#multiparter

[wakandamama]

Wading Towards Shore Pt1

A/N: I bet yall forgot I be writing angst too! 😈

Smoke and Annie settle back into life with one another once again. However, Annie can't help but let her insecurities of being left being creep into her mind at same time she is plague with bizarre dreams of grief and fish.

Trigger Warnings: grief, dream sequences, mentions of child loss and drowning

WTS Part Two WTS Part Three

Annie was a strong woman. A woman who prided herself on being able to build up her root and to better herself.

Annie has had seven years of solitude, a brutal supernatural night of bonding and survival, and finally a year of reconciliation with Smoke to push passes… it. 

She should have the strength to push past the aching tangle of rage, sadness, longing and resolve Smoke planted in her heart. Annie likes to pretend that the night that he ran away from her (and their shared loss) to Chicago was just a nightmare. 

She tries to forget that her breasts had dried of milk just four days before those brothers drove off in the blue light of dawn to the north. She pretends that the ashes from the note and money he left for her doesn’t linger in the old firepit out back. For seven years Annie bit the lie bumps off her tongue from the amount of times she lied to Mary, declaring she was fine, that the twins wrote and they were fine, and that the bones told her they’d be back any day now and Stack was gonna wife her next. 

Annie is fine now. 

The Nile was just a river hundreds of miles away from her. She is over that fleeting insecurity that she’ll never be enough for her soulmate to stay (Smoke is back with her after all, sleeping right beside her on the mattress at this very moment). She is over that petty fear of being left alone. She is over the fear of being abandoned. 

Annie had worked a strong root to heal her heartaches, damnit! She is over it, so over those insecurities that her and Elijah built a whole house together! Four rooms, a basement, indoor plumbing, a wrap around porch and a greenhouse! They built that together.

So, Annie had no reason to fear the possibility that her and Elijah’s love had combined together once again to make something more than just a home and that she could be with...

Annie is fine.

She is a healthy woman with a healed heartache! She's got her man back and he ain't going anywhere, not off with money, not off with another woman, not running away again. So! There wasn't a thing wrong with her.

Not a thing is growing in her, she is not-  

Annie is back in her dreams again.

She finds herself dressed in light blue and basket weaving in a field of butterfly weeds. The breeze cool and gentle, the sun warm and bright, water laps around her and minnows tickle her feet, a bone white bass leaps high sprinkling Annie with twinkling water splashes.

No… no water… there shouldn’t be water here. 

Annie focuses on the weaving, she can’t knot the reeds, but there goes those two big shining goldfish splashing and bumping into her ankles like a child wanting att-

Annie stands abruptly,  the wind swirls dark clouds overhead as she dashes away from the waters. Her feet pound the dirt until it melds into mud, then slashes into marshy shallow waters. Annie can’t help but cry as she runs into deeper waters now. She forces herself to stop, chest heaving and aching as she tries to breath ties to race away but is paralyzed as the water rises and rises over her.

Now here she stands at the bottom of the Mississippi river, her breath is a cloud of bubbles while the minnows racing by feel like whizzing bullets.

Annie can only brace herself and scream as two golden fish the size of ferry ships crash into her.

Annie wakes up with a jolt, a wave of nervous nausea slamming her just as quickly and she catches the dry gag into her hand. She is barely able to swallow it back when Smoke snaps awake and sits up as well at her hitch of breath. Annie shivers as his arm wraps around her shoulders then forces her face towards him so he can inspect her. Smoke frowns as Annie barely swallows back a sharp sting of heartburn, her hands clutching together over her chest in a plea for strength.  

“Ya okay? Sumthin’ spook ya?” He asks, before she can answer Smoke stares out their window tuning his ear to calculate the creaks of the house. 

“Want me to get Stack to check the boundary? It’s like fo’ in the mornin’, he still out ‘dere” Smoke strategizes and Annie shakes her head. Annie gently pulls away from his hold, swinging her legs over the side of the bed so she can force her head between her knees to breathe through the sharp dizzy need to throw up. 

“Ann? Baby, what’s wrong?” Smoke asks his voice low and deep from sleep, he rubs a hand up and down her spine in comfort. Smoke goes to curl an arm around her middle but Annie abruptly stands, his touch too much.

Annie stands there, back to Smoke with hands on her achy hips, just trying to breath through this…sickness…not not sickness just, nerves. Annie’s nerves were bad from a nightmare is all. It has been storming lately, she’ll have to tell the weather man at the newspaper about her concerns in case the riverbend outside of town floods. 

“Annie? You okay?” Smoke asks again, his concern prickles the hot skin of her neck.

“Huh? Yeah… yeah I’m fine ‘Lijah. I had a bad dream is all.” Annie says in a croaky whisper.

“A dream dream or one of dem premonitions?”

“I…I don’t know right now. Gonna throw some bones ‘bout it.” Annie excuses as she sways out of their bedroom into the hall. She ignores the bed creaking behind her, determined to go towards their office at first, but quickly staggers into the bathroom to vomit instead. Annie only makes it to the sink before losing her dinner, fearful tears prick her eyes at the sounds of Smoke’s hustling steps in the hallway. She slams the door closed before kneeling over the toilet and gagging again.

“Annie! What the Hell is goin’ on witcho?” Smoke asks through the door. Annie shakes her head in frustration.

“Go on somewhere, Smoke! Just…just give me a minute.” She grumbles before spitting out the sour taste in her mouth just to heave again. Smoke still stands on the other side of the door, “Smoke?” he mouths in disbelief with a frustrated sigh as he opens the door.

“Now Woman…”

“Go on somewhere, Man!” Annie retorts before fighting off another wave, by the time she comes back to herself Smoke sits on the edge of the tub rubbing the back of her neck. Annie hums when he presses the back of his hand to the side of her forehead then holds her cheek, his thumb rubbing away the tears from where her eyes watered.

“Ya ain’t too warm, just clammy.” Smoke reports and Annie shrugs. “Told ya, that dream just rattled me.” 

“Never seen one make ya sick before… ‘cept when-”

“Let’s just go back to bed.” Annie mutters over him, blinking up at him with sad sleepy eyes. Smoke frowns but nods firmly. Annie bites back a whimper when his hands leave her face. (Is he going to leave her? Where is he running to with out her again?)

Instead of vanishing into mist like her mind projected, Smoke’s arms go under hers and gently he brings Annie back to her feet. Annie goes to pull away but is stopped by Smoke wrapping her to his chest in a comforting embrace, Annie lets her head rest above his heart. 

“You wanna talk ‘bout it?” Smoke asks after a quiet moment and Annie shakes her head.

“ Elijah please, I jus’ wanna go back to bed.” Annie tells him, he leads her over to the sink where she quickly rinses out her mouth. Smoke holds her hand steady as he leads the two of them back to bed. Annie lays down but stops Smoke from tucking the sheet back around her, the action makes Smoke lift an eyebrow in question. Annie smacks her lips, Smoke sighs and climbs in on the other side.

“No cover?”

“Too hot.”

“Too hot? You ain’t complain bout that in a while.” Smoke notes, easing back in bed. He extends his arm out and Annie shuffles into the space he’s made. Her head resting over his heart when his arm then cuddles her close by the shoulders. Annie hums and settles further into him, closing her eyes as she lets out a sigh.

The next time Annie wakes up to sunlight shining on her face while her hand meets the cool and empty side of bed. Panic strikes Annie in the chest, she tries to calm herself by looking at the clock on the wall, it reads 10:06 and that makes her scramble out of bed to search for her man (again.)

The sheets tangle around the bottom of her legs causing Annie to yelp as her side crashes into the vanity. Annie holds on to the edge of the wood trying to get her breathing under control (Why in the world wouldn’t Smoke wake her up, it’s so late! )

“Elijah!” she chokes out with tears prickling her eyes. 

Silence. It feels like water is filling her lungs and the sharp bards of catfish cut her calves.

“Elijah!” Annie calls out louder this time. A cabinet door closes loudly and a gruff, “Huh?” answers her from the kitchen. 

Annie swallows down her lump of panic until it melts into a fading anxiousness at his clueless answer. She roughly wipes away the stray tears and slips into her house coat. Annie made way to the kitchen with quick steps, Smoke meets her in the doorway. In one hand is a bowl of scrambled eggs with a buttermilk biscuit drowned with apple butter and the other a chilled lemonade. 

“There ya is.” Annie mumbles, more to herself than to him, then gives him a kiss. 

“Mornin’” Smoke says as soon as his lips are free. There is a soft somberness in his tone before Annie can linger about it; Smoke presses the bowl into her hands before turning back into the kitchen. Annie hums as she makes her way through the back door and onto their porch, Smoke follows behind her with peach preserves smothering his biscuits and a steaming coffee mug. The two settle into their respective chairs on the west facing deck, Annie squints at the three-room shotgun cabin at the edge of their new property line as she eats.

The cabin is a solid thing painted creamy white to reflect the light with a slimmer porch tucked behind three huge jasmine shrubs to block more light. A big outdoor tub rests on the north side of it and the only window on it is two skinny panels of frosted glass facing east towards them. A navy wool curtain is currently pulled taunt to close as if not to let a single steam of sunlight in. Annie looks down to see two sets of deer antlers covered in dried blood resting on the path leading up to the cabin door. 

“Glad they got back in time last night. Mary said Stack’s been lingering until it’s blue dawn.” Annie says and Smoke hums as he lights his pipe. 

“Had ‘im do another patrol around the riverbend fo’ they went in fo’ the day. Since ya was spooked I had ‘im make sure them honkies stay in they spot.” Smoke says as he smoothly puffs out a cloud of tobacco high over their heads. Annie resisted the urge to take a deep whiff of it like she did when she was first preg-

Annie stuffs a forkful of eggs in her mouth to shake away the ridiculous thought. Smoke puffs again and Annie takes a swallow of lemonade to chase the urge off again, maybe she was wanting the habit. (she hasn’t smoked tobacco since she was 14 and tried to impress Smoke by stealing a pull off his cig, she promptly choked on it)

“You ain’t have to do that for me.” Annie says and Smoke shakes his head. 

“Why wouldn’t I? You talkin’ nonsense.” 

Annie rolls her eyes then makes a point to lay her legs over his and look away. Smoke chuckles at her antics continuing to smoke and eat. It’s Annie’s turn to giggle when he locks their ankles together. Soon the bugs buzz and some of Annie’s goats and chickens belt for attention, the birds call out loudly for one another overhead. Annie takes a deep breath, trying to smell for the chance of rain (not to smell tobacco!), instead she sneezes like a barn kitten on the pollen and Smoke smothers laugh behind a gulp of coffee. 

He is quick to dodge to the left when Annie goes to pinch his side.

“Dontcha laugh, Man!”

“I ain’t say a word, Woman!” 

“Yeah right. Whats the plan for today?” Annie asks

“Well, first imma leave ya again. Imma promise to write, then never do it. And the-”

“Da fuck you say!?” Annie spits, she whirls her legs away from him then slams her feet to the ground as she stands. A desperate and hurtful fury fills her as she glares down into Smoke’s bewildered eyes.

“What da fuck you heard? I said we going to Bo’s to getcha libation stuff!” he argues as he scrambles up as well, breakfast and pipe abandoned to his chair.

Annie blinks hard at him, once, twice, on the third time she opens her eyes to see Smoke’s has stepped in close and his hand cradles her face. Seeming to search Annie’s eyes for any kinda answer to this shifting pendulum of emotions from her.

Smoke frowns in deep concern, Annie can practically taste the sadness rolling off of him at her behavior. (The fuck he sad for? He can just leave all the sadness in her like last time) She tries to look away but Smoke won’t allow it, stepping in another step and enclosing her between himself and the porch post.

“Now, Antonia Moore, you talk to ya husband now.” Smoke instructs with a pointed look and Annie scoffs.

“Oh, so now my husband likes talkin’? Took ya eight years to learn that new trick huh?” Annie snaps. Smoke’s eyebrows shoot up, his hands drags down until they rest on her shoulders to hold down his tremors.

“Annie? What the hell is wrong? Ya sick or sumthin’? Or is it-” Smoke asks again, pushing past Annie’s anger to get to her hurt. Annie shakes his hands off her and marches down the porch steps towards their daughter's tree “Or is it what? What you know, Smoke?” Annie snaps once more. 

"You own my name woman, you betta use it. Now talk to me Ann, I'm hurting too." Smoke scolds as he grabs Annie’s wrist to stop her running off. Annie whirls around, at the last minute forcing her free hand down to clutch the fabric of Smoke’s shirt so she wouldn’t hit him. Smoke bites his lip as tears gather in the corners of his eyes to see Annie shaking with the energy of emotions she refused to communicate to him. 

But he had an idea for this cause. 

“You best unhand me! Fuck you know 'bout how I hurt?” Annie argues, tears in her voice as well to see him tearing up. Her chest burns in an aching familiar way that Annie must swallow down and push past. Her mind is a haze of fury and hurt that want to drown her. Smoke shakes his head, pulling her close again he rests his hand over hers on his chest. 

It's gonna rain today, Annie can feel it.

“Today’s July 1st…. I’m sorry today’s July 1st.” is all Elijah says in a croaky whisper.

Those words are like scissors on puppet strings and Smoke braces the both of them as Annie’s knees buckle. Annie collapses into his arms, forehead knocking his chin and all Smoke can do is hold her tight and ease them to the ground as she wails.

It is a sound Annie hasn’t let out in eight years. A deep bellied, soul shattering wail that silences the buzz of bugs and animal calls, it pauses the wind from jiggling her blue glass chimes, even the heat goes still, choking the air.

Smoke lets his own tears roll as Annie pounds the side of chest with a mix of hysterical and weak thumps. Annie alternates between clutching him back and buckling around as if to tear out of her skin as she cries. Smoke holds on strong and steady to Annie while the navy curtain across the way moves and waves, tugs taunt as if someone was fighting the decision to open it wide to the morning sun. 

It is the same wail of aching grief that Annie cried when her daughter let out her last breath at just 7 months old.  

---

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[channieskies]

After Hours [SCB] ⏱Pairing: Seo Changbin × Reader [F/Curvy/Plus sized] ⏱Summary: After spending the weekend with Changbin, you struggle with the idea of people at work finding out. What happens when he wants the whole world to know about the two of you? This is the sequel to Stretch You Out: Read the first part HERE (Recommended) ⏱WC: 6,200+ [Reading time: 25 minutes] ⏱AU: CEO CHANGBIN, CEO READER, CO-WORKERS ⏱Genre: Smut, PWP, Friends/Coworkers to lovers, Workplace romance (?) ⏱Nets: @neverendingdreams-net & @mirohs-aurora-society ⏱Warning(s): MINORS DNI! This post contains nsfw material. Please do not interact with it if you are under the age of 18. Do not translate or repost to other sites. ⏱Authors Note: Please reblog or leave a like or comment to let me know how you feel. I'd love a little feedback. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it. This has not been proofread or beta'd, so expect errors. Special thanks to @saradika-graphics for the dividers used in this story. ⏱Disclaimer: This story does not reflect the real lives or personalities of Stray Kids. I do not know them personally. This is purely a work of fiction.

You didn't bother wiping the crust from your eyes as your feet shuffled you into the cold, crepuscular bathroom. You searched the wall for the illusive light switch with your eyes still closed as you clung to the remnants of your blissful slumber. Your weekend was spent in the best of ways, wrapped up in the sheets with a beefy hunk. It's just that that beefy hunk in particular happened to be your close friend and co-worker, Seo Changbin. 

You hoped things wouldn't magically complicate themselves, not when you'd had the time of your life this past weekend. If you weren't doing the horizontal tango, then you were ordering in from all your favorite restaurants or watching some movie you missed out on because your busy schedule just didn't allow it. Truthfully you'd forgotten just how much fun Changbin was to hang out with, outside of work. You spent your college career living it up, going to parties and local food and music festivals all on Binnie's (as you affectionately called him) dime. But once college and the party was over, work, relationships, and life kind of got in the way of things.

This weekend felt akin to old times sake. You pulled your shirt over your head and tossed it towards the hamper. Your eyes caught a glimpse of all the marks the weekend had left behind. Teeth, fingerprints, hickies, Changbin had left his signature all over your body, from your neck down to your ankles. But there was one in particular you were glad hasn't faded; the bite mark on your shoulder from when he came the first time- well, sort of. He proved to you later, just how long he could last, and boy did he last. You showered and did the rest of your morning tasks (makeup, hair, brushing your teeth, getting dressed) and headed out.

You’d settled on your favorite flared black slacks, and a hunter green, sleeveless, twisted halter that showed off your arms and shoulders. You had the mark on display as you sauntered into work. “Good morning, Wendy.” You stood in front of your receptionist desk as she typed away at something. 

“Good morning, Ms. Y/l/n-” The woman's eyes widened behind her large, square framed glasses. She noticed the various marks you had around your neck and chest. You proudly displayed the bite on your shoulder, the rest were just a piss-poor cover up job. “Good morning indeed.” A smile spread on her face. “Looks like you had an eventful weekend.” Your cheeks started to heat up from embarrassment, but you tried your best to hide it. “Did you find someone on that dating app? That fancy business professionals one?”

“Remind me of the meeting later, okay? And switch my two o’clock to three, I’m meeting them for coffee on the other side of town.” You ignored her question, grabbing your regular coffee and breakfast order off of her desk. “Thanks for this! Later!” You could hear her complaining as you closed the door to your office. You couldn't hide the triumphant smile on your face. Wendy was a gossip, a big one. The news of your bite mark would be office news before lunch, you knew that. You wanted the word to get back to a certain coworker of yours, hoping maybe he'd come find you. 

You flipped the privacy glass switch on your office, you always kept it on when you were in there, you liked the semblance of privacy it gave you. You moved away from the door to head to your desk and nearly jumped out of your skin when your desk chair turned around, revealing the man who’d been waiting in your office for you to get there. “Fuc- Felix!” You grabbed our chest, nearly spilling your coffee all over yourself. Thankfully it was blended with ice and not hot.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. But I couldn’t wait until later.” He got out of your seat as you made your way over to your desk. He held the back of it for you as you sat down. “Changbin is acting funny.” You froze, body stiff from the thought of being found out. This was new to the both of you and you’d both agreed it would be best to explore things before telling anyone, if you decided to tell anyone at all. This was casual. But it had the possibility to be more, if you wanted that. For now, you were completely fine with just getting your back blown out on a regular basis.

You relaxed your posture, putting things away as you spoke, avoiding eye contact. “Acting funny? Did he upload more unserious tik tok videos without you again?” You joked, but Felix really had a fit the last time Binnie did TikTok videos without him. It took a full day of retail therapy and some very expensive computer parts to calm him down. You glanced at him as his eyes widened, he quickly pulled out his phone to check. 

“God- I didn’t think of that-” He let out a sigh of relief, “No-no, he didn’t.” He shook his head and pushed his long blonde locks out of his face. You always wondered how he could be so pretty so early in the mornings. Even though he told you his morning and night skincare routine, it didn’t magically change your face into some magical member of the fae community like you thought it would. It just made you look oily. “No. We had plans this weekend. Well- I had plans that involved him and he was a no show. He didn’t pick up his phone and didn’t text. I couldn’t reach him until late last night. You know that's not like him.” He leaned against the edge of your desk, “I think… he’s seeing someone.” You didn’t mean to, but you burst out laughing.

You had flashes of being on your side with his arms wrapped tightly around you, one hand squeezing your neck lightly while the other lay flat on your stomach as he slowly drug his cock in and out of you. You didn’t know what session you were on by then, but it was just as good as the first, just much lazier. Your laughter quickly subsided as the thoughts flooded your mind.

You cleared your throat, pushing the thoughts out. “Binnie? Seeing someone? Between workouts and work? He must be seeing the chest press or some dumbbells, because I don’t see him dating someone for real.” You shook your head for added emphasis, taking a sip of your coffee to ease your ever drying throat. It wasn’t like you to lie, especially not to Felix. You two had been close since you hired him to be head of digital marketing four years ago. “Do you even remember what happened the last time he decided to date someone?” You both shuddered from the thoughts of Changbin's previous relationship. “You know for a fact he has terrible taste and usually picks the worst people to like.” He nodded, but it was written on his face that he wasn’t buying it.

“True. But-” He stopped mid-sentence as there was a knock on your door.

You could see the stocky build of someone outside your glass door, “Y/n, do you have a se-” Changbin pushed your door open, just to stop as he made eye-contact with Felix. “I’ll just come back later.” Felix shot up from his seat on your desk and ran over to Changbin. He was clad in his usual business attire. Black slacks, white dress shirt with a few (more than a few) buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and his chopard watch glimmering on his wrist. His jacket was probably in his office where he usually left it. It looked as if he’d just put product in his hair as it was still a little damp looking , a few loose curls were clinging to his forehead. He had on his blue-light glasses to complete the look of a non-chalant, playboy, businessman.

“No, no. Come, sit, chat. We were just talking about you.” Felix pulled Changbin into the room, forcefully sitting him on one of the chairs in front of your desk as he took the other one. If looks could kill, Felix would have died twice, once from you and once from Binnie. 

“We were not talking. You were talking and I was mostly listening to you being irrational.” You leaned forward to finally address Changbin, who’d had his eyes on you the whole time. “He thinks you are seeing someone.” You leaned back in your seat to see how he would tackle that statement. It wasn’t a test, but at the same time it kind of was.

“I am.” You nearly choked, eyes wide. Changbin, was sitting comfortably, manspreading, arms on both arm rests as he looked at you keenly. He’d tossed the ball back in your court so fast you couldn’t even think of one damn thing to say.

Felix jumped out of his seat, his booming voice filling the space as he yelled. “See! I told you.” Felix sat at the edge of your desk again as his fingers caressed his chin. “But now I need to know who. Who is he around that often? Besides us.” Felix was deeply concentrated on connecting the dots in his mind while you and Changbin duked it out while not saying a word to one another. 

“If you must know Felix, I met someone at the gym.” You pushed your hair off of your shoulder, unconsciously revealing the mark Changbin had left there. He shifted in his seat as he noticed it, blood immediately rushing to his nether regions as the playback of his weekend flashes rapidly through his mind.

“Y/n did say if you were dating, it was probably  a chest press or some dumbbells.” Binnie smirked at that and God, how you hated his damn cocky but sexy little smirks. “Guess she wasn’t far off with that.” Felix moved again, taking his seat next to Changbin once again as you tried to avoid the eyes of the man who hadn’t looked away from you since he sat down. You pretended to answer emails, sip on your coffee and even scribbled some absolute nonsense down, all just to make it seem like you were busier than you were. All just to get yourself out of this conversation. “So, tell me all about them.” Felix was sitting with his legs crossed in the chair, excitedly waiting for his friend to tell him all about his new paramour.

Changbins eyes finally stopped scrutinizing you and focused on your mutual friend. “What is there to tell? From the moment she walked in, I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She looked stunning in her matching set, and that was what started the brain fog for me. I don’t think I had a pure or coherent thought after seeing her walk in.” Felix was all ears, like this was a raunchy reality show, while you were at your desk trying your best not to overthink his words or simultaneously combust. “She asked for my help. I guess I look like I know what I’m doing.” He flexed his bicep and you scoffed, which only caused him to smirk again. “Of course I agreed, I wouldn’t have been able to say no to her pretty face even if I wanted to. We started off with stretches..” You tugged on your collar to loosen the grip it had on your neck to no avail. 

“It was easy for both of us at first, our conversation was flowing, she was killing the stretches with my guidance. But I don’t know.. Something just kind of clicked? Snapped maybe? Because we ended up railing right there in the gym without shame.” Felix was intrigued, this had to be one of the best porn plots he’d ever heard. He was used to Changbin being Changbin, but this was far out of even his wheelhouse. He looked from Changbin to you and back. You kept glancing out the side of your eye, watching while still pretending to be working. “We went back to her place. And I kind of spent the weekend with her exploring my body and me exploring hers. It was a weekend well spent. Sorry about bailing on you, she presented an opportunity I couldn’t miss out on.” 

Binnie shyly looked down, he didn’t think he’d be recounting his weekend in front of the woman he’d spent it with. He shifted again, his member was half hard and getting harder any time he thought about all the things he’d done to you and vice versa. And now for you to have that bite mark he gave you on exhibit? You were trying to kill him, take him out. You couldn’t have known what you were doing to him looking like that. If he had a little less shame, he’d ask to take you again. Right here on this desk, right there in front of Felix. Hell- the whole office could watch, just as long as he got to be with you again. The off control for the privacy glass wasn’t but a few feet away and a literal flick of a switch.

“So, what now? Do you plan on seeing her again?” Felix was usually a bit more reserved when it came to other peoples business, but Changbin? Changbin was one of his absolute favorite people on earth and he loved seeing him this happy, especially since it was so unusual.

“I do. If she’ll let me, that is.” Changbin finally looked up again, making eye contact with you. You couldn’t look away this time, trapt in the fire that danced in his eyes. It was like he was trying to convey something to you, but didn’t have the right words. Like he wanted you to feel what he was feeling in that moment and decipher what his words really meant.

“She let you stay with her all weekend, of course she’d take you up on the offer.” Felix said as he texted the group chat that Changbin met someone. Both your phones dinged but neither of you looked away. Felix looked up at you when he noticed you didn’t reach for your phone and that's when he noticed the bite mark on your shoulder. “Wait- what the heck is that on your shoulder?” You quickly covered the mark, averting your eyes from Binnie and back to your computer. Felix got up, making his way over to you, a teasing smile on his face. “Isn’t this a turn of events? You too? Besides Chan, you two are the biggest workaholics here and you mean to tell me-”

“Leave her alone, Felix.” Changbin interrupted the boy, but that only made the alarm bells go off for Felix. “She can have a private life without having to tell her group of all male friends what’s going on in her bedroom all weekend.” Changbin’s body stiffened at his own words. It was like he’d sent an invitation into what had transpired all weekend, just by putting a few select key words in his sentence. He closed his eyes, hoping that Felix missed the underlined meaning to his words.

“Wait….” The wheels in his mind slowly started to turn, “Don’t tell me that..” He put his hand over his heart, “All… weekend? But wait.” He shook his head, not believing the thoughts that were swimming about up there. Binnie’s strange disappearance and your sudden interest in the opposite sex were way too coincidental. “Did you two…? Because this isn’t adding up. If two plus two is four……..” His bright eyes grew wide. “You DIDN’T!?!”

“Stop jumping to conclusions-” You finally spoke up just for Felix to jump to even further conclusions.

“The girl you met was Y/n? You fucked our Y/n?” He didn’t even bother addressing you, treating you like you weren’t even in the room with all his questions being directed at Changbin. “Come to think about it, she did say she wanted to start working out, just last week.” He flopped in his seat as everything started to click for him. His two friends were both avoiding the truth, they had fucked each other this weekend. All weekend long at that. “You knew he wasn't available, because he was with you this weekend, that's why you didn’t panic when I said I couldn’t reach him. Oh my gosh- You fucked Binnie?” He pointed at you accusingly as he spoke the last part rather loudly.. 

Changbin stood to his feet and pulled Felix up and out the seat. “Don’t you have work to do or something?” He gently moved the younger man towards the door. Felix was too in shock to even protest as he was pushed out the door of your office.

Changbin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He couldn’t believe they both had been found out so easily. But something in the back of his mind was kind of happy about the outcome. There really wasn’t a reason to hide. There was no company policy about fraternization. You were both adults. You were both single. Plus there was no weird power imbalance, you were both high up in the company. So what was stopping you from pursuing a relationship, especially if that's what you wanted to do?

You leaned back in your chair, fingers pushing into your eye sockets. You sighed loudly, “You know if Wendy gets wind of what Felix has to say, the office will know about us before the morning meeting, right?” You moved your hands, dejected. If you were going to spill the beans, you wanted to do it yourself. Changbin came over to you and placed both hands on the arm rests of your chair, turning you towards him. 

“I know. But I don’t care.” Your eyes widened, confused. “If they know, they know. Who I like is none of their concern and neither is who I’m fucking. Plus, I’m a grown man capable of making his own decisions. I’ll stand firm on that, because you have to live your life with 줏대” He hooked his index finger under your chin to make you look at him. “It’s fine as long as you're okay with it. I want whatever you want.” 

Were you okay with everyone knowing your business? Yes and no. If you did decide to continue this thing you had with Binnie, that meant that everyone would be free to scrutinize your relationship. It also meant that people might start to think you’d gotten your position because of him. That simply wasn’t the case, you’d worked hard to get here and you, Changbin, Han, and Chris had built this company up from the ground yourselves. So people could go fuck themselves if they thought you sucked dick or kissed ass to get to this point in your career.

“You like me?” You teased, causing a slight blush to dust his cheeks as he looked away shyly.

“I-I mean.. maybe a little bit.” You giggled, shy Changbin was the absolute cutest to you.

“Just… a little bit?” His ears were red as he continued to look at everything but you. “What happened to living your life with Jut-whatever it is you said?” He bit down on his bottom lip to suppress a smirk.

“You're right.” He nodded looking down at your lap, before looking you dead in your eyes with fire and determination behind his own. “I want us to be a thing. Not just friends with benefits, either… unless that's all you want, then it's fine. I want to hold your hand In public and kiss you. I want to tell everyone about my hot and smart girlfriend. To not be afraid of what people may think or say about our relationship, because.. fuck’em, right?”

You couldn't hold back the smile that formed on your lips. “Right. Fuck'em.” He was suddenly shy again, trying his best to hold back the giddiness he felt bubbling up on the inside. “That's a yes, by the way.” 

His cheeks rounded out as his lips curled into a smile. “Yes, you'll be my girlfriend?” You nodded and he immediately captured your lips. You don't know how, But he scooped you up and out of your chair to place you gently on your glass desk. He situated himself between your legs, all while never breaking the kiss you both were engrossed in. His hands roamed all over your body, taking purchase of your hips. A lot of things could be said about Changbin when it came to his body, but you could definitely say he wasn’t as aggressive as he looked. He was always gentle unless you asked him not to be. That was something you’d discovered over the weekend.

“How long until that morning meeting?” His lips were still on yours as he spoke. His fingers glided along the waistband of your slacks, itching to get the fabric off your body.

“It's supposed to be at nine forty-five, but you know they never start on ti-” Your sentence was cut short as Changbin tossed little items like pens and a few important papers off your desk.

“Guess we don't have much time then.” You tilted your head, wondering what exactly he meant. But your question was soon answered as he sat in your desk chair and lowered it until he was at chin level to your crotch. “I can get in a good pre-meeting meal.” Quick fingers made quick work of your side zipper, before moving back to the waistband to pull the fabric down and off you. You helped by lifting your hips, unconcerned with your weight on the glass table beneath you. It was sturdy, it would definitely hold, right?

He didn’t waste time pulling your panties off, he just simply pulled them to the side, sighing at the sight of you. “I’ve missed you.” He spoke to your pussy before placing a chaste kiss on it. You chuckled at his ridiculousness, knowing you felt the exact same as him. It hadn’t been a full twelve hours since he’d last been deep inside you, but that didn’t seem to matter to him at all. He needed you. He needed to taste you on his tongue, to feel you on his skin. He needed you carnally. Biblically. And you mirrored that sentiment.

The first swipe of his tongue sent shivers down your spine. His tongue was even warmer than your heat, the temperature difference was delicious. You tilted your head back as he slipped his tongue between your folds, teasing your bud with the tip of the muscle, knowing how impatient that made you. He was toying with you, and you were going to let him. It was amazing how in a matter of days he’d learned how to please you like he’d known your body inside and out for years. He started slowly, swiping and flicking his tongue. But things quickly started to escalate. He pushed your legs even further apart,  indecent slurps started to fill the room. You bit down on your bottom lip. No matter how private the privacy glass in your office felt, it didn’t cancel out noise. You had to be careful of how loud you were, you didn’t want your noisy secretary to let the whole office in on what you and your colleague were doing behind closed doors.

You grabbed a tuft of his wavy hair, tugging on it gently. “Harder..” He spoke against you. You should have known that was what he wanted. He’d encouraged you to tug his hair hard every single time he was between your legs, and sometimes even when he wasn’t. You tugged and he groaned, burying his face deeper into you. Your toes curled in your stilettos, you were close. Teetering on the edge of climax. He pressed his mouth further against you, like he wanted to become a part of you. That's what broke the levy and sent you hurtling over the edge. You bit down on your bottom lip to stop the loud moan that threatened to escape it. When that wasn't doing enough, You covered your mouth with your hand. 

Changbin didn’t come up for air. He coaxed you through with little kitten licks, his eyes staring up at you, watching. He pressed a soft Kiss to your clit once your body finally stopped shaking. Grabbing him up as quickly as you could, you pulled him in, pressing your lips to his in a heated kiss. You could taste yourself lingering on his lips and tongue along with the faint taste of his morning americano. “I hate to break this up, but we need to get to that meeting and I have to…” He pulled back and looked down at the massive bulge pressing against his fitted slacks. “Adjust myself.” 

Your eyes followed his, locking in on the thickness pressed against the zipper of his pants. You were tempted to tell him, “fuck the meeting”, but you know exactly what that meant. Boyfriend or not, you both were in high positions in this company and had obligations to it. You rubbed your hands over his bulge and sighed, “Fine. We will put a pin in this. But know this, Mr. Seo, I will return the favor.” His lips curled into a smirk, hands moving to rest on your hips.

“Oh, I know. And I can’t wait.”

The meeting and the work that seemed to pile in afterwards had the two of you beyond busy. Any thoughts of running away to his or your corner office to canoodle had been ripped off the table along with eating a good lunch. There were issues with the distribution plan for your fall launch as well as some manufacturing issues with a few of the pieces, so that meant this issue came first. That meant you had to cancel any other plans you had for the day and add even more hours to your fifty plus hour work week, after hours. The time in the day seemed to melt away - along with parts of your sanity-. You were back and forth from the conference room to your office, in hopes of finding a solution to your distribution issues, to no avail. 

“If I have to listen to one more excuse from our distribution partners, I swear I’m going to flip this fucking table.” Chan groaned, running his fingers through his curly hair. “No one seems to want to take the blame, even though they are aware there is a problem.” There was honestly no hope left in the room. The fall launch was supposed to go on presale soon, but there was no way the company would be ready in time with a recall on half of apparel.  He let out a harsh sigh, digging his fingers into his eye sockets to relieve the tension. “This can’t be solved tonight. Let’s break for the night and resume this in the morning.” 

Everyone was tired and hungry at this point, multiple people having missed out on an actual lunch. You’d settled on a handful of nuts and your third coffee for the day for lunch and your stomach sure was letting you know it had a problem with that. “Fine with me, Minho keeps texting asking where I am. Something about the cats missing me.” Jisung said nonchalantly as he packed up his things. 

“So, he misses you and wants to blame it on the cats. Got it.” You chuckled. You found their relationship to be super cute, even if Minho would cut you down with just a look for even thinking about it. You said your goodbyes, opting to stay around and look for other solutions. As the chief marketing officer, it was your job to make sure that all of your marketing was set and in place for every roll out of products. You couldn’t do your job to promote the fall line if there was no fall line. You said your goodbyes to mostly everyone, taking notice of how Changbin stayed behind, watching all of your friends leave one by one.

“I thought they would never leave.” You chuckled, mind slightly preoccupied with finding a solution to all of the company's mounting problems. “What do you need me to do? Put me to work.” Changbin was the C.O.O. of the company, this really had nothing to do with his role, but he stayed around just to help you out. “I can look for documents. Contact international retailers to let them know of the incoming delay. Go get you and I some food from that Thai spot you like around the corner. Or I can rub your shoulders, feet, or scalp, help you relax. Or, I can help you relax in other ways….” With a wink, he slowly made his way around the large conference table. His warm hands landed on your shoulders, massaging gently, helping to relax all of the tension you’d been holding there since the first thing that morning. 

“Can I pick ‘D’, all the above? Because it all sounds delightful.”  You never took your eyes off of your screen, even with you melting into his touch. 

“You can have whatever you want, babe.” You could hear the silly little smile he had on his face in his tone. “Unless we are talking about me fetching the moon for you, that will take a little more than a trip down the street.” You chuckled as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to your temple. “Let’s start with food, you need to eat. And my stomach might actually revolt if I don’t get anything in it soon.” You agreed with a nod. 

He put in an order of your usual and you took the time away from the computer to sit and eat with him. It honestly helped to calm the anxiety that you were beginning to swim in the deep end of. Even if your new found relationship was just beginning, you somehow knew that Changbin was the best decision you’d made to date. 

He pulled out his laptop to help you search through correspondence between you and the manufacturer. You needed to tackle the issues with the clothes before you could even get towards distribution. You both silently combed through emails and emails of correspondence, before something finally jumped out at you. You held your breath, reading over every line of the email. “....We have settled on a swatch, the color #33ffe9 and #000000, for the fall line breathable legging, scoop neck tee, and the flex sports bra! The fabrics chosen are a mix of man cellulosic fibers and elastane!” You screamed the last part. “I found it! Bin, baby, I found it!” His eyes were starting to gloss over from his tiredness. There was no amount of coffee that could remedy it. His eyes shot open with your screams.

He cleared his throat, hoping to clear any of the sleepiness out of it before he spoke. “Re-really?” He was unsuccessful. You smiled, making your way over to him. He pushed back his chair to let you take purchase his lap. You settled into the plush seat of his thick thighs. His arms naturally wrapped around your waist, one hand resting on your hip. “So they messed up?” He asked, stifling a yawn. You nodded, kissing his sleep riddled eyes.

“Yes, baby.” You couldn’t hide your smile as you looked at him. So happy that you took the leap into this relationship with him. You knew him well enough to know that he would make you very happy and that you would try your damndest to do the same. You pressed kisses to his face as his eyes closed. Your lips ghosted over his and his breath hitched.

“As sleepy as I am, you are about to awaken something else in me… tread carefully.” You chuckled, ignoring the warning he gave you. Pressing a soft, teasing kiss to his lips. That grip on your hip tightened as his control started to wavier. “Babe…” You disregarded his words, focusing on playfully loving on him. He let out a heavy sigh as you continued. You clearly had forgotten what kind of day he had. How he ate you out early this morning on your desk, or how he had denied himself a release to prioritize the urgent meeting this morning. It had been a long day of him busying himself to keep from thinking of the lingering need inside of him.

You had no idea what was happening until your ass was placed on the table. “Wha- when?” His lips moved to yours in a torrid kiss that immediately leaned into. His hands were needily pulling and tugging on your clothes.

“I need you.” You nodded, not even trying to refute a fact that you already knew. Before you knew it your clothes and his eyes strewn across the conference room table and floor without a care. His fingers hastily played between your folds, finding you to already be wet for him. “Already?” You bit back a smile and nodded. “This is what I do to you?” You hit his shoulder softly as one side of his lips curled into that ‘oh so cocky’ smirk that you’d grown to love. 

Your eyes rolled back as he slipped one, then two, then three fingers inside of you to stretch you out for him. No matter how needy he was, he knew his girth wouldn’t be able to just slip inside no matter how wet you were, not without him hurting you. He never wanted to hurt you. With only a few pumps of his fingers in and out of you, you were wet and ready for him. He distracted you by putting his lips on yours in a heated kiss as he slipped inside. You pulled away from his lips, letting out a wonton moan as your walls stretched to accommodate him.

“Fuck.. Bin.. baby…” You couldn’t even form coherent thoughts as his thick length speared in and out of you at a slow but consistent pace. You could feel your wetness dripping onto the table beneath you as well as coating his member, making the slide in and out of you even that more delicious. He groaned, wrapping his arms around you tightly, pulling you into his chest and lifting you off the table, continuing to pound into you. You were a mess, your hips moved on their own, grinding against him as he held you up, fucking into you as he stood. Your moans bounced off the conference room walls that were usually filled with business negotiations and meetings. Your nails dug into his back and shoulders, causing him to whine under you. “Please Bin… I-” 

You could barely get the words out before you were coming around him. Painting his cock with your thick white come. His hips stuttered, even if he spent the weekend paving his way into your cavern, it still didn’t prepare him for how tight you’d still be. “Shit.. babe.” His hips stopped moving as ropes of his come shot deep into you, coating your walls with it. You moaned, feeling the warmth he filled you with. He stumbled back, thankfully landing in the chair he had pushed back. You squeezed your tired walls around him, making him groan. “Yo-you haven’t learned your lesson yet, have you?” He asked, dragging his nose across the side of your neck. His voice horse from the passionate love making paired with the long day you both had endured.

You chuckled, shaking your head. “I haven’t. But you have plenty of time to teach it to me.” You teased.

“And I plan on doing just that.”

It took nearly an hour to clean the conference room. The both of you were so tired, you opted for a hotel room across the street, rather than trying to make it to either of your homes with such heavily lidded eyes. Being the consummate business professionals that you both were, you both had a nice change of clothes stored in your office or in the back of your cars, so it wouldn’t look as if you spent the night fucking in the shared space that is the conference room. 

The next morning, the light poked through the hastily closed curtains, painting Changbins beautifully full face with light. You couldn’t help it as your fingers brushed over his soft yet manly features. “Keep that up and I might think you love me.” He spoke, eyes still closed. You chuckled.

“You never know, Binnie. I might.” His eyes shot open.

“Is that a confession? Because, I didn’t want it to be after I fucked you. I wanted my confession to be romantic.” A soft blush coated his cheeks. Your eyes widened.

“Huh?”

“Huh?!” Panic quickly set in over his features. “I mean-” You cut him off with a chaste kiss, lips lingering against his, savoring the cute moment.

“I love you too, Binnie.” His face relaxed as he let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

“I love you too, babe.”

FIN

[too-much-tma-stuff]

The Start of the Future (Part 26)

Previous | Masterpost

The ring of rage made it possible for Danny to open portals to the Infinite Realms on his own, which would at least make commuting back and forth much easier. While they were at the Watchtower Danny had raided the equipment that had been liberated from the GIW bases and, after his panic attack, he found a suit of ectoplasmic armour that he could update and upgrade for Jason. Sure he was already liminal but Danny would rather be safe than sorry with the amount of concentrated ecto he’d be exposed to in the Infinite Realms. It was pretty easy to tinker with, improve the blasters and repaint it to match Jason’s colour pallet, once it was slimmed down a little as well and given a better finish Danny had to say it looked cool as hell. 

Once it was done and Jason had some experience wearing it and operating the weapons, they were as ready as they were ever going to be to face the mountain of paperwork that was inevitably waiting for Danny. It was easiest to leave from the Batcave, leaving Jason’s motorbike there before Danny transformed back into Phantom. With one last check on Jason’s armour Phantom ripped a hole through space and time to get to his new castle. As he stepped through onto the dark cobblestones he felt a shiver run down his spine. God this place was so deeply infused by Pariah’s malice it was going to take him a long time to shape the haunt to his will instead of its previous master. 

Danny was not pleased to see that half the council and the Observants were waiting for him, as was Fright Knight. Just great. The portal closed and Fright Knight stepped forward, and Danny stepped back, Jason slid between the two of them glaring at Fright Knight through his visor. Fright paused looking annoyed, but after it became clear Jason wasn’t going to move and Danny wasn’t going to come forward again Fright elected to ignore Jason and just focus on Danny past Jason. 

“My King,” Fright Knight bowed to Danny. “I want you to know that my vow to the crown still holds. I will serve you however you order, I will be your knight.”

“No you will not,” Danny said calmly but firmly, ignoring the look of hurt and fear in Fright’s eyes. “I will not revoke your title, and you may continue to serve the crown, but I will be knighting Red Hood. He will be my knight, not a knight of the crown,” He said with a sneer. “For now you can serve me by making sure news of my rule is properly spread. Make sure they know, and know that things will be changing and do it without threats. Understand?”

“Yes my King,” Fright said, though he still didn’t seem pleased he wouldn’t disobey an order. He got up and shot a glare at Jason before flying off to do a task Danny hoped would keep him busy for a good long while given the Realms were Infinite and all. 

Once he was gone Danny turned back towards the rest of his ‘welcoming party’, He sighed and forced his shoulders to relax. “So, show me to the work that needs to be done,” He said, more confidently than he felt.

“Oh there will be plenty of time for that,” Clockwork said wryly, leaning heavily on his staff. 

“There’s a royal wedding to plan!” Frostbite butted in, excited and eager as ever, trigger near identical startled sounds from Jason and Danny. 

“Are you sure? We were planning on waiting and getting married in the mortal world first. I’m sure there’s a ton of stuff to do before…” He trailed off because Pandora was shaking her head. 

She held out one set of hands, the other still clasped behind her back; “A royal wedding is exactly what we need. It had been a long time since the Realms had a king, and much longer still since anything to do with a king could be called a joyous occasion. Not counting when the council managed to bind Pariah Dark.

“A royal wedding will bring everyone together so they can see you, while ensuring the expectation is that they be happy for you, and bring gifts. Since the coronation was immediate, and took place in the human world, this is the best opportunity for you to meet the other governing bodies within the Realms, and to set their expectations of you.” 

“I do not want my wedding to be a political affair,” Danny said coldly, drawing himself up to his full height, which still wasn’t very impressive at all in the face of Pandora and Frostbite. He was taller than Clockwork now at least. He relaxed just slightly when Jason rested a gloved hand on his shoulder.

“You can still have the wedding you want in the human world, the ceremony here won’t be binding there. And you can have whatever guests you want as well as the political ones, the guest list will be hundreds long as is, and we’ll make sure spaces for family are reserved right at the front,” Frostbite assured, placatingly. 

Danny took a deep breath and shook his head before turning back towards Jason. “What do you think?” He asked, taking one of Jason’s hands, he couldn’t quite lace their fingers together with the size of Jason’s gloves so this would have to do. 

Jason shrugged; “I told you I’m happy to get to marry you multiple times, This isn’t the way we planned it sure, but this can be a dress rehearsal basically, and I gotta admit I’m curious as fuck about what sort of gifts ghosts will give their king. I think Robin and Phantasm will have a blast with it too. Ohhh you should invite Constantine! Seeing him scramble to get a gift would be hilarious!”

Danny couldn’t help but smile at Jason, glad he wasn’t taking this seriously as he might have, and could see the humour in it. “Alright,” Danny agreed fondly, leaning forward to kiss his helmet over Jason’s cheek. “How do ghostly weddings even work?” He asked, turning back towards his new council. 

Clockwork smiled approvingly and Frostbite downright cheered, Jason and Danny were shepherded into a council room where planning began. For the most part Danny and Jason let the planning take place around them rather than actually taking part in it.  They put in their input here and there, colour choices, food, making sure things were human-safe options for the few guests Danny and Jason wanted to bring. The councilors were the ones who knew who in the Realms needed to be invited, mostly kings and chiefs of various sections of the realms who were too used to ruling without oversight. 

When it seemed like all the personal touches were finished Danny placed his palms on the table and stood up, smiling around the table without much feeling. “Is the guest list all you’ll be discussing now?” He asked calmly.

“Well, yes but-” Pandora started but Danny held up his hand and shook his head. 

“I don’t care who you invite other than my family. Send me a list of who you decide to invite and what I need to know. I’m going to have a look around the rest of the keep to see what else I’ve inherited from that bastard, other than a complete mess.” Danny dismissed with a wave of his hand. “Did Pariah Dark have an office?”

There was a moment of silence, the rest of the council glancing around at one another, everyone clearly expecting someone else to have an answer. “He must have had an office right?” Frostbite questioned. 

“I’m sure that he did,” Pandora agreed, nodding firmly. “He wasn’t always mad, he did his duty at some point.”

“Great,” Danny sighed, pushing himself back from the table and standing up. “Well, maybe we’ll find his office while we’re exploring and if not I’ll choose a new room to be my office. I should start remaking this place to suit me anyway, I don’t want anyone you bring to the wedding to think that I’m in any way like him after all, I should start reshaping this place.”

“Very well,” Clockwork sighed and turned back towards the table, launching back into discussions about the guest list. After that would be discussion of seating arrangements. Danny fully expected this to take days. Even if they insisted this needed to be done quickly, all of the people discussing it were ancient and immortal, to them tomorrow still meant next month. Of course thanks to the time dilation in the living world they would still get around to the wedding before Danny and Jason could, unless they wanted a Vegas wedding, which he didn’t. Although… No, he wouldn’t compromise the wedding that they had dreamed for this. 

Danny slipped out of the room with Jason on his heels to explore with him. Danny paused to take Jason’s hand again so they could walk together down the broad, dimly lit haul. Danny grimaced and glared at one of the torches. “Okay to start with we can get some more fucking light in here, and maybe a rug,” He grumbled, closing his eyes and focusing on the ecto around him. It was resistant to his touch, he wasn’t the mind that it was used to responding to and it didn’t want to listen to him. But this was his haunt now, he was the master of this space now and it would answer to him. 

The world beyond Danny’s eyelids brightened slightly and Jason gasped softly. Danny opened his eyes and gave a self satisfied smile when he saw the torches were brighter and a slightly warmer shade of green and there was now a very grand rug stretching off down the long hall. “Good, that’s better. Let’s get going.”

“How did you do that?” Jason asked curiously. 

“Oh right, you’ve never been to the Ghost Zone before! The entire place is made of ectoplasm, that means it responds to emotion and will. Not all of it I mean, every ghost has a haunt and the ecto in their haunt responds to them, everyone’s haunt is specially tailored to them. Actually… because when I died I didn’t come to the Realms naturally, I’m not sure I had a haunt here before I defeated Pariah and took his. I’d better make the most of it huh? I’m going to manifest an observatory!” Danny exclaimed, excitement getting the better of him for a moment. And why not? It was about time this place felt a little bit of joy. 

Jason laughed and Danny grinned at him, tugging him along after him. “Come on, we should find a bedroom for the two of us as well and make that ours. We’ll be spending some nights here while I set everything up, or at least I will. I’ll figure out how to make it safe for you so you can have a comfortable place here too while you’re still living.”

“I love how ominous you are,” Jason said with genuine warmth, making Danny laugh again. They continued on with a bounce in their step and the energy of giddy children exploring an ancient mansion, and they found plenty of hidden rooms and hallways to justify that excitement. Though whether they’d been there before or if the ecto was manifesting them because Danny expected them to be there was anyone’s guess. 

They carried on that way until they found a potential bedroom that, with a little editing, would work for the both of them. Danny could will a lot of the ecto in the room to be inert, or absent, but it took a lot of concentration and it wasn’t perfect. He was going to have to invent something, a miniature ghost shield maybe? Either way it would be safe for one night and Jason was tired.

Danny lay with him until he was asleep, but in his ghost form and in a place of infinite ambiently metabolizable ecto he didn’t need to sleep much and he wasn’t tired. He slipped out of bed again and left a note for Jason in case he woke up while Danny was gone. Then he continued exploring, looking specifically for the office now because with Jason asleep he had nothing better to do then get a start on the work right?

Unfortunately he did find the office, which was dusty as fuck somehow despite no one here shedding skin cells. There were piles upon piles of papers here, the stacks had probably started on the desk, but when they got too tall work had started to pile up on the floor. As Pariah lost interest in the actual work people must have continued to just drop paperwork here in the hopes he might get around to some of it… eventually. They had probably only stopped once Pariah had been bound in the coffin, and then enough time passed for everyone to forget this office even existed. 

Danny sighed and settled into work, starting with the dustiest piles because those were the oldest. Most of the papers that didn’t disintegrate as soon as he picked them up were probably not valid anymore and the ones that were were probably long overdue and increasingly desperate. He incinerated ones that said they needed things on a time limit, thousands of years expired the need had probably passed one way or another, and if not they could re-submit the request to him this time. The ones that seemed like they might still need help he set aside to ask Pandora or Clockwork about when he got the chance. 

The task became meditative; pick up a paper, scan it for dates, then set it aside or incinerate it. The small amount of ecto in each of the papers giving him a little boost as they disintegrated. It gave him the time and the brain space to pay attention to his new haunt, expanding his mind to start the process of properly melding with his new haunt. It was resistant to his will for now, and he didn’t feel like forcing it, he wasn’t going to be that kind of king after all. For now it was enough to let it get used to his presence, like sharing space with a neglected cat.

At least by the morning it was responsive enough to tell him that Jason was up. Danny sighed and got up, stretching with a groan. He had gotten through about a quarter of the accumulated paperwork, not reading it or anything, just sorting out that maybe he should read it later. But still the room looked much less crowded and dusty so he was going to call that a pretty good start! He shut the door after him and concentrated for a moment to alter the door, making it more distinctive and easier to find for the future before he rushed off the say good morning to Jason, and open a portal out of the zone so they could at least get some breakfast.

Jason met him at the door and hugged Danny tightly, scooping him up as Danny yelped then laughed, wrapping his arms around Jason’s shoulder in return. “Put me down,” He laughed, not really meaning it so Jason held him for a minute longer before putting him down and kissing him sweetly enough Danny started purring instantly. 

“Let’s go to the courthouse,” Jason announced, soft and breathless once he put Danny down. 

“What?” Danny asked, shocked, but when Jason looked chagrined and started to pull away Danny hugged him tighter and pulled him back in. “No no! I’m not opposed to it, I’m just surprised!”

“I know. And I’m really not upset about the ghost wedding thing, I meant that! And I don’t want us to rush before having our big wedding. But that’s going to include a ton of heroes right? So it’s kinda a masked wedding, and I want us to be married before we’re politically married you know? Let's pick up our siblings, maybe Bruce, and go to a courthouse. I’ll buy you a bouquet, and Bruce can pay for the fanciest fucking dinner of our lives as an afterparty…” He trailed off as Danny laughed and pulled Jason in for another kiss.

“Add Roy to the list of people we’re picking up and absolutely! I think we have to call ahead to make an appointment though. And I have a little more to do here, can I drop you off at home to call the courthouse and get those flowers? I’ll finish up here and come join you as soon as I can?” He asked hopefully.

“You got it Moonlight,” Jason agreed easily. 

“You’re the best, Boss,” Danny teased laughingly and Jason rolled his eyes. 

“Keep that nickname for the bedroom now Cub,” Jason replied, pushing Danny away for just a  moment before pulling him back in as Danny purred.

“Tonight?” He suggested hopefully. 

“Tonight,” Jason agreed and they kissed one more time before Danny ripped open a portal for Jason to head home with both of their tasks assigned. 

Danny threw himself back into work, doing what he could do. He dismissed the souls that Pariah owned, and set the ones that wouldn’t or couldn’t leave to cleaning the castle with strict orders to take regular breaks if they’re tired, and maybe try a couple hobbies as long as it doesn’t bother anyone else. That’s the best he can do for now. It’s going to be slow going until everyone he loves can join him in this world, and this time they actually will. None of them will be killed with ecto weapons which simultaneously destroy bodies and souls, he will never have to lose this family like he did his last one, no one will. 

He arrived home while Jason was halfway through making dinner, and got to hear about Jason’s day. He cooked and told Danny excitedly how he had called the courthouse and managed to get an appointment for the afternoon after next, and he’d called their family and everyone would be able to come! Including Dan who hadn’t gone so far that Ellie couldn’t catch up to him and ask him to come back for the wedding. Jason laughed as he told Danny Dan had been relieved to hear there was going to be a smaller wedding so he’d have an excuse not to attend the bigger ones later! 

Their home was warm and cozy, their safe nest just the two of them and any stress Danny had been feeling melted away. He couldn’t wait to eat, he couldn’t wait to spend the night with Jason, he couldn’t wait to get married in a couple of days! There was so much to look forward to, so much in a life, an eternity, of people that he loved. He couldn’t say he didn’t regret what had happened to his first family. But with Pariah gone, the GIW on the run, and Jason at his side Danny could say he was finally, and unequivocally, happy.

[contract-crawdad]

I really like the Typewrither fight because it’s not just as simple as destroying the draft every turn.

There’s an ebb and flow where you want to let him get certain less-devastating written attacks off and generally only interrupt the worse ones.

And which attacks are worse than others depends on the composition and conduction of your party!

It is a MUCH nastier fight if you destroy the draft every turn and send him into a rage.

[kyoshi-lesbians]

since i think i'm now the resident ty lee poster (tragic but understandable for a character with less than 5 minutes of screen time) i must say. tyzula could be interesting if anyone doing it understood ty lee at all even a little bit

[rogue-durin-16]

HEAD-TO-HEAD (prologue)

Summary: Joe thought she was pretty. Had he just said that, things might have been different for them. Maybe they wouldn't have gone head-to-head at each other for three years like it was a contest.

Pairing: Joe Liebgott x Reader

Genre: angst/rivals to lovers

Tags:

Head-to-head: @derersketnoget

Band Of Brothers: @fernando-jpg @chubbypotatoepie @tvserie-s-world @clumsy-wonderland @lordndsaviorwinters

Permanent taglist: @elia-the-bibliophile @randomparanoid @karlthecat15722 @thebutchersdaughtersblog @amourtentiaa @comfort-reads

Warnings: implied sexism, language

A/N: am I writing a multipart for this scrappy little shit just because I had a weirdly vivid dream with him? Yes. I need him out of my head NOW🗣️. Enjoy this little prologue <3

GIF credit (?)

Head-to-head masterlist

Band of Brothers masterlist

Rogue-durin-16 masterlist

When I had first signed up to serve in the Airborne, I hadn't expected things to be smooth or easy. Hell, a part of me didn't even expect me to make it through the cut, let alone find the road paved for me to waltz into the army.

At the end of the day, being a woman was hard enough. Being a female paratrooper? Do not get me started.

Easy Company's men had been a short breath of fresh air —a glint of hope—, but nevertheless, it still was difficult enough.

I didn't need additional challenges added to the mix. I genuinely did not need someone like Joe Liebgott to take interest in talking to me.

The fact that I had been avoiding interacting with certain men in the company wasn't coincidental. I didn't trust them. Not entirely.

Of course, my opinions about most of them shifted from wary to positive after they gradually approached me. Some were a nice surprise, like Joe Toye. Some were deep down expected, like Don Malarkey or Shifty Powers.

I wasn't exactly eager to have any sort of interaction with Joe Liebgott, although the feeling apparently was not mutual. At least from the beginning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

It hadn’t taken long for me to notice Joe Liebgott. He was hard to miss with his loud comments and cocky stride. In the few days of training, I had already made up my mind—he wasn't someone I wanted to interact with.

That was the reason why I felt a quick wave of irritation when, while I had a chat outside the barracks with Hoobler and Shifty, I caught him casually sauntering over like he owned the place.

This moment was doomed to come.

"Having a chat, fellas?" His grin made it clear he thought he was charming.

With a sigh louder than I intended, I raised to my feet and shook the dust off my uniform. "I think this is my cue to head out."

"Woah, where's the fire, Y/l/n?" Liebgott questioned giving me an up-and-down. "It's Y/l/n, right?"

"Right."

Silence stretched between us while we seized up each other. Maybe he had expected me to say something else. I, myself, expected the same from him.

"Can I help you with anything or...?" I gave in first.

“I figured it was time to see what all the fuss was about." he said, leaning against the barracks' wall with that confident air. "A broad? in a place like this? That's something."

I raised an eyebrow. “Really? Starting with that line?"

"C'mon, it's true. It ain't everyday you see someone who can keep up with the boys." His hands dove into his pockets, chin slightly tilted up. "You must be pretty special."

A wave of disgust washed over my face so obviously that Hoobler had to hold back a laugh. "This is exactly why I didn’t approach you in the first place.”

He blinked, surprise flickering across his face, but he quickly masked it with another grin. "Come on, I'm just tryna be friendly."

"If this is friendly, then I don't wanna see the rest."

His smile faltered, and he shifted his posture ever so slightly. "You got a big mouth, don't you?"

"Makes the two of us." By the taken aback look on his face, he clearly wasn't expecting this to go sideways. "Don't give me that look, I've seen your little act."

"You've been watching me then." He took a quick look at the boys standing nearby as if waiting for a couple of laughs on their part.

"Oh please, spare me." I waved him off, a humorless half smile tugging on the corner of my lips. "I could hear you from a mile away."

He scoffed a bit too loud. "That's rich coming from someone who can be heard from the top of that goddamn mountain." His index finger pointed behind us at Currahee. There it was; that attitude he was so quick to turn to.

"Oh but that's just perfect." I quipped with a fake smile as I resumed my way out. "Means there's no need to get close!"

I would have sworn he used the word 'bitch' behind my back. I wasn't sure, though, but I had no interest in retrace my steps to get into a stupid spat with some I didn't even want to interact with in the first place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yeah, after our first conversation, one would think we would try to avoid each other.

I guess it just wasn't in Joe's nature to give up without a fight, and it wasn't in mine to keep quiet and suck it up.

[readychilledwine]

Bound by Fate - part 3

Summary - Kaylee's life has been filled with training. But as her mate is left with no choice but to distance himself, it allows another connection to form.

Warning - none really? At least I don't think so? There's fire at the end?

A/n- you know that one song from lion king? Reflections of Mufasa? All I can hear at a certain point in this part is that dramatic build and crescendo that starts around 3:55 mins into the song. Hopefully the writing shows that.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 4 Part 5

Kaylee was panting, her hands on her knees, and sweat dripping from every inch of skin. Despite the two-piece cropped tank top and leggings Cassian had her training in, she was still so hot. 

He handed her water his own sweat making his muscled forearm glitter in the sunlight. "You're doing great, Kaylee. The perfect little partner for me to spar with right now." She looked at his beaming smile, a brow raised, before sticking out her tongue and making the male laugh. "We're done for today, but Rhys and Amren will be coming to work on magic with you." Kaylee looked at Cassian, her brows raised, waiting for the information she secretly knew was coming. 

Cassian sighed before continuing. "Azriel is still holed up with Nesta and Elain at the House of Wind. He's the only one Elain will respond to. I'm sorry, Kaylee. I understand your frustration." She knew Cassian did just based on the distant look in his eyes. 

It had been two weeks since they discovered Elain would only speak or allow Azriel near her. It drove the new feral part of Kaylee's mind and soul to madness when he'd come to bed, reeking of Elain's soft floral scent. He would comfort Kaylee however he could those first few days, but at the start of the second week, a switch had flipped. Az stopped sleeping with Kaylee. He stopped eating lunch with her at the Riverhouse. He stopped sending his shadows to spend time with her.

Kaylee had never been a jealous person before this. She had never once questioned her self worth or value, but this had her wondering why her mate wouldn't spend time with her, why he actively avoided her, when she stopped being enough for him. 

A hand on her shoulder ripped her from the void she was allowing herself to fall into. "Stop doing that to yourself," a soft voice said. "He misses you too. She just-" Rhysand paused to turn Kaylee to look at him. "Elain only eats when Azriel is there, and therefore Nesta will eat. I know it hurts, little bee. I am sorry." Cassian muttered an inaudible phrase before kissing Kaylee's forehead and moving inside. "Take a bath and a nap, Cass. It's an order." Cassian lifted a single finger over his shoulder as he moved inside. 

Rhysand crossed his arms over the black t-shirt he was wearing. He was dressed casually today, indicating to Kaylee they were heading into the forest. "Once she is stable, Kaylee. He will be comfortable coming home." He offered her his arm. "Amren is already in the clearing we will be using." She took his arm, closing her eyes tightly as he winnowed her away.

They had left Kaylee in the center of the clearing meditating. She was acutely aware of every sound around her. From the rushing water in the creek, to every soft scurry of small rodents around her, Kaylee heard it all. 

Even with her eyes closed, she felt as though she was seeing clearly. She was watching the forest move past her slowly from higher than she had ever stood. Strong legs carried what felt like her body. A stable mind moved her without thinking about it's path. She watched as hooved feet moved into a crystal blue lake, enjoying the feeling of the cool water on warm legs.

Two heart beats became one as Kaylee tapped further into that feeling. She focused solely on that rhythm beating into her own chest until it overtook every sense she had left.

And then, to Rhysand and Amren's shock and horror, Kaylee disappeared.

Rhysand ran the clearing, searching in the air for any signs of her, before landing and looked at Amren. "Did she just shatter the shield we had in place?"

Amren smirked, her voice light and airy. "She did. I told you she would. You didn't listen. Idiot."

Rhys immediately called for Cassian and Azriel, cursing himself loudly as Amren smirked and began to walk along the forest line, watching for any indication of the young sister.

While Rhys was too lost in panic causing him to only look for obvious signs, Amren had predicted this day's ago when Kaylee's power first tried to tap into her own being, and then Rhysand's beast form, only to have both of them turn her away. And this was confirmation to one clear thing to Amren, their beasts only turned them away because sweet Kaylee was not strong enough, yet.

Her silver eyes locked on several butterflies and bees, dancing together, twirling together, and flying into the same direction deep into the trees.

Azriel appeared first, his face exhausted from lack of sleep. "What happened?" 

Cassian landed at the same with a loud thud, a brow raised at Rhysand. "It happened, didn't it?"

The High Lord nodded slowly before turning to Azriel to explain. "Amren and I have been working with Kaylee to distract her. She started almost tapping into the essence of an animal in the forest after she unknowingly attempted to tap into my beast form." 

Rhysand held his hand to Azriel as the shadowsinger immediately began to try to speak. The sun had begun to set, and finding Kaylee was going to be impossible in the dark.  "It was almost as if her powers made it so she and this animal could become one being, one mind, one body, one soul."

Rhysand paused. "Yesterday things came to a head. She almost tapped into it fully, but she could not sync something. She became frustrated and we could not figure out why, and she could not express why. Armen suggested quiet meditation today instead of us guiding her, and we learned today what it was. She needed to sync their hearts. As soon as she did, she disappeared. I could not tell what she was linking with before it happened, though."

Azriel felt anger setting in slowly and his shadows immediately left him to search for his mate. "So my mate with powers we do not understand is somewhere in the forest with Gods knows what? Why did no one tell me this was starting? I should have been here! I should have been with her! If you had not ordered me to take care of Elain, I could have been here."

Rhysand wanted to answer but he was interrupted as Amren whistled and pointed up and then to the ground. "The creatures are all heading the same direction." The ancient being began to slowly follow their path. "Are you idiots coming or are you just going to stand there with each other's dicks in your hands?"

They trekked for what Azriel's heart felt like was hours. Every snap of a twig, rustle of leaves, and song of a bird had him on edge. 

His Kaylee, his sweet defenseless Kaylee, was somewhere in this forest, a forest he, Cassian, and Rhysand rarely even entered because of the dangers that lay in it. Not even the trees themselves in this forest could be trusted. They almost moved with minds of their own at times, trapping fae within the hallowed ground that these woods have become. It was filled with wildlife that had a taste for blood, lower fae that enjoyed harming others, and countless predators. This was not a safe place for his mate who had hardly begun to use her magic and hardly knew how to fight. Azriel had already made up his mind. If anything happened to Kaylee while she was alone out here, he'd kill Rhysand, and based off the look his brother had just shot him, the High Lord knew that.

Amren was far ahead of them. Watching closely as each bird flew further and further into the heavy bush. She had no choice but to believe they would lead her to the High Lady's youngest sister. After another few miles, she finally paused, stopping them on the edge of another clearing that surrounded a quiet lake. 

They were all surrounded by countless animals who seemed to be watching with anxiety and anticipation. Rhysand moved to step closer for the ancient being to turn and growl slightly. "Not a single step closer, boy," her voice was hushed and tight.

There centered in the lake, her long blonde hair completely loose from the tie she previously had it in and blowing gently in the breeze was Kaylee. 

She was waist deep into the blue waters, the sunshine was kissing every inch of her skin in golden light. It was as if she was radiating, as if she was almost glittering in her power. It was intoxicating for all of them. Seeing her like this had a small smirk forming on Cassian's face, it had Rhysand's breath hitched in his throat as worry and pride set in, it had Amren feeling her own soul almost buzzing, and something primal and deep in Azriel began to stir, something he hadn't even realized was there until now.

The sight was beautiful, but it was what stood before Kaylee that had Azriel, Cassian, and Rhys on edge. A great  creature stood in front of her. It's head lifted in pride and dignity as it looked down at her form. 

It towered before her on long sturdy legs lean with muscle, its dark red coat shone with health. It was at least triple her size and could easily harm her if it had wanted to. she barely reached its cream underbelly. The beast released a loud call, making the other animals all seem to flutter with joy. Itss antlers were twisted and numerous. Had they been in Autumn, this would have been a prized buck hunted for sport and hung above a mantle. Here, in its domain, though, it was clear this beast was the King of this forest, and on his head did not sit horns, but a crown.

It commanded respect, and clearly was testing Kaylee to see if she would offer it. Kaylee's right hand slowly raised, and she held it in the air, waiting for the red stag to welcome her touch, allowing it to make a choice. She would not force the being to her, but instead let it decide.

Not a single word came from the fae or animals as the King studied her, evaluating if Kaylee was indeed worthy for him in all of her glowing power. Azriel almost laughed as Amren's hand gripped Rhysand's wrist almost anxiously until Cassian's hand found his, gripping it tightly as well in support and worry.

In minutes that felt like hours, the great antlered animal began to move its head lower to Kaylee, and his decision was made as he put his long nose to Kaylee's palm. 

Unknowingly to the four of them, the beast sent Kaylee a single message in the bond that was beginning to form between them. You are enough, little one.

Light came between the two as her skin made contact with his fur. It was white and almost blinding screaming of innocence, of untapped potential. It was warm, welcoming, but fierce in its own right. 

"Beast tamer," Amren finally said slowly. "Kaylee is the Cauldron and Mother's beast tamer."

The two beings began to nuzzle each other closer, and Kaylee's forehead came to rest on the King's. 

Azriel would have given the world to frame this moment. His mate shining as her powers were finally acknowledged and known. The happiness radiating from her soul. The tranquility between her and this monstrous animal was almost deafening.

His Kaylee, his honeybee, blessed with the powers long lost to the Cauldron. 

And in turn, his Kaylee, his mate, cursed by the Mother with powers so ancient they had not been seen  since the Gods of old roamed the lands.

Kaylee felt warm wet tears streaming down her face as the stag released another loud call, causing the other animals around them to begin to cry and call in celebration. 

It is time to step into your power and responsibility. A deep voice rang into her soul. I am glad to be your first companion on this journey, Kaylee. Now go to your mate. He is terrified.

Kaylee turned around, seeing Amren and Rhysand smirking behind her. Cassian was wearing a beaming smile as he smacked a hand to a stunned Azriel's shoulder.  The Little beings of the forest moved, creating a pathway. "Az, I made a new friend."

Azriel moved forward. Stepping into the water and getting close to her. "I can see that, my heart." He moved closer again slowly. "Am I allowed to come get you?"

The king, in response, pushed gently on Kaylee's back, throwing her into Azriel's arms. I will be in the clearing you normally train in tomorrow. He moved with another call, causing the animals to return to their normal lives. 

Azriel held Kaylee tightly as they flew back home. Amren had opted to fly with Rhysand ahead of them, looking back at the two of them and Cassian. 

Once they landed at the Riverhouse, Azriel did not give Rhysand and Amren a chance to ambush his mate and carried her up the stairs to her room. 

He slept in her bed that night, his arms locked tight around her, wings cocooning them in. He fell into a deep sleep, accompanied by dreams of them living in a cabin near that clearing with three small children and countless animals.

Meanwhile, Kaylee's dream was filled with darkness, the only light source coming from the lit torch she was holding. Her footsteps were the only thing she could hear aside from deep, heavy breaths and her own humming.

A huge creature with scaled skin was suddenly looking at Kaylee with one of its black eyes. It roared loudly, teeth bared to her before turning its large head and neck up. Fire erupted along the ceiling, allowing Kaylee to finally see its gargantuan body, rows of jagged sharp teeth, and massive wings. Kaylee woke up screaming in terror for Azriel. Her heart raced as she sat in silence, hand clutched to her chest, breath coming out in uneven shakes.

Azriel was immediately up, comforting his mate as Rhys ran into the room, his eyes wide in disbelief and locked on Kaylee. The high lord and shadowsinger held eye contact. "Kaylee," Rhysand began slowly. "Did you feel a call before you ended up in that cave? Did it feel similar to the buck?" She nodded, trying to calm her racing heart. "Kaylee, look at me. I need you to make sure you do not sync with what you just saw until we have a better understanding of your powers and more control. Bond with it in your dreams, speak with it, but you do NOT sync with it. Am I understood?"

The young sister just nodded. Azriel looked between his brother and his mate before gently touching Kaylee's cheek and moving her head to face him. "Baby, what did you see?"

Kaylee's eyes met Azriel's, they were filled with fear and tears causing his heart to clench. "A dragon." Kaylee took another still deep breath. "I saw a dragon."

Bound by Fate taglist:

@impossibelle @luvmoo @wallacewillow0773638 @nightless @cat-or-kitten @knmendiola

@holb32 @mis-lil-red

[runawaycatwalker]

Part 30. The Return

< First | < Previous | Next >

Description below the cut

Nathalie scrolls through photos on her tablet.  The pictures of Adrien have all been replaced by a white void.

Nathalie (internally): Aside from a few unprofessional photos, it seems Adrien has been wiped from the record.

Nathalie looks off to the side, frowning in anticipation.

Nathalie (internally): Gabriel won't be pleased.  Any moment, he's going to burst through that door and—

Gabriel bursts open the doors to Nathalie’s room.

Nathalie (internally): Nathalie!

Nathalie (aloud): *sigh* Yes, sir?

Gabriel: I need you to arrange an immediate flight!

Gabriel prances about in dancing delight.

Nathalie: A... flight?

Gabriel: My akuma found Adrien!  And then she immediately lost him, but I have my son's last known location now!  And!  We went near that area when we were all travelling the world!  It'll just be one quick trip to grab him, and he'll be back where he belongs!

Nathalie revolves what she knows around her head before coming to a decision.

Nathalie (internally): So, Adrien is retracing our footsteps?  He knows something about Emile, so is he just looking for answers?  Or is he seeking something we missed that could help her?  Regardless...

Nathalie (aloud): I'm coming with you.

Gabriel waves his hand indignantly.

Gabriel: Absolutely not!  You aren't fit for the expeditions we used to go on anymore!  You can't jeopardize your health traipsing up mountains!

Nathalie looks at him with steely resolve.

Nathalie: It's Adrien.  I'm coming, Gabriel.  You're going to have me there at your back whether you like it or not.

Gabriel adjusts his jacket in defeat.

Gabriel: Fine.  I won't waste any more time arguing with you.  You may come.

Nathalie: Very good, sir.  I'll make the call.

Gabriel looks down at Nathalie appreciatively.

Gabriel: Your loyalty is truly admirable, Nathalie.

Nathalie: ...  I do what I must.

Cut to the rooftop where Chat Noir once prepared a candlelit surprise for Ladybug.  A “Find Adrien” billboard is on display there (the spot where Adrien was once depicted replaced with white void), with all the lights that would illuminate it broken except for the one on the end.  At the dark end of the billboard, Chat Noir sits on the ground, waiting.

A close-up of Ladybug’s feet ‘plop’-ing to the ground.  Chat Noir turns his head to look behind him in excitement.

Chat Noir: M'lady!

Ladybug holds up a warding hand and holds tight to her yo-yo, making Chat stop his attempt to greet her in its tracks.

Ladybug: Stay back.

Chat Noir: M'lady?

Ladybug grips her yo-yo in her hands.

Ladybug: I need to know that you're not some sort of trick.  I need to know you're you.

Chat Noir looks at Ladybug with a need to fulfill her every request.  Ladybug’s head is shown from behind as the free parts of her hair blow in the wind.

Chat Noir: What do you need me to do?

Ladybug: I need you to remember.

Ladybug, eyes still obscured by blowing hair, holds up yo-yo defensively.

Ladybug: What conditions did you give the Celestial Guardian for relinquishing your miraculous?

Chat Noir: Hmm.  I don't remember giving him my conditions.

Ladybug: That's your answer?

Chat Noir holds out his hand invitingly.

Chat Noir: Well, I don't count telling Su-Han to 'come and get it'.  You're the one I gave my conditions to: That if I have to give up my miraculous, I will.  But only if you ask me to.

Ladybug rushes Chat Noir with a hug, throwing his arms around his neck, as he embraces her with a smile.  Images of them together are shown in the background: Ladybug smiling as she hugs Chat and he nestles his face in her hair; Chat holding Ladybug up in the air in front of him as she holds his face in her hands; Chat Noir swinging Ladybug in a circle as she grabs onto him and lets her legs fly outwards around them, Chat smiling as he holds Ladybug close.

Ladybug: That's right, Chat.  And I never asked you to.

Chat Noir: You would have.  I know you've given other heroes exceptions before, but me?  You'd never.  I knew it the moment Mayura recognized me: I'd have to go.

Ladybug and Chat cry in each other’s arms.

Ladybug: But I never even got the chance to say goodbye.  You were just gone and I had no idea if I'd ever see you again. I’ve missed you so much, Chat.

Chat Noir: I’ve missed me too.

Ladybug boops Chat’s nose with a teasing glint in her eye.  Chat gives her a playful grin.

Ladybug: Hold on... did you just say you missed you too?

Chat Noir: Hey, I'm very missable!

Ladybug: Ha!  You dork...

Chat Noir: Always your dork, m'lady.

Ladybug take’s Chat Noir’s hand and pulls him towards the railing, pointing behind herself at Marinette’s balcony.

Chat Noir: But shouldn't we be getting out of the open?

Ladybug: I'm already ahead of you: Marinette Dupain-Cheng is spending the night with a friend, so she’s letting us use her room.

Chat Noir pulls his hand out of Ladybug’s.

Chat Noir: Wait.  What are the odds that Marinette is actually Mayura?

Chat Noir looks away in panic, grabbing at his bell with one hand and touching the back of his neck with the other.

Ladybug: What?  None.  She can't be.

Chat Noir: 'Can't' in that you wouldn’t have expected it of her?  Or 'can't' as in you’ve seen Marinette and Mayura in the same room together?  And there wasn't a chance of it all being an illusion or a fake or—?

Ladybug: Kitty!

Ladybug holds Chat Noir’s hand in front of her (interlocking her fingers in his) and looks directly at the viewer with complete reassurance.

Ladybug: I am 100% paws-itive that Marinette is trustworthy.  Yes, she's not allowed to be a temporary hero anymore.  But she's safe.  I never would have entrusted her with saving our kwamis if I wasn’t absolutely sure she was on our side.

Chat Noir collapses into Ladybug’s arms as she looks at him with concern.

Chat Noir: Thanks for reassuring me.  I never wanted to doubt her.  It’s just... hard to go back to trusting people when I know I'm wrong about somebody.

Ladybug touches Chat’s face and shoulder comfortingly.  He holds onto her arm with both hands and looks into her eyes, comforted by her support.

Ladybug: I'm glad you still know that you can always trust me.  You ready now?

Chat Noir holds up the trapdoor to Marinette’s room, following Ladybug down as she holds his hand with both of hers, smiling up at him.

Chat Noir: After you, m'lady...

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

[wakandamama]

Wading Towards Shore Pt.3

A/N: This is just the brothers having an important conversation, but i still made myself cry 🥲. Sorry! No Annie in this part but next part is very Annie heavy! I just had to get this brotherly angst off my chest

As night creep upon them and Annie busies herself in the bath, the brothers have a very important conversation. Because only one can have peace and only one can have freedom.

Part 1 Part 2

The white burn of tobacco drifts smoothly from Smoke’s lips, joining the air in wide clouds before disappearing into the call of crickets.

Smoke stares out from his seat on the front porch, watching the road for anything and nothing at the same time. Whenever his gaze drops it catches onto the bright glint of the moonlight off the lip edge of a full milk bottle on Mariah’s grave. That sliver of reflected light of that waxing gibbous in the dark makes Smoke rub the ache out of his chest with a clumsy fist. He listens past the sounds of the night to hear Annie drawing a bath and striking matches inside

"Yo."

Technically, all that happens is Smoke drops his hand to the pistol on his hip, but if you ask Stack he just watched his brother flinch and jump. Stack stands politely on the northern property line at the opening of their short iron fencing. A huge bouquet of white carnations and pink Camellias in his hands.

"You can enter, brotha"

Stack nods before he strides through, making a deliberate effort to step on the little twigs and dry grass as he first stops at his niece's grave. Carefully, Stack places the bouquet on the ground; posing it off to the left of the bottle of milk, her handprint stone and the wooden box his brother had him paint when they arrived in Chicago.

Smoke looks away as Elias talks to Mariah. He instead listens to his wife dip into the water, then her muttering numbers in her mother's tongue. He takes one more drag off his pipe for snuffing it out. Stack makes his way to the porch, his golden fang gleaming brightest from his easy grin.

"Put dem eyes up." Smoke reminds him. Stack sighs but closes his eyes and rubs them deep to do as such, when he opens them Smoke had his gun out and started to dissemble it to clean.

"Sorry, had to see where I was placin’ thangs."

"Ya fine, just can't meet ya eyes when they cloudy."

"Yeah." Stack mutters gruffly as he sits on the open side of the porch step.

"Me and Mary good off blood the rest of the week. Only 9 of dem Klan crackas left. Mostly cousins, they live over in the old Sabino post house when they ain't catching ranch work. They been sending letters and telegrams out to Greenville. Ha! them honkies don't know they writin' ta ghosts." Stack explains slyly and Smoke breaths a sigh of relief at the statement.

The Juke Joint was still a beacon to the Klan and other bored racist honkies with the time on their hands to harass. Niggas owning property and being prosperous! Of course it made those hateful pointed gown fools nervous. So Smoke, Stack, Annie, and Mary worked hard to keep them at bay.

Smoke with guns and negotiations (Mostly used, "Leave and yall will live."). Annie with a root of protection. Stack and Mary with a bloody promise to make them vanish and their families forget them. The tactic has worked to clear out almost all official Klan or rouge white posse from their section of Mississippi. 

"They gonna make a move?" Smoke asks.

"End of this month, they were sent word to come meet up with 'Blake's wife' to burn the Juke down at midnight. Me and Mary gonna have a feast off ‘em." Stack says.

"Then no more Klan, from here to Memphis." Smoke states. Stack hums as he sticks a toothpick in his mouth and chews the taste of cinnamon.

"Yeah for now... how’s Annie doing? I had to throw Mary into the other room this morning 'fore she burned us both tryna check on sis." Stack asks and Smoke sighs as he starts to polish the metal.

"Today scared her. She don't wanna admit tho'. Said she mad but... it's all in her eyes, man. She's spooked, uneasy- and it's on me." Smoke says just above a whisper to hide his words from the window but not his brother.

Stack frowns, "What's to be scared of? She havin one of them premonitions again or do both y'all got Noid on ya shoulder?"

"She says it’s a premonition but I don't think that’s it. It made her sick this morning. Hope she ain't upset somthin' doing her work and it's tryna ride her."

"Nigga, da fuck you talkin' 'bout? Yeah, y'all both got that Noid, you ain't Toby. It probably just some nonsense ya gotta bend her over 'nd fuck outta her," Stack chuckles but fades off at the curt look Smoke sends him.

"Fix yaself 'fore I fix do, Elias." is all Smoke warns.

Stack bites his lip, closing his eyes harshly and fixing his eyes back to brown then he sends an apologetic look to his brother. He swallows a cold lump of metallic in his throat.

"Sorry, ain't me."

That has been happening more lately. That haze of bold and cruel selfishness that Remmick had implanted in that bite overrides the heart of Elias. Annie had warned that it would happen now and then, that as he and Mary got older it would keep creeping and creeping into their demeanors permanently, it's comes with the hunger. Something about a mind and body filling with rot when a soul can't keep them balanced.

It sounds like bullshit..... Stack is glad Annie's working on it.

"If she's mad, maybe she just needs that? Just let her be mad for a bit." Stack tries but Smoke shakes his head.

"It's deeper than that, I just know.”

“Gonna need one Hell of a shovel, if you tryna get to the bottom of Annie Moore.” Stacks says, the truth wrapped in a tease. Smoke sighs but nods, he looks over at his baby grave and Stack to the moon.

“Speakin' about knowin, what's on your mind? You gonna get a splinter in ya jaw worryin’ that toothpick." Smoke points out. Stack turns his head and looks his brother over in a quiet moment to gather his thoughts.

In the moonlight, Stack spots gray hairs creeping at the corners on the underside of Smoke's bread. The fool was letting it grow out, made a joke about getting it watered everyday and that Annie likes to admire her work. Long nights made Smoke yawn now, and his jaw was soft and at rest more often. Just like when they turned 11 and Smoke bulked out first, he was starting to fill out in that way only a settled man being fed a love-filled meal from good woman’s meal every night does. Softness covering his solid. 

Elias however, his muscles were still tight, permanently ready to spring, to lunge forward and hunt until his hunger was tamed for 12 hours. Stacks teeth ache, not at the root but the edge had a vibration that only blood and flesh seems could still. Stack’s hair was still dark as night.  It didn’t matter if Stack shaved his entire head and face bald, two hours later it had all grown back in the exact same way Stack had manicured it (and Smoke’s) to be that October morning a year ago. 

Stack takes the toothpick out his mouth and starts to pick his nails with the clean side of it. "Biloxi is callin' me. The casino game is ramping up, think I wanna flip 10k to a 100k by '37." Stack sells and the offer makes Smoke shakes his head with a scoff.

"I ain't moving 'round brotha. I'm bought in with the Chow's to expand their store. Got the Juke jumpin' and I'm gonna grab them acres the state finna sell of Hogworth' s. Thinkin of goin' into orchards or a fishery on that lake" Smoke negotiates back, a clean offer, a safe fulfilling offer for a man.

All Stack does is smile, a big grin that stretches his eyes to slits and has all his teeth gleam in the moonlight. The red twin rubs his hands until his nails settle back into something normal before clapping one on Smoke's shoulder.

"And you do that! I'm down to invest, help ya get it set and started but... I ain't askin' you to move Elijah. I said that Biloxi is callin’ me, not us." Stack clarifies.

Stack tries.

Lord, does Stack try to keep that smile on his face. That one that eases Elijah and can calm a storm, he even places the other hand on his brother's other shoulder to hold him steady.

The clatter of the metal to the ground stills the night, "What?" Smoke whispers, mouths the words really, his brows frown and his forces hands together to hide the start of a tremble.

Instantly, Stack whirls away from his twin and starts to roll a cigarette to calm the nerves. “I’ll-I’ll check in an-d-d all, uhm…”

"Stack... what did you just say to me?"

Stack swallows harshly and sprinkles the tobacco evenly to the paper.

"Stack?"

Stack wrinkles the paper in a tad, before tapping it down to settle.

"Elias Moore!" Smoke hisses, snatching the roll from his brother and tossing it to scatter in the dirt before Stack got a chane to roll and seal.

"Fuck, man!" Stack swear.

"You bet-"

"I can't d-d-do it! I-I can't watch ya-ya change man, I know y-y-ya built me ‘nd Mary that House bu-bu--but! Imma bad brother! Imma bad brother, man. I-I-I can’t! " Stack stutters, revealing the way his vulnerability shakes him. 

Smoke moves quick, pressing close to Stack's side until they are hip to hip and shoulder to shoulder. Smoke wraps an arm around the younger (forever younger) twin and curls them in until Stack's head rests on Smoke's shoulder and Smoke's Chin rests on the side of Stack's head. Smoke rubs the back of his brother's neck as Stack tries to calm his breathing and find his words again. (Like they're 8 years old again and hiding under the bed from they daddy misplaced fury)

"You getting n-n-nicks from work-k-ing, getting darker from the su-su-sun, grey in yo' fuckin' beard and I...E- I can't watch you change while I stay the same! It's only been a f-f-fucking year. Two in four months! An-an-and what imma see in five years? A decade? We b-b-both 90 sumthin and yo-ya-you- fuck!" Stack stutters.

"Breath," is all Smoke instructs. Stack goes to sputter again but Smoke grips the back of his neck firmly and instructs again, "Breath."

It takes seven minutes but Stack does. The two just sit and breath until they're in sync, the moon drifts on, letting more of the night bleed over them. The closest light is from a dim lamp in the kitchen window.

"I gotta go, ‘Lijah.” Stack whispers.

“And I gotta stay, ‘Lias.” Smoke answers back. 

“I know that!” Stack starts, “You-you got this peace a’boutcha now. Ya real satisfied. I see that in ya, In Annie, this house ya'll built and I like that you are, Smoke. You been at war since I came out wrong and you deserve that peace now. You filling out and… I’m hungry Elijah… I’m so fuckin' hungry and you can’t sneak me more red beans to fill my belly anymore.” Stack pleads and Smoke shakes his head in disbelief. 

“ ‘Lias. You… We could… shit.” 

“I’ll always come back! I’ll come back at any letter or-or call or if ya never want me back, I’ll swear to just hang ‘round or sumthin’ but… I gotta go and I gotta go soon. Try and get full on something else so I don’t eat everything here.” Stack admits. He goes to shake his brother off but melts as Smoke turns them in and fully embraces Stack in a hug.

That damn softie. Elijah was always the first to go in for their hug to tuck their two bodies into one. Elias pats his back and like always, he is first to pull back. Smoke flinches to see Stack eyes clouded and glowing, but the worst part was the red-tinted tears making trails on Stack's face. 

“I think,” Smoke starts taking the cloth he was using to polish his gun to wipe his twin’s tears, “that you should be free. Go do it with Mary like ya always wanted. I’ll still be here when you need to rest.” Smoke offers and Stack gives a sad chuckle at the offer.

“More like for the moment.”

“Imma let you say that for now.” 

Both brothers go silent at that. Stack takes over cleaning his own face while Smoke gathers the parts of his gun. An owl hoots and the leaves shutter.  

“I heard Sammie’s drifted on ova to Kansas City, he’s jammin’ wit that shouter Big Joe.” Stack says and Smoke nods.

“I know. He sent a postcard about it, can you believe that lil nigga sent me ten dollars? Said it was rent for the guitar, that Blue’s fool.”

“Can’t believe I got him good, he really did believe that was Patton’s guitar!” Stack laughs and Smoke joins him with some shoulder shaking chuckles too.

“Man! You shoulda seen the look on that boy’s when I told him it was Big Eli’s, lil nigga just started shakin.”

“Aye! Aye! Not too much on Preacher Boy, now! We both heard it and seen it, he’s gonna be a legend. I can tell.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“You coulda been it too!” Stack says and Smoke jabs his elbow into his brother’s side.

“Don’t-”

“I’m serious! Now that I can…I don’t know, taste? That kinda magic or power or whatnot. I think ‘bout them times when you’d play that harmonica Annie sent cha, when we was in Austria. Or those nights when ya’d take Pop’s guitar up off him after he passed out on the bottle.” Stack says, his ear twitches at the phantom twangs brought out by Smoke tryna calm both their spirits when they were just scrappy scared boys. He starts to roll a cigarette outta habit. 

“I only knew how to do the scales and His Hands, it was nothin’ special. Surprised you ‘member that shit wit how many times that bastard aimed for yo' head.” Smoke tries to downplay. Stack shakes his head, a sad smile on his face at the denial.

“I’m glad I remember! You can hate ya songs all ya like bruh, but that shit kept me ‘live. Give yourself some credit man, you kept alive.”

“Not in the-”

“Mary and I were always gonna end up going out together. It was never going to be you or pops or some haint or some mob that was gonna kill me. Mary was always gonna be the death of me, that was decided with our first kiss in the back of the church. Just like you belong here with Annie and Mariah, and whatever else ya'll build here. Mary wasn’t ever gonna leave me alone… and I wouldn’t be able to make her stay away. We were gonna end up back together and someone was gonna kills us for it, human or not.” Stack reveals, he says it was the finality of a well done obituary. 

Smoke hates to admit it, but Stack woulda been one Hell of a preacher.

“You craze man.” Smoke argues instead and Stack offers his brother the cig.

“But I’m right.”

“Yeah… yeah ya are,” Smoke takes the white joint and brings it to his lips, “So, end of this month huh?”

The lighter flicks, “Was that at first but, that state auction is on August 10 right?”

Smoke leans into the flame, “Yeah.”

“Welp, me and Mary-girl can hold out 'til then. We’ll double lock your deal that night. We been practicing playin’ wit minds without killin or turnin’ anybody. We can make sure them pecka-woods keep they side of a deal.” Stack brags as he settles back in his sit and Smoke hums. 

“One more SmokeStack job, huh?” Smoke smiles, smoke steaming through his teeth, he puffs two more times before giving the rest to Stack to finish. 

“It’s only right! Orchards are a good idea, folks always like fruit.” Stack compliments.

“Was thinking of lemons and limes. Reminds me of when Annie was craving them all the time when she was pregnant with baby-girl. She'd peel a bowl and salt em like they was watermelon.” Smoke reminisces and Stack chuckles while blow out a series of rings.

“You so damn cheesy brother.”

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

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[channieskies]

Stretch You Out [SCB]

Pairing: Seo Changbin × Reader (Fem/AFAB/Curvy/Plus sized)

Synopsis: With such close proximity, what else is a man supposed to dream about besides very obscene things he'd like to do to his coworker? Changbin struggles to keep his thoughts in his head and member in his pants as he vividly daydreams.

Genre: Smut, PWP, Friends/Coworkers to lovers

A.N: Please reblog or leave a comment to let me know how you feel. I'd love a little feedback. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it. Also, this isn't proof read, so yeah...

Disclaimer: This story does not reflect the real lives or personalities of Stray Kids. I do not know them personally. This is purely a work of fiction.

Word count: 3,400+ [Reading time: 14 minutes]

Warnings: MINORS DNI! This post contains nsfw material. Please do not interact with it if you are under the age of 18. Do not translate or repost to other sites.

Warnings⚠️: MINORS DNI! This post contains nsfw material. Please do not interact with it if you are under the age of 18. Do not translate or repost to other sites. Unprotected sex [please wrap it before you tap it. This is fiction, and I control the narrative. Real life is scary, so please be safe], Creampie, oral (male receiving), Cum eating, Vaginal gaping, cum play, exhibitionism, public sex (let me know if I missed any)

Changbin considered himself a gentleman. He found strength in supporting the women around him and thought highly of each and every one of them. That included you. You were smart, strong, beautiful. Honestly, you were one of the best business partners he’d ever had and held you in high regard because of that. You were a fearless business woman with so much ahead of you in your career, and he respected that. He really did. But the way you looked right now in your tight fitting workout gear was fogging his brain. 

When you asked if you could train with him, he never thought it would do this much damage to his psyche. He knew you were attractive, yes, but he saw you as just a friend. Maybe it was because he knew how you dated and never thought of himself as your type. Or maybe it was the fact that you were close friends and he just assumed that he’d been friend zoned years ago, and therefore didn't stand a chance for that reason. Either way, he didn’t expect to get any play.

“How do you normally stretch?” He asked innocently, he really had no attachment to the pervy thoughts his mind were thinking. No, he was trying his damndest to separate himself from them. His eyes darted around, trying to focus on anything but the swell of your breasts and how good that sports bra looked on you. How even one hand wouldn’t be enough to hold all of that up. Or how those leggings gripped your curves tighter than a small condom on an elephant's foot.

“You assume I stretch?” You joked, there was a reason you asked for help, you needed it. “I don’t think I’ve properly stretched since secondary school calisthenics. The most exercise I get is walking downtown from the subway to work.” You shrugged, accidently pressing your boobs together and nearly sending him straight to hell with how hard he was staring. He cleared his throat, focusing on a random cowbell someone forgot to put away. 

“Well, we can start with that. Let’s stretch you out.” 

It took him less than fifteen minutes to realize this was a mistake. Your groans and labored breaths were sending shockwaves right to his dick, waking it up from its long time hibernation. He needed to help your muscles relax first, you’d been too stagnant for too long and stretching alone would be hard and tiresome. 

With him wanting you to get in an actual workout today, he needed a quick and effective way to get you stretched and ready to take on whatever it was he threw your way. Partner stretches were what he assumed would be the solution. The straddle fold and butterfly pose were easy and effective and you executed them very well; especially as someone who admittedly doesn’t stretch. It wasn’t until he got to the supine hamstring stretch that he ran into problems.

You were lying flat on your back, his grip on your ankle that was lying on his shoulder. Your other leg was between his as he pushed lightly on the leg he was holding to stretch you out. With each push on your leg you let out a little sound, something between a groan and a sigh. You were biting on your bottom lip to keep anything else from slipping past them.

 Changbin was in a crisis. This view was killing him. This position was turning his mind into the perviest collection of thoughts on earth, that he was sure of. All he could think about was having you this way. Fucking you slow and deep while looking into your beautiful eyes. Listening to each and every sound you made. Enjoying the sensual moment between the two of you. 

His eyes closed, mind leading him somewhere dangerous as he started to imagine you under him like this for more than just a stretch. Him holding on to your thick thighs, his stumpy nails digging into the flesh, leaving half moons in its wake. Your knees nearly pressed to your chest as he watched his cock glide in and out of you. What a site to behold. He pressed your leg further towards you, his now semi-hardened member brushing up against your clothed core.

It took you by surprise to say the least. You knew being this close in proximity with someone could set something off, but Changbin was the last person you’d expected this from. You weren’t going to shun it, but to say you were taken aback would have been an understatement. He wrapped his arm around your leg on his shoulder, pulling you closer unknowingly, brushing his clothed member against your core once again and eliciting a moan from your lips.

God, in his mind you were so wet for him, practically drooling from the way your tightness wrapped around him. How he stretched you out like no other had before. The way you looked at him, the way you were moaning his name, were combining to make this the best wet dream he'd ever had. To think, hours before this, he was adamant about not thinking about you sexually, despite just how sexy he thought you were.

Truth be told, he'd expressed that to you before. It happened after a guy ghosted you after meeting up for a coffee date. “He just didn't like what he saw, I guess.” Just the insinuation that you weren't the most beautiful woman walking the planet, sounded absolutely ridiculous to him. So, he told you that more or less. 

“He didn't deserve you, is what it Is. You need a man that can handle all of you at any given time. One that appreciates you for you and not try to force some fucked up societal standard that very few live up to anyways. You are beautiful, sexy, smart, and have one of the best personalities I know of, don't let this mishap stop you from dating. Stand by your principles.” He meant every single word he said that night and still believes the ring true to this day.

But having you under him like this, was causing absolute madness. He could smell your arousal, taste your lips, feel you wrapped around him, so warm, so tight and so wet. Changbin was so out of it, he didn't realize he was now rutting his hips against yours, eyes still closed as he dreamed away.

Your hand was clasped tightly over your mouth, afraid that any sound would snap him out of whatever the hell he'd fallen into. His weight felt so good over you. Strong arm squeezing your thigh, the friction caused his gym shorts and your leggings, the dizzying thoughts of fucking him right here in your apartments gym. One smooth glide against you, had your hand falling from your mouth, a loud moan filling the space.

It took a second for the sound to register as something that his mind hadn’t made up. His eyes fluttered open to find you lying there, lustfully aglow. You both stared at each other, he was waiting for his mind to catch up while you waited for him to make a move. “Fuck it..” You grabbed the collar of his compression shirt and pulled him to you. You melted as soon as your lips touched his, you hadn’t realized just how much you needed to feel what his lips felt like on yours.

Changbin didn’t know what to make of this. Was this even real? His daydream felt almost too real to the point that this kiss didn’t feel like reality. Well- it didn’t until you bit down on his plump bottom lip. “I need you here, at this moment. Not in whatever dream land you were just in.” That was all he needed to ground him. He was here, with you under him. No need for some made up fantasy. He pulled his shirt off, tossing it to the side. You wished you had more time to ogle your good friend's absolute grade ‘A’ beefy body, but you were in a public space and if you were going to do anything it needed to be done now.

“We don’t have a lot of time, Binnie.” You spoke as you slithered your way from under him. You moved to your knees, reaching a hand out to touch his chest. Your fingers traced over his peck, feeling his skin underneath your fingertips. You pressed your palm to the center of his chest right in the valley between his pecs and pushed, making him stumble and fall back. You slid one leg out of your super tight leggings and moved your panties to the side.

“Fuck..” He could see your lips moving, but he couldn’t recall a word you said if you asked him. He was too mesmerized by the sight of you straddling his legs. You pulled his gym shorts down, freeing his chubby cock. He was rock solid, slit shiny with precum. You licked your lips, holding yourself back from taking it in your mouth right then and there. Your fingers were wrapped around his member as you stroked it. The tips of your fingers were about three-fourths of an inch from touching. He was thicker than you expected, but it wasn’t something a little wetness and spit couldn't rectify.

His hands roamed up and down your legs to your waist, he was taking in your body landscape as if mapping it for future reference. You moved up, lifting your hips. You rubbed his members against your wet slit. His eyes were concentrated on your actions while your eyes were trained on him. You wondered how long your dear friend had been thinking such naughty thoughts about you. But you pushed the thoughts to the side as you positioned the tip at your entrance. The slide in had him gripping your thigh with one hand tightly, while he bit the back of his other fist.

The stretch was immaculate. You thought maybe he’d be too thick for you, but he was indeed the perfect fit. Your eyes rolled back, you drug your nails down his skin, feeling the light ridges of his abs underneath them. You smirked down at him as he shuddered. His cock was having a hard time sliding in, too thick for your tightness. You rested one hand on his chest as our fingers wrapped around his girth to keep him in place, he was primed to slip right out of your wetness. Your descent was slow, you didn’t want to force anything. Each inch filled you up until your pelvis was practically flush with his own.

Changbin was in heaven. He was actively trying to stay in the moment and not trying to prematurely bust his load into you. You looked so gorgeous on top of him like this. He couldn't help but let his hands roam as you rocked your hips on top of him. Thighs, hips, stomach, clit, ass, tits, it didn't matter to him as long as he got to have his hands on you. Your eyes were closed, you were trying to focus on the sounds he made and not the new wave radio playing throughout the gym. You were so wet, the squelch of each slide up and down his shaft filled the tiny area surrounding you, adding to you and your friends' gym sex soundtrack.

He wanted to kiss you. To taste your lips, savor you. He wrapped one arm around your waist and gently pulled you down. His fingers gently caressed your jaw as his eyes searched for your permission. You smiled at him and his heart fluttered. Yes, he was balls deep in one of his closest friends in her apartment gym, but that didn’t negate the fact that her smile just did something to him. He needed your lips now. He pulled your face to his, pressing his lips to yours ever so gently. That gentleness didn't last long at all. The longer you kissed the hotter, needier, and more passionate it became.

He planted his feet, his free hand moving from your face to your ass, spreading your cheek as he started to thrust up into you. You'd initiated this whole thing, he thought he'd lend a helping hand. Aid in you getting to cum. Because right now he wanted nothing more than to do just that. You broke away from the kiss, back arching and unarching wildly as you tried to adjust to the feeling of having him ram into you like that. “Fuck.. Binnie…” He cheeks flushed upon hearing you moan his name. He had to make you come no, there was no other option. 

“You like the way I’m stretching you out, baby?” You nodded quickly, too afraid of the sounds that would come from your mouth if you spoke. He gripped you tighter, fingers threatening to leave behind bruises on your skin. His teeth sunk into his bottom lip as he picked up his speed even more. The sound of the slickness between the two of you slapping together, now rivaling the new wave music playing in the background. He wasn’t the longest, but the way his girt filled you up was more than enough to satisfy. Each thrust lured you closer and closer to climax. You didn’t know what came over you, but your fingers snaked around his neck and with your release you squeezed. Feeling your fingers squeeze his neck sent electricity through his body. No one had ever done that to him, but there was a first time for everything. 

He felt like he’d cum with you. Between the way your walls fluttered and convulsed around his member, to your hand around his throat, to the sweet moans that filled the air, Changbin felt as if every single sensation he was feeling was dialed to one hundred. He stopped moving, both hands clamping on your hips to stop you from moving. Even the slightest shift in your hips and he’d fill you to the brim. The tight grip your pussy had on his cock, the feeling of him sheathed inside your warm wetness, all the stimuli this situation was providing had Changbin cumming before he knew it. It wasn’t his full load, but he swiftly moved you up and off his cock. He apologized profusely, scared he’d ruined the moment by prematurely ejaculating inside of you.

“I-I’m so sorry..” He started to panic as he moved back to his knees. “I- I didn’t know that would happen. Please don’t think I’m this shity at sex. I swear this has never happened before.” He rambled on, cock still twitching from stimulation. He was busy apologizing that he missed you getting down on all fours in front of him. He didn’t notice until your lips were wrapped around his cock as you sucked the mixture of your juices off his member. His mouth fell open, words dying on his tongue. Your mouth almost felt as good as your cunt, you were definitely talented with it. He knew that from meetings, but your talent was taking on a whole new meaning now. He pushed your hair that had fallen from your ponytail back out of your face. You were looking up at him with those eyes, saying that you could devour him if you wanted to. And truth be told, he’d let you. You could have anything you wanted when it concerned him.

You pulled away a trail of spit connecting your wet lips with his cock. He wished he could snapshot this moment, he’d definitely make it his screensaver on his work computer. “That good, huh?” You asked, wiping your mouth with your fingers, just to lick it off. You were killing him. “Couldn’t even let me cum without cumming inside.” You teased before pulling him in for another steamy kiss. He could taste you on your lips with a little hint of himself. God, you were making him so damn hard. “Wanna do it again? Cum inside for real?” Changbin choked on his own breath. Did you just ask him that? This had to be a dream. There was no way you’d ask him that with a straight face.

“A-are you serious, right now?” You didn’t answer him, you just laid on your back and pulled your legs towards your chest. He could see just how well he’d stretched you out, your cunt had a slight gape to it. It was all dressed up with cream all over it, slick and ready for him to slide back in. He could barely contain himself. He felt so giddy he actually let out a little laugh as he lined himself up at your entrance. That second slide inside of you felt just as good as the first. Like coming home after a long tough day at work. You both moaned simultaneously, your eyes rolling back in your head as his head fell back. “It feels so good inside of you.” He whined the words out, mind completely forgetting that it was possible to put base in his voice.

It was just like his daydream, just a whole lot better. You were creaming all over his cock, each stroke had his dick being coated with more and more of your slick. You’d pulled your sports bra down under your breast and the imagine of them bouncing with every thrust was going to be imprinted in his mind forever. When you reached to pull him in for a kiss, he lost it. It was something in the way your tongue would drag across his own that made him unravel. It was needy, wet, and passionate. Like you’d been wanting this for a while, which blew his mind. “Cum for me Binnie. Fill this pussy up.” Your lips were still so close to his, teasing him with every word. “Make this pussy yours..” Oh God, why did you need to say that? He couldn’t hold back anymore, especially not when you purposely clenched around him, making your tight pussy even tighter.

He folded like a cheap lawn chair. Spurts of cum streaming from his cock and painting your walls, filling you with every last drop. His whines reached high peaks, the only way he could calm them was to bite your shoulder to muffle his cries. He’d never cum so hard in all his years of fucking. Your pussy was amazing. You were amazing. Working out with you was amazing. His body shook, sweaty hands slipping, making him lose his balance and causing him to fall on you. You grunted from impact, but giggled softly. Deciding to wrap your arms around him and run your fingers up and down his perspiration slicked back. 

It took him a while before he moved, completely drained from your little workout. “I don’t think my heaviest lift days have ever drained me like that.” He chuckled, pushing himself up and back to his knees. He pulled out slowly, watching his trail of cum spill from your cunt and onto the gym mat below you. “Fuck… that is so hot.” He scooped a little bit of it up and stuck his fingers into his mouth savoring the taste of both of your arousal, then leaned in to kiss you once again. 

He didn’t know how long the two of you were on that floor or how long you two’d been at it, but he could hear a few people coming in, meaning it had to be at least respectable morning hours. You jumped up, hearing a few voices. The both of you scrambled to make yourself decent. You jumped to your feet, pulling your bra down and pulling the one leg of your legging back on as he tucked himself back into his pants and searched for wherever the fuck he threw his shirt. You cleaned that spot on the floor and you both ran out of there giggling like little children. You weren’t sure you calmed down until you got to your apartment door. “This is me.” You bit your lip, not realizing until that moment that you’d been holding his hand as you drug him through your building and up the elevator all the way to your door.

The realization didn’t make you break away though, neither of you let go. “Thanks for.. Helping me stretch, Binnie. I really needed it.” Blush tinted his cheeks. He looked down and nodded. “It’d be a shame to lose momentum, seeing that.. We didn’t do a cool down exercise.” He looked up confused by what you were saying at first, before it clicked.

“I can show you a couple of moves that will come in handy to cool down. Would you like that?

” You smirked as he invaded your space, pressing your body against the door with his own.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Read the sequel: HERE

[Rewrites, Reposts, and Translations are Prohibited]

[a-court-of-fics-and-errors]

Keep Moving Forwards, Part 44

Azriel x Reader Fic

Summary: After finally deciding to leave your abusive and manipulative mate for good, you find unexpected companionship with Azriel, the Shadowsinger of the Night Court. As you navigate the aftermath of your traumatic relationship, you struggle to understand where the mating bond went wrong and contemplate your path forward, vowing never to return to the past.

Find other parts here: Master List

To follow this fic, follow tag "Keep Moving Forwards Fic" or comment to be tagged in future parts.

Content Warning: This story contains depictions of extreme emotional manipulation and abuse, detailed descriptions of direct physical abuse, and scenes of men hunting women with implied sexual assault. Please read at your own risk.

Word Count: 2.6K

Author's Note: This is a multi-part series. Unlike my previous works, this fanfiction delves deeper than just fluff, exploring complex emotional landscapes. As I navigate this new writing journey, I kindly ask for gentle feedback. The topics addressed are profoundly impactful, touching many lives with diverse experiences. Please be gentle with yourselves and others. Healing is a journey, and everyone processes it differently. Be kind to yourself. Take what resonates, and leave what doesn’t.

Please continue reading, being aware of the above content warnings, ensuring you are in a healthy headspace. Give yourself time to process and be gentle with yourself.

The days stretched on into weeks and the absence of news about the conflict between the Night Court and Autumn Court gnawed at your stomach like a knot. You kept telling yourself that no news was better than bad news, but it did little to ease your worries. Trying to distract yourself, you threw yourself into community housing projects and outreach work. Living in the apartments now, you saw firsthand the changes that needed to be made - everything was too dull and lifeless. Despite hoping that residents would bring their own personal touches to make the place cozier, many of them had nothing more than the clothes on their backs. It was then that you decided to create a fund for hiring interior designers from Velaris' fashion districts to liven up the homes. However, many of them were hesitant to step foot into the lower end of the city, let alone work for its impoverished residents. But there were a few generous souls who gladly offered their time, resources, and expertise to help transform the complex. Plush carpeting, fresh paint, and cozy furniture slowly brought life back into the once dreary space.

Your days were now consumed with work, keeping busy whenever there was a moment of quiet. But despite your efforts, thoughts of Azriel lingered constantly. You wondered what he ate for dinner, if it was anything like the delicious chicken curry that one of the mothers had spent all afternoon preparing but didn't have enough ingredients to feed everyone. Did he reach for you in his sleep, searching for warmth and finding only cold sheets? Did he gaze at the moon and feel comfort knowing you were both living under the same night sky?

As promised, Rhysand came to the apartments three times a week, bearing trays of delectable desserts made by Elain and fabric swatches painstakingly chosen and sent by Nesta. Even though you often found yourself lost in thought, trying to discern the minute differences between the fabrics, Nesta still desperately sought your opinion on the nursery. It was an odd sight, seeing the High Lord of the Night Court seated in a too-small apartment, perched upon a rickety second-hand chair. The residents would bow down in reverence at his presence, but he would just give them a soft smile, urging them not to treat him as anything more than a visitor. You rolled your eyes at this statement, knowing all too well that those who saw him with such admiration would be shocked to see him lounging in an oversized chair in his library - feet propped up in pajamas while Nyx curled into his lap, both of their hair tousled from sleep. It was a familiar scene for you now. How had you become so intimately acquainted with the most powerful male in all of the Night Court?

Your conversations were solely focused on practical matters - discussions about the housing project, funding allocations, building permits and requests for aid. You often also worked on your shielding practice. But there was one question that lingered in your mind - if you were able to build up that barrier between you and your mate, could you return to the safety of the Townhouse, to Azriel? Although a part of you wanted to ask Rhysand for his plans regarding your future, you hesitated. You thought it better to live in the naivety that if you just worked hard enough on your shielding you might be able to go home instead of the more probably reality that even if you could keep everyone out, you wouldn’t be allowed back until everything had been resolved.

—

The bed was like a slab of concrete, the sheets coarse and rough against your skin as you lay on your side. The darkness of the room seemed to press in, with only the faint light from the streetlights outside casting long shadows of trees onto the ceiling. The branches swayed and scraped against the window, causing an eerie rhythm that matched the howling wind outside. You squinted at your clock, trying to make out the time. Was it nearing three in the morning? It felt like hours had passed since you crawled into bed, but sleep still eluded you. With a heavy sigh, you rolled onto your back, feeling the cool lace of your nightdress brush against your fingers. The blankets were suffocatingly warm, so you kicked them off, only to be met with a sharp chill from the drafty windows that refused to seal properly. Another thing to add to your never-ending list of things to fix within the apartments.

You slowly swung your legs over the edge of the bed, feeling the hard mattress beneath you as you sat up. Rubbing your tired eyes, you took a moment to adjust to the dimly lit room. With a sigh, you stood up and your toes touched the cold wood floor, sending a shiver through your body. Your back ached with exhaustion as you walked over to the desk on the other side of the room. Flicking on a small lamp, you pulled on the cozy wool cardigan that was draped over the chair, still warm from when you had thrown it there earlier in the day. The thick material hugged your body as you settled into the desk chair, surrounded by stacks of papers waiting to be sorted through. The desk was cluttered and much too small for all of your work, so instead of working there, you often spread everything out on the floor like a giant map. But tonight, it was too late for that, so you simply grabbed a fresh sheet of parchment and started writing a letter to a contractor who could potentially fix your broken windows.

As you wrote down a few words, a cool breeze brushed against your ankle, causing you to look down in surprise. But there was nothing there. You shook your head, pushing away any creeping feelings of loneliness or sadness. Brushing a strand of hair out of your face, you continued writing. Suddenly, another chill ran up your leg and you couldn't ignore it any longer. Pushing away from the desk, you got down on your hands and knees to investigate.

In the corner of the room, two shadows darted up the wall and disappeared into darkness. You let out a light laugh and whispered out into the empty space, "Hello." Your voice caused ripples in the darkness and for a brief moment, it seemed like something was stirring.

"It's okay," you whispered again, beckoning them closer. "Come down!"

One of the shadows hesitantly crept out from the darkness, moving along the top of the wall like a cautious cat. "Don't be shy," you encouraged with a soft laugh.

The shadow paused for a moment, its edges rippling and shifting in thought. Slowly, it started to make its way down the wall, eventually morphing into a thin line before dissolving into a pile on the floor. "Come on," you whispered, crouching down and reaching out your hand.

The other shadow, slightly smaller than the first, followed suit and slithered down the wall towards you. It stayed close to the floor, wrapping around your ankles as it cautiously approached. As it touched your fingertips, you could feel the coldness of its touch enveloping your hand in a grey fog. But as it recognized your touch, it seemed to gain confidence and began moving more quickly up your arm.

You couldn't help but giggle as the cool tickle of the first shadow joined by another, both climbing onto your lap and wrapping themselves around you. The first shadow seemed to have a mind of its own, making its way up your body until it reached your neck, sending a shiver down your spine with its chilly touch. It then weaved through your hair, lightly tugging at strands as it hid behind you while the second shadow curled around your thighs and settled in your lap.

"Did he send you?" You whispered. The shadows seemed to quiver with excitement and you took that as a yes. "Is he doing alright?" The shadows seemed to pause momentarily, their movements becoming more drawn out as if considering your question. You couldn't bring yourself to hope for good news as the shadow on your lap curled down towards the floor. Suddenly, it slithered over to the lamp, coiling around the adjustable arm and then rearing up as though it was looking right at you. You raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What?" The shadow continued its slithering path, occasionally stopping to seemingly look at you.

You stood up and approached the lamp where the shadow seemed to pause in its journey, staring back at you. "What do you want?" You asked, reaching out to touch the lamp and adjusting the arm slightly downwards. The shadow halted its movement so you stopped yours as well. But when you started moving the arm of the lamp back up, the shadow picked up its pace again. You soon realized that this was how it communicated. As you turned the lamp upwards, the light illuminated against the wall, casting bright rays against the otherwise bland beige paint. In what seemed like pure excitement, the shadow scampered down your arm and back up again before joining its companion on the wall.

You took a cautious step back, your eyes locked on the two shadows as they seemed to merge and shift against the wall. The darkness coalesced into a swirling mass, like ink spilled on a canvas, until it finally split apart into two distinct figures. The larger shadow moved to one side of the light while the smaller one slunk to the opposite, as if in a dance.

Feeling a chill run down your spine, you retreated further onto the bed and pulled the rough wool blanket over your legs. As you watched, transfixed, the larger shadow began to take shape - sharp edges forming and an image materializing before your eyes. It was a male figure, with wings that resembled those of a bat. Your heart caught in your throat as the other shadow also shifted into a silhouette of a female.

The two shadows turned to face each other, their postures mirroring that of two lovers leaning against a windowsill. But then, the larger shadow split into two smaller pieces that scampered across the wall towards the female figure. With awe, you realized that these shadows were telling you a story - how Azriel had sent them to comfort you in his absence.

A small smile tugged at your lips and you felt tears prick at your eyes - tears of joy and longing. But you quickly blinked them away as the shadows morphed once again, shifting back into their amorphous forms before intertwining in the center and taking new shapes.

This time, it was the familiar outlines of Azriel and yourself. The two shadows embraced, their arms wrapping around each other in an intimate embrace. You could almost feel Azriel's kiss pressed gently into your hair - just as he always did when you hugged.

The shadows danced and shifted, creating a mesmerizing display of figures in the dimly lit room. Azriel sat at his desk, his brow furrowed in concentration as he ran his hand through his hair - a nervous habit that you had grown to love. In one swift motion, he crumpled a piece of paper and tossed it away from the light, where it disappeared into the darkness.

You chuckled softly as the shadows transformed again, this time into the muscular form of Cassian with his signature half-up bun. Beside him stood Nesta, her pregnant belly rounded and glowing in the dim light. She delicately hung stars and moons onto a mobile, while Cassian worked on something below with a hammer in hand. The pile of materials suddenly transformed into a beautiful cradle, which Cassian proudly presented to Nesta.

So he had built it after all, you thought to yourself with a smile.

Cassian wrapped his strong arm around Nesta's shoulders as she rested her head against him, her hand gently tracing over her stomach. The scene before you was one of pure love and contentment, and you couldn't help but feel your heart swell at the sight.

The shifting shadows revealed Azriel, standing on a balcony overlooking the moonlit city below. The other shadow, representing the moon, soared upwards as Azriel reached out to touch it with one hand. But his posture was hunched and tense, back rising and falling as though it was sobbing. Your own tears mirrored his as you watched Nesta approach him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. The shadow of Azriel turned and fell into her embrace, continuing to cry.

The scene shifted once again, showing the shadow of Azriel and your own shadowy figure walking together, hand in hand in slow motion. As you continued walking forward, the shadow of Azriel suddenly stopped and reached back for you. Your shadow turned to face him and he rushed towards you, wrapping his arms around your waist and lifting you up into the air with joy. A bittersweet laugh escaped your lips as the shadow of Azriel brought your figure close to his, pressing a tender kiss against your lips.

In another scene, the shadows depicted a family dinner with Cassian, Azriel, Rhysand, Feyre, Nyx, Lucien, Elain, and an empty chair. As the shadows sat down to eat and a somber silence settled over them, even little Nyx remained still in his seat. The shadow of Azriel looked towards the empty chair – your chair – and you could feel their longing for you.

Once more, the shadows shifted to show Nyx standing on a platform with Cassian, Azriel, and Rhys at the edge of a lake. The shadows moved like waves over the water as Nyx took a running leap off the platform, his small wings flapping furiously before giving out and sending him plunging into the water below. The shadow of Cassian erupted in laughter while the shadow of Azriel pretended to winnow down to rescue the little boy. The scene repeated a few more times until finally, Nyx took a running leap and his wings caught in the air, allowing him to flap upwards with pride. The shadows of the three males on the platform joined Nyx in the air, their wings unfurling in celebration. He had learned to fly, something Feyre had been so worried about.

The shadows danced and shifted, revealing scenes from your old life that you had never truly appreciated until now. Moments with Azriel stood out the most - curling up on the couch together, wandering through the vibrant streets of Velaris. As they settled into place, the cool touch of the shadows caressed your skin, causing a shiver to run down your spine. One shadow even reached out to brush away a stray tear rolling down your cheek. You let out a soft sniffle and whispered, "Thank you."

In response, the shadows seemed to flicker and settle further around you, as if trying to comfort you in their own way. You allowed yourself to fully absorb the sensation of being enveloped by them, knowing it was Azriel who had sent them, directing them to show you what you had missed and how much he longed for you.

Feeling grateful, you shared your own memories with the shadows, including a few moments that you knew would make Azriel blush for slightly different reasons. With a smile, you thanked the shadows once more and watched as they dissipated into the night, carrying your love and longing back to their master who was surely missing you just as much as you were missing him.

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[too-much-tma-stuff]

Not-So-Common-Sense (Part 22)

Previous | Masterpost | Next

“Ghosts are a sovran people, more than that we’re a sovereign nation,” Hyena boomed, speaking over the assembly as he demanded everyone stop whispering and pay attention to him. He glared at the assembled leaders as he transformed in sparks and flashes, hair turning white and muzzle transforming into a snarling skull until he was fully ghost. “And I am done listening to all of this bullshit, so enough debating. Now explain to the Crown Prince of the Infinite Realms why you have allowed these people to violate my people’s rights and hold me captive.” Danny-No Phantom demanded.

He was glad he didn’t have a heart to be pounding in his chest as with a wave of his hand he created a throne of ice and sat down in it. He pushed his mask up and as it dissolved a circlet of shimmering ice formed around his brow. It wasn’t the official crown, he had yet to take the crown of flame but it was just a bit of showmanship to add to the effect. He needed these people to take him seriously after all. Jason stepped up to stand beside him, and to Danny’s surprise Deadman came down to take the other side, leaving Ellie to perch on the back of his makeshift throne, draping herself comfortably there. Danny settled himself more comfortably and confidently in his chair, and in his new role because whether he was ready or not it was time to act and he had the people who mattered behind him without question.

“Explain to me why we should not go to war.” Danny demanded in a terrifying shadow of his ghostly wail.

“What, no, the ghosts don’t have any sort of leader or structure. They’re completely disorganized,” Agent W insisted. 

“That’s not true,” Deadman said, shaking his head. “Ghosts follow the strong and have always been a monarchy. We haven’t had an active king in centuries, since the last one went mad but it is well known that, when he is ready to, Phantom will be able to claim the throne. He is not lying about his position in the Infinite Realms and many spirits will follow him to war should he command it.”

“Including you?” Batman asked in a tone of mild curiosity that wasn’t fooling anyone that actually knew him. 

“I recognize Phantom’s authority. The only reason I didn’t bow and acknowledge him when he answered the Justice League’s call the first time was that he asked me not to. More importantly many others, including multiple Ancients, recognize his authority and will follow him if he asks even if he is not yet the true king. His threats are not idle.” 

“He should not be making threats at all! This is a diplomatic meeting,” One of the leaders exclaimed indignantly.

“Oh is it?” Danny asked, raising his eyebrows. “Because it sounded like what you were about to do was excuse and pardon their crimes against me and my people and offer them more resources. If that’s not what’s happening and you were about to mete out proper consequences then by all means, carry on and prove me wrong,” Danny said with a ‘go on’ gesture of one hand and leaned back in his chair, looking down his nose at the assembly. 

Silence hung awkward and heavy over the room, which was all the confirmation Danny needed of the bad direction things were starting to go. He tried very hard not to fidget under the eyes of so many people. He knew that he was the prince, he was going to be the king overseeing basically an entire dimension with other monarchs and leaders under him, he was of a higher rank than anyone here! If only he wasn’t still so young, with so much more to learn. Speaking of which...

“How do you people deal with crimes like imprisonment and torture without cause? There are punishments for these things aren’t there?” Danny asked, cocking his head. He’d never paid much attention to politics, and what little he knew about politics didn’t really give him much hope for how this would be handled. 

“Of course there are,” Diana said calmly, once again trying to force the room to move on or get left behind. He really did admire her ability to control the room as much as she did. “Since there is no question of the crimes the Ghost Investigation Ward did commit, the only question is what the consequences will be.” She looked around, but it seemed this time her attempt to nudge the leaders along had failed. 

“With all due respect, ‘Your Majesty’,” Agent W directed at Danny, not even trying to hide her skepticism and contempt of his title. It made Danny bristle and got his hackles up immediately. To her credit, she didn’t flinch under his glowing glare. “It’s not our job to protect your people, we need to protect our own.” 

Danny heard a few murmurs of agreement, he looked down for a moment thinking about that and trying not to bite his lip. He should stay, he should try to argue further and come to a peaceful solution, but he had been doing that for years! He had always just avoided the humans who hunted him, he had barely even defended himself from them for years, and he was done trying to be nice, to play by their rules.  

“Right,” He said, standing up and surveying the collective leaders. “Who agrees with her perspective?” He asked scanning the collective.

There was a moment's hesitation before hands started to raise. He nodded firmly and looked back at Agent W. “Good, you protect your people,” he sneered, “ and I’ll do the same. Red Hood, Phantasm, let’s go,” Danny said and turned away, taking Hood’s hand and pulling him out through the wall, Phantasm followed. When Danny noticed Deadman looking torn, Danny gave him a small smile; “Stay with your team, there should still be one of us in the room. If they come to their senses let me know.”

He left the room through the wall and let invisibility cloak them as he grabbed Phantasm as well and flew straight up into the sky, not so high that Jason would struggle to breath but far enough they’d be guaranteed privacy. He let go of Phantasm since she could float on her own but kept Jason held close so gravity could not reclaim them.

“So, you’re not just giving up,” Jason said casually, “So, you have a plan?”

“Yes I have a plan,” Phantom agreed with a solemn nod. “It’s not my first choice, and I don’t really want to talk about it in case it fails. If it works I’ll let you know, if not you can help me brainstorm a plan B. Okay?” He glanced at the two of them, Jason didn’t hesitate in agreeing, Phantasm looked worried, but she nodded too. “Thank you. Phantasm take Jason please, you two stay put. I need to go… get something, and I have a feeling they’ll be calling us back soon once they see the storm they’ve unleashed on themselves.” He said with a thin smile. 

“Right?” Phantasm said, she still sounded uncertain but she offered Jason her hand, and when he took it she took over keeping gravity at bay. 

Danny smiled and drifted closer, kissing Jason’s helmet softly. “I’ll be back soon, just trust me okay?” He asked, ruffling Ellie’s hair. 

“I always trust you, Cub,” Jason said, sounding tired but fond even through the helmet’s modulators. 

“Just… don’t do anything stupid string-bean,” Ellie sighed. 

“I’ll try pipsqueak,” Danny agreed before speeding away from both of them. 

He needed to find his way back into the Ghost Zone but that wouldn’t be easy but it was far from impossible. There were natural portals opening up somewhere in the galaxy all the time, and Danny could get back in contact with Wulf somehow if he needed to. How he wasn’t sure, but he was on a time crunch so he had better figure it out fast. He didn’t want to leave Ellie and Jason hanging and time was of the essence. He had a feeling he could sense portals if he really tried, other ghosts seemed to know where they were after all! He just needed to get away from any distractions, to where his mind was clearest and his core shone the brightest, and for him that would always be space.

Once he was far enough away that the earth was a frisbee amongst the stars Danny settled into a cross legged position and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath he didn’t need and exhaled slowly, trying to remember what little he knew about meditation and, like, opening one’s third eye. 

“Alright portal, where are you,” He murmured rolling his shoulders, only to jump out of his skin when he heard a crackle and boom right under him. He shot up as he opened his eyes, half expecting an attack only to see a swirling green portal directly under him. “Great, of course,” He sighed, and let himself drop into it. 

The green resolved into the large foyer of the ghost kings palace surrounded by the observants and a few ancients. 

“We’ve been waiting for you,” Chorused the observants.

“Great, how long have you guys been watching me? Fucking weirdos,” Danny muttered, but he couldn’t stay angry as Frostbite cheered and rushed in to hug him, scooping him up in a bearhug that would have cracked a rib if he had any. Clockwork followed more slowly, moving slowly and leaning on his cane, a thin smile on his elderly lips. 

“It is good to see you, Young One. I'm sorry I know you haven’t had an easy time. I’ve been watching over you but didn’t feel it was possible for me to step in. Despite it all, you’ve done really well,” Clockwork said. He looked nervous, and Danny couldn’t blame him, he couldn’t count the number of times he had cursed Clockwork when things were at their worst, for not intervening to save him, but now…

“It's alright, I made it out and I found a new purpose. I assume if you had saved me I would have just spiralled or something like that?” He asked with a crooked smile that was really more of a grimace. It wasn't really okay, it would never be okay that Danny had lost his family and a part of him would never forgive Clockwork for having had the power to stop it and didn't. But he had also learned there was no point in holding Clockwork to human or present focused morals, he had his reasons and felt justified. Trying to hold Clockwork accountable would be counterproductive and maddening, he did trust Clockwork meant well.

“Something like that,” Clockwork agreed, mirroring Danny’s expression as he reversed into his child form. The expression looked very odd on his child-like face. 

“We've been waiting for you,” the Observants chorused again, apparently impatient with the reunion. “Are you ready to take the crown?”

“Wow hello to you too,” Danny sassed, rolling his eyes at the ridiculous collective of giant eyeballs. “Yes, I'm ready,” Danny agreed, standing straight and holding his head high. He looked sure, even though he really wasn’t, but there was no putting this off any longer. “Release Pariah Dark and I'll be waiting for him in the world of our last battle.”

“That is not how-” 

“I don't care if that's not how it's done, that's how I'm going to do it,” Danny interrupted the Observants. He really hasn't spent much time with them after his first defeat of Pariah and his capture but he was already familiar with the phrase.

“It is tradition to-” they started again and Danny interrupted with a growl. 

“If I'm going to be king, this is a good time to get in the habit of obeying me. Release him, I'm sure he'll want revenge so he can find me in the world of our last confrontation and I'll defeat him properly this time, on my terms,” Danny insisted, bearing his teeth in a snarl. He knew that they weren't pleased, but he didn't care, he didn't plan on his rule to be dictated by trading so they could get used to it. 

The Observants didn't have any mouths but he was sure that if they did they would look like they'd just bitten into a lemon. He'd never really understood why they were like this, Pariah Dark couldn't have been particularly obedient to tradition, but maybe he’d been gone so long they'd forgotten what it was actually like to have a ruler and only had the idealized version from inside their own minds. “As you wish,” they agreed sourly.

“That’s better,” Danny smiled thinly, there was little joy in this situation but he could find some in pissing off these uptight bastards. He nodded to them and looked back at Clockwork, he must know what Danny was planning and Danny was a bit surprised Clockwork didn't seem to have any objections. When he had intervened before it had been to stop Danny going ‘bad’. Maybe this time was different because Danny wasn’t planning to cause the damage himself, just… allow it to happen.

“You will be a good kind Danny,” Clockwork said softly. “Sometimes a leader has to compromise their own values to do what’s best for their people.”

“Ya, I’m not sure that’s what I’m doing Clockwork, those people hurt me worst of all, I think I have some pretty personal motivations,” Danny said bitterly.

“Even so,” Clockwork said with a shrug and a knowing smile that set Danny’s teeth on edge.

“Right,” He grumbled as he turned and walked back through the still open portal before turning and slashing through it from the other side. They would have a hard time opening another in the exact same location, not that Danny was planning on sticking around here, but the less of the universe and the more of Earth Pariah would have to rip through before he found Danny the better. He grinned far too wide and rocketed back towards earth. 

He had done it! Pariah would be right on his heels and that bastard had no respect for human life. He would give the stupid humans something to fear~ By the end of the day they’d be groveling and begging for Danny to save them, and maybe he even would, if they asked very nicely. 

He stopped on a dime next to his fiance and little sister again. They both jumped at his sudden appearance which made Danny laugh, Jason had taken off his helmet and his look of shock was particularly amusing! It was usually so hard to sneak up on the hypervigilant man. Danny reached out to take Jason back from Ellie and settled himself comfortably in Jason's lap while Jason wrapped his arms firmly around Danny's waist so he wouldn't fall. Ellie mimed gagging at the display of affection but didn't say anything. 

“So, what did you do Danny? You weren't gone long enough to have gotten that far. Did it not work out?” Jason asked curiously and Danny gave him an impish smile.

“Oh no, it worked. I'm sure the Justice League will be calling us in just a few minutes once word gets to them about what just entered their dimension.” Even as Danny was talking he felt the change, the wave of dark energy that had just broken through the barrier between worlds. He didn't react, but it made Ellie stumble. 

Danny remembered this dark energy from last time he'd fought Pariah but he had thought that was just because he had been nearby. It was disconcerting to know it could be felt at such a distance by those sensitive enough. Danny was sure he could handle this, but for a moment he was still worried he'd bitten off more than he could chew. 

“Danny, what did you do?” She asked, sounding seriously worried.

“I released Pariah Dark,” he told her plainly, no point being cryptic now since this wasn't exactly a fun surprise. Her look of horror was cold water dumped on the burning coals of his rage and he winced.  “Go back to your team Starlight, keep them safe but don't get yourself in trouble. This is… not going to be pretty,” he told her gently. He wasn't ashamed of what he was doing, not really. But he did worry about how she would feel about him afterwards, especially if one of her friends was hurt in the fall out. 

Jason's phone buzzed and he pulled it out of his pocket as Ellie rushed away from the two of them, back towards Titans tower. Danny watched her go, biting his tongue so he wouldn’t call her back and selfishly try to keep her safe. She and Jason were the ones he loved most but it would be selfish to hold her safely prisoner, especially when Jason's family was bound to be out there too.

“That can't be them already?” Danny asked Jason worriedly, forcing himself to look away from Phantasm’s retreating form to check the notification on Jason’s phone. She was strong and clever, she’d be alright, he needed to have faith in her. 

“It's not, it's an emergency alert. He didn’t waste any time fucking shit up did he?” Jason asked, unlocking his phone and opening social media. It was already starting to flood with half corrupted videos and pictures of Pariah Dark and his army of skeletons. He had landed somewhere in the US by the looks of things, which Danny was glad of, and all the videos were full of screaming and fire. Occasionally he bellowed demands for Danny to show himself, but they were in ghost speak so none of the humans understood what he was asking for. 

“Damn that's one big mother fucker,” Jason whistled. “So that's the mad king?” 

“Yes,” Danny sighed, leaning his head against Jason’s chest. “Now we just see how long it takes for those idiots down there to realize the GIW's weapons are like water guns to him. I'm not going to negotiate with them anymore, but I will accept their surrender and once they've agreed to all my terms I'll deal with him.” 

“Isn’t he coming for you? Why’s he in America?” Jason asked as he kept refreshing his social media feed. 

“He can’t tell where I am, I could find him but I’m less flashy then he is, and I got used to minimizing my ecto-signature to avoid the GIW. Pretty sure he’s hoping that if he causes destruction he’ll smoke me out since last time I fought him it was to protect my town. Not this time, it’s not my job to protect these people anymore, they’ve made it very clear they don’t want me too,” Danny sneered, rolling his eyes.

Jason nodded gravely, and hugged Danny more tightly, he knew this hadn't been an easy choice. Danny nestled in against Jason's chest, his eyes glowing brighter than usual with anger and sorrow. 

“How are you feeling, Moonlight?” Jason asked softly. They had some time as the GIW rushed to arrive on scene and prove how useless they were. “This means that you’re going to be king after this doesn’t it?” 

“I'm not sure how I feel,” Danny sighed, biting his lip for a moment before continuing. “I wish it felt better, more righteous. I wanted revenge but most of the people being hurt had no idea what their government was even doing, and they're suffering for it, so I can't really feel good about it anymore. But I also don't exactly feel bad about it either, you know? And a part of me wishes I did because I tried so hard to be good when I was younger and how little I care now feels like a failure. 

“But then again I guess it was Sam that really insisted I use my powers for good. I was a teenage boy and other than protecting my friends my first instincts were to sneak into the girls locker room, and douse my bully in half spoiled meat. Maybe I was just never that good.” He sighed, hanging his head and trying to swallow down the uncomfortable knot of shame and dread in his stomach. 

“As for being king, I never really wanted to be king, but Clockwork seems to think that’ll just make me a better king, I hope he’s right. And I do think I'm ready, with you, your siblings, and Ellie I finally feel like I have a firm foundation again. Your proposal felt like the last puzzle piece I needed to feel whole, I'm as ready as I'll ever be.” 

“You are good Danny, and you'll be a good king, but even good people have their breaking point. It's their fault they pushed you to yours. The Justice League and the Teen Titans will be on the scene to help evacuate soon and I’m sure it won’t be too long before those idiots down there will realize they’re up shit’s creek and call for help soon.”

[spookcataloger]

I was a commercial diver for an oil and gas company in the 1990s, pt. 3 (2012)

Part: 1 - 2 - 3

[kyoshi-lesbians]

i had a dream where there were 2 "missing scene" katara / azula fight scenes in the series and one was set in one of the poles, it was early in the series and katara wasn't a master waterbender yet (dream logic didn't specify which pole, waking logic puts her bending level + setting as when the gaang has gotten to the North pole but not inside the capital city / no training with pakku). and a key theme of the fight was like. katara's ability to Have Fun with her bending even while azula was trying to kill her. azula was like what's wrong with you, how are you managing to enjoy this, I'm going to kill you. and katara was like laughing cus she loved bending so much and the fight was exhilarating! katara was surfing the ice and azula surfing fire melting the ice and it was visually paralleling their final battle. and azula couldn't beat katara surrounded by her own element, azula was retreating, katara had won. but then. katara grabbed aang's hand and the ocean spirit moved thru her to aang (a la moon spirit fish type of conduit) and he pushed a huge wave of water & ice back towards azula. not enough to hurt her. just enough for katara to prove she could. immediately after aang was like. wtf katara please don't do that to me again (turn his body into a conduit for terrifying power that she controlled without aaaaany warning beforehand, for the slightest of reasons). and katara giggled. i think this might be the way katzula could win but like. with a katara thats slightly to the left and an azula that hits her breakdown early.

[darcydarlingdabbles]

Hotel Field Trip Drabble

Thoughts based on this post [Link] about Charlie and Alastor taking a field trip to a human hotel for "business experience" lol

// Adorable. I just wanted to write some scene ideas. And it went Charlastor shippy immediately...though I didn't add pets. Human Alastor based on this post [Link] //

Charlie looks almost like herself with slightly less pale like death vibe, but she looks like herself.

No one is prepared for how Alastor looks as a human. Like, stunned silence silence in the hotel lobby when he joins Charlie. He is a gorgeous biracial man with oval glasses, perfectly swooshed dark hair, and a smile that is charming when it doesn't stretch demonically across his face. Tall and lean and impeccably dressed.

Alastor is not prepared for how people see him as a human.

He was a half-creole man in the Jim Crow era south. The same people who loved his radio show were probably vile to him in person. (h/c that this is why he hates being photographed and says this face is made for radio) But a hundred years later culture has shifted and he's suddenly not only acceptable but desirable.

When they get to the human hotel in New Orleans--guess what, there's only one bed. (Surprised Pikachu)

There's a roaring 20s convention in town, maybe also some true crime TikTokers too. Ultimate Alastor chagrin. People parading around like they're from his day--but the dresses, the fashion, everything is just all wrong. Don't get him started on Jazz covers of pop songs.

He asks Charlie to kill him again because he'd rather be in hell.

Guess what, only room they have is the honeymoon suite.

Elevator is so crowded Alastor does the wall lean over Charlie to keep them both from being crushed. No, sir, you cannot murder a whole elevator for being in your personal space but you can be in hers.

Debating if there's a "ghost tour" where some of Alastor's victims are said to be haunting the place. Ends with him destroying a tiktoker's phone.

Yes serial killer Alastor had his own "moral code" but he makes it emphatically clear to Charlie that he was still a monster that enjoyed killing. And hell is the perfect place for him, because everyone there failed to be moral—other than the hellborn, like Charlie.

One night Alastor tries avoiding Charlie by going to the bar, maybe while she's enjoying dancing nearby. He's had a few drinks when an older woman starts aggressively hitting on him.

literally cannot compute. Cannot shake her because he's a mamma's boy with manners and the lady won't take no for an answer. Charlie said not to kill anyone.

Alastor using Charlie as a human shield—against flirtations.

Alastor and Charlie getting to dance to music from his time. He has a moment to think...Charlie is exactly the girl his mother would have liked him to bring home. And the girl he would never deserve.

Annnnd some how I turn that angst into a happy ending because

I write romances not tragedies, dammit!!

Update: I started the fic!! link