#so here we are!!!!!!! head in my stupid hands. heart on my silly sleeve.

[mfshipbracket]

me voting against reylo everytime a new poll comes across my dash:

if i had zero self-preservation instincts, i would be like—what if i made one of those "daily x" blogs and it's just a poll pitting something vs reylo every single day just to keep the comedy train going.

but i have at LEAST one self-preservation instinct. and i don't hate myself OR reylo enough to commit to a bit lasting longer than this bonus round. so i shan't. but i'm so glad you're having fun :)

[rorywritesjunk]

I can’t tell where the journey will end But I know where to start

Prequel to my Kid Buggy fic, set about 11-ish years before that story.

Buggy meets you by chance when he needs his buttons sewn back onto his jacket. He’s young, up and coming, and he thinks everyone should cower before him wherever he goes, but all you do is smile at him.

Rating: PG-13ish just for some swearing. Warning: Buggy’s in his early 20s. He’s an asshole. He just is because I wanted to write him loud, demanding, everything. Chapter warning has drinking, a drunk and all over the place Buggy, and Sunny just quietly being "what the fuck". Also it's Buggy's birthday. A/N: I have no idea when Buggy became a Captain, so he’s a fresh faced captain in this. No clue how long this fic will be. I actually have started rewriting it after chapter 5 because I realized I wanted to change some things up.

Title comes from “Wake Me Up” by Avicii.

TAGLIST: @lostfirefly @ane5e @kingofthemfingpirates @the-angriest-angel @tiredemomama @valen-yamyam16 @i-reblog-fics-i-like @plethora-of-fickleness @uhnanix

Chapter 1 + Chapter 2 + Chapter 3 + Chapter 4 + Chapter 5 + Chapter 6 + Chapter 7 + Chapter 8 + Chapter 9 + Chapter 10 + Chapter 11 + Chapter 12 + Chapter 13 + Chapter 14 + Chapter 15 + Chapter 16 + Chapter 17 + Chapter 18 + Epilogue

Chapter 6

“I think she’s heartbroken.” Benji said as he and Miss Pins watched you stumble around the shop, looking through stacks of fabric and spools of thread looking for your tailor’s chalk that was tucked up in behind your ear. You had been acting… odd since you told Buggy to leave the shop three weeks ago. You managed to sew a customer’s order to your lap, sewed cuffs inside out on another one, and just now you spent the last hour looking for the blue piece of tailor’s chalk that you tucked behind your ear. 

“Oh?” Miss Pins replied, head resting in her hand as she watched you look through the same stack of fabric again. “You’re a kid, how do you know about heartbreak?”

“I was in love with a girl and she broke my heart.” Benji told her as you finally found the chalk and set it on the table. “We were 12. She told me she wanted someone nicer, which was dumb. I am nice. I just voice my opinions.”

“Well, don’t get hung up on that young romance. Someone else will come around.” The old woman said as you started looking for your scissors next. They were in a cup in front of you along with other tools. “This is really sad. Did she like the idiot that much?”

“I think so.” Benji frowned. “I didn’t like him.”

“Neither did I.” Miss Pins sighed. “So of course Sunny would.”

“Why did she like him?” Benji asked. Miss Pins shrugged.

“She’s always been kind, ever since she showed up here all those years ago.” Your boss replied. “No matter who someone was or how awful they were, she would just be nice to them.”

You finally found the scissors and held them up triumphantly before pausing and staring down at your work. It took you so long to find the tailor’s chalk that you forgot why you needed it and the scissors. You were distracted, half expecting Buggy to come bursting into the shop any moment now with some silly little thing to fix on his jacket, but you were quite firm when you told him to leave that one day, so he must have taken it to heart. You weren’t going to see him again.

Was it fair you got upset because he couldn’t remember your name? But at the same time, the way he reacted was more hurtful. Something stupid like your name. It repeated in your head nonstop and you wished it wouldn’t. He was just so mean about it. Sure, he had been rude and a bit of an ass since you met him, but it was never mean. 

You remembered what you were working on. A customer wanted his jacket to have reinforced stitches in the sleeves but more room in the shoulders to allow him better movement when he used his sword. He had come into the shop and while you even thought he was handsome, you didn’t hide your disappointment that it wasn’t Buggy. Miss Pins gave the job to you and the man paid ahead of time, so you immediately started working. 

Maybe Buggy would show back up.

~

You had been fast asleep until you were woken up by someone yelling outside the shop. You heard your boss shouting from her bedroom window at whoever it was, but you got up to see what was going on. You heard her shout Dammit Buggy! So you headed downstairs to the shop and opened the door. 

Sure enough, Buggy was standing there, glaring upwards at Miss Pins’ window. He swayed where he stood, a bottle clutched in his hand before he raised it up.

“You’re loud too, Miss Pins!” He shot back before shrieking and jumping out of the way. Miss Pins had dumped a cup of water on him. “Hey!”

“Buggy?” You stepped out of the shop and closed the door behind you. His eyes lit up when he saw you and he had a big smile on his face. His face was flushed and he looked so happy to see you.

“Su-Sunny! You’re still here!” He slurred, grinning as he dropped the bottle and threw his arms around you, catching you off guard. “I thought maybe… maybe you left and never wanted to see me again!”

Oh, this was a happy and drunk Buggy. You could smell the alcohol on his breath as well coming off of his clothes. You wondered how much he had already. It was best to send him on his way, to not get involved, but you worried what sort of trouble he would get into if you left him alone, so you called up to your boss’s window that you’d be back later, you wanted to make sure he got back to his ship safely. You picked up the bottle and put your arm around his waist, keeping a firm hold on him to keep him from wandering off.

“‘S my birrrrthday!” He announced as he slung an arm over your shoulder, laughing loudly as you made your way down the road and toward the docks. “I’m… I’m two months… After you. I’m younger.”

“You definitely are.” You mused as you tightened your arm around him. He looked at you with a smirk.

“You’re touching me.” He lifted his arm to have another drink and realized he didn’t have his bottle. “Where-”

“I have it, Buggy.” You told him, holding it up to show him. “No more, okay?”

He looked grumpy until his hand popped off and grabbed it from you, bringing it back to himself. Smirking triumphantly, he raised the bottle to his lips and continued drinking. You weren’t opposed to drinking at all, but you also didn’t want to be around a drunk pirate right now. You wanted to be home and sleeping.

“Which one is your ship?” You asked when you came to the docks. He lowered the bottle and frowned as he looked at them before pointing to one furthest to the right. You hoped he was right as you walked with him to the ship, still keeping a hold on him. Once you dropped him off you’d head back home, but he turned to you with bright and excited eyes.

“Have a drink with me!” He pleaded. “It’s… it’s my birthday.”

“I know it’s your birthday, you told me.” You reminded him. “And I don’t want a drink, Buggy. I need to get home.”

“Please?” He asked as he stopped in his tracks. You kept your arm around him and looked over at him. The happy and bouncy Buggy was gone, replaced with someone different. He looked unsure of himself right then as he asked you, turning his gaze to his feet. You were going to regret this but you sighed and nodded.

“One drink.” You told him, and before you knew it, he was smiling again and taking hold of your hand, leading you up to his ship with his chest puffed out proudly, looking quite happy once more. You followed after him, shaking your head as he led you to what you figured was the captain’s quarters. One drink, that was it, then you’d head home.

He finally finished the bottle and tossed it aside before stumbling over to a cabinet for more. You took a seat on his bed, watching him as he rummaged around before pulling out two glasses and a bottle. He grinned at you, wagging his eyebrows as he brought you a glass and opened the bottle, but you took it from him.

“The birthday boy shouldn’t be pouring his own drink.” You told him as he plopped down beside you. You didn’t trust him to not spill it everywhere so you poured him a glass before your own, setting the bottle out of his immediate reach (which was silly because he could still grab it with his Devil Fruit powers). “Cheers, Buggy.”

He smiled brightly and let his head rest on your shoulder as he gripped his glass tightly. “You’re nice.” 

“I’ve been told that.” You chuckled. “Thanks.” 

“No, no, no, you’re so nice.” He continued gushing. “And… y’know, I’m gonna marry you. You’re so nice, Sunny, and I’m not married, y’know, so we should get married.”

You choked on your drink and set the glass aside, coughing a bit before clearing your throat. Oh, he was so drunk. You reached up to pat his cheek gently. “You’re not going to remember any of this tomorrow, so don’t propose marriage to me yet.”

He tossed his drink back before giving you his glass. You put it beside yours, not wanting to fill it back up. The moment your hand was free he took it in his own, entwining his fingers with yours as he continued his drunken rambles.

“We’ll get married, because you’re so nice to me, and I’ll be so happy.” He continued as he turned to look up at you. “I want to be happy with you, Sunny.”

“Buggy, I want you to be happy too.” You told him. “I don’t know if marrying someone will make you happy, however.”

“Is it because I was an asshole on your birthday? Is… is that why you won’t marry me?” Buggy asked with a frown. “I’m sorry… I’m sorry I was mean. I was an asshole. I like you a lot and got scared ‘cause I couldn’t remember your name, and you have a nice name, and I didn’t get you a present.” He suddenly dropped your hand and stood up, marching back over to his cabinet. “Wait, I wanna sh-show you somethin’!”

Oh, Drunk Buggy was just a bit everywhere. Happy, excited, emotional, and apologetic. It was kind of fun to see in a way. He rummaged through the cabinet before hurrying back over to you, tripping over his own feet before falling onto his bed beside you. He held up something and you took it. They were photographs of two young boys, one with a straw hat and red hair, and the other had to be Buggy going by the bright red nose and scowl. 

“That’s me,” He pointed to himself in the photo. “Wasn’t sure if you knew. And that’s Shanks. We… we were best friends on a ship together and then we weren’t.” He frowned. “Haven’t been for a few years.” He sat up on the bed and leaned into you again. “You’re really nice.”

“Thank you for apologizing for my birthday, Buggy.” You told him as you looked through the photos. There weren't many, and they were old, showing their age in their wrinkles and fading color. Buggy certainly was a cute little kid. “I’m sorry I was rude to you.”

He straightened up and put both of his hands on your cheeks, turning your head so you faced him. He glared at you and you wondered what was about to happen, but his gaze suddenly softened and he looked down at his lap, his hands still on your cheeks. “Don’t you ever apologize because you’re perfect and have done nothing wrong ever.”

You put both of your hands on his and moved them off your face. “Buggy, I think you need to go to bed.”

He turned red suddenly and pulled away from you, looking down at his lap as you got to your feet and removed his hat, setting it down on a nearby trunk. You noticed he went quiet but decided not to say anything as you looked for some kind of sleep clothes for him, or did he just sleep in his everyday clothes? When you looked back over at him he was struggling to remove his shirt. You sighed and went to help him get free of it. When you saw his face again, he looked away once more.

“What’s wrong?” You asked as you knelt in front of him to help take his boots off. You didn’t trust him to do it himself, afraid he’d topple over and hit his head. 

“I never… with… with anyone before.” He mumbled as he gestured between the two of you. For a solid minute you stared at him as you tried to process what he was thinking, and when it hit you, your face burned as you set his boots aside. “So um…”

“Neither have I, Buggy, but that’s not what I said.” You told him firmly. “I told you it’s time for bed. For you, not me. You need to get some sleep.”

“Canyoustaythenight?” He blurted out. “Please? I don’t… want to be alone.”

You stared at him for a moment, trying to wrap your mind around this. You didn’t intend for any of this to happen. You were just going to bring him home before going back to your place to crawl into your bed, but he managed to get you to stay for a drink (that you didn’t finish) and now he wanted you to spend the night. 

He was looking at you like you were the only thing that mattered in his world right then. It was a little hard to say no, but you did want to make sure he would be okay, so you removed your own shoes before putting your hands on your hips. “Where are your pajamas?”

He shrugged as he fell back on his bed, stretching out across it. His entire body separated for a moment before snapping back together and honestly, it was momentarily horrifying to see it all happen at once. You needed him to explain this but not when he was drunk. You sighed and nudged him to get under the blankets, which he did, watching you once more with bright, excited eyes as you got into bed beside him. Almost immediately he wrapped himself around you, resting his head against your chest as he closed his eyes and sighed happily. 

“So nice, so soft, warm.” He mumbled quietly. You took the chance to remove his bandana, pleasantly surprised to see how long his hair was. Why did he keep it all hidden? You ran your fingers through it as he made himself comfortable against you. “I don’t wanna be away from you again, please, ‘msorry.”

“Get some sleep, Buggy.” You told him as you pressed a kiss to the top of his head. “Okay? No more talking.”

“Imma marry you.” He sighed. You rolled your eyes and wondered what you needed to expect the next morning.

[concreteburialplot]

Intertwined // 03

03 - when the party’s over

pairing: noah sebastian x nicholas ruffilo

masterlist/intro: here | crossposted: ao3

word count: 5.6k

warnings; alcohol, frat house parties, angst, frat!folio/frat!miserable bryan, inaccurate depictions of college experiences lmao, slight panic attack/ [nonsexual] overstimulation, frat hazing, drowning? but it’s kinda funny, confused jealous sad nicholas, awkward noah trying to rizz, folio has a silly nickname, crying, fighting, lots of internal dialogue, etc, 18+ MDNI

reminder; this is AU, nothing is meant to be accurate or realistic, including family members/names

a/n: don't like it don't read it. don’t be mean for no reason & let others enjoy things thnx :)

NICHOLAS

In the bathroom across the hall, Noah messes with the pieces of his flippy hair that poke out and around his beanie.

In my room, I switch out the jewelry in my gauged ears and smooth out the short-sleeve button up shirt I chose.

The air between us had been somewhat distant and weird for the past 2 weeks since our… mutual activities. Though, I could tell that he was ready to go back to normal, which I do too.

It must just be harder for me to get past it, I guess.

We aren’t even out the door yet and I already regret agreeing to this stupid ass frat party.

He steps into the doorway and leans against the frame. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

“I just gotta brush my hair and then we can go.” I say, still turned away from him.

“Cool…” He trails off, “I’m just gonna chill in the living room.” He thumbs over his shoulder.

“Okay. Sounds good.” I reply instantly, almost before he’s even done talking.

Once I’ve quickly brushed through my shoulder length hair, I grab my keys from the wooden hooks near the front door. “Alright I’m ready to–”

My eyes land on Noah, who’s wearing a black sleeveless muscle tee-like shirt and tight jeans. I’ve seen him in similar outfits a million times before but for some reason right now he looks so different.

“You good?” He chuckles and shoves his phone in his back pocket.

I shake my head from whatever fog is lingering there. “Yeah, yeah, sorry. I must’ve just dissociated there for a sec.” Followed with a fake laugh.

When we pull up to the frat house, it’s packed with cars practically stacked on top of each other. Thankfully I find a spot not too far and claim it as my own.

As Noah and I walk up, I’m in absolute awe. I’ve only driven past this house; I’ve never been this close to it. It’s one of the various neighboring fraternities and sororities that border a huge lake. I can see the lake peeking out from behind the house and it makes me wonder what it’s like during the warmer months. A rush of cold fall wind reminds me that summer break is actually over. I stuff my hands into my jeans and continue towards the entrance.

The house itself is beautiful, it’s massive, white with columns and giant black Greek letters just below the roof. Colorful lights flash through the windows and follow the beat of thumping house music. People pour in and out of the front door and from around the backyard.

Everything about it screams college. It’s exactly what Noah wanted. It’s exactly what Folio wanted. But I hate it already and we haven’t even stepped foot in there.

We step up to the front door that’s being guarded by two muscular men who look like if they flicked us, we’d fall over. They very dramatically step together blocking the entrance. “Who invited you?” They ask sternly.

My heart rate immediately spikes from the interaction. I grab the hem of Noah’s shirt discreetly and tug at it to pull him away, but he surprises me.

“Folio.” He speaks up with the most obvious forced confidence and straightens out his back, pushing his chest out a bit.

Their serious faces break into hearty laughs. The one on the left leans back to see past the right one, “Trout! Your invites are here!”

Noah and I look at each other with stitched mouths not wanting to burst out laughing at Folio’s new nickname. Fishing is about 75% of what comes out of his mouth, it’s no surprise his new roommates have already heard all about it. The other 25% is dedicated to girls, weed, drums, and bikes, naturally. I am sure he’s stoked about the lake that’s quite literally in his backyard for him to fish from any time he wants.

Nick rips through the crowd and he looks… well just like a freshman in a fraternity. He’s wearing some ridiculous helmet with beer cans attached to the sides and a tube to drink from. His tank top is neon green plastered with frat symbols across his chest. The smile on his face is the biggest I’ve ever seen it, even bigger than when he somehow managed to get a 73% on his final where he blindly guessed on every question.

“Yesss! My bros!” He yells excitedly and pummels us in a giant hug. It’s only then that I realize he’s completely soaked in sticky beer.

“Ew, Folio.” I scrunch my face in disgust and peel myself away from him.

Noah just laughs, even though I know the beer on his clean clothes is driving him mad.

“Oh, don’t be a downer Ruffilo.” His words already strung together gives away how drunk he already is.

I pull my phone from my back pocket to check the time. “Nick it’s only 9, how much have you drank already?” I ask loudly over the music.

“It’s part of the like,” He lets out a slurred burp, “The initiation, or whatever. Freshmen have to drink a certain amount. And… I did.”  He drunkenly chuckles. Folio never drank much before this and if he did, he was always a lightweight. If he really did drink that much, it’s a miracle he’s even talking somewhat coherently right now.

“Well you really should’ve paced yourself–“ I begin but he cuts me off.

He rolls his eyes. “I should’ve known you’d be like this.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” My brows furrow defensively.

“I would’ve had Noah leave you at home if I knew you’d be like this.”

I know he’s joking but it doesn’t make the tightness in my chest any less.

“C’mon Nicholas,” Noah grabs my shoulders and gives me a little shake. “Loosen up!”

I hate everything about this. It’s so confusing to see Noah this way, he was never like this before. Parties were his worst nightmare – until now apparently.

“Yeah, you guys need to catch up to me! Maybe you’ll have more fun!” Folio gestures for us to follow him to the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen, there’s a couple frat guys playing bartender, one I recognize to be Bryan, Folio’s mentor.

“Bryan!” Nick runs up to him like a child asking for a toy. “My friends are here and they wanna get just as drunk as meee.”

The dark under eye bags on Bryan are borderline comical. The look in his eyes reminds me of the look that middle aged underpaid cashiers give you when you ask if you can use a coupon. He says nothing and mixes up a concoction that looks like battery acid.

“Here.” He slides two radioactive drinks towards us over a marble countertop. “That should get you pretty fucked up quick.” Then goes off taking orders from other people.

I dip close to Folio’s side, “Why does it look like he works here?”

“The sophomores have to ‘work the party’.” Nick hiccups, “So they stationed him there.”

“Oh.” Noah and I mouth in unison.

“It’s part of the initiation.” He repeats proudly, as if being indoctrinated into some sort of academic cult is something to be so proud of.

I take the time to actually look over the party – it’s packed to the brim. There’s every single kind of college student you could think of, even kids that seem “nerdier” than me and Noah.

Rockstar by Post Malone began blasting through the speakers and a grin instantly spreads over my mouth. A couple summers ago Rockstar was me and Noah’s song, we would blare it on repeat in my shitty car almost every day. We played it so much we got sick of it, and this was the first time I’ve heard it since then. I turn excitedly to Noah but find that he’s gone. I look around where I’m standing, suddenly feeling exposed. Everyone surrounding me is preoccupied one way or another, including Folio which I’ve just realized disappeared too.

Directly in front of me stands the only other person I even marginally know at this party.

I lean across the counter and tap at Bryan’s tattooed forearm. He looks at me and it’s different than he does when I’m with Folio. Thankfully, it’s a lot kinder.

“What’s up?” He asks over the music, leaning closer to me with his ear first.

“Did you see where Noah went?” I nearly shout at him.

He nods over to the couch across the room where Noah is sat talking to a group of what looks like sorority girls – no worse, wannabe sorority girls.

“Trout introduced them.”

What a comically horrible nickname.

My lips fall to a frown, and it feels like my heart has dropped into my stomach. I watch as one bottle blonde traces her fingertips over a tattoo on his arm that I did –  the first tattoo I’ve ever done on somebody else and the first tattoo he ever got. For some reason, the sight of it makes me feel sick, like I could throw up right where I stand.

When my gaze finally reaches back to Bryan, he’s ready to tell me the answer to a question I haven’t asked.

“I don’t know where Folio went.”

“Great.” I nod and push away from the counter. “Just…great.”  

I figured that we’d come here for a bit for Nick then leave. I didn’t expect us to actually interact – which seems naïve to think about now. Noah practically begged me to come with him to this incredibly obnoxious party, of course he’d wanna stay and participate.

I deflate, grab my cup of toxic chemicals and reluctantly walk over to Noah. I nudge his arm and when he turns, he looks surprised to see me, like he forgot I was here.

“Oh, hey I was just about to find you.” He slurs and throws an arm over my shoulders. “This is Kassidy.” He gestures to the small blonde girl he’s been talking to then gestures to another very similar looking girl. “And this,” He gives me a discreet extra nudge. “is Brooke.”

The girls give me over enthusiastic smiles and I give them a half-wave because that’s all I have left to offer. “Hey.”

“Whatever Bryan made us, is fuckin’ workin’.” He knocks back the rest of his drink. “Do you mind asking him for another for me?”

My brows raise involuntarily at his demand like I’m some butler.

“Here take mine.” I grumble and drop my full solo cup into his empty one.

“You didn’t like it?” He doesn’t wait to already take a sip.

“No.”

“I’m sure they have beer or something else-“

“I’m good. I have to drive your ass home anyway.” I snap and walk past him through the path between the couch and the coffee table. I plop right next to Brooke because I know that’s what Noah was trying to orchestrate, and where else would I go.

Brooke is blonde with what I assume are hair extensions poorly placed over her scalp. Her lips are overly full, like she drew around her lips with a lead pencil. Her exposed cleavage from a lowcut crop top would normally entice me, if she wasn’t so…her.

She tried talking to me, but I must’ve been too boring since she just hung onto every word Noah said instead. When Kassidy and Noah started making out was when she finally left and went to find new prey.

I’m stuck on the opposite side of the couch watching my best friend get his face eaten off by someone who doesn’t even know how to brush her hair properly. It’s been about an hour and a half since we got here, and it’s the exact opposite of “fun”. Maybe it’s because I’m not drinking that I don’t understand the appeal.

Noah or not, I’d rather be home playing Pokémon or Call of Duty or literally anything other than this. Between the blaring music and the belligerent people, the thumping in my chest returns. I run my hands up and down my thighs slowly in an attempt to calm down but the faster my heart races the quicker my hands go. The air seems to be thinning around me and the crowded people feel closer than before. But then when I look over and see Noah kissing Kassidy, I’m suddenly furious.

I’m not sure why I’m furious, maybe it’s because he dragged me here, or because he ditched me after dragging me here, or because both of my supposed best friends ditched me after dragging me to a place I didn’t want to be to begin with.

It’s anger and anger alone that forces me from my seat and quickly past by Noah, knocking his shoulder back abruptly. It’s clear that he doesn’t even fucking care that I’m here or that I’m miserable.

I brush past various sweaty party goers, hitting each shoulder on my way.

“Nick!” I hear a drunken Noah calling after me. He’s gaining on me quickly as his thin body easily passes through the crowd.

“I’m going home Noah.” I yell over my shoulder as I stomp through the crowd.

“What! Why!”

“Because I want to go fucking home.” I turn a corner I think might be an exit, but it turns out to just be another hallway in this massive fucking house.

“C’mooon Nicholaaas.” Noah drags out the words in the most annoying whine. The alcohol is blatantly tinging each word.

“I’m not talking to you when you’re like this.” I shout back harshly through gritted teeth.

I push on a door that I thought was a bathroom just to get away from him, but I stumble into what looks like a movie room. The room is dark with just a flat screen on the wall playing some random Netflix movie and a large couch.

Of course, only in a frat house would they have a dedicated Netflix and Chill room.

Noah staggers in behind me and takes in the room just as I do. He pushes past me, slams the door shut and locks it.

He crosses his arms, “Now you can’t leave.”

I sigh, extremely irritated. “Oh, I’m leaving.” I go to move past him to get to the door, but he steps over and blocks me.

My heart is racing so fast it’s really all I can think about. Everything is too much for me; the earsplitting music, my fuming anger, Noah, how dark the room is, the heavy brick sitting on my chest, how warm the house is, the fucking stupid movie on the tv, all of it is making me lose my fucking mind. My skin’s crawling just being here, everything in me just wants to book it out the front door. I can barely fucking breathe.

All I want to do is leave.

I need to fucking leave.

“Why are you acting like this?” He asks and his tone has a hint of sadness that suddenly makes me feel guilty for wanting to leave.

“Because I’m not having a good fucking time Noah. I want to go home. One of these girly bitches you’re talking to can take you home. Or you can get an Uber, I really don’t care. But I. am. leaving.” I say sternly to his face, my hands fisted at my sides.

Confusion washes over him, as if he hadn’t realized I wasn’t enjoying myself until just now. The confusion only angers me more because if he had even paid a single ounce of attention, he would’ve known I wasn’t having a good time.

He always knows when I’m not having a good time. I don’t know how he knows but usually I can just look at him and he’d just know.

Until now, apparently.

“Oh.” The edges of his mouth wilt downwards. “I just figured you’d hit it off with whats-her-name and…”

“Well, I didn’t. And I want to get the fuck out of here.” I cross my arms over my chest, using my heel to scuff at my opposite shoe.

Noah’s eyes divert to any place other than me in the room and shift back and forth on the balls of his feet. His fingertips fidget with his knuckles as the silence between us grows louder than the music outside.

“I don’t want to go home yet.”

The words feel just like a dagger straight through my chest, piercing my lungs and deflating me completely. I literally just told him I was leaving without him but for some reason hearing him say it aloud is more painful.

“Okay…” I can’t help the way my eyes drop to the ground. “Well, you can stay here then, I guess.”

“I mean if that’s-” Noah stops mid-sentence to pause and tilt his ear to the party noises behind the door. “Do you hear that?”

“Yeah, it’s just party shit.” I wave him off quickly so I can get out sooner.

His brows scrunch up trying to focus harder, “No, No, listen.”

It takes a bit but then I hear it too. “It sounds like chanting? What are they chanting?”

Noah leans towards the door and carefully cracks the door just a smidge in order to hear the crowd better.

“Are they chanting…”

“Trout.” We say in unison and look at each other with widening eyes.

It’s not unlike Folio to get into some sort of competition but this just doesn’t sound right.

“What the fuck?” I crack the door open further and watch as the entirety of the party makes its way through the back door.

We make it out of the room and follow the crowd into the backyard. Noah notices it before I do and grabs my arm, his eyes round and glued on the crowd.

“Oh no.”

“What? I don’t see-” Then I do. “Oh no.”

An extremely drunk Folio being carried over to the lake, frigid in the autumn cold.

“Well, I mean, it’s just a lake, right? It’s probably just part of the initiation shit.” I speculate, annoyed that I have to babysit not one but two of my friends at this party.

“No, no, you don’t understand, we have to stop them.” Noah says urgently. He grabs my hand and starts running towards the dock.

“Stop! Stop!” He yells though his voice isn’t strong enough to reach.

“Wait why!” I call after him, his longer legs crossing the vast backyard faster than I can keep up. My feet crunch various red solo cups that just thrown across the grass. “It’s just water, he’ll be fine.”

“Stop!” He halts where the lake meets the land, and his eyes don’t leave Folio for one second.

 “No, no, no.” He mutters between us.

I’m so out of breath I can’t even ask any further questions and double over just to breathe holding onto my knees. When I finally catch my breath and look back up to Noah, he’s shedding his clothes. He yanks off each of his Vans, tossing them into the grass.

“Hey whoa! What are you doing? You can’t go in there!” I stand there useless with the vague feeling of needing to copy his actions. “What’s wrong Noah, can you fucking talk to me?”

“He doesn’t know how to swim Nicholas! We have to get him.” His skinny jeans are already halfway off of him.

“What! What the fuck do you mean he can’t swim?” I hastily slip off my own shoes and begin unbuttoning my shirt. “All he fucking talks about is fishing. What kind of fisherman doesn’t know how to swim!”

“I don’t know, he’s a fucking idiot!” He’s at the edge, waving his arms and whistling but the roar of the crowd drowns him out “But he’s definitely not gonna be able to swim with how drunk he is. Hurry up!”

“I’m fucking going as fast as I can!”

I regret everything about this night.

I’m never going to another party ever again.

As if in slow motion Folio gets thrown in the water with the dock full of people calling out his stupid fucking nickname. Knowing him, he probably had no idea what was going on until he was midair. He lands into the cold water and the party carelessly makes its way back to the house.

We try getting their attention but they’re all so fucked up that not a single one listens. It’s completely still where he was dropped before a struggle erupts with flailing arms and splashing.

“I’m going.” Noah states urgently, regardless of how quickly I can get these tight pants off my legs. He runs in then jumps into full strokes towards Nick.

Once I’m down to my underwear, I follow Noah. I brace myself for the water and it’s even worse than expected. I hiss at the cold but hurriedly begin swimming after Noah. The water is green and murky and all I feel are long, slimy tendrils of seaweed tangling around my legs. I struggle to make it through without getting lake water in my mouth or my eyes but it's pointless.

Noah finally reaches Folio and even from the far distance I’m at, it doesn’t look good. Nick is heavier and stockier than Noah, and Noah can barely lift a gallon of milk. I’m not quite sure what he was thinking, maybe he was relying on some crazy adrenaline strength.

Noah’s got him but he’s a heavy, thrashing, coughing weight in his arms.

“God fucking damnit.” I mutter and push myself to swim even faster. “Is he good?” I yell from yards away.

“No! I need your help, Nicholas!” Noah’s voice is slurred, strained and breathless. That’s when I realize that I’m supposed to be the sober backbone of this operation.

When I reach them, Noah is just barely keeping Folio’s head above water. I assess the surroundings and decide getting him up on the dock would be the quickest option.

“Okay, here’s what we’re gonna do.” I say, manhandling Folio from Noah. “You’re gonna get up on the dock and I’m gonna try to lift him up to you and then you can pull him up. Got it?”

“Got it.” He nods and swims over the ladder, climbs up and kneels at the edge. “Okay, ready.”

With every bit of strength in my body, I swim both of us over and lift Folio up towards Noah. He hooks his arms under his armpits and by some miracle gets him up on the dock.

I cling to the metal ladder letting myself take a breath for a brief second. When I finally get up to the platform, Folio is on his side violently coughing, desperately trying to get out any water.

Once his hacking calmed down, he wipes the side of his mouth with the back of his hand and squints at us. “What the fuck happened?”

“You were drowning dumbass.” I snap with an eye roll crossing my cold, wet arms over my freezing chest. “Your ‘frat bros’ threw you into the lake.”

I’m suddenly very aware that I’m nearly naked on this dock and while it’s just the two of them, I still feel extremely exposed. I’m not fond of even having my shirt off on a beach day, nonetheless a dip in a frigid lake with a whole house full of strangers just a couple of feet away.

Noah rests back on his folded legs and places his hands on his boney knees.

“Are you okay?” His voice is light, soft, and airy. “We were really worried about you.”

Noah is gentle with Folio even though we just dove into freezing water for him. He’s kind and concerned and it’s the Noah I’m used to. Seeing him this way again swirls a flutter in my chest. I can’t tell if that’s happened before or if it’s new. Maybe it’s something that’s always happened, and I just hadn’t noticed until now? It feels both comforting and extremely daunting.

Maybe it’s just my body trying to heat itself up.

Folio continues to hack several dry coughs but ultimately nods. “Yeah, yeah, I’m good. I think.”

I can tell he’s still wasted and frankly, I’m surprised he didn’t just throw up Bryan’s mystery concoction when he was coughing up water.

“Okay can we go put our clothes back on now? I’m fucking freezing.” My teeth chatter as a cold gust of wind washes over my body.

We quickly ran over to the shore to put our mostly dry clothes back on, then came back to Folio on the dock. Noah got him to his feet and had him hold onto our shoulders so we could steady him back inside.

The party hollers as we make our way through with a cold and shivering Nick. It strikes an anger right through my spine. It’s a rage I don’t think I’ve ever felt in my life but it’s spreading through me like a bad infection.

I’m in a room of people ridiculing my friend who just almost drowned.

The same people who almost caused it.

And he still wants to be here.

These are the people he wants to be with.

These are the people Noah wanted so badly to come here for.

Folio guides us up the rounded staircase to his room. Since the house is so big and the frat is so exclusive, each member gets their own room. So, luckily for him, nobody else has to see this.

I drop his arm abruptly once inside but he’s too drunk to even notice. He sloppily rustles through his drawers to find clothes to take for a lake-cleansing shower.

“Well, if you’re going to take 5 million years to find a shirt, I’m just gonna dip.” I say more aggressively than intended.

Or maybe it was intended.

They both look at me with confused, furrowed brows.

“Whoa,” Nick slurs, “What fucking crawled up your ass?”

“Fucking nothing, I just want to fucking leave. I’ve been trying to fucking leave for the past hour.”

Noah looks more confused than him, if I wasn’t so angry, I’d even call it concerned.

“You weren’t having fun?”

“Oh my god, I already fucking told you I wasn’t having fun. If you had just been a half-decent friend for two seconds tonight, you might’ve seen that I was not having fun at all.”

My patience had long left me.

“Oh so, I’m a bad friend now?” Noah raises a brow and takes an offended step back.

A frustrated groan escapes my lips, “I just don’t understand why you both want to be here with these people.” I point in the direction of the party. “Those are who did that to you Folio. And you still wanna party with them?”

Nick looks at me like I have two heads.

“Yes? I’m part of this fraternity Ruffilo. This is like… my purpose or whatever.” He says, stringing along his words like they have long pauses between.

My eyes couldn’t roll hard enough. That was quite possibly the most frat-boy thing I’ve ever heard. Maybe this is the right place for him.

“Your ‘purpose’? Are you fucking kidding me with that shit?”

“They weren’t all bad…” Noah trails off while he scratches his arm, and his eyes fall to the ground.

“Oh who? Those whores you were talking to?”

A quiet hush falls across the dimly lit room and Noah’s face looks distraught, his eyes fluttering back down to the carpeted floor.

“What is your fucking problem, Nick?” Folio breaks the silence. He’s still shivering, dripping water everywhere, and holding a pile of sweats to change into after his shower.

“If you didn’t wanna fucking be here, you shouldn’t have come.” He pushes past both of us and exits the room.

Noah’s brown eyes land back on me once we’re alone. There’s a sadness to them that I can’t decipher.  

“Well, this is what you wanted isn’t it?” I question facetiously and spread my arms out grandiosely. “This big college experience?”

He blinks at me blankly. “Why are you being like this Nicholas?” He asks softly and it twists some invisible knife in my gut.

“Being like what? You dragged me here!” I drop my arms harshly back to my sides.

“Yeah, I thought you’d have fun.” He scratches his arm anxiously.

“What’s fun about sitting around watching you hook up with dumb sorority bitches?”

The words surprise me the minute they leave my mouth. I don’t even know exactly what they’re supposed to mean and I sure as hell don’t want to unpack it right now.

His brows curve up where they start and knit together. He notices the odd verbiage too.

Fuck.

“Is this because we-“ He begins but my accelerating heart rate can’t bear to even entertain what was about to come out of his mouth. Nor can I bear to hear it.

I can’t hear him say what we did together that morning those weeks ago. I’ve been trying to convince myself that it was just a dream - even though my mind hasn’t been able to let me forget it, nor has it stopped me from wishing it would happen again.

But I can’t hear him say it. That would make it real. And I so desperately want it to not be real.

“You know what?” I suck my teeth. “I’m done. I’m fucking over this. I’m actually leaving now.” I march over to the open doorframe and turn back to him once more.

His hand moves up and down his arm repeatedly as if he’s trying to self-soothe.

“Okay.” He replies quietly and finally looks up at me from where his eyes were locked on the floor. “I guess um. I guess I’m gonna stay and make sure Folio is all right.” He thumbs over his shoulder towards the bathroom. “I doubt anyone’s sober to drive so, I’ll just stay here tonight.”

It feels as though my ribs caved in on my chest; sharp boney splinters piercing the organs they house.

I guess a part of me wanted him to beg me to stay.

But he didn’t.

“Okay.” I nod and head out of the horrendous frat house.

I fight the lump in my throat and the burning in my eyes all the way down the grandiose stairs, through the bustling crowd, down the front steps, over the green lawn, through all the parked cars, until the door slams behind me in my own car. All at once it hits me and the tears unleash. I cross my arms over my steering wheel pressing my crying eyes against them, heaving my sobs against them.

“Fuck!” I scream within the small confines of my car.

I’m crying and frustrated and angry all at the same time. I don’t even really know what I’m upset about. All I know is that my chest aches in a way it never has before, which frustrates me even more. The feeling reminds me of when you’ve been doing math for an hour but no matter how many times you try, you just don’t fucking understand it.

I just didn’t want to party, why am I fucking crying?

Why do I fucking care if my friends are staying and I’m going home?

I try to calm down before leaving but the tears keep pouring out of me. Everything’s blurry on the drive home and I’m grateful I didn’t take a sip of alcohol.

When I arrive home, the house is quiet. Every light is flipped off and there’s not even water droplet of noise. My mom is at her night shift at the hospital and my sister, Stella, is at a sleepover. Whenever I feel like this, I always go sit on one of their beds and talk to them. They always make me feel better even when there’s not much to say. Even though Stella is younger than me, she somehow always knows what to say. In a lot of ways, she’s smarter than I ever will be.

I don’t bother turning on a light and shuffle off my shoes at the door. I circle to the kitchen. When I open the fridge for a water, the light burns my already raw eyes. I take the cold bottle and press it on my under-eye bags then practically slam the fridge door closed. The cold plastic helps soothe some of the swelling.

I scuffle across the hall to my room and the minute the door clicks in place behind me, I let out a deep sigh. I feel water threatening to prickle into my eyes again, but my head is pounding and I’m so fucking sick of crying. I shed all my clothes since they faintly smell like lake and alcohol, and even though I should shower to wash off nasty lake residue, I just can’t walk out the door again. My chest aches too much for me to leave this room.

So, I slip on new boxers and a random Star Wars shirt and get into bed. I slip in from the right side and it immediately feels wrong.

And it sinks in.

My bed is not my own anymore.

It is half mine.

Half Noah’s.

I scooch back onto the left and try to sleep but I toss and turn for an hour and a half. My mind is racing, and it is only filled with Noah. Stuff that shouldn’t even matter.

Is he okay?

Is he still drinking?

Where is he sleeping?

Is he with her?

Does he wish I stayed?

Does he regret not leaving with me?

Does he want to come home?

Is he going to try to get a ride home? Would it be safe?

Did I overreact?

I should’ve stayed to help Folio sober up.

I should’ve just gotten drunk.

Maybe I could’ve had fun if I drank.

I wouldn’t be so upset if I had just drank, right?

I’m only upset because I wasn’t having a good time, right?

Maybe my two best friends wouldn’t fucking hate me right now if I just pretended to have fun.

Is this just what it is now?

Am I going to get dragged to a party every weekend and have to pretend to enjoy it?

Will I lose them if I don’t?

I flip on my side, facing the door and my back to the window. Between me and the door there’s the vast emptiness of Noah’s spot.

The bed feels so… empty without him in it.

I tug the comforter close around me as I’m suddenly aware of the low temperature in the room.

I hadn’t realized just how accustomed I’ve gotten to him being here in the short amount of time been moved in.

It’s nice having someone take up space next to me in bed.

It’s nice having warmth where there used to be none.

It’s nice laughing until my stomach hurts before bed every night.

It’s nice having someone to shut off the lamp when I’m already half asleep.

It’s nice not being alone.

I like not being alone.

I like not being alone with him.

And I don’t know what to do with that feeling.

Next Chapter -> 04 - Snapped Neck

tag list; @ladyveronikawrites @cryingabtab @sinkingteethinwhitenoise @kingdomof-omens @the-hell-i-overcame [comment if you'd like to be tagged?]

a/n; Thank you for the support on this series and on my other series, Virality. I appreciate it more than you know. I love reading your comments and asks, they really validate and fuel me lol. Even though I'm not the best at replying 😅 but i am incredibly grateful for them, thank you.

I hope you guys like this one, please lmk if you do💘

[marsmarbles]

Why hello there. I yet again crawl from the depths of a computer screen with an offering for my favorite AU. For the third day in a row. Apologies for so much but when I get obsessed I get OBSESSED. Have a Shadowrot (kinda) (1209 words)

Lizzie grumbled as she stumbled through the forest. Of course it had to be her who was assigned to gather more wood for Joel’s house. He had bribed her with the promise of building her and Pearl a better house than their current one. Not to say she and Pearl were a bad building team, but they didn’t do the whole ‘medieval’ style their team was going for. Joel was much more apt at it. 

She brought her ax out of her inventory and started swinging at the trees. The leaves shook, raining down almost piles of them onto her face. She squeaked and jumped back, glaring at herself for being so nervous. No one was going to fall out of the tree and kill her, that was silly. Although, the boogeyman hadn’t made any kills yet, so she wasn’t completely out of the water. Surely she should have brought someone with her, Pearl, or one of the-

“Princess!” A voice from behind Lizzie shouted. Not exactly what she had in mind, but whatever. She jumped in surprise, but she recognized the voice. Lizzie turned angrily, forgetting she had an ax in her hand and almost hitting the other person.

“Cleo, don’t do that!” Lizzie scolded. Cleo just grinned at her, a vaguely menacing look on her face. “You scared me!”

“Oh, is Princess Lizzie scared of me?” Cleo teased. “A poor damsel in distress?”

“I’m a prince, actually.” Lizzie went back to hacking at the logs. “Joel and Scott are the princesses.”

“Hmm,” Cleo hummed, leaning against one of the nearby stumps. They really were staying, weren't they. Lizzie sighed and collected the wood, settling it cleanly into her inventory bag. “Wouldn’t a noble prince like you want to get the criminal?” 

Cleo grinned again. Lizzie observed her for a second, glancing at the black shirt with torn sleeves that she wore. She didn’t look like a criminal, but it was likely their team's theme. Lizzie thought it was stupid that all their teams needed themes, up until she was given a bright pink princes uniform. It was basically her pride and joy of this game, and she kept it pressed and princely as a death game would allow. Currently it wasn’t doing the best, but that was fine!

Lizzie, in her response, decided to go in a different direction. “I hereby charge you for arson!” She declared. “May you face ten years in the dungeons!” Cleo played along, placing a hand at her heart and gasping playfully.

“Not the dungeons! Anything but the dungeons!” Cleo pleaded. Lizzie hoisted her ax, placing the blade over her shoulder.

“Would you prefer the chopping block?” Lizzie shot back. She hoisted the ax over her head and, ignoring the panicked look from Cleo for a second, and brought it down into another tree. She heard the zombie breath a sigh of relief, and giggled to herself. “I wouldn’t actually do that to you.”

“I’m really glad, Mumbo would not be ‘chuffed’ to lose another life.” They laughed when she imitated him, holding a finger in front of her face to imitate his over-the-top mustache. The woods around them went silent when they finished, and Lizzie began hitting the same tree she had just buried the ax in. Cleo watched her curiously, with a small smile on their face, and eventually Lizzie had to ask.

“Cleo,” She asked, bringing her ax up for another slice. “Why are you here?”

“What do you mean?” Cleo asked, all too innocently. The way her words were phrased, as if she knew exactly the next thing Lizzie would say, and then the next, made her uneasy. She gave up with the tree, deciding she had enough wood for Joel’s house, and turned to her friend.  Shuffling nervously, Lizzie started to play with the cuffs around her wrists. It was only then she noticed the cuffs that Cleo held were a bright yellow instead of green. She shivered.

“Why are you talking to me? I know we aren’t…” She faltered, trying to find a way to phrase this. “...on the best of terms. Why not just move on? Go find… I don’t know… go bother Etho or someone.”

“I wanted to talk to you, Lizzie.” Cleo kept up her calm demeanor, even when saying such things, things that should have been said four games ago. “I miss talking to you, you know.”

“I’m not all that interesting…” Lizzie admitted. Sure, she had done many weird things in this game, like bake a potato cake to prank Scott, and collect leaves from the ground to create a leafy headband, but those things weren’t interesting. They were just things she had thought of before anything else. Cleo stepped towards her, reaching out for her hand.

“I think you’re very interesting,” They said, grinning slyly. Lizzie laughed, maybe a little too loud for the situation. “I find it interesting how you carry yourself, and the way you talk to other people, and your builds-” 

“Tell that to the faery forest,” Lizzie mumbles before she can stop herself. Cleo ignores it, instead pressing on.

“I think it’s interesting how you seem to care about other people so much, and how you’re so trusting. But most of all-” Cleo paused. Lizzie held her breath, waiting to hear what was coming next. She couldn’t say she wasn’t blushing, she definitely was, but she wasn’t making a lovesick expression or anything. Not for Cleo, not even four games later. Cleo made a quick motion with her free hand, something rushing towards Lizzie’s stomach. “I find it interesting how the chains work, don’t you?”

Lizzie looked down in time to see a sword jabbed into her stomach before it was pulled out. The crimson of her blood went well with her pink uniform, however morbid that was. She was pushed to the ground, and Cleo held her foot over her chest so she couldn’t get up. Not that she would try, with pain flaring through her abdomen so hard she could barely breathe. She should have known, Cleo had never done anything that wasn’t for themself.

“I have to, Lizzie. It’s almost the end of the session.” A red glint flashed through their eye, despite the yellow that plagued her chains. “I hope you understand.” And with that, the foot that had been on her chest rose up and crashed back down on her face. 

Lizzie had been laying there for a few minutes before her whole team (all three of them, for goodness sake) flew into the room and squatted by her bed.

“Boogey?” Pearl asked in a small voice, adjusting her position so Lizzie could sit up and lean on her. She just nodded, letting herself fall into her friend's shoulder. She had been so sure Cleo had good intentions this time. She had been so sure that maybe, just maybe, Cleo had come to apologize. In those last few moments, holding hands, it had felt like before, back when she made midnight escapades to the Castle to see them.

Now she had two rows of hearts and dark green chains. Reminding her, yet again, to never trust someone who could kill so easily, someone who fit too well into their ‘zombie’ title.

hehe ex girlfriends.

-🌻

AAAAAAAAA I LOVE THIS!!!! Shadowrot is definitely something I want to happen I just haven’t drawn much of it really. It adds an interesting layer I hadn’t thought of with them being exes.

Though you don’t have a lot to go off of story wise(and that’s a fault of mine), I really like your depiction of the world of Chained Life.

Also, don’t feel like you gotta pump out a fic everyday for me lol. I don’t want you getting burnout.

I love to read your writing regardless.

[jayteacups]

A Failed Attempt

The two of you are happily in a relationship, and have been for several months know. But even so, Levi can't help but feel like he should be more traditionally romantic.

Little does he know just how bad at that he is.

Pairing: Levi Ackerman x fem!Reader

Tags and warnings: Fluff and silliness, established relationship, he can’t flirt nor can he give compliments properly lmao pls help him

Word count: 0.7k

A/N: Have this dumb little blurb that came to me as I was getting ready for bed. his is extremely stupid and unedited but anyway. enjoy ig lol

Say something. Just say it, you silly coward. 

The first thing that comes to mind blurts out of his mouth before Levi can think it over. “Your hair smells nice today. It’s looking very... uh, clean. And shiny. That’s... that’s good.”

No! Not that! What the actual fuck was that? No!

Puzzled, you turn around from the snack you are preparing, raising an eyebrow. “Uh... thanks? I washed my hair last night before going to bed... and you were literally in the shower with me, so you already know that.” 

For fuck’s sake, I should never try to compliment anyone again. “Forget it,” Levi scowls. 

“No, baby, hang on,” you catch him by the sleeve before he can flee this disastrous conversation, “were you... were you trying to flirt with me just then?” 

“No.” Heat rushes to his face.

You lean a little closer. “My hair smells nice today? I sure hope it does, considering you were the one to gift me that particular shampoo I’m currently using,” you smirk. Gods, you are so annoying. Why the fuck is that smirk of yours making his heart fucking spasm? “Did Miche give you flirting tips or something?” 

“Stop.” Levi is ashamed that the plea comes out like a whine and turns away from you. For the record, no, he would not stoop as low to ask his comrades (friends, he thinks begrudgingly) for something so trivial as helping him flirt with you. “Forget I said anything.” 

“Awww,” you coo. He wants to wipe that smug shit-eating grin off of your face. Preferably with his own lips. His face is so hot he thinks he might combust. If he’s being honest, he’d rather explode in a spontaneous burst of flames than continue with this conversation. 

You tilt your head, approaching ever closer, one hand settling at the curve of his waist. “You’re so cute.” 

“I am not,” he counters, and curses that his voice had chosen that very moment to break mid-sentence. “Let me go, I have a strategy meeting right about now.”

“No you don’t,” you say, your thumb rubbing patterns into his flesh. He shivers. 

“No he doesn’t,” Hange echoes breezily as they waltz into the kitchen with an empty mug in hand. Probably refilling their coffee. He simultaneously is relieved and disappointed that you withdraw your hand from his waist, taking a step back. “Sorry, what are we talking about?”

“Nothing,” Levi says quickly. The last thing he needs is Hange finding out about his disastrous attempts at being more traditionally romantic, and how you had managed to turn the tables on him in less than five bloody seconds. 

“Sure...” they mutter, giving him a teasing look, but choosing not to say more on it. 

Glaring at them as their back is turned to him, Levi huffs. This is all their fault anyway, they’d suggested this in the first place. He hadn’t even asked - and they have no idea that one offhanded comment had wormed deep into his thoughts to the point where he’d say something so clumsily awkward in an attempt to flirt. 

‘Did you flirt with her?’ Hange had said, trying to pry details about how you two had gotten together out of him. ‘Women are into that, you know. A little bit of flirting here and there. Get her flustered a little bit. Did you do that? Fluster her? I bet she’d like it.’

‘Quit it. I’m not looking for relationship advice, Hange. Nor am I going to tell you every tiny detail about my love life.’

He’s made a few comments here and there about the stupidity of the new, rowdy teen recruits.

Really, though, he’s no better.

You give him a brief kiss. Your lips are soft, inviting. Once more, he wishes Hange hadn’t walked in so he could kiss you for longer without worrying about prying eyes. “I’ll see you later, Lee.” You grin, and lower your voice as you teasingly say, “and by the way, your hair smells nice as well. Clean, too, but obviously, nobody’s expecting any less from you.”

Hange chokes. 

You pick up your plate with your snacks and wave him goodbye (he buries his burning face in his hand) before leaving the private kitchen. Almost immediately, Hange is turning on their heel, undoubtedly about to bombard him with questions that he absolutely is not willing to answer.  

“Shut up.” 

They raise their hands in mock surrender. “I didn’t say anything!” 

© jayteacups 2022 | do not repost, modify or claim as your own work

Masterlist

[shiftwux]

a heart with blind justice the mind of a dying machine and the fleshy vulnerable soul walk into a bar

normally i dont put footnotes for my drawing (especially since i genuinely dont know these guys like at all) but i like these designs a lot so here we go. most of these are references/terrible puns or otherwise just flanderizing already existing traits ive seen of them on here so

if you follow the chain on his right arm, heart wears his heart on his sleeve

honestly most of the designs on here have heart blindfolded in some way (i think i know why ????lore wise at least but im a bit stupid) so i gave him one of those. then i gave em a scale because of the whole "justice is blind thing"

sub-tangent: its partially inspired by anubis and his whole "measuring the purity of a heart" but the scale is flawed because instead of a single feather its a whole dove

there was no reason for the wings sprouting out from the head. i was going silly mode

mind's design is vaguely inspired by am from ihnmaims. his contorted limbs are supposed to be an homage to calne ca (and if im honest. dr coomer hlvrai)

there really wasnt much going for em i was just being silly. also recycled some old concepts for a thing i handed my ex friend

made him dress like a redditor im gona be realsies

to me the soul is the most vulnerable part of the body so i made them all fleshy and gross

partially inspired by my epic flesh phase. also the magus archive and unwind

actually fuck it its MOSTLY inspired by unwind because in that book they constantly talk about the soul and how, philosophically, the soul could still be there after being separated into a million different body parts

still kept the horns though. also gave him a mask that accidentally looks like that saw trap

arrow tie is like .a demon tail sort of

[callsign-bunnie]

Next part of Angels and Demons, please? Where did Gaz go??

Here you go

--

When Gaz had went to his room, the first thing he did was go back to Alex. He informed him that he knew about the hall of mirrors and then he’d said that they couldn’t see each other, again.

Alex frowned. “I… why?”

Gaz bit his lip. “You were right. It’s too dangerous.” He murmured. “Thank you. For being willing to be my friend, anyway.” He leaned up and kissed his cheek, holding his sleeve, before shaking his head. “I’ll.. I’ll take the mirror home.”

Alex paused and then nodded. “Alright. I’m sorry it had to be this way.”

“Me too.” Gaz mumbled as he went back down and to his room. 

He’d realized, later, that he’d never found out what the sirens meant, or what had been going on. But, he’d decided not to dwell on it. His short lived friendship with Alex was over and it was best to move on.

Which, he tried to do. When Rodolfo woke up, he apologized and spent days with him, making sure his brother was okay. Rodolfo was fine, but he was retraumatized and it made Gaz feel so unbelievably guilty. That was his fault. If he hadn’t have left again, Rodolfo wouldn’t have went through that. 

Rodolfo tried to assure him that it wasn’t his fault, but Gaz knew it was. He’d been silly and stupid and naive, and it had gotten Rudy hurt. 

The guilt all but ate him alive. Even poor Soap seemed to be affected by it, as Gaz caught him constantly watching Rodolfo with worry. Of course he was…

Gaz stopped leaving the garden for any reason. Even to go to the markets when Rodolfo felt well enough to. Or, well, he tried not to go, but Soap and Rodolfo immediately got him up and dragged him out, anyway. “We meant don’t go near demons. You can still have fun and shop!” Soap huffed. 

Gaz sighed, but he agreed and let them drag him out, holding his wings around himself when they got there. Rodolfo apparently wanted more jewelry for his wings, treating himself.

Gaz had always loved the markets. Angels used technology and had made several advancements of their own in that regard but, they stayed traditional in some regards. As such, the markets still looked like they did millenia before. Wooden stalls with cloth to differentiate them between each other. Gaz perked up, able to smell warm sweets in the air, savory foods. 

Excitement filled him, washing away the guilt and sadness. Alright, his brothers did know how to cheer him up. Soap rushed off, coming back with sugarbuns and Gaz happily took his, biting into the warm bread and melting. It was soft and sweet and so delicious.

Rodolfo, himself, appeared to be doing better. He looked a lot lighter and he moved in his usual assured and light, graceful manner. Gaz followed close behind the two of them, looking at the stalls as they walked. Many were selling blades or bows, as those were important right now, but some were selling beautiful clothing, food, wing brushes and combs and then, the stall Rodolfo had them stop in front of was setting jewelry for their wings. Piercings and chains and cuffs. 

Soap fluttered his wings. “I’m going to take the plunge.” He grinned. “I’ve been wanting some for forever. I think I’m gonna do it.”

“It doesn’t hurt, Soap.” Rodolfo assured.

Gaz shook his head, mildly amused. “I… I don’t want to watch this. I’m going to go talk to the warriors that are resting here, see if any of them have any stories to tell.”

Rodolfo seemed hesitant. “Please don’t wander off…”

Gaz winced, guilt striking his heart. “I won’t, Rudy. I promise.” He touched Rodolfo’s arm before turning and leaving. He found a small group of warriors near a stall selling swords and so he went over, smiling. 

He caught the attention of one rather quickly. She was a woman, tall and strong, though not as tall as him. But, her presence was so commanding, she might as well have been. “Hello.” She smiled. “What is your name?”

“Gaz.” Gaz answered, flushing and shaking her hand when it was offered. “What’s yours?”

“Farah. Farah Karim.” The warrior answered, her hand resting on her blade when she was done. She was just in leather armor, for now, which made sense since she was in a market. They didn’t wear much heavy armor there.

Her name stuck out to Gaz. “Farah?” His mind went back to Alex, and the old friend he’d told him about, who’s name was also Farah. “That means happiness, right?”

“It does.” She smiled. “What does Gaz mean?”

“Oh, it means that the Virtues were too lazy to learn my name and made one up.” Gaz joked. “My real name is Kyle, but Gaz stuck. I was too shy to… tell them my real name.”

“Kyle as in John Price’s adopted son?” Farah blinked and Gaz blushed. He hated that his name was so known, especially in this market. Kyle was a fairly common name among humans but… not among angels, even as they adopted more human names for their children. “Where are the other two?” She chuckled. “I’ve been told that when one of you is about, the other two are usually close by.”

“Oh, Soap and Rodolfo are both getting new piercings on their wings.” Gaz nodded. “Well, Soap is. I don’t know about Rodolfo.”

“I see.” Farah nodded. “Rodolfo is the fallen warrior, right?”

Gaz nodded, perking up. “He is!”

Farah nodded and her expression grew grave. “I’ve heard tales of him. Naive angel got too close with demons.”

Gaz made a face. “It was more complicated than that.” He huffed, not meaning to come off as aggressive as he did. But, that was his brother! He wasn’t being naive, he was in love when that happened. Besides, that was in the past.

“Oh, I don’t doubt that. Do not worry, Gaz, I do not believe what they say. I have my own connections with demons, trust me.” Farah shrugged, sighing. “We do what we need to. To survive.”

Gaz paused and then curiosity got the better of him. “Do you know a demon named Alex? Or Alexei?”

Farah frowned “Yes, I do.”

Gaz hesitated. “I see…” He fidgeted. “He saved me. From a human attacking me.”

Farah nodded and smiled. “That’s Alex. He’s very noble.”

Gaz nodded, in agreement. “Yeah… I wanted to be friends with him but… it just wasn’t possible.”

“Ah.” Farah sighed. “Times are difficult right now. Friendships are being broken, as well as allyships. I… I will say. Alex is a good friend. He’s honorable and he’s kind. He would never choose to harm you.”

Gaz blushed. “Yeah…” He knew she was likely right. Alex wasn’t the worry. His friends were. “I don’t think Angels can be friends with demons. I just don’t think it ends well.”

“I don’t think that’s true.” Farah frowned. “Alex and I have been friends for many years, and once this war is over, I think we will be friends for many more.”

Gaz blinked. “But… we’re natural enemies. Things don’t work out between us. Demons are evil.”

Farah laughed. “Oh, you sweet thing… Why do you think that? Yes, it is a fact that many demons and angels find themselves as enemies, but we are not naturally predetermined to be enemies. No more than human and fae are, anyway. Egos and… power complexes get between us. Nothing more. And Demons are only evil because we don’t share their values. Most of them consider us some form of evil.”

Gaz could feel the beginnings of conflict in his mind. He thought over Farah’s words. “But… the two demons that hurt my brother-”

“Was that not an accident?” Farah tilted her head. “From what I’ve heard, it was.”

“It was an accident.” Gaz nodded. “But, it was because of their carelessness and selfishness that it happened.”

“Last I checked, careless and selfish are not synonyms for evil, my dear.” She murmured. “Besides, the demons help us in our battles. They would not do that if they were not… slightly good. Or at least, on our side.”

Gaz went quiet, trying hard to process her words. His brain just couldn’t wrap his head around this. It felt like every time he finally figured this out, something new was throwing a conflicting opinion into the ring, causing him to spiral. “You don’t think demons are evil?”

“Not inherently. Not as a whole.” Farah shook her head. “Certainly not Alex.”

“What of Valeria and Alejandro? Do you think they are evil?” Gaz looked at Farah, fidgeting. 

Farah considered. “I have not met them many times. But… they strike me as… deeply regretful demons. I was led to believe they’d made a huge mistake in their past and it led to them losing something very dear and valuable to them. Every action shows that.” She smiled. “Can I give you some advice, Gaz?”

Gaz paused and then nodded, slightly. “Okay…”

“Formulate your own opinions, and listen to others. But remember, not everything is clear when you look at it. We don’t get handed every detail on a silver platter. Okay? So when you examine something, sometimes, it’s best to look in every crevice.” She smiled and then flicked her hand, a small slip of white paper appearing between her fingers. “My phone number. If you need anything.”

Gaz blushed dark and accepted it, pocketing the little slip of paper. “Thank you. And I will… try to heed your advice.”

“Oh, and do please stop getting into trouble. Your father is quite tired of it.” She laughed. 

Gaz’s eyes widened. “You know about that??”

“Most of us do.” She nodded. “You’re a sweet, curious little thing. Your father adores you. But he does wish you’d be more careful.”

Gaz softened and relaxed, thinking of Price. He should spend some time with him, since he hadn’t lately. “Thank you, Farah.”

“Of course.” She bowed her head before leaving to rejoin her group, who were all laughing about something, which she promptly joined in laughing at when she was filled in.

He shook his head, turning and going to find his brothers again. Rodolfo and Soap were still at the previous stall and Soap was marveling over two new piercings in his wings. “They really didn’t hurt!” He grinned when Gaz came near, fluttering his wings.

Rodolfo laughed. “I told you!” He smiled. He didn’t have any new of his own, from what Gaz could see, but he did have a large bag, which Gaz assumed had new piercings. “Where did you go?”

“Well, I told you I was going to talk to the soldiers and I did. I met a wonderful woman by the name of Farah Karim.” Gaz decided to leave the details of their conversation to a minimum. “We mostly just talked about the conflicts.”

Soap looked around. “Are they still here?”

“No,” Gaz chuckled, knowing why Soap was asking. Despite being a fallen warrior, he had a thing for them. Or maybe it was because of that fact. “They were leaving when I came back.”

“Damnit.” Soap huffed and shook his head. “Oh well. Next time.” He did pout and Gaz thought that was funny. 

Gaz smiled. “Can we go home, now? I wanted to see if Price wanted to do something together.” He also noticed that Rodolfo was holding his side and making an uncomfortable face. Soap glanced over and then nodded, and Rodolfo did as well.

So, they went back to the Garden.

-

Gaz had found Price in the library, so he leaned across the back of the couch, looking at his book over his shoulder. He had no doubt it was something boring that only much older angels would enjoy. “Hello, Price!”

“Hello, Gaz.” Price chuckled. “I’m surprised to see you in the library, today. I thought Soap and Rodolfo made the resolve to take you out.”

“They did.” Gaz nodded and stood straight, looking around the library. It was massive, with vines that crawled over the shelves and lights in the top that let in plenty of light. Gaz loved the library, looking around. “But, we came back. Rodolfo is resting.” He noticed Price’s face frown with concern. “He’s alright, do not worry. Just… a little worn out. Soap is attending to him.”

“Good. I am glad that you three take care of each other like you do.” Price relaxed. “Well, then to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

“Well, we haven’t spent much time together, lately!” Gaz went around the couch, sitting by him. “You are my father and I miss you.”

Price chuckled. “My apologies, Gaz. You are usually busy with your brothers.”

“I am…” Gaz nodded. “But I’m not, now!”

“Alright.” Price closed his book and set it to the side. Gaz took that as a sign he had Price’s full attention, so he got back up, grinning when Price did the same.

They went to a small beach that was at the farthest end of the Garden. Gaz loved the beach. He liked to dig his feet in the sand and feel the water wash up over him. Price found some skipping stones for them, rather quickly, and so Gaz set to skipping them across the water.

Price was much more skilled at the art than he was, able to skip his six or seven times every single stone, where Gaz was lucky to get maybe three. The longest he could remember his father skipping a stone was 16, but he had a suspicion that his father may manipulated that one. “What have you and your brothers been up?” Price asked, after a bit of silence.

Gaz shrugged. “Not much.” He lied. “Soap continues to cause mischief, and I continue to get into trouble. Rodolfo continues to save our asses.”

“That’s my boys.” Price nodded. “You three went to the market today, I heard.”

“Yes, we did! Soap finally got some piercings and I met a warrior named Farah Karim.”

“Ah, yes. Captain Karim. She’s one of my best soldiers.” Price nodded, smiling. “Wonderful fighter.”

“I didn’t know she was a Captain…” Gaz furrowed his brows, surprised. “She didn’t tell me.”

“She’s not boastful. I’m not surprised. There would have been no benefit in telling you, and no consequence to not telling you.” Price shrugged. “Therefore, she wouldn’t have told you. What did you two talk about?”

Gaz hesitated. Well, his father didn’t know about Alex, so he doubted he could get in trouble. “Demons…”

Price frowned. “Why were you discussing Demons?”

“I… I was wondering if she thought they were all bad.” He admitted, skipping a stone. “I just wanted to know, since she mentioned knowing a few after saying she knew who Rodolfo was.”

Price nodded. “What conclusion did you form?”

“I… didn’t.” Gaz sighed, his shoulders dropping. “I think I left it more confused than I entered it.”

“That’s because it’s not a simple issue.” His father nodded. “I remember when Angels were top of the order. It went us, humans, fae, then demons. However, as we’ve progressed, the scales have evened more. This war has set us all as equals.” He sighed. “What do you think makes Demons ‘bad’?”

Gaz frowned and then considered. “They don’t consider life as sacred as us.” He admitted. 

“No.” His father shook his head. “They don’t consider our lives as sacred as we do. They consider their own life to be just as sacred. We don’t particularly consider their lives as sacred, either, do we?”

Gaz supposed his father had a point. “Okay… They’re violent.”

“I don’t think they’d consider themselves violent.” Price shrugged. “Yes, many of their activities set them as… aggressive in nature. They like fighting more than we do, but they are also more energetic than we are. They have more to burn off.”

Gaz fluttered his wings. This was not making him less confused. He groaned and sat on the sand. “This isn’t helping!”

“No, I don’t think it is.” Price laughed and agreed, sitting by him. “My point is that they’re only evil because their values clash with our own.”

“I thought you didn’t like demons, though.” Gaz furrowed his brows.

“No. I don’t. But, I don’t think they’re evil. I do think they will take their opportunities to bring us down once this is over and the only reason they help us is because they know if the humans defeat us, they’re next. But… I do not believe they’re evil.” Price shrugged. “Regardless, I cannot make your opinions. As much as I’d like to. I think it would make some things easier.”

Gaz chuckled, shaking his head. “I don’t think I can even make my opinions. I have too many conflicting words in my head, swirling around like a bad tea.”

“Tell me some of them.” Price nodded. “I will help you try to sort them.”

Gaz considered. “Well… Rodolfo is insistent demons are evil. And so is Soap. But, Farah thinks they’re perfectly alright. And now you’re telling me that they’re not evil, but they’re not good, either.”

Price sighed. “Rodolfo… I see him as my own son. But… he has a way of letting emotions rule his actions. Remember, that most of his opinions on demons come from a very intimate place of hurt. He was hurt by two demons. Destroyed by them. Soap… his opinions come from Rodolfo.”

Gaz furrowed his brows. For a brief moment, he considered telling his father everything. But, he still knew that wasn’t the best idea. “I guess… Thank you. You helped, kind of.” He nodded. “Well, more than anyone else has managed.”

Price smiled. “That’s my job. To guide you three. Well… I’m glad you decided to spend time with me, today. I have some… unfortunate news.”

Gaz blinked and frowned. “What is it??” He sat up, quickly.

“I have to leave. It’ll be for a few weeks.” Price sighed. “I would take you three with me, but it’s to a heavy battle area and-”

“It’s not safe.” Gaz completed, dropping his shoulders. “It’s alright, I understand…” He nodded. “Rodolfo and Soap will, as well.”

“That’s why Farah’s unit is here.” Price continued. “She will be here to watch over you three and the Garden in my absence. Will you be alright while I’m gone?”

“Of course.” Gaz nodded and smiled. “You’ll call frequently, right?”

“As frequent as I can manage.” Price promised. He then let out a breath and relaxed. “I leave, tomorrow.” 

“I understand.” Gaz nodded. “I will see you off.”

“Of course. Thank you.” Price pat his arm before sighing. “Come on, kid. Let’s go inside.”

“Yes, sir.” Gaz laughed and stood, starting to walk back with him. 

-

Rodolfo’s hands shook as he held the bowl of water in his hands. He’d taken it directly from the fountain outside and he’d done the ritual to perfection. He needed one of his smaller feathers, two rose petals, and a small amount of dandelion’s milk. He’d mixed them into the water, afterwards, and now here he was, whispering a prayer. 

Guide my soul, not my flesh, do not leave me bound to physical location. 

The water started to shimmer and so he sipped from the bowl, closing his eyes. When the water was gone, he took a deep breath and opened his eyes again. “I wish to see Valeria and Alejandro.”

His whole body started to tingle and he made an uncomfortable sound, not liking the sensation. He never had. He closed his eyes when black clouded his vision and then he was slumping over, hitting his bed.

[yeehawbvby]

Falling Away With You | Ch. 11

Sebastian x F!Reader and M. Rasmodius x F!Reader

Rating: Mature/Explicit

Chapter Summary: Confession time!!

Author’s Note: ;3 Almost up to the spice. Enjoy x

Table of Contents + Work Summary

Check it out on ao3! 

Prev | Next

When I first got to the mountains, Robin was basically all, “Hey girl, did you fuck my son last night?” She just wants her Sebby to find a nice person to settle down with, understandably. And that person happens to be me. It’s whatever, it’s fine, I’m quite obviously not complaining.

But I am going to complain about this:

My back is pinned against the armrest of the couch, Seb caging me in place with one arm and holding my face close to his with the other.  Not doing anything scandalous, basically just absorbing the essence of one another. Deciding whether or not it was the right time for bustin’ moves, if I had to guess what the hell was going on…

And Robin just fucking barges in on us, no knocking or warning or anything. We don’t even hear her come in. Seb mentioned at some point once that she always knocks before entering, at the very least – not this time, that nosy bastard!

We’ve only been like this for, like, a minute or two, maybe less. I dunno, everything feels like slow motion. What are the odds she decides now is a good time to come in? Was she eavesdropping? 

“So,” she startles us, “you kids having fun down here?”

Seb jumps back and yells, “Ma, what the fuck!” as I let my body fall limp over the edge of the couch, hand over my heart. Staring at the wooden ceiling. Wondering, why?

I hear a feminine giggle. “(Y/n)?” Robin calls out to me, leaning around Seb, who’s standing in the way of our line of vision with his hands on his hips.

“Yes, Mrs. Byrne-DuBois?” 

I only address her by last name (she just had to hyphenate Demetrius' onto the end of her’s… that lady loves being difficult in every possible way) when I’m annoyed. She knowingly chuckles at this, that little shi—

“Sorry, sorry, nevermind!” She puts her hands up, defensively.

I lean up fully. “No! Please! Continue!” I urge her.

“Nope! Have fun, be safe, love you!” She laughs making her way to the door. 

Before he can shut her out and as I call out to her again, wanting to hear what stupid little comment she has up her sleeve, she makes sure to remind Seb that he needs protection. He practically shoves her through the doorframe.

“I am so sorry oh my fucking god,” he breathes, leaning against the closed door.

I can’t help but laugh. “Y’know… maybe it’s for the best that she rammed her way in here,” I admit. 

He tilts his head, looking a little hurt. “Why, what d’you mean?”

I breathe heavily, preparing myself for a big ol’ ~official~ confession of sorts. I’ve done this plenty, bless my poor, hopeless romantic heart. Still isn’t easy though.

I cross my legs, nerves catching up to me. “We’re moving kinda quick, don’t you think?”

Seb sits back down in front of me, nodding. “Are you against moving quickly?” he asks.

“No, it’s really exciting actually,” I blurt out. “But I don’t want to, like, mess anything up, or whatever.” 

Seb reaches out for my hand, which I carefully place in his, intertwining our fingers. He props his elbow onto his leg and brings both our hands to his face, leaning his cheek onto them, his eyes still focused on me.

“I fucking like you, dude,” I mutter shakily, refusing to look at him directly. “Like, a lot. I started crushing on you the day we met and I knew it was silly since I didn’t even know you then but it just kept building up into this.” The more I talk, the faster my words spill out.

I uncross my legs and tuck them into my chest, hoping to find safety in hiding behind them, but not wanting to remove my hand from the comfort of his. 

“And I don’t expect you to feel it too. It’s totally okay if you don’t. But, like, if we were to just go ahead and kiss, or more , ya know... or… whatever the hell we were going to do there, I don’t want to get hurt because I’m the only one who–” 

I trail off from my tense rambling because he just kissed the top of my hand oh my god? It’s a tiny gesture, but my heart skipped a beat.

He leans his face back onto our woven fingers, smiling so sweetly, so genuinely, before placing another kiss, this time against my palm. When he departs, he leans down to my hand with his forehead, almost nuzzling into it. 

My eyes are brimming with tears, not like I’m hurt or something, but because I’m just feeling so much right now. Embarrassed? Absolutely. Loved, but also like I’m falling in love, really fucking quickly? Maybe! I don’t know what to say, so I wait for him to break the silence.

“(Y/n),” he eventually beams, “That’s so fucking cool.” He laughs into my hand. As if he, like, worships the damn thing. 

I obviously haven’t known Seb for long in the grand scheme of things, but I haven’t felt this safe with anyone , friend or romantic interest, in years. Maybe over a decade. And not only does that person feel safe with me too — the highest honor, to be honest — but it seems like he reciprocates these stupid little butterflies, the dumb serotonin hits when we’re together, and all that other lovey-dovey junk too, if his reaction is anything to go by.

Probably too good to be true, but hey, I’m fine with riding this out. 

I start fucking crying like a big dumb baby, not knowing how to handle these feelings. Seb looks worried when he sees the tears rolling down my face, but I shake my head, smiling, and just lean forward into the crook of his neck for comfort. 

“You ok?” he asks as he pulls me in closer. I untuck my legs from my torso and retuck them underneath myself.

A muffled “yeah” spills out of my mouth as I continue to shove myself into him, not knowing what else to do with myself. “Overwhelmed,” I sniffle. I feel him chuckle.

“How much time do you have to hang around?” 

I wipe my eyes before looking up at him, in a haze, shrugging. “Not like I have anywhere to be.”

That’s a half-lie. I was still considering going to the saloon, but after all this emotional overstimulation I’m dealing with, I don’t know if a lot of people and loud noises and boozy drinks are a good idea.

“How do you feel about bikes?”

I furrow my eyebrows and sniffle. “Like, bike bikes, or motorcycles?” 

“Motorcycles.”

”They look scary. Never been on one.”

“Do you trust me?”

So much. I simply nod.

“Cool, c’mon,” he gets up, returning his hand into mine to pull me up with him. “I wanna show you something.”

__________________

My legs feel absolutely boneless as I step off of the motorcycle and onto the dirt clearing Seb drove us to. I use his bike for support, while he laughs at me. I probably look ridiculous — struggling to find my land legs, wearing his helmet, which is far too big for my head.

“Not a fan?”

“No, I am, that was fun,” I shakily reply, “just uh… new.”

He’s visibly amused, but looks ready to help me anyway. Not this time, buddy , I can handle myself! I take off Seb’s helmet and carry it in my arms. I imagine that, to him, it probably and unfortunately looks the same as when you go to a state fair or something, and spot a bunch of kids carrying gigantic prize plushies that their parents likely won them. 

I look around, not seeing much. Just trees, some lightning bugs emerging into the young night, and other forest debris. All I can hear is crickets singing and some distant frogs croaking. Hmm…

“This is sketchy, no?”

He slowly begins walking up the small incline we’re on. I take a big step to catch up, now syncing up with his relaxed strides.

“Absolutely, it is,” he agrees. “ Perfect spot for me to kill you .”

He whips out an evil laugh. It’s pretty good, actually. Gave me goosebumps, but not from fear. I mentally spray myself with water. No horny, (y/n)!

“Impressive,” I chirp out. Fuck.

“Oh, that earned me one of your squeaks?”

I bring the helmet to my forehead for a moment, in lieu of a facepalm. He takes it from me while I have it lifted, and replaces it by weaving his fingers into mine. I look at his face, sassily squinting my eyes — but his view stays forward. He has his signature look , clearly proud of his influence on me. Ugh.

“Bro,” I complain, “I can’t help that I’m easy to read.”

“It’s not a bad thing. Quite helpful, actually.”

“Helpful how?”

He doesn’t answer. Another, more calm but just as sinister, chuckle escapes him. 

“Asshole…” I mumble.

“Yeah, but you love it.”

“Whatever.”

“You ready?” he asks, coming to a halt in front of a bunch of bushes. Ready for what, I think to myself? Leaves and twigs and bugs?

I go along with it, morbid curiosity taking control. “Sure…” 

He steps through a small gap between two of the hedges, clearing the way so I can get through more easily. When we emerge, we’re on a cliff, overlooking a distant Zuzu City. 

“Holy shit, Seb,” I whisper, taking in all the lights speckled across the horizon. 

He lights up a cigarette and gets himself cozy on a nearby log, invitingly patting the spot next to him. I join him. 

“I can’t believe I lived there… feels strange. It’s kinda sad to look at, almost.” 

“I feel the same.” He puffs out some smoke, making sure to blow in the opposite direction. What a sweetie. “I come here to clear my head, usually. Think about life without the distractions of other people around, if that makes sense.”

I hum and nod.

A few moments of silence go by, he finishes his cigarette and puts it out in the dirt before storing it in his pocket. I nagged him for littering his cigarette butts in front of the Stardrop once. I meant it mostly jokingly, but as far as I’ve seen, he’s actually making an effort not to do it anymore. Maybe it’s for me, maybe it’s for the environment and the frogs, but I’m not mad about it either way.

“I don’t normally bring girls here…” he speaks quietly. “Don’t think I’ve brought anyone here, actually. You’re the first.”

I tuck my feet onto the log and my legs into my chest, resting my chin on top of my kneecaps. “Yeah?” I smile.

He nods. Breathes out. Does that thing where he gets nervy and picks at his nail polish… I want to hold his hands, maybe calm him down, but if he’s peeling off the paint because he needs to fidget, I don’t want to interfere. I wonder if he’d let me give him a manicure sometime?

Seb looks up at the sky. Not sure if I should look at the sky with him or at the city, I look at Seb, instead. I hope I don’t seem creepy. He’s a prettier view, so it’s really not my fault. 

I observe the curve of his adam’s apple, the point at the tip of his nose, the light stubble from a patch he seemed to miss while shaving, the dark bags under his eyes that give a little extra edge to his aesthetic… aaand, he caught me. My eyes go wide as his narrow.

“(Y/n),” he sings teasingly, in his stupid seductive tone, with his stupid eyebrow wiggles.

“Sebastian,” I challenge pointedly and with confidence.

He scoots closer to me, and I match his movement so that I can lean on him. I’ve come to the conclusion that Seb’s shoulder is my favorite place. He puts his hand on my lower back, and I can feel him fidgeting with the fabric on the hoodie I’ve tied around my waist.

“I… fuck,” he laughs. “This is hard.” 

I smile and nudge him with my head a little. “What is?”

This would be the perfect timing for a “ Haha is it you? Are you hard right now?”, but I exercise restraint.

He stares at me, gnawing at his lip. My eyes dance around his face, eager to find out what he’s going to say. I’ve never seen him look so nervous. 

“You… you meant what you said earlier, right?”

“What?”

“Sorry,” he nervously laughs, “about your feelings for me, I mean.”

I laugh, blushing, and firmly nod. “I really, really like you Sebastian.” Does he not believe me?

“C-cool,” he mumbles quietly under his breath, looking away for a moment, with a smile creeping up on him.

When his eyes return to mine, he tries again. “I’m, like… uh… fucking… oh fucking god damnit are you kidding me Yoba why can’t I fucking speak right now?”

He puts both hands behind his head and stretches his back. I feel bad for laughing, but his frustration is adorable. So many profanities. So little time. 

In the midst of his frustration, he cups my face hard, turning it up to face towards his. Gets my body tingling a little bit, to be honest. He doesn’t say anything, and I’m trying to figure out if I should say something. I put each of my hands on top of his corresponding ones, not quite knowing how to handle the situation. 

He exhales and closes his eyes. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m freaking out so much.” 

“It’s okay,” I giggle. 

After another few breaths, he says, “I have something important to say and I’m just...” he grunts in place of words.

I pull my hands away and reach one up to brush his hair out of his eyes, gently cupping his sharp jawline for a moment after. “Take your time, it’s not like I’m going anywhere.”

He rests his forehead against mine. I gasp. My heart feels like it’s about to burst out of my frickin’ chest. I reach back up to his cheek again, pacing my thumb across his skin.

“You… you know what I’m trying to say, don’t you?” he pleads, as I feel his face heating up beneath my touch. 

“I think so, yeah,” I whisper. He visibly relaxes, closing his eyes again. When he opens them, his attention directs straight to my lips. When he refocuses onto my eyes, there’s a glimmer of hope in his own.

“(Y/n), can I kiss you?” he whispers.

I nod, and barely a second later, Sebastian’s lips collide with mine.

_______________

“I’ve been falling for you so hard, you have no idea…” Seb happily whispers onto my lips between kisses. He begins to kiss a little harder, feeling bolder, weaving some more compliments together when he can. “You’re incredible,” “This is so sick,” “I can’t believe you feel the same way that I do.” Etcetera. Stroking the shit out of my ego.

“Hard to believe you were struggling to say anything affectionate just a few minutes ago,” I muse, my lips still brushing his as I pull away briefly.

“Whatever, nerd,” he growls, tugging at my lip with his teeth to reel me back in. Once he’s got me, he slowly lowers my body against the log so that I’m lying beneath him. 

My fingers tangle through his hair as he licks my bottom lip, hinting that he wants in. I oblige, like the good gentlewoman I am, and bro, I’ve never felt so much bliss from tongue-wrestling someone in my life. 

I don’t know how long we’ve been wrapped up in each other on this log, but it has to have been a bit. Now that our feelings are out in the open, it’s like we’re both lingering onto every second that passes, not wanting to risk it coming to an end.

Seb trails his fingertips from the back of my head to the front of my throat, and clamps his hand on with a light squeeze. Luckily, I quietly moan instead of my usual squeaky tic. Still embarrassing, but at least I don’t sound like a frickin’ dog toy. Plus, if his pleased humming is anything to go by, he enjoyed the reaction. Yoba, I don’t want this to end… 

As if the universe is telling me to go fuck myself, Seb groans into my mouth in frustration and pulls away, feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulls me into his lap as he answers the call. Rather than waiting patiently, I decide to play his game. I want a turn to fluster him for a change. If that’s even possible. Only one way to find out!

I lean my head into the crook of his neck, and just when he thinks I’m simply getting comfy, I lift my lips to his jawline — I swear, this shit could cut diamonds — and trail soft pecks down to his neck. I feel his hairs raise and he breathes in heavily, promptly clearing his throat to sound more natural in his conversation. 

I smile against his skin before giving it a lil’ bite. The ol’ razzle dazzle. But before I can sooth it with another kiss, he takes a tuft of my hair and tugs on it. I guess it’s time to stop. That was nice while it lasted.

I rest onto his shoulder and fiddle with the same loose thread I’d played around with while on his couch earlier. This time, I tear it free, and zone out on the sky while twirling it around between my fingers. Following what seems like an eternity, but was likely closer to a few minutes, Seb hangs up, and rests his head onto mine. 

He whines. “Sam and Abby are pissed that I ditched them.”

“You didn’t tell them you weren’t going tonight?” 

He shakes his head, “I was just… really excited to spend some time with you.” We both chuckle. “Fuck, that was cheesy, wasn’t it?”

“Way too cheesy.”

“Fuck you.”

“I didn’t say it was a bad thing!” I defend.

He gives me a suspicious look. I return it. He rolls his eyes and delivers a big smooch to my forehead. I go back to work on his neck while he has it in the open again, attacking it with more kisses. 

“Having fun?”

“So much,” I admit, smiling against his goosebumps. “I can stop if you want.”

“Yeah, I’d like that, actually,” he challenges, pulling my face up to his and giving me a short but passionate snog. “My turn,” he mumbles as he kisses his way down to my neck.

I roll my head to give him a bit more room, subconsciously rubbing my legs together. I don’t notice this until he does, his hand gripping my thigh; and predictably, he has something to say about it.

“You like that?” Seb seductively murmurs against my skin. He swiftly figures out the spot I respond to most and sucks there, hard — that’s gonna leave a mark, but I couldn’t care less right now.

I nod and hum a quiet “mhm” at his comment, not trusting myself to be able to form words while he does this to me.

“Seems unlike you to not even try denying it.”

“Don’t wanna,” I blissfully sigh, “Feels nice.”

He laughs while leaving another love bite, and because I’m extremely A Bottom, I moan at merely the feeling of his voice reverberating through my body.  I didn’t think I could ever be this ravenous, but I am, so I change my position from being politely seated in his lap to a full straddle.

As my crotch makes contact with his hips, he audibly swallows. I squeak when I notice the hard-on beneath me, ‘cause holy shit that thing might be huge. I wonder if he can feel my wetness through our jeans…? I don’t think I’ve ever been that soaked before, but there’s a first for everything. 

Cupping his cheeks, I hone in on his mouth, ever so slightly gyrating my lower body in his lap. I’m not wonderful on top, which he may unfortunately discover soon enough, but I can at least act as a good tease. I open my eyes and inhale in shock as I feel him slide his hands from my lower back to my ass. He plants his palms against it, hiding them in my back pockets and holding me in place.

Seb pulls away from our kiss. “What do you think you’re doing?”

I’ve never seen his eyes look this dark. He’s clearly enjoying this just as much as I am, which on its own is exhilarating.

I grin and coyly ask, “What do you mean?” as I move some hair out of his face.

He narrows his eyes at me, starts going to town on my neck again, and harshly grabs two large fistfulls of my butt from within my pockets. He lifts me up slightly, adding a little more force to his squeeze, biting the skin where my collarbone meets my shoulder hard enough that he might’ve drawn blood. Fine by me, I think to myself, sighing in pleasure.

Seb weakens his grip when he’s satisfied, gravity forcing my body back down to its original position. In unison, we make a small noise in response to the feeling of our clothed cores crashing together.

“Holy shit, (y/n),” he rests his forehead against mine, his chuckles dusting hot breaths onto my face. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

“In, like, a good way?” 

“The fuck do you think?”

I chuckle menacingly, giving him a soft peck on the top of his nose. A dreamy – albeit mischievous – smile forms across his face.

“What?”

He goes in for more kisses, and I happily accept. “You’re adorable,” he murmurs against my lips. “Makes me feel guilty about all the thoughts I’m having right now.” 

“Not my problem,” I tease.

“It’s about to be,” he threatens. 

“What do you mean by that?”

Seb stands, lifting me with him, and gently plants my feet back on the ground.

“Time to go!”

…

What?

“What?”

“You said something about us moving too quickly this afternoon,” he smirks.

Oh, you bitch!

“Well, yeah, but—”

“But nothing.” he shoots finger guns in my direction. 

“Ugh.”

He starts walking back to where we emerged from, and I follow. “Do me a favor, darling?”

I’ve never been one to find that term of endearment very… endearing. But oh my GODDD when he says it, it’s a whole new story. 

“W-what’s up?” I fucking stutter.

“Think of me while you take care of yourself tonight, yeah?” He smiles wide . Little bastard.

“Sebastian.”

“Yes?” 

“Fuck yourself.”

“Gladly,” he looks back at me and waggles his brows. Grabbing my hand and directing his attention to his pocket with the other, he continues, “Speaking of which, I’ll delete that picture of you now, before I forget to.”

I think for a moment. It is risky to tell him not to, but… the fact that he’s openly implied that he’s going to use it to jerk off makes my heart race.

“Nah, keep it.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “Really?” 

“Mhm,” I hum. 

“Is there a catch to it?” 

“No, I just…” I trail off, realizing I was about to say something scandalous and feeling my body physically stop me from doing it. Why am I so bad at this shit?

“Just what?” Seb prods.

I take a deep breath. “I, uh… it’s really hot to like…” I stumble over my mumbled words a little more, of course. “Imagining you getting off while looking at me or thinking of me or whatever is really sexy,” I blurt out, chest puffed like I just earned a medal or some shit.

He laughs , hard. Oh no. This is painful.

“Dude I’m bad at this dirty talking shit or whatever, leave me alone!” I defend myself as we approach his motorcycle.

“I didn’t even say anything!”

“That laugh said it all.”

“I was laughing because I was surprised . Didn’t expect such a bold statement out of you,” he says, settling his helmet on my head and tugging me onto the bike behind him.

“‘Didn’t expect such a bold statement out of you’ shut the fuck up.”

[needcake]

I would love to see you write engport being silly sappy idiots, all light hearted good times and being utterly stupid together

I am so sorry for taking so long to answer this! But to be quite honest this might have been the hardest prompt, I think I opened 20 new wips trying to write this one XD

--

Engport | PG | 2,2k

.

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Arthur wasn’t a bad cook.

The word Gabriel had come to associate with him in the kitchen when the mood to cook hit him and made him tie his apron behind his back and push up his sleeves wasn’t bad.

Perhaps overconfident, when he would throw him an insufferable smirk and shoo him from his kitchen, or adventurous, when he watched one too many cooking shows and insisted he must try some of those recipes even though most of them were well above his skill level, or even bold, when he decided, from the top of his head, to not follow any recipe and create his own.

But without a doubt the word Gabriel had come to associate with Arthur the most whenever he announced he would be one cooking was: careless. And since it always seemed to fall on him the duty to taste-proof his creations, Gabriel had eaten one too many expired ingredients and overly-salted meats, burnt cookies and undercooked pies, having to spend the rest of the night between the bed and the toilet shitting his insides, to want to willingly put himself through that again.

So in the morning when Arthur picked him up at the airport and announced, unusually chipper: “I’m cooking tonight, saw this great recipe on the telly last night, you’re going to love it, we just need to pick up a few things at the shop first.” Gabriel knew he only had a few hours to come up with an excuse to save himself, his stomach and his butthole from a night of flaming pain and regret.

-

“Blue cheese goes well with raisins, right?” Arthur asked, turning the package of cheese in his hand in the supermarket aisle, giving it great thought. He gripped the trolley’s handles a little harder, frowning at both.

“Does the recipe call for blue cheese and raisins?”

The blue cheese went into the trolley and Arthur shrugged, pulling him along as he moved further into the dairy section. “Recipes are sort of like suggestions, Port. No one actually follows recipes. I haven’t seen you follow a single recipe in ages.”

Gabriel opened his mouth. Thought better of it. Closed it again.

“Besides,” Arthur continued, grabbing a package of pre-made puff pastry, considering it, then putting it in the trolley with the blue cheese, the pickles, the raisins, the asparagus and the ham. “You have to always leave a little room for creativity and improvement, right?”

Gabriel sighed, hanging his head down. “Right.”

-

“Why don’t we take a left turn here and drive down to Devon. We could stop at a small town, hit a pub, make a night out of it,” he suggested, voice low and husky, hoarse from all the years spent smoking one cigarette after another, his hand drifting down between Arthur’s thighs while they were stuck in traffic.

Arthur’s eyebrows first shot up to his hairline, then a slight crimson blush flushed his skin. “Ahm,” Arthur stammered, eyes locked too long on his probing hand that he had to shake himself and focus back on the road before a terrible car crash made the motorway even more jammed than it was. “We can go there tomorrow. If that’s what you want to do.”

Gabriel squeezed the muscle of his inner thigh and Arthur sat up a little straighter, the crimson blush reaching his ears. “Why not today?” he insisted, “We have plenty of time.”

Arthur scoffed lightly, throwing him quick disbelieving glance. “It’s a long drive, Port. You’re only here ‘till Sunday afternoon, and I…” he said, doing a little fidgety shrug coupled with a roll of his eyes. “I was, you know, planning to cook. For you.”

A shot straight through his heart. Gabriel’s will faltered.

“If you want, that is,” Arthur added, looking his way. “Or we could just order something if you think my cooking’s too terrible.”

Gabriel tensed. Was this a way out or a test?

He smiled, ignoring the blaring klaxons going off in his head, and patted his thigh. “Not at all. I want to see what you came up with this time.”

Arthur smiled as well. “Good,” he sentenced looking back ahead. “Because I’m planning a full course meal. None of us is leaving the table until we’re stuffed full!”

He pressed his lips tightly and nodded.

His sphincter would just have to take one for the team.

-

By the time they reached Arthur’s London flat with his one suitcase and several shopping bags, it was well into the afternoon.

“Ah, shit,” Arthur mumbled to himself, checking his wristwatch for the nth time and dropping the bags on the counter “I’m going to have to skip the hors d'oeuvre and jump straight to the salad. If we hadn’t spent so much time in traffic—”

“It’s fine,” Gabriel tried once, but Arthur either didn’t hear or straight up ignored him, continuing his very long list of complaints while pacing around his kitchen pulling things from the cabinets and the fridge.

“It’s gotten worse, I’m telling you. I used to make the entire trip in 45 minutes. The other day I sent a very long and detailed letter to the Mayor of London about the congestion problems in the motorway, and you know what the man said?”

Gabriel opened his mouth to reply, but Arthur bulldozed over him, “I’ll tell him what he said! He said that there aren’t enough funds to fix it! Not enough funds! So I wrote him another – even longer! – letter, and you know what he said to that one?”

Gabriel gave up, rolled his eyes and placed his hands on his hips. “What?” he asked tiredly, watching Arthur pull out the most bizarre combination of ingredients from the shopping bags.

“He said he would look into it!”

“Isn’t that usually a good thing?” he asked, his frown deepening as Arthur pulled out a can of preserved cherries from the fridge along with chives, garlic, four cans of sardines, white wine vinegar, quail eggs and cocoa nibs.

“No of course it isn’t! That means he will absolutely not look into—what are you looking at?”

Gabriel turned to look at him as Arthur suddenly stopped talking, deer in the headlights. “Nothing.”

A frown fell heavy between Arthur’s eyebrows and his hands went straight to his hips. “Out with it.”

“What are those for?” he asked, pointing his chin at the cocoa nibs.

Arthur looked at the pack in his hands. Then put it away behind his back. “Nothing. It’s a surprise.”

“A surprise… what?” he asked, pulling Arthur by the waist, trying to reach behind him but Arthur just squirmed the pack away from him, the two of them doing a ridiculous dance in the middle of the kitchen. “Arthur, what the—just tell me—”

“If I tell you,” Arthur countered, trying to weasel away and stepping back until his butt hit the counter, “you won’t want to eat it,” he gasped, letting out short bursts of laughter whenever Gabriel tickled his sides.

“If you don’t tell me,” Gabriel laughed as well, pressing up against him, latching his mouth to Arthur’s neck and sneaking his hands up his jumper, any attempt to take the package from him forgotten in favor of a more straightforward strategy. “I really won’t want to eat it.”

The pack of cocoa nibs went flying over his head, and just as Gabriel made a move to follow it, Arthur’s hands grabbed handfuls of his ass and kept him in place, mouth opening under his when he turned to kiss him.

Someone hummed, might have been him, and he angled his nose to kiss Arthur deeper, nudging him back until he hopped back up over the counter, his legs wrapping around his waist.

“On second thought,” Gabriel said, whispered, mumbled, his fingers finding the button of his pants and popping it open, dragging the zipper slowly down the bulge between his legs. “Ordering sounds good now,” he innocently suggested. If his ass had be an active participant, he would much rather it be with the fingers that were currently probing his behind than dying heroically into the night. “Or better yet, why don’t we forget about this whole thing and go straight to the bedroom? Isn’t that what you promised me?”

“To be fair,” Arthur laughed, diving out of his kisses and pulling his hands regrettably away from his ass to push him off, “I am about to blow you away,” he said with a smirk, hopping down the counter. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying to do,” he said, half jokingly and half accusatorily, straightening his clothes.

“Oh, yeah?” Gabriel went along, swiping his hair away from his eyes and leaning back against the counter where Arthur had left him disheveled and half-hard. “What am I doing?”

But Arthur just rolled his eyes at him with a smile and zipped up his pants, going to retrieve his pack of cocoa nibs from the other side of the kitchen with a shake of his head.

“I bought the conditioner you like. Why don’t you go take a shower and unpack? Dinner will be ready by the time you finish.”

Gabriel sighed again. He looked around the kitchen one last time, watching as Arthur opened the fridge, pulled out a package of ground beef that he sat beside the canned cherries and the retrieved cocoa nibs.

He turned away in resignation, glad that he at least remembered to pack a pair of sweatpants and extra underwear.

-

The smell that hit him once he stepped out of the bathroom was… good, actually.

Savory, garlic-y, but also sweet? He couldn’t describe it even if he tried.

In the small living room, Arthur had set up a table and two chairs, an album spinning lazily in the record player and the overhead lights dimmed to compose the atmosphere.

It almost made Gabriel feel bad. Here he was, dreading the worst, when in fact Arthur had gone out of his way to make him feel special.

He thanked him when Arthur pulled out a chair for him, graciously accepted the cloth napkin he placed on his thigh, sipped the wine he poured into his glass.

“You have to be honest with me, okay?” Arthur asked before disappearing into the kitchen to retrieve the first course. “You don’t have to eat it if you hate it.”

This, Gabriel knew, was definitely a test. One he had failed in the past and had rendered him a whole five months without sex. He smiled at him and Arthur smiled back.

In front of him he placed something Gabriel could only guess was a mix of nuts, dried fruits, blue cheese and – ah! – the cocoa nibs.

At the final battle, he gave his last defeated sigh. Armed with a fork, he dug in.

-

“Wow, you really liked it!” Arthur said, a note of astonishment in his voice, watching Gabriel clean the hollandaise from his plate with a piece of asparagus and lick his fork.

“This might be the best sauce I’ve ever had in my life,” he nodded enthusiastically, scrapping the bottom of his plate for the last few smears, stealing the last scrap of sauce from Arthur’s plate as well. “I don’t know how, but this time you really nailed it.”

When he looked up across the table, Arthur’s eyes were shinning in the low light, a small proud smile threatening to burst forth from his lips. He felt like a shitty boyfriend, doubting Arthur's skills, trying to divert him from his passions. He would make it up to him. The night was still young, they had plenty of time.

“I’m so glad you said that,” Arthur said, and Gabriel reached for his hand across the table. “I had read online that you’re not supposed store eggs in the freezer, but these came out perfectly. If I had listened, I’d have wasted a whole carton.”

Gabriel was in the middle of caressing his knuckles when he stopped, lifted his head slowly up.

“The eggs you used weren’t fresh?”

“Ahm,” Arthur stammered.

“Were there cracks in the shells?”

“Ahm.” Arthur had the decency to at least look distressed.

-

“Honestly, I think this might be a you problem, Port,” Arthur’s voice came muffled through the door while Gabriel’s soul abandoned his body via toilet. “I ate the same food as you and I feel perfectly fine!”

Gabriel moaned pitifully in pain. If he didn’t love him, he would kill him.

“Port, are you alright in there? Do you need me to run to the pharmacy? Do we need to go to the hospital? Do I need to get the secret service involved?”

He emerged from the bathroom, a rag in tatters rather than a man, and found Arthur posted worriedly at the door, ready to catch him when he fell into his arms and all thoughts of homicide left him along with his dignity.

“Just promise me you’ll cook me mince pie next time,” he pleaded, distantly feeling an arm around his waist guiding him to the bedroom, “Or a nice, simple pudding with some gravy.”

He felt a cool wet cloth cleaning his face, a blessed pillow under his head and sheets being pulled over his chest. Arthur chuckled somewhere above him, shushing him quiet before exhaustion pulled him under.

“Don’t be daft, Port, where would be the fun in that?”

[spotsandsocks]

If You Break It

Buckweek2022 Day 4 Prompt: You're my family. No matter What Teen 3.2K Read on AO3

Buck finds Eddie in his kitchen washing dishes with a little too much enthusiasm. He winces recognising the signs of an unhappy and stressed Eddie Diaz. He’d already known that of course, it’s why he’s here after all because Eddie called him, because he needs help.

And when Eddie needs him he’ll always be there.

Buck alerts the preoccupied man to his arrival and he turns with a relieved sigh. Some of the tension leaves Eddie’s broad shoulders at the sight of him and he’s quietly pleased that just by being here he’s helping in some way.

Eddie steps towards him and for a second Buck thinks he’s going to get hugged but Eddie pulls up short and Buck has to make do with a smile instead.

“Thanks for coming so fast. I didn’t know what else to do.” Eddie’s eyes flick towards Christopher’s room and then back to Buck. Buck doesn’t like to see worry in those eyes, he prefers Eddie’s gaze like it usually is when they're together, soft and warm.

Eddie has a crease between his eyebrows and Buck puts his hands in his pockets to stop himself doing something stupid like trying to smooth it away. His worried friend completely oblivious to Buck’s impulses shakes his head as he carries on talking.

“I don’t know what’s wrong, he won’t talk to me ” the frown deepens “He said he hates me.”

Now Eddie actually looks upset and Buck can’t fight his impulses any longer. His hands make a break for freedom and he finds one of them clutching Eddie’s bicep, his thumb making soothing circles over the sleeve of his shirt.

His heart might flutter a little when Eddie covers that hand with his own. He doesn’t think Eddie’s even aware that he’s done it, that his own thumb is matching the movement of Buck’s, stroking the back of his hand slowly.

After a moment Eddie’s eyes meet his again and ask a silent question. Buck knows what he wants. “You want me to try?”

“Please” Eddie looks so relieved Buck would laugh if he wasn’t feeling worried about Chris himself.

He allows himself another moment of indulgence, rubbing Eddie’s arm in a reassuring fashion then he goes to find out just what’s upset Christopher.

Just before he makes it out the door Eddie’s voice calls out “I really don’t know what I’d do without you.” He’s trying to smile but it’s only partially successful.

Buck’s happy to reassure him and he means every word “Well, not going anywhere so don’t worry about that.

*

Christopher’s voice answers the knock on his closed door.

“Go away!”

Buck winces, that's not particularly encouraging.

“Hey buddy it's me. Can I come in?”

“Buck?”

He opens the door a crack.

“Hi Chris,” he doesn’t get told to go away again so that’s positive. He opens the door a bit more “you ok if I come in?”

As soon as Christopher nods, Buck enters and settles on the cabinet by his door, closing it again.

He finds the little dinosaurs he's played with before and starts to fiddle with them, giving Chris time to talk. He doesn’t so the dinosaurs start to fight each other with accompanying growls and roars and when Christopher giggles at his silliness Buck smiles back and takes the opening.

“Soooooo…. Wanna talk about it?”

“No”

“Your Dad’s worried about you, he says you're upset”

Chris' voice is much grumpier than usual, “I’m not upset I’m mad.”

“Ok” he leaves a gap but Christopher doesn’t elaborate so Buck starts to investigate.

“Did something happen at school?

He gets a quick shake of the head, Chris’ eyes are still averted.

“So it’s not your teachers or your friends?”

Another shake.

“Me?”

That makes Chris look at him, his voice tells Buck how ridiculous he thinks that idea is, “Don’t be silly Buck.”

“You know it’s ok to be mad at grown ups right? If they’ve done something wrong or upset you you should tell someone. One day you might be mad at me and that’s ok, I’d want to know about it so I could try and fix it.”

This time Christopher’s glance is more thoughtful, Buck pushes on “If you tell me maybe we can work something out, get you less mad?”

Chris opens his mouth but shuts it quickly, which means it’s most likely that this  is about - ”

Chris interrupts his thoughts “It’s Dad.”

Yes, that’s what he’d thought and probably what Eddie already knows. He stays quiet and he doesn’t have to wait much longer.

“He’s going to start dating again.”

Christopher blurts it out, his tone makes it quite clear how he feels about that. Buck feels like he’s been punched in the stomach.

All he manages as a response is a quiet word that sounds more like a gasp of air.

“Oh”

His mind is spinning, oh indeed. Such a small word to sum up the tumultuous feelings unleashed inside him. It’s a shock and while he certainly doesn’t welcome the news he has to put that aside and support Chris because Chris is upset. He’ll deal with his splintering heart later when he’s alone. He tries not to think about how alone he’ll be now if Chris is right about this.

It’s not that he doubts Chris but maybe he misunderstood, surely Eddie would have mentioned it to him if he was thinking about doing that again.

He looks at Chris, he’s quietly seething.

“Ok. Ok” he prepares his heart “so how do you know? It feels like something your dad would talk to you about first.”

Chris’ anger transmutes into something a little guiltier, he looks down. That’s suspicious.

“Chris?”

The reply is almost too quiet to hear, Christopher mutters “‘He was talking to Carla. I was listening.”

“I see and you weren’t meant to be listening?” He already knows the answer.

“I didn't mean to, but I did hear them and he did say it and” Chris pauses then in a rush says  “and I don’t want him to.”

The words ‘neither do I’ run through his head but that's hardly fair to Eddie. He deserves to be happy and if he’s ready for this… well. Buck pushes down his unrequited feelings and does what’s right.

“Chris…” he starts but he isn’t really sure where his sentence will finish. He’s still reeling from Chris’ news.. Chris interrupts him anyway and breaks his heart a little more with his words.

“I don’t want you to go away like last time or for Dad to be unhappy again.” Chris looks at him, his eyes sad, “He wasn’t happy last time he dated.”

No he wasn’t, Buck hadn’t realised Chris saw it too.

“Then he got even more sad.”

Chris isn’t wrong about that either,  Buck's heart breaks for his boys and what they’ve been through. Not his, he reminds himself; not then, now now, not ever.

Chris' voice rises, sounding more upset now he’s revealed his worries.

“He’s only just got happy again. He’s happier now it’s just us. Just me and him and you!

Hearing himself included in that grouping makes his heart feels like it’s trapped in a vice. He wishes it was the three of them together, the family he wishes he had.

Chris looks at him expecting a solution, if only he had one.  Then Chris unleashes one more devastating sentence.

“He's happy when he’s with you.”

If only that was true.

“Chris…” he’d come in here to help and now he’s speechless.

They’ve been here before and last time he had useful things to say. This time is different because since then he’s fallen even more in love with Eddie, entwined himself into something he’s been pretending he could have permanently. He should have known it was only ever a matter of time before this happened.

He’s doesn’t want to give it up but that's immaterial. He has to put that all aside and help Chris and Eddie. Chris needs him to make this less scary and Eddie needs him to get out of the way so he can find love and happiness.

Chris sounds completely miserable now “And if dad starts dating you won’t come round anymore then I’ll miss you”

It’s almost a relief to hear that because it gives him something tangible to focus on.

“You won’t miss me because I’m not going anywhere. I told you that before.I meant it then I mean it now.”

Chris looks unconvinced,.

“Chris?” He holds out his little finger with a smile “pinkie promise, it’s the most serious of promises.” Chris still looks sad, Buck lets his smile fall away and says quiet and serious.

“Chris, you're my family. No matter what. Nothing will change that. I promise.”

Chris lifts his own  finger with the smallest of smiles.

*

Eddie takes one look at his face as he crosses the threshold into the kitchen and his expression falls, “Oh god it’s bad isn’t it?”

Buck curses silently. He’d tried to keep his feelings off his face but apparently when you have this many they leak out despite your best efforts. He plasters a smile on his face and aims for reassuring. “No, it’s not that bad but you are gonna have to talk to him.”

Eddie’s eyes close briefly and he shakes his head  “I knew it was my fault.”

Continue reading on AO3

[likesomekindofcheese]

Ik you’re busy but if u have time n if u feel like it could you pls write one where ben makes a comment to joe about his gf being very clingy/needy but she overhears ben so she tries to tone it down. when joe finds out he gets angry at her bc he never said that to her and he doesn’t think she needs to change. but ending in fluff. u don’t have to but thnks :*

Sure thing! Here you go!

It was harmless, harmless you told yourself.

But it stung like the sting of a wasp.

"She's like a bloody koala to you! You got to make sure you have your own life, mate!"

Frozen in your place, you felt your bladder harden despite your recent bathroom trip. Your heart was racing, and you breathed in...and out...and in...and out...but it was not stopping. You felt the rage, thick in your body. Screaming. Ready. The distant 80s tunes blasting from the Bluetooth Speaker felt distant even though it was near you.

So, you charged from your corner in the party. The red cup, drained of drink, almost crumpled in your hand as you slowly, angrily crushing it. Words pouring out before you could control them.

“I heard that, Ben,” you said.

The blonde and red heads whipped towards you. Their faces pure white.

You looked right at Joe.

“So, I’m clingy, huh? Like every other girl, huh? Won’t let you even play one video game while sucking your dick because I’m just a girl, isn’t it?”

“Y/N, please…”

“How dare I like you, Joe, how dare I…I even show myself- that’s not what you wanted. You wanted a maid you didn’t have to pay, right?”

“I didn’t, please!”

You turned around and marched out. Though Lucy ran up to say hi, you ignored her and marched away. You opened the door and stepped out. The thick summer air was filled with heat contrasted to the icy Air Conditioning of the house. You heard crickets chirp and there was a firefly or two floating around. A big landed on your leg and you swatted at it with a “HRRGH” from your mouth. Secretly you wished it was Joe’s face.

“Y/N, listen, please, I’m begging…”

Speak of the devil.

You turned around to see him. Him. Him, him, him, him. Your chest burst with a bittersweet love. The angry kind. The kind that made you so furious because the attack came from someone you loved so much. A random stranger? Not as much. But coming from Joe? You might as well be shot, you emotional mind thought.

“Why should I? I heard Ben’s words…” you spat.

He walked forward, extending his gentle hand.

“Y/N, here’s the context…are you ready for that?”

His hazel eyes looked big and sad. His mouth in a slightly open frown and his face pale. Hesitantly, you accepted his hand.

“I was telling Ben about the time I didn’t want to go shopping and how you had this pout that you do…you know…”

He mimicked it and you had to admit, it was exact.

“And how you asked me why…and it was because, you know, how I’m trying to budget so I can have that trip. Okay?” he explained.

You nodded, recalling. A couple tears welled in your eyes, and you wiped them with your sleeve. Another one came up and he wiped it with his thumb.

“Sweetheart…I know we…we’re a PDA couple…like, you’re so damn hot I can’t keep my hands off of you anytime…” he quipped.

You couldn’t help but smile and look down for a bit. Even in arguing Joe was a giant flirt.

“You know Ben saw that and he…can jump to conclusions. You know…” he explained. “But I never, never called you too clingy or any of that…why would I?”

You sighed and looked up at him. The dance music changed to a more soulful ballad from inside.

“I just…I was scared that…that when I thought I could totally be myself around you I…” you explained, words fumbling.

“Well, how many times have you seen me scream at baseball while stuffing half a hot dog down my mouth at once?” Joe asked.

You couldn’t help but chuckle a little.

“Several times!”

“And how do you think of that? Gross? Stupid?”

“No, it’s endearing!”

He looked at you, holding your face and listing your qualities, your silly, goofy moments that were completely, uniquely you.

“Why would I love you less for that? Or that you like to hug on me all the time? It’s you!”

“And you’re you Joe…”

“But anyways, I am very sorry…. for all of this. That you even had to…had to doubt that I didn’t…didn’t like you as you are.” He explained.

“I…I just didn’t hear the whole conversation…I was being silly…”

“You were protecting yourself. That’s one reason I admire you, Y/N…”

You reached over and kissed his cheek kindly. You heard the door creak open. Ben stood there; cheeks flushed.

“Y/N, Jesus Christ, I’m a dickhead, please…please forgive me! I wasn’t thinking!” he begged.

Breathing easily, you put a hand before him.

“I…I forgive you, Ben. I’ve said things I regret too!” you reassured.

His shoulders relaxed. For the rest of the night, he chatted to you. Getting to know you better, sprinkling in the extra apology or two.

And with Joe holding your hand, you smiled, nodded, and laughed. At peace.

[omgkalyppso]

Etoile/Astarion aaand 99?

Thank you for the ask! What a silly, stupid, appropriate song for them. I don't think we'll actually get a clear cut ending to whatever's going on with the mindflayer worm, but I needed to put something together. Have some song lyrics, and then my writing below the cut. Reference to weird vampire dynamics / desires / daydreams?

.

Why do I try When in your eyes, I just melt again And you'd only stay until our tan lines match Oh, it's over In your, in your Range Rover And I don't, don't know why I want you But you look so pretty When you're breaking me (down)

.

Astarion found Étoile in the the woods, less than five minutes from the source of their salvation. In the morning the ritual would be complete and their travelling band's illithid parasites would be removed. Étoile didn't need Astarion to tell them that he was leaving, their gaze, resigned and sympathetic, made plain their understanding.

The silence of their recognition buzzed like the flies on the wind, like the lonely birdsong in the trees. Sunlight filtered faded through the canopy, and Astarion found himself almost wishing it would rain; the sting of the water would have been fitting against his undead skin, and at least then his last memory of his companion would be in darkness.

"I had hoped we'd have achieved more," Étoile said, "before finding our solution."

"Your solution," Astarion said sharply. He raised a finger to articulate his point as he stepped forward, almost bitter but not quite, because he very simply did not believe the group was considering their options clearly for themselves.

Étoile's lips stretched in disappointment, their golden gaze flickering away as they sought a fitting goodbye, or perhaps a plea. They were not as hollowed as someone more emotional would be; even with their heart on their sleeve, not quite in tatters, Étoile was suitably composed. They clearly knew, as elves and other long-lived races did, how frequent endings were, how shattering, how temporary, how eternal.

Astarion would at least free them from the incremental distress of trying to find their words.

"I cannot stay," he said, in a tone that mocked the seriousness of the bridge they were abandoning between them. Yet his smile was genuine, with the self-assurance of having not lost himself to this rediscovery that Étoile's companionship had allowed him. He had learned what of him remained beneath Cazador's orders and his hatred, and more importantly found that his nature was unchanged; much as it might frustrate others, it was ... a comfort, one he could carry. "Lae'zel will be bound by her oaths and her honor to seek my end for having refused treatment for my parasite. And if I cannot be sure in defeating her at this juncture, then I am soundly unprepared for Cazador."

Étoile stalked closer, and Astarion didn't balk, but he did wonder whether at Étoile's current quiet indecision. He went on, "I have no reason to invite Lae'zel to follow you, by offering somewhere that we might meet, however far in the future."

"And you would never venture so far north as to find me when your goals are achieved ... or..." Étoile wrapped a careful hand around Astarion's elbow, warm and bracing. They shook their head, reestablishing themself and their fragile confidence, blossoming as Astarion rested a hand on the back of their forearm. "I'll try not to worry about you," they said instead. "You've come into yourself, and you're stronger now than you were. A dandy from Baldur's Gate."

"Battle hardened," Astarion agreed with a taunting smile, sharp teeth expressing his delight. "With your blood to thank."

"It would be appropriate if I sprouted tentacles for you to deal with in response to that," Étoile scoffed. Astarion pretended not to notice how the humor in their tone clashed with the unshed tears that crept upon them.

"It would be appropriate if I drained you here, lover, on my way into obscurity," Astarion said instead, picturing Wyll's confused outrage upon stumbling upon their corpse, and then the moments that would precede it, where Étoile's heart would jump in their chest, legs kicking out in desperation. "Would you even fight it?"

Astarion knew they would, and smiled about how Étoile's nose scrunched in discomfort.

"You will survive longer without me," Astarion said, lifting his hand to drift the backs of his knuckles upon their cheek. "And I thank you for not insulting me with empty promises about navigating another way to defeat my enemies, free of the worm."

He leaned in, barely, inviting Étoile to do the same as they had these long weeks, as if for a kiss, but in the instant they should have met, rogue- and vampire-like, he was gone.

[velvetsgigs]

Bring Me the Horizon - 21/01/24

next gen tour in the o2 arena, london

i went to this gig alone and i was pretty nervous since it was a rather big venue. i was up seated in the stands but it gave me a really good view of everything!! unfortunately the view allowed me to see one of the deadest crowds i had ever seen.

for a gig with pretty heavy music, you would expect more movement from the crowd. in the section i was, i could hear myself when i sung along to the songs - i wasn’t screaming either, i was actually rather quite. there were only a handful of people in my section who actually got up and danced - i’m so glad people got up tho cause for the first song everyone was just there sitting like 😐😐.

but enough about the crowd!!!

the music!! the band!! absolutely amazing omg!!

i might be biased as they‘ve been one of my favourite bands since they started high school - i remember reading percy jackson and listening to “diamonds aren’t forever” in my free lessons. the set list was amazingly put together, opening with Darkside and finishing the encore off with Throne, and of course we got classics like Can You Feel My Heart, Obey, Shadow Moses and Drown. i will say that the music felt a little quiet but i was further away than i am usually am and i was against the wall so i suppose that can block some sound. (idk if that’s a real thing lol i might sound really stupid saying that)

the band themselves were breathtaking though - yes breathtaking, i can’t believe oli skyes is real that man is BEAUTIFUL. the stage presence was through the roof, and i was pretty close to the roof so i would know. oli knows how to work a crowd, although i think he seemed a bit disappointed by the lack of movement in the pit. there was multiple times he yelled for people to move more, and i know artists do this all the time but he did it A LOT, he also called the crowd pussies after their mosh pit lol. however if there were injuries, people needing water or anyone who needed to get out of the crowd for safety reasons, he was quick to point it out and get security to help them out.

i’ll stop yapping (typing) soon but only after i talk about merch!!

i skipped the long ass line to get merch right outside the o2 - here’s a little hack for u - there’s a shop on the second level, if u head up the escalator by the weatherspoons there’s a shop to the left with a plain blue sign that reads “Merch Shop” they have merch from a bunch of artists but they will also have tour merch there for whoever is performing. the stock is lower so i do recommend trying to get there earlier but it’s usually empty there so if you head over like 2hrs before the gig u should be able to grab some merch without waiting for an hour in that queue.

unfortunately i did get there pretty late and they had sold out of the tour shirts (i went on a hinge date before this that lasted longer than i thought it would lol my bad - dude was cute though). they did however only have my size left in the grey zip-up jacket which is what i had my eye on so it was a sign that i had to drop that much money on it. it was £80- i don’t wanna talk about my bank account- it is so comfy though!! it’s fleece and soft af on the inside and the print on it is very pretty. it’s got the bands name on the front, patterns down the sleeve and graphic covering the whole back. i’m gonna live in that jacket until i buy more over priced merch - and then i will live in that lol. i may have a spending problem.

anyways!! this post is hella long so i’ll stop now but if you did read all of this for some reason then ty!! i appreciate it 🤭 decided to do this silly little blog thing about the gigs i can to so i can look back at it at some point and reminisce lol. ❤️‍🩹

[myherowritings]

mistletoe kiss

OVERVIEW; After a few weeks of dating, you and Katsuki still haven’t kissed. You hope that will change under the mistletoe this holiday season. 

PAIRING; bakugou katsuki x reader

WORD COUNT; 1.2k

GENRE; fluff, winter/holiday au

A/N; got a handful of req’s for bakugou + mistletoe and ur wish is my command u.u but frl i love the holidays and this was so fun to write !! i hope u enjoy xx sof

© myherowritings — all rights reserved. reposting, modifying, copying, or translating of any kind is not allowed. do not read my writing as asmr. do not plagiarize.

“This is the perfect time to do it— The snow is falling, the nights are cold, love is in the air,” Ashido swooned. “What better time to make your move to kiss him than now?” 

You nodded in agreement despite the nerves in your stomach, letting her reassuring words soothe you just the slightest bit. It had been only a few weeks now since you and Katsuki had started dating and you still haven’t kissed.

Now, you knew each and every relationship was different and there was nothing wrong with doing things at your own pace, whatever that may be, but you’ve gotten comfortable enough with Katsuki to the point where you do want to kiss him. And you hoped he would return the sentiment. The only problem was you were too nervous to initiate it and if you knew your boyfriend, you’d know that despite him being unwilling to ever admit it, he was nervous too. 

Maybe the holiday cheer in the air would be enough to give you both the courage. (With the help of some cheeky mistletoe of course.) 

“You’re right,” you said to Ashido, shifting your weight from foot to foot to get out your jitters of excitement. “I just need to be under the doorway at the time Katsuki walks through and it’ll be perfect!” 

You hung up a mistletoe above your door and invited Katsuki over for your recurrent movie nights a little earlier today. Though the both of you had busy schedules that would oftentimes conflict, you both made it a priority to spend time together. 

The plan was foolproof, he’d come over and knock and you’d greet him at the door, your eyes would inconspicuously gaze at the mistletoe above you, you’d say something along the lines of, “Wow, I wonder how that mistletoe got there!”, and then hope Katsuki got the hint and was ready for a cute Christmas kiss. 

There’s no way it’d fail. 

Soon Ashido left for the night and you busied yourself making some hot chocolate on a saucepan because nothing calmed your nerves like homemade sweet beverages. But you barely had enough time to take a sip from your steaming mug when you heard a knock on your door. 

You jumped up from your seat. “Coming!”

Running over, you tried not to trip over the flat surface of your floor as you reached the entrance. 

“Katsuki! Hi,” you said with a beam as you opened your door. He held a small cloth bag with containers of food (most definitely made by him before he came over despite how busy he was earlier today) and had his face half covered by a scarf. The parts of his cheeks that were showing along with the tip of his nose were flushed pink from the biting cold outside. 

So cute, you thought with a smile, wanting to heat him up by cupping his face in your hands that were warmed from the cup of hot chocolate. 

“I made your favorite,” he said gruffly, imperceptibly lifting the container of food up. “In case you wanted to eat it while we watched the movie or whatever.” 

Your mouth watered at the thought of your favorite food and your heart warmed at the image of Katsuki cooking it for you. “It already smells amazing! Thank you.” 

He shrugged, hiding his reddening cheeks further in his scarf. “S’no problem. Now...Aren’t you going to invite me in now?” 

“Yes, but wait—” You faked a gasp as your eyes darted to the doorframe above you, hoping it sounded more convincing than it felt. “Oh, my! A mistletoe? How did that get there?” 

Katsuki squinted, slowly looking between you and the mistletoe above you. “Isn’t this your house? So wouldn’t you have to be the one to have placed it here?” 

You blinked, cheeks warming up in embarrassment. Well, that wasn’t the response you anticipated. 

“I... That’s a good point,” you replied meekly, but quickly tried to snap yourself out of it. You planned out this perfect holiday kiss and though it wasn’t going exactly as you expected in your head, you still wouldn’t let the effort go to waste. “I must’ve forgotten, hah. But you know what they say about mistletoe—”

“You trying to kiss me under the mistletoe?” he interrupted in an amused tone, pulling his scarf down from his face to reveal his teasing smirk. 

You fiddled with the sleeves of your sweater, looking to the ground abashedly. “Maybe.”

“Damn, that’s cliche,” he said, chuckling as he placed the bag he was holding on the floor to free his hands so he could gently lift your chin up to face him. “Cute.” 

Your eyes widened as Katsuki pressed his mouth against yours, somewhat surprised your poorly executed mistletoe kiss plan worked. His hands were warm but his lips were cold, a shocking contrast that made your skin tingle. Your heart pounded and your stomach flip-flopped, yet a sense of tranquility and belonging filled you. 

A feeling better than you could have ever imagined from a simple kiss. 

His lips felt soft and tasted slightly of the pink pomegranate lip balm you got him when you tried expanding his horizons from those flavorless petroleum jelly balms. You giggled into the kiss, glad he ended up using it. 

“Oi, what’re you laughin’ at?” he asked somewhat breathless, pulling away with a scowl though his hand was still resting on the small of your back to hold you close. 

You shook your head, a dazed smile on your face. “Nothing— I was just thinking about how good you taste. Pomegranate lip balm. Yummy.” 

Katsuki snorted as you briefly touched the tip of your finger to his lower lip. “Fragrance in lip and skin products can cause irritation and shit.” 

“Then why are you using it?”

“‘Cause you gave it to me and it’d just be a waste not to,” he muttered with an eyeroll. Then, more quietly, “And because you like it.”

You leaned closer to his chest, wiggling your eyebrows at him with a pleased expression. You liked what you heard. “What was that again? Just because I like it? How adorable.”

“I didn’t say shit.”

Laughing, you lightly tapped the tip of his nose. “Sure, I believe you.”  

But the mischievous look on your face told Katsuki that you heard him clear as day. He huffed, changing the topic before the embarrassment could set in. “Let’s get inside before the food gets cold.” 

He picked up the container from the ground and switched into house slippers before entering your place. Katsuki came over so often that by now he had his own designated set of indoor slippers (the ones you got him had small, smiling bunnies with carrots and hearts printed on it, much to his distaste and your utter pleasure).

As you followed after him, you called, “Wait— Let me bring the mistletoe with me, too!”

“Leave it,” he said, glancing behind him. When he looked away, the tips of his ears were flushed a slight red. “You don’t need a stupid mistletoe to kiss me, idiot. You can do it whenever.”

You looked up at the hanging mistletoe with a smile, silently thanking the inanimate object. You wouldn’t have gathered enough courage without the silly holiday tradition, but thankfully, you wouldn’t be needing it to kiss Katsuki anymore.

[borrovvedyoongi]

warned you p.sh

pairing: tutor!sunghoon x fem!reader

genre: smut, but at most suggestive for now

wc: 3k

warnings: mature content, cursing, mentions of erection, mentions of casual sex, y/n saying she’s screwing someone’s dad but she doesn’t lmfao

synopsis: y/n needs to pass calculus, and sunghoon needs to get laid

part 1/???

You were going to your snobby and strict private school, just walking to the beat of Sunmi blasting in your headphones. The pigtails got in the way of the headphones but you made it work. You were aiming for the cutesy innocent look today, regardless of if your whole grade thought you were some harlot. You’d rather call yourself a femme fatale, but what you’re really trying to reclaim as a raging bratty feminist is a bimbo.

Bimbos definitely need to keep their head up high with confidence, but seeing the latest AP calculus quiz on your desk with its 37% marked in red severely irked you in that it made you feel dumb, and not the good kind, the very small and insignificant kind. Bimbos don’t like feeling like that. You twirled your pigtail in your hand and tried to keep a neutral expression, holding in the heavy sigh you so badly need to exhale out. That’s when you heard it.

“How did she manage to score that low?” someone snickered.

“All that time spent on her back and not at a desk really paid off.” another person snickered. You really wanted to say you’ve actually got railed by their dad on his desk and that you’re quite adaptable on where you do it, but you didn’t wake up and choose violence today...and plus the teacher would’ve sent you to the office. Giving them attention would just fuel the fire that you can’t put out when you’re up against slut shaming vermin when you’re only a team of one. The bell rang, signaling your next class and before you were able to stand up and go, you were asked to stay for a few minutes afterwards along with someone else. That someone else being Park Sunghoon. You and Sunghoon walked to the desk of your teacher and stood before her.

“Now Y/N, I know that you haven’t been doing well in class so I decided to pair you up with Sunghoon as your tutor. I feel as though you would have great improvement after a few study sessions, considering big chapters are coming up to wrap up the semester, and now is the best time more than ever to get some aid that I can’t provide.” You peek over to Sunghoon and he glances at you briefly before looking back at the teacher.

“Is this mandatory?” you ask.

“If you want to pass this class, I strongly recommend that you let him help you. An alternative explanation could help.” You really had no other choice but to nod your head yes and go along with it.

“Good. Now that both of you are informed, hurry along before you’re late to your next class.” After both of you scurry out of the room, you walk ahead to your next class and feel a tap on your shoulder.

“Hi, I’m Sunghoon, but you already knew that.” he says awkwardly while he hands you a post it note in neat handwriting. You eye it, then look up.

“You’re giving me your number?” you ask. He nods.

“Texting is the most efficient way to communicate with me since I have ice skating practice and student council related things to do.” he iterates. Before you even say a word, Sunghoon is already off to his next class, but you don’t miss the way he turns around to wave at you and yells “Text me!” in the hallway. You’ve gotten many stares before, from the way you carry yourself and from the way you purposely pull your uniform skirt higher because you think it would look best as a mini skirt, but this time, you heard whispers.

“Why is he talking to her?”

“Must be doing charity work.”

You smile. You can’t wait to tell your best friend Sunoo what just happened at lunch.

-

“The ice prince is doing what now?” Sunoo says with fruit gummies in his mouth.

“He’s helping me with calculus. And gave me his number.” you say while grabbing for a piece of candy to which Sunoo lets you grab a few.

“So…what’s the plan here?” Sunoo says with an eyebrow raised.

“I’ll text him right now and have some fun.”

“You whore! What do you mean have some fun?” Sunoo asked not subtly with his booming voice.

You roll your eyes. “You know the drill. I think he’s an easy target. I’ll be my cute charming self and see what happens.”

“You mean you’ll be a man eater and devour that poor innocent boy whole?” 

“You know me so well.” you say, grinning ear to ear. You whip out your phone and compose a text.

You: Hey Sunghoon, it’s Y/N, are you free after school today?

Unknown: Hey, and yes. Where would you like to study?

You: I’m more comfortable at my house where there’s less distractions. The library is too quiet for me and I like some white noise.

Sunoo peeks over your shoulder and says, “He responds fast.”

You smile, “Right?”

You start typing right away, but notice the three dots before you get to send anything.

Unknown: Sounds good, I’ll meet you after school :)

Sunoo gasps. “A smiley? A smiley!” You giggle at his reaction.

“It’s just an emoticon silly.” you say.

“It’s going to be water droplets and eggplants soon though.” Sunoo said in a sing song voice. You can’t help but laugh at your easily giddy best friend. You had big, big plans to get your prey, and you were going to have your fun in the process of passing calculus while you’re at it.

-

English literature wasn’t the most fun class in the world with talking about MacBeth and all, however, the fun part was daydreaming about Sunghoon. You have fancied the boy for the longest time casually but thought he was a little too vanilla for you. And you don’t like admitting it, a little too good for you with being a smart hardworking boy with his head on steady shoulders while yours just bobbled to whatever. Anyhow, you needed danger. A little spice, and everything delectably nice. He didn’t seem the type to be rough enough.

He was however tall, lean, and achingly adorable. Handsomely crafted, so soft spoken, and knew when to shut up unlike every boy you’ve slept with thus far. He’s a nice target. 

The bell rang, and you were quite surprised to see Sunghoon standing by your locker while you’re on your way there.

“Sunghoon!” you say cheerfully, making sure there was a bounce in your step, very glad you’re not wearing a bra today. For some reason the air conditioning wasn’t working today at school so you used this as an excuse to unbutton a few buttons earlier on your white crisp button up. You can see very clearly Sunghoon gulp and you can’t help but do your eye smile at this, and he does a soft grin in return.

“How did you figure out where my locker was?” you say as you tilt your head. Sunghoon couldn’t help but think the simple gesture of a head tilt was so charming. 

He shrugs. “I was going to text you but I knew you would be in class, so I looked at some documents to find out which locker it was. You know, student council perks.” 

“Ah.”

“Please don’t find it creepy.”

“I won’t, you dork.” You bend over to reach your locker since it was on the bottom row. Sunghoon stepped aside to let you open your locker, and his breath hitches in his throat. Seeing the back of your thighs in a skirt that was hiked up higher than it was supposed to was bewitching. He felt like he was in a trance and lingered his eyes on your legs for quite a while. Your skirt was just at the edge of the curvature of your ass, leaving some to the imagination but not much. You knew exactly what you were doing. You had many cheap tricks up your sleeve, and you were going to use them to your advantage. You could practically feel his gaze on you and you can’t help but smirk as you grab your calculus textbook along with your pencil bag, still bent over taking your time putting the items in your backpack. Sunghoon knows he has to stop staring or otherwise this won’t look good for him.

“Ready to go?” you say with a smile. It takes a moment for him to process what just happened and he’s all the while wondering how did your legs not hurt when you didn’t crouch to the ground all the way.

“Of course.”

-

The walk to your home was pleasant, you looked down at your shoes often and Sunghoon mapped out what sections you two were to go over in the textbook, including the homework that was assigned today. You asked him how his classes went and he responded after pausing to mull over his thoughts.

“It’s okay. Nothing exciting happened other than right now.” he says, looking at you while giving you his undivided attention. You can’t help but admire the beauty that is Sunghoon. His soft looking hair that frames his face nicely and the way he has his hands shoved into the pockets of his uniform slacks make him look so boyishly handsome and breathtaking.

It takes a moment for you to respond. “What about right now is so exciting?”

He gently smiles and looks away from you. “I don’t tutor people often. Every once in a while I get asked to help students about a few things but never really spend enough time with them to consider it tutoring. And the change of pace on how I manage my time is much needed. I don’t interact with different people often, so this is...nice.”

Your heart races as the clouds take over the blue sky slowly. You notice just how pretty the cute moles on his face are as your gaze lingers on them for a bit. He does that stupid charming smile that makes you giddy and you blush, picking up the pace. You start turning while walking backwards just to give him your undivided attention.

“We should walk faster, Sunghoon. It might start drizzling.”

-

Both of you entered your home and took your shoes off at the front door. Sunghoon took a quick glance at your home, to which he said “this is a cozy house.” You tell him your bedroom is the coziest spot in the house, and let him trail behind you as you go up the stairs, and he doesn’t miss the way your pretty and dainty hand smooths over the railing as you walk up. Entering your room, he noticed the pink canopy bed right away, and the pink heart shaped pillow on it. There were so many details in just one spot, with the floral comforter and lights attached to the tulle. It was pretty and graceful. Light and airy. Soft.

“You can sit on the bed. Let me get changed out of this uniform, it’s so hot in this blazer.” you say as you start to strip in front of your closet, looking away from Sunghoon. Now, Sunghoon doesn’t see himself as a pervert, so therefore, when he noticed you unbuttoning your white button up and could only see the smoothness of your back and notice there was no bra in sight, his cheeks flushed. He quickly turned the other cheek and looked anywhere else but you. Unfortunately, perhaps fortunately, you had a full length mirror with fake pink roses running along its sides across your room. Sunghoon tried really, really hard to look at the curve of the pink petals and not at the curve of your breasts when you turned to the side slightly, but he failed so horribly. He could see himself and his cheeks were beet red. The bulge in his pants was so noticeable too. He quickly placed his backpack on his lap and winced at how heavy it was against him. Why did that kinda feel good?

You turn around wearing your school uniform skirt still but this time with a bright red crop top and of course, no bra. Sunghoon is dying and he can’t help but stare at how prominent your nipples are through the thin material. You take the pigtails down and he loves the way your hair cascades down your shoulders once it’s out of its confines of a scrunchie. He blinks once, twice, many times. Maybe if he sees only the back of his eyelids long enough he will stop picturing you naked. It doesn’t work, and you just stand with your hands on your hips and a lilt to your voice.

“Are you thirsty?” you say sweetly, knowing your tricks are working.

“Uh, y-yeah. Do you have water? Can I have water please?” Sunghoon is so precious.

“Of course you can.”

-

You really are a chintzy whore at best. Your excuse for not sitting at the desk of your room to study was that there was only one comfy study chair, and that you didn’t feel like bringing the dining room chair upstairs. That’s understandable, right? You could’ve however used the chair at your vanity, but that’s just a padded stool with no back to it. Wouldn’t want you or Sunghoon to forget and lean back too far and fall to your doom. So you told Sunghoon that you would rather study in your bed.

You played a little playlist in the background, something mellow and soft and not too distracting. Every once in a while Sunghoon will ask what song it is, and you respond with a chipper in your voice.

“Oh, this one is Sex and Sadness by Madi Sipes and the Painted Blue!”

“That’s one hell of a title.” he chuckles.

“It sure is. The lyrics are so...pretty? I can’t put it into words. The part where it talks about ‘stained glass loved lace’ gets me every time. And ‘whispering words into the singer’s skin.’ It’s romantic.” Sunghoon notices how there’s a certain dazzling feature in your eyes as you talk about the song. He wants to stare in your eyes, but alas you have to finish this one problem. Sunghoon prioritizes responsibilities over such silly, frivolous things that only he notices.

“So tell me how you’re going to solve this problem.” Sunghoon says swiftly while grabbing the glass of water on your nightstand.

You stare at the problem and try your best to concentrate. You really do. But you can’t help the way Sunghoon’s hand looks lazily placed on his thigh. Without much thought, you trace a finger on the back of his hand and say, “Your hands are so veiny.”

“Y/N.”

“And big.”

Well that’s a first, Sunghoon thinks. He knows he’a good looking, a bunch of girls swoon over him at school and at the rink all the time. The most common compliment he gets is on his eyes, and maybe hair, but not on his hands of all things. You’re fascinated by them, and you won’t stop tracing along the veins. Your touch sets his skin ablaze, and it doesn’t seem like you’re finishing this problem any time soon.

“Let’s take a break. I think you’re getting distracted because your brain is all fried.” Sunghoon says softly, still letting you continue playing with his hand.

“I’m getting distracted because I have a pretty boy in my bed.” you giggle. You finally look up and see how pink his cheeks are from blushing.

He starts to stammer “You’re the one that wants to study in your bed!” His voice is a little pitched and you can’t contain your laughs. 

“Do you want to move to the desk then?” you ask.

He shakes his head and mumbles a “no.” A few moments pass and you almost didn’t hear what he says next because it’s under his breath.

“I’ve never been called pretty before.”

“Gasp.” you say, lightheartedly.

“No but like, I’ve been called handsome, smart, a little weird, but not pretty.” Sunghoon replies. A moment of silence passed, and you started to ponder.

“There’s a song called Pretty Boy in my playlist somewhere.”

You go over to your laptop and click on The Neighbourhood song. You sway your hips gently and get lost into the music. Sunghoon just gazes at you as you move along to the steady pulse of the music and let the melodies feel you instead of the other way around. You do a little twirl and waltze your way to your bed, grabbing his hand.

“Dance with me.”

He obliged, wordlessly.

He takes in the words of the lyrics and closes his eyes. If he can’t see how close he is to you right now, it feels less real. It feels less scary. Not that you’re scary, Sunghoon doesn’t think girls with pink heart shaped pillows are scary. What’s scary is you laughing at his boner because he hasn’t been this close to a girl before since a random winter formal he had in grade school. The girl wasn’t all that nice since she dipped to dance with his friend. You’re much softer and nice. More delicate. You even smell nicer. God, your little hands enclosed together behind his neck and his big hands on your waist feels too good to be true. He can feel your gaze on him.

“Sunghoon, open your eyes.” He does, and his breath hitches and you look down, because you definitely feel something poking you and it wasn’t there before.

“I have to go, I have a curfew and it’s getting late, I’ll walk myself out.”

“Sunghoon I can at least walk you down-“

“No, seriously. I can go by myself. Thank you though.”

He’s so wide eyed and his cheeks are so rosy and he dashes away like his life depends on it. And you didn’t even get to kiss him.

[harfanfare]

I saw this post and I was wondering if you write Malleus' too, is okay for you to make that?

How to win a heart of Malleus Draconia?

a/n: I started posting my writings here because I want to improve my English — so I technically wouldn't make this request. But! Someone on Wattpad (where I take requests) asked for the same thing, so I rolled up my sleeves and wrote this guide today in both languages. Enjoy~

1. Don't be afraid of him.

It is said that the first impression is the most important.

So when you first saw this guy walking through the corridor of Diasomnia, it was hard for you to get rid of that view from your head.

Illuminated both by the green magic flames set in the lobby, as well as by the moon, which eventually managed to break through the dark clouds and with a bright glow appear in the windows of the dormitory, he seemed... lonely and beautiful.

You shuddered as you took a step down the hallway and the dark-haired man turned to you. He measured you with his emerald eyes. And then you recognized him; all the conversations about the mysterious and fearsome Malleus Draconia flew through your head.

Everything told you to rush towards the hallway and run as far as possible, but a piece of you found it inappropriate. Or rather, no one would want to chase everyone away from themself... right?

When you realized you were looking at him for a while, you took a deep breath and nod slightly.

"Good evening, Draconia-san," you said quickly. After a while you added, "The moon is beautiful today, don't you think?”

 2. Smile a lot.

Today was a really wonderful day: the test was postponed, your favorite dish was given in the canteen, and for some reason, the last two lessons were canceled – your class had to make just a quick note about a topic and it took less than fifteen minutes.

"Something happened?" Malleus asked, seeing how almost in the jumps you walk past him. When you looked at him, he added, "You smile a lot.”

"I can stop smiling if you want," you made a sad face, but after a while, the corners of your mouth began to tremble uncontrollably and twisted up again. "Oops, I can’t. Today... it was such a good day... that I think I'm slowly using my life's happiness.”

"I didn't say that smiling is bad," he said. "You look so much better when you smile.”

"Oh," you sighed with apparent surprise. "Is it a compliment?"

"It’s rather a fact..?"

 3. From time to time visit him during club activities.

"Is this a class of the ‘Gargoyle research society club’?” with a deaf knock you opened the door. Malleus turned to you, making a break from browsing through the materials gathered in the library about the history of each of the gargoyles on the school grounds. And there were a lot of them.

"Yes," he replied briefly, getting up. "Do you need something, [Name]?"

"Not at all, my club don’t have a meeting today," you said, closing the door behind you.

You looked around: the room was as clean as ever, except for one desk, where were laid several huge volumes about statues in NRC.

“Are you here alone?” You said before you thought. You lowered your eyes to see Malleus nodding unconcerned slightly. You blinked several times trying to think of what else you could say. "This room... could be a secret base," that was the first thing that came to your mind. Malleus turned his head to one side, uncertain of your response.

“A secret base..? Why?”

"I have no idea," you admitted quickly. "But the very existence of a mysterious point is interesting, isn't it? Doing normal things, such as watching movies or just talking, seems more interesting in places like this,” After a moment of silence, you sighed. "You know what, this idea with the base is stupid”

"We can try," he replied with serious tone. You raised your eyes to see how he looked around the room. "But you'll just have to explain this idea to me in more detail. We can also tell Lilia, Silver and Sebek about it...” he smiled as if seeing your five together in his thoughts was a pleasure. "It will be surely... fun.”

 4. Get yourself a Tamagotchi.

"Look!" you spin a new key chain on your finger. You finally stopped and showed it to Malleus. "Now they are matching!”

A small electronic toy, in a dark green screen that, when it flashed, showed a virtual, pixelated animal. You were impressed with how good quality it was made, especially since you only gave the Shroud brothers a sketch of a toy that Malleus owned.

Your keychain was exactly the same, just a different color and with another pet.

Malleus pulled out his own device and put it on the table. He pressed one of the buttons and a small pet appeared on the keychain – a dragon.

"They can now be friends," you brought your toy closer to so-called Gao-Gao Dragon-kun.

"Do you think so?" He asked in a very surprised tone, but it sounded as if in a moment he were about to burst out with an inexplicably joyful and surprised laugh.

"Of course. Everyone needs a decent friend, no?”

 5. Gain the trust of Lilia, Silver and Sebek.

Lilia, one of Malleus' closest people. It is much more likely that you will meet him before Malleus. He will be very proud when he learns that Malleus has found a friend. If you become a taster of Lilia, in terms of his pastries, he will 100% like you, and at 20% you will leave the kitchen alive and well.

Silver, who has mastered the art of sleeping in any conditions. It's easy to get him into your plans, although with the craziest ones he will hesitate. Rather well-disposed towards everyone, he can cover for you when you are not in class— but he usually inadvertently falls asleep and both of you often have penal assignments after school.

Sebek, faithful to Malleus, if he doesn't like you, you won't have too many opportunities to stay by Malleus's side without a thunderous glances at you. He will recognize you if you will listen carefully to his monologues about his master and as a sign of your friendship, he will teach you by heart of all the titles and achievements of Malleus so far.

With this trio by your side, you can get a lot further than you might have imagined...

 6. Be a master in hide and seek.

You’d give your right arm that your breath was too loud.

You pressed your hands to your mouth as you crouched in the corner of the room.

From whose voices you already heard, you knew that Lilia had already found Sebek. This meant that you or Silver would still be helping cook dinner since Malleus didn’t come at the start of the game.

This may seem silly, but the ability to play classic games was one of the elements of the art of survival in Diasomnia.

It was thanks to games like ‘stone-paper-scissors’, hide and seek or tag that household chores fell on the shoulders of the losers. Lilia loved the idea, and there was always a proud smile on his lips when he saw his beloved children play together.

You heard the steps behind you and shivered.

Very slowly you turned around and looked up to see Malleus standing over you and wondering what you were doing, crouching in the darkest corner of the room.

Puns were also included in the survival pack.

Fearing that Lilia would hear your whisper, you put your finger on your mouth, asking him not to say a word. You put a begging eye into it – all but not cooking with Lilia. Not again.

Malleus nodded, recognizing the gravity of the situation, although he smiled.

Really, no one would want Malleus to be an enemy.

Or at least in such a situation.

 7. Do not hesitate to ask him for help with learning.

"In theory, you should focus on the space around you," Malleus pulled a wand in front of him. It flashed, and almost at the same time, a thin but incredibly strong protective barrier was created around him. “Weaker spells can be reflected. In turn, the stronger ones are better to block”

You nodded understandingly.

Defensive magic was not something easy to understand. Most depended on the person against whom the counter spell was being prepared. And there are countless people who walk on this Earth and want to start fights.

"Unique spells block or avoid physically," he continued. You nodded at every subsequent sentence, slowly feeling like all the lessons are eventually gaining transparency. “Using unique magic against unique magic, the stronger will win, both will lead to explosions or completely reduce.

He looked at you when you wrote down the last sentence in your notebook.

"I sincerely hope that you will only need this information in class," he said with a sigh. "If you need help, call me. I will come. I promise.”

 8. Sometimes be persuaded to wear extravagant clothes.

"Do you really think it suits me?" you turned around, looking at yourself from every possible angle in the mirror.

You were going to the theater in a few classes to see some era-related play that you've been discussing now in history lessons. Everyone, respecting the reputation, actions and achievements of theatre, dressed in their best clothes.

Malleus stood next to you.

He was already wearing a black and white outfit with green accessories. They all worked so well together and fitted him like a glove that you were sure that the whole outfit was made especially for him.

"Yes," he replied. "Everything you put on today suited you very well.”

Once again, with critical eyesight, you looked at the outfit, face and hair, before you quickly turned off the lights in the room and closed the door behind you.

Then you smiled at Malleus.

"We can go now," you said. You made your way through the portal to the main NRC building. "And... thank you for your help.

"My pleasure," he said. Under no circumstances was it just a polite formula. He really loved looking at you.

 9. Invite him to your birthday/party.

"Another break from school soon, huh?" — you muttered, leaning against the railing.

You took a deep breath and let the fresh, pleasant air refresh you.

"Are you going to home, [Name]?" Malleus asked. Green lights were still flying around him, so you guessed he’d just appeared here.

"I haven't decided yet," you sighed. "It would be nice to go home, but the break won't be very long... Ah, that's right!” you straightened up and turned to him. "How about spending another break together? As soon as I can, I will contact my family... although I cannot promise anything.”

Though he did not show it, Malleus' heart beat a little faster.

Spend free time? With someone? With someone he likes?

"Of course," he sounded less calm than he thought. He wasn’t often invited anywhere, even for the things he should have been on, so there was a lot of excitement growing in his body. "I don't see anything against it.”

 10. From "The Great Malleus Draconia-sama" to "Love".

"Ah, The Great Malleus-sama!" you sighed theatrically, taking from him a box of chocolates with a joyful smile. You could promise that because of this dark-haired boy here, you slowly become pampered. "Thank you for your generosity!”

Malleus frowned.

"The Great Malleus-sama"..?” he pondered, putting his fingers to his chin. "Did Sebek told you again to call me with this title?"

"No," you laughed softly at his reaction. "I did it out of curiosity. Maybe I could call you some cute nickname, hmm?" you smiled mischievously.

"For example?"

"By adding ‘-chan’ to your name?” you turned on your phone and typed something related to the nicknames. You started reading suggestions and struggled to hold back from laughing. ” ’Sunshine’, ‘star’, ‘flower’, ‘sweetheart’, ‘love’...

"I like the last one," he said, and the invisible force stung you to the ground.

"Would you like me to call you like that? Out of curiosity or out of love?" You laughed, but your cheeks were all red with blushes.

He smiled sincerely at your reaction.

"Hmm, I wonder..?"