#AND PREPARE FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER

[ohproserpine]

vii. deer dolly

see all chapters here tags: fem! reader, heavy warning for violence and blood, overdose, murder, death, hunting, graphic descriptions of injuries, vox being painfully obvious, vox malfunctions (lmao L), allusion to death, valentino warning, alastor's demon form

Rocks and twigs dug into your knees as you crawled forward, the jagged edges cutting your skin as you reached Alastor's side. With trembling hands, you cradled his face against your lap.

"Alastor," you called for him, desperately clutching onto his body, trying to pull him back down to Earth and hold him there "Al, Al, please."

"What did I do? What can I do?" More tears dribbled down your cheeks as you looked down at your husband, leaning in to press tender kisses to the apples of his cheeks. You held him as tightly as you could, careful not to cause him any more pain.

"I can figure out a way to help you, I can. I know I can, baby," you whispered, your voice choked with emotion. Your gaze remained locked with your husband's lifeless eyes, the world spinning around you as panic tightened its grip on your chest, making it difficult to breathe.

"Al. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

˚୨୧₊♱

You woke with a startle.

Gasping for breath, your chest heaved with each inhale, the rapid beat of your pulse slamming against your ribcage, the sound hammering in your head. Blinking repeatedly, your vision slowly adjusted to the unfamiliar sight of a ceiling painted with outrageously colorful prints. Faint traces of neon lights filtered through the thin curtains, casting erratic patterns across the room, accompanied by the distant thump of music.

A gentle knocking at the door broke through the haze, accompanied by the muted tones of a familiar voice seeping through the metal barrier.

"Dollface? Are you up?" Vox's voice, though muffled, was unmistakable as it filtered through the door.

Shakily, you pushed yourself up and sat for a while, gathering your composure. The room spun around you, the vibrant colors of the walls and lights blurring into a dizzying kaleidoscope. Eventually, with a deep breath, you pushed yourself into action, moving to open the door.

As you swung it open, Vox stood on the other side, his signature smirk etched onto his features. His mechanical eyes gleamed as they scanned you for any signs of distress or fatigue. And despite your disorientation, you straightened your posture, trying to maintain your usual demeanor in front of him.

"Good morning," Vox greeted smoothly. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"

Of course, he wasn't interrupting anything. It was clear to both of you that you had just rolled out of bed. Your hair tousled in disarray, your sleepwear crumpled and creased, and your bed behind you a mess of twisted sheets and pillows.

Still, you forced a polite smile and shook your head.

"No, not at all," you replied.

"Excellent," Vox grinned, stepping a foot past your doorway. "May I come in?"

Despite the internal alarm bells ringing in your mind, you nodded, moving aside to let him in. As he passed by, you couldn't shake the feeling of being scrutinized, like prey under the gaze of a predator before the pounce.

Closing the door, you leaned against it, feeling the cool surface against your back, and turned to face Vox, attempting to hide the unease simmering within.

"What can I help you with?" you asked, keeping your tone steady.

Vox's gaze pierced yours, his mechanical eyes glinting with a hunger that unsettled you.

"I thought of how we could discuss the details of our partnership," he hummed, running his fingers along your dresser. "Over dinner, perhaps?"

The proposal hung in the air, heavy with implications you weren't sure you wanted to explore. Despite your best efforts to hide it, a seething sense of unease bubbled beneath the surface, twisting your features into a grimace.

"Dinner?" The word felt like acid on your tongue as you struggled to maintain your façade, your gaze sharpening into a glare aimed directly at the overlord. "I'm sorry, but… I'm not interested."

Vox's laughter cut through the tense atmosphere, but it sounded forced and hollow.

"I meant a professional meeting, love," he covered up with a wave of his hand, the charm in his voice slightly strained. "Let's go over your contract."

Relieved, you nodded, though beneath, a whirlwind of thoughts swirled.

This could be a chance for you to really have a gauge on your situation. Everything had happened so fast, and you found yourself stumbling in the dark. You knew the Vees were a powerhouse in the entertainment district, their influence stretching far and wide, extending into every corner of hell. They were notorious for their employment methods, for their ability to shape destinies and manipulate lives with the stroke of a pen.

Who knows what was even in your contract?

"Wonderful!" Vox's cheerful interruption jolted you from your thoughts as he extended his arm. "Well then, let's not waste any more time. Shall we?"

"Shall we what?" you spoke slowly, your tone guarded.

"Shall we get to your duties, my dear?" Vox clarified smoothly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, his words laden with expectation. "Velvette is waiting."

"Oh—" you jolted. Quickly, you gathered yourself, smoothing down the wrinkles of your robe and adjusting your disheveled hair with clumsy fingers.

Taking a deep breath to steady your nerves, you reached out and linked your arm with Vox's. The overlord smirked as he led you out of the room and through the corridors, already launching into conversation about his latest product line.

A part of you found it amusing how similar he was to your husband—both of them chatterboxes who couldn't keep their mouths shut if they tried.

Nodding along to Vox's conversation, you fell into step beside him. As you two walked, it was impossible not to notice the subtle shift in demeanor among the demons and imps, who hastily cleared a path for Vox, some even bowing respectfully as you passed by.

"And here we are!"

Arriving at Velvette's office, you entered cautiously, the tension thick in the air. Models lounged around in various states of undress, their statuesque figures draped in luxurious fabrics. Their expressions ranged from curiosity to suspicion as they observed your every move. Some whispered amongst themselves in hushed tones, casting wary glances in your direction, while others maintained an aloof demeanor, their gazes piercing yet blank.

Velvette stood at the front, her figure partially obscured by the tall curtains behind her. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, swept over you with open scorn.

"Finally! Took ya long enough," Velvette scowled. "Edna, will you please go get her dressed?!"

Edna, a tall and slender imp with delicate horns curved against her head, nodded obediently before gliding over to you. With a gentle tug on your arm, she beckoned you to follow her backstage. You stumbled nervously, clutching your robe as you obeyed.

As you stepped away, Vox chuckled, waving you off with a flourish. You offered a cautious wave back before being enveloped by the heavy fabric of the curtains.

"I know what you're trying," Velvette scoffed as she tapped away on her phone, her perfectly manicured nails, painted in a glossy shade of neon pink, clacking against the screen. Vox turned to her, his expression one of exaggerated innocence.

"Whatever do you mean?" he retorted, raising an eyebrow in mock surprise.

"Oh, please don't act as if you weren't sending marionnette over there heart eyes," Velvette accused, her crimson lips forming a thin line of disapproval. "Listen, I don't care what you do with your little girl toy. Just make sure you don't get in the way of my show."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Vox hummed, taking a seat on one of the plush couches.

Velvette turned to him, surprised, her curls bouncing from the abruptness of her movement. "You're staying?"

"Of course. I'm eager to see your dazzling ideas, my dear," Vox replied smoothly, spreading his long legs across the expanse of the couch. "After all, your show is going to be featured on my channels. It's all anyone has been raving about on Voxtagram lately."

"Cut the crap. You just want an excuse to ogle at her," Velvette scoffed.

Vox leaned back against the cushions, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Can you blame me? She's quite the sight to behold."

Before Velvette could snap back, Edna returned, leading you out from behind the curtains. You emerged, feeling somewhat exposed under the scrutinizing gazes of the two overlords.

No surprise, as the main act, you were dressed in one of Velvette's main designs. Black netted stockings hugged your legs as they met the bright red stilettos that adorned your feet. A red corset cinched your waist and emphasized the curve of your hips, accentuating your figure. Below the corset, you wore a dark miniskirt with cream ruffles and lace, its fabric swaying with every step.

You felt abash as you stood in the outfit. In the past, you had been considered a flapper girl with your bold demeanor and penchant for daring fashion choices, but even you couldn't help but feel a twinge of surprise at the lack of modesty of the skirt in this particular outfit. It barely grazed past your crotch, leaving almost nothing to the imagination.

"Let's see…" Velvette hummed, completely absorbed in her task as she approached you, Vox long forgotten. With a couple of snaps of her fingers, the clothing and accessories you wore began to shift and change, transforming before your eyes.

Velvette's fingers danced through the air, conjuring delicate lace and cascading ruffles that stuck onto the corset. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a cream fur coat, draping it over your shoulders with a flourish. The colors morphed, the fabrics transformed, until finally, with a satisfied clap of her hands, she took a step back to admire your new look.

"Makeup!"

Suddenly, you yelped as a chair was dragged over, pushing against the back of your knees and causing you to fall right into it. A bunch of imps swarmed around you and they wasted no time in getting to work, dabbing various products onto your face and expertly brushing powder along your cheeks.

Once they were finished, they handed you a mirror, allowing you to inspect their handiwork. Unlike the outfit, the makeup look wasn't as unsettling. Your face was adorned with makeup reminiscent of classic clown makeup, featuring exaggerated lashes, a layer of white face paint, and a bold red lip.

"That's it! That's the one," Velvette grinned, delighted with the makeover. Her grin turned into a smirk as she turned to Vox. "Well, what do you think—Satan!"

Vox's screen began to glitch and buffer, emitting sparks of electricity that charred the couch beneath him. The sudden noise startled some of the models, their eyes widening in alarm as they scrambled to move away from the malfunctioning android.

"The hell is wrong with you?" Velvette shouted.

Vox tried to respond, but all that came out was static.

Concerned, you approached him, the clicking of your heels against the floor echoing.

As you settled beside Vox, there was a momentary pause in the static, and he stared at you with wide eyes, the malfunction seemingly halted by your presence.

Part of you screamed at yourself to leave, to let him handle his problems alone. But another part of you remained, despite everything. Somehow, you still felt a sliver of sympathy for the overlord.

Leaning in closer, you furrowed your brow, the red gloss on your lips catching the studio lights. The corset pushed your chest up, and Vox found his eyes shamelessly drifting.

"Are you okay?" you whispered, your voice laced with genuine worry.

But before Vox could respond, he short-circuited, a burst of sparks and smoke emitting from his malfunctioning screen. You recoiled instinctively, your hand reaching out to shield yourself from any potential danger. With a final surge of electricity, he powered down completely, leaving behind a smoldering heap of metal and wires.

"Is he… okay?"

Velvette waved a dismissive hand. "He's always doing this. Probably overloaded his circuits again."

"Now, can someone please get this thing out of here?!" she commanded, snapping her fingers and tapping her foot impatiently.

As the models and attendants hurried to comply, you were pulled back up to your feet by the overlord. "He'll reboot eventually. Now, let's get back to work."

Reluctantly tearing your gaze away from Vox, you followed after Velvette as she led the way to a photo studio within the boutique.

The scene before you was akin to a circus, with vibrant hues of bright reds and pinks resembling a Valentine's Day massacre. A carousel in the background spun slowly, its eerie music echoing through the studio. Beating hearts hung suspended from the ceiling, their rhythmic pulses visible as they dripped with blood.

"Alright! Let's get the rehearsal started!" Velvette shouted out as she began to direct the crew. Cameras were adjusted, lights were fine-tuned, and the set was re-arranged to her satisfaction.

Turning to you with a tablet in hand, Velvette tossed it into your hands. You caught the device and quickly read through the document on the screen, realizing it was lyrics to a song. Your eyes rushed to memorize the words, the familiarity of the process washing over you.

Decades in the show industry had honed your skills to perfection, making this routine feel like second nature. A small pang of nostalgia tugged at your heartstrings, reminding you of simpler times before everything went amiss.

“Alright.”

Barely giving you ten minutes to prepare, Velvette deftly plucked the tablet from your hands as she stepped back and settled into a director's chair. The chair creaked softly under her weight as she made herself comfortable, slipping on heart-shaped glasses that glinted in the studio lights.

"Let's see what you've got.”

Lifting the scepter to your lips, you pressed it against your mouth, leaving a trace of red lipstick staining the surface, a stark contrast against the sleek metal. As the lights dimmed, signaling the start of your performance, you took a deep breath and began to recite the lyrics.

I write poems to burn by firelight Drink champagne and guzzle gin Good girls call me "the town bicycle" Don't knock it 'til you've tried my life of sin

With a flick of your hand, you pushed back the curls of your hair, the strands catching the studio lights as you kept your gaze glued to the camera lens. From her chair, Velvette smirked and captured the moment with her phone, the flash briefly blinding the dimly lit set.

Oh, my pimp, knows never mess with me Last prick did that faded quick to black I have no idea where to find him, officers But if you do, please mention that I'd Like to have returned the pretty knife That I stuck ten times in his back—

Before you could even finish, the door burst open with a deafening bang, causing everyone in the room to jump in surprise. Valentino stormed into the boutique, his eyes blazing with unrestrained fury. Without uttering a single word, he launched into a violent rampage, his movements wild and unpredictable.

The air was filled with the sound of crashing props and the desperate, panicked screams of assistants as they scrambled to evade Valentino's wrath. You jerked back instinctively as an arm was thrown in your direction, narrowly avoiding the chaotic fray unfolding around you.

"Damn it, Valentino! What are you doing?!" Velvette shouted over the commotion, her voice strained with anger and disbelief as she dug her fingers into her hair, her perfectly styled locks now in disarray.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" the moth demon screamed back, his voice seething with rage as he held poor Edna by her throat, his grip like a vice around her delicate neck.

"I'm airing out my frustrations!" he spat, his eyes wild with fury.

A sickening tearing sound filled the room as Valentino viciously tore Edna apart, blood splattering across the floor and staining the nearby racks of clothing.

"Fuck!" Velvette cursed under her breath. Fumbling, she retrieved her phone, her fingers tapping against the screen in agitation as she dialed Vox's number.

"My dear," the businessman's smooth voice echoed through the speakers, a calming presence amidst the storm. "What can I do for you?"

"Cut the shit. Are you functioning now?" Velvette's words were clipped, forceful, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"Functioning?" The overlord's response was hesitant, his movements jerky as he twisted his head, the wires on his neck audibly cracking with a spark. "I… suppose so."

"Good, because I need you up here now!" Velvette's voice crackled with urgency. "Mothboy is wrecking my department! And I'm waiting for a certain flat-faced prince to come and help!"

Without another word, Vox nodded with a weary groan, the weight of responsibility settling heavily upon him like an oppressive cloak.

"Just another fuckin' day with Val," he scoffed bitterly, his tone tinged with resignation as he pushed himself to his feet with a mechanical whir. "Fuck my life."

In an instant, he transformed into a crackling spark of electricity, zipping up into the CCTV camera before seamlessly teleporting into another one located in Velvette's studio.

"What's going on?" Vox sighed wearily as he materialized, his voice tinged with exhaustion, hands folding behind his back as he surveyed the chaotic scene before him.

"Valentino's lost it again. And he's tearing everything apart," Velvette hissed as her hand shot up, grabbing Vox by the collar of his metallic frame.

Her nails dug into the surface, leaving faint marks as she pulled him down to her eye level. "You need to stop him before he causes any more damage!"

"Consider it done," Vox muttered, rolling his eyes before moving toward Valentino. With a firm grip, he halted the demon mid-carnage, spinning Valentino around to face him. An unsettling grin stretched across Vox's metallic features as he locked eyes with the enraged demon.

"Val! What's got you out of sorts today?"

“That piece of shit! Can you believe what he did?” Valentino snarled, his voice dripping with venom as he flung a small imp across the room, the helpless girl crashing into a clothing rack. “The ungrateful whore!”

"Uh huh, which whore are we talking about now?” Vox spoke nonchalantly as he pulled his phone out and idly scrolled through it. Before he could react, Valentino lunged forward, his claws snatching the device from Vox's grasp.

"Who else would I be talking about?!" Valentino spat, his grip tightening around the phone until it crushed in his hands. With a primal scream, he hurled the remains of the tech against a nearby wall, the impact causing the column to crack under the force of the blow.

You watched with a frown as Vox attempted to calm Valentino, but his efforts fell short against the demon's relentless anger. Despite Vox's attempts, Valentino continued to rage, his voice echoing through the room as he screamed about hotels, phone calls, and among other things you didn't bother picking up.

“Fuck. Alright, he's not calming down anytime soon,” Velvette scoffed, rolling her eyes. She turned to you and motioned for you to follow as she began storming out. “Come on."

Quickly, you nodded, falling into step behind Velvette as she navigated through the gory scene. Blood stained the bottom of your heels as you stepped past limbs and puddles of blood, bones cracked underfoot, and muscles squished beneath your weight. The overpowering scent of iron filled the air, mingling with the metallic tang of fear.

The overlord guided you out of the room and towards the other side of the building, where a door adorned with your name on a golden plaque awaited.

"This is your dressing room. We'll have another shoot in a few hours, so get yourself prepped in here while I go take care of the piss baby," Velvette scowled, already busying herself with her phone again.

"Will do," you sighed, running a hand through your hair, grateful for the moment of rest.

"Good. I'll see you then," Velvette declared with dramatic flair, her vibrant curls swirling around her face as she turned on her heels and walked away, leaving a trail of her perfume lingering in the air.

As you were about to step into your dressing room, the door beside you suddenly swung open with a creak, revealing a slice of the pink-filled bedroom beyond. To your surprise, you were met with the familiar sight of a fluff of white hair. An accented voice filled the air, screaming into a phone, the sound echoing down the corridor.

"I told ya, I didn't mean to—," The demon turned to you and froze, his eyes widening as he dropped his cigar in shock. The carpet beneath your feet caught fire from the dropped cigar, but neither of you seemed to care.

He stared at you, wide-eyed.

Hands flying up to your mouth, you stared back.

For a minute, all you could hear was the muted sounds of Valentino's screaming from the phone speaker and the building's hustle and bustle

"Dollface?" Angel Dust finally broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper as he blinked dumbfounded. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

Your heart dropped like a heavy stone, sinking into the depths of your chest. Tears welled up in your eyes, blurring your vision as you stood there.

Everything was becoming too much to even process. Your body betrayed you as you lost your balance, collapsing and hitting the floor. A high-pitched ringing pierced your ears, drowning out all other sounds, as warmth seeped from them.

"Aw, shit," Angel Dust hissed in panic. Without hesitation, he reached out and pulled you into his arms, dragging you into his room, the door closing behind you with a soft click.

Ending the call, he tossed his phone away and guided you to a plush couch, the fabric soft and inviting beneath your touch as you sank into its embrace. Angel Dust settled beside you, his presence comforting like a warm blanket on a cold night. He offered you a sympathetic smile, though slightly awkward, his eyes filled with understanding.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," he murmured soothingly, his words a gentle caress to your troubled soul.

Opening his arms wide, Angel offered you a hug, and you leaned into his embrace, finding solace in the warmth of his arms as he enveloped you in a comforting hug. Slowly, your senses came together as you nestled against him, the gentle rhythm of his breathing calming the storm of emotions raging within you.

"It's gonna be alright," he whispered softly, his voice a comforting murmur. Moving closer, he wiped away the warm liquid seeping from your ears. You could faintly see his hands moving away, stained with red. "You alright? What happened, mama?"

"A lot," you sighed, raising a hand to massage your temple as you recounted the events of the past 24 hours, from Mimzy's lounge getting busted down to your soul exchange with Vox.

Angel listened intently as you recounted the events, his expression shifting from concern to disbelief as he processed the gravity of what you had experienced.

"Damn, you've been through hell twice. You're one tough cookie, mama," Angel said with a warm smile as he reached for a brush on his vanity and gently ran it through your messed-up hair.

Despite the heaviness of the situation, a hint of laughter escaped you.

"You could say that," you sniffed, feeling a sense of relief wash over you as you let out a long-held sigh. "It's been a while since I've been able to let it all out like this. Most demons aren't exactly the nicest."

Angel Dust chuckled with a shrug, his hands gentle as he worked through the knots in your hair. "Yeah, I've… ah, been tryn'a to stay 'good' for a while now. Charlie's been real pushy with the redemption thing, and I thought, what the hell, why not?"

Suddenly, he paused his brushing and gawked at you, his eyes widening in realization. "Charlie! The hotel!"

Your heart skipped a beat as Angel Dust's words sank in. "The hotel," you echoed, the pieces of the puzzle starting to fall into place in your mind.

"Shit!" Angel laughed, running a hand through his hair. "Well, there ya go! I get off shift tonight, and I sure as hell can get my ass over there. Hell, I can leave right this instant if you want!"

"Won't Valentino be pissed?" you asked, a flicker of concern crossing your features. "You'll be—" Your gaze darted over to his discarded phone on the floor, which was buzzing with calls. "Well, already are in deep shit."

Angel Dust frowned, his expression hardening with resolve. He grabbed your coat and swiftly removed it, tossing it aside to cover the buzzing phone. "Fuck 'im. He can bark all he wants in the studio, but outside of it, he's got no power over me."

The spider leaned in, his touch as gentle as a soft breeze against your skin, his fingers delicate as they brushed a stray hair from your face. "I'll help you. So don't get your pretty little tits in a twist anymore, alright?"

With a heavy heart, you whispered your gratitude, bowing your head as tears continued to stream down your cheeks. Today had been bleak, but a glimmer of hope lingered for a brighter tomorrow.

"But I don't want to get you in trouble, Angel," you said softly, wiping away your tears, exhaustion washing over you. "I can wait until tonight."

Angel Dust's expression softened, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Nah, babe, ain't no trouble for me. Besides, waiting ain't my style, and I ain't about to let you deal with this mess alone."

"Plus," Angel grinned devilishly, his eyes sparkling with mischief, the corners of his lips curling up. "I know your man is going to tear shit down. And I want front row seats to all that drama."

˚୨୧₊♱

"NO!"

Charlie shrieked, her voice piercing the air as she lunged forward, her fingers grasping desperately at Alastor's piece on the gameboard. "Al! You can't just do whatever you want! You have to follow the rules!"

Alastor leaned back in his chair, a low chuckle leaving his lips as he regarded Charlie with amusement. "But my dear, where's the entertainment in that?" he purred as he tilted his head in mock innocence. "Rules are made to be broken, after all. So, I had a little fun with it."

"A little fun?" Vaggie scoffed from her spot on the floor, her brows furrowed in frustration as she idly shuffled the cards.

"Yeah, thanks a lot, dickhead," she muttered, her voice laced with irritation. "That's what you've been doing these past 2 hours. If you don't start playing properly, might as well not play. I mean—why did you even bother?"

"For the entertainment!" Alastor cheered, his grin widening as he rolled the dice once the turn landed on him again. With a flourish of his claws, he moved his piece three spaces, landing on an unclaimed building which he quickly purchased. "I came here because I love seeing you wayward souls struggle to accomplish something great, and fail spectacularly!"

Vaggie scoffed and rolled the dice, her hand deftly moving the piece along the board with a flick of her wrist. However, her expression soured noticeably when the piece landed on the Jail panel. She seethed and sank back, silently cursing her streak of horrible luck.

"Ah, like you are doing now!" Alastor smirked down at her like the asshole he was, punctuating his words with a clap of his hand. "Good job!"

Vaggie clenched her jaw tightly, her knuckles whitening as she lifted the board, readying herself to strike Alastor. However, before she could make her move, the door burst open, and Angel Dust rushed in with a gasp. He looked every bit disheveled, as if he had just run through all nine circles of hell.

Charlie's eyes lit up at the sight of him, and she lifted her hand, waving him over excitedly.

"Angel! Perfect timing. We need one more player for Monopurgatory," she exclaimed, gesturing excitedly towards the game board. With a gleeful expression, she plucked a piece from the board and held up a small metal figurine with a wide smile. "You can be the cupcake~!"

"Sorry, princess, I've got business," Angel huffed, brushing his hair back as he turned to Alastor. "Alright, freaks. We need to talk."

Alastor hummed, studying Angel with mild amusement. "My, my, such urgency," he remarked, his smile widening into a grin. "What's got you in such a hurry?"

"It's about Vox," Angel replied, pressing his hands flat against each other. "I need to speak with you in private."

Alastor's grin faded slightly, and he tilted his head, his eyes narrowing at Angel. Well, this was certainly getting very entertaining.

After a moment of contemplation, Alastor shook his head, snapping himself out of whatever daze he had briefly fallen into.

"Vox, you say?" Alastor mused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. With a nonchalant shrug, he pushed himself up, twirling his cane in the air. "Oh, well, in that case, let's chat."

With a flick of his wrist, Alastor moved forward and gestured towards the door, indicating for Angel to follow him. Charlie and Vaggie exchanged puzzled glances, but they remained silent, watching as both men left the room.

"You know, I'd usually never even think of entertaining you, and I'd rather let you deal with your own issues. But you seem to be in a great deal of suffering!” Alastor laughed heartily as he shut the door.

"So, pray tell, what happened? Did you get yourself entangled in another deal from a whim decision? My! I certainly hope you don't bring any of this into the hotel. What will the papers say?"

Angel rolled his eyes and cut Alastor's rambling short, jabbing a gloved finger into the Radio Demon's chest. "It ain't about me. And you're gonna want to listen because it's your missus that's in deep shit right now."

Alastor's eye twitched at the mention of you, a brief flicker of static and symbols dancing in the air. His crimson eyes bore into Angel Dust, his expression unreadable, save for the wide curl of his lips.

Inwardly, Angel smirked. If he didn't have Alastor's attention before, he sure as fuck had it now.

"What does my wife have to do with this?" Alastor quipped sharply, his claws delicately removing Angel Dust's finger from his chest. "I fail to see the connection. Do enlighten me."

"Wanna be enlightened?" Angel waved him over, "Then follow me."

Without waiting for a response, Angel turned on his heels and strode out of the hotel. Alastor followed closely behind, his red-clad figure cutting through the streets of hell like fire against the night.

A few streets later, they approached the border edge of the entertainment district, and Alastor halted abruptly, his gaze narrowing in suspicion.

"I don't particularly fancy this area, and I'd rather not enter," he scoffed, adjusting his coat and brushing away dust from his sleeves with a disdainful flick. "It's rather unsavory."

"Just look," Angel rolled his eyes, gesturing upwards towards the towering Vee tower, where a new advertisement had just been erected.

Alastor's gaze shifted upward, and he froze as he beheld your face plastered across the billboard, larger than life, dominating the skyline of the entertainment district. The vibrant colors of the advertisement clashed with the dark hues of the surrounding buildings, drawing attention like a beacon in the night. Beneath the image, in bold letters, was a sign that read: "Sponsored by VoxTek," stark against the backdrop of your image.

There was silence for a minute, then another, before a sharp crack split the air.

"Angel?" Alastor's chipper voice rang out as he stared up at the billboard with a manic grin. Crackling began to be heard as his limbs lengthened, each movement accompanied by the sound of bones shifting and sinewy muscles stretching beneath his ashen flesh.

"Would you be so kind as to…" His antlers began to grow in size, curling and twisting like the branches of a gnarled tree.

"—explain…" His eyes darkened, the whites turning to a deep, swirling black, while the pupils glowed with a golden light, resembling the flickering dials of an old radio.

"—what exactly am I looking at right now?" His hands elongated into grotesque claws, the fingers stretching and sharpening into razor-sharp blades capable of ripping flesh—or in this case, wires—with ease. As his claws extended, they stretched his glove to its limit until it tore right off, revealing the glint of his wedding ring.

"Vox got her soul," Angel replied immediately, his voice steady despite the horrifying sight in front of him. "Screens has her wrapped around his finger, and he's not planning to let go anytime soon."

Alastor's head snapped to the side with a sickening crack accompanying the movement.

"Show me," he snarled, his voice taking on an inhuman quality, heavily filtered by radio waves.

Without hesitation, Angel gestured towards the billboard, his expression blank.

"Get in there, and see for ya'self."

˚୨୧₊♱

#im sorry for the shitty filler chapter :(( this was for the pacing and so i can prepare yall for the next chapter #sephiewrites #hazbin hotel x reader #alastor x reader #hazbin hotel imagine #alastor imagine #hazbin imagine #hazbin hotel x you #alastor x you #hazbin x you #hazbin x reader #hazbin hotel #alastor #hazbin vox #hazbin hotel velvette

[gentil-minou]

Wei Wuxian licks his lips and leans forward slightly, walking his fingers across the countertop aimlessly toward Lan Zhan. “You know, Lan Zhan,” he drawls, “A-Yuan says we’re both in the book.”

“Mn,” Lan Zhan responds, tracking the path of his fingers intently, “I am apparently Hanguang-jun, the moral upstanding hero.”

“And I’m the devious Yiling Loazu, who led you astray,” he smirks, peering at Lan Zhan through his lashes.

Lan Zhan meets his stare, head-on, lit from within like molten sunshine. “No,” he corrects, “not astray, Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian tilts his head, waiting for him to continue. His fingers stop their dancing, resting just inches away from Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan shifts his own hand, bringing them even closer, their fingertips almost brushing.  

“The Yiling Loazu did not lead Hanguang-jun astray,” he says, eyes piercing as they flicker between Wei Wuxian’s. “They were partners, and…”

“Ah,” Wei Wuxian breathes, “the decent romance?”

Lan Zhan doesn’t answer, watching him closely. The pupils of his eyes have grown so large there’s only the tiniest ring of gold around the edge. He can see himself reflected in the black. He thinks he likes the version of himself that lives in Lan Zhan’s eyes.

They’re standing on the edge of a cliff, waiting for the other to take a step forward, bracing for a fall.

It should be terrifying, this sudden drop into something completely new, something entirely unknown yet so familiar. But Wei Wuxian is filled with conviction that no matter what, Lan Zhan will catch him.

It's as electrifying as it is calming, this certainty that here, with Lan Zhan, he is safe.

Wei Wuxian tilts his head to the side in a way he knows sets the unmarked skin of his neck on display. “I’m sure it was more than just decent, with a handsome hero like Hanguang-jun.”

Lan Zhan quirks an eyebrow, his gaze resting on the curve of Wei Wuxian’s neck, just as he’d hoped. "Handsome?"

“Well,” Wei Wuxian responds, tapping his index finger so it brushes against Lan Zhan’s fingertips. His skin is soft and perfect, just like the rest of him. “He isn’t wrong. You’re very handsome, Lan Zhan.”

“Really, Wei Ying?” Lan Zhan says, voice quiet and deep.

“Yep, definitely worthy of being compared to the beautiful Second Jade of Lan.”

“Is that so?” Lan Zhan shifts closer, the smell of him filling up Wei Wuxian. He smells so familiar, like something he knows intimately. Sandalwood, Wei Wuxian realizes, with sudden clarity.

Lan Zhan continues, “I would love to hear more about your opinion on my beauty and prestige, Wei Ying.”

“You don’t know anything about me, Lan Zhan. Why would you care what I think?”

Lan Zhan tilts his head, only just. “Do I need to? To want to know how your brain works?”

I commissioned this lovely artwork by the wonderful @lotuslate of a scene from my fic, once upon a time, 很久很久以前 where the entire cultivation world is cursed to live in the modern world without their memories and abilities, but of course wangxian find a way to fall in love all over again.

#i've been staring at this art for days they're one of my fave mdzs artist i am not worthy T__T #look at them falling in love before shenanigans try to keep them apart!! #im planning to post chapter 3 next week maybe by the end og the weekend #it's an absolute beast at 15k but it also introduces a bunch of characters im excited for hehe #mdzs #mo dao zu shi #the untamed #chen qing ling #wangxian #mdzs fanfiction #the untamed fanfic #wei wuxian #wei ying #lan wangji #lan zhan #mxtxnet #mdzs ouat au #bushy writing #okay now that the tags are out of the way prepare for anxiety rant: commissioning art for my fic was one of the best and most anxiety thing #i've ever had to do like it's actually insane #on the one hand i love my fic so much but also i do not feel worthy of such pretty art and talent (except i paid for it and supported an #artist i really admire which makes me dumb brain extra silly) but yeah this enitire week since i first got it i basically had to play #with my anxiety in the worst way and its been awful and i want to share this art cause its so great but also i want to cry cause i feel #unworthy BUT! i am by posting this telling that anxiety to shut up and continue promoting a fic i'm really proud and excited for and #hopefully opening the floodgates so i have the confidence to commission more artwork in the future because seeing the words i write in a pi #is just about one of the most incredible feelings aNYWAYS

[caelanglang]

stars that align and collide…

#ARE WE READY FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER KIDS? #I’ve already prepared my straight jacket and padded room <3 #dgm and star motifs my beloved #that’s 1 out of my xx dgm wipes down yeehaw #dgm #d gray man #d. gray man #my art

[codenamesazanka]

excuse my strong feelings but any ending where Shigaraki/Tenko returns as a Shimura Tenko that doesn't stay with the League and doesn't want to keep fighting for Villains is bullshit. Just take away the one core part of his character - "even if you stamp out my hatred and even if I wind up hollow, the Villains need a Hero of their own" - and make him another bland Hero lover who assimilates into normal society and learn to reject the rejects, why not. He can realize destruction is bad and stop that as an end goal, he can ditch Shigaraki Tomura as a name, he can lose Decay as a quirk, but he is probably not going to make any Hero's life easier.

Any ending that has any member of the League surviving but Shigaraki/Tenko has been turned into child!Tenko or just a Tenko whose 'Shigaraki Tomura half' is wiped away is also bullshit. Fuck the concept of friendship, right? Remaking him because who he is right now is too broken to exist and not worth letting continue to live, and severing existing bonds so that Tenko can go make new, hero-approved correct bonds isn't fucked up at all.

#if it does happen then it will happen but it'll be bullshit #nalslastworkingbraincell #i am prepared to become a clown next chapter #I'll dread it but i am im prepared

[kitamars]

here are all the illustrations i made for the first chapter of two shorten the road! it was a lot of fun working on this, and i really hope you all enjoy this and what’s to come! enjoy ^^

link to the fic:

#man. the next chapter is gonna be a doozy so be prepared for that lol #i shit these out in like two days i will never be this productive again!! #not much to say except i hope you guys liked it! your encouragement means a lot to me :) #thank you so much <3 #kotetsu t. kaburagi #barnaby brooks jr #taibani #kotetsu x barnaby #tiger and bunny #tiger & bunny #t&b #tnb #taibani swap au #ok bye

[pttucker]

Yup, the match-making system of had definitely lost a lot of its marbles, hadn't it? Before the face of the third candidate could appear, I summoned up all my courage and shouted out. "No, hang on a minute! I don't have any thoughts of marriage yet!" The Judge lowered his head as if he wanted to apologise and backed off. [If the esteemed Prince isn't ready yet, then the introduction of the next candidate can be delayed until the next time…] [Hmm… I wonder who'll be able to tame this stubborn Prince of ours.]

*SCREAMING*

We all agree on who was about to show up as the third option, right? We all know who it was gonna be? Right?

Oh man, I just about fell out of my chair and rolled around on the floor when the Candidates started to appear. I know everyone in the entire Star Stream seems to love their shipping, Uriel and Persephone in particular, but I WAS NOT PREPARED.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Okay, I was maybe a little prepared for some teasing since Persephone loves to tease him about his (so far nonexistent) love life but this whole little matchmaking presentation from a Judge of the Underworld was more than I could have ever imagined. The Judge literally saying that maybe Sangah is out of Dokja's league adakjfldjfskfs.

And let's not forget, we're literally right in the middle of a massive battle that's about to go sideways due to the meddling of a certain archangel. But, you know, priorities.

I swear...what even is this novel? How am I ever gonna explain any of this to anyone?

Oh man, and then after teasing him all this time about Sangah and Joonghyuk (…and then Joonghyuk again…) Persephone just casually drops Bihyung into the conversation.

Bihyung.

Which… not a ship I’ve ever considered... even if they do have a baby together. (Wow, this story is weird isn’t it?)

But, you know what? You do you, Dokja! I support your strange but unique life choices!

(Dokja does not want this. Dokja does not want any of this.)

#oh man dokja totally knew who was coming next didn’t he? #I mean he HAD to know after Persephone’s teasing last time #my guy wasn’t mentally prepared #he wasn't mentally prepared for ANY of this #and then the comment about who will TAME him #please mom and dad can you just give him an army so he can be on his way? #pretty please? #dokja doesn't know how to handle parents who are...actually parents #orv #orv spoilers #orv liveblog #orv novel chapter 388 #omniscient reader's viewpoint #kdj #hades #persephone #hankim #joongdok #doksang

[transmasccofee]

fav Kusuo and Kuusuke dynamic is the saddest one and also basically what we see in canon. Aka two guys who really don’t want to love each other but Do and it is awful and their relationship is awful and they hate each other but Kuusuke built that Time Machine and Kusuo offered to be his playmate instead of his enemy and Kuusuke held himself hostage because if anyone should kill him he wanted it to be his brother and “has he really changed?” And GAHH.. it’s so bad it’s just terrible I’m obsessed with them like What are these guys doing in a (mostly) comedy series

#tw suicide #< implied #i have to tag that every time i talk about Kuusukes whole hostage situation thing now #They get into wacky hijinks one chapter and then next time they’re together it’s all #Can you really kill me kusuo? If I’m going into this prepared to die can you really stop me?”

[whitecatlegend]

Spring Festival Special 1

Happy Year of the Dragon, everyone! To celebrate, I'll be posting the New Year special - it comes in eight parts, one part will be posted each day. And then it'll be Sunday again, so it will be back to regular chapters. Enjoy!

Spring Festival Special 1 || Next Master post

The special is titled as "Spring Festival", but in text they're mostly talking about "New Year" - it's translated this way because that's how it was in the original. Many terms, all meaning the same thing - lunar new year, time for celebration and family reunion dinners. Unfortunately, that might be tricky for government workers...

Whether you celebrate or not, I hope you have a lovely day and enjoy this chapter! Please look forward to more things going wrong tomorrow for poor overworked Dali Court employees, and get plenty of rest and good food in their stead.

#大理寺日志 #white cat legend #translated chapters #white cat legend translation #i know this is early but i have a bunch of other stuff to do #including typesetting and preparing the posts for the next week #and i was afraid i'd forget to post

[galaxynajma]

If I had a nickel for everytime a fushiguro did damage to gojo satoru neck I would’ve have two nickels which isn’t a lot but it’s weird it happened twice

#I hate u gege #I have eyebags from the little sleep I got #from waiting for this chapter #praying for gojo to be ok #this is going a long week :/ #I’m am not mentally prepared #for season 2 or the next few chapters #gojo satoru #jjk spoilers #jujutsu manga #jjk leaks #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu gojo #jjk #jjk225 #toji fushiguro #megumi fushiguro #ryomen sukuna

[tadpolebobatea]

Last chapter of the year baby!!!! Live slug reaction

Sean you’re so real for this. I adore his stupid ass

Poor fuuko… but yeah understandable

Sorry fuuko but you’ll never be an ojou-sama type. Maybe give it another hundred years?

special mention to chikara taking pictures in the back . Also hooray for a second instalment of Sean and Gina, middle siblings from hell.

A selection of Gina’s for your viewing pleasure. She’s rapidly becoming a favourite. Poor girl puts up with so much shit

God a new uma? It feels like it’s been forever.

Anna seems like a real one, I already like her. I’m happy julia does feel like a separate person to juiz but you can definitely see the roots yknow?

I’m guess the uma controls people using the power of money since it looks like she wasn’t speaking intentionally

That’s all I got. See ya next year you lugs <3

#manga spoilers #undead unluck spoilers #chapter 189 #chikara shigeno #sean datz #julia u. stitia #gina chamber #now to brace myself for the next episode of the anime #not emotionally prepared for all that #undead unluck

[tricks-n-illusions]

(dichloro approaches lune slowly, though still keeping outside the circle.) you seem really protective of this kid.. what makes you care about him so much? especially since you seem so hostile to everyone else.

"I don't care about the kid okay..." He said quite bluntly. "I just..." Silas seemed suddenly lost for words, his ears drooped further as he searched for an explanation. "It's just..."

"When Lune says something... he's just being honest with me. Sure it might really hurt in the moment... but at least I know he's not judging me without a good fuckin' reason." "But everyone else? Everyone else always assumes the worst of me. What else am I supposed to do...? I already proved that they should, there ain't no going back now. " He sighed before turning away. "I- ...Look it doesn't matter alright? Right now I have other shit I should be doing."

"I'm tired of it and his life matters more right now... that kids familiar can only do so much. If he was a human... he would have healed by now. But... that's my fault too. Just like everything around this fuckin' place." He huffed, he didn't have time to linger on this any longer. "I gotta go." As it did a moment ago Silas' illusion began to appear, this time with an intention. His familiar features were quick to shift into something more basic and feral.

And just as it appeared the illusion flashed a grin.

"Do me a favour alright~? Don't touch Lune."

-> Seems Silas has wandered off to somewhere unknown... -> "Chapter 1: The Introduction" has ended.

#Chapter 1: The Introduction #tni: chrono #tni: silas rune #tni: lune farrier #AND THERE WE GO. #I'm way too excited for the next part I cannot wait any longer ;; #prepare for a poll next ;3 I'm going to give y'all a little choice on where you can take this story next #And if you choose wisely you might get to meet a certain ghost fox in the flesh

[demeterdefence]

my favourite thing about this panel in episode 63

is that rachel did not move athena for twenty three panels

^ this is at the beginning of episode 63. rachel literally kept athena and the background the exact same, blurred it slightly, and put hestia and artemis in the forefront. you can tell she's still got the vacant smile even blurred out. rachel's been doing the png thing for a while

#anti lo #anti lore olympus #am i rereading old chapters to prepare myself for the next release perhaps #like it's such a small thing but it's very telling imho #u can tell that athena IS drawn INTO the scene - her body more or less adapts to the surroundings #so rachel likely drew that panel with athena and artemis with the background in mind and present #but then she zooms out and uses athena as the backdrop #as a sin it's not particularly egregious and if it was like this one thing i'd ignore it #but knowing rachel starts just throwing pngs onto flats pretty early in the series ... it's not a good look #anyways!

[h0estar]

dawg, one thing abt me is that i've always been an advocate for yukine and yato's happiness.... so i'm just curious.... WHEN EXACTLY WILL ADATCHITOKA PAY FOR THEIR CRIMES AGAINST THIS KID AND HIS SILLY SELF-PROCLAIMED DAD 😭 LET MY BOYS REST MAN DAMN

#NO BC THIS ABSOLUTELY WRECKED ME #YUKINE HOLDING ONTO YATO AFYER HE SAW HIM FADING AWAY I CANT DO THIS #BRO HAS JUST BEEN THROUGH IT AND NOW HE'S GONNA LOSE BOTH YATO AND HIYORI AT THE SAME TIME ATCYALLY GONNS #naw i gave up on the direction of this manga ever since father decided to create his lil nation #i ABSOLUTELY DISLIKE THE DIRECTION THEY WENT FOR #and SEKKI SHOULD'VE FINISHED OFF FATHER NOT HAKKI I SAID WHAT I SAID #but anw LET MY BOY REST FR HE'S BEEN THROUGH SM SHIT ADATCHITOKA U CANT KEEP GETTING AWAY W THIS #i'm actually sobbing this part hurt me sm 😭 #noragami #yato #yukine #noragami spoilers #i still love noragami despite the writing. i've just been way too emotionally invested in the story and characters for years #save my boys bro #they've had enough fr #no bc wHAT HAPPENED TO YATO 😭 #ion even wana think abt it bro. i see nothing but tragedy and absolute pain in the next & last chapter #adatchitoka is so gracious giving us a whole month to prepare for what's to come 🥰 #man i hope yato is okay 😭 i doubt it tho 😭😭😭😭😭 #mine

[ashes-writing]

stranger things  ● the new girl pt 6  ● g.emerson

warnings

angst / friends to lovers / idiots in love, bullying ( it's gross and I do not support it btw) and confrontations also high school drama and some mean girl shit here, mentions of alcohol/w**d and smoking, eventual filth, jealousy (a former friend of reader), rumors..

<- you/reader are the new girl in hawkins. you/reader are female and have female parts + a certain vibe (rich girl / 80's grunge rocker groupie ) as well as nicknames and a petname. this is a self indulgent baby. let me live lmaooo.

word count

3211 exactly. For missing context, see ( part 5 ). All previous parts are linked on their posts going backwards.

summary

-- you're the new girl in Hawkins. gareth is the boy who has caught your eye. but there are obstacles. can they be overcome?

(( ope. we have a cliffhanger maybe. ))

taglist + shoutouts

-- taglist is here if you'd like to be added, please click the bolded. or tell me, i'll add you. if you're on my tags for Eddie/Steve or others, please disregard this lmk if you want me to not tag you in Gareth fics.

@tbmunson bestie.. babes.. babe.. hear me out.. neither of us were expecting this chapter to go down but.. drama? and gareth. I love you omg, you're my inspiration.

@nana90azevedo I'm so glad you liked this. I love his character, tbh. Thank you so much!

@littlestarfighter03

@allelitesmut

@chaoticcancer

@dylanwritesgood

@just-a-blue-nerd

@music4life42

@slyisbehindyou

other links

masterlist  ● gareth's masterlist  ● about + rules

“ I saw him going into her house late Friday night. And then they left together Saturday morning. Pretty sure she fucked him because she’s been all about him since she started school here.”

Andy’s watching you and Gareth play fight over something across the parking lot. Gareth has you over his shoulder and he’s spinning you. You’re laughing and it’s loud. And when Molly says it, everything comes to a grinding halt. He turns to look at her. “You think they fucked?”

“Pretty sure of it, actually… I thought you’d.. Wanna know.” Molly’s shuffling her feet. Doing her best to look appealing to the stocky jock. Mirroring the way she’s seen you act around Gareth recently. Because she feels like if it worked for you… Maybe it’ll finally work for her. Maybe Andy will finally see her, standing in front of him. Hoping, praying and dying for a chance to be his girl.

“That all? You can go now, Moo.” Andy gives her an annoyed look and waves his hand away from him dismissively. “Go on. Go back to your little losers club.. Oh wait..” he feigns just a seconds worth of a sympathetic cringe, “They turned on you.”

“She caused it. I.. Andy, please?” she’s giving him a begging look and it’s one he finds pathetic. He chuckles. “You really want me, huh?”

“Yes.”

Andy steps closer. Staring down at the shorter girl. “I wouldn’t be with you if you were the last girl on Earth and I didn’t have a choice. You’re gross. Get lost.”

Molly’s shoulder slumps and the tears are stinging in her eyes. And as she rushes away somewhere, probably to cry, Andy turns his attention to you again. “She’d sleep with that, hm? She won’t want him anymore if I show her what a little bitch he is.”

Meanwhile, you’re trying to keep your bag of Doritos away from Gareth. And it was working, but then out of nowhere, he hauls you over his shoulder, in a show of strength that surprises you and turns you on, leaving you wet in seconds. Your breath hangs in your throat and Doritos fly from the open bag, scattering on the gravel. “You made me spill ‘em, Gareth.” you’re pouting as you try to look over his shoulder at him. Gareth is chuckling quietly. Face all red because he normally isn’t like this. But spending the weekend with you established these little… habits. And he knows that it’s Monday, that you’re at school now and maybe you don’t want him to keep at it with the playful way he started treating you, but he just can’t stop himself.

His fingers squeeze at your thighs and he bites back a groan. “You’re the one not sharin ‘em, bunny. You know I like Doritos. C’mon, just give me a few..”

“Fiiiiiine.” the word leaves your mouth in a whimper instead of normally and you want to melt right into the ground when it does. You slide down his body and hold out the bag to him, pretending to pout. “You know you probably left a handprint on my ass.”

Gareth nearly chokes on the chips he’s just reached into the bag to take because out of context.. His face burns even hotter. You step up into him and before you even stop to think that this is school and he might not want you doing it, you slip your arms into the warmth of the jacket he’s wearing over his plaid vest and Hellfire tshirt and you rest your forehead against his collarbone. Gareth’s breath hangs in his throat. And it’s about this time that Eddie, Jeff and Ethan finally see fit to arrive at school.

“It’s so chilly.” you pout up at Gareth when you’re finally not blushing too hard to look him in the eyes. “I didn’t wanna come today, y’know. We could’ve just blown it off and gone to my house.”

“Bunny, you gotta come. It’s school.”

“Unfortunately.” you’re still pouting and Gareth laughs, shaking his head. Eddie meets his gaze over your bent head and he’s rubbing his chin, amusement playing at doe eyes. “You two are cozy.”

“He’s warm. I’m not lettin go.” you answer without glancing back, your voice muffled by the front of Gareth’s plaid vest. Eddie snickers quietly. Looks at Gareth and mouths the question, “Are you really sure you want to die on the hill that she doesn’t like you, Emerson?” as he nods to you and the way you have your face resting against the side of his neck. Gareth gives Eddie a warning look and slips a handful of chips out of your bag, munching on them.

Jeff’s trying so hard to resist the urge to double over laughing because he has… Never seen Gareth this flustered. Nor has he ever seen Gareth attempt flirting in any way,shape or form except the rare stolen glance at his various hallway crushes over the years past. He clears his throat. “Are we interrupting something, man?”

Gareth flips Jeff off, gives him a warning look because he doesn’t want any of this to come to an abrupt end. You grumble about him constantly moving just when you get comfortable again and he laughs. “I told you to go to sleep before midnight.”

“You did.” you pout a little. “But I didn’t wanna.”

Gareth laughs, shaking his head. “Dunno what I’m gonna do with you, bunny.”

You shrug. You almost let it slip that you can think of more than a few things he could do with you but you manage to keep the thought safely in your head.

“What the fuck is he doing, staring over here?” you’ve lifted your head and caught Andy staring at the way you’re melted into Gareth to stay warm in the early morning chill. You scowl, stick out your tongue and raise your middle finger. “Take a picture, dipshit. It’ll last longer.”

But then you realize that it’s not just Andy staring. Because now Molly’s new little friends are all looking right at the two of you. And she gives you this hurt and angry look and you roll your eyes.

–

“She’s a slut, I’m telling you. When she’s done with Gareth, she’ll sleep with your boyfriends too. That’s totally why she moved here in the first place. I mean, she said it was just because she had to, but it was because everyone at her old school hated her.” Molly’s telling Anna, one of the popular girls who’s actually nice to her on occasion.

And it’s not true and Molly knows what she’s saying isn’t true.. But she doesn’t care. She’s just that jealous. That tired of everybody else getting everything she wants. Tired of being a target for endless teasing, everything from her weight to her sister dropping out at 16 because she got pregnant. 

“Did she say she wanted to sleep with Chance?”

“She’s not gonna announce it, Anna, be smart.” Molly rolls her eyes. “She’ll just do it.”

Anna’s watching the two of you across the parking lot and she wrinkles her nose in disgust. “It’s just.. That’s gross? Who the fuck sleeps with Gareth Emerson, ew?”

“Poor guy is going to be crushed when she gets tired of him and leaves him. How do we know that she didn’t hook up with Andy when she first moved here, get tired of him and now she’s so mean to him..” Molly knows what she’s doing could backfire on her in a big way, but she’s got the attention of two of the three most popular girls in school.

Chrissy rolls her eyes. “How do we know it’s not just Andy being gross though? Because he is and we all know it.” and her gaze lingers on Molly thoughtfully. She’s sort of sensing what Molly is up to, after all, Molly’s exactly the kind of girl who will do anything to get what she wants. Including make up a lie.

,, she did this once already when we were kids.” the thought comes and as Molly’s saying more and more, Chrissy speaks up. “Why do any of us care about any of this again? I mean… if Chance sleeps with her, that’s on him.”

“But I don’t want him to sleep with her before I give it up.”

“If you were going to lose him, Anna..” and Chrissy is not getting a good feeling at all. Because Anna’s the one who always overreacts when she panics and Molly’s using it to her advantage, if she wasn’t sure about it ten minutes ago when Molly started telling them all this for no reason and with little to no context behind it, she’s sure about that now because of the warning glare Molly gives her when she speaks up and attempts to assert a little reason and common sense into the situation.

“I don’t wanna risk it. I’m gonna talk to her.”

Anna starts to walk towards where you stand with Gareth and his friends, as well as the three girls you’re always with.

“___, I need to talk to you.”

You raise a brow but you step away from Gareth, following Anna over to the picnic tables.

“Molly told me about you. If you think I’m gonna let a little  slut like you sleep with my boyfriend… My ticket out of Hawkins at the end of the year.. You’re wrong and stupid.” Anna’s words have you laughing. Until you happen to see that she’s dead serious and then you look over at where Molly’s standing and your stomach sinks.

You know what she’s up to.

You rub the bridge of your nose. “What’d she tell you, Anna?”

Anna tells you exactly what Molly said and your fist clenches. “The hell is her problem?” you shake your head. “I don’t want Chance. Or any of those idiots, okay? Molly told you that to start something. Because she’s pissed. Andy won’t give her a backwards glance unless he’s being insulting or a total dick.”

“So you didn’t sleep with Andy?”

You nearly choke. “Huh?”

“She said that she thinks you slept with Andy when you first moved to Hawkins. But then you got bored and now you’re being mean.”

“Absolutely not. I’d light myself on fire if I had to choose between Andy and death.” you shake your head. Your stomach is churning and with a threat of a repeat of your old school and the bullshit you went through there hanging over your head, you shake your head and laugh bitterly. “I should’ve known not to say anything about the damn rumors.”

“Just leave Chance alone.” “I don’t fucking want him. Are you fucking blind? Do you not see me attempting to be with somebody?”

Anna gapes at you. “You.. you actually want that freak?”

“He’s not a freak. And yes. Yes I do.” you admit, going quiet. “I want him. Like.. I think I might be in love with him.” and you’re feeling worse now because you just have a feeling.. Everything is gonna end up like it was at your old school. And by the time the rumor mill puts in it’s days work, Gareth’s not even going to be able to look at you without being totally disgusted, assuming every wild and crazy thing that gets said is true.

Because that’s how it always goes.

What you don’t realize is that Anna’s not the only one who heard your little confession.. Or any of the other things Anna asked you about. Or your answers.

–

Gareth is frozen, rooted in place. And he’s listening intently, getting angrier and angrier on your behalf with everything Anna seems to be accusing you of. But when she asks you if you really want him, he’s tempted to walk away. Because he feels like he’s better off not knowing the answer, he doesn’t want to hear you laugh.

But he can’t walk away.

When he hears you answer her question, it’s like everything going on around him disappears. His brain is frantically trying to process what he’s just heard you say out of your own mouth. And even hearing you say it doesn’t stop those pesky pessimistic little voices from taunting him that you have to be lying, maybe you don’t want to tell the truth because there’s the risk that he’ll find out.

This could be a long con, after all.

And he could’ve gone on believing it until you tell Anna totally unprompted that you think you might love him.

“Fuck.” the word slips out quietly and his hand settles against thick curls as he takes a very shaky next breath. Anna’s walking away now and you slip off the top of the picnic table, glaring at where Molly stands in anger.

Your fist clenches and unclenches.

Gareth is still making an attempt to process what he’s just heard you say so when you rush past him heading straight for Molly’s direction, he doesn’t try to stop you.

“Oh shit.”

“Okay, I think we need to get over there.”

“Or.. hear me out.. We could let ____ kick Molly’s ass. We could let her learn a lesson this once.”

“What lesson, Adi? That she can’t be an ugly person on the inside and the outside? She needs to pick a battle?” Edith asks.

“Edie, that was mean. And she’s not ugly, no one is. She just has a really nasty attitude.” Maria and Adeline say it in unison.

“She’s a bitch. Remember when she pulled this shit in second grade and got Chrissy in trouble? Because Chrissy was nice enough to invite her to her birthday party but then every time she tried to include her, Molly was just mean about it? Yeah, she deserves every single second of this.” Edith points out calmly.

Molly turns around and spots you, smirking. “Speak of the devil.”

You shove her back as soon as you’re within reach. “Go on, Molly. Tell everybody all at once. Right now. Let’s get this over with. Let’s settle your problem.” you’re shoving her again because you’re furious… and hurt. Because you told them about the rumors in the first place because you thought you finally had friends you could trust.

“I didn’t do anything!”

“Lying bitch.” you’re going for your earrings. “Come on, Molly. Tell everybody else what you told Anna. Like you think it’ll fucking bother me.”

“Ladies! In my office, Right now.” Principal Coleman calls out as soon as he spots the brewing confrontation. Molly shoves you back and she’s glaring at you. “I hate you.”

“You’re a bitch.” you shove her back. She raises her hand to slap you and you catch her wrist in your hand. 

“Now, ladies.” Principal Coleman’s patience is wearing thin, you can hear it in the man’s voice. You turn and walk away, shoving through everyone to walk into the building. And you’re at least eighty five percent sure that the second you’re done in his office, you’re going home.

Because you’re not going to sit around and let it happen again. And you’re really not interested in spending an entire day fighting, either.

–

“Gareth? You okay, dude? What the fuck happened?”

Gareth rubs his hand over his face. “Shit.”

“What?”

“We need context, man.” Jeff speaks up.

“She..I.. There’s no way. She told Anna she thinks she loves me. I need a fucking minute, guys..” Gareth finally grumbles.

You shove past everyone and disappear into the building and Gareth takes off after you because now that it’s all sinking in for him, he’s well aware that you’re probably already assuming the absolute worst outcome. Because you’re similar to him when it comes to that.

–

Class has already started by the time Principal Coleman finally gets to the bottom of what happened outside. And you’re just glad the hallways are empty and you don’t have to look anybody in the eye. You can just slip out quietly.

And you do. Fuming and wiping away tears as you make your way back to your parents house. Because you’re angry and hurt, all in one.

The thing that bothers you the most in all this is that you were finally starting to feel happy. You were working up the nerve to write Gareth a letter and slip it in his locker. You were this close to having friends..

“And now I know why I don’t trust anybody. It’s my own fault, I never should’ve told them anything in the first place.” you shake your head as you step into your parents house and  toss your backpack at the floor, bending down to toe off your shoes.

–

Gareth hasn’t been able to stop thinking about what he overheard you tell Anna that morning for the whole day. And lunch rolls around. He’s waiting outside the classroom for you to come out because he’s slowly working up the nerve to bring it up. To tell you he heard what you said. To tell you he feels the same.

The door opens and Edith walks past. When she spots him leaned against the wall and waiting like usual, she doubles back. “Do you know where ___ went? I haven’t seen her since this morning..”

“Wait.. she wasn’t in class? Shit.” Gareth rubs his hand over his face and takes a deep breath or two. “She probably left.”

“Why? Molly’s a lying bitch and everybody knows it now because me and that cheerleader, Chrissy? Yeah, her.. We told everybody the whole story in homeroom. Because Molly needs to learn to keep her fucking mouth shut. The girls got so mean she left crying, dude..”

Gareth grimaces. “Yeah, but so did ___.”

Edith rubs her face. “Probably because she thinks we’re all gonna believe the bullshit, man. Because she pretends she’s tough and everything, she really isn’t.” 

“I know.” Gareth answers, dragging a hand over the back of his head. “I’m going over there.”

“After school. Give her time to calm down a little.” Edith gives him a grateful look. “I’m gonna get Adeline and Maria, we’ll go call from the payphone. Because if she thinks for one second she’s going to ditch us to deal with the assholes in this place, she’s wrong. I’m going to give her a piece of my mind.”

Gareth laughs. “Yeah.. do that.”

“Hurt her, Emerson, I’m breaking your knee caps.” Edith calls out to him before walking away, rushing down the hall to catch up to Maria and Adeline, your other friends. 

“Your girl left, man. She slipped out after she left Coleman’s office. I was gonna stop her but she looked pretty pissed.” Eddie speaks up from beside him. Gareth nods. “Don’t blame her.”

“You should probably go.”

“I’m going. I’m going after school though because I think she needs space… And I’m still wrapping my head around.. You know..”

“Don’t be a pussy, Emerson. Go.”

Gareth mulls it over. Eddie speaks up. “I’ll stall the meeting this afternoon,dude.”

“But we literally just told Wheeler and Henderson we weren’t postponing for that Sinclair kid.”

“And we’re not postponing. We’re just starting a little later.” Eddie shrugs. “Go already.”

“I’m going.” Gareth takes off for the doors at the end of the hall that lead out to the parking lot.

#gareth emerson #gareth emerson imagine #gareth emerson fanfiction #gareth emerson imagines #gareth the great #gareth emerson x reader #gareth emerson x you #gareth emerson x fem!rich girl reader #gareth emerson x yn #my writing ● gareth emerson #<-warnings | bullying / confrontations and mean girl behavior ● friends to lovers / affectionate and heavy PDA ● see above #<-warning | female reader ( clothes/hair/outfits + personality #<- use of a nickname/petname ie.. bunny #fandom (stranger things) ● season ( 4 - total au ) ● character ( gareth emerson ) #-- listen this chapter came out in a way i was not prepared for. #-- and it's a cliffhanger. because now i need to figure out what i wanna do next.

[ssreeder]

your writing is so amazing. besides the fact I'm astounded at the fact you're able to crank out those monster chapters for us on a regular basis its just an art the way they flow and read so easily. i say with the biggest compliments that those 12-20 k chapters don't feel like monsters AT ALL, and that's coming from someone whose dyslexic!!! im reading those mfs like they're a grocery receipt!!! kiss kiss

DUDDDEEEEE i need CONSTANT word count validation so thank you.

I sit down to write my silly little POVs and I go into a trance and then I come up for air and I’m like “why do I have 7k of Zuko and Sokka NOT DOING ANYTHING FOR THE PLOTTTTTT” haha but they’re snuggling though so it’s ok. Haha

Thanks buddy & I’m happy my 25(.9)k chapter doesn’t read too long…. I really do give 110% effort to not read like it’s 25k haha. Thanks anon kiss kiss cheek poke back.

#I LOVE WORD COUNT VALIDATIONNNN #THANK YOU #I seriously started writing azulas stuff a few days ago #and I went way way overboard #like there is NO NEED to add this much lore to her crusade but here I am #type type type TYPING AWAY #so thank you anon #& super jealous that your grocery store recipes are as long as my chapter haha #I’m coming to your house for food #prepare me something delicious please!!! #yum yum yum I’m hungry #& nervous to post the next chapter #cause I’m *sings* alllwaayyyssss nervousssssss #*sings* & always singingggggggggg #liab #itf #ask

[deus-ex-mona]

goodxnight guys~~~

#completely forgot that there was another lxl interview back from when the [redacted] anime had just finished airing lmao #it’s from the same feature in which the [redacted] anime director outright said that thing about mona lol #(as in: ​the ‘mona’s a popular character with a fleshed out backstory but she’s just hiyori’s therapist friend in this loloops’ thing) #i was in such an upset disbelief about it at the time that i completely forgot about the lxl interview man… 2k22 sure was *a* year huh #maybe i’ll get to this interview on either wednesday or this weekend… i need to prepare my lxl tling mindset for the album interview lol #(im still unsure if the magazine will ship lmfao it’s been processing for a g e s [read: 3 days] since i bought it lmao) #(​either way i think itll only come in earliest by this weekend bc im still waiting for my nghy impulse purchase standees too) #(and even if it does come i wanna tl the kawaikute gomen vol 1 bonus manga first [if it actually arrives]) #(women’s wrongs are always top priority yk~~~~?) #(though. haha… i think i’ll have the entire hw manga collection when my next batch of purchases come in… s o b s my storage space—) #(the dolce manga exist as just ebooks in my collection thoughhhh. the dolce manga is p much the perfect mix of crack and tragedy tbh) #(like. there are scenes with girisha and his *girisha-ness* b u t there are also scenes with fuuma and his heartbreaking backstory) #(re-reading my (frankly) bad tl of ‘happy’ (shiina chapter) doesn’t make me happy at all.) #(i should really get round to reworking it these days… like the fonts and such are *atrocious*) #b u t i digress anyway lxl old interview tl (maybe) coming soon this week depending on exhaustion levels sorry for clogging the dash gn guys