#sorry this this isn't as whumpy as it could be ^-^' I really did try my best with my divided focus

[seth-whumps]

okay i have a proposition.

i have this idea that i can't get out of my head but i have a feeling it might not be in character/plausible so feel free to change it or message me if it is But

is there any scenario where a glitch to morri's personality systems would like. make them act completely out of character but not necessarily in a distressed way?? like they either become super happy and affectionate or like sad and weepy or even just act vaguely drunk/silly? i know its kind of a weird ask and its not really whumpy but i just think it would be so silly to see that side of them and jj's reaction to it ( ๑˘ω˘ )

feel free to make it whumpy if you can too! i'd be very interested to see that, but either way i have another whumpy ask ill send in a bit!

bug. bug your MIND. okay this one is short but incredibly sweet. and it is not beta'd because I was so excited to write it and I love it a lot so thank you for the ask bug I dedicate this one to you!!!

--

"What on earth are you doing."

"Hugging you." That's all Morrigan says in response. Their arms are wrapped around JJ's shoulders from behind the couch, snug and warm, and their hair is infuriatingly tickling his left ear where their chin rests. "Do you want me to stop?"

JJ lets out a short breath. He is very, very confused. "...Uh, no, you don't have to stop, just. Since when did you get cuddly?"

"Am I being cuddly?" Their head tilts, nudging his ear. "I'm just hugging you."

"Yeah, I noticed that. Is there any particular reason?"

Morrigan stops to think. It's strange, hearing the soft hum of their breath behind him, as close as they are. Morri isn't touchy, and he doesn't mind respecting their space, so whatever the fuck this is, it's nothing short of seriously freaky.

"You seem... stressed." Morrigan releases him, and maneuvers to sit next to him. The couch dips, and they fold their hands. "I want to help."

"Stressed? I mean, maybe. I just got the new assignment, so I'm a little tense, but..."

Morrigan leans their head on his shoulder.

He stops in his tracks. "Morri?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you... okay?"

"I'm fine. Are you? Your shoulder is very tense."

JJ barely scoffs. "Yeah. You're laying on it. Forgive me if that's a bit surprising."

"It's supposed to make you relax," they say, frowning and sitting up. "Could I hold your hand instead?"

"Uh--?"

"Or maybe..."

Morrigan then lays fully down and rests their head in his lap, all while JJ holds both hands up in complete and utter bewilderment. What on earth is happening?

"Woah, Morri. Hey. Snap out of it. Who are you, and what have you done to my robot?"

"Not your robot," Morrigan corrects neutrally, "and I'm trying to help you. Physical contact is supposed to help stress levels. Your heart rate is increasing, though, am I doing it wrong?"

"Okay, Baymax." JJ gently pushes them upright, and holds them by the shoulders. "Do me a favor and run a system diagnostic."

"Copy."

Their eyes blink rapidly. The left one shutters into a solid yellow, the color oddly cold for its shade. Morrigan goes motionless for several seconds.

Eventually, they jolt. "Oh."

"Oh?"

One eye blinks as they readjust. "Small bug. I... am overreacting."

JJ tilts his head, confused. See, normally, an 'overreaction' ends in several hours of dissociation or trying to coax down his friend from committing murder. This doesn't seem like an overreaction. It's strange, but nothing close to what he's used to. "To what?"

"You."

"Excuse me?"

Morrigan takes a breath, flinching back. "Sorry. I'm sorting it. You're registering as a target."

JJ tries to relax. "That is a lot more threatening than the hug you gave me."

"No, I was trying to--" They frown, frustrated. "You're stressed. I'm reading it as a threat. I tried to calm you down. Make you less of a threat. Best option was to hug you."

"Oh." He nods, and breathes out, doing everything he can to make himself look harmless. "Makes sense. Are you still reading me as a threat?"

Their eyes glaze over, the way they do when they're looking at something only they can see. "Yes."

"Want to fix that?"

Morrigan's eyes focus immediately. "What?"

JJ opens his arms in an invite. He wiggles his eyebrows. "Sort out the bug with some cuddles, Morri, c'mon! I give great hugs."

"You are..." Their gaze is captured by something, for just a moment. They sigh, heavily, and lean in for the hug. "...an absolute moron," they mutter into his shirt.

"Hey. Is it helping?"

Morrigan settles against their chest, curled up adorably. Their eyelids flutter shut, no doubt working through whatever line of code snapped in their systems. It'll take a while to fix it all. "I suppose."

"Then I'm a genius."

"Shush."

"Sort it out, cuddle bug."

"Never call me that again."

(JJ wouldn't mention it to anyone. But Morrigan enters stasis there, in his arms. And even if the couch is less than comfortable, and he has a mission early in the morning on the other side of town, he doesn't move an inch.)

(Because Morrigan, despite everything, is very very warm. And JJ wouldn't let go for the world.)

--

this is tooth-rotting fluff and I Don't Care it was SO FUN TO WRITE so I hope this fulfills your ask!!! thank you bug!!!!

[hils79]

Thanks for tagging me (ages ago I'm sorry I suck) @puppy-phum

-

1. why did you choose your url?

I am so boring I almost want to apologise for it. My url is just my nickname and the year I was born (yes, I am old).

2. any sideblogs? if you have them name them and why you have them.

I don't really use my sideblogs much. I've got one that I haven't used for years that I used to post some of my photography on @hal-photography. I've got one for an old UK convention that folded during the pandemic but that I used to do the marketing for @writerconuk and I've got a whump blog that I use to reblog my favourite whumpy gifs so that they're easy to find. Not sharing that one because I do not wish to be Perceived.

3. how long have you been on tumblr?

My original blog was set up in 2010. I had to nuke it after some unpleasantness in the Supernatural fandom (isn't it always SPN) and I've had this current once since 2011 I think

4. do you have a queue tag?

Nah, I don't queue things as a general rule. I do a bunch of reblogging first thing in the morning while I'm scrolling in bed and that's more or less it

5. why did you start your blog in the first place?

I was looking for a new home after Livejournal finally properly died and most fandom folk were here at that time

6. why did you choose your icon/pfp?

It's a piece of DMBJ art that my housemate comissioned as a Christmas present a couple of years ago. I love it, and it was made specifically for me, so I made it my header and my icon

7. why did you choose your header?

Same as above

8. what’s your post with the most notes?

This RDJ/Paul Bettany exchange I ripped from Twitter. I have no idea why it ended up with 20k notes

9. how many mutuals do you have?

I honestly have no idea. Lots.

10. how many followers do you have?

Argh now I'm going to have to go and look. 2421. Wow.

11. how many people do you follow?

Wow this thing is really exposing me. 1908. I generally follow back so long as I can see that the person is an active fandom blog where we have at least one fandom in common.

12. have you ever made a shitpost?

I mostly shitpost in the tags

13. how often do you use tumblr each day?

Generally for an hour in the morning before I get up and then however long it takes me to liveblog my next drama episode in the evening

14. did you have a fight/argument with another blog once?

No, I don't think so. Not that I can remember anyway. I generally try and avoid conflict and if someone is annoying me I just block them and/or vent about it in a safe space with friends I trust.

15. how do you feel about ‘you need to reblog this’ posts

Makes me less inclined to reblog them tbh. Don't tell me what to do in my own house.

16. do you like tag games?

I am so bad at remembering to do them when I get tagged (see above about only really being on tumblr for an hour a day) but I do appreciate it every time someone thinks of me

17. do you like ask games?

Yeah, same as above. I love them but I am crap at remembering to answer the asks. I'm very sorry.

18. which of your mutuals do you think is tumblr famous?

I'm not sure I could name anyone who is tumblr famous beyond the actual celebrities who hang out here (like Lynda Carter)

19. do you have a crush on a mutual?

I have mutuals I admire and wish I was brave enough to talk to more but I wouldn't really call them crushes. As an aroace I don't really do crushes.

20. tags?

I'm going to tag a few of my newer mutuals so I can get to know them a bit better. Absolutely no pressure though @prolestari @queenbeyondthejudge @fangirl-bookaholic @huzzzah @life-is-all-about-perspective @loving-that-officey-feel @greenyball @hwasfeatherduster

[danafeelingsick]

Could we get a whumpy version of the 'not nice caretaker' prompts, but for the sickee? Not sure if this makes sense lol

thank you so much for sending me a request, anon! you are my very first.

i didn't really understand if you wanted me to reverse the roles and have a whumper sickie being mean to the caretaker (which i'm not even sure how it would work), or if you wanted the sickie's response to the mean caretaker's threats. i went with the latter, but if i got it wrong feel free to send me another request.

sɪᴄᴋғɪᴄ ᴅɪᴀʟᴏɢᴜᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴍᴘᴛs #4

ᴡʜᴜᴍᴘ: sɪᴄᴋɪᴇ ᴛʜʀᴇᴀᴛᴇɴᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴀɴ ᴜɴᴡɪʟʟɪɴɢ ᴄᴀʀᴇᴛᴀᴋᴇʀ [ᴛᴡ ᴛʜʀᴇᴀᴛs]

1. “I'm so sorry, I couldn't help it.”

2. “Please don't be mad.”

3. “I can't... I can't...”

4. “I'm trying to not get sick. I swear that I'm trying. But you're going way too fast.”

5. “I've apologized already... Please stop yelling at me.”

6. “I can pay for the cleaning, I swear.”

7. “Caretaker please, I feel really nauseous.”

8. “Please pull over, I don't think I can hold it back–”

9. “It isn't contagious... You're safe, I swear.

10. ”Can you help me with these? I got puke all over myself... Can you at least grab me new ones?”

11. “It's nothing you can catch, I swear. Stay with me... Please.”

12. “Caretaker, I need you... please don't go.”

13. “I don't have anyone else to stay with me... I need you.”

14. “Can you please bring me some water? I swear I won't ask you anything else.”

15. “I-I need a bucket, right now. Please. I don't want to make a mess all over myself.”

16. “Stop laughing… It's not my fault.”

17. “This is funny to you!? You just like to see me miserable, don't you?”

18. “Why are you being so mean to me? What have I done to you?”

19. “If I'm so repulsive, just go ahead and leave! Wait, I didn't mean it... Wait, please!”

20. “Then leave if you are just going to berate me for something I can't help.”

21. “You don't have to be here... Just go, I can take care of myself.”

22. “I mean it, go. Leave me, I don't care anymore.”

23. “I'm sorry for being such an eyesore. I'll just stay in my room until this is over.”

24. “I'll clean this up, I swear. Just please don't hurt me.”

25. “My head already hurts... Can you please stop screaming?”

26. “I can hear you just fine... You don't need to– Argh, please stop.”

27. “I feel miserable already, I don't need your help.”

28. “You say that because you are not the one sick.”

29. “You're not the one hurting, are you? Then shut up.”

30. “I'm sorry... *sobs* Please don't be angry.”

31. “I think I need to go to the hospital… But the closest one is miles away from here.”

32. “I-I can't go on my own. Can't you drive me there? Please…?”

33. “Are you sure you cooked this through? It tastes a bit off.”

34. “It's *urp* delicious.”

35. “I'm already full... I don't think I can stomach anything more.”

36. “I'm sorry I couldn't keep it down. I'll pay you back.”

37. “Caretaker... I don't think I can eat anything yet. My stomach hurts.”

38. “Please don't make me eat this. I can't...”

39. “Why did you do this? I told you I wouldn't be able to keep it down..."

40. “I swear it didn't do this on purpose. It came up so suddenly... I couldn't hold it.”

41. “I'm so sorry for your (piece of clothing), you can borrow one of mine... You can even keep it if you want.”

42. “I'll buy a new one, I swear, just please calm down.”

43. “Why are you blaming me? You were the one who made me sick!”

44. “You really hate me that much? It's not my fault, you know?”

45. “It's not like I chose to get sick!”

46. “You were busy? That's why you didn't respond when I called? But you said I could call if I needed...”

47. “You're back... Did you bring the medicine? Y-You forgot? But I gave you the money...”

48. “The money I gave wasn't enough? I think you got the wrong one...”

49. “Sorry, did I wake you up? I'll try to keep it down...”

50. “I... can't eat this, I'm allergic. It's true! You've seen it before, I could die from it.”

*if you use any of these prompts, no credit needed, but reblogs are appreciated

[whumpshaped]

for the song drabble thing: The Opposite of Icarus by Kyle Stibbs?

-@redwhump

i will literally maim everyone why do yall just have these whumpy ass songs lying around im going feral

I know you don't wanna turn me to your puppet But what if I just always dance around on your string

tw servitude, humiliation, dehumanisation

-

"I... know that's not what you had in mind, Master." Craven shifted on his knees. "I know that. I'm sorry. I can't exactly... turn a profit for you like this, can I?"

His owner's eyes flickered with something akin to amusement. "No, you really can't. In fact, I've spent money on the kidnapping and the training both, and now I can't even sell you."

Craven swallowed thickly. "And it's not even like you need another moron running around, serving you. You have plenty of... employees already. I, I do get that."

"You're not very good at selling yourself."

"I'm only asking you also don't sell me, Master. I know you would be good at it."

Their lips twitched into a half-smile. "I would be."

Craven sucked in a sharp breath. He was getting lightheaded. This was the part where he was supposed to bring up the things that did in fact make it tempting to keep him.

"But I wouldn't just be another employee. No employee calls you Master." He dug his nails into his thigh. "I'm- I'm yours, Master. No salary to pay, no annoying contracts, no basic working conditions. You could work me to death, and I wouldn't have any other choice than to oblige. I wouldn't want another choice."

They hummed in... agreement? Maybe just thinking. Craven forced himself to relax his hands, and the pain finally rose in the divots his nails had left.

"There would be no questions about authority. No questions at all. What you say, goes, Master, it has always been like that. Ever since I arrived."

"It has been like that before you knew this place existed."

He flinched. "Yes, Master. I apologise."

"You're surprisingly eager to throw your life away."

"Not much to throw away, Master."

"You realise you're trying to convince me to keep you as a puppet. I have trouble picturing how anyone can stoop so low. Isn't is humiliating? Isn't it absolutely humiliating to know you have to beg for that?"

Craven huffed out a small laugh. Of course it was humiliating. "I'm desperately hoping I don't have to keep embarrassing myself. That you'll take that role from me, Master."

They put down the pen they were fiddling with during the entirety of this meeting, straightening in their chair. "I will. I will take that role from you, and I will run the remainder of your dignity into the ground. The parts you didn't even know existed. But only because you've asked so nicely."

[kim-poce]

A Mean to be Good 8 - Bathroom

Previous | Next

Masterlist

CW: hero whumpee, feeling useless, offering oneself to be hurt, low self-esteem.

=-=

As soon as Villain came back he looked for Hero, just now realizing that leaving them alone with Carla was reckless, both because they could hurt her and because she could hurt them.

No, they wouldn't hurt her, I'm sure. He thought with himself, which by any means meant Carla wouldn't hurt them.

"Hero?" he called when he saw the empty couch where Hero was resting before, "Where are you?"

"...bathroom," a shy voice answered, so different from the usual shouting and yelling in that house, "I'm... cleaning."

Villain frowned before making his way to the bathroom. He leaned on the door frame, looking down at the hero who was rubbing the –already clean– bathroom floor.

He narrowed his eyes at the person, he knew by looking at the dark circles under their eyes that Hero hadn't slept, there were a few puncture wounds on their neck, which weren't there before. Also, Hero was in a bathroom.

"She attacked you, didn't she?" Villain asked seriously, "Is that the reason you are here? In a place surrender by water?"

Hero lowered their head, swallowing hard before nodding.

"I'm sorry," they said guilty, "Believe me, I have no intention of hurting her, please, I wouldn't ever use my powers against her. Also- Also, please, I didn't ask for this, I'm not trying to blame her, I'm sorry, but I- I asked her to stop."

"Okay, okay," Villain said, crouching down in front of Hero, "She can be mean, I know, I'll tell her to stop, I'm sorry for that."

"Villain can't really control me"

"You don't need to brother," Hero said, "She will stop if you hurt me instead."

"Hero-"

"Please, this is what I came here for, can't you help me this time? I'll behave, I'll lay down and sleep or whatever else you want me to do, but please, please I just want to be good."

"That's the problem," Villain said, "You don't want to get hurt, you want to be good, and I'm sure that allowing people to hurt you isn't how you should be proving yourself."

"Then how should I do it?" Hero yelled, "I tried everything! Why can't someone just tell me what to do? Why can't someone point out what I did wrong?! Why can't you help me?!"

Hero realized their mistake right away. Damn.

"S-sorry, don't kick me out please, I'm sorry, let me stay here, ples-"

"Enough."

I deserve this.

"You don't need to be good, Hero," Villain said, resting his hand on Hero's shoulder, "You don't need to please anyone but yourself, there is not a single person in the world able to please everyone, so you should try to make yourself happy."

How?

"As if," Hero said angrily, continuing to rub the floor, Villain said something but they didn't care to listen. After this they were alone again, feeling the water around them.

Be happy. As if I deserved it.

=-=

Taglist: @rose-pinkie, @wolfeyedwitch, @neverthelass, @insaneinthepaingame, @simplygrimly, @whumpy-writings, @latenightcupsofcoffee, @grizzlie70, @extemporary-username

[painsandconfusion-moved-shoo]

Waking Dreamer: Part One "Stay"

New OCs just dropped!

I really like these two, and have a loooong storyline blocked out for them, so they're going to be regulars on this page - assuming I can keep to a semi-decent schedule. I'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!

Sorry, this first bit isn't super whumpy. Gotta get that exposition in!

.

[Next]

(tw: blood, child death mention, nightmare, manhandling, good tea almost being ruined by people who don't appreciate it)

.

Aaron gripped the steering wheel as he pulled away, trying to to avoid any and all reporters and police officers that might try to stop him again.

He kept his head down. He didn't think he could keep it together another moment if he made eye contact with anyone. A sea of emptiness swirled inside him. He had no idea what emotions he had, but he knew if someone asked about it one more time, he would break.

He couldn't go back home. Not yet. He didn't want to face Jessie. If Aaron told his roommate about what happened that day, he would get nothing but piteous looks all day every day for the next few months.

Aaron couldn't stand that. He didn't want pity. He didn't want to seem like some pathetic puppy in his own house. Especially compared to Jessie.

He would much rather talk to Everett, so made a beeline for the highway and started weaving in and out of traffic. His hands shook slightly as he gripped the wheel, but Aaron ignored the tremors. Everything would be better when he was out of the city. Safe and sound in the quiet of his boyfriend's little house in the woods.

Everett was different. He knew what it was like to feel helpless. To feel weak.

Everett didn't have any magic. No access to or use for the Core.

Almost everyone the population had magic - rather, they had a way to tap into magic. No one else called it magic, but Aaron always thought that was a romanic way to put it. It was power - a way to channel the pure energy of the Core. The Core released energy into the ground, which flowed through everyone in ways as unique as the person themselves. Very few people were unable to do something with it.

Most people's abilities were small things, though. Aaron's mother could always tell what time it was. She could work as an infallible walking stop watch - she could even set alarms. Something handy, but not really marketable. His best friend in high school could make a small fire on her fingertip - never any more than a tiny flame no matter how hard she tried, and only on her right-hand pinky.

Small things. Tiny abilities with no real use.

Then there were others. People who's powers were amazing - or terrifying. People like Jessie. People who had instant respect - who spent their entire lives using their strengths to protect the weak.

Weak people like Aaron.

Aaron sighed and switched the radio off, just listening to the hum of cars around him. It wasn't Jessie's fault. He wanted to help - and he did - but Aaron couldn't bring himself to look into those sad, helpful eyes right now. Jessie would see he had been crying. Aaron couldn't take that. Not right now.

Time flew by until Aaron pulled up into Everett's driveway. The house was undeniably cute - a log cabin aesthetic with a thick porch in front. The kind that was just begging for an old lady to put a rocking chair there and knit the afternoon away.

And the trees around the acreage; they were so calm and inviting. Sheltering him from the world. Blocking off any evidence that there was a city just a few miles away. Just wind and trees and-

"Hey! Didn't expect to get to see you until tomorrow."

-And Everett, of course. Aaron smiled despite himself. Everett was leaning casually the porch railing, all warm smiles and auburn hair. Rich brown eyes. Wearing Aaron's white t-shirt. It looked better on Everett than it did on Aaron. How rude.

Everett grinned. "You going to just stare at me or are you going to come inside?"

Aaron laughed, already feeling a little lighter. He shut the car door, moving towards the cabin. "Could you blame me? You're a lovely person to stare at."

Everett quirked an eyebrow up. "You think so? I think maybe you need to get your eyes checked. When's the last time you went to the optometrist?"

Aaron paused. "Um...today actually." His mind started drifting back to the screams...

Everett stopped, searching his face. He brushed the backs of his knuckles softly down Aaron's cheek. "Okay something's up. Spill."

Aaron took a deep breath and glanced at the door. "It's kind of a long story."

"No problem," Everett gave him a quick kiss. "I'll make tea." He strode up to the door, holding it open. "After you."

Aaron gave him a small smile and stepped over the threshold. He tossed his keys on the key ring and slipped his shoes off. Everett was already barefoot. They made their way wast the living room and toward the kitchen.

Everett started filling up a kettle while Aaron perched on a swiveling bar stool.

"So....how bad a day are we talking here?"

Aaron picked at his fingernails. "Pretty bad I guess."

"Scale of one to ten?"

Aaron considered. "Probably like...an eight or nine?"

Everett glanced over his shoulder, chewing his lip. "Wow, and you always lowball those numbers."

Aaron glanced away. "So...how was your day?"

Everett laughed as he rummaged through the cupboard. "My day was fine, but we aren't talking about my day right now." His head popped up over the bar. "Sorry, what kind of tea did you want?"

"Umm..." He checked his watch. 7:00. "Green sounds good."

Everett pulled up the green tea box and held it just out of reach. "You sure? It's kinda late for caffeine. You won't sleep well."

Aaron pinched a few packages out of the box and slid it back across the bar. "I don't really think sleep is a good idea tonight."

Everett's brows furrowed, concerned. "Right. Sorry, I should have thought about the dreams."

Aaron sucked in a deep breath. "It's okay."

Aaron's magic was small, but...incredibly big as well. There wasn't a good title for his method of using the Core, but he was connected in a way to dreams. His were always vivid, completely lifelike in every way. Completely useless outside of his own head - not productive to society besides him economic contribution to the coffee industry.

He had practiced over the years with affecting other people's dreams - something that might actually be able to be useful - but he couldn't see inside their dreams, so he didn't know how or if he was affecting them. He knew he could influence dreams - like add things or make a certain scene - but most people don't even remember what they had dreamt about, so it was dang near impossible to know for sure how effective he was. All he knew is that he could help. A little, at least.

Just a week before, Jessie had been thrashing and screaming in a nightmare. Instead of waking him up, Aaron put a soft hand on his forehead, closing his eyes, breathing in, visualizing the Core's energy leeching up through the ground and weaving through him to his fingertips. He visualized a soft scene - a quiet lake with a dock where Jessie liked to fish with his mother as a child.

Aaron took deep, steady breaths - altering dreams took focus and calm. He felt the Core running through his fingertips, willing the dream to take hold in Jessie's mind.

Slowly, Jessie's thrashing slowed. His breathing became steady, and Aaron slipped back out of the room to head back to sleep himself. When he had asked Jessie about it in the morning, Jessie didn't remember a thing.

It was always so incredibly strange to him that most people didn't remember their dreams. Sometimes he would kill to forget things he had seen.

Everett held his hand over the steam from the kettle, listening to the water. He slid it off before it shrieked.

Aaron shook his head. "You know you can wait for the water to boil, right? It's like a minute longer."

Everett glanced back at him, mouth agape. "Absolutely not, this is green tea, not black. If the water is boiling, the tea goes bitter and metallic."

Aaron laughed lightly. "You're a tea snob, you know that?"

Everett poured the steaming water into two mugs. "Absolutely. And proud of it." He swiped the tea bags from in front of Aaron, plunking one in each cup.

"Wait," Aaron interjected, "You should probably drink chamomile or something, you'll be up all night."

Everett shook his head. "If you're up all night, I want to be up all night. You had a hell of a day."

Warmth bloomed in Aaron's cheeks. "Thank you."

Everett grinned. "You're very welcome."

Everett poured out the remainder of the water, then poured milk into a little pitcher. Aaron rolled his eyes. Everett didn't even take milk in his tea. So boojie. He gathered up a small dish of sugar as well.

Everett gathered everything in his hands. "Should...we move to the couch?"

"Sure." Aaron stood up, careful not to spill the scalding tea as they moved back to the living room. He set the mug down on the coffee table and curled up against the armrest. Everett did the same on the opposite side, tucking his legs up.

The room went quiet, filled only with the sounds of Everett stirring in sugar, and Aaron adding milk to his mug. Evertt tossed his tea bag in the trash can by the couch.

They both sat back.

Now it was really quiet.

"So....?"

Aaron awkwardly reached for his tea again, trying to take a shaky sip.

"Oh for the love of-" Everett sighed. "Take the teabag out before you drink it. I didn't make you tea for you to ruin it."

Aaron chuckled against the mug. "Such a tea snob."

Everett smirked. He reached out, plucking the tea bag from his mug, cradling it on a coaster. "Make fun of me all you want, I'm just looking out for you." He discarded Aaron's teabag into the small trash can.

Aaron shook his head and took a shaky sip. It was hot, but it was good. His eyes lit up, staring at Everett.

"See? Only the best for you, my love," Everett chuckled. "If you want something to turn out exactly perfect, it takes time and patience. I'm a firm believer in the power of attention to detail."

Aaron rolled his eyes. "I'll let you get away with being pretentious this once because this is good fucking tea."

Everett grinned. "Well thank you for your generosity. Now..." His smile faded. "What happened today?"

Aaron rolled the mug around in his hands. "I - um..." Was there a good way to put this delicately?

No. Probably not.

"I saw a kid get killed. It was bloody. I..I don't know. I'm not sure what you want to know."

Everett scooted closer, rubbing calming circles onto Aaron's knee with his thumb. "That sounds awful. I'm so sorry you had to see that. You tell me anything you want to tell me. No pressure."

Aaron took another sip of the tea. Everett was still staring at him, expectant. Silence filled the room, scratching at his ears.

"I went to the eye doctor-"

"-and how did that go?"

Aaron glanced up. "Really weird actually? You know how I thought my vision was getting worse again?"

"Yeah, your glasses were blurry or something?"

"Yeah, that. Anyway, it turns out I've actually been getting better still. I'll have to keep going to regular appointments, but apparently I'm getting close to 20/20."

Everett blinked up at him. "Well that's cool."

Aaron shook his head. "I know, right? Apparently it happens sometimes, but it's rare. I'm very confused, but I'm not complaining."

"Not 20/20 yet though?"

"Nope."

"I'm sure you'll get there." Everett smiled. "When you do, we will have to celebrate by sightseeing or something." He trailed off. "But...we can talk about that later. What happened after the appointment?"

Aaron gripped the mug tighter. Right. The kid.

"It...happened really fast? I was walking to my car and saw it was blocked off by police cruisers. One was parked right next to my car, so...I couldn't leave? And I just had to watch. Like, I wanted to leave and just wait but it was really exciting and I didn't know what they were-"

"What was it though?"

Aaron swirled the tea in his mug. "Apparently someone had robbed a gas station. Police showed up, and the chick panicked and grabbed a kid for like...a hostage? Shield? I don't know. Whatever that's called."

"How old was the kid?"

"I don't know. Like ten? Twelve? I'm not sure. Anyway..."

Everett was still rubbing soft circles on his leg. It was...nice.

"She said she would kill the kid if they didn't back off. She didn't have a weapon, so they thought she was bluffing or something."

"She could use the Core?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, how?"

Aaron took in a shaky breath. "I...I don't really know. All I know is the kid started bleeding. Like. A lot. His mouth, nose, eyes, ears. Everything. It was...bad. Really bad." He shifted the mug back and forth between his hands.

"Yeah, I can imagine." Everett took a deep breath. "Did they catch her?"

Aaron shook his head. "No, she sprinted through the people and ran. They must have missed when they were shooting at her, she never stopped. I mean, I thought I saw her get his, but she didn't go down, so I guess not. No one knows where she went or who she was."

They both took a long sip of tea. Everett cleared his throat. "She must be pretty good at disappearing. Sounds like a lot of cops."

"Yeah..." Aaron shifted uncomfortably.

She was still out there somewhere. The thought sent a chill up his spine.

"So...what happened next?"

"I had to stay and give a deposition. I just...sat around a few hours before they cleaned up the scene and I could leave."

"And you didn't go home?" Everett's eyes were so soft. Really his best feature.

Aaron sucked in a deep breath. "No...I think Jessie would have scrambled trying to fix me or something. I just...don't want to tell him yet."

Everett smiled softly. "You don't have to tell anyone anything. You told me, that's plenty. C'mere." He slid closer, wrapping an arm around Aaron, pulling him close. "You had a long day. Let's try to give it a good ending, hmm?"

Aaron snuggled in. "That sounds nice."

This is why he went to Everett. No bullshit. No pity. Just a quick recap and then he could move on. No strings attached.

"How does a movie sound? It's your turn to pick."

Aaron grinned, reaching for the remote. "Sounds perfect."

Everett dropped the topic completely, snuggling in and just...holding him. Laughing at sitcoms and fighting over the remote.

Aaron was so warm and comfortable after a few hours that he couldn't quite tell when he drifted into to sleep.

.

Aaron woke up, glancing around him. He was in Everett's living room still, slumped on the couch. The lights were off. The TV silent. The room had an eerie feeling as cool moonlight streamed in the windows.

Aaron glanced around. No sign of Everett.

Had...had he gone to bed already? And left Aaron on the couch?

No, he wouldn't do that.

So...where was he?

Aaron stood, his legs groggy and clumsy. He stretched slightly, glancing around the room.

"E-Ev?" He peered down the hallway. "Ev? Where did you go?"

Aaron jolted back when a face appeared inches from his. He panted, his heart in his throat as he gazed at it.

His face.

It was just a fucking mirror.

Aaron snorted. Stupid. He never knew why Everett liked to have so many mirrors. Apparently it added to the feng shui of the house somehow.

Aaron started up the stairs towards the bedroom. That must be where he went. "Ev!?"

"He's not here."

Aaron's head spun as he gaped at the top of the steps.

Her.

It was her.

Aaron stammered, clutching the railing.

Is...is this a dream? Fuck, he couldn't tell.

"It's just you and me now." He voice was soft. Almost musical. It rang in his ears.

She was wearing the same outfit as earlier that day. Tan jacket. White shirt. Jeans.

Aaron skittered backwards down the steps he had climbed. "You're...you're not...."

Was that blood on her shoes!? He abandoned the thought, turning and sprinting towards the front door near the bottom of the steps.

He yanked against the doorknob, but it wouldn't open. He twisted the lock, but it still wouldn't give.

Strong, thin hands whipped him around by the shoulders. Aaron cracked back hard against the door as she closed in on him.

Aaron froze, staring wide-eyed at her. Her fingertips traced his jaw as he trembled. He felt blood on her fingertips smearing across his skin. "You saw me. You could have stopped me." Her head tilted to the side. "Why didn't you stop me?"

Aaron trembled against her.

It was a dream. This had to be a dream. He tried to pull at the Core, but the magic was so slippery. His heart rate was too high. He scrambled to pull it down to his fingertips. To let it flood the room with light like he usually could.

He stammered, trying to force the energy through. "You...you're not real. You're not real."

She laughed soft - musically. She twisted her hand around to the back of his neck. "Oh, this is real. Let me show you how real it is."

She yanked, and Aaron tripped forward. He stumbled a few steps, trying to regain his balance. His legs didn't seem to listen to him. They twitched and gave out sporadically.

It's just a dream. Just a dream. Just a dream.

Core energy flooded his hands, but it wouldn't go out into the air. He shook his fingers, trying to get it to work. He needed to calm down.

She caught up to him, grabbing his arm.

Aaron shrieked and yanked away, but she was somehow far stronger than him. She wrestled him in front of the mirror, forcing him to face it.

"Look. Look at yourself."

Aaron gazed at the ghostly reflection. Her head resting on his shoulder from behind. She splayed a hand on the other side of his face, pining him against her cheek.

Aaron tried to pull away. To run. To scream. Anything.

But he was frozen in place. His muscles wouldn't respond.

"Is this real enough for you?"

He felt something happen. Something wrong. Very wrong.

There was no pain, but warmth flooded his head. He stared, frozen in place, as a dribble of blood ran out his nose. Then one from the corner of his eye. Then his mouth.

He struggled, trying to scream, but the blood came faster and faster, painting his face just as it had with the little boy.

Her lips pressed against his ear. "You should have stopped me."

.

Aaron jolted awake, gasping.

His fingers clawed at his face. They came back clean.

He wiped his face again and again, checking for blood.

"Woah, woah, woah...Are you okay?"

Aaron's eyes raked around the room. He was on the couch still. He stared at his hands, then grasped at his face again.

"Seriously, Aaron. Look at me."

Aaron turned, panting. Everett was still holding him. The TV played quietly in the background.

"Ev...?"

Everett smiled sadly. "Yeah, it's just me. I'm here."

Aaron's breaths started to slow.

It was just a dream.

"I...I'm sorry. I guess I fell asleep."

Everett cupped his face between his hands. Warm and soft. "You have nothing to apologize for. I'm here. You're safe." He pulled Aaron close. Aaron held him back, hands still trembling.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

The woman's face flashed before his eyes.

The blood. So much blood.

"No. I-um. I don't really want to rehash it just now."

"That's totally fine," Everett said, rubbing smooth circles against his shoulder blades. "Want to move upstairs? I think we will both sleep better in a real bed."

Aaron pulled back, glancing at the mirror. It was just a few feet away. "Yeah," he murmured.

"Alright," Everett stood up smoothly, holding out his hand. "Let's go."

Aaron let himself be pulled up, and tried not to look at the mirror. He closed his eyes as Everett guided him up the stairs, not wanting the shadow of the woman standing there.

.

Everett smiled to himself as he pulled Aaron into the room. The poor guy was still shaking. It was adorable.

"Are you sure it's cool that I stay here tonight? I can drive home." Everett turned back to him.

Oh shit.

There was a little smear of blood still on Aaron's neck.

Everett gave him a warm smile. "Babe, I'd be offended it you didn't stay. I always want you here."

Everett tugged him close, pressing their lips together.

Aaron seemed to relax into the kiss. Everett pushed a little harder, deepening the kiss until Aaron clutched at his shirt. Then he broke away, gently dropping down to kiss his neck. Aaron tipped his head up, giving Everett better access to find that spot. He quickly lapped up the stray drop of blood before peppering kisses on Aaron's cheek, temple, and forehead.

"You're so cute, how could I not want to share a bed with you?"

Aaron blushed and gave him another quick kiss. "You're not so bad yourself."

.

[Next]

(tags: @prisonerwhump, @whumpawink, @mabledonut, @heathenwhump, @jadeocean46910, @distinctlywhumpthing, @paleassprince)

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