#troped minis: s&b

[troped-fanfic-challenge]

TROPED: Shadow And Bone

Are you a writer for the Shadow And Bone fandom? Are you excited for Season 2?! Are you interested in a challenging but totally unique fanfic writing competition? Then you've come to the right place! TROPED is hosting a special mini event for the S&B Fandom! Starting March 18th at 12:00am EST, TROPED will be hosting a two round mini event! Come join us and write some awesome fics!

HOW IT WORKS:

TROPED is pretty simple! This is usually a fully anonymous fanfic event where anyone can join at any time! We provide a prompt (four tropes + a theme), and give you a writing period, and you write the fics! All fics are submitted to our AO3 collections, which are specific to each event!

For this event, there will be two rounds each, which are separate from one another. You do not need to write in the first round to write for the second, and you are not obligated to write for the second round if you write for the first!

This event will be Optionally Anonymous! Because we want everyone to feel comfortable, and give more fandoms a chance to experience TROPED, we will not require this event to be anonymous! Prompts will be released at the start of each round!

TIMELINE:

ROUND ONE

R1 Writing Period: March 18th (12:00am EST) - March 29th (03:00am PST / 06:00am EST)

ROUND TWO

R2 Writing Period: March 30th (12:00am EST) - April 11th (03:00am PST / 06:00am EST)

*All times are in Eastern Standard Time (EST) unless otherwise specified! Times are subject to change due to potential writing extensions.

There are no sign-ups necessary! Follow along here on Tumblr, the TROPED Twitter, or our Discord Server for more information on the mini events! (Links for our socials are on the pinned post of our Tumblr page!) We will release our prompts in these places and have all the information you need for each event!!! We are super excited to see more fandoms participate in TROPED!!

Please reblog this post to show a Grishaverse fan!!! Leave your trope hopes in the tags!!

[sh0tanzz]

is it me or do i like men groveling

can i request riize second chance romance if that makes sense:’)

(ur work is amazing pls continie keeping us happy^^)

i love groveling men too it’s ok anon 😗

RIIZE SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE ~ based on their birth charts

reminder this is just based off of my opinion after looking at their birth charts and what I think would happen from my own observations these things are not exact fact unless they said it themselves !

Shotaro

SO MUCH ANGST OOOH MY GOF. Would be the most mature on the outside but on the inside he’d be ☹️☹️☹️. “I don’t even care about what she’s doing” [checked your instagram and other socials to see if you’re grieving as well or seeing someone new] He wouldn’t necessarily go out dating looking for a rebound he’d focus on his craft in all honesty and might even seclude himself a little bit. I see him taking a break with his s/o instead of just flatline breaking up and once he feels like he has emotionally healed as far as he can he’d return and it would be pretty serious like in a private closed space he’d want to talk everything out and NEEEDS you to be honest abt everything but he’d just want you guys back together and for both of you to be happy.

Eunseok

(I feel like Eunseok is aware that he could potentially fall victim to the “the one that got away” trope) but anyway. He’d be the biggest nonchalanter to ever nonchalant 😭 might even try to stay mutuals/cordial with you. Would date, see other people, have a mini roster and fwbs going on. But as soon as he realizes everyone else is boring him and wasting his oh so valuable time (And he hates. To waste his time.) he’d get so irritated at himself for letting go of such a good thing and would criticize criticIZE CRITICIZEE himself. Forces himself to not run from/internalize how he feels he’d reach out again, wouldn’t be the most sappy return ever he might even joke about what happened but he’d be as honest as he could ever be and would surprisingly admit where he fucked up.

Sungchan

His pride and the hurt he carried during the time apart would hold him back so badly. Would improve himself and boss up similar to Shotaro to show you what you were missing; try to find attention and praise elsewhere. But when he realizes you did the same thing and also became better in every way possible physically, mentally…and that people still have their eye on you like they did when he first met you..he’d cave. Would HAVE to shamefully put his hurt and pride aside. Cue his dramatic serious text at 11pm and him asking how you’re doing to see if the good things he’s heard about you were true (prays you say no when he asks if you’re seeing anyone) would ask you to meet him somewhere that was important to you two and nostalgic. Almost kills him to be wrong but has to accept it 😭

Wonbin

He’d be like “whatever” since he knows that so many girls want to be in your place, might even consider sliding back to that one ex. Would be torn between just letting things go back to normal but his stubborn stagnant attitude would leave him stuck in a victim state. But then once the pain slowlyyy seeps in and that what you two had was something genuine and you were one of few people that actually understood him and physically compatible with him then on the inside he’d lose it. Would have a wayyy more sappy lovey dovey way of coming back. Cue him using music in some way shape or form as his way of coming back. Would probably want to physically see you in a place that he’s most comfortable with.

Seunghan

So so sassy. Honestly he’d walk away pretty fast but would miss you pretty fast right after. He’d hesitate but only because he knows that he probably got a little mean when you two split and that you might not even want to talk to him. Tries to go dating around but wakes up and gets it together once he sees/hears that you’re talking to someone new (10 extra points if it’s someone he doesn’t like or thinks isn’t even close to how attractive he is ) . Tries to be cool about it but is hurting inside, would ask everyone for advice. The emotional side would take over and he’d just have to listen to how he feels and think later. His way of coming back is essentially him outdoing whoever has you on their sights or him showing you the epitome of affection. He’d have to force his virgo mercury to work and speak UP and apologize.

Sohee

Would seem pretty ok and normal compared to everyone else similarly to Eunseok. Talks about you but wants to jump someone if THEY try to talk about you. (“can’t believe she’d do this” “yea she’s crazy asf” “Don’t say that 🫤.” ). (Cue him singing “When I was your man” by Bruno Mars 😭). He wouldn’t want to constrict and limit himself or you after the breakup so he’d also try to date/talk to other people. Has to give in and accept that thinking about you while hanging out with someone else is a CLEAR indicator that he needs to get off his high horse and return. He’d probably word vomit about how he feels about everything and apologize but also goes on this passive lecture on how you two shouldn’t allow each others feelings to rip you two apart like that again and the principle of it all.

Anton

Word vomit pt.2. Could go two ways. Way one if the breakup was on good terms/mutual after the breakup he’d probably remain friends or still be in contact with you, then once he realizes he can’t just move on at the snap of his fingers and realizes that every person he’s with has resemblance to you whether it’s physical/personality he’d impulsively talk to you and get right back if he can. If it was on bad terms it’d feel pretty cruel ngl like you’d feel like he kinda just disappeared and made his way elsewhere..but once he’s alone with his thoughts he’d have to realize the errors of his way or the faults on his side he’d IMPULSIVELY come forwards with how he feels, would probably ask you to dinner and have the conversation there and says everything that he has to.

[runningfrom2am]

𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞'𝐬 𝟏𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 !

immediately i want to start this by saying a massive, massive thank you to everyone who has followed me or even read my fics, you guys are all so special and you motivate me to keep writing :). i never thought i would reach 1000 people and it just makes me so happy i could cry :’). it means so much to me. seriously, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

if we haven’t met before, hi! i’m raye :) thank you for stopping in! you can find my nav here, which has all my masterlists, my rules, and a bit about me!!

navigation, requests/asks

starts: november 5th, 2023

ends: november 15th, 2023 (now closed)

𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐢 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫: rafe cameron, jj maybank, drew starkey, john b routledge, pope heyward, sarah cameron, zach maclaren

note!! pls keep everything in the asks sfw :) this is a family friendly blog y'all !!

𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐬: send me a song or a concept and a character and I'll write a little thing based on it :))

𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐬: pick a character and something from this prompt list- i’ll take care of the rest.

𝐣𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫: getting to know me seems important since there’s ONE THOUSAND OF YOU omg- so send me a word or a photo or anything and I'll tell you something ab myself based on it

𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐲: give me a number between 1-193 and i will show you an edit from my tiktok collection hehe

𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧: send me your thoughts or headcanons on any of my characters or about any of my fics or yours and i'll let you know my own thoughts on it! (big time bonus points if you have anything at all to say about the sea around us that fic is my pride and joy and labour of love so pls talk to me about it thank you) (inspired by @katsu28's celly event and stolen directly from @winterrrnight oops-)

𝐩𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐨: send me a character and a concept/trope and I'll make you a little moodboard and mini playlist!!

𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡: let’s come back down to earth- ask me any question from this list here or this one here ! and pls include your own answer if you’re comfortable! we’re getting to know each other here :))

send me everything here and i’ll get to it as soon as i can!! i'm looking forward to doing this with you guys :)

edit: thanks so much to anyone who sent something in! check out the tag "1k celebration !!" to see everything I've posted for this!

go follow my loves <3 (mutuals) : @madelynie, @whore-4-drewstarkey, @slut4drudy, @winterrrnight, @keziahcore, @totalswag, @sadfury @fullfledgedemo @rafemotherfuckingcameron, @peachprairie, @chenslucy

taglist: @outerbankszn, @wh0reforbucknasty, @enamoredofbella, @maybankspov, @always-reading, @casualsludgeshoetoad, @sagcas-latte, @taurusvic, @madelynie, @whore-4-drewstarkey, @slut4drudy, @winterrrnight, @totalswag, @sadfury, @peachprairie, @dilvcv, @justtrying2getby-blog, @maybaenk, @chenslucy, @hxnnah-397, @s-we-e-t-t-ea, @saccharinesammie, @ietss @maybankslover, @redhead1180, @lovelyxtommy, @thelomlisrafecameron, @thatsthewaythechrissycrumbles, @flonkertn, @r1vrsefx, @urmooniee, @bookishbabyyy @fullfledgedemo @rafemotherfuckingcameron, @urfaveluvr,  @tahliac11, @suzyheartsrafe, @wpdailyminimeta, @aegons-bitch, @rafegirly, @whtvrrafe, @sandyworms, @frxcless, @ari-nicole

[jahayla-parker]

writing prompt "Are you calling me a liar?" "Well, I ain't calling you a truther, bud." for character of choice

Lying Bastard : Kaz Brekker x Reader Part 1

Part 2 here, Mini-Series Navigation here

Description: roughly 10k wc, Pt1 (both up already) Kaz ends his relationship with the reader and sends her away after she makes a mistake during a heist. But fortunately for Kaz, Jesper senses he’s lying and tries to get to the bottom of it.

Mini Series Themes/tropes/etc.: hurt-comfort, angst-fluff, handwritten letters, kaz x Reader, crow!reader, soc themes, etc.

Warnings: angst, some curse words, standard soc type material, slight SaB (BOOK) spoiler (referenced but not stated)

Notes: this is part 1 of an optional mini-series. You can end at whichever part without problems / to get a different aesthetic or ending. There are two parts.

Dedicated in honor of @ell0ra-br3kk3r ‘s birthday! 💜

Thank you @rpmemes-galore for the prompt suggestion/request!

“You know why” Kaz argued harshly, glaring at y/n.

She furrowed her brows, “are you serious right now?”

He rolled his eyes, “when am I not?”

She halted her actions, staring at him in shock.

Kaz discretely bit his inner lip but held his ground; not letting the pained look in her eyes deter him.

“Kaz, it was one mistake” she argued, her eyes stinging with tears as she saw the determination in his facial features.

He didn’t respond, only shifting his weight off his bad leg as he stared at the suitcase he placed on her bed.

“You’re seriously b-… you’re breaking up with me and kicking me out of the slat over one mistake?” She choked, shaking her head at him.

“You’re leaving for safety reasons” He stated simply before signaling to the suitcase.

“Get out” she stated weakly.

Kaz clenched his jaw and tightened the grip on his cane.

“I said, get out!” She snapped, opening the door for him aggressively.

“You do not give the orders around here y/n, and-“ he remarked, staring at her with his normal scowl, one he never used on her before.

“I’m well aware of that, believe me” she scoffed, “and don’t worry, I’m leaving”.

Kaz nodded, “good”.

She watched as Kaz limped out of her room, slamming the door behind him.

Y/n sniffed as she tried not to cry.

She couldn’t cry over him, she wouldn’t let herself.

Sure she made a mistake, but so had every other Crow at some point.

She could understand Kaz feeling he had to be more strict with her to maintain the way the others saw him and their relationship.

But, this was far past that line he always cautiously walked.

During the heist, y/n had forgotten to lock a door behind her as they fled a heist.

Kaz reprimanded her, stating that someone would then notice the item was missing.

It hasn’t happened yet, but Kaz told her it was only a matter of time.

She was already disappointed in herself, so she’d been understanding initially over his frustration.

The longer between the theft and its detection would form a greater chance for their group to have been undetected and another team being misperceived as the culprits.

In other words, her mistake meant she risked earlier detection and therefore their group being connected to it and the necklace being stolen back since the mark would know who it was that’d taken it.

However, it wasn’t a life or death mistake, unlike ones the other crows had made before without this severe of a consequence.

Yet, after giving y/n the silent treatment for a few days, today Kaz went to her room and snapped at her.

He simply told her it was over between them and that she’d need to leave.

At first, when Kaz told her that he was disgusted by this mistake but wouldn’t be cruel and instead had arranged a new residence for her, she assumed he was joking.

Kicking her out and breaking it off was drastic, something only Dirtyhands might consider.

But, if Dirtyhands had been the force behind it, he wouldn’t have gotten her a new residence.

It didn’t make any sense.

She nearly fell over with laughter as Kaz told her she’d be staying at the little palace with the Ravkan king, Nikolai Lantsov.

How he even knew the king, let alone struck a deal with him, was intriguing; even if he was Kaz Brekker.

Yet she couldn’t get herself to ask those questions once she saw the truth in his eyes.

He was serious, he was ending it and sending her to Ravka.

As she replayed the events again in her mind, her tears burst through the walls she tried to put up and poured down her cheeks.

To make matters worse, tomorrow would have marked her 5th anniversary with Kaz.

She knew he still struggled with relationships and emotions, but it hurt that he didn’t seem phased by these orders he gave her nor the timing of it.

She wiped her face on the back of her hand before she began literally throwing things into the case on her bed.

Kaz sat at his desk, his head in his hands as he tried to steady his breath.

He didn’t want to do this but he had to.

If he let her stay, if he stayed with her, he feared it could be fatal.

He glared at the messy notes on his desk, crumpling a few and tossing them across his room.

Never in the last seven years since being with her would he have seen himself sending y/n away.

Only once in the last five years since they began dating would he have expected to be the one ending their relationship.

And that went away when they’d talked about how she’d be able to stay safe despite them being together.

Yet, here he was, sitting alone at his desk, eyes nearly watering, as he recalled doing just that.

He doubted he’d ever forgive himself for causing the expression that fell on her face when realizing he was serious.

But he also would never forgive himself if he didn’t do this and something happened to her.

“Are you ready?” Kaz asked firmly, watching as y/n sat at her desk writing a note.

Y/n glared over at him, but the faint remainder of tears in her eyes nearly broke him.

She held up one finger to signal him to wait.

Kaz sighed and leaned on her doorframe as he glanced down the hall to ensure no one was coming.

He watched as she slid her chair back after she finished securing the note and placed it to the side of her desk, atop a pile of similar ones.

“Ready” y/n said, voice wavering slightly but she fought to key her composure as she harshly pulled the case off her bed.

“Leave the bag” Kaz ordered.

“Excuse me?” She paused, “maybe you can kick me out, but these things are mine”.

Kaz nodded once, “it will get to you”.

She stared at him in shocked understanding, “You don’t want the others knowing, do you?”

Kaz groaned, “I don’t believe that is your business any longer”.

Y/n scoffed, “they’ll know soon enough, you have no reason to stop that”.

He gritted his teeth as he bit back explaining to her why that could not happen.

Kaz smirked, “I don’t need a reason”.

“They’ll figure it out” She muttered, putting her notebook and pens into her inner coat pocket.

Kaz shook his head, “they will not. I’ve sent them out for the evening. I’ll be letting them know to not communicate with you. And you will not communicate with them either”.

Y/n laughed coldly, “how are you going to manage that Brekker?”

He pushed the exit open, pointing her in the direction of her ride, “the same way I managed you residing elsewhere “.

“You’re going to have the King stop me from writing to them?!” She shouted.

Kaz forced himself to roll his eyes, “if that’s what it takes. And you can be as loud as you wish, they’re too far to hear you resist the consequences of your actions”.

Y/n pressed her lips into a firm line as she looked around, debating if she should give up a guaranteed residence in order to flee.

Kaz gripped his cane tighter, effortlessly reading this decision in her eyes and despising himself for promoting it.

But, it was what he expected; what he accounted for.

“You cannot run, the king’s brought guards to ensure you get on his ship” Kaz told her.

“What does he get in return?” Y/n questioned fearfully.

Kaz glared, “you don’t actually believe I’d do what you’re suggesting!?”

She crossed her arms, facing him with a furious stare, “I don’t know what, or who, to believe anymore”.

He internally flinched at her harsh tone but simply shook his head, “it isn’t that. He owes me”.

Y/n rolled her eyes, “Why waste the favor on me? You could just kick me out fully or kill me, you know”.

“I would not kill you” Kaz stated with a glare, “and the ‘why’ doesn’t matter”

“And if I refuse to go with him?” She pressed.

“Where else would you go?” Kaz scoffed.

“Does it matter? I am capable of providing for myself Brekker” she defended.

Kaz sighed firmly, “no I suppose it does not matter. Nonetheless, the deal is the deal and you will be staying in Ravka”.

“Ms. Y/l/n, let’s go” Someone said before she could argue with Kaz again.

She turns to see Sturmhond, a privateer they’d worked with on a previous heist.

“You?” She asks, looking between Sturmhond and Kaz.

Kaz ignored her and nodded at Sturmhond.

“Whatever” She groaned, knowing if she wanted her stuff back she’d need to comply for now at least.

She noticed Kaz seemed almost pleased at her cooperation.

Of course he was, now he didn’t have to deal with her and her failures.

“Y/n,” She barely heard Kaz’s whisper over the wind as she stepped closer to the ship.

But, she refused to acknowledge him; instead lifting her head higher and speeding up to increase the distance.

Kaz sighed to himself as he watched Sturmhond guide her into his ship before nodding at Kaz.

“Get out” Kaz barked, not turning to even face Inej as he entered his room.

“No, you cannot just not tell me where y/n is” Inej growled, having impatiently waited in his room for his return.

Kaz tossed his hat towards the corner of the room, his coat following.

“Brekker! Where is she?” Inej questioned, glancing at the mess he was making, “did you two break up?”.

Kaz bit hard on his cheek as he shut his eyes, “she’s gone, Wraith”.

Inej faltered at the poorly hidden crack in his voice and the possible meaning behind his words, “w-what?”

Kaz, of course, caught on to her misinterpretation, already having been planning on it.

So he utilized it as planned, “You heard me. She’s gone and…”

He swallowed, the underlying truth behind the words stinging, “She’s not coming back. She cannot come back”.

It was silent for a moment as Kaz stared at the bed, already missing the way y/n would sit with her legs crisscrossed on the end as she needlessly helped Kaz with the plans for the crows’ next heist.

Inej eventually left without another word, fleeing to isolate herself in her room.

“Kaz, seriously, Jesper is going stir crazy” Wylan pointed out while his boyfriend sat at one of his favorite gambling dens, yet again.

“That’s my problem because?” Kaz remarked, shifting a book over the piece of the paper he’d been writing on.

Wylan noticed and suppressed a smile at the fact that despite his reading disability, Kaz still treated him as if he could encipher the material if he saw it.

“He’s burning through his credits you installed. We need a heist, surely you’ve got something” Wylan argued.

Kaz glowered up at him, “excuse me?”

“It’s been months without a heist! And you’ve been cooped up in your office for nearly three weeks without sending us on anything, we’re not even pick pocketing, so it must be a big heist you’re planning. I assume that’s what is under the book” Wylan pointed out.

Kaz gritted his teeth, to him it felt like far longer than a mere three weeks in isolation and centuries instead months since that night.

His eyes burned as he tried to keep his gaze away from the letter under the book on his desk.

“What is under the book is of no business to you” Kaz spat, “but, send him in”.

Wylan gave Kaz a questioning look but nodded, pleased things were going to get back to normal.

Sure he missed and grieved for y/n too, but his boyfriend Jesper had been acting weird ever since Kaz broke the news to Inej.

Wylan was certain he was in denial still, but Jesper wouldn’t speak about it.

“Why are you burning through your credit faster than normal?” Kaz asked, not looking up from his messy desk.

Jesper plopped into the chair across from Kaz with an eye roll, “I’m bored “.

“There’s more than that Jesper, be honest” Kaz rebutted.

Jesper scoffed, “that’s hypocritical”.

Kaz glanced up from his table to look at him, “if you have something to say, do so”.

Sitting up straight, Jesper leaned forward towards Kaz, “you’re hiding something”.

Kaz forced a smirk, “of course I am”.

Rolling his eyes for what felt like the millionth time, Jesper groaned, “about y/n”.

Kaz’s eyes widened briefly before flashing a sorrowful glow, his lips twitching slightly.

It all lasted for less than two seconds, but Jesper caught note of it.

“See, that! I know something happened to her” Jesper declared.

Kaz stiffened, his eyes burning into Jesper’s skin, “I already told Inej… she-“

Jesper cut him off with a dramatic head shake, “She’s not dead” Jesper stated confidently.

“Are you calling me a liar?” Kaz questioned, grinding his teeth.

“Well, I ain't calling you a truther, bud." Jesper retorted.

Kaz stood up abruptly, “I’m done with this nonsense. Get out”.

“No” Jesper whispered defiantly, Kaz turning to shoot him an icy look.

“Not until you tell me where she is and what happened. I know she’s not dead” Jesper argues.

Kaz just stares at him in silence, his mind once again failing to process normally.

It had been like this since she’d departed, he couldn’t think clearly, much less do his normal scheming.

“Where’s y/n?” Jesper pushes, crossing his arms over his chest.

Jesper notices the distant look in Kaz’s eyes, but knows it’s not distant enough for Jesper to believe she’s actually dead.

“You may be the worst person with emotions, literally ever. But I’ve known you far too long Kaz. I know you’d be reacting much differently if she were actually dead” Jesper explains, his voice firm but low in volume.

Kaz purses his lips, his hand on his cane tightening.

“You want to know why I’ve been gambling more? Because of this” Jesper stated, his voice cracking, “it’s driving me crazy Kaz. Where in saints sake is she?!”

Looking around the room until his gaze pauses for a split second on the stack of letters on his desk, Kaz swallows thickly.

Jesper follows his stare and hurriedly launches himself towards the desk before Kaz has time to hobble over and stop him.

“You’re writing to her?!” Jesper gasped as he read y/N’s name on the address line of the first letter he grabbed.

Kaz growled, reaching his gloved hand out, “let go of them”.

“Not until you explain what is going on!” Jesper argued, unfolding the letter.

Reaching out and gently tugging on the corner of the letter in Jesper’s hand as to not rip it, Kaz starts a silent staring contest with his sharpshooter.

“I’m not giving in this time Kaz. Y/n mattered to me. To all of us. The others might believe she’s dead, but I know better. I know you better. Now explain or I’ll read each damn letter to find out for myself” Jesper threatened.

Kaz’s eyes flickering to his swooping handwritten emotions on the letter in Jesper’s hand.

Sighing in annoyance Kaz gave him one firm nod.

Jesper lets go of the note, smugly sitting back down in the chair before Kaz‘s desk.

“You have to be kidding me” Jesper exclaims exasperatedly.

Kaz gives him a knowing look, “I don’t kid”.

“Right… right… no I know that” Jes responds as he tries to comprehend the situation.

“It’s just… I always thought of you as this insanely smart mastermind type guy” Jesper chuckles mockingly, “but you’re really just an idiot”.

Glaring harshly, his jaw tight, Kaz shakes his head at Jesper, “you don’t know what you’re talking about “.

“Yes I do” Jesper responded as he calmed himself down.

Before Kaz could speak, Jesper continued, “you’re in love with her. That’s why you sent her away”.

Kaz shifted his jaw, rubbing his upper teeth over his bottom teeth as he debated about lying.

“It makes sense now. I knew there was something there. But saints you’re dumb Kaz. She can protect herself!” Jesper scoffed.

“She shouldn’t have to!” Kaz shouted, his hand hitting the table before them.

He didn’t need to hear this; not from Jesper.

He’d already debated on whether or not he made the wrong choice.

But in the end, each time, he concluded her safety was worth it.

Worth everything.

Even if it meant Kaz not being in her life anymore.

“It’s the barrel Kaz! She has to on a normal basis regardless” Jesper argued.

“Not anymore” Kaz spoke simply.

“That’s what you meant by ‘she’s in a better place’. How no one picked up in that given your lack of belief in a higher power is beyond me” Jesper rambled.

Rolling his eyes, Kaz waved his hand in the air dismissively, “you got your answer. Now leave”.

“You don’t miss her?” Jesper asked softly, missing her himself.

Kaz closed his eyes, his hand tugging on his choppy hair.

“Of course you do” Jesper smirked, “I mean, saints, the Kaz Brekker is writing love letters!”.

Kaz snapped his eyes open and glared harshly across the table, “they are not love letters”.

“If you say so” Jesper teased, “regardless, we can fix this”.

Kaz’s gruff exterior faltered as hope hit him but as he looked at the returned letters on his desk, he shook his head.

They’d all been marked ‘return to sender’ without ever having been opened.

The only times Kaz would get a response to a letter he wrote was when he would write to his Ravkan confidant asking how y/n was and if she was safe and healthy.

But nothing from her, she didn’t even bother opening the letters from him.

His confidant claimed he’d attempted to provide her with the letters but that she refused and ordered them to be sent back.

The small glimmer of hope in Kaz wanted to deny that idea, and instead blame it on the notion that maybe there was something between his confidant and y/n by now.

After all, he could provide her with a far better, and safer, life; hence why she was there now.

But, his confidant’s explicit wording that she’d ordered him to return them was a clear message to Kaz it wasn’t that.

Only y/n would order the King of Ravka to do anything, much less something this menial.

And only if she were truly pissed.

“Stop writing to her” Jesper’s voice cut through the tangled thoughts in Kaz’s brain.

“What?” He asked, not having taken the moment to make his voice as firm as normal.

“She’s not reading them. The threat is over, let’s go there in person to bring her back” Jesper suggested.

“She does not want to come back Jesper. You need to accept it, I have” Kaz stated harshly.

“You have not” Jesper scoffed, “and you cannot know what she wants without talking to her”.

“I’ve tried!” Kaz defended loudly.

Jesper sighed, “I know. But it’s time you try a new tactic. The Kaz Brekker I know wouldn’t let the failure of one plan be the end of the mission”.

“What mission Jesper?” Kaz groaned.

“Fixing your relationship” Jesper smirked, “and bringing our girl back here”.

Shaking his head, Kaz sighed, “I forced her to do something she didn’t want once; for her own protection, but still. I won’t do it again, she deserves better than that”.

Jesper nodded, “then don’t force her. But show up. Show her how you feel, I can practically guarantee she’ll be coming back with us after that”.

Kaz sighed; his mind and heart at war.

He wanted to do as Jesper said, not ready to give her up.

Yet, he knew it was weak of him to want such things, and that it could end in his further despair.

“I’ll skip gambling for a week when we get back if you go” Jesper offered, knowing kaz well enough to know he’d need a logical justification to go.

“Fine, go pack” Kaz agreed gruffly.

Smiling widely, Jesper stood, “no need, got my babies right here”.

Kaz rolled his eyes but nodded, shoving the letters into the locked drawer on his desk as he stood.

“Now, let’s go bring your girl home” Jesper cheered, walking to the door of Kaz’s office with new found enthusiasm.

Y/n snuck behind one of King Nikolai’s guards that was standing in the hallway, silently slipping into the ballroom behind them.

Her end goal was the library, hoping to get her hands on some new reading material.

Nikolai tried to keep her entertained but since she was here out of an obligation to Kaz and not an actual member of his court, there was only so much he could include her in.

So, reading had become her escape.

She’d read countless novels from within the castle’s archives by now.

She even went as far as reading books on the history of Ravka and surrounding territories; despite the material being utterly uninteresting to her.

The one thing she vowed never to read though were the letters Nikolai claimed were from Kaz.

Y/n had learned the King’s tells by now so she knew he wasn’t lying when he told her who they were from.

Yet she struggled with the notion that Kaz Brekker, the notorious bastard of the barrel, had written letters to her.

Not that it mattered.

As much as the notion intrigued her, she refused to let herself cave into reading even a single line from one.

She’d never even broken the seal on the letters before returning them to Nikolai.

At first the King seemed shocked, but by now they’d played this routine for months.

It no longer shocked Nikolai when she told him to return the letters without even glancing down at the envelopes.

What did shock Nikolai was why Kaz continued to write to her.

He understood Kaz’s concern and reasoning for using his owed favor on y/n.

He even understood why Kaz wrote to the king himself to check on her well-being.

Yet, he couldn’t fathom why the boy kept writing letters that would never be read, only to watch them return to him unopened.

He couldn’t imagine the hurt that most accompany such deliveries, let alone why he’d continue to subject himself to it.

Nevertheless, Nikolai would read the encoded letter Kaz sent him and pull the attached private letter to y/n from within that envelope.

Hiding the personal letter to y/n within a professional one to the Ravkan King was overkill, both men knew it; but Nikolai never commented and Kaz never faltered in his excessive protective measures.

Much like Kaz’s overkill with the letters, y/n was overdoing her actions in the palace; but for very different reasons.

She didn’t truly need to sneak around the palace.

Nikolai was far more than welcoming and let her do as she wished, so long as she didn’t exit the castle without one of his guards with her.

She assumed it was a measure to ensure she didn’t try to flee from the walls of his property, ensuring the King didn’t break his deal with kaz.

However, it was actually a requirement within Kaz’s detailed instructions to the King to ensure her safety.

Yet, after needlessly sneaking past the guards in the hallway, she got into position to repeat the action behind those in the ballroom as well.

It was the only real thing that made her feel more connected to her past.

To the barrel and her life there.

To Ketterdamn and the constant fight to survive.

To Inej, Nina, Jesper, Wylan, and Matthias; the friends she dearly missed.

And, as much as she despised the feeling and the pull of her still being connected to him, to Kaz.

It was still second nature for her to evade guards and stadwatch, so despite not having been home in months, her feet didn’t hesitate or misstep as she glided soundlessly past the guards.

Smiling to herself as she stood in front of the large library doors which were closed behind her, y/N’s eager eyes scanned the vast shelves and colorful book edges.

Deciding on what subject she’d try to read about today, the girl rushed towards the necessary part of the library to begin her search.

Meanwhile, King Nikolai was in his Royal office when one of his personal guards announced he had unexpected visitors.

Upon learning the identity of said guests, he permitted his guards to let them enter before asking for privacy.

Kaz stood before him, as rigid as always, but his in person presence signaled to Nikolai that something was off.

His sharpshooter -Jesper, Nikolai recalled- was roaming the room, his eyes shining as his hands touched anything within reach.

Noticing the cause for Nikolai’s distracted state, Kaz smacked his cane loudly on the floor.

Jesper’s hands immediately fell to his sides as he tucked his lips in and joined Kaz’s side.

“To what do I owe for your presence?” Nikolai asked, leaning bank in his chair slightly.

“Y/n” Kaz stated without hesitation, but his voice didn’t contain as much strength as it normally did.

“She’s safe, I just responded in kind to your most recent letter on the topic” the King assured him.

“Can we see her?” Jesper interrupted since unlike Kaz, he was not bothering to hide his desperation.

Nikolai raised an eyebrow, turning his head to Kaz, “I was under the impression your presence would bring her harm “

Kaz’s already dark eyes narrowed as he glowered at his Ravkan confidant, “if that were still the case, I would not be anywhere near here”.

His words were simple but the tone and finality behind it were sharp.

Nikolai steepled his hands with a nod, “The threat has been taken care of then?”.

Jesper could sense Kaz’s anger grow and one look at his boss told him Kaz didn’t appreciate the continued insinuation that he’d risk y/n’s safety.

“You seem to have forgotten that I am the one who sent her here for her protection. I do not need your opinion on the matter. Of course it’s been taken care of” Kaz started harshly, his judging eyes analyzing the King.

Nikolai smirked, “I admit, I did not forget such details and that all may well be true. What I’m confused on rather is why now “.

Kaz felt the leather of his glove stretch as he squeezed the top of his cane.

“The threat is over” Jesper said, but his confusion made it sound more like a question.

The Ravkan nodded, “ahh yes, but the threat has been over for several weeks now. So I ask again, what’s changed?”

Kaz took an aggressive step forward, eyes firmly focused on the king’s, “Where is she?”

“These were your rules Brekker “ The King smirked, pleased to finally be able to irritate Kaz with his unnecessary persistence, the way Kaz had to Nikolai these past months.

A stinging sigh left Kaz’s tight lips, “I’m here to bring her home”.

Jesper grinned proudly at his friend, completely ignoring the rest of the situation.

Seeing how the slightly troubled look in Kaz’s eyes juxtaposed with his otherwise determined demeanor, Nikolai relented.

“Since the threat has been resolved, should she wish to leave, the terms have been met and we’re even” the king stated.

“What do you mean should she want to leave?” Jesper questioned.

“Part of the terms your boss composed were that upon the conclusion of the threat, that no one, not even himself, would be allowed to force her to leave or go anywhere as doing so no longer would be required for her safety” Nikolai explained.

Jesper snapped his head to kaz who nodded stiffly.

“I will not force her to do anything” kaz stated.

“But she needs to come home. You want her to -“ Jesper sighed.

“I will not force her to do anything” kaz repeated sharply, “what I want does not matter”.

“So if she doesn’t want to go, then what?” Jesper asked Nikolai.

“Then she’s permitted to continue her stay should that be her desire” the king said.

“Saints your highness, what could Kaz ever have done to make you in his debt so much so that you’d take on this responsibility and even let her stay after the deal was done?” Jesper gasped.

Kaz shifted his jaw, “Nothing. That was not part of the deal”.

The King only nodded silently.

“You’ve grown fond of her” Kaz rasped, his chest sinking .

Nikolai rolled his eyes, “I’m not certain I know what you’re referring to. But I certainly know I’d not have sent her away “.

Jesper stepped between the two men, his hands on his revolvers, not waiting to see Kaz’s reaction.

“Have you told her?” Kaz questioned, surprising both Jesper and Nikolai.

“That I wouldn’t have been willing to let her go? Yes. Per the terms of the agreement , I didn’t tell her the reason you did” He answered.

“Where is she?” Kaz asked, trying to ignore the doubt that returned at Nikolai words.

Kaz had long thought about the unintended outcomes of his decision, but he still rather she be alive and with Nikolai than be harmed or dead for choosing him.

“At this time of day, usually the library. Second floor to the right” Nikolai answered easily.

Kaz felt nauseated that someone knew her routine so well.

Sure it was necessary to keep her safe, as he’d ordered the King to do.

But it still felt wrong that someone other than himself knew her whereabouts and routine so intimately.

Ungracefully turning around due to his bad leg, kaz stepped out into the hall, Jesper right behind him.

“Let them wander as they please” nikolai ordered his guards before closing his office door behind them.

“Really regretting your decision now huh?” Jesper murmured.

Kaz shot him a look before recounting the directions to the library.

Upon seeing her for the first time in months, Kaz found his legs failing to move closer.

Instead, he began staring at her, his hungry eyes absorbing every detail of her he could.

It was as if his mind had already determined she’d choose to stay; choose Nikolai.

Not that he could fault her for such.

Yet it didn’t stop the pain in his chest when the thought would float in.

Still, he let his eyes trace her skin, searching for every detail he knew by heart.

The small scar above her left eyelid just below her eyebrow that she’d gotten as a small child.

The triangle shaped mark on the skin of her right elbow from a slip during a heist.

The freckle on the back of her hand that was barely visible with her current posture.

He wasn’t even sure he was close enough to see any of these details, having stopped a safe distance away.

Yet, he knew they were there and he could see them in his mind.

Whether these details were an image in his mind from a time before this when he’d been close enough to truly see them or him somehow being able to see them from so far away now, it didn’t matter.

She was here, he was in the same room as her, for the first time in months.

He’d worked on his touch version with her over the last 7 years and now he wanted nothing more than to run to her and pull her in for a short but firm hug.

But he couldn’t, he wouldn’t let himself do that.

Him even being here, especially after ignoring his letters, was already a big vulnerable step for him.

So instead, he merely gazed at her, resisting his urge to slip the hair tie from her head off until her long hair cascaded down her neck and onto her back.

He has always found her presence mesmerizing, but her hair for some reason brought him comfort.

It was as if seeing the light from the sun or moon hitting her gorgeous and loosely hung hair reminded him she was safe and relaxed.

Early on, Kaz caught on to her ceaselessly tying her hair up during heists or around the streets of the barrel; the habit making her both look more fierce and less approachable to the disgusting men crowding the already narrow streets and alleys.

Kaz knew it also allowed her to move easier, not needing to brush hair from her face when running or turning sharply.

He’d grown to become appreciative of her hair being up; not that it was hard since he admired everything about her.

He knew the act kept her at least slightly safer regardless of where she was or who was near.

However, it was perhaps for that same reason why he cherished when she’d let her hair down.

It wasn’t often she would do it and a small part of him felt prideful when she’d do it in his presence.

It only grew when Nina joked with Kaz about it, telling him how it signaled she was comfortable around him.

While he’d pushed the idea off initially as mocking from Nina, he soon found the truth in it.

He’d noticed that her other tells of her being tense or otherwise dealing with some emotional distress would line up with her either putting her hair back up or keeping it up.

Whereas when she’d feel reassured or calm, she’d lower it.

The key point though being she had to feel safe to be willing to untie it.

It felt like a confession to Kaz when she began letting her hair down around him more.

He saw both styles as helpful indicators he could use to detect her emotions.

He’d worked tirelessly on improving his emotional intelligence and understanding but there were times he’d still struggle or worry he’d misread her state of being.

This simple display of her hair being up of down provided him with reassurance in what he right she was feeling and helped him feel more connected.

Nonetheless, while he appreciated the overall concept and the safety implications that came with it being up; he couldn’t help but always want it down.

He always wanted her to feel (and be) safe, especially if he was around.

But he knew it was also more simple than that.

The Bastard of the Barrel simply loved her hair being down and the way it shaped her face, only heightening her natural beauty.

Jesper let Kaz simmer for a moment before his excitement took over.

He ran to where she was seated at a dusty table in the middle of the room.

As she hastily looked up from her book, a previously hidden small dagger suddenly appeared at his throat.

Kaz found himself smirking at the action.

“J-Jes?” Y/n choked, eyes wide.

“Hi doll, or should I say princess?” Jesper teased, “mind lowering the blade?”.

Laughing nervously, she dropped her hand to her lap before letting go of the dagger and hugging him.

“I missed you” she whispered, but the echoing emptiness of the library made it louder.

Kaz forcefully bit down on the inner side of his lower lip as he noticed the pain in her voice; the pain he was responsible for.

Jesper quickly pulled her in for a tight hug, only opening his eyes briefly to stare pointedly at Kaz and mouth “Come on”.

Kaz stretched his neck as he tried to figure out how to start a conversation with her.

He was never great at communication, but he’d never found it this difficult.

Normally if he couldn’t think of a reason to justify talking to her, he’d be able to come up with some small request for her to help prepare for the next heist.

But he hadn’t planned a heist in awhile, nor did the way he handled the situation leave that as a viable option anymore.

Jesper pulled back, hands still holding the outside of y/n’s biceps as he smiled at her, “we’ve missed you too doll”

“We?” Y/n asked.

Jesper refrained from looking at Kaz so he wouldn’t give away his presence until the man was ready to face her.

“Yes, me and Kaz” Jesper smiled, squeezing her left arm.

Y/n froze before letting out a scoff and humorless laugh, “mmm right. Well it’s good to see you, Jes.”

Jesper sighed, quickly glancing secretly to Kaz as she rolled her eyes, “It’s good to see you too, it’s boring at the slat without you”.

Kaz saw his chance and began to walk closer, starting at a slow enough pace and pressing his cane down soft enough to not make much sound.

Whatever noise he might’ve been making was covered by Jesper’s conversation.

“The slat? Please, I’m fairly certain I’ve read nearly every book in here” y/n laughed sadly.

Eyes wide, Jesper gasped dramatically, “There’s far too many you liar!”

Y/n laughed with a small smile, “I’m a fast reader and I’ve had months Jes. Besides, what else am I supposed to do?”

“Was it really that boring or did you just miss me that much?” Jesper winked, sitting next to her.

Y/n shoved him softly before laying her head down on his shoulder when his body returned to its original position.

“I did miss you Jes. And the others” She admits, “but let’s just say, the most thrilling thing I’ve done in months has been sneaking behind Nikolai’s guards”

Jesper laughed loudly as Kaz froze in shock and frustration.

She was not supposed to be being restricted but the guards were also supposed to be alert enough if someone tried to attack.

It wasn’t surprising to Kaz that someone as skilled as y/n was could slip by even the kings guards, but he still hoped for her own safety it would not be possible.

He took a few steadying breaths as he stared at her, reminding himself that even if the guards hadn’t been up to his standards, she was alive and safe, the threat now over.

“Only you would do that! Where were you going?” Jesper asked, intrigued.

Shrugging she blushed slightly at how boring her target would sound, “here, sometimes the kitchen, a few times to the gardens until Nikolai looked out his window and caught me. Doesn’t matter where, just had to do something “.

Jesper nods in understanding, “what happened when the King caught you?”

Y/n hummed calmly, “He just joined me, usually issuing some comment about how guards needed more training”.

“Making improvements and keeping things interesting wherever you go I see” Jesper winked, rubbing her arm.

“Mmm, clearly” She grumbled under her breath, but with the emptiness in the room, both guys heard it.

“Hey, cheer up! I’m here to take you back!” Jesper assured her.

Lifting her head off his folder to look at him, she sighed, “Jes, no”.

Kaz who was merely a few feet from her now, froze upon hearing her comment and it felt as if she was thousands of miles away again; out of reach, too far gone.

Pouting, Jesper turned to her more, “Why not?”

Y/n gave him a sympathetic sigh, “I’m not going back. I’m not wanted nor needed”.

Kaz swore he could physically feel the distance between them growing.

“That’s not true! Why would you think that? We’re here after all!” Jesper whined.

“I know you’re here Jes, and I appreciate that. But you’re waisting your time” she sighed.

“But-“ Jesper argued as Kaz mentally tried to push past the metaphorical barriers he’d put between them.

Y/n sniffled once, “you know, you’re the first one to come see me?”.

Jesper frowned, “well, to be fair… they think you’re… dead”.

Y/n’s body halted for a half a second before she laughed sarcastically, “Saints, I should’ve known. I figured that…K-… that it was that or some lie tarnishing my name”

Jesper but his lip, suddenly at a loss for words.

“I suppose that makes me feel better about no one trying to contact me” she said as a thank you to Jesper for his attempt at comforting her.

“But nonetheless, Jesper, I’m staying” y/n added.

“Why? I mean, saints I know it’s a castle, and you’re basically a princess now, b-“ Jesper rambled as Kaz shut his eyes.

“I’m not a princess!” She argued with a glare, “I’m still me, Jesper”.

“Then why won’t you come back?” He asked, frowning.

“I can’t. I’m not here because I chose to be, Jes” she pointed out, Kaz opening his eyes in time to see the shame wash over her features.

“I’m supposedly here because I messed up” she sighed, “but in reality, I’m here because I am no longer wanted as I no longer serve a purpose or need”

Kaz closed the distance between them loudly as his cane aggressively hit the floor as he walked, “that is not true”.

Y/n stiffened momentarily before balling her fists up at her sides and narrowing her eyes at him as she turned to see him, “what the hell are you doing here?”.

Kaz swallowed the resistance building in him, walking around to stand before her ,“I’ve got some things to say to you.”

She chuckled mockingly, “that’s wonderful for you. As far as I am concerned you said enough, months ago”.

“I didn’t say half the things I wanted to.” He admitted, the words barely slipping out of his lips.

She shook her head, “you don’t get to say that. Not when you sent me away. You discarded me, when I no longer mattered to you”.

Kaz returned the head shake, “that is the most ignorant thing you’ve ever said”.

Jesper gasped softly and opened his mouth to try to stop the fight but they didn’t notice.

Rolling her eyes, y/n huffed, “Hello Mr. Casually Cruel. So you came here to drag me down lower than you did that night? Good luck with that Brekker.”

Running a gloved hand through his messy hair, Kaz groaned, “that is not why I am here”.

“Right, you’re here because you didn’t say everything that night. Well, I think you’ve said plenty just now. So feel free to leave now ” she laughed breathlessly.

Kaz sighed, his hand rubbing against his face as he lowered it slowly.

“I understand your mad, but you need to listen-“ Kaz began.

Standing up, and stepping back from the table, she groaned, “you don’t get to tell me what to do. Not anymore. You gave that up when you broke up with me over one mistake and kicked me out”.

Kaz sighed, a throbbing pain radiating from his temple.

“Wait, what?” Jesper blurted.

Kaz ignored him, eyes still holding onto y/n’s presence, “I never ordered you around as… your…”

Y/n watched him with an eyebrow raised, curious if he’d call himself her (now ex) boyfriend out loud or not.

It was common knowledge, but Kaz was never one to use formal terms for things when it came to relationships or even friendships.

Clearing his throat, he spoke with more certainty this time, “I may have issued orders for heists, but I never ordered you around as your boyfriend. I-“

Y/n nodded twice with a faint hum, “That’s true. You only did so as my ex boyfriend. My mistake “.

Kaz visibly tensed as she called him her ex, but no one mentioned it.

“Y/n, I-“ Kaz tried, his voice harsh as he tried to hide his fear.

“Why are you here?” She asked exasperatedly, leaning her palms on the table between them, “I expect a real answer Kaz. No indirect or vague answers, no lies, no misdirections, nothing of that nature or I’m walking out of this room”.

“I was not lying about my reason for being here. I need you to-…” He took a deep breath, his voice softening faintly until it was at a slightly less harsh tone “I need to talk to you”.

Y/n pondered his comment, Kaz waiting in silence as she analyzed him as if she were his personal lie detector.

And if he was honest, Kaz swore she basically was.

The only night she’d missed his tells was the night he sent her away.

He knew the intensity of the situation, his indirect explanations/excuses, and his refusal to answer questions he knew he’d have to blatantly lie about, all prevented her from seeing clearly that night.

He felt bad about it, knowing she already had trust issues with most people; hence why even when it was got her safety he couldn’t get himself to outright lie.

So he’d pinned it on something else that he was mad about, although minorly in constant to the real reason, and avoided any questions that would make him lie.

Her waving her hand slightly dismissively between them in a silent signal to continue brought Kaz out of his flashback.

“You did not stop serving a purpose nor did you stop being wanted” he told her.

She could tell he was trying but after what he’d put her through, she couldn’t let herself be too easy on him.

“Jesper already mentioned that” y/n stated, “But I was talking ab-“.

“About me “ Kaz interrupted , “about us. Or.. well… past us… no, that’s not… I suppose us still describes it”.

Y/N’s defensiveness decreased slightly out of shock over his uncharacteristic rambling.

He sighed, his hand in his hair again, “I .. I mean, I don’t know what I am to you… anymore…, …. Or well, even what you think of me. But… I do. I.. know what I think of you”.

Crossing her arms loosely over her chest, eyes staring into his frightened ones, she pressed for more clarity “What are you trying to say Brekker?”

Kaz took a hesitant step closer, “I didn’t send you away because of the reasons you think. You never stopped serving a purpose, obviously not to the crows or dregs. But not to me either”.

Sighing, his gaze shamefully fell to his scuffed boots, “I know I’m shit at this. But I’m trying to say… that, you… that you are wanted. By me.”

Despite the fluttering in her chest, y/n squinted hesitantly at him, “You’re the person who told me the reasons you sent me away, Kaz. You told me you ended it and discarded me because I failed your orders. Now I’m wanted? For what? Some heist you somehow believe I won’t be able to mess up?”

Shaking his head vehemently, Kaz took a sure step forward, “I told you my actions were due to safety concerns. I didn’t say-“

“You didn’t say it was because of the heist, you just let me believe that was the case “ She concluded, replaying the exact conversation from that night.

Kaz nodded in approval of her conclusion, “I don’t want you for a heist, I… I want you …For you. I never stopped …wanting you. But, the dime lions-“

Catching on, she cuts him off with a sharp tone, “they’re coming for you. Aren’t they?”

Kaz nods once, “they were, yes. They would have used you to hurt me”.

“That’s why you pushed me away, why you had me taken from my home and forced to live here” She snapped.

Kaz’s defensive nature took over at her remark, “You could sound a bit more grateful, you live in a castle with a King , many people dream of that kind of life”

Scoffing, she rolls her eyes, “against my wishes. And ghenzen! You know I don’t want that kind of life “

Kaz sighs “it is better than what I can offer”

“I didn’t ask anything from you!” She argued.

When he spoke, his voice was so soft and quiet the tone alone shocked everyone in the room., “I didn’t know if I could protect you any longer. “

“I didn’t need you to! I can protect myself, Kaz! I’m not in need of someone else to do that” she defended.

“Even if I believed they were real, your saints would not have been enough “ he declared firmly.

“My saints keep me sane. I don’t rely on them to keep me safe on a daily basis. I’m capable of that on my own, you should know that! You..- you helped make that happen” she pointed out.

Kaz felt the left side of his lips curl a tiny amount out of pride but he still held his ground, “If you stayed, you’d never be safe, not while there was a reward for your capture! I couldn’t have something happen to you. The castle is safer-”

“Shut up Kaz! Saints, we’re going in circles here. You threw away our history like it meant nothing. Why?!”

Staring at his feet he was honest and direct this time, “when you love something, you protect it. No matter how much it hurts”

She faltered as tears formed in her eyes, but the pain of the last few months hadn’t left, “You lied to me and you’ve got it worked out in your head that you did me a favor”

He nodded, jaw tight “you’re still mad. Be mad, Ghezen, be mad for the rest of our lives! But, I’d like you to be mad by my side. I did what I had to do. I won’t apologize for keeping you sa-”

“You can’t just explain it all away with, ‘I did what I had to do.’ Fuck you Brekker. You have no idea what these past few months have been like” she said to shield herself from more pain and heartache.

“No idea?” Kaz scoffed with a glare, “if you’d have opened the letters I-“

“Why!? Why would I put myself through that?” She shouted.

“You did this Kaz. You sent me away and you don’t understand why I wouldn’t want to read what you wrote after that?!” She groans.

The tears in y/N’s eyes made Kaz’s guilt drive him into complete silence as a means to hide his intense emotions.

“You know what the whirlwind of questions in my mind kept going back to?! The same question that was always there in the end?! If I opened your damn letters, I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself from asking …How’s your heart after breaking mine?” She whimpered.

“And ghezen knows I wouldn’t want to hear that answer; that you were perfectly fine” she stated hoarsely.

She shook her head and turned to leave the room.

“You must really think that I’m stupid.’ He said roughly.

“What?” She questioned, pausing.

“I’d have to be the most idiotic person to be so ignorant as to not know what your absence meant. That I was the reason. You think I was stupid enough to risk …everything for something that was clearly not needed” he argued, following after her.

“That’s what you think, right?” He pressed when she didn’t respond.

“That I am an idiot for doing this, that it is stupid to believe you would have been safer here” he added.

Turning back to him with tears, “you’re not stupid, Kaz. That’s why it hurts. You knew what you were doing. You’re smart enough to know I am able to defend myself, yet you knowingly ignored that and did as you pleased”.

Kaz’s voice trembled only slightly but the waves of emotion in his eyes spoke volumes as he moved closer to her, "everyone I've… Everyone I’ve loved has gotten hurt in Ketterdam. I was not going to let that happen to you”.

Jesper stood silently, wide eyed as he stared at the two, his mind spinning.

Guilt causes her to step closer, eyes flickering downwards and then they rise softer as she looks at him, “why couldn’t you just say that? You owed me that. Months ago, Kaz”

“I warned you communication is not my strong suit y/n” Kaz deflected.

She shook her head as she stared at the ground in disappointment.

“And… Goodbyes are much harder” he added quietly.

Y/n huffed, the pain in her chest burning again “Goodbye would’ve been harder?! On who? Because, you let me believe that…”

She pushes a soft breathy scoff “that I didn’t matter anymore. That you… Saints sake, Kaz. I know you never officially told me you loved me, but ghezen knows I believed you did”.

Kaz parts his lips, taking a shaky step closer with a sorrowful stare, “y/n, I-“

Shakes her head, “if you’re going to try and say it now, or say it indirectly again right now, don’t. Please, just don’t”.

Kaz clenched jaw and nodded stiffly.

Seeing the hurt and confusion simmering in his eyes, she sighed, “y-…y-you watched me go. You don’t get to just come back here and take that all back and act like nothing happened”.

Kaz hung his head slightly, “just tell me one thing, I have to know”.

She nodded slowly and waited for his question.

“While… while you were here, were you safe? Because it matters to me that you’re not hurt.” He states.

She sighed in frustration but Kaz curtly interrupted, “I don’t ask as a way to assert my point behind my actions. Only because Nikolai and I may have different perspectives on such”.

Between the sincerity in his voice and the way his eyes analyzed every inch of her, she knew he wasn’t lying; he was still worried that despite her presence before him, she was somehow threatened or harmed by the rival gang.

Frowning with a soft sigh, she mumbles, “no, I’m fine”.

Kaz grinds his teeth and tightens his grip on his cane, “you’re lying to me”.

“Kaz-“ Jesper whispers in warning.

Pursing her lips and shaking her head as she lifts her gaze to stare back at Kaz, she rebuts, “you really don’t see the irony and hypocrisy here”.

“Yes, I’m lying. Because you’re right about you and Nikolai having different opinions on what that question entails. You and I also have different opinions on it. All you care about is whether or not anyone physically harmed me” she states harshly.

“Which is a no. So congrats, Kaz, you and Nikolai did a fantastic job of that!” She sarcastically compliments.

“But as far as if I’m hurt? Or was hurt?” She laughs breathily, “yes. Not physically, but by you. While you may not let yourself feel anything, other people do Kaz. The pain you caused, not even King Nikolai could have prevented”.

Kaz swallowed thickly, “I did not want you to be hurt y/n, you must know that”.

“You didn’t want me to be hurt? Really? See this is my point!” She huffed, “if you actually did not expect this to hurt, then you didn’t care about me… about us… at all”.

His eyes closed and voice strained, he shook his head slowly, “that is not the case”.

Sniffling before composing herself, she straightens her back as she looked him over, “I’m just supposed to trust that?”

He shook his head again, eyes slowly opening to see her, “that’s why I wrote… “

It was now y/N’s turn to close her eyes to keep from crying, “I… I told you why I couldn’t open them”.

“I know” he admits, “I don’t blame you. But regardless of if you choose to come back, I have to know…When you were gone, did you ever think of me?”

Biting hard on her bottom lip she nods firmly, “you know I did. I couldn’t stop. That’s the problem “

Nodding he purses his lips, “now you understand my situation “.

She sighs loudly, looking between him and Jesper with her pain displayed clearly on her facial features.

“You two can figure this out” Jesper encouraged, “this is far more talking than I expected already”.

When neither one laughs at his attempt to break the tension he sighs.

“Y/n, will you come back?” Jesper asks hesitantly.

Kaz flinches as he watches her bottom lip tremble and chest dip inwards towards herself, shoulders curling forward as her eyes stare blankly into the void between them.

He knows he should be the one to ask her to return, to beg her, plead with her, and promise to make up for his mistakes.

But he can’t.

Part of it is his ego; he knows that.

But if he’s being unusually honest with himself, he knows he’s terrified of her answer.

And for her to say no to Jesper is one thing, to Kaz himself, he’s not certain he’d handle it well.

Y/n takes a shaky breath and stares over at Kaz, her eyes scanning his for some sign of the right choice.

Kaz reluctantly meets her gaze, his uncertainty clear in his eyes.

“I… I need some time, need some space, to think about all of this” she stated with forced elegance.

Ignoring the fact that her tone was likely a lesson from Nikolai, Kaz nodded, “I understand. The offer does not expire”.

“What offer, Kaz?” She asked as he neared the exit, needing to hear him say it.

Turning around to face her, he gave her a small curl of his lips, understanding why she pushed it despite Jesper having just asked her to return.

“I am offering for you to return to the sl- return home” he began, steeling himself confidently once he saw the surprised but pleased stare she responded with.

“With no strings attached. You may once again do as you please… with whom, you please. Wherever you please… the offer is that should you chose to return with us, now, or when you’re ready, you will find a place to stay” he told her.

She listened carefully to each word, her eyes frozen on his face.

“A place you were always wanted” Kaz mumbled softly, uncomfortable with the declaration albeit true.

She gives him a weak smile “thank you”.

He nods slowly, his eyes catching the troubled look in hers, “you mustn’t decide now. Take your time to think this over”.

“Saints know Kaz did” Jesper joked, causing Kaz to glare over at him as y/n choked bac a laugh.

Still, the faint laugh made Kaz’s glare disappear as he turned back to her and gave her a small nod.

“Kaz?” She asked as he opened the library door.

He turned to her patiently awaiting her question.

“May I ask one more question?” She whispered shyly.

Kaz frowned at her even asking permission but nodded, “you know you can”.

Biting her lip, she looked into his dark but patient eyes, “why didn’t you force Nikolai to have me read the letters?”.

Resting his hand loosely on the doorknob, he sighed, “It was not my right to do so. I already violated your free will by forcing you to go with him, I was not going to be cruel enough to do it again”.

“Yet, you still wrote?” She whispered.

He nodded once, “I needed you to know that I… well…”

Y/n nodded, “I understand”.

Kaz gave her a thankful small smile for not making him scramble for a way to describe his feelings especially in front of Jesper.

“Thank you… for…, not requiring Nik to make me read them when I wasn’t ready” she smiled faintly.

Jesper smirked silently as he watched his best friends.

Kaz furrowed his eyebrows slightly and nodded, “you do not need to thank me for that. Besides, even if I was selfish enough to insist, I have a feeling that… Nik… would have refused”.

Raising her eyebrows y/n stared at him in honest confusion.

Kaz chuckled once softly at her expression, “he’s interested in you y/n”.

Squinting, she pokes her tongue against her cheek, “I thought you said he got nothing in return for complying with you sending me here, that you w-“

Kaz shook his head rapidly, “stop. Nothing like that. I didn’t, I wouldn’t, ever do that. He accepted out of necessity to fulfill a favor he owed me, I’m certain you’ve put together by now how I obtained the ability to ask such a favor?”

Y/n nodded, having learned of the Nikolai and Sturmhond connection by now.

Kaz smirked, “mmm, figured you would”

Staring intently into her eyes, he added “He merely accepted to repay the debt. I, in no way, implied any further benefit to him accepting. I did not require anything more from him than your protection.”

Despite it being clear y/n trusted him, Kaz continued, “I assure you that if I feared, for even a second, his intentions weren’t appropriate or he’d cause you any discomfort; I would not have sent you on the ship that night”.

She nodded slowly as she took in his words.

“Nonetheless, it seems… his emotions maybe have… changed in this whole ordeal” he clarified.

Y/N’s lips parted as she silently processed this information.

“I will not ask you to choose. As I stated earlier, should you decide to return, you of course may do so in whatever manner you chose, with or without whoever you’d like” Kaz stated.

She was clearly deep in thought; both over Kaz’s numerous declarations and arguments, as well as the Nikolai revelation.

Once she gave him a polite smile as a small nod, Kaz made a gesture to Jesper.

Jesper caught on, squeezing y/n’s arm sympathetically as he exited the room.

Taking a painfully deep breath, Kaz gave her one final look before stepping into the hall.

He was not sure how long it would take her to process their conversation, let alone decide how to proceed with both aspects.

Nor did he know what that would entail.

But, he’d stick to his word.

Bastard of the Barrel, Kaz Brekker, would cave to whatever she chose; even if it wasn’t Ketterdam, and/or wasn’t him.

He’d find a way to do his part and accept her decision.

Kaz now owed it to y/n to make sure she wasn’t just safe, but happy; even if it meant he wasn’t.

Part 2 Here

Lying Bastard Mini-Series Navigation Here

Kaz Brekker Navigation/Masterlist

Six of Crows Navigation/Masterlist

Grishaverse Navigation/Masterlist

Freddy Carter Navigation/Masterlist

Main Navigation/Masterlist (All My Works)

Current tag list (comment here to added): @directioner5life @ell0ra-br3kk3r @b3kk3r-by-br3kk3r @brekkershadowsinger

[lxkeeeee]

❝LUKE'S MASTERLIST❞

SCRIPTURIENT

(adj.) having a consuming passion to write

✎ᝰ Stolas | Venti x Male! Dendro Archon! Reader | Contains NSFW content

Two Archons pining over each for thousands of years, what happens if they finally got together?

one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve | thirteen | fourteen | fifteen | sixteen| seventeen | eighteen | nineteen | twenty | twenty-one | twenty-two

this is currently being rewritten because the smut is making me cringe lmfao

✎ᝰ Money | Venti x FEM! Reader | University AU

This story would revolves around a certain Literature Major—I meant a BROKE Literature Major and a certain HIGH-CLASS Business Major.

✎ᝰ Orias | Xiao x Male! Hydro Archon Reader

"I heard that there's gonna be a new Hydro Archon soon" Cloud Retainer mused as she watched the former Geo Archon hummed as he drank his tea.

Zero • One • Two

✎ᝰ Intoxicated Yet Sober Thoughts | Xiao x GN! Reader | University AU

A short fic about the messy breakup between the two.

One • Two

✎ᝰ Can We Fall Inlove in the Moonlight? | Kazuha x FEM! Reader

Two wanderers meeting each other under the light of the moon.

one • two • three • four

✎ᝰ Vanilla | Kazuha x Male! Reader

The scent of nature was his favorite scent to look for especially during his travels, lately his favorite started to change into... Something sweet.

zero • one • two • three

✎ᝰ Despair | Xiao x Male!Dazai! Reader

Xiao is slowly losing his mind as he repeatedly saved a suicidal maniac from committing unalive.

✎ᝰ A day in life as a Fatui Harbinger | Scaramouche x Male!Reader | Drabbles

Daily banter between the sixth and twelfth.

one | two | three | four | five

✎ᝰ Chalk and Gold | Albedo x FEM! Reader

Synthetic Humans. One made of chalk, other made of gold.

✎ᝰ Double Take | Kazuha x Gn! Reader

Where two strangers shared a house due to a stormy night.

✎ᝰ One Kiss | Xiao x Male! Adeptus Reader

Just the vigilant yaksha being curious what being kissed feels like.

✎ᝰ 1600 Days | Xiao x Reader

Reincarnated with their memories intact. How many days have they longed and search for their significant other?

one | two

✎ᝰ Only Then I am Human | Albedo x Male!Puppet Reader

A synthetic human made of chalk, an abandoned puppet.

one • two • three • four • five

✎ᝰ Top Notchers | Albedo x Male! Reader | Modern AU

Academic Rivals.

「⸙͎」 h e a d c a n o n s

Ꮺ 5WIRL/4NEMO

▶4NEMO as angsty tropes

Kazuha, Xiao, Venti, & Heizou in HEADCANONS featuring different angst tropes. | hurt no comfort.

One • Two

▶A Misty Memory

Erased by Irminsul, will they remember you?

4NEMO | hurt with comfort.

One • Two

▶5WIRL AS OPM LOVE SONGS

Scaramouche, Kazuha, Xiao, Venti, and Heizou in different scenarios featuring different Filipino love songs!

▶5WIRL AS TAYLOR SWIFT SONGS

Scaramouche, Kazuha, Xiao, Venti, and Heizou in different scenarios featuring different Taylor Swift songs.

「⸙͎」 s e r i e s & d r a b b l e s

Ꮺ GUNITA [Scaramouche x Gender Neutral Reader]

Reincarnation AU, a barista and a flowershop owner. This is a mini series of what the two would randomly do when they hung out or go on dates.

one • two • three • four

ᏪMarried Life Shenanigans [Scaramouche x Reader]

Some stupid shenanigans the couple do, scaramouche being a good husband because I say so. Mildly spicy or actual spice.

—Fem. Version

• behind closed doors [mildly spicy, implied having sex at the end]

•husband scaramouche being a tease [mildly spicy]

⊰᯽⊱┈───── ✧ ─────┈⊰᯽⊱

ᏪAbout Luke

▶a broke college student,

▶education major

▶21 years old

▶she/he/they

▶genderfluid

▶down bad for scaramouche

▶genshin and honkai star rail player

▶ update sched is inconsistent

▶ favorite color is all shades of violet

▶#lxkewrites #asklxke

ᏪANONS

「⸙͎」 are open! - just send me an ask with your preferred emoji to refer yourself when sending anonymous asks<3

[bulletnotestudies]

We're back with another reading bingo! welcome to the Winter Mini Reading Challenge ❄

RULES: like with all our challenges, the rules are pretty flexible, since the whole point of this is to motivate you to read just a little bit more :) the challenge starts on december 1st and ends with february 28th, but you're welcome to finish it at your own pace -> use the tag #studyblr w/knives reading challenge when you post your updates/pics -> reblog this post if you're participating

once you’ve read a book that fits a prompt, cross it out on the above template and/or share your thoughts on it in a post here on tumblr; make sure to mark any spoilers (hide them under a cut etc.), so people can avoid them if needed :) you can also have just one post and update it as you go, or you can post good ol’ aesthetic book pics!

as always, if you have any questions, my asks are always open

❄ FIND PROMPT EXPLANATIONS & OUR RECS FOR EACH UNDER THE CUT ❄

Any book that features twins - they don't have to be main characters. ❄ The Secret History - D. Tartt ❄ Gideon the Ninth - T. Muir ❄ The King Is Dead - B. Dean ❄ The Magic Between - S. Hoyt

Either second chance as the trope, or give a book you'd previously DNF'd another go. ❄ The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - T. Jenkins Reid ❄ One True Loves - T. Jenkins Reid ❄ Persuasion - J. Austen ❄ Beach Read - E. Henry

A book with a single word in the title. ❄ Piranesi - S. Clark ❄ Hamlet - W. Shakespeare ❄ Icebreaker - A.L. Graziadei ❄ Bloodchild - O. E. Butler

A classic or modern classic. ❄ Rebecca - D. du Maurier ❄ The Alchemist - P. Coelho ❄ The Hichhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - D. Adams ❄ The Little Prince - A. de Saint-Exupéry

A book with a pretty cover (this is obviously highly subjective, but here are some we think look amazing): ❄ A Marvellous Light - F. Marske ❄ The Starless Sea - E. Morgenstern ❄ How to Kill Your Family - B. Mackie ❄ All That's Left in the World - E. J. Brown

Any book with festive vibes - any holiday/festivity during the timeframe of this challenge goes :) ❄ A Christmas Carol - C. Dickens ❄ The Mistletoe Motive - C. Liese

Some neurodiverse main characters: ❄ The Charm Offensive - A. Cochrun ❄ Turtles All the Way Down - J. Green ❄ The Gilded Wolves - R. Chokshi ❄ Six of Crows - L. Bardugo

The nonfiction prompt for fiction lovers lol ❄ Crush - R. Siken ❄ Shakespeare's Sonnets - W. Shakespeare ❄ The Anthropocene Reviewed - J. Green ❄ Bitch Doctrine - L. Penny

Any book that a friend's recommended to you - or you can read one of our server faves: ❄ Gideon the Ninth - T. Muir ❄ Six of Crows - L. Bardugo ❄ Red, White & Royal Blue - C. McQuiston ❄ The Raven Boys - M. Stiefvater

[goodwoodpod]

SLAPSHOT #2: AND THERE WAS ONLY ONE TRENCH

SLAPSHOTS are part mailbag, part whatever else happens to be rattling around in our brains that week. In these semi-regular mini-episodes, we'll discuss hockey current events, answer listener questions, and tackle short-form fandom topics using a looser, less structured approach than the main episodes.

This week, your hosts say ENOUGH of this "real" hockey nonsense—let's talk about TROPES, baby! In the absence of our beloved Kit, Jes and Bec answer a slew of listener questions about tropes and trends in hockey fic. Join us for a fun romp through topics like D/S AUs, tinhatting and fanservice in hockey vs. boy band fandoms, the significance of ~alternative domestic spaces~ in hockey fic, and whether sports columnists are really just writing (paid) RPF. And if you want access to Bec's secret knowledge about Sidney Crosby, well—you'll just have to meet us down at the casino.

Runtime: 58 minutes || Recorded 2.20.23

0:00-18:40 dom/sub AUs vs. A/B/O

18:40-31:28 fan service & fandom dynamics in boy band vs. hockey fandoms

31:30-39:30 public and private spaces in real person fiction (or: what happens in the hotel stays in the hotel)

40:00-48:45 whither all the trope fics?

48:45-58:00 entertainment journalism & hockey RPF

[nothingenoughao3]

What are the themes and tropes you tend to like to explore in your stories?

Shipping dynamic tropes:

A has been resigned to a life without love/sex. A has found joy and satisfaction in their work/hobbies, and unironically enjoys solitude and their few friends. Along comes B to ruin everything.

X propositions Y. Y rejects X. X accepts the rejection with good grace, requests to be friends, and actually wants to be friends. X being so chill about the rejection leads to Y changing their mind.

C works in a one-night stand with a random stranger, D, the night before C's supposed to start working with a new recruit at their job. C shows up for work on time--and discovers that D is the new recruit.

Queer/trans characters who are sexually repressed due to societal homo- or transphobia, but who do not struggle with internalized hatred.

A is a cynic; B is an optimist. A relies on B to carry them through and cheer them up in trying times. When times become too trying, B crumbles and gives in to cynicism. Now A must comfort and uplift B.

Didn't Know They Were Dating!

The Faithful Servant gets me every damn time.

Plot, style, theme:

Apocalyptic fiction as a metaphor for The Inevitability Of Death

The epic journey goes sideways and upside-down

Dialogue-heavy scenes with phonetic accents of varying intensity

Employing period slang and specific brands in historical works

Characters tell other characters stories, allowing for several mini-fics to be nested in a single tale

Body horror, and other styles of horror, tied to queerness, disability, and minority status

Temptation, taboo, forbidden-ness tied to longing and desire

Sex tropes:

Trans dudes getting smashed in the pussy

Blow- and handjobs as sex acts in and of themselves, instead of lead-ins to Real/Penetrative Sex

Bottoms who don't always cum from penetrative sex and need a little hand finishing off

Voyeurism (thanks for giving me brain damage, David Lynch)

Cumplay

Unconventional sexual practices due to the character(s) being disabled and/or non-human

Hiding, sneaking around, suppressing moans, desperately attempting to not be overheard

Bonus: Those characters who are repressed because of societal queer-/transphobia? Yeah, they're usually virgins or highly inexperienced, and they are eager to gain some XP.

[tallulahchanel]

a, k, n, s, t, and y for the "Fanfic Ask Game" if you'd like to answer. No pressure at all.

A: How did you come up with the title to [insert fic]? - Gonna answer this for Beautiful Ones (my first multi-chaptered Everkia fic). Kind of long, so buckle up. First, Savannah was inspired by Sharon Carter, not the character herself, but in an Everett x Reader fic, the reader seemed jealous of Sharon because she would often go in his office and close the door (spoiler alert: Nothing happened). So I thought it would be fun to create an antagonist for Nakia, except this woman throws herself at Everett, hence how I first came up with Flying Rings. Beautiful Ones is a song by Prince and I loved the line when he says "Do you want him or do you want me?" and I wanted to hear the song from a female perspective and I found Beyonce's cover and later H.E.R.'s cover. When I found B's cover, I sent it to my friend and said "This is Nakia to Everett about Savannah." That inspired me to do a oneshot. However, the dynamics between Nakia x Everett x Savannah were so interesting to me that I decided to expand it into a mini-series. We obviously know who Everett has feelings for, but it's fun writing about Savannah trying and failing to get in the way of that.

K: What's the angstiest idea you've ever come up with? - My OC Kya getting both of her arms blown off and having them replaced with vibranium bionics. While going through the transition, she learns that she's pregnant, but she is devastated because the bionic arms prevent her from feeling the babies move. Cool idea, but not going to pursue it because I don't think I can handle it.

N: Is there a fic you wish someone else would write (or finish) for you? - No, but I wish more people would write Everkia so I can be trash for them. However, I am concerned about a non-black writer writing for Nakia because there are some things with writing black characters that not all of them have the nuance to understand

S: Any fandom tropes you can't resist? - Everkia is always gonna be friends-to-lovers. That's my second favorite trope, behind enemies-to-lovers, but only few can write that trope right

T: Any fandom tropes you can't stand? - Incest, inappropriate age gaps, and when people try to write enemies-to-lovers, but they're shipping someone with their bully/abuser.

Y: A character you want to protect. - Always been Shuri (and baby Yoda to an extent). That's why I felt so bad that she went through so much trauma in the second movie. . IN the AU fic I'm writing for WF, I wrote how my self-insert OC Kya wanted to protect her innocence and she failed at doing so. That's how I feel.

Fanfiction Asks

[rose-likesto-write]

Autumn leaves..

Pairing: Lee Junho x Fem reader

Genre: Angst, Fluff, maybe suggestive?

AU!: Rival to lovers trope; Supritendent of police, forensic psychologist

Warning (s): swears, mentions of murder, serial killer, victims

Rating: T

Word Count: 1.2 K

A/N: Hey, everyone.. I am back with 2pm fanfics. This is gonna be a Three-shot scenario as requested by my dear anon. Please, it's a small request to kindly give your feedback. It means alot ❤️

Sorry for grammatical mistakes.. 😭

Summary: "Now, I realised that as much as most of us call fairy tales as overrated and exaggerated versions but somewhere and somehow even we wish to have for own selves, for us to remember and for us to tell.. It happened with me as well but by the time I started hoping for one, I didn't realise that it might not be the type of ending I wished but I still didn't wanna give up"

"Wow, Mr Lee that's an amazing write up and I can't wait for the book to be published and read it but please, excuse my curiosity but there is more to it right? As in it feels this is actually from your own perspective like from your life experience or something?"

"Ofcourse, it is dear Lia but wait for the right time though."

Chapter-1 Hate You

“Good Morning Mr Lee, here are some of the updates for the morning that would take you in for a mini ride .”

“I really hope these updates are of some worth; considering how they are the usuals, just about the records being sent to other concerned authorities and receiving back the replies”, said the tall black haired guy to his colleague whose name was Taecyeon. “Well, that's the basic going on but anyways, we have got confirmation from the head to lead an extensive research team and also to set the camps around the scenes where crime has taken pla-

“Woah, how did the Sun rise from the west! Anymore updates?”

“There is something peculiar pattern found in all the victims’ bodies and as well as the background they come from but t-” 

At this point the black haired guy frustratedly pulled his hair. “But what Tae?” 

Taecyeon took a deep breath before continuing, “The head has requested the national forensics department to join our investigation under the leadership of Dr Kim.”

“No, man!! They are those typical b-

A knock came on the door before Taecyeon called the person inside “Excuse me sirs, but Chief Superintendent General sir is calling you both”

“Thank you officer San! You may leave but keep me updated about the Giva case.” 

“I will sir and as of now, a small inquiry team has been set up” officer San said before saluting the two officers and leaving the premises.

A firm knock was placed on the door before a ‘faint come in’ was heard. “Sir, you called us?”

“Yes, I did. Junho and Taecyeon have a seat. So, the sudden rise in crime has shocked not only the whole country but globally there is a spread of fear and worry. From, what we expected to be a cold blooded murder as a part of the revenge or vengenance,there is a lot more to it and by now Taecyeon might have told you by looking at the patterns, the victims’ backgrounds and how they are possibly linked to the area 71 and abandoned streets of Seoul and Busan. Its just not a coincidence; there is more to it from what we believe. Therefore, the division has taken the decision to include the forensics team under the lead of Dr Kim. I hope you will cooperate with each other. Any further questions?”

“No sir” The voices were heard in unison. “Good, you may leave and Dr Kim will be joining from tomorrow.” The Chief Superintendent General said before dismissing the young men.

“You don’t seem that happy when you heard about Dr Kim, is everything okay?” Taecyeon placed his hand over Junho’s shoulder.

“Its not Dr Kim but one of his team member. Dr Y/N, she is the reason why I am frustrated, as my headache now will turn into migraine and as much as I wanna avoid her but she somehow comes back into my life.”

“Is she that bad?” Taecyeon asked while raising one of his eyebrows. “I mean, I don’t know what actually happened and now we literally loathe each other’s presence at least she does.”

“What about you?”

“I also don’t like her presence-

“There is a difference between not liking and loathing someone and their presence. Anyways, I will find solutions for you, okay?” Taecyeon said before hugging him.

“Y/N, did you hear the news?” Jennie asked with a bored look. “What news Jen?”

“We have to work under Dr Kim on the new rise of mystery murders by the serial killer along with the national police.”

“You gotta be kidding me. No? Why?” Y/N said with a worried look. “Why are you so worried and upset? Scared that the serial killer might come and be like surpri-

“Oh shut up!!! T-thats not the case.”

“Then?”

“Him?’

“Him who? Oh wait! Are you sure that he is still in there?” she said with a surprised look.

“Yes, I have seen his pictures with Tae.” Y/N said with a slight pout.

“Y/N, its been ages!! You two can’t act like this! What was the actual reason for it though for what happened between you and Junho” Jennie with a disappointed look.

Y/N sighed deeply before speaking , “It had been way back to high school. We were acquaintances or maybe friends but some misunderstandings happened and there was no clarity but at the same time I didn’t wanna confront him, considering how his friend circle was. We were at each other’s throat and still are. Just looking at him, I still get furious but sometimes I feel is it valid? And his actions justify my emotions for him, anyway we need to get ready for the meeting.”

“Then, why did you act like you didn’t hear the news? Because you wanted to talk about him, huh?” Jennie smirked which earned her a smack. “Ouch, it hurts!” she whined. “I mean, its you we are talking about. The way you present stuff is great.” You said with a small smile before rubbing her shoulder where you smacked.

“So, guys this is our new home till the investigation gets completed. Please try to make your acquaintances while me and Chief Superintendent General will have a minute’s talk.” Dr Kim said and with that he went out for a short conversation.

Throughout the little interaction glares and hot stares were exchanged with little venom dripping through sharp responses.

“We met again Y/N. Hopefully, you won’t be as much as the pain you were before.`` Junho said as he put his hand forward.

“As much as you might be kinda happy to trouble me but I am not in the mood. So, if you wanna save yourself from a prescription of heavy doses of painkillers and consultation with a doctor, STAY AWAY FROM ME!” You sad with a stern look while shaking his hand.

“Didn’t knew that this little ant would be so brave.” He said with a small smirk.

“Well, I think you forgot that as much as an elephant might harm the ant with its power but a small movement and bite is enough for the elephant to surrender. I hate you Lee Junho”

“Likewise Y/N”

With that the two of you went back to your colleagues and started the discussion of this new coming challenge.

[dustedmagazine]

James and the Giants — S-T (Kill Rock Stars)

James & The Giants by James & The Giants

Who’d have guessed from James Jackson Toth’s early forays into noisy, freak folk experiments that he’d shape up as such an elegant craftsman? This latest collection of songs attests to the artist formerly known as Wooden Wand’s deep connection to and understanding of foundational American popular music forms: blues, folk, gospel, R&B, Beatles-esque psych and Brill Building pop. He works here with much of Woods (longtime collaborator Jarvis Tavernier, plus Kyle Forester and Jeremy Earl), plus his wife Leah, the singer Katie Schleicher and others to realize his songs.

Consider the first single, “Hall of Mirrors,” which begins in piano-led rumination, but swells to epic proportions in a wash of ELO-style synths. The song is at once intimate and epic, quirkily eccentric and tapped into the universal. The chorus is especially beautiful, wheeling up out of a string of clever asides to sweep you away. It reminds me, conceptually, of Jason Pierce’s work with Spiritualized, which takes fragile little melodies and blows them up into mini-operas, all without ever tipping into absurdity. If the real test of a great song is that it makes you feel like it has always been there, “Hall of Mirrors” passes with flying colors.

Toth writes precisely and well, steering clear of cliché as he matches meter and melody. Not that he isn’t tempted. “Don’t Let Love Make a Liar Out of You,” rejects the tired tropes of love songs one by one, against a surging background of Stax horns. (“Eyes don’t never sparkle and the moon is never blue and no one ever cried a river”) before opting for plain-ness and honesty (“Don’t let love make a liar out of you.”) And, indeed, the magic of his stories comes in the way they marry ordinary detail to surreal and expansive wonder. “All-Time Girl,” for instance, imagines a connection that runs through many lives and the difficulties to arriving on the planet simultaneously. The image of a lover waiting centuries for his soul-mate is a powerful one, all the more so since it’s stated so modestly.

The words are worth noting, because they’re so good, but the real pleasure comes in the way that full-rich sonics—borrowing from swamp-fried blues and celestial gospel and mandala-spinning psychedelia—breathe live into them. These songs are lived in and unpretentious, but nonetheless gorgeous. There are no gimmicks, no flashy stuff, no self-conscious model-breaking, just exceptionally well-made songs that already sound like classics.

Jennifer Kelly

[troped-fanfic-challenge]

TROPED: Shadow and Bone—Round One!

Our very first Shadow and Bone Event has officially begun!! We hope you'll join us for this non-anonymous, vote-free event, and put your awesome S&B fics out into the fandom! We're so excited about the new season, and we're sure you are too, so come write with us!

Prompt:

Theme: Canon Divergence

Trope 1: The Price of Victory

Trope 2: Almost Kiss

Trope 3: A Bet

Trope 4: Write a good guy as a villain, or a villain as a good guy!

Further definitions for the prompt can be found here!

Don't forget to follow our rules (no incest, no rape/abuse, no underage, etc), and to have fun!!! Please submit all fics to our AO3 collection here! If you need a tutorial on how to add a fic to an AO3 collection, one can be found here!!

TIMELINE:

Round 1 Writing Period: Saturday, March 18th — Wednesday, March 29th at 3:00am PST/6:00am EST

Round 2 will start on Thursday, March 30th at 12:01 EST!

Prompt Definitions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xMxhlUgs2Ib4NLuYuQaIlTGBJerYqCMragLK_b81S6k/edit?usp=sharing

Rules: https://troped-fanfic-challenge.tumblr.com/post/663771515496579072/the-official-troped-rules

AO3 Collection: https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Troped_Shadow_and_Bone

Tutorial: https://troped-fanfic-challenge.tumblr.com/post/648540929960132608/if-i-write-a-fic-for-one-of-the-rounds-how-do-i-go

Good luck, and happy writing!

[pumpkin-spike18]

✨Weekly Progress 2023 #18-20✨

idk what happened, but at least I got a lot done?? 😅

Weekly Progress #18

Sketched designs for SCS

Fin. coloring SYVNH chibis

Fin. base outline for KHP (bg info)

Fin. EKL script editing

Determined EKL monster powers

Sketched EKL fight scene

Updated SYVNH schedule

Made EKL schedule

Finished EKL run CG

Wrote 400+ words for SYVNH

I was bored at work so I did some design work for Side Character Syndrome (SCS), which is going to be a future project. Hopefully. Totally not swayed by everyone who gave me positive feedback once I told them the idea. I whited out their names because my hanzi choosing method embarrasses me.

I worked on a lot on Exorcist Killing Lie (EKL) this week, which is great because Battle Action Fantasy VN Jam 2023 is starting in a little over a week! Join us for a month of shounen trope indulgence and battle VN making!

Two monsters will be showing up in the world I've created for EKL. These were the original sketches for their designs.

Don't worry, I've reworked them lol. Each monster has a mini story attached to them, but I'll tell those another day~ Perhaps you can guess based on their designs?

Weekly Progress #19

Finished drawing all planned EKL scenes

Finished thumbnails for EKL "CGs"

Programmed a sprite for Otome Jam

Wrote 700+ words for SYVNH (Main story done!!) ✨ ✨

Finished all BW EKL "CGs"

Sketched, lineart, flat colored, and finished color EKL "CGs"

Wrote 2.1k+ words for SYVNH Side B

Started sketching EKL comic scene

I was able to finish up all the "planned" art for EKL fairly quickly since a lot of it were simple silhouettes.

My "planned" CGs are thumbnails I made in early April. The remaining unplanned work was due to it being the major fight scene for the game and I didn't know (at that time) how to portray it.

I ultimately decided on making the fight scene in the format of a scrolling webtoon, to just... fully embrace the comic/manga aesthetic of this game.

I haven't gotten that far yet, but here's an example of how it goes from thumbnail -> digital sketch -> lineart

Oh, and I finished writing the first draft of SYVNH!! 's main story There's a short after story that'll be included, too. 😊 ...I'M SO CLOSE

Weekly Progress #20

Wrote 2.6k+ words for SYVNH Side B

Finished sketching EKL comic

Refined sketch + linearted EKL comic pg 1

Okay I showed off everything I had in the previous week. So that's it for now! See you next week! 😃 Hopefully

[salt-volk]

went back thru all the event predictions i could find just for fun to see what we all guessed right! 

700909079384735744 - this person was correct, new npc knew barclay from school. cool!

700771002689470464 - im sure this wasa joke but unfortunately wh did not get a gun. we did get optionaly to fight the stranger once tho. a lil violence. half correct.

700662513671585792 - kinda mixed but did predict mycel to win, and that red energy spreads.

700580793418956800 - some wrong but probly got the most right of all. mini town was just a forest, npc has black hair, is male, and also an animal person. tho the real name is pinot, he was introduced as as "the stranger", which technialy is a name starting with "S". summer wings came back recolored. a new post border wasnt released but a new pet pen was which is equally as rare so mayb thats half correct. there was an "animal messneger" trope ish character involved, the crow. teams worked together in the end, the magical energy does spread, and pets were not involved in the battles

sadly the full new town stuff doesnt seem to be true, if only lmao. whatever secret brain connection u have with the staff u should tap into and convince them to make cooler changes

701304592451977216 - this was the one i submitted. teams being randomly assigned was correct, everything else not. tho a cosmic town would b soo cool, wah 😩

700722744774590464 - mostly no, but did got it right that the new npc is a 4th witch who has magic themselves

700645410940862464 - mostly incorrect, tho we did get multiple new event pets. craving a snowy town now too smh 

welp, theres a summary! were any of ur personal predictions close? did the event go how u expected? 

[peachycoreroo]

the forbidden fruit | zeke yeager

summary: zeke was like a second father to you and you were his favorite little girl. maybe, it wasn't normal to like your dad's best friend that much, but who cares if it's normal when it feels this good.

pairing: dad’s best friend!zeke x college fem!reader

genre: smut, pwp

word count: 5.4k

warnings: age gap, vaginal penetration, lowkey pseudo-cest bc you call zeke 'uncle', daddy kink, oral fem!receiving, fingering, oral m!receiving, mini degradation, praise kink, a few spanks, choking, zeke spits in your mouth, usage of ‘slut’, ‘whore’ and ‘slutty’, bunny as a pet name, kinda exhibitionism?, manipulation, corruption kink, dub-con vibes but you actually want it, jealousy, mentions of alcohol, smoking, dumbification, manhandling, unprotected sex (pls wrap it up kids), creampie, size kink

authors note: this is for @weepinglevi​‘s adult movie tropes collab, thank you sm for letting me join!! def check out the other amazing fics in this collab<3 this is a lot darker than my other stuff so far, but i had so much fun writing it, so enjoy my first piece for aot!! here’s a link to my masterlist

uncle zeke, or uncle zuzu as you liked to call him when you were still a child, has always been your favorite person since you were little. technically, you weren’t blood-related, but you might as well have been with how integrated into your family he was.

him and your father were best friends since middle school and you did call him ‘daddy’ a lot back then as a three-year-old, when you couldn’t grasp the concept of him not also being your dad. he was there for your birth, your childhood, your embarrassing teens and now even for your 20th birthday.

you don’t exactly know when the thing happened though.

one day, you were all a big, happy family and the next you suddenly realized, how attractive zeke yeager really was. maybe, it was the way you noticed that he was so much more athletic and broader than your father as they walked around your pool in their swimming trunks on a hot summer day. maybe, it was the way you suddenly became aware of how tall he really was, when you tried to reach a cup on a shelf too high, only to feel his presence directly behind you with his chest against your back as he reached his arm above your head and grabbed the cup, only to hand it to you with a teasing ‘you should really try this thing called growing. i heard it does wonders against high shelfs.’ or maybe, it was the way you finally registered how his gray eyes shamelessly checked you out as you walked around in your flimsy crop tops and shorts, barely covering anything.

it was so wrong, but that didn’t mean you would stop your little teasing. your dresses got shorter and shorter, dropping your keys on purpose on the way out just to flash him your lacy panties. hugging him longer than usual as he was leaving, just to press your breasts up against his hard chest. you wanted him to know you weren’t a little girl anymore. you wanted his mind to be filled with lewd thoughts about you. only you.

even when you left for college, you couldn’t stop thinking about the blond man, especially when you were in your bed late at night, with your hand stuffed in your panties and your mouth whimpering his name into the pillow. images of him, with his hard cock in a large palm, pleasuring himself with you on his mind, groaning your name, always brought you to an orgasm, but it wasn’t enough. you knew the only way to quench your need for this man was by having him, no matter how rotten your desire was.

at last, it was finally your birthday, and you couldn’t wait to get home and act upon your ploy to seduce zeke yeager. it was a foolproof plan really. nobody would even suspect you were trying to rile your favorite uncle up, and he would only react, if he wanted you just as much. what better gift for your birthday, than ultimately having the forbidden fruit you’ve been trying to deny yourself of for so long.

“happy birthday, angel!”, your family exclaimed excitedly as you came downstairs. you quickly scanned the room to see uncle zeke already sitting in his usual spot on an armchair in the corner of the living room, getting up and joining your parents at the bottom of the stairs when he noticed your presence.

knowing that he was there, you finally smiled happily, thanking them softly before being pulled into a tight embrace by zeke. “yeah, happy birthday, angel”, he lowly murmured into your ear as he pressed you firmly against him, goosebumps erupting at his slightly suggestive tone.

“thank you, uncle zuzu”, you whispered back, squeezing him tight, hoping to get the message across that you were more than happy to be in his arms.

alas, you were forced to part as your mother shoved him to the side to embrace you, your dad jokingly complaining about you going for a hug with your favorite first instead of your parents, in the background.

“well, i can’t help that i’m so much cooler to her than you”, zeke retorted playfully, earning him a light-hearted punch to the arm from your father.

the rest of the day felt like an eternity. it’s not that you didn’t enjoy spending time with your parents, especially if zeke was there, but the prospect of getting the blond male to act upon your, hopefully, mutual desires, had you looking at the clock more times than you would like to admit.

“are you waiting for something?”

you quickly snapped out of your daydreams of what could happen later, as the man with the main role in them sat down closely beside you, your thighs brushing against each other. you couldn’t help your gaze lingering where your skin touched before blinking up at him through your lashes, only to see him grinning down at you, clearly amused by your stare. time for the first part of the mission.

“oh yeah, i’ll be going clubbing with a few friends later.”

“clubbing?”, zeke pressed with a frown, “and your parents are letting you?”

zeke has always been very overprotective of you. your dad joked that it’s because you’re basically like his daughter, but you hoped it was more than that. that’s why you were counting on his overprotectiveness to eventually lead you to the desired outcome of the day aka you, stuffed full of his cum.

“mmm, yeah. it’s my 20th birthday uncle zeke, not my 10th, you know. i’m an adult”, you retorted provocatively before getting up. “’m gonna go get ready.”

you could swear you felt his irritated glare burn into your back as you made your way upstairs, grinning at the first bit of your plan succeeding.

the second step, was your appearance. just a week before that, you went shopping for the shortest dress you could find, ready to turn heads, or specifically, one head. shower, hair, makeup, baby pink lace underwear, see-through tights, black dress. you haven’t felt this hot and confident in a while with college forcing you to wear hoodies and sweatpants all day every day. no way in hell were you going to make yourself suffer through endless lectures in cute skirts and dresses.

five minutes before your friends came, one of your essential male friends included, you decided to head downstairs to make sure zeke had enough time to admire how hot you looked.

as you came downstairs, you could hear your dad exclaiming ‘look at my beautiful girl, all grown up’, making zeke turn around. goosebumps erupted as you felt his eyes slowly trail along your figure, your skin tingling where his gaze burned into your exposed skin.

you did a full spin, showing off your outfit to the three people in your living room, but only caring about the opinion of one. to your disappointment, you didn’t quite get the reaction you wanted, with zeke turning back around to your mother, continuing to talk about whatever.

no matter how much you hated it, you couldn’t stop the jealousy crawling up your tightening throat, making you sick with disgust. you knew your mother was just as much as a friend to the man of your desires as your father, but it didn’t stop you from feeling this way. you wanted his eyes on you and not some other woman, even if that woman was your own mother.

as if on cue, the doorbell rang out, your mood immediately lifting at the chance that the third step of your plan finally elicits a much-craved reaction from zeke.

you opened the door, your best friends immediately throwing themselves at you, screaming their congratulations and complimenting your attire. just like you hoped, the boy you’ve been friends with and flirted with since high school, jean kirstein, was the last one to congratulate you. he hugged you tight, leaning down, whispering a low ‘happy birthday, pretty girl. you look good enough to eat’, at the same time as your parents and zeke came into the foyer.

the hug you shared with jean lasted just a tad too long for it to count as appropriate, with you giggling excessively at his comment just to be sure that zeke heard it. and as you parted to say goodbye to your family, your flirty friend kept his strong arm around your waist, as though it belonged there.

you don’t miss the way zeke glared at jean’s arm around you or the way he had the slightest frown on his face as he told you to ‘have fun and be careful’, but when you turned around and left the house to get into jean’s car, disappointment filled you when you realized that the blond male didn’t do anything to keep you from going. all this planning and finger crossing for nothing. ‘happy fucking birthday to me’, you bitterly thought, as you drove off into the night, mood already completely ruined.

after hours of trying to enjoy the end of your birthday even for a bit, you finally had enough. jean took you home, trying to make out with you on the backseat of his car in the parking lot, but as tempting as the idea of letting him fuck zeke yeager out of your mind sounded, you couldn’t bring yourself to. the fact that today was supposed to be the day you got your dad’s best friend right where you wanted him, was enough to make you crave a nice shower and your warm bed. you couldn’t wait for this day to end.

when jean pulled up to your house, you parted ways with a quick kiss and a cheeky promise of tomorrow, before making your way into the house. it was already 3 a.m., so you were sure everybody was already asleep, as you quietly made your way inside.

“there you are. welcome back, pretty girl.”

at hearing zeke’s raspy voice out of nowhere, you flinched and let out an unvoluntary squeak. what was he doing here?

you brought your hand to your heart, feeling it hammer against your chest, your eyes snapping to the spot your dad’s best friend was sitting in, in the kitchen. “uncle zeke! you scared me, what are you still doing here?”

as you made your way into the kitchen, you finally noticed the empty tequila bottle on the table and your unconscious father, snoring on the coach in the living room, just a few feet away.

“mmm, wanted to make sure you come home safely after your dad passed out, so i waited for you”, he casually retorted while his grey eyes inspected you from head to toe. smeared lipstick, a light sheen of sweat on your skin and your dress hiked up dangerously high on your thighs.

feeling small under his calculating gaze, you once again looked at your sleeping dad and gestured towards the bottle. “guess you also had a wild party going on?”

“mh, your dad’s just a lightweight.”

the air inside the kitchen was heavy and suffocating. you knew something was wrong with the way zeke wouldn’t stop staring at you and only answered with short sentences, his usual playful chattiness nowhere to be seen.

trying to get rid of the awkwardness and your nervousness, you asked: “where- uh, where’s mom?”

“asleep”, was the short answer you got, making you even more uneasy than before. “oh, w-well. i’m gonna go and also hit the hay. thanks for staying up for me uncle zeke, good night.”

“stop.”

this one word made you halt in your tracks just as you were about to turn around, making you look questioningly back at him. what you didn’t expect however, was to see zeke yeager spread his thighs and pet one of them with a simple ‘sit down, angel.” somehow, the pet name sounded condescending as it left his lips, but that didn’t stop your pussy from clenching at the sight of him with his legs wide open, looking positively inviting like never before.

your gaze quickly flickered towards the unconscious figure in the armchair, but even that couldn’t stop you when uncle zeke was offering you to sit on his lap, like you dreamed of for so long.

your legs slowly took you towards the spot he was sitting in, only for him to pull you on one of his thighs as soon as you were in his reach. his arm wrapped tightly around your waist, while the other found its place on your thigh, your heartrate skyrocketing at the close proximity.

not really knowing what to do with your hands and where to look, you once again brought your gaze to your dad in the living room, having the perfect view of him from your position on zeke’s lap, your fingers interlocked in your own lap as to not touch him too much.

“how was the party?”, he questioned seemingly nonchalant, but his tone had a certain edge to it, that made you feel as if you were being scolded.

you chuckled nervously, keeping your eyes locked on your unconscious father, as you started uttering: “oh, uh… it was- “

only to have zeke’s palm grab your cheeks, squeezing them together in a pout, as he turned your head towards him, forcing you to focus your gaze on him.

“did you fuck him?”

zeke was watching your expression closely when he practically growled the question, taking note of how your eyes widened, your breath deepened, and your thighs automatically pressed together as the meaning of his imposing words settled in.

the jealousy could practically be grabbed as it rolled off the blond male in waves and you knew, that if you wanted your birthday wish to come true, you had to play the part of the innocent and unsuspecting little girl.

“wha-? no!”, you exclaimed supposedly offended and distraught that he would even ask such a thing, as best as you could with your lips pressed together in a pout by his large palm.

the man’s dark grey – were they always this dark? – eyes narrowed as you seamlessly pretended to not know what he was hinting at, but the way you immodestly battered your eyelashes at him, one hand finding it’s way onto the palm that was squeezing your plush thigh, showed him at you weren’t as oblivious as you feigned to be.

“no, huh?”, he chuckled darkly, his hand leaving your face to push you down onto your knees between his legs instead, “then you’re not against helping your dear uncle with a certain issue, or are you baby?”

stammering out a little confused ‘what?’, you quickly checked whether your dad was still asleep, only for yeager’s palm to return to its place on your cheeks, squeezing them once again as he yanked your head back towards him. “don’t act like a brainless, useless slut, angel. it really doesn’t suit you. you’re my smart little girl, aren’t you?”

the sickly-sweet tone he used worked like a charm on your praise-starved brain. you wanted to please him and be his good girl, no matter what it took.

looking up at him with big, wide eyes, a drop of drool fell from your pouty lips onto his jean-clad crotch when he tightened his hold on your cheeks as you nodded like an obedient little toy, making him smile proudly.

“that’s my girl. now,”, he declared, unbothered by the tiny wetness seeping into his pants, his veiny hands made quick work of his belt and zipper, “show me how much you want to help your uncle zeke.”

just the sight of him whipping out his hard cock out of the confinements of his jeans and boxers, was enough to make a small pool of wetness gush out of your cunt, not that it mattered anyway. your lacy panties were already long soaked just from sitting on his lap.

zeke’s cock was longer and definitely thicker than you could’ve ever imagined, bigger than any you’ve ever taken with a prominent vein running on the underside, the tip flushed in a pretty pink. the saliva collecting in your mouth at the prospect of having him down your throat soon made you swallow hard, while you waited for his next instructions, not wanting to disappoint him by acting impulsively.

seeing his best friends’ daughter so submissive and eager-to-please on her knees between his legs as said best friend laid, passed out, just a few feet away, made zeke’s cock twitch. he knew it was sick and wrong, but he has always been a weak man when it came to you.

“go ahead, sweetheart. make uncle zeke feel good.”

at his permission to go, you nearly lunched forward, your pretty lips coated in sticky lipgloss instantly wrapping around the sensitive tip of his dick, making him groan deeply somewhere in the back of his throat.

you alternated between swirling your tongue around his cockhead and slowly sucking, as zeke put a cigarette between his lips, lightning it. normally, you hated the foul smell of nicotine and complained numerous times about how much you hated smokers but… the sight of it dangling between his thick fingers, as his other hand lost itself inside your hair, guiding your head to bob up and down on his length, awakened something deep in you, that you didn’t even know existed.

it didn’t help that while every other person reeking of smoke repulsed you, the same scent clinging to zeke brought you a sense of comfort. the fact that he also looked hot as fuck doing it, certainly didn’t hurt.

above you, the tall man made sure to let his eyes wander to your father from time to time, mostly keeping them locked on your lewd expression and your full lips wrapped around his cock though. he knew that the man a few feet away was a heavy sleeper, especially when drunk, so he wasn’t afraid of letting you know just how pleased he was with you.

“that’s a good girl. doing so good for me, want me to cum down your throat, sweetheart?”  

you mumbled a small ‘please’ around his cock, causing him to groan huskily as your vocal cords vibrated against his sensitive tip. knowing he was almost there, you hallowed your cheeks and tightened your throat, wanting him to lose himself in the inviting warmth of your mouth.

as soon as zeke felt himself teetering at the edge, he couldn’t stop himself from quickly putting out the cig in his hand and holding your head still with his large palms as he started frantically thrusting up in your mouth. having zeke use you to chase his own high made you clench around nothing as you gagged around his length, doing your best to try and keep your jaw slack just so you could hear the man praising you again.

at the feeling of you choking on his cock, zeke’s head fell back as he moaned hoarsely, the sound going straight to the fire in the pit of your stomach already forming just from sucking him off and hearing his erotic grunts.

on the next thrust inside your warm, wet mouth, zeke emptied himself in the back of your throat with a low growl of ‘good fucking girl’, making you whine around his dick. the blond pulled you off as you started coughing, instructing you to ‘swallow, angel.’ being the whipped, little toy you did as you were told, looking up at him as you licked the remaining cum of your spit covered lips.

zeke smirked at your sensual display, whilst he stood up, pulling you up to your feet, only to push you against the dinner table and impatiently smash his lips against yours.

you had half the mind to think about how he didn’t even seem to care that his sticky cum still lingered in your mouth as he kissed you before your brain completely shut down because you were making out with zeke yeager.

strong palms wandered up your thighs under your short dress, cupping your ass while the flimsy fabric rode up as a consequence of his wandering hands. the display of strength as he easily lifted you up on the hard surface behind you, made your head spin. everything this man was doing had you weak in the knees and if you weren’t already seated, you were convinced your legs would’ve given out underneath you.

as yeager made room for himself between your thighs, spreading them in the process, your arms found their place around his broad shoulders, pulling him down even closer towards you as you tasted the whiskey and smoke on his slightly chapped lips. you could hear his soft chuckle at the displeased whimper you let out when he removed himself from you, before tracing his thumb faintly over your clothed clit. just that slightest contact with your puffy bundle of nerves had your hips twitching up, your face heating up at the obvious display of his effect on you.

“aww, is my slutty little baby desperate for her favorite uncle?”, he asked in mock empathy, ripping your tights like it was nothing, before his eyes soaked up the sight of your baby pink lace panties completely ruined by your slick.

“i see you were ready for something to happen today. were you hoping the little boy from earlier would fuck you?”, he almost snarled the question, before adding: “or were you hoping for me, bunny? are these pretty panties just for me?”

as your core gushed out more of your juices at the pet name, you obediently shook your head at his accusation of you dressing up for jean, mewling out: “y-you, daddy. only you.”

zeke closed his eyes to compose himself when his cock twitched alive once again at the sweet melody of you calling him daddy. he knew this was the point of no return. he could’ve stopped this before, he was sure of that, but not anymore. not when you oh so sweetly called out for your daddy to take care of you.

in one swift motion, your panties were gone and thrown into a dark corner of the kitchen, the only light illuminating the space coming from the turned-on lamp in the foyer from when you came home. forcing you to recline back as zeke lifted your legs up on his muscular shoulders, you shuddered as his hot breath hit your drenched pussy.

after just one kitten lick to your core, you heard zeke’s pleased hum, mumbling something along the lines of ‘just as sweet as you, bunny’, but you couldn’t tell for sure because the very next second he was diving tongue first into you, sucking, licking, and slurping like it’s his last meal. the moan that left you at his intense ministrations was downright pornographic and you could only clench around nothing as his large palm came up to silence you.

“as much as i’d love to listen to your cries, sweet thing, gonna wake your parents up if you keep at it”, he muttered against your sensitive clit, the vibrations only making you mewl against his hand.

your hands tried to find purchase somewhere, the hard surface of the table, your plush thighs, before your nails finally got a grasp of his blond locks, using the leverage as an advantage to push his face even further into your slick cunt.

the obscene, wet sounds that echoed in the room were making your face heat up, but the embarrassment didn’t stop you from grinding desperately against his tongue, his thick beard rubbing painfully but oh so deliciously against the delicate skin of your inner thighs.

when you felt two of his thick fingers probe at your entrance before pushing in, instantly hitting that one spot inside you, you threw your head back as your eyes rolled into the back of your head, thighs trembling against his head as you reached your peak around his digits. your back arched off the wooden table, thighs snugly pressing against the sides of his head, almost suffocating him in the process, while you moaned a long, high-pitched ‘daddy’ against his palm.

zeke yeager could proudly say that he’s had his fair share of women, but the sight of you, succumbing to the pleasure he was providing you with, was by far the most erotic he had the privilege of witnessing. the mix of your cross-eyed expression, your sloppy cunt clenching impossibly around his thick fingers and your body twitching from the aftershocks of your orgasm, only fueled his desire to see you go dumb on his fat cock.

a hard slap against the fat of your right thigh caused you to squeal, your legs sliding down from his shoulders, completely limp from all the spent energy. zeke leaned down, once again capturing your lips in a heated make out. his warm tongue still had the distinct taste of your release on it as it slipped between your lips, his full beard soaked in your juices scratching against your cheeks and chin, but you certainly didn’t mind as long as you could have him between your legs, mouths interlocked.

“wanna see your cute lil’ ass while i wreck you, bunny. can you turn around for daddy?”, he questioned, voice raspy, but he didn’t actually wait for an answer, grabbing your hips in a bruising grip and flipping you over on your stomach, ass pressed up against his crotch already. not being able to control yourself at another clear display that his muscles weren’t just for show, your hips automatically grinded back against his painfully hard cock.

another strong blow was delivered, this time to your bouncy behind, your small mewl echoing in the large space. “slutty, desperate whores aren’t appreciated here, bunny. thought you were daddy’s good, little girl? guess daddy was wrong about you”, zeke sighed in faux disappointment, knowing you would do anything for him to keep praising you.

“n-no! am your good, little girl! ‘m sorry, daddy, please don’t leave”, you practically sobbed out, to drunk on his touch to realize the manipulative undertone in his phrasing.

smirking victoriously, the blond tenderly smoothed his huge palm, with his fingers covered in your already dried up essences, over your ass check, his fat tip nudging against your soaked entrance, whilst he shh-ed you, promising that he’s ‘not gonna leave you bunny, ‘m all yours.’

at the promise of him belonging to you, your eyes rolled into the back of your head, just as yeager decided to push his aching dick into your tight pussy. at the first bump against your gummy walls, you both knew no one would ever be able to compare. it was a tight fit as he continued to push past the resistance of your cunt, hissing at the continuous contractions around his sensitive cock. no way in hell, he thought to himself as he already had to hold himself back from cumming as if he were some virgin all over again.

when he finally bottomed out, his patience was close to non-existent, so without waiting for you to adjust, he started thrusting in you like a mad man. your hands flew out to grab the other edge of the wooden surface to have some kind of support, as his powerful thrusts made the whole table shake and drag across the tiled floor.

“’s too much, daddy! slow down!”, you wailed, knowing full well that this was exactly what you waited for all this time. the dark chuckle that left his panting and grunting mouth told you that he was also very aware of the fact that you didn’t actually want him to slow down, so the only reaction you got, besides his acknowledging chuckle, were his thrusts picking up in speed.

after another strong hit to your jiggling ass and a groan that sounded suspiciously like ‘such a perfect ass’, zeke leaned over you, completely covering you with his large frame. his hand found its way to your front, giving your tits a quick squeeze through your dress, before continuing its journey up, finally settling around your neck.

as it constricted around your neck, thick fingers expertly pressing against the pressure points, restricting the air flow oh so deliciously, your spit-covered lips fell open in a silent ‘o’, the act lurching you impossibly closer to your orgasm. at this point, the only coherent words you were able to formulate were ‘yes’, ‘daddy’ and ‘please’, causing the tall man’s chest to fill with pride at your dumbed out state.

“my cute, submissive, little bunny. have i fucked you stupid with my cock?”, he teased, only to get his confirmation by the lack of response on your side, too far gone to process that he asked a question.

the rhythmic clenching of your warm core reminded him that his dick was practically begging him to let it stuff you full of his sticky cum, so as his grip on your throat and hip tightened even more, he let his carnal desires take over as he rutted impossibly faster inside you.

every thrust caused his fat tip to poke harshly against your cervix, the feeling of pain only fueling your pleasure, as you silently took all your favorite uncle was giving you. somewhere in the back of your mind the thought of your father sleeping just in the next room flew around, but it quickly got fucked back out by zeke’s fat cock.

at the next rough plunge inside your warm walls and the low growl of ‘cum on daddy’s fucking cock, bunny’ directly beside your ear, you came undone with a loud moan of his name. you were pretty sure the force of your orgasm made you blackout for a second, because the next time you came to your senses, zeke was shooting his load inside your inviting cunt directly at your cervix, your name leaving his lips like a prayer.

you were exhausted. your whole body shook and twitched, your stomach hurt from being pressed against the edge of the dinner table for so long, sweat dripping down on the surface from your face and neck.

suddenly the room was way too quiet, safe for the heavy breathing and your occasional whimpers. slowly, zeke pulled out, only to spread your cheeks apart to take a good luck at your abused pussy pushing out his white cum. it slowly trickled down your legs, mixing with your leaked juices on the tiles beneath your feet.

not having the energy to move, you let the blond male pull down your dress back over your ass, listening to the rustle of fabric and belt clicking as he got dressed again. just as he gently helped you stand-up again, you could hear a yawn coming from the doorway that led to the living room.

“what’re you both doing?”, your half-awake father asked as he made his way through the kitchen past you to get to the foyer. your nails dug into zeke’s muscular forearms as the panic of getting caught formed in the pit of your stomach, only to hear the older man murmur a casual, seemingly sleepy ‘she just got home, gonna go sleep now’, as though he wasn’t blowing out your back just a few minutes prior.

with an unsuspecting ‘’aight, night you two’, your dad disappeared in the shared bedroom with your sleeping mother.

“fuck”, you breathed out, stressed at almost being caught and your legs buckling, only for zeke’s strong arms to hold you up right.

“hey, look at me, angel”, the male softly demanded, gaze tender as your eyes met his. “i’ll bring you to bed and clean up here, okay? don’t worry about a thing.”

a sleepy, but happy smile stretched itself across your lips at him caring for you so deeply.

“open your mouth, sweetheart.”

without second-guessing the request, you obediently opened your mouth, only to feel his saliva hit your outstretched tongue. the taste made you mewl needily as you realized what it all meant. you were his and he was yours.

zeke chuckled, amused by your blissed out expression, before pecking your lips, picking you up and caring you to your room with you mumbling a satisfied ‘best birthday ever’ against his neck.

[saetoru]

thanks for another milestone !! mwah here’s a lil mini event just to say thank you 💋

R U L E S : rules are pretty simple, please only enter one of the three events, and please make sure to send everything in one ask — multiple asks because you forgot something clogs up inbox and stresses me out :,) everything must be sent to my inbox please, no DMs !! and please pay attention to slots available before sending anything in, i will delete submissions if they’re sent after slots are filled

NOW CLOSED !!

A P P E A R A N C E M A T C H U P S

send me a picture or a picrew of yourself and tell me one fandom i write from that you’d like, and i will match you with someone + write you a little paragraph of you and them together

S L O T S : 5 / 5 — FULL

S E L F S H I P D R A B B L E S

tell me a selfship + your favorite trope and i will write a (very) mini drabble of how you meet !! please add a small summary of your personality and/or your dynamic with them. (character must be from a fandom i’ve written before)

S L O T S : 5 / 5 — FULL

P E R S O N A L I T Y M A T C H U P S

tell me your top 3 characters (can be from 3 different fandoms but they have to be a fandom i’ve written for before) and tell me about yourself. please give me a reasonable amount of information otherwise these are hard to do !! i will match you with who i think you’re a best fit with and write you a (very) short drabble with them

S L O T S : 5 / 5 — FULL

thank you all again for the milestone — as sappy as it sounds i really enjoy having a little safe space on tumblr and i’m very grateful you all come join me for my little rambles and brainrots and whatnot <33 and thanks to my lover kitty cat for helping me plan this out you have a slot for all 3 shawty ;)