#she is very good at watching critters and leaves from the window

[willabee]

🐿️ spotted!

[autisticlancemcclain]

Bug Boy

Team As Family, Pre Keith/Lance (Voltron), Lance & Voltron Paladins, 2.2k Words

Summary: After Hunk tells an amusing story of another buggy Lance shenanigan, some deeper issues come to light. Apparently, being a bug lover comes at a price, and a steep one at that.

--- --- ---

The blood-curdling shriek that rang through the classroom startled Lance so badly he tumbled right off his chair. Luckily, Hunk was the only one to see (and subsequently laugh, because he is a dirty traitor), because everyone else was too busy staring incredulously at the girl who just screamed so loud she broke the sound barrier. 

“S-scorpion!” she squealed, pointing frantically to a critter perched on the wall next to the window. The thing was no longer than a pinky finger, a tan colour that blended in nearly perfectly with the beige of the walls. There was a delay as everyone squinted at the speck, and then the whole class erupted into chaos, yelling and scrambling away in a frenzy. 

“Kill it! Kill it!” someone demanded, and someone else took off their boot and took aim. 

“No!” Lance screamed, lunging forward to wrestle the boot out of the boy’s hand. “Don’t hurt it! Don’t hurt it!”

Failing to remove the bonafide weapon (Lance was very small for a thirteen-year-old, unfortunately), Lance sprinted towards the scorpion, standing bodily in front of it. “Leave him alone! He isn’t doing anything!” 

“It’s a fucking scorpion, you weirdo! They kill people!”

“They are not murderers!” Lance argued. “They only sting when hunting or provoked, and if you would all calm down, he wouldn’t be provoked!” He turned briefly to face the scorpion, tilting his head. “Or, she, rather. My bad, Miss Scorpion.”

“There’s no fuckin’ way this is happening,” someone muttered. 

“I think we should throw the boot anyway,” someone else agreed. 

Hunk silenced them with a glare, subtly moving in between them and his best friend, but Lance didn’t notice. He leaned closer to the scorpion, inspecting it. 

“Oh, you’re only a juvenile,” Lance cooed. He stepped closer.

“What kind of scorpion is it?” Hunk asked, used to this kind of thing.

“Uh, not important,” Lance replied quickly. 

“Lance,” Hunk warned, and Lance’s shoulders slumped as he glanced guiltily back in Hunk’s direction. 

“Arizona bark,” he muttered. 

There was a collective sharp inhale from the class, and someone hefted up the boot again.

“But it’s only a juvenile!” Lance reassured. “Her venom isn’t really that potent. And look, she’s not even in a defensive position! She’s pretty harmless right now. She doesn’t want to kill anyone.”

“Arizona bark scorpions have killed people, bug boy,” a girl hissed. She glared at him. “Stop being a freak. It’s a fuckin’ scorpion. Kill the damn thing and get over it.”

“No,” Lance said, glaring right back. “She’s not doing anything. In fact –” Lance turned back to the scorpion – “if I can just find her ‘D’ segment – a-ha!” Before anyone could blink, Lance reached forward and grabbed the scorpion by her tail, just under her stinger. 

“There,” he said happily, “we’re good now. She can’t sting anyone like this.”

Shocked silence rang throughout the room. Lance wrongly assumed the silence was one of relief. He walked towards the door, scorpion in hand (who, strangely, did not seem to mind Lance’s treatment). Students parted for him like he was Moses and they were the Red Sea. He exited the classroom, and students scrambled to follow him, still gaping. 

“Oh my God, we’re gonna watch a real human get stung to death,” someone whispered. Hunk rolled his eyes. 

“No, we’re not. He’s gonna be just fine. I’m just glad he’s not trying to keep the damn thing.” He muttered the last part under his breath, but one girl turned to look at him in horror. Hunk just shrugged. “He likes animals. They seem to like him, too.”

Lance carried the scorpion in front of him clearly, and several people in the hallway did a double-take when they saw him. Several more screeched and threw themselves out of the way. One notable officer passed out, which caused several students to giggle despite their panic and disgust. 

Lance finally made it to the doors, opening them and leaning out. 

“Bye, Miss Scorpion! Have a good evening! Don’t get eaten!” 

He placed the scorpion gently on the ground, and she scrambled forward a few steps before pausing, turning back around, and then, honest to God, lifting one claw in a wave. Lance laughed delightedly, waving back, and she scurried away into the desert. 

Lance turned back towards the class, where everyone was staring at him in slack-jawed shock. Except for Hunk, of course, who was over being shocked at Lance and his shenanigans. Once you’ve seen Lance sigh dreamily at a bull shark, you stop feeling anything but fond. 

—

Pidge shakes her head in exasperation. “Just scooped up a whole-ass scorpion,” she says. “With your bare hands.”

“I’m hung up on the ‘it-waved-at-you’ part,” Keith remarks. “That seems like an embellishment.”

Hunk raises an eyebrow, and then gestures to where Lance is currently petting Mr. Snuggles. “Does it?” he deadpans.

Keith snorts. “Yeah, okay,” he concedes. “Fair point.”

Lance chuckles along with everyone else, but he bites the inside of his cheek so harshly it bleeds. This is fine. No one is asking questions. No one’s pushing. No one’s looking at him weird. It’s fine, it’s fine, it’s fine. 

And, like, it’s not like Lance is embarrassed about the story, or upset that Hunk told it. He truly doesn’t mind. He’s not embarrassed to be who he is, and he likes to give pieces of himself to the team. He likes that they are learning about who he once was, who he still is, and they like him anyway – or maybe because of it. He likes becoming family with people who weren’t his family before, people he never considered building a family with. It’s wonderful. 

But Lance grew up being the freak. The weirdo. The kid who was teased and outcasted and mocked and often didn’t know why, and so it scares him, a little. It scares him to share the parts of him that are strange, are different. The part that like bugs and poisonous plants and broken toys and wonky stuffed animals. The part that identifies so strongly with the other, the unwanted. He trusts his team, and he loves them, and he knows that they would never treat someone lesser, but the pain of being lesser still stings and stings badly. 

“Did they –” Shiro clears his throat, looking determinedly at Lance although there is hesitation in his eyes. Lance swallows. He knows what’s coming, and he’s not sure he’s ready for it. Not that it matters. Shiro cares about him too deeply to leave this stone unturned, he knows this.

“Did they really call you bug boy?” he finally asks. Lance squeezes his eyes shut, hands stilling on Mr. Snuggles’ head. Mr. Snuggles clicks his fangs at him affectionately, before carefully climbing off his lap until he settles snugly beside him. 

“Yeah,” Lance whispers. He musters a smile, somehow, trying to diffuse the situation before he cracks. “I didn’t actually mind that one, though. Of all the names they gave me, bug boy was my favourite. I didn’t even know it was an insult until Hunk told me, ha. I thought it was a compliment.”

Pidge looks stricken. “They called you names?”

“A couple,” Lance says, shrugging. Shit shit shit. This is getting worse. 

“..Like what?” Keith’s question is soft, hesitant. Like he’s not sure he wants to know. 

Lance considers lying. Considers making a couple random names up on the spot. Tame and palatable. Something to ease the tension in the room. Maybe he can even make a joke out of it, blow it right off his shoulders. 

He opens his mouth to do just that, but finds the lie sticking in his throat. He doesn’t… he doesn’t want to lie to them. Not really. Hunk knows, anyway, and Pidge may have heard a name or two in her time as their communications officer. And besides – Lance feels like he wants to tell them, maybe. Even though his heart is galloping in his chest, and his eyes keep flicking towards the door, he feels… well, safe isn’t the right word. But he feels like he won’t regret telling them. 

It might even help, actually. Somehow. 

“...I hated ‘Second’ the most. There were quite a few, and creative ones besides, but I hated Second. I hated it so much. It was the one name that never stopped hurting.”

Lance can’t bring himself to look up, eyes glued to one of his fists clenched in his lap. The other is still reached over to where Mr. Snuggles is pressed beside him, still grasping for comfort in the animal. 

“Why did they call you Second?” 

He doesn’t know who asked it, who summoned the bravery to voice what everyone was thinking. He can’t see through the wet blur in his eyes, can’t hear through the rush of blood in his ears. The lump in his throat is getting harder and harder to swallow. 

“Iverson started it.” His voice is so raspy that it can hardly be called a whisper. “Uh, he has a problem with immigrants. Calls us ‘second rate Americans’. I didn’t… he regularly complained about me taking my spot from a ‘good American boy who deserved it’. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t anything I hadn’t heard before, but… it got worse, as it does.”

Someone makes a pained noise, raw enough that Lance looks up just in time to see Keith look at him with what can only be despair. 

“Second… was he comparing you to me? All the time? Is that why you hated me?”

Lance shoots him a small, sad smile. “Yeah. It wasn’t your fault, and I’m sorry I blamed you, but there’s only so many times you can hear someone call you a ‘second-rate Keith’ before it starts to grate you.”

“Jesus Christ, Lance. I’m sorry. That sucks.”

“Not your fault,” Lance dismisses, although he ducks his head again. It’s not Keith’s fault, it’s not, and Lance doesn’t blame him. Not anymore. In fact, Keith has been so much to him, in the years they’ve worked together in space. Keith has been there at his lowest, when he was sure he had no place on the team, when he was sure he was completely devoid of value, when he didn’t think he was worthy of love. Keith had held him tightly, squeezing all the love he could between them, and swore to him otherwise. And Keith has yet to break a promise, so Lance has to trust him. 

That trust doesn’t make it any easier to look him in the eye as he bares his deepest vulnerabilities. 

“An officer? A grown adult, a teacher at the Garrison, bullied you as a child and everyone... what? Turned a blind eye?” To say Shiro looks horrified is an understatement. 

Lance shrugs again. He feels like he’s doing that a lot, but he’s uncomfortable and he’s not sure what else to do. 

“Not everyone. Once someone called me the ‘second-rate McClain’ in front of Veronica and she beat him bloody.”

“Good.” Pidge’s eyes are dark and angry, and Lance doesn’t doubt that she means it. Her protectiveness eases the ache in his chest, a little. 

Lance doesn’t know what to say, or rather he doesn’t know how to say what he’s feeling – the gratitude bursting in his chest, and the tangle of emotions running circles through his brain – so he doesn’t say anything at all. He lets the tension build, although he hates it, because he’s not sure how to wrap up this conversation. How to dismiss himself to go agonise over every word he spoke in peace, every desperate and vile confession that spilled from his lips. He thought telling his team might make the burden easier to bear, might ease the hurt that has made home in his heart, but all he can think about is how weak he’s looking, how poorly he’s handled things, how the team may pity him or even sympathise with him but surely their kindness will have a limit and they’ll get tired of him, too, get annoyed with his whining –

“Oh, Lance,” Hunk says, and then he’s vaulting off the couch and wrapping Lance up in his arms. “Oh, Lance, buddy. It’s okay. It’s okay, Leandro. Let it out.” In the safety of Hunk’s embrace, Lance finally lets his tears fall, and lets the sob that’s been building in his chest come loose. The rest of the team doesn’t hesitate to rush forward, each of them grabbing onto some part of him and holding fast. 

Lance turns his face into the crook of Hunk’s neck – not because he’s embarrassed (although he’s not exactly happy to be crying in front of everyone), but because he wants to feel the safety of his best friend’s hold. 

“I – I don’t – it’s a stupid thing to be so upset about, but –”

“It is not,” Shiro says, voice firm. “What you went through was horrible, and I’m sorry it happened. I’m sorry that the people who were supposed to protect you and look out for you targeted you instead. There’s nothing wrong with you, Lance. Nothing at all. They’re wrong for making you feel that way.”

“Yeah,” Pidge agrees, soft but no less insistent. “We love you, even when you bring demon death spiders and carnivorous plants onto the castle.”

“It’s kind of charming,” Keith adds, “but I’m never saying that again so enjoy that while it lasts.”

Despite his tears, Lance can’t help but laugh, pulling out of Hunk’s neck to look at his friends for the first time in a while. He’s surprised to find that he’s not nervous to do so, but less surprised when he realises why – his friends aren't looking at him in disdain, or pity, or annoyance. The only way they’re looking at him is with love. With care. With reverence.

It’s hard to believe he’s anything but valuable after that. 

[ohwynne]

TIMING: A few weeks ago PARTIES: Regan @kadavernagh & Wynne @ohwynne LOCATION: Office of the medical examiner SUMMARY: Wynne brings a dead bird to Regan, because this is how you bond with people. The two talk about their own backgrounds in vague ways, leaving to continued (mis)understanding. CONTENT WARNINGS: References to past abuse (within a cult).

Wynne wasn’t entirely sure how you were supposed to make friends, but it seemed that repeated interaction and gifts were two components to building up relationships with others. Ever since meeting Dr Kavanagh and her dead rabbit, there had been a nagging in their mind to see her again. While they liked and loved the people that had become constants in their life, none of them seemed quite in tune with what Wynne considered normal. This Regan, however, who spoke so wisely and with such insight about death and had handled that dead critter in a way Wynne had appreciated, felt a little bit like the people back home.

A bird had flown against the window at work, landing on its back in the soft soil where flowers grew in front of the shop. Wynne had put it in a box that had held coffee beans after watching it die. The box had been pushed to the back of the changing room and had been taken with them when their shift was over. Now here they were, standing in the lobby of the mortician’s office with the box in their hands and their wide eyes trying not to look too much at a woman called Marcy. 

Maybe this was a little strange, but they had never been very good at estimating when something was or wasn’t. It was as if all their standards for strangeness had been warped in the two decades they’d spent with the commune. They still felt a little awkward standing there, though, fingers digging in the cardboard as they rocked back and forth on their feet, only halting when the doctor appeared. “Hi!” Wynne smiled. “I hope it’s alright I stepped by. I found another … well, another dead little thing. I think my work might be a place where a lot of animal accidents happen.” One of their fingers tapped the box. “I thought you might want to see it.”

“You got another weird one here for you,” Marcy texted, “Looks kind of Midsommar? Has a box with something dead in it. You’re into that, right?”

Regan’s curiosity was piqued. It wasn’t often that she had people come to the morgue without an appointment, and even less frequently did they come bearing gifts. Who had brought her something? Was it Elias? No, he had little interest in scooping up remains outside of the confines of the medical examiner’s office. Kaden? Her chest tightened. Unlikely. Anita? They seemed to understand each other…

As Regan rounded the corner, she immediately saw just who was looking for her. And it felt like the most obvious answer in the world. “Wynne, hello.” Regan approached slowly, giving the child a curious glance. Even more interesting was the box in their arms, and the pulsating death that squeezed out of it from every side. Could Wynne feel it? No… surely not. But even before Regan’s abilities had been activated, death had its hooks in her. She knew they had something special. Maybe Wynne was the same, drawn to it even without understanding why. “Yes, it’s alright that you’re here. This is one of the few unexpected occurrences I truly do not mind. What do you have there?” She asked, preemptively pulling out her nitrile gloves and stretching them over her hands. “Better yet, why don’t you come with me? I’ll show you to my office. You may enjoy seeing it.” She gave Marcy a wave and carded herself and Wynne through the door, then down the winding hallway to her office. Familiar shelves full of skulls and a terrarium full of dermestid beetles greeted her. She gestured at the office space. “You can look around. Just don’t open any drawers or cabinets. So… how did you find this one? Does that happen a lot?” 

They were relieved when the doctor finally showed, starting to feel more and more uneasy while standing in that foyer with Marcy offering them occasional glances. Wynne didn’t much like being noticed — they’d had their fill of that, back home. The anonymity they’d found in the outside world was sometimes suffocating, but it was a good alternative. Holding a cardboard box with a dead bird in it, however, drew some attention.

“I’m glad it’s alright.” There were plenty of moments where they seemed to do things that weren’t alright without understanding why that was. But even from the few times they’d interacted with Dr Kavanagh, Wynne felt maybe the social conventions outsiders were so keen on didn’t occupy her mind much, either. They liked that about her. “Alright.”

As they followed her into her office, their eyes were wide with observant stares. They had never been in a building like this, though the sheer existence of a mortician’s office was so very interesting. The bodies at home were simply burned and then scattered, except for those in senior positions who were given a burial by lake. In the office itself, their eyes kept getting stuck on the skulls. It was somewhat like home, except more sterile and modern — but still somewhat familiar. Wynne put the box on Dr Kavanagh’s desk. “You have a lot of bones,” they said, genuinely impressed. They didn’t have that many, and certainly not in display — but they had been keeping their rabbit phalange under their pillow again. “It hit the window of my workplace and died moments later from impact. I was going to bury it but then I remembered you.” They frowned. “I suppose birds fly against windows more often than necessary, so yes, a lot.”

Wynne’s wonderment was palpable, and she let the child soak in their surroundings. Regan knew little of children other than their cruelty, but she knew that when she was Wynne’s age, this would have been a standout day, to be able to explore a medical examiner’s office. But was Wynne like her? She still didn’t know. Everything pointed to yes other than the sheer rarity of duine caillte.

“It was kind of you to think of me.” Regan said, looking at the box that was now sitting on her desk. She wanted to open it, but didn’t want to distract Wynne from their train of thought. And potentially speaking more about how frequently this happens.

“I mean, do you often find yourself finding remains?” Her eyes hovered over the shelves, all of those empty eye orbitals staring back at her with their dark sockets. She could feel their presences and pulls, tugging at her skin. Could Wynne feel it too? “What do you think of them?” She asked, wanting to prompt something revealing from Wynne. Perhaps she needed to give more to get something back. A fishing expedition seemed worth it. “Before I was – I mean, when I was a child, I would find dead animals. And dead humans, occasionally.” That Augusta’s PD was familiar with a 10 year old child due to her propensity for finding bodies was something that appalled her father. “It took many years for me to understand why and perfect my natural talent. But it was always there.” She gave Wynne a softening look, and picked an otter skull from the shelf. She offered it to the child, inviting it to be held and understood. “So tell me. What do you feel?”

It was hard not to think about the fact that burned in their mind: they had told Dr Kavanagh that the place they’d come from had sacrificed people. Murder was frowned upon in the outside world, especially premeditated it seemed, and Wynne found themself agreeing with that kind of attitude towards taking a life. The doctor hadn’t called any authorities though, as far as they knew (nor did they realize that maybe she was an authority), but had apologized. People seemed to do that a lot when they learned of their past. 

Maybe that was why they gravitated here now, wanting to offer something in return for the mild kinship they had felt and the comfort offered to through the internet. They stared at all the dead creatures. There had been some of those in their bedroom at home. “I don’t know many others who would appreciate it.”

The questions were odd, but everything was odd to Wynne. They shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I am observant in a way where I might see them, but I’m not really sure what’s ordinary in this case.”  There had been so many animal carcasses back home, from the animals they slaughtered at the altar, to the hunted deer that were skinned and eaten during feasts. There had been birds like these too, found by the kids in the woods. Skulls brought back and placed in small palms. “Humans?,” they repeated, looking at Dr Kavanagh with a look of interest and confusion. Wynne wasn’t fond of dead bodies, admittedly. There was something the other was implying, but they didn’t quite get what it was yet. “I’m glad you realized it.” That was just said to be polite, but in a sense they did mean it. There were many things Wynne still hoped to realize about themself. 

They took the skull, looking at it and then at Regan, who looked at them with a look that made them feel somewhat warm. It had been a while like someone had looked at them like this: like someone with potential. They didn’t want to disappoint. “I don’t know how to describe it. I guess I mostly feel some kind of reverence?” Wynne felt like there was a right answer, but they didn’t know it. They let their fingers slide over the bone. “Like even in dead this holds some kind of value and power, at least.”

“Humans, yes.” Regan nodded, supposing it was fair for that to strike Wynne as unsettling or unusual. “I found bodies. Homicides, mostly, that were dumped outside. I’d be walking to school with my brothers and find myself standing over human remains in an alley. The police knew me.” She hesitated. “It still happens.” Was any of that resonating with Wynne? She wasn’t sure. But the gentle way they handled the skull made her wonder if it actually mattered… even if Wynne was not like her, they were similar in so many ways. Cliodhna would always say humans lacked the capacity to connect with death, and though that seemed to be true the majority of the time, Wynne planted a small seed of doubt in her mind. 

“Your reverence for the dead is a special thing. A gift, some might say. Though it is a gift with a great burden.” If Wynne was indeed duine caillte. She didn’t want to have Wynne leave today without getting closer to the truth. Regan approached the box and gently lifted the bird from it, giving it an affectionate look. It was an ordinary swallow-like bird, maybe a purple martin, but its feathers seemed to glisten with hundreds of colors. She stroked its wing, which she noticed was bent at an unnatural angle, probably a byproduct of the window strike that took its life away.

She looked up from the bird, trying to keep her expression soft as she addressed Wynne. That was a hard thing for her to do, a rare look on her face. “Wynne, I am very curious about your background. I have wondered, at times, if we have more in common than you know. And if we do…” Then what? Regan wasn’t entirely sure. She wanted to keep Wynne safe. Wanted to see that they would never experience a dúiseacht. “Then we should discuss how you wish to proceed with the rest of your life.”

That was a strange thing for the other to have experienced, to still experience. Wynne listened quietly, trying to imagine it. Being young and finding random dead bodies. They might have been exposed to death at a young age, but it had always been anticipated — something about death at home had been planned and orchestrated. Not stumbled upon. “That must have been very strange. More than coincidence, right?” Such things didn’t just happen to most people, that was something they understood by now. Maybe Regan also came from a place different than here.

Their lips pushed together in response to that statement. “Gifts are so often burdens.” As was duty. As was life. As was this second chance they’d forced upon themself. “But I don’t know who I’d be without it.” So many people here were disconnected from mortality, weren’t they? Death was something that happened in their movies and television shows, that was shared about on social media but it was never treated the way it had been at home. With rituals and preparation. With reverence. With acceptance before the denial, the anger, the depression. 

When they looked at Dr Kavanagh she looked at them with a softness that invited Wynne in. Her question was probing, too close for comfort, especially considering all that they had already said. They were quiet, letting the words hang in the air — rest of their life, what did that mean? This already felt like the rest of it, every day lived in spite of it all a bonus day. “If you want to ask me questions I could try to answer them, but I’m not sure what you want to know now. But if we could have things in common, maybe it’d be good to know?” They swallowed. “You’re not going to tell anyone about what I told you before, right?” Because from what they’d gathered, the other did sometimes work with police. 

“No, I won’t tell anyone. It was long in the past, and any investigation would have ended. You aren’t bringing anything new to light and were not directly involved.” Though something tugged at Regan’s uncertainty. Was there more, something Wynne intentionally neglected to mention? Was there another reason why they might be fearful of authorities investigating? She kept her concerns close for now, and tilted her head in thought. “I have secrets, too. Ones that I believe you might share, even if you don’t know it.” 

She had never told a human this. She had doubts that Wynne was human, but she couldn’t say with 100% confidence, and thus, this was taking a bigger risk than she’d ever allowed before. Sure, there were some in town who knew of her true nature – Conor she told, and Metzli had somehow intuited it through knowing another – but it was not information she shared freely. “My family is unusual, too. Not all of it.” The part that matters, she thought, but struck down that ugly notion immediately. They were Cliodhna’s words, not her own. “What I’m about to tell you will probably make it seem as though I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have. But I could prove it.” Which was not to say she would. Her stomach sank like a stone when she thought of someone looking at her like she was a monster, what that might be like. Regan set down the dead bird gently, like she was prepared to kiss it goodnight, and firmed up her decision to proceed. “I sense death. I feel it all around me, ever-present here.” She glanced around at the shelves of bones. “It draws me toward it, calls me. I wonder if it does the same to you.”

Regan paced a semi-circle around the room, the bones looking down at her. Each small presence sang against her skin. Everything she had explained so far had been the easy part, the parts she could retract and lie through her teeth that she had been speaking figuratively, and they could part ways and Wynne would think this was none other than a strange interaction with a kooky doctor. But she couldn’t stop at the easy stuff.

“My grandmother has a word, a name, for that – for things like me.” Several, actually. Leanbh. Child. Whelp. Hopeless. Beyond repair. “An instrument of death and diviner of fate.” Regan frowned, looking into Wynne’s eyes. “I don’t suppose you know what that name is.”

The authorities hadn’t been their largest concern since running away, but they had been one of them. There had been some laws broken by Wynne, with them sleeping in places where they weren’t supposed to and stealing food from time to time. And then, of course, their knowledge of ritualistic murders that happened every decade or so, that they were forbidden to speak of with outsiders. Despite their complicated feelings about the people they abandoned, they didn’t want police to come sniffing. “Okay,” they said, visibly relieved. “I appreciate it.” 

There was something about the doctor that seemed so wise, so knowledgeable, so calm. Wynne longed for adults like this in their lives, ones that felt steady, ones that listened and told them what to think while also asking them what they thought. All their life had been guided by strong, capable and cruel hands and now there were none but the ones they sought out. Dr Kavanagh had gentle hands, they thought. Ones that knew death the same way Wynne did. They listened to her speak, not thinking that she had lost her mind at all. Family structures other than their own didn’t make sense to them anyway, and there were none they had ever come across that were like theirs. But Dr Kavanagh didn’t speak of odd rituals, but rather something that seemed supernatural. Why not? Nothing here, in this town, seemed to subscribe to any rules. Nothing had subscribed to any rules at home either, besides the ones enforced by the elders.

Did it do the same to Wynne though? They had felt a pull towards death for years, if only because of its imminent and constant presence. Jac had died on the altar and they’d watched, quiet and young. After him, there had been the lambs and the chickens, the rabbits and piglets. Wynne had silenced a rooster with the flick of a blade, performing the act that would be performed on them. Death had pulled at them, yes. But they had ran from it all the same. “I think so. I just … I don’t always answer it. I think I’m afraid of it. The way it …” Eyes looked away. “Calls for me.” Them, specifically. Their body. They shouldn’t be alive but were.

As Dr Kavanagh paced, Wynne stood frozen as if glued to the floor. Were there others out there like them? Other communities like the one they dwelled from? Or was there something more at play here? But if the doctor was an instrument of death, maybe she was more like Siors. Knife-wielder, killer, determinator. He had pointed at Wynne. He had cupped their head and placed a crown of flowers and bones on there and thanked them for their devotion to duty. “Henuriad. Or, maybe, dewisedig?” Who was the instrument, the one bleeding or the one who made bleed? The elder who decided or the youth who folded? They shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m sorry.” It felt like a test. 

“Are those your words for it?” Regan tilted her head. That didn’t sound like Irish. It was an unfamiliar language, but that didn’t mean Wynne was incorrect. Regan had half a mind to reject the word banshee herself, viewing it as a label the others were insistent on, but not a truth. Whether she was a human inflicted with some unknown syndrome or something else entirely, she could not say, but banshee was no diagnosis. However, the part of her that hesitated before was pulling back more strongly now. Wynne looked confused, trying to pick meaning out of their past, but their eyes weren’t alight with realization like Regan thought they might be. She needed to learn more before she said something she could not take back.

“I might be incorrect,” Regan breathed, and she wasn’t sure if it was more relief or wistfulness, “I thought… before I truly realized my potential, I was confused. I didn’t understand why I was so different. Why my closest friend was an articulated coyote skeleton and why my peers would turn their noses up at the way I smelled.” She turned away from the shelves and paced back toward Wynne. “Perhaps it’s nothing. But I want you to do something for me, Wynne.” She waited until Wynne’s eyes were fixed on her. “Try to stay out of danger. Away from situations where someone around you may die. I know it’s difficult in this town, but you must try your best. Can you do that?”

“It’s Welsh. For elder. And the other one means chosen. We used them back home, to describe certain people.” Words to describe the roles enforced on people at home. Just people, living in servitude of a demon — and Wynne wasn’t sure whether the other was just human herself. “I don’t know what you’re trying to get at. And I –” Well, it wasn’t like they wanted to speak of all the things they’d abandoned just yet. They also didn’t want to disappoint Dr Kavanagh, who had seemed so invested in them, looking at them with a look Wynne hadn’t been able to place. Teeth buried in their bottom lip, watching her pace around and still remaining standing rather still. 

Arms lifted, wrapping themselves around their body. “I was different too, growing up. They all told me I was different, that I was special.” They wanted to understand. Or no, maybe they wanted to be understood. “Not because of things like you. But I think my people, we’re all very different. We all gravitated towards skeletons too. You know? Sew bones in our sheets and shirts. Wear them. But that might mean nothing to you. I don’t … I don’t know.” They looked at her, wide-eyed. “Of course I’ll try that. I don’t want anyone to die, let alone around me.” It sounded selfish. “But that seems … unnecessary to say, unless there’s another reason you’re telling me?”

“Elder… chosen…” Regan frowned. It was the heavy kind that sank on her lips, as her doubts grew weightier. They weren’t familiar words, or ones that made a particular kind of sense, and that concerned her. “It doesn’t matter.” Regan said, though it mattered a great deal, and her stomach twisted in mutiny. 

She cocked her head at the curious way Wynne seemed to hug themself. Were they uncomfortable here? Or was it the subject matter? She considered tip-toeing away from it, but her determination to know more about Wynne’s history was greater than her desire not to cause some discomfort. “Wynne?” She asked, to check on them all the same. The memories they were recalling were clearly… difficult, in some way. It was hard to piece together every fragment of information she’d received from Wynne and not assume they were a banshee – the death they’d witnessed, the insularity, the bones – was it possible? “I don’t know either,” Regan said, looking down at the skunk mandible on her desk, “but I’ve known some who do that kind of thing. Perhaps it means nothing, perhaps everything.”

“There is another reason,” Regan said hesitantly, “but I don’t know if you being aware of it will be beneficial. Not at your age. You are too old, despite being a child. I was too old. It’s best to avert it entirely and not let it take everything from you.” She could hear something in her tone she didn’t like, something behind her voice that should have been long dead, and she reeled herself in before her lungs decided to respond. Regan wanted an answer, needed an answer, and it hadn’t carved itself out of Wynne’s responses yet. More prompting was needed, and it needed to be clever. Both overt and easy to deny if Wynne turned out to be nothing but an ordinary human after all. An idea occurred to her. 

Regan approached her desk and unlocked the bottom drawer. Inside, she pulled out the fungus field guide that Leah had sold her, the one that had detailed just how to reverse the effects of death’s chariot. The section on that particular mushroom was dog-eared. “Here,” Regan said, offering to them, “I know it’s a strange gift, but take this home, see if anything in there stands out to you. And… don’t show it to any animal control officers.”

When Dr Kavanagh spoke their name, Wynne became aware of the way they were folding in on themself. They had been better at keeping their composure at home, but it seemed like all the things they had been taught and expected to do had fallen away. What was left, now that they were no longer someone who lived for a destiny? With pride? There was shame and fear and this woman, who made them more confused when they’d hoped that she might understand. “I’m fine.” 

What she seemed to be suggesting was that there was more at play. To figure out if that was true, there was an obvious thing Wynne had to do: offer up all that was at play, speak of their history not just in vague flashes of detail. Because this was only proving to be disorienting, right? With the doctor alluding to things out of Wynne’s reach and them failing to mention the demonic entity they had once worshiped and later betrayed.

“It was already going to take everything from me. I mean, my it. I think, maybe …” They trailed off, fingers tightening their grip on their t-shirt. “I don’t know if we’re talking about the same thing. I was supposed to die.” Was that what Dr Kavanagh meant, too? Because if so, Wynne had been aware of it since they were ten years old. Their voice was wavering, their thoughts jumbled. “I don’t know what else there is or was to be aware of. I am too old, because I’m not dead. Is that what you mean? Is this what you meant with death being a beginning?” Could there have been more, after their sacrifice? 

They unraveled when the other revealed a book on fungi. Strange, indeed. They had never done much with mushrooms back at home besides put them in their food and enjoy their taste. “O..okay. I’ll read it. And I don’t know any animal control officers, so that shouldn’t be an issue.”

Wynne seemed to be someplace else, withdrawn. What were they thinking, remembering? Regan held her breath as she waited. Would this be it? The definitive piece of information that provided her with an answer once and for all? She stared, trying not to unnerve the child, but too curious to look away for even a second. As with everything else Wynne had told her, this information provoked more questions than it provided answers. She couldn’t help but feel like she was missing something. That this wasn’t as opaque as it seemed. So much of it made sense, and yet, it was off.

“Yes,” She said, slowly, some kind of picture coming into focus. Maybe Wynne meant metaphorically. “You are supposed to die. That is a necessary part of what must be done.” The banshees viewed life as a part of death, rather than the other way around. And the An chéad scread was an end just as much as it was a beginning. Both were to be celebrated. She thought, her mouth flattening into a straight line. This was peculiar. Wynne knew more than Regan thought they did. She had assumed Wynne didn’t understand their nature, why they were drawn to such beautiful remains, but they seemed to know exactly what they evaded for so many years.

Regan decided she needed more information. Still. “How did you escape it? They track you down. I know they do… I’m certain they’re looking for me.” She flicked her eyes over to the door, like someone could have followed them down here. 

They frowned at the other now, somehow more confused. Slowly, they shook their head. “No, I’m not supposed to any more. It’s too late now.” Sure, Wynne was going to die one day, but for now hadn’t they outran their fate? Hadn’t they been successful? Hadn’t this been nine months of extra time they had bought themself, through grit teeth and bravery? They swallowed. 

They thought of that woman in the coffee shop, how strange her responses had been. And now the doctor was speaking of whether they were being tracked down and their panic flared up. “I ran. I —” They frowned, failing to remember all they had done when running. “I got some of my things and I went, I got the bus after I ran all night and then I just kept going. And now I’m here.” They were wondering now if they could stay. There were people here, who wanted to protect them. Emilio. Maybe even the Leviathan. Teddy. Zack. But could they ask it of them? 

Gulping in a breath of air they looked at Dr Kavanagh. “Did you run too?” Wynne’s eyes had somehow grown even more in size. “My people, they don’t tend to leave. Not this far out. And —” They had no idea in what kind of state they had left the commune, after refusing to fold to the demon’s demands. “Maybe they’ll find me. I don’t want to —” They bit their lip. “I don’t want that. Not for you either, if that’s what could happen.”

So Wynne had run. Just left and took the bus. It couldn’t be that simple, not ever, and Regan knew there had to be something else – hounds on Wynne’s heels or something left behind. Regan had left something behind, too, something that had died there. 

Had she run? Kind of. From the place, the people, her grandmother. She had run from their visions of duty, their praise and platitudes, their comfort and cruelty. But she had replaced them with her own, and while Cliodhna’s words could scald and scar, Regan’s worst failures were self-conferred. She thumbed over the harsh lines and circles across her palm and finally responded. “My kind is not supposed to run, but I suppose that’s what I did. Or what it amounts to, anyway. I thought… I was chasing something, the idea that the grass is always greener, but I don’t think that’s true.” She eyed Wynne. “Is it?”

She paced to the door. The room suddenly felt smaller. Claustrophobic. She sensed that she could extend some trust to Wynne – a small but not negligible amount – and within that trust she’d found that they were both tréigtheoirí. It was more of an answer than she’d ever sought, more revealing than what she had been probing for. Being in the same room with Wynne took on a new air of traitorousness, like the two of them had planned this together. Regan wanted to wash her hands clean of that feeling. To be alone again. 

Regan turned to Wynne. The child probably knew the answer already. “If they find me, they will not stop until I go back with them. They will remove all obstacles. They will ensure I have no reason to stay.” Fortunately, she could count her reasons on one hand. There was Reilly, first and foremost. Then her work. If she could protect those two things, then she was covered. Everything else, everyone else, could fall away. Right? But as she looked at the child, doubt clouded her mind. Were there more things to count? The thought made her lungs squeeze with distaste. No. She refused it.  “I think we must be careful; both of us.” Regan pushed the door open a crack, an invitation to exit.  “Be safe, Wynne.”

“Nor is mine.” The people who left the commune were left with nothing. Disinherited. Cut off. Refused entry back in. Protherians weren’t violent inherently, but they could be. Those who considered leaving had been chastised, isolated, watched. At the end of the day, there had been nothing keeping Wynne from running, no invisible border or demonic claw pulling them back — but they had believed it. That they were all stuck there, under a contract, a shared agreement with something so much older and wiser than them. 

All Wynne had taken had been the clothes on their back, the duffel bag they’d packed and that one piece of paper that proved they were real. They lifted their shoulders at the doctor’s question. “I don’t know. People here are ignorant and hard to understand. But … there are many things better here.” The sheer fact that they were alive, for one. 

Suddenly, the other became more human. Less impressive adult who spoke with a wisdom and mystique that made Wynne think of her as some higher being, but someone who had something in common with them. Fear, maybe. Or at least a place and a past she was hiding from. They wanted to ask so much more now. “Then I hope they do not find you. Or me.” What would their family do? Would Wynne even fight them? Zack and Emilio, they had both vowed to protect them, but would they want that — would they not run into their father’s arms, as they had as a child? Did part of them not long, perhaps, for some kind of retribution. They had never been strong in the face of them and their expectant faces. Their bravery only existed in their absence. 

The door cracked open and with it, all questions died. Despite the humanity they had gleamed from the other and the questions they were still burning with, Regan was still someone they thought more authoritative than them. “You too, Dr Kavanagh,” they said, clutching the book to their chest and moving to the door. They cast a glance over their shoulder and gave a small nod. “Afternoon.”

[latte-fairytaekwoon]

Chosen (Park Seonghwa) Rated

Pairing: Creature! Park Seonghwa × Human! Reader (Female)

Genre: Smut, Angst, Fluff, Sci-Fi/Fantasy AU.

Summary: Symbolizing purity, innocence, and daintiness, the Daughters of Aster had been hand-picked since a young age to be brought up and raised for a very special task: to carry the offspring of the nobility in the kingdom, which just so happens to consist of cold-blooded humanoid creatures. And now that she's become of age, it's Y/N's turn to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Word Count: 5.6K

Warnings: Tentai content including tentacle bondage, tentacle sucking, breast play, suction play, breeding kink, penetration with tentacles, multiple orgasms, semi voyeurism, reader is a virgin and Seonghwa is whipped for her, mentions of eggs, and stomach bulges. (It's my first time writing actual tentacle smut so I apologize if it sucks.)

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Gulping harshly as she pressed a hand to open the large, metal gate that guarded the huge mansion, the young woman hesitantly stepped inside the spacious and grim-looking garden. Underestimating the weight of the gate, she softly jolted back when it suddenly slipped out of her grasp and clashed back into place. She winced momentarily when the loud noise seemed to resonate, spooking several of the small critters and ravens that roamed around the small terrain. Glancing back, she half expected an old groundskeeper to swoop out of one of the trees and chastise her reckless behavior. But nothing surrounded the area except the foliage, trees, and rose bushes that added to the beauty of the grand estate.

Gathering back her courage, the quaint young woman took slow and careful steps across the small dirt path that led straight to the front stairs of the mansion. It was a somewhat terrifying architectural design, reminiscent of the old gothic-styled cathedrals from ancient times, not at all fashioned after the pompous and outlandish French designs most of the other members of the aristocracy preferred. The gray stone walls made the place seem cold and distant, the hardly lit windows signaled that it was probably rarely inhabited, and the black ravens perched on the top of the sculpted angel monuments lined up through the staircase only made the sensation feel more haunting and chilly.

Finally, in front of the main entrance, she hesitated as her fingers brushed along the round metal door handle. She felt frozen with fear as she realized there was no returning after all. This was the moment she had been prepared for her entire life. In a few moments, she was about to meet.....

Her master.

Just that thought sent shivers down her spine. She did not wish to ponder too much on the various horror stories she often heard back in the institute, nor imagine what kind of life she would live now as a surrogate to one of...their kind.

In the very moment she lifted her hand once again, she took a jerked back when the door seemingly opened by itself, a young maid looking surprised to see her standing there. Upon inspecting her attire and recognizing the crest that held her dark blue cloak in place, the maid's expression beamed with joy.

"Oh! You must be Miss Y/N correct?"

Nodding her head and affirming it was indeed she, Y/N felt puzzled when the tiny maid practically yanked her inside, albeit not intended to harm her, she simply seemed excited about her presence, which frankly made no sense to her. It was not as if surrogates were treated with kindness let alone respect. When her hands reached up towards her neck, the young woman was quick to stop her.

"Oh please! Let me do that for you."

Although she was not particularly fond of people coming up so close in her personal space, she maintained a calm demeanor whilst the maid removed the long cloak off her frame, delicate hands folding it perfectly and tucking it under her arm.

"I'll have this cleaned and ironed out for you Miss before taking it back to your room. You must be famished after coming here after such a long journey." She paused briefly and examined Y/N's complexion, which seemed rather pale and depleted, making her pout rather sadly at the state their new guest was in.

"If you would like, I can ask the cook to prepare a meal for you. Do tell, what is your favorite dish?"

Y/N waved a dismissive hand at the kind lady's offer.

"Please, do not trouble yourself. I am not the least bit hungry." Indeed, it was not a lie. She was overly anxious and uneasy that she did not believe it to be possible to even fathom stomaching any sort of sustenance at that moment.

"If you do not mind and if it is allowed... I would much prefer to retire for the evening." Y/N humbly requested.

Nodding with the understanding that the new company was weary, the young maid took hold of a golden bell tied around her waist and proceeded to ring it moderately. In mere seconds, a tall sharply dressed gentleman came up and bowed towards her.

"Cedric would you please escort Miss Y/N to her room?"

Gesturing for her to follow, the butler guided her up the flight of stairs into the second story of the house. Passing through a long corridor, Y/N glanced now and then at the outside patio through the windows that overlooked the gardens. They were much larger than what she initially thought, and the longer she looked, the denser the trees seemed to appear. She was so distracted by the scenery that she nearly collided face-first into the poor butler's back had he not spoken up first and made her steps come into a screeching halt.

"This will be your room from now on miss." Producing a string of keys out of his pocket, Cedric unlocked the door and gently pushed it open, stepping inside to make room for Y/N to pass.

Her breath was nearly taken away by the sheer size of the room. It was double the size of the old living space she used to share with 6 other girls back in the institute and was furnished with more than what she'd ever need. The decor too seemed like something more befitting for someone of the family than for someone of her station.

"If there is anything the matter with the decor or should you prefer a different pattern, you may simply speak the word and the Master shall arrange for the room to be modified as you like."

At the mention of the Master, Y/N felt that nerve-racking tingle travels down her body once again.

"Shall you need any assistance, please feel free to ring the bell attached by your bed and one of us will be more than happy to aid you?" Reaching for the door handle, Cedric bid her good night before closing the door to leave her to her thoughts.

Still feeling cold from the long walk, Y/N stepped closer to the fireplace, outstretching her hands in hopes of warming them up. She was grateful that although not expecting her early, they had prepared a nice fire to warm up her room. After getting filled with the heat, Y/N went over to one of the dressers so that she could change into her night attire. Upon opening the many drawers, she was shocked at not finding any of her old clothes, instead, there was an abundance of luxurious clothing which she did not recognize. Storming over to the large wardrobe, she too found that none of her personal belongings had been delivered, they seemed to have all been replaced with new apparel. Knowing that she had no choice, she went back to the first dresser that she had looked in before and rummaged through to find the plainest and simple nightgown she could find. Reaching for the row of buttons training down the middle of her blouse, she undid them one by one with utter care before slipping it off her body, letting the garment fall on the floor. Running the zipper down, her long and flowing skirt joined her blouse, one foot delicately kicking them away for the time being. Standing there in nothing but her undergarments made Y/N suddenly feel apprehensive. She carefully looked around the room again, feeling the strange sensation that someone was watching her. Shaking that thought out of her head, she quickly threw the nightgown over her head and finished dressing. The fabric was soft to the touch and it didn't scratch against her delicate skin, but the most surprising factor was that it fit like a glove on her body. It made her wonder if perhaps they had prepared it in advance or it was merely a coincidence.

Picking up her discarded clothes, she neatly placed them on the table near her, slightly folding them and smoothing them over. Going over to the bed, she pulled back the covers before sliding her body onto the mattress and covering herself. She couldn't help the small blissful sigh coming out of her mouth as her sore limbs welcomed the soft and comfortable bed, the pillow feeling like a fluffy cloud. As she laid there, she began to reminisce about all the events that led up to that very moment, or more specifically, that very morning during the Auctioning.

Hearing the loud applause coming from the other end of the room, Y/N tried to calm her nerves, knowing she was the next one in line to face the crowd. As soon as she took one step forward, she was stopped by none other than the Head of the Institute, who took hold of her wrist and looked at the girl behind her.

"Abigail, you go next. Y/N, you're coming with me."

Without so much as a further explanation, Y/N found herself dragged away from the waiting room where her fellow inmates also looked at each other in confusion at the sudden interruption. Y/N wanted to speak up and ask what was happening, was she not to be auctioned off to one of the many noble families? The old woman of course knew all the questions Y/N had, but she didn't say a word until they were outside in the front of the building, where there was a carriage awaiting her.

"Your personal belongings have already been sent out to your new home. We've received word to have you delivered as soon as possible." Even with that brief explanation, Y/N still didn't understand anything. Noticing her distressed state, the Headmistress sighed softly.

"Y/N, you are not to be auctioned off like the rest of the girls. Someone has already purchased you many months back, but it seems they accidentally forgot it and thus added you to the lineup. Luckily, I managed to find you before you stood up on that platform. Certainly avoided a disaster." The old woman chuckled, yet that did not relieve Y/N's worries.

What did she mean someone had already bought her? Who were they? Where was she sold off to?

Unfortunately, none of those questions were answered, instead, she found herself being pushed inside the carriage and speedily taken away to an unfamiliar side of the country that she had never seen before, away to who knew where until she ended up right in the place she was currently in.

Drowsy and tear-filled eyes eventually closed even whilst remembering the events of the day. Y/N knew she was more than likely lucid dreaming as she slowly drifted off to sleep. She didn't feel fully unaware of her surroundings though, and perhaps it was that skeptical feeling that kept her on edge and guarded against anything around her. It especially came into help when she seemingly felt something stroke her cheek, gliding down to caress the outline of her jaw. At first, she believed it was nothing more than her imagination, but when she felt a thumb running across her bottom lip, she opened her eyes, screaming and sitting up when she saw a dark figure standing right in front of her. He was started himself by her outburst, immediately retracting his hand when he witnessed how agitated his innocent act had made her.

"I'm sorry..... I didn't mean to frighten you." His voice was soothing and low, clearly intended so that she'd calm down.

"Would you mind if I..." His gesture indicated that he wanted permission to come near her again, which she felt like she had no choice but to give.

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, the handsome stranger reached out and cupped the sides of her face, moving it slowly to the left and then towards the right, eyes drinking up every detail of her countenance.

"My God, you're even more beautiful than the last time I saw you tending to the gardens in that place."

Hearing those words made Y/N widen her eyes. How did he know about that? Unless...

"Are... Are you my new master?" She couldn't even believe it.

The young man giggled softly.

"If you don't mind, I would much rather prefer if you called me by my name, Seonghwa." He introduced himself. Y/N briefly nodded, but obviously, it wasn't enough for him as he leaned in close, nose nearly bumping into her own.

"Please say it." He urged her to.

"Seonghwa." She breathed out his name, to which he let out a gentle smile as one of his hands moved to tuck some of her hair behind her ear.

"Once again, I apologize for startling you, my dear. I just got impatient and couldn't resist myself. I just had to see you." He confessed before getting up out of her space.

"You must be tired so I'll leave you be now. Get some rest love and I'll see you in the morning."

Y/N expected him to walk towards the same door she had come inside from, but she looked with astonishment as Seonghwa went over towards another door which she had mistakenly assumed to be her bathroom, and opened it up.

"My room adjoins to yours, so if you ever want to come and see me, I'm just a knock away." He fought hard to not laugh at her flustered expression, whispering out another good night before retreating into his chambers.

Y/N released a breath she didn't know she was holding. So far her new master looked...normal? Nothing at all like what she expected from the many tales that roamed back at the institute. Seonghwa was nothing that she expected, exceptionally beautiful, poised, kind, and gallant. But she knew she could not be fooled by his charming manners, after all, none of the members of the aristocracy were actual humans...

And it was only a matter of time before she figured out what sort of monster Seonghwa was.

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Y/N tried to steady her heartbeat as Seonghwa drew closer to her, lips brushing against her own. Although this was the exact moment she had been prepared all her life for, she still felt a tinge of nervousness as she felt Seonghwa's hands clasp around her waist, his body, which was all bare save for the briefs between his thighs, pressing against her own.

"Tell me, my dear has anyone ever kissed you before?" He smiled when she shook her head.

"May I kiss you?" His inquiry sounded so sweet and pure that Y/N didn't think twice about lifting her face and closing her eyes.

Seonghwa's lips were soft, reminding her of the soft petals belonging to the different roses in the gardens outside, precious little buds that she had been granted permission to take care of in the month she had been living with him. He had never once denied her anything and had been very attentive to her every need. And now as he tenderly kissed her, pouring his heart into the loving kiss, Y/N wondered if this is what love felt like, that foreign emotion that she'd often hear spoken about yet always been told it would never be something she or any of the other girls at the Institute would ever experience. She didn't know, but she knew that she enjoyed whatever this was, this feeling of Seonghwa's lips closing over hers, only to pull away and then dive back in, each minute that passed enabling his kissing to become more ardent and passionate. It was truly breathtaking for her, as she'd often find herself gasping for air each time his lips would pull apart from her mouth.

Starting at the corners of her lips, Seonghwa began pressing butterfly kisses down towards her jaw. Y/N's breath hitched, neck tilting back when she felt him nibbling against her skin. It seemed as if he knew exactly where to direct his attention towards, her sharp breaths an indication that she was warming up to his touches. Releasing one hand off her face, he moved it down until his fingers brushed against her collarbone, treading dangerously close to her covered bosoms.

"Now tell me, love has anyone ever touched you here?"

As if on instinct, Y/N arched her back towards his palms when they lightly squeezed at her pillowy mounds, a light, and embarrassed moan being uttered by her for the first time in her life.

"N-no, no one's ever touched me there." Her shy confession made him smirk as he then dropped his hand down to lift her flimsy nightgown.

"What about here? Has anyone touched here?"

Cupping her sex, he found it warm and inviting, his body aching to be inside of her, to fill her up and breed her as he wanted to. He didn't need her to answer, just her mouth going agape and emitting the cutest whimpers he had ever heard was enough of an answer.

"No of course not. You're pure and completely untouched by anyone else....." When she felt his fingers slide across her wettened folds, her hands reached out and gripped against his biceps, using them to keep herself steady as they continued exploring her deepest places. It felt so unusual yet wonderful to have Seonghwa pry open her lips, fingers ever so gradually slipping past her tightness to lodge inside her warm cavern. Once settled, they began moving, pulling themselves out before coming back in. To distract her, Seonghwa stooped down to kiss her once more, it felt more rushed than before, tongue occasionally poking outwards to scrape against the roof of her mouth. As his fingers worked hard to stretch her open and mouth busied in devouring her adorable whines, it was all to prepare her and get her to ease up before he continued with anything. Pulling away with a deep inhale, Seonghwa used his free thumb to wipe away the excess saliva on her bottom lip, breath ghosting over her own.

"Y/N... I'm going to need you to stay calm and not freak out. All right?"

By his tone, Y/N deduced that she was about to figure out just what exactly it was that made him different from her. She could feel him hesitate, looking just as scared as she did the first time she arrived at the estate. Just as she was about to assure him that she was not afraid, she felt something crawl up her legs, it was somewhat slimy and had a couple of ridges along the underside of it. Glancing down, she nearly fell back onto the bed when she witnessed two long tentacles wrapping themselves around her thighs, tearing up part of the silk fabric of her nightgown. Before she could stumble back, another tentacle launched out to wrap around her waist, pulling her forward to help her regain her balance. She breathed heavily, looking visibly shocked as she realized they were coming out of none other than Seonghwa himself. He scanned her face, trying to read her reactions. Scared? Disgusted? Apprehensive? It was rather difficult to make out exactly what she thought about his tendrils holding her steady and tightening around her body. Wanting to test something, he produced two more tentacles, these slightly thinner than the previous ones. They moved closer towards Y/N, who of course, instinctively recoiled from the unusual limbs.

"Don't worry. If I were in your position, I'd be utterly revolted as well." Although he spoke out those words with a dry smile, they held a lot of pain within them and it made Y/N saddened to hear him. Wanting to make up for it, she outstretched her hand towards the nearest tendril, the very limb slightly pulling away when it felt her come near. No doubt Seonghwa was hesitant about having her touch him. Undeterred, Y/N reached out once more, this time the tentacle didn't recoil but subtly leaned into her touch. Ever so slowly, it began to wrap around her arm, looping itself around her wrist, and settling itself on top of her palm. Y/N couldn't resist herself as she softly squeezed at the tender limb, thumb curiously playing around with the tiny suction cups along the underside of it. She couldn't help but giggle when it slightly slithered itself to attach some of the cups onto her palm, applying light pressure that had a rather pleasant feeling. So amused by the bizarre member, she didn't realize that the other thin tentacle had moved until she felt it loop itself on her other arm, the same as the one on her right side. Seonghwa felt relieved when she didn't seem afraid anymore, instead, she now smiled up towards him, fingers gently caressing the smooth surface of his tentacles. Unbeknownst to her, he could feel every touch ministered on them, the tentacles being a part of him, an extension of him. And they were highly sensitive to any sort of contact made with them.

"Can we...can we continue?" There was a slight quiver in his voice that did not go unnoticed by the woman held hostage by his slimy tendrils. Understanding exactly what he was referring to, Y/N nodded, eagerly awaiting to see just how Seonghwa would impregnate her.

Feeling herself lifted off the floor, the tentacles gently laid her down on the bed, detaching themselves momentarily off her body as they began poking around at the semi-ruined fabric of her attire. Grasping at several ends, Y/N gasped astonishingly when they tore off the rest of her dress, discarding the remaining pieces on the floor. Laying there completely naked in front of Seonghwa, who did not hide anything in his stare as they raked her entire body. Feeling self-conscious, Y/N moved to cover herself but the tentacles were faster as they wrapped around her wrists and ankles, holding the first ones above her face while the other ones kept her legs apart, allowing Seonghwa to fully gawk at her wetness. The thought of burying himself deep in her and breeding her made him uncontrollably hard.

Y/N squirmed as several more tentacles sprouted out of Seonghwa's body, making her question just how many he could produce. Two medium-sized ones traveled up her sternum, oozing out some sort of secretion that trickled onto her breasts. The tentacles then latched themselves onto her perky mounds, twisting and pulling at her nipples until they hardened and poked out. They continued to toy around with her boobs, flicking against her sensitive nubs now and then before going back to clamp down and attach their suction cups to her tender skin. Y/N shuddered as she felt them slightly vibrate, adding to the daze-inducing state she was drifting off to.

Just as she was distracted in enjoying the pleasure the two tentacles were giving her, she let out a shriek when she felt another slimy organ come up and flit at her clit. The tentacles around her ankles kept her from closing her thighs, leaving her with no choice but to succumb to the movements made in her delicate button. It felt so surreal, so extraordinary, and she writhed around on the bed as much as she was able to when the tiny end of the tentacle sped up and rubbed faster against her swelling clit, the delicious friction making her mouth water. She wondered if this was the bliss some of the girls back home talked about, the ones who had gone out of their way to break the solemn vow they swore about remaining intact and pure, forcing them out of the Institute as they were no longer considered valuable vessels for future buyers.

"If this is what they enjoyed then, I would have gladly broken my vow too." Y/N mused to herself. But then she remembered had she broken her vow she would have never been able to meet Seonghwa, and she'd grown attached to him in that short period of meeting him.

"No... It's better this way. Having saved my body just for him so he can use it as he pleases. Have me carry his children. Oh, God." She felt herself clench around nothing as she thought about being stuffed by him, carrying his babies. Months before, the idea of carrying the offspring of some humanoid stranger horrified her. Now, it thrilled her and she looked forward to it.

"I'm going to slide a few more inside of you now, ok? It might feel uncomfortable, but I promise I'll make sure you don't feel any pain." Y/N vigorously nodded, the tentacles around her ankles spreading her legs further and bringing them up so her knees were bent.

Two thinner tentacles, even thinner than the ones around her wrists came out and began probing around her hole, stretching it ever so slightly before sliding inside her. Y/N felt them scraping against her tender walls, leaving her flabbergasted at feeling them creep deeper and deeper against her right muscles, stopping once they reached her cervix. Ever so carefully, they position themselves at her opening, prying her cervix open. A dull sting shot up her body, not exactly painful, but it wasn't exactly pleasant to feel. Noticing this, Seonghwa made the tentacles release their hold on her tight rim.

"Perhaps I might need to make use of this after all."

Y/N didn't know exactly what 'this' was, all she felt was the two tentacles lightly thrust inside of her, tips flicking up to tease at her sweet spot. And then she felt it, the tentacles oozed some sort of secretion to coat her inner walls, even moving to spread some of the liquid against the entrance of her womb. The tentacle working on her clit had to momentarily stop when Y/N began spasming, small gasps and moans spilling out her lips, not realizing that she had just had a subtle orgasm, but Seonghwa knew. He felt when her juices covered her walls, causing them to become more slick and wet, an effect produced by the natural pheromones his tentacles had just sprayed inside her, helping her to relax and not feel any more discomfort. Although it would also make her highly sensitive, meaning she would become a sticky and panting mess by the end of it, every stroke or brush inside her body would be heightened considerably. And Seonghwa was rather curious to see how that would play out.

Finally, a rather large and thick tentacle sprung out, heading directly towards her opening. It contracted itself as it skimmed past her entrance, flowing smoothly thanks to the previous tentacles that had worked Y/N's core open and the pheromones he had induced into her. At first, nothing seemed to happen, then Y/N's mouth flew open as she felt the tentacle start expanding, bottoming out inside of her, forcing her stretched-out muscles to widen even more. Unable to resist the urge, she looked down, nearly wheezing as she looked at the tightly nestled tentacle inside of her, pulsing inside her slick covered borders. Just those small pulsing vibrations had her throwing her head back as more liquids seeped out of her. Feeling her arousal coating its skin, it seemed to rile up the large tentacle as it began pushing itself further until it reached the entrance of her cervix.

"Usually humanoids of my kind would place as many eggs can fit inside their surrogate's womb... But I don't wish to overwhelm you with that, especially since it's your first time." With a smug grin, Seonghwa stooped forward and placed a hand on top of her abdomen.

"So let's just try it with two."

The large tentacle began contracting once more, wriggling around as if trying to get something out. Y/N soon felt what it was as a smooth, round, and semi-hard object began pushing itself inside of her. The two smaller tentacles, which were still lodged on the sides of her walls, went back to pry her cervix open, allowing the egg easier access as it traveled through her tunnel and nestling itself inside her womb. Seonghwa watched proudly as her belly swelled up as soon as the egg lodged itself in her, fingers brushing against the oval outline bulging out of her skin.

"So pretty, so beautiful." He praised her, teeth tugging down at his bottom lip as a hidden tentacle had come out to rid him of his last article of clothing, stroking his hardened cock generously, the suction cups paying close attention to his leaking head.

"How are you feeling so far love?" Seonghwa wanted to make sure she was fine before proceeding.

Y/N fluttered her eyes open, soft pants spewing out her mouth.

"Please...more." That was all she could manage to mumble out.

Satisfied by her answer, the massive limb started wriggling once more, popping out another egg that scraped deliciously against the roof of her cave, journeying past her barriers and plopping next to the previous egg, joining it inside her womb. With slight embarrassment, Y/N cried out as another wave of pleasure poured out of her, hands wanting to cover her reddened face at the thought of so easily cumming by the mere thought of Seonghwa's eggs inside her while his tentacle continued throbbing inside her.

"Don't feel ashamed my love. I just so happen to enjoy watching your face contort with pleasure." His admittance only made her more sheepish and flustered.

"We're almost done, love. I just need to fertilize my eggs."

Y/N groaned loudly when the tentacle began moving, thrusting itself in and out, her previous juices seeping out every time it pulled out her body, creating a wet stain on the sheets underneath. Maybe it was her imagination, but Y/N swore she could feel the eggs move inside her, bouncing each time the tentacle pushed back inside her. The tendrils around her ankles and wrists tightened themselves, holding her steady as the tentacle started to plunge itself faster and deeper into her, twitching every so often, a sign it was getting ready to squirt into her womb.

Seonghwa was also enjoying the spectacle, watching closely as he was about to impregnate his darling surrogate, the tentacle wrapped around the shaft matching the movement the larger one was doing. He felt blessed to be able to feel both sensations at once, one being his cock stimulated while his tentacle had to endure Y/N's tightness clench unbearably around his slimy member. It was ecstasy for both of them, their grunts and moans echoing inside Seonghwa's room. Wanting her to experience the maximum pleasure he could offer, the tentacles laid out across her chest went back to their previous task of playing with her nipples, suckling on her tender flesh whilst the one between her legs toyed with her swollen clit. It was all so much for her that Y/N couldn't help it as her third orgasm of the night overtook her, this one more intense and prolonged by the endless amount of attention her body was receiving.

"Seonghwa!" She cried out, tears of over-stimulation brimming at the corners of her eyes.

Hearing her call out to him, Seonghwa himself hissed as the tentacle worked him over the edge, spurts of cum trickling down onto it as well as splattering onto the floor. The tentacle that was now coated with his cum moved towards Y/N's face, lightly tapping on her cheek. Turning to face it, she inhaled sharply and didn't hesitate to allow it to slide past her lips and wiggle inside her mouth. She moaned around the appendage, sucking on it, the sensations flowing back to Seonghwa's cock.

"Oh fuck." He exclaimed, the tentacle pushing itself on the back of her throat while the one between her legs rapidly moved to finish its final task.

Y/N's wailing was partially muffled by the tentacle stuffing her mouth, her body and mind spiraling out of control as she felt thick ropes of warm cum being gushed out of the tentacle and shooting straight into her womb. She could even feel her stomach swelling up even more by just the liquids being poured into her. It was enough to have her crying out once more, a state of euphoria clouding her mind as her 4th high shocked her senses, numbing everything except the feeling of the tentacles around and in her. Seonghwa himself didn't need further stimulation, cumming untouched for the second time when he finally finished breeding her, mouth drawing out long and labored breaths as he started to come down from his high.

Slowly, one by one the tentacles started pulling away from Y/N's body, disappearing back into Seonghwa's body. Both of them groaned deeply when the last tentacle pulled out of her agape hole, some of the leftover cum dribbling out onto the bed. Y/N felt so sore and so full, her hands reaching down to caress her now swollen stomach, surprised at how big it looked. She felt ready to pop at any moment. With utmost care, Seonghwa moved her further into the bed, helping her rest her head against one of the pillows and covering her up with the warm blanket. It wasn't long until she felt his body press up against hers, pulling her as close as was possible as one hand protectively wrapped around her belly.

"Thank you..."

She was so weary after that intense session that she could only mumble a barely audible 'huh?' at his words. Chuckling, Seonghwa pressed a kiss against her cheek.

"Thank you for carrying my babies. You have no idea how happy I am at this moment."

She could only manage to give out a faint smile at his words, fastly falling asleep when she felt him hum a soft tune against her ear.

"I'm so glad I chose you."

༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻

Taglist: @little-precious-baby @multidreams-and-desires @yunhofingers @deja-vux @brie02 @daniblogs164 @couchpotatoaniki @a-soft-hornytiny @yunsangoveryonder @minhyukmyluv @nanamarkie @mingismoon @ateezbabysitters @rainteez02 @harry-the-pottypus

[chocominnie]

One Last Time 02  —  Pjm. (M)

⇢ pairing: Jimin X Reader

⇢ Genre: Idol!Jimin, Exbf!Jimin, model!reader, sad au, fluff, tons of smut, angst

⇢ Synopsis: Your idol ex boyfriend Jimin cheated on you. You two have been broken up for a while now and the media has been keeping track of you and him. You’re trying to get over him, but the things that happen inbetween makes you re-think the entire breakup, and so does Jimin…

⇢ Song : xxxxx

⇢ Previous : 00   01

⇢ Word Count : 

⇢ Warnings: dominant jimin, makeout sessions, this is honestly a sad angsty au, cheating, pregnancy, unprotected and protected sex, a bunch of sex, no really a LOT of sexual themes too, I know I’m forgetting some but sorry in advance!

⇢ Copyright: please do NOT repost, translate, or modify my works in any way, shape or form, on any platform. If found doing so , it is considered as plagiarism and appropriate LEGAL action will be taken

⇢ Authors note: This is my mini series for the summer! Get your tissues, things to take your anger out on, and sit back and watch the drama unfold. Shall we begin?

Your eyes shoot open, chest heaving heavily as you let out a blood curdling scream. Not this again. The same dream over and over again each night. It leaves you sleepless. The time on the clock on your nightstand reads 3:04 am. Just only four hours ago is when you fell asleep. But a full night’s sleep hasn’t happened for a year so why would it matter anyways.

Once you catch your breath you unplug your phone from the charger and read some of the notifications. From your window, the night-time critters sing their songs along with the persistant owl that’s somewhere around the apartment complex. You’d only noticed him, the owl, just a few months ago when your cat started meowing with his hoots. 

A missed call from your uncle. 

Immediately you unlock your phone and dial the number. Bringing your index finger to your mouth you gently nip on it waiting for it to answer, The rings are agonizing to you. If something has happened you only wish and pray it wasn’t as bad as you think. He’s the only parental figure left in your life.

‘‘ Princess! Hello I was just calling to speak to you earlier. But I realized you are five hours ahead of me and you had probably went to sleep.’‘

His soothing voice calms your emotions making you let out a tiny breath of air. Thank god.

‘’Hey Charlie.” You sigh. Looking towards your left, you spot Clara purring quietly next to you. You can’t help but to smile while bringing a hand over to rub her head with your thumb.  She’s so small under the shining moonlight from your window.

Her white coat shines brightly amongst her, making you remember the first night you had brought her home. All she did was sleep, and it worried you because you had no prior expierence caring for anything, let alone a small animal. Clara only drank kitten milk and slept back then. Occasionally being awake enough to nip at your fingers whenever you pet or touched her.

Now she’s a bit bigger and walks around the apartment like she owns the place. Quite the little attitude she has, but its too damn cute for you to scold her whenever she does something wrong. 

“ Yes I did fall asleep from after a gathering at someone’s house.’’ You continue on, bringing your knees to your chest after opening the curtain of your window fully.

The moons brightness illuminates the entire room, but not so bright for you to complain though. ‘’ Oh- was it Jimin’s? Tell him I said hell-’’

You bite your lip hard at his name. He doesn’t know and you wont even dare to let him know. Knowing him, your uncle would have a fit and oppose to come back to Seoul to ‘set the record straight.’ to Jimin. That’s the last thing you want to do, cause trouble.

‘‘ It was his brother’s house warming party.” You say, lowering your tone in your voice. You look at the nightstand for a couple of seconds just before opening the top drawer of the wooden, polished piece. Your hands shakily pull out a picture of you two together.

It was taken at  Marne-la-Vallée, France right infront of Cinderella’s castle. That was the day that you and Jimin had to went to Disneyland in Paris, France. You cant help but to think, with the picture in hand, that it was one of the best nights ever. It was also the same night your virginity was taken.

‘‘ Oh.. I know that tone. Are you two arguing at the moment.”

You shrug, “ I mean you could say that.’’

No you cant.

‘‘ Alright alright I won’t talk more of him. Let’s change the subject.” He chuckles deeply into the phone.

‘‘ How’s Europe? Anything new happening on base?”

‘‘ Same old Same old. It’s been what? 2 years since I’ve left Seoul? The food is different over here. They don’t have kimchi pancakes sadly.”

You can only imagine the frowny face he makes at you whenever he doesn’t approve or like something. It always turns out to be funny.

You giggle into the phone shaking your head slightly, “ Of course. You are in Europe Charlie. Where are you getting food from anyway if you are on base?’’

‘‘ I can go off base to a certain mileage when I am off duty. I just have to report back in time. But you do know that you can always come live on base with me...’ He trails off.

Oh boy. Here he goes. He’s always talking about moving you on base with him. Hell, he’s been talking about it since before he had to go to be based in Europe. By then you were twenty years old and old enough to live by yourself. Growing up in Daegu, Korea since you were six, you felt as if Korea was home to you and you definately weren’t ready to leave yet.

Especially, after losing your parents here. Around eight years old, your aunt and mother were on the way to pick up your father from the airport. With your mom and dad also being military and based in Korea with your dad’s bestfriend, your uncle Charlie, your father had been called to take military leave to go and be based in Korea for the National Guard.

On the way back from the airport, a drunk driver had struck the car knocking them off the road and colliding head first into the railing of the bridge. All bodies were reported dead upon collision, including your aunt. Charlie didn’t take the news well at all, and so did you. Only eight years old and still a bit new to a foreign country. It was devistating for you and Charlie. Charlie did what was right and stepped up to be your legal guardian while taking some time off from the military. Till this day, he treats you like his sacred little daughter and you can’t ask for anyone better than him.

 “You are old enough to live on your own and housing is avail-”

You jump at his voice on the line again, being too spaced out from the tragic memory. Before he can go on any longer you cut him off. ‘‘ Im fine with the apartment you left me. Im paying the bills on time and taking good care of it.”

‘‘ Alright fine. But that option is always available you hear me? I will always be ready for you to come with me.’’

‘‘ Okay Charlie” You groan.

‘‘ Alright.. sweetie it’s getting late on this side and it’s already 3 am on your side. Get some sleep okay? Don’t you have a model shoot thingy or something? You have those a lot.’‘

‘‘ Yes i actually do in a couple of hours. It’s been a while since I’ve did a shoot. Please eat and sleep well. Don’t injure yourself.’‘

‘‘ I promise. You promise to do the same right?’‘ He says, rustling movements are in the background.

‘‘ Yes I promise. Good night sleep tight..’‘ You smile as you wait for him to finish the rest.

He chuckles one last time on the other end, ‘‘I’ll always love you, goodnight‘’

Beep Beep Beep

You in a racy light pink lingerie with white duvets and sheets is the concept of your comeback. It’s supposed to symbolize the “Night After’’. Camera’s click and directors yell and praise you in your subtle yet damaging moves and facial expressions. You want.. no need for this comeback to be successful. Not only did your manager schedule this, but she is making sure that they release this same very day.

Nobody in this company’s industry has ever did this before. But you, you are sort of the special one. The special foreigner as they say. It’s not like you don’t like it but you don’t like that they label you as that. Stylists, employee’s hell even anybody who works there treat you as a princess. It’s not bad, but it’s just weird.

‘‘ One last one. Give me a sexy yet innocent look mama.’‘ Elliot, the director says, smiling wide at you.

You slip a finger into your mouth and do a little pout with your lips.

Elliot busts out into a roar of happiness with his hands clapping furiously. ‘‘That’s it mama yes! That’s just what we needed!’‘

Adjusting his microphone earpiece, he turns around to greet and thank everyone, ‘‘ Alright everybody this concludes our shooting! You all worked so hard today. Make it home safe, eat well.’‘

Finally. You sigh out in relief and close your eyes. It’s been a long day. Almost 6 hours of shooting. Three Videos, and five swap outfits for each session of shooting for the ‘’ Night After’’.  As everyone heads out and starts cleaning up you bow your head slightly and thank them.

A stylist brings you a satin robe to cover yourself in. You thank her and put it on just before getting up from the bed and walking towards wardrobe. Once you are done putting on your clothes, your manager leads you straight out the exit. Outside awaits the car that drives you everywhere. Literally everywhere.

‘‘ Tomorrow somebody has put in a special request for you to appear as the main lead girl in their music video. It’s short notice and I told them I would have to bump some things around and notify you. But they are paying us and you good money to be in it.’‘

Money? Sounds like a plan.

‘‘ It’s fine. Who am I shooting for?’‘ You say, fluffing your hair just a little while inspecting yourself in the rear view mirror.

Your makeup is still intact with no ruins and the contacts they had given you suited you very well. A hazel with a slight bit of teal. Suddenly the car moves off into the busy streets of Seoul. You can’t help but to notice every couple that walks along the sidewalks. They seem so happy, glad to be around each other.

On the floor of the car lies your little mini backpack filled with all of your items and belongings. Picking it up, you begin to dig through it looking for some hand lotion to soothe your semi-dry hands. Once you find it you gently start to squeeze the tube.

‘‘ Kim Namjoon.’‘

You freeze. Namjoon? The same Namjoon from the group? Joonie? It’s been well… a year since you’ve seen him in person. Hell since you’ve seen all of Bangtan Sonyeondan together. Except for lastnight when Hoseok and.. that guy showed up.

You sigh already knowing the answer from the question you are about to ask.

‘‘ From…?’‘ You ask then put the lotion back in your bag. Slowly you rub your hands together to moisturize.

Your manager quickly flips through the daily planner, ‘‘ Bangtan Sonyeodan but this is for one of his mixtape songs.’‘

Thank goodness.

‘‘ That’s fine. What time will the car be arriving tomorrow?’‘

‘‘ 8 am on the dot. You need to be there by 8:30. I’ll be tending to one of my other models tomorrow so you will be alone. I can send som-’‘

‘‘ No no it’s truly okay. I know how to manage things myself. Besides, I learn from you.’‘ You reassure her with one of your winning smiles, laying your head on her shoulder.

‘‘ Aigoo what am I going to do with you?’‘

The day ends very well. The movies you’ve been watching have kept you occupied. But not occupied enough for you to keep crying at all the sad parts in the chick flicks. Breakups, someone had died, someone had even just spilled something onto the floor and that was enough to send you into tears.Only because when the main lead boy rushed to help clean it up, it reminded you of Jimin last-night helping Isabel.

‘’What is going on with myself.’’ You blow your nose into a tissue for what seemed like the thousandth time today. Clara lets out one of her meows beside you then goes back to grooming herself.

You place her onto your lap and begin to run your fingers through her fur over and over again. Such a soothing effect to you as you stare into space sulking in your thoughts.

Why is it that you weren’t enough for him? Why is it that every single little thing reminds you of him? You gave him your all and he gave you his but what happened? Where did you go wrong? Cooked, cleaned, satisfied his needs. You guys had even started to plan out what you wanted out of a family. When you wanted a baby and what you would name it. It was fun. The whole relationship was fun. Right until that scandal.

Ding.. Ding.. Ding.. DI-

You unlock your phone immediately to stop that annoying dinging noise. Not surprisingly it’s a text from Jeon Jungkook.

Kookie : Im coming over I’ll be there in exactly 3 minutes.

Kookie: Don’t think about leaving either.

Kookie: Im bringing someone with me.

Kookie: We need to have a serious talk babycheeks.

You roll your eyes at the nickname he’s given you. No matter how many times you tell him you want him to change it, he declines. There’s no point in asking anymore.

Why would he want to talk anyways and who is the person he’s bringing. Eh.. it might just be Ryan they seem to do everything together as a team.

As soon as you step foot out of your bed the sound the door clicking makes your head shoot up. How in the living hell does he know the password to your house? Rage takes over you. That’s something that you hate. When people invade your personal space. In this case, personal home.

‘‘ Jeon fucking Jungkook!’‘ You scream, abruptly stomping your feet all the way to and out your bedroom door. Suddenly you stop at the sight of the two faces staring back at you.

Jungkook’s expression holds a concerned yet upset face while the other just stands there calm and cool. But you on the other hand are way besides that level.

Your eyes must be filled with rage and the expression on your face is no good. How dare he disrespect you like that? Bringing him into your home, knowing the bad blood between you two. Oh, they both have something coming towards them. You begin to walk to them again making each step make the floor shake.

‘‘ Get out. Both of you. One you invade my personal private home..’‘

You grab both boys by their collars, making sure to grip the one on the right’s harder than usual. ‘‘ Two, you fucking invite him over here.’‘ You drag each of them towards the exit. Which is going good until Jungkook rips your hands away from his shirt and takes you over his shoulder.

You’ve had enough of him and his invasive ways. Pounding on his back with your fists, you make sure to scream into his ear. “ Put me the fuck down Jeon Jungko-”

You hiss at the stinging sensation on your ass. Did he just? Jimin stands there awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. You make sure to make eye contact with him and roll your eyes. Something that always had and will piss him off.

‘‘ Hush. I told you all of us needed to have a deep talk about you.’‘

Jungkook plops your frail body onto one side of the couch in which he sits next to you. He motions for Jimin to come sit across from the both of you but you aren’t having it.

‘‘ Don’t you do it.” You glare at him. Jungkook sighs harshly only to pluck your forehead two times. You whine and rub it with your index and middle finger.

Jungkook shakes his head in disapproval, ‘‘ When are you ever going to learn? Jimin sit down now.”

‘‘ Truthfully.. I feel as though I shouldn’t be here so-”

“ Good. Get out you are unwanted.” You snap back causing him to give you one of his long stares with no facial expression at all.

Jungkook glares at you just before getting up to throw his hands in the air full of disappointment. “ Enough! “

Yelling. Something else you don’t like to hear being done at yourself. You finally sit still and quite avoiding any eye contact with the both of them.

He sits back down and clears his throat. Jungkook gives Jimin a look before continuing on.

‘‘ I gathered us here to talk about you..”

‘‘ Why. Im fine. How many times do I have to say it. Im fine im fine im fine im fucking fine!’‘ You exclaim, getting more mad by the second. When will people accept this?

‘‘ Baby.. ’‘

Your eyes shoot up to him and his soft voice. You didn’t want to but you did because his voice to you is like candy that melts into your mouth.

‘‘ Don’t call me that. You have a girlfriend at-least be loyal to her rather than what you did to me.’‘

‘‘ Fuck is anybody going to just sit here and listen? Can we at-least get to the source of the problem? Huh?’‘ Jungkook leans back into the couch clearly pissed by your attitude.

Jimin’s the first to speak and holds a firm eye contact with you, almost daring you to break away from it.

‘‘ Fine. Im just going to cut straight to it then. Why are you so jealous? You aren’t okay at all. I seen the way you looked at us yesterday. You wanted to break down so bad but you didn’t. It looks like you’ve been dropping weight day by day why aren’t you eating well?’’

You’re taken a-back by his jealous comment. Although you are you just cannot admit it. You are jealous. You do want him back. You cant bear to see him with another girl but you. But the fact that Jimin is concerned makes you really hope. Just hope that there is something left of you still in his heart.

‘‘ Jealous? Jealous tuh.” You scoff, leaning into Jungkook’s arms where you rest his head on your chest. You only do this just to see Jimin’s reaction and by the look on his face he doesn’t enjoy that move one bit.

‘‘ Yes jealous. I mean why else would you put almond extra-

‘‘ Woah. No need to go there. We established that it was a so called accident lastnight.” Jungkook does finger quotes into the air and looks down at you.

You lift your head up and furrow your eyebrows in annoyance, “ So called? So you really believe that I did it on purpose. Wow Jungkook. Escort yourself out.’’

He sighs, wrapping his arms around you securly in hopes of you settling down a  little, “ Honestly it’s not like that. I wasn’t there to see you bake them nor was I watching her eat it. Im just saying that you knew Jimin was coming and obviously his girlfriend was going to come too. It’s a little sketchy is all.”

There’s no fixing what he said. Him adding onto his explanation just made things sound worse than what he’s trying to say. You don’t have time to be ganged up on, nor like it at all. It’s best if they both just leave, to not turn nothing into something.

‘‘ Get out. Now. Before I call and tell Ryan what you said and then she’ll definitely deal with you.’‘ You say, removing yourself from off of him and onto the other side of the couch with your legs crossed.

Mad isn’t even the word to describe yourself right now. You’re just a mixture of all emotions.

Jungkook now looks of sorriness written all over his face. You bite your lip and shake your head while pointing towards the door. He sighs heavily and takes one last look at you while removing himself from the couch. You watch him slip on his coat and shoes.

Jimin gets up from his spot on the couch, ‘‘ I’ll be leav-”

‘‘ Sit down we aren’t done talking.” 

He looks at you with his eyebrows furrowed, sitting back down slowly.

Jungkook keeps his head down as he wraps his blue scarf around his neck. Poor baby, but he shouldn’t of said it. “Please better yourself and talk it out with each-other. Im leaving.”

‘‘ Make it home safely.. Kookie.” You sigh once the door closes behind him. Now you’re here. Face to face with Park Jimin.

The same Jimin who cheated on you. The same Jimin you haven’t seen in a while. You take a few moments to take in his appearance. He seems to have re-gained his muscles that are peaking through his black, longsleeve shirt. His thighs are still thick, just like his luscious lips. Of course he changed his hair color to black. But who knows, he might change it again.

‘‘ You’ve been doing well?’‘ You say, voice low but enough for him to hear. You drop your eyes to your lap instead of keeping intact with his.

‘‘ Yes. But you have not. Im disappointed in you. Why are you doing this to yourself? Don’t do this because of me.”

‘‘ Jimin you don’t know the feeling. You don’t know how it feels to be left wondering why you weren’t good enough for someone. Why they had cheated on you. You don’t understand at all and wont ever.’‘ Your voice cracks on the last sentence and you an feel the lump in your throat become sore.

He bites his lip unsure of what to say next. Those words had hit him good inside. ‘‘ Im sorry. I truly am. But you know the reason why we had to end it. I fucked up bad and the media was making the scandal bigger and messier day by day. It was better to just call it off.’‘

One by one your tears start to drop. You nose begins it’s running trip but you sniffle it back up.

‘‘ You could of denied it. You know you could of made a statement and denied it. But you felt something for her didn’t you? Didn’t you?’‘ You semi-yell, sobs already starting to take it’s way over.

He bites his lip once again and ruffles his fingers through his hair, “ Baby..’’

You wipe your tears with your hands making your face even more puffy from the crying. “ I am jealous. I am I admit it Jimin. But do you know i have been suffering for one year and two months? I can’t sleep at night because im so used to your touch at night. I look at every couple in Seoul and think to myself, Dang they seem so happy. What’s their secret?’’

Jimin sits up, making eye contact with you with tears welling up into his eyes. It hurt’s you more than yourself to see him crying. It always has.

‘‘ Please don’t do that. Don’t do this to yourself. Please get help from someone to try and move on. Please. I don’t like to see or hear you make yourself suffer.’ He begs, getting up from his seat and coming towards you.

Jimin sits next to you, hesitantly opening his arms up to you. Would it be wrong to embrace him? He’s being too sincere, but thats what you want right? You decide to just do it, and lean into him only for him to pull you in closer into his chest.You just lay there crying and sobbing while he runs his fingers through your hair. You shouldn’t be doing this. He has a girlfriend. But it feels so right.

‘‘ What does she have that I don’t? Why couldn’t you love me the same way you love her “  You cry into his chest, soaking his shirt with your tears. 

You’d been waiting for this moment to just let it out. Let everything out.

‘’ Please don’t make this harder than what it is right now. Just try and forget me and move on. Please.” Hypocritcal. How does he expect you to get over him when he’s the one whos holding you so tight right now. Soon enough his sniffles join yours in harmony.

You raise your head up and look him deep into the eyes while you wipe away his tears, “ Don’t cry Jimin. I’m the one supposed to be crying over you. Don’t cry.’’

He takes your hand away from his face and wraps his fist ontop of yours, “Please promise me you will move on okay?’’

You shake your head no, “ I can’t make that promise.”

He doesn’t say anything. He gently cradles you in his arms and lifts you up. You don’t think to where he is going. You just close your eyes and grab onto his shirt firmly not wanting to let go.

Soon enough you feel the cold sheets over your bed. He covers you in the duvet and leans down to your forehead.  A kiss. Your fist is still locked onto his shirt in which he tries to pry it away but you don’t want to let him go. He sighs and raises his arms up as he takes off the shirt revealing an extra plain white wife beater under it. Taking your other hand, he wraps your hand into another fist onto the shirt to where both of your hands are holding onto it.

‘‘ Please better yourself for me baby. Sleep and eat well. “

Is all he says before turning off the lights and walking out your bedroom door.  You can hear him putting on and zipping up his heavy coat but you just don’t make a sound.

The apartment door clicks and beeps letting you know he’s already gone.

[blooberrywizard]

Der Katzenprinz

The full story and scene transcript for my fellow critters!

[Jester knocks on Calebs door]

Caleb: Ja?

Jester: Um, could you... could you cast tongues on me? *Flustered* I mean you know the spell where you can make me understand languages or whatever?

Caleb: Ja, I could do that

Jester: I just want to read the book, Caleb

Caleb: You want to read it yourself?

Jester: Well... I mean...

Caleb: I could read it to you if you want?

Jester: *Awkward* Okay. It could take awhile.

Caleb: Are we talking about uh, prince and cat?

Jester: Yeah the cute cat with the hat!

[Caleb brings Jester into his room and they settle on the couch]

Jester: Well this is a boring room Caleb. You really decked everyone else out

Caleb: Well it took a lot of effort for you all so no time for me

Jester: Aw

Caleb: Okay so, this is meant for children

Jester: Okay

Caleb: My mother read it to me when I was very little. Uh it's called The Cat Prince.

Jester: The Cat Prince. Okay

Caleb: Uh, okay

[Story Begins]

Once upon a time in a little house on the edge of a great wide wood lived a young boy with his mother. The poor boy was sick and spent much of his days in bed watching the days pass by from a little window in his room. The boy's mother loved him very much but as it was just the two of them and the boy was ill of health and frail of form, everyday she had to make the journey to town where she worked in the kitchens of the local lord. While she was gone the boy would mind the house, read one of their precious few books, and observe the bees and the trees [Caleb: Oh that rhymes when I translate it. Jester: *giggles*] and the birds in their flight as he spent the greater part of time resting in bed. The boy knew his mother loved him and her time away was all for his sake and he was grateful to her and loved her in return but it was a lonely life spending his days rereading some of the same books or talking to the air in their little home on the woods edge.

One day [Liam explains it's all illustrated and how Jester is next to him on the couch so he can show her the pictures] as the boy sat in bed looking out at the fields that lay between his home and the woods he noticed a cat making its way out of the forest. [Caleb: It's been a long time since I've read this] It was not long the boy realized clearly making its way towards his home was no ordinary cat for upon his head he wore a little top hat. And if that were not strange enough on it's own as the cat pattered up beneath the boy's window he stood, doffed his cap, took a bow and said,

"Greetings young master! You look as if you could use a bit of dancing!"

The boy stunned by these words from the dapper little cat could scarcely find his voice.

"Oh no, Sir," Said the boy, "I don't know how to dance. Nor am I made for it."

"Nonsense," Said the cat, "Why anyone can dance if only they look to. Come out of doors and let me show you."

And as he spoke the cat dawned his hat and began to turn in circles and dance. [Caleb: And he's dancing on the page] The boy was curious but said,

"Good Sir cat, I am afraid I am ill! My lungs are too weak and my bones are too frail!"

"Oooh maybe they are and maybe they aren't," The cat replied, "But either way you do not want to languish one more day in bed while watching the world go by, do you? Come take a walk with me through the fields and I will show you how to dance."

Overcoming his doubts the boy managed to climb down from his window and walk a few steps closer. This was no ordinary cat and no ordinary day and though he felt unsure his heart did leap a little and he began to follow the marvelous little cat through the grass. Slowly at first but with more vigor as they crossed the fields and eventually he found himself stepping under the shade of the woods for the first time in a great many years.

All the while the cat frolics and capered as they wound their way deeper into the wood and eventually the boy found himself stepping into a ring of trees. The cat whirling about his hat in hand, the furry little dancer twirled around the boy laughing and calling while the boy watched, his mouth agape. And then quick as a flash the cat brought his top hat down right atop the boy's head who was very suddenly plunged into darkness.

[Jester: Is this going to be a sad story Caleb? Caleb: *Grins and turns the page*]

But only a moment because all about him, shining in the dark, he saw the glow of hundreds of eyes. Feline eyes glimmering in the dark. Suddenly about him lanterns flared to life and the boy saw he was no longer in the wood at all. Here he saw a grand ballroom festively decorated and and filled to the brim with cats. Big cats, small ones, old cats, young ones. Cats of every breed and color and in the center of the great hall upon a stage stood the boy's feline guide. Only now he was dressed in very fine robes and upon his head sat a thin golden crown of wrought golden leaves.

[Jester: He's a prince! Caleb: Which is illustrated right there. Beautiful little cat. Well worn pages.]

The boy stood in wonder and amazement as the great host of cats bowed to their prince and then in turn bowed to him.

"The world of men is heavy and hard," The princely cat proclaimed, "But here across the veil we move with lighter step. Dance with us child and forget your troubles for a spell."

All at once scores of cats closed in around the boy purring and turning about his legs as thick as the sea. And as they moved so too did the boys feet. He swirled amongst them like a cork on the water and before he knew it the boy was dancing. Dancing and dancing as he never imagined he could. And his breath much to his surprise was hearty and hale. He found he no longer felt ill in the least. Hours passed and he and all the cats danced without end and the prince of cats more than all of them. After a long while the boy suddenly remembered his mother and immediately feared she would worry. He stopped in the middle of the great hall and called out to the prince of cats,

"Forgive me, Sir cat, but I can no longer stay! My mother will worry! I have to return!"

All the cats parted before him and the prince approached the boy.

"Are you sure, boy? You could stay and dance for us for as long as you wish. For ever and ever and ever."

"I cannot," The boy replied, "My mother has only me and I would no leave her alone. Forgive me."

The prince of cats looked on the boy with a sympathetic eye,

"Not at all, young one. Fear not a wit. You do your mother credit."

And with that the prince of cats stepped closer.

"Do not look so crestfallen. Take our cat's grace with you. You can always dance if the will is there."

And from behind his back he brought out his top hat again and pulled it over the boys eyes and once again all was dark.

[*Caleb dramatically flips the page making Jester laugh*]

Sometime later the boy stirred and his eyes fluttered open. He looked about and discovered he had been asleep in the wood and the sun now dappled his face through the trees. Next he noticed a thread bare patched top hat lying in the soft grass beside him. He gingerly picked it up and stood within the same circle of trees. As he did so he took a deep breath and smelled the earth and the forest and as he did he realized his breath was strong and his legs hearty.

"Danke," He said.

As he looked down at the hat in his hands and placing it upon his head he smiled, kicked up his heels, and quietly started to dance his way all the way back home.

The End.

[End of story]

Jester: That was a happy story Caleb!

Caleb: *Nods* That's why my mother read it to me

Jester: I really felt like the cat prince was going to trap him in there forever and then he wouldn't be able to go see his mom again

Caleb: Well a lot of Zemnian stories do end that way, it is true.

Jester: The cat prince kinda reminds me of The Traveler!

Caleb: That's true isn't it?

Jester: Ya.. wow

Caleb: A little dicey but very likeable

Jester: *Laughs* Good in the end, ya know?

Caleb: Ja... ja

Jester: That was a really good story

Caleb: I am happy that I could share it with you

Jester: Me too. Thank you

Caleb: Mmhm

Jester: Can I have it back?

Caleb: Oh ja, it is your copy. It will vanish when you leave here though but it is yours

Jester: *Stares at the book, running her thumb over it before hugging it to her chest* Thank you

Caleb: *Nods and quietly says 'Ja'*

Jester: Alright goodnight, Caleb

Caleb: Ja goodnight.... Guten nacht...

Jester: *Giggles*

[alice-angel12x]

🌩 Prince Elf! Shoto x Reader

Long ago in a land far away, was a small town that rested near a great forest. This was no ordinary forest, this forest was said to house all sorts of magical creatures, from the frail pixies to the lustrous Unicorns. All under the protection of the proud Elf people, the residents, and protectors of the forest and all its creatures. Many humans aren't allowed deep in the forest, not that they could find the great kingdom anyways. Any human with a wicked heart that entered the forest, were meet with terroirs and monsters. So many adults stayed away from the deepest parts of the woods, yet children would not report such things. Many saying they've seen all sorts of magical things, even some elves.

So the saying goes, the forest will only show its wonders to those clean of heart.

A young child named Y/n, wandered into those forests to see the creatures herself. As she went deeper into the forest, she soon came across a beautiful waterfall.

Y/n stared in awe as she approached the waterfall. As she approached Y/n noticed a small figure sitting in the middle f the lake. The closer she got Y/n could see it was a young elf dressed in fine clothing, he looked like a young prince. The young elf seemed to notice the girl too, as he slightly glared at her.

Y/n getting the memo, stayed on her side of the forest, and the Elf boy minding his own business. So Y/n sat down by the lake's edge and weaved a bunch of flower looms into her basket. As the two sat quietly, some small woodland creatures slowly started to approach the young girl. From rabbits to the ever-shy unicorn, slowly approached the young human. Y/n smiled brightly as she offered a bright red apple to the pure white unicorn.

Shoto couldn't help but feel a little envious, not even the "bravest" by unicorn standards want to approach him. So he slowly got closer to the girl and the critters, only for the creatures to notice his presence and quickly scatter.

Y/n looked up at the young elf boy, now that he was close she could see more unique features to him. How his hair is half red and half white, along with the most beautiful heterochromatic eyes. "Umm, Good day to you," Y/n greeted with a smile.

Shoto surprised by her warm greeting didn't really know how to respond. Most human youths ran away from him at the mere presence of him. "Umm, hi," was all he could utter.

"Umm, it must be pretty nice. Living with all the unicorns and other creatures," Y/n smiled bashfully.

"I guess, though most of the time they run away from me," Shoto said plainly.

"Why is that?" Y/n asked curiously.

"Cause my aura, it too much like my father's," Shoto said with a hint of hate in his voice.

"Your Father must be scary and powerful," Y/n commented.

"Is the king of the elves for a reason," Shoto said nonchalantly.

"So you're a prince then? So what's it like?" Y/n asked.

"None of your business," Shoto answered.

"Oh, sorry. Umm, I work at a baker, to earn money for my friends and me in the orphanage. You should try out berry muffins sometimes... Oh, that's why I'm here," Y/n gasped with wide eyes. " I forget I came here to collect fruits and berries."

"Well umm... There is one place you could go," Shoto said slowly.

"Oh, where?" Y/n asked.

"I... I'll show you," Shoto said as he dragged Y/n into the forest.

Shoto soon leads her to an opening in the forest, filled with bushes with alerts of berries and trees that bore loads of fruits. Y/n's eyes widened in awe at the many fruits and berries all in one place. She happily pulled Shoto with her as they started collecting berries left and right.

Shoto not used to peasant work got cut on the thrones; making his hands look like they were attacked by an angry cat. His sleeves didn't fare well either. Y/n gasped in shock as she looked at Shoto's cut-up hands. The girl quickly pulled out her handkerchief and wrapped his bloodied hands.

Shoto's heart pounded in his chest at this human girl's kindness. Her hands were so warm and gentle, a feeling he hasn't received in a very long time.

"There, all better. Umm, you probably still need to clean it, tho," Y/n smiled as she kissed his knuckle.

"W-why did you do that?!" Shoto gasped as he pulled his hands away.

"I'm kissing them better. That's what my mommy does when I get hurt," Y/n explained.

Shoto's ears and cheeks were a bright red as his heart fluttered in his chest. Yet soon the two noticed that the sun was reaching the horizon, so with a heavy heart, Shoto led Y/n to the edge of the forest. As Y/n turned to leave she felt Shoto's hand still gripped onto her wrist.

"Shoto?" Y/n asked.

"Will you come back soon?" Shoto asked as he looked at his feet.

"Sure, if my Caretaker lets me," Y/n smiled.

Shoto hesitantly released her as Y/n quickly ran off to her family home and bakery. From that day on Y/n would visit the forest and shout every week or so. Just to explore the forest with all different parts of the forest, and spend time together. As the two grew, Shoto's feelings for this human also grew.

But one day, on Y/n's 13th birthday, she fell horribly sick. In desperation, her orphanage brothers and sisters worked harder than ever to earn the money to cure there, friend and sister at heart. Even if it meant sending her to the faraway capital. While Shoto waited and waited for his beloved Human to return to him, yet she never came. Their once lush and lively secret waterfall becomes a snowy wasteland. The trees had long perished, the water had completely frozen over, and the animals had long fleed that small section of the forest.

The other elves grew worried, yet fearful of the young prince. His ice powers were out of control and harming the woods around him, not even his father could reverse the ice magic. Shoto sat at the snowy waste of the waterfall, his heart hardened in disappear.

"Why have you abandoned me Y/n," He sobbed quietly to himself.

As he grew, so did his power and his curse. The once beautiful and mysterious forest was consumed by eternal snow and winter.

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

After a few years, Y/n slowly recovered and returned to her home in the orphanage, where her family at heart welcomed her back with open arms. She was slightly surprised by the sudden change of the once magical forest, but sadly she could risk getting sick again. So with a heavy heart avoided the snowy forest.

Though she would wonder the edge, in hopes that Maybe her elf friend would appear. Yet he never did, at least from what she saw. She was completely unaware of the heterochromatic eyes watching her every movement.

"You've finally returned, Y/n," He sighed with lovesick awe. " It's finally time to claim my queen."

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

"Are you sure you don't need anything Y/n?" Deku asked. Y/n's long-time friend in the orphanage.

"I'm fine Deku, thanks to you and the others I was able to get the care I needed," Y/n smiled.

Deku's heart fluttered in his chest. The two grew up together in the orphanage, worked together in the same barkery, and was the one who worked the hardest to earn money for Y/n. Seeing his long-time crush happy and well was enough for him.

"Wow, it's really snowing out there isn't it," Y/n said as she stares out at the blizzard outside.

"Yeah, one could almost forget it's supposed to be summer," Deku said with slight concern.

"What happened during the time I was gone?' Y/n wondered to herself.

As night fell everyone in the orphanage was preparing for bed, as Izuku helped Y/n to bed for she was still weak in recovery.  The snowy wind howled against the old orphanage building as Izuku tried to keep the fire going.

Then suddenly the windows and doors slammed open as the snow and wind rushed through the building. The fire was quickly blown out and the room was cast in darkness. Deku began to panic as he knew the chill could kill Y/n, but as he turned to Y/n; there stood a tall figure holding her sleeping form gently. The boy and two different colored hair and eyes, and wore expensive attire. Izuku noticed the boy's pointed ears and Crown made of gold and silver, it was the Elf king.

Shoto held his beloved delicately as he wielded his ice magic to form a beautiful tiara of ice on her head. With a soft kiss on her forehead, the two vanished in the gust of snow.

" Y/N!!" Izuku gasped as he quickly stood and ran the window, and saw that the snow had stopped suddenly

___

[mhdiaries]

SDCC 2015 Kieran Valentine Diary

May 1st

When I left Monster High after Draculaura’s Sweet 1,600 birthday party, I was angry, humiliated and stinky from falling into that pit of eternal body odor. I stank so bad, Mom wouldn’t even let me in the house: I had to sleep in the guest room above the garage. Looking back, I can see it was probably the best thing that could have happened to me. Even my considerable powers to charm were no match for the power of the stench that surrounded me. My powers slowly weakened as I was deprived of what sustained them: the love I selfishly took from others. I was in a stench-induced imprisonment - rarely leaving the garage - but it allowed me time to do some serious thinking, and I realized I wasn’t being true to myself. Then one day there was a knock at my door, and I opened it to see a little old goblin woman with a cane staring up at me through thick glasses. “I’m Mrs. Goblin, but you can call me “Mrs. Goblin.” I’m a friend of your mother’s.” She said, “you need to get out of that room, and I need some help, so let’s go.” She turned and walked off, and, with nothing left to lose, I followed. It turned out that she ran an unwanted-creature shelter and couldn’t keep up with all the cleaning, feeding and daily upkeep. It also turned out that she had no sense of smell. “Lost it back in ‘72,” she told me. Mrs. G. ran me through the daily routines and gave me the tour. “You can start today,” she said as she handed me a mop and a bucket. It’s hard to believe I agreed, but I didn’t have any other options. The shelter was home to an unusual collection of exotic creatures: gremlins, flying monkeys, lap dragons, miniature manticores, and many others that had been picked up as strays or turned in by monsters who didn’t want them. Even though the work was hard, and not always pleasant, I began to look forward to it. In fact, I usually felt more energized after I finished a day than when I started. I felt my powers returning and every day I got stronger. Eventually, I mentioned it to Mrs. Goblin who snickered, “You emotional vampires never get it - stolen love is just empty calories. I’ll never sustain you for long.” She could tell I still didn’t get it. “Love that’s freely given is the most powerful source of energy in the monster universe. You’ve been coming here every day, taking care of these critters, showing them kindness, and the only thing they have to give you is their love - and believe me, they have a lot to give.” I couldn’t believe what she was telling me. I must have been standing there looking stupid because she said, “Close your mouth before the the flies get in and go clean the flying monkey cage. They’ve been throwing stuff again.” I was in a daze. Why had no one ever explained this to me? Rather than dwelling on it, I was just happy I finally knew. 

May 3rd

I now know that I did it - stealing love - because I thought that’s want an emotional vampire was supposed to do. But it never felt quite right. I thought if I kept doing it, it would eventually feel right. But it only made me angry and frustrated. Then when Draculaura called me - well, Toralei, really - I thought that if I could get the heart that got away, it would change me and everything would be fine. But I was just a real pain in the fang to everyone and made a fool of myself. So I’ve come to a conclusion: being myself has to be easier than not being myself, right? Back then, I hated the thought of who I really was, and that conflict made me become someone who wasn’t me. It’s time to be true to myself, but it’s scary. 

July 1st

Today was my one-year anniversary at the shelter. As I left the garage, I ran into Mom. She sniffed. “You don’t stink anymore.” It was true - the stench was gone. I gave Mom a hug and told her it must be due to what I’d learned from working for Mrs. Goblin. I thanked Mom for telling her I needed help. Mom looked at me strangely, “What are you going on about? I don’t know a Mrs. Goblin.” What? I ran to the shelter but when I got there it was boarded up and empty. How could this be? I crawled through a broken out window. A thick layer of dust covered everything and it looked like no one had been there in years. Then I noticed a piece of paper on the table where Mrs. G. used to sit and drink her tea. It was a not addressed to me:

V, 

There’s nothing more I can teach you. The rest will come when you put what you’ve learned into practice. Know that you are loved for what, and who you are.

Sincerely, 

“Mrs. Goblin”

P.S. Do the right thing or I’ll come back and make you clean out flying monkey cages again. 

July 2nd

I decided that I would try and “do the right thing” by heading back to MH to try and make up for my mistakes. I thought if I hid in the shadows and helped the couples of MH, you know be a Cupid to what was my destruction of love, I could make a difference and they would see that I was a changed monster. Well, my intentions were good, but things did not go as I had planned. I kinda, no, did, mess things up. Luckily, it all seemed to work out in the end, I guess, just not as I had hoped. I don’t think any of Draculaura and her friends will ever really trust me. And while I hope one day they can see I have changed, I know it will take time, too. I guess I can’t expect them to just forgive me right away. I will say one good thing hopefully came out of it. While attempting to hide in the shadows I bumped into a student I didn’t recognize. He said his name was Spelldon Cauldronello, he had only been at MH a couple weeks as he had been traveling with his older sister. Meeting him totally made me space and forget to send a text that was supposed to help Clawd. He asked if I went to MH and I said I was just visiting, but I would love to go to MH one day if I can. He said he’d keep me up on the groanings on around the halls if I wanted, so I gave him my number. At least the trip wasn’t a total stake. I do wish I could figure out how to make it up to Draculaura and her friends though. I know now that real friends help each other with their problems, not try to solve them for them.

July 7th

I was tempted to stay in my room today and treat myself to a monstrous blue funk, but, instead, I walked aimlessly outside until I found myself sitting on the beach watching the sun go down. That’s when I noticed something unusual partially buried in the sand. I pulled it out and die-scovered it was an ornate lantern caked with seaweed. I brushed it off... and got the shock of my unlife! The lantern began vibrating and glowing, like I had awakened something inside and it was not trying to get out. I dropped it like it was hot and fell back as smoke swirled up and out of this thing. When the smoke cleared away there was a ghoul floating above me. “I am the djinni of the lantern. What is your wish?”

July 10th

The djinni’s name is Whisp and we have something in common: the direction of our unlives changed because of Monster High. We shared our stories and struggles; neither of us has made the beast decisions, but we both want to be better monsters. We talked so much that Whisp had to remind me I had three wishes. I asked her I should wish for and she said, “I cannot tell you what to wish for, nor can I tell you what not to wish for, but I can say be scareful what you wish for.” I laughed and told her that sounded ominous. She didn’t see the humor in her statement. “Wishes are tricky things,” she replied, “They often have a mind of their own and don’t always come true in the way you expected.” I thought for a moment, and wish I could go back to Monster High and fix the things I had broken. Whisp rose into the air, her eyes glowing, and said, “As you wish.” Instantly, I was back at Draculaura’s Sweet 1600 party, only I was dressed like a repairman - tool belt and all. Headless Headmistress Bloodgood stood in front of me with her hands on her hips. “You need to repair the barrier around the pit of eternal body odor before another monster falls into it!” This wasn’t what I meant by “fixing what I had broken,” and there was no way I was getting close to that pit again. That’s when the other students saw me. A very large minotaur pointed his finger at me, “There he is again! Throw him back into the pit!” I wished myself out of MH and back in my room just in time to avoid another dunking. Two wishes down, one to go.

July 12th

Whisp has been very apologetic but she needn’t be. I wished for something so general that it could have been granted in numerous ways. What I really wanted was a chance to do something unselfish for the monsters I hurt - to give and not take. When I started working for Mrs. G., there were times I wished what someone else would do the dirty work so I could just play with the creatures. Now I know I just wished it to be easy. Whenever I was in the middle of something particularly loathsome, Mrs. G. would cackle, “Sometimes work stinks, doesn’t it?” The first few times she said it, I wanted to drop everything and go home. But I stuck it out, and, although I still have a long way to go, I’m a better monster for it. Unlife is a lot of work and I guess some problems aren’t meant to be solved by wishing them so. Speaking of wishes, I need to think of something non-ambiguous for the last one...

August 1st

I summoned Whisp today to grant my final wish. I admit I put it off because I was being selfish. I’ve never had a friend like her, and once my last wish is granted, the lantern will move on and I will probably never see her again. I considered freeing her from the lantern, but I don’t think she wants that: she loves being a djinni, appearing in new places and granting wishes. But I know she gets lonely at times, so this was my wish: “Whisp, I wish we could always be friends.” Whisp rose up, her eyes glowing: “As you wish!” I could see her smiling as she turned to smoke and returned to the lantern, which shot up and disappeared. I thought for a second that my wish wasn’t granted, but then my iCoffin lit up and I noticed a new app icon that looked like a little mirror. I tapped it and there was Whisp! Now, not matter where in the monster universe she is, we can talk to each other! “Yes, Mother, I’m talking to myself down here.”

[mylittlegemlins]

Hello tumblr, during my childhood I was really obsessed with smurfs and since I found out that they released a reboot, which unfortunately I haven´t yet been able to see, I think I had some inspiration and ended up writing this.

I don't usually post this kind of blog about series unless I'm too immersed in it because I feel like it's too childish but to hell, blogging about-analyzing series for kids is my entertainment method and if I can't post about my likes on Tumblr I don't know why have an account.

So I present:

How to catch the Smurfs

This is the definitive tutorial on everything Gargamel ever did to catch the little blue critters.

It is based mainly on the animated series from the 80s and the 3 films that were produced between 2011-2017, I watched several episodes again to write this, but I still hope I don't forget some important information.

Following these steps:

1. Why catch the Smurfs?

During the comics, the series and the recent movies there were many reasons why Gargamel and other humans wanted to capture the Smurfs that change over time, among its main uses we have:

- They are ingredients for exotic dishes.

-Turn them into gold

- Ingredient for the Philosopher's Stone

- Use its essence to obtain magic

- Their tears serve as an ingredient for spells

-Their skin serves as a treatment to cure diseases

2. Points to consider:

This is a set of rules that fall between the lines when using a Smurf for any of the recipes mentioned above.

2.1 How many are needed:

In some episodes Gargamel was about to cook a single Smurf, so 1 is enough to eat them.

To turn them into gold you need at least half a kilo, about 6 smurfs.

2.2. They don't need to be alive

I didn't remenber any place where it said that Smurfs must be alive to use them in recipes.

2.3. Smurfette doesn't always count

She has to be a real smurf or else it won't work, during her first appearance before the papa smurf spell and the episode "smurfette unmade" where she reverts to her original form she is not a real smurf, so it wouldn't work unless that is in its blonde form.

2.4. Fake Smurfs:

The reason Gargamel can't just create another Smurf and use it in his recipes is because his creations are blue clay with a conscience, to turn them into real Smurfs you need the “true blue”spell

2.5. Artificial Smurfs:

Smurfette, Sassete, Kactus, Vicky and any other Smurf they come up with in the future, count as real Smurfs only after their transformation.

To clarify the points, these are the steps:

3.Locate them

The Smurfs are in a village protected by a magical force that makes it invisible or unreachable, it is only possible to find the village if a Smurf guides you to it, even after finding the exact location it will have disappeared if you try to return, so the best It is marks the surroundings of the village and look for them in the places that the Smurfs frequent.

It is possible to capture them when they leave the village, force them to guide you, enter the village using teleportation spells or hoaxes.

4.Traps

Catching smurfs is relatively easy, you can chase them with butterfly nets, catch them with your bare hands, using a cat or any other hunting animal, now that I think about it a hound would be very useful to track their scent.

Using some classic traps to hunt animals also works with Smurfs, traps with cages or hidden holes in the ground, or camouflage in a bush until a Smurf is close enough to catch it, you can't use traps like an obvious cage with food in it, they are too smart to fall for that.

It is more effective if they are placed in strategic places such as a field of smurfberries which is outside the village.

Small female creatures are also used as decoys, such as female smurfs, little mermaids and lymph to make a smurf fall in love and thus leave the village to a point where they can be captured.

5.Which Smurfs to capture

Personally I think there are Smurfs that are easier to catch, although Gargamel could not have a list of all with so many times that they have passed by his house, he should already recognize one or another Smurf and I remember that there is a episode where he knows some of his names.

The main cast, Smurfette, Hefty, Brainy, Clumsy, Greedy, Grouchy, Jokey and Handy as far as i can remember, they´re the ones that have been captured the most times and also the ones that have escaped the most, since they're easy to capture, it would be convenient to take advantage of this, but since they know how to get out, they should change the cages with them, put the cages in another place, move the objects that previously used to get out, and above all not to fall the same tricks again.

Papa smurf has been captured many times, he is the one who most leaves the village and if in one of his trips they capture him, maybe the others would not notice his absence, it is something difficult because he already knows how to escape and he can use spells against you, but if you manage to kill him the others would be lost without their leader, and with the disaster they would be easier to capture.

Lazy smurf takes naps during his work outside the village so it's a good chance to catch him, hopefully he might still be asleep while preparing the recipe and he won't try to escape.

According to his debut episode sickly smurf was never able to escape from Gargamel and Azrael; it is so easy that he catches him with his bare hands in 20 seconds.

Baby Smurf is more vulnerable for obvious reasons, the negative side is that there is always a Smurf looking after him, but if they manage to separate the baby it would be easy to cook , considering the life expectancy of the Smurfs is more than 500 years, it may remain a baby for the next 10 years so there is time to execute your plan.

Nat, Snapy, Sassete and Slouchy, the 4 children Smurfs that appear in season 5 are in almost the same circumstances as Baby Smurf.

In Wild Smurf's first appearance he kicked Gargamel in the face and easily made Azrael afraid of him so it might not be a good idea to mess with him.

I guess Smurfs like scaredy would never leave the village unless they forced it so the only times he gets caught is when they capture all 100 together.

6.Don't let them escape

In many occasions the Smurfs escape when they have already been captured by Gargamel, either from his hands, cages and in their closest attempts they escape from the pot.

These are the points to keep in mind:

6.1 Capture only one

If you capture a single Smurf than two or more as it will take a while for them to realize that one is missing and they will not come to their rescue, the more they are, the more likely they will find a plan to escape, so keep them in mind. separate cages.

6.2 The others will come

Once Gargamel has one or more Smurfs, it is 100% certain that the others will come to rescue him at his house, so it would be convenient to go to another place away from the forest where he can cook the Smurfs without others being able to find them. Gargamel has a basement with a secret door, he was able to hide there and pretend he didn't have them until the rescuers leave.

6.3 catch rescuers

Knowing that more Smurfs could come, you could use it to your advantage by placing traps on the doors and windows, or on the contrary, closing everything so that it is impossible to enter without having a key.

6.4 They will leave him for dead

In the episode "the tear of a Smurf ", it seems that if they don't find a missing Smurf it only takes a week for them to surrender and prepare for his funeral. You can hide the smurfs with their mouths tied up in a drawer and pretend you don't know what they are talking about until they give up, then it will be time to execute the recipes. If Gargamel had enough brain cells to keep the secret, he could eat the Smurfs and the rest would think they were eaten by birds or something and would not take revenge.

6.5. Do not look any further

If you already have 99 it is enough, even if you have only one, it is not worth risking it to find one more, it is a trap.

6.6. Don't open jokey surprises.

The characters always forget that gift.

6.7. Don't listen to them

On several occasions they try to make conversation to buy time, they trick him into thinking that he will bring more Smurfs or that he cannot eat him, everything is a trap.

6.8. Just kill them

He never did that but it's a very obvious choice, I don't remember somewhere saying that smurfs have to be alive for recipes, Gargamel has repeatedly expressed his desire to destroy them. Wouldn't it be easier to kill them before throwing them into the pot? if you can't, they don't even have to be dead, just unconscious or asleep. Gargamel has drops of lava in his lab for some reason, how come he doesn't have substances to knock them unconscious? In case he have many captured you could use classic techniques such as placing the cage in a tub of water until they drown, even stepping on them would be enough since they are very small.

6.9. Papa Smurf's books

If Gargamel tries to kill them with an epidemic, papa will have the cure, if he casts a spell, papa has the antidote, since he has been in the village on several occasions, he should take the opportunity to steal or destroy their books, he could look for the true blue spell and perhaps find another useful spell.

7.Enjoy your smurf soup

If that's all i came up with, you can already eat or become a millionaire at the cost of a smurf's life, hopefully you'll have to face a horrible revenge from papa smurf, but i'm not responsible for that.

8.Other methods to get smurfs:

This is a set of theories for alternative ways to get smurfs without capturing one from the village.

8.1. create smurfs:

In the second live action movie gargamel gets the formula for the true blue spell, so from here technically he could create smurfs, then transform them into real smurfs and do whatever he wants with them, during the series he had to look for the formula instead to look for smurfs.

8.2. Clone Smurfs:

In the episode "the hundredth smurf" Vanity creates a clone of himself that eventually integrates into the village, it is a genetically exact clone so there is no doubt that it is a real smurf. He just needs to place a mirror in front of a smurf and get it struck by lightning, Gargamel could capture a smurf and make clones that will work, he wouldn't even have to keep the original and he would have an infinite smurf machine.

8.3. Kidnap Baby Smurfs:

During the blue moon it is possible that a zork came to the village bringing a baby smurf, it can take up to 200 years without bringing one but if you are alive when that happens, you can try to hunt the zork and capture the defenseless baby.

8.4. Repeat the fake smurf technique:

If it is possible to create fake Smurfs like Smurfette, it might work on a second try, Smurfs are not very cautious around strangers, once Smurfette arrives in the village no one wonders where she came from or why she was in the forest, but rather Immediately they offer him a house, Gargamel could create a smurf and this time instruct him to lead all the smurfs in the village into a trap and make sure he does not turn good, he can also turn himself into a life-size smurf costume, Nobody will notice that there is an extra Smurf and he can repeat the same trap,third time’s a charm

9.Conclusion:

Surely there are many other methods to catch Smurfs but I can't see the whole series again even if I wanted to, because it is a series for children Gargamel never learns from his mistakes I think that catching Smurfs is not that exaggeratedly difficult, especially for someone who has access to magic may be as difficult as capturing a talking rabbit, Gargamel is just stupid.

The end.

[sarcastic-bubbl]

A New Pet

Paring: Cal Kestis x Reader

Word Count: 1.7K

Warnings: None

Requests:  Could you write something for Cal?🥺 Something fluffy and playful, maybe like teasing each other, having small competitions, goofing around etc (just some examples, you might come up with something cute on your own🤗) - Anon

A/N: I know I had said something about snow and stuff when I first answered this request but I sorta changed my mind. Hope this is cute enough for you anon! 

Masterlist

--:::------::------------------->◇<--------------------::------:::--- "Try relaxing your Shoulders."

"I know how to meditate, Cal." "I know, but you should try relaxing your shoulders more. You look tense." A pair of hands gripped lightly at your shoulders while fingers tried to loosen the myriad of knots that had formed there over the years. "I am tense," you flinched as Cal pushed against a particularly sensitive spot. "Sorry," he mumbled as his thumb rubbed soothing circles into the area," do you want me to stop?" You leaned into his touch and sighed," no. It feels nice." You revelled in his touch. It was soft, just like everything else about him, yet firm. A kiss was placed on the top of your head before strong arms encircled you and held you tight. The sound of a throat cleaning caused you and Cal to jolt apart in surprise. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Asked Cere from the entrance to your room. You mentally cursed yourself for leaving it open. At least then, you would have been able to savour a few more quiet moments with Cal before you opened it. Cal was the first to stand and offered you a hand up while he answered. "Nope. Need our help with something?" "Yes, actually," Cere reached into one of her pockets and pulled out a small datapad, "I have a few things I need. I was hoping one of you would be willing to grab them for me." "Sure, we can do that," responded Cal, reaching for the datapad. Once in his hands, he scrolled through the list. Peeking over Cal's shoulder, you were able to catch a glimpse of what one or two of the items were. "The nearby town should have everything," Cere turned to leave but stopped, "Thank you." You watched as Cere turned out of your room-- likely back to her own. "I don't want-" You were cut off almost immediately. "Come on. It'll be fun." "I thought what we were doing before was fun," you said pointedly. "Please." His eyes were pleading as he spoke. "You can wear one of my ponchos." You sighed as you scoped your bag up from its usual corner. "If you think I can be bribed that easily, you are absolutely right." Your boyfriend's expression broke into that dorky grin of his. The grin you had come to love so much and missed whenever he wasn't around. --:::------::------------------->◇<--------------------::------:::--- The errands themselves were boring. Cal's promise that it would be fun was only kept only in the sense that it was hard to be bored around him. While Cal was purchasing the large basket of goods that would be your food for the next few weeks, you looked idly around the front of the shop. A cluttered announcement board caught your eye. Worn edges and fading colours indicated that many of these posters were old, but one stood out. It looked much newer than the others. The shopkeeper must have noticed you eyeing the poster. "If you two are looking for something to do, I'd suggest checking that out," he gestured quickly to the poster as he spoke. "We have an animal breeder in town. Great guy, really. He's just had a new litter of something. I'm no animal expert myself, so I can tell you what it is for sure, but word on the street is that those little buggers are cute." Cal grabbed the bag in one hand and your hand in the other. "Thanks for the advice. Maybe we'll go take a look." You followed him out of the store and into the warmth of the bright sun. "We're going to go take a look, right?" You asked, turning to face the man at your side. "Sure!" Replied Cal with a smile. You scanned the marketplace. While looking at the poster, you had only caught a glimpse of the breeder's location. Near the end of the road, you were able to make out what looked like an identical poster. It was hard to be sure at this distance, but you felt confident that was where you needed to go. You pointed to the building and began to lead Cal down the road. "This way!" Upon arriving, you were quite pleased to see that you had been right. Hanging next to the colourful poster advertising all the animals the breeder had to offer was a small hanging sign that read 'Open'. Bells clanged against the door as you opened it, mixing with the sounds of various animals. "Welcome!" Greeted a man who was currently trying to coax a palm-sized tarantula into a dirt-filled tank. "Just let me know if you need anything. Oh, and ask before you try and pick anything up. Sometimes the cutest critters have the nastiest bite." The interior of the shop was relatively small but well light and clean. Except for the two windows by the door, the walls were lined with tanks and cages of every size, filled with animals both familiar and new to you. A large cage lining the back wall housed various types of songbirds, all trilling happily. In the center was a pen with an open top. Inside you could make out a group of tiny rodents playing together.  Their long bushy tails made them appear similar to squirrels. Their fur, however, was lighter, and their eyes a deep red. The way they rolled and jumped as they played caught your attention. One of the creatures was nipping at its siblings' tails before scurrying away. It would wait a moment and then repeat the process all over again. You knelt down next to the pen, and Cal followed suit. "You think Greez would let us get one?" You asked. "Probably not. He doesn't even like BD all that much," laughed Cal. "They are pretty cute, though." You reached your hand into the pen to pet one of the small rodents before remembering what the man had said and withdrawing it. Cal nudged you with his elbow. "Not as you cute as you." The day of blushing at every compliment made was long gone, but you still giggle as you pulled yourself to your feet. "I'm going to go ask that man if I can hold one." You walked across the store floor and to the counter the man was working at. He poked the spider gently, trying to push it forward into the enclosure. "I swear, if you try to jump off the counter again, I will let you, and you will die. Is that what you want?" He appeared to be talking to the tarantula. As if in response, the spider bolted past its enclosure and towards you. Without a moment's hesitation and reflexes comparable to those of a Jedi, the man plopped a cup down on top of the large spider. "Sorry 'bout that. It's been a very stressful day for her." Said the man now looking at you. "What can I help you with, miss?" You gestured over to the small rodents. "I was hoping I could hold one." "Ah yes, the Lava Meerkats are very friendly. Just let me show you how it's done." The man led you back to the pen and quickly scoped one of the small creatures up before it had a chance to escape. "Now, just make sure to supports its butt and be gentle. " He handed the animal to you before. "And if your friend here wants to hold one, he's more than welcome too," said the man acknowledging Cal. He turned around and, in a few moments, was back to arguing quietly with his spider. Carefully you handed the meerkat to your companion before kneeling down. Mimicking what you had watched the man do, you quickly grabbed one of your own and held it close to your body. It's fur felt rough against your hands. It wiggled at first but seemed to settle itself into a comfortable position and began licking at your hand. You couldn't help but smile at the tiny animal. Looking over at Cal, it was apparent he was enjoying himself. With the meerkat held a face height, it could lick lightly at the tip of his nose. His grin was broad, and your heart melted at the sight. "Do you think we could sneak one of these on the Mantis?" Cal asked, absolutely beaming. "I thought you said Greez wouldn't like it?" you laughed as the small creature nibbled at your fingertips. Its teeth were so small it tickled. "That's why we sneak it in. He hasn't noticed the bogling yet." You set the animal back down in its pen before sifting through your pockets and pulling out your few extra credits. "Think we have enough credits?" Cal pulled out a handful of his own. "I think we can make it work!" --:::------::------------------->◇<--------------------::------:::--- After purchasing the small Lava Meerkat, you had made a few more stops. The animal had cost less than you had both thought. With the leftover spending money, Cal had purchased a new poncho -- and you a book. As you walked into the Mantis, Cere sat on the large couch. "Were you able to get everything?" She asked as she stood to greet you and Cal. As you passed the bag of supplies off to her, something caught her attention. Unbeknownst to you or Cal, your new little friend had decided to peek its head through the neck of Cal's poncho. In theory, it had seemed like a great hiding place; it wasn't working so well in practice. "What's that?" Cere asked, pointing to the rodent. "A new poncho," replied Cal with a shrug. "No. I'm talking about the small animal. climbing out of it." Neither of you answered. You had been found out far quicker than you had expected you. Cal gently held the meerkat in place against his chest. There was no point in pretending it wasn't there. You waited for Cere to tell you it wasn't welcome, but instead, she said, " just make sure Greez doesn't see it. He's already upset about the bogling."

[blackenedwhite97]

Pregnant Panic- Poly! Erasermic x Reader

Hello! this was a requested fic from quite some time ago. I'll be catching up at some point, i'm in my final year of university so update will be more spaced out for the next few months.

Content Warning: Discussions of paternity, some medically accurate potentially a little gross conversations and mentions and depictions of anxiety and panic.

This story includes and Polyamorous relationship

Polyamory: the practice of engaging in multiple sexual relationships with the consent of all the people involved.

It was killing them. You’d think with how tired and unwell Shouta looked and how uncomfortable Hizashi seemed that they were the pregnant ones. Shouta was the most stressed you’d ever seen him, not because he didn’t want a child but because he was scared he’d be a bad father. You’d stayed up many late nights with him, looking out at the dark city skyline through the living room window, him drumming up ways he’d fail as a father and you countering them with rationale and reassurance. He wanted to be there, he wanted to be present. You all knew he was around the least; he was a teacher during the day and a full-time hero at night. Hizashi was usually home at night, at least.

Hizashi wanted two things. The first, to be as good of a dad as he knew Shouta was going to be. The second, to know which one of them had knocked you up. Hizashi, unlike Shouta had full confidence in Shouta’s ability as a father. Hizashi also had confidence in his own ability to be a father. Yet, and you assumed it was natural, the two of them compared themselves to each other constantly. They both felt like they had to fill a role that was usually filled by only one parent, a father. In regard to his second wish: It was driving him insane. Hizashi didn’t want to know for the reason of ascertaining who the “real” dad was, it was more of a who’s quirk we might have to deal with.

While it’s not a given that a child’s quirk is going to be the same as your parents, it’s still a possibility. A possibility some families count on so greatly that they arrange marriages based on quirk compatibility to keep their bloodline strong and on the top tiers of society. Your little mismatched family never worried about that sort of thing, whether this child was a telekinetic like you, made your ears bleed when they threw a tantrum like Hizashi or could shut his dad up like Shouta, or even if they were quirkless you’d all love them with every fiber of your beings.

This was going to be one lucky kid.

Hizashi was squirming around in his chair, his legs going from being slung over the arm rest to being tucked underneath him. Shouta was as still as a statue save the tip of his boot where his toes were wiggling with nervous energy. Hizashi shifted his position for the umpteenth time, his legs swinging around towards Shouta, their knees bumping. Shouta shot out his hand and gripped Hizashi’s knee, holding him in place.

“Stop squirming.” He grumbled.

Hizashi stilled and slumped back, splaying his limbs out dramatically. “Babe, come here.”

Hizashi looked slide long at you through his lashes and a grinned, waving you over.

“Sure, yeah. Hold on, lemme just-” you placed a hand under your swollen stomach as if that would help carry any of the weight and hopped off the examination table. You landed in a wide stance, almost losing your balance from the nearly one-foot drop. It was pitiful, since you’d started to really show it was almost like all of your hero training went straight out the door. Mind you, your hips were wider than they’d ever been, and you were twenty-seven pounds heavier than you’d ever been. You also constantly had a little critter kicking you in your bladder, which was very new.

You waddled towards Hizashi, the smallest of grins pulling at Shouta’s mouth as he watched you. He found your knew range of mobility highly entertaining. You stopped just short of Hizashi’s wildly splayed out feet, nudging one with the toe of your shoe.

“Can you stand behind me for a sec?’ Hizashi sat up straight. “I wanna try something.”

“Okay?” you raised an eyebrow but waddled around him anyways.

As soon as you were behind him he leaned back in his chair and propped his head back on your belly. He closed his eyes and sighed in contentment. “Now, I’m comfy.”

You stared down at him as he fought a stupid grin, trying to keep his face serene. Goof. “I’m glad our kid is already good for something.” You sighed, stroking the top if Hizashi’s head and smoothing his hair back.

Shouta blinked, his brows knitting together. “You are such a dad already.”

“Been practicing!” Hizashi quipped, shooting up and snapping one of his fingers into a gun.

Shouta rolled his eyes but couldn’t help himself and chuckled.

The door to the examination room opened and in walked a kind looking older woman with deep smile lines and dark shining eyes. She looked like she worked with babies for a living, there was a pure unadulterated kindness about her. “Mrs. Y/L/N?”

“Hi, yeah that’s me.” You turned towards her and stretched out a hand.

She took it with a smile and eyed the two men in the chairs. “Which one of you is the father?”

The three of you had agreed when this all started happening for the sake of appointments that weren’t with doctors you’d be seeing regularly Shouta was going to be the father. It was hard enough explaining that the three of you were together romantically anyways, add a baby in and the fact that you don’t know which one of them was the biological father and you have a proper scandal. Out of the three of you Hizashi was the most recognizable and had the closest thing you could equivalate to a fan base so Shouta felt that in order to keep a sense of privacy around all of this he’d be the place holder father. You’re doctor and OB GYN both understood the whole situation, of course they needed to. Both had been in favor of a paternity during the pregnancy, which you had wanted to fore go until after the birth. At this point in the pregnancy it would have to be an invasive test and with this being your first child the three of you were so nervous you didn’t want to even consider taking that chance.

Shouta cleared his throat and stood up, reaching out for a hand shake as well. “That would be me.”

Hizashi shrunk down in his chair, he had agreed to this prearrangement, but it still stung a bit. You placed a brief set of comforting pats on his shoulder and he straightened up a bit.

“Right,” the kind eyed woman took his hand. “everything seems to be going well and on track. If you wanted to go over specific we could step into another room?”

She eyed Hizashi, and curious look about her. It was probably rare to see a friend sitting in on any sort of appointment. You shook your head and spoke up.

“Oh, he’s here to help us keep track of everything. I have total baby brain and Sho gets… overwhelmed.” You smiled at her reassuringly, trying to normalize the situation.

“O-okay.” She looked down at the clip board in her hand and skimmed the page. “The only thing I would say is out of the ordinary is that all signs are pointing to a later birth than expected. This is completely normal, of course. There are a few options if we feel as though the little one if take their sweet time a little too seriously such as inducing birth.”

You looked down at your swollen belly, your little one didn’t even stir. Why would they want to leave anyways, the little shit was swaddled in warmth and had a direct line to all the caving food you were constantly supplied with. Aside from the waddling, miniscule range of motion, tiny bladder and hip and back pain you didn’t mind being pregnant too much. The boys were totally whipped, which you tried not to take too much advantage of. But you were human and Hizashi was getting really good at baking.

“Inducing how?” Hizashi questioned from his seat.

“W-well,” she looked at you and Shouta for approval before speaking, Shouta nodded. “there are ways to induce labour through hormonal injection as well as more slightingly invasive physical ways, however it all depends on the circumstances. We prefer the less invasive ways for new parents generally speaking.”

Hizashi nodded and there was an awkward silence for a few seconds. The woman looked between the three of you then looked back down at the sheet and began tearing slips off along the perforated lines. “Here are your prescription cards, signed off by Dr. Onishi.”

“Thanks.” You took the slips from her outstretched hands and she slipped out of the room, you could have sworn her polite smile slipped from her face as she closed the door behind her. She sniffed you three out.

“Invasive?” Shouta mumbled. “How invasive?”

Hizashi shrugged as he stood up, grabbing your jacket off the end of the exam table to help you into it. You turned around and let him help you into it, even putting on a jacket was harder when you were this pregnant.

“They’ll stick a plastic hook up my vagina a pop the amniotic sack thing.” You explained, expecting full well the boy’s reactions.

Hizashi shivered violently and let go your jacket, shaking himself out like a dog trying to rid itself of water after a swim. Shouta’s nose flared and his eyes rolled to the side as he frowned.

“Is that painful?” Hizashi asked, his voice still shaky.

“No one on google really said anything about that but it’s safe to assume is they won’t talk about it, it’s not good.” You shrugged.

“Ew.” Hizashi stuck out his tongue like a kid tasting adult food for the first time.

“Yeah, can we uh, stop talking about this?” Shouta, if it had been possible, had paled out. Throughout the pregnancy Shouta had gone from the toughest out of the three of you to the one that was the most squeamish about everything. Sure, Hizashi was over dramatic and very vocal about his thoughts and feelings but he always had been. For Shouta, the idea of your body literally contorting to stabilize itself only for it all the end in hours of screaming, crying and otherworldly pain was too much. Normal injuries? Doable. Anyone could get hurt. Giving birth? That was something only you could do out of the three of you and he didn’t like that.

“Sure.” You smiled at him and he hooked his arm under yours as you all made your way out of the building to the busy street outside.

“What’s up for dinner?” Hizashi asked, pulling up his collar against the wind. The winter was blowing in and Japan was in the early stages of grey skies windows and cool winds, not yet covering in heavy snow and frozen streets.

“Um, I kinda forgot it was my night.” You muttered. If you hadn’t been the pregnant you’d have been subject to a somewhat sarcastic lecture at the hands of Hizashi, but you were practically untouchable now-a-days.

“Let’s just pick up something on the way home.” Shouta grumbled.

“I gotta fill my prescriptions, though. We can just go to the grocery store, there’s a pharmacy in the back.” You said.

“I don’t want to make you cook.” Shouta sniffed, the cold air making his nose run. “Plus, it’s cold as hell and the grocery store is refrigerated, I don’t want you getting sick.”

“Sho I can-” you started to protest.

“Dad has spoken.” Hizashi chimed in, wrapping and arm around your shoulder. “We can split, Y/n and I can head home a grab food on the way, and you can go fill her prescriptions?”

“Nice try, Mr. “I-wear- a jacket- all- the-time-for-fashion”. You go get the pills; we’ll get the food. I’m fucking freezing.” Shouta poked Hizashi in the forehead.

“I can’t help that I like the layered look, Sho.” Hizashi huffed. You turned to his and gave him a peck on the tip of his nose, a dopey grin spreading across his lips. God he was easy to butter up, he was such a glutton for physical affection.

You took off you scarf and wrapped it around his neck and handed him your prescription slips. “Your assignment Present Mic.”

“Aye-Aye, Ma’am.” He saluted dramatically.

“You own me a warm drink when I get home!” he added over his shoulder at Shouta who was already wrapping his arms around you as you waited for the walk signal.

Shouta was a furnace as the best of time and a miniature sum at the worst of times. You’d taken his temperature before, worried that he had fevers or worked himself sick in the early days of your relationship. He was always around the normal base line, he just radiated heat like crazy. You sank back into him and let his thick wavy hair curtain around your face. You looked up and make eye contact with his smoldering dark eyes, a soft smile on his lips.

“Hey.” You said.

“Hey.” He hummed into your hair.

“What do you want to eat?” you asked.

“Hmm,” she closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “something warm.”

The cars came to a halt and the walk chime sounded as the pedestrian light lit up. “Ramen it is.” you chirped and skipped awkwardly froward, your splayed hips not exactly made for such enthusiastic movement. He trailed behind you; your hand clasped in his.

The Ramen shop on the way was the kind of shop you couldn’t eat in; it was a thin rectangular shop with just enough room for a line and the counter. You had never minded before but lately the lack of seating options as you waited was less than ideal. You and Shouta had to make do with leaning into each other, him trying to support you but making a makeshift seat with his thighs while she leaned against the wall. The cashier rang a small bell and called your order number with a polite thank-you. You scuttled to the counter and retrieved the expertly packed bags of lidded ramen bowls.

When you made it back to Shouta he was staring down at his phone, his normal peaceful tiredness replaced by an annoyed alertness. He was frowning and pulling away from the wall.

“What’s wrong?” you asked just in time for him to look up at you.

“Uh, there’s an emergency call for heroes. Like, three blocks from here.” He looked as though if he hadn’t been waiting for you to return he’d have already dashed out of the door. It was in his blood, Shouta was a hero and until one the assholes had knocked you up so were you. The splayed hips somewhat dulled that itch to jump into action, but you could remember how it drove you crazy.

“Go.” You nodded. “I can get home.”

“Y-you’re- really?” he turned towards the door and you could see him winding up like a spring action toy.

“Yes, go!” you waved him off. Without another work he was off, the door swinging in the wake of his exit. Although you hated to admit it, this kid had changed more than just your body. You never worried like you did now. You were never so afraid od the average mission or call turning into something catastrophic, you were paranoid about patrols in good neighborhood and rescuing cats from trees. Shouta literally rescued a cat the other night and when he was telling you about it all you could see was him toppling out of the tree and getting hurt. Whenever one of them left for work they would be setting up times to check in, and Hizashi being the chronically late guy that he is had to suddenly start keeping track of time. You didn’t want to raise this kid without either of them and while you all knew full well that it was a possibility with the life you all lived, it still terrified you to no end.

You tried to calm yourself as you stepped out onto the street, people were still milling about, and there was no thirty-foot inferno to speak of so things couldn’t have been that bad. You waddled the rest of the way home, bags of soup sloshing around in your hands, trying to stay calm. You weren’t doing very well. Usually you had at least one of the boys with you or they were together but no doubt Hizashi also had gotten the message. You groaned to yourself, knowing full well he’d also responded.

Your hands were shaking, hoping it was just the cold you rooted around in your pockets for your keys. Getting them in the door was an experience, both frustrating and upsetting in the only the way a pregnant person can attest to. Were the tears running down your face because you couldn’t get the key in the door or because you were a walking rage pile or hormones and anxiety? You whipped angrily at your tears and shoved open the building door, warm air washing over you. At least it was warm.

The building got more and more blurry as you made your way to your apartment, tears fulling your eyes until the lights were just wavering streaks. You were huffing breaths into what felt like air starved lungs, sobs pounding against your cheat trying to break free. You choked them down and rushed through our door, leaving the ramen in the hallway as you slammed the door shut behind you.

You really didn’t feel like being very very pregnant and having a panic attack. You started to pace around, running your hand through the soft blanket across the back of the couch and pressing your palms to the cool counter top as you went back and forth between eh kitchen and living room. Some tears fell but your eyes dried and soon enough your lungs stopped convulsing for air. You were still shaking and a knot was still tight in your gut but you had for the time being subdued the panic. With this new clarity you went you your room and pulled out you professional phone, the battery low having not been used in weeks.

You had also received the distress signal:

10 Ave and 4 St. Grand villain activity: League of Villain members sited at scene of disturbance. Requesting all back up in immediate area. Priority: Containment.

League of Villains. You’re stomach dropped, almost painfully. You gripped onto the sheets of the bed as you slid to your knees, panic rising in your chest again. You knew they were among other heroes, that Hizashi wasn’t a frontline fighter and Shouta would have a horde of heroes trying the keep him in play. You knew this. You also knew them, and that they could be stupid. Shouta had climbed a Goddamned tree the other night FOR A CAT. He could have fallen and died for a CAT. You choked down another sob. Hizashi was always the centre of attention and he did it on purpose. What if he tried to distract the villains and got hurt doing it? He’d done that once before on a mission and came home with a nasty concussion.

What if it was worse this time? What if the League was more organized?

You choked on another sob.

Warm arms wrapped around you and you jumped, trying to pull away.

“Hey, whoa, babe it’s me.” Hizashi hummed calmly. “Shh, it’s okay. It’s Zashi.”

He brought a hand to your head and held you against his chest, scooting closer to you in his crouching position. He kissed the top of your head and rubbed circles into your hair with his thumb and held you like that until you were able to calm yourself. “What happened?”

“I got scared.” You sniffed. “And I’m pregnant.”

“Oh.” Hizashi chuckled, pulling back to look at you. His nose was still rosy from the cold and his hair was swept back in messy waves. “Sorry.”

“You should be.” You punched him the shoulder, once for every word.

“Ow!” he whined, holding his arms up in defense.

“You did this to me!” you wailed. Irrational, yes. Cathartic? Also, yes.

“I refuse to take ownership until we get that paternity test!” he laughed somersaulting away from you.

You were just about to give him a piece of your pregnant mind when you heard Sho enter the apartment and trip over a set of paper bags.

“Y/N?” he called. “Hun? Are you, okay?’

Hizashi jumped to his feet and darted out of the room, shouting wildly. “She’s angry!”

You tried to push yourself up to your feel but couldn’t, slumping back down onto the carpeted floor next to the bed. The threw your hands up in the air frustrated, all that panic from earlier having left your body. Being pregnant was a wild ride, whatever you felt was so strong and so consuming at the time, but it could fade just a quickly as it came.

“I’m stuck!” you pouted.

Shouta crept into the door frame, Hizashi hiding behind him. The two of them melting at the sight of you slumped, cross legged on the floor, belly swollen, unable to move. Shouta grinned, that same entertained grin from earlier. He made his way to you and grabbed your hands hauling you to your feet. You slumped into him, reaching out a hand to motion for Hizashi to join in. Not one to pass up a good group hug Hizashi happily wrapped his long gangling arms around you and Shout, ignoring your grunts and he squeezed.

“That didn’t take long.” You mumbled into Shouta’s chest.

“Illusion base quirk, I erased it and it turned out to be a bunch of low levels trying to make a scene to get away with some cash.” Shouta explained. “You okay?”

You nodded and hummed into his chest.

“You sure? There’s soup in the hallway.” His whiskers rubbed against your forehead.

“The baby got scared.” You muttered.

“Oh?” he hummed, as if in thought. He pulled away from you and knelt down, so he was level with you belly. “Listen up little one, there’s nothing in this world that your parents can’t handle so don’t so around worrying us like that okay?”

Hizashi stooped down and eyed your belly very seriously. “Especially, your mom. She’s already doing all the heavy lifting, dude!”

You dropped your face into your hands a laughed. Yeah, this was one lucky kid.

[valhahazred]

Cryptid Mythos bonus! Everything that appears on this sheet is an entity reported by real people. Why no Mythos this time? Because these encounters are so strange in appearance or behavior that they could slip right into the Sothic multiverse with little to no alteration or alternative explanation. Good luck Investigators!

All Colours Sam In 1973, in the town of Sandown, 7 year old “Fay” and an unnamed friend encountered a very strange individual as they explored the fringes of a golf course. They first became aware of something weird going on when they heard a sound like an ambulance siren in the distance. Following the sound to a footbridge over a creek, the two children were confronted by a three fingered hand wearing a blue glove that beckoned them from beneath the bridge. Awaiting them was a seven foot humanoid figure wearing strange clownish clothing, seemingly reinforced with wooden slats that protruded from his sleeves and pant-legs. The figure had a book in his hands, which he immediately fumbled and dropped in the water. He splashed around cartoonishly before recovering his book, leaping out of the creek and away from the children. He moved to a small metal shed with a high-kneed hopping gait and disappeared inside. The children went to leave, only for the mysterious entity to exit again with a microphone that appeared to be the source of the wailing that drew the children in the first place. It spoke into the microphone in a friendly, non-threatening tone. “Are you still here?” The children were curious and unafraid, so they moved towards him. He held up his book and pointed at the words in order to introduce himself. “Hello and I am all colours, Sam”. They asked if he was human and he said no and when asked if he was a ghost he replied, “well, not really but I am in an odd sort of way.” The children asked what he was then and he simply said, “You know.” During their conversation with the entity they learned that although he went by Sam, he didn’t really have a name, he claimed that there were others like him and that he was afraid of humans and that he was a pacifist, refusing to harm others even if they should attack him. He invited them into his hut, where he shared some wildberries and showed them a magic trick, where he placed a berry into his ear and seemingly teleported it to his mask’s eyehole and then to his mouth with quick jerks of his head. They continued to converse for almost an hour before the children decided to leave. Was he an alien in a make-do disguise? An animated scarecrow? A figment of childish imaginations? Or just a strange homeless man dressed like a clown? Whatever the truth, All Colours Sam, also known as the Sandown Ghost Clown, was never seen again. The Crazy Critter of Bald Mountain This weird looking creature was sighted by three people in the week following a fiery object that passed over the Bald Mountain near Newaukum Lake in Washington. When the local Sheriff began an investigation into the sighting he was visited by heavily armed and uniformed men who claimed to be from the Air Force and forced him to give up the case. Old Saybrook Blockheads Mary Starr was awoken in the early morning on December 16, 1957 by a bright light shining into her bedroom. She looked out the window to witness a 30 foot cigar shaped craft hovering over her yard, less than 10 feet from her house! Inside the apparent spaceship she witnessed a pair of small creatures with fleshy skirts and clear cubic “heads” containing a floating red bulb. They raised their right arms and as a third entity appeared in the portholes the ship brightened before shooting off into the sky. Space Brains of Palos Verdes As John Hodges and Pete Rodriguez were leaving a party at two in the morning they were not expecting to meet anything from out of this world but as the car turned on its headlights illuminated two bizarre entities! The men panicked and drove away, ending the story for Rodriguez as he made it home with no complications. However, in Hodges case he next became aware of himself two and a half hours later in the driveway of his home, sitting in the car as if in a trance. Troubled by the missing time, he eventually went for hypnosis in an attempt to recover his memories of the night. While under regression he claimed that while he got his friend home safely, when he returned to his own residence the disembodied brains were waiting for him! He asked them what they wanted and suddenly he was elsewhere, in a dark room with entities that looked like the classic Greys but very tall and with webbed six fingered hands and yellow eyes. They explained that the brains were “merely translators” used in order for these beings to interface telepathically with humans. He claimed they warned him that Earth had “too much power” and showed him a map of the planet covered in lights that indicated places where humans might destroy themselves. They showed him images of dead planets and made several inaccurate prophecies before he suddenly found himself back in his car. Unlike many other abductees with similar experiences Hodges did not try to make excuses for their bunk predictions or feel like it made him important in any way. He simply assumed the aliens were untrustworthy and were playing with him. The Casa Blanca Entities This is one of the strangest and most confusing accounts of a Close Encounter of the Fifth kind, as eight children ranging from the ages of four to fifteen were terrorized by a parade of extraterrestrial monsters one summer day in 1955. It started with an array of UFOs, sun-like, disk-shaped and semi-transparent, appearing and disappearing with musical pings. Then came the entities. First was a ghostly being bearing a shiny belt buckle that was so brilliant it could blind someone looking straight at it. It was followed by disembodied arms in riveted armor that seemed to beckon to the children, small strange men that used dual ray guns to paralyze and finally a many limbed creature. All through this strange arrival something spoke to the children telepathically, offering to take them away. The kids they spoke to often seemed to be entranced, moving to the dancing UFOs mindlessly and required physical force or even being hosed down to snap them out. One child even fell off a roof in an attempt to reach a UFO, only to be protected by a red force field. The weirdest part of all is that not only did adults not see anything, they couldn’t. Despite being present for the event a mother of one of the children was unaware of the paranormal happenings. Does this mean it was all in the children’s heads, as they were overtaken by some kind of playground hysteria? Or is there some alien force that not only wants our children but can make themselves invisible to undesirable observers. The Garson Invaders In 1954 three of these insectoid entities appeared to Canadian miner Ennio La Sarza. Their appearance was already exceptional by the usual standards of reported alien contact but in a particularly striking detail their faces appeared to glow in colours La Sarza had never seen before! The beings asked La Sarza to do something for them but he refused, not only to do it but to even speak of it. It was so awful and “outright apocalyptic” that he even considered asking the RCMP to lock him up in case the creatures he’d met had some way to enforce his cooperation. The Poole Pyramid This multi-hued metallic pyramid appeared in 1965 to seven year old Terrence Druce of Poole in Dorset when he awoke to it hovering over the foot of his bed. He shrieked in terror, waking his younger brother in time for him to also witness it as it faded into thin air. That encounter might have never been recorded if the brothers hadn’t seen it again the very next day, lurking in a parking lot. They said it seemed aware of their presence and turned to watch them but it did not follow them when they decided to flee the scene. Delta Dogs An anonymous woman was driving through a snowstorm on route 07 through Syracuse in January 1958. She came across what at first seemed to be a downed plane but as she approached her engine slowly ran itself down and the car stopped itself. As she desperately tried to restart the car the snowstorm calmed and more details became apparent. Projecting out of the large object she’d thought was a plane crash was a 50 foot illuminated pole. Two strange beings rose up along the pole, floating by it as it started to retract. When the pole finished sinking into the object the creatures disappeared and the craft took off so fast she couldn’t make out where it went. The Electric Serpent of Tacoma This is easily the most unusual sighting of a sea creature that I’ve ever heard of. Seven men camping on the shore of Black Fish Bay in 1893 encountered a sea monster that appeared to be cybernetic, if not entirely biomechanical! Disturbed by a horrible noise and blinding lights the men left their camp to find a huge, hairy walrus-like animal with steaming horns, bands of coppery metal and a revolving propeller-like tail! One of the men approached it to get a better look, only to be struck by an electric blast from its copper bands and fell to the ground as if dead. When one of his friends tried to pull him to safety, he was likewise shocked by the impossible animal. The other men fled into the woods after seeing two of their number seemingly killed and the Electric Serpent seemed to lose interest and swam out into Puget Sound. Once they were sure it was gone the remaining men returned to the beach and were elated to find their friends burned and stunned but still very much alive! So what happened? Was it just one of the sadly common newspaper hoaxes of the time? Or did a bunch of 19th century fishermen find a literal fucking pokemon? You decide! Stickmen The Stickmen are an extremely recent phenomenon, with reports starting within the last 10 years or so. They are described as being stick thin and roughly humanoid, sometimes with bubble heads, glowing eyespots or even top hats. They range in size from human-like to towering in excess of 20 feet. What is most interesting about them is their apparent two dimensionality, sometimes appearing the same no matter what angle they are viewed at and sometimes being able to turn to the side and vanish as though they were never there. They are also frequently reported as being accompanied by a feeling like static electricity and of aggression or hostility. Despite those impressions the Stickmen do not appear to be hostile, instead seeming surprised and immediately retreating from a witness.

[pbandjesse]

We just left the Chris Fleming show. I had such a great time. My face hurts I laughed so much. I am real tired because today was a long day but like. I feel really happy. And we should be home and in bed by 1030 so I'm pretty thrilled with the day.

Sleep last night was hard. But only because it was so stupid windy outside we had to close the windows and that made the room very hot so we were both uncomfy. But when my alarm went off James came and said goodbye and I got myself together for work. We also had some laughs about it being the day after my birthday. And the general joke around Christmas is it's Christmas Adam, then Christmas Eve, then Christmas. So for this whole past week were joking about birthday Adam. Birthday Eve. And so today was birthday Able. Tomorrow will be birthday Cain. Followed by birthday Undertaker. And ending the week with birthday Paul Bearer. We had some major belly laughs with this one.

I had planned on wearing my frog pants but they were more cropped then I had socks to make up for. And I didn't want to wear leggings under them. So I had to pivot. I did really like my outfit in the end but it wasn't what was planned so I was a little rattled for a bit.

But James had made me a bagel and I headed to work with plenty of time.

It was a weird day. Because it was teacher conferences. So we would have a bunch of kids for a half hour at a time. I did a lot of reading, drawing, building with blocks and trains. I honestly had a great time. Though my boots hurt my ankles a little. My blundstones need to be resoled so I'm back to my docs. Which are fine but I can't sit on my feet for any length of time so I may have bruised them. Ouch.

I would draw some of the kids. And talk to my new corowrkers. Who were lovely. But there was no structure today so it was a little exhausting to be on all the time. I did bring some tatting with me and while I was mostly just playing and making rings and taking them apart, it was nice to have something to have in my hands.

We had catering from cafe fili for lunch. I got a falafel. And then it was just a few more hours. Where me and my coworker built a doll house the nursery had gotten but hadnt had time to put together. It didn't take long but was fun. It was a calico critter one so you know it was very nice. And now I want to get one. Maybe this year that's what I'll get into. I just love the detail they put into it. Makes me very happy.

I was getting a bit tired though. I had hoped they would let me leave early. But no such luck.

At 3 they had a staff meeting and so me and one kid were sent to a classroom to make art and listen to JoJo Siwa. And soon it was the last teacher conference. And then James was there to get me.

It was good to see my partner. And after a brief stop at home for me to change into my shiny jumpsuit, we were off.

It was kind of a long drive because it was DC traffic at rush hour. But we had plenty of time. We had a podcast to listen to and when we got to the venue we would take a walk to find dinner. We were going to go to a sit down but then decided they were all to busy and went to five guys instead. Which was perfect honestly.

It was very cold though and my ears hurt. But we got back to the venue at the perfect time. We got a seat not to close to the front but perfect. And this show may have sold out with 900 seats in the theater. Good for Chris. I was very excited.

And it was a lot of fun. I loved people watching while we waited for the show. So many good outfits. And then Chris Fleming finally came on stage and I just felt so seen. Talk about Tumblr, never being cast, not knowing where the states are, the vibes. I learned about him from Tumblr and while he's a little older then me I have felt over time I have been growing with his work. And it was just so great to see him in person. On this, my birthday able.

He got in the crowd and let someone tell him a story and she was hilarious and took us all out at the end. And then he did a song and I loved that. He always uses multi media stuff, pictures and illustrative things. But I was worried he wouldnt so a song. But he did. It was about gerbles costing the same as raspberries. Perfect way to end the night.

My face hurt. But in the best way. And we got back to the car in one piece. James said they had fun too and I'm just so thankful for having a partner that would make this happen for me. And now we are on our way home. I am looking forward to being in in bed. We both work at the museum tomorrow. And there is much to do.

But for now I thank you for any birthday wishes you sent. I love you all. Goodnight!

[detectivedreameater]

Off The Record || Metzli and Marley

TIMING: Current PARTIES: @deathisanartmetzli and @detectivedreameater SUMMARY: After a very expensive painting is stolen from Metzli’s gallery, they run head first into the perfect person to help them. Marley’s ready to get back into the game. CONTENT: Blood, Death, A fuckton of sarcasm

The key slid into the lock with a satisfying click, and Metzli made their way to their office to shut off the security system. Everything was in order, everything was in its place. As the air conditioning blew on their face, they grabbed their clipboard, and began their daily ritual. Everything had to be perfect before the curator could open the gallery in 15 minutes. 

Making their rounds around the gallery, something was definitely amiss. Section one, check. Section 2, check. Section 3, che—wait a minute. The print out with their fresh check marks must be in error. No, there’s no way Metzli would have made a mistake like that. Upon further inspection, they discovered the Murakami painting they acquired two weeks ago, was gone. “No! No, no, no!” They exclaimed and began to pace angrily. 

From the outside, people could see Metzli yelling expletives, but they didn’t care. All that mattered right now was finding the culprit and tearing them apart. How did they get through their security anyway? No, focus. Track. Charging furiously outside, there was plenty of cloud cover thanks to the snow to spare them any pain. Blinded by their mission, they ran into something, no, someone. 

Today was routine. No, really, it had been, up until someone had run headlong into Marley, sending her stumbling back a few inches in the crusty snow that had hardened on the sidewalk. She hadn’t really been paying attention to where she was walking, so maybe this was her fault, but she’d had other things on her mind. Namely, Erin. And also that place that her mind kept going back to, with the man and the water and the tree. 

She’d been so out of it, she hadn’t even realized she wasn’t wearing her sunglasses. The cloud cover made it enough so that she didn’t feel sluggish or heavy in the afternoon light, but looking up, she found herself blinded for a moment by the glare of sunbeams off of snow drifts. She squinted through it, towards the person they’d plowed into (pun intended) and ruffled her brows. “Slow down there, speedracer,” she grumbled, rubbing her shoulder where they’d collided. “Got somewhere to be?”

Sputtering nonsense for a few moments, it took Metzli everything they had to calm down. Their curly black mane was disheveled from the impact and it took a hand brushing through to set it back in its perfect place. “Yes, I have somewhere to be! One of my most expensive paintings was stolen!” Any attempt to keep cool was out the window and continued to pull their hair in frustration. 

Many more expletives were shouted as they gathered themselves together and they took a deep, unnecessary breath. Metzli already had their plate full and now they had to pretend to be polite. Great. “Apologies. The painting is one of a kind by Murakami. So…I’m quite frazzled at the moment.” This time their tone was much more put together and sounded like they were actually sane. 

Marley watched with a bored expression, groaning only a little bit internally when it was announced that something had been stolen. And she, as a cop, had a “duty” or whatever. She rustled through her pockets for a moment and picked out her sunglasses, sliding them onto her face as the person in front of her fussed, rather anxiously, with their hair. “Careful,” she said, speaking in her normal deadpan, “you don’t wanna ruin that perfect head of yours.” She couldn’t help but chuckle at the back track, stuffing her hands in her pockets once again. “You don’t have to apologize to me. In fact, I’m probably the best person you could’ve run smack dab into.” She held out her hand, and in it was a business card. “Marley Stryder, Detective.” 

She hadn’t wanted to work on an off day, but, hey, duty call or whatever. And a missing painting was much more exciting than the five or so cases that had crossed her desk today about public defacing and noise complaints. Sometimes, on low weeks, White Crest was more boring than Albany. “So, you wanna slow down and tell me what happened? I think I might be able to help.”

With widened eyes, Metzli took the business card, analyzing its legitimacy. Lo and behold, it truly was legit. “Marley Stryder, I’m Metzli Bernal,” Their tone now was a stark contrast to their earlier more frantic one. It was a total one-eighty. The dull and cold tone Marley had did wonders on their little episode. 

“I opened maybe fifteen minutes and during my routine checklist, I noticed the Murakami was missing. No security trips, no tapes, and now a 1.8 million dollar painting is just gone!” Metzli was getting worked up again. “I’ll rip apart whoever did this!” Running a hand through their hair once more, they forced air out. “I’m cool, I’m cool. Sorry. This doesn’t happen to me. It’s never happened to me.” There was a certain layer of defeat that coated the last sentence. They felt bested, and that wasn’t a feeling they were familiar with or liked. 

Tilting her head as the other person examined her card, Marley waited. She could be patient when needed. It wasn’t like she had anything to do today, really, besides muse on her own misgivings and what she was supposed to do about it all now. “Nice to meet ya, Metzli Bernal.” She tapped the card. “You can keep that.” A glance around the street showed Marley that it was that time of the afternoon where people slid into lazy comas, waiting for time to breech into evening. Aside from dusk, when eyes went from dull to red, it was her favorite time of the day. 

“Alright, why don’t you show me the gallery and where the missing painting was hung up,” she offered, pointing down the street from the direction they had come from. “Maybe I can see something you didn’t. And, hey, if we happen to find them, say, before the rest of the squad arrives, I’ll give you a go at ‘em.” Especially because this sounded like something supernatural, and Marley wasn’t interested in coming up with a lie today. “Today’s your lucky day-- I’m the best on the force at finding missing things.” 

A smile slowly formed on Metzli’s face. Marley had already proven to be not only a strong ally, but a fun one at that, in a short amount of time. “You’re not a typical detective, are you?” They asked, already knowing the answer. Without saying anything more, the vampire moved back into the gallery, holding the door for Marley. 

“The painting was taken from the area over there,” Metzli pointed as they walked. “If you’re the best, I will be forever grateful. Will this reach the news? I don’t think Murakami would be pleased to find out that his painting was stolen, even if it was recovered.” If it were up to them, no one but the two of them would know about this. They would eliminate the culprit and take the painting back. No loose ends, no breaking news. 

“Depends on what you consider typical,” Marley answered evenly, following the other person back towards the gallery. It looked fairly new, Marley certainly didn’t remember it ever existing on her nightly rounds of the city. She didn’t mind new places, though, and she certainly didn’t mind new cases, as long as they were interesting. It was a little sad that her most interesting case right now was an art theft. She’d take what she could get. She followed Metzli’s instructions and headed over to the spot where the painting had previously been hanging up. The only clue that anything was missing was the empty gap in the wall space between two other pieces. Marley traced her hand along the way, but it felt as smooth and cool as she expected it to. Nothing had touched it. “Any flickering lights or weird, unexplained events before this?” she asked, bending down to look at the space beneath the painting. No trace of anything on the ground, either. 

“Besides some annoying ass ravens that kept following me everywhere? No. Those pendejos were taken care of a while ago. Yesterday was no different from the others either.” Metzli answered confidently. Being able to sense danger and take care of it was in their nature. This had to be a filthy, good for nothing human.

Metzli scowled at the spot where the painting once hung, grinding their teeth together in anger. “If you’re thinking it was an abnormal thing, I doubt it. It smells…too human,” They admitted, thinking out loud so that the two could collaborate together. “Don’t know why an abnormal entity would want such a human thing. The only thing it’s worth is money in most people’s eyes. Then again, they need money too.”

“Ravens?” Marley asked, standing back up and glancing around once more. “Just normal ones or--” she lifted her hands for air quotes-- “ravens.” There were quite a few supernatural species’ that it could be, if it were ravens, but Marley wasn't’ versed in the more critter-like beings. But corvids were her favorite type of bird, so she knew enough about them and the ones that shared the same world as her. A brow rose. “Smells human?” There were a few species that could smell well, vampire and werewolf among them. Marley wasn’t exactly excited to have to deal with a moody maneater, though, if that was the case.

“Not sure a human could’ve walked in here in broad daylight and not leave behind a trace,” she pointed out. “Could’ve been motivated personally. Maybe they really like the piece, or maybe they just really don’t like you. Made any enemies in town yet?”

Metzli quirked their head in curiosity. Marley definitely smelled off, but they couldn’t quite place what species she was yet. “Valravyns. Wouldn’t get off my ass for weeks.” They answered truthfully. “Took a bit of research but I finally figured out what they were and got rid of ‘em.” Shoulders rose and fell in a shrug, dismissing the event as if it were a typical thing. 

“Haven’t made very many enemies yet. Give me a few more months though. I’ve kept to myself for the most part. You’d be surprised how well prepared these humans can be in this place. Especially since they’re surrounded.” Metzli didn’t particularly care for humans, but they especially didn’t care for human art criminals. And with such a prestigious piece of work on the line, they were ready to kill. 

“I’m assuming they did this in the middle of the night. But what do I know? You’re the detective.”

“Valravyns? You had valravyns on you?” Marley asked, a bit surprised. She hadn’t encountered too many of them in White Crest, but it wasn’t that rare, really. It wasn’t them, though, then. Valravyns had no need for a painting. She didn’t have her duster with her, but that might not be necessary. She held out her hand. “Get me some tape,” she demanded, “clear, if you have it.” There were other ways to dust for fingerprints, and find the proof she was looking for. If nothing showed up, it was likely supernatural. 

“Where are all the doors? That’s the front entrance, is there a backdoor? If they picked the lock, which they must’ve if no alarms went off, I’ll be able to tell.” And if it was a human, it’d be easy enough to tell. 

“Yes, the cretins ruined a bit of my business, but they’re no longer an issue. Must’ve eaten a body I ate first.” They thought aloud, and mentally shrugged. “Okay, your majesty, I’ll get that for you.” Metzli mocked a little, showing the side that disliked authority and being commanded. 

Due to the activities necessary to run an art gallery and be a curator, they were prepared and retrieved clear, artist grade tape for Marley.

Watching as she worked, they answered, “Front entrance, back entrance, and a large delivery door. But that one only has a lock on the inside.” Metzli appreciated the transparency of Marley’s investigation. Her thinking out loud helped them put everything together alongside her. Piecing everything together fueled their anger and they growled. “Will you actually let me get a piece of them before contacting your friends? Or can I actually take the trash out? That’s what I’m used to doing.”

It was becoming increasingly clear what kind of person Metzli was. Marley used to be that way, she supposed. Cold, closed off, angry with and at humans. Maybe she still was like that, some days. If a human knew what she was, what she did, they would hate her, call her a monster. And maybe she was, and maybe she’d been leaning into that for a while now, but it still hurt, sometimes. Here they were, the two of them, so human looking, but probably so far from it. She peeled the tape away and stuck it to the wall near where the edge of the painting would have been, then did it with a few more pieces, lining them up on the edge of a stand before examining each one in turn. “There’s definitely prints here,” she said, “human. Let’s check the front and back doors, see if anything matches.” 

She paused at Metzli’s last questions. Marley hadn’t killed anyone in a while, and this was a case that the police could actually get their grubby hands on and punish the culprit. But what good had they been to her lately? Through broken ribs and interdimensional portals and a crushed skull, they had told her she couldn’t be the detective she used to be. Marley stood up and brushed the front of her jacket off. “Friends? Oh, I don’t have any friends at the precinct. Obviously, you happened to find the culprit before I did. Maybe I wasn’t even here,” she shrugged, “maybe justice took it upon itself to deal with this.”

Marley was quickly becoming a character that Metzli liked. A cop that was not only supernatural, but absolutely willing to throw away the rule book. Good. Rules were meant to be broken anyway. Or so the vampire believed. They caught on easily to what Marley was implying and appreciated her offer. “Justice is funny that way. Coming and going at the most opportune times. I do like your style, Marley.” They smiled wickedly and began walking back towards the back entrance. “I doubt they used the front to break in. Too much foot and car traffic to be discreet. Let’s check back here.”

Expensive shoes clacked on the white tile floor, and hands were clasped behind their back. Anger still brewed within, but with a plan and distinct goal, Metzli’s anger was much more structured. Vampiric hands would rip apart the criminals and they’d retrieve the artwork, and maybe they’d have a friend to join in on the fun. “When we catch this imbecile, or even imbeciles, will you be partaking in the justice?” They asked rather excitedly. Killing alongside someone was something they actually missed about being in a clan. The teamwork could and would always get fun.

Marley followed Metzli towards the back door, holding onto the tape as she did, stopping at the door and wrapping a few pieces around it to try and lift some more prints. As she worked, she was relatively quiet, listening to what her companion was saying. She was still uncertain of Metzli’s species, but she supposed it was something that preyed on humans. They all sort of did, didn’t they? That’s what made them monsters. She pulled the tape away and found more prints. “Looks like your human theory is panning out.” She held the tape up before depositing it on the stand next to her. She pulled the door open and checked around the outside, examining the ground, the wall, the space in the alley. 

A smile spread across her own lips as she stood up. It was never the hunt that excited her, but the chase. In that way, she supposed, perhaps they’d make a good team. The hunter and the killer. She glanced back at Metzli. “Depends, I suppose,” she shrugged, “I can probably get what I need from them without bloodshed. I’ll save that part for you.” She supposed just finding them might even provide her enough fear to feed from. She pointed down the alley. “Footprints, leading this way. You good?”

Having their theory proven correct seemed like it was a given to them. Of course it was correct. They’d lived long enough to know, to smell when an event was done by a human. “Figured as much. Though it’s nice to have it confirmed by a professional such as you.” Metzli said politely, and with no indication of the thoughts they carried internally. Pleasantries needed to continue if Marley was going to help them. That and she seemed like genuine fun. Fun people deserve pleasantries. At least the people they deemed fun. 

“Blood will be all mine if that’s the case. Preferred too. It tastes best when the feeding is full of vengeance. I’ll leave the chase to you and reap the reward. But by the sounds of it, we’ll both benefit from this.” They peered down the direction Marley pointed and nodded. “I’m good. Getting excited, actually. The fun part starts now it seems.” 

Metzli could smell them now. They could smell the trail growing stronger, the scent matching exactly what was in the gallery. “You’re right. Let’s head down this way. Can’t stay too long in the sun though. I try not to do it for more than twenty minutes.” It wasn’t likely that they’d stay out very long, but they wanted to be on the safe side. Watching enough crime shows, Metzli figured they’d find some sort of tire tracks from the getaway vehicle.

“Oh, you’re so very welcome,” Marley deadpanned, “I live to validate others.” She adjusted her sunglasses before they headed out into the sunlight, feeling it drag on her once again, longing for the shadows that clung too close to the walls. The mention of sunlight and blood clicked it together in Marley’s brain-- Metzli was a vampire. That checked out. They had the brooding, grumpy facade down. She wondered what might lie beneath that, or if they still had that shiny, fun thing called a soul. She’d met enough vampires-- soulless and not-- in her life to not care much either way for them. They were the lucky ones, after all-- they’d been human once before. They understood what they lost. Marley had never been human, only forced to pretend to be. She would never know what that felt like.

“Don’t worry,” she tapped the side of her head, “nothing escapes my eyes.” Even in the shadows, her vision was perfect. The steps led not to a car, but an old abandoned building. A warehouse. Marley peered through one of the broken windows and found a truck inside. It was loaded with more than just the painting. “Smugglers,” she announced quietly, pointing inside. “Looks like you’ll get your meal and dessert, if you want it.”

Metzli couldn’t help but laugh at Marley’s sarcasm. She was a total delight, and they enjoyed her personality greatly. “God, you’re a lot of fun. After this, I think I’ll buy you some drinks if you’re up for it.” They offered, fully meaning every word. People like Marley weren’t easy to find, and if they could befriend her, they felt like they could make their life that much more exciting. “If more people were like you, this place would be better and I’d probably have more friends.”

It was true, they firmly that. The compliment was rare in that it was genuine and honest. “Son of a bitch.” Metzli peered inside, needing to look away before they lost whatever composure they had collected. “What do you get out of these humans anyway, if not the blood or meat?” They asked, wanting to focus on something else now. The urge to explode was too great to think about what was inside the warehouse. 

Avoiding the subject was no use, though. And they began to fume internally. Smugglers. Fucking smugglers bested them! Not for long though. Metzli was sure they’d get the last laugh. They were going to savor every drop.

At that, Marley had to smirk. A rare display of emotion crossing her face. It wasn’t that she tried to seem so blase and deadpanned, but she couldn’t really help it at this point, it was just how she was. Except around certain people. She used to savor the thought of killing, especially those who thought they could get away with abusing their power. Smugglers weren’t exactly in her repertoire, but there was a sheen about this one that made Marley almost able to feel the smuggness. If they weren’t careful, they’d expose a side of this town no one wanted to know about. Therefore, they needed to be stopped.

“Wanna watch and find out?” she grinned, maliciously, before removing her sunglasses and pulling the door open. The shadows were her home and she nearly faded into them, wishing it were darker, even. Nighttime was her home, but these would do for now.

The clack of her boots alerted one man. She didn’t have the ability to sense or smell which one was the painting smuggler, but she didn’t really care. All he had to do was look into her eyes as she smiled and waved and he crumpled to the ground. It was nice to be back, she supposed. She hadn’t been able to drop someone like this in months. His fear tasted like salty candy and she liked her lips. The man in the car hopped out, fumbling for his weapon. “Oh, good,” she said, standing up straight, hovering over the screaming man, “seconds.”

Watching Marley work was like watching a beautiful live art piece. A personal show just for Metzli to marvel in. The men dropped like flies, a striking show of her power that made their mouth hang slightly open. As thoughts raced in their mind, they tried to figure out just what Marley was until they put it together. A Mara. A sweet, dangerous, and efficient Mara. It took a few moments, but they gathered themselves enough to remove their suit jacket and dress shirt so they they wouldn’t get blood on them. Pants and binders were easy enough to replace. Suit jackets were the expensive part. 

Leaping forward, Metzli’s face contorted to bare their now showing fangs. A predatory show of power and the fate that was to befall the criminals. Screams bellowed from their first victim. Blood gushed as they tore through arteries and consumed, quickly leaping onto the next victim. “You really know how to put on a show.” They said with bloodied lips. Making a mess didn’t matter, not right now. Not when scum was being taken care of and no one would miss them. 

“Who knew a mara and a vampire could work so well together?” Another bite into a man, who’s groans were fading into nothingness.

Marley stepped back, sliding her glasses back on, as she allowed Metzli to partake in her prize. Honestly, she wished it had been harder, but humans were often careless, and with a bloodhound vampire on her side, finding them had been easy. She stuffed her hands in her pockets as she watched the bloodshed and wondered if she should feel bad. What would Erin think of her? They were criminals, though, and they needed to be stopped. It stood to reason that they were probably even part of a larger ring, but she could worry about that later. Maybe it would even lead her to a supernatural body sitting at the top, extorting humans and human objects to make money in a town that already took so much from others. She frowned.

“I’m nothing if not dramatic,” she said, raising a brow. Where she was quiet and restrained, barely lifting a finger to drop her prey, Metzli was messy and efficient, reveling in their kill. Marley admired it, a little. A mara could not sip blood from a body, but stealing breath was just as tantalizing. “Must be our collective appreciation of the night,” she went on, coming over to the dead body Metzli was still drinking from. She prodded him with her foot. “Guess they got their comeuppance, huh? Feel better? Bet your paintings right here in the back.”

Both hunger and the thirst for vengeance had been sated. Getting rid of the bodies would come later, as Metzli knew the warehouse was clearly abandoned. Cleanup could easily be done under the cover of the night. “Presentation and drama  has always mattered to me, so I appreciate your showmanship. Much cleaner than mine, but I like to represent brutal strength. It’s messy, but fun.” Blood covered lips smiled, finally done feeding. Their lips were then promptly wiped by the back of Metzli’s arm. “I feel almost euphoric, thank you.”

Taking a moment, they took in a big gulf of air and practically ripped open the big crate they smelled the painting in. Metzli eyed the box, noticing they were just about ready to ship everything. “We got here right on time. Looks like they were packing everything to ship. Probably a much bigger organization. Art theft is common thanks to the money in it.” The painting was surrounded by packing materials to prevent any wear and tear, but it was all the wrong materials. “Fucking idiots,” Metzli spat angrily, splintering the wood underneath their hands. “What now, anyway?” They decided to distract themselves with whatever Marley had to say for now. 

“Hence why you’re an artists, huh?” Marley chuckled. Sometimes people were pretty transparent, and she didn’t mind that. While mystery intrigued Marley, sometimes she didn’t mind having the answers presented to her. Sometimes it was a relief not to have to psycho-analyze everyone and everything, even if her brain never shut off about it. She took in a deep breath, almost sighing when the fear in the air dissipated, signaling the death of both men. She was almost disappointed but it was a satisfying snack and she could grab a real meal later, under the cover of dark. “Brutal strength is something to display. I prefer the more...subtle method.” 

She strolled over behind Metzli as they tore into the truck, and the crate that held their prized possession. The Murakami painting. Admittedly, Marley had no idea who that was. Art wasn’t much of an interest of hers, but she could appreciate it all the same. “Not damaged, is it?” she asked, tilting her head. “Don’t think I have enough to compensate for that if it is.” She rolled the idea around in her head. “Well...I doubt anyone’s coming back here. When the shipment doesn’t show up, whoever was expecting it is likely to come looking. So we can do one of two things--” she lifted her hand, two fingers raised. “Clean up this mess and leave them wonder what happened. Oooorr--” she drew out the word, a wicked smile curling up her lips-- “we come back and wait for them to find the mess. Take a real meal.” And maybe she was a little excited to have someone gawk at her abilities again. It wasn’t every day you got to watch someone suffocate on air.

Marley was intriguing Metzli in all the right ways. She had not only gotten them a large meal, but helped them locate the painting. For once, they wanted to make sure someone was repaid appropriately. “Subtle is a valid route. And no, no damage done. There would have been though. The idiots don’t know how to properly package shit.” Hands waved to the packing nuts they used, the only thing they used. It was an insult to any artist of notoriety. 

Fingers tapped as thoughts swirled in Metzli’s head. Both options were great, amazing even. “God, you’re so full of good ideas. I like the meal option. We can even prepare to cater to us, and maybe get you that fear you actually want.” Working with someone was out of character, but Marley made it hard to pass up the opportunity. She was just too fun and so powerful. Things that Metzli could actually admire in a person, and they had no problem admitting that to her. “What do you say we do that, and with my gallery so close, I’ll keep an eye on the place. Keep you updated. We do make one hell of a team. Deal?” Their hand extended, ready to shake Marley’s. It was a really good idea, one that both of them can get behind happily.  

“Good,” Marley nodded, even if she hadn’t actually planned to compensate for anything. It wasn’t her job to do that, but it had felt nice to actually have done some part of her job. She missed it, fuck, she missed it. But until her seizures were under control, the Captain still wasn’t letting her into the field. Yet she’d done this perfectly fine, even caught the culprits and was planning on coming back to finish the job. She ruffled her brows. “Better get that back to your gallery, before someone else shows up. Maybe get some better security, too.” 

She waited patiently for Metzli’s answer, pleased at the idea that they thought so highly of her. “Deal,” she answered, without hesitation, reaching out to take their hand. It was cold, and even if she’d expected it, it was still strange to feel. People were usually warm, even she was warm. But she gave them a firm handshake before nodding at them. “You keep an eye out and just gimme a call when you see something, yeah? I can be there in a jiffy. I always feel much better at night. Don’t you?”

Metzli let out a laugh, enjoying Marley’s input to the conversation. She seemed like she had just as much fun as they did, and were excited to do it again. “Yes, I do. Thank you again, Marley. I’ll be seeing you soon for a night of fun.” Picking up their clothes after wiping their hands on the gentleman’s clothes, Metzli made their way back to the gallery, but before doing so, they stopped at the warehouse entrance. “You really are a creature to marvel at. I’m looking forward to watching your little show again.” With that, they disappeared into the alleyway. 

[noordledoordle]

“There are fundamental things about ourselves that we know to be true. It's important to remember those things when you find yourself in a tough situation, or you need to make a decision from the heart, but it's equally important to know that you can surprise yourself, too...”

Novel-sized post under the cut:

I don’t say much on my art posts or on Tumblr in general, but as we’re in the home stretch before SU leaves forever, I thought I’d leave a bit of commentary for the five people who may happen across this.

I started watching the original series a couple weeks after Friend Ship aired in 2015, mostly because I love MST3K’s Joel Hodgson and heard he was playing Mayor Dewey. I know it’s a common refrain that you have to sort of “endure” SU up to Mirror Gem, but that was not the case for me. The kookiness, the gentle nature of the characters, the overarching mystery of the setting - SU had me hooked right off the bat.

I loved all the characters (and I still love all the characters! Even if Ronaldo is best left as a background role and Resident Plot Oracle), but I was especially fascinated by Steven. Outwardly, he was as laid-back as his dad, and seemingly took a lot of stuff in stride, even his odd living situation. And every time a Big Reveal happened that re-contextualized the episodes prior, he would react a little bit in the moment, but never too much. Like clockwork, this pattern kept repeating itself. He would continually focus outward on the immediate problem or person in front of him, and get deeply emotional for their issues instead of his own. He’d also get emotional for surface-issue things, like Cookie Cats and snakes.

I found that odd. And intriguing. At first I figured it was just a narrative device since he was the MC and my window into the world of SU, but it happened so often that I finally got suspicious. What was it going to take for this kid to really express himself? He was so good at getting others to open up, why couldn’t he do it, too? Yes, he had times and even a couple episodes where he’d tip his hand for a bit and show something deeper, but they were oh-so-fleeting.

As I started watching the remaining S2 and S3 episodes as they came out, this pattern kept up. The layers of the world and its characters slowly unwrapped, but Steven stubbornly kept to himself and was mostly content to point the audience away from him. (Not a bad thing, narratively, as the stuff with Peridot and the latter half of S3 were wild rides!) Back then, I felt pretty alone in giving a shit about him as a character when it seemed a lot of others didn’t, but, dammit, he was my favorite little mystery regardless and I just hoped his reticence was going somewhere, especially as the show’s stakes got higher and higher.

Sweet, sweet vindication came when Mindful Education aired. The second he started giving terrible advice to Connie, I knew we were finally due to for a good look into his brain. And then came the butterfly on the sword, and well, everything else. Yeah, he’d dropped enough breadcrumbs prior to Mindful Education implying he was proper fucked up about his identity, but this was a whole loaf of fresh French bread. It was now clear beyond any shadow of a doubt that Steven was bottling up the majority of his issues and probably had been from the start.

I mean, damn, the Pink Diamond reveal? Amethyst couldn’t drag more than a couple grumpy lines out of him over pizza, and like most things Rose related, was more about his feelings towards her than what that meant for him. When he flipped out at a hologram of his mom or cried for his dad, his family wasn’t present to hear his inner thoughts. Regardless, after CYM happened and he’d resolved his identity crisis, I was content enough that they’d acknowledged his constant deflection and almost tyrannical need to help others as character flaws and would have been fine with what we got as an ending. Still, there was a lot about Steven that had been left unsaid, and I was excited to see was S6 was gonna be about...

And then the movie and SUF came along, and I swear to God I don’t even know what to do with all this vindication. Rebecca Sugar may as well have beamed into my living room and screamed “LOOK HERE ARE 20 EPISODES OF CONTENT TAILOR-MADE JUST FOR YOU.” Finally, they’re really unwrapping the mystery of our main character. They’re tearing him apart right down to the core of tragic nougat at the center of his being.

So, anyway, here we are at the lowest point of Steven’s long story. He’s burned King’s Landing. He’s crossed the Rubicon. My son, my boy, has shut out everyone he loves and has an honest-to-goodness kill count, and it can’t be justified by saying he was backed into a corner or that he was fighting to protect someone. He didn’t mean to shatter Jasper, but it’s clear he meant to hurt her.

I was always adamant that he’d never shatter anyone, but now that he has, I get why.

Steven is all about that duality. He’s human and Gem, burdened with Special Magical Destiny yet supposedly free to choose his own human path. The closer he gets to discovering his future, the deeper he has to dig into the past. He’s a cute little critter who can quietly drool on himself while napping on a road trip and also an angry teenager frustrated over a life he never had. He’s trapped between reality and facade - all those healing Rose-style powers he worked so hard to get in the original series were a cover for something older, more ancient, more destructive. And, most pertinent to Fragments - he adores soft things like romance and weddings, yet also values tough things like strength and power.

And he’s having trouble walking the tightrope between all these contradictions. When it comes to power, for example, he loves gaining new powers in order to feel useful to his family, but, in fights where he isn’t pink, he’ll always stop just short of using them to their fullest and stay on the defensive as long as he can possibly get away with it. He’ll even apologize or warn his opponent if he tries to do something big. He’ll nearly always fall on the side of softness over power, but the power is still very much there, if unused. And even up to this last episode, he’d always stop just short of going full feral even when he was pink. Part of this is because Steven is a good kiddo at heart, but also afraid of what he can do to someone unchecked.

And now, here at a bad point in Steven’s life when he’s loaded up with PTSD and cut off from his usual support, Jasper (who is also...going through some things) gives him permission to indulge in the sort of thing he’s avoided since that day he summoned a shield with an ice cream bar. She tells him to not hide a part of himself, so for just this fucking once, he lets go. The ecstasy of battle overtakes him. He doesn’t tap into the soft, rounded Rose-style powerset for even a second. No bubbles, no shield, just that raw diamond geometry. And when he gets to the moment of the KO, there’s no stopping, no break to talk things out, no “yo watch out!” He even pins her down to make damn sure she can’t get away. It’s a surprising facet of Steven we have never seen, but it’s still absolutely him, just another one of those parts he squirrels away out of view. He didn’t need that “training” at all... it was always there.

When he told Jasper he’d been holding back, he meant it. He’s been holding back for years, in so many ways.

[perfectly-princely-emo-nightmare]

So I’ve mentioned the Garden Au in my last two drawings and I feel as though I should expand.

So here’s a character list!

Roman — Monarch Butterfly:

Born in a researches back yard as a tiny green larva. Never knew his mother.

Met Remus an hour after he hatched and because neither of them know their moms, decided they were brothers.

Gathers milkweed for the local monarch community.

Has always dreamed of traveling but can’t leave the garden/won’t leave his brother

The himboest of himbos, has flown into multiple windows

His flock was an experiment on chrysalis and the habits of monarchs

The only one actually supposed to be in the garden

Remus — Ringed octopus

Now you may be wondering, what’s an octopus doing in someone’s backyard? And why isn’t he the same species as Roman?

Because an octopus somehow being in a backyard pond where it definitely isn’t supposed to be radiates Remus energy that’s why

The researcher had brought in an octopus without realizing that she had a baby.

Baby fell out of the tank and into the backyard pond.

When he woke up he started crying, which is when Larva Roman found him.

When Roman went into Crysalis, Remus was alone for months. He ended up becoming friends with some other creatures who Roman definitely doesn’t approve of.

Virgil — Southern Black Widow Spider

One of Remus’ “dangerous” friends

Roman doesn’t approve because spiders eat bugs! Including butterflies!

Virgil won’t eat butterflies because “bright color = poison”.

It’s not until they realize that they aren’t going to kill each other that they become friends

Met Remus after he fell out of his web into the pond and Remus saved him from drowning

Has no other family so he’s very protective

Remus likes watching him web up flies

Incredibly territorial. Mainly because the other spiders are v destructive

Can you tell I don’t like spiders

Janus — Rainbow Boa Constrictor

So you know how a bunch of Boas ended up in Florida because they kept being dumped in the Everglades after people didn’t want them anymore? Janus is one of those snakes.

Doesn’t like humans after the last one dumped him in front of an alligator

Bonded with Remus immediately because neither of them are where they are supposed to be

Almost ate Virgil out of desperation until he noticed that Virgil is very very venomous.

Their relationship is symbiotic. Virgil helps catch mice and crickets. Janus offers protection.

Finds Remus’ “brother” to be annoying and too colorful. Tolerates him at most

But he has an eye out for a particular slimy critter (maybe two slimy critters)

Patton — Green Tree Frog

This is Janus’ and Remus’ crush. He’s amphibious so best of both worlds!

Acts as a messenger for the backyard critters, warning them of danger and updating them with news.

His staff is a stick with a crystal on top. The crystal seems to have some kind of power. After all, a frog can’t possibly be that fast right?

Has known the brothers since childhood. Baby Remus met him when he was just a lil tadpole. Remus was happy to have a swimming buddy that wasn’t scared of him.

Roman was just happy to have a friend that wasn’t totally insane.

Has many many many siblings. They are also messengers.

They are constantly on the lookout for a certain foe

Logan — Great Blue Heron

That’s right, Logan is the antagonist

Owned and trained by the researcher

Keeps test animals inside and backyard animals outside.

Also keeps an eye out for critters that aren’t supposed to be in the yard

Aka Remus and Janus

Widely disliked by the ecosystem

I was going to make him a raven but there are none in Florida so the more you know

Remus’ competitor as he often fishes in the pond

Asexual and Aromantic

Never knew his family or any other animals so he doesn’t understand feelings or empathy. Ended up numb to his own emotions.

Disliked and distrusted by everyone because of who he works for

Don’t worry he gets redeemed

The Researcher

Primary Villian

Owns a massive house with a massive backyard.

Has dedicated his life to researching animals

Started innocently enough but he ended up losing something he loved and then turned to insanity

His work went from research to experiments as he was determined to discover everything there is to know about Floridian animals

His experiments are downright cruel and disturbing but he is good at keeping it secret from his assistant

The Garden creatures (which I’m now calling the Gardeners) don’t trust him and are terrified of him, but most of them were born there and can’t exactly leave due to a certain Heron.

Roman can’t leave bc he’s part of an experiment, Remus won’t leave his brother, Janus has no other home, Patton was born there, and Virgil has no other family

Older fellow so he hired an assistant to take care of his garden

Thomas — the assistant/gardener

Kind man, adores all creatures wholeheartedly.

Works part time for the Researcher and takes care of his creatures and his garden

Doesn’t realize how real and human these creatures are

Basically, humans see them as animals, but the animals see each other like people

Remember Patton’s crystal?

Thomas finds it and ends up becoming the kids from “Grounded”.

Aka, shrunk down to the size of an ant

That’s my plot line and I’m sticking to it