#that said it’s nice to know a calculation for how long I’ll be putting into this

[thesixthstar]

Hi everyone please be mildly disappointed in me for starting the fabric cutting on my quilted scarf gift project at 2:45 AM, but everyone be proud of me for realizing at 3:45 AM that it was an insane choice and that I should be satisfied with my progress and go the fuck to sleep instead of staying up til 6 am and making a fuckton of cutting mistakes.

[am-i-interrupting]

Baby Shark | Vox x OATSH Reader

No prior knowledge of the series required other than reader is an overlord & Vox is new to Hell.

Summary: Vox has plans, big plans, that he finally tells you. Of course, this is only after he procured a hammerhead pup.

You were curious, intrigued by what Vox had in store. All you’d gotten was a slightly cryptic phone call where he’d sounded nearly giddy, promising a surprise. If you’d meet him at his home.

You waited outside the building. Vox’s home currently wasn’t too luxurious. It was rather simple but nice. He was doing well for someone who’d only been in Hell for seven years.

He’d gone up rather quickly. He started as a commercial actor. Then he’d gotten bumped up to doing guest star roles in shows. Now he was a night show host, just like he’d been in life.

You knew he was working on things. Things he wasn’t exactly telling you. He would let you read documents over his shoulder as he worked on them in his office but would never answer your questions when you asked. He would claim that you’d figure out soon enough.

Maybe this was one of those things.

He pulled up in front of the house in an electric blue thunderbird. He got out of the car and spun around as the door closed, a big grin on his face.

“You are not ready for this,” he said as he went to the passenger side.

“What is it?” you asked as you moved behind him but he turned you around.

“Go inside,” he said. “I’ll follow you in a moment.”

Your smiled at him, a bit bemused by his behavior. It was a truly rare thing to see him look and act so excited. Still, you followed his request and pulled out your copy of his key.

Going inside you were immediately confused. There was an empty aquarium against the wall which hadn’t been there before.

What exactly was he doing?

He didn’t give you long to ponder as he came inside with a basket. It was filled with blankets. Wet blankets.

He closed the door with his foot but he didn’t let it slam like he normally would. Instead it clicked softly.

He leaned the basket so it tilted towards you. “He fell asleep on the car ride,” Vox said.

You looked down in the basket and put your hands over your mouth to stop any noise from coming out. “You got a pet shark?”

His smile expanded.

“Where are you putting it?”

“In the aquarium,” he said with a motion to the new addition.

“It’s gonna get big, Vox.”

“I know, but I’ve been doing the calculations,” he said as he gently placed the basket on his coffee table. “I also have a plan. At the rate I’m currently going though, it’s only a matter of time before I can climb the ranks to be if not as high as you then almost.

“I’ve managed to get several contracted souls—“

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“—and I am currently working on pitching several movie adaptations of your books. I hope you don’t mind that I forged your signature. Getting those green lit will bring eyes on not just you but the up and coming director who you allowed to adapt your books to film. Therefore it’ll bring eyes to other works of mine and by proxy myself. Bringing in more people who are likely to be interested in a contract for certain benefits.”

“You’ve been forging my signature?”

“Unimportant.”

“You are aware you could have just asked. Why didn’t you tell me any of this? These are big things, Vox.”

“I just wanted to surprise you,” he said.

The silent “impress you” was left just that, silent and unspoken.

You shook your head as you walked closer to him. “Well, you’ve certainly succeeded,” you told him.

You grabbed onto his jacket lapels and pulled him down into a kiss. He wrapped his hands around your waist. He tugged you closer.

A tiny little yawn sounding through the air broke your embrace. You looked down at the pup. It stretched out on the wet blankets. You acted on impulse and ran your finger down it’s smooth torso. It sniffed your hand.

“And how exactly do you expect to have the space for a fully grown shark?” you asked. “Maybe it’s a land shark but they still need a lot of water.”

“I’ve been plotting some ideas,” he said. “There is an overlord or two on that darling little list of yours, isn’t there?”

You thought of your list. Your list of people who toed the line of your moral code. There was an overlord on the list. Not yet bad enough to eliminate but getting there.

“Perhaps.”

“Why don’t you let me take care of that one, hm?”

You looked back at Vox. “I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“And I don’t plan on it.”

It was Vox’s turn to reach out and pet the pup. He scooped it up and looked at it with awe covering his features. He had always loved sharks.

“His name is Vark,” he said as he placed the pup on a rock that sat above the water level.

Immediately though he dove underneath the water and began stretching his fins.

“Vark,” you repeated. “As in shark or bark?”

[save-the-villainous-cat]

heyy shawty shawty shawty! so i was reading some of ur old work and i got inspired and i was wondering if u could right something about a insomniac hero and a villain that has sleep/dream powers? thank u for ur work🫡🫡

“What are you doing?” the villain asked carefully, studying the hero.

“Is it normal for you to enter a building through a window?” the hero asked back and despite the villain’s intrusion, they didn’t even look up from their work. Staring at their computer, clicking on something, scrolling down and then scribbling on their paper — it was past 12 and the hero was certainly not getting ready for bed.

Truth be told, the villain had been asked to investigate this behaviour. Please, the hero’s sidekick had begged. You’re the only one who can help them.

Why they’d listened to the kid was a mystery to them. Maybe because they were the villain’s sidekick’s friend. Maybe because they were worried about their mentor. It reminded the villain of their past and how they had failed to act when their own mentor had needed them.

“I prefer windows,” the villain said. “Like the adventure.”

“Criminal,” the hero accused and clicked through a few documents.

“You have a nice office. Could steal some of this stuff.” They lifted a golden statue of…something from its place and turned it in their hands. “If I smack your name onto it, I’ll get a respectable sum.”

“Go ahead,” the hero mumbled, not heeding them. It was insulting how they ignored their nemesis. Sighing, the villain put the object of their desire back. This was no fun. They hadn’t seen the hero in a long, painful time and when they did, their enemy was busy with someone else.

God, the villain didn’t know they were capable of jealousy.

“Watcha up to?”

“Work.”

“I hear you get up at 4 in the morning,” the villain said. They slowly walked towards the hero, one calculated step after the other, as if they were afraid to scare a jumpy animal.

The hero snorted. “Get up at 4. Sure.”

“Wrong?” The villain walked around the desk, catching a glimpse of statistics and documents that bored them to death by just looking at them. What an actual crime to work through this.

“Yeah…” the hero said as they clicked onto a statistic that showed the crime rates of the city in comparison.

“Are those documents saved? With the work you’ve done?” the villain asked.

“Yes. What do you—”

Without a second thought, the villain turned off the computer with their shoe, making the whole system and display shut down with a content sound. However, when the hero turned around in their chair, the villain would’ve loved to jump out of the window again.

“You,“ they said.

“You need sleep.”

“You,” the hero repeated.

“Love.” The villain pushed a streak of hair out of the hero’s face and tugged it behind their ear, smiling softly. “You can’t sleep, can you?”

The hero looked back at the computer, clenching fists relaxing in their lap.

“You need to give yourself a break,” the villain said. Their index finger followed an invisible line down the hero’s throat, lost in the proximity and the possibility of being this close. The hero was so vulnerable like this. “Your sidekick was basically on their knees, asking me to make you rest. I’ve never used my powers on you.”

“I am fine,” the hero said. “I’m perfectly fine. I’m amazingly well.”

“You’re not fighting me anymore,” the villain said and as the words dropped out of their mouth, they wished they hadn’t. It was a glimpse of their true feelings, even though they didn’t think the hero could decipher those right now.

“I have a lot going on right now, okay?”

“Oh, my sweet nemesis.” They took the hero’s hands and ordered them to stand which— shaky at first — turned out pretty well. “You’ll be okay.”

“I didn’t expect this job to be…this time consuming,” the hero said. “I’ve dedicated half my life to this.”

“You can’t sacrifice your health like this.”

“But it’s saving others. Responsibility. You know how it goes.”

“Fuck responsibility,” the villain whispered. “Fuck the city. You’re killing yourself and I cannot stand aside and watch.”

The hero smiled tiredly. “Sounds like you care.”

“God, you’re delusional. You really have to sleep.”

The hero leaned their head against the villain’s chest. The smile hadn’t died yet and for a moment, the villain feared they weren’t going to say anything.

“Okay,” they said, taking the villain’s hand. “Please help me.”

[darkbluekies]

Dr Kry asks #4

Previous one

Concept: I've put multiple asks into one post to avoid too much loose posts on my account! This way, you have more to read too<3

Warnings: mentions of ed, otherwise the normal Dr Kry stuff

I wonder how Dr Kry would feel if his darling developed romantic for him but was waiting to leave the hospital to officially ask him out. They'll say stuff like "I can't wait to leave this hospital bed so we can finally have a proper date together !",  "I would love to go see [movie name] in the theaters with you!" Or "I'd love to be with you but once I get better I promise! You deserve more than the semi-vegetable that I currently am." I guess he'd be a little conflicted, would he let his darling free from the hospital so they can have a somewhat normal romantic relationship or would he keep them here ?

He'd let his darling get well because he doesn't want anything else than the traditional house hold and only keeps them ill because they're not complient. But if they actually do like him and see a future together, then he can begin to live out his dream.

How would dr Kry react to a coworker reader who figures out he’s been telling people they’re dating and tries to leave him?

He'd be flustered. You weren't supposed to figure it out, you weren't supposed to know! He'd try to justify his actions while making you feel bad for leaving him.

"But Y/N, please, I'm doing it for you. If people think that we're together they'll not bother you. I've seen how people eye you in the corridor. It's disgusting. I'm just trying to help, so please don't leave. It hurts my feelings. I'm just trying to help ..."

He might say that you're pretending now, but he'll fake it til he makes it.

At this point I’ll let Dr kry talk for me,like yes please finish of my setences Cuase sometimes words are hard and it’s hard to speak so that sounds amazing

Careful, he will do it. As long as you're around other people, he'll finish your sentences, but he'd like for you to talk to him when you're alone. He loves to hear your voice so much.

I remember when you said that Dr Kry would worsen the toxic air purifier if we ignore him till it hurts too much, me personally I'm petty as hell, he'd have to see me DIE before I speak to him because thats what he gets, I'm petty to the death ✊

I- .... i don't know what to say.

My headcanon voice for Dr. Kry is Sammy Lawrence from Bendy and the Ink Machine.

Omg, you are so big brain. I would say his voice is a tad bit lighter in my head, but other that that, damn.

Does dr. Kry bathe reader or he only does if the reader is very sick?

He does it all the time. Since the reader is too weak and dizzy and everything from the poison 24/7, he doesn't trust them. They could hurt themselves in there. Besides, he likes being able to take care of the reader in every aspect. This is the closest he'll come to their nudity without it being uncomfortable for him.

Would Dr. Kry let the reader customize their hospital room if they asked nicely?

Of course! If he knows that they're okay with being there (and even fix the room to their liking) then it'll just make him happy!

do you think kry would treat darling differently if she has an ED and won’t eat much?i have an ED and just wanted to see how my favorite boy might take it :’) feel free to ignore lol

He will. Every action will be calculated and well thought out to make you calmer and more open to try to eat. He won't force you, but he'll encourage you. He's studied this, he knows how dangerous something like this can be. And that's why he wants to help you as much as possible.

Me whose been sick for 3 weeks with an awful cough and body pains. "Please dr kry come kidnap me..just wanna sleep and not work"Have been working weekends with my sick body because the boss doesn't give sick leave for flu

Careful, he will do it.

I love dr kry but he drinks coffee all the time so his breath probably STANKS. Hes a 10 but he has constant coffee breath.

Well DUH HE IS A COFFEIN ADDICT. don't bully him :(

[hymnserendipity]

Traitor Sanzu

Mention of blood, Bonte Sanzu so age up, mention of violence, mention of intimacy, no gender mentioned

Your boyfriend Sanzu... You knew he worked in a very dangerous job but you never asked him which it was. Till that day, when he stab you with his katana. “From the day we met, I knew I’d hurt you eventually.” he said, watching your shocked expression. Sanzu stood over you. You were completely at his mercy, the floor of his kitchen around you was patterned with the deep red of blood. In that second you realize how fool you were.

It was the bonten orders that he would have to bring back you dead, maybe somewhere deep inside he was guilty, but you didnt knew this. You only knew you had to fake your identity to escape the madness of Bonten's Takeomi that tried to take you as his spouse. You start to understand in which organization Sanzu, that you thought was your loving boyfriend, worked.

"Haru... What..." He looked at you with cold eyes, his expression empty of emotion.

“You should’ve known better then to try and mess with Bonten.” You could feel your body tremble at his voice. He knelt down in front of you. The tip of his blade pushed against your throat, forcing you to tilt your head back slightly. "I thought...we were ... Something." He leaned in close, keeping you pinned like a specimen to be studied under an examining eye.

“You thought we were lovers?” He snorted. “I never saw you as anything but an annoyance. I just kept you around cos you were easy to manipulate.” he explain, your heart shattered. "No, Haru look at me." You beg. You simply couldn't believe what was going on. He gripped your chin with his hand, forcing you to look up at him. His eyes bore into yours, like two spears. "Please... I know you love me."

You were begging, it can't be real, that is a dream...right? Sanzu’s eyes narrowed, annoyed that you’d dare say such a thing to him.

“Don’t talk stupid.” He looks at you like hes about to spit on your face. “I didn’t love you. You were nothing more than a pawn. A fool I kept around to pass the time. Stop making such pathetic puppy dog eyes at me!” All that times where he comforted you after your work shift, they way he run a bath for you at his place, the way he made love with you roughter but nicely...

Sanzu's expression darkened even further. "I loved you! I thought you... You did too." You were about to cry, the pain from the katana was still there, but the pain in your heart was another pair of hands. “I never loved you! You were nothing but a pawn for me to use and discard, like all the rest.” He grabbed your hair tightly, forcing you to stay close to his face.

“Stop saying such things, or I’ll cut out your tongue!” Sanzu's grip on your hair became even tighter. He was growing more and more agitated. You just look at him, tears running down your cheeks as a small sob start. “You’re annoying me, just shut up!”

He put the tip of his blade to your throat. “Say another word and I’ll slit your throat.”

"Is what Takeomi want no?" Sanzu's anger faded for a moment, replaced by a cold, calculating gaze. “Yes. Those were my orders.” He leaned in even closer, his breath was hot and his voice was a low whisper.

“But... you don’t know how long I’ve wanted an excuse to get rid of you.”

"All those nights where i cuddled you to sleep meant nothing to you then?" He laughed. It was a harsh, cruel sound. “Of course they meant. It was easy to seduce you, to make you believe I actually cared...but you were just another fool under my spell.”

He smirked. “All those nights I spent with you were nothing more than a lie. They meant nothing to me.”

"Even when you had nightmares and i soothe you?" He sneered at you.

“Don’t flatter yourself. I played the part to lure you further in. And you fell for it hook, line and sinker.”

He tightened his grip on your hair. “Those nightmares were fake. Everything was an act, including my affection.”

"This... Can't be real... Please look at me." He grabbed your face with his free hand, forcing you to look directly at him. “What? Do you still think I have some shred of feeling for you? Pathetic. You’re even more naive then I thought.” Sanzu's eyes darkened. He was losing patience.

“Can’t you just accept that it was all an act? Everything between us was fake. Every whisper, every touch.”

He pulled your hair harder. “I never loved you. Don’t you understand?” Sanzu watched you, his expression cold and unrepentant.

“You look surprised. Why?” He mocked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Did you really believe that I could care about someone like you?”

"But why..." Sanzu chuckled, his voice was cruel and mocking. “Why did I keep you around? Because you were naive. Because you were so pathetically easy to trick. You were like a naive little bird, easy to trap and mold.” He smirked. “I was bored. And you were a toy I could amuse myself with.” he slit again the katana on the wound and you screamed, he was just looking at you in a sadistic way, giving you the time to keep talking.

"So you just played with me to make me follow you here to the headquarter?" Sanzu laughed. “You were so eager to come. Like a loyal dog, following me to the very den of a wolf. I wanted you to follow me. I knew that if you were with me, you’d be easy to manipulate and fool. And look, I was right.”

He paused for a moment. He looked at you with a cold, calculating gaze. You knew you couldnt run away from him, not in that state. "Finish what ypu have to do then." You reply, saddnes could be read on your face. Sanzu looked at you with a mix of surprise and irritation.

“Really? You’re giving up that easily?” He looked at your wounds. His expression didn’t change. He didn’t care. “Do you think I care?” He rolled his eyes, annoyed. “You’re just going to give up? Pathetic. Where’s your spirit?” "I thought you loved me... I really loved you..." Sanzu sneered.

“Do you still not get it? I never loved you. I was pretending the entire time. It was all a part of my plan to manipulate you. I don’t care how you feel, I don’t love you, I never have.”

He look at you before you faint.

[martha-anne]

I have a small garden. This is a relatively recent development, and it has been occupying a lot of my thoughts.

Writing about those thoughts here seems like as good an outlet as any.

The garden is looking particularly bad at the moment. Rather than speculating about what I want it to be like, I’m going to write about some things that have already happened and which I am happy about.

These pruned plants - a blackcurrant bush and a rose! I had never pruned anything before (I had never had anything that needed pruning before) and I felt paralysed by my own incompetence at first. I’m very glad to have given it a go. Either I've done it right, or I will have learned something about how not to prune.

Speaking of being paralysed by incompetence, these fenceposts! I knew I wanted to put up some kind of plant support/trellis along the back of this bed, but the task felt utterly insurmountable a few months ago. I had no idea how to go about it, so I did what I always do in such situations and asked my mum for advice. Cue posts, post-spikes, a mallet, and an improvised drive-in tool… I still need to string wires between them, but soon I’ll have a structure to train plants up.

This heap of twigs! These are the prunings from the blackcurrant and rose plants mentioned in the first point. There was not enough space in the compost bin for them at the time, so I’ve left them in a pile over winter. I hope it is a nice home for some appreciative bugs.

The compost! How do I love my compost bin? Let me count the ways.This pile of decomposing matter brings me indescribable joy. Since we started composting cardboard and food scraps we have so little waste to go into the dustbin. The compost is full of worms and all sorts of other life. I like to check on it in the mornings before I go to work.

The pond! I dug this a few months ago, and at the time I remember feeling like it was the first honest day’s work of my life. I got some water plants for free from a local facebook plant swap group. The eventual aim of this pond is to attract frogs to help deal with the slug population - I’m playing the long game. Of course, it will take some time for the ecosystem to stabilise - but already there is life! I was delighted to discover water hog-lice a few weeks ago. It’s a Christmas miracle!

This no-dig lasagna gardening bed! Every online resource said that this kind of bed is better if left for several months before being planted up. I planted mine immediately and the results were not amazing - so I’ve learned something, and this coming year it should be better.

Tulips! I mentally calculated and purchased what I felt was an appropriate amount of tulips for the space. A week later, a visiting friend brought the same quantity of tulip bulbs again as a housewarming gift. Finding somewhere for them all to go was a challenge, but my friend and I managed it together. I’ve now mostly forgotten where we planted them, which will be a fun springtime surprise.

There is so much I want to do with this space and so much I’ve tried which has already failed. I don’t really know much about gardening yet, but in 10 years time maybe I will have figured it out ;) Three cheers for my shabby January garden!

[foxingpeculiar]

This is about the WoT show—Verin, specifically—but I’m gonna take a minute to get there.

I read WoT for the first time around ‘98 or ‘99. I remember the year specifically because I remember having… it was either tFoH or LoC on my desk in freshman history and this dude looked at me with… impressed surprise? and said “you READ all that?” And in my head, that was one of those moments you have as a teenager when you start to realize not everyone thinks like you do.

Anyway, I stopped reading, I think in the middle of aCoS, because that was the last one I had (I think tPoD had come out but wasn’t in paperback yet). And like, that’s kind of a sloggy bit, especially if you don’t know how long it’s going to go on. So I was like “screw it, I’ll read it when it’s done.”

Cut to 14-15 years later, aMoL is out and my roommate is actively devouring it, which reminded me what I told myself back then, so I tell him I’m gonna start in on it. He offers me a few pieces of advice (eg: read New Spring after tFOH; it’s a nice breather and it’ll mean more).

But he also says he’s going to spoil one important thing for me. Because the series is so long and dense, and there’s SO much to pay attention to, he says, this particular bit is very subtle and too easy to miss, to not remember enough about it when the reveal comes to appreciate the genius of how well it’s done.

*spoilers to follow for show-only fans or anyone who has not completed… I forget which of the last books it happens in (I think aMOL, but maybe ToM) but it’s endgame stuff—obviously*

He tells me to watch Verin and spoils that she is, in fact, Black Ajah. (He does not, however, explain that there’s more to it than that, which left some surprise in it—I appreciate the way he did that; it was artful. I am obviously not being so elegant here). And that was one of my favorite threads in the books, watching that, which I would absolutely have missed otherwise (cos fuck man, 2787 characters!)

So I was excited to see Verin in the show. And this episode tells me I’m gonna get what I want out of that. I enjoyed her coming in with the very-carefully-calculated “fun auntie” vibe. I really enjoyed her iykyk conversation with Sheriam (*cough*), but the scene that really got me on board was Verin and Yassicca after spying on Sheriam’s log.

Cos like, Verin already absolutely knows what’s going on: where the girls are, who took them, and why. That’s the whole reason she’s doing what she’s doing, is to know things like that (or at least have very solid theories about them, as I believe the case is here). But she can’t tell anyone without explaining how she knows, so she has to put on this innocent face and guide the people around her toward what she wants them to know without them realizing she’s doing that. This includes both people in the light AND other black ajah.

And these are Aes Sedai, the craftiest, sneakiest, most manipulative people around (with the possible exception of the Cairhiens, but the Aes Sedai have a more widespread and visceral reputation). The point being that the standards for the kind of 3D chess she’s playing are particularly high, and yet NO ONE has a clue what she’s up to until she decides to tell Egwene.

So, with that in mind, I am struck by the kindness of the character in that scene—how gentle she is with this earnest little rabbit of a girl. When she brings up compulsion, you can almost feel her regret at having to mess with a naif’s whole worldview. (But only almost. It’s just beneath the surface.) She’s lying and manipulating with the worst of them, but she’s not a cruel or selfish person. And Meera Syal is doing a great job at loading all of that in there, which is a fine line to walk.

Anyway, that’s my fan ramble for today.

[ev-writes-things]

sweetest flower, flower of mourning ❀

!! spoilers for kaveh’s story !! !! cw: de^th !!   

im gonna post some of my old writing here, just for fun :) it’ll be a while before i’m able to actually write anything new other than my series, but i’ll leave these! plus, manifesting kaveh hehe~

(absolutely begging someone to teach me how to format on tumblr my inner aesthete is in pain)

i wish every kaveh wanter good luck!

°˖✧✿✧˖°

The summer was always the worst.

Kaveh picked the mourning flowers with a careful, gentle hand, making an attempt to save his pants from the water with the other. A fruitless effort, it turned out, and he quickly abandoned it as he waded deeper into the shallows, the bouquet of red flowers growing in his tenderly clenched fist.

It didn’t take long, unfortunately, and he found himself sitting on the shore on the other side of the stream, his pants muddied and his heart and hands heavy. Sorrow and flowers, flowers in sorrow. Up, down, same thing, he thought, recalling the line in the book he’d read when he was younger. What did it mean, to have it all be the same? Where were the lines to differentiate between rational thinking and emotions? That’s what he longed to know. A way to cut the sadness out and replace it with cold, unfeeling calculation. Perhaps there was a plant for such a thing. Mentally, he put it on a list of things to ask Tighnari. 

“Mehrak, what time is it?”

His mechanical briefcase drifted towards him, flying gingerly as if the water might touch her. She shook herself before projecting the time on the hologram.

“I see. And when will Alhaitham be home?”

The green-tinged hologram changed, a blinking countdown of when his roommate typically returned from his duties as Scribe.

“Can’t stall for that long, can I? Alright, then. Can you carry these for me? Let’s get back.”

He threaded the flowers securely through her handle and began his trek back across the stream.  

°˖✧✿✧˖°  

Kaveh tried to stall as much as he could, walking slowly or backtracking to look for something he’d allegedly dropped, but it was all too soon when he arrived at his father’s grave.

It was well kept, despite the constantly busy nature of his son and the absence of his wife. Kaveh had ensured that it was always in peak condition. Even now, he placed his vision to the side and knelt to clean off the tangle of vines and weeds that had attempted to reclaim the site since his last visit by hand.

The thorns caught on his skin, but he ignored the way it felt, only shoving at the plants with more vigor. This was the very least he could do for his father.

His task completed, Kaveh released a small sigh. He laid his own flora offerings down, brushing the long-wilted flowers from weeks ago aside. They crumbled at his touch, floating in a cloud of blackened plant fibers back into the wind.

“Hey, Dad,” he said, then groaned slightly at the crack and rasp in his voice. He cleared his throat before going on. “Sorry. I know you always told me to take care of myself, but I haven’t slept so well in the last few days.”

Idly, Kaveh arranged some red mourning flowers with more care under his artistic eye. Not that his father had any capability to care about the state of his grave, but Kaveh wanted to make it as nice as possible. He cared, even if no one else did anymore. “Well. If I’m to be honest, I haven’t slept very well since Mom left. Or since you died.”

He laughed, if only to fill the spaces between his words, if only to fill the silence. “I’m pathetic. I have to go.”

Quietly, carefully, he began to rise. He picked up his vision and his sweater. He glanced at the headstone once more.

“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault, and I’m sorry.”

Though his apology was twice as pathetic as he was and felt weak on his lips, Kaveh couldn’t stand to stay another minute. He was never strong enough to remain for more than a few short minutes. It stung to think about all the things he couldn’t do. With a final blown kiss and murmured prayer, he turned to go, ignoring the tears gathering at the edge of his vision.   

°˖✧✿✧˖°   

His keys were gone.

Frantically, Kaveh patted his pockets, desperately hoping to find their cold metal outline against his fingertips.

No such luck. His hands came up empty and he groaned, hitting his head lightly against the door of the home he shared with Alhaitham.

“Why today? Please, Haitham, I’m begging you to just be a little more-”

“What? Careful?”

Kaveh turned, sighing with relief. His junior stood behind him, half lit by the setting sun behind him, half in the shadows of the awning above the door to the house.

“Thank the archons. I wasn’t about to stand here all night waiting for you to come home. Open the door.”

Alhaitham ignored his words, taking a step closer to him. Kaveh backed up, confused, but the Scribe only advanced further.

His back hit the door, and he could feel a small blush creeping up his cheeks at the sudden and intense scrutiny of Alhaitham. “Um, Haitham? What are you doing?”

His calm teal eyes met Kaveh’s red ones steadily. One hand reached up to cup Kaveh’s cheek softly. He could feel the warmth spreading across his face, a fire of telltale pink that gave his secrets away with every second it deepened.

“You’ve been crying.” His voice held utter conviction, leaving no room for Kaveh to attempt an argument.

“Astute observation, my favorite junior. I didn’t ask for a diagnosis, though. Open the door,” he said, his temper flaring up. He didn’t want to have this conversation. He wanted to go to his room, collapse on his bed and sleep until it was dark and the tavern was lively and he could make lonely souls into his dearest companions, if only for a few hours. Anything was better than being alone. Anything was better than being here, all too close to his roommate who was probably about to make some snarky, taunting remark about-

“Are you alright?” was Alhaitham’s gentle, caring response.

It was then that Kaveh realized that he hadn’t let anyone take care of him, or even try to, in years. He hadn’t let anyone close enough, only focusing on maintaining that outer image of complete and total competence, to convince his mother, to convince them, to convince everyone, or maybe just himself, that he was fine.

Tears blurred his vision and he cleared his throat against a sob. Kaveh covered his eyes with one arm, his other hand clenching in a fist. He couldn’t break, not again. He couldn’t cry again, especially not here.

But when Alhaitham said, “I know,” his voice as tender in the simple words as Kaveh had ever heard it, his shoulders shook with new cries, unable to stop himself. He did nothing to stop him as Alhaitham’s arms wrapped around him, and he held the architect close on the steps of their shared home.

[love-studying58]

How I’ve been doing (feel free to give me some advice cause ya girl needs it 🤍)

I’ll try to make this short. I’m burnt out.

Currently I’m working as a legal assistant at a small firm. I work in the department of real estate with one other paralegal [she’s married to the one lawyer I work for] with about seven or eight years of experience. There’s one other legal assistant who works in litigation. I only have a year’s worth of experience and just got out of school last year in April/May.

I thought this was a job I’d like and was considering law school, but don’t know if this is something I want to pursue anymore for the following reasons:

Firstly, I work with a paralegal who’s expecting me to understand mortgages and all the bank’s requirements as if I have the amount of experience she has. She either confuses me or doesn’t explain herself fully, or tells me I need to get “x” amount of documents done prior to closing day, etc. i barely have time in a day as it is. Now she’s going on holiday and it’s a mad rush to get documents signed.

This is not including the amount of files I’m preparing on a weekly basis, numerous phone calls, scheduling clients for notarizing documents, faxing, trying to make sure everything I’m doing won’t cause a mistake. She has these moods where she’s pissed and angry at me. She never apologizes and she blames me for mistakes she’s making . I’m always careful but Im just worried all the time.

For example, I had to correct her on a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) calculation as the number she submitted in the program was wrong. I wasn’t in the file, she was, and she blamed me for putting it in.

The other day I went to a doctors appointment and didn’t think it was going to take that long. It did, and I came to work at 2:00. She wasn’t in the office and I was left with two files for a client coming in to sign and I knew nothing about this file. She phones me half way through the meeting telling me she didn’t print or prepare a document we needed for signing. I was stressed trying to figure out this file on top of my lawyer asking me why certain things in the file aren’t included. I had to explain to him while figuring everything else out. Talk about multitasking.

I'm stressed and not sleeping well/and have been dealing with health issues. I have only half an hour lunch break at work and there are days we’re so busy I don’t even eat.

I'm job searching across practice areas. I'm numb to the family/criminal law drama. Give me something with some sort of satisfaction.

Like I said I’m burned out.

Please suggest areas I can work around this for the time being. I know I can leave, as of now, it’s just hard to at the moment.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m always positive to my coworkers and never get angry about anything. My lawyer’s super nice and supports all I’m doing. I’m only trying my hardest.

[oregano-writes]

Tartaglia's 5-Step Plan for Wooing Morax- Chapter 6: Depart from Liyue

Childe scanned over the letter again, hoping there was something he had missed. ‘You will return to Zapolyarny Palace in one week. A ship will arrive this evening, and will take you back to Snezhnaya. You may spend the rest of the week how you wish. The bank will run itself while you are gone.’

The Tsaritsa was taking him back to Snezhnaya? But– he wasn’t done! Had she decided he had failed his task? He was never going to be able to live it down if he had failed a relatively simple task so horribly that he was taken off of it not even five months after being assigned to it. Signora was absolutely going to laugh at him. Archons, maybe Capitano was going to do that thing where he crossed his arms and sighed and even though Childe couldn’t see his face he just knew he looked incredibly disappointed. Childe wasn’t sure if he could handle that.

Childe felt a tap on his shoulder, and turned over to see Aether’s concerned face. “Is something wrong? You’ve been staring at that for a while.”

While carefully folding the letter and sticking it in his pocket away from curious gazes, he smiled apologetically back at Aether. “It turns out I can’t actually stick around here as long as I’d like. I’m leaving tonight.

Aether’s eyes went wide with shock. “You have to leave already? But I’ve only just met you!”

With a sigh, Childe patted him on the back. “You know, sometimes things just don’t work out. But trust me, we’ll meet again. I’ll try to find a way to come back to Liyue, and if that fails, maybe you’ll come to Snezhnaya at some point during your travels.”

Aether gave him a shaky smile. “That would be nice. But I don’t want to take up too much of  your last day here, so go spend some time with that business partner of yours.”

Childe’s face heated up slightly, but he nodded anyway. “Will do, comrade. Oh– and before I go– a bit of mora, in case you need some spending money.” He dropped a large handful of mora into an extra pouch, and passed it to Aether, who, upon feeling the weight of the bag, fixed him with one of the most awe-filled looks he had ever received. 

──────── ✧ ────────

Childe arrived at Wangsheng with a bag of mora, preparing to ask Zhongli out to lunch. The one possible benefit of not being able to complete his mission on a slightly happier note, as opposed to undoing all the progress he’d made with Zhongli by trying to steal his Gnosis. Really, this was the best way for things to end up. Leaving with fond memories of each other, but not spending enough time together for any deeper bond.

Childe wouldn’t miss Zhongli. He’d make sure of it. Surely he would be too busy with work to spend his time doing things as frivolous as thinking about funeral parlor consultants with golden eyes.

When the ferrylady opened the door, the first thing he noticed was the parlor’s lack of Zhongli. 

“I’m sorry, can I help you?” she asked, clearly slightly suspicious of him. To be fair, half the time he came to the parlor he had new clients in tow who had recently died of not exactly natural causes, but business was business, wasn’t it?

“Do you know where Zhongli is?” Childe said, putting on his best innocent-not-a-war-criminal face. “I have to leave the harbor soon, and I’d like to say goodbye first.”

The ferrylady gave him a calculating look, before replying, “Zhongli is out talking to a client. Unfortunately, he will not be back for another few hours.”

Fuck. There was a rising sense of panic clouding Childe’s senses. He was never going to see Zhongli again– or, if he did, it was going to be on the opposite side of a battlefield. He had to talk to Zhongli– to at least try to make sure he didn’t hate Childe once the Tsaritsa sent him out to steal the Gnosis. Then, either Zhongli would kill him, or he would have to steal the Gnosis himself– and wouldn’t that be a nice little scene? Childe, forced to betray the first real friend he’d ever had. 

Just then, the door to the Parlor opened, and Zhongli walked in. “Ferrylady, I trust you have been handling my affairs while I was gone?”

The ferrylady gave him a stiff smile. “Childe here was just leaving.”

“Actually–” Childe interrupted, walking over to the door– “I was hoping you would be leaving with me.”

“Of course.”

Childe was almost scared by the ease with which he replied. Shouldn’t Zhongli be more cautious of someone like him? Then again, Zhongli could probably beat him to a pulp without breaking a sweat if he wanted to.

“By the way, I… I have something I need to tell you.”

Zhongli tilted his head (quite adorably, in Childe’s opinion). “Is it something that needs to wait until we are in a more private location?”

Childe glanced at the ferrylady, who was still not-so-subtly watching them under the guise of paperwork. “Yeah, I think so.”

Zhongli blinked, surprised, before nodding. “If that is what you would like. I presume you have not had lunch yet– does Wanmin sound satisfactory?”

──────── ✧ ────────

Childe was not avoiding the topic of his imminent departure. It just hadn’t come up in conversation yet. That was it.

Zhongli smiled, and called the waitress over to the table. “Two shots of Baiju, please.”

Childe smirked. “Day drinking, are we? My my, I would never have guessed that Liyue’s most respected scholar would be caught day drinking, of all things.”

Zhongli gave him a quizzical look. “You had news, did you not? It seemed like it was something serious. A good friend of mine always said that difficult news is easier with alcohol.”

“They sound like an entertaining companion.”

“Entertaining… is certainly one way to describe him.”

The waitress arrived with their shots, and then Childe was left alone with Zhongli and his thoughts once again.

“So, uh, the news.”

Zhongli looked at him expectantly. “What is it? I promise you it will be easier to just spit it out.”

“I’m leaving Liyue.”

Zhongli’s eyes widened with surprise. “When?”

Childe inhaled, letting his breath out slowly. “Tonight.”

Zhongli reached out and rested his palm on the side of Childe’s face. “If I have done something wrong–”

Childe smiled apologetically. “There’s nothing you could have done. I’m sorry.” 

Zhongli nodded, and took his hand back. Childe almost missed the warmth.

They returned to eating in silence.

“Zhongli?” Childe asked hesitantly.

“Yes?”

“Can you promise you won’t, uh, hate me?”

“Why would I do that?” Zhongli’s expression was confused, and almost hurt.

“Well, I, uh… I can’t tell you. So I guess it wouldn’t be fair to ask that of you, would it,” Childe replied, trying to backpedal. Of course Zhongli wouldn’t agree to such a vague and one-sided contract. He didn’t become the god of them for nothi–

“I agree to your terms.”

“W-what? You do?”

Zhongli nodded. “I promise, no matter what it is you must do, I won’t hold it against you.”

“That’s– uh– wow.”

Zhongli offered Childe his hand, and he shook it gratefully. “Thank you. For everything.”

“It’s been my pleasure,” Zhongli replied with a smile.

──────── ✧ ────────

After lunch with Zhongli, the arrival of the boat didn’t seem as frightening. Childe would return to Snezhnaya, complete whatever mission his Tsaritsa had for him there, and then return to Liyue and Zhongli. Even if he had to steal the Gnosis, everything would work out. It had to.

As he finished packing his bags, he heard a knock on his office door.

“Coming!”

He stuffed his final bag onto the pile in the corner of the office, and opened the door. Standing in the hall outside his room was Ekaterina.

“Hey, Katya, what’s going on?”

“Well, when I told the others you were leaving, they all had things they wanted to tell you. We didn’t want to use up your little time left here, though, so we put this together for you.” She held out an envelope to him, one which was stuffed tight with letters, with many names written on it in various degrees of messy handwriting. Ekaterina’s, at the top, was easily the neatest.

“I– thank you, Katya. All of you. I don’t know what to say.”

“Then don’t say anything, and just take it.” She shoved the letter into his hands. “And hurry up your packing, the ship’s coming soon.”

“Of course,” he replied. Even if Katya seemed a bit pushy at first, after spending a few months with her Childe had come to realize that was just how she showed she cared. Really, she was like an overprotective aunt.

──────── ✧ ────────

With Katya’s letter in his pocket, his bags packed, and memory of Zhongli’s promise fresh in his mind, Childe boarded the boat. It was similar to the one he had arrived on, and that realization brought a wave of nostalgia with it. How long have I been here? Four months? It feels like it’s been so much longer. 

He sat down to open the letter from Katya and the other members of the bank, and smiled as he read the messages. They were all very sweet, although some of his employees seemed to be more brave about teasing him about Zhongli when they didn’t have to face him in person.

I’m going to miss Liyue.

[whumpsecretsantaevent]

Secret Santa Gift: @girlsjustwannadrawwhump 

This is a Secret Santa event so there will be a blanket trigger warning for all entries, so read at your own risk! Potential trigger warnings may include nsfw themes as well as gore and possible squicks.

‘Smile, sweetheart,’ Eugine’s hot breath tickled Crimson’s ear from behind. It sent little flurries of panic through his veins as he squeezed his eyes shut, almost choking on the rag tied so tightly behind his head, pinning his tongue to the bottom of his mouth.

He coughed unsuccessfully, the action caught deep in his throat. The dryness was starting to take a toll from the hours of screaming. Why couldn’t he just be a bit smarter- try to let the small amounts of water from earlier last longer? Who knew when Eugine would decide to give him any more.

That was a part of his game. Let the fear build up inside him until he’s desperate- just so desperate to be with him. Leaving him alone for hours- sometimes days- just to see the pure fear in Crimson’s eyes. The fear of desertion. Give him a meal, neglecting to tell him when the next would be. 

But it was fine. He loved Eugine. Eugine was kind. He didn’t torture him like the others that much, and he would quite often be quite sweet. That was something he hadn’t experienced in a long time. And he was grateful. However there were the occasional times when- when Eugine would hurt him badly, but his master needed to let it out, plus, he said that Crimson was cute when he cried. 

Crimson’s arms were pulled high above his head, attached to chains hanging from the ceiling. His feet barely touched the floor, providing no relief in taking the weight off of his shoulders. Sweat dribbled its way down his face from the long hours of exertion. Seventeen hours to be exact. 

Eugine strung him up before going to bed last night and hadn’t come back since. Crimson hoped he wasn’t angry. He tended to do things wrong without even realising it.

It hurt. It really hurt. It was like someone was cutting through the flesh in his armpit, all whilst his arms were ripped from their joints.

‘Come on, I know you can do better than that,’ Eugine’s voice was sinister and threatening as he whispered.

Crimson jerked in his restraints, sending rockets of pain, shooting up his arms as Eugine traced his fingers down his bare chest. He lifted his hand to tilt Crimson’s chin a little higher-just enough, to stare deep into his crystal blue eyes.

Eugine’s smile exposed his shiny, white teeth. His whole appearance was very well put-together. A sharp suit, charming smile, but calculating eyes. He was proud of his appearance.

He saw how Crimson’s eyes lit up. He revelled in it. Eugine pulled the soaked gag from his mouth and Crimson gasped, head lolling. 

‘Tell me. Why should I be nice?’ Eugine asked. He paced the floor, watching how Crimson racked his brains for an answer with a smirk on his face.

‘I-i don’t know.’ he said shortly and started to wheeze. He was a large man, very tall, yet he still had a childlike cuteness. It was odd how you could love someone so much, yet still, feel such a thrill when they beg. When they cry. When they’re hurt.

‘You tell me what, show me just how much you love me and you can sleep in my bed tonight, how does that sound?’ Crimson whined as Eugine’s hand traced his jawline, then crept down his chest, pinching at his nipples. He felt as Crimson shivered beneath his gentle touch. 

‘Like w-what?’ He croaked and Eugine raised his eyebrow. ‘-master!’ 

‘So sweet and compliant for me.’ Eugine smiled as he saw the blush creeping up Crimson’s neck. ‘I’ll let you down. How does that sound?’

‘Thank you, sir’ Crimson crumpled to the floor as his wrists were released from the chains. His muscles feel like jelly that’s been impaled by a spear- weak and painful. He groaned as he felt Eugine’s hands on him again, just too tired to move.

‘My poor baby, so tired.’ he murmured, gently planting a kiss to Crimson’s chapped lips. Eugine straddled his waist, restricting his movement further as he brushed Crimson’s hair behind his ear. He was delirious from the exhaustion. Crimson’s eyes clenched shut, a silent tear slipping down his cheek.

He pulled Crimson into his arms, holding him close and stroking his black hair, sighing when he nuzzled into Eugine’s shoulder. ‘It’s okay sweetheart, I’m here.’

‘I’m sorry. Please don’t leave me again.’ Crimson began to sob, clutching Eugine’s suit. Normally he would be annoyed by this but Crimson was being so darn cute.

Eugine managed to get Crimson up the stairs and into the living room, despite having to carry 40% of his weight. He set him on the sofa and went to get him some water.

When he returned with a glass of water, Crimson had already passed out. He looked peaceful. Eugine sat beside him and stroked his cheek. His skin felt waxy and damp under his touch. Probably from the tears.

It had been slightly cruel to leave him all night and day, but it always made him so clingy afterwards and Eugine loved it. Crimson’s limp body leaned on him and Eugine wrapped his arm around him.

‘I love you.’ he whispered. ‘Such a brilliant boy.’ Eugine said as he buried his face in Crimson’s sweaty hair. He looked so hopeless like this- too hopeless to resist.

He pinched Crimson’s nose shut, watching as he adjusted his breathing. Using his free hand, he began to tilt the glass so that water was filling his mouth. It was satisfying to see how the water bubbled and Crimson began to thrash. 

Crimson choked and coughed but the water kept coming. His eyes shot open and he bent over to expel the water from his lungs. Eugine offered a cheeky smirk as Crimson’s confused face turned to look into his hazel eyes. He looked so pitiful that Eugine almost felt sorry for him.

‘Just come here.’ He offered his hands to pull Crimson into an embrace and he apprehensively accepted, leaning into Eugine. ‘What movie shall we watch?’ he asked casually as if they loved each other. They sort of did, in their own fucked up way.

‘You can choose, Master.’ Crimson sniffled, still gripping Eugine tightly, burying his face into his side.

‘What about Love Actually?’ he smiled, ‘It’s Christmas.’ 

Why the fuck would a man like Eugine enjoy such a movie, Crimson thought. It was completely out of character. Everyone has their soft spots, and Eugine’s was just… unexpected. 

‘Yes sir, that would be great.’ Crimson gave Eugine a sweet smile, to hide the pain, deep in his soul.

As the movie played, Crimson began to remember things. Things from long ago. Things he’d been trained to forget. He and another person, cuddled up on the sofa watching this exact movie as he was now. Now as Eugine hugged him close, it didn't feel quite so comforting.

[ruki--mukami]

Nunnally was lying on a carpet close to the fireplace. She had her book opened and was writing something in her notebook. She definitely seemed quite busy with whatever she was doing. But Nunnally was only giving the impression that she was hard working. She was deep in her thoughts and she herself was not completely aware of what she was doing. It took her a longer while to realize that she was not making math calculations anymore, bur drawing Ruki, who was sitting on the couch reading a book. She made two sketches before she realized what she was doing. This discovery flustered her immediately, she closed a notebook more abruptly than she intended and tossed it away drawing more attention to herself than necessary. She looked at Ruki and out of the blue asked him a question that was most likely wandering somewhere deep in her mind:

“Ruki, do you still hope I’ll call you my master one day? Or are you now just fine with us being…” – Nunnally paused; she was not sure what they really were, but whatever that was she liked it – “…as we are? We are happy now, aren’t we?”

“Anyway, I am.” – she thought.

“And Ruki…” – Nunnally added more quietly; her cheeks turning even redder – “If you ever get married would you require your wife to call you master? Do all men require that?”

"Well, I'd appreciate the title very much from you in particular, Nunnally. But, as you may have surmised, it is no requirement. 'Ruki' shall suffice, so long as you continue to behave yourself. As for how we currently are…" the Vampire traipsed forward, taking a seat beside the girl. "If we're not 'Master' and 'Livestock,' then what would you consider us, Nunnally? I'm curious to hear it directly from your lips."

The florid complexion of her face instilled what would've been a resounding beat across each chamber of his undead heart from the mere sight alone, reminding Ruki that she, too, had her adorable side. At times, he likened Nunnally to that of a spoiled princess out of touch with reality, but others, he couldn't help but want to dote on her. Not as a protective older sibling, but as something further. A bond further than that of kindred caring for one another unconditionally. Taking a peek at her notebook, a small smile crept upon his ashen lips in pure amusement.

"It is a bit old-fashioned of men to require their wives to call them 'Master,' I do admit. Contemporary marriages look nothing like that, ergo it's a farfetched leap to assume all men enjoy the epithet. However, hearing it from you would be nice, Nunnally. It would be a sign that you've entrusted yourself to me—if you're genuine about it, of course. I'm great at detecting sarcasm as you already know. And I would prefer it if you only called me by that title. No one else, otherwise there is no point in it. No one else... Not even Karlheinz-sama. I couldn't ask that of you," he wrapped an arm around her waist, "or at least, that's what I would like to say."

Confiscating the journal from her, Ruki stared at his own image, sketched by her hand. Now all the blushing finally made sense.

"You're quite gifted at this, aren't you? If only you put this much effort into your studies as well," chuckled the Vampire wryly. "Somehow I can't help but feel honored to be your muse in art, even if only for a moment. I don't want you to discuss marriage with anyone else, Nunnally. Or draw anyone else, for that matter. So, with that said, I must ask in return: if you were to find a husband, would you want to call him 'Master'? Such a title ought to be reserved for someone who not only takes full responsibility over you, but also someone who genuinely cherishes and loves you with all that he is."

A hand curled around her cheek, fingers tipping on the back of her neck.

"Someone who makes your heart flutter, your breath quicken, your pulse race. Have you found someone like that, Nunnally?"

[blurpleuni-squid]

Preview of a book I’m writing called Wanderlust. Premiss is a bunch of misfit kids live life by hitching rides on trains, one day they take the wrong train and end up on a train to another world.

This is a draft of a scene much later of one of the main characters (Evan) and her backstory before she met the other main characters (Sebastian, aka the kids she’s supposed to ‘take care of’)

❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀ ❀•°❀°•❀

Koshechka moved with purpose through the labyrinthine corridors of the underground fighting ring. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, blood, and the unmistakable musk of raw, primal aggression. She was here on business, her sharp mind and sharper tongue making her invaluable to Don white, the imposing crime boss who ran this brutal underworld empire. Aka her boss and best client.

Today, she was doing the accounting for the latest series of fights, a task that required her to ensure the books balanced and the odds were rigged just enough to keep the gamblers coming back for more. Her bubble gum pink hair stood out in the dimly lit, smoke-filled arena, and her freckled face betrayed no emotion as she calculated the night's profits. The roaring of the crowd, the clash of flesh and bone, all faded into the background as she focused on her work.

The fighters, burly men and women covered in tattoos and scars, moved like shadows in the dim light, their grunts and cries echoing through the cavernous space. Evangeline's tan skin glowed under the flickering lights, and her full hourglass figure drew appreciative glances from the patrons and fighters alike. But she paid them no mind; her eyes were fixed on the numbers, her mind a fortress of concentration, not like any one of those meaty men could afford her.

It was in the midst of this controlled chaos that her Boss, Don, as he was known to most, approached her. His tall, burly frame cast a long shadow over her, and his presence commanded immediate attention. The snake tattoo coiled around his neck seemed almost alive in the low light, its eyes glinting with the same cold calculation that Tobias himself possessed.

“Nice work, Koshechka,” he said, his voice a deep rumble that cut through the din. “Here’s your—”

“Not to deny extra cash, just picturing you sending someone to bust my windows, but this seems like a lot more than my cut,” she interrupted, not even looking up from her ledger.

“Heh, you’re funny, kitty. But nah, I got some rat I need you to scare off. He’s been scamming my casinos,” Tobias replied, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“Sounds like a problem, but I ain’t pest control. Why not get one of your new pets to do it?” she shot back, finally meeting his gaze.

“Aww, kitty, you know you’re my favorite girl,” Tobias said with a smirk.

“Keep it in your pants, Don. You know my hours,” she retorted, rolling her eyes.

“Mhm, can’t wait till Monday,” he murmured, his tone suggestive.

“Whatever—just answer, you nasty bit—”

“Retract those claws, Koshechka. I just mean you’re far more efficient, and I don’t need him dead, just incapacitated. He’s on the young side, so I’mma give him a warning. Feeling good after these wins,” he explained, his expression turning serious.

“Fine, but I’mma need more than this. I’m assuming you don’t have a clue where he could be? You at least have a picture?” she asked, her tone now businesslike.

“Here’s a file my men put together for you. Including pay. This is half upfront, and you will be paid the rest later. I’ll leave the rest to you,” Tobias said, handing her a thick envelope.

“Huh, leave me to do all the dirty work, really nitty-gritty stuff,” she said, licking her lips.

“Sorry, doll. Besides, I know you like it when things are hard,” he purred, his eyes burning with a flickering flame.

“Oh, mr white sir, you know me so well.” She responded, “How come I don’t have a dock on time?” She moved her seat closer to the coffee table which separated them. He mimicked her movements equally as slowly, palms on the surface of the oak.

“You catch on quick, my pretty kitty. I know you won’t take long; the kid’s not exactly quick on his feet,” Tobias said, a hint of a challenge in his voice.

“You sure it’s not 'cause you’re sweet on me?” she teased, elbows now on the table and face cradled in her palms, even closer than before.

“I can’t completely reject that premise,” he leaned his weight on the dead wood again, mirroring her movements, his face wearing a sultry grin.

“Mmh, maybe you don’t have to wait for Monday,” she whispered, faces inches apart.

“Gasp, is my lustful little kitten willing to make an exception for wittle old me?” he teased back, his voice a low growl.

“Just maybe. If you want—”

“Yes! I mean—” he shouted eagerly, frightening her back into her seat. “Wait, I’m sorry, I—”

She giggled, her voice ringing across the room. Her sweet sounds turned his face red, and he turned bashfully.

“Aww, is someone a little eager?” she looked up at him, eyes trailing down his body, landing on the tent between his legs.

“Huh—” he followed her gaze and fell back into his chair, crossing his legs in embarrassment. “Shut up,” his face expression still cold as ice but body burning in anticipation. “It’s just you never seem so—happy? I guess participating and you initiating is really like I—fuck, just,” he covered his face in shame, finally showing his age.

“Aww, sweetheart.” She started undressing. She doesn’t feel sexual attraction or love at all, which made her job easier. She only felt any attachment or attraction toward someone when she got to know them. But when she did, she felt so strongly it hurt her, so she avoided making any friends. “I—I have some kind of feeling for you which makes me want you deeply… I don’t know how to express this, and it’s scary, but for some strange reason, I trust you. So I—” she walked around the table, leaning forward, stroking his face. Her hands moved down his neck, torso, and landed on his belt. She sat her naked body on his lap, body trembling. “Please take care of me, Tobi.”

His eyes widened, mouth agape, brain not able to function. The seconds felt like hours. Her face glowed red.

“F-fine, that was stupid of me. Let's jus—” she began, shifting to get off his lap, but he grabbed her hips.

“No,” he breathed.

“The fuck you mean, no?”

He placed his lips on hers with a fiery passion, hand pulling her hips impossibly close. “I promise you, Evan, I’ll take care of you the rest of our lives.” He ground up into her, and her manicured hands worked at taking his belt off, pulling his pants down with his boxers, desperate to feel him.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you just proposed to me—” she murmured.

“What if I did?” he mumbled, throwing his shirt over his head. “What if I was? Do you wanna be a pretty wife? My wife?” He shook his pants off, bouncing her slightly on his thighs, making her tits bounce. As he watched them, he had this overwhelming urge to lick and suck her pretty pink nipples raw. “Mmm, look at these. Does just the thought of being my wife make you that horny?”

She looked away and nodded. He flicked them harshly, making her whimper.

“Fuck, that’s so hot.” Without a second thought, he attached his lips to the hard little nub.

“Mmm, Tobi, no, please, I wanna—” she let out a breathy moan, tracing the dark lines of the tattoo on his neck. Don mindlessly sucked and played with her tits, using both hands to stimulate her. He sloppily licked between her breasts, from her cleavage to her navel, tasting the salty beads of her sweat. He watched her round bosom spill into his palms.

“I love hearing such whiney sounds from your mouth.” He pulled her nipples, now soaked with saliva, harshly to hear her whine his name.

“Yes, I love it when you say my name. Now tell me what you want me to do now.” Evan’s thighs shook with anticipation, feeling sticky from her dripping arousal. She rubbed her stomach, coated with his precum.

“I want you inside me.”

“Whatever my pretty kitty wants.” He moved to grab a condom from his pants on the floor, but she grabbed the tip of his dick, making him shiver.

"Fuck!" he moaned loudly.

"I want you to fill me with your cum until I can taste it."

Tobias drooled at the thought of fucking her raw. "Shit, baby," he moaned, taking her hands off him. Evan, feeling like she had crossed a line, quickly retracted her hands to her chest in fear. Seeing her uncertainty, Tobias softened, pulling her close to his chest before standing up, cradling her as if she were precious. He carried her to the bedroom connected to his office, his lips never leaving her skin as he kissed her neck and face lovingly. Evan bathed in the attention he was giving her, a large smile spreading across her face as she felt his warmth and affection.

The dim light of the office bedroom cast soft shadows across Tobias's sharp features, highlighting the contrast between his albino skin and the dark tattoos that covered his body. "Damn kitty, it's real hard to walk with this raging boner," Tobias hissed, unintentionally breaking the romantic atmosphere.

"Way to kill the mood, Tobi," Evan said with a displeased look, though her legs remained tightly wrapped around his waist. She reached out to help him turn the doorknob, her touch gentle and reassuring.

Tobias chuckled, the deep sound reverberating through his chest as he carried her to the large, inviting queen-sized bed. The bed was a stark contrast to the harshness of his office-a soft sanctuary draped in luxurious, dark linens. "Brace yourself," he warned with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"For what-" Before she could finish, he spun around and threw himself onto the bed, holding her close. The sudden movement made her bounce slightly, a surprised squeak escaping her lips.

She glared at him, her eyes narrowing, but his smile was so infectious that she couldn't help but laugh at his playful antics. The tension between them melted away, replaced by a shared joy and anticipation. They lay there for a moment, the intimacy of the moment wrapping around them like a warm blanket, their laughter blending into the quiet hum of the room.

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As the morning sun began to filter through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the tangled mess of sheets, Evangeline found herself in a moment of quiet contemplation. Her gaze lingered tenderly on the man beside her, his chest rising and falling in a rhythm as steady as the beating of her own heart.

After hours of intimate entanglement, she marveled at the unexpected tenderness of their connection. It was a sensation she had long believed herself incapable of experiencing, yet here she was, entwined with a man whose very presence ignited a fire within her soul.

With a soft smile playing at the corners of her lips, Evangeline gently traced the contours of his face, her fingers dancing over the rough edges of his stubble. He lay there, blissfully unaware, his goofy smile and drool-laden slumber a stark contrast to the formidable reputation he commanded by day.

"What a dummy," she murmured affectionately, the endearment a testament to the complexity of their relationship. Despite his status as both a crime boss and her employer, he was, in this moment, nothing more than a vulnerable man lost in the depths of sleep.

Reflecting on the unspoken rules that governed their interactions, Evangeline couldn't help but marvel at the ways in which he had effortlessly dismantled her defenses. Each breach of protocol, from the absence of condoms to the forbidden kisses and post-coital cuddles, served as a poignant reminder of his ability to unravel the carefully constructed barriers around her heart.

And yet, for all her resistance, she found herself willingly surrendering to the warmth of his embrace, basking in the glow of his affection. He was more than just a client; he was a confidant, a companion, and, against all odds, the object of her deepest affections.

As she watched him twitch and smile in his slumber, a wave of tenderness washed over her, akin to the gentle caress of a summer breeze. In his vulnerability, she found solace, a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos of their clandestine world.

With a contented sigh, Evangeline nestled closer to him, her heart swelling with a love that defied all logic and reason. For in the quiet intimacy of their shared embrace, she had found a sanctuary—a place where the complexities of their lives melted away, leaving nothing but the simple purity of two souls intertwined in the sweet embrace of love.

As Tobias bolted awake, startled by the sudden jolt of laughter, Evangeline couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of his bleary-eyed confusion. With a gentle touch, she wiped away the drool that had escaped the corners of his mouth, her affectionate gesture met with a sheepish grin.

"What's so funny, honey?" he murmured, his voice thick with sleep, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Nothing, just you. You drool like a bulldog, you know," she teased, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes in the morning breeze.

"Sorry, baby. Tongue's too big for my mouth," he quipped, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Not that you ever complained," he added with a wink, his playful banter eliciting a giggle from Evangeline.

As they rose from the tangled sheets, their playful banter continued, punctuated by affectionate touches and shared laughter. The air was filled with the sweet scent of soap and steam as they made their way to the bathroom, hand in hand, eager to wash away the remnants of the night's passion.

Settling into the warmth of the large tub, Evangeline leaned back against Tobias's chest, his strong arms enveloping her in a comforting embrace. The water lapped gently at their skin, creating a soothing rhythm that matched the steady beat of their hearts.

"Did you mean it?" she whispered softly, her voice barely above a murmur.

"Mean what, kitty?" Tobias replied, his breath warm against her ear.

"About taking care of me," she clarified, her tone tinged with vulnerability.

"Yes," he replied without hesitation, his voice filled with sincerity. "My pretty kitty, it doesn't matter because I meant it. I want you to be happy, and I want you by my side, forever."

Evangeline felt tears welling in her eyes, emotions swirling within her like a tempestuous storm. Tobias leaned in close, his warmth enveloping her, his words a soothing balm to her wounded soul.

"Evan, if that's not what you want, then tell me, and I'll do whatever you-" he began, his voice faltering with concern.

"No, I want that. I want you," she interrupted, her voice trembling with raw emotion.

In that moment, as they sat entwined in the warmth of the bath, their souls laid bare before each other, Evangeline knew that she had found something worth fighting for.

And as Tobias held her close, his love surrounding her like a shield, she felt a flicker of hope ignite within her heart—a hope that maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to build a future together, one bath at a time.

Koshechka moved with purpose through the labyrinthine corridors of the underground fighting ring. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, blood, and the unmistakable musk of raw, primal aggression. She was here on business, her sharp mind and sharper tongue making her invaluable to Don white, the imposing crime boss who ran this brutal underworld empire. Aka her boss and best client.

Today, she was doing the accounting for the latest series of fights, a task that required her to ensure the books balanced and the odds were rigged just enough to keep the gamblers coming back for more. Her bubble gum pink hair stood out in the dimly lit, smoke-filled arena, and her freckled face betrayed no emotion as she calculated the night's profits. The roaring of the crowd, the clash of flesh and bone, all faded into the background as she focused on her work.

The fighters, burly men and women covered in tattoos and scars, moved like shadows in the dim light, their grunts and cries echoing through the cavernous space. Evangeline's tan skin glowed under the flickering lights, and her full hourglass figure drew appreciative glances from the patrons and fighters alike. But she paid them no mind; her eyes were fixed on the numbers, her mind a fortress of concentration, not like any one of those meaty men could afford her.

It was in the midst of this controlled chaos that her Boss, Don, as he was known to most, approached her. His tall, burly frame cast a long shadow over her, and his presence commanded immediate attention. The snake tattoo coiled around his neck seemed almost alive in the low light, its eyes glinting with the same cold calculation that Tobias himself possessed.

“Nice work, Koshechka,” he said, his voice a deep rumble that cut through the din. “Here’s your—”

“Not to deny extra cash, just picturing you sending someone to bust my windows, but this seems like a lot more than my cut,” she interrupted, not even looking up from her ledger.

“Heh, you’re funny, kitty. But nah, I got some rat I need you to scare off. He’s been scamming my casinos,” Tobias replied, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“Sounds like a problem, but I ain’t pest control. Why not get one of your new pets to do it?” she shot back, finally meeting his gaze.

“Aww, kitty, you know you’re my favorite girl,” Tobias said with a smirk.

“Keep it in your pants, Don. You know my hours,” she retorted, rolling her eyes.

“Mhm, can’t wait till Monday,” he murmured, his tone suggestive.

“Whatever—just answer, you nasty bit—”

“Retract those claws, Koshechka. I just mean you’re far more efficient, and I don’t need him dead, just incapacitated. He’s on the young side, so I’mma give him a warning. Feeling good after these wins,” he explained, his expression turning serious.

“Fine, but I’mma need more than this. I’m assuming you don’t have a clue where he could be? You at least have a picture?” she asked, her tone now businesslike.

“Here’s a file my men put together for you. Including pay. This is half upfront, and you will be paid the rest later. I’ll leave the rest to you,” Tobias said, handing her a thick envelope.

“Huh, leave me to do all the dirty work, really nitty-gritty stuff,” she said, licking her lips.

“Sorry, doll. Besides, I know you like it when things are hard,” he purred, his eyes burning with a flickering flame.

“Oh, mr white sir, you know me so well.” She responded, “How come I don’t have a dock on time?” She moved her seat closer to the coffee table which separated them. He mimicked her movements equally as slowly, palms on the surface of the oak.

“You catch on quick, my pretty kitty. I know you won’t take long; the kid’s not exactly quick on his feet,” Tobias said, a hint of a challenge in his voice.

“You sure it’s not 'cause you’re sweet on me?” she teased, elbows now on the table and face cradled in her palms, even closer than before.

“I can’t completely reject that premise,” he leaned his weight on the dead wood again, mirroring her movements, his face wearing a sultry grin.

“Mmh, maybe you don’t have to wait for Monday,” she whispered, faces inches apart.

“Gasp, is my lustful little kitten willing to make an exception for wittle old me?” he teased back, his voice a low growl.

“Just maybe. If you want—”

“Yes! I mean—” he shouted eagerly, frightening her back into her seat. “Wait, I’m sorry, I—”

She giggled, her voice ringing across the room. Her sweet sounds turned his face red, and he turned bashfully.

“Aww, is someone a little eager?” she looked up at him, eyes trailing down his body, landing on the tent between his legs.

“Huh—” he followed her gaze and fell back into his chair, crossing his legs in embarrassment. “Shut up,” his face expression still cold as ice but body burning in anticipation. “It’s just you never seem so—happy? I guess participating and you initiating is really like I—fuck, just,” he covered his face in shame, finally showing his age.

“Aww, sweetheart.” She started undressing. She doesn’t feel sexual attraction or love at all, which made her job easier. She only felt any attachment or attraction toward someone when she got to know them. But when she did, she felt so strongly it hurt her, so she avoided making any friends. “I—I have some kind of feeling for you which makes me want you deeply… I don’t know how to express this, and it’s scary, but for some strange reason, I trust you. So I—” she walked around the table, leaning forward, stroking his face. Her hands moved down his neck, torso, and landed on his belt. She sat her naked body on his lap, body trembling. “Please take care of me, Tobi.”

His eyes widened, mouth agape, brain not able to function. The seconds felt like hours. Her face glowed red.

“F-fine, that was stupid of me. Let's jus—” she began, shifting to get off his lap, but he grabbed her hips.

“No,” he breathed.

“The fuck you mean, no?”

He placed his lips on hers with a fiery passion, hand pulling her hips impossibly close. “I promise you, Evan, I’ll take care of you the rest of our lives.” He ground up into her, and her manicured hands worked at taking his belt off, pulling his pants down with his boxers, desperate to feel him.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you just proposed to me—” she murmured.

“What if I did?” he mumbled, throwing his shirt over his head. “What if I was? Do you wanna be a pretty wife? My wife?” He shook his pants off, bouncing her slightly on his thighs, making her tits bounce. As he watched them, he had this overwhelming urge to lick and suck her pretty pink nipples raw. “Mmm, look at these. Does just the thought of being my wife make you that horny?”

She looked away and nodded. He flicked them harshly, making her whimper.

“Fuck, that’s so hot.” Without a second thought, he attached his lips to the hard little nub.

“Mmm, Tobi, no, please, I wanna—” she let out a breathy moan, tracing the dark lines of the tattoo on his neck. Don mindlessly sucked and played with her tits, using both hands to stimulate her. He sloppily licked between her breasts, from her cleavage to her navel, tasting the salty beads of her sweat. He watched her round bosom spill into his palms.

“I love hearing such whiney sounds from your mouth.” He pulled her nipples, now soaked with saliva, harshly to hear her whine his name.

“Yes, I love it when you say my name. Now tell me what you want me to do now.” Evan’s thighs shook with anticipation, feeling sticky from her dripping arousal. She rubbed her stomach, coated with his precum.

“I want you inside me.”

“Whatever my pretty kitty wants.” He moved to grab a condom from his pants on the floor, but she grabbed the tip of his dick, making him shiver.

"Fuck!" he moaned loudly.

"I want you to fill me with your cum until I can taste it."

Tobias drooled at the thought of fucking her raw. "Shit, baby," he moaned, taking her hands off him. Evan, feeling like she had crossed a line, quickly retracted her hands to her chest in fear. Seeing her uncertainty, Tobias softened, pulling her close to his chest before standing up, cradling her as if she were precious. He carried her to the bedroom connected to his office, his lips never leaving her skin as he kissed her neck and face lovingly. Evan bathed in the attention he was giving her, a large smile spreading across her face as she felt his warmth and affection.

The dim light of the office bedroom cast soft shadows across Tobias's sharp features, highlighting the contrast between his albino skin and the dark tattoos that covered his body. "Damn kitty, it's real hard to walk with this raging boner," Tobias hissed, unintentionally breaking the romantic atmosphere.

"Way to kill the mood, Tobi," Evan said with a displeased look, though her legs remained tightly wrapped around his waist. She reached out to help him turn the doorknob, her touch gentle and reassuring.

Tobias chuckled, the deep sound reverberating through his chest as he carried her to the large, inviting queen-sized bed. The bed was a stark contrast to the harshness of his office-a soft sanctuary draped in luxurious, dark linens. "Brace yourself," he warned with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"For what-" Before she could finish, he spun around and threw himself onto the bed, holding her close. The sudden movement made her bounce slightly, a surprised squeak escaping her lips.

She glared at him, her eyes narrowing, but his smile was so infectious that she couldn't help but laugh at his playful antics. The tension between them melted away, replaced by a shared joy and anticipation. They lay there for a moment, the intimacy of the moment wrapping around them like a warm blanket, their laughter blending into the quiet hum of the room.

╚══ ❀•°❀°•❀ ══╝

As the morning sun began to filter through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the tangled mess of sheets, Evangeline found herself in a moment of quiet contemplation. Her gaze lingered tenderly on the man beside her, his chest rising and falling in a rhythm as steady as the beating of her own heart.

After hours of intimate entanglement, she marveled at the unexpected tenderness of their connection. It was a sensation she had long believed herself incapable of experiencing, yet here she was, entwined with a man whose very presence ignited a fire within her soul.

With a soft smile playing at the corners of her lips, Evangeline gently traced the contours of his face, her fingers dancing over the rough edges of his stubble. He lay there, blissfully unaware, his goofy smile and drool-laden slumber a stark contrast to the formidable reputation he commanded by day.

"What a dummy," she murmured affectionately, the endearment a testament to the complexity of their relationship. Despite his status as both a crime boss and her employer, he was, in this moment, nothing more than a vulnerable man lost in the depths of sleep.

Reflecting on the unspoken rules that governed their interactions, Evangeline couldn't help but marvel at the ways in which he had effortlessly dismantled her defenses. Each breach of protocol, from the absence of condoms to the forbidden kisses and post-coital cuddles, served as a poignant reminder of his ability to unravel the carefully constructed barriers around her heart.

And yet, for all her resistance, she found herself willingly surrendering to the warmth of his embrace, basking in the glow of his affection. He was more than just a client; he was a confidant, a companion, and, against all odds, the object of her deepest affections.

As she watched him twitch and smile in his slumber, a wave of tenderness washed over her, akin to the gentle caress of a summer breeze. In his vulnerability, she found solace, a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos of their clandestine world.

With a contented sigh, Evangeline nestled closer to him, her heart swelling with a love that defied all logic and reason. For in the quiet intimacy of their shared embrace, she had found a sanctuary—a place where the complexities of their lives melted away, leaving nothing but the simple purity of two souls intertwined in the sweet embrace of love.

As Tobias bolted awake, startled by the sudden jolt of laughter, Evangeline couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of his bleary-eyed confusion. With a gentle touch, she wiped away the drool that had escaped the corners of his mouth, her affectionate gesture met with a sheepish grin.

"What's so funny, honey?" he murmured, his voice thick with sleep, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Nothing, just you. You drool like a bulldog, you know," she teased, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes in the morning breeze.

"Sorry, baby. Tongue's too big for my mouth," he quipped, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Not that you ever complained," he added with a wink, his playful banter eliciting a giggle from Evangeline.

As they rose from the tangled sheets, their playful banter continued, punctuated by affectionate touches and shared laughter. The air was filled with the sweet scent of soap and steam as they made their way to the bathroom, hand in hand, eager to wash away the remnants of the night's passion.

Settling into the warmth of the large tub, Evangeline leaned back against Tobias's chest, his strong arms enveloping her in a comforting embrace. The water lapped gently at their skin, creating a soothing rhythm that matched the steady beat of their hearts.

"Did you mean it?" she whispered softly, her voice barely above a murmur.

"Mean what, kitty?" Tobias replied, his breath warm against her ear.

"About taking care of me," she clarified, her tone tinged with vulnerability.

"Yes," he replied without hesitation, his voice filled with sincerity. "My pretty kitty, it doesn't matter because I meant it. I want you to be happy, and I want you by my side, forever."

Evangeline felt tears welling in her eyes, emotions swirling within her like a tempestuous storm. Tobias leaned in close, his warmth enveloping her, his words a soothing balm to her wounded soul.

"Evan, if that's not what you want, then tell me, and I'll do whatever you-" he began, his voice faltering with concern.

"No, I want that. I want you," she interrupted, her voice trembling with raw emotion.

In that moment, as they sat entwined in the warmth of the bath, their souls laid bare before each other, Evangeline knew that she had found something worth fighting for.

And as Tobias held her close, his love surrounding her like a shield, she felt a flicker of hope ignite within her heart—a hope that maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to build a future together, one bath at a time.

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Everything here belongs to me. @blurpleuni-squid

This is only a draft of what I want the story to be, I will be improving it but whoever reads this I would appreciate some constructive criticism.

[petalsinmoonlight]

A Tell Tale Heart

Summary:  Valentina encounters her long-lost brother Valor, whom she believed to be dead. He reveals that he was taken by Bane after Valentina left him behind. He leaves, leaving Valentina to mourn her losses and plan her next move. TW: body parts, sibling betrayals 

Valentina walked into her dorm room, expecting nothing out of the ordinary. But, as she turned the corner, she saw a stranger sitting on her bed. Her instincts kicked in, and she reached for one of her throwing knives.

The stranger, however, was quick to react, catching the knife in mid-air. "You're not the only one with tricks up your sleeve, sis," he said, his voice familiar yet distant.

“What are you talking about? Who are you?” she threatened.

Valentina was in shock. It had been over ten years since she had seen her younger brother. She had thought he was dead, just like their parents, who had been killed by Bane. Valentina had sworn to avenge their death. But now, seeing Valor alive and well, all her beliefs were shaken to the core.

"Is it really you, Valor?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"It's me, hermano," he said, standing up and facing her. "I know it's been a long time, and I'm sorry for what I did to you, but you left me behind when our parents were killed. You left me to be taken by Bane."

“That’s not true.” Valentina protested. She would have tried to save him to if she had known, but Valor cut her off. “He said-”

"Save it, Val. I know the truth. Bane’s told me all about it. But I have to admit it’s still nice to see a familiar face. Well the second familiar face. I was surprised to see Rocket of all people. By the way, I brought you a present. " he smirked, using her knife to point to a box on her dresser.

Valentina's heart skipped a beat. Rocket. She hadn’t seen him since the night of the scavenger hunt. She turned towards the box opening the top slowly. She froze at what she saw….a heart.

“Poetic isn’t it? You know, his last words were about you? Begging me not to hurt you. I figure the least I could do was give you his heart.”

"You killed him? How could you?! He was innocent!" she yelled, her eyes filling with tears.

"He wasn't innocent, Val. You chose him over me and he had to be dealt with."

Valentina couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had trusted Rocket with her life, and now, her own brother had killed him. The emotions were too much for her to handle, and she lunged at Valor, knife in hand.

But Valor was ready for her. He dodged her attack and disarmed her, holding her tightly. "You see? 10 years apart and you try to kill me over a corpse. "

Valentina pushed him away, her anger boiling over. "Amends? How can you make amends for what you've done? You killed our parents, you killed Rocket, and you expect me to forgive you?"

"I don't want your forgiveness, Val," Valor said, his voice cold and calculating. "I want revenge. Revenge for you abandoning me, for leaving me behind to be captured by Bane. I want to see you suffer, to watch you beg for mercy like I did. And when you're at your lowest, I'm going to end your life. Just like you betrayed me, you betrayed Bane. And for that, you will pay with your life."

Valentina stood frozen, unable to comprehend what was happening. She had lost everything she had ever cared about, and now her own brother was her enemy. She knew that she needed to be careful. Valor was dangerous, and she could not let her guard down.

"You're a monster," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll never forgive you for what you've done."

"That's fine, Val," Valor said, a twisted smile on his face. "Forgiveness was never on the table. Revenge, on the other hand, is a dish best served cold." With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Valentina alone with her thoughts and her pain.

Valentina knew that she had to act fast. She couldn't let Valor get the better of her. Let BANE. It was clear he’d brainwashed her little brother. She needed to find a way to stop him, to put an end to this madness once and for all. But first, she needed to mourn. Mourn for the loss of her parents, for the loss of Rocket, and for the loss of her brother.

[laughing-with-god]

The Unsaid Vow (Prologue)

Synopsis- You always knew when you weren't wanted. And the way things are going in your marriage with Jungkook, a divorce is looking more and more likely. While he's getting closer to a woman at work that you're certain he's having an affair with, you're planning your escape with your four-year-old son. However, five years of marriage did not expose you to a certain side of your husband. A side of Jungkook that only gets triggered when you try to leave and break apart your perfect 'family'.

Warnings- Yandere behavior, graphic language, violence/murder, women bashing on other women, heavily implied infidelity, bad parenting, absent father, broken family vibes, very slow buildup bc Jungkook doesn't really snap until you leave him so just give him a min lol, inexperienced author writing for a four-year-old (I never wrote for a kid before pls gimme a break), also I chose my future son's name for this fic but pls feel free to name him whatever you want :)

Slow burn Yandere Husband Jungkook

Word Count; 5.4k

Unlike the vast majority of married couples, neither you nor Jungkook donned wedding rings.

Never in your five years of marriage did you regret this decision, given it was brought upon by you and your husband’s lack of funds for fancy wedding bands at the time of your rushed marriage.

Well, you were never annoyed....until tonight, that is.

The scene before you was exceptionally intimate, so much so that you felt the instinctual need to look away in respect of the two before you.

The woman was gorgeous, effortlessly attracting all the attention the small conference room had to offer. In addition to this natural charisma spurred on by her borderline enchanting looks, her short and skin-tight red dress showed off her pleasantly curvy body. Her long, silky, and jet-black hair was pulled back into an elegant ponytail that provided a simple background for her darling features. Utterly doll-like was her face; petite, creamy in complexion with bright doe eyes and berry-pink lips.

Such a beautiful woman was currently in the arms of an equally, if not more so, attractive man.

He was tall and slender, yet not at all lanky given his sturdy build that was a testament to his strict workout regime. His olive skin was complimented with occasional tattoos, a mix of faded and fresh ink that you knew like the back of your hand despite only the tats on his hand currently showing in his crisp Valentino suit. His mid-length inky black hair was down to frame his sharp face, and indeed it was a very handsome one consisting of full eyebrows, bow-like lips, a fleshy yet impish nose, and two large, yet seemingly bottomless, raven orbs.

This man had his arms encircling the middle of the mysterious woman, her expression lifting into a light-hearted giggle as she leaned forward to whisper something in his ear.

Whatever she said must’ve been amusing to the man, given his usual stoic facade briefly melted away as he allowed a small smile at her words, his pearly round teeth peeking out for a split-second appearance.

If you didn’t know any better, you would have thought that these two were lovers.

But there was only one problem with this scene.

That was your husband, Jungkook.

And that woman in his arms was not you.

As if sensing your distress and wanting to soothe your well-founded suspicion, Jungkook pulled away from the woman and ran his gaze across the room- only stopping when he spotted you. Your spouse then gestured at you, the girl following his line of sight and landing on you and your pitiful spot by the snack table. Her joyful expression briefly dropped for a blink-and-you'll-miss-it second, but she quickly plastered on another grin and nodded. The two then strode their way over to you, barely giving you enough time to steel your nerves and muster a polite purse of the lips.

Before you knew it, the woman was right in front of you with your partner at her side instead of yours. Much to your dismay, she was only more attractive up close, and you narrowly held back a grimace as she held out a hand in introduction. You took it and shook it lifelessly.

“Hello, you must be Mrs. Jeon. I’m Sana, Jungkook’s colleague.” Even her voice was pretty, musical and light to the ears.

“H-Hi, nice to meet you but please call me Y/n.” A brief and awkward pause as Sana briefly sized you up and down. “Um, Jungkook has never mentioned you….” you trailed off, side-eyeing your husband in hopes he would intervene and add context to this random goddess he’s thrust upon you.

Jungkook gracefully took his cue and explained, “Sana transferred from another branch out of the city and has only been with us for five months. I’m her case supervisor and have been taking care of her, showing her the ropes and whatnot.”

Sana didn’t even spare you a glance as she fondly looked up at your husband, coyly biting her lip and saying in a much softer tone that could've been just for his ears only, “And he’s been really good at taking care of me.”

You didn’t consider yourself a jealous stay-at-home wife who obsessed over the tiniest details between her husband and other women, but the double meaning behind her badly-whispered comment was enough to make you splutter in disbelief. However before you could even gather up the courage to ask just what the hell ‘taking care of me’ consisted of, two new faces waltzed up and joined the conversation.

“Are you all enjoying this fabulous Christmas party?” A tall, broad-shouldered but nice-looking man asked in a tone of familiar amicability.

You thankfully smiled up at him, having met him many times before.

His name was Jin, and he was the one who got Jungkook this job.

It occurred about five years ago when you first told Jungkook that you were pregnant. Being the romantic but overall good guy that Jungkook was, he insisted that you two get married so that your child could have parents who were at least husband and wife. In addition it would also lessen the judgment in your two families, which at the time was extremely appealing to you. You had agreed to marry on one condition: after running to the courthouse you two would need to move in together in a decent apartment with a room for the nursery. But getting an apartment would mean month-to-month rent, and Jungkook’s tattooing gigs weren’t stable enough to ensure that.

Jin was originally a friend of Jungkook’s older brother, but when he heard through the grapevine about the issue, he bought Jungkook a couple of suits and offered him a job at the corporation he worked at.

Now Jungkook made more than enough money to support your little family, and it was all because Jin took a chance on a college drop-out and his knocked-up girlfriend.

You opened your mouth to respond but were cut off by the unknown lady beside Jin.

“I’d say a little too much fun if anything. Sana and Jungkook, we get that you're the infamous office couple but maybe tone it down a bit, huh?” She joked while raising her brows at the close proximity between the two.

A long and tortuous silence swept the scene.

Jin glanced at you, pity swimming in his usually carefree eyes.

Not trusting your voice to say anything and desperately wanting to hide your face from the piercing eyes, you distracted yourself by taking calculated sips of watered-down eggnog.

“Daehyun...this is actually Y/n, Jungkook’s wife,” Jin told the lady in an uncomfortable voice.

You didn’t know what stung more, the fact that this stranger thought that there was more chemistry between Sana and your husband than with you, or that it was Jin who corrected this mistake and not Jungkook himself.

“O-Oh, well it’s nice to meet you.” Daehyun awkwardly said to you while avoiding direct eye contact.

You offered a tight smile, “Pleasure.”

Whatever gratitude you could’ve had for Daehyun’s clear embarrassment quickly vanished when the woman went on to continue, “I’m sorry. Jungkook never mentioned being married and he doesn’t wear a ring so I didn’t even know. I bet it must be interesting for his housewife to meet his office wife though, right?”

She laughed, not realizing that she only succeeded in putting a foot in her mouth right before stomping it all over your pesky little heart. The group didn’t seem to share your uneasiness, all three of them politely chuckling along to the lukewarm joke at your expense. Once again, you focused on your dwindling beverage to avoid the burden of speaking or even facing them directly, too scared that your miserable expression would be unanimously inspected.

“Well, we just came over to recruit you all for some karaoke!” Jin cheerfully announced, clearly trying to change the subject, “There’s a machine in the break-out room and it’s more fun to sing with a group.”

“More like you want an audience.” Jungkook wittingly teased, a handsome smirk on his face as Sana playfully scolded him with a push to the chest.

“I’ll take your jabs now Kookie because I know they stem from your insecurity that I can actually upstage you in the vocals department.” Jin rebutted in good nature, even letting your husband’s old nickname slip.

Daehyun and Sana both guffawed at this declaration, exaggerated disbelief present on their faces.

“Jungkook is the best singer in the office. He’ll upstage you without even trying.” Daehyun said in a tenor of utter confidence.

“Only one way to find out!” Jin brushed the comment off, pointing to the direction of the assumed breakout room, “Karaoke anyone?”

The so-called office wife nodded enthusiastically, taking your husband’s arm and looking up at him to plead, “Can we do a duet of that one song we like?”

Jungkook, for the first time in seemingly hours, shot you with a questioning gaze.

Be married to someone for a while and you’ll learn how to decipher what they’re trying to say with just mere looks. Your husband was wordlessly inquiring if you were going to join, if he should go along with the group or if you two should break away and do something else.

The ball was finally in your court.

Not wanting to be rude but needing to get away from these people before you lost your cool, you decided on a subtle excuse.

“I need a refill, but maybe we can meet you all later?” You said, shaking your empty paper cup as if to prove your case.

“Oh, well the drinks are right behind you.” Sana condescendingly pointed out, tightening her hold on your husband and began steering him towards the exit, “We’ll save a seat for you.”

Bewildered, you watched as Jungkook obediently followed her lead with the Daehyun girl trailing behind.

He didn’t even spare you a glance.

You wanted to be angry.

You wanted to storm up to your husband, yank him out of the clutches of his colleagues and practically drag him back home under the premise that he would never speak to Sana ever again.

But instead of a righteous rage fueled by the marital vows you two took, utter exhaustion bestowed upon you and prevented any instigation on your part.

Maybe earlier in your marriage you would’ve fought for his attention, but now you simply just wanted to go home and lick your wounds with the help of a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream while self-obsessing over Sana’s outrageous attractiveness. After all, who could blame any hot-blooded man for choosing that goddess over you? What could you possibly do but lean back and accept that she was the obvious choice?

Other than her being a knockout beauty while you were merely average on your best day, she had other qualities that made her a more appealing catch. She was most likely younger than you, obviously fit, more ambitious and professionally driven than you, and presumably has no kids.

Meanwhile, you were just an old stay-at-home mom who lived off of her husband’s paychecks while he fucked his coworkers behind her oblivious back.

Before you could draw more detailed comparisons between Sana and yourself, you felt a large hand place itself on the middle of your back, successfully guiding your attention to the only person who bothered staying by your side.

Jin smiled sadly at you, sympathy shadowing his expression as he gestured with his other hand to the empty cup still in your hold. “Let’s get you some more eggnog.”

You nodded wordlessly, still speechless from the interaction, and allowed the taller man to guide you towards the snack table. Jin then took your cup and refilled it himself, providing you the opportunity to pick at the catered food in some cheap attempt at stress eating. By the time Jin came back with a full cup, you were halfway done with a sugar cookie and eyeing the meatballs next.

“Here ya go,” Jin said as he handed over the drink to you. You took it and nodded in thanks but kept your eyes glued to the food, not wanting him to see just how defeated and tired your face probably was. But, Jin wasn’t going to let the whole thing go. “Y/n….I know what you saw and heard looks really bad but trust me….nothing is going on between Sana and Jungkook.”

You snorted. “It doesn’t just look bad, Jin. It was like they were practically rubbing it in my face. Him having an affair isn’t the problem, it’s the way they’re not even bothering to keep it down. The least they could do is be discreet.”

Jin’s jaw slightly dropped, “‘Him having an affair isn’t the problem’? Y/n, do you even hear yourself? Of course that would be a problem! Do you not care about your own marriage anymore?”

And there it was.

The big question.

Did you truly even care about this marriage?

Well, let’s look at the facts.

One: The disrespect of his alleged mistress was more offensive to you than the fact that she was a mistress.

Two: Jungkook dragging you along to this office Christmas party was the first time in over a year that he bothered to take you out.

Three: You two had humble beginnings and could barely afford food, much less wedding bands when you first got married, but now he was a very wealthy man and had no excuse for not buying you or himself a ring. Unless, of course, he enjoyed acting single around other women.

Four: And on top of all this, it had to be factored in how distant he has been with overwhelming work hours that prevented any alone time with your husband. Sex with Jungkook has been off the table for almost a year now.

But did any of this really bother you until tonight? The answer was a resounding no. You were willing to take all those burdens in stride but tonight it wasn’t just about the fact that you were the unwanted wife Jungkook got sacked with, it was the fact that you were humiliated and forced to face the type of girl Jungkook should’ve been married to all along. That was all you were truly upset about.

The conclusion that you indeed didn’t care about your marriage and haven’t in some time now hit you in a sudden wave, but in no way were you shocked.

Voice shaky and brittle, you allowed yourself to be vulnerable with Jin and say the one thing you always secretly thought but never dared utter out loud. “I-I guess I always expected it to end like this. When we were younger, he was always the popular one and all the girls wanted him. We were only dating for three months when I got pregnant, and if it weren’t for our son he probably would’ve dumped me eventually and left for another girl. But, he stuck around for his kid because he’s a good father. And I’ve been nothing but a burden to him for a while now.”

Tears began to blur your vision, forcing you to quickly duck down and quietly sip at your drink so as to not embarrass yourself even more.

You heard a shuffle and suddenly Jin was holding you, using both of his lengthy arms to cage you in and rest you against his broad chest. It had been a long time since a man had held you like that, and you practically went boneless at the contact. You closed your eyes and tried to will away the incoming tears, even going so far as to solely focus on the scent of Jin’s cologne as he soothingly said, “Y/n, listen closely to what I’m about to say. You and Hugo were never a burden to Jungkook, and you two never will be. Your marriage was sudden, but it doesn’t make it less valid than any other marriage out there. Jungkook has been with you for so long, he just doesn’t realize when other women are interested in him because he’s been off the market forever. But I promise you, if I knew for even a second that he cheated, I would tell you right away.”

You didn’t say anything.

Although Jin’s words were comforting, they weren’t necessarily true. A marriage that started from a healthy courtship and true love instead of inconvenient circumstances was of course more valid than yours. And even though you were sure of Jin’s honesty and loyalty to you, Jungkook could’ve easily kept his affair secret from Jin as well.

However, you didn’t wish to concern Jin anymore. You already put him through too much awkwardness tonight and didn’t want to keep him by your side as some sort of emotional sponsor any longer than you already have. Jin always loved parties and was the life of any one he was invited to, even if it was just a lame annual office gathering. You then felt guilty for putting Jin in a situation where he would even have to console you when he should be out enjoying karaoke with the rest of his coworkers.

You promptly pulled away from Jin and wiped at your face. He released you and also took a step back, carefully studying you for any signs of further turmoil. Once sure that your face was acceptably dry, you gazed back up at him and offered a thankful smile. “Thanks Jin, I’m sorry I just dumped all of that on you. I really have to use the ladies' room though, can you point me to it?”

“It’s right by the conference room,” Jin informed, pointing out the general direction for you. You nodded and took a few steps toward it before he grasped your wrist to stop you and ask, “Do you want me to wait for you?”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll just find you and Jungkook when I’m out. Go and join the others for karaoke.”

Jin nodded but seemed unsure.

You didn’t look back to see if he actually went to follow the others, instead just advancing to the restrooms, secretly looking forward to some alone time even if it had to come from a public bathroom.

Once you entered the restroom you were relieved to find it completely empty, you weren’t sure if you could handle another run-in with Jungkook’s female colleagues. They all seemed to have a personal vendetta against you.

Instantly, you dashed to the mirror to inspect your makeup, assuming at least the mascara was ruined from your little cry. Thankfully, the damage was minimal and you were able to clean the smudges up with a damp napkin. You focused all your attention on the dreadfully small task, trying not to study your reflection too much given it would just conjure up more mental comparisons to all the other prettier women you encountered that night.

Yet the small task couldn’t last a lifetime, and you had to resort to looking at your phone in search of things to do. You weren’t emotionally ready to go out and search for your husband, so you wanted to prolong your time in the bathroom. Although it hasn’t been that long since you left the house, you decided to text the babysitter for any updates about your son.

To Emily: Hey, is everything okay with Hugo?

It only took about 40 seconds for the teenage neighbor girl to text back an answer, clearly on top of things and overly eager to provide any updates.

Emily: Yes! He ate his dinner, took his bath and we’re about to get ready for bed.

Your motherly instincts were satisfied with that response, but it didn’t do anything to subdue your desire to return back home. Your thumbs briefly hovered over the keypad, somewhat hesitant with the next text you were about to send.

To Emily: Great, thanks again for doing this. Listen, I think we might head back home sooner than we thought. Don’t worry tho, I’ll still give you the pay for the full four hours.

Before you could wait for a response from her, the sound of multiple incoming footsteps interrupted the steady silence in the restroom. Muffled female conversation could also be heard, the slight laughter and bickering amongst a group of women approaching the bathroom. Your fight or flight instinct was triggered, and to avoid any more awkward encounters you rushed to the nearest stall and shut the door- fully prepared to wait out the faceless group of female colleagues.

You heard the restroom door swish open before the women burst in, chatting and giggling with their heels clicking against the tile floor. One of the unknown females made way to the stall beside you, the others presumably hovering by the mirror if the sudden comments about their appearances were anything to go by. You quietly sighed and pulled out your phone again, ready to drown out their office politics talk.

Only for the conversation to somehow steer towards you.

“Did you see her?”

“Of course, I was very confused, to be honest.” One of them replied. “I mean….look at Jungkook and you just assume that whoever he’s with is drop-dead gorgeous, and she was just eh.”

“Yeah, she was pretty plain. What was her name again?”

“Y/n.” A third voice cut in, this one eerily familiar to you.

You glued a hand over your mouth to silence your gasp.

It was Sana.

“Did he ever mention her around you? You are the closest to him in the office Sana, and we didn’t even know he had a wife until tonight.”

“No, I didn’t know until tonight either.”

“What?! That’s insane. Literally all the time he spends with you: getting coffee, buying you lunch, driving you home after late nights, and he conveniently never mentions that he has a wife at home?”

“That’s suspicious. But I guess if I had a dog like that at home, I’d never mention her either.”

Cruel laughter from all of them.

The toilet from the stall next to you flushed, then opened as a new voice entered the discussion while she approached the sinks.

“It’s more than suspicious. He doesn’t even wear a wedding ring. And he’s so close to Sana but never mentioned that he’s married?” A pause as she washed her hands. “It’s obvious what he’s trying to do. Jungkook is trying to have an affair with Sana.”

Although this exchange was extremely hurtful to you, you felt somewhat relieved that you weren’t the only one to see what your husband was doing.

A pause hung in the air as none of the women spoke for a minute, they were willing to gossip but apparently outright declaring the obvious was a step too far for them.

Eventually, one of them chimed in with their own observation.

“Can you blame him? Sana you’re the most beautiful person in the office and you look so good next to him anyway. Much better than that cow Y/n.”

Another round of obnoxious laughter that broke your heart.

“C’mon guys. We gotta head back. Jungkook is gonna get anxious if Sana is away for too long.” Someone teased.

They all murmured in agreement, heading towards the exit as a group before one stopped them with a final question.

“Wait, Sana. If Jungkook does want to have an affair with you, what are you going to do?”

Although you couldn’t physically see Sana, you practically heard the smirk on her face as she said, “Who says we already aren’t having one?”

--

Needless to say, you ditched the Christmas party almost immediately after the bathroom incident.

You texted Jungkook a white lie about Emily struggling with Hugo, although a good father would’ve known something was up because your son had never given babysitters any trouble before. But luckily, your husband also wasn’t doing so hot in the dad department either.

You would’ve felt bad for not telling the truth if the truth wasn’t so fucking embarrassing.

“Hey, I’m gonna go home to cry like a little girl because I caught your coworkers talking shit about me. Oh, and also your little girlfriend accidentally let it slip that you’ve been fucking her this whole time. K talk to ya later!”

You grimaced at the thought of actually sending that text.

Sure it’s what that cheating bastard deserves, but you just weren’t emotionally ready for that fight yet. Especially after the night you endured, you needed some time to pick yourself up and figure out what to do next.

Divorce was the next logical step, but you were financially dependent on Jungkook. If you moved out and took Hugo with you, where would you two stay? How could you afford to be a single parent? And if Jungkook were to try to fight you for custody or the divorce in general, you would need a damn good lawyer. Unfortunately, lawyers weren’t cheap, especially one that stood a chance against Jungkook and all his wealth.

Your shoulders sagged with the imaginary weight of all these burdens.

When you entered the high-rise penthouse that you called home, you were surprised to see Emily anxiously pacing the foyer in waiting for your arrival.

“Hey, how was Hugo?” You greeted politely, already opening your clutch to pull out the agreed-upon salary.

“M-Mrs. Jeon, I swear I tried to have him in bed by eight like you said but he’s being stubborn and said he won’t go to sleep until you come back and read to him-” The teenager rushed out all at once, clearly nervous that you would scold her.

You held a hand out to stop her rambles, using your other hand to give her the money, and offered her what you hoped was a comforting smile, “It’s okay, Em. Thanks for doing this on such short notice. Why don’t you run home now and try to enjoy your Christmas Eve?”

Emily looked relieved that you weren’t mad, gratefully taking the cash before grabbing her jacket and shoes to make her exit. “Thanks so much for this Mrs. Jeon. Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas.” You farewelled while walking the young girl out, locking the door behind her.

You turned around and proceeded down a long hallway that led to the bedrooms, stopping at the door beside the master room which belonged to your four-year-old son. You opened it to peer inside, the familiar deep blue walls with painted-on sea creatures greeting you back, swiftly reminding you once more of Hugo’s obsession with the ocean.

Your son was bundled up in a twin bed so big that it practically drowned him, his small frame barely being recognizable in the large fish-printed duvet wrapped around his tiny frame, only his small and adorable face peeking out to stare right back at you.

Hugo was essentially a carbon copy of Jungkook. At first you were somewhat resentful about this, how was it possible that you carried a baby for nine months and he came out with absolutely none of your features? But after a while of watching Hugo grow up and come into his own slowly but surely, you were pacified by the conclusion that while he may look exactly like his father, his personality and heart took after you.

“Dumpling, why did Emily say you were giving her a hard time and wouldn’t go to bed?” You asked gently, sitting by his side and petting his black hair.

‘Dumpling’ was a nickname you chose for Hugo since you first found out you were pregnant with him. It stemmed from your sudden pregnancy craving to eat dumplings and nothing else, you once even going two straight weeks surviving off the food. There were many times where Jungkook had to bribe you into eating other things, playing on your guilt for not providing your baby all the nutrition he needed. But even now ‘Dumpling’ still stuck, if Hugo’s chubby cheeks were anything to go by.

“Mommy, I-I’m sorry but-” His big doe eyes looked up at you in teary guilt, “I really needed you here. It was a nece-necess-”

“Necessity, bub.” You finished for him, grinning at his attempt at a big word.

Part of you wanted to scold the boy for being difficult, but you didn’t have the heart to. Lately, Hugo has been more clingy to you than ever before. Yet it was practically impossible to punish him because Hugo has always been a good kid and you knew deep down that he didn’t act out unless there was something else going on. You suspected that it had something to do with the lack of his father’s presence that forced him to hold onto you like his life depended on it.

“Well try not to do it again, okay? Emily is a nice girl and she’s just following my orders when she tells you to go to bed.” You said, ducking down to peck the crown of his head and continue running your fingers through his hair.

Hugo nodded in understanding but ultimately stayed silent, basking in your cuddles.

All was silent for a passing moment, and while Hugo enjoyed his mother’s touch, your mind gradually returned to the turmoil that was your marriage.

A sudden epiphany struck you and bit your lip as you debated an idea.

Should you expose your son to your future plan?

The victim of any divorce has always been the children who were left behind. And the last thing you wanted to do was blindside Hugo. Perhaps you should play the hypothetical game just to see where your son’s head was at? It went without saying that Hugo was closer to you than Jungkook and you were more of a parent than your husband. But still, every kid deserved to have a say in their parents’ divorce.

“Bub, how would you feel if….it was just me and you?” You hesitantly inquired.

“What do you mean mommy?” Hugo titled his head in bewilderment and craned his neck to look back up at you.

“What if me and you went away to live together?” You clarified.

“Like a va-vayca-”

“Vacation? And no. But forever. Just me, you and no one else.” You whispered, as if Jungkook himself would storm in and catch you planning your escape with the toddler.

“Oh.” A pause as you could practically hear the mechanisms in his four-year-old brain trying to work out the logistics of what you just proposed. “Okay.”

The nonchalance in his youthful voice had you taken aback.

“It’s a really big decision, Hugo. You wouldn’t mind...not living with daddy anymore, right? You would hardly ever see him, dumpling.”

The boy shifted to lean more of his body against you, essentially resting against you with his head on your chest as he said, “But it’s like that already, mommy.”

Your heart broke.

You wrapped your arms around him and pulled him closer to you, feeling a maternal instinct to comfort and protect.

“Okay Dumpling. I need you to promise me not to tell daddy what we talked about.”

“”Kay.” Hugo yawned and closed his eyes, inhaling deep breaths of your scent and beginning the process of falling asleep. “When do we leave?”

“It’ll take some time, bub. You start school in a few months, so mommy will try to find a job while you’re there.” You told him, not bothering to try to explain the concept of a lawyer or apartment deposits on top of that. “But we can do this. It has to be a secret but you're my partner in crime.”

“Like spies?”

You chuckled, “Yeah, like spies. Promise to work with mommy in utter secrecy?”

You held up a pinky, one that Hugo grasped with his own.

“Promise.”

Author’s Note:  So....A while ago before I took my long ass hiatus, I did a poll for which yandere story I should write next.  The Unsaid Vow won but that was around the same time that shit hit the fan in my life.  Recently was scrolling through my notes on my phone and found some of the plot points for this story and I needed a lil break from QQ.  Plus I know so many ppl were hyped for this concept so....Here ya go lol.  This is kinda short but it’s just a set up, Chapter one’s plot line will start a few months after this when Hugo will start kindergarten and Y/n will actually start looking in to jobs, lawyers and apartments.  Also I’m sorry but I’m really bad at writing for kids lol, and I absolutely refuse to write that gross ass baby talk so just pretend your son is a lil genius okay? Also srry Once but I needed really pretty girls to be villians in my story so yeah, Twice girls in here aren’t likable but aren’t reflective of how i actually feel about them lol.

Big thanks to @sushireads​ once again for creating the cover art for this fic.  They literally are becoming my go-to for fic art.

And my beta readers @bigbuffjoonie and @mustardpop​! They beta’d for QQ and I came to them really early about this fic.  They were with me since the beginning and have given me advice with creative choices to just simple grammar.  They easily could’ve leaked the first draft of this too but they didn’t and kept it secret for a while.  I was really insecure about getting out of my comfort zone with this plot but they really guided me.  

[jimblejamblewritings]

little situation | part 13.

Summary: For years, HYDRA had been trying to use the samples of Steve’s DNA to make another super-soldier. They finally succeed and when S.H.I.E.L.D. breaks her out, Cap is forced to come face to face with his kid and figure out parenting on an Avengers’ lifestyle.

Warnings: maybe potential childhood trauma but nothing really

Pairing: Steve Rogers x blackdaughter!reader, avengers x child!reader, peter parker x black!reader

Word Count: 2.1k

Previous Part | (Series Masterlist)

Back to school shopping was a lot easier when school had already started. You were only a couple weeks late from when Midtown started but they still enrolled you anyway— of course, they weren’t going to turn down Captain America’s daughter. You had yet to actually go to the school but your first day and tour were all going to be rolled into one. Sam joined you and Steve for shopping.

“Sarah! Which one?” Sam called out from the end of the aisle, you and Steve looking at fancy stationary against the wall. He held up two backpacks for you to look at.

“Isn’t that sweet,” a woman walking past said as she put some school supplies in her cart. “It’s so nice to see a father spending time with his daughter.”

“Oh, no, ma’am. No, she’s— ma’am she’s no—”

“Dad! I can’t tell the one on the right,” you called to put Sam out of his blubbering misery.

Both Sam and Steve faltered. Steve was red and if blush showed up on Sam, he was sure it would be there. Steve recovered before Sam.

“Right one is light purple with blue flowers, Babydoll.”

At Steve’s nickname for you, the woman looked between him, you, and Sam. You watched her face go through many emotions and then settle on confusion.

“He’s my real dad, same hair.” You pointed to Steve.

“Oh.”

That was all the woman said before walking off. You couldn’t tell what she meant but it probably wasn’t the best because both Sam and Steve attempted to pull the brims of their baseball caps even lower.

“Is it a clashing blue? Because it all looks the same right now,” you said going back to the task at hand.  

“They go together.”

You looked at the two backpacks. Not that you didn’t trust Steve but you also didn’t trust Steve. Yeah, sure he was an artist but you still didn’t quite believe his sense of what looked nice.

“I’ll take the green one.”

You placed the stationary you were looking at in the cart and walked off to go find the rest of your supplies. You only made a few steps when you realized no one was behind you.

“Dheaidí? Dad? Calculators… ooh, lip gloss.”

Steve grabbed the shopping cart and both he and Sam went to grab you a calculator while you got distracted by makeup.

~~

“Captain Rogers, it’s an honor to meet you. My grandfather served with your Howling Commandos, Jim Morita?” the principal shook Steve’s hand rather enthusiastically.

“Jim, good man. Always making us laugh,” Steve chuckled at the memory making the principal giddy.

Throughout the tour, students and teachers alike kept staring. Mainly because Steve was in his stealth suit. He would’ve worn something casual but he was called on a mission and had to leave immediately. He was already pushing it by telling S.H.I.E.L.D. that he was taking you to your first day of school, mission or not, and they would have to accept him being late.

“And this is the chemistry lab and your first class of the day Miss Rogers.”

Everyone in the class, including the teacher, moved to the door to see Steve. He gave an awkward wave and then turned to you.

“I gotta go now, Sarah.”

“How long?”

“Two weeks.”

“Weeks?”

“I know, I’m sorry. Three days and I’ll call.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.” He held out a pinky.

“Oh and Pietro’s picking you up, he insisted.”

You groaned knowing that meant you weren’t taking a car. Steve chuckled and gave you a hug before he left. The students all returned to their seats and you sat at an empty lab bench. Maybe Uncle Jamie was wrong. Yeah you picked Midtown but maybe school still wasn’t going to be easy. You got through your morning classes quickly and quietly.

No one talked to you, everyone too busy staring. You were no longer in the private eye and Steve’s famous status was already affecting you. Yours as well but people tried not to mention 001, not that you didn’t hear whispers. Especially since it had been announced that you had to speak at the UN just like Bucky had to in a week. It was more customary than anything. To absolve you of anything you did under HYDRA’s influence. But they just had to announce it the day before you started school.

You walked into the cafeteria and grabbed lunch. Even if they tried not to look, the kids were still staring. You noticed a few waving and attempting to call you over, trying to be louder than other tables doing the same. Making friends was going to be interesting.

“Free seat over here, babe,” Flash Thompson called.

You remembered him from your history class, somehow he got it in his head that you liked the nickname. You acted like you didn’t hear him, purposely turning your face so the hearing aid would show, and scanned the cafeteria landing on a relatively empty table with two boys.

“Can I sit here?” You asked when you walked over.

“Yeah su— holy crap, you’re Sarah Rogers,” the tan boy said as he looked up from his lunch.

“Yeah,” you said, tight-lipped.

“You’re so cool! I mean your dad is so co—”

“Ned!” Another boy cut him off.

“I’m sorry, he didn’t mean it. I mean you’re cool, not that you’re not cool we just don’t want you to feel weird unless this is making you feel weird…”

You sat down at the table anyway, if they annoyed you too much you’d just move.

“I’m used to weird. Sarah Rogers,” You introduced yourself even though it was pointless.

“Peter Parker.”

“Ned Leeds.”

“Michelle Jones,” a voice piped up. “But my friends call me MJ, if I had any.”

You looked over to see a girl sitting at the table but slightly farther away. She gave you a shrug and went back to reading. You were going to say something else but she seemed content to only be at the table so you went back to your lunch and the two boys in front of you.

“So…” Ned started. “Have you ever thrown the shield?”

Peter shoved Ned’s shoulder. “Ned!”

“What, don’t you want to know?”

You looked at the two of them and laughed a little. Ned’s curiosity seemed so pure that it didn’t bother you.

“No, my dad doesn’t really like when anyone touches it.”

“Bummer.” Ned nodded his head, seriously.

The rest of lunch went quietly, Ned and Peter in their own little world. They didn’t really talk but you liked their presence. It turned out they were both in your robotics class and you joined their table.

“This must be child’s play for you,” Ned said as he got out the small robot they had started the first day of school.

“I mean, it’s n—”

Everyone covered their ears at the high pitched ringing from one of the machines. You ripped your hearing aids out, the sharp whistle cutting through it extra loud. The hearing aids crashed to the ground and the teacher ran over to help the student turn off the machine, crushing your aids in the process. He looked down underneath his foot.

“Oh no. Oh, goodness, Sarah I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

You picked up the broken hearing aids and looked at them. The rest of the day was going to be even more quiet than it already was and now you’d have to sit in the front row for every class to make sure you could hear while taking notes— which was the absolute last thing you wanted to do.

Pietro greeted you outside when school ended, creating a second buzz amongst the students. You started to wonder if this was your new daily life. Pietro noticed your hearing aids were gone and you held up the crushed pieces. He laughed at your expense for a solid three minutes.

“Let’s go, Doll.”

“Not your doll,” you said as he picked you and ran, much to your protest.

“A car. You can’t just take a car?”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“Pietro, stop torturing her,” Wanda laughed but made no move to actually help you when Pietro dragged you around the entire compound a couple times before letting you go.

~~

“You’re quiet, Peter Parker,” you said as you bit into an apple.

It was almost the end of the school week and every day you found yourself sitting at Peter and Ned— and technically Michelle’s— table. Peter hadn’t said a word the whole time since your first encounter, letting Ned do most, all, of the talking.

“It’s cause he’s never talked to a girl.”

“You don’t talk to girls either, Ned. It’s not that. I just don’t want to make you feel weird, I know everyone just talks about your dad.”

“Thank you, I guess… I think you two are kinda cool.”

“You’d be the first,” Michelle muttered. She gave a cheesy smile when the three of you looked over at her.

“Do you want to come over?” you asked, indicating the several seats between you and her.

“I’m good watching from over here, thanks.”

You opened your mouth to say something and then closed it again. Michelle reminded you of Natasha. Weirdly hard shell but good person over all. She wasn’t really making fun of anyone, just snippy comments, so you were content to let her be and hoped that maybe she’d join the table one day.

“Do you like legos?” Ned asked, causing Peter to bang his head on the table.

“Never played with them.”

“Oh, dude, me and Peter have so many sets. You’ve got to join, we’re doing one this Friday.”

“I can’t… I have my UN meeting. Maybe, when I get back Sunday?”

Peter looked up. He wasn’t expecting you to actually enjoy what he and Ned found interesting.

“Yeah, yeah, that’d be cool. We should exchange phone numbers. To make a date I mean— not a date date, like for the set…”

You pulled out your phone and shoved it into Peter’s hand, shutting him up. He and Ned gave you their phones. They both laughed when they saw the contact name you listed: Your Favorite Avenger.

“Don’t give my number to anyone. I’ve already had to change it twice… and don’t lose your phone, please.”

Ned held his phone to his chest. “I’ll guard it with my life.”

“You’re so weird. I like that.”

“I hope it’s not rude,” Peter started. “But I was wondering about your hearing aids.”

“Ask away, I don’t mind.”

“Do you wear them all the time? And can you hear without them?”

“I pretty much wear them all the time. I’m moderately deaf in my right ear and hard of hearing in my left, it’s just a lot of straining to hear without them.”

“Oh. I was just wondering because I didn’t see an interpreter with you.”

“Yeah, Principal Morita offered but I’m okay without one. I only sign with my dad really, not many people bother. I get by just fine… one second.”

Your phone went off and the special ringtone told you it was Tony before you even checked the phone. Peter and Ned watched your expression shift as you picked up the phone.

“Happy?”

“Yeah, kid. Tony got called in and can’t pick you up. I’m gonna get you but it’s going to be late.”  

“How late?”

“I don’t know, I’m running errands for him currently.”

Happy spoke carefully. Steve had made everyone in the compound aware of your separation anxiety and the need to have exact times and schedules about when people were with you.

“Happy?” your voice rose. “An hour? Two hours?”

“Sarah, I honestly can’t tell you.”

“Hey, you okay?” Peter asked when your voice rose.

You muted the call for a minute. “My Uncle Tony can’t pick me up right away.”

“Tony? The Mr. Stark?” Ned said, excitedly.

Peter picked up on how you seemed worried.

“Do you want to come home with us? He can pick you up from my apartment, I live with my Aunt May close to school. It’s not very far at all.”

You breathed out a sigh of relief at not being alone anymore.

“Thank you, Peter. Happy? It’s fine, I’m going home with a friend… yes, I’ll text you the address. Yes, he’s trustworthy… No! It’s my first week, he’s a friend. Peter Parker… What kind of a name is Happy? Mmm hmm, I won’t forget to text you. I’ll do it right when I hang up. Okay, bye.”

“Your life seems interesting,” Peter said once you hung up.

“Hectic. It’s hectic,” you admitted. “So, what’s your address?”

(Part 14)...