#when this is kinda the first chance I’ve had to ask most of my questions and actually get a response

[exopelagic]

ohhhh my supervisor is so sick of me

[yelenaslyubov]

A New Frontier: Part 1

a new frontier // part 1 // part 2

main masterlist || yelena belova || requests

a/n: welcome to the first part of my first series! like i said in my announcement, i’m not sure how many parts this series will have, but as i see it now, definitely over 6 so get excited about that!! this first part is definitely a build up to everything will be contained going further, so there’s not much adventuring in this one. i hope you enjoy!

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ pairing: yelena belova x reader

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ warnings: language

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ description: you’re granted the opportunity to join the avengers on your first top secret mission together. not only are you navigating your newfound status as an avenger, but you’re also trying to hide your affection for another avenger, yelena. you travel to your location in stealth and soon find out what kind of mess you’ve really gotten into.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ word count: 3.2k

Your eyes jolted open when you realized you had fallen asleep accidentally.

“…and we need to act fast in order to make sure we do our part in this mess. And remember, none of you jackasses better make a peep about this, I mean it.”

Shit.

You had fallen asleep during the majority of Tony’s mission announcement. This was the first stakeout call that you had been invited on since you had been recruited. Most jobs were simple and thorough—fighting and taking down a villain and so on. Everything was usually the same, except this time and you missed it.

“Alright, that’s all I got. Be ready and down to the pad in an hour.” Tony dismissed everyone from the room when they all dispersed and you were left disoriented from the meeting.

“AH, I’m so excited!” you heard Kamala squeal. You assumed she had been asked out on the mission as well, making this her first too. “I’ve never seen a horse in person before!”

Now you were even more confused as to what was happening. You decided to be surprised rather than ask too many questions, especially since you were new. You couldn’t be caught slacking on the job already.

You went up to your room to pack whatever you could with the little information you had. You remembered something being said in between your slumber about it being dry and hot, so you kept that in mind.

You packed all the toiletries you had since you did not know when you would return. You didn’t have a permanent suit currently, as it was still being worked on and you didn’t know when it was going to be done. You hoped you could finally break into it on this trip so you wouldn’t have to use one of the hand-me-downs.

You jumped as you heard a knock at your door. “Can I come in?” Kate shouted through the door. Even before you could speak Kate had opened the door and was on a mission.

“Do you have deodorant or a hairbrush? I-I must have lost mine or run out because I don’t know where they went.”

Kate was the first friend you had made since you had been recruited. You both hit it off immediately and she made the transition from normal life to super life much easier.

“How does one not know when they run out of deodorant?” you chuckled.

“I honestly don’t know. I think I kinda just slap it on without looking while I’m halfway out the door,” she stammered.

“Well in that case, yes, I have both deodorant and a hairbrush so you lucked out today.”

“Ugh, thank you, you’re a lifesaver,” Kate sighed. “Oh, by the way! If you’re all good with it I think Kamala was going to bunk with me and it’s three to a room so you wanna join?”

“Uhm, that sounds good,” you responded. You were nervous to be in such close proximity to so many new people, but you were excited to be involved in something this secretive.

“Awesome! Well, I’ll see you down there then.” Kate smiled and then ran out of the room in the same manner she came. It was then you realized you missed your chance to ask her what exactly you all were doing and what you should bring. It added even more mystery.

You had filled your duffel bag to the brim with anything you could think of—a couple books, clothes for all weather conditions, a swimsuit, a coat, etc. You had said goodbye to your room for the time being when you ran into another Avenger in the hallway.

“Oh, uhm hey.” You were face to face with a green-eyed woman looking slightly up at you. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“It’s good,” the woman smiled and shrugged. She walked off without saying a word and you felt an uncomfortable aura blooming.

The butterflies in your stomach slowed their flutter the farther away the woman went. You had learned in your first few days as an Avenger that her name was Yelena. She had short blonde hair and the most captivating eyes you had ever seen. She was nothing short of intimidating so you had exchanged little words between the two of you. This was most inconvenient for you because you were tired of her staring at you as if you were a bit helpless.

You hoped this trip proved otherwise.

You were still awkwardly standing in the hallway after your encounter with Yelena when Kamala came out of her room with what looked like all her belongings balances in her arms. You could make out her eyes peeking between different objects that looked like a fan and a small table.

“I hope I packed enough,” she said through muffled words. “I don’t know how long we’ll be gone.”

“I don’t think you’ll have any problem with that,” you laughed. You watched her carefully walk down the stairs with the rest of her things.

Based on everyone’s timely exit, you assumed that you should probably make your way down to load up. When you made your way down to the pad where everyone else was waiting. Everyone’s packs varied in size so you had no idea how your packing job compared to anyone else’s.

Wanda and Nat had a decent sized suitcase for the both of them to share and others had small duffel bags. You giggled a little to yourself when you saw Peter’s only bag which appeared to be his school bag.

“How did you manage to fit everything in there, Pete?” you asked him.

“Oh uhm all I really need is a few clothes, but the rest is homework.”

“You’re bringing homework on an Avenger’s top secret mission?”

“Uh… yes?”

“That sounds like a sad life, Peter Parker.” You looked to your right where Yelena was standing. “Do you do anything for your own pleasure… like ever?”

You, Yelena, and Peter all stood together staring at one another, waiting for someone to say anything.

“Alright!” Tony yelled. “It’s time to load up.”

Everyone made their way onto their biggest quinjet they had and found their seats. You sat towards the back of the jet as you filed in behind Yelena. Conveniently, you sat directly behind her so you had the perfect view for the duration of the flight. Kamala sat down next to you with her stuffed giraffe in hand.

You heard the echo of the seat buckles clanking together as everyone took their place. You then watched as Yelena twisted her hair up high and put it in a bun. You were mesmerized by the way her blonde highlights caught the glimmer of light shining through the small windows.

Kate looked back at you at the wrong moment because she caught you staring at Yelena. She smirked and winked, signaling that she planned on keeping your secret. Your face was flush with embarrassment. You had not planned to let anyone in on your little crush but there was no going back now. All you had to do was prevent Yelena from finding out.

Tony hopped on last and shut the large door behind him. “As much as I wish I was joining you on this part of the excursion, I’m going to be residing on a small base right outside of the airport we’ll be flying into. I’m working on tracking air transportation as well as focusing on the technical aspects of the issue. I will be checking in regularly.

“As much as I would love to fly everywhere, we have to be more careful.” You looked around at the others to see if they had any clue to what he was talking about. “Once we arrive at the airport, you’ll be assigned vehicles that you must transport in. Using jets gets too risky with the high volume of dust and dirt. You would be noticed too easily that way, so it’s much easier to fit in with the rest of the crowd. Another form of transformation will be provided… promptly.”

Tony sat down in the controller seat without another word, leaving only you at a loss of what could be coming.

You stared at the back of Yelena once again before falling asleep to the sound of her voice and buttons pushing from inside the jet

.

.

.

You jolted awake at the sound of the large compartment door opening. It was abnormally bright and dust seemed to be swarming into the jet. You looked to your right to see Kamala passed out as well.

You stood up to stretch and grab your things, but you were distracted by the look on Yelena’s face as she stared at Kamala. She then turned to you and you were not sure what to do. Yelena looked as if she was trying not to laugh.

“You’ve got something about there…” Yelena gestured around the side of your mouth where you found dried drool from your peaceful sleep.

You frantically wiped it off the best you could and tried to shake the feeling of embarrassment that washed over you. “Oh, I’m sorry, thank you,” you nervously responded.

You proceeded to wipe everything off your face shamefully. You gave Kamala a small tap on the side of her arms in hopes to wake her up. She jolted awake as if she had been screamed at.

“What happened?” she said, groggily.

“You fell asleep…and it looks like we’re here,” you responded. You gathered your things and joined everyone at the front of the quinjet.

“Listen up!” Tony yelled. “This is where I leave you. You’ll be self-escorted from here to the designated vehicles that are waiting outside. I have implemented state of the art trackers and GPS in each of the vehicles. Try to use these vehicles as much as possible. When the time comes, by all means, do whatever is necessary to complete said task, but please, for the love of God, stay hidden. We do not need to be compromised and if I hear about any of you messing around…I will personally handle the situation, and you don’t want that.”

You looked back and forth from Kate to Kamala. You could tell Tony was being serious, which meant this mission was a whole lot harder than you led on in your mind.

As you all unloaded off of the jet the sun pierced through the door making you cover your eyes. Once your eyes adjusted to the brightness, you were met with the vast ground of red clay and trees in the distance. There was not a house or town in sight meaning you were far away from civilization.

“This is my worst nightmare,” Yelena whispered to Natasha.

“No kidding. I can already feel my skin sweltering,” she responded.

Your face recoiled when you saw the rides that were provided to each of you. “They’re joking right?”

“I wish,” Bucky said as he walked by you.

“Ain’t she a beaut, Cap?” Sam said while rubbing his hand back and forth down the side of the truck.

Before you were four rusty, beat-up pickup trucks that were supposed to be your rides for the time being. You weren’t even sure how long they were going to last. They were most definitely older than you.

“Are we sure these are safe to drive…or ride in?” Yelena questioned.

“They’re top of the line, I assure you,” Steve said.

“Maybe when you were born,” she mumbled.

You laughed at her comment and Yelena turned around to look at you and she smirked. Your face couldn’t help but turn a deep shade of pink, but you hoped the heat would disguise your blushing.

“Alright, let’s hit the road. We’re burning daylight here and it’s a two hour drive,” Steve informed everyone which earned a groan from each of them.

Steve, Sam, Bucky, Clint, and Peter took one of the trucks and planned on leading the way to the house. The rest of you assumed you could fit in one truck but there were two left and needed to utilize them both. One truck could seat five and the other could seat three; there were six of you left and you each knew you couldn’t leave someone behind by themselves.

“Race ya!” Kamala yelled. Nat, Wanda, Kate, and Kamala began to run to the five seater truck, while you and Yelena stayed behind. I guess you both assumed that it wasn’t worth fighting over.

You were hesitant to say anything at first but you were curious. “Why didn’t you go with them?”

Yelena shrugged. “My sister and Wanda can get gross when they’re together so I would rather be 100 feet away. But I hope you know I’m driving.”

You nodded in agreement, not wanting to go against her wishes. How could you say no?

You and Yelena put your belongings in the trunk of the car and shut it nice and tight so there was no way it could fly out and escape. Yelena climbed in the driver's seat while you sat next to her in the passenger's seat. The truck started with a sputter and music started blasting through the radio. Tony Keith’s voice rang out, causing you to plug your eyes.

“If this is what the trip has in store,” you gestured to the nature outside and then to the radio, “it’s going to be a long trip.”

“I think my ears are bleeding,” Yelena groaned.

“How about I do this.” You made the executive decision to turn the music completely off. “Better?”

“Much.” Yelena was satisfied with your choice. She followed the kicked up dust trail that led to the truck in front of them. They were farther ahead but you both hoped you hadn’t lost them.

In the meantime, you decided to look around the truck to see what all treasures were held inside. Just by looking at it, it didn’t seem to be anything special. The dash was covered in dirt and dust and old, empty bullet shells rested on top. There were no cup holders for drinks, only a bench seat that could fit another person. You found yourself wondering what would happen if you scooted just a bit closer. You brushed off the thought and continued your scavenger hunt.

There was no backseat, only a small gap that could fit a slender bag. There was a tacklebox that slipped under your seat, so you decided to dig through it. You gasped as you opened it to reveal a pistol made out of vibranium. You could spot it from anywhere.

“Woah!” you admired it. You shifted the small pistol in your hand, observing the craftsmanship.

“Oh shit,” Yelena said. Her eyebrows were raised, telling you she was just as impressed.

“They really did the most.” You took another look at it before you put it back where it belonged and slid it back under the seat. “What we’re to happen if we were stopped somehow and we had that in the car? Wouldn’t they do the math?”

“Look at this thing,” Yelena said plainly.

You looked around at the crusted steering wheel, the patchy seats, and the dirty covered floor. “I suppose you’re right.”

Yelena sighed and continued driving.

You watched the world go by as the clay mesa crowded your vision. It was beautiful in its own way and it was nothing like you had ever seen. The plateau of rock and the arches that presented themselves high off the ground. You may even learn to love it.

You then turned your attention to the driver. Yelena did not go anywhere in public without dressing her best. She was wearing wide cut jeans, a cropped shirt, and high leather boots. The dedication impressed you, especially in this weather. Your eyes wandered from her clothes to her skin and how her olive tone was tanned from the sun. Her eyes twinkled with the reflection of the endless blue sky and you found yourself drowning. Of course until Yelena looked over at you because you had been in a daze for too long.

You turned your attention back out the window with the hope that she wasn’t paying attention to your admiration. The more you stared out the window, the heavier your eyelids were. Eventually, you found yourself drifting to sleep once again with dreams of twinkling green eyes.

.

.

.

You felt a push on your left shoulder but you didn’t move.

There was another push this time, but much harder, causing you to sit all the way up. To your surprise, it was night. You rubbed your eyes and looked to your left to find that Yelena was staring at you.

“Did you know that you snore?” she said outright. Yelena unbuckled and got out of the truck, leaving you stunned all alone.You decided that it would be better not to respond because you wish you could forget it ever happened.

As you slid out of the truck, you looked up at the stars. You had never seen the sky so clear in your life. It was like lightning bugs had hung themselves way up high for everyone to see. You were so distracted by the sky that you didn’t notice where you were.

When you snapped yourself out of your trance you looked around. You were now surrounded by some species of pine tree you couldn’t recall with scarce grass. You were most certainly still in the desert but had traveled farther in the new direction.

In addition, you seemed to be up on a cliff. You looked around once more and there was no sign of a house, let alone anyone else.

“Uh, Yelena,” you questioned. “Where are we?”

Yelena was crouched down ahead of you looking down from the earth when she shushed you. You tried not to take too much offense. You walked to where she was in hopes of figuring out what was going on.

“Yelena, I said, where are-” Yelena covered your mouth quickly. You wanted to resist but all you could do was yell silently into the palm of her hand.

“Be quiet,” Yelena whispered, then held up a finger to her lips as she uncovered her hand from your mouth.

You huffed. “I just want to know what we’re doing out here? Where is everyone?”

“I took a little detour,” she admitted. “I just wanted to scope out the competition and Tony had already wired the GPS with significant locations so I knew where to go.”

“He should’ve known better,” you shook your head. You were already in this mess with her so you might as well finish it.

You focused your eyes to where she was looking to find a small sized building. It was nothing like you pictured it would be in your head. There was a flagpole outside the fence gates with an American flag on it accompanied by another flag that you could not make out. You squinted harder to see what picture was made out on the fabric.

“Is that…” You could spot the unique design of a skull with its six arms recoiled under.

It was Hydra.

//

i hope you enjoyed!

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[lipglossanon]

The Subject of Schoolgirl Fantasy

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Professor!Leon S. Kennedy x fem!reader (one shot)

for @ohbvnny and the many anons who asked for professor leon; hope ya like it! 💜 and thank you for your patience 😘

Warnings: 18+ minors DNI, teacher/student relations, kissing, oral (f receiving), dirty talk, unprotected sex, creampie

not proofread ✍️

Title from Don’t Stand Too Close to Me by The Police

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

“Class dismissed.”

Professor Kennedy waves everyone to the door, wristwatch catching the light drawing your attention to his forearms, (on mouth watering display since he rolled the sleeves of his button up shirt to his elbows). 

You loiter at your desk, slowly gathering your things and reorganizing your bag as the last stragglers bolt out the door, glad to be finished for the week. It’s pure luck that Professor Kennedy is your last class on Friday’s, something you’re thankful for every weekend. 

“Do you have some questions for me?” a low amused tone reaches your ears, drawing you out of your thoughts. 

You meet Professor Kennedy’s warm, blue eyes, a ghost of a smile hovering at his lips.

“Sorry,” you bite your lip in embarrassment, “I kinda zoned out.”

“No worries,” he’s leaning back against his desk, one leg crossed over the other making his black slacks cling to his thick thighs. 

He crosses his arms, making your mouth go dry at the strain it puts on his shirt; his biceps and chest are pressed right against the fabric making your knees feel weak. 

“Actually I did want to mention something to you,” his eyes watch as you finally look back into his face.

“Sir?”

He grins at you, “That last test I gave, it seems you struggled pretty badly.”

You wince and duck your head down bashfully, “Yeah, I had a hard time learning the material.”

He tsks, “Now that just won’t do.”

You look back up at him and he tilts his head, sandy hair falling into one eye. 

“I usually don’t offer, but would you like to earn some extra credit?”

You smile excitedly, “Yes, actually that would be great. Thank you, Professor.”

He chuckles, “Follow me to my office then.”

You fall behind him as he leaves the classroom and walks down to the end of the hall; he pulls his keys from his pocket and unlocks the door. 

Opening it, he gestures for you to go inside first. 

“It’s pretty quiet on Fridays,” he states as he shuts the door behind you, and twists the bolt to lock it when you’re not looking. 

“I’m sure, most people are ready to go home,” you smile, feeling shy in his presence alone. 

“I’ll bet. You have any raging parties to get to this weekend?”

You laugh at that, following him further into his office and taking a seat on the sofa. 

“No, just headed home to study and get a head start on some things.”

As he moves over to his desk, dropping his keys on the mahogany surface, you get a chance to really take in the room. Spacious is the first thing that comes to mind followed by cozy. His desk is facing the entryway with bookcases all around. Against one wall is the sofa you’re sitting on and on the opposite wall just really run of the mill office art. 

The sofa dips as he sits next to you, his thigh a hot brand against your leg. Internally, you’re squealing, so thankful you decided on wearing a cute skirt today. Leon pulls you from your thoughts again by handing you a bottle of water. 

“Would offer a glass of scotch,” he tilts his glass at you, “but don’t know if you’re driving, sweetheart,” he winks at you as you take the bottle from him with a shaky hand. 

“Oh thank you and I’m not—not driving that is,” you clear your throat, “I’ve never really had any scotch, so don’t know if I’d like it.”

“Really?” his blue eyes seem darker in his office, especially as they drag down then back up your body. 

“Would you like to try some?”

He practically purrs as he leans forward into your personal space. You’re overtaken by his smoky cologne and sandalwood aftershave. 

“Please.”

Your eyes droop as he tilts his glass against your bottom lip, mouth parting to take in the amber liquid he’s offering. He groans softly when he sees your throat swallow, tilting the glass higher for more scotch to pour out. You choke a little, liquid spilling out the sides of the glass all down your chin to drip down your neck. 

Leon drops the empty glass on the carpeted floor and hungrily licks the trail of scotch. He starts at the base of your neck and follows the sticky tracks up to your mouth. With a sigh, you’re opening up for his thick tongue. He groans and licks messily into your mouth. 

Pulling away, a silvery string of saliva bridges your mouths before you break it by licking your lips. 

His eyes are hot and heavy as he moves to kneel on the carpet, in between your legs. You moan softly as he kneads your calves with warm hands.  

“I enjoy the taste of scotch, but there’s another flavor that I’d like to try now,” he smirks at you, hands drifting up to your thighs. 

You let out a shaky breath and part your legs further under his hungry gaze as he massages the fat of your thighs. 

“Professor,” a mewling whimper escapes your lips as he rucks your skirt up to expose your dainty panties. 

“Fucking criminal,” he groans, thumb rubbing over the little lace bow at the top of your underwear. 

“Going to be a good student for me, sweetheart? Let me taste this hot little pussy?”

You nod and he grins, “Hold up your skirt for me then. There ya go, such a good girl.”

Your hands reach down and grab the hem of your skirt, pulling it up til it’s above your hips all while he watches you. His strong jawline seems more pronounced when his brow furrows in concentration as he teases the band of your panties. 

“You okay with this?” he murmurs up at you, finally dragging his eyes up to meet your gaze. 

“Uh huh,” you nod so fast it makes his lips quirk up in a half smile. 

In place of a reply, he places a soft kiss right on the damp spot of your panties. With a soft groan, he places more kisses on your clothed cunt. Both of his hands come up to the band of your panties and pulls it up until it’s tight against the lips of your pussy. He lathes his tongue across your slit, leaving a wet kiss on the outline of your clit. 

Your legs twitch and spasm as he continues to slowly lick and kiss your pussy through your underwear.

“Please, sir,” you moan as he sucks your clit a little harder, eyes glinting wickedly up at you, “can I take them off?”

He pulls back with a low laugh, “No, gonna get these cute panties soaked before anything else happens.”

You watch as his hand reaches down to readjust his bulge in his slacks, making your mouth water and head dizzy. 

“Save it for later,” he grins at you, hand coming down suddenly to spank across your wet underwear making you buck up with a whine. 

“So responsive,” he muses, mouth going back to his slow torment on your needy cunt. 

He keeps you there, legs spread before finally putting them over his shoulders, face buried against your panties as he licks and sucks your pussy through the cloth. It feels like forever when he finally pulls away, hands going to the band of your underwear and tugging them off. He watches greedily as your cunt is bared, clear strings of slick clinging to the gusset of your panties as he pulls them away from your pussy lips. 

At seeing how wet you are, he wastes no time in slipping the soaked clothing off your legs and tucks them in his pocket. With a growl, he shoves his face against your pussy making you both moan. 

“Taste so good,” he pulls away to spit on your pulsing clit, “been wanting to taste your pretty little cunt since the beginning of the semester.”

“Oh god,” you gasp, hands letting go of your skirt to tangle in his hair, “could’ve had it then.”

“Slut,” he rumbles with delight, “don’t worry, gonna give you what we both want.”

He presses suckling kisses to your pussy lips before fluttering his tongue against your drippy hole. With a sigh, he pushes his thick tongue into your soaked cunt, eagerly fucking his tongue in and out until you’re squirming against his mouth. 

His hands grip your thighs harshly, bruises forming under his fingertips as he keep you in place. 

“O-oh, so good,” you keen, hands tugging on his hair making him groan and nuzzle deeper into your folds, nose bumping and grinding against your swollen clit. 

You hump his mouth, feeling your orgasm ramp higher and higher as that coil tightens in your belly. 

“I’m close, Professor.”

Your moan ends on a pathetic whine as he pulls completely away from eating you out. 

“That won’t do,” his mouth and chin are shiny with your slick making you go hot all over, “got to work for that extra credit, honey.”

He stands up, unbuckling his belt and sliding his slacks down until he can pull his hard cock out. He strokes the shaft, pulling back the foreskin so you can see the precum drip from his fat tip down his knuckles. He manhandles you to lay down on the sofa, one leg thrown over the back with the other dangling off the edge of the cushions. 

He slaps your clit with his cock, rocking back and forth so the tip drags through your slick folds getting him wet. You reach down to spread open your cunt, making it easier for Leon to rut against your pussy lips and the hood of your clit. 

“Please,” your hips arch up into his frotting, “want it so much.”

“Let me go find a condom, sweet thing,” he goes to get up but your nails sink into his chest through his dress shirt. 

“I’m on the pill,” you bite your lip out of nervousness, “I mean you can if you want, but I’m—“

“I’m not going to argue,” he chuckles, slapping your cunt with his dick, “not everyday I get to raw a hot little pussy.”

You whine, spine bowing as you try to press your sopping wet cunt against his dick, “Please, I’m so empty.”

He groans and finally quits teasing, pressing the head of his dick into your clenching hole. Your eyes roll back as he keeps rocking his dick deeper and deeper into your fluttering walls. 

He laughs down at you, “Mmm yeah, this pretty pussy is sucking me in so good. Such a snug fit for me.”

You feel like your cunt is being split in half; he’s so thick and long, it has you whining constantly as he bottoms out. 

“Such a good girl for me,” he presses himself down on you, body weight heavy and comforting.

You moan needily, hands gripping his shoulders, “S’deep.”

“I know,” his mocking voice is warm in your ear, “tiny pussy’s stretched out isn’t she?”

“Uh huh,” you mumble, drooling as he pulls halfway out to thrust back in, grinding and rubbing all along your g-spot as his pelvis catches your pudgy clit. 

“Taking me so well,” he praises making goosebumps trail down your arms, “this fat pussy’s gonna get a nice thick load, now isn’t that nice of me?”

“So nice,” you slur out, brain going fuzzy from how good Professor Kennedy’s making you feel. 

He laughs again, picking up the pace to fuck into you hard and deep. One hand goes to grip the meat of your hip while the other slips down to circle and press against your sensitive clit. Your legs wrap around his waist, bare legs rubbing against his shirt sending little pulses of pleasure to your brain. 

Your thighs twitch where they’re pressed against Professor Kennedy’s waist, toes starting to curl as he pounds against that spongy spot in your cunt, creating a mourning wave of pleasure. That band of arousal that has been winding tighter and tighter finally snaps.

Rough fingers pinch your clit as your pussy clamps down on his cock so tight it makes him hiss in pleasure. Your blood rushes to your head so fast it makes you dizzy, spine arching as your body tries to thrash under his; a high, keening cry slips from your mouth as he keeps teasing your swollen clit, extending your orgasm til tears bead your eyes.

“Good girl, so fucking good,” he groans, “gonna make me cum.”

“Yes, please, inside Professor Kennedy, want your cum,” you plead, eyes hazy as you give him a dopey smile, “feel’s nice.”

“Yeah? God, so good. Gonna fill you up,” he growls low in his throat as he pumps his cock into your cunt half a dozen times before burying himself deep in your spasming hole, walls still milking him. 

You whine up at him as he bucks his hips into you, hot spurts of jizz painting your pussy walls white. He pants to catch his breath before pulling out of you with a low sigh. His cum oozes from your hole and he pushes it back in with dark eyes. He lifts his gaze and smirks at you. 

“We’ll have to meet up more often, don’t think this was enough extra credit to help out with your poor grade.”

[smooth-perceval]

Angsty lando pleaseeeeee

This is my first rq omg, sorry it was rushed I have like 7 drafts and I’m trying to clear them out 🥲🫶🏼❤️

Surrender

Lando Norris x Fem!Reader

Summary: Reader was only trying to console Lando, Lando throws a hissy fit- and some truths are spilled. The ‘argument’ being quickly extinguished.

Warnings: Angst, swearing, very annoyed reader+Lando, fluff ending

Key: Y/N (Your Name) Y/L/N (your last name)

Word count: 1,397

A/N: I cannot see Lando being mean- so it was kinda weird to write 😂 Sarcastic asf? Yes! Mean- it seems so odd but I hope I done okay ❤️

Wether Lando was annoyed or not- I shouldn’t have recieved the back end of it.

I only asked a simple “you okay?” And I got back. “Just leave me the fuck alone.” Before storming back over to the car hopping back in and out on track.

Debating wether to go back to the drivers room or stay - I finally decided that going back to the drivers room was my best option. I felt embarrassed- after 4 people asked me if I was okay, I felt to upset and awkward to be around them.

My face was Ferrari red- no joke, shuffling my way back to the drivers room, I sat in pure silence. Did I really say anything bad? Did I actually annoy him and it wasn’t the car? Questioning my intentions for the next 10 minutes or so is all I did. Before I came to the perfect idea and decided to just leave in general, go back to the hotel and dwell on it all there.

While I had the chance to run I did. Straight back to our hotel and straight into the shower, a day washed away once again. I made quick effort to change into a simple shorts pyjama set, lounging out on the small sofa they had in the room.

—

My phone re-woke me. Grabbing ahold and answering, only to realise who it was when the angry voice spoke down the line.

“Where the hell are you?!”

“Back at the hotel?”

“I’ve looked everywhere for you! Nobody knew! You didn’t tell me!!” Rubbing my eyes, a yawn escaping me. I tutted at him climbing off the sofa and into the bed.

“I fell asleep and forgot to message sorry-”

“I’m nearly at the hotel.” And with that he hung up, here I anxiously sat. I get the annoyance but he was the reason I left in the first place.

Sighing I mentally prepared myself for the lecture I was about to withstand. And truthfully I couldn’t be asked for it.

“Y/N.” The door unlocked and he barged in.

“Seriously- what the hell is going on with you? I needed you at the pits today.” Frowning he stormed off into the bathroom.

“Errr- No, you told me to ‘leave you the fuck alone’ so I did.” Leaning over the bed I put my phone on charge.

“Just cause I said it, didn’t mean I meant it.” Tutting I hear him switch on the shower waiting around for it to warm up, he walked back out facing me.

“Wether you meant it or not Lando. I didn’t deserve it.”

“Well who else am I supposed to let my anger out on.” Throwing his hands up in the air like it’s the most problematic thing in his life at the moment.

“You can vent to me any day- you know that. But I won’t take rudeness.”

“I wasn’t fucking rude!” Shaking his head laughing to himself he went back into the bathroom slamming the door.

“There you go again. Just because your cars shit! Don’t take it out on me.” Laying back on the bed with a groan I stared up at the ceiling.

What a dick.

“My car is not shit-” glancing over at him now standing back outside the bathroom door, he looked so pissed off- but why is it okay for him to say stuff and not me.

“Did I touch a nerve?”

“What made you even bring that up? We wasn’t talking about that.”

“The whole reason for your sour mood is that car.”

“Can’t a guy just have a bad day.” Pulling his hoodie off throwing it on the floor.

“There’s a bad day and then a bad weekend. And you’ve been an asshole to me this whole weekend. If it’s not the car then what? Is it me?” Raising my eyebrows at him I sat on the edge of the bed.

“Your talking stupid again.” And once again he stormed into the bathroom, stripping down to his underwear.

“Then what is it?- I’m not a mind-reader Lando! I can’t help unless you tell me what’s pissed you off.”

“Your not listening! Nothing has pissed me off, fucking hell.” I could’ve got whiplash the amount of times he has stormed in and out that bathroom.

The hot and cold was pissing me off- and before I knew it, all the calmness washed away from me- and all the built up annoyance and anger reeled out.

“You are so frustrating- do you understand that.” Furrowing my brows I stood up, gesturing my hands in front of me.

“One minute it’s ‘can’t a guy have a bad day’ then it’s ‘I’m not pissed off’ or it’s ‘I needed you in the garage today’ but your not pissed off right? So why did you need me. Do you understand how fucking childish your being.” Chest rising and falling, we both stared at each other in silence.

“And while I’m getting everything off my chest for once- your car is shit! Man up and tell the team, don’t drive a shit car and then get annoyed at me for asking a simple question. I didn’t build the stupid car, I don’t drive it- I have no involvement!” Turning around grabbing a pillow off the bed I stomped towards the sofa. “Stupid fucking thing it is.” Mumbling to myself while shaking my head.

“Because I have human decency, I’ll sleep on the sofa. But don’t you dare speak to me unless your going to apologise for being a absolute prick.” Throwing the pillow down on the sofa, I went to the wardrobe pulling out the spare duvet, throwing that on the sofa also.

“What- why you sleeping on the sofa…”

“That doesn’t sound like an apology.” With a loud huff he disappeared once again.

When I turned around Lando had retreated back to the bathroom. It’s strange, lecturing someone tires you out, I flopped back onto the sofa, sighing to myself. Was I too harsh…? Yeah- maybe I should apologise…

Before I even thought about what to say I had dozed back off again, not even wanting to face Lando truthfully right now, I’ll only say more things I don’t mean.

—

“Baby…” rocking me gently, I was woken from my slumber. It was pitch black, I just about made out Lando’s face.

“You awake…?” Even though it was just us two, he still whispered. Humming in response, I rolled over facing the back of the sofa.

“I’m sorry…” pressing a delicate kiss to my shoulder, rubbing it gently, he then leant his head against my back. “I’m sorry for taking my anger out on you… your right about absolutely everything.” Followed by another soft kiss to my shoulder.

“Even about the car being shit??…” smiling to myself, I turned back over slowly, wrapping an arm around his neck, playing with the back of his hair.

“That’s the reason I’m so annoyed-” slowly he squeezed himself on the sofa, pulling me half on-top of him. “Your right- I should man up and tell them, not just keep allowing them to fuck up…” brushing my hand over his cheek, I laid my head on his shoulder listening to him vent.

“I just have had enough… I’ve had enough of feeling like a failure every race- because the cars so terrible…” sighing, he fiddled with my hand. “I love you- and that scares me…” smiling wide, I moved his head turning it towards me.

“You love me?”

“So fucking much.” Pulling him in slowly, I placed a gentle kiss to his lips. “Your not a failure, your absolutely wonderful…” a small smile crept on his face at my compliment.

“Your going to tell them what you really think about that car, your also going to give it your all the rest of this season, because you don’t give up.”

“Your also going to start understanding, I’m on your side always… no matter what, I’m battling from your corner. Because I love you, always have and always will.”

Smiling at me, he pulled me down slowly brushing his lips against mine, “does this mean I get some lovin’?” Laughing, I smacked his chest climbing over him standing up.

“You really are lucky I love you.”

“I know I bless myself everyday.” Standing up he placed his hands on my waist kissing me again.

“I’m sorry.”

“I know.”

Masterlist

[fairydustblossom]

losing control {part 5}

azriel x reader

summary: you and azriel have been best friends for decades. giving romance a chance takes some time to figure out.

category: angst, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers (kinda)

word count: 5.7k

warnings: none rly! maybe some jealousy and possessiveness??

notes: AHH!! finally !! i managed to complete my first series, my first piece of fiction! this part was a lot more daunting than i anticipated lol i felt like i was trying to tie a bunch of string together for so long but hopefully i pulled it off,, anyways enjoy! please let me know what you think of it :)<3

{part 1} | {part 2} | {part 3} | {part 4}

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You were in Rhysand’s office waiting for Eris to arrive. It had been two days since your fight with Azriel in the changing rooms. You hadn’t seen him, or heard from him, and you had held yourself back from asking about him. If he didn’t want to see you, then you wouldn’t seek him out. You would not lower yourself to chasing after a male that did not want you. Somehow, you had managed to maintain your composure  enough to keep the rest of your family, apart from Rhys and Cass, oblivious to your inner turmoil. In the eyes of your loved ones, everything was as it should be, but you couldn’t help but miss Azriel with an intensity that was difficult to endure and you weren't sure how much longer you could take it. 

Rhys’ and Cass’ suspicions definitely did not help you feel at ease. Their sly, questioning looks trailed your every more, and it made you feel that it was only a matter of time before they interrogated you. Cassian had already made a few attempts to get you alone, you knew his nosey self couldn’t hold back from wanting to know about the incident  in the changing rooms. You had dodged  his questions so far, but you were starting to feel guilty for avoiding those who care for you. The guilt only added to the anger you were feeling towards Azriel. Anytime you thought of your current situation, disbelief filled you. You couldn’t comprehend how everything had gotten out of hand so quickly. Where had your best friend gone?

You were lost in your thoughts, standing next to Rhys in his office when Autumn's new High Lord winnowed in, appearing directly in front of you. The first thing you noticed was his red hair, then his eyes, traveling up and down your body until they met yours. A smirk came upon his face. 

“The one and only, Y/N. Lovely to see you.” He said with a slight bow. His flirty tone and the smirk etched on his face made you want to roll your eyes. But you didn’t want to disappoint Rhys, you knew he needed the Autumn courts help to achieve his goals with the Night Court, so you were determined to be civil, kind even. “And Rhysand, of course.” he added, as an afterthought.

“Eris.” You simply nodded with a soft smile as a greeting.

He held your gaze until Rhys cleared his throat, “Eris, thank you for coming. My home is your home for the next week. Y/N here will be at your service if you need any help. I’ve already set aside some books that I believe go over some of the most important topics of ruling a court. They are being held at the library if you wish to go over them. For now, you can make yourself comfortable in your chambers for the week. We’ll see you at dinner.” Rhys gave you a grateful look for taking on this responsibility before walking to sit at this desk, to carry on with his work. You understood this was a silent dismissal so you stepped forward, walking past Eris, turning your head slightly to address him.

“Come along Eris, I’ll show you the way” you kept walking, trying to ignore his burning stare as you walked ahead of him.

Outside his bedroom door you faced him, gesturing towards the door. “Alright, here it is. My room is down the hall,” pointing at your door you said, “if you need help with anything, you know where to find me”

Eris raised his eyebrows, grin widening, and stepped closer to you “Are you already inviting me into your bed Y/N?” he asked, lowering his voice so only you could hear. 

You couldn’t help but blush at his response, at what he was insinuating. The playful gleam in his amber eyes and his proximity to you, forcing you back into the wall, made your breath hitch.  Your eyes drifted to the other end of the hall, landing on Azriel’s shut door and you wondered how Azriel would react if he walked in on you and Eris right now. Would he get jealous? Would it bother him enough to talk to you? Part of you wanted nothing more than for Azriel to show up and claim you as his, to show Eris who you really belong to. The thought of this made your stomach turn, the realization that you weren’t truly Azriel’s overwhelming you. 

What you had asked of him ‘I don’t want to be a secret anymore Az’ and his words ‘Then you want more than I can give you’ replayed in your mind. How would Eris know not to flirt with you if you were single in everyone's eyes except yours? You fought the tears that wanted to surface, aware that you very well could be single right now, given that you had not heard from Azriel for days. Maybe this was his way of silently calling it off. The mother knows he would be capable of doing something like that. 

Thinking of Azriel shot a pang of hurt through your heart and you scooted your way around Eris, trying to regain your composure. “I am not inviting you into my bed, Eris. You must have misheard me. I thought foxes were known for excellent hearing”

He let out a laugh at your quip, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly, letting you know that it was a genuine laugh. “My apologies then Y/N. I guess I heard what I wanted to hear.” 

Now it was your turn to laugh a little, a mix between a chuckle and a scoff tumbling out of you. You couldn’t help it, his boldness and shameless flirting too funny and slightly endearing not to laugh at. Eris was undeniably a handsome male, and having his attention directed at you felt oddly satisfying, somewhat alleviating the ache in your chest. It’s not that you wanted Eris, nor did you want to flirt back, but it felt good to be openly wanted. You only shook your head in response, tried schooling your features and walked away, once again feeling his gaze trailing your behind.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The arrival of the Autumn Court’s High Lord called for a family dinner. Everyone had gathered around the dining room for a proper welcome. Everyone except Azriel. Azriel was still nowhere to be found. No one seemed to question it, but you couldn’t stop wondering where he was at. Still you refused to ask, you didn’t want anyone to notice how much you were worrying. Your eyes wandered around the room and a sense of longing for Azriel’s company filled you. Cassian and Nesta were playing thumb war across from you- you’d had the misfortune of overhearing Cassian challenge Nesta. According to his rules, whoever won, received some oral ‘favors’ from the other after dinner. His words, not yours. Amren and Varian were next to them, giving each other flirty eyes. Rhys and Feyre were at one end of the table, the high lady opting to sit on her husband's lap as they gazed into each other's eyes lovingly, surely holding a conversation through their daemati powers. At the other end of the table, Lucien and Elain were whispering to one another, his thumb stroking her cheek absentmindedly, and on your side of the table Mor was sitting with Emeri’s arm curled around her. You were happy for your family, but the sight of them curled up with their lovers made you feel sick. The chair next to you, where Azriel usually sat, remained empty.

The screech that came from the empty chair startled you out of your thoughts of the Shadowsinger. Eris sat down and scooted his chair forward, simultaneously scooting it closer to you. “Hello again, Y/N.” he said as he leaned in, “So kind of you to save this seat just for me. Now we’ve completed the table of beaus as one looking upon this dinner might call it”

You rolled your eyes, muttering, “I didn’t really save it for you…”, holding back from saying that the seat was Azriel’s.

However, Eris must have picked up on something. Maybe it was the way you quickly looked around to see if you would catch sight of Azriel. Where was he? The question wouldn’t really leave your mind. Or maybe he noticed what you really wanted to say. You weren’t sure how he knew, but he knew enough to bring Azriel up.

“Ahh I see, it was meant for the shadow man wasn’t it? I was starting to wonder where he was at, he’s usually as attached to you as his shadows are to him.” He looked around the table, “Thought I don’t see any other open seats-”

Rhys cut in then, overhearing your conversation, “Azriel will not be joining us tonight.” He gave Eris a pointed look, warning him to not make any unnecessary comments about his spymaster, fully aware of their mutual dislike for one another. 

You quickly looked up at the mention of Azriel, following a sinking sensation in your chest at Rhys' words, you wanted to ask Rhys where Azriel was but suppressed your need to know, aware that Rhys hadn’t elaborated on Azriel’s whereabouts in front of Eris to protect Azriel’s privacy. 

As your eyes wandered around the table once again, you caught Cassian staring at you. He was watching how you would react to the mention of his brother.

The rest of the dinner you tried being as present as possible, however you struggled engaging when all you could feel was the ache in your chest. As soon as dinner ended you stood up and slipped out of the room, headed to your bedroom. You thought you were safe once you reached the hallway but then you felt a hand grasp your forearm, stopping you in your tracks.

Cassian had finally caught you and he was not going to let you go until you gave him an answer. He was filled with worry towards both you and Azriel, he had never seen either of you acting so strange. You sighed and mentally prepared yourself for whatever it was that your  fearsome-self-proclaimed-brother-warrior-general wanted. 

“Y/N, what’s going on? And don’t even try to lie. You’ve been acting weird all week, Rhys has noticed too. You and Azriel both have been weird. I haven’t seen him like this in a long time. What happened the other day?” he asked, genuine concern clouding his hazel eyes.

You ears perked up when he mentioned having seen Azriel, and you ignored the rest of his questions, choosing to focus on that. “You’ve seen Azriel? Where is he?” you asked, deciding to drop the façade, you could ask after your best friend, you would’ve asked before you started seeing each other so why did it matter now?

Cassian narrowed his eyes, fully aware at how you had ignored him, “Not since I walked in you guys arguing, don’t even try to deny- wait, didn’t he tell you he was going on a mission? He left two days ago.” Cassian furrowed his brows, a look of confusion overtaking his features. 

A small gasp left you and your eyes widened. You weren’t expecting him to say that. Azriel never went on a mission without telling you first, without saying goodbye to you. The entire inner circle knew that. Neither one of you ever left without telling the other. 

“No, he didn’t tell me” you whispered, losing the battle against the tears that were starting to line your eyes. You looked away hoping Cassian wouldn’t see them, having him catch you crying twice in a week was just too much. You already felt embarrassed by everything that had happened.

Cassian of course noticed the effect his words had on you and he was filled with even more concern. “Y/N, what’s going on? Did Azriel do something to you?” he asked gently, moving to hug you. 

A wave of protectiveness overcame you, and you pushed yourself out of Cassian's grasp. Even though you were hurt by Azriel’s actions, you felt that you had caused all of this by the way in which you had brought up the status of your relationship. You didn’t want any unsolicited meddling, especially not before you could figure whatever this was with Azriel. You also didn’t want to break Azriel’s trust. If he didn’t want anyone to know about your fling, then you wouldn’t tell anyone. You valued him enough to respect that. You wiped the tear that fell down, “Nothing’s going on Cass”, you replied, turning around and walking away, headed to your room. 

“You can’t expect me to believe that Y/N, you are literally crying.” He exclaimed behind you, with a bewildered look on his face but deciding to drop it for the time being. 

You chose to ignore him and locked yourself up in your room. Finally letting yourself cry at having lost the male you love, because now there was no doubt in your mind that your relationship with Azriel was over. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The rest of the week went about in a similar manner, Eris had proceeded with his unabating flirting, however it hadn’t bothered you as much as you thought it would. You had warmed to him slightly, his presence a welcome distraction from the incessant thoughts of Azriel that consumed you. He also took his research seriously, never diminishing the importance of running a court. You had helped him gather research materials at the library and had guided him through complex laws and regulations implemented in Velaris. The week had dragged but you managed to stay busy. Still no word from Azriel. Cassian’s reveal of Azriel’s whereabouts had sparked a nagging anxiety over Azriel’s safety, but after overhearing Rhys and Cassian talking about Azriel's latest update, you knew he was okay and now a numbness had taken over. You could do nothing but wait. 

The night of the gala, you were going through the motions of getting ready but you felt disconnected from everything around you. You hadn't seen Azriel all week. If it hadn’t been for your duty to Rhys, of being his right hand this week, you wouldn’t have been able  to get out of bed, much less get ready for the gala that was happening tonight. Helping Eris throughout the week had kept you busy enough to not hole yourself up in your room and cry at the loss of your relationship with Azriel. In the time you had shifted from friends to lovers, you had never gone this long without seeing each other, without talking. You were sad, yes, but mostly you were numb. You couldn’t quite wrap your head around how it had all crumbled apart, and an emptiness lived within you. 

You didn’t know when you would see Azriel next, and you wanted nothing more than to talk to him; however, you weren’t sure if he would even want to talk. You supposed this was Azriel’s way of quietly parting ways. Looking at yourself in the mirror, you gathered your frazzled thoughts and squared your shoulders, mustering up the courage to go on with the night. Looking over your reflection, your eyes snagged on the ring Azriel had gifted you. As much as it painted you, it didn’t feel right to wear it when you didn’t feel his. Sliding the ring off you tried not to think about the memory of the day he gave it to you, tried to ignore the bareness in your finger. You ran your hands over your dress, briefly wishing Azriel could see you in it, knowing he would’ve loved it. Dismissing the thought, you gave yourself one last lookover, eyes lingering on your ringless finger before sighing and leaving to escort Eris to the gala.   . 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Azriel had finally come back from his mission, it had taken longer than he had expected and he was filled with regret at not having talked with you before leaving. He was itching to be back in your arms, to feel your lips, to be with you. He felt like a mad man as he landed, ready to beg for forgiveness, to tell you how much he loved you. The longing he had felt while on his mission had given him the clarity to realize he would do anything for you, and if that meant putting aside his fears of openly calling you his then he would do it. He knew you deserved to be worshiped, to have a male that would proudly call you his. He felt like a fool for his reaction to your request and he was prepared to drop to his knees and give you everything you wanted. 

He had stopped by the house to quickly freshen up before hurrying to find you. He knew you would be at the gala, looking as beautiful as ever and he was desperate to lay his eyes on you. His eyes roamed the bodies in the ballroom, shadows dispersing to aid in his search. When he finally saw a glimpse of your smile his heart skipped a beat, he could see you were dancing, your moving body flashing in and out of his line of sight. He darted forward, determined to reach you but when he saw who you were dancing with he stopped in his tracks.  

You were dancing with Eris. Jealousy rose within Azriel in a matter of seconds. He took note of Eris’ hand resting on your lower back too close to your ass to Azriel’s liking, too close to be just a friendly touch. He was pressing you against him, the front of your body flushed against his. Azriel’s heart was racing, the ache that he had gotten used to over the past week enhancing, and he could feel the need to strike at Eris rising within him.

Eris looked up, feeling a pair of eyes on him. When he saw the shadowsinger staring at him with a threatening darkness etched on his face, he leaned down to whisper in your ear. He could feel the anger radiating off the Illyrian spymaster, taking note of the flared wings. Eris’ distaste for the bat made him want to egg him on. Eris had picked up on the fact that there was clearly something going on between you and the shadowsinger and he had taken it upon himself to see how far he could push it before the truth came out. It was his entertainment for the week.  

Eris pulled you in closer to him, his hand sliding down your back ever so slightly, now resting right where your lower back and the curve of your ass meet. Leaning down, his breath fanned your ear as he whispered, quite seductively, “You look absolutely captivating tonight, Y/N. Though I think Autumn colors would suit you even better” 

You couldn’t help the laugh that came out of you, his shameless flirting reminded you of Rhys when he was younger and would flirt with any female that looked his way. Maybe it was a High Lord thing. You weren’t taking it too seriously and you didn’t think Eris meant it in any way other than a playful manner. He liked to jest, you had learned the past week, a side of him many did not understand. “I belong in the Night Court, Eris” you replied.

Azriel watched as Eris leaned down to whisper in your ear, eyes following your every movement. When your head tipped back in laughter at whatever he had said he swore he could feel his heart break. Your hand rested on Eris' shoulder, pointer finger bare. You were not wearing his ring. What did that mean? You never took the ring off. And how were you okay with Eris touching you like this? Azriel felt bile rise up his throat, leaving for the mission while leaving things unresolved now feeling like the gravest mistake he had ever committed.

“I wonder, what has made you so willing to be my friend this past week Y/N? You’re quite pleasant to be around, when you’re not with the shadow man, that is. I noticed you’ve avoided all conversation surrounding the spy. Was it perhaps a lovers tiff?” Eris asked, a devilish smile following suit.

Your eyes widened slightly, how did he know? You didn’t reply immediately, you started to shake your head when he asked, “Do you deny it then?” He raised his eyebrows, lowering his voice even more, lips brushing your ear now.

“Why do you keep asking about him, Eris. Do you feel so threatened? I don’t see how it’s any of your business, given how much you dislike him” You snapped back, regaining some of your composure.

 “Why does it anger you so, dove? I am only commenting on my observations. I’ve see the way you’ve remained quiet when it comes to the shadow singer, and I thought he was your closest confidant.”

“He is my closest confidant, he’s the Spymaster. I report to him”

He chuckled and pulled away slightly, one hand moving up to lift your chin up, the other remaining in the small of your back, pulling you in even tighter,  “So I ask again dear Y/N, do you deny it then?” He leaned closer, you could feel his breath on your lips and you were frozen. Conflicting thoughts of Azriel ran through your mind, while you fixated on Eris, his intense gaze entrancing you. 

And then suddenly Eris was ripped away from you, and all you could see was a flurry of shadows and two flared wings blocking your sight. Azriel.

“Stay away from her, Eris” Azriel snarled, his words dripping with venom. 

Eris let out a chuckle, “Ah, there you are.”

You had to admit the flutter you felt in your chest at his display of jealousy, this was basically what you had wished for that first day in the hallway- but you could feel the people around you starting to stare at the commotion, a chorus of gasps at the assault against the autumn court’s high lord. And you would not let Azriel ruin yours and Rhys’ hard work from the past week to build up a diplomatic friendship with Eris. 

“Azriel,” you reached out for his arm as it was getting ready to grab Eris by the collar, “stop, not here.” you muttered. 

When you touched him your body reacted with warmth and excitement, but your belly dropped when he looked down. The look he gave your hand, at where you were grabbing him, was one of distaste, like he couldn’t bear your touch.

He shook his arm out of your grip, gently, so as not to make even more of a scene and squared his shoulder. His eyes looked down at Eris, snarling down at him one more time before turning to walk out of the ball room, shadows covering him completely. 

You immediately followed him out, trying to bring as little attention to you as possible while still trying to catch up to him. Once outside in the gardens looking out over Velaris you called out to him.

“Azriel! Wait!” You could see he was about to take flight. His winds flapped creating a swirl of wind on the terrace, locks of your hair tumbled out of your updo. It was hard to maintain your balance as you neared Azriel, the power thrumming out of him making it difficult to get near. 

“Az, please” you begged, and finally he turned his head. 

Never in a million years would he have expected to come back to this, to see you with him. In Eris’ arms. He could barely hear through the rush in his ears, he was trying to keep his emotions in check but they were getting the best of him. His wings shook with the power coursing through him, his siphones glowed bright blue, his hands were curled into fists at his sides, every muscle in his body taught with anger, and his shadows swirled around him in a dark storm. He looked every bit terrifying and magnificent in your eyes.

When he met your eyes, the worry in them, the pleading look you were giving him, he felt his breath catch in his throat. He felt that he could barely look at you, he felt so betrayed. The kind of betrayal that would crush him if he didn’t find a way out. 

His deathly stare raised goosebumps along your arms, knees weakening and you fought everything in you not to rush to him and comfort him. You took a shaky breath, “Azriel, I-I don’t know what to say. Where have you been? When did you get here? I-I missed you”

He glared at you, a scoff coming out of him, “Missed me? You have a funny way of showing that Y/N”

It was your turn now to narrow your eyes, how dare he? You were about to speak up when he continued, his anger getting the best of him, breaking the cool indifferent mask he usually displayed.

“I missed you. The entire time I was gone I was worrying about us. Worrying about how you were doing. Worrying about making you feel like shit, but I see you’re doing fine, cozying up to him.” He spat, glaring in the direction you had come from, where Eris was still inside. You could see the anger and the hurt in his eyes. 

“You did make me feel like shit!” You exclaimed, tears lining your eyes as you glared at him. “Azriel you literally disappeared. How was I supposed to even think that you were missing me when you refused to acknowledge me before you left, you left without saying anything, and you didn’t send me ANY sort of message. What was I supposed to think?!?!” Your frustration was getting the best of you, and you were on the verge of yelling. You were sure anyone outside of the ballroom could hear the both of you.

“I needed to gather my thoughts” he muttered

“Well, have you gathered them now?” you snapped at him.

“I-I have, but Y/N, I need you to understand that I only didn’t talk to you because I didn’t know what to say a-and I didn’t want to fuck this up. I am so terrified of losing you, I never thought I could have you and now that I do, or did, fuck I don’t even know, I don’t-didn’t feel worthy of you. Don’t you see? Being with me puts you at risk, every single enemy I have made will want to hurt you. Because of me. And you don’t deserve that. How could I ever live with myself if something happened to you because of me? I can’t bear the thought of putting you in danger.” A franticness had overtaken Azriel, you could see he was spiraling and you wanted nothing more than to pull him out of it. 

Your eyes softened. You understood what he was saying, of course you did. You had felt the same terror take hold of you from time to time, but the love you felt for him overpowered any fears. You only hoped the bond you had built would do the same for him. 

“I just don’t understand” his voice broke now, he could feel his anger slowly dissipating and the hurt in his chest was growing, he could feel himself crumbling “I thought we had promised our hearts to one another” he breathed out, a tear falling out. “I didn’t think I’d see you about to, so willingly let Eris, for mother’s sake, Eris kiss you.” He spat, voice dripping with venom and so much hurt. 

“I thought you were ending things Az! I haven’t seen or heard from you in a week! I didn’t even know you were gone on a mission till days after. You’ve never left without saying goodbye. We’ve never gone this long without talking, or writing, or-or something, all I knew was that you didn’t want me in the way I wanted you. You still haven’t answered my question. TELL ME, what was I supposed to think?!?” You were full on sobbing now, the tears were cascading down your face and you felt like you couldn’t breathe. How had everything gone so wrong?

“You were supposed to think that I would NEVER end what we have. Don’t you see how much this means to me? Don’t you see how much I love you? I would never, Y/N, I would never end us.” Azriel said, all composure gone. You had never seen him this way, breathing heavily, eyes teary.

“You love me?” you whispered, 

“Yes, I love you. You consume me. I never thought I could love like this, I never thought I could find love like this, I never thought I could feel so loved. But you do, you make me feel loved in a way I have never experienced and I would soon rather die than lose you.” The pain in his eyes, his drooped wings, his hands hidden behind his back, all were a testament to the sincerity of his words. “I thought.. I thought I made you feel the same. I thought I was showing you how much I care for you. What you mean to me. But I see now that it was clearly not enough, for you should have no doubt of what I feel for you. Tell me Y/N, do you not feel loved by me? Am I not doing enough?” He looked at you in the eyes as he asked you, a few more tears streaming down his face.

And your resolve broke. You had never seen Azriel cry. You had seen him upset, on the verge of tears even, but never actually seen him cry. And to know you were the cause of that broke something in you and made you run towards him, grabbing your face in his hands. “Azriel. I love you. I love you with everything in me”

His hands came to hold your waist, holding you tight, squeezing you, he needed something to ground him. But you could still see he was holding back, the distrust still simmering in his eyes. You couldn’t stand it, you wanted it gone. You couldn’t bear the thought of causing Azriel any pain. “What were you doing with Eris?” he asked softly, voice barely above a whisper. 

You sighed, holding his head in place so he wouldn’t move it, collecting the tears that fell free with your thumb.  “I-I don’t know. Nothing happened, I didn’t even think he would go in for a kiss. I promise Az. Rhys asked me to help him out this week so I’ve been helping him with court duties. Nothing happened.”

He leaned his forehead against your, and his hands trailed up your body to rest on either side of your face. His eyes were closed, trying with all his might to accept the candor in your voice, trying with all his might to push away the doubts that were trying to overtake his thoughts. 

“But you almost kissed” he said, voice breaking at the end.

“I’m grateful you stopped it, Az. I didn’t want to kiss him, I just froze. I only want to kiss you, always, at all times. No one else.” You implored, praying the mother would help you get through this. To let you and Azriel have the relationship you had both searched for your entire lives. You refused to let this misunderstanding ruin it all.

“I saw you laughing before… it looked like you were enjoying his company”

“I’ll confess I have built somewhat of a friendship with Eris this past week. I was laughing because he said I would look better in autumn colors. I said I belong here. I belong here with you.” 

His eyes darken, eyes locking in on yours with a possessiveness you had only seen in mates. “You’re mine” He growled, his eyes searching for any hint of disagreement. 

At this you furrowed your brows and whispered “How was he supposed to know? How is anyone supposed to know that” You looked down, reminded of why all of this even started in the first place

Azriel sighed, all signs of anger leaving him once again, and lifted your head to look at him “You are right. And I am sorry. I tried coming home to you as fast as I could to tell you that. I’m sorry I was so stubborn before. I don’t want you to think I’m ashamed of you or that this, this beautiful thing we have, is only casual for me. You deserve someone that worships you, that proudly shows you off, and I want to be deserving of you. Please let me try. I will go in there right now and tell everyone that you have my heart, and it will remain forever yours.” He tightened his grip on you. You felt like he was staring into your soul. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry my love, for what I’ve put you through. I fear hurting you and I let my fear blind me to the point I hurt you. I love you, gods, I love you.” His deep voice, rough from the events of the night, pleaded for a second chance. “Give me a chance Y/N to prove to you what you mean to me, and I vow to never stop showing you, if you will give me this chance.”

You could only nod, tired of having waited such long days to feel his lips against yours. At your acceptance Azriel stopped holding back and dipped his head. When your lips met, time ceased to exist. His lips were so soft, so warm, so delicious. You felt alive again, finally back in your lover's arms. Azriel held you with ardor, pouring all the yearning he had felt throughout the past week into the kiss. He was done being shy about his affections for you and he would kiss you, to his heart’s content, for as long as you wanted.

taglist: @acotarxx @fall-myriad @moonlwghts @fictionalmenloversblog @kennedy-brooke @starswholistenanddreamsanswered @rebs2210 @gretavanbobatea @reiincarnatiion @thewarriormoon @hyemishii @thelov3lybookworm @fanboyluvr @alohaangels @lahoete @sstrohma @angelshadowsinger @

[kp0ptributera]

A new start

A/N: Somehow a follow up to my first smut, somehow the start of something new, hope you’ll enjoy it and get ready for a wild ride Word count:2,6k Contains: Some angst, Boss Lisa, squirting, more angst (for the plot, but don’t worry it will be fine)

You woke up, knowing it would not be a day like any other, since Somi’s arrival at your work and the day you started watching over her, there were no more boring days. Everyday was filled with fun and work seemed to become easier, because you finally had someone you could trust and who would be by your side in rough moments. But even if everything seemed to be amazing, you often thought deep in you that you were missing something, that you could do better or even that this work could bring you nothing more, so you started looking for a new one, in secret, telling no one you were wanting to run away and take a new start. Someday, you stumbled across a job offer, totally fitting your skills, so you applied, just for fun, you didn’t thought you would be called back. The offer said they were looking for a new manager in a young company, all you needed was to accept that shifts could be pretty long and get along well with others. But then, the phone call that would change a lot of things came, it was a woman’s voice, asking you question about your resume and telling you the company was interested in you, giving you a meeting at their office later that week, you didn’t knew how to react, should you tell it to Somi? “Nah” you thought, “It’s nothing more than a meeting, I’m sure they have better candidates anyway….” . ————————————————————————

The day of the meeting came faster than you imagined, but to be honest, you spent most of the week daydreaming and working mechanically. “-Are you okay?” you heard the voice of Somi getting you out of your thoughts “-Hmmm?” you answered “-I asked if you were okay, you look somewhere else for the last few days, is the boss asking too much of you?” “-No, no, it’s not that….I..I have a meeting later today for a new job, I feel like I’ve done all I could here, each day looks the same, except when I’m with you” you smiled at her “-And when were you thinking about telling this to me?” she looks upset, and you understand that “-After leaving me here alone with that old perv ? Or would you have just disappeared without telling me?” her eyes were getting redder before she starts moving toward the door “-Somi, wait-“ But it was too late she already fled the room, leaving you alone ————————————————————————

The rest of the day went like this, Somi avoiding you and you looking like an idiot, trying to find the words that would make her feel better. You finally headed to the meeting, the building was recent, and only a few offices were actually being used so when you stepped in the elevator, you were surprised to meet someone, the surprise was even greater due to the fact she was just stunning, the kind of girl that could make any guy bend the knee with just a look. You took a moment to gain your composure back and shyly talk to her. “-H-Hi” you stumbled on your words “Damn, I must look like an idiot” you thought but anyone would become stupid with a goddess like her next to them “-Hello, are you looking for something?” her voice sounded like a melody to your ears “-Well, yes…I’m coming for a meeting and I’m kinda lost, is there any chance you knew the floor of this company?” you showed her the mail with all the information you had “-It must be your lucky day, because I’m also heading there” She flashed a smile, and you felt like time stopped, this image would stay engraved in your head forever, but Somi’s smile appeared in your head and you suddenly felt sad “Hey, are you okay?” her voice bringing you back inside that elevator “-Y-yeah, it’s just I was….I was thinking about something I should take care of after” You tried to flash a smile, but she knew it was just a mask

The ting marking the fact you reached the desired floor filled the elevator, and you followed the woman through the office, everything seemed really recent so you wondered what kind of job the company would give you. You both reached a locked room so the woman reached for her bad and opened it with a key, inviting you to enter. It was bigger than your previous office, which was already kinda impressive, but what shocked you is when she took place behind the desk and invited you to sit.

“-Welcome to my office, my name’s Lisa, nice to meet you” She smiled again, leaving you a moment to assemble the pieces of the puzzle in your head. “-S-so it was you I had on the phone, I’m sorry ma’am, I must look like an idiot now” You giggled, a bit stressed by the situation. “-Don’t be sorry, I shouldn’t have played this little trick to you, in fact I wanted to meet you before telling you I could be your future boss, just to see how you were” She started laughing and suddenly, you felt better “-I hope I haven’t done something wrong then” you laughed a bit with her, the atmosphere becoming friendly in a matter of seconds. “-No, don’t worry, in fact, you did pretty well, you didn’t tried to be a playboy and it’s something I like” “-If I can be honest, I was too stunned to even think about it” “-Really? Why?” she stared at you with an amused look “-Well, first, everything looks so new and expensive here that I don’t even know if I’m qualified to work here, then I saw you and I thought that I was really looking out of place next to you” You flashed a smile “-Sweet talker, aren’t you?” She smiled and you started laughing. “-Nah, just honest ma’am” “-Please, call me Lisa, if we are going to work together, the first rule here is that everyone should get along, so no “boss” or “ma’am”, we’re in this together” Her tone was a bit more serious than before “-Understood, but I have a question, what do you wait from me exactly, I mean if I was hired” “-You would be my assistant in a way. I can’t always be around so you would second me in all that matters, and make sure all the employees feel good and can work without stress.” “-And how many employees are they?” “-Right now, we are less than 10, but I plan on expanding a lot, so there will always be something to do for you” “-Then I have a question” You said those words without thinking “-Yes, tell me, is it about the pay, or the schedule?” “-N-no, it’s just that…..I have an assistant where I work actually…would it be possible for her to join too?” The thought of Somi joining this place with you gave you confidence “-I’ll think about it, but wouldn’t she distract you? It’s the one you were thinking about in the elevator, right?” She smiled again, reading you like a book “-I don’t want to leave her behind, she is qualified for any work, I just don’t want to make her think I abandoned her” “-I see…. that might be possible, but I have a few more questions first, you don’t mind?” You saw a little light appear in her eyes, but you were so happy that Somi could come too to notice “-Ask me anything, I’ll answer as honestly as possible” You flashed her your best smile “-Did you fucked her?” She said that with a really serious look “-E-Excuse me Lisa?” You were struggling to breath “-I asked you if you fucked her, yes or no” “-I…. yes, I did, but before you tell me you can’t hire me for that…“ You started to justify yourself, but she stopped you “-Oh don’t worry, it’s not something that would eliminate you… It’s something that makes you win some points” her smile became a bit more lustful, her eyes scanning you behind her glasses “-Uh? What do you mean?” An alarm started to ring in your mind, but you didn’t knew why “-I mean it’s a plus if you don’t mind fucking your coworkers to get them rid of stress” She got up and come sit on her desk just in front of you, her skirt going up little by little while you tried to look somewhere else “And to make sure you can, it’s time for the test handsome” her voice became so charming she could have been a mermaid “-What should I do?” you gulped, feeling your mouth becoming dry “-If you can make me cum, you are hired right now, and I’ll do my best to find a way to bring your assistant too, if she accept of course, but If you can’t, well we would had fun but it would be all” she whispered it in a sexy tone that made you lose all common sense “So, should we get started?” What brings you back to the reality was the sound of her skirt coming off and your body moving on his own to her command

You kneeled in front of her, kissing her toned thighs through her panty hose while your hands started to wander from her legs to her shirt, unbuttoning it slowly and enjoying each little part of her skin you uncovered with your fingertips. Your mouth went upper and upper till it reached her soaked panties, your tongue making a bigger mess by licking it, her delicious monas making you more daring, you slipped your hands under her bra, to discover her tits were bigger than you first thought, just the right size to fill your hands and pinch her nipples, making Lisa’s moan a bit louder. “-Keep going handsome” Her hands were going through your hair as you slide her panties aside and start lick her pussy directly, she was as sweet as honey and burning hot, your tongue dancing from her holes to her clit in a choreography led by her moans and compliments, happily doing a good job. Suddenly you felt her getting wetter, so you focused on her clit, sucking and licking it with all till a juice explosion happened, you couldn’t hear it because of her thighs, but you were sure Lisa’s screams echoed through the whole building, her pussy drenching your face spasm after spasm before her legs released your head. You took a deep breath, glad of your work when she pushed you back on your seat.

“-Well you are hired, fuck it’s been a while since someone could eat me like that” she smiled at you “Now consider this as a bonus” She started kissing your neck while rubbing herself against you, her body moving in a hypnotizing way, her ass getting on your lap over and over making you harder than ever. “-If you do your work as nicely as you made me cum, I’m sure I could reward you with more than that” Her whispers made you start to see stars, how could you even take more than that without getting crazy? You swore to yourself that you would do your best to make the job. “-I’ll do my best Lisa” those words left your mouth between two moans “-Good boy” Her smile was even more mesmerizing from there, just before she kissed you “Maybe we should stop there, your phone is getting crazy” You were so hypnotized that you didn’t notice, and when you looked at it, it was just filled with notifications of missed call and message from Somi. “-Fuck….You’re right, but our deal is still up, you’ll do your best so she can join too?” you were worried that she said that without thinking it suddenly “-Of course I was serious, but she must accept” Her smile became much smoother, like someone looking at a love story and finding it really cute ————————————————————————

You excused yourself, Lisa telling you she will send your contract through mail, as well as your schedule and a list of the employees she was worried about. As soon as you reached the building entrance, you were wondering how you would tell it to Somi, not only about the new job, but also how you got it…. Maybe it was better to keep quiet about that part, but this secret could blow to your face anytime if you both work there. You choose to send her a message “Meet me at the coffee shop when you can, I’ll wait you there” and headed there, ordering her fav drink and waiting for her. “-Hey, sorry that I kept you waiting” Somi arrived, still looking a bit sad, but at least she isn’t screaming at you “-Hey, don’t worry, take a seat” You smiled at her “-So, how your meeting went?” She looked genuinely worried for that “I mean, you are good at what you do, there is no reason it went wrong…” her eyes glowed a bit “-I did well and I’m hired, but I have another news…Well two in fact, a good one, and one that I don’t know how to tell” You looked embarrassed and suddenly, you thought that maybe you should have tell her this at home, so there would be no scandal “-Hm tell me both of them” She raised her eyebrow “And don’t worry, I won’t scream here, I’ll wait till we get outside” She smiled, but it was looking like a threat “-Well, the good one is that if you want, you can also come…” “-OH REALLY, that’s amazing!” She looked so happy suddenly “-BUT this job will require me to do some…. Special things, like taking care of any employee who needs to release some stress…. And that’s also the test I had to pass to be hired…” Your heartbeat went crazy “-You…you mean you had to …. I see” her gaze became cold “And you want to tell me you can’t keep going with me because of that?” “-NO, that’s not that, it’s just that I don’t want you to find out someday…. I’m happy when I’m with you Somi, like a ray of sun after the storm, but if we want to have a better life, this job will be perfect…” “-And what if I don’t want to watch you be… be a whore for your company?” The words hurted more than you thought “-Then we will have to keep working for that moron till the end of time” You tried to joke, but her eyes told you it wasn’t the time “-I…I don’t know, I don’t think I could watch you doing that every day with other girls” her eyes were getting filled with tears “-Somi…” “-No, I think I’ll stay in this shitty company, someday I’m sure we could talk about this while laughing, but right now, I don’t want to hear you” She got up and started to go away, leaving you alone, seeing you abandoning you broke something in you.

You tried to send her messages, but she ignored them all, so you stopped trying, and asked Lisa when you could start working. Her answer was the following week, accompanied by the schedule and a list of 4 employees who would be under your direct orders. She also asked you about your assistant, or if you would need one, your only answer was “I wish I could fast forward time, but for now, she won’t be part of this.” You sent the mail, and wondered how you could fix this while keeping this job, but you knew it would take time, and at the moment, you were too exhausted by everything that happened to find the solution.

[definitelynotafurinasimp]

Them with a reader that tries to be Santa Claus

alternatively: Them with a reader that dresses up to hand out gifts

characters: Charlotte / Clorinde / Furina / Navia x gn!reader (separate)

warnings: none, just fluff

a/n: Soon is christmas eve, aka the day I celebrate christmas on, so Merry Christmas everyone! And Happy Holidays/a nice weekend to those of you that don't celebrate! I hope you all have a great time!

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Charlotte

The moment Charlotte first heard about the series of break-ins happening all over Fontaine, she set her mind on investigating them and writing a piece on them once she found the culprit. It wasn't every day that such an interesting case revealed itself after all, and letting it go to waste was the exact opposite of what a self-respecting journalist would do.

All of which was to say that meet-ups between you and Charlotte became rarer as her entire focus shifted towards her new project. So when you finally got the chance to meet, you wanted to make the most of it, getting each other up to speed on what you had been doing these past few days as quickly as possible before moving on to different topics.

“Now that I remember! I saw this really funny red and white coat and hat at that store recently, so I–” you were in the process of rambling while bending downwards and trying to fish the aforementioned hat out of your bag, when Charlotte suddenly interrupted you, her eyes wide open as she seemingly just remembered something.

“That reminds me of something! Have you heard of the recent break-ins all around the city? I’m currently investigating them, I’m sure it will make for a fantastic article, maybe even one of my best.” She asked, causing your head to tilt slightly as you stared at her in confusion, trying to recollect whether you’ve heard of them or not.

“Break-ins? Sorry Charlotte, this is the first I’ve heard of it. What made you remember it all of a sudden, though?” You returned the question, still bent down as you looked up at her.

“Apparently the perpetrator was seen wearing a red and white coat by eye-witnesses. It didn't seem like they wanted to remain hidden at all, especially since they left behind items each and every time, spanning from children’s toys to pieces of clothing… Oh! Maybe they are trying to threaten their victims!?”

The moment you heard Charlotte’s description, you froze, staring at her with increasingly wider eyes while slowly returning to your original position, putting the red hat back onto the bottom of your bag while shifting its contents around until it was covered by another item.

“Oh! Sorry for interrupting you, I just really wanted to tell you about it before I forgot, so I kinda ran my mouth. What were you saying about the hat and coat you saw while shopping?” Charlotte shifted her attention back to you, her usual big smile on her lips as she apologized, causing your face to nearly start blushing.

“O-oh yeah… I thought about how weird they looked. Like, who in their right mind would buy something that stupid looking? Right?” You nervously laughed it off before quickly changing the topic.

Maybe– just maybe –today wasn’t the day to tell Charlotte about your brilliant idea to surprise people with gifts.

Clorinde

It was fair to say that if someone had asked Clorinde how she imagined her evening to go, “having to convince the guardes to release you after they had to fish your half-conscious and yet still screaming body out of some families chimney after you got stuck in it upside-down” definitely wasn’t going to be her predicted response. And yet here you were anyway. Having to explain the whole situation to a pair of justifiably disturbed parents and their child was exhausting enough, but having to do the same to Fontaine’s police force was a completely different story.

“Miss Clorinde, you want to tell me that the subject attempted to climb down someone’s chimney to… deliver them a present? I know the two of you are close, but are you absolutely sure that your perception of them might not be skewed by your relationship? Having to confront the fact that a friend or partner might not be as kind or innocent as thought can be a difficult process.” The guard asked her once again, a compassionate look on his face, only for Clorinde to shake her head resolutely.

“I’m absolutely sure of it. They may do questionable things from time to time, but there’s no doubt in my mind their intentions were well-meaning.” She responded, causing the guard to let out a deep sigh before putting his signature on the piece of paper in front of him.

“If that’s the case, you can pick them up over there… just please make sure to tell them not to do anything like it again. When it happens once, it could be a misunderstanding… if it happens twice, there’s no excuse.”

-

When the two of you finally left the building, you were holding on to Clorinde tightly, tears rolling down your face as your whole body trembled.

“I’m never doing it again. I thought I was going to die there! Can you imagine how scary it is to be stuck in such a tight place? I couldn’t even move my arms!” You finally managed to form a few coherent sentences, taking deep breaths every once and again as you didn’t seem to calm down until Clorinde reluctantly put one of her arms around you.

…There was nothing wrong with showing weakness, but could the two of you please go home please?

“Why are chimneys so small in the first place?” You eventually asked, not specifically aimed at Clorinde, rather any chimney Archon that might be eavesdropping on your conversation, causing her to let out a small sigh she didn’t realize she had held in before starting to move.

“Let’s get you home first before we discuss architectural matters.”

Furina

If you had asked her on any other day, Furina would have shot down your idea in an instant. The mental image of the former Hydro Archon donning a red hat, coat and fake white beard before handing out small presents to the residents of Fontaine passing by on the street being horrible enough to make her visibly cringe. And yet, when you asked in what was a conversation littered with jests, she jokingly accepted, thinking nothing more of it and quickly forgetting your proposal… that was until she opened her door on one winter day, only to find you standing there, dressed in the same outfit you had described all this time ago, with a second one in your bag.

While you seemed to have the time of your life, talking with a child and their parent in as deep of a voice as you could muster before showing them a big smile, letting out the same laugh she had at one point found amusing before quickly growing sick of it and handing them a small toy, the same could not be said for Furina. 

Sure, she did her best to imitate your cheerful act, her career as an actress making her performance perfect enough that Furina was sure no one was able to tell it was just a charade, but saying she was having a blast would be far from the truth…

“And? Is it as bad as you thought it was going to be?” You asked her in what was barely more than a whisper, making sure nobody around you would be able to hear your voice.

“This is embarrassing. I cannot believe I actually agreed to this. Aren’t you scared someone will find out who you are?” Furina responded in kind, only for you to let out your deep laugh once again, nearly causing her to cringe then and there. 

“Anyone looking for Furina would look for someone clearly just acting. So throw your worries out the window and just embrace the ridiculousness and you won't have to worry about a thing”, you explained, before giving her an amused smile. “Try it.”

“Try what–” Furina asked you in a confused manner, only for it to click the moment the words left her mouth, “--No. I’m not doing the laugh.”

“I promise you’ll start to enjoy this whole thing if you just do it.”

“I–... I cannot believe I’m actually starting to consider it.” Furina cut herself off with a sigh, before once again opening her mouth and finally following your advice. Letting out as deep of a laugh as possible while approaching the next parent and child she saw, only to receive a smile from you in response.

“Ho Ho Ho! What’s your name? Let me take a look at my list to see if you were a good child this year.”

Navia

Handing out gifts was one thing both you and Navia appreciated. No matter how much money you had, seeing someone’s eyes light up when they received a present was enough to turn even a middling day into a good one. And if there was one demographic besides your loved ones that felt great to give gifts to, it were children, so when you pitched your idea of dressing up and delivering presents to Navia, she was quick to take you up on it.

Having the outfits designed and made, as well as putting enough money to the side to buy enough toys to hand out to a all children of Poisson and Fleuve Cendre as well as a few of Fontaine’s overground took quite a bit of time, but once it was finally done, you and a few of your colleagues were ready to head out.

As Navia sat in her office, nervously glancing at her clock every now and then while waiting for you to return, she couldn’t help but start to worry. Making a few rounds in the Fleuve Cendre shouldn’t take that long. Sure, the canalisation could be a bit disorienting from time to time, but you had been down there often enough to know its layout like the back of your hand. Maybe you just made a quick stop somewhere along your way? No, you wouldn't be two hours late if you did… or maybe you ran into trouble?

Just as Navia was about to start imagining horror scenarios however, a knock on her door interrupted her thoughts, and when you waltzed into her office with an apologetic smile, she let out a sigh of relief.

“Where’s your costume?” Navia’s attention shifted to your clothes once she finally calmed down, only to find the red coat and hat missing. With a slightly embarrassed smile you signaled to the bag in your hand, previously full of toys, now containing nothing but your outfit. 

“A few kids asked me to play tag… and I kind of– Heh, tripped and into the water.” You nervously explained as Navia observed the clothes in your bag. “The parents of the child didn’t let me leave before I washed up and they could clean my costume, saying it would be wrong after everything the Spina did to help them… so that’s why I was late.”

“When I took a walk around Poisson I saw a lot of smiling children today. I’m sure your idea brightened many days, so thank you. Welcome home.”

[astro-b-o-y-d]

Triangulum - Chapter 4 - The Morning After Bill

— — — — — — —

Despite the shroud of unease that lingered over the Shack throughout the night, darkness eventually faded into the warm sunlight of morning.

And even for someone like Ford—whose tireless efforts had left him with only a few pages of halfway-useful ideas, with the rest being banished to a crumpled and discarded pile in the fireplace—the morning sunlight that poured in from the window across the room brought with it a comfort.

“Seems kinda pointless to toss all that into a fireplace if you’re not going to actually set it on fire.”

Regardless of the stress that still lingered from the previous evening.

His gaze met the pair of slitted pupils—pupil? Ford hadn’t missed the way Bill’s right eye was less reactive than his left. A visual impairment, perhaps?—on the far side of the room, a toothy, cheshire grin spreading wide beneath them. “I’d bring up the whole ‘expert in burning things around here’ thing again, but I hate using joke more than once a millennia,” Bill said. “It’s like, I’ve had an eternity to perfect my material so doing a bit twice in such a short amount of time just feels so lazy. You get what I mean, Fordsy?” 

Despite his gaze being focused elsewhere, the tip of Ford’s pencil snapped against the paper for the millionth time across the past several hours. And with a bitten-back huff, he tore his attention from Bill again in favor of reaching towards the small end table at his side, hand briefly lingering over the gun he had kept there all night.

It would be easy enough to kill the body that Bill was currently possessing—as gruesome as the idea was, it was simply an undeniable fact. The body looked young, barely older than a teenager if Ford had to harbor an estimate. And that was before taking his…uncanny resemblance into account.

Ford had to physically restrain himself from casting another sidelong look at Bill, a shudder crawling up his spine as he disregarded the gun in favor of the pencil sharpener. He wasn’t sure how much of the remaining household had picked up on it—there was a high chance that Stan and the kids had noticed to some degree—but it was truly eerie how similar Bill’s vessel looked to Dipper.

The structure of his face, the way the hair hung down over his forehead just as Dipper’s did whenever he wasn’t wearing a hat—

“I mean—it was all kind of a blur when I possessed the guy. Didn’t exactly feel like stopping and sussing out all the details, not when the chance to stretch my legs again after spending nine months as a lawn ornament was right there in front of me.”

If Bill’s earlier claims were to be believed—Ford did not believe them in the slightest—then there were a few possibilities. Either some outside force had prevented him from getting a proper look at the vessel or Bill had simply jumped into it first with the intention of asking questions later.

…Admittedly, jumping first and asking questions later was a very Bill-esque way to approach a deal; one didn’t usually need to ask question with the power of omniscience on their side.

But if his earlier claims weren’t to be believed—once again, Ford did not believe them in the slightest—then there were even more possibilities. 

Bill had been lying through his teeth and had purposefully sought out a vessel that looked as uncomfortably-identical to Dipper as possible. And now he was determined to keep such awareness of his appearance as much of a secret as possible, for unknown—but likely sinister—reasons. Perhaps as a precautionary shield of sorts; with the assumption that most would hesitate first before putting a bullet through the eyes of someone that resembled their own.

A counterpoint to that theory was that Bill had asked for a mirror without prompting, but maybe that had been part of the lie? To throw the rest of them off track and push their assumptions towards one direction, all to take focus away from the other?

Of course, none of those theories and guesses brought up an answer to how Bill had managed to come across a new vessel in the first place. Or discussed the matter of the vessel’s original soul, one who had likely been tricked into making a deal with Bill—leaving them bound to the mindscape while he once again puppeteered a body that did not belong to him.

Nor did any of that address the biggest and most pressing issue at hand; how Bill was still alive at all.

With a sigh, Ford forewent the sharpening of his pencil in favor of staring numbly at the mess of discarded paper in the fireplace. Even after a full night of brainstorming, he was still left with both a physical and metaphorical pile of unanswered questions with no clear solution.

“What, are you actually considering that fire idea of mine?” Bill piped up from his spot. “And here I thought I was doomed to keep talking to the air.”

A cackle. “It’s really a shame I can’t hear inanimate objects with this body, the lovely ladies on the shelf over there look like the kinda gals who’ve got a lot of entertaining stories under their belts!”

After a few more seconds of disassociated staring—gaze locked firmly on the mess of paper in a desperate attempt to tune out Bill’s mockery—Ford finally resharpened his pencil to a fine point and returned it to the notebook page. 

Rather than continue writing, however, the tip lingered above the paper while he stared at the most recent sentence in silent consideration. And after another second more, he brought it beneath his words to scribble out a bold underline.

It wasn’t the best idea in the world, and it would all depend on whether or not the needed supplies would’ve kept their potency after all these years. 

But for now, it was an idea.

— — — — — — — 

“I’m awake!”

Mabel’s eyes snapped open as soon as the morning sunlight hit her eyelids, and she bolted upright so quickly that Waddles was sent rolling over onto his back with a surprised oink.

Despite his otherwise-unbothered state, Mabel still crawled to the end of the bed to pull him into a hug. “Sorry, buddy,” she cooed apologetically. “I didn’t realize you were back over here again!”

“He moved to your bed when we switched shifts an hour ago,” Dipper explained from his side of the room. “Guess you weren’t wrong about him being a good guard pig.”

With a tired laugh, she pressed several kisses to the top of Waddles’ head. “I told you! I’m just saying, maybe feeding Bill to him might actually get the job done.”

The laughter petered off as the events of the previous night came flooding back to them, and they exchanged an uncomfortable look. “Did…did you have any nightmares about him?” Dipper asked.

Mabel thought for a moment, the kisses now replaced with scritches to the top of the pig’s head as her affectionate gesture of choice.  “Not that I can remember,” she mused. “I had a dream where I was the size of a doll living in a dollhouse, and the little girl who owned it really wanted me to go for a drive in my convertible when I clearly wanted to go shopping at the mall!”

She pressed a finger to her chin. “But other than that, I think my dreams were pretty normal.”

“Yeah, mine too,” Dipper said. “I mean, I kept seeing triangles wherever I went. But it didn’t feel like anything I don’t normally dream about.”

A shrug as he reached up to brush the hair from his eyes. “Back when Bill visited me in my sleep last year, it felt a lot more—I dunno, vivid? Like it was something that could be happening in real life, you know? But nothing from last night felt that way.”

“I guess that means Grunkle Ford kept a close enough eye on Bill and he didn’t hop into anyone’s dreams, then,” Mabel said. “You think he’s really been up all night?”

“I’d believe it,” Dipper agreed with a nod. “You saw how freaked he was over Bill’s return, I don’t think he’s gonna sleep until Bill’s gone for good. I mean, for good-good this time.”

Mabel stuck her lower lip out in a pout. “Well, I hope he’s gone for good-good soon. I really want to be able to spend some time with Grunkle Ford this summer…”

“Yeah, me too.”

They exchanged another look, before Mabel placed her hands on her hips. “Welp, can’t think of a way to re-kill an evil, triangle jerkface on an empty stomach!” she said, and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Let’s go get breakfast!”

A gurgling sound from Dipper’s stomach brought a hand to his shirt, and he hopped down from his bed to join her on the floor. “Ugh, good call. I swear I ate, like, three helpings of lasagna last night, and somehow I’m starving again!”

“Ughughughhhhh, me too,” Mabel bemoaned as the two exited their room and made their way towards the stairs. “This puberty thing is the worst! Why are we always hungry?!”

“I know, right? Everyone went on and on about the acne and the body hair, but they didn’t think to mention how we’d be eating as much as your pet pig?”

Their griping continued as they headed down the stairs together, although Mabel’s decision to skip a step at a time soon brought her to the bottom floor before her brother, leaving her to amble on through the kitchen door by herself.

Her nostrils were immediately greeted by several different scents at once—coffee, pancake syrup and bacon being the most potent, seconded by the smell of lasagna with a charred, reheated undertone that could only be produced by two-and-a-half minutes in a microwave.

From the kitchen table—with a little bit of everything stacked on his plate—Soos greeted her with a wave and a cheerful: “‘Morning, girl dude!”

“Mmm, I smell bacon,” Mabel muttered, trudging sleepily over to the table to join him. “And I’d just like to clarify that even though I have a pet pig, I still want five pieces. At least!”

Melody cast her a smile and tossed more bacon into the pan. “I’ll see what I can do—uh, do you want crispy or crunchy? Because I’ll just warn you right now that I’m way better at making it crunchy.”

She shifted the pieces of bacon around with the end of the spatula. “In fact, the last time I tried making it crispy, I don’t think I fried it long enough. So I’d probably pick crunchy, because there’s less of a chance that I’ll undercook it.”

“Well, I still thought your undercooked bacon was delicious, babe,” Soos piped up loyally.

From the open fridge, a very groggy Wendy raised an eyebrow at him. “Didn’t you need to get your stomach pumped after eating too much?”

“Yes, and the doctor who did it was very polite!”

“Crunchy’s fine,” Mabel said, settling into an empty chair. “And my demand from before still stands.”

“Yeah, I’ll just stick to pancakes,” Dipper chimed in as he shuffled into the kitchen as well. “Morning, by the way.”

“Hey, dude!” Soos once again greeted, turning his attention to both twins as Dipper joined them at the table. “You two sleep okay? Especially with, uh—you know?”

The kitchen fell silent for a moment—save for the bacon sizzling away in the pan and the occasional scrape of the spatula as Melody continued to shift everything around for an even sear—before Dipper replied: “About as well as we could, yeah.”

“No dumb triangle guys in our dreams,” Mabel added. “Or at least, not the actual one. What about you guys?”

Wendy looked up from the fridge. “Eh, slept like I always do on that couch. Dead asleep around three am, while those early-morning infomercials play in a loop on the TV.”

After another moment of searching, she finally decided on the milk carton and swung the door shut behind her. “Pretty sure the only dream I had involved a talking watch that could also wash my dishes. If that means anything.”

While she held the carton up to her mouth for a swig, Melody moved some of the finished bacon to a plate. “When Soos and I slept, we slept fine,” she said. “But every so often, we’d wake up to go check on Dr. Pines.”

“Mornin’.”

The group turned to see Stan near the doorway, his groggy demeanor a clear indication that he had slept very little during the night. “Heard somethin’ about Ford,” he said, and held out his hand. “Gimme a plate of that bacon, then gimme the news.”

“As far as we know, nothing big happened,” Melody explained, and handed him a plate as instructed. “Every time we peeked in on them, Dr. Pines told us everything was fine while Bill was still tied to the chair.”

“Whaddabout the prisoner himself?”

“He’d call us a bunch of mean names whenever we checked in,” Soos added. “Or—well, he mostly just called me Question Mark. But the way he said it made it sound mean.”

He tapped his chin thoughtfully. “He also tried calling me Shirt at one point when I picked him up off the floor, but he went back on it pretty quick. Said it didn’t feel right.” A shrug. “Other than that, though, he didn’t really do anything.”

“Which probably means Ford didn’t have to do anything.” Stan exhaled with a sigh of relief. “Thanks for the update, Soos.”

“Would someone like to bring him a plate of food?” Melody asked. “I’ve pulled my fair share of all-nighters, I know how hungry they can make someone.”

Mabel’s expression brightened and she quickly hopped back down from the table. “I’ll do it! A hearty breakfast is sure to keep the Evil-Triangle-Killing gears turning in Grunkle Ford’s head!”

While Melody handed her a plate, Stan reached up to scrub the sleep from his eyes. “Well, it ain’t exactly how we expected our first day back to go, but can anyone really say they’re surprised?”

“I can’t,” Dipper said, hiding a yawn behind his hand. “Man, Dev’s gonna freak when he hears about what our trip’s been like so far.”

Suddenly Mabel’s eyes shot open wide as she slapped her own hand to the side of her face. “Dev! I completely forgot that he wanted to talk last night!”

“You wanna go call him now?” Dipper asked. “I’ll take Ford his breakfast, if you wa—”

He barely had time to finish his question before the plate was thrust into his hands and Mabel hurried back out of the kitchen towards the stairs. Waddles—who had sleepily ambled after the kids as they’d headed down to breakfast, and had been in the process of finally reaching the bottom step—promptly turned around as she whizzed past and began to head back up after her.

Stan watched until both of them disappeared out of sight, before looking down to Dipper. “Not gonna ask about all a’that, but if you don’t mind havin’ a tag-along to go feed Ford—” He flicked a thumb at himself. “—there’s at least one other Pines here that can get the job done.”

Dipper cast him a small smile. “Yeah, actually, I’d like that.”

Stan shifted the thumb away from himself into a proper thumbs up before the two of them exited the kitchen, making their way towards the hall and the bedroom that waited just beyond the corner.

— — — — — —

After his early-morning attempt to torment Ford, Bill had fallen into yet another thoughtful silence.

Sure, he’d barely gotten more than a sentence or two out of Ford over the course of the night, most of which had just been threats. But that didn’t stop him from stringing together a few things on his own, using the various context clues he’d gathered since he’d first regained consciousness.

First thing of note was the room itself. Several points from the previous evening informed him that it had shifted from a parlor room to a bedroom for Soos’s grandmother; her current location unknown and her overall existence the farthest thing from a priority to Bill. One less person to keep track of—and/or to wave a random weapon in his face—was perfectly fine by him.

But her owning a bedroom here at the Shack implied that she had moved in since the previous summer. Additional clues gathered throughout the night also implied that Soos and the woman who came to check on Ford with him—Bill didn’t care enough to pay attention to her name, but it was blatantly obvious that the two of them were an Item—had moved into the Shack with her, specifically into Ford’s old bedroom next door.

On the same topic of Soos and Who-Cares-About-Her-Name, Bill had heard them pass by the bedroom about thirty minutes prior and head towards the direction of the kitchen. Given how they had yet to return, he wagered a guess that a new day had rolled around and the household was springing to life once again.

None of that could be considered groundbreaking information to Bill, but it was always nice to get a clearer picture of what he was working with in terms of scenery. Sixer had allowed his home to be turned into Domestic City over the past nine months, how uncharacteristically quaint of him.

Speaking of which…

Bill tore his stare from the the shelf of porcelain dolls he had kept his attention on during the quieter parts of the night—hey, his earlier remark had been more than just a light joke; old porcelain dolls were always good for a chat or two when he could actually talk to them—and cast a glance back Ford again. 

He had briefly touched on his appearance the previous evening—mostly in the form of jokes about his silly beard—but there were a few other differences that could be spotted if one had spent several billion years honing the art of observing people.

Ford’s fashion sense was definitely not among those differences—not when he still donned the same red sweater and faded dark pants from the year prior. Even his glasses looked the same, sans the broken glass in the left lens being replaced at some point. Unsurprising in the slightest—ol’ Sixer hadn’t exactly been the kind of guy to keep up with the latest fashion trends.

But the crow’s feet around Ford’s eyes—ones that had been so deeply embedded that it was a miracle they hadn’t left scars—were fainter than before, and the dark circles that had once called the area beneath them home had faded to more of a light gray.

Overall, the aged ruggedness of his features had shifted to something more relaxed, more vital. As if he’d suddenly switched to a full four hours of sleep a night and lowered his daily coffee intake from twelve cups to eight, with an actual breakfast to go with them instead of just his usual nutrition pills.

All of that, and something else Bill couldn’t quite pinpoint. 

A fact that made his scowl lower as his gaze shifted from Ford to the gun on the nightstand. It had been pretty easy to piece together that Ford was scribbling down methods to try and kill him, likely without causing any lethal harm to his current vessel. 

The latter was only mere speculation, once again tying back to his original thoughts upon regaining consciousness. But combined with the events of the previous evening, where the worst harm inflicted on him was nothing more than a punch to the eye—painful and annoying, but clearly nothing that was going to kill him—and an entire night of all bark and no bite when it came to Ford firing a bullet, Bill felt far more secure in his initial assumption.

Ford was trying to find a way to kill him without killing the body itself. A relatively-easy conclusion to reach with the evidence presented to him.

So naturally, the temptation to reveal what he knew to Ford had been locked in a fierce and grueling battle with his common sense for most of the night.

It was a great risk for sure, but the pile in the fireplace granted Bill some reassurance that Ford was nowhere near an actual solution. And if he did have any ideas left in that tattered little notebook of his—no new journal, huh? An unusual choice, but perhaps it was just a temporary method of notetaking. Not like he could exactly write in the other ones after Bill had used them for kindling last year, haha!—they certainly weren’t going to be his A-game.

Needless to say, toeing the line in this instance felt like a safe bet on Bill’s end. Plus it’d double as a chance to redarken those circles and recarve those old crow’s feet at the edges of his eyes. 

Really remind Ford of just who he was dealing with here.

“It’s morning by now, right?” he finally asked aloud. “You must be tired, Fordsy.”

His remark earned him a dirty look from Ford, one he broke within seconds in favor of turning back to his work. An action that earned him a condescending sigh from Bill. “Still no dice on getting you to talk to me, huh? Can’t even take five minutes away from your mysterious scribblings to have a chat?”

With a laugh, he kicked his legs up in the air and clanked them back down against the chair in the most annoying fashion possible. “I’m just kidding, Stanford—I know what you’re trying to do,” he continued. “Obviously you’re trying to figure out a way to get rid of me, without killing the body of the poor sucker I’m possessing.”

He flashed him a toothy grin. “It’s why you just keep sticking that gun in my face instead of just pulling the trigger and busting out a mop to clean up the blood before it stains the floorboards, right?”

This earned him yet another sharp glare, one which masked something else behind Ford’s eyes that Bill once again struggled to decipher. Ugh, being stuck in a human vessel was so annoying; how was he supposed to reach his hand into someone’s mind cavity and really dig his fingers into their deepest fears and insecurities in a body like this?

Well, if he couldn’t poke and prod at the newer stuff, there was always the older spread for Bill to revisit. “No need to be get all huffy, Ford, I’m sure whatever brilliant plan you come up with will work so well,” he continued with another clank of his legs to the chair. “Like that memory gun trick~! I toldja last night how clever it was, right? Too bad you can’t go and Swiss cheese someone else’s mind this time around, huh?”

Another laugh escaped him, one that slowly faded into a dry, deadpan cackle as he folded one leg over the other. “I mean, you could always try it, but just know that it’ll be a lot trickier for me to go along with your little game again. And don’t think I won’t be counting the number of fingers on Goldfish’s hand—”

A light crunch of wood cut him off mid-sentence, and his eyes moved from Ford’s piercing glare to the pencil clutched tightly in his fist. The top half was bent at an unusual angle than before—a likely implication that it had snapped right in two, with Ford’s ironclad grip being the only thing keeping the pieces together at this point.

Well, he was definitely succeeding in getting under the man’s skin, that was clear~!

Before either of them could remark on the matter, however, the creaking of floorboards from further up the hall drew their attention to the door—

—and it was only seconds later before the creaking stopped just outside of it and Dipper’s voice called: “Grunkle Ford! Breakfast time!” from the other side.

Bill felt his eyes roll so far back into his head, he swore he got a glimpse at the useless lump of gray matter—or at least, it would normally be useless if he wasn’t the one taking it for a joyride—that humans called a brain. Great, one of the meddlesome little rugrats was acting as the Sunshine Brigade, and not even the fun one with the pig.

Well, at least he could probably get a kick out of scaring the little weenie. And at least said weenie’s voice succeeded in getting Ford to react with his own call of “Come on in.” as he set the broken pencil down on the nightstand.

The door was slowly pushed open with a hesitant hand to reveal the aforementioned Dipper and—

“Hope you’re feeling non-kosher today,” Stan piped up behind him. “If not, I’m snagging that bacon off your plate.”

Seriously? Didn’t Punchy Mc-No-Memory have anything better to do? What were there no tourists for him to currently scam or candy to snatch outta the grubby little hands of an underdeveloped human toddler?

Whatever, at least the two of them combined would bring some excitement into the room. “Oh, so both Pine Tree and Goldfish wanted to join the party this morning~?” he greeted with a bright grin. “Great, the more the merrier~!”

Dipper pushed the door open further and—while likely fighting the urge to wince at the sight of him—crossed the room to where Ford was seated. “Good morning! Melody prepped you a plate of food so you could eat while you worked.”

Despite his exhausted demeanor, Ford’s expression brightened at the sight of Dipper approaching him. “Thank you, Dipper,” he said, taking the offered plate with a warm smile. “Did you sleep well?”

“As well as I could with—well—”

He attempted—attempted and failed miserably—to give a subtle tilt of the head in Bill’s direction, to which Bill responded with a cackle. “You know, Pine Tree, it’s very rude to gossip about someone when they’re in the room!“ he taunted. “Don’t beat around the bush, go ahead and tell him how restless your sleep was now that I’m back~!”

He tilted his own head with a playful smile. “Also please feel free to go into any nightmares you might’ve had in intricate detail! I looooove flipping through the night’s haul every morning! It’s like reading the newspaper at breakfast, but with more teeth falling out of someone’s head!”

While Dipper finally lost against the urge to wince in response, Stan flicked a thumb in Bill’s direction. “So, he do anything outside of be an annoying little nuisance all night?”

“Outside of that, no,” Ford answered, setting his pencil down. “But after a while, it grew easier to ignore him.”

“Okay, well, that’s even ruder than gossiping about someone while they’re in the same room,” Bill said with a scoff. “Honestly, somebody should give this family a few pointers on guest hospitality.”

Stan cast him a sidelong look of disgust. “Little jerk really likes hearing himself talk, huh?”

“You have no idea,” Ford said wearily. “But hopefully he won’t be an issue for us much longer.”

“Did you find a way to deal with him?” Dipper asked.

Ford opened his mouth to reply, looked to Bill—

—then stood up in his chair. “Let’s discuss this out in the hallway.”

“Wow, again with the hallway meetings, huh?” Bill asked aloud. “While I’d normally be flattered at how often you chumps feel the need to play hush-hush with your plans, gossiping about someone where they can’t hear you is even ruder than doing it in the same room as them~!”

Despite his snark, Bill was elated by the thought of being left alone again. A few minutes to himself meant a chance to search for something sharp enough to cut his binds.

Sure, getting Ford to do it for him was still the preferable option. But if a chance to take care of the issue himself was presented to him, who was he to look a gift horse in the mouth—

“Whaddabout him?”

Stan’s voice and pointed finger in his direction pulled Bill from his thoughts. “Think it’s safe to leave him all by himself?” 

Bill’s brow furrowed at the question. Guess being a spoilsport ran in the family, huh?

Oh, well. Nothing he couldn’t twist in his favor. “What do you mean, Goldfish?” he asked with a kick of his feet. “I’m still just as tied up as I was last night, aren’t I? What could I possibly do while you’re all busy discussing Sixer’s oh-so-clever plan to get rid of me~?”

An even bigger risk than before. To reveal all of that to Ford was one thing, but to reveal it to other people?

Eh, Pine Tree hadn’t even picked up on his little laptop stunt last year and Goldfish was more brawn than brain—Bill could afford to play loose and fast here.

Dipper shot Bill an uneasy glare before turning his attention up to Stan. “I hate to agree with him, but he does have a point: what can he really do while he’s all tied up like that?”

Oh, Pine Tree, you wonderful, reliable idiot. “Yeah, yeah, listen to the kid!” Bill agreed. “Unless you feel like leaving him to babysit me~?”

Okay, well, that one wasn’t so much of a risk as it was sticking his hand in a bucket of defanged piranha—the end result was so pathetically safe and predictable that it was almost not worth the effort. And sure enough, Dipper’s immediate wincing at the suggestion proved that he had bluffed successfully. “Guess that’s a no, huh?” he asked with a flash of his teeth. “What’s wrong, Pine Tree? Don’t feel like spending some quality time with me? I know I could use the company, ol’ Fordsy over there was a total drag the entire night.”

He pointed a leg in the direction of the porcelain doll collection. “And like I was telling him earlier; in a pathetic, unevolved body like this, I couldn’t even settle for a conversation with the girls on the shelf over there! Such a shame, Lupita on the middle one looks like she has quite the tongue for gossip—”

“Alright, that’s it.”

Before anyone—Bill included—could react, Stan stormed over to the chair and lightly pushed it backwards onto the floor. And before Bill could let out more than an agitated “Hey—HEY!”, Stan nudged the chair forward with his foot until the top rail was tucked beneath the underside of Abuelita’s bed. 

Leaving Bill unable to rotate the chair in any direction without the top clanging against the bed. And despite his best attempts to flail around helplessly, face reddening with anger by the second, the chair—and by extension, his own body—remained firmly in place on the ground.

Stan turned back to Ford with a grin. “So hallway, then?”

“Hallway.”

After a collective nod, the three of them shuffled out of the room. Leaving Bill to once again slump against his restraints with a huff and cast another glare in the direction of the porcelain shelf. “Not a single word outta you, Lupita!”

— — — — —

Once the door was pulled firmly shut behind them, Dipper asked: “Has he really been like that all night?”

“Sadly he picked up on the fact that I would’ve preferred not to use the gun unless absolutely necessary,” Ford explained, with a scrub at his weary eyes. “So he was probably taking advantage of that for as long as he could.”

“Yeesh,” Stan said with a wince. “So, uh—hate to go the gruesome route first, but why can’t we just take the little gremlin and—” 

He held a pair of fingers to his temple and made a shooting motion with his hand. “I know it ain’t the best idea, what with the whole…you know—”

They turned towards Dipper in unison, who reached for his own arm with a grimace. “Oh…you guys saw it too, huh?”

“Kinda hard not to see it,” Stan pointed out, and glanced over at Ford again. “But uh—I’m guessing that’s the main reason we’re not trying it?”

“There are plenty of reasons why I’m abstaining from killing Bill in his current form,” Ford explained, before casting a sympathetic look to Dipper. “Although the resemblance to you is certainly one of the bigger reasons as to why I’m hesitant to try.”

Dipper gave him a small, grateful smile in return. “I mean, if it helps, I accidentally killed a ton of my own clones last year,” he said. “Plus I did have some pretty dark thoughts about what I wanted to do to Dippy Fresh in Mabel’s dream world.”

He shrugged nervously. “So, you know, if you really have to kill him while he looks like me—”

His words were cut off with a weak laugh as Ford pressed a comforting hand to the top of his head. “Well, I’ll keep that in mind for sure,” he said, before both hand and smile fell again. “But there are other reasons as to why I’m hesitant. One of the main ones being that we have no way of knowing if killing the body would kill Bill himself.”

“Whaddaya mean?” Stan asked.

“Bill’s a creature of the mind,” Ford explained, pressing a finger to his temple. “One who lacks a physical form, and needs to resort to possessing those of us in the real world if he wishes to accomplish anything in this dimension.”

He gestured to himself, then to Dipper. “It’s why he had to use both Dipper and myself as his vessels on separate occasions.”

Stan’s gaze shifted awkwardly between them. “Oh, uh—right.”

“He mentioned something like that last year,” Dipper added. “About how if you don’t have a vessel, you’re basically a ghost in the mindscape.”

“Precisely,” Ford continued. “Based on his current appearance, he’s likely made some sort of deal with an unsuspecting person and claimed a new vessel as his own. But if a form of harm—or worse, death befell that vessel, it would leave the poor soul of whoever he’s possessing without a body, and him free to bounce around the mindscape again.”

He crossed his arms. “Which would just leave him completely unbound to our dimension and leave us back at square one.”

“So…if we can’t kill him and we can’t remove him from his vessel, then what can we do?” Dipper asked.

“Ah, well, I never said we couldn’t remove him from the vessel,” Ford pointed out. “I simply said that using the most drastic method available would be a poor decision, with no guarantee that it would actually kill Bill himself.”

A pause. “Plus there’s the natural reluctance that most people tend to face when presented with the idea of putting a bullet into a teenager’s head. Obviously.”

“I mean, if the kid’s possessed by someone who tried to destroy the universe, I don’t think anyone in their right mind’s gonna get huffy at you for pullin’ the trigger,” Stan pointed out. “But if we’re not doing that, then—what are we doing?”

“My current best idea is to take Bill down to my lab and try an artificial means of exhausting the body,” Ford explained. “In the hopes of exorcizing Bill from it in a safe and controlled environment, and to possibly bind him to a vessel where he’ll be unable to move around freely.”

He pressed a thoughtful hand to his chin. “Perhaps if we’re lucky, it will also grant the body’s original host a chance to retake control. And if they do, maybe they’ll be able to answer any further questions we might have regarding the situation. Answers we're surely not going to get from Bill himself."

He raised his hands in a shrug. “And even if none of that works, it might still give us a clearer picture as to what kind of possession we’re dealing with, and hopefully steer us towards a method that will actually kill Bill for good.”

Stan blinked. “...Now say it in layman’s terms for the kid, in case he didn’t catch that—”

“He’s going to try and make Bill so tired that he leaves the body, but can’t escape from the lab,” Dipper explained. “And move him to a vessel where he won’t cause more trouble and also doesn’t look like me, while maybe giving the original body back to whoever owned it.”

“Oh!” Stan said, and began to crack his fists. “Well, I mean—if you need a way to tire the little guy out, there’s nothin’ better than a good, old-fashioned round of fisticuffs—”

“No, Stanley,” Ford interrupted. “I appreciate both of you bringing me breakfast, but I’ll be handling this on my own.”

“Wh—” Stan’s hands fell to his side. “Seriously? You’re really not gonna let anyone help you with this?”

“Yeah, I’ve gotta side with Grunkle Stan on this one,” Dipper added. “You said yourself that you’ve been up all night, having to listen to Bill do everything he can to get under your skin. Are you sure you don’t want any help dealing with him now that the rest of us are awake?”

A shrug. ”Or, you know, someone to at least watch him while you take a nap?”

“Atta boy, Dip,” Stan praised, before pointing a finger at his brother. “Like I said last night, I can watch over Bill for you while you get some sleep. If you don’t want me to kill him, I won’t—I’ll just keep an eye on him—”

“I believe I gave my answer last night,” Ford said firmly, turning back to the door. “I’ve got a few plans in mind, and if it turns out that I’m unable to accomplish this goal on my own, only then will I ask for help.”

“...Will you?”

Ford’s hand froze just above the doorknob, and he turned back to Stanley with a raised eyebrow. “Come again?”

“Will you ask for help?” Stan repeated with more boldness as he leaned closer. “Because you’ve got a guy who’s practically throwin’ himself at you to help, and you keep saying you can handle this by yourself.”

“I said I will ask for help if I’m unable to handle it by myself, Stanley,” Ford replied, narrowing his eyes. “And so far, I’ve been able to handle it just fine—”

“Uh, maybe I should just—”

Dipper shifted uncomfortably in place, before taking a step backwards. A motion that caused both men to turn to him with looks of concern. “It’s alright, Dipper, you can go,” Ford reassured him with a smile. “And thank you for bringing me breakfast, I really appreciate it.”

“Yeah, go on and get, kiddo,” Stan added with a wave. “Actually, why don’t you go check on your sister, or somethin’? Don’t know if she got any food in her.”

“Hmm, come to think of it, I don’t think she did,” Dipper mused thoughtfully. “I should probably go fix that, huh?”

He turned and hurried back down the hall, the older men waiting until he disappeared from sight to face each other again. “Come on, Ford,” Stan asked, flicking a thumb towards the door. “You’ve been at this all night, and the only idea you’ve got isn’t even one that’s gonna kill him.”

“I realize it’s not the best idea,” Ford said. “But if it works, we can always trap Bill in a safer environment and—”

“And what, stay up for another week as you keep looking for a way to actually kill him?” Stan interrupted. “And what happens if you don’t find one? Are you just gonna stay up forever and let this Bill stuff takes over your life again?”

“If I have to, then yes,” Ford said firmly, and turned to face the door again. “What other choice do I have, let Bill wander around freely and attempt to destroy the universe again?”

“You have the choice to let someone else babysit the little jerk while you rest for five minutes!”

Much like the evening prior, Ford felt a hand clasp his shoulder tightly. “Ford, just—don’t you remember what I said at the bus stop yesterday?” Stan asked, pleaded. “About not having to deal with anything by ourselves ever again? What, did you think I was lying when I said that?”

Ford froze at that question, hand less than an inch from the doorknob.

He wasn’t lying. Of course he wasn’t lying.

But that was the issue in itself.

His shoulders tensed beneath Stan’s hand as his thoughts drifted back to the events of the previous day. Those looks Stanley had given him after their arrival, the way he’d dodged his concerns back at the mermaid tank.

Ford had initially written them off as his own paranoia, as something to not concern himself over. But Stan had said as much himself yesterday; he would toss himself in front of another blast of the Memory Gun to protect his family again. So willing to let himself burn if it meant keeping the others warm.

Was it truly his paranoia talking when it came to those thoughts? Or—

“I don’t know, Stanley. Were you?”

The question escaped Ford’s mouth before he could stop himself, leaving Stan to stare at him with a perplexed look. “What? Whaddaya talkin’ about?”

Ford hesitated to reply at first, but eventually continued with: “You said we could talk to each other about anything. But ever since we’ve arrived at the Shack, you keep looking at me like you’ve got something you need to say but refuse to say it.”

“Again, I ask: whaddaya talkin’ about?”

“The way you looked at me last night at dinner,” Ford explained. “And…and back at the mermaid tank when we were talking with the others. You kept looking at me like you wanted to tell me something, but the one time I actually asked you if anything’s wrong, you just brushed it off with a joke!”

He folded his arms. “How am I supposed to believe you when you say we don’t have to deal with hardships by ourselves anymore when you can’t even grant me the same courtesy in return?”

Stan blinked at him a few times, before his eyes narrowed. “Are you ki—you cannot be serious, Stanford! Are you really not letting me help you deal with Bill because—because you think I’m hiding something from you?!”

The implications of what Stan had said hit them both like a truck, any aggravation that had been building between them instantly replaced with identical looks of shock. Shock that lingered for a few, agonizingly long seconds before—

“You know what, I need to get back to work,” Ford said, and spun to face the bedroom door again.

“Ford, I—”

It was as far as he got before the door slammed shut in his face.

Stan lingered where he stood, too stunned to properly move or react. And much like the previous evening, the idea of barging into the room after Ford once again flashed to the front of his mind. 

Barging in, making a scene—heck, he even eyed the dent on the wall where Ford had swung a fist the night before, his own hand balling into a fist as the temptation to follow suit swelled inside him.

But despite the red flooding his vision, he still had enough of a grasp on his common sense to know that making a whole scene—especially in front of Bill—would only make things more difficult for Ford. It would only push him further away, only make him close himself off even more than he already was, only make him bury himself further in his work and sleepless isolation—

“Are you really not letting me help deal with Bill because—because you think I’m hiding something from you?!”

If he hadn’t done that already, after implying that Ford—the man who had spent several decades being lied to and manipulated by the very same demon in the next room—was just being paranoid because he didn’t want Stan's help. 

“Well, we have you to thank for the idea, Dr. Pines.”

That Ford’s accusations about him were just based on nothing.

“None of this would’ve happened without you, Grunkle Ford!”

That Ford had been anything but completely right about him.

Great. Great. 

Just another way he’d royally screwed things up.

It took every ounce of restraint that Stan could possibly muster to once again force his balled fist to his side, before he turned and stormed back down the hallway.

And once he was sure that Ford wouldn’t be able to hear him, he finally swung it hard at the wall near the stairs, the wood splintering beneath his knuckles with a loud cracking sound.

A sound that unfortunately attracted the attention of the remaining kitchen-goers, Soos poking his head out less than a second later. “Mr. Pines? Is everything okay?” he asked. “Are you still hungry? Melody made more bacon—”

Stan barely managed a grunt and a “Goin’ out to the boat!” in response before he continued onwards out the front door—he left it ajar; Soos would close it behind him and Stan knew for a fact that if he tried to close it himself, the slam would be loud enough to wake up the entire town—down the porch steps and towards the direction of the boat at the edge of the yard.

— — — — — — — —

“You know, most people would be mad about being left on the floor while you went out in the hallway to gossip with your blowhard brother and a kid who probably has Baby’s First Conspiracies memorized cover to cover—”

Clank, clank.

“—but lucky for you, Fordsy, I’m in just as much of a forgiving mood as I was yesterday—”

Clank, clank.

“Honestly, I kinda like laying down on the floor like this! In fact, I could stay here forever!”

While Bill continued to rock his body back and forth—causing the top of the chair to clank loudly against the underside of the bed—Ford remained with his back to the door, too submerged in his own troubling thoughts to pay him any mind.

“Are you really not letting me help deal with Bill because—because you think I’m hiding something from you?!”

The question was like a chilling rush of ice water to his veins. Stanley really thought that he wasn’t letting him help because he didn’t trust him? After all they’d experienced together, after everything they’d gone through—

After everything that Stanley had sacrificed to save the universe, Ford had the gall to imply right to the man’s face that he didn’t trust him? To imply that Stan was being secretive about something, based on evidence as miniscule as responding strangely to a question about his mood? A response that Ford himself had originally brushed off as his own paranoia getting the better of him?

And what had changed about that original mindset to cause such doubt in Ford’s mind? Stanley’s constant insistence to help deal with Bill? A natural response to have when someone he cared about was in need?

Yeah, definitely worthy of the cruel accusations Ford had tossed at him.

He remained rigid against the door, and it was only once he heard the telltale sound of floorboards creaking their way up the hallway on the other side that he finally moved back to the chair and his waiting breakfast.

“Not even a look at me, huh?” Bill piped up from the floor. “Wow, did your chat really go that badly?”

He kicked his legs straight up into the air with a thoughtful look. “Come to think of it, that’s what—twice now that you’ve gone out into the hallway with him and come back looking worse than you normally do? And here I thought I was joking when I said the two of you were fighting.”

Devilish laughter followed his remark, and he gave the top of the chair another clank against the bed. “But even after nine months and a homemade bout of amnesia, you Pines twins really can’t get along, can you?”

Ford stuffed a piece of bacon into his mouth, fighting desperately to keep his attention fixed on his plate of food. A repeat of his unsaid sentiments from the previous evening; that damned demon could chatter on all he wanted.

He could say whatever he wanted, tease him however he wanted—

He finally turned back to his list of potential ideas, gaze landing on the one he had underlined earlier in the morning.

He swapped his plate for the notes and returned to where Bill was still situated. After a few more clanks of his legs against the chair, Bill flashed him a wide grin. “Aw, have you decided to finally pick me up—oh, actually, you have.”

Ford grabbed the end of the chair leg and pulled it out from beneath the bed, Bill’s grin only widened further as he set the entire thing back up in a standing position. “Well, well, well, you’re finally listening to me again,” he said smugly. “It’s about time you—hey, what are you doing?”

While Bill had prattled on, Ford had moved to the rope by the wall—the one that had been abandoned for most of the night. Originally he’d planned on using it to tie Bill’s legs to the chair, but circumstances had prevented him from getting around to actually accomplishing that throughout the course of the evening.

If anything, that had worked out in Ford’s favor. If he was truly going to try his attempt at exorcizing Bill, this would save him a trip to the storage room.

After slinging the rope over his shoulder, he returned to the chair and placed his hand on the back, before scooping it up from the floor in one fluid motion. Further ignoring Bill’s follow up remark of: “Welp, guess we’re leaving~! Too bad, I was starting to grow fond of those porcelain dolls! They’re great nightmare fuel!”, he kept his grip on the chair and lead both of them out into the hallway.

Leaving the barely touched plate and scrapped pile of ideas abandoned in the room.

— — — — — —

Dipper trudged up the stairs and towards the room at the back of the attic, the sound of Mabel’s voice growing louder and clearer as he approached the bedroom door; “Yeah, sorry, things got a little crazy last night,” she was saying. “We literally got into town and the bus had to stop because some gnomes and Lilliputtians were fighting in the middle of the road!”

“Did you snap any pics?” Another voice piped up.

A long, sad sigh. “No, we didn’t think to at the time. Sorry, I know you would’ve loved it.”

Dipper pushed the door to the bedroom open to the sight of Mabel seated near her bed, phone in hand as Dev continued to speak through it: “Eh, no worries, you guys have all summer,” they said. “I’m sure you’ll be able to get pics of all the other weird stuff that town has to offer.”

“Hey, Dev!” Dipper called as he approached the bed. “Just letting you know that I’m now in the room, so no making kissy faces at each other!”

“Psh, who says?” Mabel asked. “We can make kissy faces at each other all we want, whenever we want!”

“Hey, Dip!” Dev called in return. “Mabel was just telling me about your busy first day, and why she forgot to call.”

“So I heard. Hey, scoot over.”

Mabel obliged, and he planted himself down on the floor next to her. “Did she tell you about how we got carried up to the shack by a Manotaur?”

“Ugh, you guys have all the luck!” Dev whined. “I wish I could’ve convinced Aaron to let me join you guys up there for the summer!”

“Ehh, I don’t know about that one, Dev,” Dipper said. “It wasn’t all gnomes and Manotaurs once we got back to town. See, after we got to the Shack—”

“Our Grunkle Ford had to deal with a whollleeee lot of old business stuff!” Mabel interrupted quickly. “Lots of nerd stuff—not the cool nerd stuff that you like, boring nerd stuff—that might keep him busy all summer, and we might not get to spend as much time with him as we thought we would.”

“Aww, boo,” Dev said supportively. “You were so excited about getting to spend the summer with him! You even made that sweater and everything!”

“Right?! But hopefully he gets it all dealt with in time for us to do lots of fun Grunkle-and-great-niece-slash-nephew activities!”

She paused for a moment. “Ugh, that’s a mouthful. What’s a better way to say great-niece-and-nephew?”

“...Gniece and Gnephew?” Dev suggested. “Like gnome but the g isn’t silent?”

Mabel’s eyes went wide and she clutched the phone to her cheek. “Ugh, you’re the SMARTEST smarty-pants in the world~!” she cooed, kicking her feet. “I’m soooo gonna use that now!”

“Anyway, sorry for not checking in last night, Dev,” Dipper chimed in. “Just assume that if we go a while without calling you, we’re probably being held captive by like…mutant tree people or something.”

“Wait, you guys have mutant tree people up there?!” Dev asked excitedly. “Maaaaan—next year I’ve gotta convince Aaron to let me go up there with you guys—”

There was a muffled shout in the background, before Dev said: “Oh, he’s calling me down to breakfast, I’ve gotta go.”

“No problem, we’re supposed to be eating breakfast now, too,” Dipper added. 

“Bye, Dev~!” Mabel said sweetly. “We’ll talk to you later~!”

“Bye, Dev! What Mabel said.”

“I love you!”

“—also that, but platonically!”

“Later, guys!” Dev called. “Hope you get a chance to spend time with your Great-Uncle Ford, and don’t forget to snag me an autograph if you can!”

“Dev—” Dipper said with a laugh. “I’m telling you, he’s just a regular guy.”

“Remind me again: how long did you spend searching for him last year?”

“...Point taken. Talk to you later.”

There was a click and the phone went silent, before Mabel slapped it shut. “Aww, I wish we could’ve convinced Aaron to let Dev come with us on our trip up here!” she lamented with a sigh. “He’s usually so cool, I don’t know why he said no!”

“Maybe because you told him about how one of our great-uncles stole the other’s identity for thirty years,” Dipper reminded her. “While the other spent that time traveling around the Multiverse. I mean, what older brother would want their younger sibling to spend the entire summer with two old men like that?”

“Uh, the coolest older brother?” Mabel replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Oh well. Maybe we can convince Grunkle Stan and Grunkle Ford to come down to Piedmont for Hanukkah this year. They can meet him then, and then he’ll be willing to let Dev spend next summer here with us~! Perfect plan!”

“Yeah, perfect plan,” Dipper said. “As long as they’ve gotten rid of Bill by then.”

An uneasy silence fell over the room, the twins’ gazes shifting away from each other as Mabel suddenly found herself very interested in the pattern on the floorboards while  Dipper reached up to fiddle with his hat. “So you didn’t tell Dev about Bill’s return, I’m guessing?”

“Nuh-uh,” Mabel confirmed in a low voice.

“...You know, what I said yesterday about talking to Mayor Tyler still applies,” Dipper continued. “I mean, he’s dating Wendy’s dad now and he seemed really excited to see us when we got back to town. Maybe if we ask—”

“Race you downstairs to finish that breakfast we didn’t eat!”

Before Dipper could continue, Mabel had leapt to her feet and was bolting for the door. Dipper blinked in surprise, before leaping to his feet as well and hurrying after her with a shout of: “Mabel, wait, you didn’t let me finish—”

Mabel simply laughed in response as the two of them raced their way back down to the first floor—

“Well, well, well, looks like Shooting Star’s awake too~!”

—only for that laughter to get caught in her throat as she reached the bottom step, eyes wide at the sight that waited before her.

Ford was just coming up from the hallway, Bill’s chair clutched tightly in his hand as he walked. And upon hearing Bill’s greeting to Mabel, Ford gave the chair a warning shake.

To Mabel, however, he gave a warm, tired smile. “Good morning, Mabel.”

“Uh, good morning, Grunkle Ford…”

Mabel couldn’t help but let her gaze linger on the restrained figure in the chair, one who cast her a wide smile full of teeth. “Sleep well~?” he asked. “Heard your brother had an uneasy night—”

“Hey, I didn’t say that!” Dipper piped up, as he came down the stairs behind Mabel. “Don’t put words in my mouth!”

“Aw, but putting words in other people’s mouths is so fun,” Bill insisted. “All you gotta do is take one word, pluck it outta someone’s head, and then just slap another word in its place! You can make even the most serious and no-nonsense chumps say all kinds of silly words when you do!”

He jerked his head towards Ford. “Like ol’ Fordsy here—go ahead and try to get him to say the word ‘burden’!” he said with a bat of his eyelashes. “Come on, you know you wanna~!”

As Dipper and Mabel both winced in discomfort, Soos peered his head out from the kitchen. “Good morning!” he greeted cheerfully, before his gaze fell to Bill. “Uh, that doesn’t apply to you, triangle dude.”

“So grateful you spelled that out for me, Question Mark,” Bill said with bright sarcasm. “Otherwise I never would’ve caught it~!”

“Oh, uh—you’re welcome, then? I guess?”

“Nobody pay him any mind,” Ford instructed. “We’re simply passing through on our way down to the basement.”

“Yeah, nobody pay me any mind,” Bill chimed. “Unless they’re really valuable, of course!”

He laughed at his own joke with a kick of his feet. “I’m just kidding: I’ll take any mind as a form of payment, even the dumb ones!” he said, with a wink in Soos’ direction. “I’m talkin’ to you, Big Guy, I know for a fact you’re not using yours!”

“Ugh, is there any way to get him to stop talking?” Wendy piped up from behind Soos, a moment before she propped herself against the kitchen doorframe. “Can’t Mr. Pines pop him in the other eye or something?”

“He coooould,” Bill taunted. “If him and Sixer weren’t fiiiiighting~!”

He laughed as Ford gave the chair another shake, while Mabel stared in confusion. “You and Grunkle Stan are fighting?”

“As I said, Mabel, pay him no mind,” Ford instructed. “Nothing that comes out of his mouth is to be trusted in any sense.”

“Well, uh,” Dipper started awkwardly. “Do you know where Grunkle Stan went after you guys talked? I don’t think he ate much of his breakfast before we went to bring you yours, so—”

“I know where he went,” Wendy began, before her eyes fell to Bill. “He—he came up the hallway, then headed outside to the boat. Didn’t say why, though.”

“I did ask if he wanted any more food, though,” Soos added. “But he just kinda grunted and didn’t really give me an answer. Which is a pretty normal Mr. Pines reply, but still—breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so I hope he’s alright!”

“Sounds to me like he’s going outside to sulk because somebody doesn’t want him around,” Bill said, once again tilting his head in Ford’s direction. “But I guess they didn’t hear that from me, did they?”

Ford glowered at him for a brief moment, before turning towards the living room doorway. “If anyone needs me, I’ll be down in the basement dealing with our little…problem.”

“Oh, wait one second, Dr. Pines!” Melody called from the kitchen, seconds before leaning into view from the doorway. “Before you go, I just wanted to ask about the party tonight. And, uh—whether or not we should still have it after—”

She gestured towards Bill with the spatula, upon which he flashed her a smile. “Aww, you chumps were going to have a party?” he asked. “Well, don’t stop on my account! I dunno if anyone’s told you, Newbie, but I’m quite the party fanatic myself~! Practically invented the word!”

Melody raised an eyebrow. “Newbie?”

“He does nicknames,” Wendy explained with a wave of her hand. “It’s a thing, don’t worry about it.”

“Ignoring him, please feel free to have the party as initially planned,” Ford instructed Melody. “I assume you’ve already passed out invitations, and canceling at the last minute would arouse more suspicion than just hosting the party anyway.”

“Okay, well, if you’re sure,” Soos said, casting him a small grin. “You—uh, think you’ll be done in time to join us? It’s a party for you too, you know?”

Ford looked to him, then silently to Bill—who only widened his cheeky little grin further as he waited for an answer—

—before passing through living room doorway in silence, letting the chair thump down the small step and to the carpet as he dragged it behind him. With a vocal complaint from Bill in the form of: “Hey, hey! You could at least carry me all the way, you jerk!”, Ford continued onwards towards the door to the gift shop on the other side of the room.

The rest of the group watched them go, and looked to each other once the two of them disappeared from sight past the swinging door. “So, uh—guess we should start prepping the shack for the party then, huh?” Soos asked the rest of them.

“Probably,” Melody agreed. “We didn’t get around to cleaning up the exhibits yesterday, so there’s a lot to do if we want to be ready by tonight.”

“Ughh, does that mean I have to work on another one of my days off?” Wendy started with a groan—

—before casting a look to the twins still on the stairs, gazes still focused on the vacant living room doorway. “—ah, well, I guess it’s a good chance to show off our new way of cleaning things up around here.”

She flashed them a grin. “I could use a couple of assistants to help me out, though. Whaddaya say, dorks?”

Dipper pulled his gaze away from the door frame to look at her. “You want our help?”

“No, I’m talking to the other pair of twins standing in the exact same spot as you two,” Wendy said with a laugh. “Come on, it’ll be fun. Or as fun as cleaning can get—”

She shrugged. “I know that’s not very convincing, but seriously, I could really use someone to talk to while I work. Make the boring stuff less boring, y’know?”

This got a smile out of Dipper, and he leaned over to nudge his sister. “Come on, let’s leave Ford to do what he’s gotta do and go distract ourselves for a bit,” he urged. “Besides, I’m sure Melody will let you toss up as many streamers as you want if you ask.”

“I will!” Melody confirmed from the doorway.

Mabel didn’t take her eyes off the living room doorway at first, but the draw of streamers finally moved her attention back to the rest of the group. “As many as I want?”

“We have at least a hundred rolls at the ready,” Soos said with a thumbs up. “When we told the lady at Party Metropolis what—and who—they were for, she sold us her entire stock.”

Mabel’s mouth curled into a wide smile. “We~ell, I guess that’s a start—”

“Atta girl,” Wendy said with a wink, before making her way to the front door. “Come on, I can’t wait to show you guys how we clean everything up now—”

While Dipper rushed after her with just as much gusto, Mabel trailed slowly behind them, casting a hesitant look in the direction of the living room before the door swung shut behind her.

The shack was quiet now, leaving only Soos and Melody left in the kitchen doorway. After a moment, Melody turned to him with a raised eyebrow. “Hey, did either of them eat any breakfast?”

“Don’t think so,” Soos replied. “Don’t think Mr. Pines ate much either. And I know we had Dipper bring Dr. Pines some food, but that was only a few minutes ago and he didn’t have it when he headed for the basement.”

He waved his hands. “So unless he picked up some kinda superpowers in the Multiverse that let him—I dunno, inhale all his food in one big gulp or something, it’s a tossup if he actually ate anything,” he said, before pressing one hand to his chin. “Either way, I should probably go get that plate from Abuelita’s room.”

With a smile, Melody ducked back into the kitchen. “You take care of that while I’ll go ahead and stick four premade plates of food in the fridge for later,” she said. “They’ll eat when they get hungry, right? And if not…then we have four ready-made plates to eat later.”

“You’re so smart,” Soos said, giving her a smile as he head towards the hall. “I want the last of that lasagna though, babe! You did such a good job making it!”

“Soos, it was premade.”

“Well, you can heat up a premade pasta better than anyone I know!”

— — — — — — — —

The elevator rumbled slowly as it descended beneath the house, the vibrations making the chair—and by extension, Bill—bounce slightly in place.

It didn’t take a genius to guess where the two of them were going, and a cheeky smile was widening across Bill’s face as they continued downwards. “So, Sixer, taking me down to the lab?” he asked. “Gonna run a few tests? Maybe poke me with a couple of needles?”

He tilted his head closer to Ford. “Come ooooon, I know you can’t resist a chance to take some sample blood!” he said cheerfully. “And if I know anything about you mortals, it’s that you’ve got a LOT of blood to spare~!”

Ford remained silent, gaze fixed ahead as the elevator finally slowly to a stop, with the small ding of a bell signaling their arrival. Once the doors slid open, he grabbed the back of the chair and dragged it behind him as he stepped out into the—

—private study.

Huh?

Bill had expected Ford to take them all the way down to the main laboratory for whatever plans he had in mind. More privacy, the wide open space of the portal room acting as a nostalgic backdrop for the both of them…

He couldn’t possibly imagine why Ford would bring them to his stuffy old study instead.

The chair legs clattered loudly against the floor as Ford dragged him through the room, past all the various collections he had accrued over his years of study. Collections that Bill couldn’t help but take a look at while he was pulled along.

Sure, he’d seen plenty of them more times than he could count—whether it was through Stanford’s eyes or the eyes of one of the countless triangles that he had once kept in his home. But hey, long time no see and Bill was always happy to see!

Besides, maybe he’d finally get a proper look at his vessel’s face for the first time while the two of them were down here. He hadn’t missed the fact that nobody in the household had followed up on his request for a mirror, and he could feel the curiosity about his vessel’s appearance rising with each passing minute.

They probably weren’t very tall, judging by the stubby length of the legs he had stared at—and kicked obnoxiously against his chair—for most of the night. And the way that Ford and Stan had towered over him while he was seated only added more credibility to this theory.

Had Birdbrain given him a short vessel as revenge for all the short jokes he had previously tossed their way? If that was the case, then somebody was being very immature.

Aside from that, a few glances at his hands and the fluff of blond hair that hung down over his eyes, he was completely clueless about what his vessel actually looked like.

Ford continued to drag him through the study and towards the far space at the back of the room. A space that brought an elated sparkle to Bill’s eyes once he realized where they were heading. “Oh, we’re going over here~?” he asked delightedly. “Man, I haven’t seen the shrine in age—oh.”

His initial excitement died in his throat as Ford finally stopped and set the chair in place, allowing Bill to get a clearer look at the area around him.

Gone were the golden statues and shimmering prisms resembling his likeness, and the usual tapestries of deep red and gold—each thread stitched with care by Ford’s own hand; he had really gone the extra mile back then—were now replaced with nothing but dreary-gray walls and assorted garbage that Ford had yet to clean up.

The beloved shrine that had once been Ford’s glorious tribute to Bill’s greatness, his godliness—

Gone. Completely torn down.

To add insult to injury, Ford had set the chair down right in the very center of the mess—withered ruins of a once-magnificent display—and made his way over to his workspace. Leaving Bill to stew in his bitterness as he cast a sour look around him, gaze landing on the only thing left near him outside of the discarded trash.

More specifically, an elaborate computer system with its main screen completely busted.

Ford might’ve attempted to cut him off before creating Project Mentem, but having eyes everywhere allowed him to keep tabs on things outside the mindscape. 

And boy howdy, he had sure kept tabs on Ford after his cruel and unwarranted betrayal. Even going so far as to rip handfuls of wires out of the machine whenever Ford’s body succumbed to sleep, setting his progress on the project back further and further. 

Sure, that problem had temporarily solved itself in the form of the Portal incident, but Ford had gotten straight to work upon his return and finally finished the project to completion.

Yeesh, between that and the destruction of the portal, Ford had really spent the entire month-and-a-half after returning to this dimension being as inconvenient to Bill as possible.

A brief spike of panic shot through Bill as the thought of Ford using the machine on him bubbled to the front of his mind. The technology was designed to scramble minds and make reading them near impossible—although for the record, Stanford, he would’ve eventually found some kind of work-around for that—but Bill also knew that before the scrambling process began, the machine would project all those thoughts onto the screen itself.

A weird design choice on Ford’s end, but in an indirect way, it granted him his own artificial method of reading minds.

Sure, the machine had been damaged shortly after completion—oh, Bill had to give Pine Tree some praise in that regard; probably one of the most useful things the little pipsqueak had done in his entire life. But if Ford had been smart enough to understand the complex, multidimensional schematics that Bill had provided for him for the portal’s construction, then repairing some fancy-schmancy thought scrambler would be child’s play.

If Ford managed to get Project Mentem working again, there was a chance that he could snag a glimpse at the deal Bill had made with Tangy. To see a lot of things that he had no business seeing, to know things he had no business knowing—

Hold on a second.

Bill continued to stare hard at the old computer, gaze fixed on one of the smaller, undamaged monitors. The screen was decades old—a tried-and-true relic of the early nineteen-eighties, much like the rest of the technology that Ford and his…assistant had used for their inventions around that point in time—and the inactivity of the machine left a dark reflection of the room and anyone in it on the glass.

And while the angle Bill was situated at made it difficult for him to get a clear look with his functional eye, he could almost make out his vessel’s face. If only he could turn his head at juuuust the right angle—

“Hey—hey!”

And suddenly his head was guided—jerked back to the front by a firm hand around his jaw, and Bill found himself face-to-face with Ford. 

He expected to see the same anger in his eyes that he’d been subjected to for the past several hours. But Ford’s expression was more studious, pupils darting back and forth behind his old lenses in deep concentration—

“ACK!”

A small flash of light was shone in his functional eye before Bill had time to brace himself, and he shrank away from it as best he could—despite Ford’s hand keeping both his head and the small flashlight in place. “Hey, come on,” he griped, snapping his eyelid closed with a nasty look. “Trying to kill me is one thing, but blinding me’s a low blow, even for you!”

Eventually the light was shifted to his right eye, and Ford kept it there for a moment before finally clicking the small flashlight off and tucking it back into his coat. “Had a feeling…”

Despite his irritation towards being manhandled, Bill raised an eyebrow at that remark. Outside of the occasional threat, Ford hadn’t said anything to him the entire night he’d been back.

Granted, his remark was more about him than to him, but it was close enough to count! “Oh, so are you finally ready to talk to me, Sixer?” he tried with a cutesy bat of his eyelashes. “Because lemme tell ya: after being rudely ignored all night, I’m not so sure I’m even in the mood to—hey!”

And now Ford had both his jaw and forehead in a tight grip, keeping his mouth propped open for a moment so he could look inside. “Dental structure appears normal,” he mused quietly. “Canines have already grown in, second molars—”

“Oh, don’t tell me you’re researching me,” Bill said with a perturbed scowl once Ford finally let go of his head to scribble down his findings. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’m flattered and open to answering any questions you might have about me.”

He flashed Ford a grin. “But like I warned your brother last night, I’d advise against sticking those freaky hands of yours anywhere near these puppies, unless you feel like going from six fingers to five!” he said with a snap of his teeth. “I’d advise against it, though. Those extra fingers of yours are probably your best qualities—can you stop?!”

Ford’s hands were back on his head, this time to push that blonde tuft of hair out of his eyes—

“Oh.”

Ford’s curious stare at his forehead gave Bill pause for a moment, and he raised an eyebrow. “What? What’s with the ominous ‘oh’-ing?”

Ford continued to stare in silence for a few seconds, before turning back to his notes to scribble something else down.

“Hey, you tell me what you’ve written right now!” Bill demanded, face hot with anger. “Do you hear me, Sixer?! You don’t get to poke and prod me like a lump of flesh clay and then just sit there and not tell me what you’re writing!”

Despite Bill’s ire, Ford ignored him in favor of finishing his notes, only stopping to reach for the rope he had grabbed from the bedroom. And as Bill watched, he laid the rope in a perfect circle on the floor around the chair and himself. 

Yeesh, whether it was through a sketch in a notebook, spray paint on the ground, or with a simple rope, Ford really did have a knack for creating near-perfect circles. An impressive talent, although Bill had always—and understandably—favored his ability to draw a perfect equilateral triangle far more than some silly circles.

Once Ford had closed the circle, he moved to one of the nearby storage cupboards for the needed moonstones and vial of mercury. “You know, I feel like you’re being a biiiiit excessive with all of this, Fordsy,” Bill piped up. “I mean, I’m already bound pretty tightly over here. What’s another spell circle going to do?”

Rather than reply, Ford set the remaining objects in place and returned to his desk to fiddle with something just out of Bill’s line of sight—despite several failed attempts on Bill’s end to stretch his body far enough to get a peek. And after a few minutes, he stepped away again and made his way towards the spiral staircase on the other side of the study.

Bill continued to watch as he descended upwards and towards the level that waited just above the room; a hallway that connected to the cellar beneath one side of the shack, an additional hidden entrance that opened up to the house on the other, and a bathroom smack dab in the very center. All of which was comfortably situated just beneath the stairwell on the upper floor.

All in all, a general area that provided solutions to more than one type of emergency.

It was only when Ford disappeared completely from sight near the top of the stairs that Bill turned his attention back to the desk. So Mister Brainiac wanted to play sneaky with his plans, did he? Well, if there was anything he should’ve picked up on last night, it was that he should’ve used that extra rope to restrain Bill’s legs!

Or maybe not, since that would’ve only inconvenienced him further.

With an inhale of breath, Bill leaned backwards in the chair before throwing all of body weight forward and bringing himself to his feet. He wasn’t quite used to using his new human limbs yet—let alone with a whole chair on his back—but all he needed to do was get within reach of something sharp long enough to cut his ropes.

Sure, the circle on the floor limited his range of motion, but the rope had been placed right up against the broken monitors. Maybe if he angled the legs of the chair enough, he could get a piece of glass from the broken computer monitor within his line of reach. All he needed to do was take a few wobbly steps—

“Oh, come on!”

—wobblier than expected, apparently. For it was one humiliating crash later that Bill found himself as acquainted with the hardwood floor as he had been with the rug back in Abuelita’s bedroom. 

His face was smushed against the ground in a way that barred his sight of the stairs. But he could hear Ford stomping back down them in an instant—likely to investigate the source of the crashing sound—and it was only a few seconds later that an unseen hand gripped the back of the chair and hoisted it up off the floor.

Both chair and Bill were rotated forward again, and his own glare met Ford’s as the two of them stared at each other in furious silence. “See, I don’t know what you’re so upset about,” Bill finally said with a roll of his eyes. “You’re not the one who keeps giving the floorboards the wrong impression about what kinda shape I am.”

He tilted his head dramatically. “With how often my face meets the floor, these poor planks probably see me as some kind of…woodwork womanizer at this point~! My reputation’s gonna take ages to recover from such a scathing blow!”

He dropped the theatrics for a moment to roll his eyes. “Or at least, it would if I actually cared about that kinda thing, haha!”

With a huff, Ford set the chair back in place with a solid thunk of the chair legs, only to step just out of range when Bill tried to kick at him. “And seriously, would it kill you to put some carpet or a rug down in here?”

“I had a rug.”

“Yeah, well, what happened to—”

Any further protests died in Bill’s throat under Ford’s narrowed glare, and he looked away with a muttered: “...Could’ve just bought another one.” as Ford returned to his desk.

— — — — — — —

Even as far back as their childhood, Stan had often teased Ford for the way he organized things. Whether it was his half of their dresser drawers, his school binders—

—heck, even his beloved journals of all the Whatchamacallits and Whatsittoyas of Gravity Falls had been organized to some degree.

Granted, everything was always organized in an incredibly-nerdy way—one that only Stanford Pines and Stanford Pines alone could properly decipher. Sorting sock brands by alphabetical order? Academic awards by height and medal quality?

And organized didn’t always mean clean. Even a complete and total memory wipe hadn’t managed to make Stan forget the time he had come home to most of Ford’s science books and countless sheets of paper with associated scribblings scattered around the bedroom. All of which Ford had insisted that Stan not move in the slightest, because he was ‘on the verge of completing a super important experiment for the science fair, and couldn’t afford to move a single paper’.

Wait, had it been for the science fair? It could’ve just been some random project—whatever, it didn’t matter at the moment.

Regardless of his eccentric methods—and how often Stan had ended up spending the night on the living room couch to avoid another one of his brother’s nerdy all-nighters—the fact of the matter was that Ford was an expert in keeping his stuff organized. A place for everything and everything in its place, and all that other jazz Ma had always taught them growing up.

And despite Stan reacting to such behavior in the only way he knew how to react—juvenile, brotherly teasing with the occasional noogie for good measure—Ford had always gotten the upper hand in the end whenever they needed to locate something in a hurry.

And thankfully that mindset had carried over to adulthood, and included his notes on all of the oddities that the two of them had discovered during their sea travels across the past nine months.

It had taken Stan about two minutes to locate said notes after he finally managed to calm down from the events that had unfolded inside the shack. Whether or not that also took two minutes was up for debate—if there was a universe out there where two minutes and ten minutes were the exact same length of time.

Yeesh, Stan could practically hear Ford in his head at the very thought, going off on elaborate story about how he’d actually jumped through several dimensions where time worked like that during his travels.

His grip on the saltwater-stained journal—one whose front was emblazoned with a golden hand and the number four—tightened as he moved to the counter at the back of the cabin, and set it down in front of him before flipping open to the first page.

It wasn’t the best idea in the world, since it limited their options to sea-based methods. And unless that little triangle twerp had some unknown weakness to water, they probably wouldn’t get anywhere with just the one book. 

But for now, it was an idea.

[whimsyswastry]

15 Questions for 15 Friends

Thank you very much for the tags @pigeontheoneandonly and @favoriteblogonthecitadel 💛💛💛

Are you named after anyone?

No, but I’m often asked if I’m named after a location in a famous movie. I was not.

When was the last time you cried?

Two days ago. I’ve been struggling with an ulcer that just won’t heal and I woke up in horrendous pain and nausea on Saturday morning.

Do you have kids?

We do not. There’s a 25% chance of passing on my connective tissue disorder and sometimes it’s the fun “I’m so great at gymnastics!” kind and sometimes it’s the less fun “my brain won’t stay in my head” kind. I don’t want to put a child through all that.

What sports do you play/have you played?

I was a ballerina, gymnast, and soccer player until the injuries started becoming too frequent.

Do you use sarcasm?

Very rarely and even then only with people I’m very comfortable with (most notably my partner and my sister).

What’s the first thing you notice about people?

I’m not sure if there’s one thing I always notice. I’m pretty quick to pick up on moods, even with total strangers. So probably that. Their vibes 🙃

What’s your eye color?

Brown

Scary movies or happy endings comedies?

I used to love scary movies but I’ve noticed that as I age I have lower and lower tolerances for things like gore and screaming (especially screaming). I much prefer a comedy these days. Or a low stakes drama.

Any talents?

I had to ask my partner because I’m not good at these kinda questions. He said “interior design…like arranging stuff, and baking, and storytelling.”

Where were you born?

Literally like 2 miles away

What are your hobbies?

Video games, writing, baking, rearranging furniture in the middle of the night, reading, bird watching, crocheting, web design, quilting (I’m awful at this one but I enjoy it nonetheless)

Do you have any pets?

I have a basset beagle dachshund mix (unsure of the percentages) named Daisy Mayhem. See her Booplesnoot under the cut.

How tall are you?

5’6”

Favorite subject in school?

I liked social studies in elementary school, English and Stats in high school, and my favorite class ever was biological psychology in college.

Dream job?

Freelance web design, if it could be 100% HTML and SASS based instead of JS. I hate JavaScript. My brain just doesn’t work that way.

No Pressure Tags -> @n7viper @quietborderline @satashiiwrites @greypetrel @hauntedjellyfishtraveler @unicorn-farm @swords-n-spindles @ad-astra13 @hockles @trickythedino @captain-peroxid3 @dairsmuids @lyriumwolf @destiel-wings @hawkeshep

[presidenthades]

You are super nice with all the question and I have another one, how is Rhaenyras relations with each of her girls ?

As a writer, I think it’s pretty awesome when readers engage with my work at a level where they want to ask all these thoughtful questions 🥰. The vast majority of Asks have been great, and I like being prompted to think about some aspects of my writing that I might not have pondered too deeply on my own.

We see in Nelly’s chapter of Smallfolk Tales that Rhaenyra consistently feels abandoned/the people she loves are taken away from her. When Jace is born, Rhaenyra feels this is a chance for her to have somebody who loves her the most and won’t abandon her…and then Aegon comes along and ruins everything 🥲. Combined with the fact that Jace is her heir, Rhaenyra is a bit possessive of her. Jace is obedient and filial, so she goes along with what Rhaenyra wants most of the time, but she’s her own person with her own desires and principles. So on the rare occasion when mother and daughter clash (like eloping with Aegon, or Elenar’s birth), they really clash.

By the time Luce is born, Rhaenyra has started to accept that she can’t keep her children to herself 100% of the time. And she has to split her attention between her kids, whereas Jace had a period where all of Rhaenyra’s attention was on her. I draw a lot of comparisons between Luce and young Rhaenyra/Laena, and I think Rhaenyra recognizes it too. She sees her younger self in Luce before the world came crashing down around her, and Rhaenyra vacillates between wanting to spoil Luce and wanting to save her from painfully learning the same lessons Rhaenyra experienced. And because Rhaenyra and Luce both have strong personalities, they tend to argue on a more consistent basis than Rhaenyra and Jace.

I’ve indicated in some of the fics that Joff was very sickly during her first year of life. That, combined with Joff being the baby for six years, has led to Rhaenyra indulging her. Joff isn’t the heir to anything, so she gets a lot of leeway with her interests and how she structures her day. Rhaenyra is aware that Joff is kinda weird, but she categorizes it as a harmless weird, like Helaena. And Joff is intellectually and emotionally advanced for her age, so Rhaenyra is proud of having a potential prodigy as a daughter.

Ultimately, Rhaenyra loves all her daughters. I wouldn’t say she has any blatant favorites, but she does have different relationships with each of them.

[delcakoo]

i’m sure most ppl expected this so i’m not gonna make a big deal out of it but!! yes i am going on hiatus for an unspecified amount of time.

it’s honestly quite simple, i’ve just been losing interest in most aspects of kpop aside from the music, which makes writing for it a lot harder than before. i also dealt with a lot of burn out for months and still forced myself to write which only made it worse. lastly, i’m an executive of two clubs at my school this year on top of all my classes, so finding time to write would be even worse than it was before :’) !

YEAh that’s kinda it! for now my works will stay up, moots can dm me for my disc/spotify!! even if we’ve barely spoken pspsps i wanna stalk ur music cmere 🤲 a special shout out to my emoji anons too, you’re all amazing people ilysm, especially those that have been stuck with me for so long <3 (u know who u are!!)

i’ll try and check in here every so often to chat, esp if a new comeback for enha/txt happens!! love u guys and stay safe <3 you may send an ask if u have any questions!

extra stuff i wanna say to moots below! (it’s all word vomits i’m sorry)

RAVEN. MY WIFEY. my BELOVED blr wont let me tag u but you already know i adore u sm playing roblox with u is so fun even if that one banana game was kinda ass!! 💖 thank u for being so so sweet when putting up with me all the time and raising our fav corgi daughter with sm love <3 i hope u get more confidence in ur writing because your fics are always so creative and well written, and in yourself too bc a certain mf thats name starts with J and ends with N is MISSING OUT. 🙄🙄 ok im still gna be annoying u all the time so. bye ig….. smooches

@seongclb katto u deserve an award for putting up with me in dms ilysm 😞 watching the promised neverland together brought me so much joy and i still have a ss of you calling gilda a tractor ok i love u!!!! i would read your fics all day any day u are so talented and ur photography skills are amazing, i hope we get to keep in touch WE SHOULD FIND ANOTHER SHOW TO WATCH TGTHER !!!!! i need to fix your lack of anime knowledge ‼️ PLS KEEP WRITING AS WELL ENHABLR NEEDS U!!!!

@soov reirei my gf i aspire to be as confident and funny as you, you’re literal sunshine and always make my day better even with just one interaction <3 thank u for being so welcoming my first days in walmart enha and raising sushiwon with me!! as well as entertaining me by dying in genshin every 3 seconds <3 (WE NEED TO PLAY AGAIN) oh and KEEP WRITING BB. i will rise from THE DEAD WHEN IT COMES OUT OK U CAN DO THIS ML!!

@haknom kangaroo karaoke keys we may have had only a few convos but they were all so fun like PLAYING BRAWL STARS WAS HILARIOUS we ate the house down in duo showdown idc. and beta reading ur fics was such a treat esp while watching u plan new smaus every other day 🫶 also your music taste is MUWAH gimme some more recs pspsps !!! KEEP WRITING OKKK?!

@kynrki kimmy kimmy kim one of my first ever moots <3 your writing is always such a joy to read and your energy is amazing, thank you for giving me a chance when i was too shy to ask anyone else to be moots LMAO 🫶 plsplss keep writing you’re so gifted and deserve the whole world LOVEE UU

@bitehee cavvy my big sibling :((( i love u sm kshsdknd its been a while but i really hope everything has been well since you moved and you’re still being as cool as ever <3 im gonna replay a pokemon game in ur honor perhaps mystery dungeon 👁️ ? anyway i look up to u and think u are so cool, one of my fav hee stans ever ever!!! remember u have my disc if u ever wanna chat 🫂 !!!

@sunoksunny sunny <3 my other gf. i remember our first vc u had this goofy pfp i cant remember what it was but like u are so easy to talk to and funny?! and PRETTY??? your fits are always stunning and your singing is beautiful ugh the whole package fr… and. we need. to play. genshin!!! I REDOWNLOADED IT FOR U OK WE WILL DISCUSS THIS SOON!! ILY

@slytherinshua ZANNY. u are so easy to talk to we match each others energy so perfectly?!? I HOPE U AND TUALHA CONTINUE BEING THE COOLEST EVER and ur writing is top tier so pls keep going‼️ thank u for being so sweet to me as another one of my very first moots i appreciate u sm <3333

@flwrshee riri !!! we haven’t even been moots for long but i had to add u in here because u need to know that ILYSM. you’re like an adorable energetic little sister that always makes me smile T-T thank you for taking time out of your day to reblog my fics with so much sweet feedback and i wish u the absolute best always!! if u ever need anything pls dm me on disc i would love to chat with u more, and make sure to keep writing bc u have SO much talent!!!!

@wonieleles sia SIA i genuinely miss talking to u sm i NEED to come back to walmart enha :(( we don’t talk much besides our little interactions in the server but each time you make me smile. you’re so so smart and admirable, i hope you keep up the hard work bc i know you’ll go so far and HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE!! you’re so beautiful okay ily 😞🫶

@sultrybaby kel 😭😭😭💖💖 you’ve literally been a day one THANK YOU for always checking in on me even during your ridiculous NONSTOP EXAMS. 💀 another one of my big siblings on here fr you are such a real one and i care for u sm!!! i hope everything has been well for u?! pls feel free to message me for anything okay <3 I LOVE U SM thank u for sticking with me all this time 🫂🫂

i have so many moots so i can’t write smthn for everyone but i love u all okay <3 AGAIN if u wanna keep in touch thru spotify or discord dm me muwah

[almost-blondee]

Hello!

Could you do a social butterfly!Narancia (Jojo) and very introverted Reader?

Like Reader just spends their free time either at home or library. And Narancia is dragged to that library by Fugo, he's just there to grab some books and Narancia is not happy to be there until he sees Reader.

Have a good day!

Lucky Day

Narancia x introverted!reader

Fluff, Day at the library

Word count: 1.4k

So this is my first time doing requests, so hopefully this is okay. I’m worried that i kinda strayed off topic or it’s kinda too all over the place. but hopefully this is somewhat close to what you’d like

Also please don’t mind spelling or grammar error i tried to find them all but i may have missed some, Thank you and enjoy!!!

——————————————————————————

“You know Narancia you’re never going to get smarter if you don’t try” Fugo tries to somewhat encourage the other young male. “ugghhhh, i’ve heard this like a million times…” He responds while trudging along. It just so happens that they were on their way to the library to pick up some books for Fugo. However Fugo took it as a chance to pressure the boy to pick up his slack.

“i’m only coming with you cuz’ you promised me some snacks…” Narancia hesitantly added. They were now nearing the library and Narancia was dreading just sitting in there waiting for Fugo, never mind all the useless knowledge he would hear after Fugo picked up his books. Usually when this happened Narancia would sit somewhere in the library and wait while Fugo would find his books. Every so often he would lay his eyes on a certain someone. Narancia didn’t know anything about them, not even their name. He was just so enthralled with watching the way they were. As he was entering the library he caught himself wondering if you would happen to be there. After all it seemed you liked to spend most of your time at the library, you were there every time he was, and that was next to none.

“okay Narancia, just go sit where you usually do, i’ll try to be quick.”

“ yeah sure whatever you say that every time” Narancia mumbles under his breath while walking towards his usual table.

Just as he was about to slouch down into his usual chair, he had noticed that someone was sitting at his table. His first thought was to threaten this person to make them move, that was until you looked up from your book, to see him staring at you. As soon as he realized it was you, the intimidating look on his face disappeared being replaced with a softer one. Narancia thought to himself that he must be the luckiest man alive. He slyly walked to the chair across from you and sat down. You try your hardest to focus back on the book in front of you knowing that talking to strangers wasn’t really your thing. However, you could quite literally feel him staring at you. So, you’d have to look up at some point. So you did exactly that. You slowly brought your eyes up to see his face, shining so bright you’d almost reached for the blinds.

“Hi, I’m Narancia, Nice to meet you! I’ve seen you here lots!” He said almost immediately after you had looked up. Not really expecting him to be so forward you immediately averted your eyes to think of something to say. Unfortunately for you, he didn’t even let you get a thought in and continued talking.

“It seems like you like to come here, is that right? have you ever seen me around. I mean probably not. you’re always pretty focused on the books you’re reading” He borderline shouts at you.

you manage to compose your self.

“ um… yes i have seen you a couple times. Do you also like coming to the library?” You ask at an attempt to make conversation. Truth is, you have seen him around, how could you not, he was always so loud when coming to the library. Very vocally complaining about how long his friend was taking. so you sorta already knew the answer to your question.

“HAHAHA, good one…” Narancia says as he pretends to wipe a tear from his eye. “ I’m only here because my buddy Fugo apparently ‘needs someone to come pick up his books with him’. He obnoxiously says while using finger quotations. “oh, i see…” You say, not really knowing how else to respond.

“yup, he always babbling on about how i need to get smarter and actually care about my education yata yata.” He readjusts the way he’s sitting. “ but you know it’s not so bad coming here if i get to see you.” he then throws in a wink, hoping that will win you over.

you were again taken aback by his forwardness and immediately you can feel your face heat up, you don’t do so well with compliments. Especially from someone who you’d like to say was attractive.

“i’m just teasing although i wouldn’t mind if we could meet here more often, just the two of us of course.”

Now thinking to yourself that he is relentless, you can’t help but chuckle at his attempt of flirting. You wouldn’t mind spending sometime with him if it meant getting to know each other better. you had been quite interested in him since you first saw him, wondering why he hated the library so much.

“Um, yeah i’ll have to think on that one. we have only just met.” you say quietly, unsure if he could even hear you.

“Well how about we talk a little more then you can tell me your answer, yeah?” he retorts looking at you like a puppy, if he had a tail you’re sure it would be wagging.

“Okay, sure” you simply say, looking down at your watch. Only now realizing that it was almost time for your shift to start. You say you had about 10 minutes give or take. So you decided to humour the boy sitting across from you.

You watched as he rambled on about something as simple as his favourite snacks, he was basically having a conversation with him self. Expect from the occasional “hmm” “i see” “nice” from you. By the time he was ready to ask you what your favourite snacks were you were slowly packing up and getting ready to leave. Narancia noticed this, and inquired. “ you have somewhere to be?” his eyebrow slightly raising. he was staring at you so intensely you were almost afraid to say yes.

you reluctantly told him that you had a shift at the café down the street and usually came here to kill sometime before clocking in.

“ ooohh, so you work at the café huh, That’s good to know” He now has a huge smile on his face, again you now are looking for the blinds. You had a feeling he was going to be up to no good. “ yes, so i’m sorry to cut our time short, maybe we could talk another time.” you say now starting the motion to get up. By the time you have stood up and slowly made your way to the door Narancia had followed you the whole way. “ So your saying if i see you here next time we could have another chat? Or even better, i could ask you out to someplace more fun?” usually you’d be apposed to such offers however, this boy in front of you seemed to genuinely want to get to know you. You couldn’t let him down now. “ i suppose so yes, that would be okay” you answered. “ i’ll be on my way now. Good bye Narancia.” you swiftly left with your bag in hand. Narancia watched your figure disappear, then realizing he hadn’t even got your name, nor your number. how was he supposed to contact you now? he sadly made his way back to his table, he did slouch down this time, upset that he got so excited he forgot the whole reason he went over to you. Feeling dejected. he rested his head in his hands and decided to wait for Fugo.

A couple minutes later He could hear footsteps, assuming them to be Fugo. He instinctively sighed loud on purpose so he’d ask ‘what’s wrong’.

low and behold Fugo could be heard asking “What’s wrong Narancia, it’s not like you to look so dejected.”

“i fumbled”

“what…” was all Fugo said back with a disgusted look on his face.

“Are you sure you fumbled, this piece of paper tells me differently” That was Fugo for you, quickly figuring out the scenario like nothing.

Narancia whips his head up wondering what paper Fugo is talking about. As he looked at Fugo his eyes flickered down to the paper in between Fugos pointer and middle finger. Clearly in the position to hand it to him.

Narancia grabbed the paper more desperately than he would have liked and Fugo just scoffed.

The note read

(xxx-xxx-xxxx)

My name is (y/n) by the way…

Narancia was over the moon, he couldn’t believe he managed to get the number of someone so enthralling. Now he was jumping and hugging Fugo, thanking him for bringing him to the library.

“ Hey Fugo next time can we go to the Café down the street?? what do you think?”

Let’s just say you gained a new regular that day, both at the Cafe and in your life.

almost-blondee

[sunboki]

Hello! In line with your 1k event, can I request a Fluff Category, Prompt #3, SKZ Lee Minho? Thank you and more power!💖

pairing — lee minho x gn. reader

w.c — 0.7k

-> 1k followers event

genre — fluff

prompt — “you have no idea how long i’ve wanted to do this.” ( #3 )

notes — i love this headerㅠㅠ lino is so pretty. kinda indulged in this if you can’t tell from the word count.

Lee Minho has always been one to take it slow. Careful, watchful movement towards his goals similar to that of prowling feline, each step given detailed attention.

In some ways it was a good thing, but in others it was particularly awful, such as your current problem.

You remembered Minho’s confession like the back of your hand, two months ago, at your doorstep, with your notebook you’d left behind in hand. Initially the interaction was just a “thanks so much for returning it to me!” And a goodbye, but before you could take the notebook he stopped you.

“There’s something written inside.. Good night.” He bowed fast and turned on his heel, quickly jogging away without another glance back at you. When you opened to the first page, his recognizable handwriting read:

Do you want to go to a cafe with me tomorrow? You can meet my cats like you wanted to. Text me.

And honestly, who were you to reject seeing his cats and going on an illegitimate date with Lee Minho? Upon reading the note you could practically see the redness of his ears and the miniature twitch of his brow—a telltale sign he was embarrassed. Smiling to yourself, you texted him, accepting the offer and laughing at the cute cat-related video he sent back in reply, so Minho-like.

The next day, simply talking to him had his face flushed and lips pursed nervously, it was adorable to anyone lucky enough to witness. You wish it would’ve been happy ever after from there with the date going smoothly, meeting his cats, getting to know him and eventually start dating, which it did. Apart from the now, which consists of a constant problem resurfacing in your mind. Two months you began dating but the part you really wanted to experience hadn’t happened and felt as if it never would. Kissing.

Oh how you daydreamed of Minho’s petal soft lips, yet the thought seemed so far away. Occasionally making you doubt if he ever even liked you in the first place. You knew he took his time, but this was torturous.

A movie you’d both seen a thousand times played on the tv, allowing you to bask in each other's presence whilst curled up on the couch. However a certain scene always seemed to make you doggedly uncomfortable—that scene being the one where the actors makeout before the love interest pulls away and repeats the iconic line, ‘you have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.’

So now as you sit next to Minho you can’t help but fidget in your seat. Weighing your chances until the question happens to slip off your tongue and you know you just have to ask.

“Min.. do you… do you think one day we could kiss like that?”

He turns to you, carrying the most nonchalant expression despite the topic. His mouth quirked upwards momentarily, pretty chestnut hues watching you fiddle with your hands.

“If you want to, sure.” You gasp as he starts to lean closer, hands finding their way to push on his sculpted chest. He stops of course, face contorting in concern and obvious confusion.

“I’ve wanted to kiss you for forever, but you never seemed to want to and it made me think you didn’t even like me.” All your thoughts come spilling out, your head spinning from how tight your eyes are closed.

There’s a stifling silence that consumes the room and you can hear your heartbeat thrum in your chest.

Except laughter is what bubbles out of Minho. Gorgeous, unfiltered laughter that leaves you gawking at the amused boy, genuinely worried he’d lost his mind.

“You were worried I didn’t like you? Seriously?” His laughter continues as you hit his shoulder lightly in protest.

“Yah.. it’s not funny.”

The silence returns in the form of thick tension.

“You’re right, it’s not. Now, can I?”

After hearing your small ‘yes’ his lips barely ghost over yours, engulfing you in the scent of his perfume that makes your head dizzy. Instinctively you tilt your head for easier access, hands shakily reaching to hold his face as he kisses you, causing him to break into a smile against your lips.

Long lashes dust as you pull off of each other, already craving contact. First kisses weren’t usually described as good, but with Minho the mere word ‘good’ couldn’t describe your sense of bliss. Before you can respond, he speaks first.

“You.. have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.”

“Corny.”

“You love it.”

all rights reserved for @sunboki

[ghostmemesource]

👻୧‿︵‿︵ ash vs. evil dead sentence starters

these are quotes taken from the starz series ash vs. evil dead. send in one of the prompts below for my muse’s response. please change pronouns/names where you see fit.

First thing I got to do is see a guy about a book. Must be some spell I can say to undo all this.

The other first thing I got to do is some cardio, ’cause my heart is jackhammering like a quarterback on prom night.

One false move, and I will Second Amendment your brains all over this truck.

We’re not leaving a trail of blood and guts behind us, we’re keeping Michigan moist.

There’s one thing I learned from [name]. Shoot first, ask questions never.

Last time I was here with a girl, I was hopin’ to get laid.

If I’ve learned anything from you, [name], it’s that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Hey, I’m looking for a friend. He’s, uh, tall, dumb, smells like… bread.

You fought this thing before. Maybe you just got to finish what you started.

Yes, I’m upset. Yes, I’m behind the wheel. Yes, I’m drunk. And maybe my license isn’t the fancy kind from the DMV. But at least I’m drunk!

Without good, there is no evil.

With all due respect, your tiny brain is a lot safer without my problems inside it.

Trust me, once you get jacked in the face, it’ll all click. I can’t even get my nut up to rumble unless I’ve had a good shot to the chin.

Once again I saved the world. Now it's time to get the girl.

Most people go through life thinkin’ they’re totally safe. People like us, we know the truth. Life is hard and dangerous, and sometimes you just gotta chop off somebody’s head to survive.

I kill demons, not people. Unless those people are demons, who look like people. And then I kill people, but they’re not really people, they’re demons. You understand?

Never get between a papa bear and his cub.

What’s out there knows that you’re alive, and it wants you to be… un-alive.

Well, good news I found a piece of pie with no blood on it. Anybody want a bite?

To save those two, I would submit to a prostate exam.

This town is only big enough for one asshole, and that asshole is me.

Sometimes what you think you saw, it’s exactly what you saw.

Someone needs to wash your mouth out, kid. And that someone is me.

Now I’m gonna kill you, just like I killed your father! I didn’t really kill your father, that just kinda sounded cool.

I gotta warn you, you’re gonna want to leave your husband for me, and I can’t let that happen. Family values.

I’m not drunk enough to know if this is good-weird or bad-weird. But I’ll get there though.

I’m going to be like a ninja losing his virginity, quick and discreet.

I told you. A good shot to the face always gets the juices flowin’.

Thanks for the opinion, appreciate it. Now you can take it, turn it sideways, shove it right up the old poop chute.

When you get back to Hell, work on your aim.

Do you know what evil is, [name]? It’s power without fear, without guilt, and without pain.

Hey, good looking. You here to break me out or break me in?

I'm gonna get you pregnant later.

I'd know that caboose from anywhere.

Even if this goes perfectly, there's a good chance you'll die.

Well, [name], it's been fun catching up. Sorry I got to kill you.

Don't you get it? Everybody dies here. It's just a rule.

If once you start down that path, forever, it will dominate your destiny.

Did you just Yoda quote me?

Alright, look, we get this done quick enough, we might have time to stop for churros.

Yeah, well, your cooking was shit.

Yeah, I remember when I was like you. Young, dumb, full of… conflicting emotions.

Sweet musical Jesus, that's your friend? Oh, she's filthy and fine!

She haunts my dreams. Just kidding. She does, though.

Do me a favor will ya, thank your mother for me?  She passed her genes down to you in all the right places.

Damn, [name]. Badass.

Why are you covered in blood?

So look, uh, I'm not a grief counselor, but if it's any consolation, I have had to kill and bury loved ones before. A bunch of times, actually.

Oh sure. I'll just sit here with the police officer we tied up and rethink my recent life choices.

Get ahold of yourself, woman!

I'm gonna say a lot of dumb things.

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for leading someone on?

I (19F) met this guy (20M) at uni since he noticed we had a lot of classes together and approached me. We exchanged texts for a while and briefly talked a few times when I was studying on campus – mostly about school stuff: assignment questions and tests. I was kinda excited bc I don’t have many friends in this city and def not in my program, but ig also not sure how to act bc of that? We didn’t speak even though we saw each other in classes, but he texted often, more than I’m used to w my friends who live in other cities now, but maybe that’s normal when you’re interested in someone?

He asked me out for coffee and we went out and talked for a few hours, and at the end he told me he actually liked me. We’d only known each other for about 2 weeks and this was the first time we really hung out in person, so I wasn’t sure how I felt. I said it was still really early but we should definitely hang out again. We didn’t communicate much more about that unfortunately. I’ve never dated before, so I was a little conflicted on how I actually felt and what I should do – some friends said I shouldn’t force it/do things I don’t want to, and others said I should give him a chance. Exam season was coming up so I just prioritized studying and we only went out one other time before the semester ended and I moved back home.

He can drive and I can’t, so he suggested we hang out again in my city, and he drove about an hour to get here and we hung out. The same day, after he left, he texted me asking if I still thought it was too early. I’m not sure if this was the right decision, or if I should have said how I was feeling conflicted and tried to get to know him more, but I apologized and said I didn’t feel the same way bc I didn’t feel attracted to him and felt like I probably wouldn’t end up liking him romatically? I said I still wanted to be friends and he agreed, but we haven’t talked since then. I might also be an asshole for that, bc upon further reflection I don’t really want to be friends either?

We knew each other for less than two months and our personalities don’t match well imo, so I don’t really to continue a relationship. But I still feel bad about how things ended especially bc he came all the way over here, so I was wondering if I should text him to basically explain how I felt confused about my feelings and apologize for kinda stringing him along/not really communicating, or if I should just drop it and just mutually not talk to each other since it seems like he also most likely isn’t interested in talking anymore. Thanks for reading all this, and I’d appreciate any responses/advice!

What are these acronyms?

[simmerdowndee]

a windenburg years special : the interview

Hi everyone! Its me (Dee) and I am so happy to be here with my favorite couple, Dakota and Theo.

Dee: How are you guys?

Dakota: Good. Really good. Thank you for having us!

Theo: And creating us. Dakota: *Laughs*

Dee: You guys are legit my favorite sim couple I’ve ever had.

Dakota: Oh stop.

Dee: Seriously. I am enamored with your story. I don’t want it to ever end.

Theo: Well, you created most of it.

Dee: But you and Dakota’s actions and behaviors helped guide me.

Dee: I have a few questions for the readers and you guys can answer them anyway you’d like!

Dee: Take me back to when you guys first met. How did that moment feel?

Dakota: I had no idea I was going to bump into my future husband, I know that much.

Dee: *Laughs*

Dee: Is there anything about that day that either of you have never mentioned?

Dakota: Funny enough, I bumped into Theo because I was texting a guy I met over the summer. Theo: Really? Dakota: That was actually the last text message he ever got because from that point I was hyper focused on you.

Dee: That’s so cute.

Dee: Theo?

Theo: I actually saw her coming down the hallway, not paying attention. I kinda let you bump into me on purpose, because I thought you were cute.

Dee: Awhh.

Dakota: Seriously?? Theo: Mhm. Dakota: You couldn’t just stop me babe? Theo: I thought it would be more entertaining. Dakota: Well, I’m glad you did. I can’t imagine my life without you.

Dee: So sweet.

Dee: Who do you think really fell first?

Theo: Definitely Dakota. Dakota: You think so?? Theo: Yes, but I wasn’t too far behind you.

Dee: Do you remember the exact moment you fell in love, Dakota?

Dakota: Homecoming. I was so excited he decided to go, and with me at that.

Dakota: That was our first kiss. Theo: It was. I remember I was so nervous to ask you. Dakota: It was a good kiss too. Theo: I mean, when I have ever been bad at kissing? Dakota: Alrighty, next question please.

Dee: *Laughs*

Dee: Lets fast forward to university.

Theo: Oh boy.

Dee: You knew it was coming, don’t act shocked!

Dakota: *Laughs*

Dee: Lets start light. Overall, did you enjoy it?

Dakota: I feel that’s a loaded question *Laughs*. Theo: Overall, I would say yes. Uni is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Dee: Especially with you guys.

Dakota: Yes, especially with us. Dakota: I would say I enjoyed it for the most part.

Dee: Is there ANYTHING you’d change about it?

Theo: I think you know the answer to that.

Dee: *Laughs*

Dakota: Oh, oh! I would have ignored that career fair for sure. Theo: *Laughs*

Dee: You guys’ mind if we go into that period of your relationship?

Dakota: I think we should be okay. Theo: Let’s do it.

Dee: Theo, when did you realize you may have made the wrong choice?

Theo: To leave or breakup?

Dee: Both.

Theo: *Deep sigh* Immediately after we broke up and I left her apartment, I regretted it. There was something in the back of my head telling me prior we wouldn’t have a good relationship long distance. The minute I walked out the door, I said to myself I shouldn’t have done that. It was stupid.

Dee: So, had you tried long-distance, would you still regret leaving?

Theo: Yes, absolutely.

Dee: Why?

Theo: Because regardless of us being together, I still would want to see her, touch her, hold her. Dakota: Awh, babe.

Dee: Your turn, miss Dakota.

Dakota: Oh hell.

Dee: Let’s talk about Noah.

Dee: Wait. Theo, are you okay with this, or should you leave for a second?

Theo: I’m good.

Dee: Good. I figured you would be.

Dee: What made you decide to give Noah a chance?

Dakota: Well, we were already really close, and I knew he was a safe option. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me…

Dee: Are you content with the way things ended with him?

Dakota: I think we ended the best way we could. Had Theo came back, it would have most likely become a messy love triangle and I do not have time for that.

Dee: Okay, okay. Let’s move slightly forward to Tomarang.

Dee: Dakota, what went through your head when you saw Theo walk in?

Dakota: Okay, if we’re being honest… at first I was slightly excited. Then I got sad, confused, and angry all at once. I was happy to finally see him physically again, but also pissed because he just popped up out of the blue like nothing happened.

Dee: Theo?

Theo: I was so damn nervous. I feared she hated me. When she let me hug her, I knew I had a chance to fix it.

Theo: I’ll never be able to thank Noah enough for calling me.

Dee: How did it feel when you finally got back together?

Dakota: It was like the dark, dreary cloud that had made its home above me cleared out.

Theo: I felt like myself again. Everything felt normal.

Dee: I meant to ask this earlier, how did your parents take it when you broke up?

Theo: My mom was so pissed. I remember the verbal assault she gave me to this day. Dakota: *Laughs* Dakota: My dad wasn’t actually upset with Theo. He felt maybe it was needed for the time. Dakota: But also, my dad might be Theo’s biggest stan. He can do no wrong in his eyes. *Eye Roll*

Dee: *Laughs*

Dee: Theo, you seem to attract women everywhere you go.

Theo: Oh boy. Theo: I really don’t know why…. I don’t think I’m that good looking….

Dee: Sir.

Dakota: Now you know that’s a damn lie.

Dee. Just boldface lying.

Theo: Hey, hey okay. My bad.

Dee: Dakota, can I ask about her….?

Dakota: Of course.

Dee: Why Ana?

Theo: She was the only woman I was comfortable with here, and I thought maybe moving on would help. Clearly that wasn’t the case and it just made it worse. I wasted her time, and mine. Theo: The crazy thing is, I was going to call Dakota that night to talk. I ended up going out instead. I should have gone with my gut and stayed home….

Dee: But it all worked out, right?

Theo: Yeah, it did. Thank god.

Dee: Eh, you don’t have to call me that.

Dakota: *Laughs*

Dee: Last couple of questions.

Dee: Do you like living in Windenburg more or back home in Copperdale?

Dakota: It took me some time to adjust but I like it better here. It’s beautiful.

Dee: Theo, do you miss the ranch?

Theo: Sometimes, but I don’t see myself becoming a rancher anytime soon. Maybe when we retire…

Dee: You look good in a cowboy hat, Theo.

Dakota: Fuck yeah he does. Theo: *Laughs*

Dee: Last one.

Dee: Are you guys excited to be parents?

Dakota: Theo CERTAINLY IS. Dakota: But also, yes. I cannot wait to be a mom. Theo: I can’t wait to see you as a mom.

Dee: I see why you love him so much Koda.

Dakota: I am very lucky to have you. Theo: I’m the luckiest.

Dee: You guys.

Dee: Well, thank you guys for sitting down with me. I enjoyed our trip down memory lane.

Theo: Thank you again for having us.

Dee: Is there anything you want to leave for the viewers?

Dakota: Get ready for our wedding special this Saturday, the 22nd!

Theo: And don’t forget to look out for season two of #windenburgyears.

Thank you guys for joining us! Here’s to season two!