Tumgik
#now. who's outfit do i wanna steal the most hmm
cherrytraveller · 1 year
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okay, fashion show’s finally over.
MNMC Leon by @/mutantninjamidlifecrisis
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defectivefanboy · 11 months
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Hi darling! How are you? How have you been? Sorry for bothering, I wanted to request! You really write very well and keep up with the good work! So anyways.. Can I request smut for Alastor, Lucifer & Crimson reacting to their girlfriend wear a lingerie?
Thank you so much! Have a lovely day/night!!
   ∧_∧::
(´・ω・`)::
/⌒ ⌒)::
/へ__ / /::
(_\\ ミ)/::
| `-イ::
/ )::
// /::
/ /::
( く:::
|\ ヽ:::
Imma go ahead and ignore that icky word that's in there and make it S/O because I want to write Alastor. Here is my request page for anyone who wants to in the future. Please take a read before you come into my inbox :D
Can I request smut for Alastor, Lucifer & Crimson reacting to their [REDACTED] wearing lingerie?
Overall notes: Stories written on this blog are GN until specified. While this story uses they/them pronouns, and while I don't mind female readers on my blog/interacting, love my girlies, hey girlies~, but I do not write female reader, and if you are a fetishizer. fuck off??? ew. How would you even do that on an x reader???
C/W: NSFW topics, Each character will have their own respective warnings, Sexual content, duh, no pronouns used, Bottom! reader favored, Established relationships. OOC?, I mean this would never happen, so yeah ooc
Notes: the giggle I had to stop when I got to Alastor good god, but Lucifer was honestly the funniest and most enjoyable to write. I had a smile on my face the whole time
Crimson ♧︎...
C/W: Slight Voyeurism (mention of his right hand man Alessio), Degradation, he def has a sir kink, don't lie to me, mention of stealing/sugarbaby (hes an asshole) mention of stalkers? admirers?? idk he just mentions people leaving you gifts,
For being an old (mafia) man. He's not opposed to a little dress up
Only if its you though. He would NEVER
He would be into something with a little more class.
Never will his darling look like some 2 cent floozy
So none of that crotchless bull honky. While he wouldn't be mad at it, he would rather leave more to the imagination. Something to work for, y'know?
And he would certainly work for it.
You really wanna get him going? Accentuate your hips. That's something him and Moxxie can agree. They like their darling with a little bit of width~
If you are gonna wear something for him, you best put on a show while you're at it.
He waits to do business after dinner, so why not let him enjoy his meal
For an asshole he has some manners now
Always making you cum once or twice before even taking your outfit off.
It likes to wait before unwrapping his gift <3
But once he gets more accustom to your interest
He's definitely going to be the one buying you the set
well its his money that's being used, Al is the one who goes and picked them up. Poor baby...
"You're so needy, baby. But did you need to go and make yourself out to be a whore in the middle of a meeting?" Crimson said as he placed a hand on your waist. His desk might not be the most comfortable place, but it will do for now. It's not like he can ignore you when you got all dolled up for him.
"I don't remember buying this one. Alessio leaving you gifts now too?" His fingers slid under the thin fabric as you let out a soft whine before answering, "I got them,.. custom made, sir." you said, trying to steady your breathing as his hands wandered between your legs. You let out a yelp as he spreads your legs out more for himself.
"And where are you getting this money from, huh? Hope you're not stealing it from me, brat." He gives you a soft glare and a questioning look as his eyes scan over the fabric that covered you, before his spotted the embroidered 'C. Knolastname' on the front of the waist band. With his index finger and thumb, he hooked them around the band and traced the deigned. Crimson gives you a smirk and placed a kiss right under your belly button before moving down.
"Hmm... maybe i do have a use for that ring then after all, but i should repay this favor before hand. Right, (Y/n) Knolastname?"
Lucifer 𓅰...
C/W: light choking, another one with a superiority kink, mentions of god (he calls himself it), size kink for the fact I thought this man was like 5'8-10 come to look up his like 6'2-3, slight crack fic (because he wouldn't take anything seriously until truly needed, he giggles when you change in front of him, it's always a crack fic with him)
HE HAS A MATCHING SET!!
god how my perception of these characters have been warped
but he has most definitely bought you outfits before, probably the only one to go out of his way to get matching ones.
Even got a few custom ones made, you can always tell by the little duck embroidered somewhere on them.
He's game for anything you wanna wear. He isn't gonna stop you, if anything he's gonna encourage you to wear more.
He's helpless for you in such a pretty outfit and it's all for him?
He feels loved and he's sure to pay that back ten fold in the bedroom.
You might not allowed to be in heaven, but he can show you what it was like~
I maaay..be a bit delusional, but in private I feel like he's all giggly and shit.
Oh an he definitely was the first time you pulled this from your hat of tricks.
Almost a little to giggly i'd sat, to think the ruler of hell would be this flustered over an article of clothing is beyond me
But once he starts to become use to it. He starts to expect it. What? He is the king of Hell after all.
And he truly expects to be treated like one. (He's a brat when he doesn't get attention)
Be it sinner, hell-born, or even the 'perfect OC/that everyone loves who is half angel half devil/stronger then god/etc' he's gonna ask you one thing constantly...
"Please, my angel of death? Just one time, for me? Then i'll never ask again. Promise."
"I'm not wearing a duck tail while you fuck me. When- Where in hell did you even get these made?" you asked as you held up the pair of yellow lingerie with a duck tail sown on the back of the waist band.
"You shouldn't need to worry about that, my love. All you need to worry about is wearing them for me." He said with a light sigh and a shrug of his shoulders, a soft smile resting on his face.
"Again, I am not. fucking. wearing. them, you prick-!" As soon as you got the name out you felt yourself against the wall. The soft smile gone from Lucifer's face as a dark look pooled in his eyes, an unsettling stare never leaving yours. Before you could apologize, his hand wrapped around throat, his index finger pushed your face up to his as he spoke with a low voice.
Almost like that cheery devil was just a front...
"Oh, how far from grace you have fallen, my dear. Seems you already forgotten your god. But that's no trouble at all, for tonight..." His grip on your neck got tighter as he got closer to your ear and a sinister smile made itself at home upon his pale face. Y'know, you really only notice how big he is when he gets like this... oh that wasn't a complaint. Not when his presence alone encaged you against the wall, let alone the possessive grip that he had on you.
"I'll teach you how to praise my name once again."
Alastor 𐂂...
C/W: Teasing, sadly abo mention, WHY ARE YOU BOOING ME I AM RIGHT, blood mentions, possessive behaviors, light choking, mentions of cannabalism, duh, playing more into the abo, uhm, sniffing? idfk leave me alone its late. oh ft: a guest at the end.
Another man with class, just not as much. I mean, come on, he's still a sinner~
though when you present yourself to him in your outfit, he can't help, but raise a brow as he tried to keep down his smile at the sight.
Definitely a big tease, a BIG tease
Especially when you look so cute for him, squirming under his indifferent gaze. Oh how he wants to squeeze your cheeks and leave you begging for release~
He's also one for a game of cat and mouse.
so when you go out into town with him make sure to slip his favorite pair of lingerie under your clothes
And if you're one wear revealing clothes, then I hope you're ready for a possessive (and bloody) overlord, ad pray for anyone who thinks they can touch you, let alone come near you.
oh AND OHHHH wanna know how you really got him? How you really got to him??? When the static cuts out and that Louisiana drawl' comes out of him. (I would die. again.)
(If I say he has a rut would that be considered A/b/o? I mean he is a deer demon, same with other demons in a similar case)
but WHOOO WEE
for someone who normally has a distaste for touch that isn't initiated by him, He'll enjoy a night or two (on the rare occasion) where he lets you indulge yourself
though, do be careful now, he's a gentleman up and foremost, but he's not always a patient man at that. He's always willing to return the favor tenfold~
And if you already couldn't tell, he loves the color red, basically lives in it. So it's safe to it sets something off in him
be the cannibal in him, or maybe he just likes the color a little too much
but at the end of it you'll more marked up then a rough draft <3
"Bless your heart, Dear. Did you think I wouldn't notice... your little getup? His clawed fingers trailed your sides as he leaned down to whisper in your ear. His frame trapping you in your seat and god, would it be terrifying for any mere sinner in this position, if it wasn't for the playful twitch of his ear that told you otherwise. Someone was enjoying this more then he let on...
It wasn't the first time you had teased him in public, but it was the first time people really had the courage to come talk to you. To give the poor souls benefit of the doubt, you were just sat at the bar talking to husk. Though, you would also think the red pinstripe outfit and microphone that rested at your side gave itself away.
"And it seems i'm not the only one. Now, if I were to kill everyone in this god forsaken hotel. Whose fault would that be, hm?" A clawed hand made it's way around your throat as it softly pulled you back, letting him have full access to your neck. Burying his face in your neck, he took in a deep breathe as static radiated off him.
"Or maybe I should have you for a meal tonight. You do smell quite... appetizing, my darling. Such a shame I have to ruin that pretty little outfit of yours." Before you could even gasp a grumbling and angry voice rang out, bringing you both back into reality.
"Can you two not fuck at my bar please? You are just as bad as that damn spider."
"Oh of course Husker! We'll get out of your fur right now actually! Wasn't like these pathetic things were going to get a taste of you anyways."
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ivykim · 1 year
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a family barbecue
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masterlist // wattpad
summary: after a long and hard day for our fishing team, enhypen were gathered to enjoy some barbecued food. they had tons of laughs and fun during it but it always came to one thing they all hated the most...cleaning.
ivy’s outfit: danyang | pyjamas (her jacket was zipped up the whole time)
NOTE: more so so fun episodes for you guys!
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— where we left off...
heeseung and ni-ki were still trying their hardest to get the fishes but nighttime was falling upon them.
they theorise that there was no fishes and decided to just fish the next morning. as for jay, he was still busy with his curry. it looked just right however, it tasted bland to him.
"jay, have you seen my phone?" ivy asks.
"noona, could you try this? does it taste okay?" jay blows on the curry for her to cool it down so she could taste it. she tastes it and hums.
"it's okay but like...why does it taste like nothing?"
"so it's bad?"
"no, it obviously looks okay but like it needs more flavour. did you use everything?" jay nods. "damn, okay. hmm.."
"let's just eat this for breakfast."
"curry for breakfast?"
"yeah. do you not eat it for breakfast?"
"no? my mom always makes something light for us like bread with jam. i got used to that and continued eating breakfast like that, even up till now. am i too american? i mean americans don't eat rice for breakfast in the morning."
"are you even korean, noona?"
"i'd like to know too, jay."
— caption: "true spoken words, ivy."
jungwon goes on a walk alone. he enjoys his free time happily whilst ni-ki tackles ivy.
"noona~~ please can we play together?"
"nishimura riki, you're crushing me." she tries to escape ni-ki's grasp but ni-ki holds onto her waist. ivy blushes, a surge of butterflies escape to her stomach. ni-ki places kisses all over her face.
"noona, please?" he begs giving the best puppy eyes he could muster. ivy pouts.
"fine. you are too adorable for me." ivy pats his head. the other boys who witnessed this simply had their jaws dropped.
"yah, ni-ki. you can't just steal our girlfriend away from us!" sunoo huffs.
"too bad, she's my girlfriend too." ni-ki sticks out his tongue.
"who taught this kid?" jay asks.
"jake hyung." ni-ki smirks. jake's eyes widened.
"what! i did not." jake says. ivy laughs.
"alright, all of you should stop fighting. you guys signed up for this, you have share."
"yeah, so now is my turn!" ni-ki folds his arms.
"alright! you can have her tonight but she's mine when we sleep." sunghoon says.
"uhh no? she's not gonna be sleeping with you tonight. she's sleeping with me." jake says.
"oh god. i'm gonna go find jungwon." ivy stands up. ni-ki grabs her hand.
"noona." he pouts.
"fine, let's go together." she pulls ni-ki up and he automatically wraps his arm around her waist.
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"oh, the cameraman is out here." ivy says.
"wait noona before we go there..." ni-ki leans down. "one kiss." ivy playfully rolls her eyes.
"come here, you big baby." she pecks his lips and ruffles his hair. "now let's go. i wanna go see what jungwon is doing."
both ivy and ni-ki went to see jungwon. ivy gasps when she sees the bunny.
"noona, look. bunnies!" jungwon points out. ivy kneels down. the bunny comes up to her and sniffs her. she carefully pets it. "oh? it likes you. it didn't let me touch."
"noona is an animal whisperer." ni-ki says. ivy carefully picks it up.
"come here and pet it."
"what the-noona how are you so casually picking it up." jungwon says.
"it just let me. now come here. it's squirming in my arms." the two younger boys went over and pet the bunny. once they were done, ivy places the bunny down and it hops away.
"noona has some animal whispering powers." jungwon tells the camera.
"isn't that ni-ki's vampire powers though? he became friends with the animals of the forest." ivy says.
"noona but you are sooha." jungwon says. ivy's eyes widened.
"wait. does engenes know though?"
it went dead silent.
"hyung!" ni-ki lightly slaps jungwon's arms. they laughed.
"engenes, please pretend you heard nothing!" jungwon says.
"honestly, it's a little obvious noona would be sooha though. she's the only girl in the group. obviously it's her. it's not like we revealed the real reason for us to be protective of her." ni-ki explains.
"alright. let's spoil anymore hmm? it's time for us to have dinner. i'm hungry." ivy says.
and so the three of them went back to the house.
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when they came back, they hear music and singing. sunghoon and heeseung were happily singing. jay joins in a few minutes later.
"i loved you too much~" jay points to ivy. she tilts her head.
"i missed you." heeseung points to ivy.
"why are you two confessing your love to me so suddenly." ivy says as she leans her head onto jungwon's shoulder.
— caption: "ENHYPEN enjoys showing their love to ivy."
they decided to put a song that unfortunately ivy was unable to join as she was injured. ivy smiled weakly watching them perform 'Hayeoga', though deep down she was sad because she couldn't perform with them.
"noona, come join us." sunoo pulls her up. ivy shakes her head.
"you guys performed it. i'll ruin the performance."
"vivi, come on." heeseung says.
"it's fine." she smiles. "you guys have fun, i'm tired."
they shrugged before continuing with singing and having fun. ivy watches them and claps along. they sang their hearts out and put on a performance for the camera. ivy goes to change into her pyjamas for the night.
"noona, we plan to eat let's go. jake hyung went to light up the charcoal." jungwon says. ivy nods. jungwon stops her a little. "noona? i noticed how down you were feeling as we did 'Hayeoga'. is it cause you felt bad that you got injured?"
"you are always so attentive, won." ivy weakly smiles. "i'm fine, really."
"usually when my noona says that, she's lying." jungwon says. ivy snorts.
"well not every girl can react the same."
"noona, i know you're lying. you play with your fingers every time you lie." jungwon deadpans. ivy's breath hitches, she stops playing with her fingers. she could feel the tears welling up. "i know you don't want to talk about it. i understand how you feel, it happened to me before. i mean i got sick in the middle of promotions. i hated it, i wanted to show engenes my very best."
"won, i just regret ever getting injured. i couldn't perform for weeks. i was bed-ridden and you guys had to help me walk around the house. i felt like a burden."
"noona, you aren't a burden to us. you know we care for you. all of us. we don't find you annoying or you're taking up our time. we care for you. besides, your injury was a result of an accident and it's normal to sprain your ankle." jungwon holds her hand to calm her down. "let's eat, hmm? food is your healing after all." he pecks her forehead.
"one hug first?" ivy asks. jungwon smiles and hugs her. "i feel like i'm the younger one here."
"let me a man for once." jungwon says.
"no, you are baby." ivy happily hugs him.
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"where were you two?" heeseung asks.
"actually we could see you two hugging. what happened though." jay says. jungwon turns to ivy. she shakes her head.
"nothing, noona just wanted a hug."
"she could've asked me. i give the best hugs." sunghoon claims.
"oh really? you nearly crushed me with your damn arms." ivy says.
"sunghoon hyung only goes for bone crushing hugs." sunoo says. ivy giggles.
ENHYPEN were split up on making dinner. 02z went inside to prepare the dishes while the kids were busy catching bugs. sunoo helps jay carry some of the things and places them onto the table.
"noona, how about you perform for us." sunoo asks.
"perform what?" ivy says.
"your i-land entry performance." ni-ki suggests.
"ni-ki really loved the choreography you did."
"noona, choreographed the dance break of course i would like it. she's good at making choreos."
"alright then. i'll entertain the engenes at home and you guys. i think i still have remixed version in my phone."
"didn't you say before you remixed it yourself?" jay says. ivy scrolls down her phone.
"mhm."
"ooo producer vivi in the house." heeseung makes some trumpet noises. ivy giggles.
"oh, found it." she plays the intro.
"wah, this gives me flashbacks to i-land hearing this song." jake says.
ivy stands in the middle and starts her performance. the boys cheered for her.
"oh it's this part!" ni-ki says.
yup, it was the part that ivy choreographed and remixed herself. everyone screams. once she was done, she bows and settles down in the middle of ni-ki and heeseung. heeseung hands her a bowl.
"noona's outfit is really green."
"she looks like a leaf."
"well i can't pull down the zipper, it's too scandalous." ivy says.
"how scandalous." jay asks.
"hyung, you sound like a pervert." jungwon says.
"well, she said it was scandalous." jay says.
"it's very scandalous." she pulls down her zipper and the boys quickly realise that she was wearing a short top and her well...pants was something. they blushed. heeseung covers her up.
"vivi, you weren't lying."
"you wanted to know. well it's not like i have not worn more scandalous outfits on stage before." ivy shrugs. the boys shook their heads.
as jay cooks, ivy realises he has not ate just yet.
"jay, why don't you take a break or at least eat something. you've been grilling for the past 15 minutes."
"it's okay noona, i got everything under control-" not even a minute later, the fire grows bigger. the aluminum foil caught on fire and jay manages to save the meat he had marinated by himself (with the sauce he created). he places the meat onto the table and cuts it up after putting out the fire.
he tries a piece before giving an approval for them to eat. ivy tries a bite, it was still hot so she blows on it and eats it.
"mmm." she gives jay a thumbs up. "it's good, jay."
"alright, you should eat now jay. i'll help with grilling." heeseung says.
"i'll help too." ni-ki butts in.
jay happily eats his food whilst standing.
"why are you turning your back to the camera?" jake asks.
"there is a camera facing me." jay points to the camera.
"are you trying to get a oneshot of yourself?"
"the man who grills." jay says. ivy snorts.
"the meat man." ivy adds. everyone laughs. then they spot the meat on the grill burning, the fire enlarging.
"yah! the fire is getting bigger!" jake yells. everyone goes into panic mode. ni-ki blows onto the fire. jungwon, jay and heeseung yelled. sunghoon starts singing fire.
"YAH NISHIMURA RIKI DON'T BLOW ONTO THE FIRE!! THAT'S HOW THE FIRE GROWS BIGGER!!" ivy yells. jungwon attempts to use the bug zapper to fan the fire out and it breaks.
they all laughed while ivy facepalms. surprisingly, the meat didn't burn as much and it tasted amazing. they were almost done eating so they decided on playing a game to do dishes.
"oh i hate this the most." ivy says.
"is it cause you lose all the time, noona." sunghoon smirks. ivy huffs.
"i think the editors can compile a whole 5 minutes worth of me loosing at games. this is why i don't bother to play. can i forfeit?" ivy asks.
"why don't you just try, noona." jake asks.
"i have no high hopes but i'll try. for the sake of the variety show."
"ooo noona has a mindset straight."
— caption: "and ivy still lost. poor ivy."
"once again, i'm not surprised. i'll do everything, you two go enjoy." ivy says. she unzips her jacket and places it on the chair in the kitchen. she ties her hair into a ponytail.
"noona, you can't just do it yourself. we lost too you know." jake says.
"i know you two don't want to do it so let me." ivy goes to start.
"how about we split up the work? jungwon can do the soaping part and we can just wash it." jake suggests.
"yeah noona, then it will be fair." jungwon says.
ivy knows she couldn't argue back with the both of them. they stood by their word if they had to do it in a group, they would split up the work.
"fine."
"great. noona, jake hyung you can rest first. i'll do this and call the both of you. it won't take long." jungwon smiles. jake pulls ivy along with him.
"babe..." ivy pouts.
"i know you want to do this but we lost fair and square too so we can do it together and split the work up."
"yeah but-"
"no buts. we will do this together. moreover, we wouldn't want to torture our dear girlfriend, hmm?" jake goes over to peck ivy's nose and then lips.
"noona! hyung!" jungwon calls out 10 minutes later. the both of them going over to the kitchen to finish up the work.
jake puts a song on while he does the remaining dishes. he sings along to it and ivy happily listens to him. suddenly, he grabs her hands and twirls her around. ivy plays along with him and laughs.
"i think doing the dishes has made you crazy."
"yeah, crazy for you." jake flirts. ivy was flabbergasted. she turns to the camera.
"engenes, do you see what jake is doing right now?"
"noona!"
they fell into fits of laughter as they finished up cleaning. jake goes over to fish with ni-ki and sunghoon. ivy, heeseung, jay, sunoo and jungwon stayed back. they decided they were too tired right now and the amazing dinner they had before was making them a little tired.
"you think those boys will catch anything?" ivy asks.
"give them an hour." jay says.
and an hour passes by, they unfortunately do not catch anything. they unfortunately had to go back since they had a day full of activities the next day. ENHYPEN decided to rest up.
"there isn't anything bed for noona."
"she can sleep in the tent." heeseung suggests. ivy smacks heeseung.
"why don't you go out there where the mosquitoes are, hmm?" ivy says.
"it's alright, i'd rather stay here."
ivy glares at heeseung, "then i should sleep inside too hmm?"
"noona, how about you take my bed?" jay suggests. ivy shakes her head.
"it's okay. i can sleep on the couch." ivy says. though she'd rather not considering it was creepy downstairs especially at night. she was afraid that she might see...a spirit or worse a shadow per-
"noona, how about you sleep in my bed with me?" ni-ki says.
"ni-ki, that's sweet of you but you sleep really aggressively and i usually almost wake up to you smacking me in the face." ni-ki pouts.
"sorry noona."
"it's okay. you can't control your sleeping patterns."
"then sleep in bed with me?" jay asks.
"hey, no. she'll sleep with us." jake huffs.
"just rock, paper, scissors this." ivy says. jay and jake did rock, paper, scissors and jake won. he smirks.
"hah!" jake holds onto ivy's hands. "come on noona!" heeseung snorts. ivy enters the bedroom.
"so what am i supposed to do-" jake goes under the camera to change. he removes his shirt in front of ivy and puts on a t-shirt.
"noona, i need to change."
"then-" she turns around so she could give jake some privacy to change. "why did you drag me into here!"
"because..." she feels an arm wrapping around her waist. "i love you." jake pecks her cheek. ivy blushes.
everyone does their nightly routine and washes up. slowly, each of their rooms were dark. ENHYPEN falls asleep.
[and so, the first night of our trip comes to an end]
TO BE CONTINUED
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lightvsdark18 · 1 year
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Some responses to voicelines (Ruggie)
Hey, here's your prize! Shyeheehee, ain't it nice to be rewarded just for coming to school every day? You better be here tomorrow, too.
*confused and shunned to speak*
Why're you tryin' to look after me? You're such a weirdo.
What's wrong with wanting to help you out?
You really are such a goody-goody. Don't come cryin' to me if it bites you in the rear. Though depending on what it's about, I miiight be inclined to lend a helpin' hand.
Good to know, you brat.
Looks like I'm still growing. I gotta keep you around!
Oh, now you need me.
School Uniform
As they say, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Unless someone else is paying for it.
Can you really afford to be spacing out?
... Maybe a little bit.
Need somethin' from me? I'll hear you out if you gimme something in return.
Like what?
I'm willing to keep an eye on Grim anytime you need a break. How's ten marks an hour sound?
... I'll think about it.
You gotta think about what you'll be doin' after graduation and act accordingly. Life doesn't end with graduation, y'know.
I'm fully aware of that, Ruggie. It's just hard when you have no motivation.
P.E. Uniform
I'm a whiz at sports. Well, I'm better than you, anyway.
I don't play sports, so you're really not complimenting yourself there, Ruggie.
Uuugh, I'm starving. I wanna gorge on sugary donuts dunked in milk until I pop.
... Chocolate donut holes.
You got on Coach Vargas' bad side? Just compliment his physique and all will be forgiven.
But he doesn't deserve compliments from me.
Labwear
You'd better stay away from the botanical garden. If you bother Leona while he's trying to nap... Ooh, I shudder to think.
You act like I haven't disturbed his naps before.
Jack is growing a cactus in his room. Is it for emergency rations or somethin'?
I think he's just growing it for fun.
When it comes to cooking, all I can do is throw together whatever's on hand, but it seems like Leona doesn't care as long as it's edible.
I have a cheap meal idea: rice, ground meat and taco seasoning.
I can tell you what was on last year's test. I'll even give you the friend discount!
I think I can handle the test on my own, thanks though.
Ceremonial Robes
You don't know about this school's history? But you GO here!
That doesn't mean I'll look up the history. I shouldn't even be here.
How about a nice picture of you in your robes to remember the occasion? It's just ten thaumarks a copy! What a steal, right?
Really, Ruggie?
Ugh, I'm beat. I'm always so tense durin' formal ceremonies, since I'm not used to them yet. How about you?
I get fidgety from sitting for so long.
Your makeup's smudged. It's okay, I'll fix it. Don't worry, I used to do this as a part-time job!
Oh, okay.
Dorm Uniform
Who just stepped foot in my territory?
I got leftover cookies.
I'm heading to the cafeteria with Leona. Wanna come with? Havin' another gofer will make things a lot easier.
*shakes head playfully*
The most important thing on the savanna is to never let your guard down. If you do… you'll be someone's dinner!
Grim, he meant you'll get bullied.
Even if you can't use magic, there're plenty of ways you can make up for it. Want the whole lecture?
No, not really.
Gala Couture
I used to babysit the neighborhood kids back when I lived in the slums. I'd make 'em flower crowns like this.
Aw.
Leona looked almost princely in his fairy getup. ...Wait, duh. He IS a prince.
But he doesn't act like one.
Easy there. If this outfit gets wrinkled, Professor Crewel's gonna chew our heads off.
He can kiss my ass, I don't want to be here.
Halloween
You better run if you don't want your treasure plundered!
What happens if I don't have treasure for you to steal?
Hmm. Pie, gratin, soup… Oh, don't mind me. Just debating what to do with all the pumpkin guts we scooped outta the jack-o'-lanterns.
... I think the soup because it's chilly out. Heh, pumpkin donuts.
Did you see what Ortho did to scare people? He'd ambush 'em and blast loud screams and banging sounds. The way people jumped and freaked out was hilarious!
I hope he doesn't do that to me cause that hurt me than scare me.
It's a Halloween night packed with ghosts. You might wanna take off now if you don't wanna get scared.
You're saying this to a horror fan. The fun is just starting.
Pirate ships remind me of this time I worked on a cruise ship and got real seasick. Luckily, I adjusted after a few days at sea. a price, of course.
You worked on a cruise?
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judarus · 3 years
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PROMPT : sasuke w/ an s/o who likes to pick his fits for him [ ANON ]
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BEFORE
he thinks you’re joking at first 
so when he sees ur face all serious and stuff he’s like
huh?
thinks its a pretty stupid idea ngl
but after some coaxing he might give it a thought
scratch that he does and will RELUCTANTLY say yes
just to see ur lil face light up lol
its not that he doesnt trust you or anything 
but he probably has his own, very distinct, kinda boring, but signature style
his mind immediately goes to you picking the most ridiculous fits for him
which he shoos away quickly because omg has he seen you?
he knows you can dress and loves your style so he calms down internally
will probably forget after until he gets ready to go out
and you see him bout to leave and ur like
🤨🤨🤨🤨
yeah take ur ass back to the closet boy!!
jk but you tell him you wanna make a few tweaks
he doesnt argue but is pleasantly surprised with how much you upgraded his look after a couple minutes 
like huuuhhh
this might not be so bad  
AFTER 
doesn’t see the hype at all
bUT
admittedly sasuke does like hearing you say what you’d think would look good on him and stuff
i can just picture him with this smug smirk on his as you hold clothes up to him
nodding to yourself like ‘hmm, yes, he’d pull this off so well’
him thinking ‘yeah i’d want you to pull it off’
rdfjnskl
kidding but not really
likes to think of you as his own personal stylist
when someone compliments his clothes he’s for sure going to be like
‘i know, you can thank my stylist, [name],’
also kinda just expects you to choose his clothes for him now lmao
‘[name], i’m meeting with my brother tonight for dinner,’
‘cool, have fun, tell him i said hi for me,’
‘...’
‘... sasuke wha-’
‘i don’t know what i’m going to wear?’
‘oooh,,,’
HONURABLE MENTIONS
he like matching his accessories with you
like same bucket hats, rings, maybe even shoes
simple things like that 
appreciates you putting him in monotone, usually black outfits
but won't throw a fit if you pull out a hawaiian shirt lmao
only because it makes you happy
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© JUDARUS 2021. DO NOT STEAL, REDISTRIBUTE OR RE-UPLOAD ANY OF THE WORKS YOU SEE HERE ON THIS BLOG
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hi could you please make another alice cullen x fem!reader?? i really really love your last one you made, it was so beautiful <3
||AN|| Thank youuu! I'm happy you enjoyed my last one, also, thank you for requesting!
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 。・:*:・゚★,。・:*:・゚☆   。・:*:・゚★,。・:*:・゚☆      。・:*:・゚★,。・:*:・゚☆   。・:*:・゚★,。・:*:・゚☆
Pairing: Alice Cullen x Fem! Reader
Summary: Alice with a human girlfriend who’s more vampire-like than her.
Warnings: None? Fluff. Happy Couple.
Word Count: 2,084 words
GIF isn’t mine
。・:*:・゚★,。・:*:・゚☆   。・:*:・゚★,。・:*:・゚☆      。・:*:・゚★,。・:*:・゚☆   。・:*:・゚★,。・:*:・゚☆
You were always the night owl, lived off coffee and good books and you only wear dark colors. Your routine includes waking up at 10 pm, Cooking and eating your dinner at approximately 11:30 pm, Studying until 6 am, Taking a shower, Make your coffee, and be at school at 7:00 am where you meet up with you too-bright-and-jolly girlfriend, Alice Cullen. After school you then either head home to your own house, or to the Cullens household, either way you crash into anything soft and just ultimately pass out, and your cycle repeats. Sometimes your girlfriend would join you in studying even if she didn’t need it, Sometimes you’d do other things with your girlfriend, some of the things you do aren’t appropriate for a house full of vampires with super hearing, and not to mention her nosy brother who had the ability to read minds. 
“Get out of the way before I pummel you to the ground asshole.” You grumbled to the guy who’s blocking your way and was staring at your girlfriend like she’s a piece of meat. You hated that but you couldn’t do anything. One, pretty sure it’s illegal to kill someone even if you’re thinking about all the ways you could and Two, you miss you girlfriend’s cold hand holding yours.
You see him shiver before grabbing his things and scrambling away, his goons hot on his tail. 
“You have the most creative mind I have ever come across. Really? Using his blood as paint after you use gamma rays to blow up his uhm. Yeah. Where would you even get gamma rays?” Edward scrunches his face as they all approach you.
“Pretty sure Carlisle would hook me up with some.” You smirked then kissed your girlfriend’s forehead, You held her hand in yours as she giggled, getting out of her trance like state.
“Carlisle denied.” She kissed your cheek before dragging you inside the school, where they all separated like the goddamn sea in that one bible story.
Safe to say, you were pretty feared in the whole town. Socially isolated, always has a cup of coffee in hand, dark marks under your eyes, a blank looks often settles on your face,always had earphones in, glared at people who made your family uncomfortable, scared people without trying and a student could’ve sworn he saw you drink someones blood which he says was inside your coffee cup. It was beetroot juice since you ran out of coffee but needed something hot to drink, so you made beetroot juice, with lots and lots of sugar. You were dubbed as a vampire or a witch, which was hilarious considering your girlfriend is a vampire. A bright, happy, sparkling vampire who doesn’t sleep in coffins whatsoever. 
“Have a good day baby, see you at lunch.” Alice kissed your cheek before bouncing in her classroom followed by Emmett who winked at you and Rosalie who raised her brows at you and told you to behave.
“I always behave!” You argued with a small pout on your lips, barely noticeable but Rosalie just smirks before walking gracefully into the room, sitting in between Emmett and Alice who just shooed you away. 
“It’s never a good day.” you whispered while walking away, fully knowing that they could hear you.
Lunch came so slow that by the time you sat at your usual spot, you already had thoughts on murdering your history teacher who ‘unintentionally’ spat at your face and drizzled her spit on your face like a waterfall.
“It’s only been half a day Y/LN, You’ll get through it.” Rosalie slides her tray of food over to you while petting your head.
“i don’t understand why you choose to go through this over and over again.” You groaned, laying your head on Alice’s shoulder. They just laughed and proceeded to talk about things that you don’t even bother to listen to.
“You’re coming over today right?” Alice asked you with that bell like voice that you so loved
“Hmm? Oh yeah, Cuddles?” You whispered to her, internally groaning at how soft you’ve become for your girlfriend. 
“Yes please. You’re warm.”
“And you are freezing cold.” You retorted, stealing some of her fries
“It comes with the package. Now come on, I’ll walk you to your room.” She pats you head while moving away, packing her things. Which low-key made you whine.
“But I always escort you to your room.” You complained
“That’s true, but I figured you wouldn’t be opposed to change.” She smiled, offering her hand which you took.
“Edward?” 
“Nope. Not telling you. I am not going on another shopping spree with that little devil of yours.” He sped walked away, dragging Bella with him
“I think you traumatized him real bad, Ali.” You chuckled
“Good.” She exclaimed
12 midnight, and you just woke up to Alice holding you while reading a book, She smiles at you before tapping her lips, asking for a kiss. You shook your head no, trying to get out of her arms to brush your teeth.
“Nope, kisses first before brushing.” She grips you tighter
“Eww. Morning breath. Alice please!” She just grins before showering your face with kisses.
“There. You can go now, Esme just finished your dinner.” She beamed at you, pushing you into the large bathroom that she has before sitting on the sink.
“Uhm...” You stare at her, confused
“What?” 
The both of you took an hour long shower, you didn’t even need to shower, Alice just persuaded you into doing so. Earning you different looks from different vampires the moment you walked down the stairs.
A suggestive smirk from Rosalie and a laughing Emmett A smirking Jasper A confused Bella with a disgusted looking Edward A smiling Esme holding a bowl of food  And lastly, A laughing Carlisle.
“Oh my God.” You groaned, walking to the dining room, thanking Esme for the food. 
“Really Y/N?” complained Edward who’s cuddling a still confused Bella
“What? Just because you decide to wait until marriage does not mean I have to.” You smirked, winking at Edward who would be blushing if he was human.
“Don’t talk while your mouth is full.” Scolded Esme who’s also trying to keep her laugh in
“Yes Mom. Anyways, Bella I love you, but you look like you’re about to shut down and ready to be pawned like an old computer.” You told her, biting into a chicken leg
“i’ll take her home.” Edward says, grabbing his keys and waits for Bella.
“Why is she here anyways” Grumbled Rosalie, who everyone ignored while you just tapped her head
“Let’s play chess when you get back!” You shouted after him
You finish your food quickly and washed your plates, much to the distaste of Esme, leading your giggling short girlfriend to the couch beside Jasper.
“Jasper~ Wanna watch documentaries of wars and judge everything they did wrong?” You ask Jasper who’s nodding at your request. Alice plopping herself on your lap as she stares at you laughing and smiling with her family.
She’s really happy to have found you the way she did, She reminisced the time when the two of you first met. You were browsing racks and racks of clothes, taking black colored blouses, shirts and button-ups that are your size before walking into a dressing room. While you were in the room, she started to have a vision about the two of you together, having dates and you carrying her shopping bags in this same store, making her all giddy. She was with Rosalie at that time, who just stared at her with a look of slight confusion as she basically bounced to you. You at first was taken aback that someone was actually talking to you, and it was a cute girl at that. Alice greeted you with a smile and a hello before handing you a green blazer and tie, telling you emerald green compliments your eyes and outfit before paying for what you were buying, writing her name and number on the receipt, leaving you dumbfounded at the store
At first she thought that the both of you wouldn’t work out, especially because of all the chaos that recently happened to her family and leaving forks. But you made the effort of always texting her little notes and telling her how your day was, even if she didn’t reply, slowly she felt herself fall more in love with you, letting herself reply and indulge in the visions that she had that involved you. Once she told her family about you, they were a bit skeptical, especially since Carlisle tended to your knuckle wounds one too many times. But upon seeing the love sick look on both your eyes and the loud complaining of Edward at how sickeningly cute your thoughts were of each other, they eventually accepted you as one of their own despite being human. 
And now she stares in awe as you spent about 2 hours criticizing documentaries with Jasper before Edward comes home, and when he did, you played a couple rounds of chess (You always lost, which made Edward laugh every time.) before she decided that she’s bored with you losing to her brother every round and just decided to pick you up and dash to her room. 
“What was that for love?” You ask her when she settled herself in your arms
“I just. I was bored and I realized that it’s been too long since we cuddled.”
“It’s literally been 4 hours since I woke up bumblebee.” You ran your hand through her hair
“I missed you. 4 hours is too long.”
“Awe. I missed you too. Want to pick up where we left off on How to Kill a Mockingbird?” You ask her
“Yes please, I love hearing your voice.” She puts her face on the crook of your neck as you read to her, one of your hand intertwined with hers.
Even though she can’t fall asleep anymore, she loves the way your voice sounds, it calms her down and she could easily compare the “peace” she feels right now to the “peace” she could remember feeling when she was asleep. She really did love you and she doesn’t hesitate to let you know. In multiple various ways. 
Like now, she cut off your reading when her soft lips touched yours. You immediately let go of the book to hold her face lovingly as you put all your feelings into the kiss like you always do. You always felt like your words are never enough, so you always try to express your feeling through physical affection.
As if remembering you need your air, she slowly pulls away, her forehead touching yours as you catch your breath.
“I love you” she whispers, kissing your nose
“I love you too.” You smiled, pecking her lips
Your moment was then ruined when Emmett started banging his fists on the door, loudly exclaiming that you all have to get ready for school. You growled lowly, rolling your eyes.
“Alright! Geez.” You grumpily picked up the book that was tossed to the floor before walking to Alice’s closet where you also keep some of your clothes in...
Only to see that they weren’t there.
“Uhm Alice? Darling? Where are my clothes?” You ask her
She walks to where you are, peeking in slightly before pecking your lips.
“Oops. Accidentally sent all them to your house. Guess you have to wear my clothes then.” She smirked at you, pulling out a lemon yellow trench coat, a rosy pink turtleneck and hot pink pants with a blue belt.
“Baby, Alice. Love. Darling. Bumblebee. Please don’t do this to me.” You pleaded but she just shook her head, handing you the clothes before threatening you with no kisses and cuddles for a week if you refuse.
Your shoulders sag with defeat as you change into the clothes Alice gave you, pouting while walking down the stairs of the Cullen Household. Alice smiles brightly as she hooked her arm around yours. Chuckles and giggles erupted the moment they saw you which made you grumble and murmur underneath your breath as you sip your cup of coffee made by Esme.
“You-” 
“Not a word.” You growled out, blushing furiously as you laughing girlfriend holds your hand while walking through the halls of Forks High school. 
Your girlfriend can be annoying at times, add that to her chaotic family, but you would never trade it for anything. Ever.
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childishfluff · 3 years
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Angel Milk and Bargaining Naps- [Little!Ranboo/CG!Tubbo CGLRE Oneshot]
Summary:
Ranboo flies all the way to Britain to meet one of his friends, Tubbo. The trip is tiring, but he jumps straight into a stream alongside his friend. He's tired and needs a nap, and a joke from the stream causes him to slip. Immediately following the stream, he falls into littlespace and just wants to play, despite his sleepiness. Luckily, Tubbo is understanding and prepared, with a sippy cup of angel milk and a cookie for the little. And lots of determination that goes towards getting the boy to rest, even if it's only for a bit. Some warm angel milk and a few convincing deals should do the trick. -- This is non-sexual, sfw age regression, dni if you're nsfw/abdl/ageplay/cgl/ect. If any of the creators included in this work say *anything* about being uncomfy with fan fiction/of agere content including them, I will take this down and/or modify it appropriately. If they have already said something that I'm unaware of, please let me know.
A/N: I'm gonna be honest, I didn't know if Ranboo lived with his mom or dad or whatever so I just assumed and made his parent figure (who literally doesn't have any lines she's just there) his mom. Anyways, this is just a soft fic that explores the friendship dynamic between Tubbo and Ranboo, because I really like it. This is about 3500-ish words, which is longer then some of my other oneshots, which is cool! I really hope that I wrote Ranboo well, I haven't seen much of anything for little!Ranboo yet and wanted to try it, y'know? I don't think there's any trigger warnings that I need to put, but lmk if there is something I missed. Enjoy the fic!
--
"Ranboo?"
"Tubbo!"
Tubbo ran up to the boy in the black and white mask, the other youtuber decked out in a simple outfit. The only thing signifying the presence of his online persona was the mask. Besides that little detail, just one thing so that Tubbo could spot him easily, he looked like any other person.
"You're taller then I thought you'd be," Tubbo muttered, looking him up and down as he came to stand in front of him. Ranboo stood in front of a car, his mother climbing out of the driver's side and going to the back.
"And you're shorter." Ranboo replied, flinching just a bit at the slam of the car door. He was going to be staying with Tubbo for a week, this was his first meet up. And face reveal. Even now, with his mask on, Tubbo had still seen more of his face then anyone else on the internet.
"Oh, how kind of you," Tubbo joked, rolling his eyes a bit and taking
"Shut up and hug me, you idiot," Ranboo said, opening his arms. "I flew in from America, I get hug." he repeated, almost sounding whiny.
Tubbo laughed, jumping into the embrace and melting into the hug. Ranboo gives good hugs, he decided mentally, not pulling away from the affection for a few long seconds. "It's so nice to finally meet you, This week is gonna be great." Tubbo said, pulling away and going to the back of the car, where Ranboo's mom was unloading luggage.
It was gonna be great, for sure.
--
Ranboo sat just off camera, his mask now off but sitting on his lap, as Tubbo rambled to the chat.  "He's gonna be here for a whole week! Isn't that cool?"
Both boys had been pretty excited for the meet up, they had a lot planned. Tommy was supposed to come by for two days, the second one being a big event with Wilbur and Niki too, all later in the week. This was Ranboo's big trip to meet some of the people he made content with regularly, and he was pretty excited.  
"Put on your mask and shit on and come here, Ranboob." Everyone in chat was asking to see Ranboo. This whole trip was kept secret from the internet and anyone not involved in it, it was a huge surprise to everyone.
"I'm not going to if you're gonna be mean," he said defiantly, crossing his arms and giving him a look. He did not appreciate the 'Ranboob' nickname, not at all.
"I'm not being mean!" Tubbo screeched, basically pouting at him. "Come onnnn." he whined.
The childish traits they were displaying were somewhat just played up for the camera, but they were both littles. They knew about one another, but they had managed to avoid talking about it so far, moving from bring Ranboo's stuff inside, straight into a stream.
"Okay, okay, hold on," Ranboo took a few moments to pull on his mask and sunglasses, before standing up. "Move my chair for me, I wanna make a dramatic entrance." he ordered.
"I'm not your maid," Tubbo declined.
"Dramatic entrance or I'm not moving."
"Fine."
Once Tubbo had moved his chair, Ranboo made his silly enterance, strutting over and taking his seat next to Tubbo. "Hello, chat. You can see me, that's different," he laughed a bit. "I don't usually use a facecam."
"Well, get used to it. We're gonna be doing lots of stuff with cameras this week."
They continued talking about some plans they had, videos to make, streams to do. They hopped on the Minecraft and Discord servers, jumping between voice chats and talking to everyone. Eventually, though, Ranboo started to get tired and whiny. He literally took a whole trip from America, the car ride from the airport, and then jumped right into a stream. He was sleepy, goddammit.
Maybe it was being sleepy, and also excited, but he seemed to be falling into littlespace unknowingly. Acting childish, even just for a joke, usually led to feeling childish.
"Tubboooo," He held out his words, interrupting whatever Tubbo was doing on the SMP. He leaned close to him as he spoke.
"Ranbooooo," his friend mimicked him in a teasing voice, not looking away from the screen as he made his avatar run around the minecraft server.
"End stream, nap." he requested, causing the other boy to laugh. "Please?" he added.
"You can nap, my bed's over there," Tubbo told him, pointing off camera.  "But I'm not done."
Ranboo pouted under his mask. "You're mean, y'know." he claimed, earning a chuckle from Tubbo.
There was a lot of messages in the chat claiming that they were fighting like children, with all their whining and pouting. Neither of them took it in a mean way though, that's what they were going for. It was funny.
"Sure I am." Tubbo said, looking to him for a moment. He quickly paused to say, "We'll end the stream soon, promise. You can sleep after that." He spoke in a much softer voice then before, signifying that he wasn't joking or anything. He was catching on to Ranboo's little behaviors, past the bit.
Ranboo hummed, before looking back to the screen. Tubbo returned to whatever he was doing, and the chat was 'aww'-ing. Ranboo tried to focus on not completely slipping on stream, making sure that any childlike behaviors he exhibited could be passed off as a joke.
He didn't fidget with any sort of toy, or hold a stuffed animal, he just swung his feet under the table, which the viewers couldn't see. Tubbo noticed it, though.
Eventually, Tubbo said goodbye to chat, and ended the stream. Once he logged off of the minecraft server and turned off his computer, he turned his seat to look at Ranboo. He smiled softly, "Hi, buddy."
He re-greeted him, as if talking to a new person. He wasn't, but it was a way to show that he was welcoming Little Ranboo in a kind way. "Hello, Tubbo." he giggled at the nickname, smiling wide.
"How little are you right now?"
Ranboo thought for a moment, not replying at first. He was old enough to be talking, so far, not having many issues pronouncing things. He wasn't really that small, he regressed to this age by himself regularly. It was fun, and he could play, while still being just old enough to take care of himself.
"I'm five." he decided aloud, "For now."
"But that might change?" Tubbo asked in a questioning, curious tone. Unlike Ranboo, he was just pretending and acting childish on stream, now fading in to a very caregivery demeanor. His friend was obviously small, and he was there to help.
"I dunno."
"Hmm," Tubbo noted that that probably meant he would be slipping younger, even if Ranboo didn't want to admit that. Most of the time, if Ranboo had someone to watch him that he trusted, usually Tubbo or Tommy, he'd slip a lot younger. Because he didn't need to take care of himself, he didn't need to worry about staying big enough to care for himself.
"You said you were sleepy, right? You needed a nap."
"No, no, no," Ranboo denied, shaking his head. "Not sleepy anymore." he claimed, contradicting his previous request. He was sleepy, very much so, but now he wanted to play. Now that he didn't have any viewers to worry about, he just wanted to have fun.
"Oh, really?" Tubbo said, standing up from his seat and stretching.
"Mhm," Ranboo hummed, distracted with the task of stealing Tubbo's much more comfortable chair the moment he moved. He also got distracted with spinning around almost right away. Tubbo didn't stop him, a little amused with how easy it was to entertain him.
"You're not sleepy anymore, not at all?" Tubbo sounded disbelieving.
"Nope."
"Alright. Where'd you put your littlegear? Do you have a sippy cup?" Tubbo asked.
"Black bag," Ranboo replied, not even bother to stop the chair, spinning around and around. He giggled at the motion, stopping when he started to get dizzy. While he was distracted, Tubbo had managed to locate the little bag, pull out a sippy cup, and leave the room.
"Tubs?" he pouted, not liking being left alone. "Tubboooo," he whined, getting up from the seat. "Whoa!" he almost tripped and tumbled, realizing he was still dizzy, and therefore, more clumsy. Once he was standing more stably, he heard Tubbo.
"I'm in the kitchen, buddy!" he heard his friend's voice call out, immediately following it. He ran out of the room, making his way to the
He suddenly got shy when he passed his mom and Tubbo's at the table, talking to each other. He slowed down, walking straighter and trying to act 'big'. "They know, you're okay," Tubbo assured, giving him a soft look from his spot by the microwave.
Ranboo still didn't face the adults, going quiet as he went over to Tubbo, now walking instead of running clumsily. He knew that his mom was always supportive, but he still wasn't the most comfortable regressing around her, or adults in general. The only real exceptions to this was his youtube friends who were older then him, because he didn't exactly see them as 'adults'.
It wasn't like any of them were mature.
The two women seemed to notice his discomfort, simply continuing to talk to one another and not bothering him. If they didn't bring any attention to his childlike behavior, or pretend they didn't notice it, then maybe Ranboo wouldn't mind being childish around them. They didn't want to interrupt or make him feel invalid while he was having fun.
"What're you doin'? You left me." he pouted, suddenly realizing that he had yet to take off his mask and sunglasses when his jutted-out lip was met with fabric. He had spoke quietly, so only Tubbo could hear how little his voice was.
He pulled them off, stuffing them into his pocket and rubbing at his eyes. "I'm making you angel milk, I'm sure you'll like it." Tubbo replied, opening the microwave before it went off and pulling the sippy cup out. Ranboo immediately went to reach for it, curious about the new drink he hadn't tried, but Tubbo pushed his hands away.
He didn't usually drink milk, feeling like it was something for babies, not bigger boys like him. But he didn't reject the babying, Tubbo treating him like he was a little younger then he had claimed to be. He really didn't mind it.
"It's to hot for you, bud. Let's just wait a bit, yeah?"
"Oh." Ranboo seemed a little confused, and embarrassed. He should've known that it'd be to hot, it was just heated up. Simple forgetfulness like this made him feel so kiddish, and not in the good way. This was forgotten when Tubbo ruffled his hair, making him giggle a little louder then he would've liked.
"Do you wanna make a snack while we wait?" Tubbo tightened the lid of the cup onto it, before shaking the bottle and setting it on the counter for the time being.
"Please?" Ranboo confirmed, fiddling with the bottom of his shirt as he asked.
"Yeah, let's see what we have." Tubbo said, opening up cupboards and looking into the fridge, Ranboo simply following him around. Ranboo stopped him from closing a cupboard right before he did by pulling on his shirt, pointing to cookies that sat up in it. Tubbo chuckled, "I should've known you would've asked for cookies. You can have one, but only after eating something else, okay?"
Tubbo agreed to these rules, happy he was getting any at all. He watched Tubbo pull out a plastic plate for him, setting the promised cookie on the side of it. "We have fruit? Do you like grapes?"
Ranboo eagerly nodded, "The green ones?"
"Yep," Tubbo smiled, pulling them out. The next few minutes consisted of Tubbo washing the fruit, putting it on the plate, grabbing the milk, and leading them back to his bedroom.
"Can I sit in your chair, p'ease?" Ranboo asked politely as he shut the door behind them, Tubbo's hands to full to do so.
"Go ahead," Tubbo confirmed. "Good job on asking nicely," he added, earning a smile from the boy. Ranboo immediately ran over to the chair, sitting in it and spinning again.
"Be careful, sweetie. I heard you almost fall because you were dizzy," Tubbo reminded. Ranboo's face flushed as Tubbo continued, "I know you're a bit clumsy when you're small, I wouldn't want you to get hurt."
Ranboo didn't know Tubbo could hear that. He wasn't that clumsy, he thought. The stupid chair just made him dizzy.
Tubbo went over and sat in the chair Ranboo was originally in, not commenting on his blushing. "Have you ever tried Angel Milk before?" Tubbo questioned, changing the subject to avoid embarrassing him more, shaking the bottle again once setting the plate of snacks on the desk in front of the computer.
"Nuh-uh," Ranboo shook his head. "Is it yummy?"
"Mhm, it's warm milk with sugar and vanilla and cinnamon in it. It's really yummy," Tubbo confirmed. He tried feeling the outside of the cup, not being able to tell exactly how hot it was. He tipped it over once putting the tip against his finger, letting out just enough of the milk to know the temperature. "I think this has cooled off enough for you, buddy. Here."
Ranboo took the royal blue sippy cup in both hands. The cup part was clear, so you could see the liquid inside, and the lid was his favorite color. The cup was a little smaller then a normal cup, but it was shaped like one, so if there ever came a time where he had to hide that he was using a sippy cup, he could just take the lid off and probably get away with it.
He sipped it, liking the feeling of the warm, but not too hot liquid on his tongue. He drank a bit of it before saying anything. "Yummy," he decided, in just one word, speaking with a soft smile. He leaned back into the chair, continuing to drink it. He seemed calmer, softer, even.
"I'm glad you like it, little one. Maybe don't drink it all before you even start eating, though."
"Oh," Ranboo said, pulling the cup away from his mouth. "Mkay." he agreed, wiping at his lips with his hand.
"You eat while I get some more of your little stuff out, okay?"
"mhm." Ranboo only hummed, swinging his feet under him like he had done earlier. After a minute or so of eating and looking around the room mindlessly, he felt something get set on his head. He looked up, causing the item to fall. The stuffed toy fell into his lap as Tubbo came around the chair, sitting down, holding a few things. He set the stuff in his lap.
"Boo!" he giggled, holding the toy bear close to his chest. 'Boo the Bear' was his favorite stuffed animal, and it was the only on he brought with him, and he was glad he did. To some extent, he knew he'd slip during this trip at some point, that's why he brought all the little stuff. He just didn't expect it to be so quickly.
"I found him hiding in your bag," Tubbo joked, picking up something from his lap. Pajamas.
"No!" Ranboo immediately said, without Tubbo getting the chance to say anything. "Don' need a nap." he huffed.
"I think you do. Just for a bit, so you have more energy to play later!" Tubbo spoke in a mock-excited tone, trying to paint the idea of napping in a more positive light for the little.
Spoiler alert, it didn't work well.
"Noooo," Ranboo whined.
"Doesn't cuddling up with Boo in comfy pajamas sound nice, sweetie?" He tried again.
Ranboo thought for a moment, shrugging. He casted his eyes downward, taking another drink from his cup, suddenly realizing how sleepy the warm liquid made him. Of course, he didn't catch onto the fact that Tubbo did that on purpose, but he didn't really need to know that.
"I'll nap with you, if you want. I promise, I won't have any fun without you."
Ranboo looked up, "Just for a bit?" he asked, in his now babyish voice. Tubbo was doing a fairly good job of convincing him.
"I'll wake you up in an hour or two, promise." Tubbo confirmed.
Ranboo thought again, glancing at the cookie on his plate before coming up with another question. "Can I have more cookies when I wake up? And more milk?"
Tubbo was slightly amused by the fact that he was treating this like some soft of business deal, but he was gonna take what he could get. "Sure thing."
"Okay," Ranboo agreed, hesitancy seemingly gone. "You have to cuddle with me and Boo, though! An- and play with me when I wake up!"
"Deal." Tubbo chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Now, let's finish your food and then get ready for your nap."
Ranboo was able to finish his grapes and his cookie in just a few minutes, sipping the last of his milk before setting it on the desk with the plate. "All gone," he said, yawning a bit. He rubbed a his eyes, leaning back into the seat. He was a lot sleepier then he thought he was.
"Yep, good job. Now, what do we do next?" Tubbo asked.
Ranboo sat up a bit, tilting his head, "Comfy clothes?" he offered, earning and approving hum from Tubbo.
"Are you big enough to do this yourself?" Tubbo handed him a stack of clothes, Ranboo nodding as he took it. Yeah, he was a little younger then five, but he could pull himself a little older to get dressed.
He ran off to the bathroom, leaving Tubbo with the important job of watching Boo. While he was gone, Tubbo moved around the pillows and blankets on his bed so that he'd be more comfortable. Ranboo came back, standing at the door shyly, clad in pajama pants and a matching slight-oversized soft cotton shirt.
"Look at how cute you look! You're so adorable." Tubbo cheered immediately, once picking up on his nervousness.
He was complimenting the boy because he seemed to be nervous about wearing more 'little' clothes around him, because until now, he was wearing 'big kid' clothes and just feeling small. Now, he looked it too. The pattern on the clothes was a bunch of little gold crowns, on a black backdrop.
"T'ank you," Ranboo shut the door behind him again, coming over to the bed and climbing onto it. He took Boo from Tubbo when he offered him the toy, coming up by the pillows and trying to position himself. As he did that, Tubbo shut off the light, glad it was the middle of the day so he didn't have to worry about any 'scared of the dark' issues. "Tubs?"
"Hmm?" The mentally-older boy replied, grabbing one last thing from the bedside table and climbing into bed beside Ranboo, facing him. Ranboo was curled up, stuffed bear cuddled to his chest, content with Tubbo just being close to him. They weren't cuddling, but he was willing to settle with just knowing that he was right there.
"m' feelin' smaller," he admitted after a moment, shy about the confession, yawning again as he sunk into the comfort on the soft pillows.
"Yeah?" Tubbo asked, looking at him softly. "How small?"
"lots an' lots."
"That's so small!" Tubbo, again, was amused by his childish actions. "Do you need a pacifier, sweetie?"
Ranboo, if any bigger, would've protested against the idea of using a pacifier and being called a baby, but he just nodded a bit. His demeanor was softer, and shyier. And it was easy to tell that he had trouble talking now.
"Good thing I already pulled one out for you," Tubbo laughed, revealing the last item he grabbed. A white pacifier, simple and plain, stuffed into his bag just in case he needed it. Tubbo lifted it to Ranboo's lips, the little taking it in his mouth and suckling on it a bit before letting his eyes drift shut.
Later on, he'd be embarrassed about using a pacifier in front of Tubbo, but right now, he was to small and sleepy to even care. The rest of the day, along with the rest of the meet up, would be great. Ranboo would wake up big, and they'd record a video with Tommy and then they'd watch movies. It'd all be great.
But right now, neither of them were worried about the rest of the day, because Ranboo was small and sleepy. Before falling asleep, he mumbled his last words before his nap.
"Ni' ni', Tubs." Tubbo has to stop himself from cooing at his adorable sleepy mumbling. Tubbo was glad that this was something they could support each other with, that this was something Ranboo trusted him with. He was so lucky. He replied, in the simple soft tone that he'd been using all day,
"Night, buddy."
--
A/N: okay so they meet up for a week, and I also mentioned tommy, wilbur, and niki, so there's room for me to write another oneshot in this universe. So if that's something you want, then go ahead and request in the comments! I imagine that tubbo and tommy are also littles, while wilbur and niki are cgs. 
You can also request in-the-smp fics or just another oneshot for anyone! I might not write it, but please, still request, because the worst that can happen is that I say no.
also someone recently tried to request a fic involving an abusive cg and I just wanna say, I will never write anything like that, so don't request it. The farthest I will go is a caregiver yelling a bit, *NOTHING MORE*.
anyways, please leave feedback in the replies/reblogs/my ask box, on what you thought about this oneshot. Your favorite scene, cutest moments, things that you'd like to see within this universe. Whatever you want, feedback helps! Thanks for reading!
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johnkrrasinski · 4 years
Text
So It Goes... 
full masterlist
Pairings: Rock star/Bassist!Bucky Barnes x female!reader (AU)
Word count: 7,149 
Warning: fluff, SMUT! but mostly just me falling in love with bucky, really.
Summary: natasha romanoff aka your annoying roommate coerced you into the howling commando’s live performance at a divebar near your dorm. little did you know, it was going to lead you to the man of your dreams aka the charming rock star boy/bassist, james buchanan barnes.
a/n: this one’s written for @sourpatchkidsandacokecan​‘s “Little Darlin’s Mysteru AU” challenge. i chose band/rockstar au. here’s another love letter to bucky barnes because i love that man with my entire heart and every fic that i write about him is basically just me expressing my deep affection for this man. hope you guys enjoy this one cause i certainly do! also, rock star/boy band bucky is such a concept omg i’m in love
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You laid in your twin-sized bed as you heard the chirping sounds of the birds outside of your window. They were singing cheerily as if they knew what you were feeling and they were celebrating with you. It felt like you were in a Disney movie that you used to obsess over as a kid, where you are the lovestruck princess because you just met a handsome prince who swept you off your feet at first sight.
The birds outside of your window are your animal pals who swoon over you swooning and they spontaneously harmonize and dance to this newfound joy. You couldn’t resist the smile taking over your face. It was too early for you to be awake on a Saturday morning. You were always up by 10 AM. No more, no less. But it was currently 8.45 AM and you still had at least one more hour to get up and be productive.
But not today. Today, you were going to welcome this exhilarating sensation in your bones, and you were going to savour every second of it. Because you couldn’t shake away those baby blue eyes and that suave, boyish charm. The way, they electrified you by first glance and made you tremble when those pupils dilated. You could still feel the way his soft, plump lips hypnotized you last night. And the raunchy way he held you at the bar.
Even when all was said and done, he found a way to haunt you in your dreams.
And you didn’t mind one bit.
-
You were currently in the middle of a crisis due to your upcoming final week. If there’s any word to describe you as a college student, it would be ambitious. The idea of failing or getting less than B+ makes you go ballistic. You were an active student. You joined multiple organizations that expanded your social life. You got along with mostly everyone in your classes and you had your professors’ respect too for your excellent grades and polite manners.
But your lack of dating life irked no one else more than your roommate, Natasha. You loved Natasha with your entire heart, really. She was like a sister to you. You were an only child so you cherished her older sister role in your life. She was, in fact, several months older than you and she always protected you like her own. Starting from the asshole that broke your heart in high school, despite only knowing him through your story, to incessantly pushing you to stop being such a nerd and have more fun.
Natasha was the kind of woman you don’t wanna mess with. She was loyal, brave and quick-witted. She knows how to keep her GPA high, whilst also maintaining a fun social life. She managed to do it all so effortlessly. 
“C’mon, y/n! Just one night! You need to let loose and release all tension on your shoulders, baby. It’s good for your brain before finals start!”
“Noooo, Nat. Rock bands are not my thing and I’d have a higher chance of acing the tests if I study now, okay? Just go. Have fun without me and tell me how it goes.”
“But my boyfriend’s performing, y/n. And I want you to meet him! I promise they are really good. Even if you're not into the music, you can still go for the drinks, right? Also, they’ve got other cute members available so, you might find your own rock band boyfriend too if you go.” She winked. Her smirk was menacing.
“Ugh, I’m not interested in finding a boyfriend, Nat.”
“I know, but wouldn’t hurt if you do, right? Then we can go on double dates and have them write songs about us. Oh God, it’s going to be awesome.”
“Whoa, slow down. I haven’t even learned their names, yet and we are already discussing double dates?”
“Alright, let’s just start with putting on your sexy clothes and meet them yourself. Then we can move onto picking one gorgeous beast for you.”
“What makes you even think that they’d be interested in me?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, y/n. Have you never owned a mirror? You are a total babe. You just need to get yourself more action.”
“Ugh, I don’t know, Nat…”
“You are going. And I’m not leaving until you get up and put on something cool. I have patience, baby and I’m going to annoy you all night if you stay. What do you prefer? Going out and have fun and meet some cute boys or me annoying you all night so you can’t study productively.” She glared at you. Her tone indicated that there was no compromise.
“Alright, I’m going. But that’s only because I wanna meet your boyfriend, alright? Not because I wanna find a boyfriend or whatever stupid shit you’re thinking.”
“Yay!” She jumped in excitement. Her face was content with joy and satisfaction from succeeding in persuading you. “Alright, let’s dig through your clothes.” She started rummaging your shared closet and observed meticulously each one of your outfits. “Hmm… Let’s try this one!” She picked up a strapless black sequin dress that you hadn’t worn in forever. You didn’t even remember packing it up in your baggage and brought it with you to your dorm.
You began stripping yourself out of your oversized hoodie and high-waisted shorts. You didn’t feel embarrassed changing in front of Natasha, you had seen each other naked many times. You were roommates after all and sometimes, you just had to be comfortable with the fact that you had private body parts underneath and within the course of four years, eventually, you had to get used to flashing one another at some point.  
You put it on as you started to feel a little uncomfortable. You weren’t used to wearing skimpy dresses. Already wearing it for less than three minutes, you were constantly lifting the hem of the dress to prevent it from exposing your boobs and revealing your inner thighs. And the material felt itchy on your skin too. “Nat, I’m not sure about this. Let’s just wear a leather jacket and jeans.”
“Nonsense! You look bomb! Give your leather jacket and jeans a break, alright? Okay, turn around so I can see your behind.”
You twirled as she said, restlessly.
Tonight was going to be a longspun night…
-  
The air felt crisp against your skin, as the breeze swept through your freshly curled hair, causing a few strands shading your sight. You struggled to walk steadily in your 7-inch heels that belonged to Natasha because you didn’t have a pair of your own. You were cool with wearing ankle boots pairing them with a sparkly dress. But Natasha didn’t think it was a cute look.
“What? Boots and dresses don’t go along, honey. Oh my, you need a serious makeover!” She was derailed.
You eventually settled with a silk red dress with a seductively low cleavage on the front, exposing the globes of your breasts. You were already as uncomfortable as it is, this dress didn’t make it any easier to act normal.
So you had to endure walking in these deadly shoes of torture, whilst clad in nothing but a scanty material with makeup painting your entire face. Great. What had you gotten yourself into? Damn you, Natasha.
You and Nat were walking arm in arm to the bar where “The Howling Commandos” were performing. That’s the name of the band that Natasha’s boyfriend was in. They have been a group for 5 years now, they had been doing this since they were in high school. Clint and the rest of the members were several years older than you and Nat. As soon as they graduated, they decided that they wanted to keep making music rather than working mundane, dead-end jobs.
Yep, Natasha told you that much.
Clint and Nat had been dating for two years now. They rarely saw each other due to the band’s packed schedule. Although, they would FaceTime each other every night, talking about each other’s days. You heard it all, from their most disgustingly adorable flirtations, to the most inappropriate, not so PG-13 confession.
They would literally pretend to smooch one another through the screen when you were doing your homework or when you had your nose deep in a book. You’d try to cover your ears by putting on your earbuds and turning up the volume so you could give them privacy but also, you didn’t wanna hear them talking about what they wanted to do to each other if both of them were here.
You knew Clint well enough to not feel like you were meeting a complete stranger. Natasha would often tell you to say hi to him and she had told you a lot of wonderful things to Clint. Clint would often talk about the band too on the phone, how someone called “Bucky” would piss him off by stealing his leftover sandwich. Or someone called “Sam” would often interrupt their chat by reminding him that it was soundcheck time.  
“I gotta go, babe. Sammy’s not gonna stop yelling.”
“Aw, okay, tell the boys I say hi! Love you.”
“Love you too, baby.”
It’s like a daily podcast for you every night.
The dive bar where The Howling Commandos were performing thankfully wasn’t that far from your dorm. Natasha was super thrilled when Clint told them that they were going to perform here. They were finally able to see each other after a while, and because this was going to be their last gig until they come back with a new album, he said he was going to stay and spend some time with Nat.
You were happy for both of them. You’d never say it out loud but, a part of you was secretly jealous of their love. They managed to maintain such a fun, loving, and healthy relationship despite the distance and differences. Natasha once told you that she was never one to settle with a man for too long but, Clint changed the game for her. You smiled at the thought. They were genuinely in love. If you were to find yourself a boyfriend, you wanted the type of love that they had.
But not tonight. You were okay with being single. Just because a part of you wanted what Clint & Nat had, doesn’t mean that you actually need it or you’d die. You were too much of a goal-oriented person to be chasing over something that should come naturally. You had grown so comfortable in being alone, that you stopped desiring love so much. It wasn’t getting you anywhere. So you lived your life, being grateful for your friends and family. You invested your time in your education and passion. You were content.
When you arrived at the bar, the room was full with a crowd. You walked in with Natasha trying to make a space for yourself so you could walk through them. You could barely anything else due to the number of bodies blocking your view. Natasha held your hand as she took the lead and fought through the crowd to get to the front, where she could get the best view.
There was a blonde-haired woman standing on the front, so close to where the band were going to play. When Natasha slightly grazed her whilst trying to stand next to her, she didn’t look the slightest bit happy. She glared at Natasha as Natasha noticed. She glared back at her.
“Excuse me, there’s more space in the back, maybe you can stand there instead of cutting through the line.”
“Excuse you, miss. I’m dating the band’s drummer, so I can stand wherever I want, thank you very much. If you don’t like that, then the exit is right there.” She pointed to the door of where we walked in from.
The blonde woman rolled her eyes as she folded her arms against her chest. After you stared at her reaction, you realized that you actually know her. She was in the same social science class with you. You had never really talked to her because she often sat in the back and immediately left after the class was done, but you remembered her name. Her name was Dottie Underwood. Your classmates called her Dot. The ones that she liked anyway.
You decided to stay quiet and let it pass. It’s not like she even recognized you even if you start a chat with her. You don’t think it was a good idea either since she and Nat literally just snarked at each other. You directed your sight to the stage and waited for the famous Howling Commandos to appear.
One of the spotlights turned and highlighted a man walking on stage before he talked into the microphone at the centre. “And now, ladies and gentlemen, a group of brilliant lads, that make all the ladies go feral wherever they go, and their showstopping music are going to make us sing and jump tonight. Please welcome, The Howling Commandos!”
The crowd roared with cheers, the sounds of their enthusiasm filled the atmosphere. Their claps were jovially in sync as four, drop-dead gorgeous young men stepped into the stage as their presence shifted the energy in the room.
The first one was a blonde-haired with breathtaking bone structure, forming a ridiculously handsome face. His hair shone under the spotlight like the sun amidst the clear sky. He had an amiable demeanour about him. His smile was gentle and welcoming. He waved to the crowd and stood directly behind the microphone.
The second one to walk in was a dark-skinned man with an undeniable charisma oozing out of him. He had a neatly trimmed beard that only added to his spicy appeal. His smile was radiant as he also waved the crowd. He stood on the left side of the stage, a couple of steps behind Steve who was apparently the lead singer.
The third one to walk in was Clint. He was everything Nat described him to be. Placid and nonchalant. His smile was amenable as he greeted the crowd. He walked directly to the background, where the drumset was placed. He sat down on the drummer’s chair as he picked up the sticks he was going to play with.
The last one to enter was a literal Disney prince coming to life. His prominent boyish charm completely bedazzled you. His blue eyes gleamed under the spotlight as they lingered on you for a second. He immediately shifted his gaze as he kept walking towards the right side of the stage, but you swore that when he caught you staring dumbfoundedly at him, you could see the flash of a quick smirk on his face.
He only nodded to the crowd as he confidently picked up the bass guitar that was previously placed on the floor and put on the leather straps around his neck. His eyes turned back to you as you found yourself still bluntly staring at him. Something about him just enchanted you. He had that boy-next-door charm about him but also, a bad boy persona that was irresistibly enticing.    
That flash of smirk that you saw earlier resurfaced and it was getting harder for you to pay attention to anyone or anything else in the room other than him. His gaze grew more intense as the noises of the crowd faded into the background. You were lost in this lethal game of eye contact until Natasha accidentally elbowed you by screaming her lungs out to respond to the lead singer’s introduction.
“Good evening, SHIELD’s Nest! How are we feeling tonight?” The lead singer vivified the crowd. They responded with a reassuring reaction. “I’m Steve Rogers and these are my buddies,” he turned his head to the left, as he started introducing the other band members.  “The handsome guy right there is Sam, and in the back, there’s Clint, our brilliant drummer boy and this ladies’ charmer right here is Bucky.” As he pointed to the magnetic man who had held your attention hostage since he first walked in.
“And we are The Howling Commandos.” He paused for a second before carrying on with his prelude. “Alright, so the first song that we’re going to play tonight is called ‘Rusted Love’. Enjoy.” Steve removed his mouth from behind the microphone and started cueing the band to play. “1,2…”
Sam and Bucky started strumming the first few notes as a few people cheered. Then Clint jumped in, flaunting his talent in mastering the drum with his sticks. The energy in the room felt more energized as people started moving a part of their bodies. Then Steve amazed the room with his sultry voice, singing the words that echoed through the Sound system of the bar.
“I’m a flying kite in a hurricane, you paralyzed me with your touch and your lips got me addicted…” Steve shut his eyes, relishing the rune. You had a feeling that those lyrics wouldn’t just stay lyrics tonight…
-
They played another four songs that night. The crowd danced, jumped and screamed the words to their song passionately. You, on the other hand, was probably the most tranquil person in the crowd. You didn’t really know much about the band, let alone their music. So when everyone was constantly pushing you because they were too lost in the moment, you eventually tried to get out of the crowd and sat on the bar instead. Natasha was also too lost in supporting her boyfriend, that she almost didn’t notice you leaving.
Through the vibration of the crowd and the music, you had to really lean in to get Natasha’s attention and to get her to hear you. “Nat! I’m gonna sit in the back and wait there. I’m a little thirsty.” She had a giant smile on her face due to the zest the band inflicted. “Okay!” She yelled back, then carried on with her foxy moves.
You struggled to walk through the crowd, trying to not step on anyone’s feet as you made your way to the barstool. What you didn’t notice was, Bucky’s disappointed on his face when he saw you walking out on him. He noticed that you weren’t exactly as thrilled as anyone else. Although, he noticed your stolen glances as you shied away from him when he stared back. He even tried to wink at you once but you immediately looked to the floor, hiding away your blush. He swore he saw the way your cheeks reddened. Not that he wasn’t used to getting that reaction anyway…
You exhaled a breath of relief as you finally broke out of the congested mass of people. You sat on the barstool as you ordered a glass of rum and you waited as the music still reverberated robustly in your ears. You sat there as you started looking through your Instagram. Nat’s icon was the first one to appear in the row and you clicked it to see what you were expecting. She recorded a video of the band, then zoomed in to Clint, as he was ardently drumming the beat.
She put on a heart eyes and fire emoji with the text; “that’s my man!”. The next one was her and you singing along to the second song they played that night. You were able to actually mouth the words after they played the last chorus and you were a quick learner, so you memorized the repeated words easily after the third time. You scrolled through your feed a few more minutes until your order finally arrived.
“Enjoy, miss.” The waiter winked at you. He was probably in his mid-20s, he had warm brown eyes and a sweet smile. His dark hair was slicked back as you stared a little longer than you should. He was obviously attractive, but, you didn’t say anything back to him. You just smiled back in a friendly manner and uttered silenced thanks.
After sitting by yourself for about a half and an hour, like all good things, the show must come to an end. Steve Rogers concluded the show with a final thank you and goodnight as the spotlight shut down, like the drapes closing over a theatrical show. The crowd clapped and some of them started leaving, while others immediately went to the bar to quench the thirst from screaming along to volatile rock music and jumping up and down, getting lost in the tune.
Natasha patted your back as she jumped on the empty chair next to you. Thank God, she was quick on her feet, otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to get a seat. “Hey! God, I need a full shot of whiskey right now.”
“Yeah, go crazy.”
She scoffed. “Huh. As if that wasn’t crazy enough, back there.” She signalled the bartender to make an order. “So, what do you think? That was fun, right?” The cute bartender from earlier walked to her as he asked her what would she like to drink and she quickly replied.
“Yeah, they’re pretty good.”
“Pretty good? They’re damn talented. Especially the drummer back there. He totally killed it.”
“Yeah, okay, they are amazing. But you know their music isn’t my kind of music, so can’t say  I really enjoyed it that much.”
“Okay, but you must’ve at least enjoyed the view, right? Don’t think I didn’t catch you and bass boy making several eye contacts back there.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” You took another sip of your glass to cover your embarrassment.
“Oh my God, you totally do! Look at you blushing!”
“I’m not!”
“Yes, you are! Admit it! You like Bucky, don’t you?” She playfully pushed you to tease you.
“Oh my God, shut up Nat! You’re causing a scene!” You tried to lower yourself, now that you’re able to speak in a normal volume.
“Nope, I won’t stop until you admit it. Don’t worry, y/n, Bucky’s always been a charmer, so I totally get your attraction.”
That caused a peculiar sickness in your chest. It’s not like you were falling in love with Bucky, no. You didn’t even know him enough to like him. He may be an eye-candy but if he’s really as “charming” as everyone is saying, then that means, he’s one of those dangerous fuckboys that you should avoid at all cost. Because that means, he’s probably only going to manipulate you into thinking that he really cares for you, when in reality, he only wanted to get in your pants. Nope, not gonna happen to you. You weren’t going to be a new notch in his belt.
“Well, then that means he is bad news and that gives me even more reason to feel anything but attraction toward him.”
“Oh, no, y/n, I don’t mean it like that. He’s really sweet, and he’s always been the most chill one in the group. Trust me, you’re gonna love him. Just, give him a chance first, alright? I’ve known him long enough to know that he’s into you.”
“Into me? Nat, he doesn’t even know my name.”
“He will.” She winked again, as she took a sip of her whiskey.
Not long after that, Clint appeared from behind, without Nat realizing. He surprised her by wrapping her waist from behind as he whispered into her ears; “how’s my best girl?” Nat was slightly stunned but as soon as she realized it was her boyfriend, her expression instantly turned into a joyful one. “Hi, baby!” They immediately smooched as she wrapped her arms around his neck while standing face to face now.
“Did you like the show?”
“I loved the show, you guys killed it as always. Oh, and by the way, this is y/n, my number one bestie and the best roommate anyone could ever ask for. Now you finally meet her in person!” Her excitement was genuine.
“Hi, y/n! Heard so many great things about you, but you probably can’t say the same, huh?”
“No, actually I can. Nat wouldn’t stop talking about you every night even when I’m blatantly ignoring her.” You joked.
“Well, is that right?” He looked at Nat to assess the truth on her face.
“Yep,” you carried on. “She would say you’re hot, funny and kind, and all these wonderful things. Including the ones that I’m not supposed to hear.”
They laughed. They kissed once more, as Clint stood next to her seat, ordering a drink for himself. Next to you, you could hear Nat saying, “oh, where are the boys? Are they not thirsty?”
“They’re just packing up, babe, they’re gonna join us in a few.”
“Good, ‘cause I think there’s someone y/n would like to meet.” She teasingly wiggled her eyebrows at you, as you sent her a murderous glare. Your lips silently mouthed, “what the fuck?” but Clint picked up her tone and he quickly got the message.
“Oooh, who is it? Is it Steve, Bucky, Sam? Just let me know which one you like and I’ll deliver them at your door tonight, y/n. They’re all single and ready to mingle anytime now.”
You laughed nervously. “No, no, no, no. Nat’s just saying shit.”
She turned her head to her boyfriend and shook it.  “No, I’m not. She and Bucky practically eye fucked on stage.”
You instantly slapped her arm, staring deadly into her eyes. “Ouch!” She put her hand on the spot that you struck, even though it wasn’t even that hard. Classic Nat. Dramatic as always.  “Nat, you can’t just–”
Before you even managed to finish your sentence, she darted her eyes to somewhere behind you as she pointed at whatever got her distracted. “Oh, here they are!” She smirked. She raised her eyebrows at you before she stood on her feet and hugged the anticipated men.
“Hey, guys! Killer show back there!” Nat started hugging Sam and he kissed her cheek, and then she moved onto Steve and the last one to join was Bucky. You muttered ‘shit’ to yourself as you pondered on how you should act. Should you act like nothing ever happened during the show between you two? Or were you going to address the elephant in the room, and just straight up flirt with him, now that he wasn’t being so closely watched anymore?
You didn’t know which would be the best option so you just took a big gulp and drank down the entire glass of Rum you had left. Maybe if you were less sober, you wouldn't excessively overthink. You weren’t even sure whether he was really staring at you or not. For all you knew, he could be staring at another beautiful girl in the crowd that was standing beside or behind you. And if you act impulsively now, this would be like that cheesy moment on Rom-Coms, where a girl waved back to the guy who she thought was waving at her but it turns out, he was actually waving at another girl who was coming from the same direction as her.
Nope, you weren’t going to be that girl.
So you just smiled and nodded along as Natasha introduced you to the rest of the boys. You didn’t want to be rude so you sat on your chair, facing them with an interested look, even though all you wanted to do was just shrink and leave this goddamn place.
“Hey guys, here’s my bomb-ass bestie slash roomie. Her name’s y/n! Isn’t she stunning?”
When Steve was about to offer his hand to you, Sam immediately inserted himself in front of you and Steve. “Well, hello, good-lookin’. Can I buy you a drink?” Sam, being the cool dude he was, he leaned back against the bar counter on his elbows as he shamelessly flirted with you.
“Nope, thank you. I just had one.”
“Oh, you look like you could use another one. Here, let me get that for you.” He cued the bartender to make an order and you instantly tried to stop him, telling him that it wasn't necessary, but it looks like the bartender was already taking his order for you.
And then, out of nowhere, Bucky suddenly stooped in like a hero. “Hey, Sam, why don’t you back off? This one’s mine, alright?” That elicited a questioning look out of you. “Mine?” He didn’t even know you.
“Oh wait, so this is the one you told us about in the dressing room?” What the hell? You thought. They were talking about you as if you weren’t there at all.
“Yep, so why don’t you fuck off and get out of here before I get myself drunk enough to shit on your bed?” His tone was menacing but you could tell that this was a normal, daily conversation between the two.
“Jeez, alright. I’mma leave. You don’t need to wave your dick all over my face.” Before Sam moved to another spot, he patted you on the back and said, “good luck.”
What? What the hell was that for? The bartender came in with your order and served another glass of Rum right in front of you.
“You don’t need to drink that if you don’t want to.” He carefully spoke to you, as if he was trying to not scare you away.
“No, I think I need to. Tonight’s been a pretty crazy night.” You took a sip, the cold drink felt nice on your tongue.
He chuckled. “Yeah, tell me about it.”
“Oh, how crazy can it be for you? Isn’t this like, what you do, every night?”
“Yeah, but, you never really get used to it, you know? Sometimes you just wanna sit in the bar and have a nice talk with a pretty gal and hide in the booth or something.”
That… Warmed up your heart. Damn, if this is his way of flirting, it was truly working. You could see now why everyone was calling him ‘a charmer.’ He really had a way with words. And stares. His baby blues really know how to captivate you and froze you on spot.
“I’m Bucky, by the way.” He offered his hand to shake yours.
“I’m y/n.” You shook it with a smile.
“Did you like the show?” He asked.
“Gotta be honest with you, buddy, your music isn’t exactly my kind of music. But you guys were awesome.”
He paused for a moment as if he was contemplating what he was going to say next. “Think I got a little distracted up there.”
“Oh yeah? Why is that?”
“Cause there was this pretty lady in a red dress that I couldn’t take my eyes off of.” His gaze even grew more intense now. He was looking at you like you were the only thing in the room. Then his eyes darted to your lips, as he licked his. And before you knew it, he started inching his face closer to yours as he held his gaze on your plump, painted lips, while you could feel his breath more and more as the seconds went by.
And then… His lips were on yours. It’s like the clock just stopped ticking and every noise faded into the background and you were the only two people in the room. His lips felt soft against yours, and the way he licked your bottom lip made your head spin. You ajarred your mouth to let his tongue enter as it got tangled with yours.
You were aware that Nat, Clint and Steve who were having a conversation are now watching you like hawks, but you couldn’t care less. Not when Bucky’s hands grabbed your face, so he could have more control over your mouth. You were practically out of breath by the time he looked into your eyes, that are now slightly darker than a few seconds ago. He loved the sight of you, with your lips slightly swollen.
“Let’s go somewhere more secluded.” You could only nod and then took his hand after he offered you his as you got off the stool. He led the way and you couldn’t help but notice the glances that were thrown by several women along the way. They were staring at him with incontrovertible full of hunger eyes, one even shamelessly put her hand on his shoulder, as she coquettishly smiled at him. Bucky only smiled back and nodded at her but he kept walking with you in his hand.
Even if you were practically a pair, you felt invisible. Everyone’s eyes were on you, but not precisely on you. This must’ve been something normal to him, you thought. You weren’t used to big crowds and inundated with attention, and you weren’t used with unquestionably holding a stranger’s hand and letting him take you wherever he had in mind. But you did anyway, and you weren’t having second thoughts.
Bucky led you to the cramped lavatory and locked the door. The lack of space made it even harder for you to breathe when Bucky was this close to you. He pressed his body to yours, as he kissed you once more. Slowly, but you felt the spell in your bones. “All I could think about on stage was tasting those luscious lips.”
You were spellbound by his magic. You could barely speak another word when his baby blue eyes were looking at you so intensely like that. But you gathered every cell in your body to utter the words anyway, “do it again, then.” You boldly challenged him.
He grinned a Cheshire cat smile. He grabbed your face again and eagerly consume you with his mouth. He then moved his hands to the back of your thighs to elevate you onto the sink. He put his hand on your thigh and the other hand went to the back of your head as he grabbed a fistful of your hair, while still kissing you even deeper.
He pulled away to stare at your distraught state and asked the question, “can I touch you?”
You licked your lips, as you nodded. “Please.” His mouth was on yours again, as the hand that was on your thigh moved to the bottom your dress, delicately inserted his fingers to feel you against your red lace panties. You could feel yourself growing wetter and wetter as he motions his fingers in circle harder.
Your breath quickened. Your mind was getting hazy as the second passes by. The right strep of your dress had fallen off of your shoulder, and Bucky utilized that opportunity to pull down the other strap and he began groping your breast, tenderly pinching your nipple. That elicited a petite yelp out of you. He groped your breast once more as he was still toying with your nipple.
He began kissing your neck, shortly finding your sensitive spot as you threw your head back. You shuddered. Your hands grabbed his hair, wanting to feel him closer. “Bu- Bucky… Please. I need to feel you.”
You didn’t wait for his response and immediately lifted up his shirt. You were stunned by the sight under the dimmed light of the bathroom. Clothes really didn’t do this man any justice. He should never be allowed to wear any coverups, ever again now that you had seen him. He was sculpted by the Gods themselves. His biceps felt robust in your dainty hands and the V-shaped line on his hips led to somewhere you really wanted to wrap your lips around.
Your hands quickly zipped down his jeans and his boxer along with it, and you didn’t hesitate in feeling his throbbing member right there, right then. It felt tremendous in your trembling hands, and you felt it getting harder with every stoke of your palm.
“Oh, fuck, doll, don’t stop.” His voice was raspy in your ears. It was the sexiest goddamn sound you had ever heard.
“Yeah, just like that. Go faster, doll.” He sucked your earlobe and his hand fisted your hair, making a mess out of it. You didn’t mind one bit. You wanted to be a mess for him and only for him. You somehow still managed to pamper him with all the senses you had left, even if your mind was clouded with every part of him.
“Bucky, put it in me. Please.” You begged with a quavering voice.
“Your wish is my command, doll.” In a second, he pushed into you and it sent an electrifying jolt all over your nerves. You threw your head back in mingled pain and pleasure. He felt even more full now that he was fully seated inside you. He lifted you from the sink and pushed you to the wall on the opposite.
You circled your arms around his neck as your back was slammed against the concrete. Then Bucky began thrusting vigorously. You shut your eyes and moaned his name. Bucky, on the other hand, didn’t. He kept his eyes wide open to watch you with full attention. He loved seeing the way you were drunk in him. The way you forgot your name more and more every time he slammed back into you.
He loved the squelching noises ringing in his ears, better than the melody he was used to creating in the studio. The sound of your heartbeat was far more gratifying than the way Clint played his drum. Oh, how he could write an entire album solely about you in this state alone.
“You feel so good around me, doll. So. Fucking. Tight.” Your moans became louder with his filthy words in your ears.
“I’m gonna make you mine.” This time, his voice was sultry. It was rather beguiling than mortifying.
His hips kept moving and out of you with a vehement tempo, and then just like that, you crumbled. You screamed your pleasure, not caring if anyone could hear you. Bucky was still moving, trying to reach his own climax. Shortly, he was with you. He unleashed his cum deep inside you, adding the mess that was dripping all over your thighs.
You were a beautiful mess. And Bucky loved it.
After a few minutes, coming down from your high, you breathed into Bucky’s neck, not wanting for it to be over yet. You were a little scared that Bucky was going to walk out and pretend nothing ever happened between you. You didn’t know how many bathroom stalls Bucky had brought different women to and fucked them silly right there. You had a lot do unravel about him, yet, you weren’t certain whether he wanted to let you in or not.
“You okay?” Bucky whispered into your ear. You only nodded, still a little hazy from ecstasy.
“I’m gonna put you down now, yeah?”
“Okay.” He slowly set you on your feet, as he was still staring at your face. You leaned against the wall, trying not to collapse. Bucky picked up his shirt and put it back on along with his jeans and boxer.
“Let’s get out of here.” Bucky offered you his hand, like the gentleman that he was as if he hadn't just fucked you into oblivion in a public restroom.
You took his hand with a smile. You didn’t know what was going to happen after you walk out of the door, but you were going to savour every second of being in his arm if this was going to be last time you’ll ever see him.
-
You went home with a contented smile on your face. You were like a teenage girl who had just been asked to prom by her crush. How could you not, when Bucky offered to walk you home and left a kiss on your cheek before he called it a night?
Natasha was going to stay at Clint’s hotel, so you were supposed to walk home alone. You knew eventually this was going to happen but Natasha and Clint used it as a reason so Bucky and you would spend the night together too. You didn’t mind one bit, though. You wanted to elongate your time with Bucky and your wish was granted.
You offered him to come inside and stay for a little while, you were secretly hoping that you could go for the second round, but Bucky only chuckled and shook his head.
“Not tonight, doll. I ain’t that kinda man. And you need rest. But I’ll call you tomorrow, yeah?” Then you and Bucky exchanged your numbers and he waited until you were really gone from his sight.
You walked up to your dorm with butterflies in your stomach and sparks fly all trailing over your footsteps. Thank God, Natasha wasn’t here. If she were, she would’ve relentlessly teased you all night and made you admit that she was right to coerce you to come.
And you would’ve had to admit that she was right. And you didn’t like admitting that you were wrong.
But tonight, you were going to admit it to yourself though. Sometimes, doing something that frightens you the most would endue you in ways you couldn’t possibly imagine.
And you were going to thank your lucky stars tonight for embedding Natasha Romanoff in your life because, without her, you would’ve stayed in your shell and Bucky could’ve fucked someone else in that restroom instead of you.
That might’ve happened in another universe, but not tonight. Tonight it was you and you were really hoping that you were going to see him again in your dreams tonight. You had one taste of him and it wasn’t enough.
Bucky texted you not long after you took a shower.
“Dreaming of me, yet?” Wink emoji.
“Well, if I were, I wouldn’t be texting you right now, would I?”
“That’s true, but at least you’d be drenching your sheets because of me and I don’t think I have a problem with that.”
“I don’t need you to do that, maybe I can use some toys in my drawers tonight. They seem pretty bored.” Thinking emoji.
“Oh, doll, you are killing me here…” Drool emoji.
“You like it.”
“I do.”
“Goodnight, Bucky.”
“Goodnight, doll. Thinking of you here.”
You turned off your phone and the screen went black. You changed into your pyjamas and washed off the remnants of your makeup and let the slumber take over you.
Bucky’s face loomed over you, somewhere in a fancy balcony, the view of the city stretching over, added to the beauty of the scenery. He was wearing a navy blue suit with a white dress shirt and no tie. The first couple of buttons were unbuttoned, giving you a majestic picture that he was. His hands that were in his pockets, took yours as you exerted yours to him.
He leaned in with a bright smile under his stubbly face, his blue eyes sparkled like Sirius star.
“Fly with me, doll.”
“What if I fall?”
“Then I’ll catch you.”
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kurt-nightcrawler · 4 years
Text
Decay
𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐱 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫
Request 1: Omg I just read the I have a boyfriend and the opposites attract and I'm aksjksjeje. Idk if ur taking requests, but in case u are I need more on that mother nature reader and Warren pleaaaaseee!!! Maybe something with angst, like some conflict in their relationship, but with a happy would be greatttttt I absolutely love ur writing x
Request 2: I have a idea for mother nature x warren: how about an angsty fic about their first fight? And for the first time mother nature feels heartbreak and is really hurt. Her eyes are pitch black and empty. Usually, when she relaxes, she grows pumpkins etc. But this time all the vegatables are rotten or too small. Maybe you feel inspired by this :) (would be great if it has a happy ending though haha) Thank you, you're great!
Warnings: Language, mentions of sex, underage drinking, panic attack, and assault
Word Count: 8k
A/N: This took a long time but I hope you guys enjoy it! This builds more into Warren and Mother Nature’s relationship, probably set before fairytale
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 Everything had been perfect. Halloween was coming up, and (Y/N) asked Jubilee if she’d do a group costume with her and another girl. 
Jubilee said yes, trusting (Y/N)’s opinion on people, for she always saw the good in them.
Jubilee took her, and the other girl, Jessie Rowe, to one of those pop up Halloween shops to look for costumes. 
“We can just get inspired if we don’t see anything perfect, you know?” Jubilee said. “We can always make our costumes.” (Y/N) nodded while looking at the different colored crayon costumes. 
“But it would be so much easier just to get one now. We could all go as like— sexy angels or something. In honor of Warren!” Jessie suggested. 
(Y/N) grimaced a little at the outfit Jessie held up. She didn’t feel comfortable wearing something so thin and tight at some house party on a cold October night. 
Jubilee laughed, “That’d be cute.” 
“Come on,” Jessie nudged her. “(Y/N), I bet your boyfriend would go nuts seeing you in this.”
“Mmm, I think he might find it kind of offensive or something…” She didn’t want to go as a sexy anything for Halloween. No offense to anyone who did dress sexy on Halloween, but that just wasn’t (Y/N)’s vibe. “Not my thing anyway…”
“Oh, come on! He wouldn’t be offended; Warren’s such an angel. I bet he’d fuck you if you wore this.” 
(Y/N)’s eyes went wide with shock. She’d never had someone be so blunt and explicit with her— Well, she had, but it wasn’t directed at her. 
“Um, we’re going to a party, Jess…” (Y/N) awkwardly reminded her. 
“I know, but you guys could sneak off somewhere or leave early. People do it all the time.” 
“What about vampires?!” Jubilee interrupted, holding packages of fake fangs in her hands. 
“Oh, that’d be fun! And we could get fake blood too!” Jessie put the angel outfit back on the rack and went to a different area with Jubilee. 
(Y/N) followed behind, thankful for the interruption, but still thinking about Jessie’s comment. 
“If you two do decide to fuck at the party, I want all the details…”
Why did she care so much if Warren and I are having sex?
She tried to focus on other things as Jubilee attempted to change the subject. 
“Fruits? Personally, I’d like to be a strawberry.” 
Jessie laughed, “We’re not in elementary.” Jubilee shrugged before holding up a banana costume and made a suggestive joke. Jessie and (Y/N) laughed at her. 
“I think we should be pink ladies.” Jessie morphed her voice to sound like Olivia Newton-John. 
“From Grease? But that’s so overdone,” Jubilee didn’t like the idea, but it was the first decent one Jessie had all day. 
“I mean, if someone else shows up in the same costume, we’re technically not matching…” (Y/N) said. 
“See?” Jessie smiled. “(Y/N)‘s smart!” 
“Alright, alright, give me some time. I’ll think about it,” Jubilee stated. 
“Trust me; you’ll come around.” 
-
Warren was lying in bed, fast asleep. He’d just showered after training with Mystique and got his ass kicked. Even when he thought he was getting better, he still wasn't as good as her. 
(Y/N) entered the room, excited to tell Warren about her Halloween costume plans. 
Sure, she could have just texted him, but she hadn’t seen him all day. 
“Warren, Angel baby—“ She quickly shut her mouth when she saw him sprawled over his bed, fast asleep. 
She cooed over his sleeping figure, tempted to leave him as he was. 
What if he’s been asleep for hours? Or all morning? It’s still light out, though. I better wake him up anyway.
(Y/N) tapped his shoulder and said his name a few times, trying to get a response from him. 
He slowly stirred in his slumber, waking up from (Y/N)‘s interruption. “Hmm?...”
“Hey, War,” 
“Mmm… what time is it?” 
“3:48.” 
“Join me.” (Y/N) sat on his bed, sitting next to him as he shifted, snuggling next to her, and slowly woke up. “How’d shopping go with Jubilee?” 
“It was alright.” (Y/N) massaged his scalp as she retold her day. “Jessie kept shooting down our ideas and the ones she had Jubilee never really liked, so we didn’t exactly settle on anything…” 
Warren looked up at her. “I thought you guys were going as crayons?” 
“Jessie said no.”
“Why?”
(Y/N) shrugged, “She suggested we go as sexy angels.” 
Warren’s facial expression was piqued with interest, despite him trying not to show it. 
“I said that would be offensive to you, and we’d freeze to death anyway.” 
Warren chuckled, “I’ll be there to keep you warm.”
“Aren’t you gonna be shirtless?” 
“Maybe. I said I might— Roger Taylor didn’t wear a shirt most of the time.” 
Warren was teaming up with Kurt, Scott, and Peter to dress up as Queen, the rock band, for Halloween. 
“You could get sick! It might even rain on Halloween, which will make you even colder!”
“I’ll be fine.” Warren wasn’t too worried. 
“Wear a jacket, please.” 
“I will. I will…”
(Y/N) huffed, “Good… Cause if you don’t, I’ll bring you one, and it will be tacky and ugly and totally ruin your costume.  So you better bring one…” She jokingly threatened. 
Warren chuckled, “Yes, Mom.” (Y/N) laughed at his demeanor. 
Warren looked up at her, lifting his head up, lips puckered. A way of silently asking for a kiss. 
(Y/N) complied, and gave him a peck on the lips. 
“Wanna get some food? I’m kind of hungry.” 
Warren nodded. He finally, and officially, got out of bed since his nap, (Y/N) next to him. 
As they were about to leave his room, a leaf fell from (Y/N)‘s head. 
“You dropped a leaf.” 
She frowned, eyes purple with embarrassment, “That’s the fifth one this week.” 
Warren bent down to pick it up. “It’s fall. I’m surprised you still have a few left.” 
“I’ve still got about a month.” 
The vines wrapped around (Y/N)’s legs and the leaves in her hair were shedding— Just like the trees outside, as the weather dropped and plants prepared for winter. 
Warren took the leaf and set it in a book. He liked to press any of (Y/N)‘s leaves he could get his hands on. 
She thought it was silly, they were just leaves, but Warren liked them. 
(Y/N) rummaged through the fridge for something to eat. 
“I think there’s leftover Chinese from last night,” Warren told her. 
“Yeah, but I don’t want to take those. They aren’t mine.” 
“You can say I ate them. Ororo and Kurt took my pizza after we went to East Village Pizza.” 
“Didn’t you label the box?” 
Warren nodded, “Yeah, but it’s Kurt and Ororo. They ignored it.” 
(Y/N) stifled a laugh as she took out some milk, deciding to make mac and cheese. 
“They’re the only ones who don’t fear me.” He joked. 
“Hey! I’m right here… and besides—“ She turned the stovetop on. “—No one here “fears” you. Not even the little kids. Jamie Donaldson told me he wanted to be you for Halloween.” 
Warren tilted his head slightly in confusion.
The water in the pot had reached a boil and (Y/N) poured the dried noodles into it. “He said you were his hero. That he wanted to be like you when he got older.” 
Warren dismissed it, “His friends are gonna tease him.” 
“I’m sure they already do… he has gills… Deny it all you want, Worthington, but you’re not tough as nails. Underneath the metal, you’re a big softie who cries during The Notebook, and helps Alex teach the second graders.” 
“Babe, everyone cries during the notebook, and I had a free period, and Alex needed help.” 
(Y/N) nodded, “Mmhmm… well, you can’t let Jamie down. It would crush him.” 
“I’m no—“ Warren stopped. 
“You’re no what?” (Y/N) teased nonchalantly. She knew what he was going to say. 
“You’ve trapped me.” 
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 
“I’m not gonna say it.” 
(Y/N) mixed the milk, butter, and cheese powder in a separate bowl. “Say what?” 
“Oh, so that’s how we’re gonna play it?”
“You’re too hard on yourself! Be honest and caring for once.” (Y/N) pouted. 
“I’m not saying it. It’s dumb and cheesy.” 
“Fine. Then you don’t get any of my mac and cheese.”
“I’ll steal some when you’re not looking.” 
(Y/N) widened her eyes for comical intimidation. “I’m always looking.” 
Warren crossed his arms, “I’m still not going to say it.” 
“Please…” 
“I’m a bad person, (Y/N), I’ve done bad things…”
(Y/N) chuckled lightly, “Isn’t your therapist Brenda helping you not sound like Batman so much?” 
“Yeah.” 
(Y/N) kissed his nose. “Okay, Angel.” 
“(Y/N), I’m not—“
“Yes, you are! Say it.” 
“Fine,” He caved. “I’m an angel.” 
“Say it like you mean it. A positive tone of voice and affirmations improve a plant’s lifestyle and growth.” 
Warren couldn’t deny the small smile on his face, “I’m an angel.” 
(Y/N) squealed and kissed Warren’s lips. His cheeks were red, for he was flustered. 
“Can you get some bowls? Mac and cheese is done.”
“Yeah, sure.” Warren got two bowls and forks for them both and set them on the counter. 
(Y/N) scooped some macaroni into both bowls, then she and Warren sat on the barstools on the other side of the counter and chowed down. 
Jessie entered the kitchen as they ate their food. 
“Hey, (Y/N). Hey, Warren.” 
“Hey, Jessie! I just made some Mac and cheese if you’re hungry.” 
“I’m good, thanks. I don’t really eat carbs.”
“Oh… Okay…” (Y/N) looked down nervously at her bowl, trying to hide her purple eyes.
“Yeah, they just don’t agree with me, ya know?”
(Y/N) nodded, “Yeah, yeah, I don’t really like hot Cheetos.”
“See? We’re practically one and the same.” Jessie smirked.
Warren’s gaze kept shifting between the girls. He was confused at the tone of the conversation. 
“Anyway, I came down here looking for you.” She said to (Y/N). 
“Really? What’s up?” 
“I convinced Jubilee that we should go as pink ladies.” 
“That’s great!” 
Jessie nodded, “We’re gonna get the stuff we need for our costumes tomorrow.” 
“Sounds good to me.” (Y/N) said. 
“Uh, huh… what are you going as for Halloween?” Jessie asked Warren. 
“A few other guys and I are going as Queen.” 
“Ooooo! I love their music.” 
Warren nodded, “Scott’s going as John Deacon, Peter’s going as Brian May, I’m going as Roger Taylor, and Kurt’s going as Freddie Mercury.” 
Her voice shifted to a flawless British accent, “Well, I’m sure you’ll look amazing, darling.”
Warren laughed, “Thanks.” 
“Of course… (Y/N) I’ll talk to you later about Halloween stuff.” 
“Okay. See you later.”
As Jessie sauntered away, Warren was a bit unsettled by Jessie’s attitude but was more worried about his girlfriend.
“You need to eat some carbs…” (Y/N) mumbled. 
“She’s probably just doing some fad diet,” Warren reassured her. 
“I dunno…” 
Warren shrugged and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, “There’s no harm in eating macaroni… and no matter what you do, you’ll always be healthier than Peter.”
“Oh god, yeah,” (Y/N) jokingly grimaced. No offense to Pete’s lifestyle, but consuming only twinkies and Diet Pepsi would not go down well for Mother Nature, or anyone else. 
“I’m gonna save the rest for later.” (Y/N) went through a cabinet looking for some Tupperware. 
“Alright. Want me to put what we didn’t touch in another container?” 
“Sure.” 
The girls all grabbed pink ladies jackets and paid for them. 
“I was thinking we wear all black— heels, shirt, and leggings or maybe like a skirt or something.” 
“Heels?!” Jubilee shrieked. “You’re crazy if you think I’m gonna wear heels all night on Halloween.” 
“It’s just for pictures,” Jessie reassured her. “And besides, you’ll kick them off at the door anyway.” 
“Why would I wanna roam around barefoot at a party?” 
“(Y/N)‘s barefoot all the time. To feel one with nature.” 
(Y/N) furrowed her brows, eyes orange. “No, I’m not. I rarely ever do that…” 
Jessie held up her hands in surrender, “Well, I heard it from Nancy Robinson…”
“She’s wrong… I told her I connect easily with plants.” 
“She must have misunderstood.” 
(Y/N) nodded, unsettled. 
“Do you guys wanna go to the mall? There’s this cute little black dress at Forever 21 I wanna get for Halloween.” 
“Yeah, sure.” 
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
“I need to get some more foundation at Sephora,” Jessie stated. 
“Good, cause we were going anyway.” Jubilee joked threateningly. Jessie and (Y/N) laughed. 
As they walked around the Sephora, Jubilee scanned the isles for blue eyeshadows in different shades. 
“Kurt asked me to do his makeup for Halloween. He wanted some 70s glam rock.” 
“You’re gonna do a great job!” (Y/N) told her. 
“For sure— I’m also doing Warren’s and Peter’s too.” 
“They’re all going to look great. I hope we can get a group photo of them before they get all sweaty and tired out.” 
Jubilee nodded, smiling, while she placed all her items on the counter to be rung up. 
“Why didn’t Warren ask you to do his makeup?” Jessie asked. 
“Oh, uh… I dunno.” (Y/N) shrugged. “I’m not very good at super dramatic glittery looks.” 
“I’m just surprised he didn’t ask you, is all. I thought he would’ve, considering you’re dating.” 
“I mean, he’ll probably ask to borrow my mascara or something... It’s not a big deal.”
Jessie raised her eyebrows in questioning before paying for her foundation. “If Scott was going to wear makeup, I’m sure he’d ask Jean to do it for him.” 
“Scott would just want an excuse for his face to be inches away from Jean’s face, and for her to constantly be gazing into his eyes and glancing at his lips. Until they finally break the tension and spend the whole time making out, and Scott’s still not even wearing any makeup by the end.” Jubilee states. 
“That’s very specific… Also, don’t they kind of do that already, anyway?” (Y/N) asked. 
“Yeah,” Jubilee chuckled. 
“Still, I don’t know why Warren didn’t ask you.” Jessie interrupted. “Maybe you should ask him.” 
(Y/N) nodded, “Yeah, uh, I— I might.” 
Warren was lounged on (Y/N)’s bed, focusing on a textbook assignment. 
“Why didn’t you ask me to do your makeup?” 
Warren looked up. “Hmm?”
“Jubilee said you asked her to do your makeup for Halloween… I could’ve done it.” 
“Oh, uh, I mean Kurt asked her to do his, and then Peter asked her, and we both figured why not do mine too? She’s just going to do some eyeliner and highlighter. It’s no big deal.” 
“Oh…” (Y/N)’s eyes flashed purple. 
“Do you want to do my makeup?” 
(Y/N) shook her head, her eyes slightly red and orange. “Never mind… It was stupid… I’m not even that good at makeup…” 
Warren blinked, no longer focused on his homework. “Are you okay?” 
“What? Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” 
“I mean, if you wanna do my makeup, go ahead. I don’t care. If it’s that big of an issue—“
“It’s not an issue. I was just wondering why you didn’t ask me.” 
“I didn’t think you’d want to do my makeup.” 
(Y/N) pursed her lips. He was kind of right. She really couldn’t have cared less— Halloween was proving to be so stressful already. 
“Yeah…” She mumbled. 
“See, problem solved.” 
A weird feeling of tension filled the air. 
Warren and (Y/N) never fought, and they rarely argued or bickered over things that weren’t Warren’s low self-esteem. 
Despite him saying, “Problem solved.” It didn’t feel that way. 
Warren barged into Peter and Scott’s room. Inside were Scott, Kurt, and another kid. 
“(Y/N) and I had an argument—“ Warren glanced at the short blonde guy sitting on Scott’s bed. “Who is he?”
“Warren, this is Bobby. Bobby, this is Warren,” Scott introduced. “Bobby’s new, he’s a freshman, and we’re kind of the only guys his age, so he’s just hanging out with us.” 
“Hi,” Bobby awkwardly waved at Warren. 
He waved back, “Hey.” 
“Anyway— what happened with you and (Y/N)?”
Warren sat down on Peter’s bed. “We got into an argument about the dumbest thing…”
Kurt squinted his eyes in confusion, “That’s not— you guys don’t do that… Or is that a normal thing for most American couples? All the fighting and yelling.”
“Okay, first off Blue, you need to stop watching sit-coms with Jean and Jubilee where the middle-aged suburban couple’s hate each other’s guts. Second, we weren’t yelling, and it wasn’t really a fight fight, but there was uncomfortable tension.”
The other three boys were focused solely on Warren, waiting for him to explain more. 
“She like got mad I didn’t ask her to do my makeup for Halloween, but then she wasn’t mad and said she didn’t even want to do my makeup. And like we settled it, but I still felt weird afterward. Almost like we didn’t settle it.” 
Kurt was baffled, unsure of what to say. Scott was taking a moment to formulate a good response, but before he could even open his mouth, Bobby spewed some words of… wisdom.
“(Y/N)— I’m assuming you guys are dating, right?” Warren nodded. 
“Okay… (Y/N) doesn’t care about who’s doing your makeup. She’s upset over something else but is using the makeup as a cover-up. She doesn’t want to admit she’s upset over… whatever she’s upset over, but she’s upset, so little things like, you not asking her if she’d do your makeup, are going to make her like, really mad, even if it seems like they shouldn’t or ordinarily wouldn’t.
You have to get her to talk, or find out from one of her girlfriends, what’s really upsetting her.” 
The other boys left their mouths gaping, blinking in shock. 
“You’re like, fourteen, why’d you give such good advice?” 
Bobby shrugged, “My parents fight a lot. They need a divorce, but they’ll never get one.” 
“I was gonna tell you to apologize…” Scott sheepishly admitted.
“Apologize for what?” 
“I— I don’t know…” 
“She said she was stressed out about Halloween…” Warren confessed. 
“There you go—“ Bobby exclaimed. “—She’ll be fine. Don’t even worry about the little lovers’ quarrel you guys had.” 
Warren nodded, feeling a little bit better about the situation.
He still wanted to talk to (Y/N), though. 
“Hey, Jubes!” 
“Oh, hey, Jessie. I was just headed to Bio, what’s up?”
“I heard, a few freshmen girls are going as Pink Ladies for Halloween—“
“And?” Jubilee hugged her binder tight in her arms. 
Jessie huffed, “We just can’t go as the same thing as some freshmen girls!” 
“Why not? Halloween is in two days! We can’t just change our costumes at the last minute.” 
“Jubes, we’ll look like freshmen. We can’t have that!” Jubilee opened her mouth to object, but Jessie didn’t let her. 
“(Y/N), and I already agreed we should switch. We’re going to go as the plastics from Mean Girls.” Jessie’s voice had shifted to sound like Rachel McAdams. “I’m gonna be Regina, and (Y/N) will be Karen.” 
“Okay, that’s fine. I can go return my jacket.” 
“Yeah!” Jessie grinned. “Plus you can wear your shirt that says “On Wednesdays we wear pink! Perfect!” 
Jubilee smiled, “Yeah… Well, uh, I gotta go—“ She motioned to the door. 
“Right! Don’t wanna make you tardy. I’ll see you later!” 
“See ya.” 
Weird, Jubilee thought to herself as she took a seat in Dr. McCoy’s classroom. But not unusual for Jessie, always changing her mind… She’s so wishy-washy on things… Oh well.
(Y/N) was quickly trying to finish her makeup and get dressed so she could help the little kids trick or treat. 
Older students could volunteer to take the younger one’s trick or treating until 9, and then if they wanted, they could go to whatever house party the locals from the public school in the area were hosting. 
Luckily for the X-Men, Jubilee was extremely popular with the public schoolers, and they were invited to most house parties.
Ororo had already left, for she had just worn a unicorn onesie she borrowed from Peter. 
“I think this is his sister’s, but hey! It’s comfy.” 
“You look great!” (Y/N) only glanced at Ororo, for she was worried about her own look for the night.
“Thanks, I’m sure you’re going to look great too. Don’t sweat it… you have a half-hour left.”
“I’ll meet you downstairs with the others!” 
“Sounds good to me.” 
The others being Scott, Jean, Kurt, and Warren. Jubilee, Peter, and Jessie had decided to skip the trick-or-treat assist and go straight to partying. 
Warren knocked on (Y/N)’s door, asking if she was ready. 
She opened it and stepped out. 
Warren glanced up and down, checking her out. She looked good. Then again, she always looked good. 
(Y/N) did the same, checking her boyfriend out. Maybe I should have gone as a slutty angel to compensate… Warren looks… hot.
Tight leather pants, a sparkly fringed vest with nothing underneath— showing off his toned abs— his classic, worn-out combat boots, and his makeup. Jubilee did an excellent job with it. 
Her eyes were magenta. 
Warren kissed her cheek. “You look great, babe!” 
“Uh… thanks… um… you— you…”
Warren chuckled, “I look stupid, don’t I?”
“No! No— you look, whatever the opposite of stupid is… Stupidly hot, maybe…” (Y/N) felt like a pile of mush. 
And for what? Warren in tight pants, no shirt, and black lines on his face? That was a regular Tuesday look for him. 
“Maybe?” He teased. (Y/N) avoided eye contact, her eyes a vibrant purple.
Warren intertwined one of his hands with her and kissed her cheek again. “You’re adorable.” 
“Thanks…” 
The gang made their way to the party a little after 9. It was in full swing by then, with loud music vibrating the outdoors. It just got amplified as they walked in. 
“I’m gonna look for Peter,” Warren told (Y/N). 
“I’m gonna try to find Jubilee and Jessie, get some group photos.” They parted ways, agreeing to meet up again later. 
(Y/N) got distracted along the way— she danced to the Monster Mash with Jean and Kurt, helped with any trick or treaters that came to the door, (despite it not being her house), and she took a few photos with a group of freshmen also dressed up as pink ladies. 
“Where are they?” 
She spotted Jubilee’s big mop of black curls and quickly made her way over.
“Oh my gosh! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” 
Jubilee and (Y/N) stared at each other, both extremely puzzled.
“Um…”
“Uh…” 
“I thought we were going as pink ladies?”
“I thought we switched to The Plastics.” 
“What?” (Y/N) asked.
Jubilee took a sip from her cup, “Jessie told me you guys agreed on us switching to the plastics cause a bunch of freshmen were going as pink ladies.” 
“She never said anything to me bout going as the plastics. I haven’t seen her in like, two days.”
“What?” Jubilee was beyond confused. 
“Yeah, I thought we were still all going as pink ladies. I even saw the freshmen you’re talking about, and they took photos with me!”
“That’s nice…” 
“Why didn’t you clear this up with me, Jubes?” (Y/N) asked, her eyes slowly turning grey. 
“I thought Jessie did. I was busy trying to scope out a good place to crash and party at.”
(Y/N) crossed her arms, “Where is Jessie, anyway?” 
“I think she’s in the kitchen.” 
Warren was trying to have fun at the party. He didn’t drink as he did in Germany, so everything just seemed less exciting… but with his friends, they never failed to disappoint. 
He wanted to find Peter so they could get group pictures before a group of girls swarmed Kurt, fawning over his accent, soft blue fur, and gymnast body. Before Scott gave a little pep talk on safety to whichever friends would listen and then run off to make out with Jean in the nearest bathroom. And then he wanted to spend time with his girlfriend. 
He found Kurt, no problem— but finding their Brian and John was proving much more difficult. 
“Maybe Peter shouldn’t have worn a wig. We usually spot him due to his grey hair.”
“Then it wouldn’t go with the costume,” Kurt pointed out. “And the whole group would look out of place.” 
“I guess so…” Warren spotted Scott as they walked into the kitchen. He was talking to the new kid— Bobby— with Jean next to him. “Let’s get Scott.” 
Kurt waved at the group, and they motioned him over. 
“Hey, guys! This is Bobby,” Jean introduced.
“We already met,” Warren explained. “Have you seen Peter?” 
Jean shook her head. 
“I think I saw him—“ Bobby spoke up while filling up a cup from the “monster mix” punch bowl. “He had on a big curly brown wig…?” 
Kurt nodded, “Ja, that’s him!” 
Bobby handed Kurt and Warren cups. Warren sighed quietly to himself. He didn’t want a drink of some mystery liquid. He knew there was probably alcohol— Bobby probably didn’t, though— the kid was a freshman. Warren didn’t have time to refuse it though, for Bobby told Kurt where he last saw Peter, and then— bamf!
Kurt teleported him and Warren to that same place. The backyard. 
Warren felt a little nauseated— he hadn’t eaten anything all night except for a few pieces of candy, and the smell of sulfur was disgusting. 
Peter ran up to them and quickly noticed Warren’s turmoil. 
“Oh, dude! Here— drink up—“ He quickly put Warren’s cup in his mouth and almost forced him to drink up the “monster mix.” 
“Peter—“ Kurt scolded. “That’s not water!”
Peter’s face paled. “Oh shit. Shit! Dude, I’m sorry— I thought— cause you don’t drink—“
“Bobby gave it to me… He doesn’t know any better. I can handle myself. It’s one drink.” 
Peter almost scoffed at the mention of Bobby. “Who invited him?”
“Probably, Scott.” 
“Why?”
“I dunno… Make him feel included, I guess…”
“You good?” Kurt asked Warren. 
He nodded, “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Let’s get Scott… Come on…”
They decided to walk back to the kitchen, like ordinary people.
Bobby was gone, but Scott was still there, along with Jean, and Ororo was there too this time. 
“Did Bobby give you the monster mix?” Peter asked.
“Yeah.”
“Oh, dude— I had like three cups of it, and I feel a little tipsy— I think— but dude! I’m so sorry—“
“Peter, it’s fine. It just burned a little going down. It was only one drink— I’ll be fine. Stop worrying.” 
“Okay…” 
“Hey! You found him.” Jean smiled. “Photo time!” 
Everyone smiled and got into various poses and huddled little groups to take many silly pictures— many of them not even ending up on the group’s Instagrams— but still fun nonetheless. Jean telekinetically held up her phone so that everyone could be included in the pictures. 
Warren could feel himself getting a little tipsy as they kept taking photos, but he ignored it. 
“Oh my god! Warren!” It was Jessie. Not in a pink ladies costume. 
Weird… 
“(Y/N)’s been looking for you— come on, I’ll take you to her.” She grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the kitchen. 
He squinted his eyes, puzzled as to what was going on. 
They were walking upstairs. 
“Where are we going?” 
“Upstairs.”
It was dark. 
Warren couldn’t see the figure in front of him too well anymore.
The highly spiked drink he had was starting to get to him.
The voice sounded like (Y/N)’s. 
“You— You sounded like, (Y/N).” 
She giggled lightly, “I am (Y/N), silly.” 
“Oh.” 
She led him upstairs into an empty room. The lights were off. He still couldn’t see her very well. 
“Angel, baby,” She cooed. “I missed you.” 
“I missed you too.” He went to go and turn on a light, but she stopped him. 
“Leave them off… I wanna have fun tonight…” 
“Oh?” Is she talking about earlier, before we left the mansion? Has she been drinking? I would like to do stuff but—
“Mmhmm…” She kissed his neck and kept kissing him, leading up to his lips. He kissed her back, hands on her until they got near her neck— he wanted to tug on her hair a little, but upon touching it, he realized something was wrong.
He didn’t have time to figure it out, though, for someone opened the door. 
Warren and the other person turned to see who it was. 
It was Jubilee and (Y/N). 
“Have you seen Jessie?” (Y/N) asked. 
Her friends in the kitchen eyed her and Jubilee up, confused— weren’t they supposed to go as the same thing for Halloween? 
“Um, she was just here. She said you were looking for Warren, and then they went upstairs.”
Jubilee glanced at (Y/N) nervously. That wasn’t a good sign. 
“Thanks.” (Y/N) and Jubilee headed upstairs to find the two. 
Once they got to the top of the stairs, they walked around, trying to open every door they could to no prevail. 
“Wait— Shh!” Jubilee whispered. She motioned to a door they hadn’t opened yet. 
(Y/N) didn’t waste any time opening the door. 
She wished she did, though.
Because she saw them.
Warren and Jessie, so close together. It looked like they had been kissing moments ago. 
When Warren’s eyes met (Y/N)’s, she felt sick to her stomach. He looked lost, confused even. 
He looked almost terrified. 
Warren looked over at the girl who he thought was (Y/N). The light from the open door revealed it was Jessie. 
Warren started internally panicking. He kissed Jessie thinking it was (Y/N)! 
She can change her voice to sound like whoever she wants! How could I think— So stupid of me! 
He looked over at (Y/N), trying to form words to say. Her eyes— they’d turned completely black. He couldn’t tell her iris and pupil apart. They’d never been pitch black before. 
“(Y/N)! Jubilee! Thank goodness! I was looking for you guys—“ 
“No, you weren’t… What’s going on?” 
“Warren’s drunk he thought I was you and he tried to come onto me—“
“No, I didn’t!” (Y/N) glared at Warren meticulously, making him shut up.
“He kissed me! Can you believe it?! He couldn’t tell his own girlfriend apart from me, and he was forceful!” Jessie stepped away from him in “fear.” 
“You’re lying— I would never—“
(Y/N) wasn’t even paying attention anymore. Everyone could see that. 
“I’m going home.” 
“What? (Y/N)—“ 
She glared at Jessie, “Fuck off. I don’t want to talk to you anymore. And you—“ She looked at Warren. She felt her heart breaking, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She didn’t know what to think, and she was so tired. “We’ll talk about this later. I’m leaving.” 
“(Y/N)—“ 
She took a ride home with the freshmen girls. They didn’t ask why she needed one or why her eyes were all black. 
(Y/N) wasn’t in the mood to answer them anyway. 
How could he do this? It doesn’t feel right! But Jessie— Jessie wouldn’t lie to me. Would she?
She was snapped out of her thought when one of the girls gasped. 
“Look! Look at all the plants! They’re all dead! Even the carved pumpkins are rotting.” 
“Yeah, Lily, that’s what plants do—“
“No, look!” Everyone looked through the car window, shocked by what they saw. 
(Y/N) took one look at the dead plants and started shaking. She didn’t have the strength to bring them back to good health. 
It worried her, but her mind kept focusing on Warren…
Jubilee dragged her friends outside to the front yard. She had Jean use her powers to keep them from running off anywhere. 
A few people were watching, but she couldn’t have cared less.
“Okay! What the hell happened? And none of the bullshit you told (Y/N) earlier! I know you took Warren upstairs, Jess. I know you didn’t tell (Y/N) we changed our group costume at the last minute, and I usually don’t say this kind of stuff, and I've held it back for (Y/N)’s sake, especially since she felt bad for you! And asked if you could do a group costume with us.” Jubilee was practically fuming, sparks almost igniting in her hands. 
“You’re kind of a bitch.” 
“Jubilee! Warren tried to fuck me! He was drunk and not acting right, and he started kissing me and stuff!”
“Warren doesn’t drink!” 
Kurt glanced at Peter and Scott before speaking up, “Warren had one drink…”
“Okay? That’s not going to get him shitfaced enough to fuck you!” Jubilee stared at Warren, trying to see if he’d finally speak.    
“I was a little tipsy, and Jessie said you and (Y/N) were upstairs. It got dark, and I thought I heard (Y/N) talking to me, but I think it was just Jess. She started kissing me, and it took me a minute, but I realized it wasn’t (Y/N). Then you guys came in.”
Everyone was in shock about Warren’s side of the story. 
“Isn’t it illegal to lie about this kind of stuff… and to kiss someone without consent?” Kurt whispered to Scott.
“Probably.” 
“He’s lying!” Jessie exclaimed. 
“Jean, read my mind. Read Jessie’s. I’m not lying!”
“He’s a monster! Why should you believe him?!” Jessie spat.
Warren was disgusted by her words. “You tried to fuck me!” 
“And with all your weird questions and comments about their sex life, I’m not surprised you kissed Warren,” Jubilee stated angrily.
“He kissed me back!” 
“He thought you were someone else!” 
“Guys! Shut up!” Jean told them. “I’m trying to focus!” 
She dove into Warren’s mind to see the events play out before her. She did the same when in Jessie’s mind. 
“Warren was telling the truth.”
As (Y/N) walked into her room, every plant in there withered and died. 
Typically, she’d fall to the ground and sob for accidentally killing what she practically considered her children, but she felt too numb. She kicked off her shoes and flopped onto her bed. The vines around her bed didn’t even move out of her way. They were lifeless and still, just like her.
(Y/N) was restless trying to sleep. She only slept for about fifteen minutes, and when she awoke, she was covered in ivy… poison ivy. 
Most of the time, when she was restless, she’d grow a watermelon or a pumpkin in her sleep, but this was new. She didn’t want to spread it to Ororo or let her see that she killed all the plants in the room. 
She grabbed a piece of paper and a pen, scribbling down a note for Ororo, telling her what happened and for her to not come in until the ivy went away, and it was safe. 
She quickly tapped the note to the door and locked herself inside. 
The rest of the gang quickly headed home. They didn’t notice all the decaying plants outside. 
Scott parked in the garage. 
“Hey, Kurt…”
“Ja, Ororo?”
“I need to check on some of the plants in the attic. I didn’t have enough time to water them all before we went out. Can you take me up there?” 
Kurt nodded, “Yeah, of course.” 
They were gone in the blink of an eye. 
Everyone else was lingering around, deciding on what to do. 
“I’m going to go talk to (Y/N)—“
A blood piercing scream interrupted Warren’s words. 
“Oh my god! Is that Ororo?” 
“I think so!” 
Jean used her telepathic powers to see what was wrong. 
“All the plants… they’re dead!” 
“Jean, check the fridge. See if the fruits and vegetables are alright,” Xavier instructed.
She opened the fridge, and to her horror, the produce rotted.
“But— I went with Sean and Raven to the grocery store two days ago! It shouldn’t have all gone bad.” Peter was puzzled.
“Do you think it was (Y/N)?” Jubilee asked. 
“I’m gonna go talk to her.” Warren head off to her dorm room. 
He felt so guilty and heartbroken. Even though it technically wasn’t his fault, he felt pathetic for not being able to tell his girlfriend apart from a stranger in the dark. 
He kissed Jessie! Nothing was going to undo that. 
Warren stopped at (Y/N)’s door, about to knock, but he was distracted by the note on it. He removed it off the door and read it. 
“I’m not feeling great right now, and I accidentally grew some poison ivy when I took a nap. I’m trying to get it to go away, but for now, people shouldn’t come in. I don’t want it to spread around. Also, I killed all the plants in our room. They’re going to be fine, but for now, I can’t help them.”
Warren knocked on the door, holding the note in his hand. “(Y/N)?” 
“You can’t come in here.” 
“Can you open the door?” He pleaded. 
“No, you can’t get close to me. The ivy came from me. I don’t want it to spread.”
“I won’t come in.” 
“Warren,” She cried. “Can’t you just wait?!” 
“I want— I need you to know what actually happened.”
It was silent from (Y/N)’s side of the door.
“(Y/N)?...” 
She didn’t respond, but Warren heard her unlocking and opening the door. He took a few steps back to respect her boundaries and commands. 
He took in her appearance. She switched from her pink ladies outfit to some pajamas. She didn’t wash her makeup off makeup, so it smeared all over her face.
Her hair was messy and her eyes… her eyes were pitch black. 
“I went to go look for Peter. I looked in the kitchen and didn’t see him. The new kid— Bobby— he gave me a drink, and I didn’t know how to explain I didn’t want it. Kurt teleported me to the back porch when we got word Peter was outside. I hadn’t eaten anything since lunch, so I felt a little sick. Peter came over to us and noticed I looked bad and had me force down whatever was in my cup. He assumed it was water or something else non-alcoholic, cause I don’t drink.”
“I was like, ‘this is fine. It’s one drink of vodka, cranberry sprite, some hooch, and like whatever else was in the monster mix.’ Then we took photos in our Queen costumes and goofed around for an hour. I was getting a little tipsy, but I didn’t think it was that bad. Jessie came in, saying you were looking for me. And she just dragged me upstairs. It was extremely dark, and my brain was getting a little fuzzy, and Jessie shifted her voice to sound like yours… She led me into a dark room and said she wanted to like, hook up, or do stuff. I tried to explain to her I’d been drinking, but she started kissing me before I could.” 
(Y/N) stood on the other side of the door, listening inventively to Warren. 
“I kissed her back. Then I realized it wasn’t you— it didn’t feel right— and then you walked in.” 
(Y/N) sighed. She was sure he was telling the truth. Their friends wouldn’t let him come up and see her otherwise. 
“I am so sorry…” 
“Yeah, um… Jessie’s kind of… kind of mean. But like— I just— I got so upset because of a lot of different things. Um, Jessie had been asking and saying stuff about our relationship— saying like, we should have sex after the party, I should hoe it up more, or trying to get me to accuse you of not trusting me cause you didn’t ask me to do your makeup… and I just thought she was being weird or whatever, cause like, those were the vibes she’d given me almost all the time. I never thought she simply wouldn’t like me. Especially since I asked if she wanted to do a group costume with Jubilee and me… and I just—“ (Y/N) scrunched her nose. “I don’t let stuff like that get to me, but… but I’m so inexperienced, and you’re not. I don’t really care if people talk about whatever they do behind closed doors. I don’t care about that… I just don’t want people interpreting that I’m like the Virgin Mary, or there’s a problem in our relationship, cause there’s not. There’s not!” 
(Y/N) started crying. She was crying and shivering, and poison ivy started growing and wrapping itself around her body. 
“I’m not mad at you. I just…” She sighed. 
“...Am I not enough?”
“What?” Warren was confused.
“Would you leave me for her? Or anyone else?”
“No. Never— I should have done more, I shouldn’t have followed her or let myself believe it was you— I’m so fucking stupid.” 
Her voice was stern. “No. You’re not stupid. I just… I just need some time to think and be alone right now.”
“Whatever you want,” Warren nodded timidly. “I’ll tell Ororo she needs to sleep with Jean and Jubilee for the night… Although I doubt she’ll leave the attic.” 
“What happened in the attic?”
“All the plants in the attic died… She’s extremely torn up about it… (Y/N)?”
(Y/N) zoned out a little, her heart was pounding heavily in her chest, she was sweating, quivering, and all she could focus on was how she killed everything. Everything she loved and touched, she destroyed it. She couldn’t control herself, and she was hurting the world around her. She heard Warren yelling her name, but she couldn’t find herself to respond. Her breath was quick and eradicating. 
Warren was trying his best to respect her wishes by not coming to close, but he had to help her. 
“(Y/N)— (Y/N), baby, look at me, look at me,” Warren stepped closer to her. “Sit down, sit down, okay?” He helped her sit down on the ground. She leaned against the right side of the doorframe. 
“Um, I need you to— I need you to focus on my voice. Focus on me, okay?” 
“I just— my entire life—“ She broke into a sob. 
“Hey, hey, hey, you’re okay. The plants are going to be okay. We’re going to get through this. I need you to breathe. Focus on my breathing, okay?” 
“I can’t!” The ivy from her body was overgrowing rapidly, clinging onto Warren. 
“Yes, you can. Just focus, you’re going to be okay.” He put one of his hands on her arm to stop her from shaking. Her muscles tensed at first, but they slowly relaxed under his touch.
“You’re doing good, just breathe in slowly, okay? Copy me—“ Warren slowly inhaled air. (Y/N) tried to copy him, but it didn’t help her out. The ivy kept growing around the two of them, getting tight as it tangled between them. 
Warren had to move closer to (Y/N), to try and make more space. He wrapped his arms around her body. The out of control vines caused his grip to tighten on her. 
The feelings of his arms pressing against her helped (Y/N) focus in on something.  
“(Y/N)? Hey, it’s going to be okay. You’re going to be okay. Close your eyes and just focus on my voice, okay? Can you do that for me?”  
“I…” (Y/N) felt dizzy and nauseous like it was just piling up inside her. 
Warren coaxed her into slowing her breathing down, but her heart was pounding. Every breath she took felt shaky. 
Yet, the ivy slowed down, wrapping itself around Warren and (Y/N) like old stone walls. 
She was slightly shaking still, but her mind wasn’t getting as overwhelmed anymore.
“Hey, hey… Sweetheart, it’s okay. You’re going to be okay… the ivy stopped. It’s okay.” 
“It— it did?” 
Warren nodded, “Uh, huh. Everything’s going to be alright.” (Y/N) slowly stopped shaking and buried herself into Warren’s chest. 
“Do you want to get some water or maybe take a shower?” 
“Um, yeah, but I can’t— I can’t get rid of the poison ivy… Like I can’t—“
“That’s okay. We can just leave it.”
“Oh, okay…” 
“Let’s go shower in my room, okay?” 
She nodded. 
“Can you walk, okay?” He asked her. 
“Um, I think— I don’t know— I’m sorry.” 
“Hey, no, no, no. It’s okay. I can carry you.” 
Warren carefully scooped her up in his arms. He looked at her once over before heading to his room. 
He set her down on the edge of his bed. “Do you want me to help you get undressed?” 
“I can do it.” She answered in a small voice. 
Warren nodded, “Okay, I’m gonna get undressed too.” 
Warren didn’t face her as he stripped off what little clothing he had on and threw it in a small pile. 
“Is it okay if I take my underwear off?” (Y/N) nervously asked. 
“Yeah, we’re going to shower. It’s okay.” 
(Y/N) left her clothes on Warren’s bed. She slowly got up, and Warren quickly rushed to her aide. She used him for support as they walked into his bathroom. 
He turned the shower on and let it heat up for a minute before stepping in. 
(Y/N) leaned against Warren’s chest as the water rained on them both. 
“Is the water warm enough? Is it too hot?” 
“It’s fine,” She mumbled. 
Warren nodded, understanding she didn’t really want to talk. 
He grabbed his shampoo from the edge of the tub and poured some into his hands. Warren rubbed his hands together before massaging the shampoo into (Y/N)’s hair. It was hard to rake through, her hair was thick and tangled, but he tried his best. 
He applied a little conditioner to her ends. (Y/N) hummed against his chest. 
He chuckled to himself, “You asleep?”
“Mhmm…” She half-heartedly replied.  
“Wanna go to bed?” He asked. (Y/N) nodded, and Warren felt it against his chest.
He washed the conditioner out of her hair and turned the water off. 
He grabbed a towel and helped (Y/N) dry off. When he finished, (Y/N) sat on the edge of the tub and watched Warren dry off. 
His eyes caught (Y/N)’s in the mirror. She looked better than before, a bit more relaxed, but still nervous. 
“I’m really sorry for what happened at the party…”
“I’m sorry about… you know…” 
Warren nodded, “Yeah, um, it’s okay. It’s not your fault. And, and I’m here for you— always. If you want to talk about it, or not.”
“Same goes for you.” 
Warren nodded, “Yeah, yeah, um, let me get us some clothes.” Warren stepped out of the bathroom for a moment. 
He gave (Y/N) one of his much larger sweatshirts without holes in the back and a pair of boxers. “Is this okay?” He asked. 
“Yeah, um, these are fine. Thanks.”
Warren nodded and stepped out of the bathroom again, so (Y/N) could get dressed in private. 
Warren was planning to sleep on the floor for (Y/N)’s sake, as not to make her uncomfortable, but she objected to it.
“I… I don’t want to be alone.” 
“I’m right here,” Warren was quick to wrap (Y/N) up in his arms, having them both get under the blankets on his bed. “I’m not going anywhere, okay? You’re safe…” 
“Promise?” She asked, looking up at him. Her eyes weren’t entirely black anymore, but they were very gray. He could have sworn they were pink for a moment, but they were just grey. 
“I promise.” 
(Y/N) was reassured by his words and snuggled into Warren’s chest. His wings wrapped around them, almost like a cocoon. 
“Can… Can you kiss me, please?” (Y/N) asked. “Just like, my forehead or something…” 
“Of course.” Warren laid a small kiss on the top of her head before whispering, “Goodnight.” 
“Goodnight, Angel.”
300 notes · View notes
mypoisonedvine · 3 years
Text
First Chanukah Together (Night 3) | Ari Levinson x reader
you don’t have to read the other nights to keep up with the ‘plot’ (or lack thereof) but just in case here are night 1 and night 2!
summary: ari takes you ice skating and you both enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.  perhaps a little too much.
word count: 1.2k
warnings: some flirting and teasing, technically implied smut?, and the most subtle, gentle reference to power dynamics but nothing too spicy, mainly just fluff.  possible alcohol reference since wassail is sometimes served with alcohol?
a/n: this is not important to the story at all but I imagine Ari’s winter outfit as Ransom’s infamous cable-knit sweater, brown coat and colorful scarf.  idk why but the idea of soft baby Ari dressed like that gets me all kinds of excited lmao
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“I’m gonna fall!” you screamed as you swung your arms wildly to try to keep your balance.  
“No you’re not,” he encouraged as he kept his arms out to catch you, “I’m right here, you’ll be fine.”
Turns out balancing on two thin blades on a hard, cold surface of ice is really hard.  Ari was a good teacher, and unendingly patient, but you were still beyond terrified.  Stealing a glance at the girl skating past you, it was hard not to be jealous of her speed, her control, the quick little jump and spin she did as if it were nothing.  She looked so at home on the ice— and so did Ari, who looked way too good with that brown coat and brightly-patterned scarf, the one you’d gotten for him for his birthday a while back.  If there had ever been a time you wished you could grow your own beard, it would be now, because it looked like it kept his smile real warm.  You’d have to settle for snuggling up to his for the time being, though.
“Come on, just skate over to me,” he waved you forward as he started to move back.  Annoyingly, he continued moving back as you hesitantly pushed forward.
“Stop moving!” you whined.  “You keep getting further away!”
“Just keep going, you’re doing great,” he assured.  You weren’t sure that was true, considering how wobbly your legs were the whole time.  But, just as you slipped and started to topple, he suddenly appeared and caught you.  He made it seem like your weight was nothing to him, even on ice, and it was so distracting as you braced yourself on his arm.
“Thanks,” you mumbled, finding your balance enough for him to let go of you (although you wished he wouldn’t).
It took you a bit of practice, but eventually you found your footing and managed to skate around the rink a few times.  You still didn’t dare to stray too far from the wall, lest you need to reach out and grab it suddenly, but you did your best.  Ari stayed with you, occasionally grabbing your mitten-wrapped hand and squeezing it.
Once you had found your rhythm, you instantly found your competitive spirit as well, skating faster than him with a raised eyebrow of challenge.  He took you on, only to skip his blades on a chunk of ice and fall.  It didn’t look that bad, which meant you felt mostly comfortable mocking him.
“Oh, what’s this?” you grinned as you looked down at him, his long hair splayed out on the ice as he smiled up at you.  “The student has become the master, it seems.  Gotta watch where you’re skating, champ.”
“Just help me up, will you?” he requested with an extended up.  
“Ari, you’re like 200 pounds.  I can’t help you up normally, let alone when I’m on skates,” you frowned.  “Looks like you’re on your own.”
“Wait!” he called out as you skated away, though he was laughing so you knew it wasn’t that serious.  Besides, he got his chance for revenge just a few minutes later when he caught up to you, grabbing you as he skated past and roughly slammed your body into the wall with his.  The wind was knocked out of you for a brief moment as he smiled down at you, leaning to whisper against your ear.  “Not to be too literal, but you’re cold as ice.”
“Ari,” you giggled breathlessly as he kissed your earlobe, and your jaw, moving lower slowly but surely, “we’re in public… people are looking at us.”  And though it wasn’t a lot, you were right; a few other skaters were definitely giving the two of you funny looks as he held you tighter.
“They were looking when you left your poor boyfriend out on the ice by himself, you didn’t seem to mind.  Can’t have them thinking I’m some kind of pansy getting bossed around by his girl, now can we?”
Generally, Ari was more progressive than most in terms of gender equality in a relationship.  That said, he certainly had his moods where he reminded you just how badly you needed him and how thoroughly you belonged to him; and, in turn, he had his moods where he reminded you that he was totally and completely yours, so it wasn’t unfair.
Fairness was the last thing on your mind, though, as he started to lightly suck on your neck, his beard scratching you in that ticklish and addictive way.
“Ari,” you whined as you pushed him off of you, finally getting through to him, “I’m sorry I left you when you fell, alright?  I’ll make it up to you—”
He raised his eyebrows with a smirk.
“— later.”
He seemed disappointed by the prospect of waiting, yet confident in what his reward would be.  “Hmm, I think I’m gonna get lucky tonight,” he grinned.
“Yeah, we’ll see,” you rolled your eyes, suppressing a smirk of your own.
//
It took a second to readjust to walking on the ground rather than skating on ice, but after that you two were on your way as you strolled through the bustling city, the night brighter than ever with lights on every tree and lamp post.  Ari had said to you a few days ago that he didn’t mind the way the city transformed for Christmas, nor did he feel excluded by it.  He was quick to point out, after all, that the Festival of Lights was perfectly complemented by Christmas lights, even if the intentions were different.  Now that you had heard it from him, you did appreciate the ways that the two overlapped.  A lot of the best things about Chanukah, in your mind, were just the things that made wintertime so great— and Christmas was sort of the same way for a lot of people, too.  
People bundled up in coats, families walking together, shoppers searching for last-minute gifts for their friends, couples holding hands and sharing chaste kisses as their breath fogged in the air.  It was all very Norman Rockwell, and it made you smile as you hugged onto Ari’s arm. 
“Want some cocoa?” he offered as the two of you passed a stall selling hot drinks.  Just as you contemplated that, you noticed that wassail was also on the menu.
“Ooh, wassail!” you piped up.  “Ever had it before?”
“I don’t think so,” he furrowed his brow.  
“Try some, it’s delicious,” you encouraged him.  He shrugged and agreed, ordering a cup of wassail for each of you and forking over some bills and coins to pay the vendor.  It came right from a big steel kettle of the fire, ladled into the cups individually as the amber liquid steamed in the cold.  With a quick thank you to your boyfriend for buying your drink and a mumbled ‘cheers,’ you each took a sip of your drinks.  You smiled as the sweet, spicy flavors poured over your tongue and warmed your chest from the inside out.  
“It’s good,” he announced as he swallowed his first taste, nodding to you approvingly.  “Do you wanna finish this and then head home?”
“You’re just eager for me to make it up to you,” you remembered with a grin.
“Yes, and I bet you’re eager to make it up to me, too,” he countered.
“Yup,” you agreed, chugging the rest of your drink and tossing the empty cup in a bin.  “Let’s go home.”
“Taxi!” Ari yelled as he waved into the street.
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ill-skillsgard · 3 years
Note
Would you ever write about Faust making Faith squirt for the first time cause that would be the hottest thing ever.
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Warning: 18+ SMUT. Anal play, sex toys, size kink, possessive sex, strong anti-Christian themes, squirting, angst, feelings.
Note: I really hope you guys enjoy this one! Please let me know your thoughts and reblog/like if you can! I’d appreciate it. 
Faust x Faith Masterpost [x]
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"You didn't wear the outfit," Faust murmured against Faith's lips. 
"Sorry. I forgot. You got here so quick."
He took hold of the metal loop dangling at her neck and smirked. "But you wore this for me."
"I thought you'd like it," Faith giggled. 
"You think you're some kind of naughty girl? Do you think this collar makes you bad?"
Faith shrugged. 
"Do you know what happens to girls who wear things like this?" 
She grabbed his hands and placed them on her chest. "Why don't you show me?" 
"You couldn't handle it," he chuckled. 
Faith wasn't in the mood to convince Faust to do what he wanted with her. He'd gotten it lodged in his head that she was too delicate, but she wanted him to overpower her and make her hurt in that viciously pleasurable way she dreamt of. 
"Come on, Faust, you were the one who said you wanted to wreck this pussy. You won't take advantage of our last couple of nights together by making me never forget them?"
"You say that like I'm never coming back."
Faust nipped her bottom lip, palms sliding down her ribs to the back of her skirt. He pulled it up and squeezed her ass in both hands, watching her face change shapes any time he compressed her skin.
"You're going away for weeks. Who knows what will happen? Maybe you'll find a new girl and forget all about me."
Faust loosened his and shook his hair out of his face. "Don't say that."
"Im just kidding," she chuckled, leaning in for a kiss and meeting the crest of his cheekbone instead. 
"What?" Faith asked. 
"I'm serious. Why do you think that way?"
She pulled away to focus on the solemnity of his face. "I don't know, it's just something girls say."
"I don't think so."
"Relax, baby. It's okay. Let's just do it right here in the car. Please? I'm going to miss you so much when you go away. I need all I can get."
"I don't care," Faust said, framing his long fingers into a C-shaped hold on her neck. He didn't squeeze, but held her in place and drilled into her eyes with his. "Are you saying you might find another guy while I'm gone?"
"No! Of course not!"
"Then why do you think I'd cheat on you?"
"I don't think that," she whispered.
Faust released her throat and tightened his arms around her, pinning her in his firm embrace as she straddled his lap. "I'm not looking for groupies and shit. I just want to play. That's all I care about. That, and you."
"I know, Faust. Why do you always have to take everything I say so seriously? You know I'd never think about that. I'm a good girl, remember?"
Faust's throat rolled out a soft growl. "Good girls don't wear slutty little collars. Or sneak out of their dorms to fuck their boyfriends in the backseat of a car."
"Don't you want to corrupt me? Christian girl, taken by some heathen devil-worshiper... Destroying her purity."
He curled his hips up, the thick seam of his jeans rubbing against her flimsy panties, brushing over her sheathed clit. The pressure grew with the next carve. Faust filled with blood and clamped her frame against him as his hand snuck around to the back of her skirt again. 
"Faust, please. I want it. I'll let you do anything to me."
"I know. You've waited long enough. Now I know what you can and can't handle. But not here."
Faith whimpered when he stopped feeding her strokes of his groin. She'd been wriggling against him, trying to fret hard enough that his buried erection pressed against her folds. Though his tilting stopped, the hands at her behind explored the soft mounds of flesh and the sensitive spots that lied between them.
"You're gonna give me everything. That mouth and those pretty lips. Your cunt. Mm-hmm, and this one right here too. Yeah, I'm gonna fill that asshole with all kinds of things. My fingers... my tongue? Maybe a special surprise I have waiting at home?"
Faith never felt such a violent shiver ripple across her skin. It was like the window cracked open on its own and let in the bitter night air, sweet with the seasonal decay. He pressed his index finger against the promised hole, rotating and varying pressure over the cotton.
"All right, I'm serious now. Let's get going. Climb into your seat and buckle up."
On the ride back to Faust's apartment, his arm stretched over to toy with her clit, still never breaching the protection of her underwear. He only ghosted his fingertips over them, refusing to nudge them aside to give her the full strokes she craved. Even when Faith tried to pull them down, he stopped her hand, clicking his tongue and berating her for being too eager.
"Control yourself. Just enjoy what I give you."
"Please, I want more."
"You'll get more when I decide you deserve more. Tonight, you're mine. My pussy. My tits and ass and mouth. Whatever I say goes. Understand?"
"Yes, Faust."
"Good... Now I want you to lean back and finger your pussy. Then I want you to smear that pussy juice on the windshield. Draw my roommate a little picture."
Faith scoffed, cowering against the backrest, clutching her seatbelt. "What? Are you serious?"
He swung his eyes away from the road for as long as it took for the windshield wipers to clip twice. 
"Do it." 
She obeyed, and parted her legs to insert her middle finger as far as the second knuckle, curling to find the spot inside Faust helped her discover. Faust looked back at the road as she worked herself up, nodding and smirking when she brought her glistening fingertip to the glass to create the shape of a heart. 
"Aw, isn't that sweet? Leave 'em a little message."
Faust held the hand she'd used to finger herself the entire elevator ride up. He led Faith straight into his room after dropping the keys at the door. This behaviour was normal, as Faust never had much to say to his roommate besides agreeing on times to use the car. Faith skipped along with his formidable steps to the bedroom.
Faust's bed welcomed her instantly. Giddy and nearly delirious from the excitement of not sleeping in her own bunk at school, Faith sat down and smoothed out her skirt while he went to the closet to rummage around. 
Even the gory posters and beer bottles gave her a sense of comfort. She'd miss his room, and the nights they spent entangled in each other, his massive limbs always draped over hers while they cuddled or talked or slept or fucked. It keyed into her head then that she wouldn't see his plaid bedsheets or nap under the comforter that smelled like his shampoo and deodorant for a long, long time. She tried not to think about that, but the realization overcame her by the time Faust retrieved the item for which he searched. 
He knelt on the carpet, noticing a single tear on her cheek and wiping it away. 
"Don't do this, babe. Don't cry."
Faith brushed the next droplet away herself and breathed in deeply. 
"I'm so sorry. I'll try not to. It's just hard because... I'll miss you."
"I know. It'll be tough, but when I get home, maybe I'll be able to get out of here... Get a car. Move closer to your school. I won't have to keep borrowing fuckface's shit-wagon to come see you. Things will be better after I get back."
"I just can't imagine sleeping without you for that long."
"It's part of the gig, Faith. It always will be. I'll have to do this at least once a year. Probably more if things go well."
She looked down at her toes and nodded, avoiding the large green eyes imploring her to accept reality. Faust stood up and raked his hand through her hair, pressing her face against his thigh. 
"Don't get soft on me now. We have a big night, remember? Unless you don't feel like fucking no more?" 
Faith would never pass up the opportunity to please him. It always meant if she did a good job, he'd pleasure her right back, tenfold. But tonight made a heavier promise Faith craved since the moment she passed him by in the diner; for Faust to show her the dark side of life, where her elders and superiors had always promised demons lurked, waiting to undo her and lead her away from the righteous path. 
He handled her jaw firmly, raising her to her knees on the bed. He bent at the hips and captured her lips along with the silver ring hanging from her neck. A length of chain slid through his grip as he stood up, and he wound it up in his fist, raising her another inch. The leather pressed into her skin and she surrendered instantly. 
"That's what I thought."
"What're you gonna do to me?" 
"Don't speak. You'll answer me and that's it. Now get off the bed. On your knees." 
They switched spots, Faust sitting on the edge of the bed and Faith kneeling between his legs. He pulled the leash short and worked open the button and zipper of his pants, nodding for Faith to pull them down. 
"You wanna be a bad girl?" 
Faith nodded, a warm, fluttering sensation filling her chest. 
"Yeah. You want to do all the sinful things they taught you not to do in school. Like giving your precious little pussy away. There's no way a slut like you can wait until marriage and you don't care how it looks in your God's eyes. The only one you want is to serve me, even if it means going back on the vows you made to stay pure and chaste," Faust chuckled." Well, it's way too late now. I've already soiled you and taken your virginity. But don't you think it's inherently perverse how those supposed men of God put so much importance on what's between your gorgeous legs? Almost like that's all they think about. And who can really blame them? You can do bad in school, cheat on your work, hurt others, lie, steal, disobey your parents and still earn forgiveness, but the moment you let a man's cock inside you, you’ve got no worth. Funny, isn't it? The ultimate sin is what you crave the most. All those white men policing your pussy. Your pastor... Your father... Your God."
A sliver of her past self shuddered to hear the unabated truth pouring from Faust's lips. There was always a shameful breath lingering inside her whenever they had sex, but she always suppressed it by looking into his eyes to find the love living deep in those green pools. Tonight, Faust didn't let an ounce of affection shine through, determined to bring her shame to the forefront of her mind to exploit it. 
"What? Am I wrong? That's what they taught you, isn't it? That your urges make you sinful. That your natural human instincts put you off the path to heaven. Even though, mm, when I stuff all your little holes, you swear you're already there. Why does it feel so good to fuck me when it's so wrong?"
The residual polyps of her religious upbringing quivered and stung, echoing past lessons drilled into her from birth. Faith was always aware of existence on the other side of the fence where the criminals and harlots and sinners lived, and as a child, thought herself too good to wander into those dim pastures. As she matured, new world realities filtered through the pinpricks her parents overlooked—other children whispering of PG-13 movies, sex-charged billboards and unsupervised access to the internet—leaving behind the silt of the depraved for her to examine with hungry eyes. Nothing excited her more than the thought of finding a used porn magazine at the park, or staying up later than the rest of her girlfriends to catch flashes of soft-core skin on cable television. Now she was neck-deep in the sin they'd worked so hard to keep her from, ready to dive in with but a nostalgic glance back at her old, virtuous life.
It still bothered her whenever Faust referred to God, as they fashioned Him before her as divinity, unchallengeable. The unabashed way Faust spit upon His image made her cringe, yet his gall carved out a spot in her head above her pastor, above her father. Faust was the only man to defy her doctrine, and that made him more courageous than anyone she'd ever known. Even her daddy cowered in fear of God's wrath. Faust... he pissed on the cross and the bible, made a mockery of the gospel and showed her how delicious the grapes of temptation tasted on her contaminated tongue.
Faust pushed the elastic band of his boxers down so it bunched under his balls, helping his shaft stand upright. If left without support, he'd loll to the side, the girth too much for his blood to circumvent.
"Open your pretty mouth and suck this fat fucking cock, right now."
Faith displayed her tongue, waiting for him to trace a line from tip to tonsils. The warm pre-cum coated her tastebuds, and she wrapped her lips around the head, swallowing the fluid and moaning.
"Oh, Christ, baby, that looks so good. How does it taste?"
Faith hummed in agreement, unable to form a word with the mass wedging her jaws apart. He bucked his hips up once, hitting the back of her throat, then settled on the bed and let her go to work while he used the chain leash to angle her head. Bubbles formed around the ridge, dripping down in all directions to lubricate the way. Soon, Faust shivered from the warm froth gliding downward and pulled her off by the chain, anchoring his shaft against his belly.
"Suck that spit off my balls," he barked.
Faith did as she was told, keeping her eyes on his slackened face as she trailed her tongue up and down, collecting the saliva and swallowing.
"Good. That's good. Now, get up on the bed. On your hands and knees," he yanked the chain.
Propelled by the force around her neck, Faith crawled onto the bed and awaited his next move. She didn't notice the shiny object in his hand until he placed it on the bed next to her. A shiny metal plug with a jewelled end awaited, puckering the bedspread under its weight.
Before Faith mustered the courage to ask, Faust pulled her panties down to her knees and lapped her entrance with the same sloppy ardency she'd shown him but a minute before. He nipped her folds and continued upward, two hands now spreading her cheeks apart to reveal the next destination of his travelling tongue.
"Did you get all nice and clean for me?" He snickered.
"Mm-hmm," Faith said with a nod.
"Yeah, 'cause you knew I was gonna play with that ass."
Faust teased her with circles of varying pressure, switching his middle finger out for his tongue the first time he dipped inside. She wiggled and let curious noises escape her before clamping her hand over her mouth.
"How does that feel?"
"It feels... good," Faith replied.
"Yeah? You like it? Like it when I sodomize you?"
She whimpered. Faust took her mewling as a sign to continue. Slowly, he inserted his fingertip, reading her body and how it contorted from the new intrusion. When he was certain she wouldn't refuse, he worked the digit in and out, anointing the site with a fresh wad of spit.
"What do you think about the toy I bought for you?"
Faith craned her head to regard the little silver toy. "I like it."
"Really? You're not just saying that are you? It's not just something girls say, is it?"
"No, I want it. I'll do it if you like that."
"Anyone ever tell you how sweet you are? You’re always thinking of others. Perfect little cock-slave. It's really too bad your holes are so tiny. I'd really love to fuck your ass, but we wouldn't want anyone getting injured tonight," Faust said.
Faith simpered and wiggled her hips. There was a brief loss of contact as Faust went for a bottle of lube he always had stashed under the bed for nights Faith needed it. He coated the toy and rubbed the rest around and inside her tightness. With his fingertip eclipsing her hole, he dipped in one last time before replacing the digit with the tapered end of the plug.
Faith couldn't tell what it looked like when her body accepted the weighty piece of decoration, but when Faust had it in place, he breathed heavily.
"Fuck, Faith... That's adorable. How's that feel?"
She tilted her hips from side to side, grimacing from the flare pressing into her cheeks. "It's... Different."
"Spread your legs a bit more. Yeah, that's good. Open up and show me that pussy and your cute plug."
Faust overestimated his reserve of patience. Once affixed with the pink jewel, he lost sight of everything else except filling her other holes too. But he had to control himself if he wanted to achieve what he set out to achieve, and that required endurance. He had to tease her with a little more tongue-fucking before slipping his cock in from behind. She gasped and clenched hard, flinching away. The added fullness only intensified the stretch from his width and the imposing length. Faust seethed a moment before teasing her pussy with the tip.
"All right, work it however you like, babe. Get comfortable. It's a lot."
Left to her own efforts, she sat back on him and let the stretch course through her. Faust watched most of his length disappear, mouth dropped in awe. She continued jamming him back inside after every withdrawal, hoping to impress with her resilience. 
"You're doing good, baby. Keep going. Fuck, that feels amazing."
When Faust grew bored with the position, he flipped her on her back so he could watch her wince in mixed pain and pleasure. Her struggle urged him on, her panting, encouragement. Over the months, Faith got used to the breadth of him inside and didn't tremble as much or wilt from trying to keep up. It was time to move onto the next part of his plan, which was to introduce yet another form of stimulation. 
Faust had her sit on him, his chest to her back, fully enveloped in her wetness with the plug angling just right. Once she perched in his lap comfortably, he reached around to rub her clit with one hand while the other anchored her collared neck back so her head rested on his shoulder. 
"You're gonna come all over me, understand? I won't stop until I feel your pussy spasming around my dick." 
Faith squealed from the frantic fingers dancing over her clit, the shaft pumping her in a violent clashing of rhythms. Even his brutal whispers in her ear fell into time, playing her like an instrument with expertise. By her arching back and sharp breaths, Faust knew he was close to his goal. He just had to restrain himself from succumbing to the tightening pressure around him, the feast that was her body contorting on top of his. 
"Are you gonna come? Gonna fucking squirt for me?" 
Faith nuzzled into his neck and whimpered, "I... Can't. I don't know how." 
"Yes, you do. Feel that spot right there? Remember? Remember what I told you."
"Faust," she gasped. 
"You're right there. I can feel it. Right there, Faith."
He coiled his thick arm around her chest, pressing her as he shot his groin up and up. Each thrust landed harder while his fingers coddled her most sensitive spot. 
Amid the barrage of sensations, a peculiar warmth bourgeoned in her groin. For a second she thought her bladder was about to release, but it was too gradual... Too intentional to be a regular function. The undulating pulse sent red hot waves of pleasure through her body, shooting to her fingertips and crackling in her ears like a sudden ascent up a steep mountain. She closed her eyes and let out one continuous groan that spiralled upward, squealing from between her teeth as the volcanic frequencies shut down all other modes of operation. 
Faith didn't notice the first spurt. Only when Faust laughed did she unscrew her eyes to see between her legs. Faust lifted her quickly, sidling them both to the edge of the bed where the mirror reflected the clear fluid dripping down his cock and spreading between their thighs. He'd fucked her hard enough to collect fizz along the underside of his length. She gasped when a contraction forced another small emission from a place inside her she never knew existed. 
"Oh, my goodness... Am I?" 
"Squirting? Damn fucking right, babe. I knew I could get ya to gush all over my dick."
The fervent racks of orgasm subsided after a while, and she giggled. Faust laid back on the bed, feet planted on the floor as he slipped out of her and let her roll to the side. Faith huddled up under his arm and placed her little hand on his heaving chest, his heartbeat kicking up the limb. 
"You didn't come," Faith said.
Faust grabbed her hand and tightened his arm around her shoulders. "Yeah. That's 'cause I'm not done with you."
~*~
On the day of Faust's departure, he drove Faith to her campus and got out of the car to give her a hug. She produced a rickety smile as she buried her face in his hair and the first sniffle racked her throat. She imagined they looked novel to most; Faust spreading his feet and crouching to use his entire body, clam-shelling her in leather-bound arms and ripped black jeans, and Faith in a school kilt and his largest and softest hoodie. 
Faust kissed her once softly, then again slowly. She savoured his breath and sent her tongue after his. They parted, joined once more and parted again for their first attempt at goodbye.
Faith shivered from the effort of holding back her tears. She knew crying would only make it harder to part ways. If she could hold on, then she could cry in her plain, two-sided cubicle in a building of people that weren't Faust. She already felt sorry for her roommate who would suffer her grovelling.
To her surprise, she reared in the heat behind her eyes, remembering the times in the Summer when Faust would talk about touring. The glint in his eye and the smile he let slip only in her presence was Faust at his purest. How could she let her emotions taint his goals? Faith smiled, driven by her unexpected surge of self-control. 
It was Faust who bit his lip and blinked rapidly, trying to smother a tear before it oozed out. Faith gasped at the glimmer he smeared with the leather cuff of his jacket. Then, she broke.
Faust wrapped her up in his arms again and squeezed her tight, Faith jostling with sobs.
"I love you. I love you so much," she cried into his chest.
"Yeah, babe. I love you too. I fucking wish you could just come with me. I don't trust this town either. You better not ever walk alone at night anywhere. Even if it's from your dorm to the parking lot. You always walk with someone."
"I will."
"I'm serious, Faith. And don't fucking hang out with Anika and that crowd."
"Why not? I mean, I won't, but... Why?"
Faust pressed his lips together, squeezing his fist. She cocked her head, and he released his frustration in one deep breath. "All those guys will rip you apart. Because of your... Upbringing. Christians just... Fuck. I can't put this nicely."
"Do you really think I still care about my religion? It was something I just did as a kid. I don't really... I don't know. I know what you guys sing about and I don't care."
"It doesn't matter. To some of them, Christians are the enemy and they'll do terrible shit you'd never think of. Please, just fucking promise me you'll make some other friends. Some smart girls. Have like a girl's club thing in your dorm."
"Girl's club?" Faith taunted.
"You know what I mean."
"No smart boy friends?"
Faust went deadpan, then stooped to grab her ass and pull her closer. "Don't make a murderer out of me. If I hear of any guy—"
"Or girl!"
"Or girl... If anyone tries anything with you..."
"You'll go to prison for me. I know. I'll do everything to make sure you don't end up in prison."
"And you better not worry about me and what I'm up to. My life will be nothing but sleeping on the way to shows, sound check, pre-set, set, post-set shower, then beer in the bus."
"I trust you. But will you say goodnight, every night?"
"I'll try."
She hopped up to kiss him again. "Thanks, beetle."
"One more thing before I go," Faust said, stepping toward the car. He circled to the driver's side and ducked in to grab something he'd tucked under the seat while Faith wasn't around. She already had her mouth covered by the time he returned to the sidewalk. "That collar you supposedly had lying around... You gotta get rid of it."
Faith touched her throat as though the leather strap was still there. "How come?"
"Because I got you a better one," he said, handing her the parcel. The box had a weight Faith didn't expect.
She unravelled the black plastic, a lacquered wooden box beneath the makeshift wrapping paper. The collar inside was thin, with a metal buckle and a thick D-ring hosting a thicker chrome loop.
"Faust!"
"My friend made it. It's not some Hot Topic shit. This collar means you belong with me."
"Is this like your version of a promise ring?"
Faust scoffed. "It's not a ring. It's a collar. Hand-forged metal. Leather cut with skill. Not some tiny, overpriced rock. But if you want me to make you a promise, I will."
"Promise me what?"
"That I belong to you, too."
Faith melted, rolling her eyes and leaning into him. "Ugh, oh my gosh, if you keep being so cute I'm not gonna let you leave! First you cried and now you're giving me something you asked your friend to make for me? That's sooo cute!"
"Shut up. Come on, this is serious."
"I know! Which is why it's so cute, because you're a big, tough, serious man, aren't you?"
Faust's indifference broke, and he chuckled with her as she poked him and hung off his arm. He helped her put on the collar, then slipped the box into her backpack.
They settled back into a melancholic silence, neither one of them wanting to start the next round of goodbyes. Faust eventually stepped into the tight hug, proceeded more kissing and a few deep breaths to wane the sorrow.
"I hope you have fun, Faust. You don't have to worry about me. I promise I'll be safe."
"Say goodnight, every night."
"I will."
"All right... Well, I should go."
"Please do, so I can go to my room and cry some more."
Faust pressed his thumb into the corner of his eye. "Fuck, I know."
"I love you, beetle."
"Love you too, babe. I'll talk to you soon as I'm on the road."
Faust let her go and drove away. An immovable lump formed in his throat as he drowned out his inner-mourning with a cacophony of feral guitars, erratic drumbeats and screeching.
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doomstypewriter · 3 years
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would u do forbidden love, secret relationship moceit? i was thinking a pseudo-historical au, ideally with homophobia as the motivator for the forbidden/secret part but if u absolutely dont wanna do that janus being an outlaw would also work i suppose. just some whacky bois sneaking through windows to hang out, nearly being caught smooching, funny hijinks, then! sudden melancholy about how in love they are & never being able to show it
Finally, anon, I am done!!!!  I gladly present to you the final chapter, just in time for Valentine's Day (call that timing (once you read the thing you'll get this reference)). 
 Hope you enjoy it, and thank you for giving me the chance to write something this cool! 
<< Chapter 1                                       AO3
We call it an affair because it's a forbidden romance 
Word count: 9376 
 Summary: Janus is dumb. He may be intelligent, but intelligence isn't at odds with poor foresight. So he makes a mistake that can get him killed. Romina is very gay and very angry. Patton is confused but does his best. Virginia is the only one with a functioning brain cell. Or, how a chain of misunderstandings almost ruins everything. 
 TW: Seemingly Unsymphathetic fem!Roman (not really, she is just feeling very hurt and angry and it is all resolved eventually), mild transphobia, mentions of blood, mentions of violence (there is a sword fight), mild misogyny, internalised misogyny, internalised homophobia, homophobia, mild threats of violence (again, the sword fight), swearing... I think that's all, but if you spot anything else tell me. 
Chapter 2: The rest of their lives 
The light raised above the darkness and it was morning again. In two days time, Patton would be meeting the countess, just so he could start properly courting her, not because his father wanted to get a title and land for his son. To suggest such a thing would be ridiculous. Scandalous even!
Reputation ruining…
Janus got up from his cot, unfit for the heavy silks that covered it, some stolen, some gifted by Patton. He looked at the things surrounding him. His house wasn’t so bad. It was in fact bigger than the places inhabited by most peasants, and a palace compared to the things in which people like him had to sleep… the things where he had had to lay in. The house consisted of one room, like most, but the size made up for the lack of divisions. 
This was a cave reimagined as a home. The walls had been lined with timber and thoroughly coated with stucco, the curving grooves of its application were not that noticeable, Janus was not a professional but he had certainly done his best. Aside from the absence of windows, it didn’t resemble a cave. There was a section of rock he had left uncovered at the very back, where water seeped out of the wall and provided him with a steady source of the thing. He would prefer not drinking watered-down stucco. 
He began to get dressed. All of his clothing was stored within a small but beautifully carved cupboard he had stolen from a manor in Bohemia. He had plenty of garments from here and there, five outfits in total! Stolen as well. 
In the house, what he hadn’t crafted himself he had stolen. Perfume bottles from France, boots and gold from the Kingdom of Aragon, a stiletto and a medium-sized silver mirror from the Republic of Venice… he even had two tapestries. 
But, even then, it was nothing compared to Villa Morandi. He surrounded himself with opulence to quench his thirst for wealth, the easy life of those above. His home was an illusion, a taste of richness, in which a poor man could pretend. This was not a place where Patton could live, let alone want to. 
If he was to spread rumours, then what? A plan of keeping Patton to himself would not succeed and his lover’s life would be as good as done. 
After packing his fanciest clothes and putting on the ones he used for travelling, he set to leave. He carried his stiletto, a grappling hook and a sword, all three perfectly hidden under his cape. 
Using a hidden pulley system, Janus moved the boulder that hid the entrance to the cave, returning it to its place afterwards. No one would find his home no matter how long he left.
The path down the slope of the mountain twisted and turned. Janus was in no disposition to waste time, so he went across the forest. Half-lost in the trees lay the cabin of a woodsman’s family. A while ago, Janus had left them a steed along with one florin. The family cared for the horse, not knowing exactly what to do. As the horse appeared and disappeared, bringing them thirty soldi each time, they began to get the gist.  Upon reaching the cabin, he headed for a well-built timber shed where his horse waited, fed and rested. 
He left thirty soldi on a small stool at the corner of the shed, mounted his horse, and galloped away. 
The Regio county manor was two days away by horse. 
Patton left yesterday, as his carriage would take longer to get there, stops and all, than one man on horseback. 
Janus paused at the base of the mountain. With one whistle his hawk surfaced from the sea of trees to land on his forearm-length glove. 
“You are to find Signor Morandi’s and Patton’s carriage. Follow them without drawing attention to yourself, find me and report to me at dusk. If anything urgent were to happen, come to my side immediately”.
-------------------------
His room at the inn felt quiet despite the muffled sounds from down below, where people chanted and told stories. 
The cool breeze wouldn’t be half-unpleasant if he wasn’t leaning on the ledge of a wide-open window. I also didn’t help that he was in his underwear. Father would certainly scold him for letting himself be seen in his linen undershirt. Some may think he was waiting for some disreputable company. 
It was more hoping than waiting. Also, Janus couldn’t possibly be disreputable. Out of costume, he had no reputation whatsoever. He liked to keep it that way. His real identity had no friend nor foe, in that he found safety. It had been hard to trust each other. Believe a criminal could be good. Let the son of a merchant become a friend, form an opinion of Janus, the original one. A part of him felt so proud, to see him grow, believe him, love him… another part found it sad for people to miss on such a wonderful person. 
Nights like this made him nostalgic. The first floors had tallow candles cast their diffuse glow onto the streets. Cobblestones seemed softened by the warm tint. Darkness rendered malleable to the light. It all made him miss Janus even more. 
The touch of his palm, holding the weight of his lazy head, a poor substitute to Janus’ hand. 
On such a night they had met. How scared he had been! A bit angry too… captivated as well, even if he couldn’t admit it to himself at the time. 
Patton smiled in contemplation. 
He had spotted him right there, sitting out of the adjacent window, ready to jump and make a run for it. 
“Stop! You will get hurt, good sir!” at first he did not realise the true nature of what was happening. 
To think Janus could be harmed by jumping off a window! He knew better now. Balconies were his true weakness. Thankfully, the only balconies he climbed now were his. 
“Oh, I’ll stop at once. Care to join?” Janus said as he pulled a stiletto out of his cape. 
“You are stealing!” 
“I would never!” he feigned indignation.
“Then what is it that you are doing, good sir?”
Oh, Patton could still hear the laugh that had followed, velvety and insincere. It brought a chill up his spine. 
“Stealing, of course”. 
“That is vile!” 
“Is it? You’re all allowed to provide for yourselves by buying fabrics and goods created by others. Am I not doing as you do? Are merchants not thieves? How can you tell a vile man from another? What do you know of this world, dear?” 
“Well… I... I know for certain that the woman in that room, the one you are stealing from, sir, is not wealthy. She may look the part, but that is thanks to heirlooms. Her family has been impoverished for two generations”. 
“Does it make you virtuous to spread the secrets of others? Isn’t gossip frowned upon by those of…” he lifted his gold rosary from under his shirtfront with the tip of his blade “your inclination”. 
“I am merely explaining so you may be persuaded to accept my gold in exchange for returning her possessions”. 
“Why shouldn’t I just take your gold and keep her stuff too?”
“We may be allowed to provide for ourselves in ways others may view as vile, but should we condemn those who cannot on the account of not wanting to express vileness or having no means to? I do not mean to intrude, sir, but the thoughts behind your words betray your stance in this dilemma. You shall find more satisfaction in stealing what you believe was already stolen. A poor woman is not worth your pride, nor ridding you of the chance to make me lose mine”.
Janus frowned as if he didn't expect him to say something like that. Later he would confess to him that what shocked him was hearing him say something smart. It keeps on surprising him whenever he does.
"Quick, hand me your gold and I might consider it". 
"No, sir, I expect you to leave what you have taken first". 
He did try to hide his eagerness. But, how his cape rustled, once inside, betrayed him. What kind of thief was so noisy? He thought to himself. Once they had built trust, Janus explained that he had been quite shaken up by his offering. He neglected to mention the reason why. Patton imagined it was because he found his disposition to put himself in harm’s way for others ridiculous. 
The thief’s half-concealed face emerged from the window. 
"Will three florin do?" Patton asked, pulling his coin bag. 
Janus looked at the rich embroidered fabric almost in awe. If only, for a second. 
“I suppose…” 
“Well, then, there you go, sir”. 
His hands pried the bag open, ready to pull the golden coins. 
“Hmm…” 
“What is the matter?” 
“I could always just go back and get all the stuff”. 
“Is it not enough for you?” he showed him the three pieces of gold in his open palm. 
It was as if he could almost feel him licking his lips. The part of him, dark, often chastised, made him shake and quiver. His knees felt weak, somehow. This hunger in the thief’s eyes, almost akin to wonder, at the sight of gold, as if he had never seen so much before, it made him want to… dear Lord, no!
“To put such a price on mending the error of my ways” he laughed, staring right through him with those green eyes. Patton’s knees threatened to buckle for real.  “It isn’t very much, now, is it?” he leaned forward, and if Patton leaned as well maybe he could… what? Fall from this height for a pretty thief?
“What do you want, then?” 
That had been a first for Janus, Patton was certain. He didn’t quite get his reaction, but, picturing it again some days later he figured the thief was taken aback. 
“Uh… tha-that fancy coin bag of yours will do. Consider me a gentleman, I wouldn’t want to fleece you completely, the first time”. 
“Oh, I’m sure”. 
“Ha”, Janus stared at him in disbelief. 
Patton felt mortified. 
“I-I mean…” 
“Are you always this eloquent or is it just poor skill when it comes to existing?” the sentence did not sound as condescending as it should have, more like borderline flirtatious. 
Words would not come to him. 
“The coin bag, please”. 
His arm moved on his own, careful to avoid touch. It would be a bad idea to give this man a chance to tip him over the ledge. For a moment, he hesitated. This bag had been gifted to him by his father, he had two made for the two of them. It was two of a kind. But… the woman next door’s wellbeing was far more valuable than any piece of fabric. No matter how treasured. 
Janus dangled the bag from his pointer finger, right next to his face. Side-eying his price, he spoke again: 
“Looks like the virtuous are also the most stupid”. 
The thief readied himself to jump. Patton knew he had to say something, because, this moment, it told him he would regret it if he didn’t. 
“It is not about virtue, but goodness”. 
For a moment he thought he had heard him stop breathing. Then, he jumped. Patton jumped in his place as well. He couldn’t help but bring his entire torso out of the window. 
There he was! Running. He had made no noise in his landing. 
Just when he was about to disappear into the shadows, this weird new acquaintance looked at him one last time. 
Back then, Janus vanished for a while. Patton had come to learn that he would always return one way or another. 
Like now. 
A shadow moved, carefully, on the roof tiles at the other side of the street. Patton whistled, trying not to be too loud, not that anyone below would hear him. Knowing it had been spotted, the shadow flew to his side. 
“Hello, big guy”. 
After a rustle of feathers, the hawk landed at his left. 
“Why the grumpy face?” Patton laughed. “I know it’s just your brow feathers.  You’re so handsome” he caressed the top of the bird’s head with one finger. 
“He sent you all the way here. You must be tired. I don’t have any food for you here, but I’m sure I can get you something to drink”. 
Patton poured some water into a basin and carried it to the window, he placed it on the floor. 
“There, it’s supposed to be used to wash your face… I guess you can do that too if you want”.  
The hawk flew inside and drank it all dry. 
“You ought to tell Janus”, he began saying as he bent his knees, “to stop worrying so much. I am okay. I know he is concerned, but it will all be fine. Also, when you get home, ask him when is he going to let me visit, I’d love to go”.
-------------------------
The carriage clattered over the stone pathway. Inside, the curtains were drawn, but a pang of curiosity made it so Patton moved them, ever-so-slightly, aside to take a discrete look. 
Big was an understatement when one tried to describe the Regio manor. It was a three-storey building comprised of a first floor with a rusticated facade that had four small windows on each side, the centre being interrupted by a wide mason staircase presided by a classic structure of pilasters, then followed by an entablature and a pediment with the most ornate of tympanums. He imagined the staircase lead to the primo piano nobile. To both sides of the main entrance were two sets of four architrave windows built in perfect symmetry. Above it all, was the third floor, which mostly mirrored the second, but had a total of ten slightly smaller windows, as there wasn’t another central element to interrupt their flow. 
If this marriage agreement moved forward, one day, this would be technically his. It will be his wife’s, but, as spouses, they are supposed to share it all. Villa Morandi will be hers as well, it was only fair. 
A part of him felt bad for not having had the chance to keep contact with Lady Romina Regio previous to now. How was one supposed to feel when they get no say in who they marry? Father, at least, had asked him. Yes, he risked disappointing him, but, ultimately, the choice was his.  Will this woman, on the account of her status, be allowed such a choice? He feared her parents were the only people who would decide. Father too. Does she even want the father of her fiancé to take this from her? Is it right to deceive themselves like this, to have God bind them when no love is to arise from this union? Is a potential friendship worthy of the sacrament of matrimony? 
Patton knew two things with certainty: he wanted to be a good friend to Lady Romina Regio and he could not sacrifice his feelings for Janus to achieve it. 
They were guided inside by Virginia Fusco, Lady Romina Regio’s personal servant.
The entrance consisted of a corridor, divided into three naves, by two rows of ionic columns made of rose gold marble. Above that, there was a straight ceiling with five rows of twelve coffers, all richly painted with floral and geometric motifs. His boots looked cheap in comparison to the flooring they walked on. Big and polished terracotta tiles in a diamond pattern covered the ground, the corners were clipped to accommodate small white marble accents. 
Once they passed the entrance, this father was led upstairs by another servant, while Virginia instructed him to accompany her elsewhere. 
“I am glad you arrived here safely after leaving Villa Morandi. Has everything been well?”
She stilled for a moment. 
“Uuh… thank you for the kind concern, sir. Things in the house have been… busy due to the news of your engagement to her ladyship” she began walking again. 
“I was asking about you”. 
“Pardon?”
“When I asked, before, I wanted to know if you have been doing well. It must be stressful to be sent back and forth between the palazzo and Villa Morandi during the last weeks, especially being a personal maid to her ladyship, it is uncommon for someone like you to be used as a messenger”. 
“I shall do anything her ladyship requires. Any task”. 
“Oh! Sorry! I did not intend to say you would not”, Patton stopped dead in his tracks. 
Virginia turned around and stared at him in confusion. 
“I… when you first arrived I did not expect her ladyship’s personal servant to be at my home. Her ladyship’s maid is supposed to stay with her, so I thought something bad might have happened… The trip in between is not too long but done enough times it can prove to be energy-consuming”. 
Patton was met with even more confusion from Virginia, so he kept babbling in hopes of fixing his mistake. “Not that you would not be willing to put up with it for her ladyship, I am sure. I did also not mean to assume anything, that is why I asked in the first place, I only meant it kindly…” 
“Sir, it is alright”, she began saying. 
If Patton had not been as worked up with the conversation as he was he may have detected the slightest hint of amusement coming from Virginia. 
“Her ladyship is--”
“Oh! Oh, that too! I did not mean to not inquire about her ladyship’s wellbeing, part of me dared to hope I could meet her today and ask her in person…” 
“Sir, please, follow me. I am afraid we cannot keep the person I am taking you to waiting, you see, her ladyship finds it upsetting”. 
Patton laughed. 
It caught Virginia off guard. People were not supposed to behave so… openly within these walls. At least she wasn’t used to it. 
“You must excuse this man’s oblivious nature, I should have realised where you were taking me earlier”. 
“Sir, I am undeserving of your apologies. But, if we keep stalling, her ladyship will require one”. 
“Of course, lead the way”.
-------------------------
His horse reached the palazzo just in time to see the Morandi’s carriage passing by. 
Unlike his dear Patton, he did not have an invitation. Sneaking past the guards, an easy task if you asked him, had to suffice. 
The place was huge, it was to be expected from such a family. Janus couldn’t care less for the grandeur, not when he couldn’t get his hands on it, and that wasn’t the reason why he had come there. 
It would seem the Regio had it going on. The palazzo was relatively new, built, at most, fifty years ago. If you checked the list, all of the items relating to appearance did justice to the status of the family. Looking closely though… 
There were only two boys and an old man tending to the gardens. Gardens as big as everything else, mind you. So, clearly, they were understaffed. Which was precisely why Janus had been able to hide between a set of unkempt bushes to change into today’s costume. As long as he managed to avoid getting any leaves of brunches stuck, it would all be fine. 
Back to the Regio, though. If one was as much of an expert at judging other people’s wealth as Janus was, save that one time with a woman at an inn, it became obvious that the counts were missing on the money. Firstly, the manor had been built recently, but most certainly not after the war. Secondly, the guards were as many as one would expect, but not as… on guard -curse Patton’s sense of humour- as they should. This just told him they weren’t being paid that much. Then was the matter of understaffing. 
And, of course, Patton’s presence here. 
Janus had not forgotten Signor Morandi’s words. Patton could only afford to marry a countess because the Regio could not afford anyone less wealthy. 
The clothes were on and he was inside the house. 
Why did these people never put any sort of vigilance at the servant’s entrances? It never occurred to them that even if people wouldn’t steal their laundry, perhaps they would get in with the laundry. Pathetic. 
It made his life easier, though. 
He was in. 
He was in and he was going to… what? 
For starters try to find any dirt on Patton’s dear future wife. Maybe any belongings that could give him some leverage. Just to be safe. 
Janus knew Patton would keep his word, even if it destroyed him, and it would. Nobles always wanted offspring. Janus just wasn’t sure if Patton would be up for the task when someone did not have his pretty eyes and his masculine figure. 
Causing troubles for his beloved was the last thing he wanted. But, if it came to it, Janus would do anything. Whether that meant creating accidents, blackmailing or appointing a convenient kidnapping during a wedding night. 
He went up the servant’s stairs and reached a second-floor gallery, open to the courtyard below. 
Just when he was about to leave, his ears caught some hushed shouting coming from above.
-------------------------
“How could she do this to me!?” 
Romina stormed the third-floor corridor, without any bearing nor destination. 
“Your ladyship, please, we must go back!” Virginia ran behind her, speaking between her teeth. 
“Did you see him, Virg?”
“Yes, I did, your ladyship”. 
“I-- this is outrageous!” 
“I beg you, can we not have this conversation here, your ladyship?” 
Despite Virginia kindly pointing out that the third-floor gallery was hardly an appropriate location for such or any kind of discussion, Romina did not heed her request. 
“I was going to become a princess! And because of this, I am deprived of royalty! Because my sister fancies herself a man!” 
“For the love of…, you know what, no. I am tired of this. She dresses like a man, she talks like a man, she looks like a man and she feels like one. In which way is she, no, he, not a man?” 
Romina grimaced at her own words. Still, she was far too angry to let go of her resentment. 
“In the fact that he has no honour. He lied to me, several times. First by promising we’ll stay together. Then he did not care to tell me I had a brother, didn’t even trust me for that, and now he has abandoned me. And what for? He saw that pretty ‘scientist’ or whatever he calls himself and decided to follow him to the end of the world. How come he gets to be a pirate when I have to become a wife?!”
“Romina, please, shut your big mouth before anyone overhears us” Virginia warned. 
“So now I must be quiet!”
“Yes! For your sake, you dumbass”. 
“Well, I will not be quiet, you… you sonnetist of elegies!” 
“That’s not even a--” Virginia placed her hand on the bridge of her nose. 
As if to make her point clearer, Romina kept walking into the gallery. 
“I don’t care! You know why? Because now I have to replace him in a destiny none of us wanted, but at least he had been prepared for! What am I going to do?” 
“How about you begin by coming back--” 
“He leaves me like this, to be mocked and compared to him,--” 
“Oh Lord, why do I even bother--”
“--who ran away. How could he be so selfish!? Let me ask you this instead, how can a man surrender his word and his honour so readily?”
Then, Virginia stilled completely. 
She didn’t know whether she felt angry or deeply saddened.
“What wouldn’t any of us do to seize the freedom that we have forever been denied? And, who wouldn’t cast away honour to be free and loved? Can’t you identify with that, or are you a liar too?”
“I…”
“Is it Remus who you’re angry at?” 
“It doesn’t matter what I think. I am still going to have to get married to some random person--!”
“Oh, shut up! At least he’s nice! Do you know what he did when he met me? Because he came to personally receive me, you see. He asked for my name! Not only that, but he remembers it. Just when I was taking him to see you, he asked me how had I been! Have you any idea how many people do that? You are so privileged you cannot get your head out of your stuck-up ass, Princess. Nobody ever cares how people like me are doing!” 
“Oh, so that is what this is about! Well, sorry I can’t pepper you with attention every waking moment, love--” 
“Fuck off, I already know that, stop making this about you!” 
“But it is about me!”
“You’re so lucky you get to marry a kind man! Any other person would just use his status to be a self-righteous narcissistic asshole, yes, Princess, like you, but not young Signor Morandi so quit mopping!” 
“Well, if you like him so much, then why don’t you marry him instead?!” 
Her hands gripped her apron tightly. Virginia could not bear her gaze at the moment. She bit her lip as if that could help her to cope with the backlash at the sheer stupidity of Romina’s words. 
“I am sorry”. 
“You… at least you’re… hmm…” she took a deep breath. In part to give herself time to consider what to say carefully, but, also, to calm down. “Male-inclined. I… your ladyship, if I did not serve you I fear I would only be any good left in a nunnery. You must understand, if I could choose who to marry, well, kind and considerate is not much of my type, as you must be aware. Neither is Signor Morandi”. 
“If…” 
Romina returned to her side. 
Her hands, littered with all sorts of rings, made Virginia’s hands give up on holding the apron. The labour-stained pair were squeezed safely. 
“Please, please look at me”. 
The request made Virginia want to refuse. But, aside from her position, these were the kind of situations in which Virginia could not deny Romina. 
“If I could choose who to marry, it would be one who would make me a princess, not on the account of status, but with word… if you know what I mean”. 
Virginia rolled her eyes. 
“The only one that dense here is you”. 
“The mouth on you. I am going to have to keep you by my side”, she paused for a second and then whispered, “my love”. 
Her gaze was most intense upon hearing that. The pair of dark brown eyes opening in a way that could be described as feline. 
“No nunnery could be at your level when it comes to sarcasm and bossing other women around. I, at the very least, can hold my ground for longer until you get me to do your bid--”
Finally, Romina was quiet. 
Virginia gripped her shoulders, squeezing the puffs of her dress’ sleeves, with the tips of her fingers touching against the golden netting that covered Romina’s chest. It was as if she was trying to drink the life out of those lips. Her very being was buzzing with want and anger. 
The bejewelled woman became pliant, yet passionate, under the touch. Bravery, whenever it surfaced in Virginia, was something to behold. Even more of a thing to experience. 
“Fuck” Virginia covered her mouth with her hands as she abruptly parted. 
“Likewise. Oh, I feel dizzy” she smiled. 
“No, not that way. I… shit… I just did...that! And here!”
“Now, now”, Romina grasped her hands. 
She caressed the base of Virginia’s thumbs with a devoted look. 
“Ro…”
“No reason to panic, my nightly gale”. 
“Well, I wouldn’t be so sure about that” a voice came from the other side of the gallery.
-------------------------
The room was quiet. 
No. 
The room was completely silent and Patton had no idea what had gone wrong. He never intended to say something that could harm anyone’s sensitivities. It just never occurred to him that someone could be offended by a pun about the weather. 
This first attempt at friendship had not been… great. 
His father would certainly laugh at Lady Romina Regio’s decision to storm out of the room upon hearing a silly joke. He would make nothing of it. He’d say womanly outbursts were to be expected. Darn it, most people would say so.
Ignoring it would be simple. 
Patton could not ignore it. 
Firstly, it became clear to him that her ladyship had no say in her marrying him. Not only that, but she might feel strongly against it. Secondly, and most important, he intended to build a friendship with her. 
Considering the circumstances, the best he could do would be to find her and speak from the heart. If he explained to her that he meant no ill by making a joke, or to be insensitive by indulging in frivolities in the face of such a serious matter as their first meeting, she might feel better. And, if she still refused him, he could offer to call the entire thing off. 
Except that would be a terrible idea. Her family needed the money and going back on his choice would make her chances even more difficult. But, maybe, she wanted that. Her reaction pointed to it. Father would be very disappointed, the last thing Patton wanted was to be a bad son. But wasn’t it worse to force a woman into a marriage? Also, Janus. He’d be free to remain with him for longer. 
What was he going to do? He didn’t know what the right answer to this was.  
Talking to her. Patton could start by doing that, but first, he needed to find her.
-------------------------
This wasn’t the kind of dirt he had expected to find, but only a moron would look a gift horse in the mouth right now.
The servant girl’s passion came out of nowhere. He almost wanted to take notes. 
“No reason to panic, my nightly gale”, said the countess, still entranced at the sight of her maid’s hands. 
She had just given him his cue, so Janus could not help but oblige. 
“Well, I wouldn’t be so sure about that”, he said leaving his hiding spot. 
Instantly, they turned to look at him. The countess let go of the other’s hands in a jolt. Her demeanour changed in a second. So, not only was she a countess, but also a terrific actress. 
“Oh! Good day sir! Are you, by any chance, lost? My servant can…” she looked at the aforementioned. 
Her maid was having none of it. She eyed him suspiciously, ignoring how her mistress’ body language asked her to calm down. 
“Were you coming to see his lordship? I am afraid he is busy at the moment”. 
“Oh, well yes. I was sent by Marquess Sanders to inquire about a series of matters relating to war expenses” he said as he took off his cape. 
By revealing his outfit he hoped to gain some credibility. Looking rich always got people off your back. Especially when you carried a sword. 
The countess’ eyes lit up in recognition of his dusack. Dusacks were one of the main weapons sent by Marquess Sanders during the war, this one so happened to also have the family crest attached to the scabbard. 
Normally, he would have covered it to avoid getting Thomas into trouble. 
“Well, in that case--” Romina began to say. 
“Excuse me, sir, but I am sure her ladyship would first like to see the letters that his lordship always has his people carry”. 
“Is your maid often allowed to talk over you, your ladyship?” 
“I...uh…” Romina looked at her maid for help. 
“Well, that is to be expected, as she is allowed to do much more than that, is she not?” 
The maid squinted at him. 
“Oh, that thing? It was a… a token of friendship!” the countess proudly proclaimed. 
While she may be a fantastic actress, she surely was a terrible liar. The maid scoffed in the way Janus could not, whether it was due to hearing her lover say something that ridiculous or because of the awful lie he could not tell. 
“If that is how I treated all my friends I am certain my lovers would be confused”. 
Both women caught their breaths. 
“I would, of course, not be so indiscreet as to say anything, for a price, that is”. 
“What is it that you want?” 
“I’ve heard you are soon to be married--” 
The maid looked at him even more intensely, and then…
“Your ladyship, this man is deceiving you”. 
“Yeah, I can tell, we were just discussing--”
“You dense ass, not now, all the time! His money bag over there, it’s Signor Morandi’s!” 
Oh, fuck. 
Well, it couldn’t be helped. 
Janus unsheathed his sword and pointed it to the maid’s neck. 
“I suggest we keep this matter quiet, or else I’ll have to keep it quiet forever”.
-------------------------
Patton’s efforts to find Lady Romina Regio or her servant, Virginia, had not been successful so far. He had explored the main areas of the house, now finding himself at the first-floor courtyard. 
The smells coming from the kitchen, where the staff worked in their earnest to prepare tonight’s dinner, danced in the air. Patton sat at a stone bench, wondering what else he could do. His only chance would be waiting until both families dined together. He’d wish to apologise to her ladyship before that, so they could indulge in the dishes without any looming over. 
Then, the faint sound of a voice coming from above called his attention. 
It was barely hearable due to the clankings of nearby cooking. But there was no way he wouldn’t recognise it. 
“I would... be so indiscreet … price...” Patton could make out. 
Indeed, it was Janus’ voice. If that and the words ‘indiscreet’ and ‘price’ were anything to go by, he was blackmailing someone. 
Her ladyship was nowhere to be found and Janus was being Janus nearby. It didn’t take too much to put two and two together. 
Patton moved around the courtyard while staring upwards. 
There they were! He only had to find a way to…
Oh no. 
Janus was pointing his sword to Virginia’s neck. 
Before Patton could realise what he was doing, his feet were already running upstairs.
-------------------------
This would have been a great time for both of them to bail, hadn’t a sword been pointed at her. But, that's life. Some days you wake up next to your lover in her chambers with a deep feeling of dread over, well, everything; other days you are about to get basically beheaded, what can you do. 
For starters, Virginia was going to fight, because she didn’t feel particularly inspired to think at the moment. 
“Please, do not hurt her, I beg you”, Romina said. 
Wonderful. Virginia was either about to get hurt or be very lucky on her own accord. 
She quickly leaned back and ducked, taking advantage of the man’s attention being redirected at Romina’s plea. 
Definitely, she was getting hurt, not lucky, as the sword fell down on her with a swift swoop. 
That was it. 
Then, Romina pulled another sword from the pocket opening of her dress, crossing blades with the thief, but, most importantly, saving her life. She was going to be really cocky about it, if they made it out in one piece. 
“Well, this was a lovely surprise”, the thief said as Romina and he circled each other, edges sliding in a sharp sound, “but if you don’t give it up, you’ll end up maimed and, after that, let’s say… your maid may take a nudge downstairs”. 
Romina slid the sword away and twirled it back to strike. The thief had enough reflexes to put his dusack across his face before it got cut in half. 
A strong clank echoed all over the gallery and the courtyard below. 
“You foul fiend! You may be brave enough to threaten me, but your overconfidence in thinking you can get away--” she struck again, “with endangering her--” Romina turned them, making it so Virginia was behind her, as if to underline her words, “shall be your downfall”. 
“Thank you for enlightening me, your highness” the thief began to say. 
He overpowered Romina by twisting their swords. She collided against Virginia’s chest after the villain shoved her away. 
“This has, clearly, proved how friendly you are. By all means, tell me, are you also willing to die for all of your friends?” 
His next move was more successful now that he had gained more range of attack. The thief plunged forward in a piercing motion. Romina stopped it with a backhanded sweep, then turned on herself, making it so his blade pointed to the ground. 
“I would die for her, any day”. 
Virginia did not have the right to feel as flustered as she did, not when they were in mortal danger. Somehow, Romina’s best romantic lines happened whenever she did not speak them directly to her. Seeing her look that fierce when fighting may also factor into it. Why did Princess always have to be so intense?
“Is this a confession? Scandalous!” 
“It is a promise”. 
There was a delicate balance between each other for a moment. Their eyes locked in a stare. 
It was so strange, Virginia thought. This man keeps on threatening them, but he hesitates. What was holding him back? Also, why steal a coin bag when you plan on blackmailing someone? Yes, it had to be planned, otherwise, the marquess lie made no sense, too much preparation involved for that to be a coincidence. Could he actually be sent by the marquess? But, why? The Regio and the marquess had had a wonderful relationship over the years. 
Something didn’t fit. 
The thief moved ever so slightly. Romina, clearly, wasn’t taking any chances.
In a display of quick reflexes, she side-kicked him on the chest, making him stumble backwards. 
While the thief struggled to regain his footing, Romina sliced through the cord keeping Signor Morandi’s coin bag attached to his waist. She smiled playfully. 
“For someone so smug, you are surely a clumsy opponent”. 
“I’ll give you clumsy” he replied stepping forward and thrusting with the sword. 
Romina blocked his attack effortlessly, but, soon, Virginia realised that wasn’t the thief’s intention. His right foot was just in front of the bag, ready to move it towards him like a hook. 
“Ro, the bag!” Virginia warned. 
She looked down and smirked. 
“This the price of greed”, Romina mocked as her sword turned to strike the thief’s right leg. 
The dusack crossed blades, again, with Romina’s before it could do any damage. 
“Your willingness to lose a leg over some gold only proves the worth of your lot”.  
He leaned closer to Romina, looking at her in the eye as he twisted their swords to get the upper hand. 
“You know nothing about me or what I stand for”, he said in a deep and menacing voice. 
Romina laughed in between her teeth. 
“I may not, but I know one thing”. 
“Oh, and what is that?”
“You just got distracted”. 
Romina’s foot slipped past the thief’s, kicking the coin bag away from him. He ran to his left while blocking Romina’s attacks at his right. 
What was so special about a coin bag anyway?
-------------------------
Patton began to hear sword fighting noises just before he reached the entrance to the stairs. 
What was Janus thinking? Engaging in a face-off with Lady Romina Regio, who not only was a countess with an apparent disdain for weather puns but also a remarkable swordswoman, had to be one of his worst ideas to date. 
While he had faith in Janus’ skills, he also knew that her ladyship’s fencing instructor had been fired, as a lesson, after she stabbed a man on the shoulder during a ‘casual’ duel.
-------------------------
The coin bag was kicked and pushed from one place to another by the thief and Romina while they dodged attacks.
“Is it the gold you are fighting for or is it your pride, villain?” she said, smirk reflecting on her blade. 
“Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to project your desires onto others? So honourable protecting her frail maiden!”, he pushed forward. “Still… it would almost seem, not because of the self-indulging banter, that you only duel to flatter yourself”.
“The one who is so set in getting a stolen coin bag dares to lecture me on selfishness!” 
Romina used her weight to stop him from making her retrocede any further. Her grin widened, satisfied in this victory. 
“Takes one egoist to know one”.
Right then, the thief made a sudden move. 
“Romina!” Virginia exclaimed. 
“I’m fine!” she said, wiping the bleeding cut on her jaw. 
The thief looked at the prized coin bag that he now held in his hand. 
“Loved beating you, but I think I will take my lea--” 
He was interrupted by Romina’s scream. Her sword wooshed several times in front of his face, barely leaving him time to bend backwards to avoid it. The dusack clancked against the floor. 
“Shit” the thief cursed. 
Things looked dire for the thief. With his sword out of reach, there was little he could do. Romina’s sword flashed by one more time, slashing through his left upper arm. Despite the painful burn of the cut, his left hand did not let go of the coin bag. Nevertheless, he fell on his knee, clutching the wound with his free hand. 
“I will make you an offering, villain”, Romina pointed at him with the sword, gloating over his tilted gaze. “Return Signor Morandi’s coin bag to me, and I shall let you go”. 
“Your ladyship, kindly get stabbed in the chest”. 
She turned his back on him, twirling her sword while at it. 
“As you wish”. 
Time froze before Romina could even think about delivering the killing blow. 
Virginia saw the thief reach for his boot, pulling out a stiletto. He stood up and positioned his knife pointing upwards. Because of this, Virginia panicked, already imagining the tip breaking through Romina’s lower back and into her chest. 
Immediately, she ran in front of the thief, head empty of thoughts, only consuming fear. At the same time, the thief began a descending motion, making Virginia realise where he aimed for. 
‘He’s going for her leg!’, Virginia thought. 
This would not help. When they crossed, the thief’s knife was at the height of Virginia’s gut. 
Virginia looked at him in terror. 
The thief looked at Virginia in panic. 
The fabrics of Romina’s dress could be heard twisting in the air, as she turned around, only to see the back of Virginia’s head. 
“No!” Romina cried. 
In yet another display of quick reflexes, the thief let go of the stiletto, just before it could do any damage. 
Romina only heard the blade fall as she shoved Virginia aside. 
She punched him on the left cheek, leaving the outline of her rings imprinted on his skin, red and slowly swelling. 
The thief’s boots staggered backwards. 
He fell face up in the middle of the gallery corridor. 
Faster than ever, Romina’s sword moved and settled its tip at the base of the thief’s neck, sort of mirroring how he had threatened Virginia. 
Virginia brazed herself against the wall. Her breathing heaved like the bellows trying to get the fire back up. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw young Signor Morandi emerging from the path that connected to one of the third-floor staircases. 
“Please, do not hurt him, I beg you”, he said while catching his breath. 
Romina looked upwards to stare at him. 
“What is the meaning of this?! Do you know this man? Did you send him?!”
Sometimes, Romina could outmatch Virginia when it came to reaching conclusions. This just so happened to be the worst possible moment. 
“I--” 
Only Virginia saw how the eyes of the thief went wide at hearing young Signor Morandi’s voice, his frown when Romina accused him. 
“Look at me!” the thief shouted. 
“Trying to protect your master, villain?” 
“That is not quite… this is a complete misunderstanding, if we talked--” young Signor Morandi began to say. 
“Shut up!” both Romina and the thief replied in unison. 
“Stop talking nonsense, your highness”. 
“Oh, so it is nonsense! He seems to know you, how do you explain that?” 
Virginia squinted at them, getting the sense that she was missing something more than ever. 
“Janus, please, let me tell them the--” 
“We now have a name for our thief!” she announced triumphantly. “So you do know each other! Let me tell you, Jolliest Caesar, he has betrayed you. Whatever you paid him seemed to be less than enough, so he stole your father’s coin bag”. 
Young Signor Morandi’s eyes went straight to said item, lighting up in recognition and some other emotion much harder to identify. 
“Is this the outcome you desired? I thought you were silly, I was... persuaded to believe you were kind. But, this? Do you owe your father so much disrespect?” 
He grimaced in response, looking away. Meanwhile, Janus pursed his lips in a thin line. 
‘Why does it matter to him?’, Virginia wondered. 
“Signor Morandi is an upright man, someone who carries himself proud and virtuous. I will not insult him by denouncing you to my family, but I hope you learn to have--” 
“Oh, poor and noble Signor Morandi! Rid of a coin bag, whatever will he do?!” Janus shouted.  
The gazes of all people present turned to him.
“It’s not as if he could buy another. Are we to pity him?! He is so good! You defend what you think to be the property of a man who would gladly pull any pair of lovers apart. Gift his son to a stack of classist swine in exchange for a title! What an estimate of his worth!”
One could almost marvel at him having the nerve to spit his anger even under the point of a blade. Romina frowned, taken aback.  
“But he’s so upright! Admit it, you couldn’t care any less about this ridiculous coin bag, you just want to use it as an excuse to keep your affair with your servant hidden. Am I the one you wish to kill or does it make you feel less powerless to pretend you’re stabbing another man? None of us gets a choice”.
Young Signor Morandi held his breath. 
Virginia let hers out. That was it! Of course! How could she not have realized earlier?
“Spilling my blood won’t change that! I may not be good, but I can at least see through the lies, and you aren’t good either. You’re as selfish as I am and you won’t get to keep her, we never do”. 
“What?” Romina answered. 
She looked at Virginia, then at young Signor Morandi, then back at him. 
“Are you seriously doing this? I could make these your last words! What is wrong with you! This is madness. I am about to die” she began to mock him, “let me make this moment into a speech about society and another man’s stolen money. Who does that? I know I am dramatic, but, at the very least--!” 
“Princess, shut up!” Virginia shouted. 
“Excuse me, I was only trying to give some fair critic--”
“Not the time. Also, you are completely missing the point! 
“What do you mean?”
“Do you know how we always talk after dinner?” 
“That is not what we do after…”
“Yes”. 
“So what is your point? Oooooh!” 
“Now you get it…” she closed her eyes. 
“They also talk…” Romina smiled.
“Hmm”. 
“And he is actually…!” she pointed back and forth between the two with her sword. “They are…!”
“We are, and if you would” Janus flattened himself against the floor. 
“Your ladyship, please, my Janus has had enough of sharp objects for…” young Signor Morandi looked at him. 
“For forever, put the sword away”. 
Romina did as requested and promptly offered a hand to help Janus get on his feet. 
“You are one menace of a woman”. 
“Thank you”. 
“What is going on?!” 
A large set of rushed footsteps accompanied the question. The four turned around to see his lordship, Count Regio, his wife, Signor Morandi and a myriad of servants. 
“Oh, father, mother!” Romina exclaimed. “Signor Morandi”, she greeted more formally. 
“Romina, what is the meaning of this?” said Count Regio. 
“Your lordship, your ladyship”, Janus spoke after a bow. “I was sent by Marquess Sanders”. 
Romina turned to look at him. His attire was mostly back in place, a part of her couldn’t help but be impressed. After spotting the family crest on Janus’ dusack, the counts’ expression changed from confusion to shame. 
“Romina, did you duel this man? Apologise this instant!” Count Regio looked livid as he spoke. “We already had to be rid of her fencing teacher, do not worry, Signor Morandi, we will also dispose of her swords”, Countess Regio reassured. 
In the scandal, Virginia was the only one to notice the coin bag forgotten on the floor. She stepped to the side, knowing no one would pay attention to her, as per usual, especially with such chaos. The coin bag disappeared under Virginia’s skirts, dragged by her foot. Young Signor Morandi walked past her and nodded in a silent gesture of gratitude. Perhaps one person did notice. 
“Your ladyship, that will not be necessary, I come as a new fencing teacher, an early engagement present of Marquess Sanders”. 
“But how did he know…” Virginia muttered. 
Janus did hear her and went on: 
“He was very impressed by the letters sent by your daughter. Marquess Sanders believes that someone with such impeccable diplomacy, and a disposition to secure the future relationship of her family, should not be deprived of outstandingness. To preserve such remarkable, dare I say, rare, qualities on a lady, he sent me. Marquess Sanders hopes my instruction can further her skills and aid her to grow more accomplished than ever before”. 
“Oh, that is fantastic to hear!” Count Regio said, looking a lot more uncomfortable than her tone would suggest. “But, Lady Romina, as you already are aware of, is engaged now. We ought to hear young Signor Morandi’s opinion on the matter”.
-------------------------
All eyes turned to Patton. 
“Actually…” 
For a moment, he doubted himself. 
Lying, as he had always been told, was sinful. But so was ignoring the struggle of the weak, breaking your word and not honouring one’s spouse. 
Most importantly, Patton had to honour his heart. 
If lying was the price to pay… well, so be it. 
“I asked her for a demonstration. I have always harboured a burning admiration for her dexterity with the sword. Her ladyship is truly heroic and radiant when duelling”. 
Romina turned to look at him.
It would seem he had managed to become friends with her after all.  
-------------------------
The moonlight shone in its quiet dance with the nightly air. This was, once again, a clear summer evening, but it marked the end of an insane day. The sounds of dining and chatting had died out. Everyone, gradually, left for their rooms. Janus, crossing the gardens, intended to do the same. 
Climbing with a wounded arm made his ascend harder than usual. Luckily, the ostentatious facade of the palazzo gave him countless points to anchor himself to. Slowly but surely, he got to Patton’s open window. 
 As what felt like always, Patton held him by the lapels of his cape and pulled him inside. 
Rather than saying hello, Patton kissed him. It was gentle, devoid of the despair that had marked all their meetings during the last weeks. Patton pulled apart just as softly. 
“Here”. 
Janus stared at the coin bag in his hand and smirked. 
“Dear, if you keep on offering me your money you’ll turn into the worst noble ever, and I, the worst thief”, he said with no real smugness. 
Patton laughed. 
“Virginia retrieved it when nobody looked”. 
“I’ll remember to thank her”. 
“Please, be nice this time”. 
“You saw that?” 
“Yes. Janus, pointing at someone with… that thing… don’t do it again”. 
Janus shrugged and leaned in to kiss him again. A pair of hands pulled on his cape, that fell on the floor, forgotten. 
“I don’t think” Janus half-laughed, “I could get away with it again”. 
His bandages were fresh. The bleeding had stopped, but it didn’t make it hurt any less. Patton stared at it and furrowed his eyebrows. 
“I could have lost you today”. 
“You saved me again”. 
“Well, that isn’t entirely true”. 
“Oh, why would that be?” 
“You managed to stand your ground until I could save you”. 
“Call it good timing”. 
Patton smiled. 
“What’s so funny?” Janus smiled as well. 
“I’m happy. We… we are going to be together after this. I even gained two friends”. 
“You keep meeting the strangest people, dear”. 
“I’ll have to make sure that you kids don’t get hurt”. 
“We’ll try to be in our best behaviour”. 
Patton got closer and whispered:
“Liar”. 
Janus swallowed and stared at him, suddenly feeling defeated, yet happy about it. He loosened his belt, letting it fall to the floor with his dusack. 
It made an awful lot of noise. Patton looked down, almost in disbelief at Janus’ newfound capacity to make a sound. 
“Hmm. Where did you really get that sword? Romina could get in serious trouble if…”
“Don’t worry, Thomas won’t mind covering for me”. 
“Thomas? You know the marquess?” 
“Let us sit on the bed, I think that you deserve to know this secret”. 
Both of them got comfortable on the ridiculous wall of pillows placed against the headboard of the canopy bed. 
“I used to work for the Sanders family. Ever since I was a boy, I tended to the horses, which is how Thomas and I became friends in the first place. As we grew, he decided to make me his personal servant, and, aside from learning to lie as easy as speaking, I also learned I hate rich people. Thomas is okay though. I think you and Thomas are the only rich people I tolerate”. 
“Well, that’s rich”. 
“Patton! I’m telling you my tragic story!” he said, not at all bothered. “Anyhow, I decided that wasn’t for me, so I told Thomas. He was sad, but he respected it. Before I left, he gave me his own sword, I guess as a safe-conduct of sorts, maybe to remind me I could always come back”. 
“That is… a lot”. 
“I know. He’s a good friend. Believe it or not, I’ve never used it until today. I… couldn’t let you get caught in any of my… shall we say, activities, so I figured…” 
Patton grabbed him, mindful of his wounds, and pulled him close. 
“You need to let other people in, Janus. I know I’m kind of silly, but I can still help. I wish you could see that when you let people know you they want to be on your side. You are someone worth knowing”. 
“And you are more of a bastard than people give you credit for”. 
His laughter made them shake a little. Janus stared at Patton’s joyful expression feeling satisfied. 
“I guess I am”. 
“Pity you don’t want to do anything wicked with it”. 
“I’ll leave that to you, just, tell me beforehand”. 
“How else would I be saved last minute, dear?” 
They stared at each other for a while. It hadn’t fully hit Janus until now that this, this thing right now, would be his life from now on. Thinking that, perhaps the world wasn’t as cruel as he had always made it to be. 
“You are so good”. 
Patton kissed him again. 
“Only when nobody’s looking”. 
“Jan, name’s Patton, not nobody”. 
“You think you’re so funny”. 
“Am I not, when I make you smile like this?”
-------------------------
Taglist: @joylessnightsky , (the following interacted with my tagging request post, so I assumed you wanted to be tagged, if not, please tell me) @jerasings , @daemoade , @grandhairdofarmgoop . 
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Text
Kuroo Tetsurō x gender neutral reader
Y’all going clubbing
Requested: No
Word Count: 1,496
College AU where all the boys are in college but only Akaashi, Bokuto, Tsukishima, and Kuroo are mentioned.
(t/n) = teasing nickname
(a/d) = your alcoholic drink of choice
Warnings: Drinking, swearing
“Let’s go out drinking.”
“Eh?!”
“Yeah!”
“No way!” (y/n) shouted into their phone, startling the four other people in the call and the middle-aged parents around them. They bowed slightly to them and turned their attention back to their phone call.
“Please refrain from shouting, (t/n).” Tsukishima said in a monotone voice.
“Calm down, BarBe.”
Kuroo made it a point to give his friends nicknames based on chemistry puns or some other academic ‘I’M SMARTER THAN YOU’ nicknames. (y/n)’s nickname was Barium Beryllium, usually abbreviated to BaBe, the couples’ pet name, but sometimes abbreviated to BarBe instead to tease them.
(y/n) rolled their eyes, continuing to pick out their groceries. “I mean, you don’t want to go either, do you, Tsukki?”
“I didn’t scream about it.”
“Oh shut up!” They exclaimed, keeping in mind the people around them.
“Kuroo-san, I don’t see how drinking will help when finals are just around the corner.” Akaashi butt in before the two of them could start an argument.
“Stress-reliever, you know? We’ve got a week of study ‘till finals. There’s no harm in it.” Kuroo replied.
“I’m with Kuroo on this one,” Bokuto said. “Where’s the harm in a little fun?”
“Getting black out drunk and having a one night stand.”
“Getting black out drunk and being kidnapped.”
Tsukishima and Akaashi started listing out the possible consequences, outlandish or not. (y/n) stayed silent, picking out which ones were least probable to happen in their head.
“Ok, ok, we get it!” Kuroo exclaimed.
(y/n) got their necessary groceries and walked over to the self checkout as Kuroo and Bokuto started listing out the pros.
“It’s-- We’ll--” They were failing miserably at it. “It’ll help you dance better!”
“And-- and alcohol tastes great!”
They kept listing ridiculous pros, though pros nonetheless, as (y/n) finished checking out, paying, and leaving the store.
They started walking home but then stopped in their step as their eyes landed on the two males in front of them. A deathly silence surrounded them for three minutes straight, making Akaashi and Tsukishima ask what was happening.
“Is something--” As If Akaashi’s voice was the cue, Kuroo ran forward and swooped (y/n) over his shoulder, making them drop their groceries, Bokuto picking them up.
Bokuto and Kuroo hung up in sync as they started walking towards (y/n)’s home.
“Kuroo, what the fuck!?” They shouted, attracting the attention of the people around them.
People gave them odd looks, as they should, but Kuroo kept assuring them everything was fine and they were just friends.
“Akaashi, I’m being abducted, call 110!”
Tsukishima burst out laughing while Akaashi shook his head, even if they couldn’t see him. “So that’s why they hung up…”
Bokuto swiftly stole (y/n)’s phone and said, “You’re coming with us to party or else (y/n)’s not helping you study.”
As smart as Tsukishima and Akaashi were, (y/n) had some good ass notes and their studying method was amazing. Studying with them was almost always a guaranteed pass.
Akaashi groaned, muttering an “Alright”, before hanging up.
Tsukishima huffed before hanging up as well, though he may not have said anything he was going to come, his grades were at stake here.
(y/n) wasn’t a damsel in distress or a dainty person, but the grip of a volleyball player and said volleyball player also keeping a hold of them with both of his arms was enough to keep them in place. They gave up trying to escape and seeing as they couldn’t, decided to make the most fun out of it.
They slapped Kuroo in the ass… 😔✌️
“(Y/N) WHAT THE FUCK!”
Even more people looked at them now, but neither Bokuto nor Kuroo had a sense of shame. 
When they arrived at (y/n)’s apartment, they stole their keys and threw them onto their bed. (y/n) crossed their arms as they saw the two volleyball players raiding their closet.
Bokuto let out ‘ooh’s and ‘ah’s at all the more fashionable clothes while Kuroo actually picked out some clothes.
When Kuroo finished checking out (y/n)’s entire closet, he had quite a good outfit planned out for them. The guy might have been a dork, but he was a fashionable dork.
Kuroo yeeted the clothes, gently, at (y/n).
“Go change.”
“Kuroo, it’s 4 pm.”
“Oh shit, you rite you right”
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They spent the next four hours chatting around and face-timing Tsukishima and Akaashi.
While (y/n) went to make a light dinner, you don’t want to throw up a whole ass meal, Kuroo went to go get some stylish clothes for Bokuto and him while Bokuto chatted with (y/n) as they made their food.
“You know you’re just going to end up throwing it all up, right?”
(y/n) rolled their eyes, “Shut up, Tsukki.”
“I swear, if y’all start to fight while drunk I’m not taking you home.” Akaashi stated.
“Yo, I’m back.” (y/n) turned their head and bit their lips at the sight to behold.
That fashionable dork was wearing something that could make anyone thirsty. He threw Bokuto’s outfit at him, his looked less fashionable seeing as Bokuto doesn’t care about his clothes as much.
Kuroo looked at (y/n) and sent a wink over as his eyes landed on their lips.
(y/n)’s face scrunched up in fake disgust, making Kuroo laugh. “Don’t think I didn’t see those lips, BaBe.”
Bokuto tilted his head at the two like a clueless owl.
Once (y/n) had eaten, they went to change into the clothes Kuroo picked out. They walked out of their bedroom with Kuroo wolf-whistling at them teasingly.
“BaBe, catch.” He threw a bell choker necklace at them, which they caught.
“Kuroo, I’m not a cat.”
Kuroo shrugged, making his way out the door. “It suits your outfit.”
(y/n) sighed, putting the choker on and making sure it wasn’t too tight. Kuroo was right, it suited their outfit but it’s quite uncomfortable.
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“To our finals!”
The five of them clinked their glasses together. “To our finals?” Tsukishima teased, taking a sip from his drink.
“Well, yeah. We came drinking as a stress-reliever.” Kuroo replied. “Duh.”
Tsukishima rolled his eyes, already pulling out his phone.
“Oh come on, Tsukishima. We’re danc--”
“Hey, hottie. Wanna dance?” The group turned to the tall guy with light brown hair who had just put his hand on (y/n)’s shoulder. 
The guy went down to whisper into (y/n)’s ear, “I’m making that guy over there,” he pointed to the black-haired guy looking at the both of them. “..jealous.”
(y/n) smirked, nodding their head. “Sure, cutie.” They quickly downed their drink and stood up, whispering into the guy’s ear, “I’m making the bed-head jealous.” The brunette laughed, taking their hand in his.
He tugged them to the dance floor.
“So, what’s your name?”
“(l/n) (y/n), yours?”
“Hanamaki Takahiro. Thanks for helping.”
(y/n) laughed, “Thank you, too.”
After a few minutes of dancing, with the other two guys eyeing them up, Kuroo walked over. “Hey, babe.” Usually he’d pronounce it, Ba Be, but now he pronounced it babe. It was clear he was jealous.
“Can I steal them away?”
Hanamaki hummed, pretending he was making a decision. As he did, the other guy walked over and wrapped his arm around Hanamaki’s waist. “Go ahead.” The guy said, pulling Hanamaki away.
Kuroo gave the guy a smile, pulling (y/n) away as well. He pulled them to sit a booth over from the other three.
Akaashi wasn’t planning on drinking much that day, Tsukishima was on his phone, and Bokuto dancing was a terrible idea so Akaashi was holding him back from doing so.
Kuroo placed his drink and a(n) (a/d) on their table. “Your dancing was good.”
“Oh really?” (y/n) teased, picking up their drink.
Kuroo laughed drily, “Of course.” They toasted silently before both of them took a drink. He wanted to drink the night away and dance later and (y/n) took note of that.
“Hey, Kuroo?” They switched seats to sit next to him. “Before we get shitfaced, since I know I’ll say this tonight, I like you.”
They downed their drink and called over for seconds. When they turned back to Kuroo, he pulled them into a kiss. The kiss was hungry, long, and passionate. They pulled apart only when they needed air.
“Were you trying to make me jealous?”
(y/n) huffed out a laugh, pecking Kuroo on the lips. They took a swig of their drink and gave Kuroo a smile. “Yeah, I was. The other guy, Hanamaki, was too.”
“Oh fuck you, sweetheart.”
They laughed it off. “Do you want to go on a date tomorrow?” Kuroo asked, he was awfully shy for someone who got confessed to three minutes ago as well as being on his third drink.
“Tetsurō , as much as I would love to, finals are close.”
“Study date?”
“Hmm, sure.”
That night they may or may have not made out while being black out drunk, or maybe (y/n) wasn’t black out drunk. Depends on how well you can take your alcohol.
104 notes · View notes
thegreatestofheck · 4 years
Text
Bare Bones {Theory 1} ⋇ Pope Heyward ⋇
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description: Pippa Cantu has always been a little…strange. With a knack for knowing everything there is to know about every conspiracy, every mystery, and every weird happening, she doesn’t have much time (or desire) for friends. But when her chemistry lab partner asks her to join him and his friends on a hunt for the Royal Merchant, she just can’t say no.
Theory 1 summary: Pippa meets Pope and gets a little closer than she would have liked. 
word count - 3.9k
warnings: swearing
a/n: thank you for being here! I am already in love with Pippa and I would die for her, so I hope that you all enjoy this story!! Much love. 
                                                      ***
Pippa flinched when the school bell rang. Keeping her head down, she ducked into her first class and found the seat farthest in the back. She had always hated the public school system in Maine, and even from her first period on her first day of school, she knew she was going to hate Kildare High just as much. 
Who in their right mind makes someone take Chemistry Lab at 8 o’clock in the fucking morning? 
Students started to fill in the seats around her, some glancing at her out of the corner of their eyes and others greeting each other with giggles and hugs and smiles. Pippa scoffed and lowered her head to her arms. All she wanted to do was get through this day and then the next day and then the next. That’s how time passed for her as of late. Nothing else mattered except getting through to the night. 
Someone slid into the chair across from her, but Pippa didn’t take notice of them. She didn’t care. She wasn’t here to make friends. In fact, she was here to do the exact opposite. 
“Hi,” the person said. Pippa still refused to look up. “I’m Pope.” 
Pippa forced a split-second smile, glancing at him. 
The final bell rang and the boy in front of her, who kept his smile despite her coldness, turned toward the teacher. Pippa scoffed again and leaned forward to rest her chin against her arms. The boy, Pope, was glued to the teacher as she spoke in a cheery, overly excited voice. Pippa couldn’t care less what she had to say. Until the dreaded words came out of her mouth. She said those two words that Pippa feared the most when she found out she was taking Chem Lab on Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 8 AM. 
Lab partners. 
“Shit,” Pippa groaned, sitting up but letting her head hang. Pope seemed eager to hear who his partner would be. 
The teacher started rattling off names, none of which Pippa recognized. Of course she wouldn’t. She had spent this entire summer hiding away in her grandma’s second-hand store, avoiding repeated human interaction at all costs. Some people were vocally happy about their assigned lab partners, others were less so. Pippa waited for her name anxiously, dreading the idea of spending an entire year with one single person as her partner. 
“Phillipa Cantu and Pope Heyward at table- Ah, the two of you are already back there.” The teacher, Mrs. Stedfield smiled sweetly but Pippa just closed her eyes and sent a quiet prayer for her nerves. 
“You’ve got to be shitting me,” she whispered under her breath as Pope turned to face her with a wide grin. 
“Phillipa, huh?” He said, leaning against his elbow and raising an eyebrow. Pippa could see this as an attempt to flirt, a poor one. Whoever told him that this was a good idea was a dumbass. 
“Pippa,” she said shortly. “No one calls me Phillipa.” 
“Well, Pippa,” he said her name with a partial grin. “I’m very excited to be your lab partner.” 
She hid a groan behind an attempted smile and clenched teeth. 
This was going to be a long year. 
                                                          ***
Pippa didn’t have much to say about Pope, but there was one thing for certain, he was determined. 
It didn’t take him long to figure out that Pippa wasn’t to keen on small talk, so he always talked about what they were studying in class. She liked him a lot more when he was talking about science because it was something he actually seemed passionate about. But every time she caught herself smiling or even almost laughing at one of his stupid jokes, Pippa would remind herself why she was here. 
Don’t get attached. It’s not worth it. It’s never worth it. 
But he was getting too close. He kept asking questions, kept pushing her harder to break through the walls she had made for herself. And Pippa couldn’t have that. 
“So, what do you do when you’re not working or at school?” Pope asked from behind a titration tube. Pippa glanced up at him, but he was focused on what he was doing. He wasn’t really listening. 
“I heard that the government replaced all of the birds with drones,” Pippa said, testing the waters. She glanced up at Pope but he didn’t say anything, didn’t even look away from what he was currently doing. “One of the origin stories of werewolves was just a really hairy man who stole and ate children in Europe.” 
“Hmm. Really?” 
Pippa could tell Pope wasn’t listening to what she was saying, just responding absently. With a smile, she continued. 
“Up until the 1800s, people in Germany thought drinking fresh blood from executed criminals could cure epilepsy.” 
Still no response. Pippa’s smile grew wider. 
From that moment on, every time Pope asked her a question, she would respond with one of her many random facts or theories. He never listened. Pippa started using it on others too. As soon as she got into a conversation, she somehow turned it into one of her crazy stories. It usually made everyone keep their distance. No one really wanted to talk to the crazy conspiracy theory girl who seemed way too interested in HH Holmes and the death of Princess Diana. 
“I like your outfit,” Pope said one day. Pippa glanced down at what she was wearing; an oversized hoody and a loose pair of pants. Nothing extraordinary, but he hadn’t even looked hard enough to really see what she was wearing. 
“Thanks,” she said, setting her bag down on the ground. “Back to Jack the Ripper, I’m pretty sure Mary Kelly’s boyfriend manipulated James Maybrick, you know, the rich guy with the drug problem?” 
“Uh-huh.” 
“Yeah, so Joseph manipulated Maybrick into thinking he was the Ripper so if the cops came knocking on Joseph’s door, he could pin it on Maybrick. Maybrick got it all muddled up in his druggie head and started to believe he was Ripper, so he wrote the diary. It all fits.” 
“Sure. Did you do the homework last night?” 
“Oh, yeah.” Pippa pulled out her notebook and handed it to Pope. 
“Thanks. My friend tore out a page and used it for a blunt.” 
“Some friend,” Pippa grumbled. 
“He’s great.” Pope’s voice was tight. “I’m sure you’d like him.” 
Pippa rolled her eyes. She had two guesses which friend he was talking about; John Routledge, who everyone insisted calling John B but that was the most annoying shit Pippa had ever heard, or JJ Maybank, who was most likely the homework stealing thief. Both had hit on her once before in a time of desperation, but one mention of Area 51 or the Bermuda Triangle and they were gone. 
It was too easy. A girl opens her mouth and starts talking about the things she’s passionate about and most guys scatter. If Pope had the opportunity, she imagined he would leave to. 
For the briefest of a moment, the idea pained her. 
“Something tells me I really wouldn’t like your friend.” 
It was March and the air was starting to get hot. Pippa hated the heat, not because it was uncomfortable, but because it meant taking off her protective layer. It was rare to see Pippa without her sweatshirt, and for good reason. She didn’t feel safe without it. 
The Bunsen burners didn’t help. Of course they were using them today, the hottest day of the year so far. Pippa could feel the sweat beading down the back of her neck as she stammered her way through a theory about aliens and the Giant Heads of Easter Island and their bodies. 
“Hey, you good?” Pope asked, stopping half-way through writing something down. Pippa struggled to nod. “Why don’t you just take off your sweater?” 
Pippa tightened her jaw. How could she tell a boy that she wasn’t wearing anything underneath? But just from the shift her eyes, Pope seemed to understand. He turned off the Bunsen burner and pulled off his goggles. 
“I have an extra shirt,” Pope said, reaching for his backpack. 
“It’s fine,” Pippa said through her teeth. 
“Pippa, come on.” He pulled the t-shirt out of his backpack and shoved it into her hands before she could protest. “Can’t have my partner fainting on me, now can I?” 
The half-smile on his face was sincere. Pippa narrowed her eyes but left to go to the bathroom anyway. There was an ounce of relief as she pulled her sweatshirt off of her body. It felt like she could finally breathe. She pulled Pope’s t-shirt on over her head and her stomach twisted into knots. She hated seeing her arms. Something about it felt so unsafe. 
But Pope’s shirt was big on her and it was at least baggy in the way she liked, so she thought she was just going to have to put with it. 
There was a blush on her cheeks when she walked into the Chemistry lab. Pope had his goggles on when she returned, having gone right back to the lab they were doing. He didn’t look up at her as she came back and she was grateful for it. 
“Here, can you write this down for me?” He asked, hovering a stick over the fire. The fire burned green. 
“Sweet,” Pippa said with a smile. She scribbled down what she could, not noticing as Pope looked away from the fire to admire how she looked in his shirt. As soon as she looked back up, he turned his face away. “You wanna hear about how Amelia Airheart sent an SOS message after she went missing but it was ignored because they didn’t think she could survive?” 
“Sure.” 
                                                        ***
Pippa was sitting in the library, bobbing her head to the music that blasted through her earbuds. Her computer sat in front of her, a thousand and one tabs open at once. Two notebooks and a few more research books lay out around her. A color-coded selection of pens and highlighters was scattered about. The table where she worked was an absolute mess, but it made sense to her. 
She was so consumed by an article and her music that she didn’t see Pope sit down in front of her. Her foot tapped against the leg of her chair while she chewed on a pen cap, eyes scanning the page. It wasn’t until she tore her gaze from the screen to scribble something in one of her notebooks that she saw Pope sitting there. 
The pen cap fell out of her mouth with a gasp and a jolt of her body. Pippa flicked an earbud out of her ear. 
“Shit, Pope!” she hissed before taking a calming breath. He seemed unphased by her shock, a book of his own resting in his lap. 
“What are you listening to?” He asked, turning the page in his book. Pippa felt a lump form in her throat. 
“Nothing.” 
“I can hear it from here. What is it?” 
“What do you care?” 
Pope smiled at her and gave a quiet laugh. 
“It’s just music, Pippa. Not like I’m asking for your life story or anything.” Pippa rolled her eyes before sliding her phone across the table for him to see. “Hmm.”
Pippa snatched her phone back, her cheeks brushed red and her eyebrows pinched together. 
“Hmm, what?” 
“Never pegged you for the One Direction type.” 
“It’s called versatility, Heyward. Look it up.” Pippa huffed and leaned back in her chair. “Is there a reason you’re gracing me with your presence today?” 
“We gotta work on that final project at some point. Came over to talk to you about it, but I didn’t want to interrupt.” 
Pippa shook off her hostility and gave a shrug of her shoulders. She capped her pen and lowered the screen of her computer. 
“Nothing important.” 
“Aliens?” 
“1500s shipwreck full of gold.”
“Ah.” Pope let the moment wear on for a few silent seconds before he leaned his arms against the table. Pippa crossed her arms. “This is a pretty big project, so I think we should start soon.” 
“Okay.” 
“Maybe we should swap numbers so we can link up.”
“Link up?” Pippa raised an eyebrow. All the coolness fell from around Pope instantly and his eyes widened. 
“I just mean...well, for the sake of the project...shit, no, I just mean….we have to get together at some point-” 
“Relax, Pope.” Pippa let out a quiet laugh and scribbled her number onto the corner of a notebook and tore it out, sliding it across the table to Pope. “For emergencies only. Everything else we do face to face, capiche?” 
“What, are you on witness protection or something?” Pope joked as his eyes scanned the string of numbers on the paper. Her handwriting was shit. God, he hoped he could read it well enough to text the right person. 
The look on Pippa’s face didn’t affirm or deny his question. At this rate, Pope wouldn’t be surprised if she was. 
“Can we meet after school today?” he asked. “I’ve got to help my dad with some stuff tomorrow and Friday.” 
“Sure,” Pippa said, before leaning back and stretching her arms above her head. Diving headfirst into her theories left her back aching, even if it was only for a free period like today. 
She stretched her arms high up enough to reveal a small sliver of her stomach, but something caught Pope’s eyes. 
“Woah, is that a tattoo?” He asked, a grin growing on his face. Pippa dropped her arms and her eyes widened. 
Shit. 
There was no lying her way out of this one. She was just going to have to run with it. Forcing a smile, Pippa lifted the edge of her sweatshirt and showed him the whole thing. The roman numeral ten was etched in black ink into her skin just under her belly button and a little bit to the left. It seemed like odd placement to Pope. 
“What’s it mean?” he asked. 
“X marks the spot,” she said with a half-grin. “Had to get something to represent my obsession, ya know.” 
Pope nodded his head slowly, but a voice in his head told him there was something deeper than that. 
“My best friend Kie, she’s got like three of them,” he said. Pippa lowered her shirt. “A dolphin, a wave, and something else, I don’t remember.” 
Pippa felt her smile turn into something real. She watched the way Pope’s face lit up when he talked about her, Kie. It wasn’t the first time. On the rare occasion that he actually tried to hold a conversation with Pippa, he would often talk about this girl. Pippa didn’t know a whole bunch about her, but whoever she was, she made Pope very happy. 
But that smile on Pippa’s face was starting to feel too comfortable. Talking to Pope as a whole was starting to feel too comfortable. 
Pippa let her smile fall and she started to shut her books. 
“I have History,” she said, slamming her laptop all the way shut. “Can’t be late.” 
She had the books and notebooks packed up in a blink of an eye and before Pope could even say goodbye, she was gone. 
                                                             ***
“A crystal pyramid in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle, can you believe it?” Pippa shook her head slowly. She let herself laugh, looking down at her bowl of cereal. “Anyway, what do you want-”
“Are you going to the school dance?” Pope asked suddenly, turning away from their project and toward Pippa. She sat cross-legged on his counter, a bowl of cereal in her hand. The spoon was halfway to her mouth when she froze, her lips parting ever so slightly. 
“Oh, um, no.” She set the spoon back in the bowl. She struggled to meet Pope’s eyes. She could feel the question burning inside of him but she refused to let him ask it. “I’ve got...shit to do that day.” 
“What kind of shit?” he asked, looking back at the project. “Conspiracy shit? Alien shit? Cult shit? Or wait, let me guess, murder shit?” 
Pippa let out a strained laugh. 
“Unfortunately, no. Just...personal shit.” 
Pope hummed quietly to himself. Pippa cringed. He was disappointed, upset, hurt. Something somewhere in between. 
“So, the project.” 
“Right.” Pippa slid off the counter, setting her bowl down and stepping closer to Pope, but not too close. 
The front door swung open suddenly. Pope spun around and Pippa dropped to the ground, feeling her heart tighten in her chest painfully, her lungs dropping into her stomach. 
“Mom!” Pope smiled as Mrs. Heyward walked in through the door. 
“Hey, Sweetie. Where’s that friend of yours?” 
Pippa was still on the ground, her eyes squeezed shut. Her heart pounded in her ears and her fingers curled against the tile beneath her. She just had to stand up and smile, that was all. It was just Pope’s mom. She was safe. 
Letting out a struggling breath, Pippa pushed herself up onto her feet. 
“Slipped,” she said simply, attempting to smile at Mrs. Heyward. 
“Happens to everyone.” Mrs. Heyward handed a bag of groceries off to her son and approached Pippa, her arms open for a hug. 
“Mom,” Pope said. “She’s not into hugs.” 
Mrs. Heyward stopped in her tracks, but her smile never once faltered. 
“That’s okay. It’s not for everyone. I’m Pope’s mom. We’re glad to have you here.” Pippa could feel her breath growing short, the squeezing her chest never once letting up as she tightened her hands into fists. Adrenaline ran through her. She tried to cover it up with a smile. “Would you like to stay for dinner?” 
Pippa gave a quick shake of her head. 
“No, I should be getting home.” She tried not to run for the door. “Text me, Pope.”
Plucking her purse off the ground and shoving her feet into her shoes, Pippa barely heard Pope or Mrs. Heyward give their goodbyes as she raced outside. 
“That was strange,” Mrs. Heyward said, setting her things on the counter. 
“Yeah.” Pope let out a deep sigh. “She’s strange person.” 
“Pope Heyward.” Mrs. Heyward gave Pope’s shoulder a light pinch. “Don’t ever say that about a girl.” 
“I don’t think she would take it as an insult.” Pope’s gaze shifted toward the door, his eyes lingering. 
Had she known that he wanted to ask her to the dance? Was that why she ran away so fast? Or was it something else? Something about her that he didn’t yet know that made her scurry away? 
Pope wondered if she would ever let him find out. 
                                                               ***
“Well, look at that, Heyward.” Pippa grinned as she slapped their final report onto their lab table. “That’s an A for us.” 
Pope took the paper and admired the big, red letter. A smile broke out across his face. 
“God, you’re such a nerd,” Pippa laughed, sitting on her stool and giving herself a small push so the chair swiveled around in a circle. 
“I’m the nerd?” Pope asked, mock offended as he put the paper back onto the table. 
“You’re on the Mathletics team,” Pippa said. “I’m pretty sure you qualify as a nerd.” 
Pope felt a small laugh shake through him. He watched Pippa look up at the clock and sigh. 
“Last class together,” Pope said. His lips twitched as he rested his arms against the table. Whatever feeling was in Pippa’s eyes faded and she let out a scoff. 
“You sound like we’re dying once that clock strikes 9:30. It’s just summer,” she said. 
“But we don’t know if we’ll have classes together next year or not,” he said. Pippa sighed again, but it was smaller. She tried to hide it as she brushed her hand against her nose. 
“That’s the way the dice fall sometimes.” 
“We could hang during the summer though, right?” He didn’t care if he sounded desperate. 
“Maybe.” But her answer was clear by the way her gaze fell to the floor. She wasn’t interested in hanging out over the summertime. Pope just wished she would tell him why. 
The bell overhead rang. Pippa took her time pulling her backpack onto her shoulders. Pope stayed where he was. She offered something to him. 
“Forgot to give this back,” she said, refusing to look at him. In her hands was his t-shirt, the one he had given her all the way back in March. “That’s my bad.” 
Pope looked at the shirt and pulled it from her hands. 
“Don’t take it personal,” she said and let out a heavy breath. “It’s better this way. Yeah, it’s better.” 
With that, Pippa fell into the stream of kids leaving the classroom, disappearing almost instantly. 
                                                           ***
Pope fiddled with the phone in his hand. His thumb hovered over the call button on her contact. He hadn’t seen her since that last day of school, actively avoiding the secondhand shop where she worked with her grandmother. 
“What are you waiting for?” JJ groaned. “Just call her, dude!” 
Pope glowered at his friend and pressed the button while his irritation was still strong enough to overcome his fear. 
The line rang once, twice, three times. The fear returned. She wasn’t going to pick up. She would see his contact on her phone and ignore him. He was sure of it.
“Hey, Pope, waddup?” Pope smiled at the sound of her voice. She sounded so normal, as if they had just spoken yesterday and not an entire month ago. 
“Hi, Pippa, how are you?” 
“Pretty good. How are you?” 
“I’m doing good.” 
“Cut the shit,” JJ hissed, throwing a pebble at Pope’s head. Pope swatted his arm in JJ’s direction, sneering. 
“I have a question for you.” 
“Clearly.” He could hear her hesitant laugh from the other side. 
“You’re not asking her on a date, man!” John B was impatiently waiting from the side, his hands on his hips. Kie took a step toward him and Pope met her gaze. There was encouragement beneath her eyes, and she gave him a small nod. 
“Pippa, what do you know about the Royal Merchant?” 
He could hear her breath hitch in her throat as she fell silent. 
“I know a shit ton about the Royal Merchant. Why?” 
There was excitement in her voice, her thirst for adventure radiating through the phone. 
“My friends and I need your help. Can you meet us at the Wreck?” 
“I’ll be there in ten minutes.” He could hear her shuffling around her room. 
“See you there. Bye-” 
The line went dead. Pope breathed out through his nose, pulling the phone away from his ear. 
“So?” Kie asked, taking another step closer. 
“She’s meeting us at the Wreck in ten,” Pope said, turning to his friends. John B clapped his hands together and started toward the van. 
“To the Wreck then,” Kie said. She put a hand on Pope’s shoulder and smiled. His stomach flipped. “Good job.” 
“I don’t see why we need this chick anyway,” JJ huffed as they headed toward the van.
“I doubt she’ll even want a cut of the gold at all,” Pope told his friend. 
“Bullshit. No way she’d do this for free.” 
“I’m serious.” 
“You have the weirdest friends, Pope,” JJ said with a roll of his eyes. 
“You’re my friend, dumbass.” 
“His point stands,” John B interrupted, a never faltering smile on his face. “Let’s go get that gold.” 
                                                          ~~~
tagging -  @simonsbluee​, @parkerpetertingle​, @diverrdown​, @ponyboys-sunsets​, @outerbanksbro, @kikifromtheblock​, @sunflowerbecca​
if you want to be added to the taglist, just let me know! ❤
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ick25 · 4 years
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Rockman.EXE Axess Episode 1 Review.
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Presenting Rockman’s new Style... Change.
I can’t promise that I am gonna review the rest of the episodes of Axess nor will I make it very long since I have already stated that this is my least favorite season, but this Corona Virus situation is already driving me crazy so I might as well vent my frustrations here.
Fun fact:
This season never aired in Latin America so I had no idea that there were more seasons beyond the virus buster episode. I watched it in English thinking that it was an episode from the first two seasons that I missed, it started with the same made up intro from the last season, but to my surprise the episode opens in Net City, something I don’t remember ever seeing in previous episodes, and then I saw Megaman’s art style and my confusion became excitement right before I heard the English dub the made me cringed so hard that it almost ruined the show for me, until the writing did that later on. (But I like Rockman’s english voice, it’s kinda hot n.n)
Episode tittle: Cross Fusion!
The episode opens with Rockman fighting two Navis at once in the Net Coliseum, and I’m already loving the art style and how they don’t show his face during the battle until Netto’s voice tells him that he already got their battle pattern. It was like they were saying, “ It’s him! it’s the Rockman you know and love after so long! And he looks slightly shinier too”!
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 BTW, I’m watching this with Spanish subs, that were sadly not made by yours truly.
Anyway, Netto sends the long Sword and the Yo-yo chips that appear with a new cybernetic themed background and... WOAH WOAH WOAH! TWO DIFFERENT ART STYLES IN THE SAME EPISODE?!
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You thought I wouldn’t notice?
Not even five minutes in and this episode is already hitting me with inconsistent art to save in animation, which wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t noticeable.
Rockman defeats the two Navis and returns to Netto who gives us but a glimpse of the new PET design before the tittle card appears.
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But worry not, for the next scene shows us what the Advanced PET model looks like with this short and kinda lame commercial.
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“Believe in the heart of the chips”, it’s the vibe I’m getting here.
And I also never thought it would be possible for the Spanish subs to write something dumber than “Plug-in your heart”. (It’s roughly saying, “Do plug-in into your heart”)
We then join Netto skating with Meiru on her scooter who is basically shaming him for acting weak in his battle until the end, and do you see something wrong with this image?
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That’s right, good ol’ Rush is there on Meiru’s scooter for no reason, except to remind me that Rockman will never materialize in the real world like him.
Then they bump into Chisao, yes, Chisao, who wastes no time in telling the audience that Dekao is in Jawaii for some reason.
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What little Mr. exposition forgot to tell us is why is he there instead of Dekao.
Netto and Meiru invite Chisao to go with them to Scilab, which is now gonna be a very recurrent place, to deliver a bag to Netto’s dad who is in Japan working on something, and once he’s done he’ll go back to abandoning his family to travel the world. 
He is working on a top secret experiment, so everyone is of course invited to watch it.
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These are Officer Mizaki and his Navi Prismman, who are not gonna be important until very later in the season where they’re affected by this show’s equivalent of drugs, but right now they are gonna remind us of the dangers of human trials.
Eguchi Meijin makes a comeback, since the last time we saw him he was making a late advertisement for Battle Network 3 in episode 51. He tells Netto and the others that the experiment is called Cross Fusion and that it is the next step after the Virus Buster episode where Dr. Hikari brought a bunch of cyber data into the real world, which is bringing a Net Navi into the real World through its operator’s body? That was already possible without the human body!
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What is the purpose of Cross Fusion then? Other than to turn the series into a superhero kind of show for western audiences.
There is no real explanation of why they want to do this or why Cross Fusion is the only way to achieve this purpose. Why not simply materialized the Navis like in the last episode? You can’t really argue that it was the viruses intervention that made this possible, because a “good” scientist would try to reproduce this result without risking the life of a human being, there certainly must be other ways to do so. 
It seems that the only excuse they have is that Netto’s dad was not aware that this event happened because he was asleep during the entire episode, and if Netto never mentioned it even once.
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“I wanna risk my life too since that experiment reminded me how cool it was when Rockman materialized back in Jawaii when your Dimensional Core program was corrupted by viruses, so I would most definitely die just to see that happen again.”
Dr. Hikari: O_O
Yuichiro obviously denies his son’s suicidal request but just then, viruses take over Scilab, and the room they are in is locked down with the ventilation system sucking in the air giving them 15 minutes before they run out of oxygen.
We cut to a commercial break where we see a spoiler of Netto getting his wish right after his dad said no.
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It’s just Rockman with a different outfit design and brown hair and eyes.
As per the norm, Netto and Meiru plug-in their Navis with new animations that are gonna be recycled since they changed the art style once again.
Rockman and Roll are sent into the computer via infrared beams and we see that the computer is full of Mettools and Spikey viruses, while showing us Roll’s bum for some reason.
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I feel robbed, I want my Rockman butt shot!
Time to change the art again.
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Here is something new that I like, they are now showing how the Mettool viruses can block shots.
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This probably means that these are high level Mettools since those are the ones that block attacks in the games.
I also like how they get creative with the chips they use like the Aqua Sword.
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Even Roll’s Aqua Tower looks more powerful.
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You almost feel sorry for those viruses.
They even make the Black Hole, a chip I find pretty useless in the games, look epic.
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Or maybe I’m just not using it right.
They keep running out of air, and once again Meiru has to show that she is the weakest of them all by fainting right before Roll is attacked by a Fire Dragon virus. Netto’s dad catches Meiru and manages to plug-out Roll just in time so... Oh, hmm, that doesn’t look right.
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It would be fine if she was his daughter, but that isn’t the case so it just looks wrong. Adult men shouldn’t be holding little girls like that! O~O
Rockman then avenges Roll with another cool Aqua Sword animation.
https://66.media.tumblr.com/0ee15af9e77ae94c845bcdf6895629db/tumblr_n3ipukz8hC1rzkxhio8_250.gifv
Sometimes screen shots can’t do a scene justice.
More Spikey viruses appear and the culprit is then revealed, a new Navi named Savageman AKA Beastman.
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Stop holding her like that, it’s weird!
Rockman attacks him with his cool Aqua Sword move, but he only deletes the Spikey viruses around him. Then he uses his Rock Buster and starts shooting at Beastman who isn’t affected by any of them.
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I’m sorry? What Beastman is saying here is that to him, Rockman is just a puppet being controlled by a human, showing us that the anime is once again differing from the games, but I’ll talk about that later.
Netto hears that they only have 3 minutes left of air and decides to destroy what we learned from the first season by suddenly making him an expert on Program Advances without the help of the Aqua Custom Style, this time it’s the Z- Cannon or Zetta Cannon.
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I honestly like the new animation for the Program Advance, every time Netto inserts more than one chip they appear as little blocks piling under each other until the third chip comes in and pushes the first block up. This easily shows how the chip programs are compatible with one another since that is how a Program Advance is activated.
The Program Advance seems to be effective as Beastman logs out, the computer is back to normal, the room opens up again, and the day is saved... Or so we thought!
This is were the episode starts to feel a little rushed. Right after this we get another mysterious figure who clearly isn’t the Navi we saw watching Beastman’s performance just a couple of minutes ago.
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First episode and we already have two more bad guys introduced? And to make things worse, this second villain shoots some type of missiles from outer space that surround Scilab and traps it inside a Dimensional Area.
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Yeap, that’s right, the Dimensional Area Netto’s dad is still working on has somehow ended up in the wrong hands, and they made it even better! Because get this, not only does it allow viruses to materialize in the real world, but Navis as well! Cross Fusion has already become pointless! However, the show doesn’t see it that way.
The Mettool and Spikey viruses, along with Spark Bees this time, begin destroying Scilab. Since they are all inside a Dimensional Area, Netto remembers what Meijin said before and decides to go try his luck with Cross Fusion to save everybody, and runs downstairs to get a Synchro Chip.
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Considering that Cross Fusion is still being tested, would this be considered something brave or very stupid?
Netto encounters the Mystery Navi from before who is stealing all the Synchro Chips, and tries to Ash Ketchum his way into stopping him.
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Seriously, what is it with young shonen protagonists and trying to attack a powerful non human antagonist face on?
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After that failed attempt, Shademan calls Beastman who also materializes to destroy what remains of Scilab while he runs away with the Synchro Chips, except for two chips that he clumsily drops when grabbing them all with one hand. Netto sees the chips and decides to use them to fight Beastman, and what surprises me here is that Rockman doesn’t really object to this despite knowing that it could be dangerous, and he has always been seen as the smart one.
Obviously, Cross Fusion is a success as we get the typical anime transformation sequence, but to be honest, I’ve seen better.
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No, the first statement is more accurate. This is a fusion.
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And this one too.
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Two different characters that merge together to create an entirely new being that shares traits from both predecessors.
No, in fact, It is not Netto turning into Rockman, it’s just Netto in Rockman’s clothing. The only difference here is that Netto fights more aggressively than Rockman.
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Except for that time Rockman stabbed Stoneman in the eye, he never really maims anybody.
After this, Netto tries to use a Battle Chip but forgets that you need a PET for that, a PET that disappears somewhere after Cross Fusion. So he decides to use the Rock Buster, but since they’re in the real world, the buster gets a super boost that sends Netto flying, with the shot leaving a hole not only on the building, but on Beastman himself.
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So... I love seeing shots of Rockman’s muscular body, but when you give it to Netto it just doesn’t work for me because you know his body doesn’t look like that, making this feel out of nowhere. 
Also, “Flipante”? I’m pretty sure these subs are from Spain because they use a lot of words that I’ve never heard before.
Since Beastman was maimed and mortally wounded, he runs away, the Dimensional area disappears an the episode ends with Netto back to normal with his PET reappearing again, him fainting, Rockman calling out to him worried that he might be dead, and an aerial shot of a partially destroyed Scilab.
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What do I think?
Well, if you read my previous post, “The problem with Megaman NT Warrior Axess”, you already know my main issues with this season, starting with how different it was from the first one.
Like I mentioned before, Axess never aired in Latin America so it took a while for me to realized that there was another season. I got used to watching reruns of the first season over and over again because of how much I loved it, and after I watch this episode for the first time, in English, I was very, very confused at the end. I immediately felt that something was wrong, that the show was gonna be  different and I wasn’t sure if it was gonna be a bad thing or a good thing. It turned out to be both because the writers couldn't settle on a tone for this new season, so I was ambivalent from beginning to end.
I’m just gonna mention the good things. The general animation is way better that the majority of the episodes in the first season, the new visuals give it a more cybernetic feel to it which goes perfectly with the theme of the show. Roll and Meiru do more in battle, even though Meiru is still the weak girl character that needs to be saved by a big strong man, ew. The new PET design and the infrared beams they use to send the Navis into the Cyberworld is much more futuristic than the cords from the previous season that are vulnerable to being cut, which, again, is very fitting to the theme, as well as the animations when inserting chips and activating P.As.
The idea of Viruses and Navis materializing in the real world is revolutionary, I just don’t like how it is set up.
The Advance PET was introduced in Battle Network 4, while Beastman appeared in Battle Network 3 as a World Three Navi and having an operator named Inukai. Here, however, Beastman is a solo Navi that is called a Darkloid, and instead of being man-made, Darkloids are portrayed as A.I beings that were spontaneously created from...Bug frags, I think? Yeah, that’s another thing I don’t buy from Axess. 
The mystery Navi is Shademan who was introduced in Battle Network 4 and is in fact a solo Navi, but he was created by Dr. Regal, the other mystery character that appeared, but Shademan is also a Darkloid here.
Say what you want about Forte and Gospel, but their origins are purely man-made and make sense, and even if viruses and bug frags are also man-made, having something instantly created out of Virus remains doesn’t make sense unless a higher power is involved, which hasn’t really been specified in Axess.
If you are one of the few people who read my posts, I appreciate your support and are free to share your opinions too.
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winter-chill · 4 years
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RWBY 7 - 3 “Ace Operatives” Thoughts
So thoughts...
BOO!!! they didn't work on stuff themselves.. although if it was Pietro and not just random scientists, I'll let it go :) And i'l give him props for using the Amity fights footage (i'll talk more on weapons later)
Oh, dust mines, launch site... ghiest, oh that's gonna bring back some memories
God Nora being so giddy about her stuff puts a smile on my face
and the Blake/Yang nod, the first of so many bumbleby touches this ep
They're really trying to hit hard again with Jaune and that sash, though it was a good set up for his hair cut (since I wouldn't really think of cutting it now when he's in a cold climate ideal)
Another very slight, but nice detail about having Yang be actually armless, not just fixing it while it's on her. We need more points like this, or maybe i just like the idea of it, but having those details shown off and not forgotten is nice. Also that's a beefy arm, though I swear it looks larger in the intro?
Again, having Blake have an onscreen notice of her hair leads well into why it's cut (though not showing it on screen? nor how/why her weapon's fix being gold... missed opportunity , truly)
WAIT??? Ruby got a NEW cloak? BOO, I would have thought her current one was still the original, has she been swapping it with each outfit? but, all the cuts and tears, the detail and history from her past fights, lost :(
I'll talk about the Oscar scene when it shows up, not here
Again, lovely intro to their new looks, but... could have been more. Showing them actually zip things up, buckle them in, cutting their hair themselves. Just lots of little details that would have added so much
I'll say it again, I think Yang's new glasses look weird.. too anime for the actual show style, but, I guess they 'work' ?
Also they all look to Ruby, this is her mission, her shot to call, she's back with her team (just rwby) for the first time so it's good to see them keeping the team dynamic, she was leader for a reason.
OH THIS SONG IS A BANGER!!!! also, totally a Weiss song (it said mirror)
Bunny hopping Ruby :D adorable
SUMMON SWORD SURFING!!! Finally
Blake really making the use of that ribbon, a little detail they again seem to forget about during most of 4-6 until it's necessary (running from adam in V6)
And... yep, no nonsense Yang sticking with the classics, recoil  (( I take it back, Yang's arm is the same as the intro, though I still think it somehow got bigger than when she put it on ))
And end it all on an amazing pose shot
Okay Ace ops time. Harriet, let me see what that little backpack thing do. But for serious, rolling only stops you from getting hurt on small drops, not several hundred foot... Marrow though taking a similar root to Ruby, seeming to ride it down, but he's doing some troll physics there, "stand on chair, jump off building, jump off chair at last moment, you only actually fell 2 foot"
Also, boomerang, gun? Honestly I kind of dislike the generic gun looking form, would have been cooler if it didn't change, but just had a little barrel pop out an end when he needed to shoot.
And now JN- OMG ELM YES, Loving the attitude. Oh Vine what's that on your back? you wielding an expanding throwing star (three pronged)
erm, right... JN_R
so, we got, some sick new looks, Ren's ponytail especially. Jaune's hair (i was one to hate it at first) in motion looks great, the concept art didn't do it justice. Also holding his sword on his arm..... kind of reminds me of @kumafromtaiwan's design for Jaune
"okay Jaune, you got this, it's not gonna be like Beacon all over again"
Oh, is he gonna use his shield like a plow, smashing through rocks, or maybe as a wing and glide do............................
DID JAUNE JUST FORTNITE PARACHUTE SHIELD HIS ASS TO THE GROUND?
Moving on though, yep, Hard light dust was a genius move he would have stuck in his head from Argus, and opens up the question of adding (what i'm dubbing) Shield Shield, with his V4 Nuckelavee Sword Sword, to make hard light blades.... SWORD SWORD SWORD???
a quick little peak at his shield, the emblem lighting up as he shoots a blast to bounce him from hitting the floor, that better be used later too.
And another amazing pose shot!
Oh Elm, you really need to work on your social skills. Actually maybe all the Ace ops do?
POUTY NORA!!!
and, good luck bad luck duo for the final team, this'll be fun.
NEW SCROLLS! Love them, slim and cool, and with new team icons (c'mon girls, smile for your picture)
and that detail on how Ruby zoomed, Weiss had to summon, and Yang had some energy stored up, so their aura is down a bit, but Blake is 100%
THE EARS, THEY SENSE BEES
Oh Yang, adorable goof
Oh Blake, also an dorable goof!!!
And Marrow is indeed the baby of the squad, you said it well Harriet, if a tad harsh?
Weiss no, this is a bad place for your name, but you're here to make it a better one, to fix that remember!!
Has.. has no one taught Ruby to project her aura to keep her warm, or at the others just dealing with it better? Either way, same Ruby, i hate the cold
Okay, yes, Oscar chat time
I don't know what to say, I agreed with it the whole time. Atlas is in a mess, there are good and bad times to tell people, and it's nice that Ruby has her intentions, but this may have been the same path Ozma first took, hiding things "for now" but never finding a chance to tell the truth later... they just need to keep it in mind.
And Oscar, please look after the Relic, I can already see red flags over your head the moment you took it, be that from Ironwood doing shady shit, Watts/Tyrian stealing it, or Ozpin popping back up to use it's last question.
OH, Clover, hitting a man hard with that, bringing up STRQ :/ all those fanfics of Qrow ('s semblance) being behind Summer's death, they all feel more realistic
I almost forgot, Qrow's looking snazzy too, those cross buttons, the eye/feather emblem embroidery in the sleeves. No... no necklace though?
Oh god Qrow's getting shipped with everyone this volume it seems. Good catch Clover.... I MEAN LITERAL CATCH
Halfick? Halphr... what did he say? Don't bullshit me captions, that wasn't alpha
REN!!! PAY YOUR GIRLFRIEND SOME ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!!!! Jaune you dork, nice try?
Another great Bee moment, Yang too can sense a disturbance in the force.
Weiss this is great, but can you keep your emotional daddy issues and the racial discrimination of a whole people a little more separate. But it's nice to again see you trying to make some amends and distance yourself from being.. well, 'Jacques' and his actions
OOF, Marrow coming in, hitting hard, and then acting like he's.... a millennial "I'm just a teen who does research, what do I know, boomer"
this scene though. Issues and history of faunus oppression, followed by a Schnee apolagy, and a faunus using her traits to help fix the past for a new future... that's some symbolism
Oh, a jump scare, good thing about Blake's semblance there too
HARRIET YES!!!! BIG FISTS, JUST WHAT I WANTED!!! PUNCH THAT ROCK
And RW_Y right behind already running before the rumbles settled to help their girl
I LOVE THE GRIMM IN ATLAS. don't get me wrong, Deathstalkers are still top tier, but these things are awesome too
and now we get to upgrades!
Nice, so Yang has some trigger-able explosives, so she doesn't have to rely on her semblance to protect her when she's using his shotgun blasts
A subtle little thing there, Weiss being able to shoot an icle, not doing so from a glyph, but from the gun part of
Myrtenaster directly
Okay yes, this bugged me for so long. A scythe is a big weapon, the weight is in the blade as much as it is the handle, so having to turn it around all the time would be unwieldy and difficult in combat, so just a tiny upgrade like this is both smart, and amazing for Ruby to have realised she needed
Although I still don't get how shotting a bullet down the barrel, can give her swings an initial boost of speed........
Marrow really out here flying though the sky like he's on a zipline? though the buzz saw boomerang is, again, brilliant
Oh................ So the boy who cried wolf, can pause time? I erm- actually hold on, I need to figure out how that's logical......
I'm just gonna guess it's more "Harriet is moving so fast, he did this for dramatic affect XD
JN_R once again, taking a moment, a little nervous but willing and--- now they're very much not nervous, doing their thing, never first to run in, but never first to run away either.
Also, Vine has a stetchy arm semblance, and Elm has rooting feet semblance. Ye they make a good team (i ship them)
THERE'S THAT PURPLE SHIELD BLAST
And finally StormFlower is getting some love. I don't think they look different, but having those blades be used in more various ways... grapples were a great idea
and again, Nora using that spiked back of Magnahild for more than a place to stand when she launches herself, loving it!!!
Oh Jaune, being nervous dorky, Nora a little ashamed? or ready to be.. and Ren, quiet as ever (i think he's kind of looking up to Vine honestly) don't worry though, you kids did good
OH Harriet... you don't wanna be left out of the action do you :) RUBY YOU DORK! And that little back+forth was actually hilarious
Hmm, I was always wondering how a fishing rod could be a weapon.. i guess pulling a grimm in works, but what was your plan then, to punch the Ghiest?
OH MY GOD THAT ANIMATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
again, what are you doing Clover? At least Qrow knows his semblance, acting all "i'm gonna look around, things could easily go wrong here"
Good luck bad luck eh? OH MY GOD Qrow don't make that face, the people are gonna ship you two even harder now!!!
And the hammer duo charging in first... ye Elm/Vine is just Atlas' Renora, and I love that dynamic
oh, weird dust draft from Ren stopping, sweat boiling on the rocks... this room is gonna be interesting, mess things up a bit? fluxuating gravity, hot and cold spots maybe??? Ah yes, dust energy... makes sense
And Marrow in the background while we hear him on the coms, just a great little look at how Vine seems to be "distant" from the moment, doing the whole, Ren style of vague-speak
Ye it is kinda empt-- oh. Also good work having not just the face move, but the whole midsection being rotated... kind of as if, the face is stuck to that one position... COINCIDENCE?
Erm, does this one seem bigger than the V4 Ghiest?
And now we see Ruby trying to act as leader, pause to think, to come up with a plan, where as the Ace (while more experienced) seem to have both a plan on how to take it out, and might also be a little to reliant on Clover, knowing his semblance will fix any little issues
Oh that trumpet, a very self-knowing victorious tune.
And again, Vine and Elm doing a whole of semblance work, shame we don't see them use their weapons a bit more here, same with Marrow though not using his semblance (whatever it is) at all.
HEY WAIT. those black parts weren't there earlier, nor did they appear on the V4 Grimm until it needed them to pull toge- oh... they stretched the limbs to force both a space to cut them, and for the grimm parts to sort of 'be revealed'
And another eye colour semblance indication. Loving the runners pose Harriet does too. She's not time-pausing fast... (I take back what I said about Marrow's semblance earlier?) but things do act slower, even while she's running quicker than we'd see as normal in that moment. It's not time-pausing, but it's very very fast. And the motion blur trail!!, just a tiny effect, but it adds so much detail
Marrow really is the child of the squad, he's the one to make a mistake, but again- kind of had to rely on Clover there.. Interesting to see how things pan out when he's inevitably killed, or trapped, or just isn't there
Little details here and there. Vine using his semblance not just to grab, but to push the grimm back. Harriet taunting it to get it's attention and then getting out before it can hit her (but late enough that it keeps it's attention on her and really slams it's fist down). Elm again sticking to her name, rooting that fist down, being basically an anchor in all her actions. And Marrow... throwing his boomerang
UGH.. that little medallion touch pisses me off somehow, it's so pretentious? but anyway, he had a good idea, pulling it out by it's mask, kinda really relying on his semblance to get between it and the ice chunk without bouncing off anything. Again, very semblance reliant group
Erm... she punched the grimm.. but i wouldn't say it's dead.. are we gonna ignore that??? IT'S GONNA RETURN LATER I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT
Vine again grabbing dust, would have loved to have seen Elm basically kick one to stick it to her feet instead of just catching (or pinning herself to a wall to catch it, as if it was too high to jump and catch)
And Harriet going in for the catch, only for....oh.. that's the first thing RWBY or JNR did this fight? (also no weird dust affects, i feel upset)
But ohhh, her semblance isn't speed. I had this same issue in last volume, that her semblance early on was supposed to be speed, and yet she uses it to fly, to separate into several for moments, and she can 'merge' with others to carry then, when like for Nora in V4 her reaction speed should have been way too slow to really be ready for when she was basically thrown at the previous ghiest
AY yep, I'm shocked if Ruby has control over her eyes, she never tried to flash them off during this whole scene... but again, after Maria's story, hiding them from people we don't fully trust is better
And another little bee moment, Yang flirting with them puns
Omg! Elm carrying Ruby, Yang and Nora dancing, love this group dynamic
Hey, it's that guy from last episode, why are we... Robyn?
huh, kinda spooky... flickering lights... Robyn, watts, or...
TYRIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! why are you not wearing your coat, it's cold remember! but that entrance, reminds me again of that "Cheshire cat inspiration" people first thought of back in his V4 reveal
HIS EYES!!! So whatever he does that triggers them is still apparent, and his stinger either still uses his own venom, or it's semblance related
And that line. He's here to mix things up... either he's finally gonna kill someone and let the police find out (unlike last ep when his victim was in a building, it'll take time till that's discovered... oh wait, blood) or he's here for info maybe?
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