#listen. be careful sending me incomprehensible asks

[genshingorlsrevengeance]

How do you think Suletta would react if someone challenged her to a Mobile Suit duel NOT for Miorine's hand in marriage, but for Suletta's hand? 😁

(MSG: The Witch from Mercury) Suletta getting challenged for her hand in marriage.

Besides Guel, this had to happen throughout her time at the school at some point, right? Also I LOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS REQUEST SO MUCH, IT'S SO FUNNY ANON!

If you cook with any more WFM ideas, you send that in my inbox ASAP anon!

Suletta frowns when someone is approaching the greenhouse, with her and Miorine in it.

(Miorine) "Hm...I recognize that person. They're from Jeturk House."

(???) "Suletta Mercury!"

Suletta's eyes go wide before shutting as she instinctively moves behind Miorine, stuttering incomprehensible gibberish.

Miorine rolls her eyes at Suletta's actions, stepping out of the greenhouse and crossing her arms.

(Miorine) "Who's asking?"

(???) "I want to challenge her to a Mobile Suit Duel!"

Immediately, something switches in Suletta as her eyes open again, moving to Miorine's side, her fists close to her chest.

(Suletta) "For Miss Miorine's hand? I-I won't let you! I'm her Fiance, and I won't lose to anyone!"

(???) "Miorine? I don't care about her! Suletta...the truth is, I'm in love with you!"

The school's artificial wind passes through the air, being the only sound for a brief moment.

(Suletta) "...H-Huh?!"

(Miorine) "What?"

Suletta completely freezes up, unable to formulate a response as her hands start twitching on their own.

Making Miorine weirded out by her fiance, then looking back at Suletta's "Lover".

(Miorine) "What the hell do you mean you don't care about me?!"

She didn't know if she should be happy, or completely insulted.

(???) "Listen, you can keep the Holder title, or whatever nonsense your company is up to!-"

They turned back to Suletta, who was still in shock.

(???) "Suletta, you're so kind and beautiful! If I win, could I take your hand in marriage?-"

Finally, Suletta explodes into a mess of stuttering, blushing as brightly as Miorine's tomatoes.

(Suletta)"M-M-MARRIAGE?! N-NO! IT'S TOO FAST! I-I'M ALREADY BRETROTHED, A-A-AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN GONE ON A DATE YET! W-WAIT, WHY DO YOU WANT TO DATE ME?! I-I-I-I-"

Miorine hits Suletta on the top of her head after standing on the top of her toes, then glaring daggers at the Jeturk House member.

(Miorine) "Oh, she'll accept your duel alright! SO SHE CAN REJECT YOU! Right, Suletta?!"

(Suletta) "R-Right...!"

Suletta takes a few deep and obnoxious breaths before nodding.

(Suletta) "I'm sure you're a very nice person and all, but I can't!"

(???) "Then my conditions are simple! Suletta Mercury will be married to me if I win this duel!"

(Miorine) "And if we win this duel...!"

Miorine opened her mouth to say something, then looked back to Suletta, who only blinked in response.

(Miorine) "...You're seriously not after my father's company? Or even me?"

(???) "I couldn't care less about either of you...U-Um, no offense-"

Miorine's eye twitched at that.

(Miorine) "IF WE WIN, I GET TO SLAP YOU!"

...

(???) "Victory is never decided by mobile suit performance alone."

(Suletta) "Nor by the skill of the pilot alone."

(Both) "The result itself is the only truth!"

Aerial's eyes flashed green before the thrusters ignited, and flew into the sky.

Suletta's cockpit rumbled as her eyes looked through the cameras, and hearing a voice come through.

(???) "Suletta Mercury, know that my love for you will shine through this battle-"

(Suletta) "U-U-UM! WITH RESPECT, PLEASE FOCUS ON FIGHTING!"

Aerial's funnels immediately break off from the main suit, and flying off in the direction of her "lover's" mobile suit.

Suletta's hand moved to the controls and prepared to fire the beam rifle, only to realize that they were going in a complete straight line.

(Suletta) "What are they...?!"

Even the funnels hesitated to fire, Aerial seemingly confused by what stunt they were pulling.

(Sulettta) "...Yeah, I don't know what they're doing either. Wait, they're dropping their weapons!"

(Miorine's voice) "Hey, why are you just standing there?! They're coming right-"

(???) "STAY OUT OF THIS! THIS IS MY ULTIMATE TECHNIQUE!"

(Suletta) "Eh?!"

(Miorine) "Huh?!"

The monitors of Suletta's cockpit flashed for a singular second, as if Aerial was mimicking their same thoughts.

(???) "THIS HAND OF MINE IS BURNING RED!"

Aerial landed onto the ground, the Gundam quickly adjusting itself as it stared at the opposing mobile suit.

(???) "IT'S LOUD ROAR TELLS ME TO GRASP HAPPINESS!"

No one watching said a single word as their mobile suit lunged forward, its hand burning red.

(???) "BUUUUURNING-"

The Mobile Suit lunged forward, soaring through the air as its fist aimed for Aerial's head.

Before Suletta slightly adjusted the joysticks, feeling her mobile suit side step gently, and watching as they landed completely on the ground.

(Suletta) "..."

(Miorine) "..."

(???) "..."

One of the bits flew towards the head of their mobile suit, and with one beam, shot off the antenna with minimal damage.

WINNER: SULETTA MERCURY

...

SLAP!

Miorine's hand stung, but her pride still felt the hurt this jackass had inflicted!

(Miorine) "Come on, Suletta, we're done here!"

(Suletta) "P-Please excuse us!"

Suletta bowed almost to a 90 degree angle before running and catching up with Miorine.

(Miorine) "What are you smiling about?"

Suletta had a smile and a slight blush.

(Suletta) "Well...I was thinking...m-maybe, I'm finally getting more noticeable if someone was asking me out. I'd like to be friends first at the very least but...They seemed kind of nice though-"

(Miorine) "I AM NOT LETTING MY FIANCE FOOL AROUND WITH OTHERS, GOT IT?!"

(Suletta) "...Is this because they were after me and not-"

Suletta quickly shut up when Miorine glared at her.

(Miorine) "THIS CONVERSATION IS OVER."

[onigiriico]

Amane audio drama (t2) - English TL

[ links: Spotify | Youtube ]

So much religion talk in this one. So much. I typed so much stuff into DeepL my JP keyboard app crashed at some point, but! it is done at last! 🎉 As always, if you've got any questions or find a mistranslated line, you can find me on Twitter or send me an ask (and in case you've got some money to spare & feel like supporting me extra, you can also find me over on Ko-fi)! But, without further ado:

⬇️ translation under the cut ⬇️

(Es enters)

E: Prisoner no.8, Amane. It’s time for your interrogation. Let’s talk for the first time in a while.

A: Warden.

E: What is it, Prisoner?

A: We've been disappointed by you.

E: Hah?

A: Even though we could sense the possibility of the new world we desire here in Milgram… and in you.

E: I don’t care how much you look down on me. I told you that won’t work.

A: Furthermore, you may say incomprehensible things, such as us “not being forgiven”...

E: Oi.

A: But we are generous. For now, let us make some time for a conversation with you. After all, our history is one that is built on dialogue.

E: Oi. Listen to what I’m saying.

A: What is it?

E: Amane. Don’t think you’ll be able to lead the conversation with that total change in attitude. Is it the result of the judgment that you’ve ended up like this?

A: “Like this”?

E: The dazed look in your eyes. The atmosphere around you. The way you speak. In comparison to the first trial, it’s like you’re a different person.

A: Hm.

E: Everyone who was unforgiven told me they heard voices judging their sins. They’re experiencing a lot of emotional stress as a result. Were your changes influenced by that as well?

A: Hah? Those stupid voices, huh? Yeah. I have heard them as well. However, such things do not pose a major problem.

E: What?

A: We have firm teachings. We have a clear and noble faith. No matter what kinds of things other people might say, these things cannot be shaken.

E: Faith… That would be referring to the religion you believe in, right?

A: Yes. It seems like the power Milgram holds is real. Did you have a look as well? At our faith.

E: Yeah. Though it was a depiction of a fairly small group of people… I’ve judged that your murder was the result of religion – of faith.

A: It wasn’t murder. It was merely a punishment in line with our doctrine.

E: So it’s not a sin, you mean?

A: Is faith a sin?

E: Faith itself is free. I’m not religious myself, but I understand that some people might be saved by it.

A: Hm. Is that so? Are the prisoners who weren’t forgiven feeling lost right now? Maybe they need our faith as well.

E: I’d rather you spare me the missionary work inside the prison.

A: Faith is free. It exists for people who are feeling lost.

E: … We’ve digressed. So – just what are you right now? You’ve been saying “we” this whole time. Does that mean you are not Amane Momose right now?

A: Right now, I am both Amane Momose and I am not. I am speaking on behalf of our faith. I am speaking as “we”, who believe that dialogue and warnings are in order since you made the misjudgment to not forgive us.

E: So you’re saying I’m talking to the very concept of your faith right now?

A: We don’t mind you thinking of it that way.

E: Huh.

A: Well then. Let us warn you once again. Warden. You judged that Milgram couldn’t forgive us, correct?

E: Yeah, that’s right.

A: As stated previously, our actions were in line with our doctrine, and thus cannot count as sins. Thus, Milgram is in the wrong.

E: You’ve killed a person.

A: In line with our doctrine.

E: You understand that you’ve broken the law, right?

A: We’ve talked about this before. There are things more important than the law. That would be our teachings.

E: I won’t acknowledge you turning such selfish rules into a standard of judgment. I won’t allow it. End of story.

A: …

E: Both religion and faith are free. However, a doctrine can’t become a universal standard of judgment.

A: You fool. Isn’t Milgram trying to enforce a new standard of judgment precisely because laws cannot guide this world onto the right path? Are you still being weighed down by the law?

E: As someone who’s just the warden, it’s not exactly my ambition to know about Milgram’s philosophy. It’s not because it’s against the law – but as Milgram, your murder can’t be forgiven. I judged it that way. That’s all.

A: …

E: Milgram… denies your doctrine.

A: If you do not adjust your way of thinking… we, too, will never be able to forgive you.

E: Heh.

A: What’s so funny?

E: What do you mean, “we”? You’re making me laugh. What you’re doing is just plain murder – no matter whether we’re talking in general or according to religion. It’s murder.

A: …!

E: Understand that. Amane Momose. It’s not “you” (plural) who killed someone – it’s you (singular). Don’t look away from your own actions by playing pretend!

A: … Ha…haha…! - You’ve insulted us… [You’ve insulted] God…!

E: So what?

A: This is unforgivable! I won’t forgive you! (screams)

(Amane tries to strike Es, but gets stopped by the barrier)

E: I’m telling you it’s impossible for prisoners to attack the warden.

A: I won’t forgive you…! I won’t forgive you!

E: Did you get those scissors from the storage room? Were you never taught that you’re not supposed to use those on people?

A: In light of our doctrine, your insult to us is more than enough to warrant a punishment! I won’t forgive you! I won’t forgive you!

(she tries and fails to attack them again)

E: Well… it’s in vain, so you might as well just listen to me like this.

A: I won’t forgive you! I won’t forgive you!

E: Prisoners can’t attack the warden. This is one of Milgram’s core rules, though a certain guy with multiple personalities slipped past it.

A: I won’t forgive you! I won’t forgive you!

E: Which means that Milgram doesn’t decide who the prisoners are based on their body, but based on their mind. If the mind is a different one, the rule doesn’t apply. It bothers me that it has a loophole, but…

A: I’ll kill you…! I’ll kill you!!

E: Thanks to this defective rule, we’ve now confirmed this: the you holding those scissors right now isn’t a god or a concept. It’s Amane Momose herself.

A: … I’ll…!

E: So, what you’re doing right now really is just a game of pretend. This is stupid.

A: …

E: This is the head-on battle with Milgram that you wanted.

A: Shut up…!

E: What’s wrong? Have you ended up wanting to be treated like a child after all?

A: Shut up!!

E: In fact, if you ask me, the fact that you are a child has a lot to do with this matter.

A: …!

E: No matter what you do, no matter how grown-up you behave – you’re a child. That’s an unchangeable truth.

A: You’re a child, too!

E: Wrong. I’m fifteen, so I’m an adult in Puerto Rico and Haiti. You’re twelve, so you’re a child no matter the country.

A: …!!

E: Hehe. You look angry.

A: I don’t.

E: You do.

A: I don’t!

E: Well, either way is fine. In the end, there’s two main reasons as to why children get reduced sentences under the law – the possibility of reformation and the influence of the environment, I believe.

A: …

E: In this case, it’s mainly the latter. I’ve said this before – during childhood, the things that the parents teach a child have a great impact on them, and the environment one grows up in has immense influence as well. A child who is born into a very religious environment will grow up believing that those are the rules of the world.

A: What are you trying to say?

E: In other words, they will turn their faith into their entire life – feeling as if their doctrine is the whole world.

A: …

E: Previously, you objected to being considered [mentally] underdeveloped based on your age. I suppose you were right about that. Your self really is fully developed. However, that self is one that was built in a particular environment, isolated from society.

A: …

E: That’s exactly why… We have also speculated whether this really was your crime, or that of your parents – of your surroundings.

A: …!

E: But as I said before, there’s different ways these components could have worked together—

A: “We”? What’s “we”? Are you not just “I”?

E: … I…?

A: Aren’t we the same? Me and Warden-san. You know, I’m aware that I’m out of the ordinary. That my environment was peculiar, and that everyone [else] is normal.

E: Amane…

A: In fact, there have been people who said that to me. I’ve been told things like, “You’re being deceived.” “You can still make it right now.” “You’re crazy.”

E: …

A: You are treating me as a child after all. Because I’m a child, you believe that I must have been brainwashed. It’s not like that. I, too— children, too, understand everything! Please don’t just decide that people must be unhappy.

E: …

A: I’m happy that I was born to my parents! It was a bit difficult, and it could feel restrictive sometimes, but I’m really happy that I could grow up on such beautiful teachings! I want to live this way!

E: Is that so…

A: You call that brainwashing, don’t you? From my perspective, you also generally oppose religion based on your personal values. Why can that be blindly trusted just because you’re more people?

E: I got what you’re trying to say.

A: It’s only natural that we, who weren’t acknowledged as a society just because we’re fewer in numbers, would view the possibility of a new world through Milgram as a dream.

E: Yeah, I’ve got it! Still, I won’t recognize your doctrine. By my standards, a doctrine that approves murder cannot be forgiven!

A: Yes. I’ve understood that.

E: Milgram is a three-trial system, though. I’ll be watching and listening to the footage from your mind for now, going into deeper depths this time… and if I feel something there, I plan on firmly accepting that.

A: Facing me head-on, is that right?

E: Yeah. That’s it.

A: If you end up deciding not to forgive me – not to forgive us –, then I will not forgive you, either.

E: Yeah.

A: Ah… no, that’s wrong. I will not forgive you (plural).

E: Wha—

(machinery whirrs, bell rings)

A: “Don’t look away from your own actions by playing pretend” – that’s my line. Warden-san, it’s not just you; it’s all of you. You all said you wouldn’t forgive us. We’re meeting each other on eye level. You all won’t be allowed to not get your hands dirty.

E: … What are you saying…?

A: What could it be? Warden-san, you were the one who said “we”, so…

E: (falls to their knees) … My head… Huh…?

A: Oh? Do you have a headache? Are you alright, Warden-san?

E: …

A: Do get back up by yourself, alright? That’s a trial given to you by God.

E: (heavy breathing)

A: Both pain and illness are trials. According to our teachings, those who run from them are the worst evil there is. That’s one of the four great principles. No matter who you are, that cannot be forgiven.

E: What are you…?

A: Oh – speaking of which, there is one among the prisoners right now. An evil existence that’s trying to steal people’s trials away from them.

E: …!

A: Shidou Kirisaki… His actions violate our rules. I have given him a warning. If he continues, I suppose it will be inevitable for me to intervene.

E: …!

A: Or… could it already be too late?

E: Shut up!! (hits her) … You’re getting ahead of yourself…!

A: Using one-sided violence… that’s unfair of you.

E: Shut your mouth…! I am the one casting the judgements here!

A: Hehehe. And how does that set you apart from us?

E: … I told you to shut up… Listen to what I’m telling you.

A: Hehe… This is nice. If the world you’re striving for is admirable in my eyes… That is to say…

E: Prisoner no.8, Amane… Sing your sins…!

[balltons]

minors + ageless blogs dni

cw; violent threat towards reader, implied non-con (for the future), suggestive, mean f!reader, meaner johnny

getting this out my system real quick because i’m cooking something a bit longer in the meantime.

johnny who is bestowed with the job of protecting you, daughter of an esteemed political figure who has a hit on his head.

and by association, you do too.

however, instead of keeping you locked away in their big mansion, your father sends you to a safe house in scotland. after all, if he can’t reach you, how can the enemy?

so johnny stays with you in some shack on one of the less populated islands. even though he specializes in demolition, he’s a good guard dog; standing by each entrance and exit, his eyes zeroed in on any movement he catches in the window. it seemed like a good job, fairly low stakes, great pay. just taking care of a pretty little thing. there hardly seemed to be any downsides.

of course, till you opened your mouth.

you comment on his eating habits, snide comments about how he could consume the entirety of a bath and be hungry. you never fail to poke fun at his accent, calling him ‘incomprehensible’. and then you complain, wishing how you were anywhere but here, that despite the many people who want you and your father’s head on a stick, he should take you back so you can sleep in an actual bed rather than the rusty twin the safe house provides.

though, you aren’t the one sleeping on the floor, are you?

johnny could feel each of his nerves begin to snap the longer he stayed with you. he reset himself every day, trying to give you the benefit of the doubt. it was fear that gave you such a bad attitude, you were probably so scared, homesick even. this persona of you that he made was the only thing keeping him from shoving that silver spoon down your throat and making you choke on it.

that is, until one evening.

“i’m bored,” you groan for the nth time in the nth day in a row. johnny just rolls his eyes, looking through the sniper scope as he analyzes outside. when it all looks clear does he finally face you, a frown etched on his lips, “pity, should we tell th’ queen?” he asks dryly, walking over into the kitchen to crack open another can of soup. there’s only a few cans left, and he notes he’ll have to go back into town soon, preferably tomorrow.

you scoff, arms crossed over your chest as you stare up at him from the bed. “y’know, you can at least enunciate a bit more when you speak. i have a hard time understanding you as is,” you tell him, and johnny’s eye twitches. “duly noted, yer majesty.”

as he pours the soup in the can, you continue to blabber on, “i don’t know what my dad was thinking when he was hiring you. i mean, you’re barely qualified,” johnny’s mouth sets into a thin line, “you don’t even look like the type,” you say with a brief laugh.

his teeth begun to grind together, “lass, i’d ‘preciate some quiet-“

“if anything, you look like some mongrel off the street. dumb one at that,” you click your tongue, examining the state of your nails and writing a manicure on your to-do list for when you get back, “wouldn’t be surprised if that’s where you’re really from, doesn’t seem like you belong anywhere else.”

he doesn’t know what it is, maybe it’s the comparison you made, judging his accent, or calling him a homeless stray, but johnny finally snaps.

the soup is long forgotten on the stovetop as johnny walks over, approaching the bed. before you have even a chance to register what’s going on, johnny is on you, dragging you by the hair to bring you down to the floor.

you hit the hardwood with a grunt, eyes closing shut as your knees ache, “l-let go of me you bea-“ you barely have time to get the words out as johnny leads you with your hair, your face pressed against the front of his pants.

“listen tae me,” he growls, fingers tightening around your locks, “i’m about one grumble away from breaking yer jaw, dinnae look away,” he stresses as your eyes dart across the room. slowly, you force yourself to look at him, watching as johnny takes a deep breath.

“but, i will give ye a chance tae prove ye can do more wi' that mouth than just complain, sound fair?” when you remain still at his question, he shakes your head a bit, “i asked a question, princess.”

eagerly, you nod your head, fear compelling you to open your mouth as well, “i-it sounds fair, johnny, it- it does,” you agree, praying he doesn’t break your jaw to how nervous you are.

after what seems like an eternity, johnny lessens his grip on your hair, but he keeps you close to his clothed groin as he sits back into the bed. you’re forced to follow, on your knees in front of him.

“now,” he starts, his tone carrying a heavy weight despite the more playful tone he uses. he pushes your head back just a bit, his hand moving to his cargos, undoing the belt.

“let’s see what this bonnie mouth o' yers can do, aye?”

[bronanlynch]

it took me over nine months to finish ace attorney 5 but here we are with the lawyer rankings (of whose file clerk I'd rather be)

athena: once again I draw the line at working for a teenager, and also I would be so uncomfortable if she ever tried to tell me what emotion she knew I was feeling. cannot stress how miserable that would be for me, and also a discrimination lawsuit waiting to happen. also, emotions-based lawyering doesn't seem likely to produce as much paperwork as I would like, since that leaves me with less to do. 2/10, of course there's discord in my heart I'm at work leave me alone.

apollo: if he started his own firm I would work for him in a heartbeat but unfortunately him leaving and then coming back to the wright anything agency is not great in terms of like, job security for his hypothetical file clerk. like, do I get laid off when he leaves and then brought back when he returns a few days later? I want a little more stability than that, sorry. 7/10, he would at least help get my benefits paperwork sorted out and I appreciate that in a boss.

phoenix: Idk has he learned how to pay his staff yet because judging by the repetition of the ending bit abt how he doesn't want to buy them noodles the answer seems to be no. "your bonus this year is a pizza party" kind of boss except you have to buy your own pizza. sure he's learned how to be a more supportive mentor to athena than he was to apollo but my boss's faith in me will not pay my rent. 3/10, phoenix you're dating the chief prosecutor surely you can do better than this.

edgeworth: he's gotten his shit together in a way that makes me very proud of him, and he does seem to care abt his employees. also he looks good in those glasses. 8/10, if he can get blackquill's conviction overturned he can make sure I have dental insurance.

payne: the thing about payne is that he doesn't listen to the things people tell him and he doesn't seem to learn anything ever, and that's a very frustrating quality in a boss. the kind of boss that tells you to do something but explains it badly and when you ask a clarifying question he responds with even more incomprehensible bullshit. half of your email responses to him are just copying and pasting things you've already told him. 2/10, every interaction with him is a sisyphean nightmare.

blackquill: trying to process the ethics of an imprisoned prosecutor (they make him wear a shock collar in court jesus fucking christ) makes my brain short-circuit but that's also just the ace attorney experience. other than that he seems like a decent boss, as long as you can overlook some of his uh dramatic tendencies and also as long as he doesn't sic taka on you. but I think if you had a good rapport with him it would be fine, even if it would probably mean a lot of transcribing bc presumably he'd have to hand-write anything he wants to file with the court and send them to you via bird and then you'd have to type them up and actually submit them. 6/10, honestly he gains several points just because I want to pet taka.

professor means: he's so smug, is the thing. he's just the smuggest man and he treats his students like idiots so I can't imagine he'd be any better and less condescending to his employees. he's probably looking for every excuse to be like "gotcha! you made one (1) minor error (that isn't even actually an error, it's just that he personally would have done it differently" and because everything has to be a Teaching Moment he'll bring it up in department meetings and also use you as an example in his classes. 3/10, he gains a few points for his awareness that the legal system is fucked up and rigged in favor of the prosecution and then loses most of those points for being a condescending asshole.

klavier: he would be fine probably. presumably his office is in the same state as it was in aa4, which is not ideal, as it stresses me out when filing cabinets are so full/disorganized that you can't close the drawers. on the other hand maybe that was just because he hadn't gotten around to dealing with it yet and he's not living like that on purpose and he would appreciate a file clerk to help him get his shit together. 7/10, just don't call me fraulein and we'll be fine.

( aa1 | aa2 | aa3 | aa4 | aai | dgs1 | dgs2 )

[victhinks]

Memories, My Enemy

Lockwood & Co. Angst week, Day six: Oh, Yes, The Past Can Hurt | regrets ; @lco-angst-week

Also posted on AO3

TW: Past Child Abuse, Panic Attacks

Lockwood's scream reverberated through Lucy, but it was the strike against the hard surface of the table that made her shrink back, spiraling into the past.

“I don't care what you assessed at the moment, it was dangerous, it was reckless!” Lucy hissed at him, eyes blazing with betrayal and hurt. Lockwood had thrown himself headfirst into danger again because of course he had — he was an idiot, all too easily willing to sacrifice his life for anyone, anything and it made her blood boil. 

Lockwood stared back at her unflinchingly, unapologetic about what he’d done. “Someone had to do it,” he stated calmly, monotonous voice sending chills down Lucy’s spine. The ease with which he disregarded his own life made her sick to her stomach, terror about what he’d do to himself gripping her so tightly sometimes she could hardly breathe. 

“Why does it always have to be you, Lockwood?” she countered exasperated. It was agony caring so deeply about someone who was willing to leave her alone in this world as effortlessly as Lockwood. “Not everything is about you! There is no need for you to play the hero every damned time we are in danger,” she exclaimed, knowing his ego to be a sore spot.

Lucy was right, of course, and Lockwood bristled. His shoulders tensed, his eyes narrowed and the air of calm he had so painstakingly tried to maintain throughout their fight — because he was cool, and collected and stoic — had dissolved into annoyance. 

He chuckled forcedly, giving Lucy a mocking smile. “Right, because things are about you now. How ever could I forget that the great Lucy Carlyle” — the distaste with which he said her name made her heart seize painfully — “is the only one who can help us all because she is so amazingly talented she can speak with Type Threes!”

“Are you still not over that?” she scoffed disbelievingly, “Lockwood, maybe you should seek your sense in life in things other than your profession and precious agency. It would be nothing, after all, without me—”

“Enough!” Lockwood yelled, slamming his hand on the kitchen table hard enough to make a few mugs crash to the ground. His scream echoed through the kitchen, traveling through the halls of the otherwise silent house. There was no mistaking his own boiling anger, directed at Lucy for taking the most ragged part of himself and tearing it apart in front of him some more.

His scream reverberated through Lucy, but it was the strike against the hard surface of the table that made her shrink back, spiraling into the past.

‘Why are you such a disobedient little brat?’ her mother had asked, each syllable accompanied by a slap. She was not deterred by Lucy’s cries and pleads to stop, promises that she would do better, be good and ‘please, mom, it hurts. No, stop, please, please—’

Her father striking the table was what made her mother finally stop. He was drunk, as always, and slurred his words, making what he said nearly incomprehensible. Lucy was used to this pattern of speech, however, so she understood perfectly well how he told her mother to kick her out of the house for the night, assuring her that it would teach Lucy some manners. 

Never one to refuse his wishes, her mother had done as he said, shoving her through the door harshly with a single silver knife to defend herself with. 

She had never been as scared as she was that night. The terror was enough to make her choke on her shallow breaths throughout the entire night, Listening and waiting for someone to come and put an end to her life.

Lucy stood frozen before Lockwood, sickeningly pale and eyes wide. The terror of that night coursed freshly through her veins. She was sure to be one wrong move away from Lockwood kicking her out, making her leave into the haunted night with a single silver knife to fend off the dead, all alone—

Meanwhile Lockwood had noticed her flinch back violently, as if she’d been slapped. From her rigid posture to the trembling hands at her sides and her chest rising and falling rapidly, he knew there was something wrong. 

Concern overtook him immediately, banishing any other emotion from his mind. “Lucy?” he asked carefully. 

“I—” she started, still looking at him wide eyed and scared. What was she scared of? “I’ll be good, I swear,” she gasped, shrinking into herself further.

“What?” he asked in confusion, immediately regretting the sharp tone in which he said it when he saw Lucy back away from him. She was shaking now and he could see tears glistening in her eyes. “Wait—” he pleaded, taking a few steps towards her. It broke his heart to see her hurting and he wanted to understand what had happened so he could help.

Lucy was wracked by tremors, breaths coming in uneven gasps and tears finally spilling over her cheeks. “Don’t make—” she choked, trying desperately to get the words out before the lump in her throat made it impossible to and the sobs shaking her frame would turn her incomprehensible. “Don’t make me leave, Lockwood,” she cried, hugging her chest tightly.

It made him halt his steps, hand hovering a short distance away from her arm. “What?” he breathed uncomprehendingly. 

Slowly, giving her enough time to draw away or stop him if she wished, Lockwood rested his fingertips against her arm, caressing her. Lucy’s breath hitched, but instead of taking a step back to brush him off, she reached out with a shaking hand to grasp his arm, latching onto it as if it were her anchor to reality.

Confident his touch was welcome now, Lockwood rested his whole palm against her to draw soothing motions onto her arm. “Breathe deeply, my love,” he murmured, placing her free hand carefully on his chest and taking exaggerated breaths for her to copy. 

Lucy tried, needing half a dozen attempts until she could wrestle control of her breathing back for long enough to take a deep breath. One turned to two, two turned to three — “That’s it, just so. You’re doing so well, Luce” — and onwards, accompanied by Lockwood’s gentle reassurances, until she no longer felt like she was drowning on dry land.

“Thanks,” she said hoarsely, letting Lockwood navigate her slowly onto a kitchen chair. She felt drained and wanted nothing more than to curl up under the blankets on her bed to rest, but Lockwood was kneeling in front of her, looking at her with wide brown eyes. She could see the confusion and guilt in them, wanting to know what had happened, asking her for an explanation.

So Lucy tells him, watching his face change from muffled sadness at her description of her early family life and childhood to one of anguish at the tales of beatings from her mother until finally settling on abject horror at the mention of her father’s proposition.

“Oh, Luce,” he said, voice full of sorrow so profound she wished to take back the story she had shared, “I’m so sorry this happened to you.” Lockwood was blinking away tears, taking her hands in his own and covering them with kisses. 

Tenderness was something she had learned to expect frequently from him. Lockwood was dedicated in his affections, finally free to show them openly and have someone he could direct them at, after so much time spent isolated. He was overflowing with love and care, and Lucy was eternally grateful to be on the receiving end of so much warmth.

“Not your fault,” she muttered, closing her eyes to savor the sensation of his kisses on her skin. She could not remember ever having been loved so much by anyone. “I was reminded of the instant, is all.”

The kisses stopped abruptly and Lockwood drew back, eyes darting upwards to meet hers. “Was it something I did?” he asked, eyes searching hers. 

Lucy hesitated for a moment. “When you hit the table, I had to think of my father and how he—” threw me out. She could not finish, the mortified expression on Lockwood’s face made her halt and she knew that his heart had just shattered in his chest at having hurt her.

“I’m so sorry,” he said softly, burying his face in his hands and breathing shakily. 

The guilt was eating him up, making him regret every time he had ever raised his voice at her. If he could take it back somehow, he’d do it in an instant, travel back in time to stop himself from frightening Lucy so profoundly, making the person he loved shake with fear of him and what he’d do to her — Lockwood felt something within him break at the thought. 

There was a hand cradling through his brown locks and another under his chin, moving his head upwards to look at Lucy. “You could not have known,” she told him, making sure he understood that she did not fault him.

“I shouldn’t have—” he tried to object, hanging his head in shame and feeling swallowed whole by his regret. Lucy cut him off with a chaste kiss.

Lockwood squeezed his eyes shut, trying in vain to stop his tears from falling. “I’m sorry,” he said again. Lucy guided him closer until his head rested on her chest and he drew his arms around her. “I love you so much.”

[orionicchaos]

Summer Love Club!

a genshin impact smau | tartaglia x gn!reader

Chapter 4 : guess who's back?

You are waiting for Yoimiya to come back from the airport, trying to focus on the book you are supposed to read. It's one of the books Keqing advised you to read for your culture. Frankly, it's made of incomprehensible words and, what is wrong with the author? Even you who likes to read, it's just boring and anything but healthy. Did she just marry her cousin with who she grew up like siblings because of her aunt? Who does that? Classical french literature just makes no sense to you.

Lost in your thoughts, you can't hear your friend greeting your parents on the ground floor, and she jumpscares you when she violently opens your bedroom's door, as you feel your heart seems to stop.

-HEYYYY BITCH I'M BACK !

-Oh fuck Yoimiya you scared me so much I almost died.

–You're not saying hi to your bestfriend? That's new.

You sigh, and pull her into a hug.

–Yeah, hello. I missed you.

[...]

You both decide to go on a walk to have a face-to-face discussion which you didn't have in one whole month. It's nice having her by your side again, she's like a bubble of light in your life and you can't help but smile as she talks about her internship and all the troubles she did back there.

-Hey, who is it? I never was him, she asks out of nowhere, as you try to understand who she's talking about. Right there, the ginger.

She points her finger to the direction of the said ginger.

-He seems in troubles.

Your eyes suddenly widen as you recognize Ajax, panicking and not knowing what to say as your other neighbour's are yelling at him.

-Damn, he's the american guy I talked y'all about!

-The one who said "bye cutie"?, she smile.

-Yes but that's not the moment Yoi, you sigh. He can't speak nor understand french, we got to help him.

-Right, right.

You both run to the small group of people, and hear Ajax trying to calm down your neighbors in a broken french.

-I'm sorry sir... I don't understand.

–STOP FAKING A FUCKING ENGLISH ACCENT YOU MOTHER FUCKER!!

-Hey, hey, you say in french to the intention of your neighbor. Calm down, okay? Why are y'all yelling?

-He stole my package and pretend he didn't !! Also he's faking an english accent to confuse me!

You nervously chuckle, and look at Ajax who seems more lost that you.

–Listen, I don't even know what he's talking about, I just went outside to walk a little and they jumped on me, the ginger says with a desesperate grimace on his lips.

-Look, he's at it again!!

You let out a sigh, nodding.

-Okay Ajax, let me handle this. Sir, that man right there is american and thus, he doesn't speak french and can't understand you. I'm sure he didn't mean to stole your package, okay? This must be a misunderstanding.

-I don't care he's american, I'm sure he stole it!

This is going to take so long..

♪¸¸.•*¨*•.

PREV | MASTERLIST | NEXT

SUMMARY | first of july, the end of the school year. as a person who lives in the french countryside, you don't expect much from this summer... or at least that is until your friend decides to hold a "summer love club" for your friends group, because "we're all single, we should help each other to find a lover!". at the same time, an american guy settles near you for the whole summer break.. funny coincidence, isn't it ?

a.n. | i'm so slow it hurts.. anyway, "terminale" in france is the name we give to the final year of high school (around 17-18yo)

no proofread!

TAGLIST : @amyskmk @slvdsjjk @raideneiari @redactedhimbo

if you want to be added to the taglist, comment, dm or send ask :)

[jefpoo421]

I will post the entirety of Dr. Crygor's diary, treated with a grammar-checking ai.

[source]

From now on, I would like to write about the results of my research. But the study is a secret! It would be a problem if someone stole my research.

Today's research was good, but in the end, it failed and exploded. Even if it explodes, I don't have hair, so I don't have an afro.

Today's research didn't go very well. Maybe a little more alcohol would be better. It was my luck to think so…

What happened after that is left to your imagination.

Today I went to Ninebolt-kun's house to play a game and found a strange creature in his house. It was a yellow, square creature, but what the hell was that? I want to make it a new research subject.

I did a little experiment today. Well, listen.

I tried heating gummy candy in a frying pan. After a while, many bubbles came out. I tried scooping and eating it with a spoon, but it's pretty good! I recommend it to all of you.

However, there are three things to be aware of. First, be careful not to get burned! Hot gummies are very hot. I burned my tongue, and it still stings… Second, cold gummies tend to stick to your teeth! He sticks to his teeth like typical candy can't! And third, completely cooled gummies get hard! This is probably due to the lack of foam. It's like candy, and it's delicious when you lick it.

If you have the chance, try it too.

Today was my worst day. Do you know the jetpack I invented? It's an excellent item that allows you to fly in the sky if you carry it on your back, but today I used it to go to town to buy research materials. Then, to my surprise, I ran out of fuel while flying, and I almost fell… I had no choice but to pick up a taxi and send it to the port, and from there, I swam back to the island where the research institute was located. As expected, I almost drowned on the way.

Oh, I just remembered that I need to buy research materials…

I repaired my jetpack and life-extending suit today. It was an easy task for a genius like me, but the injury from the fall still hurts… Try increasing the battery capacity of the jetpack.

I did a little experiment today. Well, listen.

When I'm tired of research, I always drink tea with glitter, but today I also wanted to drink coffee. But I also want to drink the usual tea. So I decided to mix coffee and tea.

The color became coffee-like, but the aroma was more potent than tea. It's strange. I decided to try it. It's not good… how can I say it? The synergistic effect of the bitterness of coffee and the bitterness of black tea makes it taste incomprehensible… it tastes both coffee and black tea, but it seems my tongue doesn't know how to react.

In a particular country, this drink is sold commonly. Is there a difference between what I made and how it was blended? As you get used to the taste, it may gradually become delicious.

I need to do some more research.

Great discovery! After drinking coffee and tea yesterday, I don't feel like drinking coffee or tea at all! If you apply this, you can stop drinking and smoking quickly. Let's announce it at the next academic conference.

Today I was invited by Wario-kun to have a barbecue on the beach. I was asked to bring a dish of ingredients, but I hadn't had a barbecue in decades, so I needed to figure out what to grill. So I got a special drink I invented to make him super bright, but Wario-kun drank it all. I was still experimenting. Well, just right. Let's observe Wario-kun's progress.

Wario-kun's condition after drinking a special drink seems to be quite good. It was quite a powerful drug, but it might be because Wario-kun could endure it. However, when they excrete, they return to their original state. Let's continue the experiment.

When I was about to buy some research materials I forgot to buy the other day, it rained for the first time. So, I went shopping with a "rainy weather jet pack" that I devised, but I left in my usual outfit, so I was soaked…

Do you guys know? If you eat gum and chocolate together, the gum will melt.

Long ago, when I was a child of ten, I discovered this fact and excitedly told my friends about it, but no one believed me. But I remember researching with different gums and reporting my findings to my friends before they finally believed me. Around that time, I began to aim to become a researcher. In subsequent research, I found that gum was soluble in oil. That's why it seems to melt chocolate and anything with oil content. However, it is not recommended since the body does not digest melted gum. Only those who are confident in their body should try it.

I had a hard time today. I was walking elegantly in the sky with my jetpack, but I fell asleep partly because of the fine weather. And when I woke up, I was lying under the building. It looks like it hit a building. Do you have to turn on the drowsy driving prevention function?

Do you guys know? Each hair has its rate of growth and lifespan.

According to my research results, hair grows about 0.3 mm per day. However, eyelashes and eyebrows grow slower than that, so even if you don't bother to cut them, the hair will reach the end of its life and fall out.

Of course, this experiment was done when my hair was still thick.

Today, with the help of Aubulonkun, I researched a spaceship. Among the planets in the universe, there are many places where civilization is more developed than the earth, and the world where Orburonkun was born is one of them. I could refer to the structure of the spaceship of Orburonkun considerably. If you add my technique to this, you can do something extraordinary.

I haven't been getting enough exercise recently, so when I was dancing flamenco, my leg was cramped, and I struggled for about half a day… Phew, it hurt…

I modified Cat-kun and Ana-kun's swords into high-tech blades, but today Cat-kun brought them with him, saying that the sword was broken. When I wondered how it was broken, it was just that the battery was dead…

This time, Ninebolt-kun brought it with him saying his skateboard was broken. This is also a skateboard that I modified, but the air intake part was undoubtedly broken. It seemed clogged, so when I disassembled it, I found a large amount of powder from the fire extinguisher. I hope you don't treat me too roughly.

Today, Orbulonkun came to ask us to repair the spacecraft. Jeez! I'm not a repairman! However, I was able to refer to spaceship technology quite a bit. In a year or so, I can build my spaceship.

Wario-kun came to the laboratory today. And surprisingly, he said, "I'm going on a space trip tomorrow, so build a spaceship by tomorrow!" Yesterday, I had just said that I might be able to make one in a year or so, but I felt like I had lost to Wario-kun and refused.

Hmmm! There is no such thing as something that I, a genius, cannot create! Let's start working on it all night now!

I made it… I never thought I could build my masterpiece spaceship in just one day. He's a genius scientist. However, although there are about 100 places where I'm uneasy…

Wario-kun invited me to go on a space trip as well. I've been thinking about doing space research, and I'd like to see how the spacecraft works with my own eyes, so it's a good time.

I'll go.

Strange! Going out into space on a spaceship would have been nice, but as soon as I warped, I returned to Diamond City! Moreover, the date is April 15th! …It seems that I was going to build a spaceship but ended up creating a time machine…As expected of a genius scientist…

I did much research yesterday and today to find out why the time machine was created, but I still need to determine the cause. In the first place, warp may mean going beyond time. Since the spaceship was just copied from Orburonkun's, I need help understanding the principle of warp… I need to study it a little more.

I argued with Spitzkun today about time slips. He seemed interested in science fiction, so I asked him to tell me a detailed story, and I became motivated. If I could move freely through time, other research would go much further, but…

As I researched time slips, I realized I needed to study more before analyzing. I often need help understanding what my predecessors in physics were doing. I can't help it because it's a little out of my field of expertise, but there's no way I, a genius, can't understand it. … Do you want to study?

Hey? Come to think of it, is "Made in Wario" already on sale? Will my game be well received? I was curious, so I asked the children of Diamond City. Then the answer was, "The demo is interesting!"

Dribble came in today saying that the taxi was in trouble. I just took a look, and it is not good. There were rattles here and there. The car has finally become unbearable after driving recklessly. But it was often mistreated. He said he would take care of the car a little more.

I received a report from Monakun collecting his impressions of playing "Made in Wario." …It seems that no one has written much about me. The game itself is interesting, but… Some people reported wanting to be my assistant, but you must be prepared to become my assistant, right? There may even be human experiments. It would be nice to have someone with a muscular body like Wario-kun…

Wario-kun came to ask for his bike to be repaired. When he wondered what was broken, the seat was torn. He said he farts too much! If you use this, it might be the driving force of the bike.

Today I would like to report on a study on tobacco. Well, listen. Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you. Not only is the incidence of cancer significantly increased, but it also makes people more susceptible to respiratory and circulatory diseases. Some studies have shown that smokers shorten their life expectancy by 22 years. In addition, I think rough skin, dull skin, increased wrinkles, and the progress of aging are severe problems for women. People often say, "Smoking makes my head clearer," but that's simply because nicotine withdrawal symptoms have been suppressed. Many people who become addicted to drugs have a hard time quitting. Cigarettes are harmful not only to those who smoke but also to those around them. You should stop smoking if you want to care for yourself and others.

I received a call from Wario-kun asking me to attend a round-table discussion on Made in Wario. He was busy with his studies, but he was threatened to destroy the institute if he didn't come, so he reluctantly decided to go. The round-table discussion ended in about three hours, but it was helpful as a reference, such as how to inspire. Isn't it possible to apply the ideas for game creation directly to research? Hmmm.

I've been thinking about it for a long time, but I will end my diary today. The reason is that I will study the time machine in earnest. I want to immerse myself in research, but the people around me seem to misunderstand me as a handyman, and I'm only asked to do repairs, so I can't do my research. I'd like to have a little more organized time, so I'm also thinking of making the research institute off-limits. Let us know if you have any good results. Please wait until then.

[skeletalheartattack]

if the tbh could beatbox

[excalibursbane]

THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR

The Slimecicle smut >:)) Pairing: c!Slimecicle x Reader Type: Smut (16+ ONLY) Warnings: Unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it lol), semi-public sex, mentions of overstimulation

NSFW UNDER THE CUT

Slimecicle x Reader Oneshot: Mall Trip With Charlie

Going to the mall with Charlie was always an adventure. The way his eyes sparkled every time you spoke or dragged him into a store or he saw something shiny. Everything was going smoothly—you both had bags of clothing and other items and were grinning like mad, heading out from the food court and back into the main mall—until you decided to slink a little closer, sliding an arm around his waist, your fingers dancing over his ribs. His reaction was not something you were expecting; he let out a small sensual moan, shivering at the unexpected touch. You turned to him, eyes wide.

"You okay, Charlie?" He flushed deep green, looking away in embarrassment.

"Yeah I- I'm fine, just scared me a little is all!" He tried to laugh it off, turning more green in the process. But the small moan had sparked something in you, sadistic thoughts that you couldn't push down. You shrugged to play along with him but kept your hand on his hip, slightly lower than the sensitive spot, just barely below. But as soon as you two walked into the arcade, your hand danced up below the hem of his shirt, drifting against his cool skin. He shuddered again and bit his lip hard enough to taste blood.

"Y-Y/N- Wh-what are you doing?" He turned to you, confused and trying to sort out the thoughts racing through his head and the heated knot growing in the pit of his stomach.

"Oh nothing, honey~ Just messing around is all." You took his hand in yours and brought it up to kiss the back of it, then gently started to pull him towards the back of the arcade where the storage rooms were.

"Where are we going? I thought we were gonna play Galaga-" Charlie stuttered but followed you like a puppy. You merely turned around and smirked, pushing the door to the storage room open and peeking inside. The coast was clear, thank god. Grabbing both of Charlie's hands, you pushed the door all the way open and pulled him in, pressing your body against his and letting your lips lock. He whimpered into the kiss, his hands drifting down to your waist, uncertain of where to go.

"Y-Y/N??" He moaned quietly as your fingers slipped under the hem of his shirt. "What are- mmh~" You looked up at him, cocking your head slightly in a silent question. "G-go ahead…" He whispered, nodding slightly. A sinister grin spread across your face as you carefully pulled Charlie's shirt off, exposing his slick chest to the warm air. You let out a soft huff, admiring his body.

Despite being a slime, he maintained a somewhat human appearance and had somehow figured out how muscles worked. And so he had added them. Your eyes took in his slight abs and defined pecs and… Whoo. Charlie swallowed and shifted under your gaze, tugging absently at the waistband of his shorts.

"Charlie I- Damn you look good." You stepped closer, pressing his upper back against the wall and leaning against him for another kiss, then moving down his neck and to his chest, listening to his pretty whimpers. One of your hands drifted down to his waistband, tugging it down his hip as he kissed back, biting your bottom lip ever so slightly.

"Can I take care of you, baby? I know this'll make you feel so good~" You whispered in his ear, making him shiver.

“Y-Yes please, this feels so good so far y/n...” You grinned and moved your hand carefully against the growing bulge in his shorts, palming him as he wrapped a hand around your arm, whimpering at the feeling and bucking his hips up slightly into your touch. "O-oh fuck-"

Suddenly, you brought both hands to Charlie's hips, undoing the buttons on his shorts with ease and pulling them down along with his boxers. Your eyes went wide at the sight as he tried to cover himself, but you gently grabbed his hand.

"Let me take care of you, okay? You'll love this, babe." He swallowed hard and nodded, bracing himself for… something. He didn't know what was coming but all the sensations that you'd given him so far had caused the pit in his stomach to turn white-hot. When your hand wrapped around his cock and started to move, slowly yet confidently, the heat in his stomach began to spread to his head, taking over his thoughts and replacing them with ones unfamiliar to him, filled with dark spaces, heated kisses, skin pressed to slimy skin… He wanted you, and badly. Without realizing it, Charlie started to thrust into your hand, keening at the feeling.

"Y/N th-this feels weird-" He started before an unexpected moan cut him off, causing him to clap a hand over his mouth. You smirked, he was right where you wanted him. Carefully, you pushed him into a nearby chair so he could give his legs a rest without falling over. You stepped back and winked at him once he caught your eye, starting to pull your shirt off.

His jaw dropped watching you undress in front of him, his racing thoughts focusing on your body now, your perfect form that he knew would be so close to him in a few moments. You grinned at him and pulled down your shorts, letting them drop to the floor with your shirt.

"You enjoying the show, Charlie~?" You asked, pulling at the waistband of your underwear. He nodded frantically, a hand moving down to his cock to stroke it subconsciously. With a triumphant smile, you pulled them down in one motion and stepped forward, sitting on his lap and straddling him. Charlie let out a strangled squeak as you started to roll your hips into him, gently moving his hand out of the way as you pressed against his member.

“Wh- what- I- Y-y/n-” A string of near-incomprehensible words made its way out of his mouth as you reached down to stroke his cock, his mouth lolling open and his eyes filled with confusion and bliss as you press his tip against your entrance, your other hand stroking his cheek gently. In a single fluid motion, you lowered yourself onto his cock and pressed a hand over his mouth to stifle the loud gasping moan that he let out, starting to ride him slowly as he shook beneath you. You bit your lip with a soft groan, rocking your hips as you look down into your boyfriend’s teary eyes, smiling softly as his hands shakily rest on your hips.

“You doing alright, babe~?” You kissed him on the forehead as he whined at a particularly hard roll of your hips. He nodded in response, babbling quietly for a moment before going almost silent, letting you use him and hold him as you rode his cock. Looking over his face, you could tell that the confusion had faded into mindlessness, his eyes glazed over with pleasure. With a smirk, you bent down to press your lips to his, the sudden contact causing his hips to buck up into you, leaving you moaning into the kiss. Charlie’s eyes widened and he experimentally pushed up into you again, shuddering at the stimulation as the heat in his stomach grew and expanded and burned through his core.

As Charlie’s cock pressed farther inside you, your thoughts began to blur, the texture of his skin and the feel of him inside you and his cool hands drifting over your ribs and waist was intoxicating, your thoughts turned away from the fact that you two weren’t supposed to be doing this and solely to making him feel good. You started to bounce faster on his cock, eliciting a moan from him and a low growl from you as you gripped his shoulders, feeling yourself get closer to release.

"Y-Y/N I- I'm gonna- I feel w-weird- mmh~!" Charlie moaned suddenly, his fingers digging into your hips to pull you down onto his shaft without fully understanding why. Your back arched into him with a gasp as he pulled you down so your hips were flush with his, suddenly feeling his lips against your neck and his seed inside of you.

It was enough to send you over the edge. The heat in your stomach contracted to a white-hot marble and exploded outward throughout your entire body, your fingers tightening into Charlie's shoulders and your muscles tensing around him as you let out a long, deep moan of satisfaction. Charlie's arms wrapped around your waist and he buried his face in your neck, sobbing silently from overstimulation. "Y-Y/N-" He panted, holding you close and keeping you seated on his cock. "Th-that felt really good…"

You smiled and rubbed his back gently, kissing his cheek and wiping away the tears. "And you did so well, baby, I'm so proud of you. You look so beautiful, Charlie." You felt him smile into your neck as he hugged you a little tighter. "You do too! You always do, y/n!" You chuckled, kissing him again and then pulling back a little to look at him.

"Thank you baby, now let's get out of here, shall we? I'll get you some ice cream." Charlie grinned, his innocent and bubbly demeanor already returning.

"Okay!"

[wowbright]

Fic: All Is Well

@klaine-word-scramble: gasping (bonus words in tags)

Words: ~2200 words                            

Rating: Teen and up

Summary: The missionaries don't want to leave the Deutsches Museum. Elder Nixon gets ready to meet with the mission president.

This is part of my Mormon!Klaine universe. It takes place directly after Between Eternity and Eritrea and before The Luckiest.

My Mormon!Klaine Masterpost. (More recent posts are in bold.)

––––

By now, the rest of the missionaries had joined them. They stayed long enough to listen to the museum worker do a demonstration on the harpsichord, but only because Blaine’s feet were glued to the floor and the other missionaries’ numerous attempts to tug him away failed.

Kurt wasn't one of the missionaries to give it a try. If he had, Blaine would have immediately been uprooted.

They were cutting it close on time, but that didn't keep them from stopping to stare at the Foucalt’s pendulum on their way out of the museum. It hung in the center of the three-story stairwell, a heavy leaden ball on the end of a 60-meter cord, swinging slowly back and forth across the 10-foot span of a circular platform. A sign explained that the pendulum offered proof of the earth’s rotation, because a pendulum should move back and forth in a straight line, and yet, with each sweep, its angle changed slightly until, over the course of about thirty-two hours, it made a complete circle.

“Why is it thirty-two hours instead of twenty-four?” Kurt wondered aloud. “Shouldn't the earth and the pendulum spin at the same rate?”

“They do at the North and South poles. But the closer you get to the equator, the more it slows down. It doesn’t move at all at the equator,” said Elder Saint James.

“How do you know that?” Kurt asked. He seemed highly suspicious, almost accusatory—as if it were previously unheard of for Elder Saint James to know anything at all.

“I’ve been to the Deutsches Museum before. This is my favorite exhibit next to the weather satellites. We had a guide who wrote out this long equation with the letter pi that was supposed to explain why the pendulum slows down away from the poles.” Elder Saint James rubbed his hands together excitedly. “Let's wait until it knocks over the next pin.”

“Until what?” asked Elder Meeks, who likely hadn’t understood the German word for pin.

“See the little pins lined up on one side of the circle? When the pendulum changes its angle enough, it'll knock over the next pin.” Elder Saint James made up for his certainly-incomprehensible-to-a-greenie vocabulary by aping the movements of pendulum and pin with his body.

“When's that going to happen?” asked Elder Nixon. “We don't want to be late getting back to the conference. I have my meeting with President Steele in half an hour. And Elder Anderson is right after mine.”

“You don't want to be late,” answered Elder Saint James. “I don't care. I'm on my last transfer. They're not going to send me home for spending five extra minutes at the Deutsches Museum. So, you and Elder Anderson can head back on your own, or you can blame me for delaying you.”

Elder Nixon looked at Blaine.

“It only takes ten minutes to get back there, if we walk fast,” Blaine said. He felt very daring. Possibly even rebellious.

“I really do want to see this thing knock a pin down,” said Elder Nixon. That decided things.

It was odd, how exciting it was to watch a ball on the end of a string move back and forth. With each swing, it got incrementally closer to the next pin, and yet not close enough. Blaine felt the tension build, his skin buzzing with anticipation.

It might also have had something to do with Kurt standing right next to him, so close that their sleeves touched.

“Why isn't watching a clock this exciting?” asked Elder Nixon. “It's the same concept.”

“Because clocks don't knock things down, obviously,” said Elder Saint James, not taking his eyes off the pendulum.

Ping!

The metal pin fell. The missionaries let out a unified gasp.

Blaine felt a pleasant, bubbly feeling all through his body. He hadn't realized how tense he'd become waiting for that something to happen.

Also, Kurt had squeezed his forearm at the moment of impact.

Blaine looked around to avoid looking at Kurt and thinking about his lips again. “Hey. Where did Elder Halberstadt go?”

“Er ging zur Badenzimmer,” said Elder Meeks. He used the wrong gender for Badenzimmer and should really have said Toilette, but Elder Saint James spoke before Blaine could correct him.

“By himself?”

“it's right over there,” answered Elder Meeks, with good grammar this time.

“You're not supposed to let your companion do anything alone,” said Elder Saint James. “It's not like the MTC, where you know somebody is always going to have eyes on him.”

“Even the bathroom?” said Elder Meeks, his nose wrinkling.

Elder Saint James didn't say anything immediately. Gears seemed to be turning in his head. “You're right. That is kind of weird. After two years, I've kind of become desensitized to the smell of other people’s shit, but why did I have to smell it in the first place? What are you gasping about, Elder Meeks? Is it because I said ‘shit’? It's not as rude in German as it is in English. It’s more like …” He switched to English. “Crap.”

“Well,” interjected Kurt, “that's not polite either, Elder Saint James.”

“I guess,” Elder Saint James shrugged. “But it's also not a sin to say it.”

Elder Halberstadt reappeared. “Did anyone lecture Elder Meeks yet for letting me go to the bathroom alone?”

“Wait,” said Elder Saint James. “Was that the point of you doing it. To test him?”

“Of course.” Elder Halberstadt gave him a confused look.

Kurt went still, like an asp ready to pounce. “That’s a jerk move.”

Elders Saint James and Nixon nodded in agreement. Blaine felt himself nodding, too.

Elder Halberstadt’s jaw fell to gaping. “Wait. So now you’re all going to nag me for trying to properly train my greenie?”

They continued nodding.

“You Americans. I never know when you’re going to have a stick up your butts about the rules, and when you just won’t care. Elder Clarington would have loved it.”

“Elder Clarington’s from Utah,” said Elder Nixon. “We aren’t.”

“Well. It’s not fair to gang up on the only actual German in your group.”

“You’re the one causing trouble for Elder Meeks. Be nicer to him, and we won’t,” Kurt said sternly.

It might have been that Kurt was being protective. It could have been his kindness, or the authority with which he spoke. Or maybe it was because Kurt saw that, while both Elder Meeks and Elder Halberstein had broken a rule, intent made one infraction wrong, and the other inconsequential.

Whatever it was, it sent a pang of longing right through Blaine’s chest.

Blaine still didn't know if he was in love. But he was definitely a sap for his companion.

*

They must have made an interesting sight, six young men in white shirts and ties, jogging down the sidewalk in their dress shoes to make it back to the stake center on time. But if anyone stared at them, Blaine hadn't noticed. He was too busy trying not to stare himself—at the back of Kurt’s neck, at the way his shoulder blades moved under the fabric of his shirt and his pants shifted flatteringly around his thighs with each step.

Blaine understood, for the first time, why a previous companion had planned their walking routes to avoid billboards of naked women hawking body wash. Kurt wasn't even naked, and yet the degree of distraction Blaine felt was all-encompassing.

Wait. Did Blaine want to see Kurt naked?

It was with this thought that Blaine sat down in the hallway outside President Steele’s office. That needed to change, pronto. There was absolutely nothing to gain by entering a meeting with your mission president in such a state of distraction.

Blaine let his eyes pan over the hallway, searching for something to think about other than … the thing he needed not to be thinking about. Under the bench along the opposite wall, the aging carpet was a slightly different color, and the nap was crushed flat. Blaine guessed a radiator had once been there, from the gap in the carpet that looked just the right size for a radiator pipe, and the bench was supposed to cover it up.

So much of what happened in the church was cosmetic, wasn’t it? You were always supposed to put your best face forward, exude happiness, obey cheerfully—even when you were asked to betray the truth of who you were. Even when the face you put on wasn't truly yours.

“How are you holding up, Elder Nixon?”

“I wish we could take naps, given that I haven't had a chance to eat any … you know … today.”

Ah, yes. Coffee beans. In light of Kurt, Blaine had managed to forget all about that conundrum.

“You want me to ask around? Schwester Rose usually has a Spezi with her.” Spezi was a surprisingly tasty mix of orange soda and caffeinated cola. “She might let you have a sip.”

Elder Nixon shook his head. “No nip off the bottle for me. I'd rather go into my meeting sober. Give me a clearer head for... I don't know. I guess I should confess to my own transgressions. But do you think I should tell him about what I found in the trash can? I hate to be a tattletale.”

Blaine saw that as a good thing. But if it weighed so heavily on Elder Nixon's conscience, maybe he should speak up. “If you’re worried Elder Clarington’s hurting himself, then I don't think it qualifies as tattling anymore. Would it help to pray together about it before you go in?”

“Yeah, but silently. Anybody could wander by.”

They both bowed their heads and crossed their arms. In the chapel, the gathered missionaries sang the German version We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet. It wasn’t Blaine’s favorite hymn. He preferred the ones about Jesus and love. But at least the line that bothered Blaine the most had been softened in translation. In German, it went And though the world mocks us, we remain eternally faithful to you instead of The wicked who fight against Zion will surely be smitten at last.

Blaine had no place in his worldview for smiting. But he understood the pain of mockery and the comfort of faith. The world mocked Kurt for the things that made him beautiful to Blaine. And maybe the world would mock Blaine, too, if it knew how Blaine was starting to feel. But God would remain faithful.

So Blaine prayed to that God. Not the God who laid out bizarre plans that had to be followed to a ‘T,’ regardless of an individual’s circumstances. Not the God who wanted his children to praise the prophets with the same fervor that they praised  Christ. And definitely not the God who smote his enemies.

Blaine prayed to the God he knew in his heart. The one who had no enemies, because he loved everyone the same. The one who cared more about Elder Nixon’s happiness and Elder Clarington’s health than about whether they ate coffee beans.

“Thanks,” Elder Nixon said when they were done. “Whatever you were praying, it helped.”

“That could have been your prayer.”

“I don’t know. I’ve been praying about this for days, and never felt like I got an answer. And now—well, I’m still don't have any answer yet. But I have reassurance. The Holy Ghost is with me, and I know the right words will come when I’m talking to President Steele.”

The door to the office opened. A missionary with  on his nametag stepped out. Blaine recognized him as one of the greenies from Elder Meeks’ cohort. Elder Surette looked at both their nametags and gestured at Elder Nixon. “You now,” he said—which sounded rude, but was probably an effect of barely being able to speak the language.

Blaine patted Elder Nixon’s back as the greenie returned to the chapel. “Have a pig!” Which sounds weird in English, but not so much in German. It means something akin to good luck, or, as Blaine preferred to think of it, be ready to receive God’s blessings.

In the chapel, the other missionaries continued to sing. The words of Come, Come Ye Saints flowed out into the hall, erasing the bitter taste of the previous hymn from Blaine’s mouth.

Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? ’Tis not so; all is right.

Why should we think to earn a great reward if we now shun the fight?

Gird up your loins; fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake;

And soon we’ll have this tale to tell—All is well! All is well!

This was the God Blaine loved—the God who forsook no one, who strengthened Blaine to face his struggles, who made him braver than his worries. The God who created the earth and called it good. The God who created Kurt and called him good. The God who put something that felt an awful lot like love in Blaine’s heart, because love was good. Love was right.

All really was well, in God’s eyes.

That’s all Blaine needed to know.

[makeste]

BnHA Chapter 314: ...Or You Live Long Enough to See Yourself Become the Villain

Previously on BnHA: Some random assholes were all “let’s throw exploding spears at All Might and see if it activates his Conqueror’s Haki” and SURPRISE, MOTHERFUCKERS, IT DID!! Elsewhere, Lady Nagant confusingly tried to capture Deku alive by shooting him in the stomach, but to be fair I guess that’s what happens when you send an assassin to do a bounty hunter’s job, so yeah. Deku was all “ouch”, and then because this is a shounen he basically just straight up forgot about it, and did a big fancy Smokescreen thing, and then activated his mildly incomprehensible new ki-blasting quirk which he got from the Third. En and the Third were all “hey Deku maybe let’s not just impulsively activate all this shit in the heat of battle when you don’t know how to use it yet and you’re already injured,” and Deku was all “thanks for the quirks guys but I’ll take it from here” and snuck up on Nagant and grabbed her arm and so now what’s going to happen I wonder.

Today on BnHA: Nagant is all “[shoots Deku again]” because of course she is lol. Deku is all “tell me about AFO!” and Nagant is all “why would I tell you anything?” and then proceeds to tell him her entire life story which is FILLED WITH SO MUCH MURDER, YOU GUYS. Holy shit. So basically she was an assassin for the HPSC, which we already knew, but somehow it’s one thing to know that, and another to actually see her running around capping dudes in the forehead and being covered in more blood than the elevator from The Shining. Anyway, so you’ll never believe it, but all that murder had a negative impact on her psychologically, and eventually led her to question everything she believed about hero society, and so she killed her creepy boss and was promptly sent to Tartarus. This extremely fun chapter ends with Overhaul showing up all “HI, HELLO, I’M STILL HERE”, because for some reason he is still here. Why are you still here, Overhaul.

“the beautiful Lady Nagant” oh you know your audience don’t you Horikoshi

well all right then! so I’m guessing this means that she is not, in fact, going to roll over and die just because Deku’s out here all “GOT YA!” like they’re playing a game or tag or something. ffff may the manga gods have mercy on our young suicidal protagonist

lmao so Deku is all “GOD I’M SO SMART, WHAT A GOOD STRATEGY I HAD, CAPITOL JOB THERE OL’ CHAP, CAPITOL” and lol, okay. I mean, it was a good plan though. but I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop here

“I’ll make you give me information on All for One” well there you go, lol. Deku Angst arc still fully engaged. still no light in his eyes either of course. just a lil chaotic ball of sleep deprivation and rage

lol, fucking THANK YOU though

oh my god what the hell did she do to him lol

did she shoot him with her elbow??? fucking look at this?? THIS IS WHY WE LISTEN TO HAWKS oh my god Deku are you dead

WHAT’S HAPPENING, IS THIS GOOD OR BAD, WHO’S WINNING

things that I wish I could tell from this panel which I unfortunately cannot tell

did she stab him or shoot him?? can you imagine if it was the former lol. why does Horikoshi keep stabbing all my kids. look Kacchan now the two of you can match

did she actually hit him or did he get away??

or did she hit him and then he jumped away?? just, what

well anyway, so now Deku is asking her why she sided with AFO, but he seems a lot more pissed off than when he was interrogating Muscular, though. probably because she shot him three times. fair enough

oh my god

does Lady have a blog here on tumblr dot com?? -- does Horikoshi have a blog here on tumblr motherfucking dot com?? why do I suddenly feel like this man is out here sneakily reading up on all our discourse

oh my god Deku it’s almost like getting up close and personal with someone who can shoot custom bullets from any distance and any position with deadly accuracy was a terrible fucking idea

IF ONLY SOMEONE HAD WARNED YOU NOT TO ENGAGE WITH HER AT ALL COSTS. IF ONLY SOMEONE HAD HAD THE FORESIGHT TO DO THAT sob. can you imagine how much shorter this series would be if characters actually listened to Hawks. Hawks, and Momo. why do we even let anyone else run the show ever

OH MY GOD

DEKU, RUN

OH MY GOD WHAT IS HAPPENING

this looks a lot like what happens to me whenever I play One’s Justice. those fucking combo attacks that you can’t fucking escape from and so your character just has to stand there getting their ass whalloped repeatedly while you wonder why you paid $40 for this

but anyways though. so Lady who did you kill?? I bet they deserved it, don’t worry I forgive you

(ETA: ANYWAY SO FRIENDLY REMINDER THAT LADY NAGANT DID NOTHING WRONG EVER IN HER ENTIRE LIFE. aside from murdering all those innocent people and shit. but there were CIRCUMSTANCES, and THEY WERE EXTENUATING, OKAY.)

-- holy shit

looks like the HPSC arc is back on the menu boys

so are we about to learn that the HPSC was going full Hydra on people’s asses? secretly dispatching anyone they deemed a threat to society?? “taken care of” as in you fucking shot them??

so then was the “hero” she killed actually one of the guys who was giving or carrying out these orders?? holy shit Lady, up until now I’ve mainly just been stanning you for your flawless eyebrow game and metal af quirk, but this shit could actually get real very quickly, and I am prepared to genuinely and sincerely love the shit out of you depending on what we learn next about your backstory

oh my god?!?

so wait, hold up. am I reading this right?? basically the HPSC started murdering vigilantes because they were worried they were gaining too much of the public’s favor?? holy fucking shit???

oh my GOD oh my god

“it’s been a while since I scarred you all with the dead dog and the graphic slaughter of an entire innocent family, huh,” Horikoshi says thoughtfully. “anyway so what do you all think of my new creation, the Spaghetti Bullet.” well, Horikoshi, so you know that squished-up face that Kermit the Frog makes sometimes? yeah. that’s what I think, if you must know lol

holy hell the juxtaposition

I’m actually kind of surprised to learn she had a lot of fans? what with her M.O., I was expecting her to have been an underground hero like Aizawa, but apparently not? then again I still have absolutely no idea how any of that works. I really need to read Vigilantes already

oh snap

nothing like a sweet dose of assassin trauma to finally round out our BnHA Trauma Bingo!! well done guys, we finally collected all of the traumas! hooray!

noooo Ladyyyyyyy

holy shit what a fucking chapter. like, this man promised us an assassin, and went and fucking delivered. I was not expecting it to be this dark, lol, but holy shit I am here for it

you know, at some point you have to start questioning the logistics of this, though

I mean, how do I put this... her quirk isn’t exactly subtle. that murder scene from a few pages back looked like the first season of Dexter for fuck’s sake, that’s not exactly “disappearing” people now is it?? and I mean, her bullets are literally made from her own fucking hair; it seems like it would be impossible not to leave any evidence behind. did no one start to wonder who the fuck was going around murdering all these people? or did the people who asked too many questions wind up getting conveniently “disappeared” themselves??

and hey, speaking of asking too many questions

holy shit is he blackmailing her??!? or no, wait -- what the hell is he reaching for in his pocket boy you better not

(ETA: what exactly was this man expecting fdslkjd. “uh oh my unstoppable hair trigger assassin who is literally always armed is asking questions, better announce that I am going to shoot her and then reach into my pocket veeeeeery slowly while she stands there all of two feet away.” how did this guy ever function as the head of a shadow government with these decision-making skills, I’m genuinely baffled.)

OH MY GOD LADY YES

this. right here. is why “run the fuck away” was damn good solid fucking advice. oh shit. but my god did this dude have it coming

so wait lol has she just been narrating all of this out loud to Deku this entire time

okay but can we just stop for a moment and appreciate the fact that they’re having this deep conversation about the dark secrets of hero society right in the middle of their intense mid-air sniper free-for-all lol

holy shit you guys, Nagant’s the one that should have made the tell-all video. I mean, no offense to you, Dabi, I’m sure you worked very hard on your video and did a ton of crunches every day so that you would look good with your shirt off while you told the world all about how your dad was a jerk. but seriously...

this is already like 100x more convincing than what he put out. also, gasp, is it another flashback

yes it is oh my gosh

so the HPSC Chairladyperson whom ReDestro killed used to be this guy’s direct subordinate, huh? I wonder if she kept the whole assassin program going after she took over. can’t say I was feeling any particular kind of grieving way about her death before, but certainly not now lol

but unfortunately Nagant has finally lost me at the same place where all of the villains inevitably do, which is to say when they somehow make the dubious mental leap from “society sucks and is bad” to “let’s just be openly fucking evil lol, worth a shot.” because when heroes murder innocent people and cover it up, that’s obviously bad (and I mean, it absolutely fucking is lol, don’t get me wrong); but when villains murder innocent people straight up out in the open without giving a fuck, they’re righteous revolutionaries? just -- is there really no non-murdery middle ground here?? I guess that’s what Deku and co. are for, hopefully

anyways oh shit Deku seems to have spotted something?? and he’s doing something weird with Blackwhip what

oh, he spotted her, I guess

lmaooooo

new favorite Deku panel right here. a masterpiece

oh my god you guys our little boy is starting to grow up before our eyes

you love to see it. and you can tell with those elipses that he’s gearing up to say something really cool and determined and badass like the shounen protag he is, yes please, Deku ilu so much please do your thing

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

IS THAT A TEENY TINY LIL EYE SPARKLE THERE OMG. still not anywhere close to his usual standard, but that’s some clear resolve there in his eyes there at long last! it always shines the most clearly when he’s being true to himself and his ideals, so I love that it finally shows up again here, when he’s reaffirming his resolve to help others no matter what

uh oh so what’s Lady going to do now

is it time for a trump card?? kinda sounding like it’s time for a trump card

???

I lied btw, this is my new favorite Deku panel. but anyways what is she up to now lol

ohhhhhh, lol

why does she seem shocked, lol. here I thought this was part of her plan, but apparently she forgot all about ol’ “Look Ma, No Hands” back up there

and so I guess that’s it for this week! so we’ve learned basically everything now about Lady and her quirk and her history with the HPSC and why she agreed to work for AFO. pretty much the only question that still remains is why the hell she decided to drag this asshole along for the ride! because I still cannot figure that out dsklkjlkf

(ETA: actually now I’m kind of wondering if they maybe have some past connection we don’t know about yet. when exactly was Nagant sent to Tartarus? is it possible she was ordered to track down and kill Overhaul at some point before that, but never got around to it? or something else along those lines? idk but now I’m curious.)

anyways Deku, I know that your empathy has no bounds and that you’re on a “saving villains” kick right now, and good on you... but also, if you decide to just like, skip all of that shit just this once, absolutely no one will hold it against you, I’m just saying. just, all I’m asking here is maybe let’s think twice before we start trying to reform guys who imprison and torture little girls for profit. I think maybe that’s a good place to draw the line. next week is going to be a very interesting chapter lol

[killerskillercaptain]

Embarrassing moments w/ Levi Ackerman BOOK II

I only put one incident in this one because inspiration was running wild and things got out of hand, so enjoy !

You can read BOOK ONE here

word count : 1,9K

warnings : implicit seggsual themes, slight angst.

The client incident

Erwin had put you and Levi on a special mission; both of you received one letter from the commander urging you to go meet Balkus Adomas, a businessman whom Erwin was used to work with to get funds for the SC, and god knows the Survey Corps needed that financial support lately. With all the casualties, injured horses and used up equipment you lost in your encounter with the female titan, you could definitely use some help, any help actually.

The letter instructed Levi to tie up the negotiations, as Erwin had already sent a letter to Balkus, stating the nature of the visit; the letter also instructed Levi to take you with him to officialize everything on legal documents.

Levi sent one letter back to Erwin asking the commander about the nature of the business this man held. Three days later, the response consisted of a short sentence that wasn’t very helpful, and its vagueness didn’t make Levi happy; he hated being kept in the dark about the people he needed to work with.

The letter only said « « You’ll know when you get there »

The next morning, right after dawn, you and Levi were already on your horses, heading to the small town situated in the west, where the businessman was to be found. It was a good four hours ride, but you were accustomed by now to even longer distances.

Reaching your destination, Levi followed Erwin’s instructions, it didn’t take long for you two to find the location. Heading towards the main entrance, you couldn’t help but notice the frowning faces locals threw at you while passing you by. The place was an old, seemingly neglected property, it didn’t look like a business run by a rich businessman who could land money to the military, and you could sense that levi was thinking the same. You stood there studying the poorly maintained building for a moment until the main door suddenly flew open and a little round man, probably in his forties appeared with a dangling woman at his arm, the woman was laughing uncontrollably while planting kisses alongside the man’s neck, both of them completely ignoring the accusing stares being directed towards them.

Is this a tavern ?

Wait no.

You felt your legs tremble a little, and you suddenly felt embarrassed at the realization : it was a brothel. And the cheap kind by the looks of it.This Balkus Adomas runs a freaking brothel. Slightly alarmed, as this was completely out of your comfort zone, you glanced nervously at Levi who didn’t show any sign of tension. But little did you know, the short man was infuriated and boiling under the surface.

You on the other hand, were visibly stressed out. In a moment of hesitation you wanted to grab Levi’s hand like a child lost in an adult place but you managed to hold your composure, and decided to follow him by staying as close as possible to him. Levi headed rapidly to a broad bearded man, he looked like he was the receptionist or something of the sort, Levi asked if he could see Adomas.

" You should have been notified we were coming, we’re sent by Erwin Smith "

" Yes, yes this good old’ Erwin Smith, he said he’ll send someone ! "

The way the man said « good old’ Erwin Smith » made it look somewhat suspicious, and you wondered if the commander was fond of such places as it hardly seemed so to you.

" Well Lord Adomas is not here now, but you can wait for him, he comes early in the morning to do some accounting, as you see, the business is running wild lately "

" You can spend the night here if you want " he added.

You felt Levi tense up.

" Erwin will hear me about it, making us stay the night, not even being able to get an appointment correctly " you heard Levi mumble to himself between greeted teeth. You could clearly see now that this place is stressing him just as much.

" Don’t worry, Erwin Smith has always been good to us, intervening for us every time something threatened to close this place, and get Lord Adomas out of business, so we owe him big time "

You somehow got reassured that this was the nature of their connection to Erwin.

" I’m gonna give you a room to stay in for the night for free, it’s on the house "

He dangled a golden key in front of us, but when levi reached out to take it, the man retracted his hand behind the counter, a mischievous smile contorting his lips.

" Unless you want to spend the night as a customer Captain Levi ? "

Levi snatched the key from the man who now turned to you, completely ignoring the short captain.

" Hey miss, you’re not bad either, have you ever thought about leaving the army ? We could get you a job here, you’ll see, Lord Adomas treats his employees with extra care " he ended his speech with a nasty tone that had you both in such discomfort that you could almost feel Levi’s anger and you shivered at the way he said extra care. Dragging you by the collar of your military jacket, Levi headed with you towards the stairs, in search for the right bedroom while you followed him closely. As you were afraid of; the walls were incredibly thin in this place, and discernible sounds could be heard from each door. A series of thuds, creaks and lewd voices which you did your best to ignore, while you and the captain hurried to find the right door. Being here with Levi made this whole situation so much more uncomfortable, and right now, you cursed yourself for being the only person capable (and available) to do the paperwork, you hated that you were in charge, you hated that your signature was required, you-

" Here’s the shitty door "

You looked at the door, it was situated at a fair distance from the others, but didn’t look as damaged, maybe it didn’t get used a lot, or at least you hoped.

A demanding and urgent female voice erupted suddenly, close enough that both of you could hear it clearly. You tried to ignore how shaky your legs were now, you tried to focus on Levi opening the door but your eyes met a trembling Levi having difficulties opening the door, his hand too shaky to insert the key right, obviously he was just as startled as you were. When both of you finally heard a reassuring click, he slammed open the door with a "Tch"!

" Can’t believe this mess Erwin put us in, he’ll hear me about it ! "

You followed him inside. The room seemed fairly in order, didn’t seem to be too dusty, you sighed in relief, but your relief was short-lived, it sure wasn’t dusty but it did look completely unsanitary, no wonder this place gets threatened to be closed so often.

" Tch ! I’m taking fifty showers after this, and i’m gonna scrub my feet with Erwin’s- "

" Um Captain ? "

" WHAT ? " he asked harshly, getting you a bit startled by his tone.

Hey don’t lash out at me, it’s not my fault we’re in this mess.

" There’s only one bed "

" You can have it, i’m not sleeping in this filth "

" Neither do i , Captain " you said picking up a long strand of hair from the pillow and studying it before tossing it aside. The place was filthy.

But to both your consolation, there were two chairs made out of wicker that seemed not too risky to use.

You took the one on the left, Levi took the one on the right before looking at you.

" We’ll wait here until this Adomas piss of shit shows up so we can get it done with the paperwork and get out of this filthy hell " and those were the only words he spoke to you for the rest of night.

You were already feeling a bit sleepy, all the exhaustion caused by the trip creeping back to you. You had dozed off for what seemed like half an hour before you were awaken by new sounds rising abruptly from the next room. You jolted in your seat, the unsettling sounds of moans and boastful voices filling the room quickly, followed by a string of giggles, then another string of incomprehensible moany gibberish. You couldn’t make up a single word but you understood all too well the activities taking place in the other room. Still trying to compose yourself and get rid of the embarrassment sucking you in you right now, you suddenly remembered that you weren’t alone in the room, and turned quickly to look for the captain.

Levi was still sitting in his chair, you realized he had moved it away from you, almost placing himself at the other corner of the room, his fists tightening on his knees, he had the most irritated expression you’ve ever seen on his face, he looked like he was ready to snap a neck in half. Was it possible that he has been awake the entire time while you were sleeping ? Having to listen to the most indecent events going on next door ?

He was staring right in front of him, he looked as if he was trying to avert your gaze, afraid that a single stare shared between you two at this moment would aggravate the discomfort, and he was spot on.

Now the lewd voices were joined by the most obscene of sounds. You could feel your face, your hands and everything in between grow hot, you tried your best to keep a steady composure and not look at Levi who was incredibly silent at the other end of the room. Damn it, the smutty opera next door got you so alert you couldn’t even hope to sleep it off so you don’t have to endure this unbearable atmosphere.

You stayed like this until dawn. You and the captain, sitting stiff with both your hands glued to your thighs like two Egyptian statues while the auditory nuisance went on, all fucking night.

For a brief moment you heard Levi mutter something that you deciphered as « Erwin you piss of shit, you’re gonna pay for this»

--

You did get to Balkus Adomas the next day at the crack of dawn, he did accept to continue supporting the Scouts, you did go through the administration stuff you were dragged in here for. You even had Adomas make the same suggestion to you as the bearded receptionist; offering you to leave your uncomfortable scouting uniform for something else, vaunting about how much you can get paid in one night here, nothing like you meager salary at the Scouts for sure ! At one point you literally had to forcefully take off his hand that he sneakily placed on the small of your back. At the sight of it, Levi snatched the documents, handed a copy to Adomas and hurried you and himself out of the place.

Back to HQ, you were happy to reunite with your bed, ready to recover from last night. You shared your quarters with Petra, laying on your mattress, you filled her in about what happened to you with the captain as she bursted with laughter at every detail you gave her.

The next day, Levi was nowhere to be found as you went to his office as usual. You asked one of the soldiers where if he'd seen the captain and he just shrugged his shoulders, saying that Levi left a message for you as the soldier gave you a folded piece of paper.

« Going to see Erwin for a special meeting ».

[scarlett-v-the-fox]

Dr. Crygor Blog Entries

Hey there! I just translated Dr. Crygor’s blog on the WarioWare Mega Microgame$ website.

Disclaimer: My Japanese isn’t perfect, and I had to look up a lot of words used. But I’m confident 95% of this is correct!

Feel free to ask me any questions!

February 28, Friday “Starting today, I will write about the results of my research here. However, the research content is secret! There would be a problem if someone stole my research content. Today's research was pretty good, but at the end it failed and exploded. Even if it explodes, I don’t have hair, so my head didn’t become an afro.”

March 1, Saturday “There wasn’t much luck on today’s research. I thought it may be better to add a little more alcohol. I was out of luck thinking that... Let's leave it to your imagination what happened after that.”

March 2, Sunday “Today I went to 9-Volt-kun's house and played a game, but I found a strange creature in his house. It was a yellow and square creature. What was that all about? I want to make it a new research subject.”

March 3, Monday “I did a little experiment today, so listen. I tried to heat sweet gummies in a frying pan. After a while, a lot of bubbles came out. I scooped it up with a spoon and tried it. It was is pretty good! I would definitely recommend it to you. However, there are three things to be aware of. First, be very careful about burns! The heated gummy candies are quite hot. I burned my tongue and I still feel tingling... Second, cold gummy candies are insanely easy to stick to your teeth! It will stick to your teeth unlike ordinary sweets! And third, the completely cooled gummy candies get insanely hard! It’s probably because the bubbles are gone. It's delicious when it looks like a lick-able candy. If you have the opportunity, try it.”

March 4, Tuesday “Today was the worst day. Do you know about the jetpack I invented? It is an excellent device that you can fly in the sky if you carry it on your back. I used it today to go to the city to buy research materials. Then, while I was flying, I ran out of fuel and fell down... I had no choice but to pick up a taxi and send it to the port. From there, I swam back to the island where my laboratory was located. As expected, I was drowning on the way. Oh, I forgot to buy research materials...”

March 5, Wednesday “I repaired my jet pack and my life-prolonging suit today. It was a breeze for me, but the injury when I fell still hurts... Should I increase the battery capacity of my jetpack?”

March 6, Thursday “I did a little experiment today, so listen. Whenever I'm tired from research, I always drink my usual black tea. I also wanted to drink coffee today, but I can’t skip my usual tea. So I took a plunge and mixed the coffee and tea. The color of it is coffee-like, but the aroma is stronger than black tea. It was strange, so I took a plunge and drank it. How disgusting… Somehow, the synergistic effect of the bitterness of coffee mixed with the bitterness of black tea tastes terribly incomprehensible... It tastes like coffee and tea, but how can my tongue react so poorly? I don't seem to understand. In some countries, this drink seems to be sold normally. Is there a difference between what I made and that sort of blending method? Maybe as you get used to the taste, it may become more delicious. It seems that a little more research is needed.”

March 7, Friday “I made a big discovery! After drinking coffee & tea yesterday, I didn’t feel like drinking either! If this is continues, this will be easier than quitting smoking. I shall make a presentation at the conference next time.”

March 8, Saturday “Today I was invited by Wario-kun to have a barbecue on the beach. I was told to bring one ingredient besides barbecue steak. It's been decades since I’ve cooked, so I didn't know what to bring. So I invented a special drink that makes you super smart. I brought it, but Wario-kun had already drank it all. It was a work in progress. Well... Let's observe the progress of Wario-kun.”

March 9, Sunday “Wario-kun is in a special state after drinking the special drink, but everything seems to be quite good. It was a pretty powerful drug, but... Maybe it was because Wario-kun could endure it. However, when excreted, he seems to be completely restored. I shall continue the experiment in the future.”

March 10, Monday “When I decided to go buy the research materials I forgot to buy the other day, it was raining for the first time in a while. So, I went shopping with my "jet pack for rainy weather" that I had built, but when I started out in my usual style, I got soaked...”

March 11, Tuesday “Do you guys know? If you eat gum and chocolate together, the gum will melt. Long ago, yes, when I was a 10-year-old kid, I discovered that fact. I reported it to my friends with excitement, but no one believed it. I studied with different gums, reported the results to my friends, and I remember them finally believing it. From that time on, I started aiming to become a researcher... Subsequent research revealed that gum is soluble in oil. So it seems that not only chocolate will melt, but anything with oil will melt. However, melted gum is not digested by the body, so I can't recommend it very much. Only try it if you are confident in your body.”

March 12, Wednesday “I had a hard time today. I was gracefully flying in the sky with my jet pack, but due to the good weather, I just got out of control. And then I noticed I fell down under a building. Apparently I collided with the building. I don't want to add a drowsy driving prevention function...”

March 13, Thursday “Do you guys know? Each hair has a speed and lifespan. According to the results of my research, hair grows about 0.3 mm a day. However, eyelashes and eyebrows grow slower than that, so you don't have to bother to cut them. When the hair has reached the end of its life, it will fall out. Of course, this experiment was done when my hair was still bushy.”

March 14, Friday “Today, with the help of Orbulon-kun, I researched his spacecraft. Many of the planets in the universe are more civilized than Earth’s, and I’d say Orbulon-kun’s is one of them. I was able to refer to the mechanism of the spacecraft belonging to him. If I add my technique to his, it looks like something wonderful will be possible.”

March 15, Saturday “I haven't been exercising recently, so I tried dancing flamenco. I've been struggling for about half a day because my legs are stiff... Ouch, it hurts...”

March 16, Sunday “I converted the Kat-kun and Ana-kun’s swords into high-tech swords. Kat-kun brought it today saying that her sword was broken. When I wondered how it broke, it was just the battery that ran out...”

March 17, Monday “This time 9-Volt-kun brought his skateboard to me, saying that it was broken. This is also something that I remodeled. The air intake part was certainly broken. When I disassembled it because it seemed to be stuck, a large amount of fire extinguisher powder came out. I don’t want him to treat it too roughly.”

March 18, Tuesday “Today, Orbulon-kun came to ask for a repair for his spaceship again. Jeez! I'm not a repair shop! However, I was able to build on to the spacecraft technology quite a bit. It may be possible to build a spaceship by myself in about a year.”

March 19, Wednesday “Wario-kun came to the laboratory today. And said, "I'm going on a space trip tomorrow! Build a spaceship by tomorrow!” I just said, "I might be able to make it in about a year." However, I felt like I was defeated by Wario-kun to refuse his request. Hmph! There can be nothing that I, a genius, cannot make! I shall start creating all night from now!”

March 20, Thursday “It's done... My masterpiece spaceship... I didn't think I could make it in just one day. As expected, I am a genius scientist. However, there are about 100 places on it where I'm worried about... Invited by Wario-kun, I decided to go on a space trip. I just wanted to do space research, and see the operation of the spacecraft with my own eyes. So will it work? Let's go.”

April 15, Tuesday “Strange! I'm glad I went out into space on a spaceship, but as soon as I warped there, I came back to Diamond City! Moreover, the date is April 15th! ...I heard that I was going to make a spaceship, but instead I made a time machine... I'm still a genius scientist…”

April 16, Wednesday “I did a lot of research yesterday and today to find out why I created a time machine instead, but I still don't know the cause. In the first place, the warping may be exceeding time. The spaceship was made by imitating Orbulon-kun’s spaceship, so I don't properly understand the principle of warping... It seems that a little more research is needed.”

April 17, Thursday “Today I had a discussion with Spitz-kun about the time slip. He seems to be interested in science fiction, so I asked him to tell me a detailed story about it. I'm getting pretty interested in it. If it can move freely in time, there will be a lot of other research needed. It's fast, but...”

April 18, Friday “While researching time slip, I realized that I needed to study more before understanding it. What my physics ancestors used to study is often incomprehensible to me. It can't be helped because it's a little off my field of expertise. Even as a genius, I can't understand it. …Should I continue studying?”

April 19, Saturday “Oh? By the way, isn’t "WarioWare" already on sale? Are the games I made popular? I was curious, so I asked the children in Diamond City. Then the answer was "The demo is interesting!" Well... I was desperate to know too…”

April 20, Sunday “Today, Dribble-kun came in saying that his taxi wasn't working well. I took a look, but it was pretty terrible. There was rattling here and there. It seems that he was driving roughly, and finally the car couldn't stand it. However, he has often treated it roughly. He should take care of his car a little more.”

April 21, Monday “I got a report from Mona-kun who collected the impressions of playing "WarioWare." …It seems that few people have written about me. The game itself is interesting, but some people wrote that they wanted to be an assistant. But to be my assistant, you need to be prepared for it, you know. There may be human experimentation. If possible, it would be nice to have a strong body like Wario-kun…”

April 22, Tuesday “Wario-kun asked me to repair his bike. When I wondered where it was broken, I saw that the sheet was torn. He said, "It's too flatulent!" It’s true, it has great flatulence. If you use it, it may become the driving force of the motorcycle.”

April 23, Wednesday “Today I would like to report on my research on tobacco, so listen. Everyone knows that tobacco is bad for you. Not to mention the significant increase in cancer incidents, It also makes you more susceptible to diseases in the respiratory and circulatory systems. Studies have shown that smokers have a 22-year lifespan reduction. It also affects women. You get rough skin, dull skin, increased wrinkles, etc. I think the progress of aging is a serious problem. Some people often say, "Smoking makes your head clearer." It's simply because the withdrawal symptoms caused by running out of nicotine were suppressed. When it comes to drug addiction, it's hard to stop, It seems that many people have a hard time. Tobacco is not only bad for those who smoke, but also harmful for those around them. If you want to take good care of yourself and the people around you, you should definitely quit smoking.”

April 24, Thursday “Wario-kun called me to attend a roundtable discussion on "WarioWare." I was busy with research, but "If you don't come, I'll destroy the laboratory." I was threatened, so I decided to go reluctantly. The round-table talk lasted about 3 hours, but it was quite helpful for me, such as how to be inspired. Is it possible to use that idea of ​​making games as it is for research? Hmm.”

April 25, Friday “I've been thinking about it for a long time, but today I'm going to finish my diary. The reason is because I will study the time machine in earnest. I want to immerse myself in my research, but the people around me seem to misunderstand me as a handyman or something, and I'm only asked for repairs, so it's hard to do essential research. I can't do it anymore. I want a little more time, so I'm going to keep the laboratory off limits. I shall report back to you when I get good results. Please wait until then.”

[copias-thrall]

How would Mary goore react to hurting someone he genuinely cares about? I absolutely Love your writing!💕

Hello, nonny! Thank you, I love this ask!

This was going to be  alist, but it got away from me! 😅 

Enjoy 😘 

It wasn’t anything big.

Just a few of Mary’s favorite beers (the craft kind—not the shitty beer he drank on his shoestring budget), some of that chronic shit you’d scored and have been saving for a special occasion, and a VHS box set of horror movie classics.

***

Mary comes in and out of your life at will, and that was something you accepted—knowing he was As Is or not at all. And honestly—no, really—you liked that. You had your own shit going on, and being Mary’s expected caregiver was NOT something you wanted to add to that list.

(If someone else wanted to try to tame him and pick up after him, well…kudos to them. Less work for you.)

Mary showed up on your pivotal days and he rubbed your feet and always invited you out to trivia. You'd held him when he was coming down from a bad trip and listened to his grievances and gave him a place to stay when he was persona non grata at his own. And in a way, that made you always feel like #1 in Mary’s world…and that was good enough for you.

***

A few months ago, Mary had been lying on your couch, picking the label off his beer bottle.

“I’m gonna be away for a bit,” he’d said.

“Oh?” you’d responded as you’d mashed the controls on your gaming controller.

“Yeah. I mean, I’ll be around…but I got some shit going on.”

You’d paused your game.

“Bad shit?”

He’d waved you off.

“Neg. Just tryna get myself out there. Signed up for open mics and shit.”

He’d shifted, his long legs receding from around you and folding under him.

“So, like…I got my job at the bowling alley…but nights and weekends are kinda shot.”

You’d tried not to let the disappointment show on your face. You supported Mary’s dreams, and that meant not making an issue that he was finally trying to do something about them.

This wasn’t against you. It was for him.

When you’d taken too long to respond, his face had scrunched.

“But if you want—”

“It’s fine, Mare,” you’d said as you’d made yourself smile. “This is important to you, so it’s important to me.”

You’d unpaused your game.

“Just don’t expect me to not beat this game without you.”

He’d grabbed the controller out of your hands with a snarl, causing you to cry out when you died.

“Fuck the game.” His hand had fisted your shirt. “Give me a night to remember.”

You had. Twice.

***

Mary had texted you occasionally over the next few weeks—a few memes, a few drunken key-smashes, a dick pic, and 2 grainy videos of his performances for critique—but such contact was sporadic, and you’d never seen him in real-time. 

He’d blown in one night, five weeks in, with a box of pizza just as you'd been heading out to meet your crew. When you’d told him you’d made plans, he’d looked so crestfallen that you’d caved and canceled on them.

While he’d been there, he’d given you a date in 3 weeks.

“That Saturday I have nowhere to be,” he’d said as he’d chewed. “I can spend the whole day with you.”

You’d been careful not to seem too eager.

“Oh yeah? Should I plan shit?”

He’d crammed the whole crust into his mouth and had given you a doughy grin.

“Why ’’ya think I told you?”

You didn’t know what you’d expected, but when he’d had to bounce 90min later, you were still surprised. (That was hardly enough time to digest!)

“Sorry,” he’d winced. “I gotta be on a bus in 45min.”

He’d left, and you’d been too embarrassed to join your friends who were only just going to the second bar.

Having fun with your man ;) ? one of your friends had texted.

What do you think? You’d texted back before changing into your pjs and turning on Netflix.

***

So maybe you were low-key excited about your day with Mary.

Perhaps you’d spent those 3 weeks figuring out the perfect date—something that said, “I missed you,” without saying “But in a clingy way.”

Beer and horror were two things the both of you were totally into, and you knew he’d be exhausted, so it seemed perfect. You’d bought the boxed set off of eBay and splurged for expedited shipping; you’d borrowed your brother’s old dual TV/VCR from his college days; and you’d forgone your weekly Chinese takeout for the craft beer funds. (And if things got steamy, well…even better.) 

***

A few days before The Date, you’d run into Mary on the bus. You were coming home from a shift, and he was going to his.

He’d brightened and waved you over—as if you weren’t already on your way—and you’d plopped down beside him with a tired grin. You’d told him of the latest entitled asshole, and he’d showed you another clip of him on guitar.

Before your stop had come up, you’d tentatively placed your hand over his.

“We still on for Saturday?”

He’d blinked at you a few moments before grinning.

“Yeah.”

“Should I plan a whole day for us, then?”

His arm had crept around your shoulders before pulling you into him to kiss your temple.

“Yeah, why not.”

***

That morning, you wake up happy. 

Mary will be over soon.

You roll over and grab your phone.

When should I expect you? :-* 

It takes him an hour to respond. You aren’t surprised—Mary isn’t known for being a morning person—so when your phone dings, you grab it up excitedly.

An excitement that dies when you read his text. And reread. And re-reread.

not 2day 

goin upste 2 show 

You blink.

What show? Didn’t we confirm? 

yeah. got me thinkin 

why no show? 

so i chked 

i missed one 

gotta do it 

Rage blooms hot, then cold behind your eyes and down your cheeks.

But you said we had the whole day. I made plans. 

save em 

ths is impt 2 me 

We’ve had this planned for weeks. 

i thot u suprted me 

on a bus cnt tlk 

You send a few more irate texts, but he doesn’t respond, and you toss your phone across the room with a shout of frustration. You scrub the hot tears from your eyes before they can fall.

And…on paper, Mary isn’t wrong. Nothing you had planned won’t keep: movies, beer, takeout.

But…

It gives you a stark look at what you mean to Mary. He gave you this date and confirmed it. He knew you were making plans.

How long was he going to wait to tell you he wasn’t even in the city anymore?

You fight the urge to kick the VHS tapes across the floor, but you open the fridge and grab a beer. If Queen Elizabeth could have beer for breakfast, then it was good enough for you.

Once you’ve downed all eight, you move on to the jug of vodka you keep for cleaning.

When you empty only liquid from your stomach into the toilet, you grab your frozen fries out of the freezer. You roll a handful of the cold ones in your mouth as you wait for the others to crisp in the oven, and once you’ve consumed the cooked ones, you go right back to the vodka.

***

Opening your eyes the next morning is a mistake, so you take a few deep breaths and go back to sleep.

When you wake again, your heart is fluttering, your stomach turns, and it feels like there’s an ice pick behind one eye. Shuffling slowly, you make your way out to your kitchen where you take some painkillers, drink some pickle juice, and eat two slices of plain bread.

The sense that you did something awful stays with you, but you’re in no condition to find your phone and see what you’ve done. Instead, you go back to bed. It takes more deep breathing to settle yourself, but once you do fall asleep, you’re out for hours.

You don’t feel amazing when you swim to consciousness again, but you feel at least like a human being. 

Your phone is dead when you find it under the sink, and waiting the 5 or so minutes for it to charge feels like waiting to face the executioner.

It’s both better and worse than you expected.

You breathe a sigh of relief to see that there are no vague social media posts, and you didn’t drunk dial any of your friends, but…

The texts to and from Mary are ugly.

Apparently, you’d managed not to send him angry texts until he’d sent you another clip of his performing. But then the floodgates had opened.

You’d started with telling him you didn’t give a shit about the show, how he was an inconsiderate ass, and then you'd devolved into incomprehensible, typo-ridden texts that accused him of using you, that you were only something to do when he didn’t have anything better to do, that he was an entitled man-child and if he didn’t apologize, you were done.

Mary’s texts in response range from him being angry at your disregard, to heated retorts you were blowing this out of proportion (and he didn’t appreciate your “ad hominem” attacks), to a cool detachment that this wasn’t working over text and he’d finish this in person.

You put your head in your hands but are too dehydrated to cry.

***

Mary doesn’t text you again during his self-imposed time frame.

You don’t text him either, but that’s more out of self-preservation than pride. There’s no point exacerbating the situation…and you’re pretty sure there’s no coming back from this, so why speed up the inevitable?

The horror tapes taunt you every time you walk by them, and you wonder if you can return them (you can’t). You give the TV back to your brother, and when he asks you how it went, you plaster a smile on your face and say, “Great!” with forced enthusiasm you hope comes across as genuine.

The primo weed goes over to your friend’s house, and the two of you wax poetic all night about existential claptrap as you devour two cheese pizzas and a bag of bbq chips. You talk about Mary without talking about Mary, and you get a heartfelt, “Sorry, dude.”

You beat the video game anyway, but it’s mostly because you needed something to occupy your mind and less out of spite (though that’s there as well).

***

Despite waiting on tenterhooks to hear anything from Mary, you truly don’t really expect to. You know you’d been atrocious, even if it had been prompted by his careless disregard, and you know Mary isn’t really the kind of guy that troubles himself with relationships that are hard.

Not that you’re in a relationship.

So when there’s a knock on your door a week later and Mary’s behind it, you’re genuinely surprised.

You gape through the peephole in shock.

“Fuck. If you’re there, just let me in, ok?”

Fumbling with the chain, you unlock the door and crack it open.

“Mary?”

“You gonna let me in?” he rasps.

You shrug and step away from the door, and he shuffles inside. He looks around like you’ve changed anything (you haven’t), before turning around to face you.

You close the door and stare back.

He folds his arms. “Breaking up with someone over text is tacky.”

What you think is, So you’ve come to do it in person, but what you say is, “Can’t break up if you’re not together.”

He winces and runs his fingers through his hair. 

“Yeah…apparently I’ve ‘taken advantage' of you.”

This…isn’t what you’re expecting.

“I…what?”

“Can we sit down?”

You nod, and Mary sits rigidly on the edge of your couch. You curl up in the chair on the opposite side.

He rubs his palms down his greasy jeans before he speaks.

“I mean…you pissed me off, ok?”

You nod.

“But, like—you weren’t wrong, ok? I kinda knew that deep down, but I’m a dumbass, you know?”

You don’t nod.

“And I kinda bitched about the whole thing…but the resounding response was that I was the asshole.”

He angles his body toward you.

“I guess I’ve kinda been treating you like my best friend that I fuck sometimes.”

Your entire face flushes—you’d always thought you’d maybe ranked a little higher than that—and you duck your head so he can’t see the tears that you blink back.

There’s a swish of fabric, and you startle hard when Mary’s hand is at your chin. He jerks back with a Sorry.

“Shit—that’s not what I…” he blows out a breath and puts his hands behind his head before looking back up at you.

“But you aren’t, and…fuck this is harder than I thought.”

So this is it.

Waiting for him to do the deed is clearly going to be excruciating, so you take charge of this whole shit-show.

“I understand,” you say flatly.

“You do?”

“It’s ok, Mare-Mary. It’s my own fault for reading too much into it. I just…I saw what I wanted to see, I guess. I know you don’t need…” you look down into your lap, “…my shit in your life.

He makes a noise low in his throat, and then he’s squatting in front of you, his hot hands planting on your knees.

“But I want your shit in my life.”

You squint your eyes at him.

“But what I said…”

He grasps your hands in his.

“Pissed me off, yeah…cuz I wasn’t fucking thinking, ok? You’re like one of the only people who gives a crap about what’s important to me. And all I could see was you suddenly…not.”

Anger wells up in you again, and you yank away your hands.

“Weeks, Mary…weeks of you all over the tri-state area, and you thought I didn’t care because of one night?! A night you promised to me?”

He sits back on his heels. “I know…fuck. Ok? At the time, it just felt…like the show couldn’t be rescheduled. Our night could.”

Because you’re what he does when he’s bored.

You curl in on yourself.

“Shit.” He leans forward again. “Fuck, I’m sorry, ok? I’m fucking on my knees here.”

You blink at him. 

What? 

“Please, please don’t break—say we’re done.”

“What?”

“Look, we can go into my shitty fucking psychological profile on why I fuck around later…but right now I need you to know that I knew it was you before I fucking knew it was you.”

You uncurl.

“That…’what’ was me?”

He knees forward and presses your hands to his face.

“The one I wanna spend my free time with. The one whose opinion means the most. The one who was the first person I wanted to share all my good shit with. You’re the one I missed, and—after that awful fucking night—everything felt pointless because I knew I couldn’t come over and jam about it.”

“Mare—what are you saying?”

“I’m saying I’m a fucking dumbass. I’m saying I thought I was pissed at you, but I was pissed at myself for fucking it up.” He sighs. “I’m saying no fucking one was on my side and they all told me to get my shit together.”

He looks up at you with wide eyes, and for the first time, you can see how they’re outlined in red, his subtle crow’s feet more pronounced.

“So, you’re not done with me? I’m not…too much trouble?”

He shakes his head in disbelief. “What? Shit, no. I’m asking you to not be done with me. I’ll give you all the nights you want. Fucking text me, and my ass’ll be here posthaste.” He shifts up, and his thumb ghosts over your lips. “Anything to get you to give me that secret smile again.”

“Secret smile?” you ask while trying to perform the action.

Mary actually blushes.

“Uh…yeah. You get this…” he makes a motion across his face, “…when you’re giving it back to me.” His fingers shove back through his hair as he casts his eyes down. “You don’t give it to anyone else.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I’ve made a study of it.”

You’re a swirl of emotions. Mary’s apologized—has admitted he was wrong and has asked for…more—but you’re still hurt. And embarrassed.

But he’s looking up at you with wet, hopeful eyes.

“Do you…” you start carefully, “…do you know why I got so mad?”

That statement was clearly not what he was expecting, and he blinks at you a few times before nodding and looking down at the floor.

“I made a…uh, commitment…to you. And I treated it like it didn’t mean anything.”

He gives you a look like, Did I get it right? and that’s close enough—even if he’s missing some of the nuance.

You nod. “And I know I…wasn’t…the best.”

His face contorts, and your heart sinks.

“You…” he shakes his head. “You said some awful things…some hurtful shit—and it really got in my head.”

Mary gives you a complicated look.

“Shit that you’d been pissed about for a while.” He traces your knee. “Shit you could’ve said to me…but shit I should have noticed. Fuck.” He presses his forehead into your knees, and you can’t stop yourself from sinking your fingers into his hair.

He takes it as encouragement and presses into you before looking up again.

“I just kinda wanna put that whole night behind us. It feels like a fucking ouroboros of fault. And like maybe I created it. But let’s agree to like…not do that again.”

You look down at him, and his eyes search your face.

“Ok…but what does all this mean, Mare? I can’t…I need to be something to you, ok? More than just your friend.”

Mary nods emphatically, and he takes your hand and curls his into it.

“No more fuck-ups, and no one else…can we start there?”

He’s saying all the right words, but you’re still trepidatious—you know Mary, and he doesn’t like constraints.

“I…just…how can I believe you?”

He shakes his head like he can’t believe you even have to ask. He rises and awkwardly reaches out to touch your face before drawing his hand back.

“Cuz you’re important to me. I care about you, and I don’t want to lose you. Ever.”

And yeah. Ok.

[charliedawn]

Imagine being the only angel that likes Lucifer and is still fighting for his redemption

" Chloe ! You have awful neighbors, did you know that..?!"

" Lucifer !"

The devil doesn't have the time to make one more step inside the room that you are already jumping in his arms. He sighs as he recognizes you and awkwardly pats your back until you untangle yourself from him, a wide smile spread across your face.

" Y/N..What are you doing here ?"

He asks straight away, but you only shrug nonchalantly, as if your presence was of no importance.

" Just wanted to check on you ! Are you alright ? Father told me that you could use some company ! Plus, aren't I allowed to visit my favorite angel from time to time ?!"

He looks at Chloe that only shrugs at him, as clueless as he is. She had noticed you waiting near her house and had first suspected you to be a threat, but the way you had smiled at her had immediately made her trust you somehow.

" Chloe is a wonderful woman ! I understand why you like her so much. Thank you for the tea."

Lucifer looks at the empty cup and raises an eyebrow at the detective.

" Hey ! Why didn't you ever made me some tea ?"

Chloe scoffs at his poor attempt at jealousy before walking past him.

" Because A) She's better behaved and B) She isn't the Devil. Now, you two have a lot to catch up on I assume, so I'll be taking Trixie to the zoo while you two take care of whatever you're here for.."

She glances at you knowingly and you smile gratefully at her. She slams the door behind her and as soon as she is gone, Lucifer loses his playful smile and looks at you with a worried expression.

" Y/N..What are you really doing here ? You are one of his favorites. You have to return up there. It is not safe down here.."

You frown at his sudden seriousness and give a little pout before replying, your arms crossed.

" But it is for you ? You were one of us, Luci. The Greatest. It hurt me so much when I saw you fall and I am still fighting for your redemption ! You have changed. You have changed so much and I am not about to give up because you have !"

His eyes start watering despite himself and he asks you with a tremor in his voice.

" Why still believe in me ? There is nothing to save anymore..Why try so hard, Y/N ?"

You seem to think about it for a while before sighing and looking up at him with a hopeful smile.

" Because, I remember who you were..I remember who we were to each other and it was so beautiful, Luci. We were beautiful. When you fell, it took Michael, Azrael and Gabriel to keep me from jumping after you. I love you, Luci. We all did at some point but, even if the others chose to forget, I didn't..If only your pride hadn't taken control over you. You could have been magnificent, the angel of angels..This is also why I decided to take care of Hell while you're gone, covering your absence from Dad.."

He frowns in incomprehension before you smile and take his appearance in front of him.

" Neat trick, huh ? Nobody noticed the difference up there..Well, almost nobody. Gabriel did, but he promised not to tell anyone."

He had almost forgotten completely about Hell and takes your hands to kiss your knuckles in a simple act of humble tenderness, knowing what you were risking in helping him, knowing what HE would do if he knew.

" I'm sorry. I just wanted to feel loved..I just wanted HIM to be proud of me..I don't regret what I did that day, but if I regret anything..It's to have made you suffer, my little angel.."

You stroke his hair softly and smile compassionately at him.

" HE knows..HE is always watching you and know that you were doing what you thought was just..One day, you will come back home and that day, I'll be here, waiting for you.."

Luci looks up at you and gently runs his hand through your locks. He then kisses your forehead and you smile before slowly wrapping your arms around his neck to play with the hair at the back of his neck.

" No matter what happens, you'll always have me, Luci.."

You look up at him with all of the love you feel for this cursed angel and Lucifer tightens his grip on you, his eyes momentarily turning red with emotions.

" This is what scares me, Y/N..My poor angel, waiting for me will destroy you. I will never come back. Either Father will send me back to Hell or I'll stay here, among the humans."

You bite your lower lip before looking up at him and finally admit what you had agreed on with the great above.

" I know..This is why Gabriel has allowed me to rule Hell while you stay here, permanently, or at least until Dad finds out.."

His eyes widen at the news and he shakes his head negatively before cradling your face with his hands, almost crying at your act of kindness.

" Oh no, my darling..I..I'm sure he didn't say that, he couldn't have agreed to that. You must have misunderstood..You can't do that..Gabriel would never let you do that. And even if he did, I can't ask you to do that for me.."

You puff your cheeks, upset at his lack of faith.

" Why don't you believe me ?! Have you forgotten that the code forbids me to lie ?! Or do you have such little faith on my abilities ?!"

He laughs at your grumpy expression and shakes his head, making you understand that that wasn't what he meant, before putting his forehead against yours.

" Oh no, angel..It's not about not believing that you are good enough, I know that you are. It's about you not being here, right now, with me..Not being blamed for something that should be my responsibility.."

You try to make sense of his words until you seem to understand and burst out laughing to his astonishment.

" I see what's happening here ! You're afraid I'll put myself between you and the lovely policewoman ! But, don't worry, I'll be as discreet as a mouse as long as I'll stay here..I'm just here for a month and then, I'll be gone. I even got a job as a teacher at the school of Trixie, so you won't have to worry about me asking for money ! Lovely kid by the way !"

If Lucifer didn't have a headache before, he certainly did now..He is overwhelmed by the amount of information you've just given him and falls on the sofa. You follow him and sit next to him with your eternal sweet smile on your face and he runs his hand over his face, worry and tiredness written all over his features. You put your hands on his shoulders and your chin upon one of your hands, trying to soothe him by stroking his shoulders with your thumbs reassuringly.

" Let me take care of you..You've suffered enough, my wonderful little snake.."

Lucifer smiles at the familiar nickname before laying his hand over your back and looking down at you with teary eyes.

" Even after all this time, you still accept me ? You still find the strength in yourself to love me ?"

You answer him with a wide grin.

" Always. I'll always love you, Luci..They can tell me whatever they want, I know you and who you really are. I've seen every single part of you and I will always love all of them. Your flaws and your imperfections are what makes you so perfect..Can't you see ? You're not Father's greatest failure, your Father's greatest wonder. I could never be as human and empathetic as you are, I could never love them the way you can, because you understand them. Their desires, dreams and feelings are in you as well. In some way, I envy you. You'll always be closer to them than I'll ever be.."

Lucifer listens to your words with great attention and when you're finished, he looks at you like he's never looked at anyone before. He is full of gratitude and can't stop smiling at the abundance of kindness you had bestowed upon him. He kisses the palm of your hands, tears rolling down his cheeks and his heart swollen with adoration and devotion towards you.

" There is nothing great about humanity, but you seem to always see good in everything and everyone..You can't imagine how much I've missed you.."

You giggle as he peppers you face with kisses.

" I've missed you too, Luci..But, I think you should probably stop acting this way, or people will think you have a soft spot.."

You tease him and he takes a fake gasp before pointing a finger at himself.

" Me ?! Why never..?!"

You chuckle at his false startled expression before wrapping your hands around his waist to mumble against his shoulder.

" I love you, Luci..I know you don't believe me, but I really do."

He glances down at you with open tenderness before slowly petting the top of your head with care.

" I know, love..But, we both know that it will end in misery for the both of us.."

You smile up at him and kiss him on the cheek before replying with a shrug. You tighten your hold on him and make yourself even more comfortable by laying your head on his thighs.

" Misery with you is better than misery without you.."

He sighs loudly before looking down at you and seeing you suddenly asleep..Unaware that you were still somehow able to hear him, he whispers almost sorrowfully to himself.

" What hurts the most is that..You won't remember anything of what you just said.."

He watches your silent form for a while and takes a shaky breath before looking up at the sky, knowing that HE is listening.

" Punishing me wasn't enough ? You had to punish her as well ? How many centuries must you make her suffer and wait for something that will never happen ? You promised that when I would fall, she would stay safe..You gave me your word ! You turned around and left me to fall without her or you ! Can you imagine the pain I felt when I woke up in that dreadful place; alone and scared. And not only did you leave me, you took her away from me too ! You promised you wouldn't, and yet you did ! You gave up on us ! You gave up on me ! And just when I thought I would finally be able to forget her and live with Chloe, you send her to me and make me love her all over again ! What must I do to finally be able to forget ! I've done what you asked, over and over again ! I erased her memory every time she would come to see me ! I made sure that she would not remember all the moments we shared together after my fall ! And yet, you can't even keep an eye on her and let her run Hell alone ?! Why ?! To make me even more guilty ?! Every 100 years ! Every 100 years you let her come down here and make me suffer by erasing everything ! I thought that once I would be among them, she wouldn't be able to find me anymore, but as always, I'm trapped and must see the only person I love forget about me, over and over again.."

He starts crying and doubles in pain at the rage eating him up from the inside. This is where he feels it, a small tremor, a slight change in body position..He freezes in horror and looks down at you, to meet directly with your wide glassy eyes full of pain and grief.

"..Every 100 years ?.."

His breath stops as he understands that you've been listening to him and shakes his head at his own stupidity.

" Luci...? How many times did I come here to see you ?"

As he bites his lower lip in order not to answer you, you straighten up and ask again firmly, all joy having left your voice.

" How many times, Lucifer ?"

His eyes wander around the room before looking back at you and his heart tightens as he knows that he couldn't lie to you anymore.

" 50 times..You came 50 times and every time, you took a body and as soon as this body would reach its limit, you would die and get back up there with HIM..He would reset your memory and you would forget everything if I didn't do it first..while I remember everything. It hurts, Y/N..Just when I thought I could forget about you, he sends you again.."

You open your mouth agape at the news and look at the body you had taken and feel tears gathering up in your eyes. For centuries, you've fought for Lucifer's redemption, not even noticing that you were the one who was also being punished.

" This woman..Do you love her ?"

You suddenly ask and Lucifer stays silent for a moment before finally confessing.

" Not as much as you.."

You laugh at his answer before shaking your head and looking back at him with tears in your eyes, still full of compassion for him.

" But you will..You will love her with all of your heart and, knowing you, you will find a way for her to be by your side forever, something I can't be.."

He was about to deny your words, but you don't let him and stand up to walk towards the door. He quickly does the same and puts his hand over yours when you were about to use the handle to open the door.

" Please, angel..It is hard enough for me to know that I have very little time with you..Don't go."

He pleads and it takes all of your strength not to indulge in his request. You turn around and kiss him with a burning passion, to let him know that you weren't leaving him because you wanted to..But because you knew that there was nothing that you could do that wouldn't end up in tears and blood, because you love him. When he opens his eyes again, you are gone and he falls to his knees, knowing that it was probably the last time he would see you, or be intimate with you in this life. He knows that you've just given him the highest form of mercy there is: this kiss, signifying his freedom and the start of his new life..But then, why does it hurt so much ? As if you had just taken a part of himself with you..He looks up to see the car of Chloe that parks in front of the house, a very excited Trixie in her arms and wipes his tears away to smile at the family that he had learned to be a part of.

" So, is your friend gone ?"

Chloe asks, looking around to see if you were still in the house. Lucifer frowns before asking, confused.

" What friend ?"

One month later :

" Be safe on your way back, okay Trixie ?"

Trixie smiles up at you and nods vividly.

" Don't worry, my dad is coming to get me !"

You ark an eyebrow, wondering if Chloe had finally got herself a man to look after Trixie..not suspecting one bit that Lucifer would be the one entering your classroom to get Trixie. The little girl jumps in his arms and you can't help but laugh at her enthusiasm, as well as Lucifer's obvious awkwardness. When you make eye contact, you simply smile politely at each other and he turns around to get the girl back home. Perfect strangers. When he is gone however, you feel a pain in your chest and have to grip on the nearby table in order to support yourself. When you look up, you see Gabriel and smile bitterly, knowing why he was here..

" So, my time has come then, Gab ?"

He looks almost apologetic when he extends his hand towards you and answers affirmatively.

" You know the drill, Y/N..one month with him. You're the one who wished to share his burden..Hell is waiting.."

You close your eyes and nod in submission.

" I know..Lead the way, Gabriel."

Lucifer is feeling uneasy..He has this feeling that he knew that teacher somehow..But couldn't seem to recall where he could have seen her before..

" You know, the new teacher is really nice ! She got us some cake today, and said that I was going to become a very fine lady when I grow up !"

She puffs her chest out proudly and Lucifer smiles while they arrive at Chloe's house.

" Really ? And what else did she tell you ?"

Trixie frowns in deep concentration before answering him.

" Well..her name is Y/N..And when I said to her that I was friends with the devil, she told me to take care of him, as he is a very special friend.."

Lucifer chuckles before opening the door of his car and letting the little girl out to enter the house where her mother was trying desperately to find an explanation to her new case, not supernatural this time. It was rather refreshing..However, his thoughts come back to the earlier event when he had made eye contact with you, your smile had almost seemed..sad ? Y/N..Y/N..Where had he already heard that name before ? He searches in each corner of his memory, the feeling of knowing nagging and annoying him. He is in the middle of the driveway when he suddenly remembers and stops abruptly. His tires screech loudly on the pavement when he pulls back. He starts driving at a fast speed towards the school.

" Wait for me Y/N, I'm coming.."

You find yourself on the top of the school and look at Gabriel that seems to read your thoughts.

" He's not coming.."

You smile sadly at the prospect and nod understandingly.

" I know..Hell needs me, and he doesn't."

You take a big breath before opening your eyes, the last rays of sunlight reflecting in your eyes as your body starts shifting into his.

" Are we ready to go, Lucifer ?"

You smile at Gabriel's new name for you and nod before looking at yourself and smirking, the same smirk you had learned to love and hate as you were exercising how to do it in front of your mirror.

" Let's go, humans are such a boredom anyway !"

If Gabriel hadn't seen the transformation with his own eyes, he would have thought that it was the true Lucifer that was now standing before him..It is just when you deploy your white wings that he remembers that it is still you, under all of that pretend..You are both about to take your leave when you hear the loud bang of a car crashing nearby. You both look down and see Lucifer get out of the car, his eyes flashing a bright orange as he looks up at you. You shiver at the anger radiating from him and try to fly up after Gabriel. However, Lucifer shouts your name in such a guttural and ferocious way that you freeze.

" Y/N ! Don't you dare fly away from me ! I forbid you to go !"

You glance down at him and see that he has taken his true appearance back and each step he takes are trailed by little flames of Hell's fire. You shake your head and tear your eyes away from him to take a step back and jump in the air to follow Gabriel. Gabriel tries to warn you, but before he could utter a word, someone had tackled you to the ground in mid-air. When you look up, you see a very angry Lucifer on top of you and it's the first time that you are actually scared of him.

" Luci..? Wh..What are you..?!"

" Enough !"

He cuts you off with all of his mighty authority and you can't do anything but stay quiet as he glares at you.

" What do you think will happen if any of the demons down there recognizes you ?! What went through your little naive mind to think that that would ever work ?! You're an angel, Y/N ?! Come on, you really thought about the consequences of your actions ?!"

Your lower lip quivers at his harsh words and you feel hot tears rolling down your cheeks. He grins evilly at you before wiping your tears in a false gesture of sympathy.

" Aww..If you had done your researches like a good little angel, you would have known that Lucifer Morningstar doesn't cry.."

" Liar !"

You shout back and he smirks at your insult.

" See ? Progress."

He then stands up and yanks you up just as Gabriel flies down next to the both of you. He looks at the both of you before sighing and taking a step back, making you understand that he wouldn't take part of what was to unfold.

" I don't know what's going on, and I don't have the time to care..All I know is that I have to bring one of you in Hell before the gates close tonight.."

You and Lucifer look at each other and Lucifer is surprised to see you get on a fighting stance, but smiles at the determination in your eyes.

" You want to got to Hell ? Fine by me..But you'll have to go through me first."

Far from feeling threatened, Lucifer is amused by your strength of will and his smile widens. He slowly takes back his human form and cracks his fingers theatrically before gesturing for you to step closer with his index.

" Wanna fight the devil ? I must warn you, it plays dirty.."

You smile at his innuendo before running towards him and throw a punch at his face. He takes a step back, not having expected you to actually be fighting him, but quickly composes himself and tries to knock you out with a blow to the head. However, you're too fast and make him fall by round kicking his legs. You can't help but smile smugly at his startled expression.

" Have I forgotten to mention that I've been learning a thing ot two about fighting with Michael ?"

He groans at the name of his brother and quickly stands up to attack again. Soon, you are both fighting each other seriously and, blow after blow, both get tired. Gabriel doesn't even know which one is which at the end, when you both pass out. However, Time is running out and he decides to take the closest Lucifer to fly away. He succeeds in arriving to the gates just in time and when you wake up, you find yourself in Hell. You look around and see the billions of souls being tortured and it takes all of your self-control not to throw up and remain poised on your throne of stone. You close your eyes and take multiple breaths to calm yourself. When you open your eyes, you sit straight and whisper to yourself.

" Okay..Here we go, Lucifer..Wish me luck.."

[startanewdream]

Godfather duty

Summary: When James is surprised by Sirius and Harry coming home drunk four in the morning, he questions himself when he got too old for that.

For @theblueocean 

Part of the Jily Lives AU

Rated M for mentions of underage drinking and some swearing.

Read on AO3 with all the correct italics, or below the cut:

_________

His eyelids feel heavy, but James keeps writing. He is almost finishing the first draft of the article for Transfiguration Today; it's due Sunday and he still has five days to finish it, but James is really anxious for presenting it. It's not his first paper for that magazine, but his article will be the headline this time, and he promised himself he would send them in advance as much as he could - and he still needs to send it to Minerva for her to read and review.

It feels a lot like he is back in school doing essays, but James doesn't remember being that excited back at Hogwarts - well, not about homework anyway.

He puts the final dot and lets the quill rest, satisfied. He will proofread in the morning, maybe even rewrite altogether from a different perspective, but it's done and it's a competent article, he knows.

Human transfiguration was always a point of interest to him.

He raises, stretching up and looking at his watch. It's past four in the morning already; he really lost track of time. He remembers Lily calling him to go to bed - and then he promised her he would go in a minute, which he clearly forgot.

He suppresses a yawn as he leaves the library, thinking only of sinking on his bed when he hears a sound coming from the front porch.

All his sleepiness is gone instantly, and he turns with his wand already raised, alarmed and with his instincts screaming even though it’s been months since the war ended; someone is turning the doorknob. The spell is almost leaving his lips when the door opens wide and he sees Harry's joyful face.

Harry is not alone; Sirius is with him, their arms around each other in a brotherly gesture and for a moment James has a flashback of himself with Sirius with that same easiness, both of them beaming happily and goofy; it's a memory of twenty years ago, of a night they went around Muggle London joining a pub crawl that ended up with James' mother finding them passed out in the middle of the Potter’s living room in Godric’s Hollows.

A lot of things happened that night - a flight from the Muggle police when they tried to climb Cleopatra’s Needle, an attempt to perform a serenade to Lily only to realize they were on the wrong street and throwing eggs at Grimmauld Place number twelve - but what he remembers clearer is the smell of the alcohol on him as he woke up next morning - and then the taste of it all as he threw it all up.

And right now Sirius and Harry have that same smell of cheap whiskey mixed with beer.

James blinks, confused. As far as he thought, Harry had been back from work hours ago - James was sure Harry had been sleeping on his bed right now.

It’s evident he was wrong.

‘Hi, Prongs’, Sirius says, grinning from ear-to-ear, sounding much steadier than James would have guessed from the smell coming from them. ‘Care to let us in?’

'What's going on?', James asks, worried, stepping aside to let them enter. Both of them are stumbling, but James has the impression that Sirius is supporting Harry more than the opposite.

For some reason his question makes them look at each other.

'What I said?', Sirius asks Harry as if they are sharing some old joke. Harry lets out of one of his rare carefree giggles. 'What d'you think we are doing, dear Prongs?'

'Coming home drunk in the middle of the night?’

‘Chill out, Dad’, Harry says, winking at him.

Chill out?

‘It’s four in the morning of a Tuesday - I thought you were home already!’

‘I had to work late’, Harry answers immediately, grinning. Sirius takes him to the living room, trying to help him on the couch, but Harry slides to the floor, falling on the carpet.

‘On a bar?’

‘It’s for work’, Harry insists, eyes open as if that was obvious. 

‘It was a very important mission’, Sirius agrees. ‘Stealth. Mixing with locals. Spying on people’.

‘Oh, were there Death Eaters on that bar?’, James asks, rolling his eyes.

‘It could have been! Harry needs to know how to handle his alcohol!’

Harry giggles.

‘I handle it very well’, he says proudly, clapping his hands. ‘Tell him, Sirius’.

‘He won us money on darts. He even closed his eyes for the last shot. You would be proud!’

‘That you were letting my barely out-of-age kid bet on games?’

Sirius rolls his eyes.

‘Everything was under control, he won. Stop worrying, I was on godfather duty tonight -’

‘Between a drink and another, you mean?’

‘ - and I brought him home, right?’

‘Speaking of that’, James raises his eyebrows, now sounding openly reproachful. ‘How did you come home? Don’t tell me you drank and apparated’.

‘I would never!’

‘Or that motorbike - if you came here flying, I swear I will -’

‘Relax, Dad!’, Harry intervenes, now raising on a jump, ignoring how he tumbles in the process. ‘We got a cab. Eeeeeeverything under control’.

James watches his son go to the cabinet in the room, searching for something until he takes out a feather to doodle something on a parchment, not realizing it’s a grocery list.

‘I see the control’, he says dryly. ‘What are you doing, Harry?’

‘I am making a howler’.

‘What? What for?’

‘To howl, duh - hey!’, he turns to Sirius, his eyes sparkling madly. ‘Remus never sends letters - he only sends howlers!’

Sirius chuckles. ‘I howl too! Owoooooo!’

‘Hey, hey, you are going to wake up Lily!’

‘And?’

‘And maybe you don’t want her to see what you did to Harry - Harry, stop that, you are not sending anyone a howler’.

‘I have to tell Ginny I love her!’

‘She already knows, I am sure, you’ve told her’.

‘But I never yelled it!’

‘And she loves you more because of that, come on, give me that letter’.

‘I knew he wouldn’t let you send it’, Sirius says, his voice now smug. ‘Prongsie is old’.

James rolls his eyes.

‘Same age as you, Pads’, he remembers distantly, taking the letter from Harry, though now he realizes he didn’t need to worry. Harry’s letter is unintelligible and he doubts he could cast the spell to turn into a howler.

Harry pouts.

‘Sirius is right, you are square’.

‘What?’

‘We can never have fun’.

‘And you are so serious - more than me, haha!’, Sirius adds, now laying down lazily on the couch, his legs spread. James is about to complain that his shoes are all muddy and Sirius should take them out, but he stops.

Oh, Merlin, he is really getting a bit square, isn’t he?

‘I can be fun’, he stresses, making Sirius let out one of his bark laughs.

‘Yeah, years ago. Before you were a dad - no offence, Harry’.

Harry doesn’t seem to have heard him, which James considers a shame. Harry would surely defend him - he was a cool dad to Harry.

No, he is still a cool dad. The kind that Harry can feel at will to talk about anything, that supports Harry and that is always there for him.

Except that Harry didn’t tell him about working late tonight or going to a bar. Except Harry and Sirius didn’t ask for his company.

And if they did - he thinks of the paper he just finished and how excited he was for it.

He would have said no.

That’s not very cool of him.

‘I will take a flight!’, Harry declares, his eyes shining with this idea and for once James doesn’t feel satisfied with the mischievousness in him.

‘No drinking and flying’, James says sternly, and he decides that he will have to remain uncool for a little longer. ‘You - you stay here! Sirius - watch him. Better than you did so far, I mean’.

Sirius grimaces, evidently annoyed, but he sits next to Harry, who is now mumbling something incomprehensible, though Sirius seems to be listening to him with attention. James leaves them in the living room, locking the door behind him just in case, and goes to Lily’s office hoping she has stored a Hangover Potion. He is in no luck, of course; it’s been years since he and Lily even needed one - James believes it comes with the age knowing when to stop - and there was nothing in Harry’s latest behaviour that showed them they would need it.

For a second James almost considers waking up Lily, knowing she would make the potion in minutes, but he doesn’t want her to see the mess Harry is right now; it’s far better she hears it later than witnessing first hand. He grabs a small cauldron and the ingredients he will need and returns to the living room.

In the few minutes he was out, Harry and Sirius managed to make things strangely worse. There is snow in the room, that he sees Sirius casting from his wand; Harry is perfectly still, the snow making a sort of white hat on his head, his arms wide open and also covered in snow.

‘What -’, James tries to ask, but he just blinks at the weirdness on the scene.

‘Shhhh’, Sirius says, a finger on his lips. ‘Don’t distract him!’

‘What is Harry doing?’

‘Isn’t it obvious? Disguise training! He is a snowman!’

‘He is missing a carrot nose’, James notes, grimacing, and that makes Sirius turn his wand to Harry’s face. ‘I am joking!’

It’s too late; there is a flash of light and then there is a carrot on Harry’s face, replacing his nose.

‘Sirius!’, Harry complains, raising his hand to touch his new nose. His voice is muffled. ‘I can’t have a nose this big! How can I snog Ginny now?’

‘That’s your concern?’, James asks, half-amused, now taking out Sirius’ wand to make sure he doesn’t cast any more magic.

‘I will poke her in the eye!’, Harry says, moping, scratching the tip of his pointy nose thoughtfully.

‘I will transform you back as soon as you drink this potion, now lay still’. Harry sighs, sitting on the couch. Sirius sits next to him, patching him in the back as if he weren’t the one that turned Harry’s nose into a carrot in the first place.

‘Your nose matches her hair’, he says bracingly. ‘You will look beautiful together’.

‘I am not sure this is much comfort, Padfoot’, James notes, placing the cauldron in the fireplace and starting to throw in the ingredients. He could add something for the taste, but he believes the bitterness helps build character.

‘Well, I got him quiet, didn’t I?’, Sirius asks, pointing at Harry who is now sitting on the couch, still playing with his carrot nose.

‘You could have messed up so badly’.

‘I am not that drunk - I watched over your kid, no matter what you think of me’.

James shakes his head.

‘Letting him drink that much? He barely can stand - what if someone -’

‘The war is over, James’, Sirius tells him, sounding much grim now. ‘And like I said, I was there. Me, half-a-dozen junior Aurors and some seniors too’.

‘Unless any Death Eater threat would be a challenge to a drinking contest, I don’t think it would make much difference’.

‘Oh, Merlin’. Sirius sighs, walking to the drink cabinet and opening it to take a bottle of firewhiskey. ‘Here, drink this’.

‘What?’

‘You are sober, I hate talking to sober people when I am pissed. Sober people are boring’.

‘I am not boring’, James complains, pushing away the bottle that Sirius extends in his direction. ‘And I am past the age of being forced to drink to look cool’.

‘Then drink because it’s nice!’, Sirius says forcefully now. ‘Drink because you are alive! Drink because you are happy! Drink because for the first time in his life your son is properly pissed!’

‘That’s not a reason -’

‘That’s enough reason! He is eighteen! What age were we when we first got pissed?’

‘Seventeen’. Sirius raises his eyebrows, waiting for him, and James flushes, turning his attention to the cauldron. The potion is almost over. ‘Fine, fifteen - but it didn’t count, we weren’t thinking straight then’.

‘Yeah. Our first transformation’, Sirius remembers, but there is something heavy on his voice now.

‘What is the problem, Padfoot?’

‘Nothing’. 

That makes James stop. He takes the cauldron out of the fire, to let the potion cool down, and turns to Sirius, watching him. Sirius’ eyes are watery as he always gets when he drinks, but he sustains James’ look for a surprisingly full two minutes before he sighs.

‘Fine, you are the problem’.

‘Me? You take my son out for a drink without telling me, return home four in the morning and I am the problem?’

‘Look at what you are saying! He is of age! He was with his friends - and his very trustable godfather! He was having fun for once in his life, instead of living that responsible life you want for him’.

‘Responsible?’, James repeats, dumbfounded. Nobody had ever accused him of wanting to do the responsible thing. ‘I am just being his father’.

‘Well, maybe Harry doesn’t need his father anymore’.

There is a long pause after that. James blinks, once, twice, very slowly, trying to understand what Sirius means by that, and it’s only when he reaches for the drink cabinet to get a glass for the potion, that Sirius moves.

‘Shit - I didn’t mean like that - sorry, James, it’s not -’

‘No, I get it’, James says, his voice forcefully steady. ‘Harry wants the cool father figure that allows him everything - and, well, Sirius “what’s life without a little risk” Black is perfect for that’.

‘Don’t be absurd - that kid worships the ground you walk upon -’

‘And yet he was with you, not me. I get it. I am a father, not a friend’. He offers Sirius a full glass. ‘Drink this, you’ll feel better tomorrow’.

‘No, I deserve the hangover tomorrow, but that’s beside the point. It’s my fault’.

‘I don’t think you forced Harry to drink’, James notes dryly, sitting next to Harry to help him drink the potion. Harry seems to be in another world now, but he obliges to James’ help without questioning.

‘No, that was all on him - I mean it, he’d make you proud, he won a drinking contest with Thompson and he is twice Harry’s size - er, not helping, sorry’. Sirius sits on the other side of Harry. ‘He was going to tell you we’d be out for a drink. And I didn't let him'.

'Why? Why would you -'

'Because I thought you would overreact. Worry too much about him. Don't let him have any fun'.

'I would not -'

'And because I thought he'd ask you to come’.

James blinks. Between them, Harry lays his head on James' shoulder, now watching Sirius with mild curiosity.

‘I would ask’, he agrees, a note of pride in his voice. 

'Am I that bad company?', James asks in a low voice. Sirius shakes his head.

'Would you come with us?', he challenges. James keeps his gaze for a few seconds, but just like Sirius didn't lie for him before, he wouldn't dare speak anything but the truth.

'No, I had things to do today'.

'That article', Sirius scoffs. 'You don't talk about anything else'.

James frowns.

'It's really important - a chance of -'

'Getting yourself a name, I know, I know. But see -', his grey eyes are burning over James now, somewhat desperate. 'The Prongs I know would never care for reputation'.

'Sirius…'

'The Prongs I know would be honest with me'.

'I am - what are you -'

'I heard you and Kingsley, ok?', he blows off. 'Registering as an animagus? After all this time?'

There is another silence, broken only by the crackling fire.

'I was going to tell you', James says finally. 'I didn't think it was important - you don't have to register too -'

'That's not the point - you are breaking our trust -'

'It's just an entry on a list. It doesn’t change anything, I will keep our full moon nights -'

'When Remus has time, you mean?', he asks, sounding bitter now. 'He missed the last two, he'd rather stay home -'

'He has a kid now -'

'So do you and… you guys are getting old and responsible and too serious for me'.

'Nobody is more serious than you', James says, smiling at him, but Sirius just rolls his eyes and grabs the bottle of firewhiskey on the coffee table, taking a sip.

James extends his hand. Sirius raises one eyebrow, in disbelief, and his expression only relaxes a little when James takes a long sip of the firewhiskey. The drink burns his throat, infusing him with that weird dose of courage and a will to do something, but James just sighs.

'You are no less serious because of it', Sirius notes.

'I got serious - the war, the first one and then the second one and everything - and I think I forgot how to relax - but that doesn't mean… you are my brother, Sirius'.

'The annoying prettier baby brother?'

'You are older', James says, grinning, and after a second of hesitation, Sirius smiles too. 'You can invite me - I mean, we can do things together. Even if it sounds - or is - stupid'.

'Things together like… registering our animagus form?'

James rests against the couch, and Harry moves his head to rest more comfortably on his shoulders; James thinks he will sleep soon.

'You don't need to do it too - Kingsley already knows about you and he is the bloody Minister of Magic, isn't he? This was not about doing the responsible thing'.

'Then why -'

'I want the credit'. James presses his lips, before admitting something he didn't even share with Lily yet. 'I talked to Minerva - if I get back to my studies, get enough recommendation to be approved by the board, I could get her position'.

Sirius blinks, startled.

'Her position? You mean -'

'Transfiguration professor, yeah'.

He looks away now, feeling somewhat embarrassed. It had never really been an ambition - teaching was much more something Remus had always wanted to do than him; James had been glad to focus on his studies and develop new theories of transfiguration until then. 

But ever since Minerva had vented that possibility to him a few weeks after the end of the war, when they were repairing one of the halls destroyed in the battle, that thought had been on his mind. He wasn't in a rush, but the idea of getting back to Hogwarts, this time as a professor, watching other students learn from him as much as he had learned from Minerva McGonagall… he couldn't deny that idea had taken root in his mind.

James always teased her that he had been her favourite student, but the fact was that she was his favourite professor and there was some part of him that wanted to impress her and prove himself good enough to replace her someday.

He waits for Sirius' response, but there is only a silence that doesn't seem good.

'I know it's huge', James mumbles. 'There are others far more capacitated than me, I am starting now to -'

'Shut your mouth, Prongs', interrupts Sirius, and James turns to him. There is a grin on his face. 'Being humble never suited you'.

James laughs softly.

'I wasn’t trying to', he assures him.

'I thought - I thought you had wanted to do the right thing. You know, registering just because you wanted to follow the law, as if… as if you were ashamed of what we did illegally -'

'Now it's you who needs to shut up, Padfoot'. He takes another sip of the firewhiskey. ‘Animagus at age of fifteen? I’m damn proud of it. Also, that’s the only thing that I have done that’s cooler than half the stuff Harry got into’.

‘Yeah, I suppose it’s hard when your son is a bloody hero’.

Harry chooses that moment to start snoring loudly, which sends James and Sirius into a fit of laughter. James raises, careful to let Harry sleep on the couch, and Harry doesn’t look remotely close to waking up.

‘I am glad you took him out for a drink’, James says, taking out Harry’s glasses. ‘I was just jealous - it should have been me’.

‘I am sure there will be another occasion’, Sirius says dismissively. ‘He will probably forget every embarrassing thing he did, you know how that works’.

‘Oh, he embarrassed himself?’, James asks, a glint of fun on his eyes. Sirius smirks.

‘That happy giggling Harry you saw? Just the last stage. He was all cocky at first - that’s how we got into that darts bet’.

‘Harry? My son? Cocky?’

‘Oh, yeah, he reminded me a lot of you’, Sirius’ smirk increases. ‘He was strutting and all’.

‘Tell me you took pictures of it’.

‘I would never’, Sirius declares, though James isn’t sure he believes him this time. ‘And then he got very… honest’.

‘That doesn’t sound good for that stealth mission’.

Sirius shakes his head.

‘If he was spilling out Auror secrets I would be happier - no, instead I had to hear about the time he and Ginny -’

‘Nope, nope, I don’t want to know’.

‘Well, me neither, I won’t ever use your Invisibility Cloak again, you can be sure. But anyway - that’s why he got here so drunk. I decided vodka was the only way to shut him up properly’.

Sirius looks so satisfied with himself and his choices, that James knows what he has to do.

‘It’s late’, he says pleasantly. ‘Crash here tonight’.

‘Oh, I think I will - I am not fit to apparate’.

‘Let’s go upstairs then’.

‘And Harry?’

‘Oh, look at him. He is sleeping so well, he can stay here tonight’.

‘If you are sure’.

‘Yeah, yeah, everything will be fine’.

_________

James has slept barely four hours when he wakes up with Lily’s cry. He puts on his robe lazily, waiting a few minutes to go downstairs; when he passes Sirius’ room, the door is already opened.

Good.

He finds them all together in the toilet next to the kitchen, and by the sounds coming out of there, his Hangover Potion wasn’t very efficient.

‘We were working late, Lily’, Sirius is saying, sounding properly desperate. ‘And we went out for a drink -’

‘It was a Tuesday night! He has to work in one hour!’

‘So do I - but you see, I’m his boss, so everything is fine! Also, I don’t think any of the boys will show up -’

‘Perfect’, Lily interrupts him, her eyes sending daggers in Sirius’ direction. ‘Then you can take care of him’. She sees James. ‘Did you know about this?’

‘Me? I was working late on my text, you know’, he answers, yawning and looking very innocent.

Sirius waits until Lily is out for the kitchen to turn to James, his eyes narrowed.

‘You knew she would be mad. That’s why you told me to stick around’.

‘If I knew how my dear wife would react to knowing you got our son pissed? How could I?’

Sirius grimaces as there is another retching sound coming from the bathroom.

‘Oh, you better go there and don’t forget to keep Harry hydrated’.

‘Watch it’, Sirius says, but he goes into the bathroom anyway. ‘I won’t ever show you the pictures’.

James shrugs, undisturbed.

‘That’s fine. Next time Harry gets drunk, I will be there’.

‘I won’t ever ever ever drink again’, Harry moans, hugging the toilet seat now, his face sweaty.

‘Oh, kid, we’ve all been there’, Sirius sighs, flushing down the toilet and helping Harry raise.

James grins to himself, glad that Sirius is doing his godfather duty once again, and leaves them alone.