holding (PFFFT), mitsuki fucking sucks but what’s new

I hope you like this!! please remember feedback is always appreciated and all that. thank you for reading!! sorry if it sucks LMAO I DID MY BEST AND I KINDA LIKE IT

When he was a child, before he even cared about quirks or rankings or strength, Bakugou Katsuki loved holding hands.

No one knew exactly why, but that was just something he liked. He would hold Izuku’s hand while they talked and ran around the neighborhood, he would take his teacher's hand in his ever so softly whenever he walked over to their desk to ask a question. Katsuki would latch onto his dad with the most loving, tiny grip he could muster, and he would even interlace pinkies with his mom when she was having a good day and didn’t deem his manners “too soft”,  “too weak”, “too foolish”. Those were nice days in the Bakugou household.

Bakugou Katsuki was five years old when he had his heart broken for the first time. It was a few weeks after his quirk manifested and he was just so excited to play hero (with a quirk, this time!) alongside his friends after school that he didn’t even hesitate before grabbing Izuku’s hand exactly like he always did, jumping up and down with energy and happiness, rambling about how he was gonna be the number one hero one day — until Izuku screamed, pulling his hand away with a painful expression. Katsuki furrowed his eyebrows, confused at his best friend’s antics, and then he saw it: the raw, burned flesh of his palm.

Katsuki had hurt his best friend.

It’s very easy to fix objects, his dad used to tell him while stitching up one of his ripped shirts, you just get a bit of glue or yarn and you put it back together, a smile graced his lips at the feeling of his son taking his hand immediately after he let go of the sewing needle, but people are a lot harder to patch up, Katsu. People can’t be fixed, sometimes.

He wasn’t exactly sure of when he started shoving his hands inside his pockets, when he started opening doors with his feet and touching people with his shoulders to get their attention. It took him a while to understand that that first occasion wasn’t an accident, and that controlling his quirk when he got too excited or just overly happy was too hard and the security he got from all those tender touches he so eagerly searched from everyone in his life wasn’t worth the risk. The best thing Katsuki could do, for himself and for others, was to keep his hands to himself, even if they felt cold and empty and his big red eyes filled with tears at the loss of such a comforting habit.

He told himself it didn’t matter. You’d have to overgrow that over time, anyway, his mom reminded him at some point. Such childish, silly bullshit. Only softies hold hands, Katsuki, and we both know you’re not a softie.

It was easy to pretend he didn’t miss it. After a few years, the lack of touch was simply another part of his life he consciously chose to ignore, another longing he conditioned himself not to think about. It wasn’t like many people noted his abrupt change in behavior either — there were other things about him that were much more worthy of attention than that, like his killer quirk and quick brain, like his determination and ambition. Who cared about the fact that little Bakugou Katsuki didn’t want to hold hands anymore? Who cared about the fact that little touchy and clingy Bakugou Katsuki now barely touched others? 

Such childish, silly bullshit. Only softies hold hands, Katsuki, and we both know you’re not a softie.

He met her during his second year at UA. Y/N was mostly quiet, but still friendly and hardworking, fighting hard for her place as the number one student in Class 2-B. A project involving the two classes put them as partners, and project meetings soon became sparring sessions that turned into study group that led to study dates and then real dates and, by the beginning of his senior year, Katsuki had gotten himself a girlfriend.

He wasn’t certain if she noticed the way he purposely kept his hands out of reach when they walked side by side, or if she ever saw how he always made sure his palms were pointing away from her skin whenever they hugged or cuddled. He didn’t think anyone would ever pay enough attention to him to the point of perceiving his hesitancy. It didn’t matter that Bakugou had gained complete control of his quirk, it didn’t matter that he still felt his skin and his hands tingling with the urge, the craving for touch — the satisfaction wasn’t worth the risk, not the stupid satisfaction he didn’t even need. Such childish, silly bullshit. Bakugou Katsuki was doing very well with letting go of old customs, no doubt.

But Y/N noticed. God, of course she did — she noticed all the longing gazes, all the small flinches. She noticed how he never let his hands touch hers and at first it made her worried. Didn’t he want to touch her? Had she done something wrong? Her boyfriend wasn’t the best at communicating his feelings, even though he had been putting in the effort to talk to her whenever he felt a bit under the weather or bothered. 

However, this seemed like a bigger problem, like something he would never speak of unless she brought it up. It seemed deeper.

“Katsu?”

He lifted his scarlet eyes from the book in his hands and turned them to her sitting figure. They were both on his bed, despite curfew starting in less than an hour and the knowledge they shouldn’t be alone in his dorm. To be honest, Aizawa was quite used to watching the Class B girl sneak out of his student’s room every other night, wearing one of his many hoodies and those shorts that she always left in his closet. As long as they weren’t causing him any trouble, Eraserhead didn’t cause them any trouble, either.

“Yeah?” his voice was clearly tired after a day full of training and studying, a hint of sleepiness dripping from his tone.

“How come you never let me hold your hand?”

Katsuki froze on the spot, feeling his heart pick up its pace until it was beating so loud he could hear it by his ear, throbbing. He gulped harshly, sweat immediately gathering up on his hands from his own anxiety. She had noticed?

“What do you mean?” he tried to laugh calmly, but his chuckle sounded forced and nervous. He put the book away.

“You never let me hold your hand,” Y/N’s cheeks were tinted red with shyness. She had been pondering on how to talk to him about this for days now, yet seeing him so flustered made her surprisingly tense. “You avoid touching me with your hands in general, actually,” her chuckle sounded as forced and nervous as his, “is… Is there something wrong? Would you feel better if I stopped touching you so much? Does it make you uncomfortable? Because I really don’t want to make you uncomfortable, Katsu. You can talk to me about things like that, you know it.”

He couldn’t get himself to answer, unable to move or truly process her words. He really thought he had been slick, huh? He really thought she’d never notice, he really thought she’d never care. How would she feel if he told her he was afraid to hurt her, that he was afraid he would lose control of his quirk and burn her somehow, like he had done with Izuku all those years ago? Would she think he was childish and silly, too? Such childish, silly bullshit, Bakugou Katsuki scared of holding hands with his girlfriend, scared of touching her and holding her like she deserved to because what if it went wrong? What if he fucked it up? The best thing Katsuki could do, for himself and for others, was to keep his hands to himself, even if they felt cold and empty and his big red eyes filled with tears at the loss of such a comforting habit.

People are a lot harder to patch up, his father told him. He didn’t want to be guilty of screwing this up, didn’t want to destroy the relationship he cherished so, so much. Would she think he was weak for being this reluctant? Would she laugh at his stupid antics and tell him to grow up and stop being such a softie? Would she get mad? Should he even tell her?

“Katsu?” her soft voice relaxed his muscles like it habitually did, and he sighed deeply before meeting her worried eyes. “Talk to me?”

Y/N had always had this amazing talent of making him feel at ease. Ever since they met, so many months ago, she had this blinding quality that urged him to be quieter, calmer, less defensive. She didn’t even have to try tearing down his walls — they simply melted away when she smiled at him for the first time. He had never really talked about this issue with anyone else before, and he didn’t know how to even start, but Y/N made him want to try. Still, the words felt heavy on his tongue.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he muttered so quietly that she leaned in to hear him, furrowing her eyebrows in disagreement.

“Come on, Katsu. Please?”

He inhaled deeply. She stared patiently, waiting for him to organize his own thoughts enough to explain the thousands of things running through his mind. When his eyes met hers again, he felt warm all over. Katsuki loved the way she looked at him — there was no fear, no ulterior interest, no nonsensical admiration. She looked at him and she saw… Katsuki. Just that. And, strangely, that seemed enough.

The boy averted his eyes from hers. “I don’t want to hurt you with my quirk.”

Oh. Oh? That, well, that was definitely unexpected. The crease in Y/N’s eyebrows deepened. 

“Why would you ever hurt me, Katsuki?”

The future hero lifted his head to look at her instantly, confusion swimming in his red gaze as he answered, “I mean by accident, Y/N. I—,” he almost stopped himself right there, yet her expression caused him to continue, “I really liked holding hands when I was younger, you know? With my friends, teachers, family, and all that,” his ears were bright pink with embarrassment that subsided when she smiled softly at the new information, “it made me feel safe or whatever. Then I—then I got my quirk and, sometimes, when I held hands with people it just—,” he exhaled heavily before letting out a sad, defeated laugh, “I have burned a nasty amount of people. I don’t want to do that with you, too. I’d never want to hurt you.”

Katsuki was hardly a vulnerable person. He tried to be, yes, because he wanted this to work and for it to work he had to meet her halfway somehow during certain moments, but it was so, so difficult. It was so difficult for him to open up and talk about one of his biggest insecurities of all time, about one of the things he most craved for. He didn’t want to scare her away.

“Katsuki.” Her tone was serious and she stared at him with such intensity that he lost the ability to breathe for a second. “I understand where you’re coming from, but that’s bullshit.”

Bakugou blinked. “What?”

“You’d never hurt me, okay? I know you wouldn’t. I trust you, Katsu, so much. I’m sorry I didn’t ask you about this before,” she bit her lip thoughtfully while he could only stand there, dumbfounded with her reaction. 

Out of all his imagined worst-case scenarios, this was a surprise. 

“Katsu,” the girl called to him again, smiling lovingly in that way that made his world spin in its axis when they first met, “do you trust me too?”

“Of course I do,” there was no hesitation this time. Of course he did.

“Can I touch your hands?”

Once again, he froze on the spot. She looked at him expectantly.

People are a lot harder to patch up. She was trying, though. She was really trying to fix the ripped pieces of himself he tried to bury under anger and seclusion, pretending there was nothing wrong and that this was just how things were supposed to be. 

Bakugou looked down at his own hands, studying them carefully. With a last shaky exhale, he nodded.

She took his hands in hers, letting her fingers interlace with his cautiously so as to not startle him. Her thumb caressed his palm ever so softly and he fought the instinctive flinch that threatened to push her away. After years without it, this type of touch felt too intimate, too close, too new.

He liked it. 

He smiled.

“See? Nothing to worry about.” Y/N smiled back, grinning when he took it upon himself to squeeze her hand in appreciation. “You’re fine, Katsuki. I like holding your hand.”

His smile grew wider and he leaned in to kiss her, living for the feeling of her fingers squeezing his while their lips moved slowly. They had kissed a million times before, yet this felt different. If given the chance, Katsuki probably wouldn’t mind being stuck in that moment forever, with her lips on his and his hands on hers — Y/N had melted away all his walls and defenses from the start, and he was incredibly glad. He was incredibly glad for her.

His heart was beating fast inside his chest, especially when she pulled one of his hands up slightly to let it cup her face. A shiver went down his spine as he felt the curve of her jaw under his fingertips, the softness of her skin touching his. When there was not any air left in their lungs, they parted from each other. She turned her face to kiss his palm affectionately and his entire face seemed to burst with love and gratitude.

“I like holding your hand, too.”

She giggled, and, for the first time, Bakugou felt like it’d be alright if he decided not to keep his hands to himself. Such childish, silly bullshit, waiting around when he could’ve been holding hands this whole time.

A/N: so that was it!!! i hope you liked it!!! hehe hello

taglists

all: @kiedhara @wingeddemonclub @thedemigodsarealivebitch @ray-ofmoonlight​

also tagging @tsuhika bc i am: a fan and you gave us permission to tag you in shit SOO KJSFBIUEFB LMAO SORRY