#once i saw this for the first time i had to stare at it for days on end

[flamingpudding]

Jail Buddies

Once a month, Jason makes an effort to meet Dick on purpose. Sometimes even more. After all, he was a good little brother checking in with his brother. Though he had a rather uncontroversial way of doing so. One that involved getting led into a jail cell of your local police department and loudly demanding to speak to Officer Grayson.

Okay, maybe it wasn't like that it was an effort to check on his brother and just one of his many listed dumb moments of recklessness he got caught for. And he was maybe using his brother to get out without having to call Cass, Steph, Duke, Tim, Damian, Alfred or Bruce, in that order depending who was willing to bail him out every time Dick had his 'Little Wing you won't learn if I keep bailing you out.'-Phases again. Or if Dick was being petty because of a recent prank war.

Either way, while Jason was waiting for Dick to make his entrance in his cell he noticed the teen boy sharing the cell with him staring at him wide eyed. He arched an eyebrow, and decided on a whim to make friendly conversation.

"So what got you here kid?"

The teen blinked as if just realizing Jason had addressed him before grinning a bit feral, his blue eyes having an unnatural glow. "Vandalism."

Jason's eyebrow rose again, but the teen continued.

"Trashed mu place and gave my guardian's car a pretty paint job and some other stuff."

"You vandalized your own place? And got arrested."

"Fruitloop decided an overnight stay was a better punishment then leaving me unattended."

The teen shrugged and Jason couldn't help but feel like he just had heard a red flag. He opened his mouth to question the kid more but than his brother finally made his entrance.

"Little Wing! What did you do this time!?" Jason could see that Dick was out to start a rant but changed tunes when he noticed the teen.

"Danny or Dan? You are here again? When did they bring you in? Trouble at home?" Dick asked, and Jason clearly saw the telltale signs of information fishing bat style.

"Danny and the usual." Danny, as Jason now learned the kid's name was, shrugged nonchalantly like this wasn't the first time he and Dick had had that exchange.

"Seriously buddy? I had a rebellious phase as teen too but to regularly trash your home to the point that someone calls the police or vandalize your guardian's cars, buildings, advertisements or anything that has to do with him is not a solution kid." Jason arched an eyebrow at Dicks tone, feeling slightly reminded of whenever Dick lectured one of them.

"Oh I know. But it's a nice stress reliever, plus you guys are nice here. I get pizza as dinner whenever I stay the night." The kid grinned and Jason couldn't help the snort that earned him a little glare from Dick.

Instead of arguing further his brother let out a suffering sigh and let Jason out of the cell, waving him towards the exit and following him shortly after giving the kid one more look that looked like a mix between stern and pleading to stop being a rebellious teen.

Once out of earshot, Jason then chose to ask. "So what's the kid's deal?"

"Nothing, just a rebellious teen reminds me of Damian when he first appeared. He has a twin and a little sister as far as I know, both of them also known here. Their guardian is an upstanding man, though." Jason heard the hidden but.

"Did someone look into it?" He hummed more as a cover.

"Higher ups don't know, but i am running an investigation." Translation Bruce is unaware, but Dick was using Bat resources for looking into the kid's residence.

"Nice kid, didn't think he was a regular." He only commented.

"Nice and polite, you wouldn't think he did some of the things he was brought in for. Distrustful though, despite his friendly nature."

Jason nodded as Dick went through the papers to bail him out, a thought popping up in his head. Clearly, something was up with the kid that had his brother worried, and it looked like he was stuck on just doing his investigation. So, being the thoughtful little brother he was, Jason decided to help his brother.

In his uncontroversial ways, of course.

"Yo Danny, also here?" Jason grinned as he was led into the same cell the teen was in a week later.

[seumyo]

BAKUGOU KATSUKI ✰ 3:58

No amount of hectic schedules, exhausting patrols, rowdy villains, and never-ending legal paperwork could ever keep Bakugou from attending his daughters’ extracurricular activities—because he’d literally go through literal hell and back than to ever see a disheartened pout along with the silent treatment after he gets home from work.

You think he’ll ever miss any of his daughters’ milestones? Fuck no!

Bakugou insists on being at every event, his phone—and even an actual camera during a good day—in hand, his heart swelling with pride and unconditional love that makes his chest figuratively hurt; it might as well be a medical problem at some point. 

Because, if anything, Bakugou Katsuki is a father first and a hero second.

“Shit, ‘m late. Have they started yet?”

He’s sweating as if he just used his explosions to propel himself in the air to get to you quicker, but, in truth, he sort of had to just run since the traffic on the highway today would’ve only angered and slowed him down. He left patrol to Halfie, who offered to take his shift, knowing how many times Bakugou covered for him when he was in his son’s piano recital.

“They just started doing warmups,” you answer. “Did you run? You’re drenched to the bone; you’re going to catch a cold if you don’t get changed into some dry clothes.”

“Hah, doubt it.” He snorts, though he does appreciate the thought of you bringing him a spare shirt for just-in-case purposes.

You're always the one who thinks ahead, aren't you? Bakugou knows he’s a very lucky man to have such a doting, caring wife that humbles him whenever he gets too focused on his pride. The balance that he didn’t know he needed!

Ignoring the gawking stares of the other parents—because it’s not everyday you see the Pro Hero Dynamight in mundane activities such as watching his kid take gymnastics’ lessons—he looks through the glass in search of his little princess.

Just as he saw her, his lips curled to that oh-so genuine smile, one that just said, “That’s my daughter, right there! Look at how awesome she is!” 

Bakugou remembers how his parents were the same and how they were very supportive of his interests and hobbies, no matter how odd they may be for a five-year-old. How often do you see someone learning to take on both hiking and archery at the age of five? Bakugou was sure he learned most skills during his childhood that made him a firm hero in the field today.

“She has a bit of trouble with tumbling because of her tummy.”

“Yeah? And does that have somethin’ to do with my awesome cooking?” Bakugou replied smugly. “Besides, ‘ts just baby fat, and I’d prefer to see her like this than to see her thin but often sick.”

“Mhm, and she makes up for the cutest ending pose.”

“And her effortless splits. Have the coaches seen her do that?”

You shook your head. “Not yet,” you say, “but I think they’re about to do it—oh! Look, look!”

And he does; his phone’s camera is already recording his youngest daughter doing a perfect vertical split, while the other girls somewhat struggle to maintain a consistent posture. 

“She’s a natural, hun.”

“She is,” you chuckle, “just like her Daddy to a certain extent.”

“Damn right, she is.”

Bakugou tries to hold back his laughter when your daughter once again attempts a forward roll with the guidance of the staff. Her tummy somewhat makes it a bit difficult for her to do so. The way she hesitates but then does the forward roll, albeit a little lopsided with a smile that shows her adorable tooth gap—it was safe to say that your daughter was over the moon with her gymnastics lessons.

It’s all too much for him to take.

And when all is over, he greets his daughter by picking her up and blowing raspberries on her neck that have her squealing in laughter before he insists that he’ll be the one to talk to the coaches about the upcoming schedules and the progress your daughter has made. 

“Mr. Bakugou, she’s a good listener, and I believe that she’ll be moving onto the next class with the older children in no time,” they told him. “Has she received prior training before this one?”

“She’s also taking ballet lessons,” he answers, “but gymnastics is what she really likes. Ballet was just a compromise since your services weren’t available in our area at that time.”

“That’s wonderful to hear. It’s a joy to have her in class. I’ve already sent Dr. [Last Name] the schedules we offered, and we are looking forward to having your daughter in the upcoming lessons.”

The walk back to your car was light and quiet for a change. Your youngest daughter, Kusami, was out like a light in Bakugou’s arms, having worn herself out with socializing, rolling, doing splits, and whatnot the gymnastics’ instructors told her to do. And Bakugou was just letting the simple moment sink in because this is what he considers the most rewarding part of his day. 

Time spent with his family.

Bakugou also warmed up to the thought of having to interact with other parents. He chatted with a single father earlier, whose daughter was the oldest in Kusami’s class. It was nice to converse with equally enthusiastic and supportive parents that you meet through your children's extracurricular activities.

“Let’s go through a drive-through; get Katsumi her usual order,” Bakugou murmurs, remembering how his oldest daughter, Katsumi, would’ve probably woken up from her nap by now and was probably anticipating her family’s return. 

“Alright,” you nod. “Katsumi and Kusami have swimming lessons tomorrow at five in the afternoon, too. Do you think you’d get home that early?”

“Of course,” he answers. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

SEUMYO © 2024, PLEASE DO NOT REPOST, PLAGIARIZE, MODIFY OR TRANSLATE.

[propertyofwicked]

STARE - LN

based on this request ✧ my inbox is open for requests (or if u just want a chat!) ✧

warnings - smut! MDNI!! unprotected, praising, sorta soft!dom, co-workers to lovers??? not proof read

masterlist the playlist

the energy of the mclaren garage was palpable, with engineers and mechanics scurrying around, ensuring everything was perfect for race day. y/n had been working with mclaren for a couple of years now, her role integral to the smooth running of race weekends. but today, something was different.

in honouring the master of monaco, ayrton senna, the two drivers had been given race suits that showed tribute. yellow and green suits that screamed heritage, elegance, and - in y/n’s opinion - undeniable charisma. both drivers looked good, they always did, but every time y/n caught a glimpse of lando, time seemed to slow. he looked every bit the part, embodying the spirit of senna effortlessly.

she couldn’t help but stare, her eyes seemingly glued to his form as he interacted with the team, each glance lingering a little too long. maybe he caught her a few times, heat rising her cheeks every time she quickly averted her eyes. maybe he hadn’t even noticed her, though had she not been so eager to hide her face, she would’ve seen the way he smirked to himself.

lando felt smug.

the race was typical for monaco, aside from the first-lap crash. oscar finishing P2 was significant for the team and for him, marking his best finish of the season so far. after the chequered flag waved and the celebrations began, y/n tried to busy herself with post-race duties, wrapping up some paperwork in hospitality whilst the rest of the team fulfilled media duties and packing away equipment.

or at least she tried. the room seemed to be filled with tv screens, all displaying lando’s post race interviews, hand on his hip, sweaty curls and a boyish grin. y/n was distracted, trying to avoid looking at the screens for too long, but she couldn’t help but let her mind wander at the sight of his black fireproofs clinging tightly to his frame - she was just a girl, after all.

“so,” lando began, smirking as his eyes sparkled with mischief, “you think i look good in the senna suit, huh?”

her heart skipped a beat, and her whole body jumped, not expecting lando to be stood directly behind her, his hands resting on the back of her chair.

“what? no! i-i mean, yes, but –” she stammered, “paperwork,” she added, unable to form any sort of coherent sentence. he chuckled teasingly, though his smirk grew more smug as he noticed her cheeks going red and her hand shooting up to play with her necklace.

“i saw you looking at me. a lot. couldn’t help but notice.”

“i wasn’t – i mean, i was just –” y/n stuttered, trying to regain some composure as he leant down, using the chair to support him as his head dropped to rest closer to hers. she refused to make eye contact.

“it’s okay, you know. i’m flattered,” he muttered, glancing around to ensure no one was in earshot before continuing, “but if you keep looking at me like that, i might start to think you’re more interested in what’s under the suit.”

“lando, i...” she choked out, finally turning her head to face him. he was grinning, his mouth curling into that cocky, confident grin that she had seen too many times - but this time it was directed at her, and y/n was enthralled.

“how about we discuss this further in my driver’s room? less chance of interruptions,” lando told her, his tone leaving no room for an argument, though it wasn’t as if she was going to refuse. his eyes flicked around the room once more, before grabbing her wrist to tug her along behind him. once inside the room, he closed the door behind them, the small space suddenly feeling much more intimate.

“so,” he said again, turning to face y/n, “you think i look good, huh?”

“yes, i do. very good,” she told him, suddenly deciding to put on a brave face. his smirk softened into a genuine smile.

“good to know. because i think you look pretty good too,” lando replied, stepping closer, his hand reaching up to gently tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, “especially in that skirt you wore a few weeks ago.”

she looked at him puzzled for a moment, she knew exactly which skirt he meant, but how did he? how had he noticed her enough to remember what she was wearing?

“how did yo-”

“at least when i stare at you, i don’t make it obvious angel,” lando grinned, before dropping his head to press a kiss to her lips quickly, almost hesitantly at first. she kissed him back quickly, her arms wrapping around his neck as his hand moved to cup her jaw, the other settling on her waist. his hand pushed her head back, allowing him better access as he deepened the kiss, all whilst moving the two of them towards the sofa.

“it wasn’t that obvious,” she retorted in defence, pulling away from his lips quickly to catch her breath.

“it was,” lando replied, shifting the two of them so that he fell comfortably on the sofa, her landing on his lap, “even oscar noticed.”

“shut up?” she replied, tucking her face into his neck to hide her embarrassment, but trailing kisses down his skin.

“make me?” he replied, matching her tone as she nipped at his skin lightly, “good thing i’ve finished media for the day, isn’t it?”

“sorry - i didn’t mean t-” she started, pulling back to look at the red mark forming on his neck, but found herself interrupted by the shake of his head.

“i’d say do it again, but we have…20 minutes until everyone needs to leave,” lando told her reassuringly, his fingers gripping at her hips as his fingers rubbed harsh circles into her skin. her grips rolled into his, as if instinctually, whilst he moved back to kiss her, harsher than before.

“as much as you like this suit, it’s about time i take it off - don’t you think?” he asked, watching as she nodded quickly, her hands moving to the zipper. her hips rose momentarily to help him strip down, a pile of his clothes forming on the floor next to the two until he was left in just his boxers, her in equally as little clothing.

“lace?” lando asked, smiling up at her, his fingers trailing the hem of her underwear teasingly, “id ask if this was for me but there’s no way you could’ve seen this coming.”

“no, id say you were right,” she shrugged, her hand moving to grip his cock through the fabric, “i like to come prepared.”

“and ‘come you will,” he joked, which she couldn’t help but smile at despite the intimacy.

lando pushed a rugged finger past her panties, moving the fabric aside as two fingers slid through her folds, circling her clit a few times. he looked at her face, watching how she reacted to him. her mouth had opened slightly, already feeling pleasure from the anticipation, but it widened as the two fingers pushed into her, stretching her out around him. her hand was still working up and down his clothed length, thumb finding his tip as his precum leaked through the fabric of his boxers.

“did you say 20 minutes?” y/n suddenly asked him, her eyes widening at the realisation.

“i did,” he nodded, stuttering slightly as her hand pulled at his waistband.

“have we got time?”

“from the way you’re working yourself on my fingers, id say we have time to finish this, get dressed and be back at mine with 5 minutes to spare,” he exaggerated slightly, though continued twisting his fingers into her, engulfed in the way she rolled her hips into him as her walls tightened around him.

though lando didn’t give her time to get embarrassed about how quickly she was coming undone for him, before his fingers moved away from her. she whined slowly at the loss of contact, but lando ignored her, moving to take his fingers in his mouth, tasting her on his tongue.

“so good,” he muttered. he grabbed her face harshly, kissing her again so that y/n could taste herself, his hips lifting from the sofa to free himself completely. her hand resumed it’s ministrations, thumb resuming a circling motion on his tip. lando found himself distracted the moment her fingers dragged precum down his cock, following the patterns of veins that spread across his length.

“fuck,” he mumbled, the two of them trying to stay quiet as footsteps could be heard from outside his door, “need you now.”

y/n raised herself up on her knees quickly, lando’s hand on her waist guiding her towards him. his free hand gripped at the base of his cock, tracing it through her folds quickly and lining up with her entrance. the hand on her waist pushed her down slowly, helping to lower herself on him.

“big,” she whined, unable to form a full sentence, her head dropping to rest on lando’s shoulder as she sunk down further.

“thanks,” he laughed out, though the action made his body move causing y/n to slip, taking the rest of his length in all at once.

“fuck,” y/n mewled, nipping at the flesh of lando’s shoulder quickly to distract her from the stretch.

“you’re fine, you’re ok,” he reassured her, his voice soft despite him fighting the urge to thrust up into her.

she nodded into him quickly as her hips began to roll into him, feeling the way his length filled her. small grunts and incoherent mumbles from lando urged her to move more, so she raised her hips slowly before dropping back down over and over again until she settled on a good pace. lando’s fingers dug into her hip, barely guiding her movement whilst his fingers left bruises in his wake.

“wanna see you,” he told her, a hand pushing her shoulder back to look at her face. the new position awoke something in her, the angle sending her into overdrive as she used him to get herself off.

“and these…” lando added, moving to grip her breast in one hand, neck straining to take the other in his mouth.

“fuck, lan- fuck,” y/n uttered, feeling the way his tongue flicked at her nipple quickly before moving to nip and suck at the surrounding flesh. her chest was littered in red marks, sure to form into a constellation of bruises that would adorn her skin for weeks.

“taking me so good baby,” he told her, feeling the slowing of her pace with her legs growing tired, “you need me to help?”

she looked at him intently, before nodding. lando’s eyelids were half closed, but she could still see the way his pupils were blown with lust - he groaned deeply as she came to a stop, returning to rolling her hips into him instead.

“need to hear you say it,” lando insisted, his fingers trailing circular patterns up her thighs before settling on her clit. he felt her tense around him, the rolling of her hips coating his length in her slick as shoots of icy pleasure seemed to move directly from his fingertips to her brain.

“please, lando.”

“please what? what do you need, baby?” he teased, his own hips beginning to slowly jut up into her.

“need you t-to take over,” y/n stammered, gripping at lando’s shoulders tightly, “please.”

as much as he wanted to hear her beg, the way she had whimpered the word please was enough for him to pull her into a tight embrace, her legs anchoring around his back before he started thrusting himself into her at a brutal pace. oh how she prayed no one was stood nearby at this very moment, as all they would hear was the distant sound of skin slapping against each other, slightly muffled by the two of them panting.

“so responsive,” lando praised her, slowing slightly to sneak a hand between the two of them, fingers finding her clit once more, “fit me so well. like you were made f’me,” he grunted.

y/n’s mind had gone blank as lando mindlessly praised her, he himself unable to think about anything else.

“you gonna cum f’me?” he cooed, feeling the way she began to claw at his back, raking her nails into his skin and she grinded her hips into him, matching his pace.

“mhm,” she muttered out, her lips returning to his in a heat kiss - the type of kiss that overall had too much tongue and too much teeth but fit the haste of the moment so perfectly.

“go on then,” he prompted, “show me how good i make you feel.”

y/n didn’t respond verbally, she couldn’t. no, instead she came hard and fast, letting lando grip at her hips to hold her down harshly so that his length stayed deep inside of her.

“fuck me,” she panted out, though tried to keep the rolling motions of her hips to bring lando to his own finish.

“so good to me,” he grunted, taking in the sight in front of him, “you feel so good,” he added, barely able to utter another word before he was pulling her off him, ropes of cum shooting onto his stomach as she hovered over him.

“you didn’t have to do that,” she told him after a few moments of silence with lando catching his breath, “im on the pill anyway.”

“i didn’t think,” he told her, laughing lightly as she clambered off his lap, searching for her clothes, “now i know for next time.”

“next time?”

“yes, next time,” he doubled down, “trust me, ive wanted this for months. and now i’ve had you, i don’t think i want anyone else.”

heat rose to her cheeks again - she’d hoped this wasn’t a one time thing, but she was now blushing at the thought of it being a regular occurrence.

“tonight?” she asked him, cautiously.

“eager?” he teased.

“sorry i-” y/n started to apologise, stuttering slightly in her nervousness.

“y/n - tonight, tomorrow night, next week. my schedule is clear, for you.”

[foreingersgod]

hellooo! i loveddd ur cc country reader fic. do u think u could do one like that but with kate? hope ur doing okay!! <3

If She Ever Leaves Me . KM

pairing: country!kate martin x country wife!reader

synopsis: country kate <3

A/N: this is quite literally my favorite song of all time, lesbian country has a special place in my heart so i’m so excited for you guys to read this one!

word count: 6.2k

I see you watch her from across the room

Dancing her home in your mind

you were from another world, kate was convinced. dolled up in your red gingham sundress, the one lined with ivory lace and a sweet little bow that sat in between your breasts. your cowboy boots clunked rhythmically against the wooden boards on the old bars floor as you danced to the music. you had once had a drink in your hand, a fruity little cocktail because you couldn’t handle the strong stuff like kate did. but the glass was long forgotten when you left your girlfriends company to join in on the line dance.

kate remained seated on the leather bar stool, her own pair of boots propped up on the foot rest. her elbow was leaned up against the varnished bar as she swirled her drink mindlessly. her attention was no longer on the ice that slowly melted within the glass, but on you, in the midst of the friday night bustle. she had brought you to the bar just like she did every weekend, a small tradition you adopted when you first started dating. you had fallen in love with the small little town and the cozy bar within it and found yourself most happy in the musical chaos of it all.

while she loved seeing you out there in your element, she couldn’t help but wish you’d stay right there next to her. her heart turned to mush at the way you would smile, flash your pearly whites as you sung along to the music. she loved how your dress twirled around your calves as you spun around in circles, your voluminous hair bouncing behind you. but she hated how you were so far, wanting to see that charming smile and those gorgeous locks up close for herself. she couldn’t stand the thought of you being out there for all eyes to see. hated how any man or woman could claim you as theirs in their minds.

kate was aware of your immense beauty, knew how especially the men liked to gaze in your direction. you were a sight for sore eyes, not even having to lift a finger to attract the attention of everyone in town. and while kate did get jealous, seeing how the single folk in the bar constantly asked you to dance or buy you a drink, she knew you’d never cave. your love for kate was outstanding and hardly likely to dissipate over a few drinks offered by lonely cowboys. they could continue to stare at you, imagine dancing with you all they wanted. but she knew it was her, at the end of the night, that got to take you home and settle between your thighs.

Well, it takes more than whiskey to make that flower bloom

By the third drink you'll find out she's mine

“good evening, missy” a deep voice slurred from behind you “i saw ya over there dancin’ and was hopin’ i could buy ya a drink?”

you had just returned to your seat next to kate at the bar, almost winded from all the dancing. a small film of sweat lingered on your forehead as you plopped down, adjusting the skirt of your dress. kate’s hand found its way to the divot of your hip without a second thought. she ordered you a brand new drink once she noticed you reaching for hers, letting you finish off her whiskey was a recipe for disaster. the bartender poured your drink as kate leaned in to kiss your blushed cheek, listening to you rave about the excitement on the dance floor. it wasn’t until your drink was passed to you, pausing your conversation, that you were suddenly interrupted.

“oh,” you licked your lips, the salt from the rim of your glass sticking to your upper lip. you turned around to face the stranger to see it was a taller and quite older man. he was muscular and burly, a thick beard embellishing his face. not that it would sway your opinion, but he was no different than the rest of the men who thought they had a chance with you “no thank you”

the man seemed to be taken aback, nose scrunching in disgust. he shook his head and and rolled his eyes, large hands coming up to rub his jaw. he inched closer to you, broad shoulders on the brink of colliding with your back. kate immediately noticed this, tightening her grip on you as she shot a stern glare his way.

“no?” he scoffed “it’s just a drink, lady”

“look i’m just not interested alright?” you sneered, trying not to be too harsh and make a scene in the midst of the busy bar.

“and why’s that, huh? i’m a nice, good lookin guy. what’s your fuckin problem?” he spat at you, near slamming his fist on the bar. this triggered something in kate, causing her to leap from her seat in anger. but you placed your hand on her chest, sending her a look to tell her that you had it under control. she looked back at you, then back at the guy in conflict. kate was more than ready to put that guy in his place, to claim you as hers and teach him a lesson. but she also knew you took satisfaction in telling these men off, ultimately deciding to take a seat and observe.

“i’m happily taken, i’ll have you know” you motioned to kate “i appreciate the offer, but i would appreciate it even more if you apologized and left us alone”

kate smirked, seeing his expression fall. it was always so gratifying to see these people learn that you were in love with someone else, and a woman at that. she tipped the rim of her cowboy hat mockingly at him, her way of making her presence known. the man cleared his throat, now embarrassed as he took his hand away from the bar and took a step back.

“you-uh-you’re right, ma’am” he mumbled, digging his hands into his pockets “m’sorry ladies, have a nice night”

he shuffled away in humiliation, probably on his way to pester some other woman he thought he could seduce. you watched him bump into a few people before he disappeared into the ever growing crowds. you sighed in relief, taking another swig of your drink.

“he not your type?” kate snickered, smirking at you teasingly before finishing off her own drink.

“shut up,” you laughed as you smacked her shoulder lightly. you turned on the stool, rusty metal squeaking loudly as you came to face her. nimble fingers came up to move a strand of hair away from her face “you know i only have eyes for you”

“you’re somethin else, ya know that?” she groaned, noticing the way you bit your lower lip and batted your lashes at her.

“i do,” you leaned in to place a small kiss to her lips “but you love it”

I've loved her in secret

I've loved her out loud

“can we just stay like this forever?” you asked, resting your head against kate’s shoulder as you let your eyes close.

these were your favorites moments. sitting on the porch swing with kate as the sun went down, crisp summer air swooshing past you. the sky glowed pinks and oranges, reflecting onto the home you shared on this secluded farm. the chains of the swing creaked with each push, kate’s bare foot touching the floorboards just enough to rock you back and forth. crickets and other little critters sounded from the fields in front of you as the evening fell upon the town. the grasses and weeds of the crops whistled in the wind, adding to the noise. kate hummed an unknown tune-probably some song she heard on the radio weeks ago-as she draped an old knit blanket across your laps.

“mhm,” her hand wrapped around your shoulder, tugging you closer into her side to keep you warm. her fingers toyed with the fraying ends of your sleeve, an old country singer tee shirt that you stole from her drawer one day “then i’d get to keep ya all to m’self”

“you already got me to yourself, kate” you chuckled softly, nuzzling your nose into her neck.

“yea,” she continued “but here? it’s jus the two of us. no drunks at the bar, no assholes givin us a hard time in town…it’s just you, me, and the farm. everything i’ve ever wanted’s right here”

you smiled against her shoulder, feeling the rough material of her flannel shirt on your lips. kate was the biggest sweetheart, was always vocal on her appreciation for this life. it was true, everything she wanted was right here. she was never set on a busy life at all. as long as she had her woman, her animals, her crops, and most likely her guitar (because how else would she serenade you on quiet nights like these), then she’d never need anything else. you were her entire world, what made her the person she is. she’d do anything to keep this life with you.

“mmm,” you sighed, another breeze lulling you into sleep “i love you s’much, kate”

“i love you too, darlin” she confessed, sensing your drowsiness “more than you know”

The sky hasn't always been blue

It might last forever

Or it might not work out

her back ached, her feet hurt, and her head pounded with the memories of your conversation this morning. kate had never meant to say what she did, and now she beating herself up at the thought of hurting you.

she had woken up at the same time she always did, quietly padding out of bed and into the connected bathroom as to not wake you. you hated early mornings so kate normally let you sleep while she did her morning farm chores. in return, you’d clean the house, run errands, and you often helped kate with anything she was behind on. it was a fair trade off and the routine worked for you, so there were hardly any issues during the countless years you’ve been together.

but for some reason, everything seemed to have gone wrong this morning. kate’s alarm didn’t go off so she was late to milk the cows, causing her to go behind schedule by at least 45 minutes. the water heater apparently stopped working, she ran out of toothpaste, and her favorite work pants had a pretty gnarly hole. then, she accidentally woke you up by knocking down some of her toiletries because she was in a rush. you were shocked to wake up to such chaos, trying to ask her what was wrong and asking if there was anything you could do to help. but rather than answer or kiss you goodbye and tell you she was in a rush, she snapped at you angrily before running out the door.

“can you just leave me alone? fuck” she had said, trying to pull her boot over her left foot “christ, i don’t have time for this, i gotta go”

the comment left you dumbfounded, disgusted by her tone. sure, there were times that kate got a bit angry and said something she didn’t mean, but it was never like this. she never said anything that directly offended you. plus, she always apologized if she hurt your feelings. this time, on the other hand, felt like a personal dig at you.

you laid in bed for a while as you replayed the scenario over and over in your mind. it had made you incredibly upset, knowing that she was somehow mad at you for asking if you could just help. eventually, you decided to just get up and get some work done throughout the house to try and take your mind off of it. but no matter what you did during the day, you couldn’t shake how terribly she made you feel. her words stuck with you like glue as you went about your daily chores.

the dishes were done and the floors were scrubbed spotless by the time dinner rolled around. you made your self busy with prepping the food as you waited for kate’s arrival. she typically finished around 5:30, but with her being in such a hurry, she most likely wouldn’t be back to the house until 6:30. so you focused on cutting the vegetables and marinating the meat until she was home.

kate, meanwhile, was finishing rounding up the horses. she so desperately wanted to go home, eat the delicious dinner you had made, and curl up under the covers with you while you read your book aloud to her. but now, as her hands grasped around the brass door knob of the front door, she realized that that may be harder to achieve than she had thought.

she was instantly met with discomfort the second she set foot in the house. the air felt heavier and the atmosphere was merely dimmer than it should be. the radio would often be playing somewhere in the kitchen, you could never get anything done without your old school tunes. her heart twinged at the loss of your humming, the sweetness of your voice nowhere to be found as she kicked off her boots and set them aside.

her legs dragged her into the kitchen where she spotted you silently chopping away at some peppers (the ones you had insisted you grow yourself, giving yourself yet another thing to tend to). you were still and quiet, not even so much as swaying your hips. she knew that you were upset right away. and you had every right, she admitted internally, her behavior this morning was uncalled for and she didn’t blame you.

“hey, baby” she mumbled, testing the waters. she wandered through the kitchen, making her way to the cabinet to grab a cup for a glass of water.

“hey” you murmured back in response. now it was the tone of your voice that stung kate. you didn’t bother to look at her, keeping your focus on the task at hand. but kate couldn’t bring herself to look away from you, instead she took the time to study the expression on your face and the movement of your body. you seemed stiff, muscles tense with irritation. the features of your face were soft-they always were-but now they were soft with disappointment. you were a headstrong gal, kate knew all too well, and would rather go all night completely mute than pretend like this morning never happened. so she decided to shrug off her guilt and pride and own up to her mistakes.

“darlin’?” she set the glass down on the counter top, no longer worried about the water. she came up behind you as you slowed the movements of your knife.

“hm?”

“m’sorry” she divulged, chest pressing against your back. her arms came to wrap around your torso as she let her head fall. her chin now rested on your shoulder, her nose nudging at the angle of your jaw “for what i said today, that wasn’t fair to ya. you were jus tryin’ to help”

you said nothing, pushing her off your shoulder as you resumed your chopping. the small action made kate’s insides churn. she tried again, this time placing a hand on your lower back and attempting to apologize once more, but she was swiftly shot down.

“thought you wanted me to leave you alone?” you taunted bitterly. you moved over to the stove and slid the diced vegetables into an already simmering pot. she sighed, scratching at the back of her neck.

“baby, i didn’t mean it” she pleaded “i’d never want you t’leave me alone, i was just upset and i lashed out. it was wrong of me”

“yea,” you laughed in disbelief, still moving restlessly around the kitchen to display your anger “it was”

“can you just-” she halted to try and find the right words “can you just stop for a second? please”

you set-more like carelessly tossed-your cutting board and knife back onto the counter. your head whipped in her direction, shooting her a dissatisfied glare. your sun kissed cheeks were down a darkened red and your brows furrowed downwards, your nose scrunched up and your tongue ran along the insides of your cheeks out of annoyance.

“i’m sorry, im so so sorry” kate continued once she realized you were listening “what i did was incredibly shitty and you don’t deserve that. i’m so grateful to have someone who is so willin to help me out and i took that for granted. but i promise i didn’t mean it at all and it won’t happen again”

she pulled her sweet puppy dog eyes on you, beautiful blue irises staring back at you. it genuinely seemed that she felt horrible. you knew kate like the back of your hand, knew that she definitely didn’t mean to say something like that. although, it had cut you deep in the heat of the moment and made you feel awful all day. but seeing her so distraught over this, now practically on her knees to beg for your forgiveness, it had you rethinking the validity of your coldness. you could never stay mad at her for long.

“it’s just-” you groaned, fingers coming up to rub at your temples “it just made me feel so mad and you ran out without even apologizing”

“i know, i know. i shouldn’t have done that” she gulped, hoping that you would come around “but i really don’t think i can stand ya bein’ mad at me any longer, baby. you gotta forgive me”

you chuckled at her urgency. it was true, she always felt lost when you were cross with her. a smile worked its way onto your face as you stepped towards her, throwing your arms around her neck. her arms tugged you in closer as she let out a sigh of relief.

“alright, you’re forgiven” you tilted your head “but, it better not happen again, got it?”

“got it. never again, i swear it”

you got up on your tip toes, your house slippers about to fall off your feet, to kiss her. before you could pull away, though, she had grabbed both sides of your face to kiss you even deeper. you moaned with surprise when her fingers threaded through your hair, tongue slipping into your mouth as she caught you off guard. you indulged in the kiss until you had to pull away for air.

“ok, cowboy” you breathed against her lips “you gotta let me go, dinners gonna burn”

“oh, m’never lettin you go ever again”

If she ever leaves me, it won't be for you

she sat back in her seat, an old wooden rocking chair that matched the one you were in. it was an oddly hot night this june even though the sun had set hours ago and the cold air from the lake was creeping closer. the heat from the bonfire in front of you only added the warmth.

this was one of your favorite things to do, sit outside on the small concrete patio kate had made, roasting marshmallows and taking turns on the guitar as a toasty fire crackled against the humid air. you had the acoustic instrument rested on your knee, a hand woven strap around your shoulder as you lightly plucked the strings rhythmically. you sang quietly along to a song as you looked off across the field and into the mountains, you were in your own world. kate was merely listening, too distracted by your beauty to sing along. the way your lips moved with each lyric, how your nearly manicured nails strummed against the guitar so smoothly.

“what?” she snapped from her trance, eyes blinking when she noticed you. she hadn’t realized you’d stopped singing, fingers no longer on the guitar. kate cleared her throat as she chewed on the insides of her cheek.

“s’nothin” her hair swaying against her shoulders whilst she shook her head “you’re just pretty s’all”

“oh stop” you giggled, the most infectious thing kate had ever heard. when she died, your laugh would be the last thing she’d want to hear “that’s the liquor talkin’, babe”

“definitely not,” she hated how you never believed her compliments, always denying your own beauty. but that just meant she got to compliment you twice as much to get you to buy into it “i could be sober forever and still think you’re the most breathtaking woman to grace the earth”

you had now set the guitar down, propping up against the varnished table between the rocking chairs, pushing yourself back and forth by the heel of your boot. you reached your arm over, fingers outreached to kate. she took your hand without hesitation, giving your hand a loving squeeze. the whites of your teeth shined through the darkening sky as you let yourself smile. you’d never get tired of the affection kate showered you with.

“you’re my everything” she whispered to you, thumb mindlessly stroking the backside of your hand.

“and you’re mine” you replied as you thought your conjoined hands up to your face, kissing her knuckles “my universe”

She loves Wild Horses and Tumbling Dice

She don't have a single tattoo

kate remembers the exact moment she met you. when she wandered into the quaint house of a close friend from college, noticing you right away. her friend, caitlin, was having a fairly large get together for her birthday: poker, beer, and pizza. kate typically hated going out and socializing, but rarely ever was she able to say no to good food and a cold glass of cheap beer. she debated not going for the longest time and instead having caitlin over one night for dinner to make up for her absence, not really wanting to get dolled up and leave the comfort of her home. but she forced herself to go anyways, turning the key in the ignition of her truck and making her way down the road.

boy was she glad she did.

you were like a rainbow in the midst of a storm, a rose among thorns sitting there leaned against the back of your chair. the moment caitlin had let her in the house, guiding her into the kitchen to grab her a drink, her eyes were glued to you. your hair was let down down, a leather cowboy hat resting atop your head with a think pink band wrapping around the base. a flannel that was far too big for you swallowed your upper half, leaving kate to only imagine what laid beneath it. she noticed your muddy jeans, how your velvety skin ran across the stiff denim when you doubled over in laughter. you were absolutely radiant, kate didn’t need much also to fall head over heels for you.

for the most part, she avoided you all night. her nerves were getting to her, not even having to talk to you to become riddled with anxiety. something about you enchanted her, drew her in like a moth to a flame, but she couldn’t bring herself to make an introduction. rather she lingered on the outskirts of the room as she made pointless conversation with mutual friends, eyes wandering just to get a glimpse of you every so often.

then, as kate was talking to small group of people in the living room, caitlin summoned everyone into the kitchen for the poker game. her heart began to race, watching as you followed the crowd of people to the dining room table. kate was the last to funnel through, finding herself straining her neck to find an open seat. and much to her luck, like a sign from the universe, the last open seat was directly next to you. maybe this was meant to be, written in the stars that she’d sit next to you tonight.

“hey,” she swallowed hard when she tapped on your shoulder, choking back a cough of uncertainty “d’ya mind if i sit, ma’am?”

you looked back behind you, eyes wandering up kate’s tall figure. you grinned, pulling out the chair a little more so she could sit down.

“not at all!” she squeezed in between you and the person next to her, arm brushing against yours electrically as she tried to find a comfortable position “i -uh-i don’t think we’ve met?”

“oh! yea no” kate felt like she was about to faint, she barely made it past the initial question and now she was already being forced into an introduction? “i went to college with caitlin, we’re pretty close buds, but um…i don’t go out much so i’m not around”

“really? that’s crazy you’ve known her for so long!” you said. kate would be forever grateful that you disregarded her awkwardness “i met her a while back when i first moved to town, she helped me get settled in and everything”

kate exhaled, the words spewing from your lips hardly retained as she was concentrated on your immense beauty. you voice sounded like honey, everyone else’s words becoming jumbled in the background.

“sorry, i didn’t even tell you my name,” you internally scolded yourself “i’m YN”

“s’nice to meet you, YN” she nodded, offering a calloused hand out to you. you gladly took it, dainty hand fitting perfectly into her much larger one “m’kate”

and just like that, such a simple introduction seemed to entice a years worth of conversation. throughout the entire poker game the two of you couldn’t seem to stop talking. to be truthful, kate threw the entire game in the first hand just so she could get out as soon as possible to talk to you. you’d be lying if you said you didn’t do the same. this didn’t go unnoticed by caitlin (or any of the others for that matter), quickly catching on to how her best friend had stuck like glue to you. whilst the rest of them pushed around chips, threw down hards, and occasionally cussing over a bad hand, you and kate sneaked away to the backyard.

‘we’re just gettin’ some air, we’ll be back b’fore the games over’, she announced when caitlin asked why you both backed away from the table. caitlin nodded innocently, pretending she didn’t know your true intentions. she smiled smugly behind her cards as she watched kate open the back sliding door open for you, placing her hand on your hip to guide you in front of her. suddenly, caitlin felt like a matchmaker.

the air was still, crickets sounding loudly from deep under the trees and bushes of caitlin’s backyard. an owl cooed in the far distance, moonlight beating down onto the lush and green lawn. everything went silent when kate slid the door closed behind you. you were far too scared to say anything, opting to take a seat on the concrete steps and listen to the tranquil sounds of the south. kate plopped down next to you as she let her knee relax just enough to bump into yours. her lips parted, eyes locking with yours, elbows resting on her knees as she fiddled with her fingers in her lap. she wanted to know everything about you, hear every story you had to tell. she had the unexplainable urge for you to consume her every being, needing to know what it was like to love you. she didn’t care you had just met, or that you were merely just talking, something inside her told her this was love at first sight.

she had only muttered something along the lines of ‘i think i could sit here all night with you’ before you were high off chitchatting once again.

maybe an hour passed, maybe 2, you weren’t quite sure. time seemed to stop as you sat there talking to kate, the sky growing darker with the lights inside being your only source of light. your butt stung from the roughness of the concrete, but the discomfort didn’t seem to cross your mind once as you babbled to kate about everything and anything. from childhood stories, to worse first dates, there didn’t seem to be a single topic left out of discussion.

in such a short amount of time, she learned so much about you. how much you adored animals, that you wanted to be a veterinarian when you were little but ultimately not having the money for college. she learned that you loved to bake and that’s why you moved out to town, to take over your great grandmas bakery on the edge of the valley. you told her about how your favorite thing to make was carrot cake and that you’d love to make one for her sometime, really just an excuse to see her again. she learned that you hated needles, that you’d wanted to get a tattoo last year but ended up chickening out before they could even lay down the stencil. even the little details, like your parents divorce or your close relationship with your brother, she came to know it all. and loved every bit of it. she had never felt so connected to a single soul in her entire life.

“wait wait wait,” kate threw her head back, throat bobbing as she laughed “there’s no way you did that!”

“it’s true!” you cackled, hand coming to grasp at your chest as you chuckled “i swear to god it’s true!”

“so you mean to tell me…” she tried to get the story straight, tongue darting out slightly as she processed what you had said “that you got chased down? by a wild horse?”

“yes! my friend bet me 20 bucks to try and get a stupid selfie with it-cause let’s be honest we were 16 and fucking idiots-and i spooked it from behind, and well…it chased me all the way back to my truck!”

“well you’re a hell of a lot braver than me, i woulda been knocked out cold within a second!” you snickered, luring the most mesmerized grin from kate. she looked back out into the yard when she sensed the mingling was dying down, the air going quiet once again. “you know i-um…this has been really nice, sittin here talkin to ya”

“yea,” you tucked a piece of hair behind your ear, still looking at kate even though she had turned “it has”

“could be kinda up front with ya?” kate blurted. she had been contemplating it all night, asking you out and overcoming her fears. but the whole night she couldn’t see herself doing it. that was until now, the moment she understood how badly she needed to see you again.

“of course, kate”

“do you think i could get your number?” she might faint on the spot, the sudden sour of confidence could send her into cardiac arrest “i mean you definitely don’t have to give it t’me at all, i don’t know i just thought that-”

“kate,” you laid a hand on her shoulder to get her to ease up, she held her breathe in fear of your possible rejection “i would love to give you my number”

and just like that, the rest was history. she’d remember this moment forever.

She'll drink all the liquor and leave you the ice

kate leaned against the cedar post that held the rickety porch together, weathered and old from so many years of love. her boots, a new pair that you had gotten her for her birthday, left muddy prints on the slats underneath her. she had her arms folded across her chest as her fingers came up to toy with the bolo tie that sat snuggly underneath her collar. it was baby pink, like the band of the hat you were wearing during the night you met. kate was never big on pink, but after meeting you, it became her favorite color.

she was watching you closely, not wanting to miss a single second of the moment. you were out in the front yard near the little flower garden you insisted on starting when you moved in with kate. it stretched along the fence that separated the yard and the plots of land reserved for the rest of the farm. endless species of wildflowers sprouted from the dirt and mulch, other plants you picked from the gardeners market sat freshly planted. you loved that damn garden with everything you had. sometimes kate wondered if you loved your flowers more than her.

dressed in a light green sundress, the one that sat untouched in the back of your closet most days, you stood radiant under the evening sun. there was a cotton apron draped around your waist, you had sewn several pockets into it by hand so that you could carry your supplies in the garden. there wasn’t a shoe, sock, nor sandal on your foot either. you claimed to prefer it that way, wanting to feel the earth and “be one with nature”. it made kate laugh, seeing your toes sink into the soil. you were on your hands and knees trying to pull the freshly grown weeds, hands wrapping around the base and tugging the roots from their clutch in the ground. kate could make out a line of dirt that spread from your temple to your cheek, most likely from wiping your hand across your sweaty skin. with a groan, you sat back on your knees, tossing the last few weeds into the basket next to you and throwing your head back. you sighed from the excessive heat and the gnawing pain in your forearms. but kate couldn’t help but stare at you in awe, whether you were dirty and tired it didn’t matter to her. she watched as the neckline of the dress dipped down, your chest heaving, causing the tops of your breasts spill just a tich. kate gulped deeply in astonishment. your pink lips, now red from the amount of times you’ve licked them, puckered out as you stretched your neck. it took everything in her to not march over to you, lay you out onto your back, and give the neighbors a show they certainly wouldn’t want to see.

“quit starin’ at me you creep!” you hollered across the yard, snapping kate from the trance you had her in. she chuckled under her breath, her arms falling to her sides.

“m’just appreciatin’ the view” she was so good at smooth talking you, always getting you rattled “can’t a woman just admire her gorgeous wife?”

“not when her woman’s knee deep in weeds and is too tired to make it back to the house!” you pouted, balled fists coming to rest on your hips. you were scolding her now?

she made her way down the cobblestone path, tripping on the stone that stuck out more than the rest. you had asked her to put “fixing that stupid fucking stone” on her to-do list earlier in the month, but she had never gotten to it. you’d probably pester her about it again eventually. your mood instantly changed when she stepped foot onto the grass, shaking her head at you jokingly.

“cant believe you’d leave me out here in this blistering heat, makin’ your so called ‘gorgeous wife’ sit out here helplessly” you nudged again, neck craning up see her clearly.

her face was covered in freckles, darkened from a days work on the farm. her hairy was tied into a braid, strangling hairs whisking around ever which way. you noticed the pink tie on her neck, always smiling when she wore it because you knew she bought it because of you.

“well i’m here aren’t i?” she held both of her hands out to you, offering to help you up “i’d be quite the fool to leave ya”

“such a sweetheart” you tutted, letting kate yank you from the ground, grunting from the force. with her bewildering strength, you stumbled into her. your arms gripped onto her biceps and hers found the way to your rear, giving you an inviting squeeze “thank you baby”

she tipped her head to the right, one hand coming up to tangle itself in your hair. her lips met yours momentarily, capturing you in a winded kiss. you squeaked in surprise at her actions, only to accept it immediately after and kissing her back.

��anytime” she smirked, nipping your bottom lip as she pulled away “although you looked like absolute perfection out here…on your knees…that pretty little dress ridin’ up your thighs. gettin’ me all hot and bothered, yet you’re the one doin’ the weeding”

“keep it in your pants, martin” you rolled your eyes, trying suppress the butterflies in your stomach. but you could never trick kate, she knew exactly the things she did to you. you hooked your fingers through her belt loops as you began walking backwards towards the house, taking her with you “now come and help me”

“help you with what? i thought you were done weedin-”

“not with the weeds silly” she looked at you confused. you pursed your lips as you pushed the front door open “with somethin’ else…this dress ain’t gonna take itself off”

she groaned, biting down on her tongue. images of what she’d do to you on a continuous loop in her mind “you tease”

“maybe,” you shrugged, already making your way down the hall and to the stairs, swaying your hips to egg her on. kate had halted at the bottom of the stairwell, unable to form a complete sentence it seemed “are coming or not?”

“i’m comin’” she said, following you to the bedroom “just you wait, darlin”

…That's too much cologne, she likes perfume

[barbieaemond]

Religion (sneak peek)

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x wife!reader

Warnings: mild angst, misogyny, pregnancy, childbirth, oral sex, p in v, fingering, orgasm denial, overstimulation, brief lactation kink, breeding kink, manipulation (to get some), some good ol' tying up, slandering of the Gods lol

Author's note: this is the third and final part following And I dream of a grave and A curse for a curse but can be read as a standalone. It will be posted tomorrow!

She looks around briefly; the room is warm, the fire in the hearth is lit, as the candles scattered all around. This is all quite familiar. “These are my old chambers…” she says with a little frown, turning to him.

“Quite the observer, wife.” He drawls, and takes a few steps. His stride is different now. Slow, contemplating, just as his gaze raking over her, as if he in the first place doesn’t know why he brought her here and he’s assessing what to do. A war map unfolding, and he knows where all the faults lie.

“I thought we could spend some time together” he starts, walking past her to go sit near the fire “Alone.” he adds once he leisurely sits down, crossing his long legs and resting his hands on the armrests. “What better place than a vacant room? No one will come looking for us here.”

She tries as hard as she can to stop the little smirk at the corner of her lips; she walks closer, stopping right in front of him, staring down. “They might hear.” 

“Hmm. And that is much of a trouble for you, isn’t it?” he asks with the most fake genuine tone, taking a cup from the nearby table, and then “You sucked my cock on a terrace and begged me to fuck you in the Small Council…I thought I told you to quit your act.”

She smiles openly now, watching the wine pouring in the cup, his eye fixed on the liquid as his eyebrow shots up. “Besides, I know exactly what to do to muffle your noises.”

“You should be proud of my noises.”

“I am.” He says, taking a sip of wine, his eye piercing through her above the cup’s brim. “But for once, Aegon is right. I’m not one for sharing.”

His arm moves to put the wine aside but she takes it, only to feel his hand pulling the cup away from her. “You cannot drink.”

“Fine.” She concedes, leaning on him. “I’ll have it my way.”

She holds his face and with her left hand she glides her fingers on the left side, delicately but with purpose, pushing the eyepatch off. And then she kisses him, eagerly, licking his lips and then breaching inside to taste the wine on his tongue, on the roof of his mouth.

She sighs deeply when he locks his tongue with hers, and feels his lips curling.

“Did you hear it?” He says breaking the kiss, breathing into her mouth. “That one is my favorite.”

“Your favorite what?” She asks mindlessly, chasing his lips but to no use, because he tilts his head back, his cursed smirk lingering.

“Noise. It’s a little thing…” he tells her, locking one hand around her neck “in the back of your throat, close to a sigh but not quite…” his fingers trail against her throat, chasing her swallowing “It tells me you’re dying to.”

“To do what?”

“Fall on your knees for me. Be a supplicant.”

She grabs the back of his neck, driving his head close and looks down at his arched mouth “You cannot live without God, can you?” She looks up, her mouth open to breathe “Seven of them seem to have cursed me. I had to find my own.”

His eye widens at that. He looks straight into her eyes, so devoted, so raw. She’s right. The Gods would curse her some more if they saw she looked at him the way she should look at the Gods.

“Then do it.”

“What?”

“Flatteries don’t work on me, sweetling. You should know that.” With his hand on her neck, he slightly pushes her away, putting some distance between them. “You will have to show me.”

“What would you have me do?”

His hands let go of her completely, resting on the armchair. The gemstone glints in blue and yet, it’s nowhere near the bright cursed thing in his eye. “Get on your knees for me. Now.”

She should be ashamed of the pull in her bones, the muscles willing to move on their own accord and fall to the ground. But why, why does it have to be sin? Why can it not be religion?

[envy-of-the-apple]

Infinite Rewind

Gojo Satoru x reader

Synopsis: Instead of dying, you are sent 13 years in the past, but this isn't your face. "Let's cut the shit." The white-haired kid grins. "Who are you and what're you doing in Suguru's body?"

Word Count: 18.1k

(Warnings: slight yandere, death, murder, inaccurate Tokyo geography, blood, violence, mild gore, obsession, unhealthy relationships, child abuse/neglect, time looping(?), fem!reader)

First, you saw a monster. 

It was big and horrible—nasty teeth. You heard screaming. People. Running as fast as they could away from the creatures. Pain. 

And then, you saw a bright, clear sky. 

The sun was blaring down at you. It was so hot. Wasn't it December? How was the sun out at night? 

"Hey, you good?" 

A girl is looking at you. Short brown hair. She's peering down at you, wearing a high-school uniform. How is she wearing all black when the weather is so hot? 

When you don't respond, her eyes squint. 

"Suguru, are you okay?" 

That's not your name; your mouth moves faster than your brain.

"I-I'm fine." That wasn't your voice. It was deeper. More masculine. What the fuck happened to your voice? 

The girl gives you another strange look but you're too busy freaking out over your new voice. Your hands are different too. A completely different skin tone, larger. 

And then you're fumbling with your pockets, clothes you know you didn't buy. The girl is calling for you again but you're too busy pulling out a fucking flip-phone and looking into the black screen, the only thing you have for a mirror. 

Purple eyes stare back. These aren't your eyes. This isn't your nose. This isn't your hair. This isn't your face. You blink. He does too. You open your mouth. So does he. You pinch your cheek. In the reflection, he winces. 

Oh, you just fucking bodysnatched someone. 

ⴵ

Ten minutes later, you conclude that your name is Geto Suguru, you are a 16-year-old boy, the year is 2006, and you attend a religious academy. 

"You're finally acting normally again." The girl-newly discovered as Ieiri- says. "No more weirdness." 

You don't blame her, considering you grabbed her by the shoulders, asking ridiculous questions like: what year is it, who am I, why am I here, who are you, am I dead, is this Hell, etc. For a teenage girl, she took your outburst well. 

"Sorry," you say and by now you've gotten used to your voice, "it must have been the stress from studying." 

She just hums, continuing to walk beside you. Though, Ieiri had a point. You were definitely calmer, and it was mostly because you figured it out. 

You were dreaming. 

You were lucid dreaming, to be more precise. Your brain was conjuring up a weird setting and you just happened to be placed in another person's body. You heard about this happening before. You were just so freaked out because this was the first time anything like this had happened to you. 

An impulsive part of you wants to tell Ieiri that this is just a dream, but you've heard weird things happen after a lucid dreamer tries to break the illusion. It's best if you just let it just play out and see where this goes. 

“Excited?” 

“Hm?” You ask. And Shoko rolls her eyes. 

“For the mission you have this evening. Special grade. Sounds scary.” She says, her sarcasm evident. 

Mission? Special grade? You don’t know what those words mean but it sounds like a school field trip. Shoko takes your hesitance as something else. 

“Ah,” she says, “so you forgot.” 

“I didn’t.” You reply on instinct. 

“I expected this from Satoru, not you. You should stop hanging out with him, he’s starting to rub off on you.”

You give a sheepish laugh, and it’s enough to quell her questions. 

She leads you into the school, all through the winding halls and through an office door. You couldn’t be more grateful, it’s not like you would have known where to go. It’s a teachers room. Two people are already inside. 

“Wait, for once, I’m early?” The boy with sunglasses asks, voice dripping with amusement. He’s leaning dangerously on a chair. You stare at him. You’ve never seen someone with white hair before. It can’t be real. 

“He forgot.” Shoko pipes up and the boy cackles. 

“That’s hilarious. I’m starting to rub off on you.” Ah, this must be Satoru. 

You give a nervous smile. “Haha, yeah.” 

The boy stops rocking in the chair. Three pairs of eyes look at you. Your uniform feels itchy.

“Gojo, stop making such a ruckus.” The man, presumably his teacher, gruffs. "You two got the briefing yesterday. Do your job and for the last time do not leave your assistant manager behind again." 

Gojo groans, and you delve into more confusion. Before you can say anything, the kid is hopping out of his seat before lazily striding out the door. Shoko and the teacher look at you expectantly. 

Oh, you were supposed to follow him. 

Not wanting to make a scene, you catch up to Gojo. He's tall, his footsteps are long and wide. But you're tall now too, so it's easy to keep up with him. This new body of yours has a lot of pros. 

"Yaga's so annoying," Gojo suddenly says, "constantly nagging us like that. It's not our fault the assistants can't keep up." 

What should you say? You clear your throat. 

"He just wants what's best for us." 

Wrong answer. 

"Where'd that come from?" He snorts. How charming. "I know you agree with me. You're just tryna' act like the nicer one, again. It's starting to get a little old." 

Is that how 16 year-olds talk? Rude, but also strangely off-putting, like he can see straight through you. Or more accurately, he can see straight through Suguru. How close are these two, anyway? 

Why did any of these questions even matter? This is a dream! You need to wake up already. 

On the campus grounds, a sleek black car waits outside for you two. Along with a miffed man in a black suit. This must be a very rich school for a field trip to have a chauffeur. Where were you two going again?

Gojo hops in the back, taking one of the window seats. You take the other. In your own body, you would've fit nicely. But Suguru's legs are long, and the spacious car feels cramped. You should've taken the passenger seat. How do tall people live like this? 

The ride is quiet. Out the corner of your eye, you catch Satoru type away on his flip phone. A moment later, yours beeps. You still have no idea how to use Suguru's phone or his password, so you ignore his message. Satoru groans. 

Quickly, you learn that Satoru has a very low attention span. When looking out the window gets boring, he bugs the chauffeur. When the chauffeur ignores him, he starts bugging you. 

"Hey heyyyy," Satoru says, "when this is all over, we should go to that new ice cream place. Like you said, we should." 

You look at him. "Uh, sure." You say. 

"And you should pay for it, 'cuz you said you owed me last time." 

Fine, whatever. "Sure thing." 

He grins. You can't see his glasses, and it makes his smile even more unnerving. This kid. 

This doesn't feel like a normal field trip at all. Why did you stop in front of some rackety house that looked as though it were about to collapse? You turn back to the only adult in the vicinity, but he's out too. He takes out a lighter and a cigarette. In front of impressionable children, too. Wonderful. 

"I'll wait out here." He says, though his tone is uncaring. "Since we're out in the country, there's no need for a veil. Do your best." 

Veil? What? Gojo's already going off again and you've already decided to be his chaperone, so you follow. You reluctantly trail behind him. Feet crunch the leaves. The house grows bleaker and bleaker. 

"Okay, I have a plan!" Gojo exclaims when he gets through the squeaky door. He's so loud, can't he be quieter? "I check upstairs and you check the ground floor and the basement. Got it?" 

Check the house? Were he and Suguru electricians in training or something? That still wouldn't explain why a grown man decided to drop off two teenagers in front of a creepy mansion. And why in God's name did Gojo want to split up?

"I-I don't think that's a good idea," you say, "shouldn't we try to stick together?" Or, better yet, leave. 

He clicks his tongue. "Ugh, you're so lame. Not like Suguru at all." 

Wait, what did he say? You're about to call out to him when he climbs up the stairs, disappearing from view. Unbelievable. 

This kid was starting to get on your nerves. Enough, you were leaving. You could have a nice dream where you met and fell in love with Zendaya, not babysitting some teenager, whilst possessing another person's body. You were going to wait outside with the man and hope your dream finally came to an end. 

Except, you couldn't go outside. The door was gone. 

It-it was right behind you, right? The entrance was right behind you. You couldn't have gotten turned around so quickly? What the hell happened? Or maybe you had gotten turned around? Considering how distracting that Gojo kid was, you might not have realized it. 

You look around the house. Looks like it'd been abandoned for a while. There's dirt on the shelves. Chairs were toppled over and left to rot. The wooden floorboards dangerously creaked beneath you. Just what had happened here? 

There's no patio door. No door leading to the outside. At the same time, you hadn't explored everything yet. Each door led to a room. The only door that didn't, led to a basement. And no, you weren't going down there. 

When you got back to where you started, you noticed something had changed. 

There was a person. Seated right at the base of the stairs? 

Gojo? Was he done with urban exploring? Maybe he knew the way out. He stands up, reaching to his full height, then higher, then higher. 

Gojo was tall, but this thing was taller. Gojo was human. This thing wasn't. 

What the fuck you can only mouth because your voice is stuck in your throat when it takes a shaky step towards you. It's a black husk of a figure, too skinny but too tall and twitching fingers. You don't know how you could've mistaken this for the kid. 

Another step. You're running, back into the house, leaping over the fallen shelves and creaky floorboards. It gives chase, and you can hear it groan behind you. It's deep and rumbly and terrifying. It just motivates you to go faster. 

It's slower than you. That's good, but it seems to realize this. You can barely celebrate your advantage before something heavy is smashed into your back, sending you toppling to the floor. You and wooden chair crash on the ground. 

It hurts. 

Everything hurts. 

Dreams aren't supposed to hurt. Because this wasn't a dream. 

This was real. You were stuck in the year 2006, stuck in another person's body, about to get mauled by a monster. 

You were going to die. 

You aren't even fighting anymore. How pathetic is that? The shock numbs your body as the thing grows closer and closer, all you can do is reach your hands up, protecting your face. 

And then the creature explodes. 

An implosion. It's skin and bones twist in a way no one should. There's a shriek, something wrong and high and inhuman before it's gone. Like it never existed in the first place. 

After all that, he's still smiling. Like the cat that just caught the mouse. 

"I guess we're not pretending anymore, are we?" Gojo asks, stretching his arms. "That's good. That game was starting to get a little boring, anyways. Now, then." 

He folds his glasses, tucking it on his uniform. Blue, his eyes are. As blue as a clear sky. 

"Let's cut the shit." The white-haired kid grins. "Who are you, and what're you doing in Suguru's body?"

ⴵ

Contrary to your belief, Gojo Satoru is a good listener. 

There's never an interruption. Not even once. Every once in a while, he nods, a hand on his chin. It's probably because he can't interrupt. You just keep going on and on. Word vomit. 

He only speaks when you pause to catch your breath. "So you are from the year 2017, and you went back in time to body-snatch someone. I had a feeling your technique had something to do with possession." 

You look at him warily. "Wait, you knew this entire time?" 

You two hadn't moved from your earlier spot. You were still sprawled on the floor, still feeling the adrenaline surge through you. Gojo had transitioned to squatting on the floor. He scratches his neck, still so casual. 

"I have good eyes. Don't worry about it." He shrugs. "Anyway, you seem pretty harmless, and as annoying as it is not having Suguru around, I doubt killing you would do any good." Why is he being so nonchalant about murder? Is this kid really sixteen?

"I think we gotta' just wait around until your technique reactivates." Gojo whistles. "2017. That's like a decade away. I wonder what happened for your technique to show up." 

You blink, trying to remember the date. 

"It was Christmas Eve..." You glance at him. "And then I was here." 

He thinks for a moment. "Yeah, I got nothing." Of course. 

He sighs, before sprawling on the dirty floor, belly up. You grimace at his antics but choose to keep your mouth shut. 

He doesn't seem very worried. At the most, he looks mildly inconvenienced. Why isn't he worried about his friend? 

When you ask him, he just snorts. 

"Sorry, but you're not that scary. Besides, I don't have to worry about Suguru. He's strong." 

Well, that's nice to know, but one other thing still bothers you. 

"You speak so casually to me," you mutter, "You know I'm older than you, right? I'm 22." 

He laughs. "22? Damn. You're old, man." 

"That isn't old!" You argue. "You have no concept of age since you're just a teenager." And why did he assume you were a man? Oh right, you were trapped in a teenage boy’s body. Of course.

"I mean, technically, I'm older than you, right?" Gojo ponders with a grin. "If you're 22 in 2017, that makes you what—11 in 2006?" 

You say nothing because you have a feeling that if you continue to argue with him, he'll just drag you down to his insanity. 

"Technique, you've said that a couple of times." You look at him. "That's what you call your 'powers', right? Does Geto have one too?" 

"Yeah," Gojo says, "but you can't use it. You have zero cursed energy. Honestly, it's at the same level as a plant. A bit lower than regular humans. It's a little impressive, actually." For one second, could he stop being so condescending? 

"What's his technique?" You ignore his comments. "Could it be related to how I got here?" 

He gives you a look over. "I doubt that, but Suguru's technique is curse manipulation. Uh, you remember that thing you saw earlier." You nod. "Yeah, he can control and absorb them." 

He sounds pretty awesome. You look at your hands. Not your hands. Geto's hands. They're paler than yours, and a lot longer. This isn't your body. Your soul can feel it. You can feel the guilt too. 

'I'd give it back if I could,' you think, 'I just don't know how.' 

Gojo's getting up. He stretches. He was lying on the ground but you can't see a speck of dirt on his uniform. 

"Okay, then. No use mopping around." He grins down at you. "Maybe Yaga can do something about you. Let's get you back to jujutsu tech." 

You blink up at him. His hand is outstretched, reaching out to you. He's still grinning that insufferable grin but his eyes have slightly melted. 

"Okay." You say, barely touching his fingertips. "Let's-" 

And then Gojo's gone. And then, you're standing. And then it's cold. 

You're wearing a coat; weren't you wearing a uniform before? There's no clear sky. It's nearly dusk. 

You were standing on the sidewalk, where people bustled all around you. You fumble through your jackets, putting out a phone. An actual iphone. You flick on the screen. 

December 24th, 2017, 7:06.

Holy shit, you were back. 

Was it because you touched Gojo? That makes no sense, but how could you explain anything else that happened so far? God. You rake a hand through your hair. Your hand. Your hair. You can't believe how much you missed yourself. It felt so good to be back. 

Your mind is spinning, you had no idea what the fuck just happened.

For now, you just wanted to turn your mind off and grab a drink. 

You know there was a bar not too far from your location. Along the way, you pass by the bustling town. There's a couple walking side by side, giggling over something you couldn't hear. Right, it's the 24th. You remember your empty bed with no one to share it with, and you cement your desire to drown yourself in alcohol today. 

Your self-pitying session is almost how you nearly miss him. His shoulder brushes past you. You're about to apologize when you hear his voice. It's familiar. 

It used to be your voice. 

It's all there. Black hair, but it's longer this time around. Of course it is, he's had years to grow it out. He's tall, he must've grown since highschool. His broad back is the only thing you see, you're almost afraid to reach out to him. 

"Suguru...?" 

He freezes like you've shot him. When he turns around, it's like looking into a fractured past. He looks older, no longer a youthful teenager. You should have paid more attention to his eyes, how scrutinizing they were, how condescending his fake smile was. All that you could think of was that it was actually him. 

"Do I know you?" He tilts his head. "Apologies, but my girls and I are quite busy." 

You don't notice the two young ladies beside him until Geto points them out. Teenagers, maybe just around the age when you first met him. He was a father now. 

You're so swept up by the emotions that you barely notice they've continued walking. You stumble behind, ducking behind the alleyway they went into. 

"Wait! Geto!" You call. "Please! We need to talk!" You still needed your answers. You didn't know care how desperate you came off as. 

In hindsight, you should have noticed that they looked more annoyed than worried about a stranger chasing them across the street. 

The one with the ponytail scoffs. "This one talks an awful lot. How annoying." 

Geto sighs. He leaves his daughters, finally standing in front of you. This is what you wanted, right? A chance to talk to him. 

Still, you can't help but feel wrongness within you. His smile is off. 

"Most monkeys are just that, unfortunately." You don't move. You can't. Not when he places a hand on your skull. "I suppose it'd be humane to put this one out of its misery." 

Geto Suguru crushes your skull. And then you die. 

ⴵ

Again. You died again. 

This is the second time Geto has killed you. Fuck, you should've realized. 

"Back again, Greeny?" Gojo asks. 

He and Suguru were sitting outside in the grass. Satoru's holding up a few playing cards. You look at Suguru's hands and find yourself doing the same. 

Not again. 

"What year is it?" You ask warily. "And what did you just call me?" 

Gojo grins with teeth. You remember he compared you to a plant before, didn't he? He's so clever with nicknames; someone should give him an award. 

"Welcome back to 2006!" Gojo beams. "It's only been a couple of days since you left. And why are you so grumpy? I'm the one who just lost a player." 

You weren't grumpy, you were pissed. You figured out what's been going on with you, and it's all because of the asshole you're possessing right now.

The look on his face when he killed you. Like you were nothing more than an animal. A monkey. Now, you feel a lot less guilty about possessing his body. 

At least you figured out two things. You know how your technique works. Whenever someone kills you, you are sent back in time to take over their body. But you can go back whenever you touch Gojo, or perhaps just another sorcerer. 

Secondly, you have access to Geto's memories. 

It didn't happen the first time you died. It must have been because the kill wasn't direct (from Getos curse, rather than himself), but milliseconds after Geto split your skull in two, your brain was overwhelmed by his past, his present, as well as his future. 

Geto was set to die on December 24th, 2017. At the hands of his best friend, Gojo Satoru. 

Fuck him. Let the bastard die. You didn't give a shit. 

You reach over to touch Gojo's arm, ready to leave. He pulls back with a snicker. Ugh, the brat must've figured out your technique, too. 

"Stop messing around." You tell him. "I need to go back to my timeline." 

"Sure, sure," he says as though speaking to a time traveler is just another Tuesday. "But first, finish the game with me." 

"No." You tell him before leaning out even further. He isn't moving away anymore, but you still can't reach him. Fuck, he must've activated his technique. 

Despite your annoyance, you decide to keep the future away from Gojo's ears. He doesn't need to know that he'll be the one to kill Suguru. He shouldn't. Not at his age. He's just a kid. 

"Just one game! I promise!" He pleads. "Then I'll let you go. Suguru never lets me beat him, I want an easy opponent to boost my ego." 

You roll your eyes, but you settle down, picking up the cards. You already know the rules; you have Geto's memories, after all. 

It's silent, save for Gojo's humming. When you place down your King of hearts, you ask:

"Hey, is my cursed energy different at all?" You ask.

"Not really." He squints. "Wait, it has grown a little. Aw, Greeny sprouted!" 

So, every time you die, your cursed energy increases. That, or your cursed energy, increases every time you time travel. It doesn't matter either way. Does this mean you can use Geto's technique now? It couldn't hurt to try, right? 

There's a demon-no, they're called curses you know that now- floating beside you, just a little ways away. Small. Barely fourth grade. You stick your hand out, calling out Geto's power. There's a pull, a rush of energy. 

A blue ball drops into your hand. 

"Holy shit." Gojo leans forward. "So you can use his techniques." Surprisingly, there's no wariness in his voice. Just awe. 

"Yeah." You breathe before glancing up at him. "Shouldn't you be focused on your cards?" 

He shrugs, tossing the cards away. "What cards?" 

You sigh before staring at the ball. Well, you captured the curse. All that's left to do is swallow it, right? You can do that. You open your mouth. Gojo is still staring. You scowl. 

"Look away." 

He rolls his eyes. "It's not like I haven't seen you do this before. Well, not you, the guy that you bodysnatched." 

Ass, you keep that in your head as you hold your breath. You swallow the ball down. 

Instantly, you choke. 

It's horrible. Like a rotten carcass on the highway, oozing blood and oil and pus. You start dry-heaving, suffocating, spit dribbles down your chin. Nothing comes out. You've already absorbed it. The taste of a cursed spirit no one knows. Like swallowing a rag that was used to wipe up vomit and shit. Exorcised. Ingested. Exorcised. Ingested. Exorcised. Ingested. Exorcised. Ingested. 

"Is it really that bad?" Gojo observes you. "That guy swallows them down, no problem." 

Because Suguru was used to this taste. He was used to the responsibility. The hoarding mass of distraught absorbing a curse comes with. It was a disgusting art. Something he'd perfected to mask for years. Until he couldn't take it anymore. 

Fuck, you might have lost your mind, too, if you kept having to eat this. To protect people who were happy you failed. 

You snapped out of it. Suguru's memories were affecting your own. That's probably a sign that you need to get out of here. No way would you be sympathizing with someone so monstrous. 

"Hopefully, I never do that again." You slowly recover, wiping your spit away with your hand. You lean back on your hands, exhausted. 

"Something I've always wondered." You call out to Gojo. "What did Suguru ever think about someone possessing his body." 

Gojo laughed. "Funny thing. He never knew." 

"What?" You look at him. "No gaps in his memory? Nothing?" 

"Nope," Gojo said, "he remembered what happened in the house, but he thinks he did everything. And then he said something weird." 

You perk up at that. "What did he say?" 

Gojo tilts his head. Then, he shrugs. 

"I forgot." Typical. 

You pinch your nose bridge. "So, did you tell anyone else about...this?" You gesture to yourself. 

"Wait, you're supposed to be a secret?" You look at him in alarm. "In my defense, I didn't know, but I haven't gotten the chance to tell anyone. After the mission, Suguru and I went to the arcade, and then I kinda' forgot about it." 

Well, at least Gojo's arrogance works in your favor sometimes. You can't let anyone know, especially anyone connected to the higher-ups. From Geto's memories, you know they don't like anything new. It's best to stay under their radar. 

"Good, well, from now on, we're keeping it a secret. Got it?" 

"What are you two keeping a secret?" A new voice pops up. You jump. 

You know him—at least from Geto's memories. Haibara beams at you. He looks so alive in the sunlight, smiling and with bright eyes.

He'll be dead within a year or so. 

Gojo takes advantage of your shock. "The bodysnatcher wants me to promise that I won't tell anyone that a curse-user is possessing Suguru's body." 

"What the hell? You just promised that you wouldn't tell anyone!" 

"Uh, technically, I didn't promise anything yet." Gojo retaliates. "But okay, fiiiiine. I won't tell anyone....except for Haibara." You groan. 

"What's going on?" Haibara's smile fades. "Wait, Gojo, is this not Geto? Is this person actually a curse-user!?" 

"I'm not a curse-user." You correct. "I'm not a sorcerer either, for the record." 

"You just used a curse technique to travel back in time to take over someone's body." Gojo enunciates. "Sounds like a sorcerer to me." 

"Wait, you're a time-traveler, Mr. Not-Geto?" Haibara asks and you are genuinely impressed he's able to keep up. 

"The name’s Greeny, Haibara." Gojo supplements. Haibara nods, still a bit unsure. 

"So...do we fight Greeny?" 

"It's not my name." You get ignored. 

"Nah, it's all good. Greeny's harmless. Just a weakling, don’t worry about it." Rude, but you don’t think you’d want Gojo to take you as much of a threat, not after knowing what he can do.

"Oh, okay!" Haibara instantly relaxes. The kid's really trusting, huh? 

"Okay, fine, but no one else can know, got it, Gojo?" This promise doesn't matter. It's not like you're planning on returning to the past anytime soon. As soon as you return to the present, you are leaving Tokyo and escaping the night parade of 100 demons. Fuck that. You don't want to die again. 

He waves you off. "Yeah, yeah."

He's so insufferable. You don't know who's worse: the genocidal maniac or this brat. 

"Give me your hand. I want to go home." 

Haibara looks confused. "Wait, why does Greeny need your hand?" 

"It's how the curse technique works," Gojo explains. "Greeny gets sent back in time, and then my true-love's touch sends him careening forward into the future." You frown at his comment, but he turns to you before you can say anything. 

"Which reminds me, Greeny: ever figure out how your technique works?" 

No way are you telling a kid that their best friend killed you....twice. Instead, you just shrug. 

"Haven't figured it out yet." 

Gojo stares at you. "Huh." He responds. "Well, if you ever figure it out, lemme' know." 

Sure you will. You hold up your hand. Gojo, finally holds his own up. Out of the corner of your eye, Haibara waves. And then you're back in your own body, on December 24th, 2017, 7:06 pm.

You waste no time. You push at the crowd, squeezing through the hoards of people. You need to get out. You need to leave before the death parade starts, before you're trapped in that terrifying cycle of death again. 

You need to leave. 

Exorcised. Ingested. 

No no no. Shut up. This wasn't you. This was Geto's memories. 

Exorcised. Ingested.  

You need to leave. 

Exorcised. Ingested. 

You need to survive. 

The taste of a cursed spirit no one knows. 

You stop, right there in the middle of the sidewalk. People glare, cursing as they move around you. They don't know this place will be a bloodbath in a matter of minutes. They'd all die. But you could stop it. 

If only if you hadn't accessed Geto's memories. If only if you hadn't eaten that damn curse. If only if you hadn't sympathized with a murderer. Maybe you'd have the courage to escape your future. 

But you'd felt that taste. Horrible. If you eat enough, you could go insane. If you were lonely enough, that would do it too. 

The taste of a cursed spirit no one knows. No one except for you. 

At 8:06 the screams start. The monsters come out to play their song. You close your eyes, forgive Suguru, and you die once more. 

ⴵ

For once, when you open your eyes, Gojo isn’t there with you. 

You’re still on the campus of Jujutsu tech. Suguru was just about to grab his soda from the vending machine. You finish his job. The can feels cold. It feels refreshing on your tongue. It’s a momentary distraction to the fact that you have no clue what you’re doing. 

You understand your cursed technique, but you still struggle with the application. Fuck, what did you do? You were utterly fucked. You’re playing a dangerous game. If you died- if Geto died- here, what would even happen? 

 The worst part is that you can’t even think of the hypothetical because there’s no other choice. You needed to do this. To not only save the people in Tokyo from the Night Parade, but to also save Geto Suguru. The man who has killed you three times now. 

Geto’s dissent starts to worsen at Riko Amanai’s death. If you could prevent that from happening, you could probably change history. But Geto’s true fracture begins with the curses themselves. They were rotting him from the inside.

You grimace, but you have to do it. You have to eat every single curse that Geto couldn’t swallow down himself. 

One was coming up. In less than an hour, Yaga will call you and Gojo for a mission. It’ll be a special-grade grave-type curse. Dispatching it will be simple, but Geto would be the one to exorcise it, ingesting the screams of all that the curse devoured. You needed to prepare yourself for that. 

Maybe you should save some of this soda to wash the taste off later. 

“Geto!” Someone cheers, you jump, but Haibara’s already poking his head around the wall. He grins. 

“Hey! Oh, you’re not Geto, aren’t you?” He tilts his head. “Greeny?” 

“Keep your voice down,” you whisper, “wait, you can recognize me?” 

He nods, after checking to make sure no one’s around, he says, “yeah, your eyes are different? It’s hard to explain.” He tells you. 

Huh. Interesting. 

“You’ve been gone a while.” Haibara beams. “It’s been a few weeks. I’m glad you’re back, Gojo was starting to get cranky.” 

It’s probably because he had no one to mess with. Poor him. He has all your sympathies. Ass. 

“I’m glad to return as his punching back.” You mutter. 

Haibara shyly shuffles his feet. 

“So, are you really from the future?” He asks. “Was Gojo telling the truth?” 

You nod. “Haibara, you haven’t told anyone, right?” 

“Of course not!” He instantly says. “Not a soul. Not even Nanami, and I tell him everything! Your secret’s safe with me.” 

“And Gojo, too! I know he doesn’t look very trustworthy, but me and him have kept it under wraps.” 

Reluctantly, you can’t help but agree with the kid. Gojo is annoying, but so far, he hasn’t done anything super harmful. 

“So anyway, Greeny.” He clears his throat. “Considering you’re from the future and all. Would you mind telling me what my future will be like?” 

You blink at him. He takes it as a sign to continue. “Nothing much! I just wanna know what I’ll be doing in 2017. Will I finally be a grade 1 sorcerer?” 

You think of Geto’s final memories of Haibara. A child burying another child. 

“Sorry,” you lie through your teeth, “but I didn’t know you in my future. Again, I’m not really a sorcerer.” 

Haibara nods, disappointed but still very excitable. He asks you about other things about the future, and you try to answer to the best of your ability, but you can’t shake off his dead glass eyes, staring at you from the morgue. 

“Another thing, we should have a code word.” Haibara exclaims. 

You blink. “A code word?” 

“If we ever meet in the future,” he explains, “y’know, in 'Groundhog’s day', he has to keep explaining what’s happening repeatedly? In order to prevent that, we should have a secret word between eachother so I instantly know who you are.” 

Not the same exact situation, but it sounds like exactly something a child would come up with. You indulge him anyway. 

“Okay, what did you have in mind?” 

“Well, it can’t be anything too crazy, or we might attract unwanted attention.” Haibara puts a hand on his chin in serious thought. You smile. 

“Got it! If you ever see me, just yell ‘brocolli head’ really really loudly. Then I’ll know.” Haibara chirps. 

“Wait, why broccoli head?”

“Because broccoli heads are green!” Haibara chirps happily.

You’re starting to learn it’s best not to question his logic.

You nod, very amused. “Sure thing, Haibara.”  

Someone calls out his name. He jumps before he waves to you. You watch as he joins with Nanami. They talk about something you can’t hear. Haibara laughs and you decide it would be a shame if his laugh was lost to death. 

Gojo finds you eventually. You can’t hide from him forever. You were walking into the school when he caught up with you. He’d ran there. His breath was slightly ragged. 

“Greeny, couldn’t get enough last time, huh?” You shoot him a look. 

“What are you talking about? Doesn’t matter, we need to go, the missions coming up.” 

Gojo’s smile dips ever so slightly. “How’d you know about that?” 

It’s probably not a good idea to tell the guy's best friend that you’re possessing that you’ve unlocked his memories. 

“Haibara told me.” 

“Ah,” He replies, “let’s go then.” 

The car ride is different this time around. Less tension. You aren’t as confused. Gojo is seated quietly beside you, watching the scenery go by. The assistant is too preoccupied with belting the radio to notice Gojo's words. 

“Figured it out yet?” He asks. “Your technique.” 

He's persistent about that answer, isn't he? You're sure the only reason Gojo cooperates with you is because he thinks you're inhabiting Suguru's on accident. How would he react if he knew you were doing it intentionally? It's best not to get on the strongests’ bad side. 

“Oh, not really, but I think it’s random. I can’t seem to find a set pattern. Maybe Suguru calls out to me, somehow?” 

“Maybe.” Gojo replies. His time is flat. Anxiety flips through your stomach. 

“You’re different this time around,” Gojo says. 

“Am I?” You ask. “I guess I’m just more determined today.” 

He gives you a look over. "Oh yeah? What for?" 

"The curse. I'll exorcise it, today." 

You don't know how you wanted Gojo to react to that, but you're still disappointed when he turns back to the window. 

"Do whatever, Greeny." 

In the end, you do swallow the curse. You manage to hold your gags in this time. 

It's worse than before. It makes sense. This curse was first-grade. Stronger. In terms of taste, it was like curdled blood and mold. You were so grateful for that soda. 

Gojo only watches with a tilted head. 

"You're getting better at that."

You give a weak grin. 

"Practice makes perfect," you reply, "do you think I'll get strong enough to absorb a special grade soon?" 

He doesn't like your question. You can see it in his stiff expression. 

"Maybe. Why do you want to swallow up curses, anyway? Last time you were here, you were practically begging to go back." 

His response wasn't exactly hostile but far from his usual playful attitude. You knew you'd have to confront this eventually. Despite how nonchalant he acted, it's clear Satrou doesn't enjoy watching someone prance around in his friend's body like this. If he starts to dislike you, it could rupture your entire plan. You need his cooperation, more than anything, to save Suguru. 

A little bit of the truth. Just a bit. It can't hurt, can it?

"Curses taste horrible," you say, looking at the ground. You can still taste the remnants of it, "it's the worst thing in the world. I can't even explain how wrong it feels to eat one. I thought...while I'm in his body...I could maybe help Suguru a little. I could ingest the curses in his stead, so that way, he still gets to absorb it." But it'll lessen the trauma it has on his mental state. 

You can't see how Gojo feels about that. Those glasses of his cover everything. But you know he's staring at you. The six eyes are taking you apart, observing you whole. 

"Did you know Suguru in the future?" He asks. 

"I didn't." The man that killed you. The man that will keep killing you. And you'd forgive him each time. 

Another beat of silence.

Finally, he just sighs. "You're the kind of person who'll jump in front of a truck to save a kitten, right?" 

You give a sheepish laugh.

"That isn't a compliment, by the way. You're just really reckless. And maybe stupid, Greeny." His tone isn't mean. 

"My name still isn't Greeny." You tell him. 

"Oh yeah, what's your name, then?" He's reverted back to that teasing lilt, and it almost makes you relax if you don't note the curiosity underneath. 

So far, you've been lax giving away information regarding the future, but you don't think you should continue that. What if you're too careless and the future changes in a way you didn't intend? A name, personal information, that could be way too dangerous. 

"Actually, just call me Greeny. I like that name a lot better." 

"You complained about it all the time, though?" Gojo argues. 

"It's starting to grow on me." You grin. "Grow? Get it, because you compared me to a plant and-"

"Stop stop, you really are an old man." Gojo groans. You just grin wider. Then, you grimace.

“I can still taste it.” You complain. “I’d kill for a cigarette right now.”

“I caught our assistant manager smoking a while back,” Satoru suggests. “Maybe you could go and beg him for one.”

You toss him a look. “Suguru doesn’t smoke, and I’m not giving a teenager a nicotine addiction.” You have found lighters inside Suguru’s pockets, but you have a feeling it isn’t for his own cravings.

"Hey, could you do me a favor?" 

He gives a wordless hum.

"Maybe after this, could you take Suguru out to a cafe'? I can taste the aftertaste of the curse." You shudder. "Just get him something to wash it down." 

Also, Suguru couldn't go back to his dorm after this. Suguru dissented because of his fractured relationship with everyone, not just with Satoru. You'd try to bridge the gap between him and his peers as much as you can. You go through Suguru's flip phone, asking Shoko if she wants to join the two. 

When you're done with that, you snap the phone closed. 

"Okay, I'm done here. You two have fun, okay?" You raise your hand. 

Gojo just huffs, amused. "Sure sure. By the way, someone wanted to thank you." 

You blink at that. "What?" 

He shakes his head. "Don't worry about it."

He gives you a high-five, and then you're back in 2017 in your own body. 

Temporarily. So far you figured out that you get sent back an hour before the night parade happens. 8:06. Considering you have a couple more minutes to kill before you’re killed, you reach into your pocket for that cigarette you’ve been craving. You pick the first out of the box, cherry burns just out of corner of your eye.

You notice things now. The children giggled to their parents. Old couples gingerly held hands with sweet smiles. You'd save them, but first, you need to save Suguru. 

And do really do that, you'd have to save Riko. 

Easier said than done. You could go back in time, but you can't really control when to go back in time. It's been random, but your trips are typically two days away from each other. You can work with that. 

But in order to get to Riko's death, you'd have to die...a lot. Absorbing curses made Suguru lose his mind, but how well would you fare with dying over and over again? 

"Hungry?" 

Someone looms over you. A woman. She's pretty, with short hair and bangs. In her hand, she holds a bag of chips. 

"The vending machine gave me an extra." She gives a laugh. She kind of sounds like you. "Would you like one?" 

"Oh." You take it. "Thanks." 

"Don't mention it." She trots off into the crowd. You watch her.

A stranger's act of kindness. She didn't even know what would happen to her soon. You grip the bag, it crinkles in your grasp. 

It didn't matter how well you'd fare with dying over and over again. You'd get over it. So many innocent people depended on you. You can't just abandon them like this. 

You're the kind of person who'll jump in front of a truck to save a kitten, right? It's aggravating how accurate he is, honestly. 

The screams start up again, and you forgive Suguru. 

ⴵ

It takes a few cycles to finally reach the day Amanai Riko is assassinated. Whenever you deem yourself too early, you often accompany Gojo on a mission and exorcise a special-grade curse. Your overall plan is working, bit by bit. Each time you return, Suguru's memories swarm you. Each curse he remembers as less painful. 

It's why you get worried when you get there a little too late. 

"Something wrong?" Riko asks. 

You've stopped in the middle of the hallway, and of course, they're looking at you strangely. You know this place. Tengen's barrier is just an elevator ride away. Suguru, Riko, and Miss Kuroi were all almost there.

Fushiguro Toji has already arrived. 

In the first timeline, Geto leads the girls all the way down to Tengen's barrier. He puts his trust in Gojo. Of course, he would. They're the strongest. And in the end, Gojo does kill Toji. 

But the kill comes too late. Riko still dies, and the fracturing happens. 

You thought you'd have more time. If you had arrived a bit earlier, you could have fought with Gojo, and the chances of defeating Toji would have significantly increased. 

What do you do?

"What's the matter?" Miss Kuroi asks. She's supposed to die today, too. 

"Sorry, ladies." You smile. "But I need to go back for him." 

You don't answer their calls, running back up the hallway. The sun's bright, shimmering beautifully in the sky.

It contradicts the blood dripping all over the stone floor. 

Gojo's lifeless body is draped across the rubble. It's a horrifying sight. Eyes that were once like the sky are just this empty blue. A dead sea. He isn't breathing. You know, if you touched his wrist, you wouldn't feel a heartbeat. 

"Hate to break it to ya', but the Gojo kid's dead." Toji's right behind you. You can feel him grinning. 

You know Gojo isn't dead. At least, he won't be dead for a while, but seeing the boy who used to tease you, annoy the shit out of you, laugh at you, be so....it made you freeze. Falter. 

You were wasting time. 

"Sorceror killer." You say after a minute. You almost can't bring yourself to turn, to look at him. The man who kills Gojo. The man who could've killed Suguru, but chose not to. "You certainly live up to your name." 

Toji's grin widens. The only man in the world with zero cursed energy. It'd be awe-inspiring if it weren't so terrifying. 

It's funny. You weren't afraid of dying, not anymore. You were afraid of failing. Failing when you were so close, when victory was just a blink away. 

"The flyheads." You mention to the swarms of curses all around you. "That's really smart." It gives you an idea or two. 

You have Suguru's memories, but they aren't always concrete. You just have snippets. A general idea of what happened within a certain event. It makes sense. Humans can't remember everything. 

But regarding the memories of Suguru and Fushiguro, everything is crystal clear. It's almost like you were there when it happened. 

It also means that you know Suguru, at this current level, won't be able to defeat Fushiguro. 

But Suguru doesn't need to beat the sorcerer killer; he just needs to hold him off. 

Currently, Suguru's body contains 368 curses: 3 special grades, 24 grade ones, 33 grade twos, 103 grade threes, and 205 fourth grades. 

You release all 368 of them. 

In another timeline, these curses would look to you as something to devour. Today, these curses have a new target. 

It won't stop Fushiguro. You're not dumb enough to think that. But it should give you time. Hopefully, it'll be enough time. 

Your knees hurt when you collapse next to the corpse. Gojo's so beautiful, even when he's dead. 

"Gojo." You shake him. Nothing happens. "You need to wake up. Gojo." 

Nothing happens. You don't know what caused Gojo to become the strongest, Suguru wasn't there. For once, you are blind to the past. 

"Riko needs you. Wake up. You-you need to go and save her and Miss Kuroi." 

His body's so cold, and you know he's dead because when you touch his skin, you don't wake up in the present. You push against his body, and he falls limply right back to place. You're sure this sight will haunt you for the rest of your life. 

"Satoru." You beg. "It's Greeny. Please, please, please wake up."

 Nothing happens. 

Everything happens. 

The brightest blue you've ever seen. It's heavenly. A glow that warms and chills your skin. It takes a while for you to see again. When you do, Satoru is standing. 

Somehow, his eyes are even brighter. You don't think you're looking at a teenage boy anymore. 

You're sitting in front of God. 

"Greeny." he states, voice flat. "You're late." 

You manage to smile.

"Sorry." 

You’ve seen Satoru fight before. He’s always calm, body relaxed as he practically floats in the air. Those fights differed from Suguru’s memories—post Satoru’s awakening. There’s always this twinge of desperation. An aftertaste of bloodlust.

But seeing it for yourself is something else entirely. Even with Suguru’s heightened senses, you still can’t follow him. He’s barely a mirage. One milisecond you can see a blue flash, the next you see nothing.

It's barely a fight. Not this time around. Fushiguro is completely unmatched. There's a flash of purple. And then, it's over. 

Fushiguro is in shambles. You didn't realize he was human until he started to bleed and shatter. Parentage over labor. It's sobering, in a way. 

Satoru's mouth moves. You're too far away to hear anything. They stand there for a few more seconds until Fushiguro slumps. Then, he falls.

You wonder when you got so desensitized to death. 

Gojo stands there. You should let him compress, but the clock is ticking. You need to do one more thing before you can let Suguru go. 

"You need to go." You say when you're close to him. He doesn't acknowledge you. "Riko's about to enter Tengen's barrier." 

He looks at you right then. His eyes. They're so bright, but they're strangely lifeless. Like he can't process you, your words. 

"I can see you now," he says, "it was so foggy before, but now, you're crystal clear." 

Six eyes look at you. You don't think you're hiding behind Suguru's face anymore. 

You clear your throat. 

"Gojo." You remind him. "Riko. You need to stop her." 

He blinks back into focus, rising from his high. 

"Oh," he says after a moment, "right." 

You stop him before he can walk any further. You hold out your hand. 

"You and Suguru." 

For the first time in a while, Gojo hesitates to send you back. You wait a couple seconds longer. 

"Yeah," he finally says.

His skin still feels cold. 

ⴵ

This death is a lot more painful than the others. 

The curse that's holding you is more intelligent than its predecessors. It keeps you alive, tearing at your skin, feasting on your flesh. Blood is everywhere. You scream until it rips out your vocal cords. It's almost a mercy to just die. 

You forgive Suguru. 

ⴵ

Time skips a lot faster now. 

You stand in 2006, four months after the death of Fushiguro Toji. It takes a second for Geto's memories to kick in. What you see makes you nearly cry in relief. 

Gojo and Geto made it in time. You can still remember the tears spilling down Riko's cheeks, the smile on her face when Geto asked her if she wanted to go back. They were safe. They were home, with each other. 

You did it. You actually managed to pull it off. 

But you can't celebrate, not yet. From what you can gather from Suguru's memories, Geto defects after four years. You've just held off the eventual. 

It's nearly the middle of December. The air feels a bit chillier. You stay on that bench where Suguru once occupied. He was finishing his lunch. Usually, he'd eat with Satoru, but Satoru wasn't on campus these days. 

Right, you weren't finished with your work, yet. There was still one other issue. Suguru went on missions alone these days. Swallowing curses, letting them fester and rot in his body. It's isolating and grueling work. You might have been able to help him with the absorption, but your aide won't be enough to prevent his eventual downfall. 

You'll have to deal with his natural isolation. To do that, Suguru will have to make friends with people who aren't Satoru. 

Suguru does have friends, but he's the closest to Satoru. Considering Satoru is getting busier each passing day, Suguru needs to broaden his horizons a bit. 

It's a good thing this school is filled with such colorful characters. 

Haibara and Nanami were sitting in the back of the school. From Geto's memories, their dynamic was interesting. Haibara was definitely more outgoing than the two, but Nanami seemed to have a good head on his shoulders. They looked out for each other, in that way. 

Ah, Shoko was there, too. You haven't seen her since your first day. Her hair's grown longer. It lightly brushes her shoulders now. The cigarette in her hand burns a cherry red. 

Your reaction is rooted in Suguru's instinct than anything on your part. You reach out, taking the cigarette and stomping on the embers. 

"You shouldn't smoke in front of kids." You tell her, hoping she didn't read too much into your action.

Shoko scoffs, but to your satisfaction, she doesn't take out another one. 

"We're just one year below you." Nanami retaliates, but he looks more at ease now that the cigarette's out. 

"Did you finish lunch already, Geto?" Haibara asks kindly, then he takes a closer look. "Greeny?" 

You suck air through your teeth, giving Haibara a scathing look. Instead of looking exasperated, Nanami looks confused. 

"What's Greeny?" Nanami asks, and Haibara weakly laughs. 

"It's-uh-my new nickname for the tree that's growing over there!" He wildly points to something just behind you. "'Cuz it's so...green!"

"Of course." You note the hint of affection laced within his tone. 

"When'd you get back?" Haibara recovers with eagerness. 

"Recently." You grin. "Nice to see you again." 

"You saw him this morning," Nanami interjects, and you shrug. When he frowns, you know you pulled off a perfect Suguru impression. 

Suguru melds into the conversation perfectly. Haibara says something funny, Shoko and Suguru agree, Nanami disagrees. It's a lovely little cycle that ends when Nanami grumbles and picks himself up to go. Shoko starts to follow suit when you stop her. 

"Your hair's nice." You tell her. 

She hums, grabbing a strand to study it. You can see hints of dark circles beginning to form under her eyes. She looked livelier when you first met her. Curses have been popping up left and right since Fushiguro's death. Everyone is overworked, but Shoko looks like she's getting the brunt of it. She's one of the only people who can use RCT on others, and there aren't many healers on her level. All of the strongests share one thing in common it seems. 

"Pretty soon, it'll be longer than yours," Shoko replies. You smile in response. 

"Where are you going?" You ask. 

"Dorm," she replies, "I'm behind on paperwork." 

You had a feeling she always was. You gave a look of sympathy, but misery loves company. 

"I have some work too," You 'remember' the piles of papers lodged on Suguru's desk, "Maybe we can do it together later. The cafe right next to campus? It'll be my treat." 

She looks at Suguru. Her eyes are a pretty color. 

"Sure." She shrugs. "see you then." 

You feel your heart thump twice in your chest and decide that your work here is done. 

Haibara stares at Shoko's disappearing back. The forehead flick comes from both you and Suguru. 

"That hurt." Haibara whines. 

Good, you inwardly think. 

"Sorry." You tell him. He rubs his head, and you wonder if this is how kicking a puppy feels like. 

Luckily for you, Haibara recovers quickly. 

"You've been gone for a while." Haibara tilts his head. "What happened?" 

You can't exactly control your technique, it's more like it has a mind of its own, placing you exactly where you need to be placed. Instead of answering, you sigh, leaning against the wall. 

"Timeline gimmicks." You tell him tiredly. "It's hard to explain." He frowns, but he takes it as an answer.

"Do you know when Gojo's coming back?" You ask. "I think it's time for me to go back again." 

In previous time travels, you and Haibara tried to see if any physical contact would be enough to send you back. No matter how many times you two high-fived, shook hands, or even held hands. Nothing worked. Only Gojo Satoru could activate your technique. It must have something to do with the amount of cursed energy another person has. 

“He should be getting back later this evening.” Haibara muses. “But I’ll be happy to keep you company!”

It's nice to hear him chatter. If you'd let him, he'd go one and one. But you like hearing him talk about his sister. Apparently, she’s also a sorcerer, and his affection for her makes you smile.

"You remind me a lot of her, actually." He tells you. "Even though, y'know, you're a man." It's enough to get a laugh out of you. 

“Do you have anyone in your family who can see curses?” Haibaracasks.

“No,” you answer honestly, “at least, not that I can tell. My dad never spoke of curses or strange powers when I was growing up.”

You think he would have said something; after all, you two were too close to have secrets from each other. Your father was a single man, who took to raising you himself after your mother passed away. He often said you had her laugh.

“Maybe you’re one of a kind,” Haibara suggests.

You agree with him.

Gojo finds you before you can find him. He comes up to you with a grin and a wave.

“Hey, long time.”

His sunglasses are tilted down. You can see his eyes. They’ve lost the mania he had in his fight with Fushiguro. You’re relieved at that. You still can’t shake off that strange thing he said to you.

Wordlessly, you raise your hand. Satoru frowned.

“You wanna leave so soon? You just got here.”

“I’ve been here for hours,” you tell him, “also, you aren’t very concerned that someone is using your best friend’s body as a puppet.”

“He’s been through worse,” Satoru tells you off with a wave. Some friend.

“Let’s go to the arcade,” he suggests.

“Do that with Suguru.” You tell him. “I’m not hanging out with a high schooler.”

“Right right, my bad. I keep forgetting you’re an old man, Greeny.”

“22 is not old,” you say with exasperation, “didn’t your birthday just pass? You’re just five years away. I’ll see your attitude change, then.”

He grows quiet. You feel like you messed up somewhere.

“How did you know about my birthday?”

Fuck, you keep forgetting about keeping Suguru’s memories a secret. It takes everything within you to just relax.

“Haibara told me,” you say, “blabbermouth. You know him.”

“Oh.” Gojo replies. “Huh.”

You shuffle your feet. Distantly, you wonder what shoe size Suguru wears.

“How did your mission go?”

“Horrible,” he’s instantly back to his usual self, whiny and complaint, “and the curse was so ugly too. It was oozing goo everywhere.”

You frown. “Sounds gross. But you won, right?”

He doesn’t even answer. You secretly admire his sheer confidence. You certainly weren’t that when you were at his age.

“How’s Amanai and Miss Kuroi?” You ask.

“Safe.” He tells you. “The higher-ups weren’t really happy with us after that; pretty sure all these sudden missions are punishments.” He frowns. “But they’re fine. Miss Kuroi officially adopted her, so she’s a Kuroi now, too.”

You smiled. You already knew all that, but it’s nice to hear it.

“You saved them,” he says.

You laugh, “I didn’t do a thing.” You tell him. “You and Suguru did all the heavy lifting. I just caused some property damage.”

“You did.” He replies. “I don’t know how, but things always manage to work out whenever you’re around.”

You don’t like how he phrases that, but you don’t react.

“You think so? Maybe I’m lucky.” It’s supposed to be a joke of some kind. Neither of you laugh.

“You really don’t know us in the future?” He asks.

Maybe you should’ve asked Shoko if you could have a cigarette.

“I really didn't,” you say, “Honest, I—I have no idea what’s happening. I’m just as lost as you. Hopefully, I can figure out how to control my technique, and you won’t have to see me again.”

You never stopped feeling guilty for doing this to Suguru. Controlling him. Forcing him to laugh with his friends, make decisions based on your feelings rather than his. But you’re so close. You promise yourself that once you fix everything, you’ll never cause someone this much pain again. No matter how many times they kill you.

Satoru’s fists tighten. He looks even more upset at your response.

“That’s not what I—” He cuts himself off. You wait. Satoru says nothing more.

“You’re annoying.” He tells you in the end. It’s clean and cut, but it sounds like him. More confident, less wavery. “And stupid too.”

You can’t help but smile.

“Thank you. Am I done entertaining you now? Can I go?” He grumbles, holding up his hand.

“Yeah, sure, Greeny.”

ⴵ

You forgive Suguru.

ⴵ

Something’s wrong.

You can feel it. Something’s wrong.

You look through Geto’s memories. There’s nothing. Everything’s going as it should be. Everything looks perfect. Then, why do you feel so wrong?

Currently, Suguru was finishing excorcising a curse. You absorb it, swallowing down the remnant like it’s a pile of rusted nails but even the disgusting taste isn’t enough to wash away the feeling of dread.

The walls of the hospital was empty. The auxillary managers had already cleared everyone out by the time Suguru had walked in. Maybe it was the silence that added to your stress?

You walk out. Nothing changes. One of the managers comes up to you with a clipboard.

“The curse was exorcised.” Suguru tells them. “It wasn’t first grade, it was special grade. It was still disposed of.”

He curses, scribbling something down on his clipboard.

“The wrong information again.” He hisses to himself. “If we keep doing this, someone will die. We need more people, we’re way too stretched out.”

Those words are familiar. Hold on.

“Wait, what day is it?” You ask the frazzled-looking manager.

Offhandedly, he responds. He says the date so casually, and yet his mere words feel like a bear trap, tightening on your leg.

No. You should have had more time. Why weren’t you given more time?

Nanami and Haibara have probably already been dispatched. You go through Suguru’s phone, finding Haibara’s contact. It doesn’t go through. Nanami doesn’t pick up either.

You won’t make it in time. Even using Suguru’s curses, you won’t be able to reach them until it’s too late. Suguru’s memory of that day is muddled and dark, but Haibara’s dead corpse laying on the examination table. The pieces of him that Nanami could bring back.

You wouldn’t be fast enough.

He picks up on the second ring.

“...What’s up?”

“It’s Haibara.” You spit the words out as fast as you can. “Satoru, you need to go and get him right now, he isn’t going to make it—”

“—Greeny?” The exhaustion in Gojo’s voice is gone. You can hear something rustle behind him.

“Satoru, listen to me.” You beg. “Haibara and Nanami were just dispatched on a mission, but Yu isn’t going to survive it. It wasn’t a second-grade curse; it was a first grade. Please, you have to go and save him before it kills him.”

It’s silent. It feels like hours have passed when you know it’s just three seconds.

“We’ll talk later, Greeny.” The line clicks.

You’ve lost the trust of the strongest.

ⴵ

The future has changed when you get to campus. Haibara’s status is still alive. Barely. But he’s still there. Shoko’s currently taking care of him.

Nanami remains quiet the entire time since he returned with Haibara’s battered body. The only thing you can think of to offer comfort is to pat his shoulder. He barely even registers it. It’s more for you than for him. You’re self-soothing, taking care of something else, so you don’t have to recognize your own panic.

If Haibara dies, right here, on this day, everything can change. Everything can go back to the way it was in your original timeline. Haibara, with his sunshine, smiles, and bright eyes. His death is so important, and you can’t even think of him right now.

Gojo Satoru knows you’ve been deceiving him.

This is bad. So very bad. If he starts to suspect that you know more than you let on, he might deem you enough of a threat to kill, regardless of whether or not you’re in Suguru’s body. It’s not like that hasn’t stopped him before.

Gojo Satoru is selfless. He’s selfless enough to kill his best friend, if he thinks it will save everyone.

But if Gojo kills Geto here and now, would that really be bad?

You’d lose your path to the past, but the threat to your life would be over. Even if you did die in Suguru’s body, at least the people of Tokyo will be spared the Death Parade. You’ll still get what you want. And it will be much easier than your current plan.

Nanami shuffles behind you and you instantly snap out of it. That wasn’t you. It couldn’t have been you. That same lack of apathy when Fushiguro died in front of you.

It seems like dying over and over again caused you to lose bits of your humanity.

Shoko comes out. Nanami stands up, a tall ball of nervous energy. Shoko removes her mask. Her dark circles have grown even more prominent. She’s only 17.

“He’s still alive.” Nanami sags. “But he isn’t responsive. I’ve done all that I can.”

She looks at Nanami, and then she can’t anymore.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t,” Nanami rasps, the most emotion you’ve ever seen from him, “don’t apologize. It was my fault. I should’ve taken better care of him.”

You swallow. It wasn’t his fault, you wish you could tell him that it was yours.

You wonder what Haibara’s younger sister looked like. A spitting image of him, perhaps. Shorter. Darker hair, bigger eyes. Their smiles would look identical. What would she look like when she’s told her brother died doing the profession he forbade her from doing?

You can’t do that to her. You can’t be the reason she loses her brother the second time.

You’re not sure if a God is even out there. How could there be? What kind of entity would do something like this to you? Still, you sit on that bench, right outside the room where Haibara’s body lay, and you pray for a God.

Gojo’s footsteps stop right in front of you.

It’s hard to get the words out. For a minute, he just stands there.

“Did you exorcise it?” You finally ask.

“Yeah.”

You lift your head up to look at him. Even in his school uniform, he’s regal to look at. Like a warrior of the sun, blessed by the moon, sent to vanquish beasts and monsters.

Now, his blood-soaked sword is pointed at you.

Make it quick. You can only think. Just make it quick.

“Not here.” You say.

Nanami was still shaking. Shoko was right beside him. So you stand, you drag yourself away from Haibara’s fading presence, and Gojo follows behind.

It shouldn’t be this pretty outside. The sun is bright, and the sky is clear. There should be rain. Enough rain to drown the Earth.

“I figured out your technique a while ago, y’know.” You don’t look at him. You can’t. “Dying. Death activates your technique. Each time you die, you’re sent back 12 years in the past.”

You grip the fabric of your uniform until your knuckles turn white. Satoru’s cruel enough to continue.

“But I never got why your soul kept possessing Suguru’s body. It always felt kinda’ random. Unless he was the one who was killing you. Over and over again.”

“Gojo. Stop.” You beg.

“That’s how your CT works. Every time you’re murdered, you go back in time so you can kill them when they’re at their most emotionally vulnerable moment. It’s a pretty powerful technique, all things considered. I might not even stand a chance against it. Assisted suicide, never expected that from you of all people.

But you never do. Each time Suguru kills you, you just come back and try to save him and everyone else your hands can reach. I can’t get why you did that.”

He steps in front of you so you can see him. The God that he is.

“Let’s cut the shit, Greeny. Tell me what future is so bad you’re willing to die over and over again to prevent it.”

The worst outcome you could have ever thought of was standing right in front of you.

Satoru was demanding to know his future.

And...you couldn’t.

You’re taking in a shaky breath. It’s not enough oxygen. The sky was close to crumbling, and you still couldn’t breathe.

“There’s nothing to know.” You try. “There’s nothing, I’m fixing it—”

“—by Suguru killing you, or is this considering killing yourself, now?”

“You don’t understand.” Your voice is cracking, so high-pitched that even Suguru’s vocal cords can’t keep up. “You don’t get it. You can’t.”

“Then help me understand.” His voice is as ragged as yours, he steps closer, you step back. “Tell me why my friend would do something like this to someone.”

It clicks right then. Satoru’s anger isn’t directed at you.

No, it’s directed at Suguru.

It’s even worse than you thought.

“He—he was better than me. He was supposed to be the best out of all of us. I wanna deny it all that I can but—but I can see the proof right here in front of me. And—And I don’t—” His voice breaks too much to continue. 

You’re breaking, too. How many times have you been doing this, over and over again? All alone, with no one to support you. To comfort you.

The words are right there, threatening to bubble out. It’d be so easy to tell Satoru everything.

And maybe you would’ve, but then you looked at him.

Despite how disingenuous Satoru acted, you knew he was kind. The kindest person you’ve ever met. He’d sit there and listen, and he’d break every bone in his body to help. That’s just how he was.

Satoru was selfless, he was selfless enough to kill his best friend here and now if it meant he’d save the millions in Tokyo.

You can’t put another burden on the strongest.

You can’t do that to a kid.

“It—it isn’t him.” You manage to spit out. “He isn’t doing it on purpose. It’s not his fault.

It’s the curses. They were too much for him; they overtook his body. Suguru couldn’t control them anymore.”

He says nothing. It’s like you’ve put a spell on Gojo somehow, freezing him in place. Satoru can’t do anything but stare at the talking puppet that’s his best friend.

“He lost so many people.” You continue. “Riko, Miss Kuroi, Haibara. He couldn’t take it. It was too much. His body succumbed to the curses, and they took over Shinjuku. That’s how I keep...”

It’s okay to lie like this, you justify to yourself. Because the Suguru, you know—the one with fake smiles, beady eyes, and a broken expression—isn’t the one that Satoru knows. They’re two completely different people. Years—timelines—apart from each other. They aren’t the same.

Even then, you forgave both Sugurus a lifetime ago.

You’d get on your knees if you know that would make a difference. You’d plead and beg and cry if it would get Satoru to drop it. In the end, you can only stare at him.

“All I’m asking is that you trust me.” You whisper. “Believe that I’m making this right. Please, Satoru?”

His eyes. You can’t tell what he’s thinking. He’s gone quiet and dull. The same look he had when he fully awakened his technique. The day he became God.

But he’s not a God. God’s don’t cry.

He leans ever so closely until his head rests on your shoulder. His body shakes.

“You’ll save him, right?” He asks. Gone, is his aura of confidence and resilience. He’s nothing more than a shell. If you feel something stain Suguru’s uniform, you say nothing about it.

You smile anyway.

“I will.” You tell the truth. “I will save him.”

You think of something morbidly funny.

“I’ll die trying.”

His shoulders shake with quiet, genuine laughter, the kind that’s wet and sticks to the top of your mouth.

“That’s fucked up, Greeny.” He whispers.

You hum, reaching up to pat him on the back. It takes another minute before he gathers himself up. His eyes are shiny. Satoru blinks it away.

“Haibara will be okay.” He says with such conviction. “I’ll take care of him. I’ll take care of Suguru, too.”

He doesn’t get it, not yet. He doesn’t understand that Shoko and Satoru and Haibara and Nanami need him. He’ll get it soon, though. You managed to put Suguru on the right path.

For now, it’s all you can do. 

“I know you will.” 

He scoffs, right then. 

“You’re really annoying, you know that? Next time, don’t piss me off like that. Just tell it to me straight.” 

Rely on me. Lean on me.

“I’m sorry,” you say and you truly are, “I won’t leave you in the dark from now on. I guess I just forgot that I had a friend in 2006.” 

His eyes get a little brighter. “It’s actually 2007—” 

“Shut up.” He laughs and it sounds like him again. 

You reach out your hand and his grin fades, the tiniest bit. He mirrors you, regardless. 

This time, you hesitate.

“You should learn how to be selfish every once in a while.” You tell him. “I won’t fault you if you’re selfish. I don’t think anyone will.

He doesn’t answer that, but his touch is finally warm.

ⴵ

It hurts. It hurts so much. Blood seeps into the pavement. You can hear the curse laughing. It sounds like him.

You forgive Suguru. 

ⴵ

It’s today. 

You can feel it. You don’t even have to look at the date to know.

The catalyst for December 24th, 2017.

Suguru’s already dressed. You’re currently standing in front of a shotty mirror, watching your reflection.

He looks tired. His smile’s a bit muted. You notice a scar you hadn’t seen before. An unregistered special grade curse, Suguru’s memory gives.

He’s different from when you saw him a year ago, but there’s still a spark in his eye. You cling to that hope, as hard as you can.

You step out of the room. It isn’t Suguru’s. He’d rented accommodations with an older woman and her son for the mission. Their place smelled like home. It made your stomach turn.

She smiles when she sees you coming down stairs. She looks kind; she has the eyes of a mother. You’ll never understand how a person who raised children could do something like this to another.

“Mr. Geto.” She chirps. “I’m so glad you’re awake! Would you like anything to eat?”

“No, I’m fine.” Better get this done sooner than later. “I should be heading back now, anyways.”

Suguru had already absorbed the curse tormenting the village last night. You can feel the sticky aftertaste in your mouth. He should have left the village yesterday, but the people were insistent he stayed one last day as thanks, feeding him all they could.

Now, it’s obvious that it was a way to butter him up for today.

Her smile grows a bit nervous. She shuffles her feet a bit.

“If it isn't too much.” She starts. “The head of our village asked if you could look at something.” Her eyes darken into disgust.

You fight to keep your smile.

“Of course. Please, lead the way.”

It’s worse than you ever could have imagined.

You’ve seen this play out so many times in Suguru’s memories. He reminisces about this moment a lot. Because of that, you knew this scene too, like the back of your hand.

And yet, seeing two children huddled together on the floor. Nothing could prepare you for that.

The village head is saying something. The woman who Suguru roomed with is yelling at the scared kids, but you can’t hear any of that.

Their clothes were dirty and ripped. Their cheeks were hollow, and they looked like they hadn’t eaten for days. Himiko’s eye looks swollen.

The twins.

The first time you saw them, they stepped aside and let Geto kill you. There’s something oddly poetic about you being on the other side.

They tremble as they continue to look at you, flinch whenever that woman raises her voice. They must think Suguru’s here to kill them.

They’re too young to think like that. They’re too young to see the horrors of this world so soon.

It’s a mistake to look towards the end of their cell. Dirty water and dog food.

How could a human do this to them? How could a mother do this to them?

You feel red. It coarses through your blood, your veins, your soul. It feels like there’s lava right underneath your skin. Shuddering, tittering anger.

There’s more than enough fire to burn down an entire village.

‘Suguru,’ you think to your companion, your tormentor, ‘I think I’m starting to get it now.’

You reach for the bars of the cell. The twins shrink away.

“Ah! Mr. Geto, you musn’t get too close to them—”

“I’ll take them.”

“What?” The head of the village asks.

“The children.” You straighten yourself up. “I’ll take them off your hands.”

It’s pointless to do anything to these people. They’re delusional enough to think that they’re in the right. By torturing these children, they’re protecting their own. It’s fear. That’s all it ever was. Even without a curse, it’ll fester on and on until this village is nothing but abandoned homes. There’s no point to punish these people any further.

If you look at the adults a bit too long, you’re afraid of what you’d do, even without Suguru’s interference. Instead, you focus on Himiko and Nanako, looking into their wary gazes. Their hands are so tiny. You could protect them with your own.

When you got out of this backward village, you’d find them something to eat.

ⴵ

You go to Shoko first.

She looks surprised to see the twins. You can’t imagine why. Still, her voice is calm when she speaks to them, setting both of them up in the clinic room. Since you got them into the car, Nanako and Himiko seemed to calm down. Himiko even told you the name of her doll.

A little while later, Yaga comes for a visit. He’s the principal now. Usually, his voice is filled with gruff, but he’s oddly gentle when he speaks to them. Nanako cracks a shy smile.

You can’t escape the ‘we’ll talk later’ look he gives you. Inwardly, you sympathize with Suguru. But a harsh lecture is better than being branded a murderer.

He hasn’t come by, yet. With the twins aided for, you decide to go find him yourself.

Walking through campus feels a little nostalgic. The grounds of the infamous jujutsu technical college are a bright green. It’s summer again. You’ve met so many colorful characters since your time here. You’ve only seen snippets, mere seconds of their lives, and yet it feels like an entire lifetime.

He’s sitting on a bench when you finally see him, nursing a drink. He doesn’t acknowledge you. You have to roll your eyes at his childish behavior, plopping down beside him.

“Hey.” You say first.

“Heard you adopted two kids,” Satoru says, “Never thought Suguru would be a teen mom, but here we are.”

You laugh, light and breathless. The sky is so pretty today.

“I don’t think he’d have it any other way, personally.” You respond.

He reminisces on your words.

“This happened before too?” He asked.

It did. It was a lot less of a happy ending, however.

“Yeah,” you say regardless, “he took good care of them last time. He’ll do the same in this timeline too. I’m sure of it.”

And this time, he’d have help. Shoko, Satoru, his teachers. They’d all be there for him. Suguru’s memories haven’t changed yet, but you know the future you step into will be a different one.

“In any case, I’m glad I got to see jujutsu tech one last time. It’s a beautiful campus.”

“You act like you’re leaving,” Satoru says, uncaring. “You’ll just come back again next month. Or next year.”

You play with your fingers.

“I...won’t be doing that from now on.”

He pauses. Then, he looks at you.

“What?”

You can’t gauge his reaction, but he doesn’t look happy. You find this a bit hard to swallow.

“I fixed the future.” You smile at him. “I finally did it. Suguru won’t break. Himiko and Nanako won’t lose their father. You won’t lose a friend, anymore. There’s no reason for me to keep coming back. You’re all free.”

You phrased the last part as a joke, but Satoru isn’t laughing.

“Wait, you’re leaving? You’re...leaving leaving.”

You nod. “I can’t believe it either.” You still can’t believe you accomplished everything you set out to do. A task that seemed so impossible, now you’re standing on the other side of it.

It wasn’t truly over. Not really, but you were able to get Suguru through the worst of it. Now, you were sure Satoru and Shoko would take up your mantel, pushing Suguru through the finish line. Just like he’ll do to them.

Satoru’s quiet.

“You seem happy.” He notes.

“Well, I did just save everyone, I think I deserve to feel a little good about myself.”

For a moment, you want to ask if it’ll be okay to visit everyone in the future. To see how Shoko and Suguru and Satoru are doing as adults. You stop yourself. Of course, they wouldn’t want to see you. You needed to stop being so greedy.

This, was more than enough.

“Will you at least tell me your name?” Satoru asks.

“You know I can’t do that.” You tell him with a smile.

“Right right.” He laughs, it sounds hollow. “Time travel, bullshit. Makes sense.”

“I’ll miss you.” You tell him.

He straightens himself up.

“I’ll miss you too, old man.” He responds. “You were a lotta’ fun to mess with.”

For once, you aren’t offended by the old man’, comment. If anything, it feels somber.

“Can I ask for some advice?” He suddenly asks. “Y’know what they say, ask the old and wise or whatever.” Okay, now he was starting to push it.

“What is it?”

It’s his turn to shuffle with his fingers.

“What would you do if...there’s something you really want, but no matter how fast you run, you just can’t catch up to it?”

You glance at him. He looks earnest. Did something like that even exist for Satoru?

“Something I can’t catch up to?” You ponder out loud. “I guess I’d have to make a big enough ruckus to where it has no choice but to look back.”

He frowns. “That makes no sense. You’re growing senile.”

You laugh. You’ll miss this brat.

You wish you could stay more. You wish you could ask about Haibara, and Shoko, and Nanami, but the clock is ticking.

Suguru’s getting impatient.

“Bye, Satoru.” You reach out your hand.

He scrutinizes it, before clasping it within his own.

“Yeah, Greeny.”

Within a blink, you’re back again in the middle of Shinjuku. December 24th, 7:06 pm.

It’s the same as always. People bustle around you. Children’s laughter. Everything always repeats itself, but you don’t think you can ever get sick of it. You’ll savor this peace for as long as you can.

You reach into your pocket, flicking out a lighter and the first cigarette of the box. You don’t know why you always chose this one. Despite outmaneuvering time itself, perhaps it’s within human nature to follow what’s written stone.

You’ve relived this hour so many times that you can list everything that happens. Down to the exact minute. 7:08- a little girl wearing a red dress walks by. 7:09- a lady with short hair catches your eyes and smiles. 7:14-an old man and woman bicker with each other as they pass you by. 7:21- A little dog sniffs the bench you sit on. 7:34- Two schoolchildren run past you, babbling. 7:45- five construction workers grumble out their grievances. 7:58- a businessman talks loudly on the phone.

You wait. You sit on a bench and wait until 8:06.

Five seconds after 8:06. Twenty seconds after 8:06.

The clock clicks to 8:07.

You were expecting to feel something else. Celebration. Elation. You half-expected to cause a scene and jump for joy right there in the streets of Shinjuku.

None of that comes. There’s just a feeling of relief. A weight presses you down, and you slump in your seat.

It was over.

It was finally over.

How long do you stay like that? Hours? Days? When you feel like you can finally breathe again, it’s only 8:12. Time travel warped your sense of time.

You stand up, stretch, feel your bones crack and pop. In the second timeline, you wanted to get a drink to drown your misery of nearly getting killed by a curse and being alone on December 24th. It felt like a lifetime ago when being single was the worst of your problems.

Honestly, you’d stay celibate for the rest of your life if it meant you wouldn’t have to go through that ever again.

Tomorrow, you’ll decompress and devolve into hysteria over what happened.

Next week, you’ll check yourself into therapy.

Today, you decide to go home and sleep for a couple hundred years.

You must look like a zombie with the way you wobble down the street. Physically, your body is perfectly fine. You’ve suffered no bruises or cuts. Even the numerous times you’ve been killed leaves nothing on your skin.

Mentally, you’re in shambles. The indomitable human spirit within you is snuffed out.

The stairs to your flat is your last enemy that you must vanquish before you can reunite with your adoring bed. You cling onto the railing with dazed eyes. You don’t see the curse until you’re right before it.

Distantly, you wonder how often you’ve passed a curse and didn’t even realize it. It’s almost instinct to reach out with your hand, intent on absorbing it.

Nothing happens. You remember you aren’t Suguru anymore.

It’s a grotesque-looking thing. No eyes, too many hands, a gaping mouth. It turns and looks at you.

Strange. Its’ smile mirrors the one in the abandoned house.

Adrenaline. You feel it coarse through your veins, meld into your bones, explode in your skin. You’re stumbling back, nearly tripping down the steps in your haste to get away.

It screeches. Loud and clear and angry and you can almost feel its teeth chomp on your leg, ripping your muscles and skin to mere tatters.

You’ve died before. You’ve been skinned alive before. You’ve been eaten before. Yet, it all amounts to nothing compared to the fear you feel at the thought of the curse catching you.

It can’t have been nothing more than a third grade. If you were taller, larger, special-grade, you could have killed it immediately. But you weren’t, not anymore, you were at the same level as a plant. Useless. Helpless.

A dead man stumbling, tripping, running.

The streets were quiet. You supposed that meant there’d be fewer casualties. But it didn’t make you feel any better. And even if there were people around, no one would have been able to help you.

Your brain isn’t working as clearly. Fear is the only thing that guides you. You’re reduced to a rat scampering through a maze. Sooner or later, that rodent reaches a dead end.

The alleyway was blocked off. You felt the rough brick wall scrape your hands and even the feeling of your raw skin couldn’t assuage your heart pumping in your throat. When you whirled your head back, it was right there, and you knew you were dead.

Again.

I might kill you, if it’s feeling generous. It might cut your legs off and watch you bleed, if its feeling kind. It might eat you, if it’s a decent curse.

It shouldn’t be happening. You fixed it. You were supposed to have fixed everything. But clearly you didn't. There must have been some piece of the puzzle that you forgot. Just one thing and if you go back and fixed it, everything would be okay. You forgive Suguru—

You don’t see what happens. One moment, the curse is there. The next it isn’t.

“Those things are so annoying.” The newcomer complains.

No, not new. You know him.

You blink. He grins. It’s kind. A toothy smile that warms.

“You alright?” He asks in sympathy. “Curses are pretty scary, aren’t they? Are you hurt?”

It’s him. You weren’t in 2006. You were in the present, here and now, and he was here with you.

He actually made it.

“Ma’am?” He asks.

It wasn’t intentional. You just blurted it out, the promise you made to him. It was a decade for him. Mere hours for you.

“Um, broccoli head...?” And then you instantly regret it.

Haibara Yu takes a minute, eyes squinting like you just grew a new head.

Then, he gasps.

“Greeny?”

ⴵ

A few minutes later, you’re seated at a restaurant. Haibara has not shut up.

“—I—I can’t believe it? It’s actually you! I thought I’d never see you again ‘cuz Gojo said you weren’t gonna be around anymore, and—and then suddenly you pop up outta’ nowhere—not that I’m complaining— but—”

“—Haibara.” You interrupt. “Please, slow down.”

He stops himself, right when the server comes with drinks. He shoots the waiter a smile, and then he’s back on you.

“Sorry.” He scratches the back of his neck. “I—I got a little excited. And nervous. It’s just...well, I didn’t expect you to be a girl.”

That might have been your fault. Both Haibara and Gojo kept referring to you as a man, so you decided to roll with it. Earlier, you would have justified it by insisting the less they know about you, the better. Now, you just think you were being petty.

“So, how you’ve been? A whole decade...” You murmur to yourself.

“Fine! But what about you?” Haibara asks, concern etched into his eyes. “Where’d you go?”

Wow, he was actually worried for you. Despite being in Suguru’s body, you didn’t really feel like part of the group Shoko, Gojo, Nanami, and Haibara were part of. You felt like an outsider, being somewhere you didn’t belong. It's because you were an outsider. Nevertheless, it’s nice to know one person missed you.

“This might be a little hard to believe, but I just came back to 2017 two hours ago.”

Haibara gapes.

“Wait, so to you, that whole thing happened, today?” You nod. He leans back in his chair.

“Holy fuck.” You laugh at his awe.

“Thanks for saving me, by the way.” You change the topic. “From the curse.”

He waves it off. “I was just paying my debt. From what you did for me all those years ago.”

Ah, Gojo must have told him. Oddly enough, Haibara doesn't seem all that perturbed that he shouldn’t exist currently. At the same time, it feels just like Haibara.

He’s different from when he was younger. Taller. The baby fat is gone. His face is more built, just like the rest of his body. His eyes are less round, but they haven’t lost the spark. A few scars here and there, but he’s all in one piece.

You weren’t able to see what he looked like as an adult from Suguru’s memories, he’d never grown up. But now, you can see it for yourself. You can see the active change you made in his life, to his life.

“Haibara—”

“Yu—” He says seriously. “My friends call me Yu.”

A smile twitches on your lips.

“Tell me about everyone.” You scoot your chair closer. “You, Suguru. How is everyone doing?”

He perks up at that, clearly delighted to be talking.

“Great! Everyone’s doing great! You should totally come visit the school, sometime. They’d love to see you. Uh, even if they don’t technically know you, but I’m sure they’ll love to meet you!” He rambles, and it’s nice to know he hasn’t changed from his younger self.

“Let’s see, Kento’s teaching the first years. I teach the second years—”

“—You’re a teacher?”

He nods. “We all are! Except for Shoko, but she has her own thing going on. Anyway, Mimiko and Nanako have become second-grade semi-sorcerors. Isn’t that incredible? I’m just a first grade semi-sorceror, and at their young ages too! But Suguru wasn’t surprised, he kept saying his girls were prodigies. Oh! You probably want to know about Suguru too, right?”

You nod. Even if you hadn’t done anything, you don’t think that would have stopped his enthusiasm.

“He’s a teacher too! At least, for right now. Yaga’s been wanting to retire, and there have been talks of Suguru becoming the next principal. Principal Geto has a ring to it, right? Oh, and Shoko is currently planning the wedding. You’ll definitely be invited, of course! She said I could bring a plus-one. Oh, and—”

It goes on like that for hours, you think. Not that you mind. You listen to Yu babble on and on about his friends, his students. He talks about Nanami’s recent baking addiction, Shoko’s new office cat, Suguru’s favorite tea pot. It’s a never-ending surge of information.

Eventually, you catch on to the fact that he’s deliberately leaving someone out.

"Yu?" You interrupt him while he's talking about the prank the fourth year pulled on Nanami. "What about Satoru? What's he up to?" 

Maybe you were overthinking things. Haibara likes to talk; perhaps he forgot to exclude someone else's story in his rants. But then, he grimaces. For the first time in this entire conversation, Haibara is reluctant to talk. 

"Satoru is..." He winces, and your hands turn into fists. 

No. No. You were supposed to save everyone. Why hadn't you saved everyone? 

A warm hand grips your own. You'd been shaking. 

Yu gives a soft smile, and you remember he's no longer younger than you. 

"He's not dead." He assures you, but his smile fades. He straightens himself up, and his hand pulls away. 

"Satoru defected from Jujutsu tech. We don't know where he is." 

What? You must have misheard him wrong. Satoru wouldn't do that. That's not like him. This is some sick joke.

But there's no teasing grin on Haibara. His face is grave. You hate it more than anything. 

"It happened when he was a fourth year. No one really knows what happened. Suguru refuses to say anything about it, but I think he's just as confused as the rest of us. It came outta nowhere." 

Yeah, it definitely came out of nowhere. It's so random. Why would Satoru do that? The last time you saw him, he was so happy. He was smiling; he teased you. What happened? It made no sense. 

"So, you haven't seen him for nine years?" You ask. "Not even a glimpse?" 

Yu shakes his head. "Nothing but his residuals. That's how we know he's still alive." 

Nothing computes in your brain. None of it made any sense. You saved Suguru. That was supposed to make everyone happy, including Satoru. Why would he turn around and do this? Defecting made no sense.

"We've actually been tasked to execute him. Since he’s been branded a curse user, all four of us. " Yu laughs with no humor. "Isn't that insane? I don't think any one of us could even fathom doing that, even if it were possible." 

It wasn't possible. Gojo was the strongest. Nothing could go toe to toe with him. Once he put his mind to something, no one could stop him.

But maybe you could. 

You're shutting that idea down immediately. You were done. You were done with dying and time-travel and strange powers. You wanted it all to be over. It'd be so easy to thank Haibara for the nice meal, to go home and sleep this entire day off. Satoru dug his own grave, he can go lay in it. You weren't responsible for someone else's actions. You wouldn’t. You can’t do that another time.

You're the kind of person who'll jump in front of a truck to save a kitten, right?

You hate that brat so much. 

You close your eyes. Take in a breath. Then, you open them. 

"Haibara?" You ask. "Did Gojo tell you how my technique worked?" 

He shakes his head. You grimace because convincing him might take a while.

"Okay, well, I'll need you to do a tiny favor for me."

ⴵ

"What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Oh, you're back already?" Satoru says casually, turning back to gaze at you. "I just left today. How did you convince Haibara to snap your neck? That guy cries after killing a mosquito.”

You’d caught him just as he was leaving campus. Yu’s body was less athletic than Suguru’s. Your breath was slightly ragged, pulled down by minor exhaustion.

It doesn’t weigh down your frustration for Gojo Satoru. The biggest pain in your ass you’ve ever met.

“Shut up.” You snap. “Just answer the question.”

“We haven’t seen each other for a year and that’s how you react?” Satoru ignores you. “That’s mean, Greeny. How ‘bout we discuss my treason over steak. Haibara can pay.”

“Satoru.” You beg, “Why are you doing this? What’s the point? Why is everyone happy with their life except for you?”

That seems to get him. His posture stiffens ever so slightly. You can see him work his jaw. He finally drops his act.

“You didn’t have to come back, y’know.” He murmurs quietly. “You could’ve just stayed in the future. Like you said, Greeny, everyone’s happy with their life. 4 outta’ five. That’s a passing grade.”

For once, you wish you could possess him. You wished you could open his brain and peer into his memories until he finally made sense.

“I could never leave you behind like that.” You say the truth just as quietly. “I’ll die a thousand more deaths than do that.”

He smiles. It looks genuine as it looks painful.

“Yeah, I know. I know you, Greeny. Always gotta’ play hero.” He gives a bitter laugh. “That’s why I defected.”

You stare at him. He’s a fourth-year now, even taller than before. You aren’t equal to him anymore in this body, now you’re starting to think you never were.

“Satoru.” You start because what he’s saying can’t be the truth. Your heart broke and broke. “Did—did you leave—did you leave everyone for a decade just so I’d come back? Why would you do that to yourself?”

He doesn’t say anything. Then, he steps forward, just a bit.

“It’s your fault,” Satoru says like it’s instinct to blame you for his actions, “this was your idea.”

What’s he talking about? And then memories of the two of you sitting on that bench just outside of campus.

What would you do if...there’s something you really want, but no matter how fast you run, you just can’t catch up to it? So that’s what he meant. You were an idiot.

“That’s not fair, Satoru,” you say regardless, “I—I never—I couldn’t expect you’d do this.”

“What choice did I fucking have, Greeny?” There’s rapid steps and he’s in front of you, desperate and wild. “You—you just left me here. You left me alone and I couldn’t even look for you because I know nothing about you. Your face, your eyes, your hair, not even your fucking name! How’s that fair?”

It’s true. It’s all true. As much as you tried to claim you tried to make everyone happy, you only focused on Suguru. And Suguru’s happiness enlisted space from the strongest. In a different timeline, things would be different between them. A button he never left behind. Words Satoru never said. That timeline held too much pain and suffering, so you scrubbed it from history. In this rendition, everything was changed. Suguru had Shoko. Yu had Kento. Who did Satoru have?

You saved Suguru in this timeline. But to save him, you neglected Satoru.

Satoru must have known. He must have known you intentionally distanced Suguru from him, but he allowed it anyway. Satoru’s selfless like that. Too giving. Too Godlike.

But he’s selfish too. Purposefully demeaning himself so he could get one more glimpse of you, uncaring if you went through hell for his sake. Too taking. Too human.

Once, you told him that if he was selfish, just once, you wouldn’t fault him. What a liar you are.

You forgive Satoru.

“I’m sorry.” Haibara’s voice is like your own. You step closer. His infinity lets you in. “I’m sorry Satoru. I didn’t mean to leave you alone.”

It’s hard to wrap him in a hug. The brat’s too big. He sinks into your touch like a tiger, filled with dangerous claws, retracted just for your sake. He shakes the tiniest bit; even now, he’s keeping himself as a pinnacle. If you hear a sniffle or two, you don’t comment on it.

It’s why your heart breaks to tell him the truth.

“I can’t give you my name.” You whisper in his ear. He pulls back. He doesn’t look at you.

“Yeah, I know. I know. time-travel bullshit—”

“For now.” You add. “I can’t do that for now.”

Three pairs of eyes look at you. You’re not hiding behind Haibara anymore. You’re not trying to.

“December 24th, 2017. 8:06. Tokyo Skytree.” You look at him. “Can you wait until then?”

For you, it’d only be an hour. For Satoru, it’d be a decade.

You expect him to reject it, to yell at you. You decide if he wants to be selfish; you’d let him.

“If you don’t show up, I’ll turn evil.” You laugh. His grin widens and he’s back again. “I’m serious. I’ll take over the world. I’ll throw the biggest temper tantrum ever.”

“You’re such a brat.” There’s no hostility in your tone. “I will. I promise.”

‘I’ll save you,’ You promise in your head because he’s too prideful to hear it.

“Is it still possible for you to go back?” You ask, the wariness present again. “The higher ups haven’t taken any action against you, right?”

He shakes his head.

“I think Yaga might yell at me, but other than that.” He shrugs. “They’ll decide it’s teen rebellion and sweep it under the rug.”

You laugh again. Satoru shoots you a toothy grin.

When you reach out a hand, Satoru mirrors you. He clasps your hand in his. For once, you wonder how they’ll feel on your own.

“See ya’ later, Greeny.”

A blink. Satoru’s gone. Your hand is empty, and you’re standing in the streets of Shinjuku once again.

ⴵ

December 24th, 2017. 8:06, at the top of the Tokyo Skytree.

Why did you decide on that date and time for all the places? You were so fucking stupid. You needed to stop being so poetic.

It’s already 7:12 when you’re desperately waving down a taxi. The driver looks disinterested when you blubber out the location. When he tells you it’ll cost extra because Sumida City isn’t part of his route, you’re more than happy to fork over the money.

It’s already 7:35 when you stumble through the interiors of Tokyo Skytree town. It’s crowded. Fuck, it’s December 24th, of course people would be out and about.

At 7:44, you finally reach the observational building. And then you hit upon a snag.

It’s closed.

Renovations, the sign reads, accompanied by an irritatingly cute drawing of a cat, please come visit us next week.

Would this excuse be enough to satisfy Satoru? You’re only human. Surely he’d understand if you couldn’t make it because the entire building was shut down.

Or wait. Was this Satoru’s doing?

You look up at the tower. Lights were still on and flickering. No crowds. No people. No prying eyes.

Let it be known that you’ve never trespassed before, until you met Gojo Satoru.

With a guilty conscious, you step over the line. You justify it by convincing yourself you were saving the world because you know Satoru wasn’t joking a decade ago.

The elevators still worked. Thank God. Yet another hint he’s paving the way for you. You made the location, but it feels like you’re a mouse stuck in a human-designed maze. Even though you set up the game, he’s still managed to rig it.

You land on the first deck at 7:52. At 7:56, you reach the second observational deck.

It’s empty. You’ve never seen the skytree so empty before. Not a single soul is here except for you. Your footsteps echo across the floor. Were you early?

Out the corner of your eye, there’s a post-it note stuck on the window. A hand-drawn arrow. Up ahead, there’s another one.

You follow the next, and then the next. All the time you don’t know how to feel about him doing all of this just for an encounter. Something bubbles in your stomach. You’re pushing it down.

You follow the post-its until there’s one placed right on top of a door.

Authorized personnel only. Why does this brat continue to test you?

But it’s already 8:03; you’re far too deep to complain.

A service elevator greets you. If you press the button, it’ll take you all the way up to the broadcast equipment, the top of the Tokyo Skytree.

It’s different from the past two elevator rides. The service elevator isn’t all that polished. The wheels squeak a little too dangerously at times. It’s slower, too.

That’s bad, because now you’re starting to think.

That familiar feeling boils within your stomach, again. You’re anxious. It’s strange to say, but meeting Satoru through Suguru, meeting Satoru through Yu, it felt like you had a protective shell around yourself. You were free from his judgement, only invoking curiosity.

If you show yourself to him, how would he react? What would he say? Would he get angry that you made him wait a decade for such a blunder? Even worse, what if he doesn’t get angry?

What if—what if he’s disappointed by you?

Cold feet. It freezes your toes. You want to go back. You want the elevator to go back down, you want to go home and hide away.

But you promised Satoru. He deserves answers.

Pathetic answers are better than no answers at all.

Instead of your soul being protected by a sorcerer's body, it’s protected by your own. You’d steel yourself for whatever comes next. You could melt after.

It’s windy up here. That’s the first thing you notice. Icy wind cuts at your face and your eyes squint so they don’t dry out so quickly. It’s colder, too; your jacket is nice protection, but nothing helps your vulnerable hands.

But the view. Oh, what a view.

The sea of twinkling lights shines from the city. The sun has set, leaving Tokyo to do nothing but shine. She’s gorgeous like she’s picked the stars from the sky, burying them within her own soul. You could stay there forever, if she let you.

It’s 8:09. Satoru was late.

Or maybe he just wasn’t planning to show up.

You lean away from the railing. It’s just like him to make huge gestures and at the last moment, ditch everything. The balloon in your lungs deflates ever so slightly.

And then, you can feel hands.

Around your shoulders, caging you in. Large and warm despite the icy air. You know these hands. They’re familiar, even a decade later. His chest presses up against your back. His face settles in the crook of your neck.

His laugh tickles your ear, and you aren’t so cold anymore.

“Caught ya, Greeny.”

(“Did something happen to you, back there in the house?”

"Hm?" Suguru asked.

They were wading through long grass and overgrown weeds. Satoru glances at his friend. Suguru looks fine. His cursed energy has gone back to normal. That's probably good.

"You were just acting weird," Satoru said, "I mean you fell on your ass in front of a curse. Embarrassing."

Suguru huffed, a red hue across his cheeks. "Shut up, don't remind me."

'So he remembered,' Satoru thinks, 'didn't expect that.'

They're almost to the car when Suguru speaks again.

"Actually, I did feel a little strange," he says, "I felt like a wasn't really all there. There was this voice, guiding me along."

"Really?" Satoru shivers. "So like possession? How scary! "

So the entity within Suguru was a bad thing after all. He should try to get rid of it if it ever comes back. It might take a complex spell or something-

"Not really." Suguru said. "It's hard to explain, but it felt....nice."

"Nice?" Satoru echoes.

"Yeah."

And then it's quiet again.)

[dokries]

cat’s out of the bag

pairing: jeon wonwoo x gender neutral reader

genre: fluff, friends to lovers

word count: 2k

warnings: mentions of food/drink (no alcohol), someone trips and falls (yes, in love but also literally), author doesn’t know how to describe games

author note: hehe thank you for the request again anon! i’m making this its own post because as you can tell, i wrote a lot more than i expected to….also yeah, i don’t know how to describe games, i’m sorry. (the game i mention is actually a real one if you’re interested!) my first time writing wonu, i hope you like him ♡

masterlist

“do you want a drink, wonwoo?” joshua waits until his friend looks over at him before continuing. “seokmin brought cola if you want some…?”

wonwoo shakes his head, pointing to the can of monster in front of him on the living room table—as soon as he saw the familiar packaging, he had grabbed it before anyone else could have even looked at it. joshua shrugs before giving you a pat on the shoulder as you sit down on the small couch, squished between wonwoo and chan. 

there’s a big get together happening with all of his closest friends, and well…their other friends too. their group of thirteen is comprised mostly of extroverts after all, and one of them, namely seungkwan, is why you’re here in the first place.

wonwoo knows you from before though; you always make sure to wave at him when he talks to seungkwan and even started up a conversation with him the other day about his gaming setup, even if you aren’t necessarily that informed about those kinds of things. he appreciated your attention though, and slowly after that, he saw you everywhere. at little parties like this, in the library during the weekend, and even at his house, when mingyu had invited you over with seungkwan. 

surprisingly, he doesn’t mind your questions, and you’re always respectful of his boundaries. in fact, you seem to read him well—you know when to not push further or sit in content silence with him. 

you say hi to chan, pinching his cheek to get a smile out of him before turning your body to greet the other man beside you. “hey, wonwoo!” 

he nods at you, taking a sip of his drink, hoping you don’t notice his robotic movements. he can’t help but be conscious when he’s right next to you, your elbow dangerously close to his right knee. 

to be perfectly honest, he didn’t know exactly when he started acting like this around you; it isn’t like there was a big moment where he realized he liked you more than friends. however, once he became aware of it—he was staring at his ceiling, about to sleep one night—he couldn't help himself from being so…careful around you. the funny thing is that even though he’s like this, you always end up making him comfortable enough to forget it—it’s dangerous for him to be so at peace around you, should he let his impulses win and actually confess one day. 

chan leans forward to see the both of you with a smirk on his face before putting an arm around your shoulder casually, and takes note of how wonwoo slightly adjusts his grip on his drink. chan calls your name smugly, his eyes watching the both of you (but especially wonwoo, so he can tell all the guys to tease his older friend later). “so…anything new?” 

“oh, i—” you start to speak but wonwoo cuts you off with a sigh in chan’s direction. “come on, don’t they tell you anything? they went to the beach recently, and then walked along the trail for a good few hours, even though it was dark and they were by themself. i don't know if it was last week or the week before that, but they also got some new plants—though i’m pretty sure they were for their neighbours more than themself, right?” he finishes, looking at you for confirmation as chan gapes, eyes wider than they’ve ever been. 

you have a similar expression on your face, and wonwoo clamps his mouth shut. “well, i’m screwed,” he mumbles under his breath. 

chan scratches his cheek. “well, they don’t tell me that much, that’s for sure.” 

he quickly excuses himself with a full blown grin on his face, and gets up to go visit the friend closest to the three of you—seokmin, who’s standing and talking to seungkwan, and another friend you don’t recognize. chan drags the two you know to the side, whispering something into their ears, and gasps emerge from their animated conversation that looks a little too much like old women gossiping.

you watch them for a moment before turning back to wonwoo—wait, is that a tinge of red he sees on your cheeks? you both stare at each other before you break the silence with an awkward laugh. “well…i uh.” you trail off, looking into the distance before you clear your throat and look straight at wonwoo with a small smile. “i didn’t realize you paid that much attention to my rambling.”  

he shrugs nonchalantly (you can practically hear the hinges in his shoulder creak as he does; he is very chalant) before staring down at his shoes. “of course.” it’s you, after all, is what he adds in his head and he clears his throat, looking away. 

you raise an eyebrow at his actions before changing the topic. “so anyway, about those plants…”

“wonwoo?” you call out, and he looks down at your concerned look. you laugh awkwardly before continuing. “i’m done tying my laces, so we should go catch up with the others.” 

right, he stayed behind with you on the way to the ice cream shop because you needed to tie your shoelaces. you had grinned up at him, exclaiming, “safety first, am i right?” 

he had shook his head in amusement before waiting on the side patiently. 

he notices the way the dim light from the street lamps nearby hits you, colouring your skin golden. he thinks it suits you, with the way you continue to make him feel…warm. of course, he’s happy around his friends, even though he may not necessarily show it like some of them do; he isn’t clingy like hoshi, or sweet with his words like joshua. you make him feel slightly different though, and he’s not entirely sure what to do about it. 

you seem to notice that he prefers to watch and stay quiet than join in on the antics of the group, and make sure to include him in your own little ways. he appreciates it more than he can tell you, and it’s probably the main reason as to how his affection for you built up gradually.

wonwoo crouches down to your level and touches your cheek gently, brushing a stray eyelash onto the tip of his finger. he smiles slightly, holding it in front of you so you can see it well before whispering your name. “make a wish.” 

you grin, pausing to make a wish before blowing gently so that your eyelash goes off on a journey of its own in the wind. you get up quickly, lending a hand to wonwoo—he doesn’t need your help but…he still takes it. once he’s up, you drag him with you, walking quickly in the direction where the rest of the group went.  

“i think seungkwan might order some weird flavour for us if we don’t hurry up, if i’m being honest.” you turn back to him with a sheepish expression before it turns affectionate. he knows that you have a soft spot for seungkwan, considering you’ve known him much longer than the others. wonwoo thinks you have one for him too, considering how much attention you pay to him specifically. 

he nods solemnly—the urge to be more expressive around others so that they wouldn’t misunderstand him never seemed to apply when he was around you. 

you smile, focusing on your feet as you walk before speaking hesitantly, your hand going to rub the nape of your neck naturally. “hey…do you remember that game you mentioned last week? the one with the cat wizard, i mean.” 

puzzled, wonwoo looks at your face, thinking back to the time you’re talking about. right, he was talking about a game where you play as a cat and draw shapes to vanquish your enemies—he heard about one of his favourite esports players having that game, so he tried it out himself. wonwoo had brought it up randomly as the cuteness of the game reminded him of you. his explanation made it sound grander than it really was but you nodded along to everything he said. 

“yeah, i remember talking about it. divineko, right?” he says, taking out his own phone to show you the signature animal on the app icon. when you nod, he gives you a content smile once his phone is securely in his hoodie pocket. “what about it?”

you bite your lip nervously before speaking. “so…i may have downloaded that game and oh my god, wonwoo.” you pause to look at him before squealing in pure joy, taking out your own device to show him your avatar—a special wizard skin on your black cat. 

you look at him and then back to your phone screen, eyes widening with a realization. “dude, if this cat had glasses, it would literally be you!” you grin up at him before looking off to the side, muttering under your breath. “it’s definitely as cute as you, that’s for sure.”

“huh?” wonwoo blinks at you before shrugging, and the two of you start walking faster—after all, the rest of the guys are waiting for you. 

he looks down at the street in front of the two of you, a warning on his lips as he frowns. “hey there’s a—” you cut him off with a yelp as you trip on an uneven part of the sidewalk and fall down, saving yourself from getting too injured by bracing yourself with your knees. “…weird section of the sidewalk in front of you.” dazed, wonwoo finishes his sentence before he gives you his hand to help you get up. 

you take it and pull yourself up, brushing off any dirt that might’ve gotten on you. you look at him sheepishly again, and wonwoo laughs at you. 

he looks forward again, and can’t help but blurt out, “wow, i like you so much, huh?” as if he has no self control. 

you freeze, and so does wonwoo. did he really just say that?? he looks at you slowly through the corner of his eye, and sees you processing. 

in fact, you are processing. he—HE WHAT NOW? your mouth drops open without your permission and he turns to face you, his focus solely on his shoes. wow, when was the last time he washed them? 

wonwoo hesitates as he says your name, and you turn red at his gentle tone. “um, i. so cat’s out of the bag, huh?” he pauses to run a hand through his hair, moving his bangs to cover how red his ears have become. 

he looks up at you, and smiles slightly as he confesses what’s been on his mind for a while now. “i…i like you a lot, actually. but not as friends.” he stumbles on his words as his arms move around quickly—he’s the most expressive you’ve ever seen him, and you find yourself even more endeared somehow.

wonwoo’s face falls slightly when you don’t respond right away. he wasn’t expecting you to say that you thought of him in the way—no, that’s a lie. he wants you to return his feelings so that he can shower you with all the love you deserve, even if he shows it quietly. besides, you’ve already shown that you get him; you’ll know what he means, even if it’s implied.

your giggling clears his thoughts away as he watches you grin with pure joy; it’s almost as if it isn’t midnight but midday for wonwoo as he looks at you. 

“wonwoo…” you say before bursting into another fit of soft laughter, and he chuckles, already knowing your answer to his confession. 

“actually, i feel the same way. i mean, i didn’t just approach you because i liked you—i want to be clear about that.” you pause to make sure he understands—he gives you a nod to continue—and you smile at him again. “i think i just…found out what a great person you are eventually.” 

wonwoo nods again, biting back a grin before he frowns slightly. “wait. what do we tell the guys?” 

you give him a sneaky smile before grabbing his arm and dragging him towards the ice cream shop you two were supposed to be at like…ten minutes ago. “we can tell them that we’re together now, can’t we?”

wonwoo uses his hand to cover his smile as he looks off to the side, his ears red. “yeah, i think i’d like that.”

[mandaplease10]

A Polin Take Nobody Asked For #5

*Penelope & Colin Aren't Friends*

Once again, there are complaints about how Pen & Colin were never actually friends because we never see them be friends. We're simply only told they are friends and now we're supposed to believe Colin loves her after saying he would never court.

Well, I am here to tell you why that is wrong. Oh and someone on twitter claimed this season has no narrative... like are we watching the same show??

FYI this is a long post!

Season 1:

Colin dances with Penelope after Cressida spills a drink on her. Even before this, he sought her out to have a conversation with her.

There are several times we see Colin and Penelope speaking at balls or gatherings.

Penelope tries to tell him about Marina and he is grateful for her friendship and care, but he doesn't listen to her because he thinks he knows Marina. Yet, he still took the time to hear her out for the most part.

Once Marina's secret is revealed, Colin apologizes to Pen and recognizes she was just trying to look out for him.

Colin goes traveling the first time because of Pen inspiring him to do so.

Colin singing in the drawing room and lowers his voice/stars at Pen when she walks in.

Season 2:

Their letters - This is a huge element to their friendship and their storyline. Honestly, I would love to have seen what their letters entailed over the years. Maybe one day we'll have a scene of them going through their old letters or something.

Colin's arrival - hello! That look he gives her when he sees her there in the drawing room after greeting his family. I believe had Hyacinth and Gregory not rushed him and Anthony didn't walk in to go to the races, he would have walked over and said something to her.

At the races- he sees Pen and walks over to her. He initiates the conversation and talks about their letters until Eloise ruins the moment.

Another moment he initiates a conversation is when Pen assumes he met someone on his travels and he talks about how he 'found himself' thanks to her letters.

Lady Crane was right about you - He knows that Pen cares for him and is special in his life and the fact that someone else saw that made him open his eyes a little more.

Defending the Featheringtons - Colin stood up to his friend Will when he said something negative about Pen's family and then again when he realized Jack was scheming around.

You are special to me. I will always look out for you - HELLO! Yes, Colin has a hero complex, but he doesn't do this for everyone! He doesn't seek out to help Cressida or other women of TON, but he risked standing up to a "Lord" to save Pen's family from ruin.

You are Pen. You are my friend - Colin literally calls her his friend and holds her above just another woman. Yes, in this moment she was sort of friend zoned, but the fact he still wanted her in his life, means something.

"I would never court Penelope Featherington" - Yes, this was not a good look, but this was also Colin trying to put on a facade in front of the gentleman. Plus, I also believe that in his state of mind, what he was doing and how he is around Pen, is just how they are together, yet in other's eyes, it was very much courting action.

Season 3:

His arrival - Immediately looks for Pen and when he doesn't see her, looks towards her house confused as to why she isn't present.

The Gardens - Smiles when he sees her and is eager to talk to her, upset when she cuts their conversation short.

The ball - Stares at her and watches her from afar and rushes after her when he sees her in distress.

Goodnight Mr. Bridgerton - Tries to joke around with her and have a friendly conversation, but realizes something is wrong. Feels horrid when he realizes why she is upset with him and wants to talk it out, gets upset when she leaves.

The Featherington Garden - Again, he seeks her out because he wants to make things right with her. THIS ENTIRE SCENE IS PRACTICALLY A WHY YOU ARE SPECIAL AND MORE THAN A FRIEND TO ME DECLARATION. If you actually watch this entire scene, you will see that there is genuine friendship and love there.

The Meet Cute - Seriously, the fact that HE remembers how they met AND he was the one who brought it up, says A LOT.

The Drawing Room - He listened to her and brought her to a place that makes her comfortable. He even made sure it was during a time when they would be alone. Also, it is obvious he feels something during the touch of hands and her attempt at flirting with him.

The Ball - They have yet another conversation amongst the two of them and he encourages her to talk to someone. Then they have a laugh. A genuine laugh, one that she never really had with Debling later on... Then we have the little bouts of jealous Colin when she's speaking to Lord Remington. Then how angry he gets when the word gets out about him and Pen and how he rushes after her in worry.

The First Kiss - Once again, Colin is seeking her out... in the middle of the night... bribing her maid for alone time. Like... not just anyone does that. Colin only had to do the one kiss. The one peck because that was all Pen asked for, but guess what? He went in for another one and would have kissed her again if she didn't leave. We can tell on his face, that he felt something he never felt before.

The Dream - Most people don't have romantic dreams about their friends unless there are feelings there.

The Willow Tree - The awkwardness is everything and pure friends to lovers.

I could continue the rest of their moments, but I'm not going to because so many of the same people keep saying the only reason Colin wanted Pen is because of Debling, well guess what everything that I listed above is PRE DEBLING. Yes, there is that moment in episode 1, but it isn't until episode 3 when Debling actively tries to pursue Pen and vice versa.

So, yeah, Polin haters can keep complaining and trying to make excuses as to why they dislike the season, but the receipts are the there to debunk those claims.

[yanderes-galore]

And then last one Gojo with your prompts 17, 2, and 36!?

Sure! Couldn't figure out a plot for normal Gojo, so you're getting a Hybrid Darling AU. I genuinely hope this works better. Darling is a house cat hybrid while Gojo is a rich Hybrid owner. Got idea from @ursinaw. Thank you so much!

Yandere! Satoru Gojo Prompts 17, 2, 36

(Hybrid AU - Darling)

"You look so cute in those clothes! I think I picked well...."

"It's an honor for someone such as me to take you in and love you!"

"I'd hate to hurt you but... if you keep this up I might have to."

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Hybrid AU, Hybrid adoption, Condescending/Degrading behavior, Manipulation, Possessive behavior, Threats, Collars/Leashes, Alludes to toxic/taboo relationship, Dubious/Forced relationship.

Satoru was often told he needed a new companion. After losing his dear friend Suguru, he needed someone to connect with. Eventually Satoru was pushed in the direction of hybrids... or demihumans.

At first, Satoru didn't like the idea. It was strange and foreign when he went to the shelter to see animal-like humans everywhere. He originally was going to turn back and not go through with it.

Then he saw you... a timid house cat hybrid that stared up at him with wide eyes.

Safe to say... Satoru fell in love immediately....

Like most cats you tend to like your alone time. When Satoru carried you home he was careful to buy all sorts of toys and supplies. You were technically a pet...

But to him you felt a bit too human.

Satoru couldn't help but find you cute when you roamed around his large house. He had enough money to spoil you however he wished. You even spoke the same language as him.

Spoiling you always made Satoru smile. You looked adorable when he bought you a new toy or game to play. Even something as simple as a treat made you purr as he patted your head.

Although... the idea of spoiling you in other ways eventually came across his mind.

You were his little kitty, after all.

Satoru saw you as his own little guilty pleasure. He always kept you pampered and taken care of. Although... his favorite thing to do...?

Dress you up.

His voice is a coo towards you as he dresses you in new clothes. He gets everything from normal clothes to new collars and leashes. He couldn't help but smile at the way the bell on your collar jingles as you pull at it.

All this spoiling... comes with a catch.

Satoru is adamant on you staying in the house. He never seemed fond of sharing his pretty little kitty. In fact, the Sorcerer finds himself irritated at the idea.

But cats tend to get themselves into mischief... don't they...?

"You look so cute in those clothes! I think I picked well...."

Satoru smiles softly, holding you still as he dresses you up. After all, his kitty deserves the best treatment. Although... you have quite the temper today.

Satoru shrugs when he sees your ears down and tail flicking. You were most likely mad that he caught one of your escape attempts again. Poor you... all pouty in front of him.

"Come on, sweetheart." Satoru hums, blue eyes twinkling playfully as he pets your head. You growl lowly, causing Satoru to click his tongue. He gives you the world... Yet you throw a fit? "Mad I won't put you outside?"

"I don't like the house..." You huff, Satoru merely laughing at your tantrum.

"The house is so spacious... you're telling me you'd rather go out there with all the danger?" Satoru frowns, a bit nervous as he thinks of Suguru once more. "You know I couldn't let my pretty kitty get hurt by Curses or bad humans...."

You reluctantly purr when he cups your cheek, stroking the skin. Your tail thrashes more in a warning as Satoru hums. You were too damn cute.

"It's an honor for someone such as me to take you in and love you!" Satoru chirps, arrogance seeping into his tone. "You have one of the best owners out there... you know I'll keep you safe, don't you...?"

You make a small hiss at your owner, batting his hand away before slipping off his bed. Satoru gives a blank glare before sighing at your disobedience. Yet another fit....

"Kitty-" Satoru goes to call you but you turn away, growling.

"Go away, is it such an issue to go outside...?" You murmur, Satoru looking unamused at your defiance.

"Yes, actually. You have no clue how dangerous it is for a hybrid like you..." Satoru frowns, standing and stepping closer. "In the house it's safe, you get everything you want, you're a house cat... not some predator."

Satoru goes to pet you, to pull you back into his arms. He can see you staring out the window longingly. However, when he goes to hold you...

You scratch and bite him, ears pinned back and eyes in slits.

However... your tone changes when you see the ice cold glare from your owner.

He's normally playful... but it appears you've struck a nerve.

"Is this the thanks I get...?" Satoru murmurs, "I take you in... buy you a cute outfit... and you attack me...?"

You quickly unlock your jaw, scurrying back. Satoru usually only looked so cold at guests visiting him, usually when they linger too close to you. Now... He's glaring at you, forcing you into a submissive stance.

"You've been so bratty the past few days..." Satoru continues, his tone becoming slightly playful. "Does someone think they're independent~?"

Satoru leans over your, his height towering over your smaller feline-like form. He chuckles in your ear, hands trailing down to your hips. He acts playful... but his intentions appear to not be as innocent.

"I'd hate to hurt you but... if you keep this up I might have to." Satoru whispers, his lips twisting into a grin. You can tell his tone is a subtle threat along with the tight grip on your hips. "So are you going to be a good kitty for me, baby...?"

You reluctantly nod, trying your best to purr for him as you nuzzle into his shoulder. Satoru hums, holding you closer. Your obedience pleases him.

"Good kitty..." He purrs towards you, "Unfortunately..."

Satoru tilts your head up by the chin, his smile turning into a sadistic grin. Your heart accelerates as Satoru leans closer to your face.

"My pretty kitty still needs a punishment for being so... bratty."

You regret even wanting to go outside....

[jessicaslittlelovesickmess]

Good luck Babe

Pairing: Melissa Schemmenti x Reader

Warning: Angst, no happy ending, sad lesbians, internalised homophobia

You had gone to school with the Melissa Schemmenti, you had been best friends for years until she met Joe and he had been the reason for your distance.

It wasn’t a surprise when your phone rang so early in the morning until you saw the redheads name flash across your screen. “M-Melissa?” Having sobered up from the party the night prior “are you okay?” You sat up in bed pulling the sheets up to cover your bare chest from the morning chill.

Ignoring the glare from the woman beside you as the cool air hit her naked form, she knew how the redhead was. She wasn’t blind to Melissa’s attraction towards you but she knew not to be jealous, she was the one in your bed not the redhead.

Melissa sighed looking down at her kitchen table before speaking “I-… I just miss you is all, we barely speak anymore and I- just” she stumbled over her words. “I need you Y/n/n” her voice was soft as she whispered “come home please” she begged as her nails dragged along the treated wood.

It wouldn’t be any longer than two days before you saw one another for the first time in years, you let yourself into her home through the open front door. Your bags in the rental car, graduation had led you both down different paths, Melissa became a teacher and you a fashion designer a famous one at that.

Melissa was sat on her couch, feet pulled under her as she stared into nothing nursing a large glass of wine in hand. You leaned against the doorframe “Melissa” you sang sadly watching your once closest friend, her head whipped around until she saw you “Y-Y/n?” She stuttered.

She slowly stood from the couch before warily making her way to you “thank god you’re here” she sobbed falling into your arms it was odd to see her so vulnerable.

Our last year of high school

“I-I like you Mel” you confessed as you both sat in your car stoned in her Nonna’s driveway, the hint of liquor on your breaths. “I like you too Y/n/n” she chuckled her eyes drooping as she leaned forward “No Melissa, I like you” I emphasised.

“Oh Y/n, I’m not like you. I’m not you know” she flung her wrist “you’re not gay?” I spoke softly though the hurt was evident. “Yeah” Melissa sighed “but we kiss and hold hands in public, we go on dates I mean we’ve even had sex! And you’re telling me..that you’re not gay?” .

Melissa wasn’t gay but there were pictures of you both kissing at parties or snap shots of hands down the other’s pants in a partially open bathroom. She wasn’t gay but still marked your skin and wore your clothes, she had a spare everything at your place.

It didn’t get any better when we got to college either, she had met Joe and I played the doting friend always smiling by her side. I hated it, how could he be the one to win her heart and hold her hand to kiss her so sweetly. Melissa’s Nonna couldn’t stand him, I lost count how many tea dates I had with the older woman as she held my hand ranting.

How Melissa would be better off admitting the “truth” Nonna could never be lied to even if you thought it was the truth. She mentioned how she would love to see her little Melissa with someone like you but you always chuckled sadly shaking your head.

“You’re gonna regret it one day Melissa, when you wake up next to him in the middle of the night with your head in your hands..you’re nothing more than his wife”. I stood behind her as she tried on various dresses “and when you think about me all of those years ago” I shook my head not wanting to say, I told you so.

“Good luck babe”

Melissa still married Joe nobody could help it not any of Nonna’s complaints or her mother’s curses and definitely not my broken heart. I made sure to get away after college, I would still be her friend but I couldn’t watch as she possibly created a family.

But now? As Melissa sobbed in my arms, mumbled words as her fingers dug into my skin desperately and the words I had once hoped for. “I’m in love with you tesoro, it’s always been you” she hiccuped hiding her face in my neck I said nothing just patting her back.

“Nonna was right, you were right hell! Even my mother was right. I’m miserable Y/n/n and I hate myself but I hate him more, why did I think it was a good idea?”

“Because you were in love, it makes us do crazy things”

Twelve years it took for her to come to this “I love you Y/n” she cupped my face “I love you too Melissa” I said gently. “You were right, I’m nothing more than Joe’s wife who stays at home blindly as he cheats and does whatever or whoever”.

My heart clenched for her “I know I was right Mel” I sighed softly “but I’ve moved on, you know this” she nodded sadly. “I’m your friend, I can’t be anything more than that” I kissed her forehead and wiped her tears before unlatching her arms and stepping back.

“Good luck babe”

Unfortunately Melissa never came out, going from man to man her latest being Gary the vending machine guy or the “hot” firefighter. And at night when the body beside her lay sleeping she still thinks about me..her best friend and wonders what it would’ve been like all of those years ago.

I hate to say I told you so..

[moonbaby26]

Title: Sweet Nothings

(Chapter 13 of Doflamingo’s Marine Series)

*Crossposted to AO3 Here*

Chapter Pairings: Doflamingo x Reader, Doflamingo x Crocodile (referenced), Aokiji/Kuzan x Reader (referenced)

Chapter Warnings: language, toxic relationship, noncon, dubious consent, drugged reader, toxic masculinity, anal sex, oral sex (female receiving), sex toys, size difference

Chapter Synopsis: On the evening of your arrival in Dressrosa, you are forced to meet with that collection of your former enemies, otherwise known as Doflamingo’s trusted inner circle. As well as spend your very first night in the royal bed chambers of your new king.

Chapters: 1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  11,  12, 13

——————————

—————————— 

To try and explain this feeling to anyone who had never looked down the barrel of a gun, or across the edge of a sword as it swung for their throat would have been near impossible.

Because that sudden anticipation of danger was more than just adrenaline, more than only an elevated heart rate. It was like an energy through the muscles themselves. It was there in the way everything felt sharper as that door creaked open.

Trebol, Diamante, and Pica, the three remaining Donquixote family executives awaited you. Ruthless men who Tsuru would have had in sea prism chains at very first opportunity back then. 

But who, through the comedy of government immunity were now present as if they’d ascended to the role of dignitaries in their own right. Sitting on their individual thrones with the club, diamond, and spade designs carved onto those respective seat backs behind them.

And they alone would have been more than enough for you.

But this read like a staff meeting from hell as you saw all the other eyes as well. More pirates standing slightly behind those chairs. The executives’ direct subordinates, the Donquixote officers, were in attendance as well.

Some whose faces and skill sets you remembered better than others. But no matter their age or gender, all equally untrustworthy in your mind. Because of their fanatical loyalty solely to the smiling man now stalking across that plush carpet right behind you.

You’d moved purposefully to stay ahead of Doflamingo, getting as close to one of the massive windows as you could.

A window you knew you could still break. An exit and the only thing in this room you would put your back to as you let your body lean into that windowsill. This took some of the pressure off your weaker leg in the meantime. But your feet were flexing within your shoes regardless.

You were still ready to move. 

You saw Diamante’s blue eyes already lingering over your bandaged thigh. And you knew exactly what his thought process must be.

There’d be no easy escape for you today.

Your wings were clipped this time.

They all knew it.

You heard a heavy breathing as well that was becoming closer and closer to a laugh. From Trebol of course in that otherwise near silence as Doflamingo hesitated.

It was as if their king was taking it all in and observing that everyone who mattered to him was actually here before he finally spoke.

“I’ll keep this brief. I know we’re all busy.” He said.

You had your arms crossed from your place at the windowsill. A posture that would have let you block your torso and reach for your weapon all at once.

But when Doflamingo turned, now facing you instead of them, it was humiliating how quickly your full attention went back to him and him alone. 

And he noticed of course. It was all over that smug expression on his handsome face as he approached you.

There was nothing you could do but stare in return, your surprise barely hidden as he’d then turned again to sit on that same windowsill beside you.

Hip to hip actually, intentionally tight together as you had to put even more weight onto your other leg not to be visibly pushed aside by him.

Another show of dominance was what it felt like as you were put right back into that tight aura of his cologne and body heat once more. 

He was showing his claim on you in front of everyone.

“The captain will be staying with us. With me.” Doflamingo still emphasized even on top of that clear body language. Speaking while his fingers briefly tightened on the windowsill. 

“We’ve all had our past grievances of course…but that past is gone. And as I’ve said before, a new era will be coming. We must adapt or fall behind. Pirate…marine, these meanings have always changed with the times. And it’s changing again here. At least for us. This is a taste of our future.”

And as he began to tell them these things, you felt his hand slide back over your thigh.

The additional touch was not unexpected, but the new words which accompanied it were. Because what did their future possibly have to do with you? You were only his bauble, his fixation.

You had expected to be paraded in front of his crew of course. You had expected petty revenge and gloating in reward for all those years of your crew pursuing his. But you were experiencing something else now as Doflamingo’s smile faded in tandem with his grip on your leg growing even harder.

“You are all my family. I should have included you more in this…” And his voice was changing a little too then. There was almost a moment of self-reflection there, the briefest hint of an actual apology. “I know it’s moving so quickly. But I had to make a decision and I had to make it fast when we ran into trouble in Scylla.”

We?

Only you had been hurt in Scylla. Not him. He hadn’t even been attacked. But the way he’d said it suggested otherwise.

“You shouldn’t have had to find out just from the newspapers. But my hand was forced. She needed to come home immediately. Momonga wouldn’t have had a clue how to protect her.”

And a sound came out of you at that, one of indignation surely. But the moment your body had moved to reflexively stand, Doflamingo had pushed you back down without even looking. His hand that had been on your thigh held you down across both of your legs then to the windowsill, strong as any chain.

Whether you were more insulted on Momonga’s behalf or your own was left unclear.

Because the highest pitched, most unnatural voice chirped up as Pica was the first of the Donquixote crew to respond to their leader’s words. “It’s okay, Doffy. We know you’ll always do what’s best for the family!”

Thankfully you had heard Pica’s voice before, so it wasn’t as fully jarring as it could have been. But he still interrupted your anger just for that moment as your brain had had to process the noise.

And once he had spoken, as if trying to comfort Doflamingo, it broke the thick tension in the room enough for more voices to begin joining in.

“So are you engaged after all, young master? May I paint the official announcement then!? I have so many ideas practically flowing from me already!”

Giolla. A nightmare of a woman. 

You remembered waking up screaming with your fellow tent mates one night. Camping deeply inland on a mission, when all of the blankets were suddenly a disgusting yellow and green neon. That fabric wrapped around most of your throats before the tent collapsed. You’d all had to either cut your way out or succumb while she’d cackled in the distance.

“She doesn’t have a ring though!” A younger female voice interrupted there. It’d come from a teenage brunette who was still somewhat concealed behind Pica’s chair.

Baby 5. Not a harmless opponent either in how many times you’d had to backtrack to avoid receiving too much of her suppressive fire. It turned out even kids weren’t nearly as cute once they could transform one of their legs into a gatling gun to shatter walls around you.

But familiar or not, you’d never been on this side of it. You’d never seen Doflamingo’s responses to them without the pressures of being in the midst of battle.

There was a shocking amount of patience in the way his body actually started to relax. Even as they talked over one another, you saw his face turn to look at them. Giving attention to each officer individually, as if this circus was every day and then some for him.

“Thank you, Pica. I am trying to do what’s going to payoff best for us in both present and future.” He said to his executive first. 

And then to Giolla. “I’m not calling it an engagement yet to the public. My priority was getting home first without interference. But it will be soon.”

Finally to Baby 5, “Well, you aren’t wrong. I’ll be needing to correct that, won’t I?” 

His hand moved again suddenly at that, grabbing your left wrist to force you to uncross your arms.

You did pull back with some resistance. You were not his fucking posable doll after all. But he smirked at this, his grip increasing enough to immediately hurt while he still turned your hand as if to show them all your unadorned fingers.

“I was thinking diamond with ruby accents. You know how I like red.” He added.

“Sugar and I could help you pick something out, young master.” A young woman who looked to be nearest your own age spoke then. But her face you didn’t know. At least you didn’t remember ever fighting her. Nor did you recognize the small girl with the blue green hair standing beside her either. The little girl who was now giving you a rather cold stare.

“That would be fine, Monet.” Doflamingo answered the young woman, letting your hand slip away from him again then. 

But he stood back away from the windowsill not long after. “We’ll have a bit of time to make all these plans. For now though, the press will be hanging around the island wanting the latest scoop I’m sure. And no one says anything to them without my permission, is that understood?”

“Yes, Doffy,” and “Yes, young master,” came from several of them simultaneously then. No question in them at all.

And he seemed reasonably satisfied in this.

Enough so that you hoped this meeting was nearly adjourned before he turned again, hands in his pockets now as he grinned directly at you. Those bright teeth exposed once more. But his eyes narrowing behind his red lenses all the same from the way his brow had shifted.

“And do you have anything to say to everyone, love? Or have I adopted another mute marine into our home?”

Your own eyebrows raised. The pet name being used in front of his crew not even registering to you while you considered his other odd wording instead.

Another marine?

But you were on autopilot in reaction to all of this regardless. In uniform, surrounded by old enemies. What else did he expect from you as you just answered so mechanically.

“I have nothing. I’m required to report in to either Tsuru or HQ once a day and it’s getting late.”

And you knew you did want them all to remember that you were still an active duty marine. A marine who had been based in HQ with all the direct contacts that entailed. 

Even a vague threat was better than nothing.

Or at least you’d thought so before you saw that inexplicable look of disappointment darken Doflamingo’s features.

He was staring at you. Like he wanted to say something else, but quickly changed his mind. “I meant…no, screw it. Never mind.” And he took a hand back out of his pocket to motion to the others instead. 

“Giolla and Baby 5, I need you to escort the captain to the palace physician. Get them to properly clean and rebind that wound of hers. And have some real pain killers prescribed. I’m tired of seeing her just limp around.”

He’d put his back to you now though as he’d stepped even further away. 

It was like…you had insulted him? With goddamn what? Were you supposed to gush about all of this to his family? Were you meant to be excited like being here was some kind of reward for you?

“Show her to her room after you’re done with the doctor.” Doflamingo also instructed them. “I need to talk with the executives alone for some further updates on business since I’ve been gone. The rest of you are dismissed back to your normal posts.”

And he did not look at you again as Giolla approached you with no fear. 

“Then come on, sailor girl.” She said rather haughtily actually. “You’ll get lost otherwise. This castle is far more building than you’re used to I’m sure.”

And you gave her an annoyed look. What did she think Marineford was? A bungalow?

Baby 5 just followed behind you both quietly though. And you didn’t really like the girl at your back either. But as you glanced behind to check, it bothered you even more how much Doflamingo still would not acknowledge your exit at all.

Such a sudden contrast with as much as he couldn’t go without physical contact with you mere moments ago.

Whatever. 

And you were nearly limping by then, just as he’d said. As much as you tried to prevent it, following Giolla out of the room while Baby 5 shadowed behind you.

——————————

When all but his three executives had exited, and the door had been safely closed again, Doflamingo finally sighed.

He tilted his head back, looking to the ceiling briefly as if some answer may be written there for him before his smile returned reflexively. 

He laughed abruptly in absence of any other outlet.

“Fuck…it has been a weird week.” He announced, putting his hands behind his head, and stretching his torso slightly as he breathed out, like letting more of that tension dissolve from his muscles before he relaxed again.

His head tilted down to look at the others once more as his hands moved back into his pockets.

“She acts so much like Tsuru, doesn’t she?” Diamante said to him with a smirk then, elbow resting against the diamond seat’s armrest as his fist propped up his cheek. “So guarded.”

“Feh. Well, I blame you two. Could you have eye fucked her any harder than that, Diamante?” Doflamingo complained in immediate response, but still relaxed enough to show that this was more familial annoyance than actual anger. “Pica was the only goddamn gentleman here.”

Trebol snorted, mucus hanging from his face as always. “But I didn’t do anything, Doffy!”

“You were breathing like you were about to suck her face, Trebol. Pay the fucking pool girls more, go get laid. Goddamn.” Doflamingo grumbled to that.

“I was just observing her wounds,” Diamante replied calmly, but smiling back at his master none the less.

They’d all known each other long enough to understand where the real lines were. And this wasn’t yet it.

“Yeah, trying to see the slit under her skirt you mean, not the one on her thigh.” Doflamingo’s lip curled in a bit of further annoyance regardless.

“Well, Doffy, was is it as good as you thought it’d be?” Trebol asked abruptly.

Which brought an immediate noise of disgust from Pica.

“Oh shut up.” Trebol fussed to Pica’s obvious judgement. “Doffy chased this one for years! Why wouldn’t we ask!?”

“I thought we were going to talk about business.” Pica squeaked.

“If it was Sir Crocodile, Pica would be far more interested.” Diamante teased. “Just because it pees sitting down, you don’t want it. But the rest of us are far more equal opportunity.”

Doflamingo groaned. “We don’t pick on Pica for that.”

“Thank you, Doffy.” Pica huffed.

“But yes, it was goddamn good.” Doflamingo still answered Trebol regardless. “And oh, she wanted it. Scylla was a nonstop fuckfest until that little Nefertari cunt got in the way.” 

Pica looked to the side, unimpressed, but Trebol flailed in his own chair a bit. “Behehe! I knew it!”

And of course it was difficult to say how much of this filthy talk was genuine, and how much was just the masculine posturing Doflamingo had learned that they expected from him.

But it was all part of the game, bravado and such. This boys’ club, only made even more extreme in their unique lack of morals and shared need to compensate for so many shortcomings to start with.

“Though you mention the reptile…” Doflamingo did feel that tension in his stomach beginning again in reference to that prick. “He’s a lot of the reason I had to take her and run. I wasn’t planning on bringing her here so soon. But plans changed.”

And all three of the executives were now looking at him seriously.

“It was Crocodile’s agents that attacked at that ball. I even talked to the fucker on a snail. He was so shitty to me as always.” 

“The audacity!” Diamante spat, genuinely looking angry then as he straightened up in his chair so quickly.

“We should just go to Alabasta and kill him, Doffy! Let’s do it for real this time!” Trebol’s voice also immediately sharpened, snot spilling out over each armrest of the club seat in his agitation.

Only Pica seemed contemplative, before responding far more calmly by comparison. “I’m so sorry, Doffy. He doesn’t see your worth. But he never has.” And it wasn’t patronizing at all. Somehow it never was from Pica. 

The room was quiet after that as well. Doflamingo’s hands clenching within his pockets as he bit his bottom lip slightly. Just before another smile spread across his face to erase that fleeting emotion. “It’s fine.” He said. “I told gator boy that he’d already been replaced. But I’m not sure if he’s done. I don’t think that he is. I feel like he’s going to make some kind of move on her just to spite me. Perhaps it’s paranoia on my part…but I’m not sure.”

“She’ll be safe here, Doffy.” Pica assured.

And Doflamingo did take another deep breath. That was something else he needed to get off of his chest as well. “Yeah, about that...” He paused again, but only briefly before he just forced the words out. There was no reason to play around. Not with them. “I’m reinstating the rule of blood effective immediately. That marine is now under its protection. I want you to tell your subordinates. But she’s not to know.”

And to watch the initial surprise wash across his executives’ faces, followed by the gradual dawn of what it could actually mean for you was strange to witness even for the warlord.

But he did not back down in response to their shock. Though Diamante was the first to ask the question aloud. Something Doflamingo never would have thought would one day be discussed here within the Hall of Suits.

“Young master…are you implying that that girl is…with child?” 

Only Donquixote blood had ever met this standard within his group. To be protected and guarded, punished under penalty of death to those that would dare spill even a drop of it.

“She will be.” Doflamingo answered so firmly, no hesitation that time. “Because this is what I want. And the heart seat has sat empty long enough.”

He was staring at that empty chair now as he tried to keep the resulting stress from his voice. The pain which came every time he considered who that chair really should have been meant for. 

“Can’t you imagine it, gentlemen? We haven’t had a proper new recruit in so long. They always disappoint us in the end…or betray. Because of that innate weakness within them. But how could anyone that came from my own body ever fail to that degree? Someone that I’ll be able to shape straight from its mother’s womb this time. Don’t you want to find out?”

“A royal heir.” Pica said in sudden awe.

“A new demon to be your right hand in this world.” Trebol added, cruel eyes looking over the top of his own sunglasses then.

“All that and more.” Doflamingo sneered. “A new generation of Donquixote blood. My blood.”

————————— 

The doctor hadn’t been terrible. You could tell he was obviously a civilian. The Donquixote family didn’t actually have a physician within their crew. Which, yes, what self respecting doctor could have tolerated them and their violence for long after taking any oath to heal?

But this whole thing with going back to the room after your leg had been fully redressed was its own new weirdness.

You’d reasonably assumed that you’d get no privacy of your own in this place. So the fact that they were saying that this was your room was wholly contradictory to all the possessive claims Doflamingo had made from the very beginning. All that talk of having you beside him in his bed alone at first opportunity and all.

And walking around in your so called room with Giolla and Baby 5 now, it was hard to imagine even the king’s chambers being much bigger than this. The layout was beautiful and spotless, clearly recently cleaned. Large windows had their heavy red curtains pulled open for so much natural light as you’d walked to one of them.

Giolla was still rattling on about all the color changes she’d make if allowed, calling the room a blank canvas in an almost angry way. But the real view in the distance had soon caught your eye as you’d stared out of the window, fully ignoring her.

“That’s Flower Hill.” Came the other voice then.

You gave Baby 5 a sharp look as you didn’t like being snuck up on that way. But she wasn’t even looking at you, her entire focus was beyond the palace as well.

“I wish my bedroom faced it.” She sighed, but then smiled. “You should ask the young master to take you there if you like flowers. I bet he would. He doesn’t get out much. He’s always working. It’d be good for him.”

“You don’t have to pretend, Baby 5. And you don’t have to talk to me just because he told you to.” You replied simply. Not cold, just honest before you turned back away from that window to keep exploring. 

You could understand why he’d sent Giolla. Maybe not trusting you alone with his male crew just yet. And that woman was still capable enough with her devil fruit to give you a hard time if you’d tried anything.

But with Baby 5, Doflamingo already knew your weakness for kids. Though she appeared to be a teen now. 

That really young looking girl with the blue green hair probably would have made more sense to use if he was going to scheme that way. But that girl had almost been staring daggers through you during the entire meeting, so perhaps not.

“Huh?” You heard Baby 5 ask anyway though, still following you as you’d walked to what at first you’d thought was a door to the bathroom. Just to find it was actually a whole walk in closet. Actually you could have probably jogged a small lap in it. 

“Goddamn.” You cursed, seeing the dresses already hanging in there.

“Whattttt!?” Baby 5 gasped, immediately running in as she realized it was fully stocked as well. She looked from the dresses to the shoes, to the jewelry. She was almost trembling as she touched some of the fabric in surprise. “This wasn’t even here yesterday! Giolla! Giolla, look!” She whined.

“Oh, calm down. They were delivered this morning.” Giolla scoffed, still eyeballing the blank walls.

Baby 5 seemed to have forgotten about you entirely then. She was now sorting through the necklaces, eyes looking rather wet as she held up one after another.

You sighed, again remembering exactly where you were. Pirates and their damn treasure…and this all bought with blood money you were sure. Nothing you wanted to be a part of. “Take as much as you want if your boss doesn’t care. I don’t wear that stuff anyway.” You told the girl.

Her head whipped around immediately. “I…can I? Can I!?”

She was excited enough that you backed up slightly, almost concerned that she might hug you. You barely knew one another. “If Doflamingo doesn’t care…” You reaffirmed. Even with her only being a pirate, you wouldn’t intentionally get a teenager in trouble with him.

“If I don’t care about what?” Came that unmistakable voice from the still open doorway though.

And all three of you looked immediately in his direction. Which again, it should have been humiliating how quickly you stilled just with the return of his presence. You did feel his eyes on you now.

But Baby 5 had already dashed past you, her hands full of several necklaces as she bowed at the waist to him. “Young master! The marine said I could have these! May I!? Please!? She said I could!”

Giolla rolled her eyes behind her pointed cat eye glasses. “Quit bothering him! You’re so whiny sometimes, girl.”

But Doflamingo only smiled, hands in his pockets as he strolled right past Baby 5. “I guess if this marine said you could…”

“Thank you, young master!” And Baby 5 was back out that door with the jewelry in a flash. As if she didn’t want anyone to have a chance to change their mind.

“Young master…” Giolla sighed. “She’ll just pawn them or someone else will steal them from her.”

“I know.” Yet he had walked over to you even as he answered her. “But it made her happy for a moment didn’t it?”

And you were staring at him, uncertain if that exchange was all in show for you or not.

“Thanks for babysitting, Giolla. I can take it from here.” He was grinning in response to your stare. “I’m done working for tonight.”

“Very well. But I still think this wall would be far better served with a mural. Cubism with fiery reds, pinks, and hmm…blues? Like a volcano meeting the summer sky!” 

“Good night, Giolla.” Doflamingo said rather gently.

“Good night, young master!” She responded, yet still somewhat distracted as she had walked out still mumbling something about compatible color palettes.

When the door had shut again, you found yourself alone with the warlord once more as you’d looked up into those shining sunglasses.

“She was babysitting me, huh?” You asked him, though still considering his posture carefully. Was he back in a better mood now?

“Somebody has to,” He smirked, and then he did reach up, moving his sunglasses back up into his hair in order to really look at you.

You blinked, still not used to that reveal each time. Especially not when you got to watch those expressive eyes actually relax at you. 

“You were being a bitch earlier you know.” He said calmly. “Why wouldn’t you talk to my family?”

So you’d been right. He’d given you the cold shoulder at the end of that meeting all because he’d thought you didn’t handle that forced socialization like he wanted you to?

“Yeah, let me just sit you down with Garp or Akainu some day and see how that goes.” You only half joked, easily admitting that that wasn’t a scenario that’d likely go very well for you either. Not with the admiral at least. “Akainu hates me too though. And he’s the only one that answered the damn phone earlier. Lucky me.”

And you saw Doflamingo’s expression change. Like he was trying to digest one thing at a time. “You called Akainu?” His thin eyebrows raised.

“No. I called Tsuru, but it never would connect. They must be out of range again. So then I called HQ and they said Sengoku and Garp were out of the office. So I asked for an admiral. And lo and behold, only one wasn’t already on the phone.”

“And why does he hate you?” Doflamingo asked next.

There was something sadly funny in it too. You knew you shouldn’t have mentioned it at all. Not to a pirate. But somehow you just didn’t care in this moment either.

“I think he knows how stupid I really am.” Was what you finally said. Rarely were you this self deprecating out loud. But it was obviously true this time.

It must be, because Doflamingo was standing so close to you again. And you didn’t stop yourself. 

You were the one that reached for him first. Worn down and so isolated here among old enemies. The need for his warmth was abruptly overwhelming to you. 

And with the way Doflamingo tensed, you’d surprised him as well as your arms went around his bare waist, under his open shirt and that pink feather coat as you laid the side of your face against his torso. Skin to skin.

He silenced, still looking down at you as you actually hugged him. You hugged the goddamn warlord who had brought you here like only a conquered object on parade.

But within seconds a large hand was on your back, keeping you close as he stroked you from your shoulder blades down to just above the top of your skirt.

“So this is how it’s going to be, hmm?” He murmured and you felt the muscles in his abdomen relaxing again. “You’re going to be a bitch marine in front of my crew, but then come cuddling up to me when you’re tired and we’re finally alone?”

“I don’t know.” You said honestly. There was no precedent for this. “You still feel good.”

“So do you.” He did agree. But then you felt yourself being lifted easily again. “But this is your room. Come on, woman.”

“What?” You asked, confused as he carried you right past your bed.

Those pain killers the doctor had prescribed were on the nightstand in a bottle there as he saw and pocketed them however. 

You just watched as he walked over to a stone book shelf in the corner next. Holding you up with one arm, his other hand pulled his strings to make that shelf move open on a hidden hinge.

Your eyes widened as you felt the air movement that emerged. You heard him chuckle as your grip had tightened on him and he slipped into that narrow passage with you. Him being careful actually to not let you scrape the wall before he’d continued out into the darkness and with another sound of moving stone, new light poured through.

Dimmer, and with more hues of red however as the sun was now setting through the windows of this new room. Yes, you’d thought your room had been large. And you’d been entirely wrong. As this was practically a residence in its own right, now sprawled before you as you tried to take in the true size of it.

“This castle predates Mariejois.” He said carefully. “And these connecting spaces were the original royal chambers before Riku’s bloodline tried to change everything. They thought this was too ostentatious, too big for any one family. They used these as storage and public meeting areas instead and moved their own bed chambers to lower floors. But when I took over…I put it back to how it should be. This was the original king’s chambers. Connecting to the other rooms of his spouse and children through those passage ways. So that they could all come and go while never having to fully interact with the lesser court and staff in the rest of the castle.”

You couldn’t imagine anyone ever being this rich. Even with it laid out here right in front of you. With a main locked door that still shut this off from the more public palace corridor. Just in what you could see right now, there was an open living area, a large sitting room with paintings and statues, and a separate hallway that must lead to the actual king bed chamber and bath.

“You live here…alone?” You asked with your arms still loosely around his neck as he held you in his arms. 

“I did.” He answered. 

And there was a new nervousness in you in the way you felt him carrying you down that hallway to his bedroom. Right past a fully stocked bar of wine, rum, beer, vodka, and gods knew what else. 

He’d brought you over a threshold once before on his ship. But this was even more personal, even more private as that massive bed came into view. 

With all of this before you…for the very first time you did really believe that this was what it meant to be in the intimate company of the King of Dressrosa. And you did not know how to feel about that.

“Doffy…” You tried. You knew he had talked about wanting this. But if he got too absorbed in his fantasies again, he could lose self control like before. He would really hurt you again.

“Take the pain killer.” He insisted, and then he was sitting on that dark bed with you in his lap as he pulled the bottle back out of his coat pocket. “Or am I going to have to force feed you this?”

“Why are you so adamant?” You asked, with your voice beginning to sound even more worried.

“Because I don’t feel like getting my ribs broken when you arbitrarily decide the lovemaking hurts too much.”

And you took a breath. Part of you immediately angry that he would even insinuate that you had somehow overreacted when punching him that hard the last time he’d hurt you during sex.

And yet, another part of your brain was also hitching on the sudden shift in semantics which led him to call that activity lovemaking for the very first time.

The two feelings somewhat cancelled each other out honestly as you just looked at him without finding something to really say in response.

“And there you go not talking again. Don’t do that shit. It’s annoying.” He huffed, opening the pill bottle now.

“I’m not taking those dry.” You finally said then. 

And he did smirk there. “Oh you weak thing. You want it to be wet to wash these down…you want it to be wet when I put it in you. Can’t you ever just take things as they are?”

“Can’t you ever be gentle?” You retorted right back at him there at least.

He grinned, but sliding you out of his lap as he stood from the bed. Leaving you alone on its edge as he walked to the nearest snail on an end table.

“Feh. You’d get bored of that real fast. But in the name of variety…yes. I sometimes can.” And he clicked that snail, still with the pill bottle in his other hand.

“Yes, your highness?” A hurried voice immediately came from the other end.

“Bring up dinner to my chambers. With plates, utensils, and water for two.”

“Yes, right away, sir. And would you like dessert for two as well?”

He hesitated. “What is the dessert tonight?”

“Flores de hojaldre, sir.” They quickly replied.

He glanced at you, and the look you gave was entirely unhelpful as you had no idea what that even was.

But his resulting smile told you that he obviously did. “Yeah, that for two as well.”

“Your order is placed with the chef, sir. We will have it up momentarily.”

And they weren’t kidding. You’d basically only had time to take off your boots and coat. Which he put away for you somewhere. 

Then before you knew it he’d unlocked the door out in the living area and servants had rolled a cart in and up to a dining table in yet another section out there. They served the food and set everything before discreetly disappearing just as quickly as they’d come.

The table was the expected rectangular shape. It looked about as old as the castle itself, heavy and wooden as you approached, noting his obvious seat at the head of it. But your place had been set just on his left.

On his blind side. Yet, he seemed comfortable with that as you’d joined him. He had put his sunglasses back on in the lantern light. But then raised them into his hair again once the servants had left.

And finally you did take just two of those pain pills with a goblet of ice water as you watched that lantern light moving on his cheek bones.

“Happy now?” You asked him.

“Very,” he smiled. But he was already eating. This time the entree was a roasted pork dish with a pepper sauce.

And you were eating too, but slower than him as you were still taking in all the details. They’d already uncovered the dessert tray before leaving. And you hated to admit, but it was that old cliche of almost looking too good to eat. 

They were little pastries that looked like roses. But even prettier than the real thing actually. Flowers made from the pastry sheet being layered over and over like petals and dusted with powdered sugar and a drizzle of honey.

“You like flowers?” Doflamingo asked after he’d taken another deep drink of the water himself, noticing you still examining one of those desserts.

At least he’d be sober tonight you thought. No open alcohol to be seen yet.

“I guess?” You answered.

“What do you mean you guess?” He mocked rather quickly though.

You shrugged. “Flowers aren’t really something we get to have at sea. There’s nowhere to plant them.”

“You’re far too sheltered.” He scoffed anyway. “I think I’ll need to complain to Tsuru.”

And you rolled your eyes, taking another drink too.

But it did all feel strangely casual. Enough that you were able to ask something else.

“So are you really going to waste money on some fancy ring? You know I can’t wear that when I fight. It’ll catch on everything and get in my way.”

And his attention did refocus there as he turned his head to see you fully. His eyes were more cautious again. “I didn’t say you had to wear it every day. An engagement ring is for show. But you are getting a wedding band. I don’t care if you break someone’s nose with it. They’re going to know you aren’t available any longer as you crush them.”

“And will the king be wearing one as well?” You asked a little more bratty there, not fully on board with being tagged this way yourself honestly.

“Of course.” He smiled almost darkly however. “But I’m not saying that would solve all of our problems. A piece of metal is nothing to most. You’ll still need to protect your territory.”

“My what?” 

And he gave you a skeptical look. But then acted like you were just that simple and needed this more clearly laid out for you. “You don’t want anyone else fucking me, correct? So you have to claim me.”

Well you had been enjoying your food. Did things have to go here? Did he need his ego stroked again this soon?

“I don’t want a STD secondhand from a pool girl, no. If that’s what you’re asking. Do you at least make them get tested regularly?” The better brothels usually did, as well as providing effective contraceptive at all times of course.

Only the shitholes like where you’d grown up in didn’t. Which is how you’d been born at all. You and so many other of those brothel kids that you’d helped take care of right up until the time you finally escaped with Tsuru.

And Doflamingo did scowl then. He wanted to be flattered, to feel that you wanted him all to yourself you were sure. He did not want to be suddenly lectured on best healthcare practices with his pool whores.

“I told you I always use protection with everyone else.” He muttered.

“They don’t suck it with a condom over you I’m sure. And condoms can break.” Especially as well endowed and rough as he always was actually.

He was clearly getting irritated though. “So what are you supposing we do? Are you going to stay here with your legs open for me day and night so that I don’t need backup options? I thought you wanted to keep sailing.”

And finally you did look a little more hurt yourself there. Though you shouldn’t have. It was a ridiculous and gross conversation to even be having when you already knew the answer. “Just being available isn’t enough to make a man love me or be faithful. You’re going to fuck who you want to and there’s nothing I can do about it. So don’t even pretend otherwise.”

And you’d heard the resulting growl just before he’d moved. Even with his usual temper, it didn’t make sense to you that this particular truth would goad him like this.

A long arm had shot across that corner of the table to catch you by the jaw. “You stupid woman.” He forced you to look up at him further in your surprise.

“I don’t want fodder any longer. But if you think love is something just freely given and not fought and killed for, then that’s exactly why you’ve never had it!”

And it wasn’t his grip alone that had your heart feeling so suddenly off pace with that outburst. It was the strange look in his eyes. And it was whatever was abruptly in your own voice as you’d retorted just as fiercely before you could stop yourself.

He’d hit that nerve in you.

“What are you talking about!? I did fight for it! Every time I could and they still didn’t care!” You heard those words from your own mouth. But it felt like someone else was saying them for you.

And his eyes narrowed. His hand did not let go of your jaw. “Then who? Who did you waste that energy on?” You saw the way even his left eye seemed to be focusing on you from beyond the scar tissue now. It put a chill through you as he asked something so much worse as you froze. “Who did you ever love?”

There was no possible response that would’t make this immediately worse for you. He’d know if you lied. He’d know if you told the truth.

Why in hell was he doing this?

“Answer me!” He hissed.

And he was going to fucking dislocate your jaw if he squeezed much harder.

You had no choice as that twisting sensation went through your chest. You didn’t think, you didn’t plan. That name came straight from those old feelings alone as you let it go.

“Kuzan….it was just Kuzan.”

It didn’t matter how brief your time with that fellow marine had really been. Because you’d chased the same feeling in every man after him hadn’t you? That safety and level of affection that had never been repeated.

And you saw the immediate change in Doflamingo’s eyes at that revelation. Like a mirror to your own when he now saw something he couldn’t take back. Something he could never undo in you, no matter how hard you knew he was going to try.

“Just because he fucked you first!?” Came the initial petulant response. “I told you I would have! I wanted you before he even knew who you were!”

And it was beginning to hurt inside of you again. More pain than even his vice like grip as the desperation grew.

“It wasn’t about timing!” You cried back at him. “He didn’t want anything from me! I chose him, I went after him! I let him be the first because I already had those feelings…”

And Doflamingo’s chest heaved. You saw his lips draw tight, pulling away from his teeth. And for all that was holy, you could swear you heard that man’s voice start to break. “You were too fucking young to know the difference! You don’t know what love is! I know that you don’t!”

He was fully yelling at you then. His arm that still held your face was trembling.

Tears were starting in your eyes. And then he said it, like a gunshot.

“Because I love you! Only me! Do you understand!? Why the fuck do you think I would put myself through all of this!? I could have any bitch! Any man! Because you’re all goddamn trash! But I get to choose who I want! I get to choose who to take and who to spare to be at my side!”

And he’d shoved you in full disgust then, your head hitting the seat back of your chair as he’d let you go.

You saw the way the muscles in his face moved. A terrifying combination of rage and grief as you shuddered in return, waiting for him to come out of his seat after you.

But he didn’t. He was breathing too hard, his bare chest still rising and falling as he stared at you unblinking.

And you were left shaking in response. This new habit that only he seemed capable of bringing out in you. Your body had no idea how to otherwise dispel these intense emotions.

And he exhaled loudly. His fist was clenched against the table top. “I want you to be my wife. That’s why you’re here! I don’t care about your past. Just do what I’m telling you to do. It’s as simple as signing a goddamn piece of paper. Do it before anyone else fucks this up for us. Then when you’re ready, we can go back to Scylla. Together. We’ll have the kind of ceremony that we deserve.”

He was bargaining so suddenly there. From full rage back to bargaining. There was a true desperation in it all as his anger visibly weakened. The mounting stress was eating that power back away from him.

“Say yes goddamn it.” He growled anyway when you still didn’t respond quickly enough.

But you couldn’t find any words. Your throat felt too tight as you finally just nodded at him. Tears were stained all down your face by now.

And the blood vessels in his forehead were pulsing as you heard his teeth grit when the top and bottom briefly slid against one another. 

You knew that neither of you were going to eat anymore tonight as he did stand then and pushed his chair back.

His grip was on your arm shortly after as he pulled you out of your own chair.

You didn’t resist, but you didn’t look at him either as he picked you up in his arms again.

And he said nothing this time as he carried you back to that royal bed chamber.

No words at all as he’d let you down on the bed shortly after, and then started taking off his clothes. The sunglasses he set down on another small table nearby. His coat he’d already hung up before eating. Now just leaving his shoes, shirt, and pants as he took those off one by one before casting them to the floor.

He was fully nude as he then kneeled onto the bed and starting undressing you as well.

And you just let him. Your own mind still so confused, so overwhelmed as you felt his glare across you.

It was all done in terrible silence as your shirt was unbuttoned, and he reached behind your back to unhook your bra with one hand. He slid them both off of you, tossed into that same pile with his own clothes before your skirt and then underwear joined them.

He did pause there, like observing your naked body in full regardless. Before taking another stressed breath and backing back off of the bed to return his feet to the floor. 

You could see his erection already starting to rise before he grabbed you by the ankles and dragged you until your slit was exposed to him at the very edge of the mattress.

He was on his knees again then, in some sick way resembling someone about to pray before he spread your legs just enough to bend down and put his face abruptly between them.

Nothing with him should have surprised you by now. 

But your thighs immediately tried to close at the sensation, and you felt the small metal hoops of Doflamingo’s earrings rubbing against that skin as his tongue pushed out as hard as possible against your entrance.

That pink muscle so long and so very wet as it probed just inside of you, before he undulated it roughly across the outside again. Along the entire length of your slit, all the way from your rectum to up against your clit. He gave attention to it all without ever uttering another word. Deep, long licks as your breathing deepened and your thighs still tensed around him.

And with your legs over his shoulders, he even began kissing you there as well. You felt his lips, softer than they had any right to be while they moved over your clit. His nose pressing you, but his body language still frustrated even as he began to suck that bundle of your nerves so carefully

Never had he been as purposeful and slow as this. Just moving from one part to another. Not even trying specifically to make you cum as he so easily could have if he’d forced the stimulation any faster already.

He alternated attention to your thighs as well. Kissing and licking them too as you still kept them relatively close around his head.

His large hands were still holding your legs apart though, stroking them as well. And surely able to feel whenever they finally started to have that involuntary tremor. He even paused when you did. Letting you ride those little orgasms to their completion instead of over stimulating you to interrupt them.

But even then you were mostly quiet. Little sighs and mewls all that he could force out of you as your mind still churned. Why was he doing this?

He wanted something. You just didn’t know what.

And as time did pass, you realized that even though you were still awake, things started to feel more dulled. You knew what he was doing with his mouth, and you knew how good it felt. But it still seemed so distant after a while.

Further confusing to you as he did eventually stand so much later and you finally heard him say something again. His voice sounded far more even now. “How do you feel? You’re so wet…and I can’t wait much longer. But we’ll still start off with something smaller. Only for you…this is for you.”

And you didn’t understand at all what he was doing as he left you briefly to dig in the drawer of one of his end tables. Though you did at last make the realization of why everything seemed so muted and numbed.

It was the pain killers. They were whatever strength Doflamingo had wanted to be given to you weren’t they? And he’d been so pushy about you taking them. This was the result. This is what he’d been stalling for, wasn’t it? He’d wanted to make sure they had time to work.

To leave you sluggish and unable to fully feel as he repositioned you now. He’d moved you up the bed. You still lying on your back, and him now opening your legs again as you realized he had something in his hand. 

“It’s just a toy. Relax.” He said. Almost softly really as you watched that lube slicked dildo get lowered towards your wet core.

But he passed it. He went lower as you felt that tip press your exit instead.

Of course he immediately saw that look of fear on your face.

And he was trying so hard to hold back a smile. “Finally making more sense now? Why do you think I haven’t done this to you before? You’re just small, lover…compared to me at least. I knew I’d need enough time…enough toys to begin this process. Even some extra meds to keep you from beating me black and blue when it really starts. Isn’t that right?”

And you still gasped as he slid that toy gradually inside of you. Your rectum stretching slowly in a sensation you’d never experienced before.

And he was so very hard between his own legs as he watched your every change in expression while that dildo forged further and further upward.

“Doffy…” You found you could still speak then, and he heard that bit of panic already in your tone as his other hand reached out to stroke your hair.

“No, it’s pointless to do that.” He was chiding your anxiety. “It always seems like it won’t fit until it does. I’ll fill you so well, woman…”

He really had waited then. He’d planned this. And should you have ever been surprised? Of course he would see every part of your body as belonging to him. 

But could you even tell him?

You had to. Even with the amount of prep he seemed to already be taking, you were still so afraid. And with good reason.

“But I…” You tried again, your thigh actually quivering a little again as he started to thrust that dildo gently in test.

It did feel similar, but not. It was still so different than anything that you’d had done to you before.

He just thought you were intimidated by his size. And of course you were. He’d already torn you in the front more than once through his own carelessness. 

But this was more than that though. Even as you made another gasping sound as he began pumping that dildo in and out your hole even harder.

It was still so uncomfortable. But you were determined to speak as you finally got those words out. “I’ve…never done this.” You breathed, feeling the mess of that lube already slipping back out of you with the wet sound the toy was now making.

But of course that sound paused as soon as he actually processed your words and his hand stopped moving the toy.

And you saw that bit of disbelief enter Doflamingo’s eyes. But soon enough, so embarrassingly soon enough, also the excitement which replaced it.

“You’ve never let anyone…no. Oh. Oh, fuck, woman.” And his grin was back. Ear to ear in fact as you watched the full realization spread through his twisted mind. And yet he still looked to you as if he had to assure himself more than once that this was possibly real. “You’re telling the truth…aren’t you? Oh, goddamn.”

This was evidently amazing news for him once he did finally accept it.

“So Kuzan beat me to the front…and yet no one has ever claimed the back?” He reiterated. “How careless…cruel even. Lover, it’s the whole body or nothing. Why would anyone only want part of you?”

You just hadn’t been ready for that back then of course. And it never came back up. Neither Kuzan or Smoker had had any interest in pushing you out of your comfort zone. They took whatever you were willing to give and that was the end of it.

While Doflamingo took everything that you had. Not just what you would give him.

And he’d clearly been eager before, but now this was his absolute mission. He was ecstatic. “Alright. Time for the next size up then…” He somewhat purred, discarding the used toy before briefly leaving the bed to grab and lube another one.

Again you did feel that anxiety of course, seeing the new dildo’s even larger girth as he returned and lowered it to your hole just like the previous one.

“No, don’t tense. You were doing so good before. Let it in.” He instructed, even as he started to push the toy past the muscles of that lower entrance regardless.

And you did make a sound of fresh discomfort, eliciting a chuckle from him. “Well you’re doing it to yourself. Fucking relax. Save all that squeezing for me, woman.”

“I…can’t.” You gasped as soon as he began thrusting this toy as well. The hole stretching around it even further, and that ever increasing inward pressure feeling so wholly bizarre.

“You can.” He said so decisively though, but his thumb found your clit for that additional assurance as he began rubbing it in tandem with the thrusts of the toy.

And the quiet moan that escaped you then only had him looking that more self-assured. “You see? It’s all connected. Your body knows what it wants. You want to be filled to the brim in every way, don’t you? And nobody does it better than me.”

His arrogance was endless. And yet, even as helpless as you felt beneath him, you knew it could be so much worse. But the more he talked, the more you feared it soon would be. 

His restraint was fading as his anticipation grew.

This was evident in the way his tongue was curling upward as it slid from his mouth then. That darker glint forming in his eyes as he watched you further stretching around the toy. 

He watched as he began to fuck you harder and harder with it.

He was going to take you soon regardless. But if he fully lost his composure, you knew he would drop all this pretense in an instant. He would savage you whenever his lust overcame him.

For this reason, you tried to suppress more of those moans that did actually want to come from you. Especially as he still worked your swollen clit alongside all that foreign pressure.

But he saw the arousal in your face. He knew.

“I think you’re as ready as you’re going to be…aren’t you, my queen?” And his voice was so low then. He let go of your clit to begin stroking himself now. He was smiling, tongue almost nervous in the way he licked his own lips.

And the fear was still rising within you. Even with the drugs numbing effect as you felt the briefest relief from that toy being removed. Your stupid body thinking it had survived. As if there would be any real time to recover as he had the lube bottle already in his hand again. 

He anointed that clear liquid over his flushed cock, from tip to base. He’d been hard for so long by now. His massive erection that was still so much larger than any toy he’d had, now throbbing only for you.

“Remember what I confessed to you, my queen.” And he was starting to growl as he angled himself against your little hole. “This is my love for you…this is what love is.” 

And strings had jerked your hands up above your head just before that penetration. They were was so tight against your skin, your wrists stinging as even more followed. The glimmering wires around your legs as well to hold them permanently open. 

He would take no chances of you fighting back this time. Even with the foreplay, even with the painkillers, and even with the toys to help prime you…he must still know how very much this was going to hurt you.

But his needs would always stand above your own.

So he did it. He did it even as his hand covered your mouth and your resulting scream from penetration became muffled against his skin as he forced himself all the way inside.

Your hips were flush together this time. Farther than your cunt could have ever taken him. No cervix in his way, nothing in his way at all as his own immediate moan bled into what was left of your scream.

“Goddamn…oh, woman. Do you understand…this is…it’s heaven.” He shuddered as you tightened further around him, uneven breaths heaving through his chest as his then half lidded eyes met yours. 

There were tears in your eyes again, his hand still so tight over your mouth. His fingertips pressing sharply into the sides of your face.

“Don’t do that…” His words were still coming in moans as he began to thrust right through that stinging you recognized as your body already tearing. “Don’t cry…” He was panting. 

“I love you…I do.” He breathed. His hips were just moving harder and harder. “I know it…because only love hurts us this way. Doesn’t it?”

And you tried to close your eyes, trying to catch your breath when you couldn’t get enough air through your nose alone.

But as soon as you’d done that his voice changed so quickly again.

“Look at me!” He snapped

And as he kept thrusting over and over, those first beads of sweat were starting on his tan skin while you did as he commanded.

When your frightened eyes met his stare though, he only bared his teeth as well, soaking in your attention. It was a smile and yet it wasn’t. You didn’t even know what that expression was. “Will you…” He stammered as his hips pounded you relentlessly. “Will you ever…” He tried again and the words were lost between his own desperate gasps. 

And he bit his own bottom lip suddenly before those unfinished words could come again. As if in pure frustration for not being able to articulate what he wanted. As if punishing his own mouth to your further shock. Blood began to run down from that self inflicted wound. It dripped from his chin as he began to laugh uncontrollably.

The sound of Doflamingo’s laughter echoed in the large bed chamber, alongside those wet, vulgar sounds of violent sex.

And when the laugh did finally fade again, you felt those drops of blood now falling from his broken lip onto you as he leaned down further.

He was looming over you then. His broad chest fully sheened with sweat. And his cock still splitting you inside as he licked the fresh blood from his lips.

He tried again to speak. And this time he succeeded.

“Tell me, woman…tell me you’ll love me back someday. It doesn’t matter if it’s true…I haven’t heard it since I was a child. I just want to remember what it sounds like…I want to hear it.”

And his hand slipped off of your mouth then, loosely grasping your throat instead. His bloody smile waiting, leering.

“Doffy…” You gasped, trying to reclaim some of your breath. The pressure still unbelievable within you, even with the drug’s strong effects.

He was so incredibly broken. And he was breaking you too. Like nothing you had ever seen before. You didn’t know how to escape this cycle, even as you still cried.

“Let me hold you first…” You begged, your arms fully numb above your head in those strings by now. “Please…”

And you saw his hesitation. Even in the throws of lust and need. “…you’ll strike me.” He said so immediately.

“I won’t.” You whimpered. You couldn’t take this any longer. 

And even in his current wildness, he looked stressed at the idea. His eyes never left you, his thrusting did begin to slow. 

Yet, something tilted the scale eventually. Likely only his own desire to be touched by you in turn as he abruptly moved his fingers. Your arms and legs hit limp against the bed as the strings finally released.

“Thank you…” You could even breathe better then, without your arms strung so tightly above your head.

And your word was something you did always do your best to keep. Even as you saw the concern still in his eyes as you moved your arms again.

He had tensed. His haki at the ready this time no doubt. 

But of course you didn’t trick him. The only habitual manipulator here was the man above you as your palms cupped either side of his lean face instead.

He was still beautiful, even when he was hurting you. With that new fear in his eyes, that blood still seeping from his mouth. He didn’t know at all what you were going to say to him.

And it didn’t matter. Even if heaven and hell would have come together to laugh at you now. You still wanted him to hear the truth. Because didn’t everyone deserve to, if even once?

And you knew it was true. It must be. The only reason you weren’t doing everything in your power to fight back. The reason you kept letting him use you this way.

“I’m…I am already falling in love with you, Doflamingo.”

You saw him swallow. There was no smile, no laugh then. Just an utterly lost look on his face. 

But he turned his head further against one of your hands, confusion the next emotion on his face. While his blind eye closed and he kissed your hand so softly. “…will you tell me then…will you tell me when I’ve earned it all the way…”

“I will.” You heard yourself say. Those tear stains still on your face. The blood on his.

He shivered. And his hips began moving again. 

He did close both of his eyes now. Fully trusting you then. No longer afraid as he gave in to the feeling of your body alone. That pressure of being buried into you all the way to the hilt as he began rubbing your clit all over again to take you over that final edge with him.

It wasn’t much longer until you both had been moaning for that pleasure within the pain, and Doflamingo came so hard inside of you with a last shuddering gasp, almost a cry from him as his eyes remained tightly shut. His face still held within your protective hands.

He was panting, sweating and still shaking as his eyes gradually opened to meet your own tired ones below him again.

“You’re…you’re the one.” He told you so surely as he swallowed again. “The one I’ve been waiting for.”

———————————

    T⨂  BE 

CONTINUED

———————————

Thanks for reading!

[ratedfleur]

what would a ffm threesome look like between the members of zb1 hyung line and u?

i wasn’t sure if this was what you wanted but i hope u like it! :)

jiwoong wouldn’t be phased at your proposition, he would’ve been all “okay, just invite her whenever.” and he’s all smug about it too. if you did invite your friend over, jiwoong would pay attention to her first, he was simply talking to her but immediately her panties are pooling with slick because of how intense his staring was. sparing you a quick look, all jiwoong needs is one smile from you before making your friend sit on his lap, kissing her softly as you got busy with yourself, watching as jiwoong fucked her. one rule of his was that you were not to interfere with him fucking your friend, you were only allowed to watch and instruct him ever so often before you get your own fucking session after she cums.

hao would melt at your proposition, he wouldn’t even be ashamed about it because he’d ask you to pull specific moves— hao knows you know what he likes so you’re taking the reigns in the bedroom, but this time, with a friend. his special request was that you and your friend would be on all fours, kneeling beside each other before hao takes turns fucking you both and his hand would be fucking the other empty cunt. you knew hao loved oral— both giving and receiving, you and your friend got to work and all hao could do was moan against a cunt and buck his hips into a warm cavern as he made a mess all over himself, cumming within a quick minute.

hanbin would’ve attempted to get out of your request, he swore to himself to not get into situations like such but he couldn’t resist when you and your friend cornered him in a cafe, both yours and her foot was pressed against his crotch as your chins were in your hands, showcasing your tits in a sweetheart neckline top. hanbin would’ve brought you both into the restroom, scolding you both for acting like sluts in a public place. he would punish you both for acting like whores, smacking your behinds before he fucks you both in front of the mirror, making tears stream down your faces as hanbin got rough with you and your friend.

matthew’s own expressions would fail him if he acted all fine about your little request, immediately you could tell that matthew’s flustered and shy about the thought of being surrounded by two women at once in the bedroom. matthew would’ve tried to dart his eyes all over the place when he saw you kissing your best-friend in the kitchen, she had her bottoms on the ground as your hand busily prodded in between her folds. your smile is erotic as you opened your eyes, looking straight at matthew as your friend was busy moaning against your lips. he would’ve liked to stay on the sidelines, watching as you made yourself cum as you and your friend scissored. all matthew would need is one command from you before he joins in on the fun.

taerae’s smile is eerie when he said yes to your question about a threesome, the only condition is that he’d choose who would join and that he would be in charge of both of you. he had one trick up his sleeve and you didn’t know that he would choose one of your sworn rivals in uni, it was silly but he loved seeing you both bicker in bed even if you both were clearly having fun scissoring each other. if either of you were getting a little too loud and angry, taerae would make you or her suck him off so he could have a little fun watching the other make fun of the other for being forced to shut up.

© RATEDFLEUR — ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

[agentwhalesong]

One Step At A Time

Words: 1,484

Rating: not sure; contains adult topics, so Mature?

ao3 link

(Tagging @today-in-fic)

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

She’d only given in because she was lonely.

Their relationship was weird these days; conversation was never an option. It was just sex, rough sex, against the wall, onto office tables or bent over the back of his couch. Their couch. No, his couch. Her mind used to discern things better when there was only anger in the air, when he wouldn’t accept a single touch of her hand on his. She couldn’t even tell when that anger turned into some sort of addictive lust or who started it all, but now here they were, in a limbo of loveless, hot sex whenever they saw each other.

Was it really loveless though?

His arms around her stomach as he kept on spooning her didn’t indicate so.

Maybe he just forgot they shouldn’t be like this, that two months ago she had built a wall between them by saying ‘no more’ as she rolled her skirt back down her legs and hid her tears.

So yes, she’d only given in this time because she was lonely, not because they had never fallen out of love with each other, even in their darkest days.

She wasn’t supposed to have stayed though. This road was headed to mess town and she wasn’t ready for mess yet. What she didn’t realize — at least not completely — was that she’d long arrived in mess town and was almost a permanent citizen.

Her hand was still over his, stroking it absentmindedly as thoughts ran through her mind at warping speed. Old habits die hard; some old habits never truly die.

Slowly, she unwrapped herself from his arms, not sure if he had woken or not. It didn’t matter anyway.

She picked up her clothes and walked to the bathroom they had once shared, but that she was seeing for the first time in more than a year. As she closed the door behind her, her heart stopped. Her old toothbrush, the one she had forgotten to take when she moved out, was right there in the toothbrush holder, as if untouched.

What was she supposed to think of it? He couldn’t possibly not have seen it. It was next to his, next to the tube of toothpaste squeezed right in the middle — something she had never been able to change in him. Maybe that was the problem, she had tried to change him too much.

She sighed. All these emotions didn’t belong here, in her mind, in his house, in their house, in her more-than-one-year-old toothbrush. Why now? Why had she given in?

It had been the first time they had actually talked; it was why she had given in. It hadn’t been small talk that always led to sex for some unexplained reason. It had been a simple, but meaningful conversation about life and losing time and getting old that had dissolved all of her determination and made her take his hand and follow him upstairs.

“Scully, are you okay in there?” came his muffled voice from outside the bathroom.

It was only then that she realized she had been staring at their toothbrushes for many more minutes than she should have.

She opened her mouth to say ‘yes, I’m fine’, but what got out was completely different.

“Why is my toothbrush still here?”

She heard him sigh, but he didn’t speak.

He didn’t want to answer, that was fine. Why should he? Why had she asked that stupid question anyway? Maybe it wasn’t even her toothbrush, but somebody else’s. Truth was that she didn’t know if there was somebody else. She never thought to ask.

“Can I come in?” he finally asked.

Her reply came in a whisper, but he heard her.

Although she didn’t turn around when he entered, their eyes locked through the mirror.

“I wasn’t expecting you would see it,” he said quietly. “I left it there as a reminder.”

“A reminder?”

“That you left. At the time I just needed to feed my anger and that was the only thing you didn’t take with you. I used to look at it and curse myself, sometimes curse you.”

She averted her gaze to her own reflection, saw her own eyes watering as her heart raced and ached. He continued.

“I threw it away once, that time when you came to check on me and we had sex for the first time before… this, whatever this is, started. I was angry that you seemed to regret what we’d just done, so I threw it in the trash can. I picked it up again a couple of hours later, though.”

“Why?” she asked, not hiding her tears anymore and looking at his eyes through the mirror again. “If this is so painful to you, why do you keep on holding on?”

She knew the question wasn’t about him and her toothbrush, but about him and her, about their inability to let each other go for good. He knew it too.

“Because at some point it stopped hurting. It became hope.”

His words hit deep, crushing her facade at once.

“Damn you, Mulder! You need to stop doing this to me!”

Her exclamation, although said in a low voice, made her body react. She lowered her head, supported herself with her hands on the sink, allowed herself to weep.

She felt his hands gently grab her hair from around her neck and turn it into a sort of low ponytail, before letting it fall on her back, away from her tears.

“I’m sorry I made you break your promise of not sleeping with me again. I’ll leave you alone from now on.” He turned around, but she couldn’t let him go.

“Please, don’t.”

He stopped by the door, turned his body only half around, while she turned completely and walked to him.

Her arms went around his waist so quickly that it took him a while to hug her back. But when he did, it felt like nothing else mattered.

She couldn’t say how long they just stood there in that position or when her tears subsided. She just knew that at some point he whispered against her hair, uncomplicated words for a complex relationship.

 “Let’s just go to bed and pretend it’s like old times”.

She let herself be carried and then cuddled, despite her mind shouting that she should just go home. They had sex once more — a first since chaos started to reign — and that made it incredibly difficult to obey the voices in her head.

She ended up staying through the night because, in the end, they weren’t pretending it was like old times. For once, they were in the present, not trying to retrieve what had been lost. They were the Scully and Mulder who didn’t know exactly how to deal with everything, but also the Scully and Mulder who were at least trying — no matter how unconventional their way of trying was.

She woke up before him the following morning, and when he opened his eyes she was already half dressed. His hoarse voice was what made her look over her shoulder and then turn to face him.

“I thought you were going to stay at least for breakfast”

She shook her head slightly.

“That is not who we are anymore, is it?”

He shook his head slightly also, and then closed his eyes. If falling asleep again or just lost in thoughts, she couldn’t tell.

She was already putting on her shoes when he suddenly broke the silence.

“Who are we now?”

She sighed, not sure what to say, and then sat on a spot beside him on the bed.

“I think we are trying to figure that out.”

She wanted to tell him all the feelings that were stirring her insides, that last night had been sweet and sad and something else, maybe a sparkle of forgiveness from both sides. Instead, she just put her hand over his and stroked it a little, wordlessly.

Then she stood up and headed for the door, already expecting the tears that usually came with the silent goodbyes.

“Scully?”

She turned around, somewhat afraid of what he was about to say. But fear turned into tenderness as he spoke.

“You look beautiful.”

She smiled in spite of herself, the first smile while with him in the past year or so. He smiled back, melting a little more of the ice on that wall of hers.

Without another word, she made her way out of the bedroom and then out of the house. She was already in her car when she realized — the tears she was expecting never came.

Maybe she would call him one of these days. Maybe they would talk again. Maybe they would become something similar to what they had once been. For now, she only held on to the smile on his face and his heartwarming words. One step at a time.

[t4tozier]

if you're still taking questions,,,, if Porter had won, what do you reckon he would have used his powers for, after the whole restoring his clan to glory and all that shit was taken care of? and how is Jace dealing with his boyfriend being off in the astral plane or wherever the fuck gods actually live?

oh i am always taking questions about starbreaker <3

i honestly truly believe that porter would be bored without jace. i think he would have fun at first and smite people who he felt wronged him and raze elmville to the ground yadda yadda but then he’d be like okay. so what now.

he’s too prideful to admit that he could possibly have made a mistake, and too power-hungry to let go of his newfound godhood, so in his mind, there’s really only one solution.

jace probably spends a lot of time immediately after porter’s ascension feeling angry, betrayed, foolish. after all of this, he’d truly been nothing more to him than another pawn, another stepping stone to reach his ultimate goal. even still, he prays. he curses porter out and in the same breath vows to worship him forever. and sometimes, just sometimes, he’ll hear a whisper in his head, feel hot breath against his neck, and he knows that his god is listening.

it’s a few months after the battle at aguefort. jace has since moved back to fallinel, a place he never saw himself returning to—but when your home is destroyed by your vengeful ex-boyfriend, you don’t have many options left.

he’s curled up on his couch, nursing a drink and watching the fantasy bachelor, when he hears a knock on his door. he ignores it the first time, but then it becomes more forceful, and jace finally pulls himself away from the television with a groan. he’s tired, rubbing the liquor and sleep from his eyes, as he opens the door to see—

“porter?”

“in the flesh, little star.” porter grins at him, eyes a swirling pit of fire. his skin glows from the inside out, looking more like lava rock rather than the pure stone it once had resembled.

jace just stares at first. he doesn’t know whether to kiss him or punch him or fall to his knees. but porter breezes past him through the entryway—has he always been that tall?—and makes himself at home on jace’s couch.

“missed you, starshine,” he says, looking up at jace—though, they’re still nearly eye level to each other. “i have…a proposal for you.”

and porter ends up granting jace immortality, the powers of a saint, a holy priest, so that they’ll forever be by each other’s sides. he doesn’t really give jace the chance to decline, but even if he had, jace knows he wouldn’t have. after all, they’ve always been a duo. why stop now?

[arkhamabyssfiles]

Arkham Abyss Files: Nightwing_Memory_02 Loading FILE... RICHARD GRAYSON: AGE, 20 JASON TODD: AGE, 16 HELENA WAYNE: AGE, 15 BRUCE WAYEN: AGE, 37

Considering all, things had gone better than he’d expected. It had been just a couple of barbs thrown each other’s way and then some cold stare-down –which he had lost, but who could win those against Batman? Dick shook his head, and as he pushed open the bookcase door into the library the first sound to meet his ears was amusing if not somewhat perturbing. 

“Where the hell do you think you’re touching?”

“Oh~ Don’t be shy,” He recognized Helena’s teasing tone, and he worried about what he was listening to.

“Who’s sh—? Hey! Hands off, Princess.”

Dick finished opening the door to find the boy who had taken—being given without permission– Robin’s mantle, with his hand against Helena’s face while she had half crawled over his legs and was grabbing at his shoulders, while both a struggling tangle on the couch. So this is how they met. It could’ve been less awkward.

Dick cleared his throat and both teenagers turned to him, one gaze filled with surprise then embarrassment, and the other happy and challenging.

“Hey Richard,” So it was still Richard, huh? “Care to give me a hand here?”

“I don’t know who I’m supposed to give a hand to…” Dick trailed off.

“To you’re darling little sister of course,” Helena said batting her eyelashes. 

“No sister of mine would call me Richard,” He shot back. Dick wasn’t insulted, not at all.

“Don’t be a baby, Richard. I told you I’d call you that for a year if you left—plus two months for every month you don’t come to visit,” She said biting. She was angry all right at him yet. Even if it was superficial and he knew in no time she’d be hugging and joking with him.

Jason, meanwhile, had tried to use Helena’s distraction to try and escape from her grip. Dick pitied him, he didn’t know her well enough yet to know once she got her clutches on her prey she didn’t let go in any circumstances.

“Where are you going, Jason?” She turned her scary smile to the blushing and completely awkward teenager. “I still have to pull those metal splinters from your neck.”

“Alfred can do it,” Jason said trying and failing to get her hands off him. Dick was sure that Jason could easily shove her away if he used his full strength, but he didn’t want to hurt her. He was a softy—at least for her. And he could see and understand his discomfort at having a girl like Helena all over him and touching his neck.

“Alfred is busy making dinner, and I have better eyesight than him. Or would you rather have Dad do it?” Helena shot back.

And Dick just couldn’t resist it, “Well, well. Isn’t it nice to be young and in love…”

“It’s not–! We’re not—!” Jason was the first to burst while Helena coughed and smiled, but Dick had a sharp eye and he saw the faintest of raise of color in her face… Oh, poor kid, he had no chance against her.

Dick laughed, he’d thought he’d have to make an effort not to dislike Jason, but so far he was having the opposite reaction. He was a good kid, wasn’t he? Maybe he should’ve come sooner and met him instead of letting the anger towards Bruce’s unilateral decision make him stay away for months…

“Well, are you helping or not?” Helena asked raising an eyebrow at him.

Dick raised his hands and saw Jason’s pleading look, then at Helena. An idea formed in his mind—it was not payback for calling him Richard, not at all.

“All right, I’ll hold him,” He said, walking towards them. He saw Helena’s triumphant look and Jason’s resigned one. Dick sent Jason a look once he was behind Helena’s field of vision and winked. Immediately the teenager’s expression changed from resigned misery and awkwardness to relief and gratefulness.

Dick quickly put his arms around Helena’s middle and yanked her off of him. She gasped and while she exclaimed, “Treason!” Dick said between laughs, “Run! Run Forest!”

And Jason didn’t have to be told twice, he sprang up over the couch and ran through the west door of the library and towards the kitchen, the only safe haven in this house guarded and maintained by Alfred. The old butled would have the splinters out in no time. 

Helena meanwhile kept flailing and trying to have his hold removed, then exhausted herself after a few expletives and minutes later. He hung her then over his shoulder and threatened, “Now call me ‘dear big brother’.”

“Go kiss some pig's ass, Richard,” She growled from his shoulder.

Dick laughed and started spinning, she screamed. He’d found early on she wasn’t good with spinning since that incident with the spinning teacups ride at Metropolis Amusement Park. He stopped, “How about now?”

“Richard. Richard. RICHARD!”

Dick just started spinning again. By far, this wasn’t the first time they’d been in this situation, so he knew just the right amount to not have her throwing up all over the carpet. “You know, I’d forgotten how stubborn you are when angry at someone.”

A sick groan answered him, then her weak reply, “I’ll die on this hill.”

Then the door of the Batcave opened and out stepped Bruce. He stared at them blankly and there was a moment of silence.

“Dad…Help…” Helena croaked.

“Don’t be late for dinner,” He said and walked away.

Dick grinned widely, “Welp, it’s just me and you, now Lena.”

“Treason…I hate you all… Richard…” Those were her last words. He started spinning again. He'd be sure to put them on her tombstone.

END OF MEMORY... For more FILES check previous entries...

[acalamity]

I love your work and I saw that you have requests open. If you can, can you write about Gun Park with a reader who is stronger than him and he ends up falling for her. Thank you!

author's note

thank you anon! this is probably not what was expected, if anything at all. a bit of gun character study, I don't write him particularly well

to another anon who asked for jake, samuel and gun, I'm sorry but I accidentally deleted your ask thinking it'll just delete the draft (apparently not) :( but I don't write headcanons

lookism! gun park x reader. reader introduces whimsy (and peace) into gun's life

more below the wubbaboo!!

Gun Park, Shiro Oni, who comes with the doom harboured by drizzling rain, has fallen. He has fallen in more ways than one, in more ways than he thought possible. And yet, the only reason he had fallen is because of you. His ultimate demise, caused by a bright-hearted fool so unlike him.

He wonders if you realise how you changed his life; his worldview. How the very first time he saw you use your overwhelming strength was for trivial errands. How the second time he saw you use your strength, was for another errand, delivering supplies to a clinic far away. How the third time he saw your strength, it was for the numerous little children who wanted to be carried.

And how all the other times he saw your strength; it has never been for destruction. How he had turned away from someone so boring; a waste of talent— yet in the end, too was captured by you. (Nowadays, he'll know not to sneer at you for a fight, and not call your strength wasted potential).

The first time you completely overwhelmed him, he laid defeated on the ground and stared up at the sky with an odd sense of calm. Neither the excitement, attraction nor the thrill of battle he had been anticipating remained in his blood. Then, in his vision, he saw your face, concerned and worried. It was ridiculous. Someone worried for a superhuman like him? How ridiculous.

Yet not once did your concerns fade; defeat after defeat, as he laid upon the ground in utter hopelessness, with no such excitement or pumping blood, your face would pop up.

In the first time in his life, Gun Park felt humiliation. And so he laid there until a hand was given to him, "You're a bit too pathetic, you know that?"

Not even Goo Kim would say that.

— —

It made him wonder if the gentle hand upon his, capable of much more destruction than he could imagine, has influenced his own.

"Hold on!" You exclaimed, adjusting the flower crown on his head that was lowered to you. Although he wasn't sure why he was using it, nor was he certain of the purpose of the mess of scattered flowers and stems— he rather liked it, "There we go, much better."

"What's this for?" He stood back up straight, white pupils bare if his usual sunglasses staring into your soul. He watched you create another crown of flowers, intertwining their stems gently and meticulously, "Isn't it fun?"

No, Gun wanted to reply, so he says nothing instead and continued in silence. Once you were done, you handed over the second crown to him, letting him hold it with your hand over his, "Here, tie it around my head."

And so, he does, letting you turn your back to him so he could place it on, "It's ok if you don't like activities like this. But you should experience it once in your life."

You're aware of the destruction he caused, you're aware Gun Park isn't much outside of his traditions and violence. You know that he's shared a cup with another; but at least, you hope he can learn to live.

It's only when you snap a picture of the moment did Gun see the tender smile upon his own face.