#that said. i am proud of it. enjoy XD

[fractal-quadrilioquy]

Swampland

Westwatch Patch, Auric Basin. 1328 AE.

In the Heart of Maguuma, down twisting paths and deep crevices, where the light of the sun would struggle to reach even if the overgrowth above was destroyed, seven entities pretended to exist on the world they had assumedly abandoned.

“Should we… stop them?” One said, at last.

The ‘them’ in particular was currently assessing a particularly toxic corpse, left preserved by the toxic fumes pervading the corrupted jungle. The look in their eyes was hungry, in more ways than one – The need to know and experience the world warred with their common sense, which was hovering dangerously at an all-time low.

“No, no, I want to see what happens,” Lyss said, peering intently. Beside her, Ilya was staring, transfixed. Even the most wondrous of illusions couldn’t hold a candle to the sight playing out before them.

The Commander pulled out a sword. The calculating gaze that often scoured the battlefield, assessing the flow of battle and the minutiae of tactics, were laser-focused on the sorry excuse for a boar. The boar, unable to defend itself on account of being dead, continued to lie there, motionless.

“I would like to say, for the record,” Kormir said mildly, “That I have no idea what’s going to happen.”

Grenth smiled.

It was not a particularly comforting smile.

The Commander cut a slice out. The toxic fumes wavered a sickly green in the air, drifting languidly, menacingly, out of the little alcove. Ten meters away, a patch of grass withered and died.

Dwayna made a strangled noise, arm outstretched as if to stop them. Beside her, Melandru sat serenely on a particularly large mushroom, watching the situation play out. She pat Dwayna on the shoulder, and if anyone could have seen them, they might have mistaken it for caring. The other gods knew better. Melandru was vicious when she wanted to be.

The other gods also knew better than to acknowledge Balthazar, whose spiritual form flickered and sparked like a light refusing to catch, or a lightbulb refusing illumination.

“I would love to know what’s going through their mind,” Lyss breathed. 

“I doubt anything is going through it,” Grenth drawled.

Kormir raised a hand. “I can confirm that.”

“Kormir can confirm that.” 

“Kormir can also speak for themselves,” Kormir said.

“Kormir can, but should Kormir?” Ilya said, eyes dancing.

“Kormir hates all of you,” Kormir said, because she did.

“Kormir’s just going to have to deal.”

Melandru nodded sagely. Dwayna absently gathered the sage and blessed it, casting it off to Queensdale.

The Commander raised the meat and held it, and for the first time, doubt flashed upon their face.

“Maybe they won’t do it after all-“

The Commander ate it.

Dwayna broke down. Melandru gave her metaphysical shoulder another metaphorical pat, and sat back to watch the show. Lyss and Ilya gave twin squeals of glee and awe. Kormir laughed at the sight, delighted at having seen something she couldn’t predict. Grenth grinned, a grin with far too many teeth and far too much hunger.

Balthazar was beginning to smoke.

Dwayna sobbed. “They are an idiot.”

The idiot continued to chow down.

They weren’t looking amazing, but they sure were trying their best.

Grenth hummed. “This is actually rather impressive. Resisting death for so long.”

Melandru sighed. “Please don’t kill the wayward Commander.”

“Their death will be their own fault, I promise.” He grinned wickedly. “Hell of a way to go though.”

“They’re so stupid,” Ilya breathed. “I forgot how much I loved humans.”

They were all studiously ignoring the rising flames surrounding the God of War.

Thirty seconds stretched on, simultaneously feeling longer than an eternity and passing in a blink of an eye. Dwayna resigned herself to their fate, and went to lean against Melandru; then quickly thought better of it, and leaned on Kormir instead. Ilya was standing behind the poor soul, shouting “Chug! Chug! Chug!”, not that the poor soul in question could hear it. Grenth snapped his fingers, and eyeshades appeared on six of the seven gods, the first blatant acknowledgement of Balthazar’s seething hatred.

A minute passed. Then another. The Commander no longer looked like they were struggling, and gazed at the preserved corpse as if it were a particularly interesting puzzle.

“Holy shit,” Melandru’s voice rumbled, speaking up for the first time. “They actually did it.”

Balthazar exploded.

---

Two years later.

“You DARE to DEFY the DIVINE?!” Balthazar roared, swinging at them wildly. His movements were sharp, wrathful, and the Commander wondered, not for the first time, if they were in over their head fighting a god.

Still, they persevered. “You will not harm Aurene-!”

“No.” Balthazar cut them off, both literally and metaphorically. Their sword shattered in their hand, and they cursed, drawing another to parry the mad god’s next attack. “I’m talking about you, you damned mortal, they who would defy the rules of nature and consume that which is tainted beyond belief.“

“What are you talking about?!”

“I AM TALKING ABOUT THE HOG.”

“The- the what? What does that have to do with this?!”

“Your Injury Is Personal To Me.” Balthazar intoned.

The Commander could only stare, slack-jawed, at the deity.

Then Aurene came soaring in, and suddenly they had a lot more pressing issues to worry about.

[theconstitutionisgayculture]

Indefinite hiatus

I was toying with writing up a long post about what running this blog has meant to me over the years and why I'm stepping away for the foreseeable future, but that feels too dramatic for what's really just me saying "I'm not going to be on tumblr for at least the rest of the year". So, I'll just say I'm not going to be on tumblr for at least the rest of the year.

Okay, actually I have a bunch more to say, but it'll be under the cut.

Politics sucks. And paying attention to it, even in the reduced way I've been paying attention to it over the last few years, is hard. You end up spending so much of your supposedly free time thinking about things you can't change, getting mad about things you can't change, and getting depressed when the people who can change things just keep going in the wrong direction. Even when good things happen, it's just a matter of a few days before something bad happens once again. And vice versa. It's an endless cycle of hope, despair, resignation. Rinse and repeat, and triple speed that cycle during an election year. And I'm tired of it. I'm tired of spending every other year worried about what's going to happen on one day in November. I'm tired of hearing a piece of news and automatically composing a post about it or running through 20 different responses I might give to asks I might get about it in my head.

Everyone I know who doesn't pay attention to politics (or at least doesn't run a social media page dedicated to it) seems to enjoy their live a lot more than I currently do. Which sounds way more dramatic than what's actually going on, which is mainly that I want to get to a place where I just don't care. I want the world and its problems to flow off my back instead of weighing it down. I want to stop thinking about what people on the internet might say about something I haven't even posted yet. And that can't happen while I'm tied to this blog. So I'll be staying away from it for at least the rest of the year.

I did have a good time with this blog. I've met a bunch of really awesome people, some who are sadly no longer with us (RIP Blue), and some who I think will carry on the "fight" way better than I ever did. This isn't an admission of defeat, or pessimism about the election. Even if Trump wins, and I truly think he will if we have a fair election, I still won't be back this year. But I'll still vote and I'll still be proud that my silly little tumblr blog had an impact on some people's lives. I may not have the reach of a Tucker Carlson or a Glenn Beck, but I've gotten a lot of messages from people who said they changed their minds about an issue, or even politics in general, because of things I said, and that counts for something. If you guys take anything away from me, I want it to be this: Even the smallest impact matters. It doesn't matter if you only ever reach one person and then stop, reaching that one person is enough. Changing one vote is enough. Changing one mind is enough.

To all my mutuals, you guys are the best. I truly hope you have wonderful lives and I'm sad I won't get to see your names on my dash everyday anymore. To anyone I've ever followed or reblogged from, I couldn't have had a blog without you, so thank you. Yes, even the leftiod psychos, XD. To everyone else, find your own balance and never give into despair and never listen to people who tell you not to try. Even a failed effort is still more meaningful than sitting back and mocking people for trying to improve even the smallest thing about themselves or the world around them.

I won't be logging back in after I post this, so any messages or asks you send, I won't see. I'll still be active (or as active as I ever am) in my discord, so feel free to join there if you want to. It should still be my pinned post, but if it isn't, I'll edit this with a new invite link.

And that's all I've got to say for now.

[ssailormoonn]

❛ HE'S GOT A CRUSH ❜

Tokito Muichiro X Fem!Reader

WC; 700+ | !MDNI! | TW/CW :: FLUFF SO FLUFFY, this is so cute im sobbing, x fem reader, reader is a girl, you two are both 14, TEENAGE LOVE OMG,

*ੈ✩‧₊˚𝑅𝐸𝒬𝒰𝐸𝒮𝒯 :: Could we maybe get a cute and wholesome Muichiro x fem! Reader? He's 14 I believe, so nothing over the top, but just a cute little thing where he sees Ginko is actually being nice and prideful of reader, then when he asks about it, she replies "Caw! Bc y/n is just as strong as you are, so it makes sense why you have a crush on her!" Then Muichiro gets embarrassed while reader just accepts his feelings XD - @freddleafton12345-blog

m.list | demon slayer m.list

You were training. That's all you were doing. Muichiro was there with you, though he was being quite and stoic as usual, he was there. You could feel him today, just out of sight. It was a comforting presence in its own right.

You also noticed Ginko, his crow, perched on a branch not too far off. Her sharp, no judging eyes follow your every movement, and you could have sworn she was being. over-proud? It was almost like she was waiting for something.

Finishing your training session, you wiped the sweat from your forehead and sheathed your katana, turning to where you knew Muichiro was standing. He slowly emerged from behind a tree, his usual detached expression in place, though his eyes were focused on you.

"Hey, Muichiro!" you said happily, flashing him a soft, gentle smile.

He barely nodded, his eyes never once leaving yours, and said nothing right away.

You were the only one Muichiro can tolerate, he enjoys your presence, he like how happy you are because when he's around you his heart pounds and tingles. He likes the sensation.

Before either of them could say another word, Ginko flew down from her branch and landed beside Muichiro with a loud caw, puffing out her feathers proudly.

"Caw! {Name} is just as strong as you, Muichiro!" Ginko squawked.

Muichiro blinked in mild confusion, turning to his crow. "What do you mean?" he asked calmly, but it did sound like he was slightly confused.

You chuckled. "I think she's just complimenting me," you said, but the way Ginko had looked at both of you made you suspect she wasn't done yet.

And you were right.

Ginko's next words came out loud and clear. "Because {Name} is just as strong as you are! So of course you have a crush on her!"

We froze.

Muichiro immediately went bright red, a colour you never see him in. His usual expression crumpled, his eyes wide from surprise. He stared at Ginko then at you before back at Ginko, without a single word to say.

"I-I don't," he stuttered, protesting weakly.

You could see the panic rising on his features, and it really was the cutest thing you had ever seen.

Your cheeks flushed warmly too. You couldn't help the laugh that escaped you. "Oh, is that so?" you teased softly as you stepped a little closer to Muichiro.

"I don't. Ginko's just. I mean," he muttered, staring down at his feet.

He turned to you again, his eyes wide with surprise still. It was rare to see Muichiro this flustered, and such a sight took hold of your heart.

Ginko apparently was very satisfied with herself and gave another proud caw. "Yes! Muichiro has a crush on {Name}, just like I said! And I am always right!"

Muichiro's flustered state made you smile hoplessly because it was a sight you'veg never seen on him. Going easy on him, you took another step closer and laid a comforting hand on his arm. He looked up at you, still somewhat lost, his eyes searching your face for some sort of clue on how to respond.

"Muichiro," you said softly, kindly, "I think that's really sweet."

His face flushed even more and this time he didn't try to deny it. Instead, he just stared at you, softening into your gaze as he realized you weren't teasing him. In his eyes, you could tell how nervous he is, which made your heart beat so, so fast.

You smiled warmly as you took another step closer. "I accept your feelings," you said with a softly.

Muichiro blinked, plainly trying to wrap his brain around what you'd just said. For a moment, it seemed his mind had gone blank. But then, ultra-slowly, a small smile pulled at the corners of his lips, so slight you'd have almost missed it if you weren't standing quite that near him.

"Thanks," he whispered, his voice inaudible, his eyes coy and wide, yet within them held a certain warmth that fluttered your chest.

Ginko was quite proud of what she had done. She said, "Look! See? I told you! Ginko is never wrong!"

You laughed again, the sound bright and carefree as you looked to Muichiro. Still beet-faced and embarrassed, but deep inside, his heart went racing from the situation, he didn't know how to act around you now that you knew, but he was certain things would grow further. And you were hoping for it to, as well.

Do not copy, steal, modify use for AI, etc. Relogs and like are appreciated.

m.list | demon slayer m.list

[katyspersonal]

Here’s a triple whammy, Midra, Messmer, Rellana for the character bingo pls?

( @izunias-meme-hole )

Ohh bitchin'

God I just.. I will have to try to not turn it into an essay for your SANITY (ba dum tss) but in simplest terms possible, this was THE peak DLC experience for me. The Abyssal Woods already were super interesting and atmospheric, as well as learning that Midra is a NERD with so many books all over his Manse. But like.. the battle already captivated me a lot. It was just.. so well-done in every aspect. The music, the movements and attacks... No boss ever deserved the staple "battle feels like a dance once you get into it" praise more than this guy. ;-; I already was not normal about Frenzied Flame in general, but this just dhfssdfg It was so well executed god. Remember being OBSESSED with his music theme, also the first character in a while to make me often check his character tag on Tumblr. @val-of-the-north won't let me lie, I was literally drooling thinking about him in the first few days after that fight and could not think of anyone else @_@

Also I really enjoyed digging further into his story and motivations, what happened here with the Three Fingers and Nanaya. Analysis of the whole SoTe for me. This brand of despair also appeals to me at all, especially when it is tied to you and your associates being hunted like heretics (only the old ones remember!!! XD). Funny enough, just the day before I've met him in the game I've had a very unique mental breakdown where I was ranting like a madman about how much I've tired of holding the horrors and pain inside and how I wanted to just give up and unleash it. I can't get into too much details, it was very personal, however the phrase "May chaos take the world" was stuck in my head all along! And Val mentioned that 'interestingly enough, a theme like this IS addressed in SoTE' + 'you kin one of the characters for sure' so... yeah, that was something. I needed a character like this quite a lot :')

Messmer is AWESOME!! I do not obsess actively but rather just reblog the fanart and stuff that gets on my dashboard, but there are SO many things I said as my thoughts about his and Marika's relationship. And now I have even more to say! You could tell I love Midra more, but Messmer offers infinitely more to talk about and explore! And, god, his charisma, having attracted so many intelligent people to join him and even accept his serpentine nature (apparently a big no for people in the setting for some reason fdjjfds). Also one of the best designs in the Soulsborne series EVER. Also it is his voice actor's DEBUT! Literally HOW????? sfhdjhsdhgfdshds

It IS, for sure, hard to talk about him and not touch upon MANY other characters as he is tied with them so much. Marika, Melina, Fire Knights (especially Queelign), closest Black Knights that ditched him, Rellana, Gaius, Winged Snakes, god knows who else... I love how many relationship he has, but also what interesting potential he opened for exploring the lore with Abyss, Base Serpent and potentially Fell God! He is so many things. And I think this is appropriate how hard it is to discuss him outside of his relationships and curses... It is just like the character himself: having his life and purpose in it basically predefined by a curse he had no control over and his mother, and being a scourge or an idol for others, but barely being a person on his own... Discussions about him are JUST like him, you see what I mean? This also makes me emotional.

I do not have that many headcanons about her, but I am proud of those that I have! x) There is always the room to create more of course! Ok naturally 'everyone else is wrong about them' is not meant to be taken seriously fdshfhds But a big cornerstone for understanding her was the description of her swords referring to Moon and Fire having always been together in Japanese original script, which is just the sentiment from Sword of Night and Flame! So I can no longer see her as huge Erdtree/Marika simp at all, but instead as someone who, although without any hard feelings for her sister's choice, believes Cosmic Sorcery and Fire should be together (again) which makes me look at other takes like:

Just the curse of getting brain hard-locked on your interpretation fdshfhds On another note, I fucking LOVE her design, I am NOT able to enjoy any other armour anymore and just want to wear hers all the time fhhfsd 'Silly' because Twin Moons IS a silly concept, as well as cosplaying Sulyvahn XD ...but also because I see her as silly and fun person, to contrast Messmer's emo vibe x) Smug about kicking asses too! She gives me this strange feeling too, like... I can accept most of the bosses having to die for the plot and narrative, but thinking about her getting killed actually upsets me! She is an optional boss and should STAY as such. #rellanaplslive

[covenofwives]

Halloween Mansion

Dream, George and Sapnap are invited to a fun Halloween event by their siblings DreamXD, GeorgeHD and Sapnap4K. They get to play hide and seek in a scary haunted mansion. But they definitely don't want to be caught.

Tah-Dah :D Happy (very late) Halloween! This fic was started a way back in September and I stupidly thought I could finish it for Halloween. Nope :) But it's done now and while I had to change and alter some stuff, I am super proud of it.

Warning that this is a real long fic so please take breaks if you need to and read in spurts if that's better for you. I want you to enjoy it to the fullest.

Enjoy~

---

When the three Gods, GeorgeHD, Sapnap4K and DreamXD, said they had a special event planned for their siblings, there was equal parts curiosity and worry. The Gods had been saying for while they wanted a “play date” as it were with all of them. It was exciting to see the Gods so happy about the upcoming event but at the same time there was a fact looming over them that didn’t sit right with the Dream Team.

Halloween.

The day for candy and mischief was fast approaching. The longer the Gods were silent on the event, the more the Dream Team worried.

“It’s obviously a prank.” George reasoned. “HD tells me it will be ready soon. 4K is getting giddier every day. It’s a Halloween prank.”

The three had a rare free day together and spent the time hanging out. They were exploring through a forest and took a break in the afternoon. Naturally talk went to the upcoming event.

“It could be nothing.” Dream suggested, almost hopefully. “Get us all excited for the promise of something and then it’s just nothing.”

“Nah, 4K would actually cry if that was it.” Sapnap dismissed that idea. “He hates those pranks.”

“And they call it an ‘event’.” George pointed out. “So, whatever it is, it’s something big. Something that counts as an event to them.”

“What could be considered an event to a God?” Dream asked.

The three tried to bounce around more ideas, but they couldn’t reach an agreement, and without confirmation it would all just be guessing. None of the Gods were letting it slip what it was, so all they Dream Team could do was wait.

Painfully wait.

Finally they got news. Each of them received an invitation one morning, just showing up in their homes, with coordinates on it. It came a week before Halloween, and the invitation was decorated with cute pumpkins and bats. Definitely a Halloween event.

The three of them met up and after making sure it was the same invitation for all, went to the coordinates together. Unsurprisingly, the three God were there, ready to meet them.

“Finally finally finally!” 4K chanted happily. He jumped up from his spot on the log the three were sat at. “It took you so long!”

“You could have teleported us here.” Sapnap grumbled. “It took us all day!”

The three had headed out as soon as they were ready, which was just before noon, and by the time they reached the spot the sun was setting. It was closer to Kinoko Kingdom than anywhere else but none of them had ever been here. It was mostly a windswept biome, with steep hills and open fields. The three came to a forest line where the three Gods were waiting. With a very suspicious cobblestone wall behind them.

“We wanted you to get in the spirit.” XD said happily. He kept his arms down to his side but his hands were flexing and trying their best to keep still.

“What spirit? Tired?” Dream asked rhetorically, yet HD still responded.

“Exactly,” he started and his voice went low. “You’ve been walking aaaaaaall day and it’s starting to get dark. You just want to lay down and rest but it’s not safe out here. Then you see it…”

 With a grin, and snap of his fingers, the cobblestone wall behind the Gods crumbled and fell away to reveal the forest behind.

The first thing obvious about the forest was that it was manually made. The trees were a mix of oak and dark oak, stretching up far to block out the sun’s light. Their branches were twisting unnaturally and their leaves were a rotting grey. The trunks of the trees had menacing faces carved into the wood, some that were only revealed when the light hit them a certain way. There was a worn out winding path through the trees leading up to dark crumbling gates, and behind that a massive mansion.

It was the full definition of a haunted mansion. The outside was decorated like an old timely building. It’s walls were an old white, almost grey with the decay look, and black roofs. The lights of the mansion were on, glowing an eerie orange, finishing the perfect picture of a haunted mansion deep in the woods.

The siblings were stunned, taking in every detail. It was Dream who spoke first. “When?! When did you even do all this?!”

“We’ve had the past few weeks to get this fixed up.” 4K boasted with a wide grin, his arms around both the other Gods.

“We are also Gods, this is not hard for us.” HD shrugged. “Most of the time was spent on designing the thing and designing the inside.”

“The inside!” George said excitedly. “Can we see inside?!”

“You will soon.” HD nodded. “But we have to explain the rules first.”

“Rules?”

The grin over 4K’s face widened, and even HD seemed to be holding back his own smile. The Nether God took his arms from the other two, letting them space out before HD carried on explaining. “This is your event. You’ll get to explore the haunted house we’ve made.”

“Buuuut,” XD added. “You’ve only got 20 minutes to explore and then find yourself a hiding spot. Cause after 20 minutes, we’re coming in to find you.”

“Find us?” Sapnap blinked as though confused. Then it clicked. “Oh! Like hide and seek right?”

“Yes! Exactly like hide and seek!” 4K excitedly nodded. He was practically bouncing on his feet. “We’ll give you time to look around you know, and admire our work. But then you’ve gotta find a spot to hide.”

“There are a few hiding spots in the house.” XD gestured back up to the mansion. “Some we’ve made secret. Secret doors, hideaways and crawl spaces.”

“But you’ll know all the hiding spots!” George quickly pointed out. “You three made them.”

“I mean…yeah” HD shrugged, chuckling a little with their admittance. “Honestly George, we’re going to find you eventually. There’s no time limit on how long we have. You just don’t want to be the first one caught.”

“Or the first one to tap out.” XD added.

The phrase ‘tap out’ sent a worry through all three of the siblings. One they knew the other was feeling. They gave a quick glance to each other before Dream brought up the courage to ask. “Tap out from what?”

“I mean, do we reeeeeally need to spell it out?” 4K grinned. “I think you know.”

As though to make a show and really get his point across, 4K lifted his hands in show and made wiggling motions with his fingers. If it was just hinted at before, it was very much laid out plainly now to different reactions. George’s face turned red under his mushroom blush with a nervous laugh. Sapnap flat out shouted while his face turned red.

“N-No! We didn’t agree to that!”

“Where is your Halloween spirit, Sap.” 4K lowered his arms and pouted. “You used to love Halloween when you were little. You’d ask for ‘tickle or treats’ all the time when you were little! You’d-”

“Stop!” Sapnap jump forward then, trying hard to cover 4K’s mouth a shut him up. It didn’t work exactly but 4K just laughed and struggled with his brother.

“It’s our Halloween present for you three.” XD explained with a smile. “We wanted to make something fun for you and get you into the season.”

“Wh-Whahat part of the Halloween season involves ti…th-that?!” Dream stuttered with his words, which was clearly noticed by the Gods.

Though XD smiled he didn’t point out it, and just answered. “Is it not in the spirit to run from monsters, and get soooo worked up over the thought of being caught?”

“Monsters catch you to eat you. They don’t catch to tickle usually.” George pointed out, glancing between the group and the mansion looming up ahead.

“The Halloween spirit is for fun tricks. Nothing gruesome or really harming.” XD said.

“If it makes you feel better George, you could think of us as tickle monsters.” HD smiled with his own amusement. “Those monsters wouldn’t hurt you.”

“Really?” George asked while watching over 4K and Sapnap’s scuffle.

The ‘fight’ between the two was very much over with Sapnap held up over 4K’s shoulder. Sapnap still fought as much as he could from his position, though it was hardly effecting his older brother. “If they didn’t ban me from tickling you I’d be wrecking you right now.” 4K growled playfully.

“Let me down and I will show you wrecking!” Sapnap growled back.

“Enough! Put him down, 4K.” HD called and despite an over dramatic huff, 4K obliged. Sapnap immediately scurried back to Dream and George’s side once he was free, glaring to his brother who just grinned back. “We are wasting precious time.” HD added.

“Yes yes of course.” 4K nodded enthusiastically. “We got to get to the game!”

Each of the Dream Team glanced up to the mansion again before looking to one another. They spoke without words, using their eyes only before looking back up to their brothers.

“What are the rules?” Dream asked.

The Gods smiled, 4K having to hold himself back from jumping for joy.

“You get 20 minutes to hide.” HD repeated. “It has to be somewhere in the mansion, it can’t be in the woods. Afterwards we’ll come find you. When we catch you, you’ll be tickled. When you safeword, the tickling stops and you lose.”

“If we see you, but we can’t grab you, you have a chance to run.” 4K grinned. “I mean, it won’t do you much good but you can run.”

“What if you can’t find us?” Sapnap asked almost hopefully.

“Oh we’ll find you.” 4K assured him. “We know every part of this mansion. We’ll find you.”

“Even if it does take us a while,” HD quickly added. “It doesn’t matter how long it takes us to find you. It matters how long you last the tickling. The one who taps out first loses.”

“And what happens to them?” Dream asked.

“That’s for later.” XD waved that off. “Now, is there any rules any of you want to add?”

The three looked at one another again. “N-No-No nibbling on my stomach.” Dream finally spoke.

“Oh true. He’ll die right away if we do that.” XD spoke so easily which made Dream’s face turn red.

“My wraps on my arms stay on.” George added in.

“Okay. That’s fair.” HD agreed then looked to Sapnap. “Anything for you?”

“Nah. You’re not even gonna catch me.” Sapnap boasted.

“Oh, really.” HD’s eyebrows shot up and a grin spread on his lips. “I hope I find you.”

Sapnap just grinned back, but Dream watched the way his legs twitched and he shuffled on his feet. It looked like he was readying himself, but Dream knew it was to let out his nerves.

“Yous ready then?” 4K asked with a wide grin. He was almost as jumpy as his brother, but he had a hunter glint in his eyes.

The siblings agreed, each growing more excited.

“Alright. 20 minutes. Your time starts as soon as you step towards the mansion.” HD said.

“Wha-! it should start when we’re in the mansion!” George whined.

“Walking on the mansion path still counts.” XD grinned. “So you three had better run there quickly.”

Dream tried to look to George and Sapnap, and organise a time to run together, but when he looked around George had already sprinted off, running up the path.

“What th-GEORGE!” Dream shouted.

“You’ve fucked it for us!” Sapnap shouted after but ran right after the brunette.

“Sapnap!” Dream shouted.

“Time’s started Dream! Better get moving~” XD called out.

Dream opened his mouth to argue but quickly shut it. He realised he was wasting time and quickly ran up after George and Sap who were near half way through the woods.

“They move fast when they’re timed.” 4K giggled and settled back down to sit on the log he was on before.

“Hopefully they’re fast enough.” HD said.

---

The three burst into the mansion doors together. Sapnap and Dream quickly caught up with George and without even waiting threw open the large white doors.

The front hall of the mansion was a wide open grand space. There were doorways on either side of the room and beside each of them a large stairway that curved up to the second floor. Between the stairs was a large archway leading to a further hall. The floorboards were an old grey with a large red rug, leading down to the long corridor.

It looked like there was a library room on the right and some sort of living room on the left with a fireplace. Dream only had a quick glance of it before his attention was drawn to the stairs, as George ran up them frantically.

“George! We’ve got 20 minutes!” Dream called up.

“It’ll take us 20 minutes to find a hiding spot! This place is huge!” George called back as he ran through the halls. The sounds of his footsteps faded further and further until they disappeared.

There was some truth in George’s words. They couldn’t really explore much of the house and take in all the details with a time limit looming over them.

“He’ll just get lost. That’s his strategy!” Sapnap said while peeking around the corner to the library. “One of these bookshelves definitely open.”

Dream looked into the room too. It would make sense for a haunted house to have secret doorways, but none of the bookshelves looked different from the others. All were built into the walls and stretched up the high ceiling. It was tempting to find it, but Dream didn’t want to waste time with one room.

“Let’s look around together.” Dream suggested. “And this way if we find a spot we want, at least the other person knows not to go for it.”

Sapnap agreed and the two carried on. They gave a quick look into the living room with the fireplace and immediately noticed the fire was fake and the back of the fireplace opened up. The two crawled through to a hidden kitchen. The middle of the room taken up by a large hob stove, but there was no other doors out so they retreated.

The hallway through the archway only had two doors at the end of the hall. On the right lead to a dark study with only candles of green flame for light and the door on the left was to an observatory. The wall to the back garden was all glass and would have probably been a nice room to relax in during the day. At night through it looked out to the dark forest with many glowing eyes looking to the large window. Dream wondered how many of the eyes were fake effects the Gods put on, and how many were real animals checking out the place.

“Okay. There is so obviously more hidden rooms down this hallway.” Sapnap commented as they walked back to the front hall. “Look how big this space is, and we know the kitchen is there,” he tapped the wall to elaborate. “So we know they’re absolutely hiding secret rooms.”

“I’m more worried about trick rooms.” Dream thought out loud. It had been a though plaguing him since he stepped foot in the mansion.

“Trick rooms?” Sapnap asked with his head tilted.

“Well they’re Gods with unbelievable powers. They could easily make a sort of…illusion. Or teleportation we don’t realise. Open one door and it’s a bathroom, then close and open it again and it could be another hallway.”

Sapnap blinked in thought, his eyes suddenly wide. “I didn’t even think of that!” He mumbled. “Well maybe that will make it harder for them to find us.”

“I doubt it.”

They had reached the stairs and quickly climbed up them. While exploring downstairs they heard running footsteps of George upstairs, frantically trying to find a hiding spot but neither could see him.

The upstairs had a lot more space than Dream was expecting which lead him to believe he was right that some illusion was at work. He tried keeping a map of the floor plan in his head but this large hallway already didn’t make sense. The stairs lead to a long hallway forward and then it split into three separate directions with a cross section.

“GEORGE!” Sapnap shouted out. “Where are you?!”

The silence that followed was eerie and unsettling. Dream and Sapnap gave a look before Dream shouted out as well. Still no answer.

“It’s a big place, he’s not going to hear us.” Dream  gave out the excuse, though it didn’t exactly sit right with him. They agreed that was the reason, but kept an eye out as they continued down the halls.

The hallways each held a few doors which they randomly opened to search. Dream came upon a large grand ballroom, with a piano playing itself in the corner, and strange dancing lights all around the ceiling. Next was a half elegant games room. One side the room was in tact and the other was a rotten, house of horror mess.

Sapnap near enough screamed when he found a room full of skeletons. Dream ran to his side ready to help but as he got there the screams died and he looked to see that the skeletons were unmoving. They were sat around a study, displayed in different activities, but they weren’t mobs and made no attempt to move.

Dream sighed in relief, letting his heart calm down while he shot Sapnap a grin. “Dude, really?” He chuckled. “A few skeletons and you scream?”

“I thought they were coming at me, okay!?” Sapnap huffed. His cheeks flushed to his mistake and he kept one eye on the skeletons even while he scoffed how stupid it was.

The urge to tease his friend faded when he was reminded of the time limit. Sapnap closed the door and Dream kept quiet when he swore he could have seen the skeleton at the desk move it’s head ever so slightly just to get a last look at Dream before the door closed.

“How long has it been?” Dream’s head worked to keep himself in the moment and off the creepy atmosphere. The grand paintings of unknown nobles that lined the hallways all had eyes following the two. That was standard house of horror, but out the corner of Dream’s eye he swore he saw some of the paintings change and move and their expressions grew more wicked and horrid.

“I don’t know I lost count when he came up here.” Sapnap admitted. “It was five minutes I think we were looking around downstairs. Maybe.”

Okay, that made sense in Dream’s head. He made a rough guess of how much time past and followed from there. To keep himself safe he assumed they had ten minutes left. Ten minutes until this house became a real house of horror.

“Look! An attic!” Sapnap elbowed against Dream’s arm, drawing him from his thoughts before jogging ahead.

Dream couldn’t see it at first until he followed after and saw the thin drawstring hanging from the ceiling. Sapnap had already jumped and grabbed the string to pull it down.

The house made a horrid groan as the attic hatch was slowly pulled down but it was nothing compared to the scream that followed after it.

Dream and Sapnap both jumped, Sapnap losing grip on the string, but it already fell. The stairs unfolded and clattered on the ground, offering a way up but Dream and Sapnap were still shaken from the scream. But it was a scream both of them knew too well.

“George?!” Dream called up.

“Wha-Dream?!”

There was the sound of footsteps approaching before George’s head popped out over the small opening to the attic. His brunette hair was covered in cobwebs and dust.

“You idiot! I thought you were them!” George called down, his voice high pitched with anticipation, but Dream could see the sigh of relief through his body.

“We were shouting on you, idiot.” Sapnap said as he took a step up the attic stairs.

“AH! NO!” George suddenly shouted and steps forward to block the hatch way up. “No! This is my hiding spot!”

“What?!” Sapnap looked up. “Let us up and see! You can’t just call a spot!”

“I just did, idiot! Find your own spot!”

“No! Fuck off!”

Sapnap tried to charge up the stairs as George tried to block the way in. Dream quickly followed after, stopping a scuffle before it could begin and one of them hurt themselves falling down the stairs.

“We’re not taking your spot, George, we’re just exploring the house. Just let us up to see what’s there.”

George glared at the two like they were lying to him before he finally moved out of the way. “If you even try, I’ll push you both out.”

George backed away from the entrance and Sapnap quickly scurried up. Dream followed up after, surveying the room slowly as he did.

The place looked like what was expected of an attic in a haunted mansion. It was a rather long attic thought the slanted walls of the roof around it mad it seem smaller. The walls were a mix of the dark grey wood and old wallpaper which was ripped and peeling at some parts. There were old rusting clothes railings holding old timely clothes, piles of chest and boxes, mirrors and vanity chests covered in old sheets and old chairs all strewn about the place.

The space was a perfect for hiding and Dream was kicking himself for letting it go so easily. He was talking himself more out of it the longer he stared. It would be harder to evade the seekers in the attic with only one way out, and if they closed the hatch behind them it would be game over.

“I’m going to hide in one of these.” George lead them over to the pile of chests. “The big one! I’m going to slip in with the small box on top so it looks undisturbed.”

“You’ll move the cobwebs, idiot.” Sapnap quickly pointed out. “They’ll notice.

“No! No! Watch!” George excitedly went over beside the chests. Dream thought it was cute how George was so protective over his hiding spot, yet was so eager to show it off.

The chests were completely covered over in thick cobwebs though Dream hadn’t seen any spiders around the house. He grabbed a handful of the cobwebs and tore them away, enough that a few boxes were revealed before he stood back. Dream and Sapnap watched, giving glancing looks to each other before it started.

The cobwebs began to grow back. Slowly they formed their webs and entwined with one another until they grew back completely and recovered the chests.

“See! They’d never know! I’ll be perfectly hidden.” George grinned with a sense of pride. “By the time they come to look for me, the webs will be back up and they won’t know which chest to get. They’ll give up.”

“Very brave to assume they’ll just give up.” Dream said. “They might leave but they’ll come back.”

George scoffed to the very idea of it, and threw off the cobwebs, which Dream took notice had slowly dissolved. They completely disappeared before they even hit the floor.

“When are they coming anyway?” George asked.

Dream was just wondering that as he spotted the small circular window at the front of the room. He went over to it and tried to get a look out. It faced out to the front of the house and the forest before that. Then, right at the edge, Dream could see the Gods still sitting.

Even before Dream could spot the Gods, he knew something was wrong. When Sapnap and Dream found the attic hatch it should have been at the far back of the house but this window was right at the front. The attic space wasn’t big enough to reach there.

“This mansion doesn’t make sense.” Dream turned back to the two.

“Well it’s a haunted mansion,” George said with a shrug. “It’s got some trick rooms.”

“No, I mean the layout. The attic hatch is at the far back of the cross hallway so it should be at the back of the house. But the window is right at the front of the house.” Dream worked through the map in his head, already knowing it wasn’t making sense.

“What? No!” George shook his head. “The attic is right at the start of the hall.”

Dream gave a look to Sapnap, confirming with a look that wasn’t right. “No. The attic is right after the cross section in the hallway?”

George raised an eyebrow. “What cross section? The hallway upstairs is straight.”

It was already obvious but it was good having confirmation that the house was definitely making illusions. That changed Dream’s plan of trying to keep outrunning the Gods. Any doorway could lead him right into their arms.

Sapnap argued with George over it as Dream looked back out the window. He could barely see the Gods beyond the forest as the sun was fully set by now. But he could see them just enough to make out the fact that Gods were moving. They stood up altogether and then started making their way to the mansion.

“They’re coming!” Dream backed off from the window. Adrenaline coursing through him, drawing in his breath as he turned to Sapnap and George. “They’re coming here!”

“What do you mean they’re coming here?!” Sapnap gasped. “It’s not been 20 minutes!”

“It clearly has!”

Even with the coursing panic and shouting between the three, they were all smiling.

“Get out! OUT!” George quickly pushed the two back to the hatch again. “This is my spot! Out!”

“G-Geohorge!” Dream chuckled while trying not to fall down the stairs.

“We don’t have a spot to hide!” Sapnap tried to excuse as he put up the most fight to keep in the attic. Still even with his strength, George got a good jab onto his sides and he was tumbling down the stairs and into Dream.

“That’s not my problem!” George shouted.

The attic stairs were pulled up as soon as their foot was off the stairs. Dream and Sapnap untangled themselves, just managing to stand up when they heard the front door open.

“Dream Teeeeeam~ Come out and plaaaaaay~”

It was 4K’s voice, eerily echoing throughout the house and bouncing off the walls. It felt like it hit Dream’s bones. Chilling him completely and soon he was running off after Sapnap who had bolted the moment he heard the voice.

“Split up!” Dream heard himself yelling.

“Good luck, brother!” Sapnap shouted after him before he ducked down the left hand split of the hallway. Dream went down the right.

The upstairs had changed since Dream and Sapnap went into the attic and came back out. Dream immediately noticed it. Instead of the attic laying just ahead of the cross pathways, it was now in the middle of a straight hall that lead to a T-shaped corridor.

The map Dream had trying to make for himself was thrown out of his head as he scurried down the corridor. The left wall was lined with tall windows, letting in the light of the moonlight which worked in Dream’s favour as the mansion lights suddenly shut off.

Dream heard the distant screams of George which he hoped was just from the lights going out and not because he was caught. While giving a mental good luck to George, Dream carried on.

On the right side was a line of five doors, with no indication to what sort of room they lead into. Dream stopped in front of one door when he heard footsteps quickly run up the stairs. He had no time to think anymore and picked a door, running through and slamming it shut behind him.

If he had been hoping for some room, luck was not on his side. It was another hallway. A long hallway with many doors on both sides.

“What the fuck…” Dream whispered under his breath before taking careful steps forward. Lights were still on in this hallway, though it was dim candlelights flickering.

There was no time to take in any more detail as Dream remembered there was a God chasing him. If he was quick about it he could duck into another room and there was no way they’d know which.

Just trying to pick randomly, Dream walked up to the third door on the left, opened it and stepped through. He came out to the same hallway, but out of the first door on the right.

“Wh-What?” Dream looked up and down the hall. He quickly turned back, going back through the door he came out and instead came out the door opposite himself.

“What in the Scooby Doo fuck is this?!”

Dream tried to leave out the door that lead him into the hallway but it instead brought him out to the door on his left. Dream was stuck.

He ran through a few more doors, trying to make some sense of what door would take him out what, but it was all random chance. He tried walking through the door but keeping the door behind him open and it didn’t work. It seemed like each doorway brought him out to a new version of the hallway, untouched but just as confusing.

A part of Dream worried he was really stuck but he shook that off. This was a haunted mansion made by his brother and his friend’s brothers. It was all for fun, they’d never leave him in here. Though it honestly didn’t help his situation.

Dream went through a few more doors before the hallway finally changed. He came out the of the doorway leading into the hall, but then at the opposite end of the hall there was a turn. Dream didn’t question any more. It was new and got him out of this hallway so he quickly followed it.

Unsurprising but just as confusing, the turn lead into another hallway. There was about ten feet of actual hallway, and then it turned into a moving hallway. A tunnel that spun around and around with flashing arcade lights embedded into the ever spinning walls.

Dream had known these kinds of hallways were called vortex tunnels. He’d heard of them at carnival fun house rides but had never seen them. Even looking at it now was making him dizzy and making his eyes unfocused.

There was another door down at the end of the spinning hall, but the way forward wasn’t easy. Though Dream knew in his head he could get through it he was debating if it was worth it when he heard the click of a door opening, and a voice called out behind him.

“Who’s gotten caught in the trick hallway?”

It was GeorgeHD’s voice, chuckling with amusement and a tinge of a growl behind his voice.

There was no more time for debating, Dream just quickly leapt into the tunnel.

It wasn’t spinning too fast, at least not as fast as Dream thought. The flashing spinning lights were making it look faster but when he was up and actually watching it, he could easily follow the movement. He quickly stepped onto the shifting tunnel, moving in step with each turn he took. It meant he had to go slow, but at least he was moving.

He came to just about halfway through the hallway when he heard the footsteps quickly behind him. Dream looked over his shoulder to see HD standing at the end of the hallway. His eyes caught Dream’s and he beamed with a huge grin.

“Well hello, little champion.”

Nerves and anxiety welled in Dream’s chest, and came up in a mix of a squeak and hysterical giggles. He just about managed to let out a few no’s until he realised he had stopped moving.

Like a Looney Tunes moment, as soon as Dream realised his legs hadn’t moved the tunnel still did and he lost his balance. His hand tried to steady on the tunnel’s side, but it was no use when that moved too and Dream found himself on the floor of the ever spinning hallway.

“Well that was a mistake, wasn’t it?”

Dream turned on his side quickly, trying to look over his shoulder to get his eyes on HD before the tunnel spun him again. They still stood at the end of the tunnel, looming over Dream. They seemed excited when Dream looked at them, easily stepping out into the tunnel. They didn’t have to step carefully like Dream did. The spinning didn’t even bother HD as he stepped out. He didn’t fall or lose his balance in the slightest. As the tunnel span, HD moved with it with his feet firmly on the tunnel’s surface. They took another step, only this time it was while they were upside down.

“W-Wahait! WAHAHAIT!”

Dream tried sputtering his pleas, but it was hard to keep his eyes on HD and to keep readjust himself to the tunnels spin. He had managed to get the same motion going with his arms as he had with his legs, but one of his hands slipped and he was rolling again.

“You’re so silly, Dreamie! You’re stumbling all over the place.”

“NOhoho! Ihihi’m nohot! I-Ihit’s thihis tunnel!”

He tried to right himself again, but it was practically no use. He was confused and dizzy and overwhelmed with the giggles as HD made his way closer and closer. Walking because he knew he didn’t have to run.

When the God was just a few steps away, Dream made a last ditch attempt to escape. He was about halfway to the end of the tunnel, he could reach it so easily, he knew he could!

The tunnel made another spin and Dream moved with it. He rolled onto his back and let the tunnel roll him, getting him onto his hands and knees and he pushed himself forward. He cleared a good distance and managed to get his legs working to work with the tunnel’s spin again. The end was in sight!

“No you don’t!”

The back of Dream’s cloak was grabbed and he was yanked. Pulled up and up into waiting arms that wrapped around his chest and held him in close.

“NO! NO! Thahat’s noHOT FAHAIR!”

“I snatched up a little champion!” HD’s voice was gleefully pressed against Dream’s ear. “I got XD’s cute little brother!”

“STOHOHOP!”

The lights kept spinning with the tunnel, disorienting Dream. It didn’t help with HD moving him around. He was released from HD’s arms and laid onto the floor. Or…what was the floor for now. Dream was on his back with HD straddling over his legs. The God had no worry for the tunnel’s spinning, but when Dream realised his position, he panicked.

“W-Wait! Wait! Please!” Dream pleaded. “I’ll fall!”

HD’s response was a scoff, and didn’t stop him from yanking up Dream’s top to just above his ribs. “Like I would let something like gravity get in the way of tickling you.”

The tunnel came to another spin and Dream tried pleading again but to no avail. All he could do was brace himself, preparing for the drop. But it never came. Dream scrunched his eyes shut but risked a peek out. He wasn’t falling, but the tunnel was still moving. Dream could feel his clothes trying to fall. His hair fell over his face and he looked up to see the hallway he walked in through was on the roof. Dream was upside down, but he was perfectly stuck to the wall.

“Wh-Wha-at?!”

"Now enough of that silliness.” HD’s voice snapped Dream back into the moment and drew his eyes back to him. Just in time to see the swarm of ethereal hands appear out from behind the God. “It’s time to get you tickled.”

“W-WAIT!”

Dream screech fell on deaf ears, and turned into a squeal of over anticipated laughter. He shrieked and screamed as the hands descended upon him one after the other. The first ones grabbed at his sides, kneading him up and down, then his ribs were vibrated over and finally his stomach was prodded, skittered and tickled. His arms flailed, trying to bat away at the hands but he could never hit them. To be fair he couldn’t really see where he was hitting as his eyes squeezed shut again with is laughter.

“STOHOHOHOP! HEHEHEHEDEHEHEHEHE!” Dream gasped as hands stuck into his armpits. Thumbs drilled into his pits and fingers scribbled along the back of his ribs.

“Its such a shame your tummy is off limits to nibbling, because I would have absolutely nibbled you up.”

“H-HEhehehHEHEDEHEHEHEHE!” Dream squealed as his face burned red.

“I had hoped I’d find the little spitfire. He was so cocky and I was so looking forward to tearing him apart. But tickling you is just as rewarding.” HD carried on like Dream wasn’t even talking. Like he wasn’t even there.

Though in all honesty, Dream could only hear ever other word the God was saying. He couldn’t hear much over his laughing and he couldn’t focus himself enough with the spinning lights and the world just constantly turning. While Dream might not have been falling, his body still felt every spin and the sensation of being upside down.

“P-Plehehease! H-HeheDehe…” Dream’s laughter faded down, turning more into pants of breath and giggles. HD’s tickling ethereal hands had stopped and faded off. “I-Ihihi’m dihizzihihiy!”

“Are you dizzy, little champion?” HD’s voice went softer, but it was overly so. “Why ever for?”

“The ro-hohom is spihinnihihing!”

“Well don’t focus on that, you silly. You should be focusing on these tickles you’re getting!”

“HEHEheheheDEHEhehehe!” Dream’s face burned brighter. He brought his arms up to hide his face. While still hiding his face he tried to reach down for his mask, but his hand was snatched up.

“Uh uh. None of that now.” HD moved Dream arm back up to his face with the other. “If you wanna hide it’s gotta be in your arms, mister.”

“No! Nono! Thahat’s nohot fair!” Dream whined behind his arm. He peeked out over the top, trying to see where HD’s next attack was coming from, but the God had his eyes down, focused onto something else. Dream at first thought he was looking at his mask, but then he felt a poke against his hip and Dream squealed.

“HEHEDEHEHE!”

“I’ve always seen you in this outfit. During your challenges and manhunts. You always show off your hips and sides. Why is that?” HD wondered aloud.

“Wh-Wahat!” It wasn’t the question Dream expected. And it was hard to think of a response when his mind was hazy from the spinning and the ghostly tickles still coursing through his body.

“You’re on the run, from hunters,” HD started as they put their two fingers on Dream’s hip, just above the waistline of his combat trousers. “And you wear a body suit that shows off your sides and hips when you should be covered as much as possible.” Their fingers started walking slowly up Dream’s hip. “Your sensitive little sides and hips are so exposed. I had to assume you wanted them to be noticed.”

“No! Nohohoho! I dohohon’t! Ihihi dohohon’t!” Dream tittered and tried to bat HD’s hands away though it was no use. The God’s arm was unmoving and even when Dream tried to grab at his hand, HD carried on like nothing.

“You want people to notice your hips.” HD announced like he came to the conclusion, and a wide grin spread on his lips. “Which is perfect for me, cause I want to nibble those hips.”

“NO! NO!” Dream screamed. He struggled with renewed vigour, kicking his legs and trying to push his HD’s hands away. “N-Nohoho! You-You cahahan’t! I cahan’t behe n-n-nihihibbled!”

“Your tummy can’t be nibbled.” HD corrected with his grin spreading wider. “Your hip and sides are fair game.”

Dream was moved again, though this time it was his own fault. He felt HD weight lift from him and he immediately tried to turn over on his side to scurry away. His escape attempt was less than a second long before HD was back on his legs, only now Dream was on his side.

“Wait! NO! Stop stop stop!” Dream pleaded desperately. He tried pushing his hand over HD’s shoulder which stopped the God but Dream had a feeling that was from HD’s choice. “Dohon’t! Please don’t!”

“If you want me to stop, you know what to say.” HD reminded him. “Until theeeeen~”

The God opened his mouth wide, showing his full set of sharp teeth and eager grin. Dream only managed to scream for a second, before he fell into hysterical laughter and jumbled, unintelligible babbles in a plead for mercy.

---

“Good luck, brother!” Sapnap shouted after Dream as the two had split up. Dream had taken the right side of the hallway and Sapnap ran down the left and quickly burst in through the first door he came across.

It was a bedroom Sapnap had burst into. It was old, dusty and the air was thick but it wasn’t messy. A large bed pushed against the wall on the right of the room with a chest at the end of the bed and a vanity table close beside it. There was a large wardrobe which Sapnap had considered hiding in but then something beside it caught his eye.

It was a wooden panel, half way lifted up revealing a small lift inside. A dumbwaiter!

Sapnap hissed out a quick ‘yes’ as he ran over to the wall. He pushed up the wooden panel and took a look inside. It was a simple dumbwaiter but it was big enough for Sapnap to get in and it had a simple rope pull at the side so he could work his way down.

The thought crossed his mind that it might be dangerous, but he was fuelled by adrenaline and the hope his brother wouldn’t allow him to get hurt. He climbed in quickly as he could, trying to listen out for any approaching footsteps but he wouldn’t risk it anymore; shutting the door and working the rope to pull himself down. Eventually it came to a stop and Sapnap reached for the handle of the door out before suddenly pulling his hand back.

What if they’re out there waiting?! He thought to himself. He tried to listen out to the unknown room, pressing his ear to the wood before slowly lifting the panel. Thankfully, the room was empty. Now Sapnap just had to figure out where he was.

It was a dining room Sapnap spilled into. There was a large table stretching from one end of the room to the other and chairs all lined up. It seemed like a completely normal room, except Sapnap quickly noticed there were no doors, but there was a suspiciously large bust of an old guy next to an empty part of the wall and with just a minute of searching, Sapnap found a button in the statue’s eye which slid open the wall beside it out to the hall.

The hall was empty which was another weight off Sapnap’s mind. He gave a quick peek out both ways and there was no sign of anyone. Sapnap was safe, but the feeling only lasted a moment.

Safe for now, Sapnap still needed to find a hiding spot and the layout of the mansion changing seemed intent to thwart him. He had planned to find an easy hiding spot and while the God overlooked him, take the time to run and duck out of sight. That idea was no use when the building seemed to change.

But Sapnap couldn’t wallow for long as he caught sight of the open wall that was the secret doorway. The walls were thick but the space between them was hollow. Easily large enough for him to slip through.

An idea struck in Sapnap’s head and before he had the chance to think it over, Sapnap quickly slipped in between the walls. As though realising his idea, the secret door to the dining room closed behind him.

There were no lights between the walls of course so it was near pitch black. There were some speckles of light coming in through tiny holes in the walls, but Sapnap’s eyes were easily adjusted to the dark. Sapnap could just about fit in the walls, his shoulders touching either side, but that was more than enough space for him to move comfortably.

“They’ll never look in the walls.” Sapnap almost giggled to himself.

It was a good plan but now the only place Sapnap could move to was forward. It wasn’t good not knowing where he was going but if he stayed still for too long he’d get bored and give himself away. So he moved.

It was impossible to know where he was moving to but he came to a lot of turns in the hallway and followed them around. He tried to peek out through the tiny holes in the walls, making out certain rooms he was passing by but nothing interesting. The worrying thing was that he hadn’t heard any of the God’s roaming around.

It was good he was avoiding them, but Sapnap hated not knowing where they were. He definitely preferred being the hunter in these situations.

Eventually, after wading through the cobwebs and dust that was absolutely settling in his lungs, Sapnap realised the space in the walls was getting thinner. It wasn’t like he had much of a choice but it was getting more worrying the further he went the harder it became to move. Eventually Sapnap was forced to walk sideways to progress forward.

It seemed like the tunnels opened up a bit more after a few steps and while they did it wasn’t enough room for Sapnap to turn. He was stuck in a less than ideal position that was impossible to run from. Luckily, he shouldn’t really have to. There was no way they’d think to look for him in the walls. Sapnap was perfectly safe.

“Who’s hiding in the waaaaaaalls~”

A cold sweat ran down the back of Sapnap’s neck and he froze mid-step. It was XD’s voice that crawled up through the halls. Sapnap could have sworn on his fiancé’s lives that he didn’t hear anyone walk by, but then suddenly he heard the slow footsteps of the God which sounded right beside him.

Of course, Sapnap remembered. XD can float. An important fact he had so carelessly forgotten about in his giddiness.

“Which of our little brothers has become a little mouse? Squeaking around in the walls…”

There was a few well placed taps on the wall that Sapnap had to bite his lips down to not make a noise from. None were directly on him, but the were close to send his mind in a panic.

I need to go back as quiet as I can. He resolved, but the plan was foiled before he could even  attempt to move.

The passageway ahead of Sapnap suddenly closed up. The narrow tunnel between the walls filled with what looked like cement and in the blink of an eye it hardened.

“No! Wha-!” Sapnap yelped before he could catch himself. He quickly tried to walk back the way he came, but as soon as he turned the walls ahead opened.

It wasn’t like the hidden door from before, swinging open, this time it was the front wall melting away into the room wherever XD was, and then XD leaned in. His arms braced against the opposite wall, blocking Sapnap from even trying to escape, and he leaned in with a curious smile before seeing Sapnap and it grew into a wide grin.

“Ohohoho! Little Sapnap!” XD giggled with delight. “I honestly thought it would be Dream to fall for the trap!”

“No! S-Stop!” Sapnap squealed and struggled back. The walls were too close to move far, and his shoulder touched onto the concrete blocking him in.

“I didn’t think you’d go for the walls,” XD spoke so casually. “I thought you’d be a runner for sure. But you’re just a little mouse.”

“Shut it!”

“A trapped little mouse.” XD made a step forward and Sapnap screamed.

“Stay away!”

“Our little mouse is stuck!” XD said gleefully.

“I’m not!” Sapnap snapped his teeth. He pressed himself as far as he could to the concrete and out of XD’s reach. Though nothing was out of his reach.

I can sneak under him and run. Sapnap quickly thought. His eyes scanned looking for a way out but XD spoke again.

“But you are…”

The walls tightened around Sapnap’s body just ever so slightly. It didn’t hurt him, but Sapnap still yelped. He pushed against the wall and wiggled, trying to get any room but it was no use.

“NO! That’s not fair!” Sapnap pleaded. “You can’t just do that!”

“I don’t recall that being in the rules.” XD hummed thoughtfully. One hand tapped on his chin, the other was reaching out towards Sapnap. “I believe the rules we were given was not to nibble on Dream’s tummy and not to touch George’s wraps.”

“S-SssstooOOOOP!” Sapnap shrieked.

“And you were offered to make a rule but you very bravely refused. Actually you boasted you didn’t need one.”

“I dohon’t-! I-I-!” Sapnap crumbled the closer XD’s hand got to him. “GEHET A-AHAw-awahay!”

“I’m helping you, little mouse. You’re stuck.”

“I dohon’t wahan’t your he-EEEEEEEP!”

The hand reaching out for Sapnap suddenly dropped down and grabbed around his ankles. The walls loosened ever so slightly as XD pulled and Sapnap was yanked down. He screamed but as he hit the ground it was soft, like falling onto a bed. His mind was in a mix of confusion; panic from the hand around his ankle and puzzled over the unusually soft landing. In his confusion he didn’t think to try and escape, and the walls squeezed close into him again, trapping him once more.

“Oh you fell!” XD spoke innocently, but his face was still grinning.

“Y-You-You pulled mehee!”

“I’m just trying to pull you out of the wall!” The hand clamped around Sapnap’s ankle pulled him just a little bit more, stretching out his leg and placing his foot in XD’s lap.

Sapnap tried to kick his legs away, but even his other leg was snatched up and held up and out of the way.

“Wait! Wait wait wait wait!” Sapnap’s voice melted from accusing to pleading. “Plehease! Please! Lehet me gohohoho!”

“I’m trying to, little mouse, but I need to pull you out.” XD’s hands were even trying to pull. Now while two sets of his hands held Sapnap’s ankles, his other hands began untying Sapnap’s shoes.

"NONONONO! Stop STOP!”

“This will help you wiggle out of there!” Sapnap’s shoes were off and tossed to the side.

“Juhust mohohove thehe wahahalls!”

“Nope!” Was all XD said before his nails touched onto Sapnap’s soles.

The tickling was instant, with no light flutter build ups or any real warning. XD’s claws raked up and down Sapnap’s soles before he tickled just lightly over his toes and then ran the pads of his index fingers up and down Sapnap’s arches.

Sapnap screamed with his laughter. Half was screaming for mercy, the other half was just random words and nonsense from his panicked, fried brain. He beat his fists against the walls, the floor, anywhere he could reach to get out the overwhelming feeling running through his nerves. Sap’s feet weren’t even that badly ticklish, but the tickling combined with being unable to move made him overly sensitive.

“You got to wriggle more than that little mouse.” XD spoke when Sapnap’s laughter calmed down. He had stopped tickling, but kept his nails on and poised to Sapnap’s soles, like a warning.

“I’m...Ihi’m nohohot aha m-mohousssse…” Sapnap managed to pant out.

“You scurry around in the walls, and get stuck in tight spaces. That is very mouse-like.”

“Mihice don’t get stuhu-AAAA!”

Sapnap was pulled once again, coming a bit more out of the wall before they closed in again. This time XD had access to his legs and he immediately got to work. Kneading and squeezing up and down Sapnap’s thighs. Skittering on the back of his knees. Sapnap got a little more kick in his legs but that didn’t help him at all. XD’s hands could hold him down and tickle him.

“Little mouse is almost out~” XD voice carried in an almost song. “I’m almost at his riiiibs~”

“NOHOHO! Nonohohoho! Noho yohohou’re nohohot!” Sapnap tried to claw and crawl further into the wall but anytime he got just a little give he was pulled back, only now his stomach was pulled out of the wall and exposed to XD’s waiting hands. The hoodie and top underneath was quickly yanked up and out of the way, free for XD’s skittering fingers.

“STOHOhohOoHOP! Pleheheheahease!”

“The little mouse needs to say his safeword if he wants it to stoooop~”

“NaAHAhaAhaAHA! Nnn-”

XD’s skittering claws rounded to Sapnap’s back, which was less tickly but still made him squirm. When the God’s hands started travelling up on his back though his voice got high and he squeaked out his pleas.

“PLEHEHEASE! Ple-Plehease! Please! N-Nohohoho mohohore! M-Mehehercy!”

“If you want it to stop you just gotta say the word.” XD shrugged. They lessened their tickling, allowing Sapnap a small break and a moment to talk. They kept his nails poised over Sapnap’s skin twitching just ever so slightly but not outright tickling him.

“N-Nohoho! No! I wohon’t!” Sapnap turned just ever so slightly to look at XD. Sometime between the tickling and walls moving, he had taken his mask off, keeping the criss-crossed wraps over his eyes but letting his wide smile show. “I’ll… L-Listen! Listen! I’ll-I’ll tehell you whehere Geohorge is hiding!”

XD made an over exaggerated gasp, his claws tightening just ever so slightly on Sapnap’s back. “You! You’d sell out your friends to save yourself!”

“Yehes!” Sapnap squeaked. “YES! Absolutely! You love tihihickling Geoohorge ahanywahay!”

“I love tickling anyone I find!” The End God sat himself up straight, squaring his shoulders like he was ruffled. “That includes...little,” he gave a poke into Sapnap’s sides, “sneaky,” another poke, “mice,” another poke, “who sell out their friends just to scurry away again.”

“Nohohohohonononoooo…” Sapnap’s giggles faltered and turned more into desperate pleas. “Dohohon’t!”

“And little sneaky mice who sell out their friends need to be extra punished.” XD grinned as he spoke, putting emphasis on his teeth clicking together and showing off his wide array of fangs.

There were taunting Sapnap. They were showing him what was going to happen. What he was going to be tickled with.

The will to live kicked into Sapnap’s limbs, surging him with energy. He kicked his legs hard enough he almost got out of XD’s hands, but even when one of his legs did get free he still couldn’t pull himself out of the wall. His leg was snatched up right away and he was pulled further out of the wall.

“WAHAIT! WAIT! DON’T-Dohon’t you dare…!” The warning would have been better taken if Sapnap’s voice didn’t get high and squeaky. And the person he was trying to threaten wasn’t a God.

Sapnap’s arms were free but were still just as useless. XD held them down pretty easily, and then his top was yanked almost up and over his head and the fangs were on the back of his ribs.

The fangs moved just ever so slightly but it was enough to fry Sapnap’s brain to the brink of insanity. He screamed and laughed and blurted out Prime knows what before the tickling was over and he was left panting on the ground.

By the time Sapnap felt somewhat conscious again, he felt XD’s hand pat on his side.

“You tapped out.” The God said it almost proudly.

Sapnap groaned into the ground before bringing up his arms to cover his face. His top and hoodie had been set right, though ghostly tickles still ran through his nerves and giggled in his words.

“Dihid I tahahap out f-fihirst?”

“Don’t know yet.” XD shrugged. “We will find that out when the others are done. Now come on.” He pat on Sapnap’s side again before standing up. “Let’s get you outside. Fresh air will do you good.”

Sapnap groaned in protest but it wasn’t really up to him. His body was like jelly and out of his control. He was brought up into XD’s arms as the God turned and began walking down the hall and out the front door.

The cold night air hit his face and the sound of distant owls hooting rang in his ears. It was a peaceful night. Enough that it settled Sapnap right to sleep for a quick nap.

---

George pulled the attic door up, slamming it shut for extra measure, making sure Dream and Sapnap knew they weren’t welcome. He felt a little mean, worrying they wouldn’t get a spot, but in a competition he wasn’t going to lose because of them.

He began pulling off the cobwebs right away, too frenzied to realise the thick veil of cobwebs had grown in denser. He just about got the boxes uncovered, but as he went to open his box to hide in, the cobwebs already started regrowing and covering the box again.

“What?! No!” George huffed and pulled the cobwebs off again. They grew back, and this time George could see the webs growing back in thicker. “You stupid-! Fine!”

Abandoning the task of pulling off the cobwebs, George instead pulled open the box he was going to hide in. He had to open it carefully, so as not to have the smaller box on top fall off, but George was too jittery with the prospect of being caught and frustrated from the cobwebs he threw off the box lid too fast.

The smaller box tumbled off and got caught in the cobwebs. It wasn’t such a bother but it made it obvious the box below, that George wanted in, had been disturbed.

“No! Just-Fuck!”

George was getting frustrated, not thinking clearly. He slammed the box close and tried to quickly reach for the dropped box, but his arm just brushed along the cobwebs as he reached over and that was enough to get caught.

The webs, now so thick they couldn’t be seen through, ensnared George’s arm. The webs stuck onto the cloth around his arms and even as George tried to pull back in a panic, the webs held him tight.

“NO! Nonononono!” George’s voice rose higher and higher the more panic set in. He knew he had a limited time before one of the Gods would eventually find this attic and each second fighting with this web was wasted. But George made the mistake of trying to pull away at the webs again, and that just got his other hand stuck too.

George shrieked in frustration, pulling at the webs to no avail and kicking at them to only get his leg caught. He knew struggling was making it worse. He just needed to calm down and think his way out of this. But when he took a breath and tried to calm down, the attic door open. And there was no calm anymore.

“Well, well, well…” The rumbling voice of the Nether God purred. George swung his head around as much as he could to see Sapnap4K slowly making his way up the attic stairs. He looked at George with wild, excited eyes. Like a hungry predator who just found his prey. “It’s the little prince who got caught in the webs.”

“NO!” George shrieked in time to the attic door slamming shut. 4K rose up to stand at his full height, almost reaching the attic’s ceiling with his horns. “WAIT! This isn’t FAIR!”

“Oh what’s not fair?” 4K’s head tilted. His voice mimicked concern but his eyes were still wild and his grin was taunting.

“I just…” It was a trap, George absolutely knew it was a trap, but the chance to plead for some kind of mercy he was not going to let pass. “I was trying to hide and this…web just caught me!”

George tried pulling at the web to make his point, but also trying in vein to pull it away. 4K nodded along sympathetically but his expression was amusement. Of course he was finding this funny.

“And th-that’s not fair!”

“You were given just as much time as the others to hide.” 4K mused, bringing a hand up to his chin to look thoughtful.

“Yes! Y-yes but this web just started going crazy! I had a good hiding spot, you would have never found me!”

“Really?” A flash of something sparkled through 4K’s eyes. A challenge perhaps. “Well then tell you what. I’ll give you ten seconds to get out of the web. If you can get out of the web in ten seconds, I’ll give you another 10 minutes to find a hiding spot. Sound fair?”

It wasn’t fair, and George screamed as such. “The time was twenty minutes! They got twenty minutes!”

“You did too.” 4K quickly pointed out. “And the web caught you. Really you shouldn’t be given any more time but I’m feeling merciful. Ten seconds to get out for ten minutes. Take it or leave it.”

George opened his mouth to shout unfairness again, but he quickly closed it and looked to the webs again. Those webs he had torn away so easily before, he could do it again. He could get away. He looked back to 4K and nodded.

“Deal!”

4K’s grin widened. “Ten… Nine… Eight…”

George’s heart raced and he turned back to the cobwebs. His arms were stuck, but there was a weaker point right where his left arm was and he tried to focus on it, pulling at his arm with all his might.

“Seven… Six… Five…”

The countdown was making George nervous. It was making him giggle out the squirming nerves in his stomach and losing focus. That was the reason he was breaking free, he decided. He was giggling too much so no matter how hard he pulled he wasn’t breaking free.

“Four… Three…”

4K’s voice sounded closer and George could hear the thump of his boots approaching. “W-WAHAHait! NO! You-You can’t come near me!” George yelped, making one harsh pull against his arm which actually got a bit of it free. “Wait! I’m doing it!”

“Two…”

A shadow towered over George, blocking out the light and while he might have got just a bit of his arm free it was nowhere near enough. Not when he felt 4K’s breath over the top of his head.

“W-Wait…”

“One!”

Warm darkness engulfed George’s vision. He was easily pulled up and away from the webs holding onto him so tightly before. He thrashed and tried to scream, pulling himself up so his vision wasn’t blocked by 4K’s stupidly thick arms.

“Let! Me! GO!” George kicked his legs and beat his fists into any part of 4K  he could get, but it was a useless struggle.

The Nether God just laughed, pulling George further from the pile of boxes and the webs that fixed themselves up again. Further from freedom. “The little prince caught in a spider’s web~”

“ShuHUT UHUP!” George’s face burned red. He felt 4K finally stop and then sit down. George was planted on his lap but he wasn’t even allowed a second to get his barrings as fingers dug into his sides and began tickling.

“NoHOooHoHOhooHOHOHOOO!”

“You’ve been caught in the spider’s web, Georgie. And I’m the big bad spider.”

“Nohoho yohou’re nohohot! STOHOHOP!”

The fingers over George’s side switched from kneading in to skittering. The fingers scurried over George’s side, down his back and then over his stomach and chest. While George managed to keep his laughter down to giggles, holding back as much as he could, he couldn’t help but throw his head back and burst with laughter at the never ending onslaught. No matter where George’s hand went to try and stop 4K’s, the hands tickling would quickly flit to a new spot.

“Plehehease! StoHOHohOP!”

“Now you’ve been caught, Georgie. And you know what happens when you’re caught in the spider’s web?”

“NohoHOHO!”

“It means you get gobbled up!”

The attic turned on it’s side as George was lifted up. The arms he was trying to bat away he was now grasping onto for dear life. The fangs just brushed along George’s side and it was enough to make him scream.

Every limb kicked and hit for freedom, though it was like hitting a rock. George’s top had been pulled so the fangs brushed over his skin, nibbling up and down his sides.

George’s brain was in a constant battle. Trying his hardest to escape the arms holding him, but also knowing without those arms he’d fall.

“FOHOHOUR KAHAHAY!” George managed to scream out between the laughter.

“Now I’m not allowed to nibble Dreamie’s tummy. So you’ll just have to take his too.” 4K mumbled against George’s back. He kept deliberately close so his fangs and beard brushed against the brunette’s skin.

George didn’t even have time to process the words, he was too busy trying to kick himself out of 4K’s arms. It was only when he was turned around and the fangs touched on his stomach did he really hear the words. But it was too late.

George didn’t hear the scream, but he knew he must have because his throat felt sore and hoarse. He was now laid over 4K’s lap instead of hanging in mid air, and 4K’s hands were rubbing in soothingly over George’s stomach rather than tickling.

“It’s over, it’s over.” 4K’s voice was warm, and deeper than his teasing tone. “You called your safeword, it’s over.”

George groaned in frustration, though it was cut short from the burn on his throat. “That’s so not fair…” He whispered. “I don’t even remember doing it…”

While that was true, George knew he must have. 4K wouldn’t lie and during his panic of being tickled, George would have screamed anything for it to stop. Of course he’d never admit that though.

“You still called it, buddy, so it’s counts.” 4K said as he pat George on the back. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.”

The weightless feeling swooped George up and into 4K’s arms. He gave a small whine of protest but had no energy to even pretend fight. Instead he just lay his head over 4K’s shoulder as the God carried him down the attic stairs and through the hallways to the front door.

The cold air was bracing, yet comforting on George’s face. The pleasant feeling was the last thing George felt before he fell into a soft nap.

---

George snored almost like his brother which Sapnap4K found extremely cute. The brunette lay in 4K’s arms, curling into his side and giving of the softest snores every few breaths. It was a gentle sound that passed the time while 4K waited. The sky lost the last of the sunset colours when 4K saw someone approach from the mansion.

DreamXD came down the path, with Sapnap asleep in his arms. The blonde God caught sight of 4K, relief sighing his shoulders when he saw it was George in his arms and not Dream.

If 4K was disappointed to see Sapnap had tapped out he hid it behind his wide smile and chuckled to XD. “I could see your sigh of relief a mile away.”

XD gave a sheepish smile, shrugging softly to not disturb Sapnap too much. “I was just relieved seeing you were okay.”

“Uh-huh…” 4K grinned as XD approached. He sat on the log beside 4K and rearranged Sapnap to sit on his lap. “Just because Dream isn’t here doesn’t mean he ain’t the first one out. HD just might not have found him yet.”

The smile dropped from XD then which 4K laughed at. “Dream’s tough! He’s probably still holding out.”

“Sure. Even though his whole thing is about running and not being caught.” 4K pointed out, and giggled as XD’s expression grew more worried. “Better hope Dream’s holding out.”

“He is!” XD assured the other God, but he couldn’t deny he was worrying. Dream was naturally slippery and usually got out of any situation, but XD was choosing to believe his brother was holding out. One thing about Dream was he was competitive and stubbornly so. He’d last.

A few minutes passed, though neither God was keeping count. They spoke softly with one another, making sure not to wake the sleeping siblings. 4K had taken Sapnap into his other arm, which Sapnap seemed to prefer as he snuggled into his brother’s side. Just when XD was starting to get concerned and offer to go in and look for them, he saw them.

HD made his way down the path with Dream on his back. XD thought his brother was asleep, but the closer they got, he could see Dream wasn’t sleeping. Or…maybe he wasn’t. Dream’s eyes were half open but they looked dazed and distant. His mouth was moving slightly which made XD think he was talking, but the only sound he was making were little giggles.

“That took a while.” 4K chuckled with delight when he saw Dream’s giggling face. “Take a while to find him?”

“No, actually. I found him right away.” HD said, almost sounding surprised. “He lasted the full time.”

Both XD and 4K blinked. “What do you mean?” XD asked.

“He never tapped out. Not once. Not even when I was nibbling his hips and the hands were all over him. He lasted for the time we agreed.”

“The full ten minutes?!” 4K yelped, but quickly quietened as he remembered the sleeping boys in his arms. “He lasted?”

“Yeah.” HD readjusted Dream on his back. “He’s a little bit tickle drunk right now.”

Ah. That explained it. Dream’s dazed and giggly look was from him holding off but frying his brain a little. XD came forward, taking his brother off HD’s back and carrying him in his arms. Dream giggled again but settled. When he was closer, XD could see Dream was between sleep and awake, barely holding on. XD just purred a little and Dream’s eyes fell shut with a soft giggle.

HD took his own brother back, holding him close as 4K stood up. “So… Who lost?”

The three God stood in a somewhat circle with one another. “Obviously, Dream wins.” HD shrugged.

XD controlled his expression but he beamed with pride on the inside. “Sapnap lasted for five and a half minutes.” He reported.

“And little Georgie lasted half that. About 3 minutes.” 4K reported with a wide grin and a wild look to HD. “So that means…”

“What?! There’s no way George lost!” HD bristled, his hair running wild with shoothing stars. “You got him worked up before it!”

“We agreed teasing could be allowed!” 4K quickly defended himself. “It’s not my fault he got himself stuck in the spiders webs. Besides, can you say you didn’t work up Dream? Get him anticipated?”

“Well…fine. Maybe.” HD grumbled. “I caught Dream in the spinning halls. He was already dizzy.”

“Sapnap fell for the space in the walls.” XD added in. “He was trapped when I got him.”

“Hmm, not the place I thought he’d go.” 4K hummed thoughtfully. “But then it’s decided. George tapped out first and lost. Which means you lose Starlight~”

“Oh shut up.” HD snapped, but a blush crossed his cheeks. Even XD, while excited, felt a pang of sympathy for the Overworld God. 4K’s teasing words ran over his skin, making XD feel like he was being teased himself. “We can’t deal with that now. We have to get these three to bed.”

“But soon though~” 4K giggled. “You can’t hide behind them for long~”

“Shush! Let’s get home.”

---

Dream woke up cocooned in warmth and groggy from the deep sleep. His skin felt tingly and giggles bubbled in his tummy, making him feel soft and squirmy. He tried to stretch and found he wasn’t alone. George was pushed up against his chest, hugging around his waist and behind him Sapnap lay lounged out.

It took a few blinks before Dream realised they were in George’s cottage. The three were laid on the floor of the main room, with blankets and pillows placed under them and another blanket on top of them. Dream tried to look around, and saw XD was behind him, pulling another blanket up.

“Go back to sleep.” XD spoke, their voice just a whisper. “You must be tired.”

“Mmm’not…” Dream tried to speak but his mouth felt like it was full of cotton and his throat scratchy. Exhaustion also swept through him as soon as the words left and his eyes drooped.

“Sure…” XD chuckled and tucked another blanket under Dream’s chin.

“What happened…?” Dream sighed. He remembered running through the spinning tunnel and being caught by HD. He was tickled but details of it were sketchy and came in spurts. It all went fuzzy after the fangs touched on his hips.

“You won.” XD smiled proudly. “You lasted the longest. George tapped out first.”

A surge of pride swelled in Dream’s chest, but he was too tired to really celebrate. “What does that mean? Is there a forfeit?”

“That will be later.” XD waved off, but he had a knowing smile. “You need sleep.”

“Don’t I get something?” Dream asked while fighting off a yawn as XD’s hand pat through his hair. “I won.”

XD hummed thoughtfully. “I’ll think of something for you.” He finally said. “But for now. Sleep.”

Dream opened his mouth to speak again, but XD settled behind him. His chest pressed against Dream’s back and he started purring. Then it was a losing battle with sleep. His muscles relaxed and his eyes closed again, his lids too heavy to open. Dream fell asleep surrounded by love, and dreamt of bliss.

[amethystfairy1]

Hi Amethyst! It's been a hot minute since I sent an ask in, but I have been reading both fics every day (still obsessed lmao) (also I name changed btw, used to be ElenaLoo)

Anyways, I had written a whole ask waxing eloquent on all the wonderful things going on in ttsbc, but I accidentally shut off my computer partway through and frankly I can't be bothered to write it all out again lmao. Just. It's beautiful (wow isnt that so meaningful and deep? im sure you're feeling very complimented rn)

The REAL thing I wanted to talk about was Traveling thieves (which is by far my favorite fanfic of ALL TIME), and all the amazingness in ttsbc made me forget it even existed for the past few weeks. But the other day I was just like "oh yeah. Traveling thieves." and then i reread the whole thing. whoopsies.

Ummm anywyas there's so many thoughts in my head about all the little guys, but recently I've been on an Imp and Skizz obsession (just scroll on my page for .2 seconds and you'll see) and YOU. You left them on a CLIFFHANGER. >:((( (not actually mad btw). I just. so excited for them. They're out alone in the woods right now and Skizz is going to have the perfect opportunity to kill Impulse and get away and I just am falling apart thinking about them. (I drew them to cope lol, posted on my blog but also later here so that I can talk about it more). I can see this playing out a few ways. Obviously Skizz isn't actually going to kill Impulse, so he's either going to 1) make up some excuse as to why he can't do it right then, but still plans to do it eventually, or 2) he does it. but he doesn't. Skizz attacks Impulse when he's not expecting it, there's a scuffle, and Skizz comes out on top---BUT THEN HE CAN"T FINISH IT!!! and it's a whole thing where even tho skizz tried to kill him, imp is still so understanding and skizz cries and impulse just freaking gives him a hug and

sigh

Whatever you do will be beautiful, I'm sure. I think you mentioned you're switching to tt after this fic, so crossing my fingers it's imp and skizz. (Though, would also be very happy with Martyn and Ren :P) (or anything really i just love tt)

Anyways, I had the art on my blog but I'm also putting it here so i can say things about it to you

Mostly I'm just very proud of their expressions, with Impulse being all concerned glancing over at Skizz, meanwhile Skizz is completely deadpan staring forwards, also looking very tired bc he needs a break from this universe. Also I switched up my Impulse design a lil bit from last time (if u even remember that lol it was months ago now). you would think, just looking at them, that Impulse took way longer to design, but nope, I was messing around with Skizz for at least double the time, trying to figure out how to have him facing forward whilst still showing some of the scars on his back. I gave up eventually xD (all that means is that im gonna have to draw him again later, from different angles)

actually that made me remember a question I had: are you planning to ship Imp and Skizz? Ik you said Zed and Tango are going to be a thing far in the future, but... skizzpulse? plzzzz plz pretty please haha im not obsessed

aaaaaand that reminds me of another question, is skizz going to be in ttsbc? (pretty please also same question as tt, if he was in ttsbc, are him and impulse together? Im addicted to them all i care about these days is some good imp and skizz shipfics, and you're such a fantastic writer, both with plot and the vibes of the words themselves. u could write such good imp and skizz. just imagine the possibilites! (am i selling it?))

aaaaaanyways. im gonna go reread the old tt skizz fics because theyre delicious and painful, like eating knives. u have a good day :))

HIIIIIII

I ADORE THIS ART SO MUCH! I gave you all my rambles on the reblog but it's SOOOOO COOL!

I'm sad the waxing eloquent about TTSBC is gone 😭 but that's ok!

I'm so glad you're enjoying TT and all the drama going on in there! Imp and Skizz are definitely having a time and a half with all of this nonsense going on...I love all your theories! I won't confirm or deny anything of course, but I'm so happy you're excited for them!

I will not be shipping Imp and Skizz, sorry! I just personally don't ship them, so they're gonna remain platonic...I mean, in TT who knows what the hell they're doing to be fair 😆 but yeah, Zedango is going to be a thing in the distant future, but no Skizzpulse! Sorry!

Skizz is not in TTSBC at the moment, that doesn't mean he never will be! Just haven't found a spot for him yet...and no, he also would not be with Impulse, I'm so sorry I just don't ship them personally! I think it's a very cute ship tho!

Enjoy rereading the TT Skizz fics!!! Thank you again for the gorgeous art!!!! I love it!!! 💖

[amour393]

ok. dragons rising part 2 thoughts

these will be in no particular order but I'll try to stay somewhat organized XD

spoilers ahead!

(this ah. got long)

Characters

Lloyd: As sad as I get when I think about Lloyd growing up, I love what they're doing with him. Seeing the parallels between him and Wu is so poetic and I LOVE the dynamic with Lloyd and Arin. Lloyd is kind and strong and wise and he has been treated so well in dragons rising

Arin: Speaking of, Arin is absolutely amazing. He is precious and adorable and I love him. Sweet polite boy I love you so much you have never done anything wrong ever and I love you

Sora: Sora is fine, I like her but I'm not like obsessed with her character like I am with Arin. I love Sora but I'm never super jazzed about her. Her arc in part 2 was alright but I wish it had more buildup. I think with a few more moments here and there of her trying to use her powers without Riyu would have made the payoff much better. And I know they were trying to go for a "resistance never quits" moment with her speech at the end but. Idk it just didn't hit the same

Zane: Zane I love you. I feel you I also am BROKEN over Pixal being gone. Literally everything about Zane in part 2 was perfect. I love him so much and he loves pixal so much it makes me unwell. Also. Zane Day is now an international holiday

Nya: I love Nya's dynamic with Sora and how she gets to be like. The first positive female influence in Sora's life. Especially because Nya didn't have that as a kid or uh ever so I love that. HOWEVER!!! Oh my goodness gracious give Nya feelings. She has emotions. She has trauma. What are we doing guys. I'll go episode by episode later but I am incredibly salty at how Nya was treated in episode 14. and also. OH MY WORD. WHAT ABOUT JAY. You have said his name TWICE and Cole looked more distraught than you!!! You care about this boy more than almost anyone else in the world!!!!!!!! Why aren't you acting like it???????????? I see you with a lightning dragon but that's like the most we get.

Kai: oh Kai I absolutely love how they are treating you and i also hate it. It's like with Jay gone they were like haha let's make Kai stupid so he'll be the new comic relief! However I love teacher Kai. He is my favorite, the growth, the development, the parallels! Yes! Kai is an accomplished ninja!! He's been a ninja for over 10 years at this point!! He has learned so much and grown so so much since then and I love him so much.

Wyldfyre: I'm about to make a lot of people really mad but I absolutely despise Wyldfyre. I love the concept of Kai having a kid to train (and all of them each having a next-gen kid to train) but Wyldfyre was not the right fit and I just disliked her more every time she was on screen, which was really upsetting because every time it switched back to her and Kai I was already annoyed and I don't want to be upset when Kai's onscreen but she is just so intolerable it made it hard to enjoy Kai, which is so so sad because I absolutely love Kai! Wyldfyre is selfish, arrogant, irritatingly reckless, petty, and INCREDIBLY rude and disrespectful to Kai. I don't care if she was raised in the wilderness. Kai spent all of part 2 trying to help her be better and the most of a character arc we got from her was her. Not acting like a jerk. Which we should not have to be proud of!! Not being a jerk is expected!! That's not a character arc that's just being a decent human being!! I think Wyldfyre's character could have worked in theory if she had literally any likable characteristics but she just doesn't. I don't think I have ever disliked a ninjago character this much which is such a bummer. It fills me with rage every time they compare her to Kai. Sure, in the early seasons Kai was kind of reckless and a bit self-absorbed. But not nearly to this extent, and Kai was still likable. The things about Wyldfyre they try to play off as humor aren't funny, they're just annoying or gross. I'm not opposed to the concept of Kai adopting a feral child, but if the feral child is like this then I don't want it. Replacing Wyldfyre with Skylor or a new character that is actually likable would have made Dragons Rising SO much better.

Cole: on a MUCH more positive note, I literally don't think they could have done Cole any more perfect. I am SO GLAD HE'S BACK I MISSED HIM SO MUCH. Cole being thrown into the Land of Lost Things is absolutely heartbreaking and says so much about his character. Cole, who had an entire character arc over fear of being forgotten ending up in the Land of Lost Things? I AM BROKEN. Dad Cole is back and better than ever. He found a bunch of children and immediately adopted them? Perfection. Could not be better. He actively chooses to remain in the Land of Lost Things to protect them?????? Amazing so in character it hurts and I love him so much. A lot of this season made me remember how much I love Cole. I spent this entire season freaking out over Jay that I forget how much I love Cole and this season did not fail to remind me. His first line being "NO ONE TOUCHES THESE CHILDREN!!!!!" is amazing and perfect and so in character. I cannot applaud what they did with Cole enough. Well done. I am very curious to see where Wu is leading him, can't wait to see him in season 2. I will die mad he didn't get to see Zane or Kai or Lloyd but ITS FINE IM FINE

Geo: I would throw him in with the other characters but oh my gosh. Geo's existence is absolutely perfect. The symbolism?? The metaphors?? Absolutely perfect. Him being a hybrid of two peoples who have a reputation for hating each other being the Master of Fusion, of bringing two things that don't belong together? I am destroyed. It occurs to me that when they first met Geo was probably like "yeah, I'm half geckle half munce and I was exiled from my people since they hate each other and they will never reconcile their differences" and Cole was like "Well that sucks but I have some good news for you" but then Geo couldn't even leave to try to find Shintaro. I am depressed. I love love love Geo based on his symbolism alone, not to mention the fact that his powers are genuinely super cool.

Other Characters: when i tell you I lost my BLOODY MIND when gulch showed up it is a vast understatement. I freaked out I screamed it was amazing. It was so fun seeing Gulch again. This is the dragons rising I love, new characters doing important things and running into old characters we know and love. Frohicky is fun I love him. Lobbo has never done anything wrong and I'm so proud of him for winning the Zane lookalike contest. Slay king. Jordana is uh there I guess, she's boring so far. I will give thoughts on Arrokore when I talk about episode 14

Villains: Beatrix is incredibly boring and I am SO glad she's not gonna be the actual villain. Lord Ras is much more interesting and compelling (is Chima the Wyldness????? Because he is definitely from Chima and the writers are COWARDS for saying anything different). This is the first time we've had a Ninjago plot genuinely stretch across more than one season and I am sooooo relieved that Beatrix isn't actually the big bad. I'm really excited to meet Ras' master. I'm not going to lie I literally forgot about Rapton and had to come back and talk about him. I cannot emphasize how neutral I am about him. He is a Guy and that is the extent of my feelings. Same with LaRow I keep forgetting about her

Speaking of villains! That brings us to the Administration. I absolutely love it. The concept of the Administration is so interesting and I cannot WAIT to learn more about them and see more of them. There's something so interesting and also poetic about an organization of micromanagers being part of the same realm as the Realm of Madness that just. hnng. The Administration is totally sick and i can't wait to see more of them. Which leads us to...

Jay: Hm. Ah. Where do I begin. When I tell you I screamed, I lost my freaking mind it is not an understatement. I think I've watched those same 20 seconds like 30 times at least and I need those five lines tattooed on my brain. I have so many emotions. It breaks my heart. I'm elated. This is everything I've wanted. I'm so mad that's all there was. It makes perfect sense. Why would they do this. There's something that destroys me so much about Jay- sweet, kind, fun, creative, quirky, genuine Jay- in an organization of micromanagers. He is passive-aggressive and sassy and degrading and mean and I LOVE HIM. It is so inherently not who Jay is (except for being sassy I'm so glad he's a little brat) and I think that's great. It makes me SO excited to see what they do with him in season 2. If they don't do him justice I will RIOT. This has the potential to be one of my favorite plot points in all of ninjago history if they do it right, but if they do it wrong I will be broken. He looks so good in this animation, I absolutely LOVE IT. He is beautiful and sassy and it BREAKS ME that they don't know he's there. They were so close and they missed him. No one knows Jay is there. I am destroyed. He's a manager!! He's working his way up in the world!! I am so proud of him. He would buy himself a worlds best boss mug. Everyone loves him and they hate him. I might make a whole other post just on how I need that reunion to go but. I miss him so much. So much. I don't know how long I can wait without them knowing he's there. Go find your brother. You know where everyone else is now GO FIND YOUR BROTHER!!!!

Episodes

11. Temple of the Dragon Cores - Solid episode? It makes me curious about the lore. Surely either the Wyldness or the Garden are Chima there's no way Chima is separate. There are literally snail people and giant trees. If that's not Chima core idk what is. Rapton is there I guess. The guardian thing was cool. Lloyd dropping random earth-shattering facts is such a Wu thing to do I am LIVING for it.

12. Gangs of the Sea - When I say I spent this whole episode wishing for Bentho I'm not joking. I freaking miss him why didn't they mention him it would have been so easy!! Arin you are so cute and I love you.

13. Wyldly Inappropriate - This episode filled me with so much rage solely because of Wyldfyre. I'm sorry Wyldfyre truthers I am happy for you but oh my word it's just painful. She is so arrogant and just straight up unkind I hate her so much. This episode would have been so much better with Skylor instead. Or literally anyone but Wyldfyre.

14. The Last Djinn - Ok as a skybound truther I have So Many Emotions about this episode. How did Nya know this was a place of the djinn and she was just? Fine? Ok. Arrokore is fine as a character but i absolutely hate what it did to the Djinn. Having a character who has lost their whole society is fascinating! I would have preferred if they made him more of a Ronin-type recluse, where he's extremely paranoid and distrusting instead of just straight-up depressed. All of the experience we have with Djinn is that they are extremely powerful and evil and crazy and dangerous. Switching from Nadakhan to Arrokore was such a hard shift that as a fan it was so hard to be able to enjoy Arrokore as a character. That's not the main thing I'm upset about, overall he's likable and he's fine, I just think he could have been a lot cooler. My main issue with this episode is Nya. Is she just perfectly fine? GIVE HER EMOTIONS OH MY GOSH. SHE HAS TRAUMA YOU COWARDS SHOW IT!!!!!! Literally one of THE most traumatizing times in her life was directly tied to a Djinn and she runs into one and she's just. Fine? There was pretty much NOTHING that alluded to Nya having any sort of history with the Djinn except maybe a little bit of salt when she's talking about their showmanship. A Djinn kidnapped and tortured the love of her life. A Djinn almost destroyed her entire home. A Djinn captured her and caused her own possession. A Djinn killed her (more or less). You want to look me in the eyes and tell me she's going to run into a Djinn and just be perfectly fine? Absolutely not. They could have done this SO much better. Show the trauma. Show the distrust. Show me Nya jumping in front of Sora, show me the fear running through her. Give me Sora asking how Nya knows so much about the Djinn and Nya just can't bring herself to answer. Or she does! And we get a moment of "the only other person who remembers is Jay, and he..." [ACTUALLY SAD MOMENT THAT GENUINELY SHOWS THAT NYA HAS EMOTIONS AND ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT HER LITERAL FIANCÉ WHO SHE LITERALLY GAVE UP HER LIFE FOR] and maybe Sora comforts her! A "we'll find him, Nya" moment. Just a moment. Nya left and Jay fell apart and I hate how Nya is shown to be perfectly fine when Jay has been gone for years. We could have had a little arc of Nya overcoming trauma and distrust and learning that not all Djinn are the same! Okay, fine, we didn't get that. But how dare they let Nya start wishing. Wishes got her killed. Wishes caused the most traumatic weeks of her life. Wishes almost killed the love of her life. You want to tell me that she's just totally fine firing off a few wishes? SHE DIED. GIRLY DIED AND SHE'S JUST MAKING WISHES LIKE IT'S NOTHING? We could have had a moment of Arrokore saying they have to wish for it and Nya being like "NO Sora you can't trust him, they're all the same" and then Arrokore proves himself! Even so, Nya should not have let Sora make a wish without protesting, and she CERTAINLY would not have made one herself. As a skybound stan this episode made me so sad. It was genuinely a good episode but I am so so broken up over what could and should have been. Zane did put a picture of Pixal on a broom though so this episode gets points for that

15. They Call It Doom - YOU'RE TELLING ME THE ADMINISTRATION JUST CASUALLY ALSO SHOOTS BLUE LIGHTNING. FINE OKAY THAT'S GREAT. I already shared my Nya and Arrokore and whatnot thoughts but still. I'm still salty. Anyway this episode's ending was glorious. Teacher Kai you will always be famous I'm so sorry this is the trainee you got stuck with. NO ONE TOUCHES THESE CHILDREN lives in my head rent free and his powerup is so so cool. Baby Serpentine. yes.

16. Land of Lost Things - so you're telling me that Cole has adopted stray children who have run away from home because they felt unwanted and unloved. no I'm totally fine I'm SO normal about cole and his character and the respect he got and the sacrifice of him staying there to protect these kids. I am so broken but its fine I'm fine everything is fine

17. The Administration - See aforementioned thoughts on Jay. The Administration is so cool I love them and I am stoked to see more of them. It's giving men in black tbh. They are so cool. When they follow the directions and find Zane and they're like oh hi Zane! we didn't even know you were here! A) peak comedy and B) when he said "who did you think was going to be here?" THAT WAS DIRECTLY TO US THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT JAY AND IM SO MAD AT THEM FOR IT NOT ACTUALLY THOUGH. Also I don't remember which episode Zane Day and Gulch was in but every moment of that was both perfection and also the peak of comedy. The music when Jay walks on screen destroyed me it was so so good. He is a tired office worker the headcanons were RIGHT. Cannot get over that. I love the look of the Administration, the style, it all looks so good. The concept of a whole organization with an entire division assigned to realm reassignment is fascinating. I want to see Kai's teaching in this episode is great and the parallels between him and Wu were amazing. At the end of the day Jay was here and that gave me enough serotonin to last me a good long while.

18. Absolute Power - I'm not gonna lie this was hard to enjoy because I just wanted to see more of Jay but it was a solid episode. I wanna know what Beatrix' sister's elemental power was. Ras is very cool I am so glad he's going to have a bigger role. Nya and Cole's relationship in this episode is everything to me. They are So Siblings and also Best Friends I love them so so much.

19. We Are All Dragons - good for the Imperium kids starting the revolution, but Rapton being the traitor made no sense. It's like they tried to pull a Kallus in Rebels but there was not nearly enough buildup for this to make sense. I really couldn't care less about Rapton so I'm not mad about this it just didn't make that much thematic sense lolll. I did really like Sora's moment with her parents and rejecting them in favor of the found family, but her speech didn't make sense. It would have hit so much more if she actually explained what ~being a dragon~ means but she really just went WE ARE ALL DRAGONS!! and everyone went YEAH!!!!!!!!!! like girlie uh what does that mean. I liked the parallels but Lloyd's moment was better.

20. The Power Within - I still don't understand why Beatrix wanted to uh. destroy the universe but pop off. I'm not gonna lie I literally cheered when Wyldfyre got sucked into a mergequake. Kai's reaction was in theory great but i am still salty it was over Wyldfyre, this child has been absolutely horrible to you Kai what are you doing. I don't understand how everyone is perfectly fine when everyone comes back from the merge quakes when Beatrix literally went through one of them. I loved Sora's showdown with her parents and I can't wait to see what's up with Ras. I will DIE MAD THERE'S NO MURAL ON THE WALL but WHATEVER.

Returning Characters

I want Pixal back so bad. I'm very optimistic she'll be here in season 2 and I cannot wait for her to be back. I'm hoping that she'll come save Zane from, idk, sensing his signal or something.

SKYLOR. OH MY GOODNESS BRING BACK SKYLOR. I need her back so bad it's unreal

I want Vania back. I want fugidove back. WHERE IS GARMADON. WHERE IS HE. WE HAVENT EVEN MENTIONED HIM WHERE IS HE.

I miss Ed and Edna and Lou and Cyrus Borg and Scott and the elemental masters (WHERES KARLOFF I MISS HIM SO MUCH) and BENTHO and yeah. i miss them

SO, I have a lot of thoughts as you can see and this probably isn't all of them. I want all of everyone's thoughts please send me asks send me messages I just want to scream

AND BRING BACK JAY

[uselessbard1031]

Orphaning My Old Work???

Howdy everyone!

I'll keep this short, but I just wanted to hop on and let you all know that today I orphaned some of my old works on Ao3. I've been wanting to do so for over a year now and finally bit the bullet. Yes, this includes my most popular fic "Legend of Korra X Reader Oneshots" (for anyone whose request I didn't get to, I apologize. I bit off way way more than I could chew with that and have over thirty requests and a dozen half finished fics).

Why?

Well, when I started writing fanfiction for Ao3 I was 17/18 years old. I started publishing said fanfiction at 18/19/20 (19? I think?) and I am now in my mid-twenties so...I've changed. Lol. I've grown up.

When I first started writing I was immature and unexperienced with the world. I wrote for characters I never had attraction to myself (Ex. Adult! Toph, Suyin, Korra, Asami) because people asked me to, I saw those characters got hits, and I wanted to be liked online. It was hard because I didn't see them as romantic interests and I feel the writing suffered for that. Even 'I Bought A War Criminal' (another popular fic I wrote) I fell out of love with Kuvira while writing and it had a rushed ending due to that fact.

The X readers in particular had some smut chapters that explored kinks I don't have and truthfully had never even heard of until reading some other fanfictions. I won't get too personal, but, like many of us on here, I was exposed to way too much shit way too soon in my life so I found new edgy smut topics to keep me engaged. I've since dealt with some of that trauma and also experienced more IRL trauma around relationships and sexuality that make me read some stuff I wrote -- and stuff I READ while underage -- (ex. knife play, non-con, etc) and go woah hey who let me have Wattpad at 12 and what kind of effect did that shit have because--??? (I would like to say that being into certain kinks is not bad and I'm not trying to kink shame but to me I was desensitized due to exposure too young to NSFW material and due to some IRL trauma -- reading and writing that was my way to cope without actually working through any issues. An unhealthy way to cope. I didn't know healthy relationships because everyone in my life up to that point had abused me or hurt me in some way or another either intentionally or unintentionally so I figured Ao3 / Wattpad / Fanfic.net smut wasn't 'that bad'. Now, I deal with my trauma in healthier ways and realize it's just not what I'm into. A lot of it I wasn't even into when I wrote it. But I read it, so I wrote it. Even recently with Outlander I wrote wildshape smut not because I was into it but because all the other Jaheira fics had it and I figured hey it will get views. Because yes, smut gets views).

I'm just not proud of the writing quality. The first chapter of that X Reader Oneshots collection switches tenses like a million times. Who let me do that? Lol. I have a published book IRL that I'm taking down too because omg don't let 17 year olds self-publish XD

The point is, I never really wrote much of that stuff for me. I wrote it to get views. To get comments. To explore things I thought I was suppose to explore. Because no one in my real life was telling me I was good or capable. I wanted reassurance that I was writing the 'edgiest' stuff or the 'fluffiest' or the 'right characters' and the 'right stories'.

Going forward, I want to write for me. It's why I've moved fandoms because yes, I love Legend of Korra and Lin Beifong, but I'm not obsessed with it like I was. I found community in LOK and in AO3 and online in general but, after getting offline -- deleting social media -- reading things other than fanfiction -- basically, as I became less chronically online for the first time since Middle School, I realized that there's so much more out there that I enjoy. And much healthier ways to enjoy it.

I love all of the support you guys have given me and I stand by the amazing love and community I've gotten from all of my commenters and kudos-ers. But those fics just don't represent me anymore. Few of them ever represented me at all. Many were just what I thought would 'sell'.

I want to keep writing, so I will. But for the stories and characters I want to write about in ways that I actually enjoy. I want cute romances and metaphores for life. Writing smut feels like a chore most of the time so I'll probably just fade to black most of the time with a chapter or two exception. I still love fanficton -- it's an artform all its own. But yeah. Anyways, I hope my little ramble here makes sense and I hope you all get what I'm trying to say.

And if you are like past me -- having interacted with the internet and NSFW and smut since a young age and now feeling like every boundary isn't enough in fiction (*clears throat* I see you BookTok wth r those abusive ass relationships you're reading?) just know that maybe that kind of content isn't good for you and know that vanilla isn't lame. Know that you can write the stories and characters you want and that you don't have to write characters you don't want to write or situations that scare you. And you don't have to pretend not to be scared just for the sake of not kink-shaming.

Yeah. Anyway, if ya'll have any questions fell free to reach out to me! I hope you continue to like my work and if you don't, that's fine too. I hope you don't feel like I'm abandoning you. I think I'm just growing up and getting better mentally. <3

~UselessBard1031

[alexanderlightweight]

Before prompting (which woo boi pushing through my anxiety to do this took a hot second XD) just wanted to say thank you for all the absolutely outstanding content, my first day off every week is Wednesday and your writing has become the perfect way to detach from work and destress my brain so again thank you!

I saw a tiktok today that I just went omg mobwife!Alec and I am sharing a screenshot but also more mobwife!Alec please?

i'm so proud of you! good job even though that must have been a lot pushing through the anxiety. i'm glad the days work well together and i'm happy you look forward to my writing! i was very happy getting your ask and prompt and just everything! i'm really happy to share wednesdays and writing with people!

here we go! more mob!wife alec and i hope you enjoy and i love this picture and image and he absolutely wears it and he also wears these a lot cause i realize i never added a picture

-

“You know he’s gonna bring Alec, honey.” Mari warns as she fluffs her skirt and pats down her waist. “There’s never a chance he’ll show up anywhere without him, but especially not a strip club. What were you thinking, anyway?”

“Jamie changed the venue.” Leo grumbles and he sounds as miserable as she feels. “You’re not gonna be able to pull him away from Bane, are you?”

Mari shakes her head, truly sympathetic and also filled with a little vindictive glee.

“Alec didn’t like that secretary touching Bane, you think he’s going to put up with girls hoping to score? He’ll be sticking close tonight.”

—

“When you said a strip club, this is not what I thought you meant.” Alexander admits and his nose crinkles in distaste as the vast amount of naked, mundane bodies on display.

“Would you have stayed home?” Magnus asks, genuinely curious and Alexander gives him a grumpy, petulant look and sighs.

“No Magnus, I would not have stayed home. I just wouldn’t have worn something with so much skin myself.” Alexander looks intensely uncomfortable, “it’s suspiciously sticky in here and for once, I wish it was ichor.”

Magnus muffles a chuckle in Alexander’s hair and uses his magic pass over his boy’s skin.

“Better?” He murmurs and Alexander nods against him in relief, his entire body coated with a thin layer of magic that will look like specks of glitter when he shifts.

“I love you.” Alexander murmurs into the crook of his neck and Magnus genuinely wishes they didn’t have to worry about a faerie aphrodisiac being leaked into the mundane world. If they didn’t, he could have Alexander back home where they could be reading together, in bed or having dinner just the two of them in some country across the world.

“I’m taking you to France, in the morning.” Magnus tells him, “we’ll go to that place with that little river you loved, the one you spent the morning hunting crayfish in.”

Alexander genuinely looks interested at that and he perks up a bit before he eyes the stage and deflates again.

“Just stay close.” Magnus tells him, because the last thing he needs is Alexander away from him and being swarmed by mundanes who think he’s pretty. Which is something that has happened before on the mundane levels of Pandemonium.

“Like I’m going anywhere.” Alexander scoffs and he steps even closer, letting Magnus wrap his arms around him and pull him flush to him.

Magnus hums and kisses his neck and lets his fingers play with the threads of Alexander’s corset and he wonders just how much it would cost him to bribe Alexander onto the stage.

“No,” his boy mutters, giving him an unamused but loving glare, “I can see something going on in your head, Magnus. I don’t know what it is, but no.”

“Next time.” Magnus promises, because that would be a little cruel to try for tonight and then he’s guiding Alexander over to the group they’re supposed to be a part of.

The start of it goes well enough, until the drinks start coming and then things go sour.

Alexander freezes from where he’s drinking his champagne and he eyes the cup consideringly before he reaches out and plucks Mari’s glass away from her and he instead drinks it.

To the increasing shock and horror of the man across from them all.

“Alec?” Mari asks, confusion and wariness in her voice as she eyes the glass Alexander is now holding.

“Magnus—” Alexander slurs, eyes going hazy almost instantly, “sa’ hot in here babe.”

“What was in that?” Magnus asks, voice furious and heated as he takes the glass from Alexander and sniffs it. He recoils a moment later and sends a vicious, seething glare to the man he was supposed to meet tonight.

“This is an extremely volatile aphrodisiac.” Magnus says lowly and he stares at the mundane, “it’s been known to kill half the people who consume it.”

Mostly because half of the people consuming it are mundanes and it will kill them with pleasure.

A little death still kills, after all.

There’s silence in their little section for a bare moment and then the man is being penned down by Leo’s personal security and Mari is being sat down by Leo into a chair.

“Leo, you will deal with this. Won’t you?” Magnus asks, voice cruel and casual as he gets an arm around Alexander’s waist. His boy is stable, even while drugged and listless and the arm he slings around Magnus’ neck is firm and sturdy, meaning Alexander is playing up the affects to a degree.

“Do you need a doctor?” Leo offers, shaky and worried, and Magnus knows that he means well but he scoffs and shakes his head.

“There are very few I trust with my husband, Leo. Especially on nights like tonight.”

—

“Why did you drink it, sweetheart?” Magnus asks when he finally gets Alexander to their loft and his boy is sweating and miserable and touch-hungry and grumpy about it.

“The dosage would have killed a mundane.” Alexander gasps out, “I didn’t recognize the scent, but I knew it wouldn’t kill me.”

“Not good enough!” Magnus bites out as he gets Alexander undressed and in the cool, tepid water of the bath. “You don’t put yourself in danger like that, ever. Especially not for something as reckless as this. “

Alexander pouts up at him and sighs and then admits, “I knew we’d have to leave if I drank it. Plus, it was evidence, someone is definitely leaking faerie drugs into the mundane world.”

Magnus hisses like a scalded cat and cups Alexander’s wet face between his palms. “I’ll make up a reason, if you’re going to be dosed with something like this, it should at least be a good experience. Not this!” Magnus sighs in exasperation and adds oils to the cold water that Alexander is shivering in.

“Honestly, darling.” Magnus chides as he lets his magic untangle the aphrodisiac and drugs apart from each other so he can purge the mundane drugs from Alexander’s body. It won’t be so easy with anything else, but mundane drugs don’t affect shadowhunters accept as a mild allergy.

“Love you.” Alexander slurs cheekily and Magnus uses magic to make him hold his breath and then dunks him, scrubbing his hair viciously before pulling him back up.  Alexander splutters and shakes his hair, water going everywhere as he pouts up at Magnus.

“Menace!” Magnus tells him, suddenly exhausted and relieved and far less likely to destroy half of New York’s criminal underbelly.

[walkingstackofbooks]

DS9 2x22 The Wire thoughts (I'm re-watching, so there may be future spoilers)

I'm so excited to watch this again!

I guess we don't know that Julian had the choice to "entertain one of his lady friends" the night before, but I certainly choose to believe he did, he wanted to finish Garak's book more :p

Garak's stammering in "Doctor, what do you think you're doing?" :3

"In my expert medical opinion, I'd say it's sick." XD

"Keiko would be proud of you." Hah - the thing is I can imagine the overly-excited Julian telling her about this at some point and her just sweetly saying "well done, I'm impressed" but in her teacher voice she uses for seven year olds

"It's not like you two are really friends." Julian is NOT being subtle here that at the very least he WANTS to be real friends 😅 this man and lying...

Okay and now he's stabbing the plant with the hypospray because he's so frustrated with not being able to help Garak

VERY dramatic entrance, doctor.

😬😂That looked suspiciously like Quark was miming giving Julian oomax while saying "maybe a late night session in a holosuite".

"Try not to yell at any more admirals for a while." "I wasn't yelling. I was just expressing my feelings. Loudly." Gotta love Sisko

Oh, his poor dejected face at the information recurring taking weeks :3

Love how Julian is called to take care of Garak - this isn't Dr Bashir being called, it's not a medical emergency. It's Julian being Garak's only known friend who's requested.

Is it just me or did Julian check Garak or when he said "We'll go to my quarters"?

That drink exchange was VERY smooth of Quark and Julian

"I routinely monitor all of Quark's subspace communications." "Is that legal?" XD

"I see your point"... That's actually the exact same phrase as altered!Julian uses in Dramatis Personae - only this time it's ihm agreeing to do something questionable with Odo, last time it was to do something reasonable with him.

" I hope you don't have one of those little bugs hidden in my quarters." "Should I?" What's the betting Julian's going to be paranoid about this for a few weeks?

Julian's "What?! *sigh*" after being told Garak had left the infirmary. Idk it gave me feels.

I'm here for his Angry Pacing

"Doctor, did anyone ever tell you that you are an infuriating pest" "Chief O'Brien all the time, and I don't pay any attention to him either." That answer came SO quickly, he didn't even have to think about it

"I'm a doctor. You're my patient. That's all I need to know" JULIAN I CANNOT WITH YOU

Ohh, his sad looking downness <3 <3

Endless endless compassion, I love you so much

"Right now I'm not concerned with what you did in the past. I'm simply not going to walk out of here and let you die. We need to turn that implant off and whatever withdrawal symptoms or side effects you may experience, I promise I'll help you through them." Is he really not in love with Garak?! Because this is some gay shit Julian Subatoi Bashir. GAY I tell you

"In that case I want to talk to him now. Wake him up." "I'll do no such thing." "Doctor, these are murder cases and Garak may be a suspect." "That may be so, but he's still my patient and I won't have him disturbed." I am WILD about calmly resolute Doctor Bashir

I love a sleepy Julian :3

Garak's manic speech is incredible. WHAT a performance. My word. I couldn't look away.

" I can't believe that I actually enjoyed ... staring into your smug, sanctimonious face." Staring into Julian's face sounds pretty gay to me, Garak. (Who wouldn't enjoy staring at it though?)

Ah yes, wrestling on the floor with your alien crush while he is out of his mind. Definitely never happened before in Trek. No parallels here to be drawn.........

"I don't want to hurt you." And presumably he actually could.

Julian whizzing through all the samples, brining one back having seen it for all of 2 seconds and immediately knowing which one to overlay it with. THAT SEEMS PRETTY GENETICALLY ENGINEERED TO ME. I swear I don't know how that crackpot retcon worked so well, but it DOES

"More than I deserve." Oooh, callback to earlier int he episode when he said "Has it ever occurred to you that I might be getting exactly what I deserve?" .... My HEART

"I've about given up on learning the truth from you, Garak."I The FONDNESS with which he SAYS this!

"We were closer than brothers...."Sons of Train" welp, that's the 'true' bit

Holding handsssss!!!

There's no way Sisko sanctioned this, right? Did Julian just steal the shuttle craft?!

Okay then, just beam into the house of someone you know to be extremely dangerous and start poking around?! Your curiosity, Julian, I swear...

*wide smile* "I always drink Tarkalian! ..." -suddenly realises that this is VERY personal information Tain has on him- "...Tea."

Did he just GIGGLE? *rewatches* Yep, it's definitely there - "Are all the Starfleet Lieutenants as brash as you are?" "I couldn't say - hehe - though I doubt it."

"I thought you were his friend." "I suppose I am." YES HE SAID IT that's the first step

"Information is your business." Julian you are bold as BRASS

"he'll never come home again" oof, knowing the double meaning of home as Cardassia and to Tain

The disappointment in Julian's face at the answer to his "Who was Elim?" question

Ohhh, that last conversation. Julian's so damn fond of him. That smile at the end. They ARE in love.

Well this was delightful. What a good episode. I had forgotten, and wasn't sure if it had just been hyped up. But no. Truly phenomenal. Thanks, DS9!

[slightlyhopefulromantic]

Sorry, it's kind of a long ask...

hi hello!! I really enjoy your au, and the small tidbits I find here and there paint such a vivid picture in my mind. I was wondering if you could indulge me just a little. What where the moms' reactions to meeting the Omega daddies? Specifically Samantha?

Canonically, I don't think Ron ever talked about his father besides the fact that his dad died on a fishing trip and was never proud of him. I imagine he probably opened up a little to his wife, but that was it.

Followup on that tidbit, how would Ron's anchor work? Is it like traveling through Willy's mind and seeing things from his perspective, or is it an owl house "jump through these paintings of his memories and see for yourself" situation? And since we know about the doodler's influence on that course of events, do the moms see it? (Let's be honest, the dad's are not perceptive enough to see anything besides Ron struggling).

I really enjoy your au and artwork, keep up the good work :D

(sorry that only willy and barry get neat sketches here, i realized i had no real design for either of them and so took a second pass with references LMAO)

no need to apologize for a long ask! im really glad you like the au and my art, thank you so much!! sorry this reply took so long ":]

i actually think about this a LOT, because a massive staple of my specific take on this au is that the moms... arent supposed to be here! the dads were supposed to be taken instead, just like in canon, and so everyone is quite confused throughout their interactions XD like you point out - samantha doesnt know who willy is, and in fact, no one knows who anybody else is besides morgan and bill :]

their first interactions, pre-reveal, are mostly confusion on both ends. the moms have no fuckin clue whats going on. the omega daddies are scrambling to figure out what went wrong and come up with reasons why the moms suck (not hard to do). by the time the reveal comes around, the o-dads are on steadier footing, but the moms are still utterly flabbergasted. only morgan and carol ever met their fathers-in-law, and well. obviously frank is not a villain here, so only morgan recognizes anyone LMAO

as for what samantha knows of willy and how she reacted... she doesnt (didnt) know what he looks like, and she doesnt know the full of ron's experiences in childhood. she just knows, like you said, he was an abusive father who died on a fishing trip when ron was young. she definitely knows more than most, ron has opened up to her about it, but she doesnt know the details. upon meeting him, shes. well. less than impressed! samantha is notably a very forgiving and kind character, even to those they are enemies with, but willy (and the o-dads as a whole) is someone she never gives any benefit of the doubt. as soon as she learns who he is, shes over it and very on board with "well lets just kill the guy." she hates his ass!!

as for rons anchor, im still uh. not entirely sure! but it would be more an owl house jumping-into-memories thing, not traveling through willys mind instead. though that would definitely be an interesting take... not what im going for, but something to explore in the future :3c and i dont know if the moms are all that observant either LMAO so while theyd probably have a better chance of noticing the doodler, i think they would still be mostly focused on little ron :') i do really wanna do a bigger post talking about the anchors at some point, since i have them all more figured out now than i did initially. however, logically, i should just get over myself and write the fanfiction LMAO i just am not a long form writer so that seems daunting ":]

[subbe93]

It Has Always Been You, Epilogue

A/N: So, here we are! Another fic has come to its end. And like with other fics, I feel sad because I have worked with this so long, so it feels a little empty when you are done, like: “I’m not going to work with this one anymore.” But I still feel proud that I got this fic done! It makes me happy to know that I have finished another fic, especially now that I’m also studying!

About the next one: I don't know when I will get the next fic out because... well, I have studies to do, but I haven't decided what I'm going to write next, so... xD Most of you have asked for a new Arranged Marriage fic, so probably the next one is it. But I have also been interested in the idea of some kind of Wild West AU where Shinichi spends his time helping sheriff/s to keep order in their town even though he isn’t sheriff himself (maybe he is too young to be one?). But one day he would meet a young bandit woman/girl - and you guessed right, she is Ran x) -, and they would get to know each other and fall in love! But like I said, I'm not sure which one I’m going to work on next (because I know some of you have waited for requests so long!), but we will see!

But yeah, I hope you have enjoyed this fic! I also want to thank all the likes, comments, and reblogs, they mean so much to me ❤ Thank you so much for being here and following this story even though you have waited chapters long time ❤ Thank you ❤

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6

Epilogue:

“I’m really sorry about everything, Julia.”

Ran observed how that American woman lifted her head and looked at Shinichi. Her eyes were red from crying, yet she tried to smile. Ran felt bad because even though Shinichi said otherwise, she still felt like she was the one who had made those tears, the one who had made that woman’s life miserable. It was her fault that Shinichi had broken up with that woman, who genuinely seemed to love Shinichi. Ran couldn’t even guess how it must feel when all this time Julia had believed in marrying that man who had now left her for another woman. Though Ran also knew that Shinichi didn’t feel too good about it either, but like he had said, love was never easy.

Ran would have loved to say something to that woman, make her feel even somehow better, but she also knew that there wasn’t anything that would make Julia feel better. The time would be the best healer.

And when she thought about it, maybe she wasn’t the right person to say anything.

“I am too”, Julia answered.

“Are you going to be okay?” Shinichi asked, looking worried. “I mean… I don’t feel excellent to let you go before we had talked about this and make sure we are fine.”

“It’s okay, Shinichi”, Julia said and Ran felt a little jealous when she saw how Julia raised her hands on Shinichi’s chest. “I’m fine and I understand and probably with time I also agree with this even though right now this feels very unfair. To… let go of someone you love. But…” Then she looked at Shinichi. “But I believe you know the feeling.”

“Very well”, Shinichi answered. “And more than that, I hate to be the one who makes you feel like that.”

“I know, Shinichi, I really do”, she answered gently. “But I need a little time to deal with this. But as I promised, we would talk about this more as soon as I am ready. Okay?”

“Yeah”, Shinichi answered. And then they hugged. And even though it felt cute and touching and Ran was happy that this breakup was friendly and not full of hate and jealousy, she couldn’t ignore that one feeling…

“Okay, Ran-chan”, Ran heard Yukiko say, making her take her eyes away from Shinichi and Julia. Yukiko was smiling brightly, which kind of made her feel relieved. To be honest, Shinichi’s parents had taken it pretty well when Shinichi and Ran had met them for breakfast and told them what had happened. Even though Ran had known Shinichi’s parents like forever and they were the nicest and kindest people Ran knew, she had been so scared to meet them again. In the end, she and Shinichi broke up because of her, and now Shinichi has broken up with his fiancee because of Ran. But they had been kind and welcoming, even though they had also been worried about Julia.

But that was only understandable. And Ran was too. But she was happy that Julia even had someone who would travel back to America with her and maybe be there for her too. Someone who would make sure that she would be okay.

Because Shinichi would stay in Japan - at least for now.

“Promise to take good care of our little Shin-chan?” Yukiko said and took her into a tight hug.

Ran let out a laugh and hugged back. That was so familiar because it wasn’t the first time that Yukiko had said that to her. “I will”, she promised. Sadly, she still caught Julia saying something, which went like this: “If you ever get tired of her, remember that I’m the next on the line, okay?” Shinichi laughed, but she couldn’t hear the answer, because Yukiko let go of her and smiled looking a little sad.

“And remember call from time to time”, she continued. “Because Shin-chan doesn’t…”

“Let him be, Yukiko”, Yusaku interrupted gently. “Shinichi would call when he feel like it.”

“But…”

“And the same goes if she gets tired of you”, Ran caught Julia saying, and instead of listening to Yukiko’s and Yusaku’s conversation, her centralization went to Julia and Shinichi. “You are always welcome back to me.”

And as an answer, Shinichi still smiled and said: “Well, I keep that in my mind.”

Ran turned to look at those two to see that they were done with huggings. And Yukiko just went to them while Julia moved aside. “Shin-chan, are you sure you’re going to be fine?” she asked and hugged Shinichi tightly.

“Mom, I’m an adult.”

“But you’re still my little boy…”

Hearing that groan as an answer made Ran smile, but she turned her eyes to Julia, who also looked at those two. Even though she felt a little uneasy and jealous after those little conversations that she had heard Julia and Shinichi to talk, part of her still felt bad and she still wanted to apologize about this. And maybe now that the parents were saying goodbyes to their son, she decided this would be her chance.

“Julia-san?”

Light blue eyes turned to look at her, and if she had looked at Shinichi softly, now her facial expression hardened. Ran felt bad being the reason for that cold behavior, but she hoped that one day she could forgive her. In the end, what she had learned about Julia, she seemed to be a nice person.

“I want to apologize for everything”, Ran said and bowed deeply. “I know it’s my fault that this happened and you need to go through all this…” Then she straightened and smiled. “But if there is something I can help with, don’t hesitate to ask.” And that’s all she could promise.

Julia just stared at her for a moment before she started to smile slowly, but it wasn’t a warm or friendly smile. “Well, all you can do now is take better care of him than last time.”

It was kind of a spike in her heart, but maybe she deserved that. “I will”, she promised.

“Good”, Julia said. “And if you don’t, don’t worry: I will take him back and ensure you won’t hurt him ever again.”

“It’s time to go”, Yusaku’s voice said, making Julia break eye contact and leave Ran there, looking after her. They said their last goodbyes, which Ran participated too, but somehow she couldn’t concentrate on it. Even though she knew that Julia had probably said those words just because she was angry with her - and she knew that if she would break up with Shinichi again, he would deserve a woman like Julia -, it left her chill. Like it was a threat.

Well, that it probably was, but it was a harmless one. Ran knew it. She also knew that the reason why she took it so personally was because she still felt guilty for this break-up and Julia hadn’t said that with a friendly tone. And there was also the truth that she could have handled her break up with Shinichi a little better five years ago.

“You shouldn’t take her words too seriously, you know.”

Ran looked at Shinichi who still looked after his parents and Julia. But it made something tightening in her chest. How much he had heard?

“What are you talking about?” Ran asked, trying to look like she had no idea what he was talking about. But Shinichi looked at her with that smile that he had when he had discovered something crucial for his deduction.

“That Julia would take me back if you got tired of me”, he said and turned. “She is just angry, but she would get over this”, he continued and walked to the windows. Ran followed with her eyes as he leaned on the railing in front of them and just looked outside all those planes.

He wasn’t wrong, but this probably would take some time for all of them, to get over and get okay with everything they had done and said. She was happy that this hadn’t been any kind of war, but it was still the truth Julia was heartbroken and both Shinichi and Ran felt bad for it. And it would take some time - even for her and Shinichi - to accept this and live with it. And probably the most crucial thing would be the talk with Julia when she would be ready. Because only after she makes peace and gets over this, Shinichi and Ran would be ready to leave this behind.

And maybe somewhere deep down Ran was a little bit scared. Would Julia come back one day and fight back into his heart? Would she try to do something to sabotage his relationship with Ran? Or maybe Shinichi would realise one day that he was really in love with Julia and not with Ran? One day he would say that he would like to break up and return to Julia, and… and…

But maybe those were worthless thoughts that didn’t matter. There was no point in thinking about those now. Only time will show.

And it had been five years, she thought. Five years and Ran knew that she was still deeply in love with him, and what Shinichi had said, she believed he felt the same. If that time hadn’t broken them apart, she didn’t believe that it would happen any time soon. Maybe being apart from each other and experiencing different kinds of relationships had only made them stronger, taught them, and made them see differently. Made them see that maybe they couldn’t live without each other.

Maybe this only showed that they would always get back to each other.

And if Shinichi had stayed the same, Ran knew that he wouldn’t made lightly his decisions. If he had been ready to marry Julia, he wouldn’t have broken up with her on a whim. He wouldn’t have stayed in Japan without being sure of his feelings for Ran. He wouldn’t have stayed if he wouldn’t have been sure that he would have wanted to start over with her.

So she walked to him, touching his back gently when getting beside him. Shinichi turned his head to look at her.

“Are you regretting this already?” she asked with a smile, and even though she said it as a joke, she needed to know that he was sure about this. In the end, he hadn’t had weeks or even days to think about this through. He didn’t have a home, no property, no… well, not anything else than the luggage he had brought from America and everything that was inside.

Shinichi started to smile and looked back outside from the window. “I don’t”, he answered. “Well, maybe a little bit, because I just stayed behind and didn’t let any of my friends know. And honestly, I’m a little bit worried about Julia.”

Ran turned her eyes out from the window.

“But staying with you feels the right thing to do.”

When Ran turned to look at him again, she saw how he straightened himself before turning to look at her, putting his hand around Ran and pulling her closer.

“But you don’t have anything with you”, Ran said. “And this all happened so fast.”

Shinichi smiled. “But I have you”, he said, making Ran blush. “And that’s all I need.”

“Smooth talker”, Ran said and looked away even though her cheeks were burning.

Shinichi laughed and she felt a kiss on her cheek before he made her turn and took her into his gentle embrace. She felt a kiss on her head.

“Whatever”, she heard him say. “But I have to admit: right here, right now, this is the first time in five years I feel like I’m home.”

She felt how he leaned his head against hers, and for some unexplained reason, she felt tears in her eyes. Ran leaned on him while his arms tightened around her, hugging her tightly. She let her head lean on his shoulder, closing her eyes and feeling that familiar warmth, letting those tears escape. Maybe she understood him now while being in this only place where she felt safe and good. Where she felt like a home. Like this was the only place where she belonged. For this - for him, she would have dropped everything else if it would mean that she could have been with him.

And she realised how much she had missed him all these years.

Yeah. This was the only place where she belonged.

“Welcome back home”, she said, trying to tighten her grip around him. She wouldn’t let him go ever again. Never.

~ The End ~ 

[yrrtyrrtwhenihrrthrrt]

Hi! I am fond of your fics, ty for blessing the fandom with such content :D /pos

As for the request... How about a short&sweet movie!goldenheart thingy with precanon transgender Ballister being a bit self-conscious abt his body and Ambrosius reassuring him (goes perfect with your body worship hc tbh)

Might be T, might be E, it's all up to you XD

(Should have I really turned the anonymous option on? I feel like it's really obvious who I am atp)

Anyway I hope you're having a great day and you get paid a lot of money B)

Hi hi yes finally finished this one, stranger!!! I am so glad you enjoy my work and I hope you enjoy this one!!! Ambrosius loves his man so much stg

Cw: referenced sex, some gender dysphoria (obviously) and minor internalized transphobia

Ballister admired his facial hair in the mirror. He'd been terribly proud ever since it had started growing in, and he'd cut his hair. He was grateful for the resources available to him that he never before would have been able to access as a kid on the street. Yes, his face was finally molding into a shape he liked to see.

His body was a bit of a different story. He was elated, of course, when he got approved for top surgery, but the scars were still very visible against his skin, they hadn't faded yet. He hoped that his chest hair would make them harder to see. And all that's not even mentioning that he'd not been able to get bottom surgery yet. The damn Institution said it would interrupt his training too long because of the recovery time.

It's not like it would matter. Ballister could avoid mirrors for the rest of his life if he needed. He'd never had to deal with his own body much. He was very good at distancing himself from it. That is, until, his best friend turned into his boyfriend and that relationship turned from innocent to sexual very fast.

It was hot, and fun, but honestly a bit awkward and miserable at first. Ballister thought Ambrosius was straight at one point. If a straight man liked him, what did that mean? Did the person he trusted most in the world see him as something other than who he really was? Then he found out that Ambrosius was gay and that was somehow just as stressful because what if he wasn't enough? What if his partner was biding his time until Ballister got surgery? What if he didn't like him as he was? What if he never did?

Ballister startled when Ambrosius entered the room, his lover's eyes immediately widened and he bit his lip. “Hey, sexy.” He slinked his way over and nibbled Ballister's neck, slinking his arms around his waist. “How lucky do I have to be to come home to the hottest man in the world topless in my dorm?”

Ballister snorted, as if it wasn't practically their dorm. He slept here and half his stuff was here, because this dorm was much nicer than his. They used his dorm as storage and a hangout to play video games in. They actually lived here.

“I'm happy I can be topless in your dorm, finally.” Ballister chuckled with awkward intonation, and Ambrosius kissed his shoulder. “I'm happy too, that you feel comfortable doing so. But you always could if you'd wanted, your body was never and could never be a problem for me. I just want you to be happy!”

Ballister smiled. “Really? Even if– Even without– I don't know. I'm masculine enough for you? I mean, you're gay, and you've known me since we were kids.”

Ambrosius gave him a look and caressed the stubble on his cheek. “I’ve always liked you. Gave me a whole crisis about my sexuality before you came out, because I exclusively liked men except for, I thought, you. Turns out my gay ass knew something about you before you told me.” He chuckled. “You've only gotten hotter, but you've always been perfect, and you'll always be more than man enough for me. Plus, no offense, Bal, I don't think you've got quite enough in the way of feminine wiles to drive my man-loving ass away.”

Ballister glanced at the mirror and burst out laughing at the sight of his muscular, bulky, hairy body contrasted with the phrase "feminine wiles". It wasn't that those things couldn't be feminine, but they certainly weren't in his case, and the idea of anyone seeing, let alone being attracted to him as a straight woman seemed a bit ridiculous upon reflection. “Alright, alright. Thanks.”

Ambrosius grinned and kissed him, fingers fiddling with the waistband of his shorts. “Now that that's settled, would you be interested in me sucking your dick and fingering you? I've got a couple hours before my next class.”

Ballister smirked, “Only if I can suck your dick and finger you.”

Ambrosius pretended to be contemplative for a moment despite the excitement that flashed behind his eyes. “Hm, yeah, I suppose I'd be amenable to that.” He grinned and in another instant, their bodies were melded together, just two young men in love.

[bazzybelle]

Lend Me Your Wings - 1.7K - Teen - Lucienne/Gault

For Sandman FemSlash Weekend - Day 1: Bad Luck

Hello!

I am so excited to be participating in this FemSlash Weekend! It's been a lot of fun to put my brain into writing so many different characters!

Everyday will have a new pairing, beginning with Lucienne and Gault!

Thank you to the Mods of this wonderful event. You guys are awesome! I cannot wait to read the fics that come out of these weekend.

Did I copy this from my AO3 post? Yes... Yes I did because I am tired and I get up at 5:30. xD

You can read the story by clicking the link, or by clicking the Keep Reading bar below.

Click here for the Story on AO3

There are certain truths that are known amongst the inhabitants of the Dreaming. That one should do best to steer clear of the Houses of Mysteries and Secrets, especially if their masters are engaging in a friendly game of brotherly homicide; That the weather can suddenly shift from bright and sunny to thunderous and stormy. It is most wise to seek immediate shelter in that case, and wait out the storm as best you can. Perhaps the most important truth of them all, is that no one, absolutely no one does their job better than Lucienne, Librarian of the Dreaming, and right-hand to the Lord of Dreams. 

Lucienne, the first of the Dream Lord’s loyal Ravens, knows everything there is to know about the inner workings of the Realm of Dreams. She administers and organizes the daily tasks within the Palace, as well as keeping the Library in perfect shape. This has been her function, ever since she retired several millennia ago, and she loves it. She takes great care to ensure that everything runs perfectly and precisely; that not a single book is kept out of order, and that any and all major concerns are brought to the attention of the Dream Lord (emphasis on major ) (Mervyn’s many complaints about the quality of his broom bristles is of no concern to Lord Morpheus) (no matter how tetchy the pumpkinhead feels). 

Point is, she is good at what she does. It’s something she is very proud of. She is not one to get easily rattled by a small inconvenience. She had kept the Realm together as best as she could during Lord Morpheus’ absence. She was forced to watch, powerless, as her beloved Library disappeared, one book at a time. When those around her abandoned their posts, she stayed. She remained steadfast in her loyalty, certain that one day things would be set to rights. 

And she was right . 

She is confident and certain in her abilities. Which is why, when things don’t turn out the way she expects, she is normally able to take a deep breath, and work around said problems. She is able to make lists of tasks to be done, and fix whatever needs to be fixed. And while her Lord is tempestuous and mercurial at best , she has long earned his trust and respect. That fact makes her one of the very few who are able to question the Dream Lord on his decisions, and even advise him on matters. 

Still, there are days, and these are very few and far between, where everything seems to go wrong, and no matter  how hard she tries, there is nothing Lucienne can do to fix anything. Those are the days where her need for everything to be perfect affect her in a negative way. Those are the days where the weight of her position bears heavily on her shoulders. Whenever this happens, there is but one place where Lucienne wishes to go. 

The valleys and fields of Fiddler’s Green have always been remarkable. Lucienne can remember days where she would soar through the sky, the Green’s winds softly caressing her feathers. She can recall when the Green was created as a place for travelers to rest their weary heads. With the soft grass, and shady trees, the smell of fresh wildflowers blossoming all around, Lucienne often finds comfort here, allowing the soft breeze to embrace her. 

There is, however, another reason why Lucienne has recently enjoyed spending time amongst the rolling green glades. The reason is fluttering high above her, bright and lively, and beautiful as the first time she saw her. Her wings are different today, large and powerful, like the wings of a moth. They shift in between colors of black and indigo blue, with a white dotted pattern on them, as well as a stark white stripe. 

Lucienne smiles to herself. It seems Gault has chosen to imitate the apatura iris , or the purple emperor moth. Very curious that she’s chosen to present the wings of the male moth this time. If Gault comes down to say hello, maybe she’ll ask her. They’ve been becoming more comfortable with each other, ever since she was remade as a dream , often having discussions about her new role and the ways in which she’s been inspiring dreamers and spreading hope for a better change. 

For a moment, she allows herself to watch as Gault soars through the air, her beautiful wings catching the sunlight and reflecting different shades of bright purple and indigo blue. 

She is… remarkable. 

Not too long ago, if you were to ask Lucienne what she thought of Gault, she would state —in a rather determined way— that Gault was one of the Nightmares she trusted least. She would tell you that Gault’s very nature as a shapeshifter makes her dishonest and conniving. She would tell you to be on your toes around Gault, for you never know if what she says (or does) is coming from a place of good intentions. 

What she would not tell you, is that the basis of her distrust towards Gault comes from the uncertainty of her feelings towards the Nightmare. Lucienne, always so certain and sure of everything around her, would take one look at Gault, and be hit with a feeling she could not name. One smile on her galaxy-shifting lips would leave Lucienne without words. 

And she did not like that. 

When Lord Morpheus disappeared, prompting several denizens to leave, Lucienne didn’t stand in Gault’s way when she followed. It was in her nature after all as a Nightmare, a shapeshifter no less, to change loyalties whenever it suited her. 

Lucienne is glad to say she no longer feels that way. What she should have done was face her feelings long ago, and accepted that maybe they were trying to tell her something. She chuckles to herself, thinking that for how often she is able to give good advice to her Lord and her friends, she certainly has a difficult time following it herself. 

Gault spots her staring, and Lucienne is rewarded for her troubles with a wide smile. Gault’s galaxies are brighter now, flashes of pink swirling on her body, mixed with her deep purples and dark indigos. 

A flash of change, Lucienne thinks. A change for the better, perhaps. 

“Was hoping to see you today,” Gault calls out, as she lands gracefully beside Lucienne. She truly has taken to her new form like a fish to water. 

Maybe this was who she was meant to be from the moment of her creation. 

“Were you now?” 

One of Gault’s wings flutters a little before she spins, showing off the full extent of her radiance. Lucienne can feel her cheeks heating, and she turns her head a fraction away to hide the deepening flush on her face. 

“I wanted to know what you thought? I have a new charge whose dreams I shall be looking after, and I want to make sure they are appropriate.”

Lucienne stands up and slowly takes a step towards Gault. She holds out her hand, a silent permission to feel, to touch . Gault takes her hand and places it softly on her right wing. It is slightly cold to the touch, but also somewhat grainy. Tiny flecks of indigo glitter swirl around her fingers where they’ve made contact. The wing twitches beneath her fingertips, causing Lucienne to giggle in surprise. Gault beams, delighted in Lucienne’s reaction, and she finds herself taking a small step back, and clearing her throat. 

“You look beautiful, as always,” she says with a small smile on her face. 

Gault flutters her wings, causing more glitter to flow around them. “ Apatura iris. Typically the male moth displays the purple colours on his wings.” She wanders to the tree and touches the bark. “My charge is at a crossroads, as I once was. They are unhappy in how they look and present themselves.” She smiles to herself, brushing her hand up and down the tree’s bark. “They also build sanctuaries for moths, and have made it their life’s goal to conserve and educate the world about these wonderful little creatures.”

“So they would know your intention with your wings,” Lucienne whispers, daring to place her hand over Gault’s. She freezes, but it’s only for a split second, before turning her hand over and closing her fingers over Lucienne’s. 

“That’s the hope, I suppose. That one may present themselves in any way they choose. One may choose the path that makes them the happiest they can be.” 

“Like you did,” Lucienne says, running her thumb over Gault’s knuckles. She feels a little cool, yet with a slightly warm pulse flowing beneath her skin. Her hand is soft, yet also strong. Gault is powerful but also loves without the fear of being vulnerable. 

“Like I did,” Gault says, finally turning to look at Lucienne. Her dark eyes are almost sparkling. Lucienne could spend hours exploring the shades and lines of Gault’s eyes. Their hands remain interlocked. A bridge between the two. 

“And are you? The happiest you can be?” Lucienne whispers. 

Gault lifts her other hand, up to Lucienne’s face, and trails the backs of her fingers ever so gently over one of her cheeks. Lucienne’s eyes drift closed as she shifts her head closer to their point of contact. 

“Almost,” she says, turning Lucienne’s face once more towards her. Her breath catches in her throat as soft lips press against hers. She sighs, tilting her head slightly. A silent permission for Gault to continue. 

She does. Letting go of Lucienne’s hand in order to wrap around her waist and pull her flush against her body. 

Gault’s lips are so soft, and like the rest of her, slightly cool to the touch. She tastes like… Sky , her brain supplies. Like the crisp of meadow and autumn leaves. Like a distant memory of wind beneath her own wings. 

“Will you dare to fly with me, dearest Lady?”

“I am no Lady—”

“You are. To me.”

A soft touch of cool fingertips beneath her chin, and Lucienne is looking into Gault’s eyes once more. To such fondness and love that she does not recall ever seeing before. Not in anyone else’s eyes. 

And she was fine . She was . In her Library with her books, and her duties and everything, she was fine . 

But as she spent more time with Gault, knowing her, seeing her. Maybe it’s time that Lucienne tries a change for herself. 

She reaches up and places her hand over Gault’s, giving it a small squeeze. 

“Then let us fly away.”

[t-in-a-box]

Freddy Krueger X F!Reader - Detention

Freddy knows you like him and idk puts up a scenario of a school environment cuz he found out you'd enjoy it or smth xd

Warnings: Freddy being himself, rather forced confession, suggesting of smut (just a little hehe)

You found yourself on your seat in your classroom. The fact that you were all alone wasn't the only odd thing you noticed. For an unknown reason you had a schoolgirl uniform on. A white bottom-up t-shirt with a deep blue collar, a matching blue skirt with two white stripes on the hem, a red scarf tie, a pair of long white socks and shiny black shoes. The skirt was way too short and could barely reach your knees.

Suddenly you heard ear-splitting noise. You covered your ears and turned your head to see what made such awful sound. The chalkboard. A chalk wrote by itself to the board. The sentence made you shiver. It read: "Learning is fun WITH FREDDY!". So you were in a dream, like you had already assumed.

Your mind rushed as you tried to think a way to escape the burnt asshole before it was too late. You decided to leave the building as quickly as possible. You got up from your seat and headed to the door but managed only to take a few steps before the door opened.

There stood Freddy with a big grin on his thin lips. His clothes weren't the usual neither. He had a red and green striped sweater west, a white bottom-up shirt beneath that, dark brown pants that were surprisingly clean looking, leather boots, and a red and green bow tie. You gulped taking a step back. On the right side of his west he had a name tag that said: Mr. Krueger, the headmaster.

"Well, well. Ms. (L/n) isn't trying to leave the detention, is she?" Freddy's tone was rather teaseful and it was obvious that he enjoyed the situation.

"What is this shit? I just want to sleep," you said as another shiver went down your spine. Freddy lurked closer.

"Ah, ah. Mind your tone," he smirked. You glared him.

"What's with these costumes?" you asked, mainly to play time to plan an exit. This time he chuckled.

"I figured you'd like this sort of stuff," he answered, with an amused tone.

"Just what are you talking about? Why would I 'like this sort of stuff'?" you spoke, getting more annoyed of the male in front of you.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of, sweet-cheeks. I did my re-search, and Dolly, you're an open book full of messy fantasies like this one," Freddy couldn't have looked more proud of himself. His words made you blush again.

"F-fair enough, but that doesn't mean I want anything to do with you," the escape plan was the last thing on your mind at that moment. You wanted desperately to know how much he knew. He took some steps towards you and was only a few feet apart.

"Ah, yes. I also found out another interesting thing about you. Tell me, what kind of person has feelings towards the man who kills her friends?" you mentally face-palmed. This really was your nightmare...

"Y-you're out of your mind..." you murmured, not being able to look at him in the eyes.

He took yet another step, closing the cap between you two. His hot breath brushed against your right ear as he whispered: "Am I?". His tone wasn't threatening, but rather serious, like he wanted you to admit it to him. 'Not going to happen!' you thought.

You huffed, changing the subject; "Where did you leave the glove?"

Freddy smirked again. If you wanted to play hard to get he was more than happy to play with you. "You'll be a good little girly and we won't need it, won't we?" he answered.

You shook your head. "Just like that," he grinned cockily, "Shall we begin the detention?"

"Whatever." you spoke. If you just keep him preoccupied long enough, you'll get to sleep and he won't try to kill you the whole night...

"Excellent! First up, you'll have to answer a few questions. A simple yes or no will do fine. And before we start, if your answer is wrong, a piece of clothing you're wearing disappears. Are you ready?"

What an absolute ass...

"Yeah, bring it on," you answered grumpily. It was true that you had feelings for him, for a reason you didn't even know yourself, but did he still have to be such dick?

"The first question goes; Are you a virgin?" his eyes flickered at excitement. Yup, he was a full-time dick.

"I'm not a virgin, Freddy," you rolled your eyes, but couldn't help but blush a little. Actually, you were one, but you didn't want to say it out loud to the bastard.

"It's Mr. Krueger to you, and your answer was... Wrong!"

The red tie you had disappeared. How on earth did he know these things? "Alright! I am! Asshole..." the last word you murmured quietly.

"I heard that. Say goodbye to your socks!" he laughed. The son of a bitch just laughed at you. Your socks were gone, and so were your shoes.

"The second question; Are you attracted to me?" he had such shit-eating grin on his face...

"I... Yes..." you mumbled.

"I can't hear you," his voice was full of enjoyment and self-satisfaction.

"Yes! Just quit clowning around and kiss me already!" you shouted before you realized and quickly covered your mouth with your hand.

"With pleasure, princess!" he answered taking your hand from your mouth, and pressing his burnt lips against yours. You huffed, kissing him back. He licked your lips before biting the lower one gently enough. Needless to say you were a blushing mess afterwards.

"Are you ready for the final question?" Freddy asked with a huge grin.

"Yeah.." you said, still being a little dumb-founded about what had just happened.

"Okay, here it goes; Should we take this further?" so that's why he was having such big grin about...

"N-no I think I'm fine..." you said as your face flushed again. Before you knew it, your shirt was gone.

"Gee, you really should quit lying. It's a nasty habit for a Sweetheart like yourself..."

[tonberry-yoda]

Congratulations for the 900 followers! :D For the event: "Axel" from Kingdom Hearts and "now this is embarrassing". Hopefully this is inspiring xD

Alive - Axel

notes - OKAY I HAVE HAD A REAL BRAINROT FOR KINGDOM HEARTS LATELY AND YOU HAD TO SOME SAVE THE DAY WITH THIS REQUEST YOU ARE A SAINT <33333 And AXEL?!???! You are amazing omfg Thank you so much and I really hope you enjoy because I am very very VERY proud of this piece! Sending lots of love and hugs!!!

word count - 1,501

Meeting the Nobodys was the strangest experience in your life. You had a heart full of love and full of hope and full of memory after memory, so in order to see how to obtain it, a man named Xemnas had asked the other members of his organization to kidnap you.

At first, it felt like hell. A man named Vexen would visit your prison like room every morning with a plate full of food and run some tests on you. He would do examinations of your heart, play happy recordings that would make you smile, play sad recordings that would make you cry, and ask you questions you didn't know the answer to. Some you did know the answer to: where you were from, who your friends were, all that. You didn't know why you would ask these things, and you didn't know why you were answering them.

Vexen was never someone you hated, even if it felt like he was the one who was imprisoning you. He would bring you nice food and tell you a nice story from his day. Sometimes he would come in grumbling about something one of the organization members would do and it would leave you with a smile or even a small giggle.

You didn't often get to meet the other organization members though. You met Marluxia, who said you were beautiful every time he would come to visit. You met Demyx, who would always stumble into the room asking Vexen a stupid question. And of course, you met Xemnas, the big bad boss leader, the man lacking emotion on his face, the man who put you here. You hated him. You hated him so much. The Nobodys you made friends with were trapped by this man and because of him, you weren't allowed to leave your room.

You also met Xigbar. But while you were alone. You saw a portal appear on the ceiling one day and a long ponytail stick through before a man hanging upside down was only a few feet away from your face.

"Just wanted to see whatchu looked like." He had told you before disappearing. He did make time to visit you everyday and at least play one trick on you.

The few that you met were the only things making you feel human in that cold room you were shoved in.

You just felt so alone though. No matter who visited.

Every night you would hug your knees and watch the heart shaped moon from outside of the sliver of a window you had before falling fast asleep.

---

One morning, you woke up to the sound of someone pounding on your door. You jumped awake and hid yourself under your sheets before retreating to the corner of your bed. You hadn't met all of the Nobodys yet, who knew if this one was out to get you.

"Look, Larxene, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that, okay? Stop being all pissy and let's just go on our assigned mission, okay?!" The voice said from outside the door. It sounded young and almost... playful??

"Larxene, please open the door!" The voice shouted again. You didn't know what to do. It's not like you could've opened the door yourself, you didn't know how. So you stayed quiet. Maybe he would leave you alone? Plus, you didn't even know a Larxene.

"I'm coming in, Larxene!!" You threw your blanket aside and a purple and black portal appeared in your room, very similar to Xigbar's, but it wasn't him at all. Instead, it was a boy with bright red spikey hair, a crooked smile perminitely on his lips. He wore the same robe as the rest of the Nobodys, but you could already tell he was one of them when he used the portal to get in.

He stared at you in awe, his pale face turning a shade of red nearly brighter than his hair. He clicked his tongue and whistled once. "Now, this is embarrassing." He said, almost trying to avoid eye contact with you. "You must be... y'know, I'm not even gonna finish that sentence, I already know who you are. And you're definitely not Larxene. I always get lost in this giant ass castle. Sorry about that."

He made a portal and went to leave the room.

"Wait!" You shouted. Something about the way he smiled at you, the way he was so sincere... it made you feel... comforted. He felt like a human amongst these souls just floating about around you.

He turned to you. "What's up? Need me to grab Vexen or something?"

"No, please, don't get him... What's your name?"

He smiled, a little confused, but answered anyway. "I'm Axel," he walked forward and sat backwards on the nearest chair. "Got it memorized?" He tapped his temple with his index finger and you smiled.

"I'm y/n," you stuck out your hand and he gladly took it. Through his leather glove, his hand was warm, almost hot.

"Nice to meet you, y/n. I bet it's been pretty lonely in here, huh?"

You nodded and hugged your knees. "A little. I mean, I get an occasional visitor, but it makes the lonely moments even more lonely. At least Vexen is a good cook though."

"You think Vexen does all the cooking?!" Axel threw his head back in laughter. "No way in hell would we let that man's chemical fingers get all over our food. Xaldin cooks all the food. He's a super talented chef surprisingly. Have you met Xaldin yet?"

You shook your head, intrigued on how much this man wanted to talk to you.

"I'm not really surprised. He's really quiet. Have you met Saix yet?"

"Nuh-uh." You told him. That lonely feeling from earlier was nonexistent now.

"Good! That man is nothing but an ass, but he's my ass. I love that dude. Been best friends forever. He denies it, but I don't care."

You chuckled a little. Then you heard Axel tell you dozens of stories. Missions he went on with other members of the organization, sleepovers they would have together, "family game night", the whole nine yards. It made the people who came in to visit you seem a little less evil and more just like lost souls.

"Please come over more often," you had told Axel. "I like the sound of your voice."

He smiled, his ego clearly boosted. "Never heard that one before! Thanks cutie." He winked at you before leaving your room.

Even though you were alone, you felt a lot less... alone.

You really hoped he would come back.

And luckily he did. He never failed to visit you, telling you stories or just bringing you snacks and goofing off with you for a few minutes before he had to go. The two of you became incredibly close and the tests that Vexen would hold on you were showing that more and more everyday.

"Have you been around anyone other than myself for a long period of time?" Vexen asked you, shocked at the readings from your test.

"Axel. Why?"

Vexen hummed in response and ignored your question, getting up. "I'm going to get him in here, y/n. I'll be right back."

Quicker than he had left, Vexen was back, Axel right behind him. Axel smiled at you and pulled up a chair. As if Vexen wasn't even there, you continued your day as usual, laughing and telling each other jokes and stories.

Clearly, Vexen was pleased with the tests results because he printed them out and ran down the hallway, exclaiming Xemnas' name.

"What was that about?" Axel giggled. "The nutcase has somehow gotten nuttier it seems."

You laughed. "He's probably losing it because whenever I'm around you, my heart swells." You clasped your hands together and batted your eyelashes at Axel making him chuckle and roll his eyes as he pushed your face away.

"Shut up."

"I'm being serious!" You told him. "You are the only thing keeping me sane in this godforsaken prison of a castle."

Axel blushed. "R-Really?"

You nodded. "Really. I don't know what I would do without you, to be honest."

Axel smiled warmly at you and grabbed your hand, placing a kiss onto your knuckles. "Glad I could be here, y/n. You're probably the best thing that's happened to me here. I feel like I lost everything when I came to this castle, but I don't know, call it cheesy or whatever, I don't care, but you really make me feel alive. Like not like a...."

"Nobody?" You asked, looking softly at him.

"Yeah." He chuckled. "A Nobody."

He stood up and walked over to you. His hand was still in yours so he used it to help you up. You stood up and immediately wrapped your arms around the back of his neck. His arms wrapped around your waist and his thumb nicely stroked over your hips.

"Thank you, y/n."

"For what?"

"Everything."

<3

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