#like it was the moment i saw him stomp his foot when he missed an attack and throw a fit that i was like 'oh no i have to fuck him'

[todayisafridaynight]

If you had to choose between banging Aoki and banging Mine, which would you bang?

oh you're all gonna hate me

[foldingfittedsheets]

The location of the sex shop I worked was a haven for spiders. We had tall ceilings and skylights and unused storage rooms. It was a spider paradise. We quickly sussed out which coworkers to call on in case of emergency. The Dorito lady was a solid ally for spiders but absolutely petrified of moths.

But there’s actually a hierarchy of fear. Most people don’t realize. The person least afraid is the one forced to deal with the bug in question. If coworker B was scared, but coworker A was petrified, well coworker B was gonna have to screw their courage to the sticking place because by the law of fear they were the most competent person on scene.

Thus enters Rick. Rick first appeared in the back storage room. This room doubled as a second bathroom so we went in on a semi frequent basis. The girl who’d gone in to pee shot out again gibbering with fear about the biggest spider she’d ever seen had just run across her boot.

We sicced Dorito lady on it. She returned, shaking her head. “He was squatting on a power cord where it plugs in. I couldn’t get a clean shot at Rick.”

“Rick?”

She shrugged. “Spiders that big need a name. Seemed like a Rick.”

Rick, freshly named, became a store menace. I’d normally say this was probably a case of multiple spiders being mistaken for one but everyone who encountered him swore up and down there could be no mistake. This spider was massive, fast, and distinct. A gladiator among arachnids.

I never encountered Rick. His exploits grew in the telling but the theme was consistent: no one could kill him. He’d hunker in places that no one could reach and dart away when a strike missed. He also chased off the more faint hearted, charging them in bold dashes. There could be no benign cup transplant to remove Rick from the premise. He was not leaving.

The saga of Rick continued for two months. Not seeing him was almost worse, a fearful wariness when going to the bathroom or stepping into quieter areas. I waited with dread, hoping my eventual run in would have me on shift with Dorito lady to protect me.

It was not to be. There was a girl the same who hated my one moment of singing that was absolute piss-herself scared of spiders. She’d slam straight into a panic attack and couldn’t think or speak. And so it was that one night on shift, I heard her scream.

It was unmistakable. I was in the front window turning off the open sign. Through an obstacle course of mannequins and lingerie I performed an acrobatic sprint out of the window, darting up to find her quivering at the front counter, fully crying. I radiated calm at her and said, “Just point.”

I knew it was Rick. Our destinies were intertwined and we had always been pulled toward the inexorable battle that was drawing nigh.

Her hand raised to point to our sandwich board sign at the front of the store. So Rick had the metaphorical high ground. There was no quick easy strike on the slanted signs surface.

I armed myself and marched into battle, my knuckles white on my chosen weapon. I would do this, because I must. Because there was no one else. And because I wanted to close and go home.

I saw Rick immediately and I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen a bigger spider since. Outside of a tarantula, he was truly the most massive spider I’ve ever beheld outside a zoo enclosure or terrarium.

We regarded each other. Rick launched off the sign toward me and I stomped my foot reflexively, making him pause in his charge. Then I raised my weapon. Anything else, I believe Rick could have evaded. He’d bested most of the store thus far. But I had chosen chemical warfare.

I doused the shit out of that spider with cleaning spray, stunning him with a barrage of chemicals. While he froze, choking on the unexpected deluge, I dropped a paper towel over him. My foot came down.

I felt his exoskeleton crunch and I can feel it still to this day. The shattering was as of bones and I truly mourned that we had been forced into senseless war. If only he has cleaved tighter to the shadows. If only he’d crawled willing into a cup for relocation. I released a full body shudder of horror, fear, and adrenaline as I stepped back.

I took several quivering breaths. I donned a veneer of calm and tidied the battlefield of it’s corpse then went to reassure my coworker that all was well, while internally I still shook.

You fought well, Rick. I hope you sired many more monstrous children to haunt retail workers in the years to come. Rest in valor, you monster.

[marlsswrites]

June 25th <3

Horoscope - @jegulus-microfic - words: 1400

“Where are you two off to?” Barty spoke as he ran up behind Regulus and Pandora in the tall, stone walls of Hogwarts.

“Divination.” Pandora replies distractedly, much more interested in braiding a small piece of blonde hair in front of her forehead, causing her to go slightly cross eyed.

“We have charms don’t we?” Barty looked around the halls, confused, before looking at Regulus for an answer.

Regulus ran a hand through his hair and looked towards Barty. “Me and Dora got moved up, we’re in seventh year Divination.”

“Oh! Okay.” Barty replied, instantly zoning out of the conversation when he saw a rather grumpy looking Evan walking past. “Nerds.” He snorted and tan towards Evan. “Evie!”

“Are we sure they aren’t dating?” Regulus huffed out with a smirk. “I called Evan ‘Evie’ once as a joke and he fucking hexed me.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised.” Pandora matched his smirk with a grin. “Enough of them, let’s go embarrass some dumb seventh years with my seer privileges.” She winked.

Regulus rolled his eyes and brushed a loose curl away from his face. “Are we actually nerds, though?”

“You are, I’m just good at divination and shit at everything else.” She tapped her head to prove a point as they walked into the classroom, surprisingly, being some of the last ones there.

Regulus felt multiple pairs of eyes attach to him as he walked into the room, trying to avoid eye contact, he quickly stepped past the teacher to get to a table in the back.

“Not so fast!” The professor spoke as she stepped in front of a rather embarrassed looking Regulus, and an excited looking Pandora. “Everyone, these are some of our new sixth year students, the smartest of their year!”

He quite literally wanted to smash his head into a wall. “Thank you.” He muttered as he sat down at an empty table, Pandora next to him as she tied her platinum blonde hair in a bun with a multicoloured scrunchie, Regulus is pretty sure she sewed that one herself.

A few moments later, just as the professor started to speak, a flustered James Potter ran into the classroom. He apologised swiftly to the scowling professor and made a beeline for Regulus’ table as soon as he spotted him.

“Hi Reggie.” He whispered, Regulus would correct him like he does most people, but he quite likes it to be honest, especially when it’s James whispering in his ear.

“Potter.” How he managed to get that out with a smooth voice was a mystery.

“What did I miss?” James asked in a hushed tone.

Pandora turns to them, eyeing them suspiciously before shrugging and leaning over, propping her head on her hand. “Professor Wells told us that her horoscope predicts that Regulus has a secret.” She spoke in a hushed, overdramatic voice.

“Old nutter.” The Slytherin boy muttered.

“Do you now Reggie?” James asked with a dramatic gasp.

“Shut up and listen.” Regulus hissed.

Regulus saw a suspicious grin start to appear on the Potter boys lips as he spoke. “Ma-“ He stomped on James’ foot, receiving a yelp as James decided to finally pay attention to the class.

His brother and Lupin weren’t even at class today, not sure why, the Lupin kid seems to always be in the hospital wing for one thing or another and Regulus knew for a fact the he and Sirius were attached at the hip. Regulus wasn’t sure about Pettigrew, probably doesn’t take the class.

-

“What is that?” Regulus held the cup close to his face, trying to decipher what shapes the tea leaves made up. He held it to the side, hoping Pandora could tell.

Pandora hummed, a puzzled look appearing on her face. She grabbed her book, flicking through until she could find the recognisable shapes.

“That one…” She pointed at the first shape in the cup. “It’s a stag I think?” She flicked the page and looked at the next shape. “This book is not helpful at all!” She groaned and slammed the book on the table.

Now, James peered over his shoulder to take a look at the cup. “It is a stag!” He beamed and looked at Regulus, who rolled his eyes, yet again, and looked back at the cup. “That one there looks like a heart.” The brunette pointed his finger to the cup.

And he was right, anyone could tell that it was a love heart. But would Regulus admit that? No way.

“No it doesn’t.” He scoffed.

“Yes it does.” Pandora and James chimed in at the same time.

Regulus pointed at James, ignoring it when the Gryffindor licked his lips and grinned that stupid, gorgeous smile of his. “This- this is none of your business.” He turned to point at Pandora. “And no it does not.

“Yes is does!” She sang, in a slightly too loud voice, causing multiple people in the classroom to turn and look at them

“No it-“ He sighed. “I’m not winning this am I?”

Pandora’s grin widened. “Nope.”

-

Regulus left the class before Pandora as she spoke with the Professor about crystals, he didn’t even pretend to understand that nonsense, it’s a mystery how he ended up in higher Divination.

He turned to corner into an empty looking hallway, their class had finished early so not many students crowded the halls yet, which was nice.

Sitting down in a small alcove, he folded in on himself, tucking his legs to his chest and letting his head fall back onto the wall with a soft thud.

He heard footsteps nearby, but he passed it off as a student or teacher passing by. His gaze was glued on the roof, he traced the patterns in the stone with his eyes.

Only moments later, he felt a hand ruffle his hair, a hand he would recognise the feel of from anywhere.

“James.” He sighed with a laugh, the corner of his mouth tipping up into a smile.

Watching carefully, he saw James sit on the other side of the alcove. The older boy lifted Regulus’ legs up ever so softly, go place them on top of his own.

Regulus felt a soft flutter in his stomach as those honey brown eyes locked with his stormy grey ones. James’ tan, golden skin shone in the sunlight. It was perfect the way the sun hit him, just like a spotlight, like he deserved to be in.

But no, Regulus didn’t want to share James’ beauty with the rest of the world, that was his. His to keep, to touch, to cherish, to love.

“There’s no one here right?” James said in a low voice as he leant over to Regulus, their noses practically touching.

“No, but Pandora is very suspicious, you couldn’t be worse at hiding this.”

“It’s not my fault, I need you.” James sulked.

Shaking his head fondly, Regulus leant in to connect their lips, probably too eagerly, but he couldn’t care any less right now when James was smiling again his lips.

“Regulussss.” He sang in a sweet voice, pulling away but only slightly. “A heart and a stag? I’m flattered.” He spoke as he brushed a loose dark hair away from Regulus’ flushed face.

“Those things are fake.” He grumbled under his breath.

“Are they now?” He fake pouted, Regulus hoped it was fake anyway, he hated upsetting James. “So you don’t love me.”

Regulus looked James in the eye, his big wide doe eyes shone with pure adoration and love.

“Fuck off.” He said through a smile, there was no hiding the amount of feelings he had for this boy, he was just wonderful, so loving, so kind, so gorgeous. Regulus was sure James was crafted just for him, so they could love each other so much it hurt.

“You love me.” The Gryffindor teased.

“Sadly I do love you, what was I thinking?”

“That I’m super hot and a good kisser?” James asked with an eyebrow wiggle.

Regulus nodded slowly and pulled James in again, the kiss was deeper, slightly rougher, yet still it was perfect. More than perfect.

James traced Regulus’ bottom lip with his tongue, sending shivers down his spine and having his heartbeat speed up shockingly fast. No matter how many times James does that, Regulus thinks his reaction will always be the same.

“Yeah, that’s it.” Regulus mumbled against his boyfriend’s lips.

[pandorxxx]

Tamed

Neteyam (21) x metkayina fem reader (20)

Warnings: SMUT THE HOUSE, cursing, hair pulling, pinning, p in v, oral (for like 2 seconds), intense orgasms, (DOM NETEYAM AND IM NOT KIDDING), edging.

🔞Minors, do not interact🔞

“Bro, where is my fucking girlfriend, I’ve been trying to find her all day!” Lo’ak whined, trailing behind Neteyam as they walked towards the beach.

“Baby bro! Were you not listening when she said her and y/n had training all morning?” Neteyam chuckled, looking back at Lo’ak briefly before turning back around.

“I miss her. I just can’t get enough!” Lo’ak joked, fake crying with a hand over his heart. Neteyam rolled his eyes, laughing loudly.

“You just saw her last night!” Neteyam chuckled, gesturing calmly as he kept a steady pace in-front of his brother.

“Bro, do you not realize we lucked up on the hottest girls here! And they just so happened to be sisters?” Lo’ak sighed with joy, shaking his head with a smile.

“You’re soooo ungrateful.” Lo’ak spoke sarcastically, catching up to Neteyam.

“Oh, trust me! I’m definitely gratef-” Neteyam started, but was quickly cut off by you screaming at Tsireya in the middle of the beach.

“Y/n, You’re such a BITCH!” Tsireya shouted at you, gesturing wildly.

“You stole MY TOP, and I’m the bitch?!” You screamed, pushing her back lightly.

“Should we stop them?” Lo’ak asked, watching intently as the scene unfolded before him. Neteyam was conflicted. This was you and your sister, surely you wouldn’t try to really hurt your sister, right? Besides he really didn’t wanna get involved.

“Just give it a minute.” Neteyam spoke, holding his arm infront of lo’ak as he watched closely, waiting for the moment when he had to split you two up.

“I don’t even see what the big deal is! You weren’t wearing it ANYWAY!” She replied in anger, pushing you back. You stumbled back alittle before balling your fists up, eyes full of rage.

“IT DOESNT MATTER! the point is you went in MY CLOSET AND TOOK IT! GIVE IT BACK NOW!” You roared, shaking in anger as you tried your best not to strangle her in-front of everyone.

“NO!” Tsireya projected, crossing her arms. That was the last straw for you as you watched your hand fly across her face, sending her to the ground. Everyone around gasped, watching the handprint form on Tsireya’s face.

“Bro! get your fucking girlfriend. She just slapped mines silly!” Lo’ak yelled, running over to Tsireya. Neteyam pursed his lips in anger, walking over to you two.

“I- ahg! Fucking told you to give -ngh! me my shit back!” You grunted, choking your sister out as you straddled her.

“I-it’s not that SERIOUS!” Tsireya struggled, trying to flip you off of her, but you were too far gone in your own anger.

“IT IS THAT SERIOUS! DONT TOUCH ME STUFF!” You shouted, shaking her neck with every syllable before sending another hand across her face, even harder than the last time.

“Alright get off now!” Lo’ak shouted from behind you, trying to pull you off by your waist, but you swiftly pushed him back, making him fall to the ground. Instantly you felt two strong hands snake under your armpits, pulling you off of your sister with such ease.

“ENOUGH!” Neteyam growled, holding you back by your waist as you desperately tried to get to your sister.

“I HATE YOU!” Tsireya cried, standing to her feet with the help of lo’ak, still lunging towards you.

“I HATE YOU MORE!” You hissed, punching neteyams arm to get out of his grasp. He grabbed your tail, wrapping it around his forearm before yanking it hard. You yelped in pain, immediately stopping all movement. Lo’ak watched, instantly following neteyams lead as he yanked tsireya’s tail. Lo’ak bent down to Tsireya’s ear whispering to her as Neteyam did the same to you.

“You’re in fucking public! Calm down!” Neteyam muttered through gritted teeth.

“But she stole my toooopppp!” you whined, stomping your foot in anger like a child. He gripped your tail tighter, making you hiss in frustration.

“What did I tell you about hissing at me? HUH?!” He roared in your ear, grabbing your arm tightly.

“Tsireya is the LEAST of your worries now!” He spat, spinning you around to throw you over his shoulder. He glanced back at lo’ak dragging tsireya away by her hair.

“HANDLE THAT!” Neteyam growled, pointing to lo’ak. Lo’ak looked back briefly, still dragging Tsireya away.

“AND TAME THAT WILD ANIMAL OF YOURS!” Lo’ak chuckled, yanking Tsireya harder before turning away.

The walk to your hut was filled with kicking and screaming as you desperately tried to get Neteyam to put you down. You finally made it, as he slammed the door behind him, placing you on the ground.

“What the fuck is your problem? Why are you fighting your sister like that?” He asked surprisingly calm, with his hands on his hips. You paced back and forth, face balled up in anger.

“I TOLD YOU! SHE STOLE MY FUCKING TOP! AND YOU JUST TOOK HER SIDE!” You screamed, still pacing back and forth as your arms crossed around your chest.

“I DID NOT! bottom line is, you cannot CHOKE your sister out!” He shouted, gesturing angrily as he watched you burn a whole in the ground.

“TIS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!” You shouted sternly, stopping all movement as you watched him cross his arms.

“Ohhh, but it is my business! YOU ARE MY BUSINESS!” He growled, hitting his chest with force.

“Fuck you, Neteyam. Get out.” You whispered with a clenched jaw, pointing at him before turning around. His eyes grew narrow, tilting his head as he huffed with each breath.

“What did you say to me?” He whispered, walking closer to you at an agonizingly slow pace. You turned around, meeting him halfway.

“I said GET OUT!” you yelled, hitting his chest hard, but of course he didn’t budge, not even an inch.

“No! The first part. Repeat that FIRST PART.” He commanded, turning his head slightly to hear you clearly.

“FUCK…Y-”you were cut off by neteyams strong hand wrapping around your neck with much force, almost knocking the wind out of you.

“Now, I’ve let you scream at me, HISS at me, hit me, but I draw the line at blatant disrespect, princess.” He whispered with low growls rumbling in his chest, as he was only inches away from your lips.

“No one’s bold enough to put you in your place, and it shows. But you’ve finally met your fucking match.” He hissed, poking you in the chest with the ball of his finger. You pouted up at him with your ocean eyes, trying to get out of the trouble you were in.

“That sad face of yours is not going to get you out of this.” He growled, picking you up to throw you on the cot. You instantly shuffled around, trying to crawl away from him, but you were too slow. Neteyam grabbed your arms, pinning them behind your back before shifting your hips up to meet his pelvis.

“Ngh! I just want my top baaaaack!” You whined, throwing your head down into the cot to muffle your whimpering. He ripped your loincloth off before ripping his, throwing both of them to the side.

“Shut up about that FUCKING TOP!” He growled, slamming into you with no remorse. You screamed at the force, trying to wiggle your arms out of his grasp.

“Stay still!” He shouted, thrusting into you hard and deep. Your scrunched your face up as the pleasure washed over you, becoming too much tohandle.

“Neteyammmm pleaseeee!” You whined, as your salty tears found there way to the corners of your mouth. You could feel him piercing through your soul, searching your guts for an apology.

“Say sorry, RIGHT NOW!” He grunted, holding your dainty hands behind your back, while his other hand pulled your hair.

“Mmm-ughh! No!” You spat, trying desperately not to fall into his trap. You weren’t one to be tamed, but Neteyam knew exactly how to get you under control.

“NO? Did you just tell me NO?” He growled, growing angrier as he thrusted into you faster. The pace he was going was unbearable, you felt like you were going to explode at any second.

“Sllll- oooww down!” You moaned as your vision blurred from your constant flow of tears. You could feel your orgasm approaching fast, and you knew it was going to be intense.

“You’ve got something you want to say first?” He shouted, pushing your head back down onto the cot, holding it there. Your ears were ringing from the impact, and your legs were going numb. Your whole body was tingling as you felt the knot in your stomach unraveling slowly.

“I-IM SORRYY NETEYAM!” You cried loudly, before deliriously gnawing at the material of the cot, trying desperately to find some relief elsewhere.

“SAY *thrust* IT *thrust* AGAIN! *thrust*” he shouted, thrusting into you so hard that your numb legs gave out under him.

“I-I CANT MOVE!” You whined, trembling in his grasp. He pulled your hips back towards him harshly, sliding into your sensitive cunt again.

“DONT EVER DISRESPECT ME AGAIN! DO YOU UNDERSTAND!” He roared, smacking your ass multiple times, leaving handprints all across you.

“YESSSS!” You screamed, tears burning your sensitive cheeks. Your legs gave out again, this time with your orgasm following. Your eyes crossed, as you convulsed under him, squirting everywhere. He watched you lose it with his bottom lip in between his teeth.

“Mhmm, just like that. NOW GET UP!” He growled, smacking your ass again. You tried to pull yourself up, but you fell back to the cot everytime, crying with every attempt as you were scared of Neteyam’s reaction.

“I c-can’t feel my legs!” You cried into the cot, lazily crawling away from him with the strength of your dainty arms. He flipped you over, picking you up by your thighs before walking you over to the wall. He glared at you hungrily, eyeing you up and down with lustful eyes.

“please don’t do this to me! I-I can’t take anymore!” You strained, shaking your head from side to side as tears streamed down your face again.

“You’re so pretty when you beg, you know that?” He asked, kissing your neck, leaving hickeys all over. He gently put you on your feet as he held you by your waist, turning you to face the wall. Your knees buckled, and he quickly grabbed you.

“Upside down, NOW!” He growled. Your eyes widened at the memories of that position, and the way you always seemed to black out afterwards.

“Neteyam, I-I can’t p-” you panicked before being cut off. “Your legs are numb, right? I’ll hold them for you. Now BEND…OVER!” He muttered through gritted teeth, backing you up enough for you to bend down. You bent down hesitantly, placing your hands flat on the ground. He instantly lifted your legs, bringing your crotch to his.

“I have a feeling this will never happen again, am I correct?” He asked sarcastically, sliding into you before thrusting slowly.

“YESSS! It won’t happen again! I’m sorry!” You whined, feeling the blood rushing to your head. He speed up his pace, using your ass as leverage to destroy you. He hit your sweet-spot with every thrust, sending a wave of overwhelming pleasure your way.

“N-Neteyam! m’ gonna f-fall!” You stuttered feeling your arms trembling under you. He slapped your ass, rolling his hips into you, making your mouth fly opened.

“You better hold on, because I’m not DONE YET!” He growled. You couldn’t even speak, or rebuttal. You were too busy trying to find the breath that Neteyam took away.

“Nothing to say? That’s a fucking first!” He chuckled, watching your sticky pelvises meet with every thrust. You finally caught your breath with a loud gasp, screaming out as you felt your orgasm coming again.

“mmmm FUCK!” You screamed in between thrusts, feeling slightly woozy from the position. You decided to milk it though, hoping he would ease up on you.

“N-Neteyam, I-I’m gonna pass out like l-last time.” you said breathlessly, trembling under him. He shook his head at your attempts to get out of your current situation.

“Pass out then, I’m not stopping!” He grinned, spitting down onto your cunt. He felt you clenching around him, signaling that you were about to cum, and he wasn’t too far behind you.

“You’re gonna m-make me cum again!” You whined as your eyes rolled back, twitching around his torso. As soon as he felt you clench around him again, he pulled out of you.

“Ohhh Neteyam! Pleaseee!” You begged, as you felt your orgasm slowly disappearing.

“Have you learned your lesson, y/n?” He asked, bending down to French kiss your cunt, sucking on your clit. Your arms were really trembling now, as you moaned loudly, nodding at his question. He pulled away, wiping his mouth before poking at your entrance with his tip to tease you.

“I want you to go and talk to your sister when we’re done. Make it right, ok?” He spoke softly, smacking your ass again.

“YES, YES! I’LL TALK TO HER!” You submitted, nodding your head again. He slid back into you, and you instantly felt your orgasm approaching again. He sped up his pace, chasing his as well. All that could be heard was loud moans, and skin clapping against each other.

“Cummingggg!” You screamed, balling your face up in pleasure as your squirted all over his lower abdomen and chest.

“Mhmmm, good girl! Im almost there!” He grunted, focusing only on the movement of your ass as it slapped against him. Your arms were becoming numb, as they shook violently under you.

“NETEYAMM, IM GONNA FALL!” You whined, as stars flooded your vision. He leaned back alittle, lifting some of the pressure off of your hands as he threw his head back.

“FUUUUCK!” He growled, pulling out of you to spew his thick cum on your ass. His eyes rolled back, jerking his cock to milk himself dry.

“m-my arms are numb! Lift me up pleaseee!” You pleaded. On command, he put your legs on the ground, lifting you up by your hair.

“Are you done being a fucking brat? Never again right?” He whispered in your ear, tugging on your long hair.

“Never again, I swear…”

Wheeewww chileeee! New position unlocked 🔓. Idk I got high and was like “let’s put this bitch UPSIDE DOWN!” lmfaooo. As always, I love y’all to death, and I’ll talk to y’all later!!!

Outtie❤️🖖🏾,

Pandorxx

Taglist: @number1gal @loak-bae @tiredmamaissy @neytirishottie @viajaeger @terrorthewolf @lethargicluv @reyzzsostellar @pullandhug @ameliestsblog @m0nst3rfk3r @agelsully @jakescumdump @wekiamo @st-cass @cleardonutangelwagon @tsireqas @satanlovedays @afro-hispwriter @thecutieyahia @urfavgirlmakenna @theycallmesia @dollswrld1 @iikatsukii

[an-idyllic-novelist]

qin shi huang with yoriichi tsugikuni!fem!reader headcanons

warnings: spoilers from manga, ooc, slow burn friends-to-lovers troupe

Special thanks to @onecantsimply, @yellow-snark and @thatstrangesheep for their feedback and help with these headcanons! Enjoy! :)

Even in death, Qin Shi Huang was an emperor whom everyone respected as the ‘king who began everything’. He had reunited the annexed nations of China, a guiding light who led his people bringing peace and prosperity after almost a millennium of strife. Now, within the vast afterlife known as Valhalla, he reigned over a substantial amount of territory alongside his successors, working as a cohesive council when conflict arose.

Today, however, he has come to handle the problem on his own terms. For the last two months, men, women, and even children have gone missing from the foot of the northeastern mountains. Given the harsh environment, it is not too odd to believe that the cause of their disappearance might be an attack from a wild animal, angering the spirits who guard the terrain, or just simply got lost.

But the disemboweled bodies told the emperor a different story: there is a beast devouring his people, and it is certainly not a bear. For a split moment, Qin Shi Huang feared that Chi You had somehow returned from beyond its miserable grave and had come back to take revenge on the ‘insolent whelp’ who would not bow before its bony knees as payment for being accepted as an emperor of China.

If that were truly the case, though, there would be more corpses strewn about the mountain base than the current number of victims. Qin Shi Huang had already defeated the god, and he will do it again to protect his subjects. Such is the road he leads as an emperor, after all~.

So imagine his surprise when he comes across a six-armed being with pasty skin and glowing golden sclera, hunched over the corpse of a man cradling his child. It was not Chi You, but a demon. A demon that was the stuff of legends many years ago, only for them to suddenly vanish and become nothing more than a bedtime story to keep children from sneaking off at night.

And now, here is the great emperor, face-to-face with this drooling beast. Qin Shi Huang frowned, bending his sinewy body into an offensive position. Just when he was about to launch an attack, his opponent’s head rolled off its shoulders. He blinked, watching the demon’s body collapse onto the grass, twitching rapidly before disintegrating into dust. Hm? He hadn’t even moved! Unless the presence of an emperor is that powerful before a demon that it self destructs?

“Are you all right?” Qin Shi Huang then saw a figure standing where the demon had been, sword unsheathed. At first glance, she seemed like an ordinary traveler by the way she dressed, but the emperor knew that she was certainly not an ordinary person. Not from the tremendous amount of chi circulating around this woman’s body and the sword fastened at her waist.

She was a warrior as Chun Yan had been.

He grinned. “Hao!”

[Eye Color] orbs blinked at him in confusion, tilting her head to the side as she repeated the word. “Does that mean…you are hurt?”

Zori sandals stomped against the bloodied soil as she strode over to him, astounding Qin Shi Huang with her agility. She frowned slightly, her eyes scanning over his body. “You…are all right, it appears.” She glanced up at him. “I…apologize if I had gotten…your clothes dirty. You are a young lord, yes?”

Qin Shi Huang frowned. “Buhao.”

“Hm?”

He raised his right hand, pressing his middle and index fingers together before he pointed them towards the ground, the golden nail guards glowing beneath the moonlight. “Humble yourself. You are in the presence of an emperor. Be grateful I have not executed you for your impudence.”

“You…are an emperor?”

That was how the greatest emperor in all of Chinese history crossed paths with the greatest Demon Slayer in history, the Mother of All Breathing Techniques, the Sun Hashira [First Name] [Last Name].

In your defense, you never would have guessed that the man who had been endangered moments ago had not been a feudal lord looking for trouble in these woods, but an emperor who had come to kill the demon devouring his people.

You did apologize for being rude, and politely asked His Imperial Majesty if there was a town close by. You lived deep in the mountains, though in the opposite direction of his territory. It would take about two days to return should you leave now. That was only if you were lucky enough to not come across any more demons on your journey back home.

To your surprise, this emperor all but commanded you to follow him to his palace. He boasted that it was the largest one in Valhalla, with the finest food and rooms available for only esteemed guests and members of his court. However, since you did humble yourself before him, he will make an exception and allow a weary traveler to stay in the guest quarters for the night. You thanked him, trailing after the man through the woods to the crowded streets of a bustling city and right up the stone footsteps of an extravagant palace the likes of which you had never seen before.

You dared to say that it was much bigger than the Ubuyashiki compound.

With a clap of his jeweled hands, a group of young maidens in flowing robes appeared before him. He ordered them to make sure you received the most excellent care, including running a warm bath and mending your damaged clothes. Before you could have a moment to say something, you were immediately whisked away to another part of the palace until dinner was ready.

The food was just as extravagant as the clothes that the maidens had dressed you in. It was almost too much, but you dared to not insult your host. Instead, you bowed your head to him in gratitude and ate as much as you could without being too rude. Thankfully you could recall some of your table manners from when you had been alive, before becoming a Hashira and just the daughter of a prestigious household in the Sengoku era.

Between the raucous laughter and idle chatter amongst the others who dined at this table, you had almost expected to be asked to leave or escorted out of the banquet hall so that the emperor could speak to his fellow countrymen freely without the presence of an outsider.

Instead, His Imperial Majesty asked you many questions. Who you are, why were you in the woods, how did you defeat the demon, etc. You answered them to the best of your ability, humbly explaining that you had once been a Demon Slayer and trained to exterminate the ones who came out at night to consume human flesh. There is nothing special about you.

You had simply worked hard, protected humanity until your untimely death. There was no need for him to know of your ability to see the Transparent World, much less the Breathing Techniques of a Demon Slayer.

Some secrets were meant to be just that: secrets. And you were bad at explaining things; it had been a miracle that the Hashiras, those whom you had worked alongside all those years ago, could comprehend your words and adapt the Sun Breathing techniques into their own variations: Water, Insect, Flame, Wind, Stone, and so forth.

Again the emperor surprised you; he seemed intrigued by the Breathing Styles and continued to ask questions about how to use it until the handmaidens escorted you to the guest quarters later that night, although His Imperial Majesty wished to keep speaking even in a drunken stupor.

The following morning, you thanked the emperor for his hospitality and left the palace. An armed entourage followed you out to the city’s borders to make sure you would not try to attack His Imperial Majesty nor the citizens. You thanked them for their vigilance and hard work before beginning the journey towards your humble home.

You were certain that this was the first and only time you would come across royalty and thought nothing of it in the days that went by upon returning, weeks becoming almost two months since the demon attack. You would either be tending to the crops or practicing your swordsmanship. Eventually, it was time for you to venture down from the mountains to restock on your supplies.

The villagers who lived at the mountain’s edge were kind people. Some of them were elderly and required assistance with manual labor or errands. You did not mind helping them, and were quite hesitant to accept anything from them, especially rice or other precarious commodities.

Most were merchants who traveled a great distance from the village to the city to sell their wares. How could you even consider taking that away from them? To your dismay, they were quite stubborn and practically shoved it in your hands.

The ‘payment’ from the villagers, including the usual amount of items you purchased from the vendors, became too much for you to carry without making two trips up and down the mountain.

You were almost considering having to borrow a cart when a voice called out to you.

Turning around, your eyes widened in shock at the appearance of the emperor Qin Shi Huang walking down the muddied main road, flanked by four or five armed soldiers. He recognized you immediately, almost running with a wide grin on his face.

He’d been wanting to continue his conversation with you, yet due to his workload in the palace prevented him from venturing out sooner. You had also been difficult to track down as no one seemed to be aware that a Demon Slayer wearing hanafuda earrings existed in Valhalla except for a young whelp and his little sister living in the floating cities alongside the Valkyries.

But now, he’s here and ready to chat~. You should be grateful he had traveled such a long way to visit. He is an emperor after all. He was willing to help carry the supplies up the mountains if it meant he had an opportunity to challenge you to a fight and idly chatter over drinks.

Upon explaining that you did not drink alcohol, the emperor told you not to fret. He’s come prepared. Revealing a large jug of corked liquor in his hand with a wide grin, you realized that he would not go away even if you politely asked him too.

So with great reluctance, you guided Qin and his entourage up the mountains, some of them carrying your supplies.

A peaceful day became chaotic. And from this single afternoon of idle chatter and sparring with an incredibly powerful fighter transitioned to an unlikely friendship. Qin Shi Huang was nothing like Sumiyoshi, that much was certain.

Where Sumiyoshi was a humble man blessed to have a family in turbulent times, the boastful emperor had been an unwanted child from the moment he was born. If it had not been for his mentor and mother, that meek little boy would not have the confidence to move forward and pave the road for his people to live in peace, let alone find a method to deal with the Zhao’s anger aimed at him simply because he was from royalty.

He had many children sired from his concubines but he never took an empress, much to his council’s annoyance even in the afterlife. Chun Yan too, of all people!

Yet despite such different personalities from two different people who are your friends….you knew they both possessed kindness and empathy. Why else would an emperor continue to maintain contact with you via letters and occasionally visit you in the mountains over the next thirty years?

He’s a man who had led his people into prosperity after all, the king of all kings.

You had lost so much when you were alive…is it truly all right to be selfish and treasure Qin Shi Huang as a friend, an emperor of all people?

Qin Shi Huang quickly discovered that there was more to his new friend than being a calm, unreadable individual who never raised her voice once even when he had been purposely annoying just to gauge a reaction.

The Sun Hashira…she was perfect. A beautiful, complex creature who values integrity and kindness above all else. She did not enjoy fighting, preferring a quiet life away from society than challenging one opponent after another. And like him, she knew what it meant to lose a loved one.

When it came to strength, she once told him, those who are marked like herself will all meet the same fate. He had an idea as to the cryptic meaning behind her words…and he prayed that she would live in this afterlife.

When he revealed his past to her, what he had done as a child until his death, the Sun Hashira simply accepted it all as they say together on the snowy veranda of her small home.

“To live in an era of conflict…there can never be true peace without bloodshed. Your Imperial Majesty had gone through so much….and you were loved deeply by Chun Yan. I wish….I could have met her….and thank her for raising a wonderful, strong son.”

Qin Shi Huang.exe stopped working for a span of five seconds before he tried to hide his embarrassment with a swing of the warm sake that his host had prepared especially for them to celebrate the New Year together.

Another year has come and gone…so why was it that his heart hasn’t stopped hammering against his ribcage?

Bonus Content:

After five years of sending luxurious gifts and love letters, it took a stammering confession from the emperor to convey his feelings towards the Sun Hashira.

Although she did not want to marry right away, she humbly accepted a period of courtship from China’s greatest emperor until it was appropriate to be welcomed as his empress.

Some of his court were pleased that he had finally selected a wife to become the mother of the nation, but there were others who believed that [First Name] was too independent and would not respect the traditions required to follow after becoming an empress.

Needless to say, Qin Shi Huang made an example of the courtiers who dared to disrespect his new wife behind closed doors. His warning also extended to the concubines, should they try to do something malicious out of petty jealousy.

Quality time included sampling delicacies in the garden, sparring matches, and cuddling in his private quarters.

Chun Yan approved of [First Name], congratulating her adoptive son on finding a woman who can keep up with his shenanigans.

The domestic bliss between the emperor and empress never wavered…until Brunhilde approached the palace and asked for their aid to fight against the gods. Both of them.

If it hadn’t been for [First Name]’s benevolence, Qin would have immediately executed the Valkyrie on the spot for her arrogance. Instead he gave her the courtesy and listened to her proposal regarding the event called Ragnarok. A battle royale until one opponent is annihilated.

The emperor would be lying if he said he wasn’t interested, but he had no intention of bringing his Sun Hashira into it. He wanted her to spend this afterlife in peace, not to put her life on the line again.

Alas, his wife was stubborn. He agreed to Brunhilde’s terms so long as she agreed to his terms. Once she left the palace, he pulled his empress into a long talk about this…situation.

Whatever obstacles will come their way, they will face it together. The Sun Hashira isn’t alone anymore.

Taglist:

@the-dumber-scaramouche

@onecantsimply

@recreationalfanfics

@deathmetalunicorn1

@yellow-snark

@thatstrangesheep

@dance-till-the-death

@staticradiotv​

Honorable mentions:

@myrisan-melodies​

[disneyprincemuke]

there doesn't seem to be anyone around

alternatively: others finally find out they're together

in which they're simply not discreet enough about sneaking around in the paddocks

(series masterlist)

"like we really shouldn't be doing this here if we don't want anyone finding out," logan struggles to speak, being pressed up against the wall in a discreet location of the paddocks.

the smaller girl leans up against him with a smile. "but i missed you all weekend. it's been so busy. need a makeout break, actually."

"we can just do this in my room," logan grins. "or yours, if you want - your room's much bigger than mine anyway. i can tell them i've got a headache and we'd get 15 minutes tops."

she takes a step back, hands on her hips as she tilts her head. an expression on her face that logan can't fathom. "do you wanna kiss me for good luck on the race or spend the entire time thinking of me?"

"i think of you during the race regardless," logan shrugs with a teasing smile. "what's your point?"

she throws her head back with a soft groan. she stomps her foot into the ground. "i just really want a kiss from my boyfriend. can you just- please, logan?"

"hm, that's not my name though."

"babe, we'll get caught with all your waffling," she points out tiredly. "the longer we're here the more suspicious it gets."

"okay," logan scoffs, taking a step towards her. "kiss?"

"yay," she grins. "i've always known you can't resist me."

"you're so right."

she smiles widely, resting a hand on logan's wrist as he tenderly grabs her face. she hums in satisfaction when their lips meet, gently walking forward to press logan's back against the cold wall. she bunches up the material of his fireproofs in her hands as she deepens the kiss, logan taking it upon himself to tangle his hands in her hair.

for a moment, it seemed that the world had melted away around them. it just felt like it was their world the way they were encapsulated in their kiss.

"oh sor- oh god!"

"oh, my god," she mutters, jumping off logan to the other wall. she wipes her lips on the sleeve of her fireproof suit, completely smudging her lipstick on the material.

as if her lipstick had not already been smudged all over logan's lips.

her eyes widen at the realisation of who's caught them red-handed in the act. it's one thing to be caught by the people who already know about the relationship in secret. but it's a completely different conversation when it's the biggest gossip of the grid.

"max, what the hell are you doing here?" she scolds, throwing her arms up into the air. "seriously?"

"what am i- what are you doing here?" max exclaims, turning around briefly to see if anyone had followed him this deep into the paddocks. there was no denying what he's seen now, especially with logan's lipstick-stained mouth. "i knew it! you're dating, aren't you?"

"man," logan mutters, shyly looking at her. "i told you."

"not the time," she scolds, holding a hand up to her boyfriend as she maintains her argument with max. "who even goes here?"

"i was running away from helmut! i just needed time to be alone before the race so i came here, and then i saw you," max rambles. he turns to point at logan, "and you! kissing! no, making out!"

"you weren't supposed to see that!" she shrieks, balling her hands into fists on her side.

"you're in a public area!"

"discreet public area!"

"still a public area, if you ask me!"

"yeah, but-"

"give it up," logan says softly, shaking his head. at that point, he'd wiped the lipstick off his lips on the sleeve of his dark fireproofs. "he literally saw us lip-locked, i don't think there's any arguing you can do to get us out of this one."

she turns to logan, an appalled expression on her face. "yeah, but he wasn't even supposed to be here!"

"we're not supposed to be here," logan states. he turns to max with a shrug. "yeah, we're dating."

max nods, slowly processing this new information. all the while trying to get the image out of the younger girl being pressed up against a guy. "how long?"

"two years."

"two- what?" max cries. "and nobody's found out? you've been able to hide this from the motorsport world for two years? there's absolutely no way!"

"lissie caught us like a year ago," she confesses, dropping her head in shame. "we were on vacation in a resort somewhere and she walked past us at the lobby."

"and nobody else has found out? you guys aren't being very discreet participating in a whole makeout session in the paddocks," max says, still trying to make sense of the entire situation. "really?"

"you believed us for like 6 months," logan shrugs.

"it's kinda obvious you're into each other," max shrugs, taking a sip from the red bull in his hand. "i guess i'm not that surprised if you put it that way."

"i'm surprised you're not with dumb and dumber," lando jokes as they walk the streets of japan with the sun shining brightly above them. "didn't get an invite to join them on their date?"

"funny," oscar laughs with a sarcastic smile. "no, (y/n)'s feeling a little under the weather and logan didn't feel like coming out - too cold, he said."

"interesting," lando says, surprisingly buying his lie.

of course, he wasn't invited on their date. but after a busy week spent apart due to differences in schedule, oscar made the decision to step away from their plans to give them some alone time together.

all oscar asked for was they bring him something back and joked about how generous he was to grant them alone time before they had to pretend they weren't hopelessly down bad for the other during the entire race weekend.

plus, there's always tomorrow to visit the ice cream parlour she'd been eyeing for a while before flying here.

while they never disclosed their location, oscar rapidly blinks his eyes trying to clear his vision of this couple up ahead that strangely resembles his best friends. and the girl is surprisingly wearing the same thing oscar last saw her in before he left the hotel room to meet lando.

oh, my god, that's actually his best friends out on a date.

the clear clue was when the guy rests his arm on her shoulder and she turns around to shove it off her while leaning forward to try and bite him.

"actually, lando, i think i saw this store i wanna go into earlier," oscar says quickly, hoping that lando hadn't spotted the couple hugging up ahead. "it's a couple blocks back, but i think-"

"hey, isn't that (y/n) and logan?" lando says excitedly, pointing at the same exact couple he'd just been analysing. "i thought you said- oh, they're kissing. why would they be-"

lando stops himself mid-sentence, turning to oscar with wide eyes, a loud elongated gasp and a dropped jaw. oscar, in turn, looks up at him with the guiltiest expression and he presses his lips together politely.

"george owes me 50 bucks!" he cheers, turning back to the couple in the queue for some sushi. "i knew it! they're dating! but... why would they..."

"(y/n) was scared of the backlash from the public. ya know," oscar shrugs, also turning to watch them with a scowl on his face, "woman in motorsport. being a woman in general dating somebody on the grid..."

"how sweet of logan to accommodate to that!" lando awes, a hand on his chest as he watches them sway side to side while she leans into his taller body. "aw! and here i thought i wasn't the only one with struggles to bag a girlfriend, and here they are crushing my hopes and dreams."

"sorry you had to find out like this. i was sworn to secrecy two years ago when i caught them kissing at the doorstep of her house."

"oh, wow. they're together a lot longer than i thought."

"how long?"

"i thought they'd just gotten together a couple months ago. i didn't know they were long-term." lando turns to him. "am i supposed to carry on like i don't know about them?"

oscar shrugs. "you can ask her if you'd like. she always jokes about the grid finding out eventually, anyway," he states. "she's actually more surprised that nobody's found concrete evidence until like... three weeks ago when max caught them making out in the paddocks. you guys had her questioning your intelligence."

"max what?" every time oscar speaks, lando learns something new that inadvertently blows his mind. "max found out before me? that grandpa caught them making out before me when i've spent the entire season trying to prove to george that they're definitely dating? i've even got a powerpoint!"

"unlucky timing, really," oscar shrugs simply. "are you gonna tell her?"

lando lets his linger stare before he shakes his head. "i'll let them keep their secret for a while longer. they're cute together, actually."

oscar smiles. "i know. i've never seen logan this... down bad for anybody in the entirety of our friendship."

lando hums, finally tearing his eyes away from logan who's holding a cup up to her lips for her to drink while she holds a box of sushi in her hands. "okay, i'll keep quiet for her sake."

"dude, i swear he's got a girl in there that's not (y/n)," alex whispers, pointing at the door of logan's driver's room. "listen to her giggle - that's not (y/n)."

"but i haven't seen her all day, mate. how sure are you she's not just snuck inside without you noticing?" george whispers back, pressing his ear against the thin wall to listen in like his best friend.

"he's sworn to hell and back that they're just best friends," alex explains with a roll of his eyes. "if i were him, i'd have given in the fifth time i asked because i asked him five times during pre-season testing in bahrain."

"but doesn't he always visit her room? you don't think she does the same?"

he's heard many speculations about the relationship of the two rookies. admittedly, lando's powerpoint dedicated to proving the existence of a possible secret relationship has changed his mind over the past couple of months. he actually kinda believes it now.

he would believe it wholeheartedly if they don't act like they aren't really close on race weekends. she's typically sighted with max or even lando, or just sebastian for a majority of her time on the paddocks. though, carrying her things for her when he didn't have to does make a compelling case.

"no, he almost only exclusively travels out to see her," alex says with a sigh. "you think we should knock and ask?"

"he's never going to tell you over the door. are you dumb?"

"he might - you don't know that."

"what are you two doing?" a deeper, sterner voice comes from behind them. alex doesn't even turn his head, just keeps his ear against the door to listen in on the happenings inside the room. it's strangely quiet now.

"he's trying to see if logan's got a girl inside with him," george explains to james, looking visibly tired of alex's antics. when james raises an eyebrow, george just shrugs. "he heard someone giggling for a mere millisecond."

"actually, i'm curious too," james mutters, shoving his hands inside his pocket. "anything yet?"

"no, they're very quiet," alex says slowly, nose scrunching as he tries to predict what would happen next. "oh, i hear footsteps. wait. someone's heading for the door."

alex quickly jumps from his spot, george makes a run for alex's driver's room and james simply stays where he is with his arms folded over his chest now.

the door opens, revealing a familiar face that everyone expected. logan lifts an eyebrow, watching the two friends scrambling to their feet and his team principal standing across his door. "hello."

"hello," james grins. "they were wondering if you've got a girl inside. claimed to have heard a woman giggling? i mean, unless it's a ghost, then i don't know."

"i was on a call with (y/n). she's still back at the hotel," logan laughs. he keeps his head on the inside handle of the door, poking his head out to look at alex. "nice try, dude."

but george can see a nail poking out from where he's standing, holding logan's wrist with a firm grip. he tilts his head to get a look at the gap of the door and the wall. there he sees it: he can make out the figure of somebody hiding behind the door.

"no way there wasn't anyone in your room," alex scoffs stepping up. he briefly scans the room from the outside with a frown when he doesn't find a trace of anybody else who could have been there. he sniffs. "your room smells like girl perfume!"

it almost wants to make george burst into laughter and yank the girl from behind the door. and then he catches her eye, eyes widening at the familiarity of it all.

he might not have recognised it if they hadn't spent the entire day pushed up against one another on a couch for panel interviews.

he just gasps audibly, catching the attention of the two other men in the room. logan's head snaps to george in worry before the tiny pixel of a manicured nail behind the door disappears. he can see her, from that very tiny gap, shaking her head profusely at him.

"i need to go find lando and pay him 50 bucks," george mutters, walking out of alex's driver's room. he pushes himself past the three men with his head dropped in shame.

"what for?" alex asks, taking his attention away completely from his previous hyperfixation. "that's a lot of money."

"i just owe him some money. i'll be right back."

— bonus: how her family eventually found out

the door rattles with the sound of a key being inserted into its lock. behind ciara who's scrambling to get the door open, she's bolting down the street to the best of her ability to catch her.

when ciara finally gets the door to unlock, she immediately screams for her mother, who answers that she's in the kitchen. she bolts inside, completely forgetting their house rule of no shoes in the house.

"mum, you'll never guess what i just saw!" ciara screams.

"she's lying!" the older girl screams, stumbling into the kitchen disheveled from the running. "don't listen to her!"

"mum! i saw her kissing logan at the mall!" ciara screams, pointing behind her where the couple stands. her older sister has her eyes narrowed down into a glare as she locks her jaw. logan, however, stands behind her with his hands in his pockets.

he just knows better than to interfere with their fight. (he once got in the middle of one when he was 17 and accidentally got smacked in the face which gave him a bleeding nose)

"we were not!" she retorts, stomping her foot on the ground and staring at ciara. she turns to her mother with a tired sigh, scratching her cheek. "mum! you can't possibly be listening to ciara!"

"she's got a boyfriend without telling us!"

"we can kinda tell," her mother answers in dismay, pouring the apple into a clean bowl.

"what?"

"yeah. what?" ciara scoffs, furrowing her eyebrows.

"you guys have been awfully closer since... well, for a while now," her mother shrugs with a small grin on her face. "also, you left a polaroid of him kissing your cheek at the beach on the entryway table. i'm the one who put it back into your room - not blythe."

she came from all giddy one evening from their first date, and blythe immediately guessed that she was seeing someone. the scream that erupted from blythe usually calm lips almost woke the entire house when she nonchalantly guessed logan correctly. they spent the entire night in her bedroom recounting the events of the night.

blythe has been covering for them for a while now.

"you're not mad?" ciara asks.

"she's an adult - she can make her own decisions," her mother shrugs with a smile. her eyes snap to the taller boy standing behind her eldest. "and i practically watched logan grow up - he's a good kid. i'm happy for you."

"she gets to have a boyfriend but i don't?" ciara scoffs, throwing her arms into the air. "she had a boyfriend at 16, by the way!"

the older girl scoffs, before turning on her heel. "you're 14, you nutjob. you don't have a case to begin with."

[thegettingbyp2]

Do you think you could write a Jasper Hale x human!female!reader fic (this would take place during new moon) where he leaves and the reader has to deal with the after math of this. Then he later comes back angst might ensue but perhaps with a fluffy ending? Please and Thank You! 💖

P.S let me know if you need anymore info!

For Good This Time

A/N: If you enjoy this, please consider buying me a coffee :)

You weren’t really sure how your world was turned upside down in a matter of a small few hours. One moment, you had been laying on Jasper’s chest on your bed, his hand weaving through your hair as he read Jane Eyre to you, and the next you found yourself on your own, feeling like your heart had been completely ripped out of your chest.

Jasper had thoroughly broken your heart and then stomped on the broken shards that then lay at your feet. He said that he no longer loved you and that he was tired of constantly having to be cautious around you; that he wanted to be with someone who wouldn’t break so easily. When you found out that the same thing had happened to Bella when Edward broke up with her, the two of you found yourselves growing closer; the pair of you knowing how it felt to have your heart broken by one of the Cullens.

That was a year ago and the pain in your chest was still just as painful as the day he left. Bella had started to grow closer to her old childhood friend, Jacob Black, and whilst you were happy for her and happy that she seemed to be dealing with everything that happened a lot better, a part of you couldn’t help but feel bitter and left behind; that you should have moved on by now. However, although you knew that Jasper was gone, there was a part of you that always hoped that he’d come back. There were a few times where you had been convinced that you’d seen him as you walked down the street and were always tempted to follow him to see if it really was him but had to stop yourself.

So, when you found out that Edward and the Cullens had come back, you raced over to the house that you’d missed so much, only to be disappointed when you didn’t see the familiar blonde head that you were desperate to see.

‘I’m sorry, (Y/N),’ Esme said when she saw the look of realisation on your face that he wasn’t there. ‘He thought it was best if he stayed away from you, he’s been coming back into town every few months to check on you but he thinks it’s best for you if he stays away.’

‘But why would he think that?! The whole time he’s been gone, it feels like I’ve not been able to breathe. I thought we were past this, he knew that he wasn’t going to hurt me, he knew that!’

When you went home that night, you went straight into your room, collapsing on top of your bed as sobs wracked through your body. You have no idea how long you had been crying for but you were just drifting off into a fitful sleep when you felt a freezing cold touch on your cheek. You flinched at the sudden change in temperature and felt the touch retract instantly, a small inhale sounding with it that had your eyes snapping open to look into a pair of the prettiest amber-coloured eyes you’d ever seen.

‘Jasper,’ you breathed out as you sat up on your bed, taking in the sight of him standing at the foot of your bed, looking down at you with a mix of love and fear and worry in his eyes.

‘Hey, darlin’,’ he replied quietly, his Southern accent thick.

You inched your way to the end of the bed, standing up but losing your balance as you refused to take your eyes off of him, terrified that he would disappear if you so much as blinked. Jasper’s hands quickly came out to steady you and the feel of his cool fingers on the bare skin of your arms had you snapping out of the trance you seemed to be in and all of a sudden, tears were streaming down your face again as your fists began to hit at his chest. Your fists were surely going to bruise at the contact to his rock-hard chest and it would be having absolutely no effect on Jasper, yet he still moved backwards with every punch, as if your hits were physically hurting him.

‘You just left! I was a mess and you didn’t care! And then Esme told me that you’d been coming back here! Why? Why bother coming back if you don’t want me anymore? What are you even doing here?’ The feeling of his hands wrapping gently around your wrists, halting your movements, had your voice dying out in your throat and your sobs taking over your body as you let Jasper gently lower you down until you were both sitting down on the edge of your bed, your face buried in his chest as you continued to cry.

He held you tightly against him, his nose buried in your hair as his hand moved up to cup your cheek, wiping away your tears and you couldn’t help but lean into his touch. ‘I’m so sorry, (Y/N), I thought if I left then it’d be safer for you. After everything that happened at Bella’s birthday last year, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if the same thing happened to you. I kept coming back because I couldn’t bear to be away from you but whenever I saw you, I thought you just needed more time to get over everything. It wasn’t until Carlisle and Esme told me that they’d spoken to you that I knew I had to come back for you. I missed you so much.’

‘I kept thinking that I saw you and it was driving me crazy and the thought of you not coming back because you didn’t want to see me, broke me all over again.’

‘I know, and I’m so sorry. I was stupid and you didn’t deserve any of that.’

‘You told me you didn’t love me anymore,’ you whispered in a shaky voice and you felt him still around you.

‘And I hate myself for it every single second that I exist. There won’t be a day where I won’t hate myself for saying that to you and, if you’ll let me, I’d like to spend the rest of my existence making it up to you.’

You pulled back to look at him and the guilt was written as plain as day in his eyes. Slowly, you moved your hand to cup his cheek and tilted your head until your lips lightly brushed against his, your breath escaping you at the feeling of his lips finally back on yours, something you’d missed for the last 365 days.

‘You’re definitely back?’ you asked nervously, not wanting to let yourself relax only for him to break your heard all over again.

‘For good this time, ma’am,’ he said, a small smirk in his voice as he laid the entirely of his Southern charm on you, knowing it made you weak in the knees before pressing his lips to yours again and gently pulling you both down onto the bed.

[partycatty]

so i made a post about revenant johnny and i’m totally aware you saw it so what about a smut fic with revenant johnny??

i’m not entirely sure how we’d get to that part and i’d like to think we aren’t a revenant. im not entirely sure what the plot would be but i really just need to get my back blown out by revenant johnny

love ya 💙💙

EAYRBAUHRJAJFLAMTLMSMF

revenant!older!johnny cage > join me

revenant johnny meets you after his turning. the carnal desire never vanished.

warnings: kinda angsty, not explicitly consented to, you get SLAMMED TO POUND TOWN AND BACK. NETHERREALM AND BACK. OUTWORLD AND B— oh also lore adjustment to mk9 and mk11 :3

[ masterlist ]

you didn't think recent events could get any weirder, truly. just five years prior you lost the love of your life to a corrupted sindel, and with the knowledge that his cursed corpse sauntered beside a sorcerer such as quan chi, you honestly felt like coming face to face with a younger version of yourself was the most normal thing to occur. your job as a leader of the special forces was to capture and eliminate all threats to earthrealm, including but not limited to your former husband.

now under the command of a previous timeline's raiden among others, you had built enough of an army to counterattack what you lovingly called the zombified versions of your once-friends, liu kang and kitana. kronika was a force beyond your understanding but you knew that losing all you'd come to build would be a loss greater than... well, no. it was everything you'd lose.

at the bow of kharon's ship, you stood with a loaded rifle alongside a band of people you'd grown to admire; jax, jacqui, cassie, raiden, liu kang, kitana, kung lao, fujin, nightwolf, and of course a younger version of johnny. he nudges your side, aiming his own rifle at the sky with a hand on his hip.

"i hope we don't die out there, i'd love to tap that someday," he coos into your direction, perhaps louder than intended and earning horrified looks from everyone - including your fatherless daughter. you stomp on johnny's foot. perhaps you would have fallen for his charms in the past, but dear god was he more punchable than ever in that moment. even still, you miss his quips and jabs. what you wouldn't give to see the color return to his cracked, hellish skin.

"it is an honor to fight alongside most of you," you call out, facing forward as your subtle dig at younger johnny makes him frown. "raiden says it better. may the elder gods protect us."

it's not long before the large boat scrapes against the shore of the island, and your entire army charges into battle. guns, swords, and fangs spill so much blood, you could smell more iron than when you were riding down the crimson sea. your thoughts are cut short when a path opens, and you shoot a glance to your comrades.

"i see an opening!" you shout, pointing. "i'm going in!" a chorus of encouragements and cheers fill your ears atop the war cries, and the one that stands out most is cassie. your daughter's voice raises, slipping into grief mid-battle.

"if you find dad," she cries, praying to the gods that she won't lose both parents. "tell him i love him!" the knowledge that this battle will end in only one of you making it out alive terrifies her beyond belief but she does all she can to keep a strong face and salute you as you disappear in the crowd. cassie knows that a revenant version of johnny wouldn't fully understand, wouldn't fully accept her love, but she couldn't die or have him die without expressing it one last time.

you weave, shoot and slash through the crowd and end up in a castle-like structure. perhaps if you were to rise to the top you could use the position as surveillance or sniping. you could possibly even find a weak point. the building is just distant enough for the war to hardly reach the inside. your breathing and the sound of boots hitting stone are all you could focus on as you turn a corner.

blood rushes to your ears and you could feel your vision become glassy at the sight of the figure at the end of the hallway. even after all this time, you knew that shape. johnny stood in the dead center of the long hall, arms crossed and waiting like he predicted your arrival. maybe he did.

"no, nonono," you pant, leaning against the wall as your brows furrow. "not you. not now." the grief you thought you conquered washes over you.

"well i'll be damned," johnny smirks, pulling his sunglasses from his face and tucking them into his shirt. "long time no see, sugar." he takes long strides to you and your legs feel embarrassingly weak when you slide to the ground, gun clattering to the stone surface alongside you.

"anyone but you—" you're muttering under your breath, trying to ground your spiraling thoughts. "please."

johnny's in front of you now, kneeling down to meet your gaze. his skin is paled and crackling with a hellish glow, and his eyes are a heinous reddish shade. the outfit he wore was similar in style to his usual, but darker in palette and slightly edgier. in any other context, it was a good look.

"you look just as good as the day i left you," he grins, dismissing your grief and turmoil for flirtation. you want to fight back so bad, to shove him away and put an end to this but dammit it was the first time you'd heard that voice, that damn voice.

"why did you leave me? cassie?" you're involuntarily sobbing now, full of conflict. "why are you doing this?"

"you're the one causing this entire problem," johnny's defensive, jabbing a finger to your chest. "kronika's new era can save us. neither of us join the military. can you imagine it? white picket fence, two dogs and a daughter, home cooked meals every night and none of this bullshit—!" johnny's arm extends out to a nearby window, giving you both a view of the demon-human-demigod war on time. "—baby. join me. we could have everything we've ever dreamed of." his tone isn't as desperate and loving as it should be. it sounded... pushy. frustrated that you're disobeying what he wants.

"no," you choke out, tears flowing freely now. "you're being played a fool, johnny." he doesn't like your answer, and instead wraps a large hand around your small neck. he slides you back up the wall and spins you, your front now pressed up against a wall.

"you know what i'd miss more than your stubbornness?" he growls into your ear. his hand pressing hold on the back of your head is brewing a headache that quickly fizzles away when his other hand tugs your hips toward his front. you swallow, afraid to reply. "this sweet ass."

his cold, dead hand plays with the fat of your ass which spills a growl from his lips. instinctively rutting into you makes you spill an involuntary whimper out, craving his touch after so long.

"always a pain in my ass," johnny groans, slapping a cheek and watching it bounce. "i've gone years without it, i was practically losing my damn mind."

"johnny—" you barely breathe out. you're not entirely sure what you were going to say anyway. the warmth of his hardness shocks you as it slides up and down your clothed ass.

"mm?" he hums, transfixed on the way your behind fits his cock nicely. it was clear he wasn't fully listening and instead relishing in your presence once again.

as if he could read your thoughts, johnny chuckles to himself and kicks the rifle away, only stopping his humping momentarily to remove your defenses. your legs slightly part to try and catch the gun with your foot, accidentally giving him more access to your embarrassingly needy cunt.

"yeah, fuckin' speechless," he growls, hissing at the sight of your soaked bottoms. "bet you missed my cock, yeah?"

you could hardly even whimper from the onslaught of emotion. johnny's hand snakes to the front of your neck, forcibly arching your back as he pulls to lean into your ear.

"join me," he demands coldly.

"no."

johnny's hand dips under your waistband.

"join me," he demands again, tone getting progressively more animalistic as he tugs downward.

"no."

your pants are practically torn off as he grabs a fistful and tugs them to your knees with his mind-numbing strength. you weren't sure if he ripped your panties or tugged them off too. you hear something unbuckle on his end, and his hot, wet tip tickles your entrance.

"last chance." even though his hand returned to shove you into the stone wall, you could hear his cocky grin.

"go fuck yourself," you spit, realizing your grave choice of wording.

"i'll do you one better." he slams his entire cock inside of you, and it immediately settles into your walls like it was made to bury itself there for all of eternity. even still, going without dick that good leaves your pussy burning and on the verge of crying for other reasons.

he bottoms out quick, leaning back to admire how nicely he settles inside of you.

"well fuck, look at that," he says with genuine amusement in his tone. "you look so pretty stretched out on me like this, it's a sight for sore eyes."

your fingers claw at the stone, eyes rolling back as you take his full length without verbal complaint. as you pathetically attempt to protest, all you can sputter out are disconnected syllables. johnny's thrusts start off slow but he snaps into you as he reaches the base inches.

"all this whining but you're fuckin' soaked," he laughs, snapping into you harshly to hear you cry out. "you're a horrible liar, you know. you wanna join me, i can f — haah —" his own cocky nonsense is cut short when you clench around him. he lurches forward in shock, moving both hands to your hips to deepen his grip. "i can feel how tight you are for me."

in little to no time, johnny's cock is pounding into you at a breakneck pace, a horrid slapping sound echoing off of the castle walls as they mix with your obscene moans and his deep grunts. you're sure he's piling more unholy words into you but they feel so far away when he's plowing into you like a dying man — well.

his cracked, grey fingers grope you shamelessly, pinching your nipple through your uniform or rubbing rapid circles into your clit. the pleasure is too much too quickly and you feel a warmth pooling in your stomach as your juices coat his shaft.

a gasp escapes your lips with each thrust, your husband quite literally knocking the wind out of you each time he slams into you.

"i missed you," he purrs out, and just like that all hesitation and guilt you had flew away as his words made you cum hard. a glimpse of his humanity poured through at your orgasm, and while it was flattering, you had bigger problems to worry about then, including just how hard you came.

each wave of pleasure was met with an extra thrust for good measure, a pulse shooting to your clit that makes your knees buckle. what you quickly realize however is that your zombie husband isn't done with your body quite yet.

"oh, no no no," he tuts, thrusts getting wilder and filling you to the point of tears. "you're done when i'm done. this is what you get."

your sensitive walls continued to shamefully take every inch he forced into you, and you could writhe and twitch as a drop of drool spills from your lip. this revenant was fucking you stupid, using your body for all it was worth in the moment. you hated yourself for falling for his undead charm all over again. your vision was going black and starry before another orgasm rode up on you again, johnny's back shots doing nothing to soothe the overstimulation that was racking your body. it's not long before he's whining too, which turns into his signature whimpering when he fucks into you harshly, spewing his cum inside of you like he owns you. you cum with him this time, flooding with your own juice mixed with his cum that now coated your walls nicely.

tears still burned in your eyes, and so did your pussy from the unexpected stretch. johnny panted above you, face turned up at the ceiling as he tries to compose himself.

"holy..." he pants, wiping the sweat from his face with his arm. he wraps an arm around you and slaps at your bare pussy, making you yelp and jump back against his dick that's still buried inside. you swallow thickly and nod, too hazy to make sense of it all.

"i..." what the hell were you going to say? what is there to say after all of this? you're dumbfounded, fucked silly but torn apart by grief. as you crane your neck to look at johnny, you find that he's already looking at you with a coy expression. like he robbed you of something. tore your very being apart piece by piece and was proud.

"hope you're not mad at me for the whole dying thing, by the way."

[spyderlondon]

Harlequin Showtime

Harlequin AU by @tadc-harlequin-au @iamespecter (YOU BETTER GET HEALTHY SOON)!

Protectiveness: Can become overprotective

--------

"I-Is that all y-you got...?" Pomni forced herself up and used her sword as a crutch as she narrowed her eyes at the boss puppet she had been tossed into a wall, making a giant crater in the wall. She huffed as she watched a bit of her outer shell of her chest fall from under her shirt but she refused to let that stop her. Not until she died. And even then, she would come straight back once The Puppetmaster revived her. This boss would be defeated by her- no matter how long it took!

'Pomni!' Caine's voice yelled out from Bubble's blimp with a concerned and commanding tone, 'Get out of there! I can hear how damaged you are from your voice!'

She could hear the frown on his stupid jaw but refused to be ordered back yet, "N-NO! I CAN BEAT THIS BASTARD!" She exclaimed before rushing off to continue fighting despite how she was slowing down from how much damage she already took during the battle but it didn't stop her attack.

She could tell The Puppetmaster was still trying to order her around but by the time the blimp got over to her side, the boss had slammed an arm against the temple of her head which ended up damaging her auditory wire nerves (I don't know, just roll with it) causing it where sound began to glitch in and out for her. But she didn't exactly notice as she flew to the side from the heavy hit yet she still forced her arm to shift into a gun and shot at the boss puppet a few times before she crashed into ground.

'P--- re--- at ----' The combat harlequin couldn't make out really anything Bubble was trying to relay to her, most of it sounded gargled to her which led her to weakly shove the blimp away from her.

She groaned as she struggled to get up again, using her sword as a crutch again. She watched as the boss puppet stumbled and almost fell after she saw that her bullets were able to incapacitate the boss' arms and one of its legs. It roared in anger, which she could only tell by watching its mouth enlarge a bit, before it used its able foot to stomp the ground hard enough to create a quake.

"Oh shit-" Pomni cursed as she was unable to get up in time and had to brace herself for most likely her next death. She shut her eyes and put her arms in front of her, preparing herself for when the quake got to her.

Only to suddenly feel nothing but two arms underneath her and some wind going past her face. She paused but didn't need to open her eyes to know who got her away from the battle, she cracked an eye open to see a rather pissed off Caine plunging an electrified cane right into the boss' head and finishing the fight for her. She wanted to yell at him for stealing her target but she was too busy, you know, finally dying herself from all the extensive injuries she sustained.

----

It was almost midnight of the next day when Pomni's die finally glowed and the harlequin puppet groaned as she sat up on the table in Caine's office. She noticed that he was already glaring at her, almost seething in rage by how reckless she must've been against the boss. She grunted as she took a moment to register what all happened before she opened her mouth to speak-

"I TOLD YOU TO GET OUT OF THERE! TO RETREAT!!" The Puppetmaster immediately put a stop to her even attempting to talk her way out of a scolding, yelling to the point of almost screaming at her, "BUT YOU DON'T LISTEN!" He roared.

Pomni's eyes widened as she stared at shock as he continued to yell and scold her but despite the pure anger in his tone, there was something more. It almost sounded like sadness and distraught over how he felt when she was almost damaged to no repair, "Caine- I..." She paused as she noticed how her sword was missing from her side and even from the office, ".....where's my sword?" Her own voice picked up a tone of anger as she asked that.

He growled lowly, "Locked away somewhere you can't find and even if you did, it would be impossible for you to break into." He answered, his voice harsh but hoarse, almost as if he had been doing more than yelling.

She narrowed her eyes as she was suddenly on her feet and grabbed his collar, "WHY?!" She snapped at him, her grip tight, "I need it to continue fighting!" She spat at him in pure anger. She felt almost naked without her sword on her.

"You won't be getting your sword. Not for a long while." His voice turned deathly calm as he forced her off of him, "You'll be staying where I can watch and train you. You're too reckless out there. One day your die will completely shatter." His voice broke but he was quick to mask it, she wasn't allowed to die on him. If she continued to fight like a hot headed maniac, then her die would eventually shatter and he'd lose her forever.

He couldn't risk it. Not anymore. If he had to, he'd make her a prisoner in this mansion.

[embyrinitalics]

Have a fun little prompt:

TP Zelda gets a dog. Link is unimpressed. She calls the dog Link. Chaos ensues.

That's it. That's the prompt.

— Replaced —

“What is that?”

“The latest taxation proposition for Lanayru province.”

“Not that. That.”

The queen set the top page of her report aside, not deigning to glance beneath her desk.

“It’s a dog.”

“Yes. But what is it doing here?”

“It’s mine.”

The captain of the guard waited a beat. She turned another page.

“You got a dog.”

“Yes.”

“May I ask why?”

“Dogs are good companion animals.”

He folded his arms, frowning at it. It laid down and folded its paws, unmoved.

“And why do you need a companion animal?”

“You seem needlessly fixated, Sir Link.”

“You’re avoiding the question, Your Majesty.”

“Why? Does it pose a threat to my security?”

“It’s unlike you.”

“Not so. I’ve always liked dogs. And companion animals can be very soothing.”

“You already have—”

Her eyes met his at the same time his teeth met each other. Her gaze lingered, and he strategically uncrossed his arms. Beneath the desk, the dog sniffed.

She turned another page.

“Did you have something for me?”

He did. He fished the envelope out of his breast pocket and stepped closer to hold it out to her across her workspace. She reached for her letter opener and sliced it neatly down the seam, and he let his eyes drift down near his boots and bared a tooth.

“Thank you,” she said, and leaned back in her chair to read.

It was as polite a dismissal as he was liable to get. He saw himself out, glancing back from the shadow of the door.

The dog looked smug.

⬫⬫⬫⬫

The delegation arriving that afternoon was large, and the staff had been agitated as a cucco swarm seeing to the last minute preparations. Fortunately, the captain had some experience with cuccos, and was adroit enough to stay out of the way as he oversaw the finishing touches on the security measures.

One of the kitchen maids, sheen on her forehead and pink on her cheeks, came out of the dining room with a platter big as a Hylian shield balanced against her shoulder. The frustration on her face melted a bit when she met his eyes, giving way to an exhausted half-smile.

“Hello, Captain,” she said, breathless, and he nodded.

“Miss Tilly.”

“No room for a fourth platter of bouchées,” she sighed, dragging her wrist against her brow. Her eyes sparkled beneath. “These’ll have to go back down.”

“Pity,” he said.

She plucked an hors d'oeuvres from the top of the arrangement and held it out for him.

“Care to lighten my load?”

The pastry hovered between them a moment—unassuming, bite sized, glistening with eggwash—before his fingers finally lifted along with the corners of her mouth.

If anyone knew how to tempt the otherwise impervious captain of the guard, it was the kitchen staff.

He was halfway to biting into it when the queen’s voice, raised, urgent, startled him so badly he pulled it out from under his teeth and whipped his head aside.

“Link, no!”

A blue-eyed shepherd bounded down the hallway like a shot and back up again, twirling a circle by the trailing queen’s skirts and hopping a bit until he pulled a smile out of her. He let his tongue loll out and pranced at her heel as she walked.

The captain’s teeth hadn’t quite found their way back to each other.

“You—” he started, and then closed his mouth at her sudden, innocent attention.

She waited, elegant. He tried again, off kilter.

“You named the dog Link?”

“It’s a heroic name,” she reasoned, fingers feathering the silky top of his head, and Link preened. “Don’t you agree?”

Miss Tilly ducked her head and scurried off, hiding her toothy smile very poorly.

The captain shoved the whole pastry in his mouth and stomped off.

⬫⬫⬫⬫

The queen brought Link to the reception.

He was bouncy and very good at manipulating his eyebrows to swindle the guests out of treats. He was light enough on his dainty paws that he stayed out from under the foot traffic, and small enough that he could slip under tables with ease. The Zora also found him novel and charming, which made absolutely no sense.

His good behavior did not keep the captain from glaring at him whenever they crossed paths.

After dinner the queen stayed up late entertaining and listening to informal presentations of the Zora’s concerns. Link laid at her feet, occasionally offering his chin and ears for scratches. The captain of her guard stood stationed at the far end of the room, where he could keep an eye on all the entrances and wouldn’t eavesdrop.

It was his usual spot at functions like these. But tonight he felt leashed up outside.

When the guests had finally gone to bed, the queen glided towards her chambers, trailed by two shadows. It was a sleepy procession. And as the delegation was staying for the better part of a week, there would be more of them. The dog whined.

“You poor thing,” she murmured, reaching down to stroke his chin. “You haven’t had your supper yet.”

Neither had the captain. But he refrained from whining about it.

They reached her room and the queen went inside. Link followed, nails dragging noisily on the carpet, but stopped wedged in the doorway to look pointedly over his shoulder. The captain felt his hackles raising.

“Was there something else?”

“Nothing else, Your Majesty. Get some rest.”

“You as well,” she nodded, swallowing a yawn. “Come to bed, Link.”

The dog trailed her inside, making a beeline for her mattress.

When the door closed, the captain bristled so hard he felt the need to shake down to his tail.

⬫⬫⬫⬫

The next few days were more of the same: crowded meals that lasted for hours, long walks through the castle grounds speckled with talks, and tired evenings brimming with wine. The queen’s captain and her dog liked each other less and less.

The last morning of the visit, nerves frayed, tension wound tight, Link growled when the captain wandered too close to the queen’s desk, and without thinking the captain bared his teeth.

“Link!” she scolded, and they both flinched, tails tucked.

The envoy met with her one last time for what was sure to be a long negotiation, and the captain took the opportunity to attend to some pressing business.

He snatched the dog by the collar and dragged him, nails scuffing everywhere, to a broom closet, and locked them both in. He changed, and the dog screamed.

“OH GODS! WOLF! WOLF! HELP! SOMEONE HELP!”

“Stop barking! Stop—shut up, shut up!”

Link hesitated from where he had reared back on his haunches, breath puffing and chest fluttering, before he took an uncertain sniff. The whites of his eyes receded a bit, his forepaw meeting the ground and his nose drifting closer as he investigated. And then his eyes—as much as a dog’s eyes can—rolled.

“Oh. It’s you.”

The wolf let his lip curl, and while Link’s ears drooped, he planted his paws and raised himself a little taller, not to be intimidated.

“Let’s have it out,” the captain growled, “before this becomes an issue for her.”

“Well I certainly have nothing to apologize for,” he snuffed. “I’ve been nothing but well behaved!”

“You took a snap at me under her desk this morning.”

“You were asking for it.”

If the captain had a palm to drag across his face, he would’ve. Instead he pinned his ears down and huffed, glowering, “The safety of the queen and her household are my responsibility. You don’t need to like me. I don’t need to like you. But I am going to protect her. So stay out of my way.”

Link snorted. “That’s what she keeps you around for? Protection?”

“At least she has use for me. I can’t fathom why she’s kept you as long as she has.”

“Because I am the best boy. And the goodest boy. And the prettiest boy—”

“All right, shut up, shut up.”

He planted his tail on the ground, trying to think. It swished like an irritated metronome.

Link’s ears perked, head tilting and eyes going horribly wide with realization.

“You’re jealous!���

The wolf sneered. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“It all makes sense now. You’ve been unwelcoming from the moment I arrived. And at first I thought, Perhaps he’s one of those unpleasant people who simply doesn’t like dogs—insufferable, yes, but mostly harmless. But it couldn’t be clearer now what this is about: territory.”

“The queen is not territory.”

“But the place beside her throne? At the foot of her bed? Those certainly are, and I’ve never seen you in any of them.”

Link put on his best smug face. The captain entertained thoughts of cleaving his head clean off his shoulders.

“So, what did you do to get yourself ousted?”

“I haven’t been ousted.”

“Fine. Replaced.”

“I haven’t been—!”

“Well you must’ve done something wrong. How else do you explain my arrival? Were you too noisy? Too big? Too intimidating? Do you give subpar cuddles?”

His eyes narrowed. “The queen and I have never cuddled.”

Link looked mortified. “How can you even be a lapdog and not give cuddles?”

“I was never her lapdog! I’m her head of security!”

He hesitated.

“She does… know you’re a dog, yes?”

The wolf huffed again. “Yes, she knows.”

“Because I’ve never seen you like this in front of her before. And we’re mostly inseparable.”

“It’s been a while,” he grumbled.

“But you used to.”

One of his ears went sideways.

“And you liked it.”

Both of his ears went sideways.

Link beamed. “Doesn’t she give just the best scratches?”

“Listen, lapdog,” the wolf snapped, teeth meeting loudly, and Link shrank back against the wall. “The point is we’re stuck working together, and there’s nothing either of us can do about it. Deal with it.”

“You could ask for reassignment.”

He snarled, “Excuse me?”

“You can talk to her,” he explained, reaching with his back paw to scratch an itch. It made his collar twirl. “Tell her things. I envy you that, though I do a fairly good job of getting what I want besides. But you could tell her you don’t want to be her head of security anymore. Tell her you’d rather be a lapdog instead.”

“I don’t want to be her lapdog!”

“You just want to be closer to her.”

The wolf’s ears pinned back and his lips curled. “Why am I even having this conversation with you?”

“Because you locked us in a closet!”

His growl rumbled so low the brooms rattled.

He waited.

So did Link.

Finally, he murmured, “I can’t tell her that.”

“Why not?”

“It’s complicated.”

Link tilted his head at him again.

“Is that common among humans? They can’t say what they want?”

“I’d say so.”

He considered that a moment. Then he glanced up at him, eyebrows quirked.

“I think you’re dense.”

The wolf looked suddenly ravenous, but Link was unbothered.

“You’ve been outside wolfshape for too long, Captain. What do your senses tell you?”

That made him hesitate. He sniffed reflexively. “I don’t follow.”

“She got a dog to keep her company. With blue eyes. She named me after you. And you think you’re the only one who isn’t saying what he wants?” Link did his dog impression of an eye roll again. “Let me out of here. Your stupid might be contagious.”

The wolf blinked at him. “I’m going to let that go.”

“Well you know what else I think—”

The captain shifted, fur and teeth and claws melting back into softer shapes. The dog in the broom closet with him yapped incomprehensibly for another five seconds.

He smirked, “I think I like you better like this.”

⬫⬫⬫⬫

That night, when the door to her boudoir opened, the wrong sort of animal stepped through.

The queen looked up from her book from her seat on the couch. A wolf stared back.

After a beat he set his jaw, crossed the room with purpose, and dropped his snout into her lap.

Her lips twitched. The weight of his head didn’t let up in the slightest; if anything, her hesitation only made him sag harder.

“Link,” she murmured, carefully lifting one hand to trace a slow line from between his eyes to between his ears. “What have you done with my dog?”

I ate him, he thought smugly.

Her fingers dug a little deeper, and he leaned shamelessly into it. Because she gave excellent scratches.

“It’s not really appropriate for me to be overly familiar with my staff,” she mused, fingers sliding down, down, toward that spot behind his jaw. He stretched his neck to help her reach. Her smile turned pensive, and then faded just a little. “And even if I wanted to, that’s a lot of pressure to put on someone. It isn’t easy to say no to the queen.”

That’s sweet, Your Majesty, but I can handle myself.

She smoothed the fur around his ears, as though she’d mussed it. The wolf looked up at her out of fluted blue eyes, waiting. Expectant, more than hesitant. It made a smirk twist at her lips.

“It does get lonely, though,” she admitted. “Which is why I got myself a dog.”

Right. Because you didn’t already have one.

The wolf sniffed. He lifted his head from her lap and circled the couch, calculating, and then leapt onto the cushion beside hers with great care and laid down, tucking his legs so he’d fit. He plopped his head meaningfully on her shoulder.

“I can’t very well get rid of him now,” she argued.

He pushed his nose into her neck, and then wriggled to press in with his chest, encroaching as much as possible.

“Link,” she complained, puffing fur away from her mouth. “You’re too big.”

He only had two shapes to choose from, and wasn’t sure she’d be much happier with the other one. But neither was he about to call off his offensive after he’d come this far.

He shifted in a flurry of shadows. His elbow was planted on the camelback behind her shoulder, his temple planted on his fist. He was still very much in her personal space.

She arched an eyebrow, but made no move to pull away. He tested the waters, drifting closer. Her eyes twinkled, the way only hers could, and the grin that spread over his lips was probably too wolfish.

“I know a ranch in Ordona that would love a shepherd.”

On ao3 | masterlist

[robinofinashiro]

prompt: “it's okay, you can touch me. i won't break."

characters/fandom: giorno giovanna x reader / jojos bizarre adventure

status/note: sometimes i listen to dumbass music while writing and was hearing the can-can so i guess that song inspired this fic for absolutely no damn reason LMAO bc it makes absolutely no sense lmao

pronouns used: she/her and afab!

giorno had heard of you. you were the newest recruit into passione and damn did he hear the stories that trailed behind you. it wasn't that you were notorious for murdering people or anything but this sudden personality that sprung into the gang made him wonder how the hell you got tied into this lifestyle.

much like narancia, you were very loud, extremely extroverted at times, and even went out to seek thrills if you were feeling bored enough. all of this was brought to him by bruno who was informing him the new girls arrival.

he was away on mafia business on bruno's behalf for what felt like ages, so he knew he had to return back to Italy to see for himself. he knew the gang could use its silly moments especially if the situation called for it. he figured you, narancia, and mista were getting along way too well for abba's liking.

once he touched down in Italy, he had narancia and fugo waiting for him with his black car. he said his hello's to the two boys as they filled him on what he missed while he was gone.

"oh, and the new girl, she's so awesome!" narancia exclaimed. giorno's ears perked up in sudden interest, "she's from mexico i think but she grew up here but her spanish is so cool! plus, she makes good food!" giorno laughed at how fast narancia was talking.

he figured he must've been stuck to your side for a while if he knew this much by now. usually narancia wasn't one to know this much about others so giorno wondered how open you were about your life.

once they arrived, giorno made his way to his office to situate his things before heading to greet everyone. he had to file a few things and inform bruno about the specifics of his trip before he could think of relaxing even the tiniest bit but once he did, he made his way to the living area.

he saw the back of your hair as he saw you talking rather loudly with mista. the two of you were talking about some soccer match that had happened over the weekend as he made his way to the coffee area to make himself a cup.

you were still arguing with mista when he looked up and saw giorno, "hey, you're back!" he exclaimed. your eyebrows fluttered in confusion when you looked up to see who he was talking to, "this is ( your name )," mista said as giorno finally looked at the two of you.

giorno stared at you for a moment before composing himself, "giorno," he mumbled, his voice not as confident as it usually is. you gave giorno a bright smile, a part of him immediately wondering how the hell you wrapped yourself up into a lifestyle like this, "( your name ), nice to meet you don giovanna," you said excitedly.

giorno didn't know how to respond besides shaking your hand. you instantly went back to speaking to mista who was now smirking at his friend.

mista was able to read his boss like the back of his hand.

-

"gio-gio! we need to go like right now!" you said stomping your foot impatiently. the blond rolled his eyes but obliged. you were waiting for him as the two of you were now disguised in the outfits that demanded the two of you to enter a very prestige venue.

the rest of passione had gotten a head start but you had taken such a long time to get ready that once you were done, giorno had been in the midst of doing something else. he hadn't been able to look at your outfit or how well dressed you were.

giorno's eyes widened when he finally saw the outfit you had on. you were wearing a black dress that fitted your curves way too nicely. your hair was pulled back and pin straight, "does this look okay? i feel like i'm under dressed," you muttered to him.

he shook his head, dismissing the idea immediately as the two of you entered the car. the driver that was assigned to the both of you opened the door as he couldn't help but sneak a peek at you from behind. giorno immediately gave the man a look which made him shiver in fright.

it wasn't a secret to anyone that the don of passione had fell for the new recruit and although it had been months since your initial meeting, giorno still hadn't grown to the idea of formally asking you out and it didn't seem like you had any idea that he was interested in you. for a moment, giorno thought you were into abba as you were always by his side.

he was lucky that his stand hadn't manifested itself to be affectionate towards your own stand yet but he knew that if he didn't admit to his feelings soon, his stand was going to do it for him and that was the last thing he wanted.

once the two of you arrived to the venue, you saw many familiar faces. they belonged to those who you called allies and even friends. this dinner was a sort of meeting between allies and what could be done to secure the future of all of your gangs.

what had surprised you on the other hand was how surprised everyone was when they saw you walking out with giorno. they had never seen the don with someone let alone someone as gorgeous and beautiful as you.

you were immediately given a glass of wine as you started to speak to trish and narancia. bruno and giorno were off on business as you were basically told to look pretty and try to not cause a ruckus with narancia which bruno knew was hard for the two of you to do.

as bruno and giorno were away from everyone, bruno could see the longing gaze that giorno had for you, "even people like us deserve love, even if it feels like we shouldn't. i've seen the looks you've made towards her since the day you met her and i think it's time you make a move before someone else does it," giorno knew he was speaking about abba who seemed to have some sort of feelings towards you as well.

the night continued on as you felt giorno's stare at you. you weren't an idiot after all. although you and narancia constantly gave off dumbass energy on the daily, you were also a girl. a girl who could tell when a man was staring at you and seemed to do that a lot lately.

you shot the blond a smile and made your way towards him as he composed himself. his heart was racing a mile a minute as you stood in front of him.

"what has you looking so serious don giovanna," he chuckled at the formal name as he finally stepped forward and let himself make the move he had been holding back for so long.

"it's okay, you can touch me, i won't break," you murmured to him. he smiled as he grabbed your hand and pulled you towards him. his hand found your lower back as your arms wrapped around his neck, "i am a mafia member after all," you joked.

giorno shook his head, "thank you for accepting this dance, i can tell many wish they were in my position at the moment," you rolled your eyes in slight annoyance, "i can tell but there's only one person allowed to even be this close to me at the moment and that's you," you whispered.

the two of you kept brushing your lips against each others until giorno finally deepened the kiss. you returned the kiss with the same energy as you ran your fingers through his slightly curled hair.

"and i better be the only one allowed to kiss you this way," giorno muttered, his slight dominance finally showing. you hummed in agreement, "the one and only don."

[madhatterbri]

Monster Under The Bed | Demon F.B.

Summary: Demon convinces Grace that the noises in her parents' room are the monster under their bed. She notices the marks on her parents and confronts them.

Author's Note: Inspired with @theworldofotps

Taglist: @mrsarcherofinfamy @smallestsnarkestgirl @judgmentalunicornghost @magicalbuttertarts

The Demon laid peacefully in his bed. He heard his bedroom door open and close. Any hope that the person would leave was dashed the moment he heard slippers drag across his bedroom floor. Y/N's spawn was up and apparently didn't get the hint to go away.

"Go away, Grace," the Demon greeted rudely. "Are you malfunctioning or something?"

"You woke me up last night!" The little girl stomped her foot.

The Demon raised an eyebrow. There was no way he woke her up last night. Not with her parents' dalliance. A smile appeared on his face. This was going to be fun. "That was your mom and dad. They were.... fighting the monster under their bed,"

"That's a lie," she defended. "There are no monsters. My daddy told me,"

The Demon sat up in bed. His feet touched the floor. He had a better look at the little girl. Her eyes matched her father's, yet she was a mini Y/N. An annoying little brat that he would burn the apartment for. "Really? Why don't we have a good look at mommy and daddy during breakfast?"

"Fine," she scoffed and walked back to her room.

A few minutes later, Y/N walked out to make breakfast. The Demon walked out of the bedroom. Grace watched him from the dining room table. He sat next to her.

"See, mommy is fine," she whispered.

The Demon smirked. "Really? Check her neck,"

Grace turned her head to her mother. "There is nothing there,"

"Look at her neck. See the hic-bruises on her neck. It's almost like when your daddy comes home from work," the Demon told her. He moved his head towards Y/N.

Grace gasped when she saw the bruises on her neck. Her tiny hand covered her chest in shock. Her mouth dropped open. "But daddy,"

Finn walked out of his bedroom door. He only wore a pair of shorts. "Good morning, princess,"

The doting father wrapped his arms around his daughter in a hug. Grace smiled happily at her dad's attention. He wished the Demon a good morning and walked to his wife.

"Last night was wonderful," Finn chuckled and kissed his wife's shoulder.

"See the scratches on his back?" The Demon questioned.

Grace looked at her dad. Tears welled in her eyes. Her dad's back was scratched up. A soft sob hiccupped from her tiny body. She left her chair and ran to her parents. Her arms wrapped around her dad's leg. "Did the monster under the bed attack you?"

"What? Honey, what are you talking about?" Finn asked. He picked up his daughter.

"You and mommy are hurt," she cried. Snot ran down her nose. Tears wiped away by her pajamas top.

"Honey, we are fine," Y/N soothed and rubbed her back.

"You have bruises like daddy and daddy has scratches," she whimpered. "I don't want you to get eaten!"

The parents turned to see a laughing Demon.

"What did you do to our daughter?" Finn demanded.

"She said I kept her up last night. I told her about the monsters under the bed," the Demon defended.

Y/N groaned. "Finn!"

"I know, I know. Honey, you must have missed my scratches from wrestling the other night. Mommy got this from straightening her hair. There are no monsters under the bed," Finn insisted. The horrified parents couldn't believe they were caught. They were both blushing and hoping the little girl would forget this happened.

"Gracey, baby, if we get ice cream, can we forget this morning happened?" Y/N asked.

Grace stopped and looked at her parents. "Can I get a toy too?"

[sunshinebingo]

Summary: A heated argument between Azriel and Gwyn turn into a smutty sort of reconciliation.

Word Count: 2.2k

Warning: NSFW!

Read on Ao3 or below the cut

Azriel glared at Gwyn. She glared right back.

“Do you have any idea of what could have happened today?”

He did not even try to hold his anger back from his tone.

Gwyn crossed her arms and stood with all the stubbornness she had amassed in her 29 years. “Nothing happened.”

The veins along Azriel’s arms seemed like they were about to pop from the way his fists tightened.

“You could have – ,” he stopped the last word from leaving his mouth, perhaps afraid that even the mention of it would send some unknown forces crashing down on them and make it happen. Gwyn had no such concerns.

“I could’ve died. Yes, I know. But I didn’t.”

Azriel took two steps towards her. “This could have been way less messy if you had remained hidden and had waited for my return like I ordered you to.”

She didn’t miss the way he spat the word ordered in a reminder that, despite their relationship, during their work, he was still the Spymaster and she his apprentice. Usually, every steps of their shared missions – good, bad and anything in between – were calmly assessed and discussed after their return. But since he had chosen to approach this conversation with scowls and growls, then she would also let her temper lead her.

“This could have gotten worse if I had waited. I had to act.”

“But do you ever think before you act?” he hissed.

She saw fear and anger battling in his eyes. However, his question made her momentarily forget the former. She knew that her decision to leave the spot from which she was spying to run into this fight had seemed rash. But what other choice could she have made when this Autumn female was at the mercy of no less than three burly males.

Uselessly watching from afar wasn’t an option for a Valkyrie. So she had gone where she was needed most. The few cuts and burns she had gotten from those males would only be a reminder that she had fought them and had won. Barely, if it wasn’t for Azriel’s intervention when she was dealing with the last one. But still.

She uncrossed her arms and closed the remaining distance between them. His height had never annoyed her as much as it did in this moment when she had to tilt her head up to look him in the eyes.

“Don’t you dare imply that I’m stupid. I knew the risk before I acted. And I decided to take it anyway.”

Azriel pulled on his hair with a groan. Some of his shadows remained by him, their darkness a an external indication of their singer’s inner turmoil, while the others stuck by Gwyn’s side. Whether they were attempting to calm her or spurring her to go harder, the Shadowsinger didn’t need to know.

“I never said that you are stupid,” Azriel fumed, his face only an inch away from hers. She could have cut the thick tension in that little space with a swipe of her favourite dagger.

His breathing was strained, his eyes pained despite his frown. As annoyed as she was at his scolding, she knew that it was driven by concern for her. Technically, she couldn’t blame him for reacting so fervidly when she had done the same with him in the past. If she couldn’t stand seeing him in any sort of danger, then she should not doubt that he felt the same for her. But she couldn’t stand that he was reprimanding her like she was a novice who was wearing grown up leathers.

“Choose your next words carefully, Shadowsinger.” She threw him her own version of his withering stare.

She saw the gears turning in his head as he considered what to say next. It took him longer than she expected and no less amount of bitterness in his tone.

“You are smarter than everyone I know. And you are so damn brave.” The last word came out like it was an unforgivable flaw. “But sometimes bravery can cost you your life.”

“I know.” She stomped her foot on the carpet. “But if it saves others, then I’ll consider it worth it. Don’t pretend like you haven’t acted the same on many occasions.”

Azriel closed his eyes and sighed. “Damn you for being so compassionate.”

“Is that meant to be compliment?”

“For fuck’s sake,” he muttered before he grabbed her face and kissed her. Hard.

Gwyn gripped the front of his fighting leathers and pulled him closer. He was still mad. As was she. That was why their lips and tongues fought in a battle for dominance. His hands held her by the waist as they quickly moved, her feet mindlessly guiding her backwards until she was pressed against the closest wall. She arched her back. Her body went flush against his and she felt his hardening cock against her front. Azriel pressed himself harder against her and made it impossible for her to move.

All the heat in her body gathered in her core. It became even more intense when he left her lips to bury his face in her neck.

“When are you going to learn that I hate your recklessness,” he grunted in between licking and sucking at her skin.

Her hands went to his hair. She tugged at the strands while desperately attempting to move against him.

“You’re doing a shit job at showing your hate.”

Her words were immediately followed by a gasp when he bit her so hard that she felt the imprint of his teeth even after he lifted his head to look at her again.

Gwyn gulped from the intensity of his gaze. Among the anger and fear there, she also saw the kind of lust that came from a need to make sure that she was still here; still his. His shadows were so thick around them that she couldn’t see anything beyond his spread out wings. Without any warning, Azriel grabbed the front of her leathers and ripped it open. A little of common sense still remained in her to complain about it but she was cut off by his mouth claiming hers again.

“You don’t realise how insane you drive me,” he said while he efficiently glided her clothes off her body. She did the same with him, baring him to her with practiced ease. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer with a huff.

“I don’t always do it on purpose.”

Gwyn thanked the gods that it wasn’t close enough for him when he grabbed her by the thighs and effortlessly lifted her up.

Losing herself in his kiss, she didn’t even realise Azriel was walking until she heard the sound of papers flying and she felt her back hit the polished surface of the wooden desk after he lowered her on it. She opened her eyes to the sight of him looming above her. His eyes scanned her body with a drunken haze yet Gwyn wasn’t sure what emotion was at the forefront of his mind as he did so. She got a clue when one of her hands lowered on his chest and his gaze zeroed in on the small burn that was slowly healing on the inside of her forearm. Azriel’s strong hands tightly gripped at the flesh of her backside.

“You will never disobey my orders on the field again,” he gritted out.

Gwyn was ready to protest and to defend her earlier choice again. She wanted to throw her attitude at him like he was also doing with her. But every word died in her throat when he dropped his forehead against hers. His next words came out in a pained whisper.

“I refuse to lose you.”

She closed her eyes and matched her breathing with his. “You won’t,” she promised.

She wrapped her legs around his middle and pulled him closer. They both moaned when he pressed his cock against her wet centre. His first slide inside her was slow. The following thrust even more so, as though this was her punishment. His mouth going down her neck and his hand squeezing one of her breast were equally toying with her pleasure. Even his shadows seemed to have joined their master in his slow torture.

Gwyn moved her hips but was immediately stopped by Azriel who pinned her on the desk with a hard thrust which had her crying out before he resumed his slow pace. A series of moans and breathy curses left her lips. She grabbed his face from where he was sucking on her breasts and brought his lips to hers.

“I’m so godsdamned mad at you,” he said against her mouth. She was still mad at him too, but for reasons that were overriding their argument.

“Please. Be mad at me harder.”

Then, like this was exactly what he had been waiting for, Azriel started fucking her mercilessly. It was desperate and deep. Gwyn dug her nails into his back while their lips and tongues tangled with each other with the same frenetic pace as his cock pounding into her. All of their frustration and his fear manifested into fervent touches and lewd noises. They were so close that not even his shadows could have slipped between their bodies.

Everything started bordering on too much; the heat, their bruising grip on each other, the pressure building inside her. But Gwyn refused to let go when she was so close to that edge. She glided her hands to the base of Azriel’s wings and scraped her fingernails on that spot that she knew only she had ever touched. She swallowed the loud groan that he let out from that and made an equally loud noise when he slammed inside her with somehow more force than he had until now.

Gwyn’s body trembled but she didn’t care to know whether it was more him or her. She felt the erratic beating of his heart going in sync with hers where his chest was pressed so close to her that it squeezed her breasts. Their heartbeats and the cries barely muffled by their kiss drowned out the rest of the world around them.

Gwyn pressed her fingers on that spot on his wings a little harder. Azriel shuddered atop her and buried himself as deep as her cunt could take him. Feeling him come inside her was the final drop she needed to climax. She clung onto him as hard as he did with her. The world could have ended right then and there but they wouldn’t have been able to let go of each other.

Gwyn’s body relaxed as she slowly came down from oblivion until she went completely lax underneath him. Her legs felt like jelly as she untangled them from around him. This plus with his weight pressing down on her, Gwyn couldn’t stop her body from sliding off the desk. Her backside was almost completely off when Azriel lifted her again. Instead of walking them across the room to the giant bed that was draped in soft sheets and fluffy pillows, he simply kneeled on the carpet and plopped them down in almost the same position as they were previously in, her lying down and a heavy Azriel on top of her.

She let her head fall back, the carpet and her braid preventing her from hurting herself. Her arms flopped at her sides with even less grace. Azriel was in no better state with his head once again buried in the crook of her neck and his breathing as ragged as hers. It was as though everything they had gone through since this morning – everything they had felt – had build up and had exploded in the most delicious way, to then fall back down on them like confetti. Everything left of them now was exhaustion.

Gwyn opened her eyes and watched the shadows swirling above them like a dark cloud. Her mind must have been in a similar state of laziness because there was no other explanation to what she said next.

“I should disobey your orders and toy with death more often.”

Azriel tensed. The hand he was caressing the burn on her forearm with abruptly stopped. A wisp of shadow gently pushed Gwyn’s head as if wondering why she was bringing this up again. Why now.

The expression on his face when he raised his head and scowled at her confirmed that he wasn’t finding this funny at all. She wasn’t trying to be funny. Even though she had to purse her lips to stop herself from smiling at his reaction. She didn’t have any energy left to fight with him anyway.

“Gwyn, I swear on everything, if you –”

“Sshh.” She cupped his face and pull him back down on her before she started running her hands through his hair. “Don’t ruin the moment, Azriel.”

When all she got in response was a heavy sigh and a muffled chuckle, Gwyn convinced herself that her attempt at soothing him was working. For now.

[hanmaitani]

Better and Worse

PAIRING - Oikawa Tooru x Reader WC - 1K GENRE - Angst SYNOPSIS - it's not that you don't miss him, you just hate who you are when you're with him. it's funny how that works, you make him better and he makes you worse.

PREV PART | MASTERLIST | NEXT PART

"Don't touch me." Tooru's hand retracted away from your arm when he watched you flinch. Hurt was written across across his face but you couldn't seem to care, not with how much pain was currently flooding your body.

"So you were just going to go without saying goodbye?" It wasn't even a question, just an observation. You were staring at a bundle of his things in his other arm. Clothes and chargers, things he'd need for the night. "Broken up for what? An hour? And already I don't even get a goodbye."

"I was going to-"

"Don't lie to me." Your voice was cracking and the tears were still falling down your cheeks. You didn't even think that you were still hydrated enough to have tears still left in you, but they seemed to fall even faster.

"Y/n, please," Tooru's voice cracked and you saw his eyes were glossy like yours. Had he been crying too? How dare he. You were the one that just had your heart ripped out. "I'm so sorry."

"Then tell me why!" You shouted, childishly throwing your hands down and stomping your foot - not your finest moment. "Tell me why you came into that conversation wanting to fix things and left without trying."

"I tried." He whispered, compared to your shouts, shaking his head.

"No! Liar!" You accused him. "You gave up! Halfway through the conversation! Spur of the moment, you decided to back down!" You watched him drop his things into the front walkway to step towards you, you stepped away. The back of your ankles hit the bottom stair. "I wanna know why! I deserve that!"

"I still love you. I'm sorry. Maybe it's self-sabot-"

"Don't you fucking dare give me that self-sabotage bullshit! Don't fucking say you love me! This is a fucking cop-out and you know it! If you loved me, you would stay! You would try!"

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I do love you. I love you." He took another step forward, instinct taking over as he cupped your face to wipe your tears. "I just can't do it anymore."

Looking back on it later, that was the worst thing he could've done. Not fight back. You wanted a reason to hate him. But you still loved him and when he touched you so softly, trying to say goodbye, you hated how the switch in you flipped so easily.

"Please don't go." The words slipped out before you could stop them. "Please let's just go to bed." A sob left your lips and you could feel his grip stutter.

"Y/n, I don't-"

"Please." You cried, fists gripping onto his wrists as he continued holding your face. "Just stay tonight, we can, we can talk in the morning Tooru." You begged, you hated this. You always stopped trying too hard to fight whenever he was upset, in turn begging for him. Always begging for him.

"Tooru, please let's just sleep on it." You choked on your own sob and looked at him. He was crying too. "Please you changed your mind the last time we almost broke up, you might change your mind now too."

Looking back on it later, you hated who you were when you were with him. The begging for him to stay when you knew you deserved more.

"You won't. Not this time." He sniffled a little, trying to keep his tears from reaching the point yours were at, a free fall. "I'm not going to change my mind." He mumbled the words but took your hands anyways, leading you back upstairs and to your room.

The sigh of relief that left your lips as he closed the door to the room was pathetic, if you thought about it later. He should have left. You would've hated him. It would have been better that way.

You both laid in bed silently. From the way the dip on his side was formed, you knew that he was laying on his back. You were on your side, facing the wall.

There was a collage on the wall there, something he'd made you early in your relationship, filled with pictures of you and him. You couldn't stop staring at it. You'd both changed so much since then.

He'd grown, you'd helped him grow, been there to egg him on in his studies and in volleyball. You'd encouraged him to stay with his passions when he doubted himself. You'd made him better, that was what he'd always said.

You'd changed too, you could do things on your own before, you didn't need someone to tell you that you were doing fine. You hadn't been someone who held their breath hoping that they could please them... at least never to the extent he had made you. He'd made you worse.

It's funny how that works. You wished you both could go back. Back to before. When you were refusing to let him in. When you'd looked him straight in the eye, told him straight to his face: "I can't date you."

Before he seeped into your brain like a parasite. Clung on and fed off everything you were willing to give without taking. A parasite you'd always seen through rose-colored glasses.

"Come here." It was mumbled into the silent air. His voice still wet with tears as he reached across the empty space between the two of you.

You felt him tug on your shoulder, turning you towards him before dragging you into his chest. His arms wrapped around you tightly, trying to comfort you as he felt your body shaking with your silent cries.

His lips touched your forehead gently, like it was any other night. "I'm sorry. I love you." It hurts that you made him better while he made you worse.

a/n thanks for coming to the free therapy of fictionalizing my irl breakup experiences. yes this actually happened. partially based on an unreleased song by @/leannafirestone on tiktok

TAGLIST - OPEN @all-in-the-fandoms @pearl-blue-musings

[webslingingslasher]

Forever? Forever-ever? Forever?

even if you offered me one billion in cash i couldn't tell you where the inspo for this came from. maybe i just wanted pure fluff and love for half a moment.

a small blurb, a fluff piece if you will.

Pairing: College!Peter Parker (any) x Reader

Genre: fluffy fluff fluff

Summary: You need this night to go well, you’re planning on spending forever with Peter. Even if you haven’t said so yet.

“Can you please wear something nice?”

“Can you please wear something nice?” Peter mocked your voice, he upped the pitch and enunciated every other word.

“And put that wax May got you in your fringe. Get it out of your face so I can see how pretty you are.” You directed him pointing around his room while running your hands through your makeup bag.

“And put that wax-“ Peter started to mock you again but you stopped him.

“Oh, and use the cologne on the right side of your sink, not the blue one, Peter. You know it makes me sneeze.” You uncapped the mascara and made a face as you applied it.

“I hate the wax! It makes me all sticky, and the pants you want me to wear are tight on my butt!” Peter moaned and stomped his foot.

He was like a toddler preparing for a wedding.

“Peter! Stop.” You shushed his whines and asked him what lip color you should use.

“Pink. And I know I’m partial but I think I don’t need to dress up that much! It’s not like I’m going to marry you!” He ranted some but shut up when he saw the look on your face.

“You’re not going to marry me?” You fake sniffled, Peter needed to see this was important to you. And if he thought he made you cry then he would jump tooth and nail to be perfect tonight.

“Oh sweetheart!” He rushed to you and placed his hands on your shoulders.

“Of course I want to marry you, I just meant this wasn’t our wedding day, that’s all.” Peter smiled softly to show you he wasn’t a threat, just a little nervous.

“This is important to me, I don’t mean to push you around.” You kissed his chest.

“No! You can push me around! I’ll be pushed around!” He jumped away with a spin, running to grab the outfit you laid out for him. He dropped his pants around his ankles quick and hopped foot to foot to remove the puddle of cloth at his feet.

“See? Already putting them on! Who cares if my ass looks extra juicy? It’s your ass!” He turned to the side to wiggle his butt at you and jumped a little to tug the slacks up his legs.

“Oh great! Make sure to put on deodorant too.” You turned your head back to the mirror on his wall and applied the lip tint, missing the way Peters face dropped and he started to silently grumble.

“faking, upset, lying, little brat, family, dinner, blah blah blah.” Was what you were picking up on, you smiled and turn to look at him. Your grin alone made his eyes go light and he bit his lower lip.

“I’m hearing talking but no getting ready.” You changed your earrings and sang the words.

“But Y/N!” Peter started to whine again but you walked to him and placed a hand on each bicep and gripped them for a second.

“Hey, I’m being serious now. This is really, really important to me and I am ten times as nervous as you are, even if I don’t seem it. You’re literally the only thing that’s keeping me grounded right now, so please do this for me.” You spoke with a small waver in your voice, you didn’t like to be vulnerable around your boyfriend.

Peter felt like shit now, he knew you had to be a little nervous but you were panicking inside and he tried to make you better being some teasing and lead footing but it made it worse for you.

“Oh, baby. C’mere.” He held his arms open and pushed you in for a hug. He placed three kisses to your forehead.

“This is important for me too, I was just trying to make you feel better. I promise I’ll get ready and wear deodorant, and use the good cologne and make sure to use the wax to get the hair off my eyes.” He pulled away to raise your chin so your eyes could meet his.

“I’ll even throw in an offer to brush my teeth.” He winked.

Peter placed a kiss to your mouth and you smirked at the tint stamped to his own.

“I’ll act like the best future husband you deserve.” He winked and turned to put on his dress shirt, jumping slightly when you smack a hand against his ass.

“Oi! Hands off the goods, that comes with a ring.” He humphed at you and strode into the bathroom.

———————————————————————————

“Okay, so the thing is,” You trailed off and felt Peter’s eyes watch you, you twisted the rings on your fingers in a nervous manner. You couldn’t find the words to talk, your palms were too sweaty to hold your partners.

“Look, I’ll be honest, honey.” You looked at the handsome man to your side and thought about how you watched him everyday walking around campus, enthralled with how friendly he seemed from yards away.

Peter watched you with a raised brow, waiting for you to continue.

You looked at the door, then Peter, then opened your mouth and closed it. You blew out a breath and shook out your hands.

“Okay, Here’s the thing.” You faced him and poked your fingers in his chest.

“I love you. And I really don’t think I can do this.” You sunk to sit on a bench outside of the restaurant.

Peter looked at the door and took a seat with you.

“I love you. And I think we can do this.” He interlocked his hand with yours, if he thought it was sweaty he didn’t say so.

“You don’t have to say that because you have sex with me.” You rested your head against his shoulder.

Peter let out a ‘Psh.’

“Having sex with you is nothing to me.”

“It’s not?” You pouted.

“Not like that! I just mean that out of everything you do for me, sex is like, bottom level.”

“So you’d be fine with never having sex again?”

He chuckled. “I don’t think you would be, but yes. Even if I could never touch you again I’d still be willing to meet your family.”

You fake gagged.

“Do we have to do this?” You squeezed his hand.

“It was your idea! And I’m not complaining but you can’t go back now.”

“Uh, like hell I can’t. I’ll just tell everyone you dumped me.”

“Oh no you don’t. I’ll go in there right now and tell them the yellow panties story.” He threatened and smiled when he heard you gasp. “You wouldn’t!”

He called your bluff. “I so would.”

You bore your eyes into his, challenging him. You knew you would lose this battle, you huffed and ripped your hand from his to push at his shoulder.

“Why did I even stop you to talk to you? I knew this would end in flames.” You thought about the first time you actually talked to him. You started one day and never stopped since.

Peter hummed thinking about that day. He had been walking slowly across campus, his second and third class were halfway apart from each other and he had almost two hours between lectures. He would usually meet up with Ned or Zach, sometimes Harry at the Broken Wheel for a sandwich or sometimes at Cat’s Coffee.

He was actually on his way to meet up with Logan, his current partner in Robotics, they were going to discuss a blueprint from the recent class.

Until a girl appeared in his sight suddenly, if his shoes had breaks they would’ve squealed.

“Hi.” You blinked.

Peter thinks you are the prettiest person he has ever seen.

He can’t fathom why you’re speaking to him.

“Hi.” He nodded and went to move around you.

You grabbed his arm to stop him, he faced you with raised eyebrows.

You blinked and tried to find the words to continue, you had steam coming up to him but hearing his voice made your knees shake. And his freckles up close made you lose sight of what was important, you hoped he would let you count the stars in his eyes one day.

“Uh.” You paused for a moment, and smiled innocently at him. You breathed deep and let the word vomit come out, it would make sense at some point.

“Hi. My name is Y/N. And this is going to sound really really weird, and crazy. And I really promise I’m not crazy, well I am, but not like that.” You paused to breathe and felt your cheeks get warm. You darted your eyes around and noticed your hold still on his jacket, you dropped it immediately and mumbled an apology.

Peter smiled.

Your heart skyrocketed. He was so mesmerizing, did he know the power he held? He didn’t seem like he did.

You found the courage to continue, the hope of one day running your hands through his hair sent a love surge through you.

“But that’s not why I’m here. I have been watching you walk this path everyday for a month trying to work up the balls to come talk to you. I think you are like, insanely cute and I have somehow developed an insane crush on someone I know nothing about and I think I’m going to die without telling you.” You breathed the words out and watched his eyes grow wide.

You did the same and when he tried to speak you jumped back.

“Wait, I know nothing about you. You could have a girlfriend. Or a boyfriend! Oh my god, I’m sorry, if you have someone else that’s cool, I just really needed to tell you how I felt. My friends Teen and Law,” You pointed across the trek towards to figures that waved when they saw you directed his sight towards them.

You prayed he didn’t notice your hands shake, he did, but said nothing.

Peter thinks you must really like him.

“Said I had to just go for it. Teen was saying that I couldn’t just spend my twenty’s pining after someone, I had to just, get in there, ya know? And Law was all ‘go for it’ because she said that her spirit guides said I would be in a relationship really soon and I have no one else I like, like that so it had to be you and I couldn’t stop fate.” You rambled and noticed he hadn’t said a word, he would think you’re actually crazy now. You had blown this to pieces.

“This is getting me nowhere. I sound absolutely batshit, I promise I’m not. I just have a crush and I’m acting all nervous because you’re really intimidating to me.” You blushed and looked to the ground.

Peter did want to interrupt but let you have the floor. Speaking of floored god was he, he couldn’t imagine, that daily, you had looked for him just to watch him walk right by you, fields away just for a glance. Did you not notice that he was the most normal, lame looking dude? You could have anyone at the university, professors included, and you chose him?

“Um, well. That’s all I have for you, thank you for your time sir.” You nodded at him and gave a two finger salute and turned to head back to your friends, maybe cry a little in rejection and embarrassment.

Until.

A hand on your elbow. You were tugged back. Butterflies erupted in your belly, you had never felt breathless over a touch before.

“My name is Peter. I don’t have someone else, and I think that was the ballsiest thing I have ever seen.” He grinned at you and watched you mouth his name.

“And, I think Teen and Law are good friends. I would also really hate to let the spirit gods down, so, if you’re not busy I would love to grab a coffee with you and listen to you talk more.”

You showed your teeth to him in a full smile, your cheeks hurt with the grin but you couldn’t stop it.

“I would love that, Peter.”

You turned to your friends and threw them a thumbs up sign, and turned to Peter to walk with him.

“Actually, can we get boba tea? I’m not a huge coffee fan.”

Peter watched your eyes plead with him, he hadn’t known you for thirty minutes and he would already do anything you asked.

“Of course! I love boba tea!”

Peter had never tried boba tea before in his life, and never planned on it. Turns out he likes it better than coffee now.

———————————————————————————

“You stopped me because I was totally hot and made you super intimidated by my insanely good looks and manly stature.” He flexed his bicep and smiled when his plan worked, he got you to laugh.

“Oh please, don’t act like you didn’t get the better end of the deal.” You ran a hand over the curve of your hip and watched him lick his lips, giggling at the cartoonish behavior.

“I did. I won’t even lie.”

“No I did. You are like, twelve times the person I am.”

You were both praise bombing each other.

He smiled and waited for a moment in the quiet. He stood and held out his hand.

“Ready?”

You looked like you were hiding something, he knew that look. He has seen it before, both good and bad things.

“Uh, oh.”

You looked scared. “What? Do I look okay? What is it?”

“No, that’s the I’m hiding something from you look. What don’t you want me to know?”

You grabbed his hand and stood up. You brushed your hands down his chest and fixed the collar on his shirt. You studied his buttons and looked at him.

“Honest?”

“Please.”

“I need this to work. I need this to go well.” You spoke quietly.

“Of course it will, I’m here and I’m perfect. I mean, obviously, even you couldn’t stay away.” He smirked but dropped it when you didn’t react.

“Look, I’ve met May a hundred times. But my family isn’t from here, they all got together to see me and meet you. All they know is what I’ve told them, and you’re awesome but I’m scared I built you up so big and they will be let down for some reason.” You whispered the words and felt him pull you into a hug to press you into his heartbeat.

“Who cares? If they don’t like me that’s on them, I have the most important one in the room on my side.” He pressed a kiss to your temple.

You pulled back. “I do. I care.”

He frowned. “Baby, I know you’re stressed but it’s not a big deal. It’s one dinner, I think we can survive.”

You huffed at him, he wasn’t getting the big picture.

“No, you’re not getting it.”

“What aren’t I getting? Fill me in.”

You sighed. It was always you initiating the big talks. Dating, the first I love you, meeting the parents and now the future.

“I know we haven’t talked about this before, and I don’t want to drop this on you right now and I know this is a for later conversation. But, even though it’s been two years,” You stepped forward and grabbed his hands in yours for strength and comfort. Peter held them tightly, he was your back strength.

You tilted your head at him and wondered why you felt so nervous. Maybe, it’s because it was true, and real. It was a real emotion and thought that circulated your brain.

“You’re it for me, you know? And I didn’t understand it at all when people said ‘You’ll know when you know’ but now I do. I really, really get it. I just, need this to go well. Because it will be hard to spend the rest of my life with you if my family isn’t a fan of yours.”

“I’m it for you, huh?” He mimicked the words cockily.

“I never wanted to get married, but I want to marry you. And I never wanted to have kids, but I would give you one, or two. And I never really believed in true love, like soulmate, once in a kind, kind of love. But I do when I’m with you.” Your eyes teared up with your words.

“What if I told you you’re it for me too?” Peter leant his forehead against yours and breathed deeply with you, both in sync without knowing.

You laughed lightly.

“Then I’d say you better win my family over. My mom is the one you gotta impress.”

“That sounds like a mission, and I love to win ‘em.”

Peter pulled back and held out a hand. You looked between the door and him one last time, you truly believed it would go well. You put all your trust and faith into Peter, it hadn’t ended bad for you yet.

You intertwined your fingers with his, palms flat, you fit together perfectly. You felt grounded with each inhale, hints of his cologne tickled your nose. You were with your person, you made your choice, there was no one else that could even come half close to what you had.

Peter was yours. And you were his. And damn anyone who said they were whole on their own, because they never had a Peter Parker.

“Let’s go get ‘em, Tiger.”

[lotties-ashwagandha]

ok but ive been thinking about shaunanat/reader recently...maybe being a newcomer at the wellness center and getting partnered with nat for an activity and eventually getting introduced to the other girls and hanging out with them. lottie knows you like them both so she schedules you three together 🤭

BABYSITTING BRUCE

pairing: shauna x natalie x reader

word count: 1466

notes: only way i changed this is that natalie and reader were already dating pre shauna

You knew what she was up to, even if she didn’t know that you knew.

Lottie had reworked your schedule, Natalie’s too, scheduling you both for sessions in the barn with Shauna.

“She’s quite taken with Bruce,” Lottie had said. “But as much as she loves him, he keeps getting loose on her watch, and I think we all know what sort of state Shauna would be in if Bruce went missing and we couldn’t find him.”

“So I’m helping two grown women babysit a goat?” You’d asked, and then she’d given you that look and you’d relented, stalking off in annoyance and taking your new schedule. You didn’t remind Lottie of the time a few nights prior when she’d gotten drunk as hell with Taissa and Van and afterwards had come to your cabin trying to lecture you about making the first move with Shauna.

In any case, you were out of options, and as you approached the wellness center’s barn you began to get a bit nervous. You’d developed feelings for Shauna, both you and Natalie had, and it scared you slightly. You were no good at flirting, never had been, and you knew Shauna was newly divorced. Things were fragile, and you didn’t want to ruin it.

You remembered the first night you’d confessed your feelings about Shauna to Natalie. The two of you had just gotten back from having dinner out, it had been a brief escape from the wellness center. You’d been a bit tipsy, and you couldn’t quite remember but you think you might’ve started crying, ranting to Natalie about non monogamy and throuples and how you wanted her so bad but you also wanted Shauna. Natalie had been completely fine with it, and had confessed that she’d been feeling the same way.

The two of you had talked about it a bit sense then, mostly Natalie teasing you about your drunken rant that night, but you could tell she felt the same way, her gaze lingering on Shauna for too long at a time, the way she got slightly flustered around Shauna, and Natalie almost never got flustered.

You saw the proud trotting of a goat exiting the barn. After a moment Shauna and Nat appeared behind it, and you smiled, jogging the rest of the way to meet them.

“Bruce, look at these two psychos you found,” you teased, approaching the three of them.

“That’s brave, coming from you,” Shauna said, shaking her head at you with a small smile. “You’re lucky Bruce still wants to spend time with you after that horrible insult you shot at us.”

“Oh, it’s Bruce that wants to spend time with me, hm?”

“It’s definitely Bruce.”

You bent down to Bruce, petting behind his ears, and he almost seemed to smile at you, if goats were capable of such a thing. He was a sweet goat, though he did have a tendency to chew your clothes and escape from you and Shauna by chewing through his rope. He was a rebel, and he was known for his mischief inside the commune.

“I can’t believe Lottie scheduled all of us together to take care of him,” Shauna said, watching Bruce as the three of you began to walk around the commune, heading for the woods. “He is a bit of a troublemaker, but I think I’m perfectly capable of taking care of him myself, let alone with three other people.”

“We could ask her to change our schedules,” Nat said, testing the waters.

“No,” Shauna said quickly. “I’m glad you two are here. Bruce is, too.”

Bruce bleated in agreement, stomping his foot into the ground.

“So,” you started, breaking the silence as the three of you strolled through the woods. “I’ve only done self care with Bruce in the barn. What exactly do we do? Just walk around with him?”

“Sometimes he likes to cuddle. Or hear gossip about the other girls,” Shauna explained, sitting on the side of a fallen tree.

“What genre of gossip does he prefer?” you teased, sitting next to her. Natalie sat at your other side, an arm snaking around your shoulders.

“Well,” Shauna said, fully prepared to give you an answer as to what type of gossip her goat liked to listen to. “Sometimes he likes hearing my rants about Lottie and her freaky hippie bullshit. And sometimes he likes to hear stories about my divorce with Jeff… and sometimes he likes to hear about people I’ve set my eye on.”

“Oh?” you asked, heart racing at her last remark. “I want to hear the drama about who you’ve set your eye on. Guy or girl? Do Nat or I know them?”

She nodded. “You know them quite well, I would say.”

You were about to ask for more details when Natalie stood and began looking around, and you watched her with confusion, trying to figure out what she was looking for.

“Where’s Bruce?” Your girlfriend asked at last, and panic rose in your chest.

“Oh, fuck,” Shauna breathed, looking down at Bruce’s leash, which had been chewed in half. “That little fucker! I know exactly where he went, damn it!”

You followed her as she started through the woods, sharing a confused glance with Natalie.

“Shauna,” you asked, “where are we going?”

“I’ll show you,” she said, exhaustion obvious in her tone. “He has a field that he likes. There’s all his favorite types of grasses and flowers to eat. It’s at the edge of the commune, though, so I don’t like to let him go by himself.”

“I just can’t believe all three of us were out here watching him, and he still got away,” you complained, and Shauna smiled.

“You two distract me, that’s the reason,” she said.

“Oh?” Natalie teased, shoving her lightly, and if you didn’t know better you’d think Shauna was blushing. “Got a little crush on us or some shit?”

“Stop acting like we’re fifteen,” Shauna said, though she still looked rather flustered.

“If it makes you feel any better, you distract us, too,” you admitted.

The two of them stopped, Shauna’s cheeks growing redder and Natalie smirking at your sudden boldness. You held your ground, not letting yourself get as flustered as Shauna was and holding back a snarky remark to Natalie’s expression.

“We need to find Bruce,” Shauna said awkwardly, turning on her heel and walking deeper into the forest. After a moment you and Natalie followed, and the silence that overcame the three of you was unbearable.

After a few minutes you approached the clearing. Sure enough, Bruce was in the middle of the field munching on flowers, looking perfectly content.

“Bruce!” Shauna shouted, and the goat gave her a guilty look. He trotted over to her, and she tied the remains of the leash around him. “You can’t do things like that, you silly little thing.”

“He did pick a nice field, though,” you said mindlessly, picking a white flower and holding it delicately in your hands. “It’s gorgeous out here.”

After a moment of hesitation, you moved toward Shauna, and you held out the flower for her.

She paused, and again she was blushing. She took the flower, a soft smile painting her lips — and you’d barely had time to process what was happening before her lips met yours and everything faded away. She tasted of vanilla and coffee, she was intoxicating, and every moment had you craving more, craving everything she wanted to give.

You felt Natalie’s hands on your shoulders, trailing down to your waist. You could feel her lips kissing your jaw, your neck, and when you pulled away from Shauna her lips were replaced with Natalie’s. Whiplash, and it was glorious.

It was even better, though, when you separated from Natalie and she went after Shauna, the two of them kissing before you, and for a moment you forgot how to breathe. They were everything, perfectly contrasting in every way but somehow complimenting each other.

Bruce bleated from beside you, and the two women broke apart.

“Bruce, you’re ruining our love confessions,” you said, leaning down to pet him. “You’re in your field, just let us have our moment, okay?”

He stomped his foot. You took that as a “no.”

“You don’t have to be so rude about it,” you muttered, moving away.

“Oh, he’s just a sweet baby,” Shauna said in his defense. She picked him up, kissing the top of his head. “Isn’t that right, Bruce?”

“You’re so fucking weird,” Natalie said, watching Shauna with her goat.

Bruce shook her head at her. Obviously he had a favorite out of the three of you, and you would have to work to gain his approval.

But as long as you were with Shauna and Natalie, you didn’t really mind.