#time to put on your tiaras and cause chaos

[holidaywishes]

[nebulablakemurphy]

Through Love And By Love (Pt. 5)

Summary: Twenty-Two years ago, Draco Malfoy used the imperius curse to slow Voldemort’s rise to power. No good deed goes unpunished. Warning: this series contains mature subject matter surrounding use of the imperius curse, reader discretion advised.

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The time comes, Hogwarts is under fire; Harry Potter has been cornered. The death eaters have assembled a battalion on the outskirts of the school. It’s been surrounded by a protection charm, the people inside are prepared to fight.

When Voldemort calls Rosanna and Draco to the front lines, they know it's time. One final decision, one last sacrifice.

"Rosanna, Draco, come." The dark lord purrs, motioning them away from the group, away from Lucius and Narcissa. "I have a rather special task for you."

"Yes, my lord." Draco answers, but as always, Voldemort is fixated on Rosanna.

"You knew the Potter boy. He may still hold affections for you," The noseless man whispers. "There's something I need from inside the school. You are trusted, and therefore, you must get it for me. Draco, would you accompany her? Make sure she doesn’t run into trouble." Or cause it.

"My pleasure." Draco nods, putting a protective arm around her.

"What are we looking for?" Ro asks, shakily.

Voldemort's mouth twists into a grin, "Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem."

————————————————————————-

They enter Hogwarts, largely unnoticed, in the chaos. The room of requirement appearing with ease, and they shuffle inside.

Taking a long look around the room, Rosanna sighs, "piece of cake." It’s cluttered from floor to ceiling, wall to wall.

Draco runs his fingers over the plat in her hair, reaching the middle of her back. "You say that like we're in a hurry." He replies, just as sarcastically.

"Wanna tell me what the hell a diadem is?" She takes a step toward the nearest pile of items.

"Tiara," he motions to his head, as if placing a crown.

"Does everybody dump something in here?" Ro scowls, turning over a dark oak box.

"Good a place as any."

"If we find it, we'll need something to destroy it." She reminds him, "I think Harry used some kind of tooth to get rid of the diary?"

"Basilisk fang," Draco's heard the story on more than one occasion. "Can’t easily get our hands on one of those."

"Good thing we have one." Harry says, stepping out of the shadows.

Rosanna turns to her old friend. "Shit, Harry. How long were you standing there?”

"Long enough to be sure you were still you.” Harry half smiles. “S'good to see you, Ro."

Hermione steps around, meeting Rosanna in the middle and holding fast. "Are you alright?"

"Can't complain," Rosanna says, as they finally break apart.

Ron greets her next, "getting a bit round through the middle, don't you think?" He chuckles, squeezing her shoulders. "Might want to lay off the sweets."

"Shut up." Rosanna grins.

"Malfoy's been taking care of you?" Harry approaches last, embracing her for a beat.

"What kind of back handed question is that, Potter?" Draco snarks.

"As much as we’ve all missed your banter, there’s work to do." The pregnant woman reiterates. "We're looking for-"

"Lost diadem of Ravenclaw?" Harry offers.

Rosanna nods.

"Brilliant," Ron says, "you guys are with us then?"

"For now, Weaslebee." Draco replies.

The group spreads out to cover more ground.

"What will happen if you don't return with it?" Hermione pulls another chair from the pile.

"Nothing good." Malfoy grumbles. "Is this the last one then? Horcrux?"

"That and his snake." Harry can hear the diadem hissing, like the other horcruxes, they must be getting close.

"If we play our cards right, we could still get close enough." Rosanna gnaws the inside of her cheek. "Kill Nagini."

"Then you'll be killed, awful idea, Ro." Hermione chastises.

"I've accepted the fact that I'm probably gonna die." Rosanna confesses, still searching through the odds and ends.

"Hey, no one's dying tonight but him." Ron replies, with fierce determination. "We didn't come this far to lose it all now."

Draco and Harry are silent in their work, Harry understands that Rosanna is onto something. He is also in acceptance of his own untimely demise.

Draco on the other hand, is still tempted to take Ro and run. Let the chips fall where they may. He has enough stashed away, they could live comfortably, some place no one would look for them.

————————————————————————-

They destroy the diadem and head their separate ways.

Rosanna and Draco coming across a death eater standing over a disarmed Fred Weasley. It isn’t anyone they recognize, only the higher ups were invited to meetings at Malfoy Manner.

Rosanna deals the woman a confundus charm.

"Thanks, Ro." Fred says, collecting his wand.

"Don't mention it," she taps his arm. Still his kid brother's annoying friend, who shows up to eat on major holidays. "Seriously, I’m not supposed to be here."

The red head zips his lips with a grin.

Navigating the castle, with Rosanna one week short of her due date, is a nightmare. However most woman go over the nine month mark, which is a comfort to both them.

"Everything's gone to shit." Draco bites out. His dark mark has gone from twinging, to outright burning. Voldemort is attempting to summon him. "It's time we get you out of here."

"Draco," Rosanna grabs his elbow. "I can't leave."

"You've chosen a side, you've helped find the diadem, seen it destroyed. Potter is a shoe in." Draco wants, more than anything, to just take her. Hating him be damned, so long as she's alive to hate him.

Unbidden, Voldemort's voice pierces the veil of their minds to deliver a message. They have one hour to hand Harry over, or he will take him by force, killing anyone who stands in the way.

"We have to find Harry." Ro says, as soon as Voldemort stops crooning in her ears.

"Potter told you to keep away from him until the time is right; until the end. If the dark lord catches wind that we've helped him-"

"He's gonna give himself up." If Harry dies, they lose.

"Granger and Weasley will sort it out. Strictly from a strategic stand point; there are times you must to lose the battle, to win the war. If there is part of the prophecy you must still answer, you must survive long enough to answer it." Draco reasons, tucking her safely behind a nearby pillar.

"Draco... I don't want to die. I don't want you to die. But more than that, I know I can't live in a world where Voldemort is in power. I can't bring a child into it. I'm sorry if that's selfish." The words leave an awful taste in her mouth, but she means them; to the core of her being.

"You're not selfish." Draco murmurs, sick to his stomach.

"Then why are you looking at me like that?" She whispers, clearly her words upset him.

"Because I am." He runs his knuckles over her jawline. "I want you to live, more than I want him die." Draco confesses.

Rosanna sighs, wrapping her arms around him. "Stay with me, till the end?"

Draco nods, desperately returning the embrace. Burying his nose in her hair, taking all of her in; and then letting all of her go.

————————————————————————

"Harry Potter is dead," Voldemort announces.

The mass of death eaters behind him rejoice. Hagrid is among them, restrained by a rope necklace, held in several different directions. Harry's limp body in his arms.

"From now on, you put your faith in me." Voldemort smiles, proudly. "Those who wish to join me, declare yourselves. Those who are unwilling, prepare to meet your end."

Draco's fingers twitch against Rosanna's, maybe if he holds her tight enough...maybe if he just loves her enough, he can keep her safe.

"Draco," Lucius hisses, extending his hand. "Come on, don't be foolish."

"Sweetheart." Narcissa chimes in, when he make no move to join them.

Where you go, I go.

Where you go, I go.

And no one moves.

"Insolent fools! Can’t you see? You’ve already lost.” Voldemort shouts, sending a curse their way. It ricochets off the wand Draco is wielding, a replacement for he one he’d given Harry back at the manor.

Voldemort begins to laugh, the death eaters join in his hysteria.

It's no secret that Draco isn't the strongest wizard, despite his pure blood heritage. He's never been as skilled as Rosanna, who could cast nonverbal spells. Draco himself is shocked.

"I'd like to say something." Neville limps forward from the group, delivering a speech that will not soon be forgotten. Ending with him drawing the sword of Gryffindor from the sorting hat.

Harry flops, like a fish, onto the cement at Hagrid's feet.

This is it. This is their chance.

"Potter!" Draco calls, tossing his wand.

Voldemort fires a string of curses Harry's way, causing the walls to crumble around him.

"Get inside the castle!" McGonagall instructs the still cheering students.

Harry Potter is alive.

"Are you ok?" Rosanna demands, tugging at Draco's sleeve as they rush past the door frame.

"I'm fine, are you alright?” He counters.

“Yeah,” Rosanna tries to catch her breath, as they continue their brisk pace farther into the castle.

"We need to sort out what to do about wands. We only have yours, if we run into trouble-"

"If?" A voice from behind Draco startles him.

"What are you doing here?" Draco demands of his father, Narcissa beside him.

"My son and grandchild are in danger, where else would I be?" Lucius asks, in a clipped tone.

"But you-"

"Not everything is black and white." Draco's father reminds him.

"I suppose it's not, Lucius." A tall, raven haired, man says. Wand poised at his former ally. "Didn’t take you for a traitor. A sniveling coward perhaps, but never a traitor."

The death eaters lock in a duel.

"We need to find Nagini." Rosanna insists. Hermione and Ron were looking for the snake too; before they got separated in the crowd.

"Go," Narcissa nods, "we'll hold them off as best we can."

Draco exchanges a look with his mother. "Thank you."

————————————————————————

They spot Nagini on the staircase, slithering toward the courtyard.

"I've gotta get closer." Rosanna says, taking the stairs as fast as her legs allow.

"Come again?" Draco growls, keeping her pace.

"Cover me." She insists, stuffing her wand into his hand; leaving him to tend the two death eaters that follow them.

"You have no wand." Draco turns his back to her reluctantly, blocking a spell. "Nine months bloody pregnant." He tosses his own hex as he scolds her. "And you want to get closer to the giant snake?"

It is possible to channel magic without a wand, but that is advance spell casting, far beyond anything they’d been taught in school.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" Rosanna says, with conviction, and for a solid second, Nagini is suspended in midair; before plummeting back onto the staircase, with a sickening thud.

"Rosanna, I swear-" Draco is cut off, as the man to his right narrowly misses Rosanna with the killing curse. The green light hitting Nagini instead. Unfortunately, the snake cannot be so easily killed. "She is," expelliarmus, "a piece," stupefy, "of work," crucio. "But she is my piece of work." Avada Kedavra.

"Didn't think you had it in you." The remaining man chuckles, "your father never had the stomach."

"I'm not my father." Draco doesn't owe anymore explanation.

"Wingardium Leviosa," Rosanna tries a second time. The snake is pulled back toward her, snapping at her face, before being whirled up into the air. Her entire body trembling with the effort. Unlike using a wand as a conduit, she herself has become the vessel through which the magic is harnessed.

"Ro!" Ron calls, racing down the stairs, past Draco, with Hermione in tow.

"Tell me you’ve still got the tooth." Rosanna replies.

"How are you doing that without a wand?" Hermione asks. Few wizards or witches can perform wandless magic that reaches their desired outcome.

"Not very well," Rosanna can feel herself weakening.

"We've got it from here." Ron assures her, leading the snake away.

Rosanna collapses as the spell is broken, falling unceremoniously onto her ass.

"Don't move." Draco warns, finishing off the older man, before joining her. "You can't do that to me. I couldn't get to you, if something would've happened, there was nothing I could do."

"I'm sorry." She understands, if roles were reversed she'd be pissed too.

Draco checks her over, throughly. "You look like hell."

"Thanks," she huffs a laugh.

"Bloodshot eyes, ghostly pale, your lips have no color." Draco presses two fingers to the pulse point at her neck. "Weakened pulse, heavy eyelids. You're going to faint, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I think so." Rosanna relaxes into him.

He chuckles, stroking hairs away from her clammy forehead. “That is what being a hero gets you. Sweaty and unconscious on a staircase.”

"Is she dead?" Narcissa sees the girl cradled in his lap, making a beeline for her son. "Draco is she-"

"Don't sound so concerned mother, she's merely over exerted herself." Draco tells her and his father.

"I'm fine." Rosanna argues, pitifully.

"You look like hell." Lucius gasps, taking a good look at the girl.

"I'm aware." She rolls her eyes, and the world goes black.

————————————————————————

Rosanna comes to at the Manor, now in a pale blue cap sleeve night gown. The room is still, Draco in the arm chair, his head resting on the bed beside her. She passes a hand over his hair, not wanting to disturb him, but needing him to know she's there.

He shifts, lifting his head to see her.

"How long was I out?" She asks, tentatively.

"Nearly a day." Now Draco looks like hell.

"You ok?" Ro asks.

"Mhm." He hums, low in his throat.

"No, you’re not." She knows him.

"What gave me away?" Draco raises his brows.

"It rolls off you in waves." Rosanna notes.

His jaw ticks, "I've never been good hiding it, not with you anyway. But I suspect you know that."

She nods.

"I love you more than I should." He says, turning his gaze out the window. "Surely it's not supposed to feel like this."

"How does it feel?" She frowns.

"Like it'll kill me...like I can't live without it;" he lets out a shaky breath, "without you."

"I don't know what it's 'supposed' to feel like." She purses her lips. "But I can tell you, that's exactly what loving you feels like."

Draco climbs into the bed. Tangling their legs, her head resting on his chest, fingers carding her strawberry blonde locks. "Stay with me forever.”

"Where you go, I go." Ro presses a kiss to the underside of his jaw.

"Let me up a minute," he taps her shoulder. "I understand that diamonds are traditional," his voice is slightly muffled, as he shuffles through the bedside table for the box. "Seeing as we're hardly traditional-" He turns back to her. "Sapphires represent faithfulness and sincerity."

The box springs open, revealing a beautiful, deep blue, pear shaped, sapphire ring with a diamond halo.

Rosanna is speechless.

"You'd like a diamond..." Draco trails off.

"No, Draco, I love it." Rosanna shakes her head, extending a hand to him.

He slides the ring onto her left finger, pressing his lips to it.

Rosanna holds her hand at arms length, between them. "What do you think?"

"Perfect."

————————————————————————

Labor sneaks up on Rosanna. It’s fast and slow. Everything happens all at once, or seemingly nothing happens at all.

She is nervous and wishes her mother could be there, but Draco is more than enough. Supporting her, making her comfortable; assuring her that she can do this, every time it feels like she can’t.

Narcissa returns with Rosanna’s mother, just in time to meet their granddaughter.

The moment the tiny baby draws breath, the sacred twenty-eight pure blood families, become the sacred twenty-seven. Just as importantly, not a single person in the room cares.

"Good job, baby, good job." Dixie leans down to kiss her daughter's head.

"Oh my god," Rosanna sobs, as the squealing infant is placed on her chest. "Hi honey, hi."

Draco is still in shock, frozen behind her. He doesn't dare move, for fear he might come out of his skin.

"It's a girl," the midwife says, in disbelief. Ten generations of Malfoy, never a single girl.

"She's beautiful, sweetheart. Well done." Narcissa says, after a long pause, stroking Rosanna's sweat damp hair, affectionately.

"She?” Rosanna can't believe her ears. “Are you sure?"

"That's right, my darling girl, you have a daughter. Draco," Narcissa turns her eyes to her son, who still has his arms twined almost too tightly around Rosanna. "It's alright." She assures him, "you can let go now."

Draco tentatively moves a hand to the baby in her arms.

She's covered by a thin blanket, through the blood, he can see hair peeking through.

“Lots of light hair, just like Daddy.”

Immediately he's moved to tears, chin resting on Rosanna's shoulder.

She turns her head to kiss his cheek. "Doing ok back there?"

"Perfect." There's so much more he wants to say, but he can't find the words.

Ro relaxes, into the crook of Draco's shoulder. "I still like Leo.”

He presses his lips to her temple. "Leo it is." Draco agrees.

The older women begin trickling out of the room, leaving the couple and their daughter to rest.

Lucius and Rosanna’s father are waiting, impatiently at the end of the hall. Lucius springs to his feet, from the arm chair, at the sound of approaching footsteps. “Why was the midwife holding out on pain potions? You'd have thought she was being tortured up there."

"Rosanna's fine," Narcissa assures him, "sleeping."

"And the baby?" Archer asks, his foot bouncing on the wood floor.

"Beautiful, a little girl." Dixie tells her husband, feeling herself choke up a bit.

"A girl," Lucius' lips twitch. "Does my granddaughter have a name?"

"She's not yours," Archer seethes.

"I've just as much claim to her as you do." Lucius squares his shoulders, indignantly. "Draco fathered her."

"Under duress!" Archer moves to stand. "Soon as she's awake, I'm taking my daughter home."

"What about Rosanna? What about what she wants?" Narcissa asks.

"You think you know what Ro wants?" Dixie cuts her off. "I've only raised her from birth, but go ahead and tell me what she wants."

"She wants to be with Draco, with their daughter. She wants to be a proper family and to-"

"To what?" Archer bites out.

"To finish school... she misses quidditch, she wants to be with her friends. Believe it or not, I care a great deal for your Rosanna. She's not what I imagined for our son, or even what I wanted, but she's what he needs." She draws in a breath. "It's a fool’s errand, trying to keep them apart."

“She’s coming home with us.”

"Rosanna’s of age." Lucius points out. "You have no hold on her."

"The hell I don't, she's my little girl!" Archer lunges at him. "My baby, not yours!"

"I am sorry for what's happened, but it cannot be undone." Narcissa says, staring down at the floor.

Lucius hopes to be a better Grandfather, than he was a father. Maybe he and Draco could still make amends. "We must set aside whatever animosity there is between us, and do right by our children. Do right by their daughter."

"Leo," Dixie tells him, extending an olive branch, against her better judgement. "Her name is Leo."

Part 6

[kiridarling]

𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏𝐈𝐄

d.kaminari and h.sero | f!reader + corruption + weed/shotguning + praise + threesome + more! minors dni!

— 3.6k words

"I knew I wanted you the second I saw you."

Denki’s addicted to the pre-concert high.

His veins hum with a song that has yet to start, fingers drumming some mixed beat on the body of his electric guitar as he assumes his place on the dark stage. The theater’s dead silent, the room suspended in a titilating anticipation—and the steady rhythm Denki's heart dissapates into chaos when the faint crack of Eijirou's drumsticks bounce off the walls, and the click in his earpiece begins.

Eijirou hits the kick drum once. Twice. Then his hands fly across the set in a flurry, the rolling beat echoing into the packed arena and spurring the crowd to explode, fans flying to their feet to render their vocal cords for the night.

As the other instruments fill the blank space, Denki's hand grips the back of his guitar's neck, on hold for his solo, and by the time the electric blond steps up to the mic, pavlov's theory has already kicked in overdrive.

"Who’s ready to feel good tonight?”

“Dude, I’m on fucking fire!” Denki vibrates, nearly glowing in comparison to his bandmates as they sift through a flurry of fans at a meet and greet. It always seems like Denki and Eijirou are the only ones with energy after a good show—but what can he say? Being on stage lights him up like a live wire.

"You said that last concert, buddy," Hanta snorts, before his a fan ran sacks his attention by shoving a tiara into his hairline.

"And? My point still stan—" Denki cuts himself off with a gasp as a bra slings across his face, followed by a burst of pain when the metal hits him in the cheek. He peels the lacy thing off with an eye on the audience and an eyebrow raised in question, unsure of what to do with the undergarment (other than put it on) until someone screams:

“Sign it!”

Denki shrugs and pops the Sharpie cap with his teeth to sign the crest of both cups before flinging it back into the audience—he can only pray it pinpoints its rightful owner before the meet and greet ends.

Katsuki clicks his tongue (because he hates these events) and as the next round of fans lineup in front of their table, Eijirou stretches like this is a sport, saying, “Guess it’s go-time.”

"Go-time is when we perform," Katsuki grumbles in the seat to Denki’s right. "Go-time is when we're in the studio makin' a goddamn album, not meeting crazy fuckin' fans—no, I’m not gonna marry you, you obsessed fuckin—“

“Oh, you're just salty you're not popular with the ladies~“ Denki gushes, wiggling his eyebrows, and a fan hands him a canvas the size of his upper body. “Un—oh wow, did you make this for me—Unlike me, of course.”

"Okay, pretty boy." Hanta rolls his eyes, before signing a phone case and returning it to an overzealous fan. With a hand covering his mouth, he whispers, “Can you believe this guy? So full of himself, I swear.”

The fan giggles and Hanta meets the blushing cheeks with a satisfied smirk. Denki huffs from the disrespect, crossing both arms over his chest. “Full of myself? It’s not my fault I’m sexy—*an autograph? Of course!"

Katsuki chuckles, scratching under his chin with ink blue fingertips, "Call yourself sexy one more fuckin’ time and I'm projectile vomiti—no, I'm not signing your tits, give me a goddamn paper or somethin—"

"What?” Denki scoffs, chest collapsing with the disbelief that one could make such a lie. “I'm literally the definition of I'm sexy and I kno—"

"Um, excuse me?"

His gesticulations freeze at the passive voice, arms stretched wide and to the sky, and Denki knows he has to look absolutely ridiculous as he blinks down at the next person in-line; who's stood with bambi eyes and such a sweet smile the electric blond thinks it might make him sick.

"I-I'm your biggest fan! Could you—um, please sign this for me?"

She comes alive, shoving a poster into his chest with pink cheeks and shifty irises. Out of all the bras, all the breasts he's been asked to sign today, and here you are, with your pocket-sized poster and your lamb countenance. Denki beams.

"Of course, Sweetness! What's your name?"

"[Y/N]!" you say, giggling, and it's so. Cute. Denki opens the Sharpie and struggles to focus on signing instead of your gorgeous fucking face.

"Anything specific you'd like me to say?"

And he knows there's a rule—there always are when it comes to these things, and it's simple: don't fuck the fans. As tempting as it is, don't invite them back to your hotel room because there are too many uncertainties, and if something leaks to the press that’s possibly career ending, that’s it. So, Denki holds his tongue. For the future of himself and the band.

"Uhm, just write what you want! I...I think I'd like it best if it was authentic and came straight from you, so."

Fuck. Of course she does.

And maybe Denki just can't help it when he leans down to speak, perhaps a little lower, "You want something more authentic, cutie?"

You light up like a kid on Christmas, gasping, "Yes please Mr. Kaminari!"

So eager, too.

"Awe, you can call me Denki if you'd like," he coos, and you nod so quickly he starts to worry about whiplash. "Meet me out back, in the alley behind the venue if you wanna get to know me better. Sound like a deal?”

"O-Okay!" You nod, and when he returns your sign you grip it tight between both hands. "I'll um, see you soon Mr. Kami—I mean, D-Denki!"

You flush from the mix up and bow in apology, and Denki knows he's made the right choice when you light up, indicating you have no idea what he meant at all.

"Row row row your boat, gently down the stream," you hum, sniffling. You’re unsure if your nose is running, it's too frozen to tell, and it has you patting to confirm it’s presence. With your hands stuffed in your pockets and a jacket wrapped tight around your body, you'd think you'd be warm, but no.

The alley is dark. It's dank enough that you can smell it and you're positive what you're dancing in is vomit, but none the matter—today, you met your favorite band. Literally the people you'd die for.

"Merrily, merrily," kicking the loose rocks in the gravel every which way, you enjoy the sound of them scattering against the surrounding brick walls. "Merrily, merrily..."

"Life is but a dream," a voice finishes, a yelp rips from your throat and you jump twenty feet in alarm. But you’d know that voice anywhere; Denki chuckles at your reaction and it has you recoiling with timidity, unprepared for the surprised audience. "You have a lovely voice, Cutie. You should use it more often."

"I..." but you're not exactly sure what to say to that, knowing Denki's heard so many professional voices in his career to last a lifetime, and yet yours is lovely. "T-Thank you."

Denki watches your reaction with a hum and a smile, his visible breath escaping between the slit of his lips and into the cool air.

"Of course, Cutie."

Another voice sighs, shattering the friction that fills your gut when Denki gives you that look. You're not sure what to call it, but it makes you shiver, and that's enough to make you to run and hide.

"...Denki, who's this?"

"Um," the blond places his frozen hands in his pockets and swivels his head around to Hanta, guilty written all over his face. "A fan?"

Hanta sighs again, head tilting to the right in exhausperation, “Denki—"

"I know, I know," the electric blond sighs, waving him off. "But it's fine as long as we don't get caught, right?"

Hanta's black hair threatens to fall into his face so he combs through it, and you try not to drool at the sight of his bicep flexing. "Yeah, until we get caught."

A honk blares and it has you shrieking, to reveal a parked tour bus in the alley once the lights flicker on. Denki points the car keys at the vehicle and the doors swing open. "Awe c'mon, don't be a sour puss. It's a one-time thing, alright?"

Hanta's eyes narrow into slits.

"Seriously, dude! I'm a man of my word! On God."

The noirette's shoulders sag, but he waltzes around both of you to get on the bus. Over his shoulder, he warns, "Denki I swear to fucking god—"

"I'll be careful, I'll be careful~" he singsongs, hopping onto the stairs after the pianist. When Denki notices not you're not moving, he stills at the top step. "You coming, [Y/N]?"

"O-Oh, am I um, am I allowed?" You ask, biting your cheek at the thought of what Hanta just said as you peer around the electric blond’s body. Denki snorts, rolling his eyes.

"Yes, you're allowed," he exits the bus, only to tug you on via your collar. "Now c'mon! Let's have some fun, yeah?"

"Okay!"

Denki steers you through the bus and into a space that looks a bit like a living room, with a couch, tv, and a makeshift kitchen in the corner. Following Denki to the kitchen, you look around.

"Where are Kirishima and Bakugou?"

"Out drinking," Denki tosses, flicking open a RedBull. You wonder if this is always the post-concert routine. Hanta fiddles in with something on the couch, but he still has yet to look you in the eyes tonight, even when you ask him:

"What are you doing?"

It seems he didn't realize you’ve relocated from the kitchen to the couch next to him from the noirette nearly jumps. The green stuff in his fingers crumbles, and you scrunch your nose at the smell.

"It stinks," you add. Denki snorts, jumping onto the cushion to your right. There isn’t a whole lot of room and his addition causes your shoulders to slush between the two of them, but it’s strangely comfortable.

"It's weed," he explains like it's obvious. "You smoke, Cutie?"

"Obviously not," you and Hanta say at the same time. You turn his way, and for the first time that night, Hanta looks you in the eyes—and it's a smile, with his eyes crinkling in the corners, but there's...something else. Something else hidden behind the thinnest veil that makes you cower, if ever so slightly.

Something feral.

Denki, unaware of the crushing grip your hand has around your thigh, huffs, and tosses the energy drink down his gullet, "It was a genuine question! Geez."

"What are you doing?" You ask again, and the electric blond whimpers from being ignored.

"Rolling a joint," he utters, lifting the paper to his lips to lick the length. You watch, semi-disgusted, as Hanta finally folds over the last bit of paper around the crest of the joint, gluing it together.

"Know what a joint is?" The noirette implores.

"Yeah," you breathe, shifting at the new closeness Denki provides when you feel his chest against your back. "My roommate smokes, so."

Hanta taps it on a tray, or what Denki describes as "packing it down," before twisting the tip and tossing it back onto the tray in conclusion. Denki cheers.

"Aha! The joint-rolling master has blessed us! Everyone say thank you, joint-rolling master."

"Thank you, joint-rolling master!" You giggle when Hanta's face turns a ruddy red. He reaches over to pop Denki upside the head. Denki gasps, before lunging to return the favor, and you squeal from being jostled between two men.

"Okay," when Denki returns to his seat he's panting and so is the noirette. He picks the joint off the tray and though there isn't much room, turns so he's facing you, your legs smushed against his body indian style. "You ready, Cutie?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," you huff, swinging your arms in preparation despite the lack of space. Just in case.

Hanta snorts, holding the joint to your lips, and Denki raises the lighter and raises it to the end until it's hot enough to burn on its own.

“Now suck."

You do, cheeks puffing, and you blow the smoke straight in Denki's face. It's...a lot.

"Not quite," Hanta chuckles, and flips you via the waist so you're facing him. Denki whines from the change but finds solace in hooking his chin over your shoulder. "Suck, and then inhale. Act like it's a big breath—you gotta hold it in your lungs for a sec."

"Okay," you assert with a nod, eyes burning with a new determination. When Hanta holds it to your lips, you suck and inhale, and start coughing your throat raw, in a flurry of smoke and tears, eyes watering and nose burning. You scramble for water, but by the time you get some, the only thing that's left to soothe is a sore throat.

"Here," Denki offers, grabbing the joint before flipping you his way again. "Take smaller hits, like this."

Denki's mouth wraps around the tip and smoke pours from his lips so smoothly you're determined to do the same. With a raised eyebrow, he passes it back to you, and though it takes a moment, you try again.

The back of your throat tingles but the glide is much smoother, and you find that it doesn't burn on your next exhale. So you do it again. And again. And agai—

"Okay," Hanta picks the joint from your fingers with a click of his tongue, before taking a hit himself. You frown, making grabby hands.

"Hey, wai—"

"Nu-uh," he tuts, pushing you down by your forehead. "You'll feel it soon enough, trust me."

You whine, crossing your arms over your chest. Hanta gives you nothing but a raised eyebrow as he takes another hit, and you're convinced it's to taunt you. "I'm not eve—"

But then the world blurs, a bit, and your legs hum in a way they haven't before; it's warm and it's nice, and it has you blinking down at your hands in bewilderment. Whoa.

"And there she goes," Denki announces, and somehow seized the joint from the noirette when you weren't looking. Your mouth drops to say something, but all you can produce is a light giggle before it melts into a guffaw that only comes straight from the gut, your hands trying to soothe your cramping belly. Tears come to your eyes fairly easily, and when Hanta asks if you're okay he sounds like he's underwater, and that's enough to send you flying through another fit of laughs.

"I—y-yeah, I'm just—just fine," you snort behind a hand, chest spasming as you finally gather yourself enough to calm down. "I'm good. Mhm."

"Yep. Totally fine," Hanta says, but something in his tone suggests he doesn't believe you at all.

You nod, biting your bottom lip to avoid another laugh attack with your hands bunching the bottom of your shirt for extra purchase. Hanta narrows his eyes while taking another hit, so you sock him in the shoulder with a huff. "Stop looking at me like that."

The noirette snorts, "Like what?"

"Like..." you start strong, but falter under his eyes. "Like you want to eat me."

Hanta hums at the comment but says nothing, and you're not sure if your mind fabricated the quick look he gives the electric blond sat behind you. Denki speaks first.

"Do you know what shotgunning is, [Y/N]?"

You frown, "Like a shotgun?"

"So no," Hanta answers for you.

"Here," Denki offers, turning you again. Plucking the nub of a joint from the noirette, he takes a big hit before picking your face up by the jaw and hovering your lips over yours. You're not sure what to do, but once your lips connect, smoke fills your lungs, and you don't exhale until Denki pulls away. You blink, a little dazed.

You just kissed Denki Kaminari.

"Feel good?" He asks, never leaving your personal space. You nod, and he grins. "Wanna do it again?"

Your hands fist his shirt, teeth tearing the inside of your cheek due to the amount of embarrassment this question encourages. "I wan—can we do it again but without the um...without the smoke?"

Denki's hands find your hips and it's hard for him to contain a sly smirk, biting his lips to move in on his prey.

"I knew I waned you the second I saw you."

Denki's lips feel much better when he puts a little weight into the kiss, pinning you between him and the noirette. You're not exactly sure what you're doing but he takes the lead, titling his head and kissing harder, rougher, so your lips are pink and swollen by the time he pulls away.

"A-Another," you whimper, tightening your grip around his tee.

Denki hums in contemplation, picking your head up by your chin. "Ask nicely, Cutie."

Flushing deeper, your eyes dart to the coffee table.

“Another, please."

"Good girl," Denki coos, and he's propping you up against Hanta's chest. You shiver at the comment, finding purchase on Hanta's thighs as Denki kisses you on the lips again. "Wanna feel even better?"

"Yes," you nod vehemently. "Yes please."

Denki hums at that, climbing down your body as his hands glide from your waist to the band of your pants. You frown, "What—What are you doing?"

"Eating you out, Cutie," the electric blond says, hands freezing once his thumbs dip under your waistband. "That okay?"

"Oh okay," you breathe, relaxing against Hanta's chest. "Y-Yeah, that's fine."

Denki rips your pants off at that, tossing them towards the corner of the room and ultimately, to a place you'll probably never find them. Pushing your panties to the side, he licks his lips at the sight of your pussy, and flicks your clit with a smirk. You jump.

"H-Hey, that's not—"

He flattens his tongue against your slit and chuckles when you shudder, and after tossing both of your legs over his shoulders. You're not sure what he does after that though, because Hanta picks your face up by the chin and presses his lips to yours.

Denki slides a finger inside and you squeal against Hanta's chapped lips. You hear the electric blond moan, readjusting himself between your thighs, before you finally peel your lips off the noirette's, chest having from lack of oxygen.

"Such a pretty pussy, Baby," Denki gushes before his warm lips fold around your clit and he sucks, humming in surprise when you buck against his mouth. Hanta hooks his chin around your shoulder with a second joint dangling between his lips—and where it came from is beyond you.

Once he exhales, the joint finds its way between your lips and he instructs you to inhale, and the head rush afterwards has you digging your head into his chest.

"You're so wet, holy shit," Denki pulls away, lips strawberry pink and glossed with slick as he trades his both for his thumb and inserting another finger. It crooks just right and that's enough to make your hips buck, nails carving crescents in Hanta's thighs.

“T-There,” you whimper, wiggling your hips again, and Denki grins, thumb pressing into your clit. Your thighs quiver with the strain it takes to hold them back and Hanta’s calloused hands skip to your waist after dropping the burning joint off in the tray.

“Pull his hair,” the noirette commands, but you hesitate, hands glued to his thighs. Hanta sighs, reaching over you to tug for himself.

“Mph—fuck!” Denki’s eyelids flutter as he moans into your pussy with a new passion, his hands wrapping around your thighs to hold you in place. You gasp at his reaction, fingers scrambling under Hanta’s own to thread through his electric blond hair.

“Move your hips—grind against his face, c’mon,” Hanta’s grip tightens around your waist as he offers the suggestion, and you whimper with a nod before your bucking into Denki’s mouth without abandon. As the noirette trails butterfly kisses up the column of your neck, the coil in your gut snaps, and you barely have time to squeak out a warning before you’re flooding Denki’s mouth.

“Good girl...ride it out—there you go,” Hanta coos, biting your ear. You shiver as Denki pulls away with a final (and obscene) slurp, grinning like he didn’t just shatter you to pieces with nothing but his tongue and fingers.

Denki’s lips are on yours in a blink—you moan, legs still buzzing from the afterglow as you weakly grope for the small hairs on the back of his neck.

“Taste good, don’t ya?” He says with a click of a tongue after pulling away.

“I guess so,” you flush, the humiliation from so shamelessly digging your heels into Denki’s back finally settling in. Hanta reaches under your arm for Denki’s chin.

“What? Want a taste too?” The electric blond giggles, wiggling his eyebrows. Hanta snorts.

“If you could be so kind.”

Denki hums at that, placing a hand on your inner thigh for balance as he slams his lips on the noirette’s for the first time that night. He dives straight for the kill, tongue and teeth and everything, and Denki moas when Hanta’s teeth sink into his bottom lip; you find that you like it a lot.

Though eventually you tired of watching, and press the heel of your hand on Hanta’s hard cock through the fabric of his jeans. The pianist hisses, and you grin—you’ve got their attention now.

“Whoa Sweetheart, what are y—“

“I...I want more,” you assert despite the tremor in your voice. Hanta raises an eyebrow in question which has you pressing harder in hopes he’ll cave just as easily as before. Just in case, you add, “Please.”

Denki redirects your attention by squishing your cheeks until you’re looking him in the eyes. With dark eyes, he says, “You sure you want more, Cutie?”

You nod despite the restriction, “Wanna...wanna get to know you better.”

You watch Denki’s pupils dialate at that, and he can’t even hold back a groan when he says:

“Gods, Baby. We’re going to ruin you.”

unpopular opinion: bakugou's the bassist and kirishima's the drummer. fight me.

not me projecting 12yo sun's fantasy of getting railed in the tour bus by 5sos um—

[buckyjamess-archive]

𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓲𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓲 ❁ 𝓫𝓾𝓬𝓴𝔂 𝓫𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓼

chapter eighteen • a/n: last chapter folks- wanna thank all those who interacted/read it, I hope you enjoyed it! ♡ gonna miss these fools, ngl • wordcount: 2k • warnings: nothing but fluff. Parenthood. Babies. Kids.

summary

going through  rough years after losing your husband, you try to raise your daughter the best you can. With the help from the wilson's you make the best of it but the road is bumpy when sam introduces you to his friend.

masterlist

His hands are warmer and maybe even bigger as his fingers are intertwined with yours, gently swaying back and forth, his thumb rubbing the back of your hand or a light squeeze to remind you he's still there. 

a few steps ahead, rosie groans, huffs and puffs as she pushes the stroller the best she can. Talking to her little brother who gurgles back just as much. 

"You're really heavy!" 

a soft pink, round handbag with minnie mouse printed on the front hangs loosely in Steve's other hand. Handed to him seconds after leaving the restaurant by Rosie herself as she offered to push her little brother back home. A heavy diaper bag he'd taken off the stroller to take away some weight, hangs of his shoulder– you told him you could carry one of the two but Steve being Steve, refused your offer and instead clamped his hand in yours.

A day out planned by the man walking next to you. A day with the four of you, letting Rosie and JJ get used to Steve being around for more than the two hours every night before getting tucked in. That Steve wasn't just a friend anymore– though Rosie 'just knew' when you told her Steve was more than a friend, a special friend. 

'I don't kiss my friends like that' 

Rosie didn't mind, or at least you think. She was good with everyone, stranger or not. Opening up to Steve wasn't a problem, becoming friends with Steve came easy for the girl. 

And bucky, bucky would always be dad.

'Now I have three daddies. My real daddy, my normal daddy and steve.' 

And though you never intended to let Steve in your life so quickly, it became serious pretty fast. 

Delicately glueing back each other's pieces left of a broken heart; giving solace, a shoulder to cry on and someone to hold. Steve and you never intended to become this, you were just friends, used-to-be-coworkers. It happened. Bucky no longer floating through your head every other minute or feeling that ache in your chest– just you and Steve and for now after the heartbreak Bucky caused you could in all honesty say that Steve Rogers treated you better than anyone ever did.

The stroller comes to a halt when Rosie stills in front of the apartment block. She let's go of the stroller and places both hands on her sides, bright yellow sunglasses resting on the bridge of her nose, she sighs heavily. 

"That was heavy." 

You and Steve chuckle at Rosie her stance as if an old man admiring his self-built furniture, sarcasm dripping from her body yet as innocent as can be. 

"I bet it was, kid." 

"Yes, JJ eats too much." 

"Says the girl who ate all my fries." 

Letting go of your hand, Steve hands Rosie back her own bag which she happily takes– slipping the diaper bag from his shoulder, you wrap your hand around it and carefully toss it over your own. Hand digging in to find your keys. Taking the few steps up the building, you push open the door and watch how Steve casually carries the stroller and JJ up the steps and follows Rosie in the building.

The walk to the elevator is short, the three of you and the stroller packed tight in the small space– you stay quiet, watching the interaction between Rosie and Steve, your heart grows ten times its size. You thank the gods above for giving you all these amazing men in your life, even if they broke your heart in different ways- teaching you the ways of life, giving the best things to ever exist, trusting you, caring about you..loving you.

Riley, your first real love. The one that changed your life forever. Teaching the ropes of this crazy thing called adult life. Be the calm to your chaos. Showed you love like you'd never had before– sure enough about it all to put a ring around your finger and giving you the most important job of them all; be a mother to a beautiful, funny and feisty daughter. Riley who gave you real heartbreak, leaving an empty hole in your heart and took a piece of your soul with him

Sam who stood by your side through it all. Going through the process together of losing a spouse and partner on the field. Your shoulder to lean on when things got rough, a friend of your man turned into your best friend– showing you the meaning of family by letting you into his own.

Bucky who stole your heart so fast, you never had a chance to let it settle– a wild man willing to wait. A wild man who showed you that life after Riley could be something beautiful; taught you how to love again, brought you back to life and gave you the gift you call your son, gave Rosie a father figure. Bucky the best mistake you'd ever made in your life.

And maybe all these men were needed to get you with the one. Without Riley no Sam and without Sam no Bucky, and you'd never have met Steve if you didn't move to Brooklyn. All these men lead you to him.

Steve. The man who picked up the pieces and put them back together– the man you so desperately needed in your life. The calm that Riley once gave you and the wild and silly bucky once showed. The one for real this time.

Even if things didn't go your way, men changing every chapter of your book– life was pretty amazing. 

Steve must've seen the slight wobble of your chin and your eyes filling with tears. His firm hand back into yours, you look up to meet his blues, you shoot him a tight lipped smile.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" 

You inhale deeply, quickly wiping away the tears that have made their way down your cheeks and not trusting your own voice, you smile at your daughter but shrug. 

"You know what I think?" Steve quips, the hand that's intertwined with yours now snaking around your waist to pull you ever closer into his side "I think mom's just really happy." 

Rosie nods unsure but gives a toothy grin "then I'm happy too, then we're all happy." 

"Then we're all happy." 

He reads you like an open book, something you got to love and hate over the last few weeks. Nitpicking little flaws to get under your skin or be the biggest sap whenever you're feeling down; he knows you like the back of his hand. 

"This is so stupid," you breath out a shaky chuckle "Jesus, I'm crying in an elevator–" 

"It's not stupid," Steve reassures "we're all just very happy, right?" 

"Yeah." You nod. 

Squeezing your side, Steve let's you know he's there and plants a kiss to your temple before resting his chin upon your head.

"I love you, sweetheart." 

Bucky can't quite believe it himself; just a month ago he labeled Steve Rogers as his arch enemy and wish bad things upon the blonde and now, now bucky hopes and wishes the blonde would treat you better than anyone else– welcomed Steve into the mess. 

At ease, okay, alright but above all grateful. You didn't kick him out of your life or that of his kids– you wouldn't be the first mother to do such a thing, he's seen it on TV multiple times. Bucky's grateful that you and him still were a thing just not the same. Parents of your kids, friends.

Though jealousy would strike once in a while and he reminded himself of the mistake he'd made, It was good this way.

Big helium balloons in the shape of letters and numbers float above the table shoved against the wall, reading 'JJ 1 YEAR'. Silver birthday garlands hanging from ceilings along the baby blue and white balloons– table filled with snacks, gifts and drinks. Cramped in your apartment but done together– texting back and forth, nights of planning brought you all here, JJ his first birthday.

Friends and family here to celebrate something the two of you made from love.

Bucky leans against the kitchen bar, one hand tucked deep into the pocket of his jeans and the other wrapped around a bottle of beer. Eyes upon the small crowd gathered and lands on Steve, barely on his knees next to a side table, small plastic tiara on his head as Rosie applies makeup on the guy's face from the set she'd just got as a gift from uncle Sam.

Bucky smiles, at least you picked a child magnet, a guy who'll love his kids as much as the two of you do. 

Bucky scans the crowd again and spots you without any problem, another smile on his face at the sight of his godchild hailey holding JJ, probably gossiping around with you.

It's good this way.

"Hey man." 

Snapping out of his own world, Bucky meets the eyes of a man he hasn't spoken to in months; sam. Not since he got to learn about Bucky's mistake.

"Hey." Bucky shoots him a tight lipped smile.

Standing still next to Bucky, Sam leans against the bar in the same stance and follows Bucky's gaze to the crowd to you, his son and hailey.

"He looks like you." Sam confesses "scary." 

Letting his head fall, Bucky chuckles and nods "at least we know it's mine." 

Sam chuckles along till it dies down, silence falling over both men as they keep watching the scene in front of them. How you leave Hailey with her nephew and mingle with some friends– bucky can feel Sam's eyes burning on his face. 

"Told you so, didn't I?" 

Bucky snorts "Let's not go there, I've learned my lesson." 

"Do you?" Sam quips with a grin on his face "No new love on the horizon?" 

Bucky nods, he has learned his lesson and he knows he'll never find someone like you again– he has definitely learned his lesson and definitely not ready for something new.

"No man, I'm going to focus on my kids." Bucky breathes out a soft chuckle "apparently I still have two." 

"Rosie loves you– I have to thank you for that, giving Rosie a father figure." 

"Wouldn't trade it for anything else." 

"I know." 

Another, comfortable silence falls like a thick blanket. Knowing each other well enough to know what they're thinking– a smile creeping on both men's faces at the sight of you pushing yourself past some people and beelining towards the duo.

"Mind If I join?" 

Scooting aside, both Sam and bucky make space for you in between and your arm that snakes around Bucky's back gives him a warm and fuzzy feeling– he pulls you closer into his side with his arm dropped over your shoulder 

"A year ago you nearly passed out." You mumble softly 

"I didn't pass out." Bucky scoffs 

"I said nearly–" 

"Not even nearly." 

"The nurses had to sit you down." 

"They never–" 

"They did!" 

It's a game of back and forth, getting underneath each other's skin and Bucky hopes things like this will never change even if you decided to spend the rest of your life with steve. The silly arguments, the silly fights and the lame jokes– bucky would be alright as long as that stayed. 

The squeeze around his side makes Bucky aware you're still there. Locking eyes with yours, one's he's found himself lost in many times before, he copies your smile. 

"What?" 

"Nothing– we did good." You state.

Though things didn't go the way it was supposed to, the two of you did good indeed, more than good even. 

"I think we did amazing." Bucky smiles back.

Wrapping his arm around your shoulder a bit tighter, he places a quick kiss on your forehead before following your gaze into the crowd, his daughter, his son, his family and steve.

It's good this way.

"So, guys," Sam clears his throat from beside you "really gotta know what happened on hailey her birthday party that day." 

"No, you don't." You and Bucky chuckle in unison "you really don't."

Taglist: @farfromshawn @Nicollettemarie @wooya1224 @felicityofbakerstreet @agentmstark @sierrax023 @lilyevanswhore @qhbr2013 @buckybarnesobsessed @themaddies-obx @aloserwithoutacause @aanngie @sebby-staan @sweetth1ng @starrystarkey93 @libidinexx @dontputyourfckingdrinkonmytable @gasly-kvyat @brown-bi-beautiful @peter-laufeyson @im-squished @meshlababy @lindseyrae20 @cb97skies @qwccrr @ssprayberrythings @yougottalovefandoms @jbcalway @realgaytrash @natyvwe @poetryazenth @winterberryfox @ahahafudge @okiegirl24 @0moondoodler0 @why-wait-4-eventually @abzidabzy

[spotofimagines]

Tea Party ~ Calum Chambers

A/N: @footballffbarbiex ​ is running another writing challenge so here i am again! happy father's day and enjoy :)

Warnings: kids - reader is female

Summary: What your little girl wants, your little girl gets. That statement might be changing from now on...

Walking through the door, Mum in tow this time, you're surprised to find the house quiet and relatively tidy, just as you left it. You nudge your head round the door frame to see no one in the living room as you slip your shoes off and it makes you frown a little. Their afternoon alone together certainly would have caused more chaos than this.

Guessing your two troublemakers must be busy upstairs, you venture that way, shouting their names to let them know you're home whilst your Mum makes herself comfortable. 

You can hear your boyfriend's muffled voice and a bunch of objects moving around as you walk. It's only when you reach the landing that your daughter makes an appearance speeding towards you.

She is decked out head to toe in items from her dressing-up box; her most used princess dress on with her grey pyjamas still underneath, plastic heel slides, and a tiara in her messy hair that you can already tell is knotted in place. Her favourite elephant teddy is seconds from falling out from under her little arm, but there's no sign of her slowing down to wait for that to happen.

You quickly scoot to the side as she whizzes past, saying a cheerful "hi" without looking up before she's off down the stairs to Grandma.

You take a breath as you ready yourself to see what mess the toys on the floor have spilled away from in her bedroom. When you reach her doorway, that's where you find the man you were searching for, in the process of slowly standing up from the ground.

Now there's no doubting what has happened while you were gone. The small purple table is in the middle of the room covered in all the toy teacups she owns, and a few extras from the kitchen. A few pink chairs sit around the table occupied by her most treasured teddies, with the rest left to sit haphazardly on her bed to watch the festivities from afar. 

But no one looks as prepared for this royal tea party as Calum. He is adorned in a pink cowboy hat encrusted with a diamante star, a purple feather boa neatly wrapped around his neck over his athletic top, and enough plastic jewellery to accessorise a crowd.

You have to stifle a laugh so you don't startle him, but when Cal turns and sees you in the doorway with your hand on your mouth, he starts chuckling himself. He defeatedly drops his yellow cup on the table as your laugh gladly fills the room at the sight of him.

“That's the last time I do that,” He says, glad to be done with it but struggling to keep himself from smiling no matter how hard he’s trying, “Half an hour it was. My knees are killing me.” You mockingly 'aw' at him whilst he places the rings he'd been wearing on top of a set of drawers and plods across the carpet to you. He isn't too used to spending time with your daughter completely alone like this and it's made him tired you can tell. But he also looks pretty satisfied with how the day has been spent, or more, how happy the day has made your little girl.

He huffs and you rub your hands over his chest and shoulders a few times before sharing a quick greeting kiss. Only then do you notice the glitter in his hair. Lord knows how that got involved, but you decide to keep to yourself the fact he’ll probably still be sporting that look in training tomorrow morning. 

“Thirty minutes isn't that long you know...” You point out, taking the bracelet off his wrist and dropping it in the dress-up box where it belongs. You’ve been caught up for hours at a time playing make belief with her when Cal has been away with Arsenal and you know by now, just thirty minutes sitting on her bedroom floor is a blessing. 

His face falls flat as he widens his eyes a little. “Alright then, you can be Sheriff Bubblegum next time if you want,” He says sarcastically, putting the pink cowboy hat on your head now with a chuckle. Your hair falls everywhere as he slides the hat down your face, both your laughs growing a little. His other hand grabs your waist to move you to the side and he pushes you behind him into the room playfully, walking down the hall with a big grin before you can get to him. 

Regretfully, your poor boyfriend leaves too early and in the midst of seeing you get distracted enough to leave his feather boa around his neck, meaning his vow not to attend another tea party hosted by your daughter won't even last for the rest of the afternoon. 

[queenmina37]

I have some HC about what I think byakurans and the funeral wreaths crowns look like cause well byakuran said he was giving North Korea a western influence style wise and well crowns are a western royalty thing so I feel like the royal family definitely has crowns for like fancy occasions and also photoshoots.

I feel like their crowns would go hard with the whole flower thing and also since byakuran is a troll and trolling the heroes and the anyone in the know is a mafia pastime they would be like Greek Laurel Wreaths, but like made of metal and they have like flowers made of like precious metals and gems

Each prince or princess crown is made of silver and has like the funeral wreaths name flower on it made of gems that match they’re flame color like Bluebells crown is like a silver flower crown that’s made of like bluebells made of like silver and sapphires

Byakurans crown is the same style as the prince and princess crowns but made of gold which is not because he’s more important than them or anything but because silver kind of blends in with his white hair and gold looks better on him. His crown is mostly orchads that are white with amber accents cause flame color but he also has one of all the other funeral wreaths flowers woven in as well cause he’s they’re sky.

Kai also has a crown and his is like comprised of a flower crown laurel thing that has all of the funeral wreaths and byakurans flowers woven together too subtly show anyone in the mafia that if u mess with Kai all of the funeral wreaths will come and vanquish your ass he is firmly under they’re protection.

Tsuna also has a crown but it’s like the traditional English Queen Crown looks like a replica of Queen Elizabeth’s crown because everyone kind of ran with the whole tsuna is the queen of North Korea thing.

Tsuna also has another crown that byakuan gave him as a joke that is essentially a gold laurel wreath but like all the leaves are clams. Tsuna being an agent of chaos loves it and wears it to meetings with mafia bosses that he doesn’t care about impressing too much to see if they comment on his weird clam crown

Uni has a tiara and it’s technically not like an official royal headpiece but byakuran got her a variety of very pretty custom tiaras that she loves cause uni is a little girl who isn’t quite out of her Disney princess phase and she wears them every time she goes to North Korea.

Bubu Daisys bunny also has a mini version of Daisys crown. For Daisy to put on him when he takes him to fancy gatherings.

All the crowns may or may not have some flame tech built into them much like the rings the general mafia is unsure on whether or not they are weaponized but since Gesso is known for making weaponized jewelry and they are made of the same gems that Talbots uses to make the rings. The mafia that is unallied with Gesso is generally pretty weary of them cause no one knows what they do or if they do anything.

I hadn't even thought about crowns. Actually, though, would they all even have a crown? Byakuran probably has one for, like, super fancy and formal instances where it's required. Tsuna has one too, probably, because of the whole queen thing. Like a consort crown, I think they're called? But Byakuran is the ruler, Tsuna is his soulmate, so it makes sense they have crowns. I'm not so sure about the rest of them, though?

I mean, I think Yuni and Bluebell have, like, tiaras or something. And, hey, maybe the rest of the Funeral Wreaths have tiaras too, because it would be more or less unfair if they didn't get their own! But I wouldn't call them crowns, since they would be tiaras. They would definitely still be color coded, because when doesn't mafia color code everything?

But yeah, like, they (Byakuran's and Tsuna's crowns) would be used really rarely, I think. Like, only with really important state occasions or something. And I can't imagine Tsuna wearing the clam crown to meetings with bosses, at least if it was presented to him as a crown. If Byakuran just gave it to him, like, "Look what I made for you!", then I could maybe see him wear it. Because he is an agent of chaos.

The number one rule in the mafia: If it's color coded, it's probably Flame tech and thus, can be used as a weapon.

[cynthiaandsamus]

Custom Toonami Block Week 69 (Nice) Rundown

Code Geass: So this episode is kind of a ride, like fuck. We kinda yadda yadda how Lelouch fucking escaped from Nunally’s sinking airship and just have Rolo sitting over him in bed kind of conflicted that he’s still stuck on his old little sister, so therefore he programs the tvs in Lelouch’s train to blast Nunally’s appointment but it’s funny because he probably didn’t even have to do that because directly after that Lelouch runs into the station and Nunally shit is just everywhere, like I get it’s a metaphor but it’s just funny that Rolo had to plan for him to run into something Nunally-related only for him to run out of the plan and run into ten times more Nunally shit. Then we get Kaguya claiming herself, Kallen and CC as Zero’s harem directly followed by a depressed Lelouch hypnotizing a bunch of street punks to exercise, about to do drugs and asking to fuck Kallen, like this episode is fucking ridiculous and parts are hilariously contrived, thankfully Kallen slaps the shit out of him and Rolo’s like “yo bro we don’t need that bitch, come on and live it up in this ridiculously racist system and the one place where it’s slightly less racist with me” and then they go back to school and have the “Happiness is Like Glass” scene which is genuinely amazing and moving, like for all the weird zany stuff that happens in the first part of this episode, this is a little oasis of pure sincerity and quality where Lelouch makes a promise he knows he won’t be able to keep. Inspired by this amazing moment, Lelouch returns to the Black Knights with the thought of “Maybe there are other reasons to destroy an oppressive dictatorship aside from my one ridiculously crippled sister” which he probably should’ve thought of before. And then he defeats Suzaku’s navy with the power of FUCKING BUBBLES, like yeah, this episode is right back to being crazy ridiculous but Lelouch is back and wants in on Nunally’s special zones… okay, phrasing.

Inuyasha: So we open with a scene of Kagome playing cards with Miroku which is genuinely adorable if pointless, but it just makes me laugh that Miroku and Sango seem to know all the rules of the game but are still stumped when Kagome tells them they’re Playing Cards, probably a culture thing. Anyway, Inuyasha has to kill a Barrier Demon to get the power to break barriers, which is a bit of a conundrum because Barrier Demons have, you know, barriers, which Inuyasha currently cannot break. Worse still said demon is a little girl and a half-demon like Inuyasha which understandably puts him in quite a quandary. Inuyasha does his usual thing of “Let’s just go in swinging and figure out the rest later but Shiori’s grandfather deflects the admittedly cool-looking Water Wind Scar Inuyasha throws at them with Shiori’s barrier. Shiori’s mom is all “Gimme back my daughter you said you’d stop attacking us if I let you have her” and he’s all like “Well make me, I have a fucking barrier and can hold you hostage” so everyone’s generally pissed off about the situation and Shiori’s granddad with the long name sends all the bat demons to go destroy the village which makes no fucking sense because the only reason she’s still cooperating is so they won’t hurt her mom, without her she has no reason to keep doing it but I guess he’s hoping having nothing to live for will make her do what he says out of nihilism or some shit.

Yu Yu Hakusho: Yusuke gets to face off against Suzaku, the final boss of the Saint Beasts and the gang get to demonstrate the teamwork lessons from this arc by doing a reenactment of the jumping Bahamut scene from Advent Children so Yusuke can get up the tower to fight him. It’s really pretty cool how they splice in Keiko’s Day of the Dead montage with Yusuke fighting Suzaku, tying things together thematically and culiminating in Yusuke and Keiko both fucking decking their opponents. I also really like how Yusuke’s so confident Keiko won’t go down to a zombie hoard so easily, like she’s not a fighter but she’s smart and has got guts so he’s pretty sure she can last a while while he pretends to punch Suzaku with his shoes. Overall a really good start to the fight that means Yusuke still has to wiggle his way out after using his Spirit Gun already and Suzaku still has a lot of shit to pull.

Fate Zero: So Saber and Lancer do their fight and there’s a bunch of fightnobabble talk that someone who’s actually held a weapon in their life would probably enjoy but to me is just “Oooh cool jabbies, flashing lights” which is still fun. Basically everyone’s watching though, Kirei has his ninja squad on the job, Kiritsugu’s Black Ops is monitoring things and Iskander is watching from the Radical Highway Bridge from Sonic Adventure 2. Eventually Iskander is like “Well damn they might kill each other if this keeps up” and Waver’s like “yeah duh.” And Iskander shows who wears the booty shorts in this relationship by storming into the fight against Waver’s wishes cause he wants to fight everyone anyway. So yeah, giant lightning chariot in the middle of this First Boss battle.

Konosuba: Now that the party’s all formed the group settle into a daily routine of Kazuma being Megumin’s wheels for her Explosion training, Aqua being a waitress and Darkness doing… probably better not to think about what Darkness is doing. Anyway, Megumin bombs the shit out of a Dullahan’s castle and before the Dullahan can call his friend Celty to come kick her ass, Darkness gets hit with a death spell and he issues a challenge to Megumin to come to the tower of the Four Saint Beasts and (wait wrong anime again) but Aqua just breaks the curse on her own and they just don’t bother showing up. In the manga this is really funny because Aqua’s in a maid outfit from her waitress job and just does it like it’s nothing and then they show a panel later of the Dullahan waiting for them like “The fuck when are they getting here…”.

Sailor Moon Crystal: So for some reason even though we only have three of the five Sailor Guardians, Luna decides this is the time to give a recap and reintroduce our protagonists for the first part of this episode. Anyway there’s a big party to celebrate a dated princess Di reference that’s kind of in poor taste at this point and Usagi and friends get in based solely on having fancy dresses and being hot, man I had no idea getting in with rich people was that easy. Anyway, Usagi gets a new tiara because of love and shit and gets an upgraded Ancient Egyptian Laser Beam from the moon. The Four Kings show up to be all “Ha-ha! You defeated my demon but now there’s all four of us and even though we still think you have the crystal and outnumber you and there will never be a moment when you’re weaker than this we will now… LEAVE FOR NO REASON!” like the logic of people in this show oh my fucking god. But of course the dated princess reference’s treasure isn’t the crystal they’re looking for and Tuxedo Mask kisses Sailor Moon while she’s asleep which is definitely sexual assault there was no fucking consent there, I don’t care if they’re moon soul mates or whatever she barely knows who he is and wasn’t conscious. But yeah Luna calls him out on his shit and despite clearly being an ally he has to be all edgy and be like “Well maybe I’m a friend, maybe I’ an enemy, who knows~” because I think he gets his power from how mysterious he is, like he’s going to be utterly useless if anyone figures out who he is, not to mention Luna already knows his identity but for some reason doesn’t tell Usagi. Idk man I just have a hard time following the logic of this fucking show…

Durarara!!: So yeah, this is the “The Yagiri Family is fucked” episode Namie has a weird fucked up brocon yandere thing going on, Seiji’s an asshole that because of having two stalker yanderes going after him has become a fractured manchild that thinks love is everything and pretends he knows shit but knows less shit than pretty much everyone around him and has his sister do all the shit for him. But yeah, Celty sees Seiji with the girl with her head and freaks out, and Shinra A DOCTOR if you remember says “Hey maybe your head just attached itself to a corpse Parasyte style” like either he’s a terrible doctor and really thinks that or this is a smokescreen to make Celty think her head has moved on and she should too which is a fucked up level of gaslighting. But yeah, Mikado takes Head Girl, Seiji keeps stabbing people with pens for some reason, luckily it’s mostly Shizuo so it doesn’t do anything, and Izaya’s just like “oh shit, chaos, I’m down”. Basically everyone is awful in this episode except for Mikado who just wants to help and doesn’t know shit, Celty who’s doing her best, and Shizuo who’s just awesome as usual.

[haloshornsinkstains]

Spirit Week - Monday: Wedding Day

In which everyone is dressed up for a wedding and chaos ensues.

Sorry this took a while, my laptop keyboard has been throwing hissy fits and seems to believe I’m holding down / constantly. Seems to be behaving today so here’s Chapter 2. As always it can be found on AO3 also here (I tend to update AO3 first)

Sunday night found Kore, Mammon. Levi and Beel all curled up on Kore’s bed watching the latest episode of a show Levi had recommended to them. They didn’t quite fit, Kore was sandwiched between Mammon and Beel - though with Mammon’s insistent tugging at her she was almost on top of him - while Levi pressed up against her legs. It had taken some convincing to get him out his room and here in the first place, and now she felt bad he seemed almost separated from them. “You can come up here if you want Levi?” She shifted slightly, making a vague gesture towards her torso that made Mammon frown, even if Levi didn’t bother to turn his head away from his D.D.D to look. “Why would I want to get closer to a normie like you?” Kore laughed, reaching forwards to gently ruffle his hair, momentarily exposing the reddened tips of his ears. “It’s a good thing you’re cute, you grump.” She didn’t need to see his face to know he’d be bright red by now, fingers flying across the screen as he muttered something about ‘normies’ and ‘waifu’ under his breath. She relaxed back against Mammon, still smiling softly. “So… you guys all prepared for Spirit Week? What’s the plan?” Mammon groaned. “It’s a pain in the ass, I’m not doing it.” Beel swallowed and shook his head. “You know Lucifer won’t let you get away with that.” “... crap.” Kore laughed, shaking her head. “Besides that, you can’t let Asmo out-do you with his dress!” She glanced over to him, watching his cheeks flush just a little. “I think you’d look dashing in a tuxedo.” She hadn’t said it just to get a rise out of him, but he looked so pretty with his face flushed like that it was hard to resist. Still, she thought, he really would look dashing in a tux. “Yeah, well… maybe I’ll do it. Only ‘cause Lucifer would be mad at me, nothing to do with what you just said. Of course I’d look great in a tuxedo, I look great in everything. I’m the Great Mammon.” He paused. “What’re you looking at me like that for?” Kore shook her head, “No reason. What about you Beel?” He shrugged, chewing a mouthful of popcorn for a second before swallowing. “Guess I’m wearing the same as everyone else.” “Awh, not joining me and Asmo in our dresses?” She pouted a little, eyes sparkling with mischief. “He’s really going for a dress?” Levi looked up from his phone with a frown. “Of course he is, that idiot will do anything for attention.” Mammon grumbled from somewhere behind Kore’s head, shifting slightly. “You’re wearing one too Kore?” “Asmo insisted.” She frowned a little. “I hope it’s not too ridiculous.” The boys fell suspiciously silent and she sighed, shaking her head. “I’m clearly the smart one doing lessons online, I don’t have to do any of this.” “I think you should anyway Levi, school spirit and all that. You can join the spirit of suffering with the rest of us.” Kore bumped him lightly with her knee. “At least we’ll look good doing it?”

Kore was roused from her sleep by the sound of hammering on her door. Groaning she rolled over to check her D.D.D. Well, she hadn’t overslept despite what turned out to be quite a late night, in fact it was still 30 minutes until her alarm… what in all hells was happening? Couldn’t be an emergency, no one else sounded like they were awake. Maybe Lucifer? What had she done to get in trouble this time? Grumbling she hauled herself out of bed, tugging down the oversized tee shirt she’d stolen from Beel, and opened the door. “Lord Diavolo you look awful!” “Why thank you Asmodeus, how nice to see you too.” She stopped just short of shutting the door in his face, settling for a tired glare instead. “Why are you here?” Asmo grinned brightly, holding up a large black bag. “It’s Monday! We have a Wedding to prepare for!” “It’s barely Monday, why so early?” Kore grumbled in response, stepping back to let him into her room. “I have to get your makeup and hair done too!” “I can do my own makeup, it’s not that hard. I was happy to just steal a suit from someone you know?” “I cannot be the only one in this house in a dress, besides, it would be a crime to let a pretty girl like you go without a wedding dress today!” “Flattery won’t get you anywhere Asmo.” She flopped down on the bed, staring at the black bag. “Go ahead, do your worst.” Grinning from ear to ear Asmodeus descended on her, makeup brushes in hand.

It felt like it took forever.

Kore was pretty certain it didn’t take her this long to sort her makeup in the morning. Granted, her makeup was more basic than this, because sleep was very important, but still. She stared at herself in the mirror, at least it was more her style than the stuff she saw in wedding pictures in the human realm. He’d done a good job with her hair too, an elegant updo in contrast to her usual simple style. “That’s… pretty good actually, thank you Asmo.” She smiled softly, turning her face this way and that. “Wait until you see the dress!” She turned to see him holding an elegant black dress, a beautiful gold pattern that looked almost like flames framing the bottom edge. Eyes wide she took it from him, studying the intricate details carefully, from the low back to the sheer sleeves. “That’s… wow.” She looked back up at him. “Is it really okay for me to wear this?” “Of course! You should see mine!” He held up an even more extravagant black dress, though this time the details were pink and included the symbol for lust… in sequins. Kore giggled. “Very you.” ‘So, wedding dresses in Devildom look like they’re generally black. Good to know. Much more my style than white wedding dresses I guess, though it would have been nice to wear one just once in my life…’ “Hey” a pair of fingers snapped in front of her face “are you going to put that on or not?” “Oh yeah, sorry.” Her face flamed slightly. “Are you going to just stand there?” “You expect me to leave and miss out on this show? Besides, you’ll need help doing it up.” Kore narrowed her eyes. “At least turn around.” With a huff and a series of muttered complaints Asmodeus turned his back to her, leaving her to change in peace. The dress was surprisingly easy to put on, though he had been right about her needing a hand, she couldn’t quite get the zip at the back all the way up. “Erm, zip help?” With a grin Asmo spun around, though his idea of zipping her up involved way more caressing her back than strictly necessary. “I said zip, not feel me up.” “Couldn’t resist.” Just as she opened her mouth to say something the door flew open. “Yo, Kore what’s the…” Mammon froze half way though his sentence, staring at her. Oh no, he looks good. Kore’s eyes trailed over the half open shirt and tie that he hadn’t even attempted to do up before glancing back up to his wide eyes and half open mouth. ‘Oh hells. Wait, why has he gone quiet? This can’t be good’. “Oh… does it really look that bad? I’ll just…” She whirled to head to the bathroom and change, but a firm hand around her wrist stopped her. Expected Asmo she turned ready to snap at him, but instead her eyes met tanned skin and blue eyes that were a bit too close. “You look good… uh, for a human.” Suddenly he released her wrist as if he’d been burned, blushing furiously at her wide eyes and broad grin. “Thank you!” She reached up to touch her hair. “I do kinda like this tiara, I might have to keep it.” “Yeah, well, don’t get any ideas. C’mon, we’ll be late if you don’t hurry up.” She glanced at her D.D.D and winced, ‘hells Asmo, this took forever’. “Please let me get coffee first.”

The day had mostly been uneventful, outside of the initial surprise from all of the Demons gathered in the breakfast room at her appearance and Kore’s flush and excited gushing about how good they all looked (much to Mammon’s poorly hidden irritation). Once they’d reached the school and were surrounded by other students all wearing fancy wedding attire she felt much less awkward and actually started to enjoy it, complimenting several students on how nice they looked, to mixed reactions. Even Solomon and Simeon had got in on the act, though Simeon didn’t look quite so different in his priest outfit as most of the rest of the student body. She managed to sit next to one of the brothers in almost all her classes, usually Mammon, though occasionally Beel or, since he seemed to be feeling generous today and offered to help her in one class - Satan. It was only her very last class of the day where she sat alone, and the only one that seemed to drag. Solomon had sat in front of her, and occasionally turned to give her a pointer when she grumbled particularly loudly about being stuck, but it just wasn’t the same. And for some reason she was sure she could feel eyes burning into her the whole lesson. Finally the bell rang and she was free, though part of her didn’t really want to have to take this stunning dress off, she stood and stretched, letting a soft groan slip past her lips as she felt her back cracking. “Need me to walk you back home?” She looked over at Solomon and smiled. “Thanks for the offer, but Mammon and Beel said they’d be waiting for me in the courtyard. I should be okay getting there.” She glanced towards the door and smiled. “Besides, I think Asmo is after your attention.” Solomon turned and laughed. “The girls in the school really didn’t stand a chance did they?” “Not at all, Drama Queen.” Kore grinned. “I’ll see you tomorrow!” With a wave Solomon headed out, leaving Kore to collect the last of her things and head towards the courtyard. She was almost there when she heard voices behind her. Cruel, angry sounding voices. “Hey you, human!” Kore stopped, turning to look at the owner of the vicious sounding voice. A demon was stood there, one hand on her hip as she fixed her with a vicious glare. A few of what Kore guessed must be her friends were gathered around her in a way that reminded her for a fleeting moment of a pack of hungry hyenas. “What do you think you’re doing?” Kore blinked. “Um, going to the courtyard to meet my friends?” That just seemed to make the demon more angry. “I meant with Mammon. Putting your filthy human hands all over him, he’s going to me mine you know. I don’t want you getting your filth all over him. You’re disgusting.” Kore frowned, fighting down the painful sting that made its presence known in her chest. “He’s just protecting me, it’s his job.” “Yeah right! I’ve seen you, pawing all over him as if you think someone like him could ever be interested in you! You’re trying to soil him with your disgusting human body.” Whoever this woman was she was furious now, barely contained rage boiling under the surface as she lunged at Kore. “You can’t have him!” ‘ Run or die. Run or die. ’ The words echoed in Kore’s head as she spun on her heel and tried to dash away, faster than even she would ever have been able to give herself credit for. The demon’s claws caught in her dress as she tried to flee, ripping the gorgeous material and sending Kore sprawling on the floor as the force of it tugged her feet from under her. ‘ Well, I guess if I’m going to die this is a pretty nice outfit to die in. I really wanted to see the beach though. ’ “What in hell are you doin’ Sitri?!” Kore blinked, ‘ well, not dead ’. She looked up to find Mammon stood in front of her, almost like he was guarding her. The demon who had looked so ready to kill her was now pouting and fluttering her eyelashes in his direction. “Oh c’mon Mammon, come hang out with us. We’ll have a much better time than you would with that human.” She reached out to touch his chest but in a flash he’d wrapped a hand around her wrist stopping her. “You can’t go tryin’ to kill the human. And I’m not coming with you.” “I wouldn’t kill her, I was only going to hurt her a little.” Kore flinched, trying to shift back across the grass, but her body felt like it was made of ice. “You’re not gonna hurt her either. If you try again you’ve got me to answer to. And Lucifer.” The demon, Sitri, blanched at the mention of Lucifer’s name. She threw one more furious look back at Kore before gathering her pack at heading away. Kore couldn’t look away from them, though Mammon blocked a lot of her view. She was so fixed on watching them leave that she let out a yelp of surprise when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her and lifted her to her feet. “It’s me, Kore.” Beels voice was soft in her ear and she relaxed a little, letting him support her as the tension started to leave her limbs. Mammon turned to frown at her, giving her a look she couldn’t stand to look back at. Not after what that woman had said. It almost looked like he really cared. Her downcast eyes caught sight of the rip in her dress and she choked back a sob. “Oh… my dress.” Strong hands caught her shoulders. “What’re you on about? You could’ve died and you’re worried about a dress? Stupid human.” There was real worry in his voice and it stung. “You’re just lucky Lucifer told me ta protect you or you’d be dead.” She looked up, blinking back a few tears. “Thank you.” “Yeah well, it’s my job. It’s not like I like ya or anything.” He was blushing, but he paused at the hurt that flashed across her face. Usually she played his comments off with a laugh or an affectionate smile, but this time what they’d said must have really hit her. Trying to hide both his blush and her tears he pulled her tight into his chest, wrapping his arms around her. “They’re just jealous hags ‘cause you looked better than them is all. You should ignore ‘em.” She sniffled, pushing her face harder into his chest as he gingerly pet the top of her head. Not sure what else to do Beel joined them, enveloping her back in his warmth.

Across the courtyard Asmo sighed, leaning his head against Solomon’s shoulder with a pout. “And that’s why they hate her, it’s almost enough to make a man jealous.” Solomon chuckled, bumping his shoulder slightly. “Well at least I’m glad she’s okay.” “Hmm. Those bitches ripped my dress.” Asmo, clearly not paying attention, scanned the courtyard for the retreating demons. “I think I should go have a chat with them.”

[allicekitty13]

Trick Or Treat

Read On Ao3

Read On FFN

Alice has to take her little sister trick or treating, Jasper has a surprise in store.

Friday, October thirtieth

It was Friday afternoon, and Alice Brandon was impatiently waiting for her final period math class to end. She chewed absentmindedly on her bottom lip in anticipation while tapping the eraser end of a pencil against her desk, eyeing the clock hanging above the classroom door with frequent glances. She wordlessly willed the arms to move faster when she was finally granted reprieve as the bell rang, indicating the end of the school day.

Alice swiftly gathered up her books, shoving them messily into her messenger bag before she fled from the classroom, making a break for her locker. Today wasn't just any Friday; it was October thirtieth. The day before her favorite holiday, Halloween. She'd felt a surge of energy from the excitement all day, causing her to be distracted and restless. All she wanted was to go home, put the finishing touches on her costume, and sit back for her yearly marathon of vintage monster movies after Cynthia went to bed. 

She fumbled through her locker, taking little consideration into what items she placed into her backpack, totally enraptured within her own world. She was so preoccupied with her own excitement that she didn't notice when Jasper leaned against the locker next to her own.

"Hey, Alice." He greeted, causing her to jump in shock.

"Whitlock." She responded, hand over her heart as she steadied her breathing after the slight scare.

"You know... you sure scare easy." 

"Don't sneak up on me, then jerk." Alice playfully shoved him in the chest with a giggle. "What's up anyway?" 

"Perhaps I just wanted to talk to my favorite accomplice?" 

She smiled slightly at the moniker, excited about the idea of pulling off an elaborate prank with Jasper and Emmett. "You've got a hells night prank planned then?" 

"Maybe," He tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "Maybe I just wanted to hang out with you."

Alice was mildly disappointed by the revelation that there would be no pranking tonight as well as annoyed by the continuing game of flirting they played.

It had started out as a fun joke between the pair back in middle school, but Alice had begun to develop actual feelings for Jasper over time. The flirting, always just a game, never anything more, was starting to make her heart ache.

She slammed her locker shut in annoyance before leaning her head against the cool metal as she looked up at Jasper. "What do you actually want, Jazz." 

Jasper looked away from her and took a deep breath before answering, "Are you going to Rosalie's party tomorrow night?" He seemed nervous, but Alice assumed it was her imagination. There was no reason for the popular Jasper Whitlock to be anxious about a party. 

"Oh, I'm actually taking my little sister trick or treating tomorrow. We're going to watch some movies after; it should be a good time... Have fun, though; maybe I'll see you at the next one."

"But you love parties?"

"If I don't take Cynthia, no one else will." 

"Oh..." 

"It's okay," She cut him off. "I'll make the next party." With that, she walked away. Yes, she loved parties, but she loved her sister more. She wondered why Jasper was making a big deal out of the whole thing.

"Do you want a ride home?" Jasper asked, having followed her outside into the school parking lot.

"Isn't my place a bit out of the way?"

"Normally, yeah, but I need Emmett's help with something, and since your place is along the way." He gestured west in the general direction of both the Brandon and McCarty households as they approached the spot where he'd parked his truck. "It's not a big deal. Do you want the ride or not?"

Alice shrugged as she opened the vehicle's passenger's side door; she threw in her bag and attempted to climb in. After a few short seconds of struggling, Jasper came around, picked her up, helping her inside. 

"You know, I could have done it myself." She glowered at him in a huff when he got in the car himself.

"Of course, but I don't have all night if I'm gonna make this work." His words were distant, as though he had something urgent he needed to get done. 

"Make what work?"

"That my darling is proprietary information that cannot be released to the general public at this time." He flashed her that charming smile of his that made her melt.

"You can tell me I won't spill. Pinky promise."

"Nope, this one is between me and Emmett." 

"Fine, I'll just ask him what trouble you're getting yourself into this time."

"Not a prank." He smirked in her direction with a side-eye. 

"What could the two of you possibly be up to that doesn't involve chaos and ending up grounded for at least a week?"

"I can't tell you." He grinned at her as he pulled up in front of her house.

"I hate you."

"You know you love me."

Her heart skipped a beat at the comment as they locked eyes, the air feeling suddenly thick with tension. "Maybe I do, maybe I don't. That is proprietary information." She finally joked with a mischievous smile as she threw his own words back at him before grabbing her bag and jumping out of the vehicle, gently closing the door behind her. 

Jasper rolled down the passenger's side window shouting out in amusement. "That hurts, Brandon." 

Alice rolled her eyes with a smile before blowing him a kiss as she ran inside.

"ALICE!" Cynthia shouted upon her entrance, tackling her in excitement. 

"Hey, kiddo." 

"Come, look what I made!" The ever excited eight-year-old tugged on her older sister's hands, pulling her over to the kitchen table where construction paper and crayons were strewn about the surface. "Esme helped me make a map of town so we can move faster and get ALL the candy." 

"Yes, she did," The woman in question entered the dining room with a bowl of steaming macaroni and cheese. "But, it's time to put your art supplies away and eat your dinner."

"Hey, Esme." Alice greeted her sister's nanny as she helped Cynthia gather up her crayons. "Did mom get called into the hospital?"

The older woman nodded in affirmation as she gathered her belongings. "Yes, and don't you dare say you'd have come home sooner if you knew. Cynthia is your sister, not your daughter; I don't mind watching after her while you spend time with your friends." 

"Thanks, Esme, tell Eddy I said hi, and I can't wait to see his Romeo costume in action." 

"Of course, sweetie." Esme paused at the door. "Are you sure you don't want me to take Cynthia tomorrow so you can go to Rosalie's party?"

"Yeah, there's plenty of parties. Cynthia only gets so many Halloweens to trick or treat. We'll have fun."

"Okay, goodnight Alice. You've got my number if you change your mind." With that, Esme took her leave.

Alice remained in the hall momentarily to reflect on life; her parents had split up four years ago. While it had been the best thing for the family, Esme had a point. Alice stepped up immediately without being asked to help care for her sibling, with her mother spending much of her time at the hospital working as a nurse. She loved her sister more than anyone, but maybe she should put herself first more. Deciding those were thoughts for another time, Alice ventured back into the dining room, where Cynthia was finishing her dinner. After cleaning up, she helped the younger girl finish up her homework as she finalized the last details on their costumes. 

Around nine, Alice noticed Cynthia, who had long since finished her word search on the solar system, was starting to drift off to 'The Wolf Man' DVD Alice had put on the TV. "I think it's time for bed, little miss."

"I'm not sleepy." Cynthia yawned.

"I beg to differ, come one." She scooped up the tired girl carrying her to her room and setting her on the bed.

"Are we gonna watch movies tomorrow?"

"Of course, silly." Alice reached out to ruffle the younger girls' hair. "It wouldn't be Halloween without 'The Great Pumpkin' now would it."

"And will you make those sugar cookies with the ghosts on them?"

"We're going to have cookies with ghosts and pumpkins. But," Alice reached over to switch off the lamp sitting on the table next to Cynthia's bed. "You have to go to sleep so it can be tomorrow." she grabbed her sister's favorite cat plush off the floor. Cynthia took the stuffed toy squeezing it tightly to her chest with a sleepy smile.

"Night Alice."

"Goodnight, little sister." Alice pecked the top of the girl's head before pulling the blankets over her sister. 

Saturday, October thirty-first

"Alice, hurry up! We're going to miss all the candy if you keep taking forever!" Cynthia stood in the doorway of Alice's room, hands on her hips. She donned the Ariel costume she'd impatiently put on three hours ago to her sister's protest. Rather than purchasing off looking costumes from Target, Alice had opted to make both of their costumes herself that year and consequently was protective of her work.

"I'm finished, you hyper little mermaid," Alice responded, capping her lipstick and giving her hair one final check in the mirror; satisfied with her work, she donned the tiara, completing her look as Rapunzel at the end of Tangled. 

"What do you think?" She asked, doing a little twirl for Cynthia.

"You look JUST like Rapunzel! Now let's GOOOOO." 

"Okay, okay." Alice straightened out her sister's red wig that had been knocked off-kilter during a round of hide and seek with Bella, who'd been kind enough to look after the girl before heading to Rosalie's party while Alice got dressed. 

"But first." She pulled out her phone from one of the hidden pockets she'd sewn into the skirt of her dress and crouched down to Cynthia's level. "Pictures for mom." They snapped a few poses before an impatient Cynthia had enough, grabbed her bag, then dragged her sister out the door. 

They went to a few houses before ending up three doors down at The Cullen's, where Carlisle and Esme had a king-size Kit-Kat waiting for Cynthia, who took the candy excitedly; happy to pose for yet another photo in exchange. They made their goodbyes, making their way back to the streets.

The siblings had been out for an hour, hitting up every house with a light on collecting candy when they reached the impeccably decorated Hale residence. Alice beamed with pride, noting a few projects she'd worked on for Rosalie in art class as they made the trek up the path to the door. 

Cynthia had hardly just rung the bell when the door opened to reveal Emmett dressed as Gomez Addams. "Alice! Cynthia! My favorite Disney princesses." He pulled a candy bowl from a table sitting by the door. "Rosalie said only two pieces, but I think you deserve a handful." 

Cynthia excitedly reached out to grab as much candy as her small hand could hold but was shushed by Emmett. "No, not a Cynthia handful." He reached into the bowl filling up his own much larger hand to overflowing proportions, and dropped the exuberant amount of candy into her bag. 

"Did I hear you say, Alice and Cynthia?" Rosalie exclaimed, appearing seemingly out of thin air beside Emmett. Alice had no idea how she'd done it but appreciated Rosalie's commitment to her part as Morticia. "You guys should come in for a second." Rosalie beckoned the pair inside by dramatically reaching out a hand palm up and curling her fingers inward. 

"I don't know..." Alice looked down at her eight-year-old sibling. "Cynthia probably wants to hit up some more houses and increase her candy stash." 

"Nope," Cynthia gaze up at her sister with a devilish grin. "I wanna go inside. Emmett will give me lots of candy. Please, Alice, let me show your friends my costume." 

"Yeah, Alice, please?" Emmett chuckled as he leaned against the doorframe holding a full unopened bag of candy. 

"Fine, but just for a second." She relented, pulling Cynthia behind her as she walked past Rosalie into the crowded entry hall as Emmett slipped the full bag of candy into Cynthia's bag.

Bella, now fully decked out in a Juliet costume, spotted the pair as they entered into the crowded home, immediately ending her conversation with Leah, who was dressed as Pikachu to come over and greet the pair. "Hey guys, you made it! Have you gotten lots of candy?" 

"Emmett gave me a big bag of candy, and Esme gave me a whole entire big Kit-Kat bar." 

"How nice of Emmett." Rosalie glared at her boyfriend, who wore a sheepish expression.

"Rosalie, mon amour. Please forgive me." He dramatically threw an arm over his eyes. 

"I suppose I can let this one slide. For dear Cynthia's sake."

"Cara Mia!" Emmett exclaimed, grabbing Rosalie's arm pecking kisses from wrist to shoulder. Alice had to admit, The Addams Family costume idea suited the couple perfectly. 

"Alice darling, you should go mingle while you can. Let me take care of our lovely little mermaid for a moment."

"You don't have to, Rose."

"I insist, my dear." She waved her hand dismissively in Alice's direction. "Now go."

Confident that her sister was safe being doted on by her friends, Alice relaxed, allowing herself to enjoy the party as much as possible in the short amount of time she would be there. She made her way through the large house. Stopping to chat occasionally with friends, receiving compliments on her outfit. She laughed at some dad jokes from a zombie Eric as witch Angela rolled her eyes from his side. Complimented Jake, who donned an extremely impressive hulk costume.

Eventually, she found herself at the back of the room where a snacks and drinks table was set up. Mike and Jessica, dressed as Woody and Bo-Peep respectively, stood talking to Jasper, who, to Alice's shock, was not dressed as a cowboy despite wearing the same costume every year since childhood. In fact, he seemed to be dressed as... Flynn Rider.

Unable to believe her eyes, she tapped him on the shoulder with a raised eyebrow. "No cowboy costume?" 

Jasper stiffened at the comment, slowly turning around with blushing cheeks. "Yeah... I wanted to do something different this year."

"Okay, but Flynn Rider? You definitely fit the part, but I didn't take you as a Tangled fan." 

"ohmygosh." Jessica piped in before Jasper could defend his costume choice. "Flynn and Rapunzel, you guys like... match. It's too cute." 

"Isn't it crazy!" Jasper responded a bit too excitedly. "How Alice and I randomly got matching costumes. What a coincidence!"

"Yeah, definitely a coincidence." Alice crossed her arms. "What's going on here, Jasper?" 

Unfortunately, once again, the pair were interrupted, this time by Bella and Cynthia. "I'm ready to leave, Alice." The youngest of the pair bounced up to her sister. 

"Wait a second! Is Japer dressed like Flynn!" Cynthia's eyes widened in joy at the realization turning her attention to the tall man who appeared extremely uncomfortable with all the attention. "Jasper! You've gotta come trick or treating with me and Alice."

"I don't think Jasper wants to go trick or treating Cynthia." Bella giggled at the child's outburst.

"But he has too!" Cynthia crossed her arms and stamped a foot on the ground. "He matches Alice!" 

"I'll go." The man in question cast a nervous side grin at the sisters. "Who am I to deny the request of princess Ariel. Besides, I haven't been trick or treating in years. It'll be fun."

"You really don't have to." Alice turned to look at him with apologetic eyes. "She'll get over it as seen as she gets more candy."

"Nope, I'm going. Come on, Alice." 

The now trio made their goodbyes to the party guests and made their way back to the streets. 

To his credit, Jasper did a great job keeping up with Cynthia's high energy as she dashed from house to house. Alice smiled happily, watching her crush happily interact with the most important person to her. The scene caused her heart to flutter as he fell for him just a bit more. 

"So," She'd asked as Cynthia made her way through the first floor of an apartment complex. "Are you going to explain yourself?"

"Explain what?"

"Why you're dressed like Flynn Rider?"

"Do I have to?"

"I would like to know the answer, yeah."

"Okay, um." He abashedly placed a hand behind his head. "So, I know this is your favorite holiday and all. Because of the pranks and scares and wanted to..."

"Alice! Jasper! I got all the apartments we can go now!" Cynthia appeared, cutting him off. The small mermaid grabbed both of their hands and pulled them out the door back to the streets to continue the candy hunt. 

Alice tried at every opening to find out what Jasper was going to say. Unfortunately, Cynthia cut the moment short every time. Turns out, it's tough to figure out why your best friend is acting weird when you're trick or treating with an eight-year-old.

After another two hours of candy collecting, they were nearing the end of their journey. They'd run out of houses, consequently resulting in Cynthia's excited energy wavering as they made the way back to the Brandon residence. When the group was a few blocks from their destination, the two teenagers noticed Cynthia started getting tired. Alice was getting ready to assure her they were almost home when Jasper surprised her by asking the younger girl if she wanted a piggyback ride. The smaller girl was elated by the idea and readily agreed. 

The action made Alice happy; she loved that he was willing to be so kind and placate her little sister. He really was a great guy, even if he rarely let others see; she felt lucky to witness the sweet moment. After everything she'd witnessed that night, her heart fluttered at the idea that maybe... just maybe it was all for her.

Once they'd reached the girl's home, Jasper swung Cynthia off his back and set her back down gently. "That was fun!" She'd exclaimed.

"Okay, little one. Run along inside so I can talk to Jasper for a second." Alice nervously instructed her sibling. 

"Alice and Jasper sitting in a tree." The girl had begun to sing the popular children's rhyme between giggles.

Alice swiftly but gently clapped a hand over Cynthia's mouth in a panic, finishing the classic rhyme with her own edit. "B E D T I M E." She chuckled awkwardly as she picked up her offended sibling. "I'll be right back, just gotta take Ariel inside." 

"But The Great Pumpkin and cookies!" Cynthia protested as Alice sat her back down inside the house. "It can't be bedtime yet!" 

"We'll do those things, Cynth, I promise. I've just gotta tell Jasper goodbye first. Go put on pajamas." Shooting her sister a warning look, she jogged back outside where Jasper was still waiting under the tree. 

"Okay, Mr., there's no more little kid to interrupt you. Please tell me what this is all about." She crossed her arms over her chest, determined to get answers this time. 

He took a deep breath and stared at his feet. "I was going to ask if you'd go with me to Rose's party... like as my date. But you had to take your sister trick or treating, and I know how important she is to you. So... god, I feel so stupid."

"So what, Jas?"

"Emmett said I should do a couples costume with you as a surprise and when you guys stopped by to trick or treat at Rosalie's comment on what a funny coincidence it was and leave with you. But then everyone was watching us, and I got nervous because I really like you. I know we play that stupid flirting game all the time but I kind of really want to go out with you..."

"Why didn't you just... ask if you could come with?" 

"Emmett said I needed a big romantic gesture."

"Why would you listen to Emmett?"

"I'm an idiot?" She shot her an embarrassed smile. 

"You're lucky; I like idiots."

"You do?" He looked hopeful.

"Yepp, at least I like the kind of idiot who does something as sweet as dressing up as a character from one of my favorite movies and goes trick or treating with my sister just because he wants to spend my favorite holiday with me." As ridiculous as his actions were, she really did find the gesture sweet. 

"That's the kind of idiot I am!"

 "So here's what you're going to do. You're going to call me tomorrow, and you're going to ask me if I want to go get a coffee with you. I'm going to say yes, and you're going to take me to that shop on main street that I like."

"Did you just plan a date I haven't asked you on yet? How do you know I'll even call you?" He was teasing her now. 

Alice stood on her tippy toes to peck jasper on the cheek... or rather the lower jaw as even at the highest she could stretch, she still couldn't actually reach his cheek. "Goodnight, Jasper; I'll see you tomorrow." With that, she skipped back into the house.

[sablesides-writing-corner]

Moduke Wedding? 👉👈

Patton shouldnt have been worried, Remus loved him, he knew that! But here he was, looking at himself in a floor-length light blue dress with silver octopus tentacles making their way down the sleeves, halfway about to cry from nerves.

He was happy! Really! He was glad he and Remus were getting married! But it didnt feel the same, his parents didnt think Remus was good for him, they wanted him to marry a normal man who didnt shout random things at the table, or raid the fridge with glowing eyes and likbes that didnt move the way human limbs should. But he had, and his parents weren't going to be there to watch. He wished Remus could be in there with him, to hold him close and shower his face with kisses and hug him so tightly he could barely breath. But as was tradition, Remus couldnt see him until he walked down that aisle.

"Pat? You doing ok?" Patton blinked a few times, he wasnt about to let his makeup start running in front of his brother. Logan was the only member of Patton's family who didnt care who he was marrying, Patton couldnt be thankful enough for that.

"Yeah-I just-" Logan put a hand on Patton's shoulder as he ran a curling iron through his hair.

"Worried about mom and dad again?" Logan said as he worked.

"Maybe a little. . ." Patton said. They stayed silent for a bit as Logan finished curling his hair and placed the sort of flower-crown-tiara-veil he'd gotten in his hair.

"Well, if they dont even care to support you on the happiest day of your life, they probably arent worth your time anyway," Logan said. Patton though on this for a while, and then it was time to walk down the aisle.

All of Patton's worry seemed to melt away the second he looked up at Remus, Logan had a small smirk on his face as he helped him onto the platform.

Remus, ever the crowd shocker, was wearing what could only be described as a green and black suit that must have belonged to a werewolf from all the rips it had, the only thing keeping it together was the black vest he wore over it. Patton looked at the frog he'd placed in its pocket, only to realize that it was in fact, a real frog, when it let out a rather loud croak. He snickered softly, earning a wider smile from his soon-to-be-husband.

The vows and promises seemed to go on forever, Patton had forgotten how much of weddings was being cheesy for the sake of other people.

"Do you, Remus Duke-Prince, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" Patton smiled brightly, even if Remus couldnt see it under the veil.

"I do," the smile on Remus' own face was enough to put the chesire cat to shame.

"And do you, Patton Avon, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do," Patton said, he could barely contain himself, he didnt think he'd ever been happier in his life.

"Then you may kiss the groom," Remus lifted the veil over Patton's face, his eyes widening as he held Patton's face in his hands, before bringing their lips together and wrapping his arms around Patton's waist. The frog in Remus' pocket let out a ribbit, causing the two to laugh into each others lips.

The afterparty, in much contrast to the wedding, was more of Remus' chaos than Patton's serenity. The cake cutting had gone smoothly, until the frog decided it had wanted some, the dance floor was loud and vibrant, just how the two of them liked it.

Patton couldn't have asked for a better wedding, nor a better husband.

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

Tag list:

@nerosdayinhell

@noodle---doodle

@softestpatton

@a-deceit-salad

[helpinghanikan]

Mistress in Green, Ch 2

Loki X reader

Sum: Having someone above your station as a lover is one thing. Marrying someone above the first’s is a whole other. 

Part 1

Part 3

Part 4

                                                Get the braids right   

          Supposedly the forge wouldn’t cause a sunburn. Although, based on the fine layer of sweat covering most of your body, your eyebrows are going to be slightly singed. The only part that wasn’t wet had to be your hands closest to the forge. Wearing gloves that can only be described as magic, they weren’t even toasty.

           It was supposed to be a family sword you’d exchange. A fake raid made on your families crypt to find the greatest warrior’s blade. You’d walk out from the stone and dirt carrying the rusted thing under a blanket, no one would see it until the wedding day. No one else in your family had reached this status. You never weld a sword or fought in a real battle. You were never a warrior, but you were the greatest.

           Days following your promotion became both busy yet incredibly simple. Your men and ladies given direction and sent on their way:

           “Make sure the guards have sharpened spears and tell them to stop poking everything.”

           “Anyone with less than a years’ experience has to have padded weapons,”

           “Thank you, thank you for the congratulations now go do your jobs.”

           Your designs now meant more then ever before. Men and women not so subtly leaning over your shoulder to get a look. Finishing each piece one at a time and sending them out to be created by your people. A nice pile of blue prints left int eh center for any to look at and give their opinions on.

           Leaving the blue prints for the sword out was a dumb thing to do. It just so happened that a little section of the forgery was curtained off. You would have your own space anyway, why not make it now? That there’s sample metal and an outline for varying sizes means nothing.

           Your men and women are laughing and talking like children beyond your curtain. Hushing each other when your shadow turns towards them. Some part of them probably thought your hammering was enough to drown out their laughing.

           Asgardians never need a reason to throw a celebration. Stopping for a drink on a regular Tuesday night and the next thing you’re swept up in a rowdy group. Men and women that suddenly storm the doors after a new son or daughter or a “yes” to a proposal. You’d have to really work to escape the wave taking everyone into its heart.

           Now take an event that has an actual reason, and everything is revved to eleven. Bridal mead was being made, a good gap would be in the live stock to make enough food and there was a constant argument about where the ceremony would actually be held. The assumed place would be in the castle. With all the guests (I.E all of Asgard) that would be unlikely. Possibly on the rainbow bridge, it was big enough and it was pretty enough. Not that your opinion mattered, this was a wedding for Asgard, not you.

           Most that you’ve done for the wedding is write letters and make this sword.

           You were even kept out of the actual date. Not knowing when it was going to take place before Lady Sif catches you one morning.

           Morning might have been a stretch; the moon wasn’t even gone from the sky yet. Sending white sheet light from the window over the floor your walk across. It was likely you had a little spy in your smithy. Someone you once called loyal spreading word that the sword was finished just the other day.

           Lady Sif was the one sent to “retrieve” you. Someone you considered a friend commit the slightest betrayal with her smile. The ‘I’m sorry about this but I’m trying to sugar coat it’ smile.

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            “A man shouldn’t be in here right now.” One of the several ladies said.

           She says this in a whisper, as if the smaller room didn’t carry voices like the wind. She wasn’t even whispering this to you, leaning over your back and talking to another lady on the other side.

           He wasn’t technically inside the room. Just standing outside the door, leaning against the wall, book in hand. Through the mirror you could see the book and his hand. The angle hiding the rest of him, although the ladies could obviously tell who it was.

           “This is no place for him, can we ask him to leave?” The other lady asked, agreeing with her friend.

           They were both whispering over your back. Two other ladies were nodding in the background, all this shown in the mirror. Loki’s book and stance in the hallway never changed, he was frozen, he was listening.

           It took a few of them to get the dress right. Thick white and cream fabric, skirt so long and fluffed it hid the pedestal you stood on. Sleeves were just as long, hiding your hands and the heaviest part. It took two of the ladies to get the knots right, more complicated the better for a event like this.

           It began to be slightly painful towards the hour mark. Ladies doing their best to hurry as an absolutely army of voices and laughs could be heard through the castle. More likely then not they had volunteered to help you dress and were now regretting it. Being able to brag that you dressed the future Queen would mean nothing if you there’s no one to brag to. The lady behind you taking her anger out on the strings, ripping the air from your lungs with each pull.

           “Don’t fidget and it won’t loosen.” The lady behind you. This blonde-haired eldest daughter who probably could have been in your place had things been different. “The knots need to be right or everything will just fall apart.”

           It seemed to be her final plan. This incredibly childish idea that if the knots were tight enough then the dress couldn’t be removed and then the marriage would be voided. The childish idea that that was how wedding nights worked.

           “How long will the hair take?” The youngest of the women asks somewhere behind you.

           “If we’re quick enough it should only take a few minutes. Tie some ribbons, little braids and-.” It’s amazing the vanity mirror didn’t shatter at her scream. Top of the wooden hitting the ground lost underfoot when she backs up.

           It’s a chaos of fabric and running ladies. The first setting off the others, a mother’s instinct takes control. Grabbing the youngest’s arm and pushing her from the room first. Others following at the bright scales that slide from the wooden box. Snakes were nothing new on Asgard, darker the colors the safer they are. Bright red and green would be raw poison in a living creature.

           Worst part of the entire situation was how they just left you. As pretty as the dress was, it wasn’t made for combat or for any type of survival. Best it would do is act as camouflage in a snow storm.

           “They won’t come back for you,” He’s in the same formal armor as he was before. Leaving the helmet behind and walking much easier. “But that can be punished later.”

           “Are they real?” You ask, taking his outstretched hand, stepping down from the podium.

           “No, just a bit of fun before the big event.” He says, lifting the bright green and yellow ribbon for emphasis. “I refuse to let them destroy the hair, sit down.”

           Hair was one, if not the, most important part of the bride’s aspect of the wedding. Usually an intimate ceremony between the bride, closets friends and family. Rest of your family either couldn’t or wouldn’t make it, any friends you had were more suited in a smith then around a vanity and a hair brush.

           Whether your hair was long, short or even bald, something had to be done to your head. Loki, both your savior and new hairdresser, runs a dominate hand through the hair. Catching on a few knots, touching and playing with whatever curls might be there. His head tilts side to side during the exploration. Watching him through the mirror was the only thing to do. His head tilting side to side, moving locks out of the way of your ears and neck. Seeing how they look and putting them back in its natural place.

           Flashbacks to being braided to a chair rushes from its hiding place. He’d be staring at you through the mirror if he went to that. Staring to make sure you didn’t realize the prank he would be trying to pull for the literal thousandths time. Instead he continues to stare at your hair, braiding and any tugs that come are accidental.

           Looking down from the mirror doesn’t give any respite. Multi-colored ribbons just slightly out of sorts from wiggling around the box. They had stopped being snakes just before you sat down. One green and yellow dotted lays half way out from the box. You’ve never been bitten by one of his pranks, but it’s a wonder if it’s poison or not.

           It felt like only a few minutes, when likely it took almost an hour. Long stems slide across your scalp. The end bent and turned upwards to hold on the small braids. Copper colored daisies rounding into a tiara, leaning forward towards the mirror and the details are minimal. Most import was etched in the highest petal; two curved horns curving with the petals tilting back. They matched his helm through the years, even into adulthood and now.

            “Don’t shake your head too much,” He says.

           With the hair done he traces your ears with soft touches. Barely any contact on the shell, a little more pressure massaging the lobes. One small strand on either side gently touched, as if an excuse to trace over your jaw.

           “Then they can just follow the flowers to find me,” You say, head turning side to side.

           “I will track you down myself if you do that.” It’s a warning but said with a joke. Kneeling next to the chair and turning your head towards him. A firm grip on your jaw to stay still.

           Any make up was light; a little eye-shadow and bright pink blush. Lip stick was red, rusted, like dried blood. Other weddings it would have been pink, like the blush, childish. Usually the make up is done to give an illusion of innocents families prioritized. Like said before, you weren’t a regular bride.

           He’s as focused on the make up as he was on your hair. You weren’t a person anymore, you were a canvas. A canvas he wanted to touch, a gentle thumb smudging the pink blush.

           He doesn’t want to ruin your make up. Grabbing your hand, kissing the pulse point as though he was burning without it’s contact.

           “How much time…” Kisses on the wrist are rapid. Your other hand cupping his cheek, he kisses that one too. “How much do we have?” You ask, breathless from your hands alone.

           “Not enough, hush now.” He says. Gently, perfectly gently, sliding the shoulder sleeve to the side.

           Over the few months between the engagement and this day Loki had been lost in fantasy. It was a juvenile fantasy, taking a ‘rivals’ bride on the day of their wedding. Laying awake in bed, visions of smeared lipstick and rolled back eyes going straight towards his groin. In those fantasies the dress was simpler, undergarments the regular cotton instead of leggings and straps. Not that it deterred his wondering hand.

           The shoulder was the second safest place next to the hands. Some cover with foundation and a pulled-up sleeve would hide any evidence. It was also the most annoying in a confined dress, where the bodice was refusing to budge and any loose enough fabric presses into your throat.

           That stupid bodice was too thick to get a real hold of your breasts. His hand covering the mound, dull nails digging into the fabric keeping him from the prize.

           Cheers are started from the hallway, a sudden slam of noise that can only say the groom had made an appearance. He’d get slaps on the back and be presented with the family sword in preparation for the final ceremony. First time you see him that day will be at the end of the isle.

           “Loki, Loki I have to get ready.” You say. Your hand over his, prying the desperate man from your breast. “My prince,” his teeth leave a ring around your shoulder, excited kisses turning into bites you hadn’t even noticed. “We’re not that rude.”

           Going to your husband with another man’s bite marks is one thing. Going to a newly wed bed with another man running down your thighs is a whole other. 

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           It’s a long walk down the aisle. Starting by yourself outside the throne room, a guard on either side for both decoration and security.

           Only a lucky few hundred citizens got to see you. Several waking before dawn to see the black smith bride dressed up like the other nobles. Left, right and behind the people waved and tried to make eye contact. Getting back the genuine smile you could match giving to the best of friends.

           The aisle ended at the same spot your promotion took place. Your Queen Frigga stands at the very end before the throne. She and All-father Odin stood side by side in front of the throne, even so, All-father might as well be a decoration. Marriage was Frigga’s area, she was the guide for couples moving forward together. It’s honestly hurt a little that her proud smile was given to every couple and not just her son and his wife.

           Thor stood a step down from his parents. Leaving any form of armor away, instead in a cream-colored tunic, dark brown belt and similar colored boots thick enough to make sound when they walk.

           On either side of the stairs there was a decoration of formal dressed guards. Standing tall with a spear pointed towards the ceiling. The last few days suddenly made sense with all the recent calls for new guard uniforms. Had you known you were helping with the decor of the wedding there would have been more white involved.

           Closer to the throne the smaller the crowd became. Nobles and the rich pushed or bribed their way into the best spots. The rest filled by the common who cared more about the Forge Queen then how their dirt was ruining the ends of some gown. There was some murmurs and a few bits of applause somewhere deep in the crowd. A little boy and girl each sit on their father’s shoulders. Hanging onto his head and waving aggressively when you made eye contact.

           Now, standing face-to-face, you see the details of Thor. It’s a safe bet to say that his hair had more braids then yours. Pulled back into a pony tail, a red ribbon hanging onto his shoulders, maybe starting with a bow that was corrected so he wouldn’t come off as so feminine.

           The entire world goes silent when Asgard’s mother raises her arms.

           “Thank you, thank you all for coming to this day.” She says, holding her hands together against her front. “This day will be no more important then anyone else’s. Begin by joining the families and bring the couple together. Continue with the exchange of the family’s swords.”

           Another murmur goes through the crowd when you unsheathe your “family” sword. Sounds of awe going through the crowd at the craftsmanship, the perfect light hitting off the virgin metal. Yet anther little fact to send the tongues wagging, this one for the men.

           Unlike you Thor had an armies worth of ancestors to pick their weapon from. That Odin had pre-selected a weapon for each of his children’s wedding day would be no one’s surprise. Any children you had with Thor would likely give their future partner the spear Odin currently grips.  

           Thor’s weapon was handed to him by his father himself, who was handed to him by an assistant smaller then any other person on the stairs. Their sword couldn’t be held by the handle, instead with both hands holding it gently. It’s blade was rusted to the point of the smallest holes showing in what should be the thickest part of the metal. It’s a fifty-fifty guess whether the color and damage came from bad maintenance or left-over blood.

           Red sprinkles touched on your skirt when you took the blade. Holding it out with both hands in the same delicate way the last three men had. A maid was waiting behind you, her arms out in the same position, taking it with her head bowed.

           She’d wrap and package the weapon, try and keep it from any more damage from the outside world. It was still up in the air where you’d send it after all this was over. Either back toy our blood family who was no doubt gushing about their little girl or to the dwarves who had helped create the woman in white that stands today.

           Between the light clapping that always followed the first bit you both joined hands. Thor looked down at your hands, thumb gently rubbing over yours. Looking up for the briefest of seconds and you grab his eye. Giving a slight look, as though to say, ‘can you believe this?’. He smiles back, before turning to look back to his mother.

           “-is a wonderful event, one that should never be squandered, for any reason.” Was that a side eye Queen Frigga just gave? Had you been paying attention maybe you would have known.

           It’s never the actual ceremony that anybody cares about. After the exchange of weapons everybody is just waiting for the short speech to finish, the couple to kiss and then the race towards the reception. Slowest family has to serve the fastest, it’s gonna be a quiet a shock when they realize there is only one contestant.

           Queen Frigga’s speech goes on for about fifteen minutes at the most. Mentions of dedication and royal duty expected on the couple. It’s more business then love like the others she had done. A hint of sympathy coming from somewhere in the speech the rest of the crowd wouldn’t have noticed. She looks to you when it finally comes to an end.

           She says your name with the newest title, another slight murmur of appreciation goes through the crowd. “Do you swear to stand by your husband? That the bond may be upheld as priority as your other duties?” She asks.

           “I will.” You swore, that you didn’t kneel out of habit was miracle.

           “Prince Thor Odinson, do you swear to honor your wife? That she may come to no harm and that be upheld as any of your other duties?” She asks, one of the few recent times she could look down to her eldest son.

           Being royalty came with many privileges. The privilege of marriage for love wasn’t on that list. The ceremony was different for a wedding for love, more about dedication and maintaining the love then about the duties and honor. Very few of these happen, and even less in front of such a massive crowd. For a wedding of this caliber it’s assumed you’d learn to love one another and keep fingers crossed that the marriage becomes more then that of duty.

           “I will.” Thor finally says, looking up from your hands.

           “Then you may come together.” She says this with an open gesture.

           The crowd had been silently building since the beginning of the wedding. Completely exploding the closer your faces got. When the kiss finally came there was nothing but applause and cheer. All of that background noise to the tickle of the beard and the cupping of your face by massive hands.

[frcscrs]

“The less you flinch, the better the makeup will come out.” Her hand began to dab on the fresh skin on her face. 

Delfina kept flinching. the pain was dull, but it was fierce. There was no pain quite like having an egg crushed against your cheekbone. Protests had been happening for the last two days, in every major street of the capitol. Delfina and her parents could hardly get away from them. Their screaming was hard to get out of her head. It was hard to forget what crying children sounded like. She’d never heard quite harsher things said to her. Vile words that meant nothing more than the hatred strangers felt towards her and her family.

The worst part of all was, she got it. Even when the shell crushed against her skin, she understood that there was an insurmountable pain behind the hand which threw it. A pain that her family had caused. Simple choices that had been made to crush the livelihood of so many citizens, which would probably make life far from comfortable for decades.

“There, we got it all covered up.” the woman smiles, leaning back. “You look perfect.”

Fina didn’t reply. She hadn’t spoken all morning. It wasn’t an act of protest, but simply because nothing felt right to say. Since the moment she found her uncle had fled the country, and the economy crashed, there’s been very little said to anyone. Everything, including words, seemed fragile. Except from her father. She could hear his shoutning from nearly any room she was in. 

Even when he was shouting at her, things felt fragile in his words. Telling her how her life were to change forever. The care-free girl she was, who wore her exposed dresses and drank until the early hours of the morning, would have to die with this event. From that, a strong future queen would need to arise. Even through her tears, and his harsh words, it was hard to be mad. He was justified too. They all were.

So why did it feel she was the only one who wasn’t?

“Let’s go.” The woman says, helping her stand in her elegant gown. It was extremely traditional, the sequined floral, cascading ruffles. It was suffocating, feeling like her culture was trying to choke her out. Maybe if they succeeded she could get away from all of this. They could win. They could have their blood for blood, and she’d be of some help to someone.

It was hard to walk, the dress was heavy, her hair was pulled back so tight that was causing a migraine, the anxiety was creating a slight tunnel vision, but her hand was holding her with both hands as they were making their way to the coronation room. There, she met her parents, who wore their traditional gowns. 

No one said anything. Delfina couldn’t look either of them in the eyes, so she kept them downwards. 

No one made an announcement, the doors just slid open, and everyone in the room stood. Delfina moved behind her parents, who began to walk down the aisle. Each step was slow and calculated. Each step was an inch closer to their demise. She knew that each step brought their family closer to falling. She didn’t know how yet, but she knew that everything was changing, and there was no way it would ever be fixed. 

Her hands trembled, the bruise on her cheek pulsed. She could hear the shouting from outside the building. People were dying to break in and ruin their ceremony for the pitiful attempt at power it was trying to convey. Everyone in this room was terrified. Tomorrow, Argentina could catch in flames, and they’d all burn to the grown together. Tomorrow, the monarchy could crumble and the nation would collapse. 

When her parents reached their spots at the front of the room, Delfina quickly moved beside them. She hadn’t had the courage to look up until now. She knew if she didn’t hold her head high, she would hear about it afterwards from her father. So she raised her chin, a bit too high, like a child trying to stand up to a bully on the playground. However, this bully seemed to be the chaos that had been left behind. 

Everyone stared at her. Or, it felt like they were. Their eyes were fixed on her family. These were the people that were meant to bring hope to Argentina. All situated in one big room together. All watching as she and her parents took the throne.

Everything was spinning and she couldn’t decide if she wanted to burst into tears, or vomit in front of all of them. If only the biggest of her problems were decided between the two.

she watched as he father took the crown and serpent. She watched as her mother did the same. it wasn’t until the tiara came to her that she froze. Her fingers went numb and she hadn’t thought, only reacted out of instinct to bow once the tiara was raised. she was shut off. Nothing was in her mind now other than the new pressure atop her head.

Delfina sat in her chair in the common room where people were gathered to feast and celebrate the coronation. However, no one felt the celebration. The conversation was at a lull, nearly everyone was whispering. She knew her parents were already plotting to solve solutions. The guards were quickly moving in and out of the room. She overheard that protestors had broken out into the kitchen, and they were sending people to make sure they didn’t make their way into here. For a moment, Delfina prayed they would. 

“Your highness.” someone spoke, and she looked up from her full plate to see a smiling advisor. Someone who would now be working closely with her father. Someone who she hoped would be able to fix the mess her uncle had made. “You look very beautiful today.”

She raised her lips in a small smile as her symbol of gratitude. She didn’t feel very beautiful. The corset was tight and it felt wrong to be wearing the dress of a princess. It was never what she was meant to be. Eighteen and now she was meant to train for a job she should have been training for her whole life. Before this, she and her father talked about art history. He held her hand and smiled and told her how she’d be an amazing historian. She could study across the world, live in Paris, paint until her fingers were numb. She wasn’t particularly good at painting, but she enjoyed it. 

But who was once supposed to be an artist, was now going to have forty-four million people on her back. Goodbye to Paris, goodbye to the raw paint-covered fingers. Goodbye to the poetic romance she dreamed of in the Louvre. All of it didn’t matter now. Now she had this crown on her head and a corset that tugged her body much too tight.

“I know this must be devastating.” The advisor continued, bringing her away from her thoughts. “But there is a lot riding on your succession. You may have a couple decades before it is your turn to sit on that throne, but you must be prepared. You and your father have a lot of work to do. You have to be present.”

She wasn’t particularly listening to him. He was speaking, sure, but she felt like she was underwater, and his words were muffled around her. 

“This is what your people need, Delfina. They need to respect you and love you. You put in that work now, maybe by the time you take to the throne, they will be on your side. You father doesn’t quite have that luxury. Whatever you’re going through right now, it needs to subside. Don’t do it for your mother or father, don’t even do it for yourself. Do it for the people outside.”

The words hit her. Before, they were clouded, but these ones hit her like a brick. Smacked her in the face. It made the bruise on her cheek throb. She needed to get over it. Needed to stand and be strong for the people who threw eggs and trash at her and her family. The ones who lost their jobs and homes. The ones who were terrified for their livelihoods. She didn’t have the option to be upset for the hatred they casted her way. She was a princess now. 

She had no choice but to conform. to give love to an otherwise unloving country. To strip away her person, and build up the person they needed her to be. Delfina, a woman once promised the world, was now going to become a beacon of hope, whether she wanted it, or not.

[ryujinzs]

between us — series.

Pairing: Shawn Mendes x Fem!Reader

Summary: Ruined love life and academic life a chaos, this is your life. To help further, your best friend starts dating a boy - completely unknown - and you have to try to be friends with him.

Warnings: angst and drama

Count: 3.1K

Previous chapter: here.

When I wake up, I realize I'm curled up in Wes's body. His arms grip me cautiously and my face rests solemnly on his body. I look up he's still sleeping. His eyes closed with his eyelashes perfectly drawn. His lips parted in such a lovely way that it makes me smile. He's so beautiful and doesn't even try it. I could admire him for hours and watch him sleep in this position as a child for all eternity.

He moves and his head moves slowly. Wes slowly opens his clear eyes like two bright crystals and opens a gallant smile on his lips. I run the fingers that are on your abdomen up to your chin and caress your soft skin. He squeezes my waist in response.

"Good morning." I say low, still with my chin resting on his body, looking at him.

He moves slowly, still smiling at me. His hands, which once pressed me carefully, pull me up as long as I stay on his body. His hand fills the strands of my hair and he wraps me in a slow, wet kiss. I cross my legs next to his body immediately and smile in the middle of the kiss. Wes caresses my face with his thumb and smiles briefly before giving me another quick kiss.

"Good morning." He whispers. "That's a good way to wake up."

"You think?" I bite my lip, leaning down to lean on his body. He doesn't have to say anything, he just shakes his head and runs his hands all over my body, as if he's touching something holy Wes touches my hips with his fingertips and slowly ups his touch, causing me shivers on delicious sensations All over my body.

Until a noise makes us stop what we're doing. As I turn, I see Penny and Shawn standing in the doorway. She smiled and he's... Well, embarrassed.

I pull the comforter over and cover my body.

"Good morning, lovebirds!" Penny shouts excitedly and I roll my eyes.

"Go away! "I reach for a cushion and play on her, but she deflects and starts to laugh.

"Let's go out. We four. Get ready in an hour." She makes a move to close the door, but then comes back and smiles mischievously. "That doesn't include sex, so I advise you to be quick."

And then she closes the door.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I feel that my face is burning and my only desire at the moment is to evaporate. I hear Wes's mellow laugh and open my eyes.

"Why are you laughing?"

"You are adorable." I laugh and roll my eyes. "Although we never get to that part..." Wes draws air through his teeth and I raise my eyebrow.

"I think we can work on it." I shrug and spread my hands on his chest.

"Do you want?" He asks a little nervously, stroking my arm.

"Yeah, I mean, do you want it?" I start to giggle.

"Of course, that's what I want most."

"Then we can definitely work on it." He smiled softly and kissed my lips gently.

Wes gets dressed up in my house and while he's in the shower, I start to change. I wear the jeans, a t-shirt and the sneakers. I hold my hair in a ponytail and I spit some perfume. When I turn to leave the room, I face Shawn. I open my eyes in surprise, but I smiled softly then.

"You scared me." I put the cell phone in my back pocket and pull my jeans jacket out of the closet.

"Sorry. I just wanted to talk to you."

"Sure. What happened?" I put my arms inside the hole and straighten the fabric on my body.

"I just want you to take a little care of Wes." I lift my gaze to Shawn and frown.

"What you mean?"

"I don't trust him. Just be careful."

"Why are you saying this? Wes said that yesterday, but he didn't mean it, Shawn." I roll my eyes and fold my arms.

"I know.... It's just..." I raise my eyebrow hoping he'll give a good explanation for what he's saying since nothing is making sense. "Forget about it. I just want to see you happy."

"I want to see you happy, too." I smile and open my arms to embrace him. Shawn squeezes me in his arms and picks me up quickly from the floor and it makes me laugh. "Idiot." I pull away from him and tap his shoulder. Then Wes appears behind Shawn and his mood aren't one of the best.

"Can we go?" Wesley asks, and quickly Shawn walks away, probably going to meet Penny. I nod and put my hair behind my ear as I walk Wes into the living room.

Penny decided that it'd be interesting if we went to a karaoke cafe on the promenade. Lots of people don't go there, but it's one of our favorite places, most campus students prefer to go raves and ballads, but definitely La Musica  was my favorite place.

As I guessed, it was partially empty. Only one couple sat at one of the front tables. As soon as we arrived, a waiter greets us and helps us choose a place to sit. Wes sits next to me and Shawn faces me. I was looking forward to this morning, the day was beautiful and everything seemed to be in my favor.

Everyone settle on the couch, while we waited, I had the brilliant idea.

"Who's going to go with me?" I smiled defiantly at each seat.

They were silent as they stared at me.

"I will." Shawn smiled and stood up.

"That's the spirit." I tap on the table and get up, I apologize to Wes and see that he's a little sulky. I try to ignore it for an hour and I walk with Shawn to the small wooden stage with the karaoke equipment.

I pick up the song book so Shawn can enter the registered code and notice what song I want to sing. When I pick up the microphone to deliver to him, I see Wesley talking to Penny. The first chords of It Must Have Been Love begin in the loudspeakers and I prepare to sing.

"It must have been love but it's over now..." Shawn and I started off together.

“Lay a whisper on my pillow, leave the winter on the ground." I look directly at Wes and see that he's staring at me with a certain gleam in his eyes. "I wake up lonely, there's silence in the bedroom and all around."

I turn to Shawn and he has a big smile on his face. He leans the microphone close to his lips and sings the next verse with me.

"Touch me now. I close my eyes and dream away... It must have been love but it's over now. It must have been good but I lost it somehow. It must have been love but it's over now from the moment we touched 'til the time had run out."

Shawn smiles as he sings and I do the same. It was amazing, we had a different connection while we were singing... It was fun. After the song ended we got applause from Penny and Wes, but also from the couple who were leaving the cafe.

I sit down again and get excited since my heart is racing because I practically have done crazy on that stage. I would never dare sing alone.

"Why didn't you ever tell me that you sing?" Shawn asks me and I open my mouth to answer, but Penny goes ahead and answers for me.

"She doesn't. This is just a joke. Right?"

She looks at me suspiciously and I find it strange, but I confirm.

"Yes, it's just a joke, nothing serious."

"Your voice is really beautiful." He comments.

"Thank you..." I smile without showing so much excitement.

Wes squeezes my hand under the table and smiles at me.

Soon we make the requests and hope they arrive. I can see from the corner of my eye that Penny is strange. Acting strange, more precisely. Shawn hugs her to the side and says something in her ear, I see her smile softly, but the expression of boredom on her face doesn't go away.

"So, what do we have planned for today?" I ask, turning to Penny. I know she planned one day for us and for the first time I'm happy without some drama in my life.

"Actually, Shawn and I will be spending the day together." She looks at me and smiles with a little disappointment.

"Yeah?" Shawn asks.

"Yes. Let's go."

I avoid saying anything and smile at the waitress when she brings our orders.

Later, when the sun goes down and Penny and I are at home, I see she's getting ready for some kind of party. I'm reading one of my favorite books, but when I see her pass by the living room, I close the book on the page I'm reading and raise my eyebrow.

"Where are you going?" I ask her even if it's a bit obvious.

"A halloween party." She responds without looking directly at me. She arranges the red dress on the body and soon after puts a tiara with horns. She's dressed as a sexy little devil. "Aren't you going?" She turns to me.

"I don't think so." I shrug and settle down on the couch. "Will you go alone?"

"Shawn will be waiting for me at the party. Well, I must go. See you later!"

And then I come across the darkness of the night and my book in hand. I know it's not great things in the world, but I feel comfortable with my bubble inside my apartment.

When I stop to think about today, I remember Penny and her suspicious manner earlier. And after coffee she got a little distant... I hope everything is fine between her and Shawn. Honestly, I don't know if I could take another fight.

I try to ignore all my random thoughts and lie down on the couch, since all I most want (and need) is to sleep.

A vibrating noise irritates me. 

I reach for my cell phone on the floor and moan in protest. There's always something to get in my way. I close my eyes to see the bright screen of the phone and realize that it is a message from Wesley. I open it immediately and when the picture he sent me carries, I feel my chest catch fire like a million bonfires inside my body. I feel a great knot close between my throat and it's as if I've lost the air for a few seconds. Miserable seconds.

I tighten the photo so that it stays in full screen. 

It's Wes. And he's kissing two girls in the photo. 

I feel like I'm going to burst into tears, but I swallow them at once. Something inside of me lights up. Maybe it's anger or bitterness, but I only think of one thing: getting revenge.

I'm really sick of all the drama that's been going on lately. Wesley drives me crazy. He ignores me, says he has feelings for me, so we're okay and I even think we're a couple.... But then? He betrays my confidence as if I were a sweet nothing.

I block the cell phone screen and throw on the sofa. I walk quickly to my wardrobe and dragging hanger by hanger until I find one of the dresses I bought. I take himit of the wardrobe and analyse it. I'll go with him to the party. Then I hurry to shower and get ready. Meanwhile, a thousand scenes come into my mind of how Wesley got to that point, but I refuse to cry because I know I won't do it. At most, I will teach him a lesson by not betraying my confidence.

So I finish my shower and get ready for the party.

When I look in the mirror, I see that the black dress is perfect. Its length is up to my thighs, its handle is thick and the neckline is quite advanced. I put on the heels I won for my birthday and finally I use Penny's tips on makeup and beauty tools. And in the end, I'm ready.

When the uber parks in front of the house where the party was taking place, I vaguely remember being a family place. Just as I walk through the door I remember being the home of Cameron, Shawn's friend.

I see everyone dressed up and the house is unrecognizable. It's all dark and some bright neon led lights illuminate the entire living room and the rest of the rooms. There are fake spider-webs, black curtains and smoke that spreads throughout the house. I put a lock of hair behind my ear and look around to find Wesley.

"Y/N?" I turn when I hear someone call my name.

"Hey, Shawn." I say, not very enthusiastic.

"Wow, you.... I mean- you look beautiful." He smiles crookedly, just the way he always does. "What are you?"

"Sweet revenge, I guess." I shrug.

"I didn't know you were coming. Penny said you wanted to stay home."

"Yes, but something happened, but.... Never mind. Did you see Wes?" I look over Shawn's shoulders, but all I see are drunken girls and dancing madly in the middle of the room.

"No. I didn't even know he was here, to be honest." He shrugs.

"And you, what are you?" I ask with my arms crossed.

"Grease. John Travolta." He shrugs and only then do I notice that he is in a black leather jacket and white shirt, not counting the cigarette behind his ear.

"Well creative." I laugh and he rolls his eyes. "Where can I get a drink in this place?"

"Here. But go easy on it, Cameron exaggerated a bit in the dose this time." He hands me a red glass and I don't even ask what's in it, I just turn the glass down at once. "And you totally ignored what I said... Are you okay?"

"I am. I'm great. Thanks."

"Okay then. I'll go after Penny. "

"And I'll go find Wes. See you soon."

Shawn goes to the opposite side and I detour dozens of bodies until I try to find Wes. I see some boys who are talking end up looking at me like I'm a prey and I roll my eyes. That's one of the reasons I hate going to parties.

The ladder of the house is filled with glasses, then detour them up the stairs to get to the second floor. When I'm almost at the top, I hear a familiar voice. Actually, very familiar and I realize that this is Wesley when he alters the voice.

"What the fuck did you fucking do? We had a deal, didn't we? You didn't have to intrude on anything, exactly nothing. Now she'll think I'm cheating on her. I hope you're happy about that. "

I hide behind the wall and try to approach without him seeing me.

"Oh, so much drama, Wesley! It was just a photo, by the way, what's the point of it all? Did you forget that I made you meet Y/N? Or have you forgotten that already?"

I feel like I'm getting dizzy. It's Penny's voice I hear next. My heart races in a way that seems to be uncontrollable to calm him down. What do you mean, she made Wes meet me? And what does she have to do with the photo I got? My mind is creating a thousand theories, I want to scream and ask what the hell is going on, but I restrain it so they don't see me.

"You fucking send her a picture of me, Penny. If you wanted us together so much, why are you trying to separate us? What kind of friend are you?"

"Oh, sweetie.... Don't play the victim now. We know you're only with her because you want to fuck her. You allied with me because we bet you could do it, now you're banking the lover one. You don't fool anyone, Wesley.... I mean, just her."

Just me. 

My eyes fill with tears.

No, no, no. No. No.

I can't believe. I can't believe my ears. I swallow the knot that formed in my throat and place my hands over my red lips to contain a suppressed cry that I feel like letting go. My sight is blurry and I hurry up the stairs.

How did this happen? Why would Penny do such a cruel thing to me? I always thought she was really my friend... But no. She set it for me. Suddenly, things I let go of make sense. As she talked to me when Wesley went home to watch the movie, she said she wouldn't interrupt us like she already knew what we were going to do... The way he stayed when I started kissing him. He ignored me after that. And when I got home with Shawn and he was there with her. I'm sure they were planning this unhealthy plan against me.

Fuck.

I wipe the tears with my fists and try to control my heart that is about to explode. 

How could she do this to me? How could she be so cold?

I feel someone touch my arm and I stagger to the side.

"Look who's the most beautiful girl at this party." Cameron says, smiling. He's dressed as a vampire.

"Hi, Cameron..."

"You look a little pale, are you okay?"

"Yes, I am."

I stare at the crowd of people in the room and the loud music I recognize as Wolves begins to play. In the middle of the crowd, I see Shawn talking and laughing with a group of friends. He doesn't deserve the girlfriend he has, he doesn't deserve the bitter and rotten person who dates. Just then, I'll excuse Cameron and crash into people's hot bodies until I get where I want to go.

Shawn stops talking and turns to me. "Hey, did you find Penny? I don't see her anywhere."

My chest goes up and down fast. I know what I'm about to do is wrong, but my body acts faster than my brain. When I realize it, I have my hands on Shawn's face and my lips stuck to his. I hear the commemorative laugh of one of his friends, but I don't give a damn about it. I feel the icy taste of beer on his lips and dig deep into the kiss as he holds on to my waist and I bury my fingers in his brown curls. I walk away after a while and stare into their chocolate orbits that stare at me without understanding anything.

But when I take my hands off your body and see what I've just done, I feel disgusted with myself for such a horrible attitude.

So I just hear Shawn call my name when I do what I do best.

I run away.

[im-a-riverdale-slut-blog]

Apricity C3

CHAPTER THREE -跳动的心

Mixing both sides of the tracks seemed like a recipe for disaster, but maybe that didn’t mean something bad? Just because she was born into class didn’t mean deep down Madsie wasn’t as dangerous as Pea - so what chaos would these two hurricanes cause together?

You know when you’re a kid, and its Sunday morning, sitting in bed in your favourite pyjamas, the soft, worn-down material gently caressing your skin, and although it’s early, and the birds morning song echoing outside, you’re watching your favourite TV show and you feel like there is nothing better in the world, this ball of content and excitement in your stomach? That’s exactly how I’m feeling.

I woke to the birds chirping, the sun beams sneaking through the sides of the curtains and the heat radiating through creating a warm atmosphere. And before five minutes passed, a massive grin formed on my face as I recalled the night before. A small squeal escaping my lips as I rose my hands to cover my face as I’m sure a blush crept on my cheeks.

“I swear this is the only place in Riverdale people care about.” I laughed as Sweet Pea and I sat in the booth at Pops, the one furthest in the corner, hidden away. The laugh that came out his mouth was angelic, despite the bad boy vibe that emitted from him. “It’s the best place in Riverdale, apart from the Whyte Wyrm on the Southside.” Just as I was about to answer, Pop Tate came over with two menus in hand which he placed in front of us. “Good to see you Sweet Pea, and especially with a young lady.” He raised his eyebrow at the teen before walking away, at which Sweet Pea laughed to himself. “I like your tattoo.” I said, as it once again caught my attention as a vein popped right through the centre of it when he laughed. “Why’d you get it? Every tattoo has a meaning, right?”

He raised his fingers to lightly trace over it, “I’m a part of the Southside Serpents, a gang, and every member has one.” My eyes widened slightly at the mention of him being in a gang. “Don’t worry, princess, we’re not bad, that’s not us, that’s the Ghoulies. Jughead’s a serpent too, his dad is the leader of us all.” At the mention of Jughead being a gang member made me laugh cynically, not being able to imagine the beanie-clad kid with a snake tattoo and in leather. “So, is the Whyte Wyrm like your… ‘hangout’?” He nodded lightly, and his lips parted slightly as if to talk but a strawberry milkshake was placed in front of us pulling us out of conversation, “On the house.” the old man smiled before returning back behind the counter. “Take me one day, Sweets.” Smirking at me, he took the cherry that sat atop the swirl of cream and placed it into his mouth, “I’d love to, princess.” There was a brief silence, where the air around us was filled with comfortability, as if we were friends that had known each other for years.

“Okay, Mr. Tall, Dark and Mysterious, tell me something about yourself nobody else knows.” He cocked his eyebrows in suspicion and surprise, but quickly shook his head with a chuckle at my antics. “I hate tomatoes. I think they’re pointless and a waste of time.” Rolling my eyes playfully, I crossed my arms and leant back into the soft material of the booth seats. “Dig a little deeper.” Sighing, he copied my stance, his muscular arms folding as he thought hard, and as I looked into his eyes I swore I could see tiny little cogs turning and twisting as he dug through his brain. “I still have my nans wedding ring, in the original box. I kept it after she died.”

My heart was pounding at the thought of last night’s events, at the thought of the beautiful, raven-haired guy with a ridiculous name that asked me out but before I could think more about it, my phone pinged loudly, resonating throughout the silent room. Looking at the screen, it read: Meet me at the park in 30 minutes – Vee x.

*    *    *

After meeting at the park, she took me to this beautiful river; it was soundless, and serene. Besides the echoes of our shoes, the only noise that could be heard was the satiating song of the birds sat in the trees that surrounded us, as well as the flow of the water, washing down the river. “I don’t think our lives have ever been this peaceful,” Ronnie sighed, in a tone of content, as if she was finally happy with how life had presented itself. 

“Our lives definitely weren’t peaceful when our tea parties didn’t go our way,” We laughed, remembering the countless play dates we shared as children which we had supervised by anyone but our parents as they were whisked away in their studies, discussing and planning business strategies and campaigns. “I don’t think Smithers or Wentworth appreciated the tantrums when they refused to put on tiaras and tutus.” We stopped, sitting on a rock placed beside the river. “Eventually they obliged, we were, kind of, their bosses,” Veronica laughed, taking in the view before us.

“Mija, why don’t you and Madsie, go to your room and maybe get ready for bed?” Hiram instructed, as he gestured for his business colleagues to step into his office. As usual, we both nodded, hiding away into Ronnie’s room, away from anything business related. “So.” She started, as she took her hairbrush and patted on the bed for me to sit. As I did, she combed my hair, the butter-coloured locks falling to my waist. “For your 14th birthday party… you have to invite Dominic!” I felt a red hue form on my cheeks while a quiet giggle escaped my lips, “No, I can’t.” I said quietly, trying to hide the excitement in my voice. Out of habit, I fiddled with my hands, twisting the silver rings that were located along my slender fingers. “Why not! C’mon, you like him, he likes you, this is your chance!” She slightly shook my shoulders, making us giggle at my hopeless crush. And that’s all it was – a hopeless crush. Dominic had been one of my best friends forever, and I never want to ruin what we have. Especially over something as stupid as a crush.

“And what about you Vee? Which dashing boy will you be taking as a date to my party?” She sighed, standing up from her position on the bed and walked over to the dresser, taking out a bag of her facial creams and silk shorts and shirt. “Honestly,” She paused, sighing once again and placed a blob of moisturiser onto her fingertips, “Wes, if anyone, but strictly as friends, platonic friends. I’m not the boys-orientated girl out of us.” Rolling my eyes, reached out of my bag across the bed and pulled it to my chest, a mischievous smirk forming on my face. “Your parents are going to be busy for a while, right?” I asked, carefully reaching into my bag. “Yeah, why?” Ronnie asked, tentatively walking closer to me, each stop slower and slower as she rubbed the cream into her olive-tinted skin. “I thought,” I dragged out my words, pulling out a couple of sticks from my bag, twiddling them between my fingers, they were white in colour with one having blue striped over the paper and the other green. “We could have some fun… take off the stress of boys, and school and parents…” Ronnie returned my smirk, taking one them from my hand and downing it without any more talk. “Where did you get these?” She asked, as I joined her motion, taking the Jingle Jangle, and we threw the packaging into her bin. “Nick St. Clair,” She nodded, shrugging off the curiosity of my dealer. “Maybe, I’ll take him to my party, he always knows how to have fun. Who knows?”

We talked for a while: about New York, the time between Ronnie moving to Riverdale, her new life and it felt like nothing had changed. She did seem kind, caring and a new person but I couldn’t let myself be caught up in the web of lies she’s stuck everyone else in, I wouldn’t let myself. I knew deep down that she would never change from who she was, is. Manipulative, fake, deceitful and a murderer. After that night, neither of us were going to change who we were – it was too engrained in us. A permanent stamp, burned into our soul and in the DNA that made us who we were.

After saying goodbye to Vee, I went back to the Five Seasons and as I placed my hand on the door handle, I overheard mutterings and I paused. For a few seconds I let myself linger, trying to overhear the inconsistent muffled voices through the door but to no avail, I simply opened the door slightly before I heard the voices raise into shouting and then into screaming. “Stop! Richard. This isn’t going to help the business in any way, it’s stupid, foolish and will ultimately lose us so much money!” I didn’t want to move but I didn’t to listen to it anymore. The battle in my head rendered me unable to move, my feet stuck to the ground, every muscle, and every bone in my body frozen exactly into place. “But what if it goes right, Natalie. Yes, it’s risky, I’m not denying it, but it will work out, trust me.” For about a minute, they argued back and forth and I remained where I was.

Building up my courage, I walked in and aimed straight for my room, ignoring and avoiding all contact and conversation with my parents – not wanting to alert them in anyway. Over all the years, they had never fought, or at least I’d never seen them do it, they were always this picture-perfect couple. Shakily sighing, not wanting to overthink the situation, I pulled out my phone and hovered over one contact. And I debated whether it was a good idea to call them, if I was being heedless and should let it go. Without further thought, I pressed it down and it dialled. It rang a few times before they picked up. “Hey, princess, what’s up?”

“Um- can,” I paused, playing with the hem of my shirt, biting my lip subconsciously, “can you come over?”

*    *    * “I don’t know how you just snuck me past your grandad but-” Sweets had just made into my bedroom, I closed the door slowly, trying not to wake anyone. “Grandad? That’s Wentworth – the butler.” I said nonchalantly, but Pea quickly shot me a look of surprise and confusion, his eyebrows raising and his lips parted slightly. “Butler? Perks of being white, rich, skinny and pretty, right?” He said, kicking off his shoes along with his jacket and laying on the bed. “Now,” He said, reaching out his arm as if for me to lay next to him, and rolling his eyes as if to say ‘It’s a cuddle for fucks sake, not sex’, “Talk to me.” Huffing, I copied his actions and took off my shoes and sat beside Pea, his strong arms pulling me further into him until I felt the rise and fall of his chest, and surprisingly felt solaced by someone I barely knew. “My parents were arguing and I know it’s not even that big of a deal but it’s not normal for them and I don’t want them to split up.” I felt his body stiffen and then move as he sat up, “Hey, hey, stop.” Looking up at him and into his brown eyes, they were filled with unease, “People, couples, argue, it’s normal. They’re not going to split up.”

Smiling slightly, feeling better just by his presence, he got up and opened my wardrobe. “Let’s look through the princess’ ball gowns, shall we?” I shuffled closer, sitting on the edge of my bed, watching him flick through the masses of fur coats, blouses and skirts. He pulled out my pink fur coat, and as he did his head caved back and his face became disgusted. “I can’t believe you murdered and skinned an animal for this.”

“What do you mean? It’s faux.” I said, crossing my arms, and shaking my head. “Fucking faux my ass. You definitely skinned a care-bear for this.” He laughed, chucking the coat at me, and shivering in disgust at the baby pink fluff ball he had held.

“Does all of this,” he paused, turning and gesturing to the masses upon masses of clothes, shoes and handbags littered in the wardrobe, “make you happy?” He crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow, waiting for my answer. “Yes.” I lied. I thought it did. But I never made that choice, from the minute I could comprehend life I was having dress fittings, hair appointments and blue box presents – I never had a choice in whether I liked my lifestyle. “Really?” He questioned, walking over and gently placing his thumb under my chin to look into his eyes. There was a sparkle in his eyes, something that compelled me to tell him the truth. “I don’t know. It’s lovely and the clothes are beautiful but, would I prefer jeans and something more casual? Yes. Would my parents kill me? Probably.”

As he sat beside me, he placed his hand over mine, and our eyes met. “Why are you so caught up in others opinion of you?” He said, his face confused, “And you’re not?” I retorted, standing up and pulling away. “You hold back from doing things just because they don’t fit your ‘image’, and you shouldn’t. Live the life you want to live; it doesn’t matter who or who doesn’t see because it’s for you.” His voice was slightly raised, as if annoyed or angered. “Me stopping myself from…wearing jeans and a t-shirt, because of my posh girl image, is like you, not going to a dog shelter because puppies don’t match your bad boy image. We both do it.” My arms were in the air, and I laughed lightly at his reaction.

“Okay.” He huffed, picking up his boots and lacing them up. “Where are you going?” I asked, puzzled. He ignored my question, doing up his coat and chucking one at me. “Pea!?”

“We are going to the dog shelter. If that’s what it takes you to do something that fucks up your image, I’m going to do something that fucks up mine.” Shaking my head, I shove the coat back at him “No.” I laughed, at which he got up, standing directly in front of me. He towered over me, a giant grin adorning his face, a mischievous grin. We stood staring at each other for a few seconds, taking in the others stance, trying to read one another. Rapidly, he picked me up, his giant hands gripping my hips tightly and threw me over his shoulder. “C’mon Rapunzel, let down your hair for once,”

*    *    *

When we arrived, my heart swelled at the sight of all the puppies: some sleeping, some playing, some eating. “Sweets!” I squealed eagerly, clutching his arm as I tried to calm myself, at which he laughed at me. Throughout the field of puppies and some older dogs, there were groups of them. An old-looking, greying golden retriever sat watching as these pug puppies started chasing each other around, their tiny yet mighty barks attempting to initiate a play fight with one another.

Out of all the puppies, one caught my eye. It was a tiny grey husky puppy, curled up into a ball in the corner staring at their surroundings, a wallflower. Just as I saw it, Sweets had taken a liking to her as well as he dashed over there and as picking it up smiled so widely I felt myself match his happiness. “She’s beautiful.” I sighed as I gently ran my fingertips over her coat, the soft fur tickling my skin. “She’s a beauty,” he agreed, and put the dog down. “And I’m not only talking about the dog.” He confidently, crossed his arms, his signature smirk appearing on his face. “Smooth.” I laughed, flippantly shoving his shoulder. Which he rolled his eyes at, before grabbing my hand and encasing it in his much larger ones. And as he looked at me, my stomach fell and my heart began racing, “Guess what?” He whispered, loud enough for only me to hear. “What?” I managed to force out, the lump still stuck in my throat, showing no sign of moving. And my heart pulsated so irregularly and sharply, I swore it felt like it was going to cut right out of my chest, right there and then. “I’m going to get it. The puppy.”

TAGLIST:

@quinn-e-dawson @misskarynie @mildy-human

[fantroll-purgatory]

@plumb1tes

HEY. HEY I LOVE THIS PUNK

In fact, I love this punk so much I had difficulty even reviewing her bc she’s GREAT like a white shark

FIRST: Alternia or Beforus or some type of AU? I have an AU where when Condy (or another fuschia, idk still on the fence about it) conquers more and more planets, she establishes a rule where there has to be one heiress per planet that has children on it, to keep more order amongst her empire. However once the heiress becomes of age, they are normally killed by the Empress to prevent her throne from being challenged, and are replaced by a new heiress to watch the planet. The heiress also has to be assigned to a monstrous lusus, that could produce planet-destructive consequences if left neglected. The Empress assigns fuschias to them specifically, to exhaust them to make sure they don’t challenge or pose a threat to her.

Man I super like this especially since our frequent submitter silentekos came up with a similar concept and like. Word! I love that as a concept because it’s pretty much exactly how capitalism works to keep its own power centralized while granting itself greater surveillance of those they govern.

The planet that’s the main focus for my story is governed by ENTER NAME HERE. The hemospectrum is upheld in a very familiar fashion to Alternia’s, though less chaotic than Alternia, in terms of random bouts of violence caused by drones, is made up for with random bouts of floods and earthquakes caused by Selaki’s lusus, due to her neglect to fulfill her duties.

Name (preferably include how you came up with it and why): Selaki (from the scientific name of sharks: Selachimorpha) Stiden (from the prehistoric megatoothed shark, Carcharocles angustidens).

Age: 7.85 sweeps (around 17 years)

Strife Specibus: tridentkind, with only one side with sharp edges, in the shape of her sign. She likes to use it as a fashion accessory, and a symbol to show off her royal status.

God I love it it’s so dope-looking.

Fetch Modus: She uses a purse modus. It’s relatively uncomplicated, and functions basically the same as wallet modus, but with a bigger size restriction.

Hmmm I kinda like a modus that sizes items up or multiplies them? The Abundance Modus. It gives her a tool as a ruler to potentially assist her subjects with getting the resources they need but like. That’s not what she uses it for. She can basically use it to generate more stuff for herself and to give everything she owns this larger-than-life sense.

Blood color: Fuschia. She is the current heiress governing her planet.

Symbol and meaning: Pira, sign of the Visionary (Prospit + Mind)

Trolltag: voguishDespot, referring to her fashionable rule over her planet.

I like maybe crestingDorsal [CD] to bring this idea of a shark’s dorsal fin breaking the waves. Gives a sense of forboding! Furthermore, “crest” as in “crown” emphasizes her royal nature.

Quirk: Selaki types her “W”s with )_(|)_(, and often says words like “dear” “dahling” or “sweetie” in either an affectionate or condescending way, depending on the situation. Other than that, normal punctuation and grammar.

Ex: “The quick bro)_(|)_(n fox jumped over the lazy dog, dahling.”

Little cliche but I love shark quirks? You indicate that she’s kinda dramatic now, so she could preface her initial entrance into a chat with

CD: ^ ^

CD: ^ ^

CD: ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  ( ˇ෴ˇ )

Special Abilities (if any): She has no psychic abilities, normal for a highblood.

Lusus: Since she is an heiress, she is assigned a monstrous lusus to keep tame to prevent her planet from being severely damaged by a fit of rage from her lusus. Her lusus, specifically, is a ginormous megalodon shark, capable of causing earthquakes and floods. Their relationship is almost nonexistent, due to Selaki’s insistence to avoid contact unless absolutely necessary. This results in her neglecting her duties, until her lusus starts wreaking havoc by causing chaos, forcing her to tend to her, by feeding her large lusii she orders her drones to kill. She also apparently feeds trolls that piss her off to her lusus. The main reason she doesn’t like to tend to her lusus, besides the exhaustion that comes with the task, is because she feels put on the spot, and doesn’t like the pressure of taking care of a giant destructive shark monster, which leads her making less than stellar decisions.

Physical Appearance: Selaki is rather short for a highblood, and wears heels to make her seem more intimidating. She died her hair fuschia, but her roots slightly grown, showing her natural black hair, cut into a messy bob. She has gills, normal for a seadweller, and sharp teeth, as a reference her lusus. Selaki also has a scar on the middle of her forehead, in the shape of her sign. This is given to all fuschias at birth, to permanently mark them. She has her horns the shape of the pisces symbol, like Feferi’s.

Selaki has golden accessories on her horns instead of a tiara, and is almost always seen wearing her circular shades. She wears a designer jacket, with her symbol on the sleeves, and a black dress with her sign.

Personality and Backstory: Selaki was assigned to her lusus as soon as she left the brooding caverns, forced to take care of her lusus to prevent it from causing destruction to her planet. Before her change to what she is now, she was pretty meek and socially awkward, due to constantly having to monitor her lusus personally, having little time for herself. However she eventually got burned out, and turned to neglecting her duties as a fuschia in favor of focusing on her hobbies. She essentially came out of her shell, dressing in more glamorous fashion, and putting on a more gregarious personality, becoming quite eccentric.

She keeps in contact with the other planets’ fuschias on a private social media reserved for them only, and is monitored by the Empress. It’s basically if you take a bunch of queen bees and put them in the same room. The fuschias constantly try to one-up and brag to each other, and are very cut-throat with each other. Selaki used to be picked on by the other heiresses due to being unconfident in herself, but learned to not let their words affect her as much. In fact, she became just as cut throat as they were, if not more. An apex predator if you will *cough cough shark pun*.

Selaki loves putting on a facade of living a glamorous life of luxury, and tries to put up an “i am better than you” vibe. Despite being a sociable person, her eccentric behavior causes her to say pretty odd things, as she is still a bit socially awkward, in the sense she blurts out whatever she thinks, and tends to value honesty, and absolutely hates being lied to. However despite seemingly stopped being the stressed individual she claims she used to be before her burnout, but still gets stressed out quite easily deep down. It’s because of this stress that she often makes irrational decisions, such as ignoring her lusus. However her ego makes her put on a front that she is making completely rational choices, despite obviously not. Instead she’ll just roll with her bad choices and see how things go.

Selaki loves to design and has a passion for architecture, however she isn’t very great at it, but prefers to call her works “abstract” to void criticism. She designed her own palace, and many buildings on her planet. She likes to do things with style, no matter how dirty things get.

When interacting with others, she is very dominating, and wants to appear superior to…pretty much everyone. She subtly treats everyone as if they’re beneath her, and treats those she fondly regards almost as pets, in terms of affection. Whoever does piss her off, she reacts in a number of ways. If it’s another fuschia, she playfully insults them. However if it’s any troll underneath her blood-wise, she outright threatens them, and feeds them to her lusus if they piss her off enough.  

God I…love this girl. I will protect her.

Interests: Fashion, design, voguing, FLARPING (secretly. She thinks it’s nerdy.), money

Title: Selaki’s sign is tied to the mind aspect. In case her current character doesn’t fit the mind aspect, I’d rather take suggestions in order to make her more mind-bound, instead of giving her a different aspect, please! Currently, I think she’s a Page of Mind before her journey to grow as a person, but I’m down to change her class, as long as it isn’t thief! She’s in the same session as Charyl, another troll I submitted here a bit ago!  I decided to go with your suggestion for Charyl to be a thief of space, so I don’t want to overlap classes lol.

I think she’s def. Mind but maybe a Bard? She’s destroying through logic and, as an inverse, creating her own Self. Also god the idea of this little punky brewster in a Bard of Mind outfit sounds absolutely ridiculous.

Land: Any suggestions would be great!

How about Land of Currents and Waterfalls? I feel like the flow of the water would be a good nod to Mind, and she could find colonies on the water-covered planet by figuring out which waterfalls hide a cave system behind them.

Dream Planet: Prospit

Yep! All in all, I adore Selaki and honestly don’t have any visual changes for her? She’s amazing (mazing) just the way she is.

-TR

[kariachi]

I may not have finished part 2 of this au yet (still poking at it, eventually, eventually) but damnit I’ve gotten part 3 done. Have some more arranged marriage Arvin, this time with actual Kevin involved.

“So, what do you think?”

“He’s ugly.”

“He’s a nobody.”

“He wasn’t talking to either of you!” Argit glared around at his sisters, all of whom- along with their little brother- had crowded around him as soon as their father had sent him the information on his fiancé. It’d been a struggle even to read the damn thing with all their muttering and dismissive comments and Kari’s unimpressed huffs. Saxion at least was behaving, and he could see his baby brother trying to work out wedding décor in his head already. Flashing his teeth at the girls, he gave his father his attention. “I’m trying to find the catch.” Their father snorted.

“I think they expect that to be the criminal record.” Tilting his head, Argit’s nose crinkled in mild confusion.

“It’s not any worse than Vix and Kari’s.”

“Combined maybe,” Tiara said, leaning over his shoulder. “And probably the ugly thing too.”

“Don’t you guys have other shit to do?”

“No.” Sighing, Argit looked pleadingly up at his father, who just chuckled and settled in across the table from them.

“He hasn’t pupated yet,” he explained to the younger of his children. “I’ve looked up his siblings and sire, near as I can tell by the end of the year he’ll be a catch by Osmosian standards. Also,” he continued before Vix could make a comment, smiling as she shut her mouth and pouted, “he’s a powerful Hero, was offered an apprenticeship by The Great Thinker, and should be very fertile.”

Immediately the younger girls began biting back laughter, though Kari somehow managed to look even less impressed. Argit forcibly clapped her hands over Saxion’s ears, just to make her useful.

“Pa,” he said, “I didn’t think I’d have to explain these things to you, but according to these files the right parts are just not there.”

“His children,” his father said, “will be your children, by law if nothing else. Between the two of you, you should never lack in children if you want them.” Argit didn’t even know how to respond to that, instead just shaking his head and going back to skimming the file while everyone talked around him.

“I still say he’s not good enough.”

“He loves tech just like Argit does, he’s a history nerd-” Suddenly there was more of Kari’s overprotective chittering. (Huh, looked like this guy had social ties to the Red Wind family, nice.)

“Is what we’re saying!” Argit’s chair squeaked over the floor as Tiara leaned her weight on it. “They could’ve at least given him a grandson or something, not some random cousin!”

“I think he sounds nice.”

“Nobody asked you, pipsqueak.” Sighing again, Argit absently slipped an arm over Saxion’s shoulder as he huddled closer, huffing and pouting. (Ooo, and all those patents involving transdimensional storage were his, cool.)

“We could get him better,” Vix insisted, and Kari clearly agreed because she was back to clutching him again. (Including the compressionless binders? Be still his heart!)

“There isn’t a better political or social option. Besides, I went through a lot of trouble to make sure he hit all the marks and could cook-”

“Wait what?” Ears twitching at that oh-so-important word, Argit brought his full attention back to the conversation. His father looked incredibly smug.

“He cooks,” he said. “In fact, the kereo skipped passed three other options when I said you liked your food. Apparently, he’s very good at it.” Yep, that was it. Immediately Argit dropped the tablet on the table and leaned back, suddenly all smiles.

“Sounds great, when’s the wedding?”

~~

“You realize Ben is going to lose his shit, right?”

“I’m sorry, is Ben the one marrying the boy?”

“I’m just saying.” Kevin leaned back in his chair, casting his gaze around his eldest siblings. His mother had gotten final veto rights, of course, and this particular offer had come down through the senior members of their extended family, but the vast majority of the decision making with regards to his future nuptials had happened here, between these three. “Vilgax the Conqueror’s kid cannot be an orthodox choice.”

“He’s all but the official heir of an empire,” Alex pointed out, “that makes him one of the few offers on your level.”

“I’m not heir of shit though. We’re what? Third cousins to the Emperor?”

“First cousins twice removed.” Suzana was flipping through his fiancé’s file for what he had to assume was the billionty-twelth time. “Anyway,” she continued, “technically we’re all as eligible for that throne as he is his father’s.”

“And,” Kay said, laying plates of food in front of the rest of them before retaking his own seat, “you’re a Hero. If that’s not if that’s not equal to being first in line for an empire then really the galaxy needs to sort out its priorities.”

“Uh-huh…” As heartening as his brother’s faith in his standing was, Kevin was not entirely convinced. Despite all claims there was a difference between ‘probably inheriting an empire’ and ‘technically is related to an Emperor’. For all he trusted his family to make him a good match… “You guys are sure about this?” Anybody who questioned how he and Alan could be so, well, them, really didn’t spend enough time with the rest of the family because seeing Kay, Alex, and Suzana all roll their eyes in unison was an experience.

“Give him the file,” Alex said, leaning over their plate to try and snatch it from Suzana, who refused to give it up probably as much out of age-old sibling squabbles as anything. A brief scuffle immediately broke out. “Damnit Suzy!”

“He wants it he can ask like an adult!”

“Just give it you little-!” On the other side of the table, Kay and Kevin both watched the chaos and sighed.

“And I wonder why my kids are like this…”

“I’m just glad I was never that way.”

“Hah!” Alex won the battle just as Kay swatted Kevin upside the head, holding the folder aloft in triumph as they held Suzana off with one foot.

“May I remind you two you’re grown adults?” There was no response, Alex simply ignoring their older brother’s remark and put-upon sigh in favor of handing Kevin the folder.

“Here, check it out. We really do think you two will be a good match.”

The first thing Kevin noticed when the opened the file, was that there was a picture and the young man it showed was a lot more blatantly Erinaen than he’d expected from one of Vilgax’s spawn. Next was that he was about his age. Then that he was, it seemed, also trans. And somehow he was an Erinaen with less than half the siblings Kevin himself had. With Pierce it made sense but from someone with an Erinaen mother it was notable.

“He’s very smart,” Kay said, leaning forward with an excited expression like he couldn’t wait for Kevin to just go through the folder himself, “and apparently when Vilgax is out causing the Tennysons trouble he’s the one managing whatever bureaucratic messes he’s left behind.”

“Experienced,” Alex added, reaching over to tap the papers despite not being able to see them through the damn file, “going places, a shoo-in for heir.” Kevin rolled his eyes.

“Okay, do we have qualifications besides financial security?”

“He’s cunning and intelligent,” Suzana said with a tone like this was the final say, as if she didn’t have two older siblings there to confer with, “surprisingly family-oriented, very close with his younger siblings. Interested in technology and good food. Doesn’t show any of his sisters’ aggressive tendencies, really seems to be one of the more mentally sound members of the family.”

“So basically,” Kevin said as he continued to flip through the file- oh, look, he had dietary concerns too, this should be good, “these people are crazy, let’s give them the crazy Levin.” A hand clapped onto his shoulder, and he turned to face Kay as his claws hooked on the fabric of his shirt.

“Kevin, you know we’ve got your best interests in mind,” he said, “and if you really don’t like this match, we can go right back to looking.” Heaving a sigh, Kevin turned his attention back to the information in front of him. He knew for a fact at least seven members of his family had already gone over all this- from the Emperor to his gran to his mother and these three- and all of them had approved. And he trusted their judgement, trusted them to take into account his needs and desires and to have dug into every piece of stray rumor they could find like the worst sort’ve conspiracy theorists just in case there was something there that would make this guy a bad match.

Sometimes having overprotective relatives was handy.

He sighed again.

“No, no, I trust you,” he said. “Besides, he’s kinda cute for a furball.”