#so you don't have to deal with your lingering feelings for them card'

[oscarlovesthesea]

ok hear me out

[miniimight]

"S'NOT MY BIRTHDAY..." silly girl, thinking you need an occasion in order to be spoiled by them!

with gojo, nanami x fem!reader

notes trying out this writing thing again lol

in previous relationships, you had to deal with the bare minimum. a generic greeting card on valentine's day, a bunch of snacks for your birthday, and a necklace for christmas because 'that's what girls like, right?'

now, with him, it's different. he has no qualms about getting you anything your eyes linger on, no matter the price. he had so much money, he picked things up and swiped his card without so much as a glance at the cost. it baffled you sometimes.

it happened was early on in your relationship. you then quickly learned to just sit back and let him spoil you!!

GOJO

satoru's fingers were laced with yours as he swung your connected arms between you. he inhaled deeply, looking up at the high ceiling of the mall. "today's a good a day as any to throw some cash, don't you think baby?"

you giggle and squeeze his hand. "one or two things should be okay." that's what you budgeted for, anyway.

he rolled his eyes, scolding you for your tiny imagination before allowing you to pull him along to your favorite stores.

it wasn't long before your eyes spotted the store you loved but couldn't afford. your stare was glued to the window display, all the cute tops and pants and bags and shoes and bracelets and...

when he felt your steps slow, satoru glanced at you. you were laser focused on the clothing store—naturally, he sharply turned towards it.

"hey!" you squeaked at the sudden change of direction, and you hurried to match his pace again. "toru??"

"i saw you looking, baby, why didn't you just say you wanted to check it out?" he teased.

you looked over to the side, embarrassed. "i... i don't wanna tempt myself, cus i know i'll gaslight myself into buying something."

he narrowed his eyes, not in scorn but in confusion. "who said you were buying anything?"

"huh?" you chirped, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

gojo stared blankly at you. you really were adorable, thinking he wouldn't spend his last dime on whatever you wanted, regardless of how trivial it was. a smile pulled at his lips.

"my sweet girl," he cooed. "my sweet, slow girl..."

you gasped indignantly and poked satoru's side, earning a giggle from him. "slow?!"

"obviously, i'll by whatever you want, silly." he tugged you towards the entrance of the store.

"but..." you resisted his pull. "it's not my birthday or anything..."

huh? he pouted. "as if i need a special reason to get you stuff."

"but..." heat creeped up your neck as you reveled in the unfamiliar feeling of being spoiled. something inside you told you that he was just being nice and was waiting for you to shut him down, save him the expenses. "it's not fair, is it? i didn't get you anything so far..."

his face fell slightly as he pulled you away from the busy traffic of the moving crowds. satoru pulled your chin up to face him. "i dunno what's running through that pretty head of yours, but answer me this, okay?"

you nod.

"you want it?" he gestured towards the store.

you hesitated, eyes straying from his face. he quickly squished your cheeks, causing your eyes to widen and snap to his. "—!"

"don't overthink it, pretty girl, just tell me."

"yesfh." you answer dejectedly, muffled against his hands.

"then you'll have it." he told you. "i want you to have anything and everything you say you want. i wanna buy it for you. and being able to hear you say 'my boyfriend got this for me' is all i need in return." he grinned cheekily.

you pouted, looking unbelievably cute in his eyes. he despises the partners of your past for leading you astray, thinking you needed to do something special in order to be appreciated. don't worry, he'll fix that in no time.

he pecked your pursed lips before hugging you. "okay?"

you giggle. "okay."

"yay!! now let's go!!"

by the end of the day, he had to call ichiji to help carry all the bags to the car. he was so proud of you!

NANAMI

kento was your shadow as you glided through the store, picking up things and setting them down.

"oh, this is so cute!" you squealed holding up a tee for him to see.

he smiled, more because of your excited expression than the t-shirt. "it is. you should get it."

you hummed, in thought. your hands drifted over the material, picking up the tag before inhaling sharply. "nah, another time."

he frowned. you'd done this at every store so far, picking up things you said you liked but leaving them behind. he was bewildered. "but... you like it, do you not?"

you winced, hoping this topic wouldn't come up. "i do! it's just the price. out of my budget, you know?" you said, trying to be light. you burned with discomfort. might as well just say you're poor.

kento frowned. "oh..."

"yeah."

you quickly turned away, avoiding the confused look on his face.

"y/n." he called you.

"...yes?" you glanced behind you, seeing him standing over the shirts.

"are you under the impression that you would be paying?" he asked.

you blinked. "oh?" yes, you were, but you were surprised to learn that he had the opposite understanding. "well... yeah."

he frowned, disappointed with himself. "i'm sorry. i didn't intend to make you feel that way."

you stepped closer, rubbing his arm soothingly. "what are you talking about?" you laughed softly. "you didn't make me feel any kind of way. i'm not upset, if that's what you're getting at. i never expected you to spend your money on me."

his frown only deepened. oh, how he has failed. "why not?"

you faltered. how did you manage to make it worse? "i'm not sure i understand..."

kento shook his head. "have you been thinking you'd be using your own money for purchases? this whole time?"

"um..."

"sweetheart, i'm paying. for everything, at all times." he refused to hear anything else, cutting you off when you opened your mouth to retort. "we'll have to circle back to the stores we previously visited."

it was your turn to frown. "kento, it won't be my birthday for a few months! you don't have to get me anything right now."

"what does your birthday have to do with anything?" he asked, genuinely confused. "i don't mean to interrogate you, my love, but i think i am the one who doesn't understand."

"you'd get me anything i asked for?" you shoot back, spelling it out for him. "for no reason?"

"for one reason," he replied. "simply because you want it. it'd make you happy."

warmth spread across your face. "that's two reasons." you mumbled.

he clicked his tongue, exacerbating your bashfulness when he pulled you into his side. he kissed your forehead. "you make me laugh, y/n. i was so confused as to why you weren't getting anything. surely that's not how you usually shop."

he bought that shirt for you, as well as the many things you thought were cute at all the stores you stepped foot in. now, you shop without any hesitations.

© miniimight ! thanks for reading <3

[dollfacefantasy]

strip poker that leads to threesome with death island older boyfriend leon and his best friend chris?! reader keeps on losing and ends up half naked and left in her panties while leon and chris are both fully clothed 🥹. + degration and daddy kink (for leon) !

pairing: leon kennedy x fem!reader x chris redfield

summary: a game of strip poker with your boyfriend and his friend ends exactly how you'd expect would

cw: nsfw (18+), smut, threesome, oral sex (both m and f receiving), fingering, daddy kink

word count: 3k

a/n + tags: thank you so much for the request babe! i don't really know how to play poker so forgive any errors 🙏 also consider this to be sharing is caring chris & leon. i hope you enjoy how this turned out <3 @nexysworld @gor3-hound @pupthepokemonenthusiast

"That's not fair!" you whine and gesture at the older man sitting to your left at the table.

When your boyfriend had told you he wanted to invite Chris over to hang out this evening, you'd been completely supportive. You were certain this meant they were wanting a replay of the explicit activities that had transpired between the three of you a few weeks prior. You imagined yourself sitting between them at dinner, feeling their lingering gazes, hearing their hinting words. They'd guide you off to the bedroom or even spread you out right there on the table and have their way with you. 

You fantasized about all the possibilities, but one thing that never crossed your mind was that they'd want to play a game of poker. Let alone a game of strip poker.

When Leon pulled out the deck of cards, you'd raised your eyebrows but tentatively agreed. They'd told you that whoever lost a hand would have to remove an article of clothing. You were interested, believing it wouldn't be too long before all three of you were naked and going at it. How wrong you had been though because in reality, it seemed this game did anything but speed things along.

It'd been over an hour, and Chris & Leon were both still fully clothed while you sat in your bra and panties.

What had prompted your outburst of whining was for the first time tonight, someone that wasn't you had lost a hand. You were excited that some progress was being made as Chris stood up to remove a piece of his clothing. But all he did was unbuckle his belt and slip it from between the loops on his jeans.

Both men chuckle at your frustration, and Leon smirks at you.

"Oh, calm down," he says, "Don't be a sore loser."

"It's not being a sore loser when you guys are like openly cheating!" you insist and lean back in your chair.

"How is he cheating, honey? He's removing his clothes isn't he?" he asks you.

"A belt isn't a piece of clothing! You didn't count my necklace when I picked that to take off," you say.

"Chris has to take off his belt to eventually get to his pants. If he had to take off both right now, that wouldn't really be fair," he says, obviously taunting you, "You didn't need to take off that necklace to get to any of your clothes."

"You made me take off both my shoes in one turn," you point out.

"Shoes are in a pair, princess. I only have one belt," Chris adds.

You huff and cross your arms, shooting the both of them with dirty looks. Despite your complaining, the three of you were all on an even playing field at the start of the game. You all had the same amount of items to lose. For the night, you had on your shoes and socks, shirt and skirt, and bra and panties. The guys on the other sides of the table had their shoes and socks, shirt and pants, and belt and underwear. You'd already lost four to put you at your remaining two.

You roll your eyes as Leon deals again, but you sit up to play. As it turns out, Chris coming up short before was a fluke because this time the bad luck was back on you. They both laugh as you throw your cards down and rub your eyes.

"You know, Leon, if you wanted me to take my clothes off, you could've just asked instead of drawing it out with this stupid game," you say.

"But it's so much more fun this way," he grins.

You glare at him while standing up to remove your clothing.

"C'mon, sweetheart. What's it gonna be? That cute ass or those gorgeous tits?" Chris taunts, lowering his tone as his words become lecherous.

You can already feel the heat starting to creep into your face. Without a word you reach behind yourself and unclasp your bra, letting the straps slip over your shoulders as you slide the lacy garment down your arms. Your breasts bounce free from their confines, and you drop it to the floor with your other things.

You're met with a whistle from Leon that cements a flustered expression on your face. Chris wears a smug look, but you can see in his eyes how he enjoys taking in your figure. Your nipples begin to pebble when exposed to the cool air.

"No need to be shy, honey. It's nothing we haven't seen before," your boyfriend teases.

"Just deal again, so we can get this over with," you say.

Sitting down inadvertently pushing your breasts together, making them stand out a bit more as if crying out for attention from either of the sets of hands in the room. It's Chris's turn to deal, but he takes a moment longer to shuffle the cards up since his eyes linger on your chest.

Another round goes by, and it's another round you lose. At least you were out of the game now, but you weren't sure what that meant. The thought of being sent off to your and Leon's room with no reward spun you out of sorts.

"Bullshit! You guys are cheating," you exclaim and drop your cards for the final time.

Both of them laugh at you. Chris shakes his head and takes his winnings from the round while Leon looks over at you.

"Watch your mouth," he says. He's teasing, but he uses a stern tone that zaps arousal right through you, "Remember whose money you're playing with, angel."

You look down when he says that. It was true that you didn't lose anything but your dignity by playing this game. Leon put up the money for the both of you.

"Your money or not, that doesn't change how many times I lost. That's like unnatural amounts of bad luck," you pout.

"Have you ever considered you might just have the worst poker face in the world?" he goads.

"I do not," you respond instantly.

"Oh yes you do," Chris interjects, "You bite your lip whenever you think you can win. Your eyes dart around whenever you feel like you're gonna lose. We can basically read your cards just from hearing your voice."

You scoff at that, but you don't really have a defense. You'd never been a good liar, especially with Leon. He chuckles at the defeat written all over you before leaning a bit closer.

"How about you come sit with me, babydoll? You can be on daddy's team," he says and pats his lap.

The rush that goes through you pulls you from your chair and over to his. He holds your hips, smiling up at you and planting a gentle kiss right above your navel.

"You still lost last round though. Gotta take these off before we can continue," he says and snaps the elastic of your panties.

You drop them to the floor and kick them to the pile of clothing next to your chair. He then takes you in his arms and gets you situated on his thighs. You lean back against his chest while he deals himself and his friend back in.

The first game without you in it is uneventful. You sit with Leon and he occasionally lays a small smooch on your cheekbone, but that's about it. You just watch him play, but at least you're getting some sort of physical contact.

He ends up winning, and Chris slips off his shoes. In a gesture of celebration, his hands come to cover your breasts and give them a squeeze. His fingers dig into the plump flesh, his palms brushing against your hardened nipples.

"You paying attention? Maybe you can learn a thing or two about winning," he murmurs against the skin of your neck.

The next game starts up as Chris sets the deck down between them. This time is a lot more interesting for you. Leon sits there, stoic as ever, but his hand drifts downward. It finds its place between your thighs, his middle digit seeking out the familiar location of your clit.

The invasion causes you to squirm slightly, but a quick pinch to your inner thigh halts your movements. Chris's eyes are switching between his cards and your increasingly aroused appearance. Your boyfriend pays his leering no mind though. The rough pad of his fingertip swirls around your bundle of nerves.

You spread your legs a little to give him more room, and you can feel his face convey his amusement against your head. His fingers rub down over your entrance, dragging some slick up over your clit. His digits slide over it with ease now, flicking back and forth over the tiny bud with lazy precision. You purse your lips to try and stifle your whimpers but little squeaks make it through now and again.

"You don't have to keep quiet, sweetheart," he whispers in your ear, "I think those pretty noises might help daddy win."

He could tell from the way Chris was shifting in his seat that he was starting to get a boner. He was getting aroused himself, but he got you all the time. He had more control. He could stave off a full erection for a little while. His friend on the other hand - he was eager to try you again.

Your head tilts back with permission and a longing breath leaves your lungs. Your breasts rise and fall with the motion, those perky nipples bobbing in a way that nearly hypnotizes Chris. All the while Leon's hand remains dedicated at the apex of your thighs. He strokes you just you like before moving his finger down to your entrance and sliding it in, grinding his palm on your swollen nub simultaneously.

"Fuck daddy," you whimper and roll your hips.

"What is it, baby? Looks like daddy's gonna win, doesn't it?" he purrs.

You nod mindlessly, not paying attention at all to the game. But whatever daddy says goes. That much you knew.

Chris is so enthralled with the sight of you unraveling on his friend's lap that he folds without a second glance at his cards. Your boyfriend chuckles at him while working his finger to the knuckle within you.

"You must have had a pretty rough hand, man," Leon jokes.

Chris's eyes flit to him. "I'm just in the mood for a different kind of fun now," he says.

"You are?" he says. He then turns his gaze to you. "What about you, dolly? You wanna have some fun with daddy's friend now?"

"Yes," you choke out as your back arches away from his chest, his digit pushing up against your internal sweet spot.

"Yeah?" he coos, "What kind? You want Chris in your pussy again? Or something else?"

Decision making isn't your strongest skill while in this frame of mind. You try to come up with an answer. As usual, Leon swoops in for you and makes the save.

"How about you use that pretty mouth on Chris?" he murmurs in your ear, "Suck on his cock while daddy gets his prize for winning."

Chris stands up once the plan is set, his bulge visible at the front of his pants. Leon gestures for him to wait though. Instead of having the older man come to the two of you, he pulls his fingers out of you and spins you around, boosting you back onto the table. You push some of the cards behind you out of the way on your way down. You end up spread across the table, happy that part of your earlier fantasy was now coming true.

Now both men stand, looking down on your nude form and taking in every curve and crux. Leon reaches forward to grope one of your tits again. He gives it a good feel before cupping it and leaning down to press some kisses around the nipple. He kisses from there over to the valley between your breasts and down your tummy. All the affection gives Chris time to shed his pants and boxers and give his cock a few languid tugs.

Leon sits in his chair again, pushing your thighs apart and looking at your glistening cunt. He leans in and kisses your clit with a feather light touch.

"Look at Chris, baby. He's got your treat waiting for you," he mumbles as he wraps his arms around your thighs and delves into his favorite luxury in the world.

You mewl but do as he tells you and turn your head. Waiting for you is Chris's heavy, flushed cock, dripping precum from the swollen tip. Your mouth waters. You'd wanted it bad last time, and now it was all yours. He reaches down to pet your head.

"That look good, princess?" he coos in a low voice.

You nod lazily, your brain fogging up with the mist of lust. Your lips part, and he pushes his hips forward, slotting his length in your mouth. You moan around the shaft, your tongue laving against the veins. His cock was thicker than your boyfriends. The difference thrilled you. You have to stretch your jaw a bit to accommodate him as he works it into your mouth. Your fingers wrap around the part you can't take.

He groans and tilts his head back. He sinks as deep as he can, unable to get enough of that soft, wet orifice.

"Fuck, honey. You're a two for one. Perfect mouth to go with that perfect pussy," he grunts.

You nod lazily and begin bobbing your head best you can while laying on your back. Chris was kind of impressed by your dedication and focus considering Leon was between your legs devouring you as if you were his final meal.

His tongue slides from his mouth and delves into your awaiting entrance. He moans as he tastes you; sweet and rich, completely addictive. As natural as sucking cock came to you, Leon's propensity to eat pussy seemed to be innate. He keeps you pressed against his face, eating you out like you're the finest delicacy he's ever tasted.

The intensity of his efforts have you whining and drooling on Chris's dick, but you keep sucking. The older man's fingers soothingly rub the back of your neck and help to guide you and pace you. Pulling back a bit, you suckle on the tip and kitten lick the head, making him grit his teeth and will himself not to blow his load right there.

"Your daddy's taught you well, babydoll," he pants before pushing you forward again till his tip nudges the back of your throat.

Both you and Leon moan when you hear that. He laps at your cunt with increased fervor now. He flattens his tongue and laves it over your throbbing clit before wrapping his lips around the little bud. You jolt and your legs jerk, but his hold on you is firm.

"Let daddy have his prize, sweet girl. Wanna taste that cum," he mutters before returning all of his attention back to your pussy.

Your whole body shudders, but you keep going for Chris. He runs his free hand through his hair and wipes at the sweat beading on his brow.

"Don't think I'm gonna last too much longer, Leon," he informs the other man.

"She won't either," he tells him, indirectly giving him the go ahead to do as he pleases.

Chris moans while beginning to rock his hips back and forth. His thrusts stay gentle, but they're just what he needs to start working him to the edge. Meanwhile Leon has your hips and legs squirming as if they're running from the release destined to catch them. He keeps you in place and keeps twirling his tongue against you.

It's Chris who cums first. His eyes flutter closed and his hips sputter, making sure he's nice and deep in your mouth when ropes of cum fire out of him. He moans and fucks it all into your awaiting throat. It's warm and sticky, and you swallow it like the good girl you are.

His eyes are hazy as he looks down at you. He's slow to pull out. When he finally does, the tip rests against your lips and you give it a few kisses. A string of saliva connects the two things when he backs away for a moment to catch his breath.

As he calms down, you spiral further into the pits of euphoria. Your back arches off the table and you claw at it so much you feel like there's gonna be scratch marks when you're finished. Leon keeps on with his task like he's being paid. He strikes the perfect balance between playing with your clit and teasing your insides that has you cumming minutes later.

Chris watches from above as you yelp. He takes in every little switch of expression on your face. Leaning down from behind you, he kisses your forehead, then your nose, then finally your lips. He captures all your lewd moans and whimpers. His nose brushes against your chin as his lips move with yours.

He cups and rubs your cheeks as you come down. Leon's movements slow down until he gives your cunt one last sloppy, lingering kiss and pulls away. Your slick covers his chin. He doesn't wipe it away before standing up and bending over to kiss you himself. You taste your pleasure on him.

Your head is still spinning as the men help you sit up on the table. Gentle touches come from all directions it seems, and you're barely able to discern who's who. It's a blissful confusion, and you wouldn't trade the feeling for anything. 

When your eyes refocus, your boyfriend's gaze back into yours. Chris's lips are on your neck, laying tender kisses up the column of your throat. Leon smirks at you as his finger runs down his jawline.

"Let's go upstairs, baby. I haven't fully enjoyed my winnings yet," he whispers before carting you off to the bedroom with Chris following behind.

[woso-dreamzzz]

Carded

Katie McCabe x Reader

Summary: The comeback of McCard

It all happens so quickly, you're not entirely sure what happened.

One moment you're running up the pitch, ball at your feet. You can spot Esme gaining on you from the corner of your eye - a blur in the Man City kit. You weave out of the way but you're not fast enough to avoid Kennedy.

She collides with you viciously.

You don't just lose the ball, you lose your footing as well.

You land on a heap on the ground. For a moment, there's nothing but confusion but the moment your eyesight focuses again, white-hot pain lances through your body.

It radiates from two places.

You know your nose is broken without having to check. You can feel the blood run down your chin, staining your Arsenal kit a deeper red than before.

You can deal with a broken nose.

What you can't deal with is the pain in your ankle.

You're not sure if its sprained or fully broken but you know that you can't walk on it.

You roll around on the grass, clutching at it as if that will stop the pain. Tears leak from your eyes as you stifle a scream or a sob, you're not sure which one it would be.

You're sure the stadium is loud but you can't hear anything over the pounding in your ears.

You groan as a hand holds your shoulder.

You look up.

"Hey," Beth says," The medics are coming. It's okay. They'll be here soon."

You try to nod but any movement of your face has you seeing stars so you just blink a few times, trying to clear away your tears.

Lia joins you a moment later. "Is it just your nose?" She says hurriedly, glancing a bit behind her in worry.

"Wha-?"

"Are you injured anywhere else?" She asks with urgency, still glancing behind her.

"My-My ankle. I-I don't think I can walk."

Beth and Lia exchange a look before glancing behind them again.

You turn your head to follow their eyeline.

The ref is talking to Kennedy (who looks mildly horrified and slightly green when she looks at your bloodied face) but it's the other person standing with them that catches your attention.

Now that you've regained some of your senses, you can hear everything.

Katie's screaming at the ref.

"Just a yellow?!" She demands," Are you crazy? Are you blind, ref? Look at her! She's all bloodied up!"

"Watch it, McCabe," The ref warns," Or I'll card you as well."

Katie keeps arguing but your view gets blocked by the arrival of the medics.

"Definitely broken nose," One of them says as they help you mop up the blood.

"Gee," You say sarcastically," Never would have guessed."

Beth and Lia join you with stilted laughter that lasts a total of two seconds before you're shrieking and writhing on the ground again when one of the medics moves your ankle around.

Looks are exchanged.

You know it's bad news.

"How bad?" You say with gritted teeth.

One of the medics leans down into his walkie-talkie. "We're going to need an ambulance on standby. We're walking out with l/n soon." He turns to you. "It's broken. You'll need x-rays. Are you good to get up?"

You wince. "I'll need help."

"That's a given."

You take a few steadying breaths as you prepare to lift yourself up onto one leg. Beth and Lia linger nearby, ready to help should you need it.

"How bad is it?" Katie demands as she runs over, completely abandoning the argument she's having with the ref. "You feeling alright, babe?"

"Surprisingly, no," You say.

"We need to get going, y/n," One of the medics says," You ready?"

"Going," Katie echoes. Panic appears in her eyes. "Going where? What's going on?"

She looks between you and the medics and then to Beth and Lia, although neither of them wants to be the one to break the news.

You bite the bullet, speaking as you're helped onto your one working leg. "My ankle's fucked," You say bitterly," Collison with Kennedy snapped it, I think. Need to go get an x-ray." You shrug as each medic takes their place on either side of your body, helping you to hop off the pitch.

You press a kiss to Katie's cheek in passing so you don't notice the anger simmering in her eyes until you're almost off the pitch.

The big screen switches from you to Katie, who has turned on Alanna Kennedy with a vicious vengeance.

It probably wasn't a good idea on Kennedy's part to walk past Katie with a smile on her face so soon after you've hobbled off the pitch because Katie grabs her by the shirt and shoves her to the ground.

Kennedy, of course, doesn't take that and surges to her feet.

She shoves Katie back.

Anger blazes in Katie's eyes at the action and she's screaming again - although you can't exactly hear her.

They're both in each other's face and, when Kennedy shoves Katie again, a slap is captured on the big screen.

By the time the pair are separated, Kennedy has Katie's jersey in her grip and Katie looks like she's ready to start swinging again.

The ref blows the whistle.

They immediately give Kennedy another yellow, pointing to the sidelines.

She turns to Katie and flashes a red.

Katie doesn't look sorry whatsoever as she stalks off the pitch. She completely ignores Jonas, who looks ready to yell at her for the whole stadium to hear, and takes the place of one of the medics.

"You shouldn't have gotten that red," You say to her as you're finally loaded up into the ambulance," Jonas will have a field day yelling at you."

Katie shrugged. "I don't care," She said," Kennedy shouldn't have snapped your ankle. She's lucky I was restraining myself."

You let out a huff of laughter - your pain dulled by the painkillers the paramedics have laced you with. "It was a bad decision to go after her." Your face colours slightly. "Although, it was slightly hot - seeing you defend my honour like that."

Katie grins at you - all mischief. "Really? I'll have to do it more often then."

"Preferably without being carded."

"I make no promises."

[sphireath-wisp]

#just for me.

Sypnosis: Things that remind them of you that they keep for themselves (Blue lock version)

Warnings: Messy interchanging tenses, not proofread

Featuring: Nagi Seishiro, Meguru Bachira, Yoichi Isagi, Itoshi Rin x GN! reader

Nagi Seishiro

He had this picture of you in his wallet wearing a matching onesie with him. The both of you were wearing stitch onesies and Reo had just happened to come by. Taking hold of this opportunity, Reo snapped a picture of the both of you asleep on the couch - popcorn and snacks next to the both of you as the TV was still playing the movie you both were watching. Once Nagi sees the picture, he'll snatch it away from Reo and keep in it his phone case. His phone is always with him, so it's convenient to just take it out and get his daily reminder of who's been supporting him in his career for so long.

The matching necklaces you got for his birthday. He always keeps it on him and does not care if he's breaking any rules wearing it (he'll just hide it under his shirt, what's the big deal?) Nagi likes it because it's convenient to wear when playing football. It doesn't disturb him much like rings do when he eats or earrings when he jumps around during practice. Plus, he'll unconsciously fidget with it. The cold sensation it has whenever he touches it is weirdly comforting.

Meguru Bachira

He has a picture of you and him in an art class the both of you signed up for. Honestly, he wasn't focusing and neither were you - there were doodles everywhere on his canvas and you couldn't focus with him around. You remember him doodling you kissing him on the cheek, a cat, your initials in a heart, etc. In the picture, he was cupping your cheek and painting small hearts all over your face. Every time he stares at the photo, he can recall the sound of your uncontrollable laughter, how one of the hearts smudged on his cheeks when you kissed him, and the trouble you went through wiping off the red stains on your face and clothes.

His grades... aren't the best. Thus, being the dedicated and loving significant other you are, you copied your personal super helpful notes for him to refer though. However, you had encountered an obstacle - he could not focus. Complaints and whines would be the only thing rolling off of his tongue instead of anything intellectual. Thus, you've come up with a solution! Doodles and affirmations in the notebook keep him around long enough. Occasionally, you'll doodle a smaller version of you saying "good job!", hugging him, kissing him, etc. Similar to checkpoints, you'll remind him of how great he's doing or how he's going to ace his exams like this! Once he returns the notebook, you'll notice new doodles, and a thank you message on a card hidden between the pages.

Yoichi Isagi

The scarf you gave him during autumn. It still has that lingering smell of your perfume/cologne, and he just likes having it on during his walks. It calms him down to just having it around his neck. I just have this hunch that he feels so guilty the moment there's a hole or any sort of stain. (Don't worry, he's careful with such a precious item)

I just know you and Isagi would share a Spotify playlist! I JUST KNOW IT. You have this playlist with him with a mix of your taste in music and his (he requested you to add in calmer pieces specifically). Whenever he's listening to music on the bus or train and hears a song he doesn't recognize, he'll smile unconsciously because he just feels like this is the type of song you would like. Seriously, those cheesy, calming love songs always remind him of you. It makes him really appreciate being yours, being able to hold your hand, hug you, treat you to things, etc.

Itoshi Rin

The good luck notes you leave in his bag. Of course, you respect his privacy and won't unnecessarily rummage through his things. Though, that doesn't mean you can't just slide your little token of encouragement right into his bag! Technically, you aren't looking! At first, when he felt the touch of paper against his palm, he assumed it was trash. When he was able to fish it out and inspect it, he realized the heartfelt contents of the "trash" in his hands. You don't know this, but he actually collects your messages. It's no good to waste such endearment! In a small corner of his bag, he neatly tucks them in and keeps them for whenever he feels like he misses you has nothing to do.

Knowing Rin, he's in no way a romantic. I mean, this is Itoshi Rin, we're talking about here. Thus, you decided to be bold and be the first person to make a move! You gave him a bouquet of white jasmine to bring home and to be honest, he seemed uninterested... Keyword: seemed. This guy brought home the flowers and literally researched how to take care of them to ensure that they never wither. During that, he found out the symbolic meaning of white jasmine - love, beauty, and sensuality. (He'll make sure to bring a bouquet for you in the future)

[chaos-in-deepspace]

This is just a list of ideas that I plan on bringing to life eventually. This has short descriptions as well, and as a lot of them are NSFW, minors do not interact!

Ain't Got No Nipples | Crack | Scenario Formatting

Scenario where Reader says some out of pocket shit to the guys in order to get their reaction.

"I'm the Problem" | Crack | Scenario Formatting

In which the Reader is ranting to the boys about something that happened and they have a moment of "Oh wait, am I the problem?". Zayne 100% is being a dick about it, Xavier is saying no, and Rafayel is like "Oh you figured it out."

Slobbing on that knob and giving them the glug glug 1000 | Explicit | Headcanon Formatting

Headcanons on how the guys are reacting when Reader is giving them head.

KabeDON'T | Crack/Fluff | Scenario Formatting

Reader doing the Kabedon on the boys and their reactions (Reverse uno?)

Biting | Crack/Fluff | Headcanon Formatting

How the boys react when the Reader randomly bites them in a form of affection.

Getting Shitfaced with Them | Crack/Mature | Headcanon Formatting

They've all taken care of the reader when drunk, but why don't they ever get drunk together? A scenario to explore the shenanigans of getting the guys shitfaced alongside the Reader. (Note: Get drunk before writing this for best results)

Pegged | Explicit | Fic Formatting

It’s a pegging fic. All the boys are getting pegged by the reader. We need more fics for this and I will provide. Each boy gets their own fic as well. - Xavier - Zayne - Rafayel

Bunny Boy | Explicit | Fic Formatting

A different take on the Fluffy Trap card. Reader knew that Xavier would be getting a text on the details. They had a plan. As soon as he was in the outfit, they'd tease him until he breaks. Sadly they forgot they were dealing with Xavier, who would but rather watch the Reader bouncing on his dick like the cute bunny they are.

Soft Mornings | Fluff | Fic Formatting

Soft, slow mornings with Xavier as the Reader wakes up curled in bed with him. He refuses to let them go, wanting just five more minutes.

Pouting | Fluff | Fic Formatting

Xavier gets jealous of the new plushie he had won the Reader during their last trip. To think they're cuddling with it in bed instead of him. Xavier knew it was ridiculous to be jealous over a stuffed animal, but he couldn't help it. The Reader can't help but tease him as well, with his slightly puffed out cheeks that are just so squishable.

Exclusive Tutorial Continuation | Explicit | Fic Formatting

Reader gets an exclusive tutorial with Zayne, however when one of his old classmates goes to find him, the two end up in a small closet, his dick buried in them while the Reader is forced to be silent so they don't get caught.

Experimentations | Explicit | Fic Formatting

Zayne knows the human body is capable of many things, but one thing he's curious about is if his partner is capable of squirting. This ends in a night of Zayne happily overstimulating the Reader to see if he can get them to soak his lap before he fucks them.

Sweet Kisses | Explicit | Fic Formatting

A small swipe of a lollipop over your lips, the subtle sweetness lingering. His lips, seeking your own our in order to get just a small taste of what you've been having. It's always left Zayne wanting more, and you're the one who always is more than happy to give him anything he wants.

Dreams of Dawn | Angst/Comfort | Fic Formatting

He didn’t have you, not in this timeline. But he always recalled you in his dreams. It wasn’t him though, rather another version of him that you loved. So how is he supposed to react when his dreams take a different turn. It’s you and him. The current him. Despite the monster he was, you still looked at him with adoration. How should he feel? - Dawnbreaker x Reader

Ebb and Flow Continuation | Mature | Fic Formatting

It's Ebb day and Rafayel is being moody and sick. The Reader is worried and looking after him, trying to help him out. His small pleas for them to touch him is too much, but they manage to calm him down and help him sleep but giving him affection that he isn't used to receiving.

Your Fragrance Continuation | Explicit | Fic Formatting

Reader didn't realize the perfume they tried would be an aphrodisiac to Rafayel. One thing leads to another and despite them trying to protest that Rafayel isn't in the right state of mind, he makes sure to inform them exactly what's been on his mind ever since Ebb day.

Monster Fucking Him | Explicit | Fic Formatting

Continuation of "The Questions That Keep Us Up". The Reader and Rafayel had a discussion and ended up becoming a couple. After dancing around the subject for weeks, Rafayel finally asks them if they're ready to have their questions answered.

Private Trip Alternative | Fluff/Explicit | Fic Formatting

Rafayel had made a joke about you taking advantage of him in the forest, but after you two made your wishes, he's the one who comes onto you. After a lot of back and forth teasing, the Reader and him end up giving each other a "hand". It's gonna be cute though istg it's fluff and smut.

Highschool AU | Fluff | Headcanon Formatting

Senior year headcanons for the boys (they'll be 18 in the headcanons) with the Reader. Xavier is popular genius, Zayne is the cold nerd, and Rafayel is the heartthrob who doesn't actually mean to be. I'll figure it out when I get there gg. Reader will probably be unpopular psycho.

Zayne: Heartbeats | Fluff | Fic Format

Fluff with Zayne where the Reader is feeling his heart beat and he's guiding them on how to properly evaluate it but tbh it's jsut an excuse to lay on his chest.

Zayne: Domestic Bliss | Fluff | Headcanon or Fic Formatting

A day off with Zayne: Including waking up, making breakfast, an outing together, joking around (Reader being a menace), getting dinner, getting ready for bed (probably shower together or bath), cuddling in bed.

Birthday Boys | Fluff/Mature | Scenario Formatting

Celebrating the boy's on their birthday in your own little ways. Gifting Zayne Jasmines and baking his cake with him, Painting with Rafayel which turns into body painting, and Napping outside with Xavier while joking around with him. Maybe slightly NSFW implied near the end.

Rafayel: Sick Fish| Fluff | Headcanon Formatting

Rafayel is sick with who knows what, so his favorite Bodyguard comes over to take care of him in his time of need. However they failed to realize just how clingy this man could become when he doesn't feel well.

This list is always adding and taking away as things get done and new ideas arise.

[stickymolasses]

NEW SLANG

pairing: harry osborn (marvels spiderman 2 ps5) x reader (no use of y/n, not gendered)

summary: you are a young adult who had to put a pause on your schooling due to unforeseen circumstances. you work at a cotton candy stand on coney island and harry and you chat, perhaps leading to a new beginning for the both of you.

characters: harry osborn, peter parker, mary jane watson

warnings: mention of gambling, writer being stupid :3

an: hello! this is my first fic on this blog. if you like this first chapter let me know and i'll write another one! i have never really written fanfiction on tumblr or at least never uploaded on here but i figured i'd give it a try. i love harry in spidey ps5 so badddd and there just aren't enough fics for him :> be on the lookout for another an at the end of the fic! i don't really know how this stuff works yet but if you're interested in being put on my tags list for this work let me know!

Coney Island was so beautiful at this time of night. The night sky was illuminated with the sparkling shine that the entertainment district gave off. Despite the enchanting scenery, a sense of melancholy enveloped you on this particular night. The realization of your current situation hit home as a teenage girl, clad in an Empire State University sweater, approached your cotton candy stand—a stark reminder of why you were working here. 

You could’ve been in her shoes if not for the string of unfortunate events that unfolded in quick succession. Moving out of your aunt and uncle's place had been challenging due to the soaring living costs in New York City. To make matters worse, your ex-lover's reckless gambling had drained your finances, forcing you to put a pause on your education. The dream of becoming a great astronomer remained unfulfilled, and instead, you found yourself working at a shitty cotton candy stand.

Nights like these were bustling, contributing to your current state of dismay. The boardwalk teemed with people, immersed in the company of their significant others and friends—something you currently lacked.

The lingering summer heat made you sweat a little. Adjusting your uniform, you opened the topmost button, and as you looked up, three people stood before you—two redheads and a brunette. "Hi, welcome to Coney Cotton Candy. What can I get for you guys?"

You smile and greet your customers with as much delight as you can conjure. One of the redheads, a very handsome young man, opens his mouth to speak but quickly closes it and furrows his eyebrows instead. 

You greeted your customers with a forced delight. The handsome young man among them hesitated before making his order. His friend, addressed as Pete, clarified the order, and the other two in the group walked away, seemingly a couple. 

“Alright, can we get three of the little cones?” He fumbled through his wallet, and you noticed his striking green eyes. As you handed back his credit card, his gaze lingered in a way that made your stomach twist. 

“Have we met before? I feel like I know you,” he pondered.

“Um, I don’t think so. Maybe you’ve shopped here before?” you suggested, playing it cool.

“Did you go to Midtown High? Or maybe you went to Empire State?” he continued. 

“I went to ESU. I couldn't finish my degree, though–unforeseen circumstances,” you replied, throwing up finger quotes. He looked sympathetic, a reaction that both touched and frustrated you.  

“I’m sorry, I’ve had some of those lately too. I graduated from ESU in ‘21. What were you studying?” The line behind him grew, and despite wanting to chat further, you had a job to do. 

“Astronomy. I’m sorry, but there are customers behind you,” you said, cutting the conversation short. He apologized to the people in line, turning to leave but hesitating for a moment. 

“When you get off tonight, come meet me at the Speed Demon!” he called back. 

“Please!”

As you continued working, typing into the cash register, and dealing with an impatient mother, you awaited the hour when you would be free.  

You sigh, locking the register and slinging your tote bag over your shoulder. The remainder of your shift proved fairly uninteresting after your run-in with the man with pretty green eyes. Walking across the park, you take a deep breath, inhaling the scent of the Atlantic. The waves crash on the shore, creating a soothing backdrop to your uncertain life.

When you arrive at the Speed Demon, the designated meeting spot with the intriguing young man from earlier, you find him leaning casually against the head requirement chart.

"How did you know when I got off work?" you question him, suspicion coloring your tone.

"It said the booth closes at midnight on weekends. I only assumed you wouldn’t have to stay much later than that," he replies, eyeing your face and studying your expressions.

"So, why did you want to meet with me?" you inquire again.

“You said you were studying to be an astronomer, right?” he replies, matter-of-factly.

“Yes, but I told you I couldn’t get my degree. I—”

He cuts you off, “It doesn’t matter; are you good at it?”

“I mean, yes, I would hope so. It’s the only thing I’ve ever been passionate about. I wanted to heal the environment, starting with the stars.” He smirks and looks at his feet, shuffling them.

“Well, would you be interested in not working at Coney Cotton Candy? N-Not that this job isn’t worth your time or anything…” He stumbles over his words a little, getting to his point.

“What are you saying?” Your left eyebrow kicks up in curiosity at his remarks.

“I have a startup foundation in Manhattan. I’m trying to gather as many great scientists and innovators as I can. You seem like a great fit, and it could help you finish your studies.” He smiles wide, and you note that his teeth are perfect.

“Why should you hire some person you don’t know? Isn’t that a little bit sketchy?” You place your hands in your thin jacket pockets and fidget around a little bit, thinking. If he is serious about this, you could kiss him. You would rather work any job other than your current one, no matter a real job where you can actually do what you went to school for.

“You just have that look in your eyes; I can see what type of person you are. You want to help people too. We’d still have to do a real interview, of course; I need to make sure you’re qualified.” He laughs, and his eyes sparkle with enthusiasm; he means what he says.

“I guess it couldn’t hurt.” You roll your neck around a few times, tired from a day's work.

He holds his hand out for you to shake it, and you do.

“We are going to heal the world.”

“So, you haven’t even told me your name yet,” he remarks, walking by your side to the subway station.

“I can say the same thing about you, mystery man. If you weren’t so handsome, I would think you were just some creep trying to murder me,” you admit, probably a little bit too honestly.

He gasps and places a hand on his chest, in faux offense. “I would never, and my name is Harry. Harry Osborn.”

You tell him your name, and he repeats it to himself a few times under his breath. “That's a nice name; it suits you.”

He looks at you, as you are examining your feet. You feel his gaze on you but don’t want to scare him away, so you continue to feign interest in the floor.

“What happened to the people you were with earlier? They ditch you?” you ask, curious about the whereabouts of the group he was with earlier.

“I told them I had some work stuff to do, and they didn’t ask many questions. It was date night for them anyway. I was kind of third-wheeling.” He lets out a small laugh at the admission.

The two of you continue to engage in small talk throughout your walk. When you eventually reach your destination, he stops you.

“Hey, I just wanted to say thank you for giving me the time of day. Not just anyone would do that; you said it yourself, I could have been some kind of psycho freak murderer.” He pauses for a second, opening his mouth and closing it again, thinking about his next words. “I have to be honest, I really wanted to talk to you because I thought you were beautiful; it just helped that you were exactly what my startup is looking for.”

You feel heat rising to your face due to his gentle compliment. Since your last relationship, no one had ever called you beautiful; they only ever called you asking for a check. “Thanks, you’re not too bad yourself. I seriously hope I knock that interview out of the park; I’d rather not go back to slinging cotton candy.”

He chuckles and shakes your hand again, clasping over it with his other hand, lingering for a while. “I’ll see you then.”

part 2: here an: hello! what did you think? reader lowkey miserable until harry shows up LOL. i really wanna do fun stuff with this story idk. i am hoping it came across the way i imagined it! i just like need harry carnally and i realized no one was gonna write about him so i had to take matters into my own hands.

[icaruskeyartist]

Oh! Oh! Can you do the human diguise? Just anything really.

But if you want ideas I'm thinking maybe...

Sun wants to read some books but he himself doesn't know where to even start because outside of a few picture books for abolute toddlers DCA never even held a one in their hands!

maybe about knitting? or general survival tricks? or maybe just some novels?

So Sun asks librarian for recomendations but in his excitment he goes thourght books far faster that should be humaly possible and then he catches himself and is seriously afraid but

the librarian just worry the books they recomend must be not what Sun needed because this guy CLEARLY doesn't read them at all.

Ahh you've unlocked a core memory of mine. I might've gone off the rails and put a little too much of me into y/n but here we are.

As always, Human Disguise AU belongs to @pillowspace. She just lets me play in her sandbox.

"You haven't even used your library card yet?" You're almost offended for the library honestly. A building full of worlds and your new friend hasn't even touched them.

"It's been a bit hard to find the time, buuut I want to!" Sun's quick to reassure you when you frown (pout really) at him. "I do, I promise. Maybe you can give me some recommendations on where to start?"

The magic words. Every job has that One Task that makes it worth it. When you had been a cashier it'd been your uncanny ability to pack bags perfectly. As a janitor, it was leaving a floor sparkling clean after a night pushing the waxer. And here?

Here it was finding the perfect book for someone to read.

"Okay let me think," you say, grabbing a cart of returns to push. "I don't know if you're more of a nonfiction or fiction reader. I need some clues."

Sun's chuckle is just a little on the shy side. Cute. "I'm not entirely sure I know either. Sorry." At your exaggerated sigh, you catch a glimpse of his gloved hands raising in mock surrender. "I really will enjoy whatever you decide!"

"Okay well, you've given me a challenge. Let's find a few things and see what you like the most." You shove the cart a little too hard around the corner, catching a misplaced stool. The cart jerks and Sun grabs it before you can tip it over and lose all your books. "Oh sorry! Are you okay?" This is what you get for being too excited.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Are you?" Sun rests his hand on you for just a moment, jerking away just as if he's been burned. It hurts, just a little, but he just seems to be adverse to touch. So you bite your tongue and deal.

"I'm fine. You're my hero, saving the cart," you say, watching Sun's face. He turns away, and you can only guess he's being shy. "Anyway, I have an idea for your first book."

"Oh?" He trails after you as you abandon your cart, far too excited. You duck into the crafts section, finding the colorful spine of a well worn book. "Knitting?"

"You're always so bundled up. I think you'll enjoy making your own mittens and things. Oh and! Arthurian legends. That'll be a good litmus test for what sort of stories you like."

Sun takes the knitting book and follows you as you go from shelf to shelf, creating a precarious pile in his arms. Your cart has been lost to the stacks, and you find yourself babbling about the different people you've helped find books for over the years.

"You love books," Sun says as you make it back it back to the reference desk to check him out.

"I do," you agree, smiling to yourself. "I read a lot as a kid. It was like... I don't know. Having friends? It sounds silly, I know."

"I don't think so." Sun brushes against your hand again on a cover decorated with embossed ivy and a golden sword. You freeze, and his hand lingers, close enough you can feel the tickle of his glove's fuzzy thread. "I think it's wonderful you were able to find friends in these stories. I can't wait to meet them myself."

You sort of stumble through the rest of the conversation, face hot. Usually it's easy enough to laugh off your own excitement sharing books, but with Sun responding so earnestly...

It's nearly dark out when you finally get off, yawning and stretching. You had to relocate your cart and spent the rest of the day putting things away and trying not to seek out your friend as he read. You'd noticed the one book, the Arthurian one, already back in the return bin.

Sun is waiting for you at the door, as he has been doing the past week and change. "I take it King Arthur wasn't up to your taste?" You ask by way of greeting.

"What? Oh, no! I loved it. The knights are so gallant. But it's so melancholic as well, reading their adventures. I feel bad for Lady Morgan the most."

"You do?" Sun is a reassuring presence in the evening light. "But you've already returned it."

"Oh, um." There's a heavy pause. "I think I just got so invested in the story I forgot to put it down."

You knew fast readers, and that seemed nearly plausible. Nearly. You still give a doubtful squint at him. But maybe you're being too judgemental. "I'll see if I can't find any happier stories with Morgan in them. She used to be a healer, you know. In the early stories."

"Really? Tell me about them."

You're more than happy to, tracing the memories of the old stories in the air as you speak. You nearly miss your road, stumbling to a stop when you hit an unfamiliar crack in the sidewalk. And it's there you say goodnight, leaving Sun to go home himself with thoughts of gallant knights and magic swords to keep himself occupied until you saw him again.

[blindmagdalena]

Back pain anon again, I love homie but he would honestly be such a whiny mf depowered. He’s like an angy kitten in the way that every new thing is an Indignity to be Suffered. He can’t hear through walls and you actually startle him? Humiliating. Stubbed his toe? Absolute misery. Oh gosh Imagine him getting SICK? Like actually ill? He would 100% think he’s in hell. Sorry king you have to take Tylenol like the rest of us

The man who has never so much as had a toothache in his life suddenly has to deal with the fact that sitting too long makes his back hurt, but lying down wrong will make his neck AND back hurt. He's got a headache because blue light from screens suddenly affects his eyes way worse, he definitely needs glasses to read, but he won't admit it, and on top of that, he didn't sleep enough last night. You've discovered he has 'Princess and the Pea' syndrome, and no matter what he does, the bed just doesn't feel right.

He catches his finger in the door and screams so loud, you'd think he'd been stabbed. He's grouchy as fuck when you bring him ice and a mix of painkillers.

"What, mixing narcotics now?" He asks sourly. " They're not narcotics. It's ibuprofen and Tylenol." "Great, because fuck my liver, too, right? Might as well wash it down with a sixpack of Pabst," he grumbles, slumping back against the couch.

You sigh, setting them down on the table alongside a glass of water. "Take them or don't, I'm just trying to help," you say, but as you turn to leave, he catches your hand. "Wait, just... Sit down a minute, alright?" He says, voice tight. It makes you feel a little guilty. You know this is hard for him, but it hasn't exactly been easy for you, either. With only a trace of lingering reluctance, you sit down. He still has his fingers curled around your wrist. His thumb absently taps against your skin. "What is it?" You ask, trying not to sound as tired as you feel. He's not the only one who hasn't been sleeping. His lips are pursed, jaw tight. Every so often his jaw will relax, his lips will move as if to speak, but inevitably they tighten back up. He wants to answer, he has something to ask of you, he just doesn't seem to know how to.

Perhaps he wants assurance. Comfort. You were beginning to feel like he was taking your words for granted, but... You startle him by pulling your hand out of his grasp. He looks up at you, ready to protest, but stops when you catch him by the back of his neck, and pull him down into your arms, cradling him to your chest. "It's okay," you whisper, carding your fingers through his hair. "It's going to be okay. I promise. I'm going to take care of you."

He's stiff for a long moment, rigid in the gentleness of your embrace, but when he lets go, he sinks wholly into your hold. He slips his arms around your waist and nuzzles up into the crook of your neck, exhaling a shaky breath.

It's been harder these days than it ever was for him to admit any weakness at all. At least when he had his powers, he felt safety in being vulnerable with you. He had the means to protect himself, to be independent. He was physically invulnerable. Now, it's as if any admittance at all of needing you terrifies him. More now than ever, now that he relies on you for more than just his emotional needs.

"I love you," he says quietly, hands balling up into fists in the fabric of your shirt. He squeezes you against him, and though he may not be a supe anymore, his grip is strong. Needy. "I know," you say, voice soft. You stroke through his hair with one hand while the other rubs soothing circles on his back. "I love you, too. We're going to get through this."

He doesn't respond other than by pushing into you, forcing you to recline back onto the couch. He's still as warm as he ever was, and his weight feels good against your body. You exhale a deep breath, only now feeling how much tension you had been carrying.

Limbs tangled up on the couch, you both sleep better than either of you have in weeks.

[eldritch-spouse]

I’m gone for a week and the brenti momentum is gone?? This will not do

I’m having a hard time discerning his personality, and the way your characters talk always make them seem a lot more real, so can we please have any scenario where he’s talking to Reader? I’m thinking good ol’ seduction👀 But you can choose whatever you feel like!

[That's fair, he's far from established, therefore his "live" dynamic is kind of gray. For this short little thing, I'm going off some of the concepts established in this post. Fem reader.]

TW: Noncon.

It's not often you take the time to sit outside. Well, actually, it's more like you don't have the time to do such. Really, you'd love nothing more than to spend entire evenings sprawled on a bench, catching some sun rays and listening to the chirping of avian wildlife. It's just not in the cards for you right now.

However, you need it.

Lately, you've been afflicted with something you have no name for. Burning waves of need have you waking up in the dead of night sweating like a whore in a church, body yearning for anyone to touch it, fill it. Your fingers cramp and there's nothing that can satisfy you when these episodes start. You tried to rationalize it, wondering if you were having some sort of worrying hormone imbalance, especially when these moments became more and more common throughout the day. Shame and confusion quickly shut down the possibility of consulting a doctor about this, so you've been suffering through this odd affliction silently, hoping it'll fade on its own.

When this unrequited, inexplicable arousal gets in the way of your daily tasks, you've developed the habit of going outside and basking in the light, feeling the warmth on your skin, hearing people passing by as you sit perfectly still with your eyes closed. While you wouldn't exactly call this meditation, focusing on evening out your often sped up breathing has some effect in dampening the heat in your loins.

The touch on your arm has you yelping a lot louder than you needed to, glancing around frantically until you spot him to your left side.

The demon... Uh, hybrid? To be frank, you have no idea what Brenti is. Nor are you about to ask, you should have when you first met him, but the time for that has passed now- It would sound rude. Nevertheless, the tall monster stands to your side with a bright, sharp-toothed smile.

He's more than a little odd. You remember meeting him only about two or so weeks ago, he introduced himself as a resident of Hell looking to move in somewhere on the surface, and you two really hit it off. There's a sort of mystic charm to the apparently eyeless demonoid. He's clearly out of sorts here, subjected to the stares of every local for standing out like a sore thumb, but his eagerness to try and fit in, his optimism, quickly made you develop a growing fondness for the monster. Plus, he seems to deal with the foreign attention pretty well- In fact, you've seen him get approached by some of the more outgoing, daring folk. You're pretty sure he's single though.

Which is almost paradoxical given how attractive he is. He's... Very good looking, in a unique way. You've never seen anything like him, and you hope Brenti can't tell when your stare lingers- If he can, he doesn't look bothered by it.

" Woah! H- Hey, were you asleep? " He starts, tail wagging at your jarring reaction, watching you try to compose yourself.

" N... No, I just got lost in thoughts. " You shrug, forcing yourself to look elsewhere.

His presence isn't helping your case. In fact, it's doing the opposite. The last thing you need right now is to have to interact with the good-looking go-getter that's been buzzing around. Unfortunately, Brenti seems to favor your company above most other locals'.

" Oh. It's kind of nice seeing you out here! You're always busy, aren't you? "

His hand has not left your shoulder and you're starting to sweat again. What a weird thing to say... Has he been hoping to see you more?

" More or less, you know how life is, right? " Weird, life has gotten very weird recently.

The demonoid nods. " Uhuh, you work really hard, it's pretty inspiring. "

You blink. It always catches you a little off guard when he compliments you. The way Brenti says things makes it unclear if he's flirting or being genuine. Maybe he just says that to everyone? It's not as if you watch him interact with others too much, but he always has an excitable look on his face. The one time you saw him frown was when another monster walked up to him.

" That's sweet of you, uhm, thanks. "

Awkwardness settles, you gulp and play with the hem of your shirt. Brenti stays quiet for a couple of moments, you think you heard him inhale sharply, but then he clears his throat.

" So... I was wondering if you wanted to take a walk with me. " He eventually breaks the silence, offering you a slightly less confident demeanor, but one full of hope nonetheless.

" R-Right now? " You're sure you're wet enough to almost be making a puddle on the fucking bench, overheating your body even more is far from a good idea.

" Sure! I mean- Only if you feel like it of course. But, to be honest, I've wanted to talk to you a bit more. You're so pretty. "

" Ah... " Somewhat shakily getting up, your eyes roam everywhere but the monster's general direction. Though it seems he's not content with that, quickly striding to almost glue himself to you. Did he always smell this good? " Thanks. " You sound like a broken record.

Should you return the compliment? It'll look kind of weird if you don't.

" You're uh- You're- " God fucking damn it, what are you even supposed to say?

" ... Yeah? "

Brenti begins walking leisurely anyway, and you quickly follow, aware he's very avidly waiting for you to to finish the sentence. Something about his attitude feels a lot more intense out of nowhere.

It takes a painful amount of time before you settle on something, probably because your mind isn't thinking of wholesome flattery. " You're very unique. " You fucking idiot, he's going to take that as an insult. " In a good way! I've just... Never really seen anyone like you before. "

The monster beside you beams very visibly, smile crawling further up his face. But wherein Brenti'll only smile and laugh when others toss flattery at him, you note he bares his gums to you, tongue flicking out to wet his thin dark lips. His subsequent smile is less cordial, less natural.

" That's sweet of you. " He parrots, mockingly maybe, it's hard to read him.

You're not paying attention to where either of you are going, limiting yourself to following the larger one's slight lead. It's only after a couple of silent minutes trying to reign in your hormones that you realize he's leading you deeper into the park. Well, you are on a walk with him, this is only normal... The notion doesn't ease your sudden attentiveness.

And you were right to feel slight uneasiness, because the monster eventually halts right in front of you. There's a purr steadily rising from his chest.

" You're wet. " He eventually comments, tail swishing rapidly behind you. " Like really, really wet. "

An already stressed heart skips several beats. What- What are you even supposed to say to that? It didn't occur to you that he'd be the type of monster than can sense that- Probably because monsters aren't that common around these parts. You never had to consider things like that before.

Frozen, you offer the demonoid a terrified glance.

" Can I taste you? "

" What?! No- What the fuh- "

He takes one step forward, forcing you to take one back. " Oh, but I can fix it, you need help, it's okay! " Brenti tries that winning smile again, but its charm dies on arrival. " You know, I didn't think it'd work so fast. "

You don't even want to ask. " ... Brenti, step back. "

He doesn't. You know you're defenseless against a monster like him in this state.

" You've been responding so well to me already! " The monster leers. " I didn't think my cum would take that fast, you must really love me. "

The world stops spinning. Shaky hues meet a white canvas of a face, searching for a hint of a joke that's not there. Who is this guy?

" Your... You- Your... "

Brenti lowers a hand to his slit, shamelessly touching himself as he steps further and further towards you, scenting the air with his tongue out. You mirror his steps backwards.

" Mhm. Asleep, you suck it off my fingers and everything. You're such a slut, I love you. " Brenti sighs, sounding manic and infatuated all at once. " You're only like this because you need it, you know? Need me. "

There's tears pooling in the corners of your eyes.

" No no, don't cry! I'm here, I'll help. It'll be easy- " Discolored, twin cocks begin poking out of his slicked slit. " You make me so hard, I'm almost embarrassed about how fast I cum for you. "

Your back collides with what you think must be a tree, watching the drooling, twitching demonoid approach you. This is a far cry from the monster you met that day, an even more torpid, twisted vision of the newcomer locals go out of their way to engage with.

" You're going to be my mate, you're going to be the sweetest fuck of my entire life- I'll make you soo happy! You'll see! "

When a cloying, fruity scent hits your nostrils, you know it's time to flee. An overworked metabolism burdened by the spoils of this beast's depraved work speeds off into unknown directions.

The ground shakes behind you.

It's a matter of time.

It was only ever a matter of time.

[himbeaux-on-ice]

some new non-comprehensive thoughts on Pride and the meaning of warmup jerseys

(the following is drawn largely from my twitter thread)

honestly, i think the Panthers have like the Sharks taken the best route you can in a bad situation. and there's relief for me in that.

don't cave and undermine all the planning and work you did in order to cover for a few homophobic players. let it land on them. do not stop for their sake. thank you.

idk, personally the teams that backtrack on the jerseys entirely to cover for homophobes in their ranks leave me feeling way more angry and disillusioned than the ones where 90% of the guys are still out there in those jerseys and just one or two dipshits loudly sat out. i would have been way more disappointed by an entire organization making the decision to coddle and shelter homophobes than i am by the revelation that 2/18 players suck but the rest of them got with the program.

maybe that's a low bar. but yeah, i'm weirdly relieved that the jerseys made it to the ice at all. that so many chose to wear them.

it's like. at least some people cared enough to stick by us and not be cowards, y'know? even though dipping out was an option, somebody answered in the affirmative when asked if they'd stand with us. several somebodies did, actually.

when teams pull back entirely, we don't even get that much.

people talk about the "epidemic" of homophobia in the NHL and whether it should change how/if teams do Pride nights, but i would take an epidemic of 1-2 idiots per team sitting out of warmups over having an epidemic of all teams deciding not to do Pride at all because of those few. i would, genuinely.

are they "hijacking the events" or "taking away from the meaning of them"? idk man. these days bigots show up where queerness is visible to spout their bigot shit regardless. i have two pride flags in my hockey twitter display name, trust me, i know. at least when it happens like this, there's also people and an organization supporting us instead of just leaving us to deal with it alone.

does finding out some guys are homophobes suck? yeah. but we always knew these people existed. they're just showing themselves out loud.

and that blows. and it hurts.

but also, the entire rest of the team and the organization showed who they are tonight by not protecting or accommodating them, too.

i'm seeing so many people feel hurt by the two dumbasses who wouldn't stand beside them rather than encouraged by *every* other member of the team who *chose* not to cop out. and like. i get your hurt. but everyone else CHOSE to stand with us.

think about that for a second. sitting out was clearly an option here, if they put up enough of a stink. and yeah, two guys took that out. but *every other player* DID NOT. on the Sharks and Flyers, all but *one* guy apiece got with the program. some of them even did really meaningful community work!!

and the Panthers franchise decision-makers stood by their choice to do this, loudly and with meaningful activism attached, in FLORIDA, even when two of their own players pulled the religious protest card and copped out.

i extremely, massively respect that. i really do.

maybe i'm just a terminal optimist by nature, but. to me, what we are seeing is that when given the choice, so far the vast majority of players on these teams are still choosing to participate when given the option. when it's not taken out of their hands entirely by people upstairs.

the outliers suck, but they are just that. outliers. and i hope they feel like it.

personally, i'm not leaving this sport i love just because it's got a stubborn lingering jackass infestation. they can't have it. no, *you* move.

also, shoutout to the guys who extremely voluntarily opt-in even though it's not even their team's Pride night. genuinely means something

people vocally being asshats is discouraging. yeah. it always is. it stings.

but all is not lost. not by far. keep your head up. and stay loud. 💜

[nicoline1998enilocin]

My Girl

PAIRING | Sebastian Stan x Best friend!Female!Reader

WORD COUNT | 2.4K

SUMMARY | Sebastian is invited to a barbecue with friends, and he's taking you with him. You've never met them, so you're really nervous. When Sebastian accidentally introduces you as ''his girl'', he is extremely embarrassed, but when you tell him you don't mind he can't stop smiling about it.

WARNING(S) | This is your official trigger warning. Do not proceed if any of these topics upset you. Implied female masturbation, drunk Sebastian & friends.

Likes and reblogs will be very much appreciated 💜

Main Masterlist | Sebastian Stan Masterlist

You just got into the shower, when your phone starts ringing and you see you're receiving a FaceTime call from your best friend. For now, you press decline since you weren't exactly in the mood to talk to him when you were just getting ready to get in the shower, you've been looking forward to it all day after the shitty day you had. Right now, all you need is a steaming hot shower and an orgasm if you're lucky, but it appears that is not in the cards since you're getting the same call right before you reach your peak, and you're done. With the shower, with your best friend, with everything. Right now you just want to melt into a puddle and never get back up, so you don't have to deal with anything anymore. Since that's not an option, you turn off the shower and dry yourself off.

When you've dried yourself off and done your entire skincare routine, you grab leggings and an oversized sweater before making yourself a steaming cup of tea and grabbing your book so you can enjoy the rest of your evening buried deep within it, hoping it would make you feel better. You sit on your balcony and put in your AirPods so you can listen to some music while reading, and you've barely read 5 sentences before you get called again, this time giving in and finally picking up. ''What do you want, Seb? I'm not in the mood to talk,'' you snarl at him and he looks offended at you. ''Wow, well sorry for my existence. I was gonna ask if you wanted to come to a barbecue with me this Sunday but if you're acting like this, I'll find someone else,'' he said faux-offended, you know he doesn't mean it.

''I'm sorry, I had the absolute shittiest day, and I'm just gonna say it, you made it even worse earlier since you robbed me of my orgasm,'' you say, not caring anymore. All you needed was a little relief and since he robbed you of that, he would get an earful about it. As soon as you say that you hear laughter in the background and you realize he's not alone, but he doesn't care. ''Since I robbed you of that one, I can make it up to you by giving you a proper one?'' he offered with a wink, it's not like you never thought about it, but you didn't want to ruin the friendship you both share. ''Thanks for the offer, but I'll be fine. But coming back to your offer, what kind of barbecue is it?'' you ask and he tells you all about it.

''My friend Don invited me over for a barbecue at his place, most of my friends will be there, and I was hoping you would come too - no pun intended of course,'' he said with a smile. You honestly wanted to throw your phone against the wall when he said that, but decided against it and just left it for now. ''I'll be there, Seb. Do I need to bring anything special?'' ''Yourself is already the most special thing you can bring,'' he says with a smirk and a wink, and all you do is roll your eyes and hang up after saying 'Bye Sebastian'. You weren't in the mood for his flirting right now, he was just an orgasm robber and you were still mad at him for it.

~ The Sunday of the barbecue ~

You were grabbing a drink from your fridge when you heard your doorbell ring, so you went to open it, finding Sebastian standing on the other side. ''Hi Seb,'' you say with a smile as you give him a big hug, his arms snaking strongly around your waist as he pulls you closer. When he let go he put a kiss on your cheek and his lips lingered a little longer than they maybe should have, but you didn't give it much thought. ''Hey gorgeous,'' he says as he takes in your outfit. ''Isn't it way too hot to wear jeans?'' he asks, quirking an eyebrow. ''It isn't when I'm going there on my bike, I'd rather not end up with road rash if I happen to crash it,'' you tell him. ''I thought we were taking my car?'' he asked, but it's such a gorgeous day you planned on taking your bike. ''You can go in your car, I don't mind, but I'd rather have you with me on my bike,'' you say with a wink this time.

You grabbed the bottle of vodka you were bringing along with some snacks for the barbecue and your swimsuit with a blue floral dress to change into when you arrived. You've put everything in your backpack and grabbed your keys, the helmets were always hanging off the handles on your bike in the garage, so it was easy to grab those. ''Ready for the ride of your life?'' you teased Sebastian, ''With you? Always!'' he said as he followed you to the garage, where he took the backpack from you and put it on his own back. You give him a helmet and swing your leg over your bike until you're seated, waiting for Sebastian to sit down too. Your phone is in its holder so you can navigate and when Sebastian is sitting, you take your bike off its standard before turning the keys in the ignition.

''Hold on tight, darling,'' you tell Sebastian with a chuckle and he gladly does, his arms feeling strong and welcoming around your waist as you start your bike and drive off. With his car, it would have taken both of you around 1,5 hours to get to his friend's house, but with your bike, it only took an hour since you can easily maneuver in between cars and stuff like that. Don heard your bike and already came to the front door to greet both of you, he already knew Sebastian was taking you to this barbecue so it wasn't a surprise that he wasn't alone, it was a surprise that you showed up on your bike though. ''If I knew you'd be arriving on your bike I would have invited you over sooner!'' he said as he walked towards you.

''Hi, I'm Don!'' he says with an outstretched hand towards you, looking at your bike from the corner of his eye. ''Hey, I'm Y/N, it's nice to finally meet you!'' you say after you've taken off your helmet and shook your head so you wouldn't get helmet hair. ''Your bike looks gorgeous, almost as gorgeous as the woman riding it,'' he said in a flirty voice, immediately getting a punch in his side from Sebastian. ''Well, thanks, you're not looking bad yourself, either,'' you say with a blush on your face. You weren't a stranger to getting compliments, Sebastian gave them a lot after all, but it was still nice to hear. ''Is there somewhere I can change? As much as I'd enjoy standing around and talking about her, I'd rather change into something more comfortable,'' you ask Don and he directs you towards the bathroom.

You took your backpack from Sebastian and walked into the house and the bathroom after a quick thank you. ''Jesus Seb, I can't believe you haven't locked her down yet, she's the perfect woman!'' Don said and Sebastian's cheeks turned a deep crimson color at his remark. ''We're just friends is all,'' he said before turning around and walking into the yard to greet the rest of his friends. ''Hey guys!'' he says to everyone and he greets them one by one. ''I thought you brought someone?'' they ask. ''Oh yeah, she's in the bathroom to change, we came here on her bike,'' he said and there was some loud whoo-ing going on, all of them impressed without even knowing you. ''She sounds like a keeper,'' Don said when he walked in and Sebastian couldn't help but smile at that. Just when he wanted to say something you walked into the yard, looking completely different now that you're not wearing jeans and a leather jacket anymore.

''Hi everyone,'' you say, clearly nervous now that you see all of Sebastian's friends in one place, you weren't made to do this as you'd rather sit at home buried in your book again. ''Looking good girl!'' one of them said and you turned deep red, but Sebastian was just completely in awe at your outfit, he'd never seen you like this and it did something with his brain. ''Everyone, I'd like you to meet my girl-'' he said and you looked at Sebastian when he said that, he turned bright red and honestly wish the ground would swallow him whole when he said that. ''Oh fuck eh, I'm sorry. I meant to say I'd like you to meet my friend, Y/N,'' he said, looking at the grass. ''Hi, it's nice to meet you all!'' you said a little shy, your cheeks also turning quite pink at this comment.

''I, uh, I brought some vodka and snacks, in case anyone's interested,'' you quickly say trying to get the conversation going in a different direction and it works because before you know it, the bottle is opened and situated with the rest of the bottles in the yard. ''I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that...'' Sebastian said when he took you to the side for a minute. ''Seb, it's okay. I honestly don't mind, I kind of like the sound of it, being your girl,'' you admit to him as you place a soft, small kiss on his cheek. You go to the drinks table and pour yourself something and when you put the bottle down, you feel 2 strong arms around your waist and Sebastian whispers in your ear, ''If you want, I can call you my good girl,'' and his hot breath against your ear gives you goosebumps. ''Seb, we're with your friends, let's talk about this later,'' you say as you worm yourself free.

The longer the afternoon progresses, the more comfortable you get and it is visible, you're usually sitting close to Sebastian but talking to everyone about anything. At one point, Sebastian grabs you from behind and lifts you before running towards the pool and jumping in with you in his arms, despite your many protests. ''Seb, what are you-'' is all you say before you hit the water with him. When you emerge you feel his lips giving small kisses on your neck as an apology. ''Sorry doll, couldn't help myself. I got hot and needed to calm down,'' he said before letting you go. ''Well, next time at least let me take off my dress, now it's soaked,'' you laugh before getting out of the water and taking it off. It's a good thing you brought your bathing suit with you, it isn't too weird when you take it off.

Some of the guys are making some noises that are supposed to resemble a ''whoo'', but they're pretty drunk so it doesn't even come close anymore before you grab a chair and sit down in the sun, letting your dress dry in the sun too. Sebastian comes up to you and he leans down to whisper something in your ear, ''You look fucking delicious right now, I could just eat you out,'' he said with a not-so-innocent look on his face, making you blush to your core. ''Seb, behave!'' you say and suddenly everyone looks at the two of you. ''Nothing's going on here, go back to what you were doing!'' Sebastian said before kissing you on your cheek and grabbing a drink. ''Can I make my girl happy with a non-alcoholic drink?'' he asks like a gentleman and you agree, ''I'd like some Coca Cola please,'' you answer and when he comes back, you get another kiss on your cheek.

The rest of the day flies by incredibly quickly and before you know it, you have to head home again. You go inside to change again and when you come out in the same outfit you arrived in, the guys are once again staring at you, and Sebastian has a huge grin plastered on his face that hasn't left for the past few hours. ''Well, it was an honor to meet you all, and Don, thanks for the invite,'' you say before retrieving Sebastian. ''Stan, you're coming with me now, otherwise, I'll just leave you here!'' you say playfully and immediately he stumbles over to you. ''I'd rather ride home with my girl,'' he tells you before saying his goodbyes and walking through the house back to your bike.

When the two of you are alone in front of the house, you grab Sebastian's face softly in your hands, stroking his cheeks with your thumbs and looking into his eyes. ''Thank you for today, it was the most fun I've had in a long time,'' you say before leaning in and kissing him on his soft, red lips. He wastes no time before deepening it, tilting his head slightly and pulling you closer by your waist. You stand there for a good few minutes having a little make-out session before some of Sebastian's friends walk out the front door. ''Damn, I didn't know you two were so much into PDA!'' one of them said and the two of you break your kiss with a laugh. First, you help Sebastian put on his helmet and then you put on your own, mounting your bike and waiting for Sebastian.

''Ready?'' you ask and he squeezes your waist a little to let you know he's ready to go. ''Bye, guys!'' you wave at them before turning on your bike and driving home once again. The drive home was also about an hour and you decided to drop him off at his home directly, his car would be taken care of later. When you take off both your helmets, Sebastian can't wait any longer and his lips are on yours in an instant, now that he's had a hit of what you taste like, he never wanted to taste anything else ever again. ''I have to go, Seb, I have to be at work early in the morning,'' you say before letting go of him and putting your helmet on. ''Thank you, for everything today,'' you say before getting back on and driving away, Sebastian stood there with a lovestruck grin on his face until he couldn't see you anymore. Today went perfect in his mind.

[keyh0use]

We know how well Barry comforts Rafe, but I’m curious if you have written about Rafe comforting him (or trying to, anyways) when Barry cries either openly in front of him or when he thinks Rafe can’t hear/see him? Can’t help but wonder how he’d deal with it

Have I written published pieces about this? Probably...you don't read my stuff and I write too much to even remember what happened in the previous chapter of whatever I'm currently working on, so really your guess is as good as mine. Unfortunately I can never settle on a proper hc for how Barry was brought up; big, loving family who lend support and thrive off physical affection or a broken, abusive one. Which plays a big part in how I think this scenario would go. Regardless, I do make him very emotional because I feel he is underneath all the sarcastic comments, and that his chill persona is only 50% real. But he masks well after so much practice, either from his upbringing or the army or drug dealing.

Rafe doesn't care about some stranger whining about a breakup in the country club bathroom or one of Rose's snobby friends sobbing in the pool house after one too many margs BUT he's not unfeeling or clueless when it comes to those he cares about. I've written and hc that Rafe was responsible for his sisters a lot of the time growing up, mainly Wheezie, because Ward was very untrusting when it came to who he let around his children unsupervised. (In case they revealed something, embarrassed the family name, got a reputation for not looking after his own kids, etc.) So Rafe is a pro at making a slow, calm approach followed by easy questions, picking away at the tension until whoever is ready to let it all out. He'll side-hug and shush softly and then provide solutions, because solving the problem is how he would show he cares.

At least that's what worked with Wheezie when her ant farm smashed on the driveway after show-and-tell (Rafe helped her order a new starting kit and cleaned up the broken glass and dirt) or when Sarah had a project due the next morning she forgot about. (He knew where the key to his father's office was and broke in to raid the supplies closet, then spread out on his sisters bedroom floor to help her glue information cards to Bristol board)

But would Barry appreciate Rafe trying to step in and tell him what he should do? I doubt it. Chances are Barry already knows what needs to happen and is just frustrated and overwhelmed. In the early days he could lash out, act angry in place of hurt and it would be convincing. He would tell Rafe to leave him alone, or he'd rush outside with the excuse to smoke or take a call and hide around back. If Barry cries, there's a chance Rafe would be able to tell, so he practices breathing to calm himself down like he's taught himself to do when he was hiding away in his childhood bedroom or surrounded by dozens of other men in the barracks. (I mean think of when the pogues robbed him. Was his first instinct to hunt down Rafe at the country club and subtly ask for help? Yeah. Is it likely he went home and kicked the now empty bag his stolen money was stuffed in before collapsing on the bed to shed a few tears? Also, yeah. I hc that Barry sends all his spare cash home but even if that's not the case, there goes his car payments and rent/mortgage, and rainy day fund and any potential trip to the emergency room.)

So...I don't know that this would happen before there's something serious between them, because I think Barry would go to great lengths to avoid any potential slip-up with big feelings, besides anger, since men don't tend to think that's an emotion. (And this isn't just about crying, either. He'd fall for Rafe hard and keep his mouth shut, suffer through months of lingering touches and longing stares because like hell is he showing his belly first) I mean I could write it, but I don't think it would be very interesting..

Alright, so they're dating or whatever, and Rafe comes back to a silent trailer. Barry's definitely off work and his truck (or whatever vehicle you want buddy to have) is parked in the usual spot in the makeshift driveway. Fishing poles are by the front door right where they were left last night, worn-out wallet is on the scuffed-up kitchen table, dirty boots are left by the couch. Rafe would creep down the hallway and peek into the cramped bedroom to find Barry on the edge of the bed, face in his hands and shoulders shaking. It wouldn't be loud and whiny and dramatic, frankly, like Rafe cries but it's unmistakable what the older man is doing.

And it would naturally freak Rafe the fuck out because it's such a foreign sight. Rafe would tell himself to approach the older man as if he's dealing with Sarah or Wheezie but abandon that the moment he hears a sniffle, rush in and kneel and try to get Barry to look at him, talk to him, give him one single hint about what's wrong. And Barry would be so embarrassed even though he's been on the other side of this interaction a million times before, tears are dripping off his jaw and his face feels so hot and Rafe is bombarding him with questions. What happened? Did I do something? Is it your mom? Barry, what happened? Are you mad at me? Did I do something? (He's insecure, of course he is, and is so used to being the problem so Barry can't blame him for worrying) And Barry would shake his head but wouldn't answer. So Rafe would lay him back, hold him and it's strange for both of them. Rafe would untangle unruly curls with slender fingers and chew on the nails of others, trying to keep from prying and upsetting the dealer any more. Barry would feel so, so embarrassed; open his mouth and close it, contemplate shrugging the whole thing off and pretending everything is fine. Then something small would make him cave like Rafe wrapping him up in an awkward hug (that's crushing, despite the odd position they're in) or kissing his head, and then he would have to let it all out.

Or, better, Barry would know he's safe with Rafe and seek his boy out when upset. This feeling inside him has been building and building until it reaches a dangerous crest and if he doesn't get it out, he'll probably lose it. So he waits with wet eyes for Rafe to show up, long legs barely over the threshold when Barry knocks into him. Yeah, it's the first time Barry has cried in front of Rafe and so what, the kook is relieved and grateful he's being trusted. (Even if his heart was beating erratically when he felt the collar of his (pink) shirt dampen) In either scenario, or any scenario the older man is crying really, I'm sure Barry would be plagued with doubt about the whole thing. Since the very beginning of their relationship, they fell naturally into certain roles...would Rafe think of him as less of a man now? Would Rafe stop crying to him? Would Rafe treat him like he's fragile? Was Rafe laughing with his little kook friends behind Barry's back? No, of course not. All his worries are settled when Rafe doesn't look at him differently afterwards. Once Barry's tears have been wiped away, his kook is being just as bratty and arrogant as usual, expecting Barry to act as a guard dog (when Rafe is quite literally so fucking capable of handling himself, not that Barry's ever complaining) and carry in all the groceries and let Rafe be passenger princess and toss him around in bed, not even bringing up what happened earlier that day.

[milomarigold]

Skinny Dipping Shenanigans pt2

Gender Neutral | Suggestive | Baxter Ward x MC

Part 1 | Part 2

Post Card Included! (•̀⌄•́)

                                                  🌲🌲🌲

You watched impressed as Baxter climbed over the fence with as much grace as someone who steams and presses their suits would.

"FUck!" And unceremoniously land his ass on the ground. At least he made it to the other side.

You would've loved to have barreled over with laughter, but the lake was closed and you were definitely not supposed to be there. Instead, you muffled your hysterics into the towels you'd been holding. You'd quickly grabbed them and a few other supplies for your break in, since you'd been so close to the lodge before. Then you'd both made your way back to the lake and were now breaking in.

"B-baxter," you wiped a tear trying to calm your giggles "are you alright?"

"Erase that from your memory." He got up dusting himself off. Trying to regain his air of elegance with a winning smile that looked silly with his disheveled hair.

You tossed him the towels, he caught them and hung them over his bag neatly. "Are you kidding? I'm telling this story to our children, and our children's children, and my hairdresser, and-" You made your way over the fence.

"Alright, alright. How about this," he negotiated "you can tell one person.” One of his slender fingers raised.

You landed steady on your feet and booped it with your own pointer finger. "Deal. I'm telling Terry." You smirked.

"I can live with that.” He brushed his bangs back into place.

You helped him. Then brushed any lingering dust off his shoulders, meeting his brown eyes with your soft ones "Really though, you're not hurt?" You looked him over for any sign of pain or injury.

"You're too kind," he calmed "but don't worry I'll live." He took your hand, and started leading you towards the lake.

"Alright, if you start feeling any pain let me know." You squeezed his hand back.

After making sure he was okay, you both snuck your way past rangers doing their patrol. You used the forest around the lake for cover.

"We're almost there." He whispered.

All of a sudden, Baxter pulled you towards him and behind a tree. Dodging the fiery beam of a flashlight. He'd kabedoned you! You felt the warmth of his chest and looked at the arm beside you. He'd gotten more robust than he was at 19. Something about his sharp eyes as he waited for the moment of danger to pass was...hot. "Damn."

At the sound of your whisper, he finally looked back at you. Noticing the position you were in made his eyes glint. With his other hand he held a finger to his lips 'shush' and smirked dangerously. He placed his knee between your legs. You would've done a Cove-like squeak if he hadn't hushed you with a hand over your mouth, "Is this alright?" His husky voice was for your ears only, it sent a shiver down your spine. You nodded.

He pulled back slightly to look at you. Then grinned with lidded eyes and cocked his head to the side. He enjoyed making you flustered. He ate it up.

The arm that wasn't resting against the tree, took both your wrists and held them above your head. Firmly, but loose enough that you could pull them away if you wanted. His nose brushed against yours, you would've begged for a kiss from how his eyes cut you like a knife. He denied you however, and instead went to your neck. "How impatient, we haven't even gotten to the lake yet." He chuckled and you almost buckled then and there. He left a trail of kisses down to your collarbone. Leaving one longer kiss where it dips.

It was over all too soon, cold night air filled the space between you as he stepped away. You looked around for the ranger, but they were long gone. Your dark haired boyfriend had taken a few steps ahead and looked behind his shoulder with a smug grin, “Are you coming?” You almost tripped over your own feet and followed behind.

He’d lead you to a clearing, where the lake stretched out towards the mountains. Aspen and pine trees grew around the lake. The water glimmered beneath the starry sky, you thought you could never get tired of the view. Maybe that’s why Baxter kept coming back. The Rockies were truly something else.

“It’s incredible isn’t it?” You turned your head away from the view to find Baxter Ward had stripped down to his fall themed underwear and his button down shirt open. He brushed his bangs back.

“You’re the one who’s incredible.” You chuckled and followed his lead, stripping down as far as you felt comfortable.

“Why thank you.” he was unfazed and walked over to a flat rock that led into the water. “Now, you should know, the trick to skinny dipping is to jump straight in.” His back was faced towards you as he let the button down flutter down his back and onto the cool rock. He really had gotten more toned over the years. He looked so pretty in the moonlight. The last thing you saw was a mischievous wink and leafy shorts being thrown into the wind, before he jumped into the water!

A wise man once said, in for a penny in for a pound. So you followed behind and did your own fun dive into the lake. However, you quickly realized how freezing the water was! You almost jumped back out.

“It’s freezing!” You exclaimed, bring up your hands to warm your arms.

“Yes, it’s the worst isn’t it?” Despite his words he was smiling like an idiot, he was enjoying this.

“You told me to jump in!”

“Did I?”

“Baxter Alexander Ward! You little-” You swam after him splashing water at him.

“Wait hold on- Ah!” He started swimming away from your pursuit, but it was too late.

Thus, a water splashing fight ensued between you two. It wasn’t long until you were both laughing, forgetting all about the rangers that might come across two fools in love. When the trickster splashed a particularly tall wall of water, you ducked under the water for a surprise attack. His chuckles quieted down when you vanished. You could hear him calling your name as you snuck up behind him.

“Boo!” You wrapped your arms around his torso, hugging his back.

“Aaah! Oh- it's you.” He’d tensed up at first, but gradually got comfortable in your arms. Both your giggles settled down, content to bask in each other's warmth.

Baxter rested his head on your shoulder, observing the sky above you. You looked up too, it was a brilliant ocean of stars. They twinkled at you as if to say ‘hello’. When you looked back down, you admired the way the light glimmered against your lover's collarbone, his eyes and even his hair. Despite the low light you could still spot the gray in his hair. Maybe now would be the time to tell him…

“Baxter?” you said quietly, entranced by the moment. He offered a serene ‘Hm?’ in response.

I think your black hair looks beautiful, but you know… I think your gray hair is pretty great too.” You gave said hair a peck.

He was quiet for a moment, picking his words leisurely “I…I’d been so excited for our trip together these past few weeks. I hadn’t even noticed. Does it look alright?” He sounded almost shy.

You answered in the most loving and reassuring tone you could, you adored his natural hair color just as much as the darker one, “It’s absolutely charming.”

Content and with a small blush on his cheeks he directed his gaze towards you. When your eyes met, you could only see him. The stars, the trees, the water seemed to fade away. Your heart felt warm and light.

“I love you.” He had stars in his eyes and you couldn’t look away. You could feel every beat of your heart. You wished time would stop. So you could hold him here forever, floating blissfully in your arms. As your faces drew closer, you whispered a promise back “I love you too.” you sealed it with a kiss.

Another moment passed, but eventually the water was truly too chilly.

So, you both waded to the shore grabbing the fluffy towels and drying off. You were pulling your last article of clothing on, when you heard twigs snapping. You grasp Baxter’s wrist, silently alerting him about the noise. He’d already been looking in that direction, ever observant.

“Eh? Is someone out there?” The same old ranger from earlier started to stalk into view. In an instant Baxter swiped the last of your things, took your hand and met your eyes. Run!

You were back in the brush. Your speed kicked up more when the old ranger yelled behind you “Hey! You crazy juveniles get back here!” He chased after you. It was a marvel how he managed to keep his large trousers in place while running. Baxter leads you through the flurry of trees. You could hear the air brushing past your ears, your heart pounded, eyes wide. Flashlight beams of other rangers were scattered throughout. You managed to narrowly dodge one. It was exhilarating!

“CoDe HAnKY PAnKY!!” The old ranger alerted the others around him. Your heart almost dropped when multiple flashlights started to move all around the forest. More footsteps started to run towards your direction.

“This way!” Baxter called out. He took multiple turns trying to get the rangers off your tail. He made sure to look towards you. Ensuring you were right beside him. You were keeping pace, until your foot caught on a root.

You let out a sound of surprise. Things slowed down as the ground got closer and closer. You were falling. You closed your eyes expecting the impact. Arms outstretched.

But the fall never came.

A warm arm caught you by your waist. Baxter quick dancer reflexes had come in handy. For a moment it was like you were both back at Baxster’s work building. Back at the dance hall. And he’d dipped you as the song came to its end.

“I got you.” He reassured and helped you upright. “Are you alright?”

You nodded, still amazed “thanks B-man.” Out of the corner of your eye a beam of light flashed rapidly towards Baxter, but you were quicker. You pulled him out the way. Baxter wasn’t the only one quick on his feet.

You took his hand this time and resumed your escape, as you did, you got a glimpse of his expression. He was impressed, “You're incredible!” You couldn’t help but let out a short chuckle, being more aware of the roots along the path.

Finally, you reached the fence that enclosed the lake area. Neither of you wasted any time and got to climbing “ThEy’Re GEttIn AwAY!!” The old ranger hollered. The footsteps were dangerously close. When you reached the topmost part of the fence you looked back for a second and saw multiple Stetson hats heading your way. Flashlights shining chaotically. The sight reminded you of the Looney Toons chase scenes you’d watch as a child. You climbed down the other side of the fence and landed just after Pepe Le Pew.

“GOsh frICkin DAnGit!!!” The old ranger yelled, tossing his hat down in defeat. You’d successfully escaped!

You both ran off towards the lodge, not risking slowing down. “We made it Pepe Le Pew!” You watched amused as Baxter’s eyes went wide at the callback, before snorting and laughing along with you. And just like that you both ran off into the night. Shenanigans successfully accomplished. It was certainly another trip you’d never forget.

Achievement Unlocked: Rockies Postcard

“Now that was a night to remember!”

[inventors-fair]

Interaction Satisfaction Commentary

Hey everyone! It's been a while since I've run a contest, but this one has been lingering in my mind for a while.

There were two things I was really trying to pay attention to this contest: if the card fits in the deck, and if the card will always do something. I'll address the latter first: I wanted to make sure that the cards would always do something. The thing about interaction is you need it most when something is going wrong. Yes, sometimes you need a counterspell when you're winning to make sure you keep winning, but most of the time you need it because if you don't, you're sure to lose. Because of that, I really valued cards that always had some sort of effect, but also had some synergy tied in.

As for the deck concerns, that's a little more straightforward. Look at the deck you're putting the card in, then see if it wants these types of cards. There were only one or two entries that felt that far off, and removal is always going to do something, but it was important to me to think of the archetype as a whole, rather than just picking a random mechanic to tie the effect to.

But enough chatter. Here's the commentary:

@bergdg - Defend the Ramparts

A very narrow effect, but there are a few archer decks out there (I should know, I play Greatbow Doyen in my crossbow deck), and this is obviously built for them. There’s also quite a few cards that are incidentally archers or rangers that have deathtouch or a lot of power, so this is a removal spell in decks like that. This does feel very strange as an enchantment, though. I think I’d prefer this as an instant that puts counters on things, both because it already acts like that, and because I don’t like the idea of blinking this for repeatable removal. Speaking of which, I think you could probably cut the cost just a bit to three mana. It’s a narrow effect, and this is commander we’re talking about, so 3 mana removal with a little upside and a little restriction feels just right. I do really love how well it fits into what archer decks want to so; i.e. dealing direct damage to creatures.

@buzzardonic - Reboot

This is a very strange card. The most obvious use for this is to protect your artifact creatures from creature based removal. A lot of targeted removal these days aren’t specific to creatures, so it won’t protect from an anguished unmaking or the like, but it helps with a lot of the wraths in the format. It also keeps them in play, which means your artifact creatures with static abilities you want, like a lodestone golem, will still be in effect, which is an advantage over phasing out. There’s also in theory some combos you can pull of that require your artifact creature not being a creature, or even just to grant haste. The biggest detriment is just how incredibly narrow it is. Even in an artifact deck, in order for this to be worth the card slot, you have to have the mana up in just the right spot. I wish this did just a bit more, like untapping the creature or putting a counter on it. The other thing I worry about is weird situations like using this on Rusted Relic, vehicles, or with march of the machines. I think commander is complex enough that people might expect it, I just don’t know if it’s warranted on a card that could be achieved in other ways. Oh, and the flavor is great. When I read the text, I was wondering how you could flavor it, and it felt so perfect.

@coolcoolcooltighttightight - All-Out Assault

This is a really cool card, but it has a lot going on that I need to pick apart. First, it deals X+2, which is a big deal, as it means it’s never quite dead, but you definitely want to be leaning a certain way to have it do what you want to. Second, it says battle, which is really cool and fits the flavor, but awkwardly is a detriment because of that last line. If you want to defeat one of your own battles and you accidentally fulfill that last line, you’ll end up dealing damage to yourself. Oops! Lastly, and you might have seen this coming, but that middle part is very confusing to read. There’s a double negative in “control no untapped” which is awkward, and also the fact that you need to make sure they control a creature feels a little tacked on. In general, this card is very well designed as a removal spell with potential upside that fits very well into a certain archetype, but I think you needed to scale back a bit. Maybe just always deal damage to the controller? Or just always deal X damage to both? There are a few ways you could have gone to simplify the card a bit, and I think it would have been worth it to be able to cut some of the more awkward templating here.

@corporalotherbear - Temporal Inertia

While I see what you’re going for here, I think it’s just a little too weird. My biggest concern is just how complicated board states can get in commander. If you ask someone which creatures they’ve controlled since their last turn, I think most people would be able to remember, but not everyone, especially on turn six. I also think the phrasing could maybe be a bit better, though I don’t know how. It takes a second to understand what the card is asking for. There’s also some weirdness with the play pattern. While this is obviously best in a blink deck, due to how mana curves work, this is most likely to leave behind only the most threatening creatures, which makes this an odd wrath closer in line to something like the ones that leave a creature behind like single combat, which are widely considered to be pretty unplayable. I will say, though, that as weird as this card is, it isn’t bad or poorly designed. It just feels a little off in how it’s phrased and how it functions.

@fractured-infinity - Caleria's Unerring Accuracy

A four mana removal spell needs to have a pretty big upside especially a fight spell that can be so easily blanked, but this one has a lot of power. A fight deck could use this card to deal a ton of damage to players. A single Apex Altisaur could very likely kill the whole table. I think you could probably reduce this down to say “excess damage” similar to ram through to drop it down a little bit from win-con to value, but I understand that you’re playing a four mana enchantment, so it needs to be strong. The biggest strike against this card is I don’t think it can be mono-green. Dealing so much damage to an opponent’s face, even if it requires having creatures, feels like a color pie break. We’ve even seen cards that do something similar in red, like Toralf and Repercussion, and while I understand that the first half and the decks that want it are green, I think the card itself needs to be at least partially red.

@jestingmaniac - Behold the Beholder

Art desc: a beholder (dnd monster) fills the top 2/3 of the frame glaring down at a petrified group of four adventurers. Behind the beholder other petrified statues are dimly visible in the darkness.

While the concept here is pretty solid, there’s a few things that need to be addressed. First, the templating. You’d probably want to target creatures. There’s also some specific phrasing you might want to use: “For each player, turn target creature that player controls face-down.” But you might also want to specify non-token, or only face-up creatures, or say “up to” so that you can choose to skip a player (like yourself), though that last one might go against the theme of the contest. After all, you want to play this in a morph deck, right? Second, the reminder text. That’s not the default of what a face-down creature is (they are assumed to be 2/2 creatures with no name or ability), so you need to treat it like normal rules, not reminder. Look at a card like Tezzeret, Cruel Machinist, which turns cards face-down but then describes what they turn into. Lastly, I want to talk about the effect itself. Turning creatures into 1/1s that tap for colorless is odd, but not terribly out of place. I like how, in commander especially, it feels sort of like “fair” removal. It gives everyone something relevant. So yeah, even though there’s some weirdness with the card’s text, the actual effect I rather like.

@just--a--penguin - Triumphant Charge

I think this card is fine, but takes the risk of going all-in. The point of playing interaction in a deck is often to deal with something that your deck can’t handle. If your lifegain deck is being shut down by something, you need to be able to get rid of it. If your opponent has an Elesh Norn (either one) and you can’t play your soul wardens, you need to kill it. But this card can’t really do that. If your deck isn’t quite working, then it will continue to not work. If your deck is working, then this will help you out a little bit. However, even then, this card feels a little weak. Putting a few counters on a few creatures, or even all of your creatures, seems nice, but usually won’t make much of a difference, especially since most of your creatures are either 1/1 soul wardens or 20/20 ajani’s pridemates. Killing a big creature is always going to be nice, but I think with this much of a condition, you might have been okay just killing anything. White can do that every so often, especially in commander. Like I said, while the card effects are fine, I think as a whole it’s just going too all in for not that much of a reward.

@snugz - Dark Vengeance

This one feels a little out of place this week. I don’t quite know what deck archetype this is aimed towards. It just feels like a generically good card, maybe leaning a bit towards orzhov life drain decks, but not in a particular way. I guess it’s better in life gain decks? Well, anyway, the card seems fine. Like a lot of rattlesnake cards, I could see it causing frustration, what with turning a winning attack into a losing attack, but that’s just how it goes. There’s also some awkward timing with the spell, since it implies you lose the life right now, but I think you’d lose it when the damage is prevented. I thought it was actually incorrect templating, but there are plenty that say “You gain life equal to the damage prevented this way” so this wouldn’t be much different. While I think the card is alright, it feels a little off the mark for this week’s contest.

@sparkyyoungupstart - Forced Succession

Strictly better murder is acceptable in my book. No one plays murder anyway. I love the flavor here. While the effect feels narrow at first, the way monarch works is actually very well suited to interaction. It’s about the only mechanic where if you play with it, everyone is playing with it. The simplicity of this card and the way it understands the deck it would be in impress me. However, it being an instant kind of rubs me the wrong way. Someone attacking the monarch and gaining the monarchy, only to lose it and one of their creatures after combat but before they draw seems rather punishing. It’s effective and plays to the mechanics, but it plays against the type of experience I think a monarch player wants. If you’re playing a monarch deck, you probably expect it to move around a bunch. If you didn’t, then you’re probably not playing the deck right. Similarly, this allows a player to receive the monarchy without risk of either attacking or tapping out main phase for an effect that grants it. It feels like it’s playing against the themes of the deck even if it’s playing into the mechanics of the mechanic. I still think it’s great flavor and great simplicity.

@stupidstupidratcreatures - Nibble

There are two main decks I can think of for this: rat decks and one-damage decks (AKA Ob Nixilis Captive Kingpin decks). It’s a little awkward because rat decks, even though they play a lot of things that make 1/1 rats, also play a lot rats that get really big from other rats. Ping decks, on the other hand, probably don’t really need a way to grant -1/-1 all that often, since they’re playing red pingers that do something similar. Even so, maybe this is still enough. At worst it’s a more expensive rat out that makes a rat that can block, which isn’t awful. Fourth Bridge Prowler with flash isn’t half bad. And I have to admit, I just love ping-matters, so maybe this is just personal opinion, but I love this card. Four 1/1s and four -1/-1s for two mana is pretty high above curve, but even one extra copy is nice, and no extras can still kill an annoying creature some of the time. My one change I would make is say player, just so you could get an extra one from your phyrexian arena. One last thing I wanted to mention: I’m really glad that this checks when it’s cast rather than resolution, so players can’t ping themself with something in response so you get fewer copies. While it’s a little misplaced in the decks that want it, I still think it’s a sweet card.

@wildcardgamez - Fade into History

Wow, that’s some very powerful history. Removal in a saga deck is kind of odd, since a whole lot of sagas already are removal, but there aren’t really many that directly deal with artifacts or enchantments (since putting them in later chapters might be weird timed, and putting them in early chapters makes players not want to play them even if they should so they can get later chapters). I like the exile here for flavor and power reasons, since it’s a little narrow for what most people play nowadays. The weirdest thing here, though, is the sheer amount of lore. Anything more than two lore counters seems excessive. I don’t like the idea of skipping forward on a saga so explicitly. Something like proliferate is a little slower and has more nuance, but this feels like skipping to the end. It means you don’t get the fun, slow planning involved with a lot of sagas, and instead do everything at once. It feels like it’s removing a lot of what makes sagas unique. But that is probably a matter of taste. If you’re trying to power out sagas and do them all, then this card will do that. Plenty of people would play this card, and I wouldn’t say they’re wrong to do so, I just thing it makes playing sagas a little less quirky.

~

And there you have it, all my commentary for the week. Thanks again everyone who entered, it was fun giving this another spin. Next week is going to be great, if you're game for it.

-Mod Mr. ShinyObject

[inkrabbit]

A Simple Reading

just something quick I had done for young Nihil and Silvanus. inspired by the tarot cards laid out from the Whiskey A Go Go event on the 4th

“Silvanus? What have you got there?”

“Hm? Oh! Tarot cards.”

“I didn't know you read them.”

“Not as often as I should.” The drummer extends his hand, gesturing to the chair that sat on the other side of the table. “Want a reading? We have some time before we're meant to get ready.”

“You know what? Sure.” Nihil pulls the chair out and sits down, drumming his hands on the top of the table. “So... how does this work?”

“Well, what kind of reading do you want?” Silvanus is already shuffling the cards, patiently waiting for a response.

“Ah... let's go for something basic. The Celtic cross spread?” He knew a little bit about the spread. Really, he had seen it done plenty of times, but he had never been on the receiving end of it. Silvanus nods as he continues to shuffle. He seems focused, like he's concentrating on the cards. Before Nihil can ask why he seems so serious about shuffling, Silvanus stops. He holds the deck in his hands, flipping over card after card, setting them up in that iconic cross he had seen time and time again. Page of Swords, Temperance, The Magician. He's seen these cards before; heard of their names and titles, but he never got the opportunity to look into them.

Finally, Silvanus is done dealing the cards. There are eleven in total, the black and gold cards staring up at him. The drummer sets the remainder of the deck to the side as he admires the cards.

“An excited young man with a whole lot of curiosity,” he starts out, giving Nihil a smirk. “but also some fear holding him back. Whether it be inexperience or just anxiety, you're normally not a go-getter. You need to learn to start taking charge. Don't get lost.

“Still, you seem to have mastered your emotions. You don't exactly have outbursts and you can hold your temper pretty well.” He lets out an amused huff. “Dunno how you managed to summon me or Ares.” Still, he continues. “It does call for balance. Moderation and all that, along with a lot of patience. This card suggests you should avoid anything too extreme.”

“Well, maybe we'll take a well-deserved vacation after tonight?” Nihil suggests with a smile. A soft laugh comes from the man sitting before him.

“Lucifer knows I could use a long vacation.” He knows he means it playfully, but the comment cuts him deep. If he thought about it for too long, he could still feel the searing pain of those fangs sinking into his arm.

“I promise you,” Nihil starts, reaching out to rest his hand on top of the table. “after tonight, we'll get it. I'll do my best for the pack.”

“Nothing has ever been your fault, master.” Silvanus gives him a smile and Nihil decides it's best to drop the conversation as they turn their attention back to the cards. “The Magician is a powerful card. It shows that, through willpower, you're able to make things happen.” The smile becomes more playful. “Such as summoning your own ghouls and becoming leader of a satanic church? Becoming famous and loved?”

“People are going to hear you!” But he's right. Never in his life did Nihil think he would ever accomplish anything like this. He always wanted to, sure, but there was always that lingering fear cemented inside of him that made him think he wasn't enough.

“It's a good card,” he laughs. “I promise you. It shows your success and how you powered through everything. You should be proud.”

“Thank you.”

“Knight of pentacles for the fourth card,” Silvanus continues, tapping the card lightly. “This is considered the strengths and/or weakness card, but this seems like a strength to me. The knight is a provider as well as a protector. Similar to you and your position in the church. Under your care, the clergy and ministry is able to thrive and grow. You've managed to build everything from the ground up. This card shows success.

“The fifth card shows what you'll become: enlightened, spiritual; you'll learn to listen to your intuition rather than focusing on your conscience. Maybe you won't be such a prick anymore.”

“Silvanus!”

“I'm joking! I'm joking!” And still, Nihil matches that playful smile of his. But it slowly falls from the drummer's face as he stares at the sixth card. “The four of swords. It talks about retreat; to take a breather after all the headache and chaos you've been through.” Nihil watches as he swallows thickly. “This card reminds us of what we've lost. You might have the fear that something else is going to happen, but you have to take a break and recoup.

“The seventh card is the future. It goes as far forward as the sixth card goes back. Think of it as a sort of 'as above, so below' situation.” Silvanus stares at the card. The Emperor. “A firm ruler; a strategic thinker. Authority and regulation, but also organization and sort of father figure. It talks about acting rationally and doing what's best for the kingdom, which would be the church in this case.” His voice lowers, the question directed more to the card itself. “Why are you popping up?”

“Is it bad?” Nihil can feel the anxiety slowly starting to rise. Did he truly believe in these cards? They made sense so far, but the hesitation has him starting to worry.

“It's not bad. It just... feels weird to me.” Silvanus shakes his head as he looks at the next card. “Knight of swords... The fool...”

“Silvanus?”

“I'm sorry, master. This just... doesn't make much sense to me.” He doesn't look at him. Those green eyes of his stay locked on the cards. “I know spreading the word of Satan is important to you and the church, but you've never seemed... obsessed with it. Not in a way it would ruin your judgment.”

“What does that card represent?”

“Who you are. I've seen you lose sleep over getting lyrics right, or trying to find the right words to incorporate into music but... I can't think of the consequences it might cause.”

“Maybe it's how I get lost in the music so often?”

“Maybe? I'm sorry. I wish I could read it better.”

“No, no! It's okay! What about the other cards?”

“This card shows where you are. It's 'The Fool'.”

“Well... I've been called that before.”

Silvanus barks out a laugh. “It's an okay card, master. It means you're pretty much going to be on a new adventure.”

“I hope after our little vacation,” Nihil groans. “I'm serious about that, you know. I'll talk to Sister Imperator after the show. See what we can do.”

“I'd like that.” Still, the confused look comes back. “King of swords reversed... huh...”

“What does that mean?”

“Abusive, manipulative-”

“What?!”

“It's about power. But you've never shown signs...” He can see how Silvanus shuffles uncomfortably. “This card represents hopes and fears. Can you... maybe make heads or tails of it?”

“Maybe my new position?” Nihil purses his lips, drumming his fingers on the table. “Sometimes it scares me. Don't get me wrong, I do love leading the church. I love being able to make the siblings feel safe. But it's all... new. Sometimes it scares me.”

“Are you worried it'll change you?”

“Sometimes?” He lets out a sigh. “I've seen what this kind of power can do to people. I've... felt it before. On stage. The love and attention, sometimes it's blinding.”

“I get it. But remember moderation? Not letting the extreme take hold?”

“I'm trying. I promise.” Nihil gives him a smile. “With you boys with me, I'm sure you'll all keep me in line.”

“We're trying.” Silvanus looks at the last card. “The final outcome: king of wands. Great time to get away and travel, but it could also mean you want to finish important tasks.”

“Oh, I don't wanna hear anything else about 'important tasks'.” Nihil brings his hands up to rub at his face. “I'd rather it be all of us going out somewhere. No responsibility. No church. Just... all of us relaxing.”

“I feel like we've earned it.” Silvanus stares at the cards a little longer before he finally gathers them up and shuffles them back into the deck. “I'm sorry I couldn't give you all of the answers, master. Sometimes the cards can be a little confusing.”

“I appreciate everything you could tell me. They're interesting.”

“Well, if you ever want another reading, all you have to do is ask.”

“We still have time, right? Would you mind...?”

“Not at all!” He gives him a smile. “How about we order a few drinks? I promise we'll still be able to perform.”

“I'm holding you to that.”