#she'll return his affection one day i promise

[the-raindeer-king]

(A/N: prt 3 of Mama Riley! One use of pronouns but it's nothing too gendered. Ignore any spelling error. I wrote part of this half asleep.)

Silence stretches out between you and Mama Riley. She's dropped an absolute bombshell of information so casually, as if it was like talking about the weather. And she's so confident in her statement, leaving no room for argument.

You're not entirely sure how to respond. But you manage to squeak out, “Is that so?” which is such a bad response. You can't help but cringe at yourself.

It makes Mama Riley laugh though. She really does like you. You're a firecracker, in her opinion, and she thinks you'd be good for Simon. But she promises that if you don't want to date him, that's okay. You two were friends before Simon caught feelings, and she won't let anything change that. She tells you to at least consider it.

You spend the next week considering it. Looking back over your interactions with Simon, knowing how he feels, it feels almost obvious. He's tense around you because he likes you. He keeps bringing you gifts and remembering your favorite drink because he likes you.

But where do your own feelings lie? You hated him in the beginning, and gradually warmed up to the mountain of a man. But do you have feelings for him? The thought process makes your head spin, and there's a weird feeling in your chest. The question is no closer to being answered.

Not until he returns from deployment. He's got a new scar on his ear, and there's a limp in his walk. Caught a knife in the side, just barely missed anything important, he informs you and his mum. And your heart clenches at the thought.

Before you can really think about it, you're scolding him for being so casual about being injured. He's got people who care about him, he can't be so flippant about these things. He has a reason to come home, so he needs to act like it. If not for his own sake, then for you and his mom.

Despite the fact that you're chewing him out, there's this tender look on his face, affection in his eyes. He quietly huffs out a ‘yes ma'am/sir’, and the warmth in his eyes is reflected by the warmth growing on your cheeks.

There's a pause, something heavy in the air. Simon opens his mouth, ready to say something, but the moment is broken when Mama Riley comes bustling into the living room, dinner plates in hand. Her eyes dart between the two of you for a moment, a knowing smile on her face. But she doesn't comment on anything, just passes out dinner and settles down on the loveseat.

Over the next few weeks, you and Simon have a lot of tense moments, ready to finally admit your feelings to each other. But each time is ruined by some interruption. Mama Riley interrupts, your phone rings. Once, the kids down the hall came running past, shrieking about the upcoming snowfall.

Poor Simon is trying not to totally lose it. This is the closest he's gotten to admitting his feelings, to have you finally, and every time something interrupts you. He doesn't want to mess this up. It needs to be perfect because, in his head, that's what you deserve, that's how he's going to win you over. Unbeknownst to Simon, he's already won your heart. He just needs to ask you out.

Once again, it's Mama Riley to the rescue. You three have a tradition: the days leading up to Simon's next deployment, you all spend the night at Mama Riley's flat together. Now, Simon's on leave for the next few weeks, but she can't bear to watch the two of you struggle like this.

So she invites you both over, insisting that it'll be nice to have you both over for something fun instead of sad. And then she conveniently remembers that she's got a book club tonight, and she leaves, telling you two to get comfy, watch a movie. She'll be back.

Now's a better time than never, especially since Mama Riley's practically given you the chance. She's gone all of two seconds, before you whip your attention onto Simon, blurting out, “Your mom told me you're in love with me. Is that true?”

[hiorisgf]

##Reincarnate, love, die, and then repeat the cycle!

↪ft. Ei, Xiao, Venti

↪How do the long living characters act with a reincarnator lover?

↪No, I don't know where I was going with this so please don't ask. TT

Raiden Ei

Ei finds you a confusing person to consider. Being the farthest, and yet also one of the closest to eternity-you are a variable Ei doesn't know how to handle.

Ei doesn't know - no- actually, she does know; she knows every single you that you've reincarnated into(she cherishes you too much to truly let you go), but she makes no moves to approach you, to try and return back to the times where she'd call you her lover.

She doesn't do anything, only watch you through the Shogun's eyes as you go on about your life, unaware of the past life you spent as the very same lover of the god of thunder from a tale of Inazuma.

She watches and watches, the plane's clouds clearing up ever so slightly at the sight of your smile. A sight she once admired firsthand.

Ei was alright being just your god, this was how it ought to be in the first place. You were human, and she was a god, an esteemed archon and the ruler of Inazuma - the line that differentiates the two of you is clear as day. (But that doesn't stop her from reminiscing the past with a somber mood)

Although eversince the appearance of the enemy of eternity, and Yae's incessant chidings, she was forced to change her views, forced to acknowledge the feelings she's long since barreled up.

She admits that she longs to converse with you, to fall inlove with you once more, to feel the familiar sensation of jitters as your skin makes contact with hers, she's conflicted, arguing over which side of her she'll allow the honor of following their desire.

And with a final push from her familiar, she ultimately decides to approach you, you who tended to your stall, selling her favorite kind of sweets to interested passerbys. She clears her throat, stopping the growing anxiety and excitement from being visible on her face.

Xiao

"In every lifetime I'll have, I promise to find you and love you again." Were the words you've parted this world with. A ludicrously beautiful promise- a ridiculously impossible vow.

It's become some sort of a past time for Xiao to wait for you by the balcony of wangshu inn. Day after day, he sits by the balcony when night falls, waiting for the time you'd prove yourself true and appear infront of him.

Of course he knows it's impossible, chances were that even if you did have a second chance in life, you'd have already forgotten the lifetime you spent with Xiao, forgotten the promise you uttered using your last breath.

But to wait for you by the balcony has become a past time he'd seek solace in - a moment he could spend remembering the memories he'd made with you. Because at the very least, even if you couldn't keep, let alone remember your promise, he'd keep his own and remember you vividly no matter how much centuries have passed.

By now, Xiao knows not to get his hopes up. But when someone walks in, donning the same attitude and looks as you, he can't help but approach. Gingerly, he'd call out your name. And his heart skips a beat when you turn around, grinning with a smile too wide to be natural.

"Yes?" You take a step closer, stopping only when you were a step away, and leaned in close enough to feel your breath on his ear. Xiao finds himself glued to where he stands, a myriad of questions running through his mind. But the next words you utter sheds light inot his eyes, and a grin he'd rarely ever show to the world.

"Did you need something, General Alatus?"

Venti

Venti makes it a point to watch your every reincarnation, keeping watch and giving you his blessings. But the extent of his affections remains there. He doesn't approach, only ever watches you by the side, hearing about you through the winds' memories.

Don't get him wrong, venti loves you truly. But to tell you of your past and try to mingle with you once more would only serve to bind you to him, force you into a relationship with him solely because of your past relationship.

Venti values your freedom more than anyone else, so he doesn't tell you anything about the past he oh so treasured, allowing you to do whatever without the shackles of your past binding you and restricting your movements. Because despite his strong desire to stay with you throughout your lifetime once more, he'd rather see the smile on your face he's grown used to before, the smile unrestrained by anything, that free and jolly grin you'd make he'd always fall in love with; even if it meant that it wasn't him who'd bring that kind of expression to your face anymore.

But if you do choose to follow the footsteps of your former self, approach him and befriend him. Maybe even fall inlove, then Venti would be more than happy to indulge you. He'd tell you his odes, his proses and poems, songs and tunes, dedicate each and everyone to you. He'll let you fall inlove, let these feelings foster alongside with his, and he'll be there, waiting for you with a patient grin.

[roxygen22]

Lily

"My Little Cocoa Bean" series

Summary: Ben/Bean (age 15) experiences his first major crush.

A/N: Mom/reader is mentioned but not part of the dialog in this one.

<><><><><>

Ben sat across the desk from his father in the factory office. This was typical for a weekday during the school year. He would often work on homework while Willy finished up the day's paperwork before they walked home together. But today, Ben was unusually distracted. He was looking at his paper, but Willy could tell his thoughts were far off elsewhere, especially when he heard the boy sigh.

"What's up, Bean?"

"Huh?" Ben blinked and looked up at his father, shaken from his thoughts. "Oh, uh, nothing," he replied quickly. Willy nodded, though skeptical, and they both turned their attention back to their papers.

Only a handful of minutes passed before Ben sighed once more.

"A double sigh. That's not nothing," Willy quipped.

"Well...I-" Ben rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly and blushed as he made eye contact with his father. "There's this girl."

Willy set down his pen and rested his chin on his palm, trying to hide a smile with his fingers. He had wondered when this would happen. "Do tell. Is she pretty?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows.

Ben rolled his eyes and blushed again. "Yes. She sits in front of me in math class."

"Does she like you, too?" Willy inquired.

"That's the trouble. I don't know and I'm afraid she'll say no if I ask," Ben lamented.

"Ah, I see. But what if she says yes?"

"Well," Ben paused. "That makes me nervous, too."

Willy chuckled. "Quite the conundrum, son."

Ben scoffed and dropped his head into his hands. "I know, I know. What do I do, Papa?"

"Hmm. Well, you either ask and live with whatever her answer may be, or you agonize over what could have been. That is up to you; though, just a little life tip, the latter tends to lead to more regrets."

Ben bit his lip in thought.

"You know, chocolate is a good conversation starter. I could whip up something special, if you'd like?" Willy asked, to which Ben nodded fervently. "Alright!" Willy rubbed his hands together. "Tell me, what is it you like most about...?"

"Lillian, Lily for short. Well...she's sweet. And very smart. She helps me with some of the harder homework problems before class. She has really pretty blue eyes." Ben sighed again. He was certainly under her spell.

Willy put his hand to his chin. "Hmm, yes, I can work with that. I'll have something ready for you tomorrow afternoon when you come by after school."

"Thank you, Papa!"

"Just know, these will be special in that they will be one of a kind, but they won't have any special properties to sway her decision. If she returns your affections, it has to be her choice. And if she says no, you need to respect that."

"I understand, Papa."

"Good lad. Now let's go home to your mother and sister. Your mother probably has better advice about this sort of thing than me, anyway."

"Please, please, PLEASE, just don't tell Charlie yet. She'll just pester me."

Willy mimed zipping his lips, laughing about the dynamic between his children. He clapped Ben on the shoulder. "Maybe wait until after Miss Lily says yes."

<><><><><>

As promised, Willy crafted a beautiful batch of milk chocolates for his son to gift his crush the next day. He painstakingly piped a tiny bouquet of white lilies and a blue bow made of icing onto each candy and wrapped them in a white box, which he also secured with a blue organza bow. He finished up just before Ben was due to swing by after school.

Willy heard the side door open. Assuming it was Ben, he announced, "Special chocolates for a special girl, coming right u-" He stopped when he spun and saw the bewildered look on his son's face. "What's wrong, Bean?"

"She asked me."

"What?"

"Lily asked me if I'm keen on her. She likes me, too. She likes me!" Ben shouted excitedly.

"Aaha! That's great, my boy! Well, then these are ready for you to take to your girlfriend." Willy handed him the wrapped box of chocolates. "But it looks like you won't be needing this for a boost of confidence, then." In his other hand, he held a small sleeve of giraffe milk macaroons.

"Actually, I could really use those for my math test tomorrow. I've had a terrible time paying attention," Ben said through a grin.

<><><><><>

Masterlist

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Tag List: @croatianprincess

[mrsshabana]

Hey there, i Just found your blog and i think i read all the posts already. ♥️♥️♥️

So I've been thinking abt this for a while:

Let's say Gyu has a lover, they're together for a long time, she gets sick and he offers to turn her into a demon to save her, she refuses and says she'll just find his in her next life. However, gyu can't bear the thought of losing her so he turns her against her will. Once she becomes a demon she's very upset so she keeps trying to die (trying to cut her own head, going after demon slayers, trying to walk out during the day)

How would Gyutaro (canon and fanon) react to this?

Wow! Thank you so much! I know I have a lot of posts so that means so much to me that you enjoyed them enough to read them all. 💚 Thanks for the question! (And sorry it took me awhile to respond) But I think this is such an interesting idea, and I hope you enjoy what I came up with!

Gyutaro turns you into a demon against your will

TW: Mentions of suicide and depression

Gyutaro is selfish. And he indulges in this selfishness when he decides to turn you into a demon against your will

He can't lose you. He just can't. You are the first person to accept him and all of his flaws, loving him through them all. And he knows he will never be able to find another person like you. And even if he could, he doesn't want to. He doesn't want another version of you, he only wants the you in this moment. The you that he has fallen deeply in love with.

He will do anything to keep you. Which is why he resorts to turning you into a demon.

When you react negatively to being turned, Gyutaro will be very upset with you. He'll say, "How could you be so ungrateful? I saved you! You would have died if it were not for me!"

The two of you will fight about it for hours, until Gyutaro gets too pissed off and decides to leave. He'll stay gone until he feels he's calmed down enough to have a proper conversation with you. Only to return, seeing you trying to decapitate yourself.

He'd run to you, slapping the sword from your hands, "What the fuck are you thinking?! You tryin' to get yourself killed?"

"Yes, I am! Because I much rather die than be a demon!"

Hearing you say this would break Gyutaro's heart. Throughout the course of your entire relationship you've never seen Gyutaro get very emotional. But this will make him burst out in tears.

He'll hold you close, and bawl his eyes out. Spewing out apologies and promises of making sure you can live happily as a demon.

He hates himself for what he has put you through, and will dedicate his life to making you happy. Giving you expensive jewelry and the prettiest humans to feast on.

All he truly wants is for the two of you to be happy together.

But, he can't have that. Not after what he's done. Being turned into a demon has caused you to spiral down into a deep depression, that even your lover cannot pull you out of.

After your numerous attempts to end your own life, Gyutaro will resort to more serious measures.

He will purposefully underfeed you so you are too weak to fight back. Too weak to try to escape the lair that he keeps you hidden away in. The only way in and out is through travelling through Daki's obi. Every time you try to enter it, you get spit back out.

There's no escape from Gyutaro. He keeps you locked away. He can't risk you hurting yourself and at this point you have become more of a hostage than a lover.

The lack of nutrition has left you a pliant husk. Having no other choice than to be the model lover for Gyutaro.

If you are good and give him the affection that he wants, then he may spare a limb for you to eat.

He hopes that one day things will go back to how they used to be.

But unfortunately the damage has already been done. And there is no going back.

[indigomarina]

Hazbin OC x Canon Week Day 5 - Heartbreak (RadioStar)

For @hazbinocxcanon

Levity is taking a leisurely stroll through the streets of Pentagram City, a small smile playing on her lips as she thinks about her recent date with Alastor. The evening had been magical, filled with laughter, dancing, and a tentative new connection. She hums to herself, a spring in her step as she turns the corner towards the hotel. Suddenly, she hears Alastor's voice drifting from a nearby alleyway. Curiosity piqued, she moves closer, staying out of sight. He seems to be talking to someone, though she can't quite make out who. Alastor chuckled, "Yes, things are certainly getting interesting around here. That hotel is proving to be quite the entertaining venture." Levity smiles, heart warming at the fondness in his tone. But then… "Levity? Please, her affections are pitiful at best. As if I would ever lower myself to truly care for someone so beneath me." Alastor said. Levity's breath catches, tears springing to her eyes. She claps a hand over her mouth to stifle a sob, not wanting to alert Alastor to her presence. It worked as Alastor continued, unaware, "No, no, she's merely a diversion. A plaything to keep me amused while I watch this redemption farce play out. Nothing more." he said. Each word is like a knife to Levity's heart. She stumbles back, vision blurring with tears. How could she have been so stupid? To think that Alastor, the Radio Demon, could ever genuinely return her feelings. She was a fool, a pitiful, lovestruck fool. Choking back a cry, Levity turns and flees, running blindly through the streets. She finds herself outside a seedy club, the pulsing beat of the music and the promise of numbing alcohol drawing her in. She pushes through the crowds, making a beeline for the bar. Levity slammed down some cash, "Whiskey. Leave the bottle." she requested. The bartender raises a brow but does as asked. Levity grabs the bottle and finds a dark corner to curl up in, drinking deeply. The liquor burns going down, but it's nothing compared to the agony in her heart. She drinks and drinks, trying to drown out Alastor's cruel words. Hours later, Levity stumbles back into the hotel, eyes red-rimmed and expression blank. She nearly runs into Alastor in the lobby, the deer demon grinning at her arrival. "Ah, Levity! I was wondering where you'd gotten to, darling. I had a thought about our next outin-" Alastor started. Levity brushes past him without a word, not even sparing him a glance. Alastor blinks, smile faltering. "Levity? Is everything alright?" Alastor asked. Levity pauses, back to him. When she speaks, her voice is cold and lifeless. "I'm fine, Alastor. Just tired. I think I'm going to turn in early." she said. "Are you sure? I thought perhaps we could-" Alastor said but Levity cut him off. "I said I'm fine. Goodnight, Alastor." With that, she walks away, leaving a confused and unsettled Alastor in her wake. He stares after her, static crackling with unease. What had happened to make his vibrant songbird so cold and distant? Levity makes it to her room before the tears start again, bitter and burning. She collapses on her bed, hugging a pillow to her chest as she sobs. "Estúpida. Soy tan estúpida." Levity whispered to herself brokenly. She cries herself to sleep, dreams haunted by cruel laughter and mocking red eyes. In the ruins of her shattered heart, a seed of resentment begins to take root. If Alastor wants a plaything, then she'll give him one he'll never forget. Even if it destroys her in the process.

[genshinarchives]

Arataki Itto / gender-neutral reader.

Synopsis: Itto finds you awake outside as you're unable to sleep, and makes a promise to you.

— ( Takes place during the Sakoku Decree and before the Vision Hunt Decree. )

Itto was stirred awake when his body finally registered the lack of warmth by his side. Eyelids fluttering open, he groggily turned his head, expecting to see you curled up next to him on the futon only to be greeted by an empty space. It took him a few seconds to fully wake up and realise that you were missing; when the thought properly sunk in his mind, he kicked the thick blanket off him before leaping onto his feet with a panicked look.

"(Y/n)!" he called, rushing out of the small house the two of you shared barefoot. He didn't bother putting anything on to cover his upper body, allowing the chilly night air to nip his exposed skin. As he ignored the cold enveloping him, he searched the areas nearby and soon found you sitting on the edge of the cliff that overlooked the expanse of the sea separating Inazuma from the rest of Teyvat. Breathing an audible sigh of relief, the oni padded over to you and then dropped a hand on top of your head, drawing your attention away from the view that had kept you occupied.

"There you are, my kachimushi," he said, grinning, "Why aren't you sleeping?"

You met his eyes with a sheepish smile. "I can't sleep."

"You told me that last time too. Are you having trouble sleeping these days?" he asked, removing his hand from your head to plop himself down on the grass beside you. You nodded, eyes drifting back to the waves lapping up against the rocks on the shore as you pulled your knees against your chest.

"I think my insomnia kicked in around a week ago. I don't know why," you replied in a murmur.

Itto scratched the back of his head as he tried to think of a reason why your insomnia returned. He recalled the events that happened a week ago, filtering out the minor ones that couldn't have possibly affected your sleeping schedule this much - which left the Sakoku Decree that was recently instituted. "Is it because of the Sakoku Decree?"

Your body suddenly stiffened. "I-I guess so... It's never left my mind ever since the Raiden Shogun announced that she'll be closing Inazuma's borders... We're essentially trapped in this country."

"Is staying in Inazuma for the rest of your life such a bad thing?" Itto asked innocently, cocking his head to one side with a genuinely puzzled look, "I mean, you were born here. This is your home."

You were silent as you allowed his words to sink in. Itto is simple-minded, so of course he's not seeing the bigger picture - but maybe it's not a bad thing after all. You've immersed yourself in the political side of things that it was beginning to stress you out, even though it's not your job to worry about Inazuma's politics.

A small smile crawled over your lips.

"You're right. This is my home because you're here," you said, turning your head to him with a chuckle. The oni puffed his chest out.

"If you're worried about getting lonely, well, don't be! You've got me and the boys- Oh, and Shinobu too." Leaning in, he bumped his nose against yours affectionately. "If the Sakoku Decree ever gets lifted in the future, I'll take you to Liyue. I heard there's plenty of tasty food to try out, and Shinobu can even be our very own tour guide!"

"That sounds fun," you remarked, laughing airily, "Promise?"

Itto slightly tilted his head to the side and pecked your lips to wordlessly seal his promise of bringing you to Liyue some day. "I promise. Now that you're no longer feeling gloomy, let's sleep~"

Before you could say or do anything, he easily scooped you into his arms as he stood up, and carried you home princess style. You didn't resist him and simply enjoyed the warmth emanating from his body, with your head resting against his bare chest. Once the two of you were inside, he didn't hesitate to squeeze you in his arms as he tackled you on the futon, taking advantage of his weight to pin you down. You let out a yelp, having not expected this rough handling from him.

"Hey- Itto!" you protested, squirming futilely in his tight embrace.

"Do you feel like sleeping yet? I won't let you go until you feel like sleeping with me," he said, pouting at you like a child.

"Gaaah- Okay, okay! I'll sleep!" you managed to wheeze out, "Now get off me, you big oaf! You're crushing my lungs!"

With a loud laugh, Itto finally rolled off you but kept his arms around your torso, his face burying itself in the crook of your neck. You let out a muted sigh and twisted your body around to face him, tucking his head under your chin in the process. As you wound your arms around the oni, you heard him mumble a quiet "aishiteru" before his snores followed. Chuckling at how easily he falls asleep, you then kissed the top his head, being mindful of his red horns.

"I love you too, Itto," you whispered, soon joining him in your dreams.

Taglist: @coco-goat-milk / @m3gitsune / @melkxsh / @irethepotato / @frostines-blog / @xphantasmagoriax / @crunchy-princeles / @nanamisflowerfield / @dulcetamore / @beowers-spam / @sinnyrants / @chuusposts / @xiao-bedo / ​ @chocogi / @angelkazusstuff /

[pooka167]

PLA Dad Ingo and Uncle Emmet AU part 2

so here's part 2! I have such PLA brainrot its unbelievable...I blame my weakness for found family, especially the accidental child acquisition variety XD You can read part 1 here! I have also decided that Akari is not Dawn. I'm also aware I should probably name this au but I honestly cannot think of anything.

Back in Hisui Akari throws herself into the pokedex research, helping Volo along the way by capturing the likes of Heatran, Regigigas, Cresselia and receiving their plates as well. It's slow going but Akari is determined to get it done.

Those around her such as Rei and Laventon worry she is overworking herself in order to distract herself from Warden Ingo's absence. Akari denies this when asked but deep down she knows they're right. However she still refuses to listen to their urging to take it easy.

Akari rarely rests, running herself into the ground over the weeks to get closer to completing her goal. Volo who in the poor girls mind is one of the few people she can trust plays the perfect confidant, subtly manipulating Akari so that her attention shifts less on finding pokemon and more so on finding the plates. Two months after Ingo's departure there's only two plates left to find the ghost plate and the fist plate.

Of course Akari doesn't know Volo has had the ghost plate all along, the man in question is very pleased with their fast progress and thinks to himself perhaps he should have gotten rid of Ingo himself earlier if it meant Akari would listen so easily to him. Not that there's much to be done now Warden Ingo is gone and isn't going to be a problem anymore (That's what he thinks)

In fact the only way Akari properly rests these days is when Lady Sneasler finds her if she's in the highlands (Sneasler finds her every time). The noble will find Akari put her in her basket and carry her to her den and promptly depsoit her amongst her newest kits who excited to see one of their babysitters shower her with affection and then fall asleep on her. This leaves Akari with no choice but to stay there so as not to disturb them. She knows Sneasler is trying to look out for her in Ingo's stead so she can't be too upset when the noble tricks her into resting.

Due to Ingo's absence Akari not wanting to potentially cause tensions between Jublife and the Clans Akari is forced to return to Jublife more often. She knows she could still use Ingo's tent but finds herself unable to stay there because she misses him so much. She does however take one of his spare tunics and keeps it in her house in Jublife.

Sometimes when the whispers get too much or after she's forced into a meeting with Kammado (Rei, Cyllene and Laventon refuse to let her be alone with him, Akari is very grateful) she'll hug it close. As much as Akari misses him she can't regret sending him back to his brother.

Its two weeks later Akari finally works up the courage to face Kammado at Volo's urging. The crafty merchant gently tells her that she needs to face her fear so she can prove to herself Kammado can't pull a stunt like he did again. Akari while not entirely convinced agrees if only becomes Volo has always been kind to her and the fact he promises to stay nearby just in case.

Volo smirks to himself as he watches Akari face and defeat Kammado and subsequently receive the fist plate, it really has been too easy to manipulate the girl while she's missing the Warden. He tells Akari to meet him at the Temple of Sinnoh and she agrees saying she'll meet him there in two days time. Not knowing his true intentions and just how much danger she is in.

Meanwhile back in the present Emmet and Ingo after a hasty call to Elesa about Ingo's return and a request for her to ask Skyla when the next flight to Sinnoh will be the two begin to prepare for their Journey.

This of course means not 10 minutes after his call Elesa is at their door and sweeping the two of them into a hug before yelling at Ingo for disappearing and worrying them all for so long. Emmet leaves Ingo to explain himself to their best friend and sister and continues to prepare for going to Sinnoh.

Elesa at first wants to come with them but the twins gently remind her that Nimbasa city cannot be left without all of them for long and they do not know how long they will be gone for. Elesa reluctantly agrees on the condition the twins keep her updated as much as possible. They agree and spend a few days with Elesa as they make arrangements for the battle subway and such. Elesa agrees to take care of the pokemon they're not bringing and also agrees to manage the press while they're both away.

The two make their way to Mistralton City to meet Skyla. The gym leader is ready to go on their arrival and the twins waste no time. During the flight they learn all they can about Sinnoh's legendary pokemon and agree the best place to start is with the legendary lake trio after Ingo reveals that an item called the red chain was made from items received during trials with Lake guardians to help tame Dialga and Palkia. The two however are unable to find anything about the Temple of Sinnoh but agree to check out Spear Pillar on Mt Coronet due to the location.

It's through their research they learn about the story of creation and how Arceus and the world came to be. Based off what little Akari told him about her 'mission' and coupled with the presence of her Arc-phone in the past Ingo concludes that Arceus is most likely responsible for Akari ending up in Hisui. Though Ingo is still unsure of how exactly he ended up in Hisui. Emmet on the other is downright gleeful that they are potentially going to fight a god(he deserves to work through all his emotions due to past and current events and beating a god would be very good catharsis for him).

Once landing in Jublife the two get to work making their way to Lake Verity first. They stop to rest in Sandgem town and this is where Ingo and Emmet meet Lucas on their way to the pokemon centre. Ingo is struck by how much Lucas resembles Rei and while at the pokecentre the two end up striking up conversation with him. When they find out he is helping out professor Rowan the two ask if he knows anything about Mespirit, Azelf and Uxie. Lucas is happy to help them when they explain they are simply researching Legendary pokemon and their interest has brought them to Sinnoh. Of course it helps that the twins in turn tell Lucas the tale of Reshiram and Zekrom, who is enthralled and thanks them profusely.

After talking with Lucas and resting for the night the two make their way to the lake and to Ingo's surprise find Mespirit waiting for them. The two stick close to each other while Ingo explains why they are here. Mespirit is the being of emotion and questions Emmet on his feelings during is brothers absence and reappearance. Emmet answers freely and Ingo feels awful for putting his brother through all that with his unscheduled departure but it's Mespirits final question that catches them both off guard, because they thougt the answer was obvious.

Mespirit asks Emmet why he seems to care so much for a girl he's never met. To the twins who before Ingos abrupt disappearance had always been together its a very innocuous question. Emmet simply responds "I am Emmet, my brother is verrrry important to me, of course I would align my tracks and care for someone he does" Ingo is touched nonetheless that his brother already cares greatly for Akari. They do not receive a piece to make the red chain but they do leave with Mespirit's approval. That has to count for something. The brothers don't let a small change in tracks derail them. They press on.

The two head to Lake Valor next in search of Azelf and this time its Ingo who is put to the test. Azelf is brutal in its endeavor to test Ingo's will, Ingo however is unyielding nothing is stopping him from getting back to his daughter and bringing her home, mission assigned to her by Arceus or not. She was a child his child, Akari was coming home with them no matter what. He pours all his frustration at the situation that he and Akari were forced in into passing Azelf's trial and it pays off. He passes the trial with Emmet applauding him and that only leaves one guardian left Uxie. Again they do not receive Azelf's piece for the red chain but leave with its blessing.

So they begin to travel to Lake Acuity intent on facing the final guardian before the try to track down Dialga or Palkia. At this point they've been in Sinnoh for around a month. Emmet can see the toll this taking on his brother, can see the urgency in his brother's actions as he rushes through safety checks and does his best to comfort him. Emmet has never been great at talking that had always been Ingo but he does know how to put his brother at ease. So for most of their journey he goes into detail about his strategies to beat Arceus into the ground, cheerfully citing that since his wonderful Electross has the levitate ability (I know abilities aren't a thing in legends but this my au and I say they will) and therefore has no weaknesses for Arceus to exploit unless the damn thing has mold-breaker. It has the intended effect and soon he and Ingo are bickering good-naturedly about type matchups and strategies as they travel.

Ingo knows what his brother is doing and is very thankful for it. It makes their long trek up the snowy path to Lake Acuity pass by quicker, though when they rest for the evening there are some nights where Ingo lays awake worrying. Is Akari resting enough, are the villagers leaving her alone, is she eating properly? A million worries zip through his mind like a runaway train. There's a sinking feeling in his gut that tells him she needs his help and Ingo would be dammed if he didn't get to her in time.

When they finally arrive at Lake Acuity they've been in Sinnoh for just under two months and meeting with Uxie confirms Ingo's worst fears. Uxie is the guardian of the mind and is able to communicate with Ingo and Emmet with it taking less of a toll on him. Uxie has no trial for them instead the pokemon explains why they have not received the items from its counterparts.

"The rulers of time and space will come when you call for them at the top of spear pillar, the lost one is in need of you. Their are powerful forces at play. The creator and the banished each have their own agenda. The lost one has been betrayed once more."

The guardian's words alone are enough to send Ingo into a deadly rage, the conductor spits out countless threats about Kammado and Beni, promising hell if they'd dared harm is child once more.

This leaves Emmet to be calm collected twin for once (he isn't sure he likes it). His own anger accumulating inside but Emmet shoves it down, Ingo and his niece both needed him to keep a level head, there would be a time to work out his own anger just not now. While Ingo is busy going feral, Emmet decides to ask the million dollar question of who exactly has betrayed the niece he has yet to meet. Uxie's reply is simply "The merchant" it tells them.

Ingo goes still and feels mouth go dry. His mind playing back to the times Volo appeared to ask questions about both his and Akari's experience beyond the rift. His weird fixation on the rift and the events surrounding it in general. How he was always around to conveniently help when it was needed. His vested interest and need of Akari even after the rift was shut. It makes Ingo's blood boil to the point his pokeballs are shaking as his pokemon respond to his volatile emotions as he snarls. "Volo you bastard"

Emmet is worried for a moment his brother may fully lose it then and there taken aback by his cursing, but after a few moments Ingo takes in a shaky breath and releases it. Then in voice contorted with a carefully controlled fury he looks his brother in the eye and says. "All aboard Emmet we make our tracks for Mt. Coronet and nothing will derail us from our destination."

Emmet can do nothing, would do nothing else but follow his brother as Ingo whirls around to make for the exit of the cavern, his black coat billowing behind him. This Volo character won't know what hit them when the two of them show up. Emmet doubted there'd be much of a person left if Akari was hurt when they got there by the time Ingo and himself were done with them.

The journey to Spear Pillar is a blur to Ingo, his barely concealed rage is simmering just beneath the surface held together only by the thought of getting to Akari on time and Emmet's reassuring presence at his side. He is grateful to find both Dialga and Palkia waiting for them within what is now Spear Pillar. They are both stamping at the ground seemingly agitated in response to Ingo and Emmet's own emotions and summoned by their urgency. Without needing to ask the two legendary beasts roar and power surges through the temple. A portal appears as wind whips around them and neither twin hesitates to step in.

"Hang on Akari we're coming"

Phew, man I thought my last post was long...this one is even longer I feel. There's definitely going to be another part to this. I originally planned to end this with them arriving and like an epic line by Emmet. I'm still including the line in the next part but if I got to that point here it'd be a mile long. Anyways I hope you enjoyed this!

Part 3 can now be found here!

[eldritchmochi]

iiits wip wednesday and while i haven't written anything in A BIT i also haven't posted a wip in a bit so like, here ya go. its not smutty???? (wild)

an excerpt from the next chapter of my epic length shadowgast bdsm au COPING SKILLS

--

He can just hear his washer start as he steps back out into his living room. Between his sheets and his casual clothing, she'll be around most of the afternoon tending to his laundry, but she doesn't need to run three loads. He startles her again when he knocks on the door frame of his laundry room, his afghan trailing to the floor from his hand.

"Room for one more?" he asks, gesturing with the blanket.

"Only if you promise to not give me any more heart attacks today, Essek bey," she replies, voice firm despite her smile. She takes the blanket he offers and packs it in with the rest of his bedding, then drops the lid to the machine with a clang.

Essek steps out of her way, his back towards his front door, and gestures with his cane. She shuffles past, dusting her hands off as she returns to her caddy of supplies.

"You do not get to hover either, Essek bey," she adds. "You know I do good work."

"I do indeed," he tells her, and he's not hovering, he just—

Has mommy issues, and Mihra has done much for his private little household over the last fifteen-odd years she's been in his employ. They don't often engage face to face anymore, but he's still fond of her, and he's still—out of sorts from the day before, in need of care and attention that Caleb isn't around to give.

He can let her work though, even if he misses the warmth of his afghan when he sits back on his horrible couch. He doesn't fidget either, prestidigitating his sticky mug clean before slurping at his coffee. It's—cold, which he should have expected, and it only manages to make Essek miss Caleb more.

He has entirely too many tasks to complete and no where near enough brainpower to complete them. He's—antsy with Mihra puttering around his condo with him, too aware of her presence, too aware of the signs of his weekend activities. She won't gossip, probably, but—Light, there is a condom in his bed side bin. Essek doesn't regret Caleb, absolutely not, but he does regret everything else leading up to this, to him being—perceived as anything but Shadowhand Thelyss.

And it's only bound to be worse as the gala approaches.

Mihra hums as she sprays down his bathroom with cleaner, sharp fake citrus that stings Essek's nose. He—starts by retrieving his phone, reviewing his notifications by rote memory until he, at last, reaches the newest messages from Caleb. It's simple, two texts not even a minute apart, sent shortly after seven this morning.

Caleb Good morning, Schatz.

Caleb I shall miss you today. Rest well.

Essek's heart races, enamoured with such a simple thing. His reply takes no thought to write, and he sends it without so much as a cursory review.

Essek I've missed you since you left last night.

As expected, he doesn't get an immediate reply. He's still disappointed and… perhaps he should tell Caleb how affected he still is. It's not subdrop; he doesn't get that far, especially not considering the amount of care Caleb had given him through out their day. It's more that he—

He's simply wildly in love with the man, and that's worse.

[hungerpunch]

dad, death, and dogs

i dreamed about my dad again. it was nothing so clear or full as the other times. not quite abstract, but not… much, either. a flash of him getting out of his car, the old honda accord. manual transmission like he preferred his whole life. i loved the smell of that car. all the mix cds i burned him for holidays and birthdays stuck in the pockets and compartments. in my dream there's the gesture of him taking his sunglasses off. tucking them into the pocket of his leather jacket. i recognize the jacket--it's the old, dark brown, worn-in one that i stole for a night out in eighth grade and then lost.

i think i dreamed him because i fell asleep thinking about how much i wish he could meet munch. he would love her. something weird happened the other day, but it's not really weird, i'm just. it's just that i received munch's original intake papers from the animal control she was surrendered to in texas.

well okay first, it bears contextualizing a little bit. munch is not my first dog. the first dog i ever had was named lady and she was a big ole mix of a dog, shorthaired and tawny and muscular and so sweet. i was 13 when i saw her at an adoption event at petsmart on an errand to buy food for my sister's guinea pig. my dad had pet dogs growing up and instilled that love and affection in all of us when we were little, reading us tales of various adventure dogs.

my mom had farm dogs growing up, not pets, and had been bitten by one as a kid, so was fearful and wary of them on the whole.

but i saw lady and fell in love, did the begging and the pleading and the promising to my mom, i slept with her at night, i woke up at 5am before school every day to walk her even in the rain even in the snow, i worked with her on training, i loved her so fucking much. and she loved us all, sure, maybe me the most of the kids, but she became my dad's best friend. his best buddy. she was his velcro dog and he adored her.

my dad passed away on august 10 of 2020. on january 30 of 2021, we had to lay lady to rest. i paid to have her euthanized at home. we fed her a whole steak before the vet came. i clung to her neck and sobbed into her furry shoulder as the drug worked through her. her breathing slowed, slowed, slowed, deeper and slower until another breath never came. i don't believe in god or heaven and i have no clear beliefs on what happens when you die besides that your energy returns to the universe, but in that moment, all i wanted to think about--all i could think about--was lady bounding up some cloudy steps to meet my dad, her best friend, in the afterlife. it was so painful losing them both in a short span of time, but i thought of how joyful they both would be to see each other again. in a way, it made sense. how could lady remain on earth when her heart had gone beyond?

it's a milestone to adopt your first animal outside of your childhood home, whatever that looks like. getting munch has been full of joy. but it also strikes me, now and then, that my dad will never meet her. and she'll never meet him--a man all dogs loved and gravitated to. i can see in my mind the way he would greet her, smiling and laughing, rubbing her ears, patting her belly.

anyway i got munch's surrender papers. and her original name was lady.

[ivy-loves-chocolate]

Hi, I really like Albert wesker. I wanted to know if you still write about it. and what do you think about jake's mother. I was wondering if you could write something about this. i think wesker liked her maybe she was the closest he had to affect anyone. I wanted to know his opinion. it could be in a story maybe kkk I lose my english. it's not my native language.

Note: it's alright, I understand what you want! I made these headcanons. I hope you find them useful!

Word count: 529.

Warnings: none. 

I think they met randomly, probably while waiting in line for coffee. I assume Wesker noticed her because of her red and beautiful hair or her blue eyes (based on Jake's appearance). They exchanged a few words, and that's when he noticed her accent.

After they buy the coffee, they sit at a table and get to know each other better. She tells him that she came from Edonia and that she's only staying for a couple of months for job-related purposes; maybe she was a reporter.

Since they can't stay long, they are forced to leave, but not before Wesker gives her his personal number.

I believe they began dating after that. Wesker would take her to nice restaurants, parks, and museums to get to know her better. He enjoyed her honest and hard-working personality.

After a date, he suggests that you go to his place and, well, do the deed.

I think they were pretty close to each other, and maybe their relationship would flourish if Wesker wouldn't sabotage it. Upon feeling her getting closer, his fight or flight response would be triggered, resulting in paranoia and anxiety. In his line of work, he was constantly backstabbed by the people he trusted, so he tries not to form attachments. He has had coworkers, lovers, and friends betray him, so he is wary.

Not only that, he is also cautious with his own feelings. Jake's mom never knew about his true job. She thought he was in the military, and that's it, so her feelings for him were genuine. She adored him not because he feared him or because he was wealthy, but because of who he was and how gentle he was with her.

Wesker knew that, at some point, she'd discover his true life. She wasn't stupid. She had already begun to wonder why he leaves late at night or disappears for days. His lies won't last, and upon discovering his true self, she'll probably hate him.

He didn't want to be a villain in her eyes. He wanted to continue to tell this beautiful lie for her, a lie that he had told a million times.

So, after a few months, he broke up with her. He told her yet another lie: he'll be deployed soon and doesn't know how long he'll be there.He ignored her sadness and her promises that she'd wait for him no matter how long he'd be away. While talking, she told him that she loved him. Wesker was relieved to break up before things got more complicated, but that doesn't mean it didn't hurt him a little. He didn't have many people to love him for who he was.

They walked on their own paths. She got back to Edonia, while he returned to Umbrella. Among his sadness was a tinge of relief that she had returned to her homeland with the beautiful illusion he had created, one wrapped in the genuine feelings of a woman who loved him solely for who he was, not what he could achieve.

The rest is history.

Tag-list: @ravenrune

[beedreamscape]

Continuation to the Evandrin excerpt I had written before posting that one and finished recently.

///

Evandrin considers himself a quite put-together man, but even he falters at Loquatius' words, the hearty sandwich he'd been eating for lunch getting stuck for a second in his windpipe.

Zerxus puts Elias on his other hip with one swift move and walks over to give him a tap on the back that with those big hands of his hits more like a slap.

"That's a bit of an overreaction, dear."

He glares at Zerxus before turning back at Loquatius' grinning face. "Me? Your best man?"

"Yes. In all sincerity, I had initially considered a friend of mine who traversed from the Feywild alongside me, but unfortunately, he's elsewhere downland representing the Oracles and won't make it until right before the wedding. Never mind I have him taking care of other aspects of the ceremony already."

Evandrin raises a fair brow. "Other aspects?"

Loquatius raises his hands. "It's a fey thing."

"A fey thing?" Evandrin questions with just a touch of poison to his intonation.

"I'm afraid I can't speak of it just yet."

"Forgive me for saying this, Loquatius, and I mean no offence. But I know of the weight your people put on deals and promises and contracts, I just wanna make sure Laerryn is not tangling herself into something she won't be able to pull away from, should she feel the need to."

Loquatius smiles again, crossing his legs and his fingers over his lap, ever poised and controlled. Evandrin's face grows visibly reddish pink, he wants to choke him so bad.

"I don't think you can gauge my feelings for Laerryn, Evandrin. We're rarely public in our affections, as she favours. But I also believe you take me for a fool. Now, I'll follow her philosophy and be as blunt as possible. I love your best friend, not lightly, not capriciously, I love Laerryn more than my own freedom, more than I ever loved my bachelor lifestyle. With eyes wide open, aware that my heart drove me into the arms of the most abrasive and untamable woman of Exandria. And I love her not in spite of it, but also because of it.

He gets up from where he sat, suddenly aware of the weight of his words, and turns his back to the other two looking out into the balcony and beyond. They can see the short smile that spread on his lips on the glass door's reflection before he continues.

"She's my singing bird, but I would never dare to cage her. She flies to me every day and sings her melodies to my ears only; all I do my give my best to keep her coming back." He turns to them having shaken the vulnerability off his face. "Now, that other aspect, she's aware of what the ritual entails. It's part of it that only she and I are a part of this ceremony. Once it's completed we can both talk about it, for now, it must remain secret."

"But nothing binding?"

"No."

Evandrin gives Zerxus a glance, silently asking if he perceived insincerity in Loquatius' statement and his husband gives a coy smile in return.

He nods slowly. "Don't take my concern as something against you personally. I love Laerryn and I'll be as annoying as I need to be to make sure she'll reach the end of this the happiest she can be."

"And safe," Zerxus add.

"Which is why! You should come and be my best man!"

"Oh, yes, that..." Evandrin slaps his thighs with an exasperated sigh. "Alright. I will."

"Great—"

"With one condition!" Loquatius nods. "I'd like to know what you really look like."

Laerryn's love perhaps has emboldened him, or perhaps he knows these people will be constants in his life, sooner or later he'd let the masks fall. Evandrin doesn't notice the transformation immediately — Quay had chosen his strawberry blonde persona, with dark green irises, a delicate nose, and the faint aftershade of a sunburned skin, obviously, purposefully selected for this occasion —, expecting resistance from Loquatius. It takes him a second to take in the pale grey form in front of him.

Still in Zerxus' arms, Elias laughs loudly, bright-eyed, at the display, always amused to watch his "uncle" perform his transformations.

Evandrin blinks rapidly. "Oh my, I'll never get used to how fast you transform."

Loquatius smiles, his teeth still the same bright pearly white. "Do I meet your standards?"

He gestures to the brick wall that is Zerxus. "Never. But I won't say you're unattractive either, 'cause that wouldn't be true." To that Loquatius' face shimmers while his smile softens. "How long has Laerryn known your true form? She knows, doesn't she?"

The changeling cackles. "Of course! It's been around a year, I think." In truth, a euphemism for I know the exact month, day, hour, how her hand felt against my cheek, what we were wearing and then not, but for this occasion that would suffice. "She had been the only one in Exandria until now."

Evandrin's posture slacks a bit. "Oh."

"I know you're currently wary of me, be it for some sort of prejudice or just cation, but I do consider you a dear friend, Evandrin, Zerxus. I've met quite a lot of people in my time here in Avalir and Exandria, and I know how special it is what we have in the Ring of Brass, as they call us."

For the first time, Evandrin smiles sincerely. "Please, Loquatius, don't take it as me scrutinizing you as my friend, but as Laerryn's fiance."

Zerxus finally speaks. "Trust that I've been on the receiving end of this. Under Laerryn's scrutiny, no less."

Quay chuckles. "Oh, I can only imagine."

"Yeah. You're doing fine."

Evandrin crosses his muscular arms. "For now."

[heartbeatan]

Crimson Park (Chapter 5)

Return to Chapter 4.

Return to Table of Contents.

Return to Desperado Series.

Return to Jungkook Fanfictions.

Return to Masterlist.

Chapter 5

It was the Tuesday after the Euchre game. Taesub and Joohyuk were still out of town for a few more days, but Jungkook, as promised - no matter how cold you were to him or how far a distance you held him at - hung around you like a bee to honey (although to his face you told him it was more like a fly to shit.) But the truth you hid from yourself and him was that you didn't mind his constant companionship and were ultimately glad he stuck around – even despite the apprehensive atmosphere that seemed to form around you both when you were together. Behind your visage of strict professionalism, you felt a lingering effect of your encounter in the hall with Jungkook – and you knew he felt it too. Something shifted between you that night, and it didn’t dissipate - even after he stayed up until 5 AM waiting for your hookup to leave.

“I need you to make another delivery for me today," you reached for a drawer in your desk and pulled out a large manilla envelope.

Jungkook tossed his work aside as he sat to attention.

"It’s downtown. I need you to be discreet. Go in casual clothing. Take a taxi, please, and make sure no one sees you.”

"I can't leave you."

You rolled your eyes, hard. "Jungkook, you'll be an hour max, and I'm just going to be here in the literal panic room - and I'm a grown woman with a gun. I'll survive."

"You call that thing in your desk a gun?"

"Well, I can point it at you and pull the trigger if you have any doubts."

He narrowed his eyes at you, but his lips twisted in amusement. He looked back to the envelope in his hands and eyed it with cautious curiosity. “Should I know what’s in here?”

“No. Just make sure it gets there today. We usually deal with Silvie. She'll be working.”

“And if she isn’t there?”

“She will be there.”

“Okay," he nodded. "Don't get attacked or something while I'm gone or else Joohyuk will have me hanged when he gets back."

"That's an intriguing thought," you threatened, but it only made Jungkook's grin widen.

That afternoon, he returned and took his place at his desk. His demeanour was significantly different from the morning. Instead of sighing and shuffling deep in thought, or his eyes flitting up to look at you as they did on occasion, or the airwave being assaulted by his mindless chatter, he came back with a sense of precision – and a sense of coldness. You noticed the shift at once. Despite your own resting chilled attitude, Jungkook had tried tirelessly to wear you down and bring a cheeriness and brightness to the room – but presently that was gone.

Perhaps you should have been happy. Now, there was no need to hide smiles and pretend as if you were indifferent to his presence. But you couldn’t help but feel unease at this new behaviour. You found yourself wondering what it was that had him so bothered.

Three days passed like this. There were no “good morning” smiles, and he didn’t talk your ear off during lunch. He sat firm and with purpose at his desk barely acknowledging you were even there, and despite your best efforts, his coldness was affecting you. Finally, you broke.

“What’s the problem?” you asked him. You said it as if you were scolding a child.

“What do you mean?” he didn’t even look up at you.

“You know what I mean, Jungkook. Don’t play games with me.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not playing any games.”

You felt your face flush in anger. Obviously, he had something to say but he was going to make you work for it. Who did he think he was dealing with?

“Fine,” you concluded curtly.

For another thirty minutes you two sat in silence. Him working and you pretending to work, until finally the intensity became too much to bear.

“What was that envelope for?”

“Excuse me?”

“You sent me to a transition home with that envelope. It had money in it, didn’t it? What was it for?”

You furrowed your brow as you looked back at him. His gaze never waived. He simply stared back at you, his body language demanding an answer.

“I told you not to ask questions, Jungkook,” you turned back to your papers.

“No. You advised me that it wasn’t wise.”

“Exactly what is the problem?” your voice raised an octave as did your body temperature.

“My problem is, I came here to work the books. I didn’t come here to help pipeline people into prostitution rings.”

You clamped your mouth shut and quirked your neck - stunned by his declaration. It took you a hot minute or two to figure it out, but finally you understood what his problem was… he thought you were paying off the transition house. At the revelation, you set your pen down, crossed your arms, and leaned towards him.

“Jungkook. When I ask you to do something, and I ask you to not ask questions, it’s for good reason. Also… newsflash… you work for the mob. This,” you pointed your fingers and made circles through the air, “is all the illegal trafficking of drugs, sex, weapons, and money. This is what you signed up for.”

“I signed up to run numbers and be your bodyguard. I did not sign up to pay off some crooked organisation that’s supposed to be helping people.”

"You sat here with me in this very room and helped me blueprint an entire prostitution business plan."

"Because I thought you had no choice and I believed you when you said you didn't want to be a part of it. This is different. You asked me to take all of these precautions which makes me think Dongnam doesn't even know, which means all of this is on you. You're trafficking people in their moment of crisis by bribing a crooked welfare service."

“They’re not crooked…” you breathed, but Jungkook didn’t stop.

“For some stupid reason, I really believed you were better than all that. plenty of people here run side scams, but you don't need to and yet here you are paying them off,” he seethed.

“I’m not fucking paying them off!” you shouted back.

He stopped his rant and looked back up to you with pointed eyes and flared nostrils, ready to keep going, but he sat quietly. You had been snarky and cold with him many times, but never once did you truly shout at him before - and it must’ve shaken him enough to shut up.

“I’m not, fucking bribing them.”

“Then what was it?”

You pinched the bridge of your nose and sighed. "What I will say is that it's not nefarious."

"If it's not, then just tell me."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I don't trust you, Jungkook! I shouldn't have even fucking sent you, and I wouldn’t have if I had known you would be so fucking relentless instead of just taking orders."

For the first time since you knew him, he didn't have a retort. His jaw clenched and he turned away from you, frustration - or something - still coursing through him.

"Fine," he eventually said, digging back into work without another glance at you.

You both worked away in an indignant silence, but the room was thick with tension and unspoken words. After what felt like hours, your anger began to drip away, but unease took its place. You knew Jungkook still believed his version of events, and it was eating away at you.

"It's not what you think it is," you said quietly. But he didn't look up. "But it is a secret."

"I can't keep your secret if I don't know what secret I'm keeping."

"If I tell you, you will be culpable, and I will not be able to protect you. And I sure as fuck am ready to lie and pin it all on you if it gets out and Dongnam wants to ask questions."

That got his attention, and he finally looked up. "I'm willing to take the risk." You exhaled a loud breath of air and ran your fingers through your hair, still very much reluctant to let him in. "I'm not here to sell you out to Dongnam, Y/N. Even if he put a gun to my head, I wouldn't. I'm not like that."

"It was money. A lot. And you're right, Dongnam doesn't know. He doesn't need to know. It's personal and has nothing to do with him. Technically, it's not against any rule of his, but I don't care to be the first test subject."

"I won't say anything. You can trust me, Y/N."

You sighed, again. You didn't trust him, even though you wanted to - but he knew enough already to hang you, so you figured regardless, you could at least let him relay the truth. "…it was funding.”

“Funding?”

“Yes,” you shrugged your shoulders. "Technically, it's a donation - since I can't be caught being a funder to a place like that - so, I do it in the form of an anonymous donation."

"Funding for what exactly?"

"To keep it open. It was scheduled to be shut down a few years ago."

“Dongnam gets his girls from places like that, why would you want to keep it open if not for him?"

“It also happens to be a place that people need," you emphasised the words as best as you could. "And with the right resources, they can combat dicks who try to recruit and kidnap from there."

Jungkook took a moment to let the information marinate…

“Why are you doing it?”

“That you are not getting an answer too," you said sternly. " I don't give a fuck what you accuse me of this time."

Jungkook fell silent again, trapped in a contemplative circus, then he took a deep breath…

“Does Taesub and Joohyuk know?” he asked.

"They know that Dongnam doesn't need to know about it."

“And they keep your secret?”

“They’re good people, Jungkook.”

“This is the mob. Are there such thing as good people?” he chuckled to himself.

You straightened your shoulders and stared sharply at him. “Do you consider yourself to be a good person, Jungkook? Cause for a minute there you seemed to be trying to give me a talking to.”

He blinked a few times as he considered what you were asking him. Obviously, he hadn’t thought too much about it.

“You’re still new here - but you’ll learn soon enough that crime is full of criminals, but that isn’t the same as being a good or a bad person. Both exist here in this organisation. You just have to know how to spot who is who.”

You turned back to the papers in front of you, picked up your pen and began writing.

“I’m sorry,” you heard Jungkook meekly whisper from his desk. “I shouldn’t have assumed.”

“Like I said, I don't make any moves without reason - and I keep secrets from all of you for your own benefit. You shouldn't have questioned what was in there. You want me to trust you, but you don't seem to have any faith in me."

You were still looking at your desk, but you could sense how much your statement gave him pause.

"You're right," he surrendered. "I'll fix that."

⁂

The argument over the money washed over as if it never happened. One could say that your and Jungkook’s work environment was pleasant and peaceful – except that the operations meeting was now only a week away and you were about ready to pull out your hair as the date approached. Jungkook went back to his usual routine of friendly banter and lighthearted quips trying to ease your mood and walk you back from the ledge whenever things became too much. He became a master coffee brewer as the long days turned into long nights, and as long weeks turned into even longer weekends. He never complained, though, and you appreciated that most about him. Since Dongnam hadn't shown up at your door ready to off you because of the transition home, you even let Jungkook help you somewhat with the brothel's proposal.

One night, however, it all became too much. The stress, the deadlines and the proposal all tore at your inners, and made you feel like a restless animal trapped in a gilded cage. You needed a release. So, while Jungkook was out getting takeout, you paged Taesub and asked if he could stay late and relieve Jungkook for a few hours.

“You’re going out?” asked Jungkook when he returned to your apartment. He had in his hand a bag full of food and you had in your hand your glittered clutch which matched your magenta heels.

“Yes. I think we both need a break, so Taesub is going to cover for you.”

"But I got us pork buns."

"You'll have to enjoy them without me." You fumbled with your earrings, then pulled at the strands of your hair fixing them perfectly in place.

“I can take you.”

“No need. You're free for the night. go do something. You deserve it,” you found yourself smiling back at him as you said it. You quickly corrected your slip.

“Seriously. I’m not going to be doing anything else.”

“It’s fine. Taesub is all ready to go,” you waved him off as you slipped out of the apartment. “See you in the morning.”

⁂

“Y/N?” you heard the front door to your apartment open with a bang. “Y/N?” It was Jungkook.

“What is it?” you called to him from the kitchen. He came barreling in moments later.

“Are you okay?” his voice shook as he came to a halt when he found you. Once again, just like the first time – he found you a mess and in your bathrobe. But this time, there was no Tight-Pants… that’s because this episode's suitor had left only moments ago.

“I’m fine,” you tersed.

“I heard yelling.”

“I said I’m fine.”

The kitchen became quiet, save you the sound of his shortened breaths. He clearly ran here in a panic after the screams and the slamming door. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but he didn’t.

“You can leave now, Jungkook,” you turned your back to him and began to rummage through the kitchen. “Be here tomorrow by seven, please.”

⁂

The next morning was less awkward than the morning after Jungkook's first intervention in your sex life. He must’ve been getting the gist of your one-night stand success rate - perhaps Taesub or Joohyuk had filled him in. He pretended as if it hadn't happened, and you pretended that you didn't care either way. Regardless, there was still a palpable tension in the air. You lamented about a time when this space wasn't such an emotional rollercoaster, but deep in your chest was a feeling that told you that you wouldn't want to go back to that if you could.

“Y/N…” Jungkook broke you from your thoughts. “Sorry. Ma’am. There’s something funny going on with this file.”

“How do you mean, funny?” you replied, happy to be on any subject except last night.

“These numbers here,” he stood from his desk and walked over to you. He placed the paper in front of you and leaned over behind your shoulder as he pointed out several pieces of data. Your body immediately reacted to his proximity. His chest, his arm – which rested on the chair behind you – his face was so close to you that you swore his heat was warming your skin.

You cleared your throat. “What about them?”

"Remember that day you threatened to shoot me if I came into work, and I came into work anyways?"

"Vividly."

"Remember I wanted to look at something before I left? Well, I had worked over there, and I know how many people they had and for some reason the annual salary claims just wasn't making sense, so I wanted to look at it again."

"OK," you said with skeptical curiosity.

"When I worked there - which was my last assignment before I came to you, I only received a portion of the salary that is being reported as the baseline. At first I thought maybe they didn't pay us full pop because we came from the compound and weren't regular staff, but I'm looking at it now and he's reported that myself and everyone else got full salary."

"You think he forgot to adjust the salaries for the temps?" you took the documents from Jungkook and splayed them over your desk.

"No. If you run this here and here," he pointed to several line items. "I don't think it was a mistake. I think he's doing it for everyone."

You began to punch away on your calculator, double checking that his math was correct. It was.

You sat back in your chair and clicked your tongue, your mind searching for an explanation.

"He doesn't like… report them for tax purposes for his front or something, right?"

"Ha," was all you could give him in response. "Check it again. Thoroughly,” you swallowed as you handed the file back to him.

“I’ve checked it three times already.”

“Once more. If it is what we think it is, I want to be very, very sure before I bring it to Dongnam. When you’re done. I’ll review it myself, so keep all the evidence available, please.”

“Sure thing,” he nodded, then returned to his desk.

Your gut told you that Jungkook was right, and something was wrong. Hours later, you reluctantly resigned yourself to the fact that it was true… you had found a skimmer.

Go to Chapter 6.

[wolfiegirlxox]

Ninjago Role Swap AU Part 2!

As promised, here's what's up with the cannon ninja in my Role Swap AU, this one is much longer than the last one because I have so many thoughts on these guys. Please send me asks for anything you want to know!

Lloyd is still Garmadon and Misako's son but is about 10 years older than the Swap!Ninja (who are around 15ish). Lloyd was believed to be the Green Ninja, they never really told them but they weren't exactly subtle either. So Lloyd trained to be better, the best, even, but one day, when no one was watching, he snuck into the Golden Weapons' room to see if he was the Green Ninja, and... he wasn't. Lloyd was devastated but couldn't tell anyone without admitting to having gone somewhere he shouldn't have, so he didn't do or say anything about it for months. Eventually, he decided that if he could somehow show destiny that he was good enough then maybe, just maybe, he could be the Green Ninja. So he left, and they never saw him again.

After refusing to help the EM lock away the Serpentine, Ray and Maya were banished to an island a few hours' boat ride away from Ninjago City. There they had Kai and Nya. Initially, Ray hadn't been very upset about being sent away, the other EM had chosen a large, resourceful island that was quite beautiful, but after so long on the island he began to resent them, claiming they should have known he was right and stopped. Kai and Nya believed him completely and Ray began to train them to exact his revenge on the EM. One night, after this had been going on for a few years, Maya disappeared. None of them knew why she had left and believed she had simply abandoned them and were very upset about it, Ray most of all. He began pushing the children harder and molding them into them excellent fighters. He eventually figured out Kai had inherited his element, amber, and began to teach him how he would use his element when he finally met other masters. Kai is proud of his element and seeks to make his father proud by exacting his revenge.

Though she does her best not to show it, Nya is jealous of Kai's power and how it makes their father more proud of him. She decides that she'll make her own kind of power and over the years prefects her own Mech to use when the time is right and win her father's affection.

Jay, or Prince Jay, as he is called in the game, is a highly-intelligent NPC in Prime Empire and the main antagonist of the game. He is the rebellious Rock Star Prince of Prime Empire and son of the King of Prime Empire, who sends the player on quests. Throughout the game Jay repeatedly battles the player, learning their fighting style and using that information to his advantage. The player is not allowed to truly beat him until they reach the end of the game, where he is the final boss. Jay doesn't really understand that he's the villain, or that hurting people is bad as he has never really seen or felt pain due to being in a game. When he isn't fighting players Jay likes to cause mischief that can often cost his target a life. Jay's ultimate goal, despite what many think, is to escape the game so he can finally return to his father. The King was never really a father to him, instead, he gives that title to Milton Dyre, who talked to him often while creating the game. Unagami is also like a brother to him. When the game was shut down after it was discovered he could bring players into the game Jay didn't know what was going on, only that one day Milton stopped coming to him. He was scared and alone with no way of knowing what had happened and feared the worse. He has worked hard to find a way to the real world and can only hope nothing bad has happened after all this time.

Zane is the personal assistant to Dr. Julien, owner of Julien Corp., he is an old man and while he's not old enough to be retiring too soon he still needs help with anything from working on a new invention to remembering to take his medicine, all of which Zane happily assists with. Over time Dr. Julien has started to see Zane as more of a son than an assistant but is still struggling with getting Zane to see that.

Cole is the cool and calm son of King Vangelis and Prince of Shintaro. Or at least, everyone thinks he's cool and calm. In order to fit the role of prince, and eventually king, Cole does his best to remain calm, responsible, and respectable. Deep down though he's a total dork and a softie. He loves to play all the video games he can find and has a collection of nearly every Starfarrer comic.

Oh wow, I wrote over 800 words of backstory, wow! Well, as you can see I have lots of ideas for these guys, and for most of them, this isn't even close to all I have for them. So please send me asks about any of these guys I want to tell.

[somniiator]

still thinking a lot about this post and zulaikha's perception of love, so here goes a ramble about it.

because really, there's not a time in her life she or anyone else in her family has said 'i love you'. her parents were never even married-- never really held love for each other. as i've mentioned before, they were together because it was convenient more than anything else. and to say that they were 'together' is a bit of a stretch anyway-- zulaikha was an unexpected result, and aside from minu more or less being blackmailed to staying with mithra and his family, she was the only thing that kept her parents even being remotely associated with each other. otherwise minu would have found a way to flee much sooner, rather than only doing so after zulaikha had already left.

zulaikha can't even claim to have loved her parents either. in fact, she loathed her father for perpetuating the discord within deshret's relics by serving as a record keeper and for his demonstrated willingness to take out even his own family if it meant securing his own power. and even if she preferred her mother over him, neither would have gone as far as to say 'i love you' to one another. minu kept her child at arm's length anyway, and zulli was thus raised without much outright affection. care was instead expressed in the form of training to make her stronger, and the occasional caring of the wounds she sustained in the process. it was minimal, and could hardly be called 'affection', but it was all she knew.

after leaving her family behind-- and particularly after spending time in aaru village-- zulli learned that 'love' wasn't as far away from her reach as she thought. it became easier to express through looking after one another as a community, ensuring that those you cared about had all that they could need on both physical and emotional levels, and small gestures meant to bring comfort or a smile to one's face. and she carried that with her even after relocating to sumeru city and to the current day.

what remains, however, is a sort of discomfort with verbal expressions of love. it's still too foreign to her, and too hard to believe. after all, anyone could just say 'i love you'. but to her, actions are what prove it, be they big or small. of course, she can grow used to it with time-- but friends and significant others must be prepared for it to take a while for her to not bristle and become suspicious when told 'i love you', and even similar reactions when given a few too many words of affirmation. and it will take even longer for her to say those words in return. she'll continue to want to show her love-- particularly through acts of service and quality time. even physical touch or gift giving! just... give her some patience on verbal declarations, that's all. but i promise she'll shower you with love in every other way possible

[ask-kyoya-hibari-and-kyo-kun]

Prologue Part 2

Two months post Millefiore Fiasco

Kyoya shakes his phone, frowning in bored displeasure when that just gets him more of the weird flickering and screen bleeding. Even Haru crinkles her nose, just as confused as him. She doesn't seem thrilled by his request. "Look, I'll try to fix it, but I'm a social media coordinator, not tech support. I'm making no promises."

At least, she takes the phone out of his hand, lightly tapping the edge with one finger, frowning again when fragmented words and letters flicker over the screen. This isn't water damage, the screen isn't cracked and Kyoya isn't the type to drop his phone regularly, so... "What did you even do to this thing?"

Kyoya huffs, dramatizing, when really he seems unbothered. He rests one elbow on the back of Haru's chair, leaning close and briefly nuzzling her hair, just to show affection and gratitude. "I did nothing. The weird flickering started two months ago. Maybe ambient electricity from the incident?"

Haru hums faintly, returning the nuzzle with easy familiarity. Afterall, this isn't the first time Kyoya snuggled up to her like this. He's just clingy when he likes people, really. "If this started two months ago, why complain now?"

Kyoya does a little sigh and clenches one hand to his chest, still being needlessly dramatic. "I couldn't care less. But the Little Animal started pestering me about how else he'd contact me in an emergency."

Haru can't help but giggle, because she's heard some of Tsuna's more unconventional contact methods. Kyoy would not be fine with mail-pigeons harassing him all day long. "Fine fine. I'll see what I can do."

That makes Kyoya smiles. Just small, sweet and genuine. Haru watches through the reflection on her desktop's black screen, just as Kyoya turns his head a little and presses a kiss into her hair. That easily makes comfortable warmth flash across her cheeks, especially when Kyoya speaks in a soft whisper. "Thanks Haru. You're the best."

The comfortable warmth escalates to an intense burn and she pushes his head away firmly, playfully ticked of. "Hahi! Get outta my office, you pervert!"

Kyoya is definitely chuckling under his breath, easily dodging out of reach when Haru throws one of the stuffed animals she keeps on her desk at him. He catches the plushy, giving it a little twirl, before opening her door and giving her a teasing smirk. "Just come find me if you figure it out."

Haru is still flushed, clenching her fist to shake it at him in jest. For her troubles, she gets hit on the shoulder with her very own plushy! Can you believe audacity of this man!? "Get outta here!"

But she also wins, because Kyoya's laughter slips into the audible just as he shuts the door with a dismissive little wave. "Yeah yeah..."

Haru huffs the heat out of her cheeks, grumbling faintly, trying to suppress the smile quirking at her lips, but it's nearly impossible. She still loves playing with her friends, despite being 24 years old now, and Kyoya isn't around often, so when he's playful it's like an even more rare treat!

Haru giggles to herself, setting the compromised, yet unimportant phone aside and returning to her paperwork for now. She'll tend to it when she's done with the more urgent matters. Might take her a few hours to get to it, actually.

The screen continues to flicker weakly, until the battery is drained fully and it goes dark. Yet it only takes a moment for the screen to light back up. Now in an array of pale colours and suddenly displaying coherent words...

-Ask Box is now open-

[ram-de]

[read] white trash warlock

idk when I'll be continuing good omens and evelyn hardcastle im sorry christian apocalypse and murder time loop... I'll get back one day

ANYWAY

After reading extraordinaties, and then all of us villains (and demise) I think I'm growing fond of the fantasy as a genre. I've read several pjo books and I think Harry potter in my teenage years but my English comprehension wasnt as good as how I am right now (writing is a different thing) so I think I missed a lot of clues and all lol there's always stuff I get confused and read back. I wondered what the hell happens at some points. I've read more contemporary dramas the past few months. BUT... Damn fantasy opens up a lot of interesting scenarios... And... I crave for more👉👈 good thing there's a basically infinite supply of fantasy stories

What I know about this book? White trash warlock... Is well, it's an urban fantasy. Meaning, as far as I understand it, a lot of fantasy tropes are implemented in the more usual contemporary setting. Did I get that right? I dont know.

The premise is... Some peeps can see through The Sight, a different kind of dimension(?) that dwells and live in basically the same place. The main protagonists are this guy Adam and his brother. They were estranged until one day Adam's brother asks him for help.

-----((++-------

Alright. COOL LIZARD PEOPLE... I can't really image what the hell cue is. My English comprehension isn't as good as I thought💀 alright. So theres this stuff that a guy made out of like, magical peeps creatures remains to make some kind of magical items. Cues? And Adam is pursuing the guy making these things. He's also been thrown away by his family simply because he has an affinity with magical entities, albeit weak.

His brother Robert is a guy with a wife whose unable to have child for like three times. And she's... She's nursing a blob of magical creature... Uh... Why am I doing a summary... BACK TO THE PROGRAM...

Ouu I like myself some groveling plot, asking for help after you kicked your brother out is low. I expect some good asking for forgiveness... Lmao

_-_---------------

There's gonna be a lot of angst isn't there sghsgshsh like family drama

So people just powers up (Sight) randomly from genetics?? Witch > warlock > whatever Adam is. Living with someone that can predict the future must've sucks like dont spoil me old lady💀

Why does the story gave me the shivers im lowkey scared it's making me think of my own future shzgshhs fiction is supposed to be an escape stopppp

Oh bobby is an ass screw him I'd call him another slime but he's probably gonna have a redemption one way or another and I know it's gonna be good

_--------_______----

I didn't miss that Aunt Sue didn't promise him anything when he asked if she'll be there when he returns. This lady can see the future (tho idk if it extends to her own's) OH SHE'S GONNA BE DEAD...

The Liberty House is some kind of a conversion therapy esque kind of school? oh the mom and the bro is shitty fr SLIMES YOU ALL

Adam my skilled ghostbuster son🤲 (I've never watched ghostbuster) ((he's older than me))

I don't actually know if I can read through this estranged distant painful family drama (for Adam, screw his mom)

Ouu... That's a bit chilling. WORLD BUILDING... LORE... APOCALYPSE INCOMING...

Bob guy irritates me as he should. Excellent characterization! I want him eradicated!

Is this an insta-love trope um😭 not too fond of them but dhsgshjehd ill muster through...

Idk bob sending ur brother to something akin of a conversion therapy just because he had something akin of a mental illness (it's not mental illness it's magic though I'm sure with how it affected Adam that much it'd get him some) (even if it's mental illness, do you really send them off and never check up on them?...huh... Wait some people do that?😭)

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

One thing that I thought in stories is, in this modern age of cameras and CCTV, there's no way strange occurrences can be kept hidden to the rest of the world. What do you mean reaper came in the form of human host that awoke when someone is gonna die? Wouldn't someone bat an eye for public death if a stranger suddenly grew and turned their pencil into a schyte... In the broad daylight? He'd be the killer, then! (technically not but also, that's how grim reaper reap souls?) but what if it's just an accepted normalcies... If so why is this guy Adam thought as if it's a hidden secrets only witches knows. This felt like a nitpick😭 im sure there's like an in-world answer idk why this one stucks lol

Also Adam is a witch that's good to know

OUUU time stopped for the mortal side. I see. I'm stupid.

Nitpicking is fun because I act like I'm a better writer than wrjtert who put love and sweat into their creation, in the product of their world building and lore. Im sorry😔 So the next nitpick is, does the non-mortal magic creatures speak English?

Oh their dead is a cheater AND a deadbeat I NEED HIM TO PERISH

Ok not a cheater (yet, idk)

Adam and Bobby seems OK-ish during their childhood who wanna bet it's something with their dad that made them estranged

Imagine waking up with a stranger memories damn Adam this is why you don't tether your life to another... ARE THEY BASICALLY SHARING A BRAIN NOW

That's some body horror right there like whatever you thought about the other guy knows too and nothing to hide or nothing to keep to yourself no personality whatsoever and also no individuality LIKE... Maybe it's good if they're like a good person but what if they're doing it to rob your bank account or steal whatever

So they're like fated mates now ok ig

Bob my even if you think sending your bro to a mental institute is "the best" thing to do, why haven't you reached out to him after, like all this time.

I like that Adam kept reminding Bob of how much he hated him, like yea deservedaushhshsushsh the elves are such cool creatures argent is a queen silver is a king and yes. What question? Uh, any. Yes.

This guy hasn't moved on from his ex😭 get over it smh

Bruh I though he's offering his own car lmaoo Adam you're such a menace and elves are car thiefs!!

Is this a meet-cute? I don't know if it's a meet-cute but I liked it. I'm eating. I'm thriving so much. Vics accepting magic just like that contrasting to how Adam's bro and mom denied it all his life😭 augshsh

WAIT THIS IS CUTE I'M SOLD.... WHO CARES IT ITS INSTA LOVE ITS INSTA CUTE and I love cute things except real people's. Real life kinda sucks. But this... This is soft and fluffy😭

Bobby's reluctance and Adam's attunement to magic reminds me of kids stories. I mean, like Peter Pan, maybe? I don't know, I haven't watched Peter Pan. Like this one kid movie about a kid that have monster friend in the forest. They're like a big monster doll. I forgot what the movie is called. Or like this one show where a kid (human, live action) can visit his animal friends (cartoon, animated). Or like Narnia. Um... What's my point. What I'm saying is that fantasy is just a temporary thing, and how kid grown out of them after they're an adult. Bobby wanted Adam to have a /normal/ live, despite magic and magical world present and real and exists. In a way, Adam is stuck on his affinity with magic (and partly that's because his family rejected it in the first place. When he's scared of it, they put him to therapist and give him drugs, diagnosing it of something he's not rather than listening, helping him in a way that would accepts him too.) and contrast that with Bobby who's just over all of it (partly because his father, deadbeat and abusive, also have an affinity to magic)

Vic is a cutie😭

Hm... Silver can't be Perak, can't he? W. DNDHSHS WTF. UM. UMMM.... WHAT IN THE TRANSLATION IS THIS. UM. Silver is literally Perak in Indonesian😭 like that's the word translation. UM.????

Ojh my god A LOT OF LORE DROPPED

Huh... Wait. That's weird. Silver is Argentum in Latin...😭 Okay, that's three. A pattern. What does this means. Does elves names themselves after a variation of the word 'Silver' in several languages. Is Silver and Argent the same person? WHAT IS HAPOENDJNG

So Perak is just a different guy and elves just named after Silvers ooooookay

Oh there is it is I have zero skills for implied clues haha😭

Bruh the King is mad stupid for locking the single practicioner left alive to fought the spirit😭 like my man that thing lolled elves and humans and there you have a guy willing to fight for it, and you locked him and your son because they had a thing in the past?

31----- AHHH soft soft and fluffy my heart is warm

I think I'll explode if Adam ended up with Silver, dont pursue the immortal/mortal angst PLEASEEE vic is good, no, GREAT even

Vicente... Dreamy

So all this time Bobby's doing is just an influence of a higher being? Aw that's strangely unfulfilling, now the groveling doesn't seem justified and I'm not excited for, if it'd happen, anymore. That's disappointing.

Surely Argent isn't going to be ded right..

This flashback is painful😭 I can sorta get why Bobby would send Adam to the house but really he's sending him for another years of hurt. Adam:( His dad is abusive. His mom is passive. And his brother no longer protects him.

Okay... So it's not necessarily a higher being puppeteering Bobby, sort of give him a way, leading him into it. That makes it better. Because what Bobby had done is still horrible.

AAH it ended. It's a HFN, definitely. And I'm... Why do I felt like I expected more of an ending? It doesn't really tie up a lot of loose knots. like his family problem (which is fair, since it's taken a lot of time.) I DID NOT SEE ANY GROVELLING, HMM? even the sorries felt lackluster like it's just unsaid and they just accepted it for what it is. Which is also fair, since they've been through a lot. but ALSO... the thing with Vic. Like... We don't even see him in the last chapter😭 and this guy Adam is going to go again to look for the warlock. UM. DO I READ THE SEQUELS...

Yes. Yea I will be. But I'll pace it out... I can do self-restraint (I can't)