#pinky finally snapped lol

[bunni-art]

damn, brain was only gone for one night

reference under the cut

-

[kakujis]

𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓… ☽

baji vers | geto vers

synopsis: unbeknownst to you, the grave you visit everyday has been empty for years. keisuke is finally ready to come see you again.

warnings: gn!reader, vampire!baji, character death, devotion, grief and dealing with it, slightly angsty but also fluffy, pet names (baby, kitten), swearing, a little selfship coded, NOT PROOFREAD!, SFW feel free to interact but pls remember i'm an 18+ blog!

ft: vampire!baji x reader, 2.4k

network: @enchantedforest-network

an: here's baji's version!! actually, this one was supposed to come AFTER suguru's but... erm... hehe. it also was supposed to be spookier, but i am nothing but a big ole softy for my loverboy. ): happy halloween! i wanted to post it on his birfday, but i think this is more fitting! could've been longer but i just wanted to get something out LOL. thanks to nie for letting me ramble about this lil fic!!

life is such a finicky thing. and sometimes, the time ticks by too slowly for your liking until it’s suddenly too fast, too short, too soon.

you’ve been to this grave a hundred - no maybe thousands of times, over the years. and yet, like the snowfall, your tears slip down your cheeks, hugging the warmth of your body, til they fall onto the ground disappearing into the asphalt. 

chifuyu matsuno thinks one day, he’ll beat you to it. one day he’ll be the one who arrives first, turning around with a smile and holding a bag of peyoung yakisoba. it’ll be his eyes rimmed red with hands trembling so hard that he’s sure they’ll snap. but you are always here first, almost every day for the past god knows how many years. 

every aspect of the word “first”, is what keisuke baji had embodied. first division captain, first born son, and your first love. he was rowdy, rough, sometimes a little insensitive, but at the end of it all, he was loyal. he was yours. 

“if i’m yours, then you’re mine.” he grinned, toothy, vibrant and all encompassing. his hands held yours like they were the world, and maybe, in a sense, they were. but even the world cannot last forever, the stars themselves bursting at the seams when their time has come. 

“they’re so pretty.” you told him, leaning against his shoulder, pointing up with your index finger. “don’tcha think?” 

“they’re alright,” he mumbled, but he kept his eyes upward, staring at the same stars as you. “i'd rather look at you.” 

“you’re so fucking cheesy.” you laughed, before pressing a chaste kiss to his cheek. 

when stars die, they leave a beautiful supernova, an explosion of color across the galaxy, painting the universe in rich hues of color. but when baji died, you thought it was so fucking ugly. you remember throwing up the first night, your own shitty constellation within the porcelain of your toilet. 

then the world started to dim, like the world was dipped in muted shades when there used to be so much vibrance. the sun was no longer as bright and you no longer sought comfort under the moon, hiding away from even her blue light. 

if there is solace in one thing, it’s that baji was a really good liar. sure, he was different that day and sometimes had trouble looking at you, but there was nothing to suspect that he would decide to plunge in that knife and bleed out on the ground of that god forsaken junkyard. 

“i’m scared you’ll go away,” you told him one night, so desperately wishing now that you would’ve noticed the way he tensed ever so slightly. “like, one day, i’ll wake up and you’re not there anymore.” 

you remember how he leaned in, nose brushing against yours before pulling back slightly. “and where would i go that doesn’t have you in it?” he grinned, another bright fanged smile that eased every single worry out of your brain. and you decided in that moment, that keisuke was always going to be the one that held your heart in his hands. 

“marry me one day.” you replied and he laughed, before holding up his pinky to yours. “good. saying no wasn’t an option.” 

“figured.” 

but today is not a day to be caught in memories as the sun plummets below the horizon, as the sky shifts from a pretty magenta pink to inky black. feet bouncing off the pavement, you scurry over to his grave. you chastise yourself for being late today of all days, it was his birthday. 

“sorry!” you call out as you finally make it, hands on your knees as you suck precious air back into your lungs. “sorry i’m late, kei.” 

you do the usual of pouring water onto the tombstone, before you light a candle and spread the blanket beneath you, sitting cross-legged as you pull out the contents of your bag. “i got a little something extra today,” you say, eagerly pulling out the sealed little slice of cake you got at the bakery. “okay… so it looks a little fucked, but don’t mind that.” you giggle, before sighing.

“if you were here… what would you say?” you mumble to yourself, before putting on your best keisuke voice. “hah? it’s still edible isn’t it?... or something.” you nod as if in response to him, before tearing it open and setting it down. “chifuyu saw you earlier right? did he bring you something good? oh! and, i was looking at some of the cats at the pet shop earlier, they’re no peke j but, they’re still cute, y’know?” 

you always do this. you ramble and ramble, relaying your day to him as if he’s listening intently to you. sometimes, you’ll imagine when the two of you sat in his room, his lips quirked up into a smile as he nodded and listened to you. 

“the cake is good!” you exclaim, taking a bite. it’s fluffy, creamy, and sweet, it almost masks the saltiness of your tears that seep past your lips, onto your tongue and settle on your buds. 

almost.

“fuck- sorry. sorry for crying.” you use one hand to wipe away at your tears, the other holding onto your convenient plastic fork. it’s harder to breathe now, sobs wracking your body as your mind floods with “what ifs” once again. what if you had asked him to stay with you that day? what if you tried harder? what if you had noticed something was wrong sooner? could you have done anything? and what if-

lost in your thoughts you almost miss the familiar drawl that used to set your heart and soul on fire. “still a crybaby, eh?” 

you freeze, the fall breeze caressing your cheek as you sniffle and ever so slowly, turn. you must have been hearing things, you think, as there’s nothing there but the other stone graves and the leaves on the wind. 

“maybe i am losing my fucking mind...” you mutter, taking a deep breath to calm yourself, “i should look into therapy.” 

you shake your head, a little spooked. it’s getting later by the moment, the only light nearby being the candle, a warm-orange flame surrounded by night. you lean over to blow it out, but stop, feeling that you should stay a bit longer. not only are you late, but it’s keisuke’s day, it wouldn’t be right to leave so soon. you frown, before settling back in place. 

“anyways, what was i saying?” you hum, taking another scoop of your dessert. “something-“

“something about the new cats at chifuyu’s shop right?” that familiar voice sounds again, closer this time, tickling the shell of your ear. 

you immediately jerk around and almost pass out at what you see. crouched down and smiling, that familiar wolfy grin is keisuke, looking just like you remembered. from the way his long, inky hair frames his face to the vivid carmine of his eyes, it’s keisuke. 

“hey, continue the story baby, i was listening.” he gestures to the cake on your fork, slipping off the utensil from the shakiness of your hands. “lemme have a bite?” 

you’re snapped from your stupor when he finally touches you, cold fingers lightly guiding your hand upward towards his mouth. you immediately scramble back, the cake falling onto the blanket below. 

“kitten,” he says, frowning at the mess, “y’know i hate wasting food.” the pet name almost sends you into a spiral, the way it falls off his tongue so easily, just like he always used to say it, almost like it was your name at times. 

“you’re not real.” you whisper, shaking your head slightly, the words trapped behind the door of your brain unleashing in that moment. “i’m hallucinating. i have to be.” 

he inches towards you as you continue to crawl back, back hitting the cold gray stone. keisuke leans in, snuffing out the candle between his fingers first before redirecting his attention to you. he’s so close you’re sure he can feel your breath, but the odd thing is, you can’t feel his.

“if i wasn’t real…” he starts, inching in so close your noses just barely touch, just a hair widths away, “could i do this?” he kisses you then, just barely holding back his deep fervent need to snatch you up and take you home. wherever that was. 

it’s strange, baji’s cold, nearly ice, and yet you feel the familiar rush of warmth through your veins that once bloomed so deeply in your heart, that everything suddenly does feel real. the two of you stay like that for a few moments and when he pulls away you lean in again, snatching him by the collar to press another kiss to the lips that you missed so much. 

baji’s wolfish grin plays on his face in between the kisses you continue to plant against his lips and his skin, alternating between his cheeks and jawline. “yeah, yeah, i missed you too, you big crybaby.” he laughs, cupping your face to swipe at the tears that fall freely once again. 

you whine when he forces you to pull off, bringing your hands up to his, almost as if you’re sure he’ll run off again and be gone by morning. “you’re really keisuke? …this isn’t a joke?” you shake your head as you ask, hiccuping and trying your best to heave in gulps of air. 

“yeah, it’s me.” he answers, the crinkle of his eyes never leaving. 

but you just don’t get it. how is baji here and not well, six-feet under? almost as if he can read your mind he speaks, “i’m not really sure how it happened either.” he starts, releasing you and staring down at his palms, opening and closing them, almost as if he’s also in a daze. “i shouldn’t be here, i know that. i made sure i wouldn’t and yet, i woke up not too long after that day.” he lifts his shirt up and you wince in anticipation, but there’s nothing where the old stab wound should be, like it never happened. 

hesitantly, you place your hand flat against the area, before your fingertips trace the outline where it should be. you exhale deeply before speaking again, “how come you only showed up now?” 

he gives you a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his neck, as the hem of his shirt falls back into place. “well… i had to sort of figure things out. dunno how well received i would’ve been if i just showed up after my own funeral.” he jokes, but you glare at him. 

“do you have any idea at all how badly that fucked me up?” you ask, remembering the countless nights you spent staring up at your bedroom walls so utterly exhausted from crying or the days you spend in a haze, trying your best to get through the day. you won’t lie, you’ve been so angry since that day. endlessly lonely, endlessly empty, and just when you thought you’d be able to get over it, he shows up like it wasn’t that big of a deal. 

“well, i watched you a lot.” he admits, gazing around the cemetery. “you come here every single day, you cry every single time, even when you say you’re not going to. you’ve cursed me out in death more times than i can count and i think you’ve tried every single type of peyoung soba. you, chifuyu, and kazutora have only come here together a handful of times and everytime one of you ends up drunk crying.” he snorts, before continuing, “you sleep with my hair ties under your pillow and almost had the balls to ask my mom for my toman jacket, multiple times.she would’ve said yeah, by the way. every evening you say goodnight to me and that you love me.” 

he grins when you sit there, mouth agape, and asks, “did i miss anythin’?” 

you shake your head, “but what now? i still don’t get why you came here today?” 

he shrugs, “i’ve got a question for ya.” but his expression is serious now, the shift in his features making you nervously fidget with your hands. but before you can look away, he tilts your head towards him, the other hand intertwining with yours, locking you in place. “you still wanna be with me forever?” 

your heart pounds in your chest, almost alarmingly so, as you gaze at him with lidded eyes while your voice is light, fluttering back up to him and relaying the answer he’s been waiting to hear. “of course, keisuke.”

“and you’d do anything? …let me do anything?” he questions further, squeezing when you nod your head. 

you’d let me turn you?

and you’re aware now, what it is he’s asking. and maybe, you think it’s because you centered so much of you life around him, that leaving it behind doesn’t sound too bad. if you were the clouds, then baji was the sky, always trying to stay in that space so intrinsically bound to one another that only death could have separated you. 

he never said the word, but he didn’t really need to. what was the one thing that could have escaped death like this?  what else was he but a vampire? 

“okay,” he sighs, “if you’re sure.”

“more than ever.” you state. 

keisuke is fast, picking you up and into his arms. naturally, you wrap yours around his neck, a part of you still thinking that this must be a dream. 

“well, there’s no way we’re gonna do it in some freakin’ cemetery.” he jokes and you giggle. if his heart could beat, he’s sure it’d flutter just as fast as yours. 

“hey are you gonna turn chifuyu?” you ask, blinking up at him, “or tora?” 

“you think they’d wanna hang out with us? for eternity?” he asks, picking up the pace as he walks.

“hmm, maybe you’re right. besides, takemichi’s gonna miss them too much right?” you continue, the breeze kissing your now dried cheeks. 

“don’t forget mikey.” he adds, before continuing, “well, it’s not like we can’t visit sometime.” 

you nod, placing your head on his shoulder, “not too soon though, we’ve got a lot of catching up to do.” 

he smiles at you as he answers, “don’t worry. we’ve got all the time in the world.” 

as the two of you leave, you peek back towards the lights of the city, becoming smaller and smaller with each step. and you wonder how upset chifuyu’ll be tomorrow when he finds your half-eaten cake, spread out on an already forgotten blanket. 

[cypherthesuccubus]

Rekindle Our Spark~

Alastor x reader -Part 2- (NSFW) (MDNI)!!!!!

Warnings: smut, 18+, predator/prey, murder, S&M, bondage, knife play, blood kink, marking, cock worship, pussy worship, body worship, dom/sub, breath play, she/her pronouns, vaginal sex, breeding, creampie, rutting

Other tags: Fluff and Angst

Aftercare always!!!~✨

Part 2 is here, my darlings~ Let’s see what entertainment is in store for you~ 😈✨(Sorry for the slow updates. Mom life has me busy lol 😂)

(Alastor’s P.O.V)

Humming a tune, I make my way down the streets of Cannibal Town; occasionally being greeted by the friendly folks that reside there. Quite a lovely place. I find myself visiting here quite often than most. Most of my errands I run take place here, since it’s literally not far from the hotel. I soon arrive at Roise’s estate, which has a severely long line out her door everytime I pay her a visit. She really has done a number here; keeping every cannibal citizen in line. One must admire her stunning work she has put into this town. Without it, well…..let’s just say there will be more than angels to worry about. I make my way through the doors; maneuvering through the crowd as I make my way towards to the front of the line. Rosie was chatting up to….ugh……Susan. As a gentleman, it’s difficult to keep one self restrained when having a conversation with that woman. It’s almost as if her mission is to make your life more of a living hell than it already is. Other than Lucifer, she’s the second person I can’t stand to be in the same room with. Finally that wretched woman left; right before giving me a glare as she passes me. Someone should really put her in a box and throw her down the fucking river. (lol sorry I couldn’t resist putting a reference 😂)

“Good morning Miss Rosie! How are we doing on this lovely hellish day?” I gesture a slight bow as she makes her way to me; pulling me in for a tight hug. “Oh it’s going wonderfully! It’s been a minute since you swung by to visit me, since extermination day.” She looks at me disappointed as I straighten my bow tie “Yes, I do apologize for not gracing my presence, since then. But, I have a good reason as to why and is also the reason I’m here now.” She smiles as she gestures me to sit down in one of her velvet chairs that’s paired with a darling little cafe table. “Please! Do tell what has brought you by this time Alastor.” She takes her seat across from me as she snaps her fingers; signaling one of her servants to hurry over with some tea and snacks. “Well, my dear, I have been…finding some trouble to have a full nights rest due to some….pesky flashbacks that seem to be on repeat every night I try to sleep.” She nods “So is this like nightmares or reliving terrible memories?” She looks towards her servant bringing the tray; decorated with a beautiful Victorian tea set with a small frilly box of pinky fingers. The servant gently places the tray onto the table; taking a step back “Thank you dearie! You may go now.” The servant bows “Thank you ma’am.” My ears instantly perk up. That voice…..sounded familiar.

I turn to face the servant as they got up mid bow. My eyes widened when the servants face was in full view. Despite the demon form, I instantly knew who was standing in front of me. The one who has been haunting me…..(Y/N). She takes her leave from the table; returning to the chaos of the room to serve any other guests she needed to. “Alastor?…your spacing out there.” Rosie breaks me from my thoughts as I try to compose myself “Oh it’s nothing to worry about, my dear. But yes; these dreams are definitely memories that I keep reliving every night.” She hums; placing her finger against her chin to think of my predicament. “And you can’t think of any reason why this has been happening?” I shake my head “Not a clue! But I feel like a good herbal tea might smooth things down enough for me to sleep properly.” She looks at me with confusion “I do have some special herbs to help with sleep….but you sure you want to suppress this rather than to figure it out naturally?” I chuckle at her undermining me “Of course, my dear! I know how to handle things on my end perfectly fine naturally! I just need a little sleep aid is all.” She hums; snapping her fingers again signaling (Y/N) over once again. She brings a small intricate box; handing it to Rosie “Sleep aid herbs for you, Miss Rosie.” She bows one more time as Rosie takes the box from her hands “Thank you again, dearie! You can go back to your daily chores for the day.”

I watch as (Y/N) walks back to the crowd. It’s definitely her judging by the look of her face; especially the sound of her voice. I wonder how long she’s been in hell for. How did she get to be an assistant to Rosie? So many questions that need to be answered. “Alastor, dear? You’ve been staring at my assistant a lot. Are you sure you’re doing alright?” I shake my thoughts once again; turning to Rosie with wide smile “Oh never better, my dear! Thank you for the herbs! I will definitely put it to good use.” She stares at me curiously; slowly sliding the box into my hand “Ok then….just know if you need to talk about anything. My door is always open.” I stand up from my chair; dusting my coat as I give a slight bow to her “I appreciate it, my dear! It was lovely chatting with you. Please do have a pleasant rest of your day.” She smiles as she waves goodbye; turning on my heels as I make my way through the crowd once again. In the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of (Y/N) again. She was in the supply closet; looking through the variant cleaning supplies with a frustrated look on her face. It looks as if she needs help in which I grin wildly as an idea pops into my head. She didn’t seem to recognize me over at the table. Maybe if I…..jog her memory a bit….she might remember who I am~

(Y/N’s P.O.V)

Come on!! Where is that damn duster?!?! I’ve looked high and low in this closet and I can’t find it anywhere!! Maybe it’s in a different closet? It couldn’t have gotten that far. I feel a sudden chill up my spine; feeling as if someone was watching me, which oddly felt familiar. I slowly turn around to see if anyone was looking into the closet, but everyone was minding their own business. I start to panic a little when that chill grew more intense as if whatever was staring at me has gotten even closer……a lot more closer. As I was about to step out the closet, the door quickly shuts in front of my face; causing me to yelp as I step back into something warm.

I froze in place; not wanting to move as I felt slow breathing on my neck. I squeezed my eyes shut as I feel a sharp claw; slowly graze against my neck as it moves a strand of hair behind my shoulder. “Well well well…..it’s been a long time hasn’t it, little doe.~” That voice. I knew it sounded familiar when I first heard it. Though I can’t be sure. “Please….let me go. I’ll do anything.” The man chuckles darkly as he whispers in my ear “But you don’t have anything of value to me…unless you can convince me otherwise.~” I turn my face to the man; giving a sultry smirk as I look into his glowing red eyes. “It’s nice to see you again….Alastor~”

[thebearer]

stop, thinking of teddys first holidays. she’s still a little new to being earthside. like her first halloween you dress her up in an animal onesie or something, and she’s barely old enough to stay awake for longer than an hour for thanksgiving so everyone’s cooing over how blue her eyes are and how much heartburn you had because of how dark and curly her hair is. and for christmas you get to start your new family traditions, and how carms like “this is more for mama, then you” and she is just sucking on her paci looking at the new lights on the tree

oh i have to elaborate on these i'm sorry this is so cute ahhhhh!!! having an idea that you make a little calendar of teddy or maybe document each milestone with a cutesy type photo shoot??? i think carmen would sob.

thinking about teddy's first halloween. you ordered a little bear costume for her to surprise carmen and it's WAYYYYY too big lol. she ends up in a little pumpkin onesie instead, but carmen thinks the costume is adorable. how big she is in it. then next year, she fits in it and he's stupidly emotional. like beyond emo about it. she can sorta toddle and walk and babble and it's still a little big, but by her third halloween she fits in it. it became a running joke that you'd keep trying until she fit. you'd send a picture every year to your friends and family saying something like "closer this time! maybe next year!"

when it does finally fit, you snap a picture and put it on your instagram.

finally fits. happy halloween from the berzatto's

her first thanksgiving, she's about three months pushing four (i hc she's an august leo baby... she gives leo energy and you know she does). you had so much heartburn. next to carmy's pepto was your tums bc it was so bad. the old wives tale lived up bc she came out with a full head of hair. a true berzatto trait, you decided.

carmen's favorite holiday was thanksgiving. especially with you and his "chosen family" he likes being able to cook and it's not chaos like his usual family. he holds teddy while you eat, you'll spoon him bite fulls of his own meal but he's content being showered with compliments about how good the food is. boosts his ego.

you give teddy a little bit of gravy, off your pinky, everyone at the table laughing when she smacked her lips, eyes opening at the taste. carmen beamed. he'd never been so happy.

carmen and richie are taking a smoke break outside, so you take the chance to snap a photo. teddy all bundled up in a bear onesie (a gift from tina ofc) and you lay her in a pile of leaves.

carmen feels his phone buzz, looking down to see you tagged him in a photo on instagram. he's grinning ear to fucking ear.

first thanksgiving and first leaf pile. big day for teddy bear! thankful for my baby teddy and my baby daddy @/chefberzatto

by christmas, teddy is enamored with the lights. she loves watching the tree, just gawking at it and all it's shiny ornaments. carmen spends a good portion of his time holding her, bouncing her gently in his arms and showing her the many different sparkling trinkets on it.

carmen is doing his best to try and create new traditions, happy traditions that would let teddy grow up loving and looking forward to the holidays. not dreading them and wishing they'd be over soon like carmen grew up with. love and caring instead of chaos.

you'd taken teddy to see santa, which she'd sobbed the whole time about. carmen had to sit next to the mall worker, holding teddy so she'd be halfway calm, but even then she'd refused to smile- only giving a pitiful, pouting lip jut that had you melting and cooing at her.

carmen had insisted on making holiday cookies. gingerbread cookies (more for you and him than teddy) but he said it gave him time to perfect it by the time she could enjoy them. he'd make a batch, a homemade hot chocolate (your powdered and hot water made him gag) sitting down to watch the grinch with you and teddy. you in his arms, teddy cuddled to your chest in her little christmas footy pajamas.

carmen was at work the next day when marcus laughed, calling him over to see what you'd posted.

gingerbread-ted thanks to @/chefberzatto (ps his were good but @/marcusbakes is much better lol)

[hoodharlow]

If You See Me Out in Public, You Don't Know Me

AN: after many months here's the next part. Ty for all you who waited patiently for this update. Tbh it's not my besy work but I pinky swear the next chapter will be better

Requested? @nattinatalia sent me some concepts that help me with this chapter

Warnings: slut shaming (from Joe) and smut bc I love mess lol

Word Count: 2.7k words

Jan. 2023

It wasn't the first time Astrid was going to some hotel room to meet up with an athlete, nor would it be her last. What did surprise was that it was Joe who dm'ed her. She still had no idea why he left that night. And unfortunately for her, Astrid saw him at places and events thanks to her best friend’s boyfriend, but Joe avoided her like the plague and when they were forced to be together he acted like she wasn’t there. She had no idea what his deal was. She thought everything would be fine between them when he started dating a fitness influencer but that shit hit the fan when she got exposed for using him to get at Jack Harlow, Amira's boyfriend, by another influencer. After that shit show, he got even moodier when Astrid was around he made it everyone’s problem.

And yet, there she was walking down the hallway to his suite. She fluffed up her hair and snapped a quick selfie in the hallway. She scanned the doors looking for his room number, 304.

Astrid wondered why he even hit her up. She saw him yesterday at a steakhouse with her brother’s and a few of his teammates. Over the summer Stevie, aka Esteban, was finally drafted for the Padres from his minor league team. A few of them were football fans and got tickets to some championship game in Kansas City. Esteban asked Astrid to come with him. She agreed. Her schedule was pretty open until March. Had she known Joe was going to be playing she shouldn't have flown out to Missouri, which she later learned was where the Chiefs resided and not in Kansas like she originally thought. 

She finally found Joe's room and knocked. He opened the door seconds later, revealing himself in only low hanging pajama sweats. 

"I have an hour before my brother wakes up and sees that I'm missing." She said, walking in. She took a seat on a couch in the living room part of the suite. 

"Your brother?" He asked, confused. 

"Yeah, you literally shook his hand when he and some of his teammates walked over to greet you and your teammates." Astrid got up and helped herself to some fruit in the food cart. She opened her small purse and pulled a small bottle of Tajin. 

Joe was quiet trying to sort out all the information she gave him. At dinner he saw one guy have his arm in the back of her chair while he engaged with his teammates. Astrid nodded along but she mostly kept to herself. He remembered she mentioned that she had a brother who played baseball but he didn't know it was him. He spent the whole dinner shooting glares at the guy everytime he heard Astrid laugh at whatever her brother said. 

"I don't even know why I agreed to this." Astrid said, getting up after Joe didn't talk. "I bet this is some photo op for your team. Oh look Astrid Romero came out of the hotel where the Beagles were staying. Did she fuck the whole team? Or which player is her latest conquest?"

Astrid hated how she got labeled as a jersey chaser. Her dms were filled with athletes from all sports begging to take her out. At first she agreed to go out with them, but it always ended the same. Someone heard from a friend of a friend that she put out and that was all they expected from her. Some were more slick and pretended to be interested in what she talked about during their dates while others flat out told her they just wanted to hook up. A handful didn't even take her out or sleep with her. Their teams would call the paps and make it seem like Astrid and whatever athlete went out so the athlete would get clout. 

At first it bothered her, but now she's used to it. She was tired of having to explain herself every time she would be seen with a man so she just let the gossip pages run their mouths. She had better things to do than argue with people on the internet about who she did or didn't sleep with. 

"It's the Bengals." Joe corrected her.

"Like I give a shit." She rolled her eyes. "It's the same shit at the end of the day. Your team gets some clout and I'm the bitch that puts out." 

"Like you don't do it for the clout either." He scoffed. 

"You figured me out." She said sarcastically. "Fuck all my hard work and the awards I won for my work. All I want people to know about me is who lasts three minutes in my pussy and ass." 

"Don't pull the victim shit on me. You did it first to me. It's only what you deserve." He spat. 

"What are you talking about?" She frowned. 

"That night we hooked up. My publicist called me about some pictures of us at the place we went out to eat?"

"What pictures?" Astrid only knew of the ones where they walked out of the club, but her face was covered. To this day people still wondered who the girl in the sparkly dress was. 

"They never made it out because I had to pay a pretty penny to make sure they didn't." 

Astrid thought back to that night. She remembered that at some point he got a call. He stepped out and took it then came back a bit annoyed. She asked him about it but he waved her off and fucked her from behind. Then they had another round and he left soon after that. 

"And yet you still continued to have sex with me?!" She yelled. "You're a fucking dick!" 

"Don't turn this around on me." He snapped.

"Don't you dare make me the asshole in this. I never once used you!" Astrid wiped a few tears. "Why didn't you fucking go? Why did you wait until after we went a few more rounds?" 

Joe knew it looked bad when she said it like that. She was right. If he was really pissed like he claimed, he would have left. But he didn't, he couldn't. He was captivated by her. He never felt a connection with someone like he did with her. There was something about her that made him dive in head first. 

"You're a real piece of work." Astrid said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. 

"Astrid, wait," he said, reaching for her hand. 

He pulled her to his chest. One glance down at her hazel green eyes and everything was out the window. They weren't sure who kissed who first nor how they ended up on the couch. 

Astrid pushed off her jacket and tossed it aside. She pulled her hair into a bun and straddled Joe. He pushed her up so that his hands were on her ass. With both hands, he kneaded her ass and then pressed her down on the growing tent of his pants. Astrid held his face as she leaned down to kiss his lips. They moaned into each other's mouths as Joe kept moving Astrid’s hips on him. He held them in place and pushed his hips up for a different sensation. After what felt like an eternity, he finally let them go and wrapped his arms around her waist as they continued their makeout session.

She pulled away and dropped to her knees, opening Joe's legs so she could fit in between them. Knowing where it was leading to, Joe lifted his hips and pulled down his pajama pants. He sighed contently and ran his hand over his erect cock. If he hadn't pulled it out, he was positive he would have come in his pajama pants with Astrid grinding on him. 

Astrid leaned forward and pushed his hand off. She swirled her tongue around his tip.

She slipped him as far as she could take him. He let out an incoherent sound until she reached the back of her throat. She did it a few more times, egging him on. She pulled away, with a trail of saliva spilling from the corner of her mouth, and kissed down his length. 

He moved to the edge of the armchair and spread his legs more. He bent down and pulled her up her neck, claiming her lips with his. Joe reached for her hair and made a makeshift ponytail with his hand. Joedidn't bother to give Astrid a response. He tightened the grip around her hair and guided his cock back in her mouth. They moaned in unison. He slowly bobbed her head up and down his length, getting used to her mouth. She took him a little deeper each time. Several minutes passed and Joe began to thrust his hips up as he held her head in place. His grunts and moans filled his suite. 

After a while, Joe loosened his grip on her head and let Astrid do her thing. Her eyes never left his as she took him back in her mouth. His stomach began to contract after a few bobs, letting her know that he was close. Slowly, she pulled him out of her mouth until only his tip rested on her tongue. Within seconds he came into her mouth. She took every single drop and continued taking him until his climax ceased.

Astrid’s phone rang. She removed Joe's semi erect cock out of her and reached to her back pocket and answered. 

"Hey," she said cheerfully. 

She nodded along to whoever was talking to her on the other end. Joe sat dumbfoundedly. His mind went completely blank. Not only did Astrid suck the soul out of him, but she sucked his thoughts.

"I gotta go." She said, breaking his trance. "Can I use your bathroom so I can clean myself?"

"First door," he said. 

Astrid nodded and got up from the ground. She went into the bathroom and a few minutes later she came out. Her face was washed and her hair was pulled into a loose bun. 

"I still don't know why you called me up, but, uh, I'll see you at the game. Good luck or whatever." She said before opening the door. 

A few of Joe's teammates were out in the hallway, hyping each other up for the game. A few pretended not to eavesdrop on their quarterback as THEE Astrid Romero, lingered by his door. 

"Wait, here," Joe said, handing her the extra key card. "Come over after the game, we haven't finished talking."

Astrid didn't respond. She simply took the keycard and put it in her purse. She turned on her heel and made her way down the hall.

*

Joe heard the key card reader ding, unlocking the door. He scrambled to change the channel. HBO was doing a marathon of Astrid’s show because there was a season premiere and he decided to watch it for the millionth time. He needed a distraction from the team's loss and what better way than to watch Astrid for a few hours straight. He got up from his bed and went to meet Astrid in the living room area. 

"You came." He said. 

"I had nothing better to do." She shrugged. 

"Do you want something to eat or drink? We can order room–" 

"Why the sudden change in attitude? I thought you hated me because I allegedly used you for clout?" 

"Yeah, about that…" he scratched the back of his neck. "I talked to my publicist and apparently they have it on record that you didn't pay or call anyone."

Astrid gasped, "You don't say." 

"I wanted to apologize for that night." He said, earning an eye roll from her. "What I did was shitty. You were the first high profile person I've been with. But I was used to people wanting parts of me in exchange for clout or something. When my team called me about the pictures. I was pissed and didn't think properly. You were right: I should have just left. But I didn't. I ended up using you and took out all my frustrations from past relationships on you. And I'm sorry for that. You didn't deserve that."

"Oh…" Astrid wasn't expecting a full apology. "Um, apology accepted, I suppose." 

"If there's any way for me to make it–"

Joe was cut off by Astrid cupping his cheek and brought their lips together. He slowly pulled away, making her whine, but he quickly made it up to her by kissing her neck.

Clothes were shedded off and thrown haphazardly as they made their way to Joe's bed. He settled between her thighs and placed her thighs on his shoulders. Joe peppered kisses all over her thighs. Astrid squirmed at the feeling of his lips. They got closer and closer to where she needed him the most. She let out an inaudible gasp of pleasure when Joe licked her. She tried closing her legs, but Joe's grip on them kept her in place. He moaned at her taste and savored her, taking his time with his tongue. He pushed one of her legs to her chest, giving him better access to her as he sucked her clit.

He inserted another while he pressed his thumb on her clit. Astrid felt something build up in her. She felt pleasantly overwhelmed with Joe's fingers and tongue. Joe felt it too. He sped up his fingers and circled his thumb on her clit roughly.

"Joe!" She moaned out.

Joe lapped up her release. He dropped her legs down and laid next to her. He knew she was going to need a moment. He traced his thumb under her bottom lip. He leaned down and captured her lips. They kissed for a while with some touches here and there.

"Do you have a condom?" Astrid asked against his lips. 

Joe nodded, "hold on." 

He went to his duffle bag and pulled out an unopened box of condoms. He grabbed about three and tossed them on the nightstand. He laid on his back and skillfully slid a condom down his shaft. Joe leaned over to kiss her. While they made out, he collected some of her arousal with his fingers and stroked himself. He lined himself up against her and slid into her. Astrid gasped and dug her nails in his biceps. He knew she was going to leave marks.

"You good?" He asked her.

"Yeah…it's been a while that's all." She reassured him. 

Joe nodded. He did a few shallow thrusts, slowly pulling out and pushing himself back in so she could get used to the stretch. She felt so good around him. After a few minutes he picked up the pace and her moans filled the bedroom. 

He tilted her head up so he could kiss her. His lips and tongue went at the pace he thrusted in and out of her. He wrapped one of her legs around him, bringing them closer as he took her. Her breath hitched at how good it felt. Joe must have noticed, and continued thrusting in that spot. The familiar feeling came over her once more. Astrid was about to come, and Joe knew it. His thrusts got more precise, hitting where she needed him.

“Come on, Astrid, let go for me.” He encouraged her. 

That pushed her over the edge, and she repeated Joe’s name over and over until her high faded. Joe continued thrusting in and out of her. His thrusts grew sloppy. After a few minutes passed, he stilled, shuddering he quietly moaned out, "shit," as he came inside her. He relaxed his body plopping on top of her. Their heavy breathing filled the room as they tried to calm themselves. Joe pulled out of her and laid on his back.  He excused himself and went to the bathroom. 

Astrid laid in bed thinking. She looked over to the bathroom and then back toward the room. She could easily make a run for it. Was it petty? 100% but she was on a sex high and not thinking straight. She quickly got dressed. Next to her boots was Joe's white pink teddy bear shirt. She put it on over long sleeve and draped her jacket over it. She placed the keycard Joe gave her and left. 

Joe was still in the bathroom, unaware of how the tables turned on him.  

Taglist: @heavyhitterheaux @nattinatalia @cherry4everrr

[shuacore]

say something (like you love me)

reader (fem) x yjh — 4.5K words summary: "don't go on that date," he had said. in the six years you had lived with yoon jeonghan, you had never seen him look so forlorn. it's unfamiliarity scared you. tags: swearing, angst lite, y/n is emotionally conflicted, smut (18+), additional warnings under the cut

believe — mumford & sons

additional warnings: car hook-up, unprotected sex (always be safe pls!!!!), oral (m receiving) pet names (princess, angel, baby), probably a billion red flags lol

“Don’t go on that date,” he had said, voice barely above a whisper.

The silence is deafening, broken only by the muffled sounds of some B-grade ballad on the radio.

Your fingers are folded clumsily in his hand. Part of you wonders if he had said anything at all. For a moment, your world stops spinning. 

In the six years you had lived with Yoon Jeonghan, you had never seen him look so forlorn. Not when you both failed your chemistry final senior year of high school, not when he lost the keys to his first car, not even when his first girlfriend broke up with him via her best friend. This was the first time you had seen him so broken, so openly distraught over your love life. 

It’s unfamiliarity scared you. 

“What?” you ask, heart thumping erratically in your throat. Your fingers falter on the car door handle. In hindsight, you still aren’t sure what keeps you; what it is about this moment that feels so heavy. 

Important.

Jeonghan has a far-away look in his eyes as he takes in every inch of your skin, his eyes traveling across the dip of your collarbones and the slope of your shoulders and the curve of your thighs. The air from the vents is frigid, fogging the windows of the car from the stifling humidity just beyond your four-wheeled haven. 

“Don’t—don’t go,” Jeonghan says again. He’s pleading. 

“Why?” you ask, impatience replacing the worry burrowing in your chest. 

“You know why,” your roommate mumbles, the same sad look painted across his features. 

You shake your head, pulling the door handle. It clicks as you unlatch the jamb. Jeonghan looks desperate, fingers tightening around your hand.

“I can’t read your mind—“

He laughs without humor, the sound harsh and biting and so unlike the Jeonghan you know that you’re rendered speechless. His fingers drum against the steering wheel, the ring on his pinky finger flashing the light. You had never seen this much tension in Jeonghan’s body before, how it crushes his shoulders and tightens his jaw. 

Jeonghan drops your hand. He stares ahead unblinkingly.

“Let’s get out of here,” he says, like you have much of a choice, but the engine is already started, his hand cranking the clutch into drive, knuckles white on the steering wheel as he peals out of the parking lot. It’s unclear if Jeonghan knows where he’s going, or if his inner turmoil manifests as a dizzying collection of lefts and rights to who-knows-where. Angry protests fall on deaf ears. 

Somehow you end up on the side of the road, bordering a deserted field just outside the city, as the breeze rustles the prairie grasses like an earthen whisper in the distance. You unclench your fists, wiggling your fingers to bring the blood back to your numb hands. You’re hurt and angry, but above all you’re just confused. 

The stars overhead are beautiful, so distant and cold that in any other situation you might be left breathless in your amazement. You wish you could take the time to appreciate them, except that Jeonghan is inconsolable, hands currently clenched in his hair in distress and it’s putting you on edge. 

“For fuck’s sake, what is it?!” you snap, rubbing a hand against your forehead. You have never seen your roommate so neurotic before, so unable to voice the words that choke him. He bangs a fist against the steering wheel, cursing loudly, before cranking opening his door and stumbling out into the grass. 

You’re wary—when Jeonghan was volatile he was unpredictable—but your worry outweighs your cautiousness, so you follow him, shutting the door behind you. The heavy clunk of the latch echoes over the quiet of the field. You ignore the chill that runs through your body as the night air hits your skin. 

“Jeonghan!” you yell insistently, watching as he crouches on the ground, holding his head in his hands. “Jeonghan, what the hell—”

“Six years!” he finally declares, and you freeze. 

Jeonghan stands, lifting his head to look you in the eyes. At any other point you might have made a joke about him being drunk, saying things he didn’t mean, acting strange and irrational.

But the moment you make eye contact, you realize he is terrifyingly sober. Where there’s normally mirth, you only see despair, his pupils blown out and his voice shaky. 

Jeonghan takes a deep breath. “Six years.” He turns away again, staring blankly at the night sky above. His hands are balled into fists while he anxiously fidgets his fingers. “Six years I have loved you.” 

Nothing in the world could have prepared you for this. 

It would be wrong to pretend like you had never thought about Jeonghan in that way. He was young, attractive, charismatic, and you were closer with him than anyone else you knew— you had lived with him for six years, for God’s sake. 

Sometimes when you’d overhear Jeonghan and the girls he brought home in his room, you’d pretend it was you under him, producing those horrid whiny moans that drove him wild. The thought made your skin burn and your body ache, and more often than not, your hands would slink down into your pants, leaving you confused and embarrassed and unsatisfied. 

Maybe you had always wanted Jeonghan, but maybe part of you had never accepted that it could ever be more than a silly little fantasy. 

“Jeonghan—” you protest, but your roommate just sighs bitterly, putting up a hand to stop you.

“Don’t give me that,” he says, and it hurts you to hear him so sad. 

“I don’t know what you want from me,” you say, taking a step towards your roommate but Jeonghan backs away, hands held up in resistance. 

“I want you to realize that I’m the one meant for you, that I’m the one that’s always been there for you. It’s me, y/n,” Jeonghan whispers. Your heart squeezes in your chest, and you know it’s wrong to feel something like this when Jeonghan is so destroyed, but there’s a new rush of heat under your skin, and suddenly you need to touch him, feel him, see him. 

“God, I love y—”

“Oh, shut up,” you mutter, and then you’re kissing him with a desperation you never thought possible, and you don’t know if you’re trying to shut him up or prove to yourself that this could happen, but Jeonghan is grabbing at your dress feverishly, fumbling for the zipper, pushing the hem of your skirt over your hips like he’s been waiting his entire life to do this to you. 

He presses you against the car, tongue already halfway down your throat as you pull the heavy jacket off his shoulders, breath ragged in his mouth. Your nails click on the metal of Jeonghan’s belt buckle, and he chuckles coarsely, fingers winding in your hair as he fumbles to open the door to the backseat of his car, refusing to break contact with you at the mouth.

Despite the way Jeonghan handles you, there’s a hesitancy in him, shaking fingers rough but uncertain on your body as he unclasps the buttons on your collar, knocked breathless by the sight of your throat and collarbones and sternum. Your smooth skin, practically begging to be marked by his teeth—Jeonghan almost moans out loud as you curve into to his body, guiding him back into a heated embrace, the sweet smell of your perfume as seductive and alluring as he remembers.

You feel how hard Jeonghan is through his pants, erection pressed up against your leg and you simper into your kiss. He was so worked up, so easily turned on by your body that all you had to do was show a little skin and he was all yours. 

It’s both gratifying and terrifying. 

“Y/n,” Jeonghan says under his breath, hand cupping your neck, “I need you to tell me now if you want to stop.” The same guarded vulnerability has resurfaced in his eyes, and he’s so serious about this, so unlike the person you’ve been living with that you just shake your head restlessly.

You won’t stop now. You can’t. 

“I wanna touch you,” you gasp, fingers still knotted in his shirt, and then the two of you are clambering ungainly into the back seat of Jeonghan’s car, like reckless teenagers looking for a quickie, contorting to fit in the awkward space. Your roommate yanks off his jeans, swearing as his arms smack into the seats. You stifle a laugh as you spit on your palm and slip your fingers into his boxers for the first time. 

Jeonghan hisses in relief as you take his cock in your hand, twisting along his length a few times, listening to the slurred veneration that tumbles from his lips. It’s hot, to say the least, hearing the way Jeonghan’s voice strains as he breathes your name in the stuffy quiet of the car. His cock is hardening fast, pre-cum wetting your fist after you pump him a few more times. 

He rests against the car door, eyes half-closed, as you lean forward to press the tip of his cock to your tongue. Jeonghan groans and swears loudly as you take his length in your mouth, cheeks sucked in, tongue flat against the underside of his cock. Fingers wind in your hair, lightly pushing the back of your head down farther like he’s trying to exercise restraint, but the thought of choking on Jeonghan’s cock turns you on so much, and now the crude sounds of gagging and heavy breathing fill the car like some kind of pornographic symphony. Your arousal is soaking through your panties, and you touch yourself over the fabric, suffocating your quiet moans with your roommate’s cock crammed in your jaws.

Jeonghan whines, high-pitched and breathy, as you finally bottom out, throat relaxing to take his whole length in your mouth, and his fingers are clenched in your hair, pulling you off of him to drag you into a heated kiss. The profanities on his tongue taste just as sweet as the pre-cum on your lips, and you gasp as you feel Jeonghan’s cold fingers trail over your stomach and below the waistband of your panties. 

“Fuck, you’re so wet,” Jeonghan chokes, fingers coming away slick with your arousal. His eyes are so dark, voice so hoarse with reverence as you finally lay down, spreading your legs wide, pulling your dress over your head with exasperation. 

No more time for this strange limbo— you wanted him now. 

“Jeonghan, please,” you breath, as Jeonghan pumps his own length in his fist a few times, kneeling in between your thighs. 

“But I don’t want to hurt you,” Jeonghan whispers, and there’s another glimpse of that palpable fear, like he knows he's so close to getting what he wants that he’s afraid you might shatter in his hands. You brush a strand of hair out of your roommate's eyes, pushing his bangs gently off his forehead, attempting to assuage the anxieties festering in his chest.

“I trust you,” you reply, and Jeonghan captures you in another kiss, sweet and bitter at the same time, lingering a moment too long over your lips as he pulls away. 

He pulls aside your panties, gathering some of your arousal on his fingers to rub over his cock, groaning low at how wet you are for him. One more soft kiss to your knee before he sets himself over you, cock positioned at your entrance. You inhale sharply in anticipation.

But then Jeonghan falters. His stare is still dark and uncertain, eyes searching your face for something specific.

“Are you sure about this?” His voice breaks in the quiet of the car.

That was something you had always loved about Jeonghan. Sure, he could be an irritating asshole majority of the time, but he never pushed you past your limits, and that even extended to this moment, here in his car as he positioned himself over you, waiting for you to give him full permission. 

Before tonight you had never seen Jeonghan so earnest, nor had you seen him so vulnerable, either. It was unnerving to see him undone like this. Thrilling.

You nod, incapable of suppressing the dopey smile that blossoms across your face, before lifting your head to press a light kiss to the corner of Jeonghan’s mouth.  That’s all he needs.

“Okay,” Jeonghan says, more to himself, before stroking his length a few times in his fist, and then he’s easing into you, sucking the breath out of your lungs, mumbling inelegant expletives under his breath about how tight you are, fuck you’re so tight for me, baby, shit. 

You barely have enough composure to hold back the strangled sounds coming out of your mouth. Had this been some other hook-up, in some universe where you knew what Jeonghan meant to you, you would have savored the time it took to prepare for his cock, but knowing instead that Jeonghan was filling you up, stretching you out to fit inside you is enough to have you unraveling at the edges. Christ, you could die right here. 

“Holy– shit,” you choke, head pitching back against the backseat. You screw your eyes shut, speechless, as Jeonghan pauses to allow you to adjust. He dips his head to press a few kisses to your sternum, his bangs playfully tickling your skin. One of his hands snakes down to intertwine his fingers in yours, slipping your arm above your head. The gesture is sweet and it ignites a burst of adoration for him in your belly. You release a deep breath. 

“Hey,” Jeonghan murmurs, lips warm against your cheek. A weak whimper of discomfort escapes from your mouth, and he shushes you gently. “Hey, angel, I’m not going anywhere, I promise. ” He rubs the pad of his thumb across your palm. The pet name barely registers in your muddled state.

You let out a soft huff of air as he shifts in between your legs. Jeonghan quiets you with a deep kiss to your lips, his tongue pushing into your mouth with a new sense of urgency. You taste old hints of amber whiskey on his lips, the flavor just as intoxicating as the airy scent of his cologne pervading your nose. 

“Fuck,” you gasp, your fingers clenching his hand as he pushes his cock in a few more inches. Now you were paying the price for your impatience. The pressure in your abdomen only increases. 

“You’re doing so good, baby,” Jeonghan murmurs, “I just need you to relax for me a little bit more.” You nod, breath still hitched in your throat as you try to ease the tension in your body. Every synapse is on high alert, so overwhelmed by Jeonghan’s devotion and undivided attention that you can’t think. Your brain feels like it’s filled with fluff. Jeonghan captures your mouth with his own again, sighing as you rock your hips, impatient. You want to touch him like you had always imagined. 

Equally as restless, Jeonghan curses and sinks the rest of his length into you in one motion, and you let out a low moan, tossing your head to the side with pleasure. The leather of the seat is cool and slippery under your cheek, soothing the blaze under your skin that seems to increase with each second.  The burn has begun to subside, leaving behind nothing but an imperceptible tremor in your fingers.

Jeonghan kisses you on the cheek again, eyes inquisitive. 

Are you okay? Does it hurt? How are you doing? they seem to question. 

You smile wanly. “I’m so good,” you murmur, voice sticking in your throat as Jeonghan attaches his mouth to your neck. His fingers glide across the skin of your hips, nails biting into your flesh as if to distract you from the ache in between your legs. 

The quiet of this moment, the slow and deliberate motion of Jeonghan’s chest, every point of contact between your bodies is seared into your brain forever. 

Even despite the fact that you were fucking him in the back of his car, every other casual hook-up, every bland kiss, every other relationship suddenly felt meaningless in comparison to this. It was like every failed romantic encounter made you realize that what you needed had been in front of you all along. 

Your roommate and best friend of six years has never looked more radiant, his dark locks ruined by your fingers, lips pink and parted in breathless awe, his body pressed so close to yours. You can’t help yourself, reaching out the hand that isn’t currently intertwined with Jeonghan’s to cup his face, a thumb tracing the soft contour of his bottom lip with painful reverence, like it was the first time you had actually seen him. His eyes seem to glow in the dark of the car as he sighs. 

It is far too late in the night, and you are in far too deep to be making such emotional declarations, but now was not the time to think about the nature of your relationship, or what this meant for the two of you. At this point all you could was submit to the desires that had plagued you for so long. 

Jeonghan smirks, a strange sadness hidden behind his eyes. “Don’t look at me like that,” he says. “Like you’re about to break my heart.”

You shake your head.“I think I might lo—,” you start to whisper, but your voice breaks before you can get the words out. You’re not sure what you want, and it would be wrong to pretend like you did, leading Jeonghan into a messy situation he didn't deserve. Instead, you pull him closer by the back of his neck, masking your inner discord by pressing a kiss to his mouth. 

Jeonghan tips his head forward, a laugh of incredulity bubbling from his lips. “You’re unbelievable.”

You open your mouth to retort, cut off by a faint gasp as Jeonghan rolls his hips into you. 

“Don’t lie to me, princess,” he murmurs before kissing you fiercely, teeth grazing against your bottom lip. Your delicate laughter shifts into a lethargic groan as Jeonghan thrusts into you with uncharacteristic ferocity, planting his free hand beside your head. Part of you wonders if he can see beyond your passive facade, sense all of the turmoil this one mistake might cause your entire relationship. 

But when Jeonghan drags his cock out and pushes himself back in, you can’t think of anything else.

“You feel s-so good,” you pant, nails scrabbling at the smooth skin of his back as Jeonghan continues to languidly rock his hips, the feeling delicious and agonizing and satiating. You stomp down the impatience in your gut, instead consuming every deifying touch, stifled sound, and sinful taste from Jeonghan as he worships every inch of your body with his fingers.

Every stroke from Jeonghan’s cock fills you until you can’t talk, making your cunt clench as he mutters praises against your skin. 

When you feel as if you might erupt, you dig your nails into Jeonghan’s arm, uttering, “Just fuck me, please,” and Jeonghan is more than happy to comply. 

He throws one of your legs over his shoulder before thrusting into you with renewed vigor, hips slapping against your ass, clumsily pinning your arms above your head. This time, Jeonghan hardly gives you a moment to accommodate his size before he lifts your hips easily with both hands, fucking into you with new savagery. You stuff an arm into your mouth to bury the girlish whines that threaten to spill from your lips.

He was going to fucking ruin you. (Literally.)

Your head is whirling, twisting, turning, tipping upside down with the way Jeonghan holds you. You clap a hand to the window, fingers scrambling for purchase on the steamy glass. Your eyes are rolling, your jaw dropping open as Jeonghan leans forward to suck a hickey on your stomach, teeth skimming across the delicate skin of your abdomen. He smirks as you let out a quiet mewl, squirming in his bruising grip. 

“Keep your eyes open, angel,” Jeonghan pants, “Look at me.” 

God, you just wish he would stop fucking talking. 

It takes everything in you to wrench your eyes open when Jeonghan is pleasuring you like he wants to see you crash and burn. His eyes are locked on your face, infinitely dark in the dim dusk light; he looks unearthly, mouth dropped open, face echoing the mind-bending pleasure tearing through your body. 

You don’t know how much more you can take, feeling the tell-tale signs of release building in your core—the burn of arousal almost unbearable until it has you arching your body into Jeonghan, your voice coming out in pitiful, high-pitched noises of desperation. Except, you’ve never felt this good before and you don’t want it to be over—holding back your orgasm is the hardest thing you’ve ever done as Jeonghan ghosts his lips back over your sternum, breathing against your skin as he groans. The muscles in your abdomen tighten painfully.

But then Jeonghan mumbles, “Come for me, princess,” and you do while crying out his name, pulling him into a searing kiss, teeth clicking together as you breathe hot and heavy into his open mouth, your release spasming through your body. 

You had wanted to wait, to feel Jeonghan come with you, to feel him fragment into pieces in your hands, to see him so needy for you. But when he’s mumbling how much he loves you against your neck, caressing every soft swell of your body with inexplicable tenderness, it’s a humbly lost cause.  

“Shit!” you whine, pulling yourself up to wind your fingers through Jeonghan’s dark locks, as a particularly powerful rush of post-orgasm pleasure wracks your body. His hands are clammy on your skin, smoothing over your back as he relieves you through your orgasm. 

It’s been a while since you felt anything that strong, and you lean your forehead against his shoulder, completely winded in the aftermath. 

“Hey, I got you,” Jeonghan reminds you, cradling the back of your head as you hold him, utterly breathless. You press a kiss to his shoulder, unable to form any words, your mouth filled with cotton, your brain even fuzzier. The feeling of Jeonghan’s cock still buried, to the hilt, inside of you is enough to make you sweat as your arousal leaks onto his thighs. 

His body is tense as he waits for you to come back down to earth, still rock hard inside of your cunt. You can tell how much Jeonghan wants to spoil you until you’re thoroughly fucked out, but it’s taking everything in him to stay motionless, to let you fully recuperate before you resume. The fog in your head is fading, and you creep your fingers through his hair, pressing your lips against his ear. 

“Show me how much you love me,” you whisper, lowering your head to trail kisses across his shoulder, across his collarbones, up his neck, watching with smug delight as the words die in Jeonghan’s throat. 

But now you’re eating your words, scratches gouged deep into the leather seats from your nails as Jeonghan takes you from behind, watching you bounce on his cock while you grovel and moan about how big he is, how he fills you up, how you’re all his, all for him, only for him. 

Jeonghan grunts against your skin, one hand creeping up to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear as he presses a sloppy kiss to the base of your neck. 

You’re already the most beautiful creature Jeonghan’s ever laid eyes on, but when you’re all stupid and slurring your words all because of him, he thinks he might go crazy. Watching your throbbing cunt take his whole length, seeing your body curve and fold as he molds you under his hands; God, he’s wanted you for so long.

It’s when you lean against his chest, voice raspy with lust, that Jeonghan knows he has you in the palm of his hand. He drops a hand to your cunt, middle finger drawing lazy loops around your clit. You grope around for Jeonghan’s other hand, wrapping his arm around your stomach as the pleasure builds again, threatening another more powerful release. 

Except you’re exhausted from your emotional turmoil and the first orgasm, so it’s all you can do to grind down on his cock, the praises tumbling from Jeonghan’s lips buzzing alongside the adrenaline in your veins. 

“Fuck, I’m gonna come, Jeonghan,” you whimper, twisting forward, head dropped as the coil in your gut tightens with every second. Jeonghan’s fingers continue to play with your clit as he kisses your shoulders. “Just like that—”

Except Jeonghan doesn’t respond, and you realize he’s close, too, in the way his hands press against your skin with hunger, the tightness in his body. 

“Where-where do you—” Jeonghan gasps, and his voice is so tight in his throat that it sets your skin on fire. The coil is superheated, leaving you short-winded. 

“—in me,” you mutter, and then Jeonghan is cussing loudly as he comes undone, wrapping around your body, chest hot against your spine. He comes in you, and you know it’s irresponsible, so so irresponsible, but when he’s holding you like this and repeating your name over and over like that— well, you’re not exactly in a place to make sound judgment. It’s enough to have you coming, too, loud and unapologetic, fingers still laced tightly in his. The two of you are panting, needy, and worn-out, as you clutch onto each other. 

You feel his release seeping down the inside of your thighs, warm and sticky, as Jeonghan buries his nose in the crook of your neck, and for a moment you remain like that, holding him close to you like you’d always thought about. 

It’s easy to pretend like this is normal, like the two of you are meant to be together, but the whispers of doubt still creep into the edges of your mind. Would you have taken him if he hadn’t confessed? Is this a one-time thing? What are you now? 

But these are thoughts for another time, when you’re a little more rational, when you’re not pressed up against Jeonghan like this. You push them from your mind with a small jerk of your head, reaching up to twist your fingers in the hair at the nape of Jeonghan’s neck. He sighs, drawing your body just a little closer. 

For now, everything is all right. As you gaze out the panoramic sunroof of Jeonghan’s car, you have to smile. 

The stars are beautiful tonight.

—

a/n: this was originally supposed to be sweet and soft and gentle bc all of the jeonghan smut i see is so mean and ruthless, but of course i needed to be difficult and make it dramatic and kind of vaguely angsty and sad and confusing???? i’m sorry my lovely jjongjjongies </4 next one will be nice i promise

check out my other stuff! :)

&my first permanent tag! :,) @shadowofchwe <3 thanks to kenz for always listening to me ramble about all these silly ideas ilyyyyy

[brainfilehasstoppedworking]

(I'M BACK ON THE JEALOUSY THING I ALMOST DIDN'T FUCKING SLEEP AND IT'S 7AM LETS GOOOOO)

At first, Taka didn't realise Mondo's changement of attitude. Sure he was a bit more clingy when they were around Daiya but it's not like Mondo hated physical touch ! To the Pinkie holding to the hand holding passing to the arm around your shoulder and finally to the hand on your hip, Mondo was always touching Taka. So he didn't pay much mind to it.

But, it got worse. Way worse.

When Taka even mentioned the fact that they could pass at Mondo's house (No Daiya mentioned !!! Just his house !!), Mondo would start to trow a fit saying that they didn't need to be here everyday.

When Taka started to call Daiya by his first name (the Older Owada having asking him multiple to do so and finally explaining that Owada-kun was weird to him and that he prefered being called by his first name anyway) Mondo lost his mind ! He went on a long rant about the fact that he was still Owada-kun until they we're friends and that it was "disrespectful" of Taka to call Daiya by his first name. Mondo ? Caring about respect ? Nah. That was weird.

And then, Taka started to bite back. If Mondo was going to be a brat, Taka was going to be petty.

He used everything against Mondo. Saying that he was being a controling boyfriend and that he could call whoever he wanted by whatever name he wanted (if the person in question agreed to, wish in that case he did). He started to not tell him when he would come to their house (showing up without calling at least twice to make sure the person is not busy ?? That wasn't very Taka like.) And he took Daiya's number. Just in case. (No really he did take it just in case, the number of time Mondo had gotten it trouble and only told his brother and "forgot" to tell Taka is hilarous)

And lastly. They fighted about that. Taka hated that Mondo was doing all this stuff. He wasn't like that with anyone !! Why suddenly was he acting like an animal when it came to his brother ??

It was a big fight honestly. Taka was in tears and Mondo was almost there too. But Mondo snapped and finally yelled "IF IT MATTER TO YA SOOO MUCH WHY DON'T YA JUST GO TO MY HOUSE AND MY BROTHA-"

And Boom. The truth was out. Taka understood. Mondo was jealous of Daiya.

And Taka ? Well Taka just laughed. Not a sweet small laugh. Not the usual "Ha ha ha". But an almost psychotic one. Because how could Mondo be so fucking stupid !

After another hour of Taka screaming love letters at Mondo and a good half hour of kissing the two lovers we're finally reunitated in a cuddle session.

The last word Mondo heard before falling asleep was "I love you Mondo Owada. And no one not even your brother would change that".

(but yeah Daiya is hot and Taka know that but he's like "no Thanks i have my own version :)")

Thank you for the meal, Chef! See, this is what I want in IshiMondo stuff sometimes. It makes things so interesting! Mondo, you dumbass. We love ya, but you're so stupid. *pats his head*

And Daiya is hot, lol. The fucking Owada's are hot, Aphrodite fr gave them all the beauty LMAO. I'm jealous of them and their looks.

Anyways, glad they were able to clear shit up in the end. Also, damn, 7 AM??? Go back to sleep!!!

[thelaundrybitch]

The Tactical Team - Head Cannon

Hello Turtle Doves!

I have been hard at work with @leosgirl82 to bring you something exciting and sexy.

I'd like to introduce you all to The Tactical Team.

This collaboration may lead to something bigger, eventually 😂😘

But for now...

Enjoy some Head cannons, by yours truly

🥰

Find Tactical Mike HERE! By @leosgirl82

Reblogs only, please!

18+ content - for mature audiences only!

The Tactical Team

As they got older 

They realized 

Being ninjas alone wasn't gonna cut it

The world is a dangerous place

So Donnie has secret meetings

With Splinter

Together they decide to create 

The Tactical Team

Dun dun duuuuuuuuh!

Each turt will have a specific set of skills

And different weapons

They will work as a team

But mostly in pairs

Ride or die bros

There will be uniforms

And your panties will run screaming

I promise

There's no more ninja masks

Boys in black

And leg straps

Because I'm a thirsty bitch

But anyway

After a lot of meditation

Splinter makes the final decision

Michelangelo is the Leader

Because 

He's a triple threat 

LOL

Seriously though

He is extremely intelligent

His instincts have never been wrong

And he's a fucking beast

*Thigh clenching intensifies*

This man is LETHAL

Can use EVERY weapon his brothers have been trained with

Easily.

Why?

Because he trained all of them.

But

Still prefers his chucks

Could also snap a neck with his pinky

Don is second in command

Mostly because, brains…

Duh

Creates all the gear

And the new weapons

Makes his gear BADASS

Hot Donnie

In buckles and neoprene

And high tech weaponry

But enough of that 

I need you to focus

And hot Donnie is out to get us all

#DeathByDonnie

Whew! Ok.

Raph 

Ooo-weeee

Putting the big boy in some black cargo pants 

And a tactical vest

Because HELLO

Weapons? 

That sultry side smirk

Just kidding

But seriously

Weaponry unknown

Something with whips

And chains

I'm sure of it

😂☠️

Then there's Leo

No longer in charge

But still hot AF

In his ARCHER gear

Ohhh mama

I gotta get me one of them

Lordy

Watch those arm muscles

Knocking those arrows

Sitting up in a tree

All stealthy and shit

Oh God. 🥵

Ok

Runs out of arrows?

No worries

Dual broadswords

Think Zuko 🔥

It all makes sense

Blue mask

Swords

Honor.

Ok back to the purpose of this outline

Donnie and Leo

Mike and Raph

Them be the teams

Mike and Raph are retrieval

Beefcakes with buns

Chew on that for a bit

*Compliments to the chef*

Don and Leo tank

And work so well together 

When they fight

It looks like a dance

Stop that 

Not that kind of a dance

Ok maybe that kind of a dance

*wiggles eyebrows*

ANYWAY

I don't know about you

But I'm ready to be saved 👀🥵

And for full tactical gear drawings 🙏🤞

So! 

Guess what?!

You're in luck!

Because they're coming 🙌

Along with a one-shot 🥳

So stay tuned 😉

#You'reWelcome

Enjoying my work? Find my Master list HERE

@leosgirl82 @turtle-babe83 @drowninghell @chicchanmooshy @mysticboombox @roxosupreme @nittleboo @post-apocalyptic-daydream @xanadu702 @pheradream15 @mistyroselove @ashleighclark98 @jurikyu-blog @sewerninno @tmntspidergirl @raphielover @zombiesnips-blog @raphslovemuffin80 @yumefuusen @fyreball66 @turtlesmakemehappy @angelcatlowyn @rheawritesforfun @fluffytriceratops @doctorelleth @tkappi @raisin-shell @exovapor @brightlotusmoon

If you aren’t on this list, please let me know if you want me to tag you in my other work or if you prefer me to not tag you 😘

[luimagines]

Hello pinky! (Im the one who sent in that merchant reader and reader is a friend of Wild and a big fan of Time lol) I finally have a clear story in my head and I can finally write and share it with you!

Reader was DEVASTATED

Ever since reader heard about the disappearance of their good friend, link (aka Wild) Reader couldn’t seem to get him off their mind and constantly was in a state of fear and thought of the worst.

“What if he was kidnapped? What if he was killed by monsters? What if he just didn’t wanna live in Hyrule and just left? What if he hurt himself? What if-“

Reader was snapped out of their thoughts by Wild casually saying hello to them while standing in the front of readers shop with men behind him.

“Hello (Name).” Wild said casually.

“Wha- WILD?! WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!!” Reader screamed at the top of there lungs and then reader realized that people in town was staring at them including the men behind Wild.

“Wait…are those guys behind you your kidnapper’s??!!” Reader screamed whispered.

One of the boys behind Wild blinked at reader and chuckled quietly, he had Black tattoos all on his face brown hair wore a black fur pelt around his shoulders and was right next to a horse.

“What? No no. Let me explain this to you in the back of the shop please we really need your help anyways.” Wild whispered back.

“What do you mean “we”? Those men in the back who could’ve possibly kidnapped you?!” Reader whispered back as they open the entrance of the counter to let Wild into the back as they begin walking away from the other men.

“No they aren’t my kidnappers..it’s…its kind of a long story.” Wild spoke louder when they got closer to the back of the shop.

“Ok then..” reader pinched wilds cheeks as hard as they can.

“OW! What was that for?” Wild jolted back and held where reader pinched his cheek.

“For going missing for MONTHS and worrying the shit out of Zelda and lots of other people you met on your journey and then coming to ME casually saying hello while they’re sketchy men behind you!” Reader screamed.

“…”

Reader sighed “I’m sorry for the outburst you just worried me a lot..now please tell me where have you been all those months?”

“Alright. Sit back and enjoy this heck of a longggg story (Name).” Wild calmly smiled and started to explain what happened. He explained that the men behind him was the actual heroes of Hyrule like him (Reader didn’t know who Twilight or Warrior was cause they were not in the history book that Zelda gave reader) he also explained that he and the heroes needed my help because reader sells the best supplies for adventures and how portals opened causing him to go missing and this weird lizalfos keeps on trying to fight them, Wild told reader EVERYTHING. And he thought reader would believe him because reader is very gullible most of the time but smart and logical sometimes.

But reader took the smart and logical side of them this time surprisingly.

“Haha. Very funny. Link. Is this one of your pranks? Again?” Reader deadpanned.

“What?! No! Why would I be lying?!” Wild got nervous now.

“Oh yeah lemme just believe the fact your traveling with the actual heros of Hyrule and they named you “Wild”? And who is the hero of twilight and warriors?? Also it makes it even more unreal cause you say you’re traveling with THE hero of time. You know I’m a big fan of him! How could you lie about something like this?!” Reader scoffed

“Cmon (Name) I know this is unreal to you but you have the history book? Right? Cause you know they did sketches of the hero’s in there maybe you can question them and compare the sketch’s to their looks cmonnn I know you haven’t actually gotten a good look at the them!” Wild said.

“…fine.” Reader instantly regretted what they said but knew they couldn’t go back from this and grabbed the history book.

“Come! Let’s go” Wild giggled and dragged reader back to the front of the shop.

To readers surprise the men were touching and examining the supplies.

“HEY! Get your filthy hands off the supplies!” Reader screamed at the boy with a white cape and blue gem on it and the other curly dark brown hair wearing a green, brown and gold outfit? It was hard to describe them.

Both immediately stop touching and apologized.

“Sorry, you just really sell great potions and healing supplies! and beautiful flowers.” The boy with the brown curly said and whispered that last part to himself.

“I’m sorry. Your name is (name) right? You sell good swords here! Where did you get them from?” The boy with the white cape discussed.

“Uh…uh” reader was confused and it fell silent for a few seconds and Wild introduced reader to the men.

“Everyone! This is (Name) the one who I told you about! And they are going to help us!” Wild said excited.

“Hey! What the hell? I didn’t say that! I don’t know who these guys are!!” Reader screamed, scrunching up their face annoyed.

“Oh yeahhh I forgot to mention (Name) has anger issues.” Wild smiled

“HEY!”

“Anyway, guys! Introduce yourselves!” Wild said

A little boy with blonde curly hair jumped “I’ll go first! My name is link but my nickname is Wind or Sailor! But they call me wind mostly- so you can call me Wind! Aka the hero of the Winds!” Wind put on a smug face and pointed at himself.

Reader was shocked and opened the book to the section called “Wind Waker” it had a sketch of the hero and reader compared the looks of the boy to the sketch and was surprised that they looked the same but Wind looked bit older.

This was when reader already started to believe that these were actually hero’s.

“I’ll go next. My name is link also but they call me Sky! So you can call me Sky aka the hero of sky’s! Or chosen hero!” Sky did a similar introduction as wind.

Reader quickly went to the section called “Skyward Sword” and looked at the sketch and compare it to the boy and just as UNexpected they looked the same but Sky looked a bit older.

Reader was gonna pass out. But didn’t.

“Um..hi I guess my name is link and I go by legend..cause people call me legend..I guess..oh yeah aka the hero of legends.” Legend looked away with an annoyed face.

Reader went to ANOTHER section called “Links awakening” as expected..looked the same but legend looked a bit older.

“Hellooo! My name is link as well and you can call me four! Aka the hero of four swords!” Four put on a happy face.

Reader obviously could tell that they didn’t need to flip to the section called “four swords” he looked the same but a different outfit and hairstyle.

“Hi! My name is link and I’m Hyrule the hero of Hyrule is what they call me!” The boy with the brown curly hair that was touching the potions earlier spoke.

Reader flipped to the section called “The Legend of Zelda” examined the looks and sketch.

“Im the hero of warriors and this is the hero of twilight! Both of our names are link but I go by warriors while he goes by twilight.” Warriors said happily. “I can introduce myself. Warriors.” Twilight said and rolled his eyes he was the one that chuckled quietly earlier.

“Um.. I can’t find these two in the book li- I mean..wild.” Reader said already becoming annoyed again.

“Well if they aren’t in the book well that’s your problem.” Wild shrugged

Reader rolled their eyes.

“Alright..your last old man!” Wild smiled.

“Hi (name), I heard about you from Wild including you being a fan of me..anyways my name is link. They call me Time or old man. Aka the hero of time” Time smiled gracefully.

Reader flipped the page as fast as they can and went to the section called “Ocarina of time” and compared the sketch to his looks and they looked the exact same but the time looked older. But being a big fan of him reader KNEW this was him and now believed Wild.

Reader gasped and passed out.

“(Name)? (Name)? (NAME)??” Reader heard a muffled voice woke up laying down on the couch in the back of their shop.

“Link? Link! What happened! Did I pass out? YouknownowthatIthinkaboutitthatisthefirsttimeipassedoutinmylifetime-“ reader paused their rambling.

“I PASSED OUT INFRONT OF- oh god can I meet him again please? Are they still here??!!” Reader kept on rambling.

“Yes yes he is still here (name)” Wild said calmly.

Reader pushed him out the way and apologized to him while running to the front of the shop.

And ran so fast that they opened the front counter and running into twilight.

“OWWWW”

“Ow.”

Reader sat up fast and asked Twilight where Time was.

“Hey hey do you know where Li- I mean time is??” Reader smiled quickly

“Yeah I do. He’s where the instruments are.” Twilight groaned.

“Ah thank you very much!” And reader picked twilight up and let him go thinking that he could stand up again but instead making him fall to the ground.

“Oh forget it! Sorry twilight!” Reader ran off the to the instrument section.

It was quiet over here and reader can here their heart pounding wanting to meet their idol.

It was quiet.

Until reader heard and ocarina play.

Reader followed the sweet calming sound and found the old man playing the blue ocarina.

Reader stayed quiet till the old man stopped his playing and said “I know you’re there (name)”

Reader was hesitant at first but walked towards the man but kept their distance not wanting to make the man uncomfortable.

“H-Hi my name is (name) but I guess you already know that cause you just said it..haha..” reader said awkwardly

A chuckle came from the man and turned around

“You know I never thought I would still be know to the kingdom and have fans.” Time said calmly.

“Well I am a fan..cause you’re super cool..” reader said awkwardly wanting punch themselves mental for saying that.

“Well it is nice to meet you name.” Time stook out his hand for a handshake.

“It is nice to meet you to Mr. Time!!” Reader grabbed the hand gently and shook it.

“Um..so can I get a picture with you..?”

“HAHA..of course!”

The ending was kind of lazy but eh I’m just hoping you like it 🫶

XD

AWW that was cute! Thank you so much!

This is going up on the masterlist for sure. :D

Just look for it under the link titled "Anon submitted stories"... Or something like that.

Time is so nice. Wild is a menace (to be expected) and poor Twi. He can't catch a break, can he?

[themurphyzone]

Pinky Unleashed Ch 13

AN: This chapter marks the end of the Europe arc! Introduction arcs a pain cause you wanna get to the juicy stuff lol.

AO3 Link

Ch 13: Next Stop Anywhere 

Their first mission didn't end in victory, nor was it a sound defeat either. Oh, Brain resolutely believed they'd emerged victorious through the dangers and trials of the Earth Temple at first. 

They restored Europe to its proper location. And now that they possessed the Earth Gem, they could finally move on to the next Temple. 

By accomplishing those two goals, victory was achieved. 

Yet the feeling was short-lived. 

The celebratory mood vanished when Brain lost control of himself and hugged Pinky's wrist. It was warm and soft to the touch, and if a cloud could be embraced, Brain was sure it would've felt like Pinky's fur. 

And within seconds, he'd landed flat on his face. 

Brain let his guard down. And Pinky fled from him. 

What happened? Pinky's tail had been wagging moments before! He was celebrating with them! He should've been open for one! 

In all the time Brain had known him, Pinky never rejected a hug when it was offered! And he was irritating about embraces too, always trying to wrap his arms around Brain like a ridiculously clingy octopus when he was lugging machinery around, solving an important equation, or working with dangerous chemicals. 

Would Pinky have been more open to receiving a hug from Chip? Or anyone besides Brain?

A home he couldn't reach before the net descended upon him. Sweet-scented cheese he couldn't eat before the electricity hurt him. A friend he couldn't save from being swallowed whole by the machine. A world he couldn't conquer no matter how hard he tried. A kindhearted mouse, who remained kindhearted even though his body was host to a Lovecraftian horror, reaching out as darkness and despair snuffed out the light and color he'd brought to a bleak, hopeless world. 

He was used to failure and rejection. 

He'd become somewhat desensitized to it of course, but occasionally, it all came back to haunt him. And there was a possibility that he'd never be able to bounce back. 

The pain from falling down cleared up quickly. Yet the sight of Pinky running away remained with him. 

Brain wished Teros had left behind something mildly life-threatening as they trudged back to the surface world. Thinking about their survival chances would've distracted him from all these doubts, fears, and uncertainties. 

But the Earth Guardian kept his word, and nothing threatened them within the labyrinth. The oppressive darkness had lifted, and now they were able to see guiding arrows carved within the walls, pointing the way to the exit. 

Chip flew somewhere above his head, his movement somewhat impeded by the cumbersome Earth Gem. Brain refused to carry anything left by Teros unless he absolutely had to, and Pinky was too emotionally compromised to follow directions at the moment. True, Teros gave them valuable information, but Brain only recalled the devastation on Pinky’s face when the hotheaded bull called him a monster.  

Pinky wouldn’t have lost control if Teros hadn’t threatened him in the first place! 

On the battlefield, he’d turned away as Pinky lifted the great stone pillar overhead. He remembered that pitch-black form, the intimidating aura, the blank white eyes…and for that brief moment, he thought Pinky was gone forever, claimed by the darkness he was trying his hardest to fight. 

Pinky had snapped out of it this time, even showing mercy to his opponent by digging him out instead of finishing him off, but they were only at the beginning of a long and arduous journey. 

The perils would only increase from this point forward. 

And so does the possibility of Pinky losing control. Permanently. 

Pinky had been distant ever since they’d left the inner sanctum. He didn’t make many vocalizations except the occasional whimper, his tail dragging limply behind him as he trudged ahead. Brain didn’t scold him for disobeying the rule to stick together. If there was danger, Pinky would’ve alerted them by now. 

Though Pinky never wandered too far ahead and waited for them to catch up if Brain and Chip fell behind, his eyes flitted around nervously as he tried to make himself as small and nonthreatening as possible. But his thick fur puffed out with fear, and he only succeeded in making himself look bigger instead. 

Nobody said a word as they reached the end of the labyrinth and ascended the stone staircase, finally emerging into the earthy dome they’d first seen when they entered the Temple. Brain kicked aside a tiny remnant of the bull statue to get back at him for hurting Pinky. 

It didn’t feel satisfying though. Nothing about this situation did. 

Their victory rang hollow. 

"Hey, Brain? What's gonna happen now that we've got the Earth Gem?" Chip asked, uneasily moving away from the remains of the bull statue. 

He spoke with an easy familiarity, like he and Brain had known each other their whole lives instead of several days. 

The only reason Brain allowed Chip to tag along was due to his ability to open Gaia Temples and heal them when they were injured.

Well, that and he kept Pinky from loneliness while we were separated… 

Alliances with third parties never lasted long. It was best to maintain a certain distance, like work colleagues. 

Regardless of Brain dancing around the inner sanctum like a drunken fool with him and Pinky. 

That line of thought was soon forgotten. 

The tunnel leading to the catacombs and freedom stretched out ahead of them. They were almost there! 

Eager to escape this oppressive tomb, Brain and Chip hurried into the tunnel. 

Then a loud, agonized whine from Pinky suddenly drew Brain's attention. 

Alarmed, Brain stopped and turned to face Pinky, who was still huddled at the entrance, great tremors passing through his body. 

"Come, Pinky!" Brain shouted impatiently, his voice echoing through the tunnel. "We don't have time to dawdle!" 

He was only shouting out of habit though. He could tell from the trembling step Pinky took inside the tunnel that Pinky wasn't intentionally trying to delay them. 

"Pinky, what's the matter? We're almost outta here. Just a little more!" Chip exclaimed, his tone wavering in panic, hovering inches away from Pinky's nose. 

Pinky's blue eyes widened, his entire body tensing with fear. His breathing became shallower, his ears flattening against his head while his tail lashed behind him. 

“Chip, you’re stressing him out!” Brain shouted, and his failure to contain his own panic only caused Pinky to thrash around more. “Give him space!” 

“But Pinky’s-” Chip protested. 

He flinched as Pinky unleashed a howl and backed out of the tunnel, forcing Chip to duck to avoid the lashing tail. 

They were promised safe passage out of the Temple, so there was no reason for Pinky to lose control here! 

As Brain followed Pinky out of the tunnel, belatedly reminding himself to slow down so Pinky didn’t pick up on his fears, he realized that Pinky’s dark fur was slowly losing its hue, draining to dark gray, then light gray, and finally to a snowy white. The tips of his tufted ears were becoming round, losing their sharp, wolf-like edges, while the claws on his feet were shrinking away. 

Pinky was changing back. 

But if he’s finally returning to normal, then…is it dawn already?  

Had they truly spent an entire night in the Temple? Brain had lost all sense of time between managing his companions, planning their next move, and escaping danger. 

Pinky whimpered as he stumbled into a corner of the room, collapsing on his side and curling into a steadily shrinking ball of fur. 

He’d only seen Pinky transform back once before, since he slept through the second, but he didn’t remember the reversion taking a long time, or causing much pain. 

The sad, pathetic whines were all Brain could hear, Pinky’s watery blue eyes piercing into his soul, silently begging for Brain to ease the transition. 

Yet nothing prepared Brain for this moment. What could he possibly do if Pinky became distressed by a simple touch? 

All he could do was remain nearby, and hope nothing tried to attack them while Pinky was in such a compromised state. 

“Sit down and rest for a while, Chip,” Brain said as he sat in a rubble-free spot. He was close enough to keep an eye on Pinky, but far enough where his proximity wouldn’t bring further distress to Pinky. “We’ll remain here until Pinky’s transformation is finished. And neither of us should touch him until he’s light enough to be moved.” 

Chip sat down on a brick, setting the Earth Gem next to him. “I guess I could use a rest…” he said, though from how he nervously glanced at Pinky, it was obvious he wouldn’t be able to rest until he knew Pinky would be alright. 

Pinky turned his head away as the color drained from his muzzle, though he kept one ear turned towards Brain. 

Even through his pain, he was still relying on Brain’s instructions. So he decided to talk, if only to give Pinky something to focus on.  

“Here’s the plan after we leave this dreadful place,” Brain said. Once he had their attention, Brain took a deep breath and continued with his explanation, drawing lines in the soil just to give his hands something to do. “We’ll meet up with Professor Pickle and Marco. They should still be in or around the catacombs when they realize we’re missing. Because it’s daylight, we’ll have a brief reprieve from Dark Gaia.” 

Pinky’s heavy breathing started to even out, his body gradually shrinking in size. 

“We should remain vigilant though. Snowball hasn’t tried to reclaim Professor Pickle or his research yet, but he might make an attempt in the future. Unlike Dark Gaia, he isn’t limited to nighttime attacks.” 

Brain forcefully erased everything he drew in the dirt, only stopping when Pinky let out a whine. He was the size of a large dog now, his protruding fangs blunting into a pair of buckteeth. The reversion had slowed down, so Brain clamped down on his worries about a future confrontation with Snowball. Those concerns could be voiced once Pinky wasn’t distressed. 

“We’ll turn the Earth Gem over to the professor temporarily,” Brain said, nodding towards the gem in question. “He won’t pass up the opportunity to expand his own research, and he can help us determine the location of the next Gaia Temple.” 

Chip rocked back and forth on his brick, yelping when he clumsily tumbled over. “Can we get breakfast while the professor does his research? I haven’t eat anything all night!” 

“Are you capable of thinking without your stomach when you aren’t in danger?” Brain asked scathingly. 

But when Pinky’s tail thumped at the promise of food, Brain was forced to concede that further rest and a meal break were necessary before they carried on. 

“Nope!” Chip replied. 

Well, at least he was honest.

“...B-brain?” a tiny, weak voice whispered. 

Brain’s heart lurched into his throat, and he stumbled over his feet as he ran over to Pinky. His snowy fur appeared a pale, ghostly white in the dim lighting. His fingernails were still slightly longer than normal, but from a distance it could easily be passed off as a lack of trimming. 

Pinky’s blue eyes were bleary as he tried to focus on Brain. To Brain’s relief, they weren’t glowing anymore. His shrinking had ceased too. 

He was finally back to the size he should’ve been all along. 

“I’m right here, Pinky,” Brain said, and though he tried to sound firm, hints of desperation and relief leaked through his tone. 

Pinky slowly uncurled his body as he gave Brain an unlikely smile. “...narf,” he whispered. 

Brain had never been so happy to hear that utterly ridiculous, nonsensical word with no proper definition, and relieved Pinky was able to talk again. A silent Pinky always worried Brain to no end. 

“Can we have IHOP pancakes for breakfast? Or Denny’s? Or Waffle House if there’s one around here?” Pinky asked hopefully. “I want mine with lots and lots of maple syrup and a smiley face made out of eggs and bacon.” 

“You dummy. We’re in the land of gourmet cuisine, and you want American chain food?” Brain scolded. He’d never understand how Pinky’s simple sponge of a mind worked. 

“Um…no?” Pinky blinked. “Chains would be awfully hard to floss out of my teeth, Brain. And they don’t go on pancakes either.” 

Pinky’s nonsense washed over Brain, oddly comforting to hear after his only form of communication had been in howls, yelps, and snarls. 

He couldn’t banter with Pinky at night while he was affected by Dark Gaia. While there was no drastic personality shift, save for those frightening moments where Pinky became more aggressive, Brain had noticed that Pinky seemed more somber while he was transformed. Reserved instead of bouncing off the walls while going through the entire emotional spectrum in five seconds. Timid instead of running up to everyone they met while trying to figure out their entire life story. 

I missed this. 

But Brain decided against revealing a sensitive piece of information. 

“You always mess up your fur when you pour maple syrup,” he said. It was safer to keep scolding him. “I’m limiting your use to three spoonfuls. Four, if I’m feeling generous.”

“Make that eight! No, make it rectangle!” Pinky exclaimed. “Rectangle’s a number, ri-” 

Then he looked down and froze, the question dying on his tongue. Though Brain was about to complain about Pinky’s stupidity, he glanced down, somehow never realizing that they’d held hands throughout their conversation. 

It hadn’t been a conscious choice. 

Pinky inhaled sharply and pulled away, leaving Brain to grasp at empty air. 

Pinky was never first to pull away. 

Did I hold his hand wrong? Is there a right way to do it?   

“I-I’m okay now. Zort,” Pinky said, shakily using the wall to support himself as he stood upright on unsteady legs. “I’m ready to go.” 

Unable to find his voice, Brain couldn’t call out Pinky’s lie. 

“I’m glad you can talk again, Pinky,” Chip said, who’d been watching in silence the entire time. He picked up the Earth Gem and held his hand out to Pinky. “Are you sure you don’t need help? I don’t mind supporting-” 

“No!” Pinky shouted, leaning heavily against the wall. When Brain tried to reach for him again, Pinky recoiled, coiling his tail around his body while his arms hugged his torso to protect it from further harm. “No, I can manage! I’m not hurt anymore! Can we go already?” 

His foot tapped impatiently. 

Reluctantly, Brain backed away. “Keep up,” he forced out as he turned his back on Pinky and entered the tunnel, though he’d never leave Pinky behind in such a horrible place. 

Chip didn’t fly this time. He kept pace with Brain on the ground instead, hugging the Earth Gem to his chest. He murmured to himself about his lost memories. 

Pinky trailed far behind them, relying on the tunnel walls for support. 

And Brain tried not to glance over his shoulder, not wishing to see such an energetic, happy mouse reduced to a traumatized shell. 

o-o-o-o-o

Brain shielded his eyes from the harsh sun after they exited the catacombs. After wandering through darkness and dim torchlight for hours, he wasn’t used to natural brightness. On the other hand, Chip appeared rejuvenated from the sunlight, his energy steadily returning even though he hadn’t eaten yet. 

But Pinky didn’t react to the change. He only dragged his feet along the ground, looked up briefly, and waited for Marco to unlock his car. 

He didn’t dance with joy while singing an annoyingly merry tune about sunshine and rainbows. 

But nobody else seemed to notice. 

“This gem is quite fascinating,” Professor Pickle remarked, rotating the Earth Gem so that its facets glinted in the sunlight. Brain had given Chip permission to turn it over to the professor for research, though he made it clear that it was strictly on a temporary basis. “I believe I’ve finally reached a breakthrough in my studies! It’s a shame we couldn’t explore the Temple properly. It would’ve been rather enlightening, don’t you think so, Marcel?” 

“Once again, professor, it’s Marco,” the assistant shook his head and unlocked his car, resigned to the professor constantly getting his name wrong. “And if by enlightening you mean that you’d like to be constantly running for your life from unknown forces in complete darkness, then yes, I’m sure it would be very enlightening.” 

When Brain and Chip had recounted their trial in the Temple after reuniting with Professor Pickle and Marco, who they were forced to leave behind after Dark Gaia minions unexpectedly attacked them in the catacombs, the professor had been utterly fascinated by their harrowing tale. But the concept of the labyrinth alone had been enough to make Marco nervous and relieved that he’d never had to set foot in that terrifying location. 

Pinky didn’t contribute anything to the account. And for his sake, Brain conveniently left out his battle with Teros. For all Professor Pickle and Marco knew, Teros had been so impressed with Brain’s ability to navigate the labyrinth in complete darkness that he wanted to help them save the world. 

Even though it was Pinky who deserved the praise. Though Brain wanted to credit Pinky, revealing his nightly form’s abilities could prove catastrophic, so he refrained. 

Though there had been a slight misstep with Chip, who almost revealed the ruse, all Brain had to do was remind him of his empty stomach as a distraction. 

“Even a soil sample or pottery fragment would’ve been nice to have. Imagine that, an entire Roman temple hidden under our noses this entire time…” Professor Pickle mused. “Are you sure you can’t open the Temple for a few minutes so I can gather samples?” 

This time, it was Chip who shook his head. There was an oddly thoughtful look on his face. 

“Teros protected the Temple for a very long time,” he said. “I think…it would only be right if we kept it sealed to keep everything safe. Cause there’s a lot of stuff out there that would probably try to destroy it.” 

“For once, I agree with you,” Brain added, ignoring the shocked look on Chip’s face. “Don’t get used to it. If Snowball found the Temple and discovered that it had been sealed off, he wouldn’t care about historical preservation. He’d only destroy everything so that nobody stands a chance against his plot.”

“...none of the pretty gems would be there anymore,” Pinky mumbled, startling everybody. He hadn’t said anything since they’d exited the Temple. If the professor or Marco caught onto Pinky’s mood, they didn’t say anything. Brain planned to pass it off as a particularly harrowing near-death experience that Pinky needed to process if they asked too many questions. 

Marco opened the passenger door of his car, lowering his hand to help Pinky climb in. But Pinky winced at the sight of Marco’s fingers and grabbed the bottom of the car instead, using his surprisingly adept upper body strength to haul himself inside. Then he crawled underneath the seat and hid himself from sight. 

“It’s not safe down there, Pinky,” Marco said with a frown. 

There was no response. 

“Drive slowly,” Brain told Marco. There was no reasoning with Pinky when he was like this. “I’ll watch him.” 

Unlike Pinky, Brain accepted a brief lift into the car. 

The floor was fairly clean. There were no crumbs, junk food packages, or water bottles rolling around. Still, Brain braced himself for a bumpy ride.  

Though Marco opened his mouth to protest, the professor shook his head as he climbed into the passenger’s seat. “This matter is clearly something between them,” he said, and Brain was grateful for his neutrality. “Let’s focus on the mystery of this strange gem, shall we? I’d love to analyze its composition once we get back to my office.” 

Chip settled on the window of the passenger’s seat, eager to see the rolling hills of the Roman countryside once again. 

Marco muttered something about nobody ever listening to him as he plugged the keys into the ignition. 

Though Brain’s teeth chattered during the entire ride to the city, Pinky remained disturbingly silent, and Brain wondered if he was there at all. 

o-o-o-o-o

Brain didn't remember falling asleep, nor did he remember the ride back into the city. He thought he'd closed his eyes just to clear away the stressful night, but he was surprised to find himself nestled into a pile of tissues atop a desk. 

No nightmares for once. Was I truly that exhausted? Or have I become desensitized to them because of everything that happened recently?

He was back in the professor's perpetually messy office, noisy chatter filling in the silence. 

When he saw an old analog clock that read 11:22 am, Brain threw off the tissue paper that served as a makeshift blanket. Why was he just lying around and wasting time when there was a world in need of saving? 

"Pinky, why didn't you wake me sooner?" Brain demanded. "Where's Professor Pickle's research? Or the professor for that matter? Why are all of you just lying around? We have work to do!" 

Nobody heard him. 

Pinky, Chip, and Marco were huddled around a large assortment of sandwiches, stuffing their faces with random meats, bread, and chocolate on the side. 

Of course there would be chocolate. 

"-and that's why I will never get in a ski lift with my older brother again," Marco finished, letting Chip borrow his smartphone while he grabbed another sandwich. 

Chip's eyes sparkled as he tapped Marco's smartphone while eating a chocolate bar at the same time. 

The screen was large enough so Pinky could see even though he was sitting at a greater distance than he normally would be. Unlike Chip, he wasn't bombarding Marco with questions about the pictures. 

Even if he was subdued, there was a surprisingly content smile on his face. 

Maybe their current activity was a timewaster, but Pinky was smiling for once, so Brain figured that he could allow a few more minutes of their current activity to keep him occupied. 

There wasn't much they could do without the professor, who was the leading expert on the Gaia Manuscripts anyway. 

"Whoa! Here's another one! What did you say these things were again, Marco?" Chip asked eagerly. 

Marco blinked at him, confused. “Um…a deer?” 

“Cool!” Chip exclaimed, completely oblivious to the strange look Marco was giving him. “And those weird branches on its head? What about that black stuff on its legs?” 

“Antlers and hooves?” Marco said, giving Chip a strange look. 

Chip wilted, finally realizing that there was something strange about the questions he asked. 

Pinky didn’t seem to find anything odd about the lack of basic knowledge Chip displayed about deer. But Brain, like Marco, was rather stunned at the information Chip genuinely didn’t seem to know. 

True, it was possible for someone to have never seen a deer before if they were raised in the city, but they weren’t exactly obscure animals either. Surely they would’ve seen pictures in books or the Internet. 

Did Chip’s amnesia rob him of a basic understanding of the world in addition to his memories?

That question unsettled Brain more than he cared to admit. 

Is that why Chip’s so nervous all the time? 

“Let me see,” Brain said, his curiosity getting the better of him, and everyone’s eyes were suddenly on him. He coughed, feeling somewhat uncomfortable under all the attention. 

Why couldn’t the professor hurry up with his research? Brain excelled in many fields, but socialization…well, that was Pinky’s area of expertise. 

He just had to open his mouth. 

“Never mind,” Brain said awkwardly. He quickly pulled a salami sandwich from the platter and devoured half of it in record time, unsure if it was because of nerves or because he hadn’t eaten since yesterday. 

While Marco and Chip didn’t know what to make of his intrusion, Pinky reached over and turned the phone towards Brain. There was a small, encouraging smile on his face. 

Like he didn’t mind Brain participating in their conversation. “Pretty, isn’t it?” Pinky asked. 

The photo was of a rocky hiking trail surrounded by steep, forested slopes, centered on a stag with majestic antlers crossing the trail in front of the cameraperson. 

Brain shrugged, unable to reply properly with his mouthful of bread and cheese. There was nothing particularly special about the stag. It didn’t have any unusual coloration or markings. 

“It’s a red deer,” Marco explained. “I took this photo during my family’s hiking trip in the Alps a few weeks before term started. We like to visit every summer. This stag just popped out of nowhere. Nearly scared my brother into a heart attack, but it wasn’t interested in us. Just wanted some leaves.” 

“Doesn’t it look like a real life Bambi, Brain?” Pinky added. 

“The resemblance is only surface level, Pinky,” Brain said, polishing off the last of his sandwich. “Bambi was based off a white-tailed deer, a North American species. They don’t live in Europe like their red deer cousins.” 

Marco took his phone back as Chip took in that piece of information. Resting his head against his hand, Marco scrolled through the contents of his phone with a wistful expression.  

“Ask Brain anything you want about deer,” Pinky suggested. “He knows a lot about this sort of thing. He taught me everything I know about acorn barnacles!” 

Brain felt his cheeks heat up. He was relieved that Pinky was talkative again, but did he have to remind Brain about that embarrassing acorn barnacle conversation? Whenever Brain recalled that night, all he could do was wonder what in Ptolemy’s name he’d been thinking, because he could’ve picked dolphins or sea otters or seals, which were far more beloved and well-known animals than acorn barnacles.  

Chip scratched his head. “Well, the antlers still look weird to me. How does the deer even walk around with those things? They look kinda heavy. I think I’d get tangled up in tree branches if I tried to fly like that.”  

"They've adapted," Brain said. He refrained from telling Chip about moose and elk. The size of those creatures were sure to blow his mind. "And they don't have antlers all the time. They're used to attract mates and fight other males for dominance during the breeding season, but they'll drop off when the deer focuses on surviving the harsh winter instead of reproducing." 

"Attract…mates?" Chip echoed. He didn't seem to understand the concept. 

There was a rather mischievous grin on Pinky's face. "Well you see Chip, when a daddy deer and a mommy deer love each other very much-" 

Brain nailed Pinky's side with an eraser before he could finish his sentence. Chip was completely wide-eyed as he tried to draw his own conclusions, but was coming up short. 

"We aren't discussing that, Pinky!" Brain snapped. Was the thermostat in this room broken? Why was it so hot in here? 

Pinky raised an eyebrow as he chewed on the eraser. Though he'd been knocked down by Brain's throw, he was otherwise unfazed. 

"What?" Pinky frowned, sounding genuinely confused. "Why can't I tell him about the baby deer factory in the sky and the stork deliverymen?" 

Brain rubbed his forehead, trying to prevent a headache before it began. 

"Because you'd be giving completely false information to someone with next to no knowledge about the world," Brain sighed. 

Pinky frowned. “Storks deliver babies. You didn’t know that?” 

Chip’s eyes flitted between them, completely and hopelessly lost. “I…really don’t know what a factory is. Or a stork.” 

Marco groaned and buried his head in his hands, his phone falling from his hand with a loud thud. “Guys, can we not talk about the intricacies of deer reproduction right now? How did you even get on that topic from a single picture?” 

“I was only explaining the function of antlers!” Brain protested. He’d only used the scientific explanation! “Pinky’s the one who decided to go off on that tangent!” 

“I don’t remember yelling at any tangerines lately,” Pinky said innocently. 

A little too innocently, considering it was his fault that deer reproduction was brought up at all. 

“Okay, I think I understand now!” Chip exclaimed, hitting his fist against an open palm as he came to a sudden realization. “When a mommy deer and daddy deer love each other very much, the sky factory will send a stork to um…deliver antlers?” 

“Deliver babies, actually,” Pinky grinned, even though there was so much wrongness to unpack with that sentence alone. “But you’ve got it! Narf!” 

“Hooray!” Chip took to the air in excitement, Pinky cheering alongside him, even though there was absolutely zero reason to be cheering. 

Great Scott, there's two of them, Brain internally groaned. It was a futile battle from the beginning. I can't believe the world is depending on my ability to lead this ragtag group. 

He wondered if he should just hijack the airwaves now to inform humanity about the looming apocalypse, and if they wanted to survive in a future of darkness, they'd better hoard all the canned beans and toilet paper they could fit into their secret underground bunkers. 

“I don’t get paid enough to deal with all thi-” Marco’s complaint died on his tongue as he flicked to the next picture on his phone. He stared at it for a moment, then quietly set his phone on the table, staring down at the image of a picturesque azure lake. Lush greenery surrounded the water, a pair of swans swimming along the calm surface. An enormous, snowcapped mountain was in the background, overlooking the peaceful scene. He placed his elbow on the table, head resting against the palm of his hand. His eyes were fixed on the wall, his vision far away.

Was his strange behavior related to the picture? 

There are plenty of images like this online. It’s not that unique. 

But Pinky’s cheer had ceased, a more serious and contemplative frown replacing his smile. Why did his smile always have to disappear so swiftly now?  

“Is something wrong, Marco? Poit,” Pinky asked, giving voice to what Brain had been curious about but wouldn’t say out loud. “You look upset.” 

Always following Pinky’s lead, Chip’s cheerfulness vanished too. “Hey, this place looks pretty. Was this part of your hiking trip too?” 

Marco nodded. "We always followed the trail to the lake," he said. "Pictures don't really do it justice. You'd have to go there yourself to see just how beautiful the lake really is." 

"Wow…" Chip murmured, completely enamored by the brilliant blue water. "It's so blue!" 

"Narrrf," Pinky said, his eyes sparkling with wonder for the first time in days. 

I've seen bluer. 

But Brain kept that thought to himself. Nobody needed to know that. 

"It's an alpine lake," he explained. "The minerals and sediments in the water give it that brilliant hue."

Pinky and Chip hung onto his every word, and Brain raised his head with pride at their flattery.

"I'm glad I got a picture of it while I still could. I might not get a chance to ever go there again. Who knows if it’ll even be there next summer?" Marco said quietly. 

Will there be a next summer?  

It wasn't a question that had an answer founded on scientific principles, and that made Brain uneasy. 

"You can still go there, right?" Chip asked. "It's too pretty to miss out on!"

“If it makes you happy, you should go!” Pinky insisted. 

But Marco only shook his head, placing his phone face-down to hide the image. 

Both of you are entirely too invested in this.

“The planet is broken,” Brain reminded them. “The local ecosystem is likely impacted by the massive tectonic shifts that have taken place. And recreational activity isn’t going to be a priority for anyone at the moment.” 

Pinky pouted, crossing his arms with a huff. “Those poor animals! Climate change ruins everything.” 

“It can’t just be…gone,” Chip said despondently. 

Realizing that he would have to boost morale somehow, Brain quickly tried to come up with something to say, even if he didn’t completely believe his own words. 

“The lake will recover in time,” he assured them, though a voice in his mind told him that there wasn’t enough time for the lake to recover. “And once the professor comes back, we’ll find our next destination and continue our quest in restoring the world.” 

Though Chip calmed down considerably at this, Pinky wasn’t so easily mollified. His arms were still crossed, his body language tense as he looked down at his feet. But his tail was tucked closed to his body, his shoulders and ears slumping. 

“...do you know where we’re going, Brain?” he finally asked. 

Was he thinking about the events that transpired in the Earth Temple? 

The journey would only become more dangerous from this point forward. And Pinky was inexperienced with his nighttime form’s unusual powers. 

The thought of Pinky losing control permanently scared Brain more than Dark Gaia ever could. 

The doorknob turned, and everyone glanced at the entrance just in time to see Professor Pickle walk in. For an elderly man, there was quite the spring in his step.

He must've found something exciting. 

The Earth Gem and mysterious box were teetering precariously atop a messy stack of papers he carried.

"I believe we're about to find out," Brain said. 

Professor Pickle dropped the stack of papers on the desk, the Earth Gem rolling off and nearly falling to the floor if Marco hadn't dove off his chair and caught it in the palm of his hand. 

"Professor, can you please be more careful with the items that could potentially save the world?" Marco groaned as Chip carefully plucked the Earth Gem from his hand. He looked like he was in too much pain to stand up. 

Like always, Professor Pickle didn’t seem to hear a word Marco said. “I’ve been consulting with the geology and anthropology departments all morning! I assure you, they’re equally excited as me for this amazing discovery! The Earth Gem alone could revolutionize our understanding of the geological processes of our planet and our knowledge of how people lived in ancient Rome!” 

Brain was resigned to the likelihood that he was never going to be credited for bringing the Earth Gem out of the sealed temple.  

“Why, I practically had to pry the gem out of the geology professor’s hand!” Pickle continued as he spread his papers all over the desk. “She wanted to keep it for further study, and when I told her that the gem needs to be in the possession of somebody who can save the world from the brink of destruction, she called me a lunatic! Honestly, how that woman ever earned her PHD is beyond me. I once saw her-oh my, are those cucumber sandwiches?” 

He opened a sandwich and peered inside, a delighted noise escaping him as he saw the sliced cucumbers inside, all grievances with his coworker forgotten. He took an experimental bite, then the sandwich disappeared in a matter of seconds. 

“Delicious!” he proclaimed. “Much better than that pitiful slop I was given during my kidnapping.” 

The geology professor’s PHD wasn’t the only one that should be called into question. 

Since the professor was preoccupied with trivial things, Brain scanned the diagrams of the Gaia Manuscripts himself. Despite their foray into the Temple, the documents were still indecipherable to him. 

The only thing he knew for certain was that they now had one of the mythical gemstones that could potentially save the world. 

Pinky paled, his horrified gaze on the illustration of Dark Gaia destroying an entire civilization. Brain quickly dragged another piece of paper over it, covering the abomination from view. 

Chip hovered over Brain’s shoulder, reading over the incomprehensible symbols. “Do you need me to-” Chip began, but Brain cut him off. 

“Not right now, Chip,” he said. He didn’t want to reveal Chip’s ability to read the ancient language at the moment. 

The office wasn’t a secure location. One of Snowball’s Microbots could be spying on them. If Professor Pickle and Marco knew about Chip’s ability, they could inadvertently leak that information to Snowball. 

Especially Professor Pickle. 

That man was the epitome of the absentminded professor stereotype.

“Professor, are you going to gorge yourself on sandwiches or actually tell them what you’ve discovered?” Marco grumbled, equally irritated by Pickle’s lack of priorities. He stood up and crossed his arms, shooting an unimpressed look at Pickle. 

“Hmm? What’s that, Milo?” Pickle asked as he reached for another sandwich, but Marco grabbed the platter and held it out of reach, placing it on a high shelf. He’d be able to reach it easily, though it would be significantly harder for Pickle to retrieve his beloved cucumber sandwiches. Pickle folded his arms in disappointment. “You’re committing a war crime by denying my right to healthy, nutritious food, Mercurio.” 

Marco shrugged. “Don’t care. Explanation first. Sandwich after.” 

“Oh, alright,” Pickle sighed. He cleaned his hands with a handkerchief before opening the box with the strange world map. “I discovered a new function for this artifact earlier. Chip, if you would place the gem into the first slot within the box.”

“Um…okay?” Chip said, carefully slotting the gem into place. “What exactly will this-” 

Then the Earth Gem began to shine brightly. On the world map, an orange sheen leaked into the colorless Europe, spreading until the entire continent was filled in. Then a line extended downwards into the Mediterranean, crossing into Africa, until it finally reached the carved circle in the center of the continent. 

“It seems the heart of Africa will be your next destination,” Pickle said. 

Brain traced the glowing line from start to end. The circles where it began and ended weren’t just random placements. The one in Europe was located roughly where Rome would be geographically, while the one in Africa…

“...the next Gaia Temple’s in the Congo,” Brain realized.

A heavily forested, isolated region. Brain hadn’t forgotten their last venture into such an environment. He’d become helpless and dependent on Pinky’s mysterious acquired survival knowledge, and while he’d been able to integrate every skill Pinky had taught him during his battle with Snowball, he still preferred technological advancement to the natural world. 

And Dark Gaia’s presence further complicated matters. 

There would be no streetlamps or lights from human settlements to ward off the forces of Dark Gaia.

And that didn’t factor in the possibility of running into Snowball. Or the natural hazards of Mother Nature. 

They’d have to make a trip or two into the city and gather enough supplies for several days. But even if they had time to pack, there were so many factors that could go wrong. 

“Professor?” Pinky said. “Are you and Marco coming along for the trip?” 

Pinky’s tail was curled between his legs, his ears drooping. His body language was fearful, and Brain realized that Pinky’s lack of confidence could prove detrimental to their mission. What if Pinky was too compromised to guide them through unknown territory? 

Then there was Chip, who would have to come along for his strange ability to open Gaia Temples. Yet he barely knew how to operate a microwave, let alone survive in a jungle for more than half an hour. 

He might try to eat strange plants without knowing if they’re poisonous, or some predator could view him as an easy meal. 

“I’m sorry, Pinky, but we can’t leave the university,” Professor Pickle said. “Even if enrollment is low with the current crisis, there are still students who’ve paid for quality education with my course.” 

“He’ll also need help with the powerpoint presentations and grading assignments,” Marco added. “And the computer when it acts up.” 

“Oh,” Chip said in disappointment. “I wouldn’t mind you guys coming along.” 

I would. Keeping track of you and Pinky is hard enough, Brain thought, though he kept it private. But the professor does have his uses.  

“Before we depart for the Congo, we should exchange contact information,” Brain declared. “We will update you on the situation as we collect the gems, and in return, you will share your research that pertains to the Gaia Manuscripts…in addition to providing funds for our expedition.” 

“What?” Marco shouted. “You can’t just demand money like that!” 

Brain folded his arms and met Marco’s indignant reaction with logic. “Planes require money to maintain. Two mice and a flying chihuahua require supplies, and one of those mice requires greater energy consumption than usual.” 

Professor Pickle rested a hand on Marco’s shoulder as he nodded sagely. “It’s not an unreasonable demand,” he admitted. “Fighting Dark Gaia’s influence isn’t an easy task. Since they've conquered the Earth Temple and successfully restored Europe, they've proven themselves worthy of additional support. Sponsoring their journey will relieve them of the financial stress and allow them to focus on the challenges ahead." 

Though Marco opened his mouth to argue, he thought better of it and nodded slowly, accepting his superior's decision. 

If only I could overcome the monetary burden of world domination this way. 

He wondered if the professor would be open to funding his world domination plans after everything went back to normal. Then he didn't have to expend time and resources on fundraising.

"Take the box, Earth Gem, and a copy of the Gaia Manuscripts with you," Pickle added. "Perhaps you'll discover something that I haven't." 

Pinky tilted his head. "Like how socks always get lost in the dryer?" he asked. 

Brain had never been more relieved to hear such a stupid, irrelevant question. 

Chip laughed weakly, even though it was clear he had no idea what Pinky was talking about. 

Pickle chuckled. "Ah, now I'm afraid that's one mystery that will never be solved within my lifetime."

Marco quickly stuffed all the necessary items into a backpack, only stopping briefly to give the professor his long-awaited sandwiches. 

"We only have a limited amount of time before sunset," Marco said as he slung the backpack over his shoulder. "We'd better get started on buying all the supplies you need before Dark Gaia comes out to play." 

Chip came to rest on Marco's head, kicking his legs excitedly at the prospect of seeing more of the city. 

"Can we stop by Mario's gelato stand if we see him?" he asked eagerly. "I wanna let him know we're leaving town. And get another Chocolate Chip Sundae Supreme before we leave for who knows how long! But when I come back, and I definitely will, I'll be sure to have all sorts of-" 

He was still chatting Marco's ear off as they exited the office. Pickle grabbed another cucumber sandwich for the road before following them, and Brain questioned just how many sandwiches that man could fit into his stomach. 

That just left Brain alone with Pinky, who was avoiding eye contact with him. 

It was a problem that would have to wait for later. Gathering supplies was the priority now. 

But first, they had to get down from the desk. Scanning the area for a safe point to get down to the floor, Brain noticed that the office chair was cushioned and positioned within jumping reach. 

"Come, Pinky," Brain said, extending his hand to Pinky as he mentally calculated their trajectory. "We'll aim for the chair, and then you'll jump down to the floor first, then catch me when I-" 

But Pinky was already sliding down the desk leg, his bottom thumping onto the floor. Despite the seemingly painful landing that would leave most tailbones groaning, Pinky stood up without a fuss. 

"-jump," Brain finished, his palm cold when it should've had a warm hand within its grasp. 

Brain couldn't descend the same way as Pinky. His limbs weren't long enough to wrap around the desk leg. 

He would have to stick to his original plan. 

Counting to three, he took a running leap and aimed for the cushioned chair. He was midair when he realized that he'd failed to take into account that he should've subtracted Pinky's weight from his trajectory calculations. 

He was nowhere close to the chair. 

Brain braced himself for impact, hoping that his luck would take pity on him for once and only give him a nasty bruise with this fall. 

But the impact never came. 

Instead, he sank into something soft and fuzzy. It squished beneath his paws, and a strange sense of euphoria flooded over him, overriding his rational mind. 

Pinky came to his senses after all! 

And for a peaceful few seconds, he believed it was true. Then his hand hit something cold. Annoyed, Brain tried to shove Pinky's nose out of the way. 

But the offending obstacle was hard plastic, not soft flesh. 

The fantasy shattered. 

He never landed in Pinky's arms. He was only on a fuzzy tan cushion. His hand was touching a button sewn into the material. 

He could've landed worse. But the cushion paled in comparison to Pinky's arms, where he'd landed safely so many times before. 

"...you okay, Brain?" Pinky asked. 

He was standing next to the cushion, which he somehow found in case Brain didn't stick the landing on the chair. He stepped back as Brain carefully slid off the fabric. 

You didn't catch me. I wanted you to catch me…to minimize my risk of injury of course. 

"I'm fine, Pinky," Brain said, letting no trace of his disappointment show. "Let's catch up with the others." 

After all, one more lie couldn't hurt anybody. 

End AN: Alright, next stop will be the Congo Rainforest! The journey is just beginning! And boy do I have plans for the next arc!

Pinky is still feeling pretty down. Well, that can’t cause problems later down the line.

Also I became fond of Marco during this chapter. He's based on Pickle's assistant who does appear in-game, but he's unnamed and is mostly an exposition character. In this fic, he’s really just a normal dude who does not get paid enough to deal with apocalypses and eccentric professors.  

Poor Brain doesn't know what to do now that Pinky won't touch him.

[rgbyshipper101]

Animaniacs Reboot Season 3 Episode 3 Review

Again I’ll mention I’m only rewatching the Warners because I don’t fully know P&TB. (This took so long I’m sorry I was busy.)

Variable Verse: Fair pay for trainees! -Dot

Planet Warner

The announcer sounds like Winnie The Pooh. Same voice actor? Reminds me of Nighty Night Toons.

They’re asleep on stage. Long nights. Also is that the girl from the P&TB short in season one? The one where Brain said “hell?” I don’t remember.

How come they’re not in bed? Also I had to look up adolescent because I thought it was teenager. It’s 10-19.

I love the fact that all their jumping animations are different! Cannonball, jump, and twirl.

I get the feeling that this short is a retelling of what actually happened? Lol maybe they did the character from a hat just for this episode.

You know I just thought of something. Back when new cartoons were drawn on paper, toons leapt from it. Can…can they still do that from the computer? Or are they trapped until let out? …oh god.

Boingy boingy boingy! Ralph’s eyes were red the whole time. Yikes. Hello? Yakko’s the most frail member? Damn. So many implications.

The cave reference! Looney Tunes melody too! Meep meep!

Aquaclaus sequels reference Rocky sequels?

Why do some of these remind me of existing characters? Like the bottom left looks like Lola.

The snaps her assistants do. Lol I forgot where that’s from.

See I feel bad when the character isn’t even allowed on the bus. But it’s showing the harsh reality of life of being rejected. Especially in entertainment.

Dang that’s a lot of tamales. Wakko’s literally just eating the wrappers.

Fourth wall break. Not as annoying as usual. They’re definitely projecting. Yeah watch ALL the characters.

The earth is pretty!

I do love this short. Not only do we see the Warners act like themselves more than usual, but it’s educational! It shows how production and pitching an idea in the entertainment industry works. And it doesn’t shy away from reality either - ideas don’t work so they get thrown out. I like the contrast on how the Warners are successful and live comfortably and the new toon is the opposite. I do feel bad for him, though.

Wakko’s the main character here. Finally. He’s the most underused. The animations they did throughout were nice.

I did notice the segments sometimes are more about the background characters more than the established characters. I know it’s easier on a blank slate, but it’s still the Warners show. This segment was fine; I was just mentioning it because it’s been a problem before.

Talladega Mice

D’awww. Cute baby Brain. The references throughout were nice. Cool how they used Orson Welles. Pinky whats with the finger? Why does the balloon sword looks like something else? The other mouse! Oh my god.

I feel like they should’ve done something with Fort Knox. Or at least mentioned it at the end. They have a habit of repeating episodes from the OG. They’re aware of it, too. New ones would be nice, please.

DI Why

So you’re telling me they’re gonna frame the poster with Wakko’s [redacted] showing? Also I forgot about the adult jokes until I heard it. It caught me off guard.

I thought they were gonna go ham with the worker but I guess not. I like Yakko’s line. Don’t flick his nose.

What’s the song the workers sing referencing?

Ah, he was gonna say belly. You notice how they’re drawn with their hands in front of them? Usually in a begging motion?

Don’t you pun Yakko. Dot noticed. Kinda wish they didn’t scoff at them. They did it all the time and were fine with it.

Yakko’s the boomer dad. Or millennial.

I like how both brothers were happy when a song was gonna begin.

Song!!!

How come Dot’s the only one in a cute outfit??? Tragedy.

I actually really like this picture. Wakko stole all those pots and then just smashed them. Lol.That lamp with the leg is an old reference.

Did Wakko just say rehab? What rehab?

This is cute.

Wakko’s head shakes saying “philosophy” while his sibs mouths just vibrate. Cute.

Okay. I love it. Very catchy. They all got a chance to shine. It’s just a nice and sweet song with no bad jokes. Beautiful. Wakko’s voice is the best oh my god.

I like how they all smile when they’re in the water.

Bro Dot got double smacked. Her poor frame broke, too.

Can’t see the Warners doing that to the fans? I honestly don’t remember their relationship with fans besides running away. But it was fine. P&TB cameo.

Again I feel like if there was no story or buildup and just the song it would be fine. Or better. There doesn’t need an explanation for everything.

Planet Warner - 9

Talladega Mice - 8

DI Why - 9

Avg - 8.7

So far this is my favorite episode with rewatchability for me. (Well, for the Warners.) Heck yes.

[flydotnet]

It Hits You Like a Rock

WHUMPTOBER DAY 1: “But now this room is spinning while I’m trying just to fill in all the gaps.” Safety Net | Swooning | “How many fingers am I holding up?”

HAPPY FIRST EPISODE OF CT 2018 SEASON 2 EVERYONE! I won't lie, I hadn't planned this CT oneshot around this fact, I just so happened to write prompt 1 with CT as my fandom. Well, tbf, this stupid manga occupies a quarter of my brain at all times, so it's not that unusual from me. This franchise will be the end of me.

Speaking of which, I cycled through a couple ideas before landing on this one - which is very much not a whumptastic fest lol. I was in the mood for light-hearted stuff when I wrote it, and it'll be a trend for the first few entries; but don't worry! It gets bad for my blorbos! I ended up picking the third prompt because it seemed fun to turn into a bit of a comedy.

Anyway, about the fic itself. I'm a big Nankatsu Middle School hater, that's not a big secret. I tend to bash them as soon as I can because I find them boring as hell and very overhyped by the manga. However, the reasons I don't like Nankatsu MS are also the reasons why I like Nankatsu High's team instead: it's Tsubasa-free and it's got a bunch of my favs in the same bundle. I mean, you've got Misaki, Ishizaki, Urabe, Nitta and Morisaki? Count me the fuck in. It's a very shallow oneshot about a bunch of guys, in the end, but it does contain a bunch of fancy headcanons of mine, so make yourself a home!

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

It Hits You Like a Rock

Summary: Something happened during practice, but nobody can tell Yuzo what exactly unfolded. Meanwhile, Ishizaki asks Morisaki how many fingers he's holding up.

Fandom: Captain Tsubasa (post-original, pre-World Youth)

Wordcount: 1.4K words

AO3 version here!

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

The first thing he knows, upon waking up, is that his head hurts. Then, he registers blurry voices whose words cannot be identified, even if each syllable can be understood as one. It all feels like a blur of familiarity, as strange as that sounds.

Things do become clearer, over time, a lapse he can’t quite quantify – yet he can’t find in himself the ability to focus on much of anything. When he does, a side or the other of his head starts pounding harder, and he resolves himself to letting it be.

Finally, as soon as the light stops hurting, things come into view, first indistinguishable, then clear enough for elements to start making sense. There’s one guy in front of him, his face a bit blurry, and what seems to be his hand hovering closer to him in comparison.

The first thing he finally understands is a mocking sort of question:

“How many fingers am I holding?”

That’s Ishizaki’s voice, face and bandaged pinkie, no doubt there.

“Four,” he gets out without much hesitation.

Ishizaki turns his head to what looks to be the sky – it may just not be what he stares at exactly, though, because who even speaks to the clouds above?

“Okay guys, good news, he’s still alive,” he states.

“Of course he’s still alive, you dumbass,” the disembodied voice of Urabe snaps back before kneeling to the discussion’s level.

“You never know, dude!” He turns his attention back to him. “You scared the shit outta us, Morisaki! What the hell happened back there?”

The pounding in his head is trying to reply, it really is, but it can’t find a single answer that isn’t “ouch”.

“I don’t remember,” he replies as the second best thing.

It’s not entirely wrong either. He just wishes trying to remember wasn’t such a chore.

“I think he took Nitta’s Hayabusa right in the face?” Urabe explains. “At least, that’s what I saw.”

“That does explain why the brat seemed so distraught earlier.”

Urabe darts him a judgemental side-glance.

“Remind me why you’re our captain when you’re that inattentive?”

“Because Misaki’s out sick and I suppose Ishizaki was our second best option for a captain, somehow” Izawa comments out of his field of view.

“Shut up, you know that’s not the only reason why I’m captain.”

“Whatever,” Izawa replies. “I’m getting the nurse, wait here.”

As he vaguely hears footsteps getting farther and farther from what he can just as precisely guess to be a tree stump, Yuzo tries getting up, but his vision swims before he can actually get back to his feet. Hands follow shortly after on his shoulders.

“Wow, wow, wow, where do you think you’re going?” Ishizaki yells out in response, sending his head pounding again.

“Uh… Back to the goal?”

Captain Ishizaki seems very angry at that reply, for some reason.

“Dude, you just passed out and we still don’t know why, so you’re staying down goddammit.”

Well, that’d explain why he can’t remember much of anything at all, if he passed – wait what?

“The only place you’re going is the infirmary, dude,” Urabe adds without much more happiness.

“Can someone… explain what happened? Please?”

Ishizaki and Urabe stare at each other, first in dumbfounded silence, then with their usual bickering that, as it turns out, causes Yuzo’s head to ring all over again.

“You tell him, dude.”

“No, you tell him! You’re the one who saw Nitta shoot!”

“Yeah, but you’re the one who was on site first!”

“Shut it, guys,” Takasugi interrupts, “and just explain to Morisaki as it is. He doesn’t need your stupid bickering.” He turns to him. “Sorry Morisaki. You know how those two are.”

The two guys stare at each other, cheeks reddening, and eventually decide it’s not worth arguing back.

“Got it, got it…”

Meanwhile, Yuzo tries comforting his teammates.

“It’s fine, it’s fine…”

Eventually, Ishizaki clears his throat, and turns his attention back to him.

“So, uhm… You just, like, collapsed in the middle of training, and we were real confused because it did come out of nowhere. That’s why we were having a debate over whether or not an unstopped Hayabusa did that to you.”

What?

“You sound really unsure…”

Which doesn’t make sense, does it? It should be clear-cut if he’s at risk of having a concussion. Well, considering he doesn’t feel nauseous nor that dizzy, and the bright sunlight doesn’t hurt his eyes either, maybe it’s not what happened. But then… what did?

“That’s the thing,” Urabe continues, “it didn’t make sense. In fact, it still doesn’t. Nitta swears he didn’t hit your head, just that the ball glided in front of your face and you happened to fall after that.”

It’s not in Nitta to lie, as far as Yuzo is concerned, so the question remains: what happened?

“But it could’ve happened and he didn’t see it properly. So, that’s where we are.” Ishizaki blinks. “Oh, I forgot! How’s your head?”

“It hurts,” Yuzo replies with a dried throat and a hand in front of his eye, “but it’s fine enough, I think. I don’t think I’m concussed, at least.”

“Good,” Urabe replies without waiting, “but you’re still seeing a nurse, man. You’re not supposed to fall over like a sack of potato to begin with, if it’s not Nitta’s shot who got you in this situation. But like, even if it was Nitta’s fault, we’d still make you see the nurse.”

Silence follows, until Takasugi peeks into the conversation again, this time with a softer expression and a concerned tone.

“Hey, Morisaki… By any chance, wouldn’t you happen to train overtime?”

“Huh?”

“I dunno, now that I look at you closer, you look really tired.”

Ishizaki and Urabe then proceed to squint really hard at his face.

“Well, now that you say it, I can see it,” the former comments, “but what makes you suspect he ain’t just tired?”

Yuzo, in the meantime, feels a tremble rising. It was going to catch up to him eventually, he supposes…

“It’s only a suspicion, but it doesn’t sound too out of the park from you, doesn’t it, Morisaki?”

He now has the choice between pretending as if Takasugi hadn’t hit it right on the nail or coming off clean. The first proposition has its perks, Yuzo supposes, but… God, his head hurts, and his limbs are now gnawing at him from all that overtime practice. Not to mention, it’d clear Nitta’s name and explain what happened.

In any case, his teammates are already worried, and perhaps an explanation would at least ease some of those worries.

“I do, yeah.” He swallows, his eyes still difficult to fully maintain open. “I like to train some more in the morning before class starts.”

“And I’d suppose you overdid it,” Takasugi continues without missing a beat.

“I suppose I did, yeah,” Yuzo replies with all of his candour.

“Mystery solved, then, I guess?” Urabe asks, shrugging his shoulders.

“Well, yeah, mystery solved, but we’ve still got a tired goalie on our hands,” Takasugi states as matter of fact.

Urabe and Ishizaki are back at staring at each other.

“Crap, that’s true!” They both yell out at the same time.

“Well, at least Izawa and the nurse should be arriving here soon,” Takasugi states, looking back up, then back at Yuzo. “Why did you do that to begin with, actually, Morisaki?”

It weighs in his throat, but it must come out now, so… So be it.

“The Nationals are coming soon, and if we wanna win this year, we gotta stop Hyuga – so I’ve been training for that.”

It sounds a lot worse now that it’s landed everyone in this pesky situation, doesn’t it?

“Don’t do it as much, dude,” Ishizaki tells him in such a flat tone, it can only be coming from the heart. “Like, we appreciate, don’t get me wrong – but like, if you can’t stand up, we’re doomed, so just… rest.” He sighs. “Geez I’m terrible at this captain shtick.”

“Glad you’ve noticed.”

“Shut it, Urabe.”

Yuzo ends up laughing. Yeah, maybe fatigue is getting to him, actually, if he’s going to find that funny.

“Thank you, guys.”

Ishizaki and Urabe both blink in response, while Takasugi seems a little stunned.

“Thank you for what?”

“For making sure we’re all doing good.”

Shortly thereafter, before he can articulate the rest of his thoughts, Izawa and a somewhat familiar woman arrive to the scene, and all sentimentality gives way for a good scold of his habits.

[kakujis]

𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓… ☽

geto vers | baji vers

synopsis: when your husband and best friend are targeted by a hitman, the aftermath leaves you in shock. but suguru has always instilled one line into you: forever has no meaning unless you're in it.

warnings: gn!reader, vampire!suguru, vampire!choso, vampire!satoru, hitman!toji, character death ( + resurrection), depictions of blood and violence, almost blind devotion, a bit angsty but also fluffy.. but also not really? idk what to tag this as LOL, canon divergent (gojo n geto are attacked much later in life), you have no clue they’re sorcerers 👍, swearing, sfw, if choso is ooc im so sorry idk barely anything about/cldnt get a read on his character from one episode djknj

ft + wc: vampire!suguru x reader, 3.2k

tags: @enchantedforest-network, @em1e (u guys should totally read em's necromancy fic btw)

a/n: hi! idk wtf this is, this is just how i deal with chara death i think? this idea came to me when i realized i was writing two fics about dealing with grief (baji fans are u here ?) and wrote nearly 2k for both in one sitting haha. anyways, i feel like atp i'm edda from ffxiv coded except suguru is 1000x better than avere. if you'd like to listen to her theme, it's here. thank u to wallaby for proofreading!

there is something about the morning light, filtered through the white blinds that you’ve forgotten so many times to replace, that feels just like a hug. it’s this light that kisses your eyelids and pulls you out of bed faster than your mother on a school morning. 

you’ll yawn, then stretch, pulling your arms up and over your head arching your back as you do. then you’ll get up, set up a pot of coffee before heading off to brush your teeth and wash your face. and you’ll pretend that you don’t see the eyes, red and shimmering, from the shadows in your closet.  

“go to bed suguru,” you sigh, before lightly pressing onto your puncture marks, hissing when they’re still tender. “it’s morning.” 

“i could fix that… if you’d let me.” he responds, the hinges of your door creaking ever so slightly before you gasp and rush to close them before the light bleeds in. 

“don’t!” you snap, hand trembling, “don’t… you dare.” 

you crouch down, before slotting your pinky into the smallest slit you can with the door still providing adequate coverage. before long, his cold finger entangles with yours and you smile. 

“by the way babe, when are we moving?” he jokes and when your eyes finally adjust to the dark, you can see him stretch his limbs, hands entangling with your hanging clothing. “it’s pretty cramped in here not gonna lie.” 

“well… i put in that application a few weeks ago and they did get back to me… so soon. we just need to go through the final steps.” you reply, fighting the urge to crawl into that small space with him and sleep the day off. 

when it comes to suguru, you’d do anything and everything, from the hairs on your head to the tips of your toes, you pledged yourself to him fully. 

“gonna go to work?” he asks and you nod, albeit with a pout. he snickers when he sees your expression, “aw, don’t cry. i’ll be right here.” 

you bite your lip, trying your best not to draw blood because you know. you know that suguru will always be right there, whenever you need him. 

you made sure of it. 

-

his name was choso. you remember the night you met him after a round of drinks at the bar. he was nice, if not a bit quiet, and loved to talk about his siblings. suguru and satoru talked aimlessly with shoko while you made new friends. it was a fun little past time. 

you don’t remember how you left the bar or how he even convinced you to follow him out. your mind muggy as you followed him, like a moth to a flame, down a back alley before you finally snapped to your senses and shoved him off before he could make a move. it wasn’t until you saw the razor sharp pearly whites of his teeth that you stopped. 

you asked him what he was, but he simply shrugged, asking, “have you ever dreamt about being saved from someone or something?” 

you nodded, of course you did. everyone has. 

“then that’s me. something you can dream about.”

it was a cryptic message, but a message you got nonetheless. choso was not of the day, flourishing under the midnight sky. but for some reason, he wasn’t necessarily scary. in the small amount of time you had spent, he seemed to listen to you and your woes. gotten to know a little bit of your family history, and perhaps decided you would do better with his. 

you remember hearing suguru’s panic laced voice calling out for you and you spun around to call back out. turning back, choso was gone. with a hand placed on your shoulder you were pulled into a tight embrace. 

“where were you?” suguru asks, nearly crushing you in the heat of his body, “almost lost my mind trying to find you.” he glances behind you, eyes scanning the alleyway in search of something or someone. 

“honestly… i don’t even know how i got out here,” you mumbled into his shoulder, hands trailing the familiar sensation of his clothing. “can we go home?” 

“yeah, i’ll just let gojo-“ 

“no!” you exclaimed, the uneasiness in your stomach now palpable, as you balled your fists into the fabric of his shirt, “let’s go now, please.” 

he blinks, before nodding, “okay, yeah, okay. let’s go home.” he presses a kiss to your forehead, almost like a seal of protection, before he’s throwing his arm around you and walking you home. 

you don’t ever recall meeting toji fushiguro. it was just another night out underneath flickering street lights, outside the same bar where you met choso, the street familiar yet empty. your husband smoked into the evening air, the scent wafting over and tickling your nose. 

“no offense, satoru, but i didn’t listen to a single thing you just said.” he stated, lips curled up into a smirk with the cigarette dangling between his fingers. 

“good,” satoru snorts, before glancing at you, “i wasn’t asking for their opinion anyway.” 

you feign ignorance, perking up and asking, “hm? what were we talking about?” 

“man the two of you are so fucking annoying.” he whines, head hung back as you both laugh. 

“care for a third opinion?” a voice asks and you gasp, jumping back. 

the man was tall, handsome, with dark hair and a scar on his lip, wearing a simple outfit of a tee and sweatpants. he seemed otherworldly as well, just like choso. maybe, it was the aura he exuded, more like the lack of, but it set your hairs up on end. 

suguru was quick to pull you behind him as your fingers instantly grabbed onto his shirt. 

“don’t really care for a stranger’s opinion,” satoru drawls, glancing over the tips of his sunglasses. but you can read his body easily, a culmination of friendship over the years. it was screaming: danger. 

“c’mon, don’t be like that. why don’t we introduce ourselves then? i’m toji.” he said, sticking his hand out for a handshake. but neither satoru nor suguru moved to grab it, instead they tensed, waiting. 

“suguru.” satoru whispered, a command with only one word. he understood exactly what it meant. you don’t remember suguru being able to run so fast, the force from his pull almost knocking the air out of you. nor do you remember satoru being able to fight so efficiently. 

you do remember suguru hiding you away and making you wait, even when you tried to hold onto him, he assured you it’d be fine and made you wait. but seconds ticked into minutes, long, monotonous minutes that made the pit of uneasiness in your stomach bloom into a festering bouquet of chrysanthemums. 

“suguru?” you called, stepping out into the dreary moonlight. no response. 

“satoru?” you tried again, quietly walking back towards the area they were in originally. it’s strange how quickly the night changes, how suddenly the flickering street lights aren’t an annoyance but one of your only sources of comfort, as if the dark can swallow you. 

“suguru,” you call out again, voice teetering on a breakdown and eyes scanning the desolate street.  “please res-“ 

you stop suddenly, the sickening squelch of something warm pooling beneath your feet halts you. you feel sick as you start to take in shallow breaths, eyes following the stream of ichor until it reaches its source.

suguru. 

you remember dragging his lifeless body down that familiar back alley. knowing that anyone would be able to see that trail of blood and find you. the darkness of that alley covered you, looming over you like a guardian, while the scent of trash almost, almost, covered the sharp tinge of iron that permeated the air.  

you propped suguru up against the wall as best you could, your body still thrumming with adrenaline. “just gimme a sec, okay?” you mumbled through tears, knowing that he couldn’t hear you. “i’ll figure it out, just like you always do.” 

you’re not sure why you were compelled to scream out that name, but maybe it was because in your dreams, he appeared when you least expected him too. 

“choso!” you screamed, waiting for a brief moment before you filled your lungs with air once more and tried again. “choso!” 

nothing. 

choso!

still nothing. 

and when nothingness almost consumed you, taking you into it’s ghostly clutches, you felt it: the sudden heaviness in the air. 

you feel like you screamed for hours, the name tumbling off your tongue and into the moonlit air like a siren song. just a little less pretty. in reality, it was probably only a few minutes before the brunette arrived, dark rimmed eyes and all. your new guardian “angel”. 

“he looks pretty bad if you ask me.” he started, already crouching down to your level, before reaching up to brush the red coated strands away from suguru’s face. “looks pretty dead.” 

“fix it.” you whispered, continuing even after choso shot you a look. “fucking fix him.” 

“what makes you think i can do that?” 

and in that moment, you feel compelled to tell him about the dreams that you’ve been having lately. the ones where he’s in them, beckoning you to stay under his protection. call for me and i’ll be there. 

but you keep it simple, too pressed for time. “you’re in my dreams, right?” you answer. 

he’s quiet, face softening as he mulls over your words. “good to know.” his eyes wander over to the crimson trail, that bleeds from the streetlamps to your waiting spot. “he’ll probably find you.” 

“toji?” you ask and he nods, “i don’t even know why he’s after us.” 

“he’s not after you, he’s after him.” he says, cupping suguru’s face, dribbles of blood falling from his mouth, and you twitch, almost reaching out to snatch his hand away, “he’s never liked sorcerers.” 

“sorcery…?” you mumble, glancing once more at your lifeless husband. 

but you’ve never heard that word, believing that magic cannot exist, that what you saw could not be explained so easily. there is no magic, only reality, and what is this but such painful, excruciating reality that sucks the air from your lungs and the color from your eyes.

choso dodges the question, “well then. let’s get out of here.” before he places a palm on the back of your neck, sending you back off to dream. 

there’s a voice that pulls him out of the light. low and drumming, it snaps him back into the present and out of his stupor. he sits up, scrambling to make sense of just where he is and who is talking to him. the bed he’s in is similar to a hospital bed, although the white sheets are now stained red. 

“… stay out of the sunlight, feed only when you’re hungry, animal blood counts, it just doesn’t taste that good,” choso continues listing things off, not taking into the account the shock etched so firmly into suguru’s face. “you can feed on them and if they ever wanna turn, let me know, i’ll teach you how to do it.” 

suguru whips his head around, spotting you sitting in a chair with blood covered and bruised knees, the sweat and tears now dried on your face. you glance up at him, giving a little wave and a tired smile. he notes the dried blood that seems to be caked even under your fingers. 

“what the fuck did you do to them?” 

“you mean, what did i do to you?” the brunette retorts. “you wanted to stay together, right? now you can.” he answers, crossing his arms and leaning back against his desk. but suguru’s not sure if he’s asking him or you, the one who smells so much sharper and sweeter than he remembers. you also smell of blood. so much blood that he can hear it coursing through you with each thump of your heartbeat. 

and like a moth to a flame, you stand on wobbly knees, the pads of your feet hitting the floor in sluggish steps as you pad over and throw yourself onto your lover. 

“don’t be mad at me,” you whisper, your eyelids fluttering as you try to fight back your tears. “i thought i could figure things out like you always do… because i always rely on you, right? i was too scared to be alone.” 

he’s so cold now and you’re so unbearably warm, the perfect juxtaposition of your souls. although he doesn’t need to, he takes a deep breath, before pulling you into his embrace. 

“you’re cold, sugu.” you mumble, yet you press harder, deeper into his embrace. 

“is that a turn off?” he jokes because he can’t be mad at you, not now and not ever. and any fragments of anger always dissipate like a puff of smoke. you giggle, before finally giving in and crying, digging your nails into his stiff skin. you cry until you can’t anymore, going limp and falling asleep in his arms. 

suguru’s gaze shifts upwards, as he holds you protectively, one arm wrapped firmly around your lower back, the other on the back of your head, fingers laced in your hair. 

“so, no introductions?” he asks, trying to be friendly, although the intonation in his voice betrays him. it’s first time meeting such a strange man, who can blame him? 

certainly not choso, who responds in turn, “my bad. you can call me choso. i fixed you up on their behalf.” 

“and satoru?” he asks, scanning the room to see if he can find the familiar white tufts of hair. 

“is fine,” choso replies, before jutting a finger out towards you, “they made sure to cover all the bases.” 

suguru shifts you in his hold, pressing a kiss to your forehead, that familiar seal of protection once again placed within your being. but also, as thanks for trying to keep everyone safe.

“then, where is he?” he asks while the other sighs and points over to another bed in the corner. dark eyes follow and the familiar tufts of silver hair peek immediately confirm it’s satoru. 

“he’s gonna wake up soon too. i’ll fill him in on the details.” before suguru can reply he’s cut off, “you should go soon, before the sun rises.” 

“am i actually a vampire?” 

“vampire, dracula, nosferatu, the undead. you can choose whatever you want.” 

“… i see.” he pauses, glancing back at satoru’s sleeping form before deciding he’ll be fine on his own. “we’ll be going then. …thanks.” 

he places his feet on the floor, still wearing his shoes from earlier and starts to walk off, cradling you in his arms. 

“when you feed, geto, don’t overdo it. or they will die.” 

he stops mid-step, gripping you tighter in his embrace, his brow furrowed, before finally walking off. 

you really should’ve taken a photo for satoru of the realtor’s perplexed expression when only you showed up to a three bedroom home, insistent on your need for space. 

when you do get that house, situated so nicely in the countryside, away from the buzz of the city, you think about what life would be like if you changed. if you no longer saw the sunlight. but you shake your head, pressing your fingers up to your neck once more, rubbing over the now scabbing indentations. 

you know suguru can’t feast on you forever as your body ages and his does not. but the thought of him feeding on someone else makes your stomach turn. 

“woow,” satoru hums, breaking you out of your trance as he takes in the new home, “not bad! not bad at all.” 

you smile, “thanks, satoru. i wanted to make sure you had your own space too.” 

“whats the third room for?” he asks, peeking his head in as he saunters around the new home. 

“office space.” you reply, “remember i work from home?” 

he nods, replying, “ooh, makes sense,” before he’s suddenly in front of you. his once crystalline blue eyes, now a deep crimson. “can i get a quick snack? i’m hungry.” 

“always so insatiable, satoru.” you tsk, rolling your eyes, but hold up your wrist anyway.

“not my fault you just so happen to be the best tasting human around.” he says, smiling against the thin skin of your wrist. 

luckily for you, he’s fast, the pain is almost nonexistent beyond the prick of his fangs but you still shut your eyes, waiting for it to be over. and when it’s over, gojo thanks you for the meal with a large bow before leaving to settle in his room. 

it’s so different from suguru who plans out the days that he’ll feed, keeping you in his clutches for what seems like hours as he sips away at your blood, making sure to maximize the experience.

the blood loss always makes you so dizzy, dizzy and pliant. he likes to watch over you afterwards, splayed against the sheets, fingertips running over your veins as if he’s painting over them in hues of ice. 

in your half-conscious state you never notice the furrow of his brow as he contemplates turning you every single time. you won’t last forever, too fragile, too soft, too alive. and suguru believes that forever only exists if you are in it as well. he asks you one night, while the house is almost too still, if you’d stay with him forever. 

“… of course…” you murmur, head dazed and body heavy, “always, sugu.” 

“even if you lose yourself?” 

“i can’t… lose myself if i’m with you.” you smile contently, reaching out to him with one shaky hand. 

“then how would you feel…” he asks, fingertips snaking up the veins of your neck, “if i turned you?” you shiver under his touch, eyelids fluttering not only at the sensation but also the low timbre of his voice. 

“turn me?” you mumble, pressing your hand against his, encouraging him to continue carressing your skin, “like… choso did with you?” 

he grins, albeit a small one and nods. hand now exploring the curves of your face, “just like that.” and while his hand is ice cold, it sears your skin with his touch, a testament to how deeply you’ve fallen. 

you pout, finally relaying your fears, “won’t you feed on others though?” 

“you want me to starve?” he jokes, still running his touch over you. 

“let’s go vegan.” you hum, your consciousness starting to drift until the thrum of his fingers. 

with your eyes closed you don’t catch the expression on his face, but you catch his laugh, drifting down into your ear. “i don’t know if that’s how it works, honey.” 

“animals...” you mumble, breaths becoming deeper with each passing second. “like humans… but diet… is how choso… explained it right?” 

he smiles, letting you fall deep into sleep. he keeps his hand intertwined with yours, knowing that even in dreams you hold onto him as if you were awake. he thinks you look so beautiful in the moonlight, better even than the moon or the stars themselves. 

and he is so sure, that forever cannot exist, if you’re not in it. 

[missmonsters2]

I'm proud for both of us for getting through such a bad day! thankfully rain didn't ruin our coffee date and it actually took my mind off (both our minds since my friend had a horrible day too - I swear idk what it is about today). definitely a lesson to learn with my invisaligns and I'm going to be triple checking all the time now!

I would actually live a drabble (w Nat since I have a soft spot for her)! you're so sweet and amazing for suggesting it!! it could be anything you want (I would read literally anything from you because everything you write is pure gold).

message of the day is that we got through it today, we got it for tomorrow!! 💪

Yesterday was something else LOL today was even worse I will not lie LMFAO

Alright bestie, let's do a soft Nat drabble 🥺

I've chosen the prompt "What's one little kiss between friends?" set in a College AU.

What's One Little Kiss Between Friends

i: underneath the bleachers

Count: <1k

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷

"Where's Natasha?"

You look around the canteen to find the redhead missing. It was unlike her with today being tater tot day. You don't understand her obsession with the fried cylinder potato, but it makes the redhead happy, and who are you to say anything about that?

"Hm, I don't know. I didn't see her after having cognitive psych with her. She told me to go on without her because she got stopped outside of class by...fuck, what's his name again? That dude she's seeing." Bucky said after he swallowed his food and looked around.

You frowned.

Sometimes it was hard to keep up with who Natasha was seeing. She was a very popular girl on campus. Everyone wants to date the student council president, captain of the volleyball team, GPA of 3.9, and heiress to the Romanoff conglomerate.

But to you? She was just Natasha Romanoff, the girl you met when you were 15 and insisted on being your friend when your first words to her were, 'Fuck off.'

As you scanned the crowd, you noticed 'said dude' Natasha was dating sitting with his friends, laughing and getting claps on his back.

You sighed as you packed up your things. You wouldn't necessarily say you had a sixth sense of always knowing what was going on with Natasha, but your gut feelings about her were usually always right.

"Where you going?" Bucky asked

"To find Nat."

"She's not answering her phone. She could literally be anywhere on campus," Bucky crinkled his nose.

"I know where she is," you tell Bucky, snapping your bag close.

"What? How?"

"I just do!" You told him as you walked off with a wave.

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷

Your gut feeling leads you to the football field. Since it was winter, the field was often empty except for a couple of people here and there spread out through the bleachers.

You found Natasha Romanoff under the bleacher, hidden from the world, and everyone else was none the wiser.

You sat down next to her silently, only letting her ignore you for five seconds before you bumped her shoulder with yours.

"How'd you find me?" She gruffed with a frown.

"Find My Friends App," you offer lamely, knowing full well Natasha doesn't have hers on.

"Technology has ruined the modern world," Natasha muttered before she sighed and slouched against your shoulder.

"What's wrong, Nat?" You asked her softly.

Natasha stayed silent for a moment as if debating to tell you, but when she felt you brush your pinky against hers.

"I'm just tired," Natasha sighs.

"Tired?" You repeated with a tilt of your head.

Natasha stares out into the hills that obscure her. "It's stupid, but I guess I just feel envious of others. Other people don't have to worry about if the person they're seeing really likes them for them. They don't have to worry if their kisses and other physical intimacies will be spread around like it's some award to be won."

You frowned because you immediately knew the guy Natasha was seeing had done just that, and that was why he was getting accolades earlier.

You wonder if you should trip him the next time you see him.

"It's dramatic, but I'm starting to feel like loving someone, even just having someone kiss me because I'm me—not the idea of me is something I won't get to have."

No, you'll trip him and then spit on him. It's only justice.

You're so lost in your own thoughts when Natasha starts to shuffle, starting to get up.

"C'mon, some of the classes are about to be let out and people are going to start passing by. We should head back," Natasha said, brushing off what she had just admitted to you.

You immediately pull Natasha back down, getting a yelp from her. It kind of reminds you of the days of high school when you skipped together and huddled in alleyways to avoid being caught.

"What are you—" Natasha started to say but was swiftly cut off by your lips against hers.

The kiss was chaste and quick, but Natasha could taste your chapstick and wondered if you could taste hers. The kiss was so warm that it made her toes curl and her fingers flex.

When you pulled back, you licked your lips as you said, "There. I feel like I'm a pretty solid choice since I never liked the idea of you, anyway. So, stop being all mopey and come to the canteen with me, okay?"

Natasha felt displaced as you helped her up and grabbed her hand to pull her along. How could you just kiss her and move on?

"Oh, uh, you taste like raspberry."

What the fuck was she saying.

You shrug. "Yeah, I stole your chapstick last week."

That brings Natasha out of it as she huffed at you. "Fucking—I was looking for that! I had to open the blueberry one and it's not as good."

You merely laughed, but Natasha was still nervous.

"Thank you," Natasha finally said, and you peer at her for a long moment.

It was rare to catch Natasha so awkward.

"No worries. What's one little kiss between friends?"

Part 2

[strsburn]

Hello! I love all your writing, they are amazing.

I was wondering if you are still taking request, can you write one where Shang Chi has to go up against reader at the golden dagger? She is super pissed at him and knocks him out, but ends with fluff and smut? Thanks for your consideration

love tap | shang-chi (18+)

pairing - shang chi x reader

synopsis - in which the past has a way of coming back when you least expect it

see also - shang-chi gets his ass kicked but then again he totally deserves it

warnings - violence, choking kink, unprotected sex, rough sex, dirty talk etc.

MINORS DNI. 18+ CONTENT AHEAD

notes - first off, thank you so much anon that really makes my day to know people enjoy my writing, second off, this is like my first time doing smut for shang-chi so don't get your hopes too high lol

Shang-chi had once again bitten off more than he could chew.

Sure, he was an above average fighter, given that he had been trained to fight since he was nine, nonstop, util he ran away when he was sixteen. But he often didn't know when to quit and usually ended up in situations that went far beyond what he could handle.

Take now for example, as he once again stood in the ring of the golden dagger, face to face with a warrior who had way more experience in the ring.

"Now, give it up for our reigning champion, ghost!"

The door lifted with a creak as you stepped forward, hair hiding your face from view as the lights from above highlighted your features giving you an angelic glow.

You didn't move an inch as the bell sounded and Shang-chi was left confused as he looked around at the cheering crowd.

Just as he made to move forward, you sprung forward into a front-flip sending your leg out to sweep his from beneath him as he slammed to the ground with a choked groan.

He immediately flipped up and sent a punch towards you that had you reeling back as your hair swung with the movement.

His short victory was dismissed when you suddenly disappeared from view, his eyes searching for you as he looked around in shock.

Just as suddenly as you disappeared you reappeared and sent a sharp uppercut to his jaw, his head snapping back forcefully as he stumbled.

Another kick to his uncovered chest this time sent him to the ground as he struggled to move, the air having been knocked out of him.

He rolled onto his back as you came closer and as your hair was swept back he got a glimpse of your face.

"Y/n?!" He asked in shock just before you delivered a final blow to his temple, darkness immediately enveloping him.

"Promise, we'll never leave one another behind?" You spoke to shang-chi, lifting a pinky finger to his as you crossed them to seal your promise.

Shang-chi grinned back, his grip tightening in yours to ensure you he was serious.

"I promise y/n."

Groaning brought you back to reality as you reminisced your younger days, and you looked from where you sat upon a chair to see the man himself waking up.

You watched him unimpressed as he failed to notice your existence as he took in his surroundings.

"Have a nice nap?" You called out, making your presence known as he sprung up from shock.

"Y-y/n? I haven't seen you since," he trailed off as he noticed the dark glint in your eye.

"Since you abandoned your sister and I, five years ago and broke your promise, hmm." You hummed as you glanced at your nails.

Shang-chi laughed nervously as he stood from the bed making his way to you as he stammered to find an excuse.

"Listen, y/n. I never meant to break our promise, things at home just got really bad and-"

"So instead of taking your sister or even talking to me, you vanish without a trace and start a new life, acting as if we didn't mean shit to you!" You spun around pressing your finger into his chest with every word as he stepped back in fear.

"N-no that's not-"

"That's exactly what happened Shang-chi! You left your sister confused and hurt wondering why you didn't come back for her like you promised, and me? I didn't even know you left in the first place, I had to find out from your sister! We were both worried for you but we figured, oh he will keep his promise, well look how well that worked out!" You huffed as you turned your back to him.

Tears began to make their way down your cheeks as you rushed to wipe them away, hurt once again clenching at your heart.

Shang-chi did not hesitate to pull you into his embrace as you cried against his chest, your hands grasping his shirt as you allowed your heart to yearn for him once again.

"Leaving you was the biggest mistake I ever made, if I could I would take it back in a heartbeat. There was not one moment where I was not thinking of you." He mumbled as he kissed your head.

You pulled back to look into his eyes as he swept his thumb across your cheekbone, collecting the tear that trailed there.

Old feelings that never left rose to the surface as you grasped his face between your hands and kissed him, his gasp getting caught in his throat as you deepened the contact, lips pressing harder into his.

He responded naturally, his eyes closing in pleasure as your hands made their way into his hair.

You backed him up as the back of his shins hit the bed sending him toppling over as you crawled on top of him, your hands fumbling with his belt buckle as you continued to kiss.

His hands joined yours as he shuffled his jeans and boxers off, his lips disconnecting from yours as he groaned, the tip of his cock leaking precum as it tapped lightly against his abdomen.

You reached forward and grasped it into your hand as you gave a tentative stroke to the tip, watching in fascination as a shudder ran through him.

Before you could blink he suddenly grasped your wrist and moved it from his cock as he gripped your thighs and flipped you over. You landed on your stomach as he climbed behind you, his hands trailing down your thighs and into your pants where he teasingly traced your pantyline with his fingertips.

"It's not nice to tease, baby." He murmured in your ear as he nipped at your neck playfully.

You moaned as he grasped your pants pulling them down along with your panties as he gripped your ass with his hands, the roughness of them sending a shiver of pleasure up your spine.

He paused briefly as he leaned forward, his breath fanning across your face softly.

"Is this okay?" You realized he was waiting for your consent and your heart stuttered in your chest as you fell in love with him even more.

"Yes." You spoke softly and the simple syllable spoke a thousand words.

He trailed his lips up your spine as he moved to grip your hips and carefully move you to all fours, your back bending to meet the bed as your ass and pussy was lifted to meet his gaze.

"Fuck, baby. This all for me?" He asked as he brought his fingers to your slit, the wetness soaking his finger tips. You moaned in response to his question and brought your ass back to meet his hand, his other hand coming down on your ass in warning.

Before you could bite back a response to his sudden dominance he surged forward, entering you with a swift thrust that sent you gasping as you grasped the bedsheets beneath you.

The tip of his cock breached the entrance to your womb as you whimpered pitifully, the pleasure making your eyes roll back as you lost your grip on reality.

Without a word, Shang-chi pulled back, leaving just the tip inside before he filled you once again with a rough cant of his hips, the ridges of his cock rubbing against your sensitive walls with each grind.

He grunted softly as he pounded you harder, his body coming to lean over yours as he used one hand to bring you back against his chest, sitting the both of you up as you leant your head on his shoulder, panting as he sped up significantly.

"You like that baby? Hmm, me destroying your pussy for anyone else. Tell me, who else can get you like this? Practically dumb on my cock." He muttered the last part as he watched your tits bounce, your nipples poking through your shirt.

With a tsk, he brought the shirt over your head, smirking when he realized you had gone sans bra.

"You gonna answer my question baby?" He questioned when you failed to reply to him, his free hand coming to wrap around your throat as he squeezed experimentally.

He was not expecting the response he got at his action as you moaned loudly, your body spasming as you unexpectedly came on his cock, your hair falling to cover your face as you panted.

The sight of your hair mussed from your activites, your lips bruised and swollen and your body glistening with sweat, sent him over the edge and Shang-chi moaned as he brought you down on his cock a final time, his grip unwavering as he pumped his seed into your womb, his face coming to rest in the crook of your neck as he filled you.

The two of you sat in silence for a bit as you recovered from your orgasm, your heart beating painfully in your chest.

"You know that was a total knockout right?" You teased as you recalled your earlier brawl.

A weak scoff met your query as Shang-chi lifted his head to bite your earlobe softly.

"Please, that was barely a love tap."

[latestagejenga]

Only A Twinge

~ Paperhat jealousy fanfic ~

The sun had long gone down by now. The dark lord of villainy stared out at the now peaceful city outside his window, and then at clock on his phone with increasing impatience.

“Useless bag headed imbecile. How long does it take to ‘check in on’ some looney pink plastic bitch”

He thought out loud to himself, and decided to finally text him to at least make sure he wasn’t stabbed by some schizo in there

Flug Cell

<(what’s taking so long?! 👿👿👿)

(Im leaving! Now I just… gotta get out of here without anyone noticing that I stole this uniform…)>

<(you will be back here in exactly 15 minutes or your paycheck won’t be the only thing that I cut 🔪🔪🔪)

(Yes sir!)>

The hat closed his message app and turned to YouTube, the news, social media, everywhere; everywhere was just that blasted stream. But rather than just putting his phone down and ignoring it, he obsessively watched it over and over again. It filled the pit of his stomach with overwhelming nausea to see it but that was just it, no matter how deeply he explored it he couldn’t pin down what that disgust was or was it stemmed from. He’d never been of fan of loving gestures such as kisses, but other people doing it never bothered him like this, he could just look the other way. This he couldn’t take his eyes off of if he tried. There was a sense of dare he say, righteous anger at the heart of it that made him want to just - “OOOOHHH BOOOOOSS!!!”

His train of though promptly plummeted off the tracks as Dementia burst in.

“*Inhale* WHAT?! WHAT IS IT?!”

“Bag nerd just called a meeting first thing tomorrow morning, apparently pinkie pie was actually able to get a complete sentence out.”

“Ha ha… they did taze her quite a lot didn’t they? Ah the sweet screams of a crumbling hero, nothing like it.”

“Not as good as getting to broadcast her little bit of air time in front of the entire city LOL!”

Black Hat clenched his armrest as his previous thoughts re-emerged and he violently banished Dementia from his sight, she left in a delighted scurry. His eyes and his thoughts returned to the Flug on his phone. And he noticed… just how much he wanted to crush it in his hand when he saw the goggly eyed look on his face after the heroine pulled away from him. Then in the distance, he heard the front door open and shut followed by the sound of Flug lovingly greeting 505. Blackhat arose from his desk, snapped his fingers, and transported himself to the entryway in a cloud of darkness; manifesting right behind Flug’s back.

Flug froze as he felt a hand on his right shoulder. He recognized it immediately and slowly turned around expecting to be met with a nasty scowl followed by a berating, but what he saw was… something different. Not quite anger, but some contempt, and aloofness?

“I-I’m s-s-sorry fo-for being late j-jefito” he said bowing his head slightly with his eyes shut tight to avoid Black Hat’s gaze. But he felt another hand on his chin tilting his head up towards him, and he opened his eyes.

“Just don’t spend too much time there alright, you might catch the crazy. And believe me we’ve got enough of that in this lair” Black Hat said glancing at Dementia giggling uncontrollably as she caressed a homemade sock puppet.

“Anyway it’s late, we all must rejuvenate after our exciting day of evil doings.” His wicked grin had returned to him.

~ Later ~

Flug put on his pajamas and collapsed onto his bed. He decided to read a few pages from his bookshelf to decompress before sleeping. It was then that he started to notice some weird things in the room.

Before he knew it shadows enveloped the room and his boss’s face was in all all the reflective surfaces.

‘J-Jefito? I-I know y-you’re there!’

The dark tall figure was already materializing over him and gazing down with that… same look as before

‘D-do you want s-something sir?!’

He was getting tired of this silent treatment

Much to his surprise, Hat sat down next to him.

‘Doctor, I wanted just… to make something clear here.’

‘Y- yes sir?’

‘…’

‘That your… loyalty… should never come into question’

‘…absolutely sir’

‘Yes… good’

And he got up to leave

As he departed from Flug’s plane he tried to think of why Flug’s answer hadn’t been satisfying for him. He was worried for his loyalty right? And he had just denied such a prospect. Was it not loyalty to his team? If not WHAT?! Was he feeling betrayed? No… betrayal you feel in your gut, this was a feeling in his heart. Something he thought wouldn’t ever bother him agian.

It was only a twinge

Jealously