#the poor man carried all that weight on his skinny shoulders

[ferretwhomst]

ford-centric rambles under the cut :3 proceed with caution for it is a bit . long. also i talk a lot about weight + ford's relationship with food. enjoy

people who draw ford as having gained weight post-canon pls know that i love you dearly and that you're doing god's work out there. honestly i'm not super on board with drawing him as super skinny to begin with bcs like-

as much as i do think he lost a lot of weight during his portal years, i can't bring myself to see him as skinny as people draw him sometimes because like. your metabolism Does slow down as you age. despite his "strict fitness regime" or however he put it he's not going to achieve a picture-perfect skinny model body at 50+. fit as he is he would not fucking have abs /lh

also him being that skinny also just,,, isn't really healthy. weight loss is not... always... a good thing! especially when it's a result of basically starving!

all this to say i just can't see him with that smooth skinny body you tend to see a lot in ford fanart. rating: Not Cute, the poor man is malnourished, stop encouraging that </3. give him a belly and fat rolls and broader shoulders and fuck it more body hair too while we're at it

also post-canon ford being fatter carries the implication that he's been readjusting to eating human food again and eating regularly which makes me very happy :) he is finally healing from 30 years of scraping nutrients out of whatever he can find and/or supplement pills

honestly the image of him being able to enjoy human food again just makes me so happy. it would probably be weird for him to handle at first because... as i said 30 years of what is decidedly Not Normal Food but once his body got used to it? you know he is eating so much because he has to make up for all those years of missing out on rich tastes and textures

(i do personally headcanon him as having adhd, which first of all means he forgets to feed himself a lot because he hyperfocuses on his work. but after 30 years of being deprived of literally one of the best parts of life and being reminded of how good food is i think he would remember to eat more frequently lol. of course old habits die hard but i like to think he gets better at remembering to eat three square meals a day because he doesn't want to miss out on the delight of eating)

that combined with stan knowing how to cook stuff in canon... look i dunno if he's any Good in the first place (or if he knows how to make anything other than pancakes. i forget) but do you think he tries to get better at it for ford. do you think he looks up recipes which exclude textures that he knows ford dislikes for sensory reasons. do you ever think about How Much that would mean to ford. augh. cooking is a love language man

[goatcheesecak3]

Bus stop pt. 3

Adam Faulkner-Stanheight x F!reader

Click here for M!reader version!

Check my pinned post for masterlist and all other parts of the story!

Includes: brief mention of unhealthy coping mechanisms, allusion to NSFW but no smut, fluff

Summary: after a little while of knowing eachother, Adam and his new friend become much closer.

Now that y/n was aware of Adam's big secret, she began to notice a lot more things that made sense to her. The bags under his eyes, how skinny he was, his dirty clothes. It was clear that the poor man was traumatised and hadn't been looking after himself, but the weight he carried on his shoulders was halved now. Y/n would stop at nothing to help out her new friend, and as the weeks went by, she realised just how much she cared about Adam. She realised that she had started to develop a little- no, a BIG- crush on Adam.

Adam was hunched over a mug of coffee in his apartment. It was a freezing cold January evening and Adam was feeling quite sorry for himself. He was cold, he was tired and god he was hungry. But cooking was hard, and ingredients were expensive, so coffee and cigarettes would have to suffice as a meal this evening.

As if on cue, however, Adam heard a knock at his door. Checking cautiously through the peephole, he saw y/n stood there, beautiful as ever. He needed no convincing to take the door off the chain and pull it open, greeting y/n with a pleasantly surprised grin.

"Y/n, what're you doing here?" He smiled, pulling her into a quick hug and letting her inside.

She looked at him with big, beautiful eyes filled with kindness.

"I made too much soup, thought you might want some?" She offered, holding up a large container.

Now, this wasn't strictly true. Y/n had definitely made too much soup for one person, but it was no accident. She knew how much Adam had been struggling to eat lately, most days he was too anxious or depressed to feed himself, but even on days where he could eat, he didn't really have the money to. Y/n didn't want Adam to feel like he was a charity case though, and so she let Adam think that her stopping by was no more than a happy coincidence.

Adam smiled widely,

"Oh my god, you have no idea how perfect this is! I was literally just thinking about how hungry i am"

Y/n let out a small chuckle and headed to Adam's kitchen to fill up some bowls with the soup and pop them in the microwave.

"It's leek and potato, just like how my mum used to make" y/n explained to Adam, who was practically drooling at this point.

The mouthwatering smell of comfort food wafted through Adam's tiny apartment, as the two bowls turned gradually in the microwave.

"God I can't wait..." Adam said excitedly as y/n set a bowl down in front of him.

Adam's apartment was humble and not very well furnished, but it had a certain charm to it. A beat up sofa with holey cushions sat in the front room, it wasn't much to look at, but it was soft and comfortable. On one side of the living room a dart board was hung on the wall, next to a few posters from old movies, flyers from various protests and shows he'd been to. On the other side was a door which lead to his redroom, where he developed his photos. His walls were covered in chipped red paint and water damage, yet somehow the place felt cosy.

"This soup is so fucking good" Adam groaned as he drank the last of it from his bowl and wiped his face on his sleeve.

Y/n couldn't help but let out a small giggle, it was nice seeing Adam like this, well fed and relaxed. As he reclined in the sofa next to her and stretched his twiggy arms above his head, she caught a glimpse of his tshirt riding up and ever so slightly exposing a snail trail on his tummy. She quickly looked away and attempted to hide her blush.

Of course she found Adam attractive, but this was a whole nother level. In that moment she struggled to suppress the urge to kiss him right then and there- but she pushed it down and tried to ignore it.

"You're so nice to me," Adam hummed, leaning back with his eyes closed. Y/n thought to herself that he resembled a sleepy puppy in some ways.

"Of course I'm nice to you, you're my best friend" She replied.

Adam's eyes opened and he looked at y/n again.

"You're my best friend too" he grinned, "Hey, y/n? You wanna stay over tonight? I feel way more relaxed when you're around, and I don't know, I guess I think I'd get to sleep better if I knew you were here." Adam seemed uncharacteristically timid, almost as though he was ashamed to be asking.

Truth be told, he was slightly ashamed, for two reasons. The first being that he was being so needy, which was unlike him, but second was that he was only half telling the truth to y/n. Of course her presence probably would help him get to sleep easier, but what he really wanted to say was more along the lines of "I'm stupidly in love with you and I just want you here all the time".

"Yeah, you know it could be pretty fun!" Y/n replied, "we can sit and talk, listen to music until you get tired."

Adam felt his heart leap. How was y/n always so kind? Willing to waste an entire night just to make sure he slept alright? She really was special. He decided that he ought to offer her a drink as thanks.

He pulled a bottle of Jack out of his cupboard and plopped it on the coffee table along with two glasses, telling y/n to help herself, which she gladly accepted.

...

"... and that's why alien is the best Sci-fi film ever created" Adam finished, taking a final swig of his third drink.

The pair had been sat drinking and talking about films for about an hour now, Adam feeling tipsy, had even done his best impressions of all the characters in exaggerated and hilarious voices. Y/n couldn't help but laugh raucuosly, Adam really was funny when he felt relaxed enough to let loose a bit. His beautiful eyes twinkled and his smile was infectious. Y/n felt so lucky that she'd met someone as fun to be around as Adam, there really was no one else she'd rather be spending time with.

"You're my favourite person to be around, you know that?" Y/n blurted out, feeling the effects of the alcohol and in turn feeling confident enough to be sentimental.

"Am I really?" Adam smiled, his cheeks flushed and his eyes half-lidded, feeling a little tipsy as well.

"Yeah, you are... I kinda feel like if I go a day without seeing you then that day is just a waste" y/n said, her tone a little more serious now. She really meant it. Thoughts of Adam consumed her everyday life, he was the sort of perfect that words just don't do justice, because he was specifically perfect to her. Sure, he wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but to y/n he slotted into her life like a puzzle piece, and filled every lonely, longing gap in her heart. From the moment she'd met him she'd felt complete.

"I fell the same way about you" Adam replied, his tone matching hers.

The pair stared at eachother without saying a word for a minute or so. It was clear that the two of them were feeling slightly nervous, the air was filled with electricity and with every second the atmosphere grew more and more intense, as is every single atom in the room were willing the pair toward eachother. The tension building, and building, like a wave about to crest, rising rapidly, until it finally breaks.

The gap between y/n's and Adam's lips was no more. Adam's eager hands ran through y/n's hair, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close to her. The kiss was gentle, yet charged and desperate at the same time. It seemed to last an eternity, but eternity just didn't seem long enough. The universe had been working hard to achieve this kiss, it seemed, almost as if some external force had perfectly planned the sequence of events leading up to this very moment. It was nothing short of magical.

When the Adam and y/n finally pulled away to catch their breaths, they started lovingly into eachother's eyes.

"Is now a good time to mention I kinda have a thing for you?" Adam chuckled breathlessly.

"Funny you mention that, I was gonna say the same thing" y/n joked back sarcastically, before pulling Adam back into another kiss.

The pair made love that night, it was romantic and hungry, neither of them able to contain their love for eachother any longer, and once it was over, they lay breathtaken in Adam's bed, curled up with one another in absolute bliss.

A/n thank you for all the support on this story so far! I'm really happy everyone seems to be enjoying it <3

Comment to be tagged in part 4

Replies and reblogs are much appreciate because I love hearing what people have to say about my fics

Requests are open! I'm looking to wrote some Adam one shots, so definitely ask if you have any ideas! Check my pinned post for details and masterlist <3

[chubby-kiyo]

Okay. Time to do Goodbye Despair edition of appearance headcanons

Teruteru Hanamura - (He/Him Hyper pan sexual) I don’t actually hate his design, he looks like the plump chef decorations everyone had in their kitchen in the 90s. He has thick hair and uses a ridiculous amount of pomade and hairspray to style it. (How he doesn’t catch on fire doing flambé is beyond me)

Ultimate Imposter - (They/Them intersex pansexual) They have to hide all of their natural features as part of their talent, but I feel like they probably have a somewhat feminine build. Due to their weight, they can pass more easily as any gender without being questioned (and maybe with some shape wear to help seal the deal) and this is pretty gender affirming for them.

Mahiru Koizumi - (She/They, Lesbian) She is midsized with a small tummy pooch and kind of pear shaped. Her freckles extend to her shoulders and back, and she has somewhat crooked teeth, but in kind of an endearing way. Has a small nose ring.

Peko Pekoyama - (She/Her, grey asexual) Slim and muscular with very little curvature, not that she needs a big pair of jugs to slow her down. She has really long thin fingers, and 9 times out of ten they are ice cold. She also has several scars from weapons training.

Ibuki Mioda - (They/She, pansexual) Built like a board. Just no hips or chest to spare, but they prefer a more androgynous style anyway, as is popular in the scene. Always has raccoon eyes, and will rub or picked at her face, smearing them in the process. Septum and tongue piercings and stretched lobes. Also has light acne scars.

Hiyoko Saonji - (She/Her, Lesbian) Looks like she’s 12. Her hair is very reactive to humidity and she is prone to turning into a poodle if it gets wet. Has a sizable front tooth gap, which only serves to make her look more childish.

Mikan Tsumiki - (She/Her, bisexual-female pref) She is plus sized and has wider hips, which she bumps into stuff with all the time. She has a round face and a button nose, which are always rosy pink, because of how often she is crying. Just chronically puffy eyes.

Gundam Tanaka - (They/Them, pansexual) They are kind of average/slim and don’t have much in the way of muscle. There’s just not as much under those robes as you might expect. Wears corpse paint and other trad goth makeup often but hates going out without at least using a light/white foundation. Black lipstick is a must for special occasions, and they always carry at least one lint roller to maintain their perfect black clothes with the hammies. Has a septum piercing and stretched lobes.

Nekomaru Nidai-(He/Him, Bisexual, female pref) Obviously built like a Greek god. Is very particular about his manscaping, and you bet your ass his fades are always on point. His hands are so fucking huge and blocky that it’s almost comical to see him holding someone else’s hand. His chest is hairy, and he has eyebrow and nipple piercings.

Nagito Komaeda - (He/They, gay) The man is dying of cancer. He is deathly pale and skinny. If he wasn’t a wacko, any sane person would be concerned for him. His hair is dry and coarse, in an over processed bleach kind of way. Has dark circles and yellowing teeth. Somehow though, he still manages to have a smooth, soft baby face and unnaturally clear skin. Is lacking in the eyebrow department, but has white double lashes on Satoru Gojo’s level.

Chiaki Nanami - (She/Her, pan) She is chubby. Like not just on the cusp of plus size, but a few sizes deep. Has stretch marks on her hips, chest, and stomach. Pale skin and puffy eyes from poor sleeping habits. American girl doll teeth and frizzy hair from falling asleep on random surfaces.

Kazuichi Souda (He/They, bisexual female pref) Has a bit of pudge from eating processed junk all the time, but doesn’t seem to mind. He had braces as a kid, so his teeth are perfectly straight and really the only tight laced thing about the guy. Has shaved sides and hates washing his hair, so he uses the beanie to cover up the greasy bits and his little black roots when they grow out. Breaks out easily, and has some acne scars. Pierced nostrils, tongue, and stretched ears.

Fuyuhiko Kuzuryuu - (He/Him FtM, ace spec?) Kind of scrawny and will just never be tall. Freckles on his shoulders and back. Has a tiny amount of peach fuzz over his top lip and is really hoping it will start to fill in. Blonde eyebrows that are barely visible to begin with, that he still insists on shaving slits into. Pierced ears.

Sonia Nevermind - (She/Her, pansexual) Petite all around. Dainty little hands and the softest skin. Very fine hair, and like Fuyuhiko, she is a bit lacking in eyebrow definition, but she has to fill them in. Has a small upturned nose and definitely does the princess peach lip thing.

Akane Owari - (She/Her, pansexual) Muscular and thick all over. As much as she definitely has abs, having them visibly defined is generally speaking, not healthy for most women, so they’re under a smooth soft tummy. She has a wider button nose and full lips that she would love to put gloss on if it didn’t interfere with her snacking. Has somewhat crooked teeth and her hair is consistently tangled.

Hajime Hinata - (He/Him, pansexual) Buff arms. All around pretty stocky but not fat. Stubby thick hands. Tans easily and has the worst farmers’ tan from his stupid polo shirt. Gets freckles across his nose when he’s in the sun a lot. He has bushy eyebrows that could use some attention and thick lips.

[cts-ryu-writing-desk]

Dumplings

This is not to my usual writing style, but this was a fun little one to work on. And I've had the idea in some regards for a while now. So getting it penned feels good. Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the rain poured down outside, a rather beefy man in his late twenties rushed in. More flabby than beefy with a wide frame. He came in quickly carrying only a bag of Chinese takeout. This large fellow was Neil, a quiet guy, he usually and preferably kept to himself.

He went through the lobby and over to the elevator and rode it to the fourth floor. He could hear them shouting through the walls again. Those noisy neighbors down the hall.

As Neil approached his door he noticed the noisy neighbor's door opening. Neil quickly undid the lock and rushed inside. The rustling of his takeout bag was all the noise that echoed in his dark apartmen.

He could smell the savory aroma filling the room. Getting everything on what he could feel was the counter he turned the light on to his kitchen. A single loveseat with a coffee table facing the TV. There was only one room and it led right to his bedroom and bathroom.

Cleaning off one of the only two forks he kept went channel surfing , so he had something to listen to while he ate. It didn't matter what as long as he didn't have to think about his shifty day.

Neil was pulling out family sized portions of fried rice with shrimp, char Sui, minute chicken, sweet and sour pork, and an order of dumplings. Neil looked through the bag, he eventually found it. His order of three orders of spring rolls. Everything looks delicious. The dumplings must’ve gotten mixed in with his order by mistake. He didn't order any. Neil shrugged his shoulders, "free food," he said to himself

He set in his love seat the spread of food in front of him. Looking at the spreadsheet wondered where to start. This was like something out of a piss poor comedy scene: a big guy eating a lot of food in one sitting.

Neil's eyes were drawn to the dumplings. An order of three, if it was up to him he'd have ordered more. But free is free. He quickly swallowed them up practically whole. He went on to the char Sui, after a few bites he started to hear his stomach groan. "Hungrier than I thought," he mumbled to himself

Over the hour he was eating Neil was shoveling down every morsel of food. His stomach would feel tight as he finished off each plate. Yet he'd still feel an intense hunger.

He was completely unaware of the swelling going on around his stomach.

Neil's stomach was getting round and tight as it ballooned out. His attention stayed at finishing off every last bite. It took him an hour and twenty minutes to scarf down every bit to the point that there wasn't so much as a crumb left.Once completed he felt nice and stuffed. He always knew how to stretch a budget.

Part of his usual ritual was to wipe his hands down his chest and over his stomach. Giving it a few good hard slaps for a meal well devoured. This time as he let his hands glide over his chest he felt his stomach at last. Finally noticing the intense weight and spherical protrusion. He quickly looked down, seeing the prominent globe of a belly.

He found getting to his feet quickly cumbersome. The weight made it difficult to run, or walk with haste. Shuffling as best he could to the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror quickly, looking himself over.

Neil was already a rather large gentleman, never the skinny kid and always hefty. His large frame now had an accentuation of a globular orb now resting on his stomach. His shirt couldn't even cover it all. Not flat, flabby or even a hint of a roll in sight. Just a perfectly round, taut gut.

Neil lifted his shirt taking in the sight. He couldn't believe it . He was lost in a state of panicked daze and surrealness. Seeing the skin he was nice and tight. Not a hint of a mark, cut, nothing. A true ball belly. "What the fuck," left his lips looking at his reflection

He felt a flutter in his stomach. The skin pressed out stretching and retracting suddenly from his rounded shape. Neil froze. It happened if not on a different area of his stomach. Then again and again shortly after. Suddenly there was a flurry of these sensations throughout him.

"Ah, what the fuck!" Neil cried out in his quiet apartment

His stomach was alive, so to speak. He fumbled to get his phone out of his pocket. What was he gonna do, how would he explain this. He felt a surge of pain rush through him. It brought him to his knees. A loud rip down his backside took out his pants. A bad day to freeball.

He felt it again. It came quickly and suddenly in fast waves. An overwhelmingly strong sensation to piss. The pain rushed down his body straight through every fiber of his being and down to her bones. What was happening? What could he do? The pain kept him in place. An intense pain washed over him as he felt his cock expanding. Widening like trying to push an orange through his urethra, such overwhelming pain. Neil nearly blacked out.

It was stretching out the tip of his dick. Opening the eye and creeping out slowly, pushing like he was forcing out a piss. He groaned in pain when he suddenly felt a huge relief from the pain and pressure. The calm didn't last. It came again. Struggling to squeeze out another, and another soon after that.

Exhausted from the pain, and now feeling incredibly empty. Neil managed to see their little bodies covered in bile, wiggling their umbilical cords still in his now numb and stretched cock. Neil's eyes widened.

Days later the headlines read “man births triplets” the lesbian finally knowing someone else got their special order of dumplings.

[achubbydumpling]

A Little Extra: Too Fat For Furniture

Rating: Explicit Words: 1419 Pairing: None just Lee Additional Tags: Extreme Weight Gain, Mobility Struggles, Breaking Furniture, Diets (mentioned), but Lee doesn't lose any weight

[on AO3]

After getting shot and nearly bleeding out in a remote forest in the middle of nowhere Lee was less than eager to return to work. In his absence, one of his former deputies had campaigned to be elected Sheriff. Of course, he'd won.

Lee had been bitter the first few weeks, but slowly the blessing in disguise had revealed itself. Suddenly, Lee was to be pitied instead of hated. His poor sister and that terrible incident with the Russel boy.

It was like the whole town had forgotten about any of his unsavoury business from Before. Obviously, Lee took advantage of that.

It started when his neighbour brought over a pie.

"I know you boys don't cook well. I wouldn't want you starving after that tragedy!"

Lee was perfectly capable of feeding himself, but he wasn't about to decline free dessert.

"Aw, thank you, Ms Smith. You didn't have to but… yeah, you know what? I have been having some difficulty readjusting, you know?" Lee tacked on an awkward laugh for full effect, and it worked like a charm.

Ms Smith's expression softened, and she patted him on the shoulder.

"I know it's difficult. You know when my husband died…"

Listening to her blabber about her husband got on Lee's nerves quickly, but she promised to bring by some more food tomorrow.

With that, the flood gates were opened.

The whole town must've heard about what Lee said because they all came flocking to his house carrying platters and platters of food. Even after a month, a few stubborn souls stuck around to make sure he was well-fed. And it sure was showing.

He'd never been skinny or anything, but the bit of pudge around his middle blossomed into a full-on gut. A heavy ball that sat on his thighs and pushed out into his lap more with every day.

Lee made a few half-assed attempts at losing the weight.

No beer before bed or no desserts after dinner, but he rarely stuck with it longer than a week and any weight he did lose came back double or triple the week after that.

'Well-fed' quickly turned into 'fat'. Lee was slowly encroaching on a size that he hadn't ever seen on other people.

On one memorable call, he'd had to help a man weighing double what he did back then out of his tub. The guy had to have been 400lbs, maybe even closer to 450lbs.

Lee had crossed 300lbs after eight months of consistent feeding. After a year he was pushing closer to 350lbs than 300lbs, but he ended the year without crossing that boundary just yet.

Seeing that number on the scale shocked Lee back into dieting for two whole weeks. Food piled up in his fridge and freezer as he valiantly tried to stick to tiny portions. It all culminated in a two-day binge that ended with Lee pinned to his sofa.

He'd never really understood how someone could struggle to get to his feet, but he learned then. No matter how much he tried, his stomach hurt too much. His bloated belly got in the way and his puffy arms couldn't get any leverage on the battered sofa.

Lee had done a number on the sofa. A deep dent into the left side where he usually sat to watch TV (or stuff his face more frequently now). The small dining table had quickly gotten too uncomfortable for his growing gut and eventually, one of the foldable chairs had given out under his heft.

He'd struggled just to get up from the floor again. It was a humbling experience but with food still, on the table, Lee didn't think too much about it and just moved to the living room. Not like he could break his sofa, right?

Wrong.

It did take until Lee reached over 400lbs. His rickety, old sofa just wasn't made for this weight constantly torturing it. Sitting down normally had just gotten too much work and one of the supporting slats broke with a loud crack when Lee let himself fall down.

While it scared the hell out of Lee, he'd reached a sort of breaking point. There wasn't any use in losing weight now, right? And he'd surely plateau at some point. So, he still ate his breakfast.

Food deliveries had petered out a while ago. Once he'd really blown up no one wanted to keep feeding the fat (ex)-Sheriff, but his pension was good enough to keep up with his habit. He didn't need money for much else.

400lbs turned into 450lbs without him really noticing. Lee didn't think it was possible to gain 50lbs without so much as a creeping suspicion but sure enough, his (new) scale wasn't lying. His clothes were getting tighter too, but Lee had had enough foresight to get something with a bit more room.

A lot more room actually because his clothes held up until 500lbs. That's when the weight really hit him. He'd been struggling with lots of little things so far and slowly decreasing stamina, but it was like he'd crossed a magic boundary from being able to still do most things to struggling for breath while he was sitting on his ass (to eat another meal).

Things started getting really scary when Lee felt both sides of his sofa brushing his sides. No matter how he sat his wide hips and thick love handles were always brushing the sofa's arms.

Of course, that didn't slow a proper glutton down.

If anything, Lee increased his food intake. Some subconscious realisations that he was cutting his life short with every additional pound he gained, every hour he spent on his ass instead of exercising and every single, greasy bite he shoved past his lips. So, of course, he needed to make the best of the time he had left.

Lee committed to his lifestyle of hedonism, not just food-wise, but also by overindulging in his drinking, spending his pension instead of saving anything and getting even lazier. Most of his days were spent inside, but occasionally, he longed for a change of scenery and undertook the laborious trek outside.

Walking had become increasingly difficult, and his gait had turned into a shuffling waddle. The heavy bag on his shoulder didn't make it easier, but he couldn't imagine sitting outside without something to snack on and a few drinks.

Just lifting his feet exhausted him and his joints screamed at him with every lumbering step. But he made it out to the porch. It was a cool evening and Lee sighed when the breeze cooled his overheated skin.

However, that moment of relief wasn't enough to cut through the pain of walking and standing. He spotted the porch swing not too far away. He hadn't been out here in a few months, so it looked a bit run down, but the wood looked sturdy enough. Surely, it could hold him. He dropped the bag full of food right in front of the swing.

Then, Lee tried to sit down as gently as possible but at his size that wasn't really an option. He crashed down onto the wooden bench and while it groaned underneath his weight, it held.

For a moment.

Just as Lee started to trust the construction of the porch swing and started to relax one of the chains to his right creaked with an ominous tone. A second later it snapped, and Lee was dumped to the ground.

The porch shook under the impact. Lee's first instinct was to get back to his feet, but the walk outside had exhausted him so much, that he took the opportunity to finally catch his breath.

Dread set in at the realization of how fat he'd let himself get. Every meal flashed before him, but before he could dwell on it the urgent need to breathe took over his mind again. Wheezing gulps of breath that still didn't seem to fill his lungs. His chest was too heavy for them to fully expand.

It took some time before he could concentrate on anything but breathing. Lee was still wheezing a bit now, but to his delight, he spotted the bag he'd nearly crushed. It was squished against his leg and Lee actually struggled a bit to reach around to grab a package of sugar cookies.

Once he crammed his mouth full of cookies all those negative thoughts vanished, and Lee fell back into the mindless consumption that had gotten him into this situation.

[arthur-edwards]

>gets kidnapped and escapes like it’s nothing

>steals his employers’ vast fortunes

>claws his way up from bottom rung to the most powerful man in the world

>doesn’t lose his cool when his background is repeatedly insulted

>erased everything but proudly kept his old scholarship application as a reminder of how hard work pays off

[wicked-rwby-wreckers]

So Yang, when you and your little brother are alone in the dorm, how long does it take for you to grab a nice handful of that fat boi booty~? A simple question, sure, but I'm more curious how many times your girlfriend has walked in on you on top of Ruby under the blankets while you're both sweating and panting~

I mean, we all know brothers like to roughhouse and wrestle right~?

“Alright you guys, Weiss and I should only be a couple hours for our weekly drink, so you two have fun.” Blake smiled and gave a small wave to the siblings before shutting the door to the room. The two brothers waved her off.

SMACK “Yaaang,” Ruby squealed at the impact of his brother's hand on his ass. Yang’s hard hand sinking into the fat meat of Ruby’s ass. “Can’t you wait at least 5 seconds for Blake to leave!” “Mmm, no can do little bro,” Yang grabbed Ruby by both of his cheeks and pulled him into his chest. His hands, squeezing and pulling at his squishy booty, forcing moans out the boi. “You know I can’t resist this massive, fucking ass when I’m alone with it. Besides, I know you love it.”

Yang suddenly forced his tongue down Ruby’s throat, the boi eagerly sucking down his big brother’s tongue. Ruby moaned and whimpered at their sloppy make out, saliva dripping down their mouths. Yang lifted the boi up by both his cheeks and carried him over to Blake’s bed. Yang tossed him, and Ruby hit the bed face first with a soft thud. He gasped as Yang followed beside him pressing Ruby’s head into the mattress in, his other hand grasped and massaged one of Ruby’s thicc cheeks.

“You wouldn’t be wearing these tight yoga pants if you weren’t looking to be fucked tonight,” Yang growled with a harsh spank to his brother’s ass. He pulled Ruby back up by the hair, the boi panting, his face red from embarrassment at what Yang said. Ruby braced himself with his arms looking needy back at Yang. He began shaking his ass, bouncing his fat boi booty for his big brother in the hopes of getting a good hard fuck. Yang wasn’t wrong. Ruby needed his brother’s fat dick in his ass.

Yang positioned himself behind the cute redhead, both hands pressing into the fabric of the boi’s clothes,, before tearing into it with ease. The cloth rippled wide exposing all of Ruby’s pale flesh. Yang pressed his middle finger into Ruby’s ring asshole eliciting a moan from the boi. He sank his finger as deep as he could get, his brother’s ass bouncing and surrounding his entire hand. It’s grip is so tight on him that he has to yank his hand free. Ruby was a little sad. Yang fished out his hard erection and slapped it between Ruby’s creamy smooth globes. Ruby got excited at the impact of Yang’s dick hitting his ass. He fell forward with his face back on the mattress as he reached back with both hands to wedge the fat fuckstick further between his cheeks. His ass wrapped around his big brother's cock smothering it. His little boi penis dripping onto the bed as he twerked his fat globes of flesh for Yang.

“Mmm, see a little slut like you just can’t resist this cock huh,” Yang smirked. He settled one hand on Ruby’s head holding him down, as he pressed his dick into the winking bud in front of him. Ruby’s hands tensed in the fabric at feeling Yang’s thick head push inside him. He began to squeal, muffled by the bed, as Yang slowly, painfully slipped inside him. No matter how many times or how long Yang hollowed out Ruby’s tight boipussy, it always managed to keep its tightness.  Yang hissed as dick was enveloped by the hot little hole and fought to get each inch inside. He held on tightly until he worked every single inch of his fat meat inside of him. His body let out a groan when he finally did. Yang ground his hips into Ruby, savoring the feeling of his dick wrapped wrapped up in the warm flesh. “See this is what I need! A nice piece of ass I can have served at my beck and call to sink this dick into,” Yang snarled before starting to thrust into the boi. Ruby squeaked as Yang kept him pinned down with both his hand and brutal thrusts. Yang’s other hand holding on to his wide hips trying to hold on as he gave it to his sissy brother. It proved to not be enough for him as he released his grip on Ruby’s head, and grabbed both sides with his hands. Yang pulled himself into Ruby harder with a loud smack of their hips together. Blake’s bed creaking from the hard  impact of their bodies together. Yang’s leg came up, pressing Ruby’s head further into Blake’s mattress. Ruby drooled into the bed at the new found pressure and angle as Yang’s beastial fucking laid waste to him. His balls slapping against Ruby’s pathetic sack, forcing more of his feminine spurt out of him. “Damn, you’re such a whore Ruby. I haven’t even fucked Blake in this bed yet, and you're here taking every inch,” Yang ground his foot a little in Ruby’s head as he spoke. Ruby both loved and hated every time Yang brought up Blake. On one hand he just wanted Yang to fuck him, on the other, god did it turn him on to be put degraded by his brother. He blamed the years of anal training before coming to Beacon. Yang’s cock dug deep, causing Ruby to see stars from the pain and the pleasure of being reamed out. He could do very little from his position. Yang had almost complete control over his entire body. It took everything Ruby had to throw his ass back into his handsome big bro. Suddenly Yang’s foot let up on his head and he was free to sit up. Yang slipped his cock free of Ruby’s ass, and grabbed Ruby by the head, tossing him face first towards the foot of the bed. Yang repositioned himself over Ruby who lay flat on the bed. Yang wrapped an arm around Ruby’s smooth skinny neck, choking the boi and locking him in a headlock before slamming back into his brother. Ruby’s moaning quieted somewhat by the tight grip on his neck as Yang’s hips really slapped down into his thick globes of pure fuckmeat. Ruby’s hands clung onto the edge of the bed, his knuckles white from how hard he was gripping it. Yang bit Ruby’s ear while he clung tight to him. Yang fucking his brother like he was his property like his own personal stress toy. Ruby squealed every moment of Yang’s brutal fucking. The constant smacking of their incestuous, gay fucking getting louder and louder as Yang thrusts grew harsher and faster with every second. Ruby started to cum with every thrust into his poor abused boi pussy. His mind clouded by the constant orgasms until abruptly they were brought out of their fuck session. The door to their dorm unlocked and terror filled the siblings. Yang acted quickly tossing the blanket on the bed over their bodies with his free arm. Yang stared down the door as he kept his brother tight in the headlock, and watched as his girlfriend walked in the door. “Oh hey guys, I forgot my purse. Can’t pay for my drink if I don’t have it, and no I’m not going to make Weiss pay for it Yang,” Blake smiled at them as she grabbed her purse pausing at the sight of the two of them. Blake’s face grew more serious for a moment. “Yang, let up on him will you? Ruby is red in the face, just look at him,” Blake leaned down looking Ruby in the face. Ruby’s eyes were shut tight, and he was biting his lip struggling not to let a slutty moan escape his body. His brother’s arm tightened around his neck at the statement. “He’s fine, babe. He loves it when I do this. We’ve been doing this for years,” Yang reeled back, and delivered a sharp thrust into the boi, making his eyes go wide in front of Blake. “If you say so,” Blake stood back up straight and walked around the bed, “Well, I’ll leave you to your wrestling, don’t be too rough on him, okay Yang,” Blake said, kissing Yang on the cheek before leaving once again. Yang’s grip around Ruby’s neck released, and he grabbed his brother by his soft, smooth shoulders. With everything he had he gave one final thrust into Ruby, emptying his viscous load into his sissy little brother. Ruby screamed loud, unable to restrain himself anymore. Every muscle in his body and face relaxed, his eyes drooping, his breathing heavy, and his tongue hanging out of his mouth as he drooled at the edge of the bed. He squirted numerous times in that one moment. So much so, he felt like he was gonna die riding on the pleasure of having Yang’s fat cock inside of him with Blake right in front of him. Yang tossed the blanket off their bodies flipping Ruby around on his back, the boi breathing heavily recovering from the string of orgasms. Yang crawled on top of the boi. His knees pinning Ruby’s arms down on both sides as he slapped his dick across his sissy brother’s face. Left over cum splattering across his pretty little face.

“Open Ruby, I know you want more.” Yang commanded. Ruby always got hot and bothered when his brother demanded he did something. He may have been team leader, but Yang being in control was down right sexy.

“Yes Daddy, feed your little sissy more cum please. Fuck my pretty face, dump another load wasted on me and not your girlfriend!” Ruby opened wide, ready to receive the facefucking a man stealing bitch like him deserved. Yang’s cock slid up and down Ruby’s tongue before sinking it into his warm mouth. Yang used the foot of the bed to hold onto as he slammed down into him. Ruby was trapped underneath the weight of his brother, unable and unwilling to push him off.  His legs kicked as his brother forced him to choke down his huge dick.

The sloppy mess of his saliva and Yang’s cum falling on his face. His throat slime coating Yang’s dick and strands of it following his brother's fat fuckstick every time Yang pulled out of Ruby’s mouth. Every thrust building more of it on his face. It filled the boi’s nose and covered the boi’s eyes, hindering his ability to see. Not that there would be much to see beside Yang’s abs inches away from his face or watching his brother's massive cock fill his mouth.

Ruby could feel the mess of Yang’s curly blonde pubes getting caught in his mouth as his throat was struggling to swallow every inch of Yang’s cock.  His heart pounding as hard at the beating his face was getting from Yang’s forceful fucking on his face. Ruby felt himself squirting up and on himself, as Yang slammed down into him. All of his senses were overloaded with only Yang in his mind. Yang forced every inch down Ruby’s throat before cumming hard. Ruby couldn't swallow it all from the position and started to cough it up. When Yang pulled out of Ruby’s mouth a waterfall of cum poured all over the boi’s face, painting it all white. Ruby groaned and rolled over coughing up the cum, gasping for breath. He felt Yang pick him up with one arm and toss him over to the other side of the room. “We have time. Might as well and fuck you on Weiss’ bed too right?” Ruby squealed as Yang pulled Ruby’s legs up and to his head, before immediately slamming into his brother. They couldn’t waste any time. 

[miridiums-writing]

Barbarian Bakugou x Petite!Villager!Reader

Part 2

Summary ; reader lives in village that is ravaged by bararians, bakugou catches them and finds out they are mates

Warnings ; violence, there is implied sexual assault but it never happens kinda like a passing thought. I never actually state gender though reader does wear a dress, so if your someone who doesn’t like wearing dresses then you might have trouble fitting into the narrative. REMEMBER ANYONE CAN WEAR A DRESS, I WILL HYPE YOU UP. they eat in it, also they eat meat so if you’re vegetarian or anything of the sort you probably won’t relate, Bakugou yes he is a warning.

AUTHORS NOTE ; if you want a part 2 let me know, also if you want a part with a plus sized reader instead of a petite reader let me know. Reading @thetrashywritingwitch gave me inspiration so definitely check them out

Word count : 2k

Barbarian!Bakugou x plus-sized!reader part 1

The village was alight, red ran rampant through the streets, the screams of young and old mixing to create a noise that would give anyone a headache. You were running as fast as you could, no shoes on, trying to pick up your skirts as you ran. You had been woken by a scream and hadn’t thought to put on shoes before you ran to escape the sea of arrows shot at your home. People dragged younger ones through the wreckage, others cried, others shouting for loved ones. Nobody seemed to be left unscathed.

Your feet were in tatters at this point, having ran through rocks and glass to get here. Your only motivation that got you this far, even with the pain you were in, was the orphanage at the top on town. On a slight hill further away from the village, secluded in a way. You hoped against hope the children were ok. You dodged through fire, adrenaline coursing through your veins. You had to make it. You had to keep them safe. Though in your blind panic you didn’t notice the figure stealthily following after you.

You were running up the hill now, twigs that littered the woods floor poking into your poor feet, causing you to slow slightly, but your determination kept you from walking. Just as the orphanage came into sight arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you off the ground. You kicked in attempt to get away, hoping against hope you could escape, get to them. Those kids did nothing to deserve the pain. Your attempts did nothing but tire you more, your hope of escape starting to slip from your grasp. “Stay still dammit” a gruff voice stated. He moved you both back, further into the woods, blocking your view of the orphanage and kept you still.

“Oi Kirishima! Keep those idiots away from the orphanage” He called out further into the woods, not second later a muscular man with spiky hair and even spikier teeth seemed to appear in an instant and disappear just as quickly. With the disappearance of the other man he moved you so you could finally see his face, though his grip on you never loosened. If you were honest with yourself, he was rather pretty. Hard red eyes stared into yours and seemed to judge your appearance as you gaped at him. His blond locks spiked out, much more naturally than the other mans, he had a defined jawline, and a look that screamed danger. In your curiosity you failed to notice how odd this whole situation was. Here you were being held down by an intimidation and rather frightening man, but you felt no fear towards him.

“Found you” he said, looking at you with a smirk as his face moved closer to yours. Just as you thought he was going to kiss you his face moved lower to your neck and started to pepper kisses and nips into the sensitive skin. You tensed in his hold, not sure what he was about to do, and scared for the outcome that seemed inevitable. Just then he roughly bit into your neck, causing you to shriek at the vast difference from what he was doing before and the pain that started to thump against your neck like a drum. When he was satisfied, he started to lick at your neck, no doubt cleaning up the blood. “There, now that’s sorted time to clean you up and get moving” Rather than letting you walk with him he picked up and set you on his hip, like a child. “If you move or cause trouble ill carry you in a more uncomfortable fashion got it” At his threat you tensed once more and nod in agreement. You had no idea what he could do to you and honestly, you didn’t want to find out.

He carried you both down the hill and towards the town, he hadn’t told you his name and didn’t seem in the mood for light conversation, so you stayed quiet, not wanting to anger the man further than he already seemed to be. When you both got back to the village it was silent. A stark difference between the village you had left behind, and it set you on edge. He must have noticed how you had started to shake a little, though he didn’t say anything on it. “Hide you face into my shoulder, quickly” he said, his voice slightly softer than earlier, though it didn’t stop the unease. Just as you opened your mouth to question it, he gave you a glare that made you close it instantly. You ducked your head down into his neck and froze against his side, questions swarming your mind. “right let’s move out” he shouted, his voice seeming even more loud now you were against his neck, making you cringe slightly. With one hand now taking your weight he hoisted onto a horse, repositioning you in front of him to lean against his chest. “Get some sleep, its gonna be a long ride princess”

When you woke you were still in his arms, though you were now wrapped up in a fur coat, keeping you warm from the wind. If you didn’t think about the fact he basically kidnapped you it could almost be sweet. He had positioned you in a way that meant the brunt of the wind was hitting against the fur coat, keeping you toasty warm. He was looking ahead, no doubt keeping control of the horse, though you did notice how he would glance down at you. Due to your position you couldn’t really see anything, giving in to the temptation of going back to sleep for now, who knew when you would be able to sleep again, you let your eyes closed and allowed yourself to relax, your head snuggling into his warm chest.

Your eyes fluttered open at a loud shout, startling you from the fragile sleep you had managed to get. “We’re almost there” He claimed, glancing down at your sleepy form curled into him. Cute. The thought was a fleeting one, but it made him freeze up slightly, he hoped you didn’t notice. This mate stuff was making him soft. The horse abruptly came to a stop and the man carefully picked you up into his arms bridal style. You noticed almost immediately this was much gentler than he had been previously, and honestly threw you for a loop. On one hand this was much nicer treatment than previously, even if he hadn’t been particularly bad, on the other hand what does this entail, does he want something in return? The man carried you inside what looked like a large tent and placed you down on a bed covered with fur blankets and looked rather nice and warm to cuddle up in.

“Look here’s the deal,” he said, sitting down on the floor before you, making your face in line with his. “You’re my mate, kinda like a soulmate, I guess. It’s a feeling. My name’s Bakugou Katsuki by the way. Call my Katsuki though, it’ll just piss me off if you call me anything else. Just, listen to what I say. Ill go get you some food, you look like you need it.” As Katsuki walks away you could hear him mutter under his breath “Skinny as anything” When he had officially left, and you decided he was far enough away you started to look around. The tent was rather spacious, but not to the point it was cold. If anything, it was so warm in here. Like an invisible fire was somewhere in the room keeping it warm. The tent itself smelled like wood pine and honeysuckle, and a hint of caramel, it felt more homely than your old village ever did. You knew you had to think through what he had told you, but you didn’t want to even think about it. Taken away from your home after it having been destroyed by them and he tells you you’re his soulmate and you need to listen him.

When Katsuki got back you were cocooned in the blankets, sure the room was warm, but as the night air drew in the rooms temperature seemed to drop drastically, so you had taken it upon yourself to collect all the blankets and pile them onto of yourself. Katsuki stood at the entrance dumbfounded at the sight, as in comparison he stood tall in his trousers and fur coat, with his necklace and earrings to adorn the look. He wasn’t used to feeling cold. He would need to thank his parents later for getting on at him to make sure he had enough blankets for his mate when it got cold. He placed the food down on the table and started picking apart the blankets until he revealed you, cuddling into yourself. “Look, I know its cold but you gotta eat, come on” He allows you to get yourself up, though you take one of the smaller blankets with you to combat the cold.

The meal itself wasn’t anything special. A meat of some kind with potatoes and asparagus. You were so hungry you ate it without question, too hungry to care. He watched you from the other side of the table, it made you slightly self-conscious but brushed it off as his thing, he had a habit of watching you. When you finished you made sure to tidy up your area as best as you could, not wanting to seem impolite. This made Katsuki scoff at you, your insecurity coming back quickly.

“Bed time” was all he said, even though you had been sleeping most of the day, the thought of curling up into the blanket seemed heavenly. As you climbed into the bed, securing yourself under the furs Katsuki came in behind you. He simply brought your body to his, circling his body around yours in a protective manner. With him so close to you, you found it hard to fall asleep. Though Katsuki seemed to find it easy, simply snuggling his face into your neck and falling asleep. You decided to go through your options. Option one, stay still and go to sleep unknowing to what could happen tomorrow, though by his current attitude and behaviour you now highly doubted it being too dangerous, or option two, somehow manage to escape his iron grip and run out of the tent, with no knowledge of where you were, how far from home, or what could be outside the tent. The thought of meeting something worse than Katsuki made you shiver and slightly move closer to him. At least you knew what he was capable of, plus you had the added protection that he claimed you as his mate, those usually ended happily. No one wanted to endanger their mate, it went against Barbarian law. Something you vaguely remembered researching when you were young and curious. With those thoughts in mind you allowed yourself to succumb to the warmth Katsuki provided and fall into a broken sleep.

Please reblog, it helps my tumblr grow and makes me wanna write more

[skellebonez]

How's about 45 and 54 where canon MK finds himself in the Inverted AU Universe? Because I think that'd be funny

Poor MK is having the second worst day of his entire life. This is not the situation he should be in AFTER THE FINALE. This would have been way different if I wrote this when you sent it in, but now you get a very sad Monkie Kid.

You may technically be an adult, but you’re still my child./ Yeah well dying generally puts a damper on things.

When MK was knocked out they were on the deck of the drone ship, fighting off some kind of demon that the White Bone Spirit had taken under her control.

When MK woke up they were on the sandy shores of Mount Huaguo surrounded by baby monkeys and one Six-Eared Macaque looking down at them with a face of great concern.

“Are you-” Macaque started to ask them, unable to finish his sentence when MK screamed and kicked out and just barely missed making contact that would have sent him flying backwards into the nearest tree. “Whoa, no, it’s alright! I’m not-”

“What did you do to me this time, Macaque!?” MK yelled, looking around for a weapon, any weapon, something they could use to defend themself. Their eyes fell on something familiar, something that shouldn’t exist anymore and they froze at the sight of red and gold.

“Little one, is your name MK?” Macaque asked softly, holding up his hands as he slowly walked forward back toward the started and confused young adult before him. “I found you washed up on the shore. You need to lay back down, you’re still-”

Macaque let out a yelp of surprise as MK dove, hand firmly grasping the familiar warm-cold center of the staff.

But it felt... wrong, somehow.

They didn’t let go.

"OK, WHAT IS HAPPENING!?" MK shouted, holding the stolen staff in front of them as they turned on the immortal monkey that was their one time mentor. "Is this Jin and Yin again? Is this the Calabash!? Did they change it so my stuff doesn’t work in it anymore!? I'm not falling for that again!"

"I'm sorry, the what?" A new voice rang from behind him. One a little... too familiar...

It was MK. It shouldn't be possible, not if the Calabash was working the same way it had worked before, but it was them. But not.

Like... the way the staff felt.

The Other MK standing in the too bright sun wore a stark sky blue and black instead of his signature orange and red, a large hefty backpack in that same blue slung over his back. And he was... tall. Not unusually tall, just taller than MK was. And also looked incredibly angry as he carried a box of medical supplies.

"The... Calabash..." MK repeated, holding the staff closer to their chest with a nervous gulp. Their hands twisted around the staff nervously, hoping the repetitive action would ground them against the repeating 'THERE IS ANOTHER YOU STARING AT YOU WHAT THE HELL' whizzing in their head. "This... this isn't Jin and Yin again after all, is it?"

MK gulped again, blinking as their vision swam suddenly and their head felt like it was filled with... something. Like liquid but if it was as light as air.

"I don't know which answer would be better for you," Macaque said softly, honesty palpable in his tone. Something so odd for the Monkie Kid to hear in their ears with that voice. "But no. We are very much real."

"Oh..." MK said plainly. "Oh that's bad. That's... Oh boy..."

Before their eyes rolled back in their head and they passed out they were pretty sure they saw a few more overly familiar faces rushing to them.

~

When MK woke a second time they were once again moved, but to somewhere else far less familiar than the shores of Mount Huaguo and the drone ship... but also too familiar. They also now realized that their head hurt... a lot. Like, a lot a lot.

“Finally, you’re back from the brink of death,” that same overly familiar voice rang our in their ear. They snapped their head to the side, regretting it instantly as it made their vision swim again and lights pop in front of their eyes. “Hey, no, don’t do that!"

The other MK jumped up, kneeling down in front of them and poked them in the forehead. His scowl didn’t seem to let up in the slightest, but it tilted in a way that felt more concerned than angry.

"... why am I looking at my own face?" MK asked, not sure whether they should continue to stare at their own face or to look anywhere else to keep their brain from short circuiting trying to process what the actual hell was happening.

“Considering you were able to pick up my staff,” the other MK said, removing his finger and gesturing to the rod that was still across MK’s chest (how had he not noticed the extra weight of it still in his hand?). “I’d say we have some kind of multi-dimensional bullshitery going on here. Unless you’re, somehow, a robot made of the same shit Red used to get the that thing in the first place, but I don’t think robots bleed from head injuries.”

Ah. That would explain why his head felt like someone had cracked it open and shoved cotton balls into it.

MK looked around, taking in the stark white walls and the overly clean smell and the clean white sheets they were laid on.

“... am I at the hospital?”

“Oh, absolutely!” Other MK yelled, raising his arms in frustration as he paced the room in a familiar excess of energy. “But unfortunately for us you don’t exactly exist here! So we’re figuring out a way to make them believe you’re me with some really fucked up memories my dude! Which is easier with, you know.”

The other MK knocked on his head twice, wincing a bit as the second knock seemed to be harder than intended.

“... but you’re..?”

“I snuck in.”

“OK, well, thanks for the help,” MK started, sitting himself up with more than a little struggle. “But I need to figure out what the heck happened and get back to-!”

“Oh no you don’t!” Other MK said, jumping on the bed and standing over him. That was... well, MK would definitely say that was a very weird but effective way of keeping someone from getting up. “Macaque already ran off without letting me stop him, I barely got him to take some backup, to figure out what in the hell is happening. You are me and I know myself and if you ever tell anyone this I will end you, but you are way too injured to be doing anything right now!”

“I have to do something, Other Me-”

“No, oh no I hate that, just call me Blue,” the other MK said, the scowl on his face softened ever so slightly once again. Just slightly. “It’s a lot better than ‘other me’. And there’s nothing we can do until Macaque gets us some answers.”

"So... what, Blue? Am I just supposed to sit around and wait for someone to come and rescue me if he finds nothing!?" MK snapped, grip on their staff tightening so much that their knuckles paled and creaked in stress. "Just do nothing while who knows what happens to my friends!?"

"No," Blue said, placing his hand on MK's shoulder and frowning when the other shrugged it off and curled in on themselves. "But hurting yourself isn't going to help you get back to them. And as long as you’re here you’re my responsibility.”

“I’m a grown ass adult, you should know that.”

“Yeah, well, dying generally puts a damper on things and you’re not so adult that you can’t escape death,” Blue said, letting himself fall back into a sitting position on the bed. “Unless you got to keep your invulnerability or something, but given the crack in your noggin that doesn’t seem... like...” Blue trailed off, looking at MK with an odd expression. “... are you ok? Like. Emotionally?”

“Huh?”

“You’re crying.”

MK wrestled with one of their hands to free it’s iron grip on the staff (not their staff, their staff was gone, they had to remind themselves that their staff was gone and... and so was so much else), raising to their cheek to discover that at some point in Blue’s retort they had indeed started crying.

“... what happened to you?”

“It’s a long story,” MK said, wiping their face on their arm (they now realized they were wearing hospital dressing). “I...” They grabbed the staff with their now free hand again, twisting the grip carefully and freeing the iron hold their other hand had. “Can I just... keep this for a bit longer?”

Blue looked at MK, looking between the other him and the staff that was rightfully his before sighing and rubbing the back of his neck.

“Not like I need it right this second,” he said, his scowl vanishing completely as he stood and yanked over his backpack and put it back on after he pulled a baseball cap out and squished his hair into it and pulled it down to cover his face. “There’s gonna be someone here with you at all times until you get out, just to keep you in the loop of what’s going on here. We’ll figure out where you’re staying if Mac doesn’t figure out a way to get you home by tonight.” He moved toward the entrance to the room, turning back before opening it. “I’ll be back, I gotta restock my bag. There’s a couple people who wanna talk to you already... don’t... freak out.”

Before MK could ask what Blue meant the young man opened the door and slipped out, talking to someone just out of his line of vision before running off down the hall.

And then they saw the overly familiar sight of Pigsy and Tang... except they weren’t.

Pigsy, their Pigsy, was always in a chef’s uniform unless he was sleeping. Rough edges softened when he smiled or looked at MK or Mei with that exasperated look that MK knew meant he cared. Tang, their Tang, was a scholar who looked the part in every way, old fashioned clothes and books in hand. Always smiling when he could manage it and carefree.

This Pigsy was.. soft. And fluffy. Literally soft and fluffy. And wore oversized sweaters and smiled in a way that fit more on someone else’s face but felt right at home on his. This Tang was...

Well, the only way MK could think to describe the man before them was “skinny biker with probably hidden muscles who would kick your ass”. He looked the same but his hair was more wild, sunglasses pushing his bangs up, decked out in a (probably fake) leather jacket... but he had the same scarf.

And he and Pigsy were holding hands.

“I suppose you already know who we are,” the biker version of Tang said, smile on his face very awkward and seeming somewhat forced in a “I don’t know if this is helping but I’m gonna try” kind of way. “And we know who... you are. Kinda.”

“Yeah,” MK responded, thinking for a moment back to when he was found on the beach. “Were you... were you the ones with Blue, the other me, on Mount Huaguo?”

“Yeah,” the soft Pigsy said and... wow, hearing that voice say something so gently so casually was throwing him through a loop. “M-Blue was convinced we needed to get out of the city for the day and brought us along for his training. We didn’t expect to find... well, another him...” Pigsy frowned, the first one MK saw on his face and it felt so much more openly worried than their own Pigsy’s scowls. “How are you feeling?”

MK looked down at the staff in their hands, then back up to the two men in front of them.

They weren’t the two people MK considered father figures. They weren’t. But they were. And as MK tried to process this they felt their breathing speed up faster and faster and faster until-

“Hey,” Tang said, gentle and soft voice breaking MK from their racing thoughts as he reached out to put a hand in MK’s hair but stopped himself short. Probably in remembering that they weren’t Blue. “You can stay with us if you want. Once you’re discharged and if you need somewhere to stay.”

Well... that didn’t help at all.

No.

Instead it opened the floodgates and MK started crying harder than they had since the final fight with the White Bone Spirit, curling in on themselves as the last few days and what had transpired really hit them.

“What the FUCK did you do!?” He heard his own voice shout from the doorway.

~

It looked like PIgsy’s apartment. But not.

MK’s hands clenched at air, wishing they still had the staff for comfort. But no, they insisted that Blue take it back when they were discharged.

Blue was still the Monkie Kid after all. He needed the staff to fight.

MK... was just MK here. And they couldn’t fight, not while recovering from their injuries anyway.

But oh how they wish they hadn’t given it back. It felt so right and yet so wrong to hold it. They didn’t realize how much they had grown attached to the object until it was...

“MK?” Once again Pigsy’s voice startled him, not for the first time since they arrived at the apartment and MK took up the extra bedroom that this world’s counterpart had once stayed in until the apartment above the shop opened up for them. “Do you need anything?”

“No,” they responded, hands gripping the edge of their jacket in an attempt to hold something solid. It wasn’t the same. “I can handle myself.”

“I know you can, but you don’t have to,” Pigsy said, coming into the room holding a cup of water and putting it on the nightstand. “And you don’t have to talk to us, if you don’t want to... but it’d probably help. Even if you just ramble about something.”

Had this been the other Pigsy he probably would have something something like “You may technically be an adult, but you’re still my child”. Something firm and gruff and filled with underlying affection for the younger adult. But this Pigsy... there was some of that there. A firmness to his words, though the gruffness was missing. But he could feel the affection he must have had for Blue transferring to themself, the knowledge that they weren’t the same person holding most of it back.

But it was still there.

And MK hadn’t really talked to anyone since the short lived argument with Blue.

“... You uh...” they started, chuckling quietly as they twisted their fingers together. “You said you own a flower shop? My Pigsy, uh... he, runs a noodle shop.”

It wasn’t going to help. MK was certain that talking about their family and friends and how different they were would probably make how he felt worse.

But sitting there and ignoring it would make it worse far quicker in their mind.

So MK talked. For hours. Eventually Tang joined the two, both listening as MK recalled all the differences and similarities and...

Well. They listened. Just like their own Pigsy and Tang would.

... they wondered if they would ever get to go back.

[violet-knox]

The Family Secret

Chapter 2: The Knight Bus

Pairing: Young!Snape x Reader

Summary: You start your journey to escape Spinner’s End with Severus and try summoning the knight bus for the first time.

Word count: 2890

Chapter 1

Your thoughts spiralled as he cuddled into your side, sleeping away the events that kept you up. Resting in this house was the last thing you wanted to do right now, but Severus looked so tired, so beat from whatever happened in that kitchen last night, you’d decided to stay another hour and let him sleep before you made your escape. You’d tried to fall asleep, tried to forget for just a moment, but his partial weight atop you, his heavy breaths brushing your skin reminded you of all the pain he went through because of you and it broke your heart.

You hadn’t asked him what happened and you didn’t care to know. All you wanted was for him to be safe and you were thankful that at the very least you’d managed to stay with him tonight. You couldn’t let anything else happen to him and you weren’t going to. You were going to protect him and save him from this house, no matter the cost. You couldn’t go on knowing the abuse he suffered through, the agony he’d suppressed all these years. Just the thought of leaving him here in this house tore at you, worried the next time you saw him, he’d look worse than he did now, or Merlin forbid you never see him again. The thought boiled your blood, and you couldn’t stand staying another second on this tainted street. 

Slipping from under him, you carefully removed yourself from his bed as not to wake him. You pulled the cover back over him and watched him sleep a moment as you gently brushed his hair away from his face. Fetching your wand, you silently cast lumos and looked around his tiny room. He didn’t own much, but at least that meant it would be easy to pack. Making your way to his closet, you carefully opened it and found his Hogwarts trunk shoved inside it. Looking back at Severus, you very gently grabbed hold of the trunk, its weight heavier than you expected and carried it out of the closet. 

Opening it, you went back to the closet and folded up a few clothing items he seemed to prefer to wear and tossed them in the trunk. You would have found it odd that he hadn’t unpacked the rest of his things when he got home from Hogwarts, but you understood now that this wasn’t his home. Hogwarts is where he felt safe, where he belonged, where he was happy and this house, this street was nothing more than a prison to him. 

“(Y/N)?” Severus’ coarse whisper caught your attention and before you could even process the fact he was awake, you’d jumped up and quickly made your way over to him, sitting on the edge of the bed with a hand cupping his cheek. 

“Hello,” you whispered back, smiling as he blinked his sleep away. “It’s time to go. I’ve packed most of your things.”

Severus nuzzled into your touch a moment, words unable to describe how happy he was you’d stayed with him after what happened last night. He was enchanted by you, falling further in love with you if that were even possible. You cared for him enough to stand by his side, to help him and he couldn’t wait to leave this house with you, never looking back. 

Sitting up, he rested against the wall behind him, his hands searching to grip yours. He held your free hand between his tightly, never wanting to let go as he found your eyes, tilting his head into your palm. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“It was nothing,” you smiled and, to Severus’ disappointment, pulled away. “We should get going.”

He knew you were right, that there was no time to spare staring into each other’s eyes, but he was scared. Once your journey began, there would be no taking it back. He didn’t want to know what would happen if he got caught trying to sneak out, trying to escape and with you no less; the stranger he’d let into his father's home, the reason he’d been punished, humiliated. But bringing you here was all worth it if not to have you comforting him these last few hours. He would have given anything to have any form of care when he was younger, seeking it in a friend with Lily, in the notes he took in his mother’s old Advanced Potion Making book, in the books he’d thrifted over the years, piling up in every corner of his room. Anything to help him forget the reality he lived in, to provide him any sort of relief. 

“How are we going to get to your house?” He asked as he pushed himself off the bed, his legs suddenly feeling like they were made of glass. 

“I read that any witch or wizard can summon the Knight Bus by simply raising their wand,” you said, kneeling to clasp his trunk shut. Severus nodded having read the same thing and hoped you were right about how to summon it. If what he’d read in the books were true, his parents wouldn’t be able to follow them once they got on the bus, at least, not without magic. 

Severus made his way over to the door and slowly opened it, peering out to catch any sign of his parents before he quickly grabbed hold of one side of the trunk as you gripped the other. With you walking first, you made your way down the stairs, careful not to make a sound, your heartbeats the only sound filling the house. Relief washed over you both as you reached the bottom step, slowly walking to the closed door that led to the sitting room. 

With one hand holding the trunk, you gripped the doorknob and turned it, but the moment you tried pushing it open, the door creaked so loud you would have thought the hinges were about to fall off. Severus had never once heard that door make such a sound, almost as if the house was protesting his escape, like it wanted him trapped here forever, unable to leave. But he wouldn’t have it. The house may stand here on the edge of Spinner’s End for all of eternity, but he wasn’t going to suffer the same fate. Nodding his head, he encouraged you to open the door and as if ripping off a bandage, you quickly pushed on the doorknob. The door flung open and before you could worry about anyone hearing you, the door’s screams were silenced as its movements came to a halt. 

Moving quickly, you walked to the front door and took out your wand, casting a silent alohomora to unclasp the locks on the door, letting Severus led you to the main road. You would have asked Severus why there were so many locks, but the answer seemed rather obvious after everything you learned last night. Poor wasn’t the right word to describe Spinner’s End as its reputation would say. No, last night showed you Severus’ fears for what you’d learn lay on the surface of something much grander. This street wasn’t simply filled with families of a low income, they were broken families, hope lost to them all, reflected in the houses lined up next to each other. The paint on the outside chipped, the foundation of the houses barely holding together, the windows always covered but never cleaned. The spirits of those on Spinner’s End were broken, faith and aspiration lost to all but one. 

Each step he took freed a chain around him meant to keep him tethered to Spinner’s End. He was free. He’d done what no one on this street could do and left. There was no turning back and he wouldn’t dream of it. If he’d gone to live on a park bench, he’d still be happy, but the fact that you were with him, freeing him from his prison was all the more gratifying and for the first time, he was looking forward to spending the summer in Cokeworth. 

“This is far enough,” you said, motioning for him to set the trunk down. The streets were almost pitch black, a singular flashing streetlight trying it’s best to illuminate the road. Severus cast a silent knox and put away his wand, walking around the trunk to you as you held your wand in the air, feeling rather silly expecting something to happen when you hadn’t cast a spell. A few seconds passed and you looked at Severus, wondering if you’d done something wrong. 

“Maybe it takes a moment?” Severus suggested as you lowered your wand. Nodding, you took his hand and waited until you began to feel rather frustrated. Raising your wand again, you held it up a few moments longer before letting it fall back to your side. “Maybe I should try?”

You agreed and let him take out his wand to raise, your own providing light as you both waited in anticipation. Still nothing happened and you were almost inclined to start walking when a gust of wind passed you by, almost throwing you off your feet. 

“Alright, alright! Yah didn’t have ta keep calling!” you looked back where the road was black and found a purple bus staring back at you, the door open with a man as skinny as a Bowtruckle clearing his throat, putting on a pair of reading glasses and pulled out a card, holding it such that you could no longer see his face. Glancing back at Severus, you found a look of shock reflected in his face, both of you rather taken back by the sudden appearance of the bus. But it worked. The bus had arrived and you were almost free. 

“Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard.” The man read from the card like it was of no importance. “Just stick out your wand hand, step on board and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is Kipling Crawford, and I will be your conductor this evening.” 

He put away his card, stuffing it into the old drags he wore over his shoulders and stared back at you. Severus arched his brow at the man, unimpressed with his speech. He knew not to expect much from the Knight Bus after reading about it, but this was definitely not what he’d imagined when he pictured summoning it. 

“Well don’t just stand there! Come on now!” The man gestured for you both to make your way in and to him, you supposed, you both looked rather silly standing there with all your puzzled looks when this extravagant appearance and introduction was normal to the man. Putting away your wand, you pick up one side of the trunk and walked onto the bus, Severus climbing in after you.

“Woss your names?” asked Kipling. 

“Does that matter?” Severus snarled at him, having enough of his demanding demeanour. The man had a job to do and Severus was running out of patience, tired from last night, wanting to get out of this neighbourhood as fast as possible. 

“Ya don’t have to take a tone with me,” Kipling looked unimpressed with Severus and continued to speak mostly to you. “We only need yur name to call ya when it’s yur turn.”

“(Y/L/N).” You quickly gave him your name so as to not cause any more trouble, hoping to get through this with as little tension as possible. You and Severus had already had a rough enough night, there was no need to worsen it by starting an argument with the man who worked on the vehicle that was supposed to be your safe haven. “How much?”

“Eleven sickles,” said Kipling in a tone you assumed was him trying to be more professional and less friendly. “For thirteen ya get a hot chocolate and for fifteen ya get a hot water bottle and toothbrush.” 

The tickets were more expensive than you’d assumed, swearing you’d read it was cheaper than that and you wondered for a moment if the man rose the price out of spite for the tone Severus gave him. Taking a quick glance to the side, you noticed a few stains on the floor, empty cups with chocolate residue tossed in a few corners. Clearly, they hadn’t thought through the concept of a hot drink on a moving vehicle and though hot cocoa would have been great for you both tonight, it was clearly not a good choice to make. Despite the price, you were happy to leave Spinner’s End so you reached into your pocket and handed the man a Galleon and five sickles for two tickets. Kipling took the money from you and handed you back two tickets. 

“Where ya headed?”

Taking the tickets, you gave him your address and looked to your left, taking a proper look at the inside of the bus, amazed to find candles burning in brackets beside the beds, each surrounded by curtains. The same coloured curtains hung over the windows, some open some closed and there were a few passengers sleeping or sitting on their bed, waiting to continue the trip. 

“Ya get those two,” Kipling pointed at the two beds in the far corner of the bus before turning around to seat himself back with the driver. You walked forward and made your way to the back of the bus, your assignment likely as far away from the conductor as possible thanks to the attitude Severus had taken with him. But it was no matter, you were both exhausted anyways and didn’t need anyone trying to make small talk. It was probably best you be as secluded as possible. 

Setting down the trunk, Severus collapsed on the bed in the corner as you kicked the trunk under the bed. The bus immediately started moving, leaving Spinner’s End just as fast as it had arrived. Unable to keep your balance, you fell backwards, almost toppling over one of the candles that seemed much more secure to its brackets than it looked. The trunk you’d just moved under the bed however was free to move, and as the bus swerved all over the road, you found yourself covering your face and gasping as the trunk came sliding at full speed right to you. Moments passed and you didn’t feel it collide, the bus continuing its maddening movements with no care for the passengers within it. Slowly opening your eyes, you found the trunk frozen in its place in front of you, floating a few feet off the ground before it moved back to its place under the bed. Severus had his wand pointed at it, sitting on the bed as he looked at you in worry. 

“I’m fine,” you said quickly, jumping to your feet and throwing yourself on the bed next to him. Severus put his wand away and fell back on the bed, turning to face you. 

“This bus is not what I imagined,” he whispered to you in a rather rough voice. You furrowed your brows at how he sounded, like rocks were stuck in his throat. Even now, laying next time to him, you could tell he was having a bit of trouble breathing and you began to wonder if all that noise you’d heard in the kitchen last night had done more damage than you thought. 

“Are you alright Sev?” You whispered back to him, resting your hand on his cheek, your thumb caressing his pale skin. Your eyes looked him over, stopping at his nose where you saw a small bruise forming on its side. Gently, you let your fingers brush over it, Severus closing his eyes as he nodded, smiling at your touch.

“Get some rest, we still have a ways to go,” you told him, worried his father had broken his nose and corrupted his airway. At least the hard part was over. You could both relax a bit and try to heal before you settled into your home on the other side of town. 

Severus made himself comfortable, cuddling into your side as you wrapped your arms around him and pulled out your wand, hovering it over him. You did your best to cast the few healing spells you knew and hoped it would be enough to help him, but his breathing remained coarse throughout the ride home, your worry for him growing with your frustration. You couldn’t bear hearing him struggle like this, each breath heavier than the last, tearing at your mind as you tried to do what you could for him.  

Sleep found Severus rather quickly as he drifted off, leaving behind his worries for a peaceful summer and resentment towards what was supposed to be his home. For the first time in a long time, he found himself dreaming rather vividly, the gentle strokes off your fingers through his hair easing him into sleep as he dreamt of a happy future with you, one filled with opportunities and growth. He could do anything he wanted now. There was nothing tying him back, nothing holding him to that house, holding him to the obligation of his father’s burdens or his mother’s desperation. He was finally free and freedom felt so much more amazing than he could have ever imagined. 

~

Next Chapter

~

@sleepysnapesnake @wanderingtrails @darkthought15​ @bush-viper-cutie​ @fluffymadamina​ @dracos-mudblood​ @mitchiesdungeon​ @severuslovebot​ @ravenhopeflyte54​

[angelicamerlinbarnes]

TUA PIRATE AU

(of the Caribbean? Sort of? I guess?)

(please understand that by AU, I mean they share an incredibly small amount of things in common with the original source material which I barely remember BUT the “story” takes place in the setting of the books/films) (not to be misleading or anything :p)

(BEWARE: abuse, murder, pirates and all of their violent shenanigans, etc.)

(If you can handle watching Umbrella Academy, this will be fine for you.)

Luther is the captain of the guard, and pirates are the bane of his existence. He hates Diego most of all, the man who’s stolen unspeakable amounts of gold from Reginald, Luther’s employer. But as annoyed he is at all of the theft, he purposefully never catches Diego, because he knows Klaus loves him. And Luther may be a man of the law, but he’s also Klaus’ beloved brother-in-spirit, even if Reginald wants them to marry each other for some idiotic reason. (Something about getting Klaus to settle down - ha, he can try.) When Klaus disappears, Luther follows him, having no connections left here - and that’s when he meets Allison. And there are copious laws against getting involved with married women and outlaws alike… so Luther starts to think that maybe bending the rules wouldn’t be so bad. (Klaus is so proud.)

Diego grew up poor, and became a pirate in his early teens when Grace took him in. When she fled the colony, Diego went with her, leaving his childhood best friend Klaus behind. He’s got his own fleet and crew now, and mostly uses his scores as excuses to flirt with Klaus, who’s still just as drawn to him after all these years and often sneaks him into his bedroom when Diego’s in town. Diego’s kept in close touch with Lila and Eudora, both of whom he grew up with once Grace took him away, and they both help him when it comes time for him to crash Klaus’ wedding to Luther (fuck you dude) and steal Klaus away for a life at sea. (Klaus absolutely LOVES this. They kiss a lot. They swing from ropes. Klaus is screaming at all the guards as Diego carries him away bridal-style (ha, I’m so funny). It is delightful.) (His ship is a terror they call The Kraken. Ha, get it? Get it - because Diego’s name - and the monster from legend - okay yeah I’ll shut up now.)

Allison is a badass goddess, covered in colorful tattoos with gold in her hair. She was a prostitute for awhile, stealing a bunch along the way, but one day one of the pirate captains who approached her tried to take more than he paid for. She broke both his hands and killed him in cold blood, then defeated his entire crew in a sword fight single-handedly, earning their respect. She now rides with that same crew as their captain, in one of those off-the-shoulder poet-blouse-corset dresses and high brown boots. Ray is a leutinant who’s been chasing her for years, the two of them flirting back and forth forever… but he’ll never catch her. It’s bad form to arrest your wife.

Klaus is the governor’s bastard son, a totally wild spirit who wears dresses all the time, drinks his weight at parties, and has slept with half the town (marriage is not a problem for him, this is Klaus, we all know he is very down for threesomes). He’s stolen half of Reginald’s shit for Diego over the years, and has been sneaking off to see him just as long, completely in love with his pirate king. Though he’s loved others before - Dave, for example, a soldier whose death broke Klaus into give in to Reginald’s plan to marry him off to Luther (who Klaus loves, just, Not Like That™). The day Diego kidnaps him from his own wedding is the best fucking day of his life - okay, no it wasn’t. That was second best. The best day of his life was the day he and Diego watched Diego’s ship and treasure burn and sink into the sea, and Klaus asked him if he was alright, and Diego just shrugged. Said, You’re the only treasure I need, and kissed him like the world was ending. Yeah. That was the best day of his life, because Diego is the best anything in his life.

Five was a pirate queen until he transitioned a few years ago, though only by word of mouth. No one’s ever seen him. Anyone who works for him doesn’t make it a month outside of the job, usually by his own hands, but people keep coming because nobody knows who he is. He sails alone, though he offers Klaus refuge on his boat for a few days under the moniker Aidan, because he knows Diego loves him, and Five actually respects Diego (if only because he respects Lila who he only respects because he respects Eudora). He hates the Handler for leaving him stranded on an island when he was just a child, an unwanted product of her crew’s hard partying, and has vowed to kill her one day for leaving him alone for so long, ageless in misery. He talks to the mermaid on the front of his ship named Dolores and kills without mercy, and when he finally reveals himself as this skinny pale thirteen-year-old with the grandpa haircut, he revels in the looks on his family’s faces as they try to rebuild their blown brain circuits.

Ben loves Klaus more than life itself, which is, in hindsight, probably why he’s dead. Oh who is he kidding, it’s definitely why he’s dead. Klaus is sort of, kind of, maybe, just a little bit a witch, and they hang witches where they’re from. So when they needed someone to blame for the odd happenings Klaus had caused recently, Ben had taken the blame and worn the noose proudly. Klaus still talks to him all the time, his ghost anyway, and it’s fine - but Klaus lives on the sea now, with Diego, and Ben gets seasick like all the time. (And then he steals Davy Jones’ heart and gets trapped as a tentacle monster, which is honestly not that bad. It helps him scare birds, and Ben likes scaring birds.)

Vanya works as the blacksmith’s apprentice, sad and lonely. She’s been having an affair with the duchess Sissy for years, also working as her maid and a nanny for her son Harlan when asked, but mostly she’s alone, with no one else to care for in the world. (And that creep officer Leonard keeps asking her to marry him, which, just. Ew.) When Five shows up, his hands in his pockets, and offers her a way out, well - what else could she possibly do?

Lila is a badass pirate princess who don’t take no shit from anybody. She wears bright pink ballgowns while skewering people like kabobs, which is funny because she’s a well-known maneater. Literally. (Yes I included a Hannibal character in here because it’s my AU and I can do whatever the fuck I want.) She fell in love with Eudora, and thought she had corrupted the kind sergeant until she found out Eudora had been an undercover pirate the whole time, helping Diego smuggle Reginald’s gold and goods in and out of port. (That’s hot as fucking hell, she blurts when she realizes. Fuck, I’m gonna marry this woman.) She has a serious rum problem she will not be addressing and a collection of pet parrots that will forever prevent her and Ben from becoming friends. When she and Eudora get married, it’s in the middle of the pouring rain while thunder and lightning and gunshots crack around them and they’re killing people and shooting canons left and right (because I may not have shipped Will and Elizabeth but by god if their wedding wasn’t the best fucking thing I’ve ever seen). Now if only she could find the king of the pirates… she’s been hunting Five for years, hoping to prove herself to him, but he just… won’t show up.

Eudora is the sergeant in Reginald’s legions, and has been using her position to help Diego pirate goods since before he even left with Grace. She makes a lot of deals with him, having him carry her cargo and speak with her connections in exchange for her keeping an eye on Klaus for him, which to be honest they both know she’d do anyway. She helped Diego get to Klaus’ wedding and kidnap him, confusing the soldiers in pursuit of the bride, and follows them off to sea, finally home. She feels she owes an eternal debt to Klaus for not being able to save Ben from execution, though she tried, almost desperately. She flirts with Lila all the damn time, and believes in magic, wanting to travel the world looking for it. Most importantly, you should know that she will and has killed for a cheeseburger. (I know they weren’t invented yet shut up.)

Reginald is the governor of the colony, and Klaus’ father. He’s an asshole, one who constantly hunts the pirates because his wife Grace left him to be one. He only has one eye because Grace cut the other out viciously in their last fight, and he’s an abusive piece of shit who lives to terrorize and tax people. Pogo is his assistant / advisor / let-me-stand-here-and-give-you-good-advice-that-we-all-know-you’ll-ignore person. Reginald refuses to die before he catches Grace and sees her hanging in the square - something that seems more and more likely by the day. (HA, Grace says. He wishes.)

Grace is the original pirate queen, and lives in legend. She faked her death after living a double life for years, leaving Reginald and taking her son Diego with her. She knows Reginald doesn’t believe in her death, because she cut his eye out and nearly killed him right before she left, but everyone else believes it. She jumped from the bell tower and Klaus himself “went mad with grief” at the sight of her body, though he of course knows she’s alive and keeps up the story for her benefit. She injured Reginald so severely because he killed Ben, knowing that he wasn’t guilty, and that the witch in question had done nothing wrong anyway. She is known to be fiercely protective of her children, and kind in nature despite her ability to kill you using a historic number of methods. Her crew is made up of refugees who she offered shelter and a better life in exchange for their servitude, including Five, for awhile, who was running a scam. She knows who he is, and remembers his face well - but she keeps it to herself. Though she could match him in a fight easily, she has no interest in battling the boy she has grown to love as a son. (She’s also the one who officiates Diego and Klaus’ wedding, but that’s unrelated.)

The Handler is another pirate queen, and Grace’s greatest rival. She has two pistols at her waist and is not afraid to use them, having such deadly aim that she’s never missed a target - except Diego, which she hates him for. Also for encouraging her first mate and daughter Lila to mutiny, but that’s a whole other can of worms. Her ship is followed by an entire shiver of sharks, who let her use them like water skis whenever she wants. She abandoned Five on an island when he was born into her crew, as she hates children with a burning passion. (There are rumors she eats little boys’ bones. They have yet to be disproven.) Hazel is her snivelling first mate and Cha-Cha is her willing servant and second captain, a master at the wheel and with a sword. Agnes is an old psychic (ha, she’s faking it. She’s got no fuckin’ clue where Five is and will continue to lie whenever asked) she keeps in the brig after kidnapping her years ago, hoping to get a read on Five, who the Handler hates for constantly stealing her goods before they even make it to port. (She has no idea he’s the same boy she left on that island all those years ago - he’s certainly not the only child she’s done that to. But countless are out for her blood… almost every person Grace has rescued was left to die on an island by the Handler.) She eventually dies at Klaus’ hand, who plunges a sword through her heart in defense of his family, who she made the fatal mistake of coming after. (It happened in the same rainy battle where Lila and Eudora were married. He was wearing a yellow ballgown.)

Also Jack Sparrow is super great friends with Lila and he’s married to Will Turner who’s honestly so exhausted but gets along great with Ben and Elizabeth is their ace-aro friend who is a goddamn queen and who Diego has a lowkey crush on and Klaus can geek out with for hours. It’s awesome.

[jeoseungsaja]

skin and dried blood is packed underneath his nails from clawing at some asshole's throat before one of the detectives came onto scene and pried him off, snarling and spitting like a wild animal. arms wound around his middle had only fired his fury, like water thrown on a gas fire. the inky bruises staining his cheek smart. handcuffs had proven too wide for too skinny too small too thin wrists, and they didn't have any other goddamn size, so they've pinned his arms behind his back, cuffs placed right above his elbows, pinching the skin even through his jacket.

when he glares up at hyuk, there's something kicked dog in his eyes, along with the constant rage that's been poked. when he speaks, the words come out akin to bullets: " your coworkers fucking suck. " why is he the one sitting here, like this, when the man who instigated the whole thing was able to lie and get off scot-free? this fucking world-- doesn't change no matter what country he's in. @ hyuk............gulps

@guttersniper ♚ i’ve become the ‘try not to cry / cry a lot’ meme

♔ ———–

   He storms into the precinct, demanding they give him the keys to Mutt’s handcuffs right in that instant. At first, he was willing to hear about the situation, but control was thrown out of the window the moment he was told there was no solid proof about Mutt being the one who started ferocious fight. Vexation rose when he was shown the poor report. There was no evidence, just the verbal confession of a man who managed to walk free in the blink of an eye; officer in charge letting him go because, according to them, all fingers pointed at the kid who had a reputation of getting in trouble. 

    What an idiot.  

    Hyuk slams his fist against the desk, enough to silence all the yapping and absurd excuses from the officer. He then extends his palm, and tells them that this is the last time he’ll ask nicely about the keys. Next time he won’t hesitate to rip them out of their pocket. Co-worker gives metallic item with hesitance, muttering something about how he doesn’t have the right to release the boy because he wasn’t there when it happened; because this case doesn’t fall under his division. 

   He could care less. 

   He marches toward the room he was told Mutt was in, and stops on his tracks when he catches a glimpse of him.

   He’s okay. Which is a relief, but that doesn’t change the unfair sight before him. Small, thin arms look like they’re about to break due to tension of handcuffs; pesky steel horribly and messily attached to the middle of his limbs. It’s a good thing the officer is not in front of him, otherwise he’d punch them right on the face for doing this. 

   The tall man approaches the boy. Even in this situation does Mutt dare to aim and shoot with his usual fury. He might be small, but oh, does he carry the most gargantuan flame. 

   “I know.” 

    One of those few times they actually agree; Hyuk moving to stand behind Mutt and remove the cuffs from his arms. Still, a hand lands on the boy’s shoulder, weight wishing to keep him there so he doesn’t run off right away. 

   “You’re coming with me. If they see you’re going away by yourself, they’ll try to stop you again.”

   He can feel bone poking, even underneath that hoodie of his. When was the last time this kid ate properly? 

   “We’ll go eat. Where’s your backpack?” 

  ———–♔

[goatcheesecak3]

Bus stop pt. 3

Adam Faulkner-Stanheight x M!reader

Click here for F!reader version!

Check my pinned post for masterlist and all other parts of the story!

Includes: brief mention of unhealthy coping mechanisms, allusion to NSFW but no smut, fluff

Summary: after a little while of knowing eachother, Adam and his new friend become much closer.

Now that y/n was aware of Adam's big secret, he began to notice a lot more things that made sense to him. The bags under Adam's eyes, how skinny he was, his dirty clothes. It was clear that the poor man was traumatised and hadn't been looking after himself, but the weight he carried on his shoulders was halved now. Y/n would stop at nothing to help out his new friend, and as the weeks went by, he realised just how much he cared about Adam. He realised that he had started to develop a little- no, a BIG- crush on Adam.

Adam was hunched over a mug of coffee in his apartment. It was a freezing cold January evening and Adam was feeling quite sorry for himself. He was cold, he was tired and god he was hungry. But cooking was hard, and ingredients were expensive, so coffee and cigarettes would have to suffice as a meal this evening.

As if on cue, however, Adam heard a knock at his door. Checking cautiously through the peephole, he saw y/n stood there, handsome as ever. He needed no convincing to take the door off the chain and pull it open, greeting y/n with a pleasantly surprised grin.

"Y/n, what're you doing here?" He smiled, pulling him into a quick hug and letting him inside.

Y/n looked at him with big, beautiful eyes filled with kindness.

"I made too much soup, thought you might want some?" he offered, holding up a large container.

Now, this wasn't strictly true. Y/n had definitely made too much soup for one person, but it was no accident. He knew how much Adam had been struggling to eat lately, most days he was too anxious or depressed to feed himself, but even on days where he could eat, he didn't really have the money to. Y/n didn't want Adam to feel like he was a charity case though, and so he let Adam think that his stopping by was no more than a happy coincidence.

Adam smiled widely,

"Oh my god, you have no idea how perfect this is! I was literally just thinking about how hungry i am"

Y/n let out a small chuckle and headed to Adam's kitchen to fill up some bowls with the soup and pop them in the microwave.

"It's leek and potato, just like how my mum used to make" y/n explained to Adam, who was practically drooling at this point.

The mouthwatering smell of comfort food wafted through Adam's tiny apartment, as the two bowls turned gradually in the microwave.

"God I can't wait..." Adam said excitedly as y/n set a bowl down in front of him.

Adam's apartment was humble and not very well furnished, but it had a certain charm to it. A beat up sofa with holey cushions sat in the front room, it wasn't much to look at, but it was soft and comfortable. On one side of the living room a dart board was hung on the wall, next to a few posters from old movies, flyers from various protests and shows he'd been to. On the other side was a door which lead to his redroom, where he developed his photos. His walls were covered in chipped red paint and water damage, yet somehow the place felt cosy.

"This soup is so fucking good" Adam groaned as he drank the last of it from his bowl and wiped his face on his sleeve.

Y/n couldn't help but let out a small giggle, it was nice seeing Adam like this, well fed and relaxed. As Adam reclined in the sofa next to him and stretched his twiggy arms above his head, he caught a glimpse of his tshirt riding up and ever so slightly exposing a snail trail on his tummy. Y/n quickly looked away and attempted to hide his blush.

Of course he found Adam attractive, but this was a whole nother level. In that moment he struggled to suppress the urge to kiss him right then and there- but he pushed it down and tried to ignore it.

"You're so nice to me," Adam hummed, leaning back with his eyes closed. Y/n thought to himself that he resembled a sleepy puppy in some ways.

"Of course I'm nice to you, you're my best friend" y/n replied.

Adam's eyes opened and he looked at y/n again.

"You're my best friend too" he grinned, "Hey, y/n? You wanna stay over tonight? I feel way more relaxed when you're around, and I don't know, I guess I think I'd get to sleep better if I knew you were here." Adam seemed uncharacteristically timid, almost as though he was ashamed to be asking.

Truth be told, he was slightly ashamed, for two reasons. The first being that he was being so needy, which was unlike him, but second was that he was only half telling the truth to y/n. Of course his presence probably would help him get to sleep easier, but what he really wanted to say was more along the lines of "I'm stupidly in love with you and I just want you here all the time".

"Yeah, you know it could be pretty fun!" Y/n replied, "we can sit and talk, listen to music until you get tired."

Adam felt his heart leap. How was y/n always so kind? Willing to waste an entire night just to make sure he slept alright? He really was special. He decided that he ought to offer him a drink as thanks.

He pulled a bottle of Jack out of his cupboard and plopped it on the coffee table along with two glasses, telling y/n to help himself, which he gladly accepted.

...

"... and that's why alien is the best Sci-fi film ever created" Adam finished, taking a final swig of his third drink.

The pair had been sat drinking and talking about films for about an hour now, Adam feeling tipsy, had even done his best impressions of all the characters in exaggerated and hilarious voices. Y/n couldn't help but laugh raucuosly, Adam really was funny when he felt relaxed enough to let loose a bit. His beautiful eyes twinkled and his smile was infectious. Y/n felt so lucky that he'd met someone as fun to be around as Adam, there really was no one else he'd rather be spending time with.

"You're my favourite person to be around, you know that?" Y/n blurted out, feeling the effects of the alcohol and in turn feeling confident enough to be sentimental.

"Am I really?" Adam smiled, his cheeks flushed and his eyes half-lidded, feeling a little tipsy as well.

"Yeah, you are... I kinda feel like if I go a day without seeing you then that day is just a waste" y/n said, his tone a little more serious now. He really meant it. Thoughts of Adam consumed his everyday life, he was the sort of perfect that words just don't do justice, because he was specifically perfect to y/n. Sure, he wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but to y/n he slotted into his life like a puzzle piece, and filled every lonely, longing gap in his heart. From the moment he'd met him he'd felt complete.

"I fell the same way about you" Adam replied, his tone matching y/n's.

The pair stared at eachother without saying a word for a minute or so. It was clear that the two of them were feeling slightly nervous, the air was filled with electricity and with every second the atmosphere grew more and more intense, as is every single atom in the room were willing the pair toward eachother. The tension building, and building, like a wave about to crest, rising rapidly, until it finally breaks.

The gap between y/n's and Adam's lips was no more. Adam's eager hands ran through his hair, as he wrapped his arms around Adam's neck and pulled him close to himself. The kiss was gentle, yet charged and desperate at the same time. It seemed to last an eternity, but eternity just didn't seem long enough. The universe had been working hard to achieve this kiss, it seemed, almost as if some external force had perfectly planned the sequence of events leading up to this very moment. It was nothing short of magical.

When the Adam and y/n finally pulled away to catch their breaths, they started lovingly into eachother's eyes.

"Is now a good time to mention I kinda have a thing for you?" Adam chuckled breathlessly.

"Funny you mention that, I was gonna say the same thing" y/n joked back sarcastically, before pulling Adam back into another kiss.

The pair made love that night, it was romantic and hungry, neither of them able to contain their love for eachother any longer, and once it was over, they lay breathtaken in Adam's bed, curled up with one another in absolute bliss.

A/n thank you for all the support on this story so far! I'm really happy everyone seems to be enjoying it <3

Comment to be tagged in part 4

Requests are open! I'm looking to wrote some Adam one shots, so definitely ask if you have any ideas! Check my pinned post for details and masterlist <3

[walker-journal]

Blood on the Beach (Adam+ Dave)

Characters: David Herring (Selkie- Immo),  Adam Walker (Hunter - Tapir)

Summary: Adam encounters a hongrey seal. Dave is fighting for keeps but Adam disobeys protocol. 

Content Warning: Head Trauma, Vomit

The spellcaster’s blood was still thick and heavy in his mouth, but no matter how rich a delicacy it was, there was an even better prize on the table. Where before Dave had barely had the tiniest threads of self control, strained to the edge after so many days of resisting a hunger he still refused to seek help for, with the smell of selkie in the air, all bets were off. His focus was pinpoint thin, as he cut through the water, following the scent without realising it was so close to the docks he’d been trying to avoid for the past several days. Reaching shore, Dave strode out in soaking wet clothes that were stained in varying ages in blood.

A man in his early thirties was chilling on the shore, in shorts despite the chilly wind whipping around them as he read a well worn. Ollie George was skinny and sinewy, inclined to spending his time on the beach regardless of which skin he was wearing. As Dave approached, he sat up, squinted at Dave through the bright sunlight and smiled toothily as he waved. “Hey Dave! You look rough, have you- woah!” He yelped as Dave grabbed him to the throat, and dragged him backward. Scratching at Dave’s bloody arms, Ollie managed to get onto his feet, only to have the air knocked out of him as Dave slammed him against the seawall. Dave panted heavily, his teeth bared. But a tiny voice kept him from lunging just yet.

“Yo Dave I talked to Sebastian and…”

Adam strode down the ramp at the far edge of a nearby pier, jogging into the low tide zone toward where he’d caught sight of his noodling partner. The crunch of Adam’s shoes on the sand and shells paused as the Hunter took in Dave pressing another guy up against the cement sea wall. From the way the lean dude was struggling and Dave’s teeth were barred, Adam doubted he’d walked in on a mlm remake of the Shape of Water.

Hesitation costs lives. Adam sprinted across the remaining stretch of beach to barrel into Dave with a footballer’s full-bodied tackle.

Dave was aware of Adam in the way a horse might be aware of a gnat, some hind brain motor processing that he could smell the hunter nearby and opting not to care. A vein bulged in his forehead, pressing his forearm against Ollie’s throat as he opened his maw ever wider. Inch by treacherous inch. A lifetime of protecting selkies was slowly overridden with a hunger Dave did not know how to explain.

The hair was knocked out of him as Adam sent them both careening into the sand and rocky dirt. Ollie slumped against the seawall, clutching at his chest as he gasped for air. Dave swung his head round to look at him as Ollie began staggering towards the water and his escape. Normally, Dave would have kept his eye on Adam, the skilled youthful hunter who appeared the obvious threat. Dave barely even acknowledged him other than to slam a fistful of rocks and sand into his face. He rolled onto his knees and sprinted after Ollie, towards the waterfront.

Adam drew both legs anterior to his chest and kicked himself back to his feet and with an economy of motion born from a lifetime of drills. The Hunter had already drawn two tactical knives from their sheathes before he was even fully standing.

The next step was simple, practiced countless times, and Adam was already using the momentum from the kick-up to bring his arm forward and pitch a knife straight into Dave’s back. The impalement  would stagger the Selkie for a moment, and that’d be all the Hunter would need to end this.

Yet, the knife never left Adam’s hand. A flicker of indecision turned lethal grace into a baseball newbie’s first stumping on the pitcher’s mound, blinking sand from his eyes.

Could he really do this all over again? …What about this other guy running from Dave? Was it right to jeopardize his life for the sake of sentiment? ...Dave would never do this in his right mind...But Adam had already needed to put down plenty of people who couldn’t control themselves to save other lives...He no more right to spare Dave’s life then he had the right to take it.

Adam’s head was filled with contradictions, but silver and iron blades dropped to the sand as he sprinted headlong after Dave.

Sprinting under the pier, Ollie vaulted abandoned netting rigs, ripped up tarps, and something that might later be identified as a mummified hand, yelling as he tried to gain distance from Dave through the obstacles, but Dave ran with the same precision that he swam with, a predator nearly in his element even with saliva slobbering down his mouth. Making a last ditch effort, Ollie veered right toward the see, but the tide barely lapped at the soles of his feet before Dave tackled him, slamming both bodies into the floor. Veins bulging, Dave pinned Ollie’s arms under him, grappling with himself too, and the hunger that felt as wrong as it felt demanding.

Ollie bared his own seal teeth, eyes filled with terror as he tried to snap at Dave’s face, but he was pinned down by Dave’s forearm. He begged, voice creeping up in pitch with every frantic word.

“Dave, Dave, stop stop stop! Is this about the lobsters? Because I swear I didn’t know they were Karkinoids, I would never- please, Dave c’mon it was only one finger it was a- hey help! HELP!”

Dave’s head whipped to where Ollie was looking, and he growled deep in the back of his throat. “Stay back, hunter.”

“No, Dave man this isn’t you,” insisted Adam.

Looking at Dave now, teeth barred and feral in the eyes, Adam experienced an unwelcome memory of himself at the Hunter’s Moon. A twinge of self-loathing nausea came with recollections of the intoxicating power that’d bled into him from the red moonlight. Had he seemed just like this to poor Rio and Nell, hopped up to the crazy eyeballs on some paranormal bullshit till one barely resembled the original person?

A small pain in the Hunter wondered whether the true Adam underneath was really so different the then moon-drugged killer his friends had confronted on the glass lake, but Adam pushed such thoughts aside.

All that mattered was that whatever had gotten into Dave, literally, he shouldn’t have to wake with a stomach full of fellow selkie.

“Sorry dude, gonna have to eat me to get rid me. Noodler-bro  unity.”

Adam sprinted  towards where the two paranormals were grappling and shifted his center of gravity and thrust forward his right leg while keeping the left leg slightly behind it. The Hunter hit the last stretch of sand into a rough slide tackle that’d have earned an immediate red card on any soccer field. Adam’s low hooking kick slammed into Ollie as if he were the soccer ball, directly hitting him a combination with mutant strength and accelerated leverage, wrenching him from the other Selkie’s grasp by blunt impact. The rest of Adam’s momentum carried him bodily into Dave in a unguarded full-on collision, a price to pay for getting the hostage outta there.

Dave lunged for Ollie as he was knocked out of Dave’s grip, but Ollie grunted, rolling out of Dave’s reach, clutching his side. He didn’t even get to his feet, scrabbling into the water without a second glance at his assailant or his rescuer. He slipped into the waves as easily as if it was his second skin, gone, while Adam slammed into Dave. With a growl of bared teeth, Dave salivated over the fresh meat trapped underneath him, even though he was furious at the loss of the tastier prize. “No.”

When it came to killing hunters, the easiest thing was to ambush them, pull them out of their element and into the water.  Even the weakest of them was stronger than he was on any day of the week, with the training and energy to go along with it. Take out the limbs, get the throat, don’t let them find their balance. Kill before they could land a single blow, because if a hunter wanted you dead, that was all the hope chance you had. Dave couldn’t separate his training from Adam any more than he could separate the hunger from his rationality. He took as little note of his own desire not to kill and eat Adam as he did Adam’s desire not to kill him.

With a quick shift of his weight, he trapped on of Adam’s arms under his body weight, and opened his mouth wide, but it wasn’t Adam’s throat or head that he aimed for, but the meat of Adam’s shoulder on his other side.

For a moment Adam’s whole world was just flares of veined red in a black tunnel as pain lanced though his shoulder into the bone. His body begged to pass out. Adam’s back arched as he spasmed with in agony. Dave’s teeth closed like an aspiration straight into the marrow. Warm blood broke like a wave down over Adam’s back to stain the sunbright sand. Shock threatened at the threshold of his guts like an approaching wave of cold.

The Hunter willed himself to stop spasming as training ran his mind through the next steps of getting out of this hold. If Dave wrestled him to the water and got his neck exposed, Adam’d be arguing about today’s Black Bears game with Dad in under a minute.

But although his reflexes were primed to end this now, Adam fought back against that  lifetime of muscle memory as a higher purpose than just survival gave his mind clarity through pain.

Adam let out a ragged rap of pain as he twisted in Dave’s grasp, tearing his own flesh further with the movement. He swung up his free arm toward the side of Dave’s head. While survival instincts screamed to cave Dave’s head in, enough of Adam’s reason remained to hold back.

Instead Adam used the flat of his palm to try to daze the Selkie enough to break his hold, even though ever bit of training dictated that a puncturing blow to the jugular with mutated strength would be the “correct” move.

There was a moment when Dave’s teeth met the resistance of bone, that only lasted the length of two heartbeats, where he could have bitten right through the socket and leave Adam without an arm he could ever use again. Or he could twist his head and tear away the flesh already between his teeth, so that Adam’s blood would spurt over the sand rather than in his mouth while Dave could finally, finally eat.

He did neither, frozen in an internal battle as ferocious as the external, slowly increasing the pressure on the bones between his teeth as muscle and sinew popped to get the bone out of his way. Coppery blood coated his tongue, lips and chin, tantalisingly close to what he wanted and so far from what he wanted it might have been on another planet.

Stars exploded from Dave’s temple, the force of Adam’s blow knocking his jaw loose and body off balance, giving Adam all the time to get out from under him, leaving a bloody mess in the sand and granite. It wasn’t the first time Adam had bled on a beach in front of Dave, leaving a mess in his wake as he’d bargained with a monster for his and Dave’s life. Dave blinked away the stars and sentimentality as he bounced to his feet.

Like the bloody mess of his arms and the deep gash in his face, Dave shook his head to shake off the growing headache, bared his bloodied teeth, and slammed Adam into one of the pier’s wooden pillars.

Everything flared white. The high pitched ringing in Adam’s ears made the foamy surf sound like it was screaming onto the beach.

Adam had never been trained to merely subdue or fend someone in a fight. Adam wasn’t a police officer, bouncer, or street tough who roughed up squishy humans to assert authority. Adam had been conditioned as a soldier to fight ravenous immortals, giant beasts, and eldritch things from beyond this universe. These adversaries were so preternaturally lethal anything less then the most brutally efficient kill meant you were dead a second later. Even a lowly Spawn could tear a human in half. The common forest Carach could wade straight through small arms fire and pop open your ribcage like a candy orange. The mission had always been simple: kill this thing before it kills you and everyone else.

Except today apparently, where  Adam’s mission was to put a cease and desist on roid-rage Captain Ahab here.

Shit shit shit

Pain splintered into Adam’s back as the pier barnacles sliced his back open. Dark red stained the white clusters clinging to the pier as their razor edges tore into Adam’s flesh. The Hunter felt the bitter salt sting of the barnacle cysts grinding deep into the wound as Dave slammed  him against the sodden wood pillar, probably looking for an opening to sink those teeth into Adam’s throat.

The muscle memory of training immediately pulled Adam towards the lethal solution. A glance at Dave told the mutant where he could aim blows that’d punch through ribs with enough momentum to rupture organs.

Adam let out a shuddering breath, gagging on the bloody bile and trying to fight past the concussed fog in his brain. With another rasping exhale, Adam pushed away the deadly conditioning that’d served him so well for so long. That wasn’t why he was here.

Adam reached his arms up and behind his head to grab the opposite side of the pier pillar. The tired muscles of the Hunter’s biceps knotted as Adam hoisted himself into a dead hang up through leverage and brought his knees up to slam a quick two-legged kick into Dave’s gut. Adam pulled his weight off from the kick a bit just before impact, not wanting to break anything internal.

----

Crashing backwards into the sand, Dave grimaced as his distended, overful stomach pushed acid up his throat. Days and days of overeating while still famished were taking a toll, but he couldn’t afford to let the pain breath. Dave pushed himself back onto his feet, eyes fixed on the bloodied mess of Adam’s shoulder.

He should have torn that arm right out of its socket. The thought turned his stomach too. There were a couple dozen humans in the surrounding hundred feet. All Dave would have to do would be climb on the docks. No one up there would fight back, not enough to be a problem. A stranger wouldn’t create such a strong internal struggle. Dave glanced up at the pier, then back down at Adam, hands curled into fists so tight the skin of his knuckles might split.

“Get out of here.” Dave warned through grit teeth. Or begged.

Adam’s eyes followed Dave’s gaze up past the rock seawall towards where passerby in the harbor were blissfully going about their business. Understanding passed from killer to killer.

Adam shook his head. “Don’t do it.”

The effort of the deadlift moments before has taken its toll. One arm hung limp at Adam’s side as the exacerbated injury in his shoulder sent ripples of cold numbness that made it hard to even his finger. Adam’s clothes were a mess, torn by lacerations, barnacles, and sodden with spreading scarlet from one shoulder, all across his shredded back and the blunt-impact head wound now bleeding down his neck.

But Adam lifted his remaining functional arm in a boxing guard. He squared up to face Dave, feet angled parallel with the right slightly ahead of the left, chin up, eyes forward.  

Dave blurred in out of focus in Adam’s vision, seeming to merely be a distortion of light from the crystalline blue surf and pale sand. The athlete knew more than enough about bloodloss and concussions to realize the danger he was in, but running was a non-option.

“I’m not gunna kill you man,” Adam assured, moving slowly to the side and around as he looked for an opening in Dave’s guard. “Come back with me, we’ll find an antidote. I’ll keep you from hurting anybody while we figure out to get this out of you.”

Adam’s words only barely made it through Dave’s skull as he stared at Adam, mouth open and closing like it was longing for something to chew. An antidote? Dave didn’t need one of those. The only fix to starvation was consumption. But he’d known something had been wrong for a while, since that day on the beach with Griffin, since before.

Dave forced himself to look at Adam as more than meal and enemy. His eyes didn’t quite focus on Dave’s, his guard was one handed, and his expression resolute. His stance was as sturdy as could be, but on shifting sands that were quickly getting wet with his blood, Dave didn’t see much strength in him.

Maybe the hunter would be an easy meal after all. If Adam took half a step forward, he’d step on a seaweed coated net, that if Dave pulled on just right could knock the boy off his feet, maybe even hauled into the water. It was tempting. One more bite and even a hunter’s healing likely wouldn’t be enough to pull Adam back from the brink. Or, the steps up onto the pier weren’t that far either, a dozen satiating meals chatting idly about the May sun, just waiting for his bite.

“No.” Dave trembled, taking a slow, uncertain step back.

The hunger inside him wasn’t just poisonous, but monstrous too. The kind people like Adam were needed for. Dave swallowed, Adam’s blood still mixed in with the saliva dripping out of the corner of his mouth. This sliver of control, paid for in Adam’s injuries, wasn’t going to last. The hunger was clawing its way up his throat, down his gullet, like it might consume him from the inside out.

“No.”

Like if he didn’t eat someone else, his hunger might eat him. Dave took another step back, grimacing at the ache of a bruise forming under his ribs. A wave rushed water up to his ankles. The only advantage of Adam bleeding so profusely is that Dave could no longer smell the enticing scent of selkie. He opened his mouth to speak again, but couldn’t find any words.

Dave plunged into the waves, speeding away from shore, putting as much distance between him and Adam as he could before his hunger eclipsed his conscience once more.

Adam tried to sprint at the departing Selkie but his steps became sluggish in the sand. Dave was a black spot vanishing into foam as refractions from the surf were burning lances across his vision. Everything spun, the sky and sea switched places in a rush of blue. Light went out.

[crazyyanderefangirlfan]

The Rabbit of Night Raven: Chapter 1: Demons in high places. Pt 1

A collection of drabbles of Valerie and boys, the story takes place after the Diasomnia arc.

"Read pages 46-55 for tomorrow's quiz, otherwise expect immediate failure and remedial classes. You are dismissed" "Meow." Stated a familiar elderly teacher and his cat. One-by-one students were standing from their seats and filed out of the door.

"Gyaah! Finally, it's over. But studying all that sounds so boring." Cried a familiar black and blue trash cat as he slumped over the desk. He felt himself getting picked up by a soft pair of hands whose fingers began scratching under his chin.

"Aww. Don't be like Grim. If you want to be the greatest wizard, then you have to attend class." He felt the fingers gently bopping his nose before swatting them away. Valerie giggled at the sight of Grim feebly swatting away her fingers. She opted to cradle him to her bosom.

"Don't treat me like a pet henchwoman!" He cried but purred at the sensation of her fingers gently scratching his ears. The girl internally squealed at his cute expression.

"Are you done babying him now? Come on." A familiar voice called out to the girl and turned to the source, her first and best friends in Night Raven, Ace, and Deuce. The two boys were glowering at the monster who was engulfed by the girl's bust, but luckily for them, the girl and her monster did not notice.

"Yes, I am." She re-adjusted her bag and walked with them outside the classroom.

"So princess, we're heading to clubs; don't miss us too much." Ace teased and playfully pinched her cheeks. Valerie grimaced at the gesture and rubbed her cheek once he was done.

"I won't, besides at least I can take a break from your lack of brain cells." She smirked at their indignant expressions.

"Hilarious princess. But you still have to deal with Grim." It was Ace's turn to smirk but directed it to the vexed monster in her arms.

"What's that supposed to mean!? I am the great Grim, don't you dare say I'm unintelligent!" He was ready to blow a stream of fire towards Ace if it weren't for Valarie scratching his ears to calm him down.

"Grim, if you start a fight, I'll limit your cans of tuna for 2 months" She smiled, but the cat monster saw through the girl's mask, a sense of dread blowing a cold chill down his spine. Defeated, he let out a whimpering "Sorry."

"Great, now that's outta out of the way, we can text you when we're done." The atmosphere lightened up as Deuce's voice, with the girl returning the comment with a smile, "I have a new movie we could watch, maybe later tonight?" Deuce finished up, walking up to the girl, he places a palm on her shoulder.

"Jack, Epel, and Sebek can't come. They said they got caught up with some dorm stuff, so it's just us."

"Tonight it is." She remarked, giving the two a peck on their cheeks as she playfully walked out, causing the onlookers to eye the now blushing boys with an envious eye.

____________________________

The brunette happily hummed as she walked out of the school, and as she made her journey to Ramshackle, her thoughts drifted on how everything was now.

It's been months since her arrival in Twisted Wonderland, and honestly, she loved every second here. Don't get her wrong she missed her family and friends back home and wishes to go back. But she secretly desired for the crow to give up on his research if he did any that is, she loved it here too much, and it was beginning to feel like home. Surely her loved ones can live without her...

Valerie shook her head at the ridiculous thought. What was she thinking? Of course, they would miss her, she has to stop those ludicrous thoughts, she has to go home someday. 

"Valerie, we're here." Grim's voiced snapped her out of her head. Apparently, she was so focused on her thoughts, she nearly crashed into the gate.

"O-oh. Thank you, Grim. I didn't even realize we're here."

"Tch, honestly henchwoman, what will you do without me?" 

She laughed heartedly at his comment, but before she could step on the porch. She overheard a crashing sound. Both students froze. Valerie could feel Grim shaking in her arms from how loud it was.

"W-what was that!? I-I mean, I'm not scared, but where did it come from?" the poor monster tried to brush off his fear, but it was apparent on how violently she shook in her arms.

"It came from the back, let's go and check." He blanched at her words and started to squirm when he felt her move.

"Are you crazy!? I mean, I won't have a problem fighting it, cause no one is a match for the great Grim. But you? You have no magic!"

"I know hand-to-hand combat."

"Even so, you'll be obliterated!"

"Oh, look, we're here." Grim had to do a double-take on her words. Sure enough, they were in the back of the woods, and lo and behold, a large crater stood amidst of it.

"You have no self-preservation." She didn't respond. Instead, she peeked inside the crater. But the sight left both the girl and monster were dumbfounded on what they've discovered.

It was a young man, he appeared to be in his early 20's. His midnight blue hair was in disarray and matted with dirt, his bronze skin was littered with various scars and wounds. An ugly gash was near his forehead and bleeding profusely. His clothes consisted of a white dress shirt, a red vest coat, and khaki pants were torn and stained with blood. He was also missing his shoes.

"Oh my gosh!" The girl dropped the monster in her arms and rushed inside the crater and quickly hauled the young man onto her back, indifferent to the blood staining her clothes. 

"Grim! Go back to the house and tell the ghosts to prepare a medical kit, and hurry!"

"Are you seriously going to take him back with us!? What if he's doing some shady business? Or some kind of criminal?"

"Then I'll have the great Grim to protect me. Besides, helping others is the duty of a human being, regardless of their background." Grim sighed but did what she told him. Not before muttering 'how a reckless human she was' under his breath.

Valerie huffed as she tried to balance both her weight and the stranger's as she tried to get out, which proved to be difficult due to how deep the crater was, which caused her to slip from time to time. But thankfully, she managed to climb up and run full speed back to Ramshackle.

  ____________________________

The door was opened once she got there, and the short ghost came to helped her carry the man to the couch. The ghosts and Grim were waiting for them in the lounge, the medical kit was on the table.

"Jeez, who did he pissed off to get such a beating?" The skinny ghost commented as they watched the two placed the man on the couch.

"Thanks for the help, Bennett." The ghost merely tipped his hat and smiled.

"No problem, kiddo."

"Gerald, please go to my closet and get some clothes. An oversized shirt and a pair of sweatpants will do." The skinny ghost saluted and went upstairs.

"Wilbur, please fetch me a bowl of water, soap, and a towel from the kitchen." The stout ghost nodded and did what he was told. Valerie painstakingly proceeded to remove his clothes. She winced on the number of wounds inflicted on his body. What did he do to deserve such a severe punishment? 

Her heart stopped when she caught the sight of his right leg. It was gruesome, it was a third-degree burn, the skin was in a ghastly shade of black, the skin was so dry and leathery that flakes were falling off. She nearly cried at the sight of it, but she pulled herself together. Now is not the time.

Wilbur was first to come back with the things she needed. He winced at the sight of his leg. She sent him a grateful smile and began her procedure. She gently washed his body, thoroughly removing the dirt from his body, before she patted him dry. She carefully treated his wounds and wrapping them tightly with the gauze.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So... Are you planning to tell the headmaster about your discovery?" Bennett inquired as he watched the girl sipped her tea.

The residents of Ramshackle were situated in the kitchen, discussing what to do about Valerie's unconscious guest, and whether or not he can be trusted. Valerie, currently sitting on the counter with a mug of tea in her hand and Grim on her lap, petting his fiery ears. 

"Of course I am, and knowing that crow. He'll probably milk money from him as a reward because one of his students saved his life. Because he's so gracious." She stated as she sipped more of her tea. The sarcasm on her voice was heavy when she spoke the last sentence.

"That guy will gladly take money for himself, and say it's for the school," Grim chimed in.

"But still. I'm bothered about not knowing who he is. He could be a dangerous criminal for all we know." Gerald voiced his thoughts.

"That's what I told her! But no! She refuses to listen to the Great Grim and decides to be a suicidal maniac." The monster exclaims while waving his arms for emphasis. She flicked his forehead. 

"Grim, we can't just leave him there. We live near a forest remember? Who knows what monsters are out there." The stern look she gave made him freeze. Before anyone could utter another word, an unfamiliar voice made Valerie dropped the mug from her hands and spilled the boiling liquid on the floor. Everyone's heads snapped towards the lounge.

"THE FUCKING HELL!? WHERE THE FUCK AM I!?" The sounds of crashing furniture, broken glass, and vulgar words filled the atmosphere. Scooping Grim on her arms, they all swiftly made their way to the lounge, to find their guest on the floor.

It looked like a hurricane pass through. Furniture was overturned, pieces of glass were littered around, and the man was on the floor flailing around like a fish out of water. The blanket that Wilbur provided for him was now acting as a straitjacket.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck! You've got to be bullshitting me!" He let out another flurry profanities, before noticing his bewildered audience.

"Oi Sugar tits, get me out of this."

They were truly surprised by the man, but for different reasons.  Grim was amazed by how fast he recovered and how he managed to get into that position. The ghosts and Valerie were... Appalled by his choice of words.

"Young man, you should not talk to a lady like that!" But he merely rolled his eyes, annoyed at the ghost's nagging.

"Whatever the fuck grandpa. So anyway, get me out of here." Valerie quickly snapped out of her stupor and gently placing Grim down before helping him. Carefully, she placed him back to the couch before untangling the blanket from his frame. 

"Thanks for the help, Sugar tits." Upon closer inspection, she finally noticed the details on his face but was too busy saving his life. He had lovely almond-shaped eyes with long lashes, his left eye was taffy pink, while his right was cornflower blue. His surfer hairstyle complimented his diamond-shaped face. From his sitting position, she can tell he could possibly be Azul's height. He had pointed ears, which made her briefly wonder if he was a fae like Malleus and Lillia. 

The man stretched his arms but winced. He finally took a good look at himself and let out a low whistle.

"Damn, the fucker did a number on me. But you did a pretty good job in healing me up Sugar tits, even if you did a fucking sloppy job at it." He remarked, flexing his fingers.

 Valerie frowned, what was with this guy? He was starting to remind her of one the pervs in and out of school. She counted in her head to calm herself, before asking the question that was in everyone's mind.

"Excuse me, sir, what's your name?"

He looked at her in disdain, as if she made a joke that so awful that she needed to shut up. She wondered if she insulted his pride, but, oddly he chuckled and slung his arm around her shoulder.

"Good joke Sugar tits. Pretending to know who I am hilarious." He gave another mirthful chuckle and brought his hands up to her head to play with her bow. But, she slapped them away before they could even reach. He sat there stunned, eyes wide and mouth gaping as if no one has done that to him before. 

Valerie's lips were pressed into a thin line, her expression was calm. But everyone in the room, including the heterochromatic male, could feel a shift in the air. The aura surrounding the girl was foreboding, and her eyes were locked on him, like a predator watching its prey to make a mistake and go for the kill. Finally, she spoke.

"No. I do not know who you are."

The silence was thick as fog, the noises within the house seemed more prominent as the rest of the residents stared at two, giving uneasy glances to one another. Grim, who has been with her since the beginning, has known what her anger is like. He shivered at the thought of her hellish gaze and silently prayed to the Great Seven to let this man survive.

Her opal-Esque eyes held burning fire as she stared down the man. Her body tensed up, legs twitching erratically, waiting for him to make any reason for her to kick him in the gut.

The man studied her face to know if she's joking or not. Once he confirmed she genuinely doesn't who he is, his curled up in amusement.

"The name's Amane Mania." She sighed, at least one problem is out of the way...

"So I'm guessing you want your reward huh? So what do you want? Money or a fu-"

Amane didn't get to finish and suddenly collapsed on her. Stunned, she peered behind him to see Bennett with a cane on hand and a mildly irritated look on his face.

____________________________

"I could have done it myself," Valerie grunted as she carried the unconscious man again, but this time to one unoccupied but clean rooms of Ramshackle.

"I know you could, but I couldn't stand his attitude anymore," Bennet grumbled.

"Yo, Val we're h-WHO THE FUCK IS THAT!?." Ace exclaimed. She turned to find her friends gaping at her in shock, more specifically at Amane.

"Guys! Don't be so loud, I don't want to wake him up." 

"H-Hang on I'll help you." Deuce scrambled to get to the stairs with Ace following behind, once he got there. He grabbed his legs and began to make their way through the hall.

They came across one the doors and she gestured Ace to opened it. Once they were inside, they dropped him on the bed and Valerie covered him with a blanket. Quietly as they could, they walked out of the room and made their way to the now cleaned lounge.

"Okay who the fuck was that? and why does he look like he went through a war?" Ace questioned.

"Grim and I found him in the back of the woods. He was laying on a giant crater and I brought him to get fixed up. Then he woke up and started to call me Sugar tits-"

"He called you what!?

 "And Bennett him in the head. You guys know the rest."

Deuce took a deep breath and tried to organize his thoughts, before speaking.

"Valerie. You mean to tell us you brought a stranger to your home, who doesn't seem to have any respect towards females and healed him?"

"Yeah, that's it." He sighed.

"Valerie, as much as I admire your selfless nature, but you should be careful with strangers. Especially when you get people like that and don't know their intentions."

"Come on guys. You witness me took down people five-times my height. I can take care of myself."

"What he means Princess, we don't know what kind of magic he does or what he's capable of using." Ace injected.

"Well in that case. I'll just use a potion on him to make him feel weak. Professor Crewel already taught us that so I know I can make use of it."

The boys could only glance at each other in worry.

Amane felt a throbbing pain when he woke up.

Grunting, he sat up and held his head. He hissed when he grasped the side where the was gauze wrapped. 

"What the fuck was that?" He mumbled, before taking note of his surroundings. 

He was in a bedroom and spotted a first aid kit near his bed. He gazed down at his body, he was sporting a black shirt and a pair of grey sweatpants.

He tried to get out of bed but hissed when tried to move his legs. The pain was agonizing. He pulled up the right part of the pants and perceived how heavily it was wrapped.

He clicked his tongue. The bastard really went all out, and he was going to bring the pain back tenfold.

The sound of the door brought him out of musing. The girl was back with a tray of food, two boys one had ginger hair and a heart mark while the other had blue and a spade mark, and a weird cat monster of her shoulder. There was clear mistrust on their eyes when they stared at him.

"Glad to see you awake." she offered him a smile and placed the tray on his bedside. He scanned its contents. An egg and chicken fried rice. He knitted his brows and faced her.

"You ain't gonna poison me, are ya?"

"If I wanted you dead, I would have just left you in that crater." She asserted. She sat down on a chair next to him with boys leaning against it, and the monster stretched itself on the bed.

"Besides." The monster spoke, a male by the tone if it's voice. "She's too much a goody-two-shoes to let anyone die. Unless they pissed her off too much." Amane raised a brow on the last part but said nothing.

He took the bowl and brought the spoon to his mouth. He hummed it was pretty good. He began to devour the whole thing, finally realizing how hungry he was. He placed the bowl back once he was finished.

"You're a pretty good cook, Sugar tits." He licked lips in satisfaction. The girl, surprised by how fast he finished the food, narrowed her eyes. The boys scowled at him.

"Could you just ask me my name, instead of calling me that?" The exasperation in her voice was transparent. He raised a brow, but his lips curled in a teasing grin.

"Why should I? When that name fits you so well." Eyeing at her ample bosom. He snickered at how red her face is. She was so fun to tease and seeing the looks on those guys was priceless.

"Ow! The fuck!?" Pain shot through his body, clenching his teeth, he found her adding pressure on his wounded leg. All with an innocent smile on her face.

"Oi Sugar tits quit that!" He let out another string of curse words when she pressed harder.

"You know what she wants." The ginger boy's deadpan voice rang out. Another yelp of pain came out when he felt she dug her nails on his leg.

"Okay! Okay! What's your name!? Fuck." He sighed in relief when she stopped but glared at the still smiling girl.

"Ugh. What's you're name?"

"I'm Ace." The ginger started.

"Deuce." The navy waved.

"It's Valerie, and this little guy is Grim."

"That's the Great Grim, Henchwoman!" She playfully stuck her tongue out, while Grim growled. Valerie returned her attention back to him.

"So. How are you feeling?"

"Besides having a helluva headache, and nearly losing my leg. I'm good."

"That's great. Cause you need your all your sanity on what comes next." This confused him greatly. He was about to ask what she meant when the door slammed open.

 There stood a man in rather extravagant clothing and a crow mask. As soon as his eyes landed on Amane, he visibly froze. Mouth hanging wide.

"No.." He whispered

"Long time no see Crow shit."

"Sir, are you okay? What wrong?" Deuce glanced at Amane who looked like he wanted to laugh. He ignored his students.

"You look tacky as usual." He flinched at his words.

"I see you’re as rude as ever."

"As if I care. You old crow." 

"The nerve! What would you're parents say about your attitude?'

"Probably nothing."

"Such insole-"

A loud cough broke their dispute, and turn their attention to the sole girl in the room.

"Headmaster, don't you think instead of lecturing him about how to respect authority. Shouldn't you be focused on his well-being?" She gave him a pointed look, the man coughed.

"A-ahh. Yes, of course." He cleared his throat.

"I see Ms. Kemonohito has taken good care of you. It warms my heart to know my students are capable of such compassion and selflessness. Ah-huh huh!."

Aman arched a brow while the other four just sighed, already too used at this display. Crowley quickly regained his composure.

"So please tell me, how he ended up like this?"

She told him everything from the beginning. Crowley nodded once in a while. After she finished, he had a contemplative look on his face, or at least she assumed it was one with the mask and all.

"Hmm, how strange." He turned his attention to students.

"All of you come with me for a moment." Crowley quickly stood up and made his way to the door, gesturing his students to follow him. They all stood up, silently following him.

"What was that about? You know him or soemthing." Grim questioned.

"Do any of you know who he is, or at least his family." He finally spoke, the serious tone in his voice startled them momentarily but shook their heads. Crowley frowned.

"Oh dear, this quite a predicament. To think he’ll be back here in school." He muttered under his breath.

"Just what so great about his family?" Ace prodded.

"The Mania family is an old crime organization who ruled Twisted Wonderland before Crewel was born. Though they are disbanded and faded in history, their influence is strong. They have many businesses, and still manage to have loyal followers who will gladly do anything for them, and he was a former student here as well."

This information floored them. To think this guy was part of a mafia group and to top it all that. Now Valerie understood why he looked surprised when she said she didn't know him. She jumped when Crowley called her.

"Ms. Kemonohito, I thank you for saving his life. I'm so proud of having such a benevolent and caring student." He cried once more earning annoyed looks from all four of them.

"Seriously. How old is this guy?" Ace grumbled. 

"However, due to his critical condition, and lack of phone. He will remain in Night Raven until he fully recovers." He gazed at Valerie, she frowned. She knew what comes next.

"Which is why you, Ms. Kemonohito will let him lodge here until he recovers. I cannot ask the dorm leaders due to their duties, and the infirmary is full due to the last Magift practice."

"I have no choice do I."

"Unless you want me to cut off the dorm's budget, then no." She sighed.

"Fine, I'll do it." He beamed.

"Wonderful! I shall inform him right away." He went back inside. Grim glared at his back.

"Grrrr. This again, whenever something happens we always get the short end of the stick! Why can't he be useful for once in his life!"

"The day he's reliable is the day I go back home."

Which she secretly hoped that it never happened. They returned to the room, Crowley was already finished explaining to Amane about the situation, who couldn't decide whether to be annoyed or amused.

"I can assure that Ms. Kemonohito is a gracious host such as myself, will surely make feel right at home!"

"Oh, I'm sure she'll be a great host. Huh, Valerie." The way he said her name, made her instantly wary of him. Even more when he turned to her.

His smile was borderline sadistic, and his eyes held a mischievous glint in them. Valerie felt a shiver up her spine, oh Great Seven, please save her soul. She can already tell that this guy won't make it easy for her. Ace and Deuce scowled at him and formed a wall between them.

"Splendid. I'll be off then." With a flourish, he vanished.

_____________________________________

"Still a weirdo I see." Amane stared at the spot where Crowley vanished.

"Yeah, you'll get used to it," Deuce assured, scratching the back of his head. He turned to Valerie.

"So. Still up for that movie?" She perked up at his words, but before she could say anything, Amane beat her to it.

"Umm. Hello~ Are trying to exclude me? How standoffish of you Ms. Kemonohito. What would that crow say once he learned that you are being unkind?"

He had raised a single brow and propped his face to his hands, all with a shit-eating grin on his face. Ace fumed.

"Hey! You don't own this house asshole! She can do what she pleases!"

Amane turned to him, sporting a bored look on his face as he studied him. Seconds after, he had a lecherous smirk on his face.

"Why hello~ I didn't get a good look at you earlier, but now I do, I gotta say you're pretty hot. Say, after I recover, why don't we booked a love hotel hot stuff~" He purred as he licked lips and eyed at Ace's bottom with such fiery hot intensity.

Ace flinched at his words and shivered when he stared at him with such hunger. Amane then turned his attention to Deuce, who also trembled at his wanton gaze.

"You're not so bad too handsome. Maybe we should do a three-"

Valerie coughed loudly to get everyone's attention.

"Uhh...Why don't we get set up the movie here, Ace go and help Deuce get the projector, while I get some snacks. Grim, you stay here."

The boys briskly walked out before sprinting away from the room. Valerie trailed after them, ignoring Grim's protests. She found them hastily getting the stuff, both having shaken expressions.

"What the actual fuck was?" Ace was carrying an extension wire and mini wireless speakers.

"How...How could someone be so...Shamless." In Deuce's arms was the laptop.

After getting everything they needed. Wordlessly, they made their way upstairs and found Grim struggling to get out of Amane's grip, who was squishing his pink paws.

"Aww, aren't you a cute little piece of shit~"

"Fgua! Put me down ya weirdo!"

"Ahh. So mean."

Ace snickered at the sight, he would have laughed if Deuce didn't nudge his ribs. After setting up everything, Deuce showed them the movie. It was a comedy, Cater suggested it to him. Then he pressed play.

It wasn't even twenty minutes, and Amane began to make licentious and snarky comments about the characters, and the general plot of the movie. He called them out from their costumes to their acting. The boys covered Valerie and Grim's ears whenever he made a perverted comment.

"Dayum~ Look size of that guy. Bet he's packing something bigger." 

"Seriously? How the fuck people find that funny? Even burning trash has better humor."

"How much longer is this movie. It's fucking boring!"

As much as boys wanted to beat the shit of him, they can't due Valerie holding a vice grip on their arms, a silent plead to not to do anything stupid, lest they get in trouble. They grudgingly oblige but cast resentful glances at him. After the movie, the boys were very hesitant to leave her but assured them she'll be fine.

"I dealt with overblots. I can handle a rich boy."

That didn't reassure them but eventually left because she reminded them of  Riddle's curfew. After waving goodbye, she was headed to her room, when...

"Oi Sugar tits! Bring me another pillow!"

_____________________________________

(A/N: I decided to make this a two part chapter)

[diddlesanddoodles]

DEAD WALLS RISE - FARRIS

Special thanks to the forever amazing @thundering-susurrus​ for editing. 

“You should smile more.”

Farris turned his head to eye the thin figure sitting under the window. Without use of his eyes, Kent could no longer see the sunlight spilling down onto him, but the human still enjoyed the warmth of the sun’s rays nevertheless.

“What are ye on about?” Farris asked. “I smile plenty.”

Kent didn’t turn to face his Vhasshalan guardian. “I can hear it in your voice when you frown.”

“The fuck ye can.”

“See?” said the man with a knowing grin. “You did it just now.”

Farris stepped away from the pan of toasting spices to glare at his ward. “Aye, because I have a smarmy lil’ wanker tellin’ me I frown too much.”

“I believe what I said was – ”

“BAH! I know what ye said. When I have a reason to smile more, I will.”

“Seems like you have good reasons to smile now,” Kent said, turning his face to Farris at last. There was no real point in facing the giant when they spoke other than an old inclination from when he still had use of his eyes. “No one’s caught fire in a while. That should be a good enough reason to me.”

Though he clearly saw that Kent was trying to goad him into a lighter mood, Farris did not possess enough spirit at that moment to feel anything other than the same weighted guilt that always followed him day in and day out. “Gonna take a lot more than that, lad.”

Kent’s mild smile faded away. “Isn’t just… being alive enough?”

“Not everyone’s as chipper about that as ye.”

A silence fell between them. To Farris, it felt heavy and dreadful, and he had half a mind to demand the human to simply drop the topic and allow him to go on with his day. Work was numbing and was the only thing he had found that came close to alleviating the pain. The pain brought on from the memories and the knowledge of what he had done. He had his reasons, of course. He had made his choice: the lives of his boys over the scores of captured humans. He was responsible for the workers under him and the humans had been enemy combatants. But that justification only held water for so long. 

“You’ll forgive yourself one day, Farris.”

Kent’s words felt like ice in his chest. He brushed a hand across his nose as he bent to grab the pan from the fire. Tipping the now-toasted spices into a bowl, he set it aside before grabbing the next batch and tossing the raw spices into the still hot pan. Giving it a firm shake, his eyes drifted to the flames and he watched them dance for several long moments. He sat the pan down. 

“No,” he finally replied in a soft voice. “Ain’t no forgivin’ what I’ve done.”

“You’re too good a man to let his legacy ruin you.”

“Good men don’t murder in…” He stopped himself and sighed. “Ye wouldn’t understand, Kent. And I don’t expect ye to.”

“I think I do a little. Was on the other end of that mess, don’t you forget.”

“How could I?” Farris asked as he glanced over his shoulder. “Ye remind me all the time. Even though I was there.”

“And your bedside manner is as terrible as ever.”

He had to laugh at that. Walking around the table, he went to the counter where Kent was sitting and poked the man’s side. “Was there a point to this or do ye just like hearing yerself blabber on and on?”

“Hm… maybe a little of both?” Kent replied grinning. “No, I did have a point.”

“Then make it so I can get on with my work.”

“You’re a good man, Farris,” Kent said seriously. He reached out and patted Farris’s hand. “Even if you don’t think so. And there aren’t a whole lot of those left in the world. I do hope you find a reason some day to forgive yourself. Even just a little. And maybe you’ll start smiling again.”

Farris eyed him, suppressing the urge to be angry or brush away the man’s touch. Kent always confounded him. He had every right and opportunity to be a bitter wreck of a man after everything he had been through and yet, despite it all, Kent was endlessly cheery and kind. Sometimes frustratingly so. For several moments, Farris stared at the small scarred hand resting on his own. He grunted and pulled his hand away. “What’s got ye all sentimental this mornin’?”

“Hm? Oh, I dunno. Been thinkin’ about my place in the universe. Meaning of life. The usual,” Kent paused as a devious smirk crossed his face. “And of course see how long I can distract you until you catch on that your spices are burning.”

“Wha…? Ah! Ye lil’ fucker!”

Kent’s laughter filled his ears as he rushed back to the hearth to try and salvage his work. In the following years, Farris would regret not appreciating that sound more. It would be the last time he would hear Kent laugh.

The next night, he came down with a hellish fever.

And by morning, Kent was dead.

………………………………………………………………………..

The wedding feast preparations had been a symphony of chaos: carefully planned, but executed more with stubborn will than any finesse or strategy. He had assumed the weeks of prep they had done would carry them further than they ultimately had, and by the second to last course on the last day they were scrambling to keep up. Luckily for Farris, most of the guests were happy enough to indulge in the free flowing wine and liquor between the courses. They would be too inebriated to be able to find their own feet, let alone be able to tell that the next course was late.

And then, of course, that was when Yale brought him the thief.

A human child. She was a small and pitiful creature. Dirty, skinny, and terrified, but a thief nonetheless. He was far too busy to spare her any consideration of leniency. It was her poor luck that she chose to steal from him on the single busiest day in more than a decade. She would just have to wait, he decided. Secured in one of the wooden cages left over from the delivered livestock, he placed her on the counter inside the pantry, gave her a firm warning to be quiet, and left her there. She didn’t scream at him or try to escape. In fact, the little thief barely even made a sound other than muffled weeping. If it had been any other day, he may have felt pity for her. Instead, he was annoyed to have something else dumped onto his already overloaded plate.

Several hours later, when he had a moment to even consider her again, he found that she had wedged herself in the corner and fallen asleep. He opened the cage and slipped a ramekin of water inside before closing it back up again. The human child did not stir.

Even balled up as she was, he could tell she was very young. Too young to be wandering around on her own. A suspicion began to form in his mind that she was not just some young hooligan from the Hill Tribes making trouble. He’d had plenty of those come through over the years and after threatening to toss them into a pie, each of the little troublemakers would be quick with their excuses and defenses. So, after a good scare and a lecture, they’d be sent back to Gregis for another lecture and whatever punishment the Hill Tribe leader saw fit. The war might be over, but danger still remained, even within the castle.

However, Farris could not recall ever having come across a thief so young. Her clothes were made of a rough homespun hemp and, best he could tell, seemed too small for her. She wasn’t even wearing shoes. Autumn had been mild but still chilly enough to warrant shoes. Where in the Seven Hells did this girl come from? And where were her parents?

He decided to leave the questions for later and went to help with the last big push to get the dessert course out the door and cleanup underway. There was a large tankard of dark ale waiting for him at the end of the day and he did not intend to be late. He felt as though he had earned a drink.

…………………

“So what’re ye gonna do with the Dumplin’?”

Farris had sat down to supper that night, more aware of his age than he ever had been. The arthritis in his left wrist was acting up, his joints creaked, and his back hurt. But still, he felt a deep sense of accomplishment for the work they had done. He opened his eyes, glancing towards the source of the question, and shrugged. “Notified Donal. He’ll inform the King tomorrow and then it’ll be his discretion as to what’s to be done with her.”

That seemed to surprise Saen and the rest of his staff. Yale sat up a little straighter. “Why’d ye do that? Ain’t ye just gonna send her back to Gregis? Like the others?”

Farris chuckled. “That lil’ mite ain’t from the Hill Tribes, lad. She’s feral.”

“How can ye tell? She say somethin’?” Yale asked.

“Nah. Just a hunch,” He took a long swig of ale and, as he sat it back down, sent a vague gesture towards the pantry door. “Fer one thing, Gregis wouldn’t let a child run around in that state.”

“She was pretty mangy lookin’,” Yale conceded with a chortle. “Looked like the thin’ needed a good scrubbin’.”

“Thinkin’ a keepin’ her are ye?” Saen asked, elbowing Yale in the ribs.

Yale grinned. “Crossed my mind.”

“Well,” Farris said. “first she’s gotta face the King’s justice.”

“Still. If she ain’t from Gregis’s lot,” Yale said, “where the hell she come from?”

“Who knows,” he replied. “Where do any of ‘em come from anymore?”

Beside him, Bart laughed. “Half the time it seems like they just pop out of the ground like cabbages.”

Grinning, Farris took another long pull from his ale before getting to his feet and reaching for one of the communal bread loaves. He tore off a small but still sizable piece and turned from the table.

“Well, suppose I should go feed her somethin’,” Farris said. “That one’s the skinniest dumplin’ I’ve ever seen.”

Light laughter followed him as he opened the door to the spice pantry. The hearth light fell in an illuminating column into the room and onto the cage where he could see a swathe of red. Farris froze.

The girl was awake and on her belly, clutching the rim of the water cup he had left her. Her skin was red with a distinctive rash and she was pulling in short gasping breaths all the while, laying in a small pool of her own sick.

Farris felt his stomach drop. The red reap.

He recalled the night Kent fell with the fever and how the rash soon followed. His breathing had become raspy and labored and it was not very long at all before he breathed his last breath. But Kent had been an adult, a grown man. The Dumplin’ was just a small child.

“Seven fuckin’ Hells,” he cursed. It was Kent all over again and, though he would never admit it aloud or even to himself, Farris was scared. He turned to call back over his shoulder. “Yale, get me warm water, not hot, and a few towels.”

His assistant looked up at him from his place at the table with round cheeks, unable to answer him with his mouth so full. Beside him Saen was grinning at him cheekily. “Oh aye? Be needin’ some relaxation after all that exhaustin’ spice grindin’, eh, Farris?”

He glared at the cook. “Shut yer gob Saen before I bash it in. It ain’t fer me,” he said and turned his gaze back to the sick little girl. “The human’s got the red reap.”

All of the merriment and cheer died in an instant as all eyes of his staff turned to him. Yale especially looked upset as he mechanically chewed and swallowed. “She didn’t look ill earlier.”

“They call it the reap fer a reason, boy. There’s no warnin’. It just comes. Now get off yer arse and get me what I asked fer.”

Yale was on his feet in an instant, rushing to the shelf to grab a bowl. “...right away, boss.”

He stood beside her cage, feeling the weight of his shame and harshly cursing himself for his cruelty. It was very probable that these would be her last moments and he had her put into a cage. As a joke. But no one was laughing. He opened the cage and removed the cup of water. There was sick all over it and down the side, but he did not pay it any mind. When he reached back inside for the girl, she shied away with a pained mewl. She was shaking and weeping.

He had done this to her.

“Hush now,” he murmured softly to her, resting the tips of his fingers lightly across her back. She tried to squirm away from him. “I know it hurts, lil’un. I know yer scared. Just keep breathin’...”

Yale was there with the water and towels. “Where do you want this, Farris?”

“Upstairs,” he said, considering the girl and how best to pick her up without doing her more harm. “And I’ll need the salve from the drawer there. And a Cayne leaf. Small one.”

In the end, he simply scooped her into his cupped hands. She was so small and light, but shockingly warm. The fever had well set in and he knew she may not have much longer.

Yale followed him up to his private quarters and once inside, Farris directed him to set the bowl of water on the table. His first attempts to remove her vomit-covered clothes resulted in her struggling against him and he snarled at her in frustration. “Stop that, girl. Yer covered in sick.”

He decided it best to get it all over with as quick as possible and simply yanked them off her. She showed signs of malnutrition and was so thin that he knew she wouldn’t have the strength to fight off the fever. The realization seemed to hit Yale at the same time. Once she was clean, he wrapped her in one of the towels and tucked her into the crook of his arm. He applied the salve to her eyelids, where it would help cool the raging heat of the rash. Then he slipped the Cayne leaf into her mouth, which she immediately spat out.

He didn’t blame her. Cayne leaves were rancid and vile tasting things. But it was also one of the best pain remedies known.

“Ye can go Yale,” he said. “I’ve got ‘er.”

His assistant looked at him with wide and fearful eyes. “Ye sure?”

Farris nodded. “If she makes it through the fever, she’ll live,” he said and sighed deeply. “We’ll know by morning.”

He reached out and grabbed Yale by the shoulder with his free hand. “Regardless, I need you awake and alert tomorrow. There’s too much that still needs to be done. If she lives, she’ll be seeing the King. If not, well, the reap will have made the judgment fer ‘im.”

“All right,” he said with a lingering concern in his eyes. Yale touched a finger to the girl’s head, petting her softly. “Good luck, lil’un.”

After Yale had left, Farris went to his bed and sat down. He was not sure how long he sat there, watching the human sleep. The red rash had spread along her neck and face, but she did not stir from her sleep. Her breathing remained raged and labored.

In the quiet of the night, when he knew no one was around to hear him, Farris spoke to the girl.

“Yer just a lil’ thing,” he said quietly as he ran a finger across the top of her head. “Probably all alone in the world, eh? Either that or yer folks are right shit. Don’t look like the world’s been very kind to ye, lass. Even now, it’s still tryin’ its best t’beat ye down. But yer a strong one, ain’t ye? Not gonna let a fever take ye. Nah. Too green fer it all to end so soon. Yer gonna be alright there, Dumplin’. I’ll make sure of it. One way or another. Yer gonna be just fine. Yer gonna wake up…”

His hands were shaking.

“Please. Please, wake up.”

…………………..

He woke at the same time he had for the last twenty-some-odd years. It was still plenty dark, but the lamp on the wall was still lit, a minuscule amount of oil still feeding the small flame. He knew it would last until the first rays of the sun reached the castle roof and then would need to be refilled. At first, his mind automatically went to sorting out the day’s tasks, but everything stopped with a sickening jolt when he remembered the child. His arm remained curled around the bundle and he wondered, if he were to look down, would there be another face to add to the collection of the dead within his mind and nightmares? With a fortifying breath, his heart pounding, Farris dipped his head down to look at the little girl. The harsh red rash that had covered her face was gone. She had not gone stiff, and he realized with a start that she was still warm. 

She was still breathing.

She was alive.

“...ye… yer alive,” he breathed in shock, resting his free hand on the bundle. “Seven fuckin’ Hells… ye… I can’t...”

For a long moment, he sat there and watched her sleep, all the while riding the waves of varying emotions. In the end, he thought of Kent. Farris easily recalled what a pitiful and broken creature he had been when he had first laid eyes upon him. He remembered how he had made a place in his kitchen, his home, for him. He could do the same for the girl.

“...I could do that fer ye,” he said to no one in particular as he rose from the bed, careful not to wake his charge. With a warm smile on his face, he rocked her gently. “My lil’ Dumplin’.”

…………………..

It took Rheil less than an hour to return to the kitchens after delivering the girl to the King. Clutched in his gloved hand, he held Farris’s note. He stepped down into the kitchen and everyone eyed him eagerly as they slowed in their work to watch and listen. 

“So?” Farris asked Rheil as he wiped his hands on a tea towel and leaned against the counter. “She give his Majesty her story then?”

“Aye,” replied the captain as he crossed the room and held out the note to Farris. He took it, but did not open it. Rheil crossed his arms and leaned up against the long table and regarded the kitchen master with neutral expression. “Orphaned.”

He nodded. “Figured that much.”

“And ye were right,” Rheil replied. “She ain’t one of Gregis’s. She ain’t even a refugee.”

Farris squinted in bemusement. “No?”

“No. She’s from the Southlands. The port,” Rheil replied. “Guess there was some big ol’ fire than killed her last living relative. She was trying to steal some food from the caravan when it was being loaded and she got stuck.”

“That’s a three day trek nonstop,” Saen butted in, eye wide in horror. “Ye mean she was stuck in that basket for three days?”

Rheil nodded. “She was. Probably too scared to ask for help. Who knows what the Beastmen would ‘a done if they caught her and once she passed the Gate… well. In fer a penny.”

Farris huffed. “No wonder half my persimmon order was gone. She probably ate three golds worth all on her own.”

Rheil made a face. “Seems awfully steep just for some fruit.”

Farris waved the comment away. “That ain’t nothin’. Them red mud boars were twelve gold a piece and one arrived dead. Weddings on the whole are expensive affairs. A royal wedding is extravagant and extravagantly expensive. But I ain’t one to tell the King how to spend his money. That’s Thame’s job.”

“Also, the lass thought Nethrin was still King,” Rheil added and Farris frowned.

“She what?”

The captain nodded, a smirk creeping along the edges of his mouth. “Aye. Thought she was gonna faint on me fer a second. Told her he was long dead, but I ain’t sure how much she believed me.”

Farris ran a hand down his face. “Where she now?”

“Lolly’s got her.”

“Well, we won’t be seein’ her fer a few hours then,” Bart laughed as he came down the steps from the courtyard. “Them ladies will be fawning over the Dumplin’ till suppertime. Mark my words.”

“True enough and just as well,” Farris conceded. “That’ll give her time enough to acclimate a bit and we can get on with our work.”

Bart gave him a questioning look. Silently, Farris handed the note to him. Bart’s eyes scanned the words before glancing back to Farris with the same questioning eye. In reply, Farris just nodded and Bart shrugged noncommittally.

“Well alright then,” he said and went back to work.

Farris opened the note again to scan the words, feeling an rising sensation in his chest, and Kent’s words came abruptly to the forefront of his mind.

“You’re a good man, Farris. Even if you don’t think so. And there aren’t a whole lot of those left in the world. I do hope you find a reason some day to forgive yourself. Even just a little. And maybe you’ll start smiling again.”

The note read:

If it comes to pass that the girl does not have any place to go, I ask his Majesty to consider that I might be granted guardianship over her. - F

And written just under his note in a much finer hand and with higher quality ink than his own, was the short answer:

Your request is granted. Take care of her, Farris. - W

Farris smiled. 

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