#that weh came from his whole chest

[imagines-choices]

Ghost Of You - Dakota Winchester x MC

[ Dakota x MC ]

Summary: You always visit Dakota every week for the past few months after he died, but this week was not like any other

Author's note: I started reading WEH and spoiled myself by reading fanfics and now I'm just in denial and I can't accept the fact that Dakota is gone, so I wrote this and a whole bunch of ghost dakota imagines and made the ghost series

Warnings: mentions of death, grief

Word Count: 1,845

You took a deep breath as you approached the stone, walking through the muddy path. It started to rain slightly just as you arrived in the graveyard, but you didn't care. You needed to see him. You always do every week.

Stopping just in front of Dakota's gravestone, you placed a hand on top of the stone, the tiny droplets of rain pouring down on your hand.

"H-Hey, Um... So it's that time where I go visit you and talk to you again, not that you can hear me right now. I just wanted to let you know that mom and I had some fight the other day about something I said to her. It's silly, really, but I just thought I'd let it out."

"Everyone else is doing well. Uh, Mateo is Mateo. He's always trying to cheer me up by sending me a funny text or something. A-And Lennox as well. I can still recall the time when we first met and I thought she hated me." You smiled at the memory. "They're always telling me that you'll always be here with us, but I just can't help feeling lonely and lost now that you're gone."

"I'm missing you so much right now. And I-I know that you'd probably want me to move on and smile again, but I just can't help think about you all the time."

"Your smile, your laugh, that cheeky look on your face whenever you're planning something I don't know about, or when you're always teasing me. I have to admit, that's pretty annoying, but I would do anything to have you here with me right now. You can tease me and make jokes as much as you want as long as you're here." You laughed as tears started to spill from your eyes.

"A-Anyways, I-I just... really miss you. L-Like, a lot. And you might not be able to hear me right now, but I-I hope you're doing okay up there."

"It's been quite a while since you were gone, but somehow I've always had hope that you can somehow come back. It's really silly, I-I know." You could feel the rain hit your cheeks, blending in with your tears as you smiled.

"I just wish we had more time. I really don't know and don't want to let go of you." You kneeled down on the grown, unable to control the wave of emotions washing over you. Tears flowed freely down your cheeks, hitting the stone path underneath you. You didn't care that your clothes were soaked, or that you might get sick from the rain.

"I wish you were here, I miss you so much." You spoke out, one last time before completely breaking down.

You quietly sobbed for a few more minutes before you felt something light, weighing on your shoulder. You slowly lift your face, turning around to see who's hand it was, when you're greeted by a familiar face, smiling down sympathetically at you.

"Dakota!" You leaped towards him, his arms instantly wrapping around you. You didn't know why you did it. Other people might've just ran away in fear, but all you could think about was the man standing in front of you. He pulled back just a little, to wipe the tears staining your face, his own tears starting to form.

"I missed you too." He responded as you buried your face in his chest, tears freely flowing down.

After a few minutes of holding each other, you started to calm down and your breathing was normal again. You pulled away to look at the ghostly figure in front of you, and you can't help but frown.

"So you're a ghost? Am I imagining things?"

"Something like that. And don't look so disappointed, it took me months to be able to be seen, and it took me even longer to find out a way so people can touch me."

"I'm just glad you're here." You snuggled your face in his chest once more as Dakota ran a hand through your hair.

His head bent down, stopping right next to your ear as he whispered softly, "You should get out of the rain, you'll get sick. And if it makes you feel any better, I can accompany you for a while."

You nodded weakly before feeling him lift you up, never releasing the tight grip on your boyfriend. He guided you back towards your house that wasn't too far from the graveyard. He knew you'd get sick at this point, after spending all that time in the rain. Your mind wandered off as the two of you walked, hand in hand. All of this was a lot to take in. You had just gone from having a normal day without Dakota to crying in the graveyard, and now you're walking with his ghost? This was all too much and too overwhelming.

Your thoughts were interrupted by the sudden harsh pouring of the rain. Dakota started urging you to go faster, and the two of you ran back until you've reached the front of your doorstep. You hesitate for a moment, brows furrowing in disappointment. You didn't want this to end. If he goes, who knows if he'll come back.

Noticing your hesitation, Dakota stepped forward and faced you. He lifted a hand up to your cheek, and as if he read your mind, he said, "Hey, it's okay. I'll see you again later. I won't be gone for long, just until you're somewhere where your mom can't see you."

You weren't sure, but you nodded anyways and before you could blink, he faded away. You kept your emotions at bay and reminded yourself that he'll be back. You stepped into the house to be greeted by your mom, her arms folded across her chest.

"I was worried about you, why didn't you come back earlier? And you're soaking wet."

"I'm sorry, it's–" She heavily sighs and shakes her head.

"It's okay, go shower." You gave her a thankful look as you headed upstairs towards your room. You pushed the door forward, jumping at the sight of Dakota sitting on your bed, examining the photo frame in your room. He smiled once he saw you entering, and you raised your eyebrows in question.

"You okay?" Your mom shouted from downstairs.

"I'm fine, mom!" You quickly shut the door before rummaging through your closet to look for some comfy clothes.

"Don't–" You threw your clothes at the boy-er-ghost sitting in front of you. "Scare me like that." He laughed and set your clothes beside him on the bed.

"What can I say? I couldn't resist, now that I can do these ghostly things." There it was. That smug smile of his that you want to both slap and kiss off of him.

"Well go on, I'll be right here."

"Don't even think of doing things."

"I don't know what you mean." The wide grin was still plastered on his face as he leaned back onto your bed. You glared as you retreated to the bathroom before closing the door and stripping down, hopping onto the shower. You closed your eyes in content as the warm water hit your back. You thought of all the crazy events that happened today. To think that all this happened in just one day was hard to believe, just Dakota coming back as a ghost was really hard to believe.

After finishing off, you had just noticed that you left your clothes back in your bedroom. This is going to be interesting, you thought as you wrapped a towel around you.

"Dakota?" You called out and you heard a subtle hum in response. "Can you please get my clothes?"

"Which one?" He pretended to look around the room. "Oh this one?" He asked, grabbing your clothes from the bed and you could practically hear the smirk in his voice.

"Ugh yes just– give me those."

"So you want me to come in through the walls and give you these?"

"N–!" It was too late, he had already phased through the wall, and to your surprise, the clothes made it through the wall as well.

"Here." You could see the struggle in his eyes as he tried keeping them focused on your face, and only your face.

"You're lucky I'm wearing a towel. Now get out before I strip in front of you."

"I certainly wouldn't mind th–"

"Nope! Out." He obliged and you quickly slipped your clothes on before exiting the bathroom, a towel in your hand to dry your hair. Dakota watched as you brushed your hair before making your way to the bed, where he was sitting.

After a few moments of silence, Dakota began to speak up. "I know that this is a lot to process, and you have so many questions right now, but what I need you to know is that you need to go find someone else."

A flash of pain crosses your face and you could see the regret on Dakota's face for being so straightforward.

"Why? You're back now. I-I-We can be together again." He frowned and took both of your hands in his.

"We can't. Just– look at me. We can't have a future together, we can't start a family together. I can't even be seen." Your chest started to hurt from all the thoughts running through your head. Everything the both of you want, but can't have.

"No, we can find a way. A-And for now we can just be together. I lost you, and now we've just found each other again. I can't– we can't– You can't just go visit me as a ghost and then leave!" You squeezed his hands even tighter, trying to keep the tears from falling, but failing miserably as Dakota pulled you towards his embrace and let you cry on his shoulder. You felt something wet against your neck, which could only mean tears of his own were forming.

"The longer I stay the harder it'll be for you to let go of me." He whispered silently.

"I don't care, I-I just want you..." It came out quieter than you intended it to be, but with all the thoughts running through your head, you couldn't think properly.

"You know we can't." His voice was even softer this time.

"I know." You closed your eyes once more, leaning further into him.

"Okay..." He kissed the top of your head, lingering for a little while longer as if he didn't want to stop. He pulled back slightly to look at you, wiping your tears just as he did back when you first saw him today.

"Who knew ghosts could cry?" He cracked up a joke to defuse some of the tension as he laid down, and you smiled at his silly attempt. You let your head fall front to his chest and snuggled into him. You didn't care about the future right now. You didn't think about what would happen after making this choice. What you cared about for now, was being with him.

[k7l4d4]

Midnight Striga: Fairy Tail/Owl House Crossover Episode 1 Part 3

Hey, once again, Crossover time, with your host, me! Everybody clap your hands!!!

Lightning crashed, and thunder rumbled outside the ominous spire of stone and lost hope that was the Conformatorium. As Luz took in the sight before her, she turned a flat stare towards the smirking Witch next to her. “What was that you said about this place being super fun?”

Ignoring Eda’s chuckle, Luz panned her vision across the area, giving herself a rough idea of the layout for the building, before her eye caught on a poster tacked to a nearby wall. Walking up to it, she yanked it down to see an artistic representation of Eda and King, complete with Bounty. She let out a low whistle at the figure. “Wow, these guys really got the hots for you.”

“Yeah, but they’ve never caught me.” Eda preened with pride, deftly stuffing the flyer into her hair. “King’s got some moves of his own when it comes to giving people the slip.”

“Yeah! Just try and catch me when I’m greased,” King cheered, eager to talk about his skills. “I’m a squirmy little fella!”

“Heh, I’ll take your word for it.” Luz grinned.

Eda smirked, gesturing for Luz and King to come in closer. “Alright, I’ll make a distraction to keep Wrath and his goons preoccupied. You two will make your way to the Vault from above.” She paused to conjure up a platform, the transport they would use to ascend. “I’ll do my best to keep Wrath and the Guards from getting to you, but for that to work, I’ll need you guys to keep your heads down in there. Can I count on you?” She turned a solemn face towards Luz at her question.

Luz made a small show of mulling it over, before grinning brightly. “Don’t worry about it. This isn’t my first time sneaking around somewhere I’m not supposed to be, after all.”

“Ugh, enough with the emotions, let’s just go already!” King complained, eager to get inside.

With a huff of amusement, Luz leapt onto the platform, scooping up King with an indignant squawk, before signalling Eda to send them up. As Luz rose through the air, she calmed the giddy excitement bubbling up inside, letting her face and emotions go blank. She needed to focus, to prepare herself for the fight her instincts were SCREAMING was coming their way.

As the platform reached its apex, just short of the window they needed to get to, Luz dully noted, she once more picked up King, this time with only a slight grumble of protest, and launched them both upwards. As they soared through the window, Luz caught herself in a three-point landing, fist planted in front of her chest, legs spread to catch her weight, a practically superhero-esque look… and then King slammed into the ground next to her with a grunt.

Chuckling sheepishly, Luz pulled the small demon up. As they walked towards their goal, Luz couldn’t help but marvel at the interior; this place may have been an evil den of corrupt tyranny, but she couldn’t deny the place was stylish, in a “step out of line and get wasted” sort of way. One thing that bothered her, though, was how empty it was. Luz had been around the block more than once, and she was fully aware of how much crime could get up to in any civilization, especially one that cared more about preserving things a certain way than helping the people, so the sheer barrenness of the cells was… unsettling to see.

Finally, she broke the silence. “Hey King, where are all the prisoners?”

“Weh? I don’t know. Why do you ask?” King replied. He wouldn’t openly admit it, but he was kind of weirded out by how empty this place was himself.

Luz’s curious look gained a more serious edge. “Because, no prison, whether the prisoners deserve to be in it or not, should be this level of empty unless it’s abandoned.” Luz’s scanning of the surroundings gained a hint of nervousness at that point. “I just can’t shake the feeling that something bad goes on here. You know, besides the whole “imprisoning for failure to submit to societal norms” thing.” Her frank bluntness would’ve been funny, if the situation hadn’t been so grim.

King glanced around, now feeling far more nervous about being here. “Now that you mention it, a lot of people get dragged here, but you don’t really hear much about them afterwards…”

“Hey kid, how did you get out of your cell?”

Turning their heads in surprise, both King and Luz were mildly surprised to find actual prisoners ahead of them. The one who had called out, a Witch-girl with dusky skin, two prominent canines that bordered on fangs, and an almost sleepy look to her, was beckoning them closer. It made sense, no one liked being in prison, and Luz’s gut wasn’t giving her any warnings about her. So, with that in mind, Luz sidled up to the bars.

Luz cleared her throat. “Not a prisoner actually, also, not technically a criminal.” She ignored King’s shout of ‘Not Yet Your Not!’ “Mind if I ask how you all ended up in a dump like this?” Okay, maybe it was cheesy, but Luz wasn’t gonna not ask how a group ended up in prison; what other time would she get the opportunity?

The prisoner chuckled, a bitter sound, the type you hear from someone who doesn’t really expect to be happy ever again and is just going through the motions. “Never thought someone would have the time or desire to ask me that. I got stuffed in here for writing stories about food falling in love with each other.” She held up a notebook with an image of two vegetables kissing on the open page. “And I know you didn’t ask, but the name’s Katya. You’re the first person to actually care about me in a long while.”

“Same with the rest of us.” Commented the prisoner next to the now-named Katya, a pale-blue fellow with multiple eyes. “I got put in here for eating my own eyes.” He then demonstrated, preempting Luz’s question, popping out one of his eyes, swallowing it whole, and then regrowing it perfectly. It was as fascinating as it was disturbing.

A muffled thumping came from the last occupied cell. Turning to it, Luz saw a small, white, ball-shaped creature that seemed to be a head with arms and legs sticking out of it. A cloth gag was tied tight over what Luz assumed was its mouth, the thumping coming from the creature slamming against things as it furiously clawed and yanked at the gag.

Turning a questioning stare to the others, Luz asked, “What’s going with that one?”

Katya snorted, a tired humor in her eyes. “Yeah, she’s big on conspiracy theories. She ended up annoying the guards so much they gagged her to keep her quiet. Which I thought was kinda lame, she had some fun stuff to say. Also, she really dislikes the government, which probably didn’t help her either.”

Luz was furious. No, scratch that, she was beyond furious. She was so angry, all she could show was calm. King could physically feel the rage seeping off of her. Speaking in a voice so coldly furious, Luz bit out. “So, what you’re telling me, is that you guys haven’t actually committed any crimes, and got thrown in here for being different?”

Katya let out a sad sigh. “Pretty much kid. Wrath really likes throwing anyone he considers “unsuitable” for society in here. And we happen to fit his definition of unsuitable.” She gave a soft grin towards the still irate human. “But hey, at least we got the chance to tell someone, right? Not many get that chance.”

Luz hyper-focused on that last part, instantly trying to process that statement alongside her concerns from earlier. “What do you mean by that?”

Katya gave an ominous stare. “A lot of people come into this place, but it isn’t much of a prison. It’s more a waystop before they get shipped off to the Emperor’s Castle; whatever goes on in there, we don’t know, but some people come out, utterly broken… and others don’t come back at all. Because so few people are actually here at any time, there aren’t many guards, but considering how tough Wrath himself is, it doesn’t make much of a difference.”

Luz's blood ran cold. The details may have been sparse, but what little she had been given painted a rather… ugly picture. There was no way she could leave these guys here. Glancing around, she spotted the lever that would release the cells (she honestly wondered how she missed it at first), and started tugging on it. At the slight motion of the heavy piece of metal, Luz was torn between frustration at how slow-going it was, and satisfaction at being able to move it at all. Just as she felt she was making progress, she paused, the sharp rumbling of heavy footfalls approaching in their direction.

“What are you fools yammering about?”

The voice that spoke was sinister, rumbling, and had a grating edge to it that set every nerve in Luz’s body on fire. Just as the figure was about to enter visual range, Luz gave a leap, clinging to the shadow-cloaked walls above. The amazement the prisoners felt at watching her feat was quickly squashed as the source of the voice pulled into view. A hulking, muscular figure, what little of his body could be seen having a purple tone to it. His body was clad in a white tunic, a triangular badge displayed proudly across his chest; the plague doctor-like mask sent chills up Luz’s spine. There was no doubts, this was the infamous Warden Wrath.

The Warden loomed over his prisoners, an almost palpable ruthlessness bleeding off of him. Glancing down, he spotted what he assumed was the topic of their discussion. “Ah.��� He pulled up what Luz could see was a copy of that same wanted poster of Eda she had seen before. “The Owl Lady.” He brutally crushed the paper in his grip. “She escaped me before, but soon, she will be within my grasp.”

Alarm bells began ringing in Luz’s head, and as she looked down and saw King, hidden in the dark corners of one of the cells, the blind panic in his eyes made it clear he felt that fear too. Suddenly a sharp gasp drew their attention. “Aiw!!! I can bweathe again!!” It was the last prisoner, having finally managed to work the gag off of her face. Refocusing on the present, the tiny inmate began a tirade at the sight of Wrath. “The voices of independence cannot be silenced!! We will suwvive, we will enduwe, we will cast off ouw oppwessows!! We will neveh be afwaid of you, you big old cweep!!!”

Speech impediment aside, Luz couldn’t help but feel impressed at the courage it took to speak your true feelings, even in such a bleak situation. That admiration turned to dread, however, when she saw the Warden move towards the lever to the cells. While he didn’t see her, she could feel the air hum around him as he easily lifted what she struggled to even budge.

As the doors to the cells opened, the smallest prisoner gasped in delight. “Hooway, I’m fwee!” Eager to take advantage of her apparent freedom, the conspiracy theorist took off like a bullet, only to be effortlessly snagged by Wrath. As Wrath ruthlessly pulped the prisoner in his hand, the resulting squeak more menacing than humorous as he laughed over it, he calmly stated something that would forever infuriate Luz, even years later: “Remember, there is no place for you in society if you can’t fit in.”

As Wrath wandered off, to where Luz didn’t care, still clutching and tormenting the small prisoner, Luz leapt down as silently as she could, King rushing to join her. As she opened her mouth, hoping to say something, Katya raised a hand to stop her. The light that had been in her and the other prisoner’s eyes? It was gone, that little spark of hope had been snuffed out. Still, Katya tried to pull off a smile. “Just go kid. Go and enjoy freedom for us.”

Luz and King traded sad looks, before walking off. King, he didn’t know what to do with this. He was used to feeling unstoppable, weakened form notwithstanding, so feeling… bad for someone was new to him; he didn’t like it. Luz, she was angry, furious, apoplectic, basically every word you could use to describe being angry she was feeling right now. Before everything happened, she was used to feeling like an outsider, like people didn’t want to be around her because she was different from everybody else, but even at her lowest, she was never made to feel as if being herself, that being weird, was unacceptable on par with the worst of crimes. Luz knew one thing; when this heist was over, she was going to bring this place crashing to the ground.

As Luz and King mulled over their conflicted emotions, Eda ran up, a mischievous grin stretched across her face. “Alright gang, the Warden’s distracted tormenting some tiny creature and- what’s with the long faces?” Her grin wiped itself away at the depressed aura surrounding the two.

Luz turned a nervous eye towards Eda. “Hey, Eda? How often do people get sent to this place?”

Eda blinked, a little confused at the question. “Fairly regularly, at least once a week I’d say. Why do you ask?”

Luz gulped, not liking what she was about to say. “Well, how often do people come back out? And, if people come here so often, why are there so few prisoners?”

Eda paused, considering the question. As the possible answer, or answers, dawned on her, she grew grim, face pale. “Okay, yeah, that’s something I hadn’t thought about before. We need to get that crown, and get out of here as soon as possible.”

Luz nodded, a look of concentration upon her face. “Yeah. We overheard the Warden earlier, and the way he was talking? I think this may be a trap to lure you here.”

Eda blinked at that, then facepalmed. “Ugh! I can’t believe I didn’t think of that! Well, we better make this quick then.”

King piped up at that. “Then we better get going! The sooner we get my crown, the sooner Wrath stops being our problem!” With that said, he stomped towards a pair of very impressive doors.

[j--meat-hook--j]

Round 1: Operation Smoked Ham

The assignment? Search and Destroy.

The target? Local Wolfsboone dog.

The location? A forest with a winding path.

The participants? A silent bacon-flavoured child and a flying, talking energy anomaly.  

Andrew was carrying boar around the arms, like a reverse piggy-back. (heehoo) The two were idly flying above the forest looking for the path to ambush the unknown two they were going against.

“D-o you shee them Boar?” Andrew asked his friend and roommate, Boar.

Some taps later from Boar later. N-O

“Whe-re else you wannananana try?” Andrew stunted out. 

Boar pointed to a deeper part of the forest and squeaked.

“Gocha.” Andrew followed Boar’s non-verbal directions. After some audible sniffs from Boar, they perked up and pointed. 

“There?” Andrew asked. Boar nodded so quick they jostled Andrew a bit. Boar pointed and Andrew saw it too, the dirt path that the “heroes” were trekking on.

“Foun da path.” Andrew commented. Boar gave a few taps in agreement. 

“Up or down?” Andrew asked Boar. Boar gave a few sniffs before pointing down the path, towards where the heroes would be starting. 

Andrew responded silently and followed in Boar’s directions. He lowered closer to the ground, Boar’s toes were just touching the highest branches.

S-E-E. Boar signed with urgency. Andrew stopped and dipped close to the trees to hide from sight. Andrew spotted the silhouette, nothing special about it. No notable heat, density or unique appendages.

“Who?” Andrew asked, info was key.

K-A-Y-A-K-I. Boar signed.

“Oh. Who?” Andrew asked, that info did nothing.

F-R-I-E-N-D.. Boar signed.

“Oh. Who?” Things weren’t going well for Andrew, he recognised the name but not the silhouette.

N-O  W-O-R-R-I-E-S. Boar signed.

“Wheres da ofer one?” Andrew struggled to verbalise.

A couple sniffs from Boar.

B-E-H-I-N-D. Boar signed.

“Drop you middle? Make lots of noise, I take care of dog.” Andrew asked. Boar nodded. 

O-P  S-H  I-S  A  G-O. Boar signed with enthusiasm.

“Lessgo.” Andrew flew above the trees again and right over the dirt path, trying to get the attention of Kayaki.

It worked. 

“Ki! We got incoming!” Kayaki called out behind her.

Andrew flew over Kayakii, he was looking for the other silhouette.

A double tap came from Boar, they spotted the other one. Boar gave three taps, then two, then one.

“See ya in a bit.” Andrew told Boar.

Operation Smoked Ham was a go.

Andrew let go of Boar, there was silence in the forest as Boar fell. Then came a loud CRUNCH as they landed. A small crater appeared where Boar landed, the sturdy kid was able to take the fall easily. 

“Ki! I’m gonna need a hand!” Kayaki called out behind her.

Even Andrew could hear the rumble of hurried steps as Kirai approached, the dog following him with a wagging tail. “It’s me, I’m here, where are they?” Kirai said, getting into a comical fighting stance.

Kayaki pointed to Boar up close and then Andrew out in the distance.

“There.” She said.

Andrew had a whole speech prepared for this occasion. High up in the sky Andrew puffed out his chest, rubbed his hands together and did a slight cackle.

“Hear me feebew heroes! It appears you’ve stumbled into our trap, for you see my associate and I have the brains and brawn to-”

Meanwhile on the ground, the other three were just staring up at Andrew. Kayaki looked towards Boar in an attempt to get some insight. Boar responded with a shrug.

“He does know we can’t hear him right?” Kayaki said to Kirai.

Boar tapped their fingers together a couple times.

“HA! He does do that.” Kayaki giggled at Boar’s quick wits and impeccable delivery.

Kirai’s face looked like a squashed up sponge of confusion and slight regret.

Back at the sky,

“And fli’ it uhsie-down. Prince of Bel-Air style!” Andrew finished his monologue with great gusto and a beam of light in the sky.

Boar was still staring up at Andrew in a mix of wonder and disappointment.

“Means go!” Andrew shouted down, that time it was actually heard. Boar pinched down on their nose and nodded in a muddle of frustration and disbelief.

Boar took a deep breath and activated their Quirk, a blood red aura surrounded their body. Boar’s eyes sharpened on Kirai and they charged.

“Wait Boar we can talk ab-” Kirai cut himself off as he pulled a quick 180 and ran.

“Duck and weave Ki! Duck and weave!” Kayaki advised Kirai.

“I’m ducking! I’m weaving!” Kirai called back.

Boar wasn’t the fastest person in Taiyuu, a decent pace could outrun them, but with all of Kirai’s unnecessary ducking and weaving it was a pretty close match.

With all of the commotion happening below him, Andrew ever the sneaky boy, snuck over their heads towards the Very Important Pubby. Andrew descended slowly towards the good boy who was doing little tippy-taps on the ground in excitement.

Andrew came face to face with the dog, his target. With one good hit Andrew could end the whole exercise, just easy as that. But that would mean this poor tail-wagging, paw-tapping, excitedly barking dog had to get hurt, Andrew couldn’t do that.

Meanwhile, at the borderline bloodbath not 20 meters away Boar had caught up to Kirai.

It was brutal, Boar sledged Kirai in the face and did a spinning kick to Kayakis' side. Kirai tried to give Boar the old what-for in the form of a punch. It connected.

“Ow.” Said Kirai.

Kayaki jumped on Boar’s back like a spidermonkey, flailing around grabbing and pulling at whatever part of Boar she could get her hands on. Boar reached around, grabbed her with one hand and hit Kirai with Kayaki.

Meanwhile, at the place where morals go to die. Andrew gathered a large amount of his energy into his hand. Andrew’s right hand was glowing and shaking with condensed power. He raised his hand, ready to strike.

“Nebula.” Andrew called out the name of his Super-move and began to strike the dog, the resulting explosion being more than enough to snuff it from this semi-mortal-plantlike-hivemind coil.

“Barf! Barf!’ The puppy barked in excitement.

The condensed energy in Andrew’s hand began to fizzle out but his hand continued towards the dog. The lethal amount of energy contained in Andrew’s palm slowly extended out and formed fingers. The ticking time bomb of Andrew Energy scratched behind the ears of the dog. 

“Who’s a goob boy.” Andrew said to the Booneswolf as he started scratching under the chin as well. The puppy responded by shaking its leg.

Meanwhile, at the beatdown of the century. Boar tripped Kayaki over with a properly timed leg sweep, Kayaki landed on her back with a thud. Kirai charged in for a kick to Boar’s ribs. Boar caught Kirai’s flying leg, raised it slightly and punched towards the man's Crown Jewels.

Across the island Wolfsboone let out a small breath of air through his teeth in sympathy.

A high pitched scream came from Kirai. Rip the homie. Boar shot their gaze over to Andrew and finally saw the tomfoolery that was afoot.

“Fech da shtick.” Andrew said to the dog and the boy threw the stick. The dog just looked at the thrown stick and back at Andrew with a small head tilt.

“Go on, fech.” Andrew encouraged.

Boar pulled out their handy-dandy phone for the first time today and frantically typed into it. Out of the phone came a flat sounding voice.

“God fucking dammit Andrew just kick the fucking dog.” The Text-to-speech said.

Andrew crossed his arms.

“Language.” He said.

An audible snap could be heard as Boar’s patience was through. The huffed over to Andrew and pointed at themselves and then the dog. Then Boar pointed at Andrew followed by Kayaki and Kirai.

“We swappin dance partners?” Andrew asked. Boar slowly nodded their head.

“Fine. But please don’t hurt Daisy too much.” Andrew asked his roommate and friend.

Kayaki dazedly looked up from the ground at Kirai.

“Hey, Kirai. You wanna do that thing where you get really mad and unlock a new power.” Kayaki said to the near unconscious Kirai.

Kirai let out a small squeak.

“Don’t you fuckin ignore me.” Kayak said, so done with this shit.

Andrew floated over to the two. 

“Pleash don’t ge’ up. Then I’ll hafta blast ya.” Andrew asked his two enemies.

“I’m gonna get up.” Said Kayaki. “Pleash don.” Andrew said.

“I’m gonna do it, and I’m gonna help Kirai get up too.” Kayaki said.

“I don’ wanna blast ya.” Andrew pleaded.

“You can just let us get up.” Kayaki said, slumping up from the ground. 

“No, bu’ I can’.” Andrew said.

“You can.” Kayaki said, getting onto one knee.

“I’ll havta stop you using my villanous teknees.” Andrew said.

“Like what?” Kayaki said, helping Kirai up onto his feet.

“I’ll, uh, leave a puddew so yah soc’s geh weh.” Andrew said so very evily. 

“You monster!” Kayaki said, having Kirai lean on her shoulder.

“....Now hol on. Haf I been blundered? Haf I been swindled? You were jus stallin for time wif dat whole convers-a-tion weren’t you!” Andrew stumbled out.

“Yeah.” Kayaki said. “Now Imma hafta blast ya.” Andrew said, the condensed energy in his hand swirling around and around.

“Okay, Kirai.” Kayaki slapped both sides of Kirai’s face. Kirai cracked open an eye.

“Yeah.” Kirai said, his voice noticeably higher than previously.

“Andrew’s gonna fire a giant laser at us, you need to absorb it and fire it back at him.” Kayaki informed Kirai.

“No. Cards.” Kirai said with a slight squeak. 

“Don’t worry, I brought leaves.” Kayaki said, shoving a handful of leaves in Kirai’s hands.

“Hate you. Hate you both.” Kirai said, leaning off of Kayaki and standing on his two feet.

Andrew's hand had finished condensing the energy, instead of the full fingered hand he had earlier it was now a swirling galaxy of an appendage.

“Quasar.” Andrew said the name of his supermove and let it loose at Kirai and Kayaki. A bright beam of light shot towards the two K-friends.

“Kirai, you have to try.” Kayaki said with emphasis.

“Kay. I’ll try.” Kirai said, holding the leaves out in front of him. He braced himself for the impact.

As Andrew’s laser neared Kirai’s bundle of leaves, the leaves emitted a black hole like effect and absorbed Andrew’s laser. The leaves in Kirai’s hands started sparkling a light Andrew Blue colour.

“Wha. Gib dat back!” Andrew shouted at Kirai angrily, that beam was technically Andrew.

“Oh, uh, okay.” Kirai said, just as surprised as Andrew. Kirai thrust out the leaves and the same beam Andrew fired out shot out of them.

“Oh, I get it.” Andrew said right before he got nailed in the chest by his own redirected laser. The impact sent Andrew flying back.

Kayaki and Kirai looked at each other, back at the knocked back Andrew, back at each other, back at the still out of control Andrew and back at each other. 

“I’m the best aren’t I.” Kirai said to Kayaki.

“Yep, mmhmm.” Kayaki responded.

Meanwhile, at the dog vs Boar action. Boar had just finished up with Daisy, the dog, whatever. They deactivated their quirk and walked over to Kirai and Kayaki. Kirai jumped back and hid behind Kayaki. 

Boar pulled out their phone again and started tapping away.

“Sorry about that, Kirai. No hard feelings? I’ll make it up to you.” The Text-To-Speech said on Boar’s phone.

Kayaki and Kirai looked at Boar suspiciously.

“You’ve still got a bit left to make up for Boar.” Kirai said, a cat in his lap and a cat on his head.

“I’m sorry, I just got lost in my anger.” Boar’s T-T-S said as the actual Boar took a sip of tea.

“You lost? You lost? I lost something.” Kirai said, taking a bite of one of Kayaki’s biscuits.

Andrew was still a little sad about Daisy, but Boar treated the group to a cat-cafe so overall today was a win.

[drabbles-of-writing]

Can We Keep Him? (pt 2)

This is part of my Uncursed AU

AO3

Masterpost

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If there was one thing Eda hated most, it was boiling rain.

She could tell by the storm clouds gathering one was on the way. However, she currently had a possible buyer looking over what she had to offer that day. So she impatiently tapped her fingers on the table as she watched the witch hm and haw over every little thing she had.

A boom of thunder snapped her patience.

“Do you want anything?” Eda snapped.

The witch lifted his head and blinked at her, dumbfounded.

“Oh, no, I was just browsing.” He said cheerfully. “I spent all my snails earlier.”

Eda stared at the witch, her left eye twitching as her nails dug into the table.

“Then move along!” She shouted.

“Alright, alright! Jeez,” The witch grumbled, raising his hands and backing off. “Kids these days, I swear.” He mumbled as he hurried along down the marketplace.

Eda didn’t bother to retort. She frantically began gathering up her items in the table cloth. She picked up anything that had fallen and attempted to tear down her sign proudly stating; Human Collectibles!

She had nearly gotten the whole thing down before she heard something sizzle.

Eda whirled her head around. And sure enough, the first drops of boiling rain were beginning to fall.

Eda looked around frantically, spotting a stand that, thank the Titan, had a stone over it. She regrettably ditched the bag of human objects before diving for the shelter, wincing when she felt the drops of rain graze her right leg.

Eda crawled up underneath the shelter, pulling her leg close as she hissed out a string of curses. Thankfully, the burn on her leg wasn’t all that bad. Though it’d definitely bug her for the rest of the day. She considered using her magic to heal it, but decided against it. Using magic on such a small thing wasn't worth the effort.

“Sorry, Lilith,” Eda sighed, peering up at the cloud-filled sky. “Looks like I’m gonna be late again.”

She leaned back against one of the posts holding up the empty stand, settling in for a long, boring wait.

Until a yelp caught her attention.

,

Eda turned her head, looking back out to the open path in the marketplace. Off on the opposite side was an empty clay pot turned over. Beside that pot was a very familiar small plastic crown.

The pot lifted slightly and a black paw darted out, trying to grab at the crown before a drop of rain landed on it. Whoever was in the pot squeaked and instantly retreated their paw.

Only a few seconds later, the paw darted out again.

“Is that…?” Eda squinted her eyes.

Droplets of rain splashed onto the crown. It sizzled and hissed as the boiling temperatures of the water immediately ate away at the crown, bringing it down to a half-circle.

“No!” The pot lifted up higher, revealing the face of the self-proclaimed King of Demons, his face full of horror. “My crown! My beautiful, beautiful crown!” He wailed, once again nearly getting nicked by the rain and drawing his paw back into the safety of the pot.

“Hey, I know you!” Eda called. “Demon Lord, or, whatever your name was.”

The demon lifted his head, spotting Eda and perking up.

“Oh, hey witch lady!” The demon greeted. “You got any more crowns?” He asked hopefully.

Eda gave the demon a deadpan stare before pointing over at her abandoned bag of goods, which was now nearly completely eaten through.

“...oh,” The demon deflated.

“What are you doing out here?” Eda asked. “Everyone knows to get somewhere safe before a rainstorm!”

“Well--I--” The demon faltered for a moment before angrily fluffing up his tail. “Then why are you out here?” He retorted.

“Someone was ‘browsing’ my items when I thought they were gonna buy something,” Eda sighed, knocking her head back against the pole she was leaning on. “Apparently he didn’t think the oncoming wrath of boiling rain wasn’t something to be concerned about.”

“Personally, I think not boiling alive is worth more than a profit.” The demon said, dropping the pot back over his head before standing up, wearing it like a long hat that went down to his legs.

“You’re a demon, you don’t need money.” Eda snorted, watching the demon walk around in the open under the pot for a minute before skittering over towards her.

“...what are you doing?”

“It’s getting hot under here!” The demon said, hurrying underneath her shelter before ditching the pot and kicking it away. “This is a much more adequate roof for the King of Demons.” He nodded in satisfaction.

“Don’t you have, like, an owner?” Eda raised a brow. She reached out and grabbed his large gold tag.

“The King of Demons belongs to no one!” The demon snapped, tugging back and brushing himself off. “I am my own demon!”

“What’s with the collar then?” Eda questioned.

“I…” The demon blinked before looking down at his collar and fiddling with the tag. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Eda said disbelievingly. “How can you not know why you have a collar?”

“I just don’t know!” The demon snapped back. “But I like it!” He said, sitting down and crossing his arms angrily.

“...alright then.” Eda said, turning to look out at the rain.

When she had first met the demon, she had assumed he had been someones escaped pet, due to the collar. It would also easily explain the inflated ego and delusions. People spoil their pets all the time.

But if he didn’t belong to anyone…

“If I may ask, since we’re clearly going to be here for a while,” Eda said, glancing over at the demon. “Does the so-called ‘King of Demons’ have a name?”

“A mortal like you couldn’t bear to know the true name of the King of Demons!” The demon said, raising his head snootily.

Eda gave him a deadpan stare for a few moments.

“How about I just call you King?” She tried.

“That…” The demon frowned and thought for a moment. “That name will suffice.” He decided with a nod.

“Nice to formally meet, King.” Eda said with a bit of a smile, holding out her hand. “I’m Eda.”

“Eda...I can work with that.” King said, taking her hand and shaking it.

“Sorry about the crown,” Eda said, pulling her hand back and looking over at the pieces of scrap that were once some plastic toy. “I could probably find another one.”

“You would...find the King of Demons another crown?” King asked excitedly, tail wagging.

“Only because I feel bad,” Eda said, crossing her arms, though her smile only grew. “And you’ll have to pay me this time.”

King gestured to himself before holding his paws out at his sides.

“Do I look like I have money?”

“Then how about this,” Eda said, thinking on her feet. “In payment, you have to find stuff for me to sell.”

“Like...scavenging?” King tilted his head.

“Sort of,” Eda said.

She dug in her wild mane of hair before pulling out a small dark brown key with a yellow eye on it and showed it off to the demon.

“A while ago, I found this key to the human realm.” She explained. “It’s where I get all my items. Although, recently, it’s getting harder for me to steal stuff from their metal bins without getting caught.”

“Oooh. So you wish to enlist the help of the mighty ruler of demons, eh?” King realized excitedly. “Fear not! For I accept this offer. In exchange for a crown, I will hunt down the greatest human artifacts the Boiling Isles has ever seen!” He said, standing up and posing proudly.

“Thanks, King.” Eda chuckled, tucking the key back into her hair. “Hope you’re a good tracker, though. I don’t set up shop in the same place two days in a row.”

“Pssh, how hard can it be?” King waved his paw. “I just have to look for the loudest witch in the market.”

“Wha--says you!” Eda scoffed. “You’re the loudest demon I’ve ever met! I’m genuinely surprised I haven’t met you yet.”

“Yes, well, I’ve decided to grace this side of the Isles with my presence.” King said. “You’re welcome.”

“Gee, thanks.” Eda shook her head before reaching over and ruffling the fur that connected to his skull by his cheek.

King let out a weird ‘weh’ like noise and struggled for a moment, batting at her hand with his paws.

Which, now that Eda got a better look at them, really didn’t look too good.

Demons had tougher skin than witches, so a few droplets of boiling water wouldn’t cause severe harm. And yet, the way his skin was twisted and discolored from the burns he’d received made Eda's own chest twist.

“Doesn’t this hurt?” Eda asked, drawing her hands back and gently placing one of his wrists in her open palm.

“Eh, I’ve had worse.” King shrugged. “The King of Demons needs no sympathy.” He said, turning his nose away.

Eda frowned, worried about what ‘worse’ such a small demon like King could be referring to.

Her eyes drew to his broken horn.

She decided not to ask and pulled him a bit closer.

“Could I at least try to heal it?” She asked.

Eda had never been good at healing magic. Her best had always been defense and offense, not sitting on the sidelines and tending to the wounded. Lilith had more knowledge in that aspect, thanks to the Emperor’s Coven.

Still, it wouldn’t hurt to try, would it?

“I...suppose,” King said, sounding suspicious. “Just be careful. I don’t want to chip a claw,” He said, this time sounding like he was partially joking.

“I won’t,” Eda promised before turning back to his paw.

A faint yellow glow came from her left hand and she brought it closer to King’s paw, eyes squinted in concentration as she gently pressed a finger to his burns.

King winced as though expecting to be hurt, though he didn’t pull his paw away.

Slowly, Eda ghosted her finger over the burns, smiling as she saw his previously gnarly skin untwisting and fitting back up.

“There we go,” Eda said, bringing her hand back. She couldn’t heal it up all the way, but now it was practically invisible unless you looked for it.

“Whoa,” King turned over his paw, mesmerized. “Do the other one, do the other one!” He chanted gleefully, sticking out his other slightly less-burned paw.

“Alright, hang on, hang on.” Eda chuckled, concentrating as she drew her glowing finger over the burns, bringing it to about the same state as his first paw.

“That should heal up on its own, now.” She said, letting him admire and study his freshly healed paws.

“Thanks...uh,” King squinted. “What was your name again?”

“Eda,” The young witch sighed. “It was Eda.”

“Right, Eda! Thanks. I'll remember next time.” King promised, holding his paws close.

Eda smiled at the demon. What had happened to him to make him so astonished that a witch would help him, she didn’t want to know.

But she did know that right then, she wasn’t going to be quite as alone out here as she thought.

“Anytime, King.”

[sugawara-sweetheart]

!!!! i'm glad you had a really good lab!!! <3 it's really exciting when your results turn out well!!! i know that science can be frustrating and getting a high yield is totally exciting and should be nice to write about in your report!!! i unfortunately don't know very much about islam and the celebrations that go along with it but i hear you got to wear a really pretty indian dress!!! and that you looked like a fairy??? gosh, that must've been so nice <3

yeah :(( i had initially confronted this person about the fact that i feel like she fetishized both of us as asians too much and that i felt uncomfortable with her referring to me by my japanese name in addition to the fact that she isn't? really? improving herself for as long as i've known her? she's been broke for the three years i've known her and poverty is not a negative trait. i've paid and driven us around every single time, because i like experiences with people but she's never been explicit about her gratitude other than a short thank you after it's done. and her behavior is negatively affecting her boyfriend, someone who became a close friend, in the same ways as well.

but in doing that, i thought she would reflect on herself or try, but instead she came back with a 3 page essay making me responsible for her insecurities in an aggressive manner.

being free is nice!! and i'm so sorry about the long message. i just... weh?

--😶

i’m so sorry for the late reply. please don’t ever apologise for sending me a long ask, i love and whole-heartedly appreciate them!

thank you so much! yess yield is quite important in science (though of course they vary by reactions) but for a synthesis one it’s great to get a good yield! ofc it was hard to tell how pure my product was and one guy told me his was super impure and we think someone contaminated his whole jar of starting material😳ah eid was so fun! and generally every family does eid a lil different mixing together islamic traditions with their cultural take! :)) and yess my dress was so pretty i felt beautiful🥺

i imagine how disturbing and uncomfortable that must’ve felt to have someone fetishise you! i defo think it’s super problematic just how much poc (and particularly i feel like asian girls) are fetishised but to have it come from a friend? idk but i feel like it’s super iffy that she wouldn’t use the name you preferred to be called by and insisted on using your japanese, something about that doesn’t sit well with cause it feels disrespectful to your preferences, yk? and yeah i defo get that! being broke isn’t a bad thing, often it’s out of people’s control but i’d understand why you’d feel hurt or annoyed that she doesn’t show gratitude for everything you’ve done for her :(( i’m really sorry you’ve had to deal with all this, it sounds so tiring and awful!!! but blaming you instead of accepting things and trying to work on herself is really not the right move :(( like personally i feel like people don’t deserve 2nd chances when they csnt even see what they’re doing wrong you know?

i imagine it must hurt to have ended a friendship but i’m glad you feel free! i hope this message has helped you get things off your chest!! i think you’ve done a super brave and good thing for yourself to cut it off and i hope you find peace from all this!❤️

[bucketseesaw]

My first entry for the #Obingo Me

Mammon: Handcuffed for 24 hours

This is very short, 5k words only. May be rushed.

I'm thinking of this as more of a starting point (training, if you will).

---------------------

Devildom was unusually calm, the actual day you get free time from your studies is when everyone decides to waddle off, go figure.

So you did the most logical think at the time. You sat on your bed and opened your D.D.D, ready to scroll through devilgram and try to piece together the history behind some photos.

Since no one was around, it couldn't matter the time you'd spend on your phone observing the shenanigans and practically waste your whole day there.

//

A couple hours got by and still no sign of the demon brothers. A sudden thought came to your head and left you feeling pretty dumb, 'Just because I'm free doesn't mean the others are too...' and only then did you realize than in fact, you do remember Asmo and Levi talking about having some plans to take care of. The others must be in a similar arrangement, who knows.

That is, until your room door nearly got broken down by an agitated Asmo holding Mammon forcefully by the arm, and following straight behind with a disapproving but curious expression, Lucifer himself.

" W-..What?" You stammered out, greatly confused by this event.

"It's time for you and Mammon to just stop being stupid, the tension is ruining my skin!" Asmo said in a slight high pitch while pointing at you, then he pushed Mammon to the center of the room, in a not so gentle manner.

Lucifer just watched the show without saying a word, the only sign of emotion coming from his mysterious eyes, that were filled with clear mischief.

"You need to show respect to THE Mammon, I'm your big brother!" He barked at Asmodeus, but he apparently was having none of it.

"Shut the hell up and Y/N, stand up for a moment."

There was a moment of silence, Asmo approached Mammon in the center and then glared at you.... .... wait, why was he looking at you again...? Ah yes! He's waiting!

You stumble, not so gracefully, out of the bed, mind buzzing with plain confusion and just trying to figure out what the actual fuck is happening. It's common for those little fights to happen, but this seemed different. They did come to your room, so that should say something.

"Care to explain..?" You murmured, stepping near them and with a glance at Mammon's face you could already tell you much he didn't want to be here right now.

"No time for that, stick your arm out." You complied with little to no hesitation but with doubt nonetheless.

What happened next surprised you, the feeling of cold metal against your wrist that nearly made you scream and not even a second later a yelp was heard.

"Are you insane!?" The white haired demon screeched, flailing around. You could now see clearly that you were in fact, handcuffed and to no one other than Mammon himself.

"Though I don't usually fool around, this may be a nice experiment." Lucifer said, humming in satisfaction to himself.

"Now, let them be." He put his hand on Asmo's shoulder "We still have business to attend to."

"I'm done here anyways." He then examined himself "My perfect self can't go out looking like this, I'll need to redo my nails and fix my clothes."

With that, the two left the room, leaving you two feeling hopeless and in a state of urgency.

"Wh- I can't believe they did this." You said while looking at the handcuffs connecting you two, a mild panic in your expression.

The demon bit his lip and got closer, you could see how tensed he was. "No need to worry, for you are locked with THE great Mammon." He smiled anyways, the shit eating grin you were used to.

"You must feel pretty lucky, huh? A mere human getting this chance!"

You could see his attempt at comforting you and while it wasn't the best, you appreciated the thought. A smile fell upon your face and you giggled in pure relief.

"Yes! I definitely am lucky to have you here."

The words left your mouth before you could even think, it wasn't a lie so there was no problem.

The chocolate colored demon blushed and practically became a beacon of various shades of red, his mouth opened and closed several times, almost like a fish.

"Weh-Well... I- Of course you are! Who couldn't." He settled for the easy answer and slumped over himself.

You push the cuffs a little, signalizing for him to follow. As you sit in your bed, the demon does the same, although keeping more distance than necessary.

He seems to have gone back to his shell, being awfully shy and not at all like normal.

You catch a glimpse of his still rosy face and feel a strange warmth fill your chest. A sudden need to hug Mammon close and never let go.

You couldn't survive forever but the idea of hugging him was strangely enticing and you could only wish you had more self control.

Mammon trembled slightly as he felt your free arm encircle him and push him closer, the handcuffs making the half hug a little awkward.

"Y/N!?" The white haired demon gulped and looked shocked, turning his head to look at you.

"What are you doing?" He said under his breath. The blush worsened, his neck and ears turning the same cherry red color his face had acquired.

"You know.. I, I haven't appreciated you enough" You say gently, shoving your head in his neck.

"I can't help but compare you to a blinding sun, even if you can sometimes not be very bright..."

"You always make me happy..."

Mammon could only take short breaths as he tried to recompose himself.

"It's only fair yeh-you say that about ME, Ah-After all I am THE great Mammon..." Even in his tries at sounding confident, it was clear he was still nervous.

Instead of talking, you only continued to rest your head on him and let the silence befall the bedroom.

It didn't last long, as Mammon started shifting. You thought he'd move away, but were greatly surprised as he only reciprocated your gestures and leaned his own head against your shoulder, well, as much as one could with a handcuffed hand.

Something about the serene atmosphere you two had created, prompted you to sleep.

You could resist the urge of course yet, you didn't. The scent of the demon besides you and the little breaths he'd let hit your shoulder blades, made you want to stay in that position.

It was only moments later that you succumbed to a peaceful dream, warmth all around you.

//

And that was how Asmo found you two. Sleeping against each other in a tight cuddle.

He didn't feel the need to wake you up, however he did take a quick picture that was directly posted in his devilgram page.

Such a cute scene deserved a spot for all to see and as a quick reward, he'd let the keys for the cuffs resting near the bed, smiling to himself all the way till he left the room.

[honeybee-babe]

“Can you stifle them for me today, babe?” (Klave)

My first Klave fic! And of course, it’s Klaus snzfic with fetishist Dave! Idea developed with the help of @hargreevesstyles, hope you like it bby! ;)

~

It had only taken Klaus three weeks of being (officially) with Dave before he discovered the man’s kink.

It was a happy accident that he had landed in Vietnam in the dead of April, when tree pollen was at its highest. When he got together with Dave, it was late May, and just when the tree pollen was starting to die down, grass pollen came in full force on top of it. He was surrounded by miles and miles of tall grass, in a climate he wasn’t used to, and antihistamines weren’t half as strong in 1968.

At first he’d held back his allergy sneezes around the other men, only indulging in occasional stifles around them, and frequently removing himself from the group when he was on the verge of an irrepressible fit.

He was even more careful around Dave, always pulling away if he had to sneeze while they were making out, and excusing himself profusely afterwards. It was in those moments when Klaus started to pick up on it. He noticed the little smile that always played at Dave’s lips afterwards, and the way he blushed a bit with every mumbled “Bless you, Bug.” He’d been around the block when it came to kinks, and it really wasn’t that hard to figure it out.

And although Dave was pretty uncomfortable when Klaus first confronted him about it, he didn’t protest when Klaus started bringing bunches of Chrysanthemums and handfuls of grass into the infirmary. That was the only room that was usually empty, and the access to wall to wall cabinets of medical supplies served as a bit of an insurance policy, just in case Klaus reacted too strongly to anything.

These past few weeks though, Dave hadn’t been reacting to Klaus’ sneezes like he normally did. In fact, Dave hadn’t been reacting much to Klaus at all. Klaus wondered if he’d done something wrong. Whatever it was, Dave clearly didn’t want to talk about it.

Klaus had done everything to cheer him up. Kissing him about fifty extra times every morning and night, wearing those big sunglasses he liked whenever he had the chance, and passing him all his strawberries whenever they had any at breakfast (Dave loved strawberries). He’d even induced himself three times (secretly) in the course of five days, and Dave had barely reacted. He’d just said “bless you,” without the bug. Klaus even tried making them extra loud for him, and Dave’s only reaction was to tell him he should take a bath.

Klaus tried to be easy on Dave, giving him his space and not bothering him about it but it was going on a week since they’d last banged now, and he was getting desperate. And with the rest of the camp hitting the bars tonight, they had the whole barracks to themselves. And it was mid-June, the height of grass pollen.  Klaus was not going to let this perfect opportunity go to waste.

He sauntered into the barracks with a tall strand of elephant grass in his hand, sniffling unapologetically as he made his way over to Dave’s bed. The other man had his back turned to him and was lying down with his chin propped up on his hand. He didn’t even look up in response to the sniffling.

Klaus went to town with the grass, sticking it directly up his nose and wiggling it all around. It didn’t take long for his breath to start hitching. That’s when Dave startled in surprise, having genuinely not realized he was there.

Dave turned around to lie on his other side, ready to snap at his boyfriend about sneaking up on him. 

“Jesus, Klaus! You can’t just - oh…” When he saw what was going on, and a grin inevitably spread on his face. Klaus returned the grin, even as his eyes unfocused more and more with each breath. Success.

“Davey, I...hh! Can you help me?” To his delight, Dave willingly obliged. Klaus scooted onto the bed to lie down next to him. They propped themselves up on their elbows as Dave brushed the end of the grass against Klaus’ nostrils, gently. Far too gently, for Klaus’ liking. “Ihhhh… come on, Davey, what’s that gonna -hih!- do?”

Dave went in just a bit deeper and sped up his finger movements. That seemed to do the trick. He only pulled it out again when he was absolutely certain that Klaus was over the edge.

“Ihhhh...hih! Het’shiuuu! Edtshuuu! Igxtshyuuu!” he sneezed against his wrist, merely inches from Dave’s face. He finished with a deep sigh, and rubbed profusely at his itching nose.

“Mmm, bless you, bug.” Dave kissed him on the cheek.

On the cheek!

“Did I do something wrong?” Klaus asked, pulling away with a sniffle.

“No, bug. You’re perfect.”

“You don’t seem that into it. Normally you’d be jumping all over me by now.” Dave just shrugged and started to turn back around. “Hey, hey, hey!” Klaus placed a gentle hand on Dave’s shoulder. “What’s wrong, Davey? You’ve been acting weird lately.”

He rubbed at Dave’s shoulder and kissed him on the back of the head, rubbing his itchy nose in the other man’s curls. Even as stuffed up as he was, it still smelled distinctly like Dave.

“It’s the twins’ birthday this week.” Klaus smiled a bit, against Dave’s hair.

“Danny and Debbie?” Dave nodded his head in response. His hair tickled at Klaus’ nose.

“Hh’itshieh! How old are they turning?” Klaus asked with a little sniffle. He knew Dave was very protective and close with his younger siblings.

“They’ll be sixteen on Tuesday.” He let out a little sigh. “I just really miss them.”

“I know, Davey. I’m sure they understand it’s not your fault,” Klaus hummed, rubbing his hand up and down Dave’s arm. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

After a moment or so, Dave turned back around with a tiny grin and waved the blade of grass in his face. “Distract me?”

Klaus just rolled his eyes and lifted up his chin, to give Dave access to his nostrils. “You’re so predictable.”

“Mmm,” Dave agreed. “Can you stifle them for me today, babe?”

Klaus quirked a brow. “You mean like… hold them in?” Dave nodded, biting down on a sheepish little smile. Klaus cocked his head to the side. “Why would you want me to do that? I thought the whole point was the release.”

Dave blushed profusely. “Uh, it is, kinda. But I dunno, it makes it seem more desperate?” he looked down at the blade in his hands, twisting it around nervously as he searched for the right words. Klaus bit down on his smile; he was just too cute. “Like…like you’re trying to control it but you… can’t? I don’t know. It’s just… I don’t know, it’s sexy to me. You don’t have to, I know it’s weird-”

“Shh, Davey. It’s not weird -- well, it is weird, but we’re weird anyway. And besides, it’s cute! And it’s what you like,” he kissed Dave on the nose, “so I’ll do it.”

Dave scrunched up his nose and pulled away, flashing Klaus a sheepish smile. “You will? It might hurt.”

Klaus giggled. “Pshh, I do that all the time anyway, it’ll be fine. Come on, Davey probe me!”

Despite his reservations, Dave’s libido took over,

“Okay... but only if you promise to never say that, ever again.”

He returned to stroking the tip of the blade of grass against Klaus’ nostrils.

“Hih….ihhhh....go deeper, for Christ’s ssake. Oh! I think I’m...hehhh good.” Dave pulled the blade out as Klaus raised his hand to his face. “I think I’m gonna - heh! Hih’iGTshyuu! Fuck!”

“Bless you! It’s okay, bug,” Dave said through a chuckle, though the blush returned to his cheeks. The familiar warm feeling rose up in his belly when his boyfriend brought his other hand up, steepling his hands over his nose.

“Wait… I can do it this… heh I’ll get it this ti-ih’nkxt! G’kt-ngktchiew! sndf Like that?””

Dave bit down on a huge smile and nodded. “Yeah, like that, baby.”

“Hihhh…. hih’nkxt! h’nxgt! xngt!” Klaus sniffled and removed his hands, grinning up at Dave. “Davey, I’m doing it!”

“Mmm,” Dave moaned as he returned the grass to his Klaus’s nose, the tip dancing against his already quivering nostrils, “Yes you are.”

“Ihhhh… ugh! Gimme that.”  Klaus snatched the blade of grass out of Dave’s hand and shoved it as high up his nostrils as it would go, wiggling it around wildly.

“Klaus, be careful,” Dave warned with wide eyes.

“I know what I’m…. hehhh what I’m doiihhh- nxgtshyuu! nXGT! XXGT!” He stifled the triple hands-free for a change. “Fuck, that felt good.”

Dave moaned. “Sounds good, too.” he brushed Klaus’ messy curls out of his eyes, which were really starting to tear up. “Okay, you can stop now.”

“N-no, I-l - hih! I love it so much, I don’t want to stop. Oooh it’s so,” he paused his movements, setting the grass down as he searched for words. How exactly does one talk dirty about sneezing? “It’s so itchy. Mmmm.”

Dave stifled a laugh. “Klaus, you don’t have to do that.”

“Mmm, what?” Klaus returned the grass to his nose. “Hihh I love sneezing, it feels soooo good.”

“You don’t have to try to be sexy,” Dave explained. “Just… talk about how it really feels. Or don’t talk at all. Trust me, you’re hot enough right now. Way more than enough.”

“Hmm…. you know what would be really hot?” Klaus snapped the blade of grass in half, and handed one piece to Dave. “Wanna help?”

Dave chuckled deeply. “You’re killing me.” He went in for Klaus’ left nostril, while Klaus took his right nostril with the other half.

“You’re weh -hih!- welcome…. hihh! H’nxg! Inxgt! Ehhh...” Klaus frowned when Dave removed the blade of grass from his left nostril. He continued to attack his right nostril with the other blade, but it was his left that really needed the extra push. “It’s st-suck. Hih!... Fuck! Help me out, Davey. Pleeeease?”

Dave grinned devilishly. “No, I think you got this babe.” He raised his brows playfully. “It’s not rocket science.”

“Wha-?” Klaus could barely think, his brain was so preoccupied with finding this sneeze. His eyes were streaming, eyelids fluttering rapidly as his chest rose and fell with each hitchy breath. He made grabby hands at Dave’s blade of grass, but his boyfriend put it in his other hand and held it out away from Klaus, way too far for him to reach.

“Fuuuuck,” Klaus whined. He continued to rub the blade of grass up and down his right nostril until, like Athena bursting from the mind of Zeus, the answer finally came to him. “Oh! Hihhhh.. duh!” Quickly he removed the blade of grass from his right nostril and jammed it into his left nostril. Dave tensed beside him.

The reaction was instantaneous.

“Fuck it’s workihhhhh…” He removed the grass from his nose and steepled his hands over his nose in the nick of time, just before his head snapped down. “ihh’nXGtsh! Sorrry - heh’nxgt! Ixtchuhhhh!!” He didn’t even open his eyes, even as he heard Dave moan deeply, and felt his hands press a tissue against his nose, which was now running like a leaky faucet. He removed his hands, allowing Dave to cover for him with the tissue. “hih’NXGT! Uhhh… hihhh? Ihhh?! Hiehhtshieww! H’tDZshyuuu-nxgt! Ngt-nxgtchiew!”

Klaus literally felt Dave shiver against him. After a few moments of silence, he swatted Dave’s hands away, and blew his nose himself. 

This seemed to snap the blushing man out of whatever stupor he was in.

“Shit, Klaus,” he finally spoke up. Klaus chuckled; Dave rarely swore. “That was… fuck.”

“Sure was,” Klaus agreed, breath finally evening out a bit. He blew his nose a second time.

“Ugh, shit, sorry those last few get out,” Klaus said with a smug little grin, knowing full well that it didn’t matter from Dave’s more than enthusiastic response.

Dave was in a daze beside him. “Are you kidding me? That was so hot.”

“Really?” Klaus teased, a grin crossing his face when his nose twitched again. “But -hih!- isn’t this better?”

Before he could respond, Klaus buried his nose into Dave’s neck.

“Ih’ngxt! Hhn’xgt! Gnxtchiuu!”

He sniffled, a deep gurgling sound, as Dave went completely still against him. When the once-again blushing man finally spoke up, he was breathless.

“Holy fucking shit.”

Klaus giggled and pulled away to boop him on the nose.

“Language, Davey!”

[movedyourchair505]

Napule Nights - quattordici

- chapter navigation -

x

Her legs felt weak still, her hips aching when she got dressed the next day, already dressing to impress because he'd said that he would see her, and she was going to be ready, despite the sore ache between her legs when she walked, the pain in her hips when she moved, the way her eyes almost shut automatically when she thought about how hard he fucked her, it clouded her mind instantly, called for her to take a breath and refocus, but she knew that she wouldn't be able to let this go, wanted him now more than ever, because no one had ever taken care of her that way before.

Before she even got impatient, a security guard she hadn't seen before came to collect her, announcing Turner was asking for her in his office. This had become a recurring theme and while she'd feared the face to face with him most times, she now was impatient to see him, she needed to know if he'd act differently towards her, if something had changed after the previous night but deep down, she could already guess the answer.

She was tense when she entered his office, her short velvet blue dress strategically selected, low cut and with thin straps, criss-crossed and cut at her waist, showing off more skin than necessary. She'd expected, hoped to be alone with him, but when she laid eyes on him, he was talking to Kane who sat opposite him in one of the chairs, leaned back, one leg resting on the other, toying with the rings on his finger, hard to miss in the tight baby blue suit, a black shirt underneath.

The heavy shift of the door and her heels clicking on the ground as she attempted with all her strength to navigate herself inside had both of them looking up at her, looking up and down her body and she was more than satisfied with the way Turner adjusted his sitting position, rested his elbow on his desk and scratched lightly at his throat with his finger, his eyes locked with hers purely to not give her the impression he was embarrassed of her catching him stare.

She swallowed as the scene from just hours ago began to replay in her head, having been bent over the very desk she was now sitting down in front of, she could practically feel his hand closing around her throat again, trying to maintain a blank expression when her sore skin was trapped between the tight fabric of her dress and the hard material of the chair.

“Mornin', bella...” Kane chirped, pushing one of the cups that stood in front of him on the desk over to her.

It took her by surprise, required a moment for her to take her eyes off Turner and comprehend what was happening, the confusion on her face eliciting a cackle from Kane beside her. “Al said you was comin' teh talk 'bout the whole issue wif the other familehs so I brought you coffeeh too. Dun't know 'ow you like yehrs of course, I might 'ave dropped sum Irish cream in there.”

She was amused as much as she was surprised, flattered even that while Turner was so cold and indifferent, there was something so warm and comforting about Miles thinking about her and bringing her coffee and she gave a small smile, some of the tension leaving her body and she leaned back, licking her lips and wrapping her hands around the steaming cup. “Grazie, Miles.”

He beamed back at her and took a sip from his own coffee, then both their eyes wandered back to Turner sat opposite them who was waiting, glaring back impatiently, as if to ask if they were done with their polite little exchange.

“I dunno if yeh kno' but this is a rather serious problem.”

Jade swallowed, straightening her back, once again suppressing a noise of discomfort at the way her hips ached, there was a constant throbbing ache between her legs too that she was trying to ignore but with Turner right there, the rings on his fingers, his hands that had caused such tortuous pleasure for her, it was too much. He looked irresistible, like he was just asking to be challenged again, his hair slicked back with some loose strands astray and falling into his forehead, his hair not quite dry yet after a shower. He was wearing a sheer brown shirt, the top buttons undone and exposing his chain and his toned chest while simultaneously drawing particular attention to his dark eyes and Jade already knew she wouldn't be content with him barely looking at her anymore. If she hadn't been dying for his attention before last night, she most definitely was now.

“You've got teh fill 'er in, Al...” Kane mumbled, raising an eyebrow at his mate.

Jade flinched, caught a glimpse of Turner reacting as well, the twitch of the corner of his mouth cocky, a flicker of mischief in his eyes and it made her heart pound, caught off guard by the shift in his demeanor, even if it was just for a second, it was like a silent bond, a private joke, and she was instantly desperate for more, but he'd already closed off again, licked his lips and lit himself a cigarette, then letting the pack slide over to Kane who did the same, holding it out to Jade once he'd taken a drag.

Alex caught her gaze once again, an unspoken confirmation that it'd be okay for her to take one, he wanted to encourage her to, the sight would be something new, her lips wrapped around the smoke, he hadn't realised until now how badly he wanted to see it, relaxing when she took Miles' offer, balanced the cigarette between her lips while he lit it.

He found himself not minding having her around, quite the opposite, initially only having called her in to see her still affected by the events of last night, but now that she sat with them as if it was no big deal, as if she was comfortable with both their eyes on her, practically undressing her in their minds, he couldn't help but want her more, blinking quickly before his mind could tease him with the image of her sprawled over the desk before him, sucking greedily on his fingers and taking his cock so well, taking everything he was giving her gratefully. The fact that she liked how he'd treated her affected him more than he cared to admit, his fingers twitching to take a hold of her body again, it hadn't escaped him how much she struggled to move.

“Si” she mumbled, snapping him out of it, her confidence reignited by the simple glance he'd given her. “Fill me in, Alexander.”

He swallowed hard at the nerve of her, licking his lips and taking another drag from his cigarette, none of the internal shift visible on the outside, but he knew it threatened to crash through the surface if she kept going. With Miles there though, he knew it wasn't quite as easy to put her in her place. “Basicleh...” he drawled. “The man tha' yeh met last night were not associated wif the famileh yeh were supposed teh 'and the delivereh over teh at all.”

Jade watched him closely, adoring the way he could stay so calm when she knew he was aching to come back at her but she disregarded her excitement quickly, well-aware that it was a big deal that he was telling her anything about this issue at all. He could have fixed the mess she'd made alone, but he was choosing to tell her in a way that wasn't meant to humiliate her, and she wasn't going to take that for granted, especially after fucking up.

“It looks like … weh lost a vereh important … ally” he stated. The realisation clearly bothered him, it was something not to be taken lightly, judging by the seriousness of his face. “At least weh didn't make the delivereh after all...” He sighed, scratching the bridge of his nose before taking another drag of his cigarette, blowing the smoke to the side. “First weh thought tha' they 'ad joost compromised the man tha' yeh was supposed teh meet but Serena found out they're workin' togefer now.”

“It's mainleh because they feel threatened” Kane stated, scratching at the back of his head.

Jade turned her head to look at him, biting her lip. “Because of … because of Mancini?”

Turner nodded. “Weh've got teh let 'im go.”

“W-What?” Jade swallowed hard. She didn't know how much danger that meant for her, but she had been seen, seen with Turner and if people didn't know already that it was because of her that Alfonso had lost his right hand man, they certainly would once he was set free.

“He 'asn't told us anehfin'” he stated, crushing his cigarette in the ashtray in front of him, adjusting his chain. “Weh cannot afford teh start a war. They'd go after yeh eifer weh” he added, his words then trembling for a second. “They'd go after Serena. An eye for an eye.”

Jade nodded, trying to be understanding, trying to stay calm. She knew he was right, that she was in danger either way, but that there was also much more at stake than her safety. She knew ultimately what she'd signed up for, getting in Turner's car, agreeing to work with him. And the fact that she was having a conversation with them without challenging Turner right now, it showed how far she'd come now, that she'd made the right choice, he was slowly getting used to her, maybe even trusted her.

“Yeh'll still be safe, bella” Miles assured her, offering a comforting squeeze at her shoulder when Turner failed to reassure her, failed to bother with the flicker of fear that had hushed across her features.

“Yeh're gunna do sum jobs at me club onleh for a while” Turner stated, his eyes transfixed on Jade. “Weh've threatened Mancini but there's nobodeh more loyal teh Alfonso than 'im. But it's scared them enough to start recruiting me allies.”

The hint of pride, amusement on his face made it obvious that while he was discussing a pressing issue, he still was very much aware that he had the upper hand, like watching lower folk fighting their own battles, getting involved as he pleased to shuffle the cards whenever he got bored of merely observing.

“If you can get 'im teh beh as desperate as 'e once was when 'e tried teh swerve meh, it's gunna beh worf it” Miles said, breaking out into a chuckle. “Yeh kno', it were so funneh because it were tha' time I were literalleh comin' from yehr place after weh...”

One glare from Turner silenced him but it didn't escape Jade, the way their eyes softened instantly once Kane stopped talking, then moving on nonchalantly. “Even if weh can get there” Turner drawled. “It dun't mean weh're gunna let anehbodeh stab meh in the back like tha'. And I will not play reyht inteh 'is 'ands. He dun't ask Jade for Mancini and I 'and 'im over, he dun't send 'is minions teh put me people in danger and gets aweh wif it.”

Jade froze and she pressed her lips together. There was no indication on either of their faces that he had said something out of the ordinary, but she'd heard him, how he'd included her into the collective that were his people. She tried to stay calm, to adjust to the changes and behave accordingly without ruining all her own progress.

“Bof of yeh are gunna work on tha'” He stated. “Mi is gunna go out and in a bit teh talk the as maneh people associated wif Alfonso and the other famileh tha' 'e's messin' wif.”

Jade tensed. “And what about me?” She asked, ready to get behind any job he wanted her to do. She was going to impress him this time.

His gaze was cold, expectant and she focused to take it all in, to not miss a word he said, to not give him a single reason to be disappointed or irritated. “Tonight yeh and Nicholas are gunna meet wif sumbodeh tha' weh usualleh do business wif and yeh'll find out wha' yeh can, he's gunna figure out the financial situation, if Alfonso offered them moneh, wha' the nature of their change of mind is and weh'll 'ave teh kno' 'ow they react teh yeh, if they recognise yeh, 'ow mooch Mancini will share 'ow fast as soon as weh let 'im go.”

She nodded slowly. “And you want me to distract them, right?”

Turner chuckled, pursing his lips. It was the only answer necessary.

“You're learnin'...” Kane grinned to Jade, finishing his coffee and fishing his phone out of his pocket, giving Turner a nod before standing up. “I'll beh off then. Leave yeh...” He looked into both of their eyes, earning a dark glare back from Turner while Jade diverted her eyes, her heart pounding as she realised that he'd known the whole time, that maybe she didn't come across as collected and confident as she'd liked to have illusioned. “Teh yehrselves.”

She would have thought Turner wouldn't tell anybody, but then again, she rather he told Miles than anybody else. Of course that choice wasn't hers to make, Cook had given her a look that let her know she'd been anything but quiet with Turner taking her over his desk, her voice having felt quite hoarse before bed. It worried her to think about who else knew, who else would judge her and maybe not take her seriously.

As soon as Kane was out the door, Turner was on his feet, walking around the desk and she instantly rose to stand as well, hissing at her own sudden movement but she met his gaze before he was in front of her, his eyes intense, dark and insanely hypnotising. A cloud of smoke and cologne lulled her in and she swayed forward slightly before catching herself, the shift of weight on her heels making her hip sting.

She hadn't talked back to him, felt the urge to challenge him again, but she didn't know how far she could push it now, if he was still as desperate for her as she was for him, if he also craved more, and how it would coincide with her jobs, his expectations.

“Dun't even fink of wearin' anehfin' less tight than this tonight” he stated, a simple order, no suggestiveness to his voice, but the way he looked at her had her reeling, the way his jaw tensed, his throat stretched.

“Oh, will you be there to stare?” She asked, raising her eyebrows at him bravely.

He chuckled darkly, giving a slight shake of his head. “Dun't get yehr 'opes up” he drawled. “I might not beh there but I still want yeh teh feel it.”

He'd seen right through her and it damaged her ego more than she liked, the fact that he knew she'd shown off as much of her body as possible, the pain she'd endured just to please and tease him and build up her own confidence that rose under his hungry gaze.

His hand came up slowly and before she knew it, he'd taken hold of the side of her throat, his thumb pressing into the soft skin just below her chin, her pillowy lips pouty and begging for him to sink his teeth into, draw those little cries from her that he craved to hear again.

“Yeh better not mess up tonight...” he drawled, his voice threatening, none of the previous change in behaviour apparent now. “I dun't care tha' yehr ass 'urts and tha' your 'ips might be sore. If yeh need teh dance, yeh will.”  

She swallowed hard, the mere thought already reigniting the pain in her joints but she gave a nod. She wouldn't have had it any other way. “Understood.”

His lip twitched, having expected another challenge, but her obedience temporarily eased him, the shift confusing, despite his expression remaining blank and before he could challenge her in return, the door was pushed open, heels clicking and Alex tore his gaze and his hand away from her.

Jade instantly missed his touch, her body was craving more of him, but she stepped back as well when Serena entered the room, her gaze inquisitive, judgmental as she regarded her first, then looked at Alex, giving a wave as if it dismiss her but she refused to move, looking for Alex's reaction instead.

The hint of a smile had now eased his features once he'd composed himself, his eyes meeting Jade's and he gave her a nod as if to legitimize Serena's gesture. “Yeh 'ave yehr orders, Jade” he said, his voice low yet steady. “Dun't disappoint meh again.”

[overlyimmersedarcana]

1 The Hanged Man chapter 1: Soul

(The Arcana fanfic)

Oh this was a mistake...

The thought echoes through Maralyn's mind as she runs, dashing down some hallway in the palace. She can hear foot falls behind her, hurried to try and keep up with her. Its Maranwe, she knows. They'd both been... What room were they in again? She doesn't remember, everything is an anxious blur at this point. Where is she even going either?

-Another set of running steps joins. A voice like her own, but questioning. Is that Maranell or Marayana?-

Where is she even going? She has no clue, she just knows she wanted to get out of the room they started in.

-A third set of foot falls, which ever had joined the chase previously, this must be the other.-

Why exactly are they all following her? Maybe she should slow down and-

The concept is cut off as she collides with another body, the arms that impulsively catch her are immediately familiar and she tucks herself further into him. It's Asra!

"Maralyn! Are you alright?" He looks from her to the others as they come to a stop, catching themselves on each other to stay standing. "What is going on here?"

Maranwe shrugs her sisters back a little, earning an apologetic look from Maranell and a dirty one from Marayana, and focused on Asra to try and explain. "Well, long story short... Hmm, now how do I make this short...?" She takes a moment to think, Marayana and Maranell looking just as curious and concerned as Asra as they wait. She takes a deep breath "Well, I suppose long story short she's having a panic or anxiety attack. But I suppose you want to know why?... Well, she's been having some identity crisis lately. We were attempting to... Work with that, and then I'm not exactly sure what happened. She just freaked out."

"Descriptive... " Marayana comments flatly.

"Well she didn't exactly tell me what was going on inside her head! I was basically just there for moral support and to make sure she didn't hurt herself..."

"Was this a therapy session?" Maranell asks.

"No. I don't take therapy sessions on adventures. This wasn't even really my idea... "

Asra looks back down at the girl hiding in his chest. She seems to have calmed down some, or at least caught her breath, but she's shaking a little. "Why don't we sit down..." He suggests, guiding Maralyn to the nearest wall and helping her sit down on the floor against it. He sits down next to her, she pulls her knees up to her chest and rests her forehead against them. The other three girls takes seats nearby in a wonky sort of half circle.

"What exactly is going on?" Asra asks Maralyn directly this time, wearing a worried expression. At first she just shrugs, not sure what she should say. The others all wait, looking at her expectantly but giving her time to think.

"I'm not sure..." It sounds like it's only half the sentence, so they all wait for the other half "I'm not sure... I'm really me..."

"What do you mean?" Asra asks, getting more worried.

" What if I'm not the real...me...?" She asks dropping her head like she has something to be ashamed of.

Asra doesn't know how to ask her explain any further, and the other girls can tell she isn't finished explaining. The wait this time is only a moment, she draws a breath and tries to order her thoughts.

"It's just...this b-body." A slight hesitation makes her stutter, "This whole...thing. I don't know. No part of me is actually mine. I don't have any of my own memories, I don't have my heart. This body isn't really mine. How can I be me, if nothing is made of me? I don't-...feel real."

"Of course you're real." Asra says, looking stricken. His hand raises slightly like he wants to touch her, but something stops him.

"How do you know? All I know of myself is what you've told me. And you say I'm just like you remember -recent personality issues aside- so what if I'm just...made of what you remember? What makes a person real...?"

"Well that's an interesting question actually." Maranwe chimes in, in the tone she uses when she's actively not participating in emotions. "There are a number of theories, depending on where your from and who you ask. Your whole heart thing playing into the metaphysics is somewhat reminiscent of one I know quite well. This theory states that a person is made up of three parts; a body, a heart, and a soul. Most theories just have the two, a body and a soul. And what exactly a heart, in this context, does is ill defined. It usually has to do with emotions, and connections between people. A body is pretty straight forward. It's generally the least important of the three as it has basically nothing to do with defining you. It's just a container that makes interacting with this plane existence possible. Or something like that, never really studied the planes of existence thing..." She pauses to make a face at herself, before skipping past it to the next point, "Then there's the soul. Most theories believe this to be the actual alive part of the system. Like, to answer you question directly; a soul is what makes a person real. Basically."

"You had to say all that just to say that?" Marayana criticizes.

Maranwe flounders a bit, "Ah- weh- I- I just think it's important to have all the context!"

"I think you just want to sound smart." Marayana retorts with a sly smirk. Maranell laughs at the indignant look this gains from Maranwe.

While her sisters are teasing each other Maralyn is thinking about what was said. Bodies, hearts, souls... Those three have mentioned souls a number of times. "What *is* a soul exactly?"

The question brings a stop to the teasing, as it refocuses the discussion.

"Well it's... You, basically." Marayana answers this time. "Like, people are souls inside bodies."

Maralyn scrunches up her face as she tries to comprehend that along side everything else. "People are souls, and bodies aren't really that important?" She repeats, more like she's double checking notes then asking a proper question.

"Right." Maranwe confirms, "if you put a soul into a different body it doesn't really change who they are, just how they look. In most cases. Like, " she laughs a little, probably to relieve some stress, "Like bodies are just vessels. Pouring milk into a wine bottle doesn't make it wine, yeh?"

"Ah." That makes sense, Maralyn thinks. She glances over at Asra, who just listening to this unusual little lecture. "Alright... So then, how does that prove I'm me?" She asks, turning her attention back to Maranwe.

Maranwe tilts her head, confused by the question. "What do you mean?"

"Well...how do you know you're you."

There's a long pause, "... That's some existentialism I was not prepared for today..."

Maralyn rolls her eyes a little, "You've talk, you've all talked before, about your souls. How you know who you are, your name -our name- because your soul remembers it."

Maranwe frown, seeing where she's going with this.

Maralyn continues, her voice becoming insistent "That's how you know you're real-"

Maranwe's voice raises a little "I know I'm real because I'm talking to you-"

Maralyn raises hers over Maranwe "I'm not saying I'm some figment of anyone's imagination! I just think-" she sighs a little and brings her voice back down to normal "That I might not be...the original. That I'm not really the person you were trying to get back..." She looks at Asra from the corner of her eye, her head held low again. "I don't feel like I'm all here. I don't have any memories of myself, all I know is from you so of course I'm how you remember. I don't know what souls are made of, but what if it's not-... What if you just can't do that? What if I'm just a copy of her? Made out of magic and your memories?"

"Maralyn, that doesn't make any sense..." Asra insists.

"How doesn't it? Do you know how exactly that whole thing worked?" Her voice is lowered and there's as much pain on her face as his.

"... No."

"Then how can you know...?"

"I just do. I know you're real."

"Because you want me to be...?"

A wave of sorrow washes over Asra's face. The other three girls exchange a look for a moment.

"Is this...really important?" Marayana asks carefully.

Maralyn gives her a look.

"Like, even if you're not the original -which we all still think you are- what does that change, really? You're still the only you there is."

"I can't live some pretend game like that."

"Why not?"

Maralyn gives a withering, knowing look that makes all three of the other girls flinch and look away. There's a long, uncomfortable silence where everyone just exists inside their own feelings. Maranell is the first to break it, though just barely as she uses a quiet, timid voice reserved for cooing at frightened animals or making her own anxiety obvious. "What do you plan to do...?"

"I don't know... I wouldn't know where to start... " Maralyn's voice is also as soft as Maranell's, but more miserable.

Maranwe exchanges a look with her other two sisters, before tentatively making a suggestion. "Well, this came from your Arcana, right? We could ask them." She pulls a tarot deck out of her own pocket.

[onedo23]

Double Fire

Near the dark isle, where a bottle of honey with animal ears and tail, a box of rice, and a lollipop with hair reside. Said lollipop is talking to previously mentioned honey bottle about the other perishables. “Sugar Bear, who’s this “Firewater” guy, and why do you want me to go see him?” Firelolly asked, unsettled by the whole ordeal. “Is it cause our names are almost identical?” He continued. “No, it’s not because of that. I want you to meet him and the others cause they're really interesting people, with lots of knowledge about Lucky’s.” Sugar Bear said. “But I don’t even know where they live!” Firelolly cried. “Oh, that. Go straight for a while, turn right, go straight some more, and you’ll be there.”    “Okay, but what do I say to them? I hate making people upset.” “I’m not sure, Firelolly. But what I think you should do is act nice, cause they've never seen you.” The bear shaped honey bottle suggested. “That’s what anybody would say, and you haven’t even told me what they are.” “Wine, grits, and a twinkie” Sugar Bear listed, while seemingly staring into space. “What?” Firelolly blurted out, at the word “twinkie.” “Why’s there a twinkie?! Last time I checked, twinkies perish!” “I don’t why he’s there, he just......is.” “This is freaking me out more. Can I take Millie, or someone?!” He asked, frantically. “I don’t see what could go wrong if you bring her, so go ahead.” “Thank god, I was getting scared that you’d say no.”

Firelolly went to Millie’s isle, after finding a pastry who looked a  lot like her, except taller,  covered in yellow spots, with stuff coming out of the bottom of her, and white curled hair. “Minnie, Uh I mean Millie! Do you wanna go visit the non perishables with me?” She slowly turned around, noticing that Firelolly had randomly popped in. “Of course! I’ve always wanted to see them in person after what people have told me. They seem really awesome!” She then paused for a second. “But where do they live? Firelolly” “I’ll show you, Sugar Bear told where they are.” After about 10 minutes of walking, and Millie occasionally outrunning Firelolly, excited to go meet the infamous trio of products. They arrived, much to Firelolly’s dismay.  “Come on Firelolly, say hello to them!” Millie whispered. “Dude, you don’t know how freaking scared I am. Only time I’ve seen them, was from far away, and I wasn’t even sure if it was them or not!” He said, shaking. “Don’t worry, it can’t be THAT bad, can it?” “....Uh, maybe? How about how go in first, Millie.” the cake roll took his advice, and told them about her being a friend of Sugar Bear. Then a low, but still home how kinda high pitched voice with an accent Firelolly couldn’t recognise, welcomed Millie. “Firelolly flopped against the wall, still shaking. “Hey guys, you wanna meet my friend.” He heard Millie say. “Oh no, this means it’s my turn to introduce myself to them.

“Well,he’s suppose to be here, Firelolly! They want to see you!” Millie called. “I’m coming.” he called back, stopping abruptly when I pitched voice who’s gender was impossible to tell, laughed at his name. “You know what, screw it. I’ll go on in there, and just pray they don’t hate me.” Firelolly slowly went next to Millie, revealing his presence to all 3 products. One of which had the creepiest face he’d ever seen, he screamed a bit. Even though he was doing nothing but sitting, and smoking something, he didn’t even want to read his label, the only thing he managed to read was “Grits”. As he was dying of embarrassment. The brown product jolted up and said: “Why’d ya scream at me? Do I look bad?!”He cried. Firelolly slowly waddled over to where the 3 were. “Nope....you” He look another look at his face, this time right into his eyes, he was actually sort of pretty. But he got freaked out, and fell on his back. “Wah!” Only for him to get back up. “What the hell, are you gay for me?” “No!” Firelolly jolted. “Dude, it wasn’t meant to be a mean thing, why are you so damn weird ‘bout it?” “I don’t know why, but why are you with me, Millie is WAY WAY more entertaining than me!” He got a glance of Millie, making the weirdest expression, a slight smile with puppy eyes. “Hey, Mr Gritty! I’m Millie!”

 She squeezed herself between the two. “Don’t call me “Gritty”.” He murmured. Millie looked around the place, and made a small “squee” of happiness.” “I can’t believe that I’m here, man! I’ve always wanted to meet ya guys!!” Millie said, gleefully. “Weeeellll then.” Firelolly said. “Guess I just have to sit with, Fi, Wifi, Firewa...wa...weh. That guy!” He pointed to Firewater, who had fallen asleep. Firelolly inched towards him. “um, Hi” he whispered. The orange rectangle twitched his left arm, then hit him with his arm. “Isn’t he cute?” The twinkie Sugar Bear had told him about asked. “Um? No, he’s fat.” Twinkie looked at him. “how? I think he’s pretty sexy!” “What? EW!!” He cringed. “But, he is, Firewat, Firelolly!” “No he’s not. Your on crack, Twinkie, your out of your freakin’ mind, man.” Firelolly was suddenly interrupted by Millie.....swooning over Mr Grits.

 “Oh damn, it’s hot in here, someone turn down the heat!” She cooed. “Are you in love with me?” Grits asked. “No! I’m not, I just like you.” The cake roll stammered. “I think your in love with me, Millie. Ya keep strokin’ my side like that.” Millie kept on patting Grits’ stomach until he said that. “What, I’m not touching anything.....oooh!! weed!” Millie took the kazoo and had at least 10 hits, before falling back. “Ah, gooood stuff! Right Sir Griddles?” “Mr Grits,not Sir Griddles, and yes it’s pretty good stuff.” Then out of no where, Rice Guy came into the picture. “What’s up guys.” Grits smirked at the tan and green version of him. “what?” he said. Rice Guy sat next to Millie. “YAY!” Both boxes of grain jumped a bit. “I’ve got 2 sexy grain boxes!!” “You just called me sexy, now you can’t doubt that you love me.” Mr Grits laughed. “No, Rice Man is prettier.” Rice Guy blushed happily. “Aw, your so cute!” Millie cooed. and scooted over to him.

“This is the first time I’ve confessed my love to you, Rice Guy. Firelolly cringed at Millie hitting on his friend. “aw, baby!” She tried to kiss him, when Mr Grits mADE HER TURNED ON!” “Damn I eat to many crackers,” Millie paused. “mah stomach is telling me that 50 crackers was too much. Millie crawled over to the other box of grains. Lay her head on his chest, and moaned. Firelolly felt sick watching, but he couldn’t stop. It was that interesting. She massaged the brown grits box, cuddling him like a plush toy. Firewater woke up, and made a weird A$$ face. Half squint, half disbelief. “aHHHHH” Firewater screeched, then ran away, but tripped and belly flopped on the ground. “egh, me guts, man..” He moaned. Slowly getting up, he fell on his square end cause he got drunk off himself. Twink nearly crapped himself “I coming, Firey!” He ran to him, but Firelolly only cared about Millie’s antics. “having fun, Millie?” He asked. “Yes, Mr Grits great belly, its soft.” Firelolly looked at grits’ face. He was sleeping. Millie noticed and fangirled. “AW MR GRIT SOOOOOOO CUTE WHEN HE SLEEPING!!” He woke up. “Your more of a softie than Firewater’s pot belly.” He turn around. “You call’n me fat?” “yes firewater, You ARE FAT” Grits giggled like a school girl. “what’s going on.” Said Firelolly,

[movedyourchair505]

Napule Nights - undici

I know this isn’t exactly top of the list rn, but this story brings me the most joy at the moment. But I already started writing the one-shots, so they’re coming soon. I know this story is a bit of a slow burn, but I can’t express how happy it makes me that at least some of you give it a try and enjoy it. Thanks to Elana for always encouraging me, you’re a babe x

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Her heart was pounding in her chest, the only remaining hint of control, power was her trying to match the beat of her heart to the sound of her heels clicking on the ground, it was always a good thing to focus on instead of Cook's face, his gaze resting on her watchfully, always a good distraction, something she knew she had control over.

But she really didn't have control over the beat of her heart, not when it came to Turner, not when she didn't know what he was going to say, or do, but she knew it wasn't going to be good. She'd gotten in over her head due to that fleeting moment of gratitude, and she knew now that it really hadn't meant anything. Once again, she'd made a fool of herself, and she wondered how many times she'd felt like this within the short amount of time she'd been here.

There was no time for her to analyse the matter. As soon as her and Cook reached Turner's office, the former opened the door for her and she swallowed hard, exhaling shakily before she stepped inside.

Turner was sat at his desk, he'd changed since she'd seen him what felt like mere minutes ago, a white shirt with the top buttons undone exposing his chest and his chain, and it should have gotten old at this point but it hadn't, it still made her want to rake her nails down his skin, leave red marks, and purple ones with her lips and teeth. She just wanted to make his confidence crumble like she had for the short amount of time that now felt like a dream when she'd danced for him and only him, she was aching to make him lose control, to dishevel him somehow, even if it was just a temporary mark on his skin, the urge grew stronger every time she saw him, that hard expression, eyes cold and determined.

She wasn't used to not being able to make men lose their mind.

“Jade.” His voice was calm, collected, but she knew now that that was just facade, his silent anger mere strategy, it left people on edge, uneasy because he was simply unpredictable.

“What was so important?” She blurted out, unable to help herself. The way he'd gotten whisked away so fast, only to return before her, having time to change and to already have something to say to her.

He cocked an eyebrow. “Scusi?”

She smacked her lips together, inhaling shakily. “Well” she said. “You had to leave so abruptly and now you're already here. Before me.”

His jaw clenched, his gaze hardening. “Sit down.”

She swallowed, knowing she shouldn't have pushed it that far. Turner wasn't any man, he wasn't any challenge. The rules didn't apply and without a moment of hesitation, she did as she was told.

“I dun't fink yeh're in a position teh question meh” he stated, slowly rising from his chair, his large hands gripping the edge of the desk as he tilted his body forward slightly. “I fink I've got a few questions teh ask you, Jade.”

She furrowed her brows, her eyes darkening. “Like w-...”

“Oh, no” he cut her off, the knuckles on his fingers turning white slowly. “Dun't yeh fookin' interrupt meh.”

There was nothing in his eyes that comforted her, nothing that she could hold on to to keep herself from starting to fear what was to come once again and it made her feel helpless that she'd thought she was way past that, that she had made it that far. She stayed silent, holding his gaze as it was the only thing she could manage.

“Let meh ask yeh this, Jade. Are yeh tryin' teh sabotage me work?”

She pressed her lips together, her eyes widening. Her heart was beating even faster now, racing when she realised that this was much deeper than what she'd thought. What if he was going to accuse her of being on the wrong side again? What else would she have to do to earn his trust? She didn't dare speaking, fearful he wasn't finished and she'd anger him more, make even more of a fool of herself.

“Answer meh.”

“I-I'm not” she said hurriedly, biting her bottom lip, trying to steady her voice. “I'm not trying to sabotage you, Alexander.”

The right corner of his mouth twitched upwards, but she could have imagined it, it was merely a second. “Then why is it tha' all yeh do is cause trouble?”

“H-How?” She asked, her voice smaller again as she looked at him, now desperate for him to give her the whole truth, tell her what he thought so she could defend herself. She knew she should have been used to the intensity of his stare by now, but it scared her nonetheless.

His jaw twitched and he stretched it slightly, scratching his chin. “How?” He repeated darkly, a sense of mockery to his tone, as if he couldn't believe she even had the audacity to ask him another question, let alone this one. “Yeh...” He stopped himself, taking a breath. “Constantleh I 'ave teh put yeh in yehr place, remind yeh wha' yehr place is.”

She gasped, her pride fuelling fight rather than flight. She was simply unable to stay defenseless and she cursed herself for it. “My place?” She repeated, outraged by the choice of his words alone.

“Yehr place” he confirmed calmly, sinking right back into his chair. He'd asserted his dominance and she knew it. There was no need to tower over her, the way he looked at her, the way he spoke, it was enough to show her. “Yeh're supposed teh follow me orders, do yehr fookin' job.”

“Job?” She spat out, unable to suppress a mocking laugh herself. “You don't even pay me.”

He swallowed hard, his adam's apple bobbing threateningly slow in his throat. “Pay yeh?” His eye twitched. “I saved yehr fookin' life.”

Now she was unimpressed, sitting up straighter in the chair, bending forward slightly, her gaze locked on his. “I saved yours.”

There was moment of silence and he was motionless, carefully contemplating his next move. He  despised her for disrupting what he was used to, turning these conversations in which he was supposed to put her in her place, talk down to her, show her that he was in control, into a dance of dominance, she challenged him over and over again, they went back and forth when it was supposed to be him talking and her listening.

“Feel free teh leave, Jade.”

Her eyes widened, she had not expected that, and she had no comeback. Had she really pushed it too far this time?

He observed the panic that flickered across her face instantly, she was an open book to him, at least at that moment, the fear outweighing anything else. “Exactleh” he said, deciding to not let her dangle there on the edge of uncertainty and fear for too long. “Yeh can't leave. I told yeh tha' yeh're safe 'ere and tha' I'm gunna 'ave yeh protected. But yeh fookin' 'ave teh follow me orders like evrebodeh else 'ere.”

She gasped, trembling visibly with relief. He was toying with her, pushing and pulling at her wishes and insecurities, her ambitions, playing with her fears, well aware of how she felt, building up her horror only to then let her sink back down, the now slightly smoother tone to his voice relaxing her to no end. She realised she was off the hook, that it had never been his intention to scold her, only to scare her, to show her just how tight he had her wrapped around his little finger. It as all about showing her what he could do, that she couldn't get away with things as she pleased, that he had the upper hand.

“I kno' yeh dun't want teh leave either” he drawled lazily, now leaning back in his large leather chair, licking his lips, his eyes still fixated on hers. “Not because weh're protectin' yeh but because yeh like this, dun't yeh?”

Jade swallowed. “Define this.”

He chuckled, a glint of excitement in his eyes. He didn't like to admit it, he was still frustrated with how easy she could steer him off course sometimes, but he enjoyed a challenge. “Having meh tell yeh wha' teh do. Wrappin' evrehbodeh 'round yehr finger” he said nonchalantly. “Bein' smarter than a lot of people yeh're surrounded wif and finalleh bein' able teh show it.”

As quick-witted as she could be, his words caught her off guard. She liked to think that she was mysterious, that she could conceal her intentions, her emotions while laying those of others out in the open. But he had her figured out.

His cocky smirk was enough for her to know that she was well-aware of how right he was. “Yeh 'ave no idea wha' yeh did back at the club, do yeh?” He asked. Now he was getting to the actual point he'd been wanting to get to, finally after having his fun with her.

“I was just dancing” she said.

“And?” He asked, raising an eyebrow, his face now slowly fading into its expressionless origin.

“And I offered someone a dance.”

“Why?”

She knew he was testing her, and she wasn't going to let him have this one. She knew exactly what she'd done and she would stand by it. “It was the least suspicious.”

He stared her down, silently telling her to continue. And he was intrigued, despite being able to read her, it was always difficult to estimate her next move, her confidence and obedience in a constant battle for superiority.

“He was watching me” she stated. “And he looked familiar, he looked like that man from the poker game. He was talking about me. Offering him a dance drew attention to him, stalled him long enough for Cook to notice. And he did.”

Her crimson red lips pursed complacently, she knew that even if had been a risky move, a gamble and nothing more, she had done the right thing.

Alexander could not deny that either, but he wasn't going to make the same mistake he'd made at the poker game. “I 'ave a similar job for yeh.”

Her eyes widened, her throat dry as she realised she'd really worried for no reason. He truly was unpredictable. “What?” She asked.

“Yeh 'eard meh. Yeh might've acted wifout me instructions but nonetheless, weh were able teh get 'old of tha' bastard.”

She nodded slowly. It was his way of saying that she'd done a good job so with his actual orders this time, she was going to do it again. And she promised herself she'd do even better.

“I'm gunna give yeh a chance teh prove tha' yeh kno' 'ow teh 'andle yehrself.” He was now dangerously close to lose hold of himself, to slip past the point where he wouldn't be able to hold back on letting out what he really thought.

“A chance?” She asked. “Because it sounds to me like I did a good job even on my own and you finally realised how valuable I am.”

Closer. “Tell yehrself wha' yeh 'ave, Jade. But don't lose perspective. My patience is not endless. I don't give infinite chances, especially not when somebodeh 'as misbe'aved multiple times.”

She swallowed. “So why am I still here?”

His upper lip twitched and he diverted his gaze. “Weh're dune 'ere.”

Her hands clenched into fists, frustrated that he was shutting her out the second she was getting close. “What am I going to have to do?”

“It's not until next week, wait for further instructions” he said, lifting a stack of paper from a drawer of his desk. “I will speak teh yeh then.”

“Turner...”

His eyes snapped up, the instant eye contact stopping her heart for a second. He didn't need to say a word.

“Yes” Jade said, slowly rising from her seat. “Alexander.”

The door of his office opened just as Jade turned around and for a moment she was face to face with Serena, then walked past her, instantly in motion when Cook stepped to her side, leading her down the corridor without a second to linger.

“Shouldn't yeh beh in a meetin'?” Alex asked Serena, shifting his in his seat when she closed the door.

Serena shook her head slowly, smoothing down her skirt. “Your father sent me to talk to you as soon as we wrapped up” she said.

“I 'ave work teh do, I will see 'im tomorrow.”

“He hasn't asked to see you, Alex. At least not yet, right now, he wants me to tell you this.”

He lifted his head again, his shoulders slumping. “Wha'?” He asked, clearly on edge. He could feel a headache approaching, he craved a cigarette, and Serena was definitely not here to praise him.

“Did you get rid of her?” She asked with a tilt of her head towards the door.

Alex tensed, sitting up straight again. “Jade?” He asked.

Serena nodded. “She's out there without ever even having heard of our protocol, she doesn't follow your fucking orders. She's going to compromise something important, she almost did tonight. Did you make her aware of her position?”

“I need yeh teh teach 'er the protocol, ciccia. She's gunna take care of the consegna next week.”

Serena's eyes widened. “What? Alex, you can't-...”

“I can. I kno' sheh isn't readeh yet but sheh will beh. Yeh're gunna make sure of it.”

“She messed up tonight! You were supposed to put her in her place! You're becoming soft, Alex, you...”

“Enough” he spat. “This is me decision. It's not yehrs teh question.”

“Your father thinks you're getting soft too, you can't let this happen. Not again.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest, staring back at him, hoping that he would remember the last time they'd talked about this, hoping he would see reason.

“I'm not lettin' anehfin' 'appen. I'm doin' me job. Do the same.”

“You know I'm right. You know this goes beyond the job, you know what this is about. I'm just concerned.”

The hardness of his expression faltered, momentarily, but long enough for Serena to sense a flicker of understanding between them. “Dun't need yehr concern, nor 'is, I'm not a fookin' child.”

She sighed, shaking her head. “You don't want to talk about this with your father, Alex. You don't like what I'm saying, you'll hate what he tells you to do.”

Alex tensed, turning around in his chair. “I kno' wha' I'm doin'.”

[movedyourchair505]

Show Me What to Do (request)

I’m sorry I haven’t posted in a few days because I haven’t been feeling super well but people seemed to really like this request so I didn’t want to leave everyone waiting for too long. This is smut. ♥

"Hey, give that back!" You called but broke out into laughter when one of Alex's arms wrapped around you and he tickled your side, making you gasp. "Stoppp!" You squealed, trying to free yourself from his arm and trying to get back your diary that he'd snatched from your bedside table.

You had forgotten to put it away before he came over. It wasn't like you had many secrets that you were keeping from him, but your diary was rather private. Especially because you had written about him in it several times. And there was no lock on it.

You somehow managed to knock it out of his hand and grab it from the end of the bed, clutching it to your chest and holding on to it as if your life depended on it.

"Damn, love..." he said. "And 'ere I were, finkin' yeh told meh everehthin'..." He pouted dramatically as he let you go, dropping his shoulders and exhaling loudly.

You rolled your eyes at him. "I do tell you everything" you said. It was true, he knew everything that there was to know about you, except one little thing. Except, it wasn't little. It was a rather big secret but you knew it was better to keep it to yourself.

"Then wha's in there tha' I can't see?" He asked.

You knew he had been joking, but now he seemed more serious and slightly worried that there really were things that he didn't know about you. And you understood why that concerned him, you would feel terrible knowing that you were left in the dark about some aspects of his life, his mind...

"It's all ... girl stuff."

Alex laughed. "Girl stuff, eh? Well, tha's what yeh get when yehr best mate's a girl, I guess..."

You sighed. You knew he was your best friend, your best mate, ever since you'd moved in next door to him before starting kindergarten. But for a while, hearing him say it made you wish he was saying something else. You wanted to be something else for him. You had liked him for quite a while.

"I guess..." you repeated with a sigh before putting your diary into your beside drawer. "Don't you dare read this" you said to him, knowing that he was just teasing you but that you could trust him to respect your privacy if he knew you meant it. "Please."

He nodded. "Alrehyt..." he said, shuffling to lie back down on the bed but turning onto his side to look at you, his head resting against his hand, propped up on his elbow.

You also moved to settle down beside him. "I am so full..." you laughed.

"Well, yeh ate tha' whole large pizza" he chuckled.

You rolled your eyes at him. "So did you, Al."

He grinned. "Yeh but I didn't fink yeh'd eat tha' much..."

"Have you met me?"

He laughed. "Just always amazes meh, I guess..."

"I can't wait for you to be famous so we can go to all those fancy places celebrities go to" you hummed, closing your eyes.

Alex giggled. "Yeh're so sure the guys and meh are gunna beh famous..."

"Because you're amazing. You need to get out a record already so I can buy it and listen non-stop to it..."

"Well, yeh've got me demos and mixtapes" he said and you could hear the smile in his voice.

"And they're my favourite thing to listen to."

You had always supported him, the day they had started playing, when he'd first gotten his guitar, back when he'd played piano, always you were there as his number one fan. And as much as you liked to fantasize about him becoming famous, it also worried you. You didn't know if he, as a person, was made for fame, if he could cope with it.

"Just don't forget about me, Turner."

You heard him shift and opened your eyes to see him staring right back at you.

"Yeh kno' I won't ever forget yeh ... weh've got so maneh plans, love..." He bit his lip. "Yeh'll come and see the word wif us, reyht?"

You smiled softly, nodding. "I can't wait" you said and closed your eyes again. The room was dark either way but you felt so at ease with him there, always able to relax like this.

It was quiet for a while and you had almost drifted off to sleep, when he broke the silence again.

"Is everehfin' okeh wif yeh, love?" He asked.

You opened your eyes and looked back at him. "What do you mean?" You asked.

"I know yeh ... I know yeh don't 'ave teh tell meh everehfin' but ... if there's summat yeh ... tha's on yehr mind ... yeh kno' yeh can tell meh ... whatever it is ... like..."

You bit your lip. "What do you think it is that I'm not telling you? I'm okay, Al."

"I dunno, like ... boy stuff."

Colour crept into your cheeks and you were glad it was dark. "Boy stuff?" You asked quietly.

"Yeh ... I dunno why yeh wouldn't tell meh but ... 'ave yeh been datin' ... I ... I've noticed at school tha'..."

"That what? I'm not ... dating anybody. And if I was, I would tell you!"

"Just noticed one of the guys seemed interested in yeh..." he said quickly. "Just ... tha knows ... I want yeh teh kno' yeh can tell meh stuff ... and if someone's not treatin' yeh reyht..."

"Has someone told you anything?" You asked. You didn't know where he was getting this from. What did he think you were keeping from him?

"Wha'? No" he said quickly. "I were just wonderin'..."

"I'm not dating anybody. You'd know. I never ... have." He knew this but maybe he needed to hear it again for you to believe him.

"Summat else?"

"What?"

"I weren't datin' when I..."

You bit your lip. "Are you asking if...?" You swallowed.

He looked down, blushing. "Yeh don't 'ave teh tell meh..." he said awkwardly. "I ... sorreh. 's realleh none of me business..."

You took a deep breath, wondering if maybe you should tell him you'd done it, were dating someone even, just to see his reaction. But that wasn't like you so you decided to settle it once and for all. "I'm a virgin" you blurted out.

His eyes snapped up and he looked back at you. "Yeh ... oh..." he said, now not feeling too great about his suspisions. "I ... I didn't mean teh..."

You rolled your eyes. "It's fair that you want to know, Al" you admitted. "I would've been worried if you hadn't told me too. So I get it. It's just ... it's one thing to talk about you but me ... just makes me feel weird..."

"Weird?" He asked. "I ... 's just meh and ... I'm not judgin' yeh..."

You nodded. "I know but ... it's like ... everyone at school's done it, most of the others anyway and I just feel like ... left out..."

"It's alrehyt teh not beh readeh ... I were fuckin' nervous as 'ell..."

"But ... but I think I am ready..." you said quietly and it was your turn to look down, avoiding his eyes.

"Yeh shouldn't want teh ... do it just because everehone else 'as done it, love..." Alex said softly.

"But ... I just think ... I mean, I ... I want to..."

"Is it ... oh..."

"What?"

"Yeh've got somebodeh in particular in mind, don't yeh?"

Your heart skipped a beat and you looked back up at him. "What? No!" It was your automatic response but he was right.

"But yeh don't want it teh beh anehbodeh either?"

While he'd been awkward before, he was now comfortable talking about it. You knew that it was because it was just you, you and him like you always had been, able to talk about anything without any awkwardness once you got comfortable. "No, I don't ... of course I don't" you sighed. "I just want it to be someone who ... who won't go bragging to everyone and who is ... who I trust ... who's careful and..."

You stopped when you felt his hand on yours and looked back at him, his eyes meeting yours, like he could read your mind. Sometimes you felt like he really could.

"Tha knows, if yeh're realleh sure ... weh could ... meh and you..."

Your eyes widened. "What? N-No, I didn't mean-..."

"I know. But ... honestleh ... 'earin' yeh talk about it ... I don't trust anehone teh ... teh treat yeh as ... respectfulleh as I would..."

"Al..."

"No, I can't stand the thought of anehbodeh else..."

You swallowed. Was he really saying this? Was he really suggesting ... taking your virginity? You had not even allowed yourself this would actually happen in your wildest dreams. "Do you ... do you mean it?" You couldn't think straight.

He smiled and shuffled closer to you. "I do..."

You couldn't believe it. Were you asleep already? Dreaming about this? "You don't think it would ... be weird afterwards...? With us being best friends?"

"Nothing can change yeh bein' me best friend, love..." His thumb caressed your hand and he reached out to place his hand at the back of your neck, slowly guiding your face to his. "C-Can I kiss yeh?"

You swallowed, your breathing slightly shaky but you nodded, closing your eyes and the space between you, his lips meeting yours.

Your heart fluttered as he kissed you softly, his fingers brushing through your hair. This was really happening. You slowly parted your lips and kissed him back a little more eagerly, sighing softly. He tasted sweet, like the Dandelion & Burdock he'd had earlier and his lips were so soft.

"Weh'll onleh do this if yeh're readeh and if yeh want teh..." he whispered against your lips before kissing you deeply again, both his hands cupping your face gently, his thumbs brushing lightly over your cheeks.

"I-I want this, Al..." you replied shakily.

The mood had shifted ever since he had suggested this. You hadn't needed much convincing and now you were here, his lips moving on yours, feeling so much better than you could have ever imagined. You remembered kissing him on the playground for a bet once, just a peck and you'd both made sick noises after. Kissing a boy, ew. But now kissing this boy made your heart beat so much faster, made you lean into his soft touches. It was strange, kissing your best friend now as well but you had wanted this for too long and it felt ... natural now as you fell into a rhythm.

As you both pulled back to catch your breath, he looked at you with his soft, big eyes that had you melting. He'd never looked at you like that. "I..." he said. "Yeh kno' I'm not tryin' teh pressure yeh..."

"No, Alex, I want this" you said again, maybe a little too quick because he chuckled and pecked your lips softly again.

You sighed, pulling your sleep shirt over your head with one swift move, watching his eyes drop to your bare chest. "Fook ... yeh're so 'ot..."

You giggled nervously, a faint blush creeping into your cheeks and you quickly moved to kiss him again, cupping his face this time and moving your lips with more determination.

He wrapped one arm around you and you moved to lie down to pull him on top of you without breaking the kiss. He held himself up over you but as you were trapped underneath him, a sense of warmth overtook you and you ran your hands down his bare chest, humming into the kiss.

When he drew back, you pouted, looking up at him as he rested his forehead against yours. "How're yeh feelin'?" He asked with a soft smile.

You giggled nervously. "Like I ... trust you..."

He smiled, brushing your hair back. "And yeh're realleh sure?"

Rolling your eyes, you nodded. "Yes, are you?"

He chuckled, pecking your lips again. "Vereh ... let meh ... try and make yeh feel good..."

You swallowed when he sat up, taking his warmth with him but only moved to slowly push down your pajama shorts. You shifted to help him and pulled him back to you with your arms around his neck as you kicked them off your legs, pushing your thighs together to ease the tingling feeling there.

He kissed you back needily, one of his hands traveling down your body and toying with the elastic of your panties. "Yeh're sexeh, love..." he whispered against your lips, making you blush darkly as his hand slipped inside your underwear and you tensed.

"Alreyht?" He asked, not moving any further and lifting his head to look back at you.

You nodded quickly. "Yeah ... just ... not used to someone else..."

He smiled. "Just meh, love" he said softly. "So yeh've done this ... alone, yeah?"

Even though you felt like it wasn't really possible for your face to heat up even more, you felt yourself blushing even more. "Y-Yeah..." you admitted.

"Don't beh nervous 'bout tha..." he assured you. "It's ... hot..."

"It is?"

"Finkin' about yeh touchin' yehrself? 'ell, yeah..."

You pressed your lips together, looking up at him again. "U-Um..."

"Tell meh what yeh like ... tell meh what feels good..." he said slowly and you felt his fingers pushing between your legs, just teasing your folds, making you gasp softly and shut your eyes when they brushed against your clit.

He smiled at your reaction and picked up on it, lightly teasing your clit, gradually adding more pressure when he felt you hold on tighter to him and your soft moans became louder.

"T-This feels good..." you whispered, your hips bucking up into his touch almost automatically.

He lowered his head down again, nuzzling into your neck and pressing soft kisses to your skin. With your body pressed closer to yours, his fingers working between your legs, you suddenly felt him against your leg, hard in his underwear.

You took a deep breath to gather up the confidence and reached down to touch him, making him tremble for a moment.

"Love, yeh don't 'ave teh..." he mumbled against your neck.

"I want to make you feel good too..."

He sighed appreciatively when you palmed him through his underwear and you felt his fingers teasing your opening, moaning softly.

He paused for a moment as if to wait for your permission and you nodded. "Please..." you whispered, tensing when you felt one of his fingers push inside you, moaning softly as you tried to get used to the new sensation. "F-Fuck..."

"Tell meh 'ow it feels, love..."

"Al ... it feels good..." you whispered, finding yourself pushing your hips up to get his finger to push deeper inside you, moaning softly as he continuously flicked your clit to add to the sensation of his fingers inside you.

You hesitantly moved your hand into his underwear, wrapping your fingers around him, biting your lip at how big he was, wondering how it would feel ... if it would fit...

"Fook, love, yeh're gettin' so wet..." he mumbled against your neck, his hips moving into your touch as he began sucking lightly on your skin and you felt his finger slide inside you more easily as he pushed it back in before slowly attempting to add another, making you cry out softly, one of your hands gripping his arm. "Yeh alreyht?"

You nodded eagerly, starting to move your hips slowly along with the movement of his fingers he started to slowly work in and out of you, drawing soft moans from your lips that got louder each time you felt his fingers stroke your walls. He was filling you up, making you squeeze his fingers and you squirmed, feeling yourself get closer. "Al..." you whimpered when you felt his fingers push inside you as deep as he could and he curled them inside you, making you cry out and squeeze his arm. "Please..."

"Are yeh readeh teh let go for meh?" He asked and you whimpered softly when he repeated the motion of his fingers, his thumb starting to rub your clit with more pressure.

"Yes..." you whispered, your hips moving with his fingers as he sped up their movements, curling them inside you at the same time as he pressed down your clit, making you cry out and come undone with a gasp, the pleasure washing over you and you felt your walls contracting around him as if to keep his fingers inside you and he continued stroking you through your orgasm, pressing soft kisses to your neck, guiding you through it with soft praises of your name. Your legs shaking, your eyes shut tightly, you held onto him, overwhelmed by him filling all your senses.

Once you'd relaxed underneath him, he slowly pulled his fingers from you, making you whimper and look up at him desperately. You wanted them back inside you, your walls now contracting around the emptiness they'd left. Your breathing was heavy, your face flushed and your heart was beating fast.

"Yeh alreyht, love?" He asked softly.

You nodded eagerly, bringing your hand up to the back of his neck and pulling him in for a needy kiss.

He moaned softly, kissing you back with equally as much passion and you felt his hips slowly starting to grind against you, one of his hands moving up your side, feeling your breast and kneading it gently and he hummed into the kiss.

"Do you want to ... now ... um..." you mumbled against his lips, afraid he would for some reason change his mind.

He lifted his head, smiling. "Yeh're realleh sure about this, love?" He asked softly, sitting up.

You nodded. "So sure..." you whispered.

He smiled and shifted to the side so he could take off his underwear, making your eyes grow wider at the sight of him. Despite having felt him, he looked even bigger now, in the dim light of the bedroom. "A-Al..." you said as you hesitantly pushed down your own underwear, looking up at him doubtfully when you kicked it off.

"What, love?" He asked, looking back at you worriedly.

"Just..." You swallowed, shivering. "You're big..."

He blushed, biting his lip. "If yeh're unsure..."

You quickly shook your head. "No, no, I ... just ... just worried..."

He moved so he was on top of you again, pecking your lips. "I'll go ... slow, love ... and I'll beh so careful" he assured you softly. "This is ... I'll do what yeh tell meh ... if it 'urts and yeh stop me, I'll stop ... yeh're ... yeh're in charge 'ere, love ... yeh're the captain..."

You giggled, stroking his hair back gently. "The captain?"

He chuckled. "Yes..." he smiled. "All on yehr command, love."

You smiled to yourself, shaking your head at how sweet he was being. He could sense you were nervous, tense, worried and he wanted to reassure you, making sure you felt comfortable. And you knew he'd been right. He was the perfect choice for this, not only because you secretly had this major crush on him but because you also didn't trust anyone more than you trusted him.

"Readeh, love?"

You nodded. "Yes..."

He reached down to give his cock a few tugs before moving his hand between your thighs to spread them apart slightly, shifting to position himself at your entrance.

You tensed, biting your lip and looking up at him.

His eyes met yours and he smiled softly at you. "Remember what I told yeh..." he said softly. "I meant tha'..."

You nodded, closing your eyes and gripping his shoulder when you felt his tip at your entrance, your breath hitching in your throat when he slowly pushed inside. His fingers had already filled you up but this was a whole different thing, you doubted he could fit inside you.

"R-Relax, love..." he whispered, pressing soft kisses to your neck and your jaw. "F-Fuck, yeh feel so good but yeh ... yeh 'ave teh relax for meh..."

You only realised now how tense you were and you breathed out, trying to do as he said so he could ease himself inside you but the stinging feeling, his cock stretching your walls ... it brought tears to your eyes and a quiet sigh of discomfort escaped your lips, making him freeze.

He lifted his head, looking up at you. His eyes widened. "No, love, I'm so sorreh..." he said, quickly pulling back out and wiping your tears away gently with his finger.

"N-No, it's okay, I'll be okay!" You assured him. You knew you would do this eventually and what better person to do it with than him? He was so patient, so sweet and gentle, it was him or no one.

"I don't want teh hurt yeh..."

"It'll get better, right?" You asked quietly.

"Yes, I ... are yeh sure?"

You nodded eagerly. "Yes, Al. Please..."

He bit his lip before slowly pushing himself inside you again, a little further than before before your breath hitched in your throat, your grip on his shoulder tightening. "Alrehyt, love, alreyht..." he said softly. "I can feel yeh ... open up ... yeh ... yeh're so wet ... and f-fook, yeh feel so good" he praised.

You whimpered softly when he sunk deeper inside you. "A-Alex, you're so big..." you whispered.

"I ... yeh're doin' so good, babeh, yeh feel so good ... fook..."

Despite the stretching feeling being uncomfortable, you slowly started feeling good, his cock pushing deeper inside you. You squirmed underneath him, wrapping your arms around him.

He placed his hand under your thigh, gesturing for you to wrap your legs around him as well and you did so, moaning loudly when you felt him sink all the way inside you.

He stilled his movements, letting you get used to the feeling of him inside you, your walls squeezing him as he filled you up, throbbing inside you, pulsing inside your heat. Alex moved his head to press a soft kiss to your lips, brushing your hair back gently from your face. His breath was shaking just as much as yours and you could feel his heart beating against his chest, sighing.

"A-Al..." you whispered after a moment. "C-Can you move?"

He nodded eagerly, moaning when he drew back a little before pushing back inside you again. "Does tha' feel good, love?"

"Fuck, yes..." you whispered, running your fingers through his hair, twirling the strands at the back around your fingers and tugging lightly on it, making him moan softly.

He moved slowly at first, until he was sure you were okay and he wasn't hurting you before picking up his pace slowly, moaning each time his cock pushed inside you, filling you up.

You whimpered, feeling every inch of him sinking inside you, rubbing your walls and reaching so deep, filling you up so good. He felt so good and you felt so incredibly close to him, holding on to him as your hips rocked together.

"Damn, love, I'm so close alreadeh..." he whispered and you could tell he was trying to slow down to keep himself from releasing too quickly.

"Me too" you assured him, running your fingers through his hair, letting your other hand travel down your body to rub your clit, playing with yourself to increase the pleasure.

"F-Fook, love, yeh're so fuckin' hot..." he whispered. "Yeh look so good..."

You moaned. "Alex..." you whimpered. "I'm going to..."

"Let go, love..."

You moaned loudly, crying out his name as your body trembled, your walls contracting around his cock and the pleasure washed over you, more intensely than before and you panted, holding on tightly to him, tugging on his hair as you rose out your orgasm, moving your hips, little shocks of pleasure making your body tingle each time he pushed inside you again.

He held you through your orgasm until you started to relax before pulling out of you, giving himself a few tugs, moaning with each stroke of his hand down his shaft and squeezing his hand around it until he released.

Your eyes were glued to him, watching him in awe. You'd gotten him so turned on, you'd made him feel this way. And he looked so hot, his eyes on you as he jerked himself and released half on the bed, half on your leg. His hair had fallen into his eyes and the soft groans falling from his lips just made you want to listen and watch him more.

Once he'd calmed down, he collapsed beside you, panting. "Fook, love..."

You smiled, shuffling closer to him and running your fingers through his hair to calm him down, still breathing heavily yourself. "Y-You ... that was amazing, Al..." you said quietly.

He opened his eyes, looking back at you sleepily. "It were, yeah..." he said, biting his lip. "Fook, I can't believe weh did tha' ... yeh're so damn hot, love..." He wrapped his arm around you, pulling you close and you laid your head down on his shoulder, cuddling close to him and pulling the blanket over the two of you.

"So are you" you said, pressing a lingering kiss to his jaw. "You're so handsome too, and so caring and ... protective ... I'm so lucky to have you, Al. Thank you for ... this..." you giggled.

He laughed softly, shaking his head. "Thank meh? Babeh, tha' was ... fook ... I ... thank yeh..." he chuckled.

You rolled your eyes, messing up his hair but staying close to him. "I ... you were right. I wouldn't have trusted anyone else like I trust you" you sighed.

He was silent for a moment and you thought he'd fallen asleep but then he spoke again. "I fink I 'ave teh tell yeh summat..."

"Tell me something?" You asked, looking up at him and stroking the side of his cheek gently. Cuddling was nothing new for the two of you but skin against skin, reveling in the afterglow of both your orgasms, feeling him holding you, so warm, breathing in his scent ... you were so close and you couldn't help but wonder how this would change things. You sincerely hoped it wouldn't.

"Yeh kno' how yeh were sayin' about our friendship..." he said slowly.

You tensed, worried he would address just that.

"N-No, love, not like tha' ... I ... this was so great but ... I've ... I've been keepin' summat teh meself as well ... I 'aven't told yeh everehfin'..."

You swallowed. What if he was dating somebody? Why had he done this? The worst case scenarios ran through your mind, bringing your mood down from the highest high to so low you wanted to disappear.

"I like yeh."

"What?"

"I like yeh, 'ave for a while, like ... more than just the way I like yeh as me best mate ... yeh're ... yeh're so pretteh and I can't ... I don't feel as comfeh and 'appeh wif anehbodeh but yeh, love."

You couldn't believe this. This wasn't real. You were sleeping now, dreaming, maybe you had been all this time.

"This is why I were askin' about yeh datin' and stuff..."

"You were ... jealous?" You asked in disbelief.

He chuckled nervously. "A little, maybeh ... okeh, no ... loads ... 'ad I found out you'd been doing summat with anehbodeh ... I would've been vereh jealous ... none of them other blokes are good enough for yeh..."

You bit your lip. "And you?"

He licked his lips. "Meh? Well, I fink no one's good enough for yeh but ... I know yeh ... I'm always 'ere for yeh, I can promise yeh tha'..."

"Al?"

"Yeah?" He asked nervously.

"I like you too" you said. "This is what I haven't told you. I even ... I wrote about it in my diary."

"W-What?"

"I've liked you for a while but I thought for a while, you know when you did it with ... I thought you liked her and ... I didn't want to ruin our friendship but ... it's been ... I..."

You suddenly felt his lips on yours, kissing you softly and pulling your body close to his. You sighed softly, pressing yourself closer to him and kissing back needily. "Alex..." you whispered.

When he pulled back, he had the largest smile on his face, his features illuminated by the moonlight shining into the bedroom. You stroked his hair back gently which had fallen into his eyes again, smiling back at him.

"Question..." he said quietly, biting his lip.

You kept your eyes on him, continuing to play with his hair. He'd always liked that. "Hmm?" You hummed.

"Will yeh ... will yeh beh me girlfriend and me best friend?"

You giggled at his wording, still unable to believe that this was happening. "Yes" you whispered, pressing a soft kiss to the tip of his nose, making him scrunch his face up.

"Yessss" he said. "Success" he giggled before moving to press his lips to yours again.